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Jim Broadbent cast in London Spy


Jim Broadbent is to star in 'London Spy'.
The 'Harry Potter' actor has signed up to star in the five-part series created by 'Child 44' author Tom Rob Smith, which tells the story of a chance romance between two people from very different worlds.
Starring alongside Jim will be 'Restless' actress Charlotte Rampling, 'James Bond' star Ben Whishaw and newcomer Edward Holcroft.
Whishaw will star as Danny - a hedonistic and romantic party boy - who falls for Secret Intelligence Service employee Alex (Holcroft), who goes missing just as the pair begin to realise they are perfect for one another.
Tom said of the cast and director Jakob Verbruggen: "London Spy has gathered an exceptional cast and a visionary director. I couldn't be more excited, or proud."
The BBC's Head of Independent Drama, Polly Hill, added: "It's testament to Tom's wonderful scripts, that they have attracted such an incredible cast. Together with Jakob directing, this is an exciting team which promises to make London Spy an unmissable drama for BBC Two."
'London Spy' - which is produced by Guy Heeley and executive produced by Tom Rob Smith, Juliette Howell, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner - is set to air on BBC Two in 2015 and will be made up of five hour-long episodes.

Reza Mahammad eats silk worms for new show


Reza Mahammad indulged in "grasshoppers, silk worms and water bugs" for his latest TV series.
The TV chef gorged on the food products while filming his latest Food Network cookery programme in Thailand, and while he admits he didn't always enjoy consuming the bugs, he insists they are healthier than chowing down on crisps.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "Memories of eating insects was one which wasn't a great memory, but it certainly left an imprint on my mind! They breed insects over there for food.
"I ate grasshoppers, silk worms, water bugs; they were fried with lime and flavoured with lemon grass and a bit of chilli. Very crispy and crunchy! I kept saying I am not a celebrity, but get me out of here!
"Eating insects is better than eating crisps. They are highly nutritious. Some people say they are the future protein.
"I mean over there it is just normal. We wouldn't find eating them so disgusting if we were conditioned to them."
As well as filming in Thailand, the star also admitted he loves appearing as the chef on 'This Morning' because he has so much energy when he does a live demonstration.
He added: "I love it! It's just the energy there. It's always buzzing and when you are doing a live demo you are so charged. Everything happens on the spare of the moment and nothing is actually contrived."
Reza Spice Prince of Thailand, airs tonight (17.10.14) at 6:30pm on FOOD NETWORK UK
Freeview 41, freesat 149, Sky 248, Virgin 287 www.foodnetwork.co.uk

Chris Stark’s crab costume concern


Chris Stark is worried he might have talked himself into wearing Scott Mills' crab outfit at the Radio 1 Teen Awards.
The Radio 1 star joked earlier this week that it would be funny if someone wore the crab costume, which his colleague donned during his 'Strictly Come Dancing' routine last weekend, at the event on Sunday (19.10.14) but he is now concerned he might be the unlucky guy as it's his first year at the event.
He exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "Scott performed on 'Strictly' last week dressed in a crab outfit so I stupidly said that might be a good idea.
"I don't know if in my one time at Wembley I should be dressed up in a crab suit. I'm not sure it's a good idea.
"But we will be having loads of fun there. Me and Scott will be hanging out backstage getting loads of photos, hanging out with all the artists and all the Teen Heroes of course, so it's going to be a really, really good day."
Chris can't wait to see the acts perform live at the Teen Awards, which will take place at the SSE Arena at London's Wembley, and admits he is fully prepared for the screaming when The Vamps take to the stage.
He added: "I've seen some of the guys when they've come into Radio 1 but I've not actually seen them live.
"I think seeing The Vamps live is going to be awesome. The noise when they go on is going to be insane. Labrinth always puts on a good show, I've seen him before and he just kills it every time."
BBC Radio 1's Teen Awards will be live on Radio 1 between 1pm-5:15pm on Sunday October 19. The whole event will be available to watch via a live stream on bbc.co.uk/radio1 and on BBC Red Button with TV highlights on CBBC from 5.30-7pm.

Andrea Faustini suffers meltdown on The X Factor


Andrea Faustini reportedly suffered a meltdown after the 'X Factor' results show on Sunday night (12.10.14).
The Italian singer - who is a favourite to win the ITV talent show - is said to have broken down in tears despite being put through by the public vote, because he had no friends or family there to celebrate with.
An insider revealed: "Despite going through, after the show Andrea was distraught, sobbing in a corner of the studio.
"Emotions were obviously running high and family and friends are so important on a show like this. So he was painfully aware he didn't have anyone there.
"It's no reflection on him personally because he's a lovely guy, just the fact he hasn't been in this country very long."
Andrea's parents had flown over from Italy to watch his rendition of Michael Jackson's 'Earth Song' but had to return before the results show the next day.
And his fellow contestants are now said to have donated £10 each to fund a trip back to Italy for him after he confessed he couldn't afford the flight himself.
The source added to The Sun newspaper: "It was a lovely gesture and proves how much they all like him."
Meanwhile, 'X Factor' bosses could be set for chaos this weekend with a number of acts - including Ben Haenow, Jake Quickenden and Lola Saunders - being told they have to rest their voices after falling ill.
A source said: "Everyone seems to be getting ill. It is a real worry. There are so many contestants on voice rest, but hopefully that will mean they are well enough for the show."

The Apprentice hopeful convicted of assault


'The Apprentice' hopeful James Hill has an assault conviction.
The 27-year-old budding businessman has been revealed as a convicted criminal who attacked a bus driver for speaking to his girlfriend.
The victim, Mark Jones, told The Sun newspaper: "I was talking to Hill's girlfriend at the time who I knew worked at a children's soft play area. Hill stormed over and began throwing his fists.
"My drink went flying. He threw punch after punch. I'm not sure how many connected.
"I fell to the floor and one of my contact lenses fell out. As I looked up I saw a boot coming towards my head."
The candidate - who was in the losing team twice on this week's double bill of the show - was arrested following the incident and appeared in court in 2009 where he pleaded guilty to the assault, as well as another attack in which he bit a man's ear on Christmas Eve in 2008.
The wannabe businessman, who is vying to become Lord Sugar's business partner, received an 18-month suspended jail sentence, as well as being made to pay £500 compensation to his victims and £755 in costs.
Mark continued to express his disgust that James is featuring on the BBC1 programme.
He added: "I couldn't believe my eyes. How could the BBC let him take part?"
A spokesperson from 'The Apprentice' stated: "James was eligible to apply as it is a spent conviction."

Simon Webbe denies Kristina romance


Simon Webbe says dating his 'Strictly Come Dancing' partner is off limits.
The Blue singer has assured viewers that his relationship with professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff - who previously dated her former celebrity partner Joe Calzaghe - is purely platonic, despite them performing a particularly raunch rumba on last week's show.
He told the Metro newspaper: "It's the rumba. It's one of the most sexual dances that there is. I was just concentrating on the moves. Sorry if it offended anyone. For me, I thought the choreography was amazing.
He added: "All I can say is that we talk, we dance, we high five and go our separate ways until the next day."
Despite finding himself in the bottom two last week, Simon, 36, has full confidence in the blonde beauty and her routines, and believes their work ethic makes them the perfect match.
He explained: "She knows what my strengths are. I'm not really that interested in taking my top off and doing a waltz but if it's for entertainment and it feels comfortable by all means.
"When I met her, the one thing I noticed about her was her professionalism. She's a hard worker and a grafter. I have come into Strictly to learn. That's where we have a synergy straight away."

Chris Gascoyne developed back problems on Coronation Street


Chris Gascoyne has developed crippling back problems working on 'Coronation Street'.
The 46-year-old actor has played alcoholic Peter Barlow on the ITV soap for 14 years and admits pretending to have the shakes from alcohol withdrawal has left him with serious back pain in real life.
He explained: "It is hard work to be drunk and fighting and crying. I've had to see an osteopath for my back and neck because of all the tension and shaking ... Sweating and shaking and then saying your lines on top of all that turmoil, it is difficult and it's mentally exhausting too.
"I end up with a headache. I go home and really feel like I've gone through it."
Chris also admitted that recent scenes that saw Peter clash with hardman Jim McDonald (Charles Lawson) in prison didn't help, as his co-star can get carried away with the action.
He continued to The Sun newspaper: "And every time Jim McDonald gets a chance he throws me all around and he's a big fella.
"Sometimes he takes it a bit too seriously - it's physical!"
The Nottinghamshire-born star is set to leave the soap later this year when his current storyline - which is seeing him on trial for the alleged murder of his mistress Tina McIntyre (Michelle Keegan) - comes to an end but he's confessed it will be hard to let go of the role.
Chris added: "Playing Peter is like living another life because I'm playing him more than I am myself. I can separate the two, obviously, but it's always on my mind. I'm always working on him."

Miranda Hart to host Generation Game?


Miranda Hart is looking "for families of all ages" to take part in a new TV show.
The 'Miranda' actress has sparked speculation that she will be hosting a new 'Generation Game' style show after the BBC started advertising for participants to star in a new program which will be presented by the comedienne.
The announcement read: "Miranda is looking for families of all ages and generations to come to the studio for the chance to win some amazing prices. Such fun will be had!
"We're looking for all types of family set-ups. This can be mother/father and children, nan, aunt, son and partner or could even include 'Auntie Pat from down the road' ... who is really just mum's best friend from the bingo."
The unnamed BBC One show also specified that filming will begin in December.
Previously, Miranda has downplayed reports that she will be hosting 'The Generation Game' after the BBC One controller Charlotte Moore appeared to confirm that the comedienne was on board with the remake.
In August Charlotte told the Guardian: "It will be a modern reinvention of 'The Generation Game'. Miranda will bring a very different flavour to it."
However, Miranda then replied on Twitter saying she is simply "mulling ideas".
She wrote: "Apparently it's 100 per cent cert I am doing Gen Game. First I've heard of it. Mulling some ideas about it might be more accurate. (sic)"

Simon Cowell: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini’s name ‘ridiculous’


Simon Cowell thinks Cheryl Fernandez Versini's name is "ridiculous".
The 'X Factor' boss admits he is not a big fan of his fellow 'X Factor' judge's moniker since she replaced her previous surname Cole with her new husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini's name, and has been encouraging her to drop it and just go for the mononym Cheryl.
He said: "To be quite frank I think it's time for Cheryl to do the Madonna thing and ditch the surname. 100 per cent.
"It's a ridiculous name - so let's just use 'Cheryl' from now on."
While the 55-year-old music mogul isn't a fan of her new moniker, Simon admits he is pleased Cheryl has returned to the talent show a new woman.
He added to HELLO! magazine: "It's like a completely different Cheryl this year. I think right now we're starting to see the real Cheryl. Finally.
"She's not going to be a pushover and up until now she's been as good as gold.
"If you watch any of the shows back, you just sit there and think, 'Christ, she's good.' She gets it and she's not precious."

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