TV
TV
James 'Arg' Argent lost two stone to get Lydia Bright back.
The larger than life star, 26, has revealed he made sure he shed some pounds when he found out his ex-girlfriend, 23, was going to be returning to 'The Only Way is Essex'.
When asked how he felt when he heard she was going to be on the ITV2 reality show again, he replied: "My heart flipped. I knew I'd be spending time with her. I knew that it was time to sort my life out, so I lost two stone."
Arg admits he has been on a one-man mission to sort himself out in an attempt to get Lydia to notice him and win her back, but he is aware it's going to take time.
He added to Now magazine: "It's a long game. I'm maturing and Lydia's noticed. I'm moving out of home, I want to pass my driving test ... I want to impress Lydia.
"I know you should do things for yourself - and they say you can't love unless you love yourself. But everything I do is for Lydia."
Arg must have been doing something right as the pair - who split two years ago - recently slept together.
James Argent shed two stone for Lydia Bright
James 'Arg' Argent lost two stone to get Lydia Bright back.
The larger than life star, 26, has revealed he made sure he shed some pounds when he found out his ex-girlfriend, 23, was going to be returning to 'The Only Way is Essex'.
When asked how he felt when he heard she was going to be on the ITV2 reality show again, he replied: "My heart flipped. I knew I'd be spending time with her. I knew that it was time to sort my life out, so I lost two stone."
Arg admits he has been on a one-man mission to sort himself out in an attempt to get Lydia to notice him and win her back, but he is aware it's going to take time.
He added to Now magazine: "It's a long game. I'm maturing and Lydia's noticed. I'm moving out of home, I want to pass my driving test ... I want to impress Lydia.
"I know you should do things for yourself - and they say you can't love unless you love yourself. But everything I do is for Lydia."
Arg must have been doing something right as the pair - who split two years ago - recently slept together.
TV
'EastEnders' star Lacey Turner says she wants to her character to emulate Dot Branning.
The 26-year-old actress reprised her role as Stacey Branning in the BBC One soap earlier this year but saw her alter-ego sent to prison, however she's set for another return and would love be in the show for the long run.
Quizzed on whether she could see Stacey having the longevity of June Brown's character, Dot, she said: "Mentally, I'm there! If you could do half of what June Brown has done with Dot, then that would be unbelievably amazing. She's such an amazing lady. Who knows? I'm always really happy here.
"I'll stay for as long as they'll keep me. I'm not going anywhere."
Stacey was sentenced to five years in prison for the murder of Archie Mitchell when she made her return earlier this year and although Lacey says she wants to do her time so she can get back to live with her daughter Lily, she says things may not be as simple as they seem.
Speaking about Stacey's reaction to her mother Jean Slater's (Gillian Wright) plans to get her out of prison, Lacey told the Radio Times magazine: "She doesn't take it so well at first. She wants to serve her time. She feels that she can't start again until she's paid for what she's done.
"But slowly, as bad things happen, she decides that maybe staying in prison isn't the wisest thing to do. And if she has got an opportunity to get out, then she should take it."
Lacey Turner: Stacey Branning not leaving
'EastEnders' star Lacey Turner says she wants to her character to emulate Dot Branning.
The 26-year-old actress reprised her role as Stacey Branning in the BBC One soap earlier this year but saw her alter-ego sent to prison, however she's set for another return and would love be in the show for the long run.
Quizzed on whether she could see Stacey having the longevity of June Brown's character, Dot, she said: "Mentally, I'm there! If you could do half of what June Brown has done with Dot, then that would be unbelievably amazing. She's such an amazing lady. Who knows? I'm always really happy here.
"I'll stay for as long as they'll keep me. I'm not going anywhere."
Stacey was sentenced to five years in prison for the murder of Archie Mitchell when she made her return earlier this year and although Lacey says she wants to do her time so she can get back to live with her daughter Lily, she says things may not be as simple as they seem.
Speaking about Stacey's reaction to her mother Jean Slater's (Gillian Wright) plans to get her out of prison, Lacey told the Radio Times magazine: "She doesn't take it so well at first. She wants to serve her time. She feels that she can't start again until she's paid for what she's done.
"But slowly, as bad things happen, she decides that maybe staying in prison isn't the wisest thing to do. And if she has got an opportunity to get out, then she should take it."
TV
Gabby Logan will host a TV show on a pro-celebrity darts tournament for Comic Relief.
'Let's Play Darts For Comic Relief' will see darts-loving celebrities join forces with professionals as they adopt their own persona, complete with nickname, costume, props and the all important walk on music.
Pinki Chambers, BBC Commissioning Editor, said: "We're delighted to be hosting 'Let's Play Darts For Comic Relief' on BBC Two. Make no mistake; this is a highly competitive tournament which will be full of jeopardy and sporting triumphs. Expect some laughs along the way too."
Peter Holmes, joint Managing Director at Zeppotron, added: "'Let's Play Darts For Comic Relief' will be a unique, funny and genuinely competitive sporting event. The sport of darts is known for its larger-than-life characters, dramatic entrances and incredible atmosphere. This show will mix all these qualities with a large helping of laughter."
BBC Two has commissioned the entertainment series for Red Nose Day 2015.
The star-studded event will be filmed at Lakeside Frimley Green - the home of world darts - for a winner-takes-all, knockout tournament.
Tickets are available via www.lakesidesurrey.co.uk.
Gabby Logan to host darts show for Comic Relief
Gabby Logan will host a TV show on a pro-celebrity darts tournament for Comic Relief.
'Let's Play Darts For Comic Relief' will see darts-loving celebrities join forces with professionals as they adopt their own persona, complete with nickname, costume, props and the all important walk on music.
Pinki Chambers, BBC Commissioning Editor, said: "We're delighted to be hosting 'Let's Play Darts For Comic Relief' on BBC Two. Make no mistake; this is a highly competitive tournament which will be full of jeopardy and sporting triumphs. Expect some laughs along the way too."
Peter Holmes, joint Managing Director at Zeppotron, added: "'Let's Play Darts For Comic Relief' will be a unique, funny and genuinely competitive sporting event. The sport of darts is known for its larger-than-life characters, dramatic entrances and incredible atmosphere. This show will mix all these qualities with a large helping of laughter."
BBC Two has commissioned the entertainment series for Red Nose Day 2015.
The star-studded event will be filmed at Lakeside Frimley Green - the home of world darts - for a winner-takes-all, knockout tournament.
Tickets are available via www.lakesidesurrey.co.uk.
TV
Vicky Pattison is going to "stir s**t up" when she returns to 'Geordie Shore' on tonight's (29.07.14) episode.
That's according to her co-star Holly Hagan, who is particularly delighted to see the raven-haired beauty back on the MTV reality show after she was axed following an incident in a nightclub which saw her convicted of assault and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.
In tonight's episode, Holly says: "I am so glad Vicky's back. She's the f**king queen of this house and when she finds out what's been going on she's going to stir s**t up."
Vicky's return didn't just go down well with Holly as her fellow housemate, newcomer Aaron Chalmers, 26, was also delighted to see the 26-year-old star.
He says: "So this beautiful girl walks in and it happens to be Vicky. Living with this girl is going to put a smile on my face."
Scott Timlin also approves of his pal's look, saying: "I've never seen Vicky looking this good like."
It appears the feeling was mutual as Vicky admits she is delighted to see the rest of the gang because she has missed them.
She says: "It is so good to see these t***s. I've actually really missed them."
'Geordie Shore' continues tonight on MTV at 10pm.
Vicky Pattison to stir things up on Geordie Shore return
Vicky Pattison is going to "stir s**t up" when she returns to 'Geordie Shore' on tonight's (29.07.14) episode.
That's according to her co-star Holly Hagan, who is particularly delighted to see the raven-haired beauty back on the MTV reality show after she was axed following an incident in a nightclub which saw her convicted of assault and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.
In tonight's episode, Holly says: "I am so glad Vicky's back. She's the f**king queen of this house and when she finds out what's been going on she's going to stir s**t up."
Vicky's return didn't just go down well with Holly as her fellow housemate, newcomer Aaron Chalmers, 26, was also delighted to see the 26-year-old star.
He says: "So this beautiful girl walks in and it happens to be Vicky. Living with this girl is going to put a smile on my face."
Scott Timlin also approves of his pal's look, saying: "I've never seen Vicky looking this good like."
It appears the feeling was mutual as Vicky admits she is delighted to see the rest of the gang because she has missed them.
She says: "It is so good to see these t***s. I've actually really missed them."
'Geordie Shore' continues tonight on MTV at 10pm.
TV
Mary Berry wants to avoid sob stories on the new series of 'The Great British Bake Off'.
The 79-year-old baking queen has admitted that the fifth series of the programme won't be as teary-eyed as its predecessor, which regularly saw runner-up Ruby Tandoh crying into her pastries.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Mary said: "We want to avoid the tears."
She then added that the show's host Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins are key to keeping the atmosphere upbeat in the baking tent.
Mary explained: "Mel and Sue play an immensely important part of the programme. I love it when they are cheeky and everything is right about the show this year.
"We had good weather, the atmosphere is great and in the past, we have lost good bakers because they have fluffed it. But this year, it was so close. We have never had a better final."
This year marks the show's move from BBC Two to the more mainstream and popular BBC One channel.
The fifth series saw over 16,000 wannabe-bakers apply and Mary's fellow judge, Paul Hollywood believes that the standard of applicants this year was "awesome".
He told the newspaper: "The quality and standard of baking this year has been awesome. They still had their faults - but that is what we are there for. Overall, the bakers were incredible and I have loved doing the show. Some did challenge me, which I liked."
Paul then joked: "The atmosphere has been very different too. They really bonded well. They are competitive but they are very supportive. It's cuddlier!"
Mary Berry wants to avoid tears on new ‘Great British Bake Off’
Mary Berry wants to avoid sob stories on the new series of 'The Great British Bake Off'.
The 79-year-old baking queen has admitted that the fifth series of the programme won't be as teary-eyed as its predecessor, which regularly saw runner-up Ruby Tandoh crying into her pastries.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror newspaper, Mary said: "We want to avoid the tears."
She then added that the show's host Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins are key to keeping the atmosphere upbeat in the baking tent.
Mary explained: "Mel and Sue play an immensely important part of the programme. I love it when they are cheeky and everything is right about the show this year.
"We had good weather, the atmosphere is great and in the past, we have lost good bakers because they have fluffed it. But this year, it was so close. We have never had a better final."
This year marks the show's move from BBC Two to the more mainstream and popular BBC One channel.
The fifth series saw over 16,000 wannabe-bakers apply and Mary's fellow judge, Paul Hollywood believes that the standard of applicants this year was "awesome".
He told the newspaper: "The quality and standard of baking this year has been awesome. They still had their faults - but that is what we are there for. Overall, the bakers were incredible and I have loved doing the show. Some did challenge me, which I liked."
Paul then joked: "The atmosphere has been very different too. They really bonded well. They are competitive but they are very supportive. It's cuddlier!"
TV
Kerry Katona will try for another baby on her honeymoon.
The Atomic Kitten star - who has a three month old daughter, Dylan-Jorge, with her fiancé George Kay - is keen to add more kids to her brood with her future husband after the pair are married.
When asked if she feels pressured to have more children, Kerry - who also has children Molly, 12 and Lily-Sue, 11, with her first husband, former Westlife star Brian McFadden and Heidi, seven, and Max, six, with her ex-spouse Mark Croft - told OK! magazine: "No not at all. George wants another soon because he doesn't want to be an old dad, so that's in the back of my mind, but he'll wait until I'm ready.
"We both want them close in age so we'll have a cheeky try for number six on our honeymoon."
Fortunately, the couple have managed to build up their confidence to try for another child following the difficulties that surrounded Dylan-Jorge's birth earlier this year.
Kerry explained: "Oh god, it was terrible. DJ died for 10 minutes and I was rushed to theatre after losing so much blood and my placenta erupted inside me - George thought he'd lost us both.
"I still get upset talking about it. At first, George was like, 'I couldn't put you through that again, it was too scary, what if the baby didn't make it?' But now we want another."
George said: "I've spoken to people who have had traumatic births and they say after six months you completely forget about it and want another one. That's happened even sooner for me - I already want another."
Kerry Katona to try for baby on honeymoon
Kerry Katona will try for another baby on her honeymoon.
The Atomic Kitten star - who has a three month old daughter, Dylan-Jorge, with her fiancé George Kay - is keen to add more kids to her brood with her future husband after the pair are married.
When asked if she feels pressured to have more children, Kerry - who also has children Molly, 12 and Lily-Sue, 11, with her first husband, former Westlife star Brian McFadden and Heidi, seven, and Max, six, with her ex-spouse Mark Croft - told OK! magazine: "No not at all. George wants another soon because he doesn't want to be an old dad, so that's in the back of my mind, but he'll wait until I'm ready.
"We both want them close in age so we'll have a cheeky try for number six on our honeymoon."
Fortunately, the couple have managed to build up their confidence to try for another child following the difficulties that surrounded Dylan-Jorge's birth earlier this year.
Kerry explained: "Oh god, it was terrible. DJ died for 10 minutes and I was rushed to theatre after losing so much blood and my placenta erupted inside me - George thought he'd lost us both.
"I still get upset talking about it. At first, George was like, 'I couldn't put you through that again, it was too scary, what if the baby didn't make it?' But now we want another."
George said: "I've spoken to people who have had traumatic births and they say after six months you completely forget about it and want another one. That's happened even sooner for me - I already want another."
TV
Coronation Street star Charles Lawson thought the bank robbery storyline that resulted in his character ending up behind bars was "stupid".
The 54-year-old star, who is set to return to ITV soap next week when he Chris Gascoyne's imprisoned alter-ego Peter Barlow buys alcohol off him in jail, insists it was "silly" when his character held up a bank in 2011 in an attempt to get money to buy the Rovers Return pub.
Despite this, the actor realised something had to be done as his on-screen wife Beverley Callard - who has previously spoken about her battle with depression - was unwell at the time.
He said: "It was stupid. But there was a crisis going on. Beverley was ill as we all know, so people had to write something pretty damn quick. I thought it was silly. But it had to be written in a hurry. So, hey ho. But we played it to the hilt and people enjoyed it."
Charles revealed Jim is set to strike a deal with Peter after meeting him in prison which sees the ex-army man reunited with wife Liz McDonald, and the actor - who is back on Corrie for a three-month stint - is hoping the pair will fall in love again so he can return to the cobbles permanently.
He told RadioTimes.com: "Jim asks Peter to ask Ken to get a message out and Steve comes along. We've also shot Liz coming along which was brilliant. Good scenes. I'm glad to say we haven't lost it. Jim thinks the lady doth protest too much. He wonders who she is trying to convince. But she says, 'My new man is twice the man you'll ever be!'
"Yet underneath it all, Elizabeth McDonald will always be in love with Jim and vice-versa. That is a constant and I hope the writers keep it a constant. Then I'll be back!"
Jim was handed a seven-year sentence in 2011 after holding up the bank, and as a result Liz fled to Spain to live with son Andy. Beverley later reprised her role as Liz in October 2013.
Corrie’s Charles Lawson brands exit storyline ‘stupid’
Coronation Street star Charles Lawson thought the bank robbery storyline that resulted in his character ending up behind bars was "stupid".
The 54-year-old star, who is set to return to ITV soap next week when he Chris Gascoyne's imprisoned alter-ego Peter Barlow buys alcohol off him in jail, insists it was "silly" when his character held up a bank in 2011 in an attempt to get money to buy the Rovers Return pub.
Despite this, the actor realised something had to be done as his on-screen wife Beverley Callard - who has previously spoken about her battle with depression - was unwell at the time.
He said: "It was stupid. But there was a crisis going on. Beverley was ill as we all know, so people had to write something pretty damn quick. I thought it was silly. But it had to be written in a hurry. So, hey ho. But we played it to the hilt and people enjoyed it."
Charles revealed Jim is set to strike a deal with Peter after meeting him in prison which sees the ex-army man reunited with wife Liz McDonald, and the actor - who is back on Corrie for a three-month stint - is hoping the pair will fall in love again so he can return to the cobbles permanently.
He told RadioTimes.com: "Jim asks Peter to ask Ken to get a message out and Steve comes along. We've also shot Liz coming along which was brilliant. Good scenes. I'm glad to say we haven't lost it. Jim thinks the lady doth protest too much. He wonders who she is trying to convince. But she says, 'My new man is twice the man you'll ever be!'
"Yet underneath it all, Elizabeth McDonald will always be in love with Jim and vice-versa. That is a constant and I hope the writers keep it a constant. Then I'll be back!"
Jim was handed a seven-year sentence in 2011 after holding up the bank, and as a result Liz fled to Spain to live with son Andy. Beverley later reprised her role as Liz in October 2013.
TV
John Altman is to reprise his role as bad boy Nick Cotten in 'EastEnders'.
The 62-year-old actor's nasty alter-ego will cause a shock upon his return to Albert Square after it was revealed in March that he'd apparently died of a heroin overdose.
John said: "After a five-year break I'm very pleased and looking forward to returning to 'EastEnders.' With the promise of some hard-hitting and gritty storylines I'm sure the residents of Albert Square will be none too pleased to see Nick Cotton."
Nick's mother Dot Branning (June Brown) was left devastated when her long-lost grandson Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) told her the tragic news of her son's passing four months ago.
However, viewers saw Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) discover the truth in last night's episode (28.07.14) when she answered Charlie's phone and recognised Nick's distinctive brash voice on the other end of the line.
Carol - who is battling with breast cancer - will now attempt to find out why Charlie faked Nick's death and what the villain has in store for Dot when he returns.
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins explained: "As we approach EastEnders' 30th anniversary, it's only fitting that our original bad boy - and soap's most iconic villain - returns to Albert Square to cause more trouble for his Ma."
Viewers last saw Nick - who appeared in the very first episode of 'EastEnders' in 1985 - in 2009 when he fled Walford after holding a number of residents hostage at the café.
John Altman reprises bad boy Nick Cotten role in EastEnders
John Altman is to reprise his role as bad boy Nick Cotten in 'EastEnders'.
The 62-year-old actor's nasty alter-ego will cause a shock upon his return to Albert Square after it was revealed in March that he'd apparently died of a heroin overdose.
John said: "After a five-year break I'm very pleased and looking forward to returning to 'EastEnders.' With the promise of some hard-hitting and gritty storylines I'm sure the residents of Albert Square will be none too pleased to see Nick Cotton."
Nick's mother Dot Branning (June Brown) was left devastated when her long-lost grandson Charlie Cotton (Declan Bennett) told her the tragic news of her son's passing four months ago.
However, viewers saw Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson) discover the truth in last night's episode (28.07.14) when she answered Charlie's phone and recognised Nick's distinctive brash voice on the other end of the line.
Carol - who is battling with breast cancer - will now attempt to find out why Charlie faked Nick's death and what the villain has in store for Dot when he returns.
Executive producer Dominic Treadwell-Collins explained: "As we approach EastEnders' 30th anniversary, it's only fitting that our original bad boy - and soap's most iconic villain - returns to Albert Square to cause more trouble for his Ma."
Viewers last saw Nick - who appeared in the very first episode of 'EastEnders' in 1985 - in 2009 when he fled Walford after holding a number of residents hostage at the café.