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PARR TO DEPART
Mike Parr becomes latest star to quit Emmerdale after Ross Barton actor got ‘fed-up’ with his storylines
WORKING on Emmerdale must be expensive with the constant whip-rounds for leaving presents.
Following a whole raft of stars quitting the show in the past two years, I can reveal there’s another big name going — Mike Parr.
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The actor, who plays Ross Barton, is fed up with his storylines and has told pals that he might even quit acting altogether.
One of Mike’s major gripes is the horrendous burn make-up he has to have applied daily after his character was involved in an acid attack.
It comes after I revealed that Gemma Atkinson, Kelvin Fletcher, Adam Thomas, Gillian Kearney and other leading names had all ditched the ITV soap.
A show source said: “Mike has told anyone who will listen how much he hated his storylines and what bosses had done with his character.
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“He particularly hated the make-up he had to wear for the acid attack storyline. He’s been fed up for ages and has finally told bosses he’s off.”
Emmerdale’s acting series producer Kate Brooks told me: “Michael Parr will leave Emmerdale later this year at the end of his current contract.
"His decision to pursue other acting opportunities has given the writing team the opportunity to create an intriguing storyline for his exit.
“Michael, who is nominated for Best Actor at the British Soap Awards next month, will leave the show on a high after brilliantly portraying Ross for five years.”
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I’m told that Mike is now thinking about trying something completely different — Mixed Martial Arts.
My source added: “Mike does a weekly podcast about MMA with actor pal Adam Fielding.
“Now he’s seeing if he can make it as a MMA fighter.”
If he thought his Emmerdale scars were bad, he will hate the permanent ones even more.
must watch
WHAT? The Trouble With M&S, 9pm, Channel 5.
WHY? As M&S reveals a profit fall, Fiona Phillips investigates what can be done to save the company’s fortunes in a tough market of budget shops and fierce rivalry.
Jorgie in toe-biz
SHE often shows off her gym- honed bod but ex-Hollyoaks regular Jorgie Porter looks a lot more demure for her first ever theatre role.
The actress, who trained as a ballet dancer, has bagged a starring role in Fame: The Musical’s 30th anniversary tour, playing budding ballerina Iris Kelly.
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Jorgie is already in rehearsals for the production, which also stars singer Mica Paris. It opens in Manchester in July and runs until next February.
She said: “I am so excited to be making my stage debut. The musical is one of my favourite-ever films and I can’t wait to open the show in Manchester, my home town.
“I’m looking forward to getting my ballet shoes on.”
Stuff TV
HE only announced he was quitting his morning show earlier this month, but it seems Matthew Wright has had enough of TV altogether.
The presenter, who is leaving Channel 5’s The Wright Stuff after 18 years, wants to move to the airwaves because there are fewer restrictions.
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Matthew revealed: “I fancy doing radio. There is less pressure and a lot less Ofcom interference.”
After his last show airs in about a month’s time he plans to chill out on the beach.
Speaking at the Chelsea Flower Show, Matthew added: “I’m thinking about a six-week holiday.”
He’ll be abroad longer than the England team.
soapbox
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Kat offers to help Hayley get ready and pick out her clothes, but is really playing a prank on her.
Darren and Mandy take another risk in Hollyoaks when they meet at the Osbornes and push their temptations to the limit to see if they are able to resist each other.
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Jamie's cheeky starter
IT was The Naked Chef that put Jamie Oliver on the map – not ruining chicken nuggets and chips for schoolkids.
But the TV star has revealed the programme was nearly given a less family-friendly name – Forkin’ Gorgeous.
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Talking about the show’s beginnings he said: “It didn’t happen very quickly, we did a pilot. Forkin’ Gorgeous was the working title which, you know, was only a working title – it was never going to see the light of day.”
Jamie, on The Naked Chef in 1999, made the revelation at the launch of a new bursary in honour of the late pioneering TV producer Pat Llewellyn, who owned production company Optomen.
Pat, who died of breast cancer last year, is credited with discovering and launching the TV careers of Jamie, Gordon Ramsay and Mary Portas.
The £150,000 kitty, organised by Women in Film and Television and backed by BBC, ITV and Channel 4, will find and fund women with the best new TV projects.
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Talking about Pat at River Cafe in London where he was first discovered, Jamie said: “She never got talent that wanted to be on telly. If people want to be on telly it’s a real turn off and they are normally s***e. She just found people that loved what they did.”
A fine approach to making TV if I ever I heard it.
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