TV
TV
Jake Wood is to take a 12-month break from 'EastEnders'.
The 42-year-old actor, who stars as Max Branning in the BBC soap, is taking a break from the show to pursue other projects, but has already agreed a big-money deal to return to Albert Square in 12 months' time.
The London-born star said: "I've been at 'EastEnders' for nine years and I feel the time is right to give Max a break.
"But it won't be for too long as I shall be back to see Max face another chapter of drama."
Jake's on-screen character has been at the centre of some of the soap's biggest storylines over the last decade, including his dramatic affair with Stacey Slater, but 'EastEnders' bosses are remaining tight-lipped about how Max will exit the show.
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, the programme's Executive Producer, said: "Jake and I agreed that we would give both him and Max a break when the opportunity arose.
"That has now come and it is the perfect time to send Max Branning out with a bang that will send ripples through the Square for the rest of the year until Jake returns."
Jake Wood quits EastEnders
Jake Wood is to take a 12-month break from 'EastEnders'.
The 42-year-old actor, who stars as Max Branning in the BBC soap, is taking a break from the show to pursue other projects, but has already agreed a big-money deal to return to Albert Square in 12 months' time.
The London-born star said: "I've been at 'EastEnders' for nine years and I feel the time is right to give Max a break.
"But it won't be for too long as I shall be back to see Max face another chapter of drama."
Jake's on-screen character has been at the centre of some of the soap's biggest storylines over the last decade, including his dramatic affair with Stacey Slater, but 'EastEnders' bosses are remaining tight-lipped about how Max will exit the show.
Dominic Treadwell-Collins, the programme's Executive Producer, said: "Jake and I agreed that we would give both him and Max a break when the opportunity arose.
"That has now come and it is the perfect time to send Max Branning out with a bang that will send ripples through the Square for the rest of the year until Jake returns."
TV
Paula Lane is "happier and more chilled" since having a baby.
The 'Coronation Street' actress, who plays Kylie Platt in the ITV soap, has confessed she's feeling much more comfortable in herself since giving birth to her and her husband Tom Shaw's son Arthur on New Year's Eve.
She said: "I'm much happier and more chilled - I guess you have to be otherwise you'd drive yourself round the bend! But it's a lovely place to be. Being a mum is the ultimate role, so I couldn't ask for more really."
The 29-year-old star also admitted she's excited about her character's imminent return to 'Corrie' and insists she had no trouble getting back into filming.
She shared: "I just waltzed back in like I'd never been away, to be honest! It wasn't an enormous amount of time off and I did dip in and out of it when I was on maternity leave. I just tried not to think about it too much."
However, the brunette beauty is finding it tiring juggling her new baby with her work commitments.
Paula added to OK! magazine: "This job is relentless anyway, so it was always going to be a case of taking it day by day. Don't project too far because what's the point? You just have to try and keep calm about it. There are good days and bad days. Sometimes I'm here for 12 hours but sometimes I'm home by the afternoon. There's not a set routine and that's what makes it exciting."
Paula Lane ‘more chilled’ since having a baby
Paula Lane is "happier and more chilled" since having a baby.
The 'Coronation Street' actress, who plays Kylie Platt in the ITV soap, has confessed she's feeling much more comfortable in herself since giving birth to her and her husband Tom Shaw's son Arthur on New Year's Eve.
She said: "I'm much happier and more chilled - I guess you have to be otherwise you'd drive yourself round the bend! But it's a lovely place to be. Being a mum is the ultimate role, so I couldn't ask for more really."
The 29-year-old star also admitted she's excited about her character's imminent return to 'Corrie' and insists she had no trouble getting back into filming.
She shared: "I just waltzed back in like I'd never been away, to be honest! It wasn't an enormous amount of time off and I did dip in and out of it when I was on maternity leave. I just tried not to think about it too much."
However, the brunette beauty is finding it tiring juggling her new baby with her work commitments.
Paula added to OK! magazine: "This job is relentless anyway, so it was always going to be a case of taking it day by day. Don't project too far because what's the point? You just have to try and keep calm about it. There are good days and bad days. Sometimes I'm here for 12 hours but sometimes I'm home by the afternoon. There's not a set routine and that's what makes it exciting."
TV
Davina McCall admits being abandoned by her mother has affected how she treats her children.
The 'Long Lost Family' presenter - who has daughters Holly, 13, and Tilly, 11, with her husband Matthew Robertson - has confessed having her mother walk out on her when she was just three years old makes her paranoid about her own parenting techniques.
Asked if it has affected the sort of mum she is, she admitted: "Definitely. When my children were at nursery, my husband Matthew pointed out that it didn't matter if I was five minutes late to pick them up one day. They weren't standing there, like I did, wondering if their mum was going to come because she didn't come the previous day. It took me a long time to get my head around the fact I don't have to be perfect all the time."
The 47-year-old star also revealed that while she's nervous about her children becoming teenagers, they're the best thing that's ever happened to her.
She told Closer magazine: "I tell my children they are the making of me. It's not up to them to fix me, but they have meshed me together. They are phenomenal. I am yet to reach the difficult teenage years - come and speak to me in three years and I'll probably be going, 'I'm having a nervous breakdown - it's a nightmare!' But at the moment, it's still roses."
Davina McCall admits being abandoned still affects her
Davina McCall admits being abandoned by her mother has affected how she treats her children.
The 'Long Lost Family' presenter - who has daughters Holly, 13, and Tilly, 11, with her husband Matthew Robertson - has confessed having her mother walk out on her when she was just three years old makes her paranoid about her own parenting techniques.
Asked if it has affected the sort of mum she is, she admitted: "Definitely. When my children were at nursery, my husband Matthew pointed out that it didn't matter if I was five minutes late to pick them up one day. They weren't standing there, like I did, wondering if their mum was going to come because she didn't come the previous day. It took me a long time to get my head around the fact I don't have to be perfect all the time."
The 47-year-old star also revealed that while she's nervous about her children becoming teenagers, they're the best thing that's ever happened to her.
She told Closer magazine: "I tell my children they are the making of me. It's not up to them to fix me, but they have meshed me together. They are phenomenal. I am yet to reach the difficult teenage years - come and speak to me in three years and I'll probably be going, 'I'm having a nervous breakdown - it's a nightmare!' But at the moment, it's still roses."
TV
Jamie Raven and UDI are through to the 'Britain's Got Talent' live final.
Magician Jamie, 31, who wowed the judges with his "incredible" performance, automatically secured his spot in the final stage of the ITV talent show after receiving the majority of the public vote during the third round of the semi-finals tonight (27.05.15).
Despite being hailed as the "new generation Diversity," twenty-six piece dance troupe IMD Legion, who are all aged between nine and 17, narrowly missed out on a spot in the final on Sunday (31.05.15) after dividing the judges opinion.
Alesha Dixon, who also performed her new single on the show, and David Walliams selected the London-based dancers, but the decision went back to the public vote after Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden backed Siberian group UDI, who won praise for their "life-affirming" choreography.
Following their performance, which saw them dance against the dramatic black backdrop with blue butterflies, Simon predicted the group would sail through to the final, saying: "It was magic, wasn't it? I think you're going to get a big vote tonight so congratulations."
Both acts join dancers Old Man Grooving, dog trainer Jules O'Dwyer & Matisse, dance troupe Entity Allstars and Welsh choir Cor Glanaethwy, along with two contestants from each of the two remaining semi-finals, in the final on Sunday at 7.30pm on ITV.
Jamie Raven and UDI in ‘BGT’ final
Jamie Raven and UDI are through to the 'Britain's Got Talent' live final.
Magician Jamie, 31, who wowed the judges with his "incredible" performance, automatically secured his spot in the final stage of the ITV talent show after receiving the majority of the public vote during the third round of the semi-finals tonight (27.05.15).
Despite being hailed as the "new generation Diversity," twenty-six piece dance troupe IMD Legion, who are all aged between nine and 17, narrowly missed out on a spot in the final on Sunday (31.05.15) after dividing the judges opinion.
Alesha Dixon, who also performed her new single on the show, and David Walliams selected the London-based dancers, but the decision went back to the public vote after Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden backed Siberian group UDI, who won praise for their "life-affirming" choreography.
Following their performance, which saw them dance against the dramatic black backdrop with blue butterflies, Simon predicted the group would sail through to the final, saying: "It was magic, wasn't it? I think you're going to get a big vote tonight so congratulations."
Both acts join dancers Old Man Grooving, dog trainer Jules O'Dwyer & Matisse, dance troupe Entity Allstars and Welsh choir Cor Glanaethwy, along with two contestants from each of the two remaining semi-finals, in the final on Sunday at 7.30pm on ITV.
TV
Mario Falcone has been suspended from 'The Only Way Is Essex' for promoting diet pills on social media.
The 27-year-old hunk has been suspended from the ITVBe show for the second time in two years after he was caught breaking the broadcaster's rules by posing with G'Rilla Burn Bullets on both his Twitter and Instagram accounts.
A spokesperson for 'TOWIE' told The Sun newspaper: "Mario is suspended and will not be appearing in the Marbella episodes."
It is not the first time Mario - who was previously engaged to his former co-star Lucy Mecklenburgh - has been excluded from the Marbella special as last year he was temporarily suspended while bosses investigated claims he'd been caught taking drugs on camera.
The former lothario's job on the show was left hanging in the balance as the rest of the cast jetted off to Spain to start filming the new series without him.
However, after issuing an apology he was allowed to return later in the year.
He said at the time: "I would like to publicly apologise to my loyal family and friends, all of my co-stars on 'TOWIE', to ITV and most importantly to all of the fans.
"I have been seeking professional assistance and am now fit and well.
"I hope that the producers and ITV will see my genuine remorse and consider allowing me to return to the show."
Asked about the video in which he allegedly took cocaine, Mario added: "The industry we are in and the age I am, you do things that are out of character and very immature and that is part of growing up. I think it was just part of growing up.
"It wasn't a dark place or anything like I have been in the past, it was just stupidity. It is a lesson learned."
Mario Falcone suspended from The Only Way Is Essex
Mario Falcone has been suspended from 'The Only Way Is Essex' for promoting diet pills on social media.
The 27-year-old hunk has been suspended from the ITVBe show for the second time in two years after he was caught breaking the broadcaster's rules by posing with G'Rilla Burn Bullets on both his Twitter and Instagram accounts.
A spokesperson for 'TOWIE' told The Sun newspaper: "Mario is suspended and will not be appearing in the Marbella episodes."
It is not the first time Mario - who was previously engaged to his former co-star Lucy Mecklenburgh - has been excluded from the Marbella special as last year he was temporarily suspended while bosses investigated claims he'd been caught taking drugs on camera.
The former lothario's job on the show was left hanging in the balance as the rest of the cast jetted off to Spain to start filming the new series without him.
However, after issuing an apology he was allowed to return later in the year.
He said at the time: "I would like to publicly apologise to my loyal family and friends, all of my co-stars on 'TOWIE', to ITV and most importantly to all of the fans.
"I have been seeking professional assistance and am now fit and well.
"I hope that the producers and ITV will see my genuine remorse and consider allowing me to return to the show."
Asked about the video in which he allegedly took cocaine, Mario added: "The industry we are in and the age I am, you do things that are out of character and very immature and that is part of growing up. I think it was just part of growing up.
"It wasn't a dark place or anything like I have been in the past, it was just stupidity. It is a lesson learned."
TV
Old Men Grooving will perform an MC Hammer-inspired routine for the 'Britain's Got Talent' final.
Stephen Mulhern - who presents the spin-off show 'Britain's Got More Talent' - has revealed the dance group will be looking to the 'Can't Touch This' hitmaker for inspiration ahead of the live final this weekend.
Stephen said: "David's the choreographer and he's sorted it all out, the final's going to be amazing. MC Hammer stuff, don't miss it!"
David and his pals Phil, Fred, Patrick and Brett - who are all dads from London and Essex aged between 40 and 60 years old - also spoke about how they came to audition for the ITV talent show.
David told ITV's 'This Morning': "We got together once a week and, I know it sounds funny, but pizza and a drink and a chat and we were dancing and, I know it sounds cliche, but we started to feel young again and were really enjoying ourselves.
"So we thought, let's keep going and then the next minute someone mentioned 'Britain's Got Talent' and we were all laughing and now we're sitting here talking to you."
The men - who fought off stiff competition from gospel choir Revelation Avenue to be taken through to the final - added that it can be a struggle to catch their breaths after performing the energetic routines.
They laughed: "You run out of steam and you think, 'Can we actually carry on?' And then you've got to face the judges and try and look all composed."
Old Man Groove join Jules O'Dwyer & Matisse, dance troupe Entity Allstars and Welsh choir Cor Glanaethwy, along with two contestants from each of the three remaining semi-finals, in the final on Sunday at 7.30pm on ITV.
Old Men Grooving for MC Hammer performance
Old Men Grooving will perform an MC Hammer-inspired routine for the 'Britain's Got Talent' final.
Stephen Mulhern - who presents the spin-off show 'Britain's Got More Talent' - has revealed the dance group will be looking to the 'Can't Touch This' hitmaker for inspiration ahead of the live final this weekend.
Stephen said: "David's the choreographer and he's sorted it all out, the final's going to be amazing. MC Hammer stuff, don't miss it!"
David and his pals Phil, Fred, Patrick and Brett - who are all dads from London and Essex aged between 40 and 60 years old - also spoke about how they came to audition for the ITV talent show.
David told ITV's 'This Morning': "We got together once a week and, I know it sounds funny, but pizza and a drink and a chat and we were dancing and, I know it sounds cliche, but we started to feel young again and were really enjoying ourselves.
"So we thought, let's keep going and then the next minute someone mentioned 'Britain's Got Talent' and we were all laughing and now we're sitting here talking to you."
The men - who fought off stiff competition from gospel choir Revelation Avenue to be taken through to the final - added that it can be a struggle to catch their breaths after performing the energetic routines.
They laughed: "You run out of steam and you think, 'Can we actually carry on?' And then you've got to face the judges and try and look all composed."
Old Man Groove join Jules O'Dwyer & Matisse, dance troupe Entity Allstars and Welsh choir Cor Glanaethwy, along with two contestants from each of the three remaining semi-finals, in the final on Sunday at 7.30pm on ITV.
TV
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has rubbished Louis Walsh's claims that their feud is "all fun and games".
The former Girls Aloud star took to her Instagram account to deny she has become pally with her former 'X Factor' colleague after Louis, 62, claimed that the pair had put their spat behind them, saying the 31-year-old singer had been sending him "funny" text messages.
Alongside a screenshot of Louis' words from a recent interview, in which he insisted the pair "haven't really fallen out", Cheryl wrote: "&back pedal 1&2&3&4 until out of sight. Ps) I would not have found the text messages I sent to be "funny" but ok!! Toodles (sic)"
The brunette beauty also reiterated her claim that Louis - who recently branded her "lazy" and "irrelevant" - is "obsessed" with her.
She wrote: "I must be constantly on your mind aww #thatscute and #kindaweirdsametime (sic)."
Louis, who was fired from the show this year after starring on the series since 2004, addressed speculation the pair were involved in a bitter argument but added the hostility between them was "all fun and games".
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I got a text from Cheryl, but we haven't really fallen out - she was just saying funny things.
"She knows I'm writing a book, so it's all fun and games, there's no nastiness."
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini reignites Louis Walsh feud
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has rubbished Louis Walsh's claims that their feud is "all fun and games".
The former Girls Aloud star took to her Instagram account to deny she has become pally with her former 'X Factor' colleague after Louis, 62, claimed that the pair had put their spat behind them, saying the 31-year-old singer had been sending him "funny" text messages.
Alongside a screenshot of Louis' words from a recent interview, in which he insisted the pair "haven't really fallen out", Cheryl wrote: "&back pedal 1&2&3&4 until out of sight. Ps) I would not have found the text messages I sent to be "funny" but ok!! Toodles (sic)"
The brunette beauty also reiterated her claim that Louis - who recently branded her "lazy" and "irrelevant" - is "obsessed" with her.
She wrote: "I must be constantly on your mind aww #thatscute and #kindaweirdsametime (sic)."
Louis, who was fired from the show this year after starring on the series since 2004, addressed speculation the pair were involved in a bitter argument but added the hostility between them was "all fun and games".
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I got a text from Cheryl, but we haven't really fallen out - she was just saying funny things.
"She knows I'm writing a book, so it's all fun and games, there's no nastiness."
TV
Jonathan Ross will join Katie Price on the judging panel of 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK Ambassador'.
The 54-year-old chat show host will complete the celebrity line-up that are tasked with choosing the best drag queen in a nationwide search of hundreds from across Britain ahead of the launch of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' on TruTV in June.
RuPaul said:""I am beyond thrilled that RuPaul's Drag Race is coming to the UK on truTV. This show is a celebration of the art of drag. Not only is it dazzling to watch, it's funny, outrageous, heart-warming, stupid and wickedly smart - all at the same time!
"But at its heart, the show is really about the perseverance of the human spirit. These fierce and talented queens were once the little boys that were picked on and bullied. They were told that they were 'too much' and that little boys don't act or dress that way.
"That's why the fan base of the show keeps growing ... around the world. Because Drag Race appeals to anyone - young or old, gay or straight - who marches to the beat of a different drum and who isn't afraid to let their freak flag fly high. Like I always say, you're born naked and the rest is drag."
'Drag Race' is currently filming its eighth series and sees America's drag elite throwing their 'wigs to the wall' in a bid to win the coveted title of 'America's Next Drag Superstar' through a variety of funny challenges.
The person chosen to be the UK ambassador will work with truTV to create a series of exclusive vlogs to accompany 'RuPaul's Drag Race' and will also receive an all-expenses paid trip to Los Angeles for them and a friend to go behind the scenes of the upcoming series.
Katie Price got involved in the show after forming a friendship with Michelle Visage - who is a judge on the US show - while competing on 'Celebrity Big Brother' earlier this year.
'RuPaul's Drag Race' will air every Monday and Tuesday at 10pm from June 1 on truTV, Freeview channel 68, Sky channel 198 and FreeSat channel 154. It's followed by 'RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked', that contains never-seen-before behind the scenes content
Jonathan Ross joins panel of judges to find ‘Drag Race UK Ambassador’
Jonathan Ross will join Katie Price on the judging panel of 'RuPaul's Drag Race UK Ambassador'.
The 54-year-old chat show host will complete the celebrity line-up that are tasked with choosing the best drag queen in a nationwide search of hundreds from across Britain ahead of the launch of 'RuPaul's Drag Race' on TruTV in June.
RuPaul said:""I am beyond thrilled that RuPaul's Drag Race is coming to the UK on truTV. This show is a celebration of the art of drag. Not only is it dazzling to watch, it's funny, outrageous, heart-warming, stupid and wickedly smart - all at the same time!
"But at its heart, the show is really about the perseverance of the human spirit. These fierce and talented queens were once the little boys that were picked on and bullied. They were told that they were 'too much' and that little boys don't act or dress that way.
"That's why the fan base of the show keeps growing ... around the world. Because Drag Race appeals to anyone - young or old, gay or straight - who marches to the beat of a different drum and who isn't afraid to let their freak flag fly high. Like I always say, you're born naked and the rest is drag."
'Drag Race' is currently filming its eighth series and sees America's drag elite throwing their 'wigs to the wall' in a bid to win the coveted title of 'America's Next Drag Superstar' through a variety of funny challenges.
The person chosen to be the UK ambassador will work with truTV to create a series of exclusive vlogs to accompany 'RuPaul's Drag Race' and will also receive an all-expenses paid trip to Los Angeles for them and a friend to go behind the scenes of the upcoming series.
Katie Price got involved in the show after forming a friendship with Michelle Visage - who is a judge on the US show - while competing on 'Celebrity Big Brother' earlier this year.
'RuPaul's Drag Race' will air every Monday and Tuesday at 10pm from June 1 on truTV, Freeview channel 68, Sky channel 198 and FreeSat channel 154. It's followed by 'RuPaul's Drag Race: Untucked', that contains never-seen-before behind the scenes content