THERE’S going to be some familiar, returning faces on Made in Chelsea when the “scripted reality” show is back on our screens this autumn.
I can reveal that German bombshell Sophie Hermann – former girlfriend of Tom Zanetti – is joining the Kings Road crew once more.
She’ll also be joined by veteran MiC cast member Ollie Locke with his husband, Gareth, who’ve been focusing their attentions on starting a family.
Which will be great news for devotees of the E4 show, now in its 27th series, as the trio are all firm fan favourites.
Predictably humble Sophie said: “After years of public demand I’ve decided to bounce back to the Royal Borough to reunite with my OG’s Ollie and Gareth.
“I’m so excited to share everything that’s been happening over the years, such as new beauty and fashion ventures and reveal all my anti-aging secrets!”
Ollie and his husband, who tied the knot in 2020, have been keeping a lower profile than usual as they have been starting a family using a surrogate.
After a painful three-year journey of failed IVF attempts and miscarriage, last year they welcomed a boy called Apollo and a girl called Cosima, with close pal Sophie becoming the latter’s godmother.
Ollie, who first joined MiC in 2011, said: “Myself and Gareth have been so excited to come back to Chelsea and show everyone how life has changed after becoming dads to the twins.
“We were so overwhelmed with support going through our IVF journey on the show that we felt it only right to give everyone an insight into our life as parents.
“As expected, it’s an adventure.”
RICHARD OSMAN plans to cameo in the star-studded Netflix version of his novel, The Thursday Murder Club.
Sadly for fans of his quiz show Pointless, though, he won’t be showing his face.
On Radio X, he said of the film – set for release next year: “I’m not going to be acting, but I may do one little voice thing.
“I can’t really be in it because people will be like, ‘Why’s the guy from Pointless in a Sussex police station?’.
Last week, Richard was on set to see cast including Helen Mirren, Sir Ben Kingsley, Pierce Brosnan, Celia Imrie and David Tennant in action.
He added: “I have been down to filming a few times – Steven Spielberg came down, by helicopter.”
Hollywood hotshot Spielberg bought the rights to adapt the detective novel from Richard in 2020, and his production company Amblin Entertainment is making the movie, with Harry Potter filmmaker Chris Columbus directing.
SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH clearly doesn’t intend to take it easy at 98 – after signing up to present a new seven-part natural history show.
The TV veteran is set to host BBC One series Asia, examining wildlife in the planet’s largest continent.
It will also look at rarely seen landscapes and animal behaviour, marking the first time that Asia has been the sole focus of a Beeb wildlife series.
Four years of footage from locations such as the Gobi Desert, jungles of Borneo, wild Siberia and the Indian Ocean will be narrated by Sir David.
Highlights include the deepest lake in the world, the highest mountain range and the tallest jungle.
But bustling cities Tokyo, Bangkok, Taipei, Bhopal, Hanoi and Singapore will also feature.
A BBC spokesperson said of the series, which will also be available on iPlayer: “We are absolutely delighted to have Sir David Attenborough presenting this feast for the eyes.”
ITV drama Red Eye has been such a high-flying success, a second series has now been confirmed for next year.
As I previously revealed, the thriller – which starred Richard Armitage and Jing Lusi – will be back for more thrilling episodes.
In the first series, Richard played Dr Matthew Nolan, who was left fighting for survival on a flight home from China after being framed for a murder he vowed he didn’t commit.
Jing returns in series two as DS Hana Li solving a brand-new conspiracy – alongside Lesley Sharp as MI5 boss Madeline Delaney and Jemma Moore playing journalist Jess Li.
An ITV insider said: “There’s no surprise that Red Eye was confirmed for more, with millions tuning in to watch the action unfold.”
PALETTES are at the ready for the next series of Sky’s Portrait Artist of the Year – and with it, a line-up of brand-new celebrity guests ready to sit for the painters.
Among the names taking part in the heats this year are Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, TV presenter Richard Madeley, and actors Saskia Reeves and Cush Jumbo.
They are joined in the heats by the likes of Layton Williams, Steven ‘Dynamo’ Frayne, Rosie Jones, Jill Scott, Kevin McCloud, Ricky Hatton and Andy Cole – and many more.
The talented artists will be tasked with eight intense heats of painting, putting their skills to the test to impress judges Tai Shan Schierenberg, Kathleen Soriano and Kate Bryan.
Those lucky hopefuls who make it through the heats will then paint Joelly Richardson.
It all leads up to the finale of getting the chance to paint Andy Serkis and Lorraine Ashbourne.
The series, which airs from October 16, will once again be hosted by Stephen Mangan.
THERE are bound to be fireworks in a three-part historical drama starring Game Of Thrones’ Chuku Modu, which Sky is currently developing.
Gunpowder Siege follows Robert Catesby, the leader of the failed 1605 Gunpowder Plot, as he attempts to blow up King James I.
CHANNEL 4’s doggy “dating” show is bounding back to our screens.
A new series of The Dog House, which looks at how homeless hounds are matched with their perfect human owner, begins on Sunday at 8pm.
It will be followed by a Christmas special and six new episodes next year.
