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CHASING CHUCKLES
Hit ITV quiz star reveals plan for surprising new spin-off role
She said: 'I’d love to be on a TV show or a film'
QUIZ show brainbox Anne Hegerty might be about to land a surprising job – with a role in a sitcom.
The Chase’s Governess said: “I’d love to be on a TV show or a film.
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"I know various people who are trying to get things off the ground.
“One of them is the guy on The Chase, he’s written a sitcom with a part for me.
"It would be brilliant to get that made.
“I’d also like to be in a Marvel movie as a fat old supervillain!”
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Explaining what happens when she finally leaves The Chase, Anne added on A Very Tall Man podcast yesterday: “The Governess goes back in the box, the costume goes back to the wardrobe department.
“The Governess is ITV’s intellectual property.”
It sounds like she already has a plan B teed up, anyway.
MIRREN'S CRACK AT DRUGS ROLE
SHE’LL always be best remembered for playing the late Queen Elizabeth II, but Dame Helen Mirren’s latest role couldn’t be further from the beloved royal.
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I can reveal the Oscar-winning actress will appear as a drug-dealing gangster in a new TV show by Guy Ritchie.
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The Chase's Anne Hegerty leaves viewers gobsmacked with 'gorgeous' new look
Her character, Maeve Harrigan, oversees a shadowy business empire from her giant mansion in the Cotswolds.
A TV insider said: “Fans of Dame Helen won’t believe their eyes when they see her tackle her new role, and not just because it couldn’t be more different to the Queen.
“It also sees her take on a TV project, which is rare for her these days, given that she’s a firm star in the Hollywood movie firmament.”
When bosses announced the new Paramount+ series last week they simply called it the “New Guy Ritchie Project”.
I understand it also goes by two other names, The Associate and The Fixer, though executives have yet to nail down what it will be called by the time it drops next year.
But both names have firm undertones of the criminal underworld that features in the show.
Dame Helen will star opposite Tom Hardy as Harry Da Souza, who the titles of the show refer to. He represents the criminal Harrigan family.
Hailing from Ireland, they include former James Bond Pierce Brosnan as the clan’s patriarch, Conrad Harrington.
Other A-listers taking part include Paddy Considine, Joanne Froggatt and Anson Boon.
But it’s still obvious who the queen is in that cast list . . .
KICKING UP A BUS, AL
THERE are always some spectacular magic tricks on the Royal Variety Performance – but nobody expected to see a Carr turned into a bus.
That’s just what host Alan Carr does, however, during the glittering showcase, which airs on Sunday at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
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Alan and co-host Amanda Holden appear at the end of a segment from the musical Starlight Express which features the whole troupe on wheels.
So Amanda also slips on some rollerskates, while Alan makes an appearance as a replacement bus service, much to the surprise of the show’s creator Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Thankfully, he saw the funny side . . . mainly because, unlike the rest of us, Lord Lloyd-Webber knows he’ll never end up stuck on one in his life.
A PURL OF A JOB FOR TOM
DIVER-turned-TV star Tom Daley has confirmed my story that he’s fronting a new knitting contest for Channel 4.
I revealed in October that he was being teed up to present Game Of Wool next year on the back of his high-profile love of the craft.
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The eight-part show will see ten knitters challenged to make a sculptural piece out of wool, ranging from the usual clothing to jewellery, home accessories and even furniture.
Tom said: “I am very excited, and slightly nervous, to be taking on my first ever hosting role on a project that encompasses everything I’m passionate about.
“I adore all things knitting and encourage everyone to pick up some knitting needles and give it a go.
“I cannot wait to see the creations our knitters will weave together.
“I hope this inspires people at home to get involved too.”
A LEAGUE Of Their Own will return to Sky Max and NOW on January 9.
Panel regulars Jamie Redknapp, Romesh Ranganathan, Micah Richards and Jill Scott will all be back alongside star guests including Tyson Fury, Luke Littler and Maya Jama.
CHEF’S JUDGE DREAD
FORMER Ready Steady Cook host Ainsley Harriott believes that being a TV judge has become harder as audiences are more sensitive.
So there’s no chance he’d fancy replacing Gregg Wallace on MasterChef, despite being a regular guest on the show.
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Ainsley said: “That is a tough gig, isn’t it?
“I think judging food or judging anything is harder.
“People talk about woke this, woke that but no, it’s now. This is society.”
Ainsley, who appeared as the expert on Celebrity MasterChef earlier this year, added: “That programme has been successful for many, many years.
“There’s a reason why. The format is fantastic.”
THIS Morning’s Cat Deeley risked a late curfew on a school night for the daytime show’s Christmas bash.
The host wore a cream coat with blue jeans for the party at James Blunt's pub, the Fox and Pheasant in Chelsea, London.
Alison Hammond dressed for the weather in a black puffer jacket while other stars up for a party included Josie Gibson, Ben Shephard and Dermot O’Leary.
The gang raised a toast to departing show boss Martin Frizell who is celebrating his last Christmas with the programme after quitting last month following ten years as the editor.
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Familiar faces including Phil Vickery, Alice Beer, Ashley James and Vanessa Feltz all glammed up for the do.
The cosy pub in upmarket Chelsea, offered a secluded and festively decorated setting in which the big names could unwind over a three-course meal and drinks.
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