Prem legend signs for Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins as casting for new series begins
NEXT year’s Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins will star yet another footballer – this time Troy Deeney.
The former Watford striker follows Wayne Bridge, John Fashanu, Jermaine Pennant and Ashley Cain who have all had to draw on their most challenging moments on the pitch to get through the show.
A TV insider said: “Footballers’ competitive streak seems to lend itself to taking part. Troy is likely to discuss some of the most upsetting elements of his life in the interrogation room with the instructors.
“Often the celebrities taking part reveal deep-rooted problems that only manifest themselves fully when they’re pushed to the limit in the competition.”
Troy has talked in the past about his struggles with alcohol and anger, and how both could lead to fights.
In 2012 he was jailed for affray after an incident outside a nightclub, and in an interview he once said: “I genuinely used to love a drink. I lived for the weekends, and if that ended up in a scrap, so be it.
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“Now I look back and think, ‘What an idiot’ — but I’d never change my past because it genuinely made me who I am.
“I am still working on being completely teetotal and the anger issues are a work in progress.”
I’m sure the show’s SAS instructors will work on those with you, Troy.
Tom's soc and awe in Cambodia
AS we prepare to watch Soccer Aid for Unicef this weekend, Tom Grennan has been hitting the gym – and visiting Cambodia to meet youngsters due to benefit from the event.
The Bedford-born singer will join fellow celebrities competing for England and trying to end their side’s five-year losing streak in the fundraiser against the World XI team.
But for him it is about something much more important than the match.
Tom said: “Being asked to actually go to Cambodia and see where the money that is raised goes, and who it goes to, has completely shifted my whole view on what Soccer Aid is about.
“We are raising money for these kids to have a chance in life, for these kids to have a playground, or these kids to have a life.”
Soccer Aid for Unicef is on Sunday at Stamford Bridge and will be live on ITV1, STV and ITVX.
To donate, see socceraid.org.uk/donate.
New drama
A DRAMA based on a book by Liane Moriarty, who was behind Prime Video series Nine Perfect Strangers, will air on the BBC.
The broadcaster acquired Apples Never Fall, which follows the Delaney family as they fall apart after the arrival of a stranger.
The seven- parter airs later this year.
Shivers for Shiv and Jim
IT will air at the height of summer – but don’t expect to see Jimmy Doherty and Shivi Ramoutar outside without a coat.
The duo are behind new Sunday morning show Farmhouse Breakfast on ITV.
But the episodes – which see the pair cook in the open air and showcase rare animals and forgotten countryside crafts – were filmed ahead of the hot weather.
Jimmy said: “There was a day when I had three layers on. Lucky it’s all filmed under an open-sided barn so you only had to hear, and not feel, the rain.”
Jimmy and Shivi are hoping to tackle the decline in daytime TV viewing with their new “wholesome” series.
Jimmy explained: “Farming hasn’t always been popular on TV, but now everything outdoors has really taken off. There’s definitely an appetite out there for programmes you can lose yourself in.”
They will be joined by guests including kids’ presenters Dick and Dom, The Chase boffin Jenny Ryan and Drag Race star Baga Chipz.
Bridgerton set to please
FANS of Bridgerton finally get the scene they have been waiting for between Penelope and Colin (Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton) in the second half of the new Netflix series.
Released on June 13, one of the four episodes will include them getting frisky in front of a mirror.
Fab way to lure Jennifer
THERE is no coincidence that thriller writer Harlan Coben cast two of Absolutely Fabulous’ biggest stars in his gripping Netflix shows – as he’s a huge fan of the sitcom.
He was behind this year’s Fool Me Once, which featured Joanna Lumley, and his breakthrough drama saw Jennifer Saunders join 2020’s The Stranger.
But to get Jennifer on board, he had to promise the funny factor on set.
Harlan told the Radio Times: “I was a big Ab Fab fan for a long time.
“When we were doing The Stranger, they sent a huge list of actresses, and I remember saying, ‘What about Jennifer Saunders? She’d be perfect’. They said, ‘Well, she only does comedy’.
“I wrote Jennifer a letter saying she’d have a lot of fun.”
The US writer has two more shows in the works for Netflix – Missing You and Run Away, which are based on his books.
Twist in tale for doc job
CHOREOGRAPHER Jack Murphy is behind the romantic dances set in Bridgerton’s lavish ballrooms.
But he jumped at the chance to get away from yet another 19th century number for once and to step into the Swinging Sixties.
He directs the moves in Saturday’s Doctor Who episode Rogue on BBC One, when Time Lord Ncuti Gatwa appears at an alien Regency- style ball.
Jack only agreed to the job if he could choreograph The Twist, which was seen in The Devil’s Chord episode that aired last month.
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He said: “I was asked if I’d be interested in working on the Regency episode.
“I said ‘Yes, I would love to, so long as you let me do the Twist because I’m never allowed out of the 19th century’.”