Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024
alert-–-where-are-the-original-stars-of-wheel-of-fortune-now?-from-secretly-hating-the-show-to-court-case-scandals.-as-the-iconic-series-returns-after-13-yearsAlert – Where are the original stars of Wheel Of Fortune now? From secretly hating the show to court case scandals .. as the iconic series returns after 13 years

Wheel Of Fortune has returned to ITV with brand new host Graham Norton

The broadcaster, 60, fronts the reboot of the iconic game show, which originally ran on the channel from 1988 until 2001.

In the game of skill and luck, the turn of the wheel secures a cash value before they pick a letter to help them solve the puzzle.

Graham follows in the footsteps of hosts John Leslie and Nicky Campbell who were joined by glamorous assistants Jenny Powell and Carol Smillie.

Here is where the original stars are now…

Wheel Of Fortune has returned to ITV with brand new host Graham Norton (previous hosts Nickly Campbell, R, and Carol Smillie, L, pictured in 1989)

Wheel Of Fortune has returned to ITV with brand new host Graham Norton (previous hosts Nickly Campbell, R, and Carol Smillie, L, pictured in 1989)

Graham follows in the footsteps of hosts John Leslie, Nicky Campbell and Bradley Walsh who were joined by glamorous assistants Jenny Powell and Carol Smillie  (Jenny Powell and John Leslie pictured in 2000)

Graham follows in the footsteps of hosts John Leslie, Nicky Campbell and Bradley Walsh who were joined by glamorous assistants Jenny Powell and Carol Smillie  (Jenny Powell and John Leslie pictured in 2000)

Here is where the original stars are now (Graham Norton pictured)

Here is where the original stars are now (Graham Norton pictured)

John Leslie

Former Blue Peter presenter John, now 58, presented the show for four series starting in 1998 before later joining This Morning alongside Fern Britton.

However he quickly fell from grace after being investigated a number of times over separate sexual assault allegations made to police since 2002, when he was falsely accused of raping Ulrika Jonsson. 

John has never been found guilty of any offence, but his own barrister claimed  in court he had become a ‘notorious’ and a ‘nobody’ because of the repeated claims against him. 

The former star, who once earned £350,000 a year, was last known to be living in an Edinburgh bungalow and doing DJ jobs to earn extra money. 

The previous two decades have been a downward spiral for a man who enjoyed a spectacular rise from being a newsagent’s son to one of the best-known TV personalities in Britain.

In 2002, Leslie was mistakenly named by the TV presenter Matthew Wright as Ulrika Jonsson’s rapist that she wrote about anonymously in her 2002 autobiography.

Matthew subsequently said he could not remember saying Leslie’s name during the show.

In a Sky One show, the host offered John an apology, who confirmed he would not sue, saying: ‘I think he just made a really big mistake and unfortunately I was the one paying the price.’ 

Former Blue Peter presenter John, now 58, presented the show for four series starting in 1998 before later joining This Morning alongside Fern Britton (pictured with guest co-host Tracy Shaw in

Former Blue Peter presenter John, now 58, presented the show for four series starting in 1998 before later joining This Morning alongside Fern Britton (pictured with guest co-host Tracy Shaw in 

John has never been found guilty of any offence, but his own barrister claimed in court he had become a 'notorious' and a 'nobody' because of the repeated claims against him (pictured outside court in 2018)

John has never been found guilty of any offence, but his own barrister claimed in court he had become a ‘notorious’ and a ‘nobody’ because of the repeated claims against him (pictured outside court in 2018) 

The former star, who once earned £350,000 a year, was last known to be living in an Edinburgh bungalow and doing DJ jobs to earn extra money (pictured on Blue Peter in 1990)

The former star, who once earned £350,000 a year, was last known to be living in an Edinburgh bungalow and doing DJ jobs to earn extra money (pictured on Blue Peter in 1990)

Jenny Powell

Jenny, who appeared as a hostess from 1995 to 2000, is said to have hated the role due to the fact as all she did was ‘spin letters’ and was ‘not allowed to speak’, according to The Mirror.

Despite this the show made the her a household name and she featured alongside all three hosts Nicky, Bradley and John during her tenure. 

The now 55-year-old hosts her own show on Greatest Hits Radio as well as appearing a panellist on Loose Women in 2005.

Jenny later revealed she left the ITV show because she was ‘intimidated’ by her fellow presenters and disliked like the ‘energy behind the scenes.’ 

Jenny told The Sun: ‘I sacked it off. I didn’t like the energy behind the scenes. I always felt a bit intimidated of the other women.’

She was then overheard describing the energy as ‘fake’ before adding: ‘No, I’m joking. Maybe I’m just a bit sensitive?’ 

Jenny also has a large following on social media and can often be found showcasing her age defying figure in skimpy bikinis. 

Jenny is said to have hated the role due to the fact as all she did was 'spin letters' and 'not allowed to speak' (pictured with Nicky Campbell in 1995)

Jenny is said to have hated the role due to the fact as all she did was ‘spin letters’ and ‘not allowed to speak’ (pictured with Nicky Campbell in 1995)  

The 55-year-old hosts her own show on Greatest Hits Radio as well as appearing a panellist on Loose Women in 2005

The 55-year-old hosts her own show on Greatest Hits Radio as well as appearing a panellist on Loose Women in 2005 

Jenny also has a large following on social media and can often be found showcasing her age defying figure in skimpy bikinis

Jenny also has a large following on social media and can often be found showcasing her age defying figure in skimpy bikinis

Carol Smillie

Carol, 62, appeared as a hostesses from 1989 to 1994, before going on to host the equally iconic show Changing Rooms on rival broadcaster BBC.

The show, which aired from 1996-2003, saw interior designers  Linda Barker and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen help members of the public overhaul their interiors. 

In 2012 Carol decided to leave mainstream TV and created a new business venture, launching a brand of leak-proof underwear for women, named DiaryDoll​, but she relinquished control of the business in 2018

She now works under her married name of Carol King and has made a huge career change and become a humanist celebrant.

Carol, 62, appeared as a hostesses from 1989 to 1994, before going on to host the equally iconic show Changing Rooms on rival broadcaster BBC (pictured with Nicky Campbell)

Carol, 62, appeared as a hostesses from 1989 to 1994, before going on to host the equally iconic show Changing Rooms on rival broadcaster BBC (pictured with Nicky Campbell) 

The show, which aired from 1996-2003, saw interior designers Linda Barker and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen help members of the public overhaul their interiors

In 2012 Carol decided to leave mainstream TV and created a new business venture, launching a brand of leak-proof underwear for women, named DiaryDoll​, but she relinquished control of the business in 2018

In 2012 Carol decided to leave mainstream TV and created a new business venture, launching a brand of leak-proof underwear for women, named DiaryDoll​, but she relinquished control of the business in 2018

Carol also appeared in 2006's Strictly Come Dancing with pro partner Matthew Cutler

Carol also appeared in 2006’s Strictly Come Dancing with pro partner Matthew Cutler

Since joining the Humanist Society Scotland in 2018, she began officiating weddings, naming ceremonies and funerals in 2019.

Nicky Campbell

Nicky hosted the series for eight years until 1996 before going to make a name for himself on other big name shows.

After hosting Watchdog for almost a decade the distinguished Broadcaster, 62, went on to host his own BBC Radio 5 live show and front BAFTA-winning Long Lost Family with co-host Davina McCall.

Last year Nicky broke down in tears in his daughter’s arms as he recalled how he was abused at boarding school.

Nicky hosted the series for eight years until 1996 before going to make a name for himself on other big name shows

Nicky hosted the series for eight years until 1996 before going to make a name for himself on other big name shows

After hosting Watchdog for almost a decade the distinguished Broadcaster, 62, went on to host his own BBC Radio 5 live show and front BAFTA-winning Long Lost Family with co-host Davina McCall (pictured)

After hosting Watchdog for almost a decade the distinguished Broadcaster, 62, went on to host his own BBC Radio 5 live show and front BAFTA-winning Long Lost Family with co-host Davina McCall (pictured)

During his documentary The Secrets of the Bay City Rollers and looked at abuse members of the 1970s group suffered at the hands of their manager Tam Paton.

He spoke to members of the band and their loved ones, including Peko Keiko and Jubei McKeown, the widow and son of frontman Les McKeown.

Later, recalling the story to his daughter Breagha, 24, Nicky – who was abused by a teacher while at school – said he ‘always feels ashamed’ before she lovingly hugged him and he cried in her arms.

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