OHMYGOSSIP — Danny Dyer’s show ‘Scared of the Dark’ has reportedly been cancelled by Channel 4 after just one series.
The programme – which saw a group of celebrities, including former boxer Chris Eubank, ‘Love Island’ star Chloe Burrows and blind comedic Chris McCausland get plunged into total darkness for eight days – enjoyed a successful launch with one million viewers tuning into the debut episode.
However, Deadline reports That Channel 4 won’t be bringing the series back for another run.
Instead, Paddy McGuinness’ show ‘Tempting Fortune’ – which garnered roughly 1.5 million concurrent viewers upon its release – will be back on C4.
The show, which sees 12 strangest attempt to trek across the South African wilderness with only basic survival equipment for 18 days, has been greenlit for another season, though the outlet claimed Channel 4’s US co-partner Roku would no longer be involved.
Channel 4’s Head of Reality and Entertainment Steven Handley said in a statement: “‘Tempting Fortune’ has all the hallmarks of a classic Channel 4 format.
“It’s the smart and mischievous love-child of an adventure series and a reality show that tests free will and human nature, often with hilarious consequences.
“I can’t wait to see if our next batch of recruits can resist the irresistible temptations that Paddy has to offer them in the jungle.”
Paddy added he was “so excited” to return to the show, and promised viewers “an even bigger series”.
He said: “Last series was full of backstabbing, betrayal and sheer determination … but this time there are added twists!
“I’m so excited to be back for an even bigger series, putting a new set of brave, daring and cunning contestants into the hot and sticky jungle to see whether anyone can make it to the end without taking my temptations.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Jeremy Clarkson wants to show ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ viewers “what real farming is”.
The 64-year-old former ‘Top Gear’ star will be returning for third series of his hit Amazon Prime show where he and his girlfriend Lisa Hogan, 50, attempt to manage his Diddly Squat farm, and his goal is to give a truthful portrayal of what the profession is really like.
In a statement, he said: “Farming on television has been portrayed as fresh straw, fluffy lambs, agreeable calves: a bit like ‘Babe’.
“I had it in my head that farming was much dirtier and harder, and I always wanted to show it like it actually is.
“Farming doesn’t have many happy endings, as we’ve discovered. We want to show everybody what real farming is.”
Lisa revealed the “saddest moment” on the show so far came after a piglet she helped deliver tragically passed away, which will be seen in the upcoming series.
She recalled: “It was heart-breaking. Jeremy’s always loved pigs, I didn’t think I’d be that enamoured by pigs but I did get really close to them as people will see. Farming’s just sad.
“The animals become your friends and you’re isolated – there are certain farms that are really isolated – and the animals become your family. When they become unwell, you’re losing members of your animal family.
“If that’s how sad we can get in front of a TV crew, imagine the farmers that are alone and having to do it with nobody around them when they’re losing animal after animal. It’s so difficult.
“Every day it’s emotional whether it’s really happy because the weather is perfect and you can get on with the job at hand or it’s miserable if it’s raining the crops are failing and you can’t do a thing.
“It’s very difficult to be unemotional about it.”
The third season of ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ will hit Amazon Prime on 3 May 2024.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Baroness Floella Benjamin will be honoured with the BAFTA Fellowship at this year’s BAFTA Television Awards.
The former ‘Play School’ host – who first rose to fame on the BBC show in 1976 and later fronted ‘Playdays’ – has long been a champion of children’s TV, and is a regulator at Ofcom while also serving as a life peer and legislator in the House of Lords.
In a statement, she said: “My heart is full of joy and happiness.
“I feel as if I’m standing on the summit of life’s mountain, looking down at the wonderful experiences I have had in my career in the television industry for over 50 years.
“It’s been an adventurous journey, with many challenges and adversities, but here I am, receiving the highest accolade BAFTA can bestow.
“I am delighted that my work, which has predominantly been for children, is being recognised and celebrated in this way.”
The 74-year-old star has appeared in the likes of ‘Jesus Christ Supertar’ on stage, as well as TV credits including the likes of ‘Within These Walls’, ‘Crown Court’ and ‘Doctor Who’ spin-off ‘The Sarah Jane Adventures’.
In government, she successfully fought to bring in legislation for Child PErformance Regulations, tax credit for children’s programming, and legislation for Public Service Broadcasters to commission UK made television productions.
She has also campaigned for diversity in front of and behind the camera, and now advises both BBC and ITV on their diversity policies.
Sara Putt, Chair of BAFTA, added: “She is an unstoppable force for good with a determination to create opportunities and positive role models for future generations that has seen her effect a tremendous amount of positive change over fifty years and counting.
“She is a deservedly a national treasure and we can’t wait to celebrate the impact of her work to-date.”
Previous BAFTA Fellows honoured for their TV work include Sir Billy Connolly, Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders, Sir Bruce Forsyth, Jon Snow, Michael Palin, Sir David Attenborough, Dame Julie Walters and more.
Baroness Floella will receive her prize at the forthcoming BAFTA Television Awards with P O Cruises on Sunday 12 May.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — The BBC is launching a new TV competition to find the next ‘Chess Masters’.
The broadcaster is looking to capitalise on the game’s soaring popularity and the upcoming show programme on BBC Two and iPlayer will see “passionate and highly-skilled players from all backgrounds” battling it out across eight episodes in a series of “rapid chess games” with one person crowned the winner.
Catherine Catton – BBC’s Head of Commissioning, Factual Entertainment and Live Events – said: “In a market of competitions that celebrate physical feats we’re really excited to back an idea that foregrounds strategy and smart-thinking.
“Curve has devised a format that makes chess both entertaining and accessible for all.”
Classed as “the fastest growing sport in the world”, chess was the most watched game on Twitch in 2021, and in February 2023 it was the most downlaoded app from the iPhone store.
With six million regular players in the UK alone – and 605 million adults around the world – the game has some famous fans in the likes of Will Smith, Madonna, Anthony Joshua and Lily Cole.
Camilla Lewis – Executive Producer at Curve Media – added: “Chess Masters has been a joy to develop with the BBC.
“We are delighted to be making this warm, inclusive and clever series, where the emotional as well as strategic stakes are high. There is untapped talent out there.
“Amateurs from 8 to 80 will get the opportunity to compete with the best and the audience will get unique insights into the psychological and practical gameplay of this age-old but highly accessible game played by all cultures and by people of all kinds.”
The series is being back by the English Chess Federation, and Malcolm Pein – the organisation’s Director of International Chess and External Relations – is excited to for what’s to come.
He said: “The way chess almost uniquely crosses all boundaries of age, sex, language and culture convinced me that our national broadcaster is its natural home.
“The chess community has waited over thirty years for the game to return to our screens and everyone is hugely excited at the prospect of creating an innovative format with the best broadcasting professionals to bring the 64 squares to life for the millions of new players and for those whose chess journey has not yet begun.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Louis Theroux is reportedly making a documentary about the rise and fall of boybands.
The 53-year-old broadcaster is set to bring the three part series to the BBC later this year as he investigates the controversial world in a star studded new programme with ex-Damage star Coree Richards, and ‘EastEnders’ star Danniella Westbrook – who dated East 17 singer Brian Harvey – expected to appear.
A source told The Sun newspaper’s TVBiz column: “It’s obvious Louis and his team intend to delve into the dark underbelly of bubblegum pop.
“They will focus­ on the golden era of boy bands in the Nineties and early Noughties.
“But given the thorny topics his production company has already tackled it was never going to be a gentle, nostalgic wander.”
The programme is expected to feature stories from the likes of Take That, 5ive, Boyzone and Westlife, while Louis follows Robbie Williams, Blue’s Simon Webbe and East 17’s Brian on Instagram, giving a possible hint for who else could feature.
Last year, the star returned for another series of ‘Louis Theroux Interviews’, with Dame Joan Collins, Anthony Joshua, Chelsea Manning, Ashley Walters, Raye and The Libertines frontman Pete Doherty all appearing.
He said ahead of the broadcasts: “Working with the team on these six new programmes has been an enormous pleasure. The six guests are all distinctive and brilliant in different ways, all of them people who have endured setbacks and huge successes, and who have something to share with the world based on their journeys through life.
“We have tried to build on the success of the first six ‘Louis Theroux Interviews’, while pushing further this time into terrain that is gritty and difficult, exploring subjects like mental health, brushes with the law and political controversy.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Will Young says withdrawing from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ was the “hardest point” of his career, because he was “in the middle of a protracted breakdown” and experiencing PTSD at the time.
The ‘Jealously’ hitmaker took part in the 2016 series, but he pulled out of the series for “personal reasons”, and he has now told how he was suffering from a “heightened agoraphobia”, but he wishes he could’ve experienced the BBC show when he wasn’t unwell.
Speaking on the ‘How To Fail with Elizabeth Day’ podcast, he said; “I wish I had experienced it when I wasn’t ill because I would’ve loved it.
“I love dancing, I trained in ballet and contemporary.
“I was actually really excited about doing the show but just leaving the house going 20 yards to the corner shop was hard.
“I was in the middle of a protracted breakdown and PTSD, and I learned very quickly I wasn’t able to do this.
“It was a heightened agoraphobia. Imagine having panic attacks 24 hours a day. I don’t know how I managed it, to be honest.
“I don’t see it as a failure, but I see it as probably the hardest point of my career.”
If the 45-year-old singer was ever to return to ‘Strictly’, he would like to dance with a male pro dancer.
He added: “If I did it now, I would dance with a male partner.
“I don’t think it was an option [back then]. I don’t think it was a conversation, no.”
‘Strictly’ had its first same-sex pairing in 2020, when pro dancer Katya Jones and boxer Nicola Adams joined forces, but they later had to withdraw from the competition early after Katya was struck down with COVID-19.
In 2021, Johannes Radebe and John Whaite teamed up and made the semi-finals, and Jayde Adams and Karen Haur joined forces in 2022.
Last year, actor Layton Williams and pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin danced together and made the final.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Former ‘Apprentice’ winner Marnie Swindells was supported by this year’s winner Rachel Woolford as they came together to celebrate the new expansion of her Bronx Boxing Gym.
Businesswoman Marnie, who landed Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment after winning ‘The Apprentice’ in 2023, has used the money to overhaul her gym in Camberwell, South London, allowing it to become an affordable place for those in the community to meet up, train, learn discipline and feel a sense of belonging.
Marnie hosted a red carpet launch on Wednesday night (24.04.24), which was attended by several ‘Apprentice’ stars, including fellow gym owner and winner Rachel, this year’s ‘Apprentice’ runner-up Phil Turner, as well as their fellow candidate Tre Lowe.
Bronx’s mantra is ‘Beyond Boxing’ – and Marnie wants to continue to expand the work in the inner-city community, as well as provide a 360-degree service to help talented boxers and users to develop and fulfil their full potential.
Of the expansion, Marnie said: “It’s fantastic to finally be able to complete the renovation, which has involved adding a whole new level to the gym to provide state of the art facilities to all the members and the community.
“Lord Sugar has not just provided the investment, but he and his team have been on hand with advice and support all the way through and I can’t speak highly enough of the help he has given.
“We’ve added a fully equipped weight room, sauna, disabled-access facilities and a cafe – and I really hope this can become a valuable part of the community, and an opportunity for all to access boxing and fitness, along with the health benefits taking park gives.”
Marnie was delighted to have her ‘Apprentice’ pals at the launch to support her.
She added: “I’m really excited to see the gym thriving, it fills me with so much happiness to see all the support, especially from ‘The Apprentice’ crew.
“Here’s to the future for Bronx Gym and bigger and better things to come.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Si King has thanked fans for their “continued support” after Dave Myers’ death as their new book has been released.
The ‘Hairy Bikers’ duo had been working on their new culinary tome ‘Fast and Fresh’ before Myers sadly died aged 66 from cancer in February after a two year battle.
In a new video on X, formerly Twitter, Si said: “‘Fast and Fresh’ from The Hairy Dieters. Thank you if you pre-ordered, hugely appreciated.
“It was a book that Dave and I really, really loved working on.
“There’s 80 delicious, healthy and easy recipes – because I know we’re all pushed for time these days.”
He revealed the recipe book contains everything from soups, salads and veggies to fish, chicken and tasy bakes.
He added: “It’s a lovely book and we had the greatest joy in working on it together. Dave was very, very proud of it.”
He also had some words of gratitude for the Hairy Bikers’ fans for the way they have rallied behind him during such a difficult time.
He said: “Lots of love to you all, thank you for your continued support, it doesn’t got unnoticed.”
He is still mourning after the death of his friend and co-star, and he recently admitted it is “really strange” to be carrying on with work without his pal.
He tweeted: “It’s really strange for us all not to have Dave around but for now, we will keep posting on the Hairy Bikers socials to keep in touch with all those people who have been so kind over many years and particularly in recent weeks.”
Si promised that the team will stay in touch with fans about various “projects which will live on”, and he’ll be seeing people in person at events over the summer.
He continued: “We’ll also keep you updated on the events and projects which will live on and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible at some of the Summer festivals this year.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Russell T Davies is worried about ‘Doctor Who’ leaks after a script for the new series went astray.
The showrunner has revealed how a script for the upcoming run of episodes – which will see Ncuti Gatwa take control of the TARDIS for his first official season – was found “on an open server in Brazil”, leaving bosses concerned about spoilers being shared online.
Speaking to SFX magazine, he said: “I just hope we can get from here to transmission without things being spoiled, because things do get spoiled.
“Things get spoiled to an extraordinary degree.”
Former ‘Sex Education’ star Ncuti was worried it was his fault after he’d been in Brazil.
He interrupted: “I was going to say, oh my God – I was in Brazil.”
Thankfully, Russell added: “It wasn’t you.”
The boss – who returned for last year’s 60th anniversary specials with David Tennant and Catherine Tate – will be at the helm for Ncuti Gatwa’s upcoming first series in the TARDIS, and he recently reflected on the significance of the partnership between the BBC and Disney+.
He told the ‘Firecrotch and Normcore: They Like To Watch’ podcast: “You’ve got to look in the long term at the end of the BBC, which is somehow surely undoubtedly on its way in some shape or form.
“What, is Doctor Who going to die then? No, you’ve got to prepare for that kind of stuff – but all of that is kind of the flim flam on top of the fact that I love it and it’s the only chance you have in television, for me, to really write in pictures.”
With the likes of ‘Stranger Things’ and ‘The Mandalorian’ proving to be such huge successes on streaming platforms, the ‘Doctor Who’ boss insisted it would be a “real shame” if the beloved show wasn’t given the same treatment.
That meant seeing the programme “become a co-production”, because “there’s no way the BBC is going to fund” something on that scale.
He said: “If Disney collapsed tomorrow and we had to go back to making ‘Doctor Who’ on a normal BBC budget, we’d all rally round and make it and suddenly stories would become claustrophobic ghost stories, and a lot of people would like that very much.
“So I’m not saying you have to have this happen, but while it’s happening elsewhere I think it’s unfair that it doesn’t happen to ‘Doctor Who’ and it does open up stories that are now sometimes on a vast scale.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Jeremy Clarkson was heartbroken after his pigs “died in alarming numbers”.
The ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ presenter and his girlfriend Lisa Hogan had been rearing pigs on his Diddly Squat Farm, but large numbers of the animals perished leaving the couple devastated.
Speaking at a launch event for the new series of his Amazon Prime Video show, he said: “It was just a heartbreaking time.
“I’d never, ever seen Lisa cry, not once, until all this started and was unfolding. It was terrible.
“It is weird, because you love them and you help birth them and you feed and nurture and care for them. I mean, you don’t say, ‘Let’s buy some pigs and hope they die’.
“I’ve always liked pigs. My mother used to buy me toy pigs every Christmas and birthday into my twenties, and I thought it would be fun to have them — then they all just died in alarming numbers.”
He admitted it was a “horrific” period for the couple, and they have since suffered “another calamity”.
He added: “It was absolutely horrific at the time, and we had another calamity with them just the other day, but by and large they’re now going OK.
“We’re getting more robust now, though, we’re a bit stronger at dealing with it.”
The ‘Grand Tour’ and former ‘Top Gear’ presenter admitted he was loving working on a reality show based on his Cotswolds farm because he didn’t have to play a character anymore.
He explained: “On this show I don’t have to pretend to be someone else.
“You see, on ‘The Grand Tour’, Richard Hammond isn’t as stupid as he’s made out to be, and I’m not as bombastic as I’m made out to be, and James May isn’t quite as boring as he’s made out to be.
“So you’re playing a caricature, you’re playing a role, and you’re there to provoke and be stupid. But here you haven’t got any of that, so we’re just ourselves.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online