MasterChef can solve the BBC’s Gregg Wallace problem by doing this one easy thing

Feeling Sunday night blues? Take five minutes to reflect on the week as Daily Mirror Columnist Jessica Boulton presents Jess Saying, her wry, witty, and whimsical recap of the past seven days in the showbiz industry.

Monday Madness

Santa will need to get up off the couch and do some work in a month. However, All He Wants For Christmas has already been received by Rylan Clark.

For he’s done a festive special with none other than the Queen of Christmas, herself, Mariah Carey. However, Rylan has done something that even Santa could never manage to get away with, besides interviewing yet another A-list star (adding his list of Madonna, Kylie, and Cher).

He’s out diva-ed Mariah. Yes, former Big Brother star Ry replaced Mariah, who is most renowned for her extravagant riders. How? He kept her WAITING. For 30 MINUTES.

OK, it turns out it was because the legendary diva was early, but still.

“She had to wait for me”, said Rylan this week. “I was so embarrassed”.

To be fair, he must have felt bad if he’s said that. Judging from some of the things he’s done on TV, like some of his early style choices on The X Factor, for instance….

… his standard embarrassment threshold is unusually high.

Jives before Jibes? Tuesday

The showbiz world has been forced to endure a massive loss, it was confirmed this week: Craig Revel Horwood’s cutthroat barbs.

Yes, Craig has admitted to feeling less resentment toward his once legendary jibes out of fear of being “canceled.”

Whether this loss represents another “victim of” or another “victory for” woke culture, I’ll leave for you to debate.

However, what Craig has to say about himself will make people giggle. He claims that he has changed from the “class bully” he used to be to “more like a teacher” and offers “the truth in a nice way.” (To continue the school analogy.)

One may argue, however, that the new-look Craig isn’t quite as soft and cuddly as he’s implying. For he may just be directing his “wit” elsewhere: in Anton Du Beke’s direction perhaps.

Let’s review the evidence:

1. There was this quip when Anton told him his age: “You should tell your surgeon, darling. It’s not working out for you”!, said Craig. Ouch

2. Then this zinger: “Anton, darling, are you going to be standing up any more? It’s getting really on my nerves. Just saying”.

3. And finally, this outfit.

Getting your best friend to dress like the creepy twin from The Shining? Sorry, Craig, but I think you’re still a Mean Girl Regina George at heart.

Got the hump Wednesday

In what appears to be a positive sign for his upcoming album, Chesney Hawkes’ new single Live Forever was received much fanfare and a Radio 2 premiere on Wednesday.

However, it turns out Ches has other long-range plans for living. He’s also pretty good at holding a grudge.

Additionally, Phillip Schofield vs. One and Only Chesney Hawkes has become a very unexpected showbiz feud this week.

And it was all over? The 1991 Smash Hits Poll Winners Party.

aI know what you’re thinking – could it be any more nostalgic? Chuck in an ER boxset, a Friends binge-watch and a Nirvana (OK, Aqua) CD, and I’m practically back to my 90s ‘ teen self.

But in summary, Chesney is still fuming former pal Phil jumped on the anti-Hawkes bandwagon during the 90s ‘ too-cool-for-school grunge era.

And it came to a head at the iconic awards show, when Phil pretended to “banish” a “lookalike” Chesney into a fiery pit of hell? with a pitchfor

“They had this guy wearing a blond wig and mole.” It was awful”, said poor Chesney. “I was 19. It was unacceptable”.

]He] was old enough to know better. “

As grievances go it’s pretty unique. And one can see why young Ches might have felt a little, erm, fired up about the experience.

Schofield’s camp is yet to respond to requests for a comment. So may I suggest a PR strategy, Phil? Don’t get burnt – find yourself a puppet to take the fall, a scapegoat……

….. Or better yet, a scape-gopher

Tough Rod Thursday

Gregg Wallace has been experiencing the heat this week, and not just in the kitchen.

For, on Thursday, it was revealed he would be leaving MasterChef after nearly 20 years, along with John Torode.

Surprisingly, it’s not because…

A) Someone finally questioned why a former greengrocer without any formal training in the kitchen could judge aspiring top chefs.

B) Someone’s raised suspicions he’s lost all sense of taste (albeit just sartorially).

It’s actually, as you’ll all have seen, for a serious reason: TV bosses have launched an investigation into multiple allegations of misconduct, including numerous accusations that he made unsolicited sexual comments in the workplace.

Any suggestion that Wallace acts sexually harassingly is false, according to his attorneys.

But until the investigation is concluded, he will not be taking part in the show.

In line with journalistic standards, there’s no more I should say.

But Sir Rod Stewart, whose wife Penny Lancaster appeared on Celebrity MasterChef, is, um, not a journalist.

And he tweeted:” Good riddance Wallace? You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya. Sir Rod Stewart. “

While the tweet is, erm, subtle and measured, one could just about surmise: Sir Rod isn’t too cut up about Gregg’s imminent grilling. You might even go on a limb and say, He’s hoping Gregg’s goose is cooked.

Fake it? Friday

The BBC have another big problem. MasterChef: The Professionals is pre-recorded and – gasp! – currently on air. So either they cut it out of the schedules or they must think differently. And quickly.

They’re not the first to find themselves in this kind of sticky situation.

What should you do when the shrewd lead is accused of sending inappropriate sexual messages after spending hundreds of millions on Agatha Christie’s Death On The Nile?

.. about his CANNIBAL fantasies?

As Armie Hammer continued to refute the claims, Mickey and co. decided to continue filming and release it anyway, but a year later in 2022.

But while the movie didn’t sink, Armie’s scandal is thought to have cost them an arm and a leg in potential lost revenue.

The Beeb could do the same with Kevin Spacey’s role in 2017’s All The Money in the World by reshooting all of his scenes with a different actor (the incredibly talented Christopher Plummer).

One doubts next year’s MasterChef has Ridley’s kind of budget though – or the budget for any hi-tech AI deep fakery.

Gen Z might have the solution, though, so why not just use a smartphone filter for good? Run the existing footage through a novelty app, select any cartoon effect you want, and, hey presto, Gregg’s got a new face…

…. and the Beeb won’t have egg on their’s.

Jess a Quickie

Ella Citron-Thompkins of Diamonds Factory has created a “interesting” theory about Coleen Rooney’s wearing diamond earrings on I’m a Celeb.

” Diamonds come from the Greek for invincible or unbreakable, “she said to journalists”. Traits she’s displayed in the jungle. “

Mmmm. By that logic, what jewellery should screamer Dean McCullough be wearing? One of those 90s ‘ dummy necklaces, perhaps?

Picture of the Week

This week, Hollywood has been a nightmare.

If you’re a Hollywood A-lister, on the other hand, it’s been that wonderful time of year when they get together as a family, cook a gorgeous wholesome meal, and share lots of happy… snaps on Instagram, of course.

So it was encouraging to see some big names who were more interested in helping others than generating likes.

The Batman actor didn’t spend the day licking his wounds in his man cave, which was his first since second wife J-Lo filed for divorce.

Instead, he, his three children and his ex-wife Jennifer Garner – aka Deadpool’s Elektra – volunteered with a charity dishing out food for the homeless of LA’s Skid Row.

Yes, the A-list ex-exes are actually superheroes both on and off the screen. And you know what else? Ben can finally let go of Good Will Hunting.

He’s got plenty of it already.

Have you ever heard a funny celebrity gossip? Is there a celeb you can’t stand? Or someone who is completely incapable of seeing anything wrong? Tell me your showbiz thoughts in the comments or on Instagram @JessicaBoultonomn X.

Source: Mirror