Adrian Chiles has opened up on how being axed from a TV show meant work ‘suddenly dried up’ after a 20 year career, admitting ‘suddenly I was earning a lot less.’

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He presented Match of the Day 2 and co-presented the One Show until 2010 when he signed with ITV Sport. However, when ITV terminated his contract in 2015, his finances began to spiral downward.

He also revealed that he struggled with a battle with booze and anxiety after being axed from the ITV breakfast show Daybreak in 2011.

In an interview with The Guardian, the Radio 5, presenter said:

“The ups and downs with my income have been stressful over the years, but I’ve always been quite careful with money.

“I never spent more than I had.

“When I joined ITV, I started earning a lot of money, which was weird.

“Then things went the other way, and suddenly, I was earning a lot less.

But he also confesses that he remains “relatively well off by anybody’s standards.”

“There was a moment when I was earning more, and I bought a flat…

I sat at this huge bloody table and thought: What am I doing?

“What madness is this?

It was a real moment of realisation for me. I didn’t regret buying the flat, but I tried to buy less stuff after that.”

He concluded: “The more you have, the more you spend. If I won the lottery, I’d probably spend it all on an ad campaign saying: Buy Less Stuff.”

When he does splurge, he says that the most frivolous thing he bought recently was a compass for his car dashboard.

“Suddenly, I wanted to know which direction I was driving in.”

Adrian has hosted BBC One’s satirical news quiz, Have I Got News for You. He has also presented Working Lunch and The Money Programme, Panorama, various documentaries, and The Apprentice, which is called The Apprentice Your Fired.

He also appeared on a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special in 2021.

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Adrian presents the Radio 5 weekday mid-morning show every Thursday and Friday from 10am to 1pm.

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Jon Stewart called his studio audience a “beautiful distraction” and thanked them for their “dedication” after his US election show went off the air on Tuesday following Donald Trump’s shock victory.

The host of The Daily Show had one of the strongest reactions to Trump’s win, which saw the Republican sweep many of the swing states, handing him a stunning return to the White House.

Lashing out at pollsters, Stewart told them “You don’t know s*** about s***, and I don’t care for you.”

“My point is this: F***!,” yelled Stewart. “But this isn’t the end. I promise you, this is not the end. And we have to regroup, and we have to continue to fight, and continue to work day in and day out to create the better society for our children, for this world.”

Variety has since reported what Stewart told his studio audience after the show went off the air.

“Can I tell you what a joy you were, how happy I am to have spent the evening with you and not sitting at home throwing shit at my television screen,” the comedian said.

“You have helped us all have a beautiful distraction, and you’re gonna leave here, and you’re gonna look at your phone, and you’re gonna go home, and you’re gonna have that weird feeling where your knees feel wobbly, and you’re like, ‘Do I have hypoglycemia?’ But you don’t! You just have a temporary anxiety and paralysis that comes with disappointment and just a soupçon of despair.”

The 60-year-old added: “It will pass. And we will be back, digging ditches for democracy once again in the way that we have always had to do, and I thank you guys for your dedication, and I thank you for being here. Get home safe.”

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Stewart was among the many late-night TV hosts in the United States who gave despondent messages to their audiences about the election results.

As supporters of Harris, each presenter, ranging from Jimmy Kimmel to Stephen Colbert, shared anti-Trump sentiments, with Kimmel struggling to hold back tears on Wednesday night (6 November).

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Kimmel, acknowledging the fact that Trump was convicted of a crime earlier this year, said of the result: “We chose the criminal.”

Seth Meyers promised to bring viewers joy amid times of uncertainty in the wake of the election result.

“We’re not gonna let anything take that joy away, even when we’re not talking about things that are particularly joyful,” he said, adding: “For example, here’s something: I don’t think Donald Trump’s a good person. I’d even go so far as to say he’s a bad person.”

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Stephen Colbert was more frank in his approach, calling Trump “a monstrous child surrounded by cowards and grifters”

He said it was “hard to see a bright side”, and joked that he was wearing his “fundamentally questioning my belief in humanity: sticker.”

THIS year’s I’m A Celebrity contestants will be breathing a sigh of relief after bosses made the decision to axe Walk the Plank.

The terrifying challenge sees the famous faces suspended 314ft over the Brisbane coastline.

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A fan-favourite part of the show, it’s the campmates’ first challenge before they’re dropped into the Australian jungle.

Despite I’m A Celebrity fans left convinced the challenge was ‘fake’ in 2017, last year The Sun caught the action from a front row seat.

Over the years it’s produced jaw-dropping and hilarious moments as fans at home watched Ant and Dec poke fun at the household names during the ordeal.

While ITV bosses keep Walk the Plank’s replacement trial under wraps from fans and this year’s lineup, we look back at some of the moments its produced.

Babatunde Aléshé (doesn’t) walk the plank

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Back in 2022 the Gogglebox star was left so petrified by the challenge he dramatically quit.

Babatunde‘s fear of heights got the better of him after spending 45 minutes deliberating over whether he’d take part.

At the time, as his eyes filled with tears, the scared reality star joked: “It’s windy, that’s contributing to the water in my eyes…” 

Speaking about why he chose to forfeit his go and star, Babatúndé told hosts Ant and Dec: “I said I was determined to be here. I wasn’t determined to be there [pointing to the plank].”

Charlene White is left waiting for 45 minutes

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ITV Newsreader and Loose Women star Charlene White was left waiting three quarters of an hour to even step on to the blank.

She was appearing on the same series as Babatunde and was forced to watch his ordeal.

Due to the rigging of the challenge, Charlene, 44, had to wait for the Gogglebox star to be disconnected from the harness equipment before her turn.

Amir Khan is left stuck suspended in the air

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Boxer Amir Khan caused havoc in camp when he stole strawberries and cream with Iain Lee back in 2017.

While the 37-year-old didn’t win the show, he was so memorable bosses invited him back to South Africa for their All Stars edition.

Walk the Plank was recreated, but on a bigger scale – some 1,100 metres off the ground.

Amir was joined by Helen Flanagan and Mylene Klass when he froze on the plank as he shook with fear following a near fall.

“I think I’m stuck,” he cried out as Ant and Dec burst out laughing.

Danielle Harold’s legs give way

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Last year I’m A Celebrity bosses revamped Walk the Blank and renamed it Pole Position.

The blank was axed and replaced by, you guessed it, a pole as former EastEnders star Danielle was one of the first to take it on.

During the challenge, the former soap star struggled with the wind before things got worse.

As soon as the 32-year-old got her feet firmly on the ground her feet appeared to give way from under her as she wiped tears away from her eyes.

Her co-stars as well as Ant and Dec were left worried as Danielle struggled to get herself back on her feet, but she eventually did, making herself proud.

Vanessa White freaks out in the air

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Singer Vanessa White took part in I’m A Celebrity in 2017, starring alongside Jack Maynard, Jenni McAlpine, Jamie Lomas and Georgia Toffolo.

She became another victim of Walk the Plank, ‘freaking out’ 334 metres over the side of a building.

Looking terrified, Vanessa confessed at the time: “I’m really freaking out… I’m really, really shaky.”

Frozen in terror, her celeb campmates watched on as she found confidence to finish the challenge.

I’m A Celebrity returns Sunday, November 17th at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

I’m A Celebrity 2024

As the hit ITV show enters into its 24th series, a brand new batch of famous faces look set to enter the Aussie jungle once again to face terrifying Bushtucker Trials and living amongst the critters in camp in order to come out on top and be crowned King or Queen of the Jungle. The Sun’s Jake Penkethman takes a look at the stars heading Down Under this year…

Coleen Rooney – Arguably the most famous name heading into the camp, the leading WAG, known for her marriage to Wayne Rooney, will be making a grand return to TV as she looks to put the Wagatha Christie scandal behind her. The Sun revealed the mum-of-four had bagged an eye-watering deal worth over £1.5million to head into the camp this year making her the highest-paid contestant ever.

Tulisa – The popstar and former X Factor judge looks set to be making a triumphant TV comeback by signing up to this year’s I’m A Celeb after shunning TV shows for many years. Known for being a member of the trio, N-Dubz, Tulisa became a household name back in 2011 when she signed on to replace Cheryl on ITV show The X Factor in a multi-million pound deal.

Alan Halsall – The actor, known for playing the long-running role of Tyrone Dobbs on ITV soap opera Coronation Street, was originally signed up to head Down Under last year but an operation threw his scheduled appearance off-course. Now he will be hoping to become the latest Corrie star to win over both the viewers and his fellow celebrities when he gets into camp.

Melvin Odoom – The Radio DJ has become a regular face on TV screens after rising to fame with presenting roles on Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1 and 4Music. He has already been for a spin on the Strictly dancefloor and co-hosted The Xtra Factor with Rochelle Humes in 2015 but now he is facing up to his biggest challenge yet – the Aussie jungle.

GK Barry – The UK’s biggest social media personality, GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, has transformed her TikTok stardom into a lucrative career. Aside from her popular social media channels, she hosts the weekly podcast, Saving Grace, and regularly appears on ITV talk show, Loose Women. She has even gone on to endorse popular brand such as PrettyLittleThing, KFC and Ann Summers.

Dean McCullough – A rising star amongst this year’s bunch of celebs, Dean first achieved notability through his radio appearances on Gaydio and BBC Radio 1. He was chosen to join the BBC station permanently in 2021 and has featured prominently ever since. He has enjoyed a crossover to ITV over the past year thanks to his guest slots on Big Brother spin-off show, Late & Live.

Oti Mabuse – The pro dancer has signed up to her latest TV show after making her way through the biggest programmes on the box. She origianlly found fame on Strictly Come Dancing but has since branched out into the world of TV judging with appearances on former BBC show The Greatest Dancer as well as her current role on ITV’s Dancing On Ice.

Danny Jones – The McFly star was drafted into the programme last minute as a replacement for Tommy Fury. Danny is the second member of McFly to enter the jungle, after Dougie Poynter won the show in 2011. He is also considered a rising star on ITV as he’s now one of the mentors on their Saturday night talent show, The Voice, along with bandmate Tom. A jungle insider said: “As well as bringing some of the star appeal of the group with him, he’ll be supplying some serious guy candy for the campmates and viewers at home.”

Maura Higgins – The Irish TV beauty first found fame on Love Island where she found a brief connection with dancer Curtis Pritchard. Since then, she has competed on Dancing On Ice as well as hosting the Irish version of the beauty contest, Glow Up. Since last year, she has been working on building up her career in the US by being the social media correspondent and host of Aftersun to accompany Love Island USA. She even guest hosted an episode of the spin-off, Love Island Games, in place of Maya Jama last year.

Jane Moore – The Loose Women star and The Sun columnist will be braving the creepy crawlies this year. The star is ready for a new challenge – having recently split from her husband. It will be Jane’s first foray into reality TV with the telly favourite having always said no to reality shows in the past.

Barry McGuigan – Former pro boxer Barry will become the latest fighting champ to head Down Under following in the footsteps of Tony Bellew and Amir Khan. It comes after a tough few years for Irish star Barry, who lost his daughter Danika to breast cancer. He told The Late Late Show in 2021: “She was such an intrinsic part of the family that every day we ache.”

Rev. Richard Coles – Former BBC radio host the Rev Richard Coles is set for I’m A Celebrity — and is ready to let rip at his old employer. The former Communards and Strictly star, 62, said the BBC did not know its a**e from its elbow last year.An insider 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 and his later life as a man of the cloth.”

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Police in Finland have revealed new details about their investigation into the murder of a contestant on the country’s version of hit game show The Traitors.

Janne Puhakka, the country’s first openly gay ice hockey player, died in October at the age of 29 after he was allegedly shot by his 66-year-old partner, Norwegian veterinarian Rolf Nordmo.

Nordmo confessed to the murder following the breakdown of the couple’s relationship several weeks before, it was reported.

Now, police have revealed to Finnish publication Yle that Puhakka was shot twice by his former partner at the home they previously shared in Espoo, a city located to the west of Helsinki in Finland.

Nordmo used a hunting gun to commit the crime, police added.

Puhakka’s body was discovered by a concerned friend who went to the house after the ice hockey player did not respond to calls and messages.

Investigating officers have confirmed that Nordmo admitted to the killing during his interrogation, but Nordmo has denied the act was premeditated.

“The suspect denies any planning. I will not comment on any other details,” Detective Inspector Matti Högman, who is leading the investigation, told Yle.

At the time of the death, the finale of Finland’s The Traitors, which had been filmed earlier this year, was postponed. But it is now due to air on Sunday 10 November at 9pm. The decision by national channel Nelonen to broadcast the episode was made following consultation with Puhakka’s family.

The sportsman will appear as a “traitor” in the final episode of the game of deception, with the aim of tricking the “faithful” players into believing he was one of them, and winning the pot of cash.

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The Traitors, which first started in the Netherlands, has become a hugely popular format around the world. The BBC’s version is hosted by Claudia Winkleman.

Puhakka made headlines in Finland in 2019 when he came out as gay.

After his death, Liiga, Finland’s top ice hockey league, described him on Twitter/X as “an important role model” and said his “courage and openness left an indelible mark on Finnish hockey”.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin also took to Instagram to honour the sports star.

EASTENDERS fans fear that Bianca Jackson could be making an Albert Square exit.

Concern from viewers comes after the much-loved character was faced with a deadly situation.

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Since bursting into Albert Square in 1993, Bianca Jackson has been one of the most iconic EastEnders characters ever to grace Walford.

Played by popular actress Patsy Palmer, the fiery redhead has been involved in some major storylines over the years.

Bianca’s on-off romance with Ricky Butcher captivated millions of fans and their on-screen marriage in 1997 drew one of the biggest soap audiences ever – it also coined the phrase “Rickaaay”.

She remained in the role for six years, but waved goodbye to Walford for the first time in 1999.

In 2008, Bianca was back on the Square and reunited with her estranged family, before leaving again in 2014.

She made an explosive comeback in April 2024, and reunited with her real dad David Wicks in October.

Killer Reiss could strike

Fans are concerned Bianca could be killer Reiss Colwell’s next victim.

The creepy accountant murdered his comatose wife Debbie and then let his pregnant fiancee Sonia go to prison awaiting trial for the crime.

However, her sister Bianca has been onto Reiss for a while and found evidence that forced the killer into confessing.

But things took a dark turn when she went with him to a secret lock-up where he said he “had the pillow” he killed Debbie with.

Reiss told her he would give it to her, so she could use it to get Sonia out of jail.

Arriving at storage unit, Bianca was horrified to find a sound-proofed room full of Debbie’s clothing and belongings.

As she demanded the pillow, Reiss locked the door and told her: “There is no pillow. I’m sorry Bianca.”

Then brandishing chains and a blanket, he ran at her as she tried to fight him off.

Fans are now concerned that the Walford legend could be killed by Reiss.

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Patsy Palmer’s glam life

Actress Patsy Palmer‘s life away from EastEnders, and is in stark contrast to poor Bianca’s.

When she’s not working, she lives in Malibu, California, having made the move to the US in 2014.

Patsy has also become a lifestyle guru and launched her own wellness Instagram page Good and Proper.

The talented star also works as a DJ in America, and in England too.

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

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A handful of Strictly Come Dancing’s longest-serving professionals are “at risk” of being axed from the show as the BBC looks towards “a fresh start”.

After a wave of allegations surfaced about the behaviour of the show’s professional dancers earlier this year, reports suggest that bosses intend to bring a new generation of younger ballroom dancers to freshen up its image – leaving five names at risk of being dropped.

According to The Sun, those at risk of being dropped are reportedly some of the show’s longest-standing pros, including Nadiya Bychkova, who joined the show in 2017, Neil Jones (2016), Karen Hauer (2012), Gorka Marquez (2016) and Katya Jones (2016).

Four of them have already been eliminated from this year’s competition, with Jones, who is competing with Wynne Evans, the only one remaining.

Younger professionals, such as Jowita Pryzstal, who is partnered with Pete Wicks, Vito Coppola, who is dancing with Sarah Hadland are continuing to dazzle viewers. Another professional said to be safe from the alleged shake-up is Nikita Kuzmin, who was eliminated with his celebrity partner Sam Quek at the weekend.

It is thought that the BBC is looking to the next generation of dancers to refresh Strictly’s image after a series of allegations that have continued to rock the show during its 20th anniversary series.

Earlier this year, Amanda Abbington made a series of allegations about the behaviour of pro Giovanni Pernice, who she danced with in last year’s series, forcing the BBC to drop him from the 2024 series and launch a formal investigation. Another long-standing professional, Graziano Di Prima, was also axed from the series over allegations regarding his treatment of his celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

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Pernice has denied the allegations against him while Di Prima said he “deeply regrets” the events that led to his Strictly departure.

A source told The Sun: “The review of the line-up has always been about making a fresh start, and that was always going to be affected by which dancers performed well this series.

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“The feeling is that the Strictly troupe is made up of some fading stars, while others are rising stars.”

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“And in many cases there are certain characters whose shoes can easily be filled with younger, up-and-coming counterparts. It’s harsh but it’s just part of the traditional turnover of showbusiness.”

The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment.

Professional dancer Johannes Radebe, who joined the show in 2018, is also thought to be exiting the series in 2025, as sources claim his schedule is too busy to fit in a return to the ballroom, with the dancer starring in Kinky Boots: The Musical for the first half of 2025, while he works on a film adaptation of his life story.