Strictly set to sign a BIG Radio 2 breakfast show star
UP-AND-COMING presenter Richie Anderson is in the running to star on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
He appears on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 breakfast show, where she gently ribs him about his desire to take part in the BBC1 dance contest.
But I can reveal Strictly bosses are now considering adding superfan Richie to the celebrity line-up for the show’s 20th series when it airs this autumn.
A TV insider said: “As an out-and-proud gay man, Richie would help make it a diverse line-up — and would obviously have the option of dancing with a male pro.
“Strictly are keen to keep the same-sex partnership as a regular feature on the show and Richie might just help them with that.
“They also like less well-known stars to be in the mix, as they like celebrity contestants to go on a journey from underdog to top dog.
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“Some of the programme’s biggest names have gone from having a relatively low profile to becoming household names via that route.
“Only a limited number of people knew of Stacey Dooley and Rose Ayling-Ellis before they went on Strictly. Now they are huge names because they triumphed.”
A spokeswoman for Strictly declined to comment.
Richie has appeared on a string of BBC TV shows including The Weakest Link and The One Show, where he was seen coming out publicly to a group of footballers during a discussion on homophobia in sport.
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He’s also been a guest reviewer on Strictly: It Takes Two, and first met Zoe Ball when she was getting ready to present the show.
In 2020, Richie joined fellow presenters JO WHILEY and KATE BOTTLEY in completing three triathlons in three days to raise money for Sport Relief.
He was also part of BBC1’s presenting team for coverage of the Platinum Jubilee’s Party at the Palace.
I reckon Richie would be a great Strictly signing.
BEN: I AM RUDELY AWOKEN
HE is the hunky host of Good Morning Britain who gets us all up at the crack of dawn.
And Ben Shephard says viewers don’t hold back on letting him know that fact whenever they spot him out and about.
Speaking on the Wine Times pod-cast, the married dad of two said: “I get stopped occasionally by people walking on the street.
“And they say: ‘Morning Ben, we woke up together today.
“I wasn’t wearing anything when I saw you this morning’.
“It’s slightly unnerving at times.
“You’re not really sure how to react.”
I bet his GMB co-host Kate Garraway would love seeing him squirm.
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HE was cast in Channel 4 drama It’s A Sin, and now Neil Patrick Harris will star in the 60th anniversary specials of Doctor Who – both created by Russell T Davies.
Russell said: “Who, why, what is he playing? You’ll have to wait. The stuff we’re shooting is off the scale.”
EVAGREEN . . . IN PURPLE
IT’S hard to believe it has been 18 years since Desperate Housewives first appeared on our screens – and over a decade since it was axed.
That’s partly because Eva Longoria, its leading star, doesn’t appear to have aged a day in that time.
The 47-year-old actress joined Guardians of the Galaxy’s Zoe Saldana in the US as they launch their new HBO drama.
This time they’re both on the show as executive producers, and Eva even directed one of the episodes on coming-of-age show Gordita Chronicles.
You know we’re making real progress when change happens behind the cameras, as well as in front.
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COMEDIAN, writer and actor Rose Matafeo’s romcom Starstruck has been commissioned for a third series by BBC Three.
The new season continues the story of millennial Londoner Jessie, played by Rose, and her romance with movie star Tom.
NOT ONLY FANS, IT’S DOCS TOO
IT’S known for being something of a “specialist” service – but now OnlyFans is branching out into showing documentaries.
Their first is Life in Love, made by a new media platform called woo.
Woo is being backed by ITV, who will also air it on ITV Hub as well as woo’s own website.
Launching on June 22, the doc looks at three couples, following every twist and turn of the relationships as they develop.
They’re all “Gen Z” youngsters who go into substantial detail about their sex lives and personal emotions in the show.
Finally, I’ve got a reason to get an OnlyFans account and it’s all in the name of research.
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THE creators of Squid Game have confirmed the hit Netflix series will return for a second season – although they’re keeping the release date under wraps.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk had said last month he was in final talks with Netflix about a sequel.
SAUSAGE ROLE FOR SHERIDAN
SHERIDAN SMITH looks like she’s giving Ardal O’Hanlon a telling off as he waves his sausage at her in the street.
But it’s just a banger he’s enjoying with a tray of chips they’re both necking as they film a new drama for Sky in West London.
Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything sees Sheridan star as the titular character, who has a hugely addictive personality and is dependent on everything from cigarettes to alcohol.
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But after an embarrassing incident at her brother’s wedding, Rosie finally decides to rid herself of all her indulgences.
Everything except junk food, it seems.