Celebrity Big Brother: Alex Reid and bruised Dane Bowers share an awkward hug as they enter the house

With an awkward hug and a joke of ’round two?’ Dane Bowers was greeted by Alex Reid as he entered the Celebrity Big brother house last night. Cagefighter Reid had a well publicised scuffle with girlfriend Katie’s Price’s ex Bowers as they partied at the glamour model’s home on New Year’s Eve. But the pair both denied the row even took place, and have allegedly agreed to a pact brokered by their agents, who are now claiming Bowers was assaulted by two men as he waited for a taxi.

Reid and Bowers appeared to have patched up their differences and rushed to greet one another before any of their other housemates.

It’s you! In an awkward moment Dane Bowers and Alex Reid meet as they enter the Celebrity Big brother house

Nice to meet you: But does Bowers really want to hug his ex-girlfriend Katie Price’s new man?

Bowers and Reid join actor Vinnie Jones, former Hollywood madam Heidi Fleiss, actor Stephen Baldwin, Ronnie Wood’s ex-girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova, glamour model Nicola T, rapper Lady Sovereign, singer Sisqo, singer/producer Basshunter and actress Stephanie Beacham in the house.Around 6.2 million viewers tuned in to watch contestants enter the Celebrity Big Brother (CBB) house last night, making it the biggest show of the day across the terrestrial channels, Channel 4 said.The average figures for CBB7 were up 10% against last year’s launch, which saw around 5.6 million tuning in.The figures combine those who saw the show on Channel 4 with viewers who watched the programme on its time-shifted Channel 4 +1 channel.Davina McCall was on hand to interview the celebrities, asking former Another Level singer Bowers about his rumoured spat with Reid.

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Laid back: Alex and Dane looked relaxed as they chilled out in the bedroom last night

Hunky Jonas shares his bed with an unusual companion

Nicola T doesn’t forget to remove her make-up while Ekaterina looks all tucked up’I'm sorry to disappoint you, but we actually get on OK,’ he told her. ‘We get on well. So what you read isn’t true, as interesting as it sounds.’But his black eye was unmistakable, despite the careful application of thick make-up.

Best of friends? Cagefighter Reid and Another Level singer Bowers make their entrances

‘That’s a big booboo,’ said a shocked Stephanie, while Nicola asked ‘Have you got make-up on it?’He admitted that he had, applied by the show’s make-up artists. Reid, who enjoys cross-dressing as his alter ego Roxanne, backed up Bowers’ denial.Categorically no, I wasn’t even aware there was a fight until afterwards,’ he told Davina.With his words almost drowned out by boos from the crowd, he remarked: ‘This is why I’m here. To change these boos to hopefully cheers.’In a statement issued by both Reid and Bowers agents last night they claimed the singer had been assaulted by two unknown men.’Both enjoyed the party until approximately 5am when Dane went outside to see if his cab had arrived and two unknown men assaulted him.’He was then helped into his cab by people there.’Last night’s biggest entrance was made by former popstar Sisqo, who sang his hit Thong Song as he emerged from behind the scenes.

Old friends: Former Hollywood madam to the stars Heidi Fleiss greets actor Stephen Baldwin who said ‘It’s been a long time’

But while they are billed as celebrities, the new housemates appeared puzzled by one another, not recognising their fellow contestants.One who did was former Hollywood madame Heidi, who greeted actor Baldwin warmly, telling him pointedly: ‘I’ve seen you before.’The born-again Christian smiled as he replied: ‘It’s been a long time.’

Big entrance: Sisqo sang his big hit Thong Song

Making an entrance: Sisqo thrilled the crowd with his rendition of his hit

But it wasn’t long before the celebrities were encouraged to get to know each other by seeing how many of them could fit into a Mini.They entered into the first task with excitement, with all 11 squeezing inside. But they almost failed when Lady Sovereign, Sisquo and Dane tried to sit in the vehicles tiny boot which was outside the car.Former footballer Jones is reportedly the highest paid housemate, receiving £350,000 for taking part – twice as much as last year’s eventual winner Ulrika Jonsson.Lady Sovereign and Dane Bowers are allegedly receiving the lowest fee, earning just £35,000 each. Alex Reid is said to be receiving £175,000, while Stephen Baldwin has agreed to £150,000. Stephanie Beacham is apparently being paid £100,000.

Skimpy: Glamour model Nicola T entered the house in socks and a blouse, but said she wasn’t cold

Furry mother: Presenter Davina McCall wrapped up warm in a fur jacket and thigh high leather boots for the launch night at Elstree Studios last night

A source has claimed that the celebrities are annoyed that Jones is receiving such a high fee.’They don’t think Vinnie’s worth so much more than them,’ the source said. They say he hasn’t even done that much memorable film work, so he’s hardly the biggest star in the world.’But it hasn’t stopped bookies Ladbrokes from making Jones the 5/2 favourite to win the show.Spokesman David Williams said: ‘Vinnie looks like the perfect Big Brother star.’He’s got attitude, personality and is likely to shake the house to its foundations.’

Big entrances: Jonas Altberg aka DJ Basshunter and Stephen Baldwin were both greeted warmly by the crowd

Baldwin, Bowers and Basshunter – real name Jonas Erik Altberg – are all at 7/1 with Ivanova and Reid at 8/1. Beacham is the outsider with Ladbrokes offering odds of 33/1. The theme for the series is ‘hell lies in others’ and a show spokeswoman said tasks during the next 27 days will be designed to ‘torment and tease’ the best and worst out of the celebrities.

Girls go in: British hip-hop artist Lady Sovereign and Ronnie Wood’s ex-girlfriend Ekaterina Ivanova

New friends? Will Hollywood madame Heidi Fleiss bond with actress Stephanie Beacham

The housemates each get a single bed in the communal bedroom during their time in the house although Big Brother is happy to hand out ear plugs to those who may be disturbed by loud snoring.The house has been been completely revamped for the series and features a fairground-themed Diary Room with a chair modelled on a waltzer ride.The property – which is fitted with nearly 50 surveillance cameras and 25 microphones – is designed to be opulent but oppressive with plush velvet sofas, boudoir lighting, fake fur pelts and antique animal skulls.The kitchen is designed to look like an ‘autopsy room’ with clinical stainless steel fittings, Damien Hirst-style pickling jars and walls painted in hospital scrubs green.

Getting to know you: As their first challenge the 11 celebrities had to squeeze into a mini

In she squeezes: Nicola T is in the back seat

The full line-up: This year’s housemates

From left, Alex Reid, Heidi Fleiss, Nicola T, Sisqo, Katia, Basshunter, Lady Sovereign, Dane Bowers, Stephanie Beacham, Stephen Baldwin and Vinnie Jones

Alex Reid

Real Name: Alex Reid

Age: 34

Best Known For: Going out with glamour model Katie Price, also known as Jordan.

Early Life: Aldershot-born Reid got into martial arts at the age of 14. Fighting under the name ‘Reidenator’, he has made a name for himself as a cage fighter. He played Jason Cunliffe in Hollyoaks between 2001 and 2002. It was his relationship with Price, which started soon after her split from Peter Andre last year, which  launched him into the public eye.

Career High: Appearing in Katie Price’s ITV2 reality show What Katie Did Next.

Love Life: Dating Price.

Don’t Mention: Cross-dressing. Photos of Reid dressed up in women’s clothes were published in the papers last year.

Words Of Wisdom: On the reports of cross-dressing, Reid said: ‘Look, it’s a bit of fun. I don’t want to go to a supermarket dressed as a woman and I don’t want a sex-change. It’s something I do once in a blue moon.’

Dane Bowers

Real Name: Dane Bowers

Age: 30

Best Known For: Success with R&B boyband Another Level in the late 1990s.

Early Life: Bowers, from Croydon, Surrey, went to The Brit School for Performing Arts and Technology.

Career High: Another Level’s single Freak Me going to number one in 1998.

Love Life: Separated from his wife and agent Chrissy Johnston. Bowers has a son Kai, 12, with ex-girlfriend Emma-Jane North. Glamour model Katie Price, aka Jordan, is another ex.

Don’t Mention: Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The Spiller single Groovejet (If This Ain’t Love), featuring the singer, beat The Truesteppers single Out Of Your Mind, featuring Bowers and Victoria Beckham, to number one in 2000.

Words Of Wisdom: ‘I’d like to be remembered as one of the great singers Britain has,’ while taking part in a Celebrity version of Come Dine With Me last year.

Katia Ivanova

Real Name: Ekaterina Ivanova

Age: 21

Best Known For: Being Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood’s ex-girlfriend.

Early Life: Moved to London from Kyrgyzstan at the age of three with her parents Sergei and Irina.

Career High: Meeting Ronnie Wood while waitressing at a West End bar in 2008. Wood later left his wife Jo.

Love Life: Ivanova was dating model Dan Turner, 23, but the couple are reported to have broken up. She split from Wood, 62, last month following a series of rows. On December 22, Wood was cautioned for common assault after attacking her in a street in Claygate, Surrey, on December 2.

Don’t Mention: Alcohol. Ivanova said the relationship broke down when Wood hit the bottle. His drunken criticism made her feel worthless and she self-harmed, she said in an interview with the Sun.

Words Of Wisdom: On the split with Wood: ‘We would have ended up killing each other. It would have been like Sid and Nancy. I think the violence would definitely have escalated. I can’t believe one man turned me into the wreck I became. There is no way I am ever going back to Ronnie.’

Nicola T

Real Name: Nicola Tappenden

Age: 27

Best Known For: Glamour modelling, but also runs online clothing shop Delicious Couture which raises money for Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity, The Eve Appeal and Help For Heroes.

Early Life: Tappenden grew up in Croydon, Surrey, and went to Shirley High School.

Career High: Winning The Sun’s first Page 3 idol competition in 2002. She went on to play a red light district girl in the 2005 film Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo.

Love Life: Tappenden is engaged to Crewe Alexandra midfielder Simon Walton, 22, and the couple have a one-year-old daughter, Poppy.

Don’t Mention: Bobby Zamora. The couple dated for two years but split up after she said he had cheated on her. Tappenden appeared on ITV2’s Wags Boutique while dating the West Ham and later Fulham striker.

Words Of Wisdom: About appearing on Wags Boutique: ‘Then after, I was recognised by young girls and women, rather than just men who look at you for your boobies. It’s been a nice change, having people look up to you because they want to wear what you’re wearing or because they like your hair. It’s much more rewarding.’

Stephanie Beacham

Real Name: Stephanie Beacham

Age: 60

Best Known For: Tenko, Dynasty spin-off The Colbys, Bad Girls and a recent stint in Coronation Street.

Early Life: Beacham, from Barnet, was born deaf in her right ear and with only 75per cent hearing in her left. The actress says she can hear perfectly well when people speak directly to her but struggles in social situations. Beacham was rejected from the Royal Ballet School and stumbled into acting. She went on to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

Career High: Landing the lead role in the 1985 ITV series Connie. Beacham had been seriously ill in hospital when she was given the scripts.

Love Life: Divorced from actor John McEnery. The couple have two daughters, Phoebe, 35, and Chloe, 32.

Don’t Mention: The 1981 low-budget film Inseminoid. Beacham said she only took the science fiction flick, and other film roles around the same time, to support her young daughters after her marriage break-up.

Words Of Wisdom: On her role as Rose in Tenko: ‘I didn’t mind millions of viewers seeing me so unglamorous because I’ve got no real pride in my appearance. I couldn’t care less if I’m wearing gorgeous dresses like Connie or Sable (in The Colbys), or rags like Rose. The only thing I really care about is that people believe in my character.’

Sisqo

Real Name: Mark Althavean Andrews

Age: 31

Best Known For: His racy single The Thong Song.

Early Life: Baltimore-born Sisqo is the youngest of three children. Formed R&B group Dru Hill with his school and college friends. He then pursued a solo career with the album Unleash The Dragon, which included the 2000 hit The Thong Song. The album went five times platinum. He has also had roles in films including Get Over It with Kirsten Dunst and Snow Dogs with Cuba Gooding Jr.

Career High: Being nominated for three Grammy Awards in 2001.

Don’t Mention: The Dru Hill line-up. The band has been subject to various line-up changes and break-ups over the years, including a notable reunion in 2008 which ended mid-interview when one band member announced live on air he was quitting.

Words Of Wisdom: ‘Artists are afraid to say who their influences are because they fear they’ll be put in the shadow of that artist. Not me. When I get an idea from somebody, I straightaway say, ‘I took it from them’.’

Lady Sovereign

Real name: Louise Harman

Age: 24

Best Known For: The singles Love Me Or Hate Me and Nine2Five (vs The Ordinary Boys)

Early Life: Raised on a council estate in Wembley, she was influenced by her mother’s Salt-n-Pepa albums and inspired by the success of Ms Dynamite. Aged 14, she began writing raps and uploading them to a So Solid Crew fan forum. Harman met DJ Frampster online and they started uploading sets online as the garage/grime duo Heavy Like Dat.

Career High: Meeting Jay-Z in 2005. He asked her to perform freestyle and she was immediately signed to Def Jam, although she later left the label.

Love Life: Single

Don’t Mention: The night she spent in a Brisbane police cell in September after spitting in the face of a nightclub bouncer. The rapper pleaded guilty to assault and to being drunk and disorderly.

Words Of Wisdom: On Big Brother: ‘I always end up watching it and getting a little bit addicted.’

Stephen Baldwin

Real Name: Stephen Baldwin

Age: 43

Best Known For: Being the youngest of the Baldwin brothers. The others are actors Alec, Daniel and William “Billy” Baldwin.

Early Life: Born and raised in Massapequa, New York. Had a few small acting parts before landing a role in the 1988 film The Beast, playing a Soviet soldier in Afghanistan.

Career High: Playing Michael McManus in the 1995 film The Usual Suspects.

Love Life: Married to Brazilian graphic designer Kennya Baldwin.

Don’t Mention: The film Speed. Baldwin reportedly turned down the role of Jack Traven, which went to Keanu Reeves.

Words Of Wisdom: About becoming a born-again Christian after the September 11 attacks: ‘I had experiences that go beyond most people’s wildest dreams, and I can honestly look you in the eye and say the experience I am now having with Jesus Christ blows away everything I did before.’

DJ Basshunter

Real Name: Jonas Erik Altberg

Age: 25

Best Known For: His 2008 dance hit Now You’re Gone.

Early Life: Altberg was born in Halmstad, Sweden. He started making music in his bedroom  at the age of 18. He landed a recording contract with Warner Music in 2006, when he released his first single Boten Anna. This song stormed the Swedish charts and became the first Swedish-language song to reach number one in numerous other countries.  He re-recorded the song as Now You’re Gone in 2007.

Career High: Now You’re Gone: The Album knocked Coldplay off the top of the UK charts and stayed at number one for five weeks.

Don’t Mention: School. Basshunter has talked of his schooldays being unhappy and claimed he was bullied for having Tourette’s syndrome.

Words Of Wisdom: On dealing with his Tourette’s: ‘I’ve learned how to take control over it. You could spend a week with me, 24/7 and not know I have it. I’ve learned how to feel when it’s coming and push it back… and that took years of training.’

Heidi Fleiss

Real Name: Heidi Fleiss

Age: 44

Best Known For: Being arrested in 1993, and later jailed, for running a Hollywood prostitution ring which was reported to have many famous clients. She has so far refused to name them.

Early Life: Fleiss is the daughter of a Los Angeles paediatrician.

Career High: Selling the rights to her life story to Paramount Pictures in 2004 for a reported £3.1 million.

Love Life: Fleiss is reportedly engaged to Dennis Hof, whose legal brothels in Nevada were featured in the Cathouse documentaries.

Don’t Mention: Ex-boyfriend Tom Sizemore. The Saving Private Ryan actor was convicted in 2003 of assaulting Fleiss.

Words Of Wisdom: ‘I don’t think prostitution is a career… but maybe a little stepping stone?’

Stephanie Beacham…Diva

She may be forced to share a room with ten other ‘celebrities’, but Dynasty star Stephanie Beacham is not intending to lower her standards.The actress began her first morning in the Celebrity Big Brother house today by wearing designer shades as she brushed her teeth.Earlier she had moaned about the cheap acrylic sheets, complained the showers were too small and asked Big Brother why the bathroom door didn’t shut.

‘Glamma’: Stephanie Beacham wore her sunglasses from the moment she woke, even while brushing her teeth

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High-maintanence: Stephanie applies her face cream last night, before getting an early night and (right) she complains about the bed linen in the diary room’I'm surprised the loo doesn’t shut and the showers are so small… but it’s jolly and sweet in the house,’ she told Big Brother.The 62-year-old grumbled that the bedding provided in the house is not up to much.She told housemates she was unhappy that they are being forced to sleep on acrylic, rather than cotton sheets.

Lady of leisure: The actress lounges around on the sofa

Glory days: Stephanie as Sable with co-star Joan Collins as Alexis in Dynasty in 1988

Big Brother asked what her Dynasty character Sable Colby would have made about this fact. ‘She wouldn’t,’ she said.Last night Stephanie took an early night while her fellow contestants got to know one another, after showing ill-disguised horror as contestants barged into the house.But she has managed to charm at least one of her fellow housemates.Hollywood actor Stephen Baldwin told Big Brother: ‘I think I have a bit of a platonic crush on Stephanie.’It’s shocking. I think she’s just delightful. It’s just a nice, friendly, healthy, little infatuation.’Earlier he had confided in her about his battle with drugs.’I just deal with it one day at a time,’ he told Stephanie.When you have a complicated mind – and most of us do, because we’re a complicated species – it’s just getting around the simple thought of ‘just not today’. It’s such a simple thought.’When you can just get through 24 hours you can start over again.’Cage fighter Alex Reid – boyfriend of model Katie Price – discussed some of the injuries he has sustained during his bouts. Baldwin advised him to have plastic surgery to repair the damage if he wanted to get ahead in Hollywood.Meanwhile Sisqo has his eye on Ronnie Wood’s ex-girlfriend Katia.’I don’t know… I could be wrong. I’m a little interested. It seems like she she’s got a lot of layers,’ he said in the diary room.

Moving on from Ronnie: Katia has already been named as his favourite lady by singer Sisqo

I’ll get your coat: Katia slips into DJ Basshunter’s, aka Jonas Erik’s, jacket before they both head outside for a cigarette

‘When she first came into the house she seemed a little shy at first and then when we were out there in the smoking area she seemed to open up a little more. I’m kind of curious.’ Last night’s launch show ended weeks of speculation about the line-up for the final Channel 4 series of Celebrity Big Brother. Former footballer Vinnie Jones has already emerged as the bookies’ favourite to win, with Ladbrokes offering odds of 5/2. He is said to be the highest-paid housemate and was the last entrant to head into the hell-themed house.

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Chummy: Katie Price’s boyfriend Alex Reid and her ex Dane Bowers continued to insist they are on good terms and there are no hard feelings between them

Tired out: Hollywood madame Heidi Fleiss takes a nap in the lounge

Also taking part are Hollywood madame Heidi Fleiss, rapper Lady Sovereign, DJ Basshunter and glamour model Nicola Tappenden.

Nicola found herself bonding with Stephanie this morning as they discussed how they had both been page three girls.

But she showed she did not too know much about the former Dynasty star’s career.

Stephanie was in Coronation Street last year playing Martha Fraser, but Tappenden asked her if she still acted.

Stephen Baldwin collects two bottles of champagne from the diary room, a reward from Big Brother after the housemates completed the Mini task

The rest of the housemates were woken by show bosses today with the sounding of laughing clowns.Meanwhile Boy George claimed today he had a lucky escape when a court ruled he could not take part in the show.The former chart star turned DJ said after watching the opening show that he was ‘grateful’ to have missed out.George, 48, was barred from becoming a housemate when a judge ruled it would breach the terms of his probation for assault and false imprisonment convictions.But he also hinted that he may still be involved with the seventh and final series of the show.

Where’s the glamour? Nicola T removes her make-up

George – whose real name is George O’Dowd – wrote on social networking site Twitter: ‘I still may do something on CBB, I just won’t be in it!’

And a message on his official website said: ‘George may be a guest on any of the Big Brother’s Big Mouth shows on E4 this week!’

A spokeswoman for Big Brother was unable to confirm or deny any appearances. She said as he had originally been in talks to enter the house, it was still possible he could appear on the show.

Don’t mess: Hardman Vinnie Jones talks to the other housemates in the bedroom

Writing about his close escape, he said on his Twitter feed: ‘I’m watching and very grateful that I’m at me mum’s munching crisps with a cup of tea.’

Last week he said that appearing on the show ‘would have been my worst mistake ever’. However, he said he would be keen to meet footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones in the house, tweeting: ‘Vinnie Jones might have been a laugh to spend a few days with, sexy!’

Tucking in: Food was delivered to the house for the celebrities yesterday morning

Dancing On Ice: Busty Heather Mills says she might skate on one leg as she reveals long list of injuries

She’s got the rigidly maintained smile, the tassels and the skates.

And as she prepares to compete in Dancing On Ice, it looks like Heather Mills has decided she needs another essential – an uplifting bra.

Posing in her yellow dress, the 41-year-old cut a somewhat different figure from the ladylike image she cultivated when she was married to Sir Paul McCartney.

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Into the rink: Heather Mills says she has sustained a series of injuries while rehearsing for Dancing On Ice, which starts at the weekend

Standing out: The ex-wife of Sir Paul McCartney appeared on This Morning yesterday along with the other 13 celebrities who will take part in the ITV show

Gone are the floor-length gowns and softer styles, replaced by a more shapely look reminiscent of Miss Mills’s early days as a glamour model. She says in her autobiography that she had a bust reduction in her twenties, going from a 34E bra size to a 34C.

Miss Mills, labelled a perennial self-publicist, described herself as a ‘sadomasochist’ for choosing to compete in the new series of Dancing On Ice.

The blonde – who lost her left leg after being knocked over by a police motorcycle in 1993 – is battling to win back public affection after her bitter split from Sir Paul.

Complaining about her litany of injuries ahead of Sunday’s opening show she also revealed she may have to perform a one-legged routine if her injuries deteriorate – but vowed to persist with the show.

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Taking a turn: Olympic swimmer Sharon Davies, Inbetweeners star Emily Atack, and former EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook

‘Some days the leg is great and you can run and dance, she explained, ‘Other days I have to stay in and do my paperwork.

‘What people don’t understand is you have a socket and that is where you have to stay the same weight all the time.

‘If you put on five or six pounds it swells up and if you lose weight it shrinks, then it pistons and that is when it bleeds and blisters and you have to leave it off for a few days and let it heal.

‘If that happens in a day or two of the show we will have to have a back up routine where we do loads of throws and things.’

She added: ‘I snapped off my rib doing a rolled up lift, I injured my 11th floating rib. They didn’t realise it was floating until they found it under the eighth and ninth. I was off the ice for a while.

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Best foot forward: Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay’s wife Tana, Simon Cowell’s ex and friend Sinitta and Emmerdale actress Hayley Tamaddon

‘Then I fractured my left rib and broke my rotator cuff. Then I shifted out my pelvis, because I have got a broken pelvis from before. There is not much left to break so I am hoping all of that is behind me. It totally cast doubts over whether I should do the show.

‘Then I woke up the next day and thought ‘I’m doing this for charity’ and I saw my ice boots and sparkly catsuits and thought I have got to do this.’

The former model became a public hate figure because of her angry spats and attacks on her ex-husband.

Miss Mills’ four-year marriage to the former Beatle, 67, ended in May 2006 and the divorce was made final in May 2008.

She was awarded a settlement of £24.3million, plus payments of £35,000 a year, for a nanny and school costs for their six-year-old daughter Beatrice.

The star was widely ridiculed for her continual moaning about the settlement and her treatment at the hands of Sir Paul.

She denied she agreed to go on Dancing On Ice for the publicity insisting she had loved the programme for years, and had been approached after going to watch one of the live shows.

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Miss Mills, whose occupation is ‘charity campaigner’, added she felt it was an opportunity for the public to see the real her.

She said ‘I forget the cameras are there when I am on the ice so God knows what is going to come out. I am just looking forward to it.’

The star confessed she may have to perform routines on one leg and has developed a specific routine as a contingency plan.

Miss Mills said she was inspired by a Chinese amputee ballet company which features a male performer with one leg and a crutch performing a routine.

It is understood she is being paid around £50,000 for her appearance on the show but is donating the money to charity.

In 2007 she took part on American TV talent contest, Dancing With The Stars, the U.S. version of Strictly Come Dancing.

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Miss Mills is competing against 13 other celebrities including Gordon Ramsay’s wife Tana, 35, GMTV’s Dr Hilary Jones, 56, EastEnders star Danniella Westbrook, 36, and 37 year-old Boyzone singer Mikey Graham.Mrs Ramsay, who describes herself as an author, confessed she was nervous about appearing on the show.Seemingly unfazed by allegations of her husband’s infidelities last year, she described him as an incredible support and credited him with encouraging her to do the show.The mother of four said: ‘Gordon is the one I go home to every night and talk about how I am having a bad day. I need him and the kids there to support me.’This year’s Dancing On Ice, which is hosted by Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, is the biggest ever with 14 contestants.ITV has changed the judging panel replacing West End star Ruthie Henshall, 42, with 33-year-old Spice Girl Emma Bunto

Forget Viagra! Sound waves can send your sex life into orbit

Sending shock waves through the body has been shown to improve erectile dysfunction. (Posed by models)Firing shock-waves into the body could be a radical new way to boost the love lives of men with erection problems.The pain-free therapy boosts performance by stimulating the growth of new blood vessels in the genital area.A small trial involving 20 men who were taking Viagra or similar drugs for impotence problems was so successful that, by the end of the experiment, 15 of them were able to throw their pills away.None of the volunteers reported any pain or side-effects from the treatment.The radical new therapy, which is on trial in Israel, uses a very mild form of lithotripsy, a technique developed more than 20 years ago for the treatment of kidney stones.Waves of sound are beamed through the skin, and although they pass harmlessly through body tissue, they are at just the right pressure to smash up kidney stones into tiny sand-like particles that are then passed out of the body in urine.But in recent years, several studies have also shown that this type of shock-wave therapy appears to have a healthy effect on blood vessels.It triggers the release of an important substance called Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, or VEGF, which sends out a signal for new blood vessels to start growing.As a result, shock-wave therapy has also attracted increasing interest from cardiologists looking for new ways to treat heart disease.U.S. and Japanese researchers are investigating whether firing shock-waves towards the heart will help it sprout healthy new blood vessels.If so, it could offer a lifeline to patients who are too ill to undergo heart bypass surgery.According to Israeli research, the same benefits could help men who suffer persistent erection problems.Some health experts are now convinced there is a close link between impotence and heart disease, and that problems in the bedroom can often signal hidden blockages in blood vessels near the heart which are reducing blood flow around the body.Doctors at the Rambam Medical Centre in Haifa, Israel, recruited 20 men with an average age of 56 to take part in the trial.All 20 were already on medication and had suffered mild to moderate erection problems for an average of three years.During the three-week course of treatment, low-intensity shock-waves were repeatedly fired into five specific points in the genital area, using a handheld device.Doctors then assessed the severity of the men’s ailments on a 30-point scale called the International Index of Erectile Dysfunction, widely used to measure impotence problems.The lower the score, the greater the problem.Before the trial, the men averaged scores of between 12 and 20 points, which meant they had mild to moderate sexual dysfunction. But after treatments, their scores increased by between five and ten points.

Experts say anything in excess of five points is a significant improvement.Viagra and similar medications, such as Cialis and Levitra, have transformed the treatment of impotence in the past ten years, around 30 per cent of men who take them see no improvement.For these men, the only other options are to inject drugs straight into the penis, or use a pump that manually increases blood supply to the organ.Dr Yoram Vardi, who led the trial, says: ‘Drugs are not a cure. When patients stop taking their medication, then they cannot function.’With shock-waves, we can do something biological for the problem. These patients can then function without the need for medication.’Dr John Dean, president of the International Society of Sexual Medicine, said the findings were ‘intriguing’ and worth following up in larger studies.But he warned that earlier attempts to use shock-wave therapy for another condition called Peyronie’s disease – where the penis is bent and painful when erect – had failed.’These findings are interesting and definitely warrant further investigation,’ Dr Dean said. ‘But we are a long way off saying that men should go to their GP asking for this treatment.’

The dog that WAS just for Christmas … thousands of pets abandoned as festive season ends

Looking into his sheepish eyes it’s hard to imagine why anyone wouldn’t want him after Christmas.But this seven-week-old Dachshund puppy is just one of thousands of pets who have been abandoned by their owners after the festive period.Held by kennel assistant Maxine Elson, he is waiting along with dozens of his canine friends for a new owner at the Cheshire Dogs Home in Warrington.

Unloved: This seven-week-old Dachshund cross puppy is waiting to be rehomed

Pick me: Kennel assistant Maxine Elson holds the puppy. There has been a surge in the number of abandoned pets over the Christmas period Record numbers of pets have been handed over to kennels and local councils this December.It comes as animal charities say fewer people are adopting cats and dogs this year because of the recession – leaving them with little space to take on more strays.The recent surge of abandoned pets is being put down to people changing their minds about keeping their Christmas presents when they realise the cost involved.

Max a two year old Border Collie is one of the many dogs that were abandoned pets over the festive period

Manchester Dogs Home took in 108 dogs in December, while in Worcestershire, 60 cats and 35 dogs were abandoned across the county during the same period.The RSPCA received across the south-west of England 22 dogs and 11 cats on Christmas Day alone.Animal charity PDSA, which helps families struggling to pay their veterinary bills, said it has seen a sharp rise in the number of people needing their help and animals abandoned.

The recession has led to a rise in abandoned dogs, like this cross Labrador, as families struggle with vet bills

PDSA spokesman Deryck Wilson said: ‘We’ve seen a real surge in the number of people needing help or who are unable to keep their pet financially.’As incomes have fallen, families have had to make tough decisions and pets have lost out. But there is help out there and they don’t have to abandon these animals.’The Cheshire Dogs’ Home can be contacted on 01925 269500.

The metabolism miracle diet part two: Eat carbs and still lose weight!

Vitality: Follow our four part series and lose weight – without ever feeling hungry again

Struggling to lose weight? In part one of our series, we revealed that you could be suffering from Metabolism B, which prevents you controlling your appetite – and weight.

But there’s a solution: the Metabolism Miracle diet. Yesterday, we outlined stage one – an eight-week low-carb ‘rehab’ phase, designed to rebalance blood sugar levels.

Today, we look at ways you can boost your ability to burn fat – and how you can reintroduce carbs to your menu and still lose weight…

Freshly baked bread, filling the room with its warmth and mouth-watering smell as it emerges from the oven. Beautifully cooked al dente pasta, smothered in rich bolognese sauce. Hearty shepherd’s pie, just asking you to stick your fork into the fluffy potato crust. Why is it that so many of our favourite foods are the very ones packed with carbohydrates that dieticians insist are the reason we put on weight? It doesn’t seem fair.

In step one of the Metabolism Miracle diet, which I described in yesterday’s Mail, I showed you how to stage an eight-week carb detox. But a diet containing very few carbohydrates can never be a healthy one long-term.

Carbohydrates are the fuel that your body needs to run properly. So, after the strict eight-week rehab period, it will be time to reintroduce carbs back into your diet – and plenty of them.

Step two of the Metabolism Miracle diet cleverly reprogrammes your body to process carbohydrates in a controlled way, while you continue to burn fat and lose weight. So, eventually, you’ll be able to eat all those delicious meals again without piling on the pounds.

You’ll be feeling and looking so slim and healthy after your eight-week rehab that you may baulk at the idea of eating carbohydrates ever again.

But, remember, it wasn’t actually the carbohydrates in your diet that were causing you problems before – it was your metabolism overreacting to them, and sending your appetite and weight into a destructive spiral.

The biggest difference with the Metabolism Miracle diet is that, in contrast to other low-carb eating plans you may have tried, it gives you very clear instructions on how to do reintroduce carbohydrates the healthy way, continue to lose weight, and rediscover the joy in eating the many carbohydrate choices that fit this programme.

You will continue to eat all of the foods that you ate freely in step one – but you will now add lots of small servings of low-impact carbohydrates.

Low-impact carbohydrates are those which give a slow, steady release of energy as they are digested. These foods will allow your body to wake up slowly from the eightweek detox and prevent it from overreacting to the reintroduction of carbohydrates with excess insulin, which could make you put on weight.

Step two of the Metabolism Miracle is a nutritionally balanced diet that allows safe, long-term weight loss.

Plan to stay in this part of the programme for at least eight weeks, or until you have reached your desired weight. Unlike step one, there is no limit to the amount of time you may stay on step two.

As with the first step of the diet, you can enjoy all of the following foods freely. However, do keep portions to sensible sizes, otherwise you will thwart your weight loss!

See the meal recommendations below for well-balanced ideas.

Healthy fats: Lighter (reduced fat) butter; lighter (reduced fat) margarine; light mayonnaise; light double and single cream; half-fat creme fraiche, half-fat sour cream; oils; olives; avocados; nuts; seeds.

Lean proteins: Lean meat; skinless poultry; fish and shellfish; reduced-fat cheese; low-fat cottage cheese; eggs; ‘natural’ peanut butter (ie no added sugar); nut and seed butters; tofu; unsweetened soy milk; other soy products; vegetarian meat substitutes.

Allowed vegetables: Artichokes and artichoke hearts; asparagus; aubergines; green or wax beans; bean sprouts; broccoli; Brussels sprouts; cabbage; cauliflower; celery; courgettes; turnips; cucumbers; dill; pickles; onions; greens (kale, spinach etc); leeks; mushrooms; okra peppers (all varieties); lettuce and other salad greens; radishes; sauerkraut; tomatoes (maximum 1 per meal); tomato salsa; tomato juice; vegetable juice.

Free extras: You can eat and drink the following items whenever you like – as long as you check their labels first, to be sure they contain zero carb grams:

Sugar-free jelly; sugar-free chewing gum; sugar-free jam; sugar-free ice pops; bouillon/stock consomme; soda water; diet fizzy drinks; sugar-free tonic water; coffee; tea; flavoured waters; lemon and lime juice; mustard; vinegar; herbs and spices.Foods from all four of these groups can be combined with controlled amounts of the low-impact carbs shown in the box on page 43.By cutting out carbohydrates from your diet for the past eight weeks during step one, your liver was intentionally starved of carbs

On the morning that you begin step two of the programme, however, a carefully measured amount of low-impact carbohydrate will gently enter your bloodstream and your liver will begin processing it again.

Watch the pounds drop: You’ll be feeling and looking so slim and healthy after your eight-week rehab

But whereas in the past your liver may not have been processing your food effectively, this time you can start to control it.

It’s vital that you eat in a careful and consistent way if you want to continue burning fat.

Skip or delay meals regularly and your body could return to its old metabolic habit of over-releasing insulin and fat cells may expand.

You need to give your metabolism at least eight weeks to reprogramme itself on step two by eating carefully, and on time.

By eating a specific amount of carbohydrate (11 to 20 grams at a time) no further than five hours apart, you will take control of your blood sugar.
THE MAGIC FORMULA

So how do you keep the amount of carbohydrates that you are going to eat at each meal within 11 to 20 grams per portion? In this step, you use a wonderful, simple formula to check that the portions of foods such as bread, crackers, cereal, yoghurt and ice-cream you are eating all stay within the 11-to-20 gram window. Take wholegrain bread, for example. To make sure that a slice of wholegrain bread fits into your 11-to-20 gram allotment, check the nutrition facts label on the back of the packaging and subtract the dietary fibre figure from the total carbohydrates per portion.

Wholemeal Bread Serving Size: 1 Slice

Total Carbohydrate: 20 grams

Dietary Fibre: 3 grams

20 – 3 = 17 net carb grams

At 17g net carbs, a slice of this bread fits into the 11-to-20 gram window, so go ahead and enjoy it.

At lunch, you might decide to have some multigrain crackers with your chicken caesar salad. How many crackers can you have and still be within the 11-to-20gram target range? Simply check the nutrition facts label again.

Serving Size: 8 crackers

Total Carbohydrate: 24 grams

Dietary Fibre: 5 grams

24 – 5 = 19 net carb grams

Eight crackers fit into the 11-to-20 gram window, so go ahead.

For at least the next eight weeks – or until you have lost all the weight you need to – you should choose all of your carb servings from the Low-Impact Carbs list.

High-impact carbs such as marshmallows, crisps, and fruit juice – which can cause a rapid rise in blood sugar – are not on the list. Avoid these items during step two to prevent your metabolism from returning to its old ways.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

Once you enter step two, to keep your metabolism running smoothly you must not go for longer than five hours without eating an 11-to-20 gram net portion of low impact carbs.

Remember that you are reprogramming your body. This is a vital period of transition.

If you skip the transition and introduce carbs haphazardly, you will most definitely regain everything you’ve lost.

So, during this step, you must eat a food from the 11-to-20 gram net carb list at the following times:

• Prior to exercising – if you exercise before breakfast- With breakfast, lunch and dinner.

• At snacks between meals if your main meals are to be eaten more than five hours apart.

• Right before you go to bed at night.

• If you wake up during the middle of the night (an 11-to-20 gram snack is recommended, but not required) .

• Time your carbohydrates in the correct portions throughout the day, and you have effectively set up a dam that prevents the liver from releasing stored sugar in the form of glycogen. And if you suffer from Met B this glycogen, instead of being processed by your body for energy, tends to be stored as fat.

It is vital to keep the amount of carbohydrates you eat between 11 and 20 grams. A dam built of fewer

7am: Wake up than 11 grams will not be high enough to prevent liver glycogen from flowing over.

A dam built of more than 20 grams of carbohydrate at a meal or snack will stimulate the pancreas to release extra insulin, which will throw your blood sugar out of kilter leading to fatigue, cravings for more carbohydrates and weight gain rather than weight loss.

If the time between two main meals (ie breakfast and lunch, or lunch and dinner) will exceed five hours, you need to set a reinforcing dam with a mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack of an additional 11-to-20 carb grams to keep the liver on hold until you eat your next main meal.

On the days when you do need to take the additional 11-to-20 grams as a between-meal snack – before exercising, for example, or because your meals will be more than five hours apart – remember you still need to consume your 11-to-20 gram carb dam at the next meal.

The 11-to-20 gram carb replacements at breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime are constants.

KEEP EATING THEM

Once you introduce carbohydrates, you must keep eating them, or you will regain weight.

It is possible that you’ll need six or more carbohydrate servings per day.

Here’s a typical day’s carbohydrate placement, with meal suggestions for step two to help you see how the system works:

• 8am: Breakfast. A small bowl of high fibre cereal with soya milk (portions chosen to add up to 11-to-20g net carbohydrates).
• 10am: Mid-morning Snack – Handful of peanuts (you don’t need a 11-to-20g carb ‘dam’ here because breakfast and lunch will be within five hours of each other.
• Noon: Lunch. Grilled cheese sandwich made with 2 thin slices of Weightwatchers wholemeal bread (bread fits the 11-to-20g net carb requirement).
• 4pm: Mid-afternoon snack – dip of cottage cheese with seven sliced strawberries (contains 11-to-20g net carbohydrates, as lunch and dinner are greater than five hours apart).
• 7.30pm: Dinner – grilled fish with 125g/5oz brown rice (11-to-20g net carbohydrates) and steamed broccoli PLUS one cinnamon ricotta pudding (see recipe below).
• 10.30pm: Bedtime snack – (11-to-20g net carbohydrates), one serving of low-fat peach yogurt (11-20g net carb).
• 11pm: Bedtime.

THE FIRST THREE DAYS OF STEP TWO

Mot people notice that they feel a little bloated and their belts are a tad snugger during the first three days of step two. But you are not gaining weight.

As the liver refills with glycogen, it also takes in some additional fluid.

Drink plenty of water during these days, to help your body release the bloat. By the fourth day, the fluid retention will have disappeared and your waistband will be back to normal.

After those first three days, your body should continue to feel healthy and energised while you continue to lose weight.

WHY YOUR METABOLISM MATTERS

Cravings for carbohydrates, uncontrollable weight gain, and a string of failed weight-loss attempts are just three of the common symptoms of the recently discovered condition known as Metabolism B.

Other telltale signs include a spongy roll of fat around your tummy, fatigue, depression and/or trouble sleeping.

Metabolism B means that your body can’t process carbohydrates normally.

For example, when a person with a ‘normal’ metabolism eats carbohydrates, their pancreas releases insulin to control blood sugar in the correct amount, at the correct time for optimal metabolism and energy.

But when someone with Metabolism B eats carbohydrates, their body has the tendency to release too much insulin into the bloodstream, which leads to roller-coaster blood sugar levels, fatigue and an urgent craving for yet more carb-loaded foods.

It also helps to lay down extra fat stores. Metabolism B is an inherited predisposition that can show itself at any time and can be triggered by stress, inactivity, illness or a hormonal change in the body.

But don’t worry, even if you don’t have Metabolism B, The Metabolism Miracle diet can help you slim, too.

MIRACLE RECIPES

CHUNKY CHICKEN SALAD

Suitable for steps one, two and three; counts as no-carb meal. Serves 4.

INGREDIENTS

• 150ml/5fl oz sour cream
• 150ml/5fl oz light mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 250g/9oz cooked and cubed, skinless chicken breast
• 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp each finely chopped fresh dill and parsley
• 2 tbsp pitted, sliced black olives
• 1/2 tsp salt

METHOD

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Blend well. Add the cubed chicken, green pepper, onion, dill, parsley and olives. Mix well.

Refrigerate for at least one hour prior to serving on a bed of salad leaves.

IN A medium mixing bowl, combine the sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Blend well. Add the cubed chicken, green pepper, onion, dill, parsley and olives. Mix well.
Refrigerate for at least one hour prior to serving on a bed of salad leaves.

ITALIAN VEGETABLE SOUP

Suitable for a carb-based snack, lunch or even a bedtime snack during steps two and three; 275ml/1/2pt = one 11-20g net carb serving. Serves 6 to 8.

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 tsp salt
• Cooking oil spray
• 450g/1lb lean minced beef
• 100g/4oz cup diced onion
• 100g/4oz sliced celery
• 50g/2oz sliced carrots
• 1 410g can red kidney beans, drained
• 1 410g can black eyed beans, drained
• 500ml/16fl oz beef stock
• Handful of finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 400g cans chopped tomatoes
• 1/4tsp each dried oregano and dried basil black pepper, to season
• 225g/8oz shredded cabbage Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

METHOD

In a pan, coated with cooking oil spray, brown the meat and drain off fat. Add all the ingredients, except the cabbage and cheese, to the meat and bring to a boil.

Lower the heat, partially cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add the cabbage and simmer for another 15 minutes.

Serve topped with grated parmesan or freeze in individual pots.

FETA-STUFFED MUSHROOMS

Suitable for steps one, two and three; counts as a no-carb dish. Serves 2

(1 mushroom per serving).

INGREDIENTS

• Cooking oil spray
  
• 2 portobello mushrooms (5-to-6 ounces each)
• 100g/4 oz package crumbled feta cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped pitted ripe olives
• 2 tbsp chopped, oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
• Oil from the sun-dried tomatoes

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 220C/425F/gas mark 7. Lightly coat a baking tray with cooking oil spray. Remove and discard the mushroom stems.

Place the mushroom caps, stem side up, on the tray, brush the inside of each mushroom with oil from the sundried tomatoes and set aside.

In a small mixing bowl, combine the feta cheese, olives and sun- dried tomatoes, and mix well. Divide the cheese mixture equally and place on the mushrooms.

Bake for 10 minutes until well heated. Serve warm.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS

For steps one, two, and three; count as no-carb. Serves 4; 7 meatballs/serving 450g.

INGREDIENTS

• 1lb lean minced beef
  
• 1 medium onion, chopped
  
• 1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
  
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  
• 1 tbsp each finely chopped fresh dill and parsley
• 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg
• 1 tsp dried dill 1 large egg, beaten
• 1/2 tsp each salt and black pepper
• Cooking oil spray
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 180ml/6fl oz beef stock
• 120ml/4fl oz white wine

METHOD

In A large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, onion, green pepper, garlic, dill, parsley, spices, beaten egg, salt, and pepper. Use your hands to mix the ingredients evenly.

Form into about 30, 1in, mini meatballs. Lightly coat a non- stick frying pan with cooking spray and add the 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Cook over medium heat.

Cook the meatballs, in batches if necessary, shaking the pan occasionally, until they are browned on all sides and cooked through.

Remove the meatballs from the pan and place on paper towel to drain excess grease.

Add the beef stock and wine to the pan and cover. Turn up the heat and cook over high heat for about 3 minutes. Add the meatballs back to the pan and cook in the sauce for 10 minutes, spooning the sauce over the meatballs as it thickens. Serve immediately.

CINNAMON RICOTTA PUDDING

Suitable for steps one, two and three; counts as a no-carb ‘free’ food, and can be eaten as a dessert or a snack. Serves 1.

INGREDIENTS

• 100g/4oz ricotta cheese
• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 (1 g) packet Splenda, reduced fat cream

METHOD

MIX together the ricotta, sour cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon and Splenda in a dessert bowl. Chill and top with cream before serving.

Lisa Scott-Lee and Hannah Waterman strip off after losing 5st between them

With the new year upon us, women everywhere are planning their get fit routines.But for Lisa Scott-Lee and Hannah Waterman there is no need to diet. Instead the pair  are stripping off to reveal their newly svelte figures.Former Steps star Lisa is keen to show off her figure, after giving birth to daughter Star just three months ago.

Back in shape: Lisa Scott-Lee lost her baby weight in three weeks

For her the weight loss was easy – she was back in her size 8 jeans three weeks after giving birth, having shed 2 stone of baby weight.But for Hannah the process was a lot harder. She embarked on an intensive diet and fitness regime after seeing bloated photos of herself on holiday, losing five dress sizes.Lisa says she knows that not everyone will be happy for her. ‘I know some women will hate me,’ she said.’They’ll assume I’ve crash dieted, but I really haven’t. It’s just the way I am and I know I’m extremely lucky. I also think it’s down to breastfeeding – it’s great for both mum and baby.

Hannah Waterman lost 2.5 stone and dropped five dress sizes

‘I decided to try on my size 8 jeans three weeks after I’d had Star and they fitted!’ she said. ‘I showed Johnny and he couldn’t believe it – I felt great.’

The 33-year-old has been married to dancer Johnny Shentall, 31, for five years.They had their first child, son Jaden, 18 months ago, and Lisa got her figure back in about six weeks.No more cellulite: The actress is delighted with her new figure, and wants to show it off

When she fell pregnant with Star in January 2009, Lisa was sure she wouldn’t be so lucky second time around.’They say you put on a lot more weight in the second pregnancy, but I still only gained about 2st,’ said the 5ft4in star.Lisa is adamant she hasn’t dieted since having Star, but is simply blessed with a fast metabolism. As for toning up, she hasn’t been near the gym since having Star, but she swears by a minute a day on her exercise ball.’I’ve not done any sit-ups yet – you have to let your body settle,’ she said.’But there’s one thing I do that literally takes a minute. I put my exercise ball against a wall and kneel on it, using all my muscles to balance.’It pulls in your stomach muscles, working core, bottom and thighs. It’s hard to find the time when you’re a new mum, but just a minute a day can really help to pull everything back in.’But Lisa says her body is not yet back to its old shape.’I’ve still got a little tummy – I quite like it! It reminds me I’m a mum,’ she said.’My hips are bigger than they used to be, and although I’m in my size 8 clothes, they’re a bit more snug these days.’To be honest, I don’t want my body to get back to the toned size 6 I was in Steps. If I still looked like that, it would mean I didn’t have my two beautiful babies!’

Meanwhile Hannah is celebrating dropping five dress sizes – after losing 2.5 stone.The actress, who ended her relationship with husband Ricky Groves on New Year’s Day, showed off her toned and slim figure in a blue bikini, before modelling some flesh coloured underwear.This time last year the actress was a size 16 and weighed 10st 4lb. Now she is a svelte 7st 10lb, a healthy weight for her 5ft 2in frame.’I joined the cast of Calendar Girls in the West End last month and have to strip off every night on stage in front of an audience, so this shoot was a doddle!’ she told Closer magazine.’The only tricky thing was covering my boobs with my hands. If it’d been the old me, it would have been a real challenge!’It was seeing paparazzi shots of her on the beach that motivated Hannah to get fit.’Seeing those pictures was mortifying. I knew I’d put on weight, but seeing myself that big was a shock,’ she revealed.

‘I’ve always struggled with my weight – when I joined EastEnders in 2000, the press nicknamed me Lard-arse Laura, even though I was only a size 12.I ran a marathon three years ago, but after that I didn’t do an ounce of exercise.’

Hannah blamed poor food choices for her expanding waistline.’I’d have white toast for breakfast, eat nothing until I was starving and then shovel down a cheese sandwich on white bread.’Then I’d have a high-calorie ready meal for dinner with a few glasses of wine. I never had a sweet tooth, but I’d snack on crisps, sausage rolls and cheese.’No wonder people thought I was pregnant in those holiday pictures. My tummy was huge – I called it my cheese and wine baby.’And Ricky [Groves, 41, who also recently lost almost 2st on Strictly] called me Little Buddha because of it.’Hannah embarked on a healthy diet and gruelling fitness regime, getting up at 6am to fit it in before rehearsals.She said: ‘The early starts weren’t easy – I’d be in a grumpy mood, but I soon had so much more energy for the rest of the day.’The first session nearly killed me – we only did power-walking and squats, but I could barely walk the next day. I got fitter quickly though. After six weeks it was easier to learn my lines and concentrate too.’

Coronation Street actor Ben Price on why playing Nick Tilsley means he’s finally in a TV show that won’t scandalise his local church

Doctor Who isn’t the only bloke on the box to get a brand new face – Ben Price beat him to it when he became the third incarnation of Nick Tilsley…And even though joining Coronation Street as Gail’s first-born son has already involved Ben parading around in his undies, the soap part is a real blessing for him. It means he’s finally in a TV show that won’t scandalise his local church.Ben was last on our screens as bisexual footballer Conrad Gates in Footballers’ Wives. Some of his raunchier scenes involved joining the mile-high club, having sex on a washing machine and strolling naked through a hotel foyer.It was all a little X-rated for some of his friends.Ben says: “I go to this church in London every Sunday and one of the nuns came up to me and said: ‘Ooh, I saw you on Footballers’ Wives, Ben. I turned it off.. eventually!’

“It was all a bit embarrassing, although they never cast any aspersions. It was more a case of: ‘Well, that’s what you do for a living, Ben. Now, would you like to do a reading at next Sunday’s service?’“I know them all and they’re all lovely, although I think they’re pleased I’m now in something they can watch, like Coronation Street.”Ben arrived on the ITV1 soap just before Christmas, when he snogged his soon-to-be step-sister Tina after she had rowed with boyfriend Jason.It all seemed rather tame after his steamy antics on Footballers Wives, including his raunchy romps with Tanya (Zoe Lucker).He says: “It started out as a show about footballers and turned into this Dallas-style series where I was naked having sex all the time.“The scene on the private jet was my second week at work. The cameramen and lighting guys were seriously embarrassed but Zoe was incredible and said: ‘Come on, let’s do it.’“And if you don’t do it well on the first take you’ll get asked to do it again and again. So if you give it everything you’ve got first time, they go: ‘Oh, OK, now we’ll have to tone it down!’“I didn’t get embarrassed, though. In the end, it’s only my bum that’s being seen. It’s just fun and a bit pantomime really.”Incredibly Ben, 37, was far more embarrassed filming his first Corrie scenes, in which Nick kisses Tina, played by 22-year-old Michelle Keegan.“In some ways it’s a bit tame, but Michelle is a young girl and there were cameras and it was sensitive,” he says.

“Funnily enough, an outrageous scene, like where I walked naked through a hotel in Thailand, was easier to do.I dropped my towel and they didn’t clear the lobby first, so there were hundreds of holidaymakers watching me do it.“Yet sometimes when it’s very intimate and quite personal, and you’re with someone for the first time and haven’t met them before, you feel a bit more nervous about it.”On Friday’s episode of Corrie, Nick and Tina are thrown together again at the wedding of his long-suffering mum Gail to her debt-ridden kitchen fitter dad Joe. As they discuss their kiss, David Platt overhears Tina telling Nick how much she regrets it – and begging him not to tell a soul.Ben says: “Nick thinks it’s funny that she’s so embarrassed and that she has a boyfriend. But it’s a game to him – he’s not about to declare marriage to her.”

Corrie marks Ben’s TV return after two years away. Six months ago he had a completely different role – as a stay-at-home dad. When his fashion stylist wife of five years Alexandra had their daughter Paloma, now three, Ben decided to stayed at their home in West London to care for the baby.“My wife had gone back to work and our childcare fell through when Paloma was nine months old, so I said I’d be with her for a week,” Ben says.

AND  TIGER !!

]]> http://nokidsplease.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/more-coronation-street-and-breeders-in-the-sex-shop/ Mon, 04 Jan 2010 21:14:41 +0000 childfreekey http://nokidsplease.wordpress.com/2010/01/04/more-coronation-street-and-breeders-in-the-sex-shop/

So, Steve’s still after having kids. He claims that women who are done having kids who want their partners to get a vasectomy treat them like stray dogs. He said this to a guy who’s wife, who suffered extreme postpartum psychosis, wanted him to have a vasectomy. Women and their reproductive rights mean nothing to him, clearly. He’s also said that Becky is unfair and doesn’t love him for not wanting kids with him. Although he already has a daughter, he says he’s not a family man as Becky won’t have babies with him. He also didn’t answer his phone when his mother called to tell him his little girl had a nightmare. He proceeded to get blindingly drunk, and ended up stumbling home and yelling at Becky, despite his daughter being asleep. He said her friend, wife of vasectomy guy, was ‘poisoning her mind’ and went on to say ‘it’s ok for her, she’s got two at home, and I’ve got none!’. Well, actually Steve, you’ve got a daughter.

Steve doesn’t want another kid. He wants ‘babies’. He has no interest in looking after his current daughter, no interest in caring for his wife, either. All that matters is him, and his wants. His rant about ’stray dogs’ was at a friend’s house. He turned up at his mates doorstep and demanded to come in and get drunk, even though the friend was babysitting his own kids while his wife was out. His friend and his kids matter nothing either. Steve is selfish, ignorant, and misogynistic. He really shouldn’t have kids again.

In other news, I took a trip to Brighton today to do some shopping and get some lunch. At the train station, I saw someone let their little kids run around on the icy platforms. Well done, parents. Your kids are inches away from, at the very least, smacking their heads open, and at worst, frying to death on the electric train tracks. Later, I took a wander into Ann Summers. For those who don’t know, Ann Summers is a chain of UK shops that specialize in sexy underwear and sex toys. While I was browsing through the bras, a lady with two toddlers came in. The kids ran straight at the sex toy display, and proceeded to play with the flavoured lubes. The mum left them to it, and when a salesperson removed the kids and confronted her, she went ape. The salesperson rightly said that Ann Summers was no place for kids. The mother went mental and spewed all the usual garbage like ‘don’t tell me how to parent’ and ‘it’s up to me what I do with my kids’. Eventually, a security guard tried to remove her, and she kicked off more. As I was leaving, I heard the security guard radio the police station. So, hopefully, those kids will at least get a social worker now.

One sign of positive parenting today though, I went to Yo Sushi for lunch, where I was annoyed to be seated next to a family with small kids. However, the kids were eating all the weirdest sushi available, pronouncing the names right, and loving it. They were impeccably behaved, and a world away from lube-lady. See, that’s what gets me. All these bad parents go on about how hard it is, how we don’t understand. Yet, clearly, some parents manage fine. So why can’t they? If you can’t cope, don’t have kids. Simple as.

The New Year welcomes or should that be grimaces the return of Channel Four’s Celebrity Big Brother for one last run of celebrity voyeurism.

After weeks of speculation, the final line-up has been revealed in all it’s mainly d-list glory. Read after the jump to check out who we’ll be getting to know more of for the next 27 days…

Stephen Baldwin

Best known for his roles in double Academy Award-winning The Usual Suspects and Oscar winning Born on the 4th of July,  the 43-year-old actor is the youngest of the Baldwin brothers, who include Daniel, William and the most famous sibling, 30 Rock star Alec.

A born-again Christian, Stephen is also the director of his own ministry – The Breakthrough Ministry – preaching in arenas across the United States. His faith has spurred him to write a book entitled Unusual Suspect in which he describes how he has dedicated his life to Jesus

Nicola T

Croydon born Nicola launched her modelling career in 2002 winning The Sun’s first ever Page 3 Idol competition.

The 27-year-old previously dated Fulham Striker Bobby Zamora, during which time she took part in reality show WAGs Boutique where two teams of WAGs competed to run two fashion boutiques over a three-month period.

Other on-screen credits include an appearance as a red light district girl in film Deuce Bigalow: European Gigolo and launching a fitness DVD titled WAG’s Workout with fellow WAGS Melissa Johnson and Lisa Munday.

Nicola is now engaged to Crewe Alexander midfielder Simon Walter with whom she has a daughter, Poppy. She has recently collaborated on a single with ex-CBB Housemate Coolio.

Stephanie Beacham

Stephanie’s first claim to fame came as a 21-year-old when she was chosen to play a nude scene alongside Marlon Brando. The 60-year-old has had an extensive film, television and theatre career on both sides of the Atlantic, she has previously been nominated for a Golden Globe and a People’s Choice Award.

In 2007 Stephanie took part in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and in early 2009 joined the cast of Coronation Street as Martha, the love interest of Ken Barlow.

Alex Reid

Best known for dating model Katie Price aka Jordan, cage fighter Alex is trained in numerous martial arts including ‘Vale Tudo’ which he describes as “as near as you can get to total mayhem in a controlled environment” The 34-year-olds first cage fighting experience came at Extreme Brawl in 1998, while his lifetime ambition is to be Middleweight Champion of the world.

Outside cage fighting, Alex joined the elite 10th Para regiment of the Territorial Army in 1996 and is said to enjoy reading up on philosophy and ancient mythology. He has also had walk on roles in films such as Eyes Wide Shut, Judge Dredd, Sliding Doors and Tomorrow Never Dies. A regular in ITV’s Soldier Soldier, he appeared in Hollyoaks between 2001 and 2002 before leaving the series to concentrate on his cage fighting career.

Lady Sovereign

Inspired by the success of Ms Dynamite, Lady Sovereign reportedly began writing raps at 14 and uploading them to a So Solid Crew fan forum. Online she met DJ Frampster and together they started uploading sets as the garage/grime duo, Heavy Like Dat.

In 2005 she met Jay-Z, then president and CEO of Def Jam, who asked her to perform an on-the-spot freestyle, it is rumoured that the 24-year-old was immediately signed to the label although has since parted company.

Lady Sovereign or Sov as she prefers to be called has had success both in the UK and US and now has her own record label through which she has recently released a new album.

Dane Bowers

Former member of boy-band Another Level, Dane achieved seven top ten singles including a number one with Freak Me. After the group split in 2000, the 30-year-old fronted UK garage act Truesteppers, who had a hit with Out Of Your Mind featuring the first solo outing of Victoria Beckham.

Dane has a son with ex-girlfriend Emma-Jane North and had a well publicised relationship with model Katie Price. He is currently single.

Sisqó

The former lead singer of now-defunct R&B group Dru Hill, the 31-year-old left in 1999 to pursue a solo career.

His first solo album Unleash the Dragon which included hit The Thong Song launched Sisqó into a household name. The album went five-times Platinum and accrued world wide sales of 6 million. His follow up album, Return of the Dragon had also achieved wide-acclaim.

As well as his music career, Sisqó has taken on supporting roles in the films Get Over It with Kirsten Dunst and Snow Dogs in which he stars as a dental assistant with Cuba Gooding, Jr. He also had a role in the hit television series Sabrina, the Teenage Witch in 2001.

Jonas aka Basshunter

Swedish born Jonas Altberg is best known for his number one dance hit Now You’re Gone. The song subsequently reached number one on the UK Singles chart and stayed there for 5 weeks making it the biggest selling dance single of 2008.

The  25-year-old makes music under his stage name – Basshunter, his album Now You’re Gone: The Album was released in July 2008 and went directly to No1 in the UK and sold gold and platinum in several countries around the world.

Heidi Fleiss

Known for running an extremely successful yet illegal prostitution ring, Heidi was arrested in 1993 on multiple charges. The media reports of her arrest catapulted the 44-year-old into the limelight as ‘a Hollywood Madam’ although to this day she refuses to name her clients.

Her well publicised 1994 trial resulted in a documentary about her past career. After a spell behind bars Heidi sold the rights to her life story to Hollywood, the result was a made-for-TV-movie called Call Me: the Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss.

She has since produced a DVD with Victoria Sellers aptly named Sex Tips and has gone on to develop various other business interests including running a Laundromat called Dirty Laundry in Nevada.

Katia Ivanova

Born in Kazakhstan, 21-year-old model, Ekaterina moved to Britain at the age of three, coming to fame as the girlfriend of Rolling Stone, Ronnie Wood.

After meeting 62-year-old Wood at a Mayfair bar in 2008, Ekaterina reportedly described their relationship as starting off “like a fairytale”. After splitting at the end of 2009 however she claimed in an interview “I think he needed to be mothered….I thought ‘I’m only 21, why should I sit here and worry about him?”

Known as Katia to her friends it is reported that she dreams of being a children’s illustrator.

Vinnie Jones

One of the 20th century’s most notorious footballers, Vinnie rose to fame playing for Wimbledon FC, his most infamous moment involving the grabbing of Paul Gascoignes’ crotch during a game against Tottenham. The 44-year-old was sent off 12 times in his career and still holds the record for the fastest ever booking – receiving a yellow card after just three seconds. Vinnie went on to play for clubs including Leeds, Chelsea, and Wales. He retired from the game in 1999.

After football, his great passion is acting and in 1998 he made his successful debut as ‘Big Chris’ in Guy Ritchie’s hit film, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, for which he received an Empire award. Hollywood soon beckoned and Vinnie appeared in a variety of films including Gone in Sixty Seconds, Swordfish, Mean Machine and X-Men: The Last Stand.

So there you have it…let the tears, tantrums and breakdowns commence…

pic c/o ITV

Buy One Get One Free

pic c/o ITV

Eastenders crushed Corrie in the Christmas Day ratings. They had a murder, you see, and Coronation Street had a character telling her husband she had breast cancer (review here). Both plotlines had been leaked weeks in advance, as they always are, but to be honest which of them sounds the more gripping to watch?

I actually didn’t see Archie whatever-his-name-was get killed, because I don’t watch Eastenders. But then, over New Year, I was staying with people who do watch Eastenders, so I saw the new year episodes. Archie whatever-his-name-was had been put on the back burner, plotwise, and the centre of attention was this tortured soul called Syed, who was about to get married to a lovely lass in a lavishly traditional Pakistani ceremony involving horses and head-dresses and women (and men) in fabulous clothes. But Syed was not happy, because he’s gay, and he’s in love with a man called Christian, who may or may not be a Christian but who is certainly Ian Beale’s brother-in-law. Christian, too, is a tortured soul. He’s out and proud, but completely besotted with Syed.

Would the wedding go ahead? Would Christian turn up at the wedding to whisk Syed off for a life of gay fun and true love? Would the shock of finding out that her son bats for the other team (and we don’t mean India) send Syed’s pregnant mother into early labour? It was all excellent fun and I enjoyed it a lot. In fact, I may even watch it again (ok, I admit it, I’ve got it on series link, and I never thought I’d say that about Eastenders).

Compared to all this drama, the newspaper’s synopsis of last night’s second Corrie read “Becky sleeps on the sofa,” which didn’t sound very dramatic at all. Bit of a yawn in fact. But the episode was written by Simon Crowther, who is brilliant at the comic details and funny dialogue, and it was a little gem. There was one of those beautiful scenes with Becky, Roy and Hayley, the world’s most peculiar, yet peculiarly real, little family. Audrey Roberts employed escort Nigel Havers for the evening, only to spend the time reminiscing about her beloved late husband Alfie. And Betty complained to everyone who would listen that she was suffering from “geographical tongue,” which can, apparently, be “very sore.” No-one died, there were no lavish costumes, special effects, hysterics or high drama. It was just a bunch of people we know and love, doing the stuff that people do, bickering, getting sentimental, being wise or silly or both. It was people being people, and that’s why Corrie is brilliant and that’s why, for me, it’ll always be the best soap.

My dad was watching Coronation Street, and while I was on my laptop in the same room, I overheard a snippet of storyline. Steve and his wife Becky were at opposite ends of the scale when it came to wanting kids. My ears pricked up. For a second, I thought Becky was the one who wanted a kid (as per the usual cliche) but then I realised it was the other way around. Steve, who has a daughter from a previous relationship, is the one who wants a kid, and Becky doesn’t. His mother said that they should’ve talked about it before they got married, but he said he assumed. He said to Becky that ‘all married people have kids’ and when she pointed out not all do, he scoffed. She said she didn’t want to get pregnant or give birth, and he called her a wimp, and said something along the lines of ‘all women feel that way, but they all get over it. If all women thought like you, the human race would be extinct’. Becky, who had a crappy childhood, went on to say that no kid of hers could amount to anything because her genes were crap. Steve told her to be serious, and basically brushed her needs and wants away.

Finally, a childfree woman in a soap. The way Steve was firing out bingos, and the fact he already had a child, who clearly wasn’t enough for him, made me think that the storyline was written by a childfree person. It was really frustrating to watch that particular scene, as Steve was shooting poor Becky so many bingos that I’ve heard in my day to day life, and all I wanted to do was slap the silly man.

I hope Becky sticks to her guns and gets through to him that yes, she is serious, and no, she won’t change her mind.

Since everyone else is doing end of year lists, we thought we’d go off piste and reflect on the non-Hollyoaks things that rocked our world in 2009.

The Wire

Believe the hype, everything that’s been said about it is true. We think everyone who watches it should then, on fear of death, show it to someone else – kind of like The Ring but less scary long haired children and more scary yet hot drug dealers. One of the best things you will ever watch. Ever. Shiiiiiiiiiiit.

Children of Earth

Intergalactic paedos. Kids heads exploding. Peter Capaldi not swearing. This Torchwood five parter was shit scary as hell. More like this please.

Corrie

Every scene starring Blanche. RIP. Props also to Tony Gordon for being our fave mental/hot psycho since Vile Niall.

Red Riding

Where we do what we want. Proving that the North is terrifying, this adapt of David Peace’s books was both beautiful and brutal – and we will never ever look at Sean Bean in the same way again.

Kudos to the books themselves, which managed to be even more disturbing than the progamme (good thing they didn’t adapt 1977 eh?) and totally desensitized us to anal rape. (literary not actual)

The Take

A holiday in sunny Barcelona gave us the chance to experince the greatest holiday read ever: Martina Cole’s The Take. Featuring  a plot that is part Shakespearian tragedy part drunken ramblings, it has memorable characters (including white wine and vodka quaffing ledge Jackie Jackson), endlessly quotable lines (Better pour yourself a large one, Jack, you’re going to need it) and more OMG moments than you could shake a stick at,  We’ve since read loads of Martina Cole novels, but none of them quite reach The Take’s majestic levels of genius. Better than the Bible – fact.

We were then naturally OMFG excited about Sky1’s adaptation of said work of genius. Whilst it wasn’t as amazing as the book (and to be fair, what could be?) it had an awesome soundtrack and advertising campaign, looked fucking cool and firmly cast Tom Hardy as our fave dirty crush (replacing Danny Dyer and Mark Gasgoyne)

2012

For making us care more about the fate of a small dog than that of the entire population of India.

Twilight: New moon

Teenage angst, vampires, werewolves, angry red heads, Michael Sheen, unintentionally LOL moments (the flashforward anyone? Edward’s last line?), #broken ness… what more do you need from a film? It also features the greatest film-within-a-film ever: Facepunch. Somebody make this, please!

Twitter

Cannot live without it. Did you know that WLH has a twitter feed? It’s really rather good! Our fave follows: @Eamonn_Forde, @GraceDent, @JerMcEldree (narrowly beating @CherylKerl), @sexyexecutive and @realnickgriffin.

Sci fi channel

We discovered this late in the day but it has already overtaken Five US as our fave random TV channel – double bills of Angel and Buffy, amazing film seasons (Shark Week, the frightmare before Xmas) and the remake of V in the new year…yay!

Xmas perfume adverts

This crimbo no commercial break was complete without a genius/rubbish perfume advert. Here are our faves:

James Franco demonstrating smell the fart acting in what surely must be a Zoolander homage.

Beyonce’s speech impediment: “diamonds are a girls best fwend”

Jailbait anorexic roasting fantasy (okay, that’s for D&G watches, but we still had to mention it)

Kate Moss shagging some bloke/masterbating (depending on which version you see). Plus trying to convince us she is some posh French bird.

The jailbait Rici Ricci cat girl.

Jean Paul Gaultier gay sailor/ prossie sex fantasy.

We couldn’t decide who was the biggest tosser: man on a bike Ewan Macgregor or 007 Puff Daddy

Sadly missed: the Nicole Kidman/”I love to dance!”/no one can steal our dream Chanel advert, but the gorgeous ad with Audrey Tatou filled the void a little bit.

Special mentions

True Blood – very good, but we just can’t seem to love it as much as Buffy; Misfits – grew on us; CSI (all flavours); the mighty Jedward.

So those were our best bits of 2009 – what were yours?

Happy new year from WLH xxx

Don’t miss the chance to watch Ray Fearon as Walter Lee Younger in ‘Raisin In The Sun’. This unforgettable performance will be at the Royal Exchange Theatre Manchester.

This wonderful play is the story of Walter Lee Younger, sometimes called “Brother.” Passionate, ambitious, and bursting with the energy of his dreams.

Recently tickets were offered to The Prince’s Trust via The Yorkshire Post as part of their Christmas Auction Campaign to raise funds for the Charity. But you don’t have to win a ticket to see Ray Fearon, you can get your own here: http://www.royalexchangetheatre.org.uk/event.aspx?id=183

Ray who is known for his work in ‘Harry Potter’, ‘Lulu and Jimmy’, ‘Doctors’ and ‘Coronation Street’ is excited to play this prestigious role.  Hear him talk about this production as well as his other work on his exclusive interview for ‘Brit Celeb Radio’ on ‘LA Talk Radio’: http://www.latalkradio.com/images/Catherine-122409.mp3

‘Raisin in the Sun’ is Lorraine Hansberry’s HUMANE and HEART-RENDING classic.

“…isn’t there something wrong in a house – in a world – where all dreams, good or bad, must depend on the death of a man?”

Lena’s life in Chicago’s Southside has always been about “how to stay alive and still have a pinch of dignity too”, but now that the insurance money from her husband’s death is about to come through, her family sees the chance to make their dreams come true. Maybe Walter Lee can buy a liquor store, maybe Beneatha can become a doctor, maybe Ruth can have a house with a whole lot of light, and Lena a yard with a little patch of dirt where flowers can grow.

However, as each dream threatens to strangle the other and the world continues to stand in their way, the family soon finds that the struggle to retain life and dignity is harder than ever in Lorraine Hansberry’s HUMANE and HEART-RENDING classic.

Hello, there, internetland! I’m Gidget, and I’m a landlocked American with a serious love for British TV Shows. This blog is going to be for reviews of Brit TV, from Doctor Who to Coronation Street. Why get hooked on Brit? Well, here are a few good reasons:

1.) The series (seasons to us Americans) are short ranging from six to ten episodes. This, while being pretty darn cheap, also allows for quick character development and a tight plot. The shows have a preplanned arc, which is sometimes better than the neverending parade.

2.) The soap-operas have been running for decades, and are even more dramatic and outrageous than American ones. Seriously, they’re batshit crazy.

3.) The Brits have looser censorship laws on what they can and can’t show on television. This means more nudity and cussing. (Hooray!)

4.) What’s not to like about the country that brought us The Office and Doctor Who?

So join me, won’t you? The first television series we’ll be delving into is Green Wing, the critically acclaimed medical comedy that gives Scrubs a run for it’s money.

Passengers tell how they grappled with London student who tried to blow up U.S. jetliner

Passengers aboard a transatlantic flight today spoke of the terrifying moment a man with suspected links to Al Qaeda attempted to blow up their plane.A Nigerian suspect was tackled by fellow passenger Jaspar Schuringa as he attempted to detonate a powdery substance on a flight from Amsterdam as it prepared to land at Detroit with 278 people on board.It is believed the man could have boarded the plane with an explosive powder strapped to his inner thigh or hidden in his underwear.

A Nigerian man was tackled by fellow passengers as he attempted to detonate a powdery substance on a transatlantic flight as it prepared to land at Detroit. Local police are pictured taking the suspect off the planeMr Schuringa told CNN that, with the aid of the cabin crew, he helped subdue and isolate the suspect, identified as Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab by U.S. officials.The Dutch video director said that he heard a loud bang that sounded like a firecracker going off at which point somebody started shouting: ‘Fire! Fire!’He then noticed smoke coming from Abdulmutallab’s seat, although the suspect remained still.Mr Schuringa claimed he then jumped over the passenger sitting next to him and lunged over Abdulmutallab’s seat, at which point he saw the Nigerian had his trousers down with a burning object between his legs.’I pulled the object from him and tried to extinguish the fire with my hands and threw it away,’ Mr Schuringa said. ‘My hands are pretty burned. I am fine.’Abdulmutallab seemed dazed, he said. Mr Schuringa then ripped off items of the suspect’s clothing to make sure no more devices were strapped to his body before a crew member handcuffed him.The other passengers then burst into applause, Mr Schuringa said.

Investigation: A forensics officer (left) is seen through a window in a building in Mansfield Street, London. Dutch passenger Jaspar Schuringa (right) sustained an injured hand tackling the suspected bomberSearches are today being carried out in central London after it emerged that 23-year-old Abdulmutallab’ was an engineering student at University College London.Security has been stepped up at UK airports for passengers flying to the US, the Department for Transport said.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said today in a statement: ‘The security of the public must always be our primary concern.

‘We have been working closely with the U.S. authorities on investigating this incident since it happened yesterday. Because of the serious potential threat posed by the incident, I have spoken to the commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, whose officers have been carrying out searches of properties in London.’We will continue to take whatever action necessary to protect passengers on airlines and the public.’The commotion began as Northwest Airlines Flight 253, carrying 278 passengers and 11 crew members prepared to land in Detroit just before noon on Friday. Travelers said they smelled smoke, saw a glow, and heard what sounded like firecrackers.’It sounded like a firecracker in a pillowcase,’ said Peter Smith, a passenger from the Netherlands. ‘First there was a pop, and then (there) was smoke.’

Smith said one passenger, sitting opposite the man – believed to be Mr Schuringa – climbed over passengers, went across the aisle and tried to restrain the man, who officials say was trying to ignite an explosive device. Afterward, the suspect was taken to a front-row seat with his trousers cut off and his legs burned.The White House said it believed it was an attempted act of terrorism and stricter security measures were quickly imposed on airline travel. Dutch anti-terrorism authorities said the U.S. has asked all airlines to take extra precautions on flights worldwide that are bound for the United States.A spokeswoman for Scotland Yard said: ‘We are in liaison with the US authorities. Searches are being carried out at addresses in central London.’She refused to give further details.It is understood from security sources that police and MI5 will want to see ‘as a matter of priority’ the significance of any time that he spent in the UK.

Personnel swarm around Northwest Airlines Flight 253 after a Nigerian suspect allegedly tried to detonate a powdery substance

It is also understood that extra staff and resources have been assigned to the investigation as a matter of urgency.One of the key priorities will be to check whether he has cropped up in the course of any other investigations.A Department for Transport spokeswoman said: ‘In response to events in Detroit the US authorities have requested additional measures for US-bound flights. ‘We are monitoring the situation and will make any assessments as necessary as this develops.’Although general airport security remains the same, with no change to luggage and liquid restrictions, passengers travelling to the US can expect increased searches at the gate before boarding.Airport operator BAA said in a statement: ‘Passengers travelling to the United States should expect their airline to carry out additional security checks prior to boarding.’To support this important process, which will take time, we would advise passengers to leave more time to check in and limit the amount of baggage being taken on board the aircraft.’If in any doubt, please contact the relevant airline for further information.’The suspect boarded in Nigeria and went through Amsterdam en route to Detroit, Peter King, the ranking Republican member of the House Homeland Security Committee, told CNN.

A police officer outside a London property linked to the former student named in connection with the alleged bomb attack

A spokeswoman for police at the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam declined comment about the case or about security procedures at the airport for Flight 253.Dutch airline KLM says the connection in Amsterdam from Lagos, Nigeria, to Detroit involves a change in carrier and a change in aircraft.Schiphol airport, one of Europe’s busiest with a heavy load of transit passengers from Africa and Asia to North America, strictly enforces European security regulations including only allowing small amounts of liquid in hand luggage that must be placed inside clear plastic bags.The US government has tightened airport screening measures as a result of the incident, which is reminiscent of a terror attempt by ’shoe bomber’ Richard Reid.The Briton tried to destroy a transatlantic flight in 2001 with explosives hidden in his shoes. He was subdued by other passengers and is serving a life sentence in the US.A US law enforcement source said Abdulmutallab’s name surfaced on at least one US intelligence database but not to the extent that he was placed on a watch list or a no-fly list.American sources also claimed the man claimed to have been instructed by al Qaeda to detonate the plane over US soil.But other law enforcement officials said this could not be immediately verified and the man may have been acting independently.The man was being treated in an Ann Arbor, Michigan, hospital.

Warm welcome: Zan Jafry (left) helps his father Syed Jafry with his coat after he disembarked the plane

The White House said President Barack Obama discussed the incident with security officials and was monitoring the situation from his holiday spot in Hawaii.The Homeland Security Department encouraged travellers to be observant and aware of their surroundings and report any suspicious behaviour.

Terrorism expert Dr Sally Leivesley told BBC News: ‘This looks as though it is a first attempt of a new way to use the body to conceal explosives.’In the past it was a can of liquid explosive. Now they may be concealing the explosives on the human body, but on the inside upper leg, and we only know this by seeing a very badly burnt leg on the suspected perpetrator.’She said the suspect may have used a syringe to conceal a chemical used for detonation.Aviation expert Chris Yates told BBC News: ‘Security is not 100% at airports anywhere in the world, that’s been shown time and time again. The security processes are relatively robust but we can’t head off every single threat.’Why did this individual not get a second screening having come off a flight from Nigeria apparently?’He should have, if he had been monitored by the intelligence services, he should have been identified as a person who they have an interest in.’A police van was parked on Mansfield Street, W1, about half a mile from the main UCL campus.A crowd of journalists gathered outside No 2, which appeared to be the entry to a block of residential premises.

Murtala Mohammed airport is seen from a bridge in Lagos, Nigeria, where the suspect started his journey

The grandiose building had a blue English Heritage plaque on the wall at the front stating that philanthropist Sir Robert Mayer once lived in the building.Police officers were seen entering and leaving the premises.A woman who lives in the apartment, who did not want to be named, said she had seen the family who lived at the address where the police are carrying out their searches, but that they did not spend much of their time in the flat.The woman, who said she was a carer for another lady who lives in the apartment, said: ‘They are not always there, they only come when it is school holidays, they don’t really stay there.’

She said she believed this was because at least one of them was a college student.She continued: ‘Most of the people in these apartments have got houses in the country so most of them are empty.’The white walled seven-storey building, which has a porter who was not allowing journalists access inside, is within a short distance of Oxford Circus.It is understood the three-bedroom flat being searched is on the second floor, and is rented.The student accused of trying to blow up a transatlantic jet may have been an ‘opportunist’ like shoe-bomber Richard Reid, a terror expert said today.

Security workers leave Schiphol airport in Amsterdam, Netherlands on Saturday

Londoner Reid, an al Qaeda supporter, was jailed for life for attempting to blow up a trans-Atlantic flight in 2001 with explosives hidden in his footwear.

Evidence surrounding the terror suspect drew ‘obvious parallels’ with Reid, said Professor Paul Wilkinson, a terror specialist at St Andrews University.He said: ‘On the strength of the evidence I have seen, there is nothing to suggest this suspect was particularly advanced.’If this was al Qaeda related, he was probably given some instruction or device and told to take the chance when he could.’AQ’s modus operandi is that they operate on all sorts of different levels. This particular case reminds me of Richard Reid, the shoe-bomber.’The fact he has managed to get his leg on fire after getting through security is surprising.’Big questions will have to be asked about airport security if this was a sophisticated device but as it stands I think this was more likely to be opportunist.’

A student bearing the same name as the suspect held in the plane bombing probe in the US was enrolled on a mechanical engineering course at the University College London, the institution confirmed today.The 23-year-old – named by the university as Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab – apparently studied there from 2005 to 2008.A spokesman for the college said: ‘Media outlets are suggesting several different names for the man arrested in connection with an attempted act of terrorism on Northwest Airlines Flight 253 in the early hours of December 26th.’UCL can confirm that a student by the name of Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab was enrolled on a Mechanical Engineering course at the institution between September 2005 and June 2008.’However, it must be stressed that the university has no evidence that this is the same person currently being referred to in the media.Until the situation becomes clearer, UCL will not be making any further comment.’

Amazing Transformation

Tucking in at last, the former anorexic whose weight fell to 4.5 stone

Last Christmas, in the grip of anorexia, Nicola Hobbs weighed less than four and a half stone. By spring she was at death’s door.But what a difference a year makes.After four years with the eating disorder, the 19-year-old is at last in recovery. And she celebrated by sitting down with her family for a traditional Christmas lunch.’Last year I dreaded Christmas,’ said Miss Hobbs, who has a twin sister, Rachel. ‘I picked at my food and had to force myself to join in.’So it is a huge achievement for me this year to really enjoy Christmas dinner, a proper one with not only potatoes and vegetables but turkey and pudding.’Miss Hobbs, the daughter of a business consultant father and a careers adviser mother, succumbed to anorexia at 15.She was always slim but felt ‘deeply uncomfortable about my body and under-confident about who I was’. She also began to over-exercise, seeing her weight fall to below four and a half stone, far too light for her 5ft 4in frame.Eventually, a teacher suggested that she saw a doctor. It was July 2006 and was to be the beginning of two years of visits to hospital, including time on a drip.Miss Hobbs, from West Sussex, admits putting her family through a nightmare, at one point even refusing water.Despite her anorexia, she won a place at Reading University last September to read psychology.

But in the New Year she began experiencing an irregular heartbeat-a side effect of malnutrition.Then in May she found she could not hear properly – the tubes in her ears were collapsing through lack of nutrition. ‘Blood tests showed I was at death’s door and I was immediately admitted to hospital.It was a turning point as it made me realise the damage I was doing to myself. I had to help myself.’In July she was allowed home. Since then her weight has risen to six stone and she is aiming for eight. ‘I don’t want to be a slave to anorexia any more,’ she said.’As I ate Christmas dinner with my family supporting me, I knew that at long last I was on the road to recovery for good.’

Primrose Hill posse in a panic over Sadie Frost’s tell-all book

Sadie Frost is penning her autobiography – which has the Primrose Hill posse in a bit of a panic.The actress, who was married to Jude Law and has three children with him, and whose first husband was Spandau Ballet’s Gary Kemp, has been promised a huge advance from publisher John Blake.

A life well lived: Sadie Frost will be under pressure to make her autobiography as juicy as possible

But she has been told it will need to contain some juicy revelations.‘She plans to lift the lid on her marriages and will touch on her life in the Primrose Hill posse.’All her friends have been asking her to keep it clean,’ says a source.No doubt anecdotes about her hard-living supermodel pal Kate Moss will make for interesting reading.‘It will be an explosive read,’ adds the source.‘Sadie’s so busy she won’t be joining Jude and the children in Barbados this week.’

Hayden Panettiere and Sylvester Stallone spend Christmas LA-style as they gather courtside at basketball game

While their British counterparts were no doubt tucking into Christmas dinner and watching EastEnders, a variety of U.S. stars took front row seats at a basketball game.And Sylvester Stallone appeared more interested in Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere than the action going on on the court at the Staples Centre in Los Angeles on Christmas Day.The 63-year-old action movie star looked overjoyed to see the 20-year-old star as she approached him during the game.

Wearing a Lakers endorsed Adidas tracksuit top, the young actress appeared just as pleased flashing a huge grin as she greeted the Rocky actor during the match between the LA Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers.And the famous actors weren’t the only celebrities who attended the NBA match.Danny DeVito, Andy Garcia, Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo and Khloe Kardashian also made appearances at the game.

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Christmas cheer: Grey’s Anatomy star Ellen Pompeo was in good spirits, but Khloe Kardashian looked like she would rather be tucking into the turkey

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Hollywood actors Danny DeVito and Andy Garcia were also in the front row at the match which ended with the Lakers losing out to the Cavaliers 107-82Khloe is married to Lakers player Lamar Odom, who she married in September after a month of dating.Guests at the wedding included Ryan Seacrest, Kelly Osbourne, Kobe and Vanessa Bryant, Alan Thicke, Joe Francis and Joel Silver.But the A-list cast of supporters couldn’t spur their team on to victory.In fact, fans revolted as the Cleveland Cavaliers outclassed the Lakers 102-87 in Friday’s clash of NBA divisional leaders.During the intervals fans showed their disgust at the team’s performance by throwing bottles of water and foam fingers onto the court.

Charlie Sheen spends Christmas Day in jail on domestic violence charge

Actor Charlie Sheen spent 10 hours of Christmas Day in a jail cell after being arrested on domestic violence allegations.The 44-year-old actor was taken into custody by police officers responding to an emergency call from a house in Aspen, Colorado at 8.34am on Friday morning.An ambulance also went to the house, but the alleged victim, believed to be his wife of 19 months Brooke Mueller, was not taken to the hospital.Police spokesman Jeff Lumsden confirmed: ‘Carlos Irwin Estevez, also known as the actor Charles I. Sheen, was brought to the Pitkin County Colorado Jail for booking and incarceration following his arrest by the Aspen Police Department.’Sheen, the star of U.S. show Two and a Half Men, was charged with second-degree assault and menacing (knowingly placing someone in fear of imminent serious bodily injury), which both felonies, along with criminal mischief, a misdemeanour, Aspen police spokeswoman Stephanie Dasaro said.He was released after spending around 10 hours in a cell on an $8,500 bail bond.Under Colorado law, a protection order must be made between those arrested for domestic violence and their alleged victims before the accused can be released from custody.The conditions of his release include no contact with the victim, the victim’s family or any witnesses; no harassing or intimidation of the victim; no entry to the family residence until further order of the court; no consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs; and no possession of guns or other weapons.

U.S. website TMZ claims Mueller was over the alcohol limit when she made the emergency call to police.A law enforcement source told the site she gave a breathalyser reading of .13, while her husband registered .04. The legal driving limit is .08.Meanwhile, a source close to Mueller, a real estate investor, told celebrity news website Radar Online that Sheen pushed his wife after they began rowing.The same source claimed the couple, who married in May 2008 and have nine-month-old twin sons, have been having ’significant marital problems’.

But Sheen had reportedly flown to Aspen to spend Christmas with his wife who had been renting the home for the last three months, while Sheen stayed in Los Angeles. Attorney Richard Cummins has been hired by Sheen to represent him in the case. The Aspen retreat, where he was arrested by police – the actor spent 10 hours in a cell, but was released after agreeing to bail conditions and an $8,500 bond. He declined to name the actor’s accuser or discuss details, but he cautioned against any rush to judgement.’I think at the end of the day it will be much ado about nothing,’ Cummins told The Associated Press.Adding: ‘I don’t think there’s any criminality about what went on.’

Cummins said a court date was set for February 8.’That may be to determine whether a case goes forward or not,’ he said.Sheen’s publicist Stan Rosenfield also warned against making assumptions.’It would benefit everyone not to jump to any conclusion,’ he said.The Hollywood star has a colourful history, with much-publicised stints in rehab during the 1990s for drug abuse.In 1998, Sheen was hospitalised after injecting cocaine.His father Martin Sheen issued a public appeal for fans to pray for him and reported him for violation of parole.A warrant was issued for his arrest, and Charlie was sent to rehab, he is also said to have spent over $50,000 on prostitutes.In December 1996, he was arrested and charged with attacking a girlfriend at his Southern California home.He later pleaded no contest and was placed on two years’ probation.

In 2006 he divorced second wife Denise Richards, 38, a former Bond girl.During the divorce proceedings Richards filed a sworn declaration in the Los Angeles Superior Court, alleging that Sheen assaulted her and threatened her life during a December 2005 altercation at her home.She claims that while visiting with the couple’s two children, Sheen verbally abused her and shoved her to the ground in front of their children.

Michael Aspel: TV drives me barmy!

If it’s not some ghastly young newsreader turning Michael Aspel purple with rage, it’s Bruce Forsyth turning him green with envy.

Michael Aspel, 76, is a much-loved former newsreader and chat show host whose programmes include This Is Your Life and The Antiques Roadshow.

Married three times with eight children – three of whom he has tragically lost – he lives with his partner, Irene Clark, in Surrey.

What would your friends say is your best quality?

That I’m a good listener. I wouldn’t say I’m the strong, silent type, but I can always sympathise and find something constructive to say about other people’s problems – not that I always apply that advice to myself, mind you.

I sometimes impress myself with the things I tell my children and friends, because I wish someone had told me them. I’ve made terrible mistakes all my life, but there we are.

How do you think your childhood affected the person you are today?

I was evacuated as a small child, separated from my brother and sister during World War II, and I’ve only very recently come to think that my unwillingness to commit to a relationship might have come from that time.

Between the ages of seven and 11 I was entirely free and alone in the Somerset countryside with my ‘Auntie’ Rose and ‘Uncle’ Cyril Graham. I turned into a bit of a rough, wild child, being able to do whatever I wanted.

When the war ended and I came back to family life, it was very difficult to bond again. My younger brother had gone to live with quite wealthy people and had a pampered time, and my older sister returned to my parents early because my mother wanted to have her near her. I felt a bit like a cast off.

What is your favourite TV show?

The Sopranos, although I also enjoyed The Wire. I managed to get through the entire series and understand it. I always go back to The Sopranos, though. I never tire of watching episodes I’ve seen before. I’ve got to know the characters and almost love them, in a sick kind of way.

What would you take as your desert island luxury?

A DVD player and all the classic films from my childhood – and The Sopranos, of course. No one ever said there wasn’t electricity!

What book are you reading at the moment?

Well, I read often, but I don’t get through many books because I’m slow. I read in bed and I’ll only get through about two paragraphs before wondering what it is I’ve just read, or I fall asleep.

I’ve just finished reading a novel by Cormac McCarthy, an outstanding American author whose work, No Country For Old Men, has been turned into a fantastic film by the Coen brothers.

What’s your biggest indulgence?

Restaurants. My partner, Irene, gets cross with me because I keep inviting people out for dinner and she’ll say, ‘But you can’t afford it!’

I’m a gregarious person, so there’s nothing I like more than having a big gathering, uncorking another bottle of wine and staying as late as possible, by which point the table is littered with empties.

What irritates you?

I’m a typical man of my age, shouting away at the television screen. I get peeved by the standards in modern broadcasting, especially among newsreaders. So I really should just stick to watching dramas.

When were you at your happiest?

I’m actually fairly downbeat – life is full of surprises and, these days, I really do expect the worst. There’s not a lot about the dark side of the human condition I haven’t experienced.

I have to cast up a few prayers before I go into anything if I don’t think it’s going to work. I haven’t always been this way, but I’ve definitely got less confidence as time goes by.

There’s a saying about becoming wiser as you age, but I’ve never been wise about anything. I’ve just become a little less secure and unsure of my abilities.

I think that lack of confidence comes from not being able to do what you want to do. Bruce Forsyth is older than me but he can burst out in front of cameras, full of confidence and with as much energy as he ever could.

I’m more inclined to say ‘No thanks’ if the opportunity presented itself, even though ultimately I’d be fine once I was out there.

How do you feel when you look back on your life?

I sometimes think my name is cursed, having lost three children. One baby girl was stillborn, the other, a wee boy, died three days after birth, and then my son, Greg, had cancer of the sinuses and died just weeks after he turned 30 in 1989.

He went through the most dreadful operation, where they went in under his jaw and broke it in order to get to the tumour. He was so young and full of beans. The irony was that Greg was obsessive about eating healthily. It was rather unfair.

What’s your greatest vice?

Probably drinking more than the recommended number of units of alcohol a week – it would be very hard not to. I like bitter, Scotch, red wine, and you can’t beat a good, real ale.

What is your favourite comfort food?

I’m very fond of shepherd’s pie, but I have a very sweet tooth, so I eat too much ice cream – Carte d’Or is a particular favourite. I just like plain old vanilla.

What keeps you awake at night?

I find it very hard to switch off at bedtime, and I’ve got into a horrible routine now of getting to sleep quickly, but then waking up about three hours later and mucking about.

I’ll be partly annoyed at myself for not being able to sleep, but if there’s one sure thing to prevent you from falling asleep again, it’s getting angry about it. I’ll toss and turn and have lurid dreams until it’s time to get up.

It is amazing, though, seeing who’s up and about throughout the night by the lights on around us.

Winter wonders: ITV unveils the celebrity line-up for the new series of Dancing On Ice

They’re more accustomed to appearing on television as presenters, actors and singers.But a cast of 14 celebrities will soon be competing with one another in a figure skating competition as ITV unveils its biggest ever line-up for the new series of Dancing On Ice.The cast, which includes Sir Paul McCartney’s ex-wife Heather Mills and EastEnders actress Danniella Westbrook, took part in a photoshoot for the show, which begins on January 15.

New moon: Heather Mills appears alongside Gary Lucy and Danniella Westbrook, who recently left EastEnders for a second time – the stars will appear on Dancing On Ice next month

The stars dressed up in 1940s style garb for the shoot, which had a winter wonderland theme – in keeping with the current weather conditions sweeping the nation.

Mills, 41, appears to have had a makeover, with a new shorter sleek hairstyle, she wears a silver ballroom dress and elbow-length gloves in the promo pics taken from the forthcoming series.

She is pictured with The Bill actor Gary Lucy, 28, who looks rather dapper in a grey suit matched with a scarf wrapped around his neck.

Family connection: InBetweeners actress Emily Atack’s mother is Sir Paul McCartney’s cousin

Heather, who has a prosthetic leg following a car accident in 1993, began training back in October in the hope of appearing on the show.The former model will no doubt be hoping her experience on America’s Dancing With The Stars will help her to succeed in the competition. According to reports, the anti-landmine campaigner is also hoping her appearance on the new series of Dancing On Ice will help her win over some of the British public.

Blizzard: Tana Ramsay shields herself from the show while Emily Atack welcomes the downfall with open arms

A show source told the Daily Mirror: ‘Heather hopes this show could turn around the public’s opinion of her. She is enjoying the challenge and sure to create some memorable moments.’Incidentally, Heather will appear alongside Inbetweeners actress Emily Atack, whose mother is Sir Paul McCartney’s cousin. Other stars on the show include Gordon Ramsay’s wife Tana, Eighties singer Sinitta and Boyzone’s Mikey Graham.

Sparkling: Eighties popstar Sinitta (left) and former Olympic swimmer Sharron Davies (right)

Snowbusiness: Former TV star Bobby Davro also join the Dancing On Ice cast – he’ll face former Spice Girl Emma Bunton who is a judge on the show

And the rest of the celebrity line-up includes: Olympic swimmer and presenter Sharron Davies, comedian Bobby Davro, GMTV’s Dr Hilary Jones, Hollyoaks actor Kieron Richards, actor Jeremy Sheffield, Emmerdale’s Hayley Tamaddon and ex-Corrie actor Danny Young.Former Spice Girl, 33, Emma Bunton joins the judging panel and on Friday nights Ben Shepherd and Coleen Nolan will present a new spin-off show.A spokesman for ITV said Emma’s experience with the Spice Girls would make her an ideal judge.’Emma has performed to millions of people all over the world and will be bringing that wealth of experience to comment and score all of the celebrities’ performances,’ he said.

Hilary Jones and former Coronation Street actor Danny Young will be hoping to take the Dancing On Ice crown which was won this year by X Factor star Ray QuinnShe will join Robin Cousins, Jason Gardiner, Karen Barber and Nicky Slater on the panel.This year’s Dancing On Ice champion was X Factor star Ray Quinn, who beat TV investigator Donal MacIntyre in the final in March.The finale was watched by a staggering 13million viewers.Dancing On Ice starts on ITV on January 15.

Hayley Tammaden gets a huge push from Mikey Graham as they enjoy a photoshoot ahead of the new series of the figure skating show

Ice to see you: Fourteen celebrities will learn how to figure skate and will compete against one another on the show which starts on ITV on January 15

I try to avoid Corrie spoilers, but I hadn’t avoided knowing weeks ago what the Big Christmas Shock was going to be. Sally Webster has breast cancer! OMG! What a bombshell, and a revelation that came at a particularly awkward moment for Kevin and Molly, who were planning to dump their respective spouses and start a new life somewhere else. As a big Christmas Day episode it didn’t rank alongside David reading out Gail’s diary, or John Stape going out for nutmeg, because it was all frankly too sad to be pleasurable in that toe-curling way that I enjoy.

For curly toes, it was left to Ken Barlow, who made his usual mess of things by squabbling with Granddad George over turkey, all the trimmings and his alcoholic son. And over at the Platts,’ the look on Tina’s face as she discovered the handsome (if you’ve got your beer goggles on) stranger she snogged the night before is none other than the brother of the Prince of Darkness (and her ex), David Platt.

There was a running gag in which every male member of the cast had got a shirt for Christmas, and the unwelcome sight of Ashley and Claire getting frisky, then everyone went home to nurse their hangovers. Kevin told Molly that they were over, finished, finito etc, but I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Molly starts looking queasy in the mornings in the new year, and not just because she has to wake up with Tyrone every morning.

It is of course not funny to see a man of 82 attacked.

Yet as this woman in the red anorak threw hereself at Pope Benny, I could not help saying “It is Hayley Cropper from Coronation Street”.

As the end of the year rapidly approaches, we naturally take a look back at the past 12 months and reflect on whether it’s been a good one or not.

Conversation at office parties, pubs and clubs turns to the song of the year, the album of the year, and the film of the year. Even better this year, as it’s the end of the ‘Naughties’, we’ve been asked about our song of the decade ad nauseum.

No doubt you’ve been having the same conversations yourselves, as you wind down before the festivities.

Well, as ever we are happy to rip off people’s ideas so we thought we’d review the year from a PR point of view. I’m sure plenty of celebs, companies and organisations have had years to forget, but we just thought we’d prolong the agony a little bit more.

Well it’s their own fault, if they had a professional in charge none of this would’ve happened

So let’s start, as most years do, with January and February.

Sadly, from a PR perspective, we lost George Dubya from office in January – and how we would miss his foot in mouth disease. Things are so much more boring (and thankfully about a million times safer) with Obama in charge.

It was also the month Corrie bosses covered up a cross at the filming of Tyrone and Mollie’s wedding – for fear of offending viewers.

Offending people was the last thing on the mind of Tory MP Alan Duncan, who said “People who don’t say thank you at zebra crossings deserve to be run over.” It wouldn’t be the last time he was in the headlines this year for his (lack of) PR skills.

The crown for the biggest PR gaffe in January has to go to our own Prince Harry, who was filmed calling his fellow squaddies ‘Paki’ and ‘raghead’ while at a field camp in Cyprus.

The Royal Family has never been particularly good at PR, but Harry has picked up a nasty habit of hitting the front pages for the wrong reasons. Remember the Nazi costume he wore at the fancy dress party in 2005?

It’s one thing to believe it’s acceptable to use those phrases, another to use them in private – but to use them while filming a video diary???

We have no option but to hand the crown for PR gaffe for Jan 09 to Harry. The only crown he’ll be getting his hands on for a while, anyway.

Onto February now, and loads more celebs and public figures were playing right into our hands. Not least Carol Thatcher, who was sacked from The One Show for calling someone a gollywog. She was probably a little unfortunate at first, but by refusing to apologise she just made matters worse.

And Sharon Shoesmith, sacked by Haringey Council for her part in the Baby P affair, managed to somehow obliterate what was left of her reputation when she claimed in an interview her dismissal had been ‘politically motivated’. We didn’t really care – she just made herself look uncaring and unsympathetic.

There is only one contender for the February PR gaffe prize though. Good old (Sir) Fred Goodwin.

In the middle of a media firestorm that had burned a full four months by that time, it was revealed that Goodwin was going to receive a £693,000 a year pension.

It was obvious that Sir Fred was not interested in preserving his reputation, but simply in getting as much money as he could and then disappearing, hence his choice of how to handle the situation.

He went on the attack with arrogance and aggression in both public and private statements, refused to apologise or even try to justify his actions. No money was returned or donated to charity.

It was basically a “How Not to do PR” guide – from someone with more than enough cash to recruit a good PR agency.

Eventually, Sir Fred was persuaded to accept a smaller pension, but only after he’d been given a £2.7million tax-free lump sum from the pension fund.

So congratulations to Prince Harry and the UK’s favourite banker. Tomorrow we’ll be covering the gaffes from March and April.

He hired Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for his wedding day, he’s performed with Robbie Williams and been featured on This Is Your Life. Read on for my interview with Mr Showbiz himself, Brian Conley.

 “They should give me the keys to Manchester” jokes Conley as he reflects on the amount of times he’s been in the city over the last few years. “I love it here; it’s just a great place to work.” It’s not hard to see why Conley chose to return, especially as he has the privilege of playing eccentric inventor Potts in Manchester’s latest big budget extravaganza, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. “It’s got everything you’re supposed not to have – kids and cars, plus there are some fantastic songs. It’s just a great production,” he says of the show.

Last in town for Cinderella, Conley is a fan of the Opera House theatre, where the pantomime was staged: “I loved that run. I love the dressing room in that place. I think Bet Lynch did it all out with the little fireplace and things. You can get totally lost in that theatre, it’s like someone’s house with all the little rooms.”

Evidently fun-loving at heart, Conley’s children were the impetus for his current role: “I took them to see it when Jason Donovan was playing Caractacus,” he explains. “They screamed ‘daddy, you’ve got to do this’ and they made my mind up for me.” But aren’t scared by the production’s creepy child catcher? It seems not: “My children aren’t scared because they knew him personally before he ever went out there. He is scary, but it’s the perfect show for kids!”

Perhaps best known for BBC1’s The Brian Conley Show, Conley is also well versed in the musicals: “I’ve done quite a bit of musical work over the years with Me and My Girl and Jolson, so it was nice to take on another role. I did five months of Chitty at the London Palladium and it was a great opportunity to work on a great production in a great theatre.”

When asked about his unique wedding day transport, Conley is quick to admit his fondness for Chitty: “I heard you could hire it, so I did and it drove us to our wedding reception. This was before the musical was put together. None of the guests knew about it, so it was a great surprise for them too.” And it’s not just Conley with the celebrity connections; his TV floor manager brother, Alan, has quite the menagerie of famous friends: “Robbie Williams was at Alan’s wedding and we got up and sang Angels together – that was a wonderful little moment for me.”

Offered a part in Coronation Street, and invited on tour with Bob Hope, Conley’s popularity goes hand in hand with his likeability, but at times he prefers to shy away from the limelight. “I’ve got no plans to become the next Robert De Niro; I don’t want that level of fame. I still want to be able to go to Sainsbury’s with my kids.” Keep an eye out for Conley at the Fallowfield branch someday soon.

[First published by Student Direct in May 2006]

My daughter is dating David Platt and I’m not happy.

For those who know me you know I believe Coronation Street to be real. For those who don’t know me, you’ll most likely think I’m just being funny, or weird, or perverse. But the great thing about beliefs is that that’s all you need. Reason goes out of the window. I believe Coronation Street is real… so there!

And psycho David Platt is going out with my daughter!

My daughter is Kirsty Leigh Porter.

Kirsty Leigh Porter (pic courtesy of Holy Soap)

Kirsty was only my daughter for a day. Trev and myself were writing for a show called My Spy Family. Kirsty played Marcy Desmond, and in one of our episodes, The Quiz Night Affair, I played her father Mr Desmond. He was a wild haired weirdo. I didn’t have to do much. Just turn up.

But now she’s changed her name to Zoe and is slowly creeping into Corrie as bloody Platt’s girlfriend. I’m going to have to put my foot down.

Breaking News

Japanese scientists have created a camera with a shutter speed so fast, they can now photograph a woman with her mouth shut

Mother updated Twitter as her son, two, lay dying

A mother posted messages on Twitter as rescue workers tried to save her dying son.Shellie Ross, who is in her 30s, sent out ‘tweets’ to the social networking site just minutes after two-year-old Bryson was found floating face down in the family’s swimming pool.As paramedics tried to revive him, Ross, who used the online name ‘Military-Mom’, posted the note: ‘Please pray like never before, my 2 yr old fell in the pool.’

Five hours later, after he was pronounced dead from drowning, she wrote, ‘Remembering my million dollar baby’.She then uploaded photos of Bryson to be viewed by her 5,000 followers. But her actions have provoked anger from fellow bloggers and Twitter users, and raised questions about the sharing of private information over the internet.One user, Madison McGraw, wrote: ‘The first thing I thought when I saw the tweet was that it was very sad. I just thought, “Who would tweet that her son just drowned?” I couldn’t believe it.

‘The person that I have compassion for is her son who might still be alive if Ross interacted with her son like she interacted with people on Twitter.‘It shows the repercussions for social media gone awry.’Yesterday, a police spokesman said Ross’s 11-year-old son, who had been cleaning out the chicken coup at the family’s home in Merritt Island, Florida, had called an ambulance after noticing his brother had fallen into the water.Ross sent her first tweet at 10.22pm British time on Monday – just a minute before the 999 call was made.Records show an ambulance arrived at the house at 10.38pm and Ross posted another message 34 minutes later.Yesterday, Ross defended the use of Twitter to announce her son’s death, saying no one ‘had a right to question my actions’. ‘I didn’t tweet-by-tweet the accident,’ she said.Trisha Haas, who founded the website Momdot.com where Ross worked, defended her friend’s actions, saying: ‘She twitters a lot and was close friends with people in the blogging community’.Ross and her husband Steven, who is in the U.S. Air Force, have asked to be left in private so they can mourn their son.

Flights cancelled, trains delayed and roads closed – Britain wakes to transport chaos after heavy snow falls overnight

• Gatwick and Heathrow airports cancel or divert flights due to ‘unsafe’ conditions
• Luton Airport forced to close
• Rail services cancelled in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire
• 200 motorists stuck in snow overnight in Kent
• Essex Police called to 180 weather-related incidents

Britain has been hit by transport chaos this morning as a blanket of snow fell in many areas overnight. Between 5cm and 15cm was recorded after flurries hit eastern England, particularly Essex and Kent, as forecasters warn that the snowfall will continue today.

The Met Office has issued severe weather warnings for the South East, North West, London and the East Midlands.

Heavy snow in Colchester last night came as drivers were warned to take care on the roadsUp to 8ins is possible in Kent, Sussex, Surrey, London and East Anglia, with gale-force winds causing drifts.Trains and flights have been disrupted in London and the South East – with more than 200 motorists forced to spend hours stranded in their cars in the worst affected areas.TV presenter Davina McCall was among those stuck on the A21 in Kent for more than 10 hours after a lorry blocked the road.A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said 16 incoming flights were diverted to other UK airports due to bad weather and three outgoing flights were cancelled.‘Flights are being diverted to Manchester, Birmingham and other airports as a result of the weather,’ he said.Passengers are being bussed back to London, he added.Flights to and from Luton Airport have also been cancelled or diverted.A spokesman for Gatwick Airport said flights will not be able to take off until snow and ice is removed from the runway this morning.‘The runway is not safe,’ he said.The maintenance work has already begun but he said it was impossible to estimate how long that would take.

Between 5cm and 10cm of snow was recorded last night in East Finchley

It is currently still snowing at Gatwick where a total of 18 incoming flights have been diverted to other UK airports so far.Luton Airport was due to remain closed until 7am today because of the severe weather conditions and the shuttle bus between Luton Airport Parkway Station and the airport terminal is suspended.easyJet flights to Paris, Geneva, Turin and Nice, which were due to take off between 6am and 7am, have been cancelled.The 7.05am to Glasgow, 7.10am to Edinburgh, 8.25am to Berlin and 8.40am to Belfast – all easyJet – have also been cancelled even if the airport has reopened by the time they were due to depart.A spokesman for Heathrow Airport said the runways have been cleared through the night.‘Heathrow is open for business as usual,’ he added. But its website warned of cancellations and delays due to the severe weather.Flights may be disrupted as a result of adverse weather at other European airports or because aircraft are not ready.Passengers are advised to check with their airline before leaving for the flight.Rail passengers may also face disruption this morning.

Flurries: Snow continues to fall in Bromley High Street, Kent, this morning

National Express East Anglia has cancelled several services in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire.Rail firm Southern said services between Redhill and Tonbridge have been suspected. And routes between Brighton and East Croydon are delayed by one hour.In London, overground services from Stratford and Camden Road are currently suspended.Services to Stansted Airport via the Stansted Express are delayed by 45 minutes.Snow and ice has caused problems on many roads overnight.The Highways Agency said sections of the M40 are closed this morning following accidents involving several vehicles on the northbound carriageway in Buckinghamshire and the southbound carriageway in Oxfordshire.Essex Police said between 10pm last night and 5am this morning they attended more than 20 road collisions.A spokesman for the force said there were 36 calls relating to youths causing a nuisance by throwing snowballs at passing vehicles or at properties.Blizzards caused more than 70 lorries to get stuck on the A120 leading out of Harwich.Vehicles were also trapped on other major roads including the A12 northbound at Colchester. A number of car and lorry drivers slept in their vehicles until gritters and snowploughs were able to reach them and open the roads, said the police spokesman.‘With further snow forecast over the next few days I would advise people to only make journeys if they are absolutely necessary,’ Chief Inspector Jon Dodman, from an emergency special operations centre at Essex Police headquarters, said.‘If you have to drive leave plenty of time for your journey, drive slowly and leave a large distance between you and the vehicle in front.‘It is advisable to make sure you have a mobile phone, a shovel, a blanket and a flask of hot drink with you just in case you do get stuck.’Kent Police today urged motorists not to drive unless the trip was essential.A spokesman said: ‘Only go out if absolutely necessary. If you do go out, be well equipped.’

Strictly half-naked: Forget the dancers… the real stars have been those impossibly skimpy costumes

It’s the final of Strictly Come Dancing tomorrow, and with Ola Jordan’s spray-on catsuits and Natalie Lowe’s flesh exposure, the outfits have never been sexier. LISA SEWARDS gets all the backstage gossip from the unsung heroes whose needles, thread, sequins and false eyelashes are an integral part of the show’s success.

This year, the smouldering chemistry between the celebrities and their professional dancers has bubbled to the surface more than in any other Strictly Come Dancing series.We’ve had sparks flying between The Bill actress Ali Bastian and partner Brian Fortuna, and the passion of pro-dancer Kristina Rihanoff and world champion boxer Joe Calzaghe.

Ready to rumba: Finalists Chris Hollins and his dance partner Ola Jordan doing the jive

And tomorrow we’re left with the raunchy dynamics between finalists Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle and his sexbomb pro Natalie Lowe and the more mischievous moves of TV presenter Chris Hollins and the perky Ola Jordan.So it can hardly be coincidence that this year’s dresses have been the sexiest and most daring to date, with more transparent costumes and bare flesh on display than ever before.And the Strictly designers know there is a clear link between looking fabulous and dancing to win.’If the man sees his partner looking gorgeous, his heart sings,’ explains Su Judd, Strictly’s costume designer.

Skimpy: Ricky and Natalie, in a stomach baring outfit

‘When there is a connection between a couple, you really see it played out on the dance floor and a lot of this stems from the chemistry of looking and feeling fantastic.’Everyone is saying that the dresses have been sexier this series. If we let her, Natalie would become more daring each week and she and Ricky could easily be half-naked all the time because they have great bodies.’Ola loves a revealing dress or an impossibly tight catsuit. When she came out in her sexy black rumba dress in the first show, Chris danced so well because he hadn’t seen her before she emerged and he was overwhelmed.’We could see him thinking “Cor …” because she looked so passionate and powerful.’The dresses with more gaps and flesh on show are technically harder to make, but this is often what the dancers want.’We know it’s easy to score points and gain popularity by being half-naked but it gets too boring to have too much flesh on show too much of the time,’ insists Su.’We have to push the dancers to accept that rolls of flesh don’t always look glam, even though they have fabulous bodies. I had a hard job to persuade Ola to wear a peachy dress with pleats covering her all the way to her neck for a ballroom number.’I wanted her to go from the seductress to the angel, and finally she agreed and loved the dress. So did Chris because he suddenly took on the romantic nature of the costume and therefore the dance.’

As the series has progressed, the dresses have got shorter as the celebrity dancers have gained confidence and lost any pockets of flab.’Actress Natalie Cassidy lost four inches off her hips and got more daring as the series went on and Chris has just had another centimetre taken in from his trousers after the one-and-a-half centimetres we took in last week,’ says Su.’Ali Bastian was nervous in the first two fittings because she didn’t want to wear anything too revealing. But she’s very slim so we were able to dress her in more revealing costumes, with cut-away fabric, because, by the second show, she had lost the softness on her muscle tone.’One of Ali’s favourite outfits was her black and red tango dress. ‘We had more problems with Brian than Ali, to be honest,’ laughs Su. ‘He likes to be costumed and was always asking for something new.

Barely there: Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan; Ricky Whittle and Natalie Lowe

‘And he knew exactly how he wanted Ali to look. He was insistent on making this dress traditional but very sexy, so we created a black lace basque with 8,000 hand-sewn crystals and full skirt to enable her to pivot so the dress flared out beautifully. She looked sensational and the magic certainly worked on Brian.’Ali agrees: ‘I loved the drama of my tango dress – it made me feel like I wanted to party.Feeling and looking fabulous made a huge difference to the way we danced and connected.’Just before we went on stage Brian would always kiss me on the cheek and say “You look beautiful, good luck.” This was a wonderful last-minute ritual and confidence booster.Brian knows what looks good. He’d quickly point out if I had mascara on my face and said if he disliked my hair. He preferred styles that would show off my long neck to make the dance more graceful. He certainly made me feel special.’

He made me feel special: Brian Fortuna gave Ali Bastian advice on her hair and outfits

But not all celebrities this series have experienced the feel-good factor of the costumes.’I think we let actress Lynda Bellingham down a bit,’ admits Su. ‘She never really felt right and I feel bad about this.’She found it very difficult on the floor being surrounded by dancers in skimpy costumes. We had such a laugh during the fittings I think we may have lost sight of our aim to make her feel fabulous and you really need to feel that on this show to dance convincingly.’On the other hand, Ronnie Wood’s estranged wife, Jo Wood, did revel in the costumes: ‘Jo may be a grandma, but she is a rock ‘n’ roll chick and looked fabulous in everything.’All the celebs on this series have been the nicest. They all want to win but this hasn’t made them fearful of each other as has happened previously.’We created a mermaid dress for actress Laila Rouass, who didn’t like it, but was happy for Ali to try it instead. Ali looked amazing and when she wore it for the Viennese Waltz, she got four tens.’Su and her team of 30 have been creating stunning outfits for the professional dancers and stars since the show’s first series, seven years ago.There were 42 dresses created for the first show in this series alone and nearly as many for tomorrow as the entire team return for the grand finale. More than 20 sewing machines have been whirring day and night.There is a slick tried-and-tested system, where designer Vicky Barkess sketches a dress for pattern-maker Theresa Hewlett, who then gives it to 75-year-old cutter Dumos Loizou, who hands the fabric pieces to machinist Mei Lau.Design assistant Elise Gillman applies the lace decoration on the dresses before stoner Ashraf Hydrose and his team of seven work round the clock to hand-sew up to 10,000 crystals or rhinestones.

A mannequin dummy is made matching each dancer’s exact proportions, with plastic bubble wrap held together with masking tape to create their personal shape.Each dress is worn just once and then sold to the public after the show for up to £2,000.For the men, it is ex-Savile Row tailor Tony Brackley who creates their bespoke suits.’The longer they remain in the show, the better their tail suits fit,’ he says. ‘Ricky Whittle has lost muscle from not working out with weights during the show but his body has elongated instead, so his tail suit is no longer tight under the arms.’Before the series starts, Su spends five hours with the female celebrities designing 14 dresses each in case they make the final.’Ola and Lilia Kopylova are small so we keep their skirt length short and sexy to make them look taller,’ says Su. ‘Kristina has been vampy but less brassy this year.’Kristina agrees: ‘I like to look classy but sexy to stand out. It was a shame because when it came to the live show, Joe couldn’t cope.’But at least he had never seen such beautiful dresses and that helped us dance better.’

Dresses have got shorter: Chris and Ola, in a turquoise dress

In the make-up department, every surface is littered with what looks like dead spiders but are, in fact, false eyelashes.By the close of each show, makeup artist Lisa Armstrong is covered in glitter and her voice hoarse from shouting during a frantic schedule in which a team of five make-up artists turn contestants from sweaty-faced dancers into dazzling divas.’Normally, we keep the eyes traditional for ballroom dances and strong and sexy for the Latin dances,’ explains Lisa, 33. ‘But this time, for a ballroom dance, I used pink, yellow and green across Ali’s eyes, with a crystal in each corner, and she loved it.’A few of the girls have been intimidated by the use of lots of make-up, says Lisa. ‘Olympic athlete Jade Johnson started off by being particular about the way we did her make-up because her own style was more low key, and so did Natalie Cassidy. It took them a couple of weeks to get into our way of thinking.

Peachy perfect: Ali loved her dresses

‘It got to the point when we said: “You can’t have pink and sparkles again.” Meanwhile, Jo Wood loved smoky eyes; the sexier the better.’The team’s piece de resistance is the false eyelash trick which involves cutting out the middle of a fake lash and sticking it to the centre of the eyelid to create a baby doll look.The spray-tan expert arrives on Friday to give the ladies an overnight treatment so streaks don’t rub off on the couture dresses by the time it gets to Saturday’s performance.The make-up and hair routines kick off at 9am on Saturday, with the ladies taking priority as nail and toe polish must match and each bruise, caused in training, has to be camouflaged.’We start off the series with a team of 16 but every time a female is voted off, we lose a team member from hair and make-up,’ explains Lisa.’If a male is voted off we don’t lose anyone as the men make no real difference to our workload. Ricky Whittle, for example, is so goodlooking and confident he just needs anti-shine and powder.’Chris Hollins is naughty. He once came in just 15 minutes before we went live even though he knows he, like all the men, has to come in at least one hour before the show.’Laura Solari, 39, lead hair stylist for Strictly, says: ‘The girls, especially Ali, Laila and Ola, feel more sexy with their hair down, so I had to persuade them to wear it back for certain dances.’After a few weeks Jade said we’d helped her change the way she thought of herself, and she had a little cry.’

Her greatest challenge is to create two to three hairstyles per girl per show. ‘We have just under two minutes in between dances to change a female contestant’s look.’So I prepare a secret hairstyle underneath. For Natalie Lowe I created a side-twist style for her Foxtrot, which transformed into a big detailed bun for her ballroom dance and underneath was a prepared pony-tail for her Latin dance.’LAURA says her most important job is ‘to guard the gorgeous hair accessories and diamantes to stop the celebrities inadvertently waltzing off with them into the night.’If the Strictly experts need spice put into a dance routine, with sexy, show-stopping moves, they bring in choreographer Ryan Francois. For the final, he has saved up one of the trickiest dances – the Lindy Hop.’They all freaked when they heard what they had to do,’ laughs Ryan, 43.’This dance is the master of big band swing dance and involves explosive aerial steps, throwing your partner in manic ways.’I have to play to their strengths so Ricky, who is athletic and the most natural dancer, can do more spectacular moves.’But Chris is a cheeky chap where comedy is the key element. In him, Ola has found her perfect foil, so I have brought in a step called The Boot where Ola is going to kick him on the bottom, then he’ll fly through the air, landing on all fours.

Cheeky chappy: In Chris dancer Ola has found her perfect foil

‘The final routine has to be down to the choreographer. Not every prodancer sees it that way, unfortunately, particularly Brendan Cole.’We haven’t connected greatly as he likes to control everything and have the most spectacular moves and is like a disruptive schoolboy if he can’t.’The competing couples in the final hope to pull off some tricky moves.’I hope to include a classic step called The Snatch, which the couples are fighting over. It involves the man pulling his partner by her arms, slicing her through the air like Superwoman, whereupon she lands on her partner’s back, he catches her by one leg and throws her from the same leg back the way she came!Naturally this movement is a hot favourite and, if Chris and Ola are lucky, they might be able to pull it off. Everyone is hungry to win so the stakes are high this year in dance, style and glamour.’

Temptress Rosie Webster strips off in bid to become ‘new Jordan’

One is a TV institution that has been a fixture in the nation’s living rooms for almost 50 years.The other is a surgically enhanced model who made a career from scantily-clad poses and outrageous antics.But despite being one of Britain’s most controversial celebrities, Katie Price – aka Jordan – is deemed so socially important a new Coronation Street plotline features one of the characters wanting to emulate her.Rosie Webster, played by actress Helen Flanagan, stuns her family when she decides she wants to be the ‘new Jordan.’The character, who is 18 in the show, has a test photo shoot, dressed in provocative outfits.In one photograph, she wears a white and red cheerleader’s top, with the words: ‘Pop My Cherry’ emblazoned on the back.While in another, she wears a corset and thigh high stocking as she hitches up her skirt.

..

What will her parents say? Rosie Webster in her revealing outfit

Rosie is seen for the first time in the ‘Pop My Cherry’ outfit tonight when she takes a job as a promotions girl for a cherry vodka company.She is seen rollerskating around Weatherfield in the outfit, leaving father Kevin furious.The episode is also being shown before the 9pm watershed.Last night, Vivienne Pattison, from Mediawatch, said:  ‘This is a pre-watershed programme – but I don’t think this is suitable viewing before the watershed.’

Teenage temptress: Rosie in one of her glamour model costumes

Even more raunchy photographs of Rosie’s burgeoning glamour career will then be featured on the Coronation Street website.Miss Flanagan said of her character: ‘The whole cherry vodka promotions job leads on to Rosie becoming a glamour model which I’m very excited about! It’s perfect for her.’It is not the first time in recent months the soap opera has been accused of being too risqué, with regards to Rosie’s character.

Cheeky: The teenager is determined to make her fortune

Pop icon: Glamour model Jordan yesterday

In September, raunchy footage of her stripped on the cobbles were again deemed too risqué for the TV show – but not for the Weatherfield watchers on the internet.The scene showed the young Webster throwing off her coat to reveal a sexy basque, stockings and suspenders in attempt to seduce a rival’s boyfriend.TV viewers saw an edited version that merely showed Rosie strolling down the street. The programme finished as she began to undress.And earlier this year, the programme featured Rosie dressed in knickers and a white basque that could barely contain her cleavage. The plot-line focussed on Rosie as a Lolita-style seductress having an affair with her tutor.Ms Flanagan said of the character recently: ‘Rosie is outrageous and such a madam and I love playing her. I get to do things that I would never dare do.’Jordan, meanwhile, rose to fame as a glamour model. In recent years, she has become a favourite of the celebrity magazines.ITV paid £350,000 for her to appear on I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here – but she walked out after a week.She had first appeared on the show in 2004, when she met her, now, ex-husband Peter Andre.

So I was sitting down in my special Christmas armchair (the one covered in holly and broken Barbie dolls) and after my several required tetanus shots, I prepared to molest my thinking glands in order to come up with a really top-notch holiday themed programme packed with new festive funnies for you all to download and enjoy.

Then I thought “fuck that” and watched some more episodes of Newsradio instead.

And thus, I bring you a brand new mp3 containing many of the Christmas-related material I’ve recorded since 2003’s “Insert Comedy Christmas” through to the present day, taking in “Talk About The Passion“, “Bring Back…All The Way From Over There”, TFBFM and other deservedly forgotten vehicles for yours truly, along with some new links and pieces to bring things spanking up to date.

Its not quite the clip show cop-out it could’ve been as much of this material hasnt been available to hear in a fair old while and some of it is actually not too shabby. Obviously, with recordings being up to and including seven years old, some things are better recorded than others. Likewise, the jokes may have dated in a few cases, so all you need to remember is that Barack Obama used to be President of the USA, Eastenders was a programme on BBC television and the BBC was an averagely-popular broadcasting organisation in TV and radio. Radio was an institution that …

And you get the general idea with that one. But what you really want to know is – what’s this sexy new comedy compilation called? Well…

Download the mp3 here! [28'21", 51MB]

The track-list for those interested by such things can be found in the comments box below. So download, share, tell your friends and make this a real Christmas to remember because lets be honest, it cant be any worse than scheduling an episode of a popular prime-time sitcom in the middle of Christmas night, only to then release the full series on DVD four weeks earlier. I mean, for fu-

[With huge thanks to Darrell Maclaine, Fran Hingston and Tim Scullion.]

Good News This Christmas:

Wine DOES NOT make you FAT
it makes you LEAN…
. . .against tables, chairs, floors, walls and ugly people.

………………….

No Suprise…Very Talented

Excellent

Shocking

Bloodied and dazed, Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi is hustled away by bodyguards last night after being struck in the face at a rally.The 73-year-old had just addressed cheering supporters in Milan when a man threw a model of the city’s cathedral at him from close range.

Coldplay are to sell items from their ten year career through internet auction website eBay.Dubbed their ‘End Of Decade Clearout Sale’ fans will be able to purchase items including guitars, keyboards, amps, posters, platinum discs and a globe.With the proceeds going to charity Kids Company, bidding on the items begins on Thursday 17 December (5pm GMT), concluding on New Year’s Eve.In a statement on their official website the band said: “All items will either be signed by the four of us, or accompanied by a certificate of authenticity, again signed by all of us.”A catalogue detailing everything for sale will be published on their website before the sale begins.

OMG !!!!

I think I Just Peed Myself

Nestlé looking at the possibility of Cadbury offer

Prince William to share Queen’s duties: Treasury document reveals secret plan to make him the ‘Shadow King’

The Queen is to hand over a substantial part of her public duties to Prince William to help him prepare for the day when he becomes King, according to a confidential document obtained by The Mail on Sunday.Secret papers reveal that plans to ease the strain on the 83-year-old monarch and her 88-year-old husband, Prince Philip, are at an advanced stage.The disclosures come despite months of denials from the Palace that the Queen was planning to step back from her official work in favour of her 27-year-old grandson.

The information is contained in a briefing note written by Chancellor Alistair Darling’s Treasury officials about new financial arrangements for Prince Charles and his sons.Key paragraphs, disclosing the reason for the changes, are blacked out.But this newspaper has obtained an uncensored version of the document which confirms that the Queen is grooming William as a ‘Shadow King’.

One blacked-out line states that ‘the Princes [William and Harry] will increasingly incur expenditure when undertaking engagements on behalf of The Queen’.Another censored section, stressing the key role for William, says that ‘from next year, it is expected that HRH The Prince William will spend a significant part of his time on official engagements . . . we need to put the necessary provisions in place in anticipation of that’.The leak will add to speculation that the Queen believes William, rather than Charles, represents the best long-term interests of the monarchy, and will raise new questions about the timing of William’s long-anticipated engagement to his girlfriend Kate Middleton.The breach of secrecy caused alarm at the Palace last night, with a senior Royal source expressing concern that the private details had been leaked in ‘unredacted’ – the official term for uncensored – form.The reaction reflects the extreme sensitivity over the issue of the Queen’s future in public life – and how to promote Prince William without undermining the monarch or Prince Charles.It is bound to lead to new speculation that when the Queen dies, the monarchy could skip a generation, with the Crown bypassing Charles and being handed straight to William, although Royal sources strongly discount this option.The Treasury document was prepared for Mr Darling in the run-up to April’s Budget.The announcement that he was granting Charles tax relief worth hundreds of thousands of pounds, by allowing him to deduct his sons’ official expenses from his tax return, was slipped out on Budget Day in a separate ministerial note and was picked up by newspapers only several days later.The tax perk funds an office at St James’s Palace, with six members of staff, which for the past few months has been organising the affairs of Princes William and Harry. Previously, the Princes had been represented by Charles’s staff.

The previous MoU on Royal Taxation had been agreed in 1993.Charles currently receives £16million a year from the Duchy of Cornwall estate, which was established in 1337 to provide an income for the heir to the throne.The disclosure comes amid growing speculation about the Queen and Prince Philip’s continued ability to carry out their punishing schedule.

Last year, she performed 400 official engagements, including two overseas tours.Onlookers said she appeared more frail than usual during last month’s State Opening of Parliament and at the Commonwealth summit in Trinidad a week later, the couple’s only foreign trip this year.In February, she cancelled a State visit to the Middle East because she and the Duke ‘had too much on their plate’ – the first time an overseas visit had been abandoned on workload grounds.

Significantly, William will undertake his first official overseas tour in January when he represents the Queen in New Zealand and Australia. He is also expected to attend the World Cup in South Africa.

Publicly, the Palace has denied any plans for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to scale down their responsibilities, always insisting that the pair are in ‘robust’ health – although Royal sources have let it be known that theQueen would like other family members to bear much of the burden of her duties during the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.Enquiries direct to the Duke about his fitness have been met with a curt: ‘Do I look bloody ill?’Last night a spokesman for Republic, which campaigns for an elected Head of State, accused Buckingham Palace and the Government of mounting a cover-up.‘We have been misled,’ the spokesman said. ‘This shows that planning is well under way to prepare for the next succession.’Here we have proof that the Palace is preparing William to take over the Queen’s duties.‘The Palace operates in secrecy, doing deals behind the back of the British people to ensure a smooth transition to the next King.‘In addition, we discover that at a time of recession, Charles is secretly lobbying for an exclusive tax break worth hundreds of thousands of pounds a year.’The fact the Treasury attempted to cover up this lobbying shows they knew it would be scandalous if made public.’

A spokesman for St James’s Palace said: ‘Both Prince William and Prince Harry have gradually increased the number of engagements they carry out in support of the Queen, although their focus remains on their full-time careers in the Armed Services.‘The Royal Household and HMRC agreed to update the Memorandum of Understanding for the first time in many years to reflect changes in the Royal Family. The previous Memorandum still included the Princess of Wales and not Prince William or Prince Harry.‘The new MoU merely streamlined the bureaucratic arrangements concerning Prince William’s and Prince Harry’s official lives.‘The new MoU made no difference to the amount of tax paid by the Prince’s Household.’

Katie Price and Pamela Anderson turn heads in garish dresses at British Comedy Awards

In a room full of predominantly male comedians, Katie Price and Pamela Anderson stood out from the crowd.Not least because they both wore eye-popping dresses.The pair are not known for their comedy genius, so perhaps it was an odd choice to have the model and Baywatch actress presenting awards during the evening.

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Show-stopping: Katie Price and Pamela Anderson were at the British Comedy Awards in London last night to present awards

But both came determined to impress.Katie poured herself into a hot pink and black printed silk dress which showed off plenty of cleavage.Pamela Anderson wore a short orange draped dress with a low back, which was printed with blue stars and yellow swirls.Katie, 31, presented the best comedy television actor award to Simon Bird of The Inbetweeners with comedian Alan Carr.Carr said he was only dolling out the award so he could appear on the front of OK magazine.

Pamela, 42, joined designer Vivienne Westwood to present the award for best new British TV comedy to Reese Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton for Psychoville.Comedian Miranda Hart later wrote on Twitter: ‘Best thing about comedy awards – seeing Jordan and Pamela Anderson meeting for first time. Fascinating!’During the ceremony, which was presided over by Jonathan Ross, family sitcom Outnumbered was the big winner with a trio of gongs.The BBC One comedy, starring Hugh Dennis and Claire Skinner, won best sitcom, best female newcomer for its child star Romona Marquez and the overall best comedy prize.But it was also another good night for Harry Hill who picked up best entertainment programme for his TV Burp for the third time in four years and reclaimed the best personality award which he last won in 2006.

Michael McIntyre and Alan Carr had both been tipped for success with three nominations each. But on the night McIntyre only picked up the award for best stand up and Carr left empty handed.Veteran broadcaster Sir Terry Wogan, who retired from his long-running Radio 2 breakfast show this month, was honoured with a lifetime achievement award.He said: ‘Well ladies and gentlemen, it’s been a journey. This only sustains my long-felt theory in our business if you can stay upright and reasonably sober they’ll give you something in the end.’This is the “I don’t believe he’s going of his own accord but give him something so that he doesn’t come back”.

…..

Glamour: Pixie Lott and Claudia Winkleman both wore black to the awards

‘And I shall take this with me and covet it always, back to the home for the bewildered, the home for infirm disc jockeys, my little room there… put it beside my little tooth mug, besides Jimmy Young’s room.’Jonathan Ross opened the night with a joke about the Sachsgate scandal that saw him sit out last year’s awards.He said: ‘It’s been a remarkable year… for a start I’ve been allowed to work.’Don’t worry the producers have been through the script. It’s been scrutinised more thoroughly than Tiger Wood’s mobile phone bill. They crossed out anything they didn’t like… so good night everybody.It’s ok, they trust me. That’s why there are five snipers up in the balcony and a Heartbeat special ready to go.’Ross added: ‘It’s been a tough year for comedy. You people are under scrutiny, you can’t say anything. I tell you, comedy has taken more hits than Leona Lewis at a book signing… which is an example of the sort of joke you can’t do anymore.’Harry Potter author J.K Rowling presented an outstanding contribution to comedy award to Bolton-born funny man Peter Kay who recently topped the singles charts with a Children In Need charity record.

JK Rowling said she was presenting Peter Kay with his award for outstanding contribution to comedy because he was a “very good friend” of hers.She said: “He’s one of Britain’s best loved comics and the creator of by far the funnier of the two famous Potters and of a kebab stand, my personal favourite, called Harry Pitta.’Even though, Warner Brothers aren’t going for the idea of a death eater from Bolton so he’s going back on tour and it gets him off my back.’Kay said: ‘I don’t know what to say… lovely. Thanks to anybody who’s ever met me.’Anybody who used to work with me in Netto, anybody who used to work with me in Majestic Service Station, me mum, anybody who’s bought a ticket for my new show, and thanks to everybody who’s selling them on eBay.’

British political comedy In the Loop beat Sacha Baron Cohen’s camp Austrian fashion reporter Bruno for the best comedy film and Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse picked up their first British Comedy Award in over 10 years for their sketch show Harry and Paul.Controversial comic Frankie Boyle, who caused offence earlier this year with a near-the-knuckle gag about the Queen on Mock The Week, caused the night’s first blue moment with a joke about sexual abuse.When Ross expressed horror at what he had said, Boyle returned: ‘You have created the climate in which that cannot be broadcast, and then you stand here dispensing awards looking like a five hundred pound haircut on top of a pile of melting ice cream.’

British Comedy Awards 2009

• Best comedy entertainment personality: Harry Hill: Harry Hill’s TV Burp (Avalon for ITV1)

• Best comedy entertainment programme: Harry Hill’s TV Burp (Avalon for ITV1).

• Best television comedy actor: Simon Bird: The Inbetweeners (Bwark for E4)

• Best television comedy actress: Katherine Parkinson: The IT Crowd (Talkback Thames for Channel 4).

• Best new British television comedy: Psychoville (BBC Productions for BBC2).

• Best television comedy drama: Pulling: special (Silver River for BBC3).

• Best live stand-up performer: Michael McIntyre Live at the Apollo

• Best male comedy newcomer: Charlie Brooker: You Have Been Watching (Zeppotron for E4).

• Best female comedy newcomer: Ramona Marquez: Outnumbered: series 2 (Hat Trick Productions for BBC1)

• Best comedy panel show: Have I Got News For You (Hat Trick Productions for BBC1)

• Best sitcom: Outnumbered: series 2 (Hat Trick Productions for BBC1).

• Best sketch show: Harry & Paul: series 2 (Tiger Aspect Productions for BBC1).

• Best comedy film: In the Loop (Optimum Releasing: Peter Capaldi/ Tom Hollander/ Gina McKee/ James Gandolfini)

I hate waking up in the morning and finding fucking snow on my car.

EastEnders lovebirds Stacey and Bradley tie the knot again

The path of true love did not run smoothly the first time for EastEnders couple Bradley Branning and Stacey Slater.But it looks like they are willing to give each other another shot.Viewers saw the divorced couple kiss on Friday night and the reunited couple are to remarry.

Lacey Turner, 21, who plays Stacey, and Charlie Clements, 22, who is Bradley in the soap, were spotted filming scenes for the wedding ceremony.But is Stacey hiding something under her coat? The character looked as if she had a bulge in her dress which could indicate an EastEnders new arrival.The couple divorced in June after sensational story lines involving Stacey’s infidelity with Bradley’s father, a miscarriage and Stacey’s bipolar condition.But unlike other East End weddings, such as Ricky and Bianca’s, the rest of Albert Square have not been invited.

Only Bradley’s dad Max, played by Jake Wood, and Stacey’s mum Jean (Gillian Wright) are witnesses at the wedding.But how long can the couple’s happiness last this time?Actor Charlie Clements is quitting the show and EastEnders producers have promised a big, memorable exit for the character.The wedding scenes are due to be screened in the new year.

And  A Christmas Day Whodunnit…

One Walford resident murders Archie

The Mitchells wake on Christmas Day in various houses across Walford. Peggy leaves Dot and Jim’s home and heads across to see Phil, who stayed with Shirley. Peggy’s disgusted when she sees a drunken Shirley and Phil sharing a kiss. With that, Peggy shouts that Phil should have finished off Archie when he had the chance. Roxy and Amy, meanwhile, wake at Jack’s house and Archie soon turns up with a sack of presents for his granddaughter. Jack’s unhappy with Archie’s presence and goes to visit Ronnie in hospital. Archie then turns up to see Ronnie, but she’s unable to look her father in the eye. Jack returns to Ronnie’s hospital room and throws Archie out. With Archie gone, Jack tries to calm Ronnie down as she paces the ward in a state, but she declares that she wants her father dead. After fetching a doctor, Jack panics when he discovers that Ronnie’s disappeared.

Later, Janine and Archie are upstairs in The Vic celebrating their dream come true. Archie reveals that he’s paid Tracey extra to open up earlier. Instead, she unexpectedly resigns. As Janine recounts her childhood in The Vic, Archie assures her that he’ll sort out Christmas dinner. Janine’s later intrigued when Archie hands her an envelope – the first clue in a treasure hunt. Janine searches for the clues and she eventually finds the final one under the Queen Vic bust. Janine’s not impressed, though, when she opens the last envelope – it’s not what she’d expected in the slightest. With that, Archie hands Janine her suitcase, admits that he’s been using her and throws her out of his pub. Peggy’s enraged by what Archie’s done to her and her family, while Ronnie walks back to Walford with intent. A broken Janine, meanwhile, stares up at The Vic with a murderous look in her eyes…

Meanwhile, over at Pat’s house, the kids are desperate to open their presents and Bianca eventually agrees that they can. Janine turns up asking what time they’ll all be over at The Vic for lunch, though Ricky insists that he’s staying where he is for the day. Furious by her brother’s betrayal, Janine says that she’ll never forgive him. As Janine walks away from the house, she bumps into Ryan who reveals that he’s quit his job at the pub. The Jacksons’ Christmas dinner descends into a food fight and among the chaos, Bianca insists that Ricky doesn’t have to move out as she loves him. Before Ricky knows what’s happening, Bianca’s proposed that they tie the knot! Their elation, however, is short-lived when they’re suddenly interrupted… Elsewhere, Bradley and Jean are concerned for Stacey’s welfare; Bradley, Stacey, Mo, Jean, Charlie, Jim and Dot turn out in force to spend Christmas Day with Abi and Max; after dinner, Mo encourages the family to go to The Vic, but nobody seems interested and Stacey heads off home; and Max takes Abi’s phone and secretly makes a call to Tanya.

Furious by Archie’s treatment of Ronnie, Jack pays him a visit at The Vic and pushes him up against the bar. Threatening Archie, an enraged Jack warns him never to go anywhere near Ronnie ever again, before leaving the pub. Afterwards, Archie finds Ronnie behind the bar staring at him. Archie’s nonchalant and unapologetic about his actions towards Ronnie, while she calmly admits that she’d be happier if he were dead. After making a cruel remark about Danielle, Archie throws his daughter out of The Vic. After Ronnie’s encounter with her father, Jack and Roxy attempt to placate her rage. As Jack leaves the flat, Roxy goes to check on Amy but when she returns to the room, Roxy’s perturbed that her sister’s disappeared.  After being thrown out of The Vic, an upset Janine heads over to Pat’s house, much to Ricky and Bianca’s surprise. As the Jacksons head out to the carol concert, Ryan stays to talk with Janine. He walks away, though, when he listens to her scheme to exact revenge on Archie. Later at the Car Lot, Janine angrily grabs a knife and walks out into the Square. Outside, Bianca’s concerned that she’s blown her chances with Ricky after proposing. Will he give her the answer that she’s waiting for?

Meanwhile, at Shirley’s flat, an inebriated Phil attempts to dress himself. As he staggers towards The Vic, though, he bumps into someone that he’s not happy to see. Afterwards, he goes to the Arches and collects a crowbar, before continuing his journey to the pub… At The Vic, Peggy gives Archie an ultimatum – either leave The Vic tonight or he’ll face the consequences. Unfazed by his wife’s threats, Archie hands back the divorce papers in the hope of spending one more night with her. Peggy’s disgusted by his suggestion and quickly leaves, but watches The Vic from the shadows outside… Later, Archie’s knocked to the ground by a mystery assailant and when he hears a noise, he looks up to see who’s around him. As he does, though, his attacker delivers a fatal blow to his head.

Whilst On The Cobbles….On Xmas Day

Kevin’s stunned by Sally’s shock revelation

At the Websters’, Kevin’s distracted, while Sally, Rosie and Sophie excitedly open their presents. He’s desperate to see Molly, who’s across the Street trying to drum up enthusiasm after opening Tyrone’s extra special gift for her – a karaoke machine. Unable to wait any longer, Kevin makes an excuse to leave the house and a shocked Molly sees him in the backyard of her house. Furious, she steps outside on the premise of taking some rubbish out and slaps him across the face. Kevin, however, won’t take no for an answer and insists that he can’t wait any longer – he wants to be with her forever and he wants them to tell their families today! Molly’s stunned but swept away by the danger and romance of the situation. She agrees and the clandestine lovers return to their partners to break the devastating news to them.

However, when Kevin returns home and finally convinces Sally to take a break from her Christmas dinner preparation, she breaks down and stuns him with some devastating news of her own – she has breast cancer. As a shell-shocked Kevin struggles to take the news in, he realises that he has to get to Molly before she tells Tyrone everything. But will he make it in time? Meanwhile, completely unaware of the drama unfolding across the Street, the Barlows try to enjoy Christmas with their extended family for Simon’s sake. He’s thrilled with his bike from granddad Ken, but when granddad George turns up with a games console, Ken finds himself – and his gift – sidelined. Will the warring grandparents be able to keep the peace?

There’s no shortage of drama and tension at the Platts’, either. When Tina and Jason turn up for Christmas dinner, Tina’s stunned to be greeted by the handsome stranger she kissed earlier in the week – and she’s shocked to realise his relation to the family. After an uncomfortable dinner, Tina makes her excuses and heads home, leaving David wondering what exactly is going on Elsewhere at the Rovers, Steve and Becky enjoy their first Christmas together as a family and as Steve watches Becky with Amy, he can’t help but wonder if the time has come to give Amy a brother or sister. But how will Becky feel about her husband’s idea?

Todays Toons

Todays WTF !!!!

Eeeee, worra rip! In Cheryl Cole’s Night In (ITV 1, Saturday, 6.30pm) presenter Holly Willoughby announces she’ll be “digging deep for secrets.”

She must have been doing that bit during the ad breaks. The closest you get to incisive questions from Holly during this hour-long plug for Chezza’s album is: “Simon Cowell. Love him? Hate him?” and “Do you think he might fancy you a little bit?”

“Did you ever dare to dream that you would have achieved all you have?” she poses. “Do you like vacuous questioning on your own TV special?”

I may have made this last one up. But perhaps, somewhere, there is a late-night version in which Miss Willoughby actually crawls inside Cheryl’s colon.

Ever the professional, wor Chezza smiles sweetly, dutifully reels off an anecdote or two about Simon Cowell – “he sez wor had the pursonalitee uf ah snay-el” – and looks faintly embarrassed as Will.I.Am describes her as “not only a great singer and a beautiful woman, but a great lyricist.”

We learn what makes her tick when she’s not on telly – “Me dogs. Me famalee. Coronation Street wi’ a hobnob, liek.” And that it takes two hours for her hair and make-up to be done on the X Factor. And she likes junk food. And, er, that’s about it. Nowt about hubby Ashley – the one question about him is met with a bit of a nervous look – and definitely no mention of cheating, scandals or even why she keeps dressing like characters off Streetfighter II when performing her song.

On the X Factor, it was General Bison; on Cheryl Cole’s Night In it’s Chun Li. Who will it be next? The green monster Blanka? Mebbes it’s her tribute to that other pint-sized princess of pop, Kylie, who was in the film with Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Mint! Chezza’s slushy warbler Joe got through to the final in the X Factor (ITV 1, 7.30pm, Saturday), along with that shiny-suited showman Olly. Mind you, I have to admit that I’m glad the winner’s not Stacey. Even if she did have Prince Harry supporting her in the audience, she really butchered that theme tune from Highlander.

Oh, hang on, it’s Holly-of-the-tough-questions again, to console Stace on the Xtra Factor (ITV 2, Saturday, 9.30pm): “I mean, it’s difficult, isn’t it, because you guys are so close, I mean, friend-wise, you, Olly and Joe.” Er, was there a question in there somewhere?

Funniest thing on telly last night was courtesy of The Best of TV Burp 6 (ITV 1, 6pm).

What’s not to love about Harry Hill re-creating Rod Hull versus Russell Harty with an emu puppet dressed as Gail Pratt off Corrie?

Genius.

Almost as good as the woman coming out of Dev’s and posting an invisible letter.

Source

Day Fourteen is exactly what it says on the ‘trashcan’ (“hey already!” – Herring) - a compilation of highlights from various Christmassy efforts from the residents of Sesame Street. Don’t forget the Big Birds at Christmas!

X Factor: Joe McElderry and Olly Murs go head-to-head in the final

Joe McElderry, the favourite to win The X Factor, will go head-to-head in the final with Olly Murs. The pair will now battle it out for the title this evening and the chance to win a recording contract and, in all likelihood, the Christmas number one. Joe, the Geordie 18-year-old went through last night after show-stopping performances of Dance With My Father, Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word and Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me in a duet with George Michael.

Last night Joe, the firm favourite to win the show, looked thrilled after a tense evening and said: ‘I can’t believe it. I feel numb. It feels amazing.’But it was Olly Murs, from Essex,  and his mentor Simon Cowell who looked truly stunned after he beat single mother Stacey Solomon to the final.’It’s so great but Stacey was amazing,’ he said.Stacey, 20, from Dagenham, scored the lowest number of public votes but said she was proud to have made it to the final.

Pressure mounting: It all gets too much for Joe as he waits to find out who will go through and lays his head on mentor Cheryl Cole’s shoulder

‘I came third – that’s really good. I’ve had the time of my life.’Her mentor, Dannii Minogue, said: ‘It’s been an incredible journey. I’ve made an amazing friend. She’s an absolute talent and a star.’During the evening, the judges had praised her performances, with Simon Cowell saying she had turned into a ‘nervous wreck’ in previous weeks but appeared calmer for the final.One very famous fan who will be disappointed to see her go is Prince Harry.The royal was spotted backstage with girlfriend Chelsy Davy, 24, who even sent the single mother flowers and a good luck note ahead of the show.Prince Harry has also been personally invited by Simon Cowell to return for tonight’s final.

The 25-year-old Prince made a surprise visit to the North London studios.A fellow audience member said: ‘Harry and Chelsy were really into it. They gave a standing ovation to the acts and were really in the spirit.‘Chelsy seemed to be texting during the performance – probably to vote for Stacey Solomon.‘Obviously the people around them were doing complete double takes, but they were really cool‘Harry was wearing a suit and looked a bit like Olly Murs.’He has been asked to come back with Zimbabwean Chelsy tonight to meet the finalists backstage ahead of the show – expected to be watched by more than 20million people.A source close to Harry and Chelsy said: ‘As long as security is not an issue they plan to be there tonight.‘Chelsy met Simon Cowell when she went for a set visit three weeks ago and she told him Harry was a fan. Simon then sent them tickets.

‘Chelsy throws X Factor-themed parties at her house and Harry and all her friends stay in on Saturday and Sunday nights to watch it. They are completely hooked.’Simon Cowell invited the pair to return backstage for a drink after the show.Harry had been backing John and Edward Grimes – the 18-year-old high-quiffed twins dubbed Jedward – but his votes were not enough to save the pair from being voted off three weeks ago.

Meanwhile Cheryl Cole wore a fishtail dress on the show which was so tight that she could barely walk in it.She was late back to her seat during the break on two occasions and had trouble making it down the steps with Joe McElderry at the end of the show.

The judge looked close to tears on numerous occasions through the show as she told viewers she ‘couldn’t bear it’ if Joe did not make it through.As she praised Joe, who is from South Shields, near her home town of Newcastle, after his performance of Dance With My Father, she said: ‘You stole my heart the first time you sang it.’She added: ‘I class him as a little brother.’As they waited for the results, she held his head on her shoulder as the pressure mounted.In comparison, Dannii Minogue looked understated in a simple one-shouldered toga-style dress in aubergine with a gold hair band and belt.The show saw a return to form for Essex boy Olly Murs, 25, who sang his audition song Superstition and A Fool In Love with a bevy of scantily-clad beauties.

…..

Gamour: Dannii Minogue wore a simple toga-style dress with gold accessories, while Stacey Solomon shimmered in a ruby red dress

Cowell described him as the ‘best risk I’ve ever taken in my life’. He added: ‘On the biggest night of your life you pulled out the performance of your life.’Olly also performed a duet of Angels with Robbie Williams.The former Take That singer came on to rapturous applause but then fluffed his cue and looked embarrassed by his mistake.It was the weakest duet of the evening and, as the pair wrapped their arms around each other, they looked more like two friends on a stag do singing karaoke.In comparison, Stacey Solomon belted out Feeling Good with crooner Michael Buble wearing a shimmering red gown, and Joe McElderry performed Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me with George Michael.Joe now has odds of 2/9 to win the series, while Olly is the 3/1 outsider. But nothing is guaranteed – Gareth Gates had similar odds against Will Young in Pop Idol but was the eventual runner-up.

Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg said: ‘Joe looks unstoppable. He’s gone from strength to strength and it’s going to take a miracle for Olly to get the better of him.’If Joe wins it’ll be a nightmare for the bookies.’Earlier, as the show opened, Cowell said: ‘This is the closest competition I’ve ever been involved in. I can’t pick a winner any more.’The eagerly-anticipated final of the contest will top one of the most lucrative weekends in British broadcasting, with an extended results show creating prime advertising spots in front of an expected audience of 20 million.

Girl time: Olly gets back to his best with a sparkling performance of Superstition, which he performed in his first audition

The weekend’s coverage alone could generate £18 million for the troubled broadcaster ITV1, according to some reports. Sir Paul McCartney will take to the stage tonight alongside all 12 acts who made it to the finals. With a vast audience expected to tune in, advertisers have been fighting to claim a slot on the show. But in an interview with The Mail on Sunday, Cowell warned that tonight might be the last time The X Factor is seen on British screens unless ITV provides more money.The network wants to secure rights to the show for the next ten years, but Cowell has insisted that it pays an extra £3million to his company Syco TV and producers TalkbackThames.

Favourite: Geordie Joe performed Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word

‘Every year the show gets bigger and better and that means it ends up costing more. ‘If they don’t give us the money to make the show as big as it’s become, then we’d rather pull out now, while the show is on a high,’ he warned.Cowell also tried to quash rumours that Spice Girl-turned-lingerie model Mel B was to replace Dannii Minogue as a judge if the show continued.‘A lot of things are going to change for next year – if we bring the show back,’ he said.‘Possibly five on a panel. I don’t think it will be Mel B.‘I tell you who’d make a good judge: Robbie Williams. He’s fun, he’s got good instincts and he doesn’t take himself too seriously.’

Cowell said he was ready to work with Joe and compared him to Scottish singer Susan Boyle from Britain’s Got Talent.

Cowell criticised Dannii Minogue’s styling of Stacey Solomon, saying she was trying to make her sound too much like Leona Lewis, who won The X Factor two years ago.’We would take Stacey right back to where she started from, when we first saw her, and take her out of those stupid ball gowns and stop her trying to sound like Leona.’Cowell said yesterday he was still backing Olly, who he has been mentoring throughout the series.‘I think this guy, looked after properly and given a decent record, could do really, really well.’But Olly, 25, told the Mail on Sunday he almost fell out with Cowell over the impresario’s song choice of Twist And Shout last month.‘As the series went on I was taking it more and more seriously and I wasn’t sure about Twist And Shout.

‘Simon said, “Olly, trust me. It’s going to be great.” When I sang it and did the rehearsal it was fantastic.’ Last night’s show saw duets from three of pop music’s biggest stars. Robbie Williams sang Angels with Olly, George Michael performed Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me with Joe, and Stacey sang Feeling Good with Michael Bublé.The celebrities have been in constant contact with the producers and the staff supporting the acts.Olly said: ‘I’ve had a voicemail from Robbie saying how he’s chuffed to have me do a final duet with him and how excited he is about it all.’The victor tonight might not be the only one to win a contract.Cowell said he would ‘have a conversation’ with fourth-placed Danyl Johnson about signing him after Christmas.

Duets: Stacey performed with Michael Buble

Moment Corrie teenager moves in for a kiss with Kym Marsh

This is the moment Coronation Street’s Michelle Connor is caught out by a move from a teenage admirer.Barmaid Michelle, played by Kym Marsh, is distraught after discovering her sister-in-law Carla Connor knew more than she admitted about her brother Liam’s death.Finding her crying, 17-year-old Ben Richardson, played by Lucien Laviscount, gives Michelle a hug to comfort her.

The teen has a crush on Michelle, which has developed while his parents are away on holiday. But he misreads the situation and clumsily attempts to kiss Michelle.A confrontation with Michelle’s son Ryan ensues, and Ben flees the street.

Kym, 33,said: ‘When I heard about it, I thought, Oh no! They’re not turning me into a paedophile, please.’I can’t play that storyline, it would ruin me completely.’But it wasn’t that at all. It’s just to highlight the fact she’s a young mum.’Basically he’s going to misread the situation and he does kiss her but she doesn’t reciprocate. She’s absolutely horrified.’

Miley Cyrus caught kissing ‘boyfriend’ Liam Hemsworth in Paris despite refusing to confirm relationship

Miley Cyrus may have never publicly acknowledged her relationship with former co-star Liam Hemsworth but judging by recent pictures that surfaced of them kissing, it appears they are definitely more than just friends.Spotted in Paris holding hands earlier this week, Miley and Liam were caught up in the moment, locking lips while strolling on the Champs-Elysees on Thursday.The couple, who met on set of the Disney Movie The Last Song, have been keen to keep their relationship under wraps after Liam, 19, denied rumous in September, claiming ‘We just made a movie together. That’s it.’

When the Hannah Montana star, 17, was asked by presenter Ryan Seacrest if she and Liam were together, she responded ‘ I’ll neither confirm nor deny.’

However, Miley seems to have fallen for the actor, after deleting her Twitter acccount for him.In one of her last ‘tweets’ in October, Miley wrote that Liam wanted her to delete her account.’

Her last ‘Tweet’ read: ‘FYI Liam doesn’t have a twitter and he wants ME to delete mine with good reason.’Miley was in the UK this week for performances at the Royal Variety Performance in Blackpool and the Jingle Bell Ball.She returns this weekend to launch the British leg of her Wonder World tour tomorrow and will be in the UK over Christmas.

OOOPS !!!!

Smoker-face: Lady Gaga faces potential fine after smoking onstage in Canada

She’s known for pushing the boundaries on what people expect of a popstar, but this time Lady Gaga may have gone to far.For performing in Canada, the 23-year-old shocked attendees by lighting up a cigarette and inhaling deeply – despite the fact smoking indoors is illegal in British Columbia.

Wearing a structured gold, bejewelled leotard, black leather gloves and fishnet tights, the Poker Face singer obviously couldn’t wait until she finished the sold out gig in Vancouver to indulge.This comes just days after the New York native met Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II when she performed at the Royal Variety show.The star went for a much less revealing look and thankfully the only smoke onstage during that set came from automated machines.

According to British Columbia law, smoking in all public spaces such as restaurants, pubs and private clubs, offices, malls, conference centres, arenas, community halls, government buildings and schools is banned.Those found guilty of breaking this law may be liable to a fine.However, as the singer clearly enjoyed the cigarette on stage last night, the potential consequences seemed to be the last thing on her mind.

Go Princess !!!!!

Opposing Stories…Make Your Mind Up Girls

X Factor judge Dannii Minogue ‘to be replaced by Mel B’

Simon Cowell is secretly lining up ex-Spice Girl Mel B to replace Dannii Minogue on the X Factor next year, it was claimed last night.The feisty star, real name Melanie Brown, 34, is reportedly in talks with bosses of the ITV show after current judge Dannii Minogue hinted she may quit the show to start a family.Former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland, 28,  is also being considered for the job, according to the Daily Mirror.

…………….

New judge? Dannii Minogue is reportedly thinking about quitting the X Factor to start a family. Mel B, who has been modelling lingerie and appearing in a Las Vegas show Peep ShowDannii, 38, is thought to have told Simon Cowell that she may not return next year.The loved-up judge has publically spoken of her boyfriend Kris Smith’s desire to start a family, and has also complained of feeling the ‘odd one out’ on the show.A source told the newspaper: ‘Simon thinks Mel would be brilliant as she is outspoken, down-to-earth and won’t hold back.’There were times in the current series that he felt things were a bit boring and he is certain sparks will fly with her on board.’It will be interesting to see whether she and Cheryl Cole will gel or whether it will be handbags at dawn.’

Kelly Rowland was tiped to take over from Dannii when it looked like she may leave earlier this year and was invited to Simon’s 50th birthday party.The source added: ‘Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, it is highly likely Dannii won’t be on the panel next year and Simon is already thinking about a replacement.’Sparks flew when Dannii joined the judging panel two years ago when Sharon Osbourne was on the team.

She took an open dislike to the Australian star and claimed she was only on the show because Simon fancied her.

When Cheryl Cole joined the show last year, there were rumours of a rift between the pair as Dannii felt she had been sidelined.This year, they have appeared more friendly but Dannii admitted that they are not friends

Cheryl Cole wants to quit and have baby

Simon Cowell tells us he has another A-lister in his sights to replace the X Factor judge

CHERYL: Wants to have a baby

DANNII: Is staying!

MEL B: Won’t be joining judges

Majority of you are in Team Dannii rather than Team Cheryl.

CHERYL Cole wants to quit X Factor to have a baby

The show’s supremo Simon Cowell is desperate to keep his ace judge and ITV would double her £1.2million salary. But mega-rich Cheryl, below, has told him her decision is not about money. Last night an X Factor insider told us: “Cheryl has so much else going on in life.The number one thing on her mind is starting a family. The show is a huge commitment. It’s six months of the year. Cheryl wanted to have a baby with Ashley this year but put it off because of work. “She doesn’t want to wait much longer and she’s not keen on having to judge The X Factor while she’s heavily pregnant.”Cheryl, 26, has said: “I have friends who have put it off and I don’t want to do that. I’d love a big family.”As well as having children with Chelsea and England footballer Ashley Cole, the Geordie beauty has a successful music career to pursue.

Already a star in Girls Aloud, her solo work is the surprise talk of the music industry.Her first single Fight For This Love topped the charts and became the fastest selling song of the year after she performed it live on The X Factor.And her debut album 3 Words is on target to sell a million copies before the end of the year.Her act Alexandra Burke won X Factor last year and her protege this series, Joe McElderry, is hot favourite to win the contest tonight.Our show source added: “If you’ve won the show twice in a row what else is there left to prove? There’s massive demand in America for her to promote her music which is something she’s agreed to do.”

HugeA music industry expert added: “It’s not only America she has to tackle. Europe is a huge market with lots of countries she has to visit.”Cheryl also has her Girls Aloud commitments to honour with the group booked to record their next album late next year, clashing with X Factor.

Her uncertain future also makes fellow judge Dannii Minogue’s job safe for now.Our source added: “Girls Aloud are definitely recording their album at the end of next year.

“Cheryl has always said she’ll put music first but doing everything would put a massive strain on her. Something has to give.”Simon’s going to take time to reflect but until he’s signed up Cheryl there’s no way he’d let Dannii go anyway.”It’s crazy to think he would risk introducing two new female judges in the same year.”Contract negotiations between The X Factor judges and ITV do not begin until Spring.An ITV insider explained: “Simon hasn’t officially even done a deal with us to bring the show back next year.

“But he loves working with Cheryl and they’ve become very close friends.”He also knows how much the public adore her and how good she’s been for ratings.”Simon is very persuasive and Cheryl admires him hugely. He will try to get one last series out of her. For Simon it’s nothing short of a disaster if she does go through with what she’s thinking and walks out of the show.”

Todays Toons

X Factor babe’s porn shame

MILE-HIGH CLUB: Vicky in pilot gear

KANDY Rain beauty Vicky Lloyd has got the XXX Factor – she’s starred in a series of PORN movies,

The blonde singer, 22, dressed as a pilot, a poledancer and even one of the 60s band The Supremes to make raunchy films.But when her band Kandy Rain auditioned for the X Factor, Vicky tried to distance herself from her not-so-sweet past by changing her name to Coco.Vicky, who met her bandmates when they were working as strippers at a lap-dancing club, is now dating the club’s owner who’s 27 years older.A source told us: “Vicky was a bit worried about her past coming out if Kandy Rain made it big.”But she loved being in front of the camera, she’s a natural exhibitionist.”

Former boarding- school pupil Vicky made the blue movies in 2007, soon after spurning the chance of taking a law degree to be a glamour model.

The films are available in the VIP section of paid-for adult website.In one video Vicky dons a pilot’s hat, skin- tight black uniform, stockings and heels as she purrs: “I’m dressed as a mile-high captain.”The 36DD Kandy girl then whips off her saucy get-up and writhes around groping herself before blowing a cheeky kiss to her online audience.

It is run by a singer/ songwriter called John McKeown, 49, who has been dating Vicky for 18 months.Our source told us: “He might be 27 years older than Coco but they get on brilliantly – she keeps him young in the bedroom.”There are a lot of sexy girls working in John’s club, but Coco’s got something extra in her personality.She is feisty, full of fire, and dedicated to her music.”Vicky and the other Kandy Rain girls became an overnight sensation when they performed a rendition of the Pussycat Dolls’ Don’t Cha while clad in PVC and leather.It’s hardly a surprise then that they made it to Boob, sorry, Boot Camp.

Simon Cowell: I want Robbie Williams for 5th judge

Cowell reveals plans for next series of X Factor

PLANS – Will Robbie join the team?

SIMON Cowell has revealed he wants superstar Robbie Williams to join the X Factor team as a FIFTH judge.

The show boss has told how he is planning a radical shake-up next year which is likely to include an extra “novelty” category to take in acts such as Jedward.And he wants Robbie and possibly another A-list star to join him, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue on the judging panel with Cheryl Cole’s future on the show in doubt.Cowell said that Robbie – who sang his most famous song Angels last night with Olly Murs and performed his single Bodies earlier in the series – could be the key to making next year’s show even better.

He said: “I would like to get Robbie Williams. He’s got good instincts.”He doesn’t take himself too seriously and he’s a fun guy to be around.”I’d love to have him there because I think he would be a good judge, full stop.”That’s why I like having Louis Walsh on the panel. He is fun to work with.”I don’t know if Robbie would want to do the show as he’s so busy but he would be great. A lot of things are going to change if we bring the show back.”He did not specify what the fifth category would be but Dannii has indicated they are looking at the novelty angle.Cowell is keen to inject more humour into the show and continue the huge success of acts like Jedward – John and Edward Grimes.He also denied rumours former Spice Girl Mel B will be taking a seat on the judging panel in 2010 in place of Dannii.Cowell, 50, said: “We have not approached Mel B to do the show. We met with Mel two or three years ago at the time we brought Cheryl in and didn’t know if Cheryl was going to accept.

“We also met Mel earlier this year to possibly get involved with a new show, not the X Factor. She wants to do the X Factor but she hasn’t been asked yet.”No deals have been concluded for next year, nothing. So we’re not in a position to talk to anybody about contracts.”The media mogul repeated his threat that if ITV does not find an extra £3million for the show’s budget he may AXE the show.He said the money was necessary to bring in more staff with many of the current team working round-the-clock to put on a good production.And he stressed he does not want to boost his £7.5million-a-year pay cheque.Cowell explained: “The reason we haven’t announced anything for next year is we’re seeing if we can work something out that will allow The X Factor to stay on in the UK for a few more years.”Everyone is really stretched right now. We need more people working on the show and that costs money.”There are a lot of people working 18 hours a day, seven days a week trying to keep this show running. We need more people. So I need that commitment from ITV. If you hire more dancers, more stylists, you need to add to the budgets.

“Plus, when we’re flying people all around the world we need money.”Most people out there at the moment are asking for salary increases. We just want the money for the show. I haven’t asked for more money. I’m not looking for a pay rise. I wouldn’t ask for a raise if it meant we had less money for the show.”If we don’t reach a deal with ITV I will simply take a break. I am not going to work for anyone other than ITV and if we couldn’t come to a deal then we would say, ‘Thanks for the last few years, we’ve had a great time and that’s it.’”If we’re not going to work with ITV then that would be the end of The X Factor.”Cowell confirmed he will be launching The X Factor America, with himself at the helm, by 2011.

But he vowed to continue fronting his UK shows, which also includes Britain’s Got Talent, so long as a deal can be reached. Cowell said: “My gut feeling is X Factor will be on American TV in the next 18 months.”But he admitted his workload has left him so exhausted he wished he could clone himself.He joked: “I’m going to clone me to do all these shows. We’re in the middle of a scientific experiment right now. I’d make 50. I would live with one of them. He’d be like my friend.”Most importantly I am not running off from Britain to America.”Cowell went on to blame Dannii for ruining Stacey Solomon’s chances by trying to make her a clone of 2006 winner Leona Lewis.

He said: “If Stacey were to win the show, we would have to go right back to where she started from when we first saw her.”I would take her out of those stupid ballgowns and stop her trying to sound like Leona. I think she is a really good singer but all her originality has been stripped away from her.”Dannii is trying to make her Leona Mark II and you can’t do that.When Stacey sang Coldplay she was so good they sent her a platinum disc. She needs to do something that’s interesting.”On last night’s show, Stacey duetted with crooner Michael Buble on the old standard Feeling Good.

On Olly, his last contestant, Cowell added: “He’s like a new Robbie. I spent two days with him this week where we went to his home and I got to know him a bit more. I saw what he was like with a crowd and if he is looked after properly and given some decent records he could do really well.”"But Joe McElderry has been very underrated. He’s got a very good recording voice. We’re going to take our time on Joe if he does win. We’ll do our best and he could surprise a lot of people.”Prince Harry was in the audience for last night’s show. The 25-year-old royal is a huge fan and has told pals Joe is the best singer. But he loves cheeky chappy Olly and reckons Stacey Solomon is “hilarious.”An insider said: “Harry’s been watching the show since the start. He loves it! He was desperate to see it live and when his aides contacted ITV they were thrilled to get him on the guest list.”Like everyone, Harry loves Joe and reckons he has the best voice.

Todays WTF!!!

Ewwwwwwwww  Minimal Stains ??????

]]> http://outonbluesix.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/advent-calendar-day-13-dont-forget-the-old-folks-at-christmas/ Sun, 13 Dec 2009 13:13:36 +0000 outonbluesix http://outonbluesix.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/advent-calendar-day-13-dont-forget-the-old-folks-at-christmas/

It’s Day Thirteen of our Yuletide fun-stravaganza, and unlucky for some as Coronation Street’s own Percy Sugden dispenses some timely festive advice…

Some days there are just no words…

Download the mp3 version here.

And now for some “classic Percy”…

Cheryl Cole loves Corrie!

The Girls Aloud singer has revealed she can’t get enough of the ITV soap – and neither can hubby Ashley Cole.

“I’m a massive soap girl, and like nothing better than watching the soaps with a cup of tea and a Hobnob,” X Factor judge Cheryl is quoted as saying.

“Kevin and Molly are so going to get caught out on Coronation Street. Ashley likes the soaps too. He pretends he doesn’t like them, and then he’s asking me about Kevin and Molly.”

The ‘Fight For This Love’ star also has her TV special ‘Cheryl Cole’s Night In’, showing on ITV1 tonight (Saturday 13th Dec) at 6.30pm.

Source

X Factor judge Cheryl Cole has confessed that she and her husband Ashley are addicted to watching Coronation Street, says a report.

The 26-year-old said that the couple are “hooked” on the storyline about the affair between Kevin Webster (Michael Le Vell) and Molly Dobbs (Vicky Binns).

The Girls Aloud star told The Sun that she loves to relax by watching the Manchester soap.

Cheryl confessed: “I’m a massive soap girl, and like nothing better than watching the soaps with a cup of tea and a HobNob.

“Kevin and Molly are so going to get caught out on Coronation Street!”

Cheryl revealed that her husband was a secret fan of the Weatherfield drama.

She added: “Ashley likes the soaps too.

“He pretends he doesn’t like them, and then he’s asking me about Kevin and
Molly.”

Source