Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd is hiding a secret hobby – he’s a champion dominoes player
AFTER you’ve spent a hard day being a villain on the cobbles, how do you relax?
If you’re Jack P. Shepherd, it’s a game of dominoes.
You might expect to see old blokes playing the traditional pub game down the Rovers.
But Corrie’s David Platt revealed he likes to lay down a few tiles when he’s not on set — and he’s a secret champion.
Jack said: “I play dominoes. I’m in a league.
“I’ve been doing that for about ten years now.
“I’m very good. We have two chances to win titles a year and in ten years I’ve won six.”
It’s probably nice to have a slow-paced pastime, as Jack’s soap storylines are anything but.
Since arriving in 2000 he has pushed his mum Gail (Helen Worth) down the stairs, spent time in prison and been at the centre of a plot concerning rape.
Jack’s not the only celeb with a hankering to play the game though.
Charlize Theron used dominoes to help raise money for her HIV charity.
Her first gala in 2008 saw David Walliams, Ashton Kutcher, Penelope Cruz, James Franco and other famous names play the game across several nights.
I reckon Jack would wipe the floor with the A-listers if he ever got an invite.
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Atack mode
EMILY Atack is a prime example of why planting your face in a bowl of bugs on I’m A Celeb is an astute career move.
The former Inbetweeners actress has announced her second comedy tour in two years since finishing second behind Harry Redknapp in the jungle.
Emily Atack Has Left The Group will kick off this September.
And that is on the back of her starring role in Men In Brown, a skit on Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
The tour is about preferring the quiet life to going out and dreaming up excuses to send to a WhatsApp group.
On her 18-date tour, which includes shows in Brighton, Newport, Birmingham, Newcastle and London, Emily says: “Bring your mum and dad if you dare, and let’s have a right laugh.”
Presale tickets go on sale this Wednesday via the Live Nation website. I would get in there quick . . .
bizbit
CHESSINGTON World Of Adventures hasn’t just brought Julia Donaldson’s Room On The Broom and The Gruffalo books and TV shows to life, fans can now meet endangered oryx calves born in its zoo in Surrey.
Winning recipe
THE MasterChef judges have one of the longest TV partnerships – and John Torode has revealed it’s down to their contrasting lives.
He has presided over the BBC1 cookery show with Gregg Wallace for 16 years and says they would never have a public argument.
John, who is at the Eat & Drink Festival at Olympia London on April 9, said: “It’s almost like a marriage in some ways and it’s incredible that we still get on really well.
“We go home to different worlds when we leave work.
“We dress differently, shop in different places.
“We even have different ideas about what we should eat, when we should get up.
“But most importantly we respect each other and wouldn’t comment on the other’s choices.”
So no topless selfie of John any time soon then.
- Eat & Drink Festival will return to Olympia London from 27 March – 13 April, co-located with the Ideal Home Show, sponsored by NatWest. ITV Celebrity guest John Torode will be taking part in demonstrations with Lisa Faulkner on the Eat and Drink Stage on 9th April – see timetable at eatanddrinklondon.com.
must watch
WHAT? Miss World 1970: Beauty Queens And Bedlam, BBC2, Monday 9pm.
WHY? Through archive footage, the documentary tells the true story of the protests at the pageant which is the subject of new film Misbehaviour.
Fun and Games for bros
SOAP actors Ryan and Adam Thomas and their former Love Islander brother Scott are to take part in The Real 2020 Games.
The series, hosted by Holly Willoughby and Freddie Flintoff, will put celebs through their paces in Olympic events.
I exclusively revealed the details of the show in January and filming is due to start later this year.
Ryan, Adam and Scott previously appeared in ITV’s Land Of Brothers, where they went to India to explore their family heritage.
A telly insider said of their new show: “They are the perfect fit, athletic, funny and willing to give anything a go.
“The lads are all really competitive too, so it’s likely they will be pitched against each other.”
Given these three are the first names to sign up, I reckon it’s going to be good.
bizbit
NETFLIX is being sued for patent infringement by Broadcom, a US electronic chipmaker.
The firm claims the streaming service has violated eight patents, including video playback, leading to a loss of demand for its product.
A Nought to sport
THE cast of Noughts + Crosses were banned from enjoying the extreme sports on offer while filming in South Africa over injury fears.
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
Jack Rowan, who plays Callum McGregor in the BBC1 drama – based on the novels by Malorie Blackman – said: “I didn’t really do much because we weren’t allowed to.
“We had a big meeting when we started and I wasn’t allowed to do any bungee jumping or shark cage diving in case of the possible end.”
Probably for the best, mate.
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