BBC facing a nightmare trying to protect Mary Berry, 85, from Covid as she returns to filming Best Home Cook
BEEB bosses are facing a nightmare trying to protect Mary Berry from Covid-19 as she returns to filming Best Home Cook.
The 85-year-old national treasure is at risk due to her age, so producers are considering copying her former show The Great British Bake Off by quarantining cast and crew for weeks.
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But rather than hold up production, they are also contemplating less drastic steps including social distancing, testing and regular hand-washing so filming can start next month.
It is unlikely the celebrity contestants on the BBC1 cookery contest, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, will be asked to wear PPE as they prepare food for Mary to eat.
A TV insider said: “The BBC wants to ensure the set is as safe as possible for everyone, but obviously Mary is a particular concern given her age.
“Taking the same steps as Bake Off may seem like the obvious option. But holding up the start of filming is also a risk because all TV production could stop again if there is a second spike in infections. It’s a difficult balance to strike.”
Last month Channel 4’s Bake Off announced its cast and crew would quarantine ahead of filming the show. It is believed this was because 80-year-old judge Prue Leith is particularly vulnerable to the coronavirus.
Since then, lockdown has eased as the number of new infections and deaths has fallen.
Still, I’m glad I’m not the one making the decision when we are talking about TV royalty like Mary.
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Telly Pix of the week
SOMETHING has certainly put a smile on Pixie Lott’s face as she snuggles up to her hunky boyfriend, model Oliver Cheshire.
The couple will appear on Friday night’s instalment of Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox, commenting on shows ranging from the news to Antiques Roadshow.
There is also some racy viewing in the form of 1992 erotic thriller Basic Instinct starring Sharon Stone and Michael Douglas.
That might go some way to explaining the grin.
bizbit
THE Last Kingdom’s Adrian Schiller doesn’t think his treacherous character Aethelhelm will survive series five of the Netflix show. He said of his part: “Dramatic morality demands that they have a painful demise.”
Anna in doc bid
CELEBS Go Dating guru Anna Williamson is talking to broadcasters about making a documentary on mental health in relationships.
She said: “I think that’s going to be a huge thing that’s going to be coming through over the next couple of years.”
Anna has already made a documentary for BBC1 on anxiety for pregnant women and mothers. She has also fronted a series of talks called Brain Debates for The Brain Forum.
Anna will be back on E4 for Celebs Go Virtual Dating on July 27.
Chloe Ferry, Pete Wicks, Shaughna Phillips and Levi Davis will be among those who hope Anna can help them find love.
bizbit
CITIZEN Khan’s Adil Ray has opened up about getting racist abuse as a child. On Good Morning Britain on Thursday, he said: “I remember when I was called the P-word at school. Oh yeah, I went to a very white school.”
Island couple split up
PEOPLE say that Love Island romances don’t last – and they are so right.
Just six months after leaving the villa, Sophie Piper and Connor Durman are no longer an item.
The couple paired up during this year’s series, but have not seen each other since lockdown started.
Now they have agreed to call time on their relationship after it failed to take off.
A TV insider said: “Things just fizzled out.
“They never even went official. It just didn’t have a chance to get started because of lockdown and they both agreed it was better to just stay friends.”
Connor, a coffee salesman, and admin assistant Sophie, whose sister is Rochelle Humes, had decided to stay together even when he was dumped from the island.
And I was convinced it was true love.
Blake's burden
IT has been a decade since Blake Harrison played dim schoolboy Neil Sutherland in TV sitcom The Inbetweeners.
And despite going on to appear in a long line of dramas, the actor cannot escape his character from the Channel 4 show.
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Blake said: “I do get stuff, like people shouting ‘Bus w****er’. They think it’s funny and to them it is because it’s the first time they’ve had that experience.
“But for me it’s the 1,000th time. The novelty has worn off.”
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must watch
WHAT? The Other One, BBC1, 9pm.
WHY? The final episode in the series sees Cathy trying to cope with the cancellation of her wedding, so half-sister Cat decides they need to go on a break of their own.
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