Author: bang5

  • Naga Munchetty hits back at cruel body-shamers after nasty BBC Breakfast jibes

    Naga Munchetty hits back at cruel body-shamers after nasty BBC Breakfast jibes

    BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty spoke to Gabby Logan on the latest episode of the Mid-Point podcast and the pair discussed their experiences as presenters on TV

    TV presenter Naga Munchetty has hit back at the way she’s treated by BBC Breakfast viewers compared to her co-host Charlie Stayt. She’s also addressed people “reading into” her choices of outfits.

    Naga, 50 – who has anchored the BBC show since 2014 – has opened up about being criticised over her appearance on social media. The host, who has assured that she is “very happy” with her body, suggested that her colleague Charlie, 62, doesn’t receive the same response from viewers.

    The BBC Radio 5 Live host spoke about her experience whilst a guest on this week’s episode of the podcast the Mid-Point. The comments came after podcast host Gabby Logan, 52, asked whether it shows “progress” in the industry that they are both still working on TV in the fifties.

    Naga said: “I don’t feel I have to go anywhere soon because of my age.” She went on to share: “[But] I feel on television women are still judged on the way they look.” After Gabby asked if she meant “more than men,” she said: “Absolutely.”

    Loose Women’s Nadia Sawalha, 60, was then brought up, with Naga recalling that she attracted attention for wearing the same blouse for numerous episodes of the ITV show in 2017. Nadia later revealed that it had been an “experiment” after Robert Rinder, 46, said that he had worn the same suit in interviews without anyone noticing.

    Sharing her thoughts, Naga suggested that viewers wouldn’t notice if her co-stars Charlie and Jon Kay, 55, did the same. She said that “no one would notice” if her two colleagues “wore the same suit” for several days on BBC Breakfast.

    Charlie Stayt, in a blue suit, and Naga Munchetty, in a blue dress, on the BBC Breakfast sofa.
    Naga Munchetty (right), pictured with co-host Charlie Stayt (left), has spoken about being criticised over her appearance on BBC Breakfast(Image: BBC)

    Then speaking about her own experience, Naga said: “The number of times I’ve had comments. ‘Oh you shouldn’t be wearing that dress, you’ve got a bit of a belly’. People are quite happy to email or comment on social media.”

    She continued: “I’m very happy with my body. Y’know I’m fit, I’m strong, but women have bellies.” Asked if her co-host gets comments about his body, she responded: “I don’t think Charlie’s ever had a comment about his belly.”

    Naga later told host Gabby: “You get a lot of nice comments [too] but I think … so to go back to age, women are expected to portray a certain aesthetic.” She added: “When you dress for news, you have to be mindful that what you wear cannot be distracting because the story is important.”

    Football pundit Gabby said that it’s “the same with sport,” adding that she “always” wants to look “smart”. She said that whilst she enjoys clothes, she doesn’t want her outfits to be “anything more” than a “passing thought” for viewers. Naga added: “Women are more highly criticised and noticed.”

    Gabby Logan, in an orange suit jacket and white top, on a football pitch.
    She opened up about her experience in a conversation with Gabby Logan on her the Mid-Point podcast(Image: Getty Images)

    During the discussion, Naga also addressed viewers “reading into” her choice of coat colour for outside broadcasts in her career. She said that broadcasters need a “variety” of coats, scarves and thermals for when they work outdoors.

    She added: “The number of times people have read into the colour of my coat and what I’m talking about [though].” Naga said she has been accused of “being political” with her choice of chat, before telling Gabby that “it is nonsense”.

    Gabby admitted that when she’s commentating at a football match, she tries to avoid wearing suits in the same colour as either of the teams playing. Naga added that if she knows that she is interviewing a politician on BBC Breakfast she won’t wear the “colours of their party” that same day.

  • BBC Bargain Hunt expert finds gold medal worth £1million in cardboard box

    BBC Bargain Hunt expert finds gold medal worth £1million in cardboard box

    BBC Bargain Hunt expert Richard Madley was quizzed about the biggest profit he’s ever made on an antique – and had a very surprising answer for his co-star Charlie Ross


    Bargain Hunt expert Richard Madley made £1million(Image: (Image: BBC))

    BBC Bargain Hunt expert Richard Madley was gobsmacked when he unearthed a treasure from a cardboard box that later fetched £1 million at auction.

    Sharing his experience with the most lucrative finds, Richard recounted: “I found a gold medal in a cardboard box which I sold for £1 million, and a small lead Henry Moore sculpture I found in a Wiltshire farmhouse made £320,000.

    Madley’s standout moment on the programme involved discovering a quaint “vintage scratch-built green painted toy train c.1930”, which cost him £5 in Cardiff Antiques Market and went on to sell successfully at a market in Carmarthen.

    He also shared how his passion for collecting started in childhood and has funded significant life purchases, saying: “I started with stamps then moved to coins but became hooked on bottles).

    “My father bought me a box of Britain’s lead soldiers which I added to, then sold them all to buy my first house.”

    Richard's collecting hobby enabled him to buy a house
    Richard’s collecting hobby enabled him to buy a house(Image: (Image: BBC))

    He continued to detail his ventures in antiques, mentioning: “I built up an impressive collection of postcards which I sold to re-roof that first house. I built up an even better collection of Poole Pottery over twenty years which I sold to pay school fees.”

    Richard divulged his current interest and potential future plans by stating: “My current area of collecting is Wisden Cricketers’ Almanacks, which I will probably sell to finance my nursing home fees,” reports the Express.

    Bargain Hunt’s Christina Trevanion was left gobsmacked upon discovering that a set of tribal masks, part of expert Sam Hanbury-Maiden’s collection and described as “highly desirable for collectors”, could fetch up to a staggering £2million at auction.

    Earlier this month, Bargain Hunt star Ochuko Ojiri pleaded guilty to eight charges related to funding terrorism.

    In early May, he was seen arriving at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after being charged with a specific offence under section 21A of the Terrorism Act 2000.

    His charges included eight counts of failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector following an investigation into alleged “terrorist financing”.

    Ojiri appeared in court wearing a grey suit and a dark tie and confirmed his name, date of birth and address before the charges were read out to him.

  • Comedy star gets emotional in surprising episode of Alison Hammond’s chat show airing on TV tonight

    Comedy star gets emotional in surprising episode of Alison Hammond’s chat show airing on TV tonight

    In a surprisingly emotional episode, comedian Jimmy Carr opens up about how his beloved late mum inspired his love of laughter

    Alison Hammond's Big Weekend sees her spend time with celebrities
    Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend sees her spend time with celebrities(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Primark)

    What happens when two iconic laughs collide? A lot of noise… In the second instalment of Alison Hammond’s Big Weekend, airing tonight (Friday 23 May) on BBC1 at 8.30pm, Alison spends time with comedian Jimmy Carr.

    You can expect a particularly loud instalment of celebrity grilling with these two, but more surprising is how emotional it is. Jimmy keeps Alison on her toes as she joins him on tour, heading to his gig in Kendal. Alison accidentally calls him Alan Carr at one point, but otherwise they get on like a house on fire.

    Jimmy opens up about fatherhood, revealing how having a daughter has unlocked new emotional depths, talks about his love of cosmetic surgery as well as his controversial tax scandal and his grief when comedian and 8 Out Of 10 Cats co-star Sean Lock died.

    Jimmy Carr opens up to Alison Hammond
    Jimmy Carr opens up to Alison Hammond(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC Studios)

    Jimmy shares how a bout of depression in his twenties prompted him to pursue stand-up, starting with gigs above a pub. He credits his love of laughter to his late mother, whose contagious, narcoleptic laugh inspired him.

    He says: “I was a bit depressed in my mid twenties. I didn’t like my life, I didn’t like where it was going. I left everything to become a comedian to tell jokes above a pub.”

    “My mother would have loved you,” he tells Alison. “She was larger than life in every sense. She was very funny in a way that I’m not. She just had that magic, it made laughter the most important thing in my life. She had narcolepsy and the narcoleptic laugh where you make no noise, she’d just rock and fully melt when she laughed. So the game growing up was to make her laugh in the car.”

    Jimmy tells Alison how his mother inspired his love of comedy
    Jimmy tells Alison how his mother inspired his love of comedy(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC Studios)

    Later on a boat ride, when Alison mentions that she misses her mum Maria, who died when she was 47, Jimmy recalls that he was around 25 when his mum Nora died.

    He says: “I was very close to my mother so her dying was the worst thing I could imagine. When I was a kid I had this separation anxiety of something happening to her.

    “So when it happens there’s a weird freedom, where that’s happened and I’m still here. It got across to me what mortality really is. This is it, this is your life, you don’t get another go, so do want you want to do.

    “She was depressed for a lot of my childhood, which is pretty sad. Making her happy made me happy so the compulsion to be funny came from that. I don’t believe in an after life but I carry her with me. There is an after life – the kids are the after life.”

    There’s plenty more on TV tonight – here’s the best of the rest..

    JOANNA LUMLEY’S DANUBE, ITV1, 9pm

    rom beer-brewing nuns to Lederhosen-wearing dancers, a Eurovision winner and a Granny cafe, Joanna Lumley certainly has an eclectic experience on her latest travel show. The 79-year-old actor cements her status as iconic travel presenter on this journey down the Danube.

    During the three-parter she follows the most international river in the world across the heart of Europe, tracking the river from its origins beneath the pines of Germany’s Black Forest all the way to the Black Sea. A seasoned traveller, she says: “I’d love people to realise the world is marvellous. You’ve only got one life, you must live it to the full. Get up before dawn and go somewhere odd. Go on a local bus, don’t just lie by the pool.”

    On her journey she encounters Slovakia’s stunning snow-capped peaks, Hungary’s Great Plain and its distinctive cowboys, the majesty of Vienna and Budapest, the raw beauty of Transylvania and unique wilderness that is the Danube Delta. She also meets the Vienna Boys Choir, Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst and visits a Granny Cafe, set up to help combat loneliness for the elderly.

    Joanna says: “I met a coven of witches who were also Romani travellers. They did this great ceremony with masses of candles, the camera boys nearly died from the heat. And I can’t forget the brewing nuns. When I asked the sister if she thought God would approve of alcohol, she said ‘I think God wants us to be happy and alcohol makes us happy’. That was the sweetest answer I’ve ever heard.”

    HIDDEN TREASURES OF THE NATIONAL TRUST, BBC2, 9pm

    A risqué statue of a Georgian playboy’s mistress needs a beauty session as the experts restore more treasures at stately homes. The life-size plaster statue shows a naked Italian ballet dancer lying in a seductive pose. The piece was commissioned by the ballerina’s lover John Frederick Sackville, 3rd Duke of Dorset, and lay in pride of place at Knole House in Kent for years before being banished to the attics after he married someone else. Now she’s back on display and conservator Ana Logreira is attempting to restore her legendary looks.

    In another family story at the Lake District farmhouse, Townend, there’s a hugely valuable archive covering 400 years of Cumbrian history. Now a key part of the archive needs saving: a bound volume of letters from Ben Browne, who went to seek his fortune in London in the 18th century and wrote home to his family. House manager Emma Wright reads them and discovers family drama worthy of any soap opera.

    EMMERDALE, ITV1, 7.30pm

    Cain struggles to digest the information that Nate never made it to the Shetland isles. John does his best to convince Belle that Nate doesn’t want to be found and prevents her from calling the police to report Nate as a missing person. Belle reluctantly agrees not to get the police involved. Sarah feels sad and isolated as she awaits the results of her biopsy. Mack and Ross realise they don’t have enough cannabis plants so Mack devises an alternative scheme.

    CORONATION STREET, ITV1, 8pm

    Bernie tells Mick that if he thinks he can use her as a bargaining chip, he’s mistaken as Kit doesn’t care about her. Mick gets Kit on the phone and summons him, making it clear he’s to come alone. When Lisa takes a call from Jess from the hospital, she’s desperate for any news on Craig. Tim, Sally, Gemma and Chesney rake over the horrors of the day. With Tim still looking after Shanice and Joanie, what has happened to Lou?

  • Loose Women stars left in fear as they’re forced to ‘sing for supper’ amid ‘time-bomb’

    Loose Women stars left in fear as they’re forced to ‘sing for supper’ amid ‘time-bomb’

    The Loose Women panellists are said to be in fear over their future on the show after ITV announced a major shake-up, which has been branded a ‘time-bomb’ by some

    There is believed to be tension behind the scenes between the older Loose Women stars and the younger panellists
    There is believed to be tension behind the scenes between the older Loose Women stars and the younger panellists

    Loose Women stars are said to have been left shaken following ITV’s dramatic shake-up. Earlier this week, the network announced a major overhaul of their daytime schedules, which affects both Loose and Lorraine Kelly’s self-titled morning programme.

    However, despite being hit with a mass loss of viewers, the magazine show This Morning remains unaffected. While all shows air throughout the year, the new schedule means that both Loose and Lorraine will only be on screens for 30 weeks of the year. Meanwhile, Good Morning Britain has been extended until 9.30, axing part of Lorraine’s show.

    The shake-up will come into play in January, with many of the Loose panel now feeling as though they’re on a probation period. Sources have claimed that anchors on the show, including Christine Lampard, Coleen Nolan and Gloria Hunniford had not been informed of the shake-up before it was made public.

    It’s claimed that some of the older members of the panel who have been part of the show since its launch 25 years ago, are worried that they will be fighting for appearances on the panel, while “PR friendly” younger members of the team including GK Barry, Olivia Attwood and former singer Frankie Bridge will be favoured.

    Sources claim that the younger members of Loose Women are being favoured by the top dogs
    Sources claim that the younger members of Loose Women are being favoured by the top dogs(Image: ITV)

    ITV sources have criticised This Morning for being “favoured” despite its dwindling viewing figures. The tension behind the scenes at the network is believed to be “unbearable,” with This Morning being hit with “rage.” Sources claim that the shake-up has sparked a ” time bomb,” with executives allegedly doing everything to defuse the situation amongst talent.

    “ITV Daytime could combust from the inside out at this rate,” a source said. They went to tell The Sun that older panellists on Loose Women have seen shake-ups in the past but “weathered” them. Now, this news has come out of nowhere, leaving them shaken.

    The older members of the panel are believed to think that the negative criticism surrounding the programme has been directed towards them with “out of touch” comments, whereas the new and younger panellists have a hype around them due to having different viewers than their older colleagues.

    Cast on the show are now feeling they have to 'sing for their supper'
    Cast on the show are now feeling they have to ‘sing for their supper’(Image: (Credit: Amy Brammall / ITV) )

    Older members of the panel believe that the younger stars are “shiny teachers’ pets,” after top bosses have praised them for bringing in a younger audience. “It’s now five months or so for them to prove their worth and sing for their supper,” the source added. They went on to say: “The older panellists feel like until January they’re on probation and pragmatic bosses will be scrutinising their every tweet, every rating and audience polling — everything like that.”

    There is also believed to be tension around the pay from the show, with some on a staff PAYE contract, and some panellists working on a freelance basis. But while the take-home fee is different, every panellist is believed to be on around £3,000 per episode. The Mirror previously revealed that Loose Women had become embroiled in a pay row behind the scenes.

    Three big stars had told their bosses that they would walk out if the issues were not resolved. It came after the network was hit with a change by HMRC on tax legislation. ITV were made to decide whether a role was self-employed or employed for tax purposes from April 2021.

    Some stars had been told to take a PAYE contract, meaning that instead of paying corporation tax at 19 per cent, they would have had to pay 40 per cent on earnings between £50,271 and £150,000, plus National Insurance. A source behind the scenes told us: “They have all been self-employed for decades. Their accountants are saying no, they are self-employed… and are not going to go on PAYE.”

    Our mole added: “They’re so strict about it, and we’re talking about the big players.” ITV sources said the broadcaster had communicated the change to all those concerned across the channel and that assessments are done on a “case-by-case basis”.

  • Inside Loose Women ‘war’ – stars locked in feud as some panellists branded ‘teachers’ pets’

    Inside Loose Women ‘war’ – stars locked in feud as some panellists branded ‘teachers’ pets’

    The Loose Women panellists are believed to be enraged over the huge shake-up at ITV, which will see the programme taken off air for almost half of the year

    The Loose Women stars are said to be locked in a feud over younger on-screen talent
    The Loose Women stars are said to be locked in a feud over younger on-screen talent(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

    Older members of the Loose Women panel are believed to be vowing to “fight” against the younger stars. It comes amidst a huge shake-up at ITV, which will see a huge overhaul of their daytime scheduling, affecting various shows.

    The network announced earlier this week that Loose and Lorraine Kelly’s self-titled show will see its time on air cut to just 30 weeks of the year, rather than airing on a continuous basis. Despite This Morning being hit with a huge dip in viewing figures, the show will not be affected.

    Lorraine’s programme has also taken another hit and will air for just half an hour, rather than an hour, as Good Morning Britain has been extended for an extra 30 minutes. But tension at Loose is believed to be at an all-time high, with panellists feeling as though they’re on a probation period.

    The Loose Women stars have been left enraged over the younger members of the panel who've been branded 'teachers' pets'
    The Loose Women stars have been left enraged over the younger members of the panel who’ve been branded ‘teachers’ pets’(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

    It’s claimed that stars of the midday programme, including Christine Lampard and Coleen Nolan, hadn’t been informed of the news until it was made public. Reports claim that older women on the panel, who have been there since it launched a quarter of a century ago, believe they’ll be fighting against “PR friendly” younger members of the team, including Frankie Bridge, Olivia Attwood and TikToker GK Barry.

    The majority of the panel have been through ITV cuts and the financial crisis of 2008 and 2009 and have come out the other side. But the news this week is said to have left them blindsided. A source said: “They feel like often all the negative criticism is levelled at them, the odd ‘out of touch’ comment, whereas with the new panellists such as Liv and Grace, there is a buzz around them because they have that different point of view.”

    Sources have said that older member's of the panel have nothing to worry about
    Sources have said that older member’s of the panel have nothing to worry about(Image: ITV)

    They added to The Sun: “Execs have also proudly pro-claimed how the youngsters have brought with them a much-needed new audience — and now all of a sudden the older panellists feel like they are going to have to fight for their places against these shiny teachers’ pets. It’s now five months or so for them to prove their worth and sing for their supper.”

    But a source at the network said that the older panellists on Loose Women are “highly valued and celebrated”. They added that while there are reports of the panel “fighting” to get time on the show, the Loose Women podcast and Over 60 and Over 70s specials will “keep everyone busy.”

    It’s claimed that regular anchors, including Christine, Kaye Adams, Ruth Langsford and Charlene White, are all safe in their positions but many have been left worried that bosses will meticulously look over their social media posts, episode ratings and audience polling results.

    GK Barry and Frankie Bridge have apparently been a hit with bosses
    GK Barry and Frankie Bridge have apparently been a hit with bosses(Image: ITV)

    Reports claim that many of the panellists feel they will now have to ‘audition for their role’ and tensions will rise as they continue to demonstrate how bold and feisty they can all be. Over the years, viewers have seen clashes between each of the panellists, with former star Carol McGiffin allegedly clashing with Andrea McLean after she was left off the invite list for her wedding.

    Carol took to her Best Magazine column to highlight this, writing, “I’m ecstatic for them both, even though I wasn’t invited to the wedding. Andrea’s managed to squeeze in two weddings in less time than I’ve been engaged to Mark, which is a bit embarrassing, to say the least.”

    Speaking in 2014, Mylene Klass, who often appears on the panel, hit out following a clash with broadcaster and journalist, Janet Street-Porter. On the show, Janet lost her temper with the star, saying,”I’m happiest when I’m not sat next to you Myleene!”

    Janet has never shied away from sharing her thoughts on the panellists
    Janet has never shied away from sharing her thoughts on the panellists (Image: ITV)

    Following this, the singer took to social media to vent: “I love Loose Women. It’s nice to be able to articulate and get things out there. But I feel it was getting a bit misogynistic, a bit post-menopausal or pre-menopausal and ranty. That’s not how women should be represented so it’s nice they’ve refreshed the panel and we can talk about politics, fashion designers and what else is going on in the week.

    “It’s a show for women but I don’t feel like it empowered me. People think you’re best friends with everybody on Loose Women. You’re absolutely not. You have to just tolerate [some people] because you’ve got to get the job done.”

    Elsewhere, speaking out last year, McGiffin fumed: “I don’t regret leaving – I don’t fit in there any more. Someone, somewhere, will be offended by absolutely everything. I’d rather not be on a show that panders to that. It’s boring – and I won’t be told what I can or can’t say.”

    Despite her ongoing clash with the show, she has remained close to Denise Welch, Kaye, Jane Moore and Nadia Sawalha. But, Carol, who never refrains from speaking her mind, told Women’s Own: “Some, I have nothing in common with. As I said to them, ‘You’re not friends, you’re just people I work with, who I really like.’ Which horrified them.”

  • What bitter ITV cuts fallout means as shows in death spiral and daytime TV ends as we know it

    What bitter ITV cuts fallout means as shows in death spiral and daytime TV ends as we know it

    Staff at ITV are said to be growing angrier as the row over cuts on key shows such as Loose Women and Lorraine continues, with insiders fearing a drop in standards

    Lorraine
    ITV staff fury grows over 220 job cuts and ‘death of daytime’ as CEO pockets £4million salary(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

    ITV staff fury is growing as the row over sweeping cuts to Loose Women and Lorraine continues to rage. Recriminations are becoming increasingly bitter over the channel’s axing of 220 jobs, with insiders insisting viewers will notice a drop in standards.

    Many are blaming chief executive Carolyn McCall for the “death of daytime” and have criticised her for pocketing a massive £4million salary, including bonus, last year. There is also widespread anger that the cost-savings, which will radically change ITV ’s daytime schedule from January, were not delivered by Ms McCall to staff gathered in London’s Television Centre, on Tuesday.

    A Good Morning Britain source said: “She could have walked the 400 yards to the studio to explain to folk in person.” But a channel spokeswoman said ITV Studios MD Julian Bellamy personally wanted to deliver the news: “It was really important to him that he shared this news directly in the way he felt appropriate. This is also very much in line with best practice HR given the sensitivity of the situation.”

    Loose Women will feel the effect of the changes
    Loose Women will feel the effect of the changes(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

    They said ITV boss Kevin Lygo made the decision to shake-up the schedules. It comes as the channel was rocked by a series of other developments including:

    Claims that standards across Lorraine and Loose Women in particular will go into a “death spiral” leaving viewers short-changed.
    Outrage over stars on shows such as This Morning keeping their well-paid jobs while hundreds are sacked.
    Fears of strikes among heavily unionised GMB studio crew and technicians.

    On screen, viewers will see huge changes to the daytime schedule. Lorraine is the worst hit. It will run for 30 weeks, not 50 weeks a year, and will be slashed from an hour to 30 minutes each day.

    Loose Women will stay at the same running time but will also be cut to 30 weeks. This Morning will remain the same length and frequency. Meanwhile Good Morning Britain will be extended by 30 minutes, to run from 6am to 9.30am. For the 22 weeks of the year Lorraine is not airing, it will go on until 10am.

    A source said: “It’s not a case of viewers seeing less of their shows… it’s impossible to see how the high standards will remain the same. Some staff believe Loose Women and Lorraine in particular will enter a death spiral… it’s just so sad. Just a handful of people will be working on each of those two programmes which has huge ramifications for how they are going forward.”

    All the shows are now going to be made under one roof. An insider asked: “If that’s the case, will Loose Women really still have a live audience…will there be the capacity for that? Everyone doubts it, not least because of the manpower needed to oversee it. Also, there is a huge amount of background work which goes into securing guests… in the new climate how does that continue with barely any staff?”

    ITV sources insist that they want “minimal change” for viewers. The source said: “It’s early days and we are currently consulting but we don’t want to alienate our viewers and it’s hoped there will be minimal change on screen. Daytime is hugely important to our viewers.”

    The Loose Women panel, including Coleen Nolan, GK Barry and Frankie Bridge, are also expected to see shifts dwindle, especially those who live outside London and charge for travel and hotels. Glam squads are also expected to be axed with stars expected to use in-house make-up.

    An insider said: “To be honest there is very little sympathy for stars having their glam squads cut among the rank and file staff, in fact there is a lot of anger that on the whole the channel’s biggest stars are all keeping their jobs – and their exorbitant salaries – while others suffer.”

    They added: “It’s no secret that stars on This Morning such as Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley are on huge salaries. Many believe they should offer to take cuts, or at least when their contracts are next negotiated.”

    On the whole, This Morning is unaffected by the sweeping cuts. It will remain in its 10am-12.30pm slot on weekdays although questions remain over whether standards will be maintained.

    The current Good Morning Britain team was particularly hard hit – of the 133 staff who currently make the early-bird magazine show, hosted by Susanna Reid, Richard Madeley and Ed Balls, just 38 will make the move to ITN which will now produce the show.

    One source on the show said: “Lots of the studio crew and technicians will be the hardest hit with ITN taking over their roles. A lot of them are unionised and there is a fear among ITV that industrial action could be an option.”

    GMB will be re-homed within ITN’s Gray’s Inn Road headquarters in Central London. Staff working on all shows are expected to “carry on as normal” until the plans are formalised.

    A source said: “It’s a mutinous atmosphere to say the least and far removed from the happy, cheery image that ITV Daytime usually evokes.” The Mirror revealed this week staff on Lorraine were particularly worried their main host could quit.

    Contrary to reports she was happy to see her hours cut “to spend more time with her family”, insiders say she is devastated for the team on the show being decimated. “They are a tight bunch on Lorraine and the agony is palpable,” said one.

  • Controversial ITV comedy to return as Traitors star joins cast for new series

    Controversial ITV comedy to return as Traitors star joins cast for new series

    ITV has revealed that its controversial sitcom Piglets will be back on our screens after making its debut last year despite backlash about its ‘offensive’ title


    (Image: ITV)

    ITV has announced the return of its police sitcom Piglets, with one particular Traitors star set to join the cast. The comedy follows a group of police recruits as they begin training under the leadership of hopeless Superintendent Bob Weekes (Mark Heap) and ambitious Superintendent Julie Spry (Sarah Parish).

    The series proved to be controversial ahead of its launch in July last year, with the Police Federation of England and Wales calling it “highly offensive” over its title. The group described the show’s title – based on the slang term for police which is ‘pig’ – as “insulting” and “inflammatory” at the time.

    ITV sitcom Piglets will be back for a second series with Traitors star Madelyn Smedley
    ITV sitcom Piglets will be back for a second series with Traitors star Madelyn Smedley(Image: ITV)

    The show is set to return for a second series however after reaching 5.6 million views across its six episodes since launching. Sarah Parish and Mark Heap will reprise their roles alongside Colin McFarlane, Rebecca Humphries, Ricky Champ, Halema Hussain, Abdul Sessay, Jamie Bisping and Sukh Kaur Ojla.

    Meanwhile, Traitors star Madelyn Smedlyn will be joining the cast as new trainee Danni alongside Game of Thrones star Kerr Logan – who also has a connection to the BBC show. While Madelyn competed on the first series of The Traitors, Kerr’s mum Diane Carson was one of the standout stars of the second series.

    ITV’s Head of Comedy, Nana Hughes, said in a statement: “We are absolutely thrilled to bring back the attention-grabbing Piglets for a second series on ITV.”

    While creator Victoria Pile added: “We’re delighted ITV have given us the chance to explore the latest antics of our talented would-be cops!”

    Maddy The Traitors
    Maddy was one of the first contestants on The Traitors (Image: BBC)

    The news follows ITV’s latest cuts to its daytime staff, with over 220 employees reportedly set to lose their jobs out of 500 working on Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women.

    ITV announced this week that Good Morning Britain will be produced by ITN – ITV’s news provider – from next year with only 38 of the 113 staff being kept on.

    Meanwhile, Lorraine will only air for 30 weeks of the year, with its running time being slashed in half from 60 minutes to half an hour. GMB will instead be extended by an extra hour during the weeks when Lorraine is not on air.

    Insiders recently revealed to The Mirror that the cuts may lead to Lorraine Kelly quitting the show altogether, with the new schedule a “kick in the teeth” for the star.

  • ITV announce MAJOR changes to huge daytime shows and it’s bad news for Lorraine

    ITV announce MAJOR changes to huge daytime shows and it’s bad news for Lorraine

    ITV have announced huge changes to their Daytime output, including Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women amid fears of money-saving cuts at the broadcaster

    ITV daytime will look very different in a few months with huge changes coming to shows including Good Morning Britain. The ITV news and magazine shows usually run from 6am to 1.30pm weekdays and include the breakfast show followed by Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women.

    From January 2026, Good Morning Britain will be extended by 30 minutes to run from 6am to 9.30am daily. While Lorraine Kelly’s show has been cut in half and will now run from 9.30am until 10am. Not only that, but the programme will only air for 30 weeks of the year

    During the weeks Lorraine is not on air, Good Morning Britain will run from 6am to 10am. This Morning will remain in its 10am-12.30pm slot on weekdays throughout the year, while Loose Women will be in the 12.30-1.30pm slot for a seasonal basis of 30 weeks too.

    Lorraine Kelly
    Lorraine Kelly returned to work this week after undergoing surgery earlier this month 
    Image:
    ITV)
    Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV’s Media and Entertainment Division, explained of the huge changes: “Daytime is a really important part of what we do, and these scheduling and production changes will enable us to continue to deliver a schedule providing viewers with the news, debate and discussion they love from the presenters they know and trust as well generating savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres.

    Loose Women will only air 30 weeks of the year
    Loose Women will only air 30 weeks of the year 
    Image:
    Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
    He added: “We will work with ITV Studios and ITN as they manage these changes to produce the shows differently from next year, and support them through this transition. Daytime has been a core element of ITV’s schedule for over 40 years and these changes will set ITV up to continue to bring viewers award winning news, views and discussion as we enter our eighth decade.”

    The expanded Good Morning Britain will see a mix of news, interviews, debate and competitions as well as more regional news and more investigations as well as more analysis of the biggest stories of the day.

    GMB will be made by a special team within ITV News at ITN whilst Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women will continue to be produced by ITV Studios. It will be broadcast from a new location in central London. ITV Studios is now working with its Daytime teams that will see the three shows produced by one team sharing resources and operations.

    Lorraine recently made her return to work following an operation. Speaking about it on her show, she said: “Well, it was keyhole surgery to get rid of my ovaries and fallopian tubes, keyhole is amazing.

    “I’ve got three new holes in my body which are fantastic, all healing beautifully … I’m all good, absolutely fine, I’ve had it before and I was fine. I only stayed in for one night but so well looked after, I couldn’t have asked for better care. Obviously when I went home, Steve had to do everything. So I’m not even allowed to hoover, apparently, not allowed to lift anything.”

    Lorraine’s show was covered by guest presenters in her absence but she has yet to break her silence about her show changes.

  • Kate Middleton makes shock nod to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with surprise detail

    Kate Middleton makes shock nod to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with surprise detail

    The Princess of Wales attended her first Buckingham Palace garden party in a recycled dress in butter yellow – the shade of the season – but another part of her outfit had a connection to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

    The Princess of Wales made an unexpected nod to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with a surprise detail on her latest outing. Kate surprised guests by joining husband Prince William, at a Buckingham Palace garden party – her first one in two years.

    The princess, who is in remission from cancer, missed the whole of the 2024 garden party season while undergoing treatment during what William described as a “brutal” year. Kate, whose attendance was not announced in advance as is the custom for garden parties, was dressed in a butter yellow Emilia Wickstead dress and hat by Philip Treacy.

    Kate talks to guests as she wears an Emilia Wickstead dress and Philip Treacy hat
    Kate talks to guests as she wears an Emilia Wickstead dress and Philip Treacy hat (Image: PA)

    Both pieces she had worn before – and it turns out the hat has a connection to her estranged brother-in-law Harry and his wife Meghan. That’s because the hat, complete with yellow flowers, is exactly the same as the one she wore to the Sussexes’ wedding.

    It also comes just days after Harry and Meghan celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary, with Meghan marking the day with a selection of personal family photos on Instagram. Kate also wore the same hat at Trooping the Colour in 2019.

    Meanwhile, Kate’s dress yesterday, which was in a colour dubbed the shade of the season, was also a repeat. She last wore it to a service at St Paul’s Cathedral during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

    Kate wears the same hat at Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018
    Kate wears the same hat at Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018 (Image: Getty Images)

    Her diamond earrings had also been seen before, as she opted to wear a pair from Robinson Pelham that she had worn on her wedding day in 2011 after receiving them as a gift from her parents.

    During yesterday’s party, William and Kate met guests from a number of their patronages, military affiliations and passion projects, including Homewards, Action for Children and Ty Hafan, as well as Duchy of Cornwall tenants.

    Among them was the family of aspiring photographer Liz Hatton, who died in November from an aggressive cancer called desmoplastic small round cell tumour.

    Kate has emotional reunion with the family of Liz Hatton
    Kate has emotional reunion with the family of Liz Hatton(Image: PA)

    The 17-year-old, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was pictured being hugged by Kate at Windsor Castle just weeks before she died after being invited to take pictures of William at an investiture.

    Also at the event were William’s cousins, Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall, with Kensington Palace saying the prince and princess had specially invited the younger generation of the royal family to accompany them.

    Other attendees included Holocaust survivor Steven Frank, who was photographed by Kate in 2020 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust, and fundraising youngster Tony Hudgell.

    The Princess of Wales at a Buckingham Palace garden party
    The Princess of Wales at a Buckingham Palace garden party(Image: PA)

    Ten-year-old Tony, who is a double amputee and previously met Kate at the Evelina London Children’s Day Surgery Unit, missed a garden party last year after getting stuck in traffic on his way there, prompting another invitation from the Palace this year. Kate last appeared at a royal garden party in May 2023, just days after the King’s Coronation, when the social event was staged in celebration of the historic occasion.

    Some 7,500 guests mingled in the spring sunshine on the neatly manicured lawn of the royal residence on Tuesday, as William, Kate, and other members of the royal family stood on the West Terrace for the National Anthem. The official engagement marks another step in Kate’s gradual return to post-cancer public duties.

    Both pieces she had worn before – and it turns out the hat has a connection to her estranged brother-in-law Harry and his wife Meghan. That’s because the hat, complete with yellow flowers, is exactly the same as the one she wore to the Sussexes’ wedding.

    It also comes just days after Harry and Meghan celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary, with Meghan marking the day with a selection of personal family photos on Instagram. Kate also wore the same hat at Trooping the Colour in 2019.

    Meanwhile, Kate’s dress yesterday, which was in a colour dubbed the shade of the season, was also a repeat. She last wore it to a service at St Paul’s Cathedral during the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

    Kate wears the same hat at Harry and Meghan's wedding in 2018
    Kate wears the same hat at Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018 (Image: Getty Images)

    Her diamond earrings had also been seen before, as she opted to wear a pair from Robinson Pelham that she had worn on her wedding day in 2011 after receiving them as a gift from her parents.

    During yesterday’s party, William and Kate met guests from a number of their patronages, military affiliations and passion projects, including Homewards, Action for Children and Ty Hafan, as well as Duchy of Cornwall tenants.

    Among them was the family of aspiring photographer Liz Hatton, who died in November from an aggressive cancer called desmoplastic small round cell tumour.

    Kate has emotional reunion with the family of Liz Hatton
    Kate has emotional reunion with the family of Liz Hatton(Image: PA)

    The 17-year-old, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was pictured being hugged by Kate at Windsor Castle just weeks before she died after being invited to take pictures of William at an investiture.

    Also at the event were William’s cousins, Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall, with Kensington Palace saying the prince and princess had specially invited the younger generation of the royal family to accompany them.

    Other attendees included Holocaust survivor Steven Frank, who was photographed by Kate in 2020 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust, and fundraising youngster Tony Hudgell.

    The Princess of Wales at a Buckingham Palace garden party
    The Princess of Wales at a Buckingham Palace garden party(Image: PA)

    Ten-year-old Tony, who is a double amputee and previously met Kate at the Evelina London Children’s Day Surgery Unit, missed a garden party last year after getting stuck in traffic on his way there, prompting another invitation from the Palace this year. Kate last appeared at a royal garden party in May 2023, just days after the King’s Coronation, when the social event was staged in celebration of the historic occasion.

    Some 7,500 guests mingled in the spring sunshine on the neatly manicured lawn of the royal residence on Tuesday, as William, Kate, and other members of the royal family stood on the West Terrace for the National Anthem. The official engagement marks another step in Kate’s gradual return to post-cancer public duties.

  • Katie Holmes breaks cover after Tom Cruise’s toe-curling comment about daughter Suri

    Katie Holmes breaks cover after Tom Cruise’s toe-curling comment about daughter Suri

    Mission Impossible star, Tom Cruise, shares daughter, Suri, with ex-wife, Katie Holmes, however he hasn’t seen the 19-year-old, who has ditched his last name, for years

    Katie Holmes
    Katie Holmes posed up a storm in New York

    Katie Holmes posed up a storm in New York on Tuesday despite her ex, Tom Cruise, making a toe-curling comment about the couple’s daughter the day before. Tom and Katie were once Hollywood’s hottest couple until they split in 2012 when their daughter, Suri, was six.

    Following the break-up, Suri has become estranged from the Mission Impossible star and ditched his last name last year. Tom alluded to their frosty relationship when he was asked what he would be doing for Father’s Day on Monday and replied, nonchalantly: “Just having fun, man”. However, putting his curt comment to one side, actress Katie looked sensational when she rocked up at Tod’s Cocktail Party in New York the day after.

    Katie Holmes
    Katie Holmes put her best forward after Tom Cruise’s curt comments (Image: WWD via Getty Images)

    Sporting an eye-catching strapless brown dress, comprised of a ribbed top and long leather skirt, the Dawson’s Creek star smiled seductively for the cameras, wearing her long brown hair loose and showing off plenty of smokey black eye make-up and a crimson lip.

    She complimented the look with a pair of tan leather shoes and a cream Tod’s bag with a gold clasp as she rubbed shoulders with A-listers, including Christian Slater and Sherlock star, Andrew Scott, at the Italian brand’s in-store bash.

    It comes after Tom appeared somewhat caught off-guard when he was asked about Father’s Day at the Mission Impossible – The Final Reckoning premiere when an E! News journalist stopped him on the red carpet in Mexico to ask about the celebration.

    He was asked: “Father’s Day is just around the corner. What would an ideal Father’s Day look like for you?” Pausing, the actor mused: ” “You know…” before saying: “Just having fun, man. Making movies, big adventures, having a great time.”

    Tom Cruise
    Tom said he just wanted to ‘have fun’ on Father’s Day(Image: ABACA/PA Images)

    Many of Tom’s fan were unimpressed by his comments as one replied to a video of the short interview on YouTube quipping: “Seeing the daughter he has abandoned for a decade perhaps?”

    Another person claimed the Top Gun star was “not interested in answering the father question” and branded his relationship with Suri “his biggest failure”.

    Suri Noelle
    Suri ditched Tom’s last name last year(Image: TikTok)

    Others were shocked by the journalist’s “wild” question, but the general consensus was that Tom should have answered differently as another fan replied: “A simple question about Father’s Day and he can’t answer it. He has gotten to a point where all he can talk about is movies and his love of movies. What about being a parent, Tom? There was a time when that was important to you. Sad for this man.”

    During her graduation ceremony last year, Suri revealed she had dropped Tom’s surname and was now going by just her first and middle name – Suri Noelle.

    She is currently studying at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania and often travels back to New York to spend time with mum, Katie, with whom she has a very close relationship.