Wendi Peters, Flintoff, Paul O’Grady and Gareth Richards
As it’s Easter, here’s a Showbiz Five Extra for your delights.
WENDI HOUSE TO HERSELF
Actress Wendi Peters – best known for her role as Cilla Battersby-Brown in Coronation Street has separated from her husband of two decades actor-turned-sports-masseuse hubby Kenny Linden.
The Sun report that Wendi is now living alone in Hertfordshire. The performer who is currently appearing in BBC One daytime saga Doctors according to the tabloid just ‘grew apart’ from Kenny.
DROP A GEAR
Following his Top Gear accident Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff won’t be returning to work anytime soon.
A second series of his Field of Dreams is unlikely to be made any time soon reports The Mirror while the former cricketer turned presenter continues to recover from his car crash injuries.
A show source was quoted as saying, “Freddie loved Field Of Dreams and was looking forward to filming a second series, but it is unlikely to film any time soon and won’t make it to air this year. The crew are looking for other work — the whole show centres around Freddie.”
SAVAGE LEGACY
More than 100,000 people have signed a petition calling for a statue of Paul O’Grady to be built in his hometown of Birkenhead reported BBC News.
The presenter, actor and comedian became a television personality as former prostitute Lily Savage a drag persona who went on to become family entertainment with series such as The Lily Savage Show and Blankety Blank. Ditching the frocks Paul became a star in his own right hosting chat series The Paul O’Grady Show, starred in the sitcom Eyes Down and for the past decade hosted For The Love Of Dogs from Battersea dogs home.
Now, with such a long and hugely successful legacy, an online campaign is petitioning Wirral Council to “honour the life of such a great human being”. The Beeb’s news offering notes that ‘The council said it was working on honouring O’Grady’s life.’
Paul died unexpectedly aged 67 on the 28th of March. Earlier today Boom Radio replayed Paul’s final radio show as an Easter Special and tonight at 8pm ITV/STV will celebrate the world of the star in For the Love of Paul O’Grady.
OUT OF TUNE
This Morning has come under fire after Alison Hammond and Vanessa Feltz discussed singing along to musicals in the theatre. There is of course ‘theatre etiquette’ that should be observed, don’t talk on mobile phones, don’t have conversations during the performance and don’t sing along to the songs loudly.
Of course, there are exceptions, such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, which indulges in audience participation, and some productions have sing-a-long events but when a show clearly states that the audience should show respect for the professional performers then you should, it’s not a highbrow karaoke evening.
On Friday’s This Morning this topic was covered following two – in my opinion – self-centred tits having to be kicked out of the Manchester production of The Bodyguard musical. And Vanessa and Alison endorsed their behaviour suggesting a musical is a sing-a-long experience. This has left professional performers and viewers a bit vexed.
“Sit down, shut up and watch the show. It’s theatre. Basic manners and etiquette…..why is this even a question? – The Vivienne
VALE GARETH RICHARDS
More sad news as it was announced yesterday that comedian Gareth Richards has died following a car accident last week. Gareth – best known to many as the former co-host of the Frank Skinner Show on Absolute Radio – died on Friday his family said in a statement. His wife Laura noted Richards had suffered severe brain injuries and his life support was switched off.
Gareth had been part of the UK comedy scene since 2004 appearing on stage, television and radio including ten appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe. He co-hosted on Absolute Radio with Frank Skinner and Emily Dean for two years.
BBC News reported that last week, ‘Skinner broke down live on air talking about Richards, telling listeners that the show’s team did not want to go on air without mentioning his friend.’ The 41-year-old leaves behind his wife Laura and two sons.
‘It is with great sadness that I have to share that Gareth passed away on Friday, April 7 (Good Friday) at 6.30 pm. He was in a terrible car accident on Monday, March 27 at 11.30 pm and sustained serious brain injuries. ‘It was a miracle that he arrived at the hospital alive.
‘Since then, the doctors and nurses have been incredible and have kept him in a stable and sedated condition. However, the latest scan revealed that the extent of the damage was so severe that they would have to remove all of the supportive medications and allow him to be at peace. The boys are bearing up well.’ – Laura Richards
