Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood set for a reunion with Mary Berry in America despite two failed attempts at a career Stateside
PAUL HOLLYWOOD’S bid for a career Stateside may seem ill-fated after two failed attempts.
But the Bake Off judge shouldn’t lose hope just yet.
Channel bosses are still backing Paul despite poor ratings for The Great American Baking Show — and are even lining up a reunion with MARY BERRY.
ABC Network President Channing Dungey said: “Audiences really get excited about the contestants and the way in which the show unfolds.
“The format is not that different from the British version but I think viewers respond to the hosts and the people we have here.
“We are excited about the way we are doing the show here in America.”
Channing said she was also hopeful about the possibility of Mary coming onboard “depending on schedule”.
A source said: “The Mary and Paul combo is a winning formula and American bosses are well aware of that.
“They saw how much of a success Bake Off was on the BBC and are keen to recreate it.”
US bosses were forced to pull the third series of The Great American Baking Show after just two episodes in December when Paul’s co-star Johnny Iuzzini was accused of sexual misconduct.
It was the British baker’s first appearance on the show after he was brought in to replace former judge Mary.
Paul’s previous bid to make it in the States ended with a similar flop in 2013.
He judged The American Baking Competition which was ditched after one series — and it was later revealed he had had an affair with fellow judge Marcela Valladolid.
If Paul is reunited with Mary, I think a fling is definitely off the cards.
READ ON FOR MORE OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Kady: Amber had little Kem-istry
LOVE Island’s KADY McDERMOTT has claimed that this year’s winner AMBER DAVIES didn’t have genuine feelings for ex KEM CETINAY.
The war of words between the reality TV beauties turned toxic after pals close to Amber said that Kady is “jealous” of her success.
Kady who appeared in the ITV2 series in 2016, said: “I wasn’t surprised to hear they had split. Amber is not as genuine as Kem.
“I’ve never met Amber – and I don’t plan on meeting her. She has blocked me on Twitter.”
But pals close to Amber, who won £50,000 last summer with former beau Kem, claim anything Kady says about their romance is untrue.
A telly source said: “Her saying that Amber’s feelings towards Kem aren’t genuine is really hurtful – especially coming from someone who doesn’t know and has never met either of them.
“She’s obviously struggling with becoming irrelevant now. Kady needs to get back in her box.”
Amber who appeared on ITV’s Lorraine on Wednesday, admits she turned to booze following the split.
She said: “I definitely used alcohol as a coping mechanism. I took about four steps back when I should have powered through.”
Amber has joined Lorraine’s Lose the Booze campaign, which encourages people not to drink in January. It will do her a world of good.
Keith & Paddy movie show back in future
KEITH LEMON and PADDY McGUINNESS had such a laugh doing movie parodies in ITV series The Keith & Paddy Picture Show, they’ll be back for round two in the spring.
The duo will take on iconic movies Top Gun, Jurassic Park, Terminator 2, Grease, Pretty Woman and Gremlins in the second series.
Keith said: “I’m so excited to be back doing The Keith & Paddy Picture Show. It’s so much fun working with your mate in real life, living the dream playing roles in classic films we love.
The catering is amazing too.” Sounds like a win-win.
bizbit
IDRIS ELBA will have a new co-star in the upcoming fifth series of Luther.
Vera actress WUNMI MOSAKU will join the BBC1 drama as DS Catherine Halliday.
Idris said: “It’s good to be back in London, back in the coat.”
Danny's grave decision
BBC comedy Cradle To Grave could be circling the drain.
Following PETER KAY’s shock announcement that he was cancelling all work commitments last month, the future of the show has been left in doubt.
Peter played dad Spud in the 2015 comedy, which was written by DANNY BAKER about his childhood.
But with his return for the new series now in question, Danny has been forced to make other plans.
He said: “The show is in limbo. I’ll wait for Peter until 2019, but the actors all need to know.
“The BBC is being very good about it but a big player independent of the BBC and everyone else has stepped in and said, ‘We think there’s a way of doing your record shop or punk years’. I’d be happy if it was just that.”
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WHY? While Florence rests up with a sprained ankle, the rest of the team is tasked with solving the murder of poker player Bobby Rodrigues who was poisoned mid-game.
Soapbox
THERE’S a blast from the past in store for Ian as his ex-wife Mel returns to Albert Square in EASTENDERS.
She goes straight to the cafe to see Ian, who quickly realises that Mel – who left Walford 16 years ago – isn’t back in town to discuss the good old days.
Elsewhere in Walford, the Ahmeds face a crisis over Daisy’s disappearance and Masood is left feeling terrible as a result.
In EMMERDALE, Robert and Victoria hatch a plan to kidnap Seb in order to stop the Whites from leaving the country.
Meanwhile, Lachlan is enraged when Belle accidentally reveals what Chrissie told her. Her slip-up has a terrible effect on the entire family.