Latest news with #CITV
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Art Attack star looks completely unrecognisable after huge career change
Art Attack's Neil Buchanan became a household name when he began hosting the popular children's TV show in 1990, but he looks very different nowadays - 18 years since the show was axed Neil Buchanan, famed for his stint on CITV's Art Attack, is hardly recognisable in recent photos. The artist became a household name 17 years ago when he started presenting Art Attack, a children's TV programme that aired from 1990 to 2007. The much-loved show taught kids how to create art pieces and provided tips for home creativity. Art Attack enjoyed a remarkable run of 19 series, including six Christmas specials and various other shorts and specials. ITV sadly declared its cancellation in July 2007, but reruns continued until 30 May 2011. Now aged 68, Neil went on to present shows like Finders Keepers, Animal Crazy, and It's a Mystery. However, he soon left the television world to concentrate on his music career. Neil, originally from Aintree, Liverpool, was part of a heavy metal band named Marseille, which was established in 1976. The band released four albums and six singles during their time together, even touring America and performing alongside Judas Priest, Nazareth and Whitesnake. Marseille made a comeback in 2009 with a performance at The Cavern Club in Liverpool. However, lead singer Nigel Roberts announced in 2017 that Neil had left the band due to his consultancy work for children's television. Neil remains active in the art world and has his own website showcasing his art collections and photography. Fans can snap up fine art prints from the erstwhile TV sensation online. The former star's artwork has been a hot topic for ages, and in 2020, he had to put an end to whispers claiming that he was the mysterious street artist Banksy. His website made it clear with a statement: "Neil Buchanan ISN'T Banksy. We have been inundated with enquiries over the weekend regarding the current social media story. Unfortunately this website does not have the infrastructure to answer all these enquiries individually, however we can confirm that there is no truth in the rumour whatsoever." The message went on to say: "Neil spent Lockdown with vulnerable members of his family and is now preparing to launch his new art collection in 2021. Thank you and please stay safe." Rumours about Art Attack's grand return to our screens in 2025 have been doing the rounds, though nothing official has been confirmed. The rumour mill even churned out tales of comedian Romesh Ranganathan taking the helm, which he firmly shot down during a chat on The One Show in September. He clarified: "Thank you for asking me that, I'm not. I'm not bringing back Art Attack, what I have done though is been subjected to terrible levels of online abuse," affirming further, "I just want to say to the camera, I am not doing Art Attack. I'm not replacing Neil Buchanan, I respect what he did. I would never step on his legacy in that way! Please stop at'ing me, alright."
Metro
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Stephen Mulhern leaves lucrative £1,000,000 presenting gig after 3 years
Stephen Mulhern has wrapped up a lucrative £1,000,000 deal. Since starting his career at CITV hosting the children's TV show Finger Tips from 2001 from 2004, he's since gone on to present Britain's Got More Talent, Catchphrase, In for a Penny, Deal or No Deal and Dancing on Ice. However earlier this year the ice skating show, which first launched in 2006, was pulled by ITV. A few months on Stephen, 48, has confirmed he's stepping away from another major project. Starting when he was a child, Stephen began public magic performances at 11-years-old, performing at Butlin's Minehead during family holidays. He was also a Redcoat for two years. Over the past three years he's also returned to the seaside resort chain, performing at Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness. However, after he carries out a series of sell-out shows the summer, he won't be continuing his contract. A source previously explained: 'Stephen has been a massive hit with holidaymakers. He began his career as a Redcoat and has kept families brilliantly entertained.' In a statement to Metro, his representatives added: 'Stephen has absolutely loved being part of the Butlins family – performing his stage shows in front of thousands of holiday makers across the country and the relationship with Butlins remains hugely positive. 'This change allows Stephen to explore new opportunities in the family holiday space – something he's incredibly passionate about.' Stephen's final show – Out of this World – will celebrate his 25 year-career in showbiz with 'new illusions, new games, and new shenanigans'. Speaking ahead of the shows, he spoke about his love for performing at the resort. 'The answer is simple. Butlin's gave me my very first break into the entertainment industry. I was a Redcoat in Minehead for two years and I've never looked back,' he said. 'I owe a lot to Butlin's and that's why I love coming back and performing here.' In the past year, Stephen has faced the axing of two of his programmes – Dancing on Ice and In for a Penny. However, he will soon be back with new seasons of Catchphrase, Deal or No Deal, You Bet and the travel show, The Accidental Tourist. That series will see him pushed out of his comfort zone, travelling Asia under the guidance of Ant and Dec. Speaking about the upcoming release to the Daily Mirror, Stephen explained how difficult the experience was at times. 'No one's ever seen me cry on the telly, but it was quite nice to not be behind a format, I've never done that. You're going to see behind the razzle-dazzle if you like'. 'They film and they film, and they film and they just get everything. I think what you're going to see is a lot of emotion. You'll see me totally out of my comfort zone. More Trending 'My dad had just passed away, so that's the only thing. I'm gutted that he didn't see it,' he added. After his father Christopher died in November, one of the presenters' spokespeople explained how Stephen had been facing 'an incredibly tough time over the past few weeks'. Not long after he was rushed to hospital after collapsing in a Pizza Express, but fans were reassured he was 'recovering' soon after. View More » Metro has contacted representatives for Stephen Mulhern for comment. 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.
Daily Record
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'I was one of the most recognisable faces on TV but I gave it all up to become a teacher'
A face many people grew up with on CBBC and CITV Michael Underwood left his life in front of camera to become a primary school teacher in South West London An icon of children's TV in the late 90s and early 00s Michael Underwood hosted many of the shows a generation grew up on but after work started to dry up he made the incredible decision to re-train and start a very different life. Having almost fallen into presenting after finding a call out for audition tapes while working at a radio station, Michael went on to host some classic kids' TV shows from Jungle Run to Ministry of Mayhem. But it wasn't just kids' TV, he was also a regular entertainment reporter for GMTV and Good Morning Britain. Aside from presenting, the 39-year-old appeared on some big reality shows, including Dancing on Ice, Celebrity MasterChef and All Star Mr and Mrs with his wife, presenter and Celebrity Big Brother star Angellica Bell, who also hosted classic children's shows such as Xchange, 50/50 and That's Genius!. The couple live a relatively normal life in a five-bedroom Victorian semi-detached house in Kingston-upon-Thames, London, with their two children, a son and daughter. But despite his success eventually the jobs dried up, he explained to The Mirror: "The phone stopped ringing. It's just not a nice place to be in. I needed to make a decision. "I thought you know what, I've got my teaching degree, I've got 20 years in broadcasting behind me, maybe I can take that skill set and put it to good use. Help build children's confidence, help them with their oracy, and their presenting skills. That's when I thought: 'Yeah, let's grab the bull by the horns and maybe take a step out into a different career'." He first began teaching part-time for two days a week at Surbiton High Boy's Prep School, teaching Year 4 drama. That was until 2019 when he moved into a role as a form teacher. But in September last year after completing his full teaching degree he moved into a full-time role at King's College School in Wimbledon. He added: "I never grew up wanting to be a television presenter, acting's what I loved but my family could never afford to send me to drama school. "My mum was a nursery nurse, my sister was a nursery nurse, so working with children was in the family. It was my mum who actually said: 'Why don't you think of doing drama as a teaching degree, specialise in that and you've got something to fall back on if the acting doesn't work out.'"
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
'I was a huge children's TV star in the 1990s but now people recognise me for something very different'
Many kids in the 80s and 90s grew up with T-Bag, but now a whole new generation is growing up with one of it's characters For a generation of kids growing up in the 1980s and '90s, John Hasler was a household name, instantly recognisable as the mischievous magical-tea-brewing-sidekick 'T-shirt' in the hugely popular CITV series T-Bag. Yet while the iconic colourful attire and whacky plot of the show is a distant memory for many, Hasler's voice is still heard by millions - although not as you might expect. His breakout show first aired in 1985 when he was just 11-years-old. It followed a witch-like character who obtained magical powers from drinking the special drink but is incapable of brewing it properly, in-steps their assistant T-shirt who does it for them in return for a share of their magical powers. The series would usually begin with T-Bag trying to increase her power and to stop her, the girl in the series would have to collect artefacts from across space and time before T-bag could find them. Despite his role working for the "baddie" T-Shirt acted as more of a hero, sneaking behind his boss often helping the girl to foil his boss's plans. He was the only actor to be in all nine seasons of the show, first being a young boy before growing up to be a teenager that towered over his witch-boss. Long after T-Bag brewed its last magical potion in 1992, Hasler has become somewhat famed for his work as a voice actor in TV and shows across the UK, lending his voice to a whole host of characters you may have heard but would have never related back to T-Shirt. Despite no longer being a routine of a Saturday morning, Hasler's career has taken him from the fictional Pride Lands of Africa to voicing a beloved train. For many younger fans today, unaware of the magical time-travelling adventures captured on T-Bag, Hasler is the voice bringing Thomas the Tank Engine alive for English audiences around the world in the widely popular Thomas and Friends. Speaking to Red Carpet News on playing Thomas, Hasler said: "Thomas is an enduring character so it makes it even more pressurised to play the lead role, you think 'oh my gosh lots of people have loved this character for a long time' and to take on the mantel is an extreme privilege." But his performances aren't kept to the tracks, Hasler has also made his mark on the stage, voicing the beloved meerkat Timon in the hugely successful West End adaptation of The Lion King, touring around the UK voicing the iconic animal original played by Nathan Lane. The 51-year-old also appeared in the teen-drama the Renford Rejects as well as classic BBC soap Casualty. He continued his voice work after joining the cast of Fireman Sam in 2012, voicing Sam's nephew James Jones.
The Irish Sun
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Holly Willoughby in show U-turn as its confirmed she WILL return to ITV programme for another series – but with a twist
A U-TURN will see Holly Willoughby return to an ITV programme for another series - but with a twist. Holly, 44, has 4 Holly Willoughby will return to a hit ITV show - with a twist Credit: Rex 4 She and Stephen fronted a You Bet! revival last year Credit: ITV 4 Stephen is continuing on as solo presenter - but fans haven't seen the last of Holly Credit: ITV Last year, she and Stephen Mulhern co-hosted Although the show is coming back for a second series, Holly You Bet! viewers will see the star again nonetheless - as she's appearing as a guest panelist this time around. Renamed You Bet! On Tour, Stephen will take over solo hosting duties for the second outing. Read more on Holy Willoughby Also confirmed for guest appearances are Rob Beckett, Josh Widdicombe, Each instalment of the seven-episode series - including a Christmas special - will take place a different location across the country. Once again, the celebrity panel must decide whether or not challengers will complete their task. Last month, Stephen Most read in News TV Chatting to TV Biz, he said: 'I'm gutted she's not doing You Bet! with me, but I've had time to think about it and Bruce Forsyth was the first person to do You Bet! and he did it on his own. 'Matthew Kelly made it the best show on the telly. You Bet fans complain as iconic show fronted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern returns with missing feature 'And every time I've been interviewed and they say, 'What show would you bring back?', I've always said 'You Bet!'. 'So maybe it happened for a reason. We've filmed one episode already without Holly, and it felt very comfortable. Maybe it is just a one-presenter show. "I don't know what happened. She just said, 'Look, sorry, I can't do it'. She told me face to face. She said, 'Look, I'm gutted but it's all over'." The pair's other show, Dancing on Ice was Stephen Mulhern's career so far The presenter is a mainstay on various ITV shows, but how did he become one of Britain's most well-known faces? After performing at Butlins, he became the youngest member of the Magic Circle and even made an appearance on Blue Peter in a piece about Harry Houdini. His career started in Children's TV when he presenter the show Finger Tips in 2001. After four years, he launched Tricky TV on CITV in 2005, which he presented until 2010. During this time, he was handpicked by bosses to front the ITV2 spin-off for Britain's Got Talent. He presented But it's not all bad news for Stephen who is known for his duties on a number of quiz shows. In for a Penny, a format originally launched on Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway was launched the same year. Before, he was chosen by bosses to host Other huge shows he presented for ITV included He also made regular appearances on This Morning in 'The Hub' segment between 2011 and 2014. After the Philip Schofield scandal rocked ITV, he was chosen to reunite with his former CITV co-star Holly Willoughby as the host of Dancing on Ice. It came as Coronation Street's Sam Aston - aka Chesney Brown - An ITV Spokesperson said: "Following another successful series earlier this year, Dancing On Ice will be rested in 2026 with no current plans for another series. "We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the cast and crew who have worked on the show since 2006, and over the previous 17 series, for all of their hard work both on and off the ice." You Bet! airs on ITV1 and ITVX. 4 Holly is returning to You Bet! in a different capacity Credit: PA
