BBC presenter Kathy Secker found dead

December 16, 2015, 12:13 pm

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Hundreds of people have paid tribute to the BBC presenter Kathy Secker who has died, aged 70.

Kathy was discovered by police at her home in Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, after she failed to turn up to a planned day out with friends.

The former model was a household name in her native northeast. She joined Tyne Tees television in 1976 after winning a competition to become a presenter and newsreader.

During her time there she presented the popular birthday slot where she would read out celebratory wishes to viewers from family or friends twice a day.

In 1994 she joined BBC Radio Newcastle and was still presenting a weekly show for them until her death.

BBC Newcastle editor… Read the full story

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23 times The Apprentice semi-final interviews were too awkward to watch

December 16, 2015, 2:00 pm

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The semi-final was always going to be a good’un – the one where the candidates are viciously ripped apart during interviews with actual business people.

The final five – Vana, Richard, Joseph, Charleine and Gary – were summoned to the Leadenhall building in London to face the four interviewers and have their business plans scrutinised.

It was sweaty-back stuff.

Joseph got tested on his claims he’s read Alan Sugar’s book cover to cover, Charleine got tested on her geographical knowledge, and… Read the full story

The Apprentice 2015: Joseph Valente shaving off his moustache was the shocker of the series

December 16, 2015, 3:37 pm

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The Apprentice candidate Joseph Valente provided the shocker of the series.

Even more shocking than Selina Waterman-Smith’s reaction to the show, and even more shocking than Scott Saunders deciding to quit.

Joseph has lost the moustache.

The semi-final episode saw the hopeful shave off his facial hair to take on the interview round.

And the transformation was unbelievable.

He looked like a completely different person.

And Charleine was feeling it too, telling him: ‘Don’t grow it back babe’.

It even led Claude Littner to say: ‘Are you Joseph?’

Read the full story

EastEnders spoilers: Who is SHOT as Vincent Hubbard and Phil Mitchell’s feud explodes?

December 16, 2015, 3:58 pm

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Phil Mitchell and Vincent Hubbard’s violent war could be about to end in tragedy – as one resident of Walford is literally caught in the crossfire.

The growing tension between the two Albert Square hard men finally explodes after Vincent loses control over Phil kidnapping baby Pearl. Confronting Phil, Vincent is clearly out for revenge – and shock revelations lead to a brawl.

Things then get serious when a gun is pulled out – and when Kim, Ronnie and Sharon end up caught up in the situation, there are several lives at risk as things get out of control.

As a bloodthirsty Vincent gets… Read the full story

Soap spoilers: We’ve seen EastEnders’ Christmas episodes – here’s what to expect

December 16, 2015, 3:58 pm

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WARNING: This article contains spoilers which some viewers may wish to avoid

EastEnders at Christmas has become a bit of a massive TV event – and for good reason. From Den and Angie’s divorce papers and the Sharongate aftermath through to the reveal of Stacey and Max’s affair and the murder of Archie Mitchell, the festive season has always had something huge going on.

Metro.co.uk have seen this year’s offerings and we can safely say that there is more happening than ever before. With massive storylines, huge surprises along the way and some spectacular scenes, it could be one of the… Read the full story

EastEnders spoilers: Glenda Mitchell returns as things get dark for Ronnie and Roxy

December 16, 2015, 3:59 pm

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Glenda Mitchell is heading back to Walford – and there can only be trouble ahead given that the last time we saw her, she was being driven out of Walford after affairs with both Phil Mitchell and Ian Beale.

Her return may prove timely for her daughters Ronnie and Roxy though, who will both be going through some of their toughest times. Ronnie’s war with Vincent will step up a gear with shocking consequences over the festive season while Roxy is set to be attacked by her boyfriend Dean Wicks.

EastEnders bosses are remaining tight lipped over the reason for Glenda’s temporary comeback and the storylines that will follow but with the Mitchells taking centre stage for a series of dramatic storylines, there is bound to be an explosive showdown on the cards.

How… Read the full story

EastEnders spoilers: Stacey Branning’s illness leads her onto the Queen Vic roof

December 16, 2015, 4:01 pm

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Stacey Branning is set to fall deeper into the grips of her postpartum psychosis in the new year – as she becomes convinced that her newborn baby could be the son of God. 

Dot’s concerns grow for Stacey when they have a worrying conversation at church and as events spiral out of control, Stacey takes to the same roof which her late husband Bradley Branning fell from.

She scales the building to get closer to God and it’s at this point where it becomes clear that she is seriously ill – but will anyone come to rescue her and get her the help she desperately needs?

Postpartum psychosis is a rare… Read the full story

EastEnders spoilers: Shirley Carter tries to KILL Dean Wicks after rape discovery

December 16, 2015, 4:01 pm

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Shirley Carter will be pushed to the edge when she discovers that her son Dean Wicks actually did rape Linda – resulting in some shocking scenes that see her attempt to kill him.

The drama unfolds as she walks in on Dean attacking his girlfriend, Roxy. Roxy has just ended the relationship after a violent outburst from Dean and he reacts badly, pinning her to the floor.

Luckily, Shirley comes home to stop Dean going even further and she is left sickened when she finally realises the devastating truth about him.

Having protected him for over a year, Shirley’s world falls apart but for… Read the full story

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EastEnders spoilers: Shock affair for Whitney Dean and Mick Carter?

December 16, 2015, 4:01 pm

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Could this be the start of Walford’s most unexpected affair ever?

It seems like Whitney Dean could be setting her sights on Mick Carter after splitting from Lee – but is she about to get her fingers burnt?

Whitney goes to Mick after a depressed Lee calls things off and she is touched when Mick offers her his support. But when she later sees him topless and clearly eyes him up, fans may be right to worry. But Mick would never stray from Linda – would he?

It does seem like it’s all one sided on Whitney’s part – she reacts a little too well when Mick offers her a… Read the full story

EastEnders spoilers: Will a secret from the past reveal Claudette Hubbard’s true colours?

December 16, 2015, 4:01 pm

≫ Next: EastEnders spoilers: Producer reveals surprise returns, Denise Fox’s new storyline and a dramatic January

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Vincent Hubbard has been convinced that Eric Mitchell was responsible for the death of his father – but could Claudette be about to drop the mother of all bombshells that could change everything?

In scenes viewed by Metro.co.uk, a tense showdown unfolds between Vincent and Claudette which involves a shock that means everything is not as it seems. And it could be about to reveal Claudette’s true colours.

What has she been hiding from her son? And why has she been so keen to push his vengeance on the Mitchells?

Read the full story

EastEnders spoilers: Producer reveals surprise returns, Denise Fox’s new storyline and a dramatic January

December 16, 2015, 4:03 pm

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EastEnders boss Dominic Treadwell-Collins has shared his excitement over what promises to be an ‘epic’ EastEnders Christmas – as well as teasing future plotlines for the likes of Denise Fox, Stacey Branning and some returning characters.

Speaking to Metro.co.uk and others at a recent press event, Treadwell-Collins enthused: ‘This is a Christmas of secrets and surprises. It’s a Christmas that the audience will want to watch live as nothing is as you’d expect. We decided to treat this like we treated live week. Its epic. There are secrets and twists and a hell of a lot of stories.

‘There are four acts. Before Christmas, it’s a big story for Ronnie and Vincent. There’s Sharon’s building concern about Bobby and his increasingly bad behaviour – and Jane’s oblivious to it. And Stacey giving birth on Christmas Eve.’

Read the full story

The Apprentice candidate Richard Woods hid strokes from Lord Sugar so he ‘didn’t seem fragile’

December 17, 2015, 12:46 am

≫ Next: Who reached The Apprentice final – and why?

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The Apprentice contestant Richard Woods has revealed he suffered a series of strokes before the show, but didn’t tell Alan Sugar for fear it would jeopardise his chances.

The 31-year-old had three mini strokes before taking part in The Apprentice, but kept his medical history secret so that he wouldn’t be seen as ‘fragile’.

He told The Sun: ‘I knew they wouldn’t put someone on who had strokes. They are normally associated with stress and being fragile. I left it off the application, knowing what I was doing.’

Sadly though, despite putting his health at risk, Richard missed out on the £250,000 prize and instead was fired following the interview stage of the show.

Read the full story

Who reached The Apprentice final – and why?

December 17, 2015, 12:48 am

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Five went in, two came out. Sunday’s final of The Apprentice will be contested by Joseph Valente and Vana Koutsomitis, after they emerged as the last two survivors of Lord Sugar’s Digit of Doom.

Here’s a quick summary of the interview round: what the candidates’ business plans were and my analysis of why they either survived or were fired.

Charleine Wain

Business plan: Establish a hairdressing training academy.

Why she was fired: Charleine’s ambitions betrayed her naivety. Although she had won local awards, she had no wider presence, no brand and no point of uniqueness to make her stand out in a crowded market.

Her only response when asked how she would do what took Toni & Guy 25 years to achieve was to say repeatedly… Read the full story

TOWIE’s Christmas special was dedicated to the late Nanny Pat and Twitter was in floods

December 17, 2015, 2:14 am

≫ Next: WATCH: Here’s that time Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley was in BBC’s Casualty

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This year’s TOWIE Christmas special was dedicated to Mark Wright’s grandmother Nanny Pat, who died at 80 on Wednesday.

Essexmas 2015 – which also saw the return of Lauren Goodger – left its viewers posting sad tweets about Pat Brooker, the mother of Carol Wright, on Twitter.

Tributes to the sparky lady poured in as the nation remembered Pat’s charming demeanour and baked goods.

It's so good to see @LaurenGoodger back in #TOWIE you have come a long way and look absolutely stunning, please stay have… Read the full story

WATCH: Here’s that time Star Wars’ Daisy Ridley was in BBC’s Casualty

December 17, 2015, 2:40 am

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Daisy Ridley may be about to get her big break in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but for fans of long-running BBC drama Casualty she’s been a star for years already.

Yep, the 23-year-old actress whose name is about to go stratosphere actually got her first job in 2013 with one episode of the medical drama, starring as Robyn Miller’s best friend Fran.

Or by the end of the episode, her ex-best friend.

Well, with lines like ‘it’s not like you’re even a proper nurse, is it?’ who would want a friend like Fran?

Robyn, played by Amanda Henderson, was new to Holby at… Read the full story

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The X Factor fails to make the top 40 most-watched shows of 2015 as BBC trounces ITV

December 17, 2015, 2:58 am

≫ Next: THIS is the man believed to be X Factor winner Louisa Johnson’s boyfriend

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Ouch. The X Factor has failed to feature in the top 40 most-watched shows of this year.

And in the war between the BBC and ITV, the Beeb has absolutely blown its rival out of the water this year.

The Great British Bake Off dominated the ratings, taking the top spot on the list as well as taking third to eighth place.

The X Factor’s dismal shortcoming comes as another blow to Syco boss Cowell, whose seen the singing contest’s ratings dwindle with each series.

Cowell also suffered a burglary at his home earlier this month, with CCTV footage of the robber released today, so he’s not having the best Christmas of all time.

Read the full story

THIS is the man believed to be X Factor winner Louisa Johnson’s boyfriend

December 17, 2015, 3:00 am

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Here is the first glimpse of Louisa Johnson with the man who is thought to be her boyfriend, Daniel Elliott.

Check out those dimples.

Elliott is a recruitment worker, also from Essex, and was spotted kissing Louisa on the lips on the night of the final.

He’d been sitting with Louisa’s family throughout and took a selfie with her fellow finalist Ché Chesterman.

The mystique surrounding Louisa’s secret man who ‘is not in the industry’ didn’t last very long, then.

Omg! I… Read the full story

Doctor Who quiz: How well do you know the David Tennant era?

December 17, 2015, 3:23 am

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Incredibly this Christmas will be ten years since David Tennant made his first full appearance as everyone’s favourite Time Lord, Doctor Who.

But just how well do you remember the Tenth Doctor’s time in the TARDIS?

Test your brain below…

 

Check out more fun facts, trivia and quizzes in Doctor Who: The Big Book of Lists

Viewers brand MasterChef ‘sexist’ for the fact no women made it through to the final 10

December 17, 2015, 6:13 am

≫ Next: The Great British Bake Off was hands down the most-watched show of 2015

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Viewers have been left angry that no female contestants made it to the final 10 of MasterChef.

There were 48 contestants to begin with, but as the contestants were whittled down to just 10 all female contenders sadly lost their place.

Joey O’Hare was one of the female contestants, although despite wowing judges with her simple but bold flavoured cooking, she lost out after having a bad round where her food didn’t impress as much as her previous dishes.

Some viewers think it’s a conspiracy.

Fans of the show also took… Read the full story

The Great British Bake Off was hands down the most-watched show of 2015

December 17, 2015, 7:36 am

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The Great British Bake Off has been revealed as the most-watched show… Read the full story