ITV bosses have had to cut an impression of Dale Winton from new panel show The Imitation Game following his death.
Team captain Rory Bremner has revealed how producers had to edit out the segment after the host was found dead in his London home in April.
In an exclusive interview Rory, who is a team captain on the hilarious new comedy series, said: “There’s an impression of Dale Winton but we had to sadly cut it out. We play a game called Celebrity Zoo and panellists have to describe Snail Winton.
“But it was recorded a while ago and so far we’ve been quite fortunate with any other deaths. It would help to keep it topical but this was an exceptional summer because of the World Cup.”
The show, which airs on September 2 at 10.05pm, also features celebrity guests including an appearance from larger than life Porridge star Christopher Biggins in the first episode.
My exclusive photo shows Christopher sitting next to Rory and rising star Luke Kempner while fellow panellist Debra Stephenson is hidden on the other side of a divider and has to guess which voice is the REAL Biggins…with hilarious results.
Debra, also a team captain, revealed how an encounter with Dale’s pal Cilla Black went horribly wrong when she came face to face with her at an ITV party.
She laughed: “This was not my finest hour.
“My friend dragged me up to her and said, ‘My friend does a great impression of you’, and Cilla turned around and went, ‘Well don’t’.”
Doesn’t sound a lorra laughs.
READ ON FOR MORE OF
ANDY HALLS’
BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Knives out for Cherry
CHERRY Healey gets under the skin of the cosmetic surgery industry for new three-part documentary Sex, Knives and Liposuction.
The documentary maker bares almost everything while sizing up whether a nip-tuck op is for her, and comes face to face with a digitally altered version of herself to see what she would look like with about £20,000 of procedures.
The show, which airs on September 20 on channel W, will also see Cherry travel to Brazil in a quest to find out about their surgery habits.
Nice work if you can get it.
bizbit
ROCHELLE Humes hosts ITV’s Lorraine next week – and she will be hoping all her guests keep it clean. She said: “Last year I had someone swear three days in a row – a different celeb or guest. I had to apologise and that wasn’t ideal.”
Michael is Korea adviser
AS part of Monty Python, Michael Palin became famous all over the world – then travelled it for his hit TV documentaries.
But his latest adventure, Channel 5’s Michael Palin In North Korea, which airs next month, saw him discover one of the few countries that has never seen his comedy work.
Michael showed the classic fish-slapping dance sketch to a local who had never heard of Python – and he could not have had a better response.
He said: “Fortunately, she looked at it and just cracked up. I thought, ‘Oh well, there’s a market for us’.
“We could inspire a new North Korean sport, too.
“I could be a fish-slapping adviser.”
I have no doubt Michael is just the man to do it.
England legends shape up
YOU would have thought a bunch of footballers who spent years trying to keep match fit would be the last people to feature in a weight-loss show.
But that’s what ITV is doing as it gathers a team of England legends who have piled on the pounds since retiring.
Led by ex-manager Harry Redknapp, pictured, Eighties and Nineties stars including David Seaman, pictured, John Barnes, Neil Ruddock, Robbie Fowler, Paul Merson and Lee Sharpe will shed the fat in the lead-up to a match.
The two-parter, which has the working title Match Fit, will also demonstrate the importance of a balanced diet and a regular exercise routine in middle age.
And it won’t be the only footie show fans will get to feast on. Fulwell 73, maker of docu The Class of ’92, is producing a Netflix series.
But while its previous work followed Man Utd to Premier League glory, Sunderland Till I Die will show the Black Cats relegated to League One.
I’m not sure that’s what Netflix thought it would get when bosses greenlit this one.
Must watch
WHAT? Naked Attraction, Channel 4, 10pm.
WHY? Host Anna Richardson presents the saucy game show that tonight sees polyamory enthusiasts Matt and Mary interested in finding a third person to join them.
bizbit
FLEABAG has revealed its series two line-up, with Sherlock villain Andrew Scott joining the cast. Creator and star Phoebe Waller-bridge returns With Olivia Colman, Sian Clifford, Bill Paterson
and more.
most read in bizarre
Soapbox
IN Coronation Street two henchmen shake down Henry for the money he owes Cressida’s family for the aborted wedding.
He knows that Rita has hidden a £15,000 cheque in a drawer, which would pay off 75 per cent of his debt.
Meanwhile, it’s a huge night for Johnny and Jenny, who are relaunching the Rovers after refurbishment and the locals are itching to see it.
Elsewhere, in Emmerdale Nicola’s plan to split up Rodney and Misty in a crafty tarot card ruse is discovered and Misty wants answers.
And things get awkward for Rhona when she receives her decree absolute from Pierce.
Kathy decides to play Ian at his own game in EastEnders and Whitney catches Tiffany sneaking home.
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