OHMYGOSSIP — Melinda Messenger met her new fiance while filming ‘Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins’.
The 52-year-old former glamour model met Dr Raj Joshi, 47, while he was working as the Channel 4 show’s medic during filming in Vietnam last September and he later proposed during a holiday in New Zealand in July – and Melinda has now credited the gruelling survival series with completely changing her life.
She told The Sun newspaper: “That’s the greatest thing that came out the show for me! So when I came out, I was crying, sweat, blood tears, and wee, I am not kidding you, in this old sports bra and cycling shorts covered in bruises and yeah, foot rot.
“The producer was like: ‘Do you want to see the doctor? You may as well. Just pop in and just have a quick chat’.”
She added: “We just carried on chatting after that and that was it! So the show changed my life in more ways than one, and I’m truly thankful for that.”
Melinda was previously thought to have met her fiance while preparing for a charity hike in Nepal. She confirmed their engagement in a post on Instagram in August, revealing the couple plan to tie the knot in 2024.
She wrote: “We’ve got some very happy news to share. @raj.joshi.expedition and I got engaged in beautiful New Zealand at Matariki, the Maori New year, and we are getting married next year.”
Melinda was previously married therapist Wayne Roberts – the father of her three children Morgan, 22, Flynn, 20, and Evie, 18 – from 1998⁠ until ⁠2012.
‘Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins’ returns to Channel 4 on Tuesday 26 September.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Lisa George wants to do more period dramas.
The 52-year-old actress has played knicker stitcher Beth Tinker on ‘Coronation Street’ for more than a decade but admitted that she is still “waiting to hear” if her contract will be renewed and explained that if she were to leave the ITV1 soap opera, she would like to tackle roles in historical dramas like ‘Call the Midwife.’
She told The Daily Star newspaper: “I’m really ­interested in the war stuff because my grandad talked about the war all the time. So I’d love to do a 1940s drama. Or something set in the 60s would be amazing. I would love to do ‘Call The Midwife’. And I watched ‘Ten Pound Poms’ and loved it. A role in something like that would be amazing. I’d love to do something like that. I like my vintage dramas and stuff like that, maybe a 1940s drama, more like war stuff. I’m just waiting to hear if I get another contract [at ‘Coronation Street’].
Prior to landing the role of Beth on ‘Coronation Street’ – who arrived on the cobbles in 2011 to go on an ill-fated date with taxi driver Steve McDonald (Simon Gregson) and has since married Kirk Sutherland (Andy Whyment) – the former ‘Dancing on Ice’ contestant had appeared in episodes of ‘Casualty’ and ‘Emmerdale’ and played a teacher in the TV adaptation of Jacqueline Wilson novel ‘The Illustrated Mum’.
But Lisa’s latest project away from the soap was when she transformed into Liza Minnelli to perform as Sally Bowles from ‘Cabaret’ in ITV’s now-defunct ‘All Star Musicals’ competition in 2021 and admitted that she had “so much fun” performing on the show.
She said: “Doing that show was a lot of fun. I absolutely loved it. I was in my element and it was amazing!”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Alan Carr says his dog could see ghosts.
The ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ judge shared that his late red setter Bev had a sixth sense as he appeared to sense a presence in his home.
The 47-year-old comedian told fellow comics Seann Walsh, 37, and Jack Dee, 62, on their podcast ‘Oh My Dog!’: “My dog would see someone walk from a dining room into a kitchen, where a door used to be.”
Alan admitted that when his dearly departed doggie left this mortal world, he “never known grief like it” as he got food poisoning as a side dish to his loss.
He said: “When Bev went I’ve never known grief like it. There was a salmonella outbreak, and when she was put down I had a chicken sandwich the same day.
“I rang my mum and said, ‘Bev’s gone, and I don’t feel well. And she said, ‘You’re grieving, people grieve in different ways.
The former ‘Chatty Man’ host – who was all done up as Hercule Poirot while making a programme about legendary mystery writer Agatha Christie – admitted it was “touch and go” but he made it through.
Alan said: “It was touch and go. I was crying.”
The ‘Changing Ends’ star and creator admitted that his “life is empty” without a pooch and was “desperate” to get another one.
Alan said: “I am desperate to get a dog, my life is empty. It breaks my heart.”
Alan suffered another heartbreaking loss when his good pal and fellow comedian Paul O’Grady passed away in April aged 67 but managed to find the funny side at his funeral before Julian Clary, 64, performed the eulogy.
Alan told Kathy Burke, on her ‘Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake’ podcast in June: “[Julian] did the eulogy at the funeral and of course, we’re all in bits and crying, [but before Julian’s eulogy] the man comes on and plays the organ.
“[But before that] this vicar comes out – honestly, he must not know Julian’s work – and says ‘can I just apologise – the organ needed pumping’”
“Julian just looked round and looked at him and said ‘thanks for clearing that up. What a gift for Julian.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Kelvin Fletcher would “never say never” to an ‘Emmerdale’ return.
The 39-year-old actor starred as Andy Sugden on the ITV1 soap opera from 1996 until 2016 but is still a big fan of the serial and is open to the idea of making a comeback.
Asked if he would ever make a comeback, he told Metro.co.uk: “Never say never! It’s an incredible show, it’s got an unbelievable fanbase, since I left it’s gone from strength to strength…maybe that’s a sign I should stay away! I’ve just finished a drama, I left to go and explore other things artistically and not only that, have a bit of adventure!”
In the years since bidding farewell to the Yorkshire-based soap, Kelvin has continued to be a regular face on television having won the 2019 series of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and last year appeared opposite Sheridan Smith in Channel 5 drama ‘The Teacher’ but admitted in 2021 that he had faced a lot of rejection since leaving his signature role.
He told OK! Magazine: “A friend of mine, an actress, just messaged me and said, ‘I can’t even get a f***ing self-tape.’ So I know how frustrating those little selfies are, because I’ve been that person thinking, ‘Even they are working now.’ Let me tell you, I’ve had about 10 nos in these last few months. So, keep the faith. Patience is key, as I always say. It’s only a little gig, so don’t be getting too bothered.
“For all those out there who, like me, are sick of hearing the nos, I’m sure I’m going to get a lot more nos after this one. But I’m enjoying this while it is. Thus, the obligatory trailer selfie. It’s obviously p***** off quite a few people – enjoy!”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Ellie Leach wants to be known as herself rather than her ‘Coronation Street’ character.
The 22-year-old actress quit her role as Faye Windass earlier this year after spending more than a decade on the ITV1 soap opera and is hoping that her time on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ will help viewers get to know her as a person.
She told Hello Magazine: “People have seen me grow up on ‘Corrie’ and might still think that I am still that schoolgirl, but hopefully people can see that I am grown up now. I want people to know me for me rather than as a character. I’ve always wanted to do ‘Strictly’, so I was over the moon and so shocked that it came so soon after leaving ‘Corrie.’
Ellie – whose soap character became the youngest parent in the show’s history when she gave birth to baby Miley just weeks after her 13th birthday in 2015 – went on to reveal that her former co-stars who have also taken part in ‘Strictly’ have given her advice but admitted that being on the BBC Latin and ballroom competition is “scary” because it is all done live and therefore “completely different” to anything she has done in the past.
She said: “Kym [Marsh] told me: ‘You’ll have the best time and just enjoy yourself’. A lot of the previous contestants have said it’s over in the blink of an eye.
“The live [television] aspect does really scare me because it’s completely different to anything I’ve ever done before. On ‘Corrie’, we’re told to ignore the cameras and pretend they’re not there but on ‘Strictly’, you have to perform for them. But I am excited to be pushing myself out of my comfort zone.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Ant and Dec are fronting Britain Get Talking for ITV.
The Geordie duo, both 47, are at the centre of the latest iteration of the broadcaster’s mental health campaign and will be joined by other famous faces as they encourage every school in the country to get involved by setting a different type of homework ahead of this year’s World Mental Health Day on October 10.
Susie Braun, Director of Social Purpose ITV said: “ITV’s landmark Britain Get Talking campaign
has led to over 100 million new or meaningful conversations since launch, but mental health having declined in almost 40% of British school children is a staunchly sobering statistic This year, we’re continuing to focus on young people, as simply asking a child what’s on their mind can be key to them opening up and easing their worries. And this is homework for the adults too, so kids can finally get their own back! Come on Britain, Get Talking.”
The ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’ presenters – who have also teamed up with charity partners Mind, YoungMinds, and the Scottish Association of Mental Health (SAMH) as part of the campaign – will also feature in an assembly film that teachers can use to explain the homework to their pupils and parents, guardians or carers.
Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO of Mind, says: “It’s so important we hold space to ask the children in our
lives, ‘What’s on your mind?’. That’s why we’re proud to support ITV’s Britain Get Talking campaign.
Talking isn’t the whole solution, but it can help us feel more able to cope and encourage us to seek support if we need to. And we know that the earlier a person can get support for their mental health, the more effective it’s likely to be.”
For more information, go to https://www.itv.com/britaingettalking/

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Big Brother’ will arrive on screens next month.
ITV has announced that the AJ Odudu and Will Best-fronted reboot of the legendary reality show will debut on Sunday 8 October at 9pm across, ITV1, ITV2, and ITVX before airing nightly on ITV2 and ITVX daily – aside from Saturdays – with a special pre-recorded episode dubbed, ‘Big Brother: The Launch’ that will see the new crop of housemates enter the brand spanking new house to entertain the nation before one is the voted the eventual winner.
‘Big Brother’ – which first aired on Channel Four in 2000 with host Davina McCall, 55, and launched the careers of many famous faces on TV today like ‘This Morning’ presenters Alison Hammond. 48, and Josie Gibson, 38, – will also feature the nightly show ‘Big Brother: Late and Live’ which will give another hour of bonus content with a live studio audience with the two new hosts like all the evictees’ exit interviews.
ITVX will also play host to ‘Big Brother: Live Stream’, which gives people the chance to tune into the 24-hour stream so you don’t have to miss out on a minute of the action.
This revelation comes after a new trailer was released for the reality show that features AJ, 35, parodying Marcus Bentley’s Geordie accent – who has narrated all 19 series of the show as well as every edition of ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ – while a timestamp of 8.49 appears on the screen.
In the clip, the 35-year-old television presenter says: “8:49PM AJ and Will are getting ready to go into the Big Brother house,” to which Will, 38, copies.
Upon hearing their impressions, the 55-year-old voice over artist responds: “8:49PM AJ and Will should stick to presenting. Big Brother sees it all.”
Meanwhile, a telly insider recently revealed that the new version of ‘Big Brother’ won’t be following the ‘Love Island’ two-drink maximum in the house.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “The booze used to flow in ‘Big Brother’, but obviously times have changed a lot since it was last on air. There are certainly going to be going to be stricter welfare measures in place than in previous iterations, but bosses are confident they won’t have to stick to the same rules as Love Islanders have to.
“There will be a much broader age range of the contestants, and less focus on them getting romantic with one another, so as long as their welfare is looked after they should be able to have a few boozy parties without any issues.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Ian Puleston-Davies has battled obsessive-compulsive disorder since childhood.
The 65-year-old actor – who is best known for playing builder Owen Armstrong on ‘Coronation Street’ from 2010 until 2015 – has recalled struggling with the mental health condition as a seven-year-old but wasn’t diagnosed until he was 35 as it wasn’t really talked about during his youth.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “I do remember from a young age being bothered by annoying rituals I did and silent fears I had.
“No one would have known about OCD back then. I’m pretty sure not even many in the medical profession. It was my very best secret. I wasn’t going to anyone about these ‘habits’ I had. Not even my parents.
Ian – who has daughter Maggie, 16, and son Charlie, 12, with his partner Sue MacPherson – detailed some of the symptoms he gets like “catastrophizing” and worries about being “poisoned”.
He said: “Catastrophizing that I could be poisoned by touching a tea stain can be a common thought.
“My thoughts are mainly to do with contamination or fear of harm to myself or to others. If I spot a stain, my unwanted thought will tell me it’s toxic and dangerous, that if I or my children touch it, something awful will happen.
“I can often go back 10 or 20 times to examine the stain.”
The ‘Bolan’s Shoes’ director also recalled how his ‘Corrie’ castmates like Antony Cotton (Sean Tully) and Mikey North (Gary Windass) would support him on set if he panicked during a scene and mused that it would be “great” to make a comeback to the cobbles at some point.
He said: “I remember Antony Cotton, who plays Sean, who would be behind the bar in the Rovers Return, was very good before a scene, saying, ‘I’ve checked the glasses, Ian. There are no chips.’
“He was always very good at reassuring me there were no stains on any of the glasses before he served me a pint.
“We had a lot of scenes on pretend building sites. If dust got in my eye I’d think I scratched my retina and Mikey would look to check. Owen went to Aberdeen so he could get homesick for Weatherfield. It would be great to be back with my mates.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Angela Rippon is finding ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ “frustrating”.
The ‘Rip Off Britain’ presenter – who at the age of 78 is the oldest contestant to ever compete on the star-studded BBC One Latin and ballroom show – finds herself getting “cross” while training with her professional partner Kai Widdrington, 28, and feels like her legs “are about to collapse” as she gears to take to the floor for the first time alongside the likes of ‘EastEnders’ star Bobby Brazier, 20, former ‘Love Island’ contestant Zara McDermott, 26, and gameshow legend Les Dennis, 69.
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “I know what I should be doing, I know how it should be feeling, it’s actually making my legs do it to the music. I’m just getting cross and frustrated.
Angela continued: “I’m exhausted. There are bits of me aching that I didn’t know I had.
“I’m enjoying doing it and I’m fine with the bits that I get right. But I get very angry with myself when I absolutely muck it up and do it wrong.”
Angela – who first showed off her famous high-kicks on Morecambe and Wise’s ‘Let’s Face the Music and Dance’ in 1976 – recently found out she had someone “fan-girling” on the judging panel with Shirley Ballas, who sits alongside Motsi Mabuse, 42, Craig Revel-Horwood, 58, and Anton Du Beke, 57.
Shirley told the same outlet earlier this week: “I’m really looking forward to fan-girling over Angela Rippon. She announced me during the UK championships so her voice brings back so many fond memories.”
The ex ‘Taskmaster’ star has been public with her adoration and excitement for the ex ‘Come Dancing’ host to hit the floor on the Satuday night entertainment show fronted by Claudia Winkleman, 51, and Tess Daly, 54.
Shirley told the Metro newspaper earlier this month: “She can do the splits, you know?
“If her dancing is as elegant as the way she stands and talks, then we’re in for a real treat.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Kate Lawler was “horrified” by “body shamers” comparing her to the late Nikki Graham.
The 43-year-old TV presenter posed a holiday snap to Instagram but was left “shocked” by comments comparing her to her fellow ‘Big Brother’ star Nikki Grahame – who died in 2021 at the age of 38 after a long battle with anorexia – and dubbed them “outrageous and so insensitive” when they accused her of “triggering” those who suffer from eating disorders.
The ITV Daytime star – who has 484,000 followers – told The Sun newspaper’s Fabulous magazine: “I honestly couldn’t believe it.
“To compare me to her is outrageous and so insensitive to Nikki’s family.”
She said: “Poor Nikki. I have never hugged someone so tiny and frail, so those comparisons really shocked and horrified me, I thought I looked quite nice, so I decided to post it, ­simple as that.
“In hindsight, my arm does look quite small, but it’s the angle. It was a holiday snap, I was happy.”
“I scrolled down and saw all these negative posts about my weight. I couldn’t believe it.
“I was shocked by people asking me if I’m OK, saying I obviously had a severe calorie deficit and that whether I meant to or not, I was triggering anorexia.
“Someone asked, ‘What message are you trying to send to young girls?’ That really annoyed me!
“I wasn’t sending a message, I just posted a selfie. And if I was sending a message to young girls, it would be to eat a balanced diet, treat yourself well and exercise.”
Kate – who is mother to two-year-old daughter Noa – took aim at “double standards” of the body positivity movement.
She continued: “If someone is on Instagram showing their curves and grabbing their rolls, it’s all, ‘You go girl, well done you!’
“They’re celebrated, called real women. Well, why can’t a real woman be a healthy size eight? It’s crazy.”
The Virgin Radio DJ – who is a size eight, stands at 5’6 and weighs just over eight stone – highlighted that her diet has changed since she appeared on the Davina McCall-fronted programme in 2002.
Kate said: “I’m slim, not skinny, and I’m healthy. My BMI is within the ideal range.
“I’ve varied between 8st 4lb and 8st 8lb since the Nineties.
“I went down to 8st in my twenties when I wasn’t looking after my body, but the only time I was bigger was in ‘Big Brother in 2002.
“I put on a stone because I was sitting around for weeks eating junk and drinking sugary, alcoholic drinks.
“This is just my size. Other than walking the dogs, I don’t exercise. I’ve got a fast metabolism.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Louise Redknapp thinks it would be “nice” to be on television more.
The 48-year-old pop star – who hosted editions of early 2000s TV hits like ‘SMTV: Live’ and’ these days has often been seen presenting fashion items on ‘Lorraine’ – competed on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ in 2016 and was then unmasked as Flamingo on ‘The Masked Dancer’ in 2021 but has set her sights on taking part in more celebrity-style series that would see her travelling the globe.
She told The Daily Mirror newspaper: “I feel like I haven’t done TV for quite a long time, so it would be nice to do a bit more of it. I love the look of ‘Celebrity Race Across The World’, and anything Joanna Lumley presents where she gets to travel through all the different countries.”
Since her days as part of the R and B group Eternal alongside Kelle Bryan and sisters Easther and Vernie Bennett, the ‘Naked’ hitmaker – who was previously married to footballer Jamie Redknapp and has sons Charley, 18, and 14-year-old Beau with him – has carved out a successful stage career with roles in ‘Cabaret’ and ‘9 to 5’ but has recently starred as Teen Angel in the West End production of ‘Grease’ and would love to tread the boards more.
She added: “I’d love to do more West End! I love being in it. It’s something I’ve grown more and more passionate about, so another show next year would be great I’ve had a great year. I ended the year before doing a straight play, which was a lovely experience, so it’s just about knuckling down and doing more of the same, career-wise.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online