TV
TV
Russell Tovey is "more selective" about playing gay characters.
The 33-year-old actor is openly homosexual and feels a "responsibility" about accurately portraying his sexuality in shows such as 'Looking', in which he plays a video game company boss torn between two lovers.
He said: "I'm more selective [about gay roles] because it's more personal and it matters more to me.
"I feel a responsibility to the show, to make it the best it can be and to ensure the gay community is shown in all its colours."
The British actor used to be obsessed with playing violent video games but now prefers more sedate pastimes.
He told Gay Times magazine: "I'd get so worked up [playing 'Street Fighter'] that I'd give myself a headache.
"Then when I first got a PlayStation, I got 'Grand Theft Auto', which I renamed 'Streetcar Named Desire'.
"I'd play it for days then I'd leave the house and get really weirded out by the idea you could just run someone over and it was absolutely fine.
"Now I'm more of a board game man. Give me Scrabble and a pint of beer and I'm incredibly happy."
Russell Tovey ‘more selective’ about gay characters
Russell Tovey is "more selective" about playing gay characters.
The 33-year-old actor is openly homosexual and feels a "responsibility" about accurately portraying his sexuality in shows such as 'Looking', in which he plays a video game company boss torn between two lovers.
He said: "I'm more selective [about gay roles] because it's more personal and it matters more to me.
"I feel a responsibility to the show, to make it the best it can be and to ensure the gay community is shown in all its colours."
The British actor used to be obsessed with playing violent video games but now prefers more sedate pastimes.
He told Gay Times magazine: "I'd get so worked up [playing 'Street Fighter'] that I'd give myself a headache.
"Then when I first got a PlayStation, I got 'Grand Theft Auto', which I renamed 'Streetcar Named Desire'.
"I'd play it for days then I'd leave the house and get really weirded out by the idea you could just run someone over and it was absolutely fine.
"Now I'm more of a board game man. Give me Scrabble and a pint of beer and I'm incredibly happy."
TV
Kat Moon will attempt to commit suicide in 'EastEnders'.
The troubled character - portrayed by Jessie Wallace - will try to end her life in a heartbreaking storyline, which will air to viewers next month.
The BBC One soap is tackling the story of how sexual abuse by her dad's brother Harry Slater at 13-years-old, which resulted in the birth of her daughter Zoe, has affected Kat as she gets older.
Following her attempt, Kat will seek friendship and support from a unknown character, which will be portrayed by June Whitfield.
A source said: "This is the start of a huge new storyline for Kat. She's been knocked down so many times in life and always gets up. But it will all become too much for her. Everyone has a breaking point and Kat reaches hers.
"Once she recovers from the overdose she wants answers about her past. That's where June's character comes in. She plays a nun and Kat hopes she'll provide her with the answers she needs."
Bosses have been working with the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) charity and were praised for raising awareness in the upcoming scenes.
Dr Jon Bird from NAPAC told the Daily Star on Sunday newspaper: "It has been very encouraging for me that the script team at 'EastEnders' has gone to the trouble of contacting an organisation working with adult survivors of sexual abuse to check this storyline and raise awareness of this difficult issue."
Kat Moon to attempt suicide in tragic EastEnders storyline
Kat Moon will attempt to commit suicide in 'EastEnders'.
The troubled character - portrayed by Jessie Wallace - will try to end her life in a heartbreaking storyline, which will air to viewers next month.
The BBC One soap is tackling the story of how sexual abuse by her dad's brother Harry Slater at 13-years-old, which resulted in the birth of her daughter Zoe, has affected Kat as she gets older.
Following her attempt, Kat will seek friendship and support from a unknown character, which will be portrayed by June Whitfield.
A source said: "This is the start of a huge new storyline for Kat. She's been knocked down so many times in life and always gets up. But it will all become too much for her. Everyone has a breaking point and Kat reaches hers.
"Once she recovers from the overdose she wants answers about her past. That's where June's character comes in. She plays a nun and Kat hopes she'll provide her with the answers she needs."
Bosses have been working with the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) charity and were praised for raising awareness in the upcoming scenes.
Dr Jon Bird from NAPAC told the Daily Star on Sunday newspaper: "It has been very encouraging for me that the script team at 'EastEnders' has gone to the trouble of contacting an organisation working with adult survivors of sexual abuse to check this storyline and raise awareness of this difficult issue."
TV
Jeremy Clarkson is reportedly planning to sue the BBC if he is sacked.
The 'Top Gear' presenter - who was suspended from his role on the popular show after being involved in a "fracas" with a producer - hinted he wouldn't go silently.
He said: "I've been put on silence. There are very good reasons from my point of view why I simply can't say a word."
But a pal went further to state "lawyers will be involved" if Jeremy is fired.
They said: "There is no doubt that if Jeremy is fired it won't be the end of it. Lawyers will be involved."
The 54-year-old television personality is said to be fuming over comments made by a high-ranking member of staff at the BBC, who compared his situation to that of Jimmy Savile.
The friend added: "Jeremy believes BBC executives launched a smear campaign against him ahead of the independent inquiry. He won't let that go."
His co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond are also said to be considering legal action if Jeremy leaves and the show is axed.
A source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "It is very much an all for one and one for all attitude. Their future is very much tied up in Jeremy's. Without him there is no 'Top Gear' and effectively no work for them.
"This has impacted on them. Their new contracts are on hold too and they face a huge loss of earnings if the 'Top Gear Live' shows are cancelled, plus spin-offs from books and videos. They will surely then turn to lawyers to protect their interests."
And it's not just the trio who aren't taking things lying down, a petition to reinstate the star signed by nearly one million fans was personally delivered to the BBC in a tank by a man dressed as the show's driver The Stig.
Jeremy Clarkson planning to sue BBC?
Jeremy Clarkson is reportedly planning to sue the BBC if he is sacked.
The 'Top Gear' presenter - who was suspended from his role on the popular show after being involved in a "fracas" with a producer - hinted he wouldn't go silently.
He said: "I've been put on silence. There are very good reasons from my point of view why I simply can't say a word."
But a pal went further to state "lawyers will be involved" if Jeremy is fired.
They said: "There is no doubt that if Jeremy is fired it won't be the end of it. Lawyers will be involved."
The 54-year-old television personality is said to be fuming over comments made by a high-ranking member of staff at the BBC, who compared his situation to that of Jimmy Savile.
The friend added: "Jeremy believes BBC executives launched a smear campaign against him ahead of the independent inquiry. He won't let that go."
His co-hosts James May and Richard Hammond are also said to be considering legal action if Jeremy leaves and the show is axed.
A source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "It is very much an all for one and one for all attitude. Their future is very much tied up in Jeremy's. Without him there is no 'Top Gear' and effectively no work for them.
"This has impacted on them. Their new contracts are on hold too and they face a huge loss of earnings if the 'Top Gear Live' shows are cancelled, plus spin-offs from books and videos. They will surely then turn to lawyers to protect their interests."
And it's not just the trio who aren't taking things lying down, a petition to reinstate the star signed by nearly one million fans was personally delivered to the BBC in a tank by a man dressed as the show's driver The Stig.
TV
Danny Dyer needed counselling after suffering a family trauma when he was younger.
His mother Christina has revealed the 'EastEnders' star was just nine-years-old when the family found out Danny's father Tony had been cheating with a secret lover.
Recalling the moment she had to tell the children about the affair, she said: "It was an awful time. I sat the kids down and talked to them and explained the situation.
"Tony wasn't bothered and Kayleigh was too young to realise but Danny kind of withdrew. He's always been very sensitive."
Christina, now 59, went to talk to Danny's headmistress, who recommended a counsellor.
She added: "I went and saw his headmistress and she said, 'I know a really good counsellor'. Danny wasn't really up for it but I said, 'Let's try it and see how it goes'. Off he would go and he'd come outside and he wouldn't tell me what they'd talked about.
"Later he told me he got him to play with dolls and stuff. I also gave him a lot of cuddles to reassure him that mummy is constant - that I'm not going anywhere."
And whilst it is all "water under the bridge" now, Christina believes it has had an effect on who Danny, 37 - who is now close to his father - is today.
She told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "I'm not saying Danny hasn't been affected by it...
"He wasn't very academic and he tends to say that he would have gone into crime. The worst time was having to pick him up from the nick when he was 16 because he'd been caught with some weed."
Danny Dyer’s childhood counselling sessions
Danny Dyer needed counselling after suffering a family trauma when he was younger.
His mother Christina has revealed the 'EastEnders' star was just nine-years-old when the family found out Danny's father Tony had been cheating with a secret lover.
Recalling the moment she had to tell the children about the affair, she said: "It was an awful time. I sat the kids down and talked to them and explained the situation.
"Tony wasn't bothered and Kayleigh was too young to realise but Danny kind of withdrew. He's always been very sensitive."
Christina, now 59, went to talk to Danny's headmistress, who recommended a counsellor.
She added: "I went and saw his headmistress and she said, 'I know a really good counsellor'. Danny wasn't really up for it but I said, 'Let's try it and see how it goes'. Off he would go and he'd come outside and he wouldn't tell me what they'd talked about.
"Later he told me he got him to play with dolls and stuff. I also gave him a lot of cuddles to reassure him that mummy is constant - that I'm not going anywhere."
And whilst it is all "water under the bridge" now, Christina believes it has had an effect on who Danny, 37 - who is now close to his father - is today.
She told The Sun on Sunday newspaper: "I'm not saying Danny hasn't been affected by it...
"He wasn't very academic and he tends to say that he would have gone into crime. The worst time was having to pick him up from the nick when he was 16 because he'd been caught with some weed."
TV
Jo Joyner "hid" after messing up her lines on 'EastEnders' live episode.
The 37-year-old actress - who reprised her role as Tanya Branning for the soap's recent anniversary celebrations and felt she had "let everyone down" when she accidentally referred to Adam Woodyatt's character Ian Beale by the actor's name.
She said: "It was brilliant to be back. I had such a giggle - up until the 'How's Adam' moment. It's not a line fluff, you can't talk your way out of it.
"In my head I was going, 'You just said Adam' but I had to do another two scenes.
"Afterwards, I went and hid. I felt like I had let everyone down."
Jo was so embarrassed by her gaffe that she was reluctant to return to work the following evening.
She added: "The next night I didn't want to go on but my husband drove 160 miles to tell me I was going to do it and it was going to be fine."
Though the door was left open for Jo to return to Walford when she quit the soap, she insists that doesn't mean there will always be a job there for her.
She told Closer magazine: "I don't think anyone ever relies on a soap, I might get a phone call next week saying what Lorna [Fitzgerald, who plays her screen daughter Abi] needs now is a dead mum. You can never take it for granted, but it's lovely to have been part of such a huge thing."
Jo Joyner ‘hid’ after making live EastEnders blunder
Jo Joyner "hid" after messing up her lines on 'EastEnders' live episode.
The 37-year-old actress - who reprised her role as Tanya Branning for the soap's recent anniversary celebrations and felt she had "let everyone down" when she accidentally referred to Adam Woodyatt's character Ian Beale by the actor's name.
She said: "It was brilliant to be back. I had such a giggle - up until the 'How's Adam' moment. It's not a line fluff, you can't talk your way out of it.
"In my head I was going, 'You just said Adam' but I had to do another two scenes.
"Afterwards, I went and hid. I felt like I had let everyone down."
Jo was so embarrassed by her gaffe that she was reluctant to return to work the following evening.
She added: "The next night I didn't want to go on but my husband drove 160 miles to tell me I was going to do it and it was going to be fine."
Though the door was left open for Jo to return to Walford when she quit the soap, she insists that doesn't mean there will always be a job there for her.
She told Closer magazine: "I don't think anyone ever relies on a soap, I might get a phone call next week saying what Lorna [Fitzgerald, who plays her screen daughter Abi] needs now is a dead mum. You can never take it for granted, but it's lovely to have been part of such a huge thing."
TV
A public memorial service for Anne Kirkbride will take place on May 30.
'Coronation Street' cast and crew members are expected to join the late actress' family and friends, as well as members of the public, for a "celebration" of Anne's life at Manchester Cathedral.
An ITV spokesperson said: "Cast and crew will celebrate Anne's life alongside her family and members of the public who would like to pay their respects to the actress who brought so much joy into everyone's lives as Deirdre Barlow."
It was revealed earlier this week that 'Corrie' will say goodbye to Anne's character Deirdre Barlow later this year, with soap bosses currently working on a fitting tribute to the star, who died of cancer in January.
The show's executive producer Kieran Roberts said: "She was a wonderful woman, a wonderful actress. We all miss her terribly.
"At the moment, we're respecting her memory. We're talking to her family and respecting the family's wishes, but what I can tell fans of the show is that we will be saying farewell to the character on screen later this year."
Although Deirdre's exact exit storyline is yet to be decided on, 'Corrie' bosses are keen to ensure Anne's family have had long enough to grieve before explaining her departure from the soap, in which she starred for over 40 years.
He added: "The exact plans are not yet finalised but that will certainly happen. It's important that, in the real world, the family are able to say farewell to the woman. We absolutely support and respect all of that.
"Later in the year, we will make sure that 'Coronation Street' is able to say a farewell to Deirdre."
Anne Kirkbride memorial service announced
A public memorial service for Anne Kirkbride will take place on May 30.
'Coronation Street' cast and crew members are expected to join the late actress' family and friends, as well as members of the public, for a "celebration" of Anne's life at Manchester Cathedral.
An ITV spokesperson said: "Cast and crew will celebrate Anne's life alongside her family and members of the public who would like to pay their respects to the actress who brought so much joy into everyone's lives as Deirdre Barlow."
It was revealed earlier this week that 'Corrie' will say goodbye to Anne's character Deirdre Barlow later this year, with soap bosses currently working on a fitting tribute to the star, who died of cancer in January.
The show's executive producer Kieran Roberts said: "She was a wonderful woman, a wonderful actress. We all miss her terribly.
"At the moment, we're respecting her memory. We're talking to her family and respecting the family's wishes, but what I can tell fans of the show is that we will be saying farewell to the character on screen later this year."
Although Deirdre's exact exit storyline is yet to be decided on, 'Corrie' bosses are keen to ensure Anne's family have had long enough to grieve before explaining her departure from the soap, in which she starred for over 40 years.
He added: "The exact plans are not yet finalised but that will certainly happen. It's important that, in the real world, the family are able to say farewell to the woman. We absolutely support and respect all of that.
"Later in the year, we will make sure that 'Coronation Street' is able to say a farewell to Deirdre."
TV
Jeremy Clarkson is "touched" so many people want him to return to 'Top Gear'.
A man dressed as the show's anonymous driver The Stig personally delivered a petition to reinstate the 54-year-old presenter - who was suspended by the BBC last week after being involved in a "fracas" with a producer - to the network in a tank yesterday (20.03.15) and the outspoken host is stunned almost one million people have backed the campaign.
He tweeted: "Many many thanks to all of the people who have called for my reinstatement. I'm very touched. We shall all learn next week what will happen."
Earlier this week, Jeremy suggested he was expecting to be sacked as he auctioned off his final ever lap of the motoring show's track at The Roundhouse Gala in London.
In a video that's now emerged of the charity gig, he was heard saying on stage: "I didn't foresee my sacking, but I would like to do one last lap. So I'll go down to Surrey and I'll do one last lap of that track before the f****ing b*****ds sack me.
"I'll be a bit tearful when I do it, but f**k it, let's do it. And I'll drive somebody around in whatever I can get hold of. I'm sacked so it's probably an Austin Maestro!"
The controversial star - who was reported to have punched 'Top Gear' producer Oisin Tymon over a "catering issue" - went on to suggest the BBC have made a huge mistake by sacking him.
He added: "There was an 18-year waiting list to be in the audience of 'Top Gear', but the BBC has f****d themselves."
Jeremy Clarkson thanks fans
Jeremy Clarkson is "touched" so many people want him to return to 'Top Gear'.
A man dressed as the show's anonymous driver The Stig personally delivered a petition to reinstate the 54-year-old presenter - who was suspended by the BBC last week after being involved in a "fracas" with a producer - to the network in a tank yesterday (20.03.15) and the outspoken host is stunned almost one million people have backed the campaign.
He tweeted: "Many many thanks to all of the people who have called for my reinstatement. I'm very touched. We shall all learn next week what will happen."
Earlier this week, Jeremy suggested he was expecting to be sacked as he auctioned off his final ever lap of the motoring show's track at The Roundhouse Gala in London.
In a video that's now emerged of the charity gig, he was heard saying on stage: "I didn't foresee my sacking, but I would like to do one last lap. So I'll go down to Surrey and I'll do one last lap of that track before the f****ing b*****ds sack me.
"I'll be a bit tearful when I do it, but f**k it, let's do it. And I'll drive somebody around in whatever I can get hold of. I'm sacked so it's probably an Austin Maestro!"
The controversial star - who was reported to have punched 'Top Gear' producer Oisin Tymon over a "catering issue" - went on to suggest the BBC have made a huge mistake by sacking him.
He added: "There was an 18-year waiting list to be in the audience of 'Top Gear', but the BBC has f****d themselves."
TV
Elizabeth Hurley's son is to be an intern on her TV show.
The 49-year-old actress' child Damian - from her relationship with Steve Bing - loves spending time on set with her and will be getting some hands-on experience on her new show 'The Royals' over the summer.
She said: "He'll be spending a week in the editing suite, a week with the sound guys, a week with the camera crew.
"God help anyone if he makes their tea though."
Elizabeth took a career break to care for Damian when he was younger but she admits her son would rather she had gone to work so he could visit her on set instead of going to school.
She said: "Ironically I gave up show business for eight years to stay home and raise him when he would have loved me to be working and for him to be in my trailer with a tutor instead of at school."
The British beauty has a close bond with her son and loves spending time with him.
She told HELLO! magazine: "He'll hate me for saying this but he hasn't hit puberty yet - his voice hasn't broken, he's not shaving, he's still a boy, though I know it could change any second and I'm prepared for it.
"But so far it gets more fabulous with him. We're very in tune with each other, we spend a great deal of time together, just the two of us, and he's so supportive of everything I do."
Elizabeth Hurley’s son to intern on her TV show
Elizabeth Hurley's son is to be an intern on her TV show.
The 49-year-old actress' child Damian - from her relationship with Steve Bing - loves spending time on set with her and will be getting some hands-on experience on her new show 'The Royals' over the summer.
She said: "He'll be spending a week in the editing suite, a week with the sound guys, a week with the camera crew.
"God help anyone if he makes their tea though."
Elizabeth took a career break to care for Damian when he was younger but she admits her son would rather she had gone to work so he could visit her on set instead of going to school.
She said: "Ironically I gave up show business for eight years to stay home and raise him when he would have loved me to be working and for him to be in my trailer with a tutor instead of at school."
The British beauty has a close bond with her son and loves spending time with him.
She told HELLO! magazine: "He'll hate me for saying this but he hasn't hit puberty yet - his voice hasn't broken, he's not shaving, he's still a boy, though I know it could change any second and I'm prepared for it.
"But so far it gets more fabulous with him. We're very in tune with each other, we spend a great deal of time together, just the two of us, and he's so supportive of everything I do."
TV
'EastEnders' actor James Bye admits he had "enormous shoes" to fill when he joined the soap.
The actor, who took over the role of Martin Fowler in the BBC One soap earlier this year, has confessed it was daunting replacing James Alexandrou - who starred as Martin from 1996 until 2007 - as he's so well known by fans.
Asked if it was difficult to play a character made famous by another actor, he said: "It can be, they're enormous shoes.
"James Alexandrou, who played the part previously, did such a great job and obviously was on it for quite a long time so I'm sure the fans who've watched 'EastEnders', they're going to see him and say, 'Oh, that's Martin Fowler', and I completely understand that."
James admitted even he watches back his own scenes and finds it weird that someone else is playing Martin - who returned along with his on-screen wife Sonya (Natalie Cassidy) and daughter Rebecca (Jasmine Armfield).
He told ITV's 'This Morning': "I still see that as Martin Fowler, yeah. I watch me and think, who's this guy?
"All I can ask you is just give me a chance, give me a couple of months."
Meanwhile, James has spoken about the upcoming storyline in which it will be revealed Martin has been keeping a huge secret.
He added: "It definitely affects the Sonya, Martin, Rebecca situation - It's to do with that so yeah it's quite a big secret."
James Bye had ‘enormous shoes’ to fill on EastEnders
'EastEnders' actor James Bye admits he had "enormous shoes" to fill when he joined the soap.
The actor, who took over the role of Martin Fowler in the BBC One soap earlier this year, has confessed it was daunting replacing James Alexandrou - who starred as Martin from 1996 until 2007 - as he's so well known by fans.
Asked if it was difficult to play a character made famous by another actor, he said: "It can be, they're enormous shoes.
"James Alexandrou, who played the part previously, did such a great job and obviously was on it for quite a long time so I'm sure the fans who've watched 'EastEnders', they're going to see him and say, 'Oh, that's Martin Fowler', and I completely understand that."
James admitted even he watches back his own scenes and finds it weird that someone else is playing Martin - who returned along with his on-screen wife Sonya (Natalie Cassidy) and daughter Rebecca (Jasmine Armfield).
He told ITV's 'This Morning': "I still see that as Martin Fowler, yeah. I watch me and think, who's this guy?
"All I can ask you is just give me a chance, give me a couple of months."
Meanwhile, James has spoken about the upcoming storyline in which it will be revealed Martin has been keeping a huge secret.
He added: "It definitely affects the Sonya, Martin, Rebecca situation - It's to do with that so yeah it's quite a big secret."