BBC Strictly star quits radio show in surprise move saying they're 'proud' of achievements

Those tuning in to watch the BBC's New Year's Eve offering were left saying they 'couldn't believe' what Rick Astley did just minutes after entering 2024. The singer was this year's star helping welcome in a brand new year before the annual fireworks spectacular in the capital.

Ricky Gervais has addressed a petition that was launched for him to remove a controversial joke from his upcoming comedy special.Armageddon, which will air on Netflix on Christmas Day, features a joke about Gervais being busy making videos for terminally ill children for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.The Office UK star shared that he makes the videos only on request, saying he doesn’t burst into hospitals and go, ‘Wake up baldy’”.He then added that he starts his videos to the children saying: “Why didn’t you wish to get better? What, you fucking ret***ed* as well?”Although he clarified that he was making a joke, many viewers were outraged at the sneak-peak of the one-hour comedy special, for which Gervais has already put out a warning, saying he discusses “sex, death, paedophilia, race, religion, disability, free speech, global warming, the holocaust, and Elton John’ in Armageddon,” adding that “if they [the audience] don’t approve of jokes about any of these things, then please don’t watch.”One viewer, who is a parent of a child who has suffered from cancer, launched a petition asking Netflix to remove the skit. The petition called Gervais “not only distasteful but also heartless” and criticised the “derogatory language” he used.It also posed the question of “how a writer or anyone at Netflix could green light such appalling content”.Now, Gervais has responded to the petition, telling BBC Radio 5 Live: “I’m literally saying in the joke that I don’t do that.

Strictly Come Dancing viewers have been left upset, as they claim that one of the show's finallists was "robbed" and should have been the one holding up the glitterball trophy. Saturday night's Strictly final saw Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola crowned as the series winners, after fighting off competition from Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier.

Naman Ramachandran Musician and BAFTA nominated actor Olly Alexander will represent the U.K. at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. Alexander revealed the news on Saturday during the finale of BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing.” As a musician, Alexander fronted English band Years & Years, which in recent years has evolved into a solo project.

Strictly Come Dancing 2023 is officially over with Coronation Street's Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola deservedly took home the iconic Glitter Ball trophy. But a moment which really caught the attention of viewers was veteran judge Craig Revel Horwood's emotional moment.The 58 year old is renowned for his cutting judging technique and icy exterior - plus, his 19 year long run of barely showing any emotion.

Kristina Rhianoff was a well known face on Strictly Come Dancing between the years 2008 and 2015.The 46 year old dancer joined the BBC show for the sixth series and competed every year until the thirteenth run - even making it to the final in 2012 with Blue singer, Simon Webbe. Despite leaving Strictly eight years ago, Kristina has still maintained an active social media presence, plus continued her work as a professional dancer away from the bright lights of the show.

Ellie Leach was at a school friend's birthday sleepover when she discovered she had secured the part of Faye Windass on Coronation Street. Now 22, the Strictly Come Dancing finalist, from Audenshaw, has already experienced a career that most people could only dream about.

Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Simmonds told fans that she has been rushed to hospital - and said she was gutted to be spending the lead up to Christmas in hospital. The former Paralympian swimmer, 29, shared a photo from her hospital bed, with her hand hooked to a drip, on Saturday morning as she updated her fans about her condition. Sharing a photo on social media with her 117,000 followers, Ellie wrote: "Never would of thought spent days in December and lead up to Christmas in hospital.

BBC EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy took to Instagram to show off her lavish Christmas decorations as she prepares to celebrate the festive season - joining a host of other festive celebrities.The actress, who often updates her fans on social media, shared a few snaps of the stunning decorations which surrounded the grand front door of her home.The decorations included a huge silver and gold wreath which ran along her door frame, with two circular wreaths placed in the middle. Captioning the post, Natalie wrote: "Just wanted to say a big thank you to Hayley @thedoordisplaycompany for another beautiful door.

Strictly Come Dancing star Johannes Radebe is said to have been ‘distraught’ after his exit from the competition just before the final while dance partner Annabel ‘knew it was the end of the line’.

Clara Amfo, the host of BBC Radio 1's Future Sounds show, has announced she will be stepping down next year to focus on new projects with the network. Jack Saunders, who currently presents Future Artists and The Official Chart shows, will take over from April 15.

Damon Albarn has offered his thoughts on The Beatles‘ use of AI in their new single ‘Now And Then’, sharing that he could imagine it happening to his own material one day.The Beatles released their “final” song early last month, the last track to feature all the original members of the Fab Four. The song went on to top the charts six decades after their first Number One single.‘Now And Then’ stems from a demo tape recorded by late bandmate John Lennon.

Strictly Come Dancing's Karen Hauer has firmly dismissed rumours suggesting she's going to walk away from the show. During an Instagram Q&A session with her fans this week, the seasoned professional dancer swiftly addressed the speculation that had been swirling regarding her potential exit, reports Daily Star.

The Last Dinner Party have been announced as the winners of the prestigious BRITs Rising Star award supported by BBC Radio 1.The band – comprised of Abigail Morris, Lizzie Mayland, Emily Roberts, Georgia Davies and Aurora Nishevci – were revealed as the winner of the award by Clara Amfo on her BBC Radio 1 Future Sounds show.The Rising Star prize recognises British artists who had not achieved a top 20 album, or more than one top 20 single by October 31 of this year. It is voted by an industry-wide panel.

Actor Nigel Harman sadly had to withdraw from BBC's Strictly Come Dancing at the weekend after he sustained an injury to his ribs that landed him - ironically - in the emergency room. According to the 50 year old, he injured himself during rehearsals while practising a stunt, telling host Claudia Winkleman that he was "leaping off a rostrum and was about to be caught by some very handsome men." "As I flew I was Peter Pan and as I landed, I was in A&E," he shared.

Katya Jones has shared her 'heartbreak' after an unexpected exit from Strictly Come Dancing after her celebrity partner Nigel Harman injured himself during rehearsals.The former EastEnders star, 50, had to leave the BBC show at the quarter-final stage on Saturday due to a rib injury, something both he and Katya were heartbroken by. Nigel, 50, explained to shocked viewers during the broadcast that he had an accident while jumping from a rostrum, which led to a trip to A&E. With no other option, Nigel and Katya had to withdraw from the series.

Antony Cotton has thrown support behind his former Coronation Street co-star Ellie Leach as the Strictly Come Dancing final approaches. The actor, who has played factory worker Sean Tully in the ITV soap since 2011, said he is 'so proud' of the former Faye Windass actress, who is in the running for the Glitterball trophy.

Some Strictly Come Dancing were united in their 'hate' as they told producers of the show what they 'need' during a bit of a different quarter-final. It was supposed to be crunch time in the ballroom on Saturday night (December 2) with the couples competing for a place in the semi-finals.

Strictly Come Dancing fans were left double checking they weren't seeing things as they spotted a very famous face in the audience. The BBC One dance contest returned to screens on Saturday night (December 2) for the all-important quarter-finals.

Strictly Come Dancing star Nigel Harman and his professional dance partner Katya Jones won't be performing tonight and have left the show on medical grounds.The dancing duo were expected to perform a Charleston to Step in Time from Disney's Mary Poppins for the exciting live quarter final. A BBC spokesperson said: “Unfortunately Nigel has sustained a rib injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight’s show and has had to withdraw from Strictly.” The show also spoke out on their official Instagram page and said: "Unfortunately, Nigel Harman and Katya Jones have had to withdraw from the competition.