Radio Times

In the latest issue of Radio Times (23–29 May), Michael Parkinson has attacked what he calls "today's witless programming".

Mourning the cancellation of Melvyn Bragg's ITV1 arts series The South Bank Show after two decades, Parkinson lampoons the broadcaster's reliance on celebrity-driven shows, suggesting that any future arts programming might include:

"The likes of Kerry Katona, Jordan and Cheryl Cole creating the necessary link between the ITV audience and, let's say, Jane Eyre on Ice, or Simon Cowell's opera, Robson and Jerome: My Part in Their Downfall, or Al Murray investigating the...

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Eurovision remains the world's most watched non-sporting TV event, with figures estimated as high as 600 million. This year, the BBC expects even more than last year's 9.3 million to tune in and all eyes will be on new host Graham Norton to see if he can keep us as entertained as Wogan used to do. RT asked Graham about a big night for him - and, just maybe, the rest of the country…

How will your presenting style compare with that of former host Terry Wogan?

"Terry was a master at taking...

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What's tipping the balance in the UK's favour this year?

1. The Lloyd Webber factor

Eurovision expert Barry Viniker says, "The last seven winners have all delivered performances rooted in ethnic traditions, whether it be Turkish belly dancers or Greek folk instrumentation. Traditionally, the UK excels at musical theatre. In turning to Andrew Lloyd Webber, we're conforming to a Eurovision-winning formula."

2. National pride

According to Eurovision veteran Dana, who won for Ireland in 1970, the UK has regained its Eurovision pride this year and this could prove decisive. "If...

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Their relationship was forged in the crucible of reality TV after they met on ITV's I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, and ever since then Katie Price (aka Jordan) and Peter Andre have made a point of living life in the tabloid spotlight.

They had the obligatory fluffy pink OK! magazine wedding shoot and their marriage spawned a reality show of its own - Katie & Peter - followed by a spin-off charting their move to California.

It's a row that took place on that show, Katie and Peter:...

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Of all the high-profile guests on Life on Mars and Ashes to Ashes, few come with such malleable features as TV legend Morph. Just six inches high and made of brown Plasticine, Morph provided the fledgling Aardman Animations studio with its first sniff of success in 1976 (nearly ten years before Nick Park joined the company), when he debuted on kids' art show Take Hart.

Morph's appearance in next week's Ashes (Monday 4 May) lasts barely 15 seconds; Alex Drake (Keeley Hawes) has a surprisingly shocking and sinister encounter with him via her...

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Something of a furore has arisen around Michael Parkinson's recent comments in Radio Times about the life and death of Jade Goody and her treatment by the press.

"Her death is as sad as the death of any young person but it's not the passing of a martyr or a saint or, God help us, Princess Di," says the veteran broadcaster.

"When we clear the media smoke screen from around her death what we're left with is a woman who came to represent all that's paltry and wretched about Britain today."

The...

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Former EastEnders star Wendy Richard has died, aged 65, after losing her battle with cancer.

Richard was best known for her 21 years as Pauline Fowler in the BBC1 soap. She joined the show when it began in 1985 and left in 2006 after her character was killed off, reportedly by mutual consent. Her earlier career included roles in sitcoms such as Are You Being Served? and even featured a number-one hit record, Come Outside, with Mike Sarne.

Last year, Richard revealed that her cancer had spread and become increasingly aggressive, and that she...

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Last year Radio Times revealed that digital channel Dave was planning to make new Red Dwarf episodes: now find out what's really happening - and when.

Red Dwarf: Back to Earth is a new two-part special airing from Friday 10 April at 9:00pm on Dave. The title's not a gag and it's not a reference to the long-awaited return of this popular show: instead, Dave Lister is truly returning to his home planet. "When Lister's busy day of annoying Rimmer is interrupted by a monstrous attack, it's pretty much business as usual -...

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Former EastEnder Michelle Ryan is to star alongside David Tennant in the Doctor Who Easter special Planet of the Dead.

Ryan, most recently seen in Bionic Woman and Merlin, seems to have developed a taste for sci-fi and fantasy, and will play the mysterious Lady Christina de Souza. She said, "I'm a huge fan of Doctor Who and very excited to be joining David Tennant and the Doctor Who team."

The story is being kept under wraps, of course, but we do know that Lady Christina will join The Doctor...

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Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise is to appear on Jonathan Ross's comeback show, along with Stephen Fry and Lee Evans - but it's the host, not the guests, that everyone will be watching.

Friday Night with Jonathan Ross returns to BBC1 on 23 January after Ross's suspension, and experts are not sure "Sachsgate" is really behind him.

"I think Ross is going to find it pretty unbearable," BBC presenter Mark Lawson told Radio Times. "So I think it will quickly suit both parties to find a way for him to leave the...

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The line-up for new series of Dancing on Ice (starts Sunday 11 January, 7:00pm, ITV1) has been announced. Taking part this year are:

Gemma Bissix - EastEnders and Hollyoaks actress
Todd Carty - Grange Hill and EastEnders favourite
Jeremy Edwards - Holby City actor and TV presenter
Ellery Hanley - rugby league player
Graeme Le Saux - football pundit
Donal MacIntyre - investigative journalist
Melinda Messenger - TV presenter and former model
Coleen Nolan - TV presenter and former singer
Roxanne Pallett - Emmerdale actress (pictured)
Ray Quinn - The X Factor runner-up
Zoe Salmon -...

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Graham Norton to take over from Sir Terry

After more than 30 years spent guiding viewers through the "magnificent celebration of foolishness" that is the Eurovision Song Contest, Terry Wogan is passing the torch to Graham Norton.

The camp comic was excited to be taking over from Wogan, who he called "nothing less than a legend" and "an impossible act to follow."

But what prompted Wogan to leave? In the past, he's admitted to having become somewhat disillusioned by aspects of the competition, saying it was "no longer a music contest" and...

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The top ten contenders for the coveted BBC Sports Personality of the Year award have been announced:

Rebecca Adlington - double gold medal-winning swimmer at the Beijing Olympics
Ben Ainslie - Olympic sailing gold-medallist in 2000, 2004 and 2008
Joe Calzaghe - light-heavyweight world boxing champion; 46 fights undefeated
Nicole Cooke - Olympic cycling gold medallist, world road race champion
Lewis Hamilton - Formula One world champion
Chris Hoy - triple gold medal-winning cyclist at the Beijing Olympics
Andy Murray - reached US Open final and number four in world tennis rankings
Christine Ohuruogu - Olympic...

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ITV have confirmed rumours that Stephanie Beacham is to join the cast of Coronation Street.

The 61-year-old actress is probably best known for her role as scheming vixen Sable in glamorous 1980s US soap The Colbys. She'll play eccentric theatre actress Martha, who lives on a canal boat and meets Ken Barlow while he's out walking Eccles the dog.

A shared passion for literature and the theatre brings the pair together and Ken finds Martha's boat a tranquil haven from the rigours of sharing a home with Deirdre, Blanche and Peter.

It...

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