All posts tagged: Contestant

Big Brother contestant Charlotte had “unforeseen issue”, ITV says

Big Brother contestant Charlotte had “unforeseen issue”, ITV says

Published by Daniella Wilson

ITV has responded after Big Brother housemate Charlotte Nott ran into trouble making her entrance during Sunday’s launch show, saying the moment was caused by an “unforeseen issue with her shoe” rather than any lack of preparation. Nott, an 18-year-old student from Oxford and a quadruple amputee, was introduced to viewers for the first time on the ITV2 launch on Sunday 13 September, in which she spoke about losing her hands and feet to meningitis at the age of three. As she made her way towards the house, cameras showed her struggling with her footwear before host Will Best went over to help. Charlotte was heard saying she needed to take off her prosthetic legs, and when she was next seen being interviewed by Best and co-host AJ Odudu she was without them. “My shoe came off, I’m so sorry, I had to take my legs off,” she told the hosts, with Odudu telling her she had “nothing to apologise for”. The moment prompted questions among some viewers about how accessible the house was, while …

Who is Melanie Walters? From Gavin & Stacey star to Strictly contestant

Who is Melanie Walters? From Gavin & Stacey star to Strictly contestant

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Melanie Walters may be best known for playing widowed matriarch Gwen West on the hit BBC comedy Gavin & Stacey. Now, it seems that Stacey’s “mam” has got it going on – over on the dancefloor, at least, as the Welsh actor prepares to compete in the 24th series of Strictly Come Dancing. Walters, 64, features in the BBC reality series’ new lineup alongside Love Island star Dani Dyer, musician Delta Goodrem, and former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips. It will mark the first series since the departures of hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly; they are being replaced with the trio of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. Hailing from the Mumbles, near Swansea, Walters got her break in TV with a role in the BBC Wales series The District Nurse in 1987. Her first regular role came two years …

Strictly host Josh Widdicombe admits he wanted to be a full series contestant: ‘That would have been thrilling’

Strictly host Josh Widdicombe admits he wanted to be a full series contestant: ‘That would have been thrilling’

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Josh Widdicombe has admitted he “would have loved” to compete in a full series of Strictly Come Dancing prior to being chosen as the show’s new co-host. The 43-year-old comedian is set to present the long-running BBC series alongside Emma Willis and Johannes Radebe. Having taken part in the 2024 Christmas special, Widdicombe expressed that he would have enjoyed a longer stint on the main competition. The Last Leg co-host finished as runner-up after scoring 36 out of 40 for a Charleston performed in a penguin costume with professional dancer Karen Hauer to the song “Let It Snow”. Speaking to the Press Association and other media outlets ahead of the upcoming series, Widdicombe was asked if he had hoped to return as a contestant before being offered the presenting role. Josh Widdicombe who has said he “would have loved” to compete …

Huge rocker is latest contestant to ‘sign up’ for I’m A Celebrity after ‘giving in’ to show bosses

Huge rocker is latest contestant to ‘sign up’ for I’m A Celebrity after ‘giving in’ to show bosses

Published by Sam Flores

Ricky Wilson has signed up for I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!. The Kaiser Chiefs frontman is said to have “politely declined” a chance to appear in the Australian jungle-based show several times in the past, but he has now “finally given in”. A source told The Sun newspaper: “I’m A Celeb bosses have been trying to sign Ricky up for years, but he’s always politely declined. “Now he’s finally given in. Bosses are overjoyed and think he will be a great addition to the camp.” Several other stars including Gavin and Stacey actress Joanna Page and Paralympian and TV presenter Ade Adepitan are also said to be in talks about taking part. Big Brother host AJ Odudu has been in negotiations about starring in the Ant and Dec-fronted series. AJ is said to be “keen” to venture into the Australian jungle for the upcoming series of the ITV reality favourite, with the dates said to be working out for the star. Earlier this month, a source told The Sun newspaper: “Once AJ’s …

Japan cancels Netflix dating show campaign after contestant reveals he once ‘set someone on fire’

Japan cancels Netflix dating show campaign after contestant reveals he once ‘set someone on fire’

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Japan has scrapped an unusual collaboration with Netflix’s reality dating show Badly in Love after backlash over its decision to promote the series as part of a campaign encouraging the rehabilitation of people who have committed crimes. The ministry of justice’s rehabilitation bureau announced on Friday that it was ending its tie-up with Badly in Love season two, which follows young men and women from Japan’s “yankii” subculture as they live together, pursue relationships, and confront difficult pasts. Yankii refers to a Japanese youth subculture associated with delinquent behaviour, rebellious attitudes, and distinctive styles, particularly from the 1970s onwards, with yankii often portrayed through dyed or styled hair, modified school uniforms, motorcycles and, in some cases, involvement in street gangs. The first season of Badly in Love arrived on Netflix in December 2025, quickly becoming a breakout hit in Japan and …

Mastermind fans blown away by ‘most niche specialism in show history’ from contestant

Mastermind fans blown away by ‘most niche specialism in show history’ from contestant

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the inside track from Roisin O’Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This A Mastermind contestant has wowed viewers with what is being dubbed the “most iconic specialist subject ever”. Policy researcher Emily Medhurst competed on the BBC quiz show in which contestants must answer a series of general knowledge questions but also a round of questions on a specialised subject of their choosing. For Medhurst’s specialist subject, she opted for Transport for London moquette, the iconic patterned upholstery seen on London buses and Tube trains – some designs of which have featured local landmarks and history. Medhurst did well in her round, correctly answering eight questions in two minutes, taking only one pass and getting just three questions wrong. She answered questions about famous moquette designers, iconic patterns, and the London Tube lines that have featured specific designs. Questions included, “Which design, depicting landmarks such as the dome of St Paul’s and The London Eye, …

Former Miss Universe Canada stops competition to call out contestant costumes

Former Miss Universe Canada stops competition to call out contestant costumes

Published by Daniella Wilson

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Ashley Callingbull, Miss Universe Canada 2024, has paused this year’s pageant to address an instance of cultural appropriation involving two contestants. While hosting the August 8 event, Callingbull, 36, who became the first Indigenous woman to win the crown in 2024, interrupted director Sonny Borrelli just as he was about to announce the top 20 contestants. “So with Miss Universe Canada, me being the first Indigenous First Nations Miss Universe Canada, that was such a huge honor,” Callingbull, a Plains Cree woman, said in a clip shared on social media. “One of the biggest dreams of my life was coming here and fulfilling that. “But sometimes there are mistakes that are made. During this week, I wanted to acknowledge this,” she continued. “During the …

Strictly Come Dancing’s 13th contestant revealed as Olympian Tabby Stoecker with fans hailing ‘incredible’ signing

Strictly Come Dancing’s 13th contestant revealed as Olympian Tabby Stoecker with fans hailing ‘incredible’ signing

Published by Daniella Wilson

The latest cast announcement for Strictly Come Dancing has just been revealed, and fans will be treated to Olympic gold medallist Tabby Stoecker donning the show’s trademark sparkly costumes when it returns next month. Tabby is a Team GB skeleton athlete, who won gold at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games. While it’s only been five years since the 25-year-old made her international debut in the sport, she’s racked up a long list of accolades, including being a World Cup race winner, a double World Championship medallist, and a European Championship medallist. © BBCOlympic gold medallist Tabby Stoecker is the thirteenth celebrity announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 On joining the series, Tabby said: “I am over the moon to be joining the cast of Strictly 2026. I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!” Fans rushed to social media to share their excitement, with one person writing: …

Strictly 2026 contestant Delta Goodrem makes plea over professional dance partner

Strictly 2026 contestant Delta Goodrem makes plea over professional dance partner

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Delta Goodrem is set to grace the Strictly Come Dancing stage in September – and has one request about the professional partner she’s paired up with. Months after representing Australia at the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, the actor-turned-singer was announced as a contestant on the all-new version of the BBC competition, which is shaking things up behind and in front of the camera. In a new interview with The Independent, Goodrem said she was “excited to dive into” the Strictly glitz and glamour. While the “Born to Try” singer said she did not have a preference as to which professional dancer she would compete alongside, she did say she would “love to be” paired with someone taller than her because she “doesn’t really want to be the one that has to lift people”. Delta Goodrem is a contestant on this year’s …

BREAKING NEWS: Strictly Come Dancing confirms EIGHTH celebrity contestant joining 2026 series

BREAKING NEWS: Strictly Come Dancing confirms EIGHTH celebrity contestant joining 2026 series

Published by Sam Flores

We’re halfway through this year’s line-up for Strictly Come Dancing‘s brand-new 2026 series as another celebrity contestant has been confirmed. The eighth star to dance in the BBC ballroom is actor Jaime Winstone. “I am so excited to announce that I will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast this year. I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me. I love a challenge though, so can’t wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!! Let’s get physical – see you on the dance floor!,” she said. Winstone – the daughter of acting legend Ray Winstone – has appeared in the likes of Made in Dagenham, Tomb Raider and Wild Bill on the big screen, while her TV work has included Dead Set, Poirot and Four Lives. Related: Former Strictly Come Dancing star announces she’s pregnant She’s perhaps best known though for her portrayal of Barbara Windsor in the BBC biopic Babs. Winstone then took on Windsor’s iconic role by playing Peggy Mitchell in …