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Reality singing competition shows like American Idol paved the way for hits like The Voice and Building the Band, creating thrilling TV. Building the Band on Netflix features judges like Nicole Scherzinger and Kelly Rowland with successful girl group experience. Judge Nicole Scherzinger had a hand in forming the successful boy band One Direction.

Reality singing competition shows have been a hit with viewers ever since American Idol aired in 2002. Not only are the auditions and the celebrities judging these contestants one of the best things to watch on TV, but seeing these individuals reach new heights that they've never imagined is just as thrilling.

Thanks to American Idol's immense popularity, other singing competition shows have come about, including The Voice and The Masked Singer. In 2024, Netflix announced a new singing competition series, titled Building the Band, that is already proving to be well liked. Although there is no set air date,...

Actor Gerard Butler was among those paying respect to Pop Idol star Darius Danesh at his funeral in Glasgow today (25 August).

According to a report in The Scottish Sun, the service was attended by around 100 mourners. During the sombre procession, a lone piper played the song “Caledonia”.

The Ugly Truth and 300 star Butler, 51, recently said that he had been “devastated” by news of his friend’s death. Danesh rose to fame on UK talent shows Popstars and Pop Idol. He died at his home in the US aged 41 on 11 August.

Last week Butler paid tribute to his “brother in arms” by sharing a photo on Instagram of the pair smiling.

He wrote in the caption: “I am devastated by the sudden passing of my dear friend Darius, a true brother in arms. My thoughts and love go to his wonderful mum and dad Avril and Booth and his two brilliant brothers Aria and Cyrus.

Will Young has paid tribute to his former Pop Idol co-star Darius Campbell Danesh, who died earlier this week.

Danesh, who was living in the US, was found dead in his apartment in Rochester, Minnesota on Tuesday (16 August). He was 41.

Before having a successful career in musical theatre, Danesh was mostly known for his appearances on Popstars and Pop Idol, finishing in third place in the latter programme, behind Young and Gareth Gates.

On Friday (19 August), Young posted an old picture of him and Danesh from the time of filming and shared a heartfelt message about his former colleague’s passing.

“For the past few days, my thoughts have been with Darius's family and will continue to be so,” Young began. “I found this picture a while ago taken during Pop Idol.

“If there was ever an example of not giving up on your dreams then Darius is top of the pile.

Gerard Butler has said he is “devastated” after the death of his friend Darius Danesh.

The Scottish singer-songwriter and actor, who rose to fame on the talent shows Popstars and Pop Idol, died at his home in the US aged 41 on 11 August.

Paying tribute to his “brother in arms”, Butler shared a photo on Instagram of the pair smiling, along with the caption: “I am devastated by the sudden passing of my dear friend Darius, a true brother in arms. My thoughts and love go to his wonderful mum and dad Avril and Booth and his two brilliant brothers Aria and Cyrus.

“To those lucky enough to have met Darius for more than a few minutes, they were deeply moved by his infectious laugh and barely containable zest for life.

“He was always armed with a smile, a booming voice, and a genuinely warm embrace that few could resist – nor would they want to!

Strictly Come Dancing has slowly announced its 2022 line-up.

In September, the BBC series will return for its 20th anniversary series presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

The first announcements were made on 4 August, with more names being revealed every day for the following two weeks.

Luckily, fans won’t have long to wait until Strictly returns either, as the show is expected to be back on our screens early September.

Who is taking part in Strictly 2022?

Actor Will Mellor was named as this year’s first contestant. He is best known for his roles in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and Broadchurch.

Mellor’s other credits include Hollyoaks, Line of Duty, and, most recently, ITV soap Coronation Street, in which he played Harvey Gaskell.

Speaking about his participation, Mellor said: “I’m honestly so chuffed to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year!

Summer's here! That means school's out, and what better to keep cool from the warm, sunny rays than with the hottest new shows hitting the small screen?

From anticipated revivals and farewell seasons to a boy band singing competition and the long-overdue return of a hit medieval fantasy series, summer TV has just about everything you need to keep yourself glued to your television sets!

Don't know what to watch this summer? Have no fear! Et's Summer TV Preview guide spotlights 16 must-watch shows that you absolutely cannot miss.

Related: Summer Movie Preview 2017: Superheroes, Sexy Lifeguards and Bridesmaids Gone Wild, Oh My!

I Love Dick

Premieres: Friday, May 12 on Amazon Prime

Inspired by the lauded novel by Chris Kraus, Amazon's latest scripted series comes from Transparent's Jill Soloway and combines the whimsy of sexual desire and the heartbreaking reality of a crumbling marriage with a deft hand. Kathryn Hahn plays Chris, an unhappy...

Here’s your daily dose of an indie film, web series, TV pilot, what-have-you in progress — at the end of the week, you’ll have the chance to vote for your favorite.

In the meantime: Is this a project you’d want to see? Tell us in the comments.

Orchestrating Change

Logline: The documentary film that tells the inspiring story of Me2/Orchestra, the only classical music organization in the world for people living with mental illness and those who support them.

Elevator Pitch:

Ronald Braunstein, Me2/Orchestra’s founder and music director, was a Juilliard-trained, internationally-known conductor until he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Ronald’s manager dropped him and the classical music community shunned him. Ronald created Me2/Orchestra for musicians like himself living with mental illness. The documentary “Orchestrating Change” depicts the poignant and powerful ways Me2/Orchestra is transforming lives and creating a new model for...

Myleene Klass has secured her "perfect" hosting role in fronting upcoming five-part ITV series BBQ Champ this summer.

Man vs Food's Adam Richman and British chef and restaurateur Mark Blatchford judge a team of ten contenders from across the country competing against each other to become the first BBQ Champ.

And as for Myleene, she presents the show while happily sampling delicious BBQ delights and nattering away with the outdoor grilling hopefuls.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Klass told us how she became involved in the project: "Producers called me in to ask if I'd host this programme, and I was like, 'you know I can't cook!'

"I'm hugely people curious so I can natter, I'm Filipino, so I've been raised on chicken and pork, you couldn't personally offer me a better job in my life. So I get to eat the food and natter with the contestants and host the show,...

Myleene Klass has secured her "perfect" hosting role in fronting upcoming five-part ITV series BBQ Champ this summer.

Man vs Food's Adam Richman and British chef and restaurateur Mark Blatchford judge a team of ten contenders from across the country competing against each other to become the first BBQ Champ.

And as for Myleene, she presents the show while happily sampling delicious BBQ delights and nattering away with the outdoor grilling hopefuls.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Klass told us how she became involved in the project: "Producers called me in to ask if I'd host this programme, and I was like, 'you know I can't cook!'

"I'm hugely people curious so I can natter, I'm Filipino, so I've been raised on chicken and pork, you couldn't personally offer me a better job in my life. So I get to eat the food and natter with the contestants and host the show,...

Rita Ora pulled out all the stops with some sultry poses in a plunging royal blue gown as she arrived at the launch of The Voice UK in London today (January 9).

The 24-year-old singer, who recently revealed she turned down The X Factor to mentor on the BBC One talent show instead, wore a royal blue Dsquared2 floor-length dress slit at the side as she arrived at the press conference at The Mondrian Hotel.

She joined returning coaches Sir Tom Jones, will.iam and Ricky Wilson, who was giving her a run for her money in the particularly eyebrow-heavy facial posing stakes.

And have we caught Wilson having a sneaky peek above?

Ora also enjoyed a second outfit change, slipping into a sleeveless leather top and matching trousers as the mentors gathered outside on the roof terrace for a photoshoot.

They were joined by the programme's hosts Emma Willis, looking...

Kym Marsh's 16-year-old daughter will appear on The Voice UK this Saturday (January 10).

Emilie Cunliffe is seen auditioning for the coaches on the singing competition, hoping to emulate her mother's reality TV success - after Marsh had won Popstars with Hear'Say in 2000.

Marsh, who was present backstage with other family members, told The Sun: "I was so nervous all day.

"We were just on eggshells. I couldn't sleep the night before, and I couldn't eat. Emilie was nervous."

Marsh added that Emilie's decision to go on The Voice UK was entirely her daughter's choice.

"This has to be one hundred million percent her choice," she said. "She couldn't be going into a show like this unless it was."

The fourth series of The Voice UK - which adds Rita Ora to the coaches lineup - premieres on Saturday, January 10 at 7pm on BBC One.

Darius Campbell has revealed that he doesn't regret turning down Simon Cowell's offer of a record contract.

The 'Rushes' star - who appeared on Popstars and then on Pop Idol a year later - admitted in an interview with Hello that he feels "lucky" that when he auditioned no-one knew how big the shows would be.

"All I cared about was getting a record deal and releasing songs I'd written," he said. "When Simon Cowell offered me a contract and I turned it down, it seemed like the obvious thing to do.

"I understand why people thought I was mad to do it, but if I hadn't, I wouldn't have a number one with 'Colourblind'. I would just have been doing covers and then nobody would have heard of me ever again. I'm so lucky to be able to do what I love without having to beat to the...

Popstars has been re-commissioned for a new run in Denmark.

The singing competition aired on Danish channel TV2 for four seasons between 2001 and 2004. The UK version also launched in 2001, forming Hear'Say.

The Danish Popstars will return in the autumn this year, with casting currently underway.

Sbs Discovery programme director Maiken Wexø said: "We are looking forward to building a brand of new fanbase for the show in Denmark, as Popstars proves that the real way to become a new music star is not easy and that our amateurs must face many challenges before they can achieve their dreams."

Nordisk Film TV's Peter Hansen added: "From the first auditions to the reveal of the group in the final episode, Popstars presents a unique series, focusing on aspects such as the contestants' personalities and relationships as they live in a shared house and strive to shine before the judging panel.

"We're...

Des Monaghan has decided to step down as executive chairman of the Screentime Group, producers of the Underbelly franchise, Janet King and Cloudstreet, at the end of May.

Bob Campbell, who co-founded Screentime with Monaghan 18 years ago, will run the company as managing director. The Banijay Group bought a majority stake in 2012.

Monaghan will continue his association with Screentime as a consultant and producer of several projects including the Batavia miniseries for Network Ten.

"It's been an extraordinary run, a fantastic 18 years," he told If. "Television is a very tough game and it's getting tougher. The pressure on program directors is almost impossible with the total unpredictability and the fragmentation of audiences..

"I have had the very great fortune of having Bob Campbell as my business partner. It is fair to say that the success of the company far exceeded our initial expectations."

When Banijay bought into Screentime Monaghan was offered a five-year contract.

Simon Cowell has addressed his former band Girl Thing's claims on The Big Reunion that their song 'Pure and Simple' was allegedly stolen for Hear'Say, calling the group "bitter".

The Syco boss responded to allegations by Linzi Martin on the ITV2 show last week that she wrote the verses for Hear'Say's breakout hit and that Girl Thing sang backing vocals on the track.

Speaking to Digital Spy and others at Britain's Got Talent auditions in London's Hammersmith Apollo today (February 11), Cowell explained: "The guy who was managing them, I got him the gig to manage [the band from] Popstars, Hear'Say.

"He gave my song, 'Pure and Simple', to Hear'Say. It was my hit record. So that's why we didn't do what we hoped we were going to do with that group. All [failed] groups are bitter."

Asked if he thinks Girl Thing will have more success second time around, Cowell commented: "No, I...

Myleene Klass has responded to claims made in tonight's (February 6) episode of The Big Reunion.

Viewers saw Linzi from Girl Thing explain that her vocals were on the backing track of Hear'Say's 2001 hit 'Pure and Simple'.

The track was originally recorded by Girl Thing, but there is dispute over whether the group helped to write the song.

Linzi insists that she was heavily involved, while the song's credited writers deny that the girls had any input.

After watching the scenes as they aired on ITV this evening, Klass tweeted: "I Knew we never sang the backing vocals! #BigReunion."

Klass was chosen to join Hear'Say alongside Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw, Noel Sullivan and Danny Foster when the group was formed on 2001 show Popstars.

The Big Reunion returned for its second series tonight, with Damage and Girl Thing taking the spotlight in the first episode.

3T, Eternal and A1 will also feature in the series,...

Girl Thing have admitted that they had some "rocky" conversations when they returned for The Big Reunion.

Speaking to Digital Spy, the band explained that they had some "intense" discussions when they met up again recently.

However, the five stars explained that they are now able to have more mature talks as they are all older - though they joked that their advancing years have not helped with their dance routines.

They also confirm that they will perform 'Pure and Simple' - the track which was taken from them to give to Popstars band Hear'Say - and explain that their appearance on The Big Reunion is about their "story".

"Because we weren't a big band, it's about our story more than it is about the fact that we were a massive band that conquered the world," Jodi Albert says. "It was more about the fact that the climb and the...

Who can possibly replace Louis Walsh on the X Factor? The answer to that question is simple. Nobody. It's a silly question.

However, if the X Factor juggernaut is going to continue without the cheeky Irish scamp, Digital Spy has seven (not particularly serious) suggestions for replacements.

Sinitta

A first-week exit on Dancing on Ice, a gig on the written-out-of-Cowell-history TV turkey Grease Is The Word and 10 years on the X Factor sidelines, where she was reduced to parading around with only palm leaves to cover her modesty in a bid to capture someone's (anyone's) attention. Is it finally time for the 'friend of Simon Cowell' and 'So Macho' popstar to step into the big league?

Pete Waterman

Way back when Simon Cowell was still known in the music industry as the man behind Zig & Zag and Robson & Jerome's pop careers, Pete Waterman was the original big cheese in cheesy pop.

Danny Foster, the former Hear'Say popstar, is among the final group of hopefuls aiming to secure a place in the second round of The Voice UK.

Foster performs a unique cover of the Spice Girls hit 'Wannabe', which intrigues the four coaches. Watch below:

Foster found fame in 2001 when he won a place in the group Hear'Say alongside Myleene Klass, Kym Marsh, Suzanne Shaw and Noel Sullivan in the ITV reality series Popstars.

The group secured a No.1 single with 'Pure and Simple' and a sold-out arena tour, but their success didn't last and the group split after only 18 months.

The Voice airs on Saturday (May 4) at 8.05pm on BBC One.

The Voice auditions - Week 6:...

Former Hear'Say popstar Kym Lomas has revealed to Digital Spy that everyone keeps asking her to take part in a second series of ITV2's Big Reunion.

Lomas, now starring in Coronation Street, was one of the founder members of Popstars reality TV winners Hear'Say in 2000, but she walked out on the band two years later.

Danny Foster, Myleene Klass, Suzanne Shaw and Noel Sullivan replaced Lomas with Johnny Shentall, but they failed to match their early chart success and split 10 months later.

Speaking to DS at the Royal Television Society Awards last night (March 19), the singer-turned-actress said: "I've been asked about [The Big Reunion] a lot actually. People keep saying, 'Why aren't you doing it?'

"It's hard work being in a pop band. You're away from home a lot. It's not great when you have children. I love what I'm doing now and I don't miss it."

Hear'Say launched in 2000 and achieved two No.

© Netflix

Will we need TV channels in ten years time? Even though I watch most of my TV in advance of the schedules and use plenty of catch-up services, I find the idea of TV becoming one giant splodge in the internet-sphere slightly unnerving.

But I'm still recovering from the news that I probably won't be able to buy CDs at HMV in the near future, so maybe I need to get 'down with the kids' and 'move with the times, granddad'.

If Netflix has anything to do with it, the way we watch TV will change. We may have grown up in an age when TV shows are drip-fed to us week-by-week, teasing us with morsels and hooking us in, but in the shiny new Netflix world you can have the whole damn cake in one sitting if you like.

The TV streaming service is expanding beyond showcasing classic...

Pogs. Saved By the Bell. Macaulay Culkin was making good films. The Simpsons was still amazing. Kenan & Kel. The 1990s were great for a lot of reasons. And if you still long for the days of Britpop, Saturday morning kids' TV and Dale Winton's Supermarket Sweep, tonight's (January 31) ITV2 series The Big Reunion will be right up your street.

A '90s (and early '00s) nostalgia-fest, it features a handful of groups who made the decade poptastic, made curtain haircuts cool and had kids learning 'Bodyshakin' dance moves across the nation's playgrounds.

© ITV

Double denim legends B*Witched, Popstars rejects Liberty X, bad boys 5ive, cheeky boy-next-door trio 911, sultry girlband The Honeyz and a Kerry Katona-era Atomic Kitten are all taking part and putting aside their differences to relive their pop heyday.

But this isn't '90s enough for Digital Spy. We've picked out eight other pop...

Former Hear'Say singer Danny Foster has been snubbed on 'The Voice'. The 33-year-old singer - who shot to fame when the group, also made up of Myleene Klass, 34, Kym Marsh, 36, Suzanne Shaw, 31, and Noel Sullivan, 32, won TV talent show 'Popstars' in 2001 - took part in a blind audition on the BBC One show, but neither will.i.am, Jessie J, Sir Tom Jones or Danny O'Donoghue picked him. While Danny failed in his attempts to resurrect a solo career with his audition, Cleo Higgins - lead singer of 1990s girl band Cleopatra, who had hits with 'Comin'...

Nicole Scherzinger is ''very qualified'' to be a talent show judge, legendary choreographer Travis Payne has claimed. Travis - who is best known for inventing some of Michael Jackson's signature moves - immediately saw star potential in the former Pussycat Dolls singer while judging Us programme 'Popstars' in 2001 and thinks she has all right qualities to mentor other pop hopefuls on British series 'The X Factor'. Travis told Bang Showbiz: ''I think Nicole's very qualified. I remember being a judge on a show called 'Popstars' years ago which is where I found her, and was very insistent in her continuing...

Nicole Scherzinger is 'very qualified' to be a talent show judge, legendary choreographer Travis Payne has claimed. Travis - who is best known for inventing some of Michael Jackson's signature moves - immediately saw star potential in the former Pussycat Dolls singer while judging Us programme 'Popstars' in 2001 and thinks she has all right qualities to mentor other pop hopefuls on British series 'The X Factor'. Travis told Bang Showbiz: 'I think Nicole's very qualified. I remember being a judge on a show called 'Popstars' years ago which is where I found her, and was very insistent in her continuing on in the process through the auditions. 'She always thanks me for that, but I saw in...

Don Groves is a Deadline contributor based in Sydney “In this era of consolidation you either have to be part of something that’s a great deal bigger or run your business from home,” says Bob Campbell, managing director of Oz TV producer Screentime. Terms of Banijay’s acquisition of the company, which also operates in New Zealand and Ireland, were not disclosed. But, Campbell and Screentime exec chairman Des Monaghan will continue at the company, “until we’re 140,” Campbell tells Deadline. Both remain shareholders along with Charles Curran’s Capital Investment Group. Banijay will launch a new version of Screentime’s talent show format Popstars at Mipcom in October and look to exploit other formats. Screentime is producing the sixth series of popular crime drama Underbelly for Australia’s Nine Network. The company’s other credits include reality show R.B.T., and dramas Cloudstreet, Brothers In Arms, Crownies and Beyond The Darkland.

An international production company has bought a major stake in Australasian production company Screentime.

Banijay Group acquired the TV company behind the successful Underbelly franchise and recent mini-series Cloudstreet, as well as Screentime’s interest in its affiliate company in Ireland.The deal means Screentime will gain access to Banijay’s portfolio of formats to adapt locally and conversely Banijay will have access to Screentime’s titles for international production, including a refreshed version of its shiny floor show Popstars, due to launch at Mipcom.

Banijay’s list of credits include Beat Your Host, My Parents Are Gonna Love You and Tempted, with new game show Trust also expected to launch at Mipcom.

In a statement, Bob Campbell and Des Monaghan of Screentime said: “We are delighted that Screentime is entering this association with Banijay enabling us to become part of a major international production group. It will give Screentime...

International production conglomerate Banijay Group has acquired a majority stake in Screentime, the local company behind the successful Underbelly television franchise.

Banijay has a growing global distribution business (Banijay International) which will represent Screentime.s TV series and formats for sale around the world, according to Screentime managing director Bob Campbell, while Screentime will also consider launching local formats of programs within the Banijay Group.

.There have been a number of opportunities for this sort of deal over the years, none of which we.ve been particularly attracted to, but Banijay presented the right opportunities and circumstances for us to proceed,. Campbell told If Magazine.

In recent years, Screentime has produced television content such as Rbt; five series of Underbelly; Underbelly: Files; A Model Daughter: The Killing of Caroline Byrne; Breakers; Mda; Crownies and cloudstreet. Its international reality hit Popstars, which has been produced in more than 50 countries, will...

London, July 16: Katie Holmes, who recently parted ways with Tom cruise is said to have found solace in the company of American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, during the last few weeks of her divorce settlement.

According to a source, the actress has been talking regularly with Lythgoe, also known as "Nasty Nigel" since the time when he was a judge on 'Popstars', the Sun reported.

Holmes, who is all set to.

Singer and actor Darius Campbell - previously known as Darius Danesh and often just as Darius - has been cast in the ABC drama pilot Beauty And The Beast.

Deadline reported that he will play the "mysterious Beast" who, in this particular retelling, is described as a mercenary bodyguard called Shiro.

The female lead role Grace - an "embattled princess" who finds an unlikely connection with the beast - is yet to be cast, though Chris Egan is on board as Grace's fiance Gorrick. Plot details explaining how all these reinvented pieces fit together are not yet clear.

Glasgow-born Darius (above and right) is known in the UK as a finalist on TV talent shows Popstars and Pop Idol, which were the springboard to a pop career. He went on to star in the West End musicals Chicago, Guys and Dolls and Gone with the Wind, and after winning talent show Popstar to Operastar,...

ABC’s pilot for Beauty and the Beast, a reboot of the classic fairy tale, has cast its beast — Scottish singer and actor Darius Campbell. EW can confirm a Deadline report that Campbell will play a mysterious beastly bodyguard named Shiro who joins forces with an as-yet-uncast princess named Grace in this re-imagining of the classic story — not to be confused with the other CW Beauty and the Beast pilot. Grace’s fiancé, Gorrick, will be played by Chris Egan (Letters to Juliet).

Campbell is well known in the U.K., first coming to attention when he appeared in the TV singing competition,...

Exclusive: Scottish platinum-selling singer and stage actor Darius Campbell has landed the male lead in ABC’s drama pilot Beauty And The Beast, a fantasy re-imagining of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale wherein an embattled princess, Grace, discovers an unlikely connection with a mysterious beast, Shiro (Campbell), a mercenary bodyguard. On the project, Campbell joins recently cast Chris Egan who plays Grace’s fiance Gorrick. (The Grace role is yet to be cast). Campbell, who is virtually unknown in the U.S., rose to fame in the U.K. as a finalist on Popstars and Pop Idol. He has starred in a number of West End musicals, including Chicago and Guys And Dolls. This marks the biggest TV acting gig for Campbell whose previous experience includes a guest spot on an U.K. drama series. He is repped by Mosaic, ICM and UK’s Conway van Gelder. Yves Simoneau...

Deadline is reporting that stage actor Darius Campbell who is also a platinum-selling singer will play the part of Shiro, the Beast. Campbell, who is virtually unknown in the U.S., rose to fame in the U.K. as a finalist on Popstars and Pop Idol. He has starred in a number of West End musicals, including Chicago and Guys And Dolls. This marks the biggest TV acting gig for Campbell whose previous experience includes a guest spot on an U.K. drama series. Let me remind everyone that ABC's version should not be confused with the rival Beauty and the Beast that is also being developed, but by CW. The CW's version will be a remake of the Linda Hamilton, Ron Perlman series that was on the air from 1987 til 1990. ABC’s drama pilot Beauty And The Beast, a fantasy re-imagining of the classic Beauty and the Beast tale wherein an embattled princess,...

From drama to reality and factual – meet the production house powerhouses responsible for Australia’s greatest television.

Andrew Denton

Owner/ Creative guy

Zapruder’s Other Films The Gruen Transfer, Hungry Beast, Country Town Rescue, Randling

With producers Anita Jacoby and Peter Thompson, Andrew Denton’s Zapruder’s Other Films is known for intelligent and often funny television.

Denton came to prominence as the host of ABC’s 1988 comedy show Blah Blah Blah and was quick to get involved behind the scenes. His first executive producing credit came in 2001 when he gave The Chaser team their break with The Election Chaser.

Denton is responsible for adland favourite The Gruen Transfer, with five series including Gruen Planet and Nation under its belt. The show is one of the ABC’s highest rating formats attracting international interest.

Denton’s great skill is fostering young talent with his 2008 Project Next experiment resulting in Hungry Beast.

Kym Marsh has admitted that she feels "judged" for having fun. Speaking to New magazine, the Coronation Street actress criticised readers of the Daily Mail website for comments they have made about her. The former Hear'Say star, who is promoting her Channel 5 documentary about teenage mothers, was asked if she still feels judged for having been a teen mum herself. "No I don't but I still get judged by people because of what happened on Popstars," she said. "I have to explain it again and again. And I still get judged for having a life." Marsh continued: "I'm not allowed to go out and have fun! The Daily Mail readers love it. It's such a horrible website. People just go on there and slag everyone off." Asked about events on Popstars, on which she was accused (more)...

Kym Marsh has said that there is "no need" for Hear'Say to consider a reunion. The 'Pure and Simple' group were formed on 2001 reality series Popstars, but split in late 2002, just months after Marsh had quit. Now starring as Michelle Connor in Coronation Street, Marsh backed former bandmate Myleene Klass's comments that a reunion would not happen. "A journalist recently asked my friend and former bandmate Myleene Klass if she would

consider a Steps-style reunion for Hear'Say," the actress wrote in her New magazine column. "Myleene said, 'Not a chance in hell. It was hard enough the first time around, with us all arguing and bitching'. I feel exactly the same!" She continued: "We're all doing well in our individual fields, so there's just no need to go (more)...

The Culture Show | Rostropovich – The Genius Of The Cello | Autumnwatch 2011 | Criminal Minds | A League Of Their Own | Chris Addison: My Funniest Year

The Culture Show

7pm, BBC2

Another week, another eclectic collection of reports from the arts show, which this week visits Glasgow. Top of the bill is host Andrew Graham-Dixon interviewing Grayson Perry, who's lately curated an installation of new works mixed up with objects drawn from the British Museum collection. Mark Kermode discusses We Need To Talk About Kevin with its director Lynne Ramsay, Simon Armitage celebrates National Poetry Day, and critic Michael Collins considers representations of working-class characters in the theatre. Plus, choreographer Akram Khan and the work of artist Gerhard Richter. Jonathan Wright

Rostropovich – The Genius Of The Cello

7.30pm, BBC4

The cello is the closest orchestral instrument to the human voice in its range of expression. It has achieved a pre-eminence in the classical repertoire,...

Dancing On Ice doesn’t hit our screens until next January but already, ITV bosses are auditioning possible contestants.

A whole host of famous faces were seen arriving at Alexandra Palace ice rink at the weekend, all hoping to land a place on the popular reality Tv series.

The Mirror report that ‘Allo ‘Allo actress Vicki Michelle was spotted outside the venue, as was Popstars singer Noel Sullivan, retired Tottenham Hotspur footballer Ian Walker, Towie star Gemma Collins, Britain’s Got Talent dancers Stavros Flatley and comedian Marcus Brigstocke.

Lets hope the stars are all fit and able as the injury record of the show is quite astounding. In the last series alone, Jeff Brazier badly hurt his neck, Vanilla Ice was knocked out and concussed and Johnson Beharry broke his hand.

Celebrities generally get to rehearse for around three months before the series starts in January, so ITV bosses...

Kym Marsh has recalled how she quit Hear'say after being "betrayed" by a bandmate. Marsh won a place on the band when it was formed on ITV reality series Popstars. However, the 35-year-old left the group in February 2002 after a series of rows with the other four members. Writing in her new autobiography, Marsh explained her relationship with Myleene Klass. "Me and Myleene had a slanging match but someone split us up as we were due to go on air," she wrote of one incident prior to a TV appearnace. "Going on to perform our single was horrible. At one point, me and Myleene had to put our arms around one another. It was so fake and I hated every minute of it. "We had been overheard arguing by staff at the studios and the following day our row was all over the newspapers. We managed to put it behind us but the niggles remained.

As Britain’s Got Talent is almost at it’s end, the next big ITV event on the reality TV calendar is of course it’s forray into the slightly more cultured world of opera music.

Popstar To Operastar returns for it’s second series this summer and it has already been reported that X Factor winner Joe McElderry will be one of the contestants, hoping to follow in last year’s winner Darius Campbell’s shoes.

Today, show judge Katherine Jenkins has been showing this year’s batch of hopefuls around London’s Royal Opera House and giving them the chance to get to know each other and she took to Twitter to post the photo above and addressing her followers, wrote:

Having a fun hour showing the Popstars around the Opera House. Also the 1st time they’ve all met each other

She added:

With the lovely Joe McEldrey.

Darius Campbell has married actress Natasha Henstridge in a private ceremony. The former Popstars contestant - also known as Darius Danesh - wed Species star Henstridge at the San Ysidro Ranch in Santa Barbara, California. Campbell told Hello: "No-one knew we were there and that sense of it just being for us was very exciting - it felt a little bit naughty and secretive." Henstridge, whose sons Tristan, 12, and Asher, 9, were present (more)...

Suzanne Shaw has admitted that she was lucky not to have been badly affected by the backlash suffered by Hear'Say. The group, formed by the Popstars in 2001, split just 18 months after their formation when their second album flopped. However, Shaw told The Mirror that the change of public opinion affected her bandmates including Kym Marsh and Myleene Klass more than it did her. "When the backlash happened with Hear'Say it didn't affect me too much because I'd been auditioning for years and was used to rejection," she said. "It affected the others, though." The Emmerdale actress admitted that she (more)...

Cheryl Cole has been hit in the face with a custard pie. The X Factor judge volunteered to let 12-year-old 'Young Fundraiser of the Year' Cameron Small smash the flan in her face as part of a charity auction at last night's Pride of Britain Awards. Host Carol Vorderman asked for a willing participant after former Popstars contestant Darius Danesh won the auction with a £6,000 bid, reports Pa. Small said that he was "shocked" to see Cole step (more)...

Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh has hit out at Cheryl Cole for putting Cher Lloyd on the X Factor live shows.

The actress has experience of reality TV shows, she first came into the public eye in 2001 after appearing as a contestant on ITV’s talent show Popstars, where she made the final line-up for the band Hear’Say.

In her New column this week, Marsh claimed that Cole had “made some wrong choices” choosing her three finalists, saying that young Cher won’t be ‘good under pressure. She wrote:

“I don’t think Cher Lloyd is good under pressure and she’s only young so she could have had another shot when she’s a bit older.”

She added: “Although she’s talented, she’s also very fragile.”

Kym also revealed that she is backing Simon Cowell as this year’s winner. She said:

“I think Simon Cowell has...

Kym Marsh has revealed her shock at the use of Auto-Tune on The X Factor. The Coronation Street actress wrote in her New magazine column that she did not think it was "right" to use the audio processor in a talent competition. "I was shocked to discover that The X Factor has been using Auto-Tune to make contestants sound better," she said. "I don’t think it’s right to do that on a TV talent show," she continued. "When I appeared on Popstars in 2001, we didn’t even have microphones when we (more)...

Suzanne Shaw has admitted that she is not interested in relaunching her pop career. The Emmerdale actress found fame after she won a place in the group Hear'Say on Popstars and went on to appear in musical theatre. She also won the 2008 series of ITV's Dancing On Ice before joining the Yorkshire soap earlier this year. During on webchat on the show's official website, Shaw was asked if she would ever consider relaunching her former career. "I am (more)...

Nigel Lythgoe will be honoured for his work in television at a Canadian festival. The Banff World Television Festival is to bestow the executive producer and judge of So You Think You Can Dance with an award of excellence at the event in June, Broadcaster reports. Lythgoe, who earned the nickname "Nasty Nigel" as a judge in the reality show Popstars, will also give a (more)...

Coronation Street star Kym Marsh has reaffirmed her interest in joining The X Factor as a new judge. The actress, who first found fame as a contestant on ITV1's Popstars competition, claimed that she would bring an "honest" judging style to Simon Cowell's panel. Writing in her New magazine column, Marsh commented: "My Popstar To Operastar mentor Katherine Jenkins has expressed her desire to join the X Factor judging panel. "She's got a great (more)...

Nigel Lythgoe has claimed that he has always been a fan of popstar and West End performer Darius Campbell. Reality TV judge Lythgoe gave Campbell his first big break in 2000, when the aspiring Scottish performer appeared on ITV1 reality show Popstars. However, the singer was famously criticised and mocked for his rendition of Britney Spears's '...Baby One More Time' on the show. "Its one of those things you look back on and laugh at. We all have bad hair days. My equivalent was a bad song day that happened to be seen by millions of people on TV," Campbell told the Daily Mail. Lythgoe joked: "Even then, there was no question this man had something. We were as interested in crazies who would make good TV as in good singers. As it turned out, Darius fulfilled both criteria." Campbell returned to reality TV for the first series...

Darius Campbell has claimed that Popstar To Operastar has been his biggest ever challenge. Campbell, who found fame on Popstars and Pop Idol, explained the vocal difficulties that he was having during an interview on This Morning. "The whole process has been really cathartic and really extraordinary," the Scottish singer told hosts Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby. "After 15 years of being a pop singer and writing songs on a guitar, flipping up into to falsetto - you can not do that in opera. Then doing West End theatre like Guys (more)...