OHMYGOSSIP — ITV is reportedly planning to air a “top quality drama” about the life of Margaret Thatcher.
There are four biopics in the pipeline based on the late former Prime Minister, and it’s said ITV are in the early stages of a project with ‘The Crown’ star Lesley Manville taking on the lead role.
A source told The Sun newspaper’s TVBiz column: “Apart from the top casting, getting a huge channel like ITV backing the show is a huge vote of confidence in the project.
“It’s also something of a departure for ITV because other biopics featuring Maggie have tended to air on the BBC or Channel 4.
“But this is a shrewd move for them as this is being mooted as a top quality drama, which is virtually guaranteed to be a hit with viewers.”
It’s said the project is yet to be officially commissioned with filming still “way off”, but the drama could air late next year.
The insider added: “It hasn’t been commissioned yet and so filming is way off, but if everything falls into place it could be on our screens at some point in late 2025.”
Channel 4 are currently working on new drama ‘Brian and Margaret’ with Dame Harriet Walter playing the former Tory leader.
And Mammoth Studios – the team behind BBC hit ‘Poldark’ and ITV period drama ‘Victoria’ – are working on their own show based on Thatcher.
A fourth production is also in development, with reports claiming a big writer and production company are involved, while that project could wind up airing on a streaming platform.
However, with so many different series planned, it is said there are growing concerns that not every one of them will actually make it as far as being on screen.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Huw Edwards received a £40,000 pay rise last year despite not being on screen since July 2023.
The 62-year-old broadcaster – who resigned in April “on medical advice” following allegations he paid a young person for sexually explicit pictures – was paid more than £475,000 last year but did not complete all his work.
The BBC’s annual report has revealed he was paid for 160 presenting days, as well as BBC One news specials, election specials and other TV work.
Under the corporation’s usual policy, he was on the payroll while suspended amid an investigation, and this continued while he was suffering from mental health issues and receiving hospital care.
The ‘News at 10’ anchor was named as the BBC presenter at the centre of the scandal last summer by his wife Vicky Flind, who explained at the time he had been admitted to hospital with “serious” mental health issues and she was speaking out following days of speculation “primarily out of concern for his mental well-being and to protect our children”.
Police said at the time no criminal offence had been committed by the presenter.
The BBC confirmed that Huw didn’t receive a payoff, and director general Tim Davie reiterated that as he spoke to press following the annual report this week.
He said: “There was no settlement payment, we have said that before. Look, we’re always trying to be very judicious with the spending of public money and no one wants to waste a pound.
“But what you’re trying to do, and from the onset of that affair, was try to act proportionately, I think that’s what we did.”
He added that he “wouldn’t go into the specifics of the individual case, in terms of the increase in pay prior to any breaking of the story”.
In April, a statement from the BBC read: “Huw Edwards has today resigned and left the BBC.
“After 40 years of service, Huw has explained that his decision was made on the basis of medical advice from his doctors.
“The BBC has accepted his resignation which it believes will allow all parties to move forward. We don’t believe it appropriate to comment further.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Sean Wilson is returning to ‘Coronation Street’ as Martin Platt.
The 59-year-old actor – who last returned to the ITV soap six years ago – will be back on the cobbles in October as part of Helen Worth’s departure as Gail Platt, and he is returning to the cobbles on Wednesday (24.07.24) to start filming his scenes.
He said in a statement: “It was great to be invited back to [‘Coronation Street’] again, to contribute to Helen’s exit story.
“We’ll have a few months to catch up with Martin and Gail again, following the ebbs and flows of the unfolding storyline.
“Playing Martin has been a joy since day one and in a way, I’ll be slipping back to where I left off, which no doubt will throw a spanner into the heart of the Platt family.
“It’s just like slipping on an old and comfortable jumper from the back of the wardrobe… I’m looking forward to reuniting with my TV family.”
Sean first played Martin for 20 years from 1985 to 2005, while his character emigrated to New Zealand with his family in 2018.
He returned to Weatherfield for one final visit to make his piece with son David (Jack P Shepherd).
When he returns later this year, David is shocked to find his dad at the house, and he is immediately suspicious about his father’s reasons for suddenly coming back into their lives.
Helen confirmed last month she had signed her final contract and would be leaving the soap at the end of the year.
She said: “This year felt like the perfect time to leave the show after celebrating 50 years in the most wonderful job on the most wonderful street in the world.
“I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding.
“I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew.
“The past 50 years have flown by and I don’t think the fact that I am leaving has quite sunk in yet.”
At the time, soap bosses teased that Gail will “bid farewell to Weatherfield in a major storyline for the Platt family”.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘EastEnders’ has confirmed Kat Slater and Tommy Moon will be part of a child-to-parent abuse storyline.
On Tuesday’s episode of the BBC soap, Tommy (Sonny Kendall) was scene brutally attacking his mother Kat (Jessie Wallace) after his attitude worsened in recent episodes before boiling over after she refused to get back with her estranged husband Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden).
She tried to enforce her authority as his mother, but he said he hated her, as well as living with her and his father Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) and hit her in the stomach.
She pushed him away in self defence and apologised when he fell backwards, but he warned that she would regret it.
Executive producer Chris Clenshaw has now said: “Kat is well-known in Albert Square for her no-nonsense attitude and fiery temper, but this storyline will explore how Tommy manipulates Kat’s unequivocal love for her son to exert his anger and elicit control.
“Jessie [Wallace] and Sonny’s [Kendall] performances have thoughtfully portrayed the complex realities of child-to-parent abuse with compassion and understanding, and the storyline will demonstrate how Tommy’s behaviour affects their relationship and the wider Slater-Moon family as a whole.”
Chris confirmed that the soap’s team have collaborated with Family Based Solutions, PEGS and the NSPCC “as well as other experts” to make sure the story is told “accurately and sensitively”.
Jason Phasouliotis, Secondary Age Lead Practitioner at Family Based Solutions, added in a statement: “Throughout our time working together, ‘EastEnders’ has shown a deep commitment to portray this sensitive topic with the seriousness it deserves, and we hope this storyline will resonate with families experiencing CPA to encourage them to reach out for support.”
And PEGS director Michelle John described the storyline as a “critical turning point for those experiencing child-to-parent abuse”.
She said: “It was clear from our first conversation that the scriptwriters wanted to ensure the storyline came across in a way that was real but with respect and compassion for those who have or who are experiencing this form of abuse.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Janette Manrara says Aljaz Skorjanec will “make so many people smile” on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 40-year-old dancer – who appeared on seven series of the BBC Latin and ballroom competition as a professional until 2020 – has posted a message of support for her husband as he returns to the show this week after a two-year hiatus.
The couple have been working together on Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars Weekends this summer, and she’s grateful to have performed with him before his big moment.
She wrote on Instagram: “I got to dance w/ you one last time before simply enjoying watching you dance every weekend w/ Lyra. My heart was full doing what I love most w/ you by my side.
“Good luck for the series my Bučko. It all kicks off today! How exciting! You will make so many people smile.
“I will cherish our moment on the dance floor together deeply until the next time we dance together once again. But for now… #keepdancing I love you.”
‘Strictly’ is currently under fire, with dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice both leaving the series following allegations about their behaviour in training.
Pernice has denied “any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour”, while Di Prima was axed amid reports of alleged misconduct relating to how he treated his 2023 dance partner Zara McDermott.
The dancer has since admitted he “deeply regrets” the events that led to his departure.
Janette’s representative responded after her 2019 partner Will Bayley claimed there was “no duty of care” when he injured his ankle trying to perfect a risky move, despite not wanting “to do the jump”.
The Paraylypian told The Sun: “We practiced a few times and I was really careful. But then Janette said my jump was ‘rubbish’ and I needed to smile more and go for it and show a bit of passion.
“I was really determined, so I went for it and smiled at the camera. When I landed I just had the most horrific pain. I still have flashbacks now.”
He claimed Janette was “under a lot of pressure by the bosses”, adding : “She was a passionate teacher and she was part of the decision to do the jump. I feel she could have protected me more, but I didn’t have an issue with her.”
In response, a spokesperson for the dancer said: “Janette had a great time dancing with Will and one of her favourite moments on the show was doing their contemporary couples choice.
“Her celebrity partner’s safety and enjoyment was always the priority throughout her time on Strictly. Janette has never received any complaints and has maintained friendships with all her partners, including Will.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Roberta Taylor has been hailed as the “real deal” by ‘The Bill’ boss Tim Key.
The actress – who died this month aged 76 from an “infection caused by a fall two months prior, agitating her underlying health problems with pneumonia” – was known for her role as Inspector Gina Gold on the ITV police drama, as well as playing Irene Raymond in ‘EastEnders’.
Tim – who served as executive producer on the show wrote on X, formerly Twitter: “Very sad indeed to hear of the death of Roberta Taylor. It was a real privilege to work with her on The Bill.
“She was the real deal – a fierce and strong personality, but with a kindness and joy for life that made spending time with her an absolute blast. And she was a great actor too, brave and unashamedly herself.
“I went for dinner once with her and Lynda Bellingham and it was glorious. I knew at the time I was privileged to be hanging out with both of them.
“Anyway, my thoughts are with her friends and family. I’m glad I got to know her a little and spend a bit of time with her. She was one of a kind.”
Former ‘The Bill’ co-star Stuart Antony described her as “a joy to work with”.
He added: “Sad to hear lovely Roberta Taylor has passed away. She was a joy to work with and always great fun when I saw her – RIP x”
The official ‘EastEnders’ account paid tribute to the actress, referencing the immediate “impact” she had on screen.
They posted: “We’re deeply saddened to hear that Roberta Taylor has passed away.
“Roberta made an impact on screen from the moment she arrived in Albert Square, as Irene Raymond.
“Roberta will be remembered fondly by everyone that worked with her. Our love thoughts go to her family friends.”
Taylor’s final appearance on the small screen was in the BBC’s private eye comedy ‘Shakespeare and Hathaway’.
She is survived by her veteran TV actor husband Peter Guinness, 73, whose film credits include ‘Alien 3’, as well as her son Elliott, a granddaughter and two stepbrothers.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Russell T Davies wanted to prove ‘Doctor Who’ hasn’t “severed its roots” since moving to Disney.
The iconic BBC sci fi show returned earlier this year for its 14th season with Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson in the TARDIS, and the showrunner has explained his logic in bringing back Sutekh the Destroyer in ‘The Legend of Ruby Sunday’ with the series now being co-produced by Disney+.
He told Doctor Who Magazine: “Being on Disney Plus now, this is a very deliberate choice to bring back an old BBC enemy – we’ve even cast the same actor [Gabriel Woolf] – to prove that the show hasn’t severed its roots.
“To delve into your backstory is a very fine thing. That’s thrilling for new viewers, and for old viewers, it’s a great reward.”
Russell was “fascinated” after speaking to a producer friend Nicola Shindler, who was “so excited” by Agatha Harkness appearing in ‘WandaVision’.
He recalled: “I asked her, ‘Do you know who Agatha Harkness is?’ She went, ‘No, I’ve no idea!’
“And I’m fascinated by that – that you can introduce a character from the lore, who a modern viewer doesn’t know, and yet they get the thrill of it.”
He pointed out that the modern world makes it much easier to bring back classic characters, as “the internet will do your work for you”.
He added: “In the old days, you could feasibly have said, ‘Will people know who Sutekh is?’
“Now, it’s on our official site. It’s on our Instagram posts. Type in the word ‘Sutekh’ and there’s an entire Wikipedia article, full of the history.”
Meanwhile, the BBC heaped praise on ‘Doctor Who’ in its annual report this week, with “huge audiences” on iPlayer, and the introduction of the Whoniverse as a “dedicated home for all shows within the orbit of Doctor Who”.
The report also noted that BBC and Disney had come “together to transform Doctor Who into a global franchise for UK audiences and the rest of the world”.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Gabby Logan found it “a lot harder” than she let on working in a male-dominated industry.
The 51-year-old sports presenter – who worked for the likes of Sky Sports and ITV early in her career before joining BBC Sport in 2007 – has reflected on her early days in the world of broadcasting, and while she insisted “it was never toxic”, there were still some struggles.
She told Best magazine: “At the very beginning, I found it a lot harder than I probably acknowledged at the time.
“I was like, ‘Oh, yeah, this is great, I’ll just try to keep up with this conversation and this banter’ – and, actually, it wasn’t great.
“It was never toxic, but back in the 1990s, I’m sure wherever you worked in a male-dominated environment – in the City or in medicine – you’d hear comments that you wouldn’t hear now.”
Gabby – who will be leading the BBC’s Paris 2024 Olympic Games coverage alongside the likes of Clare Balding, Mark Chapman and Jeanette Kwakye – stopped short of saying she has had to work harder as a woman, but she has noticed something of a double standard.
She explained: “It’s hard to say, but there have definitely been times in my career – certainly not in the last 10 years or so; before that – when I’ve looked at men doing the same job as me and thought, ‘Would I have got away with that?’
“Perhaps they haven’t been as prepared as they should have been, for example.”
She noted how some women might get passed over in favour of men getting a job ahead of them despite being more than ready.
She added: “And I think women have had to put up with a lot in that respect – seeing men promoted above them and being given roles that they felt they were ready for.
“Thankfully, most industries have realised that it’s not a good look.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Abbey Clancy has told how her husband Peter Crouch hasn’t made her a meal “in 20 years”, as she gears up for ‘Cooking with the Stars’.
The 38-year-old model – who has children Sophia, 11, Liberty, seven, Johnny, four, and three-year-old Jack with the star – joked the former professional footballer once made her a piece of toast, but she cannot recall him cooking up much of a storm in the kitchen, apart from perhaps some pasta with chorizo.
She said: “No one else in the family cooks apart from me. Pete’s never made me a meal in 20 years!
“I think the most I’ve ever had out of him is a piece of toast.
“I think he might have made some pasta with chorizo, but that’s it. My daughter Sophia likes cooking, she makes herself those smoothie bowls every morning. My signature dish at home would probably be a fish pie.”
Abbey signed up for the ITV1 show – in which eight celebrities are each paired with a professional chef, who becomes their mentor as they aim to be crowned series champion – because she wants to “improve” her cooking lessons.
She said: “I love learning new skills. I’ve never been taught how to cook and I’ve sort of winged it all these years.
“I wanted to improve my cooking skills. I actually asked Pete for cooking lessons for Christmas and then this opportunity came up. I was so excited to be taught by a Michelin starred chef.
“I love to cook but this is a totally different experience, being in that kitchen with a time limit, the cameras, under pressure and the competition element.
“I feel like that’s where I could fail and crack under the pressure. When I’m under pressure I can’t take anything in and I’ve never followed a recipe in my life. It’s a different way of learning for me, I’m a visual learner.”
But Abbey is hoping she doesn’t have to cook with artichoke, which she counts as her “food hell”.
She added: “My guilty pleasure is pizza, I love pizza, I like Hawaiian. Everywhere I’ve gone all over the world I’ve definitely had a pizza. My food hell is artichoke.”
TV presenter Carol Vorderman, stage and screen actor Christopher Biggins, Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds, YouTuber Harry Pinero, comedian Katherine Ryan, former Olympic sprinter Linford Christie and former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ pro dancer Pasha Kovalev are also part of the line up.
‘Cooking with the Stars’ – co-hosted by Emma Willis and Tom Allen – returns on July 30th at 8pm on ITV1.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Jay Blades is to front Channel 5’s new show ‘Country Homes Through Time’.
The ‘Repair Shop’ host, 54, is set to explore a string of stately homes in what will be the latest instalment of his line of factual programmes, after he presented ‘East End Through Time’, ‘The Midlands Through Time’ and the recently released ‘West End Through Time’.
A source told The Sun newspaper’s TV Biz column: “Jay will probably always be best known for ‘The Repair Shop’, but he has really carved out a groove as a historian for Channel 5.
“Whilst the East End and Midlands series had an autobiographical flavour as they explored Jay’s roots, later series have shown him flex to areas beyond his own patch.
“The format is really gathering pace and viewers love it. It really could run and run, with Jay exploring every corner of the UK and beyond.”
The TV star gushed about the programmes, and added he loves to “delve into” the history of the places he visits.
He said: “I love these series, uncovering eye-opening, surprising and extraordinary facts about where we live. There is so much history to delve into.”
This news comes following the breakdown of Jay’s marriage to Lisa Marie Zbozen – who he wed in November 2022 – and the passing of his uncle Richard Brathwaite, who was stabbed to death on a north London street in March.
As a result of this, the TV host – who has presented ‘The Repair Shop’ since 2017 – opted to sit out of filming his beloved programme for a period of time, but he is expected to front a spin-off to the show called ‘The Repair Shop on the Road’, which will travel across Britain to revive guests’ broken treasures.
A TV insider told the publication: “This is a great vote of confidence in ‘The Repair Shop’ presenter, even if it does see the limelight shift from him somewhat in this spin-off.
“It’s also another sign of just how successful the show has become in the seven years it’s been on our screens.”
The source added that the show – which is expected to go into production later this year – will put “less emphasis on frontman Jay”, and “more on the supporting team of restorers” from the ‘The Repair Shop’ team.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ stars Nadiya Bychkova and Kai Widdrington have split up after two years of dating.
The professional dancers became an item in 2022, but after two “blissful” years together the former couple have waltzed away from one another after they “grew apart”.
A friend told The Sun newspaper: “It’s heart-breaking.
“Kai and Nadiya seemed like the most perfect couple and have been so, so blissfully in love.”
Despite their break up, the pair are said to still be “incredibly close” and will not let their split have “any impact” on this year’s ‘Strictly’ series.
The friend added: “After a tough few weeks, they sat down together and decided to call it quits.
“They remain incredibly close and are determined their split will not have any impact on the next series of ‘Strictly’ – they remain consummate professionals, and nothing will change that.”
Last year, Kai, 27, told how he found Nadiya, 33, “drop-dead gorgeous”.
He told the publication at the time: “I think I speak for most of the men in Britain when I say that they would find Nadiya absolutely drop-dead gorgeous – and I still have to pinch myself sometimes.”
Kai also admitted he and Nadiya tried to keep their romance a secret for as long as possible, but they let ‘Strictly’ bosses know about their relationship “as a professional courtesy”.
He explained: “We knew that it would come out and that it would be a big thing, so we kept it private for as long as we could, which was both annoying and exciting at the same time.
“It was one of those things. We would go somewhere and only we knew we were there.
“Sometimes we would go out in disguise, or baseball caps pulled down low, etc, and we knew this period of time was only going to last a little bit
“We did let our bosses know as a professional courtesy, that was our decision.”
Earlier this year, ‘Strictly’ confirmed their pro dancer line up for this year, which included both Nadiya and Kai.
At the time, it also included Graziano Di Prima, who has since been axed from the show amid reports of alleged misconduct relating to how he treated his 2023 dance partner Zara McDermott.

Source: VacationHunter.Online