Dancing with the stars

Manu Feildel – dancing with Alana Patience

Manu has become one of the most popular new personalities on Australian television as co-host and judge on Channel Seven’s hit series My Kitchen Rules.  As a child, he saw his future on the stage rather than in the kitchen and joined a circus school to become a professional clown. However, at 15 he decided that the circus was not for him and became an apprentice chef in his father’s restaurant. He’s gone on to become a successful three-hatted chef and this year released his first cook book.

Lara Bingle – dancing with Carmelo Pizzino

With a natural beauty and modern style, Lara Bingle is undoubtedly one of Australia’s best known models.

In 2006, she shot to fame after being chosen as the face of Tourism Australia’s “Where The Bloody Hell Are You?” international advertising campaign. At only 23 years of age, the “Cronulla beach babe” has had an amazing career to date.

New Dancing with the Stars contestant Lara Bingle is hoping that her inclusion on the Channel 7 series will boost her standing with the Australian public.

In recent times Bingle’s reputation has taken a hit following relationships with cricketer Michael Clarke and AFL footballer Brendon Fevola.

“I know not everyone is going to like me – there’s been lots of ups and downs. But I’m just going to have fun,” Bingle says.

“People don’t know me. It (Dancing) is an opportunity to be myself.”

Bingle says she will dance for her father, who passed away from cancer nearly two years ago.

“My dad would absolutely love to see me in DWTS – he was my biggest supporter,” Bingle said.

“My mum and my brother will definitely come (to the show) every week.”

Bingle is one of eleven contestants taking part in the new season of the hit show, with others including cricketer Nathan Bracken, former surfer Mark Occhilupo, TV chef Manu Fiedel and socialite Brynne Edelsten.

Source: HeraldSun

Dancing with the Stars cast revealed

The cast for the 2011 season of Dancing with the Stars has been officially announced by Channel 7, with the likes of Lara Bingle, Manu Fiedel, Brynne Adelsten and Nathan Bracken confirmed to be taking part. See the full line-up here.

Top Gear cleared over Mexican comments

Top Gear has been cleared of breaching any programme rules following the controversial comments on a recent episode regarding Mexicans. British media regulator Ofcom has considered the comments made by the show’s hosts that suggested Mexicans to be “lazy, feckless, flatulent and overweight” to be part of the programme’s “irreverent style and sometimes outspoken humour.”

Family Guy comic set for release

A comic book series based on Family Guy is set to be released midway through this year in the US. Titan Comics has announced the development of the long-running animated series into a monthly comic that will “follow the Griffin family on a string of brand new outrageous storylines.”

Lloyd joins comedy pilot

Christopher Lloyd has joined a new comedy pilot for NBC centring on a doctor who joins his family’s medical practice. Lloyd will play the grandfather of the lead character in the pilot, which is penned by Parks and Recreation writer Dan Goor.

Simmons to guest on Castle

KISS frontman Gene Simmons has signed on for a guest role on Castle where he will play himself. Simmons will aid Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett (Stana Katic) in the episode’s investigation.

The “stars” set to dance their way through Dancing with the Stars this year are as follows:

Samantha Armitage (Weekend Sunrise host)
Lara Bingle (so where the bloody hell are you?)
Nathan Bracken (former Aussie Cricketer)
Haley Rich-Bracken (Nathan’s wife)
Mark Occhilupo (former competitive surfer)
Brynne Edelsten (the American wife of Dr. Edelsten)
Manu Fieldel (My Kitchen Rules Host & Chef)
Damien Leith (former Australian Idol Singer Winner)
Dan Ewing (PR RPM & Home & Away’s Heath Braxton)
Nick Bracks (Model & son of former Victorian Premier)

Dancing with the Stars should return to Seven mid year, although a May start has also been rumoured.

Source: Sunday Telegraph, Facebook

While only Lara Bingle and Brynne Edelstein have officially signed on to compete in Dancing with the Stars this year, there are plenty of rumours regarding other celebrity competitors.

The Morning Show’s Larry Emdur is the latest to be linked to the Channel 7 series, after his co-host Kylie Gillies did so in 2009.

Hugh Sheridan from Packed to the Rafters is also among the names continuing to come up as is Rebecca Breeds from Home and Away.

Kate Richie and Terri Irwin are others who have been rumoured to dance.

Source: The Spy Report

Lara Bingle has scored herself another reality TV dancing gig, this time with Channel 7.

The network has signed Bingle to appear on the latest season of Dancing With The Stars, five years after she appeared on Channel Nine’s Dancing On Ice.

Even if Bingle gets voted off the show in the first few weeks she still stands to bag a cool $50,000 from the appearance.

She managed to stay all the way to the final on the ice in 2006 when she finished runner-up to Jake Hawkins.

Seven has declined to comment on the signing as official announcements are still weeks away.

Source: DailyTelegraph

Former AFL troublemaker Wayne Carey has been approached by Seven to take part in this year’s season of Dancing with the Stars.

Carey has confirmed that the network has been in touch with him over an appearance on the show.

“I have heard from Channel Seven,” Carey said. “That’s all I’ll say.”

However if Carey does join the show it would signal the contradiction of Seven’s chief executive David Leckie who said he would never hire the AFL star because of his offenses involving women.

Other celebrities rumoured o tapper on the show include Lara Bingle, Manu Feildel, Kate Ritchie and Terri Irwin.

Source: The Spy Report

Momsen’s absence for “creative reasons”

Gossip Girl producers have confirmed that while Taylor Momsen’s part has been cut down on the drama series, the actress “isn’t going anywhere.” They have underlined that her absence is for “creative reasons” as opposed to issues with the actress herself who has been accused of being difficult to work with on set.

Grey wins Dancing with the Stars

Former Dirty Dancing actress Jennifer Grey has been crowned the winner of the latest season of Dancing with the Stars in the US, beating out a Disney actor and the daughter of Sarah Palin in the finale. Grey, who appeared alongside the late Patrick Swayze in Dirty Dancing, was the favourite throughout the competition which also featured the likes of David Hasselhoff and The Hills’ Audrina Patridge.

Ugly Betty actor arrested for murder

A former Ugly Betty actor has been charged with stabbing his mother to death with a 1-metre sword in New York. 31-year-old Michael Brea, who had a small part in Ugly Betty and film Step Up 3D, was arrested at the scene.

Production company sacked over Top Model gaffe

The production company behind Australia’s Next Top Model has been sacked following the live finale gaffe that saw the wrong winner named. The show’s host and executive producer Sarah Murdoch has reportedly instigated the move, saying it was “probably time for a change.”