OHMYGOSSIP — Ian Wright has quit ‘Match of the Day’.
The 60-year-old former footballer made his first appearance on the show in 1997 but has revealed that he will be “stepping back” at the end of the season.
He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “After my debut show whilst still a player in 1997 and many more memorable years, I’ll be stepping back from BBC MOTD at the end of this season. I feel very privileged to have had such an incredible run on the most iconic football show in the world.
“Anyone that knows my story knows how much the show has meant to me since I was young boy. MOTD is my Holy Grail. On my first ever show, I told Des Lynam.’This is my Graceland’. It will always be my Graceland and I will always be watching.”
However, despite his love for the show, Ian admitted he is looking forward to getting his weekends back.
He explained: “I’m stepping back having made great friends and many great memories. This decision has been coming for a while, maybe my birthday earlier this year fast tracked it a little, but ultimately it’s time to do a few more different things with my Saturdays.
“I’m really looking forward to my last months on the show and covering what will hopefully be an amazing Premier League title race.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Annabel Croft wanted to win ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ for Johannes Radebe.
Although the former tennis star initially didn’t think she had any chance at claiming the glitterball trophy, getting through each week made her hopeful that she could finally help professional partner Johannes win the top prize.
She told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: “‘I never, EVER looked at the Glitterball and thought, ‘I want to win that’ [but] when we stayed in week after week, I did start to think, ‘Gosh, is it possible?’.
“If it was possible, I wanted to win, not just for myself, but for Johannes, because I knew what it would mean to him. Winning ‘Strictly’ would have been his Wimbledon, and I wanted to give that to him.
“He was really devastated, much more so than I was. I thought we’d done amazingly well, way more than I ever anticipated, but he thought we could do it.”
And, Annabel, 57, wanted to win to thanks Johannes for helping her through her grief after losing her beloved husband Mel to colon cancer in May.
She said: “He was always proud of everything I did. I just wish he could have been here to see it. And to meet Johannes. That’s a big regret, that they never got to meet, because they would have roared with laughter together.
“I got terribly nervous before every performance, particularly in the early weeks. I’d never have been able to do it if I hadn’t had at least one member of my family in the audience, but even when they said, ‘Just enjoy it, Mum’, you can’t.
“Your heart beats so fast you think you are going to have a heart attack. I’m sure that if the camera had come in close you would have seen my heart pounding.
“Johannes would feel it. He would say, ‘I don’t like how fast your heart is racing – we have to get that heart rate down’, and he’d take me in hold and make me breathe with him, and I could actually feel my heart rate lower.
“I came to trust him completely. He’s also the best hugger in the world – he has these strong arms that just wrap themselves around you and take away all the pain.
“The thing that has most surprised me was how much I have laughed over the past weeks. When Mel died, I didn’t think I would ever laugh, or feel joy, again. But during our training I would end up in hysterics about something.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Bobby Brazier will reportedly be offered the chance to host a BBC travel show following his success on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The actor – who got his big break on BBC soap ‘EastEnders’ – finished as a runner-up in the TV talent show over the weekend (16-17.12.23) and a new report suggests corporation bosses want to make sure he continues working with them so they plan to offer him the chance to present a globe-trotting new show.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “From the start of ‘Strictly’, Beeb bosses realised that they had a serious star on their hands — and the fact that he made it to the final was a complete bonus.
“So they’re incredibly keen to keep him with the Corporation, not least because Bobby is seen as home-grown talent as he got his big TV break on ‘EastEnders’.
“The travelogue show would be a shrewd way to tempt him to stay with the Beeb and is likely to be among the first of many projects they’ll tempt him with – many with a fat pay cheque too.”
The inside went on to add the show could also involve Bobby’s TV presenter dad Jeff Brazier. They explained: “Involving dad Jeff is also a smart idea … The bond between Brazier junior and senior is obvious to everyone and bosses are keen to tap into that.”
After a successful stint on ‘Strictly’, Bobby came second to former ‘Coronation Street’ star Ellie Leach.
The 22-year-old actress and her professional partner Vito Coppola were crowned after wowing the judges and the public during the live final.
After being announced as the winner, Ellie said: “I actually, genuinely cannot believe this.” Ellie – who is best known for playing Faye Windass on ‘Coronation Street’ – was awarded 40 points for her final dance of the night.
Ellie and Vito danced a routine to the sound of ‘Ain’t That A Kick In The Head’ by Robbie Williams, and they earned full marks from the judges. The duo also performed a pasodoble routine, as well as a show dance to a Jennifer Lopez megamix.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Dawn French is planning to return to TV in a new sitcom.
‘The Vicar of Dibley’ star has revealed she’s working on a top secret new project which she’s hoping to launch either at the end of 2024 or in early 2025 but Dawn has admitted she can’t say too much about the new show aside from confirming she’s going to be in it.
During an appearance on ‘Tonight with Andrew Marr’ on LBC radio, she explained: “There are plans afoot. I can’t tell you too much about it at the moment.
“But at the end of next year or beginning of the following year there will be a sitcom and I will be in it.”
She went on to talk about the struggle her comedy partner Jennifer Saunders faced when she was trying to get her sitcom ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ made back in the 1990s.
Dawn added: “I remember Jennifer [Saunders] telling me how difficult it was to get ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ off the ground, because her characters were smoking, drinking, and falling over and being complete eejits.
“But you know, it all seems so mild now … Let’s be inappropriate, let’s wear purple, let’s just push the edges a little bit and laugh at ourselves when we get it a bit wrong.”
When asked if she thinks comedy has become too “vanilla” these days, Dawn replied: “‘No, because there’s everything. There’s everything for everyone. I would fight tooth and nail for people to be as offensive as they want to be.
“Hatred? No. I think we do know when something sneaks into completely unacceptable incitement to hatred. I think we all know when that’s the case.
“And of course, it’s just not funny. That’s the facts. It is just not funny to anyone except for the one person who thinks it is, who usually has lost their marbles.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Aled Jones has qualified as a celebrant.
The 52-year-old singer – who is best known for his song ‘Walking in the Air’ – is now able to lead weddings, funerals, naming ceremonies and vow renewal services and he’s admitted he decided to launch his new business after realising his songs are some of the most requested during ceremonies.
According to The MailOnline, he said: “It is so humbling knowing that my music is used at such pivotal times in people’s lives. Being able to share in those happy and poignant moments makes the music seem even more powerful.
“I’ve learnt a lot about different ceremonies and the process of building these. I can’t wait to be a part of those life-changing experiences.”
He then shared the news with his fans on X – formerly known as Twitter – writing: “If you’re interested in having me as a celebrant at your special occasion, then check out my new website for more details.”
The ‘You Raise Me Up’ singer later added: “Thanks so much for all the lovely messages today. So excited for this next chapter as a celebrant. I’ve really loved all the training.”
In order to prepare for his new role, the musician has been training with Jennifer Constant and Penelope Boycott from The Academy of Modern Celebrancy.
Jennifer reportedly told The Mirror newspaper that Aled has “all the attributes and life experience to become a phenomenal celebrant”.
She continued: “His compassion comes through in the genuine care and attention he pays to understanding each family’s needs through his training assessments.
“We admire Aled’s talent for bringing people comfort and crafting services that beautifully honour both the joy and grief woven through life’s journeys. It was a pleasure to take him through his accreditation … we cannot wait to see where he takes this.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Joel Dommett says the grand final of ‘Survivor’ is more dramatic than an episode of ‘EastEnders’.
The BBC reality show comes to an end on Friday night (15.12.23) with a tribal council made up of all the axed contestants deciding which of the final five stars will win the £100,000 prize – and host Joel has revealed the former contenders don’t hold back as they air all their grievances in a “savage” take-down.
He told The Sun newspaper: “[After leaving] they are not allow­ed to speak until the final, then they can air their grievances, say whatever they want.
“So it’s like this build-up and then they finally go mental and let it all out.
“And they really aired all their grievances — it was fascinating to watch. Brutal, savage, everything you want. Imagine all of that built-up angst and anger and frustration that they’ve got, all playing out in the final. It’s epic!”
He then compared the survival series to the BBC’s hit soap, adding: “If this was an episode of ‘EastEnders’, there would be a duff duff moment every other minute!”
At the start of ‘Survivor’ there were 18 contestants battling it out to win the huge cash prize, but now only five remain – singer Chris­topher, hospitality worker Matthew, barista Leilani, surf instructor Pegleg and footballer Hannah – to do battle in the final which airs on BBC One at 6pm.
As well as hosting ‘Survivor’, Joel has also presented ITV’s star-studded talent shows ‘The Masked Singer’ and ‘The Masked Dancer’ and a new report suggests he’s got a new project lined up with Netflix.
Joel is said to have been tapped to present a currently untitled secretive project with the streaming giant in the near future.
A TV insider told The Sun newspaper’s TV Biz column: “Joel is one of the most in-demand presenters right now and this just proves it. “It’s rather unprecedented to be the star man across three networks but clearly he’s doing something right. Joel is really excited by the new show.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Stephen Fry’s game show ‘Jeopardy!’ will return to TV over New Year.
The classic show – based on the U.S. version of the same name – previously aired on Channel 4, ITV, and Sky One between 1983 and 1996 but it’s now being revived for ITV with Fry in the hot seat as the presenter and it’s now been revealed the revamped series will make its debut on New Year’s Day (01.01.24) on ITV1 and ITVX at 5.45pm.
The show will then continue airing on weekdays at 4pm with reports suggesting 20 episodes have already been filmed and are ready to go.
Fry has previously admitted he’s a huge fan of ‘Jeopardy!’ and feels “dizzy with delight” to be bringing it back to UK TV.
He said: “There are so many pub quizzes and quizzing leagues around Britain and so many professional quizzers.
“We enjoy shows that don’t shy away from fairly tough questions and areas of knowledge. We love to watch people who are good at something.”
The ‘Q.I.’ star also insisted the new version isn’t too different from the American classic. He added: “It’s not very different at all. The set design and colours are the same and the wondrous old-style font, too.
“The only real difference is that the UK version is a little longer with an extra round. The signature ‘Jeopardy!’ oddity of the questions being answers and the responses having to be given in the form of questions remains the same.
“It’s amazing how the contestants manage this, almost no slip-ups at all. I was fairly insistent from the outset that we shouldn’t compromise on the standard or dicker about with the rules and procedures which are time-honoured and proven.”
The original US show was hosted by late TV legend Alex Trebek for more than 35 years, while the various versions in the UK were presented by Derek Hobson, Chris Donat, Steve Jones and Paul Ross before Fry took over.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Tony Bellew could reportedly earn £3 million after his stint on ‘I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here!’
The former boxer came in second after winning over the nation during his time in the jungle and a new report suggests he could make a fortune from brand deals and TV appearances in the 12 months following the show – while the sportsman could make as much as £10 million over the next few years.
Celebrity agent Professor Jonathan Shalit OBE told The Sun newspaper: “Tony Bellew is the revelation of this years I’m A Celebrity. Tony has become a national treasure with the world at his feet.
“Brands and commercial opportunities across the board will be lining up for Tony’s signature. I estimate he will earn three million pounds in the next 12 months and over 10 million pounds in the coming years.”
It comes after Tony admitted he almost quit the show after his wife Rachael made a surprise appearance in camp.
During an appearance on ‘Good Morning Britain’, he explained: “I’ll never quit no matter how hard it gets. It was difficult. I was going through a lot before I went in there with my personal life, losing my nan and I missed my son’s birthday which I promised him I’d never do again after I retired.
“When Rachael appeared in the jungle it broke me for a good 10 minutes. I wanted to walk out and leave with her.
“She told me I couldn’t. It would have been such a disappointment for the kids. It broke my heart to leave her again.”
Sam Thompson won the show after bagging 57 per cent of the public vote, and he’s also expected to be able to cash in on his new popularity.
A source previously told The Sun: “Sam will easily bank a million in the next year thanks to the jungle. Calls have already started to be made about opportunities for Sam – including his own TV series. There has also been a flurry of big- money deals thrown his way.”
The insider added: “He has always been popular among younger people thanks to his reality TV past, but now he’s known and loved by millions. Winning ‘I’m A Celebrity’ can do wonders for careers and Sam is certainly no exception.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — A new documentary, featuring ‘Most Haunted’ star Yvette Fielding, will explore whether UFO sightings are linked to the paranormal.
‘God Versus UFOs’, directed by award-winning filmmaker Mark Christopher Lee, investigates the other worldly aspect of spacecrafts looking at whether there are links with the paranormal or whether science and the mysterious world of quantum physics can explain the phenomena.
The film also looks at the religious and spiritual side of UFOs with many in the British and American governments sincerely believing that UFOS are demonic or satanic in origin. It also looks into Project Blue Beam which is a conspiracy theory alleging that the deep state or Illuminati are planning to use cutting edge holographic technology to create a false flag ‘Alien Invasion’ or a fake flag ‘Second Coming of Christ’. The aim is put populations into fear and to usher in a One World Government.
It also examines whether UFOs could be some form of interdimensional crafts or beings that humanity has been interacting with since time began. This could account for fairies and earth spirits that ancient cultures saw or even the angels and demons written about in the Bible.
The doc features interviews with former ‘Blue Peter’ presenter Yvette – who for over 20 years has devoted her life to investigating ghosts and demons – Harvard physicist Professor Avi Loeb, Nick Pope – from hit TV show ‘Ancient Aliens’ – presenter Guy Thompson, Evelyn Hollow from BBC radio series ‘Uncanny’, demonologist Ian Broadmore, Reverend Daniel Thompson and more.
Prof Loeb states that alien life might be using other dimensions to visit us which would explain how they are able to travel such vast distances across the universe.
He said: “One thing is clear that most stars form billions of years before the sun. So if another civilization like ours existed billions of years ago, they had much more time to develop their science and technology. And it is possible that they would be able to figure out if there are extra special dimensions and take advantage of them. Using quantum gravity engineers. And what that means is that, you know, if their technology is able to reach our doorstep, we would be at all because it would represent something we don’t possess, we don’t understand, just like a cave dweller coming to a city like London or New York, and seeing all the technological gadgets there. There would be a sense of religious awe and we won’t fully understand what we are looking at, especially if one is dealing with the effects of quantum gravity that we have no clue about.”
‘God Versus UFOs’ is out on December 18 on Tubi and Amazon Prime.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Emmerdale’ legend Steve Halliwell has died aged 77.
The actor, best known for playing Zak Dingle in the ITV soap, passed away surrounded by his loved ones and in good spirits until the very end.
In a statement, his family said: “He went to sleep, peacefully with his loved ones around him.
“He was making us laugh to the end, the most amazing father and grandfather you could ever wish for, family was everything to him.
“We would like to thank the wonderful staff at St James Hospital and the Wheatfield Hospice for their love and kindness in his final days. He didn’t want sadness, just to rejoice in a life well-lived.”
Halliwell made his first appearance as head of the Dingle family in October 1994 and retired from the series 27 years later in 2021 as one of the most beloved characters to ever step foot in The Woolpack pub and the soap’s second-longest cast member.
Pig farmer and gamekeeper Zak – known for his flat cap, wellies and wax jacket – was involved in numerous dramatic storylines, including affairs and the revelation that he was the real father of Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) and not actually his uncle as Cain had grown up to believe.
ITV paid tribute to the actor in a statement that read: “It is with deep sadness and a heavy heart that ‘Emmerdale’ can confirm that Steve Halliwell, our beloved Zak Dingle, has peacefully passed away.
“All our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones through this very difficult time, and we’d request that their privacy is respected as they grieve for his loss.
“Steve will forever be synonymous with ‘Emmerdale’. The proud defender and head of the Dingle family. Heart and humour in all he did, it has been and always will be impossible not to smile when you think of him.”
Halliwell was born in Lancashire and before finding acting success and fame he worked in cotton and paper mills.
He made numerous appearances on TV in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s with roles in ‘Threads’, ‘Cracker’, ‘Heartbeat’ and fellow ITV soap ‘Coronation Street’ before becoming a household name thanks to ‘Emmerdale’.
Steve and his ‘Emmerdale’ co-stars Billy Hartman and Alun Lewis formed the country rock trio The Woolpackers, with the band releasing single ‘Hillbilly Rock Hillbilly Roll’ in November 1996.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘A Question of Sport’ has been axed by the BBC.
The sports quiz show has stopped production after more than five decades on the air.
The BBC explained that the decision was taken because of “inflation and funding challenges”.
However, a spokesperson for the broadcaster has also insisted that it was “not the final whistle” for the show and it could still make a comeback in the coming years.
The spokesperson explained that the programme was “not being cancelled – it is just not in production at the moment”.
The situation has been compared to ‘The Weakest Link’ – the long-running TV game show – which has had gaps in production.
The spokesperson added: “‘Question of Sport’ is not going to appear on any other channels. It is the BBC’s intellectual property.”
The show has seen a decline in viewing figures over recent years.
The programme has previously been hosted by David Vine, David Coleman, and Sue Barker.
But in 2021, Paddy McGuinness was named as the new host amid a revamp, and he promised to “stamp [his] own mark” on the format.
He said at the time: “Sue will always be ‘A Question of Sport’ icon, but I’ll try my best to stamp my own mark on it.”
Elsewhere, Sam Quek and Ugo Monye replaced Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell as the team captains.
Sam, 35 – who won gold with the British hockey team at the 2016 Olympics – said: “This really is my dream job.
“I’ve watched ‘A Question of Sport’ since I was a little girl and my ambition to appear on the show came true five years ago – but I never thought that I would one day be a captain. And the first female captain in the show’s 50-year history, too.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Steve Halliwell’s ‘Emmerdale’ co-stars are mourning the loss of the “King of the Dingles”.
The veteran actor, who had played family patriarch Zak Dingle since 1994, passed away on Friday (15.12.23) at the age of 77, and his onscreen family members and friends have been paying tribute to the beloved star.
Danny Miller, who plays Aaron Dingle, wrote on Instagram: “From day one, he took me under his wing and helped guide me on and off set. He never failed to effortlessly make me and everyone else corpse with a simple look or grunt or ‘mmmm EH?!’
“The King of the ‘double takes’ and the King of the Dingles. We’ll miss you, mate. On and off set. Rest well, Steve, and leave one in the pump for me.(sic)”
She wrote on her Instagram account:”My dearest Steve… Love you so much, you are now finally at peace. Thank you for years of laughter, you were still laughing right up to the end.
“Adored, loved, respected by us all, a LEGEND in my eyes, that’s for sure – we have stories and memories to last for many more years to come.
“Sleep well Stevie – our prayers of strength go to Charlotte, Val and Angelina at this really difficult time… our extended family. That boy from Bury did good.”
And James Hooton, who stars as Zak’s son Sam Dingle, remembered his “great friend” as a true “soap icon”.
He wrote on X: “A soap icon and a great friend has passed away today! Steve Halliwell was the first person I met when I walked through the door into the Emmerdale studios and we remained friends until the end!
“A truly loved character and a strong proud man, RIP Steve you will be sadly missed.”
Rachel Gill-Davis, who portrays Gail Loman, described Steve as a “terrific man”.
She posted: “Like many, I knew him as Uncle Zak but from what I’ve heard Steve was not only a talented actor but a terrific man. My thoughts and condolences are with all his friends and family.”
Hayley Tamaddon looked back fondly on working with Steve when she played Del Dingle on the soap.
She said: “This is sad news. He was a wonderful man. We had many a giggle together when I was in the show. The Dingles have lost a hero.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Cat Deeley has reportedly turned down a regular hosting role on ‘This Morning’.
The 47-year-old presenter and Ben Shepherd were said to have been lined up as permanent replacements for Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield but ITV now need to go back to the drawing board after Cat opted to return to the US following the news ‘So You Think You Can Dance’ is returning to screens.
A source told MailOnline: “There are a lot of people [at ITV] pulling their hair out right now.
“The relaunch date was supposed to be in January but that is no way going to happen now.
“Cat was the answer. She would have been an absolute triumph but they just couldn’t make it work. Now it is a case of back to the drawing board to decide a new plan of action.”
The news comes just a day after it was revealed Cat and Ben were the number one targets for the show.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “This is one of the most coveted gigs in UK television. ITV execs are determined to get it right.
“Cat really impressed when she came in, and Ben is a consummate professional and hugely popular with the housewife demographic.”
However, the insider added that Cat has yet to seal a deal with ITV to bring her onto ‘This Morning’ full time.
They explained: “Cat is the number one target to replace Holly, but negotiations are ongoing.”
The source added: “Lots of people were considered, but ultimately it’s all about chemistry. Everyone is very excited, and the sense is that Ben and Cat will be a real boost to morale on the ground.”
Ben previously worked as a stand-in presenter on ‘This Morning’ between 2005 and 2011 stepping in to cover shows for Phil when he was off, but in recent years he has been presenting on ITV’s breakfast show ‘Good Morning Britain’.
Cat was previously tipped to take over from Holly after proving popular when she guest-hosted the show for three days last month.

Source: VacationHunter.Online