London is on fire as residents face death in first look at Sky One drama Cobra
The high-octane drama will follow the British government during a national emergency
Londoners are facing imminent death after coming under attack in the first look at new Sky Original drama, Cobra. Residents are told they “will die” in the explosive trailer which was shared exclusively with RadioTimes.com. “This is the Prime Minister,” narrates Robert Carlyle in the opening seconds as power outages plunge the capital into darkness and the threat level is raised to serious. “The situation in London today is very grave. Without fuel and supplies, people in the worst affected areas will die.” View oEmbed on the source website Houses are seen on fire as residents rise up against the government, which promises "we will turn the lights on again". Cobra follows the British government during a national emergency as the nation loses power, and questions whether a team of Britain's leading experts, working under the name COBRA, can save society from collapse. The upcoming drama sports a stellar British cast with Carlyle as the Prime Minister, Victoria Hamilton as his Chief of Staff and David Haig as the Home Secretary. The six-part series, penned by writer Ben Richards, will premiere on Sky One/NOW TV in January 2020.
Top Gear Christmas: Everything you need to know
Paddy McGuinness, Chris Harris and Freddie Flintoff will tackle to Himalayas in the BBC Two festive offering
For petrolheads, nothing can get you more revved up at Christmas than watching three car aficionados take on a tough road trip across the globe. Thankfully, Top Gear Christmas will deliver just that, with Freddie Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris heading to Asia for their first festive offering. From scaling the Himalayas to battling river crossings, here’s everything you need to know about Top Gear Christmas… What will happen on Top Gear Christmas? Billed as the toughest road trip ever, the trio will take on a five-day high-altitude Himalayan voyage from Kathmandu, capital of Nepal, to the Forbidden City of Lo Manthang on the Tibetan plateau. A feat that would test any hardy 4x4, the boys have to complete the expedition in a very small old Peugeot, a very small old Renault, and Nepal’s first (and only) home-built car. The journey will see them battling mudslides, struggling with huge river crossings and attempting to take on some of the planets deepest gorges and harshest terrains. View oEmbed on the source website Who presents Top Gear? Freddie Flintoff, Paddy McGuinness and Chris Harris have teamed up for the gruelling expedition in what will mark their first festive special as a trio having taken over the reins in early 2019. When is Top Gear Christmas on TV? We finally have a date. Top Gear Christmas will hit BBC Two on 29th December at 9pm. But we still don't have a confirmed time. Will there be a new series? No word on an official start date, but it is expected in 2020, with many guessing around early Spring. We’re also in the dark on locations but with Ethiopia and Borneo ticked off for series 27 we can expect travels to far flung places.
Meet Apprentice 2019 winner Carina Lepore: the "pocket rocket" with a passion for baked goods
Carina Lepore believes it’s “written in the stars” that she’ll be Lord Sugar’s next Apprentice
Lord Alan Sugar and his trustee aides Claude Littner and Karren Brady have narrowed down the 15 candidates of 2010 to two finalists. Among them is artisan bakery owner and "pocket rocket" Carina Lepore who believes it’s “written in the stars” that she’ll be Lord Sugar’s next Apprentice. Here's everything you need to know about Carina Lepore: Carina Lepore: The Facts Age: 30 Occupation: Owner, Artisan Bakery Lives: South London Instagram: @doughbakehouse LinkedIn: Carina Lepore What is Carina Lepore’s business? South Londoner Carina owns Dough Artisan Bakery in Herne Hill. According to the website she took over from her father Carlos with sister Rochelle after their Carlos' bakehouse shut down in 2015. Their freshly baked bread is supposedly famous in the area. Other products on sale include cakes, pastries, savoury treats and mega indulgent hot drinks. View oEmbed on the source website What are Carina Lepore’s skills? Being a "natural leader," allegedly. She also claims "people latch onto her to benefit from the influence she carries". What was Carina Lepore’s route to the final? If Lord Sugar was going to choose a candidate from their task record alone, Carina would definitely bag Lord Sugar’s £250,000 investment: statistically, she’s the best candidate in Apprentice history. Not only has Carina never found herself in the bottom three, but she's also won nine out of 10 tasks – three as project manager. Here are Carina’s on-task stats: Total wins: 9 Wins as project manager: 3 Losses as project manager: 0 Appearances in final boardroom: 0 The Apprentice final is on Wednesday 18th December, 9pm BBC One The Apprentice returns to BBC One on 2nd October at 9pm
Meet Apprentice 2019 candidate Pamela Laird: the former Dragons' Den star with an “entrepreneurial gene”
She excels at sales and has a feisty personality, but will her demanding nature be too much for Lord Sugar?
We've finally reached The Apprentice 2019 finale, where two candidates – Carina Lepore and Scarlett Allen-Horton will be fighting for Lord Sugar's £250,000 investment. But they won't be alone in the final task: a host of former candidates will be lending a helping hand. Among them is Irish beauty brand owner Pamela Laird who believes her "entrepreneurial gene" could give her the edge on her competitors. View oEmbed on the source website Here's everything you need to know about Pamela Laird: Pamela Laird: The Facts Age: 29 Occupation: Owner, Beauty Brand Lives: Dublin, Ireland Instagram: @pamela_laird LinkedIn: Pamela Laird What is Pamela Laird’s business? Pamela is the founder and CEO of beauty company Moxi Loves, which she launched in 2017. The company makes small and practical beauty products including make-up removal pads and cleanser pods. QVC and Primark are among the stockists. A description on the website reads: "I wanted convenient products, but without having to compromise on the quality. Moxi Loves is all about the minimal, considered ingredients. We develop smart, quick, practical bits of kit designed to simplify your beauty routine." View oEmbed on the source website What are Pamela Laird’s skills? The Dublin-based entrepreneur is an award-winning nail technician and beauty expert, who according to her website is a big name on the Irish beauty scene. She says she thrives on being the "under-estimated person in the room" and claims she "excels at sales". A bold claim to make. She was previously on Dragons' Den and turned down three offers of investment so clearly she can pitch. When was Pamela Laird fired? Pamela made it down to the final three, being fired after a series of gruelling interviews. After consulting with his aides, Lord Sugar said he had to fire Pamela 'on instinct'. The Apprentice returns to BBC One on 2nd October at 9pm
Take Off with Bradley and Holly: Everything you need to know and the BBC Christmas special
The ITV regulars will invite celebrity guests onto the show to help win trips to Lapland for audience members
Sorry Phil, but Holly Willoughby has given you the elbow (briefly) to team up with Bradley Walsh on a one-off Christmas special. The duo will hop over from ITV to the BBC to front Take Off with Bradley and Holly which will see them dishing out the trip of a lifetime to lucky audience members. The pair will be joined by a host of celebs for a festive filled hour in the hope of sending people off to Lapland. Here’s everything you need to know… What is Take Off with Bradley and Holly? Bradley Walsh and Holly Willoughby will be spreading the festive joy in new family entertainment show, Take Off on BBC One. The hosts will be giving lucky audience members the chance to win the trip of a lifetime to the most Christmassy place on Earth, Lapland. The show will be jam packed with games, incredible surprises, celebrity guests and much more leading up to a spectacular end of show finale. Any celebrity friends involved? Johannes Radebe from Strictly Come Dancing is on board, along with Curtis Pritchard from Love Island and Jamie Cullum. There is also a flypast by the red arrows. How long is it? Take Off with Holly and Bradley will be a one-off one-hour special on the BBC. What have Holly and Bradley said about the show? Self-confessed Christmas fan Holly said: “This Christmas Brad and I are going to be on the telly, on a Saturday night, surprising the nation with Christmas gifts of all shapes and sizes. And I couldn’t be happier!” Bradley added: “Holly and I are going to help people have a wonderful Christmas this year… and we’re going to have a right laugh whilst we do it!” When is it on? Take Off with Bradley and Holly is on BBC One, Christmas Eve at 8pm.
Andy and Roman dunked in gunk in stomach-churning I'm A Celebrity trial
Andy Whyment and Roman Kemp were tasked with Pump of Peril
Roman Kemp wished Andy Whyment had listened more in Geography lessons after he was repeatedly spun and dunked into water while attempting to answer questions in the latest I’m A Celebrity Bushtucker Trial. The duo took on Pump of Peril which required them to find the answers to questions in tanks filled with water and offal. “What is the largest Australian state?” Dec asked before Andy shouted “Orange County” and “Hemsworth”. “Northern Hemsworth is not right,” joked Dec. Roman was strapped to a spinning wheel and dunked into a tank of water while Andy was half trapped in a cage and plunged in and out of a tank. They’ll be hoping to win all the stars for one of their final days in camp. Andy, Roman, Kate Garraway, Jacqueline Jossa, Nadine Coyle and Caitlyn Jenner are all vying to be crowned the 2019 King or Queen of the jungle after Myles Stephenson was voted out on Thursday night. I’m A Celebrity is on ITV, tonight at 9pm
Get him Down Under! Jeremy Clarkson would sign up for I'm A Celeb
The Grand Tour presenter could be heading to the jungle camp
I’m A Celebrity 2019 is soon to draw to a close and Jeremy Clarkson has already thrown his hat into the ring for next year, well, providing he doesn’t have a job. The Grand Tour presenter appears keen to head Down Under and chow down on bull testicles and clean out the jungle camp dunny for £1000,000. “We all say no now because we’ve all got jobs,” he said on The Jonathan Ross Show. “If you’re down the line and somebody said, ‘Here’s a hundred thousand pounds to go and eat some maggots,’ count me in! “Yes, I’d go and do it… When we’re old and in the way, you can’t say. Never say never to that!” His latest comments come a month after he said he would not be testing his survival skills from The Grand Tour on I’m A Celebrity. “I like Ant and Lard, they’re great but no,” he told the i. Six celebs remain on this year’s I’m A Celeb with the grand final taking place on Sunday. Clarkson will return to screens with Richard Hammond and James May when The Grand Tour season four kicks off on Amazon Prime Video on December 13th. The Jonathan Ross Show is on ITV, Saturday at 10:25pm
I'm A Celebrity first look at Kate Garraway screaming in difficulty during Bushtucker Trial
The Good Morning Britain presenter was tasked with 'Frightseers' on the ITV show
Kate Garraway screamed in fear as she struggled to unscrew a star with her mouth in the latest gruesome I’m A Celebrity trial. The Good Morning Britain presenter took on Frightseers which required her to stick her head into several London landmarks including ‘Bug’ Ben in a bid to win those all-important yellow stars for camp. Garraway screamed as she attempted to unscrew one star in a box full of 2,000 cockroaches and crickets as well as two kilos of mealworms, before being told “wrong way Kate!” “Lefty loosey Kate,” shouted Ant as she battled to stop the critters from running in her mouth and nostrils. “Go on Kate you’re slowing up,” Ant later added as Kate looked close to failing to win the star. She will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Caitlyn Jenner and Roman Kemp who secured all eight stars for camp during the Slop of the Pops challenge which saw them covered in offal, slime and critters. I’m A Celebrity is on ITV, tonight at 9pm
Strictly Come Dancing songs and dances for our couples in week 12
This is it. The remaining four couples have one last chance to secure a place in the 2019 Strictly Come Dancing final. Emma Barton, Kelvin Fletcher, Karim Zeroual and Chris Ramsey will Cha Cha, Waltz, Rumba and Quickstep their way across the BBC ballroom before Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announce the finalists. The Strictly professionals will open the show alongside critically acclaimed ballet superstar and The Royal Ballet’s former principal guest artist, Carlos Accosta CBE, while Niall Horan will perform a musical number on Sunday night's Results Show. Here's all the dances and songs for the semi-final: Emma and Anton – Cha Cha to Hold My Hand by Jess Glynne View oEmbed on the source website Emma and Anton – Waltz to Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie View oEmbed on the source website Chris and Karen – Rumba to Don't Watch Me Cry by Jorja Smith View oEmbed on the source website Chris and Karen – Viennese Waltz to Somebody to Love by Queen View oEmbed on the source website Karim and Amy – Argentine Tango to Libertango by Bond View oEmbed on the source website Karim and Amy – American Smooth to Sweet Caroline by Neil Diamond View oEmbed on the source website Kelvin and Oti – Paso Doble to Seven Nation Army by The White Stripes View oEmbed on the source website Kelvin and Oti – Quickstep to The Lady is a Tramp by Glee cast View oEmbed on the source website Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 7:20pm
Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse to split for Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour
The former Emmerdale actor will be partnered with Janette Manrara
Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse may be the odds-on favourite couple to win Strictly Come Dancing – but they won’t be taking their partnership on the road. The former Emmerdale actor will team up with Janette Manrara, who was partnered with Will Bayley on the current series. Mabuse is not taking part in the tour as she is a dance captain on the BBC’s The Greatest Dancer. Emma Barton, who is currently partnered with Anton du Beke, will be coupled up with Graziano Di Prima when the tour kicks off in January. View oEmbed on the source website YouTube star Saffron Barker will reunite with AJ Pritchard while Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley will team up with Johannes Radebe. BBC Breakfast’s Mike Bushell will return to the dancefloor with Katya Jones, Alex Scott will reunite with Neil Jones, after they were axed from the show at the weekend, and Karim Zeroual will partner up with Amy Dowden again. The tour kicks off in Birmingham on 16th January and will wrap up with a three-night residency at London’s O2 Arena from 7th-9th February. Professionals Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Dianne Buswell, Joshua Keefe, Jake Leigh and Robbie Metoni will also be performing. 2018 Strictly champion Stacey Dooley will play host, while Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood will judge. Tour dates: 16–19 January: Arena Birmingham 21-22 January: Aberdeen P&J Live Arena 24 January: Leeds First Direct Arena 25-26 January: Manchester Arena 28 January: Dublin 3Arena 29-30 January: Belfast SSE Arena 1-2 February: Glasgow The SSE Hydro 4-5 February: Nottingham Motorpoint Arena 7-9 February: London The O2 Arena For online bookings visit <a href="https://ticketmaster-uk.tm7559.net/c/1236178/431519/7559?irgwc=1&utm_source=1236178-&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=1236178&awtrc=&clickId=&camefrom=CFC_BUYAT_1236178&subId1=radiotimes-687763&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ticketmaster.co.uk%2F%3Firgwc%3D1%26utm_source%3D1236178-%26utm_medium%3Daffiliate%26utm_campaign%3D1236178%26awtrc%3D%26clickId%3D%26camefrom%3DCFC_BUYAT_1236178" rel="sponsored" target="_blank">ticketmaster.co.uk For more information visit: strictlycomedancinglive.com
Jacqueline Jossa screams for help in stomach-dropping I’m A Celebrity trial
The former EastEnders actress was suspended in the air in a glass box
Jacqueline Jossa cries out in terror as she’s suspended above the Australian jungle in the latest I’m A Celebrity Bushtucker Trial. The former EastEnders star was chosen to take on Celebrities Assemble, yes, a pun on Avengers Assemble, with Kate Garraway and Andy Whyment. Jossa was placed in a glass box filled with creepy critters before being hoiked up into the air. “Help me!” she screamed as Kate told her “I’m coming!” The trio will have to work together to collect stars for camp, which could prove to be a struggle for Andy and Kate who are dressed as an ant and a superhero, respectively. They will be hoping to match Nadine Coyle's 10 stars after she smashed her Movile Home challenge on Monday night's show. As a result she secured a dinner of duck for her fellow campmates. Tonight's show will also see one more member of the jungle camp evicted after Cliff Parisi became the latest casualty. I'm A Celebrity is on ITV, tonight at 9pm
Nadine Coyle panics and calls for help as she’s covered in slime on I'm A Celeb
The former Girls Aloud singer struggled to untie a star in the latest Bushtucker trial
Nadine Coyle calls on Ant and Dec to help her out as she struggles to free a star in the latest I’m A Celebrity trial. The former Girls Aloud singer was covered in buckets of slime as she attempted to free a yellow star in the gruesome Movile Home Bushtucker trial. “I can’t remember what I’m supposed to do” she said as she battled to untie multiple knots to free a star in the first look ahead of tonight’s show. “Pull the string out and unthread the star,” Ant replied as Nadine struggled to work out the nifty contraption. Eventually she worked it out and began unscrewing the star from the centre of the steering wheel. Nadine – who found herself in the bottom two alongside Adele Roberts during the first eviction last Friday – will be hoping to take home a handful of stars to feed her fellow campmates. Ian Wright last night won seven after struggling to untie a series of knots during his Hell-evator trial which saw him foraging in a cupboard with rats and fishing one star out of a toilet u-bend filled with yabbies’. I’m A Celebrity is on ITV, tonight at 9pm
Kate Garraway guzzles on pig brains in gruesome bid to steal immunity from Nadine Coyle on I'm A Celeb
The I'm A Celebrity camp mates were fighting to swerve the first public vote
Kate Garraway and Nadine Coyle guzzle down blended pig brains as they compete to win immunity in the latest gruesome I’m A Celebrity trial. The celebs are currently attempting to escape 'the curse', going head-to-head with one another in a bid to avoid being up for the first eviction of the series tonight. But the latest twist in The Reckoning will see those who are cursed take on those who aren’t to steal their immunity. In a teaser clip ahead of tonight’s show, Nadine and Kate take part in The Texas Brain-Saw Massacre. “Looks like a milkshake – I don’t think it will taste like a milkshake,” says Kate before joking: “I thought our first drink together would be so different!” Kate is then seen guzzling down the porky concoction in a bid to steal immunity from Nadine. Ahead of tonight’s episode Andrew Maxwell, Roman Kemp, Adele Roberts, Andy Whyment, Myles Stephenson and Nadine are all safe from eviction. But how long will that last? I’m A Celebrity is on ITV, tonight at 9pm
Emilia Fox leads all-star voice cast for new audiobook The Wreckage
The Silent Witness star has signed up to Robin Morgan-Bentley’s debut audiobook
Emilia Fox has joined a handful of British acting talent lending their voices to upcoming thriller, The Wreckage. The Silent Witness star has signed up to Robin Morgan-Bentley’s debut audiobook which is slated for release on February 6th 2020. Also taking part is Call the Midwife’s Jack Hawkins, and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith of Mary Poppins and Paddington 2 fame. The Wreckage, which marks Audible Senior Editorial Manager Morgan-Bentley’s debut novel, is written entirely in the first person and explores male mental health in the aftermath of a fatal car crash. Morgan-Bentley said he was “thrilled” when Fox and co. signed up, and later “blown away” when he heard the cast in the recording studio. “My day job is all about making books come to life in audio so when I wrote The Wreckage, the audio edition was right at the front of my mind,” he said in a statement. “It is a thriller told entirely in the first person and I am so thrilled that Emilia, Kobna and Jack agreed to read it. “They are all hugely accomplished voice actors and I was blown away by their performances when I got a chance to listen to them in studio. I can’t wait for people to hear it in February next year.” Released by Trapeze, The Wreckage will be available from February 6th 2020
Ricky Gervais to host Golden Globes for "very last time"
The Office funnyman and his acerbic tongue will return to host the annual awards show
America – be prepared to get offended. Ricky Gervais is returning to host the Golden Globes after receiving “an offer [he] can’t refuse” - and he's already cracked open the champagne. The controversial British comedian will front the US awards show in January, four years after his last stint in 2016 which saw him pull no punches with jibes at Caitlyn Jenner, Adam Sandler and the “worthless” ceremony itself. “Once again, they’ve made me an offer I can’t refuse,” he said of his fifth outing. “But this is the very last time I’m doing this, which could make for a fun evening.” View oEmbed on the source website HFPA president Lorenzo Soria said: “When Ricky Gervais is at the helm of the Golden Globe Awards, we can always expect the unexpected. We’re excited to see it all unfold on Jan. 5!” Gervais hosted the Globes in 2010-12 before returning in 2016. Other previous hosts have included Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers and Sandra Oh and Andy Samberg who teamed up in 2019. The 77th Golden Globe Awards will be held at the Beverley Hilton, California, on January 6th 2020. Nominations will be announced on Monday, 9th December 2019.
The author, poet, TV critic and broadcaster died at his home in Cambridge on Sunday 24th November
Australian critic and broadcaster Clive James has died, aged 80. James, famed for Clive James on Television and Saturday Night Clive among others, died at his home in Cambridge on Sunday, according to a statement on his website. The prolific broadcaster and writer announced he had leukaemia in 2010 and earlier this year had a cancer on his cheek removed. United Agents said in a statement: "Clive died almost ten years after his first terminal diagnosis, and one month after he laid down his pen for the last time. "He endured his ever-multiplying illnesses with patience and good humour, knowing until the last moment that he had experienced more than his fair share of this 'great, good world'. "He was grateful to the staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital for their care and kindness, which unexpectedly allowed him so much extra time. "His family would like to thank the nurses of the Arthur Rank Hospice at Home team for their help in his last days, which allowed him to die peacefully and at home, surrounded by his family and his books." Born Vivian James in New South Wales, Australia in 1939, James rose to fame as a literary critic before landing Clive James on Television on ITV - a show which saw him deliver wry commentary on TV from around the world, most notably the Japanese show Endurance. He went on to enjoy hosting roles on Saturday Night Clive and its subsequent Sunday night spin-offs as well as fronting the BBC’s review of the Year shows in the late 1980s. He was awarded a CBE in 2012 for his services to media and literature, having penned several autobiographies, novels and poems. Piers Morgan led the tributes online, hailing James a “brilliantly funny man”. Richard Coles tweeted: "Woe, Clive James has also died, the best telly critic that ever there was, who once described Barbara Cartland’s face as looking like two crows that had crashed into the white cliffs of Dover. #RIPCliveJames." View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website
Ian Wright and James Haskell miss star in painstakingly tense I'm A Celebrity trial
The double act took on The Deadly Dungeon after a public vote
Ian Wright and James Haskell looked like something out of the Human Centipede as they crawled around on their hands and knees in the pitch black for the latest I’m a Celebrity Bushtucker Trial. The duo came frustratingly close to finding a star in The Deadly Dungeon, but unwittingly crawled over it as they battled to find their way through a series of tunnels filled with critters. “I’ve got you brother,” James says in a teaser clip ahead of tonight’s show. “Go on Ian, go on your hands and knees bud, I’ve got you.” https://twitter.com/programme/b-wa9nzb/im-a-celebrity-get-me-out-of-here//status/1199638072943624193 Ian asks if there is anything in there as he passes over a star. “He passed it. He passed it,” Ant mouths in frustration as Dec throws his hands in the air in disbelief. The duo were voted in to take on the latest Bushtucker Trial, with some fans on Twitter claiming they chose the pair after accusing them of singling out Andrew Maxwell. The comedian sparked outrage in camp when he refused to do the washing up in the midday heat with Caitlyn Jenner after collecting 10 stars for camp in Ark of Agony. I’m A Celebrity is on ITV, tonight at 9pm
Strictly Come Dancing songs and dances for our couples in week 11
We're closing in on the 2019 final - who will have what it takes this week?
The Strictly couples are fast closing in on the grand final, and with some of this year's best contenders finding themselves in the dance-off or worse, sent packing, it's all to play for as they dance for a place in the semi-final. And what better way to show off their moves than in Musicals Week - which will see the BBC ballroom transformed into Broadway. But, after Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard fell victim to the notoriously tricky Samba - will Alex Scott suffer the same fate this weekend when she takes on the routine with Neil Jones? Mr Nasty, Craig Revel Horwood, will also be showing off his talents as he dons his glad-rags and leads the judges, pros and celebs in a group dance to a musical medley from Hello, Dolly! Here's all the songs and dances for this weekend: Alex and Neil – Samba to Joyful Joyful from Sister Act View oEmbed on the source website Emma and Anton – Charleston to Thoroughly Modern Millie from Thoroughly Modern Millie View oEmbed on the source website Chris and Karen – Foxtrot to Consider Yourself from Oliver! View oEmbed on the source website Karim and Amy – Jive to You Can't Stop the Beat from Hairspray View oEmbed on the source website Kelvin and Oti – American Smooth to Gaston from Beauty and the Beast View oEmbed on the source website Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 7:10pm
When Celebrity Mastermind is on TV - plus who is taking part
John Humphrys will welcome four celebs to sit in the infamous black chair this Christmas
Admit it, who doesn’t love a Christmas quiz? Well, it’s time to swot up on your general knowledge because John Humphrys will welcome a group of famous faces for a festive Celebrity Mastermind. Get ready to pit your knowledge against the celebs as they take up position in the infamous black chair to win money for charity. Here’s everything you need to know: Which celebrities are taking part? Comedian Tim Vine, ITV newsreader Alastair Stewart, comedian Hal Cruttenden and journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed are back in the spotlight for a special ‘champion of champions’ episode. What are the specialist subjects? It’s pop culture heavy with the celebs swotting up on Jaws and Space: 1999 as well as Lewis Hamilton and Magnus Magnusson. Ever wondered how people pick their specialist subjects? We've got it covered. When did they win before? Tim Vine took the title in January 2009 with Elvis Presley his specialist subject, with Alastair Stewart winning in December of that year thanks to his knowledge of The Rolling Stones. Samira Ahmed won the following year with a specialist subject in Little House on the Prairie writer Laura Ingalls Wilder, while Hal Cruttenden won in January 2014 with a specialist subject in the Rocky Films. When is Celebrity Mastermind on TV? Being announced as part of the BBC Christmas line-up we can guess it’s either December or early January, but as of yet there is no confirmed date. Keep checking back to RadioTimes.com as we’ll update this page as soon as we hear.
Saffron Barker "underscored" by Strictly judges, says AJ Pritchard
The professional dancer believes his Samba with Saffron deserved more than a five from Craig Revel Horwood
Strictly’s AJ Pritchard appeared to blame Craig Revel Horwood for Saffron Barker’s elimination from the BBC ballroom show after he awarded them a five for their Samba. Pritchard said he feels their routine to Walking on Sunshine was “underscored” and that he doesn’t agree with Revel Horwood’s criticism. "For me the dance was a great Samba, which I felt was underscored,” he said during their appearance on It Takes Two. “I didn't see any of them technical issues. Obviously the five from Craig – took that one to the heart. The sevens I’ll take it’s good. It’s a hard dance and it’s a true dance. We did a technical Samba, authentic showing all the basics.” View oEmbed on the source website He continued: "Our fans saved us definitely, I felt like the judges sent us home. It was a sad evening." Revel Horwood took aim at their routine claiming Barker’s “upper body lacked tone,” branded her footwork “sloppy” and said the whole routine “looked heavy”. Pritchard defended his partner, praising her “mental determination” and claiming “she could be in the final”. “For me she is the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2019,” he said. “Hands down.” The remaining five contestants will take on Musicals Week on Saturday night in a bid to bag a spot in the semi-final. Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 7:10pm
Crocodile snaps at Andrew Maxwell in nerve-wracking I’m A Celeb trial
The Irish comedian was picked to take on the Arc of Agony Bushtucker Trial
Andrew Maxwell has clashed with campmates – and now the comedian has got on the wrong side of a crocodile. The disgruntled reptile snapped at the comedian during his latest I’m A Celeb Bushtucker Trial. Maxwell was voted in by the public to take on Arc of Agony which sees him having to find keys to unlock cages filled with critters and those all-important yellow stars. In a sneak preview ahead of tonight’s show, the Irish funnyman is seen tentatively moving a croc while trying to soothe it with his Australian accent. But his attempts to relax the creature are futile, as it whips round and snaps at him. “Ooh you naughty little boy,” Maxwell says as he jumps back out of the cage. Maxwell will be hoping to win all 12 stars for camp after three campers missed out on a roast dinner on last night’s show. James Haskell and Roman Kemp failed to win the final three stars in the Love Island inspired live trial which meant Andrew Whyment, Ian Wright and Cliff Parisi went without a luxury dinner. I’m A Celebrity is on ITV, tonight at 9pm
Gavin and Stacey's Ruth Jones and James Corden reveal Christmas special first draft wasn't "good enough"
The pair said they suddenly realised they were missing a "big moment" from the plot
Gavin and Stacey creators Ruth Jones and James Corden feared they were being “naïve” after their first draft of the Christmas special wasn’t “good enough”. Jones flew to Corden’s house in Los Angeles to secretly work on a script nearly a decade after the sitcom wrapped, but the pair – who played Nessa and Smithy, respectively – struggled to balance the storyline with the characters’ quirks. “We’d confused ourselves in thinking there needed to be an absolute narrative arc – there was so much in the story, there was no room for the characters to breathe,” Corden told Radio Times. “We’d written about 40 pages, and we sat and we read it […] and we both went ‘this just isn’t good enough. It doesn’t feel like the show. It doesn’t feel like it’s right’. There was a real silence in this room […] a sense of maybe we were too naïve to think we could pick it up.” Jones said they stopped writing for a day and later discussed what the script was lacking over dinner with their partners Julia Carey and David Peet. “We did then identify what it was,” Jones said. “There needed to be a heart to it, a big moment that resonated.” Corden added: “We went round and round, and it was probably about midnight – Ruth here with her laptop, me pacing around – and as soon as we had let it go, an idea arrived, maybe the quickest scene we’ ever written, really. “And as soon as that scene was finished, we had no choice. We said, ‘well now we have to make it’.” Gavin and Stacey followed the love story between the two titular characters (played by Matthew Horne and Joanna Page) as they formed a long distance relationship between Wales and Essex over the phone before meeting, falling in love and starting a family. The sitcom aired over three series, plus a Christmas special, from 2007 to 2010 on the BBC. Rob Brydon, Larry Lamb, Melanie Walters and Alison Steadman will all reprise their roles for the Christmas Day special next month.
Can you admit to "Fleabagging"? Phoebe Waller-Bridge has created a brand new dating term
“Fleabagging” has been added to dating vocabulary to describe those who consistently date people who are unsuitable for them
Keep dating the wrong type of person? Well, there is now officially a buzz word for it thanks to Phoebe Waller-Bridge. “Fleabagging” has been added to dating vocabulary to describe those who consistently date people who are unsuitable for them. It’s more common with women, according to Plenty of Fish, with 63 per cent admitting to Fleabagging compared to just 38 per cent of men. Basically, the saying “women always go for the bad boys” could well be true. Fleabag was the titular character penned and played by Waller-Bridge, who dated and hooked up with a string of unsuitable men, including Bus Rodent and Hot Misogynist, throughout the two season run. Waller-Bridge recently revealed there was an alternative ending to the show, something she has vowed to never reveal. “There was an idea for an alternative ending, but I’ll never say what it was…” Waller-Bridge told the Guardian after playwright Jack Thorne asked: “Did you ever consider an ending where the Priest – I refuse to call him Hot Priest – said yes?”)
Graham Norton to replace Joanna Lumley as BAFTA Film Awards 2020 host
The chat show host will be at the helm at the Royal Albert Hall
Graham Norton will make his BAFTA Film Awards hosting debut in 2020. The eponymous chat show host has replaced Joanna Lumley who enjoyed a two-year stint after taking over from Stephen Fry in 2017. “I’m delighted to be taking the helm of the biggest night in British film, the audience at the Royal Albert Hall will be the biggest sofa I’ve ever faced,” Norton said. “I’m honoured to be following in the fabulous footsteps of Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley.” Norton is no stranger to awards shows having hosted the TV BAFTAs multiple times, as well as pocketing six gongs for The Graham Norton Show. BAFTA Chief Executive Amanda Berry said: “He will bring his brilliance and unique brand of humour to the role. The Film Awards is transmitted around the world, and those audiences know him too. “With Graham as our host I have no doubt we will deliver a very special celebration of the very best in film, and pay tribute to the most talented and creative people both in front of and behind the camera.” The BAFTAs will take place at the Royal Albert Hall on February 2nd, 2020. It will be broadcast on BBC One and made available on BBCiPlayer. Nominations for the 73rd annual event will be announced on January 7th.
Jacqueline Jossa screams as Myles Stephenson is covered in snakes on I'm A Celebrity
The duo teamed up to take on Snake Hotel in the latest Bushtucker Trial
Myles Stephenson has to deal with snakes slithering across his face in the latest gruesome I'm A Celebrity Bushtucker Trial. The Rak-Su singer is lying down in a locked in a cage filled with snakes in scenes to be shown on tonight’s show as he and Jacqueline Jossa attempt to find stars for camp in Snake Hotel in Ol’ Dingo Town. “I can feel it in my hair. It’s in the afro,” he says as one snake moves across his face as Jacqueline rummages around inside a room in search of stars. “No! Why would you do that?” she screams as she finds a carpet python under a pillow. Jacqueline was voted in by the public to take on Snake Hotel and was then asked to pick a campmate to go with her. The trial comes a day after new campmates Andrew Whyment and Cliff Parisi teamed up to take on buffalos and mounds of offal in a bid to win stars for the camp before being thrown into the Jungle Jailhouse. I’m A Celebrity is on ITV, tonight at 9pm
David Walliams and Matt Lucas could be teaming up for a new TV series
The Little Britain duo recently reunited on political spin-off, Little Brexit
Little Britain fans rejoice – David Walliams has revealed he is in talks with Matt Lucas on a potential new TV series. The comedy duo recently reunited for Little Britain spin-off, Little Brexit, on BBC Radio 4, and said teaming up had sparked an interest in either revisiting past characters or starting afresh. Speaking on The Jonathan Ross Show, Walliams said: “We had great fun doing [Little Brexit], we got Tony Head and Ruth Jones back. It was a total surprise because the audience who came didn’t even know what they were coming to see.” Addressing new material, he continued: “It was great so hopefully we’ll be doing some more things together. We might do [another TV series together] we were talking about it just today, Jonathan. “But we don’t know for sure exactly what we want to do, whether we want to revisit things from the past or we want to do something totally new.” Lucas and Walliams wrote and starred in comedy sketch show Little Britain from 2000-2007 across BBC Radio and TV. The show saw the duo take on several characters from Carol “computer says no” Beer, “yeah but no but” Vicky Pollard and Fat Fighters’ leader Marjorie Dawes. Little Brexit re-introduced Pollard and a host of characters as the comedians commented on the current political toing and froing. The Jonathan Ross Show is on ITV, Saturday at 10:10pm
Netflix down and working on "issues" after global outages
The streaming giant was throwing up error messages for users across the world
Update: The issue has been resolved for UK and Ireland users. View oEmbed on the source website Netflix has informed users it is working on “issues” after outages were reported globally. Hundreds of TV fans complained online after the message “ui 800 3” appeared on screen when using the streaming giant on Thursday afternoon. Others were met with an “error” message when attempting to watch shows after navigating from the main page. Problems were reported in the UK and parts of Europe as well as North and South America, South Africa and parts of Asia, according to tracking website Down Detector. The official Twitter account for Netflix UK and Ireland, tweeted: “For anyone having issues, we're sorry for the inconvenience and are working to fix this as quickly as possible.” It is not yet evident what has caused the outage or how long it will take to resolve the issue. Some took the opportunity to poke fun at the streaming wars, saying a Netflix outage didn't bother them as they have Disney+. "Netflix is down?? I wouldn’t have noticed I’m on Disney+ lmao," wrote one Twitter user. Another tweeted: "Netflix is down?? Thank god I have disney+."
Flirty Dancing Stand Up To Cancer special: Everything you need to know
Coleen Nolan and Made in Chelsea's Miles Nazaire are looking for love on the Channel 4 show
Flirty Dancing has rounded up celebs for a Stand Up To Cancer special this Christmas. The popular Channel 4 dating show will be helping famous faces to find ‘the one’ by teaching them how to dance. Think Dirty Dancing meets Blind Date. Here’s everything you need to know: What is Flirty Dancing? Flirty Dancing sees producers do the matchmaking between two people who learn a dance routine separately before meeting for the first time when they perform the dance together. Who presents Flirty Dancing? Diversity's Ashley Banjo fronts the show and teaches the singletons how to dance in time for their big date. Look out for cameo appearances from Ashley's dance troupe including Jordan (his brother) and Perri Kiely. Who is on Flirty Dancing? Coleen Nolan was in the mood for dancing in 1979 – fast forward 40 years and she’s ready to show off her moves again. The Loose Women panellist has signed up to find love on Flirty Dancing for the charity special, a cause close to home having lost both her father Tommy and sister Bernie to the disease. Nolan, who has been married twice, said: “Talking about my love life on TV is second nature to me but Flirty Dancing was a whole new ball game. I don't think I've ever been so nervous. “But I loved the show and, as it's for such a good cause, I decided to step out of my comfort zone and give it a go.” View oEmbed on the source website Made in Chelsea’s Miles Nazaire will also star. The reality TV personality was recently left heartbroken after the love of his life hooked up with his best friend. When is Flirty Dancing on TV? The current second series of Flirty Dancing is on Channel 4, Fridays at 8pm. The Stand Up To Cancer special will air in December. We'll update this page as soon as we hear.
Strictly same-sex dance sparks nearly 200 complaints to BBC
Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima performed on the BBC Results Show
Nearly 200 complaints were made to the BBC by those who were “unhappy” with the decision to include a same-sex pairing on Strictly Come Dancing. Professionals Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima teamed up to perform a moving, bare-footed routine to Emeli Sande’s live performance on the Results Show earlier this month. But 189 people complained after finding the performance offensive. In a statement the BBC said: “Strictly Come Dancing is an inclusive show and is proud to have been able to facilitate the dance between Johannes and Graziano during the Professionals' dance. “They are dancers first and foremost, and their sex had no bearing on their routine.” After the routine Di Prima tweeted “REPRESENTATION always matters” as he described the dance as an “unforgettable moment.” The complaints come after a recent RadioTimes.com poll found Brits are divided when it comes to the inclusion of same-sex couples on the BBC ballroom show, with 50.6 per cent of the 6,200 surveyed saying they are not in favour. View oEmbed on the source website Despite proving divisive, a spokesperson for Stonewall told RadioTimes.com that “it’s great that half of the people would want to see [same-sex couples] on Strictly”. They said it would have an “absolutely huge” impact on changing opinion on the LGBTQ+ community. “There are always barriers when something is new but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t happen,” they said. “With some of the big moments [on TV] we’ve seen people’s opinions shifted because of popular culture. “In 1994 the Brookside kiss. There are huge cultural moments and it helps to change opinion. Quite a lot of the time people don’t feel like they know any LGBT people or what might be happening in their lives so representation is really important not only for people who aren’t LGBT to build their understanding of their lives, but for LGBT too to find themselves represented in those spaces that are incredibly culturally important.” Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 7pm
Frozen's Idina Menzel joins CBeebies Bedtime Stories
The actress will no doubt delight Frozen fans when she makes her debut
When it comes to Frozen we just can't let it go, and it appears we're in safe company with CBeebies. The children's channel has revealed Idina Menzel has been signed up to read a Bedtime Story. The voice behind the classic Oscar-winning song from Frozen will narrate Robin’s Winter Song by Suzanne Barton, which tells the story of a little robin's first winter. The news comes a week after it was revealed that Gregory Porter will become the first celebrity to sing a CBeebies Bedtime Story when he makes his debut on Friday 22nd November. Menzel joins a star-studded list of celebs who have lent their voices to the evening show, including Tom Hardy, Sir Elton John, Dolly Parton and Eddie Redmayne among others. Menzel also voices Elsa in Frozen and Frozen 2 which is released on 22nd November. The film is set three years after the original and follows Elsa, Kristoff, Olaf, Sven and her sister Anna as they leave Arendelle to discover how Elsa got her magical powers. Idina Menzel’s CBeebies Bedtime Story will be broadcast on Sunday 24th November at 6.50pm on CBeebies.