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JOB FOR THE BOY

Mrs Brown’s Boys star Brendan O’Carroll lands new panel show Tell Me Something I Don’t Know — as BBC aims to cash in on his popularity

BRENDAN O’CARROLL is the star of TV’s most popular sitcom and now the Mrs Brown’s Boys creator has landed his own show.

BBC1 aim to cash in on his popularity with new panel show Tell Me Something I Don’t Know, which will see the Dublin showman play himself for once.

Brendan O'Carroll is the star of TV’s most popular sitcom and now the Mrs Brown’s Boys creator has landed his own show - playing himself for once
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Brendan O'Carroll is the star of TV’s most popular sitcom and now the Mrs Brown’s Boys creator has landed his own show - playing himself for onceCredit: Rex Features
The BBC hope Brendan — minus wig and frock  — will still wow  viewers on his new show.
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The BBC hope Brendan — minus wig and frock  — will still wow  viewers on his new showCredit: BBC Handout

As Mrs Brown’s Boys is watched by 11million and was voted the 21st-century’s best sitcom, it’s a safe bet for Beeb commissioners.

An industry source said: “The BBC are really excited about the premise.

“It’s set to be a lively family show, which sees contestants play games and answer questions. Bosses know that Mrs Brown’s Boys has a fiercely loyal following who can be relied on to  tune in to see whatever Brendan is getting up to.

“There’s hope it will become a staple entertainment show.”

The programme is being overseen by Hungry Bear Media, the production company that is also behind the sitcom’s chatshow spin-off, All Round To Mrs Brown’s, which is due to return next year.

Producers are currently looking for members of public to take part in the  series, with an ad reading: “We’re looking to create a fun, exciting atmosphere in studio and will be inviting members of the audience to come down and take part in the gameplay.”

The new show starring Brendan seems to be a safe bet for Beeb commissioners in light of his success as Agnes Brown
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The new show starring Brendan seems to be a safe bet for Beeb commissioners in light of his success as Agnes Brown
 Mrs Brown’s Boys is due to return for a Christmas special, this time minus regular actor Rory Cowan
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Mrs Brown’s Boys is due to return for a Christmas special, this time minus regular actor Rory CowanCredit: BBC

It will be yet another string to  Brendan’s bow, with Mrs Brown’s Boys due to return for a Christmas special, this time minus regular actor RORY COWAN.

Rory quit  earlier year because he dreaded all the touring the cast have to do for the live versions of the show.

Hopefully Brendan will find a creative writing solution — and then, minus wig and frock  — still wow  viewers on his new show.


Who is Brendan O’Carroll? Mrs Brown’s Boys star who plays Agnes Brown


 Mrs Brown’s Boys is watched by 11million and was voted the 21st-century’s best sitcom
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Mrs Brown’s Boys is watched by 11million and was voted the 21st-century’s best sitcomCredit: BBC


Read more from Dan Wootton's Bizarre TV Column


Sing when you're wringing

THE X Factor judges make a splash on tomorrow’s show when they join host DERMOT O’LEARY on the Tidal Wave ride at Thorpe Park Resort.

The X-Factor judges make a splash on tomorrow’s show when they join host Dermot O'Leary on the Tidal Wave ride at Thorpe Park Resort
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The X-Factor judges make a splash on tomorrow’s show when they join host Dermot O'Leary on the Tidal Wave ride at Thorpe Park Resort
During a break from auditioning in the Surrey theme park, Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Dermot braved the water ride
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During a break from auditioning in the Surrey theme park, Simon Cowell, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Dermot braved the water ride
The X Factor stars all got a good drenching
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The X Factor stars all got a good drenching
Nicole and Dermot after their drenching
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Nicole and Dermot both got soaked on the ride
Simon and Dermot
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Simon and Dermot

During a break from auditioning in the Surrey theme park, SIMON COWELL, NICOLE SCHERZINGER and LOUIS WALSH braved the water ride and got drenched.

Just as wet, however, are damp squib auditionees, Achilles and Phillip Zisidiadis. The shredded twins are the spit of JUSTIN BIEBER but on Saturday’s show they reveal they lack any of his charisma or singing talent.

Just as wet, however, are damp squib auditionees, Achilles and Phillip Zisidiadis... the shredded twins are the spit of Justin Bieber but on tomorrow’s show they reveal they lack any of his charisma or singing talent
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Just as wet, however, are damp squib auditionees, Achilles and Phillip Zisidiadis... the shredded twins are the spit of Justin Bieber but on Saturday’s show they reveal they lack any of his charisma or singing talent

The cocky pair fail to convince the judges they should get put through to boot camp based solely on looking like the Despacito singer.

Even Louis is left unimpressed – and he usually has a soft spot for the boyband wannabes.

Sarah's after a pub job

AS Britain’s highest earning female comedian, you’d think SARAH MILLICAN would scoff at the idea of serving drinks in the pub in her spare time.

Sarah  has considered working behind a bar just to be social
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Sarah  has considered working behind a bar just to be socialCredit: Getty - Contributor

But Sarah  has considered working behind a bar just to be social.

She said: “The worst thing is the anxiety and feeling lonely. Sometimes I catch myself going past a shop that I like or a pub that I like and see a sign that says ‘help wanted’ and I think, ‘Oh I could get that . . . oh no, I’ve got a job.’

“I’m just about to ask if it’s CV or an application then remember I’ve a tour to do.”

The best thing to do when you’re lonely is throw yourself into your work, and Sarah is all over that.

She said: “I’ve created quite a few environments where I’m surrounded by amazing women. I’m working on the early stages of a panel show for Radio 4. It’s mostly excellent women.”

Sarah will finally have some colleagues at long last.


Must Watch

WHAT? Gogglebox, Channel 4, 9pm

WHY? The fly-on-the-wall favourite returns  with some new  characters and sofa critics. As always, the cameras capture instant reactions to telly’s most talked-about shows.


MP Michael's current affairs

ECCENTRIC  Tory MP MICHAEL FABRICANT will  ditch political duties for a night to appear on  Celebrity First Dates.

Eccentric  Tory MP Michael Fabricant will  ditch political duties for a night to appear on Celebrity First Dates
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Eccentric  Tory MP Michael Fabricant will  ditch political duties for a night to appear on Celebrity First DatesCredit: Rex Features

FRED SIRIEIX’s restaurant of singletons will also welcome X Factor’s   MATT TERRY, as I told you last month. Mop-haired Michael  has been coy about his sexuality in the past, admitting he has “done things with a bloke”  and  joking that he was having an affair with a llama.

Fred Sirieixs restaurant of singletons will also welcome X Factor’s   Matt Terry
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Fred Sirieix's restaurant of singletons will also welcome X Factor’s   Matt TerryCredit: Splash News

A source said: “Michael has preferred to leave his love life ambiguous, so who he’s matched up with  will be  revealing. He’s one of the biggest pro-Brexit MPs, so that golden rule of dating – don’t discuss politics – is bound to be broken. It could be explosive.”

Hopefully there’s room in the restaurant for something furry with four legs, just in case.

Joan: Pep wanted to pick me up

SCREEN legend DAME JOAN COLLINS can’t stand love scenes.

Joan and A Team star, George Peppard, fell out after she rejected his advances
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Joan and A Team star, George Peppard, fell out after she rejected his advances

She said on The Jonathan Ross Show: “I’ve always hated them. They’re embarrassing, and you have to be careful that your nose doesn’t get in the way, that your lipstick doesn’t get on the man’s white shirt, that he doesn’t squash your boobs.

“I had to do one love scene with an actor that I really disliked, and he really disliked me, and it was a nude scene, and it was not nice.”

Pressed to reveal the man in question, she said: “It was George Peppard.”

The A-Team actor, who died in 1994, and Joan starred in   1970 thriller The Executioner, above.

Joan told how the pair fell out when she rejected his advances, saying: “Peppard wouldn’t speak to me at all afterwards.

“It was sad.”


Biz Bit

HE’S back on telly tonight in Cold Feet, but JAMES NESBITT has other ambitions. He   told Magic Radio: “I’d love to play a Bond villain. I’ve always loved Bond. I think DANIEL CRAIG has been incredible.” The feelers are out.


SOAPBOX

STE’s fate is finally revealed in HOLLYOAKS as the jury gives its  verdict.

Good Morning Britain host KATE GARRAWAY has her big soap moment as she reports on the end of the murder trial.

Zack encourages Lisa to go for it with Brody when he sees their  chemistry, despite her promise to be a surrogate for Louis and Simone.

In NEIGHBOURS, Amy, Nick and Terese are enjoying a drink in a  hotel room when police officer Mark appears with David. He  says there’s been an anonymous tip-off that Nick  has stolen cancer drugs from the hospital.

After searching the room, Mark  finds the haul.

Nick denies taking them and accuses Paul of framing him . . . but it is no use as he is taken back to prison.

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