Not looking too sickly Amanda! Britain's Got Talent judge bounces back from tummy bug

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Feeling better: Amanda Holden met up with a friend on London's South Bank yesterday after spending Thursday ill at home


Just 24 hours earlier, Amanda Holden was ill at home with a tummy bug.
But as she was spotted out in London yesterday, it looked like the Britain's Got Talent judge had made an amazing recovery.

The 39-year-old looked super stylish in a brown cape over her patterned black and white animal-print dress and studded shoe boots as she met a friend on the South Bank.

After chatting to a friend, she soon headed indoors for a glass of champagne, claiming it was making her feel better already.

On Thursday, the mother-of-one complained she had been struck down with the 'lurgy' and was resting at home.

She wrote on her Twitter page: 'Not feeling well today, poor me.'

But after a day of taking it easy, the busy star was up and out again, determined not to let her ill health get the better of her.


Stage role: Amanda recently announced she will play Princess Fiona in a new London production of Shrek


Writing on Twitter yesterday, she said: 'Had a blinkin lurgy yesterday! Feel like I've been two rounds with Tyson but bit better today! Horrid.

'Ooo just had a glass of bubbles! That sorted my tummy.'

Recently, Holden was officially announced as the star of the new West End production of Shrek: The Musical.

The former Cutting It star will play Princess Fiona alongside Nigel Lindsay as Shrek in the stage adaptation of the hit Dreamworks film franchise.


Talking point: Amanda chatted to a male friend as she walked near the ITV Studios on the South Bank


The stage show will preview in May next year at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London and open officially in the first half of June.

Meanwhile, Holden has vowed to return for the 2011 series of Britain's Got Talent - despite Piers Morgan's recent decision to quit and uncertainty over Simon Cowell's return to the panel.

She said: 'The rumours I'm leaving are rubbish - I can't wait to be a judge on Britain's Got Talent next year.

'I've spoken to Simon and the producers and they definitely want me back.

'It'll be scary without my two favourite boys but I'm sure they'll find some feisty replacements. The new line-up hasn't been confirmed - James Corden isn't a definite. Britain's Got Talent is taking over the X Factor slot in the summer.'




source: dailymail
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Partially deaf male Madonna impersonator sues Simon Cowell over 'hard of hearing' jibes on Britain's Got Talent

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By Daily Mail Reporter

Legal action: Madonna impersonator Philip Grimmer is suing Britain's Got Talent


Britain's Got Talent is being sued for£250,000 by a Madonna impersonator claiming Simon Cowell's jibes have ruined his life.

Philip Grimmer, who reached the semi-finals this year, accuses the show of discrimination over a disability and the fact that he was introduced as a drag queen.

The 57-year-old gyrated to Madonna's dance track Hung Up in a purple leotard, knee-high boots and blonde wig.

Cowell called him a 'hard of hearing and short-sighted Madonna'. Mr Grimmer is partially deaf and short sighted. Cowell also said the act was 'monstrous' and ' horrendous' , adding: 'Madonna at 95 would look better and dance better than you.'

Mr Grimmer, a married father-of-one, claims hosts Ant and Dec introduced him as a 'successful drag queen' and a 'man who likes dressing up as women', when he is simply a Madonna impersonator.

He claims that some family and friends could now mistake him for a gay cross-dresser.

Mr Grimmer is suing the ITV show on the grounds of disability, sexual orientation, age and sex bias.

He is demanding £250,000 for lost earnings and injury to feelings.

By contrast, Lady Gaga impersonator Max Oliver - a 21-year-old, gay cross-dresser - received no jibes about his sexuality on the show, Mr Grimmer says.


Cowell branded Mr Grimmer's tribute act 'monstrous' and 'horrendous'


Mr Grimmer, who crashed out of this year's contest in the semi-final, says that he was deprived of the chance of winning £100,000 in the final.

He says that he also missed out on going on the post-final BGT tour and landing lucrative showbiz deals.

In legal papers submitted to Central London Employment tribunal, Mr Grimmer says that his disability discrimination claim mirrors that of fellow BGT reject Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai.

Miss Czikai, 54, is suing for £2.5 million, alleging that she was ridiculed by Cowell even though she told producers her medical condition had affected her audition.

The former nurse complains that Cowell told her she had a 'horrible singing voice' In the legal papers, Mr Grimmer accuses show chiefs, Cowell and Ant and Dec of 'prejudice'.

He says: 'I was discriminated against by Simon Cowell and the two presenters Ant and Dec and by one of the assistant producers.

'I was singled out by these persons and received unfair and worse treatment and comments on the live TV show than other contestants based on abusive and possibly defamatory remarks.

'The comments have damaged my good reputation and have stopped me obtaining employment.' Mr Grimmer alleges that Cowell discriminated against him by poking fun at his disability.

He complains that Cowell insulted him on the live show by saying 'I have no idea whatsoever what he is going to do but I know it will be monstrous'.

Mr Grimmer says he made it clear on his application form that he was a 'female impressionist' only to be portrayed as a transvestite on the show.

He says: 'I am therefore claiming that I was discriminated against by Simon Cowell and the persons mentioned.'

He says of Ant and Dec referring to him as a cross-dresser: 'It could imply it is something I normally do, not just for my act, which is detrimental to my character.'

He adds: 'Most drag queens are considered to be gay and I am not gay at all.'

He says: 'I feel I was singled out and received unfair and detrimental comments that did not portray me as who I really am, so damaging my reputation with people that know me personally.'

Speaking today, Mr Grimmer vowed: 'This is David against Goliath. Madonna against Simon Cowell.

'I will take this all the way and Simon Cowell will long remember the day I was on the show.

'I just went on to do a fun act and he was brutal.' Syco TV denies all Mr Grimmer's claims of discrimination and is vigorously defending his case, which is due to be heard later this year.

Syco spokeswoman Ann-Marie Thomson declined to comment on the case.

But a show source said they were 'surprised' by Philip's fury.

They said: 'He never said anything at the time and enjoyed being on the show. He even asked for his costume to take home with him.

The case comes after Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai, 54, launched action against the show, claiming she was 'humiliated and degraded'.



source :dailymail

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Britain's got sued: Singer wants £2.5m from Cowell after 'humiliation' before 20m

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By Emily Andrews

Tribunal: Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai claims she was left humiliated after judges on Britain's got Talent criticised her performance


A Britain's Got Talent contestant is suing Simon Cowell for £2.5million, claiming she was 'humiliated and degraded' on the hit ITV show.

Emma Amelia Pearl Czikai, 54, says she was mocked by judges Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan when they buzzed her off saying she could not sing.

Cowell said she had a 'horrible singing voice' while Miss Holden added: 'I just can't see how she can't see that she can't sing.'

The former nurse claims she was ridiculed in front of 20million viewers and the trio took away her 'self respect and dignity' in order to boost the programme's ratings and profit.

Miss Czikai is attempting to have her claims heard at an employment tribunal but is being fought by BGT lawyers.

She says her performance, screened in May last year, suffered as a result of numerous medical complaints which left her with constant pain and meant she could not sing in noisy raucous environments.

On the show, a clip of which was subsequently posted on YouTube, a smirking Cowell asked Miss Czikai if she thought she had the talent to win.

Dressed in an intricately embroidered red ball gown, she replied: 'Oh Simon, I'm wonderful. You will go home and think I'm so glad that I met that woman.'

But after only a few notes of Westlife's power ballad You Raise Me Up, Morgan was the first judge to buzz her off, quickly followed by the other two.

Against a backdrop of loud booing, Cowell then said: 'Emma, this is a beautiful song when you're not singing it and I think I speak on behalf of everyone that you have a horrible singing voice.'

When Miss Czikai tried to protest that the backing track was too loud and she wasn't used to the microphone, he snapped: 'It's not loud enough. Emma, Emma, reality check here. It's not the music, it's not the microphone, it's you.'

Miss Czikai also lifted the lid on the way contestants were treated on the show and said it was like 'modern day slavery'.


Not impressed: Judge Simon Cowell looks uninterested by the contestant's display and has had to employ a QC to fight employment tribunal claims as a result


She said contestants were routinely humiliated, bullied into saying things they didn't mean and goaded to become angry and frustrated to make good television.
Meanwhile she saw 'servants' walking through with platters of lobster, seafood and caviar which she was told was for Miss Holden, Morgan and Cowell.

Yesterday at an employment tribunal hearing Miss Czikai, claimed she was the victim of disability discrimination because the talent show had not made adjustments for her such as lowering the music and microphone levels.

Miss Czikai, who is representing herself, also claimed she had suffered 'ongoing harassment' because a later improved performance on spin-off show Britain's Got More Talent was not linked to the original clip on YouTube to prove she could sing.

The pre-tribunal review, which will decide if a full hearing will go ahead, was told that Miss Czikai was seeking £300,000 for her injured feelings, compensation of £1million and loss of earnings of £1.25million - although she said if she were awarded any money it would go to charity.

She told the hearing in central London yesterday: 'I haven't got a horrible singing voice when I sing in a fair environment that meets the needs of my particular disabilities as I proved when I performed live on Britian's Got More Talent.


Attack: Miss Czikai claims her performance was impeded by medical conditions - and that she can actually sing


'Britain's Got Talent have sought to accrue profit to themselves through exploitation of a film clip that they know perpetrates a lie that I cannot sing.'

Breaking down in tears she added: 'This programme makes a select number of rich people very very rich on the backs of the ordinary man and woman in the street through exploitation, humiliation, degradation and a re-emergence of modern-day barbarism with all its inherent cruelty.'

Thomas Linden QC, representing Cowell's TV company Simco, opposed Miss Czikai's right to have a full hearing on the basis that BGT was not an employer and that the staff had no prior knowledge of her disabilities. He also questioned whether posting a clip on the web constituted on-going harassment.

Miss Czikai suffers from fibromyalgia, which is characterised by widespread pain and fatigue, but is not recognised by some doctors. The hearing continues.


Unimpressed: Simon Cowell reacts to Miss Czikai's performance which took place in May last year


It's a no from them: All three judges buzzed the contestant out before she had completed her song

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That's a nice consolation prize! BGT's Ronan Parke set to sign £1m recording contract

By LIZ THOMAS


The next Bieber? Simon Cowell apparently thinks that Ronan Parke will be Britain's version of Justin Bieber


He narrowly lost out on the Britain’s Got Talent crown following claims online that the competition had been fixed in his favour.

But despite coming second to surprise winner Jai McDowall, it looks like Ronan Parke will be first to the coveted prize of a record deal.

Sources at Sony Music said they are still keen to offer the 12-year-old a recording contract estimated to be worth between £1million and £1.5million in the hope that he will become the ‘British Justin Bieber’.


Recording contract? Sony Music is said to be preparing a contract for the 12-year-old


Big fan: Cowell has always been a big supporter of Ronan, despite the fix allegations making their friendship tense


By contrast, McDowall has admitted that Simon Cowell has yet to speak to him about signing to his Syco label.

The 24-year-old Scot said: ‘I am just going to focus on the tour and the Royal Variety Show. Anything else I guess would be a bonus.’

The care worker, who won the £100,000 top prize, said he ‘dreamed of landing an album deal’.

It would be a surprise if Cowell handed him one – as when he auditioned for The X Factor last year he failed to get past the ‘boot camp’ stage.

An average of 12.3million viewers tuned in on Saturday night – peaking at 14.1million – to see McDowall beat bookmakers’ favourite Parke.

The singer was bullish about suggestions he was only victorious because of a backlash against Cowell over the online allegations.


Emotional: Ronan with his mother last night after coming second in the talent show competition


He said: ‘I think I just upped my game and had a better performance on the night. Some people are going to like Ronan better and some people are going to like what I do better.’

He added that Parke was a ‘great guy’ who was unfazed by the online claims, and the pair had struck up an unlikely friendship.


Close call: The difference between Jai, 24, and Ronan has been revealed to be only 2.5 per cent


Winner: Jai McDowall, standing with Ant and Dec, won last night's talent show and £100,000


Watch vdo clips below:

Jai McDowall, winner of Britain's Got Talent 2011 performs

[TV] Britain's Got Talent 2011 - Ronan Parke: Finals

source: dailymail

Cheryl Cole's American dream back on? Singer 'invited to rejoin X Factor USA'

By LARA GOULD

Friends again? Simon Cowell has managed to convince Fox executives Cheryl Cole is right for X Factor USA


Cheryl Cole was offered her job back on the X Factor USA last night – less than two weeks after being axed from the show.

The 27-year-old Girls Aloud singer and former judge on the British series was dropped amid claims that viewers couldn’t understand her Geordie accent and criticism of her performance on the panel.

But in a shock U-turn, Fox Television executives have given her a second chance after a personal intervention by X Factor supremo Simon Cowell.

Last night it remained unclear whether she would accept the offer, with a source saying: ‘The ball is in her court.’

The US network and Cowell have been criticised after it emerged Fox’s President of Alternative Entertainment, Mike Darnell – dubbed

the Rumpelstiltskin of Reality TV because of his 5ft 2in height – ordered Miss Cole off the show after he watched footage of her on the panel last month.

Significantly, since then, neither Fox nor Cowell’s representatives have released a statement confirming that Miss Cole had been sacked.

If Miss Cole – who has not been seen in public since she was axed from the show – decides to accept the offer, she could be back on the panel when auditions resume in New Jersey this week.


Back in the line-up? Cole with X Factor USA judges Antonio 'L.A.' Reid, Paula Abdul and Cowell and co-hosts Steve Jones and Nicole Scherzinger


If she agrees to the move, it would see Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger – who was given Cheryl’s place on the panel after her sudden exit – relegated to her original role as co-host with British TV pre¬senter Steve Jones.

But there was speculation the offer could be a plot by the American TV network to stave off any legal claim that Miss Cole could make for compensation against her sacking.

She was expected to receive a £1.2million payout in compensation despite filming only four episodes of the £100million series. However, if she then chooses not to accept Fox’s offer, it could reduce any payment the network would have to pay out.

Last night a spokesman for Miss Cole did not return calls.


A judge or co-host? Cheryl's return will mean Scherzinger - who performed on Britain's Got Talent last night - will revert to presenting


Miss Cole, one of four judges on the panel alongside Cowell, Paula Abdul and record producer L. A. Reid, flew back to Britain two weeks ago.

No official explanation has yet emerged as to why Miss Cole was dropped and sources close to her said she was not told why.

However, Fox executives were said to have complained about the ‘lack of chemistry’ between her and fellow judge Miss Abdul and concerns were raised about Miss Cole’s accent.

She was also criticised for her fashion sense and hairstyle after she arrived for her first day on the panel in purple trousers, an orange top and a backcombed hairstyle which Simon Cowell later said looked as if it was created in a wind tunnel.

Last week, British television executives gave Miss Cole the chance to resume her place on the ITV show – but she declined their offer after failing to respond to a deadline set for midnight last Saturday.

A source close to Cowell said last night: ‘Simon is staying out of this now. He has offered an olive branch but he is leaving the decisions up to Fox and Freemantle, the production company.


New panel: Louis Walsh is joined by Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Contostavlos and Gary Barlow at the Birmingham auditions of X Factor last week


‘Cheryl was offered the UK show because it was thought that would have made her happier. He just wants whatever is best for Cheryl.’

Her U.S. manager, Black Eyed Peas rapper Will.i.am said last week: 'Cheryl always comes back stronger, and she always comes back bigger. Cheryl has been through rougher things than this, so this is going to be no problem for her.

'It's easy to imagine Simon as this one-man empire, but that's not the case.

'He has people he needs to answer to and sometimes his hands are tied. I can only tell you what I've seen first-hand, that's a guy who deeply cares for her.'

The latest development comes just a few days after it was confirmed Mrs Cole would not be returning to the original UK X Factor.

Instead Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Kelly Rowland joined the only remaining judge Louis Walsh on the panel at the Birmingham auditions last week.

Walsh said he had spoken to Cole and she was doing 'fine'.

He said: 'I talked to Cheryl today - we’ve been texting all day and we’re having fun. I think she’s going to be fine.

'Listen, from her texts today she’s absolutely fine.'


Nicole Scherzinger Rocks Britain's Got Talent 2011

source: dailymail

Britain's Got Talent final

By JODY THOMPSON

Swinging time: Melbourne-born Marawa wowed the judges with her hula hoop routine


The Melbourne-born hula dancer did her thing with myriad hoops, complete with backing dancers, acrobatics and pyrothecnics.

Simon exclaimed afterwards: 'You've definitely lightened the mood now! That was the best hula hooping I've ever seen, you could not have put more into it.

Your facial expressions were absolutely hysterical too. You've put me in a good mood whatever happens, you are going to be booked for life!'

Fellow judge David Hasselhoff concurred, musing: 'You were almost literally on fire! A fantastic job!'


Big sound: Michael Collings won through to the finals of Britain's Got Talent with his soulful version of Paul Weller's You Do Something To Me


Gravity defying: Romanian Razy Gogonea, who lives in Manchester with his Lancastrian fiancée was the outright winner of tonight's semi with his Matrix-inspired dance routine


No strings attached: Razy admitted that he hurt himself pulling off his show-winning moves


Cock-a-hoop: Marawa was thrilled to have cheered Simon up after his angry opening speech


Such great heights: Show hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly were dwarfed by singing dog act Pip & Puppy


Not seeing eye-to-eye: The judges were not keen on Antonio Popeye


Rude to stare: Antonio Popeye's act did what it said on the tin


Next up was the equally over-the-top Pip and Puppy - aka opera singer Pippa Langhorne and her pooch Buddy.

As she trilled opera, her dog - dressed in a suit and dicky bow - howled while the pair of them got higher and higher as she rose on a platform hidden under her very long ballgown.

Equally bizarrely, all the judges loved it.



Wrong show: Former X Factor contestants bizarrely popped up as surprise guests to back semi-finalist Antonio


You look familiar: But the Kate and Wills lookalikes didn't help Antonio and his odd eye-bulging act win through either


Buzzed off: Antonio was the first - and only - act in the semi-final to be buzzed off by all four judges so had to stop before he'd finished


Amanda enthused: 'You reached new heights this evening. It was gorgeous. You're beautiful and you have a lovely voice.'

Simon meanwhile gave the act ovation, saying: 'All my life I've been waiting for a singing dog. I don't know how the dog remembers the words.'

Out-there Irish dancing act The Celtic Colleens also got a thumbs-up across the board, for their routine totally done in darkness about from their luminous legs and hands.

Simon - clearly having a better time on the show than on previous nights - mused after their act: 'I've got to say there were moments last night when I was almost losing the will to live.


Tense: The moment the acts in voted into the top three by the public waited to find which two would go through to the final


Man's best friend: But Puppy just howled at Pip's singing



Doggone: Despite getting voted into the top three by the public, Pippa And Puppy were sent home with their tail between their legs


'But tonight, I have to hand it to you three, you've done a very good job. You guys have done fantastic, that was really really smart, and I've never seen anything like that before, congratulations.'

However, husband and wife singing act Mr and Mrs failed to impress him with their version of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream and he buzzed them off almost immediately.

Next in line, teen rappers Jamie and George, aka Follow the Right Path, however did ring Simon's bell, as they rapped about their dead grandfather to the tune of Mika's Happy Ending.

Simon also managed to make George cry, though with tears of happiness, when he praised the duo despite criticisms from judges Amanda Holden and Michael McIntyre, saying they were 'absolutely brilliant.'


Lost in translation: Despite being given a wild card to come back on the show, despite being voted off by the judges earlier, French dancer Michael Moral failed to be voted through by the public


On song: Follow The Right Path rapped about losing their grandfather


Tears of joy: Follow The Right Path got emotional after resounding praise from Simon Cowell


Contestant Antonio certainly scored a first as the only semi-finalist to get buzzed by all four judges so he had to stop his act before the end.

He stood centre of stage bulging his eyes in time to the music surrounded by feather-waving dancing girls, as a pair of Kate and Wills lookalikes waved and Jedward pranced around behind him.

Michael Moral, the French dancer who Simon had brought back did better and got positive remarks from all four judges - though he failed to win in the dance off with rival Razy.


Bum note: Husband and wife act Mr And Mrs failed to strike the right chord with the judges or the voting public


Razy, who lives in Manchester with his Lancastrian fiancée, earned a standing ovation for his Matrix-inspired, gravity-defying body-popping routine.

The audience were equally wowed by scruffy singing sensation Michael Collings, a 19-year-old IT engineer and new father.

He has previously made a point of saying he's not a gypsy or a traveller just because he lives on a caravan site, saying: 'I'm not a gypsy and I don't live on a gypsy site,' explaining instead it was just a residential caravan park where his parents moved last year to escape the city.



Not so black and white: Despite wowing the judges and getting a great reaction from the audience, The Celtic Colleens Irish dance act failed to go through to the final


Wearing a checked shirt and tatty jeans, he sat on a stool with just his guitar for company and delivered a stunning version of You Do Something to Me by Paul Weller.

Simon was impressed - and appeared to be referring to the performance of 19-year-old Jessica Hobley from Thursday night, who he made cry with his criticism of her song and dance routine performance of Beyoncé's Single Ladies.


Great moves: The BGT 2009 winners Diversity wowed the crowd on the results show


Together at last: JLS and Diversity gave a great performance on the results show


He gushed: 'When you've got it - and you've got it - you don't need any dancers or any effects. This is why artists like Adele are doing so well all over the world.
'If you've got soul in your voice, and you have got soul in your voice, you can make it. That was absolutely fantastic.'

David meanwhile said Michael reminded him of a young Chris Rea.

Michael and Razy found themselves in the top three after the audience vote along with Pip and Puppy in the results show, on which Diversity performed with JLS for the first time ever.


What a wag: Judge David Hasselhoff arrived dressed as his famous Baywatch character Mitch Buchannon


All heart: Judge Amanda Holden in a heart print dress arriving at the BGT studios before the show (L) and Imogen Thomas, who was a guest in the audience


Driven man: Head judge Simon arrived at the studios in a swish black Bentley


Razy was the outright winner and automatically went through - then Michael swept the board with all four judges voting to put him through over the dog act.

They join finalists pianist Paul Gbegbaje, Ronan Parke, boogie woogie keyboard player Jean Martyn, boyband New Bounce, ballet dancer James Hobley, impressionist Les Gibson, singer Jai McDowall and comedy dancer Steven Hall.

The Britain's Got Talent final is on Saturday on ITV1 at 7pm.


Watch vdo clip:

Britain's Got Talent: Marawa - Britain's Got Talent Live Semi-Final, click

Antonio Popoye Semi-final Britains Got Talent 2011 Live, click

Angela and Teddy Semi-Final Britains Got Talent 2011, click

Razy Gogonea - Britains Got Talent, click

Britains Got Talent 2011 - Semi Final 5 - Michael Collings, click

Britains got talent - Pip & Puppy semi-finals, click

Britains Got Talent 2011 - Semi Final 5 - Michael Moral, click

Follow The Right Path - Britain's Got Talent Live Semi-Final, click

Celtic Colleens - Semi-Final - Britain's Got Talent 2011, click

Britain's Got Talent 2011 Live Semi Final 5 - Mr and Mrs, click

Britains got talent - Michael Collings semi-finals, click

Razy Gogonea Britain's Got Talent Live Semi Final itv com talent UK Version, click

source: dailymail