BBC star joins ITV to host live music show alongside A-list singers like Becky Hill and Jess Glynne
Clara Amfo is to bring a live primetime music show back to the box for the first time in ages with ITV Studio Sessions.
I can reveal it will kick off next month and play host to some of Britain’s hottest acts, with the line-up including Becky Hill, Cat Burns, Jess Glynne, Tom Walker and Yungblud.
Over six weeks they will take to the stage in the Blueroom inside London’s O2 Arena, and mix playing new music with performing cover versions of classic tracks.
In between, the stars will be shooting the breeze with Clara, who is fresh from co-hosting The Brits with Maya Jama and Roman Kemp.
Clara said: “I am thrilled to be part of something brand new on ITV with Studio Sessions, as I wholly believe that music performance on television is still such a treat for artists to do and for their fans to enjoy.
“As the host and consultant producer, I’m truly looking forward to having rooted conversations with our guests, so that audiences can learn something new about them and, of course, see them celebrate their most beloved and new songs.”
The show, which will be screened on ITV1 and ITVX, is another music-led project between ITV and O2.
They also collaborated on bringing The Brits and An Audience With Kylie Minogue at the Royal Albert Hall to television.
Biggest performers
Clara already has some pedigree when it comes to music.
As a DJ on Radio 1, she hosted the Live Lounge and Future Sounds, not to mention interviewing some of the world’s biggest performers.
She has already enjoyed chats with stars including Doja Cat, Dua Lipa, Elton John, Kendrick Lamar and Billie Eilish.
But ITV Studio Sessions is arguably her biggest gig to date — and she couldn’t deserve it more.
Six tri their luck in love
Here come the sexy singles gearing up to take part in TV’s first throuple dating show.
E4’s Love Triangle, which starts later this month, challenges these six hopefuls to choose between two handpicked partners. The pair then meet on a blind date before moving in together, in the hope of fast-tracking their relationship.
What the singles don’t know is that in an explosive twist, the rejected match then arrives ready to throuple up. ZaraLena, from Preston, says she is looking for someone with a “sex-positive attitude.
Teaching assistant Jasmine, from Wiltshire, has been wooed by athletes and actors, while Danika, from Reading, has gone four years without a date. Meanwhile, entrepreneur Dan, from North Wales, has bounced back after heartbreak and French DJ Lloyd, from Manchester, picks up a girl at every club he plays. Canadian ex-basketball player Mike just wants to settle down.
Nervous Mel on the rum
Mel B was so nervous about being on the upcoming episode of Celebrity Bake Off she necked most of the rum brought in for her cakes.
Host Alison Hammond revealed what happened when the Spice Girls singer went into the tent, saying she was by far the most nervous star taking part in the Stand Up 2 Cancer special.
Scary wanted to be there in memory of her dad Martin, who died from multiple myeloma in 2017.
Alison said: “She was on the rum. She did bring some rum for her bakes, but I think most of it ended up in her.
“I was like, ‘You’re a Spice Girl, Mel. You’ve performed in front of the world and you’re nervous for Bake Off?.’ I couldn’t believe it.
“She just wanted to make her dad proud, really, more than anything else.”
Celebrity Bake Off airs every Sunday on Channel 4, 7.40pm.
The Repair Shop is returning to BBC One next Wednesday with six episodes. Jay Blades and the gang tackle tasks including a World War Two code-breaking cookbook and pair of tiny cowboy boots with a link to Elton John. Jay said: “To show you guys what we’ve done is so exciting.”
Hannah relives ABBA win
BBC Four will broadcast the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final for the first time in 50 years.
Held in the UK, it saw Sweden’s ABBA arrive on the international music scene with Waterloo – and things were never the same again.
It airs on Sunday and 2023 Eurovision co-host Hannah Waddingham presents a new intro. She said: “It’s so special to me that BBC Four have invited me to introduce the now legendary edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in April 1974 in Brighton.
“I’m a huge ABBA fan myself, knowing every inch of every song and head turn. I so hope pop fans everywhere will join me on the night as we all relive the joy of watching ABBA perform for the very first time.”
Boys to bow out in No.3
Channel 4 comedy drama Big Boys has been nothing less than a phenomenon with its first two series.
But I can reveal the next instalment of the show, which revolves around the friendship between a gay teenager and his straight best friend, will be the last.
Channel 4 has yet to announce more episodes of the series starring Dylan Llewellyn as Jack and Jon Pointing as Danny, which is written by Jack Rooke.
But a TV insider said: “The feeling is the creators want to quit while they’re ahead and for some reason, three is a bit of a magic number when it comes to that sort of thing.
“It feels like they’ve given the concept a good run, gaining a strong following and drawing acclaim, without it wearing thin over time.”
Sad, but perhaps shrewd.
Tipped in favour of stars
Chat show king Jonathan Ross reckons contestants taking part in the celebrity version of ITV1 quiz Tipping Point get special treatment.
On his Parenting Hell podcast, The Masked Singer panellist said: “They make it easier when the celebs are on. The questions are always a little bit easier.”
His guest on the podcast was comedian Rob Beckett, also a former contestant, who agreed there were ways to tip the balance in their favour. He said: “The key in the ‘research chat’ is to act really thick.”
Jonathan added: “‘Have you heard about a guy called Napoleon?’ ‘Yeah I’ve heard of him. Waterloo . . . ’ Then, first question, ‘Where did Napoleon meet his defeat?’.”