Controversial comedian Jim Davidson has become a surprise winner of Celebrity Big Brother 2014, beating N Dubz rapper Dappy in the live final on Wednesday night.
Reported by Independent 12 hours ago.
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Jim Davidson wins Celebrity Big Brother 2014 final
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Jim Davidson wins Celebrity Big Brother 2014
This is Plymouth -- Jim Davidson, who once refused to go on stage in Plymouth because he objected to wheelchair users in the front row in his stand-up act, has won Celebrity Big Brother 2014. Comedian Davidson beat former N-Dubz singer Dappy to win the Channel 5 show on viewer votes. Davidson was due to enter the house last year but was unable to as police were investigation allegations against him. The last of the investigations ended in December when the attorney general of the Falkland Islands saidthe 60-year-old would not be prosecuted for an alleged sex offences said to have happened when he was entertaining troops in the 1980s. Rapper Dappy was beaten into second place in the public vote and said Davidson "had become a father figure to him during the show" Luisa Zissman, former apprentice contestant and another celebrity in the house, had a number of rows with Davidson during the show - branding him sexist. He also rowed with singer Linda Nolan in the house, but was popular with viewers and survived a number of eviction votes. The show attracted audiences of around two million people and was extended by five days. Former Made In Chelsea star Ollie Locke finished third, Luisa Zissman fourth, TOWIE's Sam Faiers and glamour model Casey Batchelor were also finalists. In 2003 Jim Davidson refused to take to the stage at Plymouth Pavilions while people in wheelchairs were in the front row. A spokesman for the Plymouth Pavilions said at the time: "Jim Davidson apparently took exception to a number of wheelchair users in the front stalls of the Pavilions Arena. "Mr Davidson cited the fact that a proportion of his act was aimed at disabled customers and that he would be unable to perform under these circumstances." In a statement at the time Davidson said: "As all the people in the front row were in wheelchairs I feared it would appear I was specifically targeting disabled people. I asked if just some would mind moving. "Much of my act depends upon audience reaction and in fact one part of the show involves getting the audience to gang up against the front row."
Reported by This is 12 hours ago.
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Celebrity Big Brother winner Jim Davidson to appear in Essex
This is Essex -- Comedian and Celebrity Big Brother winner Jim Davidson is set to travel around Essex as he returns to the day job. The entertainer, who has been out of favour for the last decade, shot back into the limelight with his antics on the Channel 5, winning the hearts of its three million viewers. Davidson took part in the show one year later than planned after he was forced to pull out following his arrest on allegations of historical sex offences. He will be joined by musician Richard Digance at the Towngate Theatre as part of their 'Together Again Tour' on Saturday February 1 at 7.30pm. They will present a unique show with a mix of comedy and music. As usual Jim will be exploring the most controversial topics of the day with his very own view on life. Whilst Richard, fresh from his hugely successful season at The Edinburgh Festival, will work his way through one of the most entertaining repertoires anyone could ever wish to see. The duo appeared together many times throughout the 80s, travelling the world, often to entertain UK troops.
Reported by This is 11 hours ago.
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Jim Davidson wins Celebrity Big Brother, and hits back at sex claims
This is Devon -- Comic Jim Davidson has won Celebrity Big Brother and hit back at sex claims against him, saying: "Truth will conquer all." The comedian, who once refused to go on stage in Plymouth because he objected to wheelchair users in the front row in his stand-up act, described his victory as "overwhelming", and said he should have been in the last series of the show but was unable to do so after being arrested on suspicion of historic sexual offences. He was told last year that he would face no further action in the UK. In an interview with host Emma Willis, he said: "I should have gone in last year but I was unavoidably detained." Speaking of the accusations made against him, Davidson said: "I'm slightly damaged because of that. Truth will conquer all." Davidson was hotly tipped to win, with William Hill making him the 2-9 favourite to come out victorious. He beat former N-Dubz singer Dappy into second place. Dappy, whose real name is Costadinos Contostavlos, had his former bandmate and cousin Tulisa in the crowd and called Davidson "dad" in his interview with Willis. He said: "Not in a million years did I think I'd come second." When asked about his friendship with The Apprentice star Luisa Zissman, he said she was a "beautiful girl", adding: "I mean, look at her, she's a stunner." Former Made In Chelsea star Ollie Locke finished third and said: "I literally have had the most bizarre experience of my entire life." When asked what the best thing about his time in the house was, he said "my beautiful Sam", in reference to fellow housemate Sam Faiers. Zissman was in fourth place but said she thought she would be "out in a week". She said she was "upfront", adding that she was "probably a bit harsh on Ollie". The businesswoman said: "I don't care what people think of me and I think more people should go through life like that." The Only Way Is Essex star Faiers came fifth and said everyone was "amazing" when she was ill during her stay in the house. The reality TV star said she disliked missing out on the partying her fellow housemates enjoyed. "I was gutted I couldn't drink," she said. When quizzed, Faiers said Locke could "potentially" be a new boyfriend after they formed a close friendship in the house. Glamour model Casey Batchelor was the first person to be evicted tonight, and on her exit she said: "My only goal was to get to the final." She found herself part of a love triangle during her time in the house with Blue singer Lee Ryan and American actress Jasmine Waltz. "I was smitten by Lee," she said, before adding: "Not no more though." She went on to say that she is not in love with Lee as she has not known him long enough, and said that she is going to look at her experience as a lesson in love, adding that she will "try to be stronger". The show has been a ratings hit for Channel 5, regularly pulling in audiences of more than two million.
Reported by This is 12 hours ago.
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Jim Davidson's Celebrity Big Brother win nick nicks 3 million viewers
As the comedian beats rapper Dappy on Channel 5, 4.8 million tune in to Outnumbered's return to BBC1
More than 3 million viewers watched Jim Davidson win the final of Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother on Wednesday night.
The celebrity variant of the reality show, which is now into its 13th series and sixth since the Big Brother format was picked up by Channel 5 after being dumped by Channel 4, had 3.2 million viewers, a 14.2% share of the audience between 9pm and 11pm for Wednesday night's live final.
Davidson beat Dappy into second place in the show, the climax to a series which many critics said was a return to form for the show, which first aired on Channel 4 in 2001. It had a 15 minute peak of 3.8 million viewers from 10pm.
The series has offered up diminishing returns over the years but this year's casting, which also included former world heavyweight boxer Evander Holyfield, Daily Mail columnist Liz Jones and Apprentice runner-up Luisa Zissman, was seen as key to its renewed appeal.
Last January's series finale averaged 3.2 million and a 14.6% share, while Celebrity Big Brother's first Channel 5 outing ended with 2.9 million, a 13.8% share, in September 2011.
On Wednesday night Celebrity Big Brother had the better of the channel which turned its back on it, Channel 4, which had 2.1 million viewers for its observational documentary series, 24 Hours in A&E.
The accident and emergency show was also beaten by BBC2 documentary Horizon: Sugar v Fat, which had 2.5 million viewers (10%) between 9pm and 10pm.
Channel 4's own celebrity reality show, winter sports series The Jump, had 2.2 million viewers, an 8.9% share, between 8pm and 9pm.
*Outnumbered. By Outnumbered*
Celebrity Big Brother was also up against the return of BBC1 sitcom Outnumbered for its final series, watched by 4.8 million viewers, an 18.9% share, between 9pm and 9.30pm.
Over on ITV, the heart of its peaktime schedule was taken up by another outing for Midsomer Murders, seen by 5.4 million viewers (21.6%) between 8pm and 10pm.
**All ratings are **Barb** overnight figures, including live, +1 (except for BBC channels) and same day timeshifted (recorded) viewing, but excluding on demand, or other – unless otherwise stated. Figures for BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 generally include ratings for their HD simulcast services, unless otherwise stated**
• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@theguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook. Reported by guardian.co.uk 11 hours ago.
More than 3 million viewers watched Jim Davidson win the final of Channel 5's Celebrity Big Brother on Wednesday night.
The celebrity variant of the reality show, which is now into its 13th series and sixth since the Big Brother format was picked up by Channel 5 after being dumped by Channel 4, had 3.2 million viewers, a 14.2% share of the audience between 9pm and 11pm for Wednesday night's live final.
Davidson beat Dappy into second place in the show, the climax to a series which many critics said was a return to form for the show, which first aired on Channel 4 in 2001. It had a 15 minute peak of 3.8 million viewers from 10pm.
The series has offered up diminishing returns over the years but this year's casting, which also included former world heavyweight boxer Evander Holyfield, Daily Mail columnist Liz Jones and Apprentice runner-up Luisa Zissman, was seen as key to its renewed appeal.
Last January's series finale averaged 3.2 million and a 14.6% share, while Celebrity Big Brother's first Channel 5 outing ended with 2.9 million, a 13.8% share, in September 2011.
On Wednesday night Celebrity Big Brother had the better of the channel which turned its back on it, Channel 4, which had 2.1 million viewers for its observational documentary series, 24 Hours in A&E.
The accident and emergency show was also beaten by BBC2 documentary Horizon: Sugar v Fat, which had 2.5 million viewers (10%) between 9pm and 10pm.
Channel 4's own celebrity reality show, winter sports series The Jump, had 2.2 million viewers, an 8.9% share, between 8pm and 9pm.
*Outnumbered. By Outnumbered*
Celebrity Big Brother was also up against the return of BBC1 sitcom Outnumbered for its final series, watched by 4.8 million viewers, an 18.9% share, between 9pm and 9.30pm.
Over on ITV, the heart of its peaktime schedule was taken up by another outing for Midsomer Murders, seen by 5.4 million viewers (21.6%) between 8pm and 10pm.
**All ratings are **Barb** overnight figures, including live, +1 (except for BBC channels) and same day timeshifted (recorded) viewing, but excluding on demand, or other – unless otherwise stated. Figures for BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5 generally include ratings for their HD simulcast services, unless otherwise stated**
• To contact the MediaGuardian news desk email media@theguardian.com or phone 020 3353 3857. For all other inquiries please call the main Guardian switchboard on 020 3353 2000. If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".
• To get the latest media news to your desktop or mobile, follow MediaGuardian on Twitter and Facebook. Reported by guardian.co.uk 11 hours ago.
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Sam Faiers wants Ollie Locke date
Sam Faiers has admitted that she would like to go on a date with her former Celebrity Big Brother housemate Ollie Locke.
Reported by Express and Star 11 hours ago.
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Tulisa cheers, prays for Dappy at Celebrity Big Brother final - pictures
N-Dubz star supports bandmate as Channel 5 show comes to an end.
Reported by Digital Spy 11 hours ago.
Reported by Digital Spy 11 hours ago.
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Jim Davidson wins Big Brother
This is Somerset -- Comic Jim Davidson won Celebrity Big Brother and hit back at sex claims against him, saying: "Truth will conquer all." The comedian, who described his victory as "overwhelming", said he should have been in the last series of the show but was unable to do so after being arrested on suspicion of historic sexual offences. He was told last year that he would face no further action in the UK. In an interview with host Emma Willis after last night's win, he said: "I should have gone in last year but I was unavoidably detained." Speaking of the accusations made against him, Davidson said: "I'm slightly damaged because of that. Truth will conquer all." Davidson was hotly tipped to win, with William Hill making him the 2-9 favourite to come out victorious. He beat former N-Dubz singer Dappy into second place. Dappy, whose real name is Costadinos Contostavlos, had his former bandmate and cousin Tulisa in the crowd and called Davidson "dad" in his interview with Willis. He said: "Not in a million years did I think I'd come second." When asked about his friendship with The Apprentice star Luisa Zissman, he said she was a "beautiful girl", adding: "I mean, look at her, she's a stunner." Former Made In Chelsea star Ollie Locke finished third and said: "I literally have had the most bizarre experience of my entire life." When asked what the best thing about his time in the house was, he said "my beautiful Sam", in reference to fellow housemate Sam Faiers. Zissman was in fourth place but said she thought she would be "out in a week". She said she was "upfront", adding that she was "probably a bit harsh on Ollie". The businesswoman said: "I don't care what people think of me and I think more people should go through life like that." The Only Way Is Essex star Faiers came fifth and said everyone was "amazing" when she was ill during her stay in the house. The reality TV star said she disliked missing out on the partying her fellow housemates enjoyed. "I was gutted I couldn't drink," she said. When quizzed, Faiers said Locke could "potentially" be a new boyfriend after they formed a close friendship in the house. Glamour model Casey Batchelor was the first person to be evicted last night, and on her exit she said: "My only goal was to get to the final."She found herself part of a love triangle during her time in the house with Blue singer Lee Ryan and American actress Jasmine Waltz. "I was smitten by Lee," she said, before adding: "Not no more though." She went on to say that she is not in love with Lee as she has not known him long enough, and said that she is going to look at her experience as a lesson in love, adding that she will "try to be stronger". The show has been a ratings hit for Channel 5, regularly pulling in audiences of more than two million.
Reported by This is 10 hours ago.
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Torquay delight at Jim Davidison Celeb Big Brother win
This is South Devon -- FORMER Herald Express columnist Jim Davidson has won celebrity Big Brother. The comedian who has been a regular performer in Torquay for decades won the most votes in what critics are saying has been the most explosive series ever. Jim, 59, was due to appear in the Channel Five show last year but his appearance was halted by his arrest on suspicion of historic sex offences. He was told in August he would not be facing charges over the allegations dating back more than 20 years. He told presenter Emma Willis in his winner's interview: "I should have gone in last year but I was unavoidably detained. "I'm slightly damaged because of that. Truth will conquer all." Torquay dancer and former girlfriend Jo Urch, 41, had a year-long relationship with the star when she was 16 about 25 years ago. She has stood by the 'perfect gent' throughout the allegations and is delighted at his win. She said: "I am so delighted for Jim and his family, it will be such a boost for him after an horrendous year. "He is a gent, yes, he can be grumpy and it is no secret that he had an eye for the ladies but people have seen the Jim I know. "I know he is going to be bust for a while but I am going to get in touch to send on my congratulations." Five months ago, the Crown Prosecution Service announced Davidson would face no further action over alleged offences committed in the UK. In December, the attorney general of the Falkland Islands confirmed the 60-year-old would not be prosecuted for an alleged sex offence from the 1980s. Jo said that she also knew Jim's Big Brother adversary Linda Nolan and Lionel Blair during her early career as a dancer. She said: "Linda is lovely but for some reason did not come across that way. "Lionel I knew because I went to school with his daughter Lucy, he's a perfect gent." Rapper Dappy, finished second. He said that Jim had become a father figure to him during the show. Apprentice star Luisa Zissman had a number of clashes with Jim during which she branded him sexist. She later said she had come to see him differently.
Reported by This is 10 hours ago.
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How did Jim Davidson win Celebrity Big Brother?
Of all the housemates this year, it was the controversial comedian Jim Davidson whom the public found the most adorable. So is he a changed man?
*Name:* Jim Davidson
*Age:* 60
*Appearance:* Ruddy, tubby, encased in tweed. The sort of person who hangs out in village pubs waiting to tell strangers what he thinks about things.
*Really? Jim Davidson is still around?* More than that. He has just won this year's Celebrity Big Brother.
*Really? Celebrity Big Brother is still around?* It is, but it has been on Channel 5 for a while now so, unless you're really into documentaries about trucks and Nazis, you might have missed it.
*Hang on. Jim Davidson won something? In 2014? And it wasn't a Figure From The Past Who We're Retrospectively Ashamed Of Making Famous competition?* Correct. Of all the Celebrity Big Brother housemates this year, it was Jim Davidson whom the public found the most adorable.
*The Jim Davidson who did unflattering impersonations of West Indians in the 1970s? The Jim Davidson who was asked to leave Hell's Kitchen in 2007 for calling Brian Dowling a "shirtlifter"? The Jim Davidson alleged to have repeatedly beaten his ex-wife Alison Holloway?* That's him. He also presented Big Break, though, which was fun if you liked snooker and thought novelty waistcoasts were hilarious.
*Yikes. If he was the best of the bunch, who was he up against?* Well, there were tabloid bad boys Lee Ryan from Blue and Dappy from N-Dubz.
*I see.* And Liz Jones. And the shrill one from the last series of The Apprentice. And Lionel Blair, who is probably quite objectionable if you hate tapdancing and/or mime.
*This is all starting to make sense. Still, Jim Davidson won?* To be fair, age does appear to have softened him a little. At one point, for instance, he told bisexual housemate Ollie Locke that "I just want you to be happy".
*Fine, he's a changed man. So what's next?* For Jim? At a guess, probably a Channel 5 reality show that runs for two years until he says something awful about gay people again.
*And for Celebrity Big Brother?* Four words: Nigel Farage next year.
*Last question: are we all doomed?* Yes.
*Do say:* "Everyone deserves a second chance."
*Don't say:* "But, Jim, isn't this, like, your millionth chance?" Reported by guardian.co.uk 10 hours ago.
*Name:* Jim Davidson
*Age:* 60
*Appearance:* Ruddy, tubby, encased in tweed. The sort of person who hangs out in village pubs waiting to tell strangers what he thinks about things.
*Really? Jim Davidson is still around?* More than that. He has just won this year's Celebrity Big Brother.
*Really? Celebrity Big Brother is still around?* It is, but it has been on Channel 5 for a while now so, unless you're really into documentaries about trucks and Nazis, you might have missed it.
*Hang on. Jim Davidson won something? In 2014? And it wasn't a Figure From The Past Who We're Retrospectively Ashamed Of Making Famous competition?* Correct. Of all the Celebrity Big Brother housemates this year, it was Jim Davidson whom the public found the most adorable.
*The Jim Davidson who did unflattering impersonations of West Indians in the 1970s? The Jim Davidson who was asked to leave Hell's Kitchen in 2007 for calling Brian Dowling a "shirtlifter"? The Jim Davidson alleged to have repeatedly beaten his ex-wife Alison Holloway?* That's him. He also presented Big Break, though, which was fun if you liked snooker and thought novelty waistcoasts were hilarious.
*Yikes. If he was the best of the bunch, who was he up against?* Well, there were tabloid bad boys Lee Ryan from Blue and Dappy from N-Dubz.
*I see.* And Liz Jones. And the shrill one from the last series of The Apprentice. And Lionel Blair, who is probably quite objectionable if you hate tapdancing and/or mime.
*This is all starting to make sense. Still, Jim Davidson won?* To be fair, age does appear to have softened him a little. At one point, for instance, he told bisexual housemate Ollie Locke that "I just want you to be happy".
*Fine, he's a changed man. So what's next?* For Jim? At a guess, probably a Channel 5 reality show that runs for two years until he says something awful about gay people again.
*And for Celebrity Big Brother?* Four words: Nigel Farage next year.
*Last question: are we all doomed?* Yes.
*Do say:* "Everyone deserves a second chance."
*Don't say:* "But, Jim, isn't this, like, your millionth chance?" Reported by guardian.co.uk 10 hours ago.
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CBB wrap party: Love rat Lee spotted flirting with Casey as Jamine parties with Tulisa
DESPITE facing a public grilling live on television from gorgeous Celebrity Big Brother host Emma Willis, it seems like Lee Ryan still hasn't picked between housemate hotties Jasmine Waltz and Casey Batchelor.
Reported by Daily Star 10 hours ago.
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CBB winner Jim says he felt like Brody in Homeland – a prisoner of war
CELEBRITY Big Brother champ Jim Davidson has compared his life on the show to being a prisoner of war.
Reported by Daily Star 6 hours ago.
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When is the next Celebrity Big Brother? Start date, rumoured contestants and much more
This series of Celebrity Big Brother may be over but the next one is already on people's minds.Comedian Jim Davidson romped the victory during this
Reported by CapitalBay 5 hours ago.
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How Richard Desmond reversed Jim Davidson's fortunes
The discarded Davidson might never have been brought back to us were it not for the Channel 5 boss giving him a chance on Celebrity Big Brother. Now he's flavour of the month
Gold: Jim Davidson. Silver: Dappy. Bronze: that mahogany-effect cabinet out of Made in Chelsea. Have you ever seen a winner's podium so historically inspiring?
Yes, some might say – Mexico City, 1968, when the momentous civil rights salute given by US sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos was quietly yet determinedly supported by the Australian silver medallist Peter Norman. But few records are unbreakable, and I think we all saw something rather special happen at Elstree Studios on Wednesday night. Which is to say, those who actually saw it did.
To the illustrious finale of this year's Celebrity Big Brother, then, in which Channel 5 helped a grateful nation to come to terms with the injustices it had visited on Jim Davidson. When the television history books come to be written – probably by Professor Dappington Contostavlos of the University of Sheffield – it will be clear that Britain discarded Davidson with shameful haste, permitting the not-very-funny funnyman just two-and-a-half decades of primetime television before wondering whether it might not be someone else's turn.
One man may well be credited with his rescue – and that man, of course, is Channel 5 boss Richard Desmond.
Yes, it is increasingly apparent that Richard saw his own humiliating exposure at the Leveson inquiry as a sort of personal Profumo scandal – in that, rather in the manner of that disgraced politician, he realised he must now devote himself to public service to atone for all the horrors and lies his newspaper titles visited so obsessively on the parents of Madeleine McCann and so on. His first quiet triumph in this redemptive quest has been the rehabilitation of the aforementioned fallen comic, and the air now buzzes with rumour that Davidson will be given his own Channel 5 chatshow. More on that tantalising possibility shortly.
Alas, such is the way of the modern world that the air also buzzes with conspiracies as to how Jim's CBB win happened, despite the fact that, within the strict confines of the show, he was the most obvious victor. Davidson was edited suspiciously flatteringly, claim these conspiracists, who refer pointedly to a blogpost he wrote back in November last year.
"Contrary to reports I have not been approached to enter the Big Brother house," this ran. "Not saying that I wouldn't go in, just saying I haven't been asked. My friend Richard Desmond owns Channel 5 and what he says goes, he is too scary to argue with. I've tried that and lost. The phone line wasn't good but I think he called me a currant!"
It goes without saying that any Davidson chatshow would be more watchable – for whatever reason – than almost every monotonously smug panel show now littering the schedules. Alas, with Desmond angling to sell Channel 5, you have to think it would be a one-series wonder, with its demise broken to Davidson in a meeting resembling that between Alan Partridge and incoming BBC controller Tony Hayers. "You are someone who has a proven track record for making mostly bad television programmes …"
But while Desmond is still having his bananas salvered to him in the Channel 5 boss's office, perhaps he could continue his revivalist mission by bringing back Play for Today, with the curtain raiser in the new series being an adapted-for-TV version of Davidson's own recent theatrical work, Stand Up and Be Counted. Remember this one? It was about a bigoted, out-of-favour comedian who has his prejudices challenged by the next generation and comes to realise his jokes have consequences. When it was pulled after poor ticket sales, Davidson said he was "already in talks with several West End producers and theatre owners"– so perhaps those epic discussions might finally draw to a positive conclusion now he is flavour of the month.
Before the play folded, though, this apparently Damascene conversion garnered Jim plenty of comparatively favourable attention. "In the play, my character is made to realise that he can't just carry on as he was," Davidson told this newspaper, "but the question is whether he is genuinely remorseful or just faking it to be famous."
Indeed that IS the question, given that the latter possibility would contrive to be even more cynical than the straight-up bigotry of yesteryear.
As for the answer to the inquiry, you must be the judge. On the one hand, Davidson was the Star Trek fan who cried when he discovered that Patrick Stewart was a Labour voter. On the other, he is far from an entirely stupid man, certainly not by the standards of most Big Brother contestants, compared with whom many amoeba take on the intellectual sheen of Mary Warnock. Either way, he has certainly learned what plays better with the audiences who now matter, and which parts of what he is thinking should actually be voiced. For instance, these days, when discussing the matter of his self-imposed exile to Dubai, New Jim emphasises his eventual return with appealing wryness, claiming it was precipitated by Lord Ashcroft asking him: "Don't you have to be rich to be a tax exile?" Or as Old Jim put it just when he nicked off there just a few years previously: "I may as well go to Dubai and be an ethnic minority there, than wait five years and be one here."
You don't hear an awful lot about New Jim's talent for domestic violence either, though Old Jim was at pains to emphasise this comic turn. "On the first occasion," he recalled in his autobiography of one of his marriages, "I poked her in the eye by accident. I actually went for the mouth. Thank heaven I missed, I'd have fallen in. I just took a playful punch. Unfortunately I caught her completely wrong. The second time I gave her a shiner. I threw a bunch of keys which whacked her in the eye. Just for a giggle she kept blackening it up to make it look worse."
Perhaps he could book Gloria Steinem for the chatshow – or indeed, Patrick Stewart, who is a patron of Refuge. After all, as New Jim put it on victorious emergence from the Celebrity Big Brother house: "Truth will conquer all." And if that sounds like the trailer line for an amusingly miscast superhero movie, then so be it. Sometimes you just have to stop fighting and settle in with the popcorn. Reported by guardian.co.uk 4 hours ago.
Gold: Jim Davidson. Silver: Dappy. Bronze: that mahogany-effect cabinet out of Made in Chelsea. Have you ever seen a winner's podium so historically inspiring?
Yes, some might say – Mexico City, 1968, when the momentous civil rights salute given by US sprinters Tommie Smith and John Carlos was quietly yet determinedly supported by the Australian silver medallist Peter Norman. But few records are unbreakable, and I think we all saw something rather special happen at Elstree Studios on Wednesday night. Which is to say, those who actually saw it did.
To the illustrious finale of this year's Celebrity Big Brother, then, in which Channel 5 helped a grateful nation to come to terms with the injustices it had visited on Jim Davidson. When the television history books come to be written – probably by Professor Dappington Contostavlos of the University of Sheffield – it will be clear that Britain discarded Davidson with shameful haste, permitting the not-very-funny funnyman just two-and-a-half decades of primetime television before wondering whether it might not be someone else's turn.
One man may well be credited with his rescue – and that man, of course, is Channel 5 boss Richard Desmond.
Yes, it is increasingly apparent that Richard saw his own humiliating exposure at the Leveson inquiry as a sort of personal Profumo scandal – in that, rather in the manner of that disgraced politician, he realised he must now devote himself to public service to atone for all the horrors and lies his newspaper titles visited so obsessively on the parents of Madeleine McCann and so on. His first quiet triumph in this redemptive quest has been the rehabilitation of the aforementioned fallen comic, and the air now buzzes with rumour that Davidson will be given his own Channel 5 chatshow. More on that tantalising possibility shortly.
Alas, such is the way of the modern world that the air also buzzes with conspiracies as to how Jim's CBB win happened, despite the fact that, within the strict confines of the show, he was the most obvious victor. Davidson was edited suspiciously flatteringly, claim these conspiracists, who refer pointedly to a blogpost he wrote back in November last year.
"Contrary to reports I have not been approached to enter the Big Brother house," this ran. "Not saying that I wouldn't go in, just saying I haven't been asked. My friend Richard Desmond owns Channel 5 and what he says goes, he is too scary to argue with. I've tried that and lost. The phone line wasn't good but I think he called me a currant!"
It goes without saying that any Davidson chatshow would be more watchable – for whatever reason – than almost every monotonously smug panel show now littering the schedules. Alas, with Desmond angling to sell Channel 5, you have to think it would be a one-series wonder, with its demise broken to Davidson in a meeting resembling that between Alan Partridge and incoming BBC controller Tony Hayers. "You are someone who has a proven track record for making mostly bad television programmes …"
But while Desmond is still having his bananas salvered to him in the Channel 5 boss's office, perhaps he could continue his revivalist mission by bringing back Play for Today, with the curtain raiser in the new series being an adapted-for-TV version of Davidson's own recent theatrical work, Stand Up and Be Counted. Remember this one? It was about a bigoted, out-of-favour comedian who has his prejudices challenged by the next generation and comes to realise his jokes have consequences. When it was pulled after poor ticket sales, Davidson said he was "already in talks with several West End producers and theatre owners"– so perhaps those epic discussions might finally draw to a positive conclusion now he is flavour of the month.
Before the play folded, though, this apparently Damascene conversion garnered Jim plenty of comparatively favourable attention. "In the play, my character is made to realise that he can't just carry on as he was," Davidson told this newspaper, "but the question is whether he is genuinely remorseful or just faking it to be famous."
Indeed that IS the question, given that the latter possibility would contrive to be even more cynical than the straight-up bigotry of yesteryear.
As for the answer to the inquiry, you must be the judge. On the one hand, Davidson was the Star Trek fan who cried when he discovered that Patrick Stewart was a Labour voter. On the other, he is far from an entirely stupid man, certainly not by the standards of most Big Brother contestants, compared with whom many amoeba take on the intellectual sheen of Mary Warnock. Either way, he has certainly learned what plays better with the audiences who now matter, and which parts of what he is thinking should actually be voiced. For instance, these days, when discussing the matter of his self-imposed exile to Dubai, New Jim emphasises his eventual return with appealing wryness, claiming it was precipitated by Lord Ashcroft asking him: "Don't you have to be rich to be a tax exile?" Or as Old Jim put it just when he nicked off there just a few years previously: "I may as well go to Dubai and be an ethnic minority there, than wait five years and be one here."
You don't hear an awful lot about New Jim's talent for domestic violence either, though Old Jim was at pains to emphasise this comic turn. "On the first occasion," he recalled in his autobiography of one of his marriages, "I poked her in the eye by accident. I actually went for the mouth. Thank heaven I missed, I'd have fallen in. I just took a playful punch. Unfortunately I caught her completely wrong. The second time I gave her a shiner. I threw a bunch of keys which whacked her in the eye. Just for a giggle she kept blackening it up to make it look worse."
Perhaps he could book Gloria Steinem for the chatshow – or indeed, Patrick Stewart, who is a patron of Refuge. After all, as New Jim put it on victorious emergence from the Celebrity Big Brother house: "Truth will conquer all." And if that sounds like the trailer line for an amusingly miscast superhero movie, then so be it. Sometimes you just have to stop fighting and settle in with the popcorn. Reported by guardian.co.uk 4 hours ago.
↧
Chantelle Houghton flaunts her svelte figure and dotes on baby dolly on mother and daughter day out
Former Celebrity Big Brother star spends quality time with her adorable mini-me
Reported by OK! 40 minutes ago.
↧
Courtney Stodden wears an actual thong to the beach, suffers big fake tan fail
Celebrity Big Brother brunette poses up a storm in LA bikini pictures
Reported by OK! 8 hours ago.
↧
Luisa Zissman reveals all on her lesbian romp with Jasmine Waltz, admits 'We were like two crazy b*****s'
Celebrity Big Brother wild child admits 'We did a lot, lot, lot more' than viewers saw
Reported by OK! 6 hours ago.
↧
↧
Saucy Celebrity Big Brother ruled best year ever after ratings boom
THIS year’s Celebrity Big Brother was last night ruled the best ever, after 3.8million viewers tuned into the final.
Reported by Daily Star 20 hours ago.
↧
EXCLUSIVE: Celebrity Big Brother winner Jim Davidson thanks British public for votes
JIM Davidson has thanked the British public for backing him after his “year of hell”.
Reported by Daily Star 20 hours ago.
↧
Today's media stories from the papers
Our roundup of the day's media stories, including Andy Gray's BT prospects threatened and latest phone-hacking trial coverage
If you are viewing this on the web and would like to get our email every morning, please click here
*Top eight stories on MediaGuardian*
*Andy Gray's BT hopes threatened by new video*
Footage has emerged of Andy Gray and Richard Keys making sexist comments to Sky Sports presenter Claire Tomlinson
*Dan Evans challenged over Sienna Miller tape*
Lawyer for former NoW editor questions reporter on details of 'love' voicemail sent from Miller to actor Daniel Craig
*BSkyB profits hit by cost of Premier League*
Satellite giant's total revenues rose by 6.3% in the six months to the end of December, but pre-tax profits fell 18% to £527m
*Washington Post to expand*
Extra staff to be hired to boost both print and online
*
Last.fm plots streaming music comeback*
CBS-owned site now offers songs on-demand in 55 countries, backed by videos and scrobbling
*Celebrity Big Brother final draws 3m*
TV ratings: As the comedian beats rapper Dappy on Channel 5, 4.8 million tune in to Outnumbered's return to BBC1
*Viral Video: Super Bowl, and Taylor Swift*
David Attenborough on wildlife in pubs and nightclubs, getting a kick out of the NFL – and danger at the Grammy Awards
*
LBC to go national on DAB digital radio*
Owner Global Radio to invest millions in talk station, whose presenters include Nick Ferrari, Boris Johnson and Nick Clegg
*Top comment on MediaGuardian*
*A 'patriotic' state-owned ABC would not serve Australia's best interests*
Margaret Simons: For Tony Abbott to berate the ABC for not being on 'Australia's side' and ask them to bat for the home team is bad media policy. Why? It simply doesn't work
*Today's headlines*
*The Guardian*
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P15
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P17
Google refreshes its search for the future. P31
BSkyB profits fall after battle for football rights. P33
Sky signs Super League TV deal until 2021. Sport 8
*Daily Telegraph*
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P12
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P15
BBC commissions series of Still Open All Hours. P15
BBC pulls the plug on digital country folk of Archers Lite. P15
China's online censorship. P17
Comment: Radio 3 out of tune with its listeners. P19
Facebook joins $150bn club. B1
Nintendo expands into health and fitness. B4
Comment: Sky has spread its wings enough to cope with rising cost of football. B6
*Financial Times*
Personal technology. P14
Analysis: Lenovo-Motorola deal. P16
Lenovo dials into US market. P21
Online advertisers 'like' Facebook's attention to detail. P21
TLDH raises its domain name game. P21
Growth pledge at Time Warner Cable. P21
Sky scripts in more US dramas in battle of the pay-TV empires. P23
Blinkx dispute highlights online ad data concerns. P23
Viacom climbs 5% on improved cable TV ratings. P31
Obituary: Kenneth Rose – historian and gossip columnist. P53
Rugby League signs new TV deal. P66
*The Times*
News UK launches academy. P14
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P23
Leveson witness in court over '£2.5m film tax fraud'. P23
BSkyB sales rise 6%. P40
LBC to broadcast nationwide. P40, 44
Game on as Sky makes second-half comeback. P44
Lenovo-Motorola deal. P45
*The Independent*
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P7
TV doctor tries tapeworm diet for BBC4 documentary. P16
LBC to go national. P17
Egypt v al-Jazeera. P25, 26
Adware accusation sends Blinkx shares plunging. P57
Sky shares jump despite half-year profits plunge. P57
*i*
LBC to go national. P3, 17
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P9
BBC commissions series of Still Open All Hours. P31
Microsoft poised to name Steve Ballmer's successor. P49
BSkyB bullish as BT enters pay-TV. P50
Adware accusation sends Blinkx shares plunging. P51
*Wall Street Journal Europe*
Lenovo's legend grows. P1, 18, 28
Analysis: TV production companies leaving California. P10, 11
Investments weigh on BSkyB. P19
Ericsson gets patent boost. P19, 28
*Daily Mail*
Is Sarah Jessica Parker next in line to Vogue throne? P11
BBC commissions series of Still Open All Hours. P26
William Roache trial coverage. P27
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P27
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P36
Homeland star to portray Henry VIII in BBC series. P50
Sky signs HBO deal. P75
Analysis: Business model on the Blinkx? P76
BT chasing Sky's cricket and golf. P81
Presenter John Inverdale may switch to ITV for 2015 Rugby World Cup. P81
*Daily Express*
Celebrity Big Brother final sets Channel 5 record. P5
William Roache trial coverage. P7
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P7
Interview: Jim Davidson on Big Brother win. P32, 33
BBC commissions series of Still Open All Hours. P35
Sky signs HBO deal. P70
*The Sun*
ITV to make Canadian version of Coronation Street. P3
Celebrity Big Brother coverage. P8, 9
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P12
William Roache trial coverage. P25
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P25
TV golf pundit porn shame. P25
BBC commissions series of Still Open All Hours. TV Biz 2
Sky planning new strategy. P46
*Daily Mirror*
Google sells off Motorola. P6
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P7
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P9
Crackdown on games app downloads. P19
Sky Sports presenter caught with child porn. P24
Sky to launch buy-to-keep movie service. P60
*Daily Star*
Celebrity Big Brother coverage. P1, 4, 5, 6
Danny Dyer drinks Queen Vic dry. P3
Sky pundit in porn shame. P7
William Roache trial coverage. P11
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P11
Top Gear coverage. P15
* Go to MediaGuardian *
theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds Reported by guardian.co.uk 13 hours ago.
If you are viewing this on the web and would like to get our email every morning, please click here
*Top eight stories on MediaGuardian*
*Andy Gray's BT hopes threatened by new video*
Footage has emerged of Andy Gray and Richard Keys making sexist comments to Sky Sports presenter Claire Tomlinson
*Dan Evans challenged over Sienna Miller tape*
Lawyer for former NoW editor questions reporter on details of 'love' voicemail sent from Miller to actor Daniel Craig
*BSkyB profits hit by cost of Premier League*
Satellite giant's total revenues rose by 6.3% in the six months to the end of December, but pre-tax profits fell 18% to £527m
*Washington Post to expand*
Extra staff to be hired to boost both print and online
*
Last.fm plots streaming music comeback*
CBS-owned site now offers songs on-demand in 55 countries, backed by videos and scrobbling
*Celebrity Big Brother final draws 3m*
TV ratings: As the comedian beats rapper Dappy on Channel 5, 4.8 million tune in to Outnumbered's return to BBC1
*Viral Video: Super Bowl, and Taylor Swift*
David Attenborough on wildlife in pubs and nightclubs, getting a kick out of the NFL – and danger at the Grammy Awards
*
LBC to go national on DAB digital radio*
Owner Global Radio to invest millions in talk station, whose presenters include Nick Ferrari, Boris Johnson and Nick Clegg
*Top comment on MediaGuardian*
*A 'patriotic' state-owned ABC would not serve Australia's best interests*
Margaret Simons: For Tony Abbott to berate the ABC for not being on 'Australia's side' and ask them to bat for the home team is bad media policy. Why? It simply doesn't work
*Today's headlines*
*The Guardian*
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P15
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P17
Google refreshes its search for the future. P31
BSkyB profits fall after battle for football rights. P33
Sky signs Super League TV deal until 2021. Sport 8
*Daily Telegraph*
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P12
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P15
BBC commissions series of Still Open All Hours. P15
BBC pulls the plug on digital country folk of Archers Lite. P15
China's online censorship. P17
Comment: Radio 3 out of tune with its listeners. P19
Facebook joins $150bn club. B1
Nintendo expands into health and fitness. B4
Comment: Sky has spread its wings enough to cope with rising cost of football. B6
*Financial Times*
Personal technology. P14
Analysis: Lenovo-Motorola deal. P16
Lenovo dials into US market. P21
Online advertisers 'like' Facebook's attention to detail. P21
TLDH raises its domain name game. P21
Growth pledge at Time Warner Cable. P21
Sky scripts in more US dramas in battle of the pay-TV empires. P23
Blinkx dispute highlights online ad data concerns. P23
Viacom climbs 5% on improved cable TV ratings. P31
Obituary: Kenneth Rose – historian and gossip columnist. P53
Rugby League signs new TV deal. P66
*The Times*
News UK launches academy. P14
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P23
Leveson witness in court over '£2.5m film tax fraud'. P23
BSkyB sales rise 6%. P40
LBC to broadcast nationwide. P40, 44
Game on as Sky makes second-half comeback. P44
Lenovo-Motorola deal. P45
*The Independent*
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P7
TV doctor tries tapeworm diet for BBC4 documentary. P16
LBC to go national. P17
Egypt v al-Jazeera. P25, 26
Adware accusation sends Blinkx shares plunging. P57
Sky shares jump despite half-year profits plunge. P57
*i*
LBC to go national. P3, 17
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P9
BBC commissions series of Still Open All Hours. P31
Microsoft poised to name Steve Ballmer's successor. P49
BSkyB bullish as BT enters pay-TV. P50
Adware accusation sends Blinkx shares plunging. P51
*Wall Street Journal Europe*
Lenovo's legend grows. P1, 18, 28
Analysis: TV production companies leaving California. P10, 11
Investments weigh on BSkyB. P19
Ericsson gets patent boost. P19, 28
*Daily Mail*
Is Sarah Jessica Parker next in line to Vogue throne? P11
BBC commissions series of Still Open All Hours. P26
William Roache trial coverage. P27
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P27
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P36
Homeland star to portray Henry VIII in BBC series. P50
Sky signs HBO deal. P75
Analysis: Business model on the Blinkx? P76
BT chasing Sky's cricket and golf. P81
Presenter John Inverdale may switch to ITV for 2015 Rugby World Cup. P81
*Daily Express*
Celebrity Big Brother final sets Channel 5 record. P5
William Roache trial coverage. P7
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P7
Interview: Jim Davidson on Big Brother win. P32, 33
BBC commissions series of Still Open All Hours. P35
Sky signs HBO deal. P70
*The Sun*
ITV to make Canadian version of Coronation Street. P3
Celebrity Big Brother coverage. P8, 9
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P12
William Roache trial coverage. P25
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P25
TV golf pundit porn shame. P25
BBC commissions series of Still Open All Hours. TV Biz 2
Sky planning new strategy. P46
*Daily Mirror*
Google sells off Motorola. P6
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P7
Phone-hacking trial coverage. P9
Crackdown on games app downloads. P19
Sky Sports presenter caught with child porn. P24
Sky to launch buy-to-keep movie service. P60
*Daily Star*
Celebrity Big Brother coverage. P1, 4, 5, 6
Danny Dyer drinks Queen Vic dry. P3
Sky pundit in porn shame. P7
William Roache trial coverage. P11
Dave Lee Travis trial coverage. P11
Top Gear coverage. P15
* Go to MediaGuardian *
theguardian.com © 2014 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds Reported by guardian.co.uk 13 hours ago.
↧