Kimberley Walsh swaps music for TV and is the front-runner to replace Gregg Wallace on Eat Well For Less
SHE made a name for herself as one fifth of Girls Aloud – and now Kimberley Walsh is being lined up to make her TV comeback.
I can reveal the singer is the front-runner to replace Gregg Wallace on Eat Well For Less. The foodie has quit after eight years on the BBC show.
She’s got stiff competition, however, as Diversity dancer and TV golden boy Ashley Banjo has also been approached.
An insider said: “The BBC and makers of Eat Well For Less have chosen Kimberley and Ashley as their final two. Kimberley seems like the perfect fit, even though her background is mainly music. She has two children so has a large mummy following, plus she’s a natural on screen and is really easy-going.
“They think she would be a great addition to the prime-time show, which would see her presenting alongside host Chris Bavin.”
The insider added: “Ashley is also in consideration for the role. Gregg and Chris’ rapport worked really well and some people at the Beeb think Ashley would be a bitter fit for that dynamic.
“Plus, Ashley has more than proved his worth as a presenter after standing in for Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent. The BBC would love to have a chance to work with him and possibly move him away from ITV. Kimberley is the one people have their money on in the office, however.”
I understand where they’re coming from. And Kimberley is no stranger to telly.
Along with her stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, she has fronted a couple of less high-profile shows over the years — including being a judge on ITV’s 2011 Sunday night talent show Born To Shine.
But for me, I think Ashley will clinch it in the end. He’s had a stellar 12 months on the box with BGT and now Dancing On Ice, and he’s a hit with viewers of all ages. It’s a no-brainer for me.
I SHAL DO MY DUTY IN AC-12
SHALOM Brune-Franklin is swapping her little white dress for the thin blue line as she goes hunting for bent coppers in hit drama Line Of Duty.
The actress plays DC Chloe Bishop, a new colleague for AC-12 heroes DC Steve Arnott and DI Kate Fleming, portrayed by Martin Compston and Vicky McClure.
Viewers might remember Shalom from series three of BBC1 drama Our Girl, where she appeared as cocky newcomer Private Maisie Richards.
Her arrival in the sixth series of Line Of Duty – set to air this spring – was announced by BBC1 in a mock memo from department boss Ted Hastings, played by Adrian Dunbar.
She’ll be sucking diesel in no time.
JAMES THE BADGER
THE Masked Singer viewers reckon Badger might be soldier-turned-pop star James Blunt under his animal disguise.
Badger gave a clue on the show, saying he collected medals.
Before entering music in 2004, James served in the Life Guards regiment of the British Army.
SUNNY IS BACK FOR SERIES 4
UNFORGOTTEN’s DCI Cassie Stuart and DI Sunny Khan will return to our screens later this month as they take on another emotionally-charged murder case.
Last Tango in Halifax actress Nicola Walker and comedian Sanjeev Bhaskar will reprise their roles for the fourth series of the ITV drama.
The star-studded line up for the six-parter also includes New Tricks’ Sheila Hancock, Killing Eve’s Susan Lynch, EastEnders’ Phaldut Sharma, Life On Mars’ Liz White and Peaky Blinders’ Andy Nyman.
But Sanjeev wasn’t star-struck. He said: “For the first time I knew three of the four main suspects this series.
“I worked with Liz White on a pilot about 15 years ago.
"Sharma was in the original line up of Goodness Gracious Me. Andy Nyman and I know each other socially.”
PIG-LET IT GO, LESLEY
WHEN you’ve worked together for as long as Birds Of A Feather duo Linda Robson and Lesley Joseph have, you let most things go.
But Lesley, who plays Dorien in the long-running sitcom, might not like her pal’s latest gag.
Linda said of her new MTV series Celebs On The Farm: “The piglets were absolutely lovely. I loved my piglet so much I called her Dorien. I think Lesley will be honoured.”
But Linda naming a pig after her own mate isn’t the spikiest thing in the show – that would be former I’m A Celebrity cast member Lady Colin Campbell.
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The outspoken royal commentator didn’t hold back when comparing her time in I’m A Celebrity with her stint on the farm.
She said: “This was a fine racehorse – I’m A Celebrity was a broken-down donkey. This was a magical experience, very pleasant. The cast were wonderful. The activities were challenging but really pleasurable. I’m A Celebrity, although it is a brilliant show, it had very disagreeable elements to it.”
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I can think of one . . .
- Brand new to MTV, Celebs on the Farm premieres on Monday 8 February at 9pm, and continues every week night for two weeks
STAY CLOSE
EDDIE Izzard and Jo Joyner have joined the cast of Harlan Coben’s new Netflix drama Stay Close.
It follows the success of another Harlen adaptation, The Stranger, which Netflix aired last year.
Stay Close will star James Nesbitt, Richard Armitage and Sarah Parish.
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