OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is being adapted for television by the producers of ‘Poldark’.
Production company Mammoth Screen have revealed they are set to adapt the iconic Jane Austen novel for ITV, commissioning playwright Nina Raine to pen the adaptation.
Raine said: “‘Pride and Prejudice’ is actually a very adult book, much less bonnet-y than people assume. I hope I do justice to Austen’s dark intelligence – sparkling, yes, but sparkling like granite.”
And Mammoth Screen has teased there will be a “darker tone” to the new adaptation, which follows the Bennet sisters as they all search for love in their own ways.
Mammoth managing director Damien Timmer added to RadioTimes.com: “In this age of the box set – with audiences loving to binge on complex, serialised dramas – it feels absolutely right to reassess the great classics. Every generation needs its own adaptation of this perfect novel.
“Nina Raine is one of the most gifted writers working today, and her wit and emotional intelligence make her the perfect match for Jane Austen. She’s a devoted fan of the book, but she’s never seen any previous adaptations – so pleasingly the novel only exists in her imagination.”
No dates for either production to begin or broadcast have been announced but there is thought it could air in 2020, 25 years after the 1995 version, which starred Colin Firth as the iconic Mr. Darcy.
Mammoth Screen have got a number of other projects coming up including series four of ‘Poldark’.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Paddy McGuinness is set to host BBC One’s ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing’.
The 43-year-old television presenter will front the broadcaster’s new tribute act spectacular that will celebrate the biggest names in pop music by bringing together tribute artists for a fun night of competition.
Paddy said: “This show is a belter! A talent show that’s only about the talent – with the best tribute acts from around the world singing their hearts out.
“You’ll never have to fork out for expensive concert tickets again. You’ve got front row seats!”
The 60-minute special will feature performances from tribute acts of some of the biggest artists in the world including Whitney Houston, George Michael, Little Mix, Ariane Grande and Bruno Mars.
After all the acts have performed, the live studio audience will choose their favourite performer – the one act on the night that truly is even better than the real thing.
Rachel Ashdown, Entertainment Commissioning Editor for the BBC, added: “We are thrilled that Paddy will be bringing his unique brand of warmth and wit to these shows which promise to give you some of the best loved songs, performed as you have never seen them before.”
It has also been announced that there will be a Christmas 2017 special of ‘Even Better Than The Real Thing’, where the tribute artists will sing a string of Christmas songs to win the audience’s vote.
Even Better Than The Real Thing was commissioned by Charlotte Moore, Director, Content and Kate Phillips, Controller, BBC Entertainment Commissioning whilst Rachel Ashdown will serve as the Commissioning Editor.
It will be filmed this summer at MediaCity UK and produced by BBC Studios Entertainment, Music and Events in Salford.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Montana Brown has confirmed she has split from Alex Beattie.
The 21-year-old graduate has announced she has gone her separate ways from the 22-year-old personal trainer, just a few weeks after they left the ‘Love Island’ villa.
In a short statement posted to her Twitter account, Montana wrote: “Alex and I have decided to split. Making our relationship work on the outside has been hard.
“He hasn’t been the same since coming out of the villa. Despite this we are still close and I will always support him.”
Whilst Alex added in his own post: “Me and Montana met yesterday and have decided that it’s best to call it a day with relationship with each other. It’s been very hard on the outside to make us work how we desired. I still have strong feelings towards her and will be remaining close friends and supporting her throughout everything.”
A source had previously claimed that Montana and Alex had gone their separate ways as she is very “ambitious”.
They said: “Montana is keen to follow her dreams as a TV presenter and has been attending meetings this week to get the wheels in motion. She doesn’t like partying and isn’t a big drinker so personal appearances in nightclubs aren’t really her thing. Instead she is ambitious and very much a career woman – her relationship with Alex is going to take a back seat.”
News of the split comes not long after Montana admitted she was not in love with Alex.
Asked if she loves him, she said: “I don’t love Alex yet, no. I’m really true to myself. I don’t want to just say it if I don’t mean it.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Jodie Whittaker had a “massive panic attack” about keeping her ‘Doctor Who’ casting a secret.
The 35-year-old actress has admitted she was overcome with nerves when she found out that Chris Chibnall – who she worked with on ‘Broadchurch’ – had chosen her to play the titular character in the forthcoming series of the sci-fi drama because she was worried she’d let the cat out of the bag before they’d made their big announcement in July.
Speaking on ‘Lorraine’ on Tuesday (08.08.17), she said: “I didn’t know details but I knew there was going to be an attempt at a really brilliant reveal. And I did not, I have got super bad paranoia, so I was like, ‘Did I tell you that? Sorry. Was I supposed to tell you that?’ You know that awful thing of ‘Was I supposed to tell you that?’ Obviously I’ve had five years of ‘Broadchurch’ to know, ‘OK, I’m not sure if I told you that, but if I did, don’t tell anyone…’ I also had a massive panic about it as I was a bit like I can’t remember what I was told I’m not allowed to say…”
The brunette beauty even spent months “whispering” on the phone in her flat in case anyone overheard her talking to Chibnall – who has taken over from departing show runner Steven Moffat – about where he was planning to take the role with the new series in 2018.
She explained: “There was just this thing of, in July this will happen and if we could get it to be this really amazing moment… and also for me I got to live a pretty anonymous life until then. So it was within my benefit to have that reveal happen. I was just lying left right and centre. Talking to my agent and [showrunner] Chris Chibnall, obviously we were speaking a lot, I’d get so paranoid if my phone was on the table and his name would ping up and I’d be like well, people won’t associate it with that as people know we’re friends from ‘Broadchurch’. You just become a massive narcissist like, everything’s about me… everyone is looking at me all the time. I think I was incredibly melodramatic the whole time. I talked like this [in a whisper] in my flat for months.”
But Jodie – who will take over from Peter Capaldi in the festive special – is really excited to get stuck into the role and hopes it will give young girls inspiration to chase after their dreams.
She said: “It’s really exciting. It’s got a huge audience and a huge fan base and a loyal, wonderful fan base. Maybe this will open it up to maybe some new young faces that haven’t necessarily been introduced to it yet. Because you forget that, if I’m the thirteenth, there’s so much to watch and catch up on. It doesn’t matter what age you come into it, you’ve got this wealth of amazing television to watch and to be a part of that is, I’ve said so many times, is really emotional and overwhelming – completely overwhelming. When I was told there was no like, ‘Yeah thanks, thanks’, it was like ‘Agghhh [pretends to cry] are you kidding? OK, thanks!’ Really, really smooth. You can’t get a job like this and not be knocked sideways.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Sarah Harding is reportedly being “monitored” by producers “24/7” after she suffered a boozy meltdown in the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ house earlier this week.
Bosses are said to be concerned for the former Girls Aloud singer’s welfare and have asked for doctors and psychologists to be on hand to help her after she broke down in tears in the diary room because she relapsed and hit the bottle – despite vowing not to.
A spokesperson for Channel 5 told the Daily Star newspaper: “Big Brother constantly monitors housemates and their behaviour.”
Sarah raised eyebrows over the weekend when she downed alcohol, pranced around in the pool in her bikini and then bit her fellow housemate Amelia Lily’s leg.
She sobbed: “I didn’t want to drink in here, for f***s sake! Now it’s all ruined.”
And it’s not just the producers who are worried about the 35-year-old star’s mental state and stress levels in the house as her co-stars have also expressed their concerns.
Brandi Glanville said after Sarah was put up for eviction by the VIPs: “I really like Sarah a lot. I’m concerned for her well-being. She’s very fragile right now.”
Speaking to bosses, Sarah – who has had several stints in rehab over the years – said through tears: “I have tried to stay positive and they ask me what’s wrong and I tell them. I’ve had a headache for three days. I’m not used to being in an environment like this. I just don’t feel like I belong here anymore.”
But it looks like the blonde beauty’s complaining is starting to wind some people up.
Jemma Lucy snipped: “Sarah chats s**t, man. She’s so fake. How many times can someone complain about a headache.”
Paul Danan added: “It all comes from insecurity. She’s such an attention seeker.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Davood Ghadami is “terrified” of having to learn how to dance.
The ‘EastEnders’ star – who plays Kush Kazemi in the long-running soap – has just signed up to take part in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ later this year but has admitted he’s nervous and excited about having to perfect his fancy footwork for the nation.
Speaking in a statement, he said: “Having the opportunity to take part in this year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ is such an honour. It’s going to be exciting, challenging and terrifying all at once and I am so looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and learning to dance. See you under the Glitterball!”
But the 35-year-old star will have to fight off some stiff competition if he’s to walk away with the famous trophy as Saturdays singer Mollie King has also jumped on the line up.
She said: “I’m a huge fan of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ so I can’t actually believe I’m lucky enough to be taking part in it this year! I’m literally so excited to learn latin and ballroom dancing, and of course I can’t wait to get into the sequins too! It’s going to be a lot of hard work but I’m ready for the challenge!”
Bosses are planning to release the line up in dribs and drabs over the next few weeks as it’s believed they’ve “almost” secured all of the celebrity stars they want this year.
Although some stars are yet to sign on the dotted line, one thing’s for certain, there will be plenty of fireworks when the show returns this autumn as the judging panel and troupe of professionals have been given a huge shake up recently.
The forthcoming series will see legendary choreographer Shirley Ballas claim Len Goodman’s Head Judge seat following his shock departure at the end of last year and, although the fellow panelists – Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli – are excited to have her on board, they’re convinced she’ll stand her ground.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Jeremy McConnell will be sentenced on Friday (11.08.17).
The former ‘Beauty School Cop Out’ star was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend Stephanie Davis in court on Monday (07.08.17) but has been granted bail until the end of the week on the condition he doesn’t contact the brunette beauty, her mother Pauline Davis or her auntie Gillian Lavin.
The sentencing was meant to take place yesterday afternoon after the court case concluded but was delayed because the Probation Services in Dublin, Ireland – where Jeremy lives – were unreachable.
Stephanie broke down in tears in court after she heard that the judge had decided the Irish star, with whom she has seven-month-old son Caben-Albi, had beaten her during a blazing row on March 9.
Judge Wendy Lloyd said in her ruling at the Liverpool Magistrates’ Court: “This is a sad story, like many of this sort there is much emotion on both sides.”
The courtroom heard how Jeremy, 27, “threw Stephanie around like a rag doll” because he thought she was having an affair with her pregnant best friend and a fireman.
The 24-year-old actress told the judge: “He was convinced I was having a lesbian affair with my pregnant friend, and the fireman across the road. He gets jealous. He was calling me a s**g, that I was fat and that no-one would ever want to touch me again.
“He put his thumb into the side of my gums, and that’s when I really started to panic. He was having, what I know and what Jeremy knows as, psychotic episodes.
“He took my phone off me, and I was trying to get it off him and he was ragging me everywhere. He bit the inside of my arm.”
The brunette beauty described the assault as “like something out of a horror movie” before she revealed Jeremy had smashed a bottle of wine over his own head.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Mark Wright admits his new life in the US is “surreal”.
The 30-year-old star has relocated to Los Angeles, where he’s become part of the new presenting team on the American entertainment news show ‘Extra’, and Mark conceded he is currently living a dream.
He explained: “Interviewing Mariah Carey was weird. The likes of James [Corden], Jamie Foxx, Lily James, it has all been completely surreal.
“Even working with an American film crew in LA was surreal in itself and working on a show like ‘Extra’. The first time I went down to the set to watch how it all works, I saw Mario [Lopez] and it was surreal.”
Mark also revealed he welcomes the opportunity to interview the biggest names in the entertainment business, even if it leaves him feeling very nervous.
Speaking to MailOnline, Mark shared: “I wouldn’t be afraid of being star-struck but I believe it makes me perform better. I’m excited going into the interview and I stay excited for it.
“You can see in my face that I’m into it, intrigued and that I’m standing across from Mariah Carey, staring her in the eyes, calling my name, it’s surreal.”
And Mark said that his wife, actress Michelle Keegan, is “proud” of his latest career move.
The former ‘TOWIE’ star explained: “Of course she’s always proud of everything I do, and I’m always proud of everything she does.
“She probably feels the same way I do, like ‘Wow what an opportunity’. She’s touched by it.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Davood Ghadami has signed up for ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The ‘EastEnders’ hunk – who plays Kush Kazemi in the soap – has reportedly joined this year’s line-up of celebrities vying to win the Glitterball Trophy, and show bosses are said to be “delighted” he is joining the programme.
A source said: “Davood is this year’s heartthrob and bosses are delighted he’s signed up.
“Soap stars, particularly from EastEnders, have done really well on the show previously.”
Davood has filmed some scenes in next to nothing in Albert Square and ‘Strictly’ producers are hoping he will get the “audience’s pulses racing” when he dons his sequinned outfits in the upcoming series.
The insider added to The Sun newspaper: “Producers are keen for him to get his kit off and get the audience’s pulses racing a bit.”
Davood will follow in the footsteps of several ‘EastEnders’ stars who have taken to the ‘Strictly’ dancefloor in the past, including Kara Tointon (Dawn Swann), who won the trophy in 2010.
Other Walford contestants have included Tameka Empson (Kim Fox), who was last year voted out second, and 2015 runner-up Kellie Bright (Linda Carter).
Yesterday (07.08.17), The Saturdays singer Mollie King was the first celebrity contestant confirmed for this year’s show, and she cannot wait to get stuck into the “hard work”.
She said: “I’m a huge fan of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ so I can’t actually believe I’m lucky enough to be taking part in it this year!
“I’m literally so excited to learn Latin and ballroom dancing, and of course I can’t wait to get into the sequins too! It’s going to be a lot of hard work but I’m ready for the challenge!”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Jennifer Metcalfe doesn’t want to get engaged.
The ‘Hollyoaks’ actress welcomed her baby son Daye into the world six weeks ago with her partner Greg Lake and, although the couple are now living together and want to get hitched in the future, she has admitted she’s not fussed about a big proposal.
Speaking to OK! magazine, she said: “I’ve thought about it and we probably won’t get engaged. We’ll just be like: ‘Shall we just get married?’ We’re that relaxed about it.”
Greg added: “It will come but at the minute our focus is just on Daye.”
But, although they’re not in any rush to walk down the aisle, the pair have already decided on what kind of wedding they want and will probably just text their friends on the day rather than sending out official invitations to loads of people.
Greg said: “Because Jen’s dad passed away when she was young, I want Daye to take his mum down the aisle. We want all our close friends and family.
“I want to wear a linen suit and have it on the beach with a live band, a big old school barbecue with proper chefs, and a little bar. It will be amazing. The invites will just be texting all our good friend saying: ‘Do you want to come?’ ”
And the couple are keen to have another baby in the future.
Greg said: “One more – a girl would be nice.
Jennifer added: “It’s just the pregnancy. Labour and sleep deprivation aren’t as bad for me as the pregnancy. As soon as he was born, I was like, I want to do this again – but now I’m not so sure. We’ll see!”

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