OHMYGOSSIP — Mary Berry refused to have a meeting with Channel 4 about her future on ‘The Great British Bake Off’.
The 81-year-old baking legend stepped down as a judge on the popular cooking show after Channel 4 snatched the rights to the series from the BBC in a mega-money deal last year and, although bosses were determined to keep her and her co-judge Paul Hollywood during the shift, she “avoided” having a meeting with the broadcaster because she’d already decided she wanted to bow out.
Asked if she was tempted to move with the show, Mary told The Radio Times magazine: “Well, I avoided being asked. It was suggested what would happen if I did go to Channel 4; what I would get, the advantages. But I didn’t ever have a meeting with them. I’d made up my mind. To me it’s an honour to be on the BBC. I was brought up on it.”
Although she walked away out of “loyalty” to the BBC, 50-year-old silver fox Paul came under fire when he decided to accept an eye-watering sum to move across to Channel 4 with the show.
She explained: “I would always stand by him. Paul and I had our differences about what was important to us but he is a brilliant bread-maker and I admired him a lot.”
Bosses are now on a frantic hunt to find a replacement for Mary – who had been on the programme since it first hit screens on the BBC in 2010 – and have their eye on restaurateur Prue Leith.
The 76-year-old food critic has been having discussions with bosses but believes there is one other person that could stop her from landing the judging job when the new series airs later this year.
Prue said: “I’m certainly one of the runners. I can wish. I can dream. I’ve had two auditions with them and lots of meetings. So I mean I think I’m close but I know there are two people in the running. One other person. Of course I’d love to do it. Who wouldn’t want to do it? I’ve known Mary for years and she loved it.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Joey Essex is entitled to £200 worth of free chicken a day as owner of a KFC “black card”.
The 26-year-old former ‘TOWIE’ star is struggling to find love – having resorted to starring on a second series of E4 dating show ‘Celebs Go Dating’ to try and find him a suitable girlfriend after his previous stint was a failure as he ended up briefly dating ‘MIC’ star Stephanie Pratt.
During his appearance on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ on Monday (20.02.17), Joey revealed his secret weapon that gives him an added appeal to girls – a prestigious KFC “black card”.
When ‘This Morning’ co-host Holly Willoughby asked if reports that he took a recent date to dine at the fried chicken chain, he admitted: “I did yeah, I took her to KFC, but I’ve got a black card – it’s metal and everything – and you get £200 a day on it. So I’m just wallop and give them this card and getting bare KFC everywhere.
Many celebrities are known to own Nando’s “black cards” including Ed Sheeran, David Beckham and former heavyweight champion of the world David Haye but the KFC “black card” is lesser known.
Joey continued: “I didn’t know they did them but I got sent one and it’s amazing – you get £200 worth of it. But that’s not a romantic date it’s just a jokes date. The date wasn’t jokes, the day was – it was funny. We filled my boot up with KFC, loads of it.”
Ahead of Joey’s scheduled interview segment on the daytime entertainment show, hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield were forced to apologise to viewers after a technical error meant that Joey was overheard saying, “I dropped it on my chin cause the f***ing tip fell off,” as he tried to eat a strawberry.
He was then heard moaning, “This place is a f**king sh*thole,” as a link to him backstage in a dating room ended.
The presenters had moved on to talk to chef Gino D’Acampo following the link with Joey, but it got awkward when they realised Joey’s mic was still on, and he could be heard clearly unleashing the expletives over Gino’s segment.
Holly and Phil quickly apologised moments later.
She said: “If anyone heard what Joey Essex said, we do apologise. He didn’t realise his mic was up.”
Phillip added: “I didn’t know he knew any words that big!”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Michelle Keegan is very excited for the next series of ‘Our Girl’.
The 29-year-old actress was last on TV screens portraying Tina Moore in ITV drama ‘Tina & Bobby’ – based on the life of former England captain Sir Bobby Moore – but it’s not long until Michelle jets back out to South Africa to spend around eight months filming the third series of popular army drama ‘Our Girl’ starring Luke Pasqualino as Elvis Harte and Michelle as Lance Corporal Georgie Lane.
Speaking to HELLO! magazine, Michelle said: “I’ll be filming ‘Our Girl’ [soon], which is so exciting. But no holidays planned yet.”
But it’s not like the actress is in need of some sunshine as she has already been busy soaking up the rays in Los Angeles where she shot the promo for her new spring/summer Lipsy collection in just four days.
Manchester-born Michelle is fond of the Hollywood way of life, she said: “What I like most about the lifestyle out there is that it’s very positive. Everyone seems very happy and it’s a healthy lifestyle. I that must have something to do with the weather, too. A lot of girls don’t wear make-up and they all have beautiful glowing skin because of all the sunshine.”
Speaking about her upcoming Lipsy collection, Michelle said: “I really love the off-the-shoulder look, especially for spring-summer with a tan. Oriental florals were a big influence; they’re delicate and girly. I’m a big fan of the sherbet pastel tones, they’re just fresh and fun.”
Michelle, who was visiting Tinseltown without husband Mark Wright, revealed she took time out from her photoshoots to do some tourist sightseeing – including visiting Rodeo Drive, where she bought a pair of Gucci shoes, and sipping a Pretty Woman cocktail at the Beverly Wiltshire hotel where iconic scenes from the Julia Robert’s rom com ‘Pretty Woman’ was filmed.
Speaking about being a Hollywood tourist, the former ‘Coronation Street’ star commented: “Slightly cheesy, but, hey, who cares?
“There’s just something in the air out here, you literally feel like you’re in a movie. It’s one of my favourite places. I felt like I was stepping right back into old-school Hollywood glamour.”
Meanwhile Essex-born Mark is no stranger to working in Los Angeles too – he was “over the moon” when the kids’ show he co-hosts, ‘The Dengineers’ was picked up by a US TV network and prior to that he made his transatlantic TV debut in December in two episodes Elizabeth Hurley drama ‘The Royals’.
The pair are due to celebrate their second wedding anniversary in May.

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OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Emmerdale’ star Danny Miller understands why his soap peer Danny Dyer has decided to take some time off from ‘EastEnders’.
The 26-year-old actor plays Aaron Dingle on the ITV soap and after joining in 2008 he left the programme in 2012 before returning in 2014.
Dyer, 39, is having a rest from playing lovable Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter after BBC bosses allowed him some time out from the role, which he first took on in 2013, and is enjoying a family break in South Africa.
And Miller admits the relentless schedule of working on a soap can be tiring for all cast members.
In an appearance on ‘Loose Women’ on Monday (20.02.17), he said: “If you’re coming from a drama or a film shoot where it is a lot more relaxed, then you’re coming into a soap which is much more intense.
“It’s seven-to-seven, it’s hard so I can understand where he’s coming from given how busy he’s been the last two years.”
Miller has grown very attached to his soap alter ego Aaron, who has been involved in a number of heavyweight storylines including coming out as a gay and being at the centre of a domestic sexual abuse plot last year, and feels a great deal of responsibility to the character and ‘Emmerdale’.
He said: “I have become more attached to the character. I am a bit more sentimental I guess. But I have great family and friends that keep me grounded. I took a break for around 22 months. I went off and did little bits and bobs.”
This week Aaron is set to marry his partner Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) but the nuptials are not set to run smoothly.

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OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Coronation Street’ actor Chris Harper couldn’t read his lines out loud for the Bethany Platt grooming storyline because of their graphic nature.
The 39-year-old actor plays abuser Nathan Curtis in the soap and took to Twitter on Monday (20.02.17) to admit that he was unable to practice on the way into the ITV studios like he does every day because the sex abuse plot is “heating up” and he felt uncomfortable reading them out.
Taking to the micro-blogging site, he wrote: “Walking into @itvcorrie normally fine to run lines out loud on my hands-free. Not today. Things are heating up #Bethany #control (sic)”
It comes after the disturbing scenes show on Friday (17.02.17), which saw schoolgirl Bethany (Lucy Fallon) lose her virginity to Nathan after his partner in crime Mel got her drunk at a nightclub.
The story is to become even more unbearable as young Bethany becomes victim to a sex-ring and pervert Nathan shows his even darker side.
Chris – who prepared for the plot with the help of the charity NSPCC – recently insisted he hopes the harrowing storyline will shed light on the issue and help more victims of paedophiles to come forward.
He explained: “Nothing can desensitise you to what survivors of sexual exploitation have gone through. It’s the most important storyline I’ve ever had.
“It’s massively important I get this right for them. We want to reach out to people to let them know help is out there, and to tell ­abusers they can’t get away with it.
“Half the problem is getting people to come forward. It’s been said that for every one ­person reporting abuse, another seven don’t.”
Chris also said the upcoming plot could serve as an eye-opener for some TV viewers.
He added: “The stereotype is of this older man with a sticky suit, bad hair and bad teeth.
“But often the reality is very different. The perpetrators could be any age, any colour or class, and so can the people affected.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Samantha Womack has “pretty much a done deal” with ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The former ‘EastEnders’ star – who was known for playing businesswoman Ronnie Mitchell until she drowned in a pool on her wedding day last month – has been in talks with bosses about competing on the new series later this year and producers are almost certain that they’ll bag her when contracts are drawn up.
A source said “Sam didn’t want to do Strictly while on ‘EastEnders’ but now she has more time on her hands it was a very appealing offer. It’s too early for contracts but she’s keen and the show are keen so it’s pretty much a done deal.”
Bosses were hoping to secure both Samantha and her former on-screen sister Rita Simons – who played Roxy Mitchell in the soap – for the ballroom and latin competition but the 39-year-old actress is keen to pursue gritty film roles instead.
Rita told The Sun newspaper: “I’m sticking my heels in and saying I want to be a gritty actor. I’m not knocking reality shows but it’s time for auditions and films.”
It was reportedly decided that either Samantha or Rita would join the forthcoming line-up on the dance show following the backlash the BBC received when it was confirmed that both of their alter egos would be killed off over the New Year.
A source said recently: “It’s said that the BBC are well aware of the anger from ‘EastEnders’ fans when it was announced the girls were to be axed from their roles – so the powers that be are convinced that signing them up would prove to be a sure fire ratings winner for the new series.”
And if Samantha does manage to wiggle her way onto the line up, she won’t be the only star from the long-running BBC soap to try her luck on the dance floor as Jake Wood – who has just reprised his role as bad boy Max Branning in the show – took part in 2014.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Jamie O’Hara is back together with his ex-girlfriend.
The out-of-action footballer has been trying to win back his former flame Elizabeth-Jayne Tierney following his release from the ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ house last month, and it looks like he’s finally got his way as they were spotted together at the House Of Mea show during London Fashion Week on Sunday (19.02.17).
The 30-year-old hunk set tongues wagging when the pair posed for photographs before making their way into the venue with their arms around each other.
Although he looked smitten with the brunette beauty, Jamie’s new relationship status will unlikely sit well with Bianca Gascoigne as it comes just a week after he dumped her – without informing her – four days after she left the infamous abode.
The pair struck up a romance inside the house but, although Jamie later referred to her as “the one”, it seems he got cold feet as he announced that he’d called time on their short-lived romance recently in order to focus on his children Archie, six, Harry, five, and George, three, whom he has with his ex-wife Danielle Lloyd.
Bianca said recently: “I totally respect his decision, obviously children should always come first. It would have been more respectful to hear the news from him first rather than reading about it in the newspapers.”
However, Bianca isn’t completely innocent herself as she came under fire earlier this month when it was revealed she had been in a relationship with cage fighter CJ Meeks when she entered the abode at the beginning of January.
The 30-year-old glamour model has since jetted off on holiday in order to escape the pressures of social media after fans branded her a “cheat.”
She said last week: “I’ve had a really hard time, I’ve not been sleeping because of my anxiety and the whole thing … I’ve actually just booked a holiday. I’m going away later just to clear my head. I’m going to turn off my phone. I’m just not sleeping. I think it’s because it’s still fresh.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Sir David Attenborough will narrate the new series of ‘Blue Planet’ this year.
‘Planet Earth II’ – also narrated by the legendary presenter – went down a storm when it hit screens last year, a decade after the first was aired in 2006, and now the BBC are keen to create a similar success with a seven-episode installment based on marine life after the original ‘Blue Planet’ was broadcast six years ago.
David said: “I am truly thrilled to be joining this new exploration of the underwater worlds which cover most of our planet, yet are still its least known.”
The 90-year-old naturalist – who is known for his soothing vocals – will provide the voiceovers for the footage, which was filmed over four years using new camera technology and techniques, when the series airs on BBC1 later this year.
The new-and-improved technology allowed the camera crew to film predatory fish and dolphins front on as well as get up close to whale sharks and orcas.
The crew also used two unmanned submersibles, which allowed them to record footage from 1,000 metres under the Antarctic Ocean, to capture footage of never-before filmed creatures, including hairy-chested Hoff crabs, snub fin dolphins that spit water, and a tool-using tusk fish.
The executive producer James Honeyborne said: “New scientific discoveries have given us a new perspective of life beneath the waves. ‘Blue Planet II’ is taking its cue from these breakthroughs, unveiling unbelievable new places, extraordinary new behaviours and remarkable new creatures.
“Showing a contemporary portrait of marine life, it will provide a timely reminder that this is a critical moment for the health of the world’s oceans.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Emmerdale’ producer Ian McLeod has teased that Kelvin Fletcher could reprise his role as Andy Sugden in the future.
The 33-year-old actor left the long-running ITV soap in summer last year and the door is open for his on-screen alter ego to come back out of hiding after being wrongly framed for shooting Lawrence White (John Bowe) by his jealous lover Chrissie (Louise Marwood) – the victim’s daughter – even though she knows it was her own son Lachlan (Thomas Atkinson) who pulled the trigger.
According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Ian said: “There are no plans to do that at the moment, but I’d have to be an idiot not to have it in the back of my mind, as Andy Sugden is such a huge character and Kelvin’s an amazing actor.
“There’s nothing on the table to that effect at present, but I never stop thinking about random, surprising things that might happen or people who may return, so I wouldn’t rule it out.”
Kelvin quit the Dales after 20 years in the farm boy role to explore other career opportunities with plans to crack the US movie market.
The handsome star previously said: “Certainly, yeah [he’d have a ago at films]. My American accent is alright and my Belfast accent is pretty good as well. My dad works up there quite a bit.”
And, although he’s keen to explore other ventures, Kelvin hasn’t ruled out a return to the show either.
Following his departure, he said: “You never know with a long running show but that’s for them [the producers] to kind of decide. I made that decision purely to go and explore other opportunities. At this moment in time, there’s so much drama and good TV being produced, I’m really confident.”

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OHMYGOSSIP — Robbie Fowler was given the boot in last night’s (20.02.17) ‘The Jump’.
The 41-year-old former footballer has become the third contestant to be eliminated from the winter sports show after he took a nasty tumble – resulting in a score of zero – as he landed while competing in the the final jump round.
He told the show’s host Davina McCall after learning his fate: “Every single minute of this I’ve absolutely loved. It’s been a wonderful experience!”
Robbie found himself in the jump-off after he lost to Jason Robinson in the Skeleton challenge, meaning he had to go up against gymnast Louis Smith, Lydia Bright, Emma Parker-Bowles and Amy Willerton in the last round.
He explained after he walked down the slopes after his fall: “I had a great day today but my jumping tonight has been awful to be fair, so it is what it is.
“I wish I’d stayed longer but these are all fantastic and all much better than me, so they all deserve to be here.”
The dangerous programme, which is filmed in Austria, has only been on screens since the end of this month but there have already been a number of serious injuries; including Vogue Williams, who had to pull out of the competition after she hurt her knee during training, and Sir Bradley Wiggins, who hurt his ankle.
Caprice also recently fractured her ribs when she flew off the ski jump during training and hurtled towards the giant inflatable security blanket below and whacked herself in the chest with her solid skis, but she didn’t need to pull out.
She said recently: “You are training eight hours a day so I’ve been tired and had bad falls, aches and pains and bruises.
“I hurt my head and fractured my ribs when I was practicing the ski jump. As I hit the airbag, my skis bashed against me.”
‘The Jump’ will return to screens on Channel 4 next weekend.

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OHMYGOSSIP — Joanne Clifton has split from her boyfriend Joseph Edward-Bader.
The ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional dancer – who helped her partner and sports presenter Ore Oduba dance his way to be crowned the winner of the 2016 series – and the 24-year-old actor have called time on their romance after meeting last June whilst working together on musical production ‘Norma Jeane’.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “The relationship broke down and everyone’s a bit in shock. She’s taken it really badly and is struggling at the moment.
“They were inseparable ever since they started dating last June and continued their relationship throughout ‘Strictly…’.
“It’s a real shame because Jo was really happy – especially after beating her brother Kevin in this year’s final.”
Joanne, 33, and Joe – who is the grandson of the late legendary comic Ronnie Corbett – were reportedly planning a long-term future together prior to their split, and would call themselves “The two Jos” as a nod to Joe’s grandad’s iconic comedy duo The Two Ronnies.
Although no exact date of their split has been confirmed, it is believed the pair were not together for Valentine’s Day (14.02.17), as Joanne took to Twitter to post a picture of a man holding a gun to cupid, which she captioned: “#ValentinesDay #goaway (sic)”
Previously, sources claimed Joanne was “smitten” with the actor.
An insider said in October: “Joanne is absolutely smitten with Joseph and the pair have been inseparable ever since they started dating in June.
“They met while they were both starring in ‘Norma Jeane’. Joanne was playing Marilyn and Joseph was playing Marilyn’s uncle.”
As of the time of writing, it is not known what caused the split between the pair.

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