IT was the reality show that turned Mark Wright into a household name and launched him towards a successful presenting career on both sides of the Atlantic. Now I can reveal that he is about to return to Towie this year to celebrate the ITVBe series’ tenth anniversary. It will be for a spin-off show […]
IT was the reality show that turned Mark Wright into a household name and launched him towards a successful presenting career on both sides of the Atlantic.
Now I can reveal that he is about to return to Towie this year to celebrate the ITVBe series’ tenth anniversary.
It will be for a spin-off show special, featuring original cast members.
Mark, who is married to actress Michelle Keegan, last appeared on the Essex hit for the 2012 Christmas special.
Since finding fame in Towie, Mark has been runner-up on I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!, come fourth on Strictly Come Dancing, hosted Channel 5’s The Bachelor and presented entertainment news programme Extra in the US.
Bosses at Lime Pictures, which produces Towie, wanted the special to go off with a bang, so they have reached out to one of their most famous former stars.
A telly source said: “Mark and producers are in discussions and he’s excited to come back into the fold. It’s thought he may also film some scenes with his sister Jess Wright.
“It is early days but the former lothario has given the green light to a return for the very first time.
“There is an idea to have a stand-alone series with original cast members, who include Joey Essex and Amy Childs, although this will depend how many of the originals will go back — and for how long.
“Getting Mark on board is a huge coup. He has gone on to have the biggest success, so producers know if they sign Mark, the others will sign too.”
I would definitely tune in if they can get his ex, Lauren Goodger, on it too.
CORONATION Street has confirmed James Burrows, who plays Dr Ali Neeson, has filmed his final scenes, which will air next month. But a source added: “It’s not the last fans will see of Ali in Weatherfield.”
I CAN’T believe it’s been four years since making a triumphant return – but Cold Feet is going back into hibernation for a while.
Writer Mike Bullen has revealed last night’s final episode of the ninth series will be the last for now.
He said: “We feel we’ve explored to our satisfaction the issues confronting the characters at this stage of their lives and we want to give them a little time to move on.”
He added: “We’re looking forward to returning at a later date to document the agony and ecstasy of the third age.”
Last month Robert Bathurst, who plays David Marsden in the ITV comedy drama, said he had fears over the show’s long-term future.
He said: “If we are finishing I hope we’ve given ITV a very difficult decision to make. It could well be the end, but you don’t know.”
I for one hope it comes back again sometime in the future.
DAVID Walliams plays B&B owner Derek Swallows in new Gold comedy Sandylands.
But he and the show’s cast ended up staying on the set – after the hotel they were staying at was infested by flies.
The sitcom follows Emily (Natalie Dew) who returns to her seaside hometown after her father goes missing.
Harriet Webb, who plays Emily’s pal Tina, said: “There was a small infestation in the original hotel, so we decided we would be a bit ‘method’ and go and live in the B&B.”
DURING an appearance on ITV’s Loose Women, Christine McGuiness, wife of Paddy, said of her daughter’s autism diagnosis: “It’s a relief because they can come across as being quite difficult or challenging children.”
MASTERCHEF judge Gregg Wallace has been thrilled by fans’ reactions to his weight loss and body transformation – even if his agent did tell him off for posting a topless photo on Instagram.
Ahead of the BBC1 series returning on Monday at 9pm, the host said: “I’m really pleased. But my agent said perhaps I shouldn’t take my shirt off. He said, ‘You still want to be taken seriously as a presenter’.”
But Gregg may struggle to keep the weight off. He said: “My belly bloats so I’ve gone to see a nutritionist who wants to start isolating food groups.
“I don’t think that’s going to happen. I can’t turn up at the MasterChef studio and say I’m not eating wheat this week.”
WHAT? How To Stay Out of Jail, Channel 4, 10pm.
WHY? Documentary follows criminals sent to an alternative prison in County Durham, where they can avoid being tried and jailed if they promise never to reoffend.
