OHMYGOSSIP — Sarah Hadland has admitted that she is a trained dancer.
The 53-year-old actress – who is best known for playing Stevie Sutton on the BBC sitcom ‘Miranda’ alongside Miranda Hart – has just been revealed as one of the contestants on this year’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ but explained that she has actually been honing her skills from childhood.
She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “I trained in dance from the age of three and then I left home at the age of 16 to go to a musical theatre college.”
Away from ‘Miranda’, Sarah is known for playing job centre manageress Trish in ‘The Job Lot’ alongside Russell Tovey, but has also appeared in stage productions of musicals ‘Grease’ and ‘Cats’ over the course of her career.
Sarah revealed she was yet to tell her mum about signing up for the programme, and she can’t wait to be a part of the show’s 20th anniversary celebrations.
She said: “I cannot believe I am part of ‘Strictly’!
“I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.
“I’m so ready for the glitz, glam and glitter and hopefully I can make everyone watching at home proud!”
The ‘Quantum of Solace’ actress was revealed to be taking part in this year’s edition of the BBC Latin and ballroom show at the same time as ‘X Factor’ winner and former ‘Coronation Street’ star Shayne Ward.
Other stars confirmed for the show include ‘TOWIE’ star Pete Wicks, former ‘Love Island’ star Tasha Ghouri, JLS singer J.B. Gill, and singers Wynne Evans and Toyah Willcox.
Comedian Chris McCausland, and Morning Live’s Dr Punam Krishan will also take part in the programme this year.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Ela-May Demircan has quit ‘Hollyoaks’ after 13 years.
The 18-year-old actress has played the role of Leah Barnes on the Channel 4 soap opera since she was a child but now it is thought that the TV star is keen to move onto pastures new.
A source told The Sun: “Ela-May has loved her time on the soap but it’s time to move on.
“She’s hugely talented and can’t wait to play new roles after so long playing Leah.”
Leah was born in 2007 as the daughter of established characters Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies) and Billy Parker (Daniel Jillings) but following the murder of her mother in 2017, she was left in the care of Amy’s former partner Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson).
Over the years, her storylines have included being kidnapped by her grandmother Kathy (Sarah Jane Buckley) when she was a small child and in more recent years becoming the victim of bullying at the hands of dance teacher Trish Minniver (Denise Welch).
News of Ela’s departure comes just months after Stephanie Waring – who has played Cindy Cunningham since the early days of the soap opera – announced that she had been axed and was shocked at the news because she had been in the part for so long.
At the time, she wrote on Instagram: “I am heartbroken to announce that my character of Cindy has been included in the actors reduction of Hollyoaks. As an actress obviously I understand there are no jobs for life but with my 28 years on the show I hoped that Cindy would survive the exciting revamp and continue into its new era, especially as I began playing her in 1996, making me the only original cast member remaining to be included in the cast cull, which I can only describe as gutting.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Melanie Hill wants a romance storyline for her ‘Casualty’ character.
The 62-year-old actress would love for her character, clinical nurse manager Siobhan Mackenzie to enjoy a steamy romance with a gorgeous doctor.
She told RadioTimes.com: “Maybe a romance with an absolutely gorgeous doctor that gets up to all sorts, who knows?
“She’s not that old, she’s still got a bit of life left in her bones. Yeah, you never know, that’d be quite nice.”
Melanie also admitted she sees some similarities between herself and her on-screen alter-ego.
She said: “I think I’m kind of close to her because I’ve got my kids [who] have grown up, her kids have grown up, moved away from home, and she’s taken all help.
“She was obviously very protective over all of her staff, all the nurses. I think that’s similar to me, really, in the way I’ve joined the cast, my kids have grown up, moved away, and I’ve adopted all the younger cast in ‘Casualty’, really.”
While there is no on-screen romance on the cards for Siobhan just yet, Melanie is happy to see some happy news for Siobhan’s co-workers Ian (Michael Stevenson) and Faith ( Kirsty Mitchell).
She said: “[Look at] Faith and Ian, because they’re getting on really well at the minute. So watch that space, because you never know what might happen there. There might be a joyous future for them. I think it will be.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Sam Neill has promised that ‘The Twelve’s second season is “even stronger” than season one.
The 76-year-old actor has reprised his role as barrister Bretty Colby in the legal drama – based on the 2019 Belgian miniseries ‘De twaalf’ – which will air on ITV and Sam insisted that if viewers enjoyed the first season, they are in for a treat with season two.
According to the Daily Star, he said: “I think it is an even stronger story than last time, very intriguing indeed.
“With many twists and turns and surprises, it will keep you guessing until the end. It is very relatable, sometimes very dark, sometimes funny.
“But always compelling and you simply can’t stop watching.”
In the show, Colby is engaged in a long-standing affair with another barrister, Meredith (Frances O’Connor) but Sam doesn’t think love plays a part in the entanglement.
He told The Guardian: “I don’t think there’s anything romantic about it. Colby is, shall we say, getting lucky. It happens once a year, they go on circuit, I think it’s been going on for seven years or something. Otherwise they have no contact. It’s a very grownup arrangement.”
Sam splits his career between TV and film and couldn’t be happier about the change in attitude towards TV these days.
He said: “When I was starting out, if you were a film actor, you didn’t touch television. It was like getting a communicable disease – no one wanted to touch you if you’d been contaminated by television.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Michelle Collins felt “out of control” in the early days of fame.
The 62-year-old actress became well known to TV audiences when she took on the role of Cindy Beale on the BBC soap opera ‘EastEnders’ in 1988 and explained that she had to often turn to her mum for comfort as she learned to deal with scrutiny.
Speaking on the ‘How To Be 60’ podcast, she told ‘Loose Women’ anchor Kaye Adams: “Lots of times I felt out of control, and I remember sometimes going to my mum and she would really worry about me a lot of time time. And I’d sit and just talk to my mum about things and she’d always say ‘Well, whatever happens, whatever people have said about you, I will always love you’.
“You have people in your life, whatever kind of happens, you get through it.”
But Michelle – who left ‘EastEnders’ in 1998 when her character went to prison but made a shock return in 2023 even though it was thought her character had died off-screen – explained that she doesn’t really have any regrets about becoming famous because it has all made her who she is today.
She added: “I feel like the experience I’ve had in my life makes me the person and the woman that I am today. I like to say I’m mature but I’m still really silly a lot of the time and I still like to enjoy myself but I feel like the younger ones, the girls who play my daughters, always say my stories are hilarious.
“And they say ‘Did that really happen?’ and ‘Oh here comes Michelle with another story…’ They love it!
“Non, je ne regrette rien! I kind of feel a bit like that. My life has the person I am today.”
The former ‘Coronation Street’ star does, however, wish she had taken more time for herself in those early days and looked after her mental health even though it wasn’t really the done thing then.
She said: “I have a few regrets but I’m not going to harp on about it because I think I’m a bit like whatever’s gonna be will be. In those days, I probably should’ve done a lot more yoga, meditated a lot more and taken more time out for myself.
“In those days, people didn’t take time for themselves, did they? You didn’t talk about mental health.
“Nowadays, sharing is caring. Everybody shares. I often feel we share a bit too much but in those days, you didn’t. And to admit that you had a problem or things weren’t going well was a sign of weakness.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Toyah Willcox wanted to do ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ “sooner rather than later”.
The 66-year-old singer is one of a string of celebrities gearing up to hit the ballroom on the BBC dancing competition when the next series airs in September and initially had reservations about her age but noted that her close friend Angela Rippon – who became the show’s oldest contestant ever at the age of 79 last year – had been “extraordinary” on it so would never have turned the chance down.
She told the Daily Mirror: “Oh, God yeah. Well, I’d have to do it sooner rather than later, because I’m not gonna be able to move. I do understand how hard they work. I’m friends with Angela Rippon and she was extraordinary.
“But they’re rehearsing 10 hours a day every day. And then on Saturday, they do two shows. As I went there, they invited me to watch them do the live show. Then at nine o’clock, they film the Sunday show, and I’m thinking, ‘could I do this?’ If I’m going to do it, it’s gonna have to happen within the next few years because I don’t think I’ll be able to move like that in two years’ time. But, you know, the whole world wants to do ‘Strictly’, I wouldn’t say no.”
The former ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ contestant will join ‘EastEnders’ actor Jamie Borthwick, former ‘Coronation Street’ actor Shayne Ward, and ‘Miranda’ star Sarah Hadland in the lineup.
Other famous faces set to take part in the competition include TOWIE’ star Pete Wicks, former ‘Love Island’ contestant Tasha Ghouri, JLS memberJB Gill, and opera singer Wynne Evans, who is known for his appearances in the GoCompare adverts.
Comedian Chris McCausland, and ‘Morning Live’ presenter Dr Punam Krishan will also take part in the programme this year.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Huw Edwards has been asked to hand back the salary he was paid after his arrest.
The former BBC newsreader, 62, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children but was still paid £200,000 for five months following his arrest in November last year, and now the broadcaster has demanded that he return it.
A statement from the BBC read: “There is nothing more important than the public’s trust in the BBC; the BBC board is the custodian of that trust. The board has met a number of times over the last week to review information provided by the executive relating to Huw Edwards. The board’s focus has been principally around two issues.
“Firstly, what was known in the lead up to Mr Edwards being charged and pleading guilty last Wednesday to making indecent images of children; and, secondly, the specifics of the BBC’s handling of the complaints and the BBC’s own investigations into MrEdwards, prior to his resignation on April 22 2024
“Today, the Board has authorised the Executive to seek the return of salary paid to Mr Edwards from the time he was arrested in November last year.
“Mr Edwards pleaded guilty to an appalling crime.
“Had he been up front when asked by the BBC about his arrest, we would never have continued to pay him public money.
“He has clearly undermined trust in the BBC and brought us into disrepute.”
The former television star entered his plea during a brief appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court in London on Wednesday (31.07.24) after being arrested last November and charged last month.
Edwards was charged with having a total of 41 photographs on a WhatsApp chat, six category A images – the most serious classification of indecent pictures – 12 category B pictures and 19 category C.
The offences are alleged to have taken place between 2020 and 2022 and are separate from other claims that were widely publicised and investigated last year.
A police spokesperson said: “These allegations did not form part of the matter which was considered by police in July 2023. They were investigated separately as a standalone case.”
It was announced on Monday (29.07.24) that the 62-year-old broadcaster had been charged.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: “Huw Edwards, 62, of South West London, has been charged with three offences of making indecent images of children.
“The CPS authorised the charges after a Metropolitan Police investigation.
“Mr Edwards will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 31 July 2024.
“We remind all that proceedings are active, and the defendant has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary, or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
After the news broke, it was reported Edwards had split from wife Vicky Flind – with whom he has five children – and has moved out of their family home.
Edwards joined the BBC as a trainee in 1984 and fronted the ‘Six O’Clock News’ from 1994 to 2003 before becoming the main presenter of BBC One’s flagship ‘Ten O’Clock News’.
The veteran broadcaster famously broke the news to the nation after Queen Elizabeth died in September 2022 and also led coverage of both her funeral and that of Prince Philip, as well as being lead presenter for King Charles’ coronation last May.
The term ‘making indecent images’ can include opening, accessing, downloading and storing content, or receiving an image via social media, even if unsolicited or part of a group.
The offences can carry a jail term of up to 10 years.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Dame Judi Dench joked that DJing for a new show was “the highlight of my career”.
In Channel 4’s ‘Dame Judi Jay: The Odd Couple’, the 89-year-old actress joins forces with her pal ‘The Repair Shop’ star Jay Blades, 54, for an epic road trip and Judi was delighted when Jay showed her how to spin some tunes.
She quipped: “This is the highlight of my career.”
When Jay said she could try out a new career as a DJ, she replied: “No, I’m the JD — and I’ve learned it all now, the timing, and all the buttons.”
She also spent time on a market stall, selling plantains.
She told shoppers: “I hope it’s not the last time I get to do this because I quite like it. Do I think I’ve got a future as a plantain seller? Yes, definitely. I love this job.
“I’m a person who can’t see very well. I am very uneasy about things that haven’t been written, but I wouldn’t have missed this for anything.”
Judi and Jay first struck up a friendship three years ago and the documentary sees them explore each other’s backgrounds and upbringings.
Judi said: “Sometimes if you’re very lucky you get to meet someone and find you’re totally on the same wavelength. What fun I had filming this programme with Jay, sharing memories of our past, both so different, finding we have the same sense of humour. I could have gone on filming for days.”
Jay added: “To learn about a new friend’s past really solidifies the future of your friendship. Going down memory lane with someone dear to you is something I would urge everyone to do. This show has given me memories and a friendship I will cherish forever.”
According to Channel 4: “This biographical travel show is an intimate portrait of true friendship, whilst also telling the story of class, race and social mobility in Britain through the years.”
‘Dame Judi Jay: The Odd Couple will air on Channel 4 on August 18 at 9pm.

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Carl Fogarty has turned down ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ and ‘Dancing on Ice’.
The 59-year-old former motorcycle racer won ‘I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!’ in 2014 and was later approached by BBC and ITV bosses about their shows but Carl insisted he won’t be taking to the dancefloor or the ice any time soon.
He told Spin Casino: “No, you wouldn’t see me in a pink leotard, throwing shapes around the dance floor. No chance!.
“And I couldn’t do ‘Dancing On Ice’ because I’ve got wobbly knees and dodgy legs from my bike days. I’ve done the main one and won that so I’ll quit after that.”
And, Carl admitted that 10 years later, his ‘I’m A Celebrity’ win still surprises him.
He explained: “I thought I’d be the first one out. To go the whole way and win, it was mad.”
Carol also revealed he would love to return to the jungle for an All-Stars version of the show.
He said: “I just fell to the floor when they announced me as ‘King of the Jungle’. I thought: ‘Oh, my God. I’m just an ordinary lad from Blackburn.’ I would do an All Stars version. I don’t know why, but I’d love to go back.”
Carl’s daughter Claudia featured in his reality TV footsteps, competing in ‘Winter Love Island’ in 2023 but he admitted he found it “cringy”.
He said: “She went in hoping it would help her career really and give her something to do and it has done really. So, it kind of works from that point of view. But to be honest it was a bit cringy watching it! It wasn’t great!!”

Source: VacationHunter.Online

OHMYGOSSIP — Graziano Di Prima has insisted he is “not an abusive man” after being axed from ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The professional dancer left the BBC dance show after allegations over his behaviour towards his 2023 celebrity dance partner Zara McDermott but Graziano has insisted he is innocent.
He told Mail+: “I didn’t deliberately hurt anyone. I’m not a monster. I’m not an abusive man.
“The only thing I can think of is the time I kicked the floor in frustration. We’d practised hour after hour to perfect a routine with lifts. It wasn’t easy but that’s the pressure of the show. I wasn’t meaning to kick her. I’d never, never do that. My foot brushed her after I kicked the floor. Afterwards I hugged her and said I was sorry. There was no problem. We carried on.
“I’m not sure if this is it or if it’s from when we, as professional dancers, move our partner’s leg with our foot. That is what is so difficult for me – not knowing.”
And, Graziano insisted he will “dance again”.
He said: “Right now, my reputation is zero and it will take a superhuman effort for me to get up from this hole. But I do believe the truth always wins in the end. I am determined not to let my and my family’s lives be destroyed.”
“I will dance again. I will bring joy to people again with my dancing because this is who I am: an international professional dancer, a man of integrity, a loving husband and son who has never forgotten where he’s come from. I will not let these lies define me. They are not who I am.”
After he was axed from the show, Graziano shared his “regrets” in a candid post on Instagram, writing: “I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from ‘Strictly’.
“My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime. Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it’s best for the show that I step away.
“While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can’t discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends.
“I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future. I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.”
Zara also posted about her experience on the show, writing: “When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true.
“I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that ‘Strictly’ was going to be and I dedicated everything to it.
“I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took. And so much of my ‘Strictly’ experience was everything I could have dreamt of … “However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.
“I have wrestled with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I’ve gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.”

Source: VacationHunter.Online