Keith Lemon bags first Hollywood film role in Elton John biopic Rocketman
THE closest Leigh Francis has got to Hollywood so far is with Keith Lemon: The Film . . . which wasn’t exactly a hit with critics.
But now he can call himself a bona fide star.
Leigh has bagged his biggest role to date — in the new Elton John biopic.
The Celebrity Juice and Bo Selecta! funnyman can even be seen in the trailer, although you have to look closely to spot him.
Leigh told me: ”I’ve done a cameo in the Rocketman movie about Elton John.
“If you blink you’ll miss me, but I had a few lines.
“I’m in the trailer. I’ve got yellow trousers on!
“I’ve known the director (Dexter Fletcher) for years and he asked me if I wanted to do a cameo, so I said yes.
“I’ve only got four lines but it was really exciting. I did a scene with Taron Egerton and Jamie Bell.”
My picture here shows the exact scene in which Leigh makes his appearance.
He is seen chatting to Taron as Elton and Jamie, who plays the star’s songwriting partner Bernie Taupin.
The film, which also stars Richard Madden as Elton’s manager John Reid, is out in May and has been years in the making. Now Leigh wants his co-stars to pop in and see him as Keith Lemon in ITV2’s Celebrity Juice, which returns on March 21.
Leigh added: “Taron is amazing in it because he sings all the tunes as well.
“I want to get him on Celebrity Juice. I’ve had a cameo in his movie, so he can come and have a cameo on Celebrity Juice!
“I’d love Kylie Minogue to come on. I tweeted her about it years ago and she said she would think about it, so I hope she’s still thinking!
“It’s exciting to meet people you’re a fan of.”
They’ll be chuffed to meet Leigh too . . . as long as he didn’t parody them back in his Bo Selecta! days.
READ ON FOR MORE OF ANDY HALLS' BIZARRE TV COLUMN
Holly goes it alone
PICTURES of Holly Willoughby on This Morning normally go viral because of her outfits.
But yesterday’s shots were more interesting because of who wasn’t in them.
Co-host Phillip Schofield was missing after calling in sick for the ITV show, leaving Holly to host solo for the first time.
Holly told the audience: “Phillip is not well so we are wishing him lots of love.”
Anything for a lie-in.
It's game on for Stephen
MAN of the moment Stephen Mulhern has really got his hands full.
As well as fronting new ITV series In For A Penny and Britain’s Got More Talent, the chirpy presenter will also host another upcoming ITV game show – Rolling In It.
Made by Simon Cowell’s company Syco, as well as OTT Productions, the high-octane format will have the X Factor judge’s famous pals paired up with contestants to play a supersized version of an arcade game, which sees them spin a giant coin. Winners will pocket cash prizes in the tens of thousands.
A telly source said: “Producers have come up with a fun game-show format, which incorporates the glamour of celebs, as well as the excitement of punters winning big cash prizes. They’re hoping the nostalgia of arcade games will strike a chord with viewers and are planning a mainstream slot for it.
“While Simon is taking a back-seat role, he may help rope in some of his famous pals.”
It sounds like Stephen is rolling in it himself.
Piers probes past master Parky
IN a rare meeting of chat show giants, Piers Morgan will have Michael Parkinson in the hot seat for the next run of Life Stories.
Parky certainly has lots to talk about.
Aside from memorable brushes with interviewees such as Muhammad Ali and Helen Mirren, he has overcome personal troubles including excessive boozing and cancer.
But Sir Michael insists there won’t be any rivalry, saying: “It’s not a competition, it’s not a race, it’s an interview. I said yes as he’s an old friend of mine.”
All the same, I don’t think Parky should expect an easy ride.
must watch
WHAT? Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?, ITV, 9pm.
WHY? Jeremy Clarkson hosts the final episode of the quiz show’s new series as contestants get one last chance to win the £1million jackpot.
Shamed Dan gets mag axe
TELLY foodie Dan Doherty has lost another plum BBC role in the wake of sexual harassment claims.
After being dropped from Claudia Winkleman show Britain’s Best Home Cook, the chef has lost his contributing editor role with BBC Good Food magazine.
Dan left his London restaurant The Royal Oak following accusations by staff in November and hasn’t appeared in any issues of the monthly food mag this year.
He frequently provided recipes and comment before that, with the Christmas edition offering readers a £70 per person meet-and-greet dining experience with him.
That event on December 5 fell during a month-long suspension from the pub which led to his exit.
The organisers were told Dan was ill and it went ahead with another Royal Oak chef.
most read in bizarre
A spokeswoman for Immediate Media, which publishes Good Food under licence from BBC Studios, said Dan “freelanced for us, but there are no current plans to work with him”.
Dan said in January he had “decided to step away” from the second series of Britain’s Best Home Cook on BBC1, which he judged alongside Mary Berry.
Last month I revealed UKTV had edited Dan out of a guest-judge role on an upcoming show.
soapbox
ANDREA and Nick are taken aback by how many customers the flier campaign has generated in Coronation Street.
Then they discover an error on the leaflet means they have to cut hair for a quid.
And worse, one punter shows them blood on his neck and is photographed by a snapper for a local paper.
In EastEnders, Tiffany is driven to despair when Whitney stays out all night with Evie.
She packs her bags and Whitney agrees that leaving Walford will be the best course of action for her.
Meanwhile, Karen is worried about Bailey, who has realised how ill her mum is.
Moira is pursued by a figure in a hood in Emmerdale – and decides to confront them.