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It’s happening — everyone remain calm! While this year may be filled to the brim with doom and gloom, at the very least we can be grateful that the Call the Midwife Christmas special is definitely happening, with filming already underway.

This iconic BBC series will return to our screens this Christmas season, for a special 90-minute episode. The news was released today on Instagram, as they revealed that filming has re-commenced on the Christmas Special and tenth anniversary series.

Dr. Turner, played by Stephan McGann, returned to set yesterday, suitably Covid protected, to christen this season’s filming.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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According to the official Call the Midwife Instagram, “Bringing all of these heroes back together to film in safety during a pandemic has been our top priority in these last months. But being able to deliver a brand new Christmas Special and Series 10 to you is the very best reward that we could wish for.”

Heidi Thomas, Creator, Writer and Executive added, “Everyone is overjoyed to be whisking the dust sheets off Nonnatus House and getting back to filming after lockdown.”

“It is a particular thrill to be able to deliver the Christmas Special on time, just as we promised at the start of the pandemic. We will now be putting more love and energy into our work than ever and can't wait to share Series 10 with our fantastic, loyal audience."

What will the Christmas special be about? Well, it’s December 1965. Everyone at Nonnatus House is looking forward to traditional celebrations with all the trimmings, but in typical Call the Midwife fashion, nothing goes quite to plan. Sister Monica Joan is rushed to hospital, and Trixie is incensed to receive a subscription to a Marriage Bureau as a Christmas gift. 

Meanwhile, a surprise reunion for Shelagh involves her in a deeply moving birth, and the Circus arrives in Poplar, bringing new friendships, new experiences, and an exciting adventure for Nurse Crane!

We simply can’t wait. As they so eloquently put it, the midwives are on their way… deep breaths!

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Call The Midwife returns on January 5 and we are counting down the days. The heartwarming series is one of the best dramas around so we’re itching to tune into a string of new episodes.

There are only mere weeks to go and to get you feeling excited about the ninth series of Call The Midwife, they have shared the first official cast photo.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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All of our favourite midwives will be back for series nine, including Nurse Trixie, Nurse Phyllis Crane and Nurse Valerie Dyer.

The latest midwife to join the ladies of Nonnatus House, Lucille Anderson will also be back for another series. Leonie Elliot warmed our hearts as the sweet natured nurse.

The team teased the new series: “Here's a first look at one of the latest photographs to emerge from our new series of Call the Midwife, which comes hot on the heels of our Christmas Special!”

Speaking about the upcoming series, the team shared: “After an eventful Christmas in 1964, our intrepid team leap right into Poplar in 1965 – a world in rapid motion, but one in which the most important human needs never change.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The first episode of series nine airs on BBC 1 on January 5. We are beyond excited for Call The Midwife to return.

 

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The BBC has brightened up this miserable Tuesday by releasing a teaser trailer of the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special.

Fans have been patiently waiting for a glimpse at the comedy’s return and we’re honestly way too excited about it.

In the 30 second-clip, Uncle Bryn has a meltdown as he tries to cook Christmas dinner. We’ve all been there, Bryn.

Bryn rushes around the kitchen and calls for help, “Gwen, Jasone, anyone” he calls into his walkie talkie.

Stacey is setting the table in the living room when she hears a huge crash come from the kitchen. She runs in to find Bryn trying to salvage the remains of a bread and butter pudding off the floor.

"Would you kindly inform everyone that dinner is ever so slightly delayed," he mutters.

There’s no doubt the Christmas special will be as hilarious as the original series.

The BBC even released the first official cast photo and our hearts can’t cope.

Matthew Horne, Joanna Page, Ruth Jones, James Corden, Rob Brydon will return for the Christmas special.

Melanie Walters, Larry Lamb, Alison Steadman and Robert Wilfort will also reprise their roles in the Bafta-winning series.

The Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special airs on BBC One on Christmas Day.

Feature Image: BBC

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Strictly Come Dancing winner Kevin Clifton is apparently 'fuming' over his partnership with 60-year-old TV veteran Anneka Rice, according to The Sun.

Show insiders claim that the Grimsby-born dancer sees his celebrity dance pairing as a 'punishment' from BBC bosses for his relationship with Stacey Dooley.

Kevin and now-girlfriend Stacey had chemistry to burn last year, going on to win the entire competition in December before going public with their romance in March.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Stacey had been in a long-term relationship while she was competing on the show, and both herself and Kevin deny that any romance sparked before they took home the Glitterball trophy.

36-year-old Kevin believes bosses are 'putting the boot in' for the media furore following their romance and says they've 'sabotaged his dream' of winning wo years in a row, a source told The Sun;

"Kevin has told pals he would have preferred someone like Catherine Tyldesley or Alex Scott. He calls himself King Kevin and wanted to make Strictly history by winning back to back titles."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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They added; "But although Anneka is willing, her age and agility means he won’t be able to throw her around like he did previous partners."

Kevin and Anneka paired up on Saturday's launch, and The Challenge star admitted that she's never danced in public and was ruled out of a group dance after injuring herself during rehearsal.

The noticeable height difference between them was also commented on by viewers.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Kevin has a great track record on the massively popular BBC dance contest, making the finals with every partner except Susan Calman.

Himself and Susanna Reid came in second during their time on the show, followed by Frankie Bridge, Kellie Bright and runner-up Louise Redknapp.

Kevin came in seventh place when partnered with comedian Susan two years ago, before winning the show with Stacey Dooley in 2018.

Feature image: Instagram/@editingstrictly

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Looks like we'll be seeing plenty more of Maura on our screens pretty soon, thank Goddess.

Maura Higgins is set to land her own reality show after TV bosses were impressed by her attitude and personality on ITV's Love Island.

The fiesty nature of the 28-year-old former grid girl has meant that she's become a breakout star of the villa, but Curtis Pritchard won't be needed for her new show.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Curtis himself has been named as the receptionist for the next series of The Greatest Dancer on BBC, while Maura is joining ITV's list of big stars.

While the producers aren't offering any couples a spin-off show (we want more GREG) due to fears of the partners splitting up before filming finishes

Maura made a flying start on This Morning as an agony aunt, but plans to challenge the star with a number of activities are in the works.

The Sun reports that there are plans for Maura to tick off a number of items from a 'turning-30 bucket list', which will see her take on everything from bungee-jumping to pottery making.

An inside source told The Sun that Maura is "great on screen so bosses want to create a platform where viewers can still get their fix."

Producers are "focusing on Maura" as "no-one really knows what the future holds" for her relationship with Curtis. Maura has "ratings-winner potential," and ITV are "ironing out details at the moment."

Maura's fanny flutters are getting her far in her career, it seems. 

Feature image: Instagram/@maurahiggins

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We've barely even had the chance to relax since Love Island ended, but now we're about to see the winner appear on another reality show in 2020.

Amber Gill has reportedly signed up for the next series of Dancing On Ice.

The 21-year-old Geordie won the ITV show with Limerick charmer Greg O'Shea, and has been one of the fan favourites since series five began.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Before the charming rugby player swept her off her feet, the beautician had her heart broken by Michael Griffiths after his head was turned during the Casa Amor segment.

Despite choosing Joanna Chimonides, he later came crawling back to Amber but she decided to couple up with Greg and later won the £50,000 prize.

Amber has already landed her next big TV gig by taking part in the ITV ice skating show, according to The Sun.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Ex-Islanders Kem Cetinay and Wes Nelson appeared on the programme before, so she won't be the first cast member to keep up her reality roots.

A source told The Sun: "The Dancing On Ice casting team are delighted with the decision to snap up Amber.

"Love Island contestants always do really well on the series as they are still fresh in everyone’s minds." Her 'gutsy' personality would make for good viewing.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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The show returns in January, and Amber will start rehearsing later this year. Some are predicting that her romance with Greg won't last long enough for him to be in the audience at the live shows.

Islander Anton Danyluk recently admitted that he thought Greg was "too nice" for Amber, and that they'd be the first couple to split up.

An ITV spokesperson told Mirror Online that it was "too early to confirm" any of the participants for the 2020 series of Dancing on Ice.

Feature image: Instagram/@amberrosegill

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Scenes for the BBC Three adaptation of Irish novelist Sally Rooney's hit novel Normal People have begun filming at Trinity College Dublin.

Despite the lines of tourists queueing to visit the iconic Book of Kells (when is there not a line?), several cast and crew members were seen roaming around the famous college campus yesterday, according to the Irish Independent.

The award-winning. book was adapted for the screen by Rooney herself, with veteran director Lenny Abrahamson behind the camera.

The Oscar-nominated director behind films like Room, Frank and What Richard Did completed a Masters in theoretical physics at Trinity back in 1987, so he's familiar with the setting,

He's set to direct six episodes of the 12-part series, before Hettie McDonald takes over for the remaining six.

Filming has mainly taken place in the Robert Emmett Theatre in the Arts Block, with scenes between the protagonists, Marianne and Connell, taking place in lecture theatres.

21-year-old Cold Feet star Daisy Edgar-Jones has scored the lead role of Marianne, while 23-year-old Paul Mescal will take on the role of Connell.

The Lír Academy graduate previously garnered rave reviews for his part as Jay Gatsby in The Gate Theatre's production of The Great Gatsby, so he should be well able to handle Connell.

The series follows the characters, who move from the West of Ireland to Dublin in order to attend college, but the pair strike up an unlikely relationship.

At secondary school, Connell is the popular guy while Marianne is an isolated outsider among her peers. Despite this, they're drawn together.

Roles are completely reversed when they start college years later, with Marianne fitting in straight away with the debating crew but Connell finds himself on the outskirts.

Abrahamson has spoken out about how excited to work with the pair, saying:

"I feel I have found two young actors who vividly capture Marianne and Connell and bring alive the profound and beautiful relationship at the centre of the story."

The cast are heading to Italy in August or September after filming in Trinity is completed, before returning to Dublin to finish the shoot.

Filming also took place in County Sligo earlier in the year.

Further scenes will be shot in Trinity today and on Monday in the front square, library and on the cricket pitches. See if you can spot the cast if you're wandering around town.

Feature image: Instagram/@trinitycollegedublin

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Bodyguard has become the BBC's first series to be nominated for an Outstanding Drama Series Emmy in nearly 50 years, but it's star was snubbed in the Best Actor drama category.

The actor played the role of David Budd, war veteran turned head of security for controversial British Home Secretary Julia Montague, played by Keeley Hawes.

Madden picked up the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV Drama Series, beating Ozark‘s Jason Bateman, Stephan James (Homecoming), Pose's iconic Billy Porter and Matthew Rhys (The Americans).

It's fair to say that fans are absolutely livid over the former Game of Thrones actor's snub, and are demanding answers…

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Critic Scott Feinberg of the Hollywood Reporter pointed out in a tweet how odd it was to see the show nominated without Madden getting a nod when he was in pretty much every scene.

Madden received great reviews for his recent appearance in Elton John biopic Rocketman, and was even named one of 2019’s 100 Most Influential People by Time magazine…So why the rudeness?

Critic Philiana Ng of Entertainment Tonight agreed with the fans about the shocking omission, using Madden's image as a meme to show her dismay;

Twitter user Katy wrote; "Golden Globe Winner Richard Madden snubbed of an Emmy nomination just doesn’t sit right with me at all.

"He put his heart and soul into making 360 minutes of television & delivered one of the most breathtaking performances I’ve ever seen and then doesn’t even get nominated." DAMN RIGHT.

Some even resorted to using Emmy-nominated Kit Harington to emphasise their sadness;

The star gave his all when it came to his performance as David Budd, who suffers from PTSD from his time serving in the British army in Afghanistan.

The thriller aired in the US on Netflix but was originally produced by ITV-owned producer World Productions for the British public broadcaster.

As well as Bodyguard's Outstanding Drama Series nomination, creator Jed Mercurio also picked up a nomination for Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series for the pilot.

Game of Thrones leads the Emmy Awards nominations, setting a new record with a whopping 32 total nominations.

Brilliant Phoebe Waller-Bridge BBC show Fleabag landed 11 nominations, including a Lead Actress nod for the writer/actress, whose show Killing Eve also received multiple nominations.

bbc one hug GIF by BBC

Bodyguard is expected to return for season two, with Mercurio saying he was “optimistic” about its chances of a renewal. All we want right now though, is Justice For Richard.

Feature image: Instagram/@bodyguard_bbc

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Pink has fiercely defended her children running through Berlin's Holocaust Memorial after she was criticised online for supposedly disrespecting the museum.

The Walk Me Home singer took to Instagram last night to share an image of her eight-year-old daughter Willow and two-year-old Jameson at the famous and eye-opening Memorial, and was faced with a barrage of angry replies.

Pink explained in her caption why it's important for her to capture her kids experiencing the famous landmark, despite others online thinking it was inappropriate parenting.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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She wrote; "Berlin, I love you. #holocaustmemorial #panamarestaurant #cocktailclasses #history #herstory #worldtour."

The singer emphasised the fact that she's Jewish herself; "And for all of the comments; these two children are in actuality Jewish, as am I and the entirety of my mothers family."

"The very person who constructed this believed in children being children, and to me this is a celebration of life after death. Please keep your hatred and judgement to yourselves."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Back in 2017, The American architect who designed Berlin's Holocaust Memorial spoke out about how certain visitors treat the space;

"People have been jumping around on those pillars forever. They've been sunbathing, they've been having lunch there and I think that’s fine," Peter Eisenman said to the BBC.

"A memorial is an everyday occurrence, it is not sacred ground." At the end of the day, the Berlin memorial has become a huge part of the city's lifestyle.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Pink has been to Holocaust Memorial before with her daughter, explaining in an interview with Reese Witherspoon how the experience was a massive learning lesson for Willow.

The youngster discovered that her grandmother was Jewish; "We went to Budapest, and we went to Berlin, and the Holocaust memorial. This could have been us," Pink said.

When Pink asked her daughter what her favourite city was, she replied;

"I think it was Berlin, because there was a wall and people were separated, and there was a war and people were killed, and now everybody's together and there's no more wall and there’s no more war and that means everything that’s bad can be good again."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Pink reminisced on the moment, saying; "And I'm just listening to her and I’m like, 'You're amazing and you’re totally right: Everything that’s bad can be good again.'".

The legendary singer has taken on "the parenting police" on multiple occasions, and is well able to tackle the criticism.

Feature image: Instagram/@pink

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Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio is officially in talks with the BBC over new episodes of the hit drama show, and we are SQUEALING.

Series one depicted a traumatised British war veteran turned security officer attempting to guard the UK Home Secretary, with some romantic friction involved.

The first season was the BCC's most-watched show since 2008, and later became a huge success on Netflix in the US. It's now looking like a second series could be well on its way.

Though the show hasn't yet been given the green light for season two by the BCC, Mercurio has confirmed that he's in conversation with the broadcaster over the show's renewal.

At a keynote event at Banff World Media Festival in Canada, the writer said; "We’re in talks. We’re going through the logistics of it."

Mercurio was shocked at the level of success which Bodyguard garnered, despite the stellar cast; “I know there’s an adage that your failure should be surprising. But the level of success was surprising,” he said.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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It's been reported that lead actor Richard Madden, of Game of Thrones fame, spoke to Mercurio months ago about the next season.

Madden went on to win a Golden Globe for his incredible performance as David Budd, defender of Keeley Hawes and heart throb of our lives. 

“We never intended to make another one and I don’t know, I’m excited to see what he’s got, especially because David had quite a busy couple of months,” Madden told the MailOnline in November.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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His acting skills haven't just won him awards, Madden is now rumoured to be a front-runner for the James Bond role after Daniel Craig steps down.

With the death of a major character, season two is set to be a dramatic change in terms of the plot-line. 

Feature image: Instagram/@detodonewss

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The tackiest night in Irish television is upon us once more. 

Every year, we send an act to some European capital to sing and dance onstage alongside the rest of the EU in the hopes of taking home the trophy and hosting the same thing the following year in our capital. 

We've won the thing a record-breaking seven times (and three years back-to-back which is INSANE) and although the last few years have seen our luck dissipate, we still enjoy a good Eurovision party every May.

This year, however, isn't like any other.

The 64th edition of the competition is set to take place this Saturday in Tel Aviv, Israel.  

Image result for eurovision

So what exactly is the boycott and why is it happening?  

It centers on Israel's alleged human rights abuses towards the Palestinian people, with Gaza-based Palestinian Artists Association has since accused Israel of using the event to “perpetuate oppression, promote injustice or whitewash a brutal apartheid regime”.

There has been a petition signed by many famous faces who say that by letting Israel host the Eurovision, we are supporting the violation of Palestinian human rights.

Among those who have signed it are band Wolf Alice, Peter Gabriel, Roger Waters while a counter-letter has been penned by Stephen Fry, Sharon Osbourne, Marina Abramovic, and Scooter Braun.

The letter states that ''Spirit of togetherness is under attack by those calling to boycott Eurovision 2019 because it is being held in Israel, subverting the spirit of the contest and turning it from a tool of unity into a weapon of division.''

The crux of the whole thing boils down to the fact that those who are for the competition to go ahead are saying that they are so because the contest is not supposed to be political in any way and they are not performing for politicians.

Instead, they are for putting on a show for the people, the audience, for entertainment and unity.

It will be broadcast by both RTE and BBC and both stations have issued statements to this effect. 

RTE said, ''As a long-running non-political, entertainment event, the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) is designed to bring audiences and countries together. RTÉ is confident that the European Broadcasting Union and the host broadcaster will take all necessary steps to safeguard the non-political character of the event throughout the organization of the competition.''

BBC meanwhile echoed a similar sentiment.

They said, ''The competition has always supported the values of friendship, inclusion, tolerance, and diversity and we do not believe it would be appropriate to use the BBC’s participation for political reasons. Because of this, we will be taking part in this year’s event. The host country is determined by the rules of the competition, not the BBC.”

The irony here is why their point might be seen as acceptable where the host country is involved in minor conflict or political unease when it comes to the case in Israel, it's not the same.

Rory Cowen of Mrs. Browns' Boys' has been vocal on social media and tv in his support for the contest taking place in Tel Aviv and he tweeted, ''We were there in Russia, in Turkey, in Azerbaijan, in the UK, etc. We went to perform in many countries that were involved in conflicts. It would be discriminatory to single out just one not to go to'' to which he received a reply saying, ''Israel is not involved in a conflict. The Israeli regime is involved in the systematic extermination of the Palestinian people. Quite a different thing altogether.''

Ireland's entrant Sarah McTernan is getting ready to take to the stage for tomorrow nights second semi-final.

The Clare native, who will sing 22, had to hit back at the massive backlash she has gotten for going to Tel Aviv.

She said, ''Everybody has their opinion on the issue, which is totally fine, but we’re about the music, and about spreading the love and the music, and that’s what Eurovision is about. We’re here, and we’re loving it.''

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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There is a really strong for-against that appears to be happening in the media.

Madonna, who is set to perform at the live final this Saturday, is determined to perform despite the loud callings for a boycott.

The numbers are low for fans travelling from Ireland to Tel Aviv – Diarmuid Furlong, president of Ireland’s Eurovision Fan Club confirmed that there would only be 30.

And overall, there will only be 5,000 or so foreign fans in Tel Aviv, much less than hoped for by organisers…these figures speak for themselves.

What will you be doing this Saturday – tuning in or blocking it out?

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Breaking news in the Strictly Come Dancing world.

Darcey Bussell, one of the judges, has called it a day on the beloved BBC show.

The 49-year-old, who has been part of the dance show for seven years, took to Instagram to reveal the news.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Darcey Bussell (@darceybussellofficial) on

She wrote, ''It has been a complete privilege for me to be part of Strictly, working with such a talented team. I have enjoyed every minute of my time and will miss everyone from my fellow judges, the presenters, the dancers, the musicians, the entire backstage team, and especially the viewers of the show, who have been so supportive.''

She continued, ''I am not leaving because of any upset or disagreement at all, I am just stepping away to give more focus to my many other commitments in dance, after seven truly wonderful years that I can’t imagine having gone any better.''

She added, ''I know I will miss being part of this unique show and the fact that it celebrates dance is something I am so passionate about. I hope that I may be very lucky to be asked back again one day."

Her fans were shocked and saddened at the announcement.

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One said, ''Oh nooooo!! I’m so gutted that you are leaving!! Strictly won’t seem the same without! Best of luck with future projects.''

While another wrote, ''That is such a shame – you have brought so much to the show.''

Strictly will be waltzing back onto BBC One this autumn for its 17th series but we have a feeling that it won't quite be the same without one of favourite judges.

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