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Sir Tom Jones ‘almost certain’ to return to The Voice as a coach when the hit show moves to ITV

Despite being booted by Beeb bosses, Welsh legend in 'advanced negotiations' but still mourning loss of wife

tom jones

SIR TOM JONES is poised to return to The Voice – despite his fury at being booted out by the previous BBC bosses.

I can reveal the Welsh legend, pictured, is in “advanced negotiations” to slip back into his coach’s turning chair, now the show has switched over to ITV.

 Turn around ... the Sex Bomb singer is in talks to return to the hit show
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Turn around ... the Sex Bomb singer is in talks to return to the hit showCredit: BBC

Bosses there are persuading him to return after the Beeb axed him at the last minute last year and replaced him with BOY GEORGE.

Sources claim Tom hasn’t totally committed to the project yet as he is still grieving following the death of his wife of 59 years, Melinda Rose Woodward.

 Dropped ... Beeb bosses had replaced Sir Tom with Boy George
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Dropped ... Beeb bosses had replaced Sir Tom with Boy GeorgeCredit: Press Association

But a source said: “Tom is keen to get back on the show — something he wouldn’t have been if it was still on the Beeb rather than ITV. It’s being seen as a masterstroke to get him back as he’s worked with them all — including ELVIS — and commands respect.

“The only thing that’s holding him back is whether it’s too soon after his wife’s death and whether that makes it the right decision.”

Last month Tom, who admitted having countless affairs over the years, broke down over his wife’s death.

 A Little Less Conversation ... the Welsh legend has worked with The King
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A Little Less Conversation ... the Welsh legend has worked with The KingCredit: Getty Images

He told his fans: “Now I realise that she might have been the most important thing in my life.”

He also claimed getting over Linda’s sudden death from cancer had been “the hardest thing” he had ever had to do.

Last year Tom told how he was kept in the dark about his sacking and afterwards told Beeb bosses to “go f*** themselves”.

 Confirmed ... Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.I.Am will return to the show
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Confirmed ... Black Eyed Peas frontman Will.I.Am will return to the showCredit: WENN

News of his potential return comes just hours after Boy George confirmed he definitely wouldn’t rejoin the line-up.

Back in April, PALOMA FAITH dropped a hint she wouldn’t ever engage in reality TV again with a cryptic online message.

She posted: “I went down with the ship power dressing in possibly my last foray into reality TV shows.”
Will.i.am has already confirmed his return. Now all ITV needs is KYLIE MINOGUE.

 

So happy Dwarf's on stage

DANNY JOHN-JULES has dashed fans’ hopes of a Red Dwarf movie for now – but says a stage version is on the long-range scanner.

Danny reckons the cult sci-fi comedy thrives on having a live audience.

 Treading the boards? ... Danny John-Jules has suggested a stage show could be in the works
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Treading the boards? ... Danny John-Jules has suggested a stage show could be in the worksCredit: BBC

He said: “The movie has been talked about for almost 30 years – but when you look at how TV films like Dad’s Army have done, it puts producers off.

“We filmed without a live audience for a series and everyone was, ‘Er, this isn’t the same. We don’t like it’.”

 Iconic ... Red Dwarf first aired more than 25 years ago
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Iconic ... Red Dwarf first aired more than 25 years agoCredit: Press Association

Red Dwarf first went out on BBC2 in 1988. After a decade off screen the crew were reunited on Dave in 2009, with a further stint in 2012.

Last year CRAIG CHARLES quit Corrie after a decade to reprise his role as Lister in a series due this September.

 Thoughts ... the Death in Paradise star said he'd want to do a stage show before a movie
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Thoughts ... the Death in Paradise star said he'd want to do a stage show before a movieCredit: BBC

From the set of BBC1 drama Death In Paradise, Danny added: “We want to do a stage show next year and see how that goes before we discuss a movie.”

 

Minnie's an in tents performer

MINNIE DRIVER is set to hit our screens again – and this time it isn’t a repeat of her Nineties movie Good Will Hunting.

 Driving to success? ... Minnie Driver has a new TV show
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Driving to success? ... Minnie Driver has a new TV showCredit: Getty Images

UKTV’s Drama Channel has bought the rights to mini-series The Red Tent in which she plays Old Testament character Dinah.

 Co-star ... Homeland star Morena Baccarin will join Minnie
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Co-star ... Homeland star Morena Baccarin will join MinnieCredit: Getty Images
 Star studded line up ... as will Game of Thrones star Iain Glen
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Star studded line up ... as will Game of Thrones star Iain GlenCredit: Getty Images - FilmMagic

Minnie, pictured here at the Power of Love charity gala in May – is joined on the show by MORENA BACCARIN (Homeland) and Game of Thrones’ IAIN GLEN and WILL TUDOR.

Let’s hope it’s better than her last telly series About A Boy . . .

 

Loch, if you dare

ITV – master of the whodunnit due to the success of Broadchurch and Safe House – may well have dunnit again.

New star-studded thriller Loch Ness looks set to have viewers just as gripped.

 Thriller ... The Missing star Laura Fraser will appear in the ITV drama
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Thriller ... The Missing star Laura Fraser will appear in the ITV dramaCredit: Getty Images - WireImage

The Missing’s LAURA FRASER, Happy Valley’s SIOBHAN FINNERAN and Upstart Crow star JOHN SESSIONS are all involved in this serial killer drama. Brief Encounters’ DON GILET, Corrie’s GRAY O’BRIEN and The Tunnel’s WILLIAM ASH will also be appearing.

 Spooky ... Happy Valley's Siobhan Finneran will appear in Loch Ness
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Spooky ... Happy Valley's Siobhan Finneran will appear in Loch NessCredit: Rex Features

The chilling six-part series follows a tight-knit community who are plagued by a series of murders, with local detective Annie Cathro leading the hunt for the killer.

 Creepy ... The Tunnel's William Ash is also in the hotly anticipated drama
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Creepy ... The Tunnel's William Ash is also in the hotly anticipated dramaCredit: BBC

Show bosses claim the stunning backdrop of Loch Ness adds to the creepy nature of the drama as it has had its own monster “lurking beneath the surface for centuries”.

I’ve got chills already . . .

 

Game ratings are Sky high

FANTASY drama Game of Thrones has become Sky’s most popular series ever – with an average audience of more than five million per episode.

 Stayin' alive ... Game of Thrones has become Sky's most popular series ever
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Stayin' alive ... Game of Thrones has become Sky's most popular series everCredit: Associated Press

Ratings for series six included around 60,000 people tuning in at 2am on Mondays to catch each episode simultaneously with its US airing.

 Popular ... around 60,000 UK viewers tune in to watch the 2am showing
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Popular ... around 60,000 UK viewers tune in to watch the 2am showingCredit: Getty Images - WireImage

Sky has a deal with HBO to show the final two series, believed to be a total of just 13 episodes, and senior cast members including PETER DINKLAGE (Tyrion Lannister), KIT HARINGTON (Jon Snow) and EMILIA CLARKE (Daenerys Targaryen) will double their money to £340,000 an episode.

 Pay rise ... Kit Harington, who plays Jon Snow, has almost doubled his wage
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Pay rise ... Kit Harington, who plays Jon Snow, has almost doubled his wageCredit: Getty Images

They’ll all be praying they aren’t killed off quickly – it could cost them a fortune.

 

Soapbox

CORONATION STREET’s gay love triangle looks set to get more complicated after Todd confesses all to Billy.

Todd confronts the vicar and suggests he doesn’t really love Sean, but gets knocked back by Billy, who accuses him of meddling in their relationship.

When the vicar prepares to head off to London for some quality time with Sean, Todd is spurred into action and reveals his true feelings. But how will Billy react?

 Suspicious ... Priya risks ruing her birthday to demand answers from Rakesh
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Suspicious ... Priya risks ruing her birthday to demand answers from RakeshCredit: Rex Features

In EMMERDALE, Priya risks ruining her birthday as she demands answers from Rakesh about his part in the Mill Cottage fire. Her suspicions reach a peak after Rakesh gives her an expensive necklace as a gift.

She’s not alone in smelling a rat, though – Neville accuses Rakesh of insurance fraud.

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