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Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo will star in a film adaptation of blockbuster musical Wicked, the stars announced on social media.

Chart-topping pop star Grande, 28, will play Galinda the Good Witch.

Meanwhile, Oscar-nominated British actress Erivo, 34, will appear as Elphaba – the Wicked Witch of the West.

Jon M Chu, the filmmaker known for Crazy Rich Asians and In the Heights, will direct the stars in the movie adaptation of the Wizard of Oz spin-off musical.

Erivo posted a picture on Instagram showing the moment she found out about the role alongside a handwritten message from Grande.

It said: “Dear Cynthia, honoured doesn’t even begin to cover it. I cannot wait to hug you. See you in Oz. All my love, Ari.”

Grande also shared a picture of the moment she was told about the role with her 274 million Instagram followers.

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Erivo’s message to Grande said: “Congratulations Miss A, the part was made for you, I look forward to sharing this musical journey with you. Love, Cynthia.”

Chu wrote in a separate post: “These two witches!! The emotional moment I got to tell @cynthiaerivo and @arianagrande that they were our Elphaba and Galinda in the @WickedMovie for @unistudios wait until you see what they bring!! It is other worldly. Ahhhhh!!!”

Wicked tells the backstory of The Wizard of Oz and what happened before Dorothy arrived in the enchanted world.

It debuted on Broadway in 2003 and has since surpassed one billion dollars (£742 million) in revenue.

It is only the third show to do so alongside The Phantom Of The Opera and The Lion King.

Grammy-winner Grande is one of the world’s biggest pop stars and as well as her musical career also has an acting background.

She will appear in Adam McKay’s star-studded black comedy Don’t Look Up later this year.

Erivo, a Londoner, is accomplished on both the stage and screen. She has won an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony Award, as well as earning a best actress nomination at the Oscars for 2019 biopic Harriet.

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Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died aged 40

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Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died aged 40

Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died aged 40, a spokesperson for the show said.

The reality star appeared on the Channel 4 series alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who died aged 71 in 2021.

He also appeared on the 14th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, reaching the final.

George Gilbey. Pic: Shutterstock
Image:
George Gilbey. Pic: Shutterstock

Gilbey reportedly died following an accident at work on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for the show said: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and stepdad Pete.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda and George’s family and friends at this very sad time. The family has asked for privacy.”

Essex Police said they were called to an incident in Shoebury in Southend-on-Sea on Wednesday.

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A spokesperson for the force said: “We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (27 March), during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.

“The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene.

“We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

“A cordon remains in place at the scene.”

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Gilbey joined the award-winning programme in its second series in 2013 before he and his family were dropped in 2014 after he signed up for Celebrity Big Brother. The family later returned to the series.

The reality star from Essex appeared on the then-Channel 5 reality show alongside celebrities including The Hills star Stephanie Pratt and American actor Gary Busey, who won the series.

Gilbey’s representatives and the HSE have been approached for comment.

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Beyonce releases tracklist for upcoming country album

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Beyonce releases tracklist for upcoming country album

Beyonce has released her tracklist for her forthcoming country album Act II: Cowboy Carter. 

On the superstar‘s Instagram account, fans were given a sneak peek of her new songs which included the previously released Texas Hold ‘Em and 16 Carriages.

The tracklist also contained American Requiem, Blackbird, Protector, My Rose, Bodyguard, Daughter, Spaghetti, Alligator Tears, Smoke Hour II, Just For Fun, II Most Wanted, Levi’s Jeans, Flamenco, Ya Ya, Oh Louisiana, Desert Eagle, Riverdance, II Hands II Heaven, Tyrant, Sweet Honey Buckin’ and Amen.

One song appears to be called The Linda Martell Show, a reference to the groundbreaking country performer who became the first black woman to play at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville.

There is also mention of Dolly P – likely a reference to Dolly Parton – and a track titled Jolene, a reference to one of Parton’s best-known songs.

Parton revealed earlier this month that she thinks Beyonce has recorded a cover of her 1973 hit.

“Well, I think she has,” she said.

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“I think she’s recorded Jolene and I think it’s probably gonna be on her country album, which I’m very excited about.”

The tracklist also mentions Smoke Hour Willie Nelson, but it is not immediately clear if Nelson is involved with the project.

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Ed Gamble: Comedian swaps hot dog for cucumber on tour posters after falling foul of TfL’s ad rules on junk food

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Ed Gamble: Comedian swaps hot dog for cucumber on tour posters after falling foul of TfL's ad rules on junk food

A comedian has been forced to remove a picture of a hot dog from posters promoting his stand-up tour after falling foul of Transport for London’s (TfL) advertising policies.

Ed Gamble used an image of the popular barbecue staple in advertising posters for his upcoming Hot Diggity Dog tour.

But when the billboards were sent to TfL for display on the London Underground, the stand-up comic was told to alter the poster because it failed to comply with the organisation’s advertising policy on junk foods.

So the 38-year-old, who recently starred as the host of the Traitors: Uncloaked, improvised by offering to replace the hot dog with a cucumber.

“I actually don’t have a problem with the TfL regulations, they make sense to me,” he said.

“But the new posters promote something way more harmful – the idea that cucumbers pair well with ketchup and mustard.

“I’m not sad to have to remove the hot dog, it was only featured on the poster because I wanted to eat during the photoshoot.

“Hopefully it’s not too late to change the title of the show to Cu Diggity Cucumber?”

Pic: PA
Image:
Pic: PA

In a post on Instagram, he described the incident as a “career highlight” and added: “TfL told me I couldn’t have a hot dog on my poster to promote my @hackneyempire shows in June.

“I guess I’m dangerous? So I’ve replaced it with a cucumber. Eat your greens, Kids!”

A spokesperson for TfL said: “We welcome all advertising on our network that complies with our published guidance.

“Following a review of the advert, we advised that elements would need to be removed or obscured to ensure it complied with our policy.

“A revised advert is now running on the network and we are always happy to work with people to ensure adverts follow our policy.”

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The ban on junk food advertising across London’s public transport network came into force in 2019.

Regulations forbid posters for food and drink high in fat, salt and sugar on the Underground and Overground, as well as buses and bus shelters.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the rules would help tackle child obesity rates in the capital.

The organisation uses a model developed by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) to define foods high in fat, sugar and salt.

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