EastEnders star John Bardon is known to millions as Dot’s long suffering husband, Jim Branning but prior to joining the soap John appeared in many classic British television programmes including Dad’s Army and Only Fools and Horses while his film roles include East Is East, Fierce Creatures and One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing. He also performs as a stand-up comedian and was profiled on This Is Your Life in 2003.

Mark Butcher

Mark is one of England’s premier batsman with 71 international caps to his name and he scored an amazing 173 not out to win against Australia in 2001. He’s captain of Surrey County Cricket Club and captained England when they faced New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1999. Music has always been a big part of his life – he first performed in a school production of The Pirates Of Penzance when he was 12 and both his parents are musical.

Julia is co-presenter of BBC-1’s Watchdog and it was her colleague Nicky Campbell who suggested that she take part in this year’s competition. Over the summer Julia satisfied her passion for extreme sports by completing a documentary about the selection process for the world famous Red Arrows, which saw her get not one, but two opportunities to fly in the famous jets. Julia is also working on a BBC-1 special documentary entitled ‘Speed’ which examines the consequences of dangerous driving and will be broadcast next Spring. Julia has previously had singing lessons as she was keen to experiment with her voice but it was for fun rather than with an eye to a live primetime entertainment show.

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.

It’s back! The duet singing showdown, Just The Two Of Us, returns for a brand new series on BBC One on 2 January 2007.

Nine celebrities will be singing for survival when they are paired with some of the world’s biggest recording stars to perform live every night.

The celebrities stepping up to the mike are:

Casualty’s Luke Bailey

EastEnders’ John Bardon

Former England cricketer Mark Butcher

Strictly Come Dancing’s Brendan Cole

Masterchef’s Gregg Wallace

Hollyoaks’ Loui Batley

Watchdog’s Julia Bradbury

Blue Peter doyen Janet Ellis

and former EastEnder Hannah Waterman.

Pairing them are four singing sensations new to the show:

Sarah Brightman

Tony Christie

Carol Decker

and Marti Pellow.

Plus, five Just The Two Of Us regulars are returning:

Jocelyn Brown

Natasha Hamilton

Beverley Knight

Alexander O’Neal

and Russell Watson.

Glamorous husband and wife team Tess Daly and Vernon Kay also return to host the show, guiding the celebrity songbirds through the emotional rollercoaster of intense daily rehearsals, live performances, the critique of the judging panel and the triumphs and tribulations of the uncompromising viewer vote.

A rigorous training programme will see the professionals put their partners’ vocal skills to the test as they prepare to step out on stage and fight it out for the Just The Two Of Us crown.

Each night they will perform a different song in a different genre including: songs for stage and screen, swing, pop, rock and soul.

They will be judged by a panel of industry experts and then viewers will have the chance to vote for their favourite.

Packed with all the glitz and glamour of a live music entertainment show, Just The Two Of Us not only guarantees exclusive performances from the pro-celebrity couples but also promises a series of unique professional collaborations.

Executive Producer Sumi Connock says: “We’ve got a brand spanking new show complete with our own results show which will include its own special surprises.

“Each night will be packed with new and classic songs accompanied by a 16-piece live band in the studio.

“Once again, the pressure of performing live will challenge our celebrities to perform in ways that they’ve never done before.”

The BBC reported:

Classical singer Russell Watson, who had a brain tumour removed this year, is to defend his title on the celebrity duets contest Just the Two of Us.

He will be one of nine professionals who are paired with famous faces when the BBC TV series returns on 2 January.

Ex-Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis, cricketer Mark Butcher and actress Hannah Waterman are also taking part.

Sarah Brightman, Tony Christie, Wet Wet Wet’s Marti Pellow and Carol Decker of T’Pau are among those joining Watson.

The programme - presented by husband-and-wife team Vernon Kay and Tess Daly - will run for six nights.

THE NINE CELEBRITIES
Luke Bailey (Casualty)
John Bardon (EastEnders)
John Bardon (Hollyoaks)
Julia Bradbury (Watchdog)
Mark Butcher (cricketer)
Brendan Cole (Strictly Come Dancing)
Janet Ellis (ex-Blue Peter)
Gregg Wallace (Masterchef)
Hannah Waterman (ex-EastEnders)

Each duo will be judged by a panel of industry experts before viewers vote for their favourites.

The winner will be announced in the grand final on 7 January.

Is there no reality Tv show this man wouldn’t do!

Fresh from his fourth series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, and his summer holiday on the beach resort of ITV1’s Love Island, Brendan is rumoured to have signed up for BBC’s next reality TV show, ‘Just The Two Of Us’.

Max Clifford was right! Maybe reality TV is the best road to fame!

BBC’s celebrity singing competition, Just The Two Of Us, is due to return to our screens from January 2-7th next year.

The show, which last year saw Sian reeves (who couldn’t actually sing) scoop the prize along with partner Russell Watson, features a TV celebrity dueting each night with an actual singing professional.

I can’t wait to hear who might be taking part this year.

I knew it! As the BBC series of ‘Just The Two Of Us’ was coming to an end I was sure something was going on between Russell Watson and Sian Reeves. Maybe it was the tension during the first few days, or the way they gazed at each other, maybe they kissed just once too often, but I knew!

I watched the tabloids for days after the show ended waiting for the big announcement, but it didn’t come. I began to suspect that they were faking the chemistry in order to win, that or they were both incredible flirts.

And today I spotted this article in Wanadoo. They ARE together!

The reason we haven’t heard about it before now was that Sian had a boyfriend and wanted to let him down gently before she announced her new relationship with Russell “The Voice” Watson!

A TV insider whispered: “Sian and Russell seem quite happy together. It was a very difficult situation because Sian was with Jeremy until very recently,� the mole continued. “It’s a very sensitive issue and Sian decided it was time to end her relationship. Now she’s with Russell.�

It’s Chantelle and Preston all over again! If I was a celebrity or a celebrity girlfriend I wouldn’t let my man anywhere near a show like this!

Singer Songwriter Curtis Stigers who recently appeared on the BBC duets show ‘Just The Two Of Us’ has invited his partner on the show Penny Smith to perform at his upcoming concert in Belfast’s Waterfront Hall.

“Sure we kind of made fools of ourselves a little bit,” Curtis confessed, “but Penny has a great sense of humour and can laugh at herself.

“I’d be glad to welcome her on stage in Belfast to renew our friendship from the television thing.”

Penny is said to be considering the offer, but ultimately her decision will depend upon her GMTV rota.

Tonights final of the celebrity duet show ‘Just The Two Of Us’ saw ‘Cutting It’ actress Sian Reeves and partner Russell (The Voice) Watson competing with Holby City actor Mark Moraghan and ex Atomic Kitten singer Natasha Hamilton for the ‘Just The Two Of Us’ trophy.

Both duets had four songs to sing which included

Mark and Natasha:
1) Kids
2) You Can’t Take That Away From Me
3) I’ve Had The Time Of My Life.

Sian and Russell
1) Great Balls Of Fire
2) Annie’s Song
3) I Would Do Anything For Love

and the final song ‘Your Song’ was sang together by all four finalists.

Throughout the show Mark Moraghan and Natasha Hamilton remained at the top of the leader board as the judges favourites to win, with Sian Reeves and Russell Watson following closely behind.

At the end of the night I think everyone would have agreed that Mark and Natasha were definately the more talented couple. Mark’s singing beat Sian’s hands down, so that should have been it. Mark and Natasha deserved to win.

But as we know the public never works that way, instead the public voted for Sian’s vast improvement, for her and Russells increased chemistry, and as always, for the under-dog.

Sian Reeves and Russell Watson were named the winners of ‘Just The Two Of Us’ they were handed the trophy, but at the end of it all I think we all knew who the winners should have been don’t we!

There have been many travesties in the world of reality TV, take the eviction of Maria Lawson from the X Factor while The Conway Sisters remained….awful!

But tonight almost matched that for unfairness. ‘Just The Two Of Us’ on BBC1 saw the public vote to keep celebrity duos Mark Moraghan and Natasha Hamilton, and Russell Watson and Sian Reeves in the show for tomorrow nights final while Chris Fountain and Jo O’Meara were sent home.

I just wonder….were the public watching the same show as me? Sian is not only mentally unstable, but she can’t hold a note! Russell may have a technically good voice but he is soul-less. His duet with Curtis Stigers tonight was in tune, but while Curtis sang with passion and emotion, Russell looked like a big cold fish. He rarely smiles, when he does it looks fake and all Sian does is witter relentlessly. Then if she doesn’t cry she always looks like she’s about to.

I just can’t bear watching them in the final, I think that at the start of the show Vernon Kay and Tess Daly should declare Mark and Natasha the winners, end the show early and the BBC could then resort to some old re runs of ‘Only Fools And Horses’ to fill the gap. It would be a whole lot more entertaining than watching ‘The Voice’ and ‘The Nervous Wreck’ for another night!

Well the day finally came. Many thought that Penny, undoubtedly the worst singer in the BBC’s ‘Just The Two Of Us’ competition, should have left on the first night. So with that in mind she did really well to last until the show before the semi-finals.

I admit to being a real Penny Smith Fan, even when she reads the news on GMTV in the mornings she is witty and oozes personality, more than some of the so called presenters they use. I’d be the first one to admit that she can’t sing, but hey neither could the Spice Girls and look what they acheived.

I enjoyed her and Curtis’ performance of ‘The Street Where You Live’ from My Fair Lady much much more than Russell Watsons and Sian Reeves version of ‘Nothings Gonna Stop Us Now’ which was out of key and boring. At least Penny was funny and entertaining to watch!

Had I been choosing who went tonight I would definately have kept Penny and sent Sian packing. Poor Penny has faced criticism every single night and responded with dignity. Maybe if she had collapsed in floods of tears like Sian she would still be in the show.

It was refreshing to see an honest celebrity for once….when Vernon Kay asked Penny if she thought she deserved to make it through to the semi finals she said no. How many other contestants, talented or not, would have admitted that eh?

The normally sweet natured TV presenter Gaby Roslin was so angry at being the first celebrity to be booted off the BBC’s ‘Just The Two Of Us’ duet show, that she threw an almighty tantrum and stormed off as soon as the show ended!

A BBC insider admitted to the Daily Express: “Gaby didn’t take the news too well.�

To be fair I wouldn’t want to lose a singing competition with Penny Smith either!

Chris Fountain, Hollyoaks heart throb has denied claims that he is seeing his singing partner Jo O’Meara.

“I was a big fan of S Club. I grew up with them, they were legends to me. But I didn’t fancy Jo or even Rachel Stevens,” he told the Daily Record.

“To be honest I fancied Hannah. I told Jo and she’s going to try and arrange a meeting. But Hannah is still going out with Paul Cattermole who was also in the band so I don’t know what is going to happen.

“Jo and I are both single. We’re not dating. It’s complete nonsense. We get on well and have a laugh and have been out one night for a bit of a drink.”