BBC Three to rival Love Island with launch new dating show – but there’s a twist
LOVE Island has sparked another dating show — this time dedicated to lesbians.
I Kissed A Girl will see ten women placed in a huge house in a hot country where they have to pair up, similar to the ITV2 favourite.
Host Dannii Minogue will play Cupid over the eight episodes of the BBC Three show which producers promise will “serve drama, smash stereotypes, and promise more twists and turns than ever.”
A TV insider said: “This must be the last spin on a dating show to come to fruition and many would argue it’s been long overdue.
“ITV already have a ‘Love Island’ for middle-aged people coming up and BBC Three are just wrapping up I Kissed A Boy, which had been a successful same-sex dating show for men.”
I Kissed A Boy’s final Kiss-Off airs tonight, but all episodes will be on iPlayer where viewers can get a flavour of how the lesbian show will work.
The crucial difference between Love Island and the I Kissed A . . . format, is that all competitors start their journey on the show with a kiss with another person before they have even uttered a word.
The format has already won rave reviews, which convinced Beeb bosses to start work on this female sequel.
It could be filmed later this year.
Dannii said: “After showing love truly is for everyone with I Kissed A Boy, I am thrilled to have the chance to be Cupid again for girls in this second series.
“I’m so excited to see if we can find more connections, chemistry and hopefully love sealed with a kiss. Here come the girls!”
Dannii was enjoying the fact I Kissed A Boy’s theme tune, her song We Could Be The One, was No2 in the iTunes download chart.
But awkwardly, there is another more apt song and singer for the sequel . . .
- Casting is now open for the series. Applicants can apply via the BBC Take Part website or an online application form.
KATH HAS GOGGLE GIGGLES
KATHERINE Ryan and her husband Bobby Kootstra have signed up to star on the new series of Celebrity Gogglebox.
The comedian is sure to bring the laughs as she gives a glimpse into her home life for the first time.
Katherine told me: “It’s usually just the dogs who get to see us watch TV, so we’re excited to welcome viewers into our home as we decompress in our favourite spot – the sofa.
“We’ve been huge Gogglebox fans for years and we are thrilled to be taking part.”
The Canadian funnywoman is now based in London and recently welcomed baby Fenna in December.
The duo will join series stalwarts returning to the Channel 4 show, including Zoe Ball, Johnny Ball and Woody Cook, Denise Van Outen and Duncan James, plus Shaun Ryder and Bez.
'Lighthearted'
LILY-ROSE DEPP has hit back at claims the atmosphere behind the scenes of new HBO show The Idol was tense.
She told Entertainment Weekly: “For something that does explore darker themes and has some pretty heavy emotional moments, the vibe on set was quite lighthearted.”
JO BACK WITH ANN
EASTENDERS legend Jo Joyner has been reunited with her Walford mum Ann Mitchell for a new Channel 5 psychological thriller.
My exclusive image shows them together for the first time since 2018 in the drama For Her Sins.
Jo, who played Tanya Branning in the soap, said: “When the message came through, I texted Ann and said, ‘We really must look like each other if this is going to keep happening.’ It’s fate!
“My dad doesn’t have a sister but if he did – I think she’d look like Ann.”
Ann, who played Cora Cross on EastEnders, added: “I was absolutely thrilled, it was lovely to see her again.”
The four-parter, begins tonight on Channel 5, at 9pm.
STARS GOING TO PARTY
OWEN Warner and girlfriend Jemma Donovan looked loved up as they left the British Soap Awards together this weekend.
The real-life Hollyoaks couple, both 23, embraced in the street as they partied with co-stars at the event’s official bash.
Smiling for pics on the red carpet earlier, Owen had confirmed their relationship weeks after the couple jetted off on holiday with Jemma’s dad Jason.
He said: “Jemma kept messaging me and asking me on dates, then I gave in.
“It took me a while to pluck up the courage to ask her out.
“I’ve just been on holiday with her amazing family.”
The Romeo Nightingale and Rayne Royce actors were joined by soap celebs including Hollyoaks’ Peri Lomax actor Ruby O’Donnell.
Meanwhile, Ross Adams, who plays Scott Drinkwell in the Channel 4 show, ditched the party for a McDonald’s.
ON MARS SEQUEL COPS IT
PLANS for a second sequel to cop drama Life On Mars have been ditched.
Lazarus was to continue the story of the BBC One hit which first aired in 2006 and its 2008 follow-up Ashes To Ashes.
But yesterday writer Matthew Graham said on social media: “Sad news folks.
“After many months of planning, we will now not be making Lazarus. The hurdles were financial not creative.
“All those involved are sick as a jungle full of parrots.
“It was a cracking concept pertinent to our times. And it was bloody funny too. That’s showbiz.”
The adventures of DCI Gene Hunt, played by Philip Glenister, and time-travelling Manchester cop Sam Tyler (John Simm) made Seventies-themed drama Life On Mars a huge hit.
Eighties-set Ashes To Ashes, also starring Keeley Hawes as DI Alex Drake proved popular too.
I’m not giving up hope yet – anything called Lazarus could make a comeback.
WIND UP RACHEL
CHEEKY Countdown presenter Rachel Riley spells out x-rated words to put new host Colin Murray off his stride.
During the anagram round, the maths whizz highlights naughty words to entertain the studio audience.
Rachel told me: “I like to try and throw Colin off. Last week I noticed the nine letters that had been chosen spelled, ‘huge boner’.
“So, I just thought I’d put that up on the board. It was just a bit of fun to throw Colin off.”
Colin replaced Anne Robinson as host and Rachel, who is working with travel search engine Kayak for its Vacay Valuator campaign to help people save money on their summer hols, is thrilled with the new regime.
She added: “Viewing figures are up, we’ve got loads of new viewers. It’s a lot fun.”
Radcliffe survives
DANIEL RADCLIFFE battles for survival in a post-apocalypitc wasteland in the latest trailer for his new hit Miracle Workers.
The show, which premieres on US Channel TBS next month, follows his character Sid “navigating the existential horrors of married life and small-town living”.