Comedy duo's huge Sky show is axed after just one series following ratings flop
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
HE built a comedy career out of mocking the press, now Nish Kumar has seen his own bid at being a newspaper reporter fall at the first hurdle.
The comedian joined fellow funnyman Josh Widdicombe on Hold the Front Page, which last aired in 2024, which saw them see what it was like to be a hack.
1
Comedians Josh Widdicombe and Nish Kumar on Hold the Front Page
But after a pretty mediocre response to the six-part show, bosses at Sky Max have decided to drop the axe - with no plans for another season.
A TV insider said: "The irony of the scenario is not lost on the creative team behind the show, because as a comedian involved in satire Josh is often making swipes at the media.
"But he got a taste of what its like to have to report on what's going on and realised just what a tough job it can be - particularly when you have to start out in the local press."
Nish, best known for fronting The Mash Report on BBC Two, joined all-round funnyman Josh on a jaunt round the country where they found themselves in multiple newspaper offices.
It included stopping off in Bradford to spend time on the city's Telegraph & Argus where they reported on everything from a church of wrestling to extra hot curries and the local opera scene.
They also visited Josh's home county of Devon where they got down and dirty on the mud to report for The Moorlander newspaper, bringing news to over 100,000 people in the area.
They also went on the hunt of an escaped prisoner and attended a local sci-fi convention.
The duo even ended up in sunny Benidorm where they worked on the Euro News bringing stories to expats wanting to keep informed.
But the reviews and the viewing figures were generally poor and their brief foray into journalism has now come to an abrupt end.
Shame.
Sky were approached for comment.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Scott Mills, 51, reveals he's finally financially secure and has 'made it' months after taking over BBC Radio 2's breakfast show from Zoe Ball
Scott Mills has revealed he's finally 'financially secure' feels like he's 'made it' after landing Zoe Ball 's gig on BBC Radio 2. The DJ, 51, took over hosting the highly esteemed breakfast show on from Zoe, 54, in January. Speaking about his career, Scott told The Telegraph how he's finally learned to say 'no' to work after years of missing sleep for various gigs. He said: 'I still feel insecurity a little bit. 'I also think that's because I work in an industry where you don't signup thinking this is a job for life. Contracts can end, radio stations get taken over, and then they decide "we don't have a lot for you". That's happened to a lot of people I know. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'Through my 20s, 30s and even 40s, if I was offered work, I'd take it, sometimes at a risk to my health. 'I was working way too much, because my mindset was that you don't know when it might end.' Scott continued: 'There was one freshers' week where my schedule for playing in student unions was: Monday: Aberdeen, Tuesday: Glasgow, Wednesday: Edinburgh. 'I would do my show in London, fly to Scotland, do the gig around midnight, stay over with four hours sleep, fly back, do the show in London, repeat. 'I took every opportunity for 20 years and actually, I don't really want to any more. I enjoyed it, but life is different now.' After a career spanning three decades, Scott now finally believes he's 'made it', following his promotion by BBC bosses in January. He said: 'For the first time, I really do believe in myself. 'It's like, "you have to look at the facts. They've put you on the breakfast show, you must be doing something right".' Scott was previously reported to be taking a small pay rise for presenting the show, earning approximately £450,000 a year which is far below Zoe's £950,000. The dramatic pay difference comes as BBC bosses are under 'enormous pressure' to cut back on costs. Scott defended his salary and said he had been 'playing the long game' his whole life to reach this point. Zoe left the breakfast show to focus on family and admitted how she wouldn't miss the 4am wake up calls that come with anchoring the flagship slot. She said at the time: 'I've decided it's time to step away from the early alarm call and start a new chapter. 'We've shared a hell of a lot, the good times, the tough times, there's been a lot of laughter. And I am going to miss you cats.'
Metro
12 hours ago
- Metro
British TV legend ditches showbiz after starring in iconic 90s BBC show
She starred in a hit BBC drama alongside future household names Andrew Lincoln and Jack Davenport, but these days, BAFTA-winning actress Daniela Nardini is a qualified and practising psychotherapist. The Scottish actress originally played ambitious lawyer Anna Forbes in the BBC Two series This Life, which first aired in 1996. Its story followed the fortunes of law graduates and housemates as they attempted to launch their careers in a London law firm. Anna starred opposite future Walking Dead star Andrew Lincoln and Pirates of the Caribbean actor Jack Davenport, along with Amita Dhiri and Jason Hughes. The show received a second series in 1997, followed by a sequel TV movie in 2007 titled This Life +10. Daniela, 57, won great acclaim (and a Bafta!) for her role as Anna, but these days spends her time running her own CBT practice in Glasgow, Scotland. Prior to scoring her breakthrough role in This Life, Daniela appeared in three episodes of Scottish crime drama Taggart. She was on the verge of giving up acting when she was cast as Anna in This Life – a role for which she won the first of two BAFTAs. 'That character made such an impact. We hadn't really seen many young women like that portrayed on television. I don't think people of my generation have ever really let go of that,' she told the BBC in 2020. The second BAFTA followed in 2009, for her performance in the BBC Four drama New Town. She went on to appear in episodes of Vera, Waterloo Road, The Fades, and Bob Servant Independent, with her last credited acting role coming in 2019, with the short film Duck Daze. Taking a break from acting, she went on to become a practising artist while studying for her future career as a mental health professional. These days, Daniela's life is quite different – working as a qualified and practising psychotherapist at her own CBT practice. At £50 a session, her top specialities include Depression, Anxiety and Behavioural Issues, as well as other issues, such as Cancer, Divorce and Addiction. Her profile on Psychology Today begins: 'I have worked as an actress for over 35 years. 'This has been an invaluable education for me to study what it is to be human and how we can all suffer at times and feel misunderstood and lonely. 'I myself have struggled at times. My practice involves helping you gain insight, clarity and believe it or not humour at times. I don't shock easily so I won't judge.' These struggles include the death of her father in 2015, followed by a divorce and her cancer diagnosis in 2018. In 2020, she told The Daily Mail how she had endured 'the worst five years of her life,' adding: 'I went through a very dark period. Sometimes I wonder if it was all the emotional stuff I was going through that caused my cancer.' 'A couple of years down the road, I now feel as if I've emerged stronger and a better person, really. Anna would be proud.' While Daniela decided to 'take a break' from acting, her co-stars from the show are keeping their hands in. After starring as Jason Hughes, Warren Jones went on to star opposite John Nettles in Midsomer Murders for eight series before appearing in episodes of Death in Paradise and Marcella. Following This Life, Jack starred in the cult sitcom Coupling before heading to Hollywood for roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and Kingsman: The Secret Service. More Trending Amita Dhiri, meanwhile, recently appeared as housekeeper Mrs Khanna in the Netflix hit Bridgerton. As This Life's most successful alumnus, Andrew went on to appear in the 2003 romcom Love Actually (contributing its most iconic scene) and as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead. Reflecting on his role in the Richard Curtis-directed romcom, Andrew said: 'I got to be this weird stalker guy. View More » 'My big scene in the doorway felt so easy. I just had to hold cards and be in love with Keira Knightley. And that was my own handwriting on the cards. Thank you for noticing.' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 'I'm the first trans man on a UK gay dating show – I feel validated' MORE: Doctor Who fans in disbelief over 'disrespect' of iconic star Jenna Coleman MORE: 'I had to snort pure glucose': Inside BBC's outstanding 80s crime drama
Daily Mirror
16 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Sir Nick Faldo takes swipe at UK while bragging about Donald Trump friendship
Multimillionaire golfer Nick Faldo, who was knighted for services to sport, told how he has no plans to return to Britain after taking a recent stroll down Eton High Street Sir Nick Faldo has criticised the UK using one of the nation's wealthiest high streets to attack his homeland while simultaneously praising life in his pal Donald Trump's America. The multimillionaire golfer, who was knighted for services to sport, told how he has no plans to return to Britain after taking a recent stroll down Eton High Street. 'We walked down Eton High Street because we used to live near there and it's looking a bit rough,' he said. 'You know, things have gone down. The shops are closing, there's boarded up windows and I'm disappointed to see that the country is struggling, to be honest. And, I mean, that's a shame.' The six-time major winner then boasted about his friendship with Trump before praising his adopted America, where he lives with his fourth wife, Lindsay De Marco. The former topless dancer is an ardent fan of the controversial president, often posting her support of him on the couple's Instagram page. When asked about Trump's America, Faldo, 67, told the Telegraph: 'You've got to say the attitude [in the US] is good. It's back to the good old psychology of life. You've got to be seeing good things and saying good things. Self-hypnosis is really powerful, you know?' His gushing praise of Trump's leadership came as America is currently teetering on the edge of recession, where grocery prices are spiralling due to the US leader's unhinged tariffs, and democracy is under siege from the president's attacks. Despite accepting a knighthood and continuing to use the 'Sir' title, Faldo said he has no intention of returning to the UK, choosing instead to spend his time in Montana, where he lives on a farm with his wife. Last year, the couple attended a Trump campaign rally during which the US leader spoke about the golfer while on stage. Addressing supporters in August, he said: "This guy is a major golfer. He is a major friend of mine. One of the best ever. They knighted him in England or the UK. And he just knew how to win. He could take people, he'd play the best players in the world, and they always folded in front of him. In fact, I think I need to bring him into government 'cause we like to get other people to fold. And his nickname is Foldo (sic) because he makes everyone, but his name is Faldo. Nick Faldo and his beautiful wife, Lyndsay. Where is Nick?" Trump then turned to point to the retired golfer who was sitting several rows back from the podium. "That guy can play golf," Trump added. "He's won six majors and many, many tournaments, and he's one of the greatest golfers ever. It's an honour, as a golfer. You are a piece of work. He's a tough cookie, too. You talk about a tough cookie. That's a tough cookie." Now, Faldo has spoken about his friendship with Trump, boasting about their relationship. 'He always calls me Nicky,' the golfer said of the businessman, recalling the frequency of their conversations. 'So when I started TV, out of the blue, a Monday after a tournament, I remember I was down hitting golf balls, and it's Donald, back when he was just a businessman,' he added. ''Nicky,'' Faldo said, impersonating Trump. Nicky, how did he blow that tournament? You wouldn't have done that, Nicky. You'd have done this, you'd have done that, Nicky.' Over ten years, that happened two or three times a year out of the blue.' Faldo revelled in the idea of calling Trump, treating the president as a party trick. 'For fun, I could be anywhere in the world and if somebody was talking about this and that, I'd say: 'I'll call him'. And I always get through. Honestly. One hundred per cent of the time,' he said. He went on to reveal an anecdote about ignoring a phone call from the president during the 2019 Masters, while on live television. 'It's the 2019 Masters. Tiger's just won... one of the ladies from CBS leans over to me and goes, 'I have a call from the president of the United States for you, sir...'' 'I say, 'Oh, tell him to call me on Monday.' She goes, 'no, it's the president of the United States'. It's fine, tell him that I'm busy, I'm on with (sports presenter Jim) Nantz!.' So anyway, about 4pm... my phone rings and I've got the president of the United States on the line. I've got Donald saying, 'Nicky, Nicky, how did he win this? How did he win this? How did he do that?' I go back: 'Do you realise that I'm live on flipping TV. Do you mind?' So my claim to fame is that he called two golfers on that day, and Tiger was second.' Faldo's praise for Trump comes as the president's bizarre tariffs hammer US households and his administration flouts laws and the constitution to impose the US leader's will. His wife has made no secret of her love for the former businessman, often posting on social media her support. Last year, following a failed assassination attempt on Trump, she posted a picture of him as he raised his hand in defiance. She wrote alongside the picture: "This is the only man I want leading our country." Before Joe Biden dropped out of the race, she often criticised the then-US leader. She has long held conservative views. Her fifth of seven husbands was multi-millionaire US businessman Scott Sangalli. As Mrs Sangalli, the couple, who were close to failed Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, used his wealth to support the Republican party while indulging Lindsay in her love of politics. Thirteen years ago, after running for office herself, she won the title of Mrs Conservative US. On winning the title, Lindsay, who is a convicted drug felon, said: "One side or size doesn't fit all, and the liberal agenda isn't for everyone. "The pageant sends out the message to women that being a conservative woman or young lady is a choice like any other. If it's their choice, then they should embrace it, and the Conservative US Pageant is the perfect place to showcase conservative women of all ages and to celebrate conservatism in America."
