In my review of tonight’s ITV drama Doors Open I stated how a lot of people want to watch an uncomplicated piece of television on Boxing Day as they work off their turkey hangovers. This isn’t always the case though as some people want to escape from all the festive cheer and watch something a little different and that is provided by The Girl. The drama focuses on Alfred Hitchcock’s relationship with actress Tippi Heddren and is a co-production between the BBC and American cable network HBO where it already aired earlier in the year.

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As fans of Downton Abbey star Jim Carter – who plays stuffy butler Carson – may know, he’s married to actress Imelda Staunton, who it seems was unimpressed when Jim flirted on the set of Downton with legendary US actress, Shirley MacLaine.

In an interview with the Daily Mirror about the forthcoming new series of Downton, which of course debuts this Sunday on ITV, Jim revealed that he’s had a lifelong crush on Shirley, who plays the role of feisty American Martha Levinson.

He said, “I had a big crush on Shirley. What a babe! She was a cracking dame.

“And yeah, we flirted, I loved her. She would sit around and natter – she had no status or anything like that, she was completely open.

“Who else can tell stories about Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra? My wife was as jealous as old boots.” Read more & comment »

With a number of awards behind her, countless chart topping hits and now a successful acting career, life is good for Rihanna. But, on The Jonathan Ross Show this week, Rihanna admits that something is missing – a partner to share her experiences with.

“I’m not looking but single life is so overrated. It sucks,” admits Rihanna. “I have such incredible experiences in my life. You don’t want to live your life and then meet someone; you want to share your life with someone. That’s what I’m missing right now,” she continues. “I’d love to date somebody cool, fun, funny.”

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Star of stage and screen Imelda Staunton is to join the cast of the forthcoming Halloween Special and the second series of the award-winning comedy-thriller Psychoville, written by and starring Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton.

For Imelda this marks a return to TV comedy, after her recent roles in the Harry Potter series, the Oscar-nominated Vera Drake and the roving gossip Miss Pole in BBC One’s Cranford. Imelda will star as a sharp-suited, shadowy figure with mysterious motives.

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