Celebrity US pouting princess to be added to Australia's top 10 deadly creatures list?

TV audiences have been glued to their flat panel screens watching ITVs annual smash-hit reality TV show “I’m a celebrity get me out of here” which is filmed live in the sweaty confines of an Australian tropical jungle set.

This year's show has not disappointed with a first for Celebrity with a real-life love-triangle adding extra spice to the usual assortment of rodents and creepy crawlies not forgetting the insects and spiders which aren't very nice either.

The format of the show remains uncomplicated, in order to survive the contestants (victims would perhaps be more appropriate) are set daily challenges and the rules of the game are quite simple: Win the challenges and the camp gets to get to eat a decent meal - lose and they have to make do with meagre rations of rice and beans.

However, winning is easier said that done when would be contestants such as the self proclaimed ‘first ever US supermodel’ Janice Dickinson was early on in the proceedings given two stomach churning tasks of eating a Kangaroo’s penis and a live Witchity Grub.

Perhaps not surprisingly Janice declined both the Kangaroo penis and the Witchity Grub. Luckily for the rest of the camp and her, celebrity chef and love-rat John Burton-Race was on hand to devour both delicacies - to the absolute amazement of many the Michelin Star chef appeared to enjoy the latter, saying it tasted like an Oyster.



This is what a gruesome Witchity Grub looks like.


Without any shadow of a doubt though one of the biggest surprises of this year’s Celebrity has been the performance of the hitherto largely unknown Dickinson who has managed to remain in the camp while well known British stars as John Burton-Race and former soccer star Rodney Marsh have been voted off the show. However, while the pouting princess won over some of her jungle inmates, others have had difficulty working out Janice.

Burton-Race and Marsh got along fine with the former supermodel. Others, particularly the women in the camp have really struggled at times, not least because the pouting diva has a tongue every bit as venomous as a jungle viper. Some might even argue that Dickinson could be added to Australia’s top ten most deadly creatures list (see below).

Early on in the competition Janice made the mistake of letting the British voting public know that she wasn’t enjoying being chosen to face the awful challenges - this only served to make things a whole lot worse for the US babe - as it resulted in viewers voting in droves for Dickinson. To her credit and up to this point, Dickinson has taken part in nine challenges and has been successful in most of them.

Life in the jungle has certainly been no bed of roses having to put up with the hunger, the daily challenges and living so close to snakes in the grass, not to mention the remaining male contestants as well as the spiders. For these reasons the former US model is doing just fine. So well in fact that according to the latest bookmakers odds Dickinson could go on to win the competition.

Over the course of the last couple of weeks the initial group of celebs has been gradually whittled down as the public vote to decide which contestants should stay in the camp and who should be evicted, with the unlucky stars being packed off to live in the lap of luxury for a few days in a five-star hotel until the show is over.

The show is filmed live deep in the tropical Australian jungle, this year the set it’s believed to be located north of Cairns in Queensland.

Quick Facts on Queensland at a glance:

Climate:
In the North: Tropical to sub-tropical. In the South: Sub-tropical.

Location:
North East corner of Australia
Coordinates between 10º & 29º South latitude 138º and 154º East longitude

Age profile:
The media age of the 3.8 million population is 35.5 years old.
AreaQueensland is the second largest state in Australia.

Economy:
Queensland has the fastest growing economy in Australia.

State's capital city, Brisbane:
In 2004 Brisbane, was voted World's 8 Best Cities to live in by the Economist Intelligence Unit survey
Size 1,730,648 km²


Australia's top ten dangerous creatures:
1. The Box Jellyfish
2. Irukandji (A Jellyfish)
3. Salt Water Crocodile
4. Blue Ring Octopus
5. Stone Fish
6. Red Back Spider
7. Brown Snake
8. Tiger Snake
9. Great White Shark
10.Funnel Web Spider

Quick facts on Queensland supplied by BigEasy Travel Guide.com

Marco Pierre White - a very scary man?

Marco Pierre White and the Undertaker, two scary looking men with eyes that could kill...

This week the nation's tv schedules have been dominated by cooking related programmes, we've had BBC2s Kitchen Criminals in which the likeable top chef John Burton Race has been trying to make decent cooks out of people who hitherto couldn't boil an egg. It has been interesting, if not riveting tv so far.

We've also been subjected to another reality tv cooking show on BBC2 The Restaurant. Raymond Blanc and his top team of restauranteur empolyees are the judges in a competition in which couples are pitted against each other to win their own restaurant and in doing so they will become business partners with the top French chef.

The Restaurant's format is slightly different from other similar realilty tv shows of the cooking genre, in that Blanc and his top team really do test all aspects of the competing couples skill-sets. Everything from restaurant management, marketing, budgeting and cooking is tested thoroughly and quite entertaining The Restaurant has been too.

In last night's episode the extremely annoying Jacqui and Sam were thankfully turfed off, largely because of their appalling grasp of the numbers.

While The Restaurant has the makings of a decent pot-boiler, ITVs Hells Kitchen has been grabbing all the headlines, not least because there's a new head chef in the rather scary form of Michelin star chef Marco Pierre White.

Hells Kitchen's former head chef Gordon Ramsay, was apparently once reduced to tears by White. However, Marco says he didn't force Gordon to cry, 'it was Gordon's decision to cry'...

Ramsay has a somewhat confrontational management style in his tv shows, he's all too often foul-mouthed, often when shouting down his subordinates within his 'brigade'.

Marco Pierre White has an altogether different management style in the kitchen and while he has sinister looks that could curdle fresh milk and send your blood cold in the blink of an eye. The contrast between White and Ramsay is marked.

Everyone in the Hells Kitchen apparently loves White. For this reason I've been wondering if the Hells Kitchen bosses might be encouraging Marco to turn on the frighteners in bid to get nasty in the remaining days of the competition.

White could easily stand in for the WWE's undertaker, he possess similar scary looks, but in this reality TV show he's something of a big pussy-cat.

24 Latest: Bill is BACK + Production delay

Right after telling the world that he wouldn't be returning for Season 7, it appears the silver fox of CTU - Bill Buchanon - will now be returning to the hit series. And he's understandably very happy about it. On his personal website, actor James Morrison says:

"I'm going to back to the show after all. And I'm very happy about it. I'll let you know more when I can."

Great news out there for all Bill fans.

Also, production has been delayed until the back end of September while the producers tweak the scripts even further.

In other news, Gary Oldman has allegedly turned down a role in the show due to a scheduling clash. His agent however has decided to keep the door open by refusing to rule out the story. Interestingly, Oldman and Kiefer Sutherland are old drinking buddies and actually share an arrest.......

Best. News. Ever: Michael is Back For Lost Season 4!!!

Smashing news from Comic Con as the Lost producers unveiled Harold Perrineau to Lost Fanatics as it was announced the character of Michael Dawson is coming back as a series regular.

Michael left the island at the end of Season 2 after striking a deal with The Others to allow him and son Walt safe passage off the island - in exchange for betraying 4 of his closest friends. The news that fans have been waiting for is now in as Michael makes his long awaited comeback to this wonderful show.

It was not confirmed whether Michael will just appear in flashbacks and flash forwards but his status as a regular would indicate he will see action on the island. We predict and hope that Michael will be made to face the music on the island. Which begs the question of whether The Others really let him and Walt escape in the first place.

Interestingly no news on Walt's current status - he popped up in the Season 3 finale (seemingly as an illusion) but his return will depend very much on the storyline. Despite the actor's aging and growth spurt, we really hope they bring back this character - arguably one of the most important in the whole show due to his unique abilities and understanding of the island.

Other news from Comic Con:

- We will see a Danielle Rousseau flashback - Yay!

- This season will see a mixture of flashforwards and flashbacks.

- Libby's story will be completed.

- Jack and Claire's relationship will be explored further - it has been strongly hinted they share the same father.

- The ending of the season 3 finale (Jack and Kate) will not be the ending of the entire show - there is more to come following Jack's apparent breakdown.

- There is some major trouble heading for the island - the newcomers will make The Others look like 'humanitarians.'

As you can probably we are very excited about these developments - watch this space for more news as it arrives!

Aaron Pierce Return + 24 Moves To DC!

Interesting news emanating from Comic Con this week where the shows executive producers fielded questions from the show's hardcore fan base.

Here's the headlines:

- CTU has been disbanded by the government and will play no role in Season 7. It is likely to be replaced by a branch of the FBI.

- The L.A. setting has been dropped and the entire series will play out in Washington DC.

- Jack Bauer and Chloe O'Brien are the only confirmed returnees. The show will feature it's 'freshest' cast ever.

- Very strong of chance of Glen Morshower reprising his role as Aaron Pierce (above left) for Season 7. Great News!

- Producers refuse to confirm whether either Tony Almeida, Charles Logan or Wayne Palmer are actually dead. Keep watching is the message.

- An alternative ending to Season 6 was considered - featuring Tony Almedia. The idea was for Tony to confront Jack at the Heller Beach House as Jack was over looking the cliff. This could be a clear indicator from the show makers that they believe Tony can be brought back plausibly.

- They wanted to cast Donald Sutherland (Kiefer's father) as Philip Bauer but couldn't strike a deal.

- Jack Bauer will be forced to defend his actions over the years in front the Senate Commitee. This blogger believes this could lead to cameo's for other supporting characters to give evidence for or against Jack.

- Chase Edmonds is definitely not coming back to the show.

Overall interesting news without giving us anything major. We we're hoping for some more casting news but the powers that be are clearly playing their cards close to their chests. With some luck the deal to bring back Aaron Pearce will happen which would be sensational news for hardcore fans.

Another New President in 24 + Kim Wants In!

Interesting news coming out of 24 this week - a new president has been cast for Day 7 and by golly it's a women - just as we predicted on these pages.

The woman in the frame is Cherry Jones who had a small role in Ocean's 12. It does now look like the 24 team are looking to do a Hillary Clinton-esque portrayl.

Politically on the show this is an interesting situation which needs to address a few loose ends.

1. Is she a Democrat or Republican? One would presume Republican (mainly because on Day 6 the Democrats were in power and surely either Wayne Palmer or Noah Daniels would be in the boxseat). However, there is the possibly, that if Daniels did replace Wayne, then the new Pres could have won a leadership contest between her and Daniels. There is also the interesting question if they could cast a women as the leader of the Republican party (a nigh on impossible development in real life).

2. Wayne Palmer - did he die? We need to know, we've lost one Palmer already on this show and if they don't give us some clarity on Wayne's situation I'll be P.O'ed.

3. Daniels - again some clarity on his removal from office would be nice.

4. Heller/Novick - if the new President of the United States is Republican then what odds for James Heller and Mike Novick to return. Heller has unfinished business with Jack Bauer in my opinion and a season of 24 is always better when Novick is involved. I missed both characters in Day 6, Heller's cameos were great but he should have been given more to do and a Republican cabinet could bring these two back into the fold.

5. President's head of security - the Bring Back Special Agent Aaron Pearce campaign starts here. With any luck Martha has topped herself and the big guy can get back to doing what he does best - kicking ass.

6. Charles Logan - again, simple question - dead or alive?

While all the talk is of a brand new cast minus Jack and the tedious Chloe, all the above characters would be more than welcome back in my opinion.

One return that could happen, which would be brilliant, is that of Kim Bauer. Elisha Cuthbert has revealed she'd love to come back, but one expects it may be for the movie.

"I'll be waiting by the phone, I'm ready whenever they are. I love the show so much!"

Message to the powers that be: Make it happen.

New Pres - Click here.

Kim Comeback - Click here

Thank-you Gerry Much

No surprise from this past Friday's Big Brother eviction a seriel manhater/moaner and all round BB Bore Nicki Maxwell got the boot.

She was up against token camp bloke Gerry The Greek who in reality stood little chance of being booted out.

The action over the last seven days has predictably focused on Charley, who in a stroke of genius bordering on Machiavellian proportions, managed to convince her fellow dullards that she was worshipped by the Great British public. Unsurpisingly, 'Mugs R' Us, her fellow housemates, fell for the play hook line and sinker - and as a result were too afraid to nominate the South Islington IT girl. To her credit the devious plan was executed very quickly and somewhat convincingly and this sterling piece of con-artistry may even save her for another week. Sadly the 'my cousin plays for Man United' routine will have to be dropped on her eventual exit, as her Kieran Richardson, the poor beggar who is related to this freak, has been shipped off to the all together less glamourous, ahem, Sunderland. One wonders if Ziggy and friends will as impressed with the hospitality seats at the Stadim of Shite as they would have been by promises of all expenses paid tickets to Old Trafford.....

Meanwhile, Ziggy and Channelle's on/off romance has cumulated in a cold shower together and reports in the media suggest his Ziggyness has a 'secret girlfriend' in the 'outside world.' The Yorkshire Terrier will not like that when she finds out.

Other highlights of the week include a stand up row between good old Brian and, you guessed it, Charley. As if things couldn't get worse for Bri, after a row with his former friend, he was then treated to a hair cut more ridiculous than his previous one.

Wit of the week has to go to the fan with the 'Brian Storm' sign at Fridays's live eviction- see what they did there....

William Hill are tipping the #1 Essex Boy to romp home the contest with his odds now standing at 1/2 on. If the dumbass thing is an act then he has played a blinder. If it's not then he's gonna need the prize money. All of it.

Go Brian!

24 Season 7 Update: Chloe Returns, Bill Buchanan Axed, Africa Plot Vetoed, Shooting Delayed & Kiefer's Hint

24 uber-geek Chloe O'Brien (left) has been confirmed as a definite returnee for the highly anticipated season 7 of the Sky One drama.

Producers had indicated that the show was set to go in a new direction with only Jack returning as well as a few old favourites. It appears that Chloe is one of them. Interestingly Chloe found out she was pregnant at the end of season 6, so we may even see a bambino O'Brien in the up-coming season. No word on her on/off partner Morris as yet - maybe he'll be looking after the toddler while Chloe helps Bauer down the bad guys?

One 24 favourite who will not be returning, as things stand, is old safe hands himself Bill Buchanan - played by James Morrison (not the singer with the feminine haircut). The silver fox of CTU appears to be out of the picture as James said this on his personal website:

"At present, it looks as though I will not be back for season seven, since the show is moving in new directions. "

If Buchanan is out of the game then it's a safe assumption that Karen Hayes will be as well. We've already reported that Tom Lennox is unlikely to feature in anything more than a guest appearance which would indicate that D.B Woodside's President Wayne Palmer is also firmly out of the picture. A presidential story is still expected though with the smart money being a on 24's first female President.

Meanwhile, the shooting of season 7 has been put back 3 weeks thanks to a script re-write. The producers had planned on subplot based in Africa, but after failing to find a suitable fake location, the story writers have been forced to re-think this premise. Here's what Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe O'Brien, above left) had to say:

"I don't know what's going on over there, but they're going crazy,"

"We usually start [back up] at the end of July, and I don't think we're starting until a couple weeks into August now. It's kind of exciting, because I think [the postponement] means that they're really having to dig in there and come up with new stuff."

With only Jack (Kiefer Sutherland) and Chloe confirmed up to now it is looking like a whole new concept for season 7 with no CTU involement whatsoever. While filming a Citroen ad (no accounting for taste there Kiefer) in Brazil, Sutherland revealed this juicy tidbit about the forthcoming plot:

“Bauer will be his own boss, at the end of the sixth season he’s tired, disillusioned with the government and doesn’t want to have anything more to do with the presidency,”

“He’s going to be on his own.”

Sounds good, but not entirely accurate, as we know Chloe is going to pop up in some capacity, probably as early as episode one.

Chloe Returns + Africa Plot & Production Delays

Bill Buchanan Out Of The Picture

Kiefer's Season 7 Tidbit

Poo Flushed, Charley & Nikki Face Fake Friday

So the secret is out and so is actress Thaila Zucchi. 'Pauline' has been revealed as a fake and has left the asylum. Most of the housemates were sorry to see her go, well most except Charley who branded her a bitch. Amusingly Charley branded her fellow housemates 'mugs' for falling for Pauline's tricks, ironic words indeed from the girl who believed that Pauline had psychic powers and could see the future via a half eaten hamburger......

Even more pleasingly the fake eviction pencilled in for Friday pits Charely against bosom buddy Nicky. With this being a fake eviction, the exit interview will run as normal only for Davina to inform the fallen housemate that they are heading straight back into the BB ranch. The twist being the other housemates will get to watch the interview on a plasma. For sheer comedy value it has to Charley who gets the interview - she will bitch like no other and then have to return to face the music. Friday night promises fireworks indeed.

G'Day Pauline! Laura Out! Ziggy & Chanelle Go Pop!

Plenty to report in our latest BB Blog entry as Pauline enters the house, Laura is ejected and the Ziggy/Chanelle love-in comes to a premature end.

There were no surprises on Friday as the bookies backed the right horse and Laura was promptly ejected to a mixed reaction. If there was anything of interest to report from her exit interview then we would comment on it. Sadly there wasn't.

Moving away from the Shrek look-a-like we can now tell you all about the more aesthetically pleasing Pauline (left). Except she isn't actually called Pauline, no, her real name is Thaila Zucchi and her real occupation is that of a jobbing actress. 'Pauline' has been sent in on a secret mission to hoodwink the housemates, her 'tasks' include pretending to be Australian, pretending to be psychic and having to call Brian 'Ryan' - a bit like the old Only Fools gag with Trigger and Rodney.

So far she is just about scraping by. While some of the less intellectual housemates have been taken in, you know who you are Ryan, others are already beginning to smell a rat. Wily old bi-sexual Carole is the first to clock that all may not be as it seems and has already worked out it's a set-up. Which is good news for the housemates. Because if Carole acts on her hunch then the housemates win this weeks shopping task. If they somehow fail to rumble the Ozzie (actually a Swindoner) then they lose the task. Should be interesting.

Meanwhile, over in lovers lane, Ziggy and Chanelle have decided to call time on their relationship. The Posh and Becks of BB have driven each other to breaking point and following a stream of arguments the affair is now well and truly off.

Our money is on the Zigster to make a move for Pauline/Thaila in the coming days. It would be worth it just to see Chanelle's face.

BB8 Latest - Bookie's tip Taffy for the axe

According to the bookmakers the Great British Public will opt to save Posh Spice wannabe Chanelle and decide to get rid of the not so loveable Laura for the fourth BB eviction.

Laura started out as one of the favourites, but her recent behaviour; mainly consisting of two faced jibes, whining and shouting has failed to endear her to the voters. She is also quite the sight without her make-up on.

While Chanelle isn't the most popular candidate on the outside world, there is a genuine interest in her relationship with his Ziggyness and it seems that many women have sympathy for Posh, sorry, Chanelle, who it seems is being strung along by the serial womaniser.

Meanwhile, one of the token older housemates departed of his own accord as Jonathan left the BB house. Sadly his grandmother passed on and he decided he couldn't miss the funeral. Quite right too. He seemed a decent sort and it's a testament to the chap that he didn't have any nominations this week.

The housemates also passed this weeks 7 sins task, well all except Charley, whose punishment was to be locked away in the sin-bin while her housemates partied on!

All in all not a bad week for BB.

Brian and Liam are the firm favourites to win at the moment but there is still a long way to go.

Bootiful food victory for Chef Ramsay...

So then just a few episodes after upsetting just about every horse lover in the country following on from Janet Street-Porter's horse eating meat controversy, Gordon Ramsay's F-Word show has turned from public enemy number one to championing the rights of the great meat eating British public and their rights to know the origin of supermarket food.

Janet Street-Porter was challenged with taking troubled food retailer Bernard Matthews to task over his less than clear labelling policy. Following on from what was a highly successful meeting it has been agreed that from September all Bernard Matthews labelling will be much clearer and all meat which has been bred in the UK will carry the Red Tractor logo on its packaging. Bootiful Gordon and Janet.

Louis Back On The X-Factor

The bizarre choice to replace Louis Walsh with Brian Friedman on the X-Factor has been reversed - just days into filming the new series.

Louis has rejoined the panel following his sacking which garnered loads of publicity a couple of months ago.

New judge Brian Friedman has been sent back behind the camera and will now help the talent on their chereography and dance techniques. Leaving Louis to re-stablish his on screen war with Cowell, Sharon and new judge Danni Minogue.

The original choice to sack Louis wasn't a shock to us, after all, he made many a ridiculous decision and frequently favoured Irish acts ie, the dreadful Conway sisters.

However the decision to replace him with Freidman was ridiculous - this guy is nothing more than a dancer - fine for Grease Is The Word - but someone should remind Simon Cowell and the producers that the X-Factor is a singing contest.

Good news for Louis then, but we don't envisage that Kate Thornton will be getting 'the call' anytime soon.......

Louis is BACK!

Four new stars join Prison Break

Sky One's latest acquisition Prison Break welcomes four new faces for the up coming third season as the popular prison based drama aims to go in a slightly new direction. Joining Michael Schofield (Wentworth Miller) and Lincoln Burrows (Dominic Purcell) in season three will be:

Robert Wisdom - who takes on the role of a Panama drug lord (you may know him from The Wire).

Chris Vance - will play a mysterious con named 'The Whistler.'

Danay Garcia - takes the role of Sofia and is Whistler's girlfriend - she looks like she could be the top totty this year.

Jodi Lyn O'Keefe - joins as unamed villain operating for 'The Company.'

The action is set to go down in Panama where Michael Schofield has been incarcerated following Season 2's shock ending.

Full Story: New cast takes shape

Bad week for 2 Dragons + New Godfather joins the Den

Shocking news from Dragon's Den as Richard Farleigh has been axed from the panel. The brilliant business mind, who proves you don't have to be an arrogant jerk to be successful, has been given his cards by the BBC and is rightfully furious. This was the aussie's reaction:

"It would be disappointing if that was the reason - rather than anything fundamental - if it was because I was the wrong colour."

"I don't know why this has happened and I am very disappointed and bemused - I wasn't expecting it because all the feedback I got was very positive."

"I had even moved back to the UK to focus on commitments for the show. I am gutted that I have not been invited back."

In our opinion this move is a joke for several reasons, one, Farleigh as mentioned above is a nice guy and is the only Dragon who is always polite to the inventors - no matter how barmy they are. Two, he consistently invests unlike a couple of others and doesn't wait for other Dragon's before making his choice. Three, he consistently invests in businesses that go on to do something after the show - take Reggae Reggae Sauce from Levi Roots which is now an exclusive product at Sainsburys. He also invested, along with Duncan Bannatyne in Igloo, which has grown into a profitable transport business that has made it's founders millionairres.

All in all a real mistake by the BBC.

Richard's replacement is investor James Caan, who shares his name with The Godfather screen legend. Caan is worth £130 million and frankly, better be good. On his appointment James said:

"I'm thrilled to be invited to be in one of the highly coveted Dragon positions.

"In business I make a point of investing in people, as I'm a great believer that it is people who create a success in business through their passion and conviction."

And finally onto the King of Puns Peter Jones whose ITV business show Tycoon has taken a kicking in the ratings. For once Peter's midas touch hasn't been upto it and ITV have ditched the program's one hour time running time and time slot. Tycoon will no longer go out on a Tuesday night between 9pm and 10pm. It will instead return on Monday nights at 10pm in a half hour timeslot from the 9th of July.

The big problem for this show has been the quality of the contestants - unlike the Apprentice these entreprenuers are neither particularly sharp or media savvy. Frankly they are ruddy boring. Peter has also changed his Dragon's Den persona which hasn't helped. On the Den the pun happy Dragon comes across as being shrewd but also as a good fellow with a sense of humour - as he does when on other shows ie, Chris Moyles. Sadly he's decide to reinvent himself on this show as being a hardman but really he should leave the tough guy act to Sir Alan and concentrate on being himself.

Links:
Godfather replaces Aussie

Tycoon goes the way of Titanic

Billi Gets Bullet - No Surprise

The bookies get it right once again and the Big Brother dream is over for another housemate. Billi (left) failed to capture any public support and succeeded in turning over the half the house again as his strategy went the way of the pear. Cheerio old bean.......

Next week the smart money is surely on Charley barring another 'save' from Big Brother. Get ready for a lynching......

Seany Out, Geordie Wins £100K & Brian Wets The Bed

Another interesting week from the Big Brother 8 House.

Seany boy got the chop in Friday's eviction after failing to win over the voting public - strangely despite claiming he was a gay man, his family are now rubbishing these claims and say it was just a strategy he employed to get into the house.

The show winner may not be announced for many moons yet, however Geordie Tree Surgeon Liam appears to be the clear winner so far - he's already won the £100K prize money. He's also enjoying a love triangle with self proclaimed IT Girl Charley (left) and Nikki (formerly a 'man hater').

Meanwhile, Ziggy has finally got jiggy with Chanelle (according to the papers anyway) and poor old Brian has managed to wet the bed.

Also, Brian and Charley both confessed to not knowing who Shakespeare was.

We kid you not.

Nominations to follow.........

Female President on 24?

24 could be set for it's first ever female president in Season 7 according to numerous online sources. The ground breaking show was the first program to put a black politician in the President's chair and the producers are said to be lining up a women to boss The White House in Season 7.

This comes off the back of news that there will be few surviving cast members from previous 24 outings. Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer remains a certainty and Chloe O'Brien (Mary Lynn Rajskub) is also extremely likely but anyone else remains unclear.

As reported earlier, Tom Lennox (Peter MacNicol) looks to be out of the equation due to his re-transfer to Numbers, while Wayne Palmer (DB Woodside) and Noah Daniels (Powers Boothe) are almost definitely out should a new charge be cast in the Presidential position.

Intersetingly, it has been stated the producers would like to cast a women due to the fact Hillary Clinton may be running for the Presidency in real life. If the producers were to go a step further and cast Sherry Palmer (Penny Johnson Jerald) or Martha Logan (Jean Smart) then it could really be a case of art imitating life. Both are unlikely though - storyline wise Martha Logan wouldn't appear to have the mental strength, while Sherry's 'dead or alive' status is very much unconfirmed.

Female President for Season 7

Numbers up for Tom Lennox

Bad news for fans of 24 as Season 6 favourite Tom Lennox (Peter MacNicol) has been ruled out of having a major role in Season 7.

Despite the critical pasting that Day 6 received, the character of Lennox shone like a beacon and was undoubtedly one of the best things about the previous season. As Wayne Palmer's Chief of Staff Lennox became a key player in day 6 with some double deals, blackmail and even heroics. As a unanamanous fan favourite he was one of the few truly multi dimensional characters of the season and many will gutted to find out he will not be returning to operate in the corridors of power at the White House.

Peter MacNicol has instead signed up to a full season of popular US drama Numbers where he will reprise his role as Dr. Larry Fleinhardt.

With a political plotline 99% confirmed for 24 Day 7, that leaves us to speculate which political animals, if any, will be returning to the show. Karen Hayes (Jayne Atkinson) seems unlikely after being forced into retirement along with Bill Buchanon (James Morrison). While President Wayne Palmer (DB Woodside) and ex-President Charles Logan (Greg Itzen), last seen on the operating table and a life support machine respectively, it seems unlikely that either will be back in the frame.

Former Sec Def James Heller (William Devane) would be a welcome re-addition to the cast but his political status is unclear. If Heller is still in politics then a return could happen but I've given up hope that he'll be a series regular following a half season in Day 4 and limited but key roles in Day 5 & 6.

The best chance we have of a former political face returning has to be Mike Novick (Jude Ciccolella). The former chief of staff to both David Palmer (Dennis Heysbert) and Logan, Novick is one of the few characters still with us from Day One and has a big following amongst hardcore fans.

Those hoping for a Lennox return may get their wish in the shape of a 'Special Guest Star' cameo but for the moment we have no news on this.

Chef Ramsay in a pickle over the pond...

Chef Ramsay is having a bit of a nightmare of his own over in New York where he's likely to face a court date over an episode of the US version of the hit tv series 'Kitchen Nightmares'. The fiery chef is well known for his brand of no nonesense management style, and his often confrontational approach has led to him landing in hot water before with one chef having a heart attack following a tirade of abuse.

The latest setback concerns Martin R Hyde, who is a general manager of the Dillons Indian-American restaurant in midtown Manhattan. Hyde has filed a lawsuit accusing Ramsay of faking scenes for the camera. Mr Hyde is seeking damages for the humiliation for which he says he suffered, and he also is trying to get a court order to stop the show from being screened.

Full story