Who is Hannah Elizabeth? Love Island: All Stars 2024 contestant
Hannah Elizabeth is heading back to the villa.
Back in 2015, Hannah Elizabeth made Love Island history by becoming the first (and only) person to ever get engaged on the show, with beau Jon Clark proposing to her during the final commitment ceremony. She said of her iconic engagement: "It was almost ten years ago and I was in that proper whirlwind kind of love, now that I’m that bit older I try to take things a little slower." Now, almost ten years later, she's one of twelve singletons jetting off to South Africa for Love Island's first ever All Stars series. Hannah Elizabeth - key facts Name: Hannah Elizabeth Age: 33 Job: Social media influencer From: Liverpool Season: 1 Instagram: @hannahelizinsta Who is Hannah Elizabeth? Hannah Elizabeth is a social media influencer. Prior to Love Island, she worked as a glamour model and Playboy bunny. What season of Love Island was Hannah Elizabeth on? Hannah was part of the very first season of Love Island back in 2015. She got all the way to second place with Jon Clark, but sadly, they have since parted ways. Is Hannah Elizabeth on Instagram? Yes! You can catch her posts and various brand collaborations at @hannahelizinsta. Why did Hannah Elizabeth decide to return for Love Island: All Stars? Hannah just couldn't resist the offer of returning where it all began. She said: "I’m returning to the Love Island Villa because I did it eight years ago and what an opportunity I never thought I’d get again," she said. "I’m not very good at finding love but I had a ball the first time, so I’m going to have a ball again." View Green Video on the source website Love Island All Stars 2024 starts on Monday 15th January at 9pm on ITV1, ITV2 and ITVX. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Which Disney villain are you? Take our quiz and find out
Are you more Jafar than Ursula? More evil lion than wicked stepmother? Now's the time to find out...
Sure Disney films are full of lovely princesses and wonderful princes. But as Disney executive producer Don Hahn told us, "Great storytelling has great villains and great villains do scary things". There are plenty of terrific baddies to choose from. The Lion King's Scar, The Little Mermaid's Ursula, Peter Pan's Hook that's before we even get on to the Cruella de Vil old school baddie or the remake's new 'villain' Maleficient. We all know the villains are the true favourite characters. How often have you cheered Izma in Emperor's New Groove (she's so relatable!) or felt bad for Maleficient all thanks to the new Angelina Jolie movies? For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. From evil queens to witches, pirates to Gods there's every type of villain going in the Disney universe, and, let's be honest, the good guys are boring, so which Disney villain are you? Take our quiz and find out. View Riddle on the source website Fancy a Disney movie? We have a round up of the best movies on Disney+ as well as best series on Disney+. Sign up to Disney+ for £59.99 a year or £5.99 a month.
7 important pearls of wisdom from our favourite TV and film mums
Happy Mother's Day! They really do know best. Even on screen...
Take a break from all that cleaning, cooking and present giving you're doing for your own mum this Mother's Day (you're doing that, right?) to celebrate the pearls of wisdom coming from mums on the box. Whether it's life lessons, advice, or simply reminding kids to mind their Ps and Qs, there's plenty of good stuff to be learned from these fictitious matriarchs... 1. Mrs Incredible, The Incredibles "Your identity is your most valuable possession. Protect it." 2. Pam Jones, Bridget Jones's Diary "Don't say 'what', say 'pardon'" 3. Marge Simpson, The Simpsons "My mother always said, if you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all." 4. Mrs Gump, Forrest Gump "Life is like a box of chocolates, Forrest. You never know what you're going to get." 5. Bree Van de Kamp, Desperate Housewives "You know the opposite of love isn't hate. It's indifference. And if you hate me, that means you still care." 6. Gloria Delgado-Pritchett, Modern Family "Making a child is the easy part." 7. Rose Nylund, The Golden Girls "My mother always used to say: the older you get, the better you get. Unless you're a banana." View oEmbed on the source website
6 adult jokes in Christmas films you might have missed growing up
'Tis the season to be a little bit cheeky
The Santa Clause View oEmbed on the source website When Scott Calvin (Tim Allen) begins his transformation into Santa Claus, he learns that getting into a chimney involves a bit of flying. But there's a naughty (certainly not nice) reason for that: "It's OK, I lived through the sixties," he admits. Stick to milk Father Christmas. ... also The Santa Clause More a knowing nod than a 'Knock Knock' joke, but eagle-eyed viewers will have noticed that upon Scott Calvin's arrival to Santa's workshop, he picks up a DIY belt and tries it on. As young viewers are unlikely to know, it's a tip of the hat to his long-running role as handyman Tim Taylor on ABC's comedy series Home Improvement. Frozen View oEmbed on the source website Anna, having fallen head-over-heels for Prince Hans, won't hear a bad word against her super speedy engagement plans in this Disney fave. But there's something a little adult about the questions from new pal Kristoff as they turn to size... Kristoff: Eye colour? Anna: Dreamy. Kristoff: Foot size? Anna: Foot size doesn't matter. *blushes* Home Alone View oEmbed on the source website Free from any prior knowledge of that aftershave sting, young viewers must simply enjoy Kevin McCallister's bathroom routine for the fact that he has a good rummage around his dad's things and screams so loud. Jingle All The Way View oEmbed on the source website Arnie takes on the role of Howard, a desperate dad struggling to get hold of the most-wanted toy of the year 'Turbo Man' in this festive flick. But when he tries to speak to his wife, there's confusion as to what's keeping her from coming to the phone. His son explains she's visiting next door neighbour Ted's Reindeer of the same name: Howard Langston: "Jamie, let me talk to your mother." Jamie Langston: "You can't." Howard Langston: "Why?" Jamie Langston: "She's next door petting Ted." Oo-er. Elf View oEmbed on the source website Kids are sure to be uninterested in what Miles Finch means when he tells Buddy the Elf he "gets more action in a week" than he does in this festive fish-out-of-water flick once. They'll just enjoy it when the pair start fighting. Thankfully.
Wolf Hall's Damian Lewis on "almost cartoonish" Henry VIII and why Anne Boleyn is a feminist icon
As the Homeland actor takes on the role of the Tudor monarch, he details what he's learned and why the former king's tale keeps us hooked
Damian Lewis is stepping into the breeches of King Henry VIII in the upcoming PBS Masterpiece adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s award-winning novels Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies – and has learned there's plenty to uncover about this memorable ruler. The tale charts the unprecedented rise of Thomas Cromwell from a blacksmith’s son to Henry VIII’s closest advisor, as well as detailing the religious upheavals of the Protestant reformation and the King’s tempestuous relationship with Anne Boleyn. Bafta-winning Peter Kosminsky (The Government Inspector, The Promise) is in the director’s chair as two-time Olivier and three-time Tony Award winner Mark Rylance takes up the role of Cromwell. The Tudors are a dynasty that continue to fascinate us, and actor Damian Lewis has learned plenty about Henry VIII during his portrayal of the fiery monarch: There’s a sportier side to the King that’s often forgotten… "I think we all have this understanding that he was this womanising, syphilitic, bloated, genocidal Elvis character. And actually the truth is, though it might be an odd thing to mention, he had a 32-inch waist and he remained that way for quite a long time," Lewis explains. "He was the pre-eminent sportsman in his court. He was much taller than anyone else. His beautiful, pale complexion was often remarked upon by commentators. And so I think what I’ve found in Henry is that the grandiose, more paranoid, self indulgent, self pitying, cruel Henry emerged in the period after this series actually. What we’re trying to concentrate on a little bit is just to give a more varied portrait of Henry, and that’s really how this is written." The ruler showed sociopathic tendencies "What drives Henry – and it is central to our story as well – is his obsession about a male heir. I see in Henry nothing psychotic, I don’t see a psychopath there. I don’t think psychologically that’s true of him. But I think I do see a sociopath, someone who I think is capable of great love; great affection and I think craves that. He craves the normality of that kind of inter-personal relationship with other people, whilst at the same time wanting to be the greatest man, the greatest King, a god-like King who presides over the greatest court of all time." Cromwell’s straight-talking nature appealed "What you see in Hilary’s version of Henry, in Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies, is that he develops a real affection for Cromwell. I think he likes this man who is humbly born, son of a blacksmith, born in Putney, has more worldly experience than any of the nobles that he’s surrounded by – because Cromwell was a merchant banker, he was an early prototypical merchant banker. "This is a man of the world. And I think Henry is utterly taken with his straight talking, no nonsense approach, his intelligence and his legal mind. Henry just becomes wholly dependent on him." On the King's infatuation with Anne Boleyn "Anne Boleyn was a formidable woman and she had an extraordinary power over Henry. "He desired her and he wanted her. I think he also was struck by her undoubted intelligence and her strength of will. I hadn’t realised to what extent Anne Boleyn is something of a feminist icon – that’s something I have learned doing this." On our continued fascination with Henry VIII "It’s very easy to be interested in Henry VIII – he was a memorable, almost cartoonish King. In terms of his achievements, he laid the way for the Common Book of Prayer, the translation of the Bible into English; in a slightly violent way, he created the Church of England and it was his daughter who so expertly then mediated and created and allowed Anglicanism to thrive. "He made important adjustments to Parliament at the time and music flourished, literature flourished in his reign. But of course the reason we’re interested, is in the six wives and the fact that two of them were beheaded and the obsession with having a son."
How to celebrate New Year’s Eve... according to Friends, Sherlock & Sex and the City
From Monica and Ross to an impeccably dressed Carrie, here's how some of our favourite TV characters think the New Year should be welcomed in
It’s New Year's Eve and from pre-prepared dance routines to a late night dash across town in your pjs, some of our favourite characters have some ideas on how tonight should be approached… Get dancing What better way to get noticed at your New Year's Eve bash than to have a dance routine prepared? For maximum impact, dance with a sibling. And use a routine you made up decades ago like Monica and Ross from Friends… View oEmbed on the source website Tell someone you love them Wait until the clock strikes midnight, then scream your devotion at the person you most admire. Over and over again. It works, well, according to When Harry Met Sally anyway… View oEmbed on the source website Wish people a Happy New Year … and try and sound like you mean it. Sherlock and Mycroft aren’t quite there. View oEmbed on the source website Make a New Year’s resolution Short of ideas? Why not fly a plane, do a new thing every day or stop making jokes as the Friends gang did when they stopped dancing.... View oEmbed on the source website Or…run across town in your pjs, heels and a sparkly hat in the style of Carrie from Sex and the City. If anyone knows the perfect attire for a late-night city dash, it's Carrie. View oEmbed on the source website
Did you notice the sly nod to Rupert Grint in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
It seems JK Rowling was having some fun while demonstrating Professor Slughorn's lack of interest in Ron Weasley
Eagle-eyed Harry Potter fans have spotted that in book six, the Half-Blood Prince, Professor Horace Slughorn refers to Ron Weasley as 'Rupert'. Page 454 of Bloomsbury's 2005 edition of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince It seems highly unlikely that JK Rowling and her editors would have slipped up and muddled the character's name with actor Rupert Grint who plays him in the films. Instead, we reckon she was having some fun with Slughorn's character traits and his penchant for focusing on the most talented students. Ron is no 'Chosen One' after all and getting his name wrong is simply another way to hammer home Slughorn's disinterest in the Weasley boy. Making it a nod to Mr Grint appears to be a fan-friendly extra.
Who is going to replace Len Goodman on Strictly Come Dancing next year?
Goodman’s final Strictly Come Dancing series has happened. From pro dancers to overseas experts, here’s who is in the running to fill the Head Judge’s seat
Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge Len Goodman is hotfooting it out of the ballroom after this year’s series and there are plenty of experts ready to take charge of his sparkly score paddles. “This adventure began when I was 60 and now that I’ve reached my 70s, I’ve decided after this year it’s time to hand the role of Head Judge to someone else,” Goodman said ahead of this year’s series, having been with the show since it launched in 2004. “It is an honour being part of the wonderful Strictly Come Dancing family and I’m looking forward to my last series very much and to whatever comes next.” Names quickly hit the rumour mill for his replacement, including former and current professional dancers, as well as experts from the show’s various international panels. Insiders suggest that one of the current judges – Bruno Tonioli, Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel Horwood – will be promoted into the Head Judge role (if they all return), with the new recruit backfilling their spot. But just who is in the running? Here are the latest rumba-lings…. Anton Du Beke No sooner had news of Goodman’s departure broke, was pro dancer Anton Du Beke top of the list of potential new recruits, which he himself has described as “flattering”. It’s not a big surprise. The dancer has been with the show since the beginning and is well liked by fans. He’s also got the backing of Goodman himself, which is handy. Discussing both Du Beke and former pro and It Takes Two regular Karen Hardy, he told the Courier he wants to see: "Someone from the world of ballroom rather than stage or theatre dancing.” Darcey Bussell threw her weight behind him, too saying: “I think Anton would love it,” she told the Mirror. “He has done a lot on television already. And he is a great technician with everything he has to give as well.” Although she warned that whoever takes over will have a tough job following in Goodman’s footsteps because he has such “a great personality”. Du Beke himself said: “It’s very flattering that people think it’s a possibility and I’m 50 this week so I can’t dance forever.” “Brendan and I are the only two original dancers, so we’re working hard to keep up the pace. But who knows what’ll happen in the future.” Brendan Cole Talking of Brendan, he’s in the mix too. “It makes sense for people to speculate it would be either Anton or myself because we’ve been there from the start,” he told The Sun. He’s confident in his abilities, having been a judge on the New Zealand version, Dancing with the Stars. “I’ve done judging in a different country. And if you look at Anton and myself we’re definitely good at what we do and what you need to do to create good entertainment. “I don’t agree with a lot of what the judges say — I’ve got 34 years of dance experience. “I got to the top of my game and I didn’t do it the easy way — I worked my a**e off to get there, so I’ve done the hard work.” Of following Goodman, Cole warned: “He’s irreplaceable. Whoever steps into his shoes, they’ve got to make their own thing of it.” Arlene Phillips Former judge Arlene Phillips, who was on the panel from 2004 until 2008, fancies a return to the show citing Dermot O’Leary’s X Factor U-turn as her inspiration. Asked who should take the empty seat Phillips told the Mirror: "Me, of course. Who else? The BBC will do what they want. Anton has been suggested. He'd be a lot of fun." Referencing O’Leary’s X Factor return after just one series away, she added: "It's the first time I ever thought about it," she said. "I just went: 'You know people can go back'. We'll see." Helen Richey A new name in the mix is Helen Richey, a judge on Australia’s Dancing with the Stars. She’s been on the show’s panel for all of its fifteen series. She boasts a huge amount of dancing experience, as well as coaching and judging professional tournaments. In fact, many of the DWTS pros are said to have been at least partly coached by Richey. BBC bosses are said to have been impressed by Richey before. "Helen is known across the dancing world and highly respected," a source told the Sun. "She’s been a judge in Australia for 12 years so is used to the cameras and has a similar calm temperament to Len. "I know that BBC chiefs were impressed by her when she fronted out and dismissed cheat claims when they erupted on that show," the source added.
X Factor's Honey G: from her day job to what's under those glasses - here's everything you need to know
Find out what's behind Anna Georgette Gilford's specs
Stage name Honey G ("Sweet like Honey G" as she told the judges) Real name Anna Georgette Gilford Age 35 From North West London in Harrow (or "North Weezy") Audition A song about Honey G ("When I say Honey, you say G" etc...) which then switched into a cover of Missy Elliott's Work It (including the bit where she flipped it and reversed it). Moves These speak for themselves. Judges' Reaction Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger got in the groove. Louis Walsh seemed unsure of where to put himself while Simon Cowell turned away during her audition before declaring: "You shouldn't be doing that!" adding: "Please, please just end this" as he opted out of casting a vote. X Factor journey Wow, it's been a rock road for Honey G. Yes, she made it to the Six Chair Challenge, but failed to get a seat as Sharon made her decision. However, when rival Ivy Grace failed to get a Visa to allow her to travel for Judges' Houses, G was back in. View oEmbed on the source website A performance of Coolio's Gangster's Paradise at Sharon's LA pad showed that Sharon's change of heart was complete. She's in the live shows. View oEmbed on the source website Here's a picture without those glasses View oEmbed on the source website There's plenty more music on her YouTube channel Including this track 'Your Loving', which you can download on iTunes should you feel so inspired. View oEmbed on the source website As we learned, she's an urban music artist/rap music artist/producer "Honey G. started mixing in 1999. After mixing for only 4 months she made her 1st appearance at Club Abbyss in Ayia Napa and gained a DJ residency at Gas club in the summer of 2000," her website explains. "In the early 2000’s she launched her own club night called Luvibe in Manchester whilst studying and DJ-ed at many venues in the UK on the UK Garage Scene. Luvibe was all about showcasing Black Female talent. She also made appearances on BBC Radio 1xtra and Radio 1 after she graduated in Popular Music and Recording from Salford University and came runner up in the National Student DJ Competition sponsored by Ministry of Sound." ...but what's her day job? Honey G/Anna runs her own recruitment firm ARG Search Limited, focussing on IT services. Prior to this she spent more than a decade working in the sector at senior level. Bet there's a funky track on the hold music, right? She's pretty sporty To quote her own personal website: "She is a woman of many talents and is also an ex-young middx county tennis champion and athlete." Her LinkedIn profile reveals further details: Netball for Diageo 2nd Team- 2005- 2006 Netball for Salford University 2nd Team- 1999- 2004 Quarter Finalist North American Maccabi Games-1996 (Tennis) Maccabiah Games – 1997- Captain of the Tennis Team Bronze Medalist European Maccabi Games- Amsterdam-1995 (Tennis) Flag Holder representing Great Britain at the North American Maccabi Games.1996 (Tennis) Volleyball for Harrow- 1994 Middlesex County Tennis Champion 1992 (Tennis) Captain of the 1st Tennis Team (Dr Challoners) (1997-1999) And she also "memorised the raps from most of Snoop Doggy Songs Doggy style album when she was young" So you know, thumbs up. Best performance? Well, her Fright Night routine to Men in Black even had Simon Cowell convinced. “After tonight, ‘G’ stands for ‘The Greatest’,” he said. WHAT IS GOING ON? View oEmbed on the source website The X Factor 2016: Meet all the live acts Nicole Scherzinger's Boys Freddy Parker Matt Terry Ryan Lawrie Simon Cowell's Girls Emily Middlemas Gifty Louise Samantha Lavery Louis Walsh's Groups 5 After Midnight Bratavio Four of Diamonds Sharon Osbourne's Overs Honey G Relley C Saara Aalto Stage name Honey G ("Sweet like Honey G" as she told the judges) Real name Anna Georgette Gilford Age 35 From North West London in Harrow (or "North Weezy") Audition A song about Honey G ("When I say Honey, you say G" etc...) which then switched into a cover of Missy Elliott's Work It (including the bit where she flipped it and reversed it). Moves These speak for themselves. Judges' Reaction Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger got in the groove. Louis Walsh seemed unsure of where to put himself while Simon Cowell turned away during her audition before declaring: "You shouldn't be doing that!" adding: "Please, please just end this" as he opted out of casting a vote. X Factor journey Wow, it's been a rock road for Honey G. Yes, she made it to the Six Chair Challenge, but failed to get a seat as Sharon made her decision. However, when rival Ivy Grace failed to get a Visa to allow her to travel for Judges' Houses, G was back in. View oEmbed on the source website A performance of Coolio's Gangster's Paradise at Sharon's LA pad showed that Sharon's change of heart was complete. She's in the live shows. View oEmbed on the source website Here's a picture without those glasses View oEmbed on the source website There's plenty more music on her YouTube channel Including this track 'Your Loving', which you can download on iTunes should you feel so inspired. View oEmbed on the source website As we learned, she's an urban music artist/rap music artist/producer "Honey G. started mixing in 1999. After mixing for only 4 months she made her 1st appearance at Club Abbyss in Ayia Napa and gained a DJ residency at Gas club in the summer of 2000," her website explains. "In the early 2000’s she launched her own club night called Luvibe in Manchester whilst studying and DJ-ed at many venues in the UK on the UK Garage Scene. Luvibe was all about showcasing Black Female talent. She also made appearances on BBC Radio 1xtra and Radio 1 after she graduated in Popular Music and Recording from Salford University and came runner up in the National Student DJ Competition sponsored by Ministry of Sound." ...but what's her day job? Honey G/Anna runs her own recruitment firm ARG Search Limited, focussing on IT services. Prior to this she spent more than a decade working in the sector at senior level. Bet there's a funky track on the hold music, right? She's pretty sporty To quote her own personal website: "She is a woman of many talents and is also an ex-young middx county tennis champion and athlete." Her LinkedIn profile reveals further details: Netball for Diageo 2nd Team- 2005- 2006 Netball for Salford University 2nd Team- 1999- 2004 Quarter Finalist North American Maccabi Games-1996 (Tennis) Maccabiah Games – 1997- Captain of the Tennis Team Bronze Medalist European Maccabi Games- Amsterdam-1995 (Tennis) Flag Holder representing Great Britain at the North American Maccabi Games.1996 (Tennis) Volleyball for Harrow- 1994 Middlesex County Tennis Champion 1992 (Tennis) Captain of the 1st Tennis Team (Dr Challoners) (1997-1999) And she also "memorised the raps from most of Snoop Doggy Songs Doggy style album when she was young" So you know, thumbs up. Best performance? Well, her Fright Night routine to Men in Black even had Simon Cowell convinced. “After tonight, ‘G’ stands for ‘The Greatest’,” he said. WHAT IS GOING ON? View oEmbed on the source website The X Factor 2016: Meet all the live acts Nicole Scherzinger's Boys Freddy Parker Matt Terry Ryan Lawrie Simon Cowell's Girls Emily Middlemas Gifty Louise Samantha Lavery Louis Walsh's Groups 5 After Midnight Bratavio Four of Diamonds Sharon Osbourne's Overs Honey G Relley C Saara Aalto
11 toys all 90s kids wanted for Christmas
From a fluffy Furby to an ice-cool Mr Frosty, many a festive wish list would have included these play things
Know someone still pining for that Furby? Share this now... 1 Oh how we all dreamed of owning our very own Furby. A Furby whom we could teach words to, feed and love. Then those who did get them resorted to locking them in a cupboard in the hope that they'd finally, finally be quiet and we realised we were better off without one. All we wanted to do during the festive season was crush up some ice and cover it in brightly-coloured sugar. Was that too much to ask? Was it? Apparently, yes. This is no doubt because our parents, and indeed Father Christmas, knew we'd use it once, get brain freeze and never touch it again. Keeping a tiny, computerised animal alive was the big responsibility 90s kids wanted. It was a double-edged sword though. Getting one was exciting, but once you had it, even going to bed was a huge concern. What if he got hungry in the night? What if his toilet situation needed attending to? What if he actually died while you were lying around in your Rugrats pyjamas..? [Image via wikicommons] The baby ate the cherries. She actually ate the cherries. It was a marvel of modern engineering (OK, a quick release button) and graced many a letter to Santa. My-oh-my, was there anything more exciting than a brand new sheet of brightly-coloured sticker earrings? Sure they'd fall off moments after putting them on, but boy did we want them. I'm told by sources close to Santa that getting hold of these mini Power Rangers was near impossible. The mere whisper of 'in stock' had people driving hours to off-the-beaten-track toy shops. Had a couple extra? You could basically turn dealer at the school gates. In short, if you didn't get one, it's time to let the grudge go. Santa's vision must have gone all blurry with the number of requests for a Thunderbirds Tracy Island. Thankfully Blue Peter's Anthea Turner showed us all how to make our own out of cardboard and paper and saved Christmas* (*skills with papier-mâché depending). Deep down, we knew this was a long shot. But after an afternoon spent flicking through the Argos catalogue, why not chuck it on the wish list? It's a wish list, after all. Why have regular furniture when you can sit on a wobbly pile of plastic, filled with the air of an angry parent who is so puffed out they're now hallucinating...? Not getting a Dream Phone board game was like, the worst. It was as if Santa was telling you you wouldn't meet your Prince Charming anytime soon and would be relegated to hours deciding which dating website to sign up to later in life... ahem. The smell of burning rubber was on many a kid's mind at Christmas, hoping as they were to unwrap a brand new Scalextric set. It was easy to spot if you'd got it: the box being bigger than most people's beds.
Who is Claudia Fragapane? Strictly Come Dancing contestant guide
The 'pocket rocket' Olympic gymnast has flipped from Rio 2016 to the ballroom
Strictly Come Dancing 2016 contestants: Claudia Fragapane Age: 18 (she's the youngest in this year's competition) Height: Just 4 ft 7 (often nicknamed "pocket rocket") Twitter: @claudia_frag Famous for: Olympic gymnast, most recently competing in Rio Who is her professional partner? Claudia was paired with new pro AJ Pritchard – who in 2013 made it to the semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent with dance parter and fellow Strictly pro Chloe Hewitt. View oEmbed on the source website Who is Claudia Fragapane? Claudia's first title taste of success came back in 2011 when she picked up a bronze medal for the vault at the Junior British Championships. But it was 2014 when she made her name on the global stage, beginning with a team silver medal at the European Championships before winning an historic four gold medals in the Commonwealth Games. Since then she's continued to make the podium in international competitions, landing a floor silver at the 2015 European Championships and a team bronze at the World Championships later that year. She competed with Amy Tinkler, Ruby Harrold and sisters Rebecca and Ellie Downie in the team all-around event in Rio as well as taking on the uneven bars, beam, vault, floor exercise and individual all-around. View oEmbed on the source website Fragapane insists her gymnastics experience won't help her on the dance floor. “If I make a mistake I cover it up - it’s kind of hard to do that when you’re with a partner,” she explained. “I find it difficult being that close to someone, looking them in the eye. I’ll probably start laughing!” Why is Claudia Fragapane doing Strictly Come Dancing? We spoke to Claudia ahead of the first live show to find out... Why are you doing Strictly? In my floor routines I stick to one dancing technique and it’s very stiff, so Strictly will hopefully help me with that. Does your gymnastics give you an advantage? Perhaps, but I’ve been doing the same floor routine for ages, I only change it once every two years, so a different dance every week is going to be pretty crazy. Dancing in heels is also hard. What were the Rio Olympics like? Rio was incredible. It was amazing to be among all the best gymnasts and athletes in the world! I was in an elevator with Mo Farah! And the tight dresses and sparkles? I normally wear a leotard that goes up my bum, so this is modest!
The Chase’s new “Vixen” chaser wants to face off against Pointless rivals
New quiz whiz Jenny Ryan is excited about beating The Chase contestants and fancies a match up with a certain Richard Osman…
The Chase has got itself a sassy new chaser in the form of Jenny “The Vixen’” Ryan and she’s already got some ideas for stirring things up: ITV’s chasers take on BBC’s Pointless. “Pointless is one I’d absolutely love to go on, even though they’re our big rival,” Ryan, who’s already earned the name ‘The Bolton Brainiac’ from host Bradley Walsh, told RadioTimes.com. “If they would have the chasers over, I would absolutely love to do it. We could do it for charity. I’m sure ITV would let us do it for Sport Relief or something like that.” In fact, Ryan, 33, admits that had she not got the job on The Chase - which saw the quiz lover go through around nine months of tests, screen tests and more tests - she was going to apply to be on Pointless as a contestant. “We’d walk it,” Ryan said of her and her step dad, promising that their differing areas of expertise would make them a “dream team”. Ryan’s got fighting talk for the Pointless team if they fancy a go on The Chase however; in particular the show’s co-host Richard Osman. “I’d love it if I could face off against the Eggheads. Or someone like Richard Osman could come on and test his knowledge, for sure,” said Ryan when I asked if she’d be keen to film a celebrity special. “[Osman] sits behind his desk with his little computer and he thinks he’s super brainy, but he’s got all the information in front of him…” she added with what I can only imagine was a teasing vixen-style smile, a flick of her stunning red hair (we were talking on the phone...). I point out that the laptop is actually a prop, but it doesn’t faze Ryan. She's got plenty of her own quiz show experience - 15 to 1, Weakest Link, Only Connect - and before becoming a chaser was a quiz show question writer. In fact, she wrote for a rather fitting show. “I actually worked on the pilot of The Chase and wrote the questions on it,” Ryan revealed. Not that this will help her out once she’s in front of the contestants, she insisted. “All the questions I wrote have long since been used. If I could remember every question I ever wrote I’d be the world quiz champion,” she laughed, which is interesting given a world quizzing champion, Olav Bjortomt, is actually one of the question writers on the show. Of course Jenny, who actually gets to boss The Chase's Governess Anne Hegerty around in her own quiz team, is excited about taking on the show's eager contestants. "I’ve been on my fair share of quiz shows so I’m very empathetic with the contestants and I know exactly how they feel. I’m trying to strike a balance between being nice to them - where they deserve it - and also realise it’s my job to crush them. Crush their hopes and dreams, their trip to Las Vegas or Australia, it’s gone I’m afraid because I’m better than them..."
The secrets of the Apprentice boardroom - as revealed by former candidate Daniel Lassman
Former Apprentice candidate Daniel Lassman is the first to admit he had plenty of experience of the boardroom in 2014's tenth series. Pulled in four times to face Lord Sugar – before going on to take third place in the competition -–he learnt a thing or two about ducking the firing finger of doom. With The Apprentice back on our screens, Daniel tells us what it’s really like in there… The first-timers scare everyone else “First time in the boardroom is the worst by a country mile... The people that survive the boardroom come back and scare you senseless. They’re like ‘It’s the worst thing in the world, you don’t understand. I had to go to places I’ve never been before…’ “I’m thinking, ‘How bad can this boardroom be? What is going on?’ So it’s a fear of not knowing...” It’s much longer than it looks “It’s always ridiculously dragged out. Lord Sugar’s gone through every single nook and cranny just to make sure he’s making the right decision. I guess an extra hour on what you see.” It’s designed to break you “In the boardroom you’ve got seven or eight cameras blatantly facing you. Add the lighting, add lord sugar, add Nick Hewer [this year it's Claude Littner] and Karren Brady. It was designed to break you.” You do get a bit starstruck “I remember the first time I walked in and saw Lord Sugar, Nick and Karren I thought, ‘Wow, how am I going to talk to these guys with honest opinions? With a raised voice? Get angry and emotional?' What you’re thinking straight away is 'I’ve been watching these guys on TV for years'. That is the first thing that goes through you mind. It’s a weird presence that they carry. Not just being good at business, but that fame element too. “I think the only time you really have to show them and fight and forget who they are is when you’re on the line, when you’re about to get fired. Anger and emotion just comes out of you.” You have a ‘boardroom outfit’ “You can’t change your boardroom outfit [the production team won't let you]. I don’t know if it’s continuity or something. Every time you put on the boardroom suit you knew you were bang in trouble.” It’s all about mind games at the Bridge Café “When you’re in the Bridge Café all you’re trying to do is lay blame and knock their confidence so they’re actually like, ‘It was my fault.’ That’s kind of the tactic that most people have.” Experience in the boardroom can be a bonus “I still think I’m the guy that made the most boardroom visits ever. I’ve had a lot of experience of knowing how to deal with the situation, while it was a lot of people’s first experience in there. “I knew what I had to do: attack, attack, attack. Get out the reasons why I shouldn’t be fired and why this candidate should be. They would come in and say to Lord Sugar ‘It’s my first time here’, by then I’ve attacked them twenty five times. It was all about trying to survive. “ Of course, it doesn’t stop once you’re outside the boardroom “Mind games are probably the most important thing in there. Don’t forget, on the cameras, you can say what you want and you can be portrayed however you want. But behind the cameras is where the real mind games start.” The Apprentice continues on Thursday at 9:00pm on BBC1
Romesh Ranganathan talks Asian Provocateur: “My mum is the main star… I’m not happy about it”
Ranganathan wants to know how different life would have been if he'd grown up in America - and if he can leave his mum in a retirement home for the duration of his next trip...
Romesh Ranganathan has (begrudgingly) accepted that his mum was the “main star" of the first series of BBC3's Asian Provocateur – so for his new North American adventures, Shanthi is coming with him. “I’m not happy about it. It’s one of those things where she became a success… unfortunately.” Turning all Gwyneth Paltrow in Sliding Doors on us, Ranganathan’s on a mission to see what his life would have been like if he’d grown up in America. Because, while many of his family live in Detroit and holiday in Florida, he lives in Crawley and holidays at Butlin's. As with the first series, this isn’t a straightforward travel show. It’s not all breathtaking views and life-changing experiences. In fact, Ranganathan kicks things off by trying to palm his mum off on a retirement home in Florida. “The edit to that is going to be crucial,” he laughs. But while Ranganthan struggled to even get a US visa – an embassy official deemed his claims of comedic work unlikely because he was “not funny in the slightest” – his mum emerges as a “social chameleon” and fits in with everyone. This includes, much to the music-lover’s dismay, a group of Mexican hip-hop stars. “I’m really into hip-hop, I thought that they would be the people I’d connect to more than my mum. But no, they just ended up loving my mum. In fact, one of them had a go at me for the way I was talking to her. “They just see a grumpy sort of fat man having a go at this wonderful woman…” Despite her confidence with people, Ranganathan says Shanthi is not a confident traveller. One evening he finds her stood outside a lift confused by which button to push (“Well, one says ‘up’ and the other says ‘fire alarm’ so let’s figure out which is the most likely one to press…”) and says he essentially becomes a walking Siri. "I love my mum, but like, going travelling with your mum it’s not ideal, is it? "She’s constantly asking me questions like I know the place," he explains. "We’ll be in the bar and she’ll go, ‘Where are the toilets?’ I’ll say ‘Mum, I’ve literally just arrived in the place at the same time as you. I don’t know if you think I’ve got some sort of awareness like a Jedi of where the toilets are…” As well as getting a taste of what life is like at a university fraternity (“I just thank my lucky stars that my dad chose Crawley…”) and finding – to his delight – that LA isn’t just a bunch of tossers talking about quinoa and kale, the comedian ends up blindfolded, stripped down to his underwear and walking through Mexican woods to find his ‘spirit animal’. “We had to go into a sweat box – like a sauna, but a rudimentary brick dwelling – and they raise the temperature to the point that you nearly die and then you stay there until you find your spirit animal,” he explains, his skepticism evident through his characteristically dry tone. “I think you stay there until you find your spirit animal, or you stay there until you say you’ve found you’re spirit animal so you can leave the sweat box. They kept saying ‘everyone’s found their spirit animal’ and I was like, I bet they have mate! I just pretended I was a horse to get out…” It was a tactic that worked until they “demanded evidence” and Ranganathan found himself galloping around in his pants. “If you’re in your pants being a horse and you don’t get a Bafta, I don’t know what you have to do.” This, he says, will come back to bite him when parents at his kid’s school see the episode and information trickles back down to his son. “[I’ll have] Theo coming home going: ‘Is it true you got naked and pretended to be a horse?” And I’m like, ‘Yeah, there’s context to that son. There’s a background story to that that you don’t know.” “Hearing snippets of it is much worse.” But have the glittering lights of the US tempted Ranganathan away? Or does Crawley still get top billing? “I think I’d pick Crawley in the same way that, you know, sometimes prisoners choose to stay with their kidnapper?” Asian Provocateur returns to BBC Three in October
Did you know Lesley Joseph and Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood once shared a stage role?
The ballroom isn't the first place the Birds of a Feather star and judge have crossed paths
Lesley Joseph is about to start her Strictly Come Dancing journey (yes, it's always a journey) but the ballroom won't actually be the first place she's come face to face with a certain member of the judging panel: one Craig Revel Horwood. They might be judge and contestant now, but the pair have actually job-shared in theatre land, alternating the role of Miss Hannigan in a stage production of Annie. The show, which toured the UK from July 2015 to June 2016, saw Horwood play the orphanage's cruel supervisor in the majority of the original performances. Then, when unavailable due to his commitments to Strictly, Joseph took over. The Birds of a Feather star then saw out the remainder of the run from January of this year. Madeleine Haynes, Isabella Pappas and Sophia Pettit shared the title role, with Nikolai Foster directing. It won't affect her scores of course (those high numbered paddles go up for skill and skill alone) but hey, a familiar face on the first day of 'school' is always nice, right? Strictly Come Dancing launches 3rd of September at 6:50pm on BBC1
X Factor Judges' Houses 2016: guest judges and locations
From LA to Ibiza, here's where the X Factor judges are whizzing their acts off to and which famous faces will be joining them
*contains series spoilers - do not read on if you do not wish to know who the judges are mentoring* Forget last year's half live/ half shambolic Judges' Houses. This year it's back to basics for X Factor: people will cry by a swimming pool while we salivate over stunning sunny locations. Lovely. But where will they be and who will be the celebrity guest mentor? Well, if you don't want to wait for the big unveiling, check out the list below: Simon Cowell Category: Girls Location: Malibu, LA Guest mentor: Mel B and Emma Bunton Cowell is once again Sinitta-less (the costume department must be gutted) and we're told rumours that it would actually be Cheryl joining him were exactly that – rumours. Instead, Cowell is spicing up his life with not one, but two, Spice Girls guests: Emma Bunton and Mel B, It's Mel B's second return to this year's series, having stepped in to cover for an absent Nicole Scherzinger during the first day of London auditions. Mel and Simon have also been judging together on the latest series of America's Got Talent. For Baby Spice it's her second stint as a guest mentor, having helped Mel out in 2014. Louis Walsh Category: Groups Location: Ibiza Guest mentor: Alesha Dixon and Fleur East "We had fun," Walsh told us after heading to the party town, although he did insist he was there "to work". As for whether there were any 'Walshy moves' in the clubs, he informed us we would have to wait and see. Here's hoping! It's the first time Alesha Dixon has been a judge on the show, despite rumours in the past that the Britain's Got Talent star was joining the panel. Fleur East (who came second in the 2014 series) follows Olly Murs and One Direction's Louis Tomlinson in being a former contestant-turned-mentor. Sharon Osbourne Category: Overs Location: LA Guest mentor: Robbie Williams Together again! Williams joined Mrs O at Judges' Houses in 2013. Despite having reservations about where she'd fit in the music industry, he witnessed the progression of Sam Bailey through to the final. Having also appeared alongside Gary Barlow in 2011, Williams has form for a stand-out JH outfit, so watch this space for, ahem, more... Nicole Scherzinger Category: Boys Location: South of France Guest mentor: Calvin Harris The DJ gave the game away on his involvement with a Snapchat post that showed him sat alongside the former Pussycat Doll. While she can be heard saying they're simply at her villa in France, it was pretty clear to everyone it was a JH set-up. View oEmbed on the source website The X Factor continues Saturdays and Sundays on ITV
Looks like Calvin Harris really is doing X Factor Judges' Houses
Unless sitting side by side with Nicole Scherzinger in a swanky French villa is just an average day for Calvin...
Calvin Harris has all but confirmed rumours he's joining Nicole Scherzinger for X Factor Judges' Houses this year. The DJ shared a video on Snapchat of him with the former Pussycat Doll in France. And, unless they generally just sit go abroad and sit side by side like this to chat about the weather and what not, it looks very much like a JH set up. Although no-one is wearing a leaf bikini. More's the pity, eh Sinitta? Scherzinger has already accidentally revealed which category she's mentoring this year. The former Pussycat Doll was openly talking about it at the show's launch before realising she wasn't supposed to. But here she's a bit more coy. "I'm mean, we're just chilling at my villa here in the South of France," she says, to which Harris replies, "It's quite nice". View oEmbed on the source website We're not fooled. In other Judges' Houses news, Robbie Williams is expected to join Sharon Osbourne, while former judge Cheryl is hotly tipped to be helping Simon Cowell out, with both sessions being be held in LA. And while we were originally told Louis Walsh was to team up with several guests including a former winner of the show, it actually appears to be 2014 runner-up Fleur East, as well as Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, who joined the returning judge in Ibiza. We asked Louis at the launch if he cut any shapes on the dance floor. Check out the interview below. The X Factor continues Saturday and Sunday at 8:00pm on ITV View Green Video on the source website
Mel B set to spice up X Factor Judges' Houses
Simon Cowell is said to have recruited Mel B once again for some to-the-point advice in LA
It's starting to feel like Mel B never really left X Factor as she's set to join Simon Cowell for Judges' Houses. The former Spice Girl was back on the show last weekend, filling in for an absent Nicole Scherzinger for the first day of auditions in London. And now the boss appears to have turned to Scary Spice once again for some help picking his finalists in LA – with Cowell this year mentoring the Girls. While X Factor won't officially confirm the choice, insiders suggest it's "highly likely". It means no Sinitta again (and no leaf bikini – boo!) and it also puts to bed rumours that it was going to be Cheryl joining Simon, although insiders have since suggested this idea was never really on the table. We're bound to get some straight talking from Mel, who even on her recent visit to the show couldn't help but make a sarcastic dig at production for bringing her in on such a "special day", which included – but wasn't limited to – a guy singing with a glittery finger cover. As long as no-one sings a crap version of Wannabe, eh? Elsewhere, Robbie Williams has joined Sharon Osbourne and the Overs in LA, Alesha Dixon and Fleur East sat alongside Louis Walsh in Ibiza for the Groups and Calvin Harris buddied up with Boys mentor Nicole Scherzinger in the South of France. The X Factor continues this Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday at 7:30pm
Emma Bunton is the second Spice Girl to join Simon Cowell's X Factor Judges' Houses
Not content with just one Spice Girl, Simon Cowell has called in Emma Bunton to join himself and Mel B at this year's X Factor Judges' Houses. The trio are filming in Malibu in LA today, as the boss of the panel seeks to find the best girls to take through to live shows. No doubt Cowell will also be using a bit of his time to work on that Spice Girl reunion, which he's so keen to be a part of. Two birds, one stone and all that. Geri Horner must be feeling a bit miffed given all she's had is a FaceTime call this series. View oEmbed on the source website It's not the first time Baby Spice has been a part of X Factor, having joined Mel B in Mexico in 2014 when she was mentoring the boys, with finalist Andrea Faustini among the crop then. Well, if there's one job you want to get a repeat on, it's the bit of X Factor that's filmed in the glamorous location, right? Before we get to Judges' Houses, though, there's Bootcamp, which this year includes the rather hilarious new format Wall of Songs. Find out more on that here. The X Factor continues Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday at 7:30pm on ITV
X Factor act pulls out of Judges' Houses due to visa issues
Singer was meant to travel to LA as part of Sharon Osbourne's Overs category but was forced to withdraw from the competition
*Contains series spoilers – do not read on if you wish to avoid information regarding Six Chairs and Judges' Houses* An X Factor act has been forced to withdraw from the Judges' Houses stage of the competition due to complications with her visa application. Filipino singer Ivy Grace Paredes, 33, had made it through the Six Chair Challenge and was due to fly out to LA as part of Sharon Osbourne's Overs category. She'd flown over from the Philippines specifically to audition for the series, earning high-praise from the judges throughout. However, a visa for the US could not be granted in time, forcing her to exit the show. "As with all contestants travelling to the US for Judges Houses, Ivy was required to have a visa. Unfortunately there was an issue with her application being approved which meant that she was not granted a visa in time and sadly had to withdraw from the competition," a source confirmed to RadioTimes.com. "Officials rejected the request to appeal because of an incident relating to her past," the Mirror reports. View oEmbed on the source website It is yet to be announced whether another contestant will get to take her place, although it has happened before. Last year controversial act Mason Noise was drafted in for Nick Grimshaw's Judges' Houses after Tom Bleasby opted to leave the competition. "Ivy is obviously upset at not being able to continue in the competition but knows she is welcome to come back and audition for the show again next year," a source close to the show told us. Viewers will see footage from the Six Chair Challenge air this weekend, so Ivy will be included in this. Judges' Houses will follow where Mrs O is once again joined by Robbie Williams as her guest mentor. Those Overs acts that impress will go through to this year's live shows. See The X Factor this Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday at 7:00pm on ITV
Simon Cowell's X Factor Judges' Houses to be held in LA
The boss is flying his contestants stateside to make his final decisions
Contains series spoilers. Do not read on if you do not want to know which categories the judges are mentoring. Simon Cowell is to fly his X Factor category to LA for Judges' Houses this year, RadioTimes.com understands. Here he'll re-audition his crop of singers – this year he's mentoring the girls – and decide who he's taking through to the live shows. LA makes sense for Cowell given that he's already working stateside as a judge on America's Got Talent. And it's a popular destination for X Factor. Cowell himself has held Judges' Houses there before – in 2014 it was where Fleur East blasted her way into his finalists as well as eventual champ Ben Haenow. And while the boss went to France last year, Rita Ora headed to a pad in LA, where she found winner Louisa Johnson. Maybe LA holds the key to success? Indeed, winner Sam Bailey was given the thumbs up from Sharon Osbourne in Beverly Hills in 2013. Insiders couldn't dish on whether the house would be one of Cowell's. The idea of it actually being a judge's house seemed to go out of the window a long time ago. Remember Louis Walsh's pink hotel in Bermuda? Exactly. X Factor itself is staying tight-lipped on the location and indeed rumours that former judge Cheryl will be by Cowell's side. As for the other judges, Louis Walsh is heading to Ibiza where we're told he'll be joined by several guests, including a former X Factor winner (our money is on his own champion Shayne Ward). It's also thought Sharon Osbourne will pitch up in LA, with Robbie Williams reported to be her guest judge. As for Nicole Scherzinger, we're waiting to hear news of her chosen destination. The X Factor returns to ITV later this year
X Factor 2016 judges' categories revealed
News has already spilled of which category each of the judges are mentoring. Read on if you want a cheeky peek...
SPOILERS: Do not read on if you want to wait until the judges' category reveal episode airs Love to be in the know? Well, news has already leaked of which categories each judge will be mentoring on X Factor this year. With so many people watching in the audience of the Six Chair Challenge, it's a tricky one to keep under wraps. At the end of Bootcamp Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne will find out exactly who they'll be taking through Six Chairs, Judges' Houses and then mentoring through the live shows. You could wait. But sometimes you just need to know the gossip, right? Well, only if you're sure? Really, really sure? If you read this you'll know what's coming next... OK, here you go: Girls: Simon Cowell Boys: Nicole Scherzinger Overs: Sharon Osbourne Groups: Louis Walsh You probably guessed Mr Louis Walsh and the groups, right? It's basically an unwritten rule. Cowell was eager to mentor the girls last year and has got his way. Again, he's the boss, not too much of a surprise. As for Scherzinger and Osbourne, they'e both got the categories they've won with in the past: the former with James Arthur in 2012 and the latter with Sam Bailey in 2013. In fact, a certain Ms Scherzinger accidentally dished on her category at this year's launch, only later learning she's not meant to talk about it. But hey, when they get down to the job of competing, it looks like this is going to be a tricky one to call. The X Factor Bootcamp airs Saturday at 8:00pm and Sunday at 7:30pm on ITV View Green Video on the source website
X Factor Six Chair Challenge 2016: what to expect
Who knew sitting down could cause so much drama?
Warning: there are chairs on the X Factor stage which means things are about to get tense. Really, really tense. Like trying to get a seat on the tube tense. Yes, it's the Six Chair Challenge and getting a seat becomes the only thing that's important in the whole world ever for the remaining X Factor contestants. Here's what you need to know: What is it? Six shiny chairs are popped on the Wembley Arena stage and - much like a kids' game of musical chairs - the aim is to get a chair. Except this is no regular game of musical chairs. Each remaining contestant performs and, if deemed good enough by their mentor, they're given a chair. But it doesn't end there. If someone better comes along they're promptly booted out of their chair and sent home. No slice of cake, no goody bag. Where is it? For the first time this series the contestants are heading into an arena - the SSE Wembley Arena to be precise. It's the first time they'll perform in front of a crowd this year. You know, just to add an extra layer of pressure. What is the crowd shouting? When they're not simply booing, the crowd can be heard yelling 'SEAT, SEAT, SEAT' when they like an act and 'OFF! OFF! OFF!' when they don't. When a judge sends someone home they wanted to keep, the roar turns to 'BRING HIM/HER BACK' which is difficult to stop once it gets going because it has worked in the past and the crowd blooming well knows it. Last year, Cowell's finalist Max Stone admitted he owed everything to the Wembley Crowd for his place at Judges' Houses. Indeed, we spoke to hot favourite Matt Terry who teased that we'll see this happen this year, with the suggestion a judge is talked into (or rather yelled into) changing their mind. There's also a lot of numbers being yelled and held up as the crowd tries to sway the judges in terms of which singer should lose their seat. It brings out the best and worst in the singers Six Chair Challenge is always a game changer. Some who've been flying under the radar thrive, while some of those who've been doing well struggle. Matt told us it was his "hardest" audition, yet. It splits opinion Some people love it. Some people hate it. Former champ Sam Bailey, the first contestant ever to be given a seat, is all for it. "Some people think it’s cruel. But it’s good TV," she told RadioTimes.com. "Everyone goes 'Oh my god that person’s sat down!' people start shouting – I do it every year. I love the six chair challenge, absolutely love it. It’s literally great TV. Whoever came up with that idea is brilliant." All four judges have been through this before While last year saw Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora take on the challenge for the first time, all four of this year's judges have been here, done this and heard the boos. Not that that will make it much easier. What's next? For those who make it through Six Chair Challenge it's on to Judges' Houses. And there's some pretty cool locations up for grabs this year, including Ibiza. Take a look at all of the locations plus guest mentors here. So, when is it on? See the Six Chair Challenge this Saturday (8:00pm) and Sunday (7:00pm) on ITV.
Strictly Come Dancing week 1 song and dance list
From a Cha Cha to One Direction to a Waltz to Whitney here's what this year's celebrity contestants are dancing for their ballroom debut
Strictly Come Dancing 2016 is almost ready to go live. The ballroom's ready, the judges are ready, the hosts are ready... now we just need some dancing celebrities. But what will they be dancing, we hear you cry? Well, take a peek at this brand spanking new week one song and dance list which includes everything form a Cha Cha to One Direction and a Waltz to Whitney Houston's Run To You. ▪Anastacia and Brendan will be dancing the Cha Cha to 'Lady Marmalade' by Christina Aguilera, Mya, Lil' Kim and Pink ▪Claudia and AJ will be dancing the Cha Cha to 'What Makes You Beautiful' by One Direction ▪Daisy and Aljaz will be dancing the Waltz to 'Unforgettable' by Nat King Cole ▪Danny and Oti will be dancing the Cha Cha to 'Cake by the Ocean' by DNCE ▪Ed and Katya will be dancing the Waltz to 'Are You Lonesome Tonight' by Elvis Presley ▪Greg and Natalie will be dancing the Jive to 'Get Ready' by The Temptations ▪Judge Rinder and Oksana will be dancing the Cha Cha to 'Mercy' by Duffy ▪Laura and Giovanni will be dancing the Cha Cha to 'Venus' by Shocking Blue ▪Lesley and Anton will be dancing the Waltz to 'What'll I Do' by Alison Krauss ▪Louise and Kevin will be dancing the Jive to 'Jump, Jive and Wail' by the Brian Setzer Orchestra ▪Melvin and Janette will be dancing the Cha Cha to 'Loco In Acapulco' by the Four Tops ▪Naga and Pasha will be dancing the Waltz to 'Run To You' by Whitney Houston ▪Ore and Joanne will be dancing the Tango to 'Geronimo' by Sheppard ▪Tameka and Gorka will be dancing the Paso Doble to 'El Gato Montes' by Ramon Cortez and 'Y Viva Espana' by Sylvia ▪Will and Karen will be dancing the Tango to 'Let's Dance' by David Bowie See Strictly Come Dancing Friday at 9:00pm and Saturday at 6:30pm on BBC1
Caroline Flack dishes on her time on Strictly and tips 2016's finalists
From the "nice nerves" she had as a contestant to who she thinks will go far in this year's competition, the 2014 ballroom champion tells us what it's really like taking part
Caroline Flack danced her way to glitterball glory in 2014 and, like most of us, eagerly awaits the start of this year's fourteenth series. From getting to know her pro partner Pasha Kovalev, to ballroom nerves and who she thinks will be this year's final (that's a tougher question than first thought) we caught up with Flack to talk all things sparkly... On pre-show pairing: "It’s almost like a quick 'speed dating' in terms of the dancing. The girls stand in a circle and the boys are in the outer circle and they dance around you and then they go 'swap' - boom - 'swap' - boom - and then they film it and sort of see who’s good with who. "You’re too nervous," Flack says of trying to stick near the dancer you want to be paired with most. "You do it on your first day." "It’s fun," she adds. "They make it so fun." They really don't know who they're getting paired with on the reveal night "Absolutely hands down do not know. And I knew I wanted Pasha, and they gave him to me in the dress run, so I was gutted as I was like well if they’ve given him to me in the dress run, I’m not going to get him. I was like gutted, gutted, gutted and I was thinking well, I’m not going to get Pasha who am I going to get? You just don’t know. Then they obviously double bluffed and they gave him to me and I screamed." Being thrown in the deep end... "You do the group dance on one day and you think it’s going to be like step, kick, step kick, ta-dah! But it’s not, it’s proper moves and lifts and stuff. But it’s good because you get thrown into it and you need to be thrown into it rather than gradually pushed into it because it’s massive." On those first steps... "I remember my first day just thinking 'What am I doing? Is this the right thing to do? Oh god I’ve got to dance. Am I going to get up and dance in front of people?' It took me about three days of training and then I was just obsessed." On show day nerves: "If you look at my first cha-cha and then I did it again in the final you can see how different they are. The first one I didn’t even smile. Then by the final I was like [she mimes a big grin]. You learn that as you go along. "It was like the sickest you’ve ever felt but then you’d be smiling at the same time. It was never a horrible feeling. As soon as that music came on, you just go 'Oh god I’ve got that feeling again', but they’re good feelings. They’re like nice nerves." ... and mistakes: "What’s the worst that can happen? Fall over? Did that. Fell over. It happens. I almost fell on someone in the crowd. I almost kicked a woman in the face during my American Smooth. It’s fine, what’s the worst that can happen?" View oEmbed on the source website On wanting a tough trainer... "You need a strict partner. That’s why I liked having a Russian. I’d sit down and be like, 'Let’s have a coffee', and he’d be like, 'Do it again!' I needed that." And wanting to get to know the female pros "I said to Laura [Whitmore, who is taking part this year] you’ll become obsessed with their bodies, the way they move, how quickly they pick up the routines, you’ll just be in awe of them. Still am. They’re really helpful. They’ll help you. So if you’re struggling you get a girl to come and help and show you how to do stuff with the techniques and stuff. It’s all very 'family'." Why previous dance experience doesn't help: "We all speak different languages. I can speak French but I can’t speak Chinese. It’s like learning something different. You can do ballet but that’s completely different to doing Latin dancing. In fact, it’s almost harder because you’re used to doing your arms in a certain way and then suddenly you’ve got to get your body in a certain way. So you’ve got to get yourself out of your bad habits. So, actually, dance experience I don’t think it helps or hinders really. If you haven’t done Latin and ballroom then it’s completely new. Your legs and arms are doing all these weird things and you’re walking with your toe first and then doing that… they’re new rules. "My ballet didn’t help me do waltz, in fact I was terrible at the waltz - I was bottom two. I loved doing it, I loved feeling it but then I looked completely different to how I felt." Making friends for life: "I still speak every day on my WhatsApp to the girls I was in Strictly with. I still speak to Judy Murray every week (How weird? I still speak to Judy Murray!), Alison Hammond. Sunetra [Sarker], Jenny [Jennifer Gibney], Pixie [Lott] and Frankie [Bridge]. We all still speak to each other. It's been two years since we started that group. It’s my only WhatsApp that’s been going that long and it’s my Strictly girls." View oEmbed on the source website People really aren't thinking about winning "In my experience, everyone’s a bit too nervous to worry about the winning thing. A lot of the time you just want to get through your routine - get to the end and worry about not making a mistake. When you get the critique from the judges, and the pointers, that’s what you think about. When I got to the final none of us were thinking about winning, we stood in this little bubble – whatever happens, happens. It didn’t matter. There was no way we thought about winning." On the show opening up emotions: "It opened me up emotionally. Definitely. I didn’t realise how emotional I was and Pasha sort of brought it out of me. The show dance, I was like 'Lets do Michael Jackson's Black or White, that’s my favourite song ever' and he went 'You’re not emotionally ready for that,' he goes 'You’re going through an emotional time at the moment [Flack and her then boyfriend Jack Street split during the series]. We need to do something slow and work with your emotions.' I was like 'I don’t want to do a slow show dance!' and he was like 'This is what you need to do'. We did that and I was like 'Oh yeah…' "It wasn’t hard, it was actually a nice outlet, a way to show people how you felt. I felt like a proper artist. Look at me, I’m so creative, this is how I feel," she laughs. "Funny now, not funny then." View oEmbed on the source website How it felt when it was over: "The morning after I woke up with the glitterball– I slept with it that first night – the morning I woke up after that I laid in my bed and I felt like someone had put cling film over me and I didn’t know what to do with my life. My sister called me like, 'Where are you everyone’s getting ready for Christmas?' and I was like, 'I don’t think I’m coming'. I just felt really weird. She was like 'You’ve just won Strictly!' But it still felt like it was all over. It did matter that you’d won - it was amazing [to win] - but you didn’t want the experience to end. I missed it." View oEmbed on the source website On being envious of this year's contestants... "I’m envious that I’ve had that experience and not ever going to have it again in a weird way, but it’s still exciting and I’ll put it on and be obsessed with it. You watch it in a different way, in a way where you can go 'Oh, that’s the salsa, one two three da da da…' I suppose you watch it like the viewers that watch every year, they get to know the routines. And they can say whether that’s a good cha-cha or that’s a good rumba. Become a judge at home, that’s really fun." If you had to pick a winner now... "That’s a tough one. Do you know what? You can’t tell. Obviously, I’ve already seen that Laura’s [Whitmore] a natural, so I’m going to put Laura in there for the final. I’m going to throw Melvin [Odoom] in, I’m going to say Judge Rinder and Daisy [Lowe]…. and Pasha [with his celeb partner Naga Munchetty]…". Caroline is ambassador for the Cetaphil range of cleansers and moisturisers. Available in Boots, Superdrug, Lloyds and leading independent pharmacies. For more information please visit www.cetaphil.co.uk. Strictly Come Dancing returns Friday 23rd at 9:00pm and Saturday 24th of September at 6:30pm on BBC1
Yoda's untold history to be explored in Marvel's Star Wars comic
We're going to get a look into life before Yoda was a Jedi Master
Marvel's Star Wars comic is going to delve into the "untold" life of Yoda before he was a Jedi Master. According to the Star Wars website Luke Skywalker will find a journal entry from Obi-Wan Kenobi that gives an insight into Yoda's history. As in pre-Star Wars: The Phantom Menace history. When Yoda was a Jedi, not a Jedi Master. "You know, we’ve seen Yoda as the teacher, as the wise Jedi Master, but I wanted to see Yoda just as the Jedi," series writer Jason Aaron says of the upcoming 26th issue. "So this puts him on a very unusual adventure." "I really wanted to see just what it was like when Yoda was going out into the galaxy and being a Jedi. This story takes place before the Clone Wars and it’s set in a world we’ve never seen before." As for that time-scale it's not expected to be too far back in time from Episode I. "We do get a brief appearance by Qui-Gon and young Obi-Wan, so that’ll probably help date it. "We’re a bit hamstrung in terms of the time period of our main story, because Yoda’s chilling on Dagobah. So this was kind of the only way we could kill all those birds with one stone — to do one story that connects Luke, Yoda, and Obi-Wan all at the same time, while still taking place in three different time periods," Aaron explains. And Yoda, would you believe, has an adversary. "The other big challenge with Yoda, of course, is finding something that’s a challenge for him, right? Who can pose a threat to Yoda? I think we came up with an interesting answer to that question. That’s part of the mystery of this story. There’s a very specific reason that this is going to be quite the challenge for Yoda. It’s not a matter of just him being the more powerful Jedi. It’s a bit trickier than that." "He’s still the Yoda we know," he promises, saying he loves just how much "playfulness" there is to the character. And don't worry about the language. Once he's written the dialogue he says he goes back through and is sure to "Yoda it up".
Tom Odell in talks to become a coach on The Voice UK
The singer has met with show bosses to discuss hopping in a spinning chair for ITV's first series
Tom Odell is in the running to be a new coach on this year's The Voice UK. The Brit-winning singer/songwriter (who released his second album Wrong Crowd this year) has met with show bosses to discuss signing up for the show's first series on ITV. He's not quite making a spinning chair his own yet. We understand he's one of many names still in the mix to join the line-up. Indeed, while Sir Tom Jones is expected to return, will.i.am is currently the only coach officially confirmed for the reality show. But it's thought Odell could draw in a younger crowd. "They want more credible names and ratings draws," a source told The Sun. "They think Tom ticks both boxes." A move to The Voice is set to include The Voice Kids for some of the coaches, with will.i.am already signed up to do both and at least one more set to join him. US chart star Jennifer Hudson remains a key signing hoped for by show bosses. A spokesperson for the The Voice said: "Any rumours surrounding the coaching line up are speculation, and we will be confirming our coaches in due course." The Voice UK launches on ITV next year
Mel Giedroyc won't host Strictly live tour due to Let It Shine clash
Former semi-finalist and presenter Anita Rani takes over, with Len Goodman remaining on the judging panel after final Strictly series
Mel Giedroyc won't be donning the sparkles to host this year's Strictly Come Dancing live tour due to a schedule clash with brand new BBC show Let It Shine. We won't dwell on the fact that this follows her upcoming exit from Bake Off (deep breaths). Instead, presenter and 2015 semi-finalist Anita Rani will helm the tenth anniversary tour, having stood in for Giedroyc on occasion last year. “I had such a great experience on the series and the tour, that I jumped at the opportunity to come back and host the tour," Rani said of the 30-date event, which kicks off in January next year. "I had a taster as tour host last year when I stood in for Mel Giedroyc, which was so much fun. I'm really looking forward to being back in front of the lovely Strictly audiences to celebrate 10 years on the road!” Despite this being Head Judge Len Goodman's final hurrah on the main show, he will also join the tour as a judge alongside Craig Revel Horwood and guest judge (former pro and It Takes Two regular) Karen Hardy. “The live tour always has such a great atmosphere and the 10th anniversary tour will definitely be one to remember, especially as this will come as I complete my final year on the TV series as Head Judge," Goodman says. "Rest assured audiences, this tour will be a ten from Len!” Horwood promises they're "pulling out all the stops" on the anniversary tour. “I am very pleased to be back on tour with legendary Len and also welcoming Karen to the tour’s judging panel. This 10th year is going to be bigger and better than ever before," he insists. “I couldn’t be more excited to be joining Len and Craig in the judging hot seat," Hardy adds. "Having seen the fantastic line-up for this year's TV series, I know that audiences around the country are going to be in for a real treat. I can't wait to get started!” It's not yet been confirmed which celebrities from this series will take part. After all, we've not seen them take to the dance floor just yet. But with everyone from Ed Balls to Judge Rinder via Laura Whitmore and Anastacia it's shaping up to be both a great series and an impressive live tour. Meanwhile, the first picture from Gary Barlow's Let It Shine has been released, showing Giedroyc alongside fellow host Graham Norton and the new judging line-up Dannii Minogue, Martin Kemp, Amber Riley and the Take That frontman. The show is seeking cast members for a brand new stage show featuring the music of Take That. It will launch early next year. Tickets for Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour 2017 are on sale from 23 September 2016. Strictly Come Dancing returns this Friday (9pm) and Saturday (6:30pm) on BBC1
All five Chasers to appear in special 1,000th episode of The Chase
Hour-long special will see each contestant face a different Chaser with the fifth and final quiz genius appearing for the final showdown
The Chase's 1,000th episode is mixing things up by having all five Chasers appear. As if one wasn't enough, each contestant will face a different Chaser in the 'Cash Builder' round before facing the fifth and final quiz genius in the 'Final Chase', with hopes of taking home some cash. The Barrister (Shaun Wallace), The Beast (Mark Labbett), The Governess (Anne Hegerty), The Sinnerman (Paul Sinha) and The Vixen (Jenny Ryan) are tough enough on their own. Working as a relay team and coming fresh to each round? Here's hoping the contestants have done their quizzing homework... The hour-long special will, as ever, be hosted by Bradley Walsh who is excited about the show's impressive milestone. “We’ve made it to the 1,000th episode of The Chase as the show is so entertaining and informative. I’m so lucky I get to be a part of such a great team and have a laugh at work, I even learn some things too. People love it because they can see how much we are enjoying ourselves. The special is going to be one Chase fans won’t want to miss.” The 1,000th episode of The Chase airs Thursday 29th September at 5pm on ITV
Dame Maggie Smith accepts Jimmy Kimmel's challenge to collect her Emmy in lost and found
After Dame Maggie Smith once again failed to appear at the Emmys, host Jimmy Kimmel joked that the "Downton Absent" star could collect her trophy from the lost and found... a challenge she's promptly accepted. Kimmel teased that Smith seemed to regard her nominations like one would a "20 percent off Bed Bath & Beyond coupon" saying she'd put it "in the garbage", having yet to attend a ceremony despite multiple nods over the years. Insisting they wouldn't send her award to her (she scooped best supporting actress in a drama series), he said: "No, no, no. We're not mailing this to her. Maggie, if you want this, it will be in the lost and found." View oEmbed on the source website Well, it's a brave man that takes on the woman behind Downton Abbey's Dowager Countess and her reply is both as polite and withering as one would expect. "I was very astonished and pleased to win the award. I feel the Emmys have been overly generous to me. If Mr. Kimmel could please direct me to the lost and found office I will try and be on the next flight. Love, Old Maggie," she said in a statement via the Masterpiece PBS Twitter account. View oEmbed on the source website Better luck next time, Kimmel.