Showbiz Newswrap
Showbiz: “It’s just not normal, is it? I’m sorry, I find it very weird.”
Joanna Gumley casts her views over recent showbiz and telly stories…
Great Scott
Singer-songwriter Calum Scott was officially honoured with a BRIT Billion Award, which recognises his achievement of surpassing one billion career streams in the UK. In a deeply personal and emotional moment, the award was presented as a surprise by his mother, Debbie Scott, who has been a constant and integral presence throughout his career. His chart-topping ballad Dancing On My Own leads the charge with 330 million UK streams, while his emotive ballad You Are The Reason follows with 260 million streams. Additional tracks which contributed to the landmark milestone include No Matter What (25 million), Flaws (4 million) and Roots 24 million).
“It’s an absolute honour to receive the BRIT Billion Award. To be recognised and sit alongside such incredible artists that I grew up listening to feels very surreal — to have it presented by my mum, who has been the biggest supporter in my career, made it even more special. I’m so grateful to all my fans and everyone who has been with me since the beginning and I’m excited to see everyone on tour later this year.” – Calum Scott
Calum will be releasing his new album Avenoir on September 12th via EMI, available to pre-save here. Launched in 2023, the BRIT Billion Award celebrates artists who have reached one billion UK streams across their catalogues. Calum now joins an elite group of more than 40 recipients, including legendary acts like Queen, Whitney Houston, The Rolling Stones, and ABBA, as well as modern superstars such as Lewis Capaldi, Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Camila Cabello, and record-breaking BRIT Award winner RAYE.
More stars in the kitchen
ITV has recommissioned entertainment series Cooking With The Stars as hosts Emma Willis and Tom Allen return for series five. Produced by South Shore and co-funded by M&S Food, the six-part cooking competition will return this summer to prime time on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
Across a series of cooking battles, the show will see eight celebrities, of varying quality, go head-to-head in the kitchen as they attempt to go from passionate amateur cooks to restaurant level chefs. Each personality will be paired with an accomplished chef who will mentor and teach them to produce delicious dishes that will be judged by the other professionals.
The celebrities hoping to cook up a storm this series will be actor Natalie Cassidy, reality TV star Ekin-Su Cülcüloğlu, actor and comedian Hugh Dennis, author and interiors expert Kelly Hoppen, radio presenter Jordan North, media personality Jack Osbourne, reality TV star Jessica Wright and former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips.
At the end of each episode, the bottom two will have to fight for their place in the competition, creating a dish without any help from their mentor. The result of this eliminator will be decided by a blind tasting judgement from the professional chefs, but, unaware of whose food they are tasting, the professionals could go from being their protege’s greatest supporter to unwittingly voting them out of the competition.
Trouble over Breakfast
BBC Breakfast boss takes leave amid explosive bullying claims – and Naga’s name pops up too. Yes, at the old Beeb, the place we all pay for – although as the years go on it seems less of us are willing to fund the fun house of shame more revelations from behind the scenes this week.
It looks like the only thing brewing at BBC Breakfast these days isn’t just the coffee — it’s a full-blown scandal. Editor Richard Frediani, the man behind the nation’s bleary-eyed morning routine, is taking an “extended period of leave” after explosive allegations of bullying were levelled against him.
Industry site Deadline reported a catalogue of complaints about Frediani’s conduct, with accusations ranging from shouting and swearing at staff to a particularly jaw-dropping claim that he physically shook a female colleague in the newsroom. That’s right — shook. As in, the kind of behaviour usually reserved for a malfunctioning newsroom printer, not actual humans.
One woman’s grievance was reportedly upheld, while the Beeb confirmed it has launched an internal investigation, backed by a no-nonsense HR advisor from PwC. (Because when the vibes go toxic, you call in the suits with clipboards.)
A BBC spokesperson, clearly clutching the corporation’s values like a lifebuoy, said: “We take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values.” Classic damage control.
Frediani, who joined BBC Breakfast in 2019 and more recently added News at One to his editorial repertoire, is now off the rota – and some suspect he might not be back.. But wait, the drama doesn’t stop there. In a spicy subplot, The Sun reports that Naga Munchetty, host of the show, has been in hot water with corporation bosses — twice in the last three years, no less — after allegedly bullying a junior staffer and saying something rude over at 5 Live (all be it off air).
According to the paper, Naga accused the junior of stealing (yikes!) in what’s described as a “humiliating”. As one source put it: “It was humiliating. There was no evidence, no apology. The woman left not long after, completely demoralised.” Not the best look for morning telly’s queen of the withering eyebrow raise.
So, as the BBC tries to mop up this messy situation with corporate speak and calm voices, insiders say the atmosphere at BBC Breakfast is far from sunny. It seems the alarm bells are louder than the wake-up call. And after Huw Edwards this is the last thing Auntie needs at the moment. Still, lovely time to be put on leave – like a licence fee paid for summer holiday.
Catty School Days
Wednesday on This Morning Cat Deeley was surprised live on the show as she was reunited with her primary school teacher, Mrs Cotterill. Celebrating ‘National Thank A Teacher Day’, hosts Ben Shephard and Cat crossed live to Jake Quickenden who was visiting Pyrford Primary School, later reminiscing on their old school days, Ben asked Cat about a schoolteacher who made a significant impact in her life. Cat remembered one of her first teachers, Mrs Cotterill who she described as: “Very, very, kind and made my first days at school really, really lovely.”
Cat explained how her class attended Mrs Cotterill’s wedding day: “We made horseshoes for her and saw her come out of the church.” Ben replied: “I wonder what she would make of you now and what you’ve managed to achieve… Should we find out?”
Cat was then surprised as Mrs Cotterill joined the show live from Birmingham: “Hello Mrs Cotterill!” Mrs Cotterill replied: “It’s Katie!” Cat explained how she was known as ‘Katie’ at primary school: “My real name is Catherine but my grandad used to call me Katie and my mum and dad, unless I was in trouble, then I was sometimes Catherine.”
Mrs Cotterill described Cat as a student: “Very enthusiastic, very kind child. Always wanting to help, always wanting to be involved. Just actually, an all round super person.” Later adding: “She was very chatty… She was so enthusiastic, curious and we always knew that she was going to end up somewhere like she is now.”
Well yes, some people do have to work for ITV, it’s just the tragedy of showbiz. This Morning continues weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and STV.
Lorraine’s Got No Time for Tears – Viewers Slam “Cold as Bleach” Tribute to Kim Woodburn
Well, well, well… if you blinked, you might have missed it – because Lorraine Kelly’s tribute to the late, great Kim Woodburn was shorter than Kim’s temper on Celebrity Big Brother. On June 17, the sad news broke that TV legend and professional germinator Kim Woodburn had died at the age of 83 after a short illness. A statement from her family confirmed the passing of the How Clean Is Your House? star – a woman who struck fear into the hearts of soap scum and reality stars alike.
Over on Lorraine’s morning show, the moment came for the tribute… and let’s just say, it wasn’t exactly the state funeral of morning TV goodbyes. After all there had been beef between Lorraine and Kim, when the latter made her feelings very clear on Kelly over on GB News when on the channel of ‘positive body image’ and ‘confidence in who you are’ Lorraine took the piss out of Nigel Farage’s face, live on ITV. Was she told off by ITV bosses? Was she heck as like, but Kim Woodburn ticked her off for it; “Lorraine Kelly, you ain’t all that dear – you ain’t all that!”
Lorraine read out the statement with all the warmth of a lukewarm cuppa, then promptly tossed it aside like a crusty old J-cloth and breezily carried on with her next item – which, knowing her, was probably something vital like “how to wear beige and not look dead.”
Social media wasn’t having it. Viewers were left gagging – and not in the good way – at what they dubbed Lorraine’s “cold as bleach” send-off. “Did she just shrug off Kim Woodburn’s death like it was a traffic update?” one fan fumed.
To be fair, perhaps Lorraine was just terrified Kim’s ghost would storm the studio, point at her lip gloss, and bellow “Filthy cow!” from the beyond.
Still, a bit more reverence wouldn’t have gone amiss. This was Kim Woodburn, darling. The woman cleaned up British telly and then verbally scrubbed half of it raw. She deserved more than being wedged between a segment on foot creams and a guest who once made a quiche on Bake Off.
Lorraine, love – next time someone iconic dies, maybe try not to make it sound like you’re announcing the bin collection’s been delayed.
Boobgate on Channel 5! Vanessa Feltz Lands in Hot Water Over Breastfeeding Brouhaha
Well, it seems Vanessa Feltz has gone from This Morning to This Is Awkward, as her Channel 5 chat show finds itself in the milk-splattered eye of a very frothy storm. The usually unflappable queen of daytime chat has found herself at the centre of a full-blown boob scandal – or should I say, Boobgate – after a segment on her show about breastfeeding older children racked up a mammoth 1,856 Ofcom complaints. That’s enough outrage to start a small, and very opinionated, village.
It all kicked off when fashion designer Karen Millen, 63, joined Vanessa for a cosy natter that quickly turned into a nipple-knotted nightmare. Asked whether breastfeeding a three-year-old was acceptable, Karen came in hotter than a bottle in a microwave.
“There’s no benefit, is there, for a child to be breastfed beyond six months really,” she declared, as jaws dropped across the sixteen people watching 5. “I think it’s quite a selfish thing on the mother’s part,” she added, doubling down faster than a toddler on a tantrum.
But she wasn’t done. Oh no. Karen continued: “It’s just not good emotionally for that child. I mean, what does that child do later in life? The attachment – like you say it becomes an addiction… an addiction for that child too because they only know the boob. It’s just not normal, is it? I’m sorry, I find it very weird.”
Social media exploded, breastfeeding advocates sharpened their hashtags, and Ofcom’s inbox practically burst at the seams. Meanwhile, Vanessa sat there like a woman who just remembered she left the gas on – poised, polite, and probably wondering how many complaints it takes before you’re sent back to BBC Radio 2.
If controversy was a currency, Vanessa’s show would now be able to buy all the breast pumps in Boots.
Quickies
♦ Kim Woodburn’s family has hit back at her former co-star Aggie MacKenzie following comments she made after the TV star’s death. The Sun reported. Aggie told The Mirror that she and Kim fell out in 2008 after they had a disagreement backstage during a panto run they were both appearing in. Their show, How Clean Is Your House?, ended the following year. Kim’s husband Peter was reported by the tabloid to have been hurt by Aggie dragging up dirt following Kim’s demise aged 83.
♦ Sticking with Kim and the former head of the cleaning team on How Clean Is Your House? has recalled working with her. Jason Andrews noted “I can categorically confirm that Kim Woodburn did not bully, harass or say anything detrimental, or perform any sort of incident that was challenging or otherwise, to any member of the cleaning team… She was a dream to work with and to be around… She appreciated what we did because she had been a cleaner herself. She knew how difficult it was and how challenging it was to get a house looking as good as it did, considering the state some of them were in.”
♦ Having suffered enough working with Frank Bough on BBC Breakfast Time in the 80s, so she says, it seems broadcaster Selina Scott – one of Donald Trump’s favourite people (not) – has spoken out about she was viciously attacked and robbed by a gang in central London earlier in June. The 74-year-old presenter said she was left “shattered and traumatised” after being mugged in Piccadilly. “They tried to grab my designer backpack,” she said. I believe Frank possibly tried something along those lines in the 1980s…
♦ Jack Carroll has quietly departed Coronation Street after two years on the ITV show, produced in Salford. Jack who found fame on Britain’s Got Sob Stories, sorry Talent, joined the long running soap on a rope in 2023 as Bobby Crawford, the secret son of killer Rob Donovan, and nephew of Carla Connor. The comedian left the show when he character went off on a holiday to Spain. Well, it makes a change from moving to London.
♦ There was sad news this week when it was announced Wincey Willis had died aged 76 – back in December 2024. Wincey was first seen on TV in the North East where she was seen nightly as the weather presenter for Tyne Tees Television’s news show, Northern Life. She then moved over to TV-am and became ITV’s first national weather host when she joined Good Morning Britain alongside Nick Owen and Anne Diamond. She was also a part of the Channel 4 Treasure Hunt team alongside Kenneth Kendal and Anneka Rice.
♦ Amy Robbins is returning to Weatherfield just weeks after departing the soap. Her character, Christina Boyd, proved a hit with fans, despite some dubious scheming. And now it seems bosses at ITV have listened to viewers – rare instance – and are bringing back Christina for another stint – however her daughter dubious Daisey Midgeley won’t be a rover returning.
♦ May people may never have thought I’d be saying it, but what GB News really needs is Dan Wootton. Yes, really. Love him or hate him he brings entertainment to what is now a very stale and mundane evening offering. Hosts like Patrick are fine. Very competent, very professional. But it’s the same old shite without any fun or controversy. Dan you’re missed. But it is unlikely he’ll be back – he’s pulling in the viewers with his own online video programmes.
Turtle Power
On World Sea Turtle Day, (Monday, June 16th) African conservation charity Tusk announced the full list of artists and celebrities collaborating on its Turtle Trail landing on the streets of London this summer. Bringing 16 striking turtle sculptures to the capital’s streets, each turtle is being designed by celebrities and renowned artists.
Tusk confirmed the full list of artists, ambassadors and collaborators who have convened to design the sculptures and raise awareness of the plight of marine species as Adam Dant, Andrew Scott, Chila Burman MBE, Dave White, Deborah Meaden & Steven Bartlett, Hannah Shergold, Harland Miller, Jacob Vitalo, Jemma Powell, John & Jen Cleese, Magda Archer, Mauro Perucchetti, Ralph Steadman, Rankin, Rob & Nick Carter and Ronnie Wood.
Each turtle is being generously sponsored by a Tusk partner or supporter. DHL, a long-standing logistics partner of Tusk, returns as lead sponsor for the campaign. Marine turtles have navigated our oceans for more than 100 million years, yet six out of seven species are now threatened with extinction.
From entanglement in fishing gear to plastic pollution and rising sea levels, human activity has decimated turtle populations across the globe. Marine turtles play a crucial role in maintaining healthy coral reefs and seagrass beds, making them essential to the balance of ocean ecosystems. By protecting turtles, we help safeguard the broader health of our oceans.
The views expressed are an opinion piece and are only of the author and not ATV Today. Penelope Teeth, Judi Dentures and Joanna Gumley are ATV’s exclusive showbiz drag queens with bite.
