WE are all in need of a good laugh right now – and luckily, Channel 4 has got us covered.
I can exclusively reveal it is working on a new two-parter, which will see a group of top comics mentoring five hapless celebrities as they try to crack the stand-up comedy circuit.
The show is being put together by the team behind The Only Way Is Essex and will raise cash for Stand Up To Cancer.
An insider said: “Some of the best names in comedy are being lined up to take part in the show alongside five total novices.
“The idea behind the show is that each comic will be paired with a celeb and tasked with getting them ready to take part in a solo, stand-up set.
“They’ll be encouraging them to delve into their lives for funny anecdotes and will be teaching them core skills to make it as a comedian.
“The show is still being cast but names including Roman Kemp and Vicky Pattison are being bandied around.”
The source added: “They want to get a good selection of talent who aren’t wallflowers and who are good at telling a tale.
“Filming is pencilled in to take place later this year, as long as lockdown doesn’t scupper any of the plans.”
Since Channel 4 started its Stand Up To Cancer campaign in 2012, more than £62million has been raised to help fund research into the disease — and it has also created some golden TV moments.
We can expect plenty more when this show finally hits our screens.
Bizbit
Shaughna Phillips reckons Love Island winners Finley Tapp and Paige Turley will get married first out of the remaining couples from her series.
She said: “He’s such a romantic so I reckon it will be him [that proposes].
Masked Singer is a wrap
FILMING has wrapped on The Masked Singer, according to its host Joel Dommett.
It comes after fears that the ITV production could have been shut down because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Joel said: “We finished filming this week – we finished two days ago, which is amazing.
“It was mad. Obviously there were a lot of rules and regulations so the relief when we got it done was amazing.”
The second series of the reality singing competition sees comedian Mo Gilligan stepping in to judge the contestants alongside Davina McCall, Rita Ora and Jonathan Ross.
American judge Ken Jeong is only appearing on the show remotely due to travel restrictions.
Bizbit
I May Destroy You star Michaela Coel is freezing her eggs ‘just in case’ she wants children in the future.
Interviewed for GQ’s Heroes she said: “Sometimes I worry that I don’t [think about having children] as much as I should."
Amanda bust-up
AMANDA HOLDEN has hit back at viewers who complained the dress she wore on Saturday night’s Britain’s Got Talent was too revealing.
Watchdog Ofcom received 235 complaints about the blue gown the judge wore for the semi-finals, with many social media users claiming that she almost showed her nipples.
Amanda posted on Instagram: “Really? Who has nipples this close to their cleavage? FYI a bones corset dented the girls all night.”
It’s not the first time her outfits have gained attention – but I hope this is the last time she gets complaints.
I think Amanda always looks sensational.
Must watch
WHAT? The Shipman Files: A Very British Crime Story, BBC2, 9pm.
WHY? The final episode in the series, narrated by Chris Wilson, looks at the public inquiry into GP Harold Shipman’s murder of 250 elderly patients.
Holly verus Dolly
HAS Phillip Schofield found himself a new co-host?
He chatted to a sex doll plonked on This Morning’s sofa yesterday alongside regular presenter Holly Willoughby.
The mannequin was guest of honour with creator Jade Stanley, who revealed sex doll sales boomed during lockdown.
As Phillip talked to the dummy – called Bella – Holly asked him: “Have you replaced me already? You’ve upgraded me for a better model.”
I'm plus 3million
JACQUELINE JOSSA’s fans helped her hit an Instagram high of three million followers.
They rushed to support the ex-I’m A Celeb winner after she denied claims she had called herself a “plus-sized model”.
Jacqueline, who is a size 12, celebrated hitting the milestone by throwing a party with husband Dan Osborne.
She posed holding a cake sent by fashion brand In The Style.
£2.4M Merchant banker
YOU’D be forgiven for thinking Ricky Gervais had benefited the most from the success of The Office and Extras.
But his writing partner, Stephen Merchant, stands head and shoulders above him – and not just because he’s 6ft 7ins tall.
He’s reported a 2019 profit of £2.4million – almost 20 per cent more than Ricky posted earlier this year.
And the company that handles the lofty star’s finances, SJJM, is worth a staggering £16.3million.
It’s down to him becoming a Hollywood hotshot, directing and acting.
Next year he’ll star in the BBC’s Four Lives as serial killer Stephen Port, and comedy drama The Offenders.
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