December 19th, 2009 by Lisa McGarry.
It’s the end of an era. After 11 series and 83 episodes, Channel 4′s iconic reality programme, in which wives trade places to see what they can learn about themselves, is coming to an end. Farewell night for Wife Swap showcases the very last episode, as well as rewinding some old favourites. In the very last episode of the series, Bentley-driving lady-of- leisure Torre Carter from Kent, swaps with mum of seven Sam Dale who lives in Hull on one of Britain’s largest council estates. A classic episode, featuring a celebrity swap between Freddie Starr and Sam Fox, follows as well as the first-ever edition.
Saturday 19 December 2009
9:00pm, Channel 4
November 12th, 2009 by Lisa McGarry.
Channel 4 has axed Wife Swap and How Clean Is Your House? in a bid to shake up the channel.
Head of Channel 4 Julian Bellamy told The Guardian: “The decommission of Big Brother earlier this year has been the catalyst for a process of creative renewal right across Channel 4.
“When Wife Swap launched, it was a truly groundbreaking programme which heralded an era of new factual formats right across television.
Read more & comment »
August 16th, 2009 by Lisa McGarry.
Big Ron Atkinson had a glittering 50 years in football from player to manager to commentator. But a racist remark five years ago cost him his job. Maggie, his wife of 27 years, tends to Ron’s every need. But romantic Ron showers her with gifts. Romance is something Olympic legend Tessa Sanderson yearns for. Tessa lives with former judo champ Densign White in East London. The first British black woman to bring gold home prides herself on being a black role model. What happens when Tessa and Maggie swap lives? How does Ron fare under new management?
Sunday 16 August 2009
8:00pm, Channel 4
March 9th, 2008 by Lisa McGarry.
Whilst filming for an upcoming episode of celebrity Wife Swap for Channel 4, 80′s pop star Sinitta gained ten pounds in weight due to the diet and lifestyle of Coronation Street actor, Bruce Jones.
As part of the show Sinitta had tro live with Bruce for a week, and he had her eating fish and chips and regularly hitting the pub.
“They are very different people and it wasn’t easy for her,” a source told the Sunday Mirror. “She told him to get a grip on his drinking. He is just like Les Battersby. He took her down the pub and had her eating fish and chips and drinking Guinness. Now she is on a strict detox diet.” Read more & comment »
February 12th, 2008 by Lisa McGarry.
Reports have emerged today, suggesting that former Coronation Street actor, Bruce Jones and 80′s pop sensation Sinitta have become the latest celebs to sign up for Channel 4′s Wife Swap.
“Les Battersby and Sinitta may seem like a match made in hell but we reckon it will be telly heaven,” a source told The Daily Star.
“Bruce is keen to do this. He feels people need to see the real him. He is aware that plenty of people think of him as Les Battersby.”
January 24th, 2008 by Lisa McGarry.
Former page three girl Sam Fox has admitted to feeling broody after taking part in Channel 4 TV show, Wife Swap.
In the show Sam moves in with Comedian, Freedie Starr and helps to care for his baby daughter, Ebony and his two older step children. Her partner Myra lived with Freddie’s wife Donna.
Sam told The Sun: “I’ve always had a maternal instinct. It’s something I’ve always thought about, babies, and that I’d always want a baby.”
Sam admitted that she and her lover and manager Myra Stratton, 53, had been thinking about having children for a while.
She added: “It’ something Myra and I have spoken about, but as for when, and how, and if, it’s something really personal to us. But I know I’d make a good mummy. Read more & comment »
January 24th, 2008 by Lisa McGarry.
Wife Swap , the BAFTA-award winning hit series, is back starting with a celebrity swap. Notorious comedian Freddie Starr and his wife and manager Donna swap places with Page 3 pin-up Sam Fox and her partner and manager of eight years, Myra Stratton.
Freddie Starr captivated the nation in the 70s and 80s with his zany humour. After becoming infamous for his hell-raising hamster eating exploits, Freddie has now settled down to a traditional life with his third wife Donna. While Freddie gigs, Donna is in control of the home and three children, sleeping for only a few hours each night as she tries to fit in her endless chores. Freddie firmly believes that the working man needs to be looked after, and his doting wife Donna is happy to oblige. Read more & comment »
October 6th, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
Jess and Lou Pearson-Faith are a lesbian couple from Essex. They live in a council flat with Jess’s three children from a previous marriage. With no full-time jobs, they are reliant on benefits. Read more & comment »
July 18th, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
Channel 4 show Wife Swap is to ramp up the controversy by including their first ever gay couple.
The swap will take place between a homophobic farmer and his wife, and a lesbian couple.
A show source said: “The farmer is very prejudiced, and initially he’s horrified living with the lesbian.
“His wife is none too happy either. But it’s interesting to see what happens . . . it’s not what you’d expect.”
Should be good telly!
May 18th, 2007 by Lisa McGarry.
It’s the penultimate episode of the series and this week there’s an extraordinary swap between Melissa from Wiltshire and Noelie from Doncaster, where viewers will find out what happens when a Wife Swap goes wrong. Noelie Klineberg is the doting partner of millionaire Robin Goforth. They’ve been together for five years and they live on the outskirts of Doncaster with Nolie’s 17-year-old son Danny and Robin’s 16 year-old-son Adam. Appearances are important in the Klineberg household, and Noelie keeps the house and herself in perfect condition and is accustomed to a glamorous lifestyle. On top of all of that, Noelie also takes care of Robin’s every need from running his bath to ironing his boxer shorts, while Robin runs a string of businesses from petrol stations to used cars. Read more & comment »
