It has been a rollercoaster week for the BBC’s biggest entertainment show, Strictly Come Dancing.
The TV competition, which celebrated its 20th anniversary with a BAFTA award last weekend for Best Entertainment Show, is reported to be examining “serious complaints” made against one of its highest-profile dance professionals, who has this week quit the show.
The Times of London quotes a city law film who has told UK media that the BBC is now “evidence gathering” after allegations made against Giovanni Pernice, who has been with the show for over a decade and won it in 2021 with his partner, deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis.
And The Sun newspaper reports that actress Amanda Abbington, who was partnered with Pernice last year but left the show after a few weeks citing medical reasons, is one of the complainants, along with two unnamed others.
Strictly Come Dancing is the BBC’s biggest entertainment show,...
The TV competition, which celebrated its 20th anniversary with a BAFTA award last weekend for Best Entertainment Show, is reported to be examining “serious complaints” made against one of its highest-profile dance professionals, who has this week quit the show.
The Times of London quotes a city law film who has told UK media that the BBC is now “evidence gathering” after allegations made against Giovanni Pernice, who has been with the show for over a decade and won it in 2021 with his partner, deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis.
And The Sun newspaper reports that actress Amanda Abbington, who was partnered with Pernice last year but left the show after a few weeks citing medical reasons, is one of the complainants, along with two unnamed others.
Strictly Come Dancing is the BBC’s biggest entertainment show,...
- 5/18/2024
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
A bubbling conflict from the last series of the UK’s Strictly Come Dancing – the original show of the global Dancing with the Stars franchise – has broken through the surface with a celebrity contestant reportedly demanding she receive footage of her dance rehearsals to assist in a possible legal claim.
Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington was paired with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice for the most recent series, but only made it a few weeks into the series before she departed citing medical reasons.
Abbington did not return for the finale of the series before Christmas, amid reports of friction between the pair during rehearsals. Pernice, a former champion on the show, is known to be intensely competitive and quite the taskmaster with his celebrity partners.
Now, The Sun newspaper reports that Abbington has requested the video footage of her rehearsals with Pernice, as she takes legal advice, and that she believes...
Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington was paired with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice for the most recent series, but only made it a few weeks into the series before she departed citing medical reasons.
Abbington did not return for the finale of the series before Christmas, amid reports of friction between the pair during rehearsals. Pernice, a former champion on the show, is known to be intensely competitive and quite the taskmaster with his celebrity partners.
Now, The Sun newspaper reports that Abbington has requested the video footage of her rehearsals with Pernice, as she takes legal advice, and that she believes...
- 1/7/2024
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
Dancing on Ice star Christopher Dean has broken his finger just days before the new series begins.
Dean, who stars alongside long-term skating partner Jayne Torvill on the popular ITV reality series, shared the news with fans on social media.
The former professional skater posted a picture of his finger in a bandage, alongside the caption: “Yes broken.”
“We were trying the Iron Lotus, but ended up doing a Half Nelson,” he wrote, in a follow-up tweet. “Or did I just fall over a suitcase in the middle of the night.”
The “Iron Lotus” refers to a fictional figure skating move from the 2007 Will Ferrell comedy Blades of Glory.
Torvill and Dean rose to prominence during the 1984 Winter Olympics, when their figure skating routine set to Maurice Ravel's “Boléro” was awarded a gold medal.
The celebrity contestants for the new series of Dancing on Ice were announced back in October last year.
Dean, who stars alongside long-term skating partner Jayne Torvill on the popular ITV reality series, shared the news with fans on social media.
The former professional skater posted a picture of his finger in a bandage, alongside the caption: “Yes broken.”
“We were trying the Iron Lotus, but ended up doing a Half Nelson,” he wrote, in a follow-up tweet. “Or did I just fall over a suitcase in the middle of the night.”
The “Iron Lotus” refers to a fictional figure skating move from the 2007 Will Ferrell comedy Blades of Glory.
Torvill and Dean rose to prominence during the 1984 Winter Olympics, when their figure skating routine set to Maurice Ravel's “Boléro” was awarded a gold medal.
The celebrity contestants for the new series of Dancing on Ice were announced back in October last year.
- 1/12/2023
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Strictly Come Dancing star Rose Ayling-Ellis has revealed who she thinks will win the 2022 series.
The EastEnders actor is the reigning Strictly champ, having won the Glitterball Trophy in 2021 with partner Giovanni Pernice.
Ayling-Ellis, who is deaf, wowed the judges and audiences throughout the competition, but was best known for her Couple’s Choice routine to “Symphony” by Clean Bandit.
During the performance, the pair danced a stretch of the routine in total silence, to recreate Ayling-Ellis’s experience of dancing without being able to hear the music for the audience.
Appearing on This Morning on Wednesday (16 November), Ayling-Ellis recalled her experience on the show and admitted that she “can’t believe it’s been one year”.
“Everyone still remembers it, everyone still knows that dance,” the 27-year-old said.
“It does send out a powerful message, but I want to carry on with the work. That’s what’s most important to manage.
The EastEnders actor is the reigning Strictly champ, having won the Glitterball Trophy in 2021 with partner Giovanni Pernice.
Ayling-Ellis, who is deaf, wowed the judges and audiences throughout the competition, but was best known for her Couple’s Choice routine to “Symphony” by Clean Bandit.
During the performance, the pair danced a stretch of the routine in total silence, to recreate Ayling-Ellis’s experience of dancing without being able to hear the music for the audience.
Appearing on This Morning on Wednesday (16 November), Ayling-Ellis recalled her experience on the show and admitted that she “can’t believe it’s been one year”.
“Everyone still remembers it, everyone still knows that dance,” the 27-year-old said.
“It does send out a powerful message, but I want to carry on with the work. That’s what’s most important to manage.
- 11/19/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
On September 23, the celebrity dance competition series “Strictly Come Dancing” launched series 20 on BBC One. This milestone iteration features a cast of 15 famous folks competing for the coveted mirror ball trophy by performing various ballroom and Latin dance routines with professional partners. Check out our gallery below to meet the “Strictly Come Dancing” cast for series 20.
Tess Daly and Craig Revel Horwood, who have respectively hosted and judged “Strictly” since its first season, are set to return to their posts. Daly will be joined by co-host Claudia Winkleman for the 13th consecutive year. The entire judging panel will also match last year’s, with Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke having signed on for their respective sixth, fourth, and second seasons.
In May, it was confirmed that mainstay judge Bruno Tonioli’s time on the show had come to a permanent end. He last sat on the panel...
Tess Daly and Craig Revel Horwood, who have respectively hosted and judged “Strictly” since its first season, are set to return to their posts. Daly will be joined by co-host Claudia Winkleman for the 13th consecutive year. The entire judging panel will also match last year’s, with Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke having signed on for their respective sixth, fourth, and second seasons.
In May, it was confirmed that mainstay judge Bruno Tonioli’s time on the show had come to a permanent end. He last sat on the panel...
- 10/27/2022
- by Matthew Stewart and Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
On September 23, the celebrity dance competition series “Strictly Come Dancing” launched series 20 on BBC One. This milestone iteration will feature a cast of 15 famous folks competing for the coveted mirror ball trophy by performing various ballroom and Latin dance routines with professional partners. Check out our gallery below to meet the “Strictly Come Dancing” cast for series 20 championship.
Tess Daly and Craig Revel Horwood, who have respectively hosted and judged “Strictly” since its first season, are set to return to their posts. Daly will be joined by co-host Claudia Winkleman for the 13th consecutive year. The entire judging panel will also match last year’s, with Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke having signed on for their respective sixth, fourth, and second seasons.
In May, it was confirmed that mainstay judge Bruno Tonioli’s time on the show had come to a permanent end. He last sat on...
Tess Daly and Craig Revel Horwood, who have respectively hosted and judged “Strictly” since its first season, are set to return to their posts. Daly will be joined by co-host Claudia Winkleman for the 13th consecutive year. The entire judging panel will also match last year’s, with Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton du Beke having signed on for their respective sixth, fourth, and second seasons.
In May, it was confirmed that mainstay judge Bruno Tonioli’s time on the show had come to a permanent end. He last sat on...
- 10/27/2022
- by Paul Sheehan and Matthew Stewart
- Gold Derby
Last week’s episode of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK marked the third time in a row that the queens were grouped together for the main challenge. I can totally appreciate the frustration that these group challenges cause as it takes a lot more for a queen to stand out in a group than on their own. We have already seen this season how a few bad performances in a group can bring down the whole group during the girl group challenge and so obviously the fear is this could easily happen again. However, it seemed like during last week’s episode each group was fairly matched, with the top group being miles above the rest. The improvised chat show gave Danny Beard an opportunity to really showcase his acting talents and pretty much blow everyone else out of the water! On the other end of the competition, we sadly...
- 10/25/2022
- by Rhys Payne
- Nerdly
Strictly Come Dancing kicked off its celebrations for the BBC’s centenary with the show’s “most ambitious group number”.
Saturday (22 October) night’s episode of the show was a BBC-themed special, with the remaining dancers performing to songs and theme tunes inspired by the BBC’s biggest shows over the years.
Things began with a routine by the professional dancer which started with BBC News presenter Huw Edwards explaining how Strictly was “taking over the BBC”.
“But some of us are too busy to dance,” Edwards explained. “We have some very serious work to do. Do you know what this is? This was named after me. It’s a Huw-kulele.”
The presenter was then joined by dancers Jowita PryzstaÅ. and Giovanni Pernice, while the hosts at BBC Breakfast watched on in confusion.
The professional dancers popped up in a number of BBC shows, including EastEnders, Masterchef and Antiques Roadshow.
Saturday (22 October) night’s episode of the show was a BBC-themed special, with the remaining dancers performing to songs and theme tunes inspired by the BBC’s biggest shows over the years.
Things began with a routine by the professional dancer which started with BBC News presenter Huw Edwards explaining how Strictly was “taking over the BBC”.
“But some of us are too busy to dance,” Edwards explained. “We have some very serious work to do. Do you know what this is? This was named after me. It’s a Huw-kulele.”
The presenter was then joined by dancers Jowita PryzstaÅ. and Giovanni Pernice, while the hosts at BBC Breakfast watched on in confusion.
The professional dancers popped up in a number of BBC shows, including EastEnders, Masterchef and Antiques Roadshow.
- 10/22/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Last weekend, a dance-off decision landed Strictly in hot water… again. Singer Fleur East faced radio presenter Richie Anderson in the bottom two, despite the fact both had placed respectably in the middle of the leaderboard. East and her partner Vito Coppola had performed an elegant American smooth to “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid. Anderson and Giovanni Pernice, meanwhile, had spent a good portion of their samba to “Hakuna Matata” faffing around (as Len Goodman would have grumpily put it) dressed as a meerkat (Anderson) and a surprisingly curvaceous warthog (Pernice).
Now, you don’t need multiple Latin championship wins under your belt – as head judge Shirley Ballas has – to see that there was a clear winner to this “Battle of the Disneys” dance-off, and it wasn’t Anderson. The other judges unanimously voted to save East, meaning she stayed in the competition, but Ballas admitted her...
Now, you don’t need multiple Latin championship wins under your belt – as head judge Shirley Ballas has – to see that there was a clear winner to this “Battle of the Disneys” dance-off, and it wasn’t Anderson. The other judges unanimously voted to save East, meaning she stayed in the competition, but Ballas admitted her...
- 10/17/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Earlier this month, a dance-off decision landed Strictly in hot water… again. Singer Fleur East faced radio presenter Richie Anderson in the bottom two, despite the fact both had placed respectably in the middle of the leaderboard. East and her partner Vito Coppola had performed an elegant American smooth to “Part of Your World” from The Little Mermaid. Anderson and Giovanni Pernice, meanwhile, had spent a good portion of their samba to “Hakuna Matata” faffing around (as Len Goodman would have grumpily put it) dressed as a meerkat (Anderson) and a surprisingly curvaceous warthog (Pernice).
Now, you don’t need multiple Latin championship wins under your belt – as head judge Shirley Ballas has – to see that there was a clear winner to this “Battle of the Disneys” dance-off, and it wasn’t Anderson. The other judges unanimously voted to save East, meaning she stayed in the competition, but Ballas admitted...
Now, you don’t need multiple Latin championship wins under your belt – as head judge Shirley Ballas has – to see that there was a clear winner to this “Battle of the Disneys” dance-off, and it wasn’t Anderson. The other judges unanimously voted to save East, meaning she stayed in the competition, but Ballas admitted...
- 10/17/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Shirley Ballas has addressed recent allegations of sexism following remarks made on Strictly Come Dancing.
The Strictly head judge has been criticised by some viewers online after she claimed that she would have chosen to save radio personality, Richie Anderson, over Fleur East in Sunday’s (9 October) dance-off.
As the other judges chose to save singer and presenter East and her professional partner Vito Coppola, Ballas’s opinion was outweighed and Anderson and Giovanni Pernice were eliminated.
Since the programme aired, some viewers have declared her “sexist”, accusing her of seemingly favouring the male stars on the show, and calling for her to be fired as head judge.
After responding on Twitter and in a statement of denial made to The Independent, the professional ballroom and Latin dancer appeared on Loose Women on Wednesday (12 October) to comment further.
Ballas, 62, who denied once again that she holds sexist bias, also noted...
The Strictly head judge has been criticised by some viewers online after she claimed that she would have chosen to save radio personality, Richie Anderson, over Fleur East in Sunday’s (9 October) dance-off.
As the other judges chose to save singer and presenter East and her professional partner Vito Coppola, Ballas’s opinion was outweighed and Anderson and Giovanni Pernice were eliminated.
Since the programme aired, some viewers have declared her “sexist”, accusing her of seemingly favouring the male stars on the show, and calling for her to be fired as head judge.
After responding on Twitter and in a statement of denial made to The Independent, the professional ballroom and Latin dancer appeared on Loose Women on Wednesday (12 October) to comment further.
Ballas, 62, who denied once again that she holds sexist bias, also noted...
- 10/12/2022
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
Strictly Come Dancing viewers have called for Shirley Ballas to be replaced on the judging panel following a dispute about her recent comments.
The professional ballroom and Latin dancer has been the lead judge on the BBC dance competition since season 15 in 2017, when she replaced Len Goodman.
After Saturday’s (8 October) episode, celebrity contestants Fleur East and Richie Anderson received the fewest votes from the public and were at risk of elimination on Sunday’s results show.
Both celebrities danced with their respective partners before the judges were asked which pair they’d like to save.
Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke chose to save East and her partner Vito Coppola, securing their position in the next stage of the competition.
However, when asked how she would have voted, Ballas revealed that she would have chosen Anderson and his partner Giovanni Pernice to stay, despite a consensus among...
The professional ballroom and Latin dancer has been the lead judge on the BBC dance competition since season 15 in 2017, when she replaced Len Goodman.
After Saturday’s (8 October) episode, celebrity contestants Fleur East and Richie Anderson received the fewest votes from the public and were at risk of elimination on Sunday’s results show.
Both celebrities danced with their respective partners before the judges were asked which pair they’d like to save.
Craig Revel-Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke chose to save East and her partner Vito Coppola, securing their position in the next stage of the competition.
However, when asked how she would have voted, Ballas revealed that she would have chosen Anderson and his partner Giovanni Pernice to stay, despite a consensus among...
- 10/10/2022
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
Strictly judge Motsi Mabusi described the BBC show’s latest result as “heart-wrenching”
In Sunday night’s episode (9 October), Richie Anderson and Fleur East were announced to have received the least votes.
After the dreaded dance off, the judges opted to save East, meaning Anderson was the second celebrity to be eliminated from the 2022 series.
Anderson was partnered with Giovanni Pernice, who won last year’s series with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood all opted to save East. However, Shirley Ballas, who ishead judge, revealed she would have sent her home should she have had the casting vote.
Speaking while casting her vote, Mabuse said: “I think it’s heartbreaking actually because I think both of you do not deserve to be here but this is how the public voted and based on this dance off I’m going to save Fleur and Vito.
In Sunday night’s episode (9 October), Richie Anderson and Fleur East were announced to have received the least votes.
After the dreaded dance off, the judges opted to save East, meaning Anderson was the second celebrity to be eliminated from the 2022 series.
Anderson was partnered with Giovanni Pernice, who won last year’s series with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood all opted to save East. However, Shirley Ballas, who ishead judge, revealed she would have sent her home should she have had the casting vote.
Speaking while casting her vote, Mabuse said: “I think it’s heartbreaking actually because I think both of you do not deserve to be here but this is how the public voted and based on this dance off I’m going to save Fleur and Vito.
- 10/10/2022
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
The Strictly judges were left “heartbroken” by the BBC show’s latest result.
In Sunday night’s episode (9 October), Richie Anderson and Fleur East were announced to have received the least votes.
After the dreaded dance off, the judges opted to save East, meaning Anderson was the second celebrity to be eliminated from the 2022 series.
Anderson was partnered with Giovanni Pernice, who won last year’s series with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood all opted to save East. However, Shirley Ballas, who ishead judge, revealed she would have sent her home should she have had the casting vote.
Speaking while casting her vote, Mabuse said: “I think it’s heartbreaking actually because I think both of you do not deserve to be here but this is how the public voted and based on this dance off I’m going to save Fleur and Vito.
In Sunday night’s episode (9 October), Richie Anderson and Fleur East were announced to have received the least votes.
After the dreaded dance off, the judges opted to save East, meaning Anderson was the second celebrity to be eliminated from the 2022 series.
Anderson was partnered with Giovanni Pernice, who won last year’s series with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood all opted to save East. However, Shirley Ballas, who ishead judge, revealed she would have sent her home should she have had the casting vote.
Speaking while casting her vote, Mabuse said: “I think it’s heartbreaking actually because I think both of you do not deserve to be here but this is how the public voted and based on this dance off I’m going to save Fleur and Vito.
- 10/9/2022
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
Strictly’s first eliminated celebrity has shared an awkward encounter she had hours after being booted off the BBC series.
On Saturday (1 October), this year’s Strictly Come Dancing celebrities hit the dance floor with their professional partners.
Despite footballer Tony Adams finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard, it was Loose Women host Kaye Adams who was sent home after a dance-off with Bros singer Matt Goss.
Speaking to co-host Tess Daly after the results were announced, Adams said she thought “it was the right result”.
After the episode was recorded, Adams went back to her hotel room to decompress, and decided to order some food.
Writing on Twitter, the presenter said: “Just ordered room service in my hotel. The nice lady who brought it asked me ‘any idea who went out of @bbcstrictly tonight?’ I said ‘me’. Awkward silence.”
The replies section was flooded with fans expressing sympathy...
On Saturday (1 October), this year’s Strictly Come Dancing celebrities hit the dance floor with their professional partners.
Despite footballer Tony Adams finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard, it was Loose Women host Kaye Adams who was sent home after a dance-off with Bros singer Matt Goss.
Speaking to co-host Tess Daly after the results were announced, Adams said she thought “it was the right result”.
After the episode was recorded, Adams went back to her hotel room to decompress, and decided to order some food.
Writing on Twitter, the presenter said: “Just ordered room service in my hotel. The nice lady who brought it asked me ‘any idea who went out of @bbcstrictly tonight?’ I said ‘me’. Awkward silence.”
The replies section was flooded with fans expressing sympathy...
- 10/3/2022
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - TV
Richie Anderson has wowed the judges with his quick step, even winning over the notoriously hard-to-impress Craig Revel Horwood.
Strictly Come Dancing returned on Saturday (1 October) for its second batch of live performances, with Richie taking to the dance floor again with his professional partner Giovanni Pernice.
The duo appeared on stage wearing matching sequin tuxedo jackets, with canes in their hands for a rambunctious dance to Barry Manilow’s “Dancin’ Fool”.
The dance earned the pair huge praise from the judges, even Horwood – who is known to be particularly critical in his feedback.
After giving some pointers on Ritchie’s cartwheel during the performance, Horwood praised the pair.
Motsi Mabuse added: “That was a moment, take it in. absolutely beautiful. Well done, I had fun with that.”
Meanwhile, Shirley Ballas agreed that the dance showed quite a “transformation” for Richie compared to last week’s performance.
Ballas said the...
Strictly Come Dancing returned on Saturday (1 October) for its second batch of live performances, with Richie taking to the dance floor again with his professional partner Giovanni Pernice.
The duo appeared on stage wearing matching sequin tuxedo jackets, with canes in their hands for a rambunctious dance to Barry Manilow’s “Dancin’ Fool”.
The dance earned the pair huge praise from the judges, even Horwood – who is known to be particularly critical in his feedback.
After giving some pointers on Ritchie’s cartwheel during the performance, Horwood praised the pair.
Motsi Mabuse added: “That was a moment, take it in. absolutely beautiful. Well done, I had fun with that.”
Meanwhile, Shirley Ballas agreed that the dance showed quite a “transformation” for Richie compared to last week’s performance.
Ballas said the...
- 10/1/2022
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - TV
Elizabeth Olsen has addressed rumours that she was cast in House of the Dragon.
The Marvel star recently set the record straight on speculation surrounding her casting in the fantasy series.
Fans will be disappointed to learn that Olsen – best known for her Emmy nominated performance as Wanda Maximoff in WandaVision – will not be making an appearance on the hit HBO programme anytime soon.
“I don’t know how things, rumours like that, get started – and then people think they’re legitimate,” Olsen told Entertainment Tonight.
“Dream casting is fun, yeah, but I heard it was, like, announced, though, which is weirder,” she added.
People informed the actor that the rumours began to circulate seemingly due to a post on an unverified pop culture Twitter account shared on 4 September.
“I never heard of such a thing,” said Olsen, 33.
The actor said, however, that she would be open to starring in...
The Marvel star recently set the record straight on speculation surrounding her casting in the fantasy series.
Fans will be disappointed to learn that Olsen – best known for her Emmy nominated performance as Wanda Maximoff in WandaVision – will not be making an appearance on the hit HBO programme anytime soon.
“I don’t know how things, rumours like that, get started – and then people think they’re legitimate,” Olsen told Entertainment Tonight.
“Dream casting is fun, yeah, but I heard it was, like, announced, though, which is weirder,” she added.
People informed the actor that the rumours began to circulate seemingly due to a post on an unverified pop culture Twitter account shared on 4 September.
“I never heard of such a thing,” said Olsen, 33.
The actor said, however, that she would be open to starring in...
- 10/1/2022
- by Annabel Nugent
- The Independent - TV
Scooter Braun has spoken about his “regrets” over the way his acquisition of Taylor Swift’s longtime label in 2019 led to a feud between the two.
Braun purchased Swift’s longtime label, Big Machine Records, in 2019, plus the rights to the master recordings of Swift’s first six studio albums. Later, in November 2020, Braun sold the masters to an investment fund in a deal that was believed to be over 300 million.
At the time of the original sale, Swift, who had wished to purchase the masters herself, condemned Braun, labelling him a “bully” and “the definition of toxic male privilege in our industry”.
She has since gone on a campaign to re-record her albums in order to make sure the new owners of her masters don’t profit from her music, encouraging her fans to listen to the highly successful “Taylor’s Versions”.
In a new interview with NPR’s Jay Williams,...
Braun purchased Swift’s longtime label, Big Machine Records, in 2019, plus the rights to the master recordings of Swift’s first six studio albums. Later, in November 2020, Braun sold the masters to an investment fund in a deal that was believed to be over 300 million.
At the time of the original sale, Swift, who had wished to purchase the masters herself, condemned Braun, labelling him a “bully” and “the definition of toxic male privilege in our industry”.
She has since gone on a campaign to re-record her albums in order to make sure the new owners of her masters don’t profit from her music, encouraging her fans to listen to the highly successful “Taylor’s Versions”.
In a new interview with NPR’s Jay Williams,...
- 9/30/2022
- by Tom Murray
- The Independent - Music
Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens, with a new batch of contestants learning the art of ballroom dancing for the first time.
The BBC competition series returned on Saturday (24 September), with 15 celebrities hitting the dance floor with their pro partners for the first time.
It was a night of varying dance abilities, with Will Mellor and Hamza Yassin sharing the top spot on the leaderboard with an impressive 34 out of 40 marks each.
Tony Adams, meanwhile, is currently at the bottom end with just 15 poionts for his Arsenal-themed tango.
However, everything could still change during Saturday (1 October) night’s show, as the scores from last week will be added to the marks gained by the contestants for their second dances.
The new leaderboard will then be combined with the public votes, with the bottom two couples facing the dreaded dance off and the first couple leaving the competition.
The BBC competition series returned on Saturday (24 September), with 15 celebrities hitting the dance floor with their pro partners for the first time.
It was a night of varying dance abilities, with Will Mellor and Hamza Yassin sharing the top spot on the leaderboard with an impressive 34 out of 40 marks each.
Tony Adams, meanwhile, is currently at the bottom end with just 15 poionts for his Arsenal-themed tango.
However, everything could still change during Saturday (1 October) night’s show, as the scores from last week will be added to the marks gained by the contestants for their second dances.
The new leaderboard will then be combined with the public votes, with the bottom two couples facing the dreaded dance off and the first couple leaving the competition.
- 9/30/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Strictly Come Dancing’s Giovanni Pernice has shut down rumours of a rift with his celebrity partner Richie Anderson.
The Italian dancer and reigning Strictly champion hit the dance floor with the BBC Radio 2 presenter for the first time on Saturday (24 September). You can find out more about Anderson here.
The couple performed a lively Cha Cha Cha to “I’m Your Man” by Wham!, but subsequent tabloid reports had claimed that Pernice was growing “frustrated” with Anderson “talking instead of listening” during rehearsals.
Appearing on Strictly’s sister programme It Takes Two on Wednesday (28 September), Pernice was asked by host Janette Manrara how they were enjoying rehearsals.
“We’re having a good time, we’re definitely having a good time,” Pernice said. “Obviously, it’s a dance competition at the end of the day, so we have to learn something.”
“But there is no-” he continued, before looking down the lens of the camera,...
The Italian dancer and reigning Strictly champion hit the dance floor with the BBC Radio 2 presenter for the first time on Saturday (24 September). You can find out more about Anderson here.
The couple performed a lively Cha Cha Cha to “I’m Your Man” by Wham!, but subsequent tabloid reports had claimed that Pernice was growing “frustrated” with Anderson “talking instead of listening” during rehearsals.
Appearing on Strictly’s sister programme It Takes Two on Wednesday (28 September), Pernice was asked by host Janette Manrara how they were enjoying rehearsals.
“We’re having a good time, we’re definitely having a good time,” Pernice said. “Obviously, it’s a dance competition at the end of the day, so we have to learn something.”
“But there is no-” he continued, before looking down the lens of the camera,...
- 9/29/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
The couples of Strictly Come Dancing 2022 have been revealed – including an unexpected second same-sex partnership.
The dance competition returned with its launch show on Friday (23 September), with the 15 celebrity competitors learning which pro dancer will be putting them through the ringer during the next three months.
You can find all the couples competing on Strictly Come Dancing 2022 here.
While it had previously been announced that the show would be featuring one same-sex couple, with Richie Anderson requesting a male partner and being paired with Giovanni Pernice, an all-female partnership was also revealed.
One of the last partnerships unveiled on the night was comedian Jayde Adams, who will be performing on Strictly Come Dancing with professional dancer Karen Hauer.
Upon learning she would be dancing with Hauer, Adams said: “Karen is Strictly!”
Hauer said: “I’m absolutely excited. I have so many ideas, too many ideas. This is going to be a golden moment for me.
The dance competition returned with its launch show on Friday (23 September), with the 15 celebrity competitors learning which pro dancer will be putting them through the ringer during the next three months.
You can find all the couples competing on Strictly Come Dancing 2022 here.
While it had previously been announced that the show would be featuring one same-sex couple, with Richie Anderson requesting a male partner and being paired with Giovanni Pernice, an all-female partnership was also revealed.
One of the last partnerships unveiled on the night was comedian Jayde Adams, who will be performing on Strictly Come Dancing with professional dancer Karen Hauer.
Upon learning she would be dancing with Hauer, Adams said: “Karen is Strictly!”
Hauer said: “I’m absolutely excited. I have so many ideas, too many ideas. This is going to be a golden moment for me.
- 9/24/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Ever since Strictly Come Dancing first aired in 2004, it’s been bringing glitter, rhinestones and dad dancing to Saturday night TV.
Over the years, Strictly has grown into one of the biggest shows on UK television, with 10 million people tuning in each week as they watch the celebrity contestants grow from stompy footed to light on their feet.
Here are 8 things you didn’t know about Strictly Come Dancing...
It’s the world’s most successful reality TV format
When it began in a little studio at the BBC, Strictly seemed like a celebrity reality competition series like any other. But since then, the show has grown and grown not only in the UK, but abroad too.
Broadcast under the name Dancing with the Stars, it is the world’s most successful reality TV format and is licensed to more than 75 countries including the US, China and India.
Getting a perfect 40 is hard,...
Over the years, Strictly has grown into one of the biggest shows on UK television, with 10 million people tuning in each week as they watch the celebrity contestants grow from stompy footed to light on their feet.
Here are 8 things you didn’t know about Strictly Come Dancing...
It’s the world’s most successful reality TV format
When it began in a little studio at the BBC, Strictly seemed like a celebrity reality competition series like any other. But since then, the show has grown and grown not only in the UK, but abroad too.
Broadcast under the name Dancing with the Stars, it is the world’s most successful reality TV format and is licensed to more than 75 countries including the US, China and India.
Getting a perfect 40 is hard,...
- 9/23/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
The launch date for the 2022 season of Strictly Come Dancing has been postponed as part of the special programme schedule in place marking the royal mourning period.
Since the death of the Queen at the age of 96 on Thursday (8 September), the BBC has adhered to an altered broadcasting schedule.
On Tuesday (13 September), it was announced that the launch of the flagship dance competition would not go ahead on Saturday 17 September, as originally planned.
Now, the launch show (in which the celebrities are partnered with the professional dancers) will air on Friday 23 September. The first live show will air on Saturday 24 September.
“Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, special programming and news coverage continues,” reads an official message on the corporation’s website.
Other programmes affected include the final of Celebrity Masterchef, which will air on Thursday 22 September, and the launch of the Keeley Hawes-led drama, Crossfire,...
Since the death of the Queen at the age of 96 on Thursday (8 September), the BBC has adhered to an altered broadcasting schedule.
On Tuesday (13 September), it was announced that the launch of the flagship dance competition would not go ahead on Saturday 17 September, as originally planned.
Now, the launch show (in which the celebrities are partnered with the professional dancers) will air on Friday 23 September. The first live show will air on Saturday 24 September.
“Following the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, special programming and news coverage continues,” reads an official message on the corporation’s website.
Other programmes affected include the final of Celebrity Masterchef, which will air on Thursday 22 September, and the launch of the Keeley Hawes-led drama, Crossfire,...
- 9/13/2022
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left buzzing with excitement after the official trailer for the new series was released.
The TV dance competition returns later this month, with 15 new celebrities learning how to dance with their professional partners and competing for the famed glitterball trophy.
You can meet the full class of Strictly 2022 here.
On Tuesday (6 September) evening, the first promotional trailer for the new series debuted on TV on BBC One.
It shows the professional dancers, including Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice and Nancy Xu, dancing through quiet streets while a cover of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” plays.
The dancers are then shown performing an elaborate routine live in the studio.
The clip left fans delighted, with one Twitter user writing: “The trailer omg!! Strictly 2022 I’m so ready.”
“Stunning! The new #Strictly trailer is out,” another commented.
The trailer omg!! Strictly 2022 I’m so ready pic.twitter.
The TV dance competition returns later this month, with 15 new celebrities learning how to dance with their professional partners and competing for the famed glitterball trophy.
You can meet the full class of Strictly 2022 here.
On Tuesday (6 September) evening, the first promotional trailer for the new series debuted on TV on BBC One.
It shows the professional dancers, including Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice and Nancy Xu, dancing through quiet streets while a cover of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” plays.
The dancers are then shown performing an elaborate routine live in the studio.
The clip left fans delighted, with one Twitter user writing: “The trailer omg!! Strictly 2022 I’m so ready.”
“Stunning! The new #Strictly trailer is out,” another commented.
The trailer omg!! Strictly 2022 I’m so ready pic.twitter.
- 9/7/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
For years, Strictly Come Dancing has been providing TV audiences with Saturday night entertainment and some truly unforgettable performances.
First airing in 2004 with Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly as hosts, Strictly seemed like a celebrity reality TV show like any other.
But, the show soon became a huge national and international hit, with everyone from politicians to YouTubers taking on the challenge of learning to ballroom dance.
Along the way, there have been some performances you just can’t forget regardless of whether they’re worthy of a perfect 40 or burnt onto your brain for all the wrong reasons.
From the very best to the very, very worst, here are 12 of Strictly’s most memorable moments.
Ed Balls does “Gangnam Style”
When Ed Balls of “tweeting his own name” fame was announced as a contestant, it was assumed that he would be a joke act eliminated in one of the first weeks.
First airing in 2004 with Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly as hosts, Strictly seemed like a celebrity reality TV show like any other.
But, the show soon became a huge national and international hit, with everyone from politicians to YouTubers taking on the challenge of learning to ballroom dance.
Along the way, there have been some performances you just can’t forget regardless of whether they’re worthy of a perfect 40 or burnt onto your brain for all the wrong reasons.
From the very best to the very, very worst, here are 12 of Strictly’s most memorable moments.
Ed Balls does “Gangnam Style”
When Ed Balls of “tweeting his own name” fame was announced as a contestant, it was assumed that he would be a joke act eliminated in one of the first weeks.
- 9/6/2022
- by Isobel Lewis
- The Independent - TV
Alternative MacTaggart lecturer Rose Ayling-Ellis has revealed the crushing pressure of feeling like “the poster girl for the deaf community” as she urged the TV world to “be braver and have the courage to make changes.”
The deaf Strictly Come Dancing winner and EastEnders actor told of a string of examples of how representation and access can be improved for disabled talent in the UK TV sector as she became the first disabled person to deliver the alternative address previously helmed by the likes of Russell Brand and Jerry Springer.
Having won the BBC’s biggest entertainment show last Christmas and captured the nation’s hearts, she has had a whirlwind year but questioned “how many deaf characters have we seen on TV since?”
“Although [Strictly] was a beautiful experience, the aftermath hasn’t always been,” she revealed.
“I was thrown to suddenly find myself considered a deaf pioneer, the poster girl for the deaf community.
The deaf Strictly Come Dancing winner and EastEnders actor told of a string of examples of how representation and access can be improved for disabled talent in the UK TV sector as she became the first disabled person to deliver the alternative address previously helmed by the likes of Russell Brand and Jerry Springer.
Having won the BBC’s biggest entertainment show last Christmas and captured the nation’s hearts, she has had a whirlwind year but questioned “how many deaf characters have we seen on TV since?”
“Although [Strictly] was a beautiful experience, the aftermath hasn’t always been,” she revealed.
“I was thrown to suddenly find myself considered a deaf pioneer, the poster girl for the deaf community.
- 8/26/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
“My reality isn’t always nice,” Rose Ayling-Ellis told the Edinburgh TV Festival in the annual Alternative MacTaggart keynote on Friday.
The deaf English actress (EastEnders, Dancing With the Stars) offered her perspective on the stark realities of life as a deaf person working in television via a 30-minute address and an interview with journalist and producer Afua Hirsch.
“It is not nice when my access is compromised. It is not nice to realize my presence is a token. It is not nice when my favorite TV shows don’t have subtitles. It is not nice to feel frustrated and unheard,” Ayling-Ellis said. “However, let me clarify one thing, it is not frustrating being deaf. Being deaf is my proudest identity. Having a disability is not a barrier. I am disabled because I live and work in a world that disables me.”
She...
“My reality isn’t always nice,” Rose Ayling-Ellis told the Edinburgh TV Festival in the annual Alternative MacTaggart keynote on Friday.
The deaf English actress (EastEnders, Dancing With the Stars) offered her perspective on the stark realities of life as a deaf person working in television via a 30-minute address and an interview with journalist and producer Afua Hirsch.
“It is not nice when my access is compromised. It is not nice to realize my presence is a token. It is not nice when my favorite TV shows don’t have subtitles. It is not nice to feel frustrated and unheard,” Ayling-Ellis said. “However, let me clarify one thing, it is not frustrating being deaf. Being deaf is my proudest identity. Having a disability is not a barrier. I am disabled because I live and work in a world that disables me.”
She...
- 8/26/2022
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Rose Ayling-Ellis, the Strictly Come Dancing winner who is delivering this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival 2022 Alternative MacTaggart, is developing a comedy-drama about deaf women dating in London.
Ayling-Ellis, who remains the only deaf actor to be cast as regular in a soap, EastEnders, revealed the news to Deadline prior to her taking to the stage to deliver the MacTaggart on the final day of the Edinburgh TV Festival.
The as-yet-untitled comedy-drama is based on Ayling-Ellis’ experiences of the deaf dating scene and she will also star in the show, while supervizing a disabled writers’ room.
She has had a whirlwind year, having won Strictly Come Dancing following a string of incredible performances that included her “silent dance” with partner Giovanni Pernice.
“This is something that hasn’t been spoken about,” Ayling-Ellis told Deadline. “We hear a lot about being female and how women appear in the dating scene but as a deaf woman,...
Ayling-Ellis, who remains the only deaf actor to be cast as regular in a soap, EastEnders, revealed the news to Deadline prior to her taking to the stage to deliver the MacTaggart on the final day of the Edinburgh TV Festival.
The as-yet-untitled comedy-drama is based on Ayling-Ellis’ experiences of the deaf dating scene and she will also star in the show, while supervizing a disabled writers’ room.
She has had a whirlwind year, having won Strictly Come Dancing following a string of incredible performances that included her “silent dance” with partner Giovanni Pernice.
“This is something that hasn’t been spoken about,” Ayling-Ellis told Deadline. “We hear a lot about being female and how women appear in the dating scene but as a deaf woman,...
- 8/26/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
First, the facts: there is, at the time of writing, no hard evidence to suggest that actor Rose Ayling-Ellis has joined the cast of Doctor Who. The BBC has made no announcement. Actor and deaf campaigner Ayling-Ellis has not publicly responded to the suggestion that her recent exit from EastEnders will be followed up by a trip in the Tardis, as the new companion to Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor.
The rumour emerged on Monday the 22nd of August after Doctor Who fan Owen (@WhovianLife) Tweeted “I wonder if this could be for #DoctorWho?” alongside a quote from Ayling-Ellis saying that she was currently banned from talking about her next job. Speaking to The Mirror about what she had lined up after leaving EastEnders, Ayling-Ellis said “You will find out more at the end of this month. I’m not allowed to say anything!”
Rose Ayling-Ellis has spoken on her new job role.
The rumour emerged on Monday the 22nd of August after Doctor Who fan Owen (@WhovianLife) Tweeted “I wonder if this could be for #DoctorWho?” alongside a quote from Ayling-Ellis saying that she was currently banned from talking about her next job. Speaking to The Mirror about what she had lined up after leaving EastEnders, Ayling-Ellis said “You will find out more at the end of this month. I’m not allowed to say anything!”
Rose Ayling-Ellis has spoken on her new job role.
- 8/25/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Rose Ayling-Ellis is set to depart EastEnders after two years.
The 27-year-old became the first deaf actor to play one of the long-running soap’s regular characters when she joined the series in 2020. She played the role of Frankie Lewis.
She has already filmed her final scenes for the series, which won’t air until autumn.
Speaking ahead of her departure, she said: “It’s been incredibly special to be EastEnders’ first regular deaf actor. I have loved my time on the show and Frankie has been such an awesome character to play, however now feels like the right time for me to move on and I am excited and ready for new challenges.
“I will always treasure my time on the show and all the incredible people I have worked with, who have supported my growth as an actor these last two years and given me so many amazing memories.
The 27-year-old became the first deaf actor to play one of the long-running soap’s regular characters when she joined the series in 2020. She played the role of Frankie Lewis.
She has already filmed her final scenes for the series, which won’t air until autumn.
Speaking ahead of her departure, she said: “It’s been incredibly special to be EastEnders’ first regular deaf actor. I have loved my time on the show and Frankie has been such an awesome character to play, however now feels like the right time for me to move on and I am excited and ready for new challenges.
“I will always treasure my time on the show and all the incredible people I have worked with, who have supported my growth as an actor these last two years and given me so many amazing memories.
- 8/18/2022
- by Louis Chilton
- The Independent - TV
Red Nose Day, the BBC’s annual televized fund-raising event, is set to return on March 18.
Featuring comedy sketches and specials, live performances and a host of celebrity names, the live show will be broadcast from the broadcaster’s Manchester headquarters on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K.
Sir Lenny Henry will return to host the event alongside former Doctor Who David Tennant, “Walk the Line” judge Alesha Dixon, former “Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two” host Zoe Ball and comedian Paddy McGuinness.
The show will include cameos from comedians Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Jack Whitehall, David Walliams and Matt Lucas as well as public figures such as Olympian Tom Daley and actor Rose Ayling Ellis.
Among the sketches and performances audiences can expect to see on the night are “Comic Opera,” which will see six celebrities given 24 hours to learn opera – and perform it in front...
Featuring comedy sketches and specials, live performances and a host of celebrity names, the live show will be broadcast from the broadcaster’s Manchester headquarters on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the U.K.
Sir Lenny Henry will return to host the event alongside former Doctor Who David Tennant, “Walk the Line” judge Alesha Dixon, former “Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two” host Zoe Ball and comedian Paddy McGuinness.
The show will include cameos from comedians Jennifer Saunders, Dawn French, Jack Whitehall, David Walliams and Matt Lucas as well as public figures such as Olympian Tom Daley and actor Rose Ayling Ellis.
Among the sketches and performances audiences can expect to see on the night are “Comic Opera,” which will see six celebrities given 24 hours to learn opera – and perform it in front...
- 3/8/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
After a 2020 dedicated to being stuck in our living rooms, things vaguely started returning to normal in 2021 (don’t mention the ‘O’ word) and there was plenty of time for breakout hits and established ratings giants.
Here, Deadline takes you through the five most-watched TV episodes of the year in the UK (excluding news and sports), with consolidated seven-day Barb ratings data supplied by overnights.tv. While drama and mainstream entertainment dominate as ever, there is also an appearance for that royal interview. Read on.
Line of Duty – 15.2M (BBC1 – Sunday May 2)
It may have been the most hotly-anticipated TV drama of the decade. The sixth-season finale of Jed Mercurio’s police thriller epic was admittedly met with a mixed reception from critics and viewers alike but the show had been watched by around one-quarter of the British population by the following weekend, guaranteeing it first place in the most-watched list.
Here, Deadline takes you through the five most-watched TV episodes of the year in the UK (excluding news and sports), with consolidated seven-day Barb ratings data supplied by overnights.tv. While drama and mainstream entertainment dominate as ever, there is also an appearance for that royal interview. Read on.
Line of Duty – 15.2M (BBC1 – Sunday May 2)
It may have been the most hotly-anticipated TV drama of the decade. The sixth-season finale of Jed Mercurio’s police thriller epic was admittedly met with a mixed reception from critics and viewers alike but the show had been watched by around one-quarter of the British population by the following weekend, guaranteeing it first place in the most-watched list.
- 12/30/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
WarnerMedia Signs Nordic Theatrical Boss
WarnerMedia has hired a Head of Theatrical Distribution for the Nordic Region as it looks to bolster streamer HBO Max in Scandinavia. Tore Fredrik Dreyer joins from tech company Dolittle where he was Chief Storyteller. Dreyer will build a pan-Nordic theatrical team to optimize the media giant’s slate from July 2022 onwards, with Dwayne Johnson-starring Black Adam set as the first title he will focus on. The former Twentieth Century Fox Managing Director for the Nordics will report to both Jamie Friend, Country Manager Nordic and Central & Eastern Europe and CFO Emea, and Toby Tennant, SVP Theatrical Distribution Emea. “Tore Fredrik is a known and respected leader in in the entertainment industry and technology sectors affiliated with it,” said Friend. “His expertise will ensure we continue to offer our fans in the Nordics the very best theatrical and customer experience.” Sf Studios will continue...
WarnerMedia has hired a Head of Theatrical Distribution for the Nordic Region as it looks to bolster streamer HBO Max in Scandinavia. Tore Fredrik Dreyer joins from tech company Dolittle where he was Chief Storyteller. Dreyer will build a pan-Nordic theatrical team to optimize the media giant’s slate from July 2022 onwards, with Dwayne Johnson-starring Black Adam set as the first title he will focus on. The former Twentieth Century Fox Managing Director for the Nordics will report to both Jamie Friend, Country Manager Nordic and Central & Eastern Europe and CFO Emea, and Toby Tennant, SVP Theatrical Distribution Emea. “Tore Fredrik is a known and respected leader in in the entertainment industry and technology sectors affiliated with it,” said Friend. “His expertise will ensure we continue to offer our fans in the Nordics the very best theatrical and customer experience.” Sf Studios will continue...
- 12/20/2021
- by Max Goldbart and Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Series 19 of British dance competition series “Strictly Come Dancing” has its winner. Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis became the first deaf contestant ever to be crowned the series’ winner on Saturday night.
Along with her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice, she beat out competitors including chef and 2012 winner of “The Great British Bake Off” John Whaite and television presenter Aj Odudu, who exited the competition on Friday after injuring her ankle.
Saturday’s win was also the first for Pernice, who has danced on the show since 2015 and made it to the final stage in 2015, 2017 and 2018 with partners Georgia May Foote, Debbue McGee and Faye Tozer, respectively.
Ayling-Ellis is known for starring in popular BBC One soap opera “East Enders.” She plays Frankie Lewis in the series, which has been running since 1985 and follows the daily lives of residents of a fictional East London borough called Walford.
As a deaf person and an advocate for deaf awareness,...
Along with her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice, she beat out competitors including chef and 2012 winner of “The Great British Bake Off” John Whaite and television presenter Aj Odudu, who exited the competition on Friday after injuring her ankle.
Saturday’s win was also the first for Pernice, who has danced on the show since 2015 and made it to the final stage in 2015, 2017 and 2018 with partners Georgia May Foote, Debbue McGee and Faye Tozer, respectively.
Ayling-Ellis is known for starring in popular BBC One soap opera “East Enders.” She plays Frankie Lewis in the series, which has been running since 1985 and follows the daily lives of residents of a fictional East London borough called Walford.
As a deaf person and an advocate for deaf awareness,...
- 12/18/2021
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Principal photography for “Man & Witch,” an homage to the fantasy films of the 1980s, has wrapped after a six-week shoot on location in Scotland and Los Angeles.
The film, directed by Michael Hines (“Still Game”) marks the comeback of child star Tami Stronach, best known for her role as the Childlike Empress in “The NeverEnding Story” (1984). Stronach plays the title role of Witch who helps a cursed goatherd in his quest for love. Sean Astin (“Stranger Things”), Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous”), Eddie Izzard (“Hannibal”) and Bill Bailey (“Hot Fuzz”) voice the goatherd’s loyal companions Dog, Goose, Sheep and Donkey, brought to life with photo-realistic puppets fabricated by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, and operated by a team of puppeteers led by Damien Farrell (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”).
The cast also includes Christopher Lloyd (“Back to the Future”), Shorhreh Aghdashloo (“The Expanse”), Michael Emerson (“Lost”), Pauline McLynn...
The film, directed by Michael Hines (“Still Game”) marks the comeback of child star Tami Stronach, best known for her role as the Childlike Empress in “The NeverEnding Story” (1984). Stronach plays the title role of Witch who helps a cursed goatherd in his quest for love. Sean Astin (“Stranger Things”), Jennifer Saunders (“Absolutely Fabulous”), Eddie Izzard (“Hannibal”) and Bill Bailey (“Hot Fuzz”) voice the goatherd’s loyal companions Dog, Goose, Sheep and Donkey, brought to life with photo-realistic puppets fabricated by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, and operated by a team of puppeteers led by Damien Farrell (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”).
The cast also includes Christopher Lloyd (“Back to the Future”), Shorhreh Aghdashloo (“The Expanse”), Michael Emerson (“Lost”), Pauline McLynn...
- 7/29/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Fantasy film Man & Witch has announced the addition of Jennifer Saunders, Eddie Izzard, Daniel Portman (Game of Thrones), Bill Bailey and more as shooting wraps in Los Angeles and Scotland.
Saunders, Izzard, and Bailey voice the characters of goose, sheep, and donkey, respectively, in the family film about a lonely goatherd looking for love. The trio join previously announced Sean Astin who portrays the dog. All together they support the goatherd, played by screenwriter and star Greg Steinbruner.
The animals come to life through photo-realistic puppets created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
“The goatherd is a bit of a lonely figure and an outsider who is at the bottom of the pecking order but always kind to his animals,” the film’s star Tami Stronach, of The NeverEnding Story fame, said of her...
Saunders, Izzard, and Bailey voice the characters of goose, sheep, and donkey, respectively, in the family film about a lonely goatherd looking for love. The trio join previously announced Sean Astin who portrays the dog. All together they support the goatherd, played by screenwriter and star Greg Steinbruner.
The animals come to life through photo-realistic puppets created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.
“The goatherd is a bit of a lonely figure and an outsider who is at the bottom of the pecking order but always kind to his animals,” the film’s star Tami Stronach, of The NeverEnding Story fame, said of her...
- 7/29/2021
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Anita Rani and Gleb Savchenko have been eliminated from 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The TV presenter and her professional dance partner left the competition after losing the dance-off on Sunday (13.12.15) to Katie Derham and Anton du Beke, who had placed last on Saturday's (12.12.15) show. Katie and Anton were awarded a lowly 24 for their Charleston and a 31 for their second dance, a waltz but managed to impress the judges during their dance-off. While Anita and Gleb were eliminated, the other contestants were celebrating after making it though to the final. Georgia May Foote's dance partner Giovanni Pernice tweeted:...
- 12/13/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Anita Rani and Gleb Savchenko have been eliminated from 'Strictly Come Dancing'. The TV presenter and her professional dance partner left the competition after losing the dance-off on Sunday (13.12.15) to Katie Derham and Anton du Beke, who had placed last on Saturday's (12.12.15) show. Katie and Anton were awarded a lowly 24 for their Charleston and a 31 for their second dance, a waltz but managed to impress the judges during their dance-off. While Anita and Gleb were eliminated, the other contestants were celebrating after making it though to the final. Georgia May Foote's dance partner Giovanni Pernice tweeted:...
- 12/11/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Georgia May Foote has dislocated her 'Strictly Come Dancing' partner Giovanni Pernice's shoulder five times. The 24-year-old actress has admitted her professional dance partner on the BBC One show has sustained a number of injuries during their rehearsals, and he is constantly paranoid she is going to accidentally break his nose. She explained: ''When we were practising the salsa, I managed to dislocate Giovanni's shoulder five times. It even happened in dress rehearsals. Because of the moves it pops out, so he has to pop it back in again. I think it can get pretty painful. I also keep catching my feet...
- 11/11/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
Georgia May Foote has dislocated her 'Strictly Come Dancing' partner Giovanni Pernice's shoulder five times. The 24-year-old actress has admitted her professional dance partner on the BBC One show has sustained a number of injuries during their rehearsals, and he is constantly paranoid she is going to accidentally break his nose. She explained: ''When we were practising the salsa, I managed to dislocate Giovanni's shoulder five times. It even happened in dress rehearsals. Because of the moves it pops out, so he has to pop it back in again. I think it can get pretty painful. I also keep catching my feet...
- 11/9/2015
- Virgin Media - TV
So now Halloween Week is out of the way, it's back on for the fake tans and sequins and Strictly Come Dancing goes back to normal. Let's have a guess at who might survive another week on the dancefloor now this week's song and dance list has been unveiled.
1. Anita Rani & Gleb Savchenko
Song: 'The Boy Does Nothing' by Alesha Dixon
Dance: Jive
2. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev
Song: 'Man! I feel Like a Woman' by Shania Twain
Dance: American Smooth
3. Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice
Song: 'Volare' by The Gipsy Kings
Dance: Samba
4. Helen George & Aljaz Skorjanec
Song: 'Hello' by Adele
Dance: Rumba
5. Jamelia & Tristan MacManus
Song: 'Trouble' by Ray Lamontagne
Dance: Viennese Waltz
6. Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani
Song: 'Diferente' by The Gotan Project
Dance: Argentine Tango
7. Jeremy Vine & Karen Clifton
Song: 'Go West' by The Pet Shop Boys
Dance: Tango
8. Katie Derham & Anton Du Beke
Song: '...
1. Anita Rani & Gleb Savchenko
Song: 'The Boy Does Nothing' by Alesha Dixon
Dance: Jive
2. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev
Song: 'Man! I feel Like a Woman' by Shania Twain
Dance: American Smooth
3. Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice
Song: 'Volare' by The Gipsy Kings
Dance: Samba
4. Helen George & Aljaz Skorjanec
Song: 'Hello' by Adele
Dance: Rumba
5. Jamelia & Tristan MacManus
Song: 'Trouble' by Ray Lamontagne
Dance: Viennese Waltz
6. Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani
Song: 'Diferente' by The Gotan Project
Dance: Argentine Tango
7. Jeremy Vine & Karen Clifton
Song: 'Go West' by The Pet Shop Boys
Dance: Tango
8. Katie Derham & Anton Du Beke
Song: '...
- 11/3/2015
- Digital Spy
It's Halloween week on Strictly Come Dancing, with scary make-up and spooky props aplenty.
But who brought a bit of magic to the dance floor, and who had a monstrous night? Find out with our round-up of the scores and comments from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli - and you can relive every dance below:
1. Katie Derham & Anton Du Beke dancing the paso doble to 'Phantom of the Opera' by Steve Harley and Sarah Brightman: 4+6+6+5=21
Len: "The problem is you're like an English rose and the paso is a cactus, sharp aggressive and spiky. It doesn't really suit your personality. I got the willies at one time when I thought you would use the wrong foot. It wasn't great, Kate - I wish it was."
Darcey: "You look the part – absolutely stunning. To help strengthen your performance use those beautiful eyes.
But who brought a bit of magic to the dance floor, and who had a monstrous night? Find out with our round-up of the scores and comments from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli - and you can relive every dance below:
1. Katie Derham & Anton Du Beke dancing the paso doble to 'Phantom of the Opera' by Steve Harley and Sarah Brightman: 4+6+6+5=21
Len: "The problem is you're like an English rose and the paso is a cactus, sharp aggressive and spiky. It doesn't really suit your personality. I got the willies at one time when I thought you would use the wrong foot. It wasn't great, Kate - I wish it was."
Darcey: "You look the part – absolutely stunning. To help strengthen your performance use those beautiful eyes.
- 10/31/2015
- Digital Spy
Strictly Come Dancing: From Michael Jackson to Rocky Horror, see Week 6's spooky song and dance list
It's Halloween, so that means Strictly Come Dancing gets spooky. Fangs replace fake tans, and ghouls, phantoms and zombies take over the dancefloor. Check out week 6's song and dance list below:
1. Anita Rani & Gleb Savchenko
Song: 'Once Upon A Dream' by Lana Del Rey
Dance: Waltz
2. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev
Song: 'I Think I Love You' by The Partridge Family
Dance: Rumba
3. Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice
Song: 'Ghostbusters' by Ray Parker Junior
Dance: Tango
4. Helen George & Aljaz Skorjanec
Song: 'Take Your Mama' by Scissor Sisters
Dance: Samba
5. Jamelia & Tristan MacManus
Song: 'The Time Warp' from the Rocky Horror Picture Show
Dance: Jive
6. Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani
Song: 'Lil Red Riding Hood' by Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs
Dance: American Smooth
7. Jeremy Vine & Karen Clifton
Song: 'Thriller' by Michael Jackson
Dance: Salsa
8. Katie Derham & Anton Du Beke
Song: 'Phantom Of The Opera' by Steve Harley and...
1. Anita Rani & Gleb Savchenko
Song: 'Once Upon A Dream' by Lana Del Rey
Dance: Waltz
2. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev
Song: 'I Think I Love You' by The Partridge Family
Dance: Rumba
3. Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice
Song: 'Ghostbusters' by Ray Parker Junior
Dance: Tango
4. Helen George & Aljaz Skorjanec
Song: 'Take Your Mama' by Scissor Sisters
Dance: Samba
5. Jamelia & Tristan MacManus
Song: 'The Time Warp' from the Rocky Horror Picture Show
Dance: Jive
6. Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani
Song: 'Lil Red Riding Hood' by Sam the Sham and The Pharaohs
Dance: American Smooth
7. Jeremy Vine & Karen Clifton
Song: 'Thriller' by Michael Jackson
Dance: Salsa
8. Katie Derham & Anton Du Beke
Song: 'Phantom Of The Opera' by Steve Harley and...
- 10/27/2015
- Digital Spy
Week 5 has come on Strictly Come Dancing and we were treated to an even dozen of dances as the celebrities took to the dancefloor.
But who wowed the panel and who could be in danger? Digital Spy has the judges' comments and scores from all 12 dances here:
1. Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice dancing the salsa to 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' by Sylvester = 7+8+8+8=31
Len: "It was a great show starter and a bit of a show stopper. Terrific routine, a disco salsa. You were really working your assets. Well done – great start!"
Bruno: "You're a gorgeous little strumpet! Those hips were like a bag of steps. More of that please. It's good to see you so alive. Be careful of the lifts' dismount – that has to be absolutely flawless."
2. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev dancing the Viennese Waltz to 'I've Been Loving You Too Long' by Seal: 4+6+6+5=21
Darcey:...
But who wowed the panel and who could be in danger? Digital Spy has the judges' comments and scores from all 12 dances here:
1. Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice dancing the salsa to 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' by Sylvester = 7+8+8+8=31
Len: "It was a great show starter and a bit of a show stopper. Terrific routine, a disco salsa. You were really working your assets. Well done – great start!"
Bruno: "You're a gorgeous little strumpet! Those hips were like a bag of steps. More of that please. It's good to see you so alive. Be careful of the lifts' dismount – that has to be absolutely flawless."
2. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev dancing the Viennese Waltz to 'I've Been Loving You Too Long' by Seal: 4+6+6+5=21
Darcey:...
- 10/24/2015
- Digital Spy
Strictly Come Dancing is already three celebrities down... and we're going to lose another this week! The remaining stars will be doing everything to make sure it's not them, so we should be in for some pretty spectacular moves this evening.
As we saw last week with Jay's quickstep, anything could happen, so join us from 6.35pm when the show kicks off on BBC One and we'll bring you all the action...
20:20That's your lot for tonight though? Do keep hitting the comments to let us know what you made of tonight's action. Who was the best? Who was the worst? And who do you think will be going home? And stick with DS for all the Strictly coverage you need!
20:17Right, so Kellie and Helen are at the top of the leaderboard... while Jeremy is down at the bottom. But will that stay the same after you've cast your votes?...
As we saw last week with Jay's quickstep, anything could happen, so join us from 6.35pm when the show kicks off on BBC One and we'll bring you all the action...
20:20That's your lot for tonight though? Do keep hitting the comments to let us know what you made of tonight's action. Who was the best? Who was the worst? And who do you think will be going home? And stick with DS for all the Strictly coverage you need!
20:17Right, so Kellie and Helen are at the top of the leaderboard... while Jeremy is down at the bottom. But will that stay the same after you've cast your votes?...
- 10/24/2015
- Digital Spy
Strictly Come Dancing is already at week 5 and things are getting serious. Jay McGuiness jived his way to a 10 in week 3, but will we see another this time? Check out the coming weekend's song and dance list and get speculating:
1. Ainsley Harriott & Natalie Lowe
Dance: Jive
Song: 'Shake, Rattle and Roll' - Bill Haley and the Comets
2. Anita Rani & Gleb Savchenko
Dance: Tango
Song: 'Sweet Disposition' - Temper Trap
3. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Song: 'I've Been Loving You Too Long' - Seal
4. Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice
Dance: Salsa
Song: 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' - Sylvester
5. Helen George & Aljaz Skorjanec
Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'You Can't Hurry Love' - Diana Ross and the Supremes
6. Jamelia & Tristan MacManus
Dance: Foxtrot
Song: 'Because You Loved Me' - Celine Dion
7. Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani
Dance: Paso Doble
Song: 'It's My Life' - Bon Jovi
8. Jeremy Vine...
1. Ainsley Harriott & Natalie Lowe
Dance: Jive
Song: 'Shake, Rattle and Roll' - Bill Haley and the Comets
2. Anita Rani & Gleb Savchenko
Dance: Tango
Song: 'Sweet Disposition' - Temper Trap
3. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev
Dance: Viennese Waltz
Song: 'I've Been Loving You Too Long' - Seal
4. Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice
Dance: Salsa
Song: 'You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)' - Sylvester
5. Helen George & Aljaz Skorjanec
Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'You Can't Hurry Love' - Diana Ross and the Supremes
6. Jamelia & Tristan MacManus
Dance: Foxtrot
Song: 'Because You Loved Me' - Celine Dion
7. Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani
Dance: Paso Doble
Song: 'It's My Life' - Bon Jovi
8. Jeremy Vine...
- 10/20/2015
- Digital Spy
Strictly Come Dancing is now into its fourth week and the competition is really hotting up, with an incredibly close leaderboard.
Digital Spy was watching along and have rounded up all of the scores and judges' comments below:
1. Anita Rani and Gleb Savchenko dancing the samba to 'Hips Don't Lie by Shakira: 6+7+7+7=27
Len: "Your hips certainly don't lie. A little bit long getting started but once you got into it… I thought you coped very well. I think it could have been better leg action, but I'm being pernickety."
Bruno: "That was warming up nicely. The samba has a carefree feel to it, but a couple of times there you got a little tangled and it kind of stopped it a little bit. The technique is actually very very hard. It was a bit on and off."
2. Daniel O'Donnell & Kristina Rihanoff dancing the American Smooth to 'Fly Me To The Moon...
Digital Spy was watching along and have rounded up all of the scores and judges' comments below:
1. Anita Rani and Gleb Savchenko dancing the samba to 'Hips Don't Lie by Shakira: 6+7+7+7=27
Len: "Your hips certainly don't lie. A little bit long getting started but once you got into it… I thought you coped very well. I think it could have been better leg action, but I'm being pernickety."
Bruno: "That was warming up nicely. The samba has a carefree feel to it, but a couple of times there you got a little tangled and it kind of stopped it a little bit. The technique is actually very very hard. It was a bit on and off."
2. Daniel O'Donnell & Kristina Rihanoff dancing the American Smooth to 'Fly Me To The Moon...
- 10/17/2015
- Digital Spy
Last week on Strictly was pretty special - with everything from our first 10 of the series to some "disappointing" dances from celebs we thought had been doing well. It just goes to show that anything can happen... so what will week four bring?
We're about to find out, so join us right here from 6.30pm when the show begins on BBC One and we'll bring you all the ballroom action as it happens...
20:21But that's your lot for this evening! Tomorrow: Will Young (yay!) and someone going home (boo). Let us know who you think it will be by leaving your comments, and be sure to stick with DS for all the Strictly coverage you need...
20:19Incidentally, Joan Collins has some thoughts about this week's Strictly.
#strictlycomedancing so sad about Jay stumbling - he's my favourite!
— Joan Collins (@Joancollinsdbe) October 17, 2015
Katie is good unfortunate dress #strictlycomedancing
— Joan Collins...
We're about to find out, so join us right here from 6.30pm when the show begins on BBC One and we'll bring you all the ballroom action as it happens...
20:21But that's your lot for this evening! Tomorrow: Will Young (yay!) and someone going home (boo). Let us know who you think it will be by leaving your comments, and be sure to stick with DS for all the Strictly coverage you need...
20:19Incidentally, Joan Collins has some thoughts about this week's Strictly.
#strictlycomedancing so sad about Jay stumbling - he's my favourite!
— Joan Collins (@Joancollinsdbe) October 17, 2015
Katie is good unfortunate dress #strictlycomedancing
— Joan Collins...
- 10/17/2015
- Digital Spy
Well, we've had our first 10 of the series on Strictly Come Dancing courtesy of Jay McGuiness - but will any more pop up on Saturday night? Well, we can start guessing now as the song and dance list is out:
1. Ainsley Harriott & Natalie Lowe
Dance: Waltz
Song: 'What a Wonderful World' - Louis Armstrong
2. Anita Rani & Gleb Savchenko
Dance: Samba
Song: 'Hips Don't Lie' - Shakira
3. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev
Dance: Paso Doble
Song: 'Espana Cani' - Trad
4. Daniel O'Donnell & Kristina Rihanoff
Dance: American Smooth
Song: 'Fly Me to the Moon' - Frank Sinatra
5. Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice
Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'Reach' - S Club 7
6. Helen George & Aljaz Skorjanec
Dance: Salsa
Song: 'Miami Sound Machine' - Doctor Beat
7. Jamelia & Tristan MacManus
Dance: Charleston
Song: 'Straight Up' - Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
8. Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani
Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'My Generation' - The...
1. Ainsley Harriott & Natalie Lowe
Dance: Waltz
Song: 'What a Wonderful World' - Louis Armstrong
2. Anita Rani & Gleb Savchenko
Dance: Samba
Song: 'Hips Don't Lie' - Shakira
3. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev
Dance: Paso Doble
Song: 'Espana Cani' - Trad
4. Daniel O'Donnell & Kristina Rihanoff
Dance: American Smooth
Song: 'Fly Me to the Moon' - Frank Sinatra
5. Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice
Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'Reach' - S Club 7
6. Helen George & Aljaz Skorjanec
Dance: Salsa
Song: 'Miami Sound Machine' - Doctor Beat
7. Jamelia & Tristan MacManus
Dance: Charleston
Song: 'Straight Up' - Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
8. Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani
Dance: Quickstep
Song: 'My Generation' - The...
- 10/14/2015
- Digital Spy
It's week 3 of Strictly Come Dancing, and with the first couple voted off last week the heat really is on.
Digital Spy was watching along and have rounded up all of the scores and judges comments.
1. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev dancing the quickstep to 'Wash That Man' from South Pacific: 3+5+5+4=17
Bruno: "It's not quite a tropical heatwave, more a lukewarm breeze. You looked like you were shuffling on damp sand. It was a very difficult dance - you need to sort out the frame."
Len: "I thought that routine had far more content than previous weeks. I love the way you come out and enjoy yourself, and it made me enjoy it. A lovely bubbly dance."
2. Anthony Ogogo & Oti Mabuse dancing the Paso Doble to 'Eye of the Tiger' from Rocky: 4+6+5+4=19
Darcey: "It's your best dance so far, you have this energy – in your body, when you pose,...
Digital Spy was watching along and have rounded up all of the scores and judges comments.
1. Carol Kirkwood & Pasha Kovalev dancing the quickstep to 'Wash That Man' from South Pacific: 3+5+5+4=17
Bruno: "It's not quite a tropical heatwave, more a lukewarm breeze. You looked like you were shuffling on damp sand. It was a very difficult dance - you need to sort out the frame."
Len: "I thought that routine had far more content than previous weeks. I love the way you come out and enjoy yourself, and it made me enjoy it. A lovely bubbly dance."
2. Anthony Ogogo & Oti Mabuse dancing the Paso Doble to 'Eye of the Tiger' from Rocky: 4+6+5+4=19
Darcey: "It's your best dance so far, you have this energy – in your body, when you pose,...
- 10/10/2015
- Digital Spy
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