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SHIRLEY NOT?
Love Island-style series based on Shirley Valentine with famous women over 40 planned by ITV
THE last series of Love Island was one of telly’s biggest successes in recent years, but bosses aren’t going to let the young singletons have all the fun.
Bigwigs at ITV have put their heads together and come up with a version of the series for the more mature woman looking for love.
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The new show is called My Shirley Valentine Summer — after the 1989 film Shirley Valentine — and will see eight famous women, aged 40 and over, jet off to a Greek island to find romance and adventure.
It is being filmed next month by Twofour Productions, which is behind BBC’s The Real Marigold Hotel and Channel 4’s The Jump.
The show will see the lucky ladies throw themselves into local life and culture while staying in a luxury villa.
A telly source said: “Whether it is discovering a new relationship, hobby or career or rediscovering their confidence and ambition, the show will see the famous group living together and forming new friendships to share every moment of this unique experience.
It’s the trip of a lifetime.
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Let's hope it doesn't get as rowdy as Love Island...“Casting agents are busy choosing celebs to take part at the moment and are focusing on single women at a crossroads in their life who would benefit from the journey.”
Rom-com Shirley Valentine saw 42-year-old Scouse mum and housewife Shirley, played by Pauline Collins, rediscover herself on a holiday to the Greek island of Mykonos and embark on a fling with a local restaurant owner, played by Tom Conti.
The Greek bachelors won’t know what’s hit them.
Bizbit
TOWIE star Amber Turner has denied sleeping with Dan Edgar while he was still dating Clelia Theodorou.
She hit back at Clelia’s claims she broke the girl code, calling them “b*****ks”.
Udderly daft, Al
ALAN CARR is certainly making sure he leaves Channel 4 with a bang.
Now at work on a show for ITV after his C4 exclusivity deal ended, he milks a cow in tomorrow night's I Don’t Like Mondays.
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The reason? Guest Jonathan Ross used to do a milk round himself.
A glass of blue top for me, thanks.
Luck of the Irish for George?
DANNY DYER famously discovered he was linked to royalty on Who Do You Think You Are?
Now Boy George is hoping BBC researchers can dig up some surprise ancestors for him.
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But the Culture Club singer does not want to know whether a distant relative sat on the throne – rather that his Irish roots lead to a “gypsy clan”.
Appearing on This Morning, he said: “I’m really excited because I don’t know anything about it.
"Obviously I know my relatives in Ireland but I don’t know the history.
“My mum’s mother was found wandering the streets at six and that’s all we know.
"She was put in a home.
“We know nothing more about her, so it will be so interesting.
"There’s got to be some wrong’uns in there.
“I hope we come from a gypsy clan.
"I’m looking forward to it.”
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Gem takes to the sea-quins
EVER since the last Strictly series finished, it feels like all Gemma Atkinson has done is go on holiday.
She and dancer boyfriend Gorka Marquez, who I first revealed were dating during the BBC1 series, have posted numerous sun-soaked selfies since the turn of the year.
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Now they are off again – but this time they are not alone.
I am told the pair, below, are going on a couples holiday with Gemma’s former Emmerdale co-star Anthony Quinlan and his girlfriend, Dianne Buswell, also a Strictly pro.
The foursome are going on a two-week Med cruise, setting sail today from Southampton.
But they will not just be topping up their tans – it is a special Strictly-themed trip, meaning some one-on-one dance lessons and autograph signings.
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A cruise source said: “They’ve all been looking forward to the trip for some time.
"They’ll start on the south coast before sailing to Barcelona, Rome and Gibraltar, among other places.
“It’ll be a lovely romantic break for them all, but they have to do a bit of work while there.”
I first revealed how Anthony and Dianne, who started on the hit show last year, had got together after he went to see her at the Strictly final.
They briefly split, blaming the long distance, before shacking up again.
Two weeks in a tiny cabin will quickly make them decide if they are in it for the long haul.
Soapbox
BILLY is left crushed on EASTENDERS when Mel offers Woody the bar manager job at the club.
Billy breaks the bad news to Honey, fearing it will put the final nail in the coffin for their future.
Elsewhere, Karen arranges a wake for Joyce at the Queen Vic and Ted is touched by everyone’s support.
In HOLLYOAKS Luke’s ex-wife Scarlett makes a shock return and reveals that Ollie begged her to take him home.
Luke insists he’s a changed man and suggests adopting Ella.
Meanwhile, Brody is trying to comfort Damon over his break-up from Holly, but he is already hiding something.
He suggests a game of football, but Buster instigates a trip to The Loft instead.
Gemma Atkinson finally opens up about Gorka Marquez and says she fell for 'funny' Strictly dancer over coffee dates