Presenting powerhouse Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly have reportedly landed a huge £30 million golden handcuffs deal with ITV which will keep them at the network for three years
Ant and Dec land ‘£30million golden handcuffs deal with ITV’(Image: Getty Images)
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly have reportedly landed a £30 million golden handcuffs deal with ITV after the channel lost This Morning’s Holly Willoughby. The presenting duo, who have won endless awards over the years for their work, are said to be in talks on a three-year agreement for their shows.
The huge deal would see them continue hosting I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, Britain’s Got Talent, and Limitless Win. An insider claimed the deal with Ant and Dec is a “worthwhile investment” for ITV as they’re widely loved by the public and host “some of the channel’s most successful shows”.
With their 50th birthdays coming up soon, the duo have “double the reason to celebrate”.
Ant and Dec are reportedly wrapping up talks for a £30m deal(Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publis)
Speaking to The Sun, a source claimed: “From the ITV execs’ point of view, it also ensures that there aren’t any counter-bids from the streaming giants who are increasingly moving into the light entertainment arena.”
The Mirror have reached out to ITV for comment. It comes after it was reported ITV has been in talks to extend fan-favourite series, I’m A Celeb, until at least 2030.
A TV source recently claimed the broadcaster has plans to secure the series’ Australian jungle location for another five years and if successful, the deal would take the hit reality show up to its landmark 30th series.
The duo host some of ITV’s biggest shows
The discussions would mark a shift in strategy for ITV, which has previously only signed three-year agreements to use the Murwillumbah site in New South Wales.
Negotiations are now reportedly underway with Australian authorities and the Tweed Shire Council, which must approve any extended filming permits.
A source said to The Sun: “The production team are planning five years in advance, which is a long-term approach they haven’t adopted before. But this is not a done deal with the local authorities, and the negotiations have just started to secure the site.
“They’re not taking anything for granted but are hopeful all parties involved will be able to reach some kind of agreement.”
A spokesperson for Tweed Shire Council confirmed talks are ongoing. She revealed: “They will need to seek permission again – we can’t give open-ended filming permissions to anyone.:
I’m A Celeb, which was won by Danny Jones last year, drew in an average audience of 9.1 million in the previous series, making it 2024’s most-watched entertainment programme.
Sandra Martin, who shot to fame on Gogglebox, has admitted she’s ‘glad’ to be back on benefits
Abbie Bray Deputy Editor for Screen Time and Holly Fleet
14:20, 25 Aug 2025Updated 14:21, 25 Aug 2025
Former Gogglebox star Sandra Martin has confessed that she “prefers” life on benefits, stating it’s less stressful.
The 55-year-old telly favourite, who rose to fame alongside her best mate Sandi Bogle on the popular Channel 4 show, revealed she had to sign back on in February 2018 after her TV earnings dwindled.
Despite having credits from reality series 100 Years Younger in 21 Days and various chat show appearances, Sandra admitted the work was short-lived.
After leaving Gogglebox in 2017, she splurged the last of her earnings on a hotel stay. By Christmas of the same year, she confessed to being “homeless and penniless”, struggling to make ends meet.
In 2018, Sandra told The Sun: “I went back to the job centre and shouted, ‘Hello! I’m home!’ I was on benefits for 35 years before I went on Gogglebox. I’m glad I’m back on social. I loved Gogglebox, but it was stressful because I couldn’t talk as much as I wanted, when I wanted.”
Now, she says she feels more comfortable living on handouts than pursuing TV fame, despite critics highlighting her frequent posts about jetting off on holidays, reports the Express.
Sandra Martin was on Gogglebox until 2017.(Image: GETTY)
Sandra added, “I turned to benefits when the money ran out. It’s less stressful. I feel like myself again.”
In January of this year, Sandra faced further criticism after refusing to sit in a plane’s middle seat because she claimed to be a “celebrity.” The former fan-favourite expressed her displeasure at being allocated the middle seat on social media.
Sandra caused a stir on a Ryanair flight when she refused to sit between two passengers. She shared a video from inside the plane’s cabin, standing in the aisle in protest.
Sandra Martin with her daughter on Gogglebox(Image: Channel 4)
She told her followers: “There’s no person there, I’m not showing your face and there’s one person there and they want me to sit there. No, I’m a celebrity… I’m Sandra Gogglebox. I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!”
“I cannot sit in that spot. No, I can’t breathe, I’m gonna faint, I’m gonna fart.”
Sandra said she was waiting until boarding was finished to see if there was a spare alternative seat.
In a kind gesture, her neighbour eventually agreed to swap places, and Sandra took the aisle seat for the flight.
Despite claims that they wouldn’t be having a 23rd child, the Radfords have shocked viewers after a clip from the show appears to show Sue experiencing a pregnancy scare
Sue and Noel Radford had previously insisted that they wouldn’t be having more kids
Sue Radford has shocked viewers and sparked rumours of a pregnancy scare after a clip from an upcoming episode of 22 Kids and Countingshowed her panic over a late period and “crazy” hormones.
Sue, who shares 22 children with husband Noel, turned 50 in March, and in the next episode of the reality show documenting the family’s life, we get to follow the lead-up to the milestone. In the promotional clip ahead of the air date, Sue can be seen saying: “My 50th is coming up, I feel like my hormones are crazy.”
In the 30-second video, we then hear a woman telling her: “I think it’s really risky for you to stop the pill.” The clip dramatically cuts to Sue approaching Noel and telling him she needs to talk because her period is “late”. The video ends on a cliff hanger, with both Noel and Sue stating: “Oh my God.”
The couple already have 22 children, who are: Chris, Sophie, Chloe, Jack, Daniel, Luke, Millie, Katie, James, Ellie, Aimee, Josh, Max, Tillie, Oscar, Casper, Hallie, Phoebe, Archie, Bonnie, and Heidie. Their 17th child, Alfie, was sadly still born in 2014.
Sue looked concerned about her hormone changes in the new episode(Image: Channel5_tv/X)
Despite the show hinting at a possible pregnancy scare, Sue and Noel, 54, have previously insisted that Heidie was their last child. The five-year-old went to school for the first time last September, and Sue told the Mirror that she was finally enjoying having some free time with all the kids now out the house.
She said: “But I have to confess I did cry when she went to school. It’s such a big moment – your last baby going to school and you don’t have any more at home. I do also love having the house full and bustling.”
Ahead of her 50th this year, Sue explained that this birthday was a “big deal”, saying: “I said: ‘You know what, because I am turning 50, I am definitely having a whole year of celebrations!’”
The couple were shocked in the clip, prompting suspicions of a pregnancy scare(Image: Channel5_tv/X)
The whole family, including the grandkids, headed to Disney World in Florida, US, to celebrate Sue in the Easter holidays. On her birthday, Noel wrote a heart-warming Instagram caption for his wife, in which he said: “Myself and all of our children want to wish this beautiful, loving, caring lady who we all call Sue and Mum a Happy big 50th Birthday today or as Sue says I’m 49 plus 1.”
Another milestone was celebrated in the Radford house this week, as Max received his GSCE results. The family announced the news of his success online, writing: “We are so incredibly proud of Max he passed his GCSE with mainly 7 and 8’s.”
They added: “He is so incredibly happy, well done Max we knew you would do it, very proud mum and dad moment.”
Tonight, fans saw Christine McGuinness leave Celebs Go Dating after a rollercoaster week of emotions – as a PR expert explains why it was a great decision for the mother of three
A PR expert claims Christine ‘won’t be short of offers’ after her stint on Celebs Go Dating(Image: Channel 4)
Earlier this year, Christine McGuinness signed up for E4 dating series, Celebs Go Dating, almost three years after her shock split from TV host, Paddy McGuinness, 52.
Before the series aired – it was revealed Christine had left the series, but despite her short stint, PR expert Rebecca May, founder of RM Publicity, says the star “won’t be short of offers” due to the strength and resilience she showed throughout.
From the first episode, it was evident that the 37-year-old mum of three was uncomfortable dating in the public eye – as she struggled to decide on who to take to Ibiza after the first mixer.
Christine was seen struggling during her brief stint on the show (Image: E4)
In emotional chat with dating experts Anna Williamson and Paul C Brunson, Christine made the decision that it was time for her to leave the process.
Despite only being onscreen for a week – Christine made a huge impact in the agency, as she opened up about the reasoning behind her divorce with Paddy for the first time. In her emotional deep dive with agents Anna Williamson and Paul C Brunson, Christine confirmed there had been a “breach of trust” with Paddy, and she was the one to end things.
After the episode aired last week, the star’s social media was filled with positive comments.
And PR expert Rebecca May, founder of RM Publicity, says this is just the beginning. “Christine has seen her profile soar because she wears her heart on her sleeve in a very authentic and natural way, which is why people can relate to her.
“Fans are rooting for her and brands will be drawn to her because they see she is real. Her strength and resilience also shines through, and after recent events she has gained even more followers. She has great TV presence – and after Celebs Go Dating she certainly won’t be short of offers.”
Christine and Paddy announced their shock split in 2022 (Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Appearing to suggest Paddy had made ‘mistakes,’ during her deep dive, Christine said: “Anyone can make mistakes but I think the trust was broken,” she explained. “I’ll always love him, he’s the father of my children and I think he’s the only man that I’ll ever love.
“A lot of people make mistakes and mess up, and when you’re in a couple who is quite well known in the industry, obviously then everyone knows your business. He was getting a really, really difficult time in the press,” she continued – although she didn’t expand on the ‘mistakes’.
Christine was just 19 at the time, and described meeting Paddy as “perfect timing” as she “struggled a lot” as a teenager, not knowing where she fitted or belonged.
However, things came crashing down in 2022, when the couple released a shock joint statement informing the public on their split.
The couple have remained amicable, and are still living under the same roof. Recently, the couple jetted off on a family holiday with the kids, while Christine’s stint on the dating show airs on E4.
Christine opened up about her split with Paddy for the first time (Image: Channel 4)
On the timing of the holiday, PR expert Rebecca added: “Interestingly, the timing of the holiday suggests it may have been tactfully timed just before the episode airs.
“This underlines that family is important to her and she wants to show a strong bond still with her ex husband by going on a big family holiday together.
“It suggests she most certainly wants that narrative to stand out before the episode drops, highlighting that they remain amicable and that co-parenting is a real priority for them.
“Ultimately – it is this balance of vulnerability and strength that makes her not only relatable, but deeply admired by her fans.”
Despite the two remaining amicable, and even still living together, it hasn’t stopped Christine from dating after the split.
Christine and Paddy have remained amicable after their split – and recently jetted away on a family holiday
Christine, who dated women before and after Paddy, has been romantically linked to a number of high profile partners including singer Chelcee Grimes and model, rapper and DJ Roxxxan.
In June 2024, Christine revealed she had started dating someone and was the ‘happiest she’d ever been.’
Things didn’t quite work out, and Christine turned to reality TV to help her find love, however, the process of Celebs Go Dating was a completely new experience for the mother of three.
During her first date in Ibiza with Leanne, Christine mentioned that she’d never been on a date with someone completely new before, revealing that she’d already been familiar with everyone she’d been linked to prior to the split – before opening up about her autism and ADHD diagnosis
Christine informed her date Leanne that finds it difficult to make decisions, as we saw during the first mixer.
However, just a day before her exit, Christine was told she’d be going on a blind date. Although she didn’t have to make the decision herself, she revealed she also “hated surprises,” and it was evident she was having second thoughts about the process.
Christine was diagnosed with ADHD and autism in her early thirties, after her three children were also diagnosed with autism. She received the diagnosis in 2021, when she was 33 years old, and has been open about her diagnosis ever since.
“Routine is a huge part of our life. It gives them structure and comfort,” she said about her children. “Even small changes can feel really big for them, so we plan everything carefully.”
Before her own diagnosis, Christine told OK!: “I felt very distant, like I didn’t understand people – and like I didn’t really understand myself.”
“I now feel so connected, so in-tune, so intuitive… I understand myself completely.”
Joining Scott Mills live on air, he said: “I know that some of your listeners will know me from winning The Traitors, and I wanna know more about that next week but for now, for this Pause For Thought, I thought I’d tell you more about what makes me tick. So, I’m Harry, I’m 24, and I come from a massive family.
“There’s five of us children, I’ve got two brothers, two sisters and a mum and dad. Despite achieving something, I’m still just a normal kid from Slough who lives with his parents and sisters in a council house. Both of my brothers have now moved out. Luckily, thanks to my mum, religion has always been a big part of my life and has helped me all the way through.”
The Traitors winner recently left Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins just a few episodes into the new series (Image: Channel 4)
“Faith has been, and it means a lot to me always and it’s amazing to be a part of something bigger that is outside of myself. As soon as I could I decided I was off to North Yorkshire at the age of 16 to become an avionics technician, which is technically a helicopter engineer, which is easier to understand but it’s still just as crazy as it sounds. I’d never seen a helicopter before I left Slough, so becoming a helicopter engineer is the coolest thing ever.”
The engineer, who has also appeared on celebrity editions of The Weakest Link and Antiques Roadshowsince winning £90,000 on the hit BBC game show, recalled tough times when he was in the army and how he found solace in turning to God. He added: “My first real connection with Christianity though was when I went through a hard time in the army and being away from home. My mum said ‘Listen, Harry just try praying and do what you know,’ and that has saved me throughout my life. Suddenly, I didn’t feel alone and I managed to get myself out of the hole I’d dug myself into.
“I was asked to go on Traitors series two, which to my surprise, I actually managed to win somehow. Since then, it’s been a rollercoaster of ups and downs and around summertime again last year, I seemed to lose myself mentally but then the thing that saved me for a second time was my faith. When I prayed, I didn’t feel alone and I felt that there was something there for me just like there always has been.”
Harry also admitted that while he used to be a regular churchgoer, it is not something he needs to do on a weekly basis now and then Scott said: “It’s so good to have you as part of your Pause For Thought team and to hear a bit more about you,” and added: “I’ll see you next week!” as the segment came to an end.
Earlier this year, Harry turned down a reported £300,000 to appear on Celebrity Big Brother in favour of an appearance on the BBC Two show Pilgrimage instead, Speaking about the choices he made, Harry said: “I think it was just because it meant so much to me that I wanted to do this show. It was just me as a whole, and when my manager brought it to me, it was like, again, this whole career that we’re trying to carve out in this industry is one of authenticity.”
Harry, who is a practising Catholic, added: “It’s like, I want it to be authentic to me, and what means the most to me, and that’s religion, and that’s my family. Also I know it made my mum proud. But also for me personally, I knew that my religion itself had got a little bit cloudy.”
Harry, who is a practising Catholic, added: “It’s like, I want it to be authentic to me, and what means the most to me, and that’s religion, and that’s my family. Also I know it made my mum proud. But also for me personally, I knew that my religion itself had got a little bit cloudy.”
Continuing about his spirituality, Harry said: “It was always strong faith. I was always still praying, but then I never really knew… It’s easy to go off the rails a little bit and see, well, what am I even actually praying for?
“The pilgrimage was that sort of wipe where it made it a clear vision again.”
As Celebs Go Dating returns for a new series, Kerry Katona is desperate for love, while Christine McGuinness is looking to date a woman and S Club pop star Jon Lee tackles his ‘car crash’ love life…
06:00, 11 Aug 2025Updated 06:21, 11 Aug 2025
Kerry Katona admits she is known as ‘a car crash’ on Celebs Go Dating
With plenty of cheek, Celebs Go Dating is back tonight on E4 at 9pm, as more famous people volunteer to be filmed as they look for love. Guided by expert agents Paul C Brunson, Anna Williamson and Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn, there is plenty of drama and lust as the celebs go dating.
This season kicks off with a mixer in London, hosted by Tom Read Wilson.
On the hunt for love in this latest series are Atomic Kitten blonde bombshell Kerry Katona (not her first time on the show), S Club pop star Jon Lee, Too Hot to Handle lothario Louis Russell, TV personality Christine McGuinness and Love Island sensation Olivia Hawkins.
Kerry says: “I’m best known for being a singer, a mother, a reality star and a car crash. People think I’m this crazy, partying wild person, when in fact I’m a bit of a loner. In fact, I’m just really boring.”
She adds: “The whole dating thing is just not something I do.”
Kerry explains: “I just meet somebody and get married. I was very young when I met my first husband, I was 18. We got divorced when I was 25. I got married straight away after that, got divorced, then got married again.
“Then I met my last fiance, but I never actually got up the aisle that time.”
Kerry Katona opens up about her love life on Celebs Go Dating
Kerry sighs: “I keep getting rejected, that’s what it is, I’m never good enough. They always want something else. I just want to be loved. I’m so desperate to be loved.”
She doesn’t fare too well though, with Anna Williamson noting that Kerry comes across as “insincere” when she’s talking to potential dates.
Meanwhile model, author and mum-of-three Christine says: “I’ve been separated from my ex husband for around three years. I met Paddy McGuinness when I was 19.
“I describe my sexuality as being a free spirit. When I was a teenager I dated men and women before I was married and now I’m really, really just enjoying spending time with women.”
Three years after breaking up with husband Paddy, Christine McGuinness is looking for love
While Jon reveals: “My dating has been a complete car crash, I’ve been single and celibate for six years. I want a man who’s rough around the edges.” Getting their flirt on and testing their dating skills, the celebs work the room and try to look for instant chemistry and sparks.
As the agents watch on, they find out just how hard they’re going to have to work to get their famous clients on the path to romance. Paul Brunson says: “We can see how they operate and gather information.”
Then a secret is revealed – the celebs must choose someone for a first date and it will be in Ibiza. “How can I go abroad with someone I don’t know? This is not normal,” says Christine, finally realising that she is on a reality show. A flash forward shows people swinging their tops around their heads, jumping on lilos, clinking glasses… It’s going to be messy.
*Celebs Go Dating airs tonight (Aug 11) on E4 at 9pm
Katie Price has failed to speak out upon the release of her daughter Princess’ reality show and not publicly reacted to the premiere or shown any support for the new venture
23:15, 10 Aug 2025Updated 23:15, 10 Aug 2025
Katie Price did not say anything publicly about Princess’ reality show when it launched on Sunday evening (Image: Instagram/ @katieprice)
Katie Price has publicly ignored her daughter Princess Andre’s reality show upon its premiere. The Page 3 legend, 47, is mother to Junior, 20, and Princess, 18, with ex-husband Peter Andre and her second child has launched a media career in her own right with her brand new ITV2 show.
In the build-up to the launch of the programme, which aired its first episode on Sunday night, Katie is thought to have missed a planned morning meet-up with Princess Andre on her 18th birthday to party abroad instead and has reportedly been accused of ‘inserting herself’ into Princess’s success as her daughter embarks on a fledgling showbiz career. It’s also been claimed that she has tried to ‘overshadow the launch’ of the show, and all of this has prompted rumours of a rift between the mother and daughter duo.
On Sunday evening, Katie simply used her public platforms to remind fans that a new piece from her fashion collection was available (Image: Getty Images)
Katie’s last posts in the hours before the show went out featured her showing fans a new jacket from her collection with JYY London and encouraging them to buy it by inserting a link. Meanwhile, Princess’ dad Peter, who shot to fame in the 1990s with the release of his hit single Mysterious Girl and was married to Katie for four years following their appearance on I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, appeared heavily in the first episode.
Despite her apparent silence, Katie did actually make a surprise appearance in the episode as a voice note that she had sent Princess was heard playing. Princess had to asked her mother about what she was like as a child and Katie replied: “Who was the naughtiest child? Well, you was a mummy’s girl so you used to push me more and probably get away with things so I’d say you was more naughty actually. You are still very much like me but different if that makes sense, you are more sensible. So yeah, the answer to your question is that I think you were naughty. You naughty girl! before Princess admitted in a confessional: “Me and my mum are so close. We’re more like best friends, we’ll tell each other anything.”
Princess Andre referenced her mum on multiple occasions(Image: ITV)
Just days ago, Katie confirmed on her eponymous podcast that she would not be watching the show, as she said: “I won’t be watching the show. And I won’t be promoting the show because I don’t need it rubbed in my face of everyone playing happy families but disregarding me as the other parent.
“I support Princess in everything she does, but I think it’s really wrong for her at her age to be put in this situation because she’s going to have to do press and they will ask… they are going to be asked what’s all this about your mum and why isn’t your mum and why isn’t your mum in it.”
The mum-of-five previously said she was banned from her daughter’s 18th birthday party and that her former management team – who look after ex-husband Peter Andre and Princess – did not want her on the show as they considered her “trash”.
Speaking on her podcast, Katie claimed: “Princess was like ‘I’m having a party’. And I wasn’t invited because it was for ‘filming’.” She added: “The fact is there’s stuff my daughter is doing and I’m not allowed to be seen at any of it.” But insiders claimed her version of events was far from the truth.
They said the 18-year-old had arranged to see her mum on the morning of her birthday in June in London – but Katie failed to appear. A source said: “It was all in the diary but then Katie claimed she couldn’t make it as she was abroad. It was disappointing. “For Katie to then say she was banned from the afternoon’s filmed party when she was the no-show in the morning is just beyond belief.”
Insiders are perplexed by Katie’s attempts to “repeatedly insert herself into her daughter’s career”. The model herself claimed: “I have not been allowed to go on any photoshoots, signings or Superdrug openings or anything like that. I’m not welcome.”
But the source said: “Why is she making this all about her? What sort of person on the eve of her daughter’s show, starts throwing all these grenades and believes she knows what’s best, and should be given equal billing? Pete keeps quiet about the whole situation with Katie and just wants to support his children.”
Some question whether Katie could be jealous of her daughter’s success. The source said: “Princess’s career is flourishing.”
As Big Brother prepares to celebrate its 25th anniversary, we take a look back at the only couple from the show who are still together – Mickey Dalton and Grace Adam-Short
20:41, 09 Aug 2025Updated 20:41, 09 Aug 2025
Grace and Mikey fell in love on the show in 2006
The new series of Big Brother is just around the corner, as ITV prepares for its third season, 25 years after it first aired on Channel 5. There have been a number of relationships formed throughout the years, but only one couple remain together.
Mikey Dalton and Grace Adams-Short met on the show 19 years ago, and are still going strong to this day. The pair took part in the iconic seventh series of the fly on the wall reality show alongside Nikki Grahame and Pete Burns.
The pair quickly fell in love in the chaotic house, with Mikey popping the all important question just four months after leaving. They tied the knot in 2009, and are now parents to four children. They welcomed their first child Georgina in 2012, and welcomed their first son Stephen three years later. It comes after Big Brother confirms its return to ITV with a ‘new look’.
Grace and Mickey are parents to four children(Image: Grace Adams-Short/Instagram)
The couple are also parents to six year old Allegra, and son Atticus who they welcomed in 2022. The couple often speak about how they hope to show their children their series of Big Brother one day, so they can see where their parents met and fell in love.
“I didn’t have any idea that I was going to meet my life partner, my husband, absolutely not. We just thought it was going to be a fun summer. I was 20 years old, it was kind of like a gap year!” Grace said during an interview with This Morning in 2023.
It wasn’t love at first sight for Mikey, but in fact, lust at first sight, he later admitted. “I was lusting after her, I still remember the outfit you wore going in and the boots and everything. I was lovestruck when I seen her!”
Speaking on their fast engagement to local Plymouth newspaper, The Herald at the time of their nuptials, 23-year-old Grace said: “We got engaged after four months, which may sound quick but we got to know each other so fast on the show, so it felt right for us.”
The pair tied the knot three years after meeting on the reality show(Image: Grace Adams-Short/Instagram)
The most recent romance in the civilian Big Brother house was in 2023, between Jordan Sangha and Henry Southern. Fans were rooting for the pair to get together in the house and were left absolutely gutted when they revealed they had split earlier this year.
Taking to Instagram to release a statement, Henry wrote: “After a lot of thought, Jordan and I have decided to go our separate ways. “It’s incredible sad, and we’re both hurting, but we know it’s the right step. We’re so grateful for the love and support you’ve shown us – thank you.” Henry added: “Please give us some space as we figure things out privately.”
Jordan also shared his own statement as he sadly wrote: “An unfortunate announcement. After many times, memories, and precious experience, Henry and I have parted ways.
“I want to than everyone who has supported us. We will always remain close friends. Cheers x.”
Elsewhere, earlier this year, former Love Island star Chris Hughes and JoJo Siwa formed an extremely close friendship earlier this year in the Celebrity Big Brother house. Shortly after leaving, JoJo revealed she had split with her partner Kath Ebbs, and it wasn’t long before she and Chris became official.
Rob Furber, whose new book The Gambler tell his weird, wacky and wonderful betting exploits over the last two decades, discovered he had a talent for special bets after correctly guessing the winner of Strictly Come Dancing – but had no idea what was to come.
Rob Furber discovered he could make a good living on novelty bets
Rob Furber was one of millions sitting anxiously on their edge of their sofas on December 17, 2005, to find out who had won the third series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The struggling freelance writer wasn’t particularly a fan of ballroom, weekend TV or the recent surge in reality shows. But tonight he was particularly invested – because of the £20 bet he’d placed.
Weeks earlier, Rob had become convinced that rank outsider, Darren ‘Dazzler’ Gough, would win the show – not because the former cricketer could dance, but because he would appeal to the Strictly audience demographic at the time. And when Bruce Forsyth revealed the results of the final public vote, Rob’s 25-1 punt earned him a £500 win. It comes after a woman claimed ‘I regret marrying an older man, one part of our history has given me the ick’.
Rob’s first bet was on Darren Gough and partner Lilia Kopylova to win Strictly(Image: PA)
He recalls: “I punched the air with delight. It had been the only bet I’d made in the entire series. It was a lightbulb moment. I realised I could probably make more money betting on reality TV shows than I scratching around for freelance work or doing the odd shift.”
So began a nail-biting, exhilarating and unexpectedly romantic journey through the strange world of ‘special’ betting, which Rob describes in his new book, The Gambler.
He would go on to gamble on everything from Eurovision and royal baby names to even when a panda in Edinburgh Zoo would give birth.
Perhaps his riskiest bet of all, though, wasn’t made in a bookmakers, but a gamble on love that took him all the way to a remote part of Russia, still not entirely sure that the woman he’d met online wasn’t an elaborate scam by a kidnapping gang.
When, months after his Gough win, he correctly bet that Chantelle Houghton would win Celebrity Big Brother, earning him close to £1,500 profit, then successfully plumped for Matt Willis to win I’m a Celebrity, Rob realised he had a special gift.
When Strictly came around again, he once again picked out the winner, another test cricketer, Mark Ramprakash, even before the series had even started.
This time he gambled £250 on odds of 16/1, taking home a tidy £4,000 when Ramps was handed the glitter ball.
Rob (third from right) with fellow gamblers on the ‘trading table’ in Vienna during Eurovision 2015
Rob says it was a series of happy coincidences that turned him into a successful full-time gambler.
“I’d grown up near Newmarket, so flat racing was in my blood and I wasn’t averse to having a bet,” he says. “I was in my mid-20s, working in London on business titles, but I wasn’t enjoying it. I found the 9-5 of office life soul crushing, so decided to embark on a freelance life instead. I was a lot happier.”
Being at home also meant he could watch more television. “The early Noughties saw the advent of reality TV. I was watching the competitions and thinking, ‘I can work this out’.
“My media background helped. Just reading between the lines, knowing what the shows are trying to achieve and the power of the edit, as well as the profile of the audience who were voting, I was getting good at predicting who would end up winning.”
Rob began to spend hours researching reality show contestants and how they might be received by particular audiences.
One of Rob’s biggest jackpots was betting on Tara Palmer-Tomkinson to win Celebrity Fame Academy. He says: “Shaun Williamson, who played Barry from Eastenders, was odds on favourite. But while he could let out a song, I didn’t think he could pull heartstrings like Tara. She didn’t have a great voice, but it was really emotive watching her sing Coldplay songs at the piano.
Rob won big after discovering Coldplay’s set list for the Super Bowl Halftime Show in 2016(Image: Getty)
“That’s where the skill likes, knowing what the audience is going to invest in. Those special ingredients. I found that I could identify them and know who was going to make a connection.”
He also predicted well before everyone else Jedward’s success on The X Factor.
“I knew what Simon Cowell was doing. He was being disparaging of Jedward knowing more people would vote for them to spite him. He wanted them to stay on the show.
“But the bookies were slow to catch on and always priced them very short, every week thinking they were able to get booted out.”
From TV, Rob discovered the world of ‘specials’ – novelty bets that bookies offer on everything from the Nobel Peace Prize and politics to Miss Universe and Royal baby names.
One big win was when he correctly predicted the opening and closing songs Coldplay were going to perform in the 2016 Super Bowl half-time show – and this time it wasn’t guesswork
He says: “A fellow special sleuth infiltrated some of the Coldplay online fan sites, and got the setlist from someone on there. We found out they were going to open with Yellow and end with Up&Up. When you get something like this is is absolutely gold-plated information. It ended up netting me around £1,500.”
Eurovision is a huge part of Rob’s year. He says: “It’s the biggest betting event of them all. It starts around Christmas, with the first country qualifiers. It’s five months of relentless study, every day you’ve got to be all over the news and tune in to all the qualifiers.
“One of my best wins was coming across Portugal’s Salvador Sobral, even before he was picked as the country’s entry. I found his song spellbinding. It was getting odds of 110-1 on Betfair at the time, but he went on to win. Another five-figure profit secured.”
Rob’s biggest gamble was finding love with Russian Anya
But Rob’s biggest bet of all was when he realised that his new career in betting was leaving him a virtual recluse at home, and facing the possibility of never finding a lifelong partner – so decided to join a dating site for Western men interested in Eastern European women.
Some were clearly sophisticated scams, which made Rob’s decision to go and meet one woman, Anya, in a provincial part of Russia, even riskier.
Rob says: “This was something with more jeopardy than anything else I’d bet on so far, with an unpredictability I couldn’t control or outsmart.
“I applied my gambler’s mindset and thought, nothing ventured, nothing gained, let’s go for it. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Like many of his other wacky bets, this one paid off too, turning into a rollercoaster love affair that ended happily ever after.
Now happily married, Rob and Anya’s against-the-odds, long-distance romance ended up being the most enthralling story of his book, The Gambler.
“I’d like to think the book is an irreverent and laugh-out-loud funny look at risk, romance and what happens when you bet on love,” Rob says. “I hope it comes across as an authentic and honest portrayal and challenges the reader to think about what they are prepared to gamble on in life, and what matters most.”
The Gambler by Rob Furber, published by Mirror Books (£9.99), is on sale now from Amazon and all good bookshops.
Helena was fuming in the latest episode and left questioning if her couple with Harry was ‘one-sided’ after Harry went for another flirty chat with new bombshell Angel
22:22, 20 Jul 2025Updated 22:22, 20 Jul 2025
Islander ‘fuming’ over ‘one-sided’ relationship following kissing game with new bombshell (Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Love Island star Helena was left ‘fuming’ in Sunday night’s episode after Harry went for another chat with new bombshell Angel. Helena was sitting at the firepit with Connor and watched as Harry went into the snug with Angel, before she decided to step in and pull him away for a chat.
Helena told Connor: “If he’s acting like this infront of my face here, imagine what he would act like on the outside”, as she questioned if their relationship was ‘one-sided’. Helena then told Harry she didn’t appreciate him flirting with Angel, before Harry agreed and said he needed to ‘bin it’.
Helena was also unhappy after the latest kissing challenge where Harry voted Shakira and Emma as better kissers than Helena, despite her trying to give him clues that it was her kissing him.
It comes after the villa’s latest bombshell walked in and was immediately coupled up with Ty. Angelique ‘Angel’ Swift became one of the new entrants to ITV’s long-running dating show this week, and the ripple effects were immediate.
Love Island star Helena was left ‘fuming’ in Sunday night’s episode after Harry went for another chat with new bombshell Angel(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Lauren, who had been coupled with Ty, was made single and therefore dumped from the Love Island villa. While Angel is coupled up with Ty, she has also expressed her interest towards Harry, who is currently coupled up with Helena.
Harry and Helena have embarked on an on-off relationship since the show started and haven’t yet ‘closed things off’, with Harry saying in Friday evening’s episode that he is ‘open’ to getting to know bombshell Angel. Only time will tell if he has a better connection with Angel than he has with Helena.
Angelique ‘Angel’ Swift became one of the new entrants to ITV’s long-running dating show this week(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
Angel’s relationship history reportedly included TOWIE star Dan Edgar, who has appeared on the reality series since 2015 and famously previously dated co-star Ella Rae Wise.
Dan and Ella began dating in early 2024 but broke up at the beginning of this year. In recent months, Dan and Angel reportedly got close. However, it seems the romance did not pan out as Angel is searching for love in the villa.
Angel’s relationship history reportedly included TOWIE star Dan Edgar(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)
A friend of the dating show star told The Sun: “They were together during one of the May bank holidays in Marbella and spent time hanging out. They were seen at various events, it was casual dating, but they had fun together.”
A friend of Dan also told the outlet: “It was just one date really, and it was after he split from Ella. Dan was very much single at the time.”
Love Island continues tomorrow night at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX
I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! All Stars is making a return and two iconic stars from the programme is said to be close to signing up for the South African series
Harry, 78, took part in the 2018 series filmed in Australia and even beat the likes of Emily Atack and John Barrowman to become King of the Jungle. Meanwhile, Diva Forever star Gemma was part of the 2014 programme but only lasted a couple of days before making a beeline for the exit.
Harry was crowned the winner of his series(Image: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
It has been reported that Harry could earn a huge fee if he were to take part in the South African All Stars series, which is said to start filming this autumn.
It could rival Coleen Rooney and Nigel Farage’s hefty paycheck, which was reportedly around £1.5million. Meanwhile, bosses are said to have offered £150,000 to Gemma for her to take part in the competition.
An insider claimed to The Sun: “It’s going to be a real coup. Harry is TV gold and was first on the list of wannabe celebrity contestants.” The Mirror have reached out to Gemma and Harry’s representatives for comment.
While appearing on GMB, Harry spoke to Kate and Ben to discuss a celebrity football match he was leading, but the presenters couldn’t resist quizzing the football manager on why he was absent from the series.
Kate remarked: “I was quite surprised you didn’t get a phone call for the I’m a Celebrity All-Stars, did you ever fancy going back?”
“No, I didn’t get the phone call, Kate,” Harry replied. “I don’t know, maybe they lost my number. No, it didn’t happen, but I think once is, ‘You’ve done it,’ once was enough,” he added.
“It was a great experience, but I really am not desperate to get back in again.”
Meanwhile, Gemma previously shared the real reason she quit the show after only three days in the jungle. “My time was short in the jungle, and not many people know that I was robbed and physically attacked 24 hours before leaving for Australia,” she said.
The reality TV star continued: “I didn’t want to let anyone down, so I still went in. However, I was in a terrible state and shock, as you can imagine and couldn’t see it through.
“I took lots of stick over it, but if you was robbed and attacked and then sent into the jungle, I’m sure you would have struggled too. I would never let anyone destroy my dreams again.”
