Osbourne-X FACTOR=No Judge+COLE=Judge

It has been announced that Girls Aloud member, Cheryl Cole will replace Sharon Osbourne as a judge on The X Factor.

There were a few names in the hat including Spice Girl Mel B and singer/TV host Charlotte Church, however Cheryl has won the coveted (?) job and will now be joining Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue on the judging panel.

Sharon Osbourne, 55, announced her decision to quit on Friday and yesterday (Monday) was interviewed on Radio One. She said of her decision to quit: “It’s just time to move on.“I love the show, I love everybody there, the producers, Simon (Cowell). But it’s just time to move on.”As I said in my last blog entry, she is tipped to be a contestant on BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

Sharon went on to say: “I’ve heard that they’re asking certain people (to be the new judge).“I think they’re asking Cheryl (Cole) who I love. They’re asking Mel B.“It’ll be interesting, it’ll take the show to a different place, it’ll be probably even better than it has been if that’s possible.”Asked if there was one person she would prefer", she said: “I think Cheryl.” That's a big thumbs up from the out-going judge then to the incoming one.

Ms Osbourne denied that she asked for more money and was turned down.

But she admitted she was a “drama queen” and also said that “Yes, I was negotiating and I asked for a ridiculous amount of money and they offered me an obscene amount of money and it just doesn’t change the way I feel. I think I’ve done my best and that’s it.”Asked whether ridiculous was more than obscene or obscene more than ridiculous, she said: “It’s all ridiculous in this industry, we’re all bloody overpaid.“We all get paid too much that’s why we’re all drama queens. That’s why we’re all spoilt brats.”She said: “I loved it, it was the best four years of my life but I gotta do something else right now.”Osbourne said of Louis Walsh: “Lulu’s gonna stay. He just loves doing the show, he really does.“And I do, I love the show, I owe the show so much but it’s just time to move on.”She joked she would like to see Dannii Minogue in a shark tank, before adding: “No, no..”

For Cheryl , who is 24, it will be life on the other side of the fence so to speak as she originally came to fame and fortune by winning on Popstars: The Rivals, reality TV show. It "scary" to be joining the ITV1 show. Cheryl said but at least she knows what it is like for the contestants. This could bring a new dynamic to the show - who the heck knows and I have no idea what Simon Cowell is doing anymore - I think I am too old.

The Girls Aloud star said "I'm so excited to be part of such a great show and although it's scary joining a huge programme like The X Factor, it's a massive honour to be following in the footsteps of Sharon Osbourne.
"The rest of the girls have said they're right behind me, which is really important for me as it will be weird to be on the other side of the fence this time. So whilst we get started on the next album, it will be brilliant to be a judge on The X Factor."

Is Sharon Sashaying To Strictly?

Rumours, rumours, rumours.......

What was happening this time last year? Oh yes, Louis Walsh was SACKED! Lots of publicity taken away from the BBC's winter anchor show and placed firmly on to Simon Cowell's baby. Lots of money into his pocket and his Hollywood teeth have been paid for.

This year Sharon Cowell...Oh slip of the tongue, Sharon Osbourne - has allegedly asked for an extra £500,000 to do her judging thing. That amount may be more or less depending on which newspaper or website you read. You know what it is like - Chinese whispers, the amount gets bigger every time it is repeated. Missus Osbourne has also never got on with Dannii Minogue or so the media would have us believe? Again a ploy to get us watching? Yeah you know how it works. Alas the ploy backfired and Sharon has decided to leave the X Factor but not because of the money - That's just a RUMOUR.

A statement released by one of Sharon's publicity team said: "Sharon Osbourne announced today that after four fantastic and successful series of The X Factor she has decided to leave the show.
"Sharon would like to thank the wonderful British public for their enormous support during what's been an exciting ride. She would also like to take this opportunity to thank Simon Cowell and ITV while wishing them all the best for the next series. Sharon will be making no further comment."

So what is next for Missus Osbourne?
According to the Sun (and they even have a mocked up picture), Sharon, will be joining the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing team. Oh joy, I can't wait......I'd rather boil my head in acid than tolerate her dancing and screeching all in one show. Only major flaw for Sharon is that the dancers have to show expression and it may be very difficult for her with her plastic surgically induced face to show anything but shock.

But is this all true or a case of the publicity bandwagon rolling trying to take away coverage from Big Brother and other reality shows?

ITV have made an official statement:
"Sharon Osbourne has decided to leave The X Factor after four fantastic years," an ITV spokesman said.
"ITV thanks her for her immense contribution to the show and for all her humour, compassion and energy. She has been a tremendous judge and mentor on the programme but we respect her wish to leave and wish her the very best with her future projects."

OK.....Bye then Sharon. Back to America is it?

Seems so, Sharon on Strictly is a bit of a laugh really and the truth is that she loves America and her life is mostly over there. She judges America's Got Talent and with her new face, she's bound to cash in on what it can bring her. With Simon as her mentor, she'll go far - Look at what he's doing for Leona Lewis!

Sick Swayze Fit For Work

The Hollywood Reporter claims that Patrick Swayze, the Dirty Dancing star, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March, is well enough to resume playing an FBI agent in the A&E programme The Beast. This was the show he recorded the pilot for in January just before he was diagnosed with cancer.

Swayze did not address concerns over his health, but doctors are understood to have cleared him for work on the series.

In a statement Swayze did not mention his health concerns but said; "I have searched for quite a long time to find a character that is this multi layered, unpredictable and downright entertaining as well as a project this current and cutting-edged."

A&E's executive vice-president Bob DeBitetto told the New York Times; "Obviously, we've had candid conversations with him and his doctors, and we have a fairly high degree of expectation that Patrick will be good to work a full production schedule."

Reports of Swayze's illness in entertainment media were initially pessimistic but late last month he said he was "responding well" to treatment, which is believed to include chemotherapy.

The Beast will start shooting in Chicago later this summer, this is as originally planned. Swayze is being looked after by doctors at Stanford University in California and it is understood that Chicago doctors will co-ordinate his care with his usual oncologist.

I wish Patrick well and dealing with a daemon of a cancer. Pancreatic cancer is one of the worst and he is being treated with a guinea pig treatment now which is working for him. he could have lost his life quicker because of the drugs and that was a chance you take but he has gone for it with some success.

Judging from the photo he looks appalling, but has love and support of a good partner. Who could ask for more.

ONLY Lucinda OUT!

WOW that was a turn up for the books.

Week 11 and three were told they would be fired but only Lucinda Ledgerwood and her purple beret were fired. This picture was taken when tragically she had lost her beret and had to receive counselling.

Her "accent wasn't right apparently".........

I have a horrible feeling Alex will get that 'one job' but secretly hope that Claire will get it. Only one problem, she's stuck with my early favourite Lee. And then there's that mysterious website which has hardly any details?

But back to Lucinda-Beret-nutcase; "It wouldn't have been right for me to have been located in the middle of nowhere in a bland office environment." She told the Mail. "I'm not going to be disappointed that I'm not going to be a sales person."
She said: "I would certainly say that I was targeted (by the other candidates). I didn't have an easy time. I would certainly not condone the behaviour of the majority of them."I wasn't liked. My accent wasn't liked and what I wore wasn't liked.
"On occasions it was verging on bullying. I do not advocate bullying or bitchiness. You don't need to resort to that.

OK Lucinda......so you were bullied then for what you wore but you chose your own clothes and I don't think you listen anway so how would you know if anyone was bullying you?

For more from the Mail: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1024264/Sir-Alans-empire-bland-says-sacked-Apprentice-Lucinda.html

THANKFULLY SHE FOUND HER BERET BEFORE SHE LEFT.

Presenter Fern Britton has admitted misleading the public over her brilliant weight loss.

This Morning presenter Fern has finally told all that is was not a steady diet and exercise which helped her to shed the pounds. But instead the News of the World has reported that it was a gastric band inserted in 2006 which allowed her to lose the weight. She took questions from This Morning viewers and said she wanted to keep this to herself yes BUT.......

Fabulous Fern, 50, dropped from a size 22 to a size 16, and in the past had told viewers that cycling and diet changes made the difference. Naughty naughty Fern! She is a role model to many women out there and when you reach a certain age it is hard to get rid of that excess weight.

In a statement to the paper, Ms Britton said:

"As I know, many people are interested in my weight loss over the past two years. "As interest is so high I'm making public, as a personal choice, that I had a gastric band operation two years ago. I did this purely for myself and I would not wish to influence others to do the same. But for me it has worked and I am very pleased with the results."

The newspaper initially said that she denied the claim through her agent. Apparently her agent did not even know she had the surgery and the newspaper contacted him and she knew she would have to come clean about this. But I don't know why she didn't say something in the first place? She's in the public eye and as I said she's a role model to many 'normal women'. Why not just be NORMAL?

Gastric band surgery works by constricting the stomach and lessening the amount of food that can be eaten. My problem is I cannot exercise because of my spinal condition therefore I have this flabby belly. Hubby loves the curves anyway and so even if I could afford this surgery it would not be the right choice for me but it works for many where other options do not.

I say good for Fern. Shame she was not honest though. The problem with Fern Britton is that she had previously said on TV and numerous magazine articles of how she had lost weight naturally and denied having and surgical assistance to help her lose the weight. It is true that she is one fit mama and has undertaken a a transformed exercise regime over the past couple of years. I recall how she cycled down the Nile - not literally ON IT but next to it! Haha.

She's currently on holiday with her four children and TV chef husband Phil Vickery and I'm sure he knows how to cook up a sensible eating regime......Then again, some of those meals on Ready Steady Cook have got so much cream and fat in them you put weight on just watching the show.

Cam Will Do Anything To Get His Nancy

The OLIVER! Website has announced that 28-year -old agony aunt, former cruise ship and club singer Jodie Prenger or should I say 'the people's Nancy', will only be appearing in 4 shows a week!

In fact it did not matter if Jessie, Sam or Jodie had won on Saturday night, because even though Graham, Sir Cam, the Lord and the judges, kept going on about the pressures of 8 shows a week, this was never a possibility according to the official website. http://www.oliverthemusical.com/

"Sickness and holiday permitting, we have decided that the winning Nancy is scheduled to perform on Monday and Tuesday evenings, Wednesday matinees and Friday evenings. Until the show opens in December we cannot make a final decision on any additional performances."

There are few tickets left on Saturdays and Fridays for those who wish to see 'their Nancy' so hurry and book.

This information was changed when Rachel went out two weeks ago. She was offered the remaining four shows by Cameron Mackintosh and has since turned them down; but doesn't this turn this whole phone voting into a travesty again? We were lied to constantly, misled and our trust has been broken. I had wanted to get tickets for the show but now I shall not bother. I do not want to see an alternate Nancy unless it is Jessie. On Saturday night she sung for her life and deserved to win over Jodie IF she sang like that all the time. Oliver! was the first west end show I ever saw 28 years ago and it holds a special place in my heart. I suppose I shall get over my little strop and get tickets eventually, but right now I'm aggrieved and no doubt will be seriously out of pocket when I find out how much those tickets actually cost.

Jodie was consistency, had she been a size ten would Mackintosh be reacting the way he is? Or is it genuinely her lack of stage experience that worries him? Let's hope that by December she is a complete professional and will be starring in ALL EIGHT SHOWS. Personally I do not see the problem and would be happy to pay my squillion pounds to hear her sing As long as he needs me.

There was a reason why Rachel was voted in the bottom two for many weeks.......She's not the public choice.

Mackintosh get the message!

Gone With The Wind Has Gone With A Whimper

The BBC news website reports that Trevor Nunn's short running over stretched version of Gone with the wind, will be closing later this month after being panned by critics when it opened in April.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7430135.stm

The show which stars Pop Idol finalist Darius Danesh as Rhett Butler will close on June 14 and those who have brought tickets will be given refunds and an apology by the sounds of it.

"The show was TOO LONG" Critics cried! At three hours and forty minutes, this is way too long to be sat in a theatre and even if you like Darius, I'm still haunted by his Britney Spears.

I wish the cast and crew well for future projects. There's Oliver due for release in six months time and there will be jobs for one or two people there!