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Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Blue Peter makes history by hiring non-human presenter for the very first time
The BBC's children's show has been on air since 1958 but has made history again with the announcement that canine comedian Hacker T Dog will join the line up. Blue Peter has made history by hiring a non-human presenter. The flagship children's programme is one of the longest-running shows in the world but for the first time in its 67-year history, bosses have opted for a completely different kind of personality to helm the show. acker T Dog, a resident CBBC puppet, will now be part of the on-air team alongside Abby Cook, Joel Mawhinney, Shini Muthukrishnan and Henry the Blue Peter pet dog. The puppet was initially voiced by Andy Heath when he made his debut on the children's network in 2009 as part of the TV show Scoop before Phil Fletcher took over a few months later, and has been a mainstay on-screen ever since. Over the years, the puppet has undertaken general hosting duties on the channel and even featured as a guest presenter on Blue Peter in the past. Announcing the news of his full-time position on the programme, he said: 'It's dead exciting! Thank you for letting me aboard the mighty ship Blue Peter. I am privileged, nay proud, to be involved in this fine institution and top-notch show. That's right folks, it's me Hacker The Dog, national treasure, and new Blue Peter presenter.' Hacker, who also featured in his own show Hacker Time from 2011 until 2016, is the 44th presenter to land a coveted spot on the prestigious programme. Puppeteer Phil also spoke of how he grew up with Blue Peter and is "thrilled" to join the team. Hacker has so far taken part in festive specials for Blue Peter, Red Nose Day and Children in Need shows, and also presented several 'Here's One I Made Earlier' craft segments. The puppet has also interviewed huge celebrities for the station, having spoken to the likes of Little Mix, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Jack Black and John Cena amongst a host of others over the years. In the very early days of the programme, it was fronted by Christopher Trace and Leila Williams before John Noakes established himself as the longest-serving presenter with a 12-year stint throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Janet Ellis, mother of pop star Sophie Ellis-Bextor, was also a notable member of the on air-team in its early decades, having fronted the at the end of the 1970s and on into the 1980s. In later years, the series made a star out of Konnie Huq when she became the longest-serving female presenter over a period of nine years from 1997 until 2008. TV favourite Helen Skelton appeared on the famous desk shortly after making her debut on CBBC show Newsround and then went on to host Countryfile in the years before she competed on Strictly Come Dancing. Hacker will join current presenters in the new look Blue Peter studio from Friday 5 September. To mark his debut as presenter number 44, Hacker will take viewers on a special tour of his hometown, Wigan, highlighting its most iconic spots. Sarah Muller, BBC Senior Head of Children's Commissioning +7, said: 'Audiences already love Hacker's guest appearances on Blue Peter, and now he's officially joining the team this September as we unveil the show's fresh new look. Viewers can expect plenty of mischief from the one-and-only Hacker T Dog.' Blue Peter airs on CBBC, BBC Two, Sign Zone and BBC iPlayer.
Metro
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Coronation Street bosses issue warning to fans over 'sophisticated' soaps scam
Coronation Street has issued warnings to fans in a social media statement. It has become known to people behind the scenes at the soap that fans are falling victim to another type of scam. Back at the start of this year, both Corrie and Emmerdale accounts shared on social media platform X that scammers were pretending to be stars from the shows. The statement said: 'Please be aware that actors from both Coronation Street and Emmerdale are currently being impersonated by scammers across all social media platforms. 'No cast member will ever directly request money for messages, meetings or any kind of personal interaction on social media. 'We are aware these sophisticated impersonations can include deep-fake footage (where it appears to be the actor talking but isn't) and personal messages which seem to be realistic and in character. We urge everybody to be vigilant. Please report any concerns to the relevant platform.' They concluded: 'The legitimate way of meeting with real members of the cast is via official 'meet and greet' events run by ITV Star Tours.' This time, audience members are being targeted by con artists pretending to be from the Coronation Street casting department. It's also known that fans of Emmerdale are being approached too. To warn people about the cruel trick, the Corrie X account once again shared a message online, this time saying: 'We are aware that there are some accounts impersonating the Casting department at Coronation Street on social media platforms. 'Our Casting team only uses official methods of communication, this does not involve direct messages on Twitter or any other social media. 'Please be careful when communicating online and report any concerns to the relevant platform.' Early next year, Coronation Street and Emmerdale will collaborate in a special episode that sees both worlds crossover. More Trending The soaps revealed in May that the one-off special edition will mark a new broadcast pattern that will launch in 2026. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! It was announced earlier this year that both serial dramas will air in what has been dubbed as a 'power hour' from 8pm, Monday to Friday. Ultimately it means that both shows will lose a half an hour episode per week. This event is the first time that soap worlds have collided in an official capacity – though we have seen small crossovers for Children in Need and to highlight climate change in the past. View More » Producers have confirmed that the episode will be marked in 'spectacular style', with production teams from Leeds and Trafford working together to achieve an 'ambitious' stunt' that will have 'everlasting consequences' for the communities of Weatherfield and Emmerdale. MORE: Harry Potter star's new TV show with trans icon is coming out imminently MORE: 'Most loved' ITV star set to make series return after 2 year absence MORE: ITV responds to claims that Coronation Street and Emmerdale will merge
Metro
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
ITV responds to claims that Coronation Street and Emmerdale will merge
ITV has responded to the claims Coronation Street and Emmerdale are going to merge. Recently, rumours and comments started to circulate that both soaps could potentially work together. It was suggested that this could happen in Salford to cut production costs, but this will not be happening. The response from the channel comes after former Director of Television Peter Fincham suggested that Emmerdale could move from Yorkshire. He said that the soap would still be set there, but made in Manchester. 'You've got Coronation Street being made in Manchester, Emmerdale in Leeds', he said on the podcast Insiders: The TV Podcast with TV producer Jimmy Mulville. 'Could you imagine, rather like the daytime daytime consolidation, that ITV will decide to have them both made in the same place under one umbrella? Big savings. It could be made in Manchester and Salford, which is a bigger hub for ITV.' Responding to these claims, a spokesperson for ITV cleared everything up and told Metro: 'ITV has no plans to merge the productions of Coronation Street and Emmerdale. 'Both are uniquely set in Manchester and Leeds, and that production model will continue for the long term. It's pure speculation to say otherwise.' Coronation Street and Emmerdale will crossover next year, for one episode. It was announced earlier this year that both serial dramas will air in what has been dubbed as a 'power hour' from 8pm, Monday to Friday. Ultimately it means that both shows will lose a half an hour episode per week. More Trending This event is the first time that soap worlds have collided in an official capacity – though we have seen small crossovers for Children in Need and to highlight climate change in the past. Want to be the first to hear shocking EastEnders spoilers? Who's leaving Coronation Street? The latest gossip from Emmerdale? Join 10,000 soaps fans on Metro's WhatsApp Soaps community and get access to spoiler galleries, must-watch videos, and exclusive interviews. Simply click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can see when we've just dropped the latest spoilers! Producers have confirmed that the episode will be marked in 'spectacular style', with production teams from Leeds and Trafford working together to achieve an 'ambitious' stunt' that will have 'everlasting consequences' for the communities of Weatherfield and Emmerdale. An 'ingenious' way of merging the two has been devised by those behind the scenes, although it's understood that the characters will then return to their respective environments after the ep. View More » Forever linked together, familiar faces will depart while some fresh new faces will arrive in both soaps. MORE: TV soap star Chris Robinson dies aged 86 MORE: Watching Blu reject Alima, it's obvious Love Island has failed Black women – again MORE: Coronation Street legends who played iconic duo reunite in new snap
Metro
04-06-2025
- Business
- Metro
Former BBC studios where EastEnders was filmed riddled with asbestos
A crumbling production complex where EastEnders and other iconic BBC TV shows have been filmed has been found to be riddled with asbestos. A pre-demolition survey of BBC Elstree Centre — sold to investment giant AXA IM Alts — shows that the substance is present across the buildings. Asbestos material was found in studios, a restaurant, the Central Technical Area, Hart House, the historic Fairbanks, a maintenance building and Neptune House, where Holby City was filmed. The new owners commissioned the survey as they turn the world-famous site in Borehamwood, north west London, into a film-making complex meeting modern standards. At the Art Deco-style studios where EastEnders, Children in Need and the BBC's General Election coverage have been filmed, the material was found in more than 150 different places. One sample was taken from insulation within a wall void and given a high priority classification. The inspectors found that the material was likely to be 'easily disturbed' and flagged it as 'remove.' Another sample taken from a restaurant block was classed as 'high priority'. However the material, used for thermal insulation, was judged 'usually inaccessible or unlikely to be disturbed.' Another sample was taken from stairs on the ground floor of studios M and C, according to the document released this week. The presence of the material was judged 'low risk' but Asbestos Consultants Europe Ltd recommended it be removed. AXA IM Alts said in January 2024 that it had exchanged contracts with the BBC for the 16-acre campus, with the deal due to be completed early this year. EastEnders will remain in an already modernised part of the site under a deal between the old and new owners to lease back part of the studio campus over the next 25 years. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The investment company has said in a planning application that 'the existing premises are no longer fit for purpose' and the redevelopment 'will boost the Elstree film industry.' The buyers, who are working with Oxygen Studios on the plans, intend to create a major new film and TV production complex with modern day requirements able to attract large-scale productions. The new development has been named Fairbanks Studios in tribute to actor Douglas Fairbanks, who leased studios on the site in 1952. The report was carried out to protect workers and others from 'asbestos containing materials' which might be unknowingly disturbed during demolition work. A spokesperson for AXA IM Alts said: 'We are fully aware of the presence of asbestos on the site which is common in old buildings and those that have been added to during their lifespan. More Trending 'These buildings are not currently in use and have not been occupied since we acquired them. 'Our development plans to transform the site into a fit for purpose, modern media campus already account for the safe removal of any asbestos using experts in this field and according to current regulations.' The BBC forwarded a request for comment from Metro to AXA IM Alts. Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Elstree & Borehamwood: Tinseltown's less glamorous movie twin put EastEnders, Star Wars and Indiana Jones on the map MORE: BBC show branded 'completely unwatchable' triggers complaint from epilepsy group MORE: BBC releases Match of the Day 'porn noises' report it tried to keep secret
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Strictly's Karen Hauer addresses show future after swipe at co-stars over complaints
Strictly's Karen Hauer addresses show future after swipe at co-stars over complaints Strictly Come Dancing's longest-serving female professional dancer Karen Hauer shared what she doesn't like about some of her co-stars, as she prepares for her fourteenth series Strictly's Karen Hauer is keen for a role on the judging panel Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hauer says she is keen to get a job on the judging panel, following 13 years on the show. The 43-year-old is the BBC programme's longest-serving professional dancer of the current line-up, having joined in 2012. While she will be back on the dance floor for her fourteenth series this year, Karen admits she's been eyeing up other roles. In particular, she is keen to give critique to her co-stars alongside current judges; Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood. Quizzed on her future path, she shared: "I'd love to do a little bit of everything, you know, acting, hopefully, you never know, judging on Strictly. "You know, judging anywhere else in any other country in another language, I speak Spanish if anyone wants to take me," she added, laughing. Article continues below "Who knows? Writing a book, doing stuff, and also being with the community, being with people, helping children dance and helping adults dance and discover themselves from the inside." Strictly's Karen Hauer with her 2024 partner Paul Merson Quizzed further on a potential job on the judging panel by Paul C Brunson, she added: "Someone has to leave first, that's not happening," before joking: "Just put an extra chair for me." Discussing the competitive nature on the show, Karen said she tries her hardest to get the best out of her celebrity dance partners, whether they can dance or not. Just some of her dance partners have included; comedian Chris Ramsey, chef Simon Rimmer, Heart Radio's Mark Wright, and more recently, former footballer Paul Merson. Karen is yet to win the main competition, though has won a Children in Need special of Strictly with athlete Lutalo Muhammad. On whether anyone plays dirty behind-the-scenes, the professional dancer said this wasn't the case, though took issue with those who "complain a lot". Strictly's Karen Hauer took a swipe at co-stars who 'complain a lot' She shared on Paul's We Need To Talk podcast: "I'm like, ugh, stop complaining, you know, it is what it is, it's a show, it's a show! "You don't talk back to the judges, they're doing their job. Listen, don't get me wrong, there's times where I'm like, what did you just say back to me? "Like, keep it in Karen, don't let that New Yorker out, smile just smile, it's a show, it's entertainment, don't take anything personally because that's when it starts hurting." For the upcoming 2025 series, Karen returns to the dance floor alongside; reigning champion Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Aljaž Škorjanec, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola. Article continues below Earlier this year, the BBC announced that two brand new professional dancers will also be revealed closer to the return of the show, as will the new line-up of celebrities hoping to win the Glitterball trophy.
