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FABULOUS BAKER BOY

Great British Bake Off’s breakout star Liam Charles bags his own cookery show Bake Boy

BRITAIN’S TV hopefuls will be queuing up to apply for next year’s Great British Bake Off if Liam Charles' experience is anything to go by.

Just ten months after appearing on the first series of Channel 4’s version of the baking show, he has bagged his first big solo gig.

 Liam Charles was a firm favourite on the last series of Great British Bake Off
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Liam Charles was a firm favourite on the last series of Great British Bake OffCredit: PA:Press Association

I’m told the likeable youngster, who won over Bake Off fans with his cheery persona, will host a six-part series focusing on his life and his love of the kitchen.

It will be called Bake Boy — drama student Liam’s nickname among pals, owing to his love of baking.

The series will be made by Love Productions, which invented Bake Off.

A TV source said: “Channel 4 bosses saw straight away that Liam had the makings of a TV star. He’s likeable, young and confident in front of the camera.

 Liam's new show will be called Bake Boy
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Liam's new show will be called Bake BoyCredit: PA:Press Association

“Bake Boy is in the very early stages but it’s looking like a six-part series for the channel.”

It’s not the first presenting job Liam has landed with Channel 4. There were a few raised eyebrows earlier this year when bosses announced he would co-host Bake Off: The Professionals — renamed from Bake Off: Crème de la Crème when it switched from the BBC.

 Liam is co-hosting Bake Off: Crème de la Crème
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Liam is co-hosting Bake Off: Crème de la CrèmeCredit: Channel 4

And ambitious Liam is not resting on his laurels.

When he was booted off the main series last year, finishing fifth, he declared: “I’m coming for Paul Hollywood’s job in a couple of years.”

I would be sleeping with one eye open if I were Bake Off judge Paul.


READ ON FOR THE REST OF

ANDY HALLS'

BIZARRE TV COLUMN


Don't get on the wrong side of Alya

CORRIE’s Sair Khan fears fans think she’s as feisty as her character Alya — who had a furious row with Carla over the factory’s ownership.

Sair said: “I know it’s obviously quite a controversial storyline. She’s probably not the easiest character to get along with sometimes.

 Sair says she's not as fiery as Alya in real life
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Sair says she's not as fiery as Alya in real lifeCredit: Splash News

“I get worried that people do think it’s real life and it’s not. I’m so much nicer and happier.
Probably only half as much as a b***h as Alya is in real life.”

I wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of her.

Coronation Street's Alya Nazir tells Johnny Connor she owns the factory

Jack's shorts engagement?

HIS Corrie character has endured a year from hell – but these shots show Jack P. Shepherd unwinding on a sunshine break with girlfriend Hanni Treweek.

They jetted to Greece after Jack won Best Actor at The British Soap Awards for his scenes as rape victim David Platt.

 Jack was loved up with girlfriend Hanni on a summer getaway
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Jack was loved up with girlfriend Hanni on a summer getawayCredit: Splash News
 Despite their glum faces, the pair are rumoured to have got engaged on holiday
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Despite their glum faces, the pair are rumoured to have got engaged on holidayCredit: Splash News

The pair didn’t look quite as cheerful as their floral beachwear, as he folded his arms and she was glued to her phone.

But they are rumoured to have got engaged on holiday – and did find time for a cheeky embrace.
Maybe Jack was just a bit peeved she was playing Candy Crush.

It's buff at the top

AS far as jobs go, Aidan Turner's isn’t bad.

The Poldark star is paid a fortune to walk around with his top off on the BBC drama.

 Poldark star Aidan was whinging about fans constantly ogling his bare chest
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Poldark star Aidan was whinging about fans constantly ogling his bare chest

Yet he moans: “Game Of Thrones has far more nudity, or Vikings. So I never understood why our show was picked, why these images were concentrated on.” And defending his chest-baring, he said: “I’ve never felt objectified. Other people want to feel that for you, which can be strange.”

I’m not surprised no one took him seriously as the next 007. He seems grumpier than Daniel Craig.

Must Watch

WHAT? The Trouble With Women, with Anne Robinson, BBC1, 9pm.
WHY? The Weakest Link presenter meets women from around the country to see how they are tackling inequality – and what progress has been made.

Final is yummy chummy

THERE might be a wealth of cookery competitions on telly but the finalists of Britain’s Best Home Cook are adamant that theirs is best – because it has a heart.

The last three contestants in tonight’s BBC1 show are, below from left, medical researcher Pippa Middlehurst, civil servant Dipa Jakhu and maths teacher Philip Friend.

 The last three contestants of Britain's Best Home Cook have grown close living together
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The last three contestants of Britain's Best Home Cook have grown close living together

The trio have impressed judges Mary Berry, produce expert Chris Bavin and chef Dan Doherty  and reckon that living together in a house during the show helped them grow closer.

Philip said: “It was fantastic because we really built up a genuine rapport by living together, we’re like a little family willing each other on.

 Mary Berry is one of the judges on Britain's Best Home Cook
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Mary Berry is one of the judges on Britain's Best Home CookCredit: WARNING: Use of this image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture

“I love watching cookery shows and, when someone leaves, you see them hugging – but we were genuinely sad when someone left.”

Meanwhile, Dipa was starstruck upon meeting Mary. She said: “I’d never met a celebrity before. It was like meeting the Queen.”

Of cookery, at least.

Mary Berry makes hilarious nut gag in first episode of Britain's Best Home Cook

Bizbit

HAS Sophie Turner dropped a Game of Thrones spoiler? The actress’s new tattoo shows a direwolf and the words “The pack survives”. It suggests her family, the Starks, will make it through the Sky show unscathed.


Soapbox

IN tonight’s double bill of Emmerdale, Chas tries to put on a brave face following the devastating news about her unborn baby.

Debbie is worried as the police turn up to quiz her again, and Daz grows fearful as the pressure grows on him.

 Chas is putting on a brave face after the loss of her baby
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Chas is putting on a brave face after the loss of her baby

In Eastenders, Jack is determined to make Mel stay and hopes she will change her mind if he finds out who stole the money from the club.

 Jack is determined to make Mel stay in Eastenders
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Jack is determined to make Mel stay in EastendersCredit: WARNING: Use of this image is subject to the terms of use of BBC Pictures' Digital Picture

Elsewhere, Arshad gives Masood a pep talk before his date with Amal. And Mick tells Stuart to go, but he still hangs about in the Queen Vic.

In Neighbours, David and Aaron set Mishti up on a blind date and Xanthe tests Cassius before playing matchmaker between him and Piper.

Emmerdale's Sarah Sugden, 13, is told she has heart failure in tearful scene
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