HE dazzled with his ballroom moves on Strictly, now JB Gill will need to learn how to tap dance round Lord Sugar in the boardroom.
I can exclusively reveal that the JLS singer, who made it to the final of the BBC dance contest last year, is the latest name to sign up for the celebrity version of The Apprentice.
JLS star and Strictly finalist JB Gill has signed up for Celebrity Apprentice[/caption]
Due to air later this year, it’s going to feature a gaggle of famous faces taking part in the special as part of the show’s 20th anniversary.
A TV insider said: “JB certainly isn’t afraid of a challenge, in fact he relishes one.
“And that was pretty obvious from his barnstorming performances on Strictly.
“But at least he had a background in dancing and performing in front of big audiences thanks to being a member of a huge boyband.
“He doesn’t have quite the same level of experience when it comes to running a business, but that only makes for more entertaining viewing, which is the whole point of this show.”
I exclusively revealed last year how the Beeb was making another spin-off celebrity series of The Apprentice, something which hadn’t happened for six years.
The last season featured actor Omid Djalili, comedian Russell Kane and interior designer Kelly Hoppen.
Among the names already said to be taking part in the latest special are DJ Angela Scanlon, former Apprentice contestant Tom Skinner, telly judge Rob Rinder and EastEnders star Jake Woods, who’ll all be trying to avoid getting fired by Lord Sugar.
The Beeb has yet to confirm the final line-up, which is expected to include a dozen people split between two teams of men and women.
The charity fundraising show is expected to be Christmas-themed, as it will air around the festive season, which is why one of the tasks will see the celebrities head to Lapland to help Santa.
He might give them all the sack.
The Apprentice biggest moments
THE Apprentice has been a fan favourite ever since it burst onto the box in 2005.
Here we take a look at five of the biggest moments over the years on the hit BBC One show.
Tim Campbell – Former London Underground transport manager Tim Campbell won the first series of the reality show in 2005. He is now one of Lord Sugar’s aides on the show.
Sarah Lynn and James White – For the first and only time in the show’s history, both finalists were crowned winners in 2017.
Amy Anzel – Season 16’s fired candidate Amy Anzel was BANNED from the final celebration show, after a tit-for-tat exchange over Lord Sugar’s mocking tweets.
Michelle Dewberry – Telecoms consultant Michelle Dewberry won the second series of the show in 2006. However, after winning a six-figure job with Lord Sugar she lasted just four months before she sensationally quit.
Selena Waterman-Smith – We’re used to tensions running high in the boardroom, but in 2015 a disagreement between two candidates spilled over – for the first time – into a physical bust-up. Events manager Selina Waterman-Smith was given a verbal warning by show bosses for her role in an off-camera scrap with Charleine Wain.
Juno who doll is
THEY starred as pals Rebecca and Keeley in Apple TV comedy Ted Lasso – and they are best mates off screen, too.
Now Hannah Waddingham and Juno Temple’s friendship is being immortalised with the release of a new pair of Barbies to celebrate International Women’s Day.
The campaign in honour of the power of female friendship features a series of Barbie Role Model dolls, which also include American Olympic gymnasts, Australian tennis players and Brazilian influencers.
Hannah and Juno’s Barbies mark the first time the toy brand has released a UK duo of Barbie Role Models.
Speaking of their friendship, Juno previously told the Happy Sad Confused podcast: “Hannah changed my life, I love her so much – I don’t think I could live without her now.”
Hannah’s doll features her 2024 SAG Awards gown, which she paired with a homemade cardboard clutch bag made by her nine-year-old daughter.
Juno’s doll copies a look she debuted at the 2024 Emmy Awards, where she was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in Fargo.
A NEW face is coming to Hollyoaks – and he makes a move on troubled Leela (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) when she opens up to him about her marital problems.
Brandon Felloe will play counsellor Tommy, who he describes as “a unique therapist with a dark side”.
Justice beckons for Nigel
VETERAN actor Nigel Havers is making his primetime comeback in a new ITV drama with an intriguing personal twist.
The former Coronation Street star plays Judge Cecil Havers – a character based on his own grandfather – in A Cruel Love: The Ruth Ellis Story, which starts tomorrow.
Ellis was the last woman in the UK to be hanged, sentenced by the judge in 1955.
The role will require Nigel to venture into the wardrobe department – a place he usually avoids, apparently.
Joe Wilkinson, who bagged the actor a cameo in his sitcom The Cockfields, explained: “When he does a job, he’ll go on set and be told, ‘We need you to get changed, your costume is all laid out’. And he’ll say ‘No, I’m going to wear this’.
“He wears on set whatever he has turned up in so that he can b*gger off straight away.”
Keeps costs down, I guess.
KATIE PIPER will celebrate the best of the British countryside – and enjoy some pampering – in new daytime series Weekend Escapes.
The ITV show will see the host joined by celebrity guests to try new treatments and wellbeing activities at locations across the country.
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