OHMYGOSSIP — Jonathan Groff had “never seen an episode” of ‘Doctor Who’ before landing his guest role.
The 39-year-old Broadway star – known for his roles in ‘Hamilton’ and ‘Spring Awakening’, as well as appearances in ‘Glee’ – is playing mysterious bounty hunter Rogue in this weekend’s episode of the same name, and he needed a “quick crash course” in all this Whovian before starting work on the iconic sci-fi show.
He told the BBC: “I had known of ‘Doctor Who’ and how much of a big deal it was in the UK, but I had never seen an episode of it.
“But [showrunner Russell T. Davies] sent me about five episodes of ‘Doctor Who’ from throughout the years, including the first episode that ever aired in black and white.
“So, I had a very quick crash course before I started.”
In ‘Rogue’, The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) arrive in 1813 to find guests at the Duchess of Pemberton’s (Indira Varma) party being murdered.
Jonathan revealed he landed the role after getting a simple text from Russell, having admired the writer for a while now.
He said: “Oh my god! I got a very exciting text message from Russell T. Davies, and I’m a huge fan of his work, especially ‘It’s A Sin’ – I still haven’t recovered from it!
“So I was very excited to hear from him. He just wrote to me and told me that there was this role that was available on the show and asked me to play it.”
He admitted the “biggest challenge” was attempting to “understand and fit into the tone of the show”, which meant finding a balance between “fantasy” and the “depth to the storytelling”, which still feels “real”.
The ‘Frozen’ star was helped by Ncuti and Millie, who were “big smiles and full of laughs”, and made sure to give him a warm welcome.
He added: “I spent most of my time with Ncuti and I am obsessed with him. I think he is such a star.
“He’s so unpredictable and thrilling to act with because you never see the same thing twice. He’s so spontaneous, and yet so deeply connected to what he’s doing. He really cares.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Sonny Jay “worried about stupid things” before he became a dad.
The 30-year-old radio DJ welcomed baby Mia with his girlfriend Danielle Peazer in May and now he has admitted that he “didn’t understand” so many things during the pregnancy and the thought of a baby coming into his life was “so scary” but he did feel “genuinely ready” for fatherhood.
He told thortful: “Yeah, it’s actually quite funny because everything that I was so worried about during the pregnancy, as soon as Mia arrived, they just went away. But they were things like stupid things. Like, honestly, I was so worried about how am I going to sterilise bottles? I don’t understand. No one’s ever taught me how to do this in life. Would you ever have to sterilise your own bottle? But yeah, you know, everything’s so scary. They’re like, you’ve got to do this, you’ve got to do that for a baby.
“My worries were more stupid things like that, over am I ready because I genuinely felt ready.
The former ‘Dancing on Ice’ winner was then asked when he felt an “instant bond” with his little girl and admitted that it came as soon as they got home after a night in hospital.
He said: “I felt it the most as soon as we got home. We had to stay in overnight and it was this weird thing of we were staying in a hospital, rather than our own home. It was odd staying in the hospital overnight, but as soon as we got home and we’re in our own environment and you realise that you’ve just arrived home with an extra human! We haven’t lived here for long, and it’s just been the two of us, but now there’s a whole new vibe to the house, it felt so right.”
See the full interview here: https://www.thortful.com/blog/interview-with-sonny-jay/

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Sydnie Christmas was left “heartbroken” when she saw rumours that ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ was a fix.
The 28-year-old singer was crowned the latest winner of the ITV1 talent show and bagged a £250,000 cash prize as well as a spot on the Royal Variety but because she had worked in the industry before finding fame, some viewers assumed that the whole thing had been a setup.
She told Metro.co.uk: “I’m new to all the attention. The fix rumours are just not true. Everything has been genuine and I’ve said my truth so saying it’s not is questioning me. There’s nothing that breaks my heart more than to see [the doubt]. It makes me feel really c*****. It’s soul-destroying but there’s nothing I can do to change their minds so I’ve had to separate myself.
“I’d love to speak to them but they are so angry so there’s nothing more I can do.”
Sydnie had performed in productions of ‘Grease’ and ‘Starlight Express’ after finishing drama school but had struggled to find regular work in the industry so at the time of auditioning for ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, she was employed as a gym receptionist.
She said: “On New Year’s Eve, I had almost thrown in the towel. It just wasn’t sustainable and I had given it a good go. But then I got onto ‘BGT’.
It just shows that when you’re at the point of throwing in the towel, it is your time.”
In her televised audition, Sydnie sang a version of ‘Tomorrow’ from ‘Annie’ that had been inspired by ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ star Marisha Wallace before sailing through to the final with her rendition of the Frank Sinatra classic ‘My Way’ and claiming victory with a performance of ‘Over the Rainbow’ in the final.
An insider claimed that theatre producers are already showing major interest in casting the aspiring West End star because she has the power to “super-charge” sales at the box office.
The source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “She is set for big things. Her name in any production could super-charge ticket sales, and there has already been a lot of interest.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Giovanni Pernice’s series of ‘Celebrity Hunted’ has reportedly been postponed amid investigations into his conduct on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The professional dancer has been mired in controversy after some of his celebrity partners on the BBC ballroom competition are said to have complained about his conduct on the show, and now it’s thought his his series of the Channel 4 programme – which was filmed a year ago – has been delayed indefinitely as a result.
A source told The Sun newspaper’s TVBiz column: “This will be gutting for Gio, as he’s seen himself get increasing amounts of work beyond the dance show.
“It’s particularly galling as ‘Celebrity Hunted’ is a programme designed as a fundraising and awareness raising vehicle for their Stand Up 2 Cancer appeal.
“That’s something he very much wanted to be a part of, so it is a huge disappointment to know it probably won’t see the light of day while the investigation is ongoing.”
He filmed ‘Celebrity Hunted’ in May 2023 as he paired up with fellow ‘Strictly’ dancer Kai Widdrington.
The reality show series pairs of celebrities on the run, doing their best to avoid being captured by surveillance experts.
The 2022 and 2023 series of the show aired around March time on Channel 4, but the new version – which also featured the likes of Christine McGuinness, Danielle Harold and Denise Welch – is yet to surface.
This follows reports that Giovanni and Anton Du Beke’s BBC travel show has also been put on ice while an investigation takes place at the Beeb.
Despite facing criticism for the way he allegedly treats his partners, Giovanni – who has denied all wrongdoing – previously emphasised he only wants to do his best for the contestants.
He explained to the Sunday Mirror’s ‘Invite Only’ podcast: “I am a perfectionist, 100 per cent, but it comes from a perspective of caring. I think all of the professional dancers are in the same place.
“In every single part of the world, if you’re a professional dancer on one of these shows, you have to get these people looking the best they can on Saturday night.
“And if we have good scores at the end, I do look back and say, ‘I’ve done a great job’. But we all care about our partners and we want that for them every single week – to look great on a Saturday.
“There’s no specific way that you are, or have to be with your celebrity. You make the most of their strengths so the only thing that’s constant is the fact that you have to do a show on Saturday night.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Love Island All Stars’ will return in 2025 to celebrate 10 years of the hit dating show.
The series – which originally launched as a celebrity reality show from 2005 to 2006 – was rebooted in its current form in 2015, and ITV is looking to mark the impressive milestone with another ‘All Stars’ edition.
Mike Spencer, creative director at Lifted Entertainment, said in a statement: “What a perfect way to celebrate a decade of ‘Love Island’, by bringing back another all star class of Islanders for what will I’m sure be another vintage year of romance, drama and relationships.”
The most recent series was won by Molly Smith and Tom Clare, but there is no word yet on which former stars could return to the villa in another bid for romance.
Executive producer Martin Oxley heaped praise on the spin-off series for bringing “a whole new dimension” to the show, which is hosted by Maya Jama.
He added: “Series 1 of ‘All Stars’ gave a whole new dimension to goings on in the villa, and allowed us all to be re-acquainted with some of our favourite ‘Love Island’ faces.
“We just can’t wait to see who will be queuing up to couple up in series 2, and who will be the last pair standing in the South African villa.”
It’s said the first ‘All Stars’ series was a hit with the show’s “loyal 16-34 audience”, and bosses are excited to be preparing for another run.
Paul Mortimer, Director of Reality and Acquisitions at ITV, said: “Love Island’s All Stars series proved to be an enticing New Year treat for our loyal 16-34 audience, so it is hugely exciting to be re-opening the doors of our South African villa for another set of alumni.”
Fans won’t have to wait until 2025 for more ‘Love Island’ though, with the main summer show set to return next week for a new series.
‘Love Island’ will return to ITV1, ITV2 and ITVX on June 3.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Jamie Oliver has reportedly landed two more food shows on Channel 4.
The 49-year-old ‘Naked Chef’ star split viewers with his recent air fryer series, but the broadcaster is said to have signed him up for two new projects.
As reported by The Sun newspaper’s TVBiz column, he will host new show ‘Jamie’s Money Saving Meals’, which will feature tips on cutting costs while still making good meals.
He’s also set to front food travel show ‘Jamie Cooks Georgia’, as he explores the southern US state to find out more about its cuisine.
An insider told the outlet: “Bagging these two shows sees Jamie still going strong as a television chef — and they couldn’t have come at a more momentous time.
“He’s currently celebrating 25 years of being on our telly screens as his debut series, ‘The Naked Chef’, first aired back in 1999.”
The new projects are proof of his longevity and fanbase, even after some people criticised his air fryer series for using several of the gadgets to make his meal, despite most people only have one – if any.
The source added: “It’s hard to believe that after a quarter of a century he’s still enjoying making cookery shows and enjoying a huge following.
“That’s despite the fact that he did get a few digs over his air fryer series which aired last month.”
While that show was on air, Jamie was filming in Georgia for this new show, with local media revealing at the time that he’d be meeting “local artisans”, learning to cook Georgian dishes, and exploring its unique food culture.
It’s said the show is going to air on his social media channels first before moving to Channel 4 “within months”, while The Sun notes that ‘Jamie’s Money Saving Meals’ is expected to air on the UK channel later this year.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Jamie Laing was initially “too embarrassed” to appear on ‘Made in Chelsea’.
The 35-year-old TV star was part of the Channel 4 reality series from 2011 to 2021, and has now revealed he originally rejected the network’s offer to work on the programme because he “didn’t want to tell anyone that [he] was doing it”.
During an appearance on the ‘High Performance’ podcast, he said: “I was too embarrassed about doing it, because I had been asked to do the first series, and I said, ‘I’m not doing that.’
“And then I saw my friends who were on the show, and I was like, ‘Oh, that looks really fun.’
“But I didn’t want to tell anyone that I was doing it.”
After leaving the show, Jamie focused on his other business ventures, like his gourmet sweets company Candy Kittens, though found he initially “struggled to be taken seriously” because he worked on ‘Made In Chelsea’.
In an article for i News, he wrote: “It truly was a gift, but a gift with consequences.
“The biggest consequence was that afterwards, I struggled to be taken seriously. I became that ‘blonde lothario’ who was always asked, ‘Hey what are you going to do when this all ends?’
“When I spoke about going into business, people rolled their eyes and laughed.”
The reality star admitted he felt his “TV past was holding [him] back”.
He continued: “The real problem came when I took the brand to grocers.
“They thought that my career on TV was going to be a flash in the pan and therefore couldn’t see why the business had any longevity.
“The number of closed doors and ‘no’s’ we had when setting up the company would have made anyone want to give up.
“There were times when I even questioned whether my reality TV past was holding us back as a business.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Taskmaster’ bosses have officially unveiled plans for a “live experience”.
The hugely popular Channel 4 gameshow – which pits comedians against each other in whacky tasks to impress Greg Davies and his assistant Little Alex Horne – is expanding with the launch of an interactive adventure later this year.
‘Taskmaster: The Live Experience’ is coming to London in September, and fans will be able to test themselves with a range of tasks.
Contestants will battle against each other in familiarly themed locations, ranging from the shed, the living room and the Taskmaster lab, before gathering in a theatre showdown themed like the ‘final task of the show’.
Players will get to choose from either the Melon Buffet or Absolute Casserole experiences, which each include their own tasks and challenges.
There will also be appearances on video from Little Alex Horne, who has helped promote the launch of the franchise’s expansion.
He said: “Do you want to compete in ludicrous tasks, just like your favourite comedians? Of course you do!”
The experience will also include a ‘Taskmaster’ museum, as well as the chance to have a drink at the Caravan Bar, and pose for photos with the show’s iconic cow.
It will run at London’s Dock X – near Canada Water and Surrey Quays stations – from September 18, 2024 to January 25 next year.
Tickets will first be allocation through a ballot, with fans able to sign up now through the experience’s official mailing list.
This will be drawn on June 19 at 10am, with general sale tickets going live two days later.
Earlier this year, former ‘Mock The Week’ host Dara O Briain won the third ‘Champion of Champions’ special.
‘Taskmaster’ is currently on air for its 17th season, featuring Joanne McNally, John Robins, Nick Mohammed, Sophie Willan and Steve Pemberton.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Rylan Clark reportedly wants to take Ruth Langsford clubbing in Ibiza to take her mind off of her divorce from Eamonn Holmes.
Last Saturday (25.05.24) the TV couple – who have son Jack, 22, together – announced they had separated after nearly 14 years of marriage, and 35-year-old Rylan is now reportedly planning a jam-packed summer for his ‘This Morning’ friend, 64, in an effort to cheer her up.
A source told OK! magazine: “Although this split happened a while ago, Ruth feels shattered as she’s had to put a brave face on for so long. It’s been a really tough time for her as her whole life has now changed.
“She no longer has Eamonn and their son Jack is all grown up living his life – she feels a little lost. But she’s got a very strong group of friends who have all been there for her and will support her – with the main person being Rylan.”
The insider insisted the former ‘X Factor’ star didn’t want “to take sides”, but wanted to see Ruth let her hair down after she had been struggling to look after 64-year-old Eamonn, who injured his shoulder while recovering from a serious back surgery he had undergone in 2022.
They continued: “Rylan was close to both Ruth and Eamonn and owes them both a lot so he doesn’t want to take sides. But he and Ruth have always got on and love a party so Rylan has promised to take Ruth away this summer and make her go wild.
“She’s had a tough few years because of looking after Eamonn and also caring for her mum so he feels she deserves it – he’s desperate for Ruth to take Ruth clubbing in Ibiza!”
This comes a day after Eamonn thanked viewers for their support once his separation from Ruth was announced.
During an appearance on GB News, he said: “Just before we move on, we’d just like to thank people for your support for Ruth and I over the last few days as to the news of our separation.
“Your support for both of us is very much appreciated.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Ruth Jones has slammed “really mean” leaks about the upcoming ‘Gavin and Stacey’ special.
Earlier this year, it was reported by Deadline that the 57-year-old comedian and her co-writer James Corden, 45, were planning to bring back the beloved BBC sitcom for another festive episode this year, and Ruth has admitted she was upset because she wanted to “give everybody a nice surprise”.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4, she said: “It was unfortunate because James and I wanted to give everybody a nice surprise and I think it was really mean that they leaked it.
“Because also it meant that I had to lie to people, to friends and family, because they were all saying ‘is it happening?’, and the reality is that until you have your cast booked, budget worked out, all of those things, you cannot say categorically that it is going to happen.”
Soon after the news broke, it was then reported the BBC and Netflix were locked in a bidding war over the episode.
An industry insider told The Sun newspaper: “The provisional Netflix offer, coming as it does from a global conglomerate, dwarfs anything that the Beeb could offer — but Ruth and James aren’t about the money.
“They simply want to offer fans the best viewing experience possible, and, essentially, get as many bums on seats to watch their baby.
“It would be a huge coup for Netflix to steal this flagship British comedy from the nose of the BBC and, indeed, there may be a world in which this happens.”
When it was reported the American streaming giant was interested in the Christmas special, the TV star dismissed the story as nothing but hearsay.
During an appearance on RTE Radio 1, she said: “All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James and I would happily announce it, we would.
“Apparently there’s a bidding war going on between the BBC and Netflix and I love it because it says, ‘a source says’, who is this source?”
After months of rumours, James and Ruth confirmed the programme would be returning for the last time this Christmas.
Taking to Instagram, the former ‘Late Late Show’ host posted a picture of himself posing with his co-writer holding up the script for ‘Gavin and Stacey: The Finale’, and added the caption: “It’s official! We have finished writing the last ever episode of ‘Gavin and Stacey’.
“See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James (sic).”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Hugh Dennis doesn’t “really know anything” about the ‘Outnumbered’ Christmas special.
The beloved BBC sitcom is set to return later this year for the first time since the 2016 festive episode – which came two years after the fifth series came to an end – and with filming set to get underway in November, the 62-year-old actor claimed he’s still largely in the dark about the plans.
Appearing on ITV’s ‘Good Morning Britain’, he said: “It’s great that it’s coming back.
“We are doing this 40 minute special but we don’t really know anything about it. We’ve read in the paper that we’ve got a grandchild but we don’t know who’s kid it is.”
In the upcoming episode, Hugh will reprise his role as dad Pete and Claire Skinner will be back as mum Sue, which will mark their first time on screen together since announcing their real life relationship.
The 40-minute special will follow the chaos in the downsized home of the Brockmans, as they grapple with the challenges of parenting kids who are now adults, with their own lives to lead.
Tyger Drew-Honey is to return as eldest son Jake, while Daniel Roche and Ramona Marquez will be back as the middle child Ben, and daughter Karen respectively.
Hugh added: “I’m really looking forward to it and we’re all looking forward to it. It’s going to be strange, isn’t, it because I don’t think we live together anymore as a family.
“There’s lots of different stuff to reflect and one of the great things about the show was to reflect life as it actually was.”
The show stood out on television by having the younger cast members improvise their line, to make it more authentic.
He pondered: “You’ll never get them to sound like real children unless you let them be real children and the other reason was that when we started, they were so young that they couldn’t read so there was no point in giving them a script.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online