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Lily Allen and Sam Fender among 2026 O2 Silver Clef Awards honourees

Lily Allen, Ludovico Einaudi, Max Richter and Sam Fender are set to be honoured at the 2026 O2 Silver Clef Awards.
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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".

Alan Titchmarsh quits chat show


Alan Titchmarsh has quit his chat show.
The 64-year-old star insists the time has come for him to "move on" from 'The Alan Titchmarsh Show' after seven years on the popular programme, and consequently he has terminated his £5.5 million-a-year deal.
He said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed my years at the helm of 'The [Alan] Titchmarsh Show' but I feel the time has now come to move on.
"With some exciting new projects ahead, I'm looking forward to continuing to work with ITV."
Alan will continue to front ITV's lifestyle gardening programme 'Love Your Garden' and the search for 'Britain's Best Garden'.
'The Alan Titchmarsh Show' had a loyal following of around a million viewers and many fans will be devastated to hear the news.
A source on the afternoon chat show told The Sun newspaper: "It's a blow as his show still does really well. He's had some great guests, including Prime Minister David Cameron. But he's had enough so it's game over."
Although the programme is primarily presented by Alan, other stars including Myleene Klass and Claire Richards have presented segments on the show, which is broadcast on weekdays.

Les Dennis to use burglary memory for Corrie role


Les Dennis will use his experience of being burgled for his role as a thief on 'Coronation Street'.
The comedian claims he felt "violated" after his former North London home was broken into while his family were sleeping, and plans to use it as inspiration for his new role.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I know what it feels like, that violation when somebody's in your house. These people had come in, found the keys and taken the car. So we'd given the camera and all the stuff in the boot. But that was the least of our worries - it was the idea that someone had been in the house."
Les will appear on the ITV soap on Monday (24.03.14) as Michael Rodwell, who robs the Platt household, before coming face-to-face with Gail (Helen Worth) a few months later in a government-backed restorative scheme, in which criminals are allowed to meet their victims or make amends through remedial work.
However, the 60-year-old actor admits he would have been less than forgiving if given the opportunity to meet his burglars.
He mused: "You find yourself feeling angry. I would have liked to see them face-to-face but I don't know how sympathetic I would have been personally."

Jamie Oliver pays tribute to Clarissa Dickson Wright


Jamie Oliver has led tributes to the late Clarissa Dickson Wright.
The TV chef has paid homage to the 'Two Fat Ladies' star, who passed away at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in Scotland on Saturday (15.03.14) at the age of 66.
Jamie wrote on Twitter: "Very saddened to hear about Clarissa Dickson Wright. She was always entertaining to watch and was of course a passionate foodie x (sic)"
'The Great British Bake Off' winner Edd Kimber also honoured the former TV cook, who starred in 'Two Fat Ladies' with Jennifer Paterson from 1996 to 1999.
He wrote: "Sad to hear that Clarissa Dickson Wright has died, loved watching Two Fat Ladies when I was younger."
'Daybreak' presenter Aled Jones tweeted: "Sad to hear of the passing of Clarissa Dickson Wright - interviewed her a few times - she was lovely. (sic)"
Former 'EastEnders' actor Martin Kemp added: "RIP two fat ladies Clarissa Dickson Wright ! (sic)"
TV star Kate Thornton also paid tribute to Clarissa, hailing her as a "joy" to be around.
She wrote: "Just read the sad news that Clarissa Dickson Wright has passed away. It was always a joy to be in her company. I hope she sleeps well x (sic)"
Clarissa's agent confirmed her passing on Monday (17.03.14), saying: "Loved dearly by her friends and many fans all over the world, Clarissa was utterly non-PC and fought for what she believed in, always, with no thought to her own personal cost.
"Her fun and laughter, extraordinary learning and intelligence, will be missed always, by so many of us."

I Can’t Sing ends mid-show due to electrical fault


'I Can't Sing' abruptly ended mid-show due to technical issues last night (17.03.14).
'The X Factor' musical, held at the London Palladium theatre, was plagued by a "major electrical fault" and the entire second act was abandoned, reports Digital Spy.
The audience - including 'Britain's Got Talent' judge Amanda Holden - faced a 45-minute delay after the interval before director Sean Foley came onstage to inform the audience the show wouldn't go on.
Producers offered a refund for any tickets purchased, or alternatively, an exchange to see the musical on a different night.
Last month, the opening night of 'I Can't Sing' - which was written by comedian Harry Hill and is produced by 'X Factor' creator Simon Cowell - was delayed twice due to technical problems.
The musical pokes fun at the ITV singing competition and features caricatures of the show's famous faces, including Nigel Harman portraying judge Simon Cowell.
Louis Walsh, returning judge Cheryl Cole and host Dermot O'Leary are also spoofed in the theatre show.
Producers recently cut a line mocking theatre mogul Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's recent musical, 'Stephen Webber', so as not to offend him as he owns the London Palladium.
A source said: "They didn't want to run the risk of upsetting him. After all, he does own the Palladium. Lloyd Webber is blissfully unaware."

Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster praise Arthur Darvill


Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster have praised Arthur Darvill.
The superstar couple were blown away by the former 'Doctor Who' star, who took over the lead role of Guy in the 'Once' musical at London's Phoenix Theatre last night (17.03.14).
Penny described the show as "incredible" and hailed the show's cast, which includes Arthur, 31, and leading lady Zrinka Cvitešić.
The 43-year-old model exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "The leading lady is just so believable you forget she's acting up there. And the talent - being able to act and be musicians at the same time, that's a real talent."
Rod, 69, and his wife - who have two sons, Alastair, eight, and three-year-old Aidan - were eager to support the 'Once' gala performance because it was held in association with non-profit organisation Oxfam, which is close to Penny's heart.
She added: "We spend most of the time in Los Angeles, we're only here for two weeks, and we heard 'Once' was in theatres - we'd seen the movie - and then we heard tonight was connected to Oxfam. We just recently donated some of our children's clothes to Oxfam, so it's very special."
Other stars who attended the 'Once' Oxfam gala performance included Jennifer Saunders, Eliza Doolittle and Michael Ball.
'Once' is booking now at the Phoenix Theatre in London. For tickets visit www.oncemusical.co.uk.

Sharon Osbourne wants to stay on X Factor


Sharon Osbourne wants to stay on 'The X Factor' judging panel.
The 61-year-old star - who won the show last year with her act Sam Bailey - was adamant she would only do one series of the programme, but she's now keen to continue as a panellist alongside Louis Walsh and returning judge Simon Cowell.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Sharon had such a good time on the last series and would find it hard to resist one last hurrah with Simon. She's thinking it would be fun to do it one more time.
"Louis wants her back and Simon thinks she makes brilliant TV and she's coming around to the idea."
However, Simon, 54, is still torn between keeping his old pals Louis and Sharon onboard, and bringing in some new faces to join him and returning judge Cheryl Cole on the panel.
The source explained: "Simon is torn between the glory of the good old days, and the risk of bringing in new people.
"Now he has Cheryl back, he could revamp with two completely shock additions and the option to do that is tempting to him."
It is believed former 'X Factor' USA judge Demi Lovato and Rita Ora are being eyed up for the two remaining spaces on the panel.
Meanwhile, Louis, 61 - who has appeared on all 10 series of the singing competition - recently claimed he wasn't "worried" about getting the boot from the show.

Andy Jordan: Louise is ‘weak’ for sleeping with Spencer


Andy Jordan thinks Louise Thompson is "weak" for sleeping with Spencer Matthews again.
The 'Made in Chelsea' star admits he isn't surprised by his former girlfriend's alleged dalliance with the lothario after Spencer admitted he recently slept with Louise.
Andy said: "[I'm] not at all [surprised]. She went back there before. She's pretty weak like that."
The 25-year-old aspiring singer split from Louise, 23, last year and it's been rumoured she enjoyed a night of passion with One Direction heartthrob Niall Horan.
Andy says the pair are on good terms despite their relationship crumbling.
He revealed: "We're fine now. We just need to move on, get on with our lives and not dwell on it."
'Made in Chelsea' is set to return to screens in April and Andy thinks the new series is the most explosive yet.
He told new! magazine: "There's been some stuff recently that will probably be some of the best 'Made in Chelsea' footage ever. It's weird because you wonder what else could possibly happen - but our group of friends somehow has an amazing ability to be dramatic!"
He then teased: "It started quite interestingly for me. There's a bit of a surprise coming in the new series..."

Bruno Langley fears handbag attacks


Bruno Langley worries about being attacked with handbags.
The 'Coronation Street' actor, who plays Todd Grimshaw, fears viewers will hit him while he's out and about because of Todd's mischievousness in the soap - including his affair with Marcus Dent (Charlie Condou).
Todd has been seducing Marcus in recent months, despite the midwife being in a relationship with Maria Connor (Samia Ghadie).
Bruno exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "I don't go out that much ... I'm waiting for a handbag to hit me over the head in Sainsbury's - I think it's going to happen soon."
The 30-year-old actor returned to his role as Todd last year after a several-year break and he says it's been great to be back on set in Manchester.
He added: "I got into this job to work with all sorts of different people and new people ... coming back to work, some things are the same, some things are different, a lot of the cast has changed. Working with people like Charlie, people like Jimi Mistry, is a pleasure."

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