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Ross King on Gary: Tank Commander’s Hogmanay visit and how Olivia Newton-John handled fake news about her death

Olivia Newton-John
Olivia Newton-John

I just want to quell the rumours that have been flying about the internet.

People have got carried away reporting something that’s hurtful to me and is also categorically not true.

Contrary to reports, the blockage in my toilet left by Gary: Tank Commander at Hogmanay HAS been cleared.

(BBC)

I had a great laugh filming the Gary Goes To Hollywood special which was broadcast last week.

He’s a great guy and I had a lot of fun welcoming him into my home.

Almost as much fun as it was booting the cheeky sod back out again.

The internet rumour mill was working overtime last week, though.

A US gossip website said Grease star Olivia Newton-John was “clinging to life” amid her battle with cancer.

The tributes were flooding in when, lo and behold, a bemused Olivia popped up with a video.

The 70-year-old looked fantastic in the clip.

“I just want to say that the rumours of my death have been greatly exaggerated, to quote a very famous quote,” she said.

“I’m doing great and I want to wish all of you the happiest, healthiest 2019 that’s possible and thank you all for your wonderful support for me and for my cancer wellness centre in Melbourne, Australia.”

Well done to Olivia for handling such upsetting news – when she is still battling cancer, of course – with such good grace.

There’s a question mark hanging over the Oscars this year. Usually by this point a host has been sorted out.

It was announced comedian Kevin Hart would be the 2019 host, but he was removed for some controversial tweets about gay people years ago.

This leaves the organisers with a bit of a headache.

In the past few years they have been criticised for falling ratings. That’s been blamed on hosts who have been politically outspoken – Jimmy Kimmel last year, for instance.

They don’t want an older host because older people tend to watch the Oscars regardless.

And they don’t want someone divisive who’s said something controversial.

That leaves…not many!

As I sent this column, they’ve still not picked anyone, and no one has been rumoured that I can see.

I just want to say that, as a former host of the BAFTA Tea Party here in LA, I’m free this February lads…