Emmerdale star Anthony Quinlan splits from Strictly Come Dancing pro Dianne Buswell after rows
THEY looked set to be that rare love story on Strictly — a celebrity and a pro who got together BEFORE signing up for the show.
Now Emmerdale actor Anthony Quinlan has split with dancer Dianne Buswell just a few months before the Saturday night favourite returns.
Strictly bosses had hoped he’d join the show and produce the first duo to be dating in real life.
A TV insider said: “It seems the curse of Strictly is even affecting couples who just look like they’ll appear together.
“Anthony and Dianne insist the split is down to job commitments, as she’s based in London for Strictly and he’s mostly in Leeds filming Emmerdale.”
Their romance blossomed last December when Anthony’s former Emmerdale co-star, Strictly contestant Gemma Atkinson, introduced him to Dianne.
Northerner Anthony — who plays Pete Barton on the soap and used to be Gilly Roach on Channel 4’s Hollyoaks — was said to be smitten from the start.
Sadly, he and the Aussie ballroom star have been rowing for some time and I recently revealed they had briefly parted.
But they decided to split for good after showdown talks in Manchester.
The pair have now cleared any trace of one another from their respective social media.
And that heinous act crushes any hope of a reunion.
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ANDY HALLS'
BIZARRE TV COLUMN
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WHAT? The Graham North Show, 10:45pm, BBC1.
WHY? Pop legend Cher and Hollywood’s Christine Baranski talk about the Mamma Mia! sequel, joining Natalie Dormer and Rupert Everett on the chat show sofa.
A game bird in the nest
The Love Island girls last night got a new lad to ogle.
And entrepreneur Sam Bird, who used to be Georgina Toffolo's personal trainer, made quite an impression.
He mocked bad boy Adam Collard, who has broken several hearts so far.
Sam said: “I’m coming in – obviously to find love and maybe teach Adam how to treat a lady right.”
In the beach house, talking about his entrance, Sam added: “I think the Bird has ruffled some feathers in the villa. That’s all I’m saying.”
If I ran ten more ultra-marathons, I still wouldn’t be in Sam’s shape.
Meanwhile, Eyal Booker and Megan Barton Hanson spent their first night together in the hideaway.
We were left wondering if they went all the way.
Hughes talking
She became a national talking point when she asked if Brexit meant no more trees, but Love Island’s Hayley Hughes has landed a spot on a top debate show.
The Scouse model, left, will appear on BBC2’s Daily Politics to be quizzed by Jo Coburn on young people’s under-standing of our EU exit.
A TV source said: “Hayley represents a proportion of young people who lack a clear grasp of what’s happening in Europe at the moment with Brexit.
“The Beeb think it’s a good way to get people interested in politics.”
Move over Joey Essex.
Mikey's back to school
Viewers could see Corrie labourer Gary Windass rock up in a new set of wheels after an upcoming stint away.
Mikey North, who has played the character, above, for a decade, took time off from the soap to film E4’s All Star Driving School after getting fed up of asking co-stars for lifts to the studio.
A source close to the star, whose break is yet to be shown on the soap, said: “At first, Mikey was dubious to sign up for a reality project but he was keen to try this when he found out he could learn a new skill.
"He loved the experience.
“He’s now back filming the soap but is remaining guarded about whether the process worked.”
It’s a great signing for E4’s second series, to be shown this autumn, which launched last year starring Vicky Pattison and Pussycat Dolls' Kimberly Wyatt.
I can’t wait to see Mikey behind the wheel for a Weatherfield roadtrip.
bizbit
OF his visit this week to “second mum”, EastEnders’ legend Barbara Windsor, Ross Kemp told Good Morning Britain: “I went round for a cup of tea and I had five.
"I laughed – a lot. I was there for three and a half hours.”
John defends Python
Monty Python’s John Cleese has hit back at the BBC for saying the 70s comedy is too “white” for today’s audiences.
The corporation’s head of comedy, Shane Allen, said the series wouldn’t be commissioned now as “Oxbridge white blokes” have had their day.
But show creator John said: “Unfair!
"We were remarkably diverse for our time.
"We had three grammar school boys, one a poof, and Terry Gilliam, though not actually black, was a Yank.
"We were never ashamed to reveal the more feminine side of our personalities.”
John, whose latest BBC1 comedy Hold The Sunset has been granted a second series, added: “I’d have guessed Shane was more ashamed of it than Python.
"It’s very white and lower middle class, and rather lacking in heavy accents.”
bizbit
Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has revealed some gory scenes were too much for him.
The actor, who plays Jaime Lannister, said: “There were shocking moments.
"It was difficult to even read it.”
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Soapbox
In Emmerdale, Lachlan reacts to a new threat that could tear him and Belle apart and Charity faces her true feelings as she contacts Ryan.
Elsewhere, Moira’s suspicions reach a peak when she finds a nervous-looking Cain hastily putting his phone away.
Over on Coronation Street, Eva is distressed to discover that Johnny has started custody proceedings and turns to Adam for help.
Meanwhile, Beth is outraged to realise Sharon is the mysterious Mrs B and far from the elderly lady Kirk made out. Kayla is jealous of Bethany and comes up with a sly plan to cause trouble between her and Craig.