ITV apologises for Celebrity rat killing

ITV has is

sued a statement apologising for the killing and eating of a rat by I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestants.

The broadcaster has said it will introduce guidelines to ensure such an incident does not happen again after it emerged two contestants on the ITV1 show face criminal charges for animal cruelty.

Gino D'Acampo, who won the current series, and actor Stuart Manning have been issued with 'attendance notices' by New South Wales police and are expected in court in February, after killing the rat to cook in a risotto while in 'exile' on the jungle contest.

An ITV spokesman said on Monday: 'The RSPCA in New South Wales is carrying out its own investigation, and ITV has also made extensive enquiries regarding this incident.

'The production was asked if a rat could be caught and eaten by the celebrities in Exile camp to supplement the basic rations they had been provided with for their evening meal.

'Having sought health and safety advice, the go-ahead was given purely on this basis, when it became clear that there would not be any harmful effects of eating a properly prepared and cooked rat.'

The broadcaster's statement added: 'The production was unaware that killing a rat could be an offence, criminal or otherwise, in New South Wales and accepts that further inquiries should have been made – this was an oversight.

'ITV apologises for this error, and to the celebrities concerned, and will put in place procedures for next year's series to ensure that this cannot happen again.'

Chief Inspector David Oshannessy, of the New South Wales RSPCA, had said on Sunday that the killing of a rat for 'performance' was not acceptable.

Laila and Anton dance off Strictly Come Dancing

Actress Laila Rouass and her dance partner Anton du Beke have become the latest couple voted out of the current series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The former Footballers' Wives star found herself in the bottom two alongside Hollyoaks actor Ricky Whittle and a 'most perfect performance' from the latter saved his spot on the BBC1 show.

Whittle, actress Ali Bastian and BBC presenter Chris Hollins are the three couples through to the semi-final and will battle for a final berth by performing the Argentine tango next week.

Rouass said it had been a 'dream' dancing with du Beke, adding: 'I have had such a fantastic time.'

Her Hole in the Wall host partner responded: 'She's been an absolute joy to be with. Not once has she moaned or complained.'

The couple had hit the headlines for the wrong reasons earlier in the series, after Du Beke was forced to make a public apology having said 'in jest' that Rouass looked like a 'Paki' after having a spray tan.

Ballerina Darcey Bussell, a guest judge for the last three shows, said Hollins had made 'the biggest improvement' of the remaining contestants.

Ricky Gervais' animation show on UK TV

Comedy legend Ricky Gervais is to have his US animation series broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK.

The 13-part series will air first in the US on HBO from February, to be screened in the UK in the spring.

The series is based on Gervais and his comedy partner Stephen Merchant's podcasts, which according to the Guinness Book of Records were the most downloaded podcast of 2007.

The series stars Gervais, Merchant and producer Karl Pilkington, described by the comedian as 'the star of the show'.

'He is a global village idiot, but the funniest man alive,' says Gervais.

'He thinks that a seal is a cross between a fish and a dog. Karl is a bottomless well of stupidity.

'Who'd have thought three blokes chatting in a room would turn out to be so lucrative?'

Justin Ryan voted off I'm a Celebrity

Interior designer and TV host Justin Ryan has become the latest celebrity to be voted off ITV1's I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.

The 45-year-old lasted 20 days in the Australian bush before losing out in the public vote against snooker legend Jimmy White.

His departure leaves chef Gino D'Acampo, TV personality Kim Woodburn, and White left to fight it out in tonight's final.

Speaking after he left the jungle Justin said: 'I feel absolutely brilliant. I didn't expect to get this far. I've totally loved every minute of it.'

He was greeted by his boyfriend Colin McAllister, 41, who was voted off the reality show last week.

Ex-campmates: Katie does whatever she wants

This year's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! contestants were not shocked to learn that Katie Price dumped her boyfriend on TV.

The glamour model announced her split with cage fighter Alex Reid after leaving the Australian jungle and her former campmates found the news sad but predictable.

The contestants were competing to win an evening out of the jungle camp by answering a series of questions about news from the UK and when Sabrina Washington's team were asked which celebrity had dumped her partner on live TV, Stuart Manning insisted the correct answer was Katie.

'Something inside me says Katie has the nuts to do it,' he added, helping himself, Sabrina and Gino D'Acampo to an evening in the jungle bar.

Discussing Katie after their success in the challenge, Sabrina told Gino and Stuart: 'Now I've met Katie and I've spent some time with her, I know she's nonsense.'

The former Misteeq singer added of Katie's ex-boyfriend: 'I don't know what he's done or whether he's been a bad boy but we got the question correct!'

Gino was sanguine in victory and said mother-of-three Katie was 'a strong woman'.

He went on: 'I still believe in life no matter whatever people do to you there are some things that should be kept to yourself and your relationship.

'Some of these things shouldn’t be shared to all the world especially on live television. Katie does what Katie wants to do.'

Sabrina Washington voted off I'm A Celebrity

Singer Sabrina Washington has become the fifth contestant to be evicted from ITV1's I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.

The former Mis-Teeq singer lost out to interior designer and TV host Justin Ryan in the public vote.

Her close friendship with fellow contestant Stuart Manning prompted rumours of a jungle romance. But when questioned by show presenters Ant and Dec if anything was going on, she claimed they were 'just friends'.

When asked about her time in the jungle, the 31-year-old said:' I've had an amazing time but it was much harder than I expected.

'It has changed me. I am not scared of heights. I am not scared of anything.'

Referring to the bushtucker trials, she said she was 'relieved' to not have to do them anymore.

Her departure leaves Justin, Stuart, snooker star Jimmy White, chef Gino D'Acampo, and TV personality Kim Woodburn in the running for the title.

The winner will be announced this Friday.

Not able to pick a winner, Washington added: 'I'd like any of them to win. All of them deserve it.'

Earlier in the show, Stuart, Sabrina and Gino enjoyed a jungle karaoke session after winning a celebrity quiz.

Emotions also ran high after the contestants received letter from loved ones.

Justin, in particular, let his emotions get the better of him after a letter from husband Colin suggested the two of them get married again.

George Hamilton 'quits I'm A Celebrity'

Actor George Hamilton has reportedly become the third contestant to quit the I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! camp.

The 70-year-old, who was one of the favourites to win the current series of the ITV1 show, has left the jungle just five days before the final, according to the Daily Mail.

George's exit comes after he discussed the idea of leaving with fellow contestant Kim Woodburn, saying he was only appearing on the reality show for fun.

'Here's the thing, I'm going to tell you what I'm thinking, they're people who are starting careers,' he said of his campmates on Sunday night's show.

'I'm at [a] point where this is fun to do, I'm not going to go head to head, so I'm thinking about leaving, pulling out tomorrow.'

George had earlier been permitted a two-minute phonecall to his girlfriend Barbara, after winning a treasure hunt challenge.

'I miss you more than you can imagine, and I'm holding on as long as I can here,' he said during the emotional call.

'I may be home in a minute, who knows what will happen?'

George is the third star to quit the jungle voluntarily - after Camilla Dallerup and Katie Price left due to poor health and feeling victimised by the voting public, respectively - and the seventh to leave overall, with Joe Bugner voted out on Sunday night.

Bugner follows Sam Fox out of I'm A Celeb

Joe Bugner has become the sixth person to leave the current series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, after losing a trial.

The former boxer said goodbye to the Australian jungle after losing out in a Bushtucker Trial to actor Stuart Manning.

The pair were put in the 'jungle jail' after receiving the fewest amount of public votes and after Stuart managed a speedy break for freedom as his older rival was struggling to unlock a gate, Joe's exit from the ITV1 show was sealed.

'I didn't want to go, I wanted to stay to the end,' he said after leaving the I'm A Celebrity camp.

'I wanted Stuart to win, I've had a wonderful time, I knew from the word go that the youth would take over here, but the experience alone was fantastic.'

Joe added: 'I can now go home to my grandchildren and tell them what it was all about.'

Former model Sam Fox became the third person voted off the current series on Friday night, following Colin McAllister and Lucy Benjamin out of the jungle.

Ex-Strictly Come Dancing performer Camilla Dallerup left the jungle after a matter of days due to illness while model Katie Price walked off the show after a week of being subjected to gruelling Bushtucker Trials by the public vote.

Lloyd Daniels misses X Factor semis

Lloyd Daniels is the latest act to be voted out of The X Factor, after receiving the least number of public votes.

Sunday night's result means Stacey Solomon, Joe McElderry, Danyl Johnson and Olly Murs will all compete in next week's semi-final.

Lloyd, who was in Cheryl Cole's category, said to his mentor: 'I can't thank you enough'.

Unfortunately for the Welsh singer his performances of I'm Still Standing and A Million Love Songs last night weren't enough to keep him in the ITV1 competition.

The result means Simon Cowell will go into the semi-final with two acts in his over-25's category, Olly and Danyl.

Susan Boyle's debut album leaps to Number One

Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle's debut album, I Dreamed A Dream, has leapt straight to number one in the Official UK Album Charts.

The Official Charts Company said the album had sold over 410,000 copies since it was released last Monday, making it the fastest-selling album of the year so far.

I Dreamed A Dream also takes the title of the biggest first week sales for a debut album in chart history and one of the biggest first week sales for any artist album in chart history.

There are no other new entries in the Official UK Albums Chart Top 10 this week, but Boyle has also made it into the Official UK Singles Chart, entering at number nine with Wild Horses.

Martin Talbot, managing director of the Official Charts Company said: 'Susan Boyle's achievement is quite phenomenal.

'After all of the excitement surrounding her appearance on Britain's Got Talent, everyone expected her to make a big impact when she released her first music – but to arrive with such a bang is exceptional.'

The number one single this week is The Official BBC Children In Need Medley by Peter Kay's Animated All Stars, which climbed to the top spot from last week's place at number eighteen.

Rihanna also debuted in the singles chart with Russian Roulette at number six. The Umbrella star will appear on tonight's X Factor show on ITV1.

Strictly star Whittle bailed over 'assault'

Actor Ricky Whittle has been bailed after being arrested in Liverpool on suspicion of assault following a traffic collision.

The Hollyoaks star, currently one of the favourites to win the current series of Strictly Come Dancing, was reportedly arrested by Merseyside police following a collision between a car and a pedestrian.

Whittle, 29, was leaving a party in the centre of Liverpool when it is alleged he assaulted 34-year-old photographer Steve Farrell.

Mr Farrell was previously involved in an assault claim against former England footballer Paul Gascoigne but later dropped charges in December 2005.

A Merseyside police spokesperson earlier confirmed: 'A 29-year-old man from Billinge, Lancashire, has been arrested on suspicion of assault.

'The arrest follows an incident in which took place in Duke Street, Liverpool city centre, in the early hours of Friday morning.

'The incident involved a collision with a male pedestrian.'

Whittle was bailed on Friday afternoon and may still appear on BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday evening.

Kim screams while Justin cries in the jungle

Emotions are running high on I'm A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! with Kim Woodburn and Justin Ryan feeling the strain of the jungle.

While Kim's irritation was caused by the absence of her luxury item - hair conditioner - Justin broke down after Colin McAllister - his partner of more than 20 years - became the second celebrity voted out of the jungle.

'You're so much better equipped for this than me than I am Colin,' he said in the Bush Telegraph. 'I'm really gutted. When Colin and I came in here we came in as a team and we wanted to do this as a team and all of a sudden Colin was voted out and I was just completely floored.

'I just can't believe that he'd go before me,' he added.

Justin's devastation earned him the sympathy of George Hamilton and Gino D'Acampo, with the latter saying Colin and Justin were 'what love is all about'.

Kim's emotional outburst was also provoked by absence, but that of her prized hair conditioner, with Woodburn screaming: 'My hair is coming out in handfuls; I’ve got a career out there!'

The How Clean is Your House? presenter added: 'I want my luxury item, I'm getting a bit fed up and I mean it.

'I have very fine hair and it's breaking and I want my luxury item back. Please. You are being very naughty with me and it's dishonourable behaviour. Give me my stuff back now!'

Meanwhile Kim and Joe Bugner were a successful team for the latest Bushtucker Trial, the Jungle Arms, in which they were forced to drink a series of vile concoctions.

Top Gear rapped by Ofcom over fake suicide

BBC2's Top Gear has been censured by the broadcasting watchdog for showing a man shooting himself in the head and lying in a pool of blood before the 21:00 watershed.

Ofcom said there was no editorial justification for the clip, which showed a man committing suicide because he had bought the 'slow' Volkswagen Sirocco.

Six or seven other suicide scenes were shown for the same reason in the episode originally broadcast in August including a man holding his severed arm in hospital.

The offending episode was first shown at 20:00 but the scene in question was removed from a repeat broadcast at 19:00. The BBC told Ofcom, in response to more than 50 complaints, that the scene showed a 'ludicrous and obviously comic depiction of the suicide'.

The BBC said it had been removed from the repeat because of a 'sliding scale of bedtimes', not because of an 'editorial misjudgement'.

But Ofcom ruled the suicide scene was too graphic and 'exceeded audience expectations'.

'Its realistic depiction meant that the violent imagery was not appropriately limited,' the watchdog added.

Craig Kelly voted off Strictly

Coronation Street actor Craig Kelly has become the latest celebrity to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing after failing to perform in the cha-cha-cha.

Kelly, along with partner Flavia Cacace, lost in a 'War of the Soaps' dance-off against EastEnders actor Ricky Groves and his partner Erin Boag, who were the judges' unanimous choice to remain on the show.

The Corrie star exits the show after registering his lowest-ever score in the programme - 17 - after he failed to impress the panel.

His exit means eight couples remain to fight it out for this year's title - including bookies' favourite Ricky Whittle, an actor in Channel Four soap Hollyoaks.

Natalie Cassidy - also of EastEnders fame - the Bill actress Ali Bastian and former England cricketer Phil Tufnell are also still in the competition.

Beyonce hat-trick at MTV Europe Music Awards

Former Destiny's Child singer Beyonce Knowles was the big winner at Thursday's MTV Europe Music awards (EMAs), with three prizes.

Knowles claimed the best female prize as well as the best song award for Halo and the best video gong for Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It).

The singer and actress dedicated the latter to rapper husband Jay-Z, saying: 'There's only one person I want to thank and that is Jay for putting a ring on it.'

The Berlin ceremony was hosted by Katy Perry for the second consecutive year.

The Hot N Cold star performed a medley of the five best song nominees and managed to don seven different outfits during the show - including a costume adorned in West Ham United badges in tribute to her boyfriend Russell Brand.

The British actor later posted a joyous tweet about Perry's costume on his Twitter page, writing: 'Wow. Now MY GIRLFRIEND has worn a West Ham basque while hosting the EMAs. What a day! I might revive Gandhi and ask if he wants to be mates.

'Yes I will be taking her to a game - West Ham Vs Everton. And, before it begins, no I won't be taking her up the Arsenal.'

He added: 'I'm off to meditate now, though unless enlightenment includes Richard Pryor and Bobby Moore caressing me to orgasm how can this be improved?'

Best live act winners U2 performed a free show at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, though some fans complained about the irony of a two-metre high security barrier being erected around the concert site.

The best urban prize was claimed by Jay-Z, with fellow rap star Eminem beating the likes of Mika and Robbie Williams to the best male award.

UK singer Pixie Lott won the inaugural MTV push artist gong while German band Tokio Hotel were the surprise winners of the best group award, beating Green Day, Jonas Brothers, Black Eyed Peas and Kings of Leon.

The winners of the 2009 MTV Europe Music awards were:

Best Song — Beyonce for Halo

Best Live Act — U2

Best Group — Tokio Hotel

Best New Act — Lady GaGa

Best Female — Beyonce

Best Male — Eminem

Best Urban — Jay-Z

Best Rock — Green Day

Best Alternative — Placebo

Best Video — Beyonce

Best Push Artist — Pixie Lott

Best World Stage Performance — Linkin Park

Best European Act — maNga (Turkey)

Channel 4 chief predicts 'bland' future for British TV

Broadcasters' fear of offending audiences will lead to an increasingly bland output on British television, the programming head of Channel 4 has warned.

Julian Bellamy told the Royal Television Society the 'compliance spiral' within the UK's broadcasting industry threatens to 'bland out the medium to no-one's benefit'.

While the BBC has stressed 'creative risk-taking' is 'alive and well' at the corporation, Bellamy argued that recent scandals - such as the offensive voicemails row involving Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross - had sparked the broadcaster into a more conservative approach.

Stand-up comedian Frankie Boyle recently confirmed his departure from the BBC panel show Mock the Week was sparked by his own frustration at the programme's producers being wary of 'frightening the horses' by broadcasting potentially controversial material.

'After a string of scandals about taste and decency, [the BBC] seems to avoid disruptive, potentially controversial ideas like the plague,' Bellamy commented.

'Time and again, producers tell me this and I believe it.'

He added: 'If a fear of offending the audience begins to proscribe creative freedoms, then I believe the danger to our broader cultural life is clear.

'Our society will become less democratic. Less enlightened. Ultimately, less free.'

Public outcry over U2 Berlin Wall concert

A U2 gig to mark the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall has sparked local anger after a barrier was erected around the concert site.

The Irish band's performance at the Brandenburg Gate, part of Thursday evening's MTV Europe Music awards (EMAs), was attended by some 10,000 people who won free tickets online.

But after organisers installed a two-metre wall around the venue to block the view for those without tickets, Berlin locals and tourists alike have criticised the decision to build a barrier around a show commemorating the fall of an iconic wall.

'It's a shame that a barrier has been set up,' local politician Frank Henkel was quoted by the BBC as saying.

'It's stopping many Berliners from hearing the concert.'

Canadian fan Louis-Pierre Boily, who had travelled to Berlin despite missing out on tickets, added: 'It's completely ridiculous that they are blocking the view.

'I thought it's a free show, but MTV probably wants people to watch it on TV to get their ratings up.'

Representatives for both U2 and MTV have not yet issued any comment about the barrier.

Thursday's EMAs ceremony was hosted by Katy Perry.

Play closes early after Matt Lucas withdrawal

The West End production of Prick Up Your Ears is to close three weeks early after poor ticket sales following the departure of Matt Lucas from the show.

The Little Britain actor pulled out of the Joe Orton play following the suicide of his ex-husband Kevin McGee, who was found hanged in Edinburgh last month.

Criminal Justice and Telstar actor Con O'Neill replaced Lucas in the role of Orton's lover Keith Halliwell but producers have announced the play will close at an earlier date than originally planned.

'Despite very good feedback and notices for Con O'Neill's performance, the box office sales have not been sufficient to keep the show going, and so the producers have taken the difficult decision to close the show three weeks prior to its scheduled end date,' the producers said in a statement.

The last performance of Prick Up Your Ears will take place at the Comedy Theatre on November 15th.

Gordon Brown prefers X Factor to Strictly

Prime minister Gordon Brown has revealed he prefers X Factor to Strictly Come Dancing.

The PM also questioned Jonathan Ross' salary and said he wanted to be involved in charity work when he leaves No 10, he told GQ magazine.

In the interview, with Piers Morgan, he said Simon Cowell deserved the millions he earned because he was an entrepreneur, but said there was a feeling of 'unfairness' over the sums earned by television stars.

When asked 'is it right that someone like Jonathan Ross gets £18 million from the BBC?' Mr Brown replied: 'The BBC has got to seriously consider its salary structure.'

During the interview, which is due to be published in full on Thursday, the PM said: 'I'm an X Factor fan, and Peter Mandelson looks after Strictly Come Dancing.'

Mr Brown was also very open about his personality, saying 'I'm actually shy by nature rather than extrovert, someone who feels that your actions should speak for themselves, but that's not the way politics works these days'.

When Mr Morgan quizzed the PM over the expenses scandal, he said: 'I have never tried to make any money out of being a politician. The timing could not have been worse.

'People were doubly angry because they were suffering financially themselves.'

Jonathan Ross awarded music industry prize

TV and radio host Jonathan Ross has been presented with the 2009 Music Industry Trust's award (MITs) for 'services to music broadcasting'.

The Radio 2 presenter was handed the award by singer George Michael at a central London charity dinner on Monday night, with Ross expressing his gratitude for the prize.

'I'm not fully confident I deserve this award because this honour is really just being given the chance to share something I'm passionate about, which is of course music,' the 48-year-old remarked. 'I'm incredibly fortunate.'

Video messages from a number of celebrities were shown in tribute to Ross at the event, with congratulations from the likes of U2, Cheryl Cole, Harry Hill, Vivienne Westwood and Will Smith, who commented: 'You are important to me and to my life.'

MIT awards organisers said Ross had been honoured for providing exposure to new artists since his first television show The Last Resort in the 1980s.

'For over two decades Jonathan Ross has been an important part of the UK music landscape and has provided valuable support to artists in challenging times,' said the awards committee's chairman David Munns.

'His passion for music, enthusiasm for discovering and encouraging musicians and the importance of his two shows for artist development, makes Jonathan Ross a worthy recipient of the 2009 MITs award.'

Previous recipients include Sir George Martin, Sir Elton John, Peter Gabriel and Kylie Minogue.