IF there was ever a reason to watch The X Factor: Celebrity, this is it.
I can exclusively reveal that judge Nicole Scherzinger will be unveiling The Pussycat Dolls’ hotly anticipated comeback on the show later this month.
She will take to the stage for a surprise performance with bandmates Meoldy Thornton, Kimberley Wyatt, Ashley Roberts, Carmit Bachar and Jessica Sutta to mark their first big gig in more than a decade.
A source said: “The X Factor producers approached Nicole about the idea of performing with the girls and she jumped at the chance.
“It’s going to be their first big performance of the reunion and will be extra special for Nicole because of her role in the show.
“Having the Pussycat Dolls perform is a real coup for Simon Cowell and he has told Nicole to pull out all the stops to make sure their routine gets people talking.
“The girls know how much this performance means to Nicole so they’re going all-out. It will be really special.”
I exclusively revealed that the group behind hits including Don’t Cha and Buttons were reuniting to mark their 20th anniversary.
Their comeback will see the band go on a mega tour throughout the UK and Europe — in what is set to be the biggest return since the Spice Girls’ comeback in the summer.
All the ladies have stayed tight-lipped since I revealed their plans for a comeback but Nicole couldn’t help herself last month when she finally came close to letting the cat out of the bag.
When asked about my story by fans, she said: “I wouldn’t rule it out but I can’t confirm anything right now.”
Luckily for their fans, I promise it won’t be long now.
Nicole gets Dolled up for reunion
ARIANA Grande was snubbed at last night’s MTV EMAs, failing to win a single gong despite leading the charge with seven nominations.
Luckily, she avoided any embarrassment by swerving the ceremony in Seville, Spain, where Billie Eilish was last night’s big winner.
She scooped the Best New Act prize and Best Song for her hit single Bad Guy.
K-pop group BTS also won in the Best Live and Biggest Fans category.
But it was Niall Horan who stole the show with a performance of his current single Nice To Meet Ya.
Mabel performed Don’t Call Me Up at the ceremony, which airs again on MTV at 10pm tonight, and teased there is more music on the way.
Speaking on the red carpet, she said: “There’s so many exciting things coming that I can’t wait for people to hear. I’m always trying to develop and give people something bigger and better than before.”
Dua Lipa, Halsey, Liam Gallagher and Ava Max were among the performers at the bash, which was attended by Cristiano Ronaldo.
Little Mix skipped the night after three sold-out shows at London’s O2 Arena, despite landing the Best UK Act gong.
A rare night in for the Little Mix girls was probably a welcome relief.
bizmeter charts
- TONES & I is heading for a sixth week at the top with her viral tune Dance Monkey. Last week she recorded her highest sales yet.
- Riton and Oliver Heldens could sneak into the Top Ten with their banger Turn Me On flirting with ninth place.
Official charts
First look
- Dance Monkey – Tones & I
- Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa
- Ride It – Regard
- Good As Hell – Lizzo
- South Of The Border – Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello & Cardi B
- Memories – Maroon 5
- Circles – Post Malone
- Lose You To Love Me – Selena Gomez
- Turn Me On – Riton, Oliver Heldens & Vula
- Bruises – Lewis Capaldi
Alan’s mucky meeting on Grindr
HE’S the cuddly, sweater-wearing gardening guru and grannies’ favourite, so Alan Titchmarsh is the last person you’d expect to see on gay dating app Grindr.
The Fifty Shades Of Green presenter was spotted advertising his Christmas concert in London next month on it.
Shocked users looking to find their future husband were greeted by a picture of the star in one of his famous jumpers and encouraging them to “book now” for Christmas With Alan Titchmarsh at London’s Royal Festival Hall.
The innocent pop-up ad promised the event would feature “carols for all”. How inclusive.
One user said: “I was absolutely shocked when I saw Alan there. At first I thought it was an older man who was on the app looking for love.
“When I looked a bit closer I saw it was Alan looking to flog tickets for his Christmas concert. Well, he certainly knows his market.” I never had him down as a gay icon.
bizbit
ALONG with being a top model, Abbey Clancy could have been a pop star.
Before meeting footballer hubby Peter Crouch she joined a girl band called Genie Queen put together by Atomic Kitten founder Andy McCluskey.
He said: “Nobody believes me but Abbey is an amazing singer. Those girls could sing their socks off.
“Genie Queen were even better than Atomic Kitten. I should have bitten the bullet and released Genie Queen independently, because they were brilliant.”
Joe strictly up for Jay Z shoot
JOE Lycett has told how he pretty much had a guaranteed slot on Strictly Come Dancing – but turned it down.
The comic was asked to do the show by head judge Shirley Ballas.
Radio host Joe said: “My mum really wants me to do Strictly.
“I actually met Shirley Ballas recently and she was asking me about doing it but it’s just not for me.”
Instead, the funnyman wants to make music videos, not boogie in them, and he’s aiming unrealistically high.
He said: “I’ve always loved music videos and have found them inspiring.
“When I listen to music I always think it would be fun to come up with ideas for a video – it’s how my mind works.
“It’s something I’ve put off for ages but want to get around to at some point.”
Asked who he’d like to make one for, he replied: “Beyonce and Jay Z – it would be someone ridiculous and cool like that.”
I hope for his sake that offer from Shirley hasn’t expired.
bizbit
JAMES Blunt, James Morrison and Will Young will play at London’s Kew Gardens in July.
Speaking about the gigs, Will said: “It’s all gardening and singing in my life, so Kew the Music is the perfect show for me.”
Love is a Payne for Cheryl
LIAM Payne irked his ex Cheryl Tweedy when he confirmed The Sun’s story that they had broken up five months before publicly confirming the split.
The singer admitted the pair had moved on before they put on a united front in February 2018 at the Brit Awards.
Cheryl could greet Liam’s latest words in a similar manner too, as he has made a fresh jibe at her, saying his love life has “been super-horrendous so far”.
He also insists his girlfriend, model Maya Henry, is the first of his partners to be “really relaxed about everything”.
The former 1D singer told MTV: “I’m really happy right now and things are good. Now that I’ve found someone who’s my best friend as well as my partner, it’s massively changed things for me.
“She’s just so relaxed about everything,” he continued. “Someone who’s completely got your back with everything is just the wildest thing.
“I don’t think I’ve really experienced that before in someone, so it’s quite a wonder to watch.”
I’m really enjoying this refreshingly honest side of Liam.
bizbit
JOAQUIN Phoenix has teased the idea of a sequel to his hit film Joker.
The actor told the LA Times: “In the second or third week of shooting I was like, ‘Can you start working on a sequel? There’s way too much to explore’.”
bizbit
CRAIG David has teamed up with Spotify to give a Best Advice talk about having a successful career.
The singer, who tours next year, said: “I hope I can help young artists to feel empowered and guided in their choices.”
Jonas’s Shawn tie-in
DJ Jonas Blue is in talks with man-of-the-moment Shawn Mendes in a bid to make his next big hit.
Speaking at the premiere of Rise Of The Footsoldier 4: Marbella he said: “We want to do something soon so hopefully something with Shawn, maybe next year.”
Jonas, who has worked with Ellie Goulding and Justin Bieber, also teased more work with a big artist, saying: “We’re preparing the next single, due out January. It will be a really big one.”
Sounds exciting.
Jamie’s secret struggle
ED Sheeran’s first signing on his record label, Jamie Lawson, has revealed just how devastating cancer has been to his family.
The singer lost two uncles to different forms of the disease earlier this year.
Jamie, who has partnered with men’s health charity Movember for its Mo Sounds campaign, said: “One uncle was very supportive of my music career.
“His cancer was pretty full-blown and he was pretty riddled with the disease. He would come to my shows and talk about me to his friends very proudly.
“He was a big fan of music and he bought tickets to my Shepherd’s Bush Empire gig in London last May, so determined was he to beat the cancer, but sadly he didn’t make it.
“That was a strange night for me, for sure. It has made me realise you have to make the most of life and your time.”
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