Entertainment
ED!’s most controversial TV moments of 2024
2024 was filled with so many controversial TV moments that ED! has been left with no choice but to remind everyone.
From Phillip Schofield’s unexpected return to television to Jermaine Jenas being sacked and Graziano Di Prima’s axing from Strictly Come Dancing, here are the most shocking moments from the past 12 months.
Controversial TV Moments: Phillip Schofield Cast Away
2023 was a rough year for former TV presenter Phillip Schofield, to say the least. Following months of speculation, the 62-year-old admitted that he had been lying to everyone at ITV and his family about his affair with a much younger employee.
While he confessed the relationship was “unwise,” Phillip clarified that it wasn’t “illegal”. The revelation was made just days after he had suddenly quit working for ITV, causing a huge media frenzy.
Phillip continued to receive backlash in the forthcoming months and kept a low profile from showbiz, until September this year.
Announcing his unexpected return to TV, Phillip starred in his own Channel 5 show, Cast Away, which saw him confront his personal challenges on a remote island for 10 days.
Despite not being afraid to be vulnerable on the show, Cast Away was still met with a mixed response. The Guardian gave the show two stars out of five, claiming he came across as “incredibly bitter”.
The Evening Standard gave the show the same rating, insisting it’s best to avoid watching it.
Stephen Mulhern replaces Phillip Schofield on Dancing On Ice
After Phillip walked away from ITV, many questioned who would be his replacement for Dancing On Ice in the new year.
Following months of speculation, it was eventually revealed to be Stephen Mulhern.
With a new dynamic to the show, viewers admitted they preferred watching Stephen with co-host Holly Willoughby to Phillip.
“Great to see Holly back and the gift that keeps on giving the fantastic Stephen Mulhern. He’s brought more life back into the presenting of this show than ever before,” one X user wrote.
“Stephen & Holly have always been a great pair together. I remember them on Saturday morning kids’ TV,” another person shared.
“You wouldn’t have got Philip Schofield doing that funny opening to Ricky Hatton’s routine. Another reason why Stephen Mulhern is such a vast improvement as co-host,” a third remarked.
Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley join This Morning
After Phillip left This Morning, his co-host Holly Willoughby did months later. This meant ITV was on the hunt for two new permanent presenters.
With the show experimenting with different duos for months, ITV finally settled on Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley in March.
Despite their previous experience, the decision was met with a mixed bag from the public.
“Cat Deeley was fine as a TV presenter on children’s TV but she seems so safe and bland now, Ben is ok but safe. The show needed a full revamp #ThisMorning,” one user wrote.
“Half an hour in and I’m bored. Bring back Dermot, Alison, Josie and Craig,” another shared.
Controversial TV Moments: Gary Goldsmith on Celebrity Big Brother
Celebrity Big Brother returned for its first series in six years and its first-ever on ITV. Of course, the show couldn’t make a comeback without its fair share of controversial housemates.
However, Kate Middleton’s uncle, Gary Goldsmith, entering the house was a step too far. After previously pleading guilty to assault by beating, Women’s Aid fought back.
“The decision to include a man who has been charged, and pleaded guilty to, assaulting his wife, in the Celebrity Big Brother house demonstrates the lack of awareness that the production team has when it comes to survivors of domestic abuse,” a spokesperson for the organisation shared.
“The producers should consider how Gary Goldsmith’s appearance will impact women who have survived domestic abuse and how they will feel watching him on TV every night.
“At Women’s Aid we would urge the producers to consider how they approach this, as for many survivors of abuse, the inclusion of men convicted of abuse in entertainment programmes will already be a sign that these crimes are not taken seriously – the entertainment industry has to consider the impact on women of who they give a platform to and derive entertainment value from.”
Gary was the first housemate to be eliminated from the show.
Huw Edwards resigning from BBC
For years, Huw Edwards had served as one of the main presenters on BBC One’s News at Ten. In April, he announced had resigned from the BBC “on the basis of medical advice from his doctors.”
The news followed from the allegations that he paid a young person for sexually explicit images. In July 2023, his wife, Vicky Flind, revealed he had been “suffering from serious mental health issues”. She also added he had been receiving in-patient hospital care.
In September 2024, Huw was sentenced to six months, suspended for two years, after admitting charges of making indecent images of children.
“We are appalled by his crimes. He has betrayed not just the BBC, but audiences who put their trust in him,” the BBC shared in a statement.
Graziano Di Prima axed from Strictly
After joining the Strictly family in 2018, Graziano Di Prima became one of the viewers’ favourite professional dancers.
However, the Italian dancer was immediately axed from the show earlier this year after initially being confirmed for the 2024 series.
Following allegations of misconduct against him, Graziano revealed he would not be returning. A spokesperson for him confirmed that he kicked his 2023 dance partner Zara McDermott in rehearsals once. “There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right,” they stated.
In a statement, Graziano said he “deeply regrets” the events leading up to his exit. He also accepted that his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime”.
Jermaine Jenas sacked by BBC
Former BBC presenter Jermaine Jenas, who regularly hosted The One Show and Match of the Day, was suddenly sacked from the network in August after he was accused of sending “inappropriate messages” to two female colleagues.
“We can confirm Jermaine Jenas is no longer part of our presenting line-up,” a spokesperson for the BBC confirmed.
Responding to the news, Jermaine stated there were “two sides to every story” and was letting his “lawyers deal with it”.
Jermaine’s wife of 13 years, Ellie Penfold, with who he shares a daughter wife, admitted the past few months had been “incredibly hard”.
“Naturally this has been hard for me but my only concern has been our children and that will not change,” she told The Sun. “Now I just want to move forward.”
Months later, it was revealed that Jermaine had been replaced by Nicki Shields as host for Formula E after ITV signed a deal to broadcast the season.
Controversial TV Moments: Gregg Wallace quits MasterChef
Following allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people who had worked with him over the years, Gregg Wallace announced in November he would be stepping away from hosting MasterChef.
As the investigation continues to take place, Gregg has “committed to fully co-operating throughout the process”.
Despite his lawyers denying that he engages in behaviour of a sexually harassing nature, Gregg has since had more to say on the subject.
“I’ve been doing MasterChef for 20 years, amateur, celebrity and professional MasterChef, and I think, in that time, I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds, all walks of life,” he said on his Instagram Story.
“Apparently now, I’m reading in the paper, there’s been 13 complaints in that time. In the newspaper, I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age, just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right,” he continued.
Gregg then shared various screenshots of former contestants coming to his defense and showing their support.
Giovanni Pernice’s first TV interview since Amanda Abbington’s probe
In 2024, the scandal between Strictly stars Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice finally came to an end.
It all started when Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington accused Giovanni of behaving inappropriately behind the scenes. The BBC underwent a long investigation and Giovanni didn’t return to Strictly this year. In the end, the BBC cleared Giovanni of physical aggression towards Amanda. However, they upheld six of the 17 complaints.
In his first TV interview with Christine Lampard on Lorraine, Giovanni stated he was “relieved” the “most serious allegations were thrown out”. He added: “Yes, six has been upheld but 11 hasn’t been upheld, which is again, the most serious were not.”
“When it comes to that one upheld we got some allegation of verbal bullying, as we say, I adapt with the person that will go in front of me, and vice versa. I think this is life like this,” Giovanni continued.
“If you’re in the room and we decide one sort of relationship within us too, I feel safe at that time, we were OK with it and was fine. Never been a difficulty of “Please don’t say this to me”. And the other allegation that was me being frustrated, which I recognise.”
Giovanni stated that he “wouldn’t change my teaching style because it’s professional,” revealing he has “no regrets”. “It’s in the public domain that I’m a strict teacher,” he added.
Giovanni refused to answer about his other former dance partners speaking out as no other official complaints had been made.
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Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott split after five years recently, with the couple’s relationship being pulled into the spotlight in recent weeks.
Now, the real reason behind their split has seemingly been revealed.
Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott split
Earlier this month, it was reported that TV’s golden couple Sam and Zara had split after five years together.
A source alleged to the MailOnline: “Sam and Zara have ended their relationship. It’s been an incredibly difficult decision for them to part ways, they still care and have a lot of love for each other.
“But after a tough year of working hard at their romance, they have split. They will be focusing on their individual careers going forward into 2025,” they then continued.
“There has been no scandal or fallout between them, it’s just the result of a difficult year, where they both had to spend a lot of time focused on their own projects.”
‘Real’ reason Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott split revealed?
Now, according to a source speaking to The Sun, Sam and Zara reportedly split because Sam wasn’t “prioritising” their relationship.
“Zara never felt like she was the priority with Sam. He always seemed to find someone or something to put before her,” they said.
According to the source – allegedly a friend of the couple – Sam’s “immature” personality pushed the couple further apart when they were planning their future together.
This then led to them spending Christmas apart – before ending their relationship for good.
‘Things in the relationship weren’t right’
The source then continued.
“Zara loved Sam, but things in the relationship weren’t right. They are both selfish in their own right and want to be successful in business as individuals – but of course that comes at a price. Sam is very childish – it’s even become a part of his ‘showbiz persona’ – but Zara feels as though she’s getting older and wants to start being taken more seriously. She knows she’ll want to start a family soon, but Sam thinks they’re both way too young and should focus on their careers,” they then said.
They’re both quite insecure and that came with its own issues.
“Sam’s family felt Zara didn’t make good choices and so they couldn’t see him with her long term. They’re both quite insecure and that came with its own issues. After her affair it built a wedge with Sam’s family and Sam looked at them for their approval. It was always an uphill battle to prove she had changed. Sadly they ended up growing apart rather than together and their relationship became more like friends who are housemates rather than lovers,” they then added.
ED! has contacted Zara and Sam’s reps for comment.
Read more: Sam Thompson finally breaks silence on split from Zara McDermott: ‘It’s been a really tough month’
Are you sad about Sam Thompson and Zara McDermott’s break-up? Follow our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know your thoughts!
Entertainment
Inside Denise Welch and Lincoln Townley’s vast fortune after selling £20m art collection
Self-taught artist Lincoln Townley sold 22 paintings in 2020 for a whopping £20 million fortune, seven years after marrying television’s Denise Welch.
He cited billionaires like Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk as inspiration for the collection, which was called Universe.
Actor Michael Caine once referred to Townley as the “next Andy Warhol”. Warhol popularised a style known as “pop art”, which involves often simple, repeated images, and deliberately regurgitates iconic images from pop culture, such as the faces of celebrities or brand logos.
Lincoln Townley is 14 years younger than Denise Welch, who is his second wife after a months-long union with Beverley Scales in 1992.
Lincoln and Denise’s ‘unsustainable’ relationship beginnings
When he met Denise in 2012, Lincoln Townley was a man on the edge.
Peter Stringfellow had just fired him from the role of sales director of his exclusive – and expensive – West End nightclub.
He was drinking heavily. Heavily.
The Times wrote in January 2024 that he would drink: two bottles of rioja, three chocolate martinis, four bottles of Stella Artois, a bottle of beaujolais, nine vodka and tonics and snort a gram of coke – by 3pm each day.
For her part, Denise “couldn’t see the red flags,” Lincoln told the paper. Because she was in that world herself.
She’d recently separated from her husband, actor Tim Healy. She and Lincoln drank and fought in a way that was, by his own description, “unsustainable”.
He went cold turkey, shirking Alcoholics Anonymous in favour of simple self-discipline. When he showed Denise a video he’d recorded of her “smashing up his flat in a drunken rage,” she did the same.
“That day was the start of us channelling that dark energy into good things,” he told the Times. “And look at the life we have now.”
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at [email protected], or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
Denise Welch and Lincoln Townley’s £20 million fortune after Universe art sale
In 2020, during the height of the covid-19 pandemic, Lincoln Townley sold a collection of 22 paintings for a total of £20 million.
Investors used cryptocurrency to buy many of the pieces. The Saatchi gallery then exhibited them for a period towards the end of the year.
Lincoln took inspiration from billionaire space-faring projects for his Universe collection. He cites “visionaries” like Elon Musk, Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos, specifically, as his muses.
“These people are masters of the universe,” The Sun quotes him as saying, at the time.
“I wanted to expand my own creative ideas by creating extremely colourful pictures of achievement and look at the images of the first man on Mars, the first disco on Mars, the first banker on Venus.”
Among the many art pieces Lincoln has sold during his career are a diamond-encrusted portrait of Princess Diana (£1 million) and a painting of Muhammed Ali (£510,000).
The Diana painting featured more than £100,000 worth of diamonds. Its frame alone contains £20,000 worth of sapphires.
Lincoln’s £7 million luxury Chelsea penthouse featuring artworks
In 2019, before raking in £20 million for his Universe collection, Lincoln Townley splashed out on a luxury Chelsea penthouse worth £7 million.
He bought it with the proceeds of his previous Behind The Mask La Biennale and Greed collections, reports MailOnline.
Lincoln wanted to use the house a “unique way to sell art”, and reckoned it was a “world’s first”.
“I am a big believer than no one can sell my art better than I can,” he told the outlet.
“I do have works with some galleries but I am not exclusive to anyone and I’ve always explored alternate markets such as the crypto world and sales generated via social media and online.”
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Fans of The Traitors believe Minah is playing the game so incredibly well.
The 29-year-old call centre manager from Liverpool was chosen to be one of three Traitors by host Claudia Winkleman in this series during the first episode. As she continues to breeze through the game, she remains one of the few contestants to not have been questioned.
The Traitors fans believe Minah ‘deserves an Oscar’
During Friday night’s (January 10) episode, Linda, another Traitor, found herself in the firing line at the round table. However, in order to protect her, Minah deflected from Linda and made the group focus on Dan.
As a result, Dan was targeted and ended up receiving the most votes to be eliminated from the game. Revealing to the group that he was a Faithful, the remaining Faithfuls were one member down again.
Viewers, however, were impressed with Minah’s deflecting skills and believe she is playing a blinder.
“Minah can act. It’s quite terrifying,” one user wrote on X.
“I’ll say this every single night, Minah is too good at this game, the heat is off Linda,” another person shared.
“Oh Minah deflecting from Linda to Dan is a MASTERCLASS in Traitorism,” a third remarked.
“Give Minah an Oscar! I want her to make it all the way,” a fourth viewer insisted.
“Minah deserves the win so much, i hope she gets it,” a fifth person said.
“Give Minah an BAFTA, an Oscar an Emmy all the awards tbh,” a sixth user shared.
Minah’s plan to ‘get to the money’
In her interview with the BBC ahead of the series launch, Minah stated that she had a similar personality to series two winner Harry.
“In this game I will cheer everyone on in the Missions to get them done and to get the money. Secretly you’re thinking, I need this lot to work hard to earn my money that I’m going to take at the end!” she said.
When asked how far she is willing to go to win the game, Minah revealed: “I’m naturally very competitive and because I always want to win, I’d do anything. But I also like to be honest with people and I think I’d struggle betraying people I’d become close to. I think in the back of my mind though I’d think I’m doing this for my family and that trumps any of the friendships I might possibly make.”
Read more: The Traitors: Claudia Winkleman reveals injury on set that resulted in being treated by a vet
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