TV
TV
Michelle Collins claims she had to quit 'Coronation Street' because it was turning her into a "zombie."
The 51-year-old actress, who has played Rovers Return landlady Stella Price since 2011, will leave the ITV soap in June after being left exhausted from driving between her London home and the show's set in Manchester.
Michelle told The Sun newspaper: "I threw myself wholeheartedly into Corrie but I ended up spreading myself far too thinly.
"The tiredness is the worst, it can make you a zombie. Work is fantastic, but it's not the be-all and end-all.
"You have to have some quality of life as well.
"That's what Corrie has taught me. If you don't have a work-life balance it can start to drive you a bit crazy.
"So I had to step back and say, 'I can't be Superwoman. I just can't do everything'. "
The blonde star, who has an 18-year-old daughter, Maia, with ex-boyfriend Fabrizio Tassalini, found it difficult to make time for herself.
She added: "Like a lot of working mums, I worked so b****y hard and I was just tired all the time. I ran myself ragged and the last person I thought to look after was me."
Michelle, who also played villain Cindy Beale in EastEnders for ten years, insists she will miss the "warmth and friendliness" of 'Coronation Street' but she won't miss the travelling.
She explained: "Once I made four journeys between London and Manchester in one day. Another time I crashed into a parked car after a long journey. I knew the travel wouldn't be easy, but I didn't realise how hard it would be.
"You are in almost every scene. I had some fantastic stories and as an actress you want that.
"But I felt like I was on a loop. Home late Friday, Saturday, then back on Sunday."
She added: "That said, I still think I would have gone through with it if I'd known how hard it would be. Being landlady of the Rovers was an amazing experience."
Michelle Collins: I turned into a zombie
Michelle Collins claims she had to quit 'Coronation Street' because it was turning her into a "zombie."
The 51-year-old actress, who has played Rovers Return landlady Stella Price since 2011, will leave the ITV soap in June after being left exhausted from driving between her London home and the show's set in Manchester.
Michelle told The Sun newspaper: "I threw myself wholeheartedly into Corrie but I ended up spreading myself far too thinly.
"The tiredness is the worst, it can make you a zombie. Work is fantastic, but it's not the be-all and end-all.
"You have to have some quality of life as well.
"That's what Corrie has taught me. If you don't have a work-life balance it can start to drive you a bit crazy.
"So I had to step back and say, 'I can't be Superwoman. I just can't do everything'. "
The blonde star, who has an 18-year-old daughter, Maia, with ex-boyfriend Fabrizio Tassalini, found it difficult to make time for herself.
She added: "Like a lot of working mums, I worked so b****y hard and I was just tired all the time. I ran myself ragged and the last person I thought to look after was me."
Michelle, who also played villain Cindy Beale in EastEnders for ten years, insists she will miss the "warmth and friendliness" of 'Coronation Street' but she won't miss the travelling.
She explained: "Once I made four journeys between London and Manchester in one day. Another time I crashed into a parked car after a long journey. I knew the travel wouldn't be easy, but I didn't realise how hard it would be.
"You are in almost every scene. I had some fantastic stories and as an actress you want that.
"But I felt like I was on a loop. Home late Friday, Saturday, then back on Sunday."
She added: "That said, I still think I would have gone through with it if I'd known how hard it would be. Being landlady of the Rovers was an amazing experience."
TV
Simon Cowell has agreed to let Cheryl Cole verbally abuse him on 'The X Factor' panel.
The show boss is determined to get the former Girls Aloud singer back on the UK judging team with him and has offered her a hefty pay check of a rumoured £2 million for her return.
The 30-year-old singer worked on the panel from 2008, before leaving in 2011 to work on the US version of the programme.
However, the brunette beauty was kicked off the show by bosses amid concerns viewers would struggle with her thick Geordie accent.
The 54-year-old music mogul - who announced his return to the UK show last week - knows Cheryl is still fuming about getting sacked and has given her the go-ahead to rip into him if she returns.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Simon is ready for the fury of Cheryl on screen.
"He has made it clear she can say what she wants to him, and get the fans booing and hissing him at any stage. Obviously fireworks on screen between the pair could make for astonishing viewing. Simon knows that.
"He is keen to prove that with his return The X Factor will trounce Strictly and land its rightful place as the No1 show in Britain."
Meanwhile, Simon has arranged an intimate dinner with Cheryl at his west London home for later this week to discuss her return, and it is believed a final decision could be made by the end of the month.
Simon Cowell allows Cheryl Cole to verbally abuse him on X Factor
Simon Cowell has agreed to let Cheryl Cole verbally abuse him on 'The X Factor' panel.
The show boss is determined to get the former Girls Aloud singer back on the UK judging team with him and has offered her a hefty pay check of a rumoured £2 million for her return.
The 30-year-old singer worked on the panel from 2008, before leaving in 2011 to work on the US version of the programme.
However, the brunette beauty was kicked off the show by bosses amid concerns viewers would struggle with her thick Geordie accent.
The 54-year-old music mogul - who announced his return to the UK show last week - knows Cheryl is still fuming about getting sacked and has given her the go-ahead to rip into him if she returns.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Simon is ready for the fury of Cheryl on screen.
"He has made it clear she can say what she wants to him, and get the fans booing and hissing him at any stage. Obviously fireworks on screen between the pair could make for astonishing viewing. Simon knows that.
"He is keen to prove that with his return The X Factor will trounce Strictly and land its rightful place as the No1 show in Britain."
Meanwhile, Simon has arranged an intimate dinner with Cheryl at his west London home for later this week to discuss her return, and it is believed a final decision could be made by the end of the month.
TV
William Roache "can't wait" to return to 'Coronation Street'.
The 81-year-old actor - who was last week cleared of historic sex assault and rape charges - is set to meet with soap bosses this week to discuss his character Ken Barlow's comeback and he hopes writers will pen a scene featuring Ken and Kevin Webster, played by Michael Le Vell, who was cleared of sex assault charges last year.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Bill can't wait to go back to work.
"The first time Ken and Kevin appear together on screen again will be an historic moment, there is no getting away from it. I'm sure it will be emotional. It will end what has been a truly terrible time for the pair of them.
"It is a significant moment for the show too - a new start. As far as Bill is concerned that can't come soon enough.''
Michael recently returned to work on the ITV soap after he was found not guilty of several charges, including rape, in court in September.
Meanwhile, William was written out of 'Corrie' last May after the charges - which included four counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape against girls under 16 between 1965 and 1971 - were first brought against him.
The soap veteran is expected to return to screens in August.
William Roache ‘can’t wait’ for Corrie return
William Roache "can't wait" to return to 'Coronation Street'.
The 81-year-old actor - who was last week cleared of historic sex assault and rape charges - is set to meet with soap bosses this week to discuss his character Ken Barlow's comeback and he hopes writers will pen a scene featuring Ken and Kevin Webster, played by Michael Le Vell, who was cleared of sex assault charges last year.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "Bill can't wait to go back to work.
"The first time Ken and Kevin appear together on screen again will be an historic moment, there is no getting away from it. I'm sure it will be emotional. It will end what has been a truly terrible time for the pair of them.
"It is a significant moment for the show too - a new start. As far as Bill is concerned that can't come soon enough.''
Michael recently returned to work on the ITV soap after he was found not guilty of several charges, including rape, in court in September.
Meanwhile, William was written out of 'Corrie' last May after the charges - which included four counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape against girls under 16 between 1965 and 1971 - were first brought against him.
The soap veteran is expected to return to screens in August.
TV
A singing gypsy has auditioned for 'The Voice'.
Talia Smith has become the BBC One show's very first traveller to audition, impressing judges Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Ricky Wilson and will.i.am with her country-infused vocals.
The mum-of-three lives in caravan near Heathrow with her partner Billy and was due to audition with her friend Kelly Lee as part of singing duo Travellin Rose, before her pal pulled out at the last minute.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Talia is a bona fide traveller. She loves the life and doesn't care what anyone thinks about gypsies. She's been a professional singer for a few years and has a great voice. It's no surprise coach Tom Jones takes a bit of a fancy to her.
"She's genuine proof that the show is about including people from all walks of life. People focus on the former pop stars and the confident stage school types but there are so many different people on the show."
Meanwhile, 'The Voice' has landed its own spin-off show on BBC Two, which will be presented by Zoe Ball.
The half-hour programme will air at 6:30pm on weekdays from the time the live shows kick off until the final, giving viewers their fix of behind-the-scenes gossip, interviews and performances.
Zoe commented: "I'm super excited to be involved in 'The Voice'. Fans can think of me as the nosey, naughty one who can ask questions we all want answering by their favourite acts and, of course, Kylie, Tom, will.i.am and Ricky.
"I shall bring everyone a little closer to the action, and I promise not to sing!"
Gypsy Talia Smith impresses on The Voice
A singing gypsy has auditioned for 'The Voice'.
Talia Smith has become the BBC One show's very first traveller to audition, impressing judges Sir Tom Jones, Kylie Minogue, Ricky Wilson and will.i.am with her country-infused vocals.
The mum-of-three lives in caravan near Heathrow with her partner Billy and was due to audition with her friend Kelly Lee as part of singing duo Travellin Rose, before her pal pulled out at the last minute.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Talia is a bona fide traveller. She loves the life and doesn't care what anyone thinks about gypsies. She's been a professional singer for a few years and has a great voice. It's no surprise coach Tom Jones takes a bit of a fancy to her.
"She's genuine proof that the show is about including people from all walks of life. People focus on the former pop stars and the confident stage school types but there are so many different people on the show."
Meanwhile, 'The Voice' has landed its own spin-off show on BBC Two, which will be presented by Zoe Ball.
The half-hour programme will air at 6:30pm on weekdays from the time the live shows kick off until the final, giving viewers their fix of behind-the-scenes gossip, interviews and performances.
Zoe commented: "I'm super excited to be involved in 'The Voice'. Fans can think of me as the nosey, naughty one who can ask questions we all want answering by their favourite acts and, of course, Kylie, Tom, will.i.am and Ricky.
"I shall bring everyone a little closer to the action, and I promise not to sing!"
TV
'Benefits Street's White Dee is set to appear on 'Celebrity Big Brother'.
The 42-year-old mother-of-two, who shot to fame on Channel 4's controversial documentary series about state benefit recipients, has been tipped to receive a £60,000 fee for the next series of the reality show.
The sum would mean Dee - full name Deidre Kelly - would no longer be eligible to receive government benefits.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Channel 5 bosses were desperate to sign up Dee. They think she will be brilliant.
"But the move is definitely a controversial one because anyone who is claiming benefits can only do so legally if they are not working. Dee will be earning money in one of the most public ways possible. So unless she stops collecting her benefits, her actions will interest the authorities.
"Her behaviour on 'Benefits Street' has made it very clear that she has a good knowledge of the welfare system and she will definitely know the rules."
Dee has previously declared she doesn't want to "be on benefits forever", but has vowed to stay put in her residence on the taxpayer-funded James Turner Street in Birmingham.
She is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "I'm still in my house and nobody will move me out of it."
Dee recently sparred with TV pundit Katie Hopkins on Channel 5's 'The Big Benefits Row Live'.
White Dee for Celebrity Big Brother
'Benefits Street's White Dee is set to appear on 'Celebrity Big Brother'.
The 42-year-old mother-of-two, who shot to fame on Channel 4's controversial documentary series about state benefit recipients, has been tipped to receive a £60,000 fee for the next series of the reality show.
The sum would mean Dee - full name Deidre Kelly - would no longer be eligible to receive government benefits.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "Channel 5 bosses were desperate to sign up Dee. They think she will be brilliant.
"But the move is definitely a controversial one because anyone who is claiming benefits can only do so legally if they are not working. Dee will be earning money in one of the most public ways possible. So unless she stops collecting her benefits, her actions will interest the authorities.
"Her behaviour on 'Benefits Street' has made it very clear that she has a good knowledge of the welfare system and she will definitely know the rules."
Dee has previously declared she doesn't want to "be on benefits forever", but has vowed to stay put in her residence on the taxpayer-funded James Turner Street in Birmingham.
She is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "I'm still in my house and nobody will move me out of it."
Dee recently sparred with TV pundit Katie Hopkins on Channel 5's 'The Big Benefits Row Live'.
TV
Sam Faiers won't have a showmance with Ollie Locke.
'The Only Way is Essex' beauty insists her budding romance with the former 'Made in Chelsea' star isn't for publicity after getting close on 'Celebrity Big Brother'.
She said: "The whole showmance thing of, 'Oh, we're out of CBB now so let's go and do a set-up date', is not my style, and it's not Ollie's either."
Sam, 23, admits she and Ollie haven't yet discussed their feelings and despite being friends before the show, she wasn't aware of her own feelings for him.
She explained: "I was with Joey [Essex] before, so I never thought anything of it. It's too early to say. I've only just come out of a big relationship and I was heartbroken.
"He's lovely. After [the final] we went to the bar and we were with our family and friends, catching up. I left early so I said goodnight to him and gave him a cuddle, but we haven't spoken."
Meanwhile, Ollie says he wants Sam to be his girlfriend and thinks she's "down to earth".
He told new! magazine: "She's just an absolute sweetheart. She's lovely and she's not like other reality stars. She's very down to earth. She's very sweet. She isn't fame-hungry."
Sam Faiers and Ollie Locke not a ‘showmance’
Sam Faiers won't have a showmance with Ollie Locke.
'The Only Way is Essex' beauty insists her budding romance with the former 'Made in Chelsea' star isn't for publicity after getting close on 'Celebrity Big Brother'.
She said: "The whole showmance thing of, 'Oh, we're out of CBB now so let's go and do a set-up date', is not my style, and it's not Ollie's either."
Sam, 23, admits she and Ollie haven't yet discussed their feelings and despite being friends before the show, she wasn't aware of her own feelings for him.
She explained: "I was with Joey [Essex] before, so I never thought anything of it. It's too early to say. I've only just come out of a big relationship and I was heartbroken.
"He's lovely. After [the final] we went to the bar and we were with our family and friends, catching up. I left early so I said goodnight to him and gave him a cuddle, but we haven't spoken."
Meanwhile, Ollie says he wants Sam to be his girlfriend and thinks she's "down to earth".
He told new! magazine: "She's just an absolute sweetheart. She's lovely and she's not like other reality stars. She's very down to earth. She's very sweet. She isn't fame-hungry."
TV
Sir Tom Jones thinks Emma Willis has a "great pair of pins".
The 'Sex Bomb' hitmaker, who is working alongside the presenter on talent show 'The Voice', complimented the pretty brunette's legs during filming for the BBC programme.
Emma said: "Tom is so great. The other day I wore a skirt to filming and and he leaned over and said, 'I like your outfit. You've got a great pair of legs on you.'
"Of course, then I ruined it by saying: 'Do you think so? I don't really like them. They look a bit like sausages.' Because back when I was a model, that was what a photographer once said about them."
The 73-year-old singer then had a second glance at Emma's legs and said he didn't agree with the snapper's comments.
The 37-year-old beauty said: "When I said that to Tom, he had another look and said, 'Oh no, they're a great pair of pins. And I know great pins.' It made my day."
And after dozens of compliments about her looks while presenting on 'The Voice' and 'Big Brother', Emma - who has two children Isabelle and Ace with husband Matt Willis - isn't concerned about turning 40 in a few years.
She added to Britain's Glamour magazine: "I like getting older because people take you more seriously. After all, 40 is the new 30. It's like a rebirth.
"You've been through the 'having young kids' stage, so you're not tired all the time and, professionally, you're more confident than ever."
Sir Tom Jones loves Emma Willis’ legs
Sir Tom Jones thinks Emma Willis has a "great pair of pins".
The 'Sex Bomb' hitmaker, who is working alongside the presenter on talent show 'The Voice', complimented the pretty brunette's legs during filming for the BBC programme.
Emma said: "Tom is so great. The other day I wore a skirt to filming and and he leaned over and said, 'I like your outfit. You've got a great pair of legs on you.'
"Of course, then I ruined it by saying: 'Do you think so? I don't really like them. They look a bit like sausages.' Because back when I was a model, that was what a photographer once said about them."
The 73-year-old singer then had a second glance at Emma's legs and said he didn't agree with the snapper's comments.
The 37-year-old beauty said: "When I said that to Tom, he had another look and said, 'Oh no, they're a great pair of pins. And I know great pins.' It made my day."
And after dozens of compliments about her looks while presenting on 'The Voice' and 'Big Brother', Emma - who has two children Isabelle and Ace with husband Matt Willis - isn't concerned about turning 40 in a few years.
She added to Britain's Glamour magazine: "I like getting older because people take you more seriously. After all, 40 is the new 30. It's like a rebirth.
"You've been through the 'having young kids' stage, so you're not tired all the time and, professionally, you're more confident than ever."
TV
Gareth Gates was voted off 'Dancing on Ice All-Stars' tonight (09.02.14).
The 29-year-old singer, who first rose to fame on 'Pop Idol' in 2002, became the latest star to leave the ITV series after losing a skate-off against former 'EastEnders' star Sam Attwater.
Despite impressing judges Jason Gardiner, Ashley Roberts, Robin Cousins and Karen Barber with his performance to Wham!'s hit 'Freedom,' during which he wore a George Michael-style blonde wig, Gareth and his professional partner, Brianne Delcourt, failed to win them over with their follow up routine to U2's 'Beautiful Day.'
All four judges chose to save 28-year-old Sam.
Upon hearing the result, the modest star - who is also appearing on 'The Big Reunion' as part of boy band 5th Story - gave credit to his partner as he departed the rink.
He said: "Never mind, it has been amazing and I would like to thank this amazing lady Brianne. Bless you all, thank you."
Delcourt said that the singer had been a "pleasure to work with".
'Dancing on Ice All-Stars,' which is the show's final series, continues next Sunday (February 16) at 6.15pm on ITV.
Gareth Gates eliminated from ‘Dancing on Ice All-Stars’
Gareth Gates was voted off 'Dancing on Ice All-Stars' tonight (09.02.14).
The 29-year-old singer, who first rose to fame on 'Pop Idol' in 2002, became the latest star to leave the ITV series after losing a skate-off against former 'EastEnders' star Sam Attwater.
Despite impressing judges Jason Gardiner, Ashley Roberts, Robin Cousins and Karen Barber with his performance to Wham!'s hit 'Freedom,' during which he wore a George Michael-style blonde wig, Gareth and his professional partner, Brianne Delcourt, failed to win them over with their follow up routine to U2's 'Beautiful Day.'
All four judges chose to save 28-year-old Sam.
Upon hearing the result, the modest star - who is also appearing on 'The Big Reunion' as part of boy band 5th Story - gave credit to his partner as he departed the rink.
He said: "Never mind, it has been amazing and I would like to thank this amazing lady Brianne. Bless you all, thank you."
Delcourt said that the singer had been a "pleasure to work with".
'Dancing on Ice All-Stars,' which is the show's final series, continues next Sunday (February 16) at 6.15pm on ITV.
TV
Lee Ryan became "addicted" to sleeping pills after 'Celebrity Big Brother'.
The Blue singer has revealed being in the house was tougher than he expected, and he has started to rely on the medication he was taking to help him sleep during his time on the show.
Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, he said: "It is so hard in there ... It f***s with your mind. We all struggled. I starting taking sleeping pills in the house and I've become addicted to them.
"I wasn't the only one taking sleeping pills. A few of us did it. What no one saw was on my last day I was in the diary room crying my eyes out for ages and begging producers to let me see a psychiatrist.
"I was desperate to talk to someone. I think if I'd stayed in there any longer I would have been rocking back and forth and needing a straitjacket. I felt a bit like that anyway."
Lee also claimed he only went on the reality show because he needed to pay "a huge tax bill".
He insisted: "I had to go in the Big Brother house. I had no choice. I had a huge tax bill to pay if I'm being completely honest.
"I thought f**k it, I need to pay my tax bill and they were offering me a huge amount."
Lee Ryan says CBB led to sleeping pill addiction
Lee Ryan became "addicted" to sleeping pills after 'Celebrity Big Brother'.
The Blue singer has revealed being in the house was tougher than he expected, and he has started to rely on the medication he was taking to help him sleep during his time on the show.
Speaking to the Daily Star Sunday, he said: "It is so hard in there ... It f***s with your mind. We all struggled. I starting taking sleeping pills in the house and I've become addicted to them.
"I wasn't the only one taking sleeping pills. A few of us did it. What no one saw was on my last day I was in the diary room crying my eyes out for ages and begging producers to let me see a psychiatrist.
"I was desperate to talk to someone. I think if I'd stayed in there any longer I would have been rocking back and forth and needing a straitjacket. I felt a bit like that anyway."
Lee also claimed he only went on the reality show because he needed to pay "a huge tax bill".
He insisted: "I had to go in the Big Brother house. I had no choice. I had a huge tax bill to pay if I'm being completely honest.
"I thought f**k it, I need to pay my tax bill and they were offering me a huge amount."