Talent shows

Some fans are convinced that two TV stars have hinted that they are to take over as Strictly Come Dancing hosts after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down

Two major TV stars have seemingly let slip that they’re about to become the new Strictly Come Dancing hosts.

The BBC have now announced all the returning professional dancers after a massive number of exits. It has also been confirmed that all four judges are making their return to the BBC show.

The hosts have yet to be announced after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down and there has been much talk about who might replace them, with names including Rylan Clark and Bradley Walsh being rumoured.

Fans now are convinced they know who will be presenting the show – after spotting a telling clue. Referencing the official post to announce the returning professional dancers and judges, one fan noted: “I noticed that they are the only ones from the rumoured 10 to be commenting on the post. Correct me if I am wrong. My dream duo.”

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They are referring to the fact Zoe Ball and Angela Scanlon were the only two stars to comment on the post from the rumoured 10. Zoe – who previously presented the spin-off show – and former contestant Angela are hot favourites to replace Tess and Claudia.

One fan penned in response: “Would be two good choices as hosts. Zoe could fill the more serious role (although I still think Emma Willis would’ve been perfect for that but won’t complain about Zoe) and Angela would fill the Claudia role very well.

“The only thing I would say is Angela might have to balance her humour with seriousness a bit more than she has had to do in other presenting roles. But much much better than the other rumoured hosts like Rylan and Bradley Walsh.”

Another added: “I would absolutely not be mad if these were our hosts. Fit the bill for me, and they both know strictly well and how it works,” as a third penned: “Would be absolutely fine with this.”

Tess and Claudia announced back in September that they were quitting the show after the end of this series.

“We have loved working as a duo and hosting Strictly has been an absolute dream. We were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time. We will have the greatest rest of this amazing series and we just want to say an enormous thank you to the BBC and to every single person who works on the show,” they said.

“They’re the most brilliant team and we’ll miss them every day. We will cry when we say the last “keep dancing” but we will continue to say it to each other. Just possibly in tracksuit bottoms at home while holding some pizza.”

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Jedward star John Grimes has revealed that the Celebrity Ex On the Beach was put under security lockdown after the building was stormed by curious fans wondering what was going on

Jedward star John Grimes has revealed that the Celebrity Ex On the Beach villa was put under security lockdown. The former X Factor contestant, who shot to fame alongside his twin brother Edward on the ITV talent show in 2009, can currently be seen taking part in the fourth series of the Paramount+ hit, which began airing in March.

The former Celebrity Big Brother star, 34, filmed the show alongside Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan as well Toby Aromolaran and Curtis Pritchard, both of Love Island fame, and Towie’s Dani Imbert amongst a host of others, but this is one of the very rare times he has appeared on-screen alongside his twin.

The programme, which sees famous faces staying abroad and beginning relationships only for their former flames to get involved, is all filmed in Tenerife and John has now explained all about the fan intrusion that all took place in the sunny location. He said: “People knew the location of the villa.

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Speaking to The Sun, he continued: “Fans and people in the local area were trying to come into the grounds. Things kept happening. It was the only lit up place in a desolate area, so people were like, ‘What’s that? Let’s try to get in…’ Producers were like, ‘We’re trying to film a show.’ Security stopped anyone from getting in!”

John, who alongside his twin, enjoyed hits with tracks like Under Pressure (Ice Ice Baby) and Lipstick after finding fame on The X Factor, recently explained what it was like going solo for the reality show.

He said: “Every now and again there are some pre-judged opinions about me out there, but I think going on this show marks a new chapter because I did it on my own, away from Edward. It’s a different situation.

“I was just talking to [Edward] there on the phone. He was a huge supporter of me doing the show, as was Gemma [Collins]. She was very excited. At first, I was a bit kind of touch-and-go. I thought, “Oh, will I do this?”

The star, who was greeted by his ex-girlfriend Sarah Carragher during his time filming the series, also spoke of how he asked his brother for advice when he was approached to to the show.

“But obviously, I always confide in Edward and he was like, “Oh yeah, you should do it,” because you always end things on a neutral note with your exes. If they wash up on the beach, you possibly rekindle something, maybe start cleaning slates,” he added.

“I think it’s like, obviously, you take that risk going on the show. You don’t know who’s going to pull up, but the one that does pull up may say, “You know what, maybe I’ll give them another chance.” John recently revealed via social media that he and Sarah are back together, but the move was said to have angered bosses behind the scenes.

A source said: “John posting that he’s back with his ex was terrible timing as it makes his whole storyline on the show pointless. Cast were asked to keep a bit of mystery around who got back with their ex and who hooked up with who so people tuned in, but clearly John was so thrilled he just went ahead and posted without thinking.

“Bosses are fuming but it’s not like he did it on purpose. Sarah has been quietly telling her pals, as well as John, that she’s really nervous to be thrust into the spotlight and so John wanted to throw his support behind her all the way.”

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Strictly Come Dancing is facing a huge reshape after five dancers joined Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman in heading for the exit door, but one professional seems to have confirmed they are staying

Strictly Come Dancing will have a hugely different lineup when it returns to the small screen later this year, but one favourite appears to have confirmed his position.

While five professional dancers foxtrot away from the BBC show for various reasons, South African star Johannes Radebe appears ready to commit to another series.

The dancer, 39, had seen speculation rise about his future on the show following the huge cull of show regulars last month. Gorka Marquez also became the latest to walk away last week after 10 years on the show. But Johannes looks set to feature in the 24th series of the popular dance contest. The star is currently starring as Lola in the 2026 production of Kinky Boots at the London Coliseum.

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And in a chat with The i Paper, he seemingly confirmed his return to the ballroom floor for another year. He told the publication: “‘I live at the Coliseum while I’m in Kinky Boots.

“And when that finishes, Strictly will come around again, so I think I’m just too busy [for a love life].”

Fans of the show will be pleased to hear him cement his place following the exit of a number of big names. Announced departures from the show so far, include; Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Karen Hauer.

Gorka’s announcement was the latest to stun viewers. He took to Instagram last week to share the big decision. He wrote: “After last year’s decision to step down as a full-time professional due to scheduling conflicts between Strictly and Dancing with the Stars Spain, I’ve decided that now is the time to hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing.

“I will always be incredibly grateful to Strictly and the BBC for everything. Being part of the show has been so much more than just a professional opportunity—over the past 10 years, it allowed me to build a career from my passion, find love, start a family, and make lifelong friends. For that, I will forever be thankful.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported me and shared their love throughout this incredible journey.”

And it’s not just the dancers who won’t be returning. Part way through the last series, hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly confirmed they were stepping down.

The pair released a joint statement to reveal their time is up. And while thee hasn’t been an official confirmation on who will take their place, the rumour mill has been rife.

Among the favourites to take the job on is Rylan Clark. Bradley Walsh has also been speculated, but the star of The Chase previously moved to distance himself from the show.

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Vernon, who has two daughters with former Strictly host Tess Daly, explained that “your babies will always be your babies” and highlighted a horrifying scenario for parents

Vernon Kay has opened up about a family change he and his wife “don’t want” as he confessed that their dynamic is changing. Vernon, who is married to former Strictly Come Dancing host Tess Daly, shared his thoughts while reflecting on his evolving relationship with their two daughters, Phoebe, 21, and Amber, 16.

The couple exchanged vows at St Mary’s Church in Horwich back in 2003 and now reside in Buckinghamshire with Amber, while Phoebe has headed to New York to pursue her studies. Vernon and Tess, like many parents, have spoken about their daughters spreading their wings and becoming “independent”, yet it appears that, deep down, neither parent is truly ready to let go.

Vernon revealed he has had to figure out how to “enter their world” — a world with certain “pitfalls” that he and Tess never encountered — including one particularly alarming modern-day concern. In a recent interview, he noted that “your babies will always be your babies”, while acknowledging that today’s world brings with it an issue of which they are “acutely aware”.

Vernon told The Times: “Now that Phoebe is 21 and Amber is nearly 17, our relationship with them is changing. We talk about encouraging them to leave the nest and be independent, but we don’t really want them to. You have to learn to enter their world and that world has pitfalls that just didn’t exist for us.

“When Phoebe started going out, we became acutely aware of drink spiking. I think that just didn’t happen in the Nineties.” Last month, Phoebe shared her relocation to the Big Apple via TikTok, posting a clip of herself dancing against the New York skyline, including views of the Empire State Building.

She wrote: “NYC has my hearttt! Lucky to call it home for a while.” Her parents travelled to the US earlier this year to visit her, with Tess documenting the trip on Instagram, featuring snaps of a pancake breakfast and visits to art galleries. Tess, who lived in New York during the 1990s, said: “I love NYC. Maximised every minute on a whirlwind half-term trip and fell in love with this magical city all over again.”

Meanwhile, Vernon’s BBC Radio 2 co-star recently issued an apology to Tess on air. Vernon has been suffering from a bad back and has been struggling to keep on top of household jobs. In the segment, he informed colleague Gary Davies about his intentions to visit a chiropractor and how he’d been “getting the garden ready”.

Vernon explained: “Chiropractor this afternoon… I think I’ll be a little bit better, but the thing is we’re pre-summer, aren’t we? So, at the moment, I’m getting the garden ready. Done a bit of lawn mowing and I’ve got a list as long as my arm of jobs to do, but I can’t do them with a bad back! I don’t want to get anyone in either.”

Gary joked that this was a convenient excuse, prompting Vernon to quip: “To keep my feet up… and do absolutely nothing!” Gary said: “Sorry, Tess, sorry!” Offering a further glimpse into his relationship with Tess, Vernon revealed: “She sent me a message this morning on the train, ‘Why is half the lawn done?’.”

When questioned whether he’d taught Tess how to tackle the mowing herself, Vernon stated: “That’s my job – no, that’s my job. That’s my job, I love it. Put my headphones in and away we go!”

Meanwhile, Vernon has shed light on a “horrendous” hidden struggle while presenting The One Show alongside regular host Alex Jones.

Speaking with Ellie Brennan on Radio 2 , Vernon disclosed how his stomach had begun rumbling, explaining: “Did you watch The One Show last night? Did you notice that Alex and I had the giggles? Just out after filming Watchdog. They take it very seriously at The One Show. It’s a consumer rights programme, so it’s very serious, and my tummy, because I hadn’t eaten lunch, decided to pop up and say hello.”

He continued: “I literally – and it’s the first time in, I’d say 25 years, since I was working with June Sarpong – that I’ve done a live television link biting my lip to try to stop myself laughing as I’m introducing something really, really serious. It was horrendous.”

Claudia Winkleman explains it was a very emotional moment when she left Strictly Come Dancing with Tess Daly last year

They will be watching the new series of Strictly Come Dancing together. But Claudia Winkleman says she and Tess Daly decided to bow out from the BBC show because they worried about becoming complacent in their roles.

No one ever doubted the pair loved BBC’s ballroom series. But speaking in-depth about their decision to leave, Claudia says she started to see signs that they needed to go ahead with their pact to quit at the same time.

“You want to leave on a high,” says Claudia. “And you want to leave when you are loving it. We were tiny cogs in this huge sparkly, glittery thing. We were tiny as we had props guys holding Eiffel Towers, the amazing band, the dancers, the costume and hair and make-up and everything else and the lighting.

“We thought it was time to leave. Years earlier they said Gloria Estefan was playing in Blackpool and we were like ‘I cant believe it’. I phoned my husband and said ‘I have to practice the Conga’.”

By then end of their run though, even big names and learning new dances were commonplace. She explains: “We thought it was time to leave. You know, not that I was not excited at the end, but both of us were a bit like ‘Oh yeah…cool. Alright, so then I do that…(routine)’.

“It deserves ‘new’ (change). But what shocked me was, we did the last live show. All week was like ‘We are fine’ but I could not stop crying as it has been my entire life. You know sometimes when you decide something like ‘Let’s move house’. Then you pick up the final box. Not that you have done something wrong but it just feels big.”

For Strictly’s launch in 2026, it will be all change in terms of hosts but also with some things still be the same. Claudia and Tess will be together, but snuggled up away from the cameras.

“Tess and I have already planned. We are having jacket potatoes and I am having the salmon. She is coming to ours, her and Vern(husband Vernon Kay). I am not joking. I am going to set her up with a nightie and we are going to watch and support and love it.”

For many years now, pretty much every TV show Claudia Winkleman has touched turned to gold.

Her Strictly Come Dancing stint on the main show for 15 years, hosting The Traitors and now huge spin off hit Celebrity Traitors too, as well as smaller shows like The Piano which won critical acclaim for Channel 4.

For her other major project The Traitors, Claudia says it requires very different skills compared to fronting Strictly, where she says a lot of the credit should go to Tess.

“Tess did all the heavy lifting on Strictly and I am grateful for it. But on Traitors I had to be strict. I was worried about that. I am in life a cheerleader like if my kids fill the dishwasher I am like ‘Lets film it’. So I am a cheerleader and I am able do that on Traitors when they do the missions. I want to feed them chocolate as I am on their side.

“But I have to get a bit strict like when my kids have not done their homework. I love the game so much so that is how I have to be. The producers did tell me to push it.”

Whilst she will continue to front the series, she admits it has made her more thoughtful about lying and deceit in real life.

“Traitors makes me cry. I am not that harsh. I want the traitors to win and the faithful to get them in equal measure. Also it is a lot of money if it is for charity or for them individually.

I have learned a lot of things that I wish I had not. It has made me realise there is no such thing as gut instinct. It is all about what you tell yourself afterwards. And I have learnt you can know the truth but you can persuade people to follow you and that makes me heartbroken. Will I do a children’s version? No.”

After referencing her kids, Claudia, at a charity Q&A event, is asked more about her own family.

She has been married to film producer Kris Thykier since 2000, and they have three children: Jake, Matilda, and Arthur. But there appears to be no risk of nepo babies in the Winkleman household.

With a grin Claudia says: “I told them to nepo up. One wants to work in hospitality, one wants to be a doctor and one wants to be a chemist. I said ‘I can navigate you work experience’ and they were like ‘No thanks mum.’ They are not interested in film (husband’s work) like they say ‘Not unless it comes in a test tube’. So no. That is not what they have asked for.”

Claudia was giving a rare interview to TV director Ben Winston at St John’s Wood Synagogue in London in aid of Lira Winston Fellowships, which focus on identifying and nurturing Jewish school educators

Asked about her thoughts on rising anti semitism, she said: “How do I navigate the industry? The industry itself does not feel anti-Semitic to me. That is my experience. But the growing anti-Semitism and the growing Islamophobia and racism that we see everywhere is really, really terrifying I suppose.

“I don’t want to say terrifying in front of my kids, but it is worrying. And that is why it is so important that we have got to look after each other and people from other communities.”

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Guests from Alan Titchmarsh’s Love Your Weekend discussed behind-the-scenes antics on the ITV show and shared their honest opinions on the host

Two guests from Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh have lifted the lid on what truly happens behind the scenes on the popular ITV programme. Shot in a barn nestled in the rural Hampshire countryside, the show sees the beloved gardener celebrate British country living with a roster of weekly guests, including Strictly Come Dancing star Sarah Hadland and comedian Tom Allen.

Recounting their individual experiences on the programme, both stars disclosed that they were offered generous amounts of alcohol away from the cameras.

Speaking together on Pottering with Tom Allen, Sarah said: “I quite like Alan Titchmarsh,” prompting Tom to ask whether she had appeared on his ITV show.

Confirming she had featured twice, she added: “I love it.”

“You go to this barn near Guilford and get p****d,” Tom went on to reveal. Reflecting on her own experience, Sarah recalled drinking “a lot of rum” during her appearance on the show.

“Yeah, they get you really smashed,” Tom added. Sharing her thoughts on the much-loved host, the Strictly star described Alan as “lovely [and] very personable”.

“Very personable,” Tom agreed. “And the people who own the barn [were] very nice.”

Discussing a moment that appeared to take her by surprise, Sarah recalled getting ready in the owner’s daughter’s bedroom, to which the comedian confessed he had done exactly the same.

“I think she moved out a long time ago,” he added. “I was there like, ‘Her eyeliner is magnificent’, she laughed. “The whole feel of it is very chilled.”

Alan remains a firm favourite on ITV, with his show Love Your Garden also proving a massive hit among viewers.

During a recently aired repeated episode, some viewers claimed he and his team “ruined” a garden belonging to couple Rob and Margaret Isdale.

Explaining the 2019 renovation during the episode, the gardener disclosed that he had converted their shed into a mock Tudor-inspired structure, while incorporating several crumbling brick “columns”.

Although many took to X to applaud the transformation, one viewer felt it featured too many “bricks and concrete”, while another described it as “too crowded”.

However, Rob was full of admiration for the team’s hard work, insisting they did “a brilliant job”.

He told us exclusively: “Alan Titchmarsh was great. He came and interviewed us part way through while we were out in the caravan site [as the transformation took place]. Yeah, no complaints at all.”

Rob went on to reveal that while they still cherish their garden, he has made a handful of small changes over the years.

“The shed, that’s now my art studio, I took up painting so I sit in there and do my painting,” he added. “It is the same, the only thing we took down was a tree that was in front of our kitchen window that was blocking out the view a bit and the light.”

Love Your Weekend with Alan Titchmarsh airs today at 9.30am on ITV and ITVX

Sinitta thought she ‘would marry’ Simon Cowell and was hit hard when he moved on.

I’m A Celeb star Sinitta has revealed the secrets of her on-off romance with Simon Cowell – and how she thought they would marry one day. The singer, 62, insisted to her I’m A Celebrity campmates she had dated former X Factor boss Cowell “on and off for 40 years”, but the relationship was not the most straight forward as during that time Cowell also had other girlfriends and “was not faithful” according to the singer.

The conversation began when Gemma Collins said she was loving not having her phone and she now understands why Simon Cowell doesn’t have a phone. Mo Farah asked Sinitta if that’s true. It was true and Gemma added: “Sinitta tries to call him and she’s got to go through two PAs, housekeepers just to get a message to him.”

Sinitta agreed and said: “And then he’ll call you”, Gemma added: “As and when he fancies.” Sinitta then told the group she had dated Cowell “on and off for 40 years”.

She added: “He wasn’t a faithful boyfriend. He won’t mind me saying it, because he knows, and I was very possessive. But he kind of likes that we can all just hang out and be friends.

“Women act crazy around Simon, especially in the American Idol, I’ve been burnt on the shoulder with a cigarette when we were dancing in a club because some woman, gorgeous model was trying to get to him.”

She reflected: “I feel like Simon loves me and cares about me, but it’s just, I think I romanticise everything. And then you see him with his partner(Lauren) and his baby, well, he’s a big boy now, and it’s like, ‘wow, okay’. Like everyone really does have their proper person.”

Cowell, 66, has been with Lauren Silverman now for over a decade and they have a 12-year-old son Eric. Sinitta said: “I was the right person for a time, but they’ve just got this whole level that we didn’t have. I think I was just probably too needy.

“I genuinely believed that we were going to get married. You know, I’m such a romantic that I think that was going to be our happy ever after, and then it wasn’t. So that was pretty hard. But then you stop growing up quickly. I have to have something that’s just from me.

“When you are In showbusiness and you are all over the place, you have to have something that’s just for me.”

Reflecting in the Bush Telegraph, Gemma said: “She was in an on and off relationship with him for over 40 years and when Sinitta rings he replies and says ‘I’ll call you tomorrow Sinitta’.

“I mean, if someone did that to me, they’d be blocked, scrubbed off the Christmas card list and yeah, I ain’t waiting around for no man to call me back.”

During the conversation it appeared that Sinitta and Gemma were talking on friendly terms. This was a sharp contrast to the previous day in camp when the pair clashed over the musical Chicago.

The pair clashed over the musical show which Sinitta has starred in and Gemma had been due to appear in 2022. Both women had the role of Matron ‘Mama’ Morton.

After the two Im A Celeb camps merged, a conversation started between the pair and Sinitta said: “What happened with Chicago? Because you were supposed to follow me as Mama Morton in Chicago, it was like announced and everything.”

Gemma replied: “I had a terrible injury… it was something to do with the insurance.” But Sinitta seemed unsure if she believed her, saying: “I’m sorry, but I’m going to admit it, when I heard you were going to do it, I thought it was a joke announcement.”

“I think you’d just presented something at an awards show and fell off the stage. It was like you were more of a comedian.”

Angry Gemma then replied: “It is not a joke Sinitta, I auditioned for it and got it fair and square. I did all the training and the voice coach.”

Posting on instagram underneath a clip of the video on Friday, Sinitta blasted ITV bosses and said the footage had edited out some of the conversation to make it look a bigger bust up. She said ITV “edited out us speaking amicably”.

She added: “We actually bonded over discussing Chicago, I didn’t call her a joke, I said I thought the announcement was a joke at the time as I had not been aware that she sang and danced etc .There was lots of gossip about it in Theatreland when she didn’t do the show.

“I gave her a chance to tell her side from the horses mouth! Think about it…. That is not rude, it’s called conversations. why do people fear open conversations ?”

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Strictly Come Dancing star Carlos Gu opened up about his time on the show and whether he plans to return, following the recent exits of several of his co-stars

Carlos Gu has opened up about his future on Strictly Come Dancing amid a shake-up to the line-up. Since joining the show in 2022, the professional dancer has performed with three celebrity partners; Molly Rainford, Angela Scanlon and Karen Carney, who he lifted the Glitterball trophy with last year.

Reflecting on his transition from the competitive dance industry to television, he claimed it was “a completely different world” to what he’s been used to for the last 20 years.

Before Strictly, Carlos competed professional with Susan Sun, winning multiple competitions as a well-known duo.

Discussing the industry, the 33-year-old described it as “very challenging and hard”, but also “unstable” as he shed light on the realities of being a dancer.

“It doesn’t matter how hard you work or how good you are, you are the one always being judged and being chosen, your results are always unstable. You never know, today might be good but tomorrow might not,” he explained.

“We worked so hard for 20 years and we made our way there and everybody knows us, we come out, everyone knows Carlos and Susan.”

Reflecting on himself joining Strictly and not being given a celebrity partner in his first year, he added: “Then joining Strictly and not being given a partner made me realise I’m going back again to being chosen, because to have a partner or to not have a partner is out of my control, it doesn’t base on how good I am or how hard I am working, it’s not, it’s purely out of your control.

“I never worked in the TV world, it’s a completely different world,” he added.

Asked by Kate Thornton on her White Wine Question Time podcast about his future on the show, Carlos admitted he was yet to know if he will be returning.

Addressing the news of some of his co-stars leaving the show, he said: “I know we’ve heard, we’ve all seen the news but nothing confirmed by the BBC yet, so we’re waiting. I think they’re going to make the final announcement for all the cast.

“But like I said, being in a position not knowing if you’re going to stay or not is scary. We work so hard in our lives, but those things are out of your hands.”

So far, Luba Mushtuk, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, Nadiya Bychkova have been given the boot from the show. Karen was the longest-standing female professional, who was a part of the show for 14 years.

In a statement announcing her exit, she told fans it was “the right time to close this chapter and take on new projects in other areas I’m passionate about”.

This comes after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped away from their hosting duties after 11 years together on the main show.

Gemma Atkinson is now in a happy relationship with Strictly pro Gorka Marquez, but she didn’t mince words about one past flame, whom her mum described as having “bad energy”

Gemma Atkinson has shed light on the actions of a “horrible” ex-boyfriend, whom her mum once described as having “bad energy”. We’ve all experienced youthful missteps in love, and it appears the former glamour model is no different, having suffered a painful betrayal at the hands of an opportunistic former partner.

Gemma is now in a happy relationship with Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez, with whom she shares two children, Mia and Thiago, but she didn’t mince words about this one past flame.

Indeed, when she and Gorka were asked if they’d ever had a partner that their parents hadn’t “got on with”, she hit out at one boyfriend from her past and described him as both a “b*****d” and a “cretin”.

Speaking in a short clip for the Lost in Translation podcast, in collaboration with Hits Radio, Gorka revealed that his mum tended to like “every partner” until they were no longer together.

Gemma said: “I dated one lad years ago; I was only about 17, 18. He was a b*****d. He’s the only person who’s ever sold a story on me. He was such a cretin. I introduced him to my mum.

“And, as soon as he left, my mum went, ‘I don’t like him; he’s got a bad energy about him’. Of course, I kicked off with her, ‘You’re wrong!’ Introduced him to the girls….

“Laura went, ‘Don’t know what it is about him, Gemma, but I just wanna batter him’. I was like, ‘Why? You’re all wrong’. A year later, turned out to be a right cretin. Sold a story on me, took money, was horrible.

“They were all right, so my advice, if your mum doesn’t like a partner on the first meeting, there might be a good reason for it. They say mums know best.”

Gemma also advised people to always trust a dog’s judgement if it “doesn’t like a person”, before adding that she doesn’t trust people who don’t like dogs, as Gorka proceeded to add a touch of humour to the chat.

He joked that he’s “never liked dogs”, has faked it for eight years, and that, in fact, his “name is not Gorka”.

Gemma, who played Lisa Hunter on Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks, developed a romance with Gorka when they met on the Strictly set back in 2017; four years later, Gorka popped the question, and they got engaged in 2021.

She has reportedly had something of a colourful romantic life, being linked to actors and sportsmen, including footballers Marcus Bent and Cristiano Ronaldo. Sadly, Gemma claimed that she was cheated on in the relationship she had prior to Gorka.

Not naming names, Gemma told Hits Radio: “It wasn’t that long ago, it was my fella before Gorka, we went on holiday.

“We met in the Bahamas and while we were there I took a picture of a sunset because it was a really lovely sunset, and I put it on me Instagram. I thought nothing of it.

“He put the same picture as his WhatsApp profile picture and a few days later I got this message on Instagram from this girl and she was like, ‘Woman to woman, can I ask you were you with (him) recently?’

“‘Because my boyfriend told me he was in Florida with the lads and the picture you put on Instagram he has put as his WhatsApp profile pic’.”

Luba Muhstuk has been seen heading to her new job after her brutal axe from Strictly Come Dancing and looked full of confidence as she was spotted in London over the weekend

Luba Muhstuk has been seen heading to her new job after her brutal axe from Strictly Come Dancing. The TV star, 36, has served as a professional on the BBC Saturday night favourite since 2018 but along with Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas and Nadiya Bychkova, it was recently announced that she will not be part of the competition series going forward.

Just hours after the news broke,. Luba herself broke her silence on the matter. Taking to Instagram, insisting the time had come for her “step away” from the show, she wrote: “With a heart full of gratitude, the time has come for me to step away from Strictly Come Dancing. I am deeply grateful for the past 10 years on this beautiful show! Thank for you for the amazing opportunities and unforgettable memories. It truly has meant the world to me.”

Sharing that she was now looking forward to the future, Luba continued : “Now it’s time for me to follow my dreams beyond the show, and I’m excited for what the future holds. I can’t wait to see you all on the Pro Tour and I’m really looking forward to it one last time.”

READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing pro ‘bloodbath’ – confirmed exits and the pros waiting to hear fateREAD MORE: Strictly Come Dancing’s Nadiya Bychkova given another chance by bosses after ‘axe’

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Over the weekend,, photos emerged of Luba heading to role taking dance classes in central London. Despite the sudden nature of her departure from the series, Luba looked to be in great spirits as she walked to work. This was the first time she had been spotted out in public since news of her axing emerged.

The TV star was suitably dressed for her role at the dance class, opting for comfortable rehearsal wear and let her dark locks flow down her back. She clutched her phone in her hand and threw a series of excitable poses.

Praising Luba – while announcing her exit – the BBC said: “We are incredibly grateful for her dedication to the programme and for always going above and beyond—whether through the care and commitment she showed her celebrity partners or her warmth and kindness behind the scenes. Luba has been, and always will be, a much-loved member of the Strictly family, and we wish her every success in the future.”

Fellow dancers were quick to share supportive messages in the comments section. Among them was Amy Dowden, who simply wrote: “Love you xxx.” Johannes Radebe echoed the sentiment, typing: “Love you darling,” alongside a red love heart emoji. And Nadiya, who met the same fate as Luba in recent days, shared three white love heart emojis.

While she will no longer be part of the dancing on screen team, Nadiya has reportedly been offered a chance to stay on the show in a different role. Speaking to The Sun, a source said: “Nadiya is so recognisable with viewers and bosses felt it would be a real loss to lose her from the Strictly family altogether. After a few conversations, they reportedly offered her a choreography role which she is very open to.

“Obviously, she is sad to no longer be dancing but recognises she will have great scope for more lucrative commercial opportunities now, and can explore exciting new projects.”

The Strictly team has already said goodbye to a number of long-time members of the show in recent weeks. Gorka and Michelle Tsiakkas are also said to have been axed in a bid for bosses to get “fresh faces” in the professional line-up.

And the decision of who will present the show following the exit of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman is yet to be made public, too. Recently, Louie Spence told the Mirror: “With Strictly, people say I should go on there and be a judge just because I’m known as a dancer – but it’s a very different dance genre. Ballroom and Latin is very particular. It’s like the difference between hip-hop and classical ballet…”

Suggesting Rylan and Zoe Ball would make good hosts, he concluded: “Rylan would be great fun [as host]. I love Rylan, he’s got a great personality. He’s young enough to keep going if it’s going to keep going for years.

“Zoe Ball, she’s great. Who knows how many more years a show like that will last? Things are moving so quickly now, with the way things are changing. Whoever gets it, I’m sure they’d be fabulous.”

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