The 9 0'Clock News – Thu 26 Mar

Posted by heatworld on Thursday 26 Mar 2009

Filed under: Big Brother, Davina McCall, Fern Britton, Jack Tweed, Jack Whitehall, Jade Goody, Philip Schofield, The Apprentice, This Morning

Fern was "living in Phil's shadow" claims source:
Ever since Fern Britton announced the news that she was to leave This Morning after ten years yesterday, tongues have been wagging as to the real reason why – and it looks like it could all boil down to money. Insiders at ITV are claiming that Fern is fed up of playing second fiddle to her co-presenter Phillip Schofield, and that she decided to throw in the towel when she discovered he was earning almost three times more than her. One source said, "Fern is one of the best known faces on TV but she was living in Phil's shadow." Fern repotedly told her friends, "I've had enough!" before sensationally quitting the show. The ITV source continued, "Fern has not been happy with the way things have gone and she feels she and the show are being undervalued. She is not being paid anything like what Phillip is." Despite all the whisperings, Fern herself has not made any comment about money, instead saying she is leaving to "explore other things and spend more time with my wonderful family". At the moment it's hard to imagine This Morning without Fern, but that hasn't stopped the bookies going into a frenzy over who will replace her, as you'll see...

Apprentice reject Anita plans tell-all book. Groan
We don't know about you, but if we'd been booted off The Apprentice on the first show, we'd go away and hide our heads in a big paper bag – but then we forget what type of people go on this show. Last night's amazing first episode saw the two teams (Empire, the boys and Ignite, the girls) battle to clean the most cars in one day and make the most profit. Sadly for Anita Shah, the girls lost, and she was the one who Sir Alan pointed his angry finger at. Understandably miffed to be the first to go, Anita has now sworn to write a book about her experience (groan), and says we haven't seen the last of her (double groan). "I shouldn't have been fired," she said last night. "But I can live with it. You haven't seen the last of me. I'm going to write a novel next and it will make very interesting reading. I will send Sir Alan a copy." Hmm. Somehow we can't see him getting excited by that prospect. To be fair to Anita, though, we actually think team leader Mona "at the end of the day" Lewis should have got the boot ,purely for telling that slightly terrified man at the car showroom that he had "got it wrong". Scary! We were itching our teeth with discomfort. What did YOU think of last night's first episode, and do you think the right person got the boot?

Jack plans tattoo in tribute to Jade
Jack Tweed is to fulfil his dying wife Jade Goody's final wish by having a tattoo reading "Call Me And I Will Answer". Jack is reported to be having the tattoo etched on his body as a lasting memory of his late wife, who died on Mother's Day, as well as her bridesmaids who are also considering having the body art done too. Jack is thought to be preparing himself to go and visit Jade's body at the chapel of rest at FA Albin & Sons undertakers in Bermondsey, South London, with a family friend revealing, "Jack feels he needs to say a final goodbye. He is so, so down at the moment. He isn't sure he could forgive himself if he didn't take this final opportunity to tell her he loves her."

Davina announced as new Big Mouth host
Davina McCall will take over the Big Brother spin-off show Big Brothers Big Mouth – replacing cute comedian Jack Whitehall. The E4 show, which was originally on four nights of the week, will now be slashed to just one – a Friday night straight after the eviction. The new structure is reported to come as BB bosses hinted that next year's BB could be the last. Commissioning editor Angela Jain said, "We're contracted to do another Big Brother after this one. It's a shame, because I would have liked to end on the tenth anniversary of the series, but there will be a Big Brother 11 too." Can you believe the new series is only mere months away now? Where the hell has time gone?!