SOCIAL media star and boxer KSI was a sensation as he made his debut on the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel.
As he took to the stage at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool — the first time the show has been filmed in the seaside town — he bounced into the theatre like he was about to have a bout in the ring.
The star, who is a temporary replacement for Bruno Tonioli, was given a rapturous response when he was announced after fellow judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
It left hosts Ant and Dec stunned, with Ant commenting: “Everyone’s thinking, ‘Bruno who?’. I’m joking!”
Bruno is in the US filming Dancing With The Stars and, though he’ll be back soon to continue auditions in Blackpool, KSI is filling in this week.
And it didn’t take him long on his first day to get into the swing of things, posing for a selfie with the audience — using a filter to put a pair of orange shades over his eyes, just like Simon’s.
Commenting online, KSI said: “The audience in Blackpool are absolutely amazing and I’m really glad I’m part of the band.”
He even got up on stage a couple of times and took part in a gymnastic performance, which challenged even his peak physical fitness.
Even more impressive, however, was his entourage of six people, including his enormous bodyguard who followed him almost everywhere he went.
And the guard had to be on his toes as KSI was swamped with youngsters looking for selfies — as well as the odd one from Simon, too.
The YouTuber, who has 80million followers across a variety of platforms from Facebook to TikTok, even got to hit his golden buzzer on the first day.
Without giving away what the act was, the audition — which will hit screens in spring next year — came from a woman called Stacey who cooks chickens inside a Morrisons supermarket.
KSI was quickly followed by Simon and Amanda, who also pressed their golden buzzers.
Looks like he’s setting the bar for everyone up there in Blackpool.
A new crime series based on the Inspector Lynley novels is coming to the BBC.
Lynley will star Vikings’ Leo Suter and Ted Lasso’s Sofia Barclay as detective duo DI Tommy Lynley and DS Barbara Havers.
The four-part series is currently in the works.
IT’S not that cold outside yet, but in TV land, sleigh bells are ready to ring.
Seasonal channel That’s Christmas relaunched yesterday to mark the ten-week countdown to December 25.
And among the faces gracing its line-up will be Rik Mayall in BBC comedy Bottom and John Thaw in Goodnight Mr Tom.
The channel will also mark the 50th anniversary of sitcom Rising Damp and 35 years of David Jason’s A Bit Of A Do.
You can tune in on Freeview, Sky and Virgin.
Head of programming Kris Vaiksalu said: “Part of what makes Christmas special is knowing the evenings will be lit up with some of the greatest TV shows ever made.”
FORMER Queen Vic barmaid Charlie Brooks looked to be channelling Corrie landlady legend Bet Lynch during Dancing On Ice rehearsals this week.
The EastEnders star seemed inspired by Julie Goodyear’s signature look, with leopard-print leggings for the training sessions, where she held on tightly to the instructor as she learnt the basics.
Charlie confirmed her appearance on the show earlier this month, telling Loose Women: “I’m going to embrace the spray tan.
“All I want to do is enjoy it . . . and try not to break my leg.”
Training for the next series of the ITV show, which will air in January, started earlier this month.
Charlie will battle it out against TV personality Ferne McCann, The Traitors star Mollie Pearce, Hollyoaks’ Chelsee Healey and Love Islander Chris Taylor.
MOVIE composer John WIlliams – who was behind the music for Jaws, Star Wars, Jurassic Park and Harry Potter – will be the subject of a Disney+ documentary.
The film, available to stream on November 1, will feature commentary from filmmakers including Steven Spielberg.
AFTER multiple rule breaks and two housemates threatening to walk, Big Brother last night called for order by, erm, installing Boris Johnson.
But all was not as it seemed, it was just contestant Nathan dressed as the floppy-haired former PM for the shopping task.
Emma dressed as Margaret Thatcher for the game, while Daze became Theresa May.
Separately, viewers have been complaining to watchdog Ofcom over what they see as Marcello’s predatory behaviour towards the women.
Forget Prime Ministers, Big Brother may need a Pest Minister to get him in line.
The series continues at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX.
THE man who helped to mastermind Sam Ryder’s second-place finish in Eurovision is now leading the search for our entry next year.
Sam gave the UK its best result in more than two decades in 2022.
Since then, the results have tumbled back towards the bottom of the scoreboard, so the man behind Space Man singer Sam has been brought in to change our fortunes.
David May, who is a leading figure in the industry and who managed Sam during his triumph in Turin, is spearheading the hunt for the act and song to represent the UK in Basel, Switzerland, next May.
The search is already under way but I’m told he is especially keen to get a more “diverse” act, given it has been well over a decade since a non-white person competed for the UK.
My music insider said: “The UK has some of the best musical talent in the world and they are trawling that to find someone from a more diverse background who can put in a great performance.
“There is a key focus on finding a performer who can deliver a powerhouse vocal every time on stage. There is no room for a pitchy singer this time around.
“The song is very important too, so there are lots of things to consider. But David is throwing himself into the challenge.”
Confirming his involvement, David said: “I’m excited to be working with BBC Studios and the BBC on this journey. We’re seeking talent and a song that embodies the essence of UK music.
“We want to collaborate with an authentic act who has a genuine, heartfelt story to tell, and an unmatched vocal tonality and range.
“Ultimately we’re looking for a powerful three-minute performance that resonates with and moves audiences across Europe and beyond.”
Olly Alexander, who finished in 18th in Sweden this year, was announced as the UK entry last December.
But the BBC has said it won’t confirm when next year’s act will be revealed, only that it will be before next March.
The annual song contest is one of the BBC’s most popular entertainment programmes of the year.
Around 8.5million British viewers tuned in to watch it live this year, when Nemo won for Switzerland with The Code.
Next year’s final will take place on May 17 — and we’ll be bringing you all the drama.
IT looked like James Norton had been rifling through Harry Styles’ wardrobe when he turned up at a movie event in this baggy suit.
He wore the bright yellow outfit to the gala screening of his new film Joy as part of the BFI London Film Festival on Tuesday night.
The movie is about the British scientists who developed IVF, and is due out on Netflix next month.
Meanwhile, James is booked and busy as he has been in Liverpool shooting his next project. For the same streaming platform, it is a series called House Of Guinness about the rise of the drink.
I hope he can have a few pints on set to sweeten the deal.
O2 is taking a stand against ticket touts after research the telecommunications giant conducted showed dodgy resales and rip-offs are costing UK music fans £145million a year.
At a panel in London yesterday, Gareth Griffiths, of Virgin Media O2, said: “While there are some resale platforms that exist to help fans and cap secondary profits, there are others who seek only to make as much money as possible out of genuine fans.”
DUA LIPA will tonight put on a spectacular but intimate homecoming show for British fans before kicking off her massive Radical Optimism world tour in less than a month.
My favourite pop star is playing a one-off gig at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
And according to my well-placed insiders, she is going to treat the crowd to a show like never before.
A source said: “Playing the Royal Albert Hall is a huge milestone for Dua and after her Glastonbury headline set, she will be going all out to impress.
“She will be extending the stage to fit all of the musicians.
“If anyone thought the Royal Albert Hall show was going to be more pared back, they are in for a surprise because she has ramped it up a notch.
“Cameras are going to be following her too, so if you’re in the audience, make sure you’ve dressed to impress because you could see yourself on the box.”
Tickets for tonight’s show sold out in eight minutes and Bizarre’s Howell will be in the crowd to bring you all the news from the night.
As for me, I’ll be catching Dua live at the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame induction in Cleveland, Ohio on Saturday, where Black Sabbath legend Ozzy Osbourne is being inducted for the second time.
Bring on the jet lag.
OSCAR-winner Gary Oldman is returning to the stage for the first time in 38 years.
He will appear in a production of Samuel Beckett’s Krapp’s Last Tape at London’s York Theatre Royal, having last had a theatre credit with the 1987 show Serious Money.
The play, about a man who records a tape each year on his birthday, will run from April 14 to May 17, with tickets on sale from November 16.
LEIGH-ANNE PINNOCK combined being a mum and a chart celeb as she got dressed up in full pop star garb to attend a kids’ clothing launch.
The former Little Mix singer wore this sheer red outfit to join Krept from the hip-hop duo Krept & Konan at his Childsplay Clothing The Edit x Krept & Nala’s Baby dinner in Mayfair on Tuesday.
He launched his kids’ skincare range Nala’s Baby two years ago but is now turning the focus back to music with the pair’s upcoming album Kings II.
Krept said in an exclusive chat with me: “Kings II is like the sequel to the moment we became independent and our lives changed.
“It feels like a full-circle moment. We’ve been away working on other things, building brands, fatherhood, family.
“But me and Konan are really versatile, so we’ve also got club stuff, we’ve been to Africa, we’ve been to the Caribbean.”
They will drop the tracklist for the record next month and Krept promised me some big surprises, so I am looking forward to hearing them.
HIS outlandish fashion sense is sometimes more Butlin’s than Balenciaga.
But Sir Elton John is making sure the ensemble cast of the West End stage show version of The Devil Wears Prada are oozing style.
As well as writing the tunes for the musical, insiders have told me Elton, asked for his favourite shoe designer, Terry De Havilland, to provide more than 80 pairs for the cast.
A show insider said: “Elton is a massive fan of Terry’s and the wardrobe department has now requested 81 pairs from Terry.
“Elton has an eye for style and he’s so proud of the production.
“He can’t wait for it to open at the Savoy Theatre now so everyone can hear – and see – what he has worked on.”
NICK JONAS ran off stage during a concert in Prague on Tuesday after a laser was pointed at him.
He was on The Jonas Brothers’ tour when the incident happened.
The gig was paused for several minutes before it was assured there was no security threat, and he returned to the stage.
That’s a relief, but no one should have to live in fear like that.
JOAQUIN PHOENIX and Lady Gaga‘s film Joker: Folie a Deux is getting a rushed home release in a bid to claw back cash after it flopped at the box office.
It will be out on home entertainment platforms on October 29 – less than a month after it was released in cinemas – having so far made £126million.
That figure might seem high after two weeks on screens, but the movie cost £150million to make and a further £75million to market, so there’s a long way to go before it breaks even.
It’s also hugely disappointing compared to the first film in 2019, which made almost £1billion worldwide.
Gaga played Harley Quinn in the movie and got paid £9.2million, while it’s been revealed that director Todd Phillips and Joaquin were paid £15.3million apiece.
KIM KARDASHIAN’s eldest daughter North West recently said dad Kanye is one of her favourite musicians to listen to.
Luckily, Kim has launched a new speaker so she can drown out her ex’s tunes.
She posed with this special-edition Beats Pill, available in light and dark grey, which is her third collaboration with the brand.
Speaking about the all-new speaker, which goes on sale tomorrow, Kim said: “Music is a big part of my everyday life, from morning gym sessions to creative brainstorms, and the Beats Pill makes it that much more beautiful.”
JUST as Vera will soon come to an end, a brand new rival detective series is set to air in a matter of days.
The long-running drama series will soon conclude on ITV, just as Channel 5 will seek to capture the attention of viewers.
The commercial broadcaster has seized the opportunity to recruit a whole new female officer to take the place of DCI Stanhope (Brenda Blethyn).
Along with Acorn TV, it has given the green light for a new feature length three-part series called Ellis.
It will follow the determined DCI Ellis (Sharon Clarke), who is known for cracking unsolved crimes.
Each instalment will last two-hours and it will also star Carnival Row and Outlander star Andrew Gower as her sidekick, DS Harper.
The series will make its way to screens on Thursday October 31st, with the first episode being screened at 8pm.
It will follow the detective pair as they arrive in a new and unfamiliar town.
Three-time Olivier Award winner Sharon D Clarke was previously chosen for the leading role.
This was after her work in huge projects such as Showtrial, Lost Boys & Fairies, and Rocketman.
The detective duo arrive in a new town where Ellis goes all out to win over the local detectives and help them to solve open mysteries.
Sebastian Cardwell, Deputy Chief Content Officer, Paramount UK, previously gushed: “Ellis is a brilliant addition to our scripted slate, and we are thrilled to be working with the teams at Acorn TV and Company Pictures on this gripping new series.
“I can’t wait to see the incredible Sharon D Clarke bring DCI Ellis to life.”
Oscar nominated actress Brenda Blethyn, 78, previously received acclaim after she first appeared as Detective Vera Stanhope in 2011.
After nearly 14 years in the role, she seemed to want a change of direction and announced her decision to step away from the long-running series.
“Yeah, it was quite emotional,” she told The Sun Online when asked about the ending of the show.
Channel 5 has become a hub for gripping drama, these are some of the best My5 has to offer.
“Hopefully it’s up to its normal standard, and I’ve not seen them yet the last two episodes.”
She added: “[But] the stories are all good.”
Ellis will be available to watch on Channel 5 from 8pm on Thursday, October 31st.
THIS is the terrifying moment a man is mowed down by a 78-tonne Airbus airliner – leaving him with life-changing injuries.
Airport technician Rail Khasanov was preparing a Ural Airlines plane for take off when the aircraft rolled over him and crushed his legs.
The pilot of the Airbus A320 failed to wait for him to move away from under the plane when he began taxiing at Koltsovo airport in Russia.
Horrifying CCTV footage showed the plane’s landing gear running over the technician’s leg, leaving him fighting for his life in an intensive care unit.
But the lucky man survived the freak accident.
Rail, whose leg was amputated at the hip, has now told of the terrifying moment he was crushed.
He revealed he felt his “bones burst” as the massive plane mowed him over.
The technician said: “A huge wheel drove along my leg and stopped. In the first few seconds, I thought it was a nightmare but I couldn’t wake up.
“I didn’t feel any pain at first because of the shock but then I felt my bones burst. I was fully conscious while I was lying under the plane for seven minutes.
“I was so thirsty because of the blood loss. In the ambulance, I managed to say what happened and then I passed out.”
Rail only regained consciousness five days later after surgeons induced a medical coma before performing an emergency amputation.
He joked: “I woke up and looked around and it didn’t look like heaven.
“I could see I was in intensive care with my mother next to my bed. I had no panic.
“I had known even while I was under the plane that my leg didn’t have a hope.
“But I was alive chatting, talking.”
Investigators later blamed the aircraft pilot for the injury and asked him to compensate Rail compensation.
Rail signed a pre-trial agreement with the pilot to receive £16,000.
He is still an employee of Ural Airlines and is preparing to be fitted with a prosthetic leg and expects to return to work – but not preparing planes for take off.
He said: “It’s sometimes hard enough on two legs. The company has promised they will find a job for me.
“I know I’ll have to learn something new.”
