ITV pause star-studded reality show – and it’s a major blow to John Barrowman
JOHN BARROWMAN left Dancing On Ice two years ago after claims he flashed fellow stars on set re-emerged.
Now it looks like his only other ITV show is going too.
Over the past four years John has presented four All Star Musicals — one- off contests where celebs compete as they perform West End hits.
Now ITV bosses have confirmed it will not be returning this year and won’t say if it will be back in the future.
A TV insider said: “This will obviously be a blow for John, particularly as it was a job he relished keeping after he left Dancing On Ice.
Barring any announcement of a secret, new TV venture, this represents his last role on a British TV show, which is a far cry from the days when he was on a variety of shows on various channels.”
Stage and screen star John first appeared on our screens in 1993 as co-host on Saturday morning children’s TV favourite Live & Kicking.
Since then he has appeared in more than 40 shows, including I’m A Celebrity, Strictly and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
He also played Captain Jack Harkness on Doctor Who and spin-off Torchwood.
It was during filming around this time that the majority of allegations of sexual inappropriateness took place.
Julie Gardner, an executive producer on the show, received a complaint about John’s behaviour, which saw him reprimanded.
In April 2021, when allegations against his Doctor Who co-star Noel Clarke grew, John’s time on the show came back into the spotlight.
Months later ITV confirmed he would not return as a judge on Dancing On Ice.
But he put on a brave face, and reps for John said he was “thrilled” to still be hosting All Star Musicals.
Yesterday they declined to comment, but an ITV spokesman said: “There are no current plans for new All Star Musicals specials at present but we wouldn’t rule out further shows in the future.”
Harington's new Beeb gig
GAME Of Thrones star Kit Harington has signed up for the next series of my favourite drama – BBC One’s Industry.
The third run will see him play a tycoon called Henry Muck – a name which couldn’t be more fitting given it is one of the sauciest shows on TV.
TRUTH OF MODEL’S KIDNAP
THE kidnap of British model Chloe Ayling is being made into a new BBC drama.
The six-parter will tell the story of how Chloe was abducted in Italy in 2017, having travelled there for a fake photo shoot.
Makers say it will tell her personal story in full for the first time
Despite her kidnappers being convicted, Chloe was accused of setting the whole thing up and found herself at the centre of a media storm.
Speaking about the drama, which has been given the working title Kidnapped, Chloe says: “I am excited that BBC Studios are telling my story and that the wider world will get to know the truth about what happened and learn of the many details that weren’t brought to light.”
BBC bosses have yet to be reveal who’ll play Chloe but they likely will soon as filming is due to start later this year.
FATIMA: MEGAN’S MY GIRL
A MOVIE about the life of Team GB javelin star Fatima Whitbread is in the works.
The former athlete has revealed she’s been in talks with film bosses about the project, which will chart her rise from a tough upbringing in children’s homes to becoming a world champ.
Speaking about the biopic, Fatima, who is starring in the upcoming ITV1 series I’m A Celebrity . . . South Africa, says: “That is in a process at the moment. It’ll take a while.”
And she has ambitious ideas regarding who would play her, hinting Transformers star Megan Fox would be ideal.
She adds: “There are some very talented actresses out there.
“One who I think is quite sporty and good was the one who played Transformers – she’s quite capable, but it’s not my shout.”
REVENGE BY EDDIE
ACTOR Eddie Marsan has quite wonderfully destroyed his former school bully online.
The award-winning star, who played John Darwin in 2022 ITV1 drama The Thief, His Wife And The Canoe, spotted a nasty post on social media which reminisced about Eddie being picked on by a boy called Russ in class in South London in the 1980s.
Eddie, who has also starred in Hollywood blockbusters Mission Impossible III and Sherlock Holmes, responded by writing: “Yeah I was bullied, relentlessly at printing college, it was awful.
“I remember your mate doing that. I’m glad you find it funny.
“If he wants to know how I am now, he can just Google me, I have a beautiful wife, four wonderful kids & I’ve been in over 120 films.
“How’s he doing?” Touché!
STAT’S OUR OLD MATE
ALMOST 30 years since they starred together on cult show Fantasy Football League, Frank Skinner and David Baddiel have reunited with pal “Statto”.
The duo shared a snap of their surprise meeting with co-star Angus Loughran, who was given the nickname due to his encyclopaedic knowledge of sport, football in particular.
David posted the picture on Instagram, writing: “Me, Frank and Statto.
“We don’t look a day older. Than we are.”
Statto was famous for wearing his pyjamas while sitting in the kitchen of David and Frank’s mocked-up shared flat, which was the studio setting for the series.
He also tallied up the scores of the celebrity guests who managed teams in the show’s own Fantasy League.
Guests included Nineties favourites Dani Behr, Patsy Kensit And Des Lynam.
Frank and David passed on the Fantasy Football League torch to fellow comedians Matt Lucas and Elis James for the rebooted version on Sky Max, which kicked off at the start of the current football season.
Funnyman Andrew Mensah takes on the Statto role, but opts to wear various football jerseys, rather than nightwear.
However, in tribute to the original stats man, a silk bathrobe is hung poignantly in the background.
Nadiya’s Simple Spices
BAKE OFF winner Nadiya Hussain is fronting a new show for BBC2 called Nadiya’s Simple Spices.
The six-parter will see her champion eight simple spices and one secret mix to transform everyday dishes into something amazing. Fans will be able to watch the series later this year.