PADDY McGUINNESS is being thrown in at the deep end with his new duties on Radio 2.
He launches his 11am to 1pm programme this Sunday but for his second show he will be doing a live broadcast from the Soccer Aid hotel – which is bound to be very raucous for the former Take Me Out host.
That will come just hours before he takes to the pitch on June 9 at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge ground for his turn as England goalie in the annual charity match.
He has promised to share gossip from the changing room and practice sessions, so I’m sure it will be a laugh.
Paddy posed for a new photo, to promote his Radio 2 show.
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He is taking over from Michael Ball, who in turn is taking on Radio 2’s Love Songs on Sundays from 9 to 11am, after the death of Steve Wright.
The Sun told earlier this year how Paddy had impressed bosses when he stood in for Rylan Clark on his Saturday afternoon show, and they soon snapped him up.
Paddy said: “I’ve been having a lot of fun with the production team, thinking up great new features, working out what music we’ll play and, of course, how we’ll involve the brilliant listeners every week.
“I’m so proud to be joining my fellow Boltonians – Sara Cox, Mark Radcliffe and Vernon Kay – on the station. The Radio 2 presenting family have all been so welcoming. They are truly the loveliest people.”
Hope you smash it, Paddy.
That's a real hot wash, Rita
LET’S hope Rita Ora didn’t get her knickers in a twist when she went down to the launderette to launch her new single.
The singer posed in a white top and gold chains on the set of her music video for the track, titled Ask & You Shall Receive.
She was also pictured falling out of a washing machine, which I imagine gave the locals quite the fright as they waited to collect their clean drawers.
The video also features her Hollywood director husband Taika Waititi.
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The track, co-written by Brit Award-winner Raye, is out today and sees Rita return to her dance-pop roots after releasing her diary-like third album You & I last July.
On Sunday she will debut the song live on stage at Mighty Hoopla festival in London, before playing a series of festivals across Europe.
Make sure you give her new tune a spin cycle and let me know what you think.
Tim's Bob job
TIMOTHEE Chalamet looks a far cry from his Dune character after transforming into a young Bob Dylan.
He is in the middle of shooting a biopic about the folk legend and our pictures show him filming in the US this week with a curly hairdo.
The film is currently titled A Complete Unknown, after lyrics in Dylan’s 1965 song Like A Rolling Stone.
Edward Norton and Elle Fanning star alongside him in the movie, which he revealed he has spent ages preparing for after being wowed by Austin Butler's portrayal of Elvis Presley in 2022 film Elvis.
He’s got the look, but I’ll wait until I hear his voice before I have my say.
Lily casts dye for election
OUTSPOKEN Lily Allen reckons she has the answer to remaining impartial ahead of the election, now that she has a BBC podcast and needs to stay unbiased.
Speaking on Miss Me?, she said: “We’ve been told we’re not really allowed to talk about the election – I’m going to dye one side of my haircut blue and keep the other red, just to respect those BBC guidelines.”
Referring to news of the July 4 ballot, she continued: “It came out of nowhere.
"I was planning on doing it all along but I haven’t been able to rush an appointment at the hairdresser’s.
"I’m just keeping my fingers crossed I can get in there before July 4, quite frankly. I need to reread the BBC impartiality guidelines.”
Probably for the best.
Dave pole position
BLUR will receive the flagship gong at the O2 Silver Clef Awards, for outstanding contribution to music, but one band member might not be there.
The glitzy bash at Grosvenor House hotel in central London is on July 5, just hours after polls close in the General Election – and the band’s drummer Dave Rowntree could be taking up his seat as Labour MP for Mid Sussex.
Dave has been trying since 2007 to become an MP, so will be taking his pledge to work day and night for his constituents very seriously if he wins.
But Damon Albarn and the rest of the group are set to attend the awards, which celebrate music therapy charity Nordoff and Robbins.
Chaka Khan and AC/DC have been announced as winners at the event, where Jessie Ware, Texas and The 1975 will also be honoured.
