COWELL V POST OFFICE
Simon Cowell launches angry tirade in defence of subpostmasters after choir of 42 hit by scandal audition on BGT
The former subpostmasters affected by the scandal took to the stage as part of a choir called Hear Our Voice
ITV’s hit drama Mr Bates vs The Post Office brought one of the greatest scandals in recent British history to national attention.
Now it’s Simon Cowell vs The Post Office, as the Britain’s Got Talent judge launched into an angry tirade in defence of the subpostmasters who are still fighting for compensation.
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Over 16 years, more than 900 subpostmasters were wrongly prosecuted, with some jailed, due to the company’s faulty Horizon accounting software.
In emotional scenes during auditions for the ITV talent show this week, 42 former subpostmasters affected by the scandal took to the stage as part of a choir called Hear Our Voice.
At the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, the group performed their own song, Falling Down, in an act of defiance aimed at those who have ruined their lives.
Former subpostmaster Jess Kaur, from Walsall, West Midlands, said on stage: “It’s nice to be standing in front of judges and not in the courts.
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“We’re here to let the Post Office know we’re going to get through this fight and win.”
The group won a standing ovation from the judges and the entire theatre.
And fellow ex-subpostmaster Lee Castleton, who was played by Will Mellor in last year’s four-part drama, was seen crying in the audience.
Afterwards a raging Simon said: “I really hope you win this battle because it was disgusting how you were all treated. I think what happened is what happens when idiots are in charge.
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“They were bullies, they were stupid, incompetent and crooked. You’ve risen above this and you’re going to win because the public is behind you.
“You should attribute the lyric, falling down, to the morons who were in charge because it’s all going to come falling down — it will on that lot because they are, as I said, incredibly stupid people.”
Disgraced Post Office boss breaks down in tears mid-evidence at inquiry
Fellow judge Amanda Holden added: “That scandal was absolutely outrageous. How brilliant to keep the cause alive with something so positive and joyous.
“You’ve got the whole country behind you.”
They certainly have.
AMAZING Spaces presenter George Clarke has told motorcyclist podcast Full Chat he hates being called a celebrity.
The Channel 4 host said: “I’m an architect on telly. I don’t even like the c-word, celebrity. If you’re going to call me a c-word, call me the proper one!”
It’ll be my pleasure, George.
DOUBLE SETBACK FOR SUE
CHANNEL 4 has quietly pulled the plug on Sue Perkins’ game show Double The Money after just one series.
Airing last spring, it saw 13 pairs of contesants use their entrepreneurial spirit to try to duplicate their cash within a set time frame.
Those that failed faced being axed in a brutal elimination round.
The sums rose over the six-week run.
Those that made the final had to convert £10,000 into £20,000 in a month.
A C4 source said: “There are a number of big new and returning competition and reality shows on Channel 4 and E4 for 2025, so schedules are jam-packed.
“It means for now, Double The Money has been shelved.
“But it may be revived down the line.”
Presumably, with double the amount of episodes.
MARRIED at First Sight dating expert Mel Schilling says her colon cancer is in remission.
A year on from surgery, Mel told Lorraine Kelly that on Christmas Eve 2023 “I just got out of hospital and it was pretty grim.
“Fast forward a year to the Christmas we just had and we went crazy.”
MRS B’S COMEDY PAIRING
and his Mrs Brown’s Boys co-star are working on two sitcoms for the BBC this year.
Danny, son of Mrs Brown actor and creator Brendan O’Carroll, revealed that in March, once he has finished competing on Irish TV show , work will start on a new Mrs Brown series.
And Paddy’s new mental health sitcom Shedites has been picked up by the BBC too.
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Danny said: “It’s just getting better all the time, like I go back in after doing Dancing With The Stars to start filming a new mini series of Mrs Brown’s Boys for the BBC, and then Paddy has written Shedites for BBC1 and we’re filming that in July.
“So it’s a big year for us.”
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