TV
TV
Ant and Dec couldn't "bear" filling in for Simon Cowell on 'Britain's Got Talent'.
The presenting double act stepped in for the talent competition's head judge when he was off sick during this year's auditions, but they admit they struggled to be critical of the acts on stage even if they weren't good.
Dec said: "We had a day where we filled in for Simon when he was ill. I say a day, but we did a couple acts each and after that we had to make our excuses and leave. We couldn't bear it.
"We weren't mean, but we were trying our best to be!
"As soon as you hit the buzzer, they look at you and you go, 'I'm so sorry, I didn't mean that, the other judges made me do it. You're very talented, you can go through. You've won!' "
Ant, meanwhile, says he and Dec were very apologetic to acts that they weren't impressed with.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the London auditions yesterday (11.02.14), he said: "They deserved a buzz but even though they deserved it, it was very hard to press that buzzer. And yeah, we apologised to them afterwards."
The latest series of 'BGT' will see the show's hosts given some power as they - along with the judges - will be able to press the new Golden Buzzer, which sends the act on stage right through to the live semi-finals. However, they can only exercise this special privilege once.
Dec explained: "I'm sure the time will come, if there's an act we really love and the judges don't, we might be tempted to run down and hit it. We've certainly got that in our back pocket."
Ant and Dec couldn’t ‘bear’ BGT judging
Ant and Dec couldn't "bear" filling in for Simon Cowell on 'Britain's Got Talent'.
The presenting double act stepped in for the talent competition's head judge when he was off sick during this year's auditions, but they admit they struggled to be critical of the acts on stage even if they weren't good.
Dec said: "We had a day where we filled in for Simon when he was ill. I say a day, but we did a couple acts each and after that we had to make our excuses and leave. We couldn't bear it.
"We weren't mean, but we were trying our best to be!
"As soon as you hit the buzzer, they look at you and you go, 'I'm so sorry, I didn't mean that, the other judges made me do it. You're very talented, you can go through. You've won!' "
Ant, meanwhile, says he and Dec were very apologetic to acts that they weren't impressed with.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the London auditions yesterday (11.02.14), he said: "They deserved a buzz but even though they deserved it, it was very hard to press that buzzer. And yeah, we apologised to them afterwards."
The latest series of 'BGT' will see the show's hosts given some power as they - along with the judges - will be able to press the new Golden Buzzer, which sends the act on stage right through to the live semi-finals. However, they can only exercise this special privilege once.
Dec explained: "I'm sure the time will come, if there's an act we really love and the judges don't, we might be tempted to run down and hit it. We've certainly got that in our back pocket."
TV
Simon Cowell has branded Girl Thing "bitter" following their appearance on 'The Big Reunion'.
The 'X Factor' mogul addressed criticism from his short-lived girl group - who were dropped by their record label after releasing just two songs - and thinks their comeback on the ITV2 show is ill-advised.
Quizzed if they will be more successful this time thanks to 'The Big Reunion', he said: "No! I wouldn't do it."
Simon, 54, also weighed in on band member Linzi Martin's claims she wrote the verses of hit song 'Pure and Simple', which was later a UK number one single for reality TV band Hear'Say.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the latest round of 'Britain's Got Talent' auditions in London yesterday (11.02.14), he said: "What happened was, the guy that was managing them, I got him the gig to manage 'Popstars' [winners], Hear'Say. He gave my song, 'Pure and Simple', to Hear'Say. It was my hit record.
"That's why we didn't do what we hoped we were going to do with that group. It's as simple as that."
He then added: "All failed groups are bitter."
Girl Thing - also consisting of Jodi Albert, Anika Bostelaar, Michelle Barber and Nikki Stuart - were tipped as the next big thing in music when they released their debut single 'Last One Standing', but the group failed to make an impact on the charts.
Simon Cowell: Girl Thing are bitter
Simon Cowell has branded Girl Thing "bitter" following their appearance on 'The Big Reunion'.
The 'X Factor' mogul addressed criticism from his short-lived girl group - who were dropped by their record label after releasing just two songs - and thinks their comeback on the ITV2 show is ill-advised.
Quizzed if they will be more successful this time thanks to 'The Big Reunion', he said: "No! I wouldn't do it."
Simon, 54, also weighed in on band member Linzi Martin's claims she wrote the verses of hit song 'Pure and Simple', which was later a UK number one single for reality TV band Hear'Say.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the latest round of 'Britain's Got Talent' auditions in London yesterday (11.02.14), he said: "What happened was, the guy that was managing them, I got him the gig to manage 'Popstars' [winners], Hear'Say. He gave my song, 'Pure and Simple', to Hear'Say. It was my hit record.
"That's why we didn't do what we hoped we were going to do with that group. It's as simple as that."
He then added: "All failed groups are bitter."
Girl Thing - also consisting of Jodi Albert, Anika Bostelaar, Michelle Barber and Nikki Stuart - were tipped as the next big thing in music when they released their debut single 'Last One Standing', but the group failed to make an impact on the charts.
TV
ITV are launching a new channel.
ITVBe will offer UK and US lifestyle and reality shows and be the new home of 'The Only Way Is Essex' and the 'Real Housewives' franchise - which both currently broadcast on ITV2 - when it launches later this year on all major broadcasting platforms, including Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media.
Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of ITV, said:"ITVBe will be a terrific new addition to our family of channels. It reinforces our plan to maximise audiences and revenues from our broadcasting business. Alongside our recently-announced new pay channel ITV Encore, this is another important step forward in our strategy to become the most watched, most loved and most talked about family of free and pay channels for every household and every advertiser in the UK."
The new channel will mainly be targeted towards a female audience and is seen as a sister channel to ITV2.
Peter Fincham, Director of Television at ITV, said: "Expanding ITV's family of channels to introduce a new free-to-air, female skewing channel focusing on entertainment and reality means our viewers will have access to even more great content. We identified an opportunity to develop what is currently part of the ITV2 schedule - reality and non-scripted shows, which are very popular with young women and housewives with kids - into a distinct channel proposition, aimed more squarely at that audience.
"ITV2 will continue to be the youngest channel in our portfolio, outside of CITV, and the strategy of bringing more scripted series, both acquired and commissioned, will continue apace, alongside panel shows, formats and other young skewing commissions."
ITV launching new channel
ITV are launching a new channel.
ITVBe will offer UK and US lifestyle and reality shows and be the new home of 'The Only Way Is Essex' and the 'Real Housewives' franchise - which both currently broadcast on ITV2 - when it launches later this year on all major broadcasting platforms, including Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media.
Adam Crozier, Chief Executive of ITV, said:"ITVBe will be a terrific new addition to our family of channels. It reinforces our plan to maximise audiences and revenues from our broadcasting business. Alongside our recently-announced new pay channel ITV Encore, this is another important step forward in our strategy to become the most watched, most loved and most talked about family of free and pay channels for every household and every advertiser in the UK."
The new channel will mainly be targeted towards a female audience and is seen as a sister channel to ITV2.
Peter Fincham, Director of Television at ITV, said: "Expanding ITV's family of channels to introduce a new free-to-air, female skewing channel focusing on entertainment and reality means our viewers will have access to even more great content. We identified an opportunity to develop what is currently part of the ITV2 schedule - reality and non-scripted shows, which are very popular with young women and housewives with kids - into a distinct channel proposition, aimed more squarely at that audience.
"ITV2 will continue to be the youngest channel in our portfolio, outside of CITV, and the strategy of bringing more scripted series, both acquired and commissioned, will continue apace, alongside panel shows, formats and other young skewing commissions."
TV
Kavana has revealed he is gay.
The 36-year-old singer - real name Anthony Kavanagh - has kept the truth about his sexuality under wraps for the past 14 years, but has now opened up and admitted he's homosexual.
Speaking to Now magazine, he said: "Part of me is almost embarrassed that it's taken me this long to publicly say I'm gay.
"Here I am, aged 36, coming out - what am I doing? I've never come out publicly because no one's ever asked. It's become this huge elephant in the room."
The 'Big Reunion' star regrets not telling his father about his sexuality before his passing four years ago.
He explained: "I think he knew [I was gay].
"He used to say, 'As long as you're happy, just be yourself' and 'It wouldn't matter to me if my son was gay.' "
However, the hunk - who has dated a string of girls in the past - admits, despite coming out, he still finds women attractive.
He said: "I do find women attractive, but I've had more intimate relationships with guys."
Meanwhile, Kavana - who is part of new super group 5th Story with Gareth Gates, Dane Bowers, Adam Rickitt and Blazin' Squad's Kenzie - didn't tell his bandmates about his sexuality until he got to know them better.
He said: "When we first me, they asked me, 'Have you got a girlfriend?' I just went, 'No.' It felt weird so two weeks later I sent them all an email saying, 'Dear guys, there hasn't been a right moment to tell you but... I'm gay.' "
Kavana has revealed he’s gay
Kavana has revealed he is gay.
The 36-year-old singer - real name Anthony Kavanagh - has kept the truth about his sexuality under wraps for the past 14 years, but has now opened up and admitted he's homosexual.
Speaking to Now magazine, he said: "Part of me is almost embarrassed that it's taken me this long to publicly say I'm gay.
"Here I am, aged 36, coming out - what am I doing? I've never come out publicly because no one's ever asked. It's become this huge elephant in the room."
The 'Big Reunion' star regrets not telling his father about his sexuality before his passing four years ago.
He explained: "I think he knew [I was gay].
"He used to say, 'As long as you're happy, just be yourself' and 'It wouldn't matter to me if my son was gay.' "
However, the hunk - who has dated a string of girls in the past - admits, despite coming out, he still finds women attractive.
He said: "I do find women attractive, but I've had more intimate relationships with guys."
Meanwhile, Kavana - who is part of new super group 5th Story with Gareth Gates, Dane Bowers, Adam Rickitt and Blazin' Squad's Kenzie - didn't tell his bandmates about his sexuality until he got to know them better.
He said: "When we first me, they asked me, 'Have you got a girlfriend?' I just went, 'No.' It felt weird so two weeks later I sent them all an email saying, 'Dear guys, there hasn't been a right moment to tell you but... I'm gay.' "
TV
Simon Cowell has become a "comedian" on 'Britain's Got Talent' this year.
Judge Alesha Dixon - who sits on the 'BGT' panel with Simon, David Walliams and Amanda Holden - says the normally stern panellist has lightened up while filming auditions for the latest series, but comic David has become more "serious".
She said: "This year, he's become a comedian, which I never knew possible! I never knew Simon could be so funny. And this year, David has become more serious, so they've sort of swapped roles. David doesn't like it when Simon's funny because that's his role. That's been quite fun!"
The 35-year-old beauty - who recently welcomed her first child, daughter Azura Sienna - thinks Simon, 54, is essential to the 'Britain's Got Talent' judging panel and hopes he won't quit the show now he has signed up to return to 'The X Factor' UK.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at 'Britain's Got Talent' auditions at London's Hammersmith Apollo yesterday (11.02.14), Alesha said: "I think he's a valuable person to have on the 'Britain's Got Talent' panel because people genuinely want to impress him, therefore he attracts a lot more talented people because they want to come and get the 'yes' from Simon. If people get three yeses from us and a no from Simon, it breaks their heart because they genuinely want to impress him."
Alesha Dixon: Simon Cowell is a comedian
Simon Cowell has become a "comedian" on 'Britain's Got Talent' this year.
Judge Alesha Dixon - who sits on the 'BGT' panel with Simon, David Walliams and Amanda Holden - says the normally stern panellist has lightened up while filming auditions for the latest series, but comic David has become more "serious".
She said: "This year, he's become a comedian, which I never knew possible! I never knew Simon could be so funny. And this year, David has become more serious, so they've sort of swapped roles. David doesn't like it when Simon's funny because that's his role. That's been quite fun!"
The 35-year-old beauty - who recently welcomed her first child, daughter Azura Sienna - thinks Simon, 54, is essential to the 'Britain's Got Talent' judging panel and hopes he won't quit the show now he has signed up to return to 'The X Factor' UK.
Speaking to BANG Showbiz at 'Britain's Got Talent' auditions at London's Hammersmith Apollo yesterday (11.02.14), Alesha said: "I think he's a valuable person to have on the 'Britain's Got Talent' panel because people genuinely want to impress him, therefore he attracts a lot more talented people because they want to come and get the 'yes' from Simon. If people get three yeses from us and a no from Simon, it breaks their heart because they genuinely want to impress him."
TV
Almost a third of British people have missed a friend's birthday party to watch their favourite TV show.
The average viewer watches over four hours of live TV a day, new research has found, and over a third of people have admitted to shunning a night out in favour of a night in front of the box, prompting Freesat to coin the term FOMOOT (Fear Of Missing Out On Telly).
The survey showed 31 per cent of people have missed a friend or family member's birthday celebration to watch their favourite show, 1 in 10 have skipped work to ensure they don't miss a programme, and four per cent have even tuned into their top shows while at work. An astonishing seven per cent of respondents have left a funeral or wedding early to ensure they don't miss out on the latest episode of their best-loved series.
'Sherlock' is the top programme viewers don't want to miss, with 'Doctor Who' and 'Coronation Street' following close behind. Rounding out the top five must-see shows are period drama 'Downton Abbey' and comedy 'Mrs. Brown's Boys'.
Following the research, Freesat have created a free new Freesat App - a TV guide to help viewers plan how and what to watch through TV and On Demand.
Paul Gilshan, Marketing Director of Freesat, said:
"We know that TV is important to the British public but we were surprised to see some of the lengths that we'll go to, to avoid missing our favourite shows.
"People should know that they don't need to be chained to their TV to enjoy their unmissable programmes - with On Demand and our new Freesat App you can enjoy the best of both worlds - recording remotely from wherever you are, so no more missing a friend's wedding for The Voice again."
People fear missing TV shows
Almost a third of British people have missed a friend's birthday party to watch their favourite TV show.
The average viewer watches over four hours of live TV a day, new research has found, and over a third of people have admitted to shunning a night out in favour of a night in front of the box, prompting Freesat to coin the term FOMOOT (Fear Of Missing Out On Telly).
The survey showed 31 per cent of people have missed a friend or family member's birthday celebration to watch their favourite show, 1 in 10 have skipped work to ensure they don't miss a programme, and four per cent have even tuned into their top shows while at work. An astonishing seven per cent of respondents have left a funeral or wedding early to ensure they don't miss out on the latest episode of their best-loved series.
'Sherlock' is the top programme viewers don't want to miss, with 'Doctor Who' and 'Coronation Street' following close behind. Rounding out the top five must-see shows are period drama 'Downton Abbey' and comedy 'Mrs. Brown's Boys'.
Following the research, Freesat have created a free new Freesat App - a TV guide to help viewers plan how and what to watch through TV and On Demand.
Paul Gilshan, Marketing Director of Freesat, said:
"We know that TV is important to the British public but we were surprised to see some of the lengths that we'll go to, to avoid missing our favourite shows.
"People should know that they don't need to be chained to their TV to enjoy their unmissable programmes - with On Demand and our new Freesat App you can enjoy the best of both worlds - recording remotely from wherever you are, so no more missing a friend's wedding for The Voice again."
TV
Davina McCall is experiencing pain around her "lady garden" as she completes a triathlon for Sport Relief.
The brave TV presenter is midway through a charity challenge - which will see her run, cycle and swim from Edinburgh, Scotland, to London - and she admits the gruelling triathlon will mean she can't be intimate with her husband of 13 years, Matthew Robertson, for a while afterwards.
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I have sores everywhere. I've tried everything - Vaseline, padded shorts, shifting in the saddle. Nothing helps. Poor Matthew will have to be patient."
The 46-year-old TV favourite has been tested for suspected hypothermia and also collapsed while swimming Lake Windermere earlier this week, but she is determined to complete the charity triathlon.
She said: Three things are motivating me in the darkest hours. First, the women I met in Kenyan quarries, chopping up lumps of coal. They couldn't even talk among themselves; if they did they lost concentration and lost a finger.
"The second thing is Matthew and getting my [wedding] ring back. The third is my children."
Davina has admitted to having "dark moments" during her seven-day sporting feat, but she refuses to give up.
She adamantly exclaimed: "My main concern is not letting people down. And so I know that I simply cannot give up on this. I can't quit."
Davina McCall’s pain from Sport Relief challenge
Davina McCall is experiencing pain around her "lady garden" as she completes a triathlon for Sport Relief.
The brave TV presenter is midway through a charity challenge - which will see her run, cycle and swim from Edinburgh, Scotland, to London - and she admits the gruelling triathlon will mean she can't be intimate with her husband of 13 years, Matthew Robertson, for a while afterwards.
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I have sores everywhere. I've tried everything - Vaseline, padded shorts, shifting in the saddle. Nothing helps. Poor Matthew will have to be patient."
The 46-year-old TV favourite has been tested for suspected hypothermia and also collapsed while swimming Lake Windermere earlier this week, but she is determined to complete the charity triathlon.
She said: Three things are motivating me in the darkest hours. First, the women I met in Kenyan quarries, chopping up lumps of coal. They couldn't even talk among themselves; if they did they lost concentration and lost a finger.
"The second thing is Matthew and getting my [wedding] ring back. The third is my children."
Davina has admitted to having "dark moments" during her seven-day sporting feat, but she refuses to give up.
She adamantly exclaimed: "My main concern is not letting people down. And so I know that I simply cannot give up on this. I can't quit."
TV
'The Paradise' has been axed by BBC bosses.
The department store drama - which was a rival of popular ITV show 'Mr Selfridge' - has been cancelled after two series.
Millions of pounds were spent on the costume drama starred 'Game Of Thrones' actor Emun Elliott as Moray, the owner of a glamorous store, and rising Scottish actress Joanna Vanderham, as a shop assistant and Moray's love interest, Denise.
A BBC spokesman told The Journal: "We are incredibly proud to have made two successful series of period drama The Paradise for BBC One.
"However, in order to make room for new dramas to come through, 'The Paradise' won't be returning."
The show struggled to win over viewers during a battle with 'Mr Selfridge', starring 'Entourage' actor Jeremy Piven as the US entrepreneur who founded the famous London store, despite it being aired four months earlier in September 2012, after producers insisted it had been commissioned first.
Viewing figures were good in the beginning and it launched with around six million for the first series before dipping to just over five million for the second run late last year.
The series was filmed in Lambton Castle in County Durham, which had been converted into a bustling upmarket store, and was the biggest drama ever to be shot in the North East of England.
It also starred Ben Daniels, Sarah Lancashire, Peter Wright, Elaine Cassidy and Matthew McNulty.
The Paradise is axed by BBC
'The Paradise' has been axed by BBC bosses.
The department store drama - which was a rival of popular ITV show 'Mr Selfridge' - has been cancelled after two series.
Millions of pounds were spent on the costume drama starred 'Game Of Thrones' actor Emun Elliott as Moray, the owner of a glamorous store, and rising Scottish actress Joanna Vanderham, as a shop assistant and Moray's love interest, Denise.
A BBC spokesman told The Journal: "We are incredibly proud to have made two successful series of period drama The Paradise for BBC One.
"However, in order to make room for new dramas to come through, 'The Paradise' won't be returning."
The show struggled to win over viewers during a battle with 'Mr Selfridge', starring 'Entourage' actor Jeremy Piven as the US entrepreneur who founded the famous London store, despite it being aired four months earlier in September 2012, after producers insisted it had been commissioned first.
Viewing figures were good in the beginning and it launched with around six million for the first series before dipping to just over five million for the second run late last year.
The series was filmed in Lambton Castle in County Durham, which had been converted into a bustling upmarket store, and was the biggest drama ever to be shot in the North East of England.
It also starred Ben Daniels, Sarah Lancashire, Peter Wright, Elaine Cassidy and Matthew McNulty.