DAME Joan Collins will be put under the spotlight by grand inquisitor Louis Theroux.
I can reveal he has been granted an audience with the Dynasty great and will get to see inside her homes in London and St Tropez, in the South of France.
The chat will feature in the new series of Louis Theroux Interviews . . . , which is due to air later this year on BBC Two.
A TV insider said: “Convincing Dame Joan to sign up was no mean feat.
"It’s understood she didn’t want a fuss making of the fact she’s recently turned 90.
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“But there’s no doubt that’s partly a factor in wanting to do the interview.
After all, it’s a milestone moment where looking back on her life and career feels like a no-brainer.
“In the end, Dame Joan was partly convinced by the fact Louis interviewed fellow acting Dame, Judi Dench, last year.
“That also saw him go inside her home, which only led to a more intimate chat and great viewing.
"Producers will be hoping to recreate that vibe.”
Getting Joan to agree to the interview is also a coup for Louis — and the new series’ collection of subjects is already looking like his best yet.
That’s an achievement in itself, given that last year Louis chatted to Stormzy and Rita Ora for the show produced by his Mindhouse company.
Others stars taking part in this series will be ex-world boxing champion Anthony Joshua and singer Raye.
But there’s nothing like a dame.
JILL JOINS LEAGUE LEADERS
LIONESS Jill Scott has been named a captain on Sky's A League Of Their Own.
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The ex-England player, who grew up in the North East, will line up with regulars Jamie Redknapp, Romesh Ranganathan and Micah Richards.
Last year’s I’m A Celebrity Queen of the Jungle posed with her own 4m tall Angel of the North statue to announce signing on as Blue team skipper.
Jill said: “The banter has already started and I know I will get a lot of stick when I kick off my tenure as a team captain.”
The 18th series will hit our screens on Sky Max and Now later this year.
Ahead of the new series, a special Lionesses episode is being shown on July 12.
BAD NEWS FOR LAST LEG
THE Last Leg host Adam Hills has confirmed reports the show is being shrunk down to save money at cash-strapped Channel 4.
The Australian comedian told The Big Jim Show podcast: “They have just cut four episodes of The Last Leg from us because they’re not getting the advertising revenue, because people aren’t buying.”
But he blamed one thing, adding: “It took a while for audiences to remember how to be audiences, it took them a while to come back.
"It then started to hit, and I think the cost of living thing has then stopped people again.”
The first episode of the 28th season aired last Friday night.
Among other projects chopped by Channel 4 is the original version of SAS Who Dares Wins.
GRUB IS TRULY UP AT ROY’S
A TWITTER storm blew up after one sharp-eyed Coronation Street viewer noticed that Roy’s Rolls had hiked up some of the prices in the cafe.
Apparently his pie, mash and peas used to be £4.50 but has now risen to £5.50, while Mr Cropper’s curry and rice has almost doubled, from £2.75 to £4.95.
But while Weatherfield’s finest diner seems to be pushing up its prices to reflect the soaring inflation that’s afflicting the country, over on EastEnders they appear to be ignoring the nation’s dire financial situation.
In Walford, Kathy’s Cafe has apparently introduced a price freeze on all its drinks and grub, despite the cost-of- living crisis.
Which is all well and good for community spirit, but penny-pinching Ian Beale will be having a few cross words with his mum.
