THIS year’s cast of Celebs Go Dating will be treated like royalty – and that includes being put up in a €33million mansion.
The seven stars chosen to take part in the E4 series, starting in 2021, are the luckiest by far to have signed up.
They will be based in an imposing Surrey property, staying there for four weeks to make sure of a Covid-safe environment.
The mansion features nine huge bedrooms, just in case anyone gets lucky, plus an indoor pool and games room.
As I exclusively revealed this month, Curtis Pritchard leads the line-up. He will join Geordie Shore’s Chloe Ferry, Coronation Street actress Kimberly Hart-Simpson, ex-Strictly contestant Karim Zeroual, Made In Chelsea’s Sophie Hermann, DJ Tom Zanetti and my favourite hopeless romantic . . . Wayne Lineker, brother of Gary.
Unlike in previous years, the celebrities will be living among their dates in the mansion. They won’t be able to escape their suitors, which will no doubt make for some awkward moments.
The group will be guided by show matchmakers Paul Brunson and Anna Williamson, while funnyman Tom Read Wilson will be on hand if they need some advice on an early exit.
I confirmed that Curtis had signed up for the series after splitting from dancer Amber Pierson.
And he certainly didn’t pay her or ex Maura Higgins any compliments when he said he’d yet to find a woman that met his expectations.
Curtis told me: “I’m really looking forward to learning more about myself and can’t wait to see who the agents set me up with. I have not been on many dates in my life, so I’m super-excited. Hopefully I’ll find my version of the perfect woman.”
Here’s hoping, or you’ll be stuck with a lot of ladies you don’t like for a long time.
Series 2021 cast
KARIM ZEROUAL
CBBC presenter, 27, was a runner up on Strictly Come Dancing.
CHLOE FERRY
Semi-nude selfies on Instagram have helped get 25-year-old reality star 2million followers.
SOPHIE HERMANN
The Made In Chelsea star, 33, was romantically linked to Johnny Depp.
CURTIS PRITCHARD
The dancer and ex-Love Islander, 24, once said of dating: “I wouldn’t rule anything out”.
KIMBERLY HART-SIMPSON
Actress, 33, who plays sex worker Nicky in Corrie, came out as bisexual on TV.
WAYNE LINEKER
Club owner, 58, has said his ideal woman should have “no baggage”, like older men and be a cook.
TOM ZANETTI
DJ and producer, 31, said being a dad at 17 kept him out of trouble.
READ ON FOR MORE OF ANDY HALLS’ BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Susanna a game Bird
SUSANNA Reid is the spit of Birds Of A Feather’s Dorien Green, Good Morning Britain viewers reckon.
They called in as the ITV show’s co-host today teamed a leopard-print dress with her big hair, just like the sitcom character, played by Lesley Joseph.
Co-host Piers Morgan said on air: “A lot of people are commenting. The dress, the hair. We think we’ve cracked it, it’s Dorien. Fantastic. Oh my God, it’s scary. Fabulous.”
But Susanna just laughed along – even posing up to get Dorien’s face just right.
Perhaps tomorrow, viewers would like to suggest the comedy characters who Piers looks like.
LOVE Island’s A&E medic Alex George has realised a break from the casualty department is just what the doctor ordered – and he will re-train as a GP. Speaking to The Sun at the height of the pandemic, Dr Alex said: “I’ll need a holiday after this is done, I can tell you that. I won’t be working as many hours as I am now.”
Flesh And Blood gets the chop
SHE is about to play The Queen in The Crown – but Imelda Staunton’s last drama had a short reign.
ITV thriller Flesh And Blood has been axed after its debut series, which ended on a cliffhanger and leaving viewers hoping for a sequel.
Downton Abbey actress Imelda played Mary, the nosy neighbour of a family divided after the matriarch, portrayed by Francesca Annis, finds a new man, played by Stephen Rea.
Co-star Russell Tovey said he would “love to do more”. And just before the drama aired in February, writer Sarah Williams said: “There is further meat on the bone.
“I love these characters and I did get very attached to all of them. I would love to follow on their story.”
But bosses disagreed. A spokeswoman said: “ITV felt Flesh And Blood was a self-contained and beautifully complete story.
“There won’t be a second series for this reason.
“But we’d like to thank the production team and actors for producing such a brilliant and compelling drama.”
Wed hot test for TV marriages
IF marrying someone you met minutes ago on a reality TV show wasn’t dramatic enough, E4’s Married At First Sight UK is getting an “explosive” revamp for 2021.
As well as glamorous wedding ceremonies – complete with worried guests and teary speeches – the new format will see couples sent off on honeymoon before living together alongside their fellow couples.
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Relationships will be put under the microscope at weekly dinner parties, as well as by the experts at commitment ceremonies, where couples choose whether to stay or separate.
The changes, which follow the Australian format, are expected to make for a bigger and more fiery watch, which will wrap up in a series finale complete with high-stakes vow renewals.
Just when you thought this show couldn’t get any more bonkers . . .
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