Betty Driver is back in the charts! Famed for her hot pot as Betty Turpin in Coronation Street, she appears in her new double album of wartime classics called ‘Heroes and Sweethearts’. The 90-year-old (pictured right) says: “I can’t believe that both me and Vera Lynn are gracing the charts again at this age – it’s smashing.”


News that Richard Desmond has bought Channel 5 has been met with approval by the music business at least. He plans to bring back Top Of The Pops, among other live shows. “What we need is variety and big shows that entertain the public, not endless cooking shows and reality dross,” he told a source.


Jessie Wallace is furious at reports in the tabloid press that she has failed to master the accent of actress Pat Phoenix, who she plays in a new BBC 4 drama about the early days of Coronation Street. Despite the cast and crew all saying she is perfection, Jessie is still being hounded about it but a BBC source tells me: “Time will tell – and that is the perfect reply.”


Five’s new show ‘Don’t Stop Believing’ may have one or two teething problems, but that aside it pulled in over a million viewers when it was first shown last Sunday. Now bosses are just hoping that fans will stay with the show throughout.


Robson Green, famed for his ‘singing’ with Jerome Flynn a few years back, is now gearing up to star in a new drama called ‘Joe Madison’s War’. He tells me: “I am surprised that Simon has not asked us to be guest judgeds on X Factor! I mean we kicked it all off with him back in the old days!”


Matthew Cutler is the latest Strictly Come Dancing professional to pass on staying with the show when it comes back in the winter. He reveals: “I won’t be with a celebrity but if I get the time I would love to pop back for the group dances and stuff like that.”


Philip Schofield, who is never shy about self-promotion, is gushing again – this time about the celebrity version of his confusing game show ‘The Cube’. “It’s got some great guest stars and I think we may be doing more,” he said. The stars are Joe Swash and Kelly Osbourne...


Bev Callard who plays Liz in Corrie, says that she hopes as she gets older her dress sense calms down. “I am starting to look a bit mutton, to be honest, but the writers love the fact that Liz does not seem to care a jot,” she laughs.


Rugby star Gavin Henson, the ex of Charlotte Church, may have landed a slot on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing show, but would he have if Charlotte had agreed to a stint? A source tells me: “She was approached after being a judge on the Rainbow show but sadly she has rejected the offer as she is busy looking after her two children.”


Dr Who fans take note – new doctor Matt Smith is staying. Online reports claim that he has not been a success, with less than great ratings so far, but BBC bosses say: “We are delighted with him and with time on his side he will become as popular as the rest of the other doctors.”


GMTV has swung the axe again this week, getting rid of TV critic Richard Arnold and Carla Romano, The new ITV show has decided to keep on Kate Garraway for now as their new showbiz reporter as: “She has a great connection with all this showbiz and fans love her whacky style.” Really?


While here in the UK fans think that Gavin and Stacy is funny, it appears that plans to make the show for ABC in the US have been dropped, according my spies. Ruth Jones, the writer and star, reveals: “It all went a tad quiet, which is a shame, but you kind of expect these things at points don’t you?”


Martin Freeman is currently starring on BBC One in the new version of ‘Sherlock’. He reveals: “I don’t think our fascination with him will ever go away really – we all like his style and yet so little is really known about the character, other than that he solves crimes.”


Let’s hope that ITV have made the right decision in hiring The One Show hosts Christine and Adrian. Despite their high-profile defection it appears not to have dented the show’s appeal, with ratings staying the same as when they were the hosts...


Coronation Street and Emmerdale are at war over scripts, I can reveal. Both are running a conman story featuring men of a certain age – with Nigel Havers as Lewis in Corrie and Charlie running off with Diane’s money in Emmerdale. Fans are stating “it’s all very similar and it’s like one is copying the other – but who is doing it remains to be seen.”


Richard and Judy are launching their book club again, which was a great success on their teatime show a few years back. Now it’s with a leading newsagent, but insiders are worried that without the exposure of their daily TV shows, can it be the same success again?


Hugh Grant may not now have the stellar film career he once had, and while having his famous locks snipped at Michael John in Mayfair  he told a source: “I never get offered TV,. but that’s not to say I wouldn’t do it. I quite like some of the dramas right now.”


60s icon Lulu would love a stint in soap next. The star tells me: “I like soaps but I want one that is totally glamorous and quite over the top. I figure I may have to go to the US for that one then!”


Calling Paul O’Grady! Despite the endless succession of guest hosts on the 5 O’Clock Show, which is made by Paul’s company Olga TV, none have created the kind of ratings success that he did. Now Channel Four bosses are “pondering its future”.