101 most embarrassing moments in entertainment(4/5)
23.35–00.35

Everyone has the capability to make a fool of themselves, but, with their whole lives being played out in front of the cameras, celebrities seem to have a special knack for it. This series counts down the 101 most toe-curling showbiz howlers in history, including Britney’s short-lived marriage, Abi Titmuss’s sex tape, and Angus Deayton’s humiliation after being caught with his trousers down... twice.

Many people have a bit too much to drink on New Year’s Eve and wake up on January 1st with a string of regrets. Most people, however, do not have their indiscretions plastered all over the morning papers. This was the position in which a certain pop star found herself after a drink-fuelled moment of abandon. When Britney Spears woke up after a three-day bender which resulted in her marrying childhood friend Jason Alexander, her publicity machine sprang into action. So much so, in fact, that 52 hours later, the marriage had been annulled and Britney was a suitably embarrassed, but free woman. “She was obviously drunk,” concludes comedian Paul Tomkinson.

It seems that some celebrities are not happy just to be on the covers of magazines and all over the TV –many feel the need to video themselves as well, often in the bedroom. But when private tapes fall into public hands, things can get quite uncomfortable for the stars of these ‘amateur films’. Pamela Anderson and Paris Hilton have both had sex tapes stolen and broadcast on the internet. But in 2004, rumours started to spread that another saucy video was circulating –this time starring Abi Titmuss and her then partner John Lesley. Pictures from the video soon made it onto the front pages of most tabloid newspapers, and yet Titmuss continued to deny that a video even existed!

Titmuss may have been slightly deluded, or perhaps given some questionable advice from an agent, but the publicity she received was incredible and helped launch her career. Someone who fared slightly less well from such publicity was Angus Deayton. The sardonic quizmaster of ‘Have I Got News For You’ was known for his acerbic wit and superior attitude when commenting on the behaviour of politicians and other celebrities. This clean and haughty image took a battering when Deayton was caught having an affair with a prostitute and taking cocaine.

Deayton apologised and, after a week of public humiliation, the BBC stood by him and kept him on the show. Soon after, however, reports came through that he had conducted another affair with a different prostitute. His appearance on ‘Have I Got News For You’ that week presented a feast of gluttony for panellists Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, who “grilled him like a barbeque,” according to GQ columnist Martin Deeson. It was his last day on the show and his last broadcast as one of TV’s highest-paid presenters.

For the final dose of cringe-worthy celebrity calamity, the countdown concludes next week.