News

The Big Steam Adventure returns with a new episode, airing on Channel 5, as John Sergeant, Peter Davison, and Paul ‘Piglet’ Middleton explore the Scottish Highlands. In this fourth episode, the trio embarks on a journey through the Cairngorms Mountain range, battling the unpredictable Scottish weather. They travel in a ‘White’ steam car, an exclusive […]

The Big Steam Adventure: The Highlands...

Get ready for an enchanting episode of “The Big Steam Adventure” airing Friday, May 17th, at 8:00 Pm on Channel 5. In Season 2 Episode 3, titled “Dorset,” viewers are in for a nostalgic journey as John Sergeant, Peter Davison, and Paul Middleton embark on a scenic tour aboard a T3 train restored to its former glory.

Against the picturesque backdrop of Dorset’s stunning landscapes, the trio explores iconic sights such as the majestic Corfe Castle, the breathtaking Chesil Beach, and the charming Abbotsbury Swannery. As they chug along the historic railway lines, viewers will be treated to breathtaking views and fascinating insights into the region’s rich history and heritage.

But the adventure doesn’t stop there! In a nod to Dorset’s cider-making tradition, the trio also hops aboard a 95-year-old cider wagon, adding a unique and delightful twist to their journey. From the sweet scent of blossoming apple orchards...

On Sunday, 1 October 2023, at 9:30 Am on ITV, “Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh” presents Season 5, Episode 24. In this episode, the show offers an array of engaging content.

Hosted by Alan Titchmarsh, the show welcomes well-known guests like Katherine Jenkins, Peter Davison, and John Sergeant for lively conversations. Viewers can enjoy their chat and insights.

Additionally, the episode takes a trip to Russell Watson’s Cheshire farm, offering a glimpse into the world of the renowned singer. Horticulturalist Camilla Bassett-Smith also shares her insights by opening up her October diary.

“Love Your Weekend” is a delightful program that explores various topics and features interesting guests, making it an ideal way to start a Sunday morning.

Tune in to ITV at 9:30 Am on Sunday, 1 October 2023, to join Alan Titchmarsh and his guests for a relaxed and enjoyable episode of “Love Your Weekend.”

Release Date & Time: 9:30 Am Sunday 1 October 2023 on...

For years, Strictly Come Dancing has been providing TV audiences with Saturday night entertainment and some truly unforgettable performances.

First airing in 2004 with Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly as hosts, Strictly seemed like a celebrity reality TV show like any other.

But, the show soon became a huge national and international hit, with everyone from politicians to YouTubers taking on the challenge of learning to ballroom dance.

Along the way, there have been some performances you just can’t forget regardless of whether they’re worthy of a perfect 40 or burnt onto your brain for all the wrong reasons.

From the very best to the very, very worst, here are 12 of Strictly’s most memorable moments.

Ed Balls does “Gangnam Style”

When Ed Balls of “tweeting his own name” fame was announced as a contestant, it was assumed that he would be a joke act eliminated in one of the first weeks.

For years, Strictly Come Dancing has been providing TV audiences with Saturday night entertainment and some truly unforgettable performances.

First airing in 2004 with Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly as hosts, Strictly seemed like a celebrity reality TV show like any other.

But, the show soon became a huge national and international hit, with everyone from politicians to YouTubers taking on the challenge of learning to ballroom dance.

Along the way, there have been some performances you just can’t forget regardless of whether they’re worthy of a perfect 40 or burnt onto your brain for all the wrong reasons.

From the very best to the very, very worst, here are 12 of Strictly’s most memorable moments.

Ed Balls does “Gangnam Style”

When Ed Balls of “tweeting his own name” fame was announced as a contestant, it was assumed that he would be a joke act eliminated in one of the first weeks.

What made Ben Affleck feel sad, and why did people get naked on national television? Test your knowledge of this year’s film and TV with these questions

In a year heavy on sequels and remakes, which one stands as the UK’s top grosser of 2016?

Captain America: Civil War

Bridget Jones’s Baby

Finding Dory

The Jungle Book

A social media war over which film led to Twitter’s permanent suspension of alt-right poster boy Milo Yiannopoulos for racist trolling?

Suicide Squad

Central Intelligence

Moana

Ghostbusters

Dubbed “Sad Affleck” on the internet, a reaction shot from a Ben Affleck interview went viral in 2016. What had the interviewer been asking about at the time?

The reviews of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Reviews of The Accountant

His future as Batman in the DC Comics “extended universe”

His brother Casey’s Oscar buzz for Manchester By the Sea

Which film...

Strictly Come Dancing's Jeremy Vine has revealed that he's having "crisis meetings" for his "accidental comedic performances" on the BBC ballroom dancing competition.

The 50-year-old BBC broadcaster - who will be taking on the salsa to Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' for tonight's Halloween theme - admitted that he's not trying to be intentionally funny on the floor like former infamous contestant John Sergeant, because that would be "disrespectful" to professional dance partner Karen Clifton.

"I do think it's unfair to beat up on the ones on the bottom who aren't as good as the leading pack because the main point of the programme is people trying to improve," Vine commented to Digital Spy.

"I think it's different if somebody is just doing it for comedic purposes, then I can see why the audience would get frustrated with that. I think what John Sergeant did years ago with the paso...

It's the first week of eliminations on Strictly Come Dancing, and naturally Twitter had a lot to say.

Digital Spy has rounded up the best tweets of the evening for your pleasure, ranging from judgment for the judges to fascination with Jay's hair:

Strictly Come Dancing Week 2: All the dances, scores and judges' comments

Strictly Come Dancing 2015 live blog: Week Two and things are getting serious

Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly drew their fair share of reactions online:

Little known fact Stevie Wonder did Claudias make up tonight #Strictly #strictlycomedancing

— Tony (@toeboe) October 3, 2015

Claudia Winkleman's eyes are falling down her face

#Strictly

— Joey Holmes (@JOEY_HOLMES) October 3, 2015

Sometimes I wish they'd mute Tess' microphone. We don't need to be told what we can see. "The audience are on their feet" #Strictly

— Elliot Gonzalez (@elliot_gonzalez) October 3, 2015

And people were loving Claudia's wind machine:

Anyone else want Claudia...

"Hold me upside down and smack my bottom! I can't believe it's only week one…" We second Len Goodman on that - Strictly Come Dancing is back, with arguably the most impressive celebrity contestants to date.

Digital Spy has already ranked Anita Rani right at the top of the BBC One ballroom dancing competition, but can you remember who lifted the Glitterball Trophy to glory in 2013? Or why broadcaster John Sergeant dramatically quit the series in 2008?

If so, try your luck with our Strictly trivia quiz and test your knowledge on the sequin and salsa-filled show below. Break a leg!

Have I Got News for You returned to 4.57 million viewers on BBC One.

Hosted by Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe, the first episode of the 49th series earned a 21.5% audience share at 9pm. It was the evening's highest-rated show outside of soaps.

It was sandwiched between Masterchef with 4.23 million viewers (19.3%) and a repeat of Mrs Brown's Boys with 3.05 million (15.4%).

The One Show kicked BBC One's evening off with 3.68 million (21.6%) at 7pm, followed by 3.14 million (17%) for A Question of Sport.

Featuring guests such as Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse, The Graham Norton Show returned to 2.92 million (24%) at 10.35pm.

The final episode of Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant was seen by 2.86 million (14.1%) on ITV, while Slow Train Through Africa with Griff Rhys Jones opened to 2.25 million (11.1%) at 9pm.

BBC Two's Golf: The Masters Highlights attracted 900k (5.1%), followed by 1.63 million (8.1%) for An Island Parish: Falklands and 2.06 million (9.4%) for Gardeners' World.

Eurovision's Greatest Hits was seen by an average of 1.89 million (9.5%) viewers on BBC One.

Featuring the likes of Lordi, Conchita Wurst and Brotherhood of Man, Friday's (April 3) concert peaked with 2.12 million (12.3%) at 10.15pm.

BBC One's Masterchef was the evening's highest-rated show outside of soaps, scoring average viewing figures of 3.54 million (16%) at 8.30pm.

The One Show kicked things off with 3.4 million (17.7%) at 7pm, followed by 3.01 million (14.8%) for A Question of Sport.

Over on ITV, Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant was seen by an average audience of 2.99 million (14.3%) at 8pm, while Bear Grylls: Mission Survive entertained 3.03 million (14.4%) at 9pm.

BBC Two's evening began with 1.01 million (5.1%) for Alex Polizzi: The Fixer Revisits at 7pm, followed by 1.84 million (8.8%) for An Island Parish: Falklands and 2.07 million (9.4%) for Gardener's World.

Springwatch at Easter was seen by a BBC Two evening high of 2.25 million (10.7%) at 9pm, while The Clare Balding Show opened to 1.54 million (8.6%) at 10pm.

Gogglebox ratings continue to rise on Channel 4, as 3.35 million (16.1%) tuned in to watch last night's (March 20) episode.

Up on last week's 2.41m (10.5%), Gogglebox was comfortably Channel 4's highest-rated show of the evening.

It was sandwiched between The Million Pound Drop with 810k (3.9%) at 8pm and the returning Alan Carr: Chatty Man, which secured ratings of 1.89 million (11.9%) at 10pm.

BBC One's MasterChef was Friday's highest-rated show outside of soaps, attracting an average audience of 4.26 million (19.4%) at 8.30pm.

BBC One's evening kicked off with 3.89 million (21.7%) for The One Show at 7pm, followed by 3.21 million (16.7%) for A Question of Sport at 7.30pm.

The penultimate episode of The Musketeers averaged 2.67 million (12.8%) at 9pm, a number also achieved by The Graham Norton Show at 10.35pm. Norton's 2.67 million viewers represented a 21.5% audience share.

Over on ITV, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive entertained 2.63 million (12.6%) at 9pm. It was preceded by 2.7 million (13.3%) for Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant.

Line of Duty, Casualty and Harry Enfield & Paul Whitehouse have won at the Royal Television Society Programme Awards 2013-2014.

The event - which honours excellence across all genres of television programming - took place at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on Tuesday (March 17), hosted by John Sergeant.

Line of Duty picked up Best Drama Series, Best Actress went to Happy Valley's Sarah Lancashire and Best Actor was won by Tom Hollander (A Poet in New York).

Casualty beat Coronation Street and EastEnders to claim Best Soap, while comedy Harry & Paul's Story of the Twos received two awards from its three nominations.

Strictly Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman also took home Entertainment Performance, The Graham Norton Show won for Entertainment Programme and The Island With Bear Grylls triumphed in the Popular, Factual and Features category.

Sky Sports' Gary Neville collected Best Sports Commentator for the second year running, and the Lifetime...

Comic Relief's Face the Funny topped Friday's (March 13) ratings, according to overnight figures.

The charity fundraiser averaged 8.1m (36.4%) viewers from 7pm on BBC One, with 2.97m (33%) returning at 10.40pm after the news break.

Over on BBC Two, A Cook Aboard concluded with 780k (3.7%) at 7pm, before Mastermind entertained 1.59m (7.3%) at 8pm.

At 8.30pm Gardeners' World attracted 1.78m (7.5%), and Quelle Catastrophe! France with Robert Peston gathered 1.13m viewers (4.9%) at 9pm.

Jo Brand's The Great Comic Relief Bake Off: An Extra Slice was watched by 4.37m (23.4%) at 10pm.

An average of 3.28 million (14.9%) watched ITV's Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant, as 2.37m (10.3%) tuned in for Bear Grylls: Mission Survive at 9pm.

On Channel 4 The Million Pound Drop brought in 490k (2.1%) at 8pm, while 9pm's Gogglebox entertained 2.41m (10.5%).

NCIS: New Orleansdrew 849k (3.7%) on Channel 5 at 9pm, as NCIS aired to 814k (4.6%) at 10pm.

Bear Grylls: Mission Survive's Friday evening (February 27) viewing figures were up on last week's launch numbers.

The second episode in the celebrity survival show was seen by an average audience of 3.03 million (14.1%), which was slightly up on last week's average of 2.91 million (13.6%).

Earlier on in the evening, ITV's Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant was seen by an average audience of 2.83 million (12.9%).

The One Show was once again the evening's highest-rated programme outside of soaps, attracting an average audience of 4.01 million (20.8%) from 7pm on BBC One.

It outperformed the likes of A Question of Sport with 3.2 million (15.5%), Room 101 with 3.13 million (14.5%) and The Musketeers with 2.84 million (13.2%).

BBC One's evening ended with 3.72 million (28.3%) for The Graham Norton Show at 10.35pm. This week's guests included David Beckham, Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Hugh Jackman.

Over on BBC Two, Wanted in Paradise kicked things off with 970k (4.9%) at 7pm, followed by 2.02 million...

Bear Grylls: Mission Survive opened to 2.91 million (13.6%) viewers last night (February 20).

The reality show, which sees eight celebrities attempt to survive in the rainforests of Costa Rica, peaked with 2.98 million from 9pm on ITV.

Earlier on in the evening, Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant was seen by an average audience of 2.6 million (11.2%).

The One Show was the evening's highest-rated show outside of soaps, attracting 3.83 million (20.1%) at 7pm.

BBC One's evening continued with 3.37 million (16.4%) for A Question of Sport at 7.30pm, while The Musketeers played to 3.02 million (14%).

Featuring guests such as Sean Penn, the evening ended with 2.94 million (22.7%) for The Graham Norton Show at 10.35pm.

Over on BBC Two, Antiques Road Trip kicked things off with 1.52 million (7.7%) at 7pm, followed by 1.93 million (8.3%) for Mastermind and 1.48 million (6.4%) for Food and Drink.

Italy Unpacked continued with 1.28 million (5.9%), while Qi rounded things off with 1.18 million (6.7%).

Gogglebox continued to score high ratings for Channel 4.

Benidorm was Friday's (February 13) highest-rated show outside of soaps.

The ITV comedy show was seen by an average audience of 4.37 million (20.8%) at 9pm.

Elsewhere, ITV secured average ratings of 3.32 million (15.4%) for Barging Round Britain with John Sergeant at 8pm.

The One Show kicked off BBC One's evening with 3.9 million (20.2%) at 7pm. It was followed by 3.01 million (14.7%) for A Question of Sport at 7.30pm and 3.47 million (16.2%) for Room 101 at 8.30pm.

BBC One's evening continued with 2.92 million (13.9%) for The Musketeers at 9pm and ended with 3.42 million (25.6%) for The Graham Norton Show at 10.35pm.

Over on BBC Two, Antiques Road Trip was seen by an audience of 1.45 million (7.3%) at 7pm, followed by 2.07 million (9.6%) for Mastermind at 8pm and 1.51 million (7%) for Food and Drink at 8.30pm.

Italy Unpacked averaged 1.62 million (7.7%) at 9pm, while Qi ended the evening with 1.21 million (6.6%).

On Channel 4, Jamie and Jimmy's Friday Night Feast entertained 1.23 million (5.7%) at 8pm,...

Channel 5 will count down the Most Shocking TV Moments tonight (Monday, December 1) from 10pm.

In the 3-hour special, celebrities will recall Tom Cruise's sofa jump, Charles Ingram's Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? con, Oliver Reed's drunken chat show antics and much more.

Digital Spy can reveal which shock moments have made the top ten, though you'll have to tune in tonight to find out which order they come in, and which has claimed the top spot.

Michael Jackson's performance at the 1996 Brit Awards is interrupted by a stage invasion from Pulp's Jarvis Cocker

Strictly Come Dancing professional Kristina Rihanoff is surprised to be partnered with John Sergeant back in 2008

Diana, Princess of Wales gives a revealing interview on Panorama in November 1995

A Blind Date contestant believed to be a secretary is revealed to be a journalist writing an article for Cosmopolitan magazine

The Bee Gees...

With a week to go until the launch of Strictly Come Dancing, Pixie Lott has already been named the favourite to lift the glitterball in 2014.

Bookies are listing the Essex singer at 5-1 to win the show.

Close behind her are fellow singers Simon Webbe from Blue and Frankie Bridge from The Saturdays, who are both at 6-1.

Least favourite to walk away as the champion is Bargain Hunt host Tim Wonnacott who is at 33-1 to win.

William Hill spokesman Rupert Adams said: "We can't see Tim making it through the first week, unless he gets a cult following like John Sergeant."

The 2014 line-up has been revealed in full now, with MasterChef's Gregg Wallace, Wonnacott and Mrs Brown's Boys star Jennifer Gibney becoming the latest stars to join.

Strictly Come Dancing's launch show is on September 7.

The lineup for this year's Pointless Celebrities series has been announced by BBC One.

Beginning with an August 9 comedy special, the upcoming series will feature different themes each week.

Four teams of two from the world of music, TV, soaps, sport, food and drink, journalism, radio and theatre will compete for charity in weekly specials to air on Saturday evenings on BBC One.

The first show pits Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson from Birds of a Feather against Ronni Ancona and Phil Cornwell, Su Pollard and Ruth Madoc, and Josh Widdicombe and his partner Sara Pascoe.

Standout teams from the series include Stefan Dennis and fellow Neighbours star Rebekah Elmaloglou, who will square off against Ray Quinn and Louis Emerick from Brookside.

Antony Costa from Blue will team with 5ive's Scott Robinson in the music special, while TV stars Louie Spence and Carol McGiffin will face off against the likes...

John Sergeant is to host a new ITV travel series.

Barging About Britain will be an eight-part series with Sergeant journeying through the UK's most iconic waterways in a canal boat.

The former political broadcaster will travel through Somerset and the Hebrides, while discovering the history of eight different routes.

ITV commissioning editor Andrew O'Connell said: "There's nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats and what better way to do it than on an English narrowboat."

Ian Lamarra from production company Alaska TV added: "John has huge warmth, massive broad appeal and is enthusiastic about the subject. He's even sleeping on the barge. Shooting in the summer months is a real treat, the end result will look amazing and showcase the best of the British Isles."

Timothy West and Prunella Scales recently featured in Channel 4's Great Canal Journeys, travelling through narrowboat routes in England and France.

Len Goodman has spoken of his excitement ahead of tomorrow (December 21) night's Strictly Come Dancing grand final.

Abbey Clancy, Natalie Gumede, Susanna Reid and Sophie Ellis-Bextor will battle it out to win the Glitterball Trophy this weekend, in the first all-female final in the BBC One show's history.

Speaking on tonight's (December 20) episode of The Graham Norton Show, Goodman says: "It's never happened before. It's one of those things.

"You normally have some men, because I used to think it was mainly women that voted, but perhaps the men weren't bulked up enough this time.

"I think it's exciting because it more of a level playing field."

The Strictly judge refused to disclose his choice of competition winner, but adds: "Through the papers I've heard Susanna Reid is the favourite."

Goodman goes on to point out that it is not always the victors who are the most memorable contestants.

He...

"Like a Cumberland sausage chasing the mustard." "I wish there was some jive to judge." "It was a little bit like the weather - cloudy, grey and dismal."

Dave Myers's Halloween jive didn't exactly float the Strictly Come Dancing judges' boats last weekend. Rock bottom of the leaderboard again and with many of the weakest dancers already culled from the competition, it came as a surprise to see Dave survive the dreaded Dance Off yet again.

Countdown's Rachel Riley and one of the bookies' favourites to win the series, Abbey Clancy, were the duo asked to perform again on the Results Show. For some viewers, the fact that Clancy could have been voted out of the show before the Hairy Biker is unfathomable.

Six weeks into the competition, Myers is still always at least two steps behind his pro dance partner Karen Hauer. From his funky chicken cha cha...

Johnny Ball does not think he is the ''novelty'' act in 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The 74-year-old presenter - who is the oldest person ever to take part in the competition - does not think he is following gin the footsteps of Anne Widdecombe and John Sergeant by being a comedic star, and wants to prove he can do well despite his age. He said: ''If I win, it means they've put 13 stumblebums up against me. At this stage I don't know if anyone expects to win, we're all just settling in. ''I don't see myself as the novelty older person...

Johnny Ball does not think he is the ''novelty'' act in 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The 74-year-old presenter - who is the oldest person ever to take part in the competition - does not think he is following gin the footsteps of Anne Widdecombe and John Sergeant by being a comedic star, and wants to prove he can do well despite his age. He said: ''If I win, it means they've put 13 stumblebums up against me. At this stage I don't know if anyone expects to win, we're all just settling in. ''I don't see myself as the novelty older person...

Johnny Ball has signed up for 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The 74-year-old TV legend has agreed a deal for the new series - which will make him the oldest celebrity to ever take part in the show - and he has already impressed BBC1 bosses with his skills on the dance floor. A source told The Sun newspaper: ''Johnny might be 74 but he's got some puff. He was looked after himself over the years and is really game. ''It would be foolish to write him off as some old duffer just there for laughs, like John Sergeant. He's been...

Johnny Ball has reportedly signed up for Strictly Come Dancing. The television icon and father of former Strictly dancer Zoe Ball will become the oldest contestant on the regular BBC One show if he takes part. The 74-year-old is said to have impressed producers after taking part in training sessions, reports The Sun. A BBC source said: "Johnny might be 74, but he's got some puff. He has looked after himself over the years and is really game. It would be foolish to write him off as some old duffer just there for laughs, like John Sergeant. "He's been showing off some moves in training that would put much younger celebs to shame." Zoe Ball would also be in line to interview her famous father (more)...

Johnny Ball has signed up for 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The 74-year-old TV legend has agreed a deal for the new series - which will make him the oldest celebrity to ever take part in the show - and he has already impressed BBC1 bosses with his skills on the dance floor. A source told The Sun newspaper: ''Johnny might be 74 but he's got some puff. He was looked after himself over the years and is really game. ''It would be foolish to write him off as some old duffer just there for laughs, like John Sergeant. He's been...

We'll find it hard to defend the Falklands now we don't have an aircraft carrier, and we just can't resist showing ourselves in a bad light

✒As the Falkland islanders prepare to vote in their referendum, I met at a party a very, very senior military officer – someone you've certainly seen on television. I asked if it was true the Argentinians had no intention of trying to retake the islands by force, and he said he hoped not. But they could certainly cause havoc. All they needed to do, he said, was to land special forces on the islands and blow up the airfield. "Now that we have no aircraft carriers, there is absolutely no way we could send troops and materiel. We would be absolutely powerless." I have no doubt this thought has occurred to the Argies too.

✒There's been much sympathy for David and Samantha Cameron after it...

Strictly Come Dancing professional James Jordan has suggested that Russell Grant could be a dark horse this year. Jordan has been paired with Alex Jones and claimed that their rivals include "Lulu, Chelsee, Holly, Harry, Robbie [and] Jason". However, he also claimed that viewers should not discount Russell before they have seen him perform. "Russell is going to be brilliant," he said. "He will be fantastic, because he can move as well, so he's not going to be like a John Sergeant thing - just stomp around the floor. He's good, so I think it's going to be a great year." Meanwhile, Grant admitted that he does not want to be viewed as a comedy act and confirmed that he is taking the show seriously, saying: "I was supposed (more)...

View the original post Dancing On Ice: Nicky Slater slates rubbish lineup and unknown stars on Unreality TV

Former ‘Dancing On Ice’ judge Nicky Slater has hit out at bosses of the ITV1 show for failing to secure famous celebrity contestants.

The skating champion – who was axed from the series last year – claimed the John Sergeant factor is taking over and the reality show is no longer “serious”, with too much emphasis has been put on entertainment and improving the look of the set.

He said: “They could have spent more money on booking better-known stars rather than making expensive cosmetic changes to the set.

“Once they establish their personalities with viewers it won’t matter whether they are A-list or Z-list. The emphasis now is on entertainment, rather than having a serious ice dancing competition – which is the wrong way around.”

Nicky was told in 2010 after five years...

BBC bosses are said to be keen to sign TV presenter Alan Titchmarsh for the next series of Strictly Come Dancing and the gardening expert has hinted that he may be ready to take part in the show.

Insiders say that producers have been trying to land the loveable star for years but he has always been too busy to commit to the three month long series.

However that could all now change and Titchmarhs told The News Of The World:

“I don’t plan on retiring but I would like to ease up a bit. I’d love to go on Strictly.

“I’ve been asked but I’ve always been too busy. I’m planning on becoming the next John Sergeant or Ann Widdecombe.”

A source said: “The BBC is desperate to get Alan on board for this year’s show, and will be talking to him again.

A Night Of Heroes: The Sun's Military Awards delivered nearly 5m to ITV1 on Friday night, according to overnight data. Affectionately known as The Millies, the awards ceremony - which had a star-studded guest list - grabbed a respectable 4.97m (20.9%) between 9pm and 10.30pm, up 410k on last year's event. Meanwhile, BBC One's comedy lineup of Have I Got News For You and Live At The Apollo mustered 5.88m (23.4%) and 4.65m (19.4%) for BBC One. Versus last night's soaps, The One Show, A Question Of Sport and Qi had 4.72m (20.4%), 3.73m (15.5%) and 3.6m (13.9%) for BBC One, while ITV1's Countrywise Kitchen managed 3.74m (15.1%) at 8pm. Over on BBC Two, Natural World and John Sergeant On Tracks Of Empire interested (more)...

Whatever you think of her dancing, 2010 always be the year that Ann Widdecombe took part in Strictly Come Dancing. We caught up with the former politician to find out when the writing’s on the wall, why she thinks John Sergeant was wrong to quit and how she will fly in the final. Did you think you’d get this far?...

Alesha Dixon has admitted that she doesn’t think Ann Widdecombe can win ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

The former show winner turned judge, admitted while the former Conservative minister is a hit with viewers, it is unlikely she will be crowned winner as she is being kept in the competition purely for “entertainment” value.

She said: “Traditionally, you always have someone like Ann. I think last year we had John Sergeant, the year I was in it – Kate Garraway was the one. And I guess that’s part and parcel of the show.

“I don’t think Ann can win, but Ann has been highly entertaining.”

However Alesha does think that Ann and Anton deserve their place on the show, conceding that it would be “very boring” if all the contestants were good dancers.

She added to ITV1′s ‘Lorraine’: “I don’t think Ann’s a quitter, I think Ann will stick it out.

Alesha Dixon doesn't think Ann Widdecombe will win 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The 32-year-old judge - who won the BBC One show herself in 2007 - admitted while the former Conservative minister is a hit with viewers, it is unlikely she will be crowned winner as she is being kept in the competition purely for ''entertainment'' value. She said: ''Traditionally, you always have someone like Ann. I think last year we had John Sergeant, the year I was in it - Kate Garraway was the one. And I guess that's part and parcel of the show. ''I don't think Ann can win, but Ann ..

Craig Revel Horwood has revealed what he really thinks about Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ann Widecombe.

The show judge and sharp tongued critic admitted that he finds the former Tory MP ‘hilarious’ but added that doesn’t think much of her dancing skills.

“Ann is hilarious,” Horwood told The Sun’s Buzz magazine.

“She pops up to the bar after the show and gives me a telling-off –but it’s all in good jest. She says backstage that I am a pussycat.”

“I am the only one telling the truth – Ann’s entertaining and the public love her but she can’t dance. It’s John Sergeant all over again. She’s a dance floor disaster.”

Terry Wogan also criticised the busty star today, saying that she should follow Sergeant’s example and quit the show.

The Sun Buzz Magazine now on Twitter www.twitter.com/TheSun_Buzz...

Terry Wogan has admitted that he would like Ann Widdecombe to quit Strictly Come Dancing.

Despite being the lowest scored contestant on the BBC show, Widdecombe has never been placed in the bottom two and is extremely popular with the public.

Wogan has now pleaded with the former Tory MP to follow the example of John Sergeant, who withdrew from the show in 2008 when it became clear that he stood a good chance of making it as far as the final.

“Ann Widdecombe would be sensible to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing,” Wogan told the Daily Mail. “She should do as John Sergeant did. He knew he couldn’t dance for toffee and he made way for people who could. Ann’s even worse than him. She can’t dance at all. She should fall on her sword.”

On members of the public voting for Ann, Terry added:

“They’re...

Sir Terry Wogan has advised Ann Widdecombe to quit Strictly Come Dancing. Widdecombe has regularly finished at the bottom of the judges' leaderboard during her time in the competition, but is yet to appear in the bottom two after the public vote. Wogan urged the former Conservative MP to follow the example of John Sergeant, who stepped down from the show in 2008 after the public consistently saved him at the expense of better dancers. "Ann Widdecombe would be sensible to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing," Wogan told the Daily Mail. "She should do as John Sergeant did. He knew he couldn't dance for toffee and he made way for people who could. Ann's even worse than him. She can't (more)...

Brendan Cole has defended Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ann Widdecomeb.

Many viewers have called for the former Tory MP to voluntarily leave the compeititon, as John Sergeant did in 2008 but Brendan insists that she should stay purely for the ‘comedy value’ she and Anton Du Beke bring to the show.

Speaking on Lorraine, the New Zealand professional dancer said:

“People are going to hate me for saying this, but Ann Widdecombe is actually brilliant in many ways.

“Okay, she’s not the best dancer out there but this competition is not just about that, it’s become very much an entertainment show and I look forward to seeing her on the show – she’s brilliant. The pair of them, [the] comedy value is just priceless.”

On whether Ann should now follow John Sergeant’s lead, especially after the shock elimination of Jimi Mistry last week, Cole added:

“I hope not, because John Sergeant , for me,...

Brendan Cole has claimed that there is no comparison between John Sergeant and Ann Widdecombe on Strictly Come Dancing. Cole described 2008 contestant Sergeant as an "idiot", but defended Widdecombe's position on the show, praising her "comedy value". Speaking on Lorraine this morning, the New Zealand pro dancer said: "People are going to hate me for saying this, but Ann Widdecombe is actually brilliant in many ways. "Okay, she's not the best dancer out there but this competition is not just about that, it's become very much an entertainment show and I look forward (more)...

Ann Widdecombe has insisted she won't quit 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The former Conservative minister says she won't be following in the footsteps of journalist John Sergeant, who chose to leave the BBC One show in 2008 amid relentless criticism from the judges. Defiant Ann, 63, has explained she will remain in the competition as long as the British public want her there, despite scoring just 17 out of a possible 40 for her Charleston on Saturday night (06.11.10). She said: ''I won't take a leaf out of John Sergeant's book and quit. It would be a slap in the face to the public and ..

Ann Widdecombe has insisted she won’t quit ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

The former Conservative minister says she won’t be following in the footsteps of journalist John Sergeant, who chose to leave the BBC One show in 2008 amid relentless criticism from the judges.

Defiant Ann, 63, has explained she will remain in the competition as long as the British public want her there, despite scoring just 17 out of a possible 40 for her Charleston on Saturday night.

She said: “I won’t take a leaf out of John Sergeant’s book and quit. It would be a slap in the face to the public and terribly rude.

“No one but the public decides who stays and goes. The BBC doesn’t, the judges don’t, those are the rules. I’m not going to quit – as long as the public want me there I’ll stay – when they don’t, I’ll go.

Ann Widdecombe has insisted that she will not quit Strictly Come Dancing. The ex-Conservative MP has consistently finished in the bottom two on the judges' leaderboard but has never finished in the bottom two after the public vote. Widdecombe has now promised that she will not follow the example of former contestant John Sergeant, who withdrew from the competition after viewers kept voting to save him at the expense of better dancers. Widdecombe told BBC Radio Devon that leaving "would be a slap in the face for the public". She said: "The public are deciding who goes through and who does not go through. If the (more)...

Kristina Rihanoff has said that Ann Widdecombe gave the worst performance on last weekend's Strictly Come Dancing. However, the dancer told iVillage.co.uk that she thought the ex-politician would be safe on this week's show, despite her salsa routine being described as "ghastly" by judge Craig Revel Horwood. Rihanoff said: "I think it was obviously Ann who gave the worst performance this week, but the funniest! "I understand why she is still in the competition, for the entertainment value similar to my first celebrity dance partner John Sergeant, but even she makes John look like a professional (more)...

It seems that many of you are only watching Strictly Come Dancing to see how Ann Widdecombe tackles her dance routines and to hear how she quips with the judging panel.

Fans of the former Tory MP won’t have been disappointed by tonight’s salsa, as performed by Ann and her partner Anton DuBeke. The huge height difference between the pair, leaves Anton looking like a complete hunchback and Ann scolding him like a school child was very amusing. However, Ann didn’t dance much tonight, preferring to walk about the floor whilst wagging her finger at DuBeke. It was fun….but a real John Sergeant non dance moment.

Judges Comments:

Len: It was a bit like the hokey kokey. That was a salsa, the likes of which we will never ever see again!

Alesha: The prediction last week was spot on, it might not have been a...

Strictly Come Dancing is said to have enjoyed an extra one million viewers on Saturday night’s show, because Ann Widdecombe was scheduled to take to the dancefloor.

The former Tory MP made her dance debut at the weekend, dressed from head to toe in a sparkly pink gown. She left the audience in fits of laughter as she joked with hard faced Craig Revel Horwood and after her waltz, Len Goodman laughed:

Ann the anticipation of seeing you dance is greater than any celebrity I have ever seen. It reminded me of my holidays, I always anticipated it greatly and then the realisation is not quite up to the standard that I’d hoped. You did a wonderful job though, you kept me entertained throughout. I loved the way that leg went up. I thoroughly enjoyed it and well done Anton.

The BBC show had attracted 9.3 million viewers on Friday night,...

Ann Widdecombe made her Strictly Come Dancing debut tonight, alongside her professional partner Anton DuBeke.

After insisting that she won’t wear anything or dance in any way, that she wouldn’t be happy to do for the Pope, the former Tory MP began her waltz.

To be fair to Ms W, she wasn’t half as bad as we had expected her to be and certainly she was no worse than the fabled John Sergeant. Ann for the finals? We think so!

After her dance the battleaxe told Craig:

“If you thought that was bad, you have to see the salsa!”

Judges Comments:

Len: Ann the anticipation of seeing you dance is greater than any celebrity I have ever seen. It reminded me of my holidays, I always anticipated it greatly and then the realisation is not quite up to the standard that I’d hoped. You did a wonderful job though,...

Michael Bolton has become the second celebrity to be voted off Dancing With The Stars.

The crooner found himself in the bottom three last night, against singing sensation Brandy and Jersey Shore star ‘The Situation.’ He then became the second high profile contestant, following The Hoff, to leave the dance extravaganza.

But the big furore of the week wasn’t that Michael left, it was apparently Bruno Tonioli’s comments about his dancing skills.

On Monday night’s show, Tonioli awarded Bolton a score of three out of 10 for his routine with professional dancer Chelsie Hightower, and called the dance the “worst” in all the 11 seasons.

Speaking before his elimination, Michael hit back saying:

“Last night, I think Bruno was inappropriate and disrespectful. Other than that, it has been a phenomenal experience.”

When asked by presenter Tom Bergeron about his comments, Bruno defended:

“I think Rin Tin Tin would have done a better jive.

Arlene Phillips has blasted 'Strictly Come Dancing' contestant Ann Widdecombe as ''a joke too far''. The 67-year-old choreographer - who was replaced by Alesha Dixon on the judging panel of the BBC One show in 2009 - has said she doubts the former Home Office minister, 62, will be ''as interesting'' as former BBC political journalist John Sergeant, who appeared in the show in 2008. Arlene said: ''She looks as though she's eaten too many bagels. I don't know whether she'll be as interesting as John or last as long. She could be somebody who people get bored with very quickly, a joke ..