Maura Higgins and Michael Barrymore have been confirmed as the first celebrities to take to the rink for Dancing On Ice 2020.
Love Island star Maura’s name was unveiled on This Morning by Holly Willoughby and Phil Schofield.
‘I am up for the challenge, I am more excited than scared, I am brave and competitive and that will drive me,’ she said.
‘I need someone strict,’ she added of her partner before revealing she has only ‘skated once in my life for fun, so I’ve no experience at all’.
Maura was hiding in a snow globe (Picture: ITV)
They then confirmed Michael would also be lacing up his skates.
‘I’m delighted to say that I’ll be joining the Dancing on Ice line up for 2020. I’m looking forward to meeting Holly and Phil. I’m very excited…it’s performance time!’ added Michael who shared a video with the show.
The official social channels have been teasing fans with what stars are going to appear on the upcoming series.
Joe Swash and Diversity’s Perri Kiely look like the most likely contestants to also be named, while many fans guessed that H from Steps may also be announced.
There’s been no official start date confirmed for the 2020 series of Dancing on Ice.
‘I need someone strict,’ she added of her partner (Picture: ITV)
However, if previous seasons are anything to go by, we can expect the new season to start in early January.
This will be the 12th season of the hit show, after this year’s series saw former Strictly dancer James Jordan and his partner Alexandra Schauman crowned the winners.
‘I’m very excited…it’s performance time!’ said Michael (Picture: ITV)
Alongside Maura and Michael, one of the only things we know for sure is that Doctor Who alum John Barrowman will be replacing Jason Gardiner on the judging panel.
On the subject of taking the job, John, who previously competed on the show, said: ‘I am so excited to be returning to the Dancing On Ice family.
‘Unlike most I have been through the rigorous task of skating live as a contestant in the first series.
‘This is a thrilling adventure for me and I hope to bring a Fresh, Fun and Fab-u-lous angle to the judging panel.’
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She became a fan favourite for her fiery one-liners and no-nonsense advice, which she dished out to her fellow Islanders throughout the summer.
While the ice rink and dance floor are two completely different matters, Maura’s boyfriend Curtis is a professional dancer so lets hope he can teach the Irishwoman a trick or two.
Of all the Friends behind the scenes reveals, we’d never have expected one from Philip Schofield of all people.
The This Morning host revealed that during the show’s 10-year run he saw several episodes filmed and that ‘if the audience didn’t laugh as loudly as expected, they would rewrite the whole thing’.
‘Everyone would huddle around a table and you’d have members of the cast, Matthew Perry, who would jump in and join the writers so you could get a better laugh.
James Michael Tyler, who played Gunther, was on the show to celebrate Friends 25th anniversary and he added: ‘We were extremely fortunate to have talented writers at the top of their game.
‘And yes if you didn’t get the right response, because writers laugh at their own jokes, but if it didn’t land they’d huddle and five minutes later have an entirely different joke that landed.’
‘If it didn’t land they’d huddle and five minutes later have an entirely different joke that landed,’ said the Friends star (Picture: NBC)
James played Gunther, the manager of Central Perk in the 90s sitcom, and he first appeared in the 1994 episode The One With The Sonogram At The End.
He went on to become the show’s most frequent guest star, showing up in 148 of its 236 episodes – and making his mark thanks to his unrequited love for Jennifer Aniston’s character Rachel Green.
Matthew Perry as Chandler Bing, Jennifer Aniston as Rachel Green, David Schwimmer as Ross Geller, Courteney Cox as Monica Geller, Matt LeBlanc as Joey Tribbiani, Lisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay (Picture: Getty Images)
Although the show ended in 2004 James has continued to be a regular fixture when it comes to celebrating its various anniversaries.
He opened a Central Perk replica in London’s Carnaby Street to mark the show’s 15th anniversary in 2009, as well as appearing at a replica Central Perk in New York during 2014’s 20th anniversary celebrations.
Kelvin caused jaws to drop with his samba (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)
I adore Strictly Come Dancing. I love the sequins. I love the campness. I love the Charleston. I love seeing former politicians slide between the legs of Russian dancers to Gangnam Style. I love imagining what song I would do the jive to were I a celebrity (Fascination by Alphabeat, by the way).
I would love it even if the only good it did was put a smile on my face every Saturday. But this series more than ever is doing something else.
Week one of Strictly kicked off over the weekend, and brought us Michelle Visage dancing to Whitney Houston, Catherine Tyldesley threatening to vom during the Viennese Waltz and Saffron Barker somehow doing a tango to Meghan Trainor. But it was the men who really stood out – particularly one Kelvin Fletcher, who sparked a major thirst epidemic across the nation.
The Emmerdale star was a late replacement for the injured Jamie Laing, so nobody was expecting much. But the moment he burst onto the dancefloor with Oti Mabuse for a carnival themed samba, I was gobsmacked. Kelvin shimmied, hip-rolled and gyrated all over the ballroom, dressed in a blue satin shirt and trousers so tight he must have been sewn into them.
The reaction was hysterical, with Kelvin and Oti getting a massive 32 from the judges and pretty much every viewer developing an epic crush. But it was Shirley Ballas’s critique that summed up why Kelvin’s samba was so incredible.
She said: ‘It’s very difficult for a man to be in touch with his feminine side, and you are in touch with yours. To be a great dancer, to be a great masculine dancer, you have to be in touch with your feminine side.’
Kelvin is not only an actor, but he is a racing driver in the British GT Championship. He is also a massive rugby league fan and, let’s face it, is ripped to shreds. He’s as stereotypically manly as you can get. But this macho man has thrown himself into hip rolls, booty shakes and Beyonce chest pumps as hard as possible, all while wearing the tightest costume in wardrobe.
He is proving that being masculine isn’t all about changing tires, chugging pints and liking football – although all of these things can be masculine too. Masculine men can dance, they can be soft, they can twerk, they can cry.
Karim has thrown himself into Strictly (Picture: PA)
And it’s not just Kelvin eschewing toxic masculinity on the Strictly dancefloor. CBBC’s Karim Zeroual was a ball of energy as he performed to Shawn Mendes, and has been all about the razzle dazzle ever since he signed up, saying before the show started: ‘I cannot wait for spandex, sequins galore, the widest flares I can have and the tallest Cuban heels.’
And then there’s Olympic hero James Cracknell. The rower admittedly came across rather wooden and nervous as he performed the tango on Saturday night, but again, Shirley made a great point in her critique.
She said: ‘I want to go to all the audience at home and I want the men sitting there to imagine in a short pace of time, how you got all those steps amalgamated together, you didn’t make any mistakes at all, you stayed in time to the music.
Shirley praised James for inspiring other men (Picture: PA)
‘It’s absolutely brilliant what you did, and I’m sure you have inspired so many men at home that would go out and find a dance studio if they could look like that in a short space of time.’
James may not be a natural mover, but he has left behind sport – a place that fosters toxic masculinity more than most – where he is extremely comfortable and at the top of his game and entered an arena that leaves him vulnerable and exposed. He may have struggled with his dance, but he’s not afraid of the sequins.
Strictly has always championed the many ways to be a man. Amongst the male professional dancers there are gay and straight men, but they all embrace both their feminine and masculine sides. For every hip roll and delicately placed hand, there’s a powerful lead and a strongman lift, and there’s not an ounce of ‘no homo’ crap that follows. Any young boy watching Strictly can see that yes, you can be ‘manly’ and do ballroom dancing, and be straight or gay or however you identify.
I know that Strictly isn’t all that serious – it’s a light entertainment show, and that’s why I love it. But it could be helping to dismantle toxic masculinity, one gyration at a time.
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Michael Barrymore is heading to the ice rink (Picture: Getty Images)
Michael Barrymore has been unveiled as the second celebrity taking to the rink for Dancing On Ice 2020.
The comedian and TV presenter was confirmed for the skating show on Tuesday’s This Morning, joining Love Islander Maura Higgins who was also revealed to be taking part.
‘I’m delighted to say that I’ll be joining the Dancing on Ice line up for 2020. ‘I’m looking forward to meeting Holly and Phil,’ Michael said.]
‘I’m very excited…it’s performance time!’
Here’s what you need to know about Michael.
How old is Michael Barrymore and how is he best known?
Michael’s identity was revealed after teasing clues on social media (Picture: ITV)
Michael, 67, was born on 4 May 1952 in Bermondsey, London.
He originally found fame on TV in the 80s and 90s, originally rising to prominence with his 1983 sketch show The Michael Barrymore Show.
Michael went on to become a household name as the host of game show Strike It Lucky, which began in 1986 and was watched by around 18m viewers at the height of its popularity.
He went on to front the shows My Kind Of People and My Kind Of Music, as well as appearing several times at the Royal Variety Performance and presenting the show Kids Say The Funniest Things.
Although Barrymore was initially arrested in relation to the death he was never charged with any offence relating to it, and later took action against Essex Police, accusing them of wrongful arrest.
Barrymore had a TV comeback in 2006 when he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, finishing second to Chantelle Houghton in the series.
He also appeared on The Jeremy Kyle Show in 2014, discussing his marriage to former wife Cheryl, his sexuality, and admitted to viewers he had been ‘clean’ for three years without alcohol or drugs.
The new series will begin in early 2020, although the start date has yet to be confirmed by ITV.
The show has been teasing its contestants with clues on its Instagram page, with more to be announced in due course.
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Carice Van Houten plays Melisandre in Game Of Thrones (Picture: HBO)
Carice Van Houten has offered her verdict on the Game Of Thrones finale, drawing parallels to the current political climate.
The 43-year-old actress, who played Melisandre on the HBO fantasy show, has spoken about her thoughts on the final episode – which has proved to be highly controversial since it aired in May earlier this year.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Carice explained how she was a big fan of the decision to eliminate the Iron Throne altogether.
‘I just love the fact that the whole throne was blown away,’ Carice said. ‘I really loved it, and also the randomness of talking about who’s going to be king.
‘The silliness of it was very smart. I thought, “This is what life is. Some dumbo can become president.
‘That’s the world we live in. We just sort of go, “Uh, that guy,” It was smart that it was just sort of silly. I really liked it, to be honest.’
Carice van Houten attended the Emmys 2019 (Picture: Phillip Faraone/WireImage,)
Interestingly, she also revealed how she improvised the resurrection scene of Jon Snow entirely, adding: ‘The whole revival, the resurrection of Jon Snow, I improvised the sh*t out of that.
‘Nobody saw it. I mean, I’m sure there’s a few people that said, “I knew what you were saying was wrong.” I’m sorry. But, you know, it was a tricky time. It was a long day, and I just didn’t know my lines.’
Game Of Thrones scored a huge 32 Emmy nominations for the final season, although it only walked away with two awards on the night in Best Drama Series and Best Supporting Actor for Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister.
Along with Game Of Thrones, Carice stars in new Sky series Temple alongside Mark Strong, Daniel Mays and Catherine McCormack.
The show – which sees a bunch of people living togther in a block of flats but communicating only via social media – has a few changes this year, with Emma Willis taking over as host where last year’s presenters Maya Jama and Alice Levine left off.
But just what is the show about and what time should you tune in?
Here’s what you need to know…
What is The Circle TV show about?
The Circle sees a group of strangers living together in a block of flats, the twist being that they don’t actually meet each other face-to-face.
Instead they communicate via a special social network called The Circle – a purpose-built, voice-activated social media site.
Zoe Ball and Norman Cook’s son Woody is among this year’s players (Picture: Channel 4)
Players can either play as themselves or create a different identity, depending on what they think will make them more popular with their fellow contestants.
They frequently rate one another, with the most unpopular people being ‘blocked’ and eliminated from the show – which is when they get to meet other players in person and reveal whether they played as themselves or were catfishing them all along.
The most popular player at the end of the season wins a cash prize.
A further twist in this year’s series will see Richard Madeley joining the line-up as a guest flatmate – with viewers getting to pick his profile.
What time is The Circle on Channel 4 tonight?
Emma Willis is taking over as the second series host (Picture: Channel 4)
The Circle kicks off on Channel 4 on Tuesday night at 9.15pm, right after the latest instalment of The Great British Bake Off.
Following the series premiere it’s on every night of the week except Saturdays, moving to the later time of 10pm.
The new series is also introducing a weekly live edition of the show, which will air on Friday nights.
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In turn, the BBC One has completely cleared tonight’s schedule to make way for rolling news, featuring a special presented by Andrew Neil following reactions to the historic decision.
Instead, The One Show will air on BBC Two with Fiona Bruce and actual James Bond George Lazenby scheduled to appear.
Reprimanding Boris’ prorogation of Parliament today, Supreme Court president Lady Hale said: ‘The effect on the fundamentals of democracy was extreme.
‘The decision to advise Her Majesty to prorogue Parliament was unlawful because it had the effect of frustrating or preventing the ability of Parliament to carry out its constitutional functions without reasonable justification.’
Naturally, Jeremy Corbyn relished in the outcome.
The Supreme Court ruled today that Boris’ suspension of Parliament was in deed unlawful (Picture: PA)
‘It shows that the Prime Minister has acted wrongly in shutting down Parliament,’ he said.
‘It demonstrates a contempt for democracy and an abuse of power by him and the Supreme Court therefore passes the baton to the speaker to recall Parliament.
‘I will be in touch immediately to demand that Parliament is recalled so we can question the Prime Minister and demand that he obeys the law.’
As it stands EastEnders and Holby City will be airing tonight as usual at 7.30pm and 8pm respectively.
The One Show airs tonight at 7pm on BBC Two and will return to its usual slot on BBC One tomorrow.
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Craig Revel Horwood took a swipe at Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton (Picture: Getty/Rex)
Craig Revel Horwood believes people were too sensitive over his ‘cruel’ joke about Strictly winners Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley.
The 54-year-old Strictly judge apologised earlier this month after suggesting dancers should ‘sleep with their partners’ following Kevin and Stacey’s romance since lifting the Glitterball trophy.
Despite the apology, Craig has since suggested this wasn’t entirely his choice – explaining how he thinks the joke was ‘quite funny’ looking back.
Asked about his apology to New magazine, Craig said: ‘Did I [say sorry] or was that the BBC?
‘Oh yes… I did. It was very grovel-ly – it doesn’t even sound like me. You’d think I’d done something really out of order.’
Asked his real take on the matter, Craig said: ‘My real take on it is that it’s the world we live in now. A jokey remark was treated like it was the start of World War Three.
Kevin and Stacey won Strictly last year (Picture: BBC)
‘I guess if some people are sensitive then they need the apology. So I just apologised, it’s quite simple.’
He added: ‘I thought it was quite funny but it wasn’t taken that way. You just don’t know how it’s going to be taken. It was a joke. It was just that simple – it was a joke.’
In his original apology, Craig said: ‘I’m deeply sorry for the offence caused to Kevin and Stacey and everyone who works on the show.
Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli (Picture: David Fisher/REX)
‘I recognise that what I said was hurtful, cruel and incredibly disrespectful. It was a huge error of judgement that I very much regret.’
Craig recently expressed how he’d rather quit the show than tone down his comments, saying: ‘It will never work darling, I’ve got too much of a big mouth.’
Strictly’s first live show of the latest series kicked off last week, seeing Kelvin Fletcher top the leaderboard after a storming samba with Oti Mabuse.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One Saturday at 6.40pm.
Michelle Visage has revealed that she’s made Strictly Come Dancing wardrobe requests to hide bits of her body ‘that have been C-sectioned.’
The RuPaul’s Drag Race star, who got her breast implants removed earlier this year, appeared on Loose Women with her professional partner Giovanni Pernice to lift the lid on the competition show after impressing audiences with her Cha-Cha-Cha over the weekend.
‘I have sent some images of what I would feel comfortable wearing,’ Michelle admitted. ‘After doing this for a long time, and I’m a woman of 51-years-old, I know what body parts have been C-sectioned and what haven’t, so I know what’s going to work better or not.’
She continued: ‘I request, but it’s really up to them and they have an incredible wardrobe team.’
We stan a queen who knows what she looks good in.
Michelle Visage and Giovann iPernice appeared on Loose Women today (Picture: ITV)
The duo impressed with their first dance over the weekend (Picture: PA)
Michelle also let loose that she believes she’s an underdog in this year’s competition.
Speaking with Saira Khan, Janet Street-Porter, Christine Lampard and Brendard Edwards, she confessed: ‘As an American, we’re always the underdog. Especially for those who aren’t familiar with my work.
‘Still, I feel like I’m an underdog because I don’t have the built-in audience like Anneka [Rice] would have, or someone who’s been on telly for a long time.’
She continued: ‘I don’t like to use the term underdog in a way, because I feel like we all have superpowers especially as women on this show. So I feel like it is what it is, and I will fight until the bitter end.’
This weekend, Michelle and Giovanni will be showing off their Vienesse waltz and honestly, we can’t wait.
Loose Women airs weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.
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Peaky Blinders fans convinced dead character will make epic comeback (Picture: BBC)
*Warning! This article contains Peaky Blinders spoilers from the get go.
Peaky Blinders season five left fans on a cliffhanger after the Shelby clan had been betrayed by a mysterious character.
Thomas (played by Cillian Murphy) had planned to take out Sir Oswald Mosley (played by Sam Claflin) however, his plan came to a head seeing two of his people killed in brutal scenes.
Before he was able to gun down his enemy, Barney (played by Cosmo Jarvis) met his tragic end when he was shot in the head.
Meanwhile Aberama Gold’s (played by Aidan Gillen) moustache was laid to rest – finally – as he was stabbed several times when waiting to have words with Jimmy McCavern (played by Brian Gleeson).
Remember Major Campbell? (Picture: BBC)
But as we watched Tommy’s grand plans fall apart in front of him, fans were quick to come up with suggestions as to who let his gang down.
And it turns out they believe Major Campbell (played by Sam Neill) is still alive.
That’s right, the villain of the first two seasons could be lurking around the corner, despite seemingly being killed off by Polly Gray (played by Helen McCrory) after wronging the Shelbys too many times.
After all, a reference to Campbell’s murder was mentioned by a journalist this season, who too ended up meeting his maker.
It’s a wild theory, but viewers might be onto something, with one tweeting out: ‘I think I’m in shock!! I mean I knew Mosley wasn’t killed in 1929 but never saw any of that coming!!
‘Thinking now Major Campbell is behind it but he is dead!!’
While another wrote: ‘It’s a sign that Campbell will be resurrected for the next series of #PeakyBlinders.’
The Jewish mobster was given a surprise visit by Tommy after surviving the gunshot in season four that was supposed to have killed him.
So we guess anything is possible, right now!
Peaky Blinders is available on BBC iPlayer now, and on Netflix from 5 October.
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However, Lord Sugar also added that he’s so far only been contracted until 2020 – so he might be sent packing in a black cab sooner than he hopes.
‘We’ve got one more series that I’m contracted, it will be the 16th series,’ he said at the exclusive press screening for the new series.
Lord Sugar continued: ‘The format director is sat over there and he’ll be eagerly chasing us after the end of the 16th series.
‘I might do it to 20, 20 sounds a round figure.’
Lord Sugar hopes to get 20 series of The Apprentice under his belt (Picture: PA)
The brand new series of The Apprentice kicks off next week, with Claude Littner and Baroness Karren Brady keeping an eye on a fresh batch of contestants hungry to win the £250,000 investment.
‘The beauty of this programme is that they are a different group of people each year,’ Lord Sugar enthused.
‘Every year, we’ve got new people coming along, new characters from all different walks of life.
‘Consider that some of them there were five when we first started, they’ve waited all this time to get themselves on the programme.’
‘They’re such varied people,’ Karren added. ‘We’ve got a pillow salesman, a librarian, a baker, a sports agent.
‘There’s no mould of a business person now, it can be anyone with any kind of background and any kind of experience.
‘Trust me, when they come into that first boardroom there’s only one thing that they all have in common and that’s that they want to win.’
The Apprentice begins Wednesday 2 October on BBC One at 9pm.
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Jonathan Banks will be back as Mike in El Camino (Picture: AMC)
Jonathan Banks has confirmed Mike Ehrmantraut will return for Breaking Bad movie El Camino.
The 72-year-old actor played Gus Fring’s right-hand man on the series across five seasons, before the character was killed off in season five episode Say My Name.
Death isn’t an obstacle for an appearance in El Camino, however, with Banks confirming he will return as Mike in the movie which takes place after events in season five.
Asked if he’s El Camino by ET Canada, Banks said: ‘Yes. They’ll hit me in the head for saying this, but yes. Why not?
It’s assumed Mike will return in a flashback or dream sequence, potentially opening the gates for an appearance from Walter White (Bryan Cranston).
It was recently revealed the movie will feature over 10 characters from Breaking Bad, with Mike, Jesse Pinkman (Aaron Paul), Skinny Pete (Charles Baker) and Brandon ‘Badger’ Mayhew (Matt Jones) the only ones confirmed to return.
It leaves the door wide open for many favourites to return, including Saul Goodman (Bob Odenkirk), Skyler White (Anna Gunn), and Marie Schrader (Betsy Brandt).
El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie releases 11 October on Netflix.
The 70-year-old business executive, who acts as Lord Alan Sugar’s aide on the BBC series, revealed that he finds the fresh intake pretty grating and has promised viewers that they too, will agree with him.
‘Normally, I’m completely dispassionate. I watch the candidates day in day out and I don’t really care,’ Claude told Metro.co.uk at an exclusive press screening.
‘However, this year I found them incredibly irritating and as you go through, you’ll find them irritating as well, I guarantee it.’
Oh, we have a feeling we’ll be filled to the brim with rage in no time after watching their questionable decision making.
The Apprentice will be back in our lives next week (Picture: PA)
The first episode of the 2019 series will see the 16 candidates flown out to Cape Town in South Africa to set up and run a bespoke tour – ranging from a safair tour and wine tasting.
Among the pack includes 19-year-old librarian Lottie Lion, pillow salesman Thomas Skinner, and sports agent Dean Ahmad.
Lord Sugar will once again be joined by Claude and Karren Brady in his attempt to find his next business partner, admitting at the press screening that sometimes wannabe reality stars do make it onto the show.
‘Sometimes they come for the wrong reasons,’ the mogul said. ‘The BBC does the best as possible to screen these people and ask them questions about being on TV shows.
‘There’s no question of a doubt that some people do come on it for the wrong reasons but nevertheless we kind of weed them out throughout the course of the process.’
He continued: ‘We sort them out pretty quickly. Not many slip through the net but we do get a couple.’
‘There are easier ways to get on TV than this process,’ Karren added.
The Apprentice begins Wednesday 2 October on BBC One at 9pm.
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It’s bold, brassy and fabulous…the internet’s going to love ya (Picture: Netflix)
Payton Hobart (Ben Platt) wants to be President of the United States – and he has analysed how to get there with such clean precision he’s going to stop at nothing to get it in Ryan Murphy’s The Politician.
With besties James (Theo Germaine) and McAfee (Laura Dreyfuss) there steering his ship as his advisors, a first wife in Alice (Julia Schlaepfer) and a hopelessly devoted mother (Gwyneth Paltrow), Payton’s cold and hard exterior glazed with a butter-wouldn’t-melt smile makes him so arrogantly sure he’s going to get what he wants that its nauseating.
So when things go off piste for the entitled snob? That’s when the fun happens.
The show is not to be taken too seriously. It’s a satire, after all, not an accurate representation. Noone actually lives in a world full of colour so bold and has matching gardening gloves to go with every outfit. It’s so unbelievably extra that you spend as much time gawking at the ridiculous set pieces as you do paying attention to the plot that’s going around.
But it’s also got a great heart and is an unbelievably enjoyable watch.
Ben Platt’s Payton is what would’ve happened if you put Rachel Berry from Glee on steroids, made her a guy and told her from birth she could be president one day instead of a Broadway star. He feels entitled to it, he’s going to get there no matter what, and is even a downright unlikeable at times because of it.
There’s obstacles in the way, starting most prominently with the sassy and acidic Astrid (Lucy Boynton) who, in all honesty, is the MVP for many parts of the show. Astrid hates Payton and what he stands for, having been forced to share boyfriend River (David Corenswet) with him for an undisclosed amount of time.
She’s also got a father who she can’t live up to and is profoundly unhappy. So why not drag your enemy down with you by beating them at the one thing they care about? Astrid’s awful and completely bonkers but she’s a hell of a lot of fun to ride along with.
Bringing on board cancer-stricken Infinity (Zoey Deutch) as his running mate is a bid to get the sympathy vote for the student body in the easiest way possible – and it works…until it becomes clear that bringing her into his life actually invited a hell of a lot more complications than initially thought. Starting with her overbearing, scheming grandmother with a secret, Dusty (the incomparable Jessica Lange).
It’s easy to say that this show is choosing style over substance because in a lot of cases, it does. Some characters are barely more than set dressing, and motivations are sometimes cloudy. But that’s kind of the point. Its sickly sweet imagery and ridiculous nature is so easy to swallow that you accidentally let in stories of familial pressure and expectation, determination to start life as adults and the toxicity of politics as a whole.
You need to know how to play the game and how to play it dirty.
Zoey Deutch’s butter wouldn’t melt Infinity bounces off Jessica Lange perfectly (Picture: Netflix)
Everyone has problems after all, even super rich white people. And it leaves a lot of room to grow in the already confirmed season two.
It’s probably the show’s biggest fall throughout this season that its very existence, it seems, is to justify the episodes coming up. Episode eight is a game-changer, and appears to be the story that Ryan Murphy and co actually wanted to tell, but had to flesh out a back story of to ultimately push the show going forward.
That doesn’t make The Politician any less enjoyable though. Take it for what it is, a sassy, gripping romp that’s like the movie Election was updated for the 21st century, with a side hustle of Cruel Intentions. One thing’s for sure – the internet is going to love it.
Just like real politics, season one got our vote – and now it’s up to the candidate to come through on its promises.
While there are moments of detours, The Politician kept us hooked in (Picture: Netflix)
Something the show does incredibly well is its LGBT message and representation as a whole, which is never shoved down anyone’s throat at any point. Everyone in the school, it appears, is on the Kinsey scale, has a disability, or trans, but those characteristics are never once played as a plot point. They just are, and it’s actually incredibly rare to have that on screen. No one’s struggling with their identity in that way.
Overall you can expect this show and moments of pure genius to be blasted over your Twitter timeline for the next few weeks. Jessica Lange in particular is a goldmine for soundbites and ridiculously quick wit, which somehow makes you love her character even if Dusty is actually an abhorrent human being.
There are nods everywhere to the Ryan Murphy/Brad Falchuk collaborations of days gone by as well, with the title sequence a politics version of Nip/Tuck down to the odd bursting into song moments that were always present on Glee. There’s even a little American Crime Story/Horror story in there for you too if you’re good with the easter eggs. But no spoilers.
We already can’t wait for season 2.
The Politician is available from 27 September on Netflix.
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And the Geordie Shore star might well be on the list.
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk ahead of the launch of her latest In The Style collection, the 29-year-old revealed she would love to get her skates on.
When asked if she would be popping up on Strictly Come Dancing anytime soon, she told us: ‘I’ve never wanted to do Strictly.
‘I’ve never wanted to learn to ballroom dance.
Charlotte described the ITV competition as her ‘absolute dream’ (Picture: Rex)
‘But Dancing On Ice is my absolute dream, I would love to take part on that.’
She then teased that she had a ‘really busy’ six or seven months ahead, with Dancing On Ice conveniently set to finish sometime in March, 2020.
Around six months from now…
Maura Higgins and Michael Barrymore were the first two contestants named in the line-up for next year’s series.
Maura Higgins has been confirmed for Dancing On Ice (Picture: Rex)
Michael Barrymore will be getting his skates on (Picture: Getty)
The Love Island favourite confirmed the news on This Morning, telling hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield (who also helm the skating competition): ‘I am up for the challenge, I am more excited than scared, I am brave and competitive and that will drive me.
‘I need someone strict,’ she said of her potential partner before revealing she has only ‘skated once in my life for fun, so I’ve no experience at all’.
While Michael added: ‘I’m delighted to say that I’ll be joining the Dancing on Ice line up for 2020. I’m looking forward to meeting Holly and Phil. I’m very excited…it’s performance time!’
There’s been no official start date confirmed for the 2020 series of Dancing on Ice but, going by past years, we can expect the gang skating onto our screens in January, ready to come for reigning champion James Jordan’s crown.
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A fabulous gent, a woman down with the kids and a cat called Bey – The Circle is officially on and contestants are thrown in the deep end.
In a first look for tonight’s debut episode, the eight new contestants barely have time to settle in to their fancy apartments and set up their Circle profiles when they’re tasked with their first challenge – and have to judge the others based solely on their looks.
James, a 26-year-old pretending to be single mum Sammie, declares the moment ‘savage’ as he prepares to settle the score with his new pals/contenders.
Meanwhile Tim, a 58-year-old professor playing as himself, looks to his cat Bey (we love him already) for a little help..
Having to rate each of the other players from favourite to least favourite based on first impressions alone, it seems quite the task at hand for the new reality stars.
The top two players who receive the highest ratings will become the first Influencers in The Circle, and hold great power…
The first suspicions begin, with players snooping on each of their competitors’ profiles and questioning which profiles are real and which might be fake.
The gang barely have time to settle in before their first task (Picture: Channel 4)
Alongside catfish James, Katie, 43, is playing as her 25-year-old son Jay, and has to get used to young person lingo like ‘fam’ with the help of a trusty notepad.
Emelle, 31, is playing herself but with a twist – hiding her sexuality and changing her age to 24 in a bid to lure in the boys.
Brooke, Sy, Georgina Tim and Woody are all playing as themselves.
How will the players handle their first challenge? (Picture: Channel 4)
The gang will soon be introduced to the new social group called The Circle in a bid to be the most popular – and it features some famous faces (though they don’t know that just yet).
Among them is Woody, Zoe Ball and Norman Cook’s son, who is using the platform to break away from being known as is parents’ son.
Will Woody figure out how to get the game started?!? (Picture: Channel 4)
Richard will be the show’s first celebrity contestant and who he is in the game will be down to viewers – with Emma Willis laying out the options tonight.
Speaking ahead of joining the game, he admitted that his wife Judy was ‘completely baffled’ by him taking part as she doesn’t watch the show.
‘Normally I say no to most reality shows, things like Strictly and I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here and stuff. So she was a bit surprised as to why I said yes,’ he revealed.
‘Then when I explained it to her she kind of got it. But Jack, my son and Chloe my daughter, were thrilled. They thought it was a really, really cool thing to do.’
And he is fully ready to appear in an ‘extreme and embarrassing’ role, so do your worst, The Circle fans.
The Circle airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.
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However, while most people had nothing but praise for the 19-year-old immediately after her tango, the Love Islander and fellow dancer had some constructive criticism.
‘I’m feeling numb, my bottom half is not working, I’ve been sat in a chair for two and a half hours watching you two but, you wanna know something? It was worth it,’ he said.
‘Both of you did fantastically. Footwork was good, technique was good, posture was good. I mean sharper speed with the head, a little more stretching out with the neck,’ he considered, before Saffron rapidly cut to the next part of the video.
He said: ‘If it came up then, depending on the time, perhaps I wouldn’t say no to it.
Saffron and AJ earned a score of 27 for their tango (Picture: PA)
‘You know, dancing is something I love to do. It’s not a little hobby, it’s in my blood. My dad was a dancer, my brother is, I am. We’ve all done it so much and I wouldn’t say no to it.’
On who would be the lead dancer, Curtis said: ‘Obviously we are brothers so we are competitive, we argue, everybody argues in the family.
‘We’ve always danced and competed against each other, so now to be on a tour together where we can actually show the world how much we do love each other/hate each other because we are brothers.
‘But no, we can just perform on stage, have fun and be the two actual leads of our own show which is like a dream come true,’ he said.
N’awwww.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday at 6.40.
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The business mogul, who has headed the BBC series since its inception in 2004, was asked at an exclusive press screening for the upcoming series for his response to those calling for him to throw in the towel and forfeit his role on the show.
‘Who are these people?’ Lord Sugar replied, to which a reporter explained: ‘People on Twitter.’
‘Really? Who are these people?’ he continued. ‘People you’re making up? What’s the next question?’
Back in June 2018, Lord Sugar sparked outrage when he posted a tweet about the Senegal World Cup football team which was accused of racism.
Lord Alan Sugar has responded to calls he should step down (Picture: PA)
Lord Sugar tweeted about the Senegal team back in 2018 (Picture: Twitter)
Lord Sugar, 72, shared a picture on social media of the team with a blanket laid out and covered with sunglasses and handbags Photoshopped in front of them.
He wrote: ‘I recognise some of these guys from the beach in Marbella. Multi-tasking resourceful chaps.’
The tweet was instantly branded racist by many, but Lord Sugar didn’t seem to understand why it was offensive.
In response to one person who called the post ‘terrible’, he replied: ‘Why?’ He also tweeted: ‘I can’t see what I have to apologise for… you are OTT… it’s a bloody joke.’
The Apprentice star then deleted the post and wrote: ‘Just been reading the reaction my funny tweet about the guy on the beach in Marbella.
‘Seems it has been interpreted in the wrong way as offensive by a few people. Frankly, I can’t see that, I think it’s funny. But I will pull it down if you insist.’
‘We’ve got one more series that I’m contracted, it will be the 16th series,’ he said. ‘The format director is sat over there and he’ll be eagerly chasing us after the end of the 16th series.
‘I might do it to 20, 20 sounds a round figure.’
The Apprentice begins Wednesday 2 October on BBC One at 9pm.
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Rachel was going to move in with Gunther, but it didn’t work out (Picture: Warner Bros.) Provider: NBC
Gunther is one of the most fascinating sitcom characters of all time. A huge favourite among Friends fans across the world, his unrequited love for Rachel Green (played by Jennifer Aniston) was one of the most important storylines across the show’s 10 seasons.
Yet, no one knew anything about him.
He spoke fewer words than one of Joey Tribbiani’s one night stands over the course of a decade and was rarely captured anywhere other than lurking in the back of Central Perk.
But there were once big plans for platinum blonde barrister. Friends writers Marta Kauffman and David Crane were about to make Gunther’s dreams come true and Rachel very almost moved into his apartment in an axed storyline which never was.
Thankfully, Marta and David spared Rachel from making what would have undoubtedly been her biggest mistake since Paolo.
‘It never went through but they were going to have Rachel move in with Gunther,’ actor James Michael Tyler – who was initially cast as an extra in Friends before Gunther became a surprise hit and he shot up the rankings – exclusively told Metro.co.uk.
Gunther’s dreams very almost came true (Picture: Warner Bros.)
‘I remember reading the first draft of that script and thinking, “Oh man, they’re never going to make this work.”
‘It just didn’t read, even to me. I was not ungrateful that it didn’t work. Through no fault of Jennifer or myself or the writing, it just felt contrived and everything else that happened in the series, and continues to be, was quite organic.
‘Nothing was contrived – let’s put these two people together for no reason. Everything happened naturally and I think it’s for that reason it’s still loved to this day.’
Gunther could have been living at home with his parents, still stuck with the naked cat (or what he thought was a snake) for all we know. Both seem plausible but alas that’s a mystery which will never be resolved.
‘I remember looking at Jen too and we didn’t think it was right,’ James added. ‘Whatever it was for, we didn’t need that storyline.’
James is currently in the UK celebrating 25 years of Friends with the biggest Friendsfest yet.
From taking over London’s Millennium eye to touring the iconic orange couch across the country, the UK has been just as mad for Rachel, Joey, Ross, Chandler, Phoebe and Monica this summer as they were 25 years ago.
And Friendsfest will be returning this Christmas for FriendsFestive where fans can visit The Holiday Armadillo Grotto, ring Phoebe’s bell and take a picture of Ross and Monica’s Rockin’ Eve Disco.
Friends airs daily on Comedy Central. Tickets for FriendsFestive are available here.
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