Paul Merton ‘honoured' if he was the reason Bruce Forsyth got Strictly job
The rumour suggests that Merton inviting Forsyth to guest present on Have I Got News for You in 2003 put him on the BBC 's radar for the dance competition.
Merton confirmed Forsyth was a "consummate professional" on Have I Got News for You, which appeared to reignite his career and led to his Strictly role the following year.
While Merton has "no idea" if he directly influenced Forsyth's hiring, he stated he would be "extremely honoured" if he did, as Forsyth was a "lovely man."
Forsyth's career, which began in the 1950s, was waning before his Have I Got News for You appearance, and Strictly Come Dancing subsequently brought him back to primetime television.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Strictly Come Dancing star opens up on new career move six years in the making
Strictly Comes Dancing star Nicola Adams has revealed that she has been secretly taking acting lessons for the past six years and is set to make her debut next year She can already take pride in the fact that she is a two-time Olympic boxing champion and a star of Strictly Come Dancing. But now, Nicola Adams has lifted the lid on her new career move. The 42 year old former athlete has revealed that she has been taking acting lessons and is now set to make her acting debut in a film next year. Nicola is set to star in The Gun on Second Street alongside Poppy Delevigne and Bruce Willis' daughter Rumer. The film plot focuses on the escalating gun crime issue in America. Speaking about her new career, Nicola explained to The Sun: "I just want to work with people that are just as hungry as I am. I'm not one of those people that just show up and just expect everything to be fine." The former Strictly Come Dancing star who took the dancefloor by storm in 2020, added: "I put in the work, I put in the graft, just as I do as an athlete as well. I want to take it as far as I can in terms of how I grow as an actor. " Nicola told the publication that experiencing a vast array of roles and playing a variety of characters had allowed her to use what she has been taught over the years. The boxing champion has now undertaken a dark role for the upcoming film and she attributes her ability to delve into the personality of her character, which allows her to convincingly portray deep emotion. And when asked how she gets into character and show emotion, Nicola said that she tries to feel those emotions for herself and does not use things that make her feel sad to portray that emotion. Alongside her upcoming film, Nicola is also starring in a BBC children's show titled High Hoops, which is due for release in November. It seems that acting has been a life-long dream and now that she no longer competes in the boxing ring, Nicola is now free to pursue her dream. Explaining her new career, Nicola explained to the publication that she simply did not have time to think about acting while boxing. But she claimed that doing Strictly allowed her to try something new. In November of 2020, Nicola was forced to bow out of the BBC dancing show after her partner Katya Jones tested positive for Covid. At the time, the gold medalist said: "I'm absolutely devastated my Strictly journey has come to an end so soon. I had so much more to give and so many people to win this for! But I just want to say a huge thank you to Katya for being the best dance partner anyone could ask for." She added: "I'm gutted to be out of the competition but in these unprecedented times and as frustrating as it is, the Covid measures in place are to keep everyone safe, and I'm doing what I can to help." And you can certainly see why Nicola was left devastated as she had high hopes of winning the coveted glitterball. On the back of the announcement of her joining the 18th series of the show, she told the broadcaster in an interview: " I'm super competitive, so I'll definitely be putting 110% into my training, into performing, because I do want to win. Whether I'll be good enough to win is a completely different question!'
Daily Mail
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Experts: The royal protocol Prince William and George may not follow
Prince George turned 12 on July 22 - an important milestone for the future king in more ways than one. Citing a former royal helicopter pilot, Richard Eden, the Daily Mail's Diary Editor, said: 'When Prince William reached the age of 12, he stopped travelling with his father so they had separate flights. Obviously, that is to guarantee the line of succession. 'It will be very interesting to see whether that's the case with George and William because we know they have travelled together either via plane, helicopter or car.' But this is when Rebecca English, the Daily Mail's Royal Editor, who has been covering the royal beat since 2004, interjected. 'I spoke to the Palace this week,' she said, 'and they were like "Well, it's kind of news to us." 'I get the impression that the family won't be changing their travel arrangements at all.' Jo Elvin, who hosts the hit YouTube show as well as making regular appearances on ITV's Lorraine, was puzzled by the Palace's response. 'I remember being a kid and my father telling me about that as a bit of royal protocol,' she said. 'It's weird.' 'Yeah,' Richard said. 'They don't like talking about security and talking about travel arrangements. But I have to say, I mean, it's not a very tasteful discussion, but it is the future of our royal family and I personally find it very worrying. Look, after the Wales Family, we have Harry and Meghan!' he exclaimed. 'I'm sure this isn't true but there were some rumours that Meghan had said something about "we're only one plane crash away from being on the throne." 'I am sure she didn't as it's a very tasteless comment but the fact is, Prince Harry and Meghan could be on the throne and that is something, I would say, would be a threat to the future of the monarchy.' Pleading to the Wales Family, he said: 'Come on, even though it's not great for the environment, please put George on a separate flight and a separate helicopter from his father. My understanding is that he would still be able to travel with his mother,' Jo added. To which Rebecca replied: 'Yeah, but as I say, I don't think the family will change their travel plans at all.' This does not seem to align with the wishes of King Charles and the late Queen Elizabeth II - both of whom expressed their concerns about the Wales Family flying together. 'Not only do they travel together,' Richard explained, 'Prince William, who is a qualified helicopter pilot, actually flies the helicopter. According to Robert Jobson's book, the King didn't like William flying the whole family and urged him to stop. It is something that Queen Elizabeth expressed her concerns about as well. I think she was always keen to make sure that she did travel separately from the heir-to-the-throne Charles. It is a matter of some importance, I would say,' he added. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams added important historical context as to why this rule was followed so ardently by the late Queen. The experienced royal commentator told MailOnline that the bizarre rule was established following a string of tragic deaths in the family involving aircrafts. 'The unexpected can happen, as with Prince William of Gloucester's tragic death in 1972, though this was in a competition,' Richard said. 'Prince George, Duke of Kent also died in a plane crash in 1942, which has become controversial. Prince Philip's sister, Cecile, died in a plane crash in 1937, giving birth to a stillborn child,' he added. These tragedies have only served to reinforce the Royal Family's belief in ensuring the heirs travel separately. Richard noted that a similar policy exists across the pond where the President never travels by plane with the Vice-President. Whilst this new royal protocol may be one that the Wales Family choose not to follow, it is just one of many rules George and his siblings are subject to. These include always travelling with a change of black clothes should a member of the family die unexpectedly. On top of this, they can never eat shellfish while on a royal tour to avoid food poisoning. For more fascinating insights from the Mail's team of unrivalled experts, watch the latest episode of Palace Confidential in full now, subscribe to the Daily Mail Royals YouTube channel and sign up to the FREE Palace Confidential newsletter.
The Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Sun
Lidl to sell £7.99 dupe of £29.50 Marks & Spencer essential that is perfect for summer holidays
LIDL is selling a £7.99 dupe of a £29.50 Marks & Spencer essential that is perfect for summer holidays. Shoppers can find a trendy pair of sandals from the middle of the aisle for just a fraction of the price of the original version from M&S. Whether you're planning to stroll the streets of a sunny destination or simply want something to slip your feet into on the way to the pool, these shoes are worth the investment. The Esmara Ladies' Brown Sandals will be available for just £7.99 from Lidl. Product details These leather mules from LWG-certified tanneries have moulded footbeds for extra comfort. These EVA soles are also lightweight to ensure all day wear without issue. And the shoe straps also feature buckles for an easily adjusted fit. These sandals are available in women's sizes four through 7.5. Shoppers can find these from the Lidl middle aisle from Sunday, July 27. M&S version A similar version is available at Marks & Spencer for a slightly higher price. The Suede Buckle Footbed Mules are available for £29.50, in both black and khaki. "Add some luxe texture to your favourite sunny day looks with these suede mules," said the product description. Primark's new £10 summer top is the perfect & Other Stories dupe "The easy slip-on design features comfy footbeds set on practical low heels for all-day comfort." Manufacturers described the shoes as "effortlessly stylish" and "easy-to-wear". These shoes are available in women's sizes three through eight. The sandals have received an average rating of 4.6 stars out of five from M&S customers. Shoppers confirmed that the shoes fit true to size. Hottest fashion trends of 2025 Fabulous' Fashion Editor Clemmie Fieldsend shares the biggest trends from the high street. The East/West Bag Baguette bags have had a good run, after returning from the 1990s' shoulders of Sarah Jessica Parker to modern-day fashion icons, like Hailey Bieber. In 2025, the East/West bag is a similar but elongated shape and has long, thin straps that are easy to throw over your shoulder. They've been on runway models' arms at nearly ever designer show - think Burberry, Givenchy and Bottega Veneta - and are hitting the high street now, too. Powder pink Bright fuchsia pink had its day after the release of Barbie in 2023 and now the more polished and expensive-looking pale shade is taking over for 2025. Pantone may say that it's the year of Mocha Mousse, but the catwalks say otherwise! From Prada to Erdem, the subtle look was all over the spring/summer catwalks, worn head-to-toe or on its own. If the sugary shade is too girly for you, then look to sharp suiting for a androgynous take on the colour. The shell jacket The '80s classic is back, but with a sleek and minimal new twist for 2025. We all know we're likely to see rain for most of spring, so your practical coat of choice should be a cagoule jacket. Depop revealed one of its big trend predictions for this year is retro sportswear, with surges already seen in '80s windbreakers'. Seen everywhere from the stylish streets of Copenhagen to the Miu Miu catwalk, now mums who have an emergency raincoat crumpled underneath their pushchair are very much in fashion! The turn-up jeans While the shape of jeans remains the same for this year and barrel-legs will still be everywhere, the way we're styling them is different. This season, transform your wide-leg, baggy denims into turn-ups. For this look, size doesn't matter, so while deep turn-ups are a hit from jean trend-leaders Citizens of Humanity, a slight fold is still just as good - but only as it's just one single fold. Peep-toe shoe Get your pedicures booked in sharpish, as this season your toes are the main event. After a long hiatus, the peep-toe has been welcomed back into the fashion fold, with brands like Hermes, Miu Miu and Tory Burch showing plain and embellished footwear in this style. From mules to pumps and clogs (yes, clogs will be around too!), there are lots of different styles that are set to sweep the high street. Sheer blouses See-through looks have always lived on the catwalk, but have rarely filtered into everyday life - until now. Designers Ralph Lauren and Tom Ford loved sheer looks on their S/S '25 catwalks and M&S even had sellout success with its black sheer pencil skirt last season. Expect to see more sheer looks lining supermarket aisles and high street shops in the form of skirts, tops and frocks. More on fashion buys Plus, the £12 jeans available from Sainsbury's, they're perfect for summer and autumn. Another Sainsbury's fashion buy looks fresh out of the 1920s. The retailer also has a £26 dress that shoppers say is perfect for summer getaways. And an £11 Tesco dress that works "year round" and is super flattering around the arms. Another Tesco printed midi dress is available for £12, it disguises your tummy and is perfect for summer.
