Paul Merton ‘honoured' if he was the reason Bruce Forsyth got Strictly job
The rumour suggests that Merton inviting Forsyth to guest present on Have I Got News for You in 2003 put him on the BBC 's radar for the dance competition.
Merton confirmed Forsyth was a "consummate professional" on Have I Got News for You, which appeared to reignite his career and led to his Strictly role the following year.
While Merton has "no idea" if he directly influenced Forsyth's hiring, he stated he would be "extremely honoured" if he did, as Forsyth was a "lovely man."
Forsyth's career, which began in the 1950s, was waning before his Have I Got News for You appearance, and Strictly Come Dancing subsequently brought him back to primetime television.
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Scottish Sun
14 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Michael McIntyre's The Wheel in fix row as fans claim last question was ‘far too easy' – would you have got it correct?
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) The Wheel has been engulfed in a new fix row as fans claimed the last question was 'far too easy'. Michael McIntyre took to the airwaves to front the hit BBC game show. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 9 Fans who tuned into Michael McIntyre's show on the BBC have a major problem Credit: BBC 9 Contestant Anjad wanted to win thousands of pounds to buy a new convertible car 9 Jo Brand was announced as the worst performing expert throughout the show Credit: BBC Three players were welcomed into the BBC One studio to win a possibly huge monetary prize. Experts on the wheel included McFly's Danny Jones, TV presenter Anneka Rice and Oscar nominated actor Richard E. Grant. The other stars to take part included Saffron Barker, Melvin Odoom, boxer David Haye, and comedienne Jo Brand. The third player named Anjad was the contestant to clear the initial categories on the wheel and play for the jackpot prize. All the players managed to add £38,000 to the total throughout the game, Jo was ranked as the worst-performing expert when it came to the questions, so by choosing her to be the on-hand help in the final round, Anjad was able to double the potential winnings. However, fans of The Wheel claim the considering the money at stake, the last question was far 'too easy'. In a multiple choice question, Michael asked: "Which of these pastas resembles ribbons?" The contestant was given four potential types to choose from which included tortellini, rigatoni, orzo and pappardelle. Anjad and the famous personality both correctly guessed that pappardelle was the type of food referred to in the question. Donna Preston on Michael McIntyre's Big Show But droves of viewers took to social media as they were left fuming by the seemingly unchallenging question. One game show fan enquired: ""Is The Wheel running out of questions? "Never seen such a piss easy run of q's for 76k. That final pasta question would be a who wants to be a millionaire £500 er." A second stated: "I'm sorry I think that last question on #TheWheel was FAR too easy." "Honestly, it's very hard to think this isn't fixed," exclaimed a third viewer. While a someone else angrily asked: "76K for naming a pasta type? I'm sorry, but anyone with simple common sense can do that!" And a fifth fumed: "And this is why I hate situations like this on #thewheel, you contributed hardly anything to the show, just to win 76k off of a f****** easy pasta question? F*** off." 9 If Anjad was to choose Jo for the final, he double the prize pot and potentially win £76,000 Credit: BBC 9 The comedian seemed to be informed about the different shapes Credit: BBC 9 Taking Jo's advice, Anjad correctly guessed the question referred to pappardelle Credit: BBC 9 Jo was relieved on-screen after she gave the player sound advice Credit: BBC 9 However, fans were left fuming as they thought the question was far too easy Credit: BBC 9 They claimed it should not have been chosen for such a huge prize pot Credit: BBC The Wheel continues on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
Scottish Sun
14 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
I know my TV career's over & I fear for my financial future, says wallowing Gregg Wallace as he moans about BBC sacking
SHAMED Gregg Wallace has vowed never to watch MasterChef again following his sacking. Asked if he will tune in to the latest series which he co-presented, he said: 'No, no, no, no.' 5 Former TV star Gregg Wallace vowed never to watch MasterChef again following his sacking Credit: Dan Charity 5 Wallace with his wife Anne-Marie Sterpini Credit: Dan Charity The 60-year-old — fired this month after an investigation into his behaviour — added: 'I'm hurt. I don't want anything to do with telly. I don't want anything to do with the BBC.' The BBC confirmed it will air the series with Wallace and co-host John Torode, who was also sacked. Defiant Wallace has hit back at the damning legal investigation into his behaviour — claiming HE was groped during his time on MasterChef. The furious 60-year-old ex-presenter, fired this month, also believes he was accused of wrongdoing by women with an 'agenda' against him. In a hard-hitting interview, he acknowledges he will never appear on TV again - and says he will not watch the new series of the show in which he features alongside axed co-host John Torode. He says: 'The whole complaints procedure needs to be readdressed - there are huge problems with it as things stand. Click here to read the first part of our exclusive interview with Gregg 'Being on MasterChef was brilliant but I had so many bad experiences on that show too. 'Had I wanted to raise any complaints, I'd have had the decency to speak to that person directly. Privately, not publicly. 'My God, can you imagine the complaints I could have made? Have you got any idea of the sexual references made to me on a daily basis? 'How many times I've been touched by women wanting a selfie? How many times I've been groped? How many times suggestive comments have been made to me? How many female contestants have said inappropriate things on MasterChef? Shamed Gregg Wallace says 'I'm no groper, sex pest or flasher,' as tearful star refuses to accept blame for BBC sacking 'It wouldn't even cross my mind though. Now, I'm not suggesting that groping is right, but it was happening to me on a regular basis. It was just extraordinary. 'This is what I mean about the idea that presenters are god-like and they're just throwing their weight around and bullying people. 'The amount of times when I was desperately trying to build a career in television that I've been shouted at and bullied. I don't know what the answer is, and I understand the need for anonymity, but I wouldn't wish anyone to be dragged through what I have.' While he recognises that genuine whistleblowers must be protected, he firmly believes some women were 'weaponising' their dislike of him. He is, it is clear, a very angry man - and certainly a bruised one. He told The Sun yesterday that he was not a 'groper, a sex pest or a flasher'. He also backed Torode, who had an allegation of racism upheld against him during the probe into Wallace's behaviour. Wallace told The Sun: 'He is not a racist.' He confirms he is contemplating suing the BBC — after taking on attack-dog lawyer Dan Morrison — for what he believes is their 'unfair' treatment of him. Under the 2010 Equalities Act, employers are duty-bound to protect those with disabilities - which includes autism, a condition he was formally diagnosed with in January. He sighs: 'Honestly I don't know if I will go through with it right now though. I feel utterly battered and bruised, and right now just want to hide behind my sofa drinking Horlicks. 'Perhaps when the dust has settled but it's too early to say what I will do next.' Last week the BBC and MasterChef production company Banijay confirmed they will be airing the series which he and Torode filmed last year. Will Wallace be watching? 5 Wallace said: 'Wokeism and cancel culture is terrifying - I just hope no one else ever has to go through anything like this' Credit: Dan Charity 5 Wallace's co-host John Torode was also sacked from the show Credit: BBC 5 Wallace was ridiculed for an exchange he had with Nick Holder on X/Twitter which went viral Credit: Twitter He rages: 'No, no, no, no. I'm hurt. I don't want anything to do with telly. I don't want anything to do with the BBC. I really don't care. I'm just really pleased for the contestants because MasterChef, really, is all about them - it was never about John and I. 'Whoever hosts it next, and I really don't care who it is, the show will be absolutely fine.' Speaking from his sprawling country home in rural Kent, Wallace admits he is worried about his financial future. He adds: 'But, for a long time, I earned a lot of money and I was careful with it. I am not expecting sympathy from anyone but obviously I have a family, and of course I do worry.' He accepts his TV career is over, and has just qualified as a personal trainer helping men over 50 get fit. He charges £50 a week for his 20 clients, giving them a one-hour, face-to-face online session plus a full nutrition and exercise plan. It is a far cry from his reported £400,000-a-year salary on MasterChef. But, he insists, it brings him happiness. Today, the gym is a respite for him. What will my legacy be now? I don't want it to be telly, I want nothing to do with it all Gregg Wallace In 2022 the former greengrocer was awarded an MBE for services to food and charity. But in the wake of the report against him - undertaken by law firm Lewis Silkin with 45 out of 83 allegations upheld - he fears being stripped of the title. He muses: 'What will my legacy be now? I don't want it to be telly, I want nothing to do with it all. I have worried about losing my MBE but there's not a lot I can do about it. But I haven't done anything illegal and hopefully now more and more people will realise that I haven't been exposing myself, and I haven't been groping people either. 'So now I want to start campaigning - raising more awareness of neurodiversity in the workplace. 'I think perceptions may slowly change and all I want is people to ask questions of people whose behaviour they find odd - even people that might look like a football hooligan to you. 'You can't decide which groups of people or which disabilities you will support or won't support in the workplace. You either embrace it all or you don't. 'For example, the BBC should have spotted my autism sooner and sent me off to Occupational Health rather than letting all these complaints to build up against me, with nobody saying anything until the floodgates opened and it all came out. I feel very angry about that.' Wallace is so angry with the BBC that when they asked him repeatedly for an interview he declined. Anger, of course, is something many, many women felt towards Wallace in the wake of his arrogantly foolish comments on Instagram last year in which he said he was accused by 'middle-class women of a certain age'. It is, he acknowledges ruefully, a phrase that will haunt him forever. No, no, no, why did I look like an a**hole? He was asking me to do something, and he got my name wrong. Did I say anywhere that I wouldn't help him? Gregg Wallace After spending two hours with Wallace, it seems evident he is on the spectrum. Frankly, how it took until the age of 60 for him to be diagnosed is baffling. One incident that has unquestionably marked him came in 2012 when a fan tweeted the presenter to ask for help raising awareness of a charity bike ride. Nick Holder posted: 'Hi Greg, I am cycling just over 180 miles in 2 days for Macmillan Cancer Support. Any chance of an RT?' Instead of supporting Nick's endeavours, Gregg, with two Gs, simply responded 'Gregg?' Cuttingly - and quite rightly - Nick replied: 'No worries mate, it's only people with cancer. You worry about your extra G. Mastert**t.' The exchange quickly went viral, with Wallace mercilessly ridiculed. Does he not realise, I ask, that he came across as, well, an utter a**hole? (A question not many people would take well.) Nope, Gregg is still bemused and frustrated by the incident. He asks: 'No, no, no, why did I look like an a**hole? He was asking me to do something, and he got my name wrong. Did I say anywhere that I wouldn't help him? 'So why didn't he just go, 'Oh, OK mate, sorry I got that wrong. Would you help me?' 'And if that would have been the narrative, then fine, but instead he said, 'Oh, don't worry, it's only people dying of cancer, you get your name right, w***er'. Wokeism and cancel culture is terrifying - I just hope no one else ever has to go through anything like this Gregg Wallace 'If only he'd just said, 'Oh, sorry, mate, G-R-E-G-G, could you help me?' Then of course I would have done so, that's what I wanted to do, but people don't know that. I have done so much for charities over the years, I have always done so.' When I ask him if such pedantry is his autism at play, he bizarrely doubles down and insists I would not understand because people have not been spelling my name wrong for years. 'Banter' no excuse for behaviour By Penny East WHEN 'inappropriate sexual language' and 'unwelcome physical contact' take place at work, we must surely call it out as sexual harassment. Gregg Wallace's attempts to minimise his actions are unhelpful — he still fails to recognise the harm caused. There are too many excuses. Too many attempts to shift the blame. Wallace is a household name and with that comes power. Too often men defend this kind of behaviour as 'banter'. But it is nothing of the sort. Wallace held the power and he chose to take advantage of that over many years. Particularly over people who 'felt too intimidated or nervous to say anything at the time'. I point out that, as a 'Clemmie', I spent my childhood years regularly being called 'Clammy', and joyfully, 'Chlamydia'. And that, no, it would not have irked me one iota. He snaps back: 'Congratulations, well done you — you're obviously not autistic.' Had I not spent the morning with the man - and, crucially, his lovely family - I might have been pretty horrified by that. As it is, I realise he genuinely sees things incredibly black and white. Quite literally there is no filter with Wallace. When he feels an injustice, he says it. Certainly you see a different side to the man - who can only go out in a disguise now, so afraid of public perception is he - when you see him interacting with his family. His incredibly loyal wife Anna, who makes me a coffee, is lovely and his six-year-old non-verbal autistic son Sid is an utter delight. Anna has been my rock - we had some really tough conversations when it was all kicking off but I promised her I have never, ever cheated Gregg Wallace Two French bulldogs, Wally and Bella, tear around the house, while his delightful mother-in-law Rina potters around in the kitchen. Indeed, such is his autism, he makes diary reminders in his phone nudging him to be romantic. He says: 'Anna told me once she wanted spontaneous hugs from me so that's what I do now… so the hugs might not be spontaneous for me, but they are for her.' He credits his family for keeping him around. Without them, he admits tearfully, he might have taken his own life during a particularly bleak spell last Christmas. He reflects: 'But then I realised that would be selfish on them, and totally unfair. Anna has been my rock - we had some really tough conversations when it was all kicking off but I promised her I have never, ever cheated. 'She knows I have not looked at another woman since the moment I laid eyes on her. 'But seeing how tough this been on them - my mum, who died earlier this year, called me one day to ask why the Prime Minister was talking about me on telly - has been heartbreaking. 'Wokeism and cancel culture is terrifying - I just hope no one else ever has to go through anything like this.'
The Sun
15 minutes ago
- The Sun
Three great summer perfumes at all price points – one is the perfect subtle scent for everyday
A QUICK spritz of the right perfume can totally transform your mood – and summer scents are certainly some of the most addictive. Here are three of my favourites . . . BUDGET M&S Discover Salty Skin Eau de Toilette, £10 for 100ml, The notes of this perfume read like a list of all my favourite scents; tart bergamot, mandarin and lemon, lightly floral orange blossom and jasmine, comforting musk and amber. It reminds me of the smell when you open the balcony door of your air-conditioned hotel room to be hit with the warm, thick air outside that's holding the smell of sun-tan lotion and salty sea air. It's the perfect subtle scent for everyday that will still feel special every time you spray it, and given the price, you'd be hard pressed to find a better value fragrance. I can't imagine there's a single person who won't love it. MID-RANGE Roger & Gallet Vanille Soleil Fragrant Water, £39 for 100ml, Fragrance expert Alice du Parq aptly described this as the scent equivalent of a Mr Whippy ice cream topped with Maldon sea salt flakes. I can't think of a better way to convey the moreish, elevated vanilla perfume that's equally sweet and savoury – like all the best snacks. It's not at all sickly, despite the powdery notes of jasmine and tonka bean. It's the perfect 'old money' scent, that doesn't scream in your face or leave a trail behind you when you leave a room, but when people get close, it smells sophisticated and clean. I get stopped in the street by people asking where my perfume's from - it's a dupe of a designer scent & saves me £135 LUXURY Maison Margiela Never Ending Summer Eau de Toilette, £62 for 30ml, This perfume is an Aperol Spritz in a scent. It's fizzy, bright and packed with juicy bitter orange, rich, hearty cedarwood, sharp pepper and spicy cardamom, that make it the perfect late night summer scent cocktail to cut through humid climes. It's one of the few truly unisex holiday inspired scents on the market – with no hint of sun cream-style coconut that can quickly become extremely girly. It's grown up elegance, that's guaranteed to bring in compliments. PICK OF THE WEEK AUSSIE beauty products are having a major moment right now – they make some of the most sophisticated SPFs and they're talented when it comes to body care too. But the latest export to hit our shores - MCo Beauty - is about to shake up the affordable beauty space in a major way, given every single product in the range costs less than £15. If I have to pick a favourite, it's MCo Beauty Super Glow Bronzing Drops, £12, which can be used alone as a tinted base, mixed into foundation as you tan, or applied to cheeks as a bronzer. Shop now at
