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Belo: 'Essex is the new Big Brother'

Thursday, November 18 2010, 14:38 GMT Brian Belo has claimed that The Only Way Is Essex is the perfect replacement for Big Brother.

Belo, who is friends with the cast of the ITV2 series, said that Essex had captured some of the original appeal of the axed Channel 4 reality show.

"I think that The Only Way Is Essex was needed," he told DS. "We needed a British version of The Hills. Big Brother started out about normal people and being aspirational, but then it all got a bit weird.

"If you watch The Only Way Is Essex, you can say, 'Ooh I fancy that person, I want to be like them and dress like them'. Big Brother had stopped being like that.

"It's also a show that proves it's okay to cast people who are very similar. You can sometimes make a show for a niche market rather than trying to please everyone."

Speaking about his relationship with the show's stars Amy Childs and Kirk Norcross, he added: "I've known Amy since she was 17 and knew that she would be the star of the show. Me and Kirk used to be friends and we still speak every so often. I'm really happy for him and I used to go down the Sugar Hut quite a bit."

The Only Way Is Essex will return for a Christmas special and a second series in 2011.

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Byram 'unsure' about Big Brother role

Friday, February 4 2011, 18:15 GMT Total Wipeout's Amanda Byram has admitted that she would be worried about taking on Big Brother presenting duties if the show was to return on Channel 5.

It was reported last month that talks between the broadcaster and the reality show's production company Endemol were at "an advanced stage". Davina McCall has suggested that she will not host the series if it does make a comeback.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Byram - who presented US reality programme Paradise Hotel - confessed that she would not be keen on replacing McCall.

"I always kind of question that kind of thing, bringing it back," she said. "It's like making a sequel. I don't know - it's like drinking from a poisoned chalice.

"I look at Davina and she is just fantastic and encompasses everything that was Big Brother. No matter what happens there will always, always, always be comparisons made to Davina."

She continued: "In a sense I've been through that before with The Big Breakfast, which was actually my big break so I could never say anything bad about it. It was the most incredible experience and actually the best, most fun show - apart from Total Wipeout - that I've ever done.

"You take over from Johnny [Vaughan] and Denise [Van Outen] and you're drinking out of a poisoned chalice. Comparisons are always going to be made. I think it's not really the best situation to be in, but work is work. I'm calling my agent!"

> Byram offers Bleakley Daybreak support
> Click here to read our full chat with Amanda

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Big Brother Nikki plans acoustic tour

Wednesday, October 13 2010, 13:36 BST Nikki Grahame is to play a series of acoustic gigs around the country.

The Ultimate Big Brother star, who finished second in the series, will perform at The Talking Heads bar in Southampton on November 23.

The show will apparently feature "a full set of acoustic covers performed by Nikki Grahame in her own inimitable, drama-soaked fashion".

A Facebook posting from the venue urged prospective attendees: "PLEASE GET TICKETS ASAP THIS WILL SELL OUT SO MIGHT NOT BE ROOM ON THE NIGHT"

Further dates are expected to be announced soon.

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Big Brother Craig lands celeb DIY show

Friday, October 15 2010, 11:37 BST Big Brother star Craig Phillips has landed a new celebrity DIY series on Home.

The reality TV star will tackle DIY dilemmas in the homes of famous faces including Linda Robson, Frankie Dettori, Christine Hamilton and Nancy Sorrell.

Phillips will provide insights into the homes of the celebrities and also offer viewers handy tips for looking after your homes.

Speaking to DS earlier this year, Phillips claimed that the programme was "a cross between Cribs and Through The Keyhole".

UKTV's Jane Rogerson said: "Celebrity DIY With Craig Phillips is a great way to get a sneaky peak of how the famous live, as well as an informative and entertaining way of learning how to tackle those household repairs."

Head of Home Clare Laycock commented: "Craig's the perfect presenter for this series; he's a master builder, a great teacher and has the patience of a saint. He's got a very eclectic mix of celebrity mates from Linda Robson and Christine Hamilton to Frankie Dettori and Nancy Sorrell - all severe DIY dodgers."

Phillips added: "I?m delighted so many of my friends have agreed to take part and allow us exclusive access to their homes across the country. It?s surprising just how many of them are DIY dodgers so it?s great to teach them some DIY. I am sure this will make for excellent viewing for audiences and provide a good mix of practical useful do-it-yourself tips and entertain at the same time. I am pleased to be part of Home?s plans for 2011."

Celebrity DIY With Craig Phillips will air in spring 2011 on Home.

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Cheryl Cole 'wanted as Big Brother host'

Thursday, March 31 2011, 08:48 BST

© PA Images / Suzan/EMPICS Entertainment

Cheryl Cole could be offered a ?5m deal to host a revamped Big Brother, according to a report.

The Daily Star claims that Channel 5 bosses are planning to try to tempt Cole away from The X Factor, after Simon Cowell failed to confirm if she has landed a role on the US version of the competition.

Reports previously claimed that Channel 5 was close to signing a deal to see the reality show return, following the final series on Channel 4 last year. The paper suggests that the broadcaster is keen to secure a presenter with "major viewer appeal" to take over from Davina McCall.

"It really is true. Big Brother looks certain to return - bigger, brighter and more shocking than ever before," a source said. "As part of that deal we want to get a really big name involved as the host and they don't come any bigger than Cheryl.

"We're confident she can be tempted away from Simon with the offer of fronting the most-talked about show of the year. There is going to be a real buzz around Big Brother and we're confident she will want to be part of that deal."

Insiders have claimed that Cowell will be "absolutely furious" to learn of the plans: "Simon has teased everyone, including Cheryl, by delaying his announcement about the judges. It is now being delayed until the end of April. It would serve him right if Cheryl got fed up.

"It would be a major coup for the Big Brother show to land Cheryl and programme chiefs have been told to do all in their power to land her, whatever it takes."

Responding to a journalist on Twitter, Cole's representatives commented: "Surely [the Daily Star] should have waited a day till April 1."

> Cheryl Cole 'not invited to royal wedding'

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