OHMYGOSSIP — Holly Willougby has led tributes to ‘This Morning’ dentist Dr Uchenna Okoye, after she passed away aged 53 following a “sudden illness”.
The 42-year-old TV presenter recalled how the contributor to the ITV1 daytime show “was very kind” to her, and Holly offered her deepest sympathies to Uchenna’s loved ones.
She wrote on Instagram: “Unbelievably sad to hear of the passing of @druchennaokoye.
“We first worked together many moons ago with @oralb_uk, and she was very kind to me… and then of course again, giving her advice on @thismorning Sending all my love to her family.”
Uchenna – who appeared in many other programmes, such as ‘10 Ways To Lose 10 Years’ and ‘Morning Live’ – passed away on Friday (15.09.23).
Her family wrote on Instagram: “We are heartbroken to announce that Dr Uchenna Okoye sadly passed away after a sudden illness on Friday 15th September 2023.
“We know many of you will be devastated and shocked to see this post.
“We ask for your prayers and some privacy at this difficult time. We will be in touch in the coming days. (sic)”
BBC Radio 2 presenter Jo Whiley, 58, added her shock at the “devastating news” about Uchenna, and sent her love to her widower Chidi Ngwaba and their seven-year-old daughter.
She wrote on social media: “Devastating news. Sending love to her daughter, family and London Smiling team. Strong, beautiful, funny Uchenna. Awful. Just awful.”
TV personality Cherry Healey, 42 – who worked with Uchenna on ‘Ten Years Younger’ on Channel 5 – remarked how “missed” she will be.
She said on Instagram: “There aren’t really the right words to say how much this absolute force of a human being will be missed and how sad this news is.
“I was so fortunate to work with Dr Uchenna on @10yearsyounger for many happy years, and to then got to know her as a beautiful friend.
“She spoke with such passion and love for the people she helped smile again – and she was the warmest, smartest, most fun woman you could wish to meet. (sic)”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Barbara Knox has penned a new ‘Coronation Street’ deal.
The soap legend, who turns 90 later this month, is gearing up to enter her tenth decade of life and she has many more scenes to fill on the cobbles as Weatherfield resident Rita Tanner, who she has played since 1964.
A source told The Sun newspaper’s TV Biz column: “Barbara is in Corrie’s DNA. She is a true pro and the executives were delighted that she put pen to paper to ensure she’s on screens into next year.
“’Corrie’ is a lovely, steady place to work with a supportive team so it makes it easy to fit around family, having kids and as the cast have grown older.
“It was a no-brainer for Barbara to sign on the dotted line when the regular renewal of contracts came around this year.”
Barbara – who first played Rita for one episode in 1964 before joining the ITV soap on a permanent basis in 1972 – has appeared on the cobbles for more than 3,900 episodes.
She is the second-oldest ‘Corrie’ star, behind only Ken Barlow actor Bill Roache, 91, who has starred in more than 4,700 episodes, while Gail Platt star Helen Worth, 72, has appeared in more than 4,500 episodes.
‘Corrie’ star Sally Ann Matthews, 53, has told how Barbara – who will be honoured with a Bradley Walsh-fronted television special next month – fears being axed from the soap every year.
She told the same publication: “I count myself very lucky that when I first joined the show, I had Barbara to work with – she’s a real pro.
“Every year, she thinks she’s not going to get another contract. I’m like, ‘Seriously, Barbara?’
“If she ever forgets a line, which is very rare, she won’t sleep that night – she’s terrible. I tell her off all the time. Not many people can!”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Nadiya Hussain no longer watches ‘The Great British Bake Off’ because working in TV has “ruined” her experience of the show.
The 38-year-old TV chef shot to fame when she won the sixth series of the baking competition in 2015, which then aired on the BBC, but she no longer tunes into the now-Channel 4 show because she “picks it apart” too much.
She told Radio Times magazine: “I stopped watching a few years ago, because working in telly ruins the viewing experience – I pick it apart in a way I never used to.”
Despite forging a successful career – including hosting her own BBC cooking show and releasing cookbooks and children’s books – following her ‘Bake Off’ victory, Nadiya admitted her fame has resulted in her “missing certain parts” of her children’s lives.
The mother-of-three said: “I try not to regret, but I am human.
“When I started out, my daughter was five. I have missed certain parts of my kids’ lives but I’ve also been able to find myself and, as they grow, I realise everything I’ve done has been for a reason.”
Despite winning ‘Bake Off’, Nadiya previously confessed she “doesn’t really like cake”.
In 2021, she told ‘Paul McKenna’s Positivity Podcast’: “I don’t eat much cake. I don’t eat cake because I don’t really like cake that much. I think [it’s] because I bake so much.
“I taste it, so when I’m tasting recipes I know what I like and what I don’t like.
“But as for sitting down with a whole slice of cake, I don’t do it often.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Amy Dowden and Stacey Solomon have led tributes to influencer Nicky Newman after she died of breast cancer aged 35.
The ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ professional dancer – who is being treated for breast cancer – thanked the late cancer campaigner, who had stage four breast cancer for five-and-a-half years, for being a “true inspiration” and for raising awareness of the disease.
She wrote on Instagram: “the most beautiful ray of sunshine who has done so much and created a community and legacy that will live on. I hope you know all the help and awareness you have done and will always continue to do so. I remember when I found out I needed a port your page I turned too! I will forever hold onto your lovely voice notes and will always think of you when I say Welsh Love. Thank you for being utterly incredible and a TRUE INSPIRATION. I promise to grab life and deeply miss your radiance and positivity X love to Mr G, your family, friends and huge community you created online (sic)”
Amy’s comments come after a post on Nicky’s Instagram, written before her passing, revealed she had died.
It read: “If you’re reading this it means I have died, I made it 5 and half years though, not bad for a stage 4 breastie ey.
“And none of this ‘she fought her battle nonsense’, I didn’t lose anything, the cancer eventually took over and that’s okay, we all knew this would happen.
“I don’t think we are ever prepared to hear the words, we think we are indestructible and a magic cure will appear, but the truth is we all live this life day to day (we just knew our days are shorter).
“So please promise me to cherish those around you and give your friends and loved ones the biggest squeezes! GO GRAB LIFE! You never truly know what is coming around the corner – so don’t take anything for granted.
“You have all become a part of my legacy, my “Instagramily” in MR.G’s words and I thank you all from the bottom of my heart for being here every step of the way. There is more to come (with some amazing things in the works) that will aim to continue that legacy, so stick around and keep being the amazing bootiful hoomans you all already are!
“I’m a believer in energies and if people hold on to the positive energy we have created from this and other pages like it, then I will always be with you.
“Mr.G has some words to follow as we both wanted to do this part together x
“Love you all my bootiful hoomans! Nicky (sic)”
Stacey commented: “Nick. I love you. So grateful I got to meet and know you. Promise to grab life every single day (sic)”
TV presenter Gaby Roslin added: “You were an absolute joy and an inspiration and you filled the room with such great energy. What a good soul you were. My huge love to your family and your friends. I do hope you knew how much you were loved and adored (sic)”
Former ‘Geordie Shore’ star Vicky Pattison wrote: “I’m lost for words. Beautiful words angel. Fly high (sic)”
Nicky’s husband Alex, who was affectionately known as Mr.G by her loyal followers, also paid tribute to his late wife.
He wrote: “Nicky never accepted half measures, she took life with both hands and made each moment special and memorable. She has created a legacy here, a place where anyone can see that life is for positivity and smiles and happiness. Even through hardship…even if it seems impossible.
“Nicky has still got some incredible things to share on here and I am hoping you will stick around to see them come to fruition. I will share it with you in her place, just as she would have wanted. I just ask you bare with me a little.
“Last night there was a lightning storm right above our house, my girls way of reminding us to Go Grab Life and make it count
“Love to every single one of you, be safe and be good to each other x (sic)”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Alison Hammond says hosting the ‘The Great British Bake Off’ was like a “holiday”.
The ‘This Morning’ presenter felt “free” while co-hosting the Channel 4 baking competition, because she didn’t need to worry about “thinking politically”, unlike when she fronts the ITV1 brunch-time show alongside the likes of Holly Willoughby, 42, and Dermot O’Leary, 50.
The 48-year-old television presenter told the Radio Times magazine: “It’s like being on holiday, it’s wonderful, free, and you feel safe.
“You don’t have to think politically about anything. It’s just a happy and safe show.”
Alison hadn’t thought about going for the ‘Bake Off’ gig after her predecessor Matt Lucas, 49, departed to work on projects with his writing partner David Walliams, 52, until “Twitter went berserk” with the idea that she could co-host the show alongside Noel Fielding, 50.
She continued: “I never dreamt that big. I never allowed myself to dream this big.”
Paul Hollywood, 57 – who hosts the show with Dame Prue Leith, 83 – revealed the ex ‘Big Brother’ star ate too much cake on the first installment, and she “felt a bit sick” as a result.
Paul said: “On the tour of the cakes in the first episode, Alison was a little bit over-exuberant and ate everything.
“She felt a bit sick at the end and said, ‘I’m not doing that again’. Of course, she did the following week.”
The news that Alison would be co-presenting the programme was revealed in March, when the TV star interviewed herself in a viral video.
She said in the clip: “So yes it’s breaking news, Alison Hammond is joining the team of ‘The Great British Bake Off’.
“Alison, have you got any words whatsoever? ‘Well, do you know what I’m just absolutely thrilled, I’m going to be meeting the bakers very soon. I’m joining ‘The Great British Bake Off’, I’m so very excited!’ ”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway’ is on the hunt for a new Little Ant and Dec for the show’s upcoming 20th series.
The long-running ITV1 programme is searching for a pair of mini me versions of the iconic presenting duo, Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly, both 47, and the successful candidates will need to have a similar North East twang to the ‘I’m A Celebrity’ co-hosts as well as “confident” and cheeky” attitudes.
ITV said: “We are on the lookout for our new Little Ant and Dec to take part in the next series of ‘Saturday Night Takeaway’!
“We are looking for confident, cheeky chatty boys with a Geordie accent between the ages of 5-7 who think they could be the next Little Ant and Dec!”
The production is urging parents and legal guardians of such “cheeky chappies” to put them forward along with a video showcasing “their personality”.
Ant and Dec, who recently revealed the upcoming series of the entertainment show will be their last for a while, previously enlisted the talents of youngsters James Pallister and Dylan McKenna to be Little Ant and Dec in 2003.
The pair were nine years old, and they were later replaced Neil Overend and Haydn Reid, after the original twosome grew too old and too tall for the gig.
Speaking about a 2013 reunion with Ant and Dec, Dylan told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “It’s always good to see Ant and Dec again. They were shocked when they saw us, it’s been a few years since we have caught up and we are much taller!
“It was a really good experience. Me and James used to joke with Ant and Dec. They were great teachers! Looking back, I guess we were able to be more naughty and cheeky than they would have got away with.”
Last year, it was reported Neil and Haydn were also moving on.
An insider told the Daily Star newspaper: “Little Ant and Dec have outgrown the role, quite literally, and as such won’t be returning to the show this year.
“Little Dec has his SATs next year and Little Ant is moving to high school so it felt like the right time for them to move on and focus on their studies.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Shirley Ballas has got her confidence back with some high-tech beauty treatments.
For the past year, the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge has been seeing one of Britain’s top cosmetic doctors, Dr. Judy Todd, for a series of non-invasive procedures that have rejuvenated both her face and neck.
Shirley said: “Contrary to what people think, I’m not the most confident person in the world. Just over a year ago, I was actually getting quite down on myself because of the appearance of my face, I’m being really serious.
“My chin and jawline were sagging, my skin was dull, I had a lot of pigmentation with sun spots and I had little spider veins on my nose. My face just didn’t sparkle and it really dented my confidence.”
The 63-year-old star revealed in January that she had had a non-surgical face lift and the World Champion Latin dancer has continued to visit Dr. Todd to transform her face and neck even more.
Shirley said: “I wanted to keep up the treatments because I just don’t want my skin to fade, I want it to be glowing and bright and so I’ve kept having treatments about every six weeks and I’m absolutely delighted with the results.”
She continued: “Recently I have had so many comments from friends, colleagues and family saying my skin is looking amazing, and that has been a massive boost. I’ve just turned 63, and I’m really, really happy at how my skin is looking.”
The secret to Shirley’s youthful skin is NeoGen nitrogen plasma treatments – a non-invasive procedure that uses super-heated nitrogen gas to boost collagen and elastin to rejuvenate the skin from within to achieve a completely natural look.
Ballas said: “Afterwards I just felt like a diamond, everything was just where it needed to be, it’s really, really helped me. When I look at the photographs from the first day and compare with what I look like now, I can see my skin has improved dramatically, and since January the improvement has continued to get better.”
She had been reluctant to go under the knife and chose Dr. Todd because of the impressive results that she achieved with former ‘Strictly’ contestant Judy Murray.
Shirley said: “I have quite a low tolerance for pain so I choose to have numbing cream applied before each treatment, so they rub this cream all over my face and neck and then we wait about 20 minutes and then the skin is quite numb and it is totally bearable for me. I don’t like pain, but I will take a little bit of pain to get these kinds of results.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Joel Dommett has become a father for the first time.
The ‘Masked Singer’ presenter’s wife Hannah Cooper has given birth to a baby boy and the couple have named their bundle of joy Wilde, though they haven’t shared any further details about his birth, including the date he was born.
The pair shared a joint Instagram post featuring a black and white picture of the tot’s feet on Tuesday (19.09.23) and wrote: “Wilde Cooper-Dommett. Pinterest perfect baby feet that are already bigger than his Dad’s.”
Last week, Hannah revealed she’d tucked into “hot” chicken from Nando’s in a bid to bring on her labour.
She said on Instagram: “Screw the vindaloo, proud I managed HOT if I’ll be honest I might go Extra HOT next time! (sic)”
Hannah admitted she was also engaging with some “food porn” to raise her Oxytocin levels, to increase the chances of her waters breaking.
This comes after Joel recently revealed Hannah is ready to pop at any moment.
Speaking ahead of the National Television Awards (NTAs), which he hosted earlier this month, Joel told Fleur East, 35, on the ‘Hits Radio Breakfast Show’: “Hannah is very much ready to give birth! She hasn’t given birth as of now so that’s great news for me as I’m sure the production team are ready to replace me at any moment.
“I think I have a stand-in, but they won’t tell me who it is. I assume they’ll be there tonight but that’s the best thing about the NTAs – if it does happen during the ceremony everyone who could replace me is there right in front of me.
“At the moment we think she’s just going to come and hang in the dressing room because – I’ll be honest on Hits Radio – we couldn’t find a dress.
“And she’s so pregnant now – she’s six foot tall and essentially with another human being underneath her stomach – and dresses don’t come in that size. You put them on and you look like Mrs Doubtfire.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Laura Tobin has recalled the “difficult” time after her daughter was born prematurely.
The ‘Good Morning Britain’ star has returned to a NICU unit for the first time since little Charlotte was born at 27 weeks in July 2017, weighing just 2lbs 8oz, and she was proud to offer support to families at Croydon University Hospital’s facility who are going through a “similar journey” to that faced by her and husband Dean Brown.
Laura is supporting a partnership between eco-disposable nappy and wipe brand Mama Bamboo and children’s charity Ickle Pickles to donate tiny size 0 nappies to neonatal units across the country.
She wrote on Instagram: “What an incredibly heartwarming day. I spent the morning at the Croydon university hospital NICU unit with @icklepicklescharity an amazing premature baby charity who have announced a partnership with @mamabamboouk who are an Award-winning eco-disposable nappy and wipe brand who are supporting families affected by premature birth in so many ways.
“Together they want to make the stressful time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) a little easier and are donating their brand-new size 0 tiny baby nappies for babies 3-5lb to five neonatal units across London, including Croydon where we visited…
“I am so proud to be part of this fantastic campaign supporting families and babies in need at this critical time.
” As I’m sure you all know, Charlotte was born 27 weeks at just 2lb 8oz. It was a very difficult period in our lives, and I know what incredible impact the campaign with Ickle Pickles and Mama Bamboo will have on these families going through what I did 6 years ago.
“It was my first time back in a NICU since Charlotte left hospital and it was great to talk to some of the parents who have been on a similar journey and are about to leave hospital, including Amy who is a mum to twin girls: Arwen and Evelyn – 32 weekers and Almu, mum of Enzo a 29 weeker.(sic)”
The 41-year-old meteorologist believes the gesture from Mama Bamboo and Ickle Pickles will mean a lot to families at such a stressful time.
She wrote: “It might seem small but having nappies when your babies first arrives-often when you least expect it and aren’t prepared means it’s one thing you don’t have to worry about. Plus they are made from bamboo and biodegradable which also softer for the babies delicate skin and better for the planet.”
Five neonatal units – including the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester, Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich, Tunbridge Wells Hospital and Croydon University Hospital – will each receive a free monthly subscription of size 0 nappies for a total number of 74 cots.
For more information on Mama Bamboo’s ‘Give Another Mother’ scheme, and to donate, visit www.mamabamboo.com

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Noel Fielding admits it was “more difficult” trying to form a double act with fellow comedian Matt Lucas while co-hosting ‘The Great British Bake Off’ than it has been with his replacement Alison Hammond.
He explained to Radio Times magazine: “With Matt it was a bit weird, because we’re mates and are probably the same low-status person from our respective double acts, where he has [David] Walliams and I have Julian [Barrett].
“It was more difficult to find how we worked together, but we managed to find a way.”
The fact that ‘This Morning’ star Alison isn’t a comedian made it much easier, according to Noel.
He continued: “Alison’s hilarious, but she’s not a comedian trying to make jokes, which made it a bit easier.
“We weren’t trying to work out how to do it, we just did it. We came together like jazz musicians. It was effortless and we laughed a lot.”
Alison recently said hosting the Channel 4 baking show was like a “holiday”.
The presenter felt “free” because she didn’t need to worry about “thinking politically”, unlike when she fronts the ITV1 brunch-time show alongside the likes of Holly Willoughby and Dermot O’Leary.
The 48-year-old television presenter told the Radio Times magazine: “It’s like being on holiday, it’s wonderful, free, and you feel safe.
“You don’t have to think politically about anything. It’s just a happy and safe show.”
Alison hadn’t thought about going for the ‘Bake Off’ gig after her predecessor Matt Lucas, 49, departed to work on projects with his writing partner David Walliams, 52, until “Twitter went berserk” with the idea that she could co-host the show alongside Noel, 50.
She continued: “I never dreamt that big. I never allowed myself to dream this big.”
Paul Hollywood, 57 – who judges the show with Dame Prue Leith, 83 – revealed the ex ‘Big Brother’ star ate too much cake on the first instalment, and she “felt a bit sick” as a result.
Paul said: “On the tour of the cakes in the first episode, Alison was a little bit over-exuberant and ate everything.
“She felt a bit sick at the end and said, ‘I’m not doing that again’. Of course, she did the following week.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Brendan Cole claims there are always plenty of love affairs on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and most of them “haven’t been found out”.
The 47-year-old dancer – who appeared in 15 series of the hit BBC talent show before leaving in 2018 – has insisted sparks often fly between the professionals and their celebrity partners and many of the flirtations turn into romance – but he’s adamant most of them stay secret.
Speaking to The Sun, he explained: “Show me a series where there hasn’t been a little bit of love magic … Generally, every year something happens between a dancer and a contestant …
“I’ve been in series where five or six little love connections have been happening and most of them haven’t been found out.”
Brendan went on to insist romance between the dancing partners is to be expected because of the amount of time they spend together and the tactile nature of dancing.
He added: “In that particular environment, where you are hands on with each other 24/7, there’s a little of excitement between two people.”
It comes after previous contestant HRVY declared the so-called ‘Strictly’ curse is “real”. The 24-year-old music star – who appeared on the BBC show in 2020 – told Metro.co.uk: “I know it’s real. I’m not going to say any more than that, but as someone who’s done the show – I’m not saying that I’ve experienced it firsthand myself – but I may have seen … It’s definitely a real thing. “People talk about it and it’s like a bantering thing and I thought the same thing until I did it and then was like, ‘Wow, yeah.'”
HRVY – whose real name is Harvey Cantwell – even likened ‘Strictly’ to ITV dating show ‘Love Island’ He explained: “It could be the intimacy of dancing. It could be the fact that you’re with a group of people for weeks and weeks and weeks. “You could almost say it’s like ‘Love Island’ but you’re not on an island, you’re in a dance studio but it’s definitely real.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Match of the Day’ commentator Guy Mowbray is set to narrate the upcoming ‘Gladiators’ reboot.
The 51-year-old broadcaster dubbed the Saturday night staple “iconic” as he was named as the announcer of the BBC revival of the beloved ’90s series – which will be hosted by Bradley Walsh, 63, and his 25-year-old son Barney later this year – when it brings the action to a whole new generation.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “It’s an absolute joy to be the voice of such an iconic show.
“Saturday night memories will come flooding back for the many, whilst it’s brilliant to think of a new generation being introduced to an all new, even more ripped group of Gladiators.
“The best thing is that the format is the same as it ever was – only better.”
Those close to the production – which has been filmed at Utilita Arena in Sheffield with a live studio audience – called Guy “the perfect choice” after he made his mark being involved in the BBC’s football coverage for the past 13 years at tournaments like the Premier League, Africa Cup of Nations, the European Championships, the FA Cup.
An insider said: “Guy is the perfect choice. His insight and attention to detail is second to none, whilst he also brings fun and a bit of banter to the commentary booth.”
The show’s bosses praised Guy, labelling him at the “top of his game”.
Dan Baldwin, the show’s executive producer, added: “We are delighted to have the iconic voice of Guy Mowbray onboard. Guy calls the action like no other commentator, he is top of his game. His commentary is going to add another exhilarating layer to Gladiators.”
The show – which will feature a whole new generation of talent like Giant, Legend, Diamond, Fury, and Steel – was first announced last year.
The public broadcaster said: “The iconic Saturday night gameshow is coming to the BBC in 2023 – as a new generation of superhumans compete in the ultimate test of speed and strength.”
‘Gladiators’ originally aired on ITV and featured now-legendary competitors like Wolf, Rio, Zodiac, Jet and more.

Source: VacationHunter.Online