Throng

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

Auditions kick off in Birmingham today but it’s still all about Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell; neither of which will be appearing in the show anymore.

Cole is reportedly planning to sever all ties with Cowell over her unceremonious (reported) sacking from the US version to avoid becoming his new Sinitta.

Sinitta and Cowell have maintained a close friendship since their relationship ended and has been seen as his advisor in each series of The X Factor.

Cole, who will not be returning to the UK version, is apparently ignoring all of Cowell’s attempts to get in touch to avoid becoming his “new Sinitta.”

Cole’s mum Joan is reported to have told a friend, “She was terrified Simon had become her puppet master and she was being turned into his new Sinitta – Simon’s little pet.  She is determined to carve out a career without him. He’ll have to come up with something special for them to even speak again.”

Meanwhile, Cowell was reportedly booed by Britain’s Got Talent audience members over Cole’s still-unconfirmed dismissal from the US show.

Flack and Murs land The Xtra Factor hosting gig

Caroline Flack and Olly Murs have landed the hosting job for The Xtra Factor on ITV2. The pair will take up the role left vacant by Konnie Huq this year.

New Bounce and Jean Martyn advance to BGT final

New Bounce and Jean Martyn have advanced from the second semi-final to the Britain’s Got Talent grand final on Saturday night. The two acts will join Ronan Parke and Paul Gbegbaje in the final.

No Emmys for Two and a Half Men

Two and a Half Men showrunners have decided not to submit the show for consideration for the 2011 Emmy Awards. The series was eligible for the ‘Outstanding Comedy Series’ category but will not be considered due to the controversy surrounding the series and Charlie Sheen.

Glenn and Zoe to clash on The Apprentice tonight

Apprentice hopefuls Glenn Ward and Zoe Beresford are set to clash on this week’s episode of the BBC One reality series. The pair clash during this week’s pet food advertisement task.

Dempsey leaving Grey’s Anatomy

Patrick Dempsey has confirmed he will be departing Grey’s Anatomy at the end of the eighth season. Demsey told Vanity Fair Italia: “[Season eight] is gonna be my last. I do not know what’s going to happen to the other characters, but for me it’s done,” 

Simon Cowell has failed to secure a lucrative sponsorship deal with national Lottery operator Camelot for new ITV1 gameshow Red Or Black.

The co-produced Syco and ITV Studios series, to be presented by Ant & Dec, has been chasing a deal with Camelot over sponsorship but talks have now broken down.

“We’re regularly approached by and undertake discussions with third parties about possible concepts and ideas for future National Lottery games,” Camelot said in a statement to The Guardian.

“These form part of our ongoing strategy to make the National Lottery even more exciting for players, ensuring we continue to grow sales and build on the £25 billion that our players have already raised for good causes.

“We were approached by Syco and worked with them and ITV on the Red or Black concept. However, after discussions, we didn’t reach an agreement on the venture.”

Syco and ITV Studios are still negotiating their co-production agreement.

“As with all of our programmes we will be seeking to deliver maximum value from the brand in collaboration with our production partners,” said a spokeswoman for ITV.

“We have a very strong commercial and creative relationship with Syco and we’re in the process of conducting standard commercial discussions with them on Red or Black.”

A Syco spokeswoman added: “Syco are having the usual commercial discussions with ITV Studios, which of course involve looking at the complementary skill sets that both companies bring to the table.”

Source: Digital Spy

Bookies have installed Rory Bremner and Giles Brandreth as the favourites to land the vacant hosting role on Countdown.

Last week Jeff Stelling confirmed that he was departing the Channel 4 quizshow at the end of the year.

Odds of 9/2 have been placed on Bremner of scoring the job while Brandreth has been backed at 5/1.

Other potential candidates are Aled Jones (5/1), Lisa Tarbuck (5/1), Michael Aspel (8/1), Tom O’Conner (8/1), Terry Wogan (10/1) and Anne Robinson (10/1).

Source: Digital Spy

New X Factor recruit Tulisa Contostavlos has promised viewers she will bring a “raw, in your face” element to the ITV series this season.

The N-Dubz singer has tweeted her excitement about joining the series alongside Gary Barlow and Kelly Rowland.

“Very excited about joining the X Factor.Ive always loved the show and I want to thank you all for supporting me…. (sic),” she posted on Twitter.

“On my journey this far,rest assured the Tulisa you know isn’t going anywhere.I don’t no how to be anything other than myself… & thats what I’ll be.I hope I can bring that raw in your face, real element 2 the show (& the warmth/love cus you know I’m a softy at heart).”

The singer also reassured her hip hop fans that she will not be leaving N-Dubz.

“I can’t wait to find the next star of the UK,” she continued. “I am still a member of NDubz & they will b my team till the day I die.

“People that dont know r story can never understand the way u guys do how important r loyalty is as a band to us … The Female Boss is ready to rumble. BRING IT ON!!!! Xxx”

Source: Digital Spy

Patrick Stewart, David Suchet and Ben Whitshaw will appear in a new BBC series adapting four of Shakespeare’s greatest history plays.

BBC Two has commissioned adaptation of Richard II, Henry IV Part I and II, and Henry V as part of next year’s Cultural Olympiad celebrations.

Whitsahw will play King Richard in Richard II opposite Rory Kinnear with Stewart playing John of Gaunt. Suchet will take on the role of the Duke of York.

Pippa Harris will executive produce the project alongside American beauty director Sam Mendes.

“With the backing of BBC and NBC Universal, this is a fantastic opportunity to bring Shakespeare to a worldwide TV audience, in a vivid and enthralling way,” Harris said of the series. “It’s hugely exciting to be working with such an array of talent.”

Source: Digital Spy