Opinion

The following article contains spoilers about episodes of Coronation Street that will air from May 13th to the 17th…

So if you don’t want to know what’s in store for the residents of Weatherfield, don’t read on!

If you do want to know, click on ‘Continue reading…’ Continue reading »

Celebrity Big Brother of course arrived back on our screens last night, with a two-hour long launch show that at times – though it pains me to say it – kinda dragged a tad…

But that said, there was much to like, such as the basement twist, and of course, Brian Dowling, who to me looked more at home and more relaxed than he has done in any of the preceding series.

The thing that’s always struck me with Brian is that he’s unquestionably at his funniest when it’s not rehearsed, so it was his ad-libbing that scored Sense O’Humour points with me.

However, on with the events of the show and what happened afterwards, and though as I mentioned I do like the basement twist, it should have been truly malevolent having two housemates – in this case, Frankie Dettori and Rylan Clark – choosing who lived in luxury and who didn’t… Continue reading »

X Factor viewers will of course be aware that Christopher Maloney was not a part of last night’s conclusion to the weekend’s final, and this morning, most tabloid newspapers are carrying the same story as to why…

And in a nutshell, it’s been reported that he first turned up drunk for rehearsals in Manchester on Sunday morning, and then, having been told he only had one line in the group ensemble, he reportedly stormed off, saying he was quitting and wanted nothing more to do with the show.

During the afternoon yesterday, an X Factor spokesperson said, “Chris decided he no longer wanted to be part of The X Factor Final and has gone back to Liverpool.”

Meanwhile, in what became a series of contradictory tweets, Chris first sent a blistering tweet to Gary Barlow which read, “@TheXFactor @xfactorpress @GBarlowOfficial can’t believe all the bull yet again! this is a witch hunt for defo. the show is over xx” Continue reading »

This year’s X Factor has been one of the most controversial yet, with former cruise ship singer Chris Maloney positively powering through while acts who were previously tipped to win – such as Ella Henderson – have left or been in the bottom two…

And of course, this series’ other controversial singer, Rylan Clark, left the contest last night, doing so with the dignity and good grace that he’s displayed throughout.

So that leaves only Chris and Jahmene Douglas of the remaining acts who’ve never been in the bottom two, and a report in the Daily Star over the weekend claimed that for each of the weeks so far, Chris has received the most public votes.

It’s also been claimed that X Factor boss Simon Cowell is “bewildered” by Chris’s popularity, and, given that it looks like Chris could well win the show, he’s reportedly asked his legal team to find a way to ditch Chris from his Syco record label should he in fact win.

And apparently, his lawyers have a found a “loophole” in the winner’s contract that would enable him to “ditch Chris within weeks.” Continue reading »

This year’s I’m A Celeb is of course well underway and getting ever nearer to crowning this year’s King or Queen of the jungle, but I’m rather sad that Colin Baker didn’t make it further…

He of course left in last night’s highlights show, having lost the Panic Rooms head to head trial to Eric Bristow, who actually predicted that would be the case. As viewers may recall, when hosts Ant and Dec announced the trial and explained that the loser would be evicted from camp, Eric told Colin, “You’ll be going then…”

And sure enough he did. Sigh.

But of course, there are still lots of celebs left in camp, and of them all, Hugo Taylor has been the biggest surprise for me, because I have to confess, he’s rather grown on me, which has shocked me because up until the last couple of shows, I’ve thoroughly disliked him!

I thought he was whiny and spoiled and prone to temper tantrums when he didn’t get his own way, and though he was all that, and did have tantrums, during last night’s show in particular, I found him to be actually quite humorous… Continue reading »

Should the judges have a veto or Save My Act card for use once per series?

The X Factor has had possibly the worst year ever in terms of controversy and viewing figures, and as fans will know, last night’s elimination – which saw Ella Henderson leave the contest – made it The Farce Factor, prompting fury on Twitter…

Many of those who expressed outrage at the result, which of course saw Ella and James Arthur battling it out to remain on the show, claimed that for them, it was the last straw and their days of watching the show were over.

And indeed, it was ridiculous, which Ella’s mentor Tulisa kept repeating, but as terminology goes, it’s as good a word for it as any.

That two of the most talented singers this year were even in the bottom two is and was ludicrous, and though I know a number of fans are hugely upset that Rylan Clark remains in the contest, I just can’t feel badly about that… Continue reading »

As an avid fan of I’m A Celebrity, I completely understand why it is that year on year, we viewers seem to get a contestant in our sights and vote time and time again for them to do the Bushtucker trials…

For instance, the year that Gillian McKeith took part in the show, I did in fact perfect my plan laugh while dialing to vote her day in day out to do the trials, and I and my fellow voters were rewarded with displays of extreme histrionics for our pains, and even a ‘faint’ once.

So I get that it’s fun. Ditto making the celebs starve when someone fails a trial.

However, I really think we’ve had our money’s worth out of former Corrie star Helen Flanagan now, because three times – we’ve yet to see how she does in the trial alongside EastEnders actress Charlie Brooks, which will air tonight – she’s barely managed to contain her hysteria.

In her first trial, Bug Burial, she lasted a matter of seconds before ending it by saying the safety phrase, “I’m a celebrity get me out of here” and in the challenge we saw last night, Cruelty Towers, after what was most likely hours of prevaricating, she finally ventured into the ‘hotel’ only to yet again yell “Get me out of here” after seconds… Continue reading »

It’s back baby yeah!

Last night of course saw the launch of this year’s I’m A Celeb which saw ten ‘celebs’ – though to be fair, at least I knew who most of this year’s rookies are – divided into two teams of five…

Super competitive boxer David Haye, former Corrie star Helen Flanagan, comedian Brian Conley, EastEnders star Charlie Brooks and Birds of a Feather actress Linda Robson formed Croc Creek, while Tory Nadine Dorries, ex-Doctor Who Colin Baker, darts champ Eric Bristow, Made In Chelsea’s Hugo Taylor and former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts became Snake Rock.

The first challenge saw David go up against Hugo in the Bushtucker trial Special Delivery, which saw David positively trashing Hugo, as, like some kind of impervious machine, he landed star after star while Hugo – trying to hide his girly squeals – took about 12 years to get anywhere.

So, Croc Creek got dinner, most of which they had to leave as they were too full, while Snake Rock got rice and beans… Continue reading »

And what a welcome to Briarcliff this first outing of the second season of American Horror Story was!

As we came to expect from season one, the pace from the get go was relentless, and blinking not an option because the viewer would miss something vital and/or just plain gruesome.

It all began with Maroon 5’s Adam Levine as a modern day interloper at the now abandoned Briarcliff, who, along with his new wife, decided a bonk in one of the most haunted places in the world would be a good plan. It was not. He lost an arm, they were both trapped, horror ensued.

Yeah baby, AHS is BACKKKKKK! Continue reading »

During last night’s Downton Abbey, I wept buckets – and was therefore glad I was watching alone – when poor Lady Sybil shuffled off the mortal coil having given birth to her baby daughter…

But of course, as it turned out, everyone should’ve listened to family fave Dr Clarkson instead of the pompous horse’s ass specialist who put Sybil’s Eclampsia symptoms down to female hysteria.

And I have to say, Jessica Brown Findlay – who of course played Sybil – deserves a whole shelf full of awards for her amazing performance in last night’s episode.

She really gave it her all, and so convincing was she as she writhed in the throes of a fit and couldn’t breathe, that I found myself gasping in air for her!

With her neck arched and veins bulging somewhat scarily, Jessica’s portrayal of Sybil’s horrible death was entirely absorbing, as was the panic in the room as Sybil’s sisters, husband and parents implored her to breathe. The tension was almost palpable… Continue reading »