From talent show to ITV

THIS time last year Paul Burling was a jobbing comedian, paying the rent with panto and stand-up gigs, while dreaming that one day he’d hit the big time. What a difference 12 months can make.

He’s still doing the pantos – his latest is Jack and the Beanstalk in Chatham, Kent – but now he’s higher up the bill, and is on the cusp of becoming more famous thanks to this hour-long comedy special.

In case you’re wondering Paul who?, the multi-talented comedian and impressionist went down a storm in Britain’s Got Talent earlier in the year, and ITV bosses are hoping he emulates the success in this one-off, alongside impressionists Jess Robinson, Eve Webster and Anthony Spargo.

They’ll be presenting a comical look at the celebrities who’ve helped shape the events of this year, sending up some of the biggest names in showbiz in a series of sketches, stand-up routines and musical numbers.

Going back to Britain’s Got Talent, Burling admits he had pre-show nerves.

“I’m quite nervous before I do anything to be honest with you,” he says.

However, he soon managed to win over the judges and the crowd. “One of the highlights was the original audition in Cardiff,” he explains.

“I got 3,000 people giving me a standing ovation and for comedy that’s quite rare.”

Although gymnastic troupe Spellbound eventually won the show, there’s no denying Burling was the most successful comedy act of this year’s talent search. He also went down a storm on the subsequent Britain’s Got Talent tour, but admits it was light years away from early gigs playing to a few hundred people.

“At first it took me a while to adjust because I was obviously the one that was speaking to the audience where the others danced and stuff.” After the tour, he got the call to do his own one-off ITV1 show.

“It’s a massive opportunity that ITV has given me and, hopefully, it will lead the way for other people to have a go and maybe audition for Britain’s Got Talent to do comedy,” he says.

He’s playing his cards close to his chest as to what viewers can expect to see in his TV show. “People may have seen me just do impressions and think that’s all I do.

Well that’s not the case. I do stand-up as well and I’ve been doing it for a long time.”

WE’RE always told to prepare for Christmas well in advance so that we’re not rushing around like headless chickens (or, perhaps more fittingly, turkeys) once the big day arrives.

So why oh why is Nigella Lawson only getting round to telling us all the tips and hints we need three days before December 25 in Nigella Kitchen?

Nevertheless, if you feel brave enough to face the aisles, then there are some mouth-watering recipes on view here – and even if you were previously feeling faint at the mere idea of shopping beforehand, they might just tempt you out of the front door.

She’s tackling a Christmas party menu, featuring such delights as turkey meatballs in tomato sauce, mustard and ginger cocktail sausages served in a scoopedout loaf, and grilled halloumi in radicchio leaves with beetroot and lime sauce.

All very nice indeed, but as ever, it’s the dessert where she really excels herself – prepare to be amazed by the sight of squares of black beer gingerbread covered in icing sugar, followed by a simple seasonal cocktail.

THE Come Dine with Me Celebrity Christmas Special welcomes a group of reality show veterans, so we’re expecting good things in terms of TV if not food.

There’s DJ Goldie, who recently appeared on Strictly Come Dancing – he was first to be voted off – and Susie Amy, who’s probably in need of a good, hot meal after her stint in the freezing conditions of Norway, as part of 71 Degrees North.

They’ll be joined by former Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis and smooth crooner Tony Christie, who, hopefully, won’t hold back on the Christmas songs.