HE was forced to cancel the debut of his show Mummy’s House Party last night because of the pandemic.

But fans of Joe Lycett will be pleased to know the programme will be returning in the spring.

And I can reveal there is a lot riding on it for Joe, who has been told Channel 4 bosses are considering giving him a whole series if fans take to the format – which insiders said would be like this take on Nineties cult Classic TFI Friday.

A source said: “Joe’s show Mummy’s House Party is basically a pilot for what could be a bigger series. The premise of the show is very similar to TFI Friday — the cult TV series fronted by Chris Evans back in the day, with ­famous faces, comedy and all round, family fun ­entertainment.

“Channel 4 bosses think Joe is an exceptional talent and he has got what it takes to make this show into a full blown series. To them it could be the new TFI ­Friday – only bigger and better. Channel 4 has a real space for this type of show and Joe’s new show could be the answer.

“His first live Christmas episode, which had booked stars including Danny Dyer, Joan Collins and drag queen Bimini Bon Boulash, was canned because of ­coronavirus fears.

“Now it is back in the diary for the spring. And if it goes down well, Joe could see himself fronting a whole new series for the channel.”

Given we all need a good laugh at the moment, I seriously hope they can make this happen. Good luck, Joe. You don’t need it, mate.

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AJ’S IN RUNNIN' FOR WIN AGAIN

STRICTLY’S AJ Odudu has been given another cha-cha-chance to lift the Glitterball Trophy.

The telly host, who was a favourite to win the series until she suffered an ankle injury, will perform her sizzling show dance with pro partner Kai Widdrington on the live tour next year.

Their routine – set to Naughty Boy’s track Runnin’ – did not feature in the TV show due to AJ being forced to leave the competition early.

Audiences at the shows will decide who wins the Glitterball Trophy at the end of each night.

As well as AJ, second from left, the live performances will also feature, from left, Tilly Ramsay, Max George, John Whaite, show winner Rose Ayling-Ellis, Rhys Stephenson and Sara Davies.

Bruno Tonioli will be reunited with Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood on the judging panel after his absence from the latest series. The 33-date tour begins on January 20 in Birmingham.

EastEnders’ gameshow

IF you can’t get enough EastEnders, I have good news as the soap is launching its own gameshow.

The BBC has booked ten episodes of Albert Squared, with the first airing last night on the show’s YouTube channel. Natalie Cassidy, Brian Conley and Lacey Turner all feature.

Craig's less than Fab-u-lous

HE said he wanted to foxtrot to the top of the Christmas singles chart – but Craig Revel Horwood's new track’s performance is less than Fab-u-lous.

The Strictly judge partnered up with fellow New Zealander Rietta Austin to create their song It’s Christmas, Merry Christmas!.

But with a day to go before the festive number one is unveiled tomorrow, his tune isn’t even in the top 100 tracks.

Former West End performer Craig had been on a media promotional tour proudly saying how he would win a chart battle with Ladbaby, Adele, Ed Sheeran and Elton John. We all know what pride comes before…

TOYING WITH YOU, RUSSELL

RUSSELL HOWARD needed some reassurance that he was a good-looking bloke after receiving a selection of sex toys.

The comedian revealed that the unusual presents were sent to him one Christmas by condom firm Durex.

He said: “Somebody had obviously seen me on TV and gone: ‘That guy looks like he needs help.’ So, I was sent this tray of sex toys. You get something like that and you’re like, I don’t really know what I’m meant to do with that.”

Russell reckons the intimate gifts were sent to him as he was once named the nation’s top “weird crush”.

He added: “Everyone speaks to you like you should be really proud of that. But all that means is you’re king of the mingers.”

Better to be the nation’s weirdest crush than no one’s crush at all.

McIntyre's festive anxiety

MICHAEL McINTYRE is hoping everyone loves the festive special of his gameshow The Wheel on Christmas Day – but watching along at home, he sure won’t be.

He said: “Having made so many specials does add a layer of anxiety to Christmas Day for me as I worry a bit about how the show will be received.

“A few Christmases ago The Big Show actually got the highest ratings of the day, but before I found out I thought it had been a disaster as my mother-in-law fell asleep halfway through watching it.”

Gareth Malone, Zoe Ball and Jason Manford are among the stars who feature on the special on BBC1 at 6.25pm on Saturday.

Watch out for Gregg Wallace and David Walliams butting heads. But it was David and Danny Dyer who Michael said were the worst rivals.

He added: “The rivalry between the celeb contestants was fierce, especially Danny and David who both wanted to win badly.”

West’s ­proudest moment

SAMUEL WEST says his proudest moment came from appearing in what is widely considered the worst episode of ­Doctor Who, Dimensions In Time.

Speaking on the Out To Lunch podcast, he said: “The character was featured in a gay ­Doctor Who fanzine and I was the monthly pin-up, which remains one of my ­proudest moments.”

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