OHMYGOSSIP — Ben Elton thinks it’s “very difficult” to make comedy look easy.
The 64-year-old star previously enjoyed huge success as a writer of ‘The Young Ones’ and ‘Blackadder’, and Ben claims that “sincerity” is a key part of successful TV comedies.
He told The Times newspaper: “Comedy is difficult. And making comedy look easy is very difficult. And the bigger the comedy the more you have to play it as if it is absolutely real.
“Look at the greats, from Charlie Chaplin to Mike Myers: if you are playing it large you have to play it with absolute sincerity.”
Ben also wrote the Queen musical ‘We Will Rock You’, which premiered in London’s West End in 2002.
The production was initially panned by critics, and Ben believes that he became an easy target for criticism at one stage in his career.
He said: “Everyone was saying it was s***. Maybe there was a bit of ‘Ben Elton and Queen need cutting down to size’. Maybe that’s a British thing.”
Meanwhile, Ben recently ruled out a ‘Blackadder’ reboot.
The iconic sitcom ran for four series between 1983 and 1989 – but Ben doesn’t have any plans to revive it for the time being.
The stand-up comedian – who co-created the show with Richard Curtis – told the Daily Star newspaper: “‘Blackadder’ isn’t coming back.
“We’re all still very good friends, all of us, genuinely, and I think one of the reasons for that is because we don’t do a ‘Blackadder’.
“There’s been a couple of half-a**** bits and pieces of revivals and I think they’re all pretty s*** to be honest so I don’t think so.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Louisa Lytton’s dad was “horrified” when she won the Sexiest Female gong at the British Soap Awards.
The 34-year-old actress – who first appeared on ‘EastEnders’ in 2005 – has revealed that her dad was “traumatised” when she received the award as a teenager.
Louisa – who played the part of Ruby Allen on the BBC soap – told the ‘Working Class’ podcast: “My dad came with me to the awards because I needed a chaperone.
“I was up against Roxanne Pallett and, you know, the sexy soap stars of the time – and I won.
“I will never forget seeing my dad’s face. He was traumatised, horrified – his baby girl. I loved it at the time. But now, looking back … anyway, it was the only Soap Award I won. So let me have it.”
Louisa and her husband Ben welcomed their daughter Aura at the end of 2021, and the actress previously admitted that she’s now too busy with their baby girl to watch ‘EastEnders’.
Louisa explained that her daughter was her number one priority and she wasn’t contemplating a return to the soap.
Asked about the possibility of making a comeback, she told The Sun newspaper: “I’m not sure at the moment, everything is sort of up in the air.
“Not sure at the moment, I just don’t know. Now that I’ve had a baby, that’s the priority.”
Louisa also revealed that she wasn’t following the soap, admitting that she’s “just too busy”.
She said: “I don’t have time to watch TV at the moment, I watched it to get back into it after 15 years but I’m just too busy now.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Alan Carr found writing his sitcom to be a stressful experience.
The 46-year-old comedian has joked that he’ll finally appreciate winning an award after writing ‘Changing Ends’, which centres on Alan’s life in Northampton in the 1980s.
Alan – who has won numerous awards during his career, including a BAFTA TV Award in 2013 – told The Sun’s TV magazine: “When I say, ‘In my sitcom, I’m a camp son and my dad is this tough-talking northern football manager’, people say, ‘Oh, it writes itself.’ It does not! You know when people win awards and they burst into tears and thank everyone? I get it now.”
Elsewhere, Alan is reuniting with Amanda Holden for a new series of ‘Amanda and Alan’s Italian Job’.
The stand-up comedian and Amanda are joining forces once again to test their DIY and design skills in the sun-kissed hills of Tuscany.
Alan – who is the son of former sports star Graham Carr – recently said: “So excited to be returning to Italy with my good friend Amanda for more blood sweat and tiles. Can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and transform another Euro house. What could possibly go wrong?!!”
The first series proved a big hit with TV viewers.
The duo are now reuniting to explore the rich culture of Tuscany, which is one of Italy’s most idyllic regions.
Looking forward to their next adventure, Amanda said: “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!”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Barry Humphries convinced Andrew Lloyd Webber to star on ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’.
The 75-year-old composer has revealed that the late comedian – who died in April, aged 89 – talked him into accepting the offer to appear on the BBC show.
He told The Sun newspaper: “The late, great Barry Humphries encouraged me to do ‘Who Do You Think You Are?’.
“Over lunch he told me that, after two weeks of filming, he had confirmed what he had long suspected – he was, after all, the most interesting person in his family.
“But unlike Barry, I have to admit there were some rather fascinating characters in my family.”
Humphries was best known for playing Dame Edna Everage, and his family previously insisted that his legacy will “live on”.
His family said in a statement: “He was completely himself until the very end, never losing his brilliant mind, his unique wit and generosity of spirit.
“With over 70 years on the stage, he was an entertainer to his core, touring up until the last year of his life and planning more shows that will sadly never be.
“His audiences were precious to him, and he never took them for granted.
“Although he may be best remembered for his work in theatre, he was a painter, author, poet, and a collector and lover of art in all its forms.
“He was also a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and a friend and confidant to many. His passing leaves a void in so many lives.
“The characters he created, which brought laughter to millions, will live on.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Ekin-Su Culculoglu has claimed she “lost every friend” she had after appearing on ‘Love Island’.
The 28-year-old actress won the dating show with Davide Sanclimenti last summer but finding both love and fame has come at a cost as she has “deleted” people from her life after seeing their “true colours”.
She told Cosmopolitan UK: “I’ve lost every friend I had. I don’t have any friends. I have one friend and that’s it.
“Unfortunately, with the fame, you see people’s true colours. People just want to be your friend because of your status, and it’s a hard industry to trust.
“No, I don’t actually have friends left.
“People I’d known for 10 years who were in my life… Selling stories is not very nice. I wouldn’t do that to someone.
“If they were happy, I would support them. Unfortunately, I had that coming out of the villa, I had to delete people out of my life.”
However, the former ‘Dancing on Ice’ contestant insisted she is “happier” now because she prefers to have only a small number of people in her life.
She added: “But I am happier this way.
“Sometimes keeping your circle small is the best, and you don’t always need friends. So long as you know who you are, that’s fine.”
Ekin-Su also admitted to going through “tough times” when she was appearing on ‘Dancing on Ice’ at the beginning of the year when her mental health had hit a low point, but she praised Davide for his support.
She said: “I couldn’t say anything. It was mentally draining. That was one of the tough times.
“It took me a while to get back out of it… Your mental health is your priority.
“After my trip to the Maldives with Davide, we turned off our phones, we didn’t check the internet. He was helping me forget things (and) the stuff online.”
Read the full interview with Ekin-Su on the Cosmopolitan UK website at https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Lucy Benjamin is returning to ‘EastEnders’.
The 52-year-old actress is to reprise her role as Lisa Fowler in the BBC One soap, and she will return to Albert Square with her four-year-old granddaughter Peggy Taylor, much to the shock of the little one’s dad Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters).
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “I can’t wait to return as Lisa after leaving for Portugal with Louise and Peggy in 2019.
“No doubt, in true Lisa fashion, she will bring plenty of drama for many of the characters, which is why playing her is such a delight.”
Keanu is set to be left stunned when Lisa turns up in Albert Square, but it’s not known if Tilly Keeper will be back to reprise her role as Louise Mitchell.
Lisa was last in Walford in 2019 when she helped Louise flee to Portugal.
The pair thought Louise’s ex Keanu had been murdered by Martin Fowler (James Bye), but he faked Keanu’s death.
‘EastEnders’ boss Chris Clenshaw said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Lisa back for a short while as she and Peggy cause trouble between the happy couple, Sharon and Keanu.”
In January 2020, Lucy – who first played Lisa from 1998 to 2003 and then in brief stints in 2010 and 2017 – refused to rule out another return to Albert Square.
She said on ITV’s ‘This Morning’: “I don’t even know if I can talk about it! I knew I was going back for a stint, and I’ve completed that stint.”
Asked about another run in Albert Square, she added: “Well, possibly. Yeah, I mean, it’s so difficult … Lisa never seems to go away.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ pro Amy Dowden has been diagnosed with breast cancer.
The 32-year-old dancer is “determined” to get back onto the dance floor as soon as possible, and is trying to be “positive and strong” amid the diagnosis.
She wrote on her Instagram Stories: “Hey all, I’ve got some news which isn’t easy to share. I’ve recently been diagnosed with breast cancer but I’m determined to get back on that dance floor before you know it. Welsh love Amy (sic)”
Amy has battled chronic gut condition Crohn’s Disease since she was a youngster, and admitted her latest diagnosis is “another hurdle” to overcome.
She told HELLO!: “I’ve been through quite a lot in my life and this is another hurdle.
“But if I’m positive and strong, I’ve got a really good chance of getting back out on the dancefloor as soon as possible.
“With what I’ve done for Crohn’s, I want to do the same here.”
Amy – who married fellow pro dancer Ben Jones last July – “didn’t think it was possible” to be diagnosed with breast cancer in her early 30s.
She added: “If I can try and turn this negative into a positive, it’s going to help me get through this.
“You just don’t ever think it’s going to happen to you.
“I hadn’t thought it was possible to get breast cancer at my age. My mum has had breast cancer, but she had it at a later age, in her 50s.”
Amy decided to check her breasts more regularly after she took part in CoppaTrek! with Gi, a 100km fundraising walk led by Giovanna Fletcher in support of breast health awareness charity CoppaFeel!.
She added: “This last year, obviously, I made a conscious effort to check my breasts. CoppaFeel! has now potentially saved my life, because I don’t know how long this lump could have been there before I would have noticed and done something about it.
“So me speaking out might end up saving some other people’s lives because they start checking their breasts.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Phillip Schofield is “in the sights” of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ bosses.
The former ‘This Morning’ presenter, who quit the ITV show last weekend after 21 years, is said to be wanted to take part in the next series of the BBC One Latin and ballroom show.
A source told The Sun newspaper: “Phil is in the sights of ‘Strictly’.
“They would love to have him on board because of the publicity it would generate for the show.
“Phil has been asked before but this time the offer was more aggressive.
“Since he was axed from ‘This Morning’, people have been discussing what they could do with him.”
Phillip is also said to have had approaches from Channel 5 after he quit ‘This Morning’.
He added: “Phil has had approaches from broadcasters like Channel 5 who are keen to discuss possible projects.
“Given he’s currently lying low and trying to work out his next move, it’s unlikely he will put on his dancing shoes but stranger things have happened.
“No one thought he’d ever leave ‘This Morning’ and look how that ended up.”
Phillip confirmed in his exit statement that he would be back on ITV next month to front the British Soap Awards.
Part of his statement read: “I have agreed to step down from This Morning with immediate effect, in the hope that the show can move forward to a bright future. I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me – especially This Morning’s amazing viewers – and I’ll see you all for the Soap Awards next month.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Ferne McCann has urged wannabe stars to “be careful what you wish for” because she has discovered fame is “not all it’s cracked up to be”.
The 32-year-old reality star was thrusted into the limelight after appearing on ITVBe’s ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ back in 2013, and while Ferne was delighted to have her moment in the spotlight, she soon realised fame came with a price that she “wasn’t prepared for”.
Reflecting on her time spent in front of the cameras, she told OK! magazine: “It’s definitely a case of be careful what you wish for. I always wanted that limelight and for people to know who I was and I was never shy about saying that, growing up.
“It makes me feel uncomfortable now, knowing what I know.
“I wanted it all, but that’s come with a price which I really wasn’t prepared for.”
Despite feeling overwhelmed at times, the pregnant mother-of-one – who has daughter Sunday, five, with her jailed ex Arthur Collins, and is expecting a child with her fiancé Lorri Haines this summer – doesn’t have any regrets.
She added: “I know you might expect the answer to be, ‘Oh, I wish I could be normal,’ but even though I’ve had my ups and downs, it’s that whole butterfly effect.
“Would I be sitting here now pregnant with my second baby and about to launch my own business with my partner without having made the decision to go on that show? It’s all part of the journey.”
Ferne recently launched a new mental health and well-being app Shoorah, alongside her fiancé, and admitted mixing business and pleasure is a risky move.
She said: “It’s a brave move because we’re very yin and yang – he’s into tech, is very business-minded and wants things done now. I’m none of those things. I’m more of a creative and a people person.
“So it’s been interesting, but we’ve found our way and we’re so proud of the app. We wanted to make sure we were different from other wellbeing platforms because this space can be overwhelming and life is busy enough.
“So we’ve simplified everything and that is our driving force. We’ve found we make a really good team and I couldn’t do this without him.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online