Laura Whitmore sounds the alarm for the return of Love Island in the first teaser for the new series of the ITV2 dating show.
The host swings a pink mallet to smash the heart-shaped glass on an alarm, which reads: “In case of Love Island, crack on.”
Dressed in a red jumpsuit and sunglasses, Laura, who recently gave birth to her first child with husband Iain Stirling, the show’s narrator, smiles at the camera before taking a swing.
The 10-second promo ends with the words: “This is not a drill!”
The dating show is returning to the screen for the first time since February 2020 after the summer series was cancelled last year because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The first ever winter series was won by Paige Turley and Finley Tapp.
Another teaser for the new series shows a camera zooming in on the licence plate of a 4×4 which typically carries the new arrivals to the villa.
The plate reads LOV3.
The new series has been filmed adhering to government guidelines surrounding Covid-19.
The teaser will be shown during the first episode of The Masked Dancer, which starts at 7pm on Saturday on ITV and the ITV Hub.
Love Island returns this summer on ITV2 and the ITV Hub.
Eurovision bosses have confirmed that this year’s winner Damiano David – of the Italian band Måneskin – has undergone a voluntary drug test following this year’s live final, the results of which came back negative.
Since then, David voluntarily took a drug test to settle the matter, which the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has now addressed in a statement.
Vyacheslav Prokofyev via Getty ImagesMåneskin singer Damiano David after the final
On Monday afternoon, an EBU spokesperson said: “Following allegations of drug use in the Green Room of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on Saturday 22 May, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), as requested by the Italian delegation, has conducted a thorough review of the facts, including checking all available footage.
“A drug test was also voluntarily undertaken earlier today by the lead singer of the band Måneskin which has returned a negative result seen by the EBU.
“No drug use took place in the Green Room and we consider the matter closed.”
The EBU added that they were “alarmed that inaccurate speculation leading to fake news has overshadowed the spirit and the outcome of the event and unfairly affected the band”.
“We wish to congratulate Måneskin once again and wish them huge success. We look forward to working with our Italian member Rai on producing a spectacular Eurovision Song Contest in Italy next year,” they concluded.
Dean Mouhtaropoulos via Getty ImagesDamiano on stage during the Eurovision final
Asked by presenter Dan Walker what had actually happened, David said: “It was the moment where they were giving us 12 points and meanwhile [band member] Thomas broke a glass so while I was cheering I saw the glass broken and was like ‘my god, what happened?’”
The singer then added that he was “really offended” that some viewers thought he was leaning over to snort cocaine.
“I think these kind of things are outrageous,” he said. “We are young guys with a huge passion for the music and I think this is overshadowing our win.”
Speaking to the New York Post, Lisa said of the Baby singer: “I was like, ‘Wait, that’s Justin Bieber, right? Would he be here? Is he here? He’s really here – that’s Justin Bieber!’
“That was kind of exciting. I’m throwing in a ‘kind of’ so that I seem a little cooler. It was exciting. I don’t get excited about meeting people – but Justin Bieber, he’s exciting.”
As well as celebrity guests, the reunion will see the main cast joined by some supporting actors from the series, including James Michael Tyler and Maggie Wheeler – better known as Gunther and Janice.
Joining them will be Elliott Gould and Christina Pickles (who played Monica and Ross’ parents, Jack and Judy Geller), Reese Witherspoon (who co-starred as Rachel’s sister in two episodes of the sitcom) and Tom Selleck (who played Monica’s love interest, Richard).
Kevin Mazur/AMA2020 via Getty ImagesLisa admitted she was starstruck by Justin Bieber
The reunion marks the first time since the show wrapped in 2004 that all six of the main cast have been in the same room together in front of the cameras.
Lisa said that she felt “every emotion” while filming the episode.
“It was a lot of laughing and then real blubbering — which, I don’t know if that will be in there, but the puffy eyes are in there, so that’s good. It was an emotionally exhausting and great few days,” she told the New York Post.
HBO MaxThe cast of Friends in a promo shot for the reunion
It’s been 17 years since we last saw our favourite Friends characters on screen together, and with the cast set to reunite on an upcoming TV retrospective, we’ve been dying to find out what the actors think their fictional counterparts would be up to now.
The actors spilled the beans in a new interview with People magazine, previewing the upcoming reunion, which is set to debut in the US on 27 May.
Here’s what they had to say…
NBC via Getty ImagesThe cast of Friends pictured in 1996
Rachel Green
Jennifer Aniston says she would to see Rachel still working in fashion, having now started her own clothing line.
“It’s sort of a small franchise, like a Nili Lotan. And I live in New York City on the Upper East Side,” Jen imagines.
NBC via Getty ImagesJennifer Aniston as Rachel Green
Monica Geller
Courteney Cox believes Monica’s competitiveness wouldn’t have mellowed in middle age and that she would be “doing something competitively with other mothers and trying to outdo them”.
“Whether it’s the bake sale at school or something,” she says. “I mean, she’d be so annoying. She’d be at the head of the PTA or something.”
NBC via Getty ImagesCourteney Cox as Monica Geller
Phoebe Buffay
Lisa Kudrow reckons Phoebe would still be married to Mike Hannigan (Paul Rudd) and they would have moved away from New York, to settle in Connecticut with their children.
“She’s in charge of the arts program for the school,” Lisa says. “And the advocate for her kids because they’re different like she was.”
NBC via Getty ImagesLisa Kudrow as Phoebe Buffay
Chandler Bing
Matthew Perry believes Chandler would be “a wonderful father”, having had twins with Monica at the end of the series.
He also believes the character would have had another change of career, and would now be “a wonderful comedy writer”.
NBC via Getty ImagesMatthew Perry as Chandler Bing
Joey Tribbiani
While we got a glimpse of post-Friends life for Joey in the ill-fated spin-off series Joey, which saw him try and make it as an actor in LA, Matt reckons his character has had a humbler life since.
He says Joey “would have opened a chain of sandwich shops”, to which Matthew Perry adds: “And eaten all the sandwiches.”
NBC via Getty ImagesMatt Le Blanc as Joey Tribbiani
Ross Geller
David Schwimmer is convinced Ross is still “playing with the bones” and working as a palaeontologist, but that he also would have invested in Joey’s sandwich shop and “lost a lot of his savings for his kids”.
NBC via Getty ImagesDavid Schwimmer as Ross Geller
People magazine have also obtained the first official images from the unscripted special, one of which shows the gang playing the epic trivia game from season four, which saw Joey and Chandler win Monica and Rachel’s apartment.
Another image shows them sat down to do a table read of part of The One with The Jellyfish episode.
Last week, it was announced that the cast will be joined by a host of special guests, including James Michael Tyler and Maggie Wheeler – better known as Gunther and Janice.
Joining them will be Elliott Gould and Christina Pickles (who played Monica and Ross’ parents, Jack and Judy Geller), Reese Witherspoon (who co-starred as Rachel’s sister in two episodes of the sitcom) and Tom Selleck (who played Monica’s love interest, Richard).
The Friends reunion will be available to stream on HBO Max in the US from 27 May, exactly a year after it was supposed to launch, before the pandemic scuppered plans to begin production.
It’s still not clear exactly when or how British fans will be able to watch, but HBO productions typically come to Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK.
Read the full cover interview with the cast of Friends in the latest issue of People magazine, available in the US on Friday, or read an excerpt here.
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On Monday evening, Zoe shared a statement on her Instagram page explaining her decision to “waltz away” from the BBC companion show.
“Dance lovers, after 10 joyous years I am waltzing away from It Takes Two,” she wrote.
“As a massive [Strictly] fan I have loved spending my autumn teatimes with the celebrity dancers, the gorgeous & awesome pro dancers, the judges, my girl Vicky Gill, Rylan [Clark-Neal], Gethin [Jones] and of course my main man Ian Waite. Time now for some new cha cha challenges.”
Zoe insisted that she will “continue to support the Strictly family” on her Radio 2 breakfast show, adding that she “can’t wait to watch the Class Of 2021 from my sofa”.
She added: “Huge love & grateful thanks to Tess & Claude & the whole Strictly clan, the ITT fans, my Glam Squad, Eve Winstanley, Alex McLeod, the BBC2 gang, & of course the best telly crew ever. I will miss you all immensely. As Iveta would say ‘Friends for the life’.”
BBCZoe Ball has hosted It Takes Two since 2011
Zoe has been the host of the Strictly companion show since 2011, when she took over from regular presenter Claudia Winkleman.
Since taking over the Radio 2 breakfast show in 2019, she has shared presenting duties on the nightly show with Rylan Clark-Neal.
As well as hosting It Takes Two, Zoe was a contestant on Strictly back in 2005, finishing in third place.
She went on to host the show’s live tour in 2011 and 2015.
In March, it was confirmed that The Mash Report – hosted by Nish and featuring comedians like Rachel Parris and Ellie Taylor – would not be returning, with a BBC spokesperson stating that the decision had been made “in order to make room for new comedy shows”.
They explained: “We are very proud of The Mash Report but in order to make room for new comedy shows we sometimes have to make difficult decisions and it won’t be returning.
“We would like to thank all those involved in four brilliant series and hope to work with Nish Kumar, Rachel Parris and the team in the future.”
BBCNish Kumar hosted all four series of The Mash Report between 2017 and 2020
At the time, several news outlets pointed out that the news came after reports in The Telegraph claiming the BBC’s newly-appointed director general Tim Davie was “planning to tackle perceived left-wing bias in the corporation’s comedy shows”.
Davie later branded these claims “nonsense”, with Nish sharing his thoughts in a new interview with the Observer.
Nish recalled that he found out about The Mash Report’s cancellation in an email from the controller of the BBC Two, telling him: “We don’t have the money, so we’re gonna move on.”
The comedian told the Observer he took the decision in his stride, and when the subsequent reports emerged in the press about the reasons for The Mash Report’s cancellation, he received another email from the BBC urging him to “ignore the article, it’s all nonsense”.
However, Nish has revealed he “pushed for a public clarification” from the BBC, saying: “There’s an important principle at stake. The story suggests a person’s political leanings can have a bearing on what they get to do on television, which is unacceptable.”
Carla Speight via Getty ImagesNish Kumar performing at Latitude Festival in 2019
He added that while he doesn’t believe Tim Davie was responsible for The Mash Report not coming back: “The concern for me is that it’s a useful myth for Tim Davie to have out there, because it placates the British right. It gives the sharks a bit of blood.
“And when do sharks ever stop at a bit of blood? When do sharks ever say, ‘Thank you for the bit of blood. That was the perfect amount. Like tapas’?”
He added: “If the BBC does not say something publicly to make it clear they were not reacting to the political content of the show, it will set a bad precedent. It may well stop people pitching new programme ideas. It is not about any reassurance they may have privately given me since.”
A BBC spokesperson had no additional comment besides the original statement when contacted by HuffPost UK.
The Observer also reported that production company Zeppotron is in talks with several broadcasters about potentially reviving The Mash Report on a commercial station.
Although viewing figures for The Mash Report were usually around the one million mark, it did garner a loyal following during its four years on TV.
The hour-long interview is set to be filmed next month, and will cover the leader of the opposition’s childhood and career in law, as well as the past year of leading the Labour party in lockdown.
Following the announcement, Piers said: “It’s very unusual for party political leaders to submit themselves to such lengthy personal interviews and I am delighted that Sir Keir has agreed to talk to me about his fascinating life.
“It promises to be a memorable and very revealing Life Stories show.”
BREAKING: @Keir_Starmer has agreed to appear on my Life Stories show. We’re doing the interview next week, and it will air soon afterwards. Party leaders rarely submit themselves to such lengthy personal interviews so it should be a fascinating encounter. #LifeStoriespic.twitter.com/5JfUEPdJel
ITV’s head of entertainment, Katie Rawcliffe said the forthcoming interview “promises to be a real treat for our ITV audience.”
There’s no official airdate for Starmer’s episode of Life Stories yet, but ITV has said it will air “in the coming months”
Starmer’s interview will be the first with a party leader on Piers’ show since the broadcaster interviewed Gordon Brown when he was prime minister in 2010.
House of Commons – PA Images via Getty ImagesKeir Starmer
On Thursday, the first trailer for the forthcoming episode was unveiled, showing all six of the original cast members walking in slow motion on the studio lot where the Friends special was filmed.
As well as the short trailer, details of the special’s guest stars have also been revealed in Variety, with James Michael Tyler and Maggie Wheeler – better known as Gunther and Janice – set to appear in the episode.
Joining them will be Elliott Gould and Christina Pickles (who played Monica and Ross’ parents, Jack and Judy Geller), Reese Witherspoon (who co-starred as Rachel’s sister in two episodes of the sitcom) and Tom Selleck (who played Monica’s love interest, Richard).
Getty Images via Getty ImagesJennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon previously shared the screen in Friends
That’s where things start to get really interesting.
Also appearing in the show will be a string of famous Friends fans, which includes James Corden, Justin Bieber and Cindy Crawford, alongside the aforementioned Gaga, Beckham and Malala.
The One With Beckham And Malala is definitely not a Friends episode we saw coming, but we’re kind of here for it.
MARLA AUFMUTH/Johnny Louis/John Shearer/GettyLady Gaga, David Beckham and Malala Yousafzai
Completing the line-up are K-Pop stars BTS, model Cara Delevingne, Game Of Thrones star Kit Harington and US actor Mindy Kaling, as well as Thomas Lennon and Larry Hankin, who played minor roles in Friends.
It’s also been confirmed that the Friends reunion will be available to stream on HBO Max in the US from 27 May, exactly a year after it was supposed to launch, before the pandemic scuppered plans to begin production.
It’s still not clear exactly when or how British fans will be able to watch, but HBO productions typically come to Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK.
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The Spandau Ballet star played the dodgy businessman between 1998 and 2002, but it only came about because the Wham! singer pulled some strings with one of the show’s producers.
But there was also a condition that George – who was a huge fan of the BBC soap – insisted upon.
Getty/Rex(L-R) Martin Kemp and George Michael
During an interview on his ITV show Weekend Best, Martin revealed: “George was such an EastEnders fan. He got me the part, in EastEnders, as Steve Owen. Yeah, he pushed me through the door.
“Then he said to me, ‘One thing I want in return… here’s one of my jumpers, sneak it on one day, you have to wear it in one of the scenes!’”
When Weekend Best guest Shane Richie asked if he actually did it, Martin replied: “Yeah I did yeah, I sneaked it on and put it on for him and he loved it!”
Martin added: “He was a beautiful, beautiful man. I can’t speak highly enough of him.”
Martin’s wife Shirlie, who was Wham!’s backing singer, previously revealed their famous friend used to search their home looking for the soap’s scripts.
Shirlie said: “He was obsessed. He would come round and open drawers, snooping about.”
Gogglebox siblings Sophie and Pete Sandiford got the shock of their lives when they called Boris Johnson’s mobile number on this week’s episode of the Channel 4 show.
Last week it was revealed that the PM’s personal number could be found on the bottom of an old press release dating back to when he was MP for Henley and a shadow minister in 2006.
After watching a news report that revealed callers would now get an automated message saying that the phone was switched off, Sophie tried it out for herself.
But she wasn’t prepared when someone actually answered the call.
Cue Sophie hilariously lobbing the phone at her equally panicked brother.
After hanging up, Sophie blocked the number to prevent being called back – as Pete joked that security service MI5 would soon be knocking on their door.
Twitter was very much amused…
pete and sophie getting through to boris’s phone 😭😭 i’m wheezing #gogglebox
