Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime for Christmas is coming to BBC this year, retelling the classic fairy-tale written by comedy creators the Dawson Brothers. Olivia Colman will be making her panto debut as the Fairy Godmother, and Helena Bonham-Carter will play Lady Devilia.
The show will also feature Anya Taylor-Joy as Cinderella, Guz Khan as Buttons and Tom Hollander as Baron Harup. They have also promised surprises and cameos to come. There will even be a celeb in an “unconvincing horse costume”.
Alison Hammond having ‘duty of care’ meetings with ITV after being trolled
Alison Hammond has recently joined Dermot O’Leary to take over hosting This Morning on Fridays. The pair are replacing Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes. An insider said: “Alison is a tough cookie, but the vitriol from some so-called fans of This Morning has been impossible for her to ignore.”
The former Big Brother and I’m a Celeb contestant said that “while the Friday gig is her dream come true, staying positive [has] become a battle”. However, in an Instagram post last week, she said the role was “an honour”, finishing the post: “Bring on 2021.”
Sarah Harding reveals she has written a book amid her cancer battle
The Girls Aloud singer revealed this week that she has written an autobiography called Hear Me Out. She said the writing process had helped take her mind off of her fight with breast cancer. She said: “It came at such a good time for me as it’s given me something fun and positive to focus on while I’ve been stuck at home in between trips to the hospital for treatment.
“I’ve nearly finished it now and this week Mum and I have been looking through old photos choosing which ones to include. It’ll be out after Christmas and I’m really proud of it.”
Her Girls Aloud bandmates have shared their congratulations online.
I’m A Celebrity is being pressured to ban live animals after slew of complaints
This series of I’m A Celebrity has already received 922 Ofcom complaints over its use of live animals in trials. The series was moved to Wales this year, after the pandemic prevented cast and crew safely making it to Australia for filming. Over 10,000 people have now taken part in an RSPCA campaign sending emails to the TV watchdog to complain about their use of animals.
Critics say ITV are using animals “as a commodity for entertainment”. Ofcom has the power to ban animals from being used on the show and give out fines for their use. ITV bosses say that the show complies with animal welfare laws. The RSPCA said: “Since I’m A Celebrity first aired, animals have been dropped, thrown, handled roughly, crushed, chased, overcrowded, scared by contestants and prevented from escaping stressful experiences.”
Umbrella Academy and Juno star, Elliot Page comes out as transgender
Elliot Page, the Oscar-nominated actor from Umbrella Academy and Juno, came out as transgender on Tuesday in an Instagram post. His post said: “I am trans, my pronouns are he/they and my name is Elliot. I feel lucky to be writing this. To be here. To have arrived at this place in my life.”
His wife, Emma Portner, followed up saying she is “so proud” of his coming out, and called his existence “a gift” in a supportive Instagram post.
