HE’S a superstar with seven No1 singles and three Top 10 albums – but Tinie Tempah is swapping the mic for a remote.
I can reveal the Pass Out rapper is the first big signing for Celebrity Gogglebox on Channel 4’s flagship Black To Front day.
A telly source said: “Tinie is best known for his music, but he’s also a big fan of Gogglebox.
“He was approached about being part of the line-up for the special, which is being made for Black To Front, and he jumped at the chance.
“It is the first time he has appeared on the show and, who knows, he could become a more permanent feature on regular Celebrity Gogglebox if his busy schedule allows.”
Channel 4 announced Black To Front last year. It will reimagine popular shows such as the news, which will be fronted by a black presenting and reporting team.
Hollyoaks will be an hour-long special directed and performed by its black talent.
And Mo Gilligan is fronting a one-off special of The Big Breakfast with one of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing stars, Aj Odudu.
AJ said: “I absolutely can’t wait to get stuck into The Big Breakfast. It is such an iconic show to be part of and I am buzzing it is finally coming back.
“I’m so looking forward to working with Mo to wake up the nation.
“And I’m thrilled to be part of Channel 4’s Black To Front, which quite rightly gives a platform to black British TV talent across our industry, both on and off screen. It’s going to be really special.”
In July, it was also announced that broadcasting legend Sir Trevor Mcdonald would be returning to the box — and hosting game show Countdown as part of the momentous occasion next month.
Trevor said of his one-off appearance: “I am proud and delighted to be presenting Countdown on this special day.
“I have always enjoyed watching Countdown, a show that has been around for almost as long as I have.”
Playwright Lemn Sissay is in the dictionary corner, while maths whiz, former child prodigy Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon, will be stepping into Rachel Riley’s shoes.
I’ll be tuning in for all the shows for sure.
RUSSELL TOVEY landed his Broadway breakthrough after being spotted by a top theatre guru . . . on The Great Celebrity Bake Off.
Having starred in cult shows Being Human and Him & Her, it was his culinary chat on the 2019 series that put the cherry on top of his acting prowess.
Russell told stand-in presenter Rob Beckett on Radio 2: “You do all these great shows but you have no idea who’s watching them.
“A director called Joe Mantello, who directed the original cast of Wicked, was in London flicking through TV and we’re on Extra Slice.
“He’s about to direct Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf – the revival on Broadway – and sees me.”
Russell went on to be cast for that Covid-hit show in New York’s theatreland last year and is now starring in West End play Constellations, alongside It’s A Sin actor Omari Douglas.
MIRANDA star Patricia Hodge takes a ride with her pampered pet in the new series of All Creatures Great And Small.
The actress replaces the late Diana Rigg, in the role of eccentric Mrs Pumphrey, whose spoilt dog is called Tricki Woo.
She and the rest of the cast will return to our screens later this year following the success of the first series on Channel 5.
This time, viewers will also see Yorkshire vet James Herriot balancing work and romance.
Channel 5’s remake of the Seventies and Eighties BBC T hit, first set in the Thirties, last year became its highest-rated launch for a drama commission.
NICK KNOWLES is to be replaced on his beloved DIY SOS Children In Need special by comic Rhod Gilbert.
The presenter will have to step aside because he appeared in an advert for Shreddies cereal, which was against BBC rules.
Rhod joins the makeover show’s team on a build that will improve the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of young people in Hull and the surrounding areas.
He said: “It’s a great honour to step into Nick’s enormous steel toe-capped boots and be involved in Children In Need.
“I’m looking forward to joining the infamous DIY SOS team and rallying an enormous group of local volunteers on a wonderfully ambitious and important project.
“My vis is high and my hat is hard, so bring it on.”
Nick landed himself in hot water with Beeb executives by playing a builder in the commercial for Shreddies.
It sparked a major dispute in which he was threatened with the axe if he did not pull out of the ad campaign.
