Latest news with #JudgeRinder
Telegraph
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Rob Rinder: ‘Gary Lineker is entitled to say what he likes'
Loquacious, erudite, entertaining, maybe even a little pretentious, but agreeably so: these are all impressions of Robert Rinder one forms within seconds of him dumping his jacket on a chair and saying a warm hello. They are personality traits which have made him a prolific and popular television personality for the past decade. We're in the penthouse of an east London hotel and Rinder is discreetly casting his eye around the room in quiet judgement; the BBC's Amazing Hotels, which he co-presents with Monica Galetti, is one of his many gigs. Today is a typical varied work day for the former criminal barrister. A little filming this morning in St Paul's Cathedral, where he is reading some Samuel Pepys, an interview right now to promote his new novel, and then another professional engagement this evening. He's busy, but gives every impression of being delighted to be interviewed and photographed, even gamely posing on the bed; although I suspect the decor isn't passing his professional scrutiny. A broadcaster of catholic taste, he is best known as Judge Rinder, the host of the Channel 4 reality courtroom series. He is also a regular host on ITV's Good Morning Britain, has made well-regarded documentaries such as My Family, the Holocaust and Me, The Holy Land and Us, and Britain Behind Bars, as well as participating in the 14th series of Strictly Come Dancing. He certainly crams it all in: his third novel, The Protest, which we are ostensibly here to discuss, will be published on June 19. How does he do it? 'I used to be a barrister, I'd spend Sunday night preparing cross-examinations for attempted murder cases,' he says, adding in a whisper: 'TV isn't that much work.' That's not to say he isn't relishing every single moment of the career he never set out to have. 'I'm doing different things in all different parts of life. It's heaven. What a bloody gift,' he states. There have been no downsides to fame as yet. 'My experience thus far has been people being completely kind and lovely. They often want to talk about work that I've been part of making, saying things like, 'Oh, I've just been to an art gallery',' he says. That is a huge win for Rinder, who has styled himself as a champion of high culture for the masses – he is president of the Orion Orchestra, an ensemble of young musicians, and has also made the art and architecture travelogue, Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour. His passion for making art and classical music available to all is rooted in his childhood. A working-class boy from Southgate, north London, the first generation of his family to go to university, he says: 'I had a very aspirational single mum and the idea was you jolly well do better'. Education was seen as betterment, and a young Rinder absorbed the idea that to speak a certain way was classier. He's had received pronunciation since secondary school. By rights, he should sound like the late Amy Winehouse, who grew up just a few roads away from him. Instead, Rinder is fond of saying, 'I sound like I've been mugged by a Mitford.' His own life has shown that you don't have to accept the novel that's been written on your behalf, 'chiefly by virtue of the postcode you've been born into'. He's certainly not the first to sound plummier than his origins – Stockport-born Dame Joan Bakewell was turned down by the BBC when she first auditioned because her accent was not posh enough – but it is what makes his partnership with Rylan Clark so fascinating. In Rylan, he has found a friend and colleague who is the flipside of the same coin. While their backgrounds may not be that dissimilar – London, working class – they have arrived at the same point – TV and fame – via different routes. Rylan has been resolutely himself, first on The X Factor, and then on Celebrity Big Brother. Rinder, 47, meanwhile, has assimilated into the chattering classes via higher education and the law, even saying, rather unfairly of himself, 'I'm an invention, aren't I?' By contrast to Rylan's authenticity, Rinder says he is too much of a people pleaser. Take his attempt to impress an art historian in the Casa Buonarroti, the home of Michelangelo in Florence. 'She could not have given me more of her aggressively undivided indifference,' states Rinder. 'Not in a horrible way, she was just a bit unimpressed with me.' Meanwhile, Rylan, his co-presenter and travel companion on Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour, came into the room, looked up at the magnificent frescos and simply said: 'F-----g hell, it's like Graceland in here.' 'That is exactly what this place is,' responded the historian approvingly, warming to Rylan's authenticity. 'That's Rylan's complete authentic gift; people respond to that so much more than the thirst to be loved,' he says. Rinder's desire to impress is founded in class. A friend of his is a housemaster at Eton. 'The value of a school [like that] is that they are imbuing their young learners with the feeling that they belong in the room.' He hopes programmes like Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour make it easier for those who would otherwise feel uncomfortable walking through the door of an art gallery or attending the opera: 'And not just to say, 'Wow, that was amazing'. But to feel sufficiently safe to say, 'I looked and listened and that was really s---.' 'It means that person can go into that art gallery or concert hall and say, 'I don't get it'. It's much harder to do that if you feel you should be grateful for being there.' When I tell him his work feels out of the Reithian mould – the principles and style of public service broadcasting established by John Reith, the first director-general of the BBC – Rinder glows. 'That's an enormous compliment,' he says. 'That was the fundamental idea, that you can entertain people of course, but educate at the same time. But it's about the type of education that tells you, 'You can do this. You know this. I'm just telling you stuff you know'. Telly is at its best when it's reminding people just how culturally curious they are.' How does his recently wrapped new reality TV show with Elizabeth Hurley, The Inheritance, fit into those principles? The show, from the makers of The Traitors, follows 13 strangers competing for part of the fortune left in the will of The Deceased, played by Hurley. It might sound more on the 'entertain' end of the Reithian spectrum than the Grand Tour 's 'educate and inform', but Rinder found it no less fascinating. 'One of the tools that you sharpen as a barrister is being able to predict human behaviour, which means you're usually unsurprised by people, but I really was.' What was Elizabeth like? 'She's extraordinary. Truly extraordinary. She undoubtedly has that Max Weber-ean charisma. It's always nice to reference late 19th-century philosophers when you're thinking of Elizabeth Hurley. There are just a few people who can come into a room and change the emotional complexion of it simply by being them. Granted, the hair and make-up help make an entrance for you, but still, there's something owning and commanding about the depth of her voice, in the way that people used to describe early 20th-century aristocratic women. It's about owning the molecules of the room somehow. There are not too many Consuella Vanderbilts left. She [Elizabeth] has that sort of quality.' Rinder is used to being around celebrities. At Manchester University, he became a firm friend of Benedict Cumberbatch, when they were both involved in university dramatics. Cumberbatch officiated at Rinder's civil partnership to Seth Cumming in Ibiza in 2013. The couple later broke up in 2018 after 11 years together. 'Over the years, friends of mine have gone on to be very famous, and you meet that chorus of friends around them, and after the initial flush of recognition, they're just actors aren't they? They talk of actorly things. Especially if you've known them for a very long time before they were famous, it's not that interesting.' Woe betide you are someone whom Rinder admires. 'My friends have got anti-Grinder behaviour orders, which have specifically injuncted me from meeting certain people. I don't do well with opening hellos because I'm always so effusive and so thirsty to be liked by that person.' Away from fame and celebrity, the law, the other side of his world, remains important to him. The people he started with on the first day of chambers are still central in his life. He is a full member of chambers, having kept up his professional development. The decision to pursue media work came at a stage in his career when he was prosecuting serious criminal cases, but had started to lose his passion for it. After pitching a few scripts to a TV exec, he was approached with the opportunity to do Judge Rinder. Nevertheless, he says, 'I really love still being rooted and connected to that part of my professional life.' His new novel, like his previous two, draws on his experiences at the Bar, based loosely on a case he did of a British soldier accused of killing an Iraqi looter. As a barrister, he also defended members of the National Front, in spite of being gay and Jewish himself. 'They have a right to defence. If I'm not going to stand for that person, who is going to stand for me?' As a child, his grandfather would take him to Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park, where he would hear anti-semitic views. Such early experiences were formative in making him a free speech fundamentalist. A real no-no for Rinder is when people want to shut down speech because they feel offended. 'Being offended is one of the risks of living in a shared society. But it also protects minority rights.' Is there anything he finds offensive? 'No. I genuinely don't think I'm offended by anything.' The day before our interview, Lucy Connolly, the wife of a Tory councillor jailed for a Tweet that incited racial hatred on the day of the Southport attacks, has had her appeal refused. What does he make of the case? 'She may have done it impulsively, but the problem was that what she said triggered a real world effect,' says Rinder. 'Those are the tough cases, and that's the challenging conversation of where free speech begins and where it ends. In this case, it is slightly more clear-cut because of its incitement.' He blames social media for eroding the quality of public debate. You certainly won't find Rinder weighing in on Gaza/Palestine or the trans debate online. He has his own thoughts, but generally prefers the approach that believes we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. 'You ought and should show solidarity where you can. But if you do have a platform, it's more important to hear and listen, and above all else, to advocate an approach that is rooted in open-mindedness and trying to understand the complexity of a situation.' His documentary The Holy Land and Us, where he and Sarah Agha explored how their family's histories were changed forever by the 1948 founding of the state of Israel, is now shown in schools around the country. In 2020, he was awarded an MBE for his services to Holocaust education. 'What I wanted to do was give second-generation people from both sides an understanding of the origin stories of the narratives, so people can at least hear each other.' He is less interested in what he calls, 'the type of glib hubris that assumes that in a few characters your opinion is going to make a radical difference'. And yet, he defends Gary Lineker's right to post about the Gaza conflict: 'He's entitled to say what he likes.' It would be different if he was presenting the news, 'where it's essential that you present as impartial,' he says. 'I have sympathy, however, if you are a football pundit. I may vehemently disagree with you, but it would be inconsistent or me to take a view you should be sacked and shut down. I would never sign or support those who would seek to do that. I feel the same about Gary Lineker, despite often disagreeing with some of the ways he expresses himself.' He is more frustrated with the way the BBC fails to take control of such situations. 'There needs to be a bigger push to separate the news arm and the political branches of that really unsung institution,' he says. 'And boy does it not sing its tune well enough, to explain what it does in our world enough in a brilliant way. 'If I had to do another job, it would be rethinking how we can advocate and make the country more proud of what the BBC does. Because they're always fighting fires, like the Gary Lineker fire.' Rinder has worked in parts of the world such as Sierra Leone, and values the work the BBC does in exercising soft power. He is proud that the success of a show like Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour across the world means BBC orchestras can be paid for. And we're back to inform, educate and entertain, and what motivates him in his work. 'My mum will be delighted,' he says of my earlier mention of his work in relation to Lord Reith's values. Is she proud of you? 'She's a Jewish mum,' smiles Rinder. 'She is unapologetically, overwhelmingly biased in favour of anything I do.'
Daily Mirror
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Rob Rinder shares brutal Rylan admission after 'feeling sense of disappointment'
Judge Rinder star Rob Rinder has opened up about his close relationship with BBC Radio 2 presenter and Celebrity Gogglebox star Rylan Clark, and the impact it has had on his life Rob Rinder has revealed that people often feel a "sense of disappointment" when they meet him in public without Rylan Clark by his side. The 47-year-old has formed a tight-knit friendship with fellow telly presenter Rylan over the past few years. Their three-part series Rob and Rylan's Grand Tour was broadcast in May 2024. The BAFTA TV Award-winning show saw an emotional Rylan discussing his divorce from ex-husband Dan Neal. The BBC Radio 2 star has since described his journey around Italy with Rob as being "like therapy", confessing he "wasn't fully over" the break up. There have been whispers about a potential romance between the two, but Rylan recently clarified that they are "just friends". This came as he paid a heartfelt tribute to Judge Rinder star Rob on his birthday, expressing that he "loves him dearly". Now, during a fresh chat between the duo on Radio 2, Rob disclosed that fans are often let down when he attends events without former X Factor star Rylan. He shared this insight while calling into Rylan's Saturday afternoon programme. Rob said: "I keep walking up to people and they know, obviously, that we're friends, but you can feel the slight sense of disappointment that they're like, 'Oh where's Rylan?' As if I'm the warm-up act. I'm like the rubbish warm-up act that no one shows up for." Rylan, aged 36, responded: "But Rob, that's what I get. Everyone goes, 'Oh, where's Rob? Where's Rob?'". Before their Italian tour together, both Rob and Rylan experienced painful separations. The programme saw them opening up about their experiences as they bonded over a drink. After scooping a BAFTA, Rylan opened up about his personal life, saying: "For me, the show, it happened at a really weird time for me like I still wasn't fully over sort of the breakdown of my marriage and was flung with the judge. It was the best therapy I needed, put it that way." Rylan continued: "I think the journey, and I hate that word in telly but it's so true, when you watch our series, that journey from when we meet to sort of how raw, especially I was at that time." Meanwhile, Rob, who celebrated his wedding to former spouse Seth Cummings in 2013 with none other than Benedict Cumberbatch leading the ceremony, later parted ways with his partner in 2018, with sources describing the split as "very sad". Launching into TV fame with Judge Rinder in 2014, Rob has since danced his way onto shows like Strictly Come Dancing, enjoyed a spot on Celebrity Gogglebox, and popped up on Good Morning Britain. Keeping his legal wits sharp, he also serves as a junior counsel at London's prestigious 2 Hare Court. Meanwhile, Rylan first came into the limelight during 2012's X Factor run. Post-X Factor fame saw him enter the Celebrity Big Brother house in January 2013, shortly after his singing contest stint, and he's since become a familiar face on programmes such as This Morning.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The six male celebs you didn't know were ripped... but can YOU guess who they are?
It's not often these six celebrities are seen shirtless as they're often seen suited and booted on national TV. The hunky men, who are all above the age of 40, all have one thing in common - a very ripped physique. When you think of ripped celebs, you often picture Hollywood A-lists such as Chris Hemsworth, Jason Statham or Arnold Schwarzenegger. But you'll be surprised to learn that there are a host of male celebrities out there gracing British television every day who are hiding some insanely muscly physiques. From a singer who was once known for his 'dad bod' to a competition presenter and a very popular chef... can you guess who these buff males are? From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Judge Rinder He's know for slipping into his judge robes in the courtroom. Yet Judge Rinder, 46, revealed earlier this year that he's actually been hiding a ripped physique. Sharing a photo to his Instagram in February, the blond personality showed off his toned abs and bulging biceps with a shirtless photo in the mirror. But it seems if it was up to the judge he would've kept his physique under wraps as he captioned the post: 'Thanks Hasbro for the new GI Rinder Doll... and bless my godkids for stealing my phone and posting a thirst trap.' Fans took to the comments section at the time to praise the personality's abs, including one Rylan Clark. Rylan wrote: 'Schlaaaagggggg', to which the criminal barrister responded: '@rylan you've taught me so well. Thank you x'. The comment came after the pair sparked romance rumours last year when Rinder remarked that friendship 'often turns into love' while discussing their time filming Rob & Rylan's Grand Tour. However, Rylan was quick to shut the rumour down, posting on X, 'I am not dating Rob Rinder'. Ben Shephard 'Proving to yourself you have the discipline to do something, proving you can be accountable to yourself is incredibly seductive and infectious,' Ben said when speaking about his fitness regime You see him every single day if you switch on This Morning before work - but did you know presenter Ben Shephard, 50, is actually in exceptionally good shape? He showed off his hard-earned figure earlier this week as he posed shirtless for the front cover of Men's Health UK cover this month. Ben displayed his toned abs in a series of photos for the magazine, as well as carrying various weights to show off his strength. The presenter too shared his top tips for losing weight and staying in shape, saying: 'Recreating the cover shoot has been fantastic. A friend asked me what the one exercise was that made the biggest difference. It's not an exercise, it's consistency.' Speaking on how he approaches fitness now he added: 'It came a little easier this time…I have a deeper understanding of what I have to put myself through to build lean muscle and reduce body fat. 'To get stronger, physically and mentally, is definitely harder the older you get. In my forties, I was still on the attack. In my fifties, I'm on the defensive. 'It's all about how I prolong things now – not going out and smashing it left, right and centre. 'Proving to yourself you have the discipline to do something, proving you can be accountable to yourself is incredibly seductive and infectious. The more you get of that, the more you want it.' Ben revealed that he hopes to do another shoot when he reaches 60. Gordon Ramsay Often seen in his white coat barking orders at clueless chefs on Kitchen Nightmares, Gordon Ramsay actually spends a lot of time in the gym away from the show. And in a similar shoot to Ben Shephard last year, the Michelin-starred cook went shirtless for Men's Health UK magazine. The 58-year-old showed off his ripped abs and bulging biceps as he performed press ups before slipping into his Lycra to pose with his bicycle. Gordon is indeed an avid cyclist, but was last year involved in a terrifying accident which almost left him dead. And during his Men's Health shoot Gordon opened up about the crash, saying: 'I couldn't even put my f***king socks and pants on.' 'Justin [Mandel, his assistant], he used to dress me in the morning. I felt like a f***ing 95-year-old man. 'Asking a 30-year-old kid to put my f***ing underpants on was embarrassing.' Despite the terrible accident, Gordon revealed he has no plans to hop off the saddle anytime soon. Olly Murs Once loved for his 'dad bod', Olly Murs, 41, recently underwent a 12-week program which has got him into the shape of his life ready for his 15 Years of Hits tour. In a series of photos posted by his trainer on Instagram in April, Olly showed himself in the gym with his top off flexing his toned muscles. Following his transformation, the Essex-born singer said he is 'pumped' for the new tour and ready to show off his new physqiue. But in a poll online following Olly's six pack revelation, women actually revealed that they preferred his old dad bod. Out of 4,900 votes, 26 per cent of women said they preferred the look of Murs before he lost his weight, while only seven per cent said they liked the look afterwards. One woman gave an insight into her reasons for preferring the look of him before. 'We aren't lying, he's more attractive to most women in the first picture,' she said. 'Maybe it's because it looks like he'd protect us, pick us up and hug us, take us camping and other fun shenanigans, and just generally be enjoyable to be around.' Another commented: 'What he accomplished is super impressive and I'm sure he has his reasons for wanting to do it. 'I honestly think he looked better originally. It's not like he was unhealthy - he looks like he was in great shape. On the right he looks aged and just too lean.' Andi Peters TV watchers were left stunned last year as Good Morning Britain's Andi Peters, 53, displayed his bulging biceps in a blue tank top while presenting a segment for Saturday Night Takeaway. With Andy hosting his prize giveaway from Florida, fans noticed how 'buff' the presenter was looking. And star guest announcer for the evening Toni Collette even picked up on it as she said to the show's hosts 'When did Andi Peters get so buff?' During an earlier appearance on Good Morning Britain, Andi again sported a vest displayed his guns, which the show's then presenter Charlotte Hawkins even had a feel of on air. Fred Sirieix He's usually helping singles lads and ladies find love on his First Dates reality show, but underneath his suit Fred Sirieix has a body which many would be envious of. The presenter, 53, has been pictured showing off his hard-earned abs and muscles on a number of occasions while soaking in the sun abroad. In one picture taken of him enjoying a holiday at an idyllic location, Fred posed in a pair of French-coloured Speedos which displayed his tattoos and impressive figure. Fred has also been snapped stood shirtless poolside wearing a bizarre combination of Speedos, socks and trainers. The presenter however recently tied the knot with his partner Fruitcake, with the couple enjoying a picturesque honeymoon in Jamaica earlier this year.
Scottish Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I was stitched up to look like UK's laziest lout on Benefits Britain… now I'm back on dole after life took sinister turn
Controversial star Travis Simpkins claims producers plied him with vodka to look stupid on the show BENEFITS OF THE DOUBT I was stitched up to look like UK's laziest lout on Benefits Britain… now I'm back on dole after life took sinister turn HE was one of the biggest stars of the eye-popping TV show Benefits Britain, infamously declaring he would rather be on the dole "than graft in a factory or ASDA". Now Travis Simpkins has revealed his life took a dark and dangerous turn in the decade since the Channel 5 series, while claiming he was "exploited" by producers who stitched him up to look like a lout. Advertisement 8 Travis Simpkins was one of the biggest stars of Channel 5's Benefits Britain documentary Credit: Channel 5 8 Now 28, he claims he was let down by those around him and says the show edited scenes to stitch him up Credit: Supplied 8 He claims he had to deal with trolls who sent him vile messages Credit: SWNS Travis, 28, says he was left suicidal in the aftermath of the hit show as his self-esteem hit rock bottom and trolls sickeningly encouraged him to kill himself. In an exclusive interview, he tells The Sun: 'I was seen as the star of the show, but someone should have stepped in and said, 'He's got mental health issues, leave him alone'. Advertisement 'But nobody did and that's why I ended up feeling exploited, not just by Channel 5, but by everyone around me, because they all sat around watching me do it. 'No one said, 'Do you want to take a step back and think about it?' 'Channel 5 did ask me if I was happy with everything, but I think they were just covering their backsides. 'There was one scene where we were drinking vodka and I was saying, 'Top it up all the way to the top.' People loved that scene, but it's one of the bits I hate because I'm not always like that.' Travis became the show's standout - and most controversial - star after it aired in 2015. Advertisement And he did his utmost to cash in on his newfound reality TV fame, signing up with agent Barry Tomes, who also represented Benefits Street star White Dee. This led to a string of public appearances, as well as spots on other television shows including Judge Rinder. He even landed a walk-on part in the 2017 movie How To Talk To Girls At Parties, which starred Nicole Kidman and Elle Fanning. Benefits Britain star clashes with Judge Rinder At the height of his notoriety he talked about getting his teeth fixed, faced a 'cultural appropriation' row after growing dreadlocks and even discussed entering politics on a pro-benefits ticket. But Travis, who currently lives in London, says the uproar caused was much worse than he expected. Advertisement Speaking a decade on from his brush with fame, he explained: 'I always hated my teeth and wanted them fixing because I had an accident when I was younger, but people were saying: 'This scrounger wants new teeth on the NHS.' 'I remember saying I wanted my sister to get a boob reduction and the next thing I was accused of wanting to become Prime Minister and hand out free boob jobs. 'It got to the stage where I became suicidal because of the backlash. 8 Travis appeared on an episode of Judge Rinder Credit: Handout 8 Travis says Matthew Wright treated him like a huge celebrity when he appeared on his show Credit: Supplied Advertisement 'People wouldn't say nasty things to my face, but I could tell they were looking down their noses at me, and online, some of the things people were saying were disgusting. 'People would call me lazy and a waste of oxygen. They were basically saying I was better off not living." The show made it seem that I wasn't bothered about working, but I was Travis Simpkins Travis also insists his attempts to find employment on the show were twisted to make him look like a scrounger. 'The show made it seem that I wasn't bothered about working, but I was," he says. 'I called one place asking for a job, and then when I went to the interview, it felt like I was in a school classroom, and my anxiety went through the roof, so I walked out. Advertisement 'They made out that I went straight out and bought a bottle of vodka, but that isn't what happened. 'At the end of the show they showed me on the phone to social services, but they made it out that I was on the phone to Big Brother, applying for the show.' Reality check On how he became part of a reality TV series at just 17, Travis said: 'I'd always wanted to be on television and wondered how I could get on certain shows. 'I was 17 turning 18 when I first claimed benefits. I went into the job centre to get a form and outside I was approached by the Benefits Britain crew. 'They were with a few people I knew, and I thought it was a message from God because they approached me and said, 'You would be the star of the show, you would take over the series.' Advertisement 'I was like, 'Really?' They were promising my expenses would be paid and I would be taken care of. I thought, 'Do I really want to be on a show all about benefits?' 'But they said it would be like my own documentary, and I would be the star. My friends were saying, 'Do it, do it.' 'After I signed up, they started filming me everywhere I went, although if you watch the episode, I was only on it for 20 minutes.' Back on benefits 8 Travis is now back on benefits despite claiming he has tried to hold down jobs Credit: Supplied 8 Travis now receives £480 a month from Universal Credit and an additional £700 from PIP Credit: Supplied Advertisement Sheffield-born Travis says he has made a number of attempts at holding down a job since he reached working age. However he is back on benefits, receiving £480 a month in Universal Credit and £700 a month in Personal Independence Payments (PIP) having been diagnosed with a number of conditions including ADHD last year. In 2020 he was found guilty of dangerous driving at Sheffield Crown Court and disqualified from driving for 12 months. He said: 'Growing up I wanted to become a policeman and I'm so gutted I never got to that stage, but no one helped me and social services didn't push me to fulfil my dreams. 'At 16 years old I was cleaning cars at a showroom on work experience, and when I was 18, I started working in pubs until it got a bit boring - I was working long hours without getting much from it. Advertisement 'I stopped that, and my most recent job was working at a hotel in Hertfordshire." Biggest regret However, despite Travis's rollercoaster life in the 10 years since the series aired, if he had his time again he wouldn't change his mind. He adds: 'I don't regret filming Benefits Britain. If I hadn't gone on the show, I wouldn't have had any of the cool opportunities that came afterwards, like working with Nicole Kidman in a film. 'I've met some really big names and stayed in executive suites in really nice places. "I was on Matthew Wright's 'The Wright Show' and he treated me like a big celebrity and said, 'I've been waiting for you to come on this show for a long time.' Advertisement "The only thing I regret in life was getting behind the wheel of the car that day - that was the worst mistake I ever made." The Sun has contacted Channel 5 for comment.
The Sun
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Gladiators and First Dates stars land guest roles in brand new BBC series – and it's not what you'd expect
GLADIATORS and First Dates stars have landed guest roles in a brand new BBC show - but its quite different territory. This new concept comes from the award-winning team behind smash hit Horrible Histories. 5 5 Much like Horrible Histories, Horrible Science will feature sketch comedy with an educational twist. The likes of Fred Siriex, Judge Rinder, TikTok star Big Manny and Gladiators competitor Steel are all set for guest appearances. Fred, 53, has appeared on Channel 4 's First Dates ever since it launched in 2011. In 2023, he starred in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here alongside Sam Thompson and Nigel Farage. Steel - in reality elite CrossFit athlete Zack George -, 34, has starred in the rebooted Gladiators since 2024. Judge Rinder, 46, hosted his eponymous show from 2014 to 2020 and appears on Good Morning Britain. It is currently unclear how these famous faces will feature in the upcoming show. Horrible Science will launch on Friday, May 9 on CBBC and BBC iPlayer, with curriculum learning resources on BBC Bitesize. The show will depict major scientific figures like Sir Isaac Newton, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Katherine Johnson and Charles Darwin. New additions to the "Horrible" family are Dr Big Brain, DI Loofah, The Force Force, Lacey Loloman and the Earth and Moon. Horrible Histories with guest appearances from a host of famous faces Last but not least, rounding out the motley group will be puppet host, Pipette. Cast members include Richard David-Caine, Harrie Hayes, Will Hislop, Halema Hussain and Emily Lloyd-Saini. In addition, James McNicholas, Jessica Ransom, Luke Rollason, Tom Stourton, Inel Tomlinson and Timmika Ramsay. Patricia Hidalgo, Director of BBC Children's and Education, said: 'Our mission is to inform, educate and entertain and now, we're taking greater strides towards bringing entertainment and education closer together than ever before. "Making it even easier for teachers and parents to bring the 'Horrible' magic into learning spaces. "So, kids across the UK get ready to watch Horrible Science for homework!' Horrible Science will air on CBBC and BBC iPlayer. 5
