TV
TV
EastEnders' Les Coker is to become a permanent member of the cast.
The character - played by TV veteran Roger Sloman - is set to become a regular face on the BBC One soap along with his wife Pam (Lin Blakley) as they open a funeral parlour on Albert Square.
The soaps executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "Les and Pam are part of our plans to rejuvenate the show's older generation. It's already so exciting to watch the chemistry between Roger and Lin on set, playing characters who have been together for so long, they know each other inside out. Or so they think."
Les has already surrounded himself in intrigue as he raised suspicions during a number of meetings with Dot Branning's (June Brown) supposed grandson Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) and residents of Walford are being warned as it's been revealed that not only will he bury their loved ones but he will also bury their secrets in return for the right price.
Les' wife Pam is described as a small woman with a big heart and an even bigger shoulder to cry on and she will be working on a flower stall on the market as well as in the parlour, but it's said that her loyalty may be tested if she learns of her husband's secretive behaviour.
Lin, who's appeared in 'Doctors' and 'The Football Factory' in the past, said of her casting: "Being part of EastEnders is like going to work and being with another family, I'm really enjoying myself."
The couple are set to move to Walford later this month.
Les Coker joins EastEnders cast
EastEnders' Les Coker is to become a permanent member of the cast.
The character - played by TV veteran Roger Sloman - is set to become a regular face on the BBC One soap along with his wife Pam (Lin Blakley) as they open a funeral parlour on Albert Square.
The soaps executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins said: "Les and Pam are part of our plans to rejuvenate the show's older generation. It's already so exciting to watch the chemistry between Roger and Lin on set, playing characters who have been together for so long, they know each other inside out. Or so they think."
Les has already surrounded himself in intrigue as he raised suspicions during a number of meetings with Dot Branning's (June Brown) supposed grandson Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) and residents of Walford are being warned as it's been revealed that not only will he bury their loved ones but he will also bury their secrets in return for the right price.
Les' wife Pam is described as a small woman with a big heart and an even bigger shoulder to cry on and she will be working on a flower stall on the market as well as in the parlour, but it's said that her loyalty may be tested if she learns of her husband's secretive behaviour.
Lin, who's appeared in 'Doctors' and 'The Football Factory' in the past, said of her casting: "Being part of EastEnders is like going to work and being with another family, I'm really enjoying myself."
The couple are set to move to Walford later this month.
TV
Lee Ryan has spoken out about claims he cheated on Jasmine Waltz with a man.
The 'Blue' star was recently accused of cheating by his ex-girlfriend - whom he met in the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house earlier this year - who claims he betrayed her for a man, but he now appears to have denied the accusations with a number of Twitter posts.
He posted a picture of a grinning horse alongside a caption which read: "hahaha...This is exactly what I'm doing right now! Lol...Laugh and the world laughs 2 (sic)."
The 'One Love' hitmaker also hinted that his relationship with the model - which developed on the reality show after he was criticised for leading glamour model Casey Batchelor on - had been a mistake when he posted another image with a picture of a Buddha statue with the quote "No matter how hard the past you can always begin again."
Lee then added: "very true...Life is made for mistakes. How else would you learn and grow? (sic)"
Jasmine - who developed a close friendship with former 'Apprentice' star Luisa Zissman on the Channel 5 show - sold a tell-all interview last month in which she slammed her ex-boyfriend, but she later took to Twitter to reveal the "truth" behind their split.
She wrote: "Unfortunately the Sun failed to mention the real reason ... which was that the minute I got home to LA, he cheated on me with a MAN! #admitUgay (sic)."
Lee Ryan addresses cheating accusations
Lee Ryan has spoken out about claims he cheated on Jasmine Waltz with a man.
The 'Blue' star was recently accused of cheating by his ex-girlfriend - whom he met in the 'Celebrity Big Brother' house earlier this year - who claims he betrayed her for a man, but he now appears to have denied the accusations with a number of Twitter posts.
He posted a picture of a grinning horse alongside a caption which read: "hahaha...This is exactly what I'm doing right now! Lol...Laugh and the world laughs 2 (sic)."
The 'One Love' hitmaker also hinted that his relationship with the model - which developed on the reality show after he was criticised for leading glamour model Casey Batchelor on - had been a mistake when he posted another image with a picture of a Buddha statue with the quote "No matter how hard the past you can always begin again."
Lee then added: "very true...Life is made for mistakes. How else would you learn and grow? (sic)"
Jasmine - who developed a close friendship with former 'Apprentice' star Luisa Zissman on the Channel 5 show - sold a tell-all interview last month in which she slammed her ex-boyfriend, but she later took to Twitter to reveal the "truth" behind their split.
She wrote: "Unfortunately the Sun failed to mention the real reason ... which was that the minute I got home to LA, he cheated on me with a MAN! #admitUgay (sic)."
TV
Simon Cowell has lowered the 'X Factor' audition age to 14.
The music mogul has found young stars have been incredibly successful following their debut on the ITV singing contest, including the likes of One Direction and Cher Lloyd, and consequently he wants to broaden the boundary to help find the next talented musician.
The last time the age limit was 14 was in 2008 after which it was put up to 16, where it has stood until the forthcoming series.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Simon knows that young people make the best pop stars. He desperately wants another One Direction or Cher Lloyd, and they were very young when they appeared on the show."
Simon will be on the judges panel alongside Cheryl Cole who was enticed to join the show because she's keen to find talent to match those who appeared on the last series she appeared on in 2010.
Simon previously said: "You know why she came back ... we were having a conversation at my house and we were talking about the talent we had that final year in 2010 - One Direction, Rebecca Ferguson, Cher Lloyd, Matt Cardle - we just had great people, and we just suddenly thought we want to do it all over again. And that was the incentive to do it because there are still great people in this country left."
This year's first open audition will takes place at Dublin's Convention Centre on April 5.
Simon Cowell lowers X Factor audition age to 14
Simon Cowell has lowered the 'X Factor' audition age to 14.
The music mogul has found young stars have been incredibly successful following their debut on the ITV singing contest, including the likes of One Direction and Cher Lloyd, and consequently he wants to broaden the boundary to help find the next talented musician.
The last time the age limit was 14 was in 2008 after which it was put up to 16, where it has stood until the forthcoming series.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Simon knows that young people make the best pop stars. He desperately wants another One Direction or Cher Lloyd, and they were very young when they appeared on the show."
Simon will be on the judges panel alongside Cheryl Cole who was enticed to join the show because she's keen to find talent to match those who appeared on the last series she appeared on in 2010.
Simon previously said: "You know why she came back ... we were having a conversation at my house and we were talking about the talent we had that final year in 2010 - One Direction, Rebecca Ferguson, Cher Lloyd, Matt Cardle - we just had great people, and we just suddenly thought we want to do it all over again. And that was the incentive to do it because there are still great people in this country left."
This year's first open audition will takes place at Dublin's Convention Centre on April 5.
TV
Comedian Sean Hughes thinks that the BBC's ban on all-male panel shows is "disgraceful".
Hughes - who spent ten series as a team captain on BBC Two music quiz show 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks' - is shocked by Director of BBC Television Danny Cohen's recent ban on all-male panels on its comedy shows, insisting it is disrespectful to women.
Sean exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "It's inverted sexism in itself. They could have had a quiet word with producers and said, 'Try to get some more women on.' But making a grand statement like that was disrespectful to women."
Hughes thinks Cohen's ruling will actually be damaging, because it will lead to doubt among many female comedians about why they have been asked to appear on programmes.
He added: "Now if women are on a show they're going to be thinking, 'Am I here for the quota or am I here because I'm funny?'
"I think it's disgraceful to go about things like that."
There has been a huge backlash since Cohen earlier this year that at least one woman would be included in all their panel shows. Hughes, 48, is adamant gender in a comedy show line-up is irrelevant.
The comic - who hosts 'The Sean Hughes Show' on Sundays at 12:00 on FUBAR radio and is currently touring his 'Penguins' show - said: "If it's a situation where they are thinking of getting six people on that show and they look at 10 people and the six they pick happen to be men, then so be it. That's not sexism."
Sean Hughes blasts BBC’s all-male panel show ban
Comedian Sean Hughes thinks that the BBC's ban on all-male panel shows is "disgraceful".
Hughes - who spent ten series as a team captain on BBC Two music quiz show 'Never Mind the Buzzcocks' - is shocked by Director of BBC Television Danny Cohen's recent ban on all-male panels on its comedy shows, insisting it is disrespectful to women.
Sean exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "It's inverted sexism in itself. They could have had a quiet word with producers and said, 'Try to get some more women on.' But making a grand statement like that was disrespectful to women."
Hughes thinks Cohen's ruling will actually be damaging, because it will lead to doubt among many female comedians about why they have been asked to appear on programmes.
He added: "Now if women are on a show they're going to be thinking, 'Am I here for the quota or am I here because I'm funny?'
"I think it's disgraceful to go about things like that."
There has been a huge backlash since Cohen earlier this year that at least one woman would be included in all their panel shows. Hughes, 48, is adamant gender in a comedy show line-up is irrelevant.
The comic - who hosts 'The Sean Hughes Show' on Sundays at 12:00 on FUBAR radio and is currently touring his 'Penguins' show - said: "If it's a situation where they are thinking of getting six people on that show and they look at 10 people and the six they pick happen to be men, then so be it. That's not sexism."
TV
Russell Brand is hosting a documentary about drug addiction for BBC Three.
The comedian-turned-political activist - who is a recovering alcoholic, heroin user and sex addict - has signed up to front a one-off programme called 'Russell Brand: Give It Up', which will see him interview addiction sufferers and people in positions of power as he investigates addiction treatments around the world.
The 60-minute Matchlight show will be a follow-up to his 2012 documentary 'From Addiction To Recovery', according to Televisual.com.
Russell's aim is to investigate how to improve treatment for addicts in the UK, and will see him travel to Switzerland where his views on abstinence-based recovery are challenged.
As well as speaking to key political decision-makers, government officials and police staff, he will chat with addicts from all walks of life who are currently battling or have overcome their dependency issues.
'Russell Brand: Give It Up' is just one of many new factual and current affairs shows commissioned by BBC Three controller Zai Bennett.
He commented: "BBC Three is the only channel that commissions original documentaries and current affairs specifically for young adults. These shows cover a range of topics from the war in Afghanistan to life at Bangkok airport, from a pupil referral unit in West London to drug cartels in Mexico.
"They demonstrate the range and quality that BBC Three viewers expect from our top-fight factual content like recent agenda-setting documentary 'Life And Death Row'."
Russell Brand to front BBC Three drug documentary
Russell Brand is hosting a documentary about drug addiction for BBC Three.
The comedian-turned-political activist - who is a recovering alcoholic, heroin user and sex addict - has signed up to front a one-off programme called 'Russell Brand: Give It Up', which will see him interview addiction sufferers and people in positions of power as he investigates addiction treatments around the world.
The 60-minute Matchlight show will be a follow-up to his 2012 documentary 'From Addiction To Recovery', according to Televisual.com.
Russell's aim is to investigate how to improve treatment for addicts in the UK, and will see him travel to Switzerland where his views on abstinence-based recovery are challenged.
As well as speaking to key political decision-makers, government officials and police staff, he will chat with addicts from all walks of life who are currently battling or have overcome their dependency issues.
'Russell Brand: Give It Up' is just one of many new factual and current affairs shows commissioned by BBC Three controller Zai Bennett.
He commented: "BBC Three is the only channel that commissions original documentaries and current affairs specifically for young adults. These shows cover a range of topics from the war in Afghanistan to life at Bangkok airport, from a pupil referral unit in West London to drug cartels in Mexico.
"They demonstrate the range and quality that BBC Three viewers expect from our top-fight factual content like recent agenda-setting documentary 'Life And Death Row'."
TV
James 'Arg' Argent thinks his relationship with Lydia Bright is irreparable.
'The Only Way Is Essex' star split with his girlfriend of four years following revelations he'd cheated on her and as he prepares to release his tell-all book 'Living It Arg' he's confessed that he doesn't see any way back for them.
He said: "When we did break up, initially it wasn't a nice break up. It was bitter and angry and at the moment it seems irreparable, but who knows in the future."
The 26-year-old reality TV veteran - who's been absent from only one episode out of eleven series of TOWIE - blamed his change in lifestyle when he joined the show for his infidelity.
He explained to 'This Morning' hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby: "When TOWIE first started I didn't have any money, no attention from girls and as soon as the show started ... Lydia was the only girl I'd ever been with and I didn't deal with the fame too well.
"We haven't had any proper contact for about a year and a half, but I'd like to think that the book explains everything to Lydia. I think she'll have comfort from knowing the reasons why I did it and the fact of how genuinely sorry I am."
Lydia made her first appearance on TOWIE since her departure in 2012 on last night's (02.04.14) season finale.
TOWIE’s Arg’s relationship with Lydia ‘irreparable’
James 'Arg' Argent thinks his relationship with Lydia Bright is irreparable.
'The Only Way Is Essex' star split with his girlfriend of four years following revelations he'd cheated on her and as he prepares to release his tell-all book 'Living It Arg' he's confessed that he doesn't see any way back for them.
He said: "When we did break up, initially it wasn't a nice break up. It was bitter and angry and at the moment it seems irreparable, but who knows in the future."
The 26-year-old reality TV veteran - who's been absent from only one episode out of eleven series of TOWIE - blamed his change in lifestyle when he joined the show for his infidelity.
He explained to 'This Morning' hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby: "When TOWIE first started I didn't have any money, no attention from girls and as soon as the show started ... Lydia was the only girl I'd ever been with and I didn't deal with the fame too well.
"We haven't had any proper contact for about a year and a half, but I'd like to think that the book explains everything to Lydia. I think she'll have comfort from knowing the reasons why I did it and the fact of how genuinely sorry I am."
Lydia made her first appearance on TOWIE since her departure in 2012 on last night's (02.04.14) season finale.
TV
Sam Faiers is "disappointed" with her final episode of 'The Only Way Is Essex'.
The blonde beauty starred in the ITV 2 reality show for the final time last night (02.04.14), but was left disappointed when she realised a significant portion of the emotional farewell she'd bid to her co-stars had been edited out.
Sam wrote on Twitter: "Can't believe my last ever scene was cut down...I said some lovely things to & about everyone over the last 4 years...Very disappointed. (sic)"
During a heartfelt chat with co-stars Jessica Wright and James 'Arg' Argent, Sam revealed she wanted to "step off the Essex scene for a little while" to focus on her health following her diagnosis with Crohn's disease earlier this year.
The 22-year-old beauty also admitted that she had rekindled her romance with ex-fiancé Joey Essex and confessed she wanted to concentrate on their relationship.
Joey, 23 - who left the show last year - congratulated Sam on her decision to leave, writing: "I'm so proud of her. Well done my baby (sic)."
Former co-star Mark Wright also took to Twitter to praise her "amazing efforts" on the show.
Sam Faiers ‘disappointed’ with final scenes
Sam Faiers is "disappointed" with her final episode of 'The Only Way Is Essex'.
The blonde beauty starred in the ITV 2 reality show for the final time last night (02.04.14), but was left disappointed when she realised a significant portion of the emotional farewell she'd bid to her co-stars had been edited out.
Sam wrote on Twitter: "Can't believe my last ever scene was cut down...I said some lovely things to & about everyone over the last 4 years...Very disappointed. (sic)"
During a heartfelt chat with co-stars Jessica Wright and James 'Arg' Argent, Sam revealed she wanted to "step off the Essex scene for a little while" to focus on her health following her diagnosis with Crohn's disease earlier this year.
The 22-year-old beauty also admitted that she had rekindled her romance with ex-fiancé Joey Essex and confessed she wanted to concentrate on their relationship.
Joey, 23 - who left the show last year - congratulated Sam on her decision to leave, writing: "I'm so proud of her. Well done my baby (sic)."
Former co-star Mark Wright also took to Twitter to praise her "amazing efforts" on the show.
TV
'Gogglebox' couple Dom and Steph Parker could be set to host their own chat show.
The husband and wife pair - who are regularly seen drinking champagne, wine and spirits on the Channel 4 show while watching TV - are being lined up for a programme on which they interview celebrities by producers at the station.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "We are currently brainstorming ideas with some of the main people in the show about what else can be done with them.
"One of the main ideas is a chat show with a difference, featuring Steph and Dom.
"They are currently looking at it but feel it would have to be totally right before they agree."
Channel 4 bosses want celebrities to stay at their guest house in Sandwich, Kent, and sit down with the couple for an informal chat.
The pair have helped 'Gogglebox' pull in more than 3 million viewers and are said to be considering their options carefully.
The source continued: "They have their business to run and have a family and while they enjoy being on 'Gogglebox', they are not chasing fame for fame's sake.
"They are also wealthy in their own right so they don't need the money.
"Their worry is that big-name stars wouldn't want to travel to Kent and they would end up interviewing people from reality shows so it is something they will have to consider carefully."
Meanwhile, Channel 4 is also in talks with Brixton pals Sandy Channer and Sandra Martin, pensioners Leon and June Bernicoff and homosexual friends Stephen Webb and Chris Steed about possible spin-off shows.
Gogglebox’s Steph and Dom in talks for own show
'Gogglebox' couple Dom and Steph Parker could be set to host their own chat show.
The husband and wife pair - who are regularly seen drinking champagne, wine and spirits on the Channel 4 show while watching TV - are being lined up for a programme on which they interview celebrities by producers at the station.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "We are currently brainstorming ideas with some of the main people in the show about what else can be done with them.
"One of the main ideas is a chat show with a difference, featuring Steph and Dom.
"They are currently looking at it but feel it would have to be totally right before they agree."
Channel 4 bosses want celebrities to stay at their guest house in Sandwich, Kent, and sit down with the couple for an informal chat.
The pair have helped 'Gogglebox' pull in more than 3 million viewers and are said to be considering their options carefully.
The source continued: "They have their business to run and have a family and while they enjoy being on 'Gogglebox', they are not chasing fame for fame's sake.
"They are also wealthy in their own right so they don't need the money.
"Their worry is that big-name stars wouldn't want to travel to Kent and they would end up interviewing people from reality shows so it is something they will have to consider carefully."
Meanwhile, Channel 4 is also in talks with Brixton pals Sandy Channer and Sandra Martin, pensioners Leon and June Bernicoff and homosexual friends Stephen Webb and Chris Steed about possible spin-off shows.
TV
Jonathan Ross is making a British version of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'.
The chat show host plans to become the UK's answer to America's favourite cross-dresser extraordinaire RuPaul by teaming up with drag artist Jodie Harsh for a new reality TV show search in a bid to find the next drag superstar.
The 53-year-old star told the Daily Star newspaper: "I've been working with Jodie on a UK version of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'. Unfortunately we have had to take a break because of some family issues. But we're hoping to pick it up again in the near future. I am definitely serving 'middle-aged-realness'!"
Jonathan - who has teenage children Betty Kitten, Harvey Kirby and Honey Kinney with his screenwriter wife Jane Goldman - has been getting better acquainted with the drag community in recent months and is searching for more dress-loving performance artists to compete in his project.
He added: "I love drag and I love Meth - the performer - as well as Betty Bottom Dollar. I think it's a fabulous art. I am a huge fan of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'."
The TV host previously hinted he was going to leave his flagship ITV chat show at the end of 2014 and was considering retiring from presenting.
He explained: "I've signed up to do the show for another year and we're talking about time after that. But I need to see what my wife wants to do.
"I love doing this job but I have been presenting for more than 25 years. That's a long time. It's fun but I don't feel like I have anything else to prove."
Jonathan Ross making British version of RuPaul’s Drag Race
Jonathan Ross is making a British version of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'.
The chat show host plans to become the UK's answer to America's favourite cross-dresser extraordinaire RuPaul by teaming up with drag artist Jodie Harsh for a new reality TV show search in a bid to find the next drag superstar.
The 53-year-old star told the Daily Star newspaper: "I've been working with Jodie on a UK version of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'. Unfortunately we have had to take a break because of some family issues. But we're hoping to pick it up again in the near future. I am definitely serving 'middle-aged-realness'!"
Jonathan - who has teenage children Betty Kitten, Harvey Kirby and Honey Kinney with his screenwriter wife Jane Goldman - has been getting better acquainted with the drag community in recent months and is searching for more dress-loving performance artists to compete in his project.
He added: "I love drag and I love Meth - the performer - as well as Betty Bottom Dollar. I think it's a fabulous art. I am a huge fan of 'RuPaul's Drag Race'."
The TV host previously hinted he was going to leave his flagship ITV chat show at the end of 2014 and was considering retiring from presenting.
He explained: "I've signed up to do the show for another year and we're talking about time after that. But I need to see what my wife wants to do.
"I love doing this job but I have been presenting for more than 25 years. That's a long time. It's fun but I don't feel like I have anything else to prove."