Showbiz Five: From Nicola Heywood-Thomas to Paul Cattermole

Penelope Teeth casts her views over five showbiz headlines from this past week…

TRIBUTES TO HTV NEWSREADER

Tributes have been paid to the former HTV News and ITV News Wales newsreader, Nicola Heywood-Thomas who has died aged 67.

Nicola, who also in more recent times presented programming for BBC Radio, was one of the most recognisable personalities in the country anchoring Wales at Six for nearly two decades. She last presented for ITV News in Wales in February this year.

Presenter Jonathan Hill broke the news of Nicola’s passing on Thursday’s ITV News: Wales at Six.

“Our friend and colleague, former HTV presenter Nicola Heywood-Thomas sadly passed away earlier today. Nicola has been a familiar face for Welsh audiences, presenting news, current affairs and arts programmes in a career spanning more than three decades. We have of course presented many editions of this programme together and she will be greatly, greatly missed by all of us here at ITV Cymru Wales.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this very sad time.”

ITV KEEPS DICK

Despite tabloid rumours that David Dickenson was about to give up ITV Daytime’s Dickenson’s Real Deal the tanned god of vintage wares has said he has no intention of giving up the show that allows the public to bring in antiques and get a real deal money offer on them from an expert dealer – or if the money doesn’t sound good enough try their luck at the auction house.

The show has been on ITV Daytime for nearly twenty years. It was however confirmed earlier this week that antique expert Cheryl Hakeney has decided to quit the programme to embark on new ventures.

A representative speaking on behalf of David Dickenson noted:

“David has no plans to retire from Dickinson’s Real Deal, a show he still very much enjoys making, and is hugely looking forward working on the upcoming series later this month.”

SCATHING SHAKESPEARE 

Nothing to do with the great Bard, this is Tik Tok ‘critic’ (God these things really exist) Darnell Shakespeare having to  apologise for pointing out, too bluntly, the obvious – Bobby Brazier has the acting ability of a turnip. Yes, he’s cute to look at – a combination of the good looks his famous parents – Jade Goody and Jeff Brazier.

“We’re all trying to be nice to him because we all loved his mum. We do love his mum but I’m sorry, if you can’t act you can’t act.”– Darnell Shakespeare

Jade, who was one minute the nations most hated racist and the next the sweetheart of the nation due to a terminal cancer diagnosis (yes us Brits are that two-faced) became famous through Big Brother. Jeff fell into the spotlight through another reality series, Shipwrecked.

Darnell has since apologised to being a bit too blunt. Yes, Darnell, try saying someone is a shit performer without directly saying that. I mean it’s not all bad for Bobby, he is at least pretty, so has years ahead in Hollyoaks if things fall apart at the Beeb.

Rugby League star name Rob Burrow visited the Salford Quays set of Coronation Street to talk to the stars at the centre of a storyline about motor neurone disease, The Mirror reported.

The tabloid noted, ‘Rob, who was diagnosed with MND in 2019, and his wife Lindsey, were joined by Peter Ash, who plays Paul Foreman, and Daniel Brocklebank, who plays his partner Billy Mayhew.’ Rob, 40, who played for Great Britain, England and Leeds Rhinos, told the actors he was pleased the show will give ‘awareness on a whole new level.’

The storyline saw the character of Paul diagnosed with MND earlier this week.

VALE PAUL CATTERMOLE

S Club 7 performer Paul Cattermole has died “unexpectedly” at the age of 46, a statement released via the pop group’s social media announced on Friday (April 7).

The singer, who was due to be reuniting with the band in February for a 25th anniversary tour, was found dead on Thursday afternoon at this home in Dorset RTÉ News report. The band had their own CBBC series and a string of hits between 1999 and 2003 such as Reach and Bring it all Back.

Paul quit the band for a more trendy music offering in 2002, which came to nothing. Due to a back problem he also failed to find any long term work in performance. The band renamed simply S Club after Cattermole’s departure disbanded less than a year after Paul announced his departure.

The group however had announced a reunion tour, with recent appearances on The One Show and Comic Relief.

“It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of our beloved son and brother Paul Cattermole. Paul was found yesterday, 6th April 2023 at his home in Dorset and was pronounced dead later that afternoon.

“While the cause of death is currently unknown, Dorset Police has confirmed that there were no suspicious circumstances. Paul’s family, friends and fellow members of S Club request privacy at this time.”