For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

After a turbulent year for the show, Strictly Come Dancing is back with its 20th anniversary season.

The new lineup features a mix of contestants from a variety of backgrounds and abilities, including Olympic athletes, reality stars, and TV personalities.

Among them is The Only Way is Essex star Pete Wicks. The 35-year-old is known for his television appearances as well as for his radio and podcast presenting. He’s also the author of two bestselling books.

Wicks has become known for having a tough and irreverent exterior, but a true gentleness with his loved ones, including best friend and I’m a Celebrity winner/Made in Chelsea star, Sam Thompson. The friends met on Celebs Go Dating in 2018, and hit it off immediately. Wicks appeared on the ITV show as a special guest, reuniting with Thompson in the jungle, leaving both in tears.

The two present the Staying Relevant podcast together, which boasts over 5 million downloads to date and has been number one in the comedy charts numerous times. A live tour for the podcast is due to take place later this year.

As well as having an undying love for his best friend, Wicks is also a huge advocate for animals. Due to present his forthcoming dog-umentary Pete Wicks: For Dog’s Sake, he has also written an entire book about the dogs that have transformed him.

For The Love of Frenchies: The Dogs That Changed My Life follows Wicks as he talks through his love for French Bulldogs. He supports many animal charities including the UK’s leading dog welfare charity, the Dog’s Trust.

Earlier this year, he called on the government to ban fur imports. He told the PA news agency at the time: “There’s absolutely no reason [to delay], and I don’t understand why it is being stalled. There’s certainly nothing to look at, all the proof is in the pudding, so we just need to get on and get it passed.”

Wicks has a distinctive presenting style, a combination of disarming and affable, and has hosted the BRIT Awards, Pride of Britain Awards and National Television Awards.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

Advertisement

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

He has also made appearances on Celebrity SAS, Celebrity Juice, CelebAbility, Supermarket Sweep, and Celebrity MasterChef. Some may recognise him as the ex-partner of equally fiery Towie star Megan McKenna, with the two having many explosive rows on the show. The pair met in 2016 before breaking up in 2017.

His participation on Strictly was revealed on the Kiss FM Breakfast Show alongside former Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri. He told Kiss that he felt “a mixture of excited and absolutely petrified, genuinely petrified”.

He told the BBC he felt a mixture of emotions: “Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying. But anyone who knows me knows I love a challenge and trying new things, so I’m genuinely looking forward to getting stuck in.”

NIGEL Planer has revealed all about his failed marriages – and becoming a grandfather at just 30.

Nigel, now 71, starred as Peace Studies student Neil Pye in The Young Ones, which centred around the fictional lives of four undergraduates.

4

Advertisement

4

4

The cast also included the late Rik Mayall, Ade Edmondson and Christopher Ryan, and ran from 1982 to 1984 on the BBC.

He has gone on to have an incredible career both on screen and on stage, as well as being a successful author.

But his private life has proven to be just as colourful as some of his characters over the years.

Nigel is happily married to his third wife, Roberta Green, a therapist.

But he was just 25 when he first met her and became a stepdad to her children – who were 12 and 10 – before becoming a grandfather at 30.

In a recent interview with The Mirror, Nigel admitted he found it a “bit much” and they separated.

Nigel then married Anna Leigh who he was with from 1989 to 1995.

The couple had a son named Stanley, but they split up too.

When Anna remarried and moved countries with Stanley, Nigel only saw him during school holidays.

Nigel said: “It was the hardest time ever.”

In 1999, Nigel married actress Frankie Park, and they had a son Harvey, but they also divorced.

Nigel then reunited with Roberta and they married again in 2013.

He said: “We cannot believe our luck that it’s still working, it’s just amazing.”

He also said he is on good terms now with his ex-wives and his sons, Stanley, 36, and Harvey, 25,

Just back from a holiday with his step-grandchildren from his wife’s family, he said “The four grandsons are the same age as my son.

“It’s quite complicated. My younger son used to love saying, when he was about eight, to my granddaughter from my stepdaughter, ‘I’m your uncle.’ An eight-year-old uncle, and they were in their 20s!”

Nigel is currently touring the UK with Henry Normal, co-writer of The Royle Family and producer of Gavin & Stacey

4

Advertisement

Best 80s sitcoms

We take a look at some of the best sitcoms to air on TV in the 80s.

The Simpsons

This satirical depiction of life in the US was developed by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, and Sam Simon. It first launched in 1989 and has been going ever since as viewers tune in to see the antics of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and the rest of the Springfield residents. With over 35 series making it onto the television airwaves, it has become one of the most famous and long-running television shows in history.

Advertisement

Only Fools And Horses

Widely accepted as one of the best British sitcoms of all time, Only Fools and Horses has made viewers laugh for decades. Seven series of the show were made for the BBC One from 1981 for ten years. Set in working-class Peckham, it starred Sir David Jason in his most famous role as the infamous market trader Derek “Del Boy” Trotter. Nicholas Lyndhurst starred as his younger half-brother, Rodney Trotter. In 2004, it was voted as Britain’s Best Sitcom in a BBC poll.

Full House

The US sitcom Full House was created in 1987 with Bob Saget starring father-of-three Danny Tanner. After his wife died, he called in the help of his brother-in-law Jesse (John Stamos) and best friend Joey (Dave Coulier) to move in and help raise his young daughters, DJ (Candace Cameron Bure), Stephanie (Jodie Sweetin) and Michelle (Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen). After eight series, the show came to an end before Netflix revived the franchise for a spin-off, Fuller House.

Advertisement

Golden Girls

Seven series aired from 1985 until 1992. It followed Four women – who were previously married – moved in together in a shared apartment in Miami. Together, they faced various struggles and encounter comical situations in their daily lives. Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan, and Estelle Getty starred in roles that short them to superstardom.

Cheers

1982 was the year that saw the inception of Cheers. An eclectic group of people from all different paths of life meet at a bar Cheers. The boston boozer sees the group share their experiences as they work and drank at the establishment. It starred the likes of Ted Danson, Shelley Long, Rhea Perlman. Huge names such as Kelsey Grammer, Woody Harrelson and Kirstie Alley also starred in the hit series.

Advertisement

Growing Pains

Dr. Jason Seaver (Alan Thicke) is a psychiatrist who works from home so his wife, Maggie (Joanna Kerns), can resume her career as a journalist. They share three children, Mike (Kirk Cameron), Carol (Tracey Gold), and Ben (Jeremy Miller). This was before their precocious daughter Chrissy (Ashley Johnson) was born. The programme tackled topical issues such as drugs, suicide, peer pressure and alcohol.

SOME of our favourite Love Island stars, a TV host and a famous nepo baby looked unrecognisable as they dressed up to celebrate Halloween last night – but can you figure out who they are?

A bunch of famous faces headed to The Conduit in Convent Garden, London, to attend the glamorous Hallowzeem Party.

6

Advertisement

6

6

One guest included a Love Island star who took part in the ITV2 dating show last year.

The beauty looked incredible dressed up as a sexy Chucky from the popular horror franchise.

The star in question wowed in a denim bodysuit with the words “Wanna play?” printed on it, knee high socks and red heels.

Do you have any idea who it is?

It’s none other than Abi Moores, who shot to fame on Love Island series 10 – and was linked with Mess Mitch and Scott van-der-Sluis during her time in the villa.

A neo baby with a famous dad also dressed to impress last night.

The star opted for full Iron Man bodysuit.

He completed the look with a mask to hide his identity – but was seen holding the face cover in his hand outside the venue.

The celebrity behind the costume was Wayne Lineker‘s son George, 31.

A popular TV host who has presented the likes of The Masked Singer, Comic Relief and This Morning decided to dress up with his wife.

While she dressed up as Alice in Wonderland, the telly favourite looked totally different to what viewers are used to as the Queen of Hearts.

He certainly made the effort with his amazing costume – a corset dress, head piece and face paint.

If you haven’t figured it out yet, it was actually Joel Dommett behind the costume.

Another Love Island star from series seven was in attendance.

The reality favourite has since become a huge boxing fanatic.

She showed off her peachy bum dressed as the Black Swan from Swan Lake.

The famous face was in fact AJ Bunker.

 A Strictly pro dancer was also seen posing for pictures as Snow White.

The dancer, who left the show in 2021, recently became a mum.

She’s also the host of the BBC spin-off It Takes Two.

Surely after those clues you know who it is?

Well… it’s Janette Manrara.

Meanwhile a former Towie star showed off her amazing figure in a leather outfit.

She switched her sleek bob up for a long black wig and rocked some cool green eyeliner.

She completed the look with knee high boots and a bag.

This reality favourite recently just revealed that she’s decided to axe her ITVBe show.

Have you figured it out? It’s Ferne McCann!

6

6

6

Advertisement

MAYA Jama looked incredible in a backless white satin gown the Fashion Trust Arabia in Marrakech.

The Love Island host, 30, recently jetted off to Morocco and attended the awards ceremony on Thursday night.

5

Advertisement

5

5

Maya wowed in a figure-hugging dress for the sixth annual event, held at El Badi Palace, and hosted by Angela Bassett and Ahmed Helmy.

The TV star completed the classy look with a matching Pashmina and open toe heels.

Maya looked stunning with her hair tied back and rocked some winged eyeliner and a nude lip.

She posed up a storm with actor Lucien Laviscount backstage. 

The pair were in high spirits as they smiled for the camera.

Lucien looked dapper in a black shirt, suit jacket and matching trousers.

Maya is currently enjoying a sun drenched break away in Morocco – and she’s not the only celebrity staying in her hotel.

The ITV2 star shared a snap of Emily In Paris favourite Lucien on her Instagram story.

The actor could be seen enjoying the sunshine, kicking back in a wicker chair with his feet up on the table.

Maya captioned the post: “My neighbour.”

The telly favourite said she’s travelling alone earlier this week, and enjoyed a dinner out by herself.

She joked: “I always feel like whenever your travel alone, everyone at their dinner tables are always like ‘why she alone…is she a travel blogger, is she a lone ranger, is she a runaway princess or is she an escort…”

Maya also showed off her figure in a snakeskin bikini as she danced away in the sunshine.

The former radio host has been jet setting around the world recently.

Just last week she looked fabulous in a figure-hugging black gown at the DKMS Gala in New York.

Maya was in high spirits after it was revealed that her ex has moved on, just three months after their shock split.

Last week Stormzy, 31, was snapped kissing US musician Victoria Monet, 35.

Their split statement read: “We’ve been laughing whilst drafting this because we never, ever, in a million years thought we’d be the couple announcing a break-up.

“But for the sake of clarity and, more importantly, to allow us the space and grace that’s needed for us both to be able to navigate this next bit of our lives with peace, we thought it might be best to.”

5

5

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Ted Danson has made a heart-wrenching admission about his Cheers co-star Kelsey Grammer.

The actor, who played bartender Sam Malone on the NBC sitcom, has said that he has “missed out on the last 30 years” of friendship with the Frasier star due to an argument they had on the set of Cheers.

However, the pair are now putting their troubles behind them, with Danson taking accountability for their “feud”.

Grammer appeared on Where Everybody Knows Your Name , the podcast Danson co-hosts with Woody Harrelson, whom also starred in Cheers.

“I feel like I got stuck a little bit with you during the Cheers years,” Danson told the guest, who is back for a second season of the Frasier reboot. “I have a memory of getting angry at you once.”

Noting that this encounter is “stuck in both of our memories”, Danson continued: “But I feel like I missed out on the last 30 years of Kelsey Grammer and I feel like it’s my bad, my doing.

“I apologise to you. And [to] me that I sat back… I really do apologise.”

Grammer accepted the apology, and told Danson, who guest starred on Frasier a few times during its original run, that he wishes that had “spent some more time together”.

He added: “My love for you has always been as easy as the day. As easy as the sunrise.”

Grammer originated the character of Frasier on Cheers, which he joined in its third season.

Cheers ran for 11 seasons, from 1982 to 1993, which is when Frasier started. It became a successful sitcom in its own right, lasting for 11 seasons also, ending in 2004.

The reboot, which has welcomed back cast members Peri Gilpin (Roz Doyle), Bebe Neuwrith (Lilith) and Harriet Sansom Harris (celebrity agent Bebe Glazer), airs on Paramount+.

The original series originally featured Lisa Kudrow, who recently revealed she was fired after being cast in Gilpin’s role.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

Advertisement

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

In 1993, one year before being cast in Friends, which Kudrow says she can’t watch due to being “mortified” by her performance, the actor won the role of Frasier’s radio producer.

However, before filming the pilot episode, Kudrow was dropped from the role, telling the SmartLess podcast: “I didn’t film it. I got fired from Frasier.”

The actor described this as “devastating”, telling co-hosts Sean Hayes, Jason Bateman and Will Arnett that director James Burrows told her during the episode’s run-through: “This isn’t working.”

Cheers starred Shelley Long, George Wendt, Rhea Perlman and Kirstie Alley.

ELLA Morgan has opened up about her new boyfriend, revealing that they have already said the L word.

The Married at First Sight star, 30, met her man Alex when she was appearing on Celebs Go Dating, and she has now told The Sun, “You know, when you know.”

5

Advertisement

5

5

The couple – who have been inseparable ever since meeting on the hit E4 reality show – spoke about how smitten she is, as she walked red carpet at this week’s Price of Britain Awards.

Speaking exclusively to The Sun, Ella Morgan said: “I’m very happy, I’m very content.

“He’s not like any of the other people I’ve been with. I feel like I want to pinch myself.

“I went on two dating shows, first one didn’t go well.

“I actually didn’t think anything would happen, this sounds so cringe, you know when you know.”

The Married at First Sight UK star previously revealed how “it was the worst kept secret” having to hide the pair’s relationship while Celebs Go Dating was airing.

Speaking to Daily Record, she shared: “Me and Alex are still together. I don’t know what it was, I couldn’t keep my mouth shut because I was just so happy. 

“Even now I just tell random people, “this is my boyfriend Alex” or I’ll show them a picture of me and him.

“Even though they probably don’t care I still want to show him off anyway. I’m really happy and he’s really happy, well I hope he is anyway.”

The reality star added: “People still message and ask if we are still together and, well, I wouldn’t be posting about him if we weren’t.”

Meanwhile, Ella opened up about how Alex has adapted to her public lifestyle.

“I actually had a conversation with him when we finished filming Celebs Go Dating and I explained this was my kind of life and if he didn’t want to be part of it I would understand”, she revealed.

Continuing, Ella said: “I obviously didn’t want it to stop us from still being together because I know it’s probably a lot for him, but he’s taken it really well and come to events and he is enjoying it.

“I don’t think it’s necessarily something he would want to do for himself – he’s happy to be on the sidelines.”

5

She also addressed how “supportive” fans have been of her new relationship.

Ella remarked: “Most of the comments have been so supportive on my new relationship and it has been so lovely.

“I think people just wanted me to find someone whether they watched me on MAFS or Celebs and now I’ve found someone people just love that I’ve found love – and it’s so nice.”

The star added: “He’s coped with it really well and we have a really honest and open relationship where we communicate how we feel about certain things.

“If he ever doesn’t want to come to an event, he doesn’t have to and it’s always his choice, but I do like having him there with me.”

A source previously told The Sun: “Ella and Alex have been inseparable since they met on Celebs Go Dating and have remained together since filming wrapped in July.

“They’ve finally made their relationship official after Ella brought Alex as a plus one to a number of recent high-profile events, such as the Married at First Sight launch.

“Ella has told pals how happy she is and how Alex has made her laugh and feel safe compared to any other man she’s dated.

“He identities as a straight man and just sees Ella for her, as a woman, rather than a label and has been really supportive of her.

“They’ve talked about falling in love and see a future together. Ella has even introduced Alex to her family, as has he.”

5

Advertisement