AS the Saturday night ratings war with the BBC heats up, rival ITV seem pawsitive it’s found a way to take the lead.
The channel’s secret weapon is a contest for gifted doggies, which I understand is in a similar vein to Britain’s Got Talent.
ITV is set to launch a new Saturday night show inspired by Britain’s Got Talent – but with a major twist[/caption]
In fact, it’s partly inspired by BGT, which has featured a string of talented hounds over the years, including Ashleigh and Pudsey, who won series six in 2012.
A TV insider said: “Pooches are always a huge hit on these competitions, so it made sense to devote a show entirely to the unique abilities of our four-legged friends. Forget Britain’s Got Talent, it’s more a case of Britain’s Dog Talent — and ITV will be hoping this proves to be just as popular on Saturday nights.”
Ashleigh and Pudsey aren’t the only animal act to go far on BGT — and it’s not just because the show’s head judge Simon Cowell is such an animal lover.
Others who have won over the judges, audiences and viewers at home have included Marc Metral and his talking dog Wendy in 2015, dancing canine Trip Hazard in 2016 and 11-year-old Alex Lauenburger’s troupe of acrobatic pooches, who got Ant and Dec’s golden buzzer in 2019.
ITV has put out an advert for wannabe “contestants” for the new show — which has yet to get a name.
It asks: “Is your furry friend a star? Do they have a show-stopping trick? Are they a bark above the rest?”
The advert stresses that applicants must be aged 18 or over, though we suspect that just applies to the owners.
To apply, email take part@itv.com.
MICHELLE’S IN HER POM-P
Michelle Keegan looks super stylish in Fifties fashion as hit BBC drama Ten Pound Poms returns[/caption]
Michelle returns as nurse Kate Thorne[/caption]
MICHELLE KEEGAN looks super stylish in Fifties fashion as hit BBC drama Ten Pound Poms returns.
She returns as nurse Kate Thorne, alongside Faye Marsay and Warren Brown as Annie and Terry Roberts.
The second series will see Kate and the gang, after a tough first year getting used to their new surroundings, heading into 1957, determined to finally call Down Under home.
The new trailer teases what’s to come for the characters, as Nic English’s Robbie rekindles his friendship with Kate. While new character Benny Bates, played by Marcus Graham, could shake things up for the Brits.
If these pictures are anything to go by, it looks as though there could be an equal measures of laughter and heartbreak.
The first series, which aired in May 2023, proved an instant hit with viewers, pulling in ratings of 4.6million for the opening episode.
The BBC will be hoping the second series which begins on Sunday, March 9 at 8pm, will be just as popular.
ANTON BRUCIE BLOW
THEY were co-stars on Strictly Come Dancing for a decade, so it’s no surprise that Anton Du Beke knows what would have left Bruce Forsyth furious.
And he says the former host of the BBC One show, who died in 2017 following a 73-year entertainment career, would not be happy about his burial.
In a tribute to his association with the London Palladium, Bruce’s ashes were buried beneath the stage there – where he shares a spot with comedian Des O’Connor, who died three years later.
But Anton told the My Time Capsule Podcast: “In the wall, they’ve buried Bruce’s ashes and to the left of Bruce is the wonderful Des, who has done more shows there than anybody else, so they buried his there.
“Now I know that Bruce would have been furious about this because he was never a double act.”
