Britain’s Got Talent favourite to help film ITV’s new rival to Gogglebox
IT’S the meeting of two of my favourite shows on TV – Gogglebox and Britain’s Got Talent.
ITV has announced it is launching a spin-off for this year’s BGT which will have the same vibe as the Channel 4 armchair critics favourite.
It will see celebs and show legends join, erm, “content creators” to watch and react to the amusing auditions.
The programme, called BGT Reacts, will air on ITVX immediately after the main show on ITV1 – with six 15-minute episodes scheduled.
Bosses say the new show will create “truly funny and unique moments”.
And to help deliver those, they want BGT star Francine Lewis to take part in filming.
The impressionist — who immitated Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, plus TV personalities Stacey Solomon and Katie Price in the 2013 final — has been approached and is keen to appear.
A source revealed: “Francine is one of BGT’s best-loved acts. She wooed the judges, and fans adored her back in the day, so she would a hit.
“Francine was delighted when producers got in touch and she wants to give it a crack.”
Production firm Thames’s managing director Charlie Irwin said: “We are thrilled to be able to expand on the Got Talent brand with a fantastic new show to accompany the new series.
“Collaborating with both content creators and celebrities, we know BGT Reacts will deliver fun and unique moments, for the ITVX viewers.”
It’s good to see a woman being approached as part of the plans for this new Saturday night spin-off show. BGT returns on April 20 and this year’s winner will bag £250,000 and a place at the Royal Variety Performance.
Baring it all on Bridgerton
BRIDGERTON is hotting up once again as Luke Newton strips off in a first look at the upcoming third series.
The Netflix drama appears to have got its mojo back as Luke’s Colin Bridgerton finds his friend Penelope Featherington, (Nicola Coughlan) on the marriage market.
But after helping her pursue a relationship with newcomer Lord Debling – played by Sam Phillips – it is apparent that Colin isn’t so sure about where his own heart lies.
Elsewhere, Hannah Dodd takes over from younger actress Ruby Stokes as Francesca Bridgerton.
Now, Francesca is all grown up and making her debut, presented to Golda Rosheuvel’s Queen Charlotte – and turns heads like her big sister Daphne.
But if Penelope’s transformation is anything to go by, Francesca will have competition to be this year’s Diamond of the Season at the debutante ball.
Part one of the new series will be available to stream from May 16, with part two following on June 13.
THE BBC has green-lit a second series of comedy Cheaters. Fola (Susan Wokoma) and Josh (Joshua McGuire) began an affair after a delayed flight.
Things will get messy after Fola’s divorce from Zack (Jack Fox) leaves only Josh’s girlfriend Esther (Callie Cooke) to deal with.
Strictly Joh gets royal no
SOAP royalty and music royalty has graced the dance floor on Strictly Come Dancing – but sadly true royalty has proved elusive.
And it looks set to stay that way – despite pro-dancer Johannes Radebe’s best efforts to convince Prince Edward’s wife Sophie.
The dancer tells Jonathan Ross on his ITV show tomorrow: “The Duchess of Edinburgh, would love the opportunity to compete, but she can’t, obviously. She has personally told me this.”
Nonetheless, Johannes, who joined the BBC One show in 2018, hopes to return for the 22nd series.
He adds: “I’m still waiting for that phone call. Fingers crossed.
“Everybody wants that job – and there are people waiting in the wings to snatch it.”
Ali foils big bro host bid
ALISON HAMMOND has revealed she was in the running to host ITV’s Big Brother – before AJ Odudu and Will Best got the gig.
Alison, who found fame as a contestant on the show during its Channel 4 years in 2002, tells The Sun’s TV Mag, free with the paper tomorrow: “I literally talked myself out of it.
“They asked to see me and I went in there and said to them: ‘Listen, I’ll be honest, I’ve never ever wanted to host Big Brother, I’m just grateful for everything it’s given me’.”
Alison takes over from the late Paul O’Grady on fellow ITV show For The Love Of Dogs next Tuesday, but faced a backlash over landing the role – for not having a dog.
She said: “I was surprised with how much criticism I got. I could understand that Paul was so loved, but trolls will be trolls, and I’ll still do what I do best, which is TV presenting.
“My life is not conducive to having a dog right now, but I can foster whenever I’ve got a week here or there.”
DANNY DYER will be comic Joe Lycett’s first guest as the second series of his comedy show kicks off tonight.
The ex EastEnder appears on Late Night Lycett with Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway and rapper turned television personality Big Zuu.
The C4 show airs at 10pm.
IF you haven’t seen it already, make sure you tune into BBC1 series Money for Nothing where experts take stuff people are thoring out and transform it into amazing objects.
It has more than a whiff of The Repair Shop about it, and was actually the place that Jay Blades started out before hitting the big time.
Now hosted by a team including former Strictly star JJ Chalmers it’s delivering just as many amazing moments as well.
Last week they launched their 16th series and performed thir 1,000th transformation inclduing an item rescued from a tip that ended up selling for £1,400.
It does what it says on the tin.