Politics
Towie’s Gemma Collins set to take to the stage in Chicago: The Musical
GEMMA COLLINS looks set to tread the boards – in Chicago: The Musical.
The outspoken TOWIE star — nicknamed “The GC” — is being lined up to replace Sinitta as the show’s Mama Morton.
Gemma Collins is set to take to the stage in Chicago: The Musical as Mama Morton
And sources say the reality star is hoping the deal will be signed in the next week.
One said: “Gemma has been in secret talks about playing Mama Morton for some time and is very excited about the opportunity.
“She has not signed anything yet as there are still issues to be ironed out with the agreement. But all being well, she will sign in the coming days.”
Gemma, who shot to fame on the ITV2 reality show in 2011, has gone on to become a household name courtesy of a host of TV appearances.
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She currently stars in TV franchise Gemma Collins: Diva and is taking stage show The GC’s Big Night Out on a seven-date UK tour in April.
She has also released a book for fans titled The GC: How To Be A Diva.
She was recently praised for hard-hitting Channel 4 documentary Gemma Collins: Self Harm And Me, and is said to have other projects in the pipeline for this year.
The theatre source went on: “Gemma is the ultimate TV diva. So who better to play Mama Morton — the Chicago prison mistress who rules the roost?
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“She seemed a natural fit for the role. And as fans of Gemma will know, she has a fantastic voice.”
Gemma — who famously fell through a trap door at the Radio 1 Teen Awards in 2017 — revealed the same year that she had been asked to make a music record.
And two years later she announced she was launching a pop career — revealing plans to work with Beyonce’s producer Naughty Boy on new tracks.
But the project was derailed months later when the coronavirus pandemic resulted in a series of delays.
Gemma announced last year that she was engaged to Rami Hawash, who she hooked up with after a long-term on/off relationship with Towie co-star James ‘Arg’ Argent.
A source close to Gemma last night said that a deal with Chicago had not been finalised.
HATS OFF DUA
DUA LIPA looks as if she’s put her halterneck top on upside down while sporting an unusual silk-scarf cap.
The Levitating singer took a break from her world tour to display the quirky look as she posed against a graffiti wall.
INSTAGRAM/DUA LIPADua Lipa sported an unusual silk-scarf cap from fashion label Marine Serre which costs £190[/caption]
Dua captioned the snap: “Backstage nonna”.
The scarf cap is from fashion label Marine Serre and costs £190.
We’re pretty sure Nan’s got one she could borrow for free . . .
ANGER AT AMY GONG ‘DAMAGE’
AMY WINEHOUSE’s family have fallen out with the owners of the Grammy Museum, claiming it returned the late singer’s awards damaged.
The prized music trophies were displayed at the Los Angeles museum in 2020 as part of Beyond Black, an exhibition on the singer’s life.
GettyAmy Winehouse’s family claim the Grammy Museum returned the late singer’s awards damaged[/caption]
RexAmy won six Grammys including one for the song Rehab and another for chart-topping album Back To Black[/caption]
Her dad Mitch claimed: “We did the Grammy Museum. The Grammys came back damaged.
“Can you believe it? It’s unbelievable. Had they no sense of wrapping them up or anything?”
Amy won six Grammys including one for the song Rehab and another for chart-topping album Back To Black.
The exhibition also included the halter dress she wore at her final stage performance in Belgrade, Serbia, in 2011, and her 2008 Grammy Awards outfit which was designed by Dolce & Gabbana.
Bizbit
CLARA AMFO is the latest celeb to look for love on dating site Raya.
The Radio 1 DJ, who will host the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee concert in June, has previously said she put her love life second to her career.
But a source said: “Clara has reached a point in her career where it no longer has to be all about work, and she would like to find the right person for her.”
In a 2019 interview, Clara said she has sex “whenever I can”, adding: “Sex is a fantastic, natural thing. We could all be having more.”
Let’s hope Raya can help with that.
JUDGING NO DRAG FOR TESS
SHE’s been a host of Strictly for nearly 20 years, but presenter Tess Daly has finally had her moment in a judge’s seat – on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
The TV star filmed her scenes as a guest panellist on the popular BBC show this week.
GettyTess Daly filmed scenes as a guest judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK this week[/caption]
And an insider said she was a runaway hit.
They revealed: “Tess really showed off her edge during this stint and her witty one-liners and humour went down well.”
News of her appearance comes as we can also reveal This Morning’s Alison Hammond has signed up – after begging Alan Carr to put in a good word.
Interviewing Alan on the sofa with Dermot O’Leary last year, Alison gushed: “I love Drag Race. “They’re on another level aren’t they?”
Asked if she’d like to be a guest judge, the TV presenter said: “Oh, I’d love to do it, I’d absolutely love to do it. Can you put a word in, babes?”
And it seems her wish has been granted, as TV bosses have signed her up for a guest stint on the latest series.
A BBC spokeswoman said last night: “Our lips are sealed. Our extra special celebrity guests will be revealed in due course.”
Past guests include Spice Girl Melanie C and Our Girl actress Michelle Keegan.
Bizbit
DANCING On Ice skater Liberty Poole has grown close to a hunky carpenter called Tyler.
A source close to the former Love Islander said: “She has been seeing him for nearly a month.
“They’ve been on a few dates. It’s early days but they get on really well, and Liberty seems pretty smitten.”
Glad to see that former waitress Liberty, who failed to find her Mr Right on Love Island last year, has found someone who seems to be her type on paper
JADE’S FUR TOO LATE AT CHARLI GIG
CHARLI XCX celebrated the launch of her new album Crash on Friday night with an impromptu duet at her London gig.
The pop songstress started the night off by performing the track Baby and then moved on to Beg For You, from her new record, which is out now.
GettyCharli XCX celebrated the launch of her new album Crash on Friday night with an impromptu duet at her London gig[/caption]
GettyLittle Mix singer Jade Thirlwall took a break from tour rehearsals to attend the gig but arrived after Charli had performed and left the venue[/caption]
During the performance, Rina Sawayama, who features on the track, barged her way to the front of the crowds to do a surprise duet with Charli, making it on to the stage just seconds before the start of her verse.
As the crowds cheered the pop duo, Charli topped off her trio of new tracks with her next single, Used To Know Me.
Little Mix singer Jade Thirlwall took a break from tour rehearsals to attend the gig with boyfriend Jordan Stephens.
Jade rocked up wearing a huge suede brown coat with fur trim and red tinted shades but arrived after Charli had performed and left the venue.
Fashionably late has a new meaning.
Bizbit
BAKE Off judge Paul Hollywood has blamed the Covid pandemic for the slow ticket sales that led him cancel his massive UK speaking tour, sources say.
Ticket holders were told this week that they would be getting a full refund due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
ED PUB IS SWEAR IT’S AT
ED SHEERAN is vying to be Britain’s rudest landlord by collecting offensive pub memorabilia.
He loves being greeted with swear words when walking into the drinking den he’s built at his Suffolk estate and already has a £50,000 piece of art adorning the walls with some choice language.
GettyEd Sheeran ED is vying to be Britain’s rudest landlord by collecting offensive pub memorabilia[/caption]
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Ed said: “I’m into stuff that’s offensive. I’ve got a massive painting in my pub that just says ‘Pipe Down C***’.
“It’s by Harland Miller (a contemporary artist and writer) who does covers of Penguin books and I’ve got another one from him too that’s just a bit more PG.”
