Benidorm, the hit ITV 1 comedy, is being re-shown on ITV4 right now, with a new series later in the year set to feature a very special guest star in the shape of Miss Cilla Black. Our Cilla (pictured left) says: “I used to have a holiday home in Spain so I can relate to some of the characters and love the show totally.”


ITV plan To hopefully make extra cash, this time with TV gardener and chat show host Alan Titchmarsh. According to friends: “He is a great brand that could be spread across all manner of things like jams, pots, pans and even bedding.” Well, girls?


Simon Cowell has big plans for the final of this year’s X Factor. A source tells me: “He would like the final to be at the O2 or Wembley, it’s his dream to make it the biggest TV event of the year, but so far he is keeping all plans under wraps...”


Ex-Neighbours star Holly Valance, who played Flick in the soap, now pops up in the next series of Miss Marple! “My family are so pleased as it’s a role where I get to wear period costume ... well it’s in the 1950s,” she laughed. “But honestly the show is huge back home in Oz and I think this will signal a change of career direction for me.”


Strictly Come Dancing is back very soon with Bruce and Tess, and I can reveal one guest who is going with them and not X Factor – Sir Elton John. He has a new album out later this year and is a huge fan of the show – a source reveals: “It’s a battle for the biggest stars but I think Strictly Come Dancing has the edge guest-wise...”


The One Show has two new presenters, but it appears that Alex and Jason have a bit of work to do before they take on the mantel of Christine and Adrian. Ratings have not been huge so far but the BBC say it’s down to the fact many people are on holiday.


Emmerdale farmer Kelvin Fletcher, who plays Andy Sugden in the show, tells me he has spent the time away from the Dales directing his first movie. “It’s something I want to branch out into and I think later on, when the acting dries up, it could be a new career for me.”


Eastenders have ditched plans to move the set and cast to a new purpose-built studio at Pinewood – famous as the home of Bond films. BBC bosses have stated that it’s too expensive right now, but the actors are thrilled as: “It’s much easier to get to Elstree than Pinewood and this has been our home for over 20 years.”


Kylie may have been deemed too expensive to be a guest mentor on the new series of X Factor this year as she needed to fly out to Oz at great expense, but that’s not the case with Sinitta, who once again will try to upstage the contestants in revealing outfits. Sin, though, can take comfort in at least having her own greatest hits released this year to a loyal band of fans...


Ex-Eastenders actress Preeya Kalidas who played Amira in the show, has been dropped by her record label after only one single. The actress released the track ‘Shimmy’ but it stalled at number 85 in the charts. Now she plans to release the album on her own label – very wise...


The new Coronation Street stage play written by Jonathan Harvey is hopefully moving to the West End. A source reveals: “It’s early days but we do think it can take off with many of our southern fans too, and a West End stint would be the icing on the cake.”


Julia Bradbury says the success of her show Countryfile with John Craven is down partly to the recession. “I think we show people how they can enjoy themselves on a low budget, plus all that scenery and fresh air, it’s great and yes I really do all that walking in the show!” she laughed.


Great news for fans of soap legend Betty Turpin, played by Betty Driver. I can reveal she is not in line for the famous tram crash looming in Coronation Street this festive season. Insiders tell me: “No Betty is safe, and she is thrilled about it too...”


Suzanne Shaw, who plays Eve in Emmerdale, reveals she fully expects her character to be hated when her doomed affair takes off. She said: “I think that my role is to be the bad girl of the Dales but I am loving it, and let’s face it, Eve is just out for herself and a better life.” Can Carl King provide that though?


Wild at Heart is starting filming again later this year, to be on screen early in 2011, but actress Dawn Steele, who stars in the show, admits that it’s taken a while not to be frightened of some of the animals. “It’s fair to say I think I may have been a bit of a girl with them at start, but they are lovely now,” she said.


Remember Esther Rantzen? She found fame via the consumer affairs TV show ‘That’s Life’ then appeared on everything from I’m A Celebrity to Strictly Come Dancing in a bid to be remembered. Her last attempt to be an MP failed to take off, and she told a friend at a party last week in London: “I think they should bring That’s Life back – it would be great in the 21st century.” But would you host it Esther?


Is ITV2 the right home for Danni Minogue the style queen?
Her new reality TV show is not proving as popular as bosses first thought, and Danni herself has been quick to defend it saying: “It’s a story and it builds with time, so stick with it.”


Barbara Windsor admits she that already misses playing Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders. She said: “She was a huge part of my life and Peggy is like many women I know, but I felt the time was right and yes I am glad she wasn’t killed off.”