CRAIG DAVID is Walking Away from DJing for a while – so he can star alongside Simon Cowell as a judge on his new ITV musical game show Walk The Line.
The Fill Me In hitmaker will make his first major TV debut on the series when it launches later this year, alongside music mogul Simon and a third mystery judge.
Craig David will join the judging panel of Walk The Line
Simon Cowell’s new musical game show launches later this year
Signing up Craig is a massive coup for producers, who are keen for the new format to make a splash.
The show is being hosted by presenter Maya Jama and has a whopping £500,000 prize pot.
A well-placed industry insider tells us: “Craig David is an icon of the British music industry – but he’s also as relevant today as he was when he burst on the scene back at the beginning of the Noughties.
“He’s appeared on Simon’s shows before – and he’s widely respected – so it would make perfect sense for him to be involved in Simon’s new show.
“It’s an exciting move and adds real credibility to the panel. You can always rely on Simon to keep it fresh and get everyone talking.
“Backstage bosses are excited for this show to air as it’s going to be exciting, and the massive cash prize will create a real buzz.”
Craig performed on the X Factor, and when asked previously about being a judge on the show, he said: “If Simon came to me with that position, I would definitely think about it.
“I think I could mentor people in a good way and bring something new that hasn’t been seen before.”
The star added: “I’ve been in the industry for almost 20 years.
“I’ve had highs and lows and really believe I could offer some great advice.”
Craig was definitely Born To Do It.
Sole sister Jesy fills her boots with Boyz
JESY NELSON is sitting pretty after her debut solo single Boyz was released this week.
The catchy track, which sees her duet with Nicki Minaj, has already topped the iTunes chart in 30 countries worldwide including the UK and the US.
Jesy Nelson seemed to take inspiration from her duvet with this latest look
And the tune is storming its way to the top of the UK singles chart.
So we’d say it’s been a good week for Jesy – who poses in chunky boots and a corset top worn over a giant puffer jacket that looks like a duvet in this exclusive pic.
The pop star was also seen leaving London’s Tape nightclub on Friday having an evening out with pals to celebrate the success of her single.
Have one for us, Jesy!
H’s big Step inspires John
STEPS star Ian H Watkins has told how Strictly’s John Whaite sent him a message thanking him for inspiring a same-sex pairing on the BBC show.
H – who took part in Dancing On Ice with Matt Evers – said John got in touch with him to say he wouldn’t be dancing with Johannes Radebe if he hadn’t insisted on skating with a man on the ITV show.
H revealed: “I got a direct message from John thanking me, saying that he wouldn’t have been able to dance with a man this year if I hadn’t paved the way. That was lovely. I think it’s so important for the community that we’re visible.”
Meanwhile, band-mate Faye Tozer has told how reigning glitter ball winner Bill Bailey sent her a message saying one of her performances on Strictly inspired him to sign up.
Faye, who made the final with Giovanni Pernice in 2019, said: “He sent me a message saying that he was going to turn the show down.
“But then he watched our Charleston to ‘The Lonely Goatherd’ and thought: ‘Maybe this might be fun after all.’ And then he went on to win the trophy!”
Steps, who took home the Icon Award at last week’s Attitude Awards, partied the night away with Tom Daley, Callum Howells and the cast of It’s A Sin.
And H ended the night by sitting on Billy Porter’s lap putting the world to rights.
He added: “The Icon Award is a proper full circle moment for me. As a young gay boy in a small Welsh mining community I was afraid to even pick up Attitude Magazine.
“So this is really special and I accept it acknowledging all the trailblazers past and present who allow me to be my authentic self today.”
Posh Pix
COOLER weather didn’t hold back Pixie Lott as she went out for dinner in a cosy blue shearling coat.
The All About Tonight star chatted on her phone after meeting pals at posh Mayfair restaurant Sexy Fish.
Pixie Lott enjoyed a posh night out in Mayfair
She bravely showed off her bare legs in an orange mini and silver heels.
The singer also sported a bottle of Moet and Chandon champagne alongside her gold clutch bag, which may have been why she looked so happy. It’s what you call a bubbly personality.
Boo! Meg £1m deal
MEGAN FOX has signed a huge £1million deal with fashion retailer Boohoo.
The actress is touted as the brand’s “most iconic” star to date, no offence to previous collabs Zendaya and Paris Hilton.
It comes a year after Boohoo was rocked by claims some clothes were packaged in UK factories where staff were paid as little as £3.50 an hour, but there was no evidence it had committed any crimes.
Planet-conscious Megan, who sends her three kids to a vegan school, has often backed sustainable brands and speaks out about the environment to her 16.7million Instagram followers.
We can think of a million reasons why she’s changed her tune . . .
Jayne ready for rink role
JAYNE Middlemiss is set to make a telly comeback as we can reveal she is the reserve celebrity on ITV’s Dancing On Ice.
The Geordie brunette, who found fame in the 1990s hosting The O-Zone, has focused more on radio presenting in recent years.
She has form for excelling in reality shows after previously being crowned winner of Celebrity Love Island in 2005, Celebrity MasterChef in 2009 and a celeb Christmas edition of Pointless.
Our insider said: “Jayne is instantly recognisable with viewers and a nostalgic face.
“Arguably, she’s more famous than some of the other names.”
Given the high proportion of stars who get injured on the ice-dancing series, it’s more than likely she’ll have her moment . . .
