Charlotte Ritchie talks Ghosts series 2 and working with Phoebe Buffay herself, Lisa Kudrow (Picture: BBC/NBC)
Charlotte Ritchie has revealed what she wants from Ghosts series two after the BBC confirmed their surprise hit will be back for another run next year.
Ghosts steadily became one of the best-loved series to come out of 2019 so far, with Ritchie starring as Alison, whose recently inherited country mansion is haunted by eccentric spirits played by Horrible Histories alumni Matthew Bryton, Simon Farnaby and Martha Howe-Douglas.
After Call The Midwife killed her off as Nurse Barbara Hereward, Ritchie’s next role was pivotal and moving away from the tragedy of the hospital drama to a comedy proved to be a wise move. But even she was surprised by quite how rapturous a reception Ghosts received.
‘I always hoped people would see all the things I love about the show, but the total joy people seem to be experiencing from watching the show wasn’t something we could have anticipated and is the absolute best result,’ the former Fresh Meat actress enthused to Metro.co.uk.
For a second series, thankfully, there is still plenty of scope to play around with.
‘There are still a lot of back stories to find out about,’ teased the 29-year-old, who revealed she’s desperate to learn more about The Captain (played by Ben Willibond), a former army officer who put himself forward as leader of the apparitions of Alison’s manor.
But before we return to Ghosts, Ritchie is joined by a true hero of comedy, Lisa Kudrow, in Channel 4’s upcoming Mae and George.
Ritchie stars alongside Lisa Kudrow in Mae and George (Picture: Channel 4)
‘It’s so amazing,’ she beamed. ‘It’s a really interesting and unusual job in the way in flits between comedy and drama all the time.
‘Working with Lisa was lush, she was so funny and she is disarmingly low key I felt like I wanted to order 20 different types of drinks just so someone was being extremely Hollywood.’
But the in-demand rising star has one big hang up since filming ended.
‘I barely asked her about Friends and I really regret it,’ Ritchie told us. ‘I felt she’d be sick of it, but she had great stories in general.’
Ghosts is available to purchase on DVD on Amazon.
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Just one more week stands between one act and the series title, bringing with it a £250,000 prize as well as the chance to perform for the Queen and the Royal Family at this year’s Royal Variety Performance.
And this year also sees Ant McPartlin returning to co-host alongside Dec Donnelly (who had to go it alone last year), as the next five nights see the remaining acts – including the five Golden Buzzers – duke it out for a place in the final on Sunday 2 June.
But what time does it all kick off? We’ve got all the information you need.
What time is the first Britain’s Got Talent live semi-final on tonight?
The first live Britain’s Got Talent semi-final kicks off on ITV on Monday night at 7.30pm.
The show is in two parts, with the second half-hour instalment – when the results will be announced – airing at 9.30pm after Coronation Street.
How do the Britain’s Got Talent live shows work?
Ant and Dec present Britain’s Got Talent
Each of the semi-finals will see two acts put through to the grand final on Sunday.
The first to make it through will be the winner of that show’s public vote, who will go straight through to Sunday night.
The second act will be chosen by the judges from the next two most popular in that evening’s vote – with the act they choose making it through to Sunday.
Akshat Singh is one of two Golden Buzzer acts performing tonight (Picture: Rex Shutterstock)
However Sunday’s final will see the winner decided entirely by public vote, with the power taken out of the judges’ hands.
Viewers can vote either by phone, with the numbers revealed on the show, or via the Britain’s Got Talent app.
Where are the live shows taking place?
As with last year, this year’s live shows are taking place at the Eventim Apollo, Hammersmith.
There are still a few tickets left for some of this week’s live shows, and you can find out more information here.
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It was easily one of the stand out moments of the series so far as Simon Cowell, David Walliams, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon unanimously sent Brian through with four yeses.
‘It was pretty extraordinary and very unexpected because the head space you’re in, you just want to make sure you break the ice with your song and the reception was superb,’ Brian enthused to Metro.co.uk.
And viewers were just as bold over without thousands tweeting away that they were just as moved by the singer’s performance as they were by the most notorious BGT act ever, Ms. Boyle.
‘Susan Boyle is the legend of the show so to be compared to someone as incredible as her, I’m really appreciative for that to happen,’ Brian told us.
‘When you look at Susan Boyle, who’s achieved that massive level of success, and you’re looking at artists like that it shows there’s potential, so we’ll have to see what happens.’
Britain’s Got Talent star Brian Gilligan couldn’t be happier with Susan Boyle comparisons (Picture: ITV)
Since becoming an overnight viral sensation, Susan has sold more than 25 million albums, broken YouTube records and was listed higher in Time’s Most Powerful list than then President Barack Obama.
Though, she subsequently endured a rough time in the media. After being kicked out of a Heathrow airport waiting lounge, the Glaswegian star kept a low profile before her return to the spotlight on America’s Got Talent: The Champions earlier this year.
‘I think fame is an interesting concept,’ explained Brian, brushing off concerns surrounding what may well be his impending celebrity status.
‘I think fame happens outside of what you would prioritise. Fame is obviously a great thing but I supposed it’s just a matter of how you deal with it when you have it. I don’t think you should make it a massive priority or objective; it’s just about who you are and what you do and how you deliver your message through your music.’
Tonight Brian has tough competition, facing two Golden Buzzer acts in infectious dancer Akshat Singh and The Flakefleet Primary School. But he’s quietly confident.
‘I guess tonight I’m definitely going to bring it up a few notches and perform from the gut to give it everything,’ he insisted.
Britain’s Got Talent airs tonight at 7.30pm on ITV.
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The streaming service has ordered an animated series inspired by the iconic secret agent.
Q-Force will follow a good-looking gay spy and his team of LGBTQ+ pals, who have to work twice as hard at spying to prove themselves as good as – if not better than – their colleagues.
The lead is thought to be taken by Will and Grace actor Sean Hayes, whose production company Hazy Mills is behind the new show.
Sean and working partner Todd Milliner told Deadline they have had the idea ticking away for a long time: ‘We were thinking how do we get to do gay spy and every week, and the only way to do that is animated, because we can do all of the fun parts of a James Bond film.
We can travel, we can have big chase sequences; animation is allowing us that freedom.’
Will and Grace’s Sean Hayes is expected to voice the main character (Picture: Rex Features)
Pulling off a full on live action spy series would just be too expensive, explained Todd.
Sean added: ‘Also, I don’t know that the studios would greenlight a feature with a leading character that’s gay in that genre. Hopefully they will, but that doesn’t seem like right now.’
Unfortunately it seems they may be right. ‘It does seem like it’s one of the last bastions of masculinity that seems like we can’t break the rule of who gets to play that part,’ agreed Miliner.
Mike Schur – the man responsible for The Good Place, Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Parks and Recreation – is also on board to produce Q-Force.
‘I’ve been friends with Mike for a long, long, long time, and I was literally driving my car to work, and he was walking,’ explained Sean of their collaboration. ‘I pulled over and I rolled down my window and I said, ‘Hey Mike, would you want to work on something together?
‘He’s like, ‘What is it?’ And I said ‘Gay James Bond’, and he said, ‘Yeah, I would do that’. So that’s how it all kind of started.’
Sounds like it couldn’t be more up our street.
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The presenter recently saw his ITV show – aptly titled ‘The Jeremy Kyle Show’ – axed after a former guest, 62-year-old Steve Dymond, died following an appearance in an episode where he took a lie detector test.
Unfortunately, there is more bad news to come as Channel 4 is due to lift the lid on what really went on backstage, with a special called ‘Jeremy Kyle: TV on Trial’ due to air tonight (27 May).
As for what will be covered in the special, here’s what we know.
When and what time is Channel 4’s Jeremy Kyle: TV on Trial
The special will air tonight at 8pm on Channel 4.
What will be on the Jeremy Kyle special?
Dispatches reporter Morland Saunders will uncover numerous allegations including guests being encouraged by the production team to use drugs, as well as alcohol being provided to guests for ‘medicinal purposes’.
Furthermore, it will investigate a process referred to as ‘Talking Up’, which the production team used as a method to create conflict among guests.
It will also be explained how the infamous lie detector test is in fact, not 100% accurate.
In addition, people who worked on the show will also reveal secrets, including claiming that guests were occasionally encouraged to take a detour trip on their way to the studio – to visit their drug dealer.
Guests were encouraged to take drugs before coming on the show (Picture: ITV)
‘Researchers and APs and sometimes producers would smoke weed with guests in the hotels the day before to keep them happy,’ an anonymous producer told Saunders.
‘If guests were becoming flaky they’d appease them in any way they could.
Another producer explained the ‘Talking Up’ method and how it was used to get guests to argue.
‘All the new staff that were on the show got taken to a big meeting, and we were taught, about this process that they used on the show called ‘Talking Up’ which I’d not come across before, essentially ‘cause the show is about conflict resolution, you need the people that come on the show to be in conflict when you get on… when they’re on the show,’ one producer, who worked in the show in 2005, explained.
An ITV spokesperson has denied all the allegations and outlined the show’s duty of care and its aftercare processes.
‘ITV has many years of experience broadcasting and creating programmes featuring members of the public, and each of our productions has duty of care measures in place for contributors. All of our processes are regularly reviewed to ensure that they are fit for purpose in an ever-changing landscape,’ they said.
‘In the case of the Jeremy Kyle Show, the programme had significant and detailed duty of care processes in place for contributors built up over 14 years, and there have been numerous positive outcomes from this series, where people have resolved long-standing personal problems.
‘Guests were supported by our guest welfare team prior to filming, throughout filming and after filming. Should they require ongoing help then appropriate solutions were found for them. This could include residential rehabilitation, counselling, anger management, family mediation, child access mediation or couples counselling.’
There are a couple of spoilers for The Walking Dead coming up, so be careful.
Ever since we found out The Walking Dead has begun shooting season 10, we’ve been desperately sniffing around the internet searching for any breadcrumbs of info we can find.
Luckily, the good folks over at Skybound (which owns the comic the show is based on) are happy to tell us as much as they can. The bad news is, that’s not really that much.
When they tweeted from the official The Walking Dead comic book account asking for any fan questions, they were inundated with hundreds of questions – most of them rather understandably asking about what we can expect from the next series.
The writer warned us they wouldn’t be offering us any spoilers for season 10, mostly because it’s still being written and filmed, but there are a couple of nuggets in their revelations that we can hang on to.
Here’s everything we found out:
There’s going to be another time jump
It won’t be as long as previous spaces between series, but we can expect a couple of seasons to have gone by.
Showrunner Angela Kang recently told Entertainment Weekly that winter will be over and done with, meaning ‘people will be going to be in a different emotional space’.
We’re set to see more of Daryl and Carol together (Picture: AMC)
More storylines from the comics will make it into the series
Fans who have both read the source material and watched the AMC show will know the two often go down different paths, either to the delight or disappointment of the viewers.
Former cast member Tom Payne, for example, really wishes the writers had included his character Jesus’ relationship with Aaron – but they decided to kill him off halfway through season 9 instead.
Skybound says we ‘should look forward to seeing more [comic book moments] in season 10’.
Negan is in for a wild ride if the storyline follows the comics (Picture: AMC)
We might get a Negan and Alpha standoff
If we’re getting more comic books stories in the series, a lot of people will be hoping one of those will see Negan and Alpha come face to face.
‘In the comics,’ the experts point out, ‘Negan breaks out of his cell, briefly joins the Whisperers, gains their trust, beheads Alpha, and brings her head back to Rick to prove he can be trusted.’
There’s every chance the show writers will completely ignore this though, so probably best not to set your heart on it.
Rosita might have had her baby while we were away
Remember that time jump? A couple of seasons is definitely enough time for Rosita to have given birth. Maybe.
We’ll find out who the hell was trying to make contact on the radio
Angela Kang has said we’ll find out exactly who was on the other end of the radio at the end of season 9, thank God. We couldn’t deal with yet more cliffhangers.
Daryl and Carol only played an ‘epic game of Superfight’ in the tent
Absolutely, definitely nothing else.
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John is unimpressed with the second season of Spike Lee’s Netflix series (Picture: Getty, PA)
John Boyega has expressed his outrage over a scene in Spike Lee’s series, She’s Gotta Have It, which features a debate between two characters about black British actors and slavery.
The nine-part Netflix series, which is based on Spike’s classic 1986 movie of the same name, debuted its second season on 24 May.
Viewers have taken particular issue with a scene which features the character Nola Darling (DeWanda Wise), describing black British actors as ‘cheap’.
Star Wars actor John, 27, saw a clip of the scene circulating online and simply labelled it: ‘Trash.’
Starting off the debate, Nola says: ‘[Black British actors] need to fall back and fall away from taking all of our roles, like we have dope, talented, trained, qualified black actors right here in the States.
‘But at the end of the day, black Brits just come cheaper’.
With a questionable British accent, character Olumide Owoye (Michael Luwoye) chimed in: ‘I agree somewhat. But black British actors are better suited than black American actors for Stateside roles because they don’t carry the burden of f****d up black American history, of lynching, slavery, Jim Crow, all that.’
‘Black Brits are free of the psychological burden and therefore they can really delve into black American s**t.’
Ironically, Nola then wonders how ‘someone so gorgeous’ could be so ‘ignorant’ despite her own comments just moments before.
In an attempt to educate Olu on black British history, Nola continued: ‘You’re not unburdened Olu. British ships were the dominant force in the Atlantic slave trade.
‘Almost two million kidnapped Africans who died during the Middle Passage so you and your mans and your fellow black British blokes didn’t come out of the s**t unscathed.’
Digging herself a bigger hole, Nola added: ‘You just have Stockholm syndrome and fell in love with your captors.’
Needless to say, the dialogue has infuriated viewers with much of the criticism aimed at Spike.
Accusing the Oscar-winning director of disliking non-American black actors, a critic weighed in: ‘I think Spike should just say he has an issue with Black people from other countries coming to Hollywood and getting work. I would also love Spike to address the colorism in his work. A lot of this is just anti blackness cloaked in xenophobia.’
Sharing everyone else’s sentiments, another said: ‘I’m not British but this dialogue is so incredibly ignorant and irresponsible.’
Quoting one particular line from the scene, another added: ‘No but #ShesGottaHaveIt2 really really reeeeeeally said [black brits] have stockholm syndrome and fell in love with our captors. do you know how UNFUCKINGBELIEVABLY offensive that shit is?????? but we can’t catch a fart in the wind to say “hey uhhh maybe you guys don’t know us?”’
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Louis Walsh may be returning to our screens as a judge as the former X factor panellist has confirmed he is in talks with Simon Cowell.
X Factor All Stars is a celebrity edition of the long-running talent contest planned for later this year.
‘I’m speaking to Simon. Let’s see,’ the Westlife manager, 66, told The Mirror.
‘The All-Star concept is great. People will watch it to see Leona Lewis, G4, Sam Bailey,’ he said.
‘Real singers, real talent. It could be like battle of the divas.’
Louis was a part of the show from 2004 to 2017, with the exception of 2015.
He also revealed he would like his old partner-in-crime Sharon Osborne to join him if he returns.
Louis Walsh has revealed he’s in talks with Simon Cowell for a possible return to The X Factor (Picture: Rex)
‘Sharon would be great. She’s burnt a few bridges, but that’s what’s good about her – she has an opinion. She’s never boring or predictable,’ he said.
‘She was only joking. It was all panto talk. They will make up. I’m going to mediate between them. I’ll do anything necessary.’
News on X factor All Stars is still scarce but the reunion style series would likely see former contestants go head to head.
We’re very interested to see the old judging gang back together.
X Factor All Stars is expected to air later this year.
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Alesha is expecting her second child (Pictures: @aleshaofficial, Rex)
The Britain’s Got Talent live semi-finals kicked off with an unexpected announcement tonight – Alesha Dixon is having a baby.
The news was delivered by hosts Ant and Dec in a musical opening number, during which they sang ‘Alesha is expecting’.
The crowd erupted into cheers, with fellow judge David Walliams standing up to clap the 40-year-old.
It’ll be Alesha’s second child with husband and professional dancer Azuka Ononye, whom the star married in 2017.
The couple already have a five-year-old daughter, Azura Sienna Ononye.
As the news was announced, Alesha shrugged her shoulders and pretended not to know what the boys were on about but quickly launched into a smile, confirming her pregnancy.
When Ant and Dec went over to chat to the expecting mother, Alesha said she is ‘over the moon’ with the news while David Walliams pretended it was his baby, joking: ‘These things happen when you’re on the tour.’
Alesha pretended to look confused when the news was announced (Picture: ITV)
Fans of the show flocked to Twitter to congratulate the star, saying they ‘loved the way’ it was announced on live TV.
‘Awwwww Ant and Dec announcing Alesha Dixon’s pregnancy was so cute,’ wrote one excited viewer, while another added: ‘Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I’m so happy and excited for you alesha another mini dixon !! You look glowing and as gorgeous as always love you lots.’
I loved Alesha Dixon’s pregnancy announcement on #BGT !! So cute 😍 @BGT
There’s no news as to how far along Alesha is, or when the baby’s due.
So for now all that’s left to do is congratulate the BGT judge on her pregnancy. Commence bump watch.
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Just one week now stands between one act and the series title, bringing with it a £250,000 prize as well as the chance to perform for the Queen and the Royal Family at this year’s Royal Variety Performance.
Tonight’s show will see the first eight of this year’s semi-finalists – among them two Golden Buzzer acts – take to the stage in their bid to win a place in Sunday’s final.
Britain’s Got Talent live shows air every day this week at 7.30pm on ITV.
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Amanda Holden scared out of her wits on BGT tonight (Picture: ITV)
Britain’s Got Talent’s live shows have gotten off to a very eventful start and judge Amanda Holden dropping an F-bomb on ITV has viewers in stitches.
Amanda was used as part of creepy act, The Haunting’s performance and seemed genuinely scared, so much so that she all but shrieked the word, ‘F***!’ on the stage.
Those watching at home seemed to find the funny side and empathised with Amanda.
One fan tweeted: ‘Elizabeth on @Bgt by far the best act so far, just making @AmandaHolden swear and wee herself almost has cracked me up!’
While another added: ‘@AmandaHolden get your self a stiff drink after that. Scared the s*** of me too had to lower the volume of the TV! #bgt.’
The Haunting is magician Elizabeth who spooked Amanda the first time around in her audition.
The other judges had a great time teasing Amanda for the slip-up and wasted no time pointing it out.
Just one more week stands between one act and the series title, bringing with it a £250,000 prize as well as the chance to perform for the Queen and the Royal Family at this year’s Royal Variety Performance.
Tonight’s show will see the first eight of this year’s semi-finalists – among them two Golden Buzzer acts – take to the stage in their bid to win a place in Sunday’s final.
Britain’s Got Talent live shows air every day this week at 7.30pm on ITV.
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BGT viewers could see straight through The Haunting’s act (Picture: Syco/Thames)
Simon Cowell and the judges couldn’t get enough of The Haunting’s act in the first live semi-final of Britain’s Got Talent, but the viewers weren’t having any of it.
The spooky act used camera tricks, lighting and storytelling to terrify judge Amanda Holden, but a couple of mistakes spotted by the audience saw Twitter users in raging over The Haunting’s place in the live shows.
‘What a sh*t trick by The Haunting. Sh*t acting, amateur trick. The only thing she really achieved was giving poor Amanda Holden the cr*ps,’ wrote one unimpressed viewer.
Another added: ‘The haunting on BGT was sh*te tbf I don’t understand the point of the act?! Is it just to “scare” @AmandaHolden I don’t get it’.
The main thrust of the act was based around a dead woman called Agatha, who had apparently been ‘haunting’ Amanda since they’d first ‘met’ in the audition stages of the competition.
Elizabeth, the face of the troupe, led Amanda down into a basement where a creepy young girl was waiting for her, singing Rock A Bye Baby.
Amanda Holden scared out of her wits on BGT tonight (Picture: ITV)
BGT fans weren’t keen on her singing either, with some quipping it’s a good job the group hadn’t entered the competition as a musical act.
The main issue, however, came when Elizabeth switched positions with the old Agatha which was meant to be a surprise trick.
But those at home could see her hiding behind the stairway, ruining the surprise for all of us.
At least Amanda was sufficiently terrified, as she accidentally dropped a huge F bomb when she realised Elizabeth was stood directly behind her.
Maybe it was good if you’re the one in the hot seat?
Britain’s Got Talent live shows air every day this week at 7.30pm on ITV.
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Both the professional dancers were set on by a group of eight thugs, who reportedly started kicking and punching the pair in the face, while partying in Cheshire in late December.
Curtis sustained injuries so bad that he was forced to quit Dancing With The Stars and later had to undergo an emergency operation ‘to correct the damages he sustained to his knee’ as well as take time out to recover ‘from injuries to his eye and face’.
The 23-year-old ballroom and Latin dancer was rumoured to have signed up to the ITV2 reality show earlier this month, with an insider claiming: ‘His body is ideal for being in swimwear all day, plus he’s a lovely bloke with a great sense of humour so is sure to be a hit with the ladies.’
The source added to The Sun: ‘They are also hoping that he will bring some sexy salsa moves to the villa.’
Curti has revealed that he doesn’t have an idea of the ‘perfect girl’ and believes that ‘love is blind.’
Curtis and AJ Pritchard were both set on in an unprovoked nightclub attack (Picture: Getty Images)
Curtis will be one of 12 original islanders (Picture: ITV)He’s also admitted that he’s prepared to take things ‘as far as it takes,’ saying: ‘There is a competition element but that’s the same as life.
‘All I can do is be me and if a girl doesn’t like me, then she doesn’t like me.
‘If she likes me then she likes me and I end up on top. It is what it is, it’s the circle of life.’
‘I will be loyal,’ Curtis added. ‘I have cheated before, but that isn’t why I split with that girlfriend. I will always be loyal from now on.’
Curtis is one of 12 islanders set to take the Majorcan villa by storm next week.
Love Island kicks off on Monday 3 June at 9pm on ITV2.
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Here’s who you’ll be watching on Love Island in the coming weeks (Picture: ITV)
There’s just one week to go before Love Island 2019 gets underway on ITV2 – and following weeks of speculation this year’s cast has finally been confirmed.
And you might spot a few of the rumoured faces among the 12 who’ll be looking for love in the villa – with Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy, AJ Pritchard’s brother Curtis and Adam Collard’s mate Amber Gill among them.
They’ll be kicking off ITV2’s long hot summer when the series begins on Monday 3 June – but who will you be watching this year?
Here are your starting 12 for Love Island 2019…
Yewande Biala
Yewande is swapping the science lab for Love Island (Picture: ITV)
Age: 23
From: Dublin
Occupation: Scientist
Yewande is swapping the science lab for the villa this summer, with the Irish-born contestant simply looking for a partner she can ‘hold a normal conversation with’.
On being the perfect Love Islander: ‘I’m a scientist, which is a unique job. I think people may be surprised. Every time I say that I’m a scientist, people are shocked. I think there are loads of intelligent people on reality television, last year we had Dr Alex and the year before we had Camilla Thurlow in the villa.’
Lucie Donlan
Lucie Donlan is surfing into the line-up (Picture: ITV)
Age: 21
From: Newquay
Occupation: Surfer
Lucie describes herself as being different from the usual Love Islander in that she can do sporty as well as glamorous. She’d love to meet someone equally sporty, especially if they’re keen to go surfing with her.
On being the perfect Love Islander: ‘I stand out and I’m different to the usual girls that might go on the show. I’m more into sports as well as being glam. I can do both, which makes me stand out compared to other girls. I’m more of a guy’s girl than a girl’s girl. I’ve got a lot of friends that are into riding bikes. I get on with those girls who are bit more tomboy-ish. I get on fine with girls, I just don’t like hanging out with girly girls too much. I like hanging out with guys because they’re into the same type of sports…less drama really.’
Amber Gill
Amber Gill had been rumoured as a potential contestant (Picture: ITV)
Age: 21
From: Newcastle
Occupation: Beauty therapist
Amber’s name entered the running when it was reported she had flown out to Majorca for the series this weekend – with reports describing her as a ‘fun-loving’ Newcastle party girl. She’s on the hunt for someone who is athletic as well as being ‘funny, that I can have fun with’.
On being the perfect Love Islander: ‘I’ve got a big personality and I get on with people really well. People think I’m funny. I don’t take
myself too seriously and I’m always up for a laugh. I’ll be good on challenges and dates.’
Amy Hart
Amy Hart will be touching down in the villa (Picture: ITV)
Age: 26
From: Worthing
Occupation: Air hostess/cabin crew manager
Amy is an air hostess and former beauty queen who had been rumoured for the show, and who’s after someone to join her travelling the world – and someone ‘who is going to love me as much as I love them’.
On being the perfect Love Islander: ‘I’m a good mix of someone who can be fun and serious, I’ll be able to look after people and I’ll be
able to get really stuck in with all the fun things too. Also, I am the Bridget Jones of my friendship group so I need to find someone.’
Anna Vakili
Anna’s among those looking for love this year (Picture: ITV)
Age: 28
From: London
Occupation: Pharmacist
Anna is on the lookout for someone loyal, kind and emotional in the villa, admitting she likes ‘soppy boys’. She’s also got previous with former Islanders, having met Kem Cetinay in Dubai – only to fall over right in front of him and his cousin. Awkward.
On being the perfect Love Islander: ‘I think I’m different to anyone who has been on the show before. I have the whole glam look, I’m fun
but at the same time I feel like I have more to me than that. I studied hard and I’ve got my masters. I’m a pharmacist and I have a Middle Eastern
background.’
Anton Danyluk
Will gym owner Anton find love? (Picture: ITV)
Age: 24
From: Airdrie, Scotland
Occupation: Gym owner
Gym owner Anton is hoping to bring a bit of success to Scotland by doing well in the show – while at the same time finding love with someone who is ‘hard working and good looking’.
On being the perfect Love Islander: ‘First of all, I am Scottish and I don’t think there has been a Scottish guy on the show before. I think I
am the first? Laura Anderson and Camilla Thurlow both got to the final. Hopefully, I’ll get further than them and win it!’
Tommy Fury
Tommy Fury’s got a pretty famous brother (Picture: ITV)
On being the perfect Love Islander: ‘I feel like I’ve got a unique personality and Love Island is a good place to showcase it. I’m fun,
bubbly, good to get along with and just really easy-going.’
Joe Garratt
Will love blossom for catering company owner Joe? (Picture ITV)
Age: 22
From: South-east London
Occupation: Catering company owner
Joe describes himself as a bit of a romantic and wants a girl who is ‘fun, outgoing and doesn’t take herself too seriously’.
On being the perfect Islander: ‘I’m very fun. I don’t really take life too seriously and I’m always having jokes. I think that’s what makes me the perfect Islander.’
Michael Griffiths
Firefighter Michael Griffiths is heading into the villa (Picture: ITV)
Age: 27
From: Liverpool
Occupation: Firefighter
Straight-talking Michael is hoping to meet someone he can get along with on an intellectual level – but who doesn’t take themselves too seriously and has ‘a bit of banter’.
On being the perfect Love Islander: ‘I’m a hero! I’m a firefighter, who doesn’t want their own firefighter? Their own local hero.’
Sherif Lanre
Sherif is both a chef and a semi-pro rugby player – and now a Love Island star (Picture: ITV)
Age: 20
From: London
Occupation: Chef and semi-pro rugby player
Sherif is hoping to bring his upbeat personality to the villa – and is looking for a girl who can hold a conversation and has ‘a nice smile, nice teeth and nice bum’. Er, OK then.
On being the perfect Love Islander: I’m upbeat and cheeky and outrageous with my own friends so hopefully that continues in the villa. I’m always on a mission to make people laugh. That’ll be of value in there.’
Callum Macleod
Welsh-born Callum works with aircraft – will love fly into view for him? (Picture: ITV)
Age: 28
From: South Wales
Occupation: Aircraft engineer
Welsh-born Callum is hoping to meet a girl who’ll like him for his personality – and that he is big on ‘morals and loyalty’ and hates cheating.
On being the perfect Love Islander: ‘I’m a genuine, normal guy and up for a good laugh. The whole experience is going to be great and if I meet someone, that’s what I’m here for…I’m 28 now so time is ticking, I don’t want to be left on the shelf.’
Curtis Pritchard
Curtis’ brother AJ is of course a Strictly regular (Picture: ITV)
Age: 23
From: Shropshire
Occupation: Ballroom and Latin dancer
Curtis is of course known as the brother of Strictly Come Dancing regular AJ Pritchard – and has also been a professional on the Irish version, Dancing With The Stars. He was among those tipped to be taking part in Love Island this year, with rumours surfacing earlier this month that he had signed up.
On being the perfect Love Islander: ‘I’m just going to be myself. I’m going to be me. I don’t have to act like anything, I don’t have to teach anyone how to dance, I can just be myself.’
An insider revealed to the Sun that the 30-year-old mental health campaigner ‘would be a perfect choice because she is passionate about body positivity’.
Love Island has been criticised for its lack of diversity, and many fans had hoped to see a more inclusive line up this year.
The first 12 islanders (Picture: ITV)
Sources close to the show previously alleged to the Star: ‘One thing that keeps coming up is the lack of body shape diversity.
‘Viewers want to see girls and boys with bodies they can relate to.
‘Sexy singles come in all shapes and sizes and this is what the viewers will see this year.’
All hope is not lost, however, as Jada, who preaches body positivity and compassion to her followers, may be introduced later in the series.
It would have been nice to open the show with more body types represented.
Other contestants in the first batch this year include Tyson Fury’s brother Tommy and AJ Pritchard’s brother Curtis.
ITV told Metro.co.uk that they ‘endeavour to have a diverse range of contestants appearing on the programme’ and that ‘the only stipulations are that applicants are over 18, single and looking for love’.
Love Island returns to ITV2 on Monday 3rd June at 9pm; Love Island: Aftersun returns the following Sunday.
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The 20-year-old will join 11 other singletons in the infamous villa in Majorca (Picture: ITV)
The Love Island cast have now been confirmed meaning the countdown to the show of the summer has begun.
In one week, 12 singletons will arrive at the villa in Majorca in a quest for sun, love and fame.
Fans have been waiting for their weekly fix of gossip and rumours have been swirling around who will be taking part in the fifth season of the show.
ITV has just announced all the confirmed islanders. Or at least for round one – let’s not forget the new faces who will inevitably come along and stir up the plot (we’re looking at you, Megan Barton Hanson).
Here’s everything you need to know about Tommy Fury, one of seven guys heading inside the villa next month…
Tommy Fury age, height and who is his famous brother?
The new season will start on Monday 3 June and one of the male contestants, Tommy Fury, might look familiar to some viewers.
The 20-year-old heavyweight boxer was first linked to the show earlier this month and is the little brother of the famous heavyweight boxer Tyson ‘Gypsy King’ Fury, well-known for defeating the long-reigning world champion Wladimir Klitschko in 2015.
‘Going on this show is supposedly against everything he claimed to stand for,’ she said.
‘But clearly he’s a liar. All he is after is money and fame – he’s a fake and a phoney.’
Rumour has it Tommy has been offered £200,000 by Love Island producers to appear on the show.
He currently has 36,100 followers on Instagram, which is less than some of the other contestants but still likely to increase soon (as it has done for former contestants).
In his introduction, the boxer explains that women often approach him through his Instagram account, but he prefers meeting in person, and doesn’t like phones.
‘A lot of girls try to reach me through Instagram but I’m a real-life guy,’ Tommy’s said in his first official interview before heading inside the villa.
‘I’m not interested in phones or FaceTime, I like the real thing, you can never gauge someone over the phone.
‘Sit down over a drink or a meal and chat to them face-to-face, that’s the best way for me to date because that’s how you find out what type of person they really are.
When asked what he’s looking for, Tommy responded: ‘Blonde hair, blue eyes, good tan, gym girl…’
Tyson seems to believe his little brother will do just fine on his own; during an interview on Ariel Helwani’s MMA show, he said Tommy will be a ‘hit with the ladies’.
Who are the other Love Island contestants?
First up, the women: scientist Yewande Biala, surfer Lucie Donlan, beauty therapist Amber Gill, air hostess and cabin crew manager Amy Hart and pharmacist Anna Vakili.
As for the remaining men, it’s gym owner Anton Danyluk, catering company owner Joe Garratt, firefighter Michael Griffiths, aircraft engineer Callum Macleod, dancer Curtis Pritchard (brother of Strictly Come Dancing’s AJ Pritchard) and chef and semi-pro rugby player, Sherif Lanre.
There are five women and seven men entering the villa, which could mean there will likely be two more ladies joining the others very soon…
The Manchester lad is the younger brother of Tyson Fury, but doesn’t want to be known as that. Even though he mentioned he’s Tyson’s younger brother in his entrance interview.
When asked if he had any claims to fame, Tommy said: ‘It’s probably my brother, Tyson, but I’m my own man and I’ve said it throughout my boxing career. I don’t want to be labelled as his little brother, I’m my own man and I’m doing the best that I can do in life and that’s all I’m setting out to achieve.’
Tommy is Tyson’s little brother (Pictures: ITV/PA)
Another islander with a famous brother is Curtis Pritchard, whose sibling is twinkle-toed AJ from Strictly Come Dancing (who was, interestingly enough, previously linked to Caroline Flack).
Curtis, 23, said: ‘I would say my claim to fame is that I’m on Dancing With The Stars Ireland and AJ Pritchard from Strictly Come Dancing is my brother.’
And it’s not just the men name-dropping, as the girls are just as bad.
Curtis and AJ are both dancers (Picture: Instagram)
So far, Lucie Donlan takes the biscuit for her celeb connections – even dating a former islander.
The 21-year-old surfer dated Charlie Frederick from the class of 2018, admitting: ‘ We got together a few weeks after he came out of the villa.’
And the Newquay native almost hooked up with Joey Essex. She said: ‘I’ve spoken to Joey Essex on and off because I love his personality, it’s so funny. I was on a shoot and I was introduced to him, then he followed me on Instagram a few weeks later. We were talking about his dog because I love dogs and then we just said we should go on a date but it didn’t happen. Lookswise I wouldn’t go for that kind of look but I do like his personality.’
Lucie nearly dated Joey Essex (Picture: ITV)
Beauty therapist Amber Gill also has links to former islanders, with the 21-year-old saying: ‘I know a few of the former islanders from Newcastle, like Adam Collard and Ellie Brown.’
And finally, air hostess Amy Hart had a bit of a run-in with a One Direction member – much like series one islander Lauren Richardson, who was accused of having a fling with then-engaged Zayn Malik after taking a snap with him in Thailand.
Amy, 26, said: ‘I went on a night out once and Liam from One Direction was there. We were in the VIP bit and so was he and he walked past me and I smiled and he said “Hey, you alright? What’s your name?” He told us to come and sit in his booth and we had a picture together. ‘
Next thing Amy knew, she was getting hate on the internet after the picture was shared on One Direction fansites, with people believing she was dating Liam.
These five islanders join Yewande Biala, 23, Anna Vakili, 28, Anton Danyluk, 24, Joe Garratt, 22, Michael Griffiths, 27, Sherif Lanre, 20, and Callum Macleod, 28, as the first set of hotties looking for love in the villa.
Love Island begins on ITV2 on 3 May.
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Daredevil roller skating couple Rosie and Adam impressed with their dangerous Roman themed act and Amada felt it had a better ending than Game of Thrones.
We might be inclined to agree with her.
‘You were like Daenerys Targaryen on wheels!’ Amanda told the couple.
‘It was like Game of Thrones on skates, I loved it, except your ending was much better than the ending of Game of Thrones.’
Ant was immediately very worried about the ending being spoiled and warned her to quit.
Amanda Holden is a Game of Thrones fan (Picture: ITV)
She went on to call the act ‘terrifying and amazing’ and said they are ‘stars in the making’.
Simon Cowell told the pair: ‘You look like stars tonight.’
Tonight’s opening show also saw Ant and Dec blow viewers away with a cheesy musical number and even announce Alesha Dixon’s pregnancy.
Just one more week stands between one act and the series title, bringing with it a £250,000 prize as well as the chance to perform for the Queen and the Royal Family at this year’s Royal Variety Performance.
Britain’s Got Talent live shows air every day this week at 7.30pm on ITV.
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The 20-year-old will join 11 other singletons in the infamous villa in Mallorca (Picture: ITV)
Love Island 2019 is almost here with a host of new singles about to head to Mallorca for another summer of drama and dates.
12 islanders are about to enter the villa and one of them is 20-year-old Tommy Fury from Manchester who just so happens to be the younger brother of boxing champion Tyson Fury but he refuses to be defined as his little bro.
‘I’m my own man and I’ve said it throughout my whole boxing career,’ Tommy said in his official ITV interview for this year’s series.
‘I don’t want to be labelled as his little brother, I’m my own man and I’m doing the best that I can do in life and that’s all I’m setting out to achieve.’
Boxer Tyson, 30, revealed that his half-brother is heading to Mallorca earlier this week.
Tommy says he’s keen to make friends as well as find love on the show.
Tommy Fury, the brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury (Picture: PA)
‘I won’t be afraid to go and have a splash about in the pool, I’ll mingle with people and find out about everyone because at the end of the day I’ll be living with these people for a long time so it’ll be nice to see if I have a bromance in there, along with a relationship,’ he said
‘It’s nice to be a bit standoutish.’
In terms of what he’s looking for in a partner, Tommy likes a ‘blonde hair, blue eyed, good tan, gym girl’.
‘But clearly, he’s a liar. All he is after is money and fame – he’s a fake and a phoney,’ she told the Star on Sunday.
Sources close to the show have revealed that Casa Amor is set to return to the series, but will be used to spice up the contestants’ relationships rather than hindering them.
Love Island returns to ITV2 on Monday 3rd June at 9pm. Love Island: Aftersun returns the following Sunday.
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Not only did ex-police officer Dave and Finn bring the magic, they also brought a few pals along too in the form of six adorable puppies.
The four-month-old pups are all in training to become fully fledged police dogs themselves one day, and they caught not only our hearts but Simon’s too.
When the youngsters were brought on stage Simon pushed out his bottom lip in a show of emotion and could be heard saying off-camera: ‘oh my god, those dogs!’
The puppies were part of Dave and Finn’s mind-reading trick in which they got the judges to choose six random letters which were eventually revealed to be emblazoned across their coats.
For an extra dose of the wow factor, the puppies were then rearranged so their doggy jackets spelled out ‘future’, with Dave pronouncing the dogs as the future of the police force.
Finn and his extra special guests were given a standing ovation from the judging panel, with David Walliams telling Dave the magic was all well and good but he could have just brought out the puppies and won the same reaction.
Simon nearly went when the pups were brought on stage (Picture: ITV)
So cuuuuute (Picture: ITV)
The puppies were all around four months old (Picture: ITV)
Simon was bowled over by Finn’s mind reading skills: ‘A magic heroic dog and a magic heroic owner. I mean it was just fantastic’.
He went on to reminisce about the act’s first audition, which saw Simon really get into his feels, saying: ‘Your audition was one of my favourite ever auditions.
‘When I watched it back – it was emotional on the night but when I saw it back – what all of you guys do is remarkable and good for you.
‘It was a great, great magic act. Congratulations.’
Dave and Finn ended up winning the first live show, with Dave humbly saying: ‘It’s much more about [the dogs] than it is about me.’
Britain’s Got Talent live shows air every day this week at 7.30pm on ITV.
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![This image is strictly embargoed until 21.45 Monday 27th May 2019 From ITV Studios Love Island: SR5 on ITV2 Pictured: Curtis Pritchard. This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052](http://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/SEI_69816973.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=683)
![This image is strictly embargoed until 21.45 Monday 27th May 2019 From ITV Studios Love Island: SR5 on ITV2 Pictured: [Back row] Curtis Pritchard, Amy Hart, Joe Garratt, Yewande Biala, Anton Danyluk, Lucie Donlan, Anna Vikali, Amber Gill and Tommy Fury. [Front row] Michael Griffiths, Sharif Lanre and Callum Macleod. This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052](http://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/SEI_69817018.jpg?quality=90&strip=all)
