Huge ITV star set to replace Paul O’Grady on show following his death
RESCUE centre bosses are hoping money-spinning series For The Love of Dogs can continue after the death of host Paul O’Grady.
I can reveal that a front- runner for the job is Amanda Holden, who was a pal of the late entertainer and is also an ambassador for Battersea Dogs & Cats Home where the show is based.
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But it is a sensitive issue given how closely Lily Savage star Paul was associated with the series — and ITV is reluctant to broach the subject as the pain of his death feels too raw.
A TV insider said: “Execs just feel like it’s too soon to make firm plans about the series, as it’s barely been two months since he died.
“But the feeling at the home is that it’s what Paul would have wanted.
“After all, he cared deeply about the animals in Battersea.
“Amanda is the natural choice to take over the job, not just because she’s an experienced presenter but because she also cares about the home and would do anything for them.”
The showbiz world was rocked when Paul died unexpectedly at his home in Kent on March 28 aged 67, as a result of cardiac arrhythmia following a history of heart problems.
It marked the end of a varied and glittering career on stage and screen, but one of the projects he was most proud of was For The Love of Dogs.
Paul, who also presented a Radio 2 show, ended up adopting strays from the centre in South London after fronting 11 series over a decade, the most recent of which began on April 13.
After every show the home was inundated with donations and offers of help.
Since Paul’s death, a fund has been set up in his name which has raised more than £300,000 in eight weeks.
- To make a donation or find out more information about Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, see battersea.org.uk.
TORODE TRIP ON OZ FOOD
AUSSIE chef John Torode is taking his wife Lisa Faulkner on a foodies’ adventure Down Under.
Their five-part series sees them journey 500 miles along Western Australia coast.
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John & Lisa’s Food Trip Down Under will air this summer on ITV1 and ITVX. It means the MasterChef judge going back to his roots and grub that inspired him.
John and actress Lisa seek out chefs, food fanatics and entrepreneurs.
He said: “To make a show exploring more of the incredible country I was born in – and to have my wife alongside me creating more memories and discovering Australia on every level – is an absolute dream come true.”
Lisa added: “John often gets misty-eyed over Australia, so to understand that connection by revisiting the old and exploring the new together will just be magical.”
Bizbit
EX-CORRIE actress Ellie Leach has a bizarre keepsake from the soap after quitting earlier this year.
Ellie, who played tearaway Faye Windass, kept a finger nail worn by her character.
Ellie said: “I’ve got a sparkly green fingernail from when she dropped her stick-on nail down Ted’s sink.”
HOW SAD FOR AXED KIDS’ HIT
ITV has axed long-running children’s favourite How after closing its CITV channel and moving kids’ shows online.
The popular educational show that made facts fun for kids first appeared in 1966.
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It has featured presenters including Carol Vorderman, Gail Porter and Vick Hope.
Original “head of How” Fred Dineage made a comeback to appear in the most recent series, which ran on CITV last year.
ITV says the show will not return when CITV closes in the autumn and its children’s shows move to the new ITVX streaming platform.
The original series was made by Southern TV at its Southampton studios and gave answers to questions beginning with the word “How”.
Topics commonly covered included science, history, maths and simple puzzles.
When it returned in 2020, Fred said: “As long as there are kids there will always be How.”
Bizbit
BBC News Channel is shaking up its running order, with three new programmes starting to- day.
The schedule from 3pm to 9pm will include BBC News Now with Lucy Hockings, Verified Live with Matthew Amroliwala and The Daily Global presented by Yalda Hakim.
HUNKY IS HARMFUL SAYS DAN
FORMER Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac says the trend for shows to promote men as “hunks” is toxic.
The 2016 Strictly Come Dancing finalist played Dodger Savage in the Channel 4 soap from 2011 to 2015.
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He was often featured stripping to show off his physique, which he believes hasn’t helped him get parts since leaving.
He told Sussex Life magazine: “I’d like to be known for more than taking my top off.
“I took my top off in Hollyoaks. I was young when I did that.
“There’s always a hangover from doing that and you can get known for playing certain kinds of characters.”
He added: “No one wants to be labelled a hunk.
“Now it seems to be a big part of reality TV and that’s toxic.”
STRICTLY IS A TOUR DE FORCE
FANS looking for their fix of Strictly ahead of the next series can pick up tickets to the latest tour.
Ten of the BBC show’s professionals, including Gorka Marquez, Karen Hauer, Vito Coppola and Jowita Przystal, have a few remaining dates across the UK following five back-to-back shows at the London Palladium over the weekend.
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A highlight for me was Karen and Luba Mushtuk’s mesmerising dance, which proves why the BBC’s decision to introduce same-sex partnerships was such a welcome one.
Strictly lovers can catch them in Bournemouth tomorrow before they move to Plymouth, Portsmouth, Brighton, Liverpool and York.
MADE IN MARBELLA
FORGET Chelsea, it is more like Made In Marbella for Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo.
The reality stars said “I Do” in a big Spanish wedding after officially becoming husband and wife during a low-key ceremony at Chelsea and Kensington Register Office.
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This time around, the couple, who found fame on E4’s Made In Chelsea, were joined by family and friends including fellow TV stars Zara McDermott and Spencer Matthews.
