OHMYGOSSIP — Phillip Schofield has “massive guilt” over his affair with a younger male colleague.
The former ITV ‘This Morning’ host, 61, announced he was leaving the broadcaster at the weekend after details about the relationship emerged, and has now used two bombshell interviews – with the BBC and The Sun – to stress he did not groom his lover.
He told the BBC’s Amol Rajan on Thursday (01.06.23) when asked about how he was first photographed in the same image with, and followed his future partner on Twitter, when he was a teen: “It was a completely innocent backwards and forwards about a job – what is wrong with that?”
Talking to The Sun, which said the presenter was visibly shaking and “furiously vaping” during the interview, Phillip said: “I did not, I did not (groom him.)
“There are accusations of all sorts of things. It never came across that way (an abuse of power) because we’d become mates. I don’t know about that.
“But of course I understand that there will be a massive judgment, but bearing in mind, I have never exercised that anywhere else.
“I assume somebody, somewhere, assumed something was going on, correctly, and didn’t say anything.
“At the time I did not think about it possibly ruining my career. I really probably only thought about it when I saw the rumour mill, and saw it growing.
“Then I saw the link with the drama school photo all those years before, and thought, ‘This looks shocking.’
“But I didn’t lie to protect my career, he didn’t want his name in public. He wanted his own life.
“The lies grew bigger and bigger and bigger and it was affecting both of us deeply.
“It got to the stage where it was out of control and for whatever cost, it had to stop.
“I have massive guilt, and regret. I’ve made a mistake, I’ve had an affair at work.”
It has been confirmed that ITV boss Dame Carolyn McCall has been summoned to Parliament to be questioned on safeguarding, with
the Culture, Media and Sport Committee wanting to quiz her next week.
Phillip added in his interview with The Sun that some rumours online about his affair are false.
He insisted his former boyfriend did not receive a penny in “hush” money to cover up their affair and said no non-disclosure agreement had been signed that would stop the man from speaking out.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Harpreet Kaur is engaged to her former ‘Apprentice’ co-star Akshay Thakrar.
The 31-year-old entrepreneur – who won the BBC show in 2022 – accepted Akshay’s proposal after he got down on one knee on a London rooftop.
Akshay, 28, wrote on Instagram: “I would find you in any lifetime [heart emoji] Our journey began in the most unexpected way. Now it’s time to begin our forever chapter. She said yes (sic)”
The loved-up couple have already been inundated with congratulatory messages from some of their ‘Apprentice’ co-stars.
Brittany Carter wrote: “I AM LITERALLY IN TEARS. I am so happy for you both this is just the best thing to ever happen. CONGRATULATIONS (sic)”
Kathryn Louise Burn also congratulated the couple on their engagement.
She said: “MY BEST FRIEND IS GETTING MARRIED AHHHHHHHH !!!!!!!!! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU BOTH, a match made in heaven (sic)”
Meanwhile, Aaron Willis simply wrote: “Huge congratulations to you both.”
Harpreet and Akshay went public with their romance last year.
At the time, the couple shared a photo of them together.
Harpreet captioned the photo: “The best things in life happen unexpectedly [heart emoji]
“I love sharing my Oh So Yum business journey with you all but this time….it’s a personal one.
“Since coming out of the Apprentice house, my life has been a complete whirlwind in more ways than one.
“Over the past three months, a special someone has swept me unexpectedly off my feet and I cannot wait to see where this journey takes us (sic)”
In response, Akshay wrote in the comments section: “So happy you’re mine. Excited for whats to come! [heart emoji] (sic)”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Eamonn Holmes has accused Phillip Schofield of “controlling” and “coercive” behaviour during his time on ‘This Morning’.
The 63-year-old TV presenter has slammed his former ITV colleague, after Schofield left ‘This Morning’ after more than two decades on the show.
In a tweet to promote his interview on GB News, Eamonn wrote: “A lie unchallenged becomes the Truth …… not on my watch it doesn’t Pip . Tonight is for all my workmates over the years who were frightened and ignored by you and your controlling , coercive behaviour. All you who no one listened to . I’m here for you. (sic)”
Schofield recently left ‘This Morning’ and he subsequently admitted to having an “unwise, but not illegal” affair with a much younger male colleague.
However, Eamonn has now claimed that there was a “cover-up” at ‘This Morning’.
The veteran presenter – who previously co-hosted the show alongside Ruth Langsford, his wife – said during the interview: “Those in authority had to know what was going on and they thought they would dodge a bullet with this.
“With Schofield talking about those who speak out against him – namely me, Amanda Holden, [Dan Wootton] … Dr Ranj [Singh] as well. You simply sit there and think ‘No mate, you’ve had it all your way for too long’.”
Despite this, Schofield has denied suggestions of there being a “toxic” atmosphere on ‘This Morning’.
The TV presenter – who co-hosted the show alongside Holly Willoughby – wrote on Instagram: “Now I no longer work on @thismorning I am free to say this. I hope you have noticed that it’s the same handful of people with a grudge against me or the show who seem to have the loudest voice. This morning IS the best show to work on, with the best people. In all the years I worked there there was no toxicity.
“You can listen to those persistently loud voices if you like. But the thousands of guests over the years, thousands of staff and crew, hundreds of presenters and contributors all know, it IS a family of wonderful, talented, kind, hard working people. (sic)”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Amy Lou Smith and Musa Motha are through to the final of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.
The 34-year-old singer and dancer Musa, 27, became the first two acts of the annual ITV1 series to make it through to the grand finale on Sunday (04.06.23) after impressing on Monday’s (29.05.23) live semi-final, and they will be two of a handful of acts all vying for the prize of a spot at next year’s Royal Variety Performance.
Musa – who won the public vote – said: “I feel excited and blessed, and I thank everyone for the support.”
Amy – who won the judge’s decision against comedy singing teacher Abi Carter-Simpson – said: “I can’t believe this happening to me!”
During the first heat of this week’s live semi-finals, Amy – who fought off competition from United 2 Dance, Gamal John, Ichikawa, Enzo Weyne, and Parkour Collective – sang ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ from the musical ‘Dreamgirls’, with judge Amanda Holden declaring: “A star is born!” and Alesha Dixon telling her: “You blew the roof off!”
After dancer Musa won over the audience with his routine, Amanda said: “That was so epic. I’m so proud of you, that was a fabulous performance”, and new judge Bruno Tonioli said: “You captured the heart of the nation. You’re an inspiration to us all.”
Amy auditioned while heavily pregnant, and she gave birth to baby daughter Aida on the day her performance was aired in April.
Following her victory in the semi-final, the star reflected she needed to have kids in order to strive for her dreams.
Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, she told stand-in host Ranvir Singh: “It’s definitely a whirlwind to say the least, but an amazing one! It’s took me to have my children to … I want them to believe that one day if they’ve got dreams – just do it!
“I could sing before I could properly talk, it’s just something you’re kind of born with. But there was so much talent on that stage last night, it was anybody’s . For me, just making those semi-finals was enough so to be in the final, nothing seems real to me. Nothing!
“It’s all for them, I’m doing this for my children.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Eamonn Holmes doesn’t think Holly Willoughby will return to ‘This Morning’.
The 63-year-old TV presenter – who previously co-hosted the show alongside his wife Ruth Langsford – believes Holly should follow former ‘This Morning’ presenter Phillip “out the door” of the ITV brunchtime show, after he quit the programme earlier this month.
He told GB News: “Not only should Phillip go, but Holly should follow him out the door.
“I don’t think you’ll ever see Holly back on the couch again.”
Eamonn’s comments come after Phillip admitted last week he had quit ITV after lying about an affair with a “younger male” colleague on ‘This Morning’.
He said in a statement to the Daily Mail newspaper: “I am making this statement via the Daily Mail to whom I have already apologised personally for misleading, through my lawyer who I also misled, about a story which they wanted to write about me a few days ago.
“The first thing I want to say is: I am deeply sorry for having lied to them, and to many others about a relationship that I had with someone working on ‘This Morning’.
“I did have a consensual on-off relationship with a younger male colleague at ‘This Morning’.
“Contrary to speculation, whilst I met the man when he was a teenager and was asked to help him to get into television, it was only after he started to work on the show that it became more than just a friendship.
“That relationship was unwise, but not illegal. It is now over.”
Holly – who co-hosted ‘This Morning’ alongside Phillip for 14 years – then claimed he “directly” lied to her about his affair with a younger male colleague.
She wrote on Instagram: “It has taken time to process yesterday’s news.
“When reports of this friendship first surfaced, I asked Phil directly if this was true and was told it was not.
“It’s been very hurtful to now find out this was a lie.”
ITV confirmed on Saturday (27.05.23) they had investigated claims of an affair between Phillip and his colleague, but both had denied it after rumours about the relationship first emerged in 2020.
A spokesperson for the broadcaster said: “Further to our statement last night, ITV can confirm that when rumours of a relationship between Phillip Schofield and an employee of ITV first began to circulate in early 2020 ITV investigated.
“Both parties were questioned and both categorically and repeatedly denied the rumours as did Phillip’s then agency YMU.
“In addition, ITV spoke to a number of people who worked on ‘This Morning’ and were not provided with, and did not find, any evidence of a relationship beyond hearsay and rumour.
“Phillip’s statement yesterday reveals that he lied to people at ITV, from senior management to fellow presenters, to YMU, to the media and to others over this relationship.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Jeremy Paxman has signed off from ‘University Challenge’ for the final time.
The 73-year-old broadcaster has served as quizmaster on the long-running BBC scholarly show – which pits two teams of four usually each representing a university together, and tests their knowledge across a broad range of subjects – since 1994.
But he signed off for the final time on Monday’s episode (29.05.23) after Durham University became the 2022-2023 University Challenge champions, with author Jung Chang handing over the coveted prize.
Closing out the show, he said: “It remains for me to thank Jung Chang for presenting the trophy, all the teams who have entertained us over the past months, and you for watching. University Challenge returns later in the year and I look forward to watching it with you. So it’s goodnight for me. Goodnight.”
‘Big Sister, Little Sister, Red Sister’ author Jung was honoured to have been there to present the prize, and she reflected on how the BBC staple was the “most prestigious” available to her when she arrived in the UK more than 40 years ago.
She said: “I’m really pleased to be invited here to present the trophy because University Challenge was the most prestigious programme to me when I first arrived in Britain in 1978.
“I grew up in Cultural Revolution China, when schools and the universities were all closed, (Chairman) Mao said, ‘The more books you read, the more stupid you become.’ ”
‘University Challenge’ was initially fronted by Bamber Gascoigne when it initially aired on ITV from 1962 until 1987, with Jeremy taking over when the series was revived by the BBC less than a decade later.
Last year, Jeremy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, and in November he went on to discuss his final recordings of the show – which has also been played by teams made up of journalists, TV stars, and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson over the years – and revealed his plans for retirement.
He wrote in Saga Magazine: “For these recordings we were entertaining graduates…though we made much of their anxiety, the collection of newspaper columnists, stand-up comedians and people doing proper jobs as professors of this or that were, without exception, delighted to be in a studio in rainswept Salford.
‘It was a real pleasure to meet them. We used to make the questions easier for the old codgers, but this time they mostly seemed as tricky as the ones we put to the students.
“So this is it: retirement in all its many facets of pleasure and terror. What is to be done with all the free time? ‘I plan to join a choir, to take a postgraduate degree in understanding Renaissance art and finally to finish the wine appreciation course that I began a year ago. I may even give drawing another bash.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Derek Thompson is to leave ‘Casualty’ after 37 years.
The 75-year-old star, who portrays emergency department nurse Charlie Fairhead, is the longest-serving cast member on the BBC medical drama, but his final scenes will air next year.
Derek said: “The time has come for me to hang up Charlie’s scrubs after the most wonderful 37 years.
“Charlie Fairhead was inspired by a real nurse – Pete Salt.
“Together with the writers and producers, I have tried to bring to Charlie the compassion, kindness, heroism and sound judgement that we all see and love in Pete and I want to say thanks to Pete and everyone else over that time who has inspired me in bringing this character to life.”
Charlie has been the lynchpin of the hospital’s emergency department, with the character involved in a number of huge, hard-hitting storylines over the years.
They include Charlie being run over by an ambulance on his wedding day, a near-fatal cardiac arrest during a gang siege, and his loving relationship – and heart-breaking farewell – with his beloved, fellow nurse Duffy (Cathy Shipton).
Jon Sen, Executive Producer of ‘Casualty’ for BBC Studios, added: “Derek and I would often joke that, after such a long and dramatic career in the NHS, there was almost nothing that Charlie hadn’t seen.
“So it was an amazing surprise to me when Derek arrived with a brilliant idea for Charlie’s exit as part of an upcoming storyline, which was too good to pass up.
“We will all miss Derek enormously. Over nearly four decades, Derek has crafted an iconic character who is woven into the fabric of British TV history.
“We will miss his craft, his humour and his on-screen presence.
“We’re also going to miss a friend, so for the next few months we’re going to have a ball filming Charlie’s final chapter.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Danielle Harold is unlikely to star in another soap.
The 31-year-old actress has played Lola Pearce on and off in ‘EastEnders’ since 2011, but she will bow out of the long-running BBC One soap opera in scenes due to air on Wednesday (31.05.23) when her character succumbs to a brain tumour.
Danielle is unsure whether she would ever take up an acting gig on another continuing drama series.
When asked if she would ever do another soap, she told OK! magazine: “Probably not, I don’t think so. It is the toughest job.
“Being a soap actor is so hard, the schedules, the hours, it’s just filming that amount of scenes that we do in a day – it is hard! I’d like to do a series, something with a beginning, middle and an end – when you get the whole story.
“Obviously we were just constantly page-turning, some stories don’t end, although it did for Lola. But to get to do a whole story, I’d love to do that, like a Netflix series. And to play someone completely different from Lola would be great.”
Danielle – whose character Lola was diagnosed with a brain tumour towards the end of last year, and went on to marry Jay Brown (Jamie Borthwick) at the beginning of 2023 – admitted she has “always watched” ‘EastEnders’ and because her friends still work there, she is keen to continue watching the soap to see how things pan out once her character is no longer there.
She said: “I’ve always watched it, ‘EastEnders’ has always been a big part of my life. And all my friends are still there, so I want to watch and see how they will get on as well.”
Danielle – who has been nominated for Best Leading Performer at the upcoming British Soap Awards – first joined the cast of ‘EastEnders’ at the age of 18 in 2011 and played the role until 2015, before she returned in 2019.
The star recently explained to the outlet that it was “crazy” her time on the soap was finally coming to an end.
She said: “I was sad for Lola, and I’ve played her for such a long time/ It’s crazy that it’s coming to an end now. But I’ve also been so busy because the storyline has been so full-on that I’ve not really had time to think about finishing or me going.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Reverend Richard Coles felt “hurtled towards the exit” when he left the BBC earlier this year.
The 60-year-old clergyman departed BBC Radio 4 in March after 12 years on air, and he didn’t feel his level of “devotion” to the company was matched by them.
He told the Radio Times magazine: “I felt rather hurtled towards the exit. Working for an organisation like the BBC, you devote your energies to it and yet they perhaps don’t always respond with similar devotion.”
Richard also claimed the BBC doesn’t know it’s “a*** from its elbow”.
He added: “It’s a great national institution, and more power to its elbow. It would just be nice if it could distinguish that elbow from its a*** sometimes.”
In March, Richard left weekend programme ‘Saturday Live’ – which he co-hosted with broadcaster Nikki Bedi – after the BBC opted to relocate the show from London to Cardiff.
His final show was on March 25th, but the broadcaster didn’t make a statement about it until five days before his last episode, and the radio presenter admitted it felt “a little bit rushed”.
He told The Guardian newspaper at the time: “If you leave a programme after 12 years, a gentler process would have been nice. But what happens happens.
“It just feels a little bit rushed. It’s been frustrating for me having to wait for an announcement, and now it’s my last programme on Saturday. I’d rather have had a longer goodbye to listeners.
“It just feels a bit sad. I’m sorry to go; I’ve loved the programme, I’ve loved the people I’ve worked with, and it’s been a big part of my life. I shall miss it.”
Richard also admitted it was “a shame” the programme couldn’t remain in London, where it was “doing really well”.
He said: “I’d have preferred the programme to stay in London. I think it would be better. I was happy doing it and I think it’s gone from strength to strength.
“Moving it to Cardiff, I don’t really see how that works, but that’s not my decision – that’s other people’s decision.
“I think the programme was doing really well, actually. We were both enjoying doing it and it’s a shame it can’t continue in the form it’s been in for a long time, which works, and which pleases listeners.”
The decision for Richard to depart the programme came weeks before his final episode, after the broadcaster opted to relocate the show to Cardiff, which comes as part of the BBC’s wider plan to move some key jobs and programmes out of London – to make the corporation more reflective of the UK as a whole.
A BBC spokesperson told the publication: “Richard has been brilliant on Saturday mornings and very much continues to be part of the Radio 4 family.
“We look forward to working with him on future projects.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Gemma Collins “could have a baby” at the age of 50.
The 42-year-old reality star suffers from Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and while she had hoped to conceive naturally with fiance Rami Hawash, 48, Gemma is unsure whether that will happen, but now admits she would have “gone crazy” had she become a mother when she was younger.
Asked if she would ever use a surrogate to become a mother, she told OK! Magazine: “I don’t think I’ll need to. I’m The GC, honey. I can have the best doctors going. I’ll just ring one up and say, ‘Right, come on, get me pregnant!’
“I honestly can’t tell you [if I’ll be able to conceive naturally] . Obviously, I’ve got PCOS and all of that. I could have a child at 50. If I’d had kids sooner, I would probably have been crazy, whereas now, I’m Miss Organic, I can just be at Zen with the child.
“Going to the mother and toddler groups never interested me, unless it’s Knightsbridge, darling. And I’m happy to host my own one indoors or around the vegetable patch. A bit of organic pressed champagne!”
The former ‘TOWIE’ star went on to add that having a child is a “big commitment” and she “never knows” where life is going to take her, especially as she shot to fame as a car saleswoman at the age of 30 on the Essex-based reality show and has gone on to enjoy success as an influencer and television favourite.
She added: “It’s a lot having a kid. It’s a big commitment but it’s also very rewarding. But my life will take me where it’s going to take me. It’s taken me this far and as sure as hell it’s not over yet!”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Richard Hammond’s Crazy Contraptions’ has been axed after one series.
The 53-year-old presenter had fronted the Channel 4 programme, which saw teams compete against each other to build ingenious machines out of everyday objects, but it has been confirmed that the “bold and creative” show will not return for a second outing.
A C4 spokesman told The Sun newspaper’s TV Biz column: “‘Richard Hammond’s Crazy Contraptions’ was a bold and creative programme that engaged audiences with the exciting world of science and engineering.
“Our strategy continues to be one that develops new formats and exciting ideas. Our strategy continues to be one that develops new formats and exciting ideas.”
The former ‘Top Gear’ star previously explained that he was inspired to do the series after he failed to make his own chain reaction machine during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Richard’s failed attempt made him “appreciate” the talent he saw on the seven-part series, and he thought the programme would be a “great watch” for all the family.
Just before launching the series, Richard said:” As soon as the idea was explained to me, I was hooked. I actually tried to build my own chain reaction machine during lockdown – it didn’t end well!
“My failed attempt did however make me appreciate the talent, creativity and determination shown by our teams.
“That said, in amongst the triumphs, there were also plenty of spectacular failures and catastrophes. I’m convinced the series will be a great watch for all the family, not only providing totally left-field entertainment, but also presenting science and engineering in a fun and accessible manner.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online