Angelos Epithemiou is new Shooting Stars scorekeeper
Shooting Stars panellist Angelos Epithemiou (a character played by comedy actor Dan Skinner) is to become the new 'man with the scores' on the surreal panel show.
The character takes over the post from George Dawes, the 'big baby' who has kept the score tally on Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer's hit comedy since the show started in 1993. The change comes about because Matt Lucas, who dressed in a romper suit to play the drumming scorer, was unavailable to take part in the new series because it conflicted with the production schedule for Come Fly With Me, the airport-based comedy he is currently creating with his Little Britain co-star David Walliams.
Angelos Epithemiou - an 'award-winning burger van owner' - is a character created by Dan Skinner on the live comedy circuit. He appeared as a regular panellist on the programme's last series in 2009, forming part of Ulrika Jonsson's team. In the new series, as well as keeping the scores, Angelos will presents a very special 'variety showcase' each week too.
Since appearing on Shooting Stars, Skinner and his character have been given extra projects... Currently, Epithemiou appears in his own series of clips for the BBC Comedy website and, shortly, he will front a spoof BBC Radio 4 comedy pilot called Angelos Epithemiou's Real Lives.
Series 7 of Shooting Stars begins on BBC Two in mid-July. The guests joining team captains Jack Dee and Ulrika Jonsson for the first episode in the series will be rap artist Example, chef Si King, dancer Camilla Dallerup and EastEnders actress Linda Henry.