Monday, March 30, 2026

Wild Thing songwriter, Chip Taylor, dies at 89

Acclaimed songwriter Chip Taylor has passed away at the age of 89, just two days after celebrating his birthday.
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Kelly Brook tipped for Celebrity Juice return


Kelly Brook is tipped to return to 'Celebrity Juice' when Holly Willoughby goes on maternity leave.
The 34-year-old model is being lined up to serve as a team captain on the ITV2 panel show once again when Holly, 33, takes a leave of absence to welcome her third child with husband Dan Baldwin later this year.
Kelly replaced Fearne Cotton on the ninth series of 'Celebrity Juice' while the star was on maternity leave after giving birth to son Rex in February 2013.
Speaking at the RTS Programme Awards in London last night (18.03.14), host Keith Lemon told BANG Showbiz: "Kelly did an amazing job, so it'll probably be Kelly, I expect.
"I've heard Kelly, but I don't know. I don't care [who it is]. It makes sense for Kelly 'cos she did a good job first time round."
Keith also revealed it was former Westlife star Kian Egan who first alerted him to Holly's pregnancy when they filmed last week's episode of the show.
He added: "Kian Egan, he said to me, 'Have Holly's boobs got bigger?' I said, 'I don't know ... what do you think I am, some kind of pervert? She's probably pregnant.' The next day she called me and said, 'I've got something to tell you.' I went, 'I know what you're going to say...'
"I said, 'Me and Kian Egan were talking about it. I'm really happy for you.' But if it were me I'd set myself on fire. Three kids? Good luck!"
Keith admits he would end 'Celebrity Juice' temporarily if both Fearne and Holly were to fall pregnant at the same time.
He said: "If Fearne got up the duff and they both left, I'd say, 'Let's have a break and start again when you both come back.' It's only 'Celebrity Juice' when the girls are there."

Olivia Colman triumphs at RTS Programme Awards


Olivia Colman and 'Broadchurch' were the big winners at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Programme Awards last night (18.03.14).
The 40-year-old actress triumphed at the annual awards bash, picking up Best Actress for the second year in a row for her roles in 'Broadchurch' and Channel 4 drama 'Run'.
The smash hit ITV murder mystery drama was also crowned Best Serial Drama, with the RTS hailing it as "a powerful drama with brilliant plotting, standout performances and an extraordinary depth of characterisation, all of which combined to create one of the standout TV events of the year."
Idris Elba was crowned Best Actor for 'Luther', while fellow BBC star Brendan O'Carroll won Best Comedic Performance for 'Mrs Brown's Boys'.
Alan Carr pulled an upset over TV veterans Ant and Dec, winning the Best Entertainment Performance gong for his chat show, 'Alan Carr: Chatty Man'.
BBC Two's gangster period drama won Best Drama Series and 'Coronation Street' ruled the soaps by winning Best Soap or Continuing Drama.
ITV2's 'PLEBS' was crowned Best Scripted Comedy and 'Game of Thrones' won Best International Show.
Channel 4 celebrated wins for its hit documentary series, with 'Gogglebox' winning the Popular Factual or Features prize, and 'Educating Yorkshire' winning Best Documentary Series.
David Suchet was bestowed with the Lifetime Achievement Award after playing detective Hercule Poirot for 25 years in ITV's 'Poirot', which came to an end last November.

RTS Programme Awards 2013 - selected winners list:

Best Actress: Olivia Colman, 'Broadchurch' and 'Run'
Best Actor: Idris Elba, 'Luther'
Best Children's Fiction: 'Dumping Ground' (CBBC)
Best Comedy Performance: Brendan O'Carroll, 'Mrs Brown's Boys'
Best Daytime: 'Four Rooms' (Channel 4)
Best Documentary Series: 'Educating Yorkshire' (Channel 4)
Best Drama Serial: 'Broadchurch' (ITV)
Best Drama Series: 'Peaky Blinders' (BBC Two)
Best Entertainment: 'The Last Leg' (Channel 4)
Best Entertainment Performance: Alan Carr, 'Alan Carr: Chatty Man'
Best International: 'Game of Thrones' (HBO/Sky Atlantic)
Popular Factual or Features: 'Gogglebox' (Channel 4)
Best Presenter: Stephen Fry, 'Stephen Fry - Out There'
Best Scripted Comedy: 'PLEBS' (ITV2)
Best Soap or Continuing Drama: 'Coronation Street' (ITV)
Lifetime Achievement Award: David Suchet, 'Poirot'

Lisa Maxwell quits Loose Women


Lisa Maxwell has quit 'Loose Women'.
The 50-year-old presenter, who has featured as a regular on the lunchtime show since 2008, is contracted until July, but she admits she won't be making an appearance on the programme tomorrow (20.03.14) because she hates the new format.
She told The Sun newspaper: "We are the hired talent and do what we are told. But the one thing in all our powers is if we stay or go, and I've decided to go.
"'Loose Women' is not the same show and it's not as much fun as it was. It used to be about a group of women who all know each other really well and have lots of chemistry.
"It has become a lot more serious and less personal. I miss the laughs and I miss the show coming from the heart.
"Now it's just about giving political opinions. But I can't do that and I think people watching can tell if you're faking it."
The former 'The Bill' star wanted to leave the show in September but she claims she was sweet-talked into staying on by producers.
However, she's now keen to focus on her acting career.
She explained: "I've had a brilliant six years on 'Loose Women' but now I'm looking forward to going back to acting."
Lisa is the fourth long-running panellist to leave the programme in just six months after Carol McGiffin left in August, Denise Welch quit in October and Jane McDonald departed in January.

Ashley Roberts: Ant and Dec are ‘down to earth’


Ashley Roberts says Ant and Dec are "so down to earth".
The former 'Dancing on Ice' judge hosts the 'Ant vs Dec' segment on the presenting duo's hit show 'Saturday Night Takeaway' and she is thoroughly enjoying working with the TV veterans.
Ashley exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I love it! I'm so blessed, my life right now, I'm getting to do so many things I love to do over here in London and to work with the boys ... they're just so cool, so down to earth. They're so professional and so great at what they do, so I'm so grateful to be part of such a massive show and the team that also works behind them is cool as well."
The 32-year-old beauty hasn't had any advice from Ant and Dec, but says the Geordie duo are incredibly supportive of her burgeoning TV career.
She added: "They're just like, 'Ash, yeah, you're gonna do good.' They're just supportive. When we're there for rehearsals, it's like, they have so much going on that the last thing they need to worry about is me. But we just have good fun and a good laugh."
Ashley's new perfume 'Ashley by Ashley Roberts' will be available to purchase from The Perfume Shop, keyfashion.co.uk, very.co.uk and Argos from 12th March and comes as a 100ml EDP retailing at £21.99.

EastEnders’ Charlie Cotton raises suspicion at funeral


'EastEnders' newcomer Charlie Cotton will raise suspicion as Dot Branning prepares for her son's funeral next week.
Dot - played by June Brown - recently learned her wayward offspring Nick Cotton has died and is determined for him to be brought home to Albert Square before being buried.
The Walford matriarch tasks her long-lost grandson Charlie (Declan Bennett) with bringing Nick home, but having prepared herself to view the body, she is dismayed to discover the coffin is screwed shut.
When Dot requests for the lid to be unscrewed, Charlie and funeral director Les Coker begin behaving oddly, suggesting all is not as it seems.
A source told Inside Soap magazine: "Why should it matter to them that Dot wants to have a final moment with Nick? Surely, given the state Dot is in, they'd want to help ease her grief in any way they could. It's quite odd."
The residents of Walford will rally around Dot in her time of need, even though many of them despised villainous Nick, played by John Altman. Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) is even tasked with writing a eulogy for the man who burned down his café in 2009.
The insider added: "Whatever Nick did, everyone loves Dot and they want to be there for her. If Nick could see them all he'd cackle up a storm, but his mum is precious to many."

Made in Chelsea for New York spin-off


E4 has commissioned a 'Made in Chelsea' spin-off set in New York.
The cast of the hit reality show will travel to the Big Apple this summer for a brand new standalone series, 'Made in Chelsea: New York', which will air across six episodes in August.
Sarah Dillistone of Monkey Productions said: "We're very excited about the world of 'Made in Chelsea' travelling America. New York has a scene buzzing and sophisticated enough to rival Chelsea, so it feels like the next natural step. We're going to see the cast out of their bubble for the first time since the show began and I'm sure the result will be nothing like we've seen before."
It's not yet known which cast members will jet to New York, but Louise Thompson says the London socialites are "over-excited" at the thought of filming in America.
She told Digital Spy: "[The producers] have got lots of options. We're all getting really, really over-excited about it, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
"It's basically going to be as dramatic and as cool as filming here, but in an equally cool city - if not more exciting."
In addition to the New York-based series, the cast - which includes lothario Spencer Matthews and Jamie Laing - will return to screens in April for the BAFTA-winning show's seventh series.
'Chelsea' addicts will be able to watch the show on Mondays at 10pm on E4, but for the first time viewers can catch an exclusive first look at each episode 48 hours before it airs through Channel 4's online streaming service, 4OD.

Miriam O’Reilly slams Julia Bradbury over ageism case


Former 'Countryfile' presenter Miriam O'Reilly has hit out at Julia Bradbury and accused her of "a**e licking".
The 57-year-old TV presenter won an age discrimination case against the BBC after being axed from the popular rural affairs show, but her 43-year-old co-star recently suggested her dismissal in 2009 was due to a format change, and not because of her age.
Julia told The Times newspaper: "With Miriam, the decision certainly wasn't made because she was old. The decision was because they were changing the programme."
An incensed Miriam took to her Twitter account to fire back at Julia - who recently quit her role fronting 'Countryfile' with Matt Baker and John Craven - and blasted the brunette star.
She wrote: "@JuliaBradbury Just seen your mention of me in the Times. You say the decision to drop me from Countryfile was not because I was 'old'.
"So you know better than three judges in a legal case and former BBC [director general] Mark Thompson who accepted the tribunal decision?"
Miriam went on to suggest Julia should familiarise herself with her landmark ageism case against the BBC in case Julia faces similar discrimination in future.
She added: "@JuliaBradbury Before you make ill informed statements I suggest you look at the legal case - one day you might need it. ... Until then good luck with the a**e licking. (sic)"
Miriam won an employment tribunal case against the BBC in 2011 after being axed from 'Countryfile'.
The TV star claims Julia could simply be echoing the sentiments of senior producers on the show, who refuse to accept the tribunal's ruling.
Miriam told the Daily Mail newspaper: "It really is a pathetic thing to say. She has just made herself look rather silly. I think it displays a certain arrogance.
"If she had studied the tribunal judgement, and it is online, she might have a different view. But it was an ill-informed view and not helpful to her or other older women in television. Frankly I feel there was some a**e licking there."

David Tennant, Olivia Colman back to Broadchurch


David Tennant and Olivia Colman will return to 'Broadchurch'.
Jodie Whittaker, who played grieving mother Beth Latimer in the first series of the murder mystery drama, says the two lead stars will both be back for the ITV show's second series - but the rest of the cast have been left in the dark about their future.
She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "David and Olivia will obviously be in season two. It doesn't shoot for a few months, I think - middle of the summer sometime.
"None of us know if we're in it, or if we're not in it. It was exciting and wonderful to be a part of, I really enjoyed it, so there's no part of me that wouldn't do it if I was asked."
The 32-year-old actress has also defended the upcoming US remake of the drama - titled 'Gracepoint' - which will see David reprise his role as TV detective Alec Hardy.
She explained: "It's exciting that we were in something that did so well that Chris [Chibnall], the writer, has been able to do his project again in a different format. I just think for everyone involved, that's exciting. How exciting to think that a TV series we did has [now] got people like Michael Pena and Nick Nolte and all these extraordinary people in it, doing things that we did but in a different way.
"I find it weird that anyone would not be excited about it. Also for David, it's amazing."
"It's set in a different place, I'm sure it'll be a similar story but [not the same]. I've seen loads of original things and I've seen loads of remakes, and sometimes remakes are better."
Jodie then laughed: "Hopefully it won't be [better]! But it'll just be different."
'The Smoke' will be available on DVD on 14 April and is currently airing on Sky 1 on Thursdays at 9pm.

Jennifer Saunders to host Have I Got News for You


Jennifer Saunders will host the first show in the new series of 'Have I Got News for You'.
The 'Absolutely Fabulous' star - who first appeared as a guest on the panel show in 2013 - will join team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton when the satirical comedy show returns to BBC One on April 4.
The 55-year-old actress said: "It's thrilling to have worked up the courage to take on 'Have I Got News for You' and I shall pitch myself somewhere safely between Kirsty Young and Kathy Burke."
'Have I Got News for You' returns for its landmark 47th series next month with nine brand new episodes. Further host and guest names are to be announced.
The political comedy is based loosely on the BBC Radio 4 show 'The News Quiz', and has been regularly broadcast since 1990.
Throughout the years a number of stars, including Clare Balding, Jimmy Carr, Eddie Izzard and Marcus Brigstocke, have made multiple appearances on the show.
Last year, the 55-year-old comedienne slammed the BBC for splashing out on expensive lunches and chauffeur-driven journeys, describing the corporation as an "executive-run place for idiots".

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