The lineup for this year's Pointless Celebrities series has been announced by BBC One.
Beginning with an August 9 comedy special, the upcoming series will feature different themes each week.
Four teams of two from the world of music, TV, soaps, sport, food and drink, journalism, radio and theatre will compete for charity in weekly specials to air on Saturday evenings on BBC One.
The first show pits Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson from Birds of a Feather against Ronni Ancona and Phil Cornwell, Su Pollard and Ruth Madoc, and Josh Widdicombe and his partner Sara Pascoe.
Standout teams from the series include Stefan Dennis and fellow Neighbours star Rebekah Elmaloglou, who will square off against Ray Quinn and Louis Emerick from Brookside.
Antony Costa from Blue will team with 5ive's Scott Robinson in the music special, while TV stars Louie Spence and Carol McGiffin will face off against the likes...
Beginning with an August 9 comedy special, the upcoming series will feature different themes each week.
Four teams of two from the world of music, TV, soaps, sport, food and drink, journalism, radio and theatre will compete for charity in weekly specials to air on Saturday evenings on BBC One.
The first show pits Lesley Joseph and Linda Robson from Birds of a Feather against Ronni Ancona and Phil Cornwell, Su Pollard and Ruth Madoc, and Josh Widdicombe and his partner Sara Pascoe.
Standout teams from the series include Stefan Dennis and fellow Neighbours star Rebekah Elmaloglou, who will square off against Ray Quinn and Louis Emerick from Brookside.
Antony Costa from Blue will team with 5ive's Scott Robinson in the music special, while TV stars Louie Spence and Carol McGiffin will face off against the likes...
- 7/25/2014
- Digital Spy
Deena Payne has claimed that she has "got her life back" following her Emmerdale exit. The actress left the ITV1 soap in January, when Viv Windsor became one of the two victims of a devastating blaze. Speaking to Channel 5's Ok! TV, Payne admitted that she was enjoying her chance to spend time at home. "Oh I love it, I love it. I'm just indulging at being at home," she said. "I've painted my healing room and I've made curtains, cushions and everything. I'm just being a mum and enjoying it. I've got my life back. "You did have a bit of a life [on the soap], but it was always constricted. You know, you go on holiday with a load of scripts." Speaking (more)...
- 3/15/2011
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Deena Payne has played down suggestions that she is 'furious' over her Emmerdale exit storyline, insisting that she is merely "sad and disappointed". The actress's character Viv Hope met a tragic end in last night's double bill of the ITV1 soap as a ferocious fire in the village claimed her life. However, Payne has since accused show bosses of failing to give Viv a decent send-off because she barely featured in the episodes. As she appeared on This Morning today, Payne was asked to comment on a "Viv's Fury" headline which appears alongside a newly-published interview she has given to a newspaper. Payne replied: "Substitute that for 'sad and disappointed'. I'm not furious or angry at all - I've loved my 18 years [at Emmerdale]. All good things have to come to an end and I've had such support (more)...
- 1/14/2011
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Ex-Emmerdale actress Deena Payne has admitted that she will miss "tottering" around in Viv Hope's short skirts. The actress bowed out of the ITV soap last night as Viv tragically perished in a dramatic blaze. Despite claiming that her exit was an "anti-climax", Payne insisted that she does not "want to sound resentful" about being axed. "I enjoyed Emmerdale and I've always been 150 per cent into it," she told The Mirror. "When I first arrived, there were only two episodes a week, 17 people in the cast and it wasn't really one of the best soaps. "Over my 18 years we've gone to six episodes a week and a cast of 55-plus. It's now one of the top (more)...
- 1/14/2011
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Deena Payne has admitted that she was disappointed by her on-screen exit from Emmerdale. Viewers saw Viv Hope killed off last night, as the blaze started by DC Nick Henshall spread through the village. She perished alongside Terry (Billy Hartman), who bravely attempted to rescue her from the flat above the shop. In an interview with The Mirror, Payne slammed her final episodes as an "anti-climax" after spending 18 years playing the character. "I was very disappointed with my departure," she said. "And I think the viewers will be, too. Having followed Viv for so long and travelled with her on her ups and downs, I think they'd want a better build-up so they could really get into it and give her a good send-off." She continued: "I was promised a big storyline. Instead it's probably the easiest exit in soap history because I didn't (more)...
- 1/14/2011
- by By Ryan Love
- Digital Spy
Billy Hartman has confirmed that he will look back fondly on his long stint playing Terry Woods in Emmerdale. Earlier tonight, Terry met a tragic end as he became a casualty of the soap's shock fire storyline, which saw a blaze spread through a row of cottages at the heart of the village. Terry lost his life while trying to save Viv Hope (Deena Payne) as the flames consumed her flat - but she also lost her life in the disaster. Reflecting on his time at Emmerdale, Hartman commented: "I don't (more)...
- 1/13/2011
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Deena Payne has admitted that she will miss her role as Emmerdale's Viv Hope. In a dramatic double bill of the soap which aired tonight, viewers saw Viv's long stint in the village end in tragedy as she lost her life in a ferocious fire. Show bosses had announced Payne's departure last October, promising that she would leave the programme as part of a "huge winter storyline". In a new interview reflecting on her time at Emmerdale, Payne was asked who she will miss most now that she has bowed out. The actress replied: "Viv! She has been my one Emmerdale constant for nearly 18 years! And of course many of the crew and (more)...
- 1/13/2011
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Lives will be lost in Emmerdale in the New Year when a massive fire causes terror and tragedy, it has been announced. The shock new storyline will see a blaze rip through a row of cottages in the heart of the village in some of the soap's most spectacular scenes ever. Show bosses have confirmed that at least two characters will perish in the inferno, although the identities of the casualties will be kept closely under wraps until transmission. Betty Eagleton (Paula Tilbrook), Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter) and Gennie Walker (Sian Reese-Williams) are just three of the villagers who have been named as possible victims of the flames. Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop) and Terry Woods (Billy Hartman) will also be in danger when the fire spreads to their home, while Viv Hope (Deena Payne) is another (more)...
- 11/24/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Emmerdale's Emma Atkins has said that the announcement of co-star Deena Payne's upcoming departure from the show was "a shock". The actress, who plays Charity Tate in the Yorkshire-based soap, told Holy Soap that she is sad Payne will leave the role of Viv Hope this winter after 18 years on the show. Atkins said at the launch of Emmerdale spinoff DVD The Dingles: For Richer, For Poorer: "I am very sad [that Payne is leaving]. "It was a (more)...
- 10/25/2010
- by By Naomi Rainey
- Digital Spy
Deena Payne is to be axed from 'Emmerdale' after 18 years. The 56-year-old actress - who joined the rural soap in 1993 as village gossip Viv Hope - is set to leave the rural soap after almost two-decades as the show's longest serving female star. After joining as landlady of the Woolpack pub, the now legendary village postmistress will leave the Dales in a ''major storyline'' in the run-up to Christmas (25.12.10). Deena admits she wasn't surprised with the news and had already considered leaving herself after becoming ''unhappy'' her character Viv was being sidelined. The actress - who recently wed musician Steve Grant - ..
- 10/11/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Emmerdale star Deena Payne is to leave the soap after 18 years in the role of Viv Hope, it has been announced. The actress will bow out from the part within the next few months - though details of her final storyline are currently being kept closely under wraps. Despite the secrecy surrounding Viv's forthcoming departure, show producers have confirmed that her exit will be at the heart of a "huge winter storyline". In a statement, Payne commented: "Emmerdale has been such a gift to me for the past 18 years and I've taken every challenge with both hands and enjoyed the ride. "I'm very proud of Viv and the impact she has had over the years. I will miss putting on her shoulder pads and high heels every morning, (more)...
- 10/10/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Deena Payne and Tony Audenshaw think 'Emmerdale's Bob and Viv Hope are ''soulmates''. The pair - who play the feuding husband-and-wife couple in the rural soap - are convinced their alter-egos are meant to be together despite their tempestuous relationship and year apart. Deena said: ''Despite all their problems, deep down they're soulmates, I hope they get back together - but I've got a funny feeling hey wont.'' Tony added: ''We don't know what happens ourselves. But I really trust what the bosses of the show are doing with the Hopes, and whatever they decide, I'm happy to go with it.'' The couple have a ..
- 5/23/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Emmerdale actress Deena Payne has claimed that co-star Danny Miller deserved to win a prize at this year's British Soap Awards. Miller was up for the 'Best Actor' and 'Best Dramatic Performance' gongs at the ceremony earlier this month, while his character Aaron Livesy's sexuality plot was nominated for 'Best Storyline'. However, despite the nods, he went home empty-handed. As a whole, Emmerdale was nominated in every single category this year, but the show's only recognition on the night went to long-serving writer Bill (more)...
- 5/20/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Emmerdale star Deena Payne has admitted that she was shocked when she learned that her character Viv Hope would split from husband Bob. The couple's relationship hits the rocks in tonight's double bill of the rural soap after Viv discovers that Bob (Tony Audenshaw) slept with Genesis Walker (Sian Reese-Williams) last year. Speaking to the Daily Record about the plot, Payne revealed: "I was shocked when they said they were going to split us up and I think the fans are going to be, too. They will be thinking they will get back together, but I don't think they will. "I think fans will mourn the end of Viv and Bob. I certainly have. I went though a mournful patch but then I thought, (more)...
- 5/20/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
'Emmerdale's Viv Hope discovers her husband Bob Hope cheated on her with Gennie Walker in a dramatic new storyline. The long-running character - played by Deena Payne - learns the shocking news when Gennie (Sian Reese-Williams) prepares to leave the Dales for Cornwall with her boyfriend Jamie Hope (Alex Carter). As Gennie and Bob have a last minute heart-to-heart, Jamie gets upset as he recalls the fling between his father and lover. Sian told Inside Soap magazine: ''The problem is not so much that he doesn't believe them when they say it's over - it's the fact that he just can't get the idea ..
- 5/12/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
'Emmerdale's Nicola De Souza gets arrested for child abuse. The office assistant - played by Nicola Wheeler - is horrified when she is investigated by social services, who threaten to take her eight-month-old daughter Angelica into care. The incident arises after Nicola sees Viv Hope's (Deena Payne) three-year-old daughter Cathy bite Angelica. To teach the toddler a lesson, Nicola gently bites her back, but Viv sees and calls police, with the situation rapidly spiralling out of control. A source told The Sun newspaper: ''Nicola is furious with herself when she realises what she's done. ''That split-second decision could mean losing her daughter as Angelica could ..
- 4/15/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Emmerdale's Nicola De Souza is to find herself accused of child abuse in a forthcoming storyline, a report has claimed. The new mum - played by actress Nicola Wheeler - faces having her baby daughter Angelica taken away by social services following a row over Viv Hope's (Deena Payne) toddler Cathy, according to The Sun. It is thought that the controversy begins when Nicola sees Cathy biting Angelica. In an attempt to teach the child a lesson, Nicola is expected to gently bite Cathy back, prompting Viv to call police when she finds out. In later scenes, (more)...
- 4/15/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
'Emmerdale' actress Deena Payne has secretly married her long-term partner Steve Grant. The soap star - who portrays businesswoman Viv Hope in the ITV1 show - wed her rocker boyfriend of 21-years in Barbados last month after he proposed to her by text message when he was away on tour. She said: ''I thought he was joking. We'd both been married before and it hadn't worked out so we had a bit of baggage. But it seemed the right thing to do. We were planning a special holiday - we'd only done that once since out son Will, now 17, was born - ..
- 3/1/2010
- Virgin Media - TV
Emmerdale actress Deena Payne has tied the knot with partner Steve Grant following a 21-year romance. The couple married in a beachfront ceremony in Barbados last month after Grant made a surprise proposal by text, asking Payne: "Will you marry me? x." He sent the message while on tour in Australia with his band Sweet. Payne - who plays Emmerdale's Viv Hope - told Hello magazine: "I thought he was joking. We'd both been married before and it hadn't worked out so we had a bit of baggage. "But it seemed the right thing to do. We were planning a special holiday - we'd only done that once since our son Will, now 17, was born - so (more)...
- 3/1/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Emmerdale star Deena Payne has revealed more details about her recent work on a live music show. The actress, who plays Viv Hope in the ITV1 soap, teamed up with her guitarist partner Steve Grant to create Barockestra, which gives classical favourites like Vivaldi's Four Seasons a rock-style twist. She first discussed the project on This Morning in July. Payne, who had a musical theatre career before joining Emmerdale in 1993, choreographed dance sequences and also customised authentic Baroque outfits for the production. She worked on the show during her recent one-year break from the Yorkshire-based drama. She told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "Emmerdale took me away from all that I knew in the dance world, so I absolutely loved doing Barockestra. (more)...
- 9/28/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Following a year-long stretch inside for a crime she didn't commit, Emmerdale's Viv Hope made a welcome return to the village during yesterday's episode. Very quickly after landing herself in prison by pleading guilty to fraud, Viv - played by 54-year-old Deena Payne - managed to secure expert legal advice when her cellmate recommended a hotshot solicitor. Her three-year sentence was soon shortened to one and she was eventually released back into the community. Her return wasn't as smooth as she'd imagined, though. Stepping back into her rightful place behind the counter at the Post Office, she dipped into the cash register to retrieve small change for her taxi driver. However, she suddenly found herself being restrained by Brenda (Lesley Dunlop) - neither knowing the other's identity. It was only when Paddy (Dominic Brunt) explained (more)...
- 7/15/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Emmerdale returnee Deena Payne has revealed that she loved every minute of her year's break from the show and became "very protective" over her time. The 54-year-old, who plays postmistress Viv Hope in the rural ITV soap, returned to filming last month following a 12-month respite period from the show's intensive filming schedule. Her comeback scenes aired during last night's episode. Speaking of her time off, she said on This Morning: "I had a lovely year off... After 16 years I was very protective over my time, nobody could take it away from me and I only did want I wanted to do. It was fantastic!" She joked: "I did find that I had a laundry basket in my hand most (more)...
- 7/15/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Emmerdale actress Deena Payne has revealed that her co-stars gave her a warm welcome when she returned to the soap's set. The 54-year-old, who plays Viv Hope on the ITV1 show, made her Dales comeback last month after taking a one-year break for personal reasons. "Everybody's been absolutely fantastic," she confirmed. "All the scenes are taking so long because everyone has been giving me big hugs and sincerely saying they've missed me. It's been so lovely coming back to work - it was well worth going away for!" Payne also admitted that she barely (more)...
- 7/13/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Emmerdale actor Tony Audenshaw has admitted that he struggled without his soap co-star Deena Payne. Payne, 54, announced that she was taking a one-year break from her role as Viv Hope in November 2007, vowing to focus on her family and charity commitments. Last month, the actress returned to the ITV1 show and promised "loads of enthusiasm" - to the joy of Audenshaw, who plays her screen husband Bob. Speaking to the Daily Record, he explained: "Deena not being on set did feel like a hole. It was as if my right arm was missing. "It's a special (more)...
- 7/11/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Having been released from prison, Emmerdale's Viv Hope (Deena Payne) rolls up to her home in a taxi but only has a £50 note to pay the driver. She heads inside the Post Office for a smaller denomination but is quickly accosted by Brenda (Lesley Dunlop) who has no idea who Viv is. How will Bob (Tony Audenshaw) deal with his wife Viv's (more)...
- 7/10/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Emmerdale actress Deena Payne has returned to filming with the show following her year-long break. In 2007, the 54-year-old, who plays Viv Hope in the Yorkshire serial drama, announced her intention to take a 12-month break to spend more time with her family and concentrate on her charity. Her exit storyline saw her screen counterpart Viv sentenced to a year's imprisonment after she pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud when conman Freddie Yorke (Keith Woodason) stole her charity money and left her to foot the blame. However, the lives of her family and friends have moved on significantly since her departure, as her husband Bob's (Tony Audenshaw) financial crisis resulted in Brenda Walker (Lesley Dunlop) investing in the business, while he has also recently been struggling with his feelings (more)...
- 6/16/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Emmerdale's Donna Windsor Dingle's life is left hanging in the balance tonight when her car pursuit of Viv's (Deena Payne) charity nemesis Freddie Yorke (Keith Woodason) culminates in an almighty car flip and explosion. In a desperate attempt to prove her mother's innocence, Donna - played by 22-year-old Verity Rushworth - loses control of her car at a roundabout, resulting in a mid-air flip and leaving her (more)...
- 8/18/2008
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
I'm A Celebrity chiefs are keen to recruit at least one Emmerdale actress for the new series. Deena Payne, who plays Viv Hope, and former stars Lorraine Chase (Steph Forsythe) and Linda Thorson (Rosemary King) have all been in talks with producers in recent weeks, according to a report. "Jungle chiefs know that having a soap star on the show really pulls in the ratings," an insider told the Daily Star. "In recent (more)...
- 7/28/2008
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
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