OHMYGOSSIP — Helen Lederer can understand why her ‘Coronation Street’ character has fallen for Ken Barlow.
The 69-year-old actress will appear in the guest role of Elspeth on the ITV1 soap opera and her character will catch the eye of “silver fox” Ken (William Roache) – who has appeared since the show’s very first episode aired on 9 December 1960 – when the pair both attend a a singles cocktail night at the Chariot Square Hotel in scenes that will air later this month.
Asked what it was like to work with Bill, 91, she said: “Well I can see why Elspeth is interested in him, he is a real silver fox with very chiselled cheekbones!
“I was very conscious of all the history. There’s a certain pedigree and I’m very respectful of that. What really struck me was how dignified they were, and also having the grace to connect with a new person, they took time with me and I went away thinking what nice people.”
Early on in the serial, Ken initially tied the knot with Valerie Tatlock (Anne Reid) and had Peter (Chris Gascoyne) and the late Susan (Suzy Paterson) with her but that marriage came to an end when she suffered a fatal electrocution from a faulty hairdryer in 1971.
He then married Deirdre Hunt (Anne Kirkbride) in 1981 and adopted her daughter Tracy (Kate Ford) and although they survived her infamous affair with Mike Baldwin (Johnny Briggs), they divorced in 1992 following his own affair with Wendy Crozier (Roberta Kerr).
The pair remarried in 2005 – by which time Ken had also fathered Daniel Osbourne (Rob Mallard) with former flame Denise Osbourne (Denise Black) and was yet to discover he had a son called Lawrence (Linus Roache) from his 1961 tryst with Susan Cunningham – but Deirdre died off-screen in July 2015, following Anne Kirkbride’s own death earlier that year.
Former ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ star Helen makes her only scheduled appearance in the soap in late March when Elspeth gets Ken’s attention by sending drinks over to his table, where he is joined by son-in-law Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson), but admitted that she would “most definitely” be up for a longer stint on the soap if the opportunity should come about.
She said: “The answer to that is ‘most definitely’. Ken had Steve to deal with but he was certainly interested in her. He definitely made sure he got her number, he initiated it. So who knows one day he might actually call her and I can come back to Weatherfield.”
Helen will appear in the episode on Wednesday March 27 on ITV1 and ITVX

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Dame Prue Leith likes to cut corners in the kitchen.
The 84-year-old TV star, who has been a judge on ‘The Great British Bake Off’ with Paul Hollywood since 2017, revealed she isn’t always a star baker at home, and often uses pre-made ingredients in her sweet treats.
Prue wrote in The Oldie magazine: “My family’s favourite pud is trifle, but I cheat all the way.
“I spread slices of any left-over cake thickly with any jam, soaked in sherry, brandy or whisky.
“Next comes the custard, straight out of a packet, mixed three parts custard to one of double cream. It’s been years since I made the real thing.
“I then top it with more double cream, whipped this time, then scatter the top with anything I can find: chopped dried apricots, chocolate truffles, glacé cherries, walnuts.
“Any of this – even all of it together – works a treat.”
The baker revealed she only cooks “elaborately and classically very rarely”, and that the hobby is just “for the pleasure”.
She said: “These days, I only cook elaborately and classically very rarely, for the pleasure. Otherwise, I’m shameless.”
Prue – who was initially married to Rayne Kruger from 1974 until his death in 2002 and has son Danny, 49, as well as adoptive daughter Li-Da, 48, with him but has been in a relationship with retited fashion designer John Playfair, 83, since 2011 – is reportedly planning on taking a break from the popular Channel 4 programme, and will not appear in the celebrity version later this year.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “Prue absolutely loves working on ‘Bake Off’ but filming two series a year can be punishing on top of her other commitments. She has already filmed the normal series, which will air this year, but she will not appear on the celebrity version.”
However, the insider insisted the TV star “adores” the show and will return in 2025.
They continued: “Prue has made it clear she adores the show and would like to come back in 2025. She will turn 85 next year, so it’s not surprising that she wants to take time off.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Sir David Jason avoids leaving his house because of the constant fan attention he receives for ‘Only Fools and Horses’.
The 84-year-old actor, who played Del Boy in the BBC sitcom, admitted the popularity of the programme is both a blessing and a curse, as he is unable to escape fans clamouring for a selfie.
He is quoted by The Daily Star newspaper as saying: “Del Boy is a character that I can’t avoid. He’s become so ingrained in the public’s mind that where I got, I tend to be recognised and then what happens is that people can’t help but interfere with your private life.
“It’s part of the job. It’s part of giving your time and your life to the Great British public, God bless them.”
David revealed that during filming for his new BBC series ‘David and Jay’s Touring Toolshed’ – where he and Jay Blades travel around the UK to learn and admire new crafts – the production team had to fence off areas to ensure he couldn’t be bombarded by ‘Only Fools and Horses’ buffs.
He explained: “When we got to these places, we have a fenced-off area.
“We’re in a little area of our own so that the public can see us and see what we’re up to but can’t actually get in and pull at your shirt tails and say, ‘Give us a selfie’.”
Despite the difficulties posed to him, David insisted he “really enjoyed” working on the programme with Jay, and has had a “lot of fun” learning new crafts.
He told the BBC: “I’ve played a lot of roles in my time but, to be myself, show off my creative passion and help the wonderful people we meet along the way resolve their mechanical masterpiece issues is very rewarding.
“I’ve really enjoyed being on the road with Jay where we have built up a great friendship and had a lot of fun which I hope the viewers will enjoy watching when it airs.”
His co-star agreed, and emphasised working with the actor was “a dream come true”.
He said: “Working with Sir David Jason, a fellow craft enthusiast, is a dream come true.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Anna Richardson is “still very good friends” with her ex-girlfriend Sue Perkins.
The 53-year-old television presenter dated former ‘Bake Off’ host Sue, 52, from 2014 until 2020 but insisted that the pair now have a good platonic relationship and can continue to do so as long as the “respect” is there for one another.
She told OK! Magazine: “Sue came on [my ‘It Can’t Just Be Me’ podcast] as my guest and we’re really, really close. We’re still very good friends, so it’s all good. You can [still be friends]. I can and I can broadcast that – absolutely. If you both want to, of course you can. I mean, we really adore each other, but I think when you’ve been through a lot together, I think there’s the respect there just to kind of say, do you know what, this is where we’re at, let’s protect that and respect each other. We love each other and it’s great.”
The ‘Naked Attraction’ host also revealed that she is now in a relationship with a man after being set up on a blind date by friends more than a year ago.
She said: “I am, yes. I have a boyfriend. It’s going well. He’s a year older than me. We met through a friend, not on the apps – the old-fashioned way. It was a bit of a blind date, actually. Just go out there and say to your friends, ‘Come on, who have you got for me?’ It’s the best way.”
Anna had an 18-year relationship with Charles Martin before getting together with Sue and reflected that being with a woman is “more emotional” than being with a man but is “just happy” where she is right now and hinted she is just waiting for her significant other to pop the question.
She said: “So, my rule of thumb is that men are quite simple creatures. It’s basically a case of feed them, football, make sure they’re happy. Whereas women, we’re complex creatures and the dynamic is a lot more emotional. But they’re both so satisfying. I’m just happy to be in a good relationship.
“I’ve never been married and I have to say, I would love it. So all I can say, is I’m waiting for someone… someone to say the words/”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Paul O’Grady set aside £125,000 for the care of his five dogs in his £15.5 million will.
The animal-loving comic and TV host, who died at home from sudden arrhythmic death syndrome aged 67 in March 2023, also donated £500,000 to the Battersea Cats and Dogs Home, which was featured on his popular ITV show ‘For the Love of Dogs’.
His will – the details of which emerged on Tuesday (12.03.24) – also showed he left £775,000 to be distributed to causes and charities close to his heart, including gifts of £50,000 each to elephant and orangutan charities.
A friend close to Paul told The Sun: “This is typical of Paul as he put his money where his mouth was by leaving cash to charities that had special meaning to him.
“And though £125,000 seems like a lot of money to spend on his dogs, they also meant the world to him and he wanted to ensure they always receive the best love and care.”
The newspaper reported the majority of Paul’s estate is expected to go to his widower, Andre Portasio, while his daughter Sharon Mousley and his sister Sheila Rudd are set to get a huge chunk of his money.
Other beneficiaries of the will, which Paul drew up in 2017, include his agent Joan Marshrons and nine other people, including his godchildren Milo and Otis Sainsbury.
The comic-turned presenter also gifted £50,000 to the Salvation Army – a good cause he admired for its work helping the needy in his home city of Liverpool.
Paul’s agent Joan is going to take care of Paul’s dogs –Nancy, Arfur, Conchita, Eddie and Sausage.
The Lily Savage creator said in his will: “The legacy shall mean £25,000 in respect of each animal.
“I direct that Joan shall take over the responsibility of each animal… to use each legacy for the upkeep and maintenance of each Animal until its death.”
Paul was laid to rest alongside his former partner Brendan Murphy in April.
He found new love with Brazilian ballet dancer Andre after they met at a gay club in London, with the pair marrying at the Goring Hotel, London, in 2017.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Lauren Simon has become the second housemate to get the boot from ‘Celebrity Big Brother’.
The 51-year-old, who was on ‘Real Housewives of Cheshire’ exited from the ITV show after being put up for eviction alongside former ‘X Factor’ judge Louis Walsh and Fern Britton by their fellow housemates.
Lauren said as she left: “I’m feeling overwhelmed I had the most amazing time.”
Sharon Osbourne, 71, also ended her contractually-agreed one week stint on the show and got emotional as she was greeted to cheers by the crowd.
Before exiting, Sharon was asked who made the best impression on her by Big Brother, and said: “Nikita (Kuzmin) has made a last impression because he is beautiful inside and outside.”
She added: “Levi (Roots) has something I’m looking for and he is at peace with the world and he is a genuinely good guy and I hope his daughters ring him.”
As Sharon – who was only on the show for a short period so she could get back to caring for her Parkinson’s-stricken husband Ozzy – left the house she was greeted by her daughter Kelly.
Elsewhere on Tuesday night, Louis, 71, caused a storm by having a pop at his former ‘X Factor’ novelty act Jedward.
He boasted he made millions from managing twins John and Edward Grimes, 32, but branded them “vile”.
Louis hit out at the pair – who he managed for four years between 2009 and 2013 – when asked what he thought of them, replying: “They were vile.”
The music manager’s castmate, ‘Coronation Street’ actor Colson Barker, 25, told Louis: “They’ve done well,” and the Irish music manager replied: “I got £5 million from them. I swear on my mother’s life.”
Colson joked: “I wish I had a Jedward,” but Louis stuck the knife in again, adding: “And they were vile. But they were novelty. It was great for (‘The X Factor’.) It was all about the show.”
Jedward took to X moments after Louis’ comments aired, with the twins hitting back: “Louis Walsh is cold hearted (he) didn’t even send us flowers when our mom died.”
The pair’s mother Suzannah died from cancer in 2019 and the twins have previously taken to social media to brand Louis “cold-hearted” and “two-faced”.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Prue Leith is set to take a break from ‘The Great British Bake Off’.
The 84-year-old TV star has appeared on the popular baking show for the last seven years, but Prue plans to skip the celebrity version of the programme later this year.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “Prue absolutely loves working on ‘Bake Off’ but filming two series a year can be punishing on top of her other commitments.
“She has already filmed the normal series, which will air this year, but she will not appear on the celebrity version.”
Prue still loves the TV show and she’s determined to return in 2025.
The insider explained: “Prue has made it clear she adores the show and would like to come back in 2025.
“She will turn 85 next year, so it’s not surprising that she wants to take time off.”
Prue replaced Dame Mary Berry on ‘Bake Off’ back in 2017, and she’s even become a big name in the US in recent years.
The TV star previously told the Guardian newspaper: “The thing is, in America, they can’t really escape me. ‘Bake Off’ is very popular, and I also do their version, ‘The Great American Baking Show’.”
Prue revealed that her American fans are very different to her UK-based fans.
She shared: “It’s funny in Britain, I don’t really notice people nudging each other when I walk in the street, though my husband says they do. But in New York, they don’t stand on ceremony, everyone just comes up to me …”
Asked which approach she prefers, Prue replied: “I did a trial show in Los Angeles, and the audience was all whooping and shouting ‘We love you Prue!’ I mean, who doesn’t want to hear that?”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Zara McDermott has described her new documentary is a warning on the dangers of social media and true crime.
The 27-year-old star has worked on ‘The Idaho Murders: Trial by TikTok’ – which is available on BBC Three and iPlayer – looking at the 2022 murders of four students in their house at the University of Idaho, which led to a social media frenzy with so-called ‘TikTok detectives’ trying to solve the case at the same time as the police trying to do their jobs.
Eventually, the attention the case was getting on social media meant the authorities set up a misinformation page to stop false narratives from spreading.
Zara told the RadioTimes.com: “The documentary is not actually about the case. It’s not about the murderer, it’s not about the trial.
“The documentary is essentially using this as a case study and it’s really important, I think, to have a case that’s ongoing for a documentary like this, because people are still in the thick of it.”
She insisted the film is “really important” for people to see, because it deals with the “future of how true crime” and similar cases are reported.
She added: “We have to start understanding what we’re consuming and what impacts that has not only on the families, not only on the victims, not only on the investigation but also, I suppose, on ourselves as well.
“What does that mean for us going forward? Can we all be sucked into this kind of true crime spectacle on social media?
“And should we be sensationalising and making celebrities of victims and killers as well?”
In the 60-minute documentary, Zara looks to “uncover the story of the social media frenzy that sprung up following the tragic murders” as she travelled to Idaho just under a year after the killings.
She explained: “I started watching videos about this case and then my TikTok For You Page [was] all about this case for genuinely months on end.
“It was building and growing as the case was evolving and more information was coming out and I’ve just never seen anything like this before. So I thought making a documentary about this would just be really fascinating.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Taskmaster’ is returning for its 17th season this month.
The upcoming series of the wild gameshow – which will sees five constants trying to impress Greg Davies and his assistant, and show creator, Little Alex Horne – will be back with Steve Pemberton, Nick Mohammed, John Robins, Joanne McNally and Sophie Willan.
Now, Channel 4 has confirmed the new run of episode will kick off at 9pm on Thursday, March 28.
The broadcaster previously teased: “Who will emerge victorious, raise the weighty trophy above their head, and call themselves a Taskmaster champion?”
Earlier this year, the show hosted its third Champion of Champions special which saw the winners of series 11 through 14 head back to the house for another go.
Sarah Kendall, Morgana Robinson, Sophie Duker and Dara Ó Briain were back, while series 15 winner Mae Martin was unavailable and was instead replaced by runner-up Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
Dara won the series with Sophie finishing in second place.
The most recent regular series aired in autumn, and saw Sam Campbell crowned the winner with Sue Perkins, Susan Wokoma, Julian Clary and Lucy Beaumont making up the rest of the cast.
Meanwhie, producers behidn the show previously revealed they are debating a live experience which would let viewers in on the action.
In a video back in December 2023, host Greg Davies and his assistant Alex Horne said: “This is a very important message for the Taskmaster community.
“A lot of people have asked us whether we’ve ever considered doing a Taskmaster Live experience.
“So that you glorious people at home could actually take part in the same ludicrous tasks that so-called comedians do.
“To compete, to be the ultimate Taskmaster champion, could now be the time? Do you want this?
“If so, please sign up to the Taskmaster live experience mailing list. If we get 100,000 sign ups then we’ll know, and Taskmaster: The Live Experience will become a thing soon… Ish.
“So what are you waiting for? Sign up and become a hero. Your time starts now.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Will Mellor has reportedly been cast in Channel 5’s follow-up to ‘The Teacher’.
The 47-year-old actor is said to be set to pair up with former ‘EastEnders’ star Kara Tointon in the new drama, which follows on from the 2022 four-part series starring Sheridan Smith.
As reported by The Sun newspaper’s TVBiz column, the show has the working title ‘The Teacher II’, and it’s coming “later this year”.
In the original psychological thriller, Sheridan played the titular role of Jenna Garve, a schoolteacher accused of sleeping with a student.
However, she has no memory of the alleged incident as she was under the influence of alcohol at the time.
Sherian previously admitted she wanted viers to “doubt” her character as they watched the show.
She told Radio Times magazine: “I love playing people who are flawed and complex like Jenna. She’s got a drink problem, she’s lost her mum, she has a really strained relationship with her dad and she’s just gone off the rails and lost herself a bit.
“When she finishes work, she clocks out and has a chaotic life. I always want to make a character likeable because I want to find the heart in them, no matter how flawed someone is, but I do want the audience to doubt Jenna and to feel unsure about where they stand.
“There were scenes where I was thinking, ‘this is so terrible, you’d be fired immediately’, her actions didn’t sit right with me — but I enjoyed playing them as well!”
Meanwhile, Will starred with Sheridan in ‘Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps’, and he has been desperately trying to get a revival off the ground.
Susan Nickson – who created the sitcom, which ran from 2001 to 2011 – has already penned a script called ‘Two Pints – Last Orders’.
Back in November, he told OK! magazine: “The BBC turned it down, but I’d love to see what Gaz and Jonny are up to now. I’m here and I’ve said I’ll do it if we can get the funding.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Giovanni Pernice has revealed people don’t recognise him and often get him mixed up with other ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ stars.
The 33-year-old dancer, who has been partnered up with the likes of Rose Ayling-Ellis and Ranvir Singh on the BBC programme, admitted fans frequently mistake him for other professionals from the show, while ‘Strictly’ judge Anton Du Beke, 57, is always recognised.
As quoted by the Daily Star newspaper, he said: “Wherever Anton goes, everybody knows.
“They get confused with me. I get called Gorka Gino. They go, ‘Ah, you’re the one with Rachel Riley’. ‘No, that’s Pasha.’”
it was recently revealed that Giovanni has become a millionaire after his earnings tripled in 12 months.
He saw his personal firm, ‘GP Entertainment Ltd.’ possess assets worth £1,189,327, up from £483,126 the previous year. The business also has got £809,776 in reserves despite Giovanni reportedly only being paid a £35,000 flat fee for appearing on the BBC programme, as well as £50,000 for live show tours.
Revealing his business last year, the dancer said: “My dream come true is finally here! ‘VITA’ is my new fragrance for men and women – an intoxicating scent that captures the sensuality, vitality and energy of Sicily.”
Giovanni also reportedly cashed in from his relationship with ‘Strictly’ judge Anton Du Beke, with the pair earning a whopping £1 million each after a string of projects together, including TV travelogues and stage tours.
The dancer is also wrapped in a feud with former ‘Strictly’ partner Amanda Abbington, who quit the show in 2023 after claiming spending time with the professional dancing left her suffering with PTSD.
The ‘Sherlock’ actress, who shares two children with her ex-husband Martin Freeman, told The Sun newspaper: “I just want to thank everyone who has been so kind and lovely and supportive this past week. It means a great, great deal.
“I was diagnosed with mild PTSD after ‘Strictly’ for several reasons and I told a few people about that, in the utmost confidence, among other things that were happening in my life at the time both professionally and personally.”
When asked if he would consider leaving the programme due to the controversy, the dancer insisted the idea of his exit wasn’t on his mind, and told Radio Times: “We love our jobs. It’s one of the best shows on television and we get to do our own shows, too.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Tameka Empson admitted she has “always wanted” to appear in an action film.
The 46-year-old actress has taken part in plenty of dramatic scenes over her 15-year-long tenure on ‘EastEnders’ – where she plays Kim Fox – and has revealed she would love to take to the big screen in an action-packed blockbuster, or prove herself on the track in the lap challenge ‘Star in a Reasonably-Priced Car’ on ‘Top Gear’.
Speaking to the Metro newspaper, she said: “I’ve always wanted to do an action film.
“I have to tell you, I’m a very good driver. You know when ‘Top Gear’ used to have that lap challenge, and Jay Kay from Jamiroquai smashed it? I think I could give him a run for his money.”
The soap star was then asked if she would consider appearing in a ‘Fast And Furious’ picture, though insisted that she would struggle to keep her composure while acting with Vin Diesel due to his “growling voice”.
She explained: “I would love to work with Vin Diesel, but that growling voice he has just tickles me, so I don’t think I could do a scene with him.”
Tameka also reflected on her time on ‘EastEnders’ and revealed that her favourite moment was when Phil Mitchell – who is played by Steve McFadden – delivered her baby.
She said: “They’re all highlight but I quite like when Phil Mitchell delivered my baby.
“Do me a favour – we couldn’t stop laughing that day. I think people think Steve is a very straight guy, do you know what I mean? But I make him blush all the time.”
She joked: “Maybe he fancies me – there’s something going on.”
Tameka was quizzed on her time on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in 2016 – where she was forced to pull out due to a back injury – and whether she would consider appearing on another reality show like ‘Celebrity Big Brother’.
She said: “You say reality show, but I look at it as a dance show.
“I wanted to do all the dances and I should have but I had a back injury. If I hadn’t had that, I would’ve won!”
The TV star then revealed she would be happy to appear on the BBC programme again, though insisted she would turn down the Christmas special in favour of a full series.
She said: “I don’t know that they would take me back. I don’t want to do the Christmas one – I want to do the whole thing again!”

Source: VacationHunter.Online