Latest news with #ITVTheChase
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV The Chase star Anne Hegerty 'happy in own company' after struggling to pay bills
Professional quizzer Anne Hegerty is a firm favourite of ITV The Chase fans, where she is known for playing her straight-laced role as the 'Governess' It's been a long journey for professional quizzer Anne Hergerty, 66, - and she has come far from the days when, during a difficult period in her life, a council worker had to help her open her post. A firm favourite amongst The Chase fans for her straight-laced persona of 'The Governess' on ITV, Anne has become a staple part of the British quizzing scene. But her love for general knowledge and competitive streak goes well beyond the last few years, which have taken her career to new heights of success - even back in the mid-1980s, she made a television appearance, showing off her intellect. A stint on I'm a Me Out of Here, made her something of a household name, and earned her dedicated fans beyond those hooked to quiz shows. The Chase's Anne Hegerty vents true opinion on 'dominatrix' outfit she's 'always hated' ITV The Chase rejected nicknames for Chasers - including one that was too 'racy' Back in the eighties, Anne took a turn in the Mastermind chair, with the special subject of The Life and Works of Lorenz Hartand she looked totally unrecognisable with a curly short hairdo and a patterned dress - that was pretty emblematic of the loud styles that were all the rage then. Her appearance took place in 1987, when she was 30 years old, and working as a freelance journalist - but it isn't the only unlikely throwback of the TV personality that has shocked her fans. An old photo of Anne, when she was even younger, with long curly locks and a cheeky smile, the snap from 1983 was pretty much unrecognisable to her fans, who are so used to her formidable governess persona. These days, Anne is almost always seen in a smart suit that is reminiscent of a schoolmarm, something she has called "stupendously unflattering" but does admittedly fit her quizzing persona perfectly. The governess character is "a bit creepy" Anne has said, revealing she based the persona in part on Professor Dolores Umbridge from the Harry Potter series. "But a friend of mine said 'you won't be able to sustain that', so I went down the more of the standard scary rout and, in recent years, at least one American viewer has compared me to Professor McGonagall from the Harry Potter films," she previously told Stuff. "So McGonagall, not Umbridge: I'll take that." Before becoming a star on The Chase, Anne was going through a difficult time in her personal life. She had been working as a freelance proofreader, but found things getting on top of her. Anne, who is autistic, found it tricky to stay on top of her accounts due to her condition. She was living in council housing when a worker from the Housing Association came to her home because she had fallen behind on paying her rent. "I just simply couldn't keep it going and the result was I wasn't paying my bills, but I was trying not to go on benefits on the grounds that I just thought that was sort of giving up. I wasn't giving up," Anne has said. The TV star explained that during the visit, the women from the Housing Association stepped in to help Anne get back on top of things. "She was stepping over piles of unopened mail and realised we had a problem. She said 'we will fix this, I will get someone to help you,'" Anne explained. Anne was also put in touch with a social worker who helped her sort out her finances and made sure she was receiving the benefits she was entitled to, the Disability Living Allowance. It wasn't long after this that Anne got her big break on The Chase, and whilst she has said she is incredibly grateful for her job, she has also admitted some aspects of fame can be tricky to deal with. "It is difficult to go down the street without being recognised. It's weird and interesting," she said of her celebrity status. "There are times when you're not absolutely crazy about it.. but I hope I never take it for granted." Anne has also appeared on Fifteen to One, Today's the Day, Are You an Egghead? and Brain of Britain - and in 2016 came in at 55th in the World Quizzing Championships, the second highest woman placing in the competition. Anne is undoubtedly a massive brainiac and general knowledge superstar, but she has admitted her autism has got in the way of forging romantic connections. In a candid moment on The Chaser's Roadtrip she confessed to her co-stars Mark Labbett and Shaun Wallace that her longest relationship had been only four months. "He was a lovely bloke, but I am just not good with the sort of attention that people need," she admitted. Anne has never shied away from the topic of her personal life, telling the Guardian that "I think the problem is I find it really difficult to fall in love with real people. I've thought: 'Am I in love with this guy?' And then we kind of get together and I think 'damn it, no, oh dear'." She explained further to OK! magazine that she struggles at times to stay in the moment, "I get overwhelmed in the presence of actual people and everything shuts down. I've found that with sex, too. It's like I can't be fully in it. That much intimacy, I almost zone out." However, there is a long list of single men hoping for an opportunity to take out Anne - who is based in Watford - if she ever changes her mind about preferring her "own company". "Let's say I would not be short of offers if I went looking. But I am happy with my own company," she told The Sun. "I've had relationships go wrong precisely because I could not devote the mental energy to it, and I just thought 'No, no, no, this is not a good idea'. I find men make such great friends - so let's keep them like that."
Edinburgh Live
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
This Morning star, 52, gives birth to baby girl and shares very unusual name
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info This Morning's resident psychologist and expert, Emma Kenny, has joyously welcomed her fourth child into the world at 52. The beloved television personality and her younger husband Pete, aged 34, are now proud parents to a newborn baby girl. Emma excitedly took to Instagram to share news of her daughter Ella-Grey's birth, posting an array of adorable snapshots. In her heartwarming social media update, Emma announced, "Say hi Ella-Grey And then we were six! Say hello Ella-Grey! This morning she entered the world with a very loud cry. The Royal Bolton hospital have been fantastic and ensured that we have both been looked after brilliantly." Already mum to Tyde, 22, Evan, 20, and little Etta-Blue, who made her entrance in 2023, Emma's happiness at the arrival of her fourth child is bittersweet. She revealed the recent passing of her mother, explaining the emotional impact: "I lost my mum suddenly a couple of weeks back, and it's really strange knowing that neither of my babies will get to know their would have loved them as older my boys did before them." READ MORE - The playboy princes' 'royal love train' that scandalously hit the headlines READ MORE - ITV The Chase fans all say same thing as show 'ruined' by 'team's decision' Decades ago, Emma welcomed two sons, and now the family dynamic shines with her two younger daughters, one nearly two years old and the latest just arrived. Emma shared her surprise and delight over her newest addition: "Ella-Grey has been lying on me all day, she latched on immediately and is as wonderful as I imagined she would like her sister.....I am blindsided that she is a girl," she expressed. "So, now I have two very big boys of 20 and 22, and two tiny girls aged 1 day and 23 months.", reports the Mirror. She shared her emotional journey following the tragic loss of her father, revealing that she once believed happiness was out of reach. "When my dad took his life in 2019, I never thought I would be happy again, but in truth I couldn't have been more wrong, I've learnt we are more than simply built to withstand suffering, we are programmed to learn, and grow, and develop courage through it. I cannot change what happened but I can embrace the gifts that grief brought me," she penned in a heartfelt message. (Image: This Morning/ITV) (Image: emmakennytv /Instagram) (Image: emmakennytv /Instagram) Wrapping up her update, she expressed gratitude towards her steadfast supporters: "Thank you to all of you who have spent years supporting me. You stood beside me in the dark times and you gave me so many new career directions that these days I don't need invites off the MSM! Thank you, all of you, for so much more than you could possibly know xxx." The announcement was met with an outpouring of love and congratulations on the birth of her child. A fan commented: "Massive congrats! You are such a massive inspiration :)," while another conveyed their joy: "Awww congratulations to you both, your girls will be besties! It is hard when the younger ones don't get to know your parents the same way as older siblings, I feel my youngest missed out on so much too, best wishes to your lovely family." Ruth Langsford expressed her joy for Emma and her partner with a heartfelt note, sharing: "Congratulations both" while Natasha Hamilton sent her own elated message: "So happy for you Emma - what a beautiful little girl, huge congratulations to you all xxx." The television presenter managed to keep her pregnancy secret until the previous week when she took to Instagram, surprising followers with news of her impending arrival. Standing mirror-side and showing off her bump, Emma shared with her fans: "Last show before I give birth! 9 months pregnant, quite happy to go into labour on any of you with health care qualifications at my Killer Couples, Liverpool Empire show tonight please be prepared!". Emma didn't shy away from divulging her quick return to the limelight post-birth, stating: "Back on stage in for now it's time for baby, 2 year old, filming YouTube and Facebook and going on a road trip to Italy the minute this babies fast track passport arrives! X." Her current pregnancy was treated with the same discretion as that of her third child, Etta-Blue, whom she also chose not to disclose publicly before welcoming in 2023. Reflecting on her life as a new mother in her fifties, Emma confessed to feelings of selfishness, but nonetheless adores motherhood. She confided in OK! magazine back in 2023 following her third child's birth: "I felt a great deal of selfishness all the way up until giving birth. "There are moments when I think, 'I wish I could have another 20 years with etta.' I could beat myself up about it, but my best friend died at 43, so you don't always get the time that's promised to you. I'll have conversations with Etta about it as she gets older." Emma endured a decade of rigorous IVF treatments to conceive her daughter Etta, and tragically suffered multiple miscarriages. She previously shared: "For 10 years I tried to have her and failed constantly. I'll have to process my grief over the fact that I couldn't have her at 42 or 45. "I feel I've had years stolen from my child, but I'm very grateful for having her."
Edinburgh Live
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Gogglebox's Amy Tapper unrecognisable as she drops three more dress sizes
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Gogglebox's Amy Tapper looked sensational in a deep-cut floral frock at a family wedding over the weekend, showcasing her impressive transformation after she slimmed down by three dress sizes within a year. The 25 year old television celeb took to Instagram with a comparative snap in the same dress but a different pattern, and added the caption: "What a difference a year can make! Same dress, different print and 3 sizes smaller." Earlier in April, Amy excitedly shared that she had dropped an astonishing six stone, marking the achievement with an emotional outpouring of gratitude towards her fitness coach in a heartfelt Instagram video, saying: "Wow wow wow 6 stone down! ! I cannot believe it – I am so proud of myself." READ MORE - ITV The Chase fans all say same thing as show 'ruined' by 'team's decision' READ MORE - The playboy princes' 'royal love train' that scandalously hit the headlines She praised her personal trainer for providing more than just workouts, attributing her success to his all-round support: "You are not only my personal trainer but truly a friend and more like a therapist – I couldn't do any of this without you and your ongoing support, thank you for everything." Having shot to prominence on Gogglebox alongside her family from 2013 until she left the show in 2018, Amy has since been vocal about her weight loss odyssey, regularly sharing clips of her exercise routines including weightlifting, boxing, and tough gym workouts as a source of motivation for those following her progress, reports the Mirror. (Image: Getty Images) (Image: Amy Tapper/Instagram) (Image: Instagram) (Image: Instagram) Earlier this year, she shared a mirror selfie donning a jumper from 2022 that's now clearly too big for her trimmer figure and captioned it: "Officially 5 stone down and I couldn't be happier. Never thought I'd be able to reach this milestone so I think I can say I'm proud of myself. Thank you for being by my side throughout it all @ (swipe for our reaction today)." Amy embarked on her weight loss journey at the start of 2022 with an aim to shed 3.5 stone and saw spectacular results by losing 33cm from her waist within five weeks. She has openly discussed the difficulties she encountered, sharing how the continuous online ridicule during her stint on Gogglebox lured her into unproductive crash diets which didn't provide permanent results. Attributing her recent triumphs to embracing healthier lifestyle choices over temporary solutions, Amy has also contemplated her childhood experiences of feeling larger than other kids, despite not being teased. Joining Gogglebox when she was just 13 with her mum Nikki, dad Jonathan, and brother Josh, she now takes pride in her path towards fitness and sees it as an empowering achievement.
Edinburgh Live
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
The playboy princes' 'royal love train' that scandalously hit the headlines
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info For nearly two centuries, monarchs have been enamoured with the railway, but now it seems the final stop has been reached. Yesterday, Buckingham Palace's finance team decided to scrap the elegant, functional and historic Royal Train in a bid to cut costs. King Charles offered "the fondest of farewells." This marks the end of a Royal romance with the railways that dates back almost to the inception of passenger train travel two hundred years ago. READ MORE - ITV The Chase fans all say same thing as show 'ruined' by 'team's decision' READ MORE - Wimbledon breaks protocol as BBC commentator 'left in tears' over scenes In November 1980, the Sunday Mirror splashed a story across its front page, dubbing it the 'Royal Love Train. ' The headline read: 'Royal Love Train: Secret meetings in the sidings,' detailing two clandestine late-night encounters between Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. The article recounted how a 19 year old Lady Di was driven 100 miles from London and discreetly guided through undercover police lines to meet her prince on a secluded track in the Wiltshire countryside, reports the Mirror. "Then followed hours alone together for the couple whose friendship has captured the nation's imagination," the report went on. A second secret meeting the following night, after Prince Charles had hosted his Duchy of Cornwall tenants in Bath as part of a West Country tour, was reportedly "an open secret in the village." In line with Royal protocol, these rendezvous were denied. However, there's no mystery surrounding the origins of this Royal love affair with the railway. On 13 June 1842, Queen Victoria made history as the first reigning monarch to travel by train. She was "quite charmed" by a half-hour journey on the rail-road from Windsor to London, appreciating the absence of "free from dust and crowds and heat." Prince Albert, the husband of Queen Victoria, was somewhat sceptical about the burgeoning railway system, telling the Great Western Railway: "Not quite so fast, next time, Mr Conductor!". Yet, the Royal Family came to be an integral part of railway history in Britain, with their experiences on the rails mirroring the nation's triumphs and tribulations through years of conflict, societal upheaval, and challenges like the Covid pandemic. One could argue that the Royal train's schedule is a chronicle of England's past. In 1883, amidst the chaos of Irish republican terrorist attacks, there was a plot to kill the Queen while she travelled from Windsor to Ballater. Although it might have been a bluff, the authorities didn't risk it; "watchers" were deployed to scrutinise every bit of the 600-mile trip. Still, a brave Victoria seized every chance to ride the rails and connect with her people. The GWR honoured her with the very first Royal train designed specifically for her use in 1897, featuring electric lights and a loo, yet she insisted on making stops at stations to use the facilities. Her final trip also utilised the railway, as her coffin was taken by train to Windsor from Paddington for her interment in 1901. Her heir, Edward VII, known for his indulgent lifestyle as 'Bertie' the playboy prince, wasted no time in commissioning an opulent new Royal coach within a year of ascending the throne, boasting a smoking-room and a daytime compartment adorned in the Colonial style. In true grandeur of the Edwardian era, he traversed his realm at ease, paying visits to aristocrats and local racecourses. The throne was then passed to the decidedly more solemn naval officer, George V. His reign from 1910 to 1936 navigated the country through World War One, the zenith of British imperialism, the emergence of socialism and fascism, and the golden age of railways. The Midland Railway constructed a new Royal saloon for him at its Derby works. However, with the advent of World War Two, a clandestine design was hatched. In 1941, the LMS built three armour-plated saloons equipped with document safes for his successor, George VI. The revered yet reluctant king used these to visit towns and cities across the nation that had been ravaged by bombings. Post-war austerity in Britain, coupled with the nationalisation of the railway by Labour in 1948, meant there was no room for Royal railway opulence. The new Queen had to wait a quarter of a century before she was gifted her first - and the nation's last - Royal train in 1977. This unique collection of nine claret-liveried carriages, replete with luxuries ranging from baths to bedrooms and a dining car seating 12, is a testament to British craftsmanship. Built at Wolverton works for her Silver Jubilee, it has stood the test of time, enduring nearly fifty years with at least one refurbishment. In the future, His Majesty will typically traverse his kingdom by helicopter or car, though it wouldn't be surprising if he hops on a regular service train. He is known to relish a trip to the 'cab', particularly if it's steam-hauled, as was the case in 2018, behind 35028 Bulleid Pacific Clan Line, built in 1948, the year of his birth. Today's Royal train, comprising seven British Rail Mark 3 design carriages and two built for the HST prototype, has seen a significant security upgrade. However, it was only utilised twice in the past year, costing nearly £78,000. The decision to decommission it is expected to save around £1 million annually in maintenance and upkeep costs. James Chalmers, Keeper of the Privy Purse, stated: "The royal train has, of course, been a part of national life for many decades, loved and cared for by all those involved, but we must not be bound by the past." The process of decommissioning will kick off next year, wrapping up in March 2027. Some particularly historic elements may then be put on public display. (Image: Supplied) (Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images) (Image: SSPL via Getty Images) (Image: SSPL via Getty Images) Carriages from previous Royal trains, including those from Queen Victoria's reign, have been exhibited at the National Railway Museum in York for many years, attracting well over half a million visitors annually. There's a compelling case for preserving the entire train on site, much like the Royal Yacht Britannia which was kept for the nation in Leith harbour. Save Our Royal Train! The current set includes "his and her lounges" - initially for the Queen and Prince Philip and now for King Charles and Queen Camilla, a dining car with place settings for 12, a kitchen car, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Staff carriages are also equipped with sleeping quarters. One carriage of the Royal Train, stretching a regal 75ft in length, is reserved exclusively for the monarch's use, featuring a 3ft wide bed adorned with a tartan coverlet. The private chamber is equipped with a bedside cabinet, home to a radio perpetually set to BBC Radio 4. Adorning the walls are several framed landscapes by Scottish artist Roy Penny. The impending loss of the Royal train is set to be a blow not just to railway enthusiasts but also to the drivers who consider it a great privilege to chauffeur royalty. There has always been a queue of eager volunteers – including Mick Whelan, general secretary of Aslef, the train drivers' union, who was once summoned in an emergency when the designated Royal driver fell ill. However, it must be noted that not every journey has been without its hitches. On one occasion, after departing from Euston to its Wolverton base, the Royal train faced an unexpected delay. "Yes, well," Mick confessed to his union's magazine, "Some of the carriages went one way, and some another." There have been other, more concerning events. For instance, in October 2015, during an overnight halt in South Wales, a member of the Royalty Protection Branch accidentally fired his automatic weapon. Both the Queen and Prince Philip were on board at the time, yet they remained oblivious to the incident and their rest was undisturbed. One can only imagine that if Queen Victoria were still around, her response would undoubtedly be: "We are not amused!". Indeed, this era has truly been marked by the presence of the Royal Train. Six astonishing facts about the Royal Train:. • The Dowager Queen Adelaide, King William IV's widow, holds the distinction of being the first Royal to ride the rails, travelling from Nottingham to Leeds in July 1840. • During WW2, King George VI utilised an armour-plated train for his visits to towns and cities under threat from the Luftwaffe. • Two special locomotives, 67005, Queen's Messenger and 67006, Royal Sovereign, both in a claret livery, share the responsibility of hauling the train. • These trains are owned by DB Cargo – the German state railway - and when not serving Royal duties, they operate regular goods services. • Drivers for the Royal train are selected based on their experience, route knowledge, composure, and skill – including the ability to halt the train within six inches of a designated stop. • According to Royal author Penny Junor, the train is "very dear to them. It's somewhere completely private, with everything they need on board."
Daily Record
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
ITV The Chase removed from screens in huge scheduling shake up
ITV The Chase has been pulled off air in an unexpected scheduling change The Chase will not air on ITV1 tonight following a schedule shake-up. The popular ITV game show, presented by Bradley Walsh, has been removed from its usual 5pm slot to make way for the continuing coverage of Royal Ascot. The horse racing will be screened from 1:30pm - 6pm tonight, disrupting The Chase's usual time slot. No episode of the popular programme aired on Tuesday June 17. The schedule change is set to continue throughout the rest of the week, meaning no episode will air on Thursday or Friday either. Fans will need to patiently wait until next Monday (June 23) to see the show return to screens. The daytime TV behemoth features a team of the some of the UK's best quizzing gurus including Mark Labbett (The Beast), Shaun Wallace (The Dark Destroyer), Jenny Ryan (The Vixen), Anne Hegerty (The Governess), Paul Sinha (The Sinnerman) and Darragh Ennis (The Menace). The Chase first debuted on screens in 2009 and soon became a hit among viewers. Hopeful contestants battle it out and test their general knowledge skills as they attempt to beat the chaser and take home a whopping cash prize. It is not the first time the quiz show has faced disruption to scheduling. Earlier this month, it was taken off air to make way for coverage of the UEFA Women's Nations League, Spain v England. The Chase also had to switch up its usual time slot last week when two Soccer Aid for UNICEF Celebrity special episodes aired on Wednesday and Friday. Last Wednesday, Shaun Williamson, Lianne Sanderson, Dion Dublin and David James all teamed up to try and beat chaser Darragh Ennis. After four rounds, the entire team managed to make it back, and have been praised for their "superb" win after they managed to beat the quiz guru and take home £150k for UNICEF. The stars sent an impressive 23 score for Darragh which he was unable to beat. Fans at home were delighted as one said: "This is the best episode I've seen, they have to win this." Another chimed in: "Wow what a well deserved win. Such a great team! £150K." Meanwhile, Dermot O'Leary, Kyle Walker, Alex Brooker and Lynsey Hipgrave went up against Anne Hegarty on Friday night. For the special occasion, Anne switched up her usual ITV attire and appeared in a football top and red lipstick instead. She was also defeated by the team who managed to bag an incredible £169k for UNICEF after answering 21 correct questions. The Chase will resume its normal scheduling time slot of 5pm on ITV every weekday next week.
