Dannii Minogue back for more I Kissed a Girl after clarifying she is straight

Last year the Aussie host quipped that she "identified as queer" but afterwards had to explain she was still dating her long-term boyfriend
Dannii Minogue caused a storm last year after quipping that she 'identifies as queer in a weird way' at the launch of I Kissed a Girl - and hinting that she was attracted to the 'hot' girls who took part. Afterwards she had to clarify on social media that she was 'not lesbian or queer' but remained straight, and was still in her long-term 'heater' relationship with musician Andrew Newman.
Now the UK's first dating series for girls who like girls is returning for a second run on BBC3, with Dannii as host once again.
‌
She said: 'I Kissed a Girl was full of heart and groundbreaking for female representation on TV. The fans loved the fun, the passion and the drama. I can't wait for the return of the girls - let's see what the heat of the Italian sun does for kisses and connections. It is sure to get sparks flying. I am ready to be cupid once again.'
‌
Last year Dannii, 53, fought back tears of pride as she launched the new gay dating show. She got choked up as she told the contestants: 'You girls are so brave and amazing and have brought so much to it. I could never do what you have done. I will always be in awe of what has happened and what we've created. I feel so proud. You're stepping forward, and you're the first crew of girls representing in this space, and it is big.'
The long-term LGBTQ ally was commended for getting to grips with the terms used to describe different types of gay women, such as 'femme' and 'masc', which led her to declare: 'I identify as queer in a weird way.'
In the first epiaode one of the girls described Dannii as being 'just my type' and others also indicated they were attracted to her. Asked at the launch if the feelings were reciprocated, the Aussie star laughed: 'You girls are hot. You know it. I love it. I'm here for it. Is that an answer?'
In the show, before the girls arrive at the villa, they are paired up based on what they're looking for in a partner. After meeting their match for the first time with a kiss, they're encouraged to give their new relationship a go, before potentially looking around at the rest of the group.
‌
BBC3 controller Fiona Campbell said: 'The girls brought their A game for the first series of I Kissed A Girl, creating a social buzz and stand out moments so to bring it back for another series means audiences can expect even more iconic, memorable moments and one hot summer.' Casting is now open for the 10-part series via the BBC 's 'take part' website.
Last year the former X Factor judge said she hoped the series was watched by a broad audience, including those who are straight. 'There's a curiosity, right? Whether you are a lesbian or not. Who's going to be in the casting? Who's going to be paired with who? What are they like? Will they represent me? Do I see myself? A million questions and guess what? The straights have the same million questions.
'The best thing that can happen to this show is that everyone watches it, and everyone has questions. Everyone learns something. Everyone moves forward.'
Dannii admitted that being the glamorous host of the show wasn't too challenging. 'I don't get to do a lot," she laughed. "I think I just drop bombs - and then swan off and try not to trip over my dress.'

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

2 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Premier League legend is 'latest star to join Strictly Come Dancing 2025'

Football fans could see a familiar face on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor this year - as former Leeds player Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has reportedly been signed to compete on the BBC show With the 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing just weeks away from launching, more stars are being linked to the show - with a premiere league icon the latest to be tipped to star. Former Leeds United star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is said to be swapping soccer for sequins as a contestant on the long-running BBC show. The 53-year-old Dutch sportsman stands to be the latest in a long line of football legends to take to the Strictly dancefloor. He would follow the likes of Robbie Savage, Alex Scott and Tony Adams to bid for Glitterball Trophy victory. ‌ The former striker was hired as a coach for the England national team in 2023, but stepped away from responsibilities in August last year following manager Gareth Southgate's exit last August. With time on his hands, it is suggested Jimmy could be among the celebrities taking part in Strictly this year. ‌ A source told The Sun: 'Jimmy has a huge fanbase from his years playing in the Premier League and is a very likeable character. Show producers are always keen to book a retired footballer as it gets footie fans tuning into the series and becoming unlikely fans of the show. "Jimmy has a competitive edge and is going to get his head in the game.' The Mirror has contacted representatives of Jimmy and the BBC for comment. Olympian Sir Mo Farah, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey - better known as Nitro - and former Big Brother contestant Yinrun Huang are among stars tipped to appear in the upcoming new season. Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke are all set to return for the 2025 season - which will be the 23rd in the long history of the show. But after the past two years, bosses are said to be worried about fresh scandal hitting the show. Stirctly has been dragged into disrepute in recent years amid accusations that professional dancers have been physically abusive to their celebrity dance partners. While the celebs have also been accused of offensive behaviour. ‌ Earlier this year, it was reported BBC bosses are practically paralyzed by a "terrible, terrible fear" that more scandal will hit the show - and there have been attempts to clean up the image of the series - and this could also impact star signings. It has been suggested the BBC are taking steps to go risk free and leaving no stone unturned to make sure the line-up is as safe as possible for the 2025 season. Blue Peter presenters Joel Mawhinney and Shini Muthukrishnan are said to be under consideration - as is Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Queen Camilla. Georgia Toffolo - the I'm a Celebrity Jungle Queen - is reportedly being lined up, as is Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts. Newly married former Love Island star Dani Dyer is being considered, it has been reported, with former Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan another name high up on bosses' list. ‌ "There is a terrible, terrible fear among those high up that these awful things are going to keep happening and the show will be brought into disrepute again and again," one well-place BBC insider has told MailOnline. "With that in mind, they are taking no chances. "There will be stringent checks, and asking around, and digging into potential stars' backgrounds to make sure that they're not choosing anyone who might damage the show. For years, there was the whole Strictly 'curse' where the contestants and professionals kept having affairs. But that stopped. "Changes were made to the partnerships and it worked. There have been other issues in the past couple of years, though. What's been even more embarrassing for the BBC is that Wynne and Jamie have been from their own stable of stars. Going forward, those at the top want a wholesome image to shine through. No more scandal – just joy." The report came after 2024 contestant Jamie Borthwick, who is known for playing Jay Brown in the BBC soap EastEnders, was forced to issue a groveling apology after footage was reportedly uncovered showing him making derogatory comments about the people of Blackpool.

Glasgow Times

3 hours ago

• Glasgow Times

Oscar Branning to return to EastEnders after eight years

Oscar Branning, the son of Max Branning (Jake Wood) and Tanya Cross (Jo Joyner), will be played by Pierre Moullier. The now 17-year-old Oscar was previously portrayed by Gabriel Miller-Williams, Neo Hall and Charlee Hall. Moullier's debut comes as on-screen father Max, played by Jake Wood, is also rumoured to return later in 2025. Moullier said: 'It's pretty surreal to join EastEnders – it keeps hitting me that I'm actually on Albert Square. 'When I found out I was joining the Brannings, it was so exciting as they are such an iconic family, and I love that there are so many skeletons in the closet. 'Oscar is so much fun to play, and the audience should be prepared for the unexpected as he's a complex guy.' Producers have kept the reason for his return secret, but say it will be revealed when his older sister, Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), receives a mysterious call, with Oscar's return set to 'turn her life upside down'. EastEnders new executive producer Ben Wadey, said: 'I'm very excited to bring Oscar Branning back to Walford and introduce viewers to him now that he's all grown up. 'Oscar is very much a Branning which means there's going to be plenty of drama in store this summer. 'We're delighted to welcome Pierre as he takes on the role and can't wait for viewers to see him bring Oscar to life.' Oscar last appeared in the show when he visited Max on Father's Day in 2017, before returning to Exeter, where he lived with his mother. The character is expected to return to Albert Square next month, with Moullier already filming scenes for the show. Recommended reading: Jake Wood - EastEnders return Jake Wood will make his return as Max Branning later this year. (Image: BBC) Jake Wood, who plays the role of Max Branning, will reportedly be arriving back on the BBC soap later this year too, as he has 'loads of unfinished business'. The 52-year-old was last seen in Walford in 2021, when he departed the programme after 15 years. Since The Sun announced the news about Jake's return to EastEnders back in May, many fans have took to social media to share their excitement, with some saying his upcoming Watford arrival is 'going to be epic'.

BBC News

3 hours ago

• BBC News

Kneecap Glastonbury performance 'not appropriate', Starmer says

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he does not think Kneecap's planned Glastonbury Festival performance is "appropriate".He made the comments after Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh appeared in court charged with a terror offence, relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in November last an interview with The Sun, Sir Keir was asked if he thought the trio should perform at Glastonbury, to which he replied: "No, I don't, and I think we need to come down really clearly on this."This is about the threats that shouldn't be made, I won't say too much because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate." Mr Ó hAnnaidh, charged under the name Liam O'Hanna, was released on unconditional bail after Wednesday's hearing at Westminster Magistrates' prime minister's comments came after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she thought the BBC "should not be showing" Kneecap's performance at the festival next said in an X post, which was accompanied by an article from The Times that claimed the BBC had not banned the group: "The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda."One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act."As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism."Responding to the Tory leader's comments, a BBC spokesperson said as the festival's broadcast partner, it "will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers".They added: "Whilst the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines."Decisions about our output will be made in the lead-up to the festival." Badenoch has previously called for the group to be banned from Glastonbury, and last year Kneecap won a discrimination case against the UK government in Belfast High Court after she tried to refuse them a £14,250 funding award when she was a took aim at Badenoch in their latest single, The Recap, released just before their headline set at London's Wide Awake festival in May, with the song mocking the politician's attempts to block their arts funding and the Conservative Party's election loss. On Wednesday, Mr Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates' Court in "Free Mo Chara" 27-year-old will appear at the same court for his next hearing on 20 August. Following the hearing, the rapper said: "For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on the Saturday."If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC. We'll be at Wembley in September."But most importantly: free, free Palestine."In a statement, posted on social media in May after Mr Ó hAnnaidh was charged, Kneecap said: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves." The charge came following a counter-terrorism police investigation after the historical gig footage came to Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for say they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would not incite violence against any individual. Will the PM's words change anything? Analysis from Charlotte Gallagher, BBC News correspondentWill Kneecap care that the Prime Minister doesn't think they should perform at Glastonbury? Probably not. If anything, it will likely increase the trio's profile. They're selling out venues, getting millions of streams and being talked about by people across the world. Calls by politicians and some celebrities to get Kneecap removed from line ups seem to have made them more famous or infamous - depending on your viewpoint. There were hundreds of people outside Westminster Magistrates' Court supporting Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh aka Mo Chara earlier this week. Many felt Kneecap were representing their views while politicians were not listening to them. Mo Chara is back in court in August - expect similar crowds. Who are Kneecap? Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and group was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.