Showbiz 5: From SCD to BGT

Showbiz highlights with Penelope Teeth…

Things we learned in the world of showbiz include via The Sun, which reported ‘ITV has made some huge changes to This Morning after last year’s scandal, one of which sees under 18s forbidden from working on the show.’ Yes, following Philip Schofield’s little gay affair with a runner bosses at the ratings void have made changes. The tabloid adds, ‘bosses are barring minors from being employed at the channel altogether, while making it harder for staff to help out friends and family members under a ‘nepotism ban’.’

Radio Times also reported on how the former face of the ITV Telethons Michael Aspel recalled the “irony” of being axed from BBC’s Antiques Roadshow back in 2008 for being too old to host the Sunday night cosy series. The 91-year-old who also hosted the game show Give Us A Clue (Thames), biographical seires This Is Your Life (BBC/Thames) and chat show Aspel and Company (LWT) said, “I fell on my sword because I knew they wanted me to go, it’s ironic being eased out of an antiques show because of your age.”

Aspel is just one in a long list of names that have accused the BBC of being agist.

Richard Madeley has revealed that his wife, Judy Finnigan, is “very happy to call it a day” on her career. Speaking to Bella magazine, Richard noted how his wife since 1986 is much happier these days away from the television cameras – although in recent times the couple has hosted occasional episodes of This Morning again for ITV. “For my money, Judy was the best presenter I’ve ever worked with I think she was gifted as a journalist and TV presenter she never really enjoyed it that much.”

“The actual moment, the broadcasting she did, but all the stuff that goes with it, especially for women on telly, she found it a lot of baggage to carry,” he added. While Judy is happy to write novels, something Richard has also dabbled in, he continues to be a regular host of Good Morning Britain for ITV alongside Susanna Reid.