OHMYGOSSIP — Sir Trevor McDonald took pills to calm his nerves before major interviews.
The legendary newsreader has interviewed significant global figures including Nelson Mandela and Saddam Hussein during his career but has revealed that he had to take tablets after suffering “sleepless nights” before the conversations.
Trevor told the Desperately Seeking Wisdom podcast: “It was always fascinating for me, and terrifying in a way, because the greater the person or the bigger the person in political circles, the better you felt you had to do.
“The only way I knew how to do that was to prepare assiduously before I did it.
“I would have sleepless nights before interviewing Mandela or Hussein: I mean, literally, and I would be on edge.
“If I may confess, at one stage I even got the chemist to give me pills to calm me down.”
Trevor, 84, was the only British reporter to interview the former Iraqi president Hussein when he did so in a “totally frightening” experience for ITN in 1990 and recalled how much the politician terrified people in the country.
He recalled: “The Iraqis are some of the nicest people I know [but] once you mentioned the words Saddam Hussein – the conversation stopped.
“Just the mention of his name seemed to cow people.
“You couldn’t be unaware, however he was dressed and looked, of what this man represented and what he did.
“I was aware of all of that and it just contributed to how frightened I was.
“And because of that, I think I did something which I will always find I should never do again, and I said to him: ‘Mr President… is it a very Arab thing to do to invade a neighbouring nation?’
“He was rather taken aback by it.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Max Bowden has paid tribute to his fans after leaving ‘EastEnders’.
The 29-year-old actor played Phil Mitchell’s troubled son Ben since 2019 but left the BBC soap in Thursday’s (28.03.24) episode as his character faces prison time for credit card fraud and he took to social media to express his gratitude to viewers for their support.
He posted on Instagram: “Last Ep tonight in EastEnders. Enjoy guys and as ever thank you for continued well wishes and support.”
Max was axed by ‘EastEnders’ bosses last December and stated that he had “one hell of a ride” as the sixth actor to play Ben in the long-running soap.
He wrote on social media: “Well guys, it’s that time! It’s been one hell of a ride! Thanks for taking Ben to your hearts and allowing my version into your lives. I had an amazing five years at @bbceastenders and learnt a hell of a lot about myself and the craft I love so dearly.
“It got me through some very hard personal times and I will be forever grateful! I really will never be able to thank everybody for the support enough, because the fans of the show are so passionate, caring and invested.
“I really will never be able to thank everybody for the support enough, because the fans of the show are so passionate, caring, and invested and it enables us as actors to want to keep going and always be better; so I really do from the bottom of my heart appreciate every single person who has sent any sort of positivity my way over the last five years – I love you all.
“Ben Mitchell 6.0 . Over and out. Goodbye EE! I’ll miss you all. X”
Max is now set to appear in the stage play ‘Birdsong’ from November for the show’s 30th anniversary.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Alan Carr has split from Callum Heslop.
The 47-year-old TV star has confirmed he’s currently single after he split from the 27-year-old hairdresser.
Speaking to MailOnline, Alan said: “I’m single again.”
The comedian – who was previously married to Paul Drayton between 2018 and 2022 – subsequently joked about the kind of man he’s now looking for.
He quipped: “I look for a rugby boy. I like them big, and chunky – chunky everywhere. If you catch what I’m saying.”
Asked if he’d like them to use their strength in the throws of passion, Alan replied: “They have a lot of me to throw around – they need a digger or a skip or a winch.”
Although he’s keen to find love, Alan isn’t currently on any dating apps.
He shared: “How can I go on Grindr? I’m taking it easy at the minute. Do you really want this face popping up on a [dating] app?”
Alan’s marriage fell apart during the COVID-19 lockdowns, as Paul descended into alcoholism.
But the stand-up comic previously insisted that he has no regrets about their relationship, admitting that they both tried their best to make it work.
He said during an appearance on Australian radio: “I’ve moved on, I’m still friends with Paul, he’s sort of getting on with his life. Sometimes it’s not a bad thing. It was 14 years, we gave it a go, it didn’t work out in lockdown. Who cares? Let’s move on.
“Our marriage broke down. In lockdown, a lot of people started doing a little self-analysis and having a look at their lives, going, ‘Is this the kind of life I want?’ So, we split up.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Christine McGuinness will never marry again.
Although it is two years since she and TV presenter Paddy McGuinness, 50, split, Christine has insisted she has no interest in dating or marrying anyone else.
She told MailOnline: “I’m pretty certain I’ll never marry again. I married once and thought I’d be married for life. It’s just not something I ever want to do again.
“I don’t want to explore dating at the moment — I’ve never even seen a dating app — it doesn’t excite me at all.”
Christine, 36, insisted that she and Paddy – who still live together in their marital home, just want to keep things as civil as possible for the sake of their three autistic children, Leo and Penelope, 10, and Felicity, seven.
She said: “‘I always wanted my children to have both parents involved, regardless of our situation, and I’m happy that that’s the way it is. They have a mummy and daddy around, who love and support them.
“We want to share Christmases and holidays, so none of us misses out. And I think we’ve got enough mutual respect for each other to put our differences to one side.
“One thing that we will always agree on is that we want the children to be impacted as little as possible. We chose to have these children together, regardless of what’s happened between us, and we will co-parent them for as long as they need.
“If anything changes in either of our personal lives which might affect the children, or he wants to move on into a serious relationship and get his own place, then we would need to sit and talk about it again. But, right now, it’s working for us all.
“Time is definitely a healer. And I’m just very sure about my priorities: my children, my work and then me.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Lauren Goodger will “never get over” the death of her child.
In 2022, her second daughter Lorena died after she was born with her umbilical cord wrapped around her neck and Lauren admitted that the only thing that kept her going was her older daughter Larose, now two.
She told MailOnline: “Losing my second daughter, the break up, everything that went on around that time, I just went into my own bubble of being a mum. It was Larose that kept me going.
“You’ll never get over it. You never move on. But you learn to live and heal. I do want to help other people get through it because I can’t.
“I can’t explain. You would never be able to tell someone the feeling of losing your own child, no one should ever experience that.
“It changes you as a person because it’s something missing. It’s a heartache feeling every day.
“You just don’t want to be here anymore.
“The only thing that kept me going was being a mum to Larose and that’s why I’m strong and I can put on a brave face.
“It’s about having good people around you and Larose is mine. She’s the closest person to me, and that’s why I’m so… I double love her. I double protect her.”
Lauren, 37, split from Charles Drury, the father of her girls after he was accused of attacking her on the day of Lorena’s funeral.
Although he was charged with assault and engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour, Lauren later withdrew her support for the case and a not guilty verdict was recorded.
He had denied all charges.
And, Lauren revealed they have tried to maintain a cordial relationship for Larose’s sake.
She said: “It has not been easy, but we’re at a place at the minute where it is running smoothly. Charles sees Larose very regularly.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Rufus Sewell says his performance as Prince Andrew was inspired by David Brent.
The 56-year-old actor plays the royal in ‘Scoop’, Netflix’s retelling of the infamous ‘Newsnight’ interview between Emily Maitlis and Prince Andrew and he revealed he looked to Ricky Gervais’ ‘The Office’ character for inspiration.
He told The Mirror: “To me, it’s a horrible thing but watching the interview his performance reminded me of David Brent more than anything else. That’s not to be ignored.
“When I read the script, my immediate feeling was, ‘Yeah, I think I could do this’. Of course, I thought of the possible repercussions. And then I thought, ‘I’m not gonna get a knighthood anyway’.”
When asked what he thought Andrew’s motivations were for doing the ill-advised interview, Rufus said: “I think he feels a genuine sense of victimhood, and how not fair everything is, which is quite palpable. It’s also a very, very limited imagination as to the humanity of other people. I think he has enormous compassion and sympathy… for himself.
“There was no getting away from the fact that what he did, and the answers he gave, were absurd as well as jaw-droppingly outrageous and impossible not to laugh at really.”
The movie is based on the book ‘Scoop’ by former ‘Newsnight’ booker Sam McAlister, who secured the interview.
Sam – who is played by Billie Piper in the movie – said: “This was a man who was now persona non grata. He was the Forgotten Prince, a problem Prince who had gone from a hero to a zero. Princess Beatrice was going to get married: he wanted to walk her down the aisle. He was about to turn 60: he wanted to enjoy his birthday. He wanted to go back to the wonderful way of life that he had had.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Julia Sawalha has blasted “sexist” TV bosses.
The 55-year-old actress – who is best known for her role as Saffy in ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ – has hit out at TV executives for their old-fashioned views on women and claimed that she is always cast as “bitter, twisted old” women.
She told the ‘RHLSTP with Richard Herring’ podcast: “They’re still writing for women like we’re in the 1940s. Younger actresses are always cast against older actors to play husband and wife, that still hasn’t changed.
“Actresses in their fifties, you get roles sent to you and you’re some bitter old, twisted old [woman] that the husband doesn’t want. You never get the glamorous.”
Speaking about her ‘Ab Fab’ co-star Jennifer Saunders, she went on: “Jennifer said ‘It wouldn’t be accepted in this day and age’. I think the opposite.
“It wasn’t what we called ‘politically correct’ then, and that’s why everyone was like ‘You’re saying everything we can’t’.
“Jennifer is intelligent enough to write it in a way where we can say things that need to be said, because of the cancel culture and the wokeness.”
Julia previously claimed her voice role as Ginger in the first ‘Chicken Run’ movie in 2000 was recast for the sequel because she sounded “too old”.
She wrote on X (previously Twitter) in 2020: “Chicken Run 2 announcement! I have officially been plucked, stuffed roasted #ageism’.
“Last week I was informed out of the blue, via email, through my agent that I would not be cast as Ginger in the Chicken Run sequel. The reason they gave is that my voice now sounds ‘too old’ and they want a younger actress to reprise the role.
“Usually in these circumstances, an actress would be given the chance to do a voice test in order to determine the suitability of their pitch and tone, I however was not given this opportunity.’
“I received my letter of dismissal the day before it was announced that the ‘Lone Free Ranger’ had been axed from the sequel and that the character of Rocky was to be re-voiced.
“The reason given was that his voice is now too old. I feel I have been fobbed off with the same excuse.
“I went to great lengths to prove to the production that my voice is nigh on the same as it was in the original film. If they will be using some of the original cast members… let’s be frank, I feel I have been unfairly dismissed.’
“To say I am devastated and furious would be an understatement. I feel totally powerless, something in all of this doesn’t quite ring true. I trust my instincts and they are waving red flags.
“I am saddened that I have lost the chance to work with Nick Park and Peter Lord from whom I learnt so much. The three of us, together, created Ginger.
“Today I responded by wishing the production the best of luck and the greatest success with the sequel.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Fleur East has announced she gave birth to a little girl on her living room floor.
The 36-year-old TV star – who is married to Marcel Badiane – revealed earlier this year that she and her husband were expecting their first child together and took to Instagram on Easter Sunday (31.03.24) that their little girl was born just over a week earlier.
She wrote on Instagram: “And just like that, our baby girl, Nova, is here!! Our daughter entered the world via squat position into the arms of my Husband and I on our living room floor! One day I will share my birth story with you (what a RIDE!), but for now, we are resting and doing well.
“So thankful to the amazing midwives who were by my side, my birthing partners (my auntie Tina and my Husband @marcel__robin ) and all of our family who have been helping out and showering us with love. It really does take a village! So grateful to God for this blessing. Our little Nova was born on the 22nd March and it feels like she’s always been here.”
The former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ contestant was inundated with congratulatory messages from fellow famous faces, with Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts writing: “So lovely! Congratulations.”
‘Loose Women’ star Brenda Edwards said: “Many congratulations to you and @marcel__robin I’m so excited for you both. Sending all the love from me @tanisha.arts_ and the @sbtvonline team”, and Lisa Snowdown wrote: “Oh wow! How incredible! Nova! You’re a force like your Mama. welcome to the world little girl!”
Former ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here’ star Fleur – who shot to fame on ‘The X Factor’ in 2014 – first announced at the beginning of the year that she was expecting.
Sharing a professional photo of herself cradling her bump, she wrote on Instagram: “2024 is gonna be different…” alongside a baby and love heart emoji.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Cat Deeley is reportedly being eyed up by BBC bosses weeks after debuting on ‘This Morning’.
The 47-year-old presenter took the reigns of the ITV programme with Ben Shepard, 49, last month (11.03.24) and it is now rumoured the rival network is hoping to sign her on for a new role.
An industry insider told the Mail on Sunday: “She is used to hosting a glitzy show in America and put with the right programme over here, she could be an absolute ratings winner … There is no love lost between the BBC and ITV for the stealing of stars, so what a great move it would be.”
Cat and Ben took over the daytime show from Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson, with the latter reportedly feeling “gutted and hurt” over ITV’s decision to move forward with the new presenters.
A source told OK! Magazine: “The person who is really gutted that she wasn’t given the role is Josie Gibson – her nose is out of joint. She was touted as the new Holly but wasn’t the case. She’s hurt over the decision.”
However, her co-host Alison – who was said to have been offered a permanent role for the programme – was not interested in continuing her presenting duties due to her other TV commitments.
When The Sunday Times Magazine asked if she would consider returning to the show full-time, she said: “Absolutely not. How could I? I live in Birmingham and do ‘Bake Off’ and ‘For the Love of Dogs’.
“I never wanted that job. Last year we did extra because we were going through issues, but Cat and Ben will save that show.”
ITV bosses are also reportedly pushing for Cat and Ben to be more relatable in an effort for audiences to “warm to them”.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, a TV insider said: “Cat and Ben are both seasoned professionals, but the bosses view relatability as the key to making them really popular.
“They want the audience to warm to them the same way as they warmed to Alison Hammond and Josie Gibson.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Peter Andre still doesn’t have a name for his new baby even though the tot is likely to be born any day now.
The 51-year-old pop star and his wife Emily are expecting their third child together and the baby is due very soon, but the couple haven’t made the big decision yet so the little one may have to go a few weeks without an official name.
In his column for OK! magazine, Peter mulled over baby names which have gone out of fashion – insisting they could give some inspiration: “I was reading about a few baby names that are apparently on the brink of ‘extinction’, and it looks like the most endangered in 2024 is Keanu for a boy and Flo, a shortened version of Florence, for a girl. I really like Keanu. It’s crazy to think names could be wiped out.
“Maybe this will give us some inspiration, but we have no idea what we’ll call the baby. [Daughter] Millie didn’t get her name for the first six weeks of her life, as we started with Rose before settling on Millie.”
The couple are parents to Millie, 10, and seven-year-old Theo, while Peter is also dad to Junior, 18, and Princess, 16, from his marriage to Katie Price.
Peter also revealed he’s planning to stay close to home until the baby arrives because he doesn’t want Emily to go into labour when she’s alone.
He added: “I’m at the point where I don’t want to leave Emily’s side or, if I do, I only travel 15 or 20 minutes away, just in case. The kids are so excited, too. Junior says he’s going to love this baby like it’s his own, so he’ll definitely be on babysitting duties!”
Emily, 34, recently admitted she had found her third pregnancy “a bit more challenging” than her previous two.
During an appearance on ‘Lorraine’, she explained: “It’s been harder, I would say. I don’t know if it’s just because I’m a little bit older, or because I’ve got two other kids that I’m running around after.
“It’s definitely been a little bit more challenging, but I think that’s to be expected. The more pregnancies you have, I guess, they get a bit more challenging, but I love it. It’s such a precious time.”
But the doctor expressed her gratitude for her supportive husband, adding: “He’s so hands-on and he’s making sure I don’t carry anything and he’s helping me up the stairs and all of those things.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online