OHMYGOSSIP — The shortlist for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year award has been revealed.
Lionesses goalkeeper Mary Earps is currently leading the nominees to win the award after her performance in the Women’s World Cup, where England were beaten by Spain 1-0 in the final.
Earps became the bookmakers’ favourite to pick up the title after she received further honours, including England Player of the Year and was fifth in the voting for the Ballon d’Or Feminin award this year, which was the highest rank ever for a goalkeeper.
The 30-year-old football player is in contention for the award with horse racing legend and ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ campmate Frankie Dettori, recently retired England cricketer Stuart Broad, heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson, wheelchair tennis athlete Alfie Hewett and Ryder Cup hero Rory McIlroy.
If Manchester United goalkeeper Mary wins the prestigious accolade, she will follow fellow England star Beth Mead, who was named BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2022.
After being awarded the title, Beth was left “speechless for once” and thanked her family for their support in letting her follow her football dream.
She said: “I certainly wouldn’t have done this without my dad, my mum and all my family. Most of all this is for women’s sport and for women’s sport heading in the right direction. Let’s keep pushing girls and doing the right things.”
Reflecting on winning the award, the Arsenal star admitted she was shocked when her named was called out.
She told The Daily Telegraph newspaper: “I was up for an award I had never dreamed I would be up for, so to win it was indescribable. The names that are on that trophy, I would never have aligned myself with. I didn’t think I deserved to be alongside there, I still don’t.”
The vote that will see the public decide on the winner will occur during the ceremony broadcast live on Tuesday December 19, and will be hosted by Gary Lineker, Clare Balding, Gabby Logan and Alex Scott.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Charlie Simpson is returning to ‘The Masked Singer’ as a judge.
The Busted frontman won the 2023 series as Rhino, and he’s going back to the programme for a week in order to cover for regular panellist Rita Ora, who will miss three shows due to other working commitments, with Olly Murs and Jennifer Saunders previously revealed to be filling in on the other shows.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “Skipping three out of eight episodes feels like a pretty big chunk so viewers are bound to miss Rita, she’s such a fan fave.
“But shaking up the panel is also another fun way to keep the programme fresh.
“Jennifer brings a whole new energy, whilst Olly is of course such a safe hands when it comes to talent shows.
“It will be interesting to see what Charlie brings to the table.”
Rita admitted she is “gutted” to be missing out on some of the episodes but she thinks show bosses have found great replacements.
She said: “I’m gutted to be missing some episodes.
“But keeping my seat warm are some great guest panellists, who I’m told are also super-competitive and will keep the others on their toes.”
The show will return to ITV on 30 December, with Jonathan Ross, Davina McCall and Mo Gilligan all set to make their guesses from a new line-up of contestants.
It was recently revealed the costumed celebrities host Joel Dommett will be introducing to the stage will be Air Fryer, Eiffel Tower, Dippy Egg, Bigfoot, Weather, Owl, Rat, Chicken Caeser, Piranha, Bubble Tea, Cricket, and Maypole.
Panellist Jonathan is already guessing who he is behind the mask.
He commented: “My best guess this year is Ryan Reynolds. He’s in Wrexham a lot of the time now.
“Bubble Tea and Air Fryer make the show very modern. Those names weren’t in common conversation two or three years ago, now we’ve got them dancing on prime time ITV1.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Ncuti Gatwa is bringing his “black beautiful self” to ‘Doctor Who’.
The former ‘Sex Education’ actor made his debut as the Fifteenth Doctor during ‘The Giggle’ last weekend as David Tennant bowed out in the third and final 60th anniversary episode of the BBC series, and he has given fans a hint of what to expect when he takes centre stage in ‘The Church On Ruby Road’ on Christmas Day.
Speaking to press at a screening of the festive special this week, he said: “It is such a hard question to answer because the role of the Doctor is everything anyway.
“He is an explorer who has been around for a billion years so they have so many quirks and intricacies, rage and joy and they are full of a lot of emotions.
“So to pick what I was going to bring out differently is a very hard question to answer. I guess myself, my black beautiful self. I bring my blackness.”
The 31-year-old star is delighted to be teaming up with showrunner Russell T Davies and co-star Millie Gibson – who will play his companion Ruby Sunday – as he takes over the TARDIS.
He added: “It feels so, so, so surreal. We have seen that blue box and heard the theme for many years and to see my face it is like, ‘What is going on?’
“But it is exhilarating. I have the best writer and the best companion. It was a joy – daunting, exhilarating and fun.”
Meanwhile, Russell confirmed at the same event that there are currently “no plans” to bring back Tennant’s Fourteenth Doctor despite a “bigeneration” which saw the two Doctors split into two different bodies.
He quipped: “Sorry, it’s the age of Ncuti now – it’s ‘David who?’
“No plans, genuinely, yet, because it’s a busy TARDIS – these two [Ncuti and Millie] are gonna just sail across the universe and capture your heart, so it’s time to look at these two.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Amy Dowden “deluded” herself into thinking she would be “fine” after finishing chemotherapy.
The 33-year-old dancer – who is best known as a professional on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ – was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year but insisted that even though she has finished chemotherapy, the journey is “not over” yet, especially after breaking her foot and having a blood clot on her lung.
Speaking on ITV’s ‘Lorraine’, she said: “I’m okay, taking every day as it comes but I think I was a bit deluded when I ran the chemo bell. I find it mentally tougher now because I was seeing a doctor every other week, I had a routine. And I honestly thought that once I’d rung the bell I was going to be fine but actually I’ve broken my foot, I’ve had a blood clot on my lung. You’ve gotta recover from chemo, I had eight tough rounds of it. “Others think I’m fine now but no, the journey is not over.”
Amy had to take time away from her regular role on the BBC Latin and ballroom show so she could complete treatment but her plans were scuppered when she broke her foot and admitted that she “cried so much” because she just wanted to be back on the dancefloor.
She said: “Chemo causes neuropathy so you lose the feeling in your hands and your feet and I just think I didn’t have my foot completely on the…I cried so much, I just wanted to be back dancing. “I’m so looking forward to 2024 because this has been such a difficult year. I was told that I had cancer and then asked what my fertility plans were, it was like a stab to the gut.”
“I was [at ‘Strictly’] on Monday and I just burst into tears because I have had what I love most taken away from me.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Grace Dent struggled to “share a space” with certain people on ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’
The 50-year-old food critic quit the ITV1 jungle reality series after just nine days in camp and now an insider has claimed that she will open up about her exit on Wednesday’s (13.12.23) ‘I’m A Celebrity…Coming Out’ show and detail how she found it “hard” to live alongside the likes of politician Nigel Farage, 59, who eventually finished in third place on the show.
A source told The Sun newspaper’s TVBiz column: “Grace also tells how she found it hard being in camp with people who under normal circumstances, she wouldn’t share a sleeping space with – and that includes divisive characters like Nigel.
“She also is expected to lift the lid on the elements she found hard with camp life, including the ‘lack of control’ she felt, and there being ‘nowhere to hide’.”
In an upcoming clip from the one-off special, the ‘Diary of a Chav’ author explained that quitting the series before the public vote and opting to leave her campmates is the “biggest regret” of her life.
She said: “Leaving my campmates and the girls will be the greatest regret of my life. Take risks, say yes, and the things that you think you can’t do, you can.”
The programme will follow the campmates – including King of the Jungle Sam Thompson – as they leave the jungle for good and re-enter normal life.
It is thought that Grace decided to quit the series after undergoing her fourth Bushtucker Trial.
Immediately after that, she told ‘This Morning’ host Josie Gibson: “I’ve had enough. I’ve completely had enough. I just want to go home.”
A source explained that Grace- who was initially thought to have left on “medical grounds – was having a “tough time” being so far away from her family and had been “pushed” to the limit by the trials she had to face.
Grace was having a tough time away from her family and struggled with the lack of sleep and good food. But more than anything she was really pushed to the brink by the gruelling trials this year.
“The Scarena series meant the celebrities were all taking part in more challenges than ever and Grace had just had enough.”
‘I’m A Celebrity…Coming Out’ airs on Wednesday 13 December on ITV and ITVX at 9pm.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Amanda Abbington will not return to ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ for the final.
The 51-year-old actress was part of the lineup for this year’s edition of the BBC Latin and ballroom competition but opted to leave early over “personal reasons” and therefore will not be joining the reunion of her former co-stars nor finalists Ellie Leach, Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier on Saturday (13.12.23) night.
A spokesperson for the BBC told The Daily Mirror: “Amanda decided to withdraw from the competition, therefore she will not be returning for the final.”
The ‘Sherlock’ star did not confirm why she had left the left the programme, but insisted she didn’t come to the “decision lightly.”
In October, Amanda made an exit statement to thank her fellow celebrities and the show’s production team, but she did not mention her pro partner Giovanni.
She wrote: “It is with deepest regret that I had to leave ‘Strictly’. I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons I am unable to continue.
“It was an absolute joy working with my fellow contestants, they are a beautiful, hardworking and talented group of people who I love and who I will miss seeing every Friday and Saturday and competing alongside.
“I want to thank the incredible Production team and everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring. It’s a wonderful bunch of people and I’ll miss all of them.
“I’m so sad that I am unable to go any further. Thank you to everyone who voted and who sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all amazing. Truly. Thank you. xxx’ (sic)”
Giovanni had shared his disappointment that he could not continue performing with Amanda.
He wrote on Instagram: “Amanda ..I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love (sic)”.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Joe Swash says no one invites him over for Christmas because he has too many kids.
The former ‘EastEnders star, 41 – who has Rex, four, Rose two, and 10-month-old Belle with wife Stacey Solomon as well as 16-year-old son Harry with ex, Emma Sophocleous, and is also stepdad to Stacey’s sons Zachary, 15 and Leighton, 11 – joked that having a large family means he no longer receives invites.
Speaking to New! magazine, he said: “I’m really looking forward to Christmas this year, I’m so lucky because it’ s all about kids – and we’ve got so many!
“I think we’ll go down to see my family on Christmas Eve. Not so many people want us on Christmas Day. Who wants two adults and six kids including a baby?
“So we’ll be at home, and anyone who wants to come and see us will be more than welcome.”
The couple who tied the knot in in July last year, first met in 2010 when Stacey won ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’ whilst Joe was hosting the spin-off series ‘I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp’.
Meanwhile, Joe was crowned the winner of the ITV1 jungle reality show himself in 2008 and reflected that the show will always hold a special place in his heart for that reason.
He said: ‘’I’m A Celebrity’ is a massive part of my life, from leaving ‘EastEnders’ and not knowing what I was going to go, to going into the jungle, winning it, and spending 10 years on the spin-off show. “And I met my wife and we had kids.
“I have to say I do get a bit jealous when I watch ‘I’m A Celeb’. I get a little bit FOMO. I miss it. I loved the whole experience of being in the jungle and doing the spin-off show. I do get this yearning that I should be somewhere at this time of year.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘The Traitors’ bosses have made a big change to the format for the second series.
The BBC is bringing back the hugely popular reality TV game of bluff and deception for another run, and host Claudia Winkleman admitted fans will notice some differences this time round.
Asked for any hints, she told the BBC: “I wish I could.
“I think I’m allowed to say the armoury has gone and now there’s a kitchen. That’s it!”
In the first season of the game of bluff and deception, 22 strangers came together in a Scottish castle, and they faced daily challenges to increase the show’s prize fund up to a maximum of £120,000.
However, among the Faithfuls are three Traitors, and the group are tasked with eliminating one of their own in a bid to get rid of the Traitors.
One or more of the contestants were allowed to visit the armoury to try and win a shield which would provide them with immunity to avoid being eliminated by a traitor.
It remains to be seen what purpose the kitchen will serve or whether the armoury will be brought back in some way.
However, Claudia teased: “The missions this year are epic.
“The producers are so clever as the missions are incredibly important as it is a chance for the contestants to switch off from strategising and plotting.
“They get fresh air, they run around, they work as a team. The scale this year is beyond.”
She admitted while all the contestants are “excellent”, they do have an advantage of having seen the first run.
She added: “They come having seen the first series so are more quick to suspect but they all play a brilliant game. I wish I could say more but I’ll be fired…”
Claudia did note despite having a feel for how the game works, no one was as “prepared” as they thought.
She said: “It definitely gave them some tips and you can see some arrive and play the game immediately.
“But the game itself is so strong that however prepared you think you are, you’re not.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Rylan Clark is set to present ‘Dating Naked UK’.
The TV personality will host the new 10-episode Paramount+ show where a group of singletons will live together and hope to attract potential suitors in their bare bodies.
Rylan, 35, said: “It is no secret that I love a reality TV show, but this one is going to blow your minds.
“Not only does it feature dating and drama, on top of that everyone will be totally starkers! You will not want to miss this – I can’t wait for you all to see.”
His new naked show comes after the former ‘Big Brother’ star confessed he hosted his BBC Radio 2 show without wearing underwear amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The reality star used to regularly dress down for the programme when he was working from home during the COVID pandemic, because only his voice was being broadcast.
During a conversation with his ‘This Morning’ co-host Alison Hammond about working from home in pyjamas, Rylan said: “I remember during COVID, I was doing my radio show from my house because we weren’t allowed in the studio and I did BBC radio 2 in my underwear.”
Alison was taken aback and said: “Stop it, but at least you put a top on.”
Rylan dismissed the idea of wearing a shirt and joked that he decided he didn’t need to get dressed at times, because no one could see him.
He said: “No, no one could see me it was just my voice. I’m sat there in my pants, I mean sometimes I might not have them on.”
Earlier this year, Rylan stepped back from his BBC Radio 2 job after his mother had a bad fall, resulting in her needing surgery.
He has since returned to the Radio 2 airwaves and has recently been guest co-hosting on ‘This Morning’ alongside the likes of Alison and Josie Gibson.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Michelle McManus says the moment she won ‘Pop Idol’ was bittersweet for her as judge Pete Waterman stormed out of the studio after she was announced as the winner.
The 43-year-old singer received constant criticism from the record producer, 76, during her time on the ITV talent show in 2003 and when it was revealed that she had beaten Mark Rhodes in the public vote, Pete couldn’t contain his disappointment.
Michelle admits that it was a hurtful moment because she was thrilled to win with her family watching on from the studio audience and celebrating, but knowing that Pete – who was a third of hit production team Stock, Aitken and Waterman – didn’t think she was a worthy winner.
Reflecting on the 20-year anniversary of her win on the ‘White Wine Question Time’ podcast, she said: “I just remember looking out and my mum and dad were crying and they were screaming, and my sisters and I looked and at the same time I could see Pete Waterman just leaving the studio for whatever reason, you know.
“For me, that was agonising to see that. The thing was, I think it was just watching him because he pulled his mic off. And I’ll never forget it because he had this mic and he kind of threw it down, and he didn’t even wait for me to sing the song.
“Now, rightly or wrongly, he was a professional. He probably could have stayed to the end and then aired his views afterwards. So you’ve got Pete in my eyeline here, but my family are kind of up here, and I’m watching them all cheering. And then I see someone running over to Pete to try and convince him to stay. And he’s not staying.
“And I think that was, you know, that it was so symbolic of the fact that. This was the first reaction of anyone in the professional world of music.”
Despite Peter’s upsetting reaction, Michelle received plenty of support on the show, including from Sir Elton John, who predicted she would emerge victorious.
She said: “What Elton John had done was he was then sitting, getting interviewed on his own and they said, ‘Who do you think is going to win Pop Idol?’, And he said, ‘I’ll tell you who I think is going to win. It’s going to be’.
“And they bleeped out his answer … I said to one of the production guys, ‘Can I ask you a question? Who did Elton say was going to win?’, And they’re like, ‘Oh, we’ll double check … oh yeah, it was you’.
“And they showed me the tape without the bleep. And it was me!”
Kate Thornton’s ‘White Wine Question Time’ is available to listen to on all podcast platforms.

Source: VacationHunter.Online