Danny Dyer suffers major blow to TV career after new show is axed after just one series
DANNY DYER will think Netflix is ”proper muggy” after it ditched his new game show.
The former EastEnders actor hosted Cheat with Ted Lasso actress Ellie Taylor, one of his first major jobs after quitting the soap last Christmas.
But I can reveal it has been axed after one series, which began in March.
A TV insider said: “Danny was great as host, as was Ellie, but Netflix thought one series was just about right.
“It didn’t pick up a big following and will hardly go down in game show folklore. He enjoyed making the series, especially banking the pay cheque.”
Cheat saw contestants attempt to win £50,000 by blagging their way through a quiz.
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The “rascals”, as Danny called them, were encouraged to cheat by pretending they knew the answers, providing they didn’t get caught out by rival players.
The host branded the best cheats “absolute wrong ’uns” and “lying scumbags”.
Meanwhile, Danny is waiting to hear if his E4 travel series he co-hosts with daughter Dani will be recommissioned.
As well as game shows and travelogues, his other post- EastEnders work has included Channel 5 drama Heat and new Disney+ series Rivals, based on the saucy Jilly Cooper book, which is likely to air next year.
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Danny needs to keep the cheques coming in if he wants to fulfil a promise to his dog Debbie, to leave her £500,000 in his will.
He said: “I feel I need to give her something or get some proper carers for her, give her a flat with a carpet. Give her whatever she wants out of guilt.
“Also, it would wind my missus up.”
Bake Off's Alison's in tears
CHANNEL 4’s Bake Off tent got a soaking last night – but not because of the weather.
Co-host Alison Hammond was in floods of tears after Cristy became the eighth baker to leave.
She had to tell the contestant the bad news, after fellow presenter Noel Fielding named Matty Star Baker.
Cristy admitted Alison’s waterworks sparked her own tearful scenes, and said: “The most emotional thing about leaving the show was Alison crying, which made me cry more.
“I was prepared already in my mind, as I knew I hadn’t done enough to stay. I was feeling so exhausted and homesick, so I truly felt ready to leave, but at the same time so emotional to be saying goodbyes.”
“Everyone was so lovely and kind.”
The bakers had to make a chocolate party cake, followed by an “anything but beige-buffet” showstopper.
They kicked off the show making a sausage roll.
Shame I never got sent any samples in the post.
Lined up for more quizzing
ROMAN Kemp and Sarah Greene's new quiz show The Finish Line is getting another run.
The BBC One teatime favourite sees contestants attempt to answer as many general knowledge questions as possible to get round a track first.
After hearing it is coming back for a second helping, Roman said: “The first series was so much fun, I had such a laugh filming and we had some great contestants. There were some shocking answers, but that’s what happens when your adrenaline is pumping and you’re under a time pressure.”
The new series will return next year.
Mighty signing
SAMIRA Mighty is in talks to take part in Love Island All Stars.
The series four islander is the latest famous face thought to be heading to the Cape Town villa in January for ITV2’s new spin-off.
The former West End theatre performer was coupled up with DR Alex and then Frankie Foster.
A celeb deal to be done
THERE are already plans to make a celebrity version of the rebooted Deal Or No Deal – before the regular series has even aired.
That is according to new host Stephen Mulhern after he took over the role from Noel Edmonds, who fronted it for 11 years on Channel 4.
The game show returns for a 20-episode run over four weeks on ITV1 and ITVX on Monday at 4pm, and will go out Monday to Friday.
Stephen said yesterday: “They are talking about doing a celebrity prime-time version to test it out.”
He added that he thought the show would also be great as a Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening offering, eventually.
Stephen said: “The set looks incredible. When you watch it you won’t be thinking it’s four o’clock, you’d think you had tuned into a prime-time show.”
Doctor is in
BRIDGERTON and Derry Girls actress Nicola Coughlan is “excited” to be in the 2024 Doctor Who Christmas show with Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor.
She said: “Getting to share the screen with him has been an absolute joy.”
Showrunner Russell T Davies said she “lit up the set”.
Miriam: Strictly no way!
MIRIAM MARGOLYES turned down offers to go on Strictly and I’m A Celeb because she has got “class”.
The actress, who will feature in the upcoming Doctor Who special on BBC One, said she has no interest in taking part in the reality shows despite being approached several times.
Asked if she had been offered a spot on Strictly, she said: “I won’t do that, what do you call it? The dancing thing.
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“Yeah, they must have been f***ing nuts. And they asked me to go in the jungle.” On whether it was an instant “No” for the ITV series, she said: “I’ve got class, love. I’m not doing that.”
Miriam was speaking on the new episode of podcast Dish from Waitrose, out today and hosted by Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett.