EastEnders do September With a Bang!

As Alfie and Kat’s financial situation grows worse, Alfie contemplates a decision which could have horrific consequences – but just how desperate is he?

September is like the second Christmas in soap world, as autumn arrives the soaps go BIG, and this September EastEnders is going HUGE!

It’s an explosive season in Walford both literally and metaphorically. There are the aforementioned explosions, weddings and a double Mitchell return.

September starts with poor Alfie finding himself unable to provide for his expanded brood and deciding to take matters into his own hands, with the ol’ ‘burn down the house and claim on the insurance scam that totally never goes wrong’. Things however do go wrong, oh so horribly wrong as Alfie soon realizes that the house isn’t empty and as he rushes in an explosion rips through the burning home. The consequences are so far reaching he could ever have imagined…

Phil and Sharon’s wedding looms and Phil realises Sharon has been planning to fleece him; uh-oh. With the help of Shirley he sets a plan in motion to seek his revenge. The wedding isn’t the only drama heading the Mitchell’s way as two of the clan are set to return. Ben is back and he’s going to make life a whole lot harder for Phil. The second Mitchell return comes in the shape of Ronnie, but not the shape she left with, there’s a bump on board. Determined to go it alone Ronnie is only back to stop the wedding, but then she bumps into Charlie…

Dominic Treadwell-Collins, Executive Producer said “Bombs that we have been carefully planting over the last few months are about to explode all over the Square as some of our most iconic characters’ lives change forever. With huge twists, shock returns and stories which will move, provoke and entertain, this September is going to be classic EastEnders and an unforgettable start to our autumn.”

That’s just a taste of what’s to come!

The X Factor - The Room Auditions (Two)

Sunday evening gave us our second dose of X Factor auditions and it was a mixture of groups and pug loving Italians that stole the show.

We were ‘treated’ to a montage of dullness and then bam… Stevie came along…

Stevie Ritchie

His whole audition was kind of like watching a puppy falling off a step over and over again, it was an adorable disaster that we couldn’t help but watch. Greeting the judges as ‘legends’ and smooth talking Simon by referring to him as ‘the God of X Factor’ he managed to charm his way into the next round. He had himself a little ‘me party’ and we’ll be seeing a whole lot more of him…

Then it was time for the groups to shine…

Overload

The one the ‘fangirls’ had been waiting for. They gave us a great rendition of Pompeii by Bastille and sailed through to the next round. Their mixture of classic good looks, charming smiles and pretty decent voices should see them rack up the fans day by day.

Only The Young

Easily one of our favourite auditions so far. Having already supported some big acts thanks to winning a Vodafone competition we were expecting big things from their audition and they certainly didn’t disappoint. They sang ‘Something about the way you look tonight’ giving it a completely fresh feel, and we enjoyed every second of it. 'That’s how you do an audition' said Cheryl, whilst Simon told them he'd love to work with them… bring on their next audition please!

Concept

5 different kinds of handsome; check. Great vocals; check. Use of an instrument, check. What more could we possibly want? Concept bought an earthquake of musical joy to the audition room and proudly accepted their chorus of yes’s into the next round. Keep your eye on these chaps.

Kitten and the Hip

Oh Louis, Louis, Louis. Only Louis could think they were father and daughter and say it out loud (the rest of us politely just kept that misjudgment quietly to ourselves). Husband and Wife duo Kitten and Hip gave an awkwardly mismatched audition and the judges began uttering the sentence ‘Kitten would you consid…’, ‘YES’. Thus the Hip was gone and Kitten was through to the next round.

Then is was time for a montage of foreign contestants all gushing about how wonderful the British X Factor is but not delivering with the vocals; until pug boy…

Andrea Faustini

Officially our favourite pug sweater wearing Italian; by a mile. He entered the audition room professing his love for the Spice Girls and admitting his fear of Simon, a few premature side eyes were exchanged between the judges and then he sang… His rendition of ‘Who’s Lovin’ You?’ was goosebump inducingly wonderful; and the nation fell in love.

Linzi Martin

She used to be in ‘Girl Thing’ who were tipped to be the next Spice Girls (no us neither) and after appearing on ‘The Big Reunion’ (which we assume didn’t work out) decided to give X Factor a bash in the hope of reclaiming those short-lived glory days. She got off to a bit of a bum start before composing herself and giving it another whirl. It was rocky; she said her nerves were killing her. Simon admitted to her that he needed to be honest as it was the best for her in the long run. It was heavy viewing for all and Cheryl said, “It was the hardest audition [she] has ever been in”. Tears all round as she hugged Simon and Cheryl leaving with a bunch of No’s.

Sunday’s show not only gave us a handful of standout auditions but it also gave us the best conversation to have ever been conversed, ever. Mel and Cheryl had the ‘who would I have been in The Spice Girls/Girls Aloud’ conversation, and it was wonderful. More of this please, X Factor producers.

By @ItsBizNews, @elspethandie1, @GeorgieLazzari & @LivMalone

SCD - The Couples 2014

Strictly season is well and truly underway. The celebs have been revealed, the red carpet has been shimmied down and the much-anticipated first show has been filmed. The first show is our chance to get a glimpse at the new batch of Strictly stars in action and it’s also when the all-important couples are revealed. 

Now because the show isn’t live secrets are never quite secret. If you want to know who’s paired with who, carry on reading, if you have patience (how do you get those?) and want to wait until Sunday then close your damn eyes…

Alison & Alijaz

Caroline & Pasha

Frankie & Kevin

Gregg & Aliona

Jake & Janette

Jennifer & Tristan

Judy & Anton

Mark & Karen

Pixie & Trent

Scott & Jo

Simon & Kristina

Steve & Ola

Sunetra & Brendan

Thom & Iveta

Tim & Natalie

We haven’t seen the show ourselves and as it isn’t live you can never really know for certain until you see it with your own eyes. However we’re 96% certain the above pairings are spot on. Make sure you’re watching on Sunday to see them all in action!

SCD - Hot or Cold.

Our resident dancer casts his eye and ranks this years hopefuls for the coveted ‘Glitterball Trophy’.

HOT

Pixie Lott

A dance background is always an advantage on Strictly and I just hope the public doesn’t use this against her. Pixie I predict will be quick to adapt herself to the world of Ballroom and will be the front-runner very early on. I’m certain people will fall for her charms and cute girly looks.

Frankie Bridge

Frankie has shown in the past she has all the moves and I can see her possessing a natural sense of rhythm and musicality. If she can bring with her all her many fans then she will undoubtedly be a contender for the crown.

Thom Evans

I’m excited by Thom’s addition to the show. A talented and promising rugby player who’s career was sadly cut way too short due to injuries. I think Thom will relish in the opportunity and could really take to this. I’d bet my money on him becoming Strictly’s top boy.

Steve Backshall

This man has conquered Mount Asgard, ran 240+ km across the Sahara Dessert, is a winner of both the Extreme and Last Man Standing events at UK Tough Guy and is a black belt in judo. Steve is an extreme specialist and a real life Action Man. I think he’ll have no problem putting in the hours and I’m sure he will tackle whatever he’s given.

Simon Webbe

Scored straight nines for a total of 36 for his Cha Cha Cha in the 2011 Christmas Special. Having experienced Strictly and knowing just what it takes to be on the show, Simon is probably the best placed in the line up. He’ll be ready prepared and I think he’ll have a real coolness about him.

Mark Wright

Mark’s strength will be his strongest factor and very well could see him right, especially where it’ll be needed, in the lifts. He’ll use what he has and will play to it. Admittedly it could also be to his disadvantage – finesse not power is what’s needed in the ballroom dances. I’m pretty sure his focus will be on loosening up and finding his rhythm.

Alison Hammond

I think Alison will be a bubbly character and will be a bit of a show girl. She’ll really embrace the experience and people at home may very well take her to their hearts.

COLD

Scott Mills

Plenty of popularity, full of personality, Scott will be a colourful addition to the show. I feel he might struggle at times but he’ll just go for it and really get in to it all. He certainly won’t be short of votes and if he can translate himself into the routines then he’ll be around for some weeks.

Caroline Flack

Winner of Dancing on Wheels in 2009 with partner James O’Shea and finishing 16^th overall in their category at the Wheelchair Dancing European Championships in Tel Aviv that same year. I can see Caroline becoming the shows party girl, but I feel she’ll put so much into her performances that her technical aspect might suffer.

Jake Wood

I don’t think Jake will be anything like his Albert Square alter ego Max. Being an actor, mostly a villain, I think he might actually do rather well. For sure he’ll certainly have no trouble getting into all the different characters of dance. I see Jake being a Ballroom boy and can imagine him having some nice lines and crisp detailing. But I can also see the Latin numbers getting the better of him.

Sunetra Sarker

Being an actress Sunetra should be able to apply herself to the character of her given dance. She’ll give it a really good go, but hard to say how far she’ll actually go at this stage.

Jennifer Gibney

As a child Jennifer wanted to dance with Pan’s People, well her time has come and albeit, she’s dancing on Strictly!!! Jennifer I believe will just love being a part of Strictly and everything about it; she’ll be living the typical fan’s dream!

Gregg Wallace

I have to admit, I’m a big fan of Gregg and I’d like him to do really well, but sadly I don’t see him progressing far. I think he’ll be capable of one good dance, he’ll go out, and do the steps he’s asked to do and as Len would say “give it some welly”!

Judy Murray

Being a tennis coach, Judy will have no problem following the direction of her partner. I can imagine Judy having some elegance and grace about her but feel she’ll find it all a bit much in the Latin numbers to bring out that raunchy, sexy, sassy side.

  

CHANCE TO SURPRISE

Tim Wonnacott

Tim is a skilled tap dancer. He has a hint of eccentricity about him and is a genuinely funny and charming man. So if there is to be a surprise on this season of Strictly, I can see it being Tim. I think the viewers at home will instantly like him and pick up the phone. GO ON TIM!!!

Who's your tip to lift the Strictly glitterball?

By @StrictlySteven

Geordie Shore - Episode Six.

Episode 6 saw the loveable Geordie folks head to Reykjavik or some place that has similar letter to that if you’re Gaz. There was sharing, more sharing, less sass and a case of fanny fright. Here’s what we learnt…

1. Pentagons are a bad shape.

2. There's nothing worse than when you go to work and it's full of cock... if you're Aaron.

3. When you've got treble Z tits you could wear flippers and nobody would notice. You might even be able to see the tips of your footwear for once.

4. We wouldn't even bet our broken Tamagotchi on Gaz not sleeping with his mates 'ex' let alone our car.

5. Geordie wonderland looked wondrous. Who needs a snowy mountain when you’ve got stairs?

6. Scott is leaving the ‘bunches of give a fucks’ business and branching out as the Mattress King.

7. Sassy holly set her lips on the new boy.

8. It’s so harmonious when they all learn to share. Kisses all round. Kyle is like the drunken auntie at a wedding, everyone gets a kiss.

9. James was the spotter... that was it.

10. The boys however can't share their toys even when they're already borrowing them. (Pretend that sentence makes sense)

11. Bye sassy Holly, hello again slutty Holly. Any male with a pulse has missed you.

12. Gaz's Leeds accent started off promising then went a little west. Kind of like Kim Kardashian’s life in reverse.

13. Gaz's plan for his Grandad was somewhat similar to his plans for random females. The ol’ In and out as quickly as possible.

14. For a moment we thought they'd found Vicky's Middle Eastern twin. Top tanning.

15. Much like Marnie we don't really listen to what Aaron says. We're too busy staring at his pretty face.

16. They hope for Ibiza and end up with Iceland. That's more of a let down than going home with Scotty and ending up sitting playing draughts with James.

17. The sky gods are excellent matchmakers. So says Kyle’s semi.

18. Iceland is just full of rubble.

19. Gaz came down with case of fanny fright.

20. The boys left the club with 3 girls each. Charlotte left with a hand full of straws. Iceland in a nutshell.