BBC bosses plan to offer Strictly’s Ellie Leach soap role after being removed from ITV’s Coronation Street
BEEB bosses are so confident Ellie Leach will be a hit on Strictly. There are already discussions about her joining BBC One drama Waterloo Road.
The dance competition – which has just been confirmed to return to our screens on September 16 – was won by Ellie shortly after her exit from the ITV1 soap Coronation Street.
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Now they want to make plans to keep her with the Beeb after this Strictly series ends, and school drama is a no-brainer.
A TV insider said: “Ellie was hugely popular when she performed as Faye Windass on the Weatherfield cobbles and there’s every chance she’ll be a bigger hit when she hits the dance floor.”
“When the shine falls on Strictly’s upcoming series, they want to capitalize on its mass appeal and transfer it to Waterloo Road.
“They don’t want to give it up too late and another show will snag them.”
Another bonus for Ellie is that she’s already friends with her fellow Strictly competitor Adam Thomas, and he’s already a cast member on Waterloo Road.
The actress played single mother Faye in “Corrie” from 2011 until May of this year, when her character moved to Slough to be with Jackson Hodge, the man who got her pregnant when she was 12 years old.
Ellie is intrigued by Corrie because she is the cousin of Brooke Vincent, best known for her 15-year role as Sophie Webster on the show.
Ironically, Sophie’s mother, Sally, is played by Sally Dynevor, who is the real-life mother of Hattie Dynevor, who also just joined the cast of Waterloo Road.
It’s all SO confusing.
Fashion with high stakes
BILLIE PIPER once again prevailed over her rivals. . . but this time it’s about the fashion.
She wowed fans in this teal satin suit and wide-brimmed hat on the red carpet at the Elle Style Awards in London this week.
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The former Doctor Who star has just wrapped up filming on new Netflix drama ‘Scoop.’
Billie dyed her hair blonde to transform into BBC producer Sam McAlister, who secured Emily Maitlis’ now infamous BBC Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew, set to air next year.
Billie was joined by Don’t Worry Darling star Florence Pugh and Daisy Jones, and The Six’s Suki Waterhouse at the star-studded event.
Drink the act and love it
TRINNY WOODALL has no plans to slow down before her 60th birthday next February.
Instead, the host of makeover show Trinny & Susannah Undress took the title literally after splitting from partner Charles Saatchi earlier this year.
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She showcased her new persona by stripping down to pose on a Beyoncé-style holographic horse.
She told an online audience, “I sat naked on a horse over the weekend and I really enjoyed dressing up sexy because I’ve never done it.”
“I really enjoyed the shoot, I felt so strengthened.
“I felt so good, I felt this freedom.”
She added of her breakup with Charles, “I got to a point in the relationship where I felt alone and it ended up being, ‘I have the power to do what I want to do, so it’s me.’ will continue’.
“I feel like this is a new chapter in my life.”
TASKMASTER will be back on our screens this month.
Greg Davies and Alex Horne are joined by Julian Clary, Lucy Beaumont, Sam Campbell, Sue Perkins and Susan Wokoma in the first episode of Season 16 on September 21 at 9pm on Channel 4.
Matt on his way to tinsel town?
CHRISTMAS has come early for Emmerdale villain Matthew Wolfenden.
But it’s hard to tell if he was on the bad or nice Santa list for his next venture.
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Fresh from the Dales, he comes to the West End stage with a very festive new role in an adaptation of the hit Christmas film Elf.
Contrasting with his 17 years as David Metcalfe on the soap, Matthew will bring his inner Will Ferrell to life to play Buddy the Elf alongside a star cast at the Dominion Theatre.
He will be joined on stage by Holby City star Tom Chambers as Walter Hobbs and tennis player Andrew Castle’s daughter Georgina as Jovie for the production, which runs from November 15 through 2024.
Lottie’s Nut
LOTTIE MOSS once went on a date with a date who, in a fit of rage, stabbed his bedroom wall.
The model, who can currently be seen on E4 show Celebs Go Dating, told the Not My Bagg podcast: “I met this guy in LA.
“He was a drug addict, a terrible guy.
“Obviously, within three days, I fell in love with him.
“He said, ‘I live in New York.’ Do you want to come and live with me?’
“So I come there, in his bedroom – mattress on the floor, there’s a knife stuck in the wall.
“He said it was because he lost his phone – anger issues!”
Celebs Go Dating airs at 9pm on E4.
LEE MACK has confirmed “Would I Lie To You?” will make a comeback on TV.
Following his success at Tuesday’s NTAs, where he won the quiz show gong for The 1% Club, Lee said, “We’ve taped an episode that hasn’t aired yet and we’re going to be doing more next year. “
Sex trip in Vogue
VOGUE WILLIAMS and Joanne McNally They are no strangers to talking about sex.
But now the podcast duo will explore how far they would push their limits in a new E4 show.
The friends who present My Therapist Ghosted Me have swapped their podcasting mics for plane tickets to Ibiza on an eye-opening journey of self-discovery.
The one-off special follows Vogue and Joanne’s visit to an adult nightclub.
Joanne joked about the trip: “I absolutely had a blast in Ibiza and can’t wait for people to see how liberated I am now and what stone cold Vogue is.”
Joanne & Vogue’s ‘Sex Drive’ will air on E4 from September 21st.