Future of Pete Wicks’ dog show revealed after Maura Higgins ‘cheat’ scandal

HE was famous for Towie, then wearing very tight pink PVC trousers on Strictly – now it seems Pete Wicks’ career is well and truly going to the dogs.

I can reveal the canine lover has landed himself a second series of his U&W show, For Dog’s Sake, which sees him look at the work of Basildon’s Dogs Trust rehoming centre.

It comes after the success of the first outing, where got to indulge his love of four legged friends on the U programme.

A TV insider said: “The show got a great reception when it aired earlier this year, and not just because he was still basking in the afterglow of .

“Many viewers compared For Dog’s Sake to ITV show For The Love Of Dogs, and said he was a worthy successor to the late, great

“They noted how it was obvious just how much he adores canines through the four-part series.

“It will be interesting news for ITV as they‘ve just launched their second series of For The Love Of Dogs under new host .”;;

The ITV show has long been the TV got-to for dog lovers, not least because it is filmed at London’s Battersea Cats and Dogs Home where, just this week, TV presenter adopted a puppy.

But Pete’s programme could soon rival it, thanks to his passion for pooches.

During his time on For Dog’s Sake he met a pug facing troubling surgery, a litter of puppies abandoned in cardboard box, and rescued three stray dogs from Northern Ireland.

Pete has long been a campaigner for animal welfare, and in 2017 even travelled to South Korea where he saved around 170 dogs from certain death in a country where over 2.5million dogs are killed for meat.

He even brought 13 home with him and received a heartfelt message of thanks from fellow dog lover for his heroic efforts.

Next he’ll probably hire him as a judge for the spin-off dog act show.

PADDY'S TEMPTED AGAIN

is in line for a THIRD series of Tempting Fortune before the second has even wrapped.

Channel 4 has opened up casting for a new run of the challenge show, which has gathered real momentum.

On average one million viewers have been tuning in to the latest series –  a decent figure given its schedule slot.

Yesterday C4 said: “We are currently casting for a potential new series of Tempting Fortune.

“A group of people will be able to indulge in amazing temptations and even take home a life-changing sum of money.”;;

This series, dubbed a cross between and , airs on Sunday night and has seen 12 contestants trek across the jungles of Malaysia in the hope of winning up to £300,000.

Who knows where series three could take them?

RACE IS OFF FOR CHERRY

TV presenter has been forced to pull out of the London Marathon due to a leg injury.

Cherry, who co-hosts Inside The Factory with Paddy McGuinness, was elated to bag a spot after years of trying.

Now her boyfriend Justin Mountstephens has stepped in at short notice to ensure her chosen charity Acton Homeless Concern does not miss out.

The mum-of-two said: “Last year I did a bonkers show called and it really made me want to do another challenge.

“I’ve been desperate to do the London Marathon.

“I was beyond excited – until I managed to mess up my leg.”;;

Justin is now prepping for the 26.2mile race on April 27.

To donate, see justgiving.com/page/justin-mountstephens-3

SUMMER DRAMA FOR DAM

will lead the cast of a hot new BBC drama Two Weeks In August.

The actor, who recently played Jim Bergerac in UKTV’s re-launch of the Eighties drama, will play troubled husband Dan alongside on-screen wife as Zoe.

Fleabag’s Hugh Skinner and Kaos’ Leila Farzad will join them as university friends Jacob and Nat.

The series will follow the group of old pals as they reconnect on a summer holiday.

However, they will uncover more about themselves and each other than they ever anticipated.

Set in Greece, the action sees the cast navigate an illicit kiss that turns their holiday dreams upside down.

And when they discover they are trapped on the island, they are faced with a life or death nightmare.

The series is currently filming in Malta and will air on BBC One and iPlayer.

OLD HITS ARE OVER THE HILL

THREE British comedies cancelled or removed from our TV screens over wokery rows are the focus of new documentaries.

Benny Hill, Kenny Everett and John Cleese’s Fawlty Towers will go under the microscope in the 90-minute specials, which look into whether the humour is still palatable to modern audiences.

Each of the programmes will include a warning about “racist and offensive material and blackface”;; as old scenes are shown.

The Cancellation Of Benny Hill will be the first to air on April 13, looking at how the comedy show went from having more viewers than the 1969 moon landing, to now being rarely shown.

Unlock even more award-winning articles as Flying Eze launches brand new membership programme – .