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The Vivienne appeared on screens and was on good form just days before it was announced that the RuPaul’s Drag Race legend had tragically died aged 32

Drag Race legend The Vivienne appeared on screens just days before their death.

It was announced on Sunday night that the star TV icon, whose real name was James Lee Williams had tragically died aged just 32. A spokesperson for The Vivienne confirmed the heartbreaking news on social media and stated that The Vivienne’s family were taking time to process the news.

But just days before the news emerged, The Vivienne appeared on the celebrity edition of BBC’s Blankety Blank alongside the likes of Oti Mabuse, Jonathan Ross, Joel Dommett and TV and singing queen, Jane McDonald. During a chat with host Bradley Walsh, they left the studio audience in fits of laughter as they spoke about their Christmas experience.

In the pre-recorded episode, The Vivienne joked: “Christmas is too long. You get up, you start drinking at 8am, well I do. I want to be bladdered by the time I’m cooking, if it goes wrong, you can say ‘Sorry, I’m bladdered,” as Jane struggled to contain her laughter over the witty joke.

The Vivienne appeared on screens just days before their death

The North Wales born entertainer, who moved to Liverpool aged 16 was no stranger when it came to entertaining viewers, whether it be with her Donald Trump or Margaret Thatcher impression, or appearing on stage as the Wicked Witch of the Wrst in the theatre production of The Wizard of Oz.

Confirming the news, Simon Jones, a close friend of The Vivienne and also their PR took to social media. In a statement, Simon said: “It is with immense sadness that we let you know our beloved James Lee Williams – The Vivienne, has passed this weekend.

“James was an incredibly loved, warm- hearted and amazing person. Their family are heartbroken at the loss of their son, brother and uncle. They are so proud of the wonderful things James achieved in their life and career. We will not be releasing any further details. We please ask that James’s family are given the time and privacy they now need to process and grieve.”

Elsewhere, Michelle Visage shared snaps of herself and The Vivienne together. Writing alongside the upload, she said: “Heartbreaking. I don’t know how to say how I feel. My darling @thevivienne_ we go back to when I started coming over here to the UK. You were always there, always laughing, always giving, always on point.

“Your laughter, your wit, your talent, your drag. I loved all of it but I loved your friendship most of all. You were a beacon to so many. Seeing you make your West End debut was amazing for me to witness your dream come true right in front of my eyes, I’m the lucky one to have known you and to have laughed together with you so many times. I love you my darling. You will be so missed my lovely. May your light shine fiercely, forever. RIP MY ANGEL fly high.”

Christine McGuinness has said she “didn’t realise” how sad and lonely she was until she split from her ex-husband Paddy McGuinness after 11 years of marriage

Christine McGuinness has opened up about a poignant realisation following her split from former husband Paddy. The pair went their separate ways in 2022, after 11 years of marriage which began with a lavish Cheshire wedding.

Despite their separation, Christine and Paddy still share the family home, a decision they’ve made to ensure stability for their three children – twins Penelope and Leo, 11, and Felicity, eight – who are all on the autism spectrum. Christine herself was diagnosed with autism while working on the documentary ‘Our Family and Autism’ in 2021, which delved into the lives of families with autistic children.

During her time with the ex-‘Take Me Out’ presenter, Christine admits to living almost like a recluse. In her memoir ‘A Beautiful Nightmare’, she reveals that she didn’t even have a hen party because she “didn’t have any friends”.

Post-separation, she confessed to The Times that life had always been intertwined with Paddy’s presence, but she has since recognised that her previous lifestyle may have caused her to miss out on new experiences. She shared with the newspaper: “Those years that I missed out on friendships, I thought I was fine. I didn’t realise how sad and lonely I was. It’s only recently, as I’ve been doing more, I’m like, ‘Wow, there’s a whole life to live out there that I didn’t know existed’ because I very much stayed at home.”

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Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images)

Christine has confessed that the unknown is “really scary” to her, even admitting that it’s “scary not knowing what life’s going to bring,” which she believes is a common feeling among autistic women. She’s one of the celebs taking part in Celebrity Hunted, where they’ll be on the run for 14 days trying to outsmart security experts, all in aid of Stand Up to Cancer, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The reality star recently opened up on the unique Christmas plans she shared with her ex-husband despite the divorce.

“The last thing we want to do is upset our children over Christmas, so we’ll make sure we’re all together,” she told Woman’s Own. “It will be a quiet one. We always try to keep it quiet, because the children can get quite overwhelmed with the changes. So we try to keep it like a normal day but with presents.”

( 
Image:
PA)“If someone didn’t know our situation and came to our house and they spent the day with us, they would not have a clue [we were not together],” Paddy told the Mirror in April. “We get on well, we live together and co-parent. We get the lawyers back and forth but that’s separate – that’s a different thing.”

The ex-Real Housewives of Cheshire star teams up with crooner Duncan James, while Strictly’s Kai Widdrington joins forces with Giovanni Pernice, while Loose Women star Denise Welch teams up with husband Lincoln Townley.

star Denise Welch will be on the lam with hubby Lincoln Townley. It kicks off tonight (Sunday, January 5) at 9pm.

Singer and television presenter Coleen Nolan has opened up about splitting from her partner Michael Jones, who she had dated for three years and shared the sad reason why they parted ways

Coleen Nolan has split with her partner of three years – as she embraces single life on her new farm.

The Loose Women favourite recently parted ways with Michael Jones, citing her busy lifestyle as the reason as she juggles work with settling into her new home. Mum-of-three Coleen, 59, says breaking up was “sad” – but insists it ended on good terms. “We’ve decided that we would rather just stay friends, take it as a friendship,” says Coleen, who started dating the supermarket logistics worker in 2021.

“It’s nothing to do with anyone else, it’s nobody’s fault. But I’m really busy and when I’m not really busy with work I’m busy on the farm and I feel personally that I can’t give time to everything. We still get along great and hopefully we can continue to be friends, who knows?”

It wouldn’t be the first time Coleen says pals with an ex – she counts her two former husbands, actor Shane Richie and musician Ray Fensome, among her best friends. “I think that comes from age and experience,” she tells our sister title OK! magazine. “With it being my 60th next year I think, ‘I haven’t got time, life’s too short.’ I mean, I hope I have lots of time but I’m not 20 any more, I don’t want to wait for two years and see what happens.

Coleen has just bought a gorgeous farmhouse ( 
Image:
OK! Magazine / David Cummings) 

Coleen and her daughter inside her stunning home ( 
Image:
OK! Magazine /David Cummings)

“I’m not going to say it wasn’t sad, because of course it was. But I really hope that once that sadness goes away we can continue to be friends. I don’t regret any of it, it was fabulous. Michael came along at just the right time for me and I think over the last three-and-a-half years we’ve helped each other grow.

“I always choose to focus on the times that were great, not the sad ending. The last two years of both my marriages were probably horrendous, but equally, the 10 years before were fantastic, so I’d rather focus on that.” Another focus of Coleen’s is her new six-acre house in Staffordshire and realising “her dream” of owning a real farm, which she shares with daughter Ciara and her fiancé Max.

Coleen outside her stunning farmhouse ( 
Image:
OK! Magazine / David Cummings)
She even wants to turn her life on the farm into a reality show. “Even when I was little and I was with my sisters, Dad would say to me, ‘You just need to be on a farm, you need to be with animals.’ I can still hear him saying it,” says Coleen, who was a member of the pop group The Nolans with her sisters.

Her life on the farm spends three to four hours a day mucking out and feeding the animals – and she says there’s huge freedom in that. “It’s just a wonderful feeling, it really is my happy place,” she beams. “The best thing about it is, the animals don’t care whether I’ve got make-up on, or what I’m wearing. As long as I’m giving them food, letting them out or taking them for a walk, they don’t care about anything else.

Coleen is throwing herself into family life with daughter Ciara living very close to her farm house ( 
Image:
OK! Magazine / David Cummings)

“Because I’m in an industry that is fabulous, but also means you’re judged by everything you do, being on the farm where nothing matters and no one is judging me is a wonderful feeling.” With three horses, five dogs, six cats, five ducks, two cockerels, four hens and five pygmy goats – life is busy. Ciara, 23, lives in what used to be a separate Airbnb home on the plot with Max.

“If I had to have neighbours, they’d be the ones I’d want,” she says. “Although I think they think I’m the local Tesco Express because Ciara will come up and leave with a Tesco bag of whatever she’s found in my fridge. But then she’s like my local restaurant because I’ll go up there for my dinner and then come home again. So, I can’t really complain when she comes and steals the ingredients.” Ciara – whose dad is Ray – is also loving their new dynamic.

“I’m absolutely loving living here,” she says. “It went from a house to a home within a couple of days. We’re actually living my dream life, too, and I’m so grateful. I couldn’t be more proud of her. I look out my window in the morning and can see the horses and it’s the best feeling.” Coleen has two older children, Jake and Shane, who she shares with her first husband, EastEnders actor Shane.

The singer and actress is preparing for her 60th birthday ( 
Image:
OK! Magazine /David Cummings)

Ciara often visits her mums home and leaves with a bag full of shopping from the fridge ( 
Image:
OK! Magazine / David Cummings)
As well as turning 60 in March, next year officially marks 25 years of Coleen’s time on Loose Women, having joined the show in its very first year on air. Looking back over her time on the ITV panel show, Coleen said: “My whole life has changed since then, I’ve lived my life on Loose Women and equally I’ve learnt a lot and I’ve grown a lot. When I think back to my opinions on certain things 24 years ago compared to my opinions now, they’re so different. I look back sometimes and think, ‘Why would I have ever thought that?’ But I was in my early thirties when I started, and now I’m nearly 60. I’ve had kids who’ve taught me so much, life has changed and the world has changed. I’m so much more confident now in who I am.”

Coleen with her daughter, Clara, at home ( 
Image:
OK! Magazine / David Cummings)
While she wouldn’t change anything about her time on the panel, the only thing Coleen doesn’t enjoy so much now is how “restricted” the panellists are. “Back then, you could say what you wanted, and while people might not have agreed with you, it didn’t mean you were ‘cancelled’ or never going to work again. Now we have to be really careful, and edit ourselves. That’s the only slightly negative change. I’ve still loved every minute of it.”

Supporting her Loose Women pal Ruth Langsford after her split from husband Eamonn Holmes, Coleen says she’s in “awe” of how she’s handled the situation. “She’s such a dignified lady and she looks the best she’s ever looked, in my opinion. She’s a trooper, and I’ll always be there for her.”

Ruling out following friend Jane Moore into the I’m A Celebrity jungle, Coleen does have a new TV project in mind. “I’m in awe of them all, I’d have made Dean [McCullough] look good. You think he can scream? You should hear me. No, I’d much rather do a reality show about life on the farm. That’s the next big dream.” Read Coleen’s full interview in OK! magazine, out Tuesday.

GK Barry and Richard Coles formed an unlikely bond on this year’s series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! but it looks like viewers could see more of them in the future.

TV star Richard Coles has teased a new career venture alongside GK Barry following their stint on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!

 

The 62-year-old formed a sweet bond with GK, whose real name is Grace Keeling, in the Australian jungle as they participated in this year’s gruesome show. But while appearing on Tuesday’s Loose Women, Richard seemed to suggest he wouldn’t mind getting involved in another tough reality series with Grace.

Reuniting with Loose Women star Grace on the panel, Richard was asked by presenter Charlene White if they plan to work together again. Richard said: “Yeah, I think so; I mean the SAS thing, you and me probably.”

Surprised, Grace replied: “Wow! Can you imagine?”

Richard Coles teased future work with GK Barry ( 
Image:
ITV)

Richard replied: “Yes, I can imagine. What I would love to do is take some trips to some interesting places,” he added: “Well, someone said I can take her to the opera, and she can take me for a vajazzle.”

After seeing the pair together, fans couldn’t get enough of the duo and headed to social media site X to share their thoughts. One viewer said: “Can’t wait for Keeling’s own show with Richard Coles as her sidekick. This is what ITV loves to see.”

Another chimed in and wrote, “GK Barry is so funny.” Another penned, “Reverend Richard Coles, Saluted. Beautiful man.”

Since their jungle adventure ended, fans have been longing to see more of Grace and Richard on their TV sets, with some suggesting that they should appear in the next series of Celebrity Gogglebox on Channel 4.

Richard is happy to work with GK Barry again
While updating her fans on TikTok that she had returned to the UK after filming I’m A Celeb, fans quickly flooded the comment section with suggestions for the new role. One fan wrote, “Your friendship with Richard was so sweet. You two definitely need to be on Celebrity Gogglebox. Please put him on your podcast.”

More comments came in, with one person writing: “You and the Rev need to go on Gogglebox”. Another social media user said: “Rev Richard for the podcast!”

While a third claimed: “You and Rev NEED a show together,” alongside the clapping emoji. With fans agreeing as one wrote: “Need a show with Rev called ‘By The Grace of God.’”

Loose Women airs Mondays-Fridays at 12:30pm on ITV1.

Gemma Collins has her eye on a role in Coronation Street after becoming good mates with one of the cast members – and she has a very specific idea of the character she’d like to play

Gemma Collins is on a quest to snag a part on the iconic soap Coronation Street. The reality TV queen, who’s an avid fan of the show, revealed it would be a dream come true to tread the cobbles. She’s even got a friend in the cast to potentially join her on screen. Gemma told The Daily Star: “It would be amazing to be on a soap one day. I’d love to be in Corrie. I recently met Claire Sweeney and I think she’s hilarious, so I could go on the cobbles with her.”

The Essex diva is determined to land a role that’s a stark contrast to her glamorous life and wants to shock viewers with a gritty portrayal. She explained: “I’d like to play a character that’s memorable. I want to play someone people wouldn’t expect… a character who’s very different to what people think I’d be.”

Gemma recently met Claire Sweeney ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

She even has an idea for her potential character, suggesting: “Maybe I could be someone who is sleeping rough on the streets… someone who is covered in cuts and bruises,” reports the Daily Star.

Coronation Street has been graced by several celebrities, including Peter Kay, Lorraine Kelly, and Paddy McGuinness, and Gemma could well be next. But it’s not just Corrie that’s caught her eye; she’s also open to exploring Albert Square on EastEnders

Gemma recently met Claire Sweeney ( 
Image:
Instagram)

With her recent success, where she reportedly made £1,000-per-second, Gemma confidently told Daily Star she’s up for giving the EastEnders crew a “run for their money,” cheekily adding: “I never say never, hun!”

Mulling over the possibility of gracing a beloved TV soap, she hinted: “If the right role came along, I’d absolutely consider it. I love bringing a bit of glamour and fun wherever I go. So, who knows? Maybe one day I’ll be strutting down Albert Square, giving everyone a run for their money.”

Opening up about her choices in television gigs, she also shared: “Let’s just say I’m quite selective these days. I’ve learned to trust my gut. If something doesn’t feel right, I’ll pass. Life’s too short to say yes to things that don’t light you up. No major regrets though – every experience has taught me something.”

Denise Welch has mocked her son Matt Healy after The 1975 frontman shared a story of his life as a struggling musician – with the TV star branding his account “absolute b******s”

Denise Welch, the Loose Women star, has bluntly dismissed her rock star son Matt Healy’s account of his past. She labelled his stories as “absolute b******s” during a recent podcast.

She laughed at how Matty, frontman of The 1975, downplayed his privileged upbringing, saying: “He told this story about how he slaved away laboriously working at Caffé Nero so that he could buy his first guitar. Absolute b******s!”

Denise had told Matty that she was happy to support him as he pursued his rock and roll dream, but insisted that he got himself a job as well. He managed to do just that, getting himself a job at the popular national coffee chain.

Denise says Matty’s childhood was quite comfortable, no matter what he says nowadays ( 
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Mirrorpix)
Speaking on the My Favourite Takeaway podcast, Denise recalled: “He came back after a week and told me that he was going to get a certificate as the best trainee barista they’d ever had. I was as proud as if he’d said ‘barrister.’

“I was incredibly proud. It turned out – and I didn’t know until a significant amount of time later – that he had actually been fired after a week for being the worst trainee barista they’d ever had.”

She revealed that the gifted songwriter continued to leave their home in Wilmslow, Cheshire, for nearly a month, donning his Caffé Nero T-shirt to keep his parents in the dark. .

Matty’s version of his past is a little more ‘rock and roll’ than the reality, Denise says ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Matty Healy and his songwriting partner George Daniel, the drummer for the 1975, took on a part-time job delivering takeaways for their local Chinese restaurant to make ends meet.

Denise jokingly recalled that whenever she and Matty’s dad, the actor Tim Healy, ordered food, it would take ages to arrive – unless Matty was at home, in which case it would arrive promptly, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Denise teased that Matty and George would always receive generous tips from his parents.

She playfully mocked Matty’s portrayal of his struggling musician days, saying: “It was almost like he was kicking a tin can down the back roads in some kind of, really dark, depressing place when he actually lived in a lovely house with his parents, who were tipping him all the time and buying food for him and his friends.

“But nevertheless this is obviously the ‘Liam Gallagher version’ of life that he’s chosen to project.”

Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly were back with a new series of Limitless Win on Saturday night and ITV viewers were all left saying the same thing after watching the first episode

Fans of Ant and Dec’s Limitless Win were left echoing a similar sentiment after tuning into the first episode of the much-anticipated new series.

The prime-time quiz show made its comeback for a fourth season on Saturday (January 4) evening, with viewers still buzzing from last series’ record-breaking £1 million jackpot – the largest ever in the history of Limitless Win.

With the bar set sky-high, fresh contestants are now gearing up to tackle the limitless ladder in hopes of securing their own fortune over the course of six hour-long episodes, airing on Saturdays and Sundays for three weeks.

The innovative game show format features an infinite money ladder, presenting participants with the opportunity to bag an unprecedented unlimited jackpot.

Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly were back with a new series of Limitless Win on Saturday night ( 
Image:
ITV)

The first duo to face the challenge of the Limitless Ladder were Joe and his sister-in-law Jo, who shared that they had been preparing by measuring items in the supermarket with a tape measure, dreaming of splurging on a grand family holiday if they won big.

They sailed through the initial question, but the second one proved to be a head-scratcher – not just for them but for many viewers watching at home as well.

The puzzling question asked: “According to its product specification, a ‘Welsh Leek’ has a minimum total length of how many centimetres.”

The first duo to face the challenge of the Limitless Ladder were Joe and his sister-in-law Jo ( 
Image:
ITV)
This left some fans perplexed, with numerous viewers admitting they’d never even heard of a Welsh Leek before. Flocking to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, audiences shared their thoughts on the challenging query, with one viewer posting: “#LimitlessWin two questions that you could know after the leak question that almost nobody would know.”, reports Chronicle Live.

“Never heard of a Welsh Leek interesting question,” quipped one viewer, while another was puzzled: “What on earth is a Welsh leek? ” The lively debate continued as Joe confidently claimed it was ‘at least 20cm’, though his sister-in-law suggested toning down the estimate.

Limitless Win gives contestants the chance to win life-changing amounts of money ( 
Image:
ITV)Despite the back-and-forth, they eventually agreed on 20cm. However, hosts Ant and Dec unveiled that the answer wasn’t right after all and informed the viewers, with Ant disclosing: “The exact answer is 28cm.”

Spaghetti Bolognese is one of the contestants taking part in The Masked Singer UK 2025 and eagle-eyed fans think they know exactly who is hiding behind the wacky disguise

The Masked Singer UK viewers are convinced they’ve rumbled the famous face hiding behind the Spaghetti Bolognese costume.

The sixth series of the wild ITV guessing game returned to television screens on Saturday (January 4) night with 12 new characters waiting in the wings to take to the stage.

In a show shake-up, celebrity detectives Jonathan Ross, Mo Gillian, Maya Jama, Davina McCall and special guest Sir Mo Farah got the pick the running order.

Teeth, Snail, Tattoo, Kingfisher, Spaghetti Bolognese and Dressed Crab were all chosen to perform during the first show and their performances got viewers at home guessing which famous faces could be behind the outrageous outfits.

The Masked Singer UK viewers are convinced they’ve rumbled the famous face hiding behind the Spaghetti Bolognese costume

After being picked by Sir Mo, Spag Bol took to the stage to belt out a rendition of Geri Halliwell’s hit Look at Me but before they took belted out the track, a VT played revealing some clues about their true identity.

As Spag Bol dropped various hints, Davina could be heard saying “not really Italian, right?” with Sir Mo agreeing: “Putting an accent on.” The character revealed: “I haven’t always been known as Spag Bol, it has been shortened”, which left Maya wondering: “Maybe they’ve got a nickname”.

Spag Bol belted out a rendition of Geri Halliwell’s Look At Me
Spag Bol also let slip: “This dish is enjoyed around the world” in which Maya said: “Maybe world famous”. Later on in the video package, two tennis rackets could be seen laid on a table alongside five tennis balls with 06:00 printed on them.

The character also mentioned: “hopelessly devoted” which Jonathan pointed out is from the musical movie, Grease. After Spag Bol’s performance, host Joel Dommett turned to the panel to find out who they think is behind the mask.

Jonathan guessed presenter Anika Rice, Sir Mo predicted tennis player Emma Raducanu, Davina suggested Julia Bradbury, Mo wondered if Sapg Bol could be Welsh Hollywood beauty Catherine Zeta-Jones and Maya guessed Judy Murray, mother of tennis player Andy Murray.

Fans are convinced they know who Spag Bol isSpag Bol then shared a riddle, which was: “Spag Bol is delicious it has to be said, but spilled on the floor it can stain it quite red.” The clue left Mo wondering if the comedian Ruby Waz was in the costume.

However, viewers at home at home are convinced they know exactly who is behind the mask. While some think it could be Good Morning Britain’s Kate Garraway, others think it could be Julia, like Davina said.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, one fan penned: “Spag bol is Julia Bradbury #MaskedSingerUK.” Another added: “Spag Bol is Julia Bradbury in the #MaskedSingerUK The Greek boots, walking boots and stick and the early start. Not sure about the tennis connection though.” Someone else agreed: “Julia Bradbury is a good shout. She likes walking and there were walking boots as a clue #MaskedSingerUK.”

Former Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice has opened up to the Sunday Mirror about the year he endured after being accused of bullying Amanda Abbington

Giovanni Pernice feared he would lose everything in the Strictly Come Dancing bullying row, he has revealed.

As he returns to our screens tonight for the first time since leaving the hit show last summer, the Italian dancer admits there were “dark times”. The BBC launched an investigation after Giovanni’s dance partner Amanda Abbington, 50, quit Strictly in October 2023 and accused him of being “abusive” towards her. The probe upheld six of 17 complaints against Giovanni, 34 – but not did not find he had physically abused the Sherlock actress. The pro dancer insists he was a “strict teacher” but was never a bully.And now the star is determined to put the events of the last year behind him as he makes a fresh start – including appearing on Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted tonight with fellow Strictly pro Kai Widdrington, 29. Giovanni told the Sunday Mirror: “I’m not going to lie, there were dark moments in terms of, you know, this is finished, this is the end of my career. That was one of my down moments. Sorry for my language but 2024 can f**k off. I’ve been looking forward to seeing the back of it.”

“Every time she came out with another interview I was always maintaining a calm inside. Trust me, it wasn’t easy, there were dark times. But I know what I did – that kept me calm, because I knew the truth from the beginning. I was expecting and waiting that all of this would finish and come back with the results that I wanted it to be. I know what the truth is, I know who I am, so you just wait and move on with life.”

Gio faced a BBC probe after his 2023 Strictly partner accused him of bullying – which he vehemently denied ( 
Image:
BBC)
The experience, he believes, has made him stronger. He says: “After last year where everything happened, I decided to take life day by day because you never know what is going to happen, things can change in a moment. And then after being down there is only one way up. And you come back fighting and even stronger, you try to find better solutions.” In 2021, two series before the bullying row broke out, Giovanni won the 19th series of Strictly with EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, now 30.

His career, he admits, owes a lot to his strong competitive edge. He says: “Competitiveness, you know, it’s what I do for a living. I was born that way, so I’ve got that competitiveness in me and nobody will ever take it out of me, whatever I do. If I’m on the run, if I’m on a dance show, if I playing cards with my mates, you know, if there is a competition, I’m there. That’s what keeps me going when I face any adversity in my life. I have to think positively. Since the age of seven I started to compete in dance competitions. Everything I do, I always find a solution or a way to make it work. I just think I am built that way. I built myself that way.”

And he is taking that that competitiveness into Celebrity Hunted, in which pairs of stars go on the run and try to evade a team of ex-cops working to track them down.

Gio and Stricty pro Kai Widdrington partner up for the new series of Celebrity Hunted ( 
Image:
Channel 4)
Other celebrities taking part in the series include Loose Women’s Denise Welch, 66, and her husband Lincoln Townley, 52, pop star Duncan James, 46, and model Christine McGuinness, 36, podcasters David “Sideman” Whitely, 33, and Zeze Millz, 35, soap actresses Danielle Harold, 32, and Kimberly Hart-Simpson, 38, and news anchors Simon McCoy, 63, and Lucrezia Millarini, 48.

Giovanni says: “It’s exciting to be back on British TV, it’s been a while. I took it very, very serious – that’s what I do. I took everything very serious and that, you know, ends up to be my problem in general.”

Viewers will also get to see his cheeky side when he decides to take the fight to the Hunters by personally delivering a pizza to their HQ. He reveals: “As always, I was making history! I said, ‘What has never happened in all these series of Hunted?’ And no one has ever turned up at their door. It’s never happened before, something like this. I was like, ‘I want to be memorable. So let’s go to their place for once’. So I had a special pizza made up and delivered it myself to their place with a note. That was so much fun. I can’t wait to see how they reacted to that.”

After being crowned champion in the Italian version of Strictly in December – and falling for his dance partner, singer and actress Bianca Guaccero, 43, in the process – Giovanni’s fortunes are certainly looking up. As well as Hunted, he is off on a UK tour – and is excited to get back in front of a live crowd.

Gio kisses girlfriend Bianca after winning the Italian version on Strictly ( 
Image:
Maurizio D’Avanzo/MDPhoto/ipa-agency.net/REX/Shutterstock)He says: “I can’t wait to reconnect with Mother Nature, which is my UK fan base, because they’ve been supportive all the way through and I’ve missed them.” The shows will be bittersweet for both Giovanni and his fans – as he reveals they will be his last. He says: “It’s going to be so emotional when I get back on stage in front of them again, and even more emotion is the fact that this is my last tour. I need a break, darling. I’m 35 years old. I’ve been doing this for 10 years.”

Considering his next moves away from the dance floor, Giovanni is looking to become an actor. He says: “That’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but obviously English is not my first language, so we have to see. I need to go to English school first of all to learn English properly. And I like to sing too, so maybe some singing lesson to improve my singing.”

* Celebrity Hunted starts tonight at 9pm on Channel 4. Gio’s tour, The Last Dance, opens January 20 and plays around the country – for tickets, go to Giovannipernice.com

Craig Revel Horwood, who is the longest-serving judge on Strictly, celebrates his milestone birthday on Saturday

Craig Revel Horwood has been hailed “warm and witty” by fellow Strictly Come Dancing judges as he turned 60. The Australia-born choreographer, who has been a Strictly judge since 2004, is celebrating his milestone birthday.

In an Instagram tribute, judge Motsi Mabuse gushed: “Happy 60th birthday to one of the most fabulous, inspiring, and unforgettable people I know! On this milestone, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible impact you’ve had-not just on Strictly , but in my life personally.” She credited Revel Horwood’s kindness for making her Strictly debut in 2019 “an absolute joy”. “You welcomed me with open arms, and I will never forget how supported and seen you made me feel during those first moments,” Mabuse added.

His Strictly co-stars wished him a happy birthday ( 
Image:
BBC/Rob Parfitt)
“Over the years, I have come to treasure this (heart emojis), from our laughter-filled conversations to our shared love to Banter, you’ve shown me that beneath your legendary sharp wit is a kind, generous, and truly remarkable soul. I feel so lucky to share this journey with you and to celebrate you today.”

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional-turned-judge Anton Du Beke shared a spooky photo of himself and Craig Revel Horwood dressed as the infamous Grady twins from the 1980 horror classic The Shining, along with a heartfelt birthday message. Du Beke penned on Instagram: “Happy 60th birthday to the wonderful @craigrevel! My sister from another mister. Have a fabulous day my love! #60today.”

Craig is one of Strictly’s beloved judges ( 
Image:
Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Shirley Ballas, Revel Horwood, Du Beke, and Mabuse are set to embark on the Strictly live tour later this month. Recently, Revel Horwood revealed to Radio Times that he plans to publish a book featuring all the negative comments and death threats he’s received over the years, aiming to “shame them”. He also discussed how he’s transformed his judging style from being “really harsh” to a more constructive approach, akin to a teacher rather than a judge.

Revel Horwood admitted that he used to be very direct with celebrities, but now opts to “wrap the truth in a nice way”. Throughout his career, he has appeared in numerous productions and pantomimes, including playing the role of Miss Hannigan in the touring production of Annie, and directing and choreographing the UK tour of the musical Sister Act.