Forgetful Lulu tanks on Strictly as Holly Valance and Anita Dobson emerge as early favourites

Where's the boom bang-a-bang? Forgetful Lulu tanks on Strictly as Holly Valance and Anita Dobson emerge as early favourites

By Andrea Magrath

Last updated at 11:23 PM on 30th September 2011


After the first episode of 2011's Strictly Come Dancing, the contestants to beat are Holly Valance and Anita Dobson.

The Australian pop star and former EastEnders actress tied first place on the premiere episode of the season with a score of 28.

Miss Valance was the first to take to the dance floor and despite looking gorgeous in a tiny glittering gold number and bouffant hair, the 28-year-old showed her nerves.

Flop: While Lulu had a lot of fun on the dance floor during the first episode of Strictly Come Dancing, she forgot most of her choreography and received the lowest score of the night

'I'm struggling with the Cha-cha-cha,' the Kiss Kiss singer, paired with last year's winner Artem Chigvintsev, said. 'Artem doesn't give out compliments willy-nilly. Artem's been hard enough to please, hopefully I'll impress the judges.'

She needn't have worried. Dancing to Who's That Chick by David Guetta, Valance dazzled the audience and judges with her natural rhythm.

Judge Alesha Dixon gushed over the performance. 'You are a very good dancer, you look sensation and you've got the sexiness down,' she enthused. 'Your technique is already at a very high standard. You're going to be sensational!'

Impressive: Holly Valance was the first to perform and received the tied highest score of the evening, a 28 for her Cha-cha-cha to Who's That Chick

Len Goodman admitted, 'It's not the best first dance I've ever seen... but it was close. It could have been a bit crisper. The rest have got to be bloomin' good to beat that though.'

'You are eye candy,' Bruno Tonioli told Holly, 'but you need more bite. You need to go for it with more strength - go for it because you've got it.'

Craig wasn't too harsh either, telling Valance she needed 'sharper arm placement throughout. A lot to work on but a lot of good actually.'

The judges awarded Holly and Artem a high score of 28, with Alesha's eight the highest individual score of the evening.

Sizzling: The Australian popstar looked gorgeous in a tiny gold dress and bouffant hair

One to beat: Holly showed some nerves after the performance but needn't have worried, winning high praise from the judges

Former soap star Anita Dobson gave Holly a run for her money with an elegant and emotional waltz to Three Times A Lady.

As her husband Brian May beamed proudly from the front row, the 62-year-old drew cheers as she sashayed in a white gown.

'You're beautiful to watch and that was the most sincere dance of the night,' Alesha told her.

Craig was uncharacteristically generous, telling her that: 'You do need to sort out your head placement but I thought that whole routine was gorgeous.'

Judges' favourite: Former soap star Anita Dobson gave Holly a run for her money with an elegant and emotional waltz to Three Times A Lady

High praise: Even Craig was uncharacteristically generous, telling her he 'thought that whole routine was gorgeous'

'Elegant, beautifully acted,' said Bruno. The judges all awarded seven each, giving a score of 28 to match Holly's.

But while many were expecting good things from singing superstar Lulu, hers was the worst performance of the evening.

The 62-year-old, wearing a short purple frock, forgot most of the choreography, giggling as she made up moves in between.

'It had the energy, but the steps went down the toilet,' Bruno said.

Giggles: While many were expecting good things from singing superstar Lulu, hers was deemed the worst performance of the evening

Entertaining: 'It had the energy, but the steps went down the toilet,' Bruno told Lulu and partner Brendan

It was a complete dance disaster,' Craig scolded her. 'You made it up from beginning to end.'

Len said: 'The was plenty of boom bang-a-bang but nothing to shout about. You've got to work on nailing the choreography... but it was lots of fun.'

Alesha didn't seem to mind too much, telling Lulu: 'Thank you for getting the party started. I know it went a bit wrong but it doesn't matter, you've got the first one out the way.'

With a dismal two from Craig and five from the rest of the judges, Lulu and partner Brendan Cole walked away with the lowest score of 17.

Stiff: Presenter Lobb performed a romantic waltz but was criticised for not showing enough love to partner Katya, and was told he 'looked like Adrian Chiles on the sofa'

Still impressive: Despite the criticism Lobb walked away with the next highest score of 24

Presenter Dan Lobb and boxer Audley Harrison both received fare remarks from the judges after earlier expressing their nerves.

Lobb waltzed to Are You Lonesome Tonight, and was criticised by Bruno for not showing enough love to partner Katya.

'Mr Lobb, technically it was quite accomplished for a first go,' he said. 'But you looked like Adrian Chiles on the sofa.'

'Very elegant. I know you were so nervous but you have nothing to worry about you should be proud of herself,' Alesha told him.

Surprising: Boxer Audley Harrison said he was nervous but did very well with his waltz to Angel, receiving a score of 20

Powerful: 'You are so graceful for someone the size of Everest!' Bruno remarked

Len said: 'It was a bit wooden, it lacked musicality. But the footwork was good. For a tall man you did well.'

Craig was full of technical criticisms for the pair, who he said were 'hideously rigid.'

Lobb had said earlier: 'I'm fearful of the dancing aspect of Strictly Come Dancing. If it was strictly come going down the pub with your mates, I'd be alright.' He didn't do too badly though, winding up with the next highest score after Holly and Anita with 24.

Audley scored 20 for his own waltz, to Angel. 'You are so graceful for someone the size of Everest!' Bruno remarked.

Standing still: The judges were unimpressed that Robbie Savage's partner Ola Jordan did most of the dancing while he stood still for much of the routine

Blondies: 'At least their hair matched,' said Len Goodman

'Not for me I'm afraid,' said Craig. 'It was bizarre and all flat footed.' Len certainly disagreed with this critique, telling Audley: 'Punch Craig as you walk by, I liked it!'

The judges weren't as thrilled with footballer Robbie Savage's attempts, unimpressed that his partner Ola Jordan did most of the dancing while he stood still for much of the routine.

'On the football field if you forget your position you have ten other teammates yelling at you, but on the dance floor there's no one to remind you,' Robbie complained before taking to the dance floor to perform the Cha-cha-cha to Bad Boys.

'It was all very Abercrombie & Fitch,' Craig said. 'You standing while Ola danced around you isn't what I call Cha-cha-cha.'

'It couldn't have been camper if you tried': Russell Grant received a standing ovation for his performance to Venus by Bananarama

Robbie Savage you left the Cha-cha-cha completely ravaged,' joked Bruno.

Alesha was more forgiving, telling the sportsman: 'A for effort its not easy for a bloke to do Cha-cha-cha especially a footballer. There's plenty of room for improvement.'

'You had in with good intent and plenty of attack. there's been three footballers on Strictly and you're the best so far,' said Len.

They scored a 19, with a disappointed Robbie saying he'd let Ola down on her birthday.

The final contestant to take to the dance floor was astrologist Russell Grant, performing a camp Cha-cha-cha to Venus.

Dazzling: Craig was less complimentary, saying 'That was the birth of something darling, it certainly wasn't Venus'

The routine received the only standing ovation of the evening and a good score of 21.

'Let's go clubbing together, you're the man to get the party going,' said Alesha.

Len said: 'Don't worry about Robbie Savage and Audley, this is macho.'

'It couldn't have been camper if you tried,' said Bruno.

But Craig was less complimentary. 'That was the birth of something darling, it certainly wasn't Venus.'

Tomorrow night the remaining dancers Jason Donovan, Nancy Dell'Ollio, Harry Judd, Chelsee Healy, Alex Jones, Edwina Currie and Rory Bremner will take to the dance floor.


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Shooting for glory! Scarlett Johansson and Jeremy Renner are unleashed in new Avengers photos

By Mike Larkin

Last updated at 8:04 AM on 30th September 2011


They are the least known characters in next year's hotly tipped blockbuster contender The Avengers.

But Scarlett Johansson's Black Widow and Jeremy Renner's Hawkeye were front and centre in newly released stills from the film.

Scarlett is playing Russian superspy Natasha Romanoff, who is armed to the teeth with a selection of advanced weaponry.

Gunning for glory: Scarlett Johannson and Jeremy Renner will be hoping to make their little-known characters Black Widow and Hawkeye cult icons when the movie comes out next year

She appeared in Iron Man 2 as a supporting character, but will be getting equal status with Robert Downey Jr in the new film.

Jeremy Renner's character is even less well known, and only made a brief cameo appearance in this year's blockbuster hit Thor.

Super cover: The gang appear in this week's edition

But as a token human in a superhero team that includes god of thunder Thor and nuclear powered wrecking machine The Hulk, he will play a key role when he is unleashed.

Despite her status as a Hollywood sex symbol, Scarlett, 26, said told Entertainment Weekly she needed to be reassured she was not being overshadowed by her fellow characters.

She said: 'The other day we were doing this big reveal shot of all the Avengers.

'Thor has got his hammer, Cap’s got his shield, Hawkeye has his bow and arrow, and Hulk is huge.

'Then it pans over to me and I’ve got guns. Iron Man’s like, hovering above all of us, ready to go.

'I was like, ‘Joss [Wheldon]… um… do I look okay holding these guns?’

The director reassured her, saying: 'She’s a total badass. She’s a killing machine.'

Jeremy, who was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in Hurt Locker in 2009, has said he is relishing being in a superhero film, despite taking more heavyweight roles in the past.

But the 40-year-old said he has to approach the role differently than the likes of the practically invulnerable Hulk,.

Up to speed: Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man character will have to explain modern day life to Captain America

He said: 'The only sort of thing I cling to is the relationship of past experiences with Scarlett’s character, with them both being human. I can cling to that.'

But since he is the only person who can stop Bruce Banner's alter-ego in the middle of a rampage, it could be argued he is the most important member of the team.

Jeremy said: He’s the only one who can really take down The Hulk with his tranq tip arrows.

'He knows his limitations, but when it comes down to it, there has to be a sense of confidence in any superhero.'

Nice work if you can find it: Jeremy watches Scarlettt show off her athleticism as they took part in filming

Another shot that was released was of Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr having a discussion on the set of the movie.

The former was dressed up in his Captain America outfit, while the latter looked far more laid back in casual clothes.

One of the most interesting plot strands in the movie according to Chris, 30, will be seeing his character adapt to the modern world after being trapped in ice at the end of the Second World War.

He said: 'It’s just about him trying to come to terms with the modern world.

That looks tight: Chris managed to look the part thanks to his tailor-made outfit

'You’ve got to imagine, it’s enough of a shock to accept the fact that you’re in a completely different time, but everybody you know is dead, everybody you cared about.

'He was a soldier. Obviously everybody he went to battle with, all of his brothers in arms, they’re all dead. He’s just lonely.

'I think in the beginning it’s a fish out of water scene, and it’s tough. It’s a tough pill for him to swallow.

'Then comes trying to find a balance with the modern world.'

Three's company: Jeremy's witty anecdote raised a giggle from Chris as they relaxed between takes

And Robert admitted his initial ideas about how the movie should progress ended up being left by the wayside, despite his steadfast pitch to writer and director Wheldon.

He said: 'Well, I said, ‘I need to be in the opening sequence. I don’t know what you’re thinking, but Tony needs to drive this thing.

'He was like, "Okay, let’s try that." We tried it and it didn’t work, because this is a different sort of thing.

'The story and the idea and the theme is the theme, and everybody is just an arm of the octopus.'

But he joked he tried to rebel against the new direction.

He said: 'But what was I like, as usual, just f—ing aggressive and hurtful. Whatever, the usual.'

To see more visit Entertainment Weekly


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Following in Diana's footsteps: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit cancer-stricken children at Royal Marsden hospital

By Maysa Rawi

Last updated at 4:57 PM on 29th September 2011


It was the hospital Princess Diana chose for her first solo charity trip.

So it is rather fitting that the Duchess of Cambridge should follow suit for her second official engagement since the Royal Wedding with husband Prince William today.

Kate was all smiles in an elegant in cream Amanda Wakeley dress and her favourite L.K. Bennett nude heels at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in South London.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the Royal Marsden to open a new £18 million children's cancer unit in Sutton, Surrey today

A sleep-deprived William, who flew a mercy mission just hours before opening the new £18 million children's cancer unit, looked slightly less sprightly in a navy suit.

William and Kate, both 29, are touring the Oak Centre for Children and Young People which has been built to treat day and inpatients, where they will meet medical staff, young patients and their parents.

During the visit, William will be reunited with Alice Marples, a cancer patient who interviewed him two years ago for the CBBC Newsround programme.

The Duchess is spending her time trying to get to know various charities and good causes so she can decide what her future role will be

Welcome wagon: The Duchess, wearing an Amanda Wakeley dress, greets some fans

Children and hospital staff wait for the couple to arrive

The sleep-deprived Duke flew a mercy mission to take a sailor to see a seriously-ill relative just hours before today's even, left, while Kate looked as glossy as usual

The 12-year-old, who is due to fly to America to receive radiotherapy for a brain tumour, presented Kate with a bouquet of flowers when she arrived at the hospital.

A St James's Palace spokesman told the London Evening Standard: 'The Duke is looking forward to seeing Alice again and finding out how she has been.

'Through his close connection with the hospital he has met many inspirational young people, like Alice, who have shown such bravery in battling their illness.

Prince William, greeting hospital staff, was also invited to unveil a plaque to officially open the centre

William and Kate, both 29, are touring the Oak Centre for Children and Young People

'Tomorrow, he is keen to show the Duchess the incredible work the Royal Marsden does to help Alice and others like her.'
William is president of the Royal Marsden - the first hospital in the world dedicated to cancer treatment and research into the causes of the disease.

Kate will recieve a bouquet of flowers from Alice Marples, a cancer patient who interviewed Prince William two years ago

First solo trip: Diana visited the Royal Marsden in 1982

He took over from his mother, who took on the role in 1989 until her death in 1997.

William went without sleep last night as he ferried the serviceman from a warship off the Isle of Man to Sandhurst in Surrey.

The royal flew back to his base at RAF Valley on Anglesey just after 9am before making the trip to open the Royal Marsden's new £18 million children's cancer unit in Sutton, south London, a few miles from Sandhurst.

The duke, an RAF search and rescue force helicopter co-pilot, carried out the 'compassionate call-out' during a normal 24-hour shift which also saw him help pick up a casualty with serious head injuries in Snowdonia.

A St James's Palace spokesman said the duke would have got little, if any, sleep and was expected to arrive at Oak Centre for Children and Young People on a royal flight helicopter this afternoon.

His wife, who was in London, was arriving by car.

The royal couple have been enjoying married life together in North Wales since their glittering nuptials in April.

They have deliberately kept a low profile over recent months as the Duke, a flight lieutenant with the RAF Search and Rescue Force, is focusing on earning a promotion to captain.

The Royal Marsden is a cancer centre specialising in diagnosis, treatment, research and education

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2043150/Duke-Duchess-Cambridge-open-cancer-ward-Royal-Marsden.html#ixzz1ZMGEEl00

As Angelina takes Zahara, six, and Shiloh, five, to get their ears pierced - how young is too young?

By Tamara Abraham

Last updated at 1:02 AM on 29th September 2011


Most mothers with young daughters will be familiar with the demand for pierced ears.

And no doubt Angelina Jolie is too, after it was reported last week that she took daughters Zahara, six, and Shiloh, five, to a London salon to get the treatment done.

Zahara, who went first, is said to have screamed with pain, prompting Shiloh to opt out at the last minute.

But the star's decision has sparked a debate about the right age to allow a girl to get their ears pierced.

Too young? Angelina Jolie has sparked a debate among mothers after allowing daughters Zahara, six, and Shiloh, five, to get their ears pierced

Several mothers have taken to social networking sites to cast their own verdict on the issue, stating that Zahara and Shiloh are too young.

They say the actress, 36, should have waited until the girls were at least ten. Others believe a child should be in her teens before she is allowed to wear earrings.

But given that many others, for cultural, practical, and aesthetic reasons, choose to pierce daughters' ears soon after birth, their comments have not been well-received.

It seems responsibility for keeping newly-pierced ears free of infection is behind many mothers' objections to Angelina's actions.

Mother Gina Bolton Sherman wrote on the TodayMoms Facebook page: 'I had to wait until 7th grade when I could take care of them myself. That is the bar I set for my daughters.'

Karen Ludwick, from Long Beach, California added: 'I had my daughters wait until their 13th birthday. As a teenager they can decide if they want pierced ears or not and they are old enough to take care of their own hygiene.'

Grown-up look: Zahara's new studs were clear to see when the family were pictured leaving Gwen Stefani's London home earlier this week

But others believe that children are spared the pain if they have earrings put in as infants.

Jennifer Crunkleton, from Lawton, Oklahoma, said: 'The older they get, the longer they linger on the pain issue and draw it out unnecessarily. I got mine pierced at 5 and it hurt like Hades. I had my daughter's pierced at a month old, and she didn't even wake up when they did it - she SLEPT through it.'

But Ms Crunkleton's opinion is the one that most angers advocates of letting girls wait till they are older.

'There are few things I find trashier than little babies with pierced ears. They're people, not dolls'

Roni Kaye wrote: 'ANYONE who pierces an infant's ears should be put in jail for abuse. I think people who do the piercings should refuse to do that to a baby. No baby should have pierced ears- it is not cute, it is horrifying.'

Anna Collins added: 'There are few things I find trashier than little babies with pierced ears. They're people, not little dolls... Piercing a child's ears because YOU think it's cute is irresponsible and cruel if you ask me.'

A Today.com poll of over 2,000 mothers revealed just how evenly opinions are split.

It found that 31 per cent believe girls should be between the ages of 11 and 15 when they get their ears pierced, but only slightly fewer, 29 per cent, think ears should be pierced as babies.

The same number believed that mothers should wait until a girl is between five and ten, while nine per cent said girls should be sixteen or over.


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Ruth Negga captured the essence of fame as Shirley Bassey

TV Review: Ruth Negga was in star-making form as Shirley Bassey in the BBC's biopic Shirley, successfully capturing the essence of fame.

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Shirley Bassey

Negga as a highly convincing Shirley Bassey (BBC2)

Someone at the BBC must have a very long list headed Famous Women Biopics. They’ve been working their way through it at a fair rate of knots – can’t wait for Cheryl, complete with cloakroom fight scene – and the latest to follow in the footsteps of Hattie, Margot et al was Shirley (BBC2), the rags-to-riches tale of Tiger Bay diva Shirley Bassey.
As a biopic, it followed a pretty familiar path. Poor girl gets discovered; gets famous; suffers scandal because she’s a single mum; turns out to have a dodgy taste in men; and so on. But none of this mattered, thanks to a star turn from Ruth Negga as Bassey in a performance that shone from the screen. She simply was Bassey from the moment the first (mimed) vocal roared from her lungs.
Add in sterling support from Charlie Creed-Miles as the man who discovered her and Lesley Sharp as Bassey’s mother, and Shirley successfully disguised that, in truth, here was a story that could have done with a few more plot twists. What you got was Negga in star-making form, capturing the essence of fame. Her life in turmoil, she prepared to step out on stage with the words: ‘Right, let’s go and be Shirley Bassey.’

Read more: http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/reviews/877029-ruth-negga-captured-the-essence-of-fame-as-shirley-bassey#ixzz1ZRqjTYNL

Kristen Stewart flashes some Snow White flesh

Kristen Stewart flashes some Snow White flesh as she films soaking wet beach scenes for new adventure movie

By Eleanor Gower

Last updated at 4:59 PM on 30th September 2011




It has been billed as a re-imagined and slightly twisted version of the fairytale classic.

And judging by today's on-set photographs of movie Snow White and the Huntsman, it certainly seems pretty far removed from Disney's fluffy cartoon take on the story.

Still smiling: Despite being wet Kristen Stewart was seen with a big smile as she filmed scenes from Snow White and the Huntsman

Leading lady Kristen Stewart spent the day soaking wet and showing a good few inches of flesh as she shot scenes for the film on a Welsh beach.

The actress looked to be taking part in some particularly dramatic scenes on the sands, and hoisted her soaking wet gown on as she walked along.

Wet and wild: Kirsten was being sprayed with water and wet costume stuck to her body showing off her curves

Flesh flash: Kristen Stewart shows off her shoulders as she filmed new movie Snow White and the Huntsman in Wales earlier today

After one scene, she was sitting alongside a stunning white horse, which was attended to by crew members.

In a contrast from yesterday in which she was seen sporting heavy armour, Stewart wore a long medieval style gown over long brown boots, with her hair loose around her shoulders.

Her hair also looked to be a darker shade than familiar to fans of the Twilight franchise.

Drama: The actress looks to be sitting alongside her white horse on the beach as part of a particularly dramatic scene on the beach

Life's a beach: The 21-year-old actress strolled along the beach in a soaking wet gown, at one point, holding up the dress as she strolled along some rocks

The white stuff: Stewart is shot filming a scene with the magnificent white horse

She seemed more than comfortable on horseback, although may have used a stunt double to canter across the beach for one bareback shot.

The actress was clearly having to maintain a wet and dishevelled look, with an assistant spraying her down with a water gun at one point.

Never with with children or animals: Kristen turned away as the horse relieved himself

Horse power: The actress sat astride her white horse as she waited for the scene to begin

Epic: The film promises to be an all-action telling of the classic fairytale

She also needed the crew's help to clamber over a rocky incline.
It wasn't all intense focus for the star though. She was later spotted breaking into a smile in a rest between scenes on a rocky section of the shore.
In another scene, she was spotted emerging from the sea in her gown - perhaps after a very refreshing dip, considering the cold Welsh waters.

New movie: Stewart stars alongside Chris Hemsworth and Ian McShane in the fantasy style film

Striking scene: Stewart, or possibly her stunt lookalike rides bareback across the sands for a stunning scene in the film

Stewart stars as Snow White alongside Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who appears as male lead, The Huntsman.



In a twist on the children's fairy tale, the film follows the story of the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed.

However, he winds up becoming her protector and mentor in a quest to vanquish the Evil Queen.

Time for more water: Kristen achieves the wet look with the help pf a crew member

Staying soaked: At one point a member of the crew sprays a rather shocked Stewart to make her stay wet for the seaside scene

Rock climbing: Stewart gets some help walking over the rocks from several members of the crew

Clamber: The Twilight star looked intensely focused as she walked over the rocks in one scene, although she broke into a smile when the footage was finished

The movie stars Charlize Theron as the Evil Queen and Ian McShane, Eddie Izzard, Bob Hoskins, Toby Jones and Ray Winstone among the dwarves.

Stewart recently revealed that she was not initially attracted to the role of Snow White, but became interested after realising the new version was a very different take on the classic character.

And action! The star is filmed with her dress sleeveless around the shoulders on the rocky incline

The sea the sea! Stewart wore a long black coat over her gown as she strode through the cold Welsh waters

'She truly does not let her heart cloud her mind,' the Twilight actress told Entertainment Weekly earlier this summer. 'Also I get to have a sword and stuff, and really cool weapons.
'This girl has the amazing ability to channel fear, things that people are typically afraid to do, into this really focused, really charged, driving energy,' she added.

Drenched: Stewart emerges from the ocean soaked to the skin, with her wet hair bedraggled down her back

Morning light: Stewart shares a joke with a female crew member as the sun starts to come up over the beach

The film - the first in a planned trilogy - is slated to be released in cinemas next year.
Stewart also appears as MaryLou in the adaptation of Jack Kerouac film On the Road, and stars in penultimate Twilight instalment Breaking Dawn, which will be released in November.

All dried off: The actress was also spotted with her hair and gown dry, in what was surely a more comfortable look, along with walking down the beach in a large black wrapped

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2043502/Kristen-Stewart-flashes-Snow-White-flesh-filming-wet-wild-beach-scenes.html#ixzz1ZSw8TyBU