Bobby Brazier smirks, Josie Gibson speaks, and Bradley Walsh looks downwards
News

9 celebs having a far worse week than us – from Bobby Brazier to Bradley Walsh and Josie Gibson

God Rest You Merry, poor celebs

As Andy Williams once sung about this time of year (if not about the festive comings and goings of celebs): “It’s the hap-happiest season of all.

“With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings/When friends come to call/It’s the hap-happiest season of all.”

But among all these tidings of comfort and joy, remember the following poor celebs. Many of them have had a bit of a nightmare week before Christmas.

Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin on Strictly
Why didn’t Strictly viewers vote for Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin? (Credit: BBC)

Layton Williams

It has been two decades since Strictly Come Dancing first became a staple of Saturday night viewing. We’ve now reached the stage in the series’ life cycle where being an excellent dancer is Actually Bad, according to truth-twisters.

Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola are great winners for 2023. But are they the worthiest winners from this year’s series? Not if the criteria for winning a TV dance show means the most talented and dedicated dancer wins. As demonstrated, however, it isn’t.

For weeks and weeks, grumbles about Layton Williams‘ dance excellence were amplified. The moans swelled unconvincingly: “He shouldn’t win, he’s too good!” Imagine trying to make out that is anything but a backwards position to take. The insinuation Layton be dismissed because of his background – his training, by the way… what were you thinking of? – saw some dubious types stick a red flag in themselves.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly)

Thankfully, Layton isn’t as fragile as his risible critics. He was denied, despite his undeniable and superior talent. Strictly isn’t strictly a competition, though. It is, of course, ultimately a popularity contest with sequins. And that’s fine – get passionate about your favourite, by all means. But doing others down for the most absurd of reasons doesn’t lift your faves up.

Excellent Ellie – a personal favourite – turned out to be the most popular of the Strictly 2023 cast. But TV shows such as Strictly frequently reveal the most unpalatable sides of some those watching at home. And Layton wiped the dance floor with them all.

Vanessa Feltz looks anguished
ITV put Vanessa Feltz on the telly to offer advice to other people, and some people even listen to her (Credit: This Morning YouTube)

Vanessa Feltz

This Morning’s Vanessa pulled the “some of my best friends are coeliacs” card after spouting tripe about gluten-free grub recently.

“I wouldn’t want to upset anyone. I don’t actually think I said anything that was wrong. But if anyone misunderstood or felt that I did, then I’m very sorry,” she non-apologised.

A sorry case, indeed.

Helen Flanagan poses for photos
Helen Flanagan’s kids are reportedly with their dad and nan this Christmas (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Helen Flanagan

Reported heartache for Helen, who won’t be with her kids on Christmas Day, but will spend time with them a few days later in Bali.

Typical co-parenting experience in a single sentence, right there. Very relatable.

Claims concerning Holly Willoughby and Dancing On Ice co-host Phillip Schofield were dismissed by ITV
Will Holly Willoughby give DOI bosses the nod? (Credit: ITV Hub)

Celebs having a far worse week than us: Holly Willoughby

A few weeks away from the start of Dancing On Ice 2024, and telly bosses may apparently still be holding out for Holly Willoughby. But hopeful glances – like a pet pooch begging for a scrap of turkey – may be wandering elsewhere. Who’ll end up as leftovers?

Anton du Beke makes his point
Bookies have given Anton du Beke a ‘4’ and a ‘1’ (Credit: BBC iPlayer)

Anton du Beke

Bookies are offering odds of 4/1 that Anton du Beke will depart the Strictly judging panel ahead of the 2024 series.

A Ladbrokes spokesperson said: “Bruno Tonioli’s boots were always going to be big ones to fill.”

Will Anton’s run end up as short and sweet? His meandering, OTT appraisals haven’t always been.

Natasha Kaplinsky on Loose Women
Natasha was on the receiving end of a dig last weekend (Credit: ITV)

Natasha Kaplinsky

Nearly 20 years after she won the first series, Natasha Kaplinsky found herself thrust into the Strictly spotlight once again as Craig Revel Horwood mentioned her during his emotional comments to Ellie and Vito. An unintentional dig, or…?

Bradley Walsh talks about the new Chase special
Bradley Walsh deserves recognition for his services to game shows, surely? (Credit: This Morning)

Bradley Walsh

It sometimes feels that a light entertainment show can’t happen unless Bradley Walsh is on board. But some viewers of the the Royal Variety Performance recently hoped Bradders would get the hook, rather than a gong, which he may have mentioned once or twice.

Josie Gibson smiling on This Morning
Josie Gibson might have found it more welcoming in the jungle with the celebs and the wild animals (Credit: ITV)

Josie Gibson

This Morning’s Josie Gibson endured a hospital dash due to tonsillitis after her I’m A Celeb stint, where she gave her all to entertain viewers, as she does on ITV’s flagship daytime show.

“It’s a very special day, because our Josie has come home!” co-host Craig Doyle hyped up Josie earlier this week.

TV’s toughest crowd still noped her. “God she’s only been on a TV show, not to war,” one viewer complained with a similarly-measured response, possibly crossing their arms at the same time.

Jeff Brazier comments
Dianne Buswell, not pictured, is 34 (Credi: ITV.com)

Bobby Brazier

Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell didn’t win Strictly 2023, despite the tendency of a couple of judges to focus on how adorable they found him, rather than his ability.

The Bobby hype train hasn’t been derailed completely though, as it took in a stop with Loose Women this week.

“I’ve been hanging around an old lady for the last three-and-a-half months,” Bobby guffawed in a fluffed response to a candyfloss-soft tee-up about him ‘becoming a grown-up’ on Strictly.

Read the room, Bobby – a room with a panel and studio audience almost entirely full of women older than Dianne.

A very merry Christmas to all of our unfortunate celebs, and to one and all. Let’s have the best week ever!

Read more: Emily Andre told Peter Andre ‘don’t you dare’ have a vasectomy as they prepare to welcome new baby

YouTube video player

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this celebs story.


Robert Leigh
Freelance writer