Gary Lineker's fall is a tale about self-deception, vanity and privilege
Gary Lineker has left the BBC with the kind of fanfare that, had he been less famous and less rich, would not have happened, though he will not admit that to himself. Rather, he would have left in disgrace. Perhaps, once you reach a certain level, there is no such thing as disgrace now. Football pundits banged him out on X: they talked of his gifts. I have no idea about this. I believe in expertise, and I am no footballer, but he was always soothing to listen to on Match of the Day. Others — not football pundits, those who should know better — banged him out too. Jeremy Corbyn led them. He called Lineker 'the face of humility, warmth and decency' and 'a man to be celebrated'. The insinuation is: Lineker, so golden, was betrayed.
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North Wales Live
38 minutes ago
- North Wales Live
Wynne Evans dropped by BBC after 'inappropriate language' on Strictly tour
Wynne Evans has said he has been dropped by the BBC, following an apology saying that he used 'inappropriate language' during the launch of the Strictly Come Dancing tour. The Welsh opera singer, 53, will no longer be a BBC Radio Wales presenter, he announced yesterday. A spokesperson for the BBC said: 'Wynne Evans is not under contract with the BBC. He is not returning to the mid-morning show on BBC Radio Wales and there are currently no plans to work with him.' Evans, known for the insurance advertisements, revealed in January he would be taking some time out from both his radio show and the Strictly tour to prioritise his wellbeing. Earlier this month he claimed in an interview with the Sun on Sunday that he had not seen the statement apologising for the remark - an assertion that is believed to have been dismissed by the BBC. On Instagram on Friday, he wrote: 'My beloved Wynners, From the very depths of my heart - thank you. These past few months, your love has been the light in my darkest days. "Every message, every word of encouragement, every moment you stood by me has carried me through more than you could ever know. It breaks my heart to say the BBC has decided not to renew my contract so I won't be returning to my radio show. "I'm gutted. That show wasn't just work - it was home. It was us. We laughed, we cried, we sang like nobody was listening. And somehow, through the airwaves, we became a family.' Evans thanked his fans, and said he would have an online programme called The Wynne Evans Show, which he called 'terrifying'. 'This is our next adventure. And I need you more than ever,' he added. 'We will have great music, my question of the day, the mystery voice, your soundtrack stories and so much more, because we have each other again. We have a new home. I'm bringing more presenters soon and I am sure you'll recognise a few of the faces.' Evans added that he was 'full of nerves. Full of hope. Full of love. Because when we show up for each other - like we always have - anything is possible'. Earlier this year, he apologised for language that he called 'inappropriate and unacceptable' after The Mail On Sunday reported that Evans was heard making a remark to a woman in a video filmed during the Strictly launch event. It is understood he was given a warning over the remark by tour producers. In January, he said: 'I've agreed with the BBC that I'll take some time out from my radio show and the Strictly Live tour, as well as my other public commitments, to prioritise my wellbeing. 'I am deeply sorry for the pain my inappropriate actions have caused, and plan to take this time for self-reflection. Apologies to those I won't get to see at the remaining performances and I'm grateful to my fellow tour gang for all the amazing support they have given me.' The singer, who performed in the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Of The Opera and also won 2023's Celebrity MasterChef, told the Sun on Sunday earlier this month that the Strictly comment was not sexual or directed at one of the female cast but was a nickname for fellow contestant, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick. He told the paper: 'I didn't see the statement, Old Spit-roast Boy was a nickname for Jamie Borthwick. I'm not a bad guy, I'm not a misogynist, I'm not any of these things.' Evans added: 'And so I went, 'I'm so sorry'. And that was taken as a formal apology, so the press team issued a statement. I didn't see it. 'When I read the apology within the context of the story as it had been written, I was absolutely horrified.' It is understood any statement issued on Evans' behalf by the BBC was fully approved by him, and the singer also posted his own statement on Instagram in which he apologised. During his time on Strictly, there was controversy over a clip on the show of him placing his hand on his professional partner Katya Jones' waist, which she moved. They both apologised claiming it had been a 'joke'. During January and February this year, Evans' six-part travel programme, Wynne & Joanna: All At Sea - with Welsh actress and Gavin And Stacey star Joanna Page - aired on BBC One.
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
Brits music icon says she'd love to do Strictly but gets 'rejected every year by producers'
The singer, who rose to fame in the early 80s on the Eurovision Song Contest, revealed that BBC bosses have rejected her proposal to star on the show multiple times. UK Eurovision icon Cheryl Baker has revealed that she would love to participate in Strictly Come Dancing but she gets turned down by the producers every year. The 71-year-old singer, who was born Rita Maria Stroud, won the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the UK's pop group entry, Bucks Fizz, which she was a member of. However, it seems that the pop group's memorable win still isn't enough to get Cheryl Baker onto that Strictly Come Dancing ballroom floor. Cheryl still performs in the band alongside OG member Jay Aston and newcomers Nikk Mager and Matthew Pateman, but the group are now known as The Fizz instead. Speaking exclusively to Slingo, the singer revealed she's been repeatedly turned down for the BBC One reality series, despite regularly throwing her name into the ring. She also revealed that she had put herself forward for this year's Celebrity Traitors but was left 'gutted' to discover she was too late and the star studded cast had already been selected. While Cheryl has made her eagerness to dip her toes into reality TV pretty clear, also saying she'd 'love' a go on I'm A Celebrity, she has ruled out a return to Eurovision, despite insisting the group are now 'vocally stronger'. Formerly known as Bucks Fizz, the band were victorious in the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest Final with their song Making Your Mind Up. Their big win over 44 years ago comes as the second last time the UK have won the annual singing contest since. Britain have not been successful in Eurovision in the contest since 1997, when Katrina & The Waves came out on top with their song Love Shine A Light. During a conversation with Slingo, Cheryl was asked about her reality TV ambitions. She said: 'I'd love to do Strictly. I always put myself up for it every year, and they always say no, which is a great shame. I love dancing - I'm not a trained dancer, but I love dancing. "I would love to go do I'm A Celebrity - I would love that. I would also love to do Traitors. When I knew there was going to be a celebrity one, I contacted my agent and said, 'Get me on it!' "When she told me that they'd already cast it, I was gutted. I can't wait to see it, but I'd do any of them." Cheryl continued: "That's the way TV has gone. If you don't want to be on any of those shows, it really limits you to what you can do, because that's what's on TV now. "I miss Top of the Pops - I wish they'd bring it back. All the young artists now, they've got a televisual platform to show how good they are.' However, when questioned on a Eurovision return, she was not so keen. When asked if she'd ever go back on the contest, she said: " I mean, we've got our two new guys, they're great singers and if the cameras are far enough away… I'd hate for them to do camera close ups of Jay and I, and go, they're getting on a bit! "I feel vocally we're stronger now than we have been for years, because there's four of us and the boys are tremendous but I don't think we could do Eurovision again. 'We've carried on and had lots of gigs, working with Mike and Jay and now with Matthew [Pateman] and Nikk [Majer] as four. There are certain gigs that haven't employed us because we're not officially Bucks Fizz but we're really good!" Cheryl, 71, added: "We haven't done a Let's Rock for years, we used to do it as The Original Bucks Fizz, but because we're called The Fizz now, I'm guessing that's probably the reason we don't get to do it. "We do lots of other festivals and 80s weekends. It's great fun, I love it. They all chant and at the end we get them to sing 'A Land Of Make Believe' and they all sing it on their own, all the musicians cut out. I love it, what's not to love? It's such a boost to your ego!'
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The forgotten feud between Helen Skelton and huge TV star that saw her sensationally blasted for 'plagiarising' show with rip-off series - just days before 'romance' with Gethin Jones made public
George Clarke revealed his frustration over Helen Skelton 's brand new property show Forever Home in a now-deleted post. The 51 year old - best known for presenting Channel 4 's George Clarke's Amazing Spaces - took to Instagram to share his annoyance over the new programme. Forever Home, which is presented by Helen and architect Patrick Bradley, hit BBC Two on May 15. The show's press release states: 'In the programme, presenter Helen Skelton and Northern Ireland architect Patrick Bradley follow one such young couple. Jess and Colin are leaving London to return to their family roots in Powys in rural Wales where they hope to create their dream house.' But one person who isn't very happy about the show is George. Sharing a screen grab of the press release of the new programme, George fumed: 'What is that saying again?…. DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loo p. However the post backfired as someone pointed out in the comments section: 'Nobody tell him Kevin McClouds been doing Grand Design for 30 years' 'Oh that's it…. 'plagiarism is the sincerest form of flattery' #BUILDINGHOME #CHANNEL4 @channel4.' However the post backfired as someone pointed out in the comments section: 'Nobody tell him Kevin McClouds been doing Grand Design for 30 years.' The post is no longer on George's account. MailOnline contacted George's rep for comment. Speaking about the show, Helen said: 'Bringing old properties back to life is always something that has fascinated me, I love a property with a story to tell. 'Watching Colin and Jess create their forever home with Patrick's guidance and ideas has been a total privilege. 'It is not always straightforward creating a dream property. 'I have lived the restoration highs and lows myself having completed my own project so getting a ring side seat for this one was a total joy.' George is an architect, who studied at Newcastle University, and is best known for presenting the likes of The Restoration Man, The Home Show and George Clarke's Amazing Spaces. He's also worked on the likes of Property Dreams, Build A New Life in the Country, George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations and George Clarke's Building Home. George's rant came days before Helen and Gethin 'went public' as she wrapped her arms around the Blue Peter star on a motorbike ride. The pair - who work together on BBC's Morning Live - have been linked romantically in recent months. Looking stylish, Helen opted for a tan leather jacket and denim jeans as she gripped Gethin's waist. Wearing a black motorbike helmet, the star hopped on the back of Gethin's Triumph Bonneville bike. It came after the pair were seen leaving the BBC Morning Live studios just minutes after each other on Wednesday. Earlier this week it was revealed that Gethin is reportedly 'ticking all the boxes' for Helen. A source told The Mirror: 'Helen and Gethin are definitely getting close, they've been on a few outings together. 'Gethin has helped her through some really tough times, it's not been an easy few years for Helen, but he has been a tower of strength for her.' Helen split from her husband Richie Myler, 35, in April 2022. The former couple met in 2011. They split just four months after the birth of their third child. The two share Ernie, nine, Louis, eight, and Elsie, three. Meanwhile Gethin has been linked to Katherine Jenkins, Lucy Mecklenburgh, Katja Zwara and Cici Coleman.
