Alan Carr snapped up by ITV for ‘ultimate karaoke night’ as he bids farewell to Channel 4 after 12 years
ALAN Carr is waving goodbye to his “golden handcuffs” deal with Channel 4 after 12 years to switch to rival ITV for a Saturday spectacular.
He will host a primetime series called Singalong: The Show after his multi-million-pound exclusivity deal expired.
ITV bosses quickly tapped up Alan to host the programme, which is being billed as “the ultimate karaoke night”.
It is from the makers of the currently troubled Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
A telly insider said: “As soon as ITV producers heard his deal was expiring they couldn’t wait to make him an offer.
“He’s TV gold and a brilliant stand-up so they thought he would be the perfect fit to present their new fun-packed karaoke show.
“They’re filming a test run for Singalong: The Show with the hopes of getting it on screen in the near future. It’s early days but they hope it’ll be a hit.
“It’s going to be completely hilarious with a real party vibe as contestants taking part will have to sing it to win it.”
The show, to be recorded next week, will see hopefuls take on a series of music-based games and challenges.
A C4 spokeswoman said: “We’re aware of Alan’s other projects as he continues to work for Channel 4 on shows as diverse as Crufts, The Great Celebrity Bake Off For Stand Up To Cancer, the new gameshow I Don’t Like Mondays and the Stand Up To Cancer campaign airing later this year.”
The switch to ITV is a big move for The Chatty Man, who has hosted shows such as Alan Carr’s Celebrity Ding Dong, Chatty Man and Friday/Sunday Night Project since 2006.
But I have no doubt he will be a huge success with ITV.
And he could have a belting first karaoke guest in best pal Adele.
Serious mon£y on way
THE BBC’s latest set of dramas isn’t going to warm your cockles during this Baltic patch we’re having.
Today the broadcaster unveils a series of new shows, and there won’t be many laugh-out-loud moments for viewers.
Leading the way is Dark Mon£y, a four-parter by Levi David Addai, above, writer of Damilola, Our Loved Boy.
It’s about a guilt-ridden family who face the consequences after they accept a pay-off from a well-known filmmaker to keep silent about the abuse of their youngest son.
There are challenging themes, too, in Elizabeth Is Missing – a crime mystery where the central character has Alzheimer’s.And the BBC has also announced The Capture, described as a modern-day spy thriller set in the UK.
That sounds a little bit close to home given current news events.
Bizbit
THE Stranger Things teenagers are in for a mammoth pay day.
They will each get £178,000 per episode for the third run of the drama, after it became the most popular series ever on Netflix.
Filming starts next month.
Car crash hits Kemp gold rush
Martin Kemp got more than he bargained for on the set of new BBC show The Road To Saigon. The Spandau Ballet legend signed up for the exciting 12-day rally, driving classic cars through Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.
But he sparked horror on set when the high performance Mini he and his WHAM! singer wife Shirlie were travelling in rolled on to its side.The former EastEnders star was left with painful bruises and an injured wrist.
A source said: “It’s supposed to be light-hearted entertainment – nobody anticipated serious accidents.
“Fortunately Martin and Shirlie are OK. He was in a lot of pain and very shaken.”
Filming was delayed while Martin rested up, and BBC bosses were forced to source another car to replace the damaged Mini.
The final segments of the celebrity show are now being shot to get it back on track before it airs on BBC2 later this year.
The fastest of the pairings, which also include Noel Edmonds and wife Liz, musicians Tinchy Stryder and Jordan Stephens and mum and daughter team – chef Andi Oliver and TV presenter Miquita – will be crowned the winner.
It sounds like Martin may have to give up all hope of winning Gold.
Must watch
WHAT? The Secret Helpers, 8pm, BBC2
WHY? Strangers from across the globe provide support to people in need. Dan, left blind after two strokes, gets help via a hidden ear piece as he prepares for his wedding.
Tom's lip sync on voice fan
After five series, Sir Tom Jones is clearly still having a great time as a coach on The Voice. He found new ways to spice up filming by giving an extra special greeting to one big fan.
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The singer made his new friend during the second knockout round, which will be screened on ITV at 7pm this Saturday.
It was due to go out at 8.30pm but was moved to an earlier slot to help fill the gap in the schedule left by the cancellation of Saturday Night Takeaway.
It comes after its host Any McPartlin announced he was returning to rehab.