Exclusive
ONE MORE JOB
Hit BBC show lands surprise second series after huge success on screen
SHE is one of the most glamorous women in showbiz and famous for her eye-popping outfits on Britain’s Got Talent.
But Amanda Holden proved she is far more than just a clothes horse as she grappled with rats and rubble to fix up a Sicilian townhouse for her BBC show with Alan Carr, Amanda & Alan’s Italian Job.
3
And the pair will soon be dusting off their overalls once again, as I can reveal the A-list best friends have been handed a second series.
It will follow Alan and Amanda as they seek out another derelict property to revamp and sell on for charity.
A source said: “It’s so hard for new TV shows to make an impact, but the ratings have been incredible and Amanda and Alan’s chemistry is undeniable.
“To think the pair of them had the idea themselves during lockdown and are now planning series two is a dream come true for them both. There are still logistics, timings and details to sort but, all being well, they’ll be officially announcing the news soon.”
READ MORE AMANDA HOLDEN NEWS
The first run followed the pair as they renovated a broken-down home they bought under Italy’s One Euro scheme.
The programme lets foreigners purchase a pad for a solitary coin in support of efforts to repopulate Sicily.
And Amanda has been quick to point out the home-buying scheme exists outside of Italy too, in Portugal, Croatia, France and even Japan.
She told me that if Italian Job took off, they were gagging to pull off another miracle makeover — this time on an old Greek taverna.
Most read in News TV
Amanda previously shared her excitement at the prospect of more shows, adding: “I think we’d both love to do a second series. It just depends whether it works, whether it’s liked and if we can do it.
“It would be like Fawlty Towers! A coachload of people turning up, me and Alan there to make your bed, cook your breakfast. Mandy and Alan’s B&B, from Greece, though. We could re-enact the whole of Mamma Mia!”
Alan added: “There’s tears, there’s laughter. And you can’t fake that. It’s visual Berocca!”
They’re both such Super Troupers.
Norton joins up for jerk
IF the image of a flaming Tommy Lee Royce in Happy Valley still haunts your dreams, you’ll be pleased to see James Norton looking much cheerier.
For his next role, James will make a guest appearance in the new series of Tim Renkow’s BBC comedy Jerk.
3
It has not been revealed what his part will be, but this publicity snap shows the actor in a green-and-gold African-style shirt, baggy trousers and a red woollen hat.
It’s a world away from his Happy Valley psycho role, and he stars alongside series regulars Lorraine Bracco, Sharon Rooney and Rob Madin plus newcomers Oliver Maltman, Sally Phillips and Gary Beadle.
Tim said: “It was great to be back with the old crew and some new faces.
“They were all unbelievably excellent and so much fun to work with.”
The Macked Singer
LEE MACK joins The Masked Singer this Saturday as Rhino, Fawn and Phoenix compete in the grand finale.
Plus three previous competitors will return for a trio of amazing duets.
This fourth series has been a ratings smash, with a whopping 5.4million viewers tuning in to the semis.
Ghostly tales in TV move
IF the cost of living wasn’t scary enough these days, the BBC is set to frighten the life out of us by bringing its spookily successful ghost podcast Uncanny to BBC2.
Hosted by Danny Robins – the chilling mind behind Cheryl Tweedy and Jake Wood West End play 2:22: A Ghost Story – the three-parter will snoop into real-life stories of supernatural encounters that defy all explanation.
Uncanny has been played almost eight million times on podcast platforms worldwide.
Danny told me: “I’ve been blown away by the response.
“I’m incredibly excited to get the chance to both continue the podcast and adapt it for TV, as we explore that biggest of all questions: do ghosts exist?
“I promise it will be scary and fascinating in equal measure – so, do you dare watch?”
It will air later this year.
No sleep for Jenna
NETFLIX star Jenna Ortega revealed she did not get any sleep while filming Wednesday.
The actress, who plays the title role in the series, is still at uni so would be on set 14 hours a day before joining a Zoom class for school.
She revealed: “I did not get any sleep. I pulled my hair out!”
Chip off the gold block
NEW Sunday night drama The Gold tells the story of the real-life Brink’s-Mat robbery in 1983, where £26million of gold bullion, diamonds and cash were stolen from a warehouse near Heathrow Airport.
It’s a tale that felt a little close to home for its star Charlotte Spencer, who knows all about villains – as they run in her family.
3
The Ted Lasso actor, who plays a detective in the new BBC yarn, revealed: “Back in the day – I’m talking the 50s and 60s – some of them were robbers.
“My great-uncles robbed Securicor vans, or tried to. They went to prison for it.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
“So, this drama is close to my heart. I understood both sides, hearing those old family stories. I’m not ashamed of it. It’s a story of survival in a way, just wanting a piece of that pie.
“They did their time – but that’s where I’ve come from.”
The Gold continues next Sunday on BBC1 at 9pm.
Topics