Brendan Cole

Star of Strictly Come Dancing, Brendan is best known for sashaying his hips across the dance floor with particular flamboyance in the Latin American numbers. He’s held top honours as Latin American Champion in the Asia Pacific and New Zealand Championships and was semi-finalist in the World Open, International Open and British Open Championships.

CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER 2006: MOST OUTRAGEOUS MOMENTS

There will be another chance to see some of the most bizarre and outrageous moments in the history of TV, as Dermot O’Leary takes a look back at some of the most outrageous moments from Big Brother and Celebrity Big Brother . Take a trip down memory lane to relive the first six series of Big Brother and the first three series of the celebrity edition.

The show will air on Channel 4 on Monday 1 January 2007.

Russell Watson has been advised by his doctor not to take part in the new series of the BBC One show Just The Two Of Us.

The singer, who won the first series of the show earlier this year with actress Sian Reeves, was due to return for the new series starting in January 2007.

However, Russell’s doctor has advised him not to undertake the intensive schedule of rehearsals and live performances following his operation earlier this year to remove a tumour from his brain.

His recovery has taken much longer than anticipated and he has been under constant medical supervision since the operation 10 weeks ago.

Although he is desperate to perform in the TV show, his overall health has been far more affected by the Pituitary Ademona than first expected.

Russell is extremely disappointed that he is unable to take part in the show, but realises that he must follow the medical advice and not commit to anything that could affect his recovery.

The specialists monitoring Russell, concerned about his health and well-being, have had to have the final word on this.

In the New Year Russell hopes to focus on the rescheduled dates of his UK tour and complete the recording of his eagerly awaited new album, which is scheduled for release in March.

Just The Two Of Us Executive Producer Sumi Connock said: “Obviously we’re deeply disappointed that our champion can’t return to defend his crown but we always knew that it was a possibility due to his health.

“Sadly, at this late stage, Russell won’t be replaced so we’ve taken the decision to reduce the number of competing couples to eight and his partner Loui Batley will also leave the show.

“We wish Russell a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with him at this difficult time.”

Hollyoaks’ Loui Batley added: “I was really looking forward to working with Russell so am a bit gutted but hope he gets well soon and I’ll be cheering the other competitors on from the comfort of my sofa!”

The eight remaining couples are: Hannah Waterman and Marti Pellow, Sarah Brightman and Mark Butcher, Tony Christie and Julia Bradbury, John Bardon and Jocelyn Brown, Luke Bailey and Natasha Hamilton, Gregg Wallace and Carol Decker, Janet Ellis and Alexander O’Neal, and Brendan Cole and Beverley Knight.

Reports are abounding that Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has been the latest celebrity to sign up for this years installment of Celebrity Big Brother.

According to Birmingham radio station “BRMB”, the designer has been in talks with the producers of CBB5, and has agreed to appear in the new series.

In a bid to spice things up in this years Big Brother house, producers are said to have signed a married couple up to appear on the show.

Former footballer Jason Cundy and his wife Lizzie, an actress and model, will join other celebs for the show’s launch on January 3.

A show insider said: “Everyone on the show thinks it’s a masterstroke.

“It will be fascinating to watch a married couple interact with the others.

“Lizzie is stunningly attractive and is bound to set pulses racing. There are bound to be fireworks if Jason gets jealous.”

Ex-defender Jason, 36, played for Chelsea, while Lizzie has been in East- Enders and a Bond film.

With a new 3 year ITV deal under his belt, Simon Cowell is determined to make next years X Factor series the biggest and best yet. To do this he is said to be considering dropping Sharon Osbourne from the show.

A source close to Cowell told The People: “Simon has made up his mind about Sharon - and he wants her out.

“He feels Sharon is a bit lacklustre and could be more entertaining with her comments.”

Simon is also said to be angry about Sharon’s outburst at TV presenter Chris Tarrant during the last series. During a question and answer time, Chris is rumoured to have poked fun at Ozzy Osbourne, Sharon’s husband.

Sharon said to Tarrant: “Don’t you dare diss my family, you f***er.”

Cowell is also said to be unimpressed by Sharon’s ITV1 chat show, The Sharon Osbourne Show, which proved a ratings flop earlier this year.

A TV insider added: “When Simon first signed Sharon on X Factor he was convinced she’d be a big star.

“Now he’s wondering how much future she’s got on TV.”

Gareth, looking as clean and innocent as he did five years ago when he disappeared from the public eye, showed a maturity beyond his twenty two years as he openly discussed his unfortunate entanglement with the notorious Jordan, his present girl friend and hopes for the future. His come back is most welcome as this young man has a unique voice and personality that can only enrich our lives. He has totally overcome his stammer and is now helping others who have the same affliction.

He talked openly about his disastrous three month fling with Jordan. He spoke about being a seventeen year old family and religious boy, a virgin who was too much for the likes of Jordan to resist as she pursued him (his words) and corrupted his life. Apparently, she moved on happily and left the broken young boy behind. They had both agreed to keep the affair a secret because she was pregnant with another man’s baby and he was ashamed of his relationship with her. He kept his side of the bargain but she, to his shock and amazement, sold the story to the press. What type of woman is this Jordan? His greatest regret was having lied about the relationship to his family and especially to his mother who he is, unashamedly, very close to calling her his closest friend. So refreshing to see a young man not ashamed to declare his love for his mother stating that he honestly did not care what others thought of this..

We saw very little of his girlfriend of four years, who seems to be a very pretty, talented girl, a dancer and model, as careful as he is with her words and in full support of Gareth’s hoped for return to the music world.

It was sad to hear that Simon Cowell apparently dropped him five years ago, as did the company he had a record contract with, as he had been his mentor all along in Pop Idol (where Gareth came second to Will Smith) but Gareth has said that he is happy to be a free agent who writes his own songs.

Welcome back Gareth Gates we wish you every success in your venture.

This article was written by Evelyn Lewis. Thanks Evelyn!

Strictly Come Dancing Grande Final. and Karen Hardy are the well deserving winners.

All fourteen couples participating in the Strictly Come Dancing 2006 competition over the past twelve weeks came together for the dazzling and entertaining final between Mark Ramprakash with partner Karen Hardy and Matt Dawson with partner Lilia Kopylova. Each couples had five different dances to perform, all scoring exceptionally high points. Mark and Karen’s Salsa stole the first half of the show with four tens and standing ovation and applause from all four judges. A brilliant performance putting them in the lead after three dances.

Once again Mark and Karen brought the house down in the second half of the evening, dancing the Free Style, becoming one with each other and the music as they sizzled across the floor with breathtaking lifts and twirls and steps never seen before. They received a double standing ovation with head judge, Len Goodman and Bruce Forsythe shaking Mark’s hand and the audience cheering and applauding. It was no surprise to see the very excited Karen, winning a series for the first time, and calmly smiling but delighted British Cricketer, Mark receiving the trophy to the delight of all.

This article was written by Evelyn Lewis . Thanks Evelyn!

Do you remember Dennis the Russian guy from this year’s X Factor auditions? I came across his profile on MySpace this evening. It must be pretty new, because he hasn’t got any friends yet!

I thought he was great on the show’s final with all the other rejects. So in the Unreality TV spirit of Christmas, if you’ve got a MySpace account, send Dennis a friend request!

And while you’re at it, why not add us as well?

On Tuesday 2 January Dermot O’Leary presents CELEBRITY BIG BROTHER: FUNNIEST MOMENTS and gives E4 viewers another chance to relive their favourite funny memories and finds out which moments some of Big Brother’s celebrity fans remember having kept them in hysterics.