EMMERDALE bosses have revealed the actor they cast as Ruby Fox-Miligan’s estranged dad – and he is gearing up for an appearance on the soap.

Ruby has been going through a rough patch recently as her marriage fell apart due to her husband’s lies.

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Now it seems things are set to go from bad to worse as two of her family members are going to unexpectedly turn up in the Dales – and they’re not ones she particularly likes.

One of them is her estranged father Anthony, who is going to be played by Nicholas Day.

The actor is already known for his performances in Minder and The Crown.

Although Ruby and Anthony haven’t seen each other in over 30 years, maybe this reunion will be just what they need to cultivate some family spirit, as Nicholas seems to have mellowed out in his old age.

Meanwhile, much to Ruby’s surprise, her daughter Steph is also going to make an appearance.

This won’t be a welcome surprise as Steph is known for being reckless and narcissistic, as she seems to have inherited all the worst traits of both her parents alongside the good ones.

Georgia Jay, who has acted in Giri and Haji to date, has been cast as Steph.

Both actors shared their thoughts on their new roles, with Georgia gushing: “I am thrilled to be joining the cast of Emmerdale.

“The cast and crew have all been so welcoming and I’m very excited to see what lies ahead for Steph, given her intriguing backstory.”

Nicholas added: “I’ve been made so welcome in the Emmerdale family. And my screen family is great to work with, the scenes just fly. No kidding – I feel blessed.”

Emmerdale producer Sophie Roper said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Nicholas and Georgia to Emmerdale as part of the Miligan family.

“With so much yet to discover about Ruby, the arrival of her father and daughter will unlock her past and see Ruby and Caleb tested in ways we’ve never seen before.

“With two actors of such great calibre, they’re certainly set to make their mark on the Dales.”

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The full line-up for I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! 2024 has been “revealed”.

The ITV reality show has been on the air since 2000, with winners including Tony Blackburn, Stacey Solomon, Jill Scott and last year’s victor Sam Thompson.

In recent years, I’m a Celebrity has been plagued with controversy for signing up two controversial politicians: former health secretary Matt Hancock in 2022 and Nigel Farage in 2023, which appeared to lead to a downturn in ratings.

It seems like bosses don’t have anyone quite so contentious waiting in the wings, with The Sun claiming to have discovered the identity of every star joining the show later this month.

Below are the 12 stars “revealed” to be taking part in this year’s series

Coleen Rooney

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Coleen Rooney has reportedly signed up to appear on this year’s series. The wife of former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is said to have secured the biggest deal in the show’s history, which would surpass that of Farage and presenter Noel Edmonds with a fee of over £1.5m. “I’m a Celeb bosses have pulled off a huge coup getting Coleen for the jungle this year and the team are thrilled to have her on board,” a source told The Sun. “Coleen has a huge fanbase and she won massive plaudits for her classy handling of the Wagatha Christie case. She’s excited to show fans a different side to her and prove she can survive without her creature comforts.”

Tulisa Contostavlos

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One of this year’s biggest stars is said to be N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos, who was also once a judge on The X Factor. An insider suggested to The Sun that Contostavlos’s booking was inspired by a recent N-Dubz tour, which “introduced her to a younger generation, especially through platforms like TikTok”. They added: “Tulisa’s diverse career makes her a strong contender for I’m a Celebrity because she appeals to a wide audience. ITV is particularly excited about her new following among 16 to 24-year-olds, and hopes the deal is finalised soon.”

Jane Moore

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The second Loose Women star who is reportedly poised to follow in the footsteps of fellow panellists Janet Street-Porter, Frankie Bridge and Charlene White is Jane Moore, who first appeared on the ITV panel show in 1999. he has been a regular panellist since 2013 and is rumoured to be up for entering the jungle following a split from her husband of 20 years.

Oti Mabuse

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Oti Mabuse is a former Strictly Come Dancing professional, aooearing ont he BBC series from 2015 to 2021. She won the series with both Kelvin Fletcher and Bill Bailey, and appeared on Dancing on Ice as a judge after leaving Strictly.

Reverend Richard Coles

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Reverend Richard Coles, the media personality and former vicar, who was once a member of the band the Communards, will – according to The Sun – be a campmate on this year’s I’m a Celebrity. A source said: “Rev Coles will have a variety of tales to tell from his wild days as a pop star in the Eighties, through to performing on Strictly Come Dancing and his later life as a man of the cloth.” Earlier this year, Coles described his time on Strictly as “brutal” amid a behind-the-scenes scandal.

Dean McCullough

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Northern Irish BBC Radio 1 DJ Dean McCullough has reportedly been tapped to appear on this year’s series. He started presenting for the station in 2020, standing in for Clara Amfo, and in September 2022, he replaced Scott Mills and Chris Stark, alongside Vicky Hawkesworth, as hosts of Radio 1’s afternoon show.

Alan Halsall

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Coronation Street star Alan Halsall, who plays Tyrone Dobbs, had an I’m a Celebrity near-miss in 2023. He was rumoured to be a part of the line-up but was reportedly forced to withdraw after suffering a knee injury; the photo he shared of himself from his hospital bed essentially ruled himself out of appearing. It’s a likely bet, then, that Halsall has been drafted in for the new series.

Danny Jones

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It’s been claimed that McFly singer Danny Jones is following in the footsteps of his bandmate Dougie Poynter, who won the show in 2011, by entering the jungle. While it seems like a long shot considering Jones is not short of work – he’s currently a judge on ITV singing competition The Voice – a source told The Sun he is being offered a lucrative amount to appear on the show.

Melvin Odoom

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The raido DJ and TV host is believed to be entering the jungle this year. In the past he has presented shows on Kiss and Radio 1, and his presenting stints include the BRIT Awards, MOBO Awards and The Xtra Factor.

GK Barry

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There are two Loose Women stars being tipped to join I’m a Celebrity this year – and one became a wift favourite to appear after it was reported she had withdrawn from participating in Strictly Come Dancing due to the rehearsal room scandal that hit the BBC show earlier this year. GK Barry – real name Grace Keeling – would be a hit with the youngsters considering she had a huge following on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube

Maura Higgins

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Shortly after it was claimed fury had withdrawn from the series, another Love Island star’s name was thrown into the mix: Maura Higgins. Higgins is one of the ITV2 reality show’s best-loved contestants, having appeared on series five in 2019. A source told The Sun: “With Tommy Fury pulling out, it gave show bosses the opportunity to look at other Love Island stars and Maura stood out as the perfect candidate.”

Barry McGuigan

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According to The Mirror, Irish boxer Barry McGuigan will be entering the jungle, replacing McCoist. A source told the outlet: “Barry is a bona-fide sporting legend and he’s a great person to have heading for the jungle. When he rose to fame in the 1980s as the WBA featherweight boxing champ he became a non-sectarian ambassador. He fought for both Ireland and Great Britain and was loved and respected on both sides of the divide. There’s not many who can say that.”

An ITV spokesperson told The Independent: “Any names suggested for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! are just speculation.”

It was reported on 1 November that former Rangers footballer Ally McCoist backed out of an appearance – for a second time – having been signed up by bosses weeks ago. His departure follows Love Island star Tommy Fury, who also dropped out of the show weeks before it was due to begin.

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Emily in Paris star Lily Collins has said she is keen for an Emily in London spin-off.

In the Netflix series, the 35-year-old plays an American marketing executive Emily Cooper who moves to Paris for a short-term job opportunity – but ends up falling in love with the city and establishing a new life there.

The latest season sees Cooper begin to date an Italian man who lives in Rome. Conveniently, she is asked to open a new office in the city, suggesting that Emily in Paris could become Emily in Rome for its fifth instalment.

But perhaps London could be next, since Collins has told the BBC that making a British spin-off would be “so fun”.

Collins – who is currently making her stage debut in the West End production Barcelona, in which she once again plays an American abroad – has said that she thinks her Netflix character would love London.

The actor, who was born in Surrey and raised in Los Angeles, said: “She would definitely go to Portobello Road and buy some antiques, obviously visit Big Ben and toy shop Hamleys.”

“She would also definitely try and get into Buckingham Palace,” Collins continued, adding that Cooper would love to have tea with the King and “try and get the guards to smile”.

Speaking about how she will spend her free time in the city between her eight stage performances a week, Collins said she loves sitting in the front seat of a double-decker bus and gazing out of the window.

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“I don’t even have a plan on where I want to go, I just sit there and see all the sights and people,” said the actor, who is the daughter of Genesis drummer Phil Collins.

Collins, who lives in LA but owns a home in Denmark with her husband, the American film director Charlie McDowell, says she relaxes in London by “walking the dogs with my husband on Hampstead Heath”.

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“I go there so often, it really is huge and it actually feels like countryside even though you’re in London,” she said.

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In The Independent’s two-star review of Barcelona, critic Annabel Nugent writes that the plot can often feel “contrived”.

“A good chunk of Barcelona’s duration requires its actors to do one of the hardest things an actor can ever do: act drunk convincingly. Collins and [co-star Álvaro] Morte make a go of it – and special mention to the messy make-out scenes choreographed to comically realistic effect – but it gets old fast,” writes Nugent. “Despite the short 90-minute running time, there are one too many studied stumbles and repetitions.“

STRICTLY pro Kai Widdrington’s is set to appear in panto this year – but ticket prices have been slashed by £50.

It comes after The Sun revealed that dancers Kai, 29, and ex Nadiya Bychkova, 35, are avoiding each other behind the scenes following their break-up.

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Things are so frosty between the former couple that they are standing on opposite sides of the set during live broadcasts.

Kai, who was left without a partner for this year’s series of the BBC dance contest, will appear as Captain Hook at Liverpool’s Auditorium over the festive season.

Tickets for the show have been on sale since earlier this year and are priced at between £28 – £65.

But eagle eyed fans have noticed that tickets for a number of the scheduled performances are being advertised at a cut down price on a seat filling website.

Tickets usually priced at £65 – which includes a meet & greet with Kai after the show – have been slashed to just £16.

While the £28 tickets have been cut by almost half the price to just £15 per ticket.

The offer stands on a number of performances including the Boxing Day performances – which are usually some of the busiest.

Every Saturday night, the pros and celebrities are required to gather in the ‘Clauditorium’ after each Strictly pairing has performed.

But when Claudia Winkleman is interviewing the contestants, Kai and Nadiya purposely stand on opposite sides.

A source told The Sun: “It’s painfully obvious Nadiya and Kai are in the awkward post-break up phase and struggling to be near one another.

“Obviously that’s the risk that comes with dating someone at work, so they’re both trying their best to steer clear of each other.

“When the pair are in the Clauditorium, they’re always on opposite sides. Although they may have big smiles on their faces when the cameras are running, it’s been very tense between them. 

“They refuse to be near each other at all on set- but there’s not much room up there with all the professionals.

“They just have to do their best to avoid each other every weekend.”

Strictly insiders insist the exes remain “completely professional and cordial” behind the scenes – despite the bitter break up.

Former Strictly Come Dancing couple Kai and Nadiya split over the summer after two years of dating.

Following their break-up it was reported that bosses at Strictly were considering banning workplace romances due to the tension it can cause backstage.

An insider told the Daily Mail that such romances “have the potential to create negative situations for Strictly and the BBC“.

In September, was claimed Kai and Nadiya had to be kept apart at the National Television Awards.

An onlooker said: “When the pair got inside the O2 they gave each other a very wide berth.

“Organisers had ensured there would be no awkward camera shots by keeping the frosty pair apart from each other.”

Earlier this month, Nadiya gave an update on her feelings towards her ex.

The star, who is mum to seven-year-old Mila from a previous relationship, told The Mirror: “We work together but we are not friends and that’s ok.

“One thing I can tell you is that when you see me dancing with him it will be amazing because I’m a professional.”

Kai and Nadiya called time on their romance, which began in 2022, after a stint on tour together.

There was no third party involved and pals said the pair just “grew apart” after two “blissful” years together.

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A US drama has axed a brand new lead star weeks before their debut episode, leading to anger from fans.

The move has raised eyebrows among viewers of long-running CBS procedural FBI, with many questioning the intention behind the decision to drop Lisette Olivera after announcing her as a series regular.

This latest development arrives one year after FBI: Most Wanted fans threatened to boycott the series after the unceremonious firing of lead star Alexa Davalos.

It’s unknown why exactly Olivera got the chop from the Dick Wolf-produced series, especially considering she was lined up to become the fixed new partner for lead character Stuart Scola (John Boyd).

Scola has been in need of a partner since the departure of Tiffany Wallace Katherine (Rebee Kane) in the season seven premiere.

The search was thought to be over with the arrival of Olivera’s Syd Ortiz, who will be introduced in a future episode, but Deadline reports this is no longer the case.

A source told the outlet that the decision stemmed from a belief that the 25-year-old was “miscast” in the role of a seasoned FBI Special Agent – a role designed to be played by somebody older.

However, viewers of the show have called this “unfair” as producers would have known Olivera was too young ahead of her casting.

“I am so confused by this,” one fan wrote, with another stating: “The Dick Wolf curse rears its ugly head once more.” One fan added: “WHY BRING HER IN THE FIRST PLACE – THEY KNEW HOW OLD SHE WAS???”

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An additional fan wrote on X/Twitter: “Apparently she reads too young… why didn’t we get this figured out before they gave her the role…”

The Independent has contacted Universal Television and Olivera for comment. Olivera previously starred in National Treasure: Edge of History, the Disney+ series based on the National Treasure films.

When Davalos was dropped from FBI: Most Wanted, fans were mainly frustrated due to the fact there had been no hint the character would be leaving before she did.

HE has faced the Strictly dance-off twice this series, so singer Shayne Ward has the perfect soundtrack to his quickstep tonight – Help! by The Beatles.

It will be a challenge for the singer and actor as he takes to the dancefloor knowing the public has not supported him the way they did when he won The X Factor in 2005.

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Back then, he sailed to victory, never once ending up in the bottom two on the ITV talent contest.

And the hothouse nature of Strictly brings the memories flooding back every week.

Shayne, who is paired with pro dancer Nancy Xu, said: “I never thought that, 20 years after The X Factor, I’d be listening to the same ‘heartbeat’ music that they played when I stood on the stage to win the show.

“I’m 40 and it brings back so much nostalgia. It’s weirdly the same feelings I had when I stood on that stage at the age of 21.

“You grow so close to everybody you’re working with, you see them pretty much every day. So you want everybody to do well. But then the realisation kicks in that somebody has to go home.

“The moment you hear that heartbeat, you’re like, ‘Oh, we’re back to a competition again, aren’t we?’.”

Just like on Strictly, the X Factor contestants had to secure enough public votes to get through to the next week.

The two acts with the fewest perform again, and their fate is decided by the judges.

Mancunian Shayne appeared to easily triumph on the now axed X Factor.

‘I really want this’

He immediately went on to get that year’s Christmas No1 with another aptly named track, That’s My Goal.

But Shayne, who was also in Coronation Street from 2015 to 2018, has not been so lucky on Strictly — and freely admits he doesn’t like it.

The star — who danced the paso doble to Edvard Grieg’s In The Hall Of the Mountain King for Halloween Week — said: “It’s not nice being in the bottom two. It’s a horrible feeling.

“You never know what the public are going to warm to, but I’m proud of the routine we did on Saturday. It fitted Halloween Week perfectly.

I’m 40 and it brings back so much nostalgia. It’s
weirdly the same feelings I had when I stood on that stage at the age of 21

Shayne Ward

“Being in that bottom two, I was gutted, you know. In that moment, you’re thinking, ‘Is this the end of my adventure on Strictly?’.

“We’re just truly grateful to the judges for putting us through.”

Though he picked up decent scores from Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton du Beke, he doesn’t seem to be winning over viewers at home quite the same.

So far, Shayne has had to fight for survival against DIY SOS star Nick Knowles in week four of the competition, and he saw off Doctor Punam Krishan last weekend.

Each time, he has been unanimously saved by the judges, but the competition is set to intensify this weekend with a “music icons” theme to help mark Strictly’s 20th anniversary.

Shayne says being in survival mode has affected his confidence in training, but insists he is using the nervous tension to motivate himself to come back fighting tonight.

He explained: “It’s hard not to let something like that come into the rehearsal room. But it definitely re-focuses you and reignites that fire to make you go, ‘I really want this, I don’t want this to be over. I want to keep dancing with Nancy’.

Being in that bottom two, I was gutted, you know. In that moment, you’re thinking, ‘Is this the end of my adventure on Strictly?’

Shayne Ward

“It gives you that spark again, to go, ‘Right, this is a new week, let’s go for it’. We’ve taken everything that the judges have said into the rehearsals to come back fighting.”

Shayne knows a thing or two about bouncing back by embracing a new skill.

Despite a hugely promising musical start in 2005, when That’s My Goal became one of the fastest-selling singles in UK chart history, his singing career took a huge blow in 2010.

His third album, Obsession, failed to make the Top Ten and in 2011, he was dropped by Syco, Simon Cowell’s record label that gave all X Factor winners a sought-after deal.

So he immediately turned to the stage, appearing first in Rock Of Ages at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London, before joining the arena tour of Jeff Wayne’s musical version of The War Of The Worlds.

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Then in 2015, Corrie came knocking, but after three years of playing troubled Aidan Connor, he exited the soap in a suicide storyline.

It gained the actor and ITV show huge praise for their sensitive handling of an issue affecting millions of people, particularly younger men.

While on the show, Shayne also started a relationship — and a family — with former Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin, 40.

In 2016, the couple, who are engaged, had a daughter Willow and, in 2022, son Reign.

But it is fair to say Shayne’s career as a performer has not gone from strength to strength in recent years.

In 2015, his fourth and final album, Closer, was released, funded through PledgeMusic, and scraped its way to No 17 in the charts.

I’m a man now. I’ve got a family of my own, a partner I love, but I still feel like I have the world at my feet the same way I felt at 21

Shayne Ward

Recently, his most high-profile TV acting role was playing a cabaret singer in widely panned Channel 5 drama The Good Ship Murder.

So does he ever regret taking part in The X Factor and being set on the bumpy road that has been his career for the past two decades?

Shayne said: “My answer is no, because I wouldn’t be where I am right now in my career and my personal life with my two amazing children and my amazing partner, Sophie.

“I think it gave me life lessons. I’ve travelled the world and I’ve got to have these incredible moments thanks to starting out on The X Factor.

‘My absolute rock’

“I’m a man now. I’ve got a family of my own, a partner I love, but I still feel like I have the world at my feet the same way I felt at 21.
“I still have that drive to work, to push myself to see what I can do.”

It seems Shayne already has so much, but he is determined to win the Glitterball, just as he won that record contract and overnight fame.

He said: “Wouldn’t it be something to win X Factor and Strictly? Honestly, for me, it would be an absolute honour to lift that Glitterball for myself and Nancy. She deserves that moment. All we can do is our best and what will be, will be.”

Meanwhile, Shayne has insisted that Strictly fans who have branded him “cocky” and “arrogant” are wrong.

He said that while he might seem confident on the dance floor, he is “absolutely terrified because this is a huge deal”.

And he revealed it is Sophie who has kept him strong.

Shayne said: “She’s been my absolute rock through it all.

She’s been my absolute rock through it all

Shayne Ward

“I haven’t really seen the kids that much, and it breaks my heart because I miss them.

“But she is just an absolute force to be reckoned with because she’s just like, ‘I’ve got it all under control’.

“You think it’s impossible to love somebody more every day, but it’s true. Strictly can take all your concentration and what’s so amazing is the support and understanding I’ve had from Sophie. It’s incredible.

“You can’t do this show alone, and I’m so lucky to have her by my side.”

Shayne has laughed off reports he postponed his wedding to take part in Strictly.

He said: “Can you imagine if I did? That’s a very understanding wife to be!

“No, we’re looking to get married next year. It’s as simple as that. We’re very excited.

“There’s pressure for my wedding dance now I’ve been dancing for a few months.”

First of all, he has to nail tonight’s Beatles number.

Otherwise, it may be more Hello, Goodbye, Shayne.

• Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One at 6.30pm.