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New
Countdown Host Announced
Nick Hewer, Lord Sugar's advisor on BBC One show The
Apprentice, has been signed to present the next series of Channel 4's
Countdown, it has been announced.
The 67-year-old will replace outgoing host Jeff Stelling and join maths whiz
Rachel Riley and words boffin Susie Dent on the show.
Hewer said he was "flattered to have been asked to present such an iconic
programme".
He will be seen by viewers from January 9.
The former PR consultant said he would "work hard to justify sitting in the
same seat as such great talents as Jeff Stelling, Des O'Connor and, of
course, the great Richard Whiteley".
"It's particularly fitting that I should be doing this now as my spelling
has started to slip quite badly. I used to be able spell chrysanthemum," he
added.
Channel 4 chief creative officer, Jay Hunt, said: "Nick will be a
fantastically charismatic host for Countdown. He is sharp and funny and has
a real twinkle in his eye."
Countdown executive producer, Peter Gwyn, added: "I can't wait to see him
bring his unique style and humour to this iconic format.
"With Nick at the helm and our 30th birthday next year, we've got some very
exciting times ahead for Countdown viewers."
Countdown was the first programme broadcast on Channel 4 when it launched in
1982.
November
16
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
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Shooting Stars Axed
Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer's surreal TV panel show Shooting
Stars has been axed by the BBC, it has been confirmed.
"In future there will be less space on BBC Two for comedy/entertainment
panel shows so sadly Shooting Stars won't be returning," said a BBC
spokeswoman.
"We'd like to thank Vic and Bob for everything they've brought to the
channel over the years," she went on.
The mock quiz originally ran from 1993 to 1997, returning twice - first in
2002, and again in 2009.
Mark Lamarr, Ulrika Jonsson, Johnny Vegas and Will Self were among the
regular panellists, while Matt Lucas kept the scores in his guise as "big
baby" George Dawes.
Mortimer, whose comedy partnership with Reeves - real name Jim Moir -
extends back to the 1980s, told fans of the show's cancellation on Tuesday
via Twitter.
Many fans responded with dismay - including TV critic Caitlin Moran, who
called the decision "a genuine outrage".
November
16
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
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Howard's Way Star
Dies
Howard's Way star Dulcie Gray has died from bronchial
pneumonia, aged 92.
First finding fame in Gainsborough Pictures' melodramas in the 1940s, the
actress became best known for her role as Kate Harvey in the BBC One series
from 1985 - 1990.
She regularly appeared on stage, television and film opposite her actor
husband, the late Michael Denison.
The actress also had a second career as a novelist, penning almost 20 books
about dogged sleuth, Inspector Cardiff.
Several of her short stories were published in Herbert Van Thal's Pan Book
of Horror stories.
November
16
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
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I'm
A Celeb - Freddie Starr Checks Out
Freddie Starr has been forced to drop out of I'm A Celebrity
... Get Me Out Of Here! after being advised by medics, in case his illness
flares up again.
The comic, 68, had to be rushed to hospital after suffering what was thought
to be an allergic reaction shortly after eating a foul meal of fermented egg
and a camel toe.
Disappointed Starr said he felt "sick" not to complete his stint in the
Australian jungle but had to respect the opinions of doctors.
"I wanted to be there until the very end but there's no use crying over
spilt milk," he said.
Starr, who has had bypass surgery, had been undergoing tests after he was
taken ill two hours after a stomach-churning challenge.
He had won the "greasy spoon" bushtucker trial after chomping through mice
tails, a pig's anus and turkey testicles among the grim items, while fellow
contestant Mark Wright looked on aghast.
Doctors have not been able to pinpoint the exact cause of the apparent
allergic reaction.
After being told he could not continue with the ITV1 show, Starr said: "I
was sorry to hear the news about what the doctors said - that I was allergic
to something, to play it safe and best for me not to go back in.
"ITV's got a duty of care and it's only right that the doctors advise them
to keep me away from the jungle. It may not happen again but we'll never
know.
"They couldn't find anything wrong with me physically. They checked me over
and couldn't find anything wrong with me, but told the TV people it's a risk
and that I could be allergic to something in there - and that duty of care
ITV has, has to be respected."
November
16
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
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