Oti Mabuse lands new TV job after her first hosting role was axed
HER first solo presenting gig for ITV’s dating show Romeo & Duet failed to woo viewers.
But when the presenter is as likeable as Oti Mabuse, a new project is always bound to be right around the corner.
Fresh from the show being axed after just one series, I can reveal that the former Strictly pro has been signed up to front a new game show format.
The Tower has been dubbed “a TV quiz show first” that is “set in a unique world” (whatever that means!) and comes from the team behind Channel 4’s Escape To The Chateau.
Putting the call out for contestants, producers said: “Star of Strictly, Dancing On Ice and The Masked Dancer Oti Mabuse is looking for outgoing, lively and knowledgeable teams of two to be part of a TV quiz show first — The Tower.
Show wasn’t right
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“Set in a unique world, your general knowledge, strategic thinking and judgement will be tested to the max in this exciting new game.
“Teams of friends, family, colleagues or partners battle to win a cash prize. Be part of something extraordinary.”
Oti will film the first episode as a pilot next month in Manchester, and makers say a “major broadcaster” is poised to commission a full series.
It comes after ITV bosses confirmed that the wacky show Romeo & Duet, which saw daters serenade a potential love match from a bal cony just like in the Shakespeare play, would not return for a second series after its debut earlier this year.
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A TV insider said: “The feeling was that it wasn’t a case of Oti not being right for the show, more that the show wasn’t right for Oti.
“We’ve seen on The Masked Dancer just how her infectious energy and humour works best in a less-scripted, more conversational setting.
“As host of a quiz show, Oti will have the chance to banter with con-testants as well as use her presence to hold the show together.
“Everyone is very excited about The Tower.”
Good for you, Oti.
KAREN LESS THAN SUPER
AS NEBULA in Marvel’s Guardians Of The Galaxy, Karen Gillan is an superhero powerhouse.
But the Scottish actress says she felt far from super during the pandemic.
Karen told Women’s Health that lockdown sent her spiralling with anxiety. She said: “I just couldn’t bring myself to work out. I felt like a slug.
“I’m usually a very driven person. I didn’t feel as on top of the world as I normally do if I’m regularly working out and eating well. I was foggy and down. And the anxiety is worse when I’m in a down state of mind.”
Karen reckons talking is the answer.
She added: “It’s vital in terms of self-care. I’m starting to talk more freely now.”
Read the full interview in the October issue of Women’s Health UK, on sale now, also available as a digital edition.
'Appalling'
THE nation’s top TV shows – including EastEnders, Corrie and Line Of Duty – feature just 1.6 per cent of disabled characters, far less than the 20 per cent in society.
Charities Scope and Disability Rights UK called their research a wake-up call over the “appalling” lack of representation on screen.
AMIR UP FOR NEW ROUND
HE’S a millionaire boxer, she’s a blingtastic mum-of-three and together, Amir Khan and wife Faryal Makhdoom make for binge worthy TV.
They first welcomed BBC Three’s cameras into their megabucks homes around the world for Meet The Khans: Big In Bolton in 2021.
The second series, earlier this year, was criticised as they flaunted their wealth – weeks after Amir had his pricey watch stolen.
But they will be back for a third series, with filming to begin after Amir’s stint on ITV’s I’m A Celebrity All Stars this month.
A source said: “Something about their blingy homes, shelves of designer handbags and trivial dilemmas over where to take a vacation speaks to viewers.
“The Beeb were keen to get them signed up for another series before Amir got swept up in jungle publicity.”
I’m sure he’ll be happy to get back to luxury after a fortnight in camp.
LORRAINE GASPS AT LEWD LEW
LORRAINE KELLY has years live television experience.
But nothing prepared her for cheeky popstar Lewis Capaldi – who left the telly host speechless when he offered her his “seven inches”.
During an interview on ITV’s Lorraine yesterday, Lewis opened up on his Tourette’s syndrome before the chat with his fellow Scot took a naughty turn.
He said: “It is one of those things, sometimes it is fine and other times it can really affect my speech and all the rest of it because I am holding my breath and taking deep breaths.
“But I will be on tour at some point.”
Then he added: “I have you a gift. It is seven inches of me. It’s my seven inch… record.”
And there was me thinking Lewis wrote gentle love songs.
Zilli's Best Chef
GORDON Ramsay and Jamie Oliver may rule the roost when it comes to cookery shows.
But Aldo Zilli has beaten the celebrity chefs where it really matters – in the kitchen. He was named Best Chef at the British Restaurant Awards on Monday night.
TANGLED WEB FOR SPIDER
CORONATION Street’s Spider Nugent will struggle to maintain his cover as an undercover policeman when he ends up in a brawl involving Peter Barlow.
Viewers learnt on Monday that Spider is only posing as an activist.
Now he has to step in and restrain Peter, risking his cover being blown, when a fight breaks out with his protestor pals.
It comes after viewers discovered that Spider had been spying on his ex Toyah Battersby (Geogia Taylor) for police. She stands accused of killing her husband Imran in a car crash.
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In upcoming scenes she confesses she intended to commit murder after learning of his infidelity. Spider and Toyah have rekindled their teen romance, leaving him torn about whether to reveal her words to the authorities.
Watch the drama unfold this week on ITV.
