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The Simpsons fans have been left blindsided by the sudden return of a character last seen nearly 30 years ago.

One week after viewers were tricked into thinking the show was coming to an end, with an episode deceptively branded its “series finale”, the long-running animated series nostalgically brought back a face familiar to die-hards.

The second episode of season 36, titled “The Yellow Lotus”, saw the Simpson family head to a luxury resort in what was a clear nod to HBO series The White Lotus.

Hammering home the reference was Homer’s discovery of a dead body, an event that leads the Simpsons to come across none other than Sideshow Bob, voiced by Kelsey Grammer.

However, it’s the inclusion of another character that most surprised fans, with some branding the moment “unbelievable”.

*Spoilers follow – you have been warned*

In the episode, it’s explained that the trip was actually orchestrated by someone fans will remember from season nine, which is considered to be a part of the show’s Golden Era: the corrupt salesman Nick Callahan.

Nick Callahan, voiced by Hank Azaria, first showed up in 1998 instalment “Realty Bites”, and the decision to bring him back was revealed to be down to producer Loni Steele Sosthand.

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The character’s return arrives after fans

The 36th season of The Simpsons started earlier this month, with a parody episode exploring what makes an effective finale. It was one of the show’s most acclaimed episodes in years, and imagined what the perfect ending of The Simpsons would look like – as written by AI.

Throughout the episode, there were animated recreations of final shots of shows including The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones and Succession.

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But when the title card first appeared on screen announcing the premiere as the “series finale”, viewers quickly jumped to social media to share their surprise at what they believed to have been a well-kept secret.

“IS THIS ACTUALLY THE SIMPSONS SERIES FINALE????” one asked, with another chiming in: “Wait, it’s like not REALLY The Simpsons Series Finale is it!? WTF!”

The meta premiere arrived amid speculation that the series could be preparing for its actual finale. Many believe that the series has outstayed its welcome, and no longer matches the quality upheld from its so-called golden era – from season three to nine.

One viewer theorised that this belief is what might have influenced writers to kickstart the new season with the finale prank, writing: “I love how 20th Century Fox/Disney responded to people complaining about The Simpsons should end and make a parody of a series finale.”

BIG Brother fans have branded Marcello a ‘pig’ after they claim he made Sarah ‘uncomfortable’ with a ‘sexualised’ comment.

The drama unfolded on social media in reaction to a scene in tonight’s episode of the hit ITV2 show.

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Sarah was complimenting Marcello as he worked in the kitchen as part of the shopping task.

“You are so funny Marcello, when I first met you, you are not someone that I would think I would get on with so well,” Sarah told him.

Looking taken aback, he replied: “I’m a nice person.”

“I know you are, but on first impression…” she added.

“Everyone always judges me,” Marcello responded.

Sarah went on to explain: “Yeah because you sound like the way you sound, the accent, the city, the way you dress, you are just someone that in public I probably wouldn’t gravitate towards because I would be a bit intimidated.”

Marcello then flirtily shot back: “Oh honey, I would gravitate towards you, don’t worry about that.

While Hanah, who was watching on, screamed at his comment, Sarah looked unimpressed and said: “Please don’t”

Realising he had crossed a line, Marcello apologised.

“I’m sorry he said, making a heart shape with his hands. “I’m joking.”

But viewers were not happy, and took to X to slate him.

One fumed: “Sarah being nice to Marcello and him immediately using it as an opportunity to flirt, made me uncomfortable.”

Another raged: “Marcello is a pig clearly just made Sarah uncomfortable with his unwanted comments and advances.”

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A third ranted: “Oh F*** OFF Sarah just opened up to Marcello and just like normal he SEXUALISES? Does this man just sexualise EVERY WOMAN HE SEES? Can’t wait for what he will say to AJ during his evicted interview.”

A fourth chimed: “Sarah literally just saying how marcello is nice and marcello immediately being a f***ing creep oh my god can he leave?”

A fifth weighed in: “Sarah should report Marcello to HR for making inappropriate sexual comments.”

And a sixth simply warned: “Marcello walk away from sarah rn.”

Big Brother continues at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.

MARRIED At First Sight UK fans have branded one groom ‘heartless’ after a dinner party resulted in another bitter row.

Alex and Holly appeared to reach breaking point on Thursday night’s episode, with the couple shocked by the arrival of three new couples.

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Holly was left feeling upset when Alex made a beeline for one of the new brides, leaving her alone.

At one point she even left the party for some alone time, and he didn’t go after her.

When she returned for the meal, Alex was seen rolling his eyes at her as she sat down, and things went from bad to worse when Holly tried to address with Alex why she was feeling upset.

Instead, Alex shut her down, telling her: “You already know what you’re doing. You know what you’re doing. You’re doing bare things for the cameras.”

As Holly tried to explain herself, he continued: “Listen, stop talking. I’m asking you, let me finish my… Can you please stop talking to me?

“I’m asking you nicely. Please don’t talk to me right now. That’s it. I need you to respect. I need you to respect what I’ve asked you.”

“If there’s an issue we can talk between us,” she told him, promting him to repeat, “You’re acting up for cameras”.

“Are you joking me? Why are you assuming that’s the case?” said a frustrated Holly.

Instead of responding, Alex repeated the phrase “I’ve asked you to stop speaking to me” over and over.

Finally defeated, Holly agreed to chat back at home, and asked him for a hug.

“I’m not there yet. I’m being honest,” he responded.

Fans weren’t best pleased with Alex’s behaviour, and took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their anger.

“Alex is scary. He just wants to be able to do whatever he wants without consequence or taking his wife’s feelings into my consideration. Like even Adam understands her point?” wrote one.

“How is leaving Holly alone and clearly upset better for Alex in the eyes of the group?,” added a second. “Surely a quick conversation with her to resolve the issue would be better. This has made it look worse.”

A third said: “Alex’s gaslighting is on another level. He chats up another woman all night but Holly has to shut up because she’s ruining the evening by being upset by it!?!?”

“Alex’s manipulative and abusive tendencies are jumping out again, nasty man,” said another.

A fourth wrote: “OMG Alex is next level toxic,” while a fifth said: “Alex is such a d**k. F**king hell man. This mean is HEARTLESS!!!”

Married At First Sight UK continues weekdays at 9pm on E4.

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Netflix has officially renewed its top series, Nobody Wants This, for a second season.

The news was announced on Thursday (October 10) via the streamer’s companion site, Tudum, in an article titled “Nobody Wants This Is Returning for Season 2, Because You Wanted It.”

The renewal comes two weeks after the hit romcom about a rabbi and an agnostic sex podcaster (Adam Brody and Kristen Bell) who fall in love despite their marked differences debuted on the streamer.

“Creating Nobody Wants This will forever be a career highlight for me,” series creator Erin Foster told Tudum.

“The incredible cast, crew, producers, and executives all made this into the show it is today, and to experience viewers’ reactions to this series now that it’s out in the world has been more than anything I could have dreamed.

“I’m so lucky to be able to continue this story,” she added, “and to do it alongside Jenni Konner and Bruce Eric Kaplan, who I’ve been such a fan of since Girls. … Justice for healthy relationships being the most romantic!”

TV writers Jenni Konner and Bruce Eric Kaplan, best known for their work on HBO’s hit Lena Dunham-led comedy Girls, have joined season two as executive producers and co-showrunners.

Nobody Wants This initially debuted at No 2 on Netflix’s weekly Top 10 Most-Watched list with 10.3 million views.

It has since risen to the top of the list, with 15.9 million views as of October 8.

Speaking to IndieWire ahead of the official renewal announcement, Foster teased what she’d want to expand on in a potential season two.

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“The story in season one unfolds really slowly. So I think if there is a season two I would want to just kind of pick up where we leave off and continue to take it slow, because I don’t want us to get too far ahead of ourselves.”

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Addressing the season one cliffhanger ending, Foster explained that she wanted Bell’s Joanne to seriously consider converting, but to not do it this early in the relationship.

“I fully understand some people who make the artistic choice to not give the audience what they want, but I don’t think this is that kind of show,” Foster said.

“I don’t want people walking away frustrated or annoyed. I think this is the kind of show where you want to get the thing you’re there to get and I wanted to give people that moment of, ‘We choose each other, but everyone knows we’re giving up a lot to choose each other, so how are we gonna do it?’

“And that, to me, felt like a realistic but still satisfying ending still with conflict, so you have somewhere to go.”

Nobody Wants This has delighted critics, with The Independent’s Katie Rosseinsky calling it “devastatingly relatable” and “laugh-out-loud funny” in her four-star review.

Season one of Nobody Wants This is available to stream on Netflix.

A COUNTRY music star will travel between the worlds of music and acting as she makes a special appearance in Emmerdale.

Twinnie-Lee Moore is a 37 year old actress, singer, and songwriter from York, who also happens to be a country star, but she is hanging up her microphone for the time being to appear in the Yorkshire-based soap tonight.

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She plays ambitious and ruthless boxing promoter Jade. 

With Billy Fletcher (Jay Kontzle) already drawn into the dark world of unlicensed boxing, Jade’s arrival will put pressure on him to continue this dangerous trade.

But Jade has an agenda and Billy’s safety is not on it.

He’s tempted by Jade’s offer and the financial promises that comes with it, but he’s also aware of the dangerous consequences it may bring.

Over the coming months, will Billy come to regret his association with callous Jade or has he already put his family in grave danger?

You may recognise Twinnie from Hollyoaks where she played Porche McQueen.

However, she took a brief break to focus on her career as a country music singer.

She has worked with greats such as Bryan Adams and is due to go on a tour with Keifer Sutherland.

But Twinnie will make a special appearance on the soap around her music commitments.

Speaking about her new role, Twinnie said: “My life has been a bit crazy recently juggling music and acting with lots of back and forth between Nashville and Yorkshire but I’ve been loving it!!

“I’ve loved being back on screen, especially as the show is shot in Yorkshire, being able to be home with family and go to work on such an iconic show has been nothing short of amazing!

“The whole team has been so welcoming and really supportive. My character is so much fun to play and I can’t wait to see how the audience reacts to her.”

During a previous appearance on Lorraine, Twinnie revealed that music has always been her lifelong passion, growing up in a musical family.

“Music my whole life,” she gushed.

” I’ve been on stage since the age of four and my first concert was Gilbert O Sullivan’s.

However, she pursued acting as her first love until a co-star persuaded her to explore her other talent,

She said: “I think what attracted me to country music is their ability to tell good stories, which is what I have tried to do in my songwriting.

“I have spent lots of time in Nashville, it is so intoxicating, I have several friends who are like family there. If you’ve never you should.”

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Watch out for her on Emmerdale, which airs weeknights at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

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Drake Hogestyn’s cause of death has been announced.

The actor, who was well known for playing John Black in the long-running NBC soap Days of Our Lives, died on September 28 at the age of 70.

People reports that a death certificate confirms he died from pancreatic cancer, while other contributing factors to his death included vomiting, dehydration and whole body toxicity.

The actor was cremated at Rose Family Funeral Home in Simi Valley, California.

His death was announced by his family in a statement posted to the official Days Of Our Lives Instagram account. It read: “It’s with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Drake Hogestyn. He was thrown the curve ball of his life when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, but he faced the challenge with incredible strength and determination.

“After putting up an unbelievable fight, he passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones.

“He was the most amazing husband, father, papa and actor. He loved performing for the Days audience and sharing the stage with the greatest cast, crew and production team in the business.

“We love him and we will miss him all the Days Of Our Lives.”

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Hogestyn joined the soap in 1986 and featured over the years as a prominent cast member.

“This is a very difficult one for all of us,” Days of Our Lives executive producer Ken Corday said in a statement to People. “Hogey was the ultimate team player and there are not sufficient words to express how deeply he will be missed. His impact on our show, personally and professionally, was profound and will forever remain unmatched.”

Actor Alison Sweeney, who portrayed Samantha Brady, hailed Hogestyn as an “incredible man”.

In an Instagram post featuring a photo of the pair hugging, she added: “He was funny, generous and thoughtful. He cared about every single scene, every person.

“He loved Days, the fans, and shared that passion with everyone on set.

“My heart breaks for his family, they meant everything to him. He was such a huge part of my life at Days.

“I will miss him terribly and treasure every story, every joke & every hug.”

Kristian Alfonso, who played Hope Williams Brady, said she will always remember her late co-star as a “loving father, husband and dear friend, but mostly an incredible, passionate human being, generous and immensely kind, always”.

She paid tribute in an Instagram post with a video of photos of them laughing and smiling together.

She thanked him for the love he gave everyone on and off set, adding: “You were always our hero. Love you. Rest in peace my sweet friend.”