OHMYGOSSIP — Janette Manrara’s decision to quit ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ was “bittersweet”.
The 38-year-old dancer walked away from the show in order to become a TV presenter, and she’s confessed to having mixed emotions about the career switch.
Janette – who now hosts the ‘Strictly’ spin-off ‘It Takes Two’ – explained: “A dancer’s career is so short. You can only dance at a top level for a certain amount of time. So ever since I got onto ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, I’ve always been thinking about what’s next. I’ve always loved entertaining and making people smile, and I do like interviewing people and sharing their stories.
“So the change to go into presenting, I think, was a very slow, long process. It just seems like it happened overnight but for me, it’s been something I’ve been thinking about for a really, really long time.
“When Zoe Ball decided to step down from ‘It Takes Two’, the team there knew how much I wanted to go into presenting. Voila, the opportunity came, and I had to take it!”
Janette has relished the challenge of presenting, and insists it “wasn’t a hard decision” to make.
She told HELLO! magazine: “I was really, really ready for it. I was really excited for it. I think the hardest part was saying goodbye to dancing on ‘Strictly’, because I’m not going to stop dancing, but I’m not going to be dancing on ‘Strictly’ anymore and it was such a huge part of my life and such a big career move for me when I did get onto ‘Strictly’ as a dancer.
“It wasn’t a hard decision and it wasn’t a scary decision. It was more bittersweet because I was so excited to move into that part of my life, but also so sad to say goodbye to dancing on ‘Strictly’.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — ‘The Sex Clinic’s Sarah Mulindwa felt empowered when she returned to frontline nursing amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The presenter of the Channel 4 show went back to her old job in a London hospital during the health crisis, and she was glad that she was able to help out.
Sarah – who has shared her story on Lovehoney’s Wall of Female Empowerment, which has been created for International Women’s Day on Tuesday (08.3.22) – said: “I feel most empowered when I’m making a difference in the lives of others.
“The last two years have been challenging for all of us and for me being able to return back to the frontline during the pandemic was the most empowered I’ve felt. ”
Meanwhile, Sarah previously admitted to being “nervous” about making a return to the frontline during the pandemic.
The TV star also spoke of her admiration for NHS staff, who were stretched to the limit at the height of the health crisis.
Asked about her lockdown experience, Sarah explained: “I’m committed to a couple of days a week where I work in a busy sexual health clinic so being a key worker, I’m still attending those days and having a little bit of my routine the same. Although, we’re running a very limited service during this pandemic. The days of the week where I would be doing my various other jobs I am indeed on lockdown.
“Being a qualified nurse and given the current pressures on the NHS, I’m voluntarily returning back to full time nursing temporarily to help out on the frontline where I’m needed. I’m nervous but also keen to get back to being clinical and helping my fellow NHS workers who are working so hard!
“It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done both mentally and physically, but in retrospect I feel proud to be part of such an amazing organisation like the NHS working alongside incredibly brilliant female nurses and doctors.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Natalie Imbruglia has joined a campaign to help save ‘Neighbours’.
The 47-year-old singer appeared on the Australian soap in the 90s, and she’s joined a host of stars who have thrown their support behind a campaign to keep the show on the air, after it was recently cancelled.
In a video on the Save Neighbours Twitter account, Natalie said: “I’m devastated to hear the news that ‘Neighbours’ might be finishing, we can all agree that life is much better with ‘Neighbours’.
“If you can get the chance, sign the petition and let’s keep the show on TV.”
The campaign has also received backing from Holly Willoughby, who is a a long-time fan of the soap.
Holly, 41, said in her video message: “I cannot believe that ‘Neighbours’ may no longer be on our screens … I have loved it and I will shed a tear if it’s not on our screens anymore.”
A host of big-name stars shot to fame on ‘Neighbours’, including Kylie Minogue and Margot Robbie.
Kylie, 53, recently took to social media to pay tribute to the hit show.
The pop star – who played the part of Charlene Robinson – wrote on Twitter: “I’ll be forever grateful for the experience the friends I made on @neighbours. We had no idea how big the show would become and how passionately viewers would take it to heart. Pure love! I can still hear Madge calling… CHARLENE!!!! (sic)”
Kylie posted the message after Fremantle, the soap’s production company, announced it was planning to axe the show.
A statement explained: “It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming that ‘Neighbours’ will cease production in the summer.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Lynda Baron has died at the age of 82.
The star was best known for her role as Nurse Gladys Emmanuel in the BBC sitcom ‘Open All Hours’ and also featured as Linda Clarke in ‘EastEnders’ from 2006 to 2016.
Lynda also appeared in the sequel ‘Still Open All Hours’ when the comedy returned to screens in 2013 and played Auntie Mabel in the BBC children’s show ‘Come Outside’ during the 1990s.
A statement from her agent Donna French said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved client Lynda Baron.
“She was a wonderful actress and great friend.
“Her iconic roles of Nurse Gladys in ‘Open All Hours’ and Auntie Mabel in ‘Come Outside’ were loved by all generations.
“Renowned for her leading roles in West End musicals and dramatic productions alike, we have lost a leading light of our world.
“We extend our deepest condolences to her daughter, her son Morgan and all her family.”
A cause of death was not revealed.
Baron also made appearances in shows such as ‘Last of the Summer Wine’, ‘The Bill’ and ‘Doctor Who’.
She was nominated for a BAFTA in 2011 for her role in the BBC Four drama ‘The Road to Coronation Street’, a one-off drama about the creation of the long-running soap opera.
Lynda played actress Violet Carson, who portrayed Ena Sharples in the ITV show.
Reflecting on her career in 2020, Baron said: “I loved playing Nurse Gladys and Auntie Mabel but I couldn’t name my favourite of the different characters I have played.
“Partly that is because I am really the sort of person who prefers to look ahead and think about what I am doing now and, importantly, what I am going to do next.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Stefanie Reid wants to join ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ after her ‘Dancing On Ice’ departure.
The Paralympian track and field medallist – who lost her right foot in a boating accident in her teens – was eliminated from the ITV competition over the weekend after the judges chose to save Kye Whyte in their skate-off.
Stefanie told the Daily Star newspaper’s Wired column she’s up for ‘I’m A Celebrity’ as she said: “If it’s in Australia, I’m in – send me somewhere warm! We’ll see if I make it into the jungle!
“Although, as competitive as I am, my gag reflex is out of control. I’d be there trying so hard to eat stuff but gagging. So that kind of terrifies me.
“But I love challenge. Saying no to something because you’re scared of it is a terrible reason, so I’ll give anything a go.”
Stefanie has narrowly missed out on a spot in the ‘Dancing On Ice’ semi-final, despite her skate-off rival facing his fourth week in the bottom two.
However, she is determined to keep taking on any opportunities that come her way and grabbing them “with both hands”.
She added: “Do you know what? The best thing you can hope for in life is an opportunity and when they come you take it, grab it with both hands.
“So I wouldn’t rule anything out at this point!”
After surviving the shake-off, BMX star Kye will compete this weekend against Brendan Cole, Kimberley Wyatt, Regan Gascoigne and Connor Ball.
However, this Sunday (13.03.22) will see a double elimination, meaning just three of the remaining five cleberities will make it to the grand final.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders will reprise their characters ‘The Extras’ for Red Nose Day.
The comedy duo are to transform into their alter-egos to try to blag a free fix from the ‘The Repair Shop’ team in a special episode for Comic Relief, but foreman Jay Blades, who the pair are desperate to meet, sends them packing.
Dawn said: “I don’t think we’ve ever said no to Comic Relief because it just is too important, and because it’s from our community, and we were there right at the very beginning.
“I know that the money is spent correctly and I know that there are projects that are ongoing that need us to be ongoing and I wouldn’t ever want to let anyone down.
“So I think the more that we can do to boost and support, the better!”
Jennifer added: “As I watched ‘The Repair Shop’, I thought all I could ever see was these characters going into ‘The Repair Shop’, or me and Dawn, pretending to mend something or imitating the characters.
“You know, I just thought, this is the show for us.
“Then Comic Relief said we’ve got The Repair Shop and it was like the perfect thing. It was so perfect!”
Jay admitted French and Saunders’ appearance in the barn for the skit – which airs on this year’s Comic Relief Night TV special on Friday 18th March – is a “real treat” for fans.
He said: said “I can’t believe the chaos that those two caused!
“We’re always surprised by what we see in the barn, but trust me, we’ve not seen anything like this in the barn before – you must watch it to see how funny it was.
“For fans of the show it’s a real treat!”
Red Nose Day 2022 will be hosted by Alesha Dixon, David Tennant, Zoe Ball, Paddy McGuinness and Sir Lenny Henry, plus The Great Comic Relief Prizeathon will be hosted by Joel Dommett and AJ Odudu.
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
‘The Repair Shop’ is back for a new daytime series on Monday 14th March, airing weekdays at 3:45pm on BBC One, presented by Jay and staffed by a team of Britain’s most skilled restoration experts.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Glynis Barber has joined ‘Hollyoaks’.
The 66-year-old star – who is best known for portraying Harriet Makepeace in the police drama ‘Dempsey and Makepeace’ – has joined the Channel 4 soap as gangster Norma.
She said: “I’m really excited to be playing Norma as she’s an amazing character.
“Formidable, complex and taking on the men and leaving them quaking in their boots.
“The team and cast at ‘Hollyoaks’ have been incredibly welcoming and I can’t wait to get my teeth into the character.”
Norma is out for blood after arriving in the Hollyoaks village driving a hearse and demanding to know who has stolen her money – with Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson) and Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) among the suspects.
Glynis is also known for starring in ‘EastEnders’ as Glenda Mitchell – the mother of Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell (Rita Simons and Samantha Womack) – on and off from 2010 to 2017.
This comes as ‘Rebel Cheer Squad’ actor Ashling O’Shea has also joined the cast of ‘Hollyoaks’ as Nadira, the new love interest of Omar Malik (Shaq Qureshi).
Nadira runs a matchmaking site and she is set to form a quick connection with heartbreaker, Shaq, who is now on a quest to find a marital partner.
Ashling said: “Joining ‘Hollyoaks’ has been such a surreal experience. I’ve grown up watching the show, and their
hard-hitting storylines, so it’s a privilege as an actor to be able to be a part of that legacy.
“Everyone I’ve met so far have been so kind and supportive. At the moment, I’m spending the majority of my time annoying Omar! We clicked from the moment we met and I genuinely feel like I’ve known him for years which is such a bonus as Nadira really has known Shaq for years!
“Their relationship is one of my favourite parts about playing Nadira. She has a huge heart, a sarcastic mouth and a lot going on in her mind right now … I can’t wait for people to get to know her.”
Ashling’s first episode on ‘Hollyoaks’ will stream first on All 4 on March 24th.
Viewers can catch a first glimpse of Nadira in Hollyoaks’ newest spring trailer, which is out now.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Jeremy Clarkson and his girlfriend Lisa Hogan got stuck inside a sports car – because they didn’t know how to open the doors.
The former ‘Top Gear’ host was test driving a brand-new Maserati MC20 when he and Lisa decided to drive the motor to their local pub, where they were planning to indulge in a fish pie, but the couple soon realised they couldn’t get out.
Jeremy said: “We were in the car and five minutes after that we were in the pub’s car park. And five minutes after that we were still in the pub car park because neither of us could find anything that even remotely resembled a door handle. ‘We’d have been screwed if we’d crashed into a lake,’ Lisa said.
“Eventually I turned on my phone’s torch and found the little button that you must press to unlatch the door, and then we were out. And then I was back inside very smartly because the car was starting to roll down a hill.”
After finally discovering a button that activated the handbrake, ‘The Grand Tour’ co-host Jeremy thought he had fixed the issue only to hear “bonging noises” when he got out of the vehicle.
He then called a colleague to get help, and his issue was eventually rectified.
In a review of the car for The Sunday Times newspaper, the 61-year-old TV presenter wrote: “After an hour of swearing and wondering out loud whether it would have been easier to stay at home and make a soufflé out of ant hearts, I called a colleague, who said that to engage ‘park’ and turn out the lights I had to stop the engine twice.
“So I pushed the button to turn the motor off, then pushed it again. Which caused it to start. I then called the colleague again, who said that when I pushed the button the second time my foot had to be off the brake pedal. And he was right, which meant that we just caught last orders.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Graham Norton didn’t want to adapt his novel into a TV show himself.
The 58-year-old TV presenter – whose bestselling crime novel ‘Holding’ is set to air on ITV as a four-part comedy-drama series later this month – admitted that he was “very clear” about wanting to “hand his characters over” to scriptwriters, because he felt his time with them was up.
He is quoted by the Daily Mirror newspaper as saying: “I was very clear I didn’t want to adapt it myself. I’d had my time with those characters, it was time to hand them over. I’ve loved seeing the direction they’ve gone.”
Graham also claimed that the novel – which was originally published in 2016 – was written “so long ago” that he had even “forgotten the character’s names”.
The series – which is directed by seasoned comedienne Kathy Burke, 57, and stars former ‘Game of Thrones’ actor Conleth Hill as a police sergeant – focuses on the dark past of a small village which starts to unravel when human remains are found on the local farm.
The new series also stars Siobhan McSweeney, 42, – famed for her role as the belligerent Sister Michael in hit sitcom ‘Derry Girls’ – as alcoholic Brid, who was set to marry the man before his body was discovered.
They are joined in the cast by former ‘Father Ted’ actress Pauline McLynn, who has been cast as the local busybody in the upcoming series.
A synopsis for the opening episode reads: “When human remains are found in a sleepy Irish village, Sergeant PJ Collins finally has a genuine crime to solve.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — The BBC has shelved Russian gangster thriller ‘McMafia’ amid the Ukrainian crisis.
The crime drama series – which starred James Norton as the British-raised son of a Russian mafia boss living in London – had initially been recommissioned for a second series following a successful debut in 2018, but a number of issues have led to its reported axing.
A TV insider said: “‘McMafia’ has been beset by problems, ranging from the pandemic to the fact James Norton’s booming career meant it was hard to pin him down to start filming. But it also wasn’t a good look to start a second series of a show where the main protagonist is a gangster from a dodgy Russian family who ultimately triumphs on the back of a string of dark deeds.”
Since the inaugural series aired, James has gone on to play wartime osteopath Stephen Ward in miniseries ‘The Trial of Christine Keeler’, about the infamous Profumo affair, and he is one of the favourites to replace Daniel Craig as James Bond in the 007 franchise.
While the series – which is based on the books by Misha Glenny – does not intend to “glorify murders or corruption”, and instead delves into Russia’s history with the Soviet Union, it is thought it would be an “awkward” show to be creating in line with current events, following Russian president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The source told The Sun newspaper’s Bizarre TV column: “The drama doesn’t glorify the violence or corruption, in fact it attempts to highlight the terrible consequences that followed the break-up of the Soviet Union.
“But given it deals with murderers and oligarchs, it’s still a very awkward show to be creating in the current climate.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online