Showbiz Newswrap
Showbiz: From Gloria Hunniford to the viral Dubai Easter Egg
A Sunday roast with Penelope Teeth as she casts her views in an entertainment newswrap…
Coronation Street Departure Lounge
We’re a bit of a soap heavy edition this week as so much has been going on in the world of getting in a lather. Or as the case maybe for Coronation Street getting out of a lather as more actors from The Street are heading to London to likely never been seen again.
First up it was announced nightmare neighbour Mick Michaelis will say goodbye in the coming months. The character was seemingly devised to be someone the audience would love to hate, but he’s just hated. This may be down to the poor scripts and ridiculous plots rather than the acting ability of Joe Layton. But as Stanley Baxter once sang in a sketch ‘there’s no use in berating what’s high up in the ratings’ and according to ITV Corrie remains so successful as a soap there really is nothing to worry about.
So, putting any worry aside that it’s gone all Albion Market, another departure is Mick’s wife, initially tipped to be the Street’s next Janice Battersby by The Sun, Farrell Hagerty is to leave her role as Lou Michaelis. The couple were the first to be seen living in a house behind Coronation Street, although they weren’t seen living there as it doesn’t exist except for a backyard.
The week came to an end with the news another regular of the saga is saying ta-ra chuck as Adam Hussain revealed on social media he is turning his back on the corner shop after five years of playing Dev’s son, Aadi Alahan.
Golden Glo
In the week the former Radio 2 and UTV regular Gloria Hunniford turned 85 she spoke about being a grandparent alongside Judi Love on Loose Women: The Podcast
Judi and Gloria pondered the question, ‘How can I tell my mother in law that she’s too overbearing with my new baby?’ During the discussion, Gloria shared her experiences,
“When my daughter [Caron] had children, I felt, rightly or wrongly, that I had an automatic right almost to call in any time I wanted. I used to for example, if Caron was working, I could call in, see the grandchildren, read them a story, put them to bed, and she wouldn’t even know that I’d been there but that’s because we had a very close relationship. She loved it when I went to see the grandchildren.
“When Caron sadly passed, now we’re into, in this case, not a mother in law, but a stepmother. And, you know, with grandchildren, the parameter changes because no longer did I have the right just to say, ‘Oh by the way, I’m picking the children up on Wednesday from school. I’ll take them for tea and then I’ll drop them back about six o’clock’. So, you have to measure that territory very carefully and particularly with the mother in law, because it’s her son who’s had the baby as well.”
2025 is certainly a busy time for Hunniford as she’s recently seen success with a re-issue of her 1979 music album – on CD for the first time – and from tomorrow as well as her regular role on Loose Women she’s back on the Beeb with more Rip Off Britain.
Loose Women: The Podcast on ITVX, STV Player, YouTube or listen now wherever you get your podcasts
Hollyoaks have a Spring bounce
Spring is in the air, but in Hollyoaks, it’s not all sunshine and roses with the latest promo trailer, released on Monday (April 7th), promising high-stakes drama, jaw-dropping revelations, and emotional turmoil…
The footage shows how, determined to keep her promise, Maxine goes to extreme lengths to get Mercedes out of prison, with one wish in return, take down Grace Black, once and for all. However, Maxine’s world is turned upside down as she finds herself on the wrong side of Grace Black’s wrath. Held hostage inside The Loft, Maxine’s fate hangs in the balance, but will she find a way out before it’s too late?
Grace Black’s relentless pursuit of power and wealth reaches new heights as she continues to exploit Frankie and Dillon, enticing them with the promise of a lavish lifestyle. But when things spiral out of control, the harsh reality of their choices hits home. Vulnerable and alone, the duo turns to drugs in a desperate attempt to escape the pain…
Also, the Blakes are back in full force as Dodger makes a sensational return, stepping up for Sienna in his sister’s time of need. His presence in the village doesn’t go unnoticed, turning heads as the family walk through the village, but what does his return mean for Hollyoaks’ gothic family…and the residents?
The excitement of Jez and John Paul’s engagement is anything but smooth as the McQueens and Blakes collide over their very different tastes. In true Hollyoaks fashion John Paul makes a bold declaration of love, revealing a striking new tattoo, but will it be a mark of forever or a decision he’ll live to regret? Love is also in the air as Diane is swept off her feet by the charming DI Banks, but not everyone is convinced by his facade. As Donny investigates, it becomes clear that DI Banks is not the hero he seems, but when corruption is uncovered, who will come out on top?
A car is seen speeding through the village, out of control. But the real question is who’s behind the wheel, and who will pay the price? Meanwhile, at the Osborne house, tragedy strikes as flames begin to emerge in the home. A shocked Nancy and Frankie watch in horror as the fire takes hold.
I don’t know why I’ve told you all this as you can just watch it below…
A Boom blast for the Beeb
You have to love the BBC. They alienate their Radio 2 audience in the search for younger listeners, then when a station comes a long like Boom Radio they decide to clutch their pearl necklace at the thought a commercial ‘rival’ is now catering for the people they so casually tossed aside as they were seen as ‘too old’.
This week Ofcom put a halt on BBC Radio 2 Extra, which was mooted following the success of Boom Radio and probably someone in the licence fee counting room realising its the older fools paying for the Beeb, not the youth they so drastically chase. Radio 1 Extra launched over twenty years ago – why has it taken so long for the corporation to want to give its over 50’s something to listen to?
In a statement the team behind Boom noted, ‘You may be aware that the BBC was planning a new radio service aimed at older listeners. Given the proposed station would play ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s music, hosted by ‘much-loved’ personalities – and would mark key music anniversaries etc – we were concerned that it would seriously affect Boom Radio, given it would be doing much the same as us! We were certainly puzzled why the BBC felt the below was ‘unmatched in the marketplace’.
‘We informed the media regulator Ofcom of our concerns and demonstrated the serious impact it could have on Boom Radio and its newer spin-off services Boom Light and Boom Rock. Despite the listening loyalty we know we enjoy, it is natural that another station doing what we do would erode, to some extent, the amount of listening to Boom. That would, in turn, automatically reduce our income. You’ll be aware we are not part of a major media empire – we are a group of old friends with a dream. Not least in the current unpredictable economic climate, that audience change could seriously impact on our ability to stay around.’
There is a question about what Radio 2 should be really. It has recently axed overnight programmes. Surely that night slot could be turned over to the kind of stuff R2E would have aired. Or put it on BBC Sounds? Or does old Aunty think we’re all too old to know what that is?
Emmerdale’s John has secrets
On Thursday (April 10th) Emmerdale viewers where stunned, just stunned, to discover John has been hiding his true persona with a whole host of secrets he has been keeping. But with everyone in the village, including his fiancé Aaron, played by Danny Miller, still unaware of what he is capable of, viewers will be hoping John gets his comeuppance before it’s too late.
Oliver Farnworth who plays John Sugden spoke about the twist in the plot of the long running Leeds based saga noting ‘…the exciting thing is that the viewers find out first before anyone else in the village. So it’s kind of like letting them into these big secrets that John’s been harbouring.’
“It’s caused him a lot of stress and anguish having to hide things. I think the fact that the viewers find out first, is going to be really exciting although I’ll see what the backlash is I guess! It was bound to happen at some point, so I’m glad it’s come out now.”
“Obviously, what happened with Nate to all intents and purposes was an accident, but there’s no way that John dealt with it, or is continuing to deal with it, in the right way. Not just from a legal point of view, but from the point of view of the families that will be affected. There will certainly be a lot of fallout from that.”
Oliver’s arrival in Emmerdale was announced last July, and has been on screen since August 2024. ITV said at the time of his arrival John would ‘introduce fresh challenges and intriguing relationships, he’ll become deeply entwined with the rich history of the Sugden family.’ Annie, of course, was also a closet serial killer.
“Yes, there’s lots of big stuff coming up. I guess with the sort of web that John’s woven for himself in the back of his mind, he’s anticipating people to start being suspicious, secrets to come out and people to start finding things out.
“He’s probably got a few set pieces prepared in his mind for dealing with all of this, but really what he’s had to do so far is just kind of think on his feet and adapt to situations around him. I’m sure this will all change soon. And the jeopardy at stake for him now is that he’s got his whole life in Emmerdale Village. He’s got the love of his life, Aaron, (Danny Miller), he’s got a family that he never had. He does not want to lose all that, under any circumstances. There’s going to be a few battles ahead, I think.” – Oliver Farnworth
Emmerdale airs weekday nights at 7.30pm on ITV and STV with episodes available for streaming on ITVX and STVPlayer.
Easter Cookery
We don’t often do home foodery here, but the gorgeous Oli The Choc, a visionary Master Chocolatier, has our batter mixing. Oli wants us all to step into a world of pure imagination with as he’s on a mission to inspire creativity through the magic of chocolate.
From growing up in his parents’ home chocolate factory to becoming a master of his craft, Oli’s passion is as rich as his creations. His infectious love for chocolate isn’t just about taste—it’s about experience, creativity, and fun!
As recently seen on This Morning with Dermot O’Leary and Sian Welby, this Easter Oli The Choc unleashed the secret to making Dubai chocolate at home. Sian couldn’t resist getting stuck in—tasting the warm, melted chocolate straight from the bowl using a ladle like it was soup! It’s that irresistible.
So we’re joining in and ending this edition of Showbiz Today with the Viral Dubai Easter Egg Masterclass—created to captivate both the taste buds and social media. This Easter Egg is set to become the must-have treat of the season. But it’s not just a dessert—it’s an experience.
Oli’s guide of how to make the Viral Dubai Easter Egg
Ingredients
- 500g solid milk chocolate
- 200g Kataifi (can substitute with Shredded Wheat but may not be as crunchy)
- 60g Tahini
- 300g pistachio cream (shop bought or homemade / blended pistachios)
- 1 sheet gold leaf
- 20g green coloured chocolate (mix oil-based colour with white chocolate)
Equipment
- Egg mould x 2 halves
- Plastic microwaveable bowls x 2
- Spatula x 2
- Scraper
- Greaseproof paper
- Piping bags
- Microwave
Recipe based on a 10″ tall egg weighing approx. 1KG.
Method
- Take one clean (half) egg mould and decorate the inside with drizzles of green chocolate using a piping bag and add gold leaf.
- Fill the mould with tempered milk chocolate.
- Empty out the excess chocolate, leaving a layer inside.
- Once set, scrape off the excess and proceed to the next step.
- Fill with a thick layer of the premixed pistachio, tahini, and Kataifi.
- Cover the pistachio layer with another layer of milk chocolate and leave to set.
- Once completely set, scrape any excess and place in the fridge.
- Stick the two halves together with tempered chocolate—perhaps hiding some chocolate goodies inside, like Oli’s signature Holy Grail.
For those looking to elevate their chocolate indulgence even further, the legendary Holy Grail chocolate can be purchased exclusively at Oli The Choc’s official store.
The views expressed are of Penelope Teeth and not ATV Today. Penelope Teeth, Judi Dentures and Joanna Gumley are ATV’s exclusive showbiz drag queens with bite.
