AFTER years playing feisty mum Jan in Benidorm, SIOBHAN FINNERAN is stepping out in another ITV hit – as a glam Cheshire housewife in Cold Feet.
And her character, Nikki Kirkbright, is set to get romantically involved with posh David.
I’m told that following his court case last series, David (ROBERT BATHURST) is trying to forge a fresh career in personal finance when he meets married Nikki and they spark a close bond.
But her husband George (ROBERT GLENISTER) isn’t all he seems and Nikki is just using David. Siobhan, who also played Downton Abbey’s scheming maid O’Brien and troubled Clare in BBC drama Happy Valley, said: “I’m incredibly happy to be involved in Cold Feet as I’ve always been a fan.
“It’s an absolute joy to be part of such an iconic series. Working with Robert and the rest of the cast has been a great pleasure.”
JACEY SALLES returns as PA Ramona and PAUL RITTER, of Friday Night Dinner, is her business partner. Cold Feet returned last year after a 13-year break.
The new series, beginning next month, will go out on Fridays — handy for Paul, then.
Beeb insane to snub Usain farewell
IT was a historic moment for sport as USAIN BOLT retired and said his final, emotional goodbye at the end of the World Championships in London.
But BBC bosses decided to snub the Jamaican legend’s tear-jerking lap of honour on Sunday night in favour of their own highlights montage of the event.
Criticism was fierce, but a Beeb spokeswoman insisted last night: “We have fittingly honoured Bolt’s incredible career across the course of the Championships, including a very special tribute from MICHAEL JOHNSON.”
On Eurosport, meanwhile, viewers saw Bolt bow out with dignity.
The sprinter was then presented with a commemorative piece of the London Stadium track by LORD SEBASTIAN COE and the city’s mayor, SADIQ KHAN. It was a bad day for the BBC, which also faced anger from fans for showing a patch of stadium grass instead of the last stretch of the women’s 4x400m relay final.
The camera failed to follow EMILY DIAMOND down the final 100m stretch as she held off a late surge from Poland to win silver for Team GB.
The Championships’ hedgehog mascot could have done a better job.
Viewers go wild
WE don’t need to be told twice to crack out the barbecue on those rare summer weekends when the sun comes out.
But viewers were put off their grub on Sunday when BBC1’s Countryfile showed SEAN FLETCHER eating a horsemeat burger.
The BBC1 show was looking at potential ways of managing Dartmoor’s growing wild pony population. But eating them was too much for several fans to stomach and they called it “disgusting” on Twitter.
Sean, who compared the taste to beef, responded: “We weren’t promoting eating ponies. As I explained, many are shot at birth. Most people agree this isn’t a good option.”
Horsemeat burgers soon in a supermarket near you? Wouldn’t be the first time.
Soapbox
A NEW Mitchell family feud in EASTENDERS is sparked as Ben learns the car lot land is worth more than The Arches.
He worries Phil cares more about Jay than him.
Kathy finds out what’s going on and, no surprise, is quick to confront Phil.
In EMMERDALE, Emma is shaken as Finn presents her with the missing note, and she admits James wrote it. Later, Emma tells Leyla she no longer has her wedding dress.
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