Kate Garraway loves 'wild' sex

OHMYGOSSIP — Kate Garraway loves “wild” sex.
The ‘Good Morning Britain’ presenter recently admitted she and husband Derek Draper attempted to get intimate every day for two weeks, and though the experiment was cut short after her spouse broke his foot, the blonde star thought the “timetable” was good for their relationship.
She said: “We all know sex is supposed to be good for us but you don’t want it to be akin to a plate of curly kale – you want it to be wild and naughty.
“So we drew up a timetable and Derek used a red pen to mark out our intimate time together.
“We vowed that, whatever happened, we would have sex every day.
“The timetable buts sex at the heart of your relationship again and forces you to find time that isn’t about loading the dishwasher or taking the kids to school.”
But the 49-year-old star -who has kids Darcey, 11, and Billy, seven, with Derek – admitted having sex every day seemed like a big ask, though she’s now vowed to do it more often than they previously did.
She said: “While I still fancy Derek, having sex every day did seem like a lot.
“But after doing this experiment, I highly recommend having more.”
While Kate is happier than ever, she doesn’t like the visible signs of getting older and won’t rule out cosmetic surgery.
She told Closer magazine: “There’s always a moment when you look in the mirror and you realise you don’t look the way you used to and life has changed.
“When I was 25, of course I looked younger, but I was lacking in confidence.
“I love my life now.
“Although I’m going to fight the aging process as hard as I can – and I’d never say never to plastic surgery.”

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Scarlett Johansson took on role after therapy

OHMYGOSSIP — Scarlett Johansson only agreed to star in ‘The Ghost in the Shell’ after consulting her therapist.
The 32-year-old actress plays Major in the live-action remake of the Japanese manga tale and was initially reluctant to take on the role as it wasn’t long after she’d given birth to her and estranged husband Romain Dauriac’s daughter Rose, now two.
She said: “I’d had my daughter a couple of months before and it just seemed like an enormous undertaking. But something about it was enigmatic and I sat on it and discussed it in therapy. It was on my mind.”
Scarlett has faced a huge backlash for her casting as the iconic character, and though she insists she cares about people’s opinions, she believes anyone could have played the part because Major is “identity-less”.
Asked if she cares what people think, she told Event magazine: “Well of course. But this question is answered in the film. I’m playing a person that is completely identity-less. She is a human brain in a synthetic robot body.”
And the ‘Avengers’ star insisted she doesn’t mind being given tight costumes in her action roles as it’s just the same for men.
Asked why women are made to look “super-sexy” in action films, she said: “I don’t know. That’s hard to say because I work alongside guys who wear skintight leather leotards, you know, for work! You spend all day making jokes about their various codpiece sizes.”
Scarlett has a lot of “confidence” in her work because her films tend to make huge amounts at the box office.
She said of her bankability: “It gives me confidence in my choices. I’ve been working forever, so with plenty of luck and a lot of experience, I’ve carved out a niche for myself.”

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

David Tennant backs female Doctor

OHMYGOSSIP — David Tennant would back a female Doctor Who.
The 45-year-old actor – who portrayed the tenth incarnation of the Timelord from 2005 to 2010 – refused to say who he wants to succeed Peter Capaldi when he departs the sci-fi show at the end of the year, but doesn’t think there should be any restrictions on gender.
Asked if he would support a female Doctor, he said: “Sure. It all depends on getting the right person.”
But asked who he would cast, he replied: “Oh, well, I, ah, I’m very glad it’s not my decision.”
David can currently be seen playing D.I. Alec Hardy in ‘Broadchurch’ and he is very proud of the show, despite the criticism it faced for its second series in 2015.
He told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: “I thought the second series was a beautifully clever piece of writing and I think the third is, too.”
But the Scottish actor refused to reveal any details about what the future has in store for his character.
He said: “You don’t even want to breathe half a spoiler, but I think it resolves itself satisfactorily.”
David’s comments come after Paul McGann – who portrayed the Eighth Doctor on screen in the one-off 1996 ‘Doctor Who’ TV film and again in the 2013 mini-episode ‘The Night of the Doctor’, which preceded the 50th anniversary special ‘The Day of the Doctor’ – backed Tilda Swinton to be the next Doctor.
He said: “Wherever you’re from there’s females yeah? There are Gallifreyan females. Steven Moffat, the writer, is fond of describing the character as ‘one character, many faces’, well how about a female one.”
He was then asked to choose who he would like to see in the TARDIS out of the three actresses who are the favourites for the part, Tilda , Maxine Peake and Olivia Colman, and he picked the ‘Doctor Strange’ star.
He said: “I’d go for Tilda because she’s a great actor and because she’s got that kind of David Bowie [androgynous] thing.”

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Sir Bruce Forsyth laughing at home

OHMYGOSSIP — Sir Bruce Forsyth is “laughing” at home following his recent chest infection.
The 89-year-old television presenter spent five nights in the ICU at St Peter’s hospital in Surrey earlier this month after he was struck down with a severe chest infection, and his close friend Jimmy Tarbuck was pleased to see he’s well on the mend after visiting the former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ host and his wife Wilnelia recently.
He told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: “It was just good to see him.
“Wilnelia made some sandwiches and a nice pot of tea and we just reminisced and blethered and laughed. He’s getting there.”
And Jimmy, 77, doesn’t think there was anything unusual about his friend’s hospitalisation.
He added: “He had a fall and a fall doesn’t do you any good at any age, but he’s at an age where it took a bit out of him.
“For 50 years, Bruce has been 35 years of age to everyone – when he’s actually 89.
“It’s the lights and the adrenaline. It all happens when you walk on there.”
Bruce’s daughter Julie recently reassured fans her father is “doing great”.
She said: “I have been to see him and he’s doing great. He is getting over a chest infection so it’s a bit difficult, but he’s doing good.”
Bruce – who underwent keyhole surgery in 2015 after suffering two life-threatening aneurysms – is being nursed back to health by his wife Wilnelia.
An insider said: “Wilnelia was by his bedside virtually the entire time, and has been amazing. He remains in great spirits.”

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Luke Evans liberated by role

OHMYGOSSIP — Luke Evans found his role in ‘Beauty and the Beast’ “liberating”.
The 37-year-old actor relished every moment of playing the “ridiculous, self-absorbed and terrifying” villain Gaston in the new live-action take on the classic fairytale because his alter ego was so different to himself in real life.
He said: “It’s fun to play a character who does all the things you’d never dare to do in real life. It’s liberating – you can’t feel self-conscious about playing somebody like Gaston, you just have to go with it.
“I owe it to the animated giant of a creature we see in the original to be that ridiculous and self-absorbed and terrifying. And to enjoy it.”
It wasn’t just the comic aspects of the role that Luke enjoyed, as he also delighted in the “challenge” of the action scenes.
He said: “Stunts are a trust exercise – it’s you plus a team of stunt people.
“You can’t fear stuff – the second you feel nervous about jumping off a rooftop, you have to let the stuntman do it, because you forget about acting. But that’s the challenge and I really enjoy it.”
The Welsh actor made sure he took away some souvenirs from the set of the film, which also stars Emma Watson, Dan Stevens and Josh Gad.
He told Woman magazine: “I keep all the swords from my films. Gaston didn’t have a real one, but he has an interesting breast plate, which wasn’t used in the film so I asked to take that.
“I also have the doll. I was blown away by the likeness.”

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Piers Morgan wants to 'save' Nightly Show

OHMYGOSSIP — Piers Morgan thinks he would be “brilliant” on ‘The Nightly Show’.
The 51-year-old presenter insists criticism of ITV’s new weeknight programme – which has so far seen David Walliams, John BIshop and Davina McCall take on hosting duties – should be ignored for now as new show “take time” to be welcomed by audiences.
However, the ‘Good Morning Britain’ host – who previously had a nightly talk show on US network CNN – thinks the programme is trying to hard to mimic the efforts of American programmes fronted by the likes of James Corden, Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Fallon, and believes bosses should let him take the reins for a week as he’d be “brilliant”.
He told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper: “I think we have to give it a few weeks. All new shows take time to bed down. I have watched a few of them and some seem to work better than others.
“I want to see who works. But I’d be brilliant.
“It is getting a bit of a bashing. They’re trying to be a bit American for me.”
But if Piers does get the guest hosting job, he would need a break from ‘GMB’ and it seems that’s something he would welcome.
He added: “I would not mind a lie-in. And I can’t do morning and night.”
Despite criticism of the show, which is occupying ITV’s traditional nightly news slot, ITV bosses insist they are keeping faith with the programme.
A spokesperson said: “We are not axing ‘The Nightly Show’, nor are we moving it.”
Dermot O’Leary will take over as host in the coming week.
It was previously claimed Paul O’Grady and former ‘Great British Bake Off’ hosts have turned down approaches to host ‘The Nightly Show’.

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

No more Terminators

OHMYGOSSIP — Plans for a new ‘Terminator’ movie have been cancelled.
Arnold Schwarzenegger was expected to step back into the role he made famous 32 years ago later this year alongside Emilia Clarke, who played Sarah Connor in 2015’s ‘Terminator Genisys’, but it has now been claimed Paramount executives have decided not to make another film.
A source told the New York Daily News newspaper: “It is over for ‘The Terminator’ and Arnold.
“The studio has taken the sequel off the production slate completely, meaning there is no preproduction or any plans for another sequel. The talent had been offered long term deals, but this is not happening.
“The ‘Genisys’ movie was seen as a way of reviving (the franchise), but the critics were not happy and somehow the studio bosses fell out of love with making more, even though they made huge profits.”
However, another company could still take on the rights to the franchise but, given that Arnold turns 70 later this year, that is deemed unlikely.
The source added: “It would need an independent production company to think about making this, and asking Arnie back at age 70 to play that again may be a tough ask.”
The news comes after it was recently reported James Cameron – who created the franchise with Gale Anne Hurd – had been asked to oversee a new ‘Terminator Film’.
James was at the helm for the 1984 movie and sequel ‘Terminator 2: Judgement Day’, but not involved in 2003’s ‘Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines’, 2009’s ‘Terminator Salvation’ or 2015’s ‘Terminator Genisys’, all of which did not do as well as the first installments.
However, the rights to the saga revert to him in 2019, but before that happens, ‘Deadpool’ director Tim Miller was said to be in talks with Cameron about advising on another film.
According to reports, ‘Terminator Genisys’ financier David Ellison was backing a new film and respected sci-fi authors had been asked to come up with plot ideas.

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Scarlett Johansson punches hard

OHMYGOSSIP — Scarlett Johansson almost “knocked out” a stuntman during a fight scene in ‘Ghost in the Shell’.
The 32-year-old actress’ powerful performance as The Major was quite “frightening” to the cast and crew on the film, and director Rupert Sanders was in awe of her physical abilities.
Rupert said: “She is tough and when she is beating the s**t out of someone is quite frightening. She is able to pull a punch within about 3mm and that is quite a shocking thing to see.
“[In the] water courtyard fight, Scarlett was so in the rage – punch, punch, punch – that when we cut the stuntman was like, ‘You almost knocked me out!’ And she was like, ‘Did I?’ She hadn’t even realised.”
And Rupert was impressed by the physical transformation Scarlett underwent to prepare for the role.
He said: “Scarlett was in the gym every morning way before we all got to set and her body was really transformed into the Major.
“When you see the shots from behind, her back in just rippling with muscle that is so reminiscent of the character in the anime.
“She had a team of martial arts and military trainers who she worked with every day.
“She got to a level physically where she carried that confidence and it really showed in her performance.”
If the movie does well, a sequel is likely to be in the works, a prospect Scarlett finds “daunting” but is also excited about.
She told SciFiNow magazine: “That is daunting because it is not totally obvious what the next chapter is for this character.
“It is also physically daunting. This film was extremely draining, physically, emotionally, and professionally and it required an immense amount of discipline and thought.
“But of course, the idea that this female-driven genre film could go on to have a sequel, and that it could be successful enough to demand a sequel is very exciting.
“It would be a real victory in many ways. I am up for the challenge.
“I am a big girl. I can handle it. I think.”

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Danny Dyer's EastEnders return

OHMYGOSSIP — Danny Dyer has held meetings with ‘EastEnders’ bosses about his comeback storyline.
The 39-year-old actor is currently taking a break from playing loveable landlord Mick Carter on the long-running BBC One soap but show bosses are already planning Mick’s return.
A source told the Daily Star: “He dropped in to get his new scripts. He hasn’t started filming just yet. But he is expected to return imminently.
“Everyone is looking forward to seeing him back in action. He’s one of the soap’s key stars.”
And it was recently revealed that Danny’s castmates a “low key shindig” when he returns, to show how important he is to the programme.
An insider said: “They’re keen to show everyone is behind him 100 per cent after his tough few months.
“They’re planning a round of applause when he steps back behind the bar for filming for the first time.
“The cast know how important Danny is to the show’s success and don’t want it to be awkward.
“Danny will be welcomed back with open arms.”
Danny jetted off for a holiday to South Africa recently after his friends claimed he was exhausted after working non-stop since joining the show in 2013.
An insider said at the time: “Danny knows he has to rest-up and recuperate. He has been ground down by the workload on ‘EastEnders’ and then partying on top of it.
“This trip is going to do him the world of good. He can remain anonymous there and he can properly rest. He’s hoping to come back refreshed and back into work.”
His decision to have a temporary rest from filming came five months after he tied the knot with his childhood sweetheart Joanne Mas in a romantic ceremony in Hampshire.
The smitten couple may have only just got hitched officially but they have been together since 1992 and have children Danni, 19, Sunnie, nine and Arty, two, together.

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Paul O'Grady turned down The Nightly Show

OHMYGOSSIP — Paul O’Grady reportedly turned down ‘The Nightly Show’.
The 61-year-old TV star was asked to present the show for five nights but told ITV bosses he could not take part.
A source told The Sun: “Paul was approached at the end of last year but he wasn’t able to do it.”
The show, which has a different host every week during its eight-week run – has been hit with low ratings and slammed by critics and viewers.
Meanwhile, Paul will be keeping busy as he was recently announced as new host of ‘Blind Date’.
The star will take over the role of matchmaker from his late friend Cilla Black, who fronted the show for 18 years, when the popular dating show returns to screens later this year, following a revamp, on its new home Channel 5.
In an official statement issued by Channel 5, Paul said: “‘Blind Date’ is an incredibly special family show which brought laughter, tears and joy to TV viewers throughout out the land. I am honoured to present the brand new series and after speaking to Channel 5, I know the series is in safe hands. I can’t wait to see if we can find love.”
The classic game show was fronted by Cilla for almost two decades from 1985 until 2003 and, although a reboot has been in the pipeline for some time, she tragically passed away in 2015 following a fatal fall at her Spanish home.
Bosses are keen to keep some of the “traditional” elements of the previous run but have decided to give it an updated twist to appeal to a “new generation of viewers”.
It’s expected to run on Friday nights – rather than its traditional Saturday night slot – and will consist of six to eight episodes per series for the first few installments.
The programme sees three singletons grilled by a member of the opposite sex in order to find the perfect match without being able to see them. The new couple then pick an envelope with their holiday destination – abroad or in the UK – inside and will spend the next week trying to get to know one another.

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Victoria Wood's 9.3m fortune split between family and charity

OHMYGOSSIP — Victoria Wood split her £9.3 million fortune between her family and charity.
The ‘Dinnerladies’ star – who passed away in April 2016 after a cancer battle – left her £4million Highgate mansion and a Lake District cottage to her children Grace, 28, and Henry, 24, £50,000 each to her three siblings and cash sums of between £20,000 to £25,000 to other close friends.
According to The Sun, she also donated a huge sum to the Victoria Wood Charitable Trust but her ex-husband, Geoffrey Durham, did not receive anything in her will.
Earlier this year, it was claimed that Victoria’s family were at odds over plans for a life-sized statue of the star.
Her brother Christopher Foote Wood, set up a crowdfunding page to raise money for the £30,000 tribute in her hometown of Bury, Greater Manchester but a source close to her two children accused Mr Foote Wood of “firing off under his own steam”.
The insider said: “The family want a tasteful statue. This isn’t the first time he has gone firing off under his own steam.”
Mr Foote Wood admitted that the project had been complicated, explaining: “When it is finished, the statue will belong to me… because I have paid for it. I am putting up the money with the help of crowdfunding.
“Legally it is my property, but when it is up and running I will make it a gift to the council because really the statue should belong to the people of Bury.
“It is proceeding, but I cannot say it is exactly straightforward.”
Meanwhile, Victoria will be remembered with a special six-part tribute titled ‘Our Friend Victoria’, this year, featuring her friends including Julie Walters, Maxine Peake, Jim Broadbent and Celia Imrie.
Shane Allen, Controller, BBC Comedy Commissioning, said: “British comedy lost its most prolific and multi-talented star last year. Victoria was unparalleled in what she achieved as a creator, writer, character actress, sketch and sitcom performer, director, singer, songwriter and stand-up – she did the lot with a unique humour and a broad appeal common touch.
“Close colleagues from across her career guide us on a celebration of Victoria’s finest work so we can revel in her brilliance once more as her work and influence will live on for a long time to come.”

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Davina McCall and Jamie Oliver turned down GBBO

OHMYGOSSIP — Stars including Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Davina McCall and Jamie Oliver all turned down ‘Great British Bake Off’.
Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig have been lined up to replace presenters Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins but it has been claimed that they were chosen after a host of big names said no.
A source told The Sun: “A lot of people at Love Productions are worried about what Channel 4 is going to do with their show.
“Noel is going to turn off a lot of the family viewing that made Bake Off such a favourite.
“Noel and Sandi are an odd combination and they certainly weren’t top of the list — or even tenth on the list.
“Channel 4’s most loyal presenters were not interested. There was talk that replacing Mel and Sue was a toxic proposition.”
However, Love Productions – which makes the show – has insisted that Noel and Sandi were the only people they offered the job to.
A spokesperson said: “Love Productions and Channel 4 jointly chose Sandi and Noel as presenters and they were the only pair an offer was made to.”
Previously, the ‘Mighty Boosh’ star Noel hailed his new role as a “dream come true”, and said he’s looking forward to working alongside the ‘Q.I.’ host when the popular culinary contest moves to Channel 4.
He said in a statement: “‘GBBO’ is one of my favourite shows. I’ve always loved brightly coloured cakes and Sandi Toksvig so this is a dream come true for me! It’s basically the double.”
And Sandi hailed the chance to take over from departed hosts Mel & Sue an “extraordinary honour” – though she’s worried about matching flamboyant Noel in the sartorial stakes.
She said: “It is an extraordinary honour to part of this national treasure of a show.
“Noel Fielding is one of the nicest guys in show business. The first time I met him I felt like I had met a rather wayward cousin whose take on the world made me laugh.
“The only down side is that he has much better dress sense that I do. I spend my daytimes on Channel 4 already so it will be a treat to be there in the evenings.
“I am so delighted to be working with Love Productions and Channel 4 on this best of British show.”

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Russell Brand jokes he wants Strictly Come Dancing judge gig

OHMYGOSSIP — Russell Brand has joked that he’d like to replace Len Goodman on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 41-year-old comic has responded to the news that his pal Noel Fielding is to take over from Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins as host of ‘The Great British Bake Off’ with Sandi Toksvig and he thinks it’s so ludicrous he’s suggested he should join the BBC One ballroom and Latin show as a judge.
Taking to Twitter after hearing that the ‘Mighty Boosh’ star is taking on the presenting gig, he wrote: “Right. If @noelfielding11 can do Bake Off I’m replacing Len on Strictly. (sic)”
Noel, 43, hailed his new role as a “dream come true”, and he’s looking forward to working alongside the ‘Q.I.’ host when the popular culinary contest moves to Channel 4.
He said in a statement: “‘GBBO’ is one of my favourite shows. I’ve always loved brightly coloured cakes and Sandi Toksvig so this is a dream come true for me! It’s basically the double.”
Russell’s comment comes after the show’s 2016 finalist Jane Beedle said it doesn’t matter if the hosts have no baking skills.
Appearing on ITV’s ‘Good Morning Britain’ on Friday (17.03.17), she said: “I don’t think it matters if they can bake or not I’m not sure whether Mel and Sue could bake. They could eat! They do like a slice a cake and as long as you eat and enjoy it I think [they’ll] be absolutely fine.”
Selasi Gbormittah – who also competed on the show when it was on the BBC – wasn’t shocked by the choice of presenters and she thinks Noel, 43, will be a great addition because he’ll provide much-needed humour in the intense baking tent.
She said: “It’s not surprising news to be fair because they are both really good presenters in their field and you’ve got Noel Fielding who is very funny which is what we need in the tent, or the new bakers need in the tent.”

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Debbie McGee pays tribute to Paul Daniels death anniversary

OHMYGOSSIP — Debbie McGee has paid tribute to husband Paul Daniels – one year after his death.
The 58-year-old television performer – who married the magician in 1988 – took to her Twitter account on Friday (17.03.17) to mark the first anniversary of Paul’s passing as she gushed about his talent and the “happy years” they spent together.
Alongside a photograph of her beloved spouse, she wrote: “A year today since this smiling face vanished from us. I was SO lucky to have so many happy years with Paul who made me laugh every day, (sic)” followed by a heart emoji.
She then recalled a time in 2015 – a year before his death – in Remini, Italy, performing magic tricks to an audience while they waited in line for a convention.
She said: “Paul was always happy entertaining whether on stage or off. Waiting to see a show FISM magic convention Rimini Italy 2015 No one was bored.”
Paul tragically passed away at the age of 77 from a brain tumour – something he only found out at four weeks before his death – and, although he was initially being cared for in hospital, Debbie was determined to get him home so he could spend his final days in comfort and around his beloved friends and family.
She previously said: “The last two weeks he was at home. We had one fantastic week. And my big thing was that I had to get him home. The torture was that if he stayed in hospital and I never got him back to the house – I couldn’t bear the thought that he’d never come home. So once I knew I could get him home then I just thought, ‘Well, whatever time we have left … this has got to count.’ ”

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Joe Manganiello learns sword fighting for The Batman

OHMYGOSSIP — Joe Manganiello has been learning how to sword fight for his role as Deathstroke in ‘The Batman’.
The 40-year-old actor is set to play the villainous assassin in the hotly-anticipated DC Extended Universe movie and in order to replicate the comic book character’s skills as a master swordsman, marksman and martial arts expert he has been undergoing an intense training regime ahead of filming.
Manganiello is being taught a variety of new skills so that when he faces off against Ben Affleck’s Batman he will be ready for the cameras.
Speaking to the new issue of Total Film magazine, he shared: “I’m very excited. I just started kung fu, qiqong and cutting with a live katana blade. That’s been a lot of fun.”
Manganiello accepts there is a lot of pressure on him and the rest of the cast to do the DC Comics justice due to the hardcore fans who will go to the cinema to see their favourite characters brought to life on the big screen.
But the ‘Magic Mike XXL’ star isn’t going to let the potential fandom fallout affect him when he suits up as Deathstroke.
He said: “These characters mean so much to people and there’s a real opportunity to polarise an audience or have them walk away maybe not agreeing with my character but understanding why he does what he does. That’s a fun challenge.”
‘The Batman’ will be directed by Matt Reeves – whose previous credits include ‘Cloverfield’ and ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ – from a script written by Affleck, who is reprising his role as The Caped Crusader following his appearance in ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice’, a cameo in ‘Suicide Squad’ and a leading role in the upcoming ‘Justice League’ blockbuster.

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE

Vicky Pattison will be involved in Blind Date reboot

OHMYGOSSIP — Vicky Pattison will be involved in the ‘Blind Date’ reboot.
The former ‘Geordie Shore’ star was initially thought to be stepping into the late Cilla Black’s shoes when the revamp of the dating show hits television screens but, although bosses have now decided that Paul O’Grady – who was best friends with the Liverpudlian star until her death in 2015 – is the best person to present the new series, the brunette beauty has reportedly still been asked to work on the programme.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “Vicky is so excited to be working on such an iconic show as ‘Blind Date’. She knows Paul is perfect to step into Cilla’s shoes. To be considered to work alongside such a legend is a dream come true for her.”
Paul, 61, was announced as the new host yesterday (16.03.17) and admitted he feels so “honoured” that he’s been chosen to follow in his close friend’s footsteps.
He said: “‘Blind Date’ is an incredibly special family show which brought laughter, tears and joy to TV viewers throughout out the land. I am honoured to present the brand new series and after speaking to Channel 5, I know the series is in safe hands. I can’t wait to see if we can find love.”
The classic game show was fronted by Cilla for almost two decades from 1985 until 2003 and, although a reboot has been in the pipeline for some time, she tragically passed away in 2015 following a fatal fall at her Spanish home.
Bosses are keen to keep some of the “traditional” elements of the previous run but have decided to give it an updated twist to appeal to a “new generation of viewers”.
It’s expected to run on Friday nights – rather than its traditional Saturday night slot – and will consist of six to eight episodes per series for the first few installments.
The programme sees three singletons grilled by a member of the opposite sex in order to find the perfect match without being able to see them. The new couple then pick an envelope with their holiday destination – abroad or in the UK – inside and will spend the next week trying to get to know one another.
Channel 5 have bought the rights to the dating show but they will have some stiff competition from ITV as it has ‘Take Me Out’ and ‘Meet The Parents’.
‘Blind Date’ proved a hit with viewers for years but the plug was pulled in 2003 when Cilla announced she was quitting during a live episode following a drop in ratings.

Find more OHMYGOSSIP Film & TV news HERE