OHMYGOSSIP — ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall has denied clams Caroline Flack was treated as a “commodity”.
The broadcaster’s chief executive appeared alongside managing director Kevin Lygo during a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday (14.06.23) to face questions from MPs about Phillip Schofield’s exit from ‘This Morning’ and the channel’s wider duty of care for talent after late ‘Love Island’ host Flack’s mother insisted ITV had “learned nothing” from her tragic death.
Responding to the claims, Dame Carolyn said: “We genuinely feel deeply, deeply sad about what happened to Caroline.
“People knew her well at ITV, I spoke to a lot of people at ITV that worked with her and loved working with her on the show because she loved the show.
“The family are obviously grieving. I would say we never feel that we treat anybody, whether it’s a presenter or a member of staff or a junior person that’s coming in for work experience, we would really not treat anyone like a commodity.”
Flack took her own life aged 40 in February 2020 after hearing that prosecuters would go ahead with an assault charge following an incident with her boyfriend Lewis Burton.
Also speaking during the same Culture, Media and Sport Committee session, Lygo said: “Because of things going on in her private life, she said ‘I don’t think I’m fit to do the next serious of Love Island’.
“We said ‘OK, we understand that’ but made it very clear it was her show, that we would get a stand-in, she could come back when she wanted to because she hadn’t done anything wrong in our eyes.
“We were offering her work and all the rest of it. Nobody would agree that we treated her as a commodity.”
Dame Carolyn – who pointed to the work ITV does with mental health charities like Calm and Mind – insisted it was a “gross misrepresentation of the show” to question how ‘Love Island’ is still on air after being linked to multiple suicides, including those of former contestants Mike Thalassitis and Sophie Gradon.
She added: “One of the things I would say is these are deeply tragic things, no one wants to see anyone, whatever age, take their own life.
“We’ve thought about it a huge amount, as I said I don’t think any of you can even understand how deeply distressing something like that can be for people who work at ITV.
“I’ve really looked at this in some detail … and we’ve actually taken a lot of professional advice and I think the generally accepted professional opinion is that the causes of these types of tragedies are always complex and multiple.
“And both individuals you are referring to took their lives two years after they appeared on the show, and there would have been many, many, many events that would have been part of multiple causes.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Alan Carr and Amanda Holden’s renovation project has reportedly raised £127,000 for charity.
The 46-year-old comedian and the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ judge came together for three months working on two flats – which they bought for a euro each – in the medieval town of Salemi near Palermo, Sicily for BBC show ‘Amanda and Alan: The Italian Job’.
As reported by the Daily Mirror newspaper, the fully furnished flat – which boasts two bedrooms and two bathrooms – has been sold for a figure close to the asking price of €145,000 (£127,500).
A BBC spokesman told the outlet: “The sale is in progress. Proceeds will be donated to ‘Children in Need’ and ‘Comic Relief.’ ”
The duo managed to turn the abandoned and derelict apartment into a home with a lounge, dining room and modern kitchen, plus three balconies with some stunning views.
The Rightmove listing for the flat read: “The three balconies offer breathtaking views of the landscape, making this the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
“It also comes with a shared, walled courtyard, perfect for al fresco dining or just enjoying the Mediterranean sunshine.”
The DIY show as been renewed for a second series, and last month Amanda, 52, revealed she was excited to get back to work on a job that suits her and Alan “perfectly”.
She told the MailOnline: “I’m obviously absolutely delighted that Alan and I have been given a second series of a show that we created together.
“This time I’m considering ditching my nail extensions but I’ll certainly be keeping the lashes! I’ve got the Aperol Spritz on ice and I’m being fitted for a new boiler suit as we speak.
“I adore Alan and this job suits us both perfectly. The sweetest thing about it all is that we can continue to raise more money for charities that make a huge difference to the lives of so many.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Welsh footballer Scott Van Der Sluis will head into the ‘Love Island’ villa as the latest bombshell on Thursday night (15.06.23).
The 22-year-old star, who is a goalkeeper for League of Ireland Premier Division side Shelbourne, has vowed to bring plenty of “energy” and “banter” to the villa, and he is on the lookout for a woman who has a “strong personality”.
When asked what he will bring to the show, he said: “Energy. I’ll bring a bit of banter, be cheeky, and I’m a flirt.
“Very, very strong personality so if I see anything I don’t agree with, there’ll definitely be fireworks.”
Quizzed on what he looks for in a partner, he said: “A girl with a strong personality, who’s independent and knows what they want.”
Scott – who previously played for Swansea City and was on the books at Manchester United and Liverpool as a youngster – is no stranger to the limelight, having trained with the Welsh national team when he was just 16.
When asked his claim to fame, he said: “I was the youngest goalkeeper to ever play with the Welsh national team!
“I also got a call when I was 16 and playing at Swansea from the Welsh goalkeeper coach inviting me to train with the first team.
“I got to sit and have dinner with Aaron Ramsey and the Welsh football team!
“I was in awe, when the year before they got to the Euro finals, they were my idols.”
But the ‘Love Island’ ladies shouldn’t expect him to fall in love quickly.
He said: “I’m a slow burner. It’s only when I really think I’m losing them sometimes that I do.”
‘Love Island’ continues tonight at 9pm on Virgin Media Two and Virgin Media Player, proudly sponsored by Virgin Media Mobile.
The reality show can also be seen on ITV2.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Adrian Dunbar will return for a second series of ‘Ridley’.
The ‘Line of Duty’ actor will reprise his role as the retired detective turned police consultant Alex Ridley in the ITV drama, and he has vowed to “work just as hard” to keep up the standards in future ‘Ridley’ episodes.
He said: “There can be no greater endorsement of hard work and talent than the recommission of a series and to that end we have to thank ITV and the British public for taking to Ridley in such numbers.
“We shall certainly work just as hard to keep the standard we have set, and I look forward to developing Ridley as a character over the next four episodes.”
Adrian’s alter-ego will resume his partnership with former protégée, DI Carol Farman – played by Bronagh Waugh – who is now in charge of investigations.
‘Ridley’ – which is created and penned by ‘Vera’ lead writer Paul Matthew Thompson – will return with four two-hour films.
Drama Commissioner Huw Kennair Jones said: “We can’t wait to welcome Adrian back to ITV as we return to the beautiful Lancashire countryside for four brand new cases for Ridley and the team to investigate.
“And we’re looking forward to working with West Road Pictures and Paul Matthew Thompson on what promises to be another great series.”
Paul added: “Thrilled to be working with Jonathan Fisher and West Road Pictures again to bring Ridley back to our screens.
“Adrian Dunbar’s brilliant portrayal struck a chord with ITV viewers, and I can’t wait to share what happens next, as the singing detective settles into his new role of Copelton Police Consultant.
“Ridley’s unique and idiosyncratic approach to crime solving will once more be at the forefront of each feature length investigation.
“His animated partnership with DI Carol Farman will be tested, as together they set out to solve some dark and unsettling crimes.”
Series one introduced viewers to charismatic former Detective Inspector Ridley, who retired from the police after years of dedicated service having lost his wife and daughter in a devastating arson attack on their family home.
The new series of ‘Ridley’ will begin shooting across Northern England in Autumn 2023.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Gregg Wallace won’t put blame on himself for his son’s autism.
The 58-year-old star has opened up about his four-year-old boy Sid – who was diagnosed with autism last year and is struggling to get an education, health and care plan (EHCP) from the local council – following a number of studies suggesting that older parents are more likely than younger men and women to have a child with autism.
He told The Times newspaper’s T2 magazine: “It could be that. It doesn’t trouble me. Blame is for God and small children.
“It doesn’t make it any better if we go: it’s my fault.”
The ‘MasterChef’ star and his wife Anna welcomed their first child – Gregg’s fourth – 13 months ago, and he admitted he had some time “almost like mourning” after Sid’s diagnosis.
He added: “You go through a period of almost like mourning. Like, my God, I haven’t got the child I thought I had.”
Last year, Gregg revealed his boy had to wait until he was three years old to be officially diagnosed.
Appearing on ITV’s ‘Loose Women’, he said: “Syd has autism… He’s three, you can’t legally diagnose it in this country until they are two-and-a-half, but we knew at about a year old that we had some issues.”
He told the daytime TV show that he and Anna noticed he “wasn’t answering to his name” or “playing peek-a-boo”.
He explained: “He was walking and running around but he’s got autism and he’s got something called global development delay. So he’s not speaking…
“But he is lovely and he is cuddly and he is happy. And if he wants something he grabs your hand and takes you. Honestly, if you think you might have an issue, go and see someone.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Kylie Minogue is “going to remain open” to returning to ‘Neighbours’.
The 55-year-old singer reprised her role of Charlene Robinson for the finale of the Australian soap in July last year – alongside Jason Donovan returning as her on-screen love interest Scott Robinson – but Amazon Freevee and Freemantle recently announced the return of ‘Neighbours’ for the second half of 2023, and Kylie could be back on Ramsay Street at some point.
When asked if she thinks Charlene will ever pop back to Erinsborough or whether it was her last-ever episode, she told ‘Heart Breakfast with Jamie and Amanda Holden’: “Ah, well, I didn’t think she would before and she did.
“So, I’m going to remain open to that.”
Kylie is “interested” to see where TV bosses go with new ‘Neighbours’ episodes, and predicts they will be “amazing”.
She added: “I mean, good for them. It took us… I think when that news came out that it was being picked up.
“There was a there was kind of a bit of a collective … ‘Erh.’
“But you know, for the cast and the crew to pick it up it’ll be interesting to see where they go with it.
“How the dynamic will change and how they’ll deliver. I think it’ll be amazing.”
In March, Jason admitted he was “surprised” to hear about Neighbours’ upcoming return.
Speaking about the shock announcement on Nova’s ‘Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Richie’, Jason said: “I’ll be honest with you, it was a surprise.
“But … I think anything that provides opportunity to keep people working and actors and producers and all those sort of things.”
Listen to Heart Breakfast with Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden weekdays from 06:30 – 10:00 and on Global Player.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Denise Welch has been cast as Queen Elizabeth in ‘Diana: The Musical’.
The ‘Loose Women’ presenter will portray the late royal for one night only at the Eventim Apollo when the new show – which will see Kerry Ellis playing a newly-divorced Princess Diana – comes to London on December 4.
The production is set in 1996 and will see Diana looking back on her past and reflecting on her 19-year-old self, who will be played by Maiya Quansah-Breed.
Kerry has starred as Elphaba – the Wicked Witch of the West – in ‘Wicked’, while Maiya was nominated for an Olivier for her role as Catherine Parr in ‘Six’.
Bon Jovi star David Bryan will lead the music – which is inspired by the 1980s – while ‘Memphis’ writer Joe DiPietro has penned the lyrics.
Denise is no stranger to the stage, having got her first big break four decades ago when she appeared in ‘Yakety Yak’.
In 1984, she played Sandy in ‘Grease’ at the Haymarket Theatre, going onto tread the boards in plays like ‘There’s a Girl in My Soup’, ‘Bedroom Farce’ and ‘Shooting the Legend’.
In the 2000s and 2010s she turned her attention to pantomime in the likes of ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’, ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ and ‘Cinderalla’, as well as playing Mrs Otter in the London Palladium production of ‘The Wind in the Willows’ eight years ago.
The 65-year-old star’s most recent theatre performance came as part of the ‘Calendar Girls’ UK tour in 2018.
Denise recently revealed she will be away from ‘Loose Women’ as she prepares for a “little adventure” with her husband Lincoln Townley amid reports she has signed up for the new series of ‘Celebrity Hunted’.
Last month, she said in an Instagram video: “I’m going off on a little adventure for a couple of weeks so I’m going to be off here and off my phone.
“I don’t quite know how I’m going to cope, but I’m going to give it a try, so don’t think I have disappeared.
“It’s just a temporary little holiday and I’ll be back soon, so lots and lots of love.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Frankie Essex rushed her baby daughter to hospital this week after “finding a lump”.
The former ‘TOWIE’ star – who welcomed twins Logan and Luella into the world with Luke Love a year ago – panicked when she felt the “soft and risen” abnormality, which was checked by a GP who recommended an ultrasound.
In her OK! column, Frankie said: “What they said was it’s where the soft spot is, her skull’s fused together and it’s just created a little bump and it might go, it might not, but there’s 100 percent confirmation it’s nothing to worry about.
“When I came out of there and got to the car I just burst into tears, I think it was all the emotional build-up from the night before worrying, obviously, you just start thinking of the worst-case scenario.”
It isn’t the first time the 35-year-old star has had health scares with her kids, and in October her baby boy Logan was taken to hospital with a leg infection at just four months old.
At the time, she shared a video of herself holding her son and revealed that her partner Luke stayed with Logan all night while she went home for essentials.
She wrote: “Our Little Logan. Last night we ended up in [A and E] baby has an infection in his leg.
“Doing well, his daddy didn’t leave his side all night so mummy could take our little girl home [to] get the bottles [and] blankets.”
Frankie confirmed in June 2022 that she had given birth to twins, after revealing her pregnancy four months earlier and admitting it was a huge “shock”.
She said at the time: “I was just so shocked. How we found out was really lovely.
“The lady scanning me was focusing on one baby and was then like, ‘What else do we have here then?’ and I was so shocked and asked, ‘Are we having twins?’ I burst out crying, tears of happiness. It was just so beautiful. It was lovely.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Love Island’s Ella Thomas has accused Tyrique Hyde of making her look like a “mug”.
The 23-year-old model has lashed out at Tyrique, 24, after he pulled Leah for a number of flirty chats.
Ella said to him: “Stop complaining and arguing to me – every time you talk to me like it’s my fault.
“So what is your problem? Because I am literally here getting to know you and no-one else. And you’re here flirting with every f****** girl that walks into the villa.”
Ella admitted that she struggled to sit back and watch Tyrique flirt with Leah.
The reality star claimed that she was being made to look like a “mug” in front of the other Islanders and TV viewers.
She said: “Am I a mug? Am I going to sit and just accept that and just be like, ‘OK, I’ll just wait here and watch Leah and Ty get to know each other, and have a little flirt all day’.
“And when he is ready and he’s had his fun and he’s had a good time he’ll come and tell me, ‘Oh Ella, actually do you know what, I think I want to come back’.”
Prior to entering the villa, Ella insisted that she was looking for her ideal man on the show.
The model also described herself as the “whole package”.
She said: “I know what I want in life and I’ve got a big heart.”
Ella revealed that she sees herself as “wifey material”.
Looking forward to her time in the villa, Ella warned: “I’d let the boys know that I’m wifey material so don’t play with me.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Lenny Rush has joined the cast of ‘Doctor Who’.
The award-winning actor has been cast as Morris in the new series of the long-running sci-fi show, and he’s described the role as a “dream come true”.
Lenny – who previously starred in Daisy May Cooper’s ‘Am I Being Unreasonable?’ – said in a statement: “It’s an absolute honour to be part of ‘Doctor Who’, one of the most iconic shows on television and wow, what a dream come true!”
‘Doctor Who’ showrunner Russell T Davies is also thrilled to be working with Lenny.
He said: “This is what ‘Doctor Who’s all about, brand new talent from the next generation, and no one’s more talented than Lenny! He joins the TARDIS team just in time for the Doctor’s greatest nightmare, so hold on tight!”
Meanwhile, Ncuti Gatwa was announced as the new Doctor back in 2022, and the actor previously admitted to being “deeply honoured” to have been handed the opportunity.
Ncuti, 30 – who is the first black actor to play the role full-time – said: “There aren’t quite the words to describe how I’m feeling. A mix of deeply honoured, beyond excited and of course a little bit scared.
“This role and show means so much to so many around the world, including myself, and each one of my incredibly talented predecessors has handled that unique responsibility and privilege with the utmost care. I will endeavour my utmost to do the same.”
Ncuti also revealed that he was particularly looking forward to working with Russell.
He said: “Russell T Davies is almost as iconic as the Doctor himself and being able to work with him is a dream come true. His writing is dynamic, exciting, incredibly intelligent and fizzing with danger. An actor’s metaphorical playground.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Jeremy Clarkson been granted permission to extend the car park at his Diddly Squat farm shop.
The TV presenter’s venture into agriculture has been documented in his popular Amazon series ‘Clarkson’s Farm’ and one of the issues he’s been battling involves the lack of proper car parking at the shop he opened on his estate in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire after it was swamped by fans wanting to visit.
A previous attempt to win planning permission to install proper parking facilities was turned down by West Oxfordshire District Council, but now The Sun newspaper reports a planning inspector has overturned the decision and given the star the green light to start improvements.
In a report, planning officer RJ Perrins granted permission for “an extension to existing parking area to formalise temporary parking and provision of new access arrangements”.
He added: “[Diddly Squat] does not ask for an entrance fee or advertise as a leisure or tourist attraction, it is not comparable to say a Wildlife Park or miniature railway which are reliant upon attracting tourists and paying visitors to be viable.
“I am in no doubt that this has caused a huge inconvenience for those who live nearby. It was clear to me that many people visiting on the day of my final site visit had no regard to the proper use of the highway, with verges being further churned up and traffic having to stop, as visitors walked the middle of the road or cars manoeuvred into tight spaces.
“From that snapshot in time I am not surprised, as heard in evidence, that tensions have run high between some of those living locally and some visitors to the farm shop.”
However, despite winning permission to improve the car park, Clarkson has yet to be granted permission to open a restaurant on the site.
It comes after Clarkson revealed fans may have a long wait for series three of the show to drop because they are still filming.
In a comment on a post on Instagram, he wrote: “We actually won’t finish filming it till October. There’s something we are trying which won’t be resolved till then. So it’s [season three] a while off yet.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Lottie Moss and Vanessa Feltz are among the cast members for ‘Celebs Go Dating’.
A new series of the Channel 4 reality show that sees famous faces paired with members of the public by dating experts is returning to screens, and the six stars taking part have been unveiled.
As well as the 25-year-old model and broadcaster, former ‘Love Island’ contestants Adam Collard and Chloe Burrows are on the lookout for love.
‘Made in Chelsea’ star Mark-Francis Vandelli and comedian Spuddz complete the lineup.
As well as the full cast being revealed, this season will see a new expert join Anna Williamson and Paul Brunson in sex and relationships guru Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn.
A source told The Sun: “This series of Celebs Go Dating is gearing up to be very special.
“The stars are all meeting for filming today and Anna, Paul and Doctor Tara cannot wait to get started.
“Love Islanders Chloe and Adam have already tried to find love on TV so the experts will have their work cut out.
“Vanessa’s journey will also be really interesting to watch. Not only is she the eldest of the six, she recently went through a very bad break up so will be working on loving herself – as much as finding love.”
The last series saw former ‘Love Island’ star Laura Anderson and ex ‘Hollyoaks’ star Gary Lucy partner up and they are having a baby together – though they are no longer together.
He said: “I love Laura but we are no longer together.
“My main drive as always is to work together to co-parent our child. I look forward to the arrival of the new baby.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online