Author: bang1

The Christmas 2024 Number 1 single and album has been revealed, Wham! winning the battle and becoming the first song to grab the coveted top spot two festive seasons

The 2024 Christmas Number One has been revealed, with Last Christmas by Wham! reigning supreme once again and making chart history in the process.

Official Charts confirmed that Last Christmas is the first song to clinch two consecutive Christmas Number 1 victories, marking its 40th anniversary as the most-streamed and physically purchased song of the week. Originally penned by the late George Michael for 1984’s Official Christmas Number 1, Last Christmas was initially outshone by Band Aid’s Do They Know It’s Christmas?

But the iconic festive hit finally claimed the festive chart crown in 2023, completing a record-breaking journey to Christmas Number 1 of 39 years. Now recognised as the UK’s favourite Christmas song, Last Christmas fended off stiff competition from Gracie Abrams and Mariah Carey, as well as a spirited attempt by Tom Grennan to disrupt the festive chart race.

Wham! star Andrew Ridgeley is delighted to be number one again
Last Christmas secured the Christmas Number 1 through both digital and physical domination, with 12.6 million streams, and being the best seller of the week physically too, thanks to a range of limited edition 40th anniversary collectibles, including zoetrope vinyl, picture disc and CD.

Earlier this week, bookmakers had Wham! and their festive classic Last Christmas as a sure bet to become to be the first song to claim back-to-back Christmas number ones, after topping the charts for six weeks in 2023. “It seems more and more unlikely that any other contenders will mount a serious challenge for number one, with Tom Grennan (8/1) and Mariah Carey (12/1) some way adrift in the betting,” Lee Phelps from William Hill said on Wednesday. “It looks like the UK is heading towards another year of Wham! dominating the radio waves this Christmas.”

Speaking exclusively to Official Charts, WHAM!’s Andrew Ridgeley says: “37 years to get to Number 1, 39 years to Christmas Number 1, and then like London buses they all come along at once! I’m especially pleased for George, he would have been utterly delighted, his fabulous Christmas composition has become such a classic, almost as much a part of Christmas as mince pies, turkey and pigs in blankets.”

“It’s testament to a really wonderful Christmas song that in a lot of people’s minds evokes and represents Christmas as we would all wish it to be. I’d like to thank everyone who has listened to, downloaded, bought, streamed Last Christmas and been a part of history. Thanks so much and Merry Christmas!”

Last Christmas is the nation’s favourite festive song ( 
Image:
PR)
WHAM! now enter a rare Official Charts club, as one of only a few acts to achieve the Official Christmas Number 1 multiple times. Their peers now include; Queen (2), Spice Girls (3), The Beatles (4) and the current record-holders, LadBaby (5). On WHAM! joining the likes of Queen and The Beatles with multiple festive chart-toppers to their name, Andrew observes: “Artists of that calibre and songwriters, of which George was one, transcend the ages and decades and endure because of their quality. I think that’s the reason why Last Christmas has endured.”

Fans have since taken to social media to share their excitement, with one writing: “The most deserving of winners and record breakers!” “Yippee! George would have been so happy,” exclaimed a second. Meanwhile, another went on to add: “Outstanding achievement!” “Woo hoo Last Christmas went is number one official for Christmas on its 40th Anniversary. Bitter sweet beating Band Aid. Congratulations @GeorgeMichael @ajridgeley @WhamOfficial_,” typed another.

Gracie Abrams’ former chart-topper ‘That’s So True’ has secured the number 2 spot this week, following a last-minute surge ahead of the Christmas competition. This confirms her status as one of this year’s biggest breakout acts. ‘That’s So True’ previously topped the Official Singles Chart for five consecutive weeks. Meanwhile, Mariah Carey, the Queen of Christmas, may be celebrating 30 years of ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ this year, but she has to settle for a finish at number 3, maintaining her position from last week.

Sabrina Carpenter has bagged the Christmas Number 1 Album with her sixth LP Short N Sweet, released in August this year. The album has already produced three UK Number 1 singles; Espresso, Please Please Please and Taste, and shows no signs of leaving the charts anytime soon. Thanks to her Netflix special, A Nonsense Christmas, Sabrina’s album was favourite to claim a second non-consecutive week at Number 1 and receive the prestigious Christmas honour.

Given that Jesus was a carpenter, it seems fitting that Ms Carpenter’s LP should reign supreme on his birthday. However, she faced stiff competition from a familiar festive favourite. Michael Buble, aka Mr Christmas, was hot on Sabrina’s heels in the midweek charts. His 2011 album, Christmas, is a Yuletide classic and was in second place on Monday – just 150 units behind Short ‘N’ Sweet.

The former MasterChef host went on luxury trip to Germany as he faces investigation into alleged misconduct

Gregg Wallace has escaped the country as an investigation into a series of misconduct allegations against him continues. The former MasterChef judge posted a picture of him suited and booted on his way to dinner with wife Anna aboard a plush cruise.

Wearing a bow tie and grinning to the camera, the presenter proudly boasted about his trip about the luxury Queen Anne ship on his Instagram stories to his followers – before deleting it. “Big date night,” he wrote alongside it, with Anna seen over his shoulder as they made their way to the Sir Samuel’s restaurant – which prides itself on its “succulent steaks” and seafood platters.

They are on a North Sea and Baltic cruise with Cunard to Hamburg, having set sail on Sunday from Southampton and stopping off in the European cities of Paris, Bruges and Rotterdam, before docking in Hamburg, Germany, yesterday. Minutes after posting the video on Thursday night it disappeared, with Gregg taking it down. Wallace, 60, has been a speaker on the Queen Anne in the past year. It is not known if he was on the cruise in a professional or personal capacity.

Gregg Wallace posted a video on Instagram from his cruise – before deleting it

Gregg with wife Anna. The couple have son, Sid ( 
Image:
© Neil Genower)
The presenter is facing allegations from 13 people across a range of shows over 17 years, with MasterChef producers Banijay currently carrying out an investigation into his behaviour. He has largely stayed quiet on social media after issuing a grovelling apology for calling his accusers “middle-class women of a certain age” in a video rant on his Instagram. Wallace later ate humble pie, saying: “I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused. I wasn’t in a good headspace when I posted it, I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it. It’s obvious to me I need to take some time out now, while this investigation is under way.” Household names like Newsnight’s Kirsty Wark and Location, Location, Location’s Kirstie Alsopp have called out his past behaviour.

This week it was announced that food critic Grace Dent would be replacing Gregg as a judge on MasterChef. Grace, 51, will front the upcoming 20th series of Celebrity MasterChef alongside John Torode. She said: “I have been watching MasterChef since I was a girl sitting with my dad on the sofa. My whole family watches it. It’s all about uncovering and championing talent. To have ended up in this position is more than a dream to me. I’m so excited that I can’t eat, which is severely detrimental to a restaurant critic. I feel very lucky to be stepping in for the next Celebrity MasterChef. I can’t wait to meet the fresh celebrity faces for 2025.”

Grace Dent has replaced Gregg as the MasterChef judge. She will join John Torode on the next series ( 
Image:
PA)

The BBC last month said Wallace would step away from the show, which began in 1990, amid an external review into historical allegations of misconduct. Author and podcaster Grace has been a regular guest on MasterChef, and last year was a contestant on MasterChef: Battle of the Critics. MasterChef: The Professionals continued to be shown in recent weeks despite allegations against Wallace of inappropriate sexual behaviour. But two MasterChef celebrity Christmas specials – Celebrity MasterChef Christmas Cook-Off and MasterChef Meets Strictly – were pulled from the BBC schedule.

Wallace’s lawyers have said it is entirely false that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature.

Jane Moore has opened up about her relationship status after splitting from her husband of 20 years, Gary Farrow, in 2022 – and it would appear she’s in no rush to find love

Loose Women’s Jane Moore has candidly opened up about her current relationship status and her feelings towards dating again. In a recent issue of Platinum, the TV panellist shared her thoughts following her split from Gary Farrow in 2022 after two decades together.

Jane revealed that she’s not quite ready to dive back into the dating pool, stating she’s “still recalibrating to single life”.

She also mentioned how friends often question her about her dating plans, to which she responds: “When I say no, the follow-up line of enquiry is always, ‘Do you want to date again’, as though I’m considering getting back on a horse after a nasty fall.”

However, Jane clarified that her divorce wasn’t acrimonious and she remains good friends with her ex, adding: “But my divorce wasn’t nasty, we’re still good friends and, quite frankly, after 26 years of living with someone, I’m still recalibrating to single life and in no hurry to dive back into a relationship just for the sake of it.”

The Loose Women panellist opened up about her current relationship status ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images)

The Loose Women star further admitted that she enjoys her own company and feels perfectly at ease spending time alone at home.

Jane stressed that she wouldn’t want to start dating just because she decided she wants another relationship, but rather if she met someone she had known “many times”, reports the Express.

The former I’m A Celeb star shared that she’s not on the hunt for someone to “complete” her, but if someone comes along who “adds” to her life, then “great”. The mother-of -hree revealed her split from her partner live on Loose Women, with reports from the Mirror suggesting the pair had been “processing” the break up for “about a year”

Speaking on Loose Women, she expressed: “It’s weird that it’s out there [in public] because we’ve been processing it for about a year. So we’re both quite private people. We had discussed it last year… it was going to happen last year. And then he fell and broke his leg and, no, I didn’t push him. Just want to put that out there. He fell and broke his leg. And obviously, then all bets are off.”

It would appear that Jane isn’t that keen to jump back into dating just yet ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images)
The ex-couple share three daughters, two of whom travelled to Australia to support Jane during her stint in the I’m A Celebrity jungle. When questioned if they believed their mum was excited for her underwater trial on the show, Ellie and Grace pointed out that Jane had “asked for it”.

Gary operates a PR agency named The Corporation Group, and the couple tied the knot back in 2002 at Claridge’s Hotel in London. Among the star-studded guest list were Sir Elton John, Barbara Windsor and Jonathan Ross.

Coleen Rooney was offered a reality show immediately after her success on I’m a Celebrity, and TV giants from both live and streaming networks are battling it out to sign her up

TV star Coleen Rooney, 38, is reportedly at the centre of a war between live TV and streaming services alike after her success in the jungle.

Wayne Rooney ’s wife is rumoured to have been paid a huge £1.5 million plus for I’m a Celebrity, and her success at winning the public over in the jungle will fill her pockets even further. Immediately after coming in as runner up on the ITV show with an impressive 44.8% of the public vote, producers are said to be bidding over signing her up for more TV appearances.

A source claimed that there was a “huge bidding war” being waged over Coleen, with networks “desperate” to be the one to sign her. “ITV are the frontrunners to get her for Loose Women and she would love to do it, but Netflix are now coming in with some big-money offers – we’re talking offers of well over £1 million,” they told Closer.

A source suggested that Coleen might star in a reality show giving a glimpse inside her life with Wayne and their four boys ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
They teasingly added that networks noticed that Coleen was a “good listener” and that they wanted to “capitalise” on her personable nature, but didn’t give more information away about the types of shows she might be considering.

Soon after Coleen left the jungle, an insider quickly shared that she’d wowed producers and would be back on screen soon: They revealed earlier this month: “Her time on I’m A Celebrity only solidified what the execs already knew – Coleen is a natural on screen. Her authenticity and charm made her an immediate favourite with viewers. She has been approached time and time again to do more TV but now it is going to happen.”

Rumours suggest that she might even have a Kardashians-style reality TV show of her own, starring herself and hubby Wayne, 39, alongside their four young sons: Kai 14, Klay 11, Kit eight, and Cass, six. The show concept quickly sparked a bidding war, and Disney Plus and Amazon Prime Video are reportedly battling it out to secure the rights of the Rooney series.

“It was all set to be Disney’s and then Amazon appeared in the frame. That has sent the fee up. It looks now like the show will go to Disney, but there’s still time,” an industry insider divulged. “Coleen’s time on I’m a Celeb has made her the nation’s sweetheart, even if she didn’t win. The British public can’t get enough of her. Her profile is bigger than ever and the fee for her family’s reality show will reflect that.”

Even beyond her huge TV gains, one expert claimed that Coleen was well en route to earn more than Wayne thanks to a wise investment she made before entering the jungle. Coleen snapped up as many shares as she could in Liverpool-based sports health firm Applied Nutrition after becoming an ambassador for the brand, and is set to launch her own range of proteins, collagen, and vitamin supplements for Applied Nutrition in January. A source close to Coleen said last month: “With the company now valued at a staggering £350 million, Coleen stands to do incredibly well from this investment.”

The finale of the BBC series airs on Christmas Day but actor Larry Lamb didn’t do anything to quash fan rumours of a series comeback when he appeared on ITV’s Loose Women

Gavin & Stacey fans are both thrilled and saddened in the run-up to the Christmas special of the BBC series in less that a week’s time. While they are delighted to see the Ruth Jones and James Corden comedy making a comeback after five years, the co-creators have said this will be the last ever episode.

But appearing Loose Women on Friday, December 20, one of the show’s stars, Larry Lamb, did little to quash fan rumours that there may be another comeback further along the line.

Chatting to the panel on the ITV show, Kaye Edwards asked him if the Christmas Day episode would really be the last that we will be seeing of Gavin & Stacey.

Gavin & Stacey star Larry Lamb on ITV’s Loose Women ( 
Image:
ITV)
Larry, who plays loveable Mick Shipman, took the panel by surprise when he replied: “I get asked this but every time we finish it’s always the last one! It’s like some old rock ‘n’ roller who’s going off for his last world tour you know – he’s been doing the last world tour for 40 years.

“I just can’t see that the golden goose is going to get killed. Sooner or later someone’s going to be knocking on the door saying ‘do you know, do you think you could do another one?’”

During the show, Larry, 77, also spoke about the emotions the stars felt when they read through the new script.

Alison Steadman as Pam and Larry Lamb as Mick in a 2009 episode of Gavin & Stacey ( 
Image:
BABYCOW)
He said: “I knew from the moment I read it, this is something special. You’re going to get thrown up into the air, over and over again. It’s absolutely extraordinary.

“I sat with Alison (Steadman), we were side by side and by the end of it the pair of us were weeping.”

Larry’s comments came a few hours after Welsh co-star Joanna Page took on co-hosting duties on BBC’s Morning Live but she was adamant there will be no more episodes after the Christmas Day special.

Joanna, who plays Mick’s daughter-in-law Stacey, said: “It is the last last ever one, it has been so emotional, just saying goodbye to everybody. When I read the script and I saw that my first… I nearly, you nearly got me to say something then! But I saw that I’m sitting with Ruth, she’s playing the mouth organ and I’m in the rickshaw at the back, I was just like ‘oh we are back with a bang!’ this is brilliant.”

Television presenter Angela Rippon is stepping down from BBC’s Rip Off Britain after 15 years and will be replaced by former BBC Breakfast star, Louise Minchin

Telly favourite Angela Rippon is handing over the Rip Off Britain reins to Louise Minchin, the former face of BBC Breakfast, for the show’s upcoming instalment. The BBC have confirmed that starting January, Louise will team up with Gloria Hunniford and Julia Somerville on the hit consumer rights show that kicked off its on-screen journey in 2009 led by Angela.

Whispers from PA news agency insiders suggest that Angela is bowing out to focus on fresh projects, but the airwaves are abuzz with anticipation for her comeback in a later series.

At 56, Louise couldn’t contain her joy, commenting: “I’m delighted to be joining the incredible team at Rip Off Britain.”

She confessed: “I’ve always admired the show for really making a difference, for shining a spotlight on the issues that matter most to people and empowering viewers with the knowledge to tackle everyday challenges and stand up for their rights.”

Louise will be joining Rip Off Britain in January

Vowing to uphold the crusade against cons and proffer crucial advice to shield consumers’ pockets, she vowed: “From uncovering scams to giving audiences the advice they need to safeguard their money, we’ll do our best to promote the stories that expose the latest consumer issues and help to make a real difference. It’s going to be an exciting series.”

Last year, Angela wowed the Strictly Come Dancing crowd partnering with Kai Widdrington, not forgetting her stint as the hostess of its early iteration Come Dancing spanning from 1988 to 1999, reports the Express.

Esteemed Journalist and BBC’s first female news aficionado, Angela Rippon, not only commanded the fleet of the 2024 Strictly Come Dancing tour but also brought her expertise to some thrilling chapters of the latest series of Rip Off Britain.

Angela is stepping down after 15 years ( 
Image:
(Image: Getty))
The forthcoming instalment of Rip Off Britain promises to plunge into an ocean of consumer quandaries a deep dive from the repercussions of the disastrous 2024 Dubai floods to thorny compensation issues. It’s set to unpack the pulverisation of packages while uncovering a sly domestic heating company, accused of high-pressure sales manoeuvres that have seen energy bills soar sky-high.

Daytime commissioning editor Rachel Platt heralded the addition of Angela to the Rip Off Britain squad, remarking: “Louise is a great addition to the Rip Off Britain team.”

Digging deeper, she lauded the new host’s arrival, noting, “She brings both the journalistic rigour needed to hold organisations to account and the warmth and empathy to get to the heart of real stories.”

Singer and I’m A Celebrity star Tulisa Contostavlos has explained why her young romance didn’t work with bandmate Fazer

Tulisa Contostavlos says N-Dubz bandmate Fazer was “the person that loved me” and he is the one memorable romantic relationship she had growing up.

I’m A Celebrity star Tulisa has given an in-depth interview discussing her rollercoaster life including caring for her sick mum growing up and also discussing her early relationships with men. Looking back she says Fazer is the “only one who means something”.

The singer said: “My safe space was Fazer, like my safety blanket. He was the person that loved me, he was the only person that deserved it, because that is real. That’s real to this day.

“We love each other like family. It doesn’t matter if it’s not romantic anymore. That’s my family, that’s my soul family and the person that I’ve become doesn’t want anyone in my life other than my soul family, especially not when it comes to intimacy. He’s the only person, looking back that means something now.”

Tulisa, 36, became famous in 2008 with her band N-Dubz. N-Dubz – made up of Tulisa, her cousin Dappy and ex Fazer – enjoyed success with Top 10 singles and albums and were signed to the US label Def Jam by 2010. They released another album in 2022 and sold out London’s O2 for four nights last year on tour.

Asked why it didn’t work with Fazer longer term, Tulisa added: “We just were incompatible. There’s a lot of love there. I feel as if it was inevitable. You have two people that are so close, they’re like family close, they’re like friendship close and they have an attraction there and they’re constantly around each other. They can’t get away from each other. It’s inevitable, so we just had to go through it to grow through it. But after being in a relationship we’re very different human beings, very, very different, and that’s really what it comes down to.”

Tulisa quickly left Australia after I’m A Celebrity

Tulisa also tells the Paul C Brunson We Need To Talk podcast that she lost her virginity at 14 and was later sexually assaulted after her drink was spiked. She has been celibate for several years now and identifies as demisexual – meaning she has to form a strong emotional connection with someone before feeling physically attracted to them

Asked what she would tell her 14-year-old self now, she said: “The same thing every goddamn time. Keep your shit together, survive, you’re gonna get through this. Don’t fear anything. There’s nothing for you to be scared of. I always say you’re the biggest demon in the room.

“Not that I walk around as a demon, but it’s the inner beast that is there to tap into if you need it and that’s always my motto or what I tell people.”

Tulisa recently competed in I’m A Celebrity but after coming out of camp left Australia and didn’t stay for the final. Explaining what happened, she said: “I was hyperventilating, crying. It was too much. Is this about a fear I have of being in the spotlight? Or is the person I’ve become just not the kind of person that wants fame any more?”

This Morning presenter Josie Gibson left her co-star Dermot O’Leary baffled with a comment to a viewer after they phoned into the ITV show to take part in their competition

Josie Gibson left her co-host Dermot O’Leary baffled with her blunder on This Morning.

The TV presenter, 39, has been filling in for Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard on the ITV daytime show this week alongside the former X Factor host. During Thursday’s episode, the duo treated viewers with the chance of winning a cash prize with the daily Spin to Win game.

Barry was the lucky viewer to take part in the game and scooped up £1,000. However, it was a comment Josie made to Barry that left Dermot stunned. Barry was thrilled to have won the cash and revealed it was an extra boost since he had just returned home from hospital following his bladder cancer diagnosis.

Josie said: “You’ve won £1000 Barry, what are you going to spend it on!” Barry replied: “That made my day, I’ve just been to hospital with bladder cancer.” Dermot gave a sympathetic reaction yet Josie quipped: “Aw, Barry, lovely.” Her co-star turned to her with a baffled expression while Josie continued on and asked Barry if he had anyone with him.

Dermot appeared baffled by Josie’s comment ( 
Image:
ITV)

Barry’s line appeared to break up and the hosts wished him a Merry Christmas. Some viewers picked up on Josie’s blunder as one said: “Oh my god.” Another simply wrote: “Tragic.” Someone else defended Josie as they commented: “Like the rest of us, I don’t think Josie quite heard what the contestant was saying. I think she guessed he might have said something nice and went from there. It took me a few video plays to hear he said cancer.”

The TV star shot to fame when she won Big Brother back in 2010. She has continued to remain on screens and become a fan favourite, leading to her landing a role as a This Morning host. Last year, Josie headed Down Under for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!.

Josie Gibson shocked her This Morning co-star Dermot O’Leary ( 
Image:
ITV)
Earlier this year Josie sparked speculation of a romance with Stephen Mulhern after they were spotted hand in hand outside BBC Studios. They appeared cosy and when questioned about the nature of their relationship by Mail Online, Josie told the publication: “I’m in love with Stephen Mulhern. There you go. But story of my life, I don’t think he loves me.”

This month, Josie opened up on her relationship status and revealed she is currently single. “It wouldn’t be fair on them,” she said on the subject of partners. “My time is split between my career and my son, where would anyone fit in?” Opening up on her career, Josie added: “I feel like I know myself.

“If anything happened to me tomorrow… well, I’ve had a really good time. I’ve really enjoyed life. It’s been stressful at times – don’t get me wrong – but I’ve had a blast. I’m so lucky. When you reach a milestone birthday, it’s weird how your mind starts changing. As long as everybody’s happy and healthy, then we’re totally winning, aren’t we?”

Zoe Ball presented her final BBC Radio 2 breakfast show on Friday and shared an emotional message as she signed off for one last time

Friday morning saw the end of an era as Zoe Ball presented her last BBC Radio 2 breakfast show.

The presenter has woke up with the nation for six years, bringing her own style to the airwaves. But now, she has said goodbye to listeners for the last time. In her final sign off, a tearful Zoe said: “I’m full of feels…”

She went on to thank all the staff on the show, saying: “I adore you all. Thanks to all of you who have sent in questions and played along with the quiz… special shoutout to my friend Jo.” She told her to “keep championing” the music.

She continued naming all those who were involved in the show and said: “I love you all and I’m going to miss you loads. Shine on you crazy diamonds.”

Scott Mills is replacing Zoe Ball ( 
Image:
PA)

She went on to proudly say: “Thank you for tuning in, whether as a lone listener, as family, as a work Gang on your morning jogs, dog walks, truck drives, train commutes, or hiding in bed, it’s been a real privilege to keep you company through your morning manoeuvres. You’re just there and I’m just here having a chat with a mate. It’s such a special, intimate relationship.

“It’s never lost on me that we’ve been through life’s little highs and little lows together. I really do hope that we’ve managed to bring some sunshine and light when you’ve most needed it. A daft distraction from the hardest stuff. I’ve been bowled over by your messages, texts, emails, cards and letters across the years. Thank you for sharing with me your stories of love and loss, your baby news, your kids leaving home. Together, listeners, there’s been much laughter, some silliness, a few tears, lots of singing, and there has been dancing. May there always be dancing.

“Dear Scott will look after you in the new year. He’s one of the good ones. You can have a lot of fun together, and I’ll see you in the spring, popping up here on Radio 2 for new adventures, as the song says, You give a little love and it all comes back to you. Well, I’ve most definitely felt that love from your listeners. I feel very lucky to have been here. I sent buckets of love out to you and your dear ones this Christmas. It’s been very special. Take care of yourselves, lovely peeps, my top cats.”

Zoe kicked off her final show today ( 
Image:
@bbcradio2/Instagram)

She and the rest of the team were visibly emotional ( 
Image:
@bbcradio2/Instagram)
Zoe then played her final song on the station – Kim Wilde’s Keeping The Dream Alive.

Moments before, the show aired her ‘best bits’ over the years, including her first words on air, interviews with huge stars and a sweet message from her son, as her emotional production team broke down in tears. She was greeted with cheers and claps and she tearfully said in between sniffles: “Oh my goodness me. And this is for everyone who listened and this whole team in the room and my kids of course. Do I love you? Indeed I do.”

Earlier she had said she was feeling “all the emotions” as she received surprise tributes from fans and famous faces. Among those sharing sweet messages was Kylie Minogue and Oti Mabuse. Introducing the show, she confessed the whole team were back together for her final farewell but said: “We’ve had some tears already. We don’t quite know what to do with ourselves this morning, do we? I’ve come in and I suddenly can’t remember how to press the button.”

Another co-host confessed: “I wasn’t sure which chair to sit in!” before Zoe added: “We’re all pretending we’re going to be OK, that the emotion isn’t getting to us – but it’s definitely getting to us. So hold tight! But Richie, so many nice comments yesterday – made me blub my eyes out!

She promised to return in the Spring“I’ve already had a little cry on Patrick! But we’re going to have lots of fun today. We’re playing some of my favourite records today – both Christmassy and non-Christmassy ones and we’ll get through as many messages from the listeners as we can.”

She later admitted she “couldn’t be happier” to be handing over the reins to Scott Mills in the new year. Scott’s new role was announced after Zoe’s extended absence from the show during the summer following her mother’s death earlier this year.

Zoe also recently candidly opened up about her struggle with pain due to a condition known as TMJ. Zoe shared last month: “I have TMJ and wake most days with awful headaches from tension and jaw clenching. So grateful to Helen @sculptresslondon for her magic. This is my face after I’ve seen her, check out my face before – yikes – picture 2.”

While Zoe has disclosed her treatment, it is known that Botox can aid in easing tension around the face and jaw and can prevent natural clenching. According to the NHS, Temporomandibular disorder is a condition “affecting the movement of the jaw. It’s not usually serious and generally gets better on its own.” It can result in pain around your ear, jaw and temple, and eating softer foods is advised. Stress can also worsen the condition.

She revealed on air last month that her time on the show was set to come to an end. But she said at the time: “I’m not going to be a stranger, I’m staying in the Radio 2 crew and family because it’s an amazing family.”

Zoe first appeared on the show on January 14, 2019. Throughout her final show, Zoe played back a number of her favourite moments from over the years.

The radio presenter will be replaced by her close friend Scott Mills in the new year. Responding to the news in November, he said: “Zoe and I have been such good friends now for over 25 years and have spent much of that time as part of the same radio family here at Radio 2 and also on Radio 1. She’s done an incredible job on this show over the past six years, and I am beyond excited to be handed the baton.

“It feels ever since recording my first shows as a kid for an audience of one, my mum, all roads since have led to this amazing opportunity. It really is a lifelong dream come true to follow in the footsteps of Sir Terry, Chris and Zoe to be the new presenter of the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.”

‘It feels like the right thing’

Ant and Dec previously opened up about their decision to end Saturday Night Takeaway.

Since shooting to fame, the Geordie duo have become TV’s go-to presenting duo.

From hosting Britain’s Got Talent to their own Saturday Night Takeaway show, Ant and Dec have kept busy over the years. The lads are bad on screens this weekend too, for the I’m A Celebrity Coming Out show on Saturday (December 14).

But back in 2023, the boys left fans gutted when they confirmed they were taking a break from Saturday Night Takeaway.

The TV stars have taken a break from the ITV show (Credit: ITV)

Ant and Dec on taking a break from SNT

The Geordie duo hosted their final episode of Saturday Night Takeaway in April 2024 after more than two decades on air. Fans were gutted when Ant and Dec announced they would be taking a break from the show after its 20th series.

And it turns out their decision to end things was down to the pair now having families of their own.

Dec is married to Ali Astall and is a dad of two. Ant meanwhile, recently became a dad for the first time with wife Anne-Marie Corbett – who gave birth to their baby boy Wilder in May earlier this year.

The pair previously opened up about ending the show after 20 years (Credit: ITV)

Ant and Dec ‘want to step off the hamster wheel’

Speaking to The Independent in February ahead of their final SNT episode, Ant and Dec opened up on why they stopped the show.

“It was a tough decision to put Takeaway on hiatus, but they were on the same page,” Dec said, before he added: “Twenty series just feels like a natural point to pause. We don’t want to say we’ll never do it again. But we’ve both got families now. Our lives have changed dramatically. We want to step off the hamster wheel, catch our breath and decide what’s next.”

Ant then described it as “bittersweet” but admitted “it feels like the right thing”.

SNT’s final episode

In April 2024, Ant and Dec hosted their final Saturday Night Takeaway show for a while. In an emotional end to the show, Dec tearfully said: “We have truly adored every second making this show.

“But there’s one thing we have never ever forgotten. That’s the fact it’s not our show, it’s your show. So we’d like to say a thank you to you, our audience.”

I’m A Celebrity… Get me Out of Here! Coming Out airs on Saturday (December 14) at 9:35pm on ITV1.

 

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