BOSSES behind this year’s Strictly Come Dancing have set their eyes on attracting talent like Miranda Hart for next year, and are using their contestants this year to get them on board.

Comedy actress Sarah Hadland is taking part in this year’s series, and proving one to watch, but BBC bosses are keen to entice her best friend Miranda Hart to join a future series.

4

Advertisement

4

The Call the Midwife actress is said to be on BBC bosses hit list with their hopes lying with Sarah to impress her co-star and pal to sign up next year.

An insider told The Mail on Sunday: “Sarah and Miranda used to watch Strictly at home together before Sarah was on it.

“It was their joint dream to be on [the show]. Ultimately, Miranda would love to go on the show.”

They added: “The BBC is desperate to get the big names back on the show.

“If they could tempt Miranda onto it, then it could encourage other big celebrities to do it again.

“Sarah is their hope because she’s so close to Miranda.”

The comments come after Sarah was one of the top scorers on Saturday night’s Strictly Come Dancing for her Argentine Tango with partner Vito Coppola, which saw the professional split his pants whilst performing.

During their routine, Vito dressed in a pair of figure-hugging three-quarter pants, white tights and a waistcoat.

He was seen throwing Sarah around in a series of daring lifts and at the end of the dance, before his pants split.

Vito was seen holding his bottom to conceal the rip when he left the dancefloor and during the judges feedback.

Speaking to Claudia Winkleman in the clauditorium, Vito said: “Everything is together, a bit of overbalance, everything happened right now.

“My wig and you and the dress, and my trousers broke right here.”

The judges scored the pair an impressive 38 for their dance, with Anton du Beke and Motsi Mabuse awarding a 10 points.

4

4

Advertisement

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

If you’re an eagle-eyed Strictly Come Dancing fan, then you may have noticed that this year’s Halloween Week was without one major tradition.

Every year when the show gets a spooky makeover, the judges’ circular paddles are swapped out for ghost-shaped paddles instead – but this year it didn’t happen.

“Where are the special Halloween ghost paddles, Strictly?” asked one disappointed fan on X/Twitter during Saturday night’s show, as another chimed, “Where are the ghost-shaped scoring paddles?!”

While the mysterious whereabouts of the ghost paddles remain unknown at the time of writing, other elements of the show still felt familiar as the contestants delivered on all of the Halloween Week Strictly classics, including tributes to The Addams Family, The Rocky Horror Picture Show and Frankenstein.

The judges also delivered on the costume front. Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke shocked viewers when they arrived onstage looking unrecognisable – and frightening – as the Grady sisters from Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.

open image in gallery

The pair walked onto the dancefloor hand-in-hand wearing identical brunette wigs, matching blue dresses and black dolly shoes. Fans were left shocked by the judges’ choice of costume, since the pair creepily stayed in character throughout the show’s opening segment.

They kept the joke going as Revel Horwood referred to his fellow judge as his “sister” throughout the show, while Du Beke remarked that he had never looked so good.

open image in gallery

“Craig and Anton as the twins from The Shining have just made my year!” wrote one fan online.

Meanwhile, professional dancer Carlos Gu stole the show when he dressed up as host Claudia Winkleman, sporting the presenter’s signature hairdo and all-black outfit, consisting of a dramatic black blazer and matching lace skirt.

In the ‘Clauditorium’ – the dedicated interview area where Winkleman speaks to the couples after their routines – Gu stood beside the presenter as he imitated her facial expressions and mannerisms.

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

Strictly fans agreed online that it was one of the best Halloween costume ideas of the series.

“How do I vote for Carlos and Claudia?” said one viewer on X/Twitter, as another added: “Carlos dressed as Claudia. He has won Halloween 2024”

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

The Halloween season is officially upon us, and with it, the typical eeriness of the holiday.

From Ryan Murphy’s spine-chilling anthology series American Horror Story, to horror film classics like The Shining and Psycho, there is truly no shortage of thrilling content to stream while you carve pumpkins or sort through piles of Halloween candy.

But if you’re someone who prefers cozier entertainment, you’re probably looking for something that will bring more joy and laughter rather than shrieks and jump scares.

In the spirit of a more family-friendly holiday, we’ve compiled seven of the best Halloween sitcom episodes that are sure to bring you just that.

How I Met Your Mother (Season 1, Episode 6) – Netflix

open image in gallery

Perhaps what made the CBS hit sitcom How I Met Your Mother, which follows a group of five friends in New York City, so unforgettable was its numerous callbacks and running gags.

Throughout the show’s nine-season run, one beloved reference was series lead Ted Mosby’s (Josh Radnor) obsession with the “Slutty Pumpkin,” his nickname for a mystery woman (Katie Holmes) he once met at a rooftop Halloween party.

In the show’s first of three Halloween episodes, titled “The Slutty Pumpkin,” hopeless romantic Ted returns to the same annual rooftop party in hopes of reuniting with the woman dressed in a sexy pumpkin costume.

By the end of the episode, he’s left disappointed after he’s unable to track down his lost love. It isn’t until season seven that he finally meets the mystery woman in episode eight’s “The Slutty Pumpkin Returns.”

Broad City (Season 4, Episode 6) – Hulu

open image in gallery

In the only Halloween-themed episode throughout the Comedy Central sitcom Broad City, season four’s “Witches” confronts two terrifying realities: aging and the 2016 election of former president Donald Trump.

While the episode isn’t overtly Halloween-themed, with no costumes or trick-or-treating, it does expertly satirize the idea of fear itself. As Abbi (Abbi Jacobson) faces the anxiety of growing older, Ilana (Ilana Glazer) tends to her sexual frustration brought on by Trump’s presidential victory.

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

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

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

Try for free

Friends (Season 8, Episode 6) – Max

open image in gallery

It may have taken Friends eight seasons to finally air a Halloween episode, but it was well worth the wait. In “The One with the Halloween Party,” which holds a near-perfect 98 percent on Rotten Tomatoes, the six friends celebrate the holiday at Monica’s (Courteney Cox) Halloween party.

As Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) comes to terms with her newly discovered pregnancy, and Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) falls in love with her twin sister’s fiancé (played by a young Sean Penn), the episode maintains its notable witty banter and light-hearted tone.

On IMDb, one user even went so far as to declare it one of the show’s “most hilarious episodes.”

open image in gallery

In true Black-ish fashion, an important lesson is imparted in the most unserious of ways during its Halloween episode, “Jacked o’ Lantern.”

When Dre’s (Anthony Anderson) nieces and nephews roll into town for the holiday, he looks forward to the boisterous crew toughening up his “soft” children.

Featuring a special guest appearance by Good Morning America host and former NFL star Michael Strahan as Dre’s cousin, a key takeaway from the episode is that family may toughen you up, but they also have your back. 

Superstore (Season 5, Episode 6) – Hulu

open image in gallery

America Ferrera’s store manager Amy deals with more tricks than treats in Superstore’s Halloween episode.

In season five’s “Trick-or-Treat,” Amy goes above and beyond to try and makeher Cloud 9 storeas festive as possible in an attempt to impress the new district manager.

Her colleague-turned-boyfriend Jonah (Ben Feldman) collects the last of the union cards, while employees Cheyenne (Nichole Sakura) and Mateo (Nico Santos) ponder the possibility that any one of their co-workers could be a murderer.

Modern Family (Season 2, Episode 6) – Hulu

open image in gallery

Modern Family may have numerous Halloween episodes, but its very first one – aptly titled “Halloween” – was perhaps its best.

As Halloween enthusiast Claire (Julie Bowen) is focused on setting up Dunphy’s Haunted House Fiasco, Phil (Ty Burrell) unearths a new fear: divorce. Meanwhile, Cam (Eric Stonestreet) gets candid with his dislike of the holiday, citing a traumatic childhood experience, and Gloria (Sofía Vergara) is teased for her accent.

This episode has all the fixings of a festive Halloween night, including an impressive haunted house and extravagant costumes and makeup. Modern Family truly kicked off its run of Halloween episodes with a bang.

Abbott Elementary (Season 2, Episode 6) – Hulu

open image in gallery

Advertisement

What’s scarier than a child running entirely on sugar? An entire school full of them. Abbott Elementary’s Halloween episode, titled “Candy Zombies,” finds the Philadelphia teachers living this exact nightmare after the students get their hands on towering trash bags filled with “two Halloweens worth of candy.”

Together, the educators must work together to round up the students and tire them out, before things get wildly out of hand.

EX EMMERDALE star Alexander Lincoln has revealed a first look of his new Hollywood movie role.

The actor, who played Jamie Tate on the ITV soap, shared snaps from behind-the-scene, including a picture of his character at the altar.

6

Advertisement

6

6

Alexander has taken on a role in The Groomsmen, as he stars as Zack alongside Jonathan Bennett, B.J. Britt and Owen Davis.

He is seen wearing a suit on what appears to be his wedding day.

Alexander has also posted candid shots from the set, including him relaxing in a hammock in between filming and his co-stars boarding a plane.

He captioned it: “To those of you who are in the States! (And possibly other places) THE GROOMSMAN Trilogy is now streaming! (The third and final being released next week) Go have a watch if you can!

“It was genuinely up there with the most fun I’ve had on a shoot – the pictures don’t even nearly do it justice.

“The team were and are amazing; love to all of you!”

His co-stars have raved about their on-screen partnership with Alexander.

Co-star Jonathan Bennett has shared a gushing post dedicated to Andrew on Instagram as he told fans: “Get ready for the epic love story set in the most beautiful gay destination of all, Greece. My love for @alexander_lincoln is off the charts.

“He’s the biggest idiot you will ever meet and I mean that whole heartedly. Thank you Alex for bringing Zack and Danny’s story to life in ways I didn’t imagine.”

Co-star James Vaughan also commented on the post as he wrote: “I wanna say something smart like usual but this love story is so dang cute and well done I’m just gonna tell everybody to watch it tomorrow.”

Alexander also shared a snap of him and his Jonathan suited and booted to his story, as he urged fans to watch the film once it airs.

Alexander is best known for playing Jamie Tate in Emmerdale from 2019 to 2021, with his last appearance being in November of that year, with villagers believing the character to be dead after his car crashed into a lake.

But soap fans know Jamie survived and is alive and well away from the village, leaving the door open for a potential return.

Yet fans may be waiting a while as Alexander is now firmly in Hollywood, with his latest role.

With Alexander’s career taking off, it seems a return to Emmerdale is not on the cards at the moment, but he hasn’t ruled it out in the future. 

He previously told Attitude magazine that talks had taken place.

He said: “I loved the show. I lived in Leeds for two-and-a-half-years. I miss everyone from the show deeply. No one knew who I was before it — I’d done some very tiny things. It was my initiation into the acting world.

“I can never thank them enough for that experience. But I don’t know, to be honest. There have been talks. But for now, I really want to focus on this year: I want to produce, start my own scripts.

“There are other parts I want to play. There are time constraints. Being on the show, it’s such hard work — you don’t have time to do anything else. Booking a holiday is hard enough.”

6

Alexander has also notably appeared in Dolly Alderton’s BBC series Everything I Know About Love and the Netflix comedy-drama Geek Girl. 

6

Advertisement

6

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

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been quick to declare Carlos Gu’s Halloween costume the best of this year’s spooky special.

As the 11 celebrity contestants and their partners transformed into ghoulish characters for Halloween week, the professional dancer arrived on screen looking identical to host Claudia Winkleman – sporting the presenter’s signature hairdo and all-black outfit, consisting of a dramatic black blazer and matching lace skirt.

In the ‘Clauditorium’ – the dedicated interview area where Winkleman speaks to the couples after their routines – Gu stood beside the presenter as he imitated her facial expressions and mannerisms.

Strictly fans agreed online that it was one of the best Halloween costume ideas of the series.

“How do I vote for Carlos and Claudia?” said one viewer on X/Twitter, as another added: “Carlos dressed as Claudia. He has won Halloween 2024”

“10/10 to the person who decided to dress him up as Claud,” said another.

One viewer said Gu’s costume was “breathtaking and terrifying in equal measure” adding, “best costume ever”.

“CARLOS IS CLAUDIA I’M CRYING,” one viewer said.

The Halloween special saw the remaining 11 contestants fight for a place in next week’s competition.

However, viewers seemed more interested in the outfits worn by judges Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke, who arrived onstage looking unrecognisable – and frightening – as the Grady sisters from Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining.

The judges shocked fans as they arrived onstage hand-in-hand wearing identical brunette wigs, matching blue dresses and black dolly shoes.

Meanwhile, JLS singer JB Gill and Amy Dowden, who were in the dance-off last week, danced a Foxtrot to “Dancing In The Moonlight” by Toploader while comedian Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell performed a Samba to “Stayin Alive’” by The Bee Gees.

THE Real Housewives of London has officially been green-lit as bosses kick off searching for the cast.

The smash-hit reality TV show – which grips viewers here in the UK and all over the world – is finally coming to the capital.

3

Advertisement

3

3

It marks the 22nd adaption of the franchise, which began almost two decades ago.

The news means the UK will have two Housewives formats, with The Real Housewives of Cheshire now in its 17th series on ITVBe.

Producers working on the London edition have already revealed they’ve started scouring for the uber-glam cast.

Filming will begin in the first half of next year but fans will have to wait well into the latter part of 2025 before the debut series drops.

The show will be available to be watch on streaming platform Hayu.

Olga Puzanova, SVP of Marketing at Hayu said: “We couldn’t be more excited to be making the announcement of The Real Housewives of London tonight.

“Our fans have been vocal for London to be featured in the iconic The Real Housewives universe for a long time now and we are thrilled to confirm that the wait is finally over!

“We are delighted to give our fans exactly what they’ve been asking for, so get ready for some of London’s most fabulous and fiery personalities to shake things up.

“The drama, the glamour, and the unforgettable moments are all coming exclusively to Hayu, and we can’t wait for you to dive in.”

Fans have been left ecstatic by the news, with one posting on social media: “As a guy from England, I have been manifesting The Real Housewives of London for years & now it’s finally happening.”

A second wrote: “The tea and crumpets will flow like fine champagne, the shade will be thicker than the fog on the Thames! Posh accents, fierce fashion, THIS is the high-society chaos we’ve been craving! British backstabbing will leave us gagging.”

The Real Housewives franchise was inspired by huge popularity of dramas such as Desperate Housewives and Peyton Place.