Tina Malone joins Channel 5’s Celebs On The Farm after revealing alleged identity of James Bulger killer Jon Venables
TINA MALONE is getting her career back on track – down on the farm.
The ex-Shameless actress — given an eight-month suspended jail term last year for sharing a Facebook post revealing the alleged new identity of James Bulger killer Jon Venables — has signed up for 5Star reality show Celebs On The Farm.
A TV insider said: “Tina made a catastrophic mistake but the call from Celebs On The Farm came at just the right time and the payday could help her put this entire episode behind her.
“It’s worth tramping around in the mud for.”
Tina also had to pay £10,000 court costs following her online gaffe, which she says left her feeling “destroyed”.
She blamed stress over having been sacked from her Sleeping Beauty panto role as the Wicked Godmother at Christmas 2017 after police found cocaine in her handbag. She was later given a caution.
Celebs On The Farm sees eight stars swap their showbiz lifestyles for mucking in.
Also getting their hands dirty later this year will be ex-footballer Paul Merson, model Caprice, ex-Strictly dancer Artem Chigvintsev and James Argent — who is also hoping the show gives him a lift after we revealed on Saturday he had been dropped by Towie after testing positive for cocaine.
Zello, boys
RENEE Zellweger simmers in this black lace dress as she slips into her latest role in dark Netflix thriller What If?
The Bridget Jones star plays temptress Anne, who offers scientist Lisa (Jane Levy) and her new husband Sean (Blake Jenner) a windfall the cash-strapped couple cannot refuse.
But as the pair wrestle with a moral dilemna over Anne’s mysterious offer, the series tracks the consequences of their decision to accept it.
Asked if she would accept the same offer in real life, Renee said: “I don’t know. I guess I’d have to discuss it with my significant other.”
Dinner’s sixth course
CHANNEL 4 comedy Friday Night Dinner will return for a sixth series next year after continuing to impress.
The show, about a dysfunctional Jewish family sitting down each week for their sabbath meal, is C4’s longest-running sitcom after winning its new run.
My exclusive photo shows Inbetweeners star Simon Bird with Tamsin Greig, Tom Rosenthal and Paul Ritter, who are all returning as the Goodman family.
Creepy neighbour Jim, played by Mark Heap – surely worthy of his own spin-off – also returns.
Soapbox
IN EastEnders, Karen’s reconciliation with daughter Chantelle is interrupted when she receives a text from Dinah – who’s had another fall.
A nurse arrives to help and Karen confides in him about Dinah’s ongoing depression.
Meanwhile, Kathy is intrigued when she is told the necklace Ben gave her looks like the real deal.
In Coronation Street, Roy returns from Portsmouth and is shocked to see missing posters for Carla.
He is filled in on events by the Connors and he and Johnny go to the hotel where she was last seen.
They find she has left her kidney medication behind and worry about finding her fast.
Must watch
WHAT? One Day in Gaza, BBC2, 9pm.
WHY? A look at last year’s Israel/Gaza flare-up on the day Ivanka Trump visited Jerusalem to inaugurate the controversial new US embassy. The film’s makers speak to both sides.
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Bizbits
- YOU wouldn’t accept eggs on toast from Prue Leith if you knew what had been touching her cooker. The Bake Off judge said: “I do appreciate the joys of an Aga – such as warming up your bum on it.” I’ll stick with a microwave meal, thanks.
- JEREMY Clarkson’s plan to retrace Lawrence of Arabia’s route for The Grand Tour was thwarted by Isis. He said: “It would mean crossing the Sinai peninsula and, thanks to Isis, the chances of us all arriving on the other side with heads were slim.”
- X FACTOR finalist Anthony Russell has spoken for the first time since being sacked from the live tour this year over claims he was found with drugs. He said: “I wasn’t strong enough at that time to be around bars and the nightlife.”