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Piers Morgan blasts people for ‘sniping’ at Kate Garraway over Derek Draper documentary

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Kate Garraway has been defended against trolls by Piers Morgan.
Piers Morgan has slammed trolls taking aim at Kate Garraway (Pictures: ITV/ Rex)

Piers Morgan has blasted cruel trolls who took aim at Kate Garraway after the airing of her documentary about caring for late husband Derek Draper.

Over the past three years Good Morning Britain presenter Kate, 56, had been caring for Draper after he suffered from multiple health complications after contracting Covid in 2020.

The former political advisor, who died in January at the age of 56, was the subject of the documentary Derek’s Story, which aired on Tuesday night.

It followed the final year of his life, with Kate also exploring the huge impact of what being a carer entails.

After tuning in, Piers shared a message of support for his former colleague.

‘The final Kate Garraway film about her beloved Derek was heart-breaking, inspiring, and utterly maddening. Our care system is so broken, yet staffed by so many wonderful people. Let Derek’s legacy be a wholesale reformation of the way we treat our sick/elderly. RIP Derek,’ he posted on X.

Kate Garraway.
The Good Morning Britain presenter’s documentary Derek’s Story aired this week (Picture: ITV)

However, after one person said ‘many families have had to go through the same and do not have the platform or exposure to speak out’ the broadcaster hit out.

‘The whole point of the film was to shine a light on the care system, and help so many others suffering from its failures. Kate used her profile to magnificently powerful effect and deserves our gratitude not sniping. She’s a brilliant woman who’s been through 4yrs of utter hell,’ he shared.

Responding to a now-deleted comment from another user who suggested long Covid was a ‘money making scam’ and slammed Kate’s books and documentaries about her husband’s health, Piers was incensed.

‘I hope you never suffer what Derek suffered, you heartless f***ing moron,’ he wrote.

Piers Morgan.
Piers criticised those who posted cruel comments (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Draper’s health struggles were previously documented in award-winning films Finding Derek and Caring For Derek, as well as through books The Power of Hope and The Strength of Love.

In the documentary, Kate also shared how she was facing astronomical debts following the death of her husband.

Draper spent nearly 100 days in a coma and remained in need of round-the-clock care until he died, both from medical professionals and his loved ones at home.

Kate had their family home adapted once Draper was discharged from hospital but has now detailed the costs of doing so, estimating her debts to be between £500,000-£800,000.

Kate Garraway, Piers Morgan, Melanie Brown and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain.
The pair previously worked together on Good Morning Britain (Picture: Ken McKay/ ITV/ REX/ Shutterstock)

She’s also said the £16,000 monthly cost of her husband’s care was more than her salary from ITV.

‘I am in debt. I can’t earn enough money to cover my debt because I am managing Derek’s care and I can’t even use the money I do have to support Derek’s recovery because it’s going on the basics all the time,’ she said.

She added: ‘I’m not going to pretend that I am poorly paid, I have an incredible job that I love, which is well-paid, but it’s not enough.’

Former Labour insider and psychotherapist Draper married presenter Kate in 2005 and they went on to welcome children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 14.

Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story is streaming on ITVX.

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MORE : Kate Garraway heartbreakingly wishes she was ‘still a carer’ after Derek Draper’s death

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Inside Tom Allen’s private life including ‘Northern Irish TV royalty’ relative

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Tom Allen
Tom Allen’s star is rising and now he’s presenting a BBC documentary (Picture: Dave J Hogan//Getty Images)

Comedian and television presenter Tom Allen has been a beloved presence on our screens for some time.

But the 40-year-old’s fame is only set to soar as he fronts his first documentary for the BBC My Big Gay Wedding.

Tom, who is in a relationship with Alfie Garston, is not arranging his own nupitals but is acting as a wedding planner for a gay couple for the one-off show.

The programme is being aired to mark the 10th anniversary of the law legalising same-sex marriage coming into force in England and Wales.

The fact that same-sex couples couldn’t get married here just 10 years ago means we should never be complacent about the progress we’ve made and so it’s only right to celebrate it thoroughly,’ Tom said.

‘I’m looking forward to making this joyous celebration of love and gay marriage, or garriage as I like to call it.’

Naturally, the 60-minute feature has increased interest in Tom’s own personal life.

Here is everything we know about the TV personality – including his famous relative.

Where has Tom Allen appeared on TV before?

Tom Allen and Liam Charles on Bake Off the Professionals
Tom co-hosted two series of Bake Off The Professionals with Liam Charles (Picture: Channel 4)

Tom is best known for hosting The Apprentice: You’re Fired and as the former presenter of Bake Off: The Professionals before Stacey Solomon replaced him.

His other TV credits are numerous and include presenting Cooking with the Stars with Emma Willism Big Brother’s Big Mouth and Live at the Apollo.

A frequent guest panel shows, Tom has competed on shows including Richard Osman’s House of Games, QI, Hypothetical, Celebrity Catchphrase and The Crystal Maze.

Tom has also worked as an actor and had smaller roles in film Tamara Drew opposite Gemma Arterton and Starter for 10 alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and James Corden.

Who is Tom Allen’s partner?

Tom Allen and Alfie Garston
Tom Allen and Alfie Garston lived together in south east London (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Tom is in a relationship with 36-year-old Alfie and the couple live together in Bromley.

According to Alfie’s LinkedIn, he works as a freelance host and performer for the Walt Disney Company and was previously an actor for the Glad Rags Production Company.

Like Tom, Alfie has also dabbled in TV and has been a runner for leading production company Fremantle.

It’s not known how long Tom and Alfie have been together but they were first pictured publicly at Jonathan Ross’ Halloween party in 2022.

Alfie is thought to be Tom’s first boyfriend. In 2019, he told iNews he had never been in a relationship.

‘I used to think that was a bit of a scandal in itself, an unusual thing,’ he said of his single status. ‘But I’ve met more and more people who are like that. There are people who find it very easy to get into relationships and I’ve always just not.

Tom Allen and Alfie Garston
Tom and Alfie at Jonathan Ross’ Halloween party (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for KOKO)

‘Maybe that’s why I like doing stand-up. I have people around me who I love, but ultimately, when you stand up there, you stand up there on your own. So I suppose it lends itself to quite a solitary life.’

The following year Tom told The Guardian he had found it ‘impossible’ to have a ‘meaningful’ long-term relationship.

Tom explained: ‘I, for one, have never been in love and so I feel, “Oh, that’s something else I can’t join in with”.’

How is Tom Allen related to Gloria Hunniford?

Tom discovered he was related to presenter Gloria on the ITV series DNA Journey. two years ago.

The show revealed they are cousins through his mother’s maternal line with Gloria, 83, exclaiming that she was ‘so shocked’ by the news.

Several months later Tom appeared on Lorraine where he spoke about his newly discovered connection.

Recalling the moment he found out Gloria was a cousin, he said: ‘I got this text message saying that I was related to Irish TV royalty and I thought, “Well there’s not many options with that really other than Graham [Norton] or Gloria.” But I was still surprised.’

Gloria Hunniford
Tom and Gloria are cousins and are related through his mother (Picture: ITV)

Gloria then joined via video link from the Loose Women studio and called Tom ‘the loveliest cousin that I’ve just discovered’.

She continued: ‘When somebody says to you on a TV programme we’ve discovered a cousin of yours and he is very well known, you’re like “Who could it be?” Well it turned out to be you Tom.

‘I’m so thrilled and I know we’re going to meet up with your mum soon because your mum comes from Northern Ireland and I’m very much looking forward to that.’

Big Gay Wedding with Tom Allen airs tonight at 9pm on BBC One.

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New Netflix show stacks up astonishing 81,000,000 hours viewed in just one week

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Netflix viewers have thrown their support behind the new series 3 Body Problem despite it receiving mixed reviews from critics.

And they’re clearly all hooked, as new data has revealed it’s stacked up an astonishing 81,000,000 viewing hours in just one week.

The science fiction series was created by Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss alongside Alexander Woo and is based on the Chinese novel The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin.

Spanning several decades – from the Chinese Cultural Revolution in the 1960s to the present day – the story explores a mysterious extraterrestrial force that is killing scientists around the world and stars Benedict Wong, Jess Hong, Jovan Adepo and Eiza González.

The novel was previously considered ‘unfilmable’ and ‘unadaptable’ due to its mind-bending and complex plots, with some critics saying an adaptation shouldn’t have been attempted.

But many viewers have said they are impressed by how the novel has been translated to screen, and it’s clear to see just how popular the show is as the weekly top 10 list of the most-watched TV shows in English have put it at the number two spot with 11,000,000 views and 81,7000,000 hours viewed.

 3 Body Problem.
Netflix fans have praised the new Netflix series 3 Body Problem (Picture: Netflix)

It’s actually The Gentlemen that takes the top spot though with 11,700,000 views (and 78,000,000 hours viewed) while Fool Me Once and One Day also appear on the list.

3 Body Problem also made it to top 10 in TV in 93 countries, while The Gentlemen made it to Top 10 in 91.

Netflix's 10 most-watched TV shows in English globally in the last week:

  1. The Gentlemen: Season 1, watched 11,700,000 times with 78,000,000 hours viewed
  2. 3 Body Problem: Season 1, watched 11,000,000 times with 81,700,000 hours viewed
  3. Homicide: New York, watched 6,600,000 times with 29,700,000 hours viewed
  4. Avatar The Last Airbender: Season 1, watched 3,400,000 times with 24,600,000 hours viewed
  5. Hot Wheels Let’s Race: Season 1, watched 2,400,000 times with 9,500,000 hours viewed
  6. Monk: Season 1, watched 2,000,000 times with 18,400,000 hours viewed
  7. Turning Point: The Bomb and the Cold War: Season 1, watched 1,300,000 times with 13,700,000 hours viewed
  8. The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping: Limited Series, watched 1,300,000 times with 4,100,000 hours viewed
  9. Fool Me Once: Limited Series, watched 1,300,000 times with 8,100,000 hours viewed
  10. One Day: Limited Series, watched 1,300,000 times with 8,400,000 hours viewed

This comes after viewers gushed over the new hit, with X user John writing: ‘Brilliant, it does the book justice, BUT, I imagine those that didn’t read the books will be mightily confused now, but stick with it and prepare for your mind to be blown.’

‘I enjoyed reading 3 Body Problem more than a decade ago. The Netflix version is actually better than I remember the book,’ AbbottMaverick shared.

Many others said they were ‘obsessed’ and had watched all eight episodes in one sitting.

Meanwhile fan Tong begged: ‘I finished watching in one go, some changes were made and really short for the 1st book but overall, I like it. I hope I can see next season… Netflix, you’re not going to cancel it right???’

3 Body Problem
Viewers have watched an astonishing number of hours this week alone (Picture: ED MILLER/NETFLIX)
X post.
Many fans labelled the series ‘mind-blowing’ (Picture: X)
X post.
Another said the first episode had them hooked (Picture: X)
X post.
Some even said they preferred the show to the book (Picture: X)

The series will cover the entirety of Cuxin’s three books – known in full as the Remembrance of the Earth’s Past trilogy and consisting of 3 Body Problem, The Dark Forest and Death’s End.

Where the novels are set mainly in China, the TV adaptation has widened the scope and scale somewhat – spanning several continents in uncovering its central mystery.

Following the backlash to the final season of Game of Thrones, Benioff and Weiss said they also saw 3 Body Problem as a ‘daunting project’.

3 Body Problem.
The novel it is based on was previously labelled ‘unadaptable’ (Picture: Netflix)

However Woo said that writers adapting novels for TV have to ‘block out some noise’ in order to focus on telling the story, like athletes in a stadium.

‘Do you think about the fans when you’re in the middle of the game? Well, on some level you hear cheering, but you have to concentrate on what you’re doing,’ he told GQ.

‘Your job is to make the shot or catch the pass. On some level, I understand the existence of the fans, and not everyone is going to like everything that you do, but at the same time, I’m trying to do the best job I can in putting the scene together.’

3 Body Problem is now streaming on Netflix.

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Gogglebox and Celebrity Big Brother star George Gilbey dies aged 40

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George Gilbey
Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died (Picture: Channel 4)

Gogglebox and Celebrity Big Brother star George Gilbey has died aged 40 from an ‘accident at work’.

The star first hit our screens in September 2013 on the Channel 4 series with his mum Linda and late dad Peter, before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother the following year, where he finished fourth overall, with actor Gary Busey going on to win.

The family returned to Gogglebox in 2016, before Gilbey left two years later and Linda and Pete continued without him until 2020.

His sister confirmed the sad news of his death on Wednesday, writing: ‘Rest in eternal paradise brother. Far too young but god only takes the best.’

Geordie Shore star Ricci Guarnaccio, who starred on Celebrity Big Brother alongside Gilbey, also paid tribute on X, writing: ‘Breaks my [heart] but @georgegilbey you are well and truely going to be missed my friend.

George Gilbey
Gilbey exited the Celebrity Big Brother house in fourth place (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

‘Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you GG.’

Ricci went on to confirm in the comments that his death was due to ‘an accident at work’, and after confusion over Gilbey’s social media accounts sharing videos in the last hour, explained: ‘Spoke with his sister, happened early of hours of this morning. Accidental death. They don’t know who it is posting on his socials.’

A spokesman for Essex Police told Metro.co.uk: ‘We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (27 March), during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.

‘The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene.

George Gilbey
Tributes have been paid to the TV star (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

‘We will continue liaising with partners including the Heath and Safety Executive. A cordon remains in place at the scene.’

Fans have also paid tribute to the TV star, with X user Cath writing: ‘George Gilbey rip he was a canny bloke on Gogglebox and big brother gone too soon only 40 years old so sad.’

Liam wrote: ‘Absolutely shocking news Had some great times when we was younger. Rest easy mate.’

Mike added: ‘RIP George Gilbey who used to be on #Gogglebox who has sadly died today at 40.. thoughts are with your mum and family and friends. Terrible news.’

Gilbey’s stepdad, who he starred on Gogglebox with, died in 2021 following a short illness.

Metro.co.uk has approached Channel 4 for comment.

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First look at Race Across The World as hit series returns in just days with brand-new route

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Race Across The World season 4
We can’t wait! (Picture: BBC/Studio Lambert/Pete Dadds)

Race Across The World is back with a bang for season four, and there’s really not long to wait.

Branded the ‘best thing on TV’ by viewers, the beloved reality programme will begin on BBC One in its usual Wednesday slot on April 10.

And as if that wasn’t enough, we’ve now got a first look at our cast.

The teams this year will include two mother and daughter duos, Brydie and Sharon, and Eugenie and Isabel; best friends Alfie and Owen; married couple Stephen and Viv, and brother-sister pair Betty and James.

This year’s route will be taking place across Eastern Asia, as the five teams will battle it out over a whopping 15,000 kilometres.

The release teases: ‘From northernmost Japan, they will cross six seas and eight borders, skirting the path of the volcanic ring of fire – the most geologically unstable region on the planet to reach the finish line in Lombok, an idyllic Indonesian island paradise.’

For the uninitiated, the competition sees civilians leave behind their smartphones, internet access and bank cards, for the trip of a lifetime.

They must push themselves to physical and mental limits as they travel between two destinations thousands of miles apart, with as little as possible.

Celebrity Race Across The World cast
The new season follows the celebrity spin-off, which included Harry Judd, All Saints’ Melanie Blatt, GMB’s Alex Beresford and F1 ace Billy Monger (Picture: BBC)

One by one, the teams are eliminated and only one team will emerge victorious as they all vie to be first, and claim the cash prize of £20,000.

Previous seasons have seen the pairs travel from London to Singapore, Mexico City to Ushuaia, Argentina, and from one end of Canada to the other.

Race Across the World season 4 comes after the BBC aired its first celebrity spin-off, which saw stars backpacking from Marrakesh, Morocco to Tromso, Norway.

It starred McFly’s Harry Judd and his mum Emma, All Saints singer Melanie Blatt and her mum Helene, F1 ace Billy Monger and his sister Bonnie, and Good Morning Britain’s Alex Beresford and his dad Noel, the latter of whom emerged victorious.

Are you excited for Race Across The World?Comment Now

Season three of Race Across The World, which saw five teams travel all the way from Vancouver, British Columbia to St John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador on the other side of Canada, saw best friends Tricia and Cathie take home the cash prize.

But who will be following in their footsteps this year?

Race Across The World returns Wednesday 10th April at 9pm on BBC One.

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Gogglebox star George Gilbey shared last picture smiling just days before death aged 40

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Gogglebox star George Gilbey
George Gilbey posted a smiling selfie just days ago (Picutre: George Gilbey)

Gogglebox star George Gilbey posted a smiling selfie to his social media just days before his death aged 40.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that the Celebrity Big Brother star had died after a freak ‘accident at work’.

Tributes have since been paid, including from Gogglebox fans and Gilbey’s co-star Ricci Guarnaccio.

Police, though not formally naming Gilbey, confirmed they were called to an incident this morning after a man fell from a height and was injured. He died at the scene.

However, just days earlier Gilbey had been active on social media, and shared a grinning selfie on Facebook.

He wore a black hoodie and appeared, according to earlier posts, to have been on his way back from the gym.

Earlier this month, Gilbey celebrated Mother’s Day with some sweet snaps with his mum Linda, who he starred on Gogglebox with.

Gogglebox star George Gilbey
Gilbey starred on Gogglebox with his mum and step-dad (Picture: Channel 4)
Gogglebox star George Gilbey on Celebrity Big Brother
The Celebrity Big Brother star has died aged 40 (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

Sharing a video of adorable pictures of them together over the years, he wrote: ‘Bestie.’

‘Happy Mumma’s Day to all you Mum’s out there,’ he added.

Linda is said to be devastated at the news, with a source telling The Sun: ‘This will hit his family very hard, especially Linda.

‘First, she lost Pete, now her son as well. She is incredibly emotional.

‘George was like her little treasure.’

Gogglebox star George Gilbey
Gilbey wished his mum a Happy Mother’s Day earlier this month with a series of sweet pictures (Picture: George James Gilbey)
Linda Gilbey, George Gilbey and Pete McGarry
Gilbey’s step-dad Pete died in 2021 (Picture: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images)

The family first hit our screens in September 2013 on the Channel 4 series, with Linda and Gilbey alongside his late step-dad Peter, before he went on to appear on Celebrity Big Brother the following year, where he finished in fourth place.

They all returned to Gogglebox in 2016, before Gilbey left two years later and Linda and Pete continued without him until 2020. Pete died in 2021 following a short illness.

Gogglebox airs on Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4.

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Louis Theroux shares health update after being diagnosed with condition

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Louis Theroux
Louis Theroux has shared a health update on his alopecia (Picture: REX / officiallouistheroux)

Louis Theroux has shared a health update after shaving off his eyebrows, amid his alopecia diagnosis.

The journalist and presenter, 53, told fans about his diagnosis last year, and has been taking to social media to share updates and ask for advice.

Alopecia is a condition that causes hair loss and can affect many areas of the body, but predominantly impacts a person’s scalp, head, or face.

Some forms of the condition can be autoimmune, such as alopecia areata, which can cause patches of hair loss.

Louis first noticed he had suffered hair loss on his face across his beard, but has now revealed the ‘lesions’ have appeared on his scalp.

However, he’s also undergone microblading to replace the loss of hair over his eyebrows, and has shared his joy at having his ‘old face back’.

Taking to Instagram with a series of selfies, Louis wrote: ‘I realise there are much bigger things to worry about in the world but… a while ago I shared that my eyebrows had basically disappeared due to alopecia.

Louis Theroux
”I’m happy to have my old face back.’ (Picture: officiallouistheroux)
Louis Theroux
Louis had his eyebrows microbladed on after shaving them off last year (Picture: officiallouistheroux)

‘I received a lot of nice messages, some suggesting I try “microblading”, a form of temporary tattoo. So that’s what I did!

‘It took two sessions of a couple of hours. I’m happy to have my old face back.

‘The new brows are neater and more shapely than my “real” ones were. But there are a couple of wisps of my remaining hair in there which help make them look more natural.’

He went on: ‘Meanwhile more gaps – or “lesions” to use the technical term – have appeared on my scalp.

‘I have photos of those which I may share at some point or I may not – they are a bit weird and depressing to look at tbh. Life goes on.

Louis Theroux
Louis revealed he is now facing hair loss on his scalp (Picture: Lia Toby/Getty Images)

‘I am happy and healthy in every other way and I feel very grateful.’

Fans rushed to support him in the comments, with @possumofconsomme writing: ‘I have the same condition – it sucks but I think you’re really brave to normalise it.’

‘How can anyone not love this guy,’ @daniel.r.adams.3 added.

In December, Louis shaved off his eyebrows and shared the clip to Instagram, saying: ‘no eyebrows is better than patchy eyebrows’.

Up Next

‘I’d like to know how I’m supposed to continue a career based largely on raising and lowering different eyebrows without any eyebrows!’ he had earlier asked fans.

Though there is no cure for alopecia, in February it was revealed a medicine for severe hair loss is being recommended on the NHS for the first time.

The daily pill, called ritlecitinib or Litfulo, could help 14,000 people in England, by helping to fight inflammation to improve hair growth.

Other celebrities who deal with forms of alopecia in their daily lives include Gail Porter, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Glee actress Lea Michele, Jesy Nelson, and Ricki Lake.

Got a story?

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MORE : Louis Theroux shaves off eyebrows after revealing alopecia diagnosis

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Naked Attraction’s Anna Richardson disgusted over ‘crusty’ body confession

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Anna Richardson on Naked Attraction
Naked Attraction host Anna Richardson was left pretty grossed out over a body confession (Picture: Channel 4)

Naked Attraction host Anna Richardson was left gagging over a contestant recalling their ex-partner’s ‘crusty’ body.

The Channel 4 programme regularly shocks viewers and the presenter, 53, and this week’s episode proved to be no different.

For the uninitiated, the raunchy dating programme sees hopefuls asked to pick one of six people to go on a date with, but the catch is all they have to judge by are body parts slowly being revealed.

Pole dancer Abi appeared on the programme this week, on the hunt for someone she can be ‘silly’ around and share ‘good times’ with.

The 35-year-old, who identifies as pansexual, explained that she’s looking for someone to match her solo polyamorous needs, saying: ‘I don’t want to be constrained to one person forever.’

And while she told Anna what she wanted in a future partner, she also delved into her past experiences.

Anna Richardson on Naked Attraction
Anna was disgusted! (Picture: Channel 4)

As the bodies were slowly revealed behind the screens, Abi confessed she prefers ‘larger penises’ and ‘no foreskin’.

When probed on why, she explained: ‘I was in a relationship, he was not clean.’

‘What are we talking… are we talking smeg?’ Anna quizzed, before gagging at the response.

Abi said: ‘Sadly yes, not just like a little bit, a crust!’

Naked Attraction, Abi
Abi revealed a bit too much about her ex (Picture: Channel 4)

‘A crust! No?!’ a shocked Anna replied.

Despite one of the contestants, Mark, being turned away after Abi saw his penis, he later insisted: ‘Abi had some doubts about smegma, but you can eat your dinner off my d**k.’

Abi did however end the night with a date, picking Antonio, saying he had lovely eyes and a nice smile.

But things didn’t work out, and the pair ended their relationship as friends.

Naked Attraction airs Thursdays at 10pm on Channel 4.

Got a story?

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Are ‘anti-sex’ Gen Z ready for raunchiest show of 2000s to land on Netflix?

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Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker laughing together in Sex And The City.
Sex and the City is coming to Netflix (Picture: HBO/Darren Star Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock)

Are you a Carrie Bradshaw, Charlotte York, Miranda Hobbs or Samantha Jones?

It’s a question that many women who watched Sex and the City in its original run asked themselves, but a whole new generation could now be pondering the same conundrum – if they are not turned off by the sex-driven plots.

The New York-dwelling, sex-loving, Cosmopolitan-drinking, brunch-eating fashion icons made an impact in 1998 when the HBO show first arrived on TV screens and now it’s heading to Netflix.

The ‘Netflix effect’ will see it introduced to a whole new set of people, and with 75% of 18 to 34-year-olds holding a subscription to the platform (via Statista) it’s likely going to fall into a whole new set of hands.

The series starring Sarah Jessica Parker, Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, and Kim Cattrall holds a special place in the OG fans’ hearts.

From the moment, Carrie sauntered in front of a bus wearing a pink tulle skirt with a knowing smile on her face, the world was changed for the diehard viewers.

For many, it was empowering to finally see strong powerful characters owning their sexuality. It reminded the world that women could have desires that were equal to men.

It was fun, it was fearless and it was feminist.

Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Kim Cattrall, and Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex And The City.
SATC was fun, fearless and feminist (Picture: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

Now, times have moved on somewhat. On TV (or in real life), it’s no longer revolutionary to see women in their 30s still fully in the grips of being single, owning property alone, or being the ones in control of their own choices.

So while for one batch of women, SATC was a pair of Jimmy Choos in a sea full of off-the-rack shoes, they could now be looking as enticing as the pair given to Charlotte by Buster – the salesman with a foot fetish.

I couldn’t help but wonder… has the world outgrown Sex and the City or has Sex and the City simply done its job too well?

When does Sex and the City arrive on Netflix?

The subject of how the series would translate to a Gen Z audience has arisen after it was announced that all six seasons would be landing on Netflix on April 1.

Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis, Sarah Jessica Parker sitting around a table in Sex And The City
Gen Z could begin watching when it arrives on April 1 (Picture: Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock)

You can officially put your DVD box set into retirement (or at least give it an overdue hiatus) as SATC takes up residency on the streaming giant.

Concerned fan Danny Barry said: ‘I am not ready for Gen Z to interact with this show.’

While Gen X, and to a certain extent, Millennials, have placed the series on a pedestal, will the fresh eyes of Gen Z view the foursome in an equally complimentary way?

Problematic Sex and the City storylines

Once upon a time, women could be viewed as rebellious simply for being single, whether it was out of choice for them or if they aspired to find ‘the one’ but hadn’t been able to.

More often than not, women are somewhere in between those two categories and the SATC women brought that nuance to TV, showing it wasn’t black-and-white.

Carrie was happily single and enjoyed storing shoes in her oven and casually dating, but she also acknowledged her desire to be in love. These were not ‘old maids’, or ‘desperate spinsters’, they were simply trying to figure things out.

Miranda and Carrie walking down a street in Sex And The City.
The women were happily single sometimes and craving companionship at other times (Picture: HBO)

While the world told them to couple up, they were steadfast in their aversion to settling down for the sake of it. All four women did end the six seasons loved-up, which could be considered a bit of a cop-out (but they did rip that apart again in the follow-up movies and And Just Like That… though).

They were all fulfilled in high-powered jobs and their sole goal wasn’t to get an engagement ring (aside from maybe Charlotte).

While the ladies undeniably broke boundaries with showrunner Michael Patrick King at the helm, they also had their fair share of issues. Original fans haven’t ignored those drawbacks, but instead, might have decided to overlook them, or pretend they didn’t happen in certain instances.

The queer-friendly show often celebrated the girls’ besties Stanley and Anthony and gay culture, but made other members of the LGBTQ+ community the punchline of poor jokes completely unnecessarily.

There was the time Carrie dated Sean, whose bisexuality baffled her.

Carrie and Sean ice-skating in Sex And The City.
Carrie was a sex columnist but was confused about bisexuality (Picture: HBO)

Over brunch, she shared her theory it simply didn’t exist and was instead a ‘layover on the way to gay town’. Charlotte thought bisexual people should ‘pick a side and stay there’, while Miranda called it ‘greedy’ and ‘a problem.’

Younger viewers are likely going to find it confusing that people were once so close-minded, especially as one study found,= that 12% of Gen Z adults identify as bisexual. ‘The way Carrie reacts to bisexuality, especially being a sex columnist, is so close-minded and disgusting,’ wrote Reddit user EXO-Love.

In another episode, Samantha moves to a new neighbourhood and gets into a debate with her new neighbours about the noise they make late at night. As things escalate, she uses a derogatory slur for transgender people (whether they are transgender is never confirmed by the neighbours themselves) and throws an entire bucket of water over them in another marker of disrespect.

Samantha's neighbors at a roof party in Sex And The City.
Samantha uses a derogatory term (Picture: HBO)

Actress Laverne Cox told Variety’s My Favorite Episode podcast: ‘It was disappointing to me, as a Black trans woman, to see Black trans women enter the world of Sex and the City and be so thoroughly othered.’

There is a general lack of diversity in the show, and characters who aren’t white don’t always get the best plotlines. In one episode, Samantha dates a Black chef whose sister is against their romance. The storyline continues the incorrect angry, Black woman trope often used in sitcoms.

Some other aspects make for a hard watch, such as when Carrie finds out that her date Barkley videotapes his sexual partners without their knowledge (highly illegal!) and doesn’t give it the horrified reaction that the discovery deserves.

Facing an ‘anti-sex generation’ audience

As the title of SATC heavily implies, sex is an essential part of the plot. Throughout its 94 episodes, the series covers guys with the funkiest-tasting sperm, very well-endowed men (and the opposite), premature ejaculation, losing the ability to climax, dirty talk gone wrong, the fear of being bad in bed… and so on.

An intimate scene in Sex and the City
Sex is an essential part of the plot (Picture: HBO)

It’s unusual to make it through an episode without seeing somebody get busy, and this could be a problem for the viewers in a ‘sex recession’.

According to a recent study (conducted by UCLA’s Teens and Screens), Gen Z audiences are calling for less sex in TV and film.

Nearly half (47.5%) of those born between 1997 and 2012 have agreed that sex isn’t needed to drive plots. Instead, 51.5% of today’s adolescents want to see more content focused on friendships and platonic relationships after 44.3% stated that romance is ‘overused’ in media.

Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex And The City
Carrie Bradshaw changed TV (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

Luckily, the women’s friendships were always the centre of their fictional universe. Perhaps the younger audience will appreciate how the foursome considers each other to be their soulmates and men as just ‘great nice guys to have fun with’.

However, they may find it hard to forgive some of their lapses in judgement, such as when Carrie sends Aidan to help Miranda when she hurts her back in the shower.

The Sex and the City virgins will certainly be seeing the show through a new lens. However, perhaps it’s possible to acknowledge the flaws and what really should never have been put in the script, while also giving it the respect it deserves.

Because let’s be real – without Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda, and Samantha, there would have been no Marnie, Shoshanna, Hannah, and Jessa from Girls, or Kimberly, Leighton, Bella and Whitney from The Sex Lives of College Girls… and a lot of women would have felt way less seen.

Sex and the City arrives on Netflix April 1.

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Remembering the Gogglebox stars who have died after George Gilbey’s death

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Gogglebox stars Pete, June, Leon, and George
Gogglebox star George Gilbey died earlier this week (Picture: PAwire/Rex)

Gogglebox fans and stars are in mourning after the death of George Gilbey aged 40.

Gilbey’s tragic death was due to an ‘accident at work’. Police, though they have not formally named electrician Gilbey, have confirmed they were called to an incident on Wednesday morning after a man fell from a height and was injured. He died at the scene.

In a statement shared with Metro.co.uk, a spokesperson for Gogglebox said: ‘George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.

‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time. The family have asked for privacy.’

Gilbey joined the Channel 4 show during the second series in 2013 with his mum Linda and late step-dad Peter.

He went on to appear on Celebrity Big Brother the following year, where he finished in fourth place.

George Gilbey
Gilbey died aged 42 (Picture: Instagram/George Gilbey)
George Gilbey with Linda and Pete on the sofa
Gilbey joined his mum Linda and step-dad Pete on the show (Picture: Instagram/ George Gilbey)

Celebrity Big Brother co-stars, Geordie Shore’s Ricci Guarnaccio, and Dee Kelly, who appeared on Benefits Street, were amongst those paying tribute to Gilbey.

Sadly, Gilbey is not the only Gogglebox star who has died. Let’s pay tribute to those who’ve contributed to the popular programme, and are no longer with us.

Pete McGarry

Lynne and Pete McGarry
Pete McGarry died in June 2021 after being diagnosed with cancer (Picture: Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Gilbey’s step-dad Pete died from cancer in June 2021, days after being told he had six months to live.

The 71-year-old died at his home in Essex, surrounded by his family, including his wife Linda.

A message issued on behalf of the family read: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox star Pete McGarry passed away at the age of 71 this weekend with his family by his side after a short illness.

‘Pete will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew.’

Following Gilbey’s death, a source told The Sun: ‘This will hit his family very hard, especially Linda.

‘First, she lost Pete, now her son as well. She is incredibly emotional.

‘George was like her little treasure.’

Pat Webb

Stephen and Pat on Gogglebox in 2018.
Pat Webb was affectionately called ‘Mummy Pat’ (Picture: Jude Edginton)

Pat Webb died aged 75 after a ‘long illness’ in January.

The news was announced on the show’s official social media pages, with the statement reading: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox star Mummy Pat Webb passed away this weekend at the age of 75 after a long illness.

‘Pat was a much-loved cast member on the show from series 10 -12 alongside her son Stephen.

‘Mummy Pat will be remembered and missed by her children Stephen, Denise, Sharon, Beverley and the extended family.’

Stephen Webb posted a tribute to his beloved mum alongside a series of snaps on Instagram.

‘Mummy Pat, you were one in a million, took everyone at face value, would share your last fiver with a stranger, the salt of the earth and the absolute centre of our world! Rest in peace mum,’ he wrote.

June and Leon Bernicoff

June and Leon Bernicoff
June and Leon Bernicoff were a firm favourite on the Channel 4 programme (Picture: Channel 4)

Leon died shortly before Christmas in 2017 at the age of 83, following a short illness.

Sadly, in May 2020, his wife June died at the age of 82.

The news was confirmed in a statement by Gogglebox’s Executive Producer, Tania Alexander, which she shared on social media.

It read: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox’s much-loved June Bernicoff passed away at the age of 82 on May 5 at home with her family by her side after a short illness.

‘As the first couple to be cast for Gogglebox back in 2013, June and her husband Leon were a huge part of the programme‘s success.

‘Their warmth, wit and contrasting personalities endeared them to the nation during the course of the first 10 series.’

June and Leon Bernicoff
Leon died in 2017 and June died a few months later (Picture: Liverpool Echo)

‘Following Leon’s passing in December 2017, June wrote her first book, Leon And June: Our Story, which was a deeply moving and entertaining chronicle of their 60-year love affair,’ they continued.

‘A remarkably independent, principled woman with a vivacious sense of humour and a huge passion for life.

‘June will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew. Despite her departure from the show in 2017, she remained a passionate supporter of the programme, watching it every week, and she was in regular contact with the production team.

‘Our thoughts are with June’s family – Helen and Ian, Julie and Marc, and her beloved grandchildren Frances, Sam and Faye.’

Mary Cook

Mary Cook
Mary Cook was forever making us chuckle with her cheeky comments (Picture: Channel 4)

Beloved Mary died aged 92 in August 2021.

She first appeared alongside best friend Marina Wingrove in 2016 and spent the next five years delighting viewers with their hilarious banter.

Confirming the devastating news of her death, Channel 4 said: ‘We are extremely saddened to share that Gogglebox star Mary Cook passed away in hospital this weekend at the age of 92 with her family by her side.

‘Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dear friend to many, Mary, who worked in the hospitality trade, had been married and widowed twice.

‘Bristolians Mary & Marina met at St Monica Trust retirement village over 10 years ago and have been friends ever since.

‘They joined Gogglebox in 2016 at the start of series eight and became instant fan favourites due to their brilliantly witty and often cheeky comments.’

Andy Michael

Michael family on Gogglebox
The Michaels were a much-loved family on the show (Picture: Channel 4)

Andy died aged 61 in August 2021, following a short illness.

A statement released by Channel 4 and Studio Lambert on behalf of his family confirmed at the time that he died with his family by his side.

‘Retired hotelier Andy, who brought much wit and insight to Gogglebox, was one of the show’s original cast members, appearing in the very first episode in 2013.

‘Beloved father to Katy, Alex, Pascal and Louis, and cherished husband of Carolyne, Andy was a much-loved and respected member of the Gogglebox family, and he will be very sadly missed.

‘Our love and thoughts are with Carolyne and the entire family. The family have asked for privacy at this very sad time.’

Caroline Aherne

Craig Cash and Caroline Aherne in 'The Royle Family' in 1999
Caroline Aherne was replaced by Craig Cash after she died (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

The Mrs Merton star took a break from voicing Gogglebox shortly before her death to receive treatment.

Sadly, her publicist, Neil Reading, later confirmed her death, saying: ‘Caroline Aherne has sadly passed away after a brave battle with cancer.

‘The Bafta award-winning writer and comedy actor died earlier today at her home in Timperley, Greater Manchester. She was 52.

‘The family ask for privacy at this very sad time.’

Gogglebox airs Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4.

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Scene where Gogglebox’s George Gilbey died in ‘work accident’ cordoned off by police

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Police at the scene where Gogglebox star George Gilbey died
Police at the scene where Gogglebox star George Gilbey died (Picture: Newsquest; Shutterstock)

Investigators have sealed off the scene where Gogglebox star George Gilbey died aged 40 after a fall.

The reality star, who appeared on the Channel 4 show with his mum Linda and late stepdad Pete, died in a freak ‘work accident’ in Shoebury, Southend-on-Sea on Wednesday morning.

Police, though they have not formally named Gilbey, confirmed they were called to an incident after a man fell from a height and was injured. He died at the scene.

Now, officers have cordoned off the building where Gilbey died as they carry out investigations.

Gilbey’s death was confirmed by his sister who wrote on social media: ‘Rest in eternal paradise brother. Far too young but god only takes the best.’

His mum Linda is said to be devastated, with a source telling The Sun: ‘This will hit his family very hard, especially Linda.

Gogglebox star George Gilbey, his mum and late stepdad
Gilbey appeared on Gogglebox with his mum and late stepdad (Picture: Channel 4)
Gogglebox star George Gilbey, his mum and late stepdad
The family first joined the Channel 4 show in 2013 (Picture: Channel 4)

‘George was like her little treasure.’

Tributes have since been paid, including from Gogglebox fans and Gilbey’s Celebrity Big Brother co-star Ricci Guarnaccio.

Ricci wrote on X: ‘Breaks my [heart] but @georgegilbey you are well and truely going to be missed my friend.

‘Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you GG.’

Gogglebox star George Gilbey
Gilbey appeared to have returned from the gym in his last social media post (Picture: Facebook)
Gogglebox star George Gilbey on Celebrity Big Brother
Gilbey also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, coming in fourth place (Picture: REX/Shutterstock)

Gilbey’s last social media picture was posted just days before his death.

He shared a grinning selfie on Facebook and appeared, according to earlier posts, to have been on his way back from the gym.

In a statement shared with Metro.co.uk, a spokesperson for Gogglebox said: ‘George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time. The family have asked for privacy.’

A spokesman for Essex Police told Metro.co.uk: ‘We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (27 March), during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.

Gogglebox star George Gilbey and his mum
Gilbey’s mum Linda is said to be devastated by his death (Picture: George James Gilbey)
Gogglebox star George Gilbey
Gilbey died after falling from a height aged 40 (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

‘The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene.

‘We will continue liaising with partners including the Heath and Safety Executive. A cordon remains in place at the scene.’

Gilbey first appeared on Gogglebox with Linda and Pete in September 2013 before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother the following year, finishing in fourth place.

The family returned to Gogglebox in 2016, before Gilbey left two years later and Linda and Pete continued without him until 2020. Pete died in 2021 following a short illness.

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Billie Piper goes for risky leg-baring look at Netflix premiere – and she pulls it off

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Billie Piper at the Scoop premiere.
Billie Piper’s latest project, Scoop, had its premiere this week (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Billie Piper has hit the red carpet to promote her latest project in a head-turning outfit.

The actress, 41, is best known for appearing in series including Doctor Who, Secret Diary of a Call Girl and I Hate Suzie.

She’s now starring in the upcoming Netflix movie Scoop, which is based on the true events leading up to Prince Andrew’s explosive 2019 BBC Newsnight interview.

It stars Gillian Anderson as journalist Emily Maitlis, who famously grilled the royal, played by Rufus Sewell, on his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Billie plays Sam McAlister, the producer for the current affairs programme who managed to score the interview, which was later described by one viewer as being less a car crash than ‘a plane crashing into an oil tanker, causing a tsunami, triggering a nuclear explosion’.

The film is based on McAlister’s own account of what unfolded, which was detailed in her autobiographical book Scoops.

Billie Piper.
She wore a Dolce and Gabbana outfit for the premiere (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Sam McAlister.
She plays former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

Hitting the red carpet in London on Wednesday night, the stars each stunned in jaw-dropping outfits, with Billie donning a black pinstripe power suit.

Dressed head to toe in Dolce and Gabbana, her outfit came to a whopping total cost of around £4,700.

Her £2350 oversized blazer was styled over a low-cut black top, £1,700, and tailored shorts, £645.

Keeley Hawes, Gillian Anderson and Billie Piper.
Scoop also stars Keeley Hawes and Gillian Anderson (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)

She was joined at the event by her co-stars, which also include Keeley Hawes, who plays Prince Andrew’s private secretary Amanda Thirsk.

Speaking to Netflix’s Tudum, McAlister previously said while the interview was ‘so significant’, it was only ‘5% of the story’.

‘What we do is we take you on the journey to how this all began,’ she said.

Up Next

For Billie, the role allowed her to gain insight into a story that had fascinated her on a personal level.

‘It was something I cared about tremendously,’ she said.

‘When you watch that interview, you think, “How did this get onto the screens? How was this signed off on? Who was part of this?” Getting this close to a royal? That level of exposure — don’t know that I’ll ever see anything like it again. In my lifetime, I’ve never seen an interview like it.

‘And there are a number of incredible women behind this moment, and telling their story is a gift as an actor, to be honest.’

Scoop is streaming on Netflix from April 5.

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Major TV insider warns people the end of the BBC ‘on its way’

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The BBC logo is displayed above the entrance to the BBC headquarters in London, Britain, July 10, 2023. REUTERS/Hollie Adams
A BBC showrunner has said the end of the BBC is ‘on its way’ (Picture: Reuters)

Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies has said the end of the BBC is ‘undoubtedly on its way’.  

The showrunner, 60, created the series’ Queer as Folk, Years and Years, It’s a Sin and Nolly.

He also revived Doctor Who in 2005, leading the franchise for five years, during which time he also created the spin-off’s Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures.

He returned to the series last year, with the first episodes of his second tenure being the 60th anniversary specials starring David Tennant and Catherine Tate.

Although the series has been broadcast by the BBC since 1963, it was announced in 2022 that the national broadcaster and Disney had come together to deliver new seasons of the show to audiences outside of the UK and Ireland on the streaming platform.

The deal was met with backlash from some fans however Russell has now said the deal to co-produce the series was a necessary move to ‘prepare’ the show to outlive the BBC.

Russell T. Davies.
Russell T. Davies is currently at the helm of Doctor Who (Picture: PA)

‘Before they (the BBC) approached me, I had already said in various interviews I think Doctor Who would have to become a co-production, there’s no way the BBC is going to fund that,’ he said on the They Like To Watch podcast.

‘You’ve also got to look in the long term at the end of the BBC, which is somehow, surely, undoubtedly, on its way in some shape or form.

‘Is Doctor Who going to die then? No, you’ve got to prepare for that kind of stuff.’

Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who.
The series is now being co-produced with Disney Plus (Picture: Disney Plus)

He also referenced the lack of lavish BBC budgets as a reason why the series needed the support of Disney.

‘If Disney collapsed tomorrow and we had to go back to making Doctor Who on a normal BBC budget, you know what, we’d all rally round and make it and suddenly the stories would become claustrophobic ghost stories and a lot of people would like that,’ he shared.

David Tennant in Doctor Who.
Doctor Who has aired on the BBC in the UK since 1963 (Picture: James Pardon/BBC Studios)

But he added it would be a ‘real shame’ if Doctor Who was not available alongside other ‘big hitters’ like The Mandalorian and Marvel shows.

However, he did caveat his comments by adding that ‘all of that is kind of the flim flam on top of the fact that I love it, and it’s the only chance you have in television for me to really write in pictures’.

The new series of Doctor Who, starring Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa and former Coronation Street actress Millie Gibson, will begin on May 11, with the first two episodes also being available to stream in the UK on BBC iPlayer from midnight.

However, US fans will be able to watch them from 10pm EDT on Thursday evening, a decision which left some viewers seething over concerns they wouldn’t be able to avoid spoilers.

Metro.co.uk has contacted the BBC for comment.

Doctor Who returns on Saturday May 11 to the BBC.

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BBC TV show set for huge shake-up as bosses ‘look to bring in fresh blood’

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Touker Suleyman, Sara Davies, Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett, Gary Neville, Peter Jones in Dragons' Den lair
Dragons’ Den could introduce more new faces (Picture: BBC Studios/Simon Pantling)

Dragons’ Den could be welcoming more new faces following the success of guest stars.

The BBC shook up the concept in the most recent series with former footballer Gary Neville and Skims founding partner Emma Grede taking a seat in the lair (aka Old Granada Studios in Manchester).

Aspiring entrepreneurs got a bonus Dragon, therefore one more chance to secure investment for their business idea, and viewers got to hear a different perspective.

As the show heads into its 22nd series, they are reportedly considering more fresh businesspeople.

Made In Chelsea’s Spencer Matthews who launched alcohol-free brand Clean Co, food entrepreneur Ella Woodward, who is often known as Deliciously Ella, and sports promoter Eddie Hearn are on a list of potential ‘suggested’ dragons, but they aren’t a ‘done deal’.

‘They’re aiming for an eclectic mix of people who each bring something unique,’ a TV insider told The Sun.

Gary Neville
Gary joined the regular dragons (Picture: BBC)

Deborah Meaden, Steven Bartlett, Peter Jones, Sara Davies, and Touker Suleyman, could be joined by different accomplished celebrities, but they won’t be replaced.

‘They aren’t about to start swapping in new names for the long-standing dragons, they are complementary additions,’ the source explained.

In 2025, Dragons’ Den will be celebrating 20 years on air, so it could be the perfect time to do something special.

Spencer Matthews smiling in a bowtie
Spencer is reportedly being considered for the series (Picture: Alan Chapman/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The 2024 series has seen many interesting ideas come through the doors, and land life-changing money in return for a stake in their business.

There’s been a ‘hanky panky’ cinema, a glamping site with an emotional backstory, and miracle ‘ear seeds’ which led to the BBC being criticised for ‘unfounded claims’.

The newest dragon Steve, 31, also invested in Luxe Collective, who buy and sell vintage designer items. They secured £100,000 in exchange for 3% of the company, in what some viewers described as the best negotiation in show history.

Steven Bartlett
Ben claims some of the facial expressions are faked (Picture: BBC)

Following their win, co-founder Ben Gallagher told Metro.co.uk the one thing the dragons fake for TV.

‘You can see they’ve been told to do a facial expression when someone’s saying something so the cameras can get that reaction,’ he explained.

‘They are super skilled at being able to communicate so the average person can understand it, and the faces are a part of that.

‘The stuff they say is very thoughtful, very knowledgeable and it’s coming from a good place, but there are some extra bits there that are for the show to make it more dramatic.’

Metro.co.uk contacted BBC for comment.

Dragons’ Den is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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Elon Musk and WWE team up for unique new championship and fans are baffled

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Elon Musk and WWE
Elon Musk’s X is getting a piece of the WWE pie (Picture: WWE/Getty)

WWE is launching a brand new championship title which can only be defended on X (Twitter).

That’s right, after the huge $5 billion Netflix deal earlier this year, the sports entertainment giant and Elon Musk’s social media platform have now joined forces on a new concept called WWE Speed, which will feature wrestlers competing in fast paced bouts with a strict three minute time limit.

The bouts will be exclusively broadcast on X, and a tournament to crown the first WWE Speed Champion is set to get underway on April 3, just in time for WrestleMania 40.

No, it’s not a match on Mars (although who’d bet against it?), but it is a unique addition to WWE’s programming.

In a video hyping up the innovative project, SmackDown commentator Corey Graves promises ‘a fresh and dynamic new twist to classic in ring competition, were some of the fastest, toughest WWE Superstars do battle with time itself’.

He explained that, under the new WWE Speed rules, the superstars ‘only have three minutes to defeat their opponent’.

Corey added: ‘Three intense, adrenaline fueled minutes where strategy, agility and strength collide. This isn’t just another match, this is a sprint to the finish line. The prize? The prestigious first ever WWE Speed Championship.

‘So brace yourself for a tournament like no other, where every match is a finale, and every second can define a superstar’s legacy.’

WWE has been taping matches for Speed in recent weeks, with SmackDown star Pete Dunne working as a producer on two of the bouts, with Tyler Bate taking on Angel Garza and Cedric Alexander battling Odyssey Jones.

Reaction to the new title has been mixed, with plenty of fans excited for a fresh concept away from the regular Raw, SmackDown and NXT weekly shows.

WWE superstar Ricochet beats The Miz on Raw in May 2023 to qualify for Money In The Bank
Highflyer Ricochet would be a perfect fit for the WWE Speed Championship (Picture: WWE)

‘I love this. Hopefully a bunch of the cruiserweight and Luchadors take part,’ suggested @GregoryGambles, as @Cigano300 added: ‘3 min bangers on X? Curious to see how this all shakes out. #WWESpeed’

‘Like this concept cannot wait,’ tweeted @fabien_fichaux, while @EinAlman said: ‘Fast wrestlers like Ricochet, Axiom and Nathan Frazer could actually cook with that.’

Not everyone is quite so keen, as @HistoryMakerDJS ranted: ‘This is one of the worst ideas in pro wrestling history. There should be no such thing as a match between full time talent that goes less than 11-12 minutes.’

WWE NXT superstars Axiom and Nathan Frazer
The title seems ready built for superstars like Axiom and Nathan Frazer (Picture: WWE)

And @selenasbriemode complained: ‘A Twitter championship…we’ve officially lost the plot.’

Others pointed out that that now gives the men of WWE a seventh singles championship to fight for across Raw, SmackDown and NXT, while the women only have three in total.

WWE has been taping matches for Speed in recent weeks, with SmackDown star Pete Dunne working as a producer on two of the bouts, with Tyler Bate taking on Angel Garza and Cedric Alexander battling Odyssey Jones.

WWE Speed launches on April 3. Watch the action on X.

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Former This Morning star fuels speculation of ITV return

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Fern Britton on This Morning
A former This Morning star has hinted at another ITV comeback (Picture: ITV/Rex/Shutterstock)

Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley might want to watch their backs as a former This Morning star has hinted she could be after their thrones.

After months of speculation over who could replace Phillip Schofield, 61, and Holly Willoughby, 43, the two presenters were announced as permanent hosts of the ITV show earlier this year.

However, ex-This Morning presenter Fern Britton, 66, has fuelled rumours of her return after previously helming the daytime programme from 2002 until 2009.

The broadcaster, who recently reached the final of Celebrity Big Brother, has liked a series of tweets calling for her This Morning comeback.

Fans such as Chris Lewin on X demanded she was ‘back on the sofa on a permanent basis’ after she appeared on the show yesterday to talk about her time in the Big Brother house.

Fern also liked Newton Bud’s tweet. They wrote: ‘You need to bring back @Fern_Britton now !! Love her xx. #ThisMorning.’

Fern Britton and Phillip Schofield on This Morning
Fern previously presented This Morning with Phillip (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Fern Britton on Celebrity Big Brother
Fern recently appeared on Celebrity Big Brother (Picture: James Veysey/Shutterstock)

Similarly, Leo Andrew got Fern’s thumbs up after asking: ‘@thismorning so fabulous to see Fern back on the show…… holiday stand in….? Hope so!!’

While on Celebrity Big Brother, Fern was asked for her opinion of the new-look This Morning.

‘I got off the train and it’s way over the horizon now so I honestly don’t know,’ she said.

Fern Britton liking tweets about returning to This Morning
Fern Britton liking tweets about returning to This Morning
Fern Britton liking tweets about returning to This Morning
Fern Britton liking tweets about returning to This Morning
Fern Britton liking tweets about returning to This Morning

However, Fern praised Cat and Ben for ushering in a ‘new era’ for the show.

The former presenter admitted it was ‘tricky at times’ to work on This Morning, but added she feels it is an institution which ‘rocks but it gets back together again’.

Fern hosted the ITV breakfast programme alongside Phillip and was replaced by Willoughby when she left abruptly in 2009.

Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley on This Morning
Ben and Cat were recently announced as This Morning’s new hosts (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning
They replaced Holly and Phil who both departed the show (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

She failed to mention Phillip when quitting the show and he later claimed in his autobiography they had an intense fallout which led to their relationship ‘turning sour’.

Phillip quit the show in May after he admitted to lying about having an affair with a younger colleague on the show.

Months later Holly left the show after an alleged kidnap plot against her was revealed. She returned to the channel to host Dancing On Ice in January.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV.

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BBC star has best response after TV show is savaged by Gavin and Stacey actor

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Up Next

Joanna Page has made her thoughts on the BBC sitcom Things You Should Have Done abundantly clear.

The Gavin and Stacey actor ripped into the six episodes on her podcast, Off the Telly, which she hosts with Eastenders actress Natalie Cassidy.

The criticism was heard by the show creator Lucia Keskin, who is also known as Chi with a C, who posted a reaction video on TikTok.

Lucia, 23, has made a name for herself on social media making light out of things that aren’t always funny, and getting savaged by a TV star falls into that category.

In the clip posted on her account, the audio played of Joanna, 47, sharing her thoughts, while the video showed Lucia silently listening.

‘Things You Should Have Done? You know what things I should have done – not bothered to f*****g watch it,’ the rant began.

Joanna Page
Joanna ripped into the BBC sitcom (Picture: Mike Marsland/WireImage)

In the accompanying visual, Lucia looked hopeful as she began to discuss her series while eating a banana and reclining in a chair, before looking slightly shocked as things took a savage turn.

‘I think she’s obviously talented. I thought the show was s**t. I don’t often think that, right? I want to say “Well done on you right because you got your own show.” I haven’t got my own show. I’ve not written anything so you know, flipping heck, that’s amazing,’ she continued.

However, that’s where the compliments end for the comedian who plays the lead character Lucia as she tries to learn how to become an adult following the death of her parents.

LUCIA KESKIN
Things You Should Have Done was written by Lucia (Picture: BBC / Roughcut TV / Jack Barnes)

‘I thought it was unbearable. It’s not often I can’t watch something. I was so bored. I was so bored.’

To really hammer home the point, she continues to repeat the word bored another three times, taking the total up to five.

‘My mother could have written it. My mother could have done it. I just thought “My God, this is just unbearable. I’m so bored. I just genuinely am bored. I’m bored”.’

James Corden as Smithy, Mathew Horne as Gavin, Joanna Page as Stacey and Ruth Jones as Nessa
Joanna played Stacey West on Gavin and Stacey (Picture: Baby Cow)

Co-host Natalie Cassidy tried to bring some nuance to the chat, and told listeners: ‘You are either going to love it, or you’re going to hate it.’

To conclude the response video, Lucia walks over to a framed photo of the Gavin and Stacey, and sticks a post-it note with the word ‘Bald’ written on it, and a broken heart drawing. The ‘bald’ perhaps a reference to the repetition of the word ‘bored’.

Joanna and Natalie sitting on the sofa
Joanna and Natalie host the podcast together (Picture: BBC)

Fans took to the comment section of the video to support Lucia for taking the comments well and to praise the series.

‘This would still be my “one time Regina George punched me in the face, it was awesome” moment,’ joked Faye.

JaideGordon22 added: ‘Well not that my opinion matters but I thought the show was amazing 10/10 funny and it takes a lot to make me laugh!’

‘Your reaction is priceless! I love your approach to life – you’ve taught me to not take life too seriously and I’m really grateful for that. You’re amazingly talented and you have me in stitches,’ wrote JackKennis70.

Lucia Keskin
Lucia was praised for her humorous reaction (Picture: chiwithac)

Lucia previously spoke to Metro.co.uk about what gave her the idea for Things You Should Have Done, which stars Selin Hizli from Am I Being Unreasonable?

She was inspired to create something funny about grief after losing her grandad two years ago. ‘I’ve always loved dark humour and making light of times that are just horrible. When you’re struggling, it can give you relief,’ she explained.

Her grandad was always someone who encouraged her love of comedy but also worried about her shortage of GCSEs.

‘He’ll be proud of me but also just grateful that I got a job,’ she remarked with a laugh.

Things You Should Have Done is available to watch on BBC iPlayer

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Man arrested over death of Gogglebox star who died in fall at work

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Gilbey with linda on Gogglebox/ Gilbey
George Gilbey died after falling from a height at work (Picture: Channel 4/Gilbey)

A man has been arrested, thought to be in connection to the death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey, who fell to his death earlier this week.

Gilbey died aged 40 in what was initially described as a freak ‘work accident’ in Shoebury, Southend-on-Sea on Wednesday morning.

Essex Police have not formally named the Channel 4 star but confirmed they were called to an incident after a man fell from a height and was injured. He died at the scene.

The area around EGL Homecare, where Gilbey worked, has been cordoned off while the investigation continues.

Now, a man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the death of who died after a fall at work.

In a statement, the police said: ‘As part of our ongoing investigation into the death of a man in Campfield Road, Shoebury on Wednesday 27 March, we have arrested a man in their 40s from the Witham area on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

Linda McGarry and George Gilbey
His mum is said to be taking the death ‘hard’ (Picture: S Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock)

‘This is a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive and our enquiries are ongoing.’

Gilbey’s death was confirmed by his sister who wrote on social media: ‘Rest in eternal paradise brother. Far too young but god only takes the best.’

He first appeared on Gogglebox in September 2013, alongside his mum Linda and late stepdad Pete, who died in 2021.

Gilbey appeared on Celebrity Big Brother and finished fourth then in 2016, the family returned to Gogglebox, with the star exiting two years later.

The family are said to be devastated by the loss, with a source telling The Sun: ‘This will hit his family very hard, especially Linda.’

Just days before the fall, Gilbey had been active on social media sharing that he was returning to the gym and getting active through swimming.

Gilbey with family
A spokesperson for Gogglebox sent condolences (Picture: George James Gilbey)

Signing off one of his updates, he said: ‘Love you all. See you on the other side. Got to buy some goggles, don’t like sore eyes.’

Tributes have since been paid, including from Gogglebox fans and Gilbey’s Celebrity Big Brother co-star Ricci Guarnaccio.

Ricci wrote on X: ‘Breaks my [heart] but @georgegilbey you are well and truely going to be missed my friend.

‘Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you GG.’

In a statement shared with Metro.co.uk, a spokesperson for Gogglebox said: ‘George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.

‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time. The family have asked for privacy.’

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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MORE : Remembering the Gogglebox stars who have died after George Gilbey’s death

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All the Netflix shows that have been renewed in 2024

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Netflix logo.
Netflix has renewed shows including Avatar: The Last Airbender so far in 2024(Picture: Shutterstock / MAXSHOT.PL)

Netflix viewers have become accustomed to getting attached to a hit series, only to have it cancelled.

The streaming service has pushed out hit after hit over the years, with some of the most notable being Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Wednesday and The Night Agent.

At times a show’s massive success right away has also seen it renewed within weeks of premiering.

However other beloved shows like Mindhunter, Glow, The Society and The OA have all faced the chopping block, with fans still calling for them to return years after they were cancelled.

But Netflix has been renewing other popular shows along the way, with viewers set to see new episodes of Bridgerton, Stranger Things, Squid Game, The Diplomat and the somewhat divisive guilty pleasure Emily in Paris hitting screens in 2024.

Although we will have to wait a bit longer for the below shows, here’s a list of the ones that have already been renewed in 2024 and will be released in the next year or so.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Avatar: The Last Airbender.
Avatar is a live-action adaptation of a previous animated show (Picture: Robert Falconer/ Netflix)

A live-action adaptation of the animated TV series of the same name created for Nickelodeon, this fantasy drama series was a runaway hit when it was released last month.

It starred Gordon Cormier as Aang, a young boy who’s the titular Avatar, which means he’s the only one capable of mastering all four elements (air, water, fire, and earth).

In the first season he wakes up after a 100-year slumber to discover he’s the only surviving Airbender and soon discovers the world is being threatened by the imperialistic Fire Nation, which wiped out every other airbender and is working to subjugate the Earth and Water Nations.

With the help of his newfound friends Katara (Kiawentiio), a waterbender, and her brother Sokka (Ian Ousley), Aang sets off on a journey to restore balance to this fractured world.

Although reviews were mixed, many critics and viewers still celebrated the release of the family-friendly series, with Erin Maxwell writing: ‘The result is a charming version of the Nickelodeon series that should make fans smile from ear to ear.’

In the week it was released it also topped the weekly global Netflix chart, with 154.4 million hours watched by 21.2 million viewers.

On March 6 this year, it was renewed for a second and third season, with it set to conclude with the latter.

Berlin

Berlin.
Berlin is a prequel to the crime drama Money Heist (Picture: Tamara Arranz/ Netflix)

Berlin (also known as Money Heist: Berlin) is a Spanish television series that serves as a prequel to the heist crime drama Money Heist, which ran from 2017 until 2021.

Set before the events of the first two seasons of the original series, this one is set in Paris and focuses on the life of Andrés de Fonollosa, aka ‘Berlin’.

Many years before the events of Money Heist, he made another heist, stealing €44 million in jewels and framing the one who provided the security for it.

A leader of a criminal gang at the time, things got complicated when while spying on the victim to be framed, he falls in love with the victim’s wife.

The series was the most-watched show on the platform globally the week it premiered and hit the Top 10 charts in 91 countries.

It remained in the Top 10 on the non-English TV charts for seven consecutive weeks and amassed 53 million total views, eventually being named the ninth most-watched non-English language series in Netflix history.

Despite the eight-episode season getting mixed reviews, on February 19 it was renewed for a second season, however filming won’t begin until 2025.

Is It Cake?

Is It Cake?
Is it Cake? is a great guessing game (Picture: Netflix)

First hitting screens in 2022, this game show–style cooking competition series sees contestants create cakes that replicate common objects in an effort to trick celebrity judges.

Winners of each episode receive US $5,000 (£3900) and a chance to win more money by identifying which display of cash is real and which is cake.

The series is based on the viral internet meme of the same name.

As a part of the trend, a common object or food is disguised as cake and others are tasked to determine which is real.

The second season, titled Is It Cake, Too? was released in June last year.

In January Netflix renewed the series for a third season, with the title stylised as Is It Cak3? which is set to be released this Friday.

Singles Inferno

Single's Inferno.
Single’s Inferno is a South Korean dating series (Picture: Netflix)

From The Circle and Love is Blind, Netflix has rolled out some bona-fide reality hits over the past few years.

One that’s flown relatively under the radar however is South Korean show Single’s Inferno.

Hosted by model Hong Jin-kyung, actress Lee Da-hee, singer and Super Junior member Kyuhyun, rapper Hanhae, and YouTuber Dex, the previous three seasons aired in 2021, 2022 and 2023.

The main concept takes the idea of survival shows and mixes it with the idea of contestants fighting for their intended love interest after being left on an island and competing in a series of challenges.

It has been described as a Korean version of Bachelor in Paradise.

In January this year Netflix announced it would be returning for a fourth season.

The show’s producers have already teased the upcoming episodes would ‘change drastically from the third season’.

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Freddie Flintoff’s BBC return confirmed after horror Top Gear crash

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Former England captain Andrew Flintoff ahead of the start of play of the second one day international match at The Ageas Bowl, Southampton. Picture date: Sunday September 10, 2023. PA Photo. See PA story CRICKET England. Photo credit should read: John Walton/PA Wire.RESTRICTIONS: Editorial use only. No commercial use without prior written consent of the ECB. Still image use only. No moving images to emulate broadcast. No removing or obscuring of sponsor logos.
Freddie Flintoff is returning to the BBC for a new series of his show (Picture: PA)

Freddie Flintoff’s return to our screens has been confirmed by the BBC, more than a year after his horror Top Gear crash.

The 46-year-old pro cricketer  suffered from severe facial injuries and broken ribs and was said to be ‘lucky to be alive’ after an accident while filming in December 2022.

At the time, he had been driving an open-topped car going at 130mph when it flipped and slid along the track, and Freddie had to be airlifted to hospital.

Top Gear has since been put to rest by the BBC, with Freddie’s co-stars Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris now reuniting for a new roadshow.

And Freddie will also be returning to the broadcaster, for a second season of Field of Dreams.

The star has been pictured filming the new series of the programme, though an air date has yet to be announced.

The cricket documentary will see Freddie take his young sports team, from his home city of Preston, on tour, and follows the first season which aired in July 2022.

Freddie Flintoff
Freddie has been pictured filming the new series of Field of Dreams (Picture: Leon McGowran)
Top Gear
Top Gear meanwhile has been put to rest (Picture: BBC Studios/Vincent Dolman)

The original press release for the four-part series teases: ‘Freddie is setting himself an even bigger challenge as he takes some of his team and a handful of fresh recruits on a new adventure.’

Freddie said at the time: ‘Working with the boys was one of the most incredible experiences of my life but the work is not finished yet! I’m really pleased we’ll be continuing the hard work we have all put in, but on a much bigger scale.’

While Freddie has largely remained out of the spotlight since the horror crash, recently, a source said that he’s ‘healing’ and returning to his greatest passions with ‘nervous first steps’.

They said earlier this month: ‘This will be a huge comfort to his fans because it shows he’s healing well and returning to two of his greatest passions — sport and television.

Freddie Flintoff
Freddie is said to be healing well and taking ‘nervous first steps’ (Picture: Philip Brown/Popperfoto/Popperfoto via Getty Images)

‘It’s obvious that there is some scarring, which everyone expected, but Freddie looks to have made huge progress since he was last seen in public playing cricket.’

The insider added to The Sun: ‘He’s clearly comfortable enough to get in front of a camera again — something which was not the case this time last year.

‘They’re nervous first steps, as he’s recovering both mentally and physically, but the TV show he’s making is a real passion project for him.’

Up Next

Freddie spoke publicly for the first time in October last year, making a heartwarming speech while presenting cricketer Tom Hartley with his cap for the England cricket team.

He said: ‘Play with passion, play with pride, play with belief. And also part of a family of people. They’ll share the good times with you, share the successes.

‘But as I found over the past few months, they’ll be there for you in the hardest times of your life.’

Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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MORE : Freddie Flintoff pictured with facial injuries 15 months after horror Top Gear crash

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Inside Taskmaster star Joanne McNally’s private life – including her link to Spencer Matthews

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Joanne McNally, The Prosecco Express
We’ve taken a deep dive into comedian Joanne McNally’s private life

Irish comedian Joanne McNally is hitting our screens tonight for a new series of Taskmaster, joining Greg Davies and Alex Horne for the Channel 4 gameshow.

The 40-year-old stand-up comic and writer, also one half of the My Therapist Ghosted Me podcast, became one of the biggest names in the industry after just a few years performing.

So successful in fact that she became the first Irish female comic millionaire in November 2022, according to reports.

And as if that wasn’t enough, Joanne’s London Palladium show actually broke the venue’s record for the most wine bought in one sitting. And that’s a pretty impressive record.

Aside from clearly being the life and soul of the party, here’s what we know about Joanne’s private life…

Where has Joanne McNally appeared on TV before?

Joanne was the co-host of comedy series Republic of Telly for RTÉ in 2015, after beginning her career as a stage actress and stand-up comic.

She then went on to appear on the likes of The Late Late Show, The Afternoon Show, Ireland AM, Two Tube and RTÉ 2fm.

Over on the stage-show side of things, Joanne was a semi-finalist in So You Think You’re Funny and Funny Women, wrote and performed her one-woman show Bite Me for Dublin Fringe Festival, and later at the Edinburgh Fringe.

As well as appearing on Taskmaster tonight, Joanne has previously starred on Channel 4’s The Big Fat Quiz of Everything.

She’s also appeared on Richard Osman’s House of Games, Iain Stirling’s CelabAbility, The Weakest Link and The Wheel before, and with her podcast co-host Vogue Williams for an E4 special, Joanne and Vogue’s Sex Drive.

Does Joanne McNally have a partner?

Joanne appears to be single, having confirmed her split from her partner of two years Alan Byrne just weeks ago.

Joanne McNally and her model boyfriend Alan Byrne
Joanne recently split from her boyfriend Alan Byrne (Picture: Instagram)

The star first introduced her boyfriend on the podcast with Vogue in 2022, nicknaming him ‘Prada Peter’ and revealing they’d met on dating app Raya.

She made things Instagram official in July 2022, and went on to share more pictures on social media over the coming months.

What has Joanne McNally said about breaking up with her boyfriend Alan Byrne?

While Joanna has kept her love life updates away from the spotlight, she did say on the podcast that she’s single now.

She added, according to OK!: ‘So me and Alan have parted ways.’

How is Joanne McNally linked to Spencer Matthews?

Joanne is probably best known for hosting the podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me with Vogue Williams – who is married to Spencer Matthews.

Joanne McNally and Vogue Williams
Joanne co-hosts podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me with Vogue (Picture: RTE)

Spencer and Irish model Vogue – who was previously married to Brian McFadden – were married in June 2018 at his family’s Scotland estate.

The pair began dating after they met on The Jump, and now share three children together.

Joanne has previously spoken about staying with Vogue and Spencer in London for a few weeks, last year, saying: ‘I don’t have a room in London anymore. I had to give it up because I was away so much.’

Vogue Williams and Spencer Matthews
Vogue and Spencer married in 2018 (Picture: Scott Garfitt/BAFTA via Getty Images)

She’s also gushed over Spencer’s love for his wife, with Sunday World noting she said: ‘You can tell he just wants to like slowly hump her leg. He’s absolutely mad about her. It’s kind of cute.’

As well as the hugely popular podcast, Joanne is also now host of a new BBC sounds podcast, Who Replaced Avril Lavigne?

What is Joanne McNally’s net worth?

Joanne’s net worth is estimated to be $2,000,000, according to reports.

Taskmaster airs Thursdays on Channel 4 at 9pm.

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Celebrity Big Brother star hospitalised after ‘breaking her back a year ago’ and not realising

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Celebrity Big Brother
Former Celebrity Big Brother star Luisa Zissman has been hospitalised after breaking her back a year ago (Picture: ITV)

Celebrity Big Brother star Luisa Zissman has revealed she’s been hospitalised and is having difficulty walking after breaking her back last year.

The 36-year-old, who first rose to fame on The Apprentice, explained she was injured last year, but has only now realised the extent of it, and has been forced to miss a holiday to the Maldives as she recovers.

Speaking on her and Anna Williamson’s podcast LuAnna: The Podcast, Luisa said she ‘can’t walk that well’.

Anna began: ‘She’s not in the Maldives, she’s in bed, where she has genuinely not moved for eight days. She’s broken her back.’

‘I’ve been in bed for ages!’ Luisa chimed in with, before adding: ‘I’ve been in bed for eight days, I am feeling better.’

She went on: ‘I’m not in as much pain anymore because I basically have really good meds, all prescribed, but I actually broke my back a year ago and I just didn’t realise it at the time.

‘So when I had an MRI, so that isn’t what’s causing my pain but it doesn’t help my situation that you can still see this fractured thing, a fractured back.

‘But basically, I’ve also got two discs bulging onto two nerves which weirdly is on the left-side but [It’s on] my whole right leg.

Luisa Zissman
The Apprentice star revealed she’s been bedridden for more than a week (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Luisa Zissman
Luisa shared updates from hospital (Picture: Instagram)

‘I basically can’t walk that well because of the nerves in my leg – It feels like I’ve got a wooden leg. So I haven’t gone to the Maldives because I can’t fly.’

Luisa later took to Instagram to confirm that she’d returned home after two weeks of being bedbound, and said she ‘should have been in the Maldives’ with her kids.

The reality star, who came runner-up on Lord Alan Sugar’s BBC One competition in 2013, before finishing fourth on Celebrity Big Brother the following year, previously spoke about having private healthcare and blasted NHS workers striking.

Speaking on the podcast in 2022, amid plans for strikes over pay and working conditions, Luisa said NHS staff should quit and ‘do something else’ rather than strike as they knew what they were getting into when they entered the profession.

‘In this industry it’s completely irresponsible to strike and put people’s lives at risk, it’s unacceptable,’ she raged.

Luisa Zissman
Luisa revealed she fractured her back last year, her MRI scans revealed (Picture: Instagram)
Luisa Zissman - Celebrity Big Brother 2014
The reality star appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014 (Picture: PA)

‘You have a child that’s waiting for a transplant and that kid doesn’t get that heart because of some f****** jumped-up t***s. ‘

She went on: ‘When you went into that profession you haven’t gone in blind, you know what the pay is. So don’t go into it then!’

Luisa then considered ‘maybe I don’t know enough about it,’ before adding: ‘It just annoys me, people striking in this type of career, I think it’s completely irresponsible, cruel and goes against everything they should do in that industry.’

She added that she knows NHS staff have ‘huge demands’ on them and work really long hours, and she ‘doesn’t know’ how much they’re paid, but said if their workload increases because of staffing issues, they ‘should be paid more.’

Celebrity Big Brother is available to watch on ITVX.

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Inside Ant and Dec’s final Saturday Night Takeaway plans ahead of hiatus

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Ant and Dec on Saturday Night Takeaway
Saturday Night Takeaway is coming to an end with an epic grand final (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway plans for the grand final have been revealed, featuring a whole host of celebrity guests.

Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will wrap up their 20th series of the hit show with an extended two-hour live show.

The I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! presenters have helmed the ITV variety show since 2002, but last year announced the upcoming 20th season would be their ‘last one for a little while’.

At the time they said the show ‘takes up such a lot of our year’ and they needed a ‘little bit of a breather’.

And they’re truly ending things (for now) with a bang, having already revealed they will not only be bringing back some show favourites from over the years but introducing a new one-off segment – Get Out of Me Ear: The Revenge.

Girl band Girls Aloud will be the star guest announcers while pop group S Club, rockers Kaiser Chiefs and TV star Scarlett Moffatt are among the famous faces set to make an appearance during the grand finale on April 13.

The show will also feature the final part of Get Out Of Me Ear: The Revenge with Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Dermot O’Leary, Alison Hammond and Holly Willoughby taking part in the segment in a bid to get their own back on the Geordie presenting duo.

Ant and Dec on Saturday Night Takeaway
The duo are taking a break after this 20th series (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)

Meanwhile, Rylan Clark, Oti Mabuse, Olly Murs, Davina McCall, Gino D’Acampo, Craig David, Richard Madeley and Cheryl will also appear in the Get Out Of Me Ear: The Revenge segment, to ensure the presenters get their comeuppance after years of pranking their guests.

And as if that wasn’t enough, Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, TV presenter Andi Peters, radio host Jordan North and singer Tony Hadley will also feature on the show.

The finale will see either Ant or Dec, both 48, crowned the winner of their weekly trials as well as a ‘super-sized singalong’ and games with the studio and home audience.

To mark the end of an era, the show will include a montage of Saturday Night Takeaway best bits from the past 20 series.

Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell will be making an appearance (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)
Richard Madeley
As will Richard Madeley (Picture: REX)

Ahead of the series finale, Ant promised it would be a ‘real celebration of Saturday Night Takeaway over the years’.

‘We’re honoured and touched that for 20 series it’s been part of Saturday night TV viewing for so many families across the country,’ he added.

‘We’re giving it (and us!) a rest for now, but we’ll take away and treasure some very special memories and moments. We will most certainly miss it.’

Ant said he could not believe it was nearing the end but that he was looking forward to making the last show ‘a party to end all parties’.

He went on: ‘The SNT production team have been working non stop to ensure this special, two hour finale has that SNT magic from start to finish.’

The Geordie duo launched the ITV entertainment show in 2002 but it went on a hiatus from 2009 to 2013 while the presenters pursued other projects.

Holly Willoughby
Meanwhile the grand final will also feature Holly Willoughby (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)
Alison Hammond
And her former This Morning co-star Alison Hammond (Picture: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock)

Ant previously revealed their hiatus comes as he becomes a first-time dad when wife Anne-Marie Corbett, 46, gives birth, with their baby expected to arrive in June.

‘Part of the reason we’re pausing Takeaway is we need a break ourselves, and we need to spend some time with our family,’ he said earlier this year.

He added: ‘We’ve both got children that we need to spend time with for a little bit.’

Katie Rawcliffe, ITV’s head of entertainment commissioning, said: ‘There’s nothing quite like live event Saturday night TV all the family can enjoy together in the moment – and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, for the past 20 series, has been at the very forefront of this genre.

‘Over 90% of the UK population has watched Takeaway across the past 20 series and just like the rest of the nation, I couldn’t be more excited for this special final show which promises to be a real celebration.’

Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway returns on Saturday at 7pm on ITV1 & ITVX.

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Nigel Farage ‘offered five-figure fee’ to sign up to another reality show after I’m A Celeb

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Nigel Farage
Nigel Farage eyed up for next reality show (Credits: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock)

Nigel Farage has been offered a huge fee to participate in another reality show, it is claimed.

The former UKIP leader made it to the final of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here and his reality TV career may continue after a five-figure sum is reportedly on the table to participate in Channel 4’s Banged Up: Stars Behind Bars.

In the first series, the programme put celebrities including minister for veterans’ affairs Johnny Mercer, EastEnders actor Sid Owen, Gogglebox star Marcus Luther, and comedian Tom Rosenthal, into the now-decommissioned HMP Shrewsbury and gave them an authentic experience of what it’s like to be locked up.

Joining them inside were former prisoners, who were asked to behave in the same way they did before reforming. 

Producers are said to be keen to get Brexit Party leader Farage, 59, behind bars for series two.

‘Nigel isn’t everyone’s cup of tea but he’s great for ratings,’ a source told The Sun.

Banged Up cast
Banged Up was an interesting social experiment (Picture: Colin Hutton / Channel 4)

‘He did surprisingly well in the jungle and is keen to do more reality TV. Producers are hoping to get a deal over the line with him soon.’

While speaking to the publication, Nigel didn’t rule it out: ‘Banged Up’s very interesting.’

The unique concept has led to a Bafta nomination in the Reality and constructed factual category. A second series is said to begin filming in September for eight nights.

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: ‘No re-commission decision has been made on Banged Up.’

Ofill Allen in prison
Allen wants to see more politicians in prison (Picture: Channel 4)

Ofill Allen voluntarily put himself back in prison as he hoped that showing what it’s really like in jail could improve the criminal justice system, and deter others from committing crimes. He served 17 years in prison for killing an alleged rapist aged 19, before being released in 2020.

Sharing a cell with Conservative MP Johnny Mercer was eye-opening, and he then told Metro.co.uk he’d like to see more politicians locked up.

‘More MPs need to go to prison so they can see the reality.

‘They would understand it if they lived it and experienced it for themselves. You’ve got to live it, breathe it, eat it, sleep it, s**t it, to truly know what it feels like.’

Would you like to see Nigel Farage on Banged Up: Stars Behind Bars?Comment Now
Nigel Farage
Farage finds the concept ‘interesting’ (Picture: FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP via Getty Images)

Politicians being exposed to prison life could lead to a prison system reform, he believes.

‘Prison can be dehumanising. It is a punishment so of course there has to be a balance. Criminals must know what they’ve done is wrong and not want to do it again but we are still human beings.’

He continued: ‘Some days we’d get locked up for hours with no communication about what was happening. Those lockdowns happened on Banged Up and it made me remember how awful it is to experience.’

Farage was said to be the highest-paid person in I’m A Celeb history, and his signing sparked a backlash.

Metro.co.uk has contacted Channel 4 for comment.

Banged up series one is available to watch on Channel 4.

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Hairy Bikers star Si King gives emotional update on ‘strange’ life after Dave Myers’ death

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Si King and Dave Myers
Si King is missing his late friend Dave Myers (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

Si King has admitted it’s been ‘really strange’ carrying on with work after Dave Myers’ death.

The Hairy Bikers star is still mourning after his friend and co-star died from cancer last month aged 66 two years after being diagnosed with the disease, and he has given an emotional update on how life is without his pal.

In a message to fans as voting on a prestigious prize is set to close, he admitted the team were trying to push on as best they can after such a heartbreaking loss.

He wrote on X: ‘Dave and I were so chuffed to be nominated once again for the Fortnum [and] Mason Food Personality of the Year Award for the 4th year running.

‘Dave was so proud of this award, particularly because it’s voted for by our loyal followers and fans, the people who matter most to us.

‘It’s really strange for us all not to have Dave around but for now, we will keep posting on the Hairy Bikers socials to keep in touch with all those people who have been so kind over many years and particularly in recent weeks.’

Voting for the award closes at midday today, with other nominees including Big Zuu, Mary Berry, James Martin, Jamie Oliver, Wareing, Nadiya Hussain, Rick Stein, Matt Tebbutt and the Great British Bake Off duo of Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.

Rounding off the shortlist are Big Has and Poppy O’Toole, Tom Kerridge, Nisha Katona, and an ‘alternative choice’ to vote for someone who hasn’t been nominated.

Si promised that the team will stay in touch with fans about various ‘projects which will live on’ after Myers’ death, and he’ll be meeting fans in person at events over the summer.

Dave Myers
Myers died last month from cancer (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)

‘We’ll also keep you updated on the events and projects which will live on,’ he added. ‘I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at some of the Summer festivals this year.’

Together, the bearded celebrity cooks presented numerous motorcycling travelogues in which they would travel around the UK, and further afield, to sample some local delicacies, as well as cook up some tasty treats themselves.

Si announced Myers’ death last month as he wrote on X: ‘Hi everyone, I’m afraid I bear some sad news. Most of you will know Dave has been fighting cancer for the past couple of years.

The Hairy Bikers Go West scene featuring Si King and Dave Myers
Si is struggling with ‘strange’ life after Myers’ death (Picture: BBC)

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‘Last night, on 28th February 2024, with Lili, Dave’s wife, his family, close friend David and myself by his side, he passed away peacefully at home.

‘All who knew Dave are devastated at his passing. His beloved wife brought him such happiness as did her children, Iza and Sergiu who Dave loved like his own.

‘Personally, I am not sure I can put into words on how I feel at the moment. My best friend is on a journey that for now, I can’t follow.’

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Heartstopper fans devastated after key cast member confirms exit ahead of season 3

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Olivia Colman in Heartstopper.
Olivia Colman has announced she won’t be seen in the upcoming season of Heartstopper (Picture: Netflix)

Heartstopper fans are in shock after Olivia Colman revealed she wouldn’t be returning for the upcoming third season.

The actress, 50, played the role of Sarah Nelson, the mum of Nick Nelson (Kit Connor), in the teen drama series.

However, she’s now announced she won’t be seen in the upcoming season due to a scheduling conflict.

‘I couldn’t do number three. I couldn’t fit it in. I feel awful about that,’ she told Forbes.

She later added: ‘I feel like I was part of one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever been part of.’

But Olivia did allow fans to hold on to some hope she may return at some point, saying she’d love to appear in a potential fourth season, or even in her own spin-off.

Olivia Colman and Kit Connor in Heartstopper.
She played Sarah Nelson, the mum of Nick (Kit Connor) (Picture: Rob Youngson)

‘I’ll have a word. As long as it’s booked in advance, maybe I’ll be able to do it, yeah!’ she said.

Soon after fans of the series shared their thoughts on her exit on social media, with many saying they were devastated to see her go.

‘I’m genuinely grieving and in full denial,’ user Sara posted on X.

‘Can we not just get Olivia Colman in for like a day to do those Heartstopper scenes? Gutted is not the word,’ Phil shared.

‘Can I just say that Heartstopper without Olivia Colman will not be the same. Some of the most important scenes for Nick in the novel are with his mother and no one can replace her. Their bond is just so special and Olivia had a great impact in the show. We lost a great character,’ Alis added.

X post.
Fans were clearly upset by the news (Picture: X)
X post.
Many were left on the verge of tears (Picture: X)
X post.
This person was devastated (Picture: X)

Alice Oseman, the show’s writer and creator, then shared a statement about the actress’ upcoming absence.

‘We tried absolutely everything we could, but it wasn’t meant to be, and that’s just the way the TV world works sometimes,’ she posted on social media.

‘We are so deeply grateful to Olivia for the stunning performance she gave to the show and wish her the absolute best!’

She went on to write they would not be recasting the role.

Olivia Colman.
The actress was unable to return due to scheduling conflicts (Picture: PA)

‘I know many of you — comic fans especially — will be upset and concerned about how we will move forward without Nick’s mum,’ she continued.

‘I know there is one scene in particular that many of you have been looking forward to in season 3, and you may be feeling disappointed and disheartened with us. I totally understand — I was really worried too, when I first found out!’

The scene she appeared to be referring to involves an emotional conversation Sarah and Nick have on a beach about how love can’t cure mental illness.

Joe Locke and Kit Connor in Heartstopper.
The teen drama stars Joe Locke and Kit Connor (Picture: Netflix)

The writer had previously confirmed that Charlie (Joe Locke) and his mental illness would be a driving part of the storyline in season 3.

She went on to ask fans to ‘not give up on us quite yet’.

‘I have done everything in my power to preserve that scene as written in the comic, and I’ve written in some new elements of the story to ensure that it gives us the emotional punch that it gives in the comic.’

Reassuring fans that ‘Nick’s story from the comics is still there and still infinitely important to me’, she explained that Sarah’s role as emotional support for Nick would ‘shift to other characters in the story for now’.

She added: ‘If we get a season 4, I would love for Olivia to be a part of it again.’

Last week the show’s stars’ Kit and Joe appeared in a video that announced Heartstopper would return in October with eight episodes.

Confirmed to appear in the cast are William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell, Tobie Donovan, Leila Khan, Rhea Norwood, and Jenny Walser.

Heartstopper season 3 returns to Netflix in October.

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Reboot of iconic 1970s sitcom landing on Netflix more than 50 years after first episode

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Netflix's cartoon reimagining of the 1970s sitcom Good Times
Good Times has been reinvented (Picture: Netflix)

Netflix is remaking the classic 1970s sitcom, Good Times, but reinventing it as an animation.

The reimagining of the TV classic shows a fourth generation of the Evans family trying to keep their heads above water in a Chicago housing project.

Don’t let the cartoon form fool you, it’s very much an unfiltered adult comedy.

Yvette Nicole Brown (Community), J.B. Smoove (Curb Your Enthusiasm), and Jay Pharoah (Saturday Night Live) will all be voicing mum Beverly Evans, dad Reggie Evans and their son Junior respectively, on the series that lands on April 12.

Marsai Martin (Black-ish, Little) plays their activist daughter, Grey, Slink Johnson is their drug-dealing infant son, Dalvin, and Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola (Jury Duty), also a writer on the show, voices the role of Beverly’s enterprising best friend, Lashes by Lisa.

Executive-produced by Ranada Shepard, Stephen Curry, Norman Lear, and Seth MacFarlane, it aims to bring the series up to date with modern-day issues, and unlike its predecessor, there will be no laugh track.

Still from 1970s TV series Good Times, which aired on CBS
Ralph Carter (as Michael Evans), Esther Rolle (as Florida Evans), John Amos (as James Evans, Sr.), Jimmie Walker (as James ‘J.J.’ Evans, Jr.), Bernnadette Stanis (as Thelma Evans) in the original Good Times (Picture: CBS via Getty Images)

Shepard said: ‘It’s about a Black family that comes together, laughs together, and survives the system on the South Side of Chicago.

‘What you’ll get from that is a lot of social commentary, a lot of pushing the boundaries, a lot of feel-good television, but also a lot of things that may be in the vein of The Simpsons and South Park and Family Guy.

She continued: ‘When you’re looking back 10 years later, you’ll be like, “They said that on Good Times?” Oh my gosh.’

Yvette Nicole Brown as Beverly and JB Smoove as Reggie in Good Times kissing
It’s the fourth generation of Evans family (Picture: Netflix)
Still from 1977 TV series Good Times
The original series made TV history (Picture: CBS via Getty Images)

The decision to make the antics in apartment 17C is a cartoon are so they can go into more experimental territory.

‘The other thing is, look, you don’t have the original cast, right? We can’t go back into the ’70s. So how cool is it that through animation you can re-create that apartment,’ Shepard added.

After choosing animation, the creators have worked hard to ensure skin reflects real life by varying in tone between characters.

Lil Rey Howery as Gabriel and Godfrey as Jesus in Good Times.
The cartoon form allows creators to be more experimental (Picture: Netflix)
Good Times animation still
It was important the skin tones varied (Picture: Netflix)

The original version that aired on CBS from 1974 to 1979 ran for 133 episodes. It made history as television’s first Black two-parent family sitcom.

Oscar-nominated comedy writer Normal Lear, who worked on the original Good Times, died aged 101 in December.

He made pivotal contributions to the remake behind the scenes and also has a cameo appearance in the eighth episode – his final role.

Good Times will be available to stream on Netflix from April 12

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WWE’s Rhea Ripley reveals horror injury after nipple piercing went wrong

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WWE superstar Rhea Ripley - the Women's World Champion - on Raw in October 2023
WWE superstar Rhea Ripley – the Women’s World Champion – on Raw in October 2023

WWE superstar Rhea Ripley has recalled the ‘horrible’ complications she had with her nipple piercings.

The Women’s World Champion, who has undergone quite the transformation over the years from long haired blonde wrestler to bona fide goth megastar, is no stranger to piercings or tattoos, but getting her nipples done was on another level.

‘When you get the first one you’re like, I don’t wanna go through that again! I did it four times. I got them done twice,’ she revealed.

‘Sorry, my fans are gonna like this conversation,’ she quipped, before opening up on the awful ordeal she had getting them pierced.

‘I got them done and the lady that did them, she used a small bar and it was a thinner bar than than what was supposed to be in there,’ she told fellow WWE star Logan Paul on his Impaulsive podcast.

‘Obviously when you get a piercing it swells up, starts to eat the bloody bar and the ball on the end. So I had to go three days later to another piercer and they had to stretch them like my piercer. So, pretty much getting them done twice!’

WWE superstar Rhea Ripley
Rhea is no stranger to tattoos and piercings but some were worse than others (Picture: Instagram)

Despite having a high pain threshold in the ring, the Judgment Day star admitted: ‘It was horrible! It wasn’t fun!’

Rhea revealed she doesn’t ‘take anything out’ when she wrestles, noting she is ‘just so used to it now’.

However, when Logan admitted he’d thought about getting his nipple pierced to stand out from the other men in WWE, she advised him against it.

‘I feel like nipple’s probably not the best way to go if you’re a male just because it gets caught on things so easily. I get to wear a bra,’ she laughed. ‘You guys don’t – unless you want to!’

Meanwhile, Rhea appears to be dealing with an injury of some kind heading into WrestleMania 40, but her own bum meant fans didn’t even realise.

WWE Women's World Champion Rhea Ripley
Rhea is a self professed menace (Picture: WWE)

The 27-year-old wrestler has been wearing wrist support on her left arm since last weekend’s live events, although she’s yet to publicly address the issue and WWE hasn’t mentioned it on screen.

Even her own passionate fanbase didn’t realise at first, with the cast initially appearing in a video of Rhea recreating Rikishi’s iconic Stinkface move in a match with Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax.

For those who aren’t aware, the Samoan WWE legend’s signature move saw the star – whose sumo-style gear exposed his rather large derriere – back up into the corner as he shook his behind against an opponent sat down trying to escape.

It’s been a long time since fans have seen him deliver it, but Rhea paid an unexpected tribute after Nia had performed a less exposed variation in recent weeks.

WWE superstar Rhea Ripley - the Women's World Champion - does the Stinkface
She was wearing wrist support over the weekend – but not everyone noticed (Picture: TikTok)
WWE superstar Rhea Ripley - the Women's World Champion - does the Stinkface
She delivered a Stinkface to Nia Jax (Picture: TikTok)

As the audience in Springfield, Illinois cheered her on, she hiked up her pants to show off near enough her entire backside, and shuffled back to rub her bottom in Nia’s face.

Not surprisingly, Rhea’s fans went absolutely feral – but she previously admitted she loves being a ‘menace’ to get her supporters riled up.

‘Being a menace is the one thing I really enjoy doing, so I’m loving every second of it picking on everyone,’ she exclusively told Metro.co.uk. ‘I relish in it, I really do.

‘I enjoy every second – especially knowing how worked up everyone’s gonna be about it. That just drives me to being more of a menace in a way! [laughs] But yeah, I love what I do, I am enjoying it!’

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Gogglebox star George Gilbey’s mum ‘incredibly emotional’ after husband and son’s deaths within three years

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Linda McGarry and George Gilbey.
Linda McGarry is ‘in bits’ following the death of her son George Gilbey (Picture: Channel 4)

George Gilbey’s mum has been left devastated after both her son and husband died within just three years of each other.

Earlier this week, former Gogglebox star Gilbey died in a ‘freak’ workplace accident in Essex after falling 80 feet through a skylight, with a man since arrested in connection with his death.

Gilbey first appeared on the Channel 4 programme in September 2013 with his mum Linda McGarry and stepdad Pete McGarry, before appearing on Celebrity Big Brother the following year, where he finished in fourth place.

The family returned to Gogglebox in 2016, before Gilbey left two years later while his mum and stepdad continued without him until 2020.

However, the following year McGarry died aged 71 from bowel cancer, dying just days after he was told he had months to live.

Now, following the sudden death of her son too, Linda is reportedly ‘in bits’ over the devastating loss.

George Gilbey, centre, with his mother Linda and stepfather Pete McGarry on Gogglebox.
The pair appeared on Gogglebox alongside her late husband Pete McGarry (Picture: Jude Edington)
Linda Gilbey, George Gilbey and Pete McGarry in 2015.
McGarry died in 2021 after being diagnosed with bowel cancer (Picture: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for St Joseph’s Hospice and Haven House Children’s Hospice)

‘This will hit his family very hard, especially Linda. First, she lost Pete, now her son as well. She is incredibly emotional,’ one of Gilbey’s close friends told The Sun.

Another told the publication Gilbey was a ‘good bloke with a big heart who loved his family’.

‘He was a bit of a party lad, but he was good entertainment for everyone who knew him.

‘Nobody deserves this to happen so young – 40 is no age and to die at work is horrific.’

George Gilbey on Lorraine in 2014.
Gilbey was killed in a workplace accident this week (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
Linda McGarry and George Gilbey on 'Good Morning Britain in 2014.
A friend of his has said Linda is ‘incredibly emotional’ (Picture: S Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock)

Soon after her husband’s death in 2021, Linda said that ‘Pete was a lovely man and I was so lucky to have him for 25 years’.

‘I said to him, “We’ve not only been 25 years, it’s been day and night with each other”. He was my life.’

She added that her late husband and son had been very close and ‘loved each other’, with Gilbey left ‘cut up’ by his stepfather’s death.

Last year he shared a montage of photos and videos of his stepfather on social media, captioning the post: ‘I want him here this year.’

Linda and Pete met when she was running a pub in Witham, Essex and they went on to run their own pub in Braintree.

Before they joined the Gogglebox line up, the couple fostered more than 100 children.

Gilbey’s death was confirmed by his sister who wrote on social media: ‘Rest in eternal paradise brother. Far too young but god only takes the best.’

Sharing a statement soon after, a Channel 4 spokesperson said their ‘thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time’.

Gogglebox is streaming on Channel 4.

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BBC star claims Paul O’Grady’s ghost is ‘haunting’ them

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Paul O'Grady.
A BBC star has said she is being ‘haunted’ by Paul O’Grady (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)

BBC star Gaby Roslin has claimed the ghost of Paul O’Grady is ‘haunting’ her.

The comedian and broadcaster died in March last year aged 67, with his cause of death being listed as sudden cardiac arrhythmia.

A year on, his close friend Gaby, 59, has explained why she believes the late star is still a strong presence in her life even from beyond the grave.

The pair first worked together on Channel 4’s The Big Breakfast in 1995, which she co-hosted from 1992 to 1996.

O’Grady was brought in to interview celebrities while in character as his drag alter-ego Lily Savage.

The pair became close friends and remained so until his death, however Gaby has now said she ‘knows’ he is now haunting her.

Gaby Roslin.
Gaby Roslin has said the late star is still a presence in her life (Picture: Brett D. Cove / SplashNews.com)

‘I got a new show recently. I’d always ring Savage to discuss new shows – I always called him Savage – so I went to call him,’ she explained to the Daily Star.

‘But then I had that split second where you think “Oh no, I can’t”. But I know that he’s haunting me.’

‘He always said he was going to haunt everyone – that he was going to come back and keep an eye on us all.’

She added: ‘He knew how much we loved him because at the end of every phone call I’d go, “Oh my God, you know how much I love you,” and he’d go, “You know I love you, too. Now f*** off”.’

Paul O'Grady and Gaby Roslin.
The pair first met when working on The Big Breakfast in the 1990s (Picture: Mark Thomas/ Shutterstock)

Before his death, O’Grady shared how he believed his home in Kent was haunted.

On his Radio 2 show in 2020, he said the 18th century farmhouse was like ‘something from the Addams Family’.

This week marked a year since his death, with Gaby sharing a photo of her friend on Instagram and writing a touching message.

‘A year ago today. Can’t believe you’re not here. Miss you Paul. Big hugs to his wonderful family ❤️🐶❤️ and all his dear friends ❤️🐶❤️ He was a kind, funny, naughty dear friend ❤️🐶❤️.’

When he died, Gaby wrote that it was ‘unbelievably sad news to wake up to’, labelling O’Grady a ‘one off’.

‘There will never be anyone quite like Paul. Goodness me we laughed together so much.

‘Our chats lasted for hours and I know he’ll be up there now nattering away and keeping everyone laughing. ‘

She went on to write: ‘He was brave and clever and naughty and a dear sweet friend.’

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