As we wave goodbye to the festive season, what have reality TV fans got to look forward to over the upcoming winter weeks? The end of the calendar year takes with it television favourites (such as the competing duo X Factor and Strictly Come Dancing) but the New Year brings in a fresh bundle of guilty pleasures.
Now you’ve had time to watch TV online and play Christmas catch-up, it’s time to bring in Dancing On Ice and Celebrity Big Brother to help ease your woes.
Television programmes are more accessible than ever with thousands of us streaming TV to our portable devices every day. We’re watching from our tablets, laptops and smartphones meaning missing the beginning of this season’s Dancing On Ice or Celebrity Big Brother isn’t as dire as it once was; hit ITV Player and 4oD and then catch the remainder live.
Dancing On Ice has already had the tabloids talking this year with the first few shows being packed with action. The celebrity line-up saw greats (and some not-so-greats) get ready to skate away in hope of winning the public vote.
This year’s contestants include many soap stars who are all taking to the ice; Andy Whyment (Coronation Street’s Kirk Sutherland), Laila Morse (Mo Harris in EastEnders), Jorgie Porter (Theresa McQueen in Hollyoaks), Jennifer Ellison of 90s soap Brookside and former Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden. Other famous faces to note include Sugarbabe Heidi Range and fitness guru Rosemary Conley.
Chesney Hawkes, the one-hit-wonder responsible for ‘The One and Only’, was forced to leave the competition early due to injury before the TV show aired. Hawkes’ wipeout means that it’s Chico Time again for the British public as the X Factor blast from the past joins the rest of the hopefuls.
In his official statement regarding his participation in the show, Chico told ITV: “Whilst I’m really excited about being part of the new series of Dancing On Ice it’s not necessarily in the best of circumstances. I wish Chesney all the best and a speedy recovery I will not just be skating for myself I will be skating for Chesney as well and do him proud”, he added.
On Channel Five the list of celebrities walking into the Big Brother House this January leaves us only to infer that we’re set for some toe-tingling TV over the coming weeks.
The house on the nation’s lips is full to the brim with glamour models, playboy twins and WAGs who are joined, with pleasure, by X Factor reject Frankie Cocozza. Other contestants include Denise Welch of Loose Women and Natalie Cassidy who was of course, Sonia in Eastenders.
As usual, the Big Brother house has been given a massive makeover for the new season. Features include a snowflake-themed bedroom accessorised with cosy fur cushions and throws, as well as a luxury lodge-style living area and kitchen. Despite the show taking place during the chilly winter months, the house is also kitted out with the show’s essential outdoor hot tub.
If you are planning to feed your reality show needs by streaming TV live to your laptop, Smartphone or tablet, it is worth remembering that a full and up to date TV Licence is needed to legally watch TV online. For those who never quite make the live broadcasts, services such as ITV Player are perfect for playing catch-up on shows such as Dancing On Ice and don’t require a licence.
