TV chat show host, Trisha Goddard has been diagnosed with Breast Cancer according to The Sun.

Trisha had a routine mammogram two weeks ago when the lump on her breast was discovered. She now faces a gruelling course of chemotherapy.

Trisha has since had a biopsy on her lymph glands and doctors told her on Saturday that they fear the cancer may have spreead. Production staff from Trisha’s channel Five chat show have been onformed that Trisha will not be at work for the next two weeks.

Newsreader, Natasha Kaplinsky is three months pregnant, a friend revealed today.

Her pal told The Daily Mirror:

‘She could not be happier but obviously the timing could have been a bit better.’

‘But she will be able to spend much of the day with her baby and go to the studio a bit later.’

Natasha just made the move from the BBC to Five News last month, and since her relocation Five News viewing figures have soared by more than 70%.

Former ITN news reader, Carol Barnes has died at the age of 63.

Carol was rushed to a hospital in Brighton last weekend after suffering a massive stroke,

Her former boss Stewart Purvis said it was a “very, very sad day”. Her son James called her “beautiful and kind”.

He said: “My mum was a beautiful, kind and delicate person - a person loved by many and whom I am desperately proud to call my mother.”

Former ITN chief executive Mr Purvis said: “Even though Carol’s death seemed inevitable it’s still a very, very sad day, at such a comparatively young age for somebody who was still absolutely full of life and vigour and excitement. Read more & comment »

Former ITV newsreader, Carol Barnes has been rushed to hospital after suffering what was thought to be a massive stroke.

Friends fear the worst for the 63 year old who collapsed at her home in Brighton last night.

Her agent Knight Ayton Management said: “Carol Barnes is seriously ill and is being cared for at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Her son James and close friends have asked for their privacy to be respected.” Read more & comment »

Reading all the recent news about the cuts being made by the BBC, in both their staffing levels and their budget for new programmes, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Beeb is very short of cash.

However, it may then surprise you to find out that the strapped TV channel managed to shell out over £30 million last year on flights and accomodation for many of its stars and big wigs.

The Sun has revealed that the BBC splashed out up to £5000 on one return business class flight alone, and that it’s executives were treated to breaks in top class hotels such as Ciragan Palace in Istanbul where, for about £600 a night, you can “live like a Sultan”.

A BBC spokesman denied the claims saying that the figure was actually down on last year and that they only book travel when absolutely necessary.

However lower sources in the channel revealed to the newspaper: “Graham Norton filmed scenes over in Las Vegas for his show The One And Only.

“What purpose did that have? Nothing. Just more cash down the drain. Read more & comment »

Charlotte Church is reported to have donated £5000 to the UK’s first star wars themed church.

Two brothers, Barney and Daniel Jones from Anglesey, approached the singer about helping them to fund their Church of a Jedi.

Barney told the Daily Star: “As children we always watched the Star Wars films. And we noticed that there were a couple of sites on the internet, Jedi Church sites.

“Now we can’t wait to make a UK church where like-minded people can worship. My brother and I will wear the Jedi robes - the dark brown ones. The congregation will be in black, to bring a sense of unity to the meetings.

“The services will include sermons on The Force, light saber training, and meditation techniques.”

Church’s partner Gavin Henson was said to be wary of the project initially, but as always the lady is said to have put her foot down! Read more & comment »

Torchwood actor John Barrowman has revealed that even the youngest members of his family know that he is gay.

In an interview with Bent magazine John said: “My nieces and nephews have known I was gay since they were born. It’s always been Uncle John and Uncle Scott and that’s the way it should be.”

But here’s where the interview got really down and dirty. John continued to say that he would always speak out about his sexuality stating: Read more & comment »

Comedian and TV presenter Lenny Henry has accused the TV Industry of being racist in a speech today.

“When I started, I was surrounded by a predominantly white workforce. Thirty-two years later, not a lot has changed,” he said in a speech to the Royal Television Society.

“How many black British comedians are working on mainstream TV today? One? Two? Ethnic minorities are pitifully under-served.

“Is there anybody going out to the comedy clubs with their diversity goggles on? Are the researchers casting their net far and wide? This is an area that needs a massive kick up the bum.”

He also spoke out against classic comedies Till Death Us Do Part and Love Thy Neighbour, saying: “TV producers of the 1960s and 1970s missed a great opportunity. Rather than reflect the reality of multi-ethnic Britain they chose a more xenophobic route - emphasising points of difference instead of similarities.

“If they had been more truthful in their observations, who’s to say we couldn’t have encouraged more young black kids at school or prevented the Brixton riots even?”

Lenny, who is married to white comedienne dawn French also called for more black and Asian people in period dramas. Read more & comment »

Tasmin Lucia Khan and Andy May are the new faces of BBC Three’s innovative 60seconds news bulletin as it launches a new look next Tuesday 12 February 2008.

Tasmin (27) joins the BBC after producing and hosting a sports show on Five for three years.

Andy (20) currently presents sport on Eamonn Holmes’ show on BBC Radio 5 Live, covers football matches for Final Score and can be heard from time to time on BBC Radio 1’s Newsbeat and the BBC Asian Network.

Whilst continuing to deliver instant hits of information throughout the night, 60seconds will introduce a nightly World News bulletin, with global events seen through the eyes of news stations around the world.
Read more & comment »

TV presenter Myleene Klass is to launch her own line of baby clothes called Baby K later this year.

The first time mum revealed: “I’m so excited about my range. As a new mum I’ve used my first-hand experience, with other mums in mind.”

The range, for children up to the age of three, will launch in August.