Rebel will host a show called Pooch Perfect (Picture: Getty)
Rebel Wilson will host an Australian reality competition which will pit ten professional dog stylists against each other as they compete in themed challenges.
Yep, you read that right.
Called Pooch Perfect, the show will air on Australia’s Network Seven and will see the ten competition hopefuls transform their beloved pets in accordance with each week’s theme.
Ten competition hopefuls will transform their pets in accordance with each week’s theme (Picture: Getty)
‘My childhood was full of weekend adventures at dog shows all around Australia and my family had a business selling pet products out of a caravan — such as leads, treats and the best dog styling equipment available,’ said Rebel.
‘This show with Seven is going to be a ton of fun and showcase some amazing dogs and dog lovers. Technically I’m allergic to dogs though … so hopefully they can edit around my sneezing.’
Seven’s Director of Network Programming Angus Ross added: ‘Rebel has a fantastic energy, great timing, the sharpest wit and like many Australians, she loves dogs. With her passion, humour and insight, she’s a great host for this entertaining and heart-warming series.’
Rebel will next be seen on screen in Taika Waititi’s Nazi comedy JoJo Rabbit, and the Tom Hooper-directed adaptation of Cats, also starring Taylor Swift, Idris Elba and Judi Dench.
One of the joys of live television is on-screen blunders, and Holly Willoughby made a rather big first slip up on This Morning when she confused the show for Dancing On Ice.
Holly revealed: ‘I remember a very early one because we were doing Dancing On Ice at the same time and we came back from the ad break and instead of saying, “Welcome back to This Morning”, I said, “Welcome back to Dancing on Ice.”‘
Co-star Phil poked fun at her mishap in a throwback clip of the hilarious moment, and said: ‘When have you ever stood on Dancing On Ice with an egg on top of a bottle?
‘Come on, that should have been a giveaway of which show we’re doing.’
Holly Willoughby accidentally confused This Morning and Dancing On Ice (Picture: ITV)
‘Baby brain is really kicking in,’ Holly, who was pregnant with her second child Belle at the time, admitted.
Talking about their blunders, Phil added: ‘There have been so many because it’s such a relaxed studio and that’s when you can forget you’re on the telly, which makes you both laugh.
Holly and Phil also present Dancing On Ice and have done since 2006 (Picture: Rex)
‘What’s lovely is that we’ve got the same sense of humour, it works at the same speed, we find the same things funny and so we’re always very happy to laugh at each other’s mistakes.’
Phil said that animals guests always provide entertainment too, saying: ‘Practically every animal that walks into the studio poos on the floor! It happens all the time. Holly is quite nervous about bigger animals.
‘I can’t remember what the bird was, but it was quite a large bird that started flapping but that made Holly quite nervous.
‘She has at times grabbed me and pushed me in between her and the animal, like a human shield.’
This Morning airs weekdays at 10.30am on ITV.
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‘I couldn’t fit everything in just scheduling,’ explained SuBo. ‘I would have done it but it’s just the way things were.’
Although, it’s probably for the best as Britain’s Got Talent stars have been a flop thus far, with none of the home-grown talent making it to the finale.
Susan Boyle is still slaying 10 years after her BGT audition (Picture: NBC)
Paul, Ashleigh and Sully and Connie Talbot all failed to advance in the first episode of the series, being beaten by Ukraine’s Got Talent star Kseniya Simonova and Bello and Annaliese making it through.
This week the Wild Horses hitmaker admitted she felt like a ‘freak show’ at the height of her fame. The singer has Asperger’s syndrome and was cruelly mocked, with many people laughing at her ‘frumpy’ look.
She explained: ‘When, eventually, it was my turn, I was nervous as hell, but I didn’t want to show my nerves, so I sort of stomped on stage. It was far from graceful, but I tried to have fun and even gave them what was coined the Susan Boyle wiggle.
‘Everyone was laughing at me; they wondered who this daft woman with the crazy hair was… and I had made a bad choice in clothes, so no-one had high expectations. ‘They thought I was a joke… and then I started to sing.’
Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions continues this Saturday at 8pm on ITV.
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Vikings star Katheryn Winnick has announced her next project (Picture:Rex/Instagram/katherynwinnick)
She may be most well-known for playing a fearsome Viking warrior in the hit History Channel drama, but Katheryn Winnick is getting ready to face down assassins in her newest role.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s the newest Liam Neeson-fronted action thriller! And the Taken star’s newest flick, The Minutemen has found two new cast members.
The Canadian actress, who stars as the fearsome Lagertha in Vikings, and Narcos’ Juan Pablo Raba are joining the movie, which follows the exploits of a rancher (Neeson) who has to defend a young Mexican boy from a cartel of assassins.
Raba will play the leader of the cartel, whilst Winnick’s role is under wraps for now.
The Minutemen, which is directed by American Sniper’s Robert Lorenz, is gearing up to start shooting next week, with locations including both New Mexico and Ohio.
The Wu Assassins star has already previously teased us with details of her new role, following confirmation that her time as a Viking warrior is up, as the acclaimed historical drama prepares to drop its last ever season.
Vikings is getting ready to launch its sixth and final season later this year (Picture: Bernard Walsh)
Many fans believe that 20 new episodes of the drama will be included in its final season when it starts this Autumn, in which Winnick’s Lagertha is set to become a grandmother for the first time.
The first five series of Vikings are available to stream now on Amazon Prime Video.
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The main lesson I have learned is to never watch this show when you’re hungry (Picture: C4/Love Productions/Mark Bourdillon/PA Wire)
The main lesson we have learned from the Great British Bake Off tent over the last two weeks is that a pretty cake can’t beat a well-baked one.
The main lesson I have learned is to never watch this show when you’re hungry!
It was a baptism of fire for the new batch of Bake Off contestants last week, with forgotten timers, chopped fingers (not quite sure how Michael is going to make it through at this rate!), a couple of blue gloves already making an appearance, tray-fanned bakes and a collapsed sugar house.
Fortunately, it seems that by the second week they were less of a danger to themselves and to their biscuits. Although the fact that Alice is having nightmarish dreams about the tent proves that the contestants are definitely feeling the pressure – in true Bake Off spirit.
I remember I found biscuit week to be an interesting one. I had doubts days before, convinced I was going home – not because I knew I’d perform badly, but rather thinking I Iacked the creativity and precision to form standing structures out of biscuit.
It was too late to back down from the challenge. My name and face was out there.
The first challenge was hot – literally – I served up a lime and chilli motorbike biscuit that went down a treat.
My confidence was through the roof but was quickly numbed after I failed badly at the Viennese whirls technical challenge. It’s something I’d made countless times before for bake sales.
It goes to show the Bake Off curse exists. Bakers, if you’re ever asked if you’ve baked a recipe before, JUST SAY NO. Don’t shoot yourself in the foot.
Fortunately my showstopper was a miracle in disguise. I delivered a gingerbread church with stained glass windows, notice board and a mini biscuit garden (my saviour). My confidence was back, self doubt non-existent. Hallelujah.
For this year’s bakers, biscuit week was full of creativity, humour and tension.
Although I am still wondering what Phil meant when he confessed that his wife was a ‘biscuit freak.’
As we get to know the contestants, I’m loving finding out more about their personalities.
From the beginning of the second episode the icing was on the biscuit (the baking equivalent of the writing is on the wall….) for Jamie (Picture: WENN/CHannel 4)
I’m a fan of Alice’s teaching method, using cake to help explain her subject to the class. I certainly would have paid more attention if cake had been in the classroom.
Helena’s Halloween themed treats continue to surprise and it’s certainly the first time I’ve ever been tempted by a chocolate tarantula.
Michael introducing gin icing into my life is a win all round; a genius move to win over any audience.
And the Bake Off team spirit is evident once again as well, with Rosie offering Michael a helping hand in counting his fig rolls (not a euphemism).
I loved last week’s challenge of ‘birthday cake you dreamed of as a kid’. Mine would have been a super-sized Colin the Caterpillar but Alice in Wonderland style, with a different flavour for each section.
I would have made a biscuity version of Colin too, fitting in perfectly with all the animals that made an appearance in week two’s showstopper.
The two big themes of this year’s series seem to be animals and granny’s recipes. Oldies showing the youth how to bake continues!
Another more senior figure, Paul’s dad, was the one setting the bar high for his favourite fig rolls. Although I’m slightly disappointed he didn’t make an appearance to test them – Paul Hollywood senior sounds like he would be an intimidating judge.
We’ve also seen ‘The Rise of the Ginger.’ It’s like Andrew ‘ginger’ Smyth from 2016 put on an invisible cloak, snuck into the tent this year and whispered ‘add more ginger’ to the bakers during this technical bake. Either that or the judges have weak appetite for spice. Who knows!
What I do know is that Paul is sounding increasingly like Serge from Beverly Hills Cop when he delivers his little pre-bake speeches – very sassy.
Regardless, his words seem to be falling on deaf ears for now though, as we’ve had our fair share of underbaked and overbaked cakes and biscuits.
Even though he failed in the accuracy department with that fruitcake, I was a bit surprised at Dan leaving at the end of week one. But from the beginning of the second episode the icing was on the biscuit (the baking equivalent of the writing is on the wall….) for Jamie.
Alice and Rosie have had a cracking week, and the rest of the bakers seem to be finding their feet.
Selasi’s episode recap:
Bake Off drinking game: Every time Paul says ‘rubbery’
Favourite euphemism so far: Furry garden
Criticism comes in C’s: Clumsy, Claggy, Crumbly
Most stylish: Henry – a man ready to win or lose as long as it’s in style.
Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Andrew Scott reunite at GQ Men of Year Awards 2019 (Picture:David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Fleabag’s creator, writer, and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge was there to support Andrew Scott as he scooped up an honour for his performance in the hit comedy as the Hot Priest at the GQ Men of the Year Awards 2019 last night.
Fleabag’s second (and possibly final) series aired to critical acclaim earlier this year, and following on from the series’ 11 Emmy nominations, there was more to celebrate for Phoebe at last night’s star-studded bash.
Andrew found his breakthrough role as the Hot Priest, possibly the only person (apart from the audience) to really understand Fleabag. He rightly won huge praise for the role, and last night won the Hugo Boss Standout Performance Award, which his Fleabag co-star and newest Bond scribe presented to him.
After the ceremony, Fleabag and her vicar were beaming for the cameras after Andrew’s big win. The 42-year-old has recently said that he would be up for returning to the role in a potential third run of episodes.
There were warm words all around for this year’s hottest TV commodity, Australian actress Nicole Kidman even called the Ealing comic’s creation ‘mind-blowing’.
Also in attendance at last night’s ceremony were Prince Charles, David Beckham, Dua Lipa and Rita Ora, who presented the Hugo Boss Most Stylish Man Award to Marvel’s newest hero Richard Madden.
Waller-Bridge also bumped into David Beckham at last night’s star-studded ceremony, love interest for series 3 anyone? (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Phoebe hasn’t exactly left the world of Fleabag behind yet, though, despite claiming that she won’t be interested in reviving the TV series until she’s at least 50.A Fleabag book, containing all the scripts for the dark-comedy, will be published in November.
And the original one-woman play, which the acclaimed show is based on, is starting its final run of performances in London’s Wyndham Theatre, running until September 14th.
Fleabag series one and two are now available to stream on BBC iPlayer or via Amazon Prime.
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Holly admits she used to be ‘intimidated’ of fashion (Picture: REX)
It might be hard to believe but TV’s favourite dynamic duo, Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, are celebrating 10 years of gracing our screens as hosts of This Morning.
And it’s even more of a surprise how much Holly’s style has transformed right before our eyes – and you may not even have noticed.
Holly and Schof hosted their first episode of the ITV morning show on 5 September 2009 and, it’s safe to say, Holly had a completely different look back then.
While Phil’s trademark of smart shirts and trousers has remained, Holly’s style has evolved drastically over the past decade from smart and conservative to chic and trendy.
During that time, Holly’s also had three pregnancies to work around her style – the presenter shares children Harry, 10, Belle, eight, and Chester, four, with her husband Dan Baldwin.
As Holly and Phil reminisce on all the good times from the last 10 years, we take a look back at how Holly became one of British TV’s most beloved style icons.
Conservative and comfortable
In the early days, Holly’s style was much more straight and smart than the trendier outfits she sports in 2019.
Back in 2009, the 38-year-old typically chose smart dresses with long sleeves and knee-lengths skirts.
The way they were (Picture: ITV)
Holly’s style was much more conservative in the early days of This Morning (Picture: Rex Features)
The TV star used to favour long-sleeved dresses (Picture: Rex Features)
Holly’s style loosened up gradually over the years (Picture: Rex Features)
A little lace to jazz things up (Picture: Rex Features)
Compared to today, the colours were much less adventurous with black, deep greens and blues with the occasional bold red or lace patterns.
And it’s understandable that Holly would want to play it safe to begin with in her new role fronting one of the biggest shows on TV.
Reflecting on her changing style in 2017, Holly admitted to being ‘intimidated’ by fashion earlier in her career.
Speaking to Hello! magazine at the time, the TV star said: ‘It’s really weird. I like clothes – I’ve gone through a sort of rollercoaster with fashion really because I find fashion quite scary. I used to be quite intimidated by it.
‘But yeah, I’ve got more into it and I think as I’ve got older I’ve got used to what does work and what doesn’t. I’ve also gotten a bit braver as well about trying different things.’
Bold and beautiful
Since giving birth to her youngest child in 2014, Holly’s become way more experimental with her looks.
Gradually over the years, she’s loosened up and stepped away from the conservative outfits to play with brighter colours and bolder prints.
These days, going through her Instagram feed alone is enough to give anyone style envy.
A pregnancy look from Holly (Picture: Rex Features)
Bold colours began to enter Holly’s wardrobe as the years went on (Picture: Rex Features)
Holly was always preened to perfection (Picture: Rex Features)
She’s like a new woman (Picture: Rex Features)
Holly credits her glam squad for her new look (Picture: Rex Features)
Keep slaying Holly (Picture: Rex Features)
Praising her glam squad for her trendier fashion sense, Holly told the magazine: ‘I’ve got a really wonderful glam team who I’ve worked with for a long time now. I listen to literally everything they say.
‘Angie has helped me step out of my comfort zone a million times and given me the confidence to be a bit braver with stuff.’
Holly’s revamped style has also been evident in her most recent campaigns with Marks & Spencer, whom she has collaborated with on five collections.
In keeping with her own new look, Holly’s 2018 collection featured khaki jumpsuits and barely-there sandals.
Holly’s come a long way since 2009 and is totally slaying her looks giving our morning screens a breath of fresh air.
Here’s to another 10 Holly and Phil!
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Simon Cowell takes a picture at the Americas Got Talent second live semi-final (Picture: Splash News)
It was the last of two live America’s Got Talent semi-finals last night, and Simon Cowell was in a playful mood arriving for the broadcast.
The music mogul must be pretty used to having his picture taken by now, but that didn’t stop him from trying to have a little fun as he arrived on the red carpet for the second of America’s Got Talent’s live semi-finals.
The British judge – who juggles duties on the Got Talent panels on both sides of the Atlantic – grabbed a camera in an attempt to take a few snaps for himself…even though he had to be shown how to use it.
Simon seemed a natural on the other side of the camera (Picture: Splash News)
It was back to work for the father-of-one, however, after some photo-based frivolity as 11 acts took to the stage last night at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, all vying for a coveted place in the America’s Got Talent final in two weeks time.
Among the acts performing were magician Eric Chien, 11-year-old violinist Tyler Butler-Figueroa (who earned Cowell’s Golden Buzzer during auditions) and Kodi Lee, a singer who is both blind and autistic.
Although the eventual winner of America’s Got Talent will not get to perform at the Royal Variety Show like their British counterpart, they will get a cash prize of $1 million.
Perhaps another career path for the music mogul? (Picture: Splash News)
Former winners from across the pond include prodigious singer Grace VanderWaal and last year’s winner, magician Shin Lim.
America’s Got Talent airs in the US on NBC and streams on Netflix in the UK. Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions airs its second episode this Saturday on ITV.
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Is Iron Man going to be back on screens sooner than we thought? (Picture: Marvel)
Five months after Avengers star Tony Stark sacrificed himself for the greater good, Marvel sources have claimed he is preparing to return as Iron Man once more.
Say what?
With the Marvel Cinematic Universe entering phase four with the likes of Black Panther and Captain Marvel, the old guard hung up their shields and suits at the end of Endgame.
But the upcoming launch of new streaming service Disney+ will allow for more Marvel stories to be told, and it has been reported that Downey Jr will return as Tony once more in a voiceover capacity for new series Ironheart.
Ironheart continues Tony’s legacy in the comics (Picture: Marvel)
Ironheart was first introduced in 2016 although received heavy criticism for the inaccurate portrayal of a typical black female teenager and the lack of black female writers on staff for the character.
Eve Ewing took over in 2018 when Marvel launched a standalone comic for Ironheart.
Perhaps in the biggest sign that this could move forward, in mid-2019 Ewing introduced Downey Jr at a gala leading to the actor giving his approval for Ironheart to join the MCU as Iron Man’s replacement.
Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Downey Jr for comment.
John Simm, (presumably) not in his GoT costume (Picture: The Chris Evans Virgin Radio Breakfast show with Sky / HBO)
From Life on Mars to Life on Westeros, John Simm will soon be seen starring in the Game of Thrones prequel series – although for how long is anyone’s guess.
The spin-off will chronicle ‘the world’s descent from the golden Age Of Heroes into its darkest hour’, a brief synopsis from HBO promised earlier this year.
‘And only one thing is for sure: from the horrifying secrets of Westeros’s history to the true origin of the white walkers, the mysteries of the East to the Starks of legend… it’s not the story we think we know.’
Naomi Watts will be fronting the prequel series in a mystery role (Picture: Backgrid)
The Life on Mars actor was very keen not to give too much away, but Simm did shed a little light about the kind of preparation he had to undertake for the role.
‘I do know when I got [the part] I had to watch all episodes of Game of Thrones… in about a month,’ Simm said.
John Simm: professional GoT secret-keeper (Picture: JB Lacroix/WireImage)
Pressed by host Chris Evans for any more details, Simm only let slip that his costume was ‘really cool’ and that the prequel series is set ‘about a thousand years before’ the original GoT.
‘So I’m just in the pilot!’ he said before they joked that, should he give away any more details before the pilot premiere, he’d likely be killed off.
‘You will see my decapitated head in episode two!’
As we all know, Game of Thrones isn’t the most sympathetic show when it comes to keeping its characters alive – so Simm could very well see his time on the show curtailed before he knows it.
Game Of Thrones: Bloodmoon has yet to be given a release date by HBO, but it is expected to arrive in 2020.
The Chris Evans Virgin Radio Breakfast show with Sky can be heard weekdays from 6:30am.
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Love Island’s Maura Higgins and Curtis Pritchard shared their first interview together since leaving the villa earlier this summer.
And while appearing on This Morning, it seems Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were keen to speed up their relationship.
When confessing they were yet to go official, Schofe begged Curtis to ask Maura to be his girlfriend live on air – and it was all kinds of awkward.
Forced to defend his sexuality once again, the professional dancer said: ‘I think it’s 2019 no one needs to label anything, it’s ridiculous.
‘My goal in life is to be happy and this girl here makes me happy, and everything is perfect right now.’
Love Island’s Maura and Curtis face awkward This Morning interview (Picture: ITV)
Holly and Phil asked them to go official live on air (Picture: ITV)
Maura smiled: ‘I’m happy too, so I’m happy that he’s happy.’
Phil then chimed in: ‘So just be boyfriend and girlfriend then?’
Not knowing how to react to the statement, Curtis squirmed: ‘I feel like you want me to ask her here and now.’
And the presenter wasn’t one to hold back, as he confessed: ‘Just do it! Of course we do.’
The pair said they’re happy with their relationship (Picture: GC Images)
Holly had her say, adding: ‘We have loved watching you and I think we have watched it flourish and of course naturally, it’s like being a parent and we’re like, “oh take it to the next stage.”‘
Her co-host wasn’t giving up as he pressed: ‘Well if it was going to happen on any programme this is the show, this is the sofa, it’s our tenth anniversary tomorrow.
‘Come on, give us that!’
Curtis held onto Maura’s hand and joked with his girl: ‘Going through my head is, “should I ask her or should I not?” Well if Maura gets on tomorrow then…’
Curtis didn’t know what to say (Picture: ITV)
In one last attempt to get the popular couple to go official, Holly laughed: ‘Stay! Stay the night.’
Earlier on in the interview the pair had spoken about their relationship status, where they said they were keeping things ‘old fashioned’.
‘I’m really happy with how this is going, I haven’t asked Maura to be my girlfriend, and I’m not going to do it on TV it’s going to happen in private,’ Curtis affirmed.
‘It’s old fashioned, when you see someone and you’re with someone you don’t do that.’
Asked if they wanted to take it to the next stage, the dancer smiled: ‘I would like to,’ to which Maura replied: ‘Yeah of course!’
The reality stars first met in the Love Island villa this summer, and while rumours have circulated that they have since split, it seems they’re only going from strength to strength.
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Netflix has given us another glimpse of David Tennant in the upcoming series Criminal as the trailer has finally landed – and we’re mad about it already.
Not much is given away in the brief teaser as the dialogue is kept to a minimum, but as he’s seen again he David seems concerned and almost defeated as he’s put under the microscope.
It remains under wraps what exactly his character’s crime has committed.
Could it be the fact he’s wearing a blue pullover underneath a barber jacket?
David Tennant stars in the Netflix show Criminal (Picture: Netflix)
Criminal is a 12-part series that takes place entirely within the confines of a police interview suite across four different countries.
David serves as a guest star beside some huge names, including Marvel’s Hayley Atwell and Youssef Kerkou.
Criminal has been described as a cat-and-mouse drama (Picture: Netflix)
Meanwhile, Marcella’s Nicholas Pinnock is in the main cast with Hellboy’s Mark Stanley and Bodyguard star Shubham Saraf.
Criminal will look at police proceedings in the UK, France, Spain and Germany, with each episode telling a different story written and directed by the country’s finest talent and starring its biggest actors.
On top of that, each episode will be recorded in the country’s original language, with viewers from around the world able to dub the speech or use subtitles based on their viewing preferences.
David’s return to the detective drama genre comes six years after he originated the role of DI Alec Hardy in ITV’s Broadchurch and we can’t wait to see him in action.
Criminal arrives Friday 20th September on Netflix.
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Former DUP Health Minister Jim Wells was gifted with a platform to tell viewers that people shouldn’t be visibly gay on TV ‘before the 9pm watershed’. He told Morgan and bemused co-star Susanna Reid that ‘young children’ should not be ‘challenged’ with the sight of two women or two men forcing a smile when Craig Revel-Horwood awards them a four or dressing as glittery skeletons for Halloween Week.
I won’t amplify the full extent of Wells’ rant here – firstly because it’s reached enough people already, and secondly because it barely makes any sense (there was one point at which he claimed Blind Date went ‘down the plughole’ because ‘homosexuals and lesbians’ were included, which is… just wild).
But as Morgan and Reid challenged him – with Piers brandishing him a ‘bigoted dinosaur’, the nation’s LGBTQ+ people were forced to accept that if and when the BBC does introduce same-sex pairings to Strictly, we should brace ourselves for more exhausting debates about the appropriateness of our existence.
And the thing is, there really isn’t any cause for debate in the first place. Not really. There’s no reason why contestants shouldn’t dance with people of their own sex; at least not one that doesn’t ultimately boil down to ‘I just don’t like the gays.’
For one thing, it’s already been done (albeit non-competitively): in 2018, a professional routine on a Sunday results episode included same-sex pairings and was just as exciting and dynamic as any other ensemble number of its kind; perhaps more so.
‘But wait!’, bigots masquerading as dance aficionados exclaim. ‘Ballroom is for a man and a woman! It’s Adam and Eve, not Adam and Aljaz!’.
I asked dance expert Marianka Swain – who writes popular technical deep-dives into each Strictly performance for Dancing Times – if that argument holds any weight, and she said: ‘Not at all. There’s a thriving international same-sex ballroom scene that proves otherwise, with many dancers at an impressive technical level.
‘Ballroom is based on how you hold your body, move to music and connect with a partner – regardless of gender, size, age or any other distinction. It’s two bodies moving as one.
‘There are some particular moves (like lifts) where it might help for the follower to be smaller than the leader, but even that’s not an issue with good technique and cooperation – plus the follower can always lift the leader, as Lisa Riley did on Strictly!’
The UK wouldn’t be the first territory to broaden its inclusivity in this way: drag queen Courtney Act was a real viewer favourite when they took part on the Australian version earlier this year, paired with (male) pro Josh Keefe.
Their clever Tango to Joe Jackson’s ‘Real Men’, in which the drag was gradually taken away, was awarded what was (at the time) the highest judges’ score of the season; and an incredibly powerful Foxtrot/Tango to a version of Britney Spears’ ‘Toxic’ made history as Courtney danced as the male-presenting Shane Jenek for the whole routine.
Drag queen Courtney Act was a real viewer favourite when they took part on the Australian version earlier this year (Picture: TEN)
They went on to make the final and finish in second place.
Support for this country to follow suit does seem to be growing among both ardent fans and casual viewers. Mark Siddall, who won the Strictly SuperFan Quiz on spin-off show It Takes Two, told me: ‘Strictly is already an inclusive entertainment spectacle, but it would be amazing to see a same-sex couple competing on the show – as long as it’s something that both the celebrity and professional are comfortable with, and as long as the same standards of technique and judging are applied.’
Swain agreed: ‘If Strictly is looking for new ways to engage viewers, I would much rather see it evolve in aspects like openness to same-sex pairings rather than, for example, piling on more props and themes that distract from the actual dances.
‘Same-sex dance equals more creativity: you can swap lead, rather than having a set leader and follower throughout; challenge some of the traditional gender binaries of ballroom to explore different relationships and tell new stories. For the pro dancers, they can explore their own artistry through more varied choreography.’
Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? And again, I’m not naïve enough to forget that, if and when a same-sex pairing is announced, we’ll have people like Jim Wells back on daytime TV, blustering about political correctness going mad and LGBTQ+ people being inappropriate for the young.
With depressing TV discussions on equality education still being green-lit, and trans issues being used to bait bigots for ratings and social media engagement on a regular basis, we’re certainly tired of seeing the relevance of our existence – sorry, ‘lifestyles’ – being argued against.
But inclusivity is important. Normalising queer people is important. Allowing queer people to be queer on the nation’s biggest TV show is important.
Homophobes will claim it’s all about pushing an ‘agenda’, and they’d be absolutely right: it involves combating homophobia, helping LGBTQ+ people feel represented, and allowing queer contestants to be their most authentic selves.
Plus, let’s be real: Strictly is already one of the campest shows on the box. At this point it’s more distracting that there aren’t any same-sex pairings. 2020 must be the year.
There are no hard feelings between Rylan Clark-Neal and Ainsley Harriott over Ready, Steady, Cook (Picture: BBC/PA)
Rylan Clark-Neal has publicly thanked Ainsley Harriott for his support following confirmation that he will take over his presenting spot on the Ready, Steady, Cook reboot.
The chef has been a good sport following the announcement news last night, with Rylan telling his Twitter followers: ‘Want to say the biggest thank you to @AinsleyFoods. Had a lovely chat earlier this week and appreciate your kind words.
‘Suzy salt will never love me as much as she did you but I’ll try my luck with Percy pepper. Can’t wait to watch your new show also.’
Ainsley revealed his joy at Ready, Steady, Cook’s return and wished the new team the best of luck.
Ainsley Harriott presented Ready, Steady, Cook for 16 years (Picture: PA)
‘Great to hear that @BBCOne is bringing back #ReadySteadyCook! Really proud we made a classic show and I wish the new team all the best with the new version,’ he wrote.
The new series of Ready, Steady, Cook will put a new generation of chefs through their paces, with Mike Reid, Romy Gill, Akis Petretzikis, Ellis Barrie and Anna Haugh all signed up to compete.
The show will reflect contemporary food themes, from cooking on a budget to eating healthily and managing food waste.
‘I’m so excited that Ready Steady Cook is finally coming back to our screens,’ Rylan enthused.
‘To be asked to host such an amazing show for the BBC is such a privilege. After making the finals of Celebrity MasterChef I know how tough cooking under pressure can be.’
He added: ‘I’m sure that the mix of new challenges, fantastic chefs and enthusiastic cooks will be a recipe for success, maybe with the odd disaster! I can’t wait to get in the kitchen!’
Ready Steady Cook will air in 2020 on BBC One.
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Holly Willoughby almost fled the This Morning studio when a skunk appeared to get ready to spray live on air.
The host was talking about the time she first met Storm the skunk two years ago, as she cradled the fluffball in her arms.
Asking about the ‘oily spray’ the mother-of-three said: ‘What makes them do that?’
To which the owner from Chessington Zoo replied: ‘If they get upset or scared, they will give you plenty of warning, they will put their tails right up and will bounce on their front feet if they’re getting ready to spray.’
And as if it was rehearsed, the skunk did just that.
Holly Willoughby almost flees This Morning studio (Picture: ITV)
The skunk was ‘braced and ready to fire’ (Picture: ITV)
Leaping into the air, Holly ran off into the corner as she squealed: ‘What’s happening, what’s happening? Is she about to go? Was she about to blow?’
Trying to calm both herself and the animal down, the 38-year-old gasped: ‘We’re happy, we’re so happy.’
Phillip couldn’t control his laughter as he burst into a fit of giggles watching Holly squirm over their adorable guest.
‘You are such a scaredy-cat,’ he taunted his buddy as she defended herself by saying: ‘You just saw with your own eyes what happened.’
Holly went and his behind the set (Picture: ITV)
The duo couldn’t stop laughing (Picture: ITV)
She laughed: ‘It went on it’s paws and it was braced and ready to fire!’
Schofe reaffirmed the fact that Storm had only sprayed twice in her life, to which Holly giggled: ‘Third time lucky – live on television is when it would happen!’
Stood at the end of their desk, Phil howled: ‘I’m here, right on target’.
Fans were quick to comment, and couldn’t help but laugh at the pair.
‘@hollywills on #ThisMorning with Storm the Skunk…utterly hilarious,’ one wrote, while another added: ‘@hollywills is actual tv gold she’s kills me her face was epic she was shook.’
Someone else commented: ‘Crying and CANNOT breathe at Phil and Holly on #ThisMorning with the skunk!!’
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Aaand binge (Picture: Jaap Arriens/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Netflix doesn’t really want you to lose your square eyes after all.
Earlier this week, binge-watchers the world over trembled in fear after rumours began to circulate that the streaming behemoth could be moving away from its previous policy of dropping an entire season’s worth of episodes on one day.
What kicked off the speculation was a little show by the name of The Great British Bake Off – or, as they know it in the US, The Great British Baking Show.
GBBO has been unintentionally ruffling feathers (Picture: Channel 4)
The current weekly release of Bake Off episodes on Netflix US mirrors the schedule we enjoy over here on Channel 4, with our weekly dose of baking keeping the competition alive and well throughout the season.
The weekly drop of episodes has also been taken up by Netflix’s upcoming hip-hop/rap talent competition show Rhythm + Flow, which will stagger the contents of its 10-episode season over a number of weeks.
Other Netflix shows such as My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman and Chelsea also do weekly roll-outs – but might the policy be extended to more Netflix original programming?
The Netflix US Twitter account moved to quell the speculation that the platform would be abandoning its drop-every-episode-at-once policy in the near future, insisting to one concerned subscriber ‘we’re not changing’.
So, yeah, panic over, everyone. Resume your binge-watching elsewhere in peace.
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And some of the regular faces on the show have been there all this time too – but just who were the original presenters of the show?
Here’s what you need to know…
Who were the original Loose Women presenters?
The first presenters on Loose Women were Nadia Sawalha and Kaye Adams, with Jane Moore and Karren Brady joining them on the panel.
Nadia fronted the show until 2002 – through its rebranding as Live Talk in 2000 before it became Loose Women again – before leaving after the birth of her first child.
Nadia Sawalha, pictured in 2000, was one of the original hosts (Picture: ITV)
Kaye Adams, meanwhile, remained on the show until 2006 before going on maternity leave.
Others who featured in the early years of Loose Women included Anne Diamond, Jenny Powell, Denise Welch, Lorraine Kelly, Tracy Shaw, Kate Garraway, Lynda Bellingham, Lauren Booth, Claire Sweeney, Sherrie Hewson and Kerry Katona.
Carol McGiffin and Sherrie Hewson came on board as series regulars from 2003, while Coleen Nolan – who had previously appeared as a guest panellist – became a regular in 2004.
Kerry Katona, Carol McGiffin, Kaye Adams, Sherrie Hewson and Claire Sweeney all appeared on the show in 2004 (Picture: ITV)
Meanwhile Andrea McLean, who holds the record for the most Loose women appearances – having been in 1,240 shows – didn’t actually join the series until 2007.
She shared the role of presenter with Carol Vorderman after the series underwent a revamp in 2011.
Are the original presenters still on the show?
They are indeed, with Nadia Sawalha rejoining the series in 2013, along with Kaye Adams, who returned in the same year.
The current crop of regular presenters and panellists includes Stacey Solomon, Jane Moore, Christine Lampard, Ruth Langsford, Janet Street Porter, Saira Khan and Penny Lancaster – with Brenda Edwards and Kelle Bryan having also joined as panellists this year.
When is Loose Women on?
The show airs weekdays on ITV at 12.30pm.
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Cara Delevingne has revealed she ate a dead rat while filming for Bear Grylls.
Yes, the supermodel really wasn’t living her best life when she was given the rodent’s carcass for lunch.
But as disgusting as it sounds, the 27-year-old couldn’t help but flaunt her ‘achievement’ when talking on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Discussing her time on the show, the actress said: ‘I did Bear Grylls recently, so much fun!
‘He came to my school when I was nine as he was one of the youngest people to have ever climbed Everest.’
Cara added: ‘I’m obsessed with him so when he asked me to do the show, I knew that whatever Bear asked me to do, I had to do it.
Cara Delevingne ate a dead rat while filming Bear Grylls (Picture: Backgrid)
‘And I ate a rat! I told you I would do anything!’
Fallon couldn’t believe what he had just heard, as he choked up: ‘You ate a rat? How could you though?’
Explaining how the situation came about, the guest laughed off the fact that her meal ‘wasn’t fresh’.
‘But the worst part was,’ she started: ‘We had just traversed down a hill and I saw this tail sticking out and I said: “Oh is that a rat?” And he was like: “Perfect, that’s our dinner!”’
She said it wasn’t fresh (Picture: Backgrid)
Pulling a face, she squirmed: ‘I was like: “Nooooo!” Because it was really, urgh, they don’t set it up at all.’
The megastar went on: ‘And it had been dead for, well it didn’t smell that bad but it wasn’t fresh, obviously.
‘He picked it up and went: “Oh you can put it in your bag because you don’t have a lot of stuff in there! Thank you!”’
Cara was on the show to promote her new Amazon Prime Video series Carnival Row, which she stars in alongside Orlando Bloom.
‘And just like fall in love with this project and really go for it.’
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Denise Welch has claimed that Prince Andrew spoke disrespectfully about the late Princess Diana only months after her death in 1997.
Speaking on Wednesday on Loose Women, Denise criticised the prince for his recent statement on Jeffrey Epstein, claiming he ‘made a conscious decision to remain friends’ with the disgraced financier despite knowing he had pleaded guilty to procuring an underage girl for prostitution.
The former Coronation Street actress then went on to tell a story that allegedly happened many years ago, claiming that he spoke badly about Diana.
‘I had dinner with Prince Andrew… and I was sat opposite a cricketer, and myself and this cricketer who I won’t name had made the decision not to mention Princess Diana because she has only recently died,’ said Denise.
‘I had never met her, but loved her so much.
‘Anyway, Prince Andrew was very keen to talk about her and he brought it up and started to say things that really really upset me.
‘Things that were, to me, very disrespectful about somebody he shouldn’t have been sharing this information with.’
Prince Andrew, left, with Princess Diana, right (Picture: Getty Images)
She continued: ‘Back in the day, I liked a vodka or two and all I can say is he got up to leave and put his hand on my husband’s shoulder and said: “rather you than me, Sir”.
‘[And it was] because I told him how I felt. I was very cross.’
Andrew and Diana in 1981 with Charles (Picture: Getty Images)
Her comments come as a series of public engagements for Prince Andrew have reportedly been cancelled amid the ongoing Epstein scandal.
One of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, claims she was forced to have sex with the duke on three occasions when she was 17.
The duke has strenuously denied the allegations made against him.
Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts, 17, in 2001 (Picture: Rex)
Organisers feared recent publicity surrounding the Duke of York’s relationship to the convicted sex offender would ‘change the narrative’ surrounding his visits.
According to Sky News, his invitation to events along the North Antrim coast in Northern Ireland has been withdrawn, with the decision to cancel the duke’s appearance was taken by the hosts, rather than the Royal Household.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Duke Of York’s office for comment.
Big Little Lies bosses are talking about a third season (Picture: HBO)
Nicole Kidman has confirmed that a third season of Big Little Lies is currently being explored – and obviously we couldn’t be happier about it.
The actress revealed she’d recently had a discussion with co-star Reese Witherspoon about returning to the hit HBO drama, which concluded its second series in June after a two-year hiatus, for another chapter.
Speaking to Dan Wooton on the red carpet at last night’s GQ Awards, Nicole realed: ‘Reese and I just spoke literally two days ago and we were going, “Yeah…”
‘I mean, we were both saying it’s one of the best experiences we’ve ever had. It’s definitely not right now, but we’re definitely exploring it.’
Does this mean we’ll learn about the Monterey Five’s fate now they’ve confessed their role in Perry’s death?
The second season landed in June (Picture: HBO)
Two months ago, HBO president Casey Bloys hinted to TVLine that season three might not be possible because of the cast’s busy schedules.
‘I love this group of people – I would do anything with them,’ he said. ‘But the reality is, they are some of the busiest actresses working in Hollywood.
‘We have deals with some of them – Nicole [Kidman] is doing her next show [The Undoing] with us. I just think it’s not realistic.’
They told Metro.co.uk in a statement: ‘There wouldn’t be a season two of Big Little Lies without Andrea Arnold.
‘We at HBO and the producers are extremely proud of her work. As with any television project, the executive producers work collaboratively on the series and we think the final product speaks for itself.’
All the cast returned for the show’s second outing, including Reese, Nicole, Shailene Woodley, Adam Scott, Zoe Kravitz, Laura Dern, along with newcomer Meryl Streep.
And with all characters surviving the grand finale, there’s scope for them to make a dramatic comeback.
Big Little Lies is available to stream on Sky Atlantic and NOWTV.
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