Celebs Go Dating’s filming halted after contestant tests positive for coronavirus
AFTER going to great lengths to make Celebs Go Dating Covid-safe, filming has been halted after one of the stars tested positive for the virus.
Producers of the E4 show hired a £30million mansion in leafy Surrey where the stars could live in a bubble together.
I exclusively revealed this month that the line-up featured Curtis Pritchard, Geordie Shore’s Chloe Ferry, Corrie actress Kimberly Hart-Simpson, ex-Strictly contestant Karim Zeroual, Made In Chelsea’s Sophie Hermann, DJ Tom Zanetti and Wayne Lineker, brother of Gary.
A TV insider said: “It’s not clear which celebrity has tested positive, but they are showing no symptoms. Despite isolating before taking part, this is a stroke of bad luck.”
A show spokesman said: “Filming has paused temporarily as it awaits further information regarding a routine Covid test.
“The result was unexpected since the individual had quarantined prior to entering the house, and had been regularly receiving negative results.”
He added: “All those in the house are now isolating while we await the results of further testing and consult with medical experts. Filming will not resume until we are reassured it is safe to do so.”
The positive test result is particularly awkward because, unlike in previous years, the celebrities will be living among their dates in the mansion. The things we do for love . . .
EMMA’ S TAKING THE MICHAEL
EMMA Corrin shows how the creative team on The Crown have nailed the retro styling required for her to play Princess Diana – and compares her hair to that of fellow Eighties megastar George Michael.
Emma, who plays the Princess over the period from 1979 to 1990, also posted pictures of her larking about behind the scenes with her co-star Josh O’Connor, who plays Prince Charles.
Gregg: I’m just stooge for John
SPARE a thought for Gregg Wallace next time you see him on Masterchef because, much of the time, he secretly feels like a “stooge” next to his co-host, John Torode.
Although he isn’t a professional chef, he has an exhaustive knowledge of food and running a restaurant – and is a whizz in the kitchen. But you’d never know it judging by their BBC1 show.
Speaking on the White Whine Podcast with Kate Thornton, Gregg said: “The problem for me on TV is that Masterchef won’t let me cook. They only want John to cook, so no-one ever sees me cooking.
“They want someone standing next to John explaining what the dishes are, and of course he can’t explain it to camera so they need a stooge.”
Responding to the notion that he shouldn’t be seen cooking because he isn’t a chef, Gregg points towards a host of famous culinary names in the same position.
He said: “There are people on television that aren’t chefs like the Hairy Bikers and Delia Smith.
“People may not be aware that Jamie Oliver was not a chef. By the time he was famous he had never run a kitchen.”
A good point well made, Gregg.
Bake Off’s clan ban . . . except Paul
THE Great British Bake Off reached a teary conclusion this week – made all the more emotional because Covid meant the contestants couldn’t have their families present.
But there was no such ban on the show’s judge, Paul Hollywood. He was accompanied by girlfriend Melissa Spalding.
While isolating to ensure minimum risk during filming of the 11th series of the Channel 4 show, he was allowed to be in a bubble with barmaid Melissa.
But even the three finalists weren’t allowed to do the same – which denied their partners, parents, siblings and children the chance to share the big moment with them.
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A TV insider said: “The contestants understood perfectly why there was a need for their families not to attend. But they would have, understandably, felt annoyed that the same rule didn’t apply to Paul and that an exception seems to have been made.
“Having his girlfriend with him during the filming of the series wasn’t essential, but having the contestants’ loved ones present would have added to the moment.”
Millions of viewers tuned in this week to see Edinburgh finance student Peter Sawkins win the 2020 contest.
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