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James Corden and Ruth Jones created Gavin and Stacey, and while the Christmas special has been presented as a final goodbye to the BBC show the duo revealed they have even more in store

Gavin and Stacey will return on Christmas Day, four years after the series came to a close in 2019.

Many of the BBC cast and crew have suggested that the festive special is a one-off, and that fans shouldn’t hold hope of a proper renewal. While the news is bittersweet, show creators Ruth Jones, 58, and James Corden, 46, have shared that they do have something more up their sleeves before leaving Gavin and Stacey in the past for good.

The talented comedians have joined together to write a novel, ‘When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between: A Story Of Love And Friendship,’ which will be released in autumn 2025. The book will reveal how Ruth and James turned their sitcom idea into such a beloved show, and will also feature never-before-heard gossip and secret insights from behind the scenes.

“We’re so excited to be sharing the story behind the story of Gavin and Stacey,” the duo announced, according to OK! They added: “The show has played a huge part in our twenty-five-year friendship and we hope this book will give readers a fresh insight into how it all came about.”

The Gavin and Stacey co-creators have written a book together revealing all of the secrets behind the show, and it’s set to be released next year

This week, actor Adrian Scarborough – who plays Pete on the show – seemed to pretty much confirm that the Christmas special will be the final episode of Gavin and Stacey. Speaking about the odds of a return on the Off the Telly podcast, he spilled: “I like what they put at the end of the script – ‘The End, forever and ever. Amen.’ Also, I think it’s really, really brave to finish things because often I just think things go on a little bit too long.”

He added: “And I think with this, the best thing they could have done was just go, ‘We’ve got an ending.’ Endings are good, moving on and moving onto new projects, which hopefully we’ll all be in.”

While Adrian’s firm words may have made the end of Gavin and Stacey seem absolute, fellow actor Larry Lamb – who plays Mick Shipman – revealed that there would still be plenty of surprises on Christmas Day. He divulged: “For all the people who have been watching religiously since the show started, you’ve got a trip coming up, I’ll tell you that!

“Everybody is going to get flipped and flipped again because it’s so, so clever, what Ruth and James have done. Having spent a year keeping it all a secret, my big buzz will be watching my family watch it and seeing their reactions.”

Larry hinted that there’ll be some things in store that we could never expect – but the BBC has made some elements of the plot clear. The broadcaster revealed that the upcoming episode will pick up five years on from the last Christmas special, which ended on a cliffhanger and left viewers reeling as Nessa (played by Ruth) proposed to Smithy (played by James).

The BBC teased: “It’s five years since we left Nessa down on one knee declaring her love for Smithy and asking him to marry her. And a lot has happened in those five years.”

Bruce Forsyth hosted Strictly Come Dancing for 10 years from 2004, leaving the show just three years before he tragically passed away, surrounded by his devoted family

Former Strictly presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth made a sweet promise to his heartbroken wife, weeks before he died, aged 89.

The TV legend’s career spanned an incredible 75 years, with the national treasure the host of some of the UK’s best known game shows, including The Generation Game and Bruce’s Price is Right. When he fell ill in 2017, his wife of 35 years Wilnelia Merced was devastated at the thought of being left without the love of her life.

Bruce featured in the Strictly Come Dancing anniversary special 20 Fabulous Years, which was shown on Saturday night. The late entertainer the host of the BBC dance show from the first series in 2004 until 2014, with his presenting becoming a huge part of the competition for many fans.

Bruce, who was 29 years her senior, first met Wilnelia when she was aged 23, and he 51. But the age gap didn’t matter to the pair, with Wilnelia describing him as “the perfect partner. A friend, a lover, someone I could trust, respect and admire.”

Bruce presented Strictly for 10 years ( 
Image:
Redferns)

Speaking about his final weeks, before he tragically passed away from bronchopneumonia, she said she had realised his life was coming to an end. Speaking to the Mail, she said for two weeks before his death, “he was not well”. She added that she cancelled a meeting when she saw that “for the first time”, he couldn’t get out of bed.

Wilnelia recalled: “I said to him, ‘what am I going to do without you? I don’t even know how to use this television remote control.’ I’d bought him a huge, new television so he could watch his sport.

“He said ‘Really? The control?’ He was showing me how to use it and I said, ‘how am I going to live without you? How am I going to make decisions? He said ‘don’t worry I’ll be here. Every time you see a rainbow you’ll think of me and you’ll know what to do.”

Since his heartbreaking promise, and after he passed away, she has noticed rainbows more often, taking it as a sign that Bruce is always watching over her. She said that even a few hours after he died, surrounded by his five daughters, son and wife, a rainbow filled the sky, with Wilnelia taking a photo on her phone to keep forever.

She said how in her home country of Puerto Rico, the couple have a villa that looks out onto the Atlantic Ocean. With the climate meaning it rains before “glorious” sunshine returns, they would often see rainbows from their window. Wilnelia wonders if this is why Bruce mentioned them on his deathbed.

She added that she “wants to believe” that it’s him, explaining that in grief, the bereaved want to “grab anything that is there to make you feel good”. But Wilnelia has taken it as a sign that Bruce is look out for her whenever she sees one.

Tayce Szura-Radix, the first drag queen to appear on Strictly’s Christmas Special, reflects on overcoming childhood bullying and dedicates his performance to his supportive family

Drag queen Tayce Szura-Radix says appearing in the Strictly Christmas Special is one in the eye to all those who ­bullied or attacked him when he was growing up.

The former star of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK says that he is delighted to be the first drag queen to take part in the hit BBC1 show, and is dedicating his ­Cha-cha-cha to his supportive family.

He said: “My mum and dad are going to be there. They’ve been my avid supporters since day dot. So for them to watch me grow up in Newport [South Wales], where I have been maybe bullied, kind of harassed, been spat on when I was young for walking around in crazy outfits, to now me being on a ­prestigious show like this, it’s kind of a big, ‘Ha ha ha to you’, to the people that kind of doubted me. For my parents, who have seen me grow up in the face of adversity, to now watching me film on a show like this, it is full circle. So I am very proud of that.”

Tayce, 30, says he knew his appearance on the show would cause controversy but is fine with that ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Tayce will perform as his alter ego, also Tayce ( 
Image:
BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Tayce, 30, says he knew his appearance on the show would cause controversy but is fine with that. He added: “A part of me loves it. If you are a bit angry and offended, I am probably doing something right. I was always faced with loving parents and they always said, as long as you’re not hurting anybody and you’re doing what you love, there’s nothing more I can ask for and I’m doing just that.

He added: “I’m not a rude person, I’m respectful. I might look a certain way, and if you can’t handle it, that’s your problem.These things have to happen to make change. So I’m happy to be at the ­forefront of that. I think there’s going to be a lot of pressure on me with that as well, but I like pressure. It makes you work harder.”

Tayce is hoping some people might be won over after watching him work hard and perform well as his alter ego, also Tayce. He said: “I hope people would maybe change their tune a little bit once they see me on the night. From my It Takes Two interview, I think there was a backlash with people being like, ‘Oh, it’s a man’, or, ‘They’re taking up a woman’s space’.

“But there’s been drag in the UK, in our culture, for years. There’s been Lily Savage and other drag queens – I think some people honestly just have a bit of a complex themselves, because I look hot. And they can’t take it.”

He and dance partner Kai Widdrington will perform a “fiery, passionate, energetic, charismatic” Cha-cha-cha to Kylie and Dannii Minogue’s 100 Degrees. And Tayce says the makeup ­department were given a night off when it came to him.

He added: “I don’t let anyone touch my face! I like to be particular about my skin and the base, starting off from blocking the beard. I am a man at the end of the day. I can’t just put on a little BB cream.”

Having worked as a dancer, Tayce is hoping to lift the trophy.“I have come to prove myself,” he says. “I’ve been a dancer before, but I’ve never done ballroom or Latin. I’m a street, hip-hop dancer.” He says Kai was an excellent partner. “We got on like a house on fire. It helps I’m light because he can really throw me around.”

Kai, 29, adds he felt “very, very lucky” with his partner, saying: “It’s not because Tayce is the first drag queen – Tayce is just an amazing person to work with. He’s so hard-working – it’s been a ­privilege. We’ve had a laugh and worked our socks off.

“I think it’s fantastic Tayce is the flagbearer for the drag community and long may that continue.” The pair will go all out to lift the gong on the festive special. “The dance is camp as Christmas,” Kai laughs. “It’s a lot of fun with a bit of a Christmas cracker at the end.”

Tayce agrees it will bring viewers Christmas cheer after they have finished their big turkey dinner. He added: “They’ll have their main meal and baby, we’re the dessert.”

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, BBC1, 3.55pm, Christmas Day.

Tayce, 30, says he knew his appearance on the show would cause controversy but is fine with that ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Tayce will perform as his alter ego, also Tayce ( 
Image:
BBC/World of Wonder/Ray Burmiston)
Tayce, 30, says he knew his appearance on the show would cause controversy but is fine with that. He added: “A part of me loves it. If you are a bit angry and offended, I am probably doing something right. I was always faced with loving parents and they always said, as long as you’re not hurting anybody and you’re doing what you love, there’s nothing more I can ask for and I’m doing just that.

He added: “I’m not a rude person, I’m respectful. I might look a certain way, and if you can’t handle it, that’s your problem.These things have to happen to make change. So I’m happy to be at the ­forefront of that. I think there’s going to be a lot of pressure on me with that as well, but I like pressure. It makes you work harder.”

Tayce is hoping some people might be won over after watching him work hard and perform well as his alter ego, also Tayce. He said: “I hope people would maybe change their tune a little bit once they see me on the night. From my It Takes Two interview, I think there was a backlash with people being like, ‘Oh, it’s a man’, or, ‘They’re taking up a woman’s space’.

“But there’s been drag in the UK, in our culture, for years. There’s been Lily Savage and other drag queens – I think some people honestly just have a bit of a complex themselves, because I look hot. And they can’t take it.”

He and dance partner Kai Widdrington will perform a “fiery, passionate, energetic, charismatic” Cha-cha-cha to Kylie and Dannii Minogue’s 100 Degrees. And Tayce says the makeup ­department were given a night off when it came to him.

He added: “I don’t let anyone touch my face! I like to be particular about my skin and the base, starting off from blocking the beard. I am a man at the end of the day. I can’t just put on a little BB cream.”

Having worked as a dancer, Tayce is hoping to lift the trophy.“I have come to prove myself,” he says. “I’ve been a dancer before, but I’ve never done ballroom or Latin. I’m a street, hip-hop dancer.” He says Kai was an excellent partner. “We got on like a house on fire. It helps I’m light because he can really throw me around.”

Kai, 29, adds he felt “very, very lucky” with his partner, saying: “It’s not because Tayce is the first drag queen – Tayce is just an amazing person to work with. He’s so hard-working – it’s been a ­privilege. We’ve had a laugh and worked our socks off.

“I think it’s fantastic Tayce is the flagbearer for the drag community and long may that continue.” The pair will go all out to lift the gong on the festive special. “The dance is camp as Christmas,” Kai laughs. “It’s a lot of fun with a bit of a Christmas cracker at the end.”

Tayce agrees it will bring viewers Christmas cheer after they have finished their big turkey dinner. He added: “They’ll have their main meal and baby, we’re the dessert.”

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, BBC1, 3.55pm, Christmas Day.

Coronation Street’s Sue Cleaver shared an emotional tribute to co-star Helen Worth ahead of her dramatic exit from the cobbles at Christmas

Coronation Street veteran Sue Cleaver has revealed feeling ‘devastated’ about her fellow soap star Helen Worth’s exit as Gail Platt from the Weatherfield cobbles after an astounding 50 years.

At the age of 73, Helen has been the cornerstone of Coronation Street since first appearing as Gail in 1974. Her character’s upcoming exit is due to be part of an explosive storyline for the Platt family.

On Loose Women last Friday, December 20, Sue spilled the beans on how difficult it is to see her friend leave. “Helen leaving, I can’t tell you it’s really awful, it’s really sad. We are all devastated. I mean she has deserved it, I mean 50 years is extraordinary isn’t it.”

Gail Platt’s Corrie time is coming to an end ( 
Image:
ITV)
She added: “One thing I tell you is, she is the most generous, empathetic, humble human being you will ever meet, and everybody loves her.” Reflecting on Helen’s enduring presence on Coronation Street, Sue remarked: “If you speak to Jack Shepherd and Tina O’Brien who play her kids in the show, they will say she has been a mentor. She has taught them everything they know, from how you behave on the set, etiquette.”

Sue, who portrays Eileen Grimshaw and joined the cast back in 2000, expressed her own admiration, adding: “She is just the most generous soul and we are going to miss her so much. There is going to be a massive Helen hole.” Fans are bracing themselves for this year’s Christmas Day episode as it marks the moment when Gail Platt waves goodbye to the cobbles— promising an unforgettable holiday special.

Details of the episode are being kept under wraps, leaving fans in suspense about whether she’ll get her happily ever after. The festive episode is said to focus on the Platts, as she wrestles with the decision to go ahead with her wedding to Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson).

In a teaser moment, Corrie boss Kate Brooks hinted there will be secrets and betrayals set to cause devastation in Weatherfield. Kate teased: “This is a story with the Platts at the heart of it, it’s really festive, basically it’s a story about family and how secrets impact and implode on a family, so there’s a lot of betrayals, lots of secrets are exposed during this episode and it will like classic Corrie with a bit of a twist.

“I think we’re all in need of a bit of escapism at the minute and we’ve had quite a dark but brilliant few months on the cobbles. The Christmas period for us is all about trying to tap into the family dynamics of the Platts, what makes people tick and ultimately trying to make sure that we give glorious Gail the exit that she deserves.”

Pro dancer Giovanni Pernice, 34, was handed the trophy on Saturday evening after making his debut this year on Ballando Con Le Stelle following his controversial exit from Strictlyafter nearly a decade

Giovanni Pernice has won the Italian version of Strictly Come Dancing – and vowed to marry his actress partner Bianca Guaccero.

The pro dancer, 34, was handed the trophy on Saturday evening after making his debut this year on Ballando Con Le Stelle following his controversial exit from Strictly after nearly a decade. Giovanni had left the show while the BBC conducted a probe into claims he bullied 2023 partner Amanda Abbington, which he vehemently denied.

Quizzed last night on if he would pop the question to Bianca, he cheekily responded: “If we win the show, I’ll seriously think about it.”

Giovanni went public with his romance with the 43-year-old actress and singer last month after appearing to have grown close over the weeks. Speaking in a clip before the pair performed on screen, he said: “Bianca is my priority. She has been my priority from the beginning. She is still my priority today and will be until the end of the show and beyond.” Touched, she replied: “Being someone’s priority is something new for me. I have always been the one taking care of others.”

Giovanni Pernice and Bianca Guaccero wowed viewers on Saturday night ( 
Image:
Marco Provvisionato/MDPhoto/ipa-agency.net/REX/Shutterstock)

She added: “It’s an amazing feeling. It’s something I’m discovering at the age of forty-three. Having someone next to me who is proud of me and is happy for my happiness is something new to me. This has never happened to me in my life.”

The couple has already met each other’s families and visited their respective hometowns in London and Italy. In the interview that aired on December 21, Bianca continued: “I had a heavy stone on my heart, I had difficulty believing in true love. When I met Giovanni I felt at home and I was in London with him and then 24 hours with my parents. I wanted to introduce him to the country and the people I love.”

The couple kissed after their win ( 
Image:
Maurizio D’Avanzo/MDPhoto/ipa-agency.net/REX/Shutterstock)
It comes after an internal BBC investigation cleared Giovanni of almost all abuse allegations made by actress Amanda Abbington in September. After six months of investigating Amanda Abbington’s claims bosses ruled Mr Pernice was not physically abusive, however Amanda’s complaints about verbal bullying and harassment were upheld.

Out of a total of 16 allegations against Pernice, six were upheld – some of which are for Giovanni using swear words. The report said the dancer’s language could be ‘belittling’ towards his partner.

Despite the controversy, Giovanni returned to the show last night in a special episode marking Strictly’s 20th anniversary.

Kai Widdrington has had a busy week, having taken to the Strictly dance floor during Saturday’s final before immediately moving on to his next role upon the conclusion of the series.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Kai Widdrington has been seen teaming up with a new partner following his stint on everyone’s favourite dance competition this year.

The pro dancer made waves during the grand finale of the BBC One dance competition this past weekend, where he dazzled audiences as part of the 2024 cast with one final exuberant performance.

He also joined forces with singer-songwriter Raye for a special performance of Oscar Winning Tears.

But as soon as the final wrapped up, Kai was quick to dive into his new role, having previously revealed his plans to join the pantomime scene this holiday season.

He’s all set to embody Captain Hook at Liverpool’s The Auditorium at the M&S Bank Arena, sharing the stage with ex-Corrie star Kimberly Hart-Simpson, who will be sprinkling her magic as Tinkerbell in their rendition of Peter Pan.

Strictly Come Dancing’s Kai Widdrington and Kimberly Hart-Simpson ( 
Image:
(Image: Kai Widdrington Instagram))
Earlier on, Kai excited fans by posting the event’s poster on Instagram, which starts on Tuesday (December 17).

In the post, he flaunts an impressive moustache and invites followers with the caption: “It’s panto season! Come see me us at the M&S arena Liverpool for Panto this Christmas – fun for the whole family – oh yes it is! ”

As he got back into rehearsal mode ahead of the opening night this week, Kai shared a snap of his script inside the auditorium, calling it: “My new office for the rest of 2024.”

He also re-posted a picture with Kimberly, who played Nicky Wheatley on ITV’s Corrie, originally captioned by her: “@kaiwidd Panto week,” to which he responded: “Here we go! ! “, as reported by Manchester Evening News.

Kai recently hit the headlines as he broke a world record on the Strictly 2024 Pro Challenge, showcased on the spin-off show It Takes Two.

The yearly competition sees the Strictly professionals trying to perform as many repetitions of a specific dance step in 30 seconds, with the winner setting a new record.

Coronation Street actress Kimberly Hart-Simpson portrayed Nicky Wheatley in the ITV drama. ( 
Image:
ITV)
This year’s challenge had the talented dancers performing a Time Step from the cha-cha-cha, under the watchful gaze of judge Craig Revel Horwood and adjudicator Will Munford, who were in charge of counting and verifying each attempt.

The final results were revealed by host Janette Manrara, who invited Kai and fellow Strictly pro Neil Jones into the studio.

They were given the task of beating the previous record of 14 steps, set by Nadiya Bychkova.

After their attempts were shown, it was disclosed that both male pros had achieved 15 Time Steps in 30 seconds. However, one of them had a disqualification, leaving a clear winner for this year’s record.

Janette then declared that Kai had clinched the top spot on the leaderboard after one of Neil’s steps was disqualified, pushing him down to second place for the third consecutive year. “It feels good. I might retire early because I feel it doesn’t get much better than that,” an ecstatic Kai said after his win.

“I’m gutted [for all my fellow professionals]. I feel so bad, but I’m very happy. Thank you Mum and Dad, all my family. Thank you for everything.”

Unearthed comments reveal critic Grace Dent, who is replacing Gregg Wallace after he stood aside over sexual misconduct allegations, has repeatedly poked fun at the BBC programme

New Celebrity MasterChef host Grace Dent served up a feast of criticism of the show – and made jibes about shamed Gregg Wallace.

The critic, replacing Wallace who stood aside over sexual misconduct allegations, this week called the gig “more than a dream to me”. But we can reveal she has repeatedly panned the BBC programme – with co-host John Torode not spared.

In an apparent reference to bald-headed Wallace, Dent once joked about any pencil skirt-wearing girl succeeding on MasterChef by carrying an expression saying “I like older men with no hair”. And in other comments unearthed by the Mirror, she mocked the show by saying someone could set fire to the restaurant and still reach the celeb version semi-finals “if you’re pretty and made something for Gregg Wallace that involves custard and runny toffee”.

John Torode, Grace Dent and Gregg Wallace ( 
Image:
BBC)
Dent, 51, has dished out scathing attacks on the celeb edition – declaring on another occasion: “We are in the dying days for many of these spin-rinsed TV formats”. And she has also commented that MasterChef has “acid reflux staying power”.

Penny Lancaster on Rod Stewart’s post about Gregg Wallace

On Wednesday, Dent was announced as host for the next series of Celebrity MasterChef. She has previously appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef, as well as a contestant on MasterChef: Battle Of The Critics.

In 2011 Dent passed judgment on MasterChef, writing for the Guardian: “For a long while I said any girl could get through round one of MasterChef simply by turning up in a pencil skirt and making a fried Nutella sandwich with condensed milk and an expression that says, ‘I like older men with no hair’.” She did, however, add that her “wholly unfair theory is disproven in episode one”.

In another piece the same year, Dent – who appeared on last year’s I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here – was scathing about the show’s celebrity series, writing: “Celebrity MasterChef has fallen to 2.15pm on weekday BBC1 (with a Friday night half-hour highlights package). Perhaps the BBC sensed that the sight of Tony from Hollyoaks clumsily gutting a sole, splashing guts, brains and skin about, then frying the salvageable detritus was not top-drawer telly.

Dent once mocked the show by saying someone could set fire to the restaurant and still reach the celeb version semi-finals ‘if you’re pretty and made something for Gregg Wallace that involves custard and runny toffee’ ( 
Image:
BBC)
“I’d as much choose to watch people badly gutting, scaling and debraining animals on TV as I would gleefully jump out of a car on to the hard shoulder. And if it’s not bloody, it’s just bloody awful.”

She added: “We are in the dying days for many of these spin-rinsed TV formats. More worrying for British industry than rising fuel prices or depleted fish stocks is our national shortage of “recognisable people to put on telly who the public give a damn about”.

She went on to pan other shows, before adding: “Back on Celebrity MasterChef, they cut my preview tape in the final frames so I can’t spoil which celeb leaves in week one. But seeing as I still haven’t identified half of them, it’s hard to truly care.”

And in 2012, Dent again laid into the programme, writing for the Independent: “Is it my pained imagination or is Masterchef in some manifestation on British screens almost perpetually? The format has now been so hammered and drained of every surprise and twist that I’ve had happier times recovering from norovirus than sitting through 30 minutes watching former Olympic swimmer Steve Parry explain why he can’t fillet a pollock.

“And do we care if Madge Bishop from Neighbours can make her own pasta? Oh and that bit where they’re all sent to work in a restaurant and it’s jolly scary and the big scary chef man is all gruff with them, but the round ultimately counts for bugger all as it’s never mentioned ever again in any judging capacity (in fact one could set fire to the restaurant and calmly stand outside drinking a can of white cider when the fire engines arrive and still go through to the Celebrity Masterchef semi-finals if you’re pretty and made something for Gregg Wallace that involves custard and runny toffee).”

In 2015, Dent wrote for the same publication: “I have written about MasterChef, due to its acid reflux staying power, more times than almost any other show.” She added: “Perhaps the BBC’s intention when commissioning MasterChef – endlessly, tirelessly, one strand blending into another, no change, no deviation – is to shake off TV critics.

“One day, surely, we’ll have nothing left to say? Perhaps the plan is that in order for British citizens to feel the full value of their licence pennies, every living being should have 15 minutes of fame cooking John Torode pasta (which he pronounces “pusta” and enjoys while wearing cowboy boots)?”

She also said: “The one no one really loves, but hey, it’s here now for another 24 episodes. Ever-shrinking Gregg – all eyes and teeth these days – doing a good line in ‘I’m still excited about this format.’ I don’t think he is. I think his agent is. There are no more words to say about chicken rolled in parma ham. If a turbot is pan-fried in butter and John Torode doesn’t taste it, does it still exist?”

A representative of Dent was contacted for comment.

The BBC and MasterChef’s production firm Banijay UK declined to comment.

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

Take Me Out star Paddy McGuinness makes his debut as host of Inside the Factory on BBC1 on Sunday, marking his first

Paddy McGuinness has spoken about replacing Gregg Wallace on Inside the Factory, after the former host resigned amid a BBC probe into misconduct.

The Phoenix Nights star landed the job earlier this year, after leaving his BBC shows Top Gear and A Question of Sport. Since he was announced to take over from Gregg, the MasterChef star found himself embroiled in a saga in which various women claimed he had made them feel uncomfortable with his comments and jokes.

The 60-year-old announced he was quitting the show earlier in 2023 after controversy over “inappropriate” comments made to a female factory worker about her appearance. The incident, which happened while filming at a Nestlé factory in York, is said to have contributed to his decision to quit, although he also wants to spend more time with his three-year-old son Sid, who has autism.

Paddy’s first episode as new host of the show airs on Sunday night on the BBC and sees him visit the festive-sounding Saint Niklas in Belgium. He goes behind the scenes in a chocolate factory, where four million chocolate seashells are produced each day.

Gregg left Inside The Factory amid controversy around comments made to a female factory worker about her appearance ( 
Image:
BBC/Voltage TV)

Paddy shows viewers how hazelnuts are roasted with sugar to create the praline filling, before being pumped in to chocolate moulds. While he samples some of the sweet treats, his co-star Cherry Healy learns how the white chocolate in the Guylian seashells is created, and discovers there is a specific formula for perfect Christmas tree decoration. Elsewhere, historian Ruth Goodman explores the European origins of Santa Claus.

Paddy has revealed that working on the show was a kind of full-circle for him, with the next episode following his journey back to the Warburtons factory in Bolton where he worked at as a teen. Speaking to The Sun, he said: “I thought: ‘I got my heavy goods licence doing Top Gear, now I’m driving into the place I used to work at 30-odd years ago, hosting another show for the BBC.

“When I was that 16-year-old kid who used to walk to work with butties my mum had made me, who’d have thought all these years later, I’d have had all these amazing things go on in my life.” Paddy added: “It was one of those moments where I thought: ‘Bloody hell, life eh? It does have its twists and turns.’”

The series, which looks at the secrets of the machines that produce everyday products, is now a firm favourite with viewers. BBC specialist factual boss Jack Bootle said Paddy would bring “new energy” to the show. “Inside the Factory is one of the BBC’s best-loved factual brands. It deserves to have a big star at the helm,” he added. “I’m unbelievably excited that Paddy is putting on his white coat and rising to the challenge. He has a passion for production and engineering that’s impossible to fake.”

Flu cases are soaring in England, with NHS hospitals tackling five times more cases than this time last year.

In only 20 days, hospital admissions have rocketed by two-and-a-half times, with many of those patients receiving care in Manchester and Trafford hospitals. Notably, the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust hospitals are currently tending to 76 adults and five children struck down with flu as of December 15—a stark increase outstripping numbers seen in any recent winter.

Across the region, folks are left scratching their heads, wondering whether they’ve got a severe case of the sniffles or the full-blown flu. Ste from Prestwich told MEN: “I started with a painful sore throat, which is often how I start with a cold, on Sunday. I tried using Vicks First Defence but it did nothing for me, felt really achy and shivering by that night.

“It carried on Monday and Tuesday, and eased off later on Tuesday. I’ve been coughing, sneezing a bit since. I’d say it’s the worst cold I’ve had in years and far worse than any time I’ve had Covid, except the first time pre-vaccine. The worst bit was Sunday to Tuesday. I still have a cough now but I’m past the worst of it.”

English NHS hospitals overall had an average of 2,629 flu patients between December 9 and 15 this year. This time last year, there were five times fewer flu patients, averaging just 566. In 2022, there were an average of 1,657 flu patients and in 2021, there were a mere 31.

But like so many other people, Ste said: “I’m never really sure what counts as flu.” Doctor of pharmacy at the Universal Drugstore, Dr Jamie Winn, answered the most common questions about cold and flu season, in a bid to help people get to know the signs and symptoms. Dr Wynn said: “Viruses that cause flu and the common cold thrive in cold temperatures, meaning cases are more likely to rise as we head into the winter months.

“Studies show viruses, especially flu, travel better in dry air, and colder temperatures mean dryer air. Alongside this temperature change, less sunlight means people get less Vitamin D which can help to protect the immune system and protect from respiratory viruses.

“With the festive season, we also see an increase in travel which can help to spread any cold and flu viruses around the country. People also tend to increase their alcohol consumption at this time of year, something which can lower the immune system and make us more susceptible to catching viruses.

“There are many different strains of the flu virus and these are constantly evolving, that’s why it’s important to stay on top of flu vaccinations as they update each year.” Some strains of flu and the common cold can be worse than others and this can be based on lots of different factors such as if you’ve had that strain before and if your immune system is used to it, some strains mutate more rapidly than others, outsmarting vaccines and treatments, and some strains may transmit more easily.

“Both the common cold and flu are contagious and are transmitted through tiny droplets in the air, usually passed on through coughs, sneezes, and talking. These viruses can actually survive on surfaces, with flu lasting for up to 48 hours on hard surfaces.

“People will be most contagious with the flu three to four days after their symptoms begin, but you can transmit it before you even feel sick. In order to help prevent the spread, it’s important to practice good hygiene such as hand washing and using tissues, avoid close contact with others if you have symptoms, and ensure the space you’re in is well ventilated.”

Each virus usually presents with slightly different symptoms with typical flu symptoms including a high fever, body aches, and chills. Alternatively, the common cold usually causes a productive cough, sore throat, and nasal congestion. Dr Winn added: “Flu vaccinations are incredibly important, not just for yourself but also for community protection. A regular flu jab will stop you from getting sick and can prevent further complications- it also carries the benefit of keeping your immunity high against new strains.”

To treat symptoms you can look at using common over-the-counter medications. Acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help with headaches, muscle aches, and fever. Guaifenesin can loosen mucus to clear your airways. Pseudoephedrine can help with a stuffy nose while an antihistamine such as chlorpheniramine can stop a runny nose.

And if you are coughing, look for products with dextromethorphan. With either the flu or a cold, consider visiting a doctor if your symptoms persist for over a week or if you have a high temperature, difficulty breathing, or other signs of infection. “.

Cadbury has lost its Royal warrant after 170 years as the healthy eating fan King scrapped it.

Queen Victoria had awarded the British favourite the mark and it was a favourite of the late Queen who had a sweet tooth. However it is set to lose its warrant – granted as a mark of recognition to firms who regularly supplied goods or services to the Royal Household as the King has opted not to renew it.

The sale of Cadbury products to the Royal household is said to have diminished in recent years as the monarch prefers eating the likes of fruit and seeds over chocolate. More than 100 warrants were not awarded, the Mail on Sunday reported.

Cadbury’s said it was “disappointed” by the decision ( 
Image:
Newscast/Universal Images Group via Getty Images))
A Cadbury spokesman said: “Ours is a much-loved brand which has been a part of British life for generations and remains the nation’s favourite chocolate. While we are disappointed to be one of hundreds of other businesses and brands in the UK not to have a new warrant awarded, we are proud to have previously held one and we fully respect the decision.”

Unsuccessful firms were informed of the monarch’s decision by letter. Firms awarded the warrant include Moet, Bacardi, Green & Bloom and John Lewis.

The Royal Warrant Holders Association said in a statement: “In December 2024 HM The King and HM The Queen granted their second set of Royal Warrants of Appointment of the new reign. The grants were made to 386 companies drawn from those previously holding a single Royal Warrant of Appointment to Queen Elizabeth II, together with seven companies that have an established and ongoing trading relationship with HM Queen Camilla.

“These grants follow 152 Royal Warrants granted by Their Majesties in May, to companies drawn from those previously holding a Royal Warrant of Appointment to His Majesty as Prince of Wales, who began granting Warrants in 1980.”

Royal warrants date back to medieval times when the ruling monarch had the pick of the pick of the country’s best tradespeople. By the 15th century, the Lord Chamberlain appointed tradespeople with a Royal Warrant of Appointment, which continues today. The Royal Warrant Holders Association was formed in 1840.