Dannii Minogue making return to UK TV as first judge on Gary Barlow’s new talent show Let It Shine
The 44-year-old was last seen on The X Factor in 2010
FORMER X Factor judge DANNII MINOGUE is making her UK telly comeback on GARY BARLOW’s rival BBC talent show.
The Aussie, 44, will fill one of the mentor spots alongside the Take That frontman in Let It Shine, which airs in the New Year.
Gary, 45, is expected to announce two more names ahead of the start of filming which starts next week.
A TV source said: “Gary has given careful consideration to a number of candidates but Dannii certainly ticks all boxes.
“She has primetime talent show experiences given her roles on X Factor and Australia’s Got Talent, plus she starred in many theatre productions.
“Dannii is also very popular with viewers so when it became known she was available, Gary was keen to take her on.”
Dannii’s last regular UK primetime appearance was on the 2010 series of The X Factor, won by MATT CARDLE whom she mentored.
Her time on the ITV show was plagued by fall outs with fellow judges including LOUIS WALSH and most notably SHARON OSBOURNE.
But after a spell away from the limelight in the UK, Dannii is ready to make her big return.
Dannii said: "I'm so excited to be returning to the UK and joining the judging panel of Let It Shine. To be a performer, you must have a burning desire to perform, then you train at all the skills you need to shine. This show gives everyone that chance. I can't wait!"
Dannii has previously starred in theatre productions of Grease, Notre Dame de Paris and Macbeth, so she’s well equipped for Let It Shine.
The show, hosted by GRAHAM NORTON and The Great British Bake Off’s MEL GIEDROYC, aims to find five wannabe West End stars that will go on to star in Gary’s new nationwide theatre show called The Band, based on the songs of Take That.
Let It Shine will be screened every Saturday night for eight weeks in the New Year on BBC1.
Got a story? Email bizarre@the-sun.co.uk or call us direct on 0207 782 4037
Rupe's con a roll
RUPERT GRINT is still trying to master how to make a quick getaway without the use of a broomstick.
The Harry Potter actor was seen running into trouble with two burly men while filming his new Snatch spin-off series in Manchester yesterday.
Rupert plays posh conman Charlie Cavendish in the ten-part TV remake of GUY RITCHIE’s 2000 gangster movie of the same name.
He is also executive producer of the show, which stars former Gossip Girl actor ED WESTWICK and Our Girl’s LUKE PASQUALINO.
The series is based on the story of a group of men who stumble upon a truckload of gold bullion.
It will be screened by US website Crackle but is not available in the UK for now.
Perhaps Rupert can help by unleashing a bit of wizardry.
Snubbed dwarfers see red
CRAIG CHARLES, CHRIS BARRIE, ROBERT LLEWELLYN and DANNY JOHN-JULES are famed for hapless antics as space explorers in Red Dwarf.
But the comedy stars were made to feel about as isolated as their characters when the cult sci-fi show was on BBC2.
Co-creator DOUG NAYLOR said he is delighted the Emmy-winning show has moved to Dave.
The writer admitted: “We were all slightly outsiders when we were with the BBC, partly because it was not commissioned in London, it was commissioned in Manchester.”
Doug, pictured far right with Craig, Chris and Robert, also hit out at the Beeb for refusing to invite the stars to a host of parties and award nights – as they were dubbed “fire risks”.
He said: “You know, when they say, ‘Oh we have got our number for the event and if we invite any others it becomes a fire risk’. It was like that. It wasn’t anything against them.”
Doesn’t sound like it.
'Idiot' is trumped by Ricky
IT was the TV show that turned KARL PILKINGTON into a household name.
Now his old boss RICKY GERVAIS has hinted he might bring back the Sky 1 hit An Idiot Abroad – but without his bumbling pal.
Asked whether the show would ever return, Office star Ricky, above, said: “It’s typical me – two series and a special. I think Karl got too wise.
"It was a social experiment but now he is wise to it. Maybe with someone else. Never say never.”
But Ricky’s suggestion for Karl’s replacement on the show, which ran from 2010 to 2012, is a bit terrifying.
He said: “I could do it with DONALD TRUMP. He’d do it, wouldn’t he?
“Me sending Trump around the world doing awful things.”
It’s got “ratings smash” written all over it.
Danny's wedding crasher
DANNY DYER got an unexpected visit during his wedding ceremony – and I’m not talking about JEREMY CLARKSON accidentally crashing the do.
The EastEnders actor was attacked by a wasp while reciting his vows in front of celeb guests including singer SAM BAILEY and actors JAMES BUCKLEY and MATT DI ANGELO.
Frantically swatting away next to childhood sweetheart JO MAS, Danny had to ask the registrar:
“Sorry, can I start again?”
And it must have stung that KASABIAN’s SERGE PIZZORNO declined Danny’s invitation to perform a CHRIS ISAAK song during the London bash as he was too nervous.
Danny told Hello! mag: “Oh my God, this is Serge from Kasabian, who has headlined Glastonbury in front of 100,000 people and he was nervous about doing my song.
“I told him, ‘Don’t worry about it. I just want you to have a good time’.”
I’d love to be a fly on the wall for their chats.
SOAPBOX
ACTOR Paul Loughran – better known as Butch Dingle – makes his CORONATION STREET debut tonight, playing Craig Tinker’s jailbird dad Darryl.
Craig summons up the nerve to visit his dad and is surprised to discover just how well they get on.
But the reunion soon turns sour when Darryl drops a bombshell that threatens to blow the Tinker family apart.
By the end of the week, Kirk will have packed his bags and decided to move in with his sister Maria. I wonder what it’s all about.
Meanwhile, over on HOLLYOAKS, James Nightingale hits the bottle and turns up to a special family dinner drunk.
Let’s hope he doesn’t take things too far.
