THEGAYUK

Category: You Probably Didn’t Know

  • 10 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Simon Cowell

    He’s probably the most powerful music man in the UK – but what do we really know about Simon Cowell?

    Is simon cowell gay

    So we decided to find out 10 things that you probably didn’t know about Simon Cowell.

    How old is Simon Cowell?

    Simon Cowell is the second youngest judge on the X Factor Panel, after Nicole. Of course, Louis is the oldest whilst Sharon comes in a close second. Simon Cowell was born in October 1958 which makes him 57/58 in 2017.

    Is he gay?

    Simon Cowell has denied that he is gay, although there are definitely rumours circling around about the judge’s personal life. These rumours came to a head in 2014 when pop singer Tulisa’s manager, seemingly outed him during a court hearing. Jurors during the trial heard Tulisa’s manager, Gareth Varey, telling ‘Fake Sheik’ Mazher Mahmood that Simon Cowell was gay in a secret recording. Simon’s representation strenuously denied the declaration. Mr Varey later apologised saying he was “drunk” when it said it.

    Simon is partnered with Lauren Silverman and together they have one child, Eric who was born in 2014.

    Who is Simon Cowell’s most successful act?

    Simon Cowell has signed countless of deals, mainly with the acts he finds on the X Factor and his Got Talent franchise, the most successful of which is One Direction, the chart topping world-favourite boy band from X Factor and Susan Boyle from Britain’s Got Talent.

    His first major UK success, however, was the duo, Robson and Jerome, from the hit TV series Soldier Soldier. Together they recorded a version of “Unchained Melody” which became an instant chart success. It was number one for seven weeks. According to legend, the group made Simon his first million.

    Which is the act Simon Cowell regrets the most?

    We can only imagine that Honey G is Simon’s regret – having signed her post the 2016 series of X Factor for one single, she managed to scrape in the low 100s in the chart, making her the worst performing major label signed artist. He also signed Zig and Zag (from Big Breakfast) back in the day – but he’s probably not so embarrassed by them because they were one of his biggest early successes.

    He also signed the Teletubbies and Power Rangers – but hey if they’re paying your bills – there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.

    Has Simon Cowell had plastic surgery?

    Simon has admitted in the past to using Botox… That thick lush of hair on his head though is completely natural…

     

    How many times has Simon Cowell been a judge on the X Factor?

    Simon has judged X Factor 11 times – he was part of the original judge line up in 2004  and stays part of it until 2010 when he took a break. He came back in 2014.

    Has Simon Cowell got any special talents?

    A little-known fact about Simon is that he’s also credited for being a songwriter… Although we’re not sure exactly how much he takes part in the process. One of his most successful co-writes is “Footprints In The Sand” by Leona Lewis, which reached number 2 on the UK singles Chart.

    Which act managed by Simon was the least successful?

    There have been so many hits and misses signed to Simon’s Sony backed label, Syco. A few of the misses include Ronan Parkes, Loveable Rogues, Same Difference, Reggie and Bollie and Honey G.

    What was Simon’s first job?

    Simon Cowell’s first job was working as a runner on Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining – but apparently, he did not last long in the position. Cowell got his start in the music business, when his father, Eric, then an exec at EMI publishing, got him a job in the mailroom. The rest, as they say, is history.

    Who is Simon Cowell a fan of?

    According to legend, Simon Cowell thinks that Christina Aguilera’s power ballad, “Beautiful” is one of the best songs ever written.

  • 6 things you probably didn’t know about Noel Fielding

    The British comedian Noel Fielding is the brand new co-host, along with Sandi Toksvig in the Great British Bake Off, but what do we know about the man, with the gloriously luscious black locks.

    Is Noel Fielding married?

    No, Noel is not married but is in a long-term relationship with his Radio X DJ girlfriend Lliana Bird. They both live together in North London. They have been together since 2010.

    What is Noel Fielding most famous for?

    Noel became a household name for his stint in the Mighty Boosh, a cult comedy series which ran from 1998 to 2009 on BBC 3. He played the childlike eccentric role of Vince Noir. He’s also appeared in many other TV shows such as the It Crowd, QI and he was the team captain in Never Mind The Buzzcocks until it was cancelled in 2015.

    Embed from Getty Images

    How old is Noel?

    Noel was born in  May 1973, which makes him 44 this year.

    Is Noel Fielding Gay?

    Nope, he doesn’t identify as gay, but he has said in the past that he thinks that gay people are all like “Superman”. He told the Guardian, “You have to be quite strong to be gay – or to be different in any way. You build special muscles.” Apparently, according to the Daily Star, Noel said he had “romped” with men, before “deciding he wasn’t gay”.

    He also hasn’t dismissed the idea of having a bromance with Paul Hollywood, saying, “He is so generous, helpful, never tells you what to do but if you want advice he will really help you”.

    Embed from Getty Images

    What does Noel think about presenting Great British Bake Off?

    In an interview, Noel said, “The tent is strange as you get in there for five minutes and you feel at home. I wasn’t nervous about the tent so much,

    “It’s been the strangest life experience because it’s such a big show. You really realise it when you see cars following you, drones, the paparazzi – you realise you are in a crazy bubble”.

    Does Noel cook?

    Noel revealed that he doesn’t cook, he said,

    “I don’t cook as much. Paul is quite determined to teach me how to make a Sourdough loaf, which he says is going to change my life! And how to drive a car! I can’t drive. He keeps saying for me to come over to make pizzas too.”

  • 6 things you probably didn’t know about Sandi Toksvig

    Sandi Toksvig is one of the UK’s most visible, incredible, out and proud presenters and TV personalities.

    Is Sandi Toksvig lesbian?

    Is Sandi Toksvig married?

    Yes, Sandi is married to her partner Debbie Toksvig. They got married in 2014. They were civilly partnered in 2007 but converted their partnership into a marriage later on.  Sandi is a mother to three children, two daughters and a son. The children are from a previous relationship with Peta Stewart whom she separated from in 1997.

    Where was Sandi Toksvig born?

    Sandi was born in Copenhagen in Denmark. She was born in 1959 which makes her 59 in 2017. She moved to the UK in She was granted citizenship of the UK in 2013.

    What else is Sandi famous for?

    Apart from a slew of presenting jobs, being a renowned author and journalist – Sandi took over from Stephen Fry presenting QI and in 2015 helped co-found the Women’s Equality Party. She has also written extensively for children, having penned no less than 10 books for children. She’s also written at least 9 adult books.

    What was Sandi’s first job?

    Apparently, Sandi’s first job was as a follow spot operator for the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. She was 18. It wasn’t long before she wrote her first all-woman show and her writing career exploded into one of the most successful female authors in the world. Her first TV presenting job was for No. 73 – a kids’ TV show in the early to mid-80s.

    Famous friends?

    Sandi was at University at the same time as Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tony Slattery and Emma Thompson. Plenty of A-listers in her Rolodex! She graduated with a First Class degree in  Law, archaeology and anthropology.

    When did she become an OBE?

    Sandi was made an OBE in the 2014 New Years Honours List.

  • 7 things you probably didn’t know about Ted Reilly

    He’s the actor who plays the openly gay character Johnny Carter in EastEnders, but what do we know about Ted Reilly?

    Johnny Carter actor gay?
    CREDIT: (C) BBC – Photographer: Kieron McCarron

    Is Ted Reilly gay?

    No, as far as we know Ted Reilly doesn’t identify as gay and is straight. He’s managed to keep his private life private except when he was spotted getting up close and personal with an unnamed woman at the National Television Awards in January! They were so into each other they were, eventually, allegedly told to move on because they were blocking an exit!

    He’s not the first Johnny Carter

    Ted is actually the second actor to play Johnny Carter after the original actor Sam Strike decided to quit the soap in 2014. Johnny Carter is not the first EastEnders’ character to be played by more than one person. In the past characters Lucy Beale, Martin Fowler and Sam Mitchell have all had actor changes. When he joined the cast he said,

    “I’m truly delighted to be joining such an iconic show. The Carters are a fantastic family and I can’t wait to get started!”

    How old is Ted Reilly?

    Ted was born on  14, 1994, which makes him 22 in 2017. His birthday makes him a Virgo.

    What was Ted Reilly doing before EastEnders?

    Before EastEnders Ted starred in Casualty, Law and Order and a number of other TV shows. He was in Call The Midwife months before landing the role as Johnny Carter.

    Is he political?

    Ted looks like he’s got a strong social conscious. He has tweeted and retweeted about a variety of issues including the minimum wage, Brexit, child safety on the internet and tax. Although he’s not overtly political he does retweet some interesting commentators and from some left-leaning news outlets.

    He’s an avid fan of EastEnders

    When Ted first took the role he revealed that he had been watching the show for the whole of his life. On his first day on set, he said,

    “My first day on set was very surreal and very strange being here, having growing up watching the show all my life,” he said in a Twitter video.

    “But probably one of the best moments of my life.”

    He added: “I was speechless, I didn’t know what to say. It was so many emotions all at once.”

    He has a brother and sister…

    They both feature quite regularly on his social feed.

     

     

     

     

     

  • 6 things you probably didn’t know about Bruno Langley

    He plays the character Todd Grimshaw in the iconic British soap Coronation Street, but what do we know about the actor behind the character?

    CREDIT: (C) ITV Plc

    Is Bruno Langley gay?

    He may play Coronation Street‘s first ever openly gay character Todd Grimshaw, but Bruno identifies as straight. He was in a relationship with beautician Victoria Roscoe until 2012. They had a child in 2007, Freddie Langley. He revealed that it’s difficult for him to find love as girls he’s dated think they are dating his character.

    How old is Bruno Langley?

    Bruno was born 21st March 1983, which makes him 34 in 2017. He was born in Somerset in the English town of Taunton but was brought up in Buxton, Derbyshire.

    Is Bruno Langley married?

    No, as of 2017 Bruno Langley is not married. He was in a long-term relationship with Victoria Roscoe until 2012. He revealed the pair had split in 2013.

    How long has Bruno been in Coronation Street?

    Bruno first joined the cast of Coronation Street as Todd Grimshaw in 2001. He was there until 2004. He then rejoined in 2007, 2011 and then finally 2013, where here’s been there ever since. Before he landed the part of Todd, he actually appeared in the soap a year before the character’s introduction. He appeared in one episode as Darren, a boyfriend of Candice in 2000.

    What other talents does Bruno Langley have?

    He’s a talented musician and even learned to play cello at the age of 16. He also plays the piano and formed a band in 2010 called the Bruno Langley and the Wonderland Band.

    He’s not the first Corrie star to release a record

    Last year Bruno released an EP called Jump, but he’s not the first to have ventured into the music industry. In 1999 Adam Rickitt released a single, “I Breathe Again” which reached number 5.

  • 8 things you probably didn’t know about Antony Cotton

    He’s been playing Sean Tully in the iconic soap Coronation Street since 2003, but what do we really know about the character’s actor, Antony Cotton?

    (C) ITV

    Here’s 8 thing you probably didn’t know!

     

    Is Antony Cotton gay?

    Yes, Antony Cotton is openly out. It was first reported in 2009 that he was “openly gay” by Digital Spy.

    How long has Antony Cotton been in Coronation Street?

    Antony has starred in Corrie since 2003 – where he appeared in one episode, he then returned full time in 2004. He is now in his 14th year.

    What else is Antony Cotton famous for?

    Aside from Coronation Street, Antony is probably most famous for his appearance in Channel 4’s Queer As Folk in which he played the character, Alexander Perry. The show first aired in 1999.

    In 2001 he also starred in a few episodes of Absolutely Fabulous as Edina’s assistant.

    What’s Antony Cotton’s net worth?

    It’s not known how much Antony Cotton is worth, however, he has appeared in over 1461 episodes of one of the UK’s most successful soaps and has had a variety of other high-profile TV jobs.

    How old is Antony Cotton?

    Antony was born 5th August 1975 making him 41 in 2017. He was born in Bury, England.

    Is Antony Cotton married?

    Well, we’re not quite sure… Antony has a long-term partner called Peter Eccleston. They’ve been together since 2005 where they met at Granada Studios. Antony talked about marriage in 2007,  and they apparently exchanged rings in March 2010, but no official word on whether they actually got hitched. They do, however, live in a luxurious home in Rochdale.

    He once had his own chat show!

    In 2007 Antony had his own chat show in the 5PM  slot on ITV called That Antony Cotton Show, unfortunately, ITV didn’t renew the show and it was axed in early 2008. There were 25 episodes and featured guests like Dannii Minoque, Brian Blessed and Kate O’Mara.

    He’s contracted until May 2017!

    So, what will happen come May 2017, will Corrie execs renew his contract for another year?

  • 11 things you probably didn’t know about Coco Peru

    She’s managed to become a drag queen of legendary proportions… So what do we know about Coco Peru and the man behind the legend, Clinton Leupp?

    Coco Peru has been engorging audience’s comedy senses for 26 years. Many will know her for her turn in the seminal 90’s gay movie, Trick (“It Burns…”) while many new fans are getting to know about her through her hilarious YouTube channel. Her trademark copper-red flicked hairdo makes her brand one of the most long-lasting in the history of drag.

    So what do we know about her!

    How did Coco Peru’s creator, Clinton Leupp come out?

    In an interview with THEGAYUK in 2015, Clinton revealed, “I did have to go through the same process just like every other gay man…I had all the usual fears and dread of coming out just like anyone else but it was only when I addressed them that life got better for me.” Clinton was constantly told to “butch up” when he was at school, but when it came to telling his parents about being gay he said, “I was very lucky as when I came out to my parents they were actually relieved that I was both healthy and happy especially as we had just lost my sister to cancer”.

    Clinton was constantly told to “butch up” when he was at school, but when it came to telling his parents about being gay he said, “I was very lucky as when I came out to my parents they were actually relieved that I was both healthy and happy especially as we had just lost my sister to cancer”.

    Is Coco Peru married?

    Yep, Clinton is married to Raphael, they got married in Spain in 2007, before it was legal in the USA.

    Where is Coco Peru from?

    The Bronx, New York. In the latest interview with THEGAYUK, Coco Peru told us that she goes back once a year “to do a show”. She goes up to the little neighbour where she grew up for a day and has “lunch in a diner” and “visits the cemetery”… and then she “gets the hell out of there”.

    What kind of student was Clinton?

    Clinton tells us, “I was a terrible student, I was so gay, in a working-class neighbourhood, that I grew up in, I really stood out, for that reason, I was a target for bullying and being called all sorts of names. I was a smart kid up until the second grade, and then things fell apart”. Because of the bullying, Clinton shared that it was impossible to concentrate on school with the homophobic bullying. It was at college where Clinton found his smarts.

    Because of the bullying, Clinton shared that it was impossible to concentrate on school with the homophobia. But it all changed later on. At college, Clinton found his smarts.

    What is Clinton most afraid of?

    “Being homeless… I always knew that was a possibility that I could end up like that”. Also, Clinton has a fear of sharks after seeing Jaws at the age of 10.

    Coco Peru used to do tag graffiti

    To get people interested in her early shows Coco Peru took to tagging the sidewalks of New York, “(I) spray painted on the sidewalks – ‘Miss Coco Peru – she knows’. So that people would look down and say ‘who’s Coco Peru and what does she know’.”

    Does Coco Peru have advice for younger Queens coming up through reality TV?

    “When I do meet the young queens nowadays who were lucky enough to be on a reality show, I encourage them, it’s great and they’ve had an amazing opportunity, but continue on creating a craft that’s going to carry them long-term.”

    Where was the first time Coco Peru wore a dress?

    “I used to sneak into my mum’s closet, when they were at work and slip into something more comfortable”.

    Clinton/Coco Peru is straight up the most honest person you’ll ever meet.

    When asked what her reaction would be if she found $45,000 in unmarked bills in a suitcase, Coco Peru said, “I’d take out an announcement, I’ve found wallets… and I do return them… My Catholic guilt will haunt me for the rest of my life”.

    The most expensive thing Coco/Clinton has ever bought but never used?

    “My parents bought me a piano when I was a kid, because I wanted piano lessons, they spent a fortune on piano lessons and it never took, I hated it. To this day I feel guilty that my parents wasted all that money”.

    In the end, they donated the baby grand…” I used to love sitting on it… that’s the truth”.

    What three things would she take to a desert island?

    A photo of her husband, crossword puzzle book and a pen (to do the crosswords). “I’d end up comitting suicide, once the puzzle book was done!”

     

    Coco Peru is back in the UK on tour, in Manchester, London, Bristol and Brighton, find out more at CocoPeru.com

  • 6 things you probably didn’t know about Joe Gill

    He’s become a household name thanks to his role on ITV’s Emmerdale, but what do we really know about Joe Gill, who plays the openly gay character, Finn Barton in the soap.

    Is Joe Gill gay?

    Is Joe Gill gay?

    Joe Gill identifies as straight, but he knew that the character of Finn Barton was gay before he auditioned for the part. Speaking in an interview he revealed that he enjoyed playing a gay character because it helps him understand, learn and see things from other points of view. He said, “I think it’s been really good for me to play a character that’s far removed from myself. It means that I get to see things from someone else’s point of view, and learn and understand things that maybe I wouldn’t have done if I hadn’t played Finn”.

    How old is Joe Gill?

    Joe was born in 1994. His birthday is the 12th February, which makes him an Aquarius. He was born, Joseph Peter Gill.

    Where was Joe Gill born?

    Joe was born in Manchester, UK in 1994.

    What is Joe Gill’s net worth?

    There is no current information on how much Joe Gill is worth.

    What was Joe Gills first acting job?

    Joe’s first ever TV job was on the BBC’s Casualty. He moved over to ITV shortly after to become the character, Finn Barton, on the soap Emmerdale in 2013. He’s been in the soap ever since. He’s appeared in over 390 episodes at the time of publish.

    Has Joe Gill many hobbies?

    Judging by his Twitter feed, Joe Gill is an avid fan of football and he supports Manchester United.

     

  • 6 things you probably didn’t know about Ryan Hawley

    6 things you probably didn’t know about Ryan Hawley

    Ryan Hawley is the actor behind the Emmerdale character Robert Sugden, but what do we really know about the actor?

    Is Ryan Hawley gay
    (C) ITV

    Is Ryan Hawley gay?

    Ryan Hawley doesn’t identify as gay, despite the fact that his character in the soap is gay. According to sources, Ryan is known as a “private” person and doesn’t have social media accounts, like Twitter. However, he is apparently married to Daisy, who works with Ryan and his entertainment company R A H Entertainment.

    Where was Ryan Hawley born?

    Ryan was born in Dubai in 1985, which makes him 31 in 2017. He moved to Sheffield to finish his schooling and went to Central School of Speech and Drama in London to study acting. He left CSSD when he was 21. He was born September, 21st making him a Virgo.

    What was Ryan’s first acting job?

    Before Ryan was in Emmerdale he starred in a number of films and television shows including a series called Titanic. His first job was a part in the TV show Life is Wild which was released in 2007. When he got the part in Emmerdale he kept the news secret from his family for six weeks because he didn’t want to jinx it. He is the fourth actor to play the role of Robert Sugden in the soap.

    How tall is Ryan Hawley?

    Ryan is six foot tall.

    What is Ryan Hawley’s net worth?

    There are no known stats for how much Ryan Hawley is worth. However a company in his name, R A H Entertainment Limited has total assets worth £50,000.

    Is Ryan Hawley married?

    Ryan Hawley is married to a woman called Daisy who works with him.

     

     

     

  • 7 things you probably didn’t know about Danny Miller

    7 things you probably didn’t know about Danny Miller

    He’s currently playing the gay character Aaron Dingle on the ITV soap Emmerdale, but what about the actor behind the character? Here’s 7 thing you didn’t know about Danny Miller.

    is Danny miler of emmerdale gay
    CREDIT: ITV

    Is Danny Miller who plays Aaron Dingle in Emmerdale gay?

    Danny Miller doesn’t identify as gay and even went as far as to say that he found the intimate same-sex scenes awkward. Speaking in The Sun On Sunday in 2012, he said that filming some of the romantic scenes were “embarrassing”. When he was leaving the soap for the first time, he said, “I won’t miss kissing blokes. I haven’t got a problem with it but I don’t think I’ll be reminiscing!”

    He’s since returned to the soap in 2014 and the character has even been married… Plenty of kissing still happens!

    He’s a bit brilliant at impressions of other soap stars.

    In an episode of Celebrity Juice, Danny Miller showed that he could do a brilliant impression of Corrie’s Kevin Webster. It’s uncanny. He was also asked to do the impression for Capital Juice.

     

    He’s found some of his story lines really hard to deal with.

    In fact, the audience has trouble dealing with the storylines too. A recent storyline which saw the character taunted over his child abuse, whilst in prison, saw a whopping 180 complaints lodged with Ofcom.

    What’s Danny Miller’s net worth?

    Danny Miller’s net worth is quoted by one source as $700,000 however, this rumour hasn’t been confirmed. He will have made his fortune through his many many appearances on the soap, which to date have exceeded 380+ episodes. A company in his name has assets in excess of £148,000 as of 2017.

    Where was Danny Miller born and raised?

    Danny was born in Stockport, Manchester. He was born in 1991, which makes him 26 in 2017. His birthday is the 2nd of January, which makes him a Capricorn.

    Where did Danny Miller first start on TV?

    Like many soap stars, Danny appeared in the CBBC drama, Grange Hill. He was in eight episodes in 2007. From Grange Hill, he went straight into Emmerdale.

    Is Danny Miller married?

    No Danny Miller isn’t married to anyone.

    Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7 pm on ITV, with an extra episode at 8 pm on Thursdays.

  • 8 things you probably didn’t know about will.i.am

    He’s become the mainstay of The Voice UK – pretty much like Louis Walsh is to X Factor but what do we know about the talent judge that is will.i.am

    Is will i am gay?

    Is will.i.am gay?

    Will.i.am is extraordinarily private about his love life and has complained that he’s too busy with work to find love. He has spoken up for gay rights in the past. He was pro-gay marriage saying, “People should be able to marry and be with who they want, and let’s focus on the real issues… which are education, health and the things that kill people.” He once released a song which included lyrics about same-sex love. He said, “That song is for all types of people… People have been showing love.”

    Who is will.i.am married to?

    He’s not married.

    One of his companies is called The Future

    Apparently, this is so that when anyone comes to his offices he can say “welcome to The future“. Pretty cool. He loves technology and when he’s not making music he’s making tech products like a camera phone and wearable tech like a watch.

    How much is will.i.am worth?

    So he’s a pretty big earner and some sources have his net worth down for $75 million. He will have earned his money through TV appearances, but also from song royalties. He had a writing and producer credit for the massive worldwide hits, “Where Is The Love”, “Shut Up” and of course “I Gotta Feeling” which is one of the world’s biggest selling singles of all time.

    Most awkward selfie moment

    According to The Mirror a man once took a selfie with the star when they were in the toilet… peeing. He said, “I’ve been in the restroom, the dude next to me is peeing and he takes one hand off to get his phone out for a selfie. Yes, that’s happened.”

    How old is will.i.am

    will.i.am is 41-year-old in 2016. He was born on March 15th, 1975.

    Is will.i.am British?

    He was born William James Adams in Eastside California, USA. He was brought up in the Estrada Courts housing projects in the Boyle Heights neighbourhood. He never knew his father, he was raised by his mother. Although he spends a lot of time in the UK, William is American. In fact, he’s a bit of an international being. Apparently, according to the man himself he flies around 1,9200,000 miles a year and is never in a place longer than 10 days – even when he’s filming The Voice.

    He apparently has over zealous PR people!

    In a feature in The Telegraph in April 2016, Harry Wallop said that he was handed three sides of a4 paper, by will.i.am’s PR people entitled ‘Tips for maximising your interview time with will.i.am’. The tips informed Harry that he shouldn’t discuss the musician’s income or net worth and included the advice, “If he asks you to repeat or restate a question, this indicates that you need to ask crisper, more direct questions”. When Harry told Will about the tip sheet, Will had no idea!