OHMYGOSSIP — Dame Joanna Lumley thinks an ‘Absolutely Fabulous’ reboot would be “impossible.”
The 75-year-old actress – who played boozy fashion editor Patsy Stone in the BBC sitcom alongside Jennifer Saunders as hapless PR guru Edina Monsoon – believes that the iconic series has “had its time” and couldn’t be remade because the “world has changed.”
She told the Metro newspaper: “It’s entirely up to Jennifer and she’s said she doesn’t want to do anymore. Things have their time. It would be impossible to make that series now, if you think of Edina’s ghastly take on the world, her appalling snobbery and racism, their drug-taking, heavy drinking and Patsy’s chain-smoking and the fact they have the morals of alley cats.
“It was funny because we used to laugh at those things. Now people are very strict and they go, ‘This is setting a bad example’ couldn’t get away with it now – the world has changed.”
Former model Joanna -who is also known for her travel documentaries – is now fronting a new series will see her jetting off to cities such as Paris, Berlin and Rome.
She added: “They’re among my favourite cities. In my youth I worked as a model in Berlin and Paris and I adore Rome. When I was at convent school, my dream wasn’t to take A levels and go to university – pooh! Who wants to do that? – I wanted to wear lipstick and nail varnish and put a little scarf on my head and drive through the Roman streets, maybe on the back of a Vespa, like Gina Lollobrigida.
As a young model I’d come over for a photo shoot, stay for a couple of days in cheap hotel and just soak it all in. I found the Parisians’ intoxicating. I thought, ‘One day somebody will mistake me for a Frenchwoman and that will be the greatest compliment in the world.’”
‘Joanna Lumley’s Great Cities Of The World’ starts tomorrow (17.03.22) at 9pm on ITV.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Anna Friel wants people to “forget” about her lesbian kiss on ‘Brookside.’
The 45-year-old actress played Beth Jordache on the Channel 4 soap in the early 1990s and made history along with Nicola Stephenson as the first women to kiss on television before the 9pm watershed and while she wants to be remembered for her humble beginnings in Rochdale, she would rather people “forget” about her controversial time on the soap opera.
She said: “I never want people to forget that I come from Rochdale, but I’d like them to forget I did ‘Brookside’. Looking back, all that controversy with Brookside was a good start, it made people know who I was but hopefully – and not just because I kissed a girl on telly – for all the right reasons.”
Anna – who has since gone on to achieve further acting success with roles in American comedy ‘Pushing Daisies’ and detective series ‘Marcella’ – went on to reveal that her mother and grandmother were not too keen on the lesbian kiss, the rest of her family were “cool” with the controversial moment.
She told Chap Magazine: “My grandma said she hated me kissing that girl. Now I hope you won’t be doing that anymore’, she said ‘None of that old nonsense’. My mum only said, ‘I don’t really like that, Anna’. My family were all cool though, really.”
The kiss became an iconic moment from the now-defunct Liverpudlian soap opera and was broadcast around the world – including countries where homosexuality is illegal – when it was featured as part of a montage at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London.
Anna – who was featured on ‘Brookside’ between 1993 and 1995 – also explained that her parents were determined to keep her grounded as she found fame in her late teens.
She said: “I stayed with my mum and dad while filming and drove to Liverpool every day. They were very concerned that I kept two feet on the ground and stayed the same. I was lucky in that I had a strong Irish dad and a Yorkshire mum who kept me in check and stopped me misbehaving.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Zara McDermott is to explore eating disorders for a new documentary for BBC Three.
The 25-year-old reality star – who has previously explored hard-hitting topics such as rape culture and revenge porn for the broadcaster – is “keen to explore reasons behind the rise” of hospitalisations related to disordered eating as she aims to bring “visibility” to another sensitive subject.
In a statement, she said: ““I feel honoured to be making my third documentary with BBC Three and bringing visibility to this complex subject. The stats regarding eating disorders are shocking and I’m keen to explore reasons behind the rise. While I use my own social platform to share my personal lifestyle, I am keen to understand more about this topic and the impact of social media to educate both myself and others on how we can all do better and be more aware of our digital output.
Statistics show that hospital admissions for children aged 17 and under regarding an eating disorder shot up by 40% throughout 2021 and the former ‘Love Island’ star ultimately wants the film to bring a “wider awareness” to an issue that “severely affects” young people.
She added: “Crucially, I hope this film brings wider awareness and understanding to something that severely affects children and young adults.”
While an air date for ‘Zara McDermott: Disordered Eating’ is yet to be announced, BBC Three Controller Fiona Campbell promised that the one-off hour-long documentary will be handled with the “care and rigour it deserves.”
She said: “Zara has emerged as brilliant new presenting talent for BBC Three who approaches every subject she covers with honesty and integrity. Disordered eating is a very sensitive area that overwhelmingly effects the audience we are trying to reach. We promise that we will approach the subject with the care and rigour it deserves and we hope the result is a film that can really make a difference”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Brenda Blethyn stopped drinking alcohol “because of COVID.”
The 76-year-old actress- who is known for playing the title role in ITV drama series ‘Vera’ – admitted that the pandemic made her think about her health and decided to give up alcohol in an effort to stay “fit and healthy.”
She said: “I feel better for it. The reason I stopped [drinking alcohol] was because of COVID. I have to keep myself fit and healthy so I thought [about alcohol] ‘Let’s knock it on the head!”
Brenda went on to explain she does not miss drinking the booze, but will “occasionally” have a small tipple to celebrate the end of filming.
She told MyWeekly: “Occasionally, like at the end of filming ‘Vera’, I’ll have a glass of champagne. But I don’t miss it – that’s the funny thing.”
The acclaimed actress has also filmed a second series of ITV sitcom ‘Kate Koji’ – which returns to screens tonight (16.03.22) after a break of almost two years – and has enjoyed returning to the role of “abrasive” cafe owner Kate, who strikes up an unlikely friendship with asylum seeker doctor Koji.
She said: “Kate is more outspoken than me, definitely! She’s prickly, whereas I’m a pussycat who is putty in anyone’s hands. It’s quite challenging playing someone like that, but enjoyable to be abrasive now and again. It’s great!”
Brenda – who stars alongside Okorie Chukwu and Blake Harrison in the show – also spoke about how she can relate to the working class settings of the sitcom as she gushed about how “nice” it is to have “ordinary people” taking a central role on television.
She said: “I grew up in that sort of town and I know those caffs and I know the people who work in those caffs. It’s nice to have those people you wouldn’t normally see on TV take centre stage. The leading characters in this story are ordinary people, people who are struggling to make ends meet.
“For them to find a place of refuge in this caff with all its trials and tribulations, I think, is quite lovely.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Joel Dommett has had to pull out of Comic Relief after contracting COVID-19.
The ‘Masked Singer’ host had been due to present ‘The Great Comic Relief Prizeathon’ as part of the BBC’s Red Nose Day fundraising show on Friday (18.03.22) with AJ Odudu, but he’ll now be isolating and tuning in from home to watch his replacement, Vernon Kay, in action.
He announced on Instagram: “Super annoyed to report that I have the vid.This unfortunately means I have to pull out of hosting @comicrelief.
“My incredible replacement is the better looking, more talented @vernonkay who is ace.
“I’ll be watching from home donating loads of money like everyone else!(sic)”
Vernon urged Joel to “join in the fun” from his lounge at home.
He wrote on Instagram: “Covid has caught Captain Fantastic @joeldommett so I’m gonna be trying to fill his size 11.5shoes🤪 on Fridays @comicrelief Prizeathon with @ajodudu.
“Get the Vits in Joel kick it’s ass and join in the fun from the sofa?(You could win a CAR!)(sic)”
As well as taking Joel’s place in the presenting line-up, Vernon is also set to be the interviewer in David Walliams and Matt Lucas’ new ‘Rock Profile’ skit.
The cult sketch show previously aired from 1999 to 2009 and saw the comedy duo play musicians in spoof interviews, and in the new segment the pair are to play the likes of Adele, Post Malone, Lady Gaga, Lewis Capaldi and many more.
Matt said: “It’s been really fun giving the ‘Rock Profile’ treatment to a host of stars who weren’t even twinkles in our eyes when we first did the show nearly 25 years ago.”
David added: “It has been a blast working with Matt on ‘Rock Profile’ again. I can’t wait for everyone to see our brand-new characters.”
Tune in from 7pm on Friday 18 March on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. For the latest Red Nose Day news and to find out how to donate, visit bbc.co.uk/rednoseday
Red Nose Day 2022 will be hosted by Alesha Dixon, David Tennant, Zoe Ball, Paddy McGuinness and Sir Lenny Henry.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Ukweli Roach is to lead the cast in new BBC thriller ‘Wolf’
The 35-year-old actor – who is known for playing the role of FBI psychiatrist Dr. Robert Borden on crime drama ‘Blindspot’ -will now star as DI Jack Caffery who becomes obsessed with the neighbour he believes murdered his 10-year-old brother back in the 1990s, in an series based on Mo Hayder’s acclaimed novels and brought to the screen by Megan Gallagher.
In a statement, he said: “I’m honoured to be taking on the role of Jack Caffrey in Wolf. Megan Gallagher has brought Mo Hayder’s dark storylines into focus in a way that will be challenging, but also every actor’s dream. I can’t wait to bring Jack to life.”
The actor will be joined by a slew of famous faces in the six part series including the likes of Juliet Stevenson and ‘Line of Duty’ star Owen Teale who play the roles of a wealthy couple find themselves being tortured by a psychopath.
Elaine Cameron, Executive Producer for Hartswood Films, said: “We are delighted to have attracted such an amazing cast into our wonderfully entertaining crime/horror world! It’s a real testament to the originality of Megan’s scripts. I am particularly excited about young actor Ukweli Roach playing the lead role of Jack Caffery – I guarantee once the series goes out he will be a total household name!”
Former ‘Doctor Who’ star Sacha Dhawan and ‘Game of Thrones’ actor Iwan Rheon also join the ensemble cast as a mismatched professionals forced together on a job, along with ‘Emmerdale’ alum Sian Reese-Williams as an ambitious DI.
Ben Irving, Commissioning Editor for BBC Drama, said: “Unsurprisingly, the combination of Megan’s brilliant scripts, Kristoffer Nyholm in the director’s chair, and the world-class creative team at Hartswood and APC have attracted a phenomenal cast to this gripping and deliciously twisted drama. Mo Hayder’s characters are in safe hands.”
The six-part series has started filming in Wales and and is set to on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK, with an air date to be announced.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ITV has announced plans for ‘Concert For Ukraine’ later this month.
The two hour fundraising concert sees the broadcaster team up with STV, Livewire Pictures, entertainment group Global and the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to raise money for the humanitarian appeal in Ukraine amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
Presenters and artists are set to be announced “over the coming days”, with the live show – sponsored by Marks Spencer – set to air on March 29 across ITV, STV, ITV Hub and STV Player.
Meanwhile, ITV has confirmed all sponsorship and advertising revenue generated from the broadcast of the event – which is expected to raise over £3 million – will also be donated to the DEC appeal.
Viewers will be able to donate throughout the evening, while the broadcast will feture music performances and short films highlighting the relief efforts and “plight faced by people affected by the conflict in Ukraine”.
Katie Rawcliffe – Head of Entertainment Commissioning at ITV – said: “Music is a very powerful tool when it comes to showing support and solidarity, and at ITV we are proud and privileged to be working with Livewire Pictures, Global, M S and the DEC on such an important and necessary fundraising event.”
Kelly Williams and Simon Daglish – Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director, ITV Commercial – added in a joint statement: “As we’ve witnessed the horrific events unfolding before our eyes we want to work with brands to show our industry’s support and raise as much money as possible for the millions of people affected by this crisis.
“The industry has a generous spirit at its heart and now more than ever it is the time to come together and make a difference.”
And Saleh Saeed – chief executive of the DEC – commented: “It is heart-breaking to see the deepening crisis unfolding in Ukraine as more refugees cross the borders each day with nothing more than what they can carry.
“The situation for those inside the country is becoming increasingly precarious. But there is something we can all do to bring hope.
“Funds raised by this concert will make a real difference to those affected by the conflict, sending a strong message of love and enabling DEC charities to help now with urgent aid as well as helping to rebuild lives in the months and years ahead.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Dawn French blasts cancel culture and has insisted she would “die on a hill for edgy young comics”.
The 64-year-old comedian – who made her name alongside Jennifer Saunders in classic BBC sketch show ‘French and Saunders’ and later starred in ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ – said “policing people’s humour” will lead society “to hell”.
She told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre TV column: “I am really, really frightened for young people who are starting to do comedy because comedy is on the edge. That’s the point of it.
“If you start policing people’s humour, I don’t know where that leads us. Well, I do know. It leads us to hell.
“The fun is where it’s a little bit dangerous and a little bit naughty. It’s mischief.”
The ‘Vicar of Dibley’ star admitted that she may not always agree with certain jokes made by current comics, but she supports their right in freedom to be able do so.
She added: “There are people in the comedy world who are a bit cruel and I don’t enjoy those jokes as much.
“I go, ‘Ooh, that hurts’. But I would die on the hill for them to have the freedom to do that.
“If we start cancelling all the edges, we are going to come to a big cotton ball of mush in the middle.”
The ‘Harry Potter’ actress – who played the The Fat Lady in the big screen franchise – opened up about the current struggles she has finding someone to talk to about issues in the modern world.
Dawn said: “There’s no hatred in me, I hope. But there are things that I get wrong just because I’m this age and this is how I’m used to speaking. This is the language I’ve learnt.
“However liberal I think it is, it’s out of date. I have an awful lot to learn about the trans community. I don’t know the language properly, I’m saying clumsy stuff, I need to learn from younger people.
“I’ve got to be open. But as long as there’s debate and conversation and no hate in the room, then I think we’ve got to have the teething problems that brings.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘Little Britain’ has returned to BBC with edits to classic episodes.
The controversial sketch comedy starring Matt Lucas and David Walliams – which was originally broadcast on the BBC from 2002 until 2005 – was removed from on-demand services altogether last year when it was deemed potentially offensive for its portrayal of stereotypes and use of blackface, but the series has now returned to BBC iPlayer in an edited format.
In a statement, the broadcaster said: “‘Little Britain’ has been made available to fans on BBC iPlayer following edits made to the series by Matt and David that better reflect the changes in the cultural landscape over the last 20 years since the show was first made.”
Entertainment journalist Scott Bryan claimed on Twitter that the character of Desiree Devere – who David Walliams had worn blackface to portray – “appeared” have been edited out, but Matt’s classic ‘chav’ alter ego Vicky Pollard has been left in the programme alongside other fan favourites.
He tweeted: “Desiree DeVere appears to have been edited out of Little Britain. Characters such as Emily Howard, Vicky Pollard, Andy and Anne remain. ”
The BBC had initially taken the decision to remove the episodes of ‘Little Britain’ from streaming services such BritBox and BBC iPlayer and Netflix back in 2020.
At the time, a spokesperson said: “There’s a lot of historical programming available on BBC iPlayer, which we regularly review. Times have changed since ‘Little Britain’ first aired so it is not currently available on BBC iPlayer.”
Comedians Matt, 48, and David, 50, previously apologised for the material they created, which saw the latter paint his skin entirely black to portray Desiree DeVere.
In a tweet, Matt said: “David and I have both spoken publicly in recent years of our regret that we played characters of other races. Once again we want to make it clear that it was wrong and we are very sorry.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online