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BBC Breakfast viewers were left divided as they hit out at the government for ‘selling off’ the Royal Mail after a ‘breaking news’ announcement was made on the show

On BBC Breakfast, a sudden breaking news alert regarding Royal Mail’s sale caused a pause in regular programming.

On Monday, December 16, hosts Sally Nugent and Jon Kay returned to the iconic red sofa, delivering the latest headlines across the country and beyond. The major talking point of the programme, however, was the acquisition of Royal Mail by Czech business magnate Daniel Kretinsky.

In an 8am update branded as “breaking news”, both Jon and Sally verified the go-ahead for the highly discussed takeover.

Sally reported: “The government has approved the sale of the Royal Mail parent company to the Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky. It’s understood that the deal worth £3.6billion will be formerly announced later this morning,” reports the Express.

A piece of breaking news was shared on BBC Breakfast ( 
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(Image: BBC))

Adding to this, Jon noted: “The firm was established in the 16th century and privatised a decade ago. Ministers will still have a say in how it is run. Our business correspondent and editor, Simon Jack has the story for us.”

Post-announcement, viewers promptly turned to social platform X to express their opinions. A clearly dissatisfied fan remarked: “Sadly, this only confirms that the modern Britain unlike the Britain of old knows the price of everything and the value of nothing. Well done, sell the Tower of London next!”

One viewer commented: “The end of everyday delivery and probably the end of letters.” Another, chiming in on the debate, posted: “#BBCBreakfast running interference for the destruction of the Royal Mail.”

The take over was announced on BBC Breakfast ( 
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(Image: BBC))
A different spectator weighed in on the matter of the company’s title, suggesting: “The ‘Royal’ should be removed if it’s a private concern.”

With the upcoming changes, the government will maintain a special “golden share”, which enables it to sign off on significant shifts concerning Royal Mail’s ownership, the location of its headquarters, and its tax residency status.

Additionally, new arrangements have been made with unions to ensure workers benefit from the company’s profits; they’ll receive 10% of any dividends distributed to Kretinsky. Moreover, there will be the creation of a workers group which will convene monthly with the directors of Royal Mail, amplifying the employees say in the corporate management.

Over time, customers have cast a critical eye on Royal Mail due to what they perceive as rising postage costs and have also voiced concerns over delayed deliveries.

BBC Breakfast airs Monday-Sundays from 6AM on BBC One.

Kay Burley, 63, has been at Sky News for 32 years but a report claims she is expected to leave the breakfast show, with whispers suggesting her final show could be this week

Reports are swirling that Kay Burley may depart from Sky News’ breakfast show after a solid five-year stint, with rumours hinting her last appearance could be imminent, possibly this week.

Insider chit-chat suggests that Burley might even say goodbye to Sky News entirely, although whispers of a reshuffle within the network that might see her stay can’t be dismissed just yet.

Joining Sky News back in 1989 as one of the original faces, Burley, 63, took over the realm of early risers in October 2019.

She’s led coverage on monumental events from the tragic passing of Princess Diana to the shattering 9/11 attacks. Just a month back, Kay took a moment to look back on an illustrious near-four-decade run in broadcasting.

Kay has been at the broadcaster for 32 years ( 
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Sky News/Youtube)

Chilling on a plush blue couch, she hit up X/ Twitter with a snap and noted: “Thirty six years today @skynews and counting..”

This nostalgic throwback cropped up amidst fan worry lines crinkling, following her noticeable absence throughout summer thankfully, she bounced back on air at August’s tail end.

Arrayed for her comeback, she tweeted: “Thanks for all your very kind messages but summer is over and I’m back on Tuesday. Very much looking forward to seeing you from 7am? Do hope so xx”.

In the face of recent shifts, Sky News has trimmed its presenter team and introduced fresh pairs like Gareth Barlow and Mhari Aurora anchoring together.

Sky News’ top business presenter Ian King has announced he’s stepping down from his renowned programme, Business Live with Ian King, after a decade-long tenure.

The revelation follows the relocation of filming for Ian’s show from London’s financial district to Sky Group’s Osterley headquarters.

David Rhodes, Sky News Group Executive Chairman, confirmed Ian’s imminent departure. Ian will stay on board until the spring of next year, while Business Live will maintain its weekday live broadcasts.

Mr Rhodes commented: “Ian has been with Sky for 10 years, enriching our news report with his knowledge of finance and his network in the City of London. We’re delighted that he will continue to be a resource on our digital estate at this time.”

He added, “I met this morning with the Business team to discuss our continued commitment to ‘Business Live’, hosted in recent months principally by Paul Kelso and Darren McCaffrey from our main newsroom.”

“We’re increasing our investment in this area, for instance in the hit Money Blog – a consistent audience favourite. I want to thank Ian for his commitment to Sky News; we’ll make sure to organise a deserved send-off next year.”

In a break from royal tradition, this year’s Christmas celebration will be missing two much loved faces, as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie make other plans

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie are both set to miss out on this year’s royal Christmas gathering at Sandringham, in a huge break from a tradition they have followed for almost all their lives. Ever since they were children, both Princesses have attended the annual soiree hosted at Sandringham, and for nine out of the past ten years, have made a key point of attending.

The news that the sisters would be missing out on a royal Christmas, came shortly after reports emerged that confirmed that their parents Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, would also be skipping the bash hosted by King Charles. It is believed that the Prince and his ex-wife will instead celebrate alone at their Royal Lodge home on the Windsor estate.

The couple’s absence marks a stark change from last year’s celebration, when Prince Andrew and Fergie were permitted to attend the event and even took part in the annual Christmas walk to St. Mary Magdalene Church on the estate’s grounds. However, in the wake the recent scandal over the Prince’s alleged connections to a suspected Chinese spy, the couple are understood to be marking the occasion privately instead.

Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew will also be skipping the annual royal bash in the wake of the ongoing spy scandal
Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice, meanwhile, will not be spending the holidays with their parents either, as it is understood that both royals were invited to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws several months ago, and have decided to take them up on the kind offer.

Beatrice has been married to Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi since 2020, with the couple currently expecting their second child due in the New Year. The couple also share daughter Sienna, 3, and son Wolfie, 8, who is Edo’s son from a previous relationship.

Eugenie married Jack Brooksbank in 2018, with the couple sharing two sons together, August, 3 and Ernest, 1.

The York sisters have only missed the Sandringham celebration once in the past decade, and that was due to coronavirus restrictions in 2020 which didn’t allow family gatherings outside of their respective bubbles. Yet despite missing out on the event, which is due to be attended by many key royals including Prince William and his wife Princess Kate – this year will mark a milestone for both sisters, as it is the first time they have spent Christmas with their respective in-laws.

King Charles is due to host the royal family’s Christmas celebration at Sandringham – but several family members will be missing ( 
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Getty)
According to The Independent, it was Fergie’s idea for Prince Andrew to step back from the celebration this year, which meant sacrificing her own invitation to the gathering in the process. “The decision for the pair to stay put at the Royal Lodge is thought to have been made easier by Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s plans to spend Christmas with their respective in-laws this year for the first time,” wrote the outlet.

Princess Eugenie has been faced with a ‘tricky situation’ over her Christmas plans, with the royal reportedly having to choose between spending the festive season with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in the US or with the Royal Family at Sandringham

With the festive season fast approaching, all eyes are on Princess Eugenie as she faces a Yuletide dilemma. Recent reports suggest that Eugenie has been extended a warm invite by none other than Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to celebrate Christmas with them in Montecito, California.

Yet at the same time, the 34-year-old royal, along with her husband Jack Brooksbank, aged 38, and their young children, August, who is three, and one-year-old Ernest, have also received an invitation to join the rest of the Royals for the traditional festivities at Sandringham. Insiders speaking to the Express hinted that Princess Eugenie’s brood might opt for a Stateside visit post-Christmas, offering the tots some important cousin bonding time with Archie and Lilibet.

Commenting on Eugenie’s conundrum, Jennie Bond, the veteran former BBC Royal correspondent, expressed her insights to OK!. She mentioned: “This is a tricky situation for Eugenie. It would be pretty bad form to refuse an invitation to Sandringham, and I imagine she would want to be with her mum and dad, after a difficult year for them as well.”

Meghan and Eugenie knew each other before the Duchess met Prince Harry ( 
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She added her view on a potential solution: “But I think she values her relationship with Harry and Meghan too. So a New Year’s visit would be an ideal compromise…and would keep a link between Harry and his UK family, which has to be a good thing all round.”, reports OK!.

It’s no secret that Eugenie and Prince Harry share a special bond; amid ongoing family frictions, the Duke remains close to both Eugenie and her sister Beatrice, who have stood by him through thick and thin.

Earlier this week, Royal watchers noted Princess Eugenie’s absence from Kate Middleton’s “Together At Christmas” Carol Service at Westminster Abbey. The mum-of-one skipped the event for the first time since it began in 2021.

Prince Harry enjoys a laugh with Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank ( 
Image:
Getty Images)Nonetheless, the Yorks made their presence felt as Princess Beatrice arrived with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and his son, Wolfie. The festive season is extra special for the couple as they prepare to welcome their second child, making this their final Christmas as a four-piece unit.

They got hitched back in 2020 and are parents to Sienna, who’s three, and now look forward to the new arrival, set to be the latest addition to the Royal lineage as the 11th in line for the throne. This means younger sis Eugenie will shift to 12th spot.

Princess Beatrice of York and Princess Eugenie of York pose together in 2023 ( 
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Dave Benett/Getty Images for The)

Eugenie has a dilemma ( 
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Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)The palace disclosed in a statement: “Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together early in the new year; a sibling for Wolfie and Sienna. His Majesty The King has been informed, and both families are delighted with the news.”

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse is back on BBC for Christmas and admits she and her husband are not great cooks

I’m A Celebrity star Oti Mabuse has only just jetted back from Australia but she won’t escape the nightmare of a jungle rice diet. The former Strictly dancer has revealed that at home neither she nor her husband Marius likes cooking.

And when he does have a go in the kitchen, he only serves up only one signature dish. She said: “He will make you rice with ketchup for dinner. That’s it! We have so many cook books. None are used.” Oti – who struggled in the TV Aussie camp having to eat rice and beans for breakfast, lunch and dinner some days – admits she is not a great chef either. She admits: “I would say it is more functional cooking. I haven’t got to a stage yet where I’m going ‘I’m enjoying this’.”

Oti, 34, and her husband are flying to South Africa for Christmas with their 13 month old daughter for a big family gathering. She tells Mary Berry in her festive special Mary Makes Christmas: “My daughter will be having first Christmas ever in South Africa. It will be about 32 degrees. We are not dressed in blankets and hats.”

Oti Mabuse and Mary Berry have fun on new BBC show ( 
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BBC/Sidney Street Productions/ © Neil Genower)
But when Mary asks if she will attempt to cook a turkey dinner for the whole family, she gasps: “Please don’t cancel me Dame Mary Berry! We usually book somewhere because no one wants to cook over Christmas. But a lot of families do this in South Africa. It’s outside and it’s a picnic and the sun will be shining.”

In the show Mary decides to give Oti a lesson in how to make some home-made Christmas treats including snowball meringues and spicy chutney. The dance professional, who is now a judge on Dancing On Ice, also reckons Mary should take a turn on Strictly next year.

She thinks the baker, who is now 89 years old, is still very “light on her feet” when she moves around the kitchen and even sees her manage to touch her toes. And she says: “I think you will be good.” But Mary protests: “You should see me on the dance floor I am not a good mover. No. Don’t talk about it.”

In the BBC show, Mary reveals how she puts her ”heart and soul” into making home-made presents to give to her friends and family at Christmas because she reckons it makes things more special. And viewers will see her bake mini Christmas cakes, jars of apricots in brandy and bags of ginger flapjacks to hand out as gifts. She says: “I love Christmas. It never stops being magical for me and there is nothing more special than a home-made gift. Beautiful presents to say thank you to all the important people in your life.

“Every year I make gifts and some of my most treasured possessions are ones I get in return. On Christmas Day, the most important thing for me is to have my family around me. All the generations – and I sit back and listen.” However, despite being such a talented baker, Mary reveals she does not have to slave in the kitchen on her own on December 25.

She adds: “We all share it. We all do part of the meal so it’s not too much for anybody.”

Lily Allen ditched her wedding and engagement rings from David Harbour for a new episode of her BBC podcast, after opening up about struggling mentally

Lily Allen, 39, has seemingly ditched her wedding ring, just before opening up about going through a “tough time.”

The pop star hosts BBC Sounds podcast Miss Me? Alongside close friend Miquita Oliver, and this week interviewed Miquita’s mum Andi Oliver. In clips from the podcast shared on Lily’s Instagram, Lily gestured with her bare hands, with both her engagement and wedding ring missing. Lily’s representative has been contacted for comment.

Lily’s lack of bling came after she revealed that she’d been struggling, and spending time away from her husband, Stranger Things star David Harbour, 49. Lily and David co-parent Lily’s two daughters – Ethel Mary, 12, and Marnie Rose, 11 – alongside her ex-husband Sam Cooper.

Most recently, Lily told fans that due to focusing on her kids and struggling mentally, she’d been neglecting to eat. “I’ve been going through a tough time over the last few months, and my eating has become an issue. My therapist and I talk about it, and she says, ‘How long has this been going on?’ And I said, ‘Well, about three years really’. And she’s like, ‘Okay, why haven’t you mentioned it before?’” she said.

Lily’s chat with Andi Oliver showed her missing both her engagement and wedding rings ( 
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@lilyallen/Instagram)

Lily has recently opened up about going through a tough time and neglecting to eat ( 
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lilyallen/Instagram)

“And it’s not because I’m lying about it. It’s just because it’s not seemed at the top of the list of important things that I need to talk about, but obviously, it is. I’m not really good at talking about the bigger picture. That’s something about my ADHD as well that I don’t link things. And also, my body and my brain are two very separate things to me. I know a lot of people feel those two things are very connected to each other, but for me, it’s very different. I spend a lot of time in my head and not a lot of time thinking about my body.”

The singer added: “I’m really not in a great place mentally at the moment, and I’m not eating. I’m not hungry. I obviously am hungry, but my body and brain are so disconnected from each other that my body… the messages of hunger are not going through my body to my brain. I’m not avoiding food, I’m just not thinking about it because I’m so in my head. My body’s, like, a few steps behind me.”

Last month on the podcast, Lily also suggested she was feeling overwhelmed by parenting her kids alone without David. “Leaving my kids,” Lily responded when asked about her guilty pleasure. Lily then explained that after long periods of parenting by herself, getting away for a while was a bit of relief.

“Sometimes when I’ve been in New York with the kids for a month and David hasn’t been around and I know I’ve got a trip planned somewhere I’ll get out of the door and just… ahhh” the pop star said as she let out a huge exhale. Despite the relief, Lily admitted: “But then I’ll get out the door and half an hour later I feel guilty. Not even half an hour, 20 minutes, maybe 10, maybe five, maybe as soon as I walk across the threshold I’m enjoying myself but I feel guilt.”

Phillip Scofield’s daughter Ruby, swapped rain for snow with a quick girls getaway before Christmas, making full use of the hot tub and mirrors for some raunchy snaps

Phillip Schofield may be keeping a low profile, but that’s not to say his daughter is doing the same.

28-year-old Ruby, whom the disgraced TV star shares with Stephanie Lowe, has taken to Instagram, where she has shared a series of snaps showing off her quick girls’ getaway before Christmas. Showing off her wholesome trip in the French Alps, the former TV star’s youngest daughter could be seen making full use of the outdoor hot top and even managed to sneak in a raunchy mirror selfie.

Ruby, who is usually based in London, said her weekend at the luxury chalet in La Clusaz left her heart feeling “full”, as she was given the five-star treatment, waited on by private chefs, and had access to an indoor spa and a large outdoor jacuzzi nestled between the mountains which were scattered with snow.

Other photos from the gorgeous getaway included a snap of Ruby in a cosy white dressing gown, drinking what looked to be a mimosa on the balcony overlooking the Alps. While another more raunchy snap showed her all glammed up, with her dark hair slightly curled, along with a see-through silver top showing off her black swimsuit underneath. She paired the look with silver pants and gold jewelry.

The 28-year-old has swapped her once blonde hair for a darker tone ( 
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Ruby Scholfield /instagram)

Ruby was all smiles during her girls trip ( 
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Ruby Scholfield /instagram)

It’s unclear who the Leeds Beckett University psychology major was on holiday with, but it didn’t look like her older sister, Molly, 31, was in attendance. However, Ruby was seen with a group of girlfriends in the pictures she shared with her 75,000 Instagram followers. It marked a change of pace for the former host’s daughter, who is known for her charitable side, previously volunteering at The Chiltern Centre and trekking Machu Picchu to raise an impressive £15,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust.

The Schofield family have had a difficult lead-up to Christmas as Phillip’s mum, Patricia Schofield, sadly died in October at 88 years old. At the time, the former This Morning host shared a post on Instagram telling his followers of Patricia’s death, saying it had been a “heartbreaking weekend” and that he would “forever be proud and privileged” that she was his mother.

Sharing multiple pictures of her on his Instagram story, Phillip said she was “one of the oldest ever ladies” to wing-walk and said she was “calm, peaceful, beautiful and dignified”. He added: “After a heartbreaking weekend, my magnificent mum decided it was time to go to her beloved [husband] Brian. Over three days, we held her, loved her, hugged her and said everything that needed to be said,” Schofield added, thanking the medical teams “who have been, in the past and this weekend, my mum’s and our angels”. Phillip’s father died in 2008.

Ruby said her ‘Heart is full’ after the trip ( 
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Ruby Scholfield /instagram)

Phillip remains close with his daughters ( 
Image:
schofe/Instagram)Patricia’s funeral was held almost one month after she died, with a service being held in her hometown of Newquay, Cornwall. The Schofield family attended the funeral together, with both Ruby and Molly present to say goodbye to their beloved grandmother, and their mother, Stephanie, there for moral support.

Zoe Ball announced in November that she’s leaving her breakfast show and on Tuesday said her goodbyes to her BBC Radio 2 colleagues over a fancy dinner in London

Zoe Ball was overcome with emotion as she was treated to a farewell lunch by a handful of her BBC Radio 2 colleagues on Tuesday.

The DJ and TV star, 54, enjoyed a meal at London’s swanky Langan’s Brasserie towards the beginning of the week and doting mum Zoe was clearly feeling sentimental about leaving her team behind, appearing to become emotional at one point during the evening.

Zoe seemingly wiped away a tear with her hand, but before long the ex-wife of hitmaker Fatboy Slim had a huge grin on her face as she enjoyed one last hurrah with her co-workers.

Zoe seemingly wiped away a tear with her right hand ( 
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TOPSTAR-WJ_Images / BACKGRID)
Her upmarket dinner comes just over a month after Zoe confirmed she’d be stepping down from her Radio 2 role, an announcement that followed her extended absence over the summer in the wake of her mother Julia Peckham’s death in April.

Zoe lifted her left hand to her face to wipe her eye ( 
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TOPSTAR-WJ_Images / BACKGRID)

But Zoe was in high spirits on Tuesday evening and looked typically stylish in an edgy all-black look. The mum-of-two was joined by the likes of Richie Anderson and Tina Daheley, who clearly treated the much-loved DJ to a special farewell gift, with Zoe bundling solo out of the posh eatery clutching an enormous yellow Selfridges bag.

Zoe was smiling again before long ( 
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TOPSTAR-WJ_Images / BACKGRID)

Zoe looked typically stylish in an edgy all-black look ( 
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TOPSTAR-WJ_Images / BACKGRID)Before hopping into a waiting car and being whisked home, Zoe – who will present her last show on Friday – made sure to give her Radio 2 family a big hug.

Announcing the news last month, Zoe told her fans: “After six years of fun times alongside you all on the breakfast show, I’ve decided it’s time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter.

“You know I think the world of you all, listeners, and it truly has been such a privilege to share the mornings with you, to go through life’s little ups and downs, we got through the lockdown together, didn’t we? We’ve shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there’s been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats.”

Zoe hopped into a waiting car and being whisked home ( 
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TOPSTAR-WJ_Images / BACKGRID)

Zoe bundled out of the eatery with a Selfridges bag ( 
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TOPSTAR-WJ_Images / BACKGRID)
Zoe has appeared on various TV shows over the years though, including presenting Strictly Come Dancing companion show It Takes Two for the BBC from 2011 to 2020. She’s also worked with other broadcasters, including more recently hosting ITV talent show Mamma Mia! I Have a Dream last year and appearing as a cast member on Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox.

She rose to fame more than three decades ago as an on-screen presenter, fronting shows like SMart, Live & Kicking and Top of the Pops in the 1990s. She however pursued opportunities as a radio host during the decade too and in recent years has become known for work on BBC Radio. She’ll be replaced on Radio 2 by Scott Mills.

Among those in the studio for Zoe’s final week was Robbie Williams, who congratulated her on her “service to entertainment. And she teased her next move when the Angels star said: “I know this is not the end completely for you.”

The radio host quipped: “Or is it? I’m taking up gardening. I’m going to work in a garden centre”. He then quickly tweaked his planned tribute to tell the DJ: “Well I just want to say thank you for your services SO FAR to the entertainment world, to BBC Radio 2, to all that have gone before you and will come after you, but to you in particular.

ITV The Chase host Bradley Walsh was left in disbelief during Tuesday’s episode as player Tom admitted he applied for the wrong show and has never seen an episode

The Chase’s Bradley Walsh was left gobsmacked and could only muster a brief, disheartened reaction as he declared “I’ve lost all hope” following a contestant’s cringeworthy confession early in the episode.

On Tuesday’s (December 17) instalment of the popular ITV quiz show, host Bradley was once again gracing our television screens with another thrilling episode.

Bradley welcomed a quartet of hopefuls Tom from Twickenham, Richard from Sheffield, Sam from High Wycombe, and Gabriela from London who were eager to showcase their intellect against the Chaser for a chance at the jackpot.

But mere moments into the episode, Bradley was taken aback when Tom casually mentioned that not only did he sign up for the wrong programme but also had never actually seen an entire episode of The Chase.

Bradley Wash was back on our screens on Tuesday evening ( 
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(Image: ITV))

As Tom stood ready to face whichever Chaser emerged, Brad enquired about his preferred adversary. Tom, recently transitioned from military to civilian life and pursuing an acting career, responded nonchalantly: “I think I’ll be happy with anyone, apart from Anne.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Skeptical, Bradley probed further: “You know how this show works, right? ” Tom’s expression gave him away prompting Bradley to press on: “You’ve never seen this show, have you? “.

Tom’s admission practically knocked the wind out of everyone when he revealed that despite watching some YouTube clips, he hadn’t really sat through a complete broadcast, confessing to a stunned Bradley Walsh: “I’ve never seen the show, Bradley Walsh.”

Brad was struck dumb as he quizzed: “So what made you want to come on? ” Tom revealed he actually believed he had applied for a totally different programme, admitting, “I thought I was applying for another show with a similar name” instead. “But I’m very happy to be here.”

Tom from Twickenham claimed to never have watched The Chase before ( 
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ITV)
he continued. Brad pressed on which show it was, leading Tom to spill the beans: “Hunted.” Bradley was taken aback by Tom’s mix-up, crossing his arms and commenting in disbelief: “The Chase. Hunted… wow. I don’t hold out much hope for you, Tom.”

As Tom stepped up to face-off against Mark ‘The Beast’ Labbett, Bradley couldn’t resist a jibe, remarking: “He has no idea who you are.”

Despite the confusion, Tom managed to bag himself a spot in the final chase, opting for a middle offer of £6,000. Fans at home were quick to flock to X, once known as Twitter, to voice their amusement.

One person tweeted: “He thought this would be Hunted? ! #TheChase.” Another chimed in: “Never seen the chase? Play the game son #TheChase.” And another viewer teased: “You applied for the wrong show – you wanted to be on Hunted? ! #TheChase.”

Martin Lewis and his wife Lara Lewington were seen playing a game of Scrabble during the ITV show Martin Lewis: How to Win at Board Games and shared their proposal story

Viewers of Martin Lewis’s new ITV show How to Win at Board Games were quick to voice their reaction shortly after the programme began. The financial guru and founder of Money Saving Expert traded in his usual currency chat for game pieces as he shared his love for board games.

This Yuletide season, Martin has embarked on a festive quest to empower the nation with the skills to outplay their loved ones at board games, offering up clever tips and secret tactics for victory.

In the episode aired on Tuesday (December 17), Martin’s wife Lara graced the screen with a rare television appearance as they enjoyed a round of Scrabble together.

The ” Good Morning Britain ” host expressed his fondness for Scrabble, revealing that it held a special place in his heart as he had used the game to propose to his wife, former 5 News weather presenter Lara Lewington.

Martin Lewis has a new ITV show ( 
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(Image: itv))

The pair tied the knot in 2009 and share a 12 year old daughter. Recounting the unique proposal, Lara told viewers: “Martin proposed to me on a Scrabble set and once he got the letters out I thought he had too many letters because will you marry me is more than seven letters.”, reports the Express.

She added: “So I said ‘what are you doing? You’ve got too many letters on the board’ but he said ‘wait just wait’ and then of course he put them down and I felt bad because I accused him of cheating.”

In another segment of the show, Martin divulged some savvy advice on mastering the real estate board game Monopoly. He let slip that his top tip was to snap up the orange properties, branding them the “best value for money, something I know a bit about.”

Martin Lewis wife made a rare TV appearance on his new ITV show ( 
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(Image: ITV))
Viewers haven’t been shy about firing off critiques online as they tuned into the latest telly offerings. One exasperated viewer vented on X, formerly known as Twitter: “A week before Christmas, and one main channel is showing a sports awards ceremony, while the other features Martin Lewis teaching you how to win at board games. F*** MY LIFE! I might as well dig out my 1982 copy of the Radio Times to see what’s on at 9pm. #spoty #martinlewis”.

The snark continued from another commenter: “This program is giving ‘You have been eating apples WRONG your whole entire life, here’s how to eat them properly’ vibes. What a crock of s***e #HowToWinAtBoardGames”.

Someone else chimed in with a jab at the financial guru: “Martin Lewis on my tele for an whole hour, giving out tips on how to win at board games this Christmas. I can tell you that in under 2 seconds, mate. Cheat.”

However, some viewers enjoyed the new show. One fan said: “@MartinSLewis I’m loving your #howtowinatboardgames show. So interesting to see the thinking behind these games. Loved seeing the children win against the teachers. Let’s hope programmes like this reignite the fun in today’s children.” Another added: “Am luvvin the editing/sound of this, so far. #HowToWinAtBoardGames.”