Laura Whitmore investigates shocking subject in new ITV documentary series
LAURA WHITMORE’s unlikely transformation from Love Island host to hard-hitting documentary maker is under way.
I can reveal the subject of her first investigation are “incels” — an online movement of men who believe women are to blame for their lack of sexual intimacy.
The Irish presenter will front three episodes as part of a series on new streaming platform ITVX, in which she has excitedly crowed about returning to her “journalism roots”.
Laura says: “One of the topics I’ve been looking at as part of the new series is incels. I didn’t know a lot about this community other than some high-profile cases in the media.
“By meeting incels and trying to understand the ideology, I’ve been both fascinated and at times scared and shocked.”
Laura quit Love Island in August after presenting three series following the death of the ITV2 show’s original host, Caroline Flack.
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She admitted there were “elements of the show I’ve found very difficult” when announcing her departure, hinting at potential creative differences.
Perhaps the content in Laura Whitmore Investigates will be more valuable — and shedding insight into incels will certainly tick that box.
The rise of the incel movement has been blamed for a number of well-documented hate crimes.
In 2021, 22-year-old Jake Davison killed himself after shooting dead five people, including his mother, in his home city of Plymouth, having subscribed to incel-related content online.
Laura will probe what should be done to stem the movement.
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Slightly different fare, then, to asking: “What’s your type on paper?”
DENISE: I WAS ALL BLUSTER
DENISE VAN OUTEN says she was TV’s worst-ever weather presenter during her early days on the Big Breakfast.
She lied about taking a meteorological course to boost her credentials during an interview for the job.
On Channel 4’s The Big Narstie Show tonight, she admits ringing up ITN in the morning to get the weather report so she could repeat it on air.
She adds: “It got to the point where I was such a s*** weather girl that I was just flying around in the helicopter – like, if you want to know what the weather is like just look out your window.”
But Denise was offered the main hosting job six weeks later with Johnny Vaughan after being a hit in the sky.
CLAUD'S HIDDEN TRAITS
A CHEERLEADING coach, BMX rider and a magician are among the contestants on Claudia Winkleman's new psychological reality show.
The Traitors sees 22 strangers compete for £120,000 by playing a game of detection, backstabbing and trust inside a Scottish castle.
Hidden among them are the Traitors, tasked with “murdering” a player every night without getting caught. It’s up to the others – the Faithfuls – to detect who the Traitors are, and banish them.
Survivors have the chance to win the cash but if a Traitor remains undetected, they take the money.
The BBC1 series starts on Tuesday at 9.30pm.
On the couch
DANIEL CRAIG joins Fleur East, Sir Ian McKellen and comedian John Bishop for a chat on Graham Norton's red sofa tonight.
US singer Charlie Puth will provide the music, while a member of the audience will tell tales on the Big Red Chair. Tune in from 10.40pm on BBC1.
LO AND BEHOLDEN
IF AMANDA Holden was a nun, her convent would be horrified. Yesterday, she posted herself on TikTok miming to cult movie Sister Act.
Amanda has a thing for nuns, having previously claimed she’d love to play Isabella in Shakespeare’s Measure For Measure However, she accepts her slim chances adding: “I’ll never get cast as her, no one would ever take me seriously as a nun.”
She’ll have fun trying, though.
TYLER IN STRICTLY TROUPE
TYLER WEST can keep his dancing shoes – he’s going on the Strictly tour.
The Kiss FM DJ, who suffered a shock exit at Blackpool last week, paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds and actor Will Mellor are the first to sign up for the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour next year.
They will be joined by more of this year’s celebrity dancers and their pro partners on dancefloors across the UK – starting at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham on January 20.
The tour, which will include all four of the judges and be hosted by Janette Manrara, ends at Glasgow’s OVO Hydro on February 12.
Will said: “Stepping out of my comfort zone and being a part of this massive show is something I’ll never forget.
“I can’t wait to put on my dancing shoes and go around the country to perform in front of thousands of people who have watched and supported.
FIRED UP FOR HELL ON TALK
FOOTBALL: Bloody Hell! sounds like something a long-suffering World Cup widow might shout at her husband as he tunes into Poland v Mexico.
But in fact it is the title of an anarchic new TalkTV show that will be debating the best bits from the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
The team will be following England’s progress . . . hopefully all the way to next month’s final.
talkSPORT presenter is to host alongside celebrity guests, chewing over the exploits of Gareth Southgate's Three Lions heroes.
The first show is on tonight – straight after the team’s match against the USA.
Joining Andy will be former West Ham manager Sam Allardyce and ex-England, Spurs and Aston Villa striker Darren Bent.
Football Bloody Hell! is on every Friday night for the rest of the World Cup. Andy said: “We’ll be trying to bring back the feel of edgy Friday-night telly.
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“We’ll be delivering a smorgasbord of serious football chat, some comedy, great guests and a few surprises thrown in. Think Top Gear meets the Golden Greats meets Britain’s Got Talent: The after show.”
- Football: Bloody Hell! is on Talk TV Freeview 237, Sky 522 and Virgin 60 at 9pm.