Category Entertainment News

Seventies TV chef Fanny Cradock once ruled the airwaves but since the demise of her TV career the star was left penniless and died in a ‘tiny flat’ despite flash lifestyle

Seventies TV chef Fanny Cradock was an original when it came to showcasing her culinary skills to her adoring fans on the small screen. And at the time, she dominated the airwaves and led a lifestyle most people could only dream of back then, from driving around in a Rolls-Royce to chartering a boat in Cannes.

But it seems her fame and notoriety got the better of her and she was axed from her TV show, leaving her struggling. Behind the façade, it has now come to light that at the age of 85 when Fanny died, she was penniless.

Not only that, she lived and died in a tiny flat in West Sussex, which was a far cry from her once glitzy lifestyle. This comes as ITV axes Noel Edmonds’ big TV comeback after just one series.

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Fanny’s husband, Johnnie, played the role of her TV sidekick, but according to reports, she took their TV dynamic too far and was overheard speaking poorly to him on set.

An assistant who was present at the time Fanny scolded her husband publicly recalled that she screamed: “Don’t you ever speak to me like that again. You’ll be back where you came from so fast you won’t know what’s hit you I am Fanny Cradock and don’t you forget that.”

As her fame grew so too did her arrogance. She reportedly described the former Duchess of York a “trollop”, labelled the late Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher “cheap and described comedian Les Dawson “an awful lump of lard who pulls funny faces.”

She added: “He’s greasy, horrible and disgusting. I hate him.” Her superior demeanour soon got the better of her which created her downfall.

In 1976, she publicly embarrassed a housewife from Devon while presenting BBC show The Big Time. She mocked and humiliated her over her menu and went as far as pretending to gag after tasting her food.

Her questionable performance left viewers angry, and she was sacked within weeks.

Her career had crumbled shortly after her departure from the BBC show as work started to dry up. According to the Express, in 1994, she died after suffering a stroke at her “filthy, tiny flat” in Chichester, west Chichester.

Reportedly, her funeral did not attract many people.

In a bid to celebrate 40 years from the end of her TV career, the BBC has decided to reintroduced her shows online.

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James Haskell was snapped spending quality time with his three-year-old daughter Bodie just weeks after confessing what he thinks ended his marriage to her mum Chloe Madeley

James Haskell has made a rare red carpet appearance with his daughter Bodhi when they attended the Grand Prix Of Europe UK Gala screening.

The former rugby union star stepped out with the three-year-old, whohe shares with ex Chloe Madeley – to the event at the Ham Yard Hotel in London. James, 40, looked happy as he beamed in the images alongside Bodhi while carrying her in his arms.

James and Chloe, 38, separated in 2023 after five years of marriage. Bodhi – the grandchild of Chloe’s famous parents Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan – was just one-year-old when the pair went their separate ways.

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James’ stepping out with Bodhi comes after he confessed that his drinking habits contributed to the end of their marriage. Speaking at the Pub in the Park festival in West London he said, “If I put more time into my marriage than I did Guinness, then I wouldn’t be divorced now.”

He continued to the Daily Mail, “It’s one of those things in life where some things don’t work out, but I have so much love for my daughter and Chloe. It’s team work. What we all forget is when you have children and a marriage finishes, it’s all about the kids. Chloe and I are amazing co-parents. Our priority is always Bodhi.”

James also confirmed that he is now single again after briefly dating advertising executive Helen Barclay at the start of the year.

He said, “I don’t really date. My priority is not that at the moment. I don’t need anyone. I’m very happy and comfortable. My focus is, obviously, saying goodbye to my dad, work, and being the best dad in the best order.”

James now works as a DJ playing global venues and has previously opened up about how he achieved his visibly slimmed down figure following his change of career. During his stint on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! he discussed how his new regime was having an impact on his appearance.

He was thought to have lost around 10kg appearing on the show due to the gruelling challenges and restricted eating that contestants have to deal with. He shared pictures of his chiseled abs and biceps to Instagram to show off the difference.

James also attributed a 9kg drop in his weight to lifestyle changes during one of the final Covid-19 lockdowns in the UK.

Taking to Instagram to share a comparison pictures of his changing body he wrote, “I got bored in lockdown 2 and saw how big I could get. 130kgs. Lockdown 3 I have gone the other way. I’m 8 weeks in and have gone from 122kgs to 113kgs. I’ve been training remotely with @altius_pt. Which has been mega, well thought out and programmed exactly. The idea is to get leaner now and then build back up slowly over the coming week.

“It’s been really fun to have a goal and stick to it. It gives you purpose, routine and discipline. All things we strive on as humans.”

The former This Morning presenter was spotted with a mystery man after a boozy pub date earlier this week – and now the truth about the pair’s relationship has been revealed

Earlier this week, Phillip Schofield was spotted being carried back by a mystery man after a boozy pub date with his daughter Molly and longtime friend Scott Brown. The 63-year-old was seen holding onto the male companion as they left the al fresco restaurant.

The two were pictured walking arm in arm as they emerged from LGBTQ+ cinema The Arzner Bar and café in Bermondsey, South East London on Saturday.

The man in question was later revealed to be London-based nurse and academic Joshua Sharman, 30, who is thought to be in a relationship with Phillip’s pal Scott. According to Daily Mail, the two men have become Phil’s support network and are helping him rebuild his life.

The publication stated that the dad-of-two is “enjoying his best gay life” and navigating his newfound freedom on the gay scene after years of hiding his true sexuality.

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A source told them: “Phil doesn’t care any more. He is who he is and now he is able to be that person,’ said one associate of the former This Morning presenter.

“He is spending more and more time in the London Bridge, Waterloo, Bermondsey area of London. It’s much more him than Chiswick these days. That’s all a bit stuck-up: a bit of a Nappy Valley area, and very family-orientated.

“That isn’t who Phil is anymore. They are not his people. He is very much in his ‘having fun’ era.

“He was having a ball at the Arzner, but he also goes to other venues in the area. He’s built up a group of friends in the community and is loving life. It’s time to move on and make the most of things.”

One of the reasons for the shift in mindset is thought to be his friendship with Scott and Joshua, with who he is clearly spending plenty of time with.

The Mirror have contacted Phillip’s representative for a comment.

Phil resigned from ITV back in 2023 after admitting an ‘unwise but not illegal’ affair with a This Morning colleague. He came out as gay in February 2020 and has retreated from the spotlight since quitting This Morning.

He apologised at the time for having previously lied about his relations with a member of the This Morning team while married. In his statement announcing his resignation, former Dancing on Ice host Phillip also stated that the “consensual on-off relationship” was “now over”.

Phillip however later made a shock TV comeback on Channel 5’s Cast Away last year. The three-part series saw him speak about his life whilst left on a remote island for ten days, as well as featuring his family in scenes filmed at home.

He has two children with Stephanie Lowe, 60, whom he is still married to after the pair tied the knot in 1993. The former couple are parents to daughters Molly Schofield, 32, and Ruby Schofield, 29, together.

A move Katie Price made over daughter Princess reportedly triggered ex-husband Peter Andre into making his bombshell statement

A controversial decision Katie Price made is said to have prompted ex-husband Peter Andre’s furious statement against her.

The glamour model was seen getting yet another cosmetic surgery this week as she was photographed in Turkey after having undergone a facelift in Istanbul. Katie, 46, was snapped walking through a hotel restaurant in the city with surgical bandages visibly applied to her head.

The images came on the same day that daughter, Princess Andre, 18, launched her new four-part documentary series on ITV2. Now it has been reported that the images of Katie were what prompted Peter to lose his temper as Katie has been accused of attempting to steal the limelight from her daughter.

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Katie was allegedly banned from taking part in the reality series as it was made in a deal with the same management company as Peter works with. “Katie would have known exactly when those pictures were going to be published. She has form for setting picture opportunities up with the paparazzi and this appears to be no exception, a source told the Daily Mail. “They went out at 1.21pm on the same day of Princess launching her show.”

The source then brutally slammed her for the move and claimed it was “an attempt to take some of the attention away from her own daughter”.

They also claimed that Katie’s refusal to support their daughter in her TV career was a huge trigger for Peter and sparked his scathing statement. Accusing Katie of “making up lies” and “slagging off her own daughter’s show”, they continued: “She even said she wouldn’t be watching it. Imagine the hurt for Princess. Peter knew Katie would have something to say but nobody thought it would be this bad.”

Peter, 52, slammed Katie on Instagram in a statement that read, “For 16 years, I have stayed silent in the face of repeated lies from my ex-wife and her family, out of respect for my children and loved ones, but staying silent has been incredibly frustrating. That ends today.

“The latest comments about my children’s welfare and living arrangements compel me to set the record straight. For well-documented reasons, and for their safety, Junior and Princess came into my care in 2018 and remained with me until they reached adulthood.

“In 2019, the family courts issued a legally binding order to enforce this arrangement. I have never made this public before, out of respect for my children. Unfortunately there are many more lies and baseless accusations I have yet to address. Those will now be dealt with in the coming months.”

Katie subsequently responded with a post that read, “I know I will always be seen as a sinner. That’s fair. I allowed myself to fall into a reliance on drugs and alcohol. At times I was not the mother I should have been while I struggled with mental illness.

“I have been at times a poor friend, an awful sibling, and an untrustworthy partner. I’ve self-medicated, been unfaithful, damaged myself and those that I love.”

MasterChef star Thomasina Miers has hit out at the BBC for sacking host John Torode after racist accusation back in 2018 was upheld by broadcaster following investigation

Thomasina Miers has achieved great success since being crowned winner of MasterChef in 2005 under the judgement of John Torode and Gregg Wallace. At the time of winning the coveted trophy, both John and Gregg were held in great esteem by the amateur chefs and production staff.

But now, both presenters have had their careers blighted by upheld accusations and have been sacked by the BBC following an investigation into their use of offensive language and inappropriate behaviour.

It comes after John Torode’s wife Lisa Faulkner broke her silence after his MasterChef sacking.

Since news of their sacking emerged, Thomasina, 49, has finally broken her silence and has come out in support of John Torode as she believes he was “hung out to dry”, by the broadcaster.

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John was sacked from his role on the show after he was accused of using a racist term. The term was allegedly made while on set in 2018 and the show’s production company deemed the term as “seriously offensive.”

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Thomasina said: “I cannot believe that John got hung out to dry like that. Twenty years of his life of dedicated service. John is like the least racist person I’ve ever met … I just don’t get it.”

Gregg was also sacked over inappropriate behaviour and his use of sexual jokes. And while Thomasina only felt compelled to comment on John, she seems to have an understanding of “smutty” jokes in the kitchen.

She continued: “I have a really smutty sense of humour so God knows what the BBC would make of some of the banter we have. I don’t think they’d approve but we have a lot of fun in the kitchens.”

She added: “Obviously you can’t be making other people feel uncomfortable, but equally I think you have to have fun and be able to have a joke … The kitchen is notoriously full of innuendo and double meanings.”

Thomasina is the owner of restaurant chain Wahaca.

After much deliberation, the BBC decided to air this year’s series which was filmed before both presenters were told to step down from their role.

However, the episodes were edited in a desperate bid to show a reduced amount of interaction between the amateur chef and the show hosts.

And according to reports two contestants asked to be edited out of the series.

Reflecting on her time on the show twenty years ago, Thomasina said the show has a special place in her heart as it was the first time she was told she was good at cooking.

She added: “It was the first time someone said, ‘You’re really good at this, this is what you should be doing’, I went to quite an academic school [St Paul’s Girls’ School in Hammersmith, west London], so being a chef felt not like a proper career.”

In her restaurants, loyalty from her long-term staff is rewarded with either a month long sabbatical or a trip to Mexico.

She said: “We have really good parties. You’ve got to have fun at work. I’m obviously not condoning any kind of inappropriate behaviour … but if you are, you know, good friends, you just have fun. Kitchens are notorious for smutty behaviour but it’s fun, light-weight.”

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People are only just realising that Thing from Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ has a big secret, and cannot believe what they were seeing when seeing the behind-the-scenes footage

Netflix’s ‘Wednesday’ has returned for a second series – and it’s promised to be better than ever with a whole host of celebs added to the cast, including Joanna Lumley and Billie Piper. Lady Gaga even made a subtle appearance after the sped-up version of her song ‘Bloody Mary’ reached new heights of popularity thanks to the first season of the show.

However, many people were left wondering whether ‘Thing’ from the show is CGI. For those not in the know, Thing from The Addams Family is a disembodied hand that serves as a loyal and helpful companion to the family.

In the Netflix spin-off series, Thing is portrayed by 28-year-old Victor Dorobantu, a Romanian magician, but people were shocked to learn there was a person behind the hand.

Victor shared some behind-the-scenes footage of him portraying the unusual character, and some people said he had the “hardest job on the set”.

Taking to X, someone wrote: “Rather than relying entirely on CGI, Thing was performed by Romanian magician and actor Victor Dorobantu, who wore a specially designed costume and prosthetics.”

His costume was blue with a hood so that he could be edited out of the background easily.

In the comments of Victor’s video, someone wrote: “Imagine telling the grandkids you were in the Wednesday series, every time thing comes on ‘that’s me’. So cool to know it was a person and not CGI.”

Another said: “Wow I actually thought Thing was like an AI type of thing. Not going to lie, he has the hardest job on set. That looks like a good workout lol.”

Somebody else shared: “The way I checked IMDB so fast this season to make sure it was you again before watching!! I was so stoked it was… love how you play Thing.”

“This is INCREDIBLY cool! I’m so happy you shared this,” a woman praised him.

A man penned: “Dang I never thought it was actually someone’s hand I thought it was just animated.”

An Instagram user shared he must have a lot of strength, writing: “I know it takes immense shoulder strength to be able to pull off something like this. I know your shoulders are well built. I know your shoulders hurt.”

“Ok, no, but in all seriousness, the way this dude communicates and sends feelings across the screen is beyond me,” a fan praised.

Some tried to put the actor down, though, saying: “All this technology we have and there was no room for a robot hand? But I guess this makes it look more realistic.”