Chloe Madeley and James Haskell in awkward reunion for new ITV series after huge success of first show
CHLOE Madeley and James Haskell won’t allow their marriage break-up to stop them from making more TV together.
I can reveal the former couple are in talks with ITV about shooting a follow-up to their reality show, which will be about co-parenting daughter Bodhi.
The pair revealed they were separating just before the final episode of Chloe Madeley: A Family Affair last month, which would have come as no surprise to fans of the bickering duo.
But they both want to exploit their new bumper following.
A TV insider said: “Chloe and James know they’re on to a good thing and feel there’s no point in stopping, even though they’re no longer together.
“Lots of people co-parent their children so they feel a new series could connect to even more people than before. Talks are on-going but both Chloe and James, plus ITV, are keen to make it happen.”
The ITVBe four-parter first aired on October 9 and won rave reviews for the brutal honesty Chloe showed.
The couple made no attempts to hide the rows and opened up about their struggles to the cameras — and also Chloe’s parents, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan, who were show regulars.
The main cause of tension between them was James’s DJing career that meant he spent a lot of time away from Chloe and one-year-old Bodhi.
The ex-England rugby player was often seen partying with dancers in Ibiza, which irked his wife back at home.
The pair were also frustrated at the lack of baby-free nights out they could enjoy together, including one evening in France when they stayed at her parents’ holiday home and James questioned why Richard and Judy could not babysit.
He ranted: “What’s the point of having the nation’s mother and father, who we used to wake up to every morning, if they can’t look after our child?”
A second series is a must.
Trusted format a big deal
DEAL Or No Deal has made its triumphant return and left most fans impressed.
And a big reason for that is bosses chose not to tweak the format – which new host Stephen Mulhern agrees was the right decision.
He took over from Noel Edmonds, who was at the helm from 2005 to 2016.
Stephen said of the ITV show’s comeback – at 4pm on weekdays: “It was important to keep it the same, and I’ll tell you why.
“If you’ve got a format that 100 per cent works, not only here but in 80 other countries all around the world, why are you going to try to play about with it?
“The game works, it’s been rested long enough, it will gain a new audience and all the ones that loved it the first time around.”
I’m already hooked.
Graham’s hand on
GRAHAM Norton had better be on his best behaviour when he welcomes The Crown’s latest Queen Elizabeth – Imelda Staunton – to his BBC One chat show on December 15.
The impressive guest list also includes Doctor Who’s new leading actor Ncuti Gatwa.
Rylan’s Cher joy
RYLAN Clark can’t Believe his luck after getting an interview with pop icon Cher.
The presenter will chat to his musical hero as she is honoured by BBC Two during a special dedicated to her on December 9.
He said of the 60-minute show, Cher Meets Rylan: “I’m rarely speechless but being asked to interview actual Cher did the trick.
“What an honour to sit down and chat to the Goddess of Pop. I can’t wait to meet her.”
McCall a cab!
WE all know how those big nights often pan out . . .
You start off glammed up and excited but it’s a different story come leaving time after all the fun.
It turns out things are no different for TV celebrities, as these pictures from ITV’s Palooza on Tuesday night show.
The event at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane saw the network’s top stars come together to unveil upcoming shows.
Davina McCall seemed to have a bit of bother getting her ride home, but eventually made it into the back of car with quite a bit of leg on show.
Meanwhile, Sir Lenny Henry grinned away as he drove off, Alex Scott looked like she’d just been zapped with a stun gun and Pixie Lott was among the last to leave.
But unlike the rest of us, I bet none of them went looking for a kebab shop.
Taskmaster cracks on
VIEWERS who enjoy comedy challenge show Taskmaster can get their hands on Christmas crackers celebrating the Channel 4 series.
The first batches sold out even before hitting shelves but bosses say that production has now gone into overdrive to meet the huge demand.
Squids in at game pop-ups
NETFLIX has invited fans to take part in a series of quests to mark the release of Squid Game: The Challenge.
One-day Squid Game pop-ups will open at shopping centre Westfield London in White City this Saturday and Manchester’s Trafford Centre on December 2.
Participants will meet the guards, giant doll Young-hee and compete in a variety of activities inspired by the new series, which is a reality competition based on the Squid Game show.
Winners at the pop-up days will have the chance to take home prizes including the famous tracksuits, along with cash.