MOST people give up cigarettes or booze as their New Year’s resolution, but not SIMON COWELL.
The Britain’s Got Talent and X Factor boss, who has become as well known for lateness as he has his Mr Nasty routine, has turned over a new leaf.
But he’s been forced into it by ANT and DEC.
I’m told the BGT hosting duo have had a clause written into their contracts that means they cannot work beyond 11.30pm when fronting the ITV show.
It comes after some very late finishes last series, that saw the audience, contestants and all of the presenting staff stuck up at the studio until the early hours of morning because it started so late.
A source said: “Ant and Dec love doing the show but some of the finishes last year wore them out.
“They work on a load of shows across the board for ITV so as part of their most recent deal they asked for a clause about late finishes.
“It’s the least they could do as they are the golden duo of telly and are well-loved by everyone.
“It means Simon has had a kick up the bum too. And he’s made it his personal resolution to be better with timekeeping.
“Being back on America’s Got Talent made him rethink his lateness too and he’s not missed a single deadline this year as a result.”
Ant and Dec are ITV’s star talents and front some of the channel’s biggest shows including I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here and Saturday Night Takeaway alongside BGT and in November signed a £30m handcuff deal that will keep them on the channel for the next three years.
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The pair joined ITV in 1998, presenting Saturday morning shows SM:tv Live with CAT DEELEY and CD:UK – and their new contract will mean in total they’ve spent 21 years on the channel.
That sort of commitment deserves a good night’s sleep.
Bradley’s where it’s chat
ITV have made some top signings to front their new chat programme The Nightly Show.
And I can reveal The Chase star BRADLEY WALSH is the latest to join the series, to be presented by a different guest celeb each week.
The 10pm show, which will shunt News at Ten to 10.30pm, is set to run for eight weeks and has also secured GORDON RAMSAY, former Bake Off hosts MEL& SUE and DAVID WALLIAMS.
Our promo pic of David on set stroking the nipples on a statue of him shows what high-brow entertainment this will be.
A source said: “Bradley is a real coup. They’ve got a great hosts and it will be interesting to see their different presenting styles.”
ITV say it is Saturday Night Takeaway meets JAMES CORDEN’s Late, Late Show – and they plan games and stunts like James’s Carpool Karaoke.
Plus-twos
PLUS-SIZED holidaymakers having a whale of a time are heading for British TV screens.
ITV has commissioned a documentary about the world’s only resort which caters for the larger tourist.
The Resort, in the Bahamas, is for plus-size people to enjoy a holiday away from the fear of judgmental eyes on the beach.
So an ITV camera crew beaming their flabby rolls to the nation for entertainment should be absolutely fine then.
A spokeswoman for production company Spun Gold TV insisted: “The Resort is not a weight loss retreat.
“It is for plus-sized individuals who, some for the first time, can go on holiday away from judgmental eyes, horrible comments and just have a wonderful time.
“We think everyone deserves a chance to enjoy themselves and we hope they will take something away from the holiday.”
Let’s hope that includes their dignity…
SOAPBOX
THE Carters continue to prepare for Polish Night at the Queen Vic in EASTENDERS.
But they suffer a huge setback after an environmental health officer arrives following reports of food poisoning.
And Kim annoys Denise by suggesting she could still change her mind about the adoption before she attends a meeting.
Meanwhile in CORONATION STREET, Sarah warns Bethany to be extra careful after hearing a radio report about a missing teenager.
With Nathan still asking Bethany to provide him with an alibi, she feels torn.
However, she runs into a spot of bother later when Mel takes her into town and plies her with vodka.
This won’t end well.
Fry’s up for Prue trilogy
AS the new judge on Channel 4’s Bake Off, PRUE LEITH is set to become one of the biggest names on British telly.
But it seems STEPHEN FRY spotted it a mile off, shrewdly buying the rights to three of her books to turn them into a drama.
Prue’s trilogy, The Food Of Love, tells the tale of a talented young female cook who moves to Paris, falls in love and later becomes a top chef at The Savoy in London and a food writer.
Prue, a celebrated restaurateur, has spoken at length about her own wild youth, which is reflected in the books’ lead character.
Stephen has the option to turn the story into a TV series through his production company, Sprout.
Prue has said: “I’m ridiculously excited about it.
“Of course I know that not all options turn into films – I’ve been here before and more often than not they can’t raise the money, can’t get the actors they want, or something.
“But at the moment it’s honeymoon time – they love the book and are confident they can pull it off, so it’s hard not to hope.
“And would it not be great to start a new career, as a film writer, in my seventies?”
MARY BERRY became a big star at the same age.
I have a feeling Prue will too