Top Gear presenter Paddy McGuinness got stuck in a rut during filming of the Christmas special.

In a special episode to air later this month, Paddy and co-hosts Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris will head all the way to Nepal.

In one of their toughest road trips ever the boys will take a voyage from Nepal’s capital Kathmandu, to the Forbidden City of Lo Manthang, a secretive kingdom on the Tibetan plateau on the far side of the Himalayas.

To make thing that little bit trickier for them, they are swapping 4x4s for a very small Peugeot, an even smaller Renault and the only locally-built car in Nepal.

All three motors look like they’re going to cause them some trouble along the way.

In pictures taken during filming for the special episode, Paddy looks like he’s had enough as he sits in the front of their red car, which seems to have ground to a halt in a muddy ditch. Meanwhile Chris tries to give him some words of encouragement from the outside.

Or maybe he’s just telling Paddy to shift himself because their other vehicle is stuck behind him.

A more breathtaking photo shows the presenters parking their cars and taking in the sights as a huge number of birds – like, really huge – mind their own business behind them.

Top Gear will return for a full series in 2020 with a date yet to be confirmed.

The renewal came after the latest presenting line-up turned out to be a hit when they made their debut back in the summer.

Just like presenter Richard Hammond before him, Freddie was involved in a high speed crash back in September while filming scenes for the show.

The cricketer had been racing at Elvington Airfield, near York, and veered off the track at high speed. But thankfully he managed to come out basically unscathed with his helmet and full racing suit doing their job.

Freddie insisted he was absolutely fine following the incident, but admitted he might have taken things a bit too far.

He told Mail Online: ‘I’m absolutely fine and was back filming today. I go to great lengths to make sure I do well in Top Gear drag races but on this occasion I went a few lengths too far.

‘It will look more ridiculous than dangerous when you see it on TV.’

A BBC spokesperson added that Freddie ‘suffered no injuries as a result of his spontaneous detour, as fans will see for themselves when we show the sequence in full in the next series’.

Freddie may have had a lucky escape, as the course was the same one that Richard crashed on in 2006, ending up in a coma for two weeks.

The Top Gear Nepal special airs 29 December at 9pm on BBC Two.

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Mathew Horne called the upcoming Gavin and Stacey Christmas special ‘the best episode of the show we’ve ever done’ as fans prepare for the Christmas special.

Mathew was spotted leaving the London-based Global Radio studios on Monday morning after appearing on The Chris Moyles Show on Radio X and singing his praises for the Gavin and Stacey Christmas episode.

The actor, who plays Gavin in the sit-com, admitted all the old cast were ‘anxious’ about whether they would ‘work well together again and the chemistry was going to be there’ before shooting the episode but that the first day raced by.

‘I’ve seen it now and I’m so proud of it,’ the actor added.

The full Gavin and Stacey cast reunited back in June for the table read after finding out about the new episode earlier this year in February.

It was to be the first time the cast had been back together in 11 years. The last Gavin and Stacey episode came out 10 years ago.

‘It was very emosh,’ Mathew, 41, admitted when asked about the reunion.

‘We’ve all stayed in touch but we don’t see each other all the time and getting back together was like bringing families back together. And we read it and people laughed and it was amazing.’

The star admitted it was particularly emotional seeing his on-screen mum Alison Steadman again because she’d been such a mother figure to him.

Then Mathew and Chris started having a bit of a crisis about the passing of time.

‘It’s really shocking to think when I first started filming it I was 27 and I’m now 41,’ Mathew said. ‘It’s just bizarre. The passing of time.’

When Chris asked him what he first thought when he was asked to appear in the festive episode, Mathew said he ‘obviously’ agreed to the gig.

‘When I first found out, when I was first told that there was a script, obviously I said yes, I would want to do it, because ‘And Stacey’ is a slightly less catchy title.

‘I just didn’t really believe it because, although the script was written and I knew the BBC would want it, I didn’t know if they’d be able to get everybody back together because it’s a big ensemble cast and everybody’s generally quite successful and one of the main characters lives in America.

‘So I didn’t believe it and then it happened. So yeah, it was amazing and it was a really wonderful experience.

‘We all went into it with a degree of trepidation because we appreciate that there’s a huge amount of expectation on it.’

Mathew has clearly had a pretty good 2019. As well as the Gavin and Stacey excitement, he’s all loved up.

The star split from his fiance, Casualty actress Evelyn Hoskins, back in October 2018 and has since moved on with designer, Celina Basisli.

We predict he’s going to have a great Christmas.

You can catch the Gavin and Stacey Christmas special at 8.30pm, Christmas Day, on BBC One.

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The class of Dancing On Ice 2020 is officially in session and Love Island’s Maura Higgins, Caprice and H from Steps are leading the pack in their fabulous first look costumes.

This year’s participants came out in force to give the first sneak peak of their skills on the ice after the announcements at the beginning of September.

Naturally though, they had to do it with a hell of a lot of glitter and style.

The women of the show, which is completed by Lucrezia Millarini, Trisha Goddard, Corrie Star Lucy George and Paralympian Libby Clegg, were dripping in jewels in co-ordinating gold outfits.

Maura, who is still fresh from her time on Love Island this summer, is trading in her bikinis for something a bit more chilly – but naturally is still looking like she’s ready for a party.

The star was the first to be announced this series, appearing from a snowglobe on This Morning to break the news.

She was shortly followed on the same episode by Michael Barrymore, who today looked suited and booted as he arrived for his photo op.

H From Steps was dressed in black-and-white and ready for action as he breaks records as the first celebrity to ever perform as part of a same-sex couple this year.

He’ll be partnered with American star Matt Evers, who last year teamed up with Gemma Collins for her stint on the show.

Joe Swash, who left I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp this year, looked nervous but smiled through it as he arrived at the event.

The 2020 series will be getting a bit of a shake-up – after judge Jason Gardiner quit the show earlier this year.

John Barrowman has been announced as his replacement, who had previously participated on the ice as a contestant.

‘I am so excited to be returning to the Dancing On Ice family,’ John enthused. ‘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.’

Ashley Banjo will remain on the judging panel alongside Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

Diversity star Ashley though may have to battle his heart over his head this year though – considering Perri Kiely, a member of his dance troupe, is also taking part on the series.

Are you ready to get your skates on?

Dancing On Ice starts early 2020 on ITV.  

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Richard Hammond is getting ready to kick off the new year – and new decade! – in a BIG way.

The Grand Tour host announced his new solo TV show, BIG, earlier this year, and the series will debut on the Discovery Channel in the UK on 15 January.

The 10-part series will see the presenter travelling across the globe to get up close and personal with some of the biggest structures, machines and vessels that the world has to offer.

He’ll also speak to a range of engineers to find out how they manage to build, use and maintain these gigantic structures.

Hammond reminded his followers about the imminent arrival of the series with the presentation of a new trailer earlier today (9 December).

‘It’s bold, it’s brilliant and well, it’s BIG!’ Hammond told his Twitter followers about the show in a post to accompany the 15-second teaser clip.

During the trailer, the host asks one tunnel engineer about the dangers of a potentially explosive procedure after he’s invited to give it a go.

‘If I do it wrong, are we all blown to pieces?’ Hammond nervously asks the expert.

‘Maybe?’ comes the unsure reply, before the camera cuts to a massive explosion blasting through a tunnel.

Guess we’ll find out if Hammond and co. survived to make it to a second series on 15 January…

Richard Hammond’s new show BIG debuts on Discovery UK on 15 January.

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Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby spent Monday’s This Morning taking selfies together at a Christmas fair as they continued to brush off the ‘complaints’ row currently surrounding the pair.

Reports over the weekend alleged that some presenters have ‘complained about Phil’s behaviour’.

The pair’s working relationship is also said to have become ‘strained over recent months’, The Sun has claimed.

But there were no signs of any strain as the presenters took a ride on a Ferris wheel during Monday’s episode of This Morning.

Wrapped up warm against the chilly December weather, Holly and Phil posed for selfies on the wheel as today’s installment got started.

Over the course of the two hour show they were joined by celebrity guests such as Aled Jones, Russell Watson and Martin Lewis.

Neither of the presenters, who are famously close and often go on holiday together, addressed the allegations about Phil on the programme.

According to The Sun a handful of ITV faces have spoken about the alleged ‘toxic’ atmosphere behind the scenes.

Loose Women panelist Ruth Langsford, who hosts This Morning with husband Eamonn Holmes on Fridays, is reported to have made an official complaint about the 5 Gold Rings presenter.

It comes after Amanda Holden weighed in about what was going on during her show with Jamie Theakston on Heart Breakfast.

The Britain’s Got Talent star insisted she had put any issues with Phil behind her, however she did appear to back Ruth.

She said: Listen, I’ve drawn a line under all those issues with Phillip.

.@AmandaHolden publicly offers support to @RuthieeL as she becomes latest star to lock horns with Phillip Schofield 👀

🎧Listen Live – https://t.co/eMuzMz9v3Y – @JamieTheakston @ImAshleyRoberts pic.twitter.com/943iO2TnOJ

— Heart (@thisisheart) December 9, 2019

‘Well, I’m just gonna say that I really admire anyone who sticks up for themselves because it’s not an easy thing to do.

‘There is a tin opener and there’s a can somewhere and other people have found the tin opener. That’s all I’m saying.’

Her comments followed rumours that Schofe ‘blocked’ Amanda from replacing Holly on This Morning when she joined Dec Donnelly on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! last year.

Instead Phil was joined by Rochelle Humes while Holly was away.

This Morning airs weekdays from 10.30am on ITV.

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From Westeros to… overly stereotyped Ireland?

Iwan Rheon is all set to join the cast of the TV adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s fantasy series American Gods for its upcoming third season.

And he’s set to leave behind the nastiness of Ramsay Bolton – who he played on Game of Thrones between 2013 and 2016 – for this new role, in which he’ll play a ‘charming, good-natured leprechaun’ who goes by the name Liam Doyle.

Seriously.

According to EW, Rheon’s latest character is introduced as someone trying to steer away from the cliched leprechaun image – ‘until he finds himself swept back into our world of gods, luck, and magic,’ that is.

This looks set to be Rheon’s most eye-catching role since he played, er, Adolf Hitler in an episode of the surreal Sky Arts comedy series Urban Myths in 2017.

Joining the Welsh actor on the cast list for American Gods season three – which has yet to receive an expected air date – is the one and only Marilyn Manson.

Manson will play the blood-thirsty Johan Wengren in the series, who happens to be lead singer of the fictional Viking death metal band Blood Death.

Viking death metal musicians and leprechauns getting involved in all kinds of magical shenanigans together? It could only be American Gods.

American Gods airs in the US on Starz and on Amazon Prime Video in the UK.

MORE: Game Of Thrones star Iwan Rheon is glad he’s not playing Ramsay Bolton any more

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BBC viewers were blown away last night (8 December) by an acting ‘masterclass’ from Glenda Jackson in her return to the small screen in Elizabeth Is Missing.

27 years on from her last major TV role, Jackson starred in the one-off drama as Maud, a dementia sufferer who turns amateur detective after becoming concerned for her friend Elizabeth when she fails to show up for a shopping trip.

‘But with Maud’s dementia progressing, it is not easy to hold on to the clues,’ the drama’s official synopsis adds.

‘Despite her meticulous system of recording her discoveries on post-it notes, Maud can’t shake the feeling that she has lost a crucial clue that would unlock the mystery of Elizabeth’s fate.’

Jackson’s affecting performance was met with near-universal acclaim on Twitter as many people predicted that she’d soon be able to add to her already glittering personal trophy cabinet (which houses two Oscars, a BAFTA and a Tony Award).

There was also plenty of praise reserved for how the drama highlighted the vital need to support people living with dementia, with the Alzheimer’s Society charity tweeting their approval of the show’s depiction of the disease.

Glenda Jackson’s portrayal of a woman living with dementia is devastingly powerful #ElizabethIsMissing – a masterclass in acting and a great drama but also more importantly a story that highlights the need for support for those living with dementia and their families. https://t.co/n1ZlwYRFUe

— Nadia Molinari (@Nadia_Molinari) December 8, 2019

My husband and I looked after my Mother in Law who had Alzheimer's for almost 3 years and Glenda Jackson's portrayal of Maud was superb. Anyone caring for someone with dementia needs all the help and support they can get. Well done the BBC. #ElizabethIsMissing

— Trish leah (@silverlining18) December 8, 2019

Totally genius Elizabeth is Missing. Glenda Jackson has been missing from drama for far too long. Thank you Glenda, BBC and everyone involved.

— Ceeg (@Ceeg27561214) December 8, 2019

#ElizabethIsMissing Wow, that was one of the best plays i have ever been privileged to watch. Glenda Jackson was amazing, it was heartwarming and tragic at the same time!.

— Clair (@Clairchg) December 8, 2019

Actress and comedian Josie Lawrence was among those to sing Jackson’s praises online last night, describing the performance of her ‘idol’ Jackson in Elizabeth Is Missing as ‘wondrous’.

#ElizabethIsMissing was an amazing piece of television so huge congratulations to all. Absolutely heartbreaking. But oh my god what a performance from my idol Glenda Jackson – wondrous.

— Josie Lawrence (@josielawrence1) December 9, 2019

If you missed the premiere of Elizabeth Is Missing last night, never fear: the 90-minute drama is available to watch on BBC iPlayer for the next month.

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After I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here wrapped up last night, camp mates James Haskell and Caitlyn Jenner wasted no time in letting loose and having some fun.

The stars celebrated fellow camp mate Jacqueline Jossa’s win in style, posting a cute selfie with Nadine Coyle while on set for the finale.

Then, swapping the khaki out for some truly stylish glad rags, they posed together in front of the hotel’s pool.

Caitlyn wore a fitted red dress with a matching choker, while – not to be upstaged – James rocked a navy suit.

And just when we thought they couldn’t be cuter, James matched the colour of his tie with Caitlyn’s dress (we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt on this one, in case it was just a happy coincidence).

It comes after James met Caitlyn at the end of the jungle reunion bridge, right after she was eliminated from the show.

But don’t worry, James has also showered some love on his actual wife too.

Taking to his Instagram stories, he posted a video of Chloe Madeley with Jacqueline’s winning jungle staff.

Unsure if her hubby is taking a video or photo, Chloe mimed stamping the staff on the ground. Then after realising it is indeed a video, she quoted the iconic Lord Of The Rings line: ‘You shall not pass!’

James lovingly mocked: ‘There’s something very wrong with you.’

He managed to redeem himself though – following the video up with a photo and the caption: ‘Love her so much.’

The fun didn’t stop there, as it looked like she stole Jacqueline’s jungle victory crown a bit later on in the evening.

‘I’m really excited,’ James explained, as he talked to the camera. ‘I’m here with the queen of the jungle.’

He then panned the camera to Chloe and screamed: ‘Sorry what? You’re not the… get it off!’

Chloe then joked: ‘Thank you guys for voting, I really appreciate it. I feel fantastic!’

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The cast, crew and fans of hit-Netflix show, When They See Us, woke up this morning to zero Golden Globe nominations and it’s absolutely out of order.

It follows the true story of the Central Park Five – five teenage boys of colour who were wrongly convicted of a crime they didn’t commit.

The case was controversial and well-publicised when it first broke, and now, 30 years later and through Ava DuVernay’s lens, we can see a dramatic re-telling of the story unfold in a four-part series.

While the official Twitter account for the show hasn’t responded to the snub, director Ava has and it she decided to rise above it all.

She tweeted: ‘WHEN THEY SEE US is trending nationally. A good thing. More light on the Exonerated 5 and the system of mass criminalization this nation has constructed. For more, watch the project on @Netflix. For even more, go to @ColorofChange or @Innocence.’

WHEN THEY SEE US is trending nationally. A good thing. More light on the Exonerated 5 and the system of mass criminalization this nation has constructed. For more, watch the project on @Netflix. For even more, go to @ColorofChange or @Innocence. xo pic.twitter.com/woPpSOY3eZ

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) December 9, 2019

Other fans weren’t as composed and didn’t hold back on their criticism.

The Perfection star Logan Browning led the criticism: ‘The #goldebglobes noms just broke my heart. I didn’t want to care, but finding the people of color is an unfruitful scavenger hunt. All white, male directors.

‘Whoever nominates needs the bubble they occupy popped ASAP. WHERE IS WHEN THEY SEE US? Oh right, they don’t.’

You tell ’em, Logan.

One fan of the show tweeted: ‘Wait, “When They See Us” isn’t nominated for a Golden Globe? Wow.’

While another remarked: ‘When They See Us getting ZERO Golden Globe nominations tells you everything you need to know about the #GoldenGlobes.’

In the year of Fleabag, Killing Eve, Little Women, When They See Us, Booksmart, Harriet, Hustlers, Late Night and many more…

No lady writers.
No lady directors.
Again. #GoldenGlobe https://t.co/dO13bRGqU6

— Caitlin D. Fryers 📚 (@cdemrys) December 9, 2019

.@goldenglobes are y’all ok?? The HFPA just wholly snubbed ‘When They See Us’ — not even giving its Emmy-winning actor a nomination. I am confusion.

— Trey Mangum (@treymangum) December 9, 2019

when they see us scored 16 emmys nominations and

*checks notes*

0 golden globes nominations…….. pic.twitter.com/INYck5GoAp

— meg zukin (@bymeg) December 9, 2019

Another pointed out a huge disparity: ‘When They See Us went from six Critics’ Choice noms to zero Golden Globes nominations in less than 24 hours.’

And they’re not wrong – the film led the charge with one of the most amount of nominations for the 25th Annual Critics’ Choice Awards.

Actor John Leguizamo tweeted after the announcement yesterday: Wow! This show is the most important I have ever been part of! Thank u @ava @netflix @exonerated. five @whentheyseeus and congrats Ava! And Asante! Doubles for you!’

(The categories were Best Limited Series, Jharrel Jerome for Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television, both Asante Blackk and John Leguizamo for Best Supporting Actor in a Movie Made for TV or Limited Series, as well as both Marsha Stephanie Blake and Niecy Nash for Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television).

Some consolation, but still – what were you thinking, Golden Globes?!

The Golden Globes are on 5 January 2020.

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James Jordan has criticised Motsi Mabuse for giving Kelvin Fletcher 10 points for his ‘not great’ Paso Doble in the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final.

The Emmerdale actor was left fighting back tears on Saturday night as he topped the leaderboard after being awarded a perfect 40 for his Quickstep to The Lady is a Tramp and gaining a 10 for his Paso Doble with partner Oti Mabuse.

However, for outspoken former Strictly pro James, Kelvin’s second ten from Motsi for his fiery Paso was totally unjustified, telling HELLO!: ‘In my opinion, when Motsi gave Kelvin and Oti a ten for their Paso Doble, there was no way on this world it was a ten.’

He continued: ‘Kelvin made mistakes, he nearly fell over in the end! I love Kelvin and I want him to win but you have to be realistic and honest and his Paso Doble wasn’t great.

‘I expected it to be much better because it’s a dance of power and strength and I thought, “It’s probably going to be one of his best dances,” but the choreography wasn’t great and it wasn’t one of his best performances, so it was a bit disappointing.’

Before you get too upset (and by you, we mean us), James still had good things to say about the frontrunner, adding: ‘That being said, he was the strongest of the week, but I thought the performances were better the week before.’

Heading into next Saturday’s final alongside Karim Zeroual and Emma Barton, picking up a perfect 40 puts Kelvin in good stead for the Glitterball trophy.

However, all three finalists will face their biggest challenge yet as they have to perform three different dances, including the famously difficult, nothing-off-limits showdance.

And there was Kelvin finding learning two routines for the semi-final difficult enough, telling Claudia Winkleman: ‘It’s been a really hard week. Obviously, we’re all been in the same boat. Two dances in the space of a week, it was so daunting but I’ve given it my all.

‘Oti’s been incredible this week and to get those comments… it means so much it really does.’

Aw, you guys!

Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday at 7.05pm on BBC One.

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Game of Thrones star James Bradley has admitted he suffered from anxiety and developed a stutter the longer he played socially awkward character Samwell Tarly.

Things got so bad that crew thought he had forgotten his lines, when really he just couldn’t get his words out.

James, 31, told the Blank Podcast how he tried so hard to become his character that he ended up taking on a lot of Samwell’s traits.

‘I got into this trap with Sam, I set myself traps, because he had a traumatic childhood and suffered a lot – and it manifested through a stammer and a twitch sometimes,’ James said.

‘There are takes of me where it felt like it would be five minutes where I am just standing with other the actors and I couldn’t speak and I just can’t get the words out and certain sounds would trip me up.

‘In one scene I came in first with Kit Harington and in the nicest way he said to me “can you come in a bit quicker?” so I can react a bit quicker and I was like “I can’t, I just can’t.”

He continued: ‘As lovely as the crew were, they assumed it was because I had forgotten my lines. It took me a while to get out of it and it went away over time.’

Unfortunately, John suffered with anxiety and a stammer when he was auditioning for new roles towards the end of Game of Thrones, which ended in May.

‘When I was in character I developed a stammer that I wasn’t in control of and it’s hard enough to be an actor anyway without having to read a script the night before you were going to do it and thinking that’s really going to trip me up tomorrow and the more you think about it the worse it gets,’ said John.

‘Towards the end of that journey, that stammer would turn up in non-Sam acting and I’d do auditions when I’d stammer because it just seemed like the default place that I went to when I acted.’

He added: I think people thought it was part of me but it wasn’t, but it was performance anxiety.’

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The Grand Tour host James May has been transformed into an anime hero ahead of the start date of his new show Our Man In Japan.

James in animated form is worlds away from the casual shirts and comfy trousers we’re used to seeing him in.

Flying solo without Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, his new programme sees him jet off to Japan to take in the culture.

To mark the occasion Amazon Prime Video has commissioned best-selling comic artist Amrit Birdi to work his magic and give the presenter a one-off anime design.

It’s an impressive work of art, giving James a buff makeover as well as some special powers by the looks of it.

In the image he stands proudly against a Japanese skyline dressed as a samurai, clutching his trusty sword ready to take on his enemies (or maybe just Jeremy and Richard).

The 56-year-old got to travel to the Far East back in March to film the six episodes, which will chuck him in at the deep end in various countries around the globe.

In the recently released first look trailer, poor James attempts to say ‘Sensai’ which means teacher in Japanese. However he ends up pronouncing it wrong and actually says ‘deodorant’.

He also samples some culinary delights and travels across Japan on a bike, car, plane, train and go-kart.

‘Japan is the most amazing place I’ve ever visited,’ James enthused ahead of his journey.

‘Everything about it is a surprise: a boiled sweet, a bullet train, an unexpected ancient temple, and the challenge of eating a single edamame bean with chopsticks.’

‘It’s a class A stimulant for all the senses, and an etiquette minefield for the unwary,’ he added.

‘I intend to immerse myself in it completely, in the pursuit of enlightenment and life balance. And I bet the noodles will be fantastic.’

Fans will also get to see James, Jeremy and Richard in a new The Grand Tour special, aptly named Seamen.

The upcoming special sees the trio take to some rough waters in Vietnam, which James described as an ‘utter misery’ to shoot.

The full series of James May: Our Man In Japan will be available to watch on Friday 3 January on Amazon Prime Video.

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Anyone tuning in to The X Factor: The Band might recognise one of the hopefuls Jess Folley, who has had a brush with fame in the past.

Jess, 17, won The Voice Kids in 2017 and released her debut Chasing Shadows last year.

For her blind audition for Will.i.am, Pixie Lott and Danny Jones two years ago she blew them away with her version of Ain’t Got Far To Go by Jess Glynne. Both Pixie and Danny pressed their buzzers and turned their chairs for her.

Her other iconic performances included Love On Top by Beyonce, Little Me by Little Mix and Boys & Girls by Pixie herself.

Now she is having a second go at achieving her dream of a music career by becoming part of Simon Cowell’s next big boy group or girl group.

Looking back at her time on The Band, Jess recalled her ‘surreal’ audition for Simon.

‘It feels incredible to be auditioning, it’s scary but it’s an exciting opportunity’ she said.

‘I have watched The X Factor since I was a little girl – it feels so surreal to be standing in Simon Cowell’s office auditioning.’

She took time out after winning The Voice Kids to hone her skills as a singer and songwriter, as well as brushing up on her piano playing.

‘This year I thought let’s take it up a notch and see what happens, I thought it would be an amazing experience – regardless of the outcome,’ Jess explained.

Although not much came from winning, Jess described The Voice Kids as an ‘incredible experience’ and credited the show with helping her on her journey to becoming an artist.

‘The X Factor: The Band is a new incredible experience for a 16, nearly 17 year old to go through.

‘The Voice put me on the path to being here today, I wouldn’t have these opportunities without it.

The X Factor: The Band starts on ITV tonight at 8.30pm.

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The winner has been crowned, the camp has been emptied – and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here is over for another year.

Well, almost. Because while Jacqueline Jossa might be celebrating after being crowned Queen of the Jungle in Sunday night’s final, we’re not bidding farewell to this year’s cast quite yet, as we’ve still got the reunion show, I’m A Celebrity…Coming Out to come.

That’ll give us the opportunity to catch up with everybody as they return to the real world – but when is it on?

Here’s what you need to know…

When is the I’m A Celebrity…Coming Out show on ITV?

I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here…Coming Out is on ITV on Thursday 12 December at 9pm.

The show is 55 minutes long, and airs ahead of ITV’s Election Night coverage which kicks off at 9.55pm.

What can you expect from I’m A Celebrity…Coming Out?

The show will see this year’s I’m A Celebrity campers filling us in on what they’ve been up to since they left the jungle and headed back to the luxurious Palazzo Versace Hotel.

We’ll also get to see their loved ones arrive in Australia and share their own thoughts about how they think the celebrities adapted to life in camp.

Among those you can expect to see on the show is Jacqueline Jossa, who has not done any interviews since she took the series title on Sunday night.

Speaking to Roman Kemp on her show on Monday, presenter Lorraine Kelly said: ‘I know she’s not doing interviews – I hope she’s having a bubble bath!’

Roman went on to reveal that Jacqueline almost quit the series but he managed to convince her to stay.

‘I said “if you stay you can win it,”,’ he told Lorraine.

Jacqueline fought off competition from favourite Andy Whyment on Sunday night to be named series winner.

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The X Factor is back on TV tonight – but not as you know it.

Because hot on the heels of The X Factor: Celebrity comes another spin-off series, The X Factor: The Band – which will see Simon Cowell embark on a fresh talent search for a uniquely talented group of individuals.

So just what’s this particular X Factor show about and how is it different from the main series?

Here’s what you need to know…

What is X Factor: The Band?

The X Factor: The Band is pretty much what you might expect from the title – as Simon Cowell looks for the next big boy or girl band to sign to his record label.

The show is set to air across four nights over the coming week, culminating in a live final on Sunday 15 December.

Presenter Dermot O’Leary has said he can’t wait for people to see it

‘In previous years, you’ve seen the judges put individual singers in a group – usually with their decision making and reasoning off camera, but this time people will get to see the process take place,’ he explained.

‘The judges will select girls and boys to form new bands just like they did with One Direction and Little Mix and then both will go head to head to be crowned the winning group with a live arena finale in Birmingham.’

How does it differ from The X Factor?

Well for starters there are only four shows – which means you can expect far fewer stages than your average series of X Factor.

Instead of auditions, boot camp, Six Chair Challenge and judges’ houses, hopefuls will initially be seen auditioning for Simon and fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger (no Louis Walsh this time) in his office at Sony HQ in London, before heading to the next stage – arena auditions in front of a crowd of thousands in Birmingham.

It’s here where a boy band and a girl band will be created by the judges from the successful auditionees – with the two going head to head in the live final and that coveted record contract at stake.

And while the main X Factor is open to groups and solo artists, here it’s all about the bands, with Simon hoping to find the next Little Mix, Fifth Harmony or One Direction.

It is also a lot shorter than the main series – running for just four shows, with the whole thing having been put together in a matter of weeks.

The show sees Simon in competition with former X Factor champions Little Mix, who are launching their own BBC talent series The Search in a bid to find a new girl group.

Speaking on Heart Breakfast he recently admitted he had launched X Factor: The Band early to try and get ahead of them.

‘We’ve always decided to do a group show in the UK so we’d agreed with ITV that we were gonna do X Factor Groups in 2020,’ he explained to hosts Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston.

‘So that was all fine and then we were going to do the All Stars version this year and then when we found out that the Little Mix show was gonna go out in 2020, I didn’t want to follow that show since we’d already planned it years ago. I thought, well we’ll just bring it forward.

‘And it wasn’t like some grudge against Little Mix or whatever because you know I owe those girls a lot, you know. Even though we gave them a launch pad, they sold a lot of records. I thought their idea was a great idea. Sometimes you wanna be the first one to do it in a certain country.’

Who are the judges on The X Factor: The Band?

As well as Simon and Nicole, Leona Lewis will be joining them for the live audition stage of the series.

The initial audition stage will also see the pair joined by a panel of advisors who include Naughty Boy, songwriter Carla Williams and Grammy-winning producers Lil’ Eddie and Fred Ball.

They’ll also be joining in the live audition stages along with singer Ella Eyre.

The X Factor: The Band kicks off on ITV on Monday night at 8.30pm.

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Warning: Article contains spoilers for Crisis On Infinite Earths

Crisis On Infinite Earths, the epic Arrowverse crossover event, dealt fans a sucker punch within the first hour that still has us reeling.

It certainly hit the ground running when it aired in the US at the weekend delivering one heck of a twist in episode one. If you’re not prepared to find out what that twist is – we suggest you head elsewhere. Pictures of Lizzo twerking perhaps?

The show made the shocking decision to kill off Green Arrow, aka Oliver Green (Stephen Amell) by having him sacrifice himself to help the inhabitants of Supergirl’s World as they tried to escape the anti-matter wave.

The Monitor predicted that Green Arrow would be one of the heroes to perish but he was still blindsided as he didn’t expect Oliver to go out the way he did.

Executive producer Marc Guggenheim told Entertainment Weekly that he wanted the shock death to hit us right in the feels and set the tone for the rest of the crossover – that ‘no one is safe’.

He explained that the moment ‘spoiled their own story’ because if Oliver’s death isn’t the surprise, they would have to come up with a new one as they felt audience might have been anticipating his death ‘in the fifth hour’.

Marc went on: ‘So if we went in the opposite direction and killed him off at the end of Hour, we accomplish two things: Hopefully we do surprise the audience. That’s absolutely the intention. But we also really establish the stakes that going into the next four hours, “Wow, if Oliver Queen can die, then no one is safe.”‘

Keto Shimizu, showrunner on DC’S Legend of Tomorrow added that his death sets up ‘interesting stories and conflicts between all these characters’.

Crisis On Infinite Earths marks a turning point on the DC TV Universe, which if it follows the comic books, could literally reset the show’s world.

The crossover is led by the recent stars of DC’s connected world including Batwoman, The Flash and Supergirl.

Airing as a five-hour event, the first three will go out December continuing with Batwoman tonight (9 December) and The Flash on 10 December.

It will conclude with the last two parts on 14 January, 2020.

Crisis on Infinite Earths airs on The CW in the US with a UK release date yet to be confirmed.

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MORE: The X Factor: The Band hopeful Jess Folley won The Voice Kids aged just 14

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! fans were missing Holly Willoughby’s face on the show this year.

Ant McPartlin returned to the jungle having taken a year out to focus on overcoming his personal demons after he was arrested for drink driving.

Holly’s stint on the show saw the series rake in one of the biggest viewing figures of that year with 11.9million people tuning in at the show’s peak.

Viewers loved seeing Ant and Dec Donnelly back together again, and the 2019 series kicked off with a solid 10.63million viewers.

However ratings dropped by over 5million across the first two weeks of the series, according to Radio Times.

Some fans have called for the This Morning host to return to I’m A Celebrity and shared their feelings on Twitter. Of course.

‘I want Dec’n’Holly back. I miss the chemistry and giggling,’ one viewer complained.

‘Is it bad i kinda miss dec and holly from last year?’ read another tweet.

Another viewer posted: ‘I know its nice to see ant and dec presenting together again but i wont lie i do miss holly and dec.’

‘Tell you what would make #ImACeleb bring back holly willoughby instead of ant…. she was cracking with dec last year,’ read a further comment.

But Ant and Dec have a huge loyal fanbase, and they were out in force for Ant’s return.

One fan tweeted: ‘So glad Ant is reunited with Dec on I’m A Celebrity there (sic) a great pair together. [I] mean @hollywills done a great job last year but it’s always great when them two are together.’

Another viewer tweeted: ‘As much as I’m gonna miss having @hollywills on TV every night for the next 3 weeks it’s good to have the pair back in the jungle, it ain’t the same without @antanddec in the jungle together.’

Luckily for them it seems Ant and Dec aren’t going anywhere, as a source told Daily Star: ‘Producers like having Ant and Dec back together. Even with the ratings going down, they are still confident that the lads are the best ­presenters for the show.

‘That means they won’t be bringing Holly back.’

I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! Coming Out airs Thursday at 9pm on ITV.

MORE: That shock death twist from Crisis On Infinite Earths explained: ‘No one is safe’

MORE: What is X Factor: The Band and how does it differ from X Factor?

Laura Fraser has reassured viewers that they won’t be left hanging in the Traces finale.

The UKTV drama kicked off on Monday night, introducing us to lab assistant Emma (Molly Windsor) as she tried to find the truth about her mother’s murder.

She takes a job working with Professor Sarah Gordon (Fraser) and Professor Kathy Torrance (Jennifer Spence) at SIFA, the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science.

In the first episode Emma learns that her mother died more violently than she first thought. And a case used as an example for students in Sarah’s MOOC (Massive Open Online Course) was incredibly similar to the investigation into her mum’s murder.

Over the course of the series Emma will try and find out the truth of what happened to finally bring her mum’s killer to justice.

And it’s worth sticking with, according to the star.

She told Metro.co.uk: ‘It’s definitely a satisfying pay off because when I read the scripts, I didn’t know which red herring…I didn’t guess it.

‘Hopefully it will be the same for viewers. I’m rubbish at guessing anyway, so I found it satisfying. Maybe if someone is better at guessing it won’t be!’

Playing a woman experienced in forensic science came with a lot of terminology that it was important to nail down.

And it was a challenge Laura admits was difficult to get her head around at first.

‘With acting normally you make these emotional connections between the sentences and it naturally leads to the next line because you’ve got emotional through-line,’ she said.

‘But with the forensic science terminology it’s really hard to make the connection between the two sentences.

‘I tried learning it like a timetable, by repetition, but that wasn’t working because there’s so many things that sound the same and so many acronyms. I used visualisations to get me through. It was almost like charades and all little tricks to try and remember it and then looking like you know what you’re talking about as well, it was a struggle.’

The six episodes must have seriously impressed The Powers That Be as there is already talk of bringing the crime drama back for a second series.

We could be reunited with Sarah and Kathy in their lab as they work on more cases together in a brand new series that we could be getting as soon as next year.

‘Within that forensic science backdrop there’s a very good framework to investigate more cases, there’s so many routes the emotional storylines could take and the work at SIFA,’ Laura explains.

‘There’s a possibility it could come back next year.’

Traces airs Mondays at 9pm on Alibi.

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UKTV channel Alibi has done something clever with Traces, their new crime drama that kicked off on Monday night.

In episode one we met Emma, who takes a job as a lab technician at SIFA, the Scottish Institute of Forensic Science.

She is put on a collision course with her boss, Professor Sarah Gordon (Laura Fraser), over the Prof’s Massive Open Online Course for students which contains a case with similar details to how Emma’s own mother was murdered.

Riding the wave of the recent appetite for true crime, Traces invites viewers to follow the story of a fictional true crime through the eyes of intriguing characters.

But it’s the addition of the forensic side of the police work taking centre stage, rather than some broody policeman with a tortured past, which feeds directly into the true crime fascination. It’s the minutiae, the evidence that points one way or wildly in another that keeps people hooked.

Emma learning her mother was dismembered, her stepdad’s supposed bad temper, her’s mum’s sketchy relationship status – it all adds up. And following what they add up to is part of the fun.

Carrying this story are three well-rounded leading ladies. A great female role doesn’t have to equal wearing high-heels, kicking butt and taking names (although this is also pretty cool). It can be a clearly nerdy Sarah getting excited about a new forensic discovery. Or the clever, free-spirited yet haunted Emma taking charge of her own life.

Molly Windsor is an asset to anything she’s in (see: Three Girls, Cheat) and Traces is no exception, while Laura puts in a solid performance as the self-described ‘square’ Professor Gordon.

Jennifer Spence as Professor Kathy Torrance was sparky and fun, and added much needed warmth and humanity to what is otherwise a gloomy story.

She was a little underused in the first episode but when she did appear she was the perfect foil to the straight-laced Sarah and Emma’s earnestness.

If Traces does get a second outing as star Fraser has suggested it might, enough groundwork has been laid with these characters to make us care what they get up to next. While waiting for the next Making A Murderer or the new season of Mndhunter, it’s worth sticking with.

Traces airs Mondays at 9pm on Alibi.

MORE: The X Factor: The Band hopeful Jess Folley won The Voice Kids aged just 14

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Social media was left asking why X Factor: The Band didn’t mention contestant Jess Folley had previously won The Voice Kids.

17-year-old Jess won the kids version of The Voice two years ago when she was just 14… she even released her debut song last year, Chasing Shadows.

For her blind audition for Will.i.am, Pixie Lott and Danny Jones on The Voice Kids, she blew them away with her version of Ain’t Got Far To Go by Jess Glynne.

Then, in tonight’s special band version of X Factor, she sang an original song of hers titled I Love.

But during her introductory video, she made no mention of her previous journey.

‘As cringey as it sounds, I’ve always kind of known that this is what I want to do and I’m willing to work my butt off to get as far as I possibly can,’ she said.

She then met Simon Cowell and Nicole Scherzinger, who seemed impressed she had an original song to sing.

While she smashed it out of the park with her performance, many fans of both The Voice and X Factor questioned why the show didn’t admit she’s previously been on a singing talent show.

she won the voice kids this is hardly fair #XFactorTheBand

— liv❄️ (@Liv_Liv_Liv__) December 9, 2019

Didn’t she win the voice kids #XFactorTheBand

— Bridget ◟̽◞̽ (@7Ringslwt) December 9, 2019

Why tf is the voice kids winner on X factor: The Band? What- #XFactorTheBand

— 𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧✰ (@MultiBWS) December 9, 2019

One viewer tweeted: ‘didnt this jess girl on x factor win the voice?’

While another wrote: ‘I see Jess who just got through didn’t mention her winning the Voice Kids?!’

Then another objected: ‘She won the voice kids how is that even fair to audition people that are already singers.’

Earlier today, Jess spoke about her audition ahead of tonight’s show.

‘It feels incredible to be auditioning, it’s scary but it’s an exciting opportunity’ she said.

‘I have watched The X Factor since I was a little girl – it feels so surreal to be standing in Simon Cowell’s office auditioning.’

She took time out after winning The Voice Kids to hone her skills as a singer and songwriter, as well as brushing up on her piano playing.

‘This year I thought let’s take it up a notch and see what happens, I thought it would be an amazing experience – regardless of the outcome,’ Jess explained.

Let’s see if the second time’s a charm.

The X Factor: The Band continues on Wednesday from 8:30pm.

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