Mark Wright’s new TV series The Challenge became ‘total love-in’ with SIX celebrities getting together

THEY say make love, not war, and it seems contestants on Mark Wright’s new TV series The Challenge took that to heart.

As well as taking each other on in a series of extreme trials, the cast of reality TV stars kept hooking up.

Former Strictly pro AJ Pritchard fell for model Zara Zoffany — spelling the end of his three-year romance with dancer Abbie Quinnen and leaving her devastated as he dumped her on returning from filming the Channel 5 show in Argentina.

Then Towie’s James Lock made a successful move on Love Island beauty Arabella Chi and the pair have since even holidayed together on party isle Ibiza.

Meanwhile Ibiza Weekender star Callum Izzard fell for Towie cast member Ella Wise.

A source on the show said: “This was not meant to happen but being away together in a hot, foreign country got the romantic juices flowing.

“The crew were astonished to see the show turn into such a total love-in.”

If all that cracking on and coupling up was not enough, there were more Love Islanders in the mix to help sparks fly.

Kaz Kamwi, Kaz Crossley and Marcel Somerville also star.

But it seems likely the romances will fare little better than those spawned by ITV’s Love Island — Zara has already called time on her and AJ, claiming the he was “boring.”

The show is former Towie man Mark’s first big TV presenting job in the UK since he fronted another Channel 5 series, The Bachelor.

Following that, he gained valuable experience by fronting American entertainment news show Extra alongside Saved By The Bell star Mario Lopez.

The Challenge is an American format and Channel 5 now hopes the UK version will be just as popular with viewers over here.

It sees celebrities battle against each other in several high-octane challenges, to avoid elimination.

The winners will then take part in a global championship, battling against victors from the Argentinian, Australian and American series.

Chelsea beauts gleaming

IT’S OK for some, as the Made In Chelsea bunch bask in winter sun.

They all look beatifully bronzed after five weeks filming for their seasonal jaunt abroad.

And cast members including Miles Nazaire, Ruby Adler and Julius Cowdrey promise Made In Chelsea: Bali, which begins on December 20 at 9pm on E4 and All 4, will be full of Eastern promise.

The series sees the return of a newly single Melissa Tatum, who is keen to make up for lost time.

And I can reveal that E4 has an extra gift for fans this festive season.

A one-off special called Bonjour Baby follows Maeva D’Ascanio and James Taylor as they prepare for the birth of their baby – a boy called Beau, who arrived on December 1.

Becca’s keen to deliver

CALL THE MIDWIFE’s new nun Rebecca Gethings admits joining the BBC series was challenging.

The actress, who has also starred in The Thick Of It and Extras, worked overtime getting into the part of health visitor Sister Veronica.

She says: “I felt discom-bobulated, like I’d gone to summer camp and signed up for too many classes. I was learning lines, riding a moped, learning Cantonese, and then the wimple is very noisy so it’s like being in a crisp packet.”

Rebecca will star in the BBC1 show’s 12th series in the new year, after the Christmas Day special.

She says of her new character: “Her dad was in the Army and she travelled around and was always the new girl, so has a thick skin and doesn’t pick up on hints.

“She can hobnail-boot her way into situations and ruffle feathers but means well.”

GREAT British Bake Off winner Rahul Mandal got married yesterday.

The baker, who won the Channel 4 show in 2018, announced the news on Saturday night when he posted on Instagram: “We both are very excited, and a little nervous. It will be a small wedding in India.”

Hugh's in rich vein of form

HE played Holby City surgeon Ric Griffin for 19 years – and now Hugh Quarshie is full of ambition for his future acting roles.

He says he will take only parts that have “value” – like his next, in ITVX big-budget drama Riches.

Hugh plays Stephen Richards, head of a mega-successful black British family.

Asked if he felt he shared any traits with the character, he said: “I like to think that he, like me, has reached a point where he’s thinking, ‘Do I really care about any of that? What matters to me?’ A point where he wants to pass on something of value to the next generation.

“And that something isn’t just a pay cheque, it’s something of understanding. Wisdom and a state of grace.”

KYM MARSH has thanked fans for their support on Strictly Come Dancing after she was booted out of the competition.

She wrote on Instagram: “I will never forget this moment in my life. I have made a friend for life in Graziano Di Prima. Graziano you are now an honorary Marsh!”

Charlie: Janine's no killer

SHE has been a villain on Albert Square for years but Charlie Brooks, who plays Janine Butcher, insists her character is NOT a murderer.

The actress has come out in defence of Janine by claiming her husband Barry Evans, played by Shaun Williamson, actually FELL in that famous 2004 scene, when he plunged off a cliff.

She said: “I do not see Janine as a killer . . . If you watch the clip, Barry slipped off the top of the cliff. I sort of jolted in repulsion and he fell down.”

She said viewers will hate her even more when she leaves again on Boxing Day.