Soap Quen Ann Montini's latest Gossip

1:25pm UK, Thursday July 03, 2003

Soap Queen Ann Montini rounds up the latest TV news:

Did you know that cartoon show The Simpsons has received its highest audience figures yet in the US?

Douglas and Jones: So in love

The stats were boosted by the guest appearance ofwrinkled rocker Mick Jagger.

A source told me: "Bosses were really keen to land Mick, and when he agreed they were over the moon."

These figures prove they were right. Go, Mick, Go!

EastEnders will have yet another wedding at the end of the year. Hardman Phil Mitchell will wed copper Kate.

How do I know? Well my spies on set said the actress who plays Kate has had three fittings for a wedding dress.

We'll get to see it around October time.

Melanie Sykes - one half of Des & Mel - is now hosting her own prime time show called The Vault on Saturday nights.

She'll be back with another show in September called Under Pressure in which celebrities move in for a week with ordinary people.

On the list as stars are Vanessa and former soap star Michael Greco.

Now that sounds like fun, eh?

Fresh from appearing in a cameo in Hollyoaks, bosses have offered a full-time deal to reality TV star Darius should his pop career flop.

An insider told me: "He was really popular with the viewers and we would be thrilled to have him on board full time."

When Celebrities Attract is a new show on Sky One and features the love story of Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas.

The show, which also features Sky News showbiz guru Neil Sean, has already attracted interest from Catherine and Michael.

The ever-so-private duo have already requested a tape.

Look out for weathergirl Sian Lloyd taking part in Celebrity Stars in Their Eyes.

The presenter, who admits to being tone deaf, has decided to take some singing lessons.

Do I hear panto calling, Sian?

There's good news for fans of Brookside star Dean Gaffney.

Dean plays Jimmy Corkhill in the doomed soap.

He's going back to theatre and is playing panto this year with a reported salary of £20,000 per week. Bravo.

If you think you know where ex-soap baddie Martin Kemp's new drama Brides in the Bath is filmed, don't be fooled.

While it is set in darkest Cornwall it was actually filmed in Scarborough and Bridlington - two East Coast seaside towns.

It was cheaper there and the buildings were more in tune with the period.

Fans of Shane Ritchie will be thrilled to know that the actor will have his life story available in book form.

From Rags to Ritchie is being released in October.

Shane told me: "I'm really nervous as I have been really honest, but I hope it will be well received."

Until next time, Ann