KEN BRUCE proved he was far more than a face for radio when his PopMaster quiz seamlessly transitioned from the airwaves to TV.
And now he’s upped the stakes for his music-based quiz as it returns for series two — with a new section and a liberal dose of celebrity stardust.
Ken told me: “I think it’s bigger and better this time. We’ve refined it just a little bit with a new round.
“It’s called Mix Tape and there’s a lot of jeopardy in it.
“There’s a button the players have to press to stop a randomiser going up and down lots of different music categories and nobody ever seems to manage to stop it on the one they want, it always seems to stop on the one after.
“As it goes along, the randomiser gets faster and then it becomes even harder to land on what you want it to. It’s a really good new addition!”
So many people tuned in for the launch series last year, it elevated More4 to the number one digital channel in its time slot — feedback Ken says is “heart-warming”.
The success means two celebrity specials have been added to the return run.
Stars including DJ Mistajam, Toyah Willcox, rapper-turned-actor Richard Blackwood, actress Sally Lindsay and singer Kimberly Wyatt will now take on the quiz.
In the past, celebrities rang up Ken’s Radio 2 show to play the game anonymously.
Ken said: “There’s always one who says ‘it only belongs on the radio’ but on the whole, everyone was extremely positive.
“I thought it would work nicely on TV, but I maybe didn’t expect it to do as well as it did.
“Sometimes when you watch celebrity editions of quiz shows, they can be a bit easier. But that is not the case with this one. We’re not giving the celebrities an easy ride.
‘Looking sharp’
“It is brave of them, they’ve no guarantee they’ll be able to answer anything. Everyone hopes they will but it’s never easy.
“It’s a dangerous thing in a sense for pop and rock stars to take part in, but I’m glad they’re taking the chance.”
Ken’s move to telly means he had to think more about his image and has overhauled his wardrobe.
Fans immediately spotted a new line in snazzy shirts.
He said with a laugh: “I’m enjoying looking a bit sharp, for a change.”
- PopMaster returns on May 13 at 9pm on More4.
SUE DIPPY OVER HER THAI TRIP
THERE’S first world problems, and then there’s the issue Sue Perkins faced on her new TV tour of Thailand.
The comic explored three regions of the country for Channel 5’s Lost In Thailand, which begins on Friday.
And she’s told how her experience diving in 31-degree tropical seas was so magical, it has made going for a swim back home in Blighty seem a very poor second.
Sue said with a laugh: “The water was delicious and it has destroyed everything!”
She added: “The diving was a special trip and it’s such a brilliant reciprocal arrangement for tourists.
“You pay to go on a boat, be taken to a beautiful diving area and, while you’re there, you can help the crew bag up the inevitable waste you’ll spot.
“It’s just a brilliant way to spend the day.”
PETE WICKS has ruled out returning to The Only Way Is Essex after seven years on the series. The Casanova, who left the show in 2022, insists he wants to move on.
Pete, who has since been on Channel 4’s The Underdog: Josh Must Win, said: “I enjoyed it. But I’m done with the chapter now.”
JO’S GOT CRAIG IN SIGHTS
HE proudly launched his new stage show this weekend – and Strictly’s Johannes Radebe is already eyeing his next career move.
Speaking at the gala performance of his House Of Jojo tour in London, the pro dancer joked that the BBC One show’s judge Craig Revel Horwood better watch his back.
He said: “I will do Strictly for as long as my bones allow – then I will go for Craig’s job.
“My dream is that House Of Jojo continues long after I stop per-forming, so I don’t always have to headline it and then I can do other things.”
Celebs including Graham Norton, Rachel Riley and AJ Odudu watched the spectacular at the London Palladium.
Johannes added: “This show is for all those people who told me to tone it down.”
JESS JUST WRITE ON OUTLAWS
BABY Reindeer hasn’t only catapulted Richard Gadd to global fame, it’s established Jessica Gunning as one of Britain’s best TV talents.
Before enthralling us as the Netflix drama’s stalker Martha, she was hilarious as community payback officer Diane Pemberley in comedy The Outlaws.
My picture shows her back for series three of Stephen Merchant’s comedy, which will land on BBC One later this month.
She said: “It’s been lovely all being back together, and I felt lucky that I was in the writers’ room this time as I co-wrote an episode with Stephen.
“Diane is persistent, she’s ruthless . . . never misses a trick. Or so she thinks. In a dream world she would be a police officer. She’s Cagney & Lacey’s No1 fan.”
Sounds like a much easier day at the office than on Baby Reindeer.
ELIZABETH BANKS and Jessica Biel are teaming up for Prime Video series The Better Sister, expected to be shot this year.
They will executive produce and star in the thriller about two sisters, one of whom has their life torn apart when her husband is murdered. The other sister is his ex.
ROB: ALEX NOT HALF BAKED
CELEBRITY Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer might be a bit of fun for a great cause, but some celebs take it very seriously.
Comic Rob Beckett, who competed on Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood‘s show in 2021, named one contestant who was super-competitive.
Chatting with telly host Alison Hammond on his Parenting Hell podcast, he revealed: “Alexandra Burke.
“When I was given a handshake from Paul, I felt eyes burning into the back of my head.
“That night Alex remade the stuff at home and let Prue and Paul taste it when we came back the next day.”
The pop star wasn’t the only keen bean.
Of presenter pal Dermot O’Leary’s stint on the show last month, Alison added: “He took it very seriously, yes. But he tried to act as if he didn’t!”
STEVE ON THE CASE AT ITV
STEPHEN MANGAN is about to throw the doors open to his Fortune Hotel – and you’re all invited.
The new game show from ITV has been likened to The Traitors because it’s a test of deception, strategy and luck.
Ten pairs of people are put up in a luxury Grenada resort and have to swap suitcases in a bid to end their stay with £250,000.
But hidden among the cases are Early Checkout cards – which send the couples straight home.
Show host Stephen said: “I found it almost impossible to remain neutral, I was heartbroken for every couple eliminated.”
One pair of hopefuls are best mates Mike and Adam, who are a landscaper and bricklayer from Bognor Regis. The lads are fast set to become viewer favourites with their banter and chat.
Adam told me: “It’s a once-in-a- lifetime experience to share with your best friend.”
Mike said with a laugh: “I couldn’t resist a free holiday in the Caribbean and also getting the chance to meet new people and have fun! The experience was just surreal.”
The show begins on May 13.