OHMYGOSSIP — Judi Love once “cried” over the cost of school uniforms for her children.
The 42-year-old TV star – who worked in social care before launching a career in stand-up comedy and eventually found wider fame when she became a regular panelist on ‘Loose Women’ in 2020 – has a 12-year-old son and a 17-year-old daughter from a previous relationship and can resonate with struggling parents trying to deal with the cost of living crisis.
She said: “I remember crying out of worry when my daughter started secondary school because I was unsure we’d be able to afford her school uniform. I know how parents are feeling about the current cost of living increase not allowing them to clothe or feed their children properly.”
The former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ contestant went on to reassure parents that financial difficulties are “nothing to be ashamed about” and encouraged fans to donate to charities if they can and urged parents to “reach out” for help if they need it.
Writing in her OK! Magazine column, she added: “It’s tragic, but it’s also nothing to be ashamed about. I remember passing down my daughter’s old shirts to my son when he started school. Needs must. I would encourage anybody who can – no matter how little it may be – to donate to charities that pledge to provide food and school supplies to children of families struggling financially, such as The Trussell Trust and Brixton Soup Kitchen. Parents, please don’t feel ashamed to reach out.”
The ‘Celebrity Gogglebox’ star – who lost her mother back in 2009 following a long battle with dementia – previously explained that it was her mum’s final moments that gave her the “push” to try out a career in comedy.
She said: “My mum started to pass away when I was pregnant. She had dementia and she stopped talking and I think that was one of the hardest things.
“I was doing an imitation of my Aunty Blossom with these two dogs. We called it ‘travelling’ and my mum was at the stage where she was travelling so her eyes were closed and I was doing all this and she was taking quite deep breaths. Hearing is the last thing to go, I was big belly pregnant at the time and she laughed! And I did it again and she laughed! I thought ‘If I can do that, I can try to do comedy.’ That was the push.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Stephen Tompkinson is planning to claim self-defence when he faces trial next year on a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm.
The ‘DCI Banks’ and ‘Brassed Off’ actor, 56, is headed for a jury trial set for May 2, 2023, after being accused of “unlawfully and maliciously” inflicting GBH on Karl Poole in a fight on May 30 2021.
During a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday morning (07.09.22), Tompkinson, who appeared via video link from an undisclosed location, pleaded not guilty.
Tompkinson’s lawyer said during the court appearance the actor will argue it was a case of self-defence in a trial expected to last around five days.
The actor could face a five-year prison term if found guilty.
Tompkinson’s alleged victim is said to have been left with a double skull fracture and is understood to not recall much of the clash.
Mr Poole has also reportedly been left unable to work.
Tompkinson, of Whitley Bay in North Tyneside, reportedly showed no emotion or reaction during the brief court appearance.
A further pre-trial hearing will take place on February 24, which Tomkinson is not obligated to attend.
The actor’s lawyer Mr Birkby added the case has already attracted “substantial interest”, and stressed the importance of Tompkinson’s right to a fair trial.
Mr Birkby said: “It is important for everyone to note, he has pleaded not guilty and the issue to be tried is one of self defence.”
Judge Robert Adams granted Tompkinson conditional bail and advised him to keep in touch with his solicitor and attend court on the trial date.
The actor confirmed he understood the court proceedings and thanked the court at the end of the hearing.
Tomkinson’s TV credits include ‘Wild at Heart’ and ‘Ballykissangel’, with the actor critically acclaimed for his portrayal of a broke family man miner in ‘Brassed Off’.
He first found fame as rogue reporter Damien Day in 1990s comedy ‘Drop the Dead Donkey’, for which he won the 1994 British Comedy Award for best TV actor.
Tompkinson went on to seal his place as a household name playing Father Peter Clifford in ‘Ballykissangel’ in 1996, the same year ‘Brassed Off’ became a cinema smash.
He is next due to star in ITV drama ‘The Long Shadow’, about Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe.
The twice divorced dad-of-one is thought to have been with his partner Jess Johnson, 41, since 2017.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ITV is to revive the musical talent show ‘Any Dream Will Do!’.
After the success of the 2007 show and the follow-ups ‘How do you Solve a Problem like Maria?’, ‘I’d Do Anything’ and ‘Over the Rainbow’ on the BBC, which scouted talent for West End musicals, the revival will search for a performer to star in ABBA’s ‘Mamma Mia!’.
The new series comes from the same producers as ‘Britain’s Got Talent’.
And it’s been reported that Amanda Seyfried, star of the blockbuster musical movies ‘Mamma Mia!’ and ‘Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again’, who played Sophie Sheridan in the flicks, might have a place on the judging panel.
An insider told The Sun newspaper: “ITV are clearly riding the wave of renewed interest in all things ABBA, not to mention a renewed interest in hit formats of old.
“This has been seen as an obvious choice for a reboot for years, but producers were waiting for the right musical and right moment.”
The show is due to hit screens next year.
Meanwhile, ‘The X Factor’ is set to be revived by Channel 5.
Simon Cowell reportedly struck a deal with the network to bring back the singing competition – which ran for 15 series and two spin-offs on ITV from 2004 to 2019 – after taking “lots of meetings” with a number of different TV channels.
A source told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper in July: “As soon as ‘X Factor’ was up for grabs, there was interest from a number of the networks.
“’X Factor’ is one of the most iconic shows in TV history, so it’s no surprise lots of channels were keen. The production company had their pick.
“After a lot of meetings, execs decided to go with Channel 5.”
Channel 5 executives are said to be “thrilled” to have landed the show, which is likely to begin production later this year and return to TV in 2023.
A source said: “There’s a good chance it will become Channel 5’s most-watched show.”
Producers are planning to overhaul the format and give the show a “fresh start”.
An insider added: “This is the start of a new chapter for ‘X Factor’. Moving to a new channel gives the creative team a chance to completely revamp the format and do something different.”
It was previously claimed Simon plans to strip ‘The X Factor’ back to basics in the hope of trying to “recapture the magic” of when it first aired.
The source explained: “It has been decided that the time is right to bring X Factor back. It’s really exciting. Everyone who will be working on the new series can’t wait to get started.
“Producers want to recapture the magic the show had when it was first on TV.
“The focus will all be on the competition element of the show, rather than the razzle dazzle.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Motsi Mabuse was terrorised by racist nuns while growing up in South Africa.
The 41-year-old ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ star and her younger sisters Phemelo and Oti grew up in a Black suburb of Pretoria and she’s revealed they all suffered abuse from their teachers after enrolling at a Catholic school – revealing the nuns in charge branded them “Black witches”.
She told Prima magazine: “I lived under apartheid until the age of nine, which was a very scary time. My parents, Peter and Dudu, and my younger sisters, Phemelo and Oti, and I lived in a Black-only suburb, and I didn’t speak English when I first went to school, which was difficult.
“We were sent to a Catholic school run by nuns and Black children were a minority. One of the nuns would call us ”Black witches” and hit us. I was terrified.”
Motsi went on to reveal she was inspired to take up dance after her mother started offering “Jane Fonda-type workout classes” to women in their township and later set up a dance school for children.
She went on: “Although my father wanted me to be a lawyer, like him, I started training, eventually dedicating every spare minute to it.
“I loved the freedom it gave me, and being able to express myself through my body.”
Motsi previously worked on ‘Strictly’ with her sister Oti, who revealed earlier this year she won’t be returning for the 2022 season.
The judge has now insisted it will be a strange show without her sibling on the dance floor. Motsi added: “I’ll be sad not to see her on Strictly this year. I’ll always worry about my sister, but I have to respect her decision and let her go.
“She’s proven that she can more than protect herself and push herself to new heights. Meanwhile, I’ll continue to fly the Mabuse flag on Strictly for as long as they want me.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ has cast its first ever transgender contestant.
Dakota Schiffer, 22, is “ecstatic” after being announced as the hit reality show’s first trans stars, with the full lineup announced before the new series returns to BBC Three on September 22.
She said: “I’m ecstatic to be making Drag Race herstory as the first trans girl to walk through the doors.”
Dakota – who takes her drag name from ’00s cartoon reality show ‘Total Drama’ and supermodel Claudia Schiffer – also revealed how drag helped her “embrace” her femininity and “come out as trans”.
She explained: “I have always loved fashion, hair and makeup and drag allowed me to combine all my favourite hobbies into one amazing profession and I’ve been doing drag for about four years now.
“Initially, I struggled to embrace my feminine side and drag gave me the escape I needed to come out as trans and embrace all of my inner femininity.”
However, she admitted it was tough in her hometown with “no drag scene” in the area.
She added: “There’s absolutely no drag scene in Sussex! Sussex is not the best place for a six foot one trans woman and drag queen to grow up.
“I always stood out but simultaneously felt invisible but I think certainly, it’s made me the person who I am today.”
As well as putting “fashion first” and wanting to be “always beautiful”, she is hoping her talent with hairstyles – plus her “fashion sense and sewing skills” can give her the edge.
She’ll be competing against the likes of Baby, Black Peppa, Copper Topp, Danny Beard, Just May and Pixie Polite.
Rounding off this year’s lineup is Cheddar Gorgeous, Jonbers Blonde, Le Fil, Sminty Drop and Starlet.
‘RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’ returns to BBC Three on September 22.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Teletubbies’ is returning as an all-new show on Netflix.
The iconic BBC children’s TV series – which first ran from 1997 until 2001 before a revival between 2015 and 2018 – features colourful characters Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po – will be back in November with a new narrator joining the fun.
In a tweet alongside the poster for the show, Netflix revealed: “Tinky Winky, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Po are back!
“The Teletubbies – and new narrator Tituss Burgess – are coming to Netflix on November 14th!”
The poster reveals a new baby playing The Sun in the revival, while casting details are yet to be announced for the baby or the famous quartet.
Not surprisingly, fans were delighted by the news and they’re looking forward to plenty of nostalgia.
One person wrote: “I grew up with The Teletubbies. I love them.”
Another added: My childhood is back we WON.”
And a third fan tweeted: “I will watch anything with Tituss in it!”
Best known for his role as Titus Andromedon in Netflix comedy ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’, American Broadway star Titus also lends his voice to animated series ‘Central Park’, which features the likes of Leslie Odom Jr, Daveed Diggs, Kristen Bell, Josh Gad, Kathryn Hahn, Stanley Tucci and Emmy Raver-Lampman.
The Teletubbies themselves have still stayed in the spotlight even when their show has been off air, and earlier this year they appeared on ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ as part of their 25th anniversary.
The quartet danced along to the likes of ‘Single Ladies’ by Beyonce, ABBA’s classic ‘Gimme Gimme Gimme’, One Direction hit ‘Best Song Ever’ and their own jam ‘Let’s Do The Tubby’.
It meant they also had a special reunion with ‘BGT’ boss Simon Cowell, who made the Teletubbies one of his first signings in 1997 for their chart topping single ‘Teletubbies Say Eh-oh!’.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Dame Arlene Phillips thinks society needs to be “more accepting” of old age.
The 79-year-old choreographer explained that while “youth culture” is celebrated, it feels as if she needs to apologise for continuing to work as she approaches her milestone birthday.
She said: “I do think we need to be more accepting of old age – it doesn’t feel celebrated in any way whatsoever. I celebrate youth culture but there doesn’t seem to be that kind of power in old age. It feels like you apologise for being old for the job that you’re doing.”
Meanwhile, the former ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge – who has choreographed West End productions of ‘The Wizard of Oz’, ‘The Sound of Music’ and, most recently, ‘Grease’ throughout her career – is due to celebrate her 80th birthday in May 2023 and explained that she is planning to have a “big party” to celebrate but often wonders how many years she has left.
She told Woman’s Weekly: “I have to have a big party! I owe so much to so many people, I don’t want to ignore it and not say thank you to them. From my assistant producers and directors I’ve worked with. Many people do feel their age, but numerous oldies do not. At 79m that number is just sitting above in my head and I think ‘How many years have I got left?’ but then I get up in the morning and am bounding with energy. I think you just have to live the day as you are able to feel it.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Pete Wicks “almost drowned” while filming ‘Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins’.
The 33-year-old reality star is part in the Channel 4 survival show – which sees celebrities undergo military-style training at the hands of former US Marine Rudy Reyes – and told of how he was left with broken legs after being challenged to jump out of a helicopter.
He said: “I got it wrong, I got it very wrong. My leg got a little bit caught in the bag and I went straight down onto the back. I don’t remember much, just the rescue swimmers flicked me over and said ‘Oh we need to get you in the boat’.”
The ‘TOWIE’ star – who is joined by the likes of soap actress Jennifer Ellison, sprinter Dwain Chambers and javelin thrower Fatima Whitbead went on to explain that he was hesitant to get in the boat because that would mean he had to “finish things” before realising he had really hurt himself and ended up feeling “dazed and confused” by the incident.
He told The Sun newspaper’s TVBiz Column: “I didn’t want to get in the boat because if you start something you have to finish it, so I remember trying to swim.
“We got to shore then I realised ‘f***, I’ve actually hurt myself here!’
“I felt dazed and confused. I was struggling to move my upper body. and I was very confused. I didn’t really know what was going on, So yeah, it just wasn’t nice.”
Pete – who quit training some years ago after a sustaining an injury – added that the these days he drinks too heavily and “smokes too much” because partying took over his lifestyle.
He said: “Listen, I drink too much, I smoke too much. Years ago, I was training and fell on my a*** and shattered my coccyx. It stopped me from training and I just never went back to it. I suppose partying and that kind of thing took over.”
‘Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins’ airs on Sundays on Channel 4 at 9pm.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Vicky Pattison “doesn’t give a f***” about her stretchmarks.
The 34-year-old reality star – who has been dating ‘TOWIE’ alum Ercan Ramadan for a number of years – is currently enjoying a break with her boyfriend and took to social media on Wednesday (08.09.22) to remind fans that she is embracing her “tiger stripes.”
Alongside a picture of herself lounging in the sun, she wrote on Instagram on Wednesday(08.9.22): “Not giving a f*** about the stretch marks on my boobs.. Tiger stripes for the win babyyyy..”(sic)
The former ‘Geordie Shore’ star added to her 5.2 million followers that she is spending time enjoying good food and is “kissing” her boyfriend a lot while in the tropical location.
She added: “Spending the afternoon eating things, chilling out and kissing @ercan_ran a lot!”(sic)
Back in 2014, the former ‘Loose Women’ panellist admitted that she was “adamant” that despite having had a boob job, she would not change the shape of them again and that she had decided to name them after fellow TV stars Ant and Dec, who crowned her as Queen of the Jungle on ‘I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here’ the following year
She said: ““I was adamant that when I had a boob job I wasn’t going to alter the shape of them, just add back some weight I had lost. Everyone assumes that because I’ve had a boob job, I am going to have these ridiculous perky breasts all the time. But my boobs are no different to anyone else’s. Gravity had taken hold, they are not as perky as I’d like, they’re normal lady boobs. I suppose you could call them spaniel ears. But I am really happy with them and I nickname them Ant and Dec!”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Denise Welch asked Amy Hart to name her baby after her.
The 30-year-old reality star is currently expecting her first baby with Sam Rason, 33, and explained that after meeting up with Denise, 64, on holiday in Venice – where the little one is thought to have been conceived – the ‘Loose Women’ panellist joked the child should be named after her.
She said: “We think we could have conceived when we were in Venice and we met up with Denise Welch there, and when I told her she was like: ‘Oh my God, you’re going to have to call it Denise!'”
The former ‘Love Island’ star had been freezing her eggs after discovering she had a low ovarian reserve until she and Sam managed to conceive naturally and went on to explain that she hopes for more children and has an app that helps the couple decide on a baby name together.
She told OK! Magazine: “I want to have one girl and three boys but my preference changes every day on what I want first. We have this app for baby names which is like Tinder and puts a list together of ones you’ve both liked.
“We have three girl names but no boy names yet. One of the girls names I like is traditional and Sam was like: ‘Have you ever heard of a baddie called that? We want everyone to fancy them and if you give a kid that name they’ll be dowdy.’ ”
Amy then added that she would “love” to call the baby Bluebell and tried to persuade Sam to get on board after she realised ex-Spice Girl Geri Halliwell’s 16-year-old daughter had that name and had done well at school.
She added: “I also love the name Bluebell but Sam keeps finding ways they will get bullied at school if they’re called that. Geri Horner’s daughter is called Bluebell and I sent him the article that she got 9 A* GCSEs. I said: ‘See, it’s a clever name.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online