Throng

EastEnders newcomer David Essex has been talking to TV Times about his new role as Eddie Moon, but he revealed that he’s been offered a part on the show before, as Honey Mitchell’s dad!

Here’s the interview…

Is it true you were originally going to join six years ago?

“Yes, as Honey’s father – but in the end I did an album and then I had a rock tour to do, and it kind of clashed. And also, the character that we talked about wasn’t as interesting as this one. I think we would’ve made something out of it, but there’s much more texture and weight to this.”

Looking back what has been the highlight of your career?

“The highlight of my career – apart from this – was an extraordinary period in 1973. I’d just finished my first film, That’ll Be The Day; that was the hottest thing to go and see, I was coming to the end of Godspell, and I’d written and recorded Rock On, and that was number one, worldwide. So I had the three mediums, all incredibly successful.”

Do you think you have been lucky?

“My autobiography – which was number one, I’ll just drop that in! – was called A Charmed Life, and I feel I’ve had that. I’ve never felt that what I do and what I am is more important than anybody else, honestly, and I’m not saying that to sound humble or full of humility. I feel very lucky that I’m able to do the things I do, but I don’t think I’m any more worthy than, say, a plumber or electrician. And that’s basically been the way I feel about things.”

Your initial stint in EastEnders runs until August. Do you think you will return after that?

“I don’t know yet; it depends what we decide Eddie’s going to do. I’m looking forward to touring, and it looks like there’s going to be a film next year, which will be interesting. And there’s another film which is about boxing that I’m supposed to do. So there are certain things pulling me out of EastEnders, but emotionally, I’m here.”

David Essex debuts in EastEnders on Monday June 6 at 8pm on BBC1.

And their daughter Lauren will have a fling with Ryan Malloy!

EastEnders’ executive producer, Bryan Kirkwood, has revealed that the Branning family are going to face arguably their toughest test to date when Max and Tanya – who’re played by Jake Wood and Jo Joyner – have an affair…

And things won’t be made any better when their daughter Lauren – played by Jacqueline Jossa – has a fling with Ryan Malloy, who is of course played by Neil McDermott.

The second storyline is sure to cause some unrest on-set, for Neil at least, given his real life drama after his one night stand with a 16 year old caused his wife Michelle to throw him out of the family home…

However, it was reported last week that the couple are now reunited and giving their marriage another try.

But getting back to what’s ahead for the Brannings, Kirkwood told Inside Soap, “Over the coming months, we’ll see a very hot and steamy affair between the ex-husband and wife.

“They’re living on opposite sides of the Square and both are irresistibly drawn to each other.

“But there’ll be a huge, life-changing shock for Tanya, which will have massive repercussions for the affair.”

As to Lauren and Ryan’s affair, that will come about after the pair bond over worry about Whitney, who is of course Lauren’s best friend and Ryan’s sister…

The pair will be especially worried for Whitney (Shona McGarty) when evil pimp Rob Grayson (Jodi Latham) shows up on the Square again.

Kirwood said, “In the last couple of months, we’ve seen Whitney get back on her feet and rehabilitate herself, mostly with the help of best friend Lauren.

“But now Lauren’s set to have a torrid affair with Ryan, which will really shake things up.

“And added into the mix is evil Rob, who’s set to return to the Square just at the point where Whitney is perhaps at her most vulnerable.”

These storylines will air over the coming months, and in amongst them, we’ll also see a new and “exciting” storyline for Zoe Lucker’s character Vanessa Gold.

Zoe is set to leave the show at the end of this year, but before she does, it seems she will “come into her own” as have a thrilling exit storyline.

Kirkwood said, “People had better duck for cover when Vanessa finds out that she’s been betrayed again.

“She stood by her ex-husband Harry for years and in no time at all, she finds herself in the very same situation with Max.

“The end of that relationship doesn’t mean the end of Vanessa, though. She’s got a really exciting storyline still in store.

“It kicks off over the summer and there’s a big change of direction for the character that will really give Vanessa some momentum for the time she’s got left in Albert Square.”

More ‘Enders news soon!

Corrie actor Graeme Hawley has hinted that his character’s wife Fiz (Jennie McAlpine) may never be safe while John Stape’s on the loose.

As viewers saw last night, John confessed to Fiz about all the terrible crimes he’s committed and promptly went on the run.

This week’s run of post-watershed episodes will conclude John’s storyline, but what we don’t know is if he dies following a fall from a hospital rooftop, or if he’ll live and simply disappear, possibly to re-emerge at some point in the future.

Speaking via the show’s official website, Graeme said, “Now that John’s on the run, I think that Fiz is very nervous about it because there’s no telling what he’s going to do.

“Is he going to come back for Hope? Is he going to come back for [Fiz]? Or will he just try to get out of there now?

“It’s got to be a big worry for her that he’s going to come back for Hope, certainly.”

Tonight’s episode will see the police warning Fiz to be extra vigilant and ensure she locks all doors and windows to prevent John getting into the house, but of course, it will transpire that he’s already hiding there!

Graeme added, “All I’ll say about the next episode is while Fiz is locked away at home, she thinks she’s safe and well and that [John] can’t get at her…

“But that isn’t necessarily true.”

In other news, Paula Lane, who of course plays Kylie Platt, has been telling New magazine that she has far more maternal instinct than her chivvy character!

She said, “I’m incredibly broody! I’ve got two nieces and a nephew and I’ve felt maternal since the age of about 19.

“But I’m also very career-driven at the minute and I want to make my impact on Corrie before I really think about having kids.”

Paula also revealed that she could never date or marry someone like David (Jack P Shepherd) in real life because of his diminutive stature.

She said, “I could never go out with a short boy as I love that whole sense of protection you get with a taller man.”

However, Paula hopes that Kylie and David can stay together.

She said, “Sometimes the people that you think are going to stay together don’t, and it turns out to be the underdogs that actually make it work.”

More Corrie news soon!

And Matt Edmonson “knocked for six” after being dumped as Xtra Factor host

The new X Factor judges made their first appearance altogether for yesterday’s Birmingham auditions, and thanks to The Sun, we have a video of the newbies along with Louis Walsh below.

And the paper also reports that Cheryl Cole is “finally getting over” being axed from the X Factor USA, with her close friend Gary Barlow – who is of course also a judge this year – saying, “I think she has turned a corner now. I would say she is going places.

“She’s an ambitious girl and she’ll get over this, no question.”

And Louis Walsh added, “She’s fine. There’s no bitterness there, not with me anyway.”

But getting back to the new judges’ debut in Birmingham, it seems that Gary Barlow may be a force to be reckoned with as he told one wannabe, “I’m glad you sang another song because now you’ve been exposed.

“You were singing different notes. It was all over the place. It was terrible.”

And he told another, “Go and have some singing lessons, and if you’re going to insist on dancing, have some dancing lessons.”

He told yet another, “You can’t sing.”

Here’s the video from The Sun of the judges yesterday…

If you can’t see the video, click here to watch it in another window.

In other news, it seems Simon Cowell’s late decision to appoint Olly Murs as host of the Xtra Factor has left DJ Matt Edmonson “knocked for six.”

Matt was, according to The Sun, “dropped at the last minute” by Simon, and a show insider told the paper, “In typical Simon Cowell fashion it was all very last minute.

“He left it so late that on the call sheet the presenters were named as Jane and John Doe.

“Simon was keeping everyone in the dark, saying it was going to be a surprise. Well, he’s not kidding. It’s been the craziest week.

“Matt has been knocked for six. He thought the gig was his.”

More X Factor news soon!

Reps for Gossip Girl actress Blake Lively have denied that the actress is involved in the supposed nude photos that have hit the internet this week.

The actress is said to feature in the iPhone snaps which are believed to be a few years old.

However, Lively’s publicist has said the images are 100 per cent fake.

“The photos of Blake Lively which have just surfaced on various websites … are 100 percent FAKE,” a spokesperson for the actress said.

“Blake has never taken nude photos of herself.”

Source: Daily Telegraph, Celebutopia

Sugar fires two Apprentice hopefuls

Lord Sugar has let two Apprentice hopefuls go this week, with Vincent Disneur and Ellie Reed exiting the BBC One series after failing to impress during this week’s pet food challenge.

Gibson and Hobley make BGT final

Impressionist Les Gibson and dancer James Hobley have both advanced to the final of Britain’s Got Talent from the third semi-final that took place last night.

Cowell reinvigorated by New Bounce

Simon Cowell has said that Britain’s Got Talent act New Bounce has reinvigorated his interest in the talent show. He said: “Halfway through this show, I began to get a little bit nervous about what was in store. Then those four guys came on and I thought, we’ve got a great competition looming here.”

BGT scores 9.44 million on tuesday night

Tuesday night’s Britain’s Got Talent semi-final drew an audience of more than 9.44 million between 7.30pm and 9pm, peaking at over 10.5 million on ITV1. Over on BBC One, Crimewatch netted 3.1 million in the 9pm hour.

Amanda Holden has defended Britain’s Got Talent finalist James Hobley after claims the dancer is riding through the competition due to his past experience.

The 11-year-old autistic dancer used to require the use of splints on his legs to walk and Holden has denied that he is “milking” his condition.

“He’s in the final on talent alone,” Holden explained. “Yes, he’s been through a lot, but he hasn’t focused on that.

“I can’t stand it when people milk their stories, and he hasn’t done that, he’s come out and danced beautifully and that’s why he’s in the final.”

Hobley is in the final alongside Ronan Parke, Paul Gbegbaje, New Bounce, Jean Martyn and Les Gibson.

Source: Digital Spy

Early reports are suggesting that Gary Barlow has taken over the mantle as the “mean judge” on The X Factor following Simon Cowell’s departure.

The Take That singer attended his first audition this week for the ITV series and is said to have brought with him a no-nonsense attitude but at the same time he has been fair.

An audience member said: ‘Gary was a great judge! He was harsh at times, but he was fair. I think he’ll be fantastic.’

Another noted: ‘He was very honest, but gave good advice. I think he’ll be great on the series. I still miss Simon Cowell though.’

Source: unrealitytv

The next two acts to advance to the Britain’s Got Talent final have been selected.

Impressionist Les Gibson and dancer James Hobley will compete in Saturday’s grand finale after impressing the viewers and judges with their acts.

Gibson advanced thanks to the viewer votes while the judges voted three to one in favour of Hobley heading through.

Source: Digital Spy

Lord Alan Sugar has given two Apprentice candidates the boot this week.

Vincent Disneur and Ellie reed were both fired from the BBC One show after failing to impress in this week’s pet food challenge.

As project manager this week, Disneur championed a product called ‘Everydog’ but was criticised by Sugar for the choice of title.

 ”The name ‘Everydog’ and the theme of one food for all dogs is the killer here and you need to go away and talk amongst yourselves and find out who is responsible for driving that through,” he said.

“You’re insinuating that that food is good for any dog, but it doesn’t work like that and it might be insulting to the actual pet owner.”

Disneur brought back Reed and Natasha Scribbons to the boardroom where Sugar first fired Reed before turning to Disneur and doing the same for his “strategizing” in the boardroom.

“I’ve got the feeling that you are too in awe of other people and that you are playing a bit of a risky game in strategising by bringing the wrong people in here,” said Sugar. “So I think a message needs to go back that, Vincent – you’re also fired.”

Source: Digital Spy