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Miranda actor Sarah Hadland and her professional dancer Vito Coppola wowed the judges this week with their Cha Cha to the tune of “Like a Prayer” by Madonna on this week’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The pairing got awarded a perfect 10 by judge Anton Du Beke, with the other three judges giving them all nines but it was Coppola’s trousers which got many people talking.

The Italian dancer opted to wear a pair of PVC trousers for the performance of the Madonna classic which, let’s just say left little to the imagination, at least for primetime viewers on BBC One.

Thankfully for Vito, his revealing trousers managed to hold themselves together but it goes without saying, that the audience at home was delighted with what they were seeing.

“Strictly costume and makeup department really know their audience dressing Vito every week,” said one person.

“Vito Coppola, the man that you are!” added another.

The trousers left viewers very confused, with a third writing: “I have no idea if that was technically good or no because Vito in those trousers.”

A fourth viewer pointed out how distracting the finish must have been, writing: “It’s a testament to Sarah’s energy and acting ability that she isn’t remotely upstaged, even when Vito effortlessly launches into a scissor kick bordering on the splits at the end, let alone that bodysuit and trousers combo.”

Another person noted: “Vito’s bodysuit hanging on for dear life.”

“I cannot believe I am part of Strictly!” Hadland said before entering Strictly. “I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.”

Hadland is best known for being one of the original cast members of the CBBC sketch show Horrible Histories and for her role as joke shop manager Stevie Sutton on the BBC sitcom Miranda, which she starred in alongside the series’ lead Miranda Hart, as well as Tom Ellis and Patricia Hodge.

GORKA Marquez and Gemma Atkinson have updated fans on their reality show – after two series on air.

They met on Strictly in 2017, but weren’t paired together on the BBC show.

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Beginning in 2023, the pair have fronted reality show Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens – focusing on both their personal and professional lives.

A second series launched in May and showed the adjustment to becoming a family of four.

Speaking to Express.co.uk at the Pride of Britain Awards, ex-Emmerdale star Gemma shared the couple’s stance on a potential third series.

Asked about the show returning, she answered, “Potentially, yeah.”

Gemma added: “We’re currently in talks to do it but we keep thinking why do people want to keep watching us doing nothing.”

“But it did really well, it was like the biggest show on their channel so possibly”, the star continued.

Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens airs on W and UKTV Play.

Logistics are also a challenge – with Gorka judging on Strictly’s Spanish counterpart, Bailando Con Las Estrellas.

He told the Express: “I still love dancing and I want to carry that on but judging is also fun.”

It comes as fitness influencer Gemma defended herself from cruel trolls.

Internet users body shamed the star following her red carpet appearance at the Pride of Britain Awards.

Writing on her social media, she said: “A dude told me that I look like a dude, I told him if he lifted like me, he could look like one too.”

Gorka showed support for his fiancee by sharing a message of defiance to one vile troll.

The person wrote: “When the woman has the frame of a man and vice versa, he looks like a mouse next to him.”

To which the Spanish dancer replied: “I look like a little mouse, that cracks me up.”

Four years after meeting, Gemma, 39, and Gorka, 34, got engaged back in 2021.

They welcomed their first child, daughter Mia, in July 2019 and their second, son Thiago, in 2023.

Gorka’s most recent Strictly stint ended last month – with his celebrity partner being eliminated.

Morning Live medical expert Dr Punam Krishan left the ballroom after losing a dance-off to Shayne Ward.

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THE daughter of ex England footballer Michael Owen is set to star in Love Island All Stars early next year.

Swimwear designer Gemma, 21, was a runner up on the ITV reality show two years ago, but split with co-star Luca Bish, just three months later.

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The new series starts in January in South Africa and is hosted by Maya Jama, 30.

A source said: “Gemma had a great time on Love Island in 2022… it wasn’t something she ever imagined signing up to but the entire experience caught her by surprise.

“She was incredibly young when she first starred on the show at 19 but now she hopes as a 21-year-old her first experience will help her at a second chance of love.

“Michael is bracing himself for another series supporting his daughter date in front of the nation – but he was so proud of Gemma during her first villa stint, he knows she’s sensible and can be trusted.

“As well as finding a long term partner, Gemma has seen how lucrative All Stars can be for the Islanders taking part and as a savvy businesswoman, she definitely sees it as a money making opportunity.”

Earlier this year, Gemma had sparked romance rumours with a tattooed hunk after they attended the Kentucky Derby together.

Gemma spent time with Irish style creator Damien Broderick, who had recently split from his influencer girlfriend Karina Lira.

However, Gemma’s representatives were keen to shut down any romantic speculation between the pair.

A spokesperson for Gemma said at the time: “Gemma and Damien are not dating or romantically linked.”

In November last year, Gemma confirmed that she was single again after a split from Prince Naseem Hamed’s son Aadam.

She had previously confirmed their romance on Instagram with a picture of the pair holidaying in Dubai.

Gemma came second on Love Island 2022 with her previous ex-boyfriend Luca Bish.

She took to her Instagram account at the end of 2022 to publicly announce the news of her separation from Luca.

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EMILY Atack has heaped praise on her partner Alistair Garner for finally making her “feel safe”.

The 34-year-old welcomed her first child – son Barney – with Alistair in June.

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The couple were first pictured together in September 2023, but have known each other for years after Alistair’s father was married to Emily’s aunt.

Now in a new interview, Emily – who recently returned to screens in raunchy Disney+ series Rivals – has opened up about the peace she has found in her relationship and as a new mum.

She said: “I feel like my whole life had been building up to that moment, not just getting a part in that show but also my personal life. It feels like the stars have aligned. That is genuinely how it feels.”

Emily added to The Times: “I used to pray to God that I would end up with somebody who made me feel safe, and I’m safe with Al now.”

Emily’s happiness comes after years of dating turmoil, and she admitted: “For such a long time I had found dating hard and lonely.”

The star first found fame on The Inbetweeners, where her character Charlotte was nicknamed “Big Jugs”, but the role often lead to unwanted attention from men or misconceptions about who she really was.

Thankfully, Alistair had known Emily long before she became famous, and so when they reconnected as adults after not seeing each other for 12 years, love blossomed naturally.

During the interview, she recalled how she had just finished filming Rivals when she rushed to support Alistair as his father died.

Emily said: “We were together at the deathbed and then afterwards we left the room and hugged. We held each other for about 20 minutes and we just knew. This was love, this was real.”

However their lives couldn’t be more different, as Alistair is a nuclear physicist with a PhD.

Despite having dated famous people in the past, Emily said: “It was never going to be a pop star or a film star. It was never going to be that. I’ve done all that.

“I needed security, a solid, stoical person. And I just love how safe I feel. I am completely at peace. I don’t think I ever experienced proper love before because this is it.”

She concluded: “I know Al will look after me and Barney. I know he will be the best father and the best husband eventually.

“I am happier than I ever thought I could be.”

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Emily’s full interview is available in The Times. Rivals is available on Disney+

A TOP BBC show judge has quit their series in a shock move – and been replaced by a Celebrity Big Brother star instead.

The line-up shake-up was revealed in the trailer for the new season – and fans have claimed they are “already obsessed.”

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The change will now see RuPaul, 63, give up their presenting role on Drag Race Down Under, with reality TV favourite Michelle Visage, 56, stepping up.

Former Strictly star Michelle has starred on the show franchise, aired in the UK on the BBC, since the US series in 2011, yet has only hosted an episode solo once.

A show trailer for the fourth Aussie series starts with the narrator stating: “The new host of Drag Race Down Under, Michelle Visage.”

Dressed in a sparkling body-con dress, Michelle then addressed the camera and said: “Start your engines, and may the best drag queen win.”

The camera then panned to a teaser of the series and saw Michelle say: “We’re back!

“And you’re in Michelle’s house now.”

In a statement, RuPaul – who will continue to act as executive producer for the series – addressed the switch up.

They said: “It has been my great honour to bring Drag Race to Australasia.

“I can’t wait to see the franchise continue to flourish under the leadership of the incredible Michelle Visage.”

Much-loved Michelle, who hosted a Drag Race season 4 episode in the UK, said: “Thank you, RuPaul, for entrusting me with one of your beloved shows.

“The colour, humour, and outrageousness of Down Under drag holds a special place in my heart.

“I’m ready to do everything in my power to encourage these beautiful queens to believe in themselves and let their inner light shine through.”

Fans have been quick to react to the news of the 2015 Celebrity Big Brother star’s instalment, with one taking to YouTube to write: “I’M OBSESSED ALREADY.”

A second put: “I get a good feeling about this Season!” as a third commented: “Wait! So we get Michelle, Rhys, Sasha, Kween AND all of these fabulous queens?

“I am so locked in. Slay, babies.”

Another gushed: “I’m here for Mother Michelle.”

One then cheered: “Yesss Michelle we love you.”

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Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One tonight for week seven of the show with a specially created theme with professional dancer Amy Dowden set to miss the episode following a health emergency.

The Welsh dancer, who is partnered with JLS singer JB Gill, fell ill during the filming of last week’s live show (26 October). An ambulance was summoned to Elstree Studios in Borehamwood and the 34-year-old was taken to hospital. A spokesperson for the dancer later said that the ambulance was “just a precaution”.

Fellow pro dancer, Lauren Oakley will instead partner Gill for the “couple’s choice” dance in today’s instalment of the show.

Dowden will unfortunately miss “Icons Week” which will celebrate 20 years of Strictly Come Dancing which will see couples dance to songs by music legends such as Whitney Houston, Shirley Bassey and Queen.

The BBC has already teased that the professional dancers will be performing a Beyoncé medley, featuring Johannes Radebe channelling his inner Sasha Fierce.

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas, who were at the top of the leaderboard last week, will dance a Samba to “Faith” by George Michael, while Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec, who were joint top of the leaderboard with Borthwick, will perform a Couple’s Choice to “What About Us” by P!nk.

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Who is replacing Amy Dowden?

Lauren Oakley will be dancing with JB Gill on this week’s addition of the show, replacing Amy Dowden who is unable to take part.

A spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing added: “Amy Dowden MBE is doing much better and the Strictly family send her love and wish her well.

“She is delighted that fellow professional dancer, Lauren Oakley, is able to step in for rehearsals and to perform in Saturday’s show for JB Gill’s couple’s choice dance. We are all hopeful that Amy will be back to dance with JB next week.”

Dowden’s management company said she was “resting” and would be supporting Gill and Oakley during this weekend’s show.

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Strictly bosses previously announced that Oakley would train with Gill on Monday, but since confirmed that the pair would stay together for the rest of the week, including for the performance on Saturday and the results show on Sunday. Oakley, who came eighth when partnered with Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the show’s previous season, did not have a partner this year. She joined the show in 2022.

Greg Evans2 November 2024 13:00

Strictly Come Dancing reveals songs and dances for first Icons Week

The theme will celebrate the songs of music legends such as Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Shirley Bassey, Queen, George Michael and KISS.

Find the full list of songs and dances for Icons Week below:

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Chris McCausland and Dianne will dance a Tango to “Rock and Roll All Nite” by KISS

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle will dance a Samba to “Faith” by George Michael

JB Gill and Amy Dowden’s stand-in Lauren will dance a Couple’s Choice to a Bruno Mars Medley

Montell Douglas and Johannes will dance a Waltz to “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston

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Pete Wicks and Jowita will dance a Salsa to “Another One Bites the Dust” by Queen

Sam Quek and Nikita will dance an American Smooth to “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” by Taylor Swift

Sarah Hadland and Vito will dance a Cha Cha to “Like a Prayer” by Madonna

Shayne Ward and Nancy will dance a Quickstep to “Help!” by The Beatles

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Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz will dance a Couple’s Choice to “What About Us” by P!nk

Wynne Evans and Katya will dance a Rumba to “This Is My Life” by Shirley Bassey

Greg Evans2 November 2024 13:30