One icon out and a old family return in Albert Square

The residents of Albert Square are set to be shaken not only by the departure of Queen Vic landlady and EastEnders legend Peggy Mitchell but also by the return of the famous Jackson family.

It was announced yesterday that Babara Windsor, who plays Matriarch Peggy has decided to leave the soap after 15 years so she can spend more time with her husband. Windsor, 72, will depart the soap next year but details of her exit are still unknown.

Whilst Peggy will say goodbye to the Square, the infamous Jackson clan are making a return to EastEnders early next year as part of the show's 25th Anniversary celebrations. Natalie Cassidy (Sonia Fowler), Dean Gaffney (Robbie Jackson), Lindsey Coulson (Carol Jackson) and Carol's youngest son Billie (casting yet to be announced) are heading back to reunite the Jackson clan.

Their return is bond to be explosive, especially as Carol's daughter Bianca (Patsy Palmer) and her brood are currently staying on the Square. Carol and Bianca were last seen in Walford together when Carol found out daughter Bianca was sleeping with her then boyfriend Dan Sullivan, leading to a classic Queen Vic battle.

Whilst fans will be deeply saddened to see EastEnders leading lady Babara Windsor depart, audiences can be rest assured that the drama, including that involving the returning Jackson's, will not cease on Albert Square for long.

Peggy picture from BBC

Carol picture from BBC

Jedward survive as Miss Frank crash out

They walked on the X Factor audition stage oozing of confidence, often crossing the line to arrogance with matching suits and crazy matching hairstyles and most importantly an obvious lack of singing ability.

Yet we are approaching week four of the live shows and months later twins John and Edward Grimes are still in the competition and more surprisingly they are the show's talking points with one insane yet entertaining performance after another.

Defying bookies and critics the twins sailed through to week five as talented girl band Miss Frank perished in the sing-off against show favourite Danyl Johnson. The three piece of Shar, Graziella and Shanice gave their best performance of the series on Saturday night with a unique rendition of 'That's Life' but it failed to impress the public.

Danyl sang big band favourite 'Feeling Good', another impressive performance from the singer but one that is getting a little too familiar (a good vocal leading up to that sharp intake of breath as he holds one note longer than it seems possible). Danyl clearly oozes confidence on-stage but his assured performance skills may be one of the factors putting voters off, not a good sign for Simon Cowell's major hope for the competition.

So it was down to Miss Frank and Danyl in the sing-off, two acts that didn't deserve their precarious position at the bottom of the pile. Miss Frank performed their survival song, 'Love Don't Live Here Anymore' first. Despite strong vocals it seemed like the band was almost resigned to defeat at times, the girls fluffing their lines briefly on one occasion.

But you could hardly blame them for this as they were against Danyl Johnson, a man hotly tipped to win the competition before last Saturday. The teacher performed 'With A Little Help From My Friends', the audition song that prompted Simon to say it was the best first audition he had ever seen.
The acts had the judges divided, Simon and Louis saved their own acts (Danyl and Miss Frank respectively) whilst Dannii and Cheryl looked unsure about which way to go. After a string of worried looks between the pair Dannii saved Danyl and Cheryl Miss Frank leading to deadlock. Miss Frank were sadly out after receiving the lowest public vote, a fact that hardly seems fair when acts like Lloyd and the twins are still in the competition.

Other performances on Saturday included Welsh teenager Lloyd, who once again struggled through a powerful song with weak vocals (not even a back flip could save him from Simon Cowell's criticism) and John and Edward's version of She Bangs. Entertaining and amusing it may have been but extremely annoying when talented and promising acts like Miss Frank leave the competition.

Llyod and the twins joined Lucie, Stacey, Rachel, Jamie, Danyl, Olly and Joe into the next week, where each of them will have to perform a rock song. Half the fun may be watching what John and Edward do on stage each week but 'Jedward' mania is fast carrying the twins towards the final at the cost of more talented acts.

John and Edward picture from Now

Miss Frank picture from The Mirror

Jo and Brendan axed after 'dance disaster'

Jo Wood and her partner Brendan Cole became the next couple to be voted off Strictly Come Dancing last Saturday.

Jo and Brendan received the lowest ever samba score on Saturday with a terrible mark of 14 from the judges, leaving her bottom of the leader board. Judges Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli called their performance 'a dance disaster' and 'samba hell'.

Not surprisingly Jo and Brendan found themselves in the dance off. They were joined, more surprisingly by athlete Jade Johnson and her partner Ian Waite, who scored an impressive 32 out of 40 for their samba earlier in the evening. Both couples danced again and as expected the judges choose to save Jade and Ian, meaning rock-chick Jo and feisty partner Brendan had to leave the competition.

Actress Ali Bastian and her partner Brian Fortuna received the highest mark of the night and the series so far of 37 for a beautifully performed American Smooth.

Off the dance floor Strictly Come Dancing once again lost out in the ratings war to ITV rival X Factor, for the sixth week in a row. X Factor averaged an impressive 10.9 million viewers whilst Strictly struggled with an average of 7.6 million.

The two shows will a avoid head-to-head clash next weekend because BBC bosses have moved Strictly to an earlier slot of 6.25pm so they can broadcast the annual Festival of Remembrance.

Picture from TV.com

Darren is the daddy!

It has been the question lingering over Albert Square for months, who was the mystery man that wooed Heather Trott (played by Cheryl Fergison) in the R&R toilets with a yogurt pot lid?

Well on Friday night's EastEnders we found out the answer as young Darren Miller appeared behind the door of Hev's hospital room. The sheer look of shock and horror that drew across Darren's face when he saw mother and child mirrored my reaction near perfectly.

The race for paternity had been up in the air for months; Phil, Minty, Billy and Darren were the suspects but unlike many other soap plots the reveal had been kept secret. Ex-hubby Minty, hard man Phil and lonely Billy seemed probable but 18-year-old Darren was the controversial choice, the choice I recoiled at in discomfort.

Although the character (played by the capable Charlie G Hawkins) is a budding young businessman in the soap he hardly looks old enough to father a child, the age gap between mother and father a lengthy 24 years.

Despite this Darren as the father is sure to create tension and great TV drama; the young father now having to contend with Heather, feisty best mate Shirley, being a dad to young George and not to mention new fiancee Libby and her family.

Picture from BBC EastEnders

Enders on the web

EastEnders will broadcast a new 13-episode series called EastEnders: E20, but audiences will only be able to watch the new spin-off online.

The series, which starts in January 2010 will focus on four sixth form students "experiencing the highs and lows of teenage life". But the BBC has promised that some familiar faces will make cameo appearances as the main show and online series cross paths.

E20 is part of the build-up to EastEnders 25th anniversary celebrations in February. With a live episode also planned to mark the event it seems EastEnders will be exciting onscreen and now for the first time online as well.

Picture from The Mirror

Rikki gets the chop but Cheryl soliders on

After waiting 24 nervous hours the contestants had the 'face the music', their big night as they found out which one of them gets thrown back into obscurity, yet it was the guest stars that arguably stole the show in tonight's X Factor.

First up was Cheryl Cole performing (we were told live?!) her debut single Fight For This Love. We are know her vocals aren't great and arguably if she was performing as a contestant then she would have faced criticism but as it goes Cheryl went from judge to performer well, Mr Cowell himself called it 'incredible'.

There were shaky moments but they were covered up by her daring military style outfit, the band of dancers behind her and Mrs Cole's own moves. A entertaining and well executed first shot at going solo.

Next up was Whitney, returning to the UK after her well-documented troubles. She is far from the Whitney I remember belting out the notes with that quivering lip but the song Million Dollar Bill is catchy and the ultimate Diva showed she can still perform and entertain a crowd (even when her dress broke half way through the song Whitney soldiered on!).

Back to the contestants, what this results show is really all about. Last night we saw an array of talent, from the down right ridiculous tight red leather suits worn by John and Edward for their amusing rendition of Britney's Oops I did it again to Stacey, Danyl and Joe - who each gave a strong vocal performance on Diva week.

But whilst some shone, some were dangling perilously above the drop zone; namely Rikki Loney, Rachel Adedeji and Miss Frank. Fortunately the latter was saved but it was predictably between Rikki and Rachel in the sing-off. After two emotion filled performances Dannii and Cheryl saved their own acts (Rachel for Dannii and Rikki for Cheryl) so it was down to the boss. Simon rightly sent home Rikki - a respectable singer who struggled against a much stronger field of competitors.

Picture from London Evening Standard

Ricky waltzes to top marks as Joe gets the KO

Five weeks in, five weeks of gyrating hips, nervous celebrities and many mis-placed steps - and we have our first ten on Strictly Come Dancing!

Competition favourite Ricky Whittle and his partner Natalie Lowe (above) waltzed their way into Alesha's heart as she gleefully thrust the number ten paddle into the air. There is no doubting that it was a enjoyable and well performed Viennese Waltz but a ten at such an early of the competition was a hasty judgement of a good, but not perfect dance.

Whilst Ricky and Natalie danced their way to the top of the leader board, boxer Joe Calzaghe and his partner Kristina Rihanoff (above) that unfortunately were left jiving uncomfortably at the bottom.

For the first time this series they weren't actually bottom after the judge's marks (that honour fell to Flavia and Craig - whose Jive reminded me of the stereotypical embarrassing dad at the wedding) but the British public finally ran out of sympathy for Joe's awkward dancing as they lost out in the dance off to Zoe Lucker and her partner James Jordan .

Elsewhere last week's leaders Laila and Anton plummeted to the bottom half of the leader board with a terrible Jive, Ali and Brian slipped further from the top with a clumsy Jive routine and Jade and Ian finally showed their potential by gaining 35 points for a beautiful Waltz.

Picture 1 from Mirror
Picture 2 from BBC

Lacey shines on screen

The Queen Vic or the Laundrette, The Rovers or The Kabin; these places have never exactly been the hotbed for Britain's best acting. Yes Soaps might be entertaining, heartbreaking and dramatic but outstanding action on a regular basis isn't a given when you sit down with a cup of tea to watch your favourite soaps.

So that is why, after watching EastEnders last week, I am giving special praise to Lacey Turner who plays the troubled Stacey Slater in EastEnders. Lacey joined 2004 as a new addition to the Slater clan but now, 5 years on she has matured into one of soap's favourite characters and a terrific actress.

During last week's EastEnders we saw Stacey lose control as she battles bipolar. The episodes built up to a dramatic and heartbreaking conclusion as Stacey threatened a crowded pub with a broken glass before her desperate mum Jean called Doctor Al, who got Stacey sectioned.

Since her arrival Lacey has been involved in some of EastEnders most dramatic scenes as she dealt with Jean's bipolar and the reveal of her and Max's affair at Christmas. Lacey has the ability to draw an audience in and captivate them with her emotional portrayal of Stacey, a character and an actress that we have seen grow, mature and develop over the years.

Picture from The Mirror

Reality weekend round-up

For the first time this year both X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing broadcast live as two more contestants got voted off the shows.

The X Factor's final 12 performed live for the first time on Saturday evening and the first show didn't disappoint with it's usual tears, drama, controversy, star performances and obligatory judge's fighting.

The standard of the performances on the first week this year was notably better than last year, with each performance (even the twins, John and Edward) entertaining the audience and most showing their strong vocal abilities (namely Danyl, Stacey and Lucie).

It took no longer than a week and around 20 minutes for the judges to start bickering between themselves. Cheryl and Dannii took an instant dislike to the attire of Kandy Rain (above), whilst Simon (much to Cheryl's dislike) strongly disagreed. Simon then added more fuel to the fire when he called two of Miss Frank's members bookends, before politely admitting he didn't know their name.

But it was judge Dannii Minogue who took the headlines at the end of the show when she made a unnecessary comment about Danyl's sexuality after the singer performed. You would have thought that TV personalities would avoid creating a stir by making controversial comments after the Strictly row involving dancer Anton Du Beke but it seems reality TV can't keep out of the headlines for the right and wrong reasons. Like Du Beke there were calls for Dannii to be sacked but ITV have decided to stand by the Australian judge after she apologised on air.

Back to the singing (which the program and my post was supposed to be about!), and the two acts with the least votes, Kandy Rain and Rachel faced the judge's votes on Sunday night. Expectantly Dannii and Cheryl voted to send home Kandy Rain, whilst Simon sent home Rachel (Rachel received another vote to leave from the absent Louis). Kandy Rain left the competition after the subsequent deadlock as they received the fewest public votes.

The end result was no surprise but going by the standard of the first week's performances this year's competition may be closer than I first thought.

The celebrities and their professional dance partners lined up for another week on the dance floor as Strictly Come Dancing continued on Saturday night.

Lynda Bellingham (and her partner Darren Bennett) became the next unfortunate celebrity to leave the competition after her low-scoring Foxtrot left her in the dance-off with Craig Kelly and his partner Flavia Cacache, who performed a uninspiring Salsa.

Whilst surprisingly favourites Ali Bastian (and her partner Brian Fortuna) and Ricky Whittle (and his partner Natalie Lowe) faltered slightly it was the ex-Footballer's Wives stars Lalia Rouass (and her partner Anton Du Beke) and Zoe Lucker (and her partner James Jordan) who shone on the night.

Lalia and Anton but the troubles of the past week behind them to produce a gorgeous Foxtrot whilst Zoe and James produced another composed and stylish routine in the same dance.

It may be only the fourth week, but like X factor, Strictly will be a close competition and one of a high standard as many of the dancers and their partners continue to improve to impress the public.

X Factor picture from Digital Spy

Strictly Come Dancing picture from The Mirror

Du Beke drops Strictly in hot water

Strictly Come Dancing has been plunged into controversy this week over an alleged racism row involving pro-dancer Anton Du Beke and his celebrity partner Laila Rouass.

Du Beke, a regular fixture on the show after appearing in all six series, allegedly used a racial slur towards Rouass after she received a spray tan. Even though the reported incident happened weeks ago in training it only hit the headlines following last week's show.

Du Beke later apologised and said he was 'mortified' after making the remark. Despite Rouass publicly accepting Du Beke's apology there have still been calls for the dancer to be sacked after the BBC received complaints about his behaviour.

Current Strictly host Bruce Forsyth backed Du Beke, calling for the public to have a 'sense of humour' but he later stated that the pro dancer's behaviour was 'wrong' and that he does not 'excuse or condone the use of such language'. Despite publicly backtracking on his comments Forsyth himself was criticised for backing Du Beke and trying to defuse the situation.

Although the BBC are sticking by Du Beke for now it remains to be seen how far he and his partner Rouass will last in the show or whether Du Beke will be back to dance in next year's competition.

Picture from Daily Express

Boris Johnson visits the Vic!

A quick mention has to go to mayor of London Boris Johnson's cameo (as himself) tonight in EastEnders. He may have only ordered a pint and given his card to Landlady Peggy Mitchell but it was entertaining to see a familiar face stroll into a EastEnders scene (even if he magically disappeared soon after his arrival). But the appearance of a high profile political figure was sure to cause complaints and the BBC have already been criticised for Johnson's brief cameo role.

Picture from Guardian

Soap deaths get grisly

When a soap actor or actress ask to leave they must wonder what they are letting themselves in for these days as soap bosses try and think up more horribly unique ways for a character to meet their maker.

More recently in Albert Square we have had Trina Johnson (Sharon Duncan Brewster) falling victim to the unfortunately positioned garden rake through the neck in Charlie Slater's summerhouse and now I have just watched Sarah Barnes fall to her gruesome death in Hollyoaks Later after a sabotaged skydive.

Although both EastEnders and Hollyoaks could be criticised for both the nasty endings and slightly unrealistic plots (something that has long been a point of objection for many soap critics) both deaths provide unmissable action and great acting.

Tonight's Hollyoaks Later, which saw Sarah Barnes (Loui Batley) plummet to the ground as her parachute failed to open was awkward viewing (viewing that I did mainly hid behind a cushion as she raced towards the ground). The sight of her moments from her death, screaming out for help before she inevitably hit the ground was frightening to even watch.

The reactions of those close to her, including Zoe (Zoe Lister) on discovering her body and her Dad Mike (Tony Hirst) on being told the news were heartbreaking and perfectly in tune with the sad music.

So whilst soaps can easily be criticised for their over elaborate plots Hollyoaks have proven that when a storyline is written, acted and produced well it can entertain and captivate viewers (even if tonight's episode did scare and horrify me in equal measures!)

Picture from What's on TV