Showbiz 5: From Stranger Things auction to Olivia Bowen’s bra and knickers

Another newswrap as Judi Dentures casts her views over recent entertainment news…

Just ask and they’ll be back

There’s been a lot of EastEnders stories this week as we fast approach the show celebrating it’s 40th anniversary. For me personally a highlight was the brief return of Minty and Gary. The former who I once bumped into in Muswell Hill as he left ASK restaurant in a hurry. He swore he was his ‘better looking brother’ which proves Cliff Parisi has a sense of humour. And at that time a buoyant bank balance affording himself and his lady friend a meal in ASK, you could say he was minted… Anyway…

Cliff and Ricky Groves who play Minty and Gary spoke about their all-too brief return to Albert Square following the episode earlier this week.

On returning Ricky noted it had been ‘A privilege. An absolute privilege.’ adding ‘ It was a lovely day. It felt weird because I hadn’t been there for fourteen years so it was great to see my old buddies. It was great to meet some of the newer cast. Only wish I was there for more.’

Cliff added, ‘It was great fun, I really enjoyed it. It was like going back to an old house that you used to live in, but the furniture has been moved around a bit.’

In the storyline Gary is now residing in Mintys spare bedroom, Ricky notes, ‘I don’t know where they came up with that idea but we were always a double act towards the end. We always said that EastEnders is a bit like Shakespeare. You have your comedy characters, tragedy characters and you have your love characters and your revenge characters. You have got all those things to play around with. Gary and Minty were the Laurel and Hardy of the 2000s.’

Cliff shared on the reunion with Ricky, ‘Ricky is great fun and he really made me laugh on the day that we were filming. He just has these faces that he pulls as his character is always in shock about something and it really makes me laugh [Laughs]. It was lovely to work with him again, and Perry, and all the others including Shane. It was really nice and it felt like going home. It was a bit like being away for a very, very long time and living abroad and then coming back and going into your local pub. Few familiar old faces around really lovely to see everyone and work with them again. I really enjoyed it.’

Ricky added, ‘We still keep in touch and it came very naturally. We worked together for such a long time, so it’s kind of like putting on a pair of old shoes. It was great, it the chemistry came back within minutes.’

As a footnote a gobshite in The Sun this week noted EastEnders’ viewers had fallen from 27 million to 2 million. All television has seen a decline with more channels and streaming. Just out of intrest is The Sun’s print circulation the same as it was in 1985? I doubt it…

EE extends partnership with BAFTA

Now another EE and EE the telecommunications offering has extended its partnership with BAFTA continuing one of the longest standing cultural partnerships in the UK. The multi-year partnership sees EE continue as title sponsor of the EE BAFTA Film Awards, partner of BAFTA Games Awards, BAFTA Scotland and BAFTA Cymru as well as begin its support of Young BAFTA, a year-round programme inspiring the next generation of budding creatives to consider careers with the screen industries.

To kick off this extended partnership and showcase their combined efforts to support young creatives, EE, along with BAFTA-nominated actress Daisy Edgar-Jones, is launching Set the Stage. This initiative offers 15–17-year-olds interested in filmmaking the opportunity to become part of a 16-strong crew who will create a unique short film, under the mentorship of acclaimed industry experts across storytelling, production and direction, including BAFTA award winning producer, Rochelle Newman and multi-award-winning makeup and hair designer, Nadia Stacey.

15 –17-year-olds interested in filmmaking can apply for a place in the crew to create this unique short film under the mentorship of industry experts across storytelling, production and direction, including mentorship from Daisy Edgar-Jones. Applicants can apply by submitting a video via direct messaging @EE on Instagram and Tiktok using the word ‘STAGE’ or by tagging @EE in a post with their entry including the word ‘STAGE’ in the tag. Applications for Set The Stage will close on March 21st 2025.

Following the recruitment process, sixteen teenagers will be selected by EE, the expert crew, and Young Film Academy for roles in makeup artistry, costume design, cinematography, sound, direction, and production. Participants will be judged on their relevant skills, ability to deal with a long shoot, resilience to adversity and teamwork, alongside their passion and enthusiasm. Over the course of a year, under the mentorship of industry experts, including Daisy Edgar-Jones, the selected teens will create a unique short film.

Baroness Floella Benajmin:

“The definition of what highlights a successful career is evolving and very personal. EE and BAFTA are highlighting many new roles emerging for young people. Growing up with phones isn’t easy, but when teens are consuming social content, playing video games and exploring the arts, they gain many creative skills. These activities open a window into the future possibilities. It’s important to connect these skills to future opportunities and encourage the next generation to explore their interests in filmmaking.” 

As well as EE Set The Stage, EE continues to encourage the next generation to explore their interests and provide them with real opportunities. On 20th February during half term, EE is hosting Learn Live, an event where celebrities, influencers and industry experts will inspire secondary school students, by showing how their passions can be applied to real life skills. 

Olivia Bowen takes a stroll down the passionate avenue

Just days after announcing her second pregnancy, Olivia Bowen shows off her glowing and blossoming baby bump to her 3M followers. Olivia praises in the post how the lingerie set from Boux Avenue’s Valentine’s collection has helped to give her the extra confidence boost needed whilst being pregnant. Telling her fans that self care and self love are important during pregnancy, through beautifully designed lingerie, to face masks, spending quality time with the girls and of course some cuddles with her bae.

In the post Olivia Bowen can be seen wearing a classic and timeless black lingerie set from Boux Avenue. The Passion Longline Bra is perfect for a Valentine’s date, consisting of luxurious satin cups, decorated with Boux’s craftsmanship of mesmerising floral lace, providing that touch of romance. Complete with the matching high waist thong or briefs, blending elegance and grace to this lingerie set.

Olivia completed the look with Boux Avenue’s Mariella robe. This elegant robe consists of kimono-style lace sleeves which add an old Hollywood glamour factor to the look, giving those ‘main character’ vibes, that radiates off Olivia.

Olivia wears Passion Longline Bra in Black £42.00 (available up to G Cup) with the Passion Briefs in Black £18.00 (Sizes 6-18) and Mariella Short Robe – Black £50.00 (Sizes XS-L). The Passion set is included in Boux Avenue’s Free Knicker Offer which you’ve still got time to grab by the strings – it ends tomorrow (Sunday 16th).

House of the Dragon and Stranger Things auction

For the first time ever, a major costume from House of the Dragon  –  costume designer Jany Temime  –  is up for auction, alongside rare pieces from Stranger Things  – costume designer Amy Perris  –  in an exclusive charity auction hosted by Propstore.

In partnership with the Costume Designers Guild Awards proceeds from this auction will benefit the IATSE Emergency Relief Fund, providing critical aid to members impacted by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. Online bidding runs to February 21, 2025, offering fans and collectors a chance to own a piece of contemporary television history while supporting an important cause.

Leading the auction lineup is Prince Daemon Targaryen’s screen-matched dragon-riding costume from House of the Dragon Series One, Episode 6. Worn during the breathtaking dragonflight scene aboard Caraxes, this meticulously crafted ensemble features intricate Targaryen embroidery, dragon-scale embellishments, and the sigil of House Targaryen adorning its interior. This is the first time an item of this magnitude from House of the Dragon has been made available to the public, with bids expected to soar up to $20,000.

For Stranger Things fans, this auction offers a collection of iconic costume pieces from Season 4—coming right on the heels of the newly announced Season 5 release in 2025. Highlights include Joyce Byers’ Puffer Jacket – As worn by Joyce in Kamchatka, this is one of eight red, white and blue jackets that were custom-made for production.  It is a must-have for fans of Hawkin’s matriarch. Expected to fetch $2000 – $4000, Hawkins High School Basketball Uniform – Worn by members of “The Tigers” basketball team, featuring an authentic team jersey, shorts, and warmups. $1500 – $3000 and Hellfire Club T-Shirt – The signature black-and-white raglan tee worn by Eddie Munson and the Hellfire Club during their legendary Dungeons & Dragons sessions. $1500 – $3000.

Also up for grabs, Hawkins High School Cheerleader Uniform – A uniform worn during the basketball game scenes of the first episode in Season 4 “Chapter 1: The Hellfire Club”. $1000 – $2000, Hawkins High School Letterman Jacket – As seen throughout Season 4, this green and white varsity jacket features the “H” emblem and a name tag detail. $1000 – $2000 and These Stranger Things pieces also mark the first time the production has publicly released costumes for auction, making them an unprecedented opportunity for collectors.

Fans can get bidding at Propstore.com

Alleged sausage pesto problems rumble on

Last week there were reports everywhere about Gino D’Acampo and allegations of inaptness from the man who ITV loved to be inapt on shows such as This Morning for over a decade. Former Coronation Street regular Vicky Entwistle called the channel out on this – to be fair something Penelope Teeth also noted last week – “I don’t know this man personally, therefore have no reason to stick my neck out in his defence. BUT!!! ITV played that man for all he was worth… cheeky, naughty, foreign, hilarious!!! It all fitted in 10 years ago… now with a new WOKE agenda they crucify him?!?!”

Now let’s be clear that is a critical take on how ITV operate and have operated with shows such as Loose Women. It should not detract from the allegations which need to be investigated seriously as an entirely separate matter to how ITV has flounced sexy Gino across its channel like an Italian bit of meat.

As the reports came flooding through there were mixed articles from Gino’s former ITV prime time co-stars Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix. Fred was seen to have liked a recent post by Gino, which was taken as a show of support for the Family Fortunes host. Elsewhere however Metro printed a story that Gordon Ramsay voiced concerns about Gino D’Acampo’s behaviour two years ago and their friendship there ended.

Gino, 48, is facing allegations from dozens of individuals who have worked with him over a 12-year span on various shows. The complaints include claims of alleged bullying and sexually inappropriate comments. Some have described his alleged behaviour as “unacceptable,” “distressing,” and “horrendous.” Gino denies any wrongdoing.

Sticking with complaints, let’s end on a happy unrelated note as Ofcom’s Q3 2024 Complaints report for Broadband, Landline, Mobile and Pay-TV services saw Sky quite happy with the findings.

Devesh Raj, Chief Operating Officer, Sky says on the findings,“Sky has received the fewest complaints in total to Ofcom across all categories out of all providers. This success is a testament to the outstanding efforts of our teams across all departments, from technology to customer service, enabling us to deliver the best possible Sky experience.”

The views expressed are of Judi Dentures and not ATV Today. Penelope Teeth, Judi Dentures and Joanna Gumley are ATV’s exclusive showbiz drag queens with bite.