The 9 0'Clock News – Thu 22 Oct

Posted by heatworld on Thursday 22 Oct 2009

Filed under: Alex Reid, Ali Bastian, Brian Fortuna, Edward Grimes, John Grimes, Katie Price, Peter Andre, Spice Girls, Stacey Soloman, Strictly Come Dancing, The X Factor, Celebrity

Katie Price's drag stunt not a hit with fans:
Katie Price left her fans puzzled yesterday after turning up for a book signing with four male pals dressed up as her. Katie took boyfriend Alex Reid, brother Danny, riding instructor Andrew Gould and good friend Phil Turner along for the stunt, and somehow persuaded them to don skimpy outfits, wigs and make-up. However, fans who showed up to meet their idol weren't too impressed. One said afterwards, "They looked like a freakshow. Katie was nice but the blokes just looked scary. It was a very weird thing to do." Katie's boyfriend Alex was also said to have scowled when asked how he felt to be dressed up. The whole thing is a bit baffling. Katie has also be warned to expect a legal writ today, as both Peter Andre and his manager Claire Powell prepare to sue her for libel and defamation.

Spice Girls to front new TV talent show
The Spice Girls are reportedly in talks to star in a new reality show which will see them search for five girls to play them in a Spice musical. Victoria Beckham, Mel C, Emma Bunton, Geri Halliwell and Mel B are all keen to work together again, but are reluctant to go through the madness of another tour. The girls have got the backing of their former manager Simon Fuller, who also owns the rights to the "Idol" concept, so the show could well become a Spice Idol-type thing. One insider said, "It's a fantastic new way to broaden out the Spice franchise, and it appeals to all the band members." Oooh, sounds like fun, don't you think?

The X Factor's Stacey is backing Jedward
They may be at the bottom of the bookies' lists, but The X Factor's John & Edward have managed to attract a number of famous fans, including Tom from McFly and even Robbie Williams. One of their fellow contestants has also been singing (not literally, although that would be brilliant) their praises this week. Stacey Soloman says of the young pair, "I love watching them perform. They're cool dancers and really nice guys." Jedward have also managed to secure quite a solid female following since the weekend, and fans have been pinning love notes to the fence outside the X Factor house. It would be unbelievably funny if they actually managed to win, wouldn't it?

Strictly's Ali Bastian in swine flu scare
Strictly Come Dancing bosses have been thrown into a panic this week after one of their top contestants Ali Bastian developed flu-like symptoms. It is thought that Ali caught a virus of some sort from her dancing partner Brian Fortuna, and she originally feared it may be swine flu. "We were petrified Ali had caught swine flu," said a friend last night. "But she has been downplaying it. She made it to her rehearsal but she fears it's getting worse." Ali and Brian will do their best to appear on Saturday's show, but there's still a chance Ali may be too ill. Poor thing. Get well soon, guys.