Ex-England boss Sam Allardyce and X Factor’s Ayda Field among Celebrity Apprentice for Comic Relief signings
Sam joins TV judge and actress Amanda Holden, presenter Rylan Clark-Neal and Russell Kane for the charity special
I BET LORD SUGAR’s boardroom gags take on a footie theme now ex-England and Everton manager Sam Allardyce is to star on Celebrity Apprentice.
The tycoon — chairman of Spurs from 1991 to 2001 — will judge Sam alongside the first lady of football and Sun columnist Karren Brady, who is vice-chairman of West Ham.
Sam is the latest star to be confirmed for the series.
Back in June, we exclusively revealed telly judges and actresses Ayda Field and Amanda Holden and former X Factor star Rylan Clark-Neal were taking part in the BBC1 show for Comic Relief.
The other apprentices are Boris Johnson’s sister, journalist Rachel Johnson, actor and comic Omid Djalili, Good Morning Britain’s showbiz reporter Richard Arnold, comic Russell Kane, interior designer Kelly Hoppen and EastEnders’ Tameka Empson.
Celebrity Apprentice last aired in 2009.
The only other series, in 2007, sparked a feud between Lord Sugar and contestant Piers Morgan after the Good Morning Britain host became the only apprentice to get fired.
Sam’s very brief time as England manager — 67 days and one game — ended after a newspaper’s sting operation saw him accused of corruption.
He denied the allegations but stepped down from the role by mutual consent.
Let’s hope Sam lasts longer in Lord Sugar’s boardroom.
Read more from Andy Halls' Bizarre TV Column
HAIR’S TO RALPH
THE Office’s Ralph Ineson, who played bully Finchy, had been too afraid to grow back his moustache – despite the show airing 18 years ago.
But the actor has braved facial hair for his new role as Detective Dicks in Agatha Christoe’s Agatha And The Truth Of Murder, on Channel 5.
Ralph said: “This is the first time I’ve worn a ’tache since a certain show I did. I’ve never dared since then.
“When I first shaved it in, I thought, ‘Oh my God – he’s back’. I’m finally at peace with that character.”
Beak to future
DANI HARMER is returning to CBBC next Friday as cult children’s character Tracy Beaker for a one-off of The Dumping Ground.
The actress, 29, who had daughter Avarie-Belle in 2016, first played Tracy aged 12. Now grown up, she’ll attend carer Mike’s wedding day.
Dani said of filming: “You don’t realise how difficult trying to find child care is.”
Popular children’s author Jacqueline Wilson’s new book features Tracy as a single mum.
A dog's dinner
IN this snapshot from the series Dynasties, a rare painted wolf is snagged by a lurking croc in Zimbabwe.
The heart-stopping clip is in Sunday’s edition of the BBC1 nature epic, narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
The wolf doesn’t give up without a struggle. See what happens by tuning in at 8pm.
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
Must watch
WHAT? The Graham Norton Show, BBC1, 10.35pm.
WHY? Cheryl Tweedy has another stab at singing her new single after its disastrous debut on The X Factor last week. She’s joined by Dawn French and Steve Carell.
SOAPBOX
IN CORONATION STREET, Kate bursts into the medical centre and tells Rana they should adopt a baby instead. But Rana is angry at being hijacked at work.
After drowning her sorrows, Kate drunkenly suggests to broody Robert he could father a baby for her and Rana.
Over on EASTENDERS, Jean throws a surprise party for Hayley’s birthday, determined to make it a special day. But Hayley is horrified by the effort she has gone to. Kat is surprised when Alfie suddenly shows up.
In EMMERDALE, Maya gets jealous when she overhears Jacob asking Liv to go to the cinema with him. And Vanessa and Charity start looking for a place together.
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