Showbiz Newswrap
From ‘Bitter and over priced’ to ‘acidic and thoroughly unpalatable’
Heartstopper for Kit
Actor Kit Connor, who joined young gay love story Heartstopper, which on launch promoted itself as hiring as many gay and bisexuals as possible, was ‘forced out of the bisexual closet’ it was reported.
Not that any of the actors from that show could be classed as cockteases, and happy to get attention when it suits them.. just like Harry Styles as straight as straight can be loves to wear pearl necklaces and granny cardies while at home watching Loose Women…
From Albert Square to the end of the lane
EastEnders regular Charlie Brooks is switching bitch Janine Butcher for a stage role, having recently announced her departure from the low-rating BBC One soap. The actress is due to exit the soap she was lured back ‘to save’ in early 2023, 18 months after she made her comeback to the long running saga.
Charlie will appear in the National Theatre’s touring production of The Ocean at the End of the Lane, playing the role of Ursula.
No queue for the wine
“Bitter and over priced” is the reviews from Waitrose customers of Phillip Schofield’s supermarket wine range which has been ditched after being branded undrinkable. The Sun report that the posh shop, part of the John Lewis Department Store chain, told them that they’ve ‘not stocked the range for sometime’.
One review said the plonk was ‘acidic and thoroughly unpalatable’ and looking at recent This Morning viewing figures it may be said it takes after its namesake.
More Bishop on ITV
Neighbours fans will be disappointed to learn its not Harold, but John Bishop who is back for a second series of his successful Saturday night topical chat show for ITV.
After completing a hugely successful sold-out arena tour and starring in the latest series of the Beeb’s old Doctor Who, John is back for six more shows bringing viewers a mix of his trademark everyman stand-up, reviewing the week’s events and shooting the breeze with some very special celebrity guests from the world of film, TV, music and sport.
The new series will be preceded by The John Bishop End of Year Show, an irreverent look back at 2022.
Nice Figure
Jane Garvey has spoken about how the BBC gave her an “overnight pay rise of £40,000” after she went on air to bemoan the Beeb’s problems with the gender pay gap.
Woman’s Hour host Garvey said she was appalled at the gender gap in corporation talent’s pay when figures were first released in 2017, and thus took to the air to “create a fuss”. She noted that she felt it was a fair thing to do and that the broadcaster would not sack her for commenting on the revelations and noting that women and men should be paid equally.
The following day from her Radio 4 comments, she was issued a new contract of pay, with a £40,000 increase.
RIP
This week we said goodbye to controversial rocker Jerry Lee Lewis, who may be down in hell now finding his great balls are on fire.
Also it was farewell to Will and Grace star Leslie Jordan and radio broadcaster Tim Gough who passed away while broadcasting on Gen X’s breakfast show. Mr Gough, who has been described by GenX as “hugely experienced and highly talented” is survived by his mother, brother, sister and son.
New Blue Peter presenter
The Beeb announced that Joel Mawhinney is to become the newest presenter of long-running children’s TV show Blue Peter. The 25-year-old is a magician and content creator who first appeared on the show in 2018 as a guest.
Joel is the 41st Blue Peter presenter and will co-host alongside Richie Driss, Mwaksy Mudenda and Henry the dog. His first live show airs on Friday 11 November on CBBC.
Tarrant on TV, Ukrainian war and Sunak
Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley were joined earlier this week by Tiswas host Chris Tarrant on Good Morning Britain (Tues 25th October) to celebrate 50 years in the business. He also shared his support for housing Ukrainian refugees and also commented on newly appointed Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
When asked if he had watched Jeremy Clarkson’s version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, Chris swiftly answered:
“Do you know I haven’t, I don’t know why… I did 700 shows and I only watched two of them, so why would I watch Jeremy’s [version]? I don’t watch game shows. I watch Netflix, Sky Sports, dramas, that’s it really. That’s about 24 hours.”
When speaking about his support of Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees Chris added,
“I’ve got three [Ukrainian refugees] who live in my house. They’ve been with us since the beginning of the war. There’s a mum, a daughter and a little baby. They’ve been with us now [for] eight months, I’m getting them a flat soon that I’m paying for or whatever, because I really want them to be closer to the city centre.”
“They have enhanced my life these people. The baby… I mean I know I’ve had my own kids but this baby is so sweet. She was seven months, now if she had stayed she’d be on the front of a tank or something! I mean the idea of what happened and how they got away is just extraordinary.”
Commenting on Rishi Sunak’s first speech as the newly appointed Prime Minister, Chris said: “Wasn’t that naff! Pathetic! [Looking at the] wrong camera and like no emotion! It’s like Liz Truss.”
GMB airs weekdays from 6am on ITV.
