Lost in Space season 3 on Netflix: Release date, episodes and cast
It's the end of the Robinson family's journey.
Netflix sci-fi series Lost in Space will draw to a close with its third season this December – and fans have been given a glimpse at the final run with a recently released trailer. The three-minute clip teases all sorts of danger for the entire Robinson clan, with spaceship crashes and what looks to be a terrifying alien army, while Will is heard exclaiming, "Maybe the only way to put an end to this is to face the danger." Production on the series wrapped almost a full year ago in January 2021 and fans will undoubtedly be eager to find out how the space saga is going to end. View oEmbed on the source website An earlier official teaser trailer showed a shot of an empty spaceship, and included Will Robinson recording what sounds like a captain's log. "If you're watching this recording, there's a chance things didn't work out the way I hoped they would." According to the official synopsis, “the stakes are higher than ever and the Robinson family’s survival instincts will be put to the ultimate test". It continues: “After a year of being trapped on a mysterious planet, Judy (played Taylor Russell), Penny (Mina Sundwall), Will (Maxwell Jenkins) and the Robot (Brian Steele in a robot suit) must lead the 97 young Colonists in a harrowing evacuation — but not before secrets are unearthed that will change their lives forever." Based on the cult favourite '60s show of the same name, Lost in Space follows the Robinson family on an ill-fated mission that leaves them stranded in the far reaches of the galaxy. What follows is a struggle for survival, as they contend against robots, fuel shortages and other life-threatening challenges, culminating in a shocking cliffhanger at the end of season two. Read on for everything we know so far about the third season of Lost in Space. **DANGER, WILL ROBINSON! SPOILERS FOR SEASON ONE AND TWO BELOW** Lost in Space season 3 release date Netflix has confirmed that Lost in Space season three will be released on Wednesday 1st December 2021. The series was renewed for a third season way back in March 2020 with Netflix also confirming that the upcoming season will sadly be the Robinson family's final adventure. View oEmbed on the source website Announcing the show's renewal, showrunner Zack Estrin said that the Lost in Space team had always viewed the Robinsons' story as a trilogy. "A three-part epic family adventure with a clear beginning, middle and end," he said. "It’s also worth noting that, with what these characters go through just trying to survive each episode, if anyone deserves to catch their breath before their next mission, it’s Will, Penny, Judy, Maureen, John, Don West, Dr Smith… and The Robot. And, of course, Debbie the Chicken." Fans of Estrin's work are in luck though – he has signed a multi-year deal with Netflix so viewers can expect to see similar content from him in the future. Lost in Space season 3 spoilers: What will happen? At the end of Lost in Space season two, we saw the Robinson family split up after being attacked by a group of robots. Judy Robinson is left to captain a second spaceship – Jupiter 2 – to fly the group of children safely to Alpha Centauri while the Robinson parents fight the robots with the help of their savour bot Scarecrow. Season three looks set to resolve the fates of Maureen and John – and will follow the couple as they try to locate their children and reunite with them, in the face of "overwhelming odds". The upcoming season will also hopefully reveal who is behind the human-made signal, which led Judy and Jupiter 2 to the Fortuna – a spaceship overseen by her biological father, Grant Kelly. Viewers were also led to believe at the end of season two that the villainous Dr. Smith, who is actually June Harris – a petty criminal who assumed the identity of her sister to take her place on the Resolute, died whilst sacrificing herself to fight the robots. However, after her scarf is spotted aboard Jupiter 2, it seems that she did in fact survive. The official synopsis for the season reads: "The stakes are higher than ever and the Robinson family’s survival instincts will be put to the ultimate test." It continues: “After a year of being trapped on a mysterious planet, Judy (played by Taylor Russell), Penny (Mina Sundwall), Will (Maxwell Jenkins) and the Robot (Brian Steele in a robot suit) must lead the 97 young Colonists in a harrowing evacuation — but not before secrets are unearthed that will change their lives forever. "Meanwhile John and Maureen — with Don at their side — must battle overwhelming odds as they try to reunite with their kids. The Robinsons will have to grapple with the emotional challenge of not just being lost — but being separated from the ones they love… as they face the greatest alien threat yet." If you want more details, you can read our Lost in Space season 3 review. Lost in Space season 3 cast: Who will appear? The Robinson family will all be back again once again, including Maureen played by Molly Parker, the actress best known for her acclaimed performances in Deadwood and House of Cards, and John played by Toby Stephens, best known as the Bond villain in 2002's Die Another Day. The three children are played by Maxwell Jenkins (Sense8), Taylor Russell (Waves; Escape Room) and Mina Sundwall (Freeheld; Maggie's Plan) – all of whom again appear in season three. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. As for Parker Posey (You've Got Mail), who gives a sinister turn as the evil June Harris in seasons one and two, she'll also be returning – after it appeared that her character had been killed off in the previous run. Other returning characters include Ignacio Serricchio as Don West and Brian Steele as the Robot, while Russell Hornsby (The Hate U Give) joins the cast as a brand new character. Lost in Space season 3 trailer The official trailer for the new season launched in November 2021 and spells great danger ahead for the family Robinson – you can check it out below. View oEmbed on the source website And you can watch the previous teaser trailer for Lost in Space season 3 here. View oEmbed on the source website Lost in Space seasons one and two are available to stream on Netflix. You can also check out the best Netflix series and best Netflix movies to keep you entertained or visit to our TV guide for more to watch.
Everything you need to know about Château de la Motte-Husson.
Channel 4's Escape to the Chateau has returned for series eight, once again giving viewers a taste of the good life France has to offer. Following the lives of husband-and-wife Dick Strawbridge and Angel Adoree as they renovate their French castle home, the factual series has been a hit with viewers since it first aired in 2016. So much so, the couple filmed a spin-off, titled Escape to the Chateau DIY, which saw the pair visiting other chateau owners and offering them guidance on their renovations. Kicking off on 24th October, the new series will involve “more family adventures and awe-inspiring projects" with Dick and Angel creating a “luxurious bedroom in the original coach house” from the very first episode. But where is the series filmed? And what is the history of the Château de la Motte-Husson? Here's everything you need to know about Escape to the Chateau. Where is Escape to the Chateau filmed? The series is filmed in the Château de la Motte-Husson, which is located in the commune of Martigné-sur-Mayenne, in the Pays de la Loire region of north-west France. The chateau dates back to the 19th century, and boasts 45 rooms and and a moat – with the property spanning 12 acres. Long-time viewers will remember that Strawbridge and Adoree were able to snatch the deed for a bargain £280,000, back at the start of the series. At the time, the empty property had no electricity, heating or running water. When was the Château de la Motte-Husson built? The castle was used as a stronghold in the parish of la Motte, throughout the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries. In 1406, the noble Husson family gave the castle its name. The current exterior design of the chateau dates back to the 19th century, when the edifice was rebuilt to please the grander sensibilities of Countess Louise-Dorothée Baglion de la Dufferie, whose family owned the house as a summer getaway. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Can you stay at the chateau? As you can see in the programme, it is possible to rent the Château de la Motte-Husson as a wedding destination. Use of the property costs around £6,000, however, and – because it is featured so prominently on TV – it remains a massively popular choice. They are currently taking inquiries for bookings starting in 2022! If you are interested in checking out the chateau, you can visit the Château de la Motte-Husson website. Escape To the Chateau airs on Channel 4 on Sundays at 8pm. Want something else to watch? Check out our full TV Guide or visit our Entertainment hub for the latest news.
Dear White People season 4: Release date, cast, trailer, and latest news
Everything you need to know about the final season of Netflix's acclaimed drama Dear White People, which stars Logan Browning.
The acclaimed series Dear White People returns for a fourth and final season this month - and not only that, but it will be a musical affair. If you've watched the trailer and wondering if the cast is really singing in Dear White People, then yes, cast members are indeed singing (not miming) in the musical fourth season, as confirmed by star Logan Browning in an interview with Insider. Dear White People, now on its fourth run, follows a group of black students at a fictional Ivy League university where racial tensions simmer beneath the surface. Satirising an America that is supposedly “post-racial”, the series starred Logan Browning as Sam White, an African-American student who leads the Black Student Union and hosts an outspoken radio show that gives Dear White People its name. The synopsis for season four reads: "Set against the backdrop of senior year at Winchester as well as a not-so-distant, post-pandemic future, Dear White People Vol. 4 finds our characters looking back at the most formative (and theatrical) year of their lives. Both an Afro-futuristic and ’90s-inspired musical event. Sometimes the only way to move forward is to throw it back." The show was originally adapted from the 2014 film of the same name, which starred Tessa Thompson and Tyler James Williams. Justin Simien, who directed the film, would later create and write for the Netflix series. Here’s everything we already know about the new season. Dear White People season 4 release date Dear White People season four is released on Netflix on Wednesday 22nd September 2021. Dear White People season 4 trailer You can watch the official (and musical) date announcement teaser here. View oEmbed on the source website Netflix previously released a short clip with some of the cast. The renewal was announced in a FaceTime video between the core cast-members. Marque Richardson, who plays Reggie Green, is seen breaking the news to the others. View oEmbed on the source website Dear White People season 4 plot All is not right in the halls of Winchester University. In season 3, Sam and Lionel (DeRon Horton) investigate the existence of a secret society of elite black Winchester alumni, known as The Order of X. Moses Brown (Blair Underwood) was a professor at the University, whom they discover is part of The Order. When he sexually assaults Muffy (Caitlin Carver), it is The Order who orchestrate the cover-up. It looks like season four will reveal the truth about The Order, as Sam, Troy and Lionel look to team up to uncover and expose the shady organisation’s secrets. As has been the case with the first three seasons, the upcoming episodes will look to balance the cloak-and-dagger conspiracy plot lines with more grounded material covering topics like racism, sexuality and the politics of academia. Dear White People season 4 cast Browning will reprise her role as Sam, the show’s protagonist. Actor and musician DeRon Horton plays Lionel, and Brandon P Bell plays Troy – whom he also portrayed in the film version. Giancarlo Esposito, best known for his role as meth baron Gus Fring in Breaking Bad, narrated the first two seasons, and has since been introduced in the flesh as Dr. Edward Ruskins, a seemingly well-intentioned member of The Order of X. Season 3 featured some impressive guest stars, including Yvetter Nicole Brown (Community), Laverne Cox (Orange is the New Black) and Public Enemy rapper Flavor Flav, and had previously had Avengers: Endgame’s Tessa Thompson. It’s likely Dear White People will have a few more surprises up its sleeve for its fourth and final season. Dear White People season four will stream on Netflix from Wednesday 22nd September. Check out more of our Comedy coverage or visit our TV Guide to see what's on tonight.
The Repair Shop cast – meet the BBC show's experts
The hit object restoration programme has charmed viewers on BBC1 – but who exactly are the experts tasked with mending people's treasured possessions?
BBC reality series The Repair Shop has kept viewers entertained (and constantly welling up) since 2017, with its team of experts and their efforts to fix cherished family heirlooms for hopeful members of the public. Hosted by Jay Blades, the BBC One series sees professional craftsmen restore various items for those who bring them to the show's workshop – and with lots of different objects landing on the Repair Shop table, many different types of experts are drafted in to fix up the antiques. With series eight currently underway, here's everything you need to know about the cast of The Repair Shop. Jay Blades Upholsterer-turned-TV-presenter Jay Blades is the face of BBC One's Repair Shop and has been since it first hit out screens since 2017. Based in Wolverhampton, Blades runs his own furniture restoring company Jay & Co, for which he sources vintage crafted pieces of furniture and up-cycles them into works of contemporary design. As for his TV career, Blades presented Money for Nothing from 2017 until 2020 and currently hosts Jay and Dom's Home Fix. He's also appeared on Would I Lie To You, Celebrity Masterchef, Richard Osman's House of Games and The Wheel. Suzie Fletcher Suzie Fletcher is The Repair Shop's resident leather expert and a master saddle maker based in Oxfordshire. While she specialises in saddle repair, overhaul and retro fitting, she has also branched out into repair and restoration for leatherjackets goods and leather furniture. She first appeared on the show in series three, joining her brother Steven on the show's panel of expert. Steve Fletcher Horologist Steve Fletcher is The Repair Shops's clock expert – bringing his clock repairing skills to the workshop. The 57-year-old runs The Clock Workshop in Witley, Oxfordshire, and originally wanted to be a silversmith, but told The Telegraph in 2017 that his family couldn't afford for him to attend a silversmith apprenticeship. Instead, he inherited his family clock workshop and has appeared on The Repair Shop since the early series of the show. Will Kirk Will Kirk is The Repair Shop's resident wood restoration expert whose carpenter skills are regularly put to the test on the BBC show. The furniture restorer runs his own workshop in Wandsworth and has appeared on Channel 4's The French Collection, What To Buy and Why, Morning Live and Celebrity MasterChef. Kirsten Ramsay Kirsten Ramsay is The Repair Shop's ceramics conservator, regularly repairing beloved antiques on the show. Based in Sussex, Ramsay has over 25 years of experience restoring ceramics, having worked at The British Museum and running her own business – Kirsten Ramsay Ceramic Conservation and Restoration. Dominic Chinea Metal expert Dominic Chinea has been with The Repair Shop since series two, fixing up everything from a shoe-stretching machine to an old children's roundabout. A metalwork expert with experience in car restoration and set design, Chinea is one of the younger cast members on The Repair Shop and posts many of his projects on his YouTube channel. Aside from The Repair Shop, Chinea has appeared on Top Gear and Jay and Dom's Home Fix. Amanda Middleditch Amanda Middleditch is just one half of The Repair Shop's teddy bear repair team, restoring childhood toys alongside fellow expert Julie Tatchell. The pair set up their own restoration business, Bear It In Mind, in 2006 and host their own podcast, Bearly Begun, on which they chat about teddy bear care. Julie Tatchell Julie Tatchell is The Repair Shop's other teddy bear repair expert, having joined the show with her business partner Amanda Middleditch in series two. Speaking about her dream repair, Tatchell said: "If a bear or soft toy that needs fixing and an owner that needs our help, Its a dream fulfilled! "However, we would love to find ourselves with the opportunity to care for and learn the stories behind the bears and soft toys belonging to people in the public eye such as the Royal Family or other influential figures. Who hasn’t got a teddy bear story to tell!?" Lucia Scalisi Lucia Scalisi is The Repair Shop's resident painting conservator, bringing pieces of art back to life with her impressive skills. Scalisi has worked as a Senior Conservator of Paintings at the V&A Museum and the Chief Restorer at the Calcutta Tercentenary Trust in India, as well as running her own private practice studio in London. Brenton West Silversmith Brenton West frequently appears on The Repair Shop to help customers with all their tinkering needs. With 40 years experience in silversmithing, West has worked alongside designers like Faberge, Hester Bateman and Asprey, and considers himself a photographic enthusiast. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. On what he loves about being on the Repair Shop, West said: "When I first saw the Repair Shop I thought what an amazing place to work and how I would love to work there. "When I got the call and arrived to work in the barn I wasn’t disappointed. The setting, the challenges, the happiness of the contributors and working with the other amazing experts make it a dream. Genuinely, everyone gets on like a close-knit family." The Repair Shop's previous episodes can be watched on BBC iPlayer
Who narrates The Repair Shop on BBC One?
The series that sees a team of experts repair broken or damaged possessions has been a hit for the BBC – but who is the voice behind the show?
BBC series The Repair Shop has become a sleeper hit for the channel, with the public loving the feel-good nature of Jay Blade's heirloom restoration show. While six series of The Repair Shop have aired on BBC Two and BBC One so far, the show has been narrated by two different actors over the course of its run – but who are they? Here's everything you need to know about the narrators of The Repair Shop. Who narrates The Repair Shop? In fact, the series has had two different narrators. Bill Paterson served as the voice of The Repair Shop's fifth series, which is 40 episodes long. He also narrated the first series and its Christmas specials, back when it aired on BBC2. Paterson is a veteran Scottish actor with numerous high-profile screen roles under his belt. In the cinema, he's appeared in Nic Roeg's Roald Dahl adaptation The Witches, and the 2006 film Miss Potter. On TV, he was recently seen in the BBC's hit sitcom Fleabag, playing the father of Phoebe Waller-Bridge's heroine. For series two to four of The Repair Shop, the narration was courtesy of Robert Pugh, the Welsh actor most recognisable to many for his turn as Craster in Game of Thrones. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. The Repair Shop, which films in Sussex, asks people to get in touch if they have treasured heirlooms or objects that have been broken or damaged beyond normal repair. Successful applicants bring their items in, where a specialist restores them to their former glory. The series is presented by Jay Blades, a furniture restorer who also co-hosts Money For Nothing on the BBC, and has made appearances on Celebrity MasterChef and Richard Osman's House of Games. The Repair Shop on BBC One. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide.
Strictly Come Dancing 2020 line-up – Full list of confirmed celebrity contestants
It's officially the Strictly Come Dancing final, which means it won't be long now until one of the four finalists is crowned this year's winner. The Strictly Come Dancing songs and dances have been revealed and each contestant will be performing three routines - the Judges' Pick, their favourite from the series and a final show dance. As usual theStrictly Come Dancing judges will give their verdicts on each performance, and the scores will be added to the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard. But the final decision will be down to the public when they cast their Strictly vote. So, who will walk away with the Glitterball trophy this weekend? Here's everything you need to know about our finalists - Maisie Smith, Jamie Laing, HRVY and Bill Bailey, as well as all the contestants who took part this year. Who are the Strictly finalists? HRVY Age: 21 Instagram: @hrvy Twitter: @HRVY Job: Singer Partnered with: Janette Manrara Popstar HRVY (Harvey Leigh Cantwell) was the 11th celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing. He's had over a billion combined streams to his name and a social media following of over 10 million. After selling out two UK and European tours, the time came for HRVY to take on his next challenge: the dance floor. After being announced on KISS Breakfast with Jordan and Perri, HRVY said: “Being on Strictly is going to be such an amazing experience and I’m so thankful to be taking part this year. I think my mum is more excited that she’ll be able to see me every Saturday night now.” Jamie Laing Age: 31 Instagram: @jamielaing Twitter: @JamieLaing_UK Job: Reality TV star Partnered with: Karen Hauer He's back! After having to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing 2019 due to an injury, Jamie Laing was given a second chance at glory. The Made In Chelsea star was announced on This Morning and made a couple of jokes about his ankle injury before revealing how thrilled he is to be a part of the Strictly family once more. Maisie Smith Age: 19 Instagram: @maisiesmithofficial Twitter: @maisie_smith_ Job: EastEnders actress Partnered with: Gorka Marquez EastEnders favourite Maisie Smith waltzed her way over the road from Albert Square to Elstree Studios when she signed up for Strictly Come Dancing. The Tiffany Butcher actress has actually been on the show before but for a special. She has some hip hop and experience from her previous training, but will she lift the Glitterball? Bill Bailey Age: 55 Instagram: @the_bill_bailey Twitter: @BillBailey Job: Stand-up comedian and actor Partnered with: Oti Mabuse Funnyman Bill Bailey was confirmed to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. Bill was announced for the line-up on Zoe Ball's Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2. The presenter said of his news at the time: “In these are strange times we’re living through, it feels right to do something different and take on a new challenge. So I am delighted to be a part of this year’s unique Strictly Come Dancing. My late mum Madrin would have loved it – I hope she’ll be watching.” Eliminated/former contestants Ranvir Singh - OUT Week Eight Age: 43 Instagram: ranvirtv Twitter: @ranvir01 Job: TV presenter Partnered with: Giovanni Pernice Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh was revealed as the fourth celebrity in the Strictly Come Dancing line-up. The newsreader follows in the footsteps of her GMB colleagues, Charlotte Hawkins, Susanna Reid and Richard Arnold. Speaking of the news, Ranvir said at the time: “The initial feeling of being confirmed for Strictly is one of complete terror – feels like embarking on a rollercoaster, where you really want to do it but you are equally scared. Hopefully after the first dance I will feel exhilarated rather than sick!” Jacqui Smith - OUT WEEK TWO Age: 57 Twitter: @Jacqui_Smith1 Job: Former Home Secretary, former Labour MP Partnered with: Anton Du Beke Former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith was the final contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing. She is best known as the first female Home Secretary for the Labour Party in 2007. She is now the Chair of the largest NHS trust in England in Birmingham and a Children's Trust in Sandwell. The political commentator said of her news: “I was speechless with excitement at being asked to join Strictly – and that’s very rare for me. Fifty years ago, I got a bronze medal for Scottish Highland Dancing and it feels about time to return to dancing. I couldn’t be in better hands with the Strictly team and I’m going to throw myself into the challenge. Watch out!”. JJ Chalmers - OUT Week Seven Age: 33 Instagram: @jj.chalmers Twitter: @JJChamersRM Job: Television presenter and former Royal Marine and Invictus Games medallist Partnered with: Amy Dowden Former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers will be taking on a brand new challenge with Strictly Come Dancing. He told Lorraine Kelly he was "always looking for a challenge, always looking to push myself out of my comfort zone" - and Strictly will certainly do that! Comparing the dance floor to his military experience, he shared: “This is completely off the chart and so it’s going to be a huge challenge but I’m really looking forward to learning something new.” Nicola Adams – WITHDREW WEEK THREE Age: 37 Instagram: nicolaadamsobe Twitter: @NicolaAdamsOBE Job: Former boxer Partnered with: Katya Jones Boxer Nicola Adams will make history on Strictly Come Dancing as she will be a part of the first same-sex couple. The London 2012 gold medallist will perform in an all female pairing, something she is delighted with: "“I’m really excited to be joining this year’s incredible line-up for Strictly Come Dancing. I’m a huge fan of the show and am thrilled to be part of something that holds such a special place in so many people’s hearts. People might know me from my work in the ring, but I’ll be every bit as passionate and dedicated on the dance floor too. I also wanted to thank the BBC for supporting me and making me the first ever all female-pairing; and it’s amazing to be a part of the movement for change, diversity and breaking boundaries in the entertainment industry.” Clara Amfo - OUT WEEK SIX Age: 36 Instagram: @claraamfo Twitter: @claraamfo Job: Radio DJ and television presenter Partnered with: Aljaž Škorjanec BBC Radio1 DJ Clara Amfo was confirmed as the fifth celebrity for Strictly. She had been heavily tipped for the show and said herself she would love to do it just earlier in the year. After her exciting news was revealed, Clara said: "“As we know this year has been a real challenge and escapism through dancing is something I know we all enjoy, so to be taught by a pro and live a fantasy is something that I can’t wait to fully embrace, see you on the dance floor!” Max George - OUT WEEK FOUR Age: 31 Instagram: @maxgeorge Twitter: @MaxGeorge Job: Singer/songwriter, formerly of The Wanted Partnered with: Dianne Buswell The Wanted's Max George has big shoes to fill after his bandmate, Jay McGuinness, won Strictly Come Dancing in 2015. After being confirmed as the third celebrity to take part in the 2020 line-up, Max said: "Buzzing to be on Strictly this year. Not really one for the dance floor, but I take a lot of comfort in the fact that Jay McGuiness set The Wanted’s bar so low…” Jason Bell - OUT WEEK THREE Age: 42 Instagram: @jasonbell33 Twitter: @JasonBell33 Job: Former NFL player and broadcaster Partnered with: Luba Mushtuk Former NFL star and Dallas Cowboys player Jason Bell was the second name to be announced in the Strictly line-up. He said he would be "performing at the highest level" and he's been a fan for a while, thanks to his little six-year-old. "Strictly was the first show I ever watched when I moved to the UK and I’m a massive fan," Jason explained. "My six-year-old daughter never got the chance to see me run out on the field at an NFL game, but she is very excited about me taking to the dance floor. I hope I can do her proud.” Caroline Quentin - OUT WEEK FIVE Age: 60 Instagram: @quentyquestions Twitter: @quentyquestions Job: Actress and broadcaster Partnered with: Johannes Radebe The first confirmed celebrity was Caroline Quentin, who was revealed on The One Show. She said she was "thrilled and terrified in equal measure to be taking part" and revealed she's had some previous dance experience when she was little. Joking about her previous lessons, Caroline said: "I do remember what I learnt, but my knees are 50 years older!" Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One on Saturday at 6pm. If you're looking for more to watch, check out our TV Guide.
The 90s cult classic has become a staple of the spooky season – here's where you can watch Hocus Pocus online.
Halloween is just around the corner, and to get in the mood for spooky season, TV and film fans around the world are turning to some old favourites. While for many film fans that means digging into the scariest horror movies, Disney's 1993 comedy Hocus Pocus offers a somewhat less terrifying alternative – and always sees a surge in interest at this time of year. The film follows the Sanderson sisters, three witches who are brought back to life by the actions of a teenager and return to wreak havoc in Salem, Massacusetts, and has become a cult favourite despite originally bombing at the box office. In fact, the film has become so popular that a sequel has been greenlit, with the follow-up set to appear on Disney+ at some point in the future. In the meantime, read below for all the details about where to watch the original film. Is Hocus Pocus on Netflix? No, the film is not currently streaming on Netflix, but it is available on several other streaming platforms. How to watch Hocus Pocus Hocus Pocus is available to stream on subscription services Sky, NOW TV and Disney+. Sign up to Disney Plus for £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year. Sign up for a NOW TV Entertainment Pass for £9.99 per month. <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000784673&tag=radtim0b-21&ascsubtag=radiotimes-674384" target="_blank" rel="sponsored" data-stringify-link="https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/feature.html?ie=UTF8&docId=1000784673" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-geniuslink="https://buy.geni.us/Proxy.ashx?TSID=114542&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.co.uk%2Fgp%2Ffeature.html%3Fie%3DUTF8%26docId%3D1000784673%26tag%3Dradtim0b-21%26ascsubtag%3Dradiotimes-899615&dtb=1">Sign up for Amazon Prime for £7.99 a month with a 30-day free trial. It can also be digitally rented, with YouTube and Google Play offering the film for £1.99. Alternatively, it can be digitally purchased for £4.99 on services including Amazon, Google Play, iTunes, Rakuten TV and YouTube. And there's good news for those that would like to catch the film on the big screen – it recently had a theatrical rerelease and is showing in several cinemas around the country! Hocus Pocus cast The Rose actor Bette Midler, Sex and the City's Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy, who is otherwise best known for her roles in Sister Act and Rat Race, play witches Winifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson, respectively. Teenage heroes Max, Danni and Allison are played by Omri Katz, Thora Birch and Vinessa Shaw. Katz had previously gained recognition for his role of John Ross Ewing III - JR Ewing's son in the hit soap opera Dallas. Birch went on to deliver acclaimed performances in American Beauty and 2001's Ghost World, while Shaw would appear in Stanley Kubrick's Eyes Wide Shut and Wes Craven's more sinister horror The Hills Have Eyes. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Hocus Pocus plot In this witchy yarn, a group of children living in Salem, Massachusetts inadvertently wake up three wicked sisters from 300 years of sleep. As the trio of witches wreak havoc on the town, the kids must find a way to stop them. They discover an unlikely ally in a local cat - whom the sisters had transformed from a boy, centuries earlier. But time is running out, as the sorceresses locate a suitable sacrifice for a magic ritual that will grant them eternal youth. What's happening with Hocus Pocus 2? A sequel to Hocus Pocus is officially happening, with the follow up having recently landed a director in Hairspray’s Adam Shankman, who takes over from original director Kenny Ortega. And what's more, the three stars of the original all look set to return to Salem, Massachusetts – with Bette Midler recently confirming the news, telling Fox 5 New York, “They want to make a movie, they’ve asked us if we were interested and of course all of us said yes.” Fans might have to wait a little longer for plot details though – but one way or another we reckon the Sanderson sisters wreaking will be up to all sorts of mischief once again! Looking for something else to watch? Check out our TV Guide.
Will there be a Watchmen season 2? Latest news
Find out everything you need to know about the future of Watchmen, the hit comic book superhero sequel
Who watches the Watchmen? Everybody, it seems - and they're having a great time doing it. HBO's high-budget adaptation of - and sequel to - Alan Moore's seminal comic Watchmen has been a smash hit, with critics praising the series for its storytelling and invention. Naturally, fans of the show, which shows on Sky Atlantic in the UK, have started wondering whether Watchmen will be given a second series. Though creator Damon Lindelof (The Leftovers) has given interviews entertaining the possibility of another season, he recently announced it was unlikely. Find out everything we know about Watchmen's future below... Will there be a second season of Watchmen? View oEmbed on the source website A second season of Watchmen could be on the cards - but not with Lindelof at the helm. The showrunner has said that he would support someone new taking over the reigns for a potential season two. "I would facilitate and embrace and do everything in my power to enable others to come forward and show their take on Watchmen," he said in an interview with ComicBook.com. He added, "I hope there's more Watchmen. I don't think it should be me." However, Lindelof had previously spoken out about how the first season was designed to be relatively self-contained, just as Alan Moore's original graphic novel was. As a result, there may not be scope for a second season in the immediate future. He told Entertainment Weekly: "I wanted everyone to know this is not the middle of the trilogy, this is not the beginning of a seven-season run. In my opinion, the best iteration of any season of Watchmen would mirror the original [graphic novel] in that it would be a self-contained story with the resolution of a fundamental mystery. He added: "There’s always going to be space for more Watchmen. I feel like this world is so expansive — hopefully more expansive now than it was before." In January 2020, Lindelof admitted that he has no intentions to return to the project at present, although he did give his blessing for HBO to continue in his absence. “I never wanna close the door completely because if two, three years from now I say, I just had another idea, it will be that much harder to open. But I would say it’s barely ajar. I think that there are no current plans to make any more Watchmen. If the idea comes, I would be enthusiastic about it, the idea may not come from me. I would be super excited about it coming from someone else. So my position hasn’t changed,” Lindelof told Deadline at the WGAW Awards. Given that many of the characters manage to survive the events of season one, there's still plenty of possibilities for extending the story. And with the reception as strong as it's been, HBO will likely be interested in a follow-up. When would a second season of Watchmen be released? Assuming a second season does get produced, we might have to wait a while. Lindelof told metro.co.uk that the writing team hadn't saved any ideas for use in a future season, instead cramming everything they could into the existing nine episodes. Because Watchmen is a revisionist sequel, rather than a straight adaptation, there is the need to create an entirely new plotline - so filming on season two has to wait until the writing staff comes up with one. "I haven’t had any ideas of what subsequent series of Watchmen would be," the creator said. Until those ideas come, I’m content with just letting this one sit out there for a while." Would Damon Lindelof be involved in a potential second season of Watchmen? Not by the sound of thing - even though Lindelof has been given most of the credit for translating Moore's vision into a TV-ready story, he has claimed that he has no wish to be involved in the series going forward. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Lindelof said: "If I was going to do another season of Watchmen, I would need to have a really cool idea and a justification for doing it. I don’t have either of those things right now. It doesn’t mean that they won’t come at some future point. "I just finished the show four weeks ago. My antenna is up, but it’s like only getting static. I can’t say that there will definitely not be a second season and I can’t say there definitely will be. That’s kind of where my head’s at." That said, lengthy TV runs are nothing new to Lindelof. He stuck out all six seasons of Lost, and was the guiding hand behind The Leftovers for all three seasons of its HBO run. The network will be keen to tie down Lindelof for another run, and a second season could even be dependent on his involvement. Who will be in the cast for a potential second season of Watchmen? The first season introduced a handful of new characters who weren't in the original comic - chief among them Sister Knight, aka Angela Abar, the black-masked vigilante played by Regina King. Tim Blake Nelson (O Brother, Where Art Thou?) played Wade Tillman, known as Looking Glass. Jeremy Irons, Jean Smart and Yahya Abdul Mateen II also portrayed three of the characters from Alan Moore's original - Adrian Veidt (aka Ozymandias), Laurie Blake (Silk Spectre) and Doctor Manhattan respectively. Any characters who survived the first season will probably return - along with, possibly, some more faces from the comics. The series' inventive flashback structure leaves open the possibility of casting actors in both historical and present-day incarnations of the original Watchmen heroes.
Will there be a season 5 of The Grand Tour on Amazon Prime?
With another Grand Tour special on the way, here's everything you need to know about the future of Amazon's expensive car series
Petrol-heads rejoice! Another special of The Grand Tour is on its way, Jeremy Clarkson recently revealed. Amazon's car-based reality show, hosted by Jeremy Clarkson, James May and Richard Hammond, is returning for another lap following the release of season four's first episode in December 2019. The special, which was filmed in Madagascar four months ago, will be added to season 4 of the show, but here's everything we know so far about the special's release date and season 5. When will The Grand Tour return? The Grand Tour will be returning this month, according to Jeremy Clarkson with another special based in Madagascar. According to Clarkson at the end of April, the special was filmed "four months ago" and continued: "Give it to Amazon in three weeks, so if you want to know when the next instalment of The Grand Tour is coming up, ask Amazon, not us." The first Grand Tour special was last year: The Grand Tour Presents… Seamen. Will there be a season five of The Grand Tour come out? Yes! At least, that's according to Andy Wilman, the former Top Gear producer who now works on The Grand Tour. Back in July, Wilman made this post, on Instagram: View oEmbed on the source website Given that only half a year has past since the date of the post, it appears that there's still another year and a half of filming left to be done - which means fans can expect one or two more seasons of The Grand Tour to follow! Producer Andy Willman also said that he'd love to do The Grand Tour spin-offs, so we'll keep you updated with any news on that. Season 4 is still being released, however, with more specials coming in 2020 as announced on The Grand Tour's official Twitter account: View oEmbed on the source website What happened in season 4 of The Grand Tour? The Grand Tour's fourth season saw some major changes to the format, with the show shifting away from the traditional Top Gear-style live audience set-up, towards something more focused on adventure and exploration. That means they've scrapped the popular 'tent studio'. As Clarkson told the audience at the end of season 3, "although the tent has gone, The Grand Tour goes on." Season 4 sees the gang travelling to a wide range of impressive locations, including Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. Fans of Top Gear will remember Clarkson's previous trip to Southeast Asia, where he sparked controversy in Burma. Where will the team go in The Grand Tour season 5? There has been no information released about where the Grand Tour gang will be heading next - although you might want to follow Clarkson et al on social media for occasional updates from the filming. Given the previous season's focus on Asia, however, it might be fair to assume that season 5 will take the team elsewhere - perhaps a continent closer to home. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Who will appear in The Grand Tour Season 5? Clarkson will inevitably be returning. The former Top Gear host can also be seen as the current presenter of the ITV game show Who Wants To Be a Millionaire? He previously told RadioTimes.com that '“I never run out of ideas.” “Someone asked me, before this series, ‘What can you possibly do with a car that you haven’t already done?’ But my head’s filled with enough ideas for five years,” he said. Hammond and May are also certain to be seen at Clarkson's side, extending the collaboration that has been in place since the early days of Top Gear.
Here's all the information you need to apply to the BBC's beloved fix-em-up series, where specialised experts restore treasured broken possessions
Except for maybe a broken heart, the experts on BBC One's The Repair Shop can mend just about anything – and audiences love watching them work their magic on all kinds of damaged treasures. But how can you get in touch with the service yourself? The Repair Shop is filmed on location in West Sussex, but unfortunately is not open for regular non-televised business. However, you can still apply to be featured on the series, by going to the 'Take Part' section on the BBC website. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. How do I apply to be on The Repair Shop? You must be aged 18 or older to enter, and applicants need to fill out a form, answering a series of questions about themselves, the broken item in question, and their relationship with the item. You are also encouraged to upload a short video of yourself with the item. Alternatively, you can apply via more traditional means – by sending the same information by email to repair@ricochet.co.uk or by posting a letter to the address listed on the webpage: The Repair Shop Ricochet Pacific House 126 Dyke Road Brighton BN1 3TE Meet the The Repair Shop experts Does The Repair Shop charge for repairs? Who narrates The Repair Shop on BBC1? Rob Butterfield, the head of factual at Ricochet, The Repair Shop's production company, told Radio Times that "we don’t charge for repairs", adding: "If people wish to make a donation to charity we’re very happy with that, but it’s by no means necessary.” The series, hosted by furniture repair expert Jay Blades, offers the chance for people from all over the country to see their damaged heirlooms restored to their former glory by some of the UK's top craftspeople. The Repair Shop airs tonight on BBC One at 8pm.
Does The Repair Shop charge for repairs?
The hit BBC1 series uses a team of experts to repair members of the public's treasured heirlooms and broken possessions - but do the contestants get charged?
Deep in the Sussex countryside, there is a place where no heirloom is beyond saving. The Repair Shop, which airs every weekday on BBC One, takes on the impressive task of fixing old, broken or damaged treasures. But the show has left many viewers asking the question: who pays for the repairs? Well, no-one does. The 'Repair Shop' is, in fact, a bit of a misnomer. Because the artefacts are all chosen for their sentimental value to the owners (and the BBC get a whole broadcast TV slot out of it), the Repair Shop and its experts do not charge people for its services. Rob Butterfield, head of factual programming at The Repair Shop's production company Ricochet, told RadioTimes.com that “we’ve found most people for the show through social media. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. "We don’t charge for repairs. If people wish to make a donation to charity we’re very happy with that, but it’s by no means necessary.” What's more, the Repair Shop is not, in fact, an operational business. Many of the experts featured on the show – the professionals who specialise in fields like woodwork, toys, or jukeboxes – do, however, run their own private shops, separate to the one seen on the programme. Part of the reason The Repair Shop is so popular is because of its sentimental approach to repair. Even though the series has featured some expensive restorations – including a painting by Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu and an oil portrait by CJ Frost – the pieces are selected because of their emotional connection to their owners, which often comes across on screen. Meet the The Repair Shop experts Who is the narrator of The Repair Shop? How to apply to be on The Repair Shop The Repair Shop airs tonight on BBC One at 8pm.
Is the BBC's Dracula down for the Count? The gory first series of the broadcaster's new Dracula adaptation has made viewers desperate for news about the show's future, but the finale seems to hint that there will be no more episodes. Sherlock creators Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat scripted the series, which draws heavily from Bram Stoker's seminal 1897 vampire story, while Danish actor Claes Bang plays the role of the villainous Count Dracula, following in the footsteps of famous on-screen bloodsuckers like Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee and Gary Oldman. Find out everything you need to know about the rumoured second series of Dracula below... Will there be a series 2 of Dracula? Although the BBC are yet to officially confirm a second series of Dracula, Mark Gatiss had suggested in an interview with RadioTimes.com that the Count would indeed be making a return. "It's very hard to kill a vampire," said Gatiss, when asked about the possibility of a second batch of episodes. “Do you know what I mean?" he continued. "What they do is resurrect.” However, more recently co-creator Steven Moffat was cagey about future episodes. "That would be to give away how it ends, wouldn't it?" he said when asked about the series' future. "So you'll have to wait and see." And in Dracula's final episode, The Dark Compass, it certainly seems like the drama has ended for good... After realising that many of his vampire "weaknesses" are actually habits borne out of shame, Dracula is convinced by Sister Agatha (Wells) that all this time he's been running from death, and so the Count decides to end it all. Drinking the cancerous blood of Agatha's descendant Zoe (within whom Agatha has been conversing), Dracula willingly poisons himself as he kills both Agatha and Zoe. "After all this time, did you think I'd let it hurt?" he asks. One of the final shots of the series is a prone Dracula and Zoe, apparently both deceased, as their spirits converse on a different plane, and frankly it's hard to see how the series could talk itself out of that one... When would a potential Dracula season 2 air? If the BBC does indeed decide to go through with a second series, don't expect to be seeing anything for a while. Even though the first series is comprised of just three episodes, Dracula entered development over two and a half years ago, in June 2017. After the series was officially commissioned by the BBC, in October 2018, production took over a year - including seven months of filming! Meanwhile, Moffat is set to begin work on new HBO drama The Time Traveller's Wife and BBC series Inside Man, so it's a bit unclear when he'd find the time to fit making another Dracula into his schedule. So don't expect to see anything until mid-to-late 2021, at the earliest. Sherlock, Gatiss and Moffat's previous series, was renowned for lengthy gaps between series. What would happen in a potential second season of Dracula? Although the events of Dracula's first season hewed pretty close to Stoker's original storyline, the series' creators weren't afraid to make changes where necessary. Asked about the first series, Bang said that “ there is stuff in here that really strays. In a really cool way. And gives you that new take on Dracula." “Why do one more of those that we already have? They’ve done them brilliantly before. So, we needed something else and something new, and that’s happened here.” This would suggest that even if Gatiss and Moffat decide they've already used all the best parts of the original book, they could still find ways to turn the story into new, original directions - it's certainly what they did with Sherlock, after intentionally burning through the most famous stories in series two to challenge themselves. If there is another series, we'd presumably learn that Dracula survives his poisoning and we could see him try to reform and live up to Agatha's values, doing some good even as he searches for peace in death - but based on how series one ends, it is genuinely quite difficult to see where else there is to go. Who could star in a potential second season? If the series came back Claes Bang would of course return as the villainous Count Dracula himself - there could be no show without him. Before playing the Count, Bang had previously won recognition for his star turn in Ruben Östlund's 2017 arthouse satire The Square. Series one also featured John Heffernan (Luther) as Dracula's victim Jonathan Harker and Dolly Wells (Dolly & Em, Blunt Talk) as Sister Agatha Van Helsing, though like all the rest of the cast, these characters died so it's difficult to imagine them making a grand return. Though when it comes to the supernatural, one never can tell... Dracula episodes one-three are available to stream on BBC iPlayer now
What are the monsters in The Witcher? A guide to the creatures of the Netflix series
Netflix's dark fantasy adaptation features many of the most popular supernatural creatures from the book and game series - here's what they are
The Witcher is out now on Netflix, and has already been impressing fans with its dark, Game of Thrones-esque approach to the fantasy genre. Based on the bestselling books by Andrzej Sapkowski, which were also adapted into a hit video game series, The Witcher follows the adventures of Geralt of Rivia (Henry Cavill), a skilled warrior who spends his time slaying a variety of deadly supernatural monsters. While some of his foes may be recognisable to the layperson - everyone's heard of dragons, I'm sure - there are many beasts that viewers will be less familiar with, created specifically for the Witcher universe. Here's a guide to some of the supernatural creatures Geralt comes up against... Kikimora These deadly insect-like creatures first appeared in the short story "The Lesser Evil". Described as having " “bony, clawed paws” and a “spidery form, covered by dried black hide", the creatures also have glassy eyes and needle-like fangs. The Kikimora (sometimes called "Kikimore) make their debut in the first episode of the Netflix series, having also appeared in the Witcher games, in which it is revealed that they are vulnerable to insectoid oil. The creatures are loosely inspired by a monster of the same name from Slavic mythology - a nightmarish female spirit that occupies a house and brings misfortune to its inhabitants. Striga The Striga only really features in one story in the Witcher books: "Weidzmen". A Striga is actually a woman who has been cursed to transform into a hideous monster at night - a lot like Princess Fiona in Shrek. It's another Princess that features in The Witcher's Striga plotline: Princess Adda, who fell prey to the curse despite being already dead. Striga are disfigured and deadly, with a diet consisting of human flesh. There is, however, one way to stop the monster. If someone is able to keep the Striga from its resting place until dawn, the curse is undone. Like many of the Witcher's creatures, the Striga are vaguely based on a real folkloric monster. In Albanian legend, the Shtriga were blood-sucking witches who would transform into insects by day. Hirikka The Hirikka are an endangered species in the world of The Witcher, having been hunted to the brink of extinction. In Sword of Destiny, they are described as being even rarer than dragons. Sylvan Sylvans are a species of creatures, sort of akin to leprechauns, that look like a cross between a human and a goat. Their horned heads, hairy legs and cloven hooves earned them the nickname of "devil" (or "deoval") among humans, although they are tolerated because of their non-threatening vegetarian diet. In The Witcher, the most prominent Sylvan is Torque, a creature who harasses a community of human farmers, having struck a deal with a town of Elves to steal their agricultural secrets. Naturally, things go awry for the mischievous Torque when Geralt gets involved. Golden Dragon Much rarer and more powerful than the regular dragons that exist within the world of The Witcher, Golden Dragons are distinguished by their bright gold hue, and are said to possess many exotic magical powers. Spanning up to 20 metres in length, the fire-breathing beasts are capable of changing their physical form into that of any living being - an invaluable skill when trying to remain undetected. Their description in The Witcher's Bounds of Reason draws inspiration from the Dungeons and Dragons mythology. Vilentretenmerth is the name of a Golden Dragon whom Geralt first meets in the story while he has taken the form of a human called Borch Three Jackdaws. Djinn The word "Djinn" was translated into English as "Genie", and this elemental air spirit has a surprising amount in common with the wisecracking lamp-dweller seen in Disney's Aladdin. Djinns are powerful spirits, capable of unleashing great and terrible magic. Once they are captured, they are bound to their captors and are obliged to fulfill three wishes. Once the wishes have been granted, the spirit is free. A dangerous deal with the Djinn forms a key part of Geralt's backstory in the early Witcher short entitled "The Last Wish", which served as the inspiration for the fifth episode of the Netflix series. Doppler Like Golden Dragons, Dopplers - also known as shifters, mimics, doubles, imitators, and pavrats - are able to hide in plain sight through impersonation. The shapeshifting beasts can take the form of any similarly-sized man or creature. They can also transform parts of their body into objects, such as swords or instruments, although letting go of said object would turn it back into torn-out flesh. Their weakness, in both the Witcher books and the Netflix series, is Silver - the metal element which prevents a Doppler from using its powers. In general, the species is known for being exceptionally benevolent and well-intentioned - although, as the series shows, this is not the case for every Doppler. The Witcher season one is available to watch now on Netflix
Coronation Street's Jack P Shepherd says Shona "may never wake up again" after shooting
David breaks down over Shona's shooting and faces a difficult legal battle
Coronation Street's David Platt (Jack P Shepherd) is pushed to the emotional brink after his wife Shona (Julia Goulding) dramatically falls into a coma, following the sensational Christmas Day shooting. While Shona was doing a treasure hunt in the Winter Wonderland on 25th December, she came under fire from Derek Milligan (Craige Els). Though she survived the initial bullet wound, Shona starts bleeding internally after undergoing surgery, and slips into a coma from which she may never wake up. Shepherd says his character is "told it’s not likely she’ll make a full recovery, they don’t even know when or if she’ll wake up and if she does, she'll probably be in a very bad way." But even though everyone is telling him to prepare for the worst, David is unable to give up hope. "He’s just married her and he reminds everyone that was for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, and he’ll stick by that no matter what. She’s his wife and if she never wakes up again he’ll still be by her side." At the same time, David has other pressing matters to deal with, as he is summoned as a witness in Josh Tucker's (Ryan Clayton) trial, in which he is accused of raping two other men. David is keen to see his rapist brought to justice, but is reluctant to leave Shona's side. Eventually, he agrees to testify, after Gail and Nick manage to convince him that it's what Shona would want. The trial doesn't go so smoothly, however, and David ends up lashing out and shouting in the courtroom. David has shown his darker side plenty of times in the past, and, according to Shepherd, there may be more to come from the character, who is going to have a hard time processing his grief: "He’s been through so much, there’s a lot of anger and frustration, then there are moments when he does lose it and breakdown." "You’ll see in the New Year," the actor said. "David on the edge is capable of anything, I’m really looking forward to it and I get to do my own stunts!" Visit our dedicated Coronation Street page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers.
Who are the bakers on The Great Christmas Bake Off?
The special festive edition of Channel 4's cooking show brings back some familiar faces from previous years of the competition
'Tis the season of gingerbread houses, mince pies and figgy pudding - could there be a better time to stage a special episode of The Great British Bake Off? The Great Christmas Bake Off sees presenters Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig return, alongside bakery specialists Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith, for a one-off yuletide edition of the beloved Channel 4 cooking contest. This year, four contestants from previous series of Bake Off will be brought back to complete festive-themed baking tasks, vying for the title of Christmas Star Baker. The special will also feature a musical performance from Status Quo, who will be playing their hit, 'Rockin All Over The World'. (Yes, really) Here's a recap of the four bakers who will be returning... Tom Hetherington Tom Hetherington was 29 years old when he first appeared on the Bake Off. An architect by day, Tom came from a family of passionate cake-makers, from whom he learned how to cook. He appeared on the eighth series of Bake Off, which aired in 2017. The Scot failed to make it past the fourth round, however, when his Stem Ginger Caramel Shortbreads and Hummingbird Cake failed to excite the judges. Chuen-Yan "Yan" Chuen-yan, known as "Yan", was another contestant in the 2017 series of The Great British Bake Off. A laboratory research scientist from North London, Yan grew up in a Chinese household that would steam, rather than bake. She began to indulge her passion for baking in between 24-hour shifts at her job as an NHS molecular biologist. She ranked first in the technical challenge during the pastry round, baking Portuguese custard tarts, and received a coveted 'Hollywood handshake' in the pudding round. Her time on the series came to an end in the seventh round, when the theme was 'Italian'. Briony Williams Briony Williams came onto Bake Off in 2018 as a full-time parent who wanted to make her family proud. Writing online and posting pictures of her bakes under the pen name Briony May, she was inspired by the baking prowess of her nan, and said she used YouTube to master trickier techniques. Briony almost went the distance in the show's ninth series, exiting in the penultimate round. She was also named the Star Baker for the pastry round, which saw her bake a Banquet Pie inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Terry Hartill Retired air steward Terry was one of the most beloved figures on the 2018 series of Bake Off, and stunned audiences with his moving farewell, a tribute to his late wife. Terry missed the fourth round due to illness, but was let back into the show for the following week - the Spice round. A disastrous outing saw Terry completely botch the Showstopper biscuit chandelier, making his eviction from the contest something of an inevitability. Many fans were gutted they didn't see more of Terry, however, and this Christmas special provides the perfect opportunity for a do-over. The Great Christmas Bake Off airs on Channel 4 at 7:20pm on Christmas Day 2019
Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special 2019: what are the songs and dances?
The BBC's much-loved dance contest returns for a festive special, but who are the pairs and what will they be dancing to?
They're going to have a (snow) ball. Strictly Come Dancing will have six of its most well-loved stars return for a one-off Christmas special. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will return to host the special, which will air on BBC One on Christmas Day. Singer Liam Payne will also be crooning his way through a festive single. And it just wouldn't feel like Strictly without a few familiar faces on the judging panel. Series stalwarts Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood will be on the panel, along with Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas as Head Judge. Here are all the songs and dances the festive special has in store... Debbie McGee and Kevin Clifton - Quickstep to 'Jingle Bells' View oEmbed on the source website Chizzy Akudolu and Graziano Di Prima - Cha Cha to 'Get the Party Started' by P!nk View oEmbed on the source website Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Márquez - The Jive to 'I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus' by The Jackson 5 View oEmbed on the source website Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell - Street Commercial to 'Sleigh Ride' by The Ronettes View oEmbed on the source website Mark Wright and Janette Manrara - Salsa to 'Christmas Wrapping' by The Waitresses View oEmbed on the source website Richard Arnold and Luba Mushtuk - Foxtrot to 'You're a Mean One, Mr Grinch' by Albert Hague View oEmbed on the source website Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special will air at 4:40pm on Christmas Day on BBC One
Meet the cast of A Christmas Carol on BBC One
The BBC's new adaptation of the classic festive story boasts a cast of faces you may recognise - but exactly where have you seen them before?
It's a story that never gets old. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens's timeless festive novella, has been adapted time and time again for film and TV, but each new telling is always something to look forward to. The BBC's new adaptation, a three-part Christmas Carol miniseries airing in the run-up to Christmas, is certainly no exception. With a younger take on Scrooge and a host of impressive visual effects, the series, which is co-produced by American network FX, promises a fresh and exciting take on the tale of greed and redemption. Peaky Blinders writer Stephen Knight is the man responsible for adapting the beloved text. Here's everything you need to know about the series' cast and characters.... Guy Pearce plays Ebenezer Scrooge Who is Ebenezer Scrooge? One of the most famous and beloved literary villains of all time, Scrooge is the mean-spirited old miser who is visited by three ghosts in the middle of the night and has been portrayed countless times on screen, including by Alastair Sim, Michael Caine (in The Muppet Christmas Carol) and Bill Murray (in Scrooged). Was Scrooge always hot? A Christmas Carol rereading Here’s why Scrooge is younger – and hotter – in Steven Knight’s A Christmas Carol What else has Guy Pearce been in? Guy Pearce first rose to fame in the hit Aussie soap Neighbours, and broke through into film playing a drag queen in Australian comedy Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. He went on to star in a number of acclaimed Hollywood movies, including LA Confidential, Christopher Nolan's Memento, and The Road. More recently, he has starred in Iron Man 3, and Mary Queen of Scots earlier this year. Andy Serkis plays the Ghost of Christmas Past Who is the Ghost of Christmas Past? The first of the three spirits to visit Scrooge before Christmas, the Ghost of Christmas Past is responsible for whisking old Ebenezer back in time, to observe his life when he was younger and more innocent. The character has been played by both male and female actors down the years. What else has Andy Serkis been in? Although some may struggle to recognise Andy Serkis from his face, he's starred in several of the most popular movies of the past few decades – often behind a layer of CGI. Serkis has played such roles as devious ring-addict Gollum in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, Supreme Emperor Snoke in the Star Wars sequels, and simian hero Caesar in the recent Planet of the Apes films. He has also appeared in Black Panther, and directed 2018's Jungle Book adaptation Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Stephen Graham plays Jacob Marley Who is Jacob Marley? Jacob Marley is Scrooge's old, dead business partner, who comes back to haunt his former friend and announce the impending arrivals of the three Christmas spirits. What has Stephen Graham been in? Graham is perhaps best known for his highly acclaimed collaborations with filmmaker Shane Meadows – in This Is England and 2019's Channel 4 miniseries The Virtues. The Scouse actor has also had notable roles in Line of Duty, HBO period drama Boardwalk Empire (playing Al Capone) and, recently, in The Irishman, Martin Scorsese's gangster epic produced for Netflix. Joe Alwyn plays Bob Cratchit Who is Bob Cratchit? The kind, generous family man and Scrooge's clerk is often a sugary-sweet counterbalance to Scrooge's dour persona, but this Bob Cratchit adds barely suppressed rage at his miserly employer to the mix. What has Joe Alwyn been in? Joe Alwyn's first role was the lead in the military satire Billy Lynn's Long Halftime walk, directed by Ang Lee. He has since appeared in films such as The Favourite, Boy Erased and Mary Queen of Scots. He is also known for dating pop music superstar Taylor Swift. Charlotte Riley plays Lottie / The Spirit of Christmas Present Who is Lottie / The Spirit of Christmas Present? The Spirit of Christmas Present is the entity that takes Scrooge around town in (what is then) the present, handing Scrooge his second moral lesson. This new adaptation adds an extra twist – the spirit is the ghost of Scrooge's dead sister, Lottie. Why the BBC’s A Christmas Carol has made a massive change to this major character What has Charlotte Riley been in before? Charlotte Riley is most recognisable for her roles as Catherine Earnshaw in ITV's 2009 Wuthering Heights adaptation, and as Sarah Hurst in the 2008 comedy Easy Virtue. She has also had roles in films such as Edge of Tomorrow and London Has Fallen, and played the lead in the short-lived BBC journo drama Press. She had previously worked with A Christmas Carol writer Steven Knight on Peaky Blinders, playing May Carleton. Vinette Robinson plays Mary Cratchit Who is Mary Cratchit? Mary Cratchit is the loyal wife to Bob Cratchit, and mother to Tiny Tim. The new BBC miniseries fleshes out the minor role from Dickens's novel. What has Vinette Robinson been in before? Vinette Robinson has appeared in four episodes of the hit sleuth series Sherlock, playing Sgt Sally Donovan. Other roles include iconic civil rights activist Rosa Parks on an episode of Doctor Who in 2018, and Helen Hopewell in Waterloo Road. Robinson also starred in an episode of Black Mirror, titled Hated in the Nation, which debuted on Netflix in 2016. Jason Flemyng plays the Ghost of Christmas Future Who is the Ghost of Christmas Future? The final straw for Ebenezer Scrooge, responsible for showing him the dark fate of Tiny Tim and his own unmourned grave, the Ghost of Christmas Future is always presented as a harrowing, deathly vision – often given the form of the Grim Reaper. What has Jason Flemyng been in before? English actor Flemyng is known for his collaborations with action director Guy Ritchie, in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and Snatch. Flemyng has also appeared in the 2018 Sky Atlantic drama series Save Me, as well as in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (playing Thomas Button, the father of Brad Pitt's title character). Kayvan Novak plays Ali Baba Who is Ali Baba? Ali Baba is the central character in the story 'Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves', a folk tale included in the Arabian Nights. Almost never included in screen adaptations of A Christmas Carol, Baba appears to Scrooge in Dickens's original text when he is brought to recall his childhood love of literature. Given Kayvan Novak's comic background, the character is likely to be used as comic relief. What has Kayvan Novak been in before? British actor Kayvan Novak has recently starred in the acclaimed vampire sit-com What We Do in the Shadows (a TV adaptation of Taika Waititi's hit 2014 comedy) as Nandor. Before this, he starred in the beloved 2010 terrorism comedy Four Lions, and has also appeared in films including Men in Black: International, Paddington and Cuban Fury. Johnny Harris plays Franklin Scrooge Who is Franklin Scrooge? Franklin Scrooge is Ebenezer's father, and the root of all his greed and bitterness. Seen when Ebenezer travels back to the past, Franklin Scrooge was a brutal and tyrannical presence in his son's life, neglecting his children to focus on his failing businesses. What has Johnny Harris been in before? Harris earned acclaim for his role as another abusive father: Mick in This is England '86 (a role he reprised in This is England '88). He has also appeared in films including 2017's Jawbone, Welcome to the Punch, Snow White and the Huntsman, and Atonement, and in many British TV series, such as Troy: Fall of a City and Fortitude. Lenny Rush plays "Tiny" Tim Cratchit Who is "Tiny Tim" Cratchit? Tim Cratchit, known to everyone as "Tiny Tim", is Bob Cratchit's ailing youngest son, whose health is jeopardised by Scrooge's miserly wage bill. What has Lenny Rush been in before? Lenny Rush is a child actor, whose only screen credit of note had been in the CBeebies children's series Apple Tree House. He has, however, played the role of Tiny Tim before – on stage, as part of the Christmas Carol adaptation staged at London's Old Vic theatre. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 Tiarna Williams plays Belinda Cratchit Who is Belinda Cratchit? Belinda is Bob Cratchit's second-born child, and elder sister to Tiny Tim. What has Tiarna Williams been in before? Williams is a child actress, who had previously appeared in the BBC's recent adaptation of Les Misérables, playing the child version of Eponine. A Christmas Carol begins on Sunday 22nd December at 9pm on BBC One and continues on Monday 23rd at 9:05pm and on Christmas Eve at 9pm
Real-life travel destinations seen in the Star Wars films
You can explore the exotic Star Wars universe right here on terra firma...
By Claire Webb Star Wars might be set in a galaxy far, far away, but fans on planet Earth can visit many of the intergalactic saga’s striking locations. Though most of the latest film, Star Wars Episode IX: the Rise of Skywalker, was filmed in Pinewood Studios, rumour has it that Jordan’s Wadi Rum desert valley and the Scottish Highlands appear. And in recent years, the billion-pound sci-fi franchise has landed in every continent bar Australia and Antarctica. Scenes have been shot in deserts and on glaciers, in jungles and up mountains, and at popular holiday destinations: the Maldives, Italy’s Lake Como and Ireland’s rugged west coast. Jyn's visit to Jedha in Rogue One As well as supposedly appearing in the Rise of Skywalker, Wadi Rum’s fiery-red sand dunes and towering rock formations also had a cameo in the Star Wars spin-off Rogue One, when the film’s young heroine Jyn Erso travelled to a desert moon called Jedha. It’s not the first time Jordan’s otherworldly nature reserve has attracted Hollywood directors: Lawrence of Arabia, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Martian and, most recently, Disney’s live-action Aladdin remake were also shot there. Wadi Rum’s lunar landscape is only an hour’s drive from the Red Sea resort of Aqaba and is best explored on a camel trek or jeep tour. At night you can bed down under the stars in a Bedouin tent or a safari-style camp. The ancient wonder of Petra is nearby: the city’s temples and tombs were carved into a pink-hued sandstone mountain by the Nabataean people some 2,000 years ago. Anakin and Padmé's wedding in Attack of the Clones A baroque mansion on the western shore of Lake Como was the setting for Anakin’s wedding to Padmé (Natalie Portman) in Episode II: Attack of the Clones and also appeared in the 2006 Bond movie Casino Royale. Accessible only by foot or boat taxi, Villa del Balbianello and its impeccably manicured garden are open to the public from mid-March to mid-November. Only 40km north of Milan, Como is Italy’s glitziest lake and has been a playground for wealthy pleasure-seekers since Roman times; George Clooney, Richard Branson and Madonna have all owned holiday homes here. Dwarfed by the craggy peaks of the Alps, the lake is lined with pastel-hued villas, well-heeled towns and charming stone villages. Ahch-To in the Last Jedi An uninhabited island off Ireland’s west coast — Skellig Michael — had a star turn in Star Wars Episode VIII: the Last Jedi. This tiny rocky outcrop is a Unesco World Heritage site because it’s home to a sixth-century monastery: over 500 steps climb up to beehive- shaped cells, where monks lived until the 12th century. It doubled for Luke Skywalker’s Jedi temple on a remote island on the planet of Ahch-To, but film-makers were only there for three days; most scenes were shot at a replica of the settlement that was built on County Kerry’s Dingle peninsula. Weather-permitting, boat tours depart from the village of Portmagee on Kerry’s Iveragh peninsula — from mid-May to the end of September. Scarif in Rogue One In Rogue One, a new planet with white sand and turquoise sea was added to the Star Wars galaxy. If it hadn’t been occupied by an army of Stormtroopers, Planet Scarif would have been a tropical paradise. The battle scenes were partly filmed in Laamu Atoll in the Maldives, but the film crew didn’t blow up any beaches: the explosions were shot at an old RAF base in Hertfordshire. An island nation in the Indian Ocean made up of 1,192 islets, the Maldives is a favourite with honeymooners and holidaymakers. Over 100 of its little islands are resorts. In the most deluxe ones, guests stay in villas perched on stilts in the sparkling sea, with private pools and personal butlers. As well as offering picture-perfect beaches, the Maldives’ coral reefs make it a snorkelling haven.
Star Wars' John Boyega seems to confirm Rise of Skywalker fan theory
John Boyega has dropped a major hint that seems to confirm the fan theory that his Star Wars character, Finn, is Force-sensitive. Posting on Twitter, Boyega said: "No... Finn wasn't going to say I love you before sinking." View oEmbed on the source website The comment refers to a scene in The Rise of Skywalker when Finn is caught in a quicksand-like trap, and tries to say something important to Rey (Daisy Ridley) before he is completely submerged. While some fans have speculated that Finn was about to profess his love for his Jedi friend - following through with a romantic dynamic that was first hinted at when the characters were introduced in 2015's The Force Awakens - others have suggested that he was actually going to say that he was blessed with Force-sensitivity. The Rise of Skywalker director JJ Abrams has reportedly suggested this theory may be the case, apparently telling a fan after a Q&A that Finn had indeed intended to tell Rey that he was Force-sensitive - although the film itself never reveals this information. Star Wars – The Rise of Skywalker: Rey’s origins explained Billy Dee Williams says Rise of Skywalker isn’t the end of Star Wars In the world of Star Wars, everything is guided by the Force, a spiritual current that runs throughout the living universe. Characters who are Force-sensitive are gifted with special powers, and those who are most attuned to the Force can become lightsaber-wielding Jedi. There are several clues that Finn might be Force-sensitive already laid in the series. In The Rise of Skywalker, Finn speaks reverently about The Force to Jannah (Naomi Ackie), and later scenes imply he is tapping into a connection with the Force. Another hint can be seen in The Force Awakens, when he (somewhat successfully) wields a lightsaber in a fight - something we very rarely see non-Jedi do. While some fans have doubts whether Finn, a reformed Stormtrooper, has the potential to become a Jedi, there are existing examples in the Star Wars universe of Force-sensitive characters taking on other roles, such as the Force-sensitive monk Chirrut Imwe (Donnie Yen) in 2016's Rogue One. While the future of the series remains unclear, many Star Wars fans will doubtless be hoping that Boyega will return in another instalment - which could give us the chance to find out just how strong the force is with Finn... Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker is out in cinemas now
Gavin & Stacey stars drank real booze in Christmas party scenes
James Corden encouraged the cast to enjoy a drink before filming the dancing scenes in the upcoming Gavin and Stacey Christmas revival
There's nothing new about the characters on Gavin & Stacey enjoying a drink or two - but what about the actors who play them? It's been revealed that co-writer and actor James Corden encouraged the cast to drink real alcohol while filming a boozy party scene for the upcoming Gavin & Stacey Christmas special. Gavin & Stacey festive special spoiler-free preview: “A Christmas miracle” What happened in the last episode of Gavin and Stacey? Robert Wilfort, who plays Jason on the series, said: "Because we didn’t have any lines and we were just enjoying ourselves, we did all have a drink. It was James’s idea! It was really lovely. It wasn’t Archers and lemonade!" Melanie Walters, the actor who plays Gwen, added that the drinks loosened people up for "all the singing and dancing." "There was no effort involved! I think that transfers to the screen," she said. Gavin & Stacey, which ran for three series on the BBC from 2007 to 2010, told the story of two dysfunctional families - one from Essex and the other from Wales - who come together after the titular couple fall in love. After a nearly decade-long hiatus, the series is returning for a one-off Christmas special, for which it is bringing back its original cast members, including Matthew Horne, Joanna Page, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb, as well as Ruth Jones, who co-wrote the series with Corden. The special includes a joyous partying scene filmed in a real pub - which is where the cast let themselves enjoy a tipple. "It was just one of the loveliest days I’ve had on set filming with everyone," said Wilfort. Gavin & Stacey returns to BBC One on Christmas Day at 8:30pm
Orderrrr! John Bercow to deliver Channel 4's alternative Christmas message
The former Speaker of the House of Commons will preach a message of tolerance and civility in Channel 4's alternative to the Queen's speech
Former Speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow is set to deliver this year's Alternative Christmas Message on Channel 4. The broadcast, which runs simultaneously with the traditional Queen's speech on BBC One and ITV, will see the politician - who became a media personality through his bombastic parliament manner and headline-grabbing Brexit decisions - present a message of democracy and civility. What's on TV this Christmas 2019? Reflecting on a divisive year in global and national politics, Bercow says: "All around the world, populism - and the promise of simple solutions to complex problems - has taken hold with a vice-like grip." View oEmbed on the source website "Don’t get me wrong, it’s crucial for everyone to be free to say what they think and for politicians to respond. But democracy shouldn’t be about decibel levels." "Before you say anything, yes, I’ve been known to raise my voice – but that was just to keep order!" he jokes, alluding to his Commons catchphrase. Bercow also discusses the need to re-establish a "civility of discourse" in UK politics, and states that contrary to public perception, the majority of politicians are simply well-intentioned public servants, trying to do right by their constituents. Channel 4's Alternative Christmas Message has aired every year since 1993, and has featured a diverse list of presenters, including former President of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, children who survived the Grenfell Tower Disaster, the Reverend Jessie Jackson and The Simpsons. Last year's speech was delivered by Danny Dyer. It has been a whirlwind year for Bercow personally, as his involvement in the parliamentary Brexit proceedings placed him front-and-centre in the political news cycle. After stepping down as Speaker - having occupied the role for 10 years - Bercow has discovered a promising career as a media personality, and was even briefly tipped to star in the recent series of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!. The Alternative Christmas Message airs on Christmas Day (25th December) 2019 at 2:25pm on Channel 4
A Christmas Carol splits audiences with a sweary, innovative take on Dickens
The Dickens classic has been given a fresh spin in the BBC's three-part miniseries - here's what people have made of the changes
"Bah, humbug" doesn't quite cover it. The BBC's new adaptation of A Christmas Carol has ditched the traditional Dickensian patter in favour of more anachronistic, coarse language - a move which has proved divisive with its audience. The three-part series, airing on BBC One, is based on Charles Dickens' classic Victorian novella about Ebeneezer Scrooge, the Christmas-hating miser who is visited by three spirits one winter night. The cast includes Guy Pearce (Memento) as Scrooge, Andy Serkis (War for the Planet of the Apes) as the Ghost of Christmas Past and Stephen Graham (This is England) as Jacob Marley. After the first episode was broadcast, however, many viewers took to Twitter to comment on the show's re-vamped lexicon... View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website Some people were quick to point out the similarities between Pearce's Scrooge and Withnail, Richard E. Grant's foul-mouthed, trenchcoat-wearing misanthrope from the cult 1987 film Withnail and I: View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website A Christmas Carol was written by Steven Knight, the creative voice behind the hit BBC crime series Peaky Blinders - which might account for some of the grittier changes. Nevertheless, the adaptation remains faithful to the original text in many ways, even including some figures from the novella that are usually omitted from screen adaptations - such as Kayvan Novak's Ali Baba, who appears to Scrooge when he revisits his book-loving childhood self. Many who watched the first episode were impressed by what they saw, citing the acting and moody cinematography, and heaped praise on the show on social media... View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website Do the changes constitute a much-needed update of Dickens' essentially dark tale, or a sacrilegious butchering of a classic piece of literature? It's ultimately up to everyone to decide for themselves - although writer Matt Haig might have had the definitive say on the matter: View oEmbed on the source website A Christmas Carol continues at 9pm tonight (Monday, 23rd December) on BBC One
The true story behind Netflix documentary The Devil Next Door
What are the facts behind Netflix's gripping documentary about an Ohio mechanic accused of being the sadistic Nazi executioner known as 'Ivan the Terrible'
Five-part Netflix documentary The Devil Next Door tells the remarkable true story of John Demjanjuk, a Ukrainian mechanic living in Cleveland, Ohio, who was placed on trial on suspicion of having been 'Ivan the Terrible', a sadistic Nazi prison camp guard during the Second World War. With Demjanjuk now deceased, many people remain uncertain as to whether he really was who he was accused of being, and The Devil Next Door pulls back from making any definitive assertions about the case. Because Demjanjuk died while an appeal was pending, he is presumed to be innocent by German law. The documentary is inspired by the book The Right Wrong Man by Lawrence Douglas. Here's what we know about the fascinating real-life court case... Read More: Netflix's best true crime documentaries Who was John Demjanjuk? Born in Ukraine in 1920, Demjanjuk survived the nation's terrible famine to be drafted into the Soviet military in 1940. After he was captured by the Nazis in 1942, the facts of his live become a little more hazy. As seen in The Devil Next Door, there are various, conflicting pieces of testimony that locate Demjanjuk at a number of different Nazi concentration camps before the end of the war. After the Second World War was over, the ex-soldier emigrated with his wife to the USA in 1952, finding employment as an auto-worker in suburban Ohio and becoming a naturalised citizen in 1958. In the 1970s, however, the American government claimed they had uncovered evidence that Demjanjuk was not the unwilling prisoner-turned-concentration-camp-guard he had claimed to be but was in fact 'Ivan the Terrible', one of the most infamously sadistic executioners of the Nazi regime. What happened during Demjanjuk's trial? His first trial, which took place after Demjanjuk was extradited to Israel in 1981, was heavily publicised across the world. Several witnesses identified the accused as 'Ivan the Terrible', who was reported to have been Ukrainian. In 1988, he was convicted, and sentenced to death. However, after the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War, new documents surfaced which identified a different man as the infamous Nazi guard. Demjanjuk was subsequently acquitted, and his US citizenship was restored. For a while, it seemed that the definitive truth had come to light. The full story of the trial is told in The Right Wrong Man. Why was John Demjanjuk placed on trial again? In 2009, Demjanjuk was deported again, this time to Germany, for another trial. This happened after new evidence emerged that placed Demjanjuk as a guard at the Sobibor death camp, albeit not 'Ivan the Terrible'. The elderly Demjanjuk was convicted of participation in the mass killings of Jews during the Holocaust, and sentenced to five years in prison. But, as The Devil Next Door reveals, he appealed the charges, and died in 2012 before an appeal verdict could be reached. Accordingly, the appeal case was left pending, and Demjanjuk is presumed innocent under German law. Why was The Devil Next Door changed after its release? After the series was released, there was a spell of controversy when Poland's Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki complained about the inaccuracy of some of the maps shown in the documentary. Specifically, the Netflix doc had depicted some Nazi death camps as lying within the borders of current-day Poland. The streaming service agreed to amend the maps, and provided a statement, saying: "In order to provide more information to our members about the important issues raised in this documentary and to avoid any misunderstanding, in the coming days we will be adding text to some of the maps featured in the series. "This will make it clearer that the extermination and concentration camps in Poland were built and operated by the German Nazi regime who invaded the country and occupied it from 1939-1945." The Devil Next Door is available to stream on Netflix in the UK now
Carina wins The Apprentice 2019: "I'm not trying to be the next Greggs"
Artisan baker Carina Lepore was crowned the winner of The Apprentice 2019 in a dramatic finale - here's what she had to say about her future
Carina Lepore has won The Apprentice 2019, beating 15 other contestants to claim the top prize – a £250,000 investment in her artisan bakery and a business partnership with Lord Sugar. The last 12 weeks have featured a gruelling list of mettle-testing tasks, such as organising South African tourism tours and running a corporate away day on a steam train. In the final, Carina was pitted against recruitment company owner Scarlett Allen-Horton. Both candidates had to prepare a high-pressure business pitch, which was delivered to Lord Sugar and a panel of experts. As has been the case in previous series, previously fired candidates returned to aid both finalists in their task. In the last boardroom segment of the series, Lord Sugar weighed up advice from his two aides Karren Brady and Claude Littner before delivering his decision. "Shops, I’ve never had", he admitted. "The only thing going for you is that it’s food and that when you look at the high street these days that’s all it’s packed with – food. "I’m trying to think of the scaling up of your business, but I like the idea of more bread – so Carina, you’re going to be my business partner.” Speaking to RadioTimes.com afterwards, Carina said: "I’m so excited, I cant wait to start building the empire. There’s going to be new shops in 2020. Hopefully get Dough’s Bakehouse in other locations. "Me and Lord Sugar are thinking of sticking in a five mile radius for the instantly new shops just so we can transport the goods as fresh as possible. There is that artisan feel, and that family feel." But would the extra investment mean her bakery will start feeling more like other chain bakeries? "No," she says. "It’s definitely not going to be going down that fast food route. That’s why I put Greggs on my business plan. I see Greggs as a fast food, you’re rushing, there’s not that feel of sitting in and ambience. "That’s not what they're known for and I wouldn’t want to move that way because I’ve got to stick to what I believe in. I wouldn’t want it to move to fast food too quickly. It is quick paced but it’s not going to be Greggs." The Apprentice is set to return next year
Where was ITV thriller Sticks and Stones filmed?
The drama about the dark consequences of workplace bullying is set in Reading - but where is it filmed? Find out everything here...
The scenery may not be the first thing you notice when you watch Sticks and Stones, ITV's unsettling take on the issue of workplace bullying. But the immersive setting has nevertheless left some people wondering where exactly the three-part series is set – and where it was filmed. Sticks and Stones sees businessman Thomas Benson (Ken Nwosu) pushed to the brink of insanity by his colleagues after a work presentation goes hideously wrong. Described in the RadioTimes.com review as "anxiety-inducing", the series is set in Reading, in Berkshire, although it's actually filmed elsewhere. The office block that serves as the primary setting for much of the action in Sticks and Stones is actually in Hook, a small town in the county of Hampshire. Rather than relying on a studio set, the production crew scouted an abandoned office block and restored part of it to working order, decorating it to mimic the look and feel of a real office. The town is reasonably close to Reading, and so the scenery visible out the office windows chimes perfectly with the story's setting. Hampshire was also the location for the set of Thomas Benson's family home. The domestic setting was filmed in Aldershot, in a real residential house. There are also segments of the programme that were filmed in Surrey – including in the little-known village of Ripley. In 2018, news reports revealed that the usually peaceful village had played host to a tense car chase scene, now confirmed to be part of the ITV thriller. Sticks and Stones airs Monday 16th-Wednesday 18th December at 9pm on ITV
The 10 most complained about TV moments of the decade - from Love Island to Sky News
Broadcasting regulator Ofcom has published its list of the most controversial programmes of the 2010s, according to viewers
TV viewers do love to complain. At least, that's according to Ofcom, who have released some fascinating statistics from the last decade spent moderating the UK's broadcast television channels. 2019 has seen plenty of complaints made to Ofcom – sparked by incidents ranging from a Channel 4 documentary accused of being biased against cyclists to the sexualised content of the Pussycat Doll's performance on the final of The X Factor: Celebrity. But most of this year's scandals pale in comparison when it comes to the number of complaints received for certain cases from across the decade as a whole. Here's a list of the 10 most controversial TV moments of the decades, according to Ofcom... 10. Sky News with Kay Burley, Sky News 5th June 2015 – 1,838 complaints View oEmbed on the source website In the aftermath of the Alton Towers roller coaster crash, which seriously injured four people in 2015, Chief Executive of Merlin Entertainment Nick Varney appeared on Sky News for an interview with Kay Burley. At one point, Varney refused to say whether or not one of the victims had lost a limb, and expressed his sympathies, to which Burley responded: “Why not? Sir, sir, I’m sure they are not interested in your sympathy at this stage." It's an understandably sensitive topic, and nearly 2,000 people complained – but Ofcom said there was no grounds for an investigation into the news anchor's interview style. 9. Big Brother, Channel 5 24th June 2015 – 2,024 complaints The hit reality show received many complaints about bullying during its 2015 series, with most arriving after housemates Helen Wood and Marc O'Neill described fellow contestant Brian Belo as looking "like a murderer and a rapist." The offensive remarks led to Belo leaving the show after breaking down in tears in the diary room, calling Wood and O'Neill "bullies". Big Brother issued a warning to its housemates for the jibes, but Ofcom decided not to open a formal investigation. 8. The Wright Stuff, Channel 5 6th to 8th December 2011 – 2,358 complaints Presenter Matthew Wright sparked outrage after an episode of his chat show The Wright Stuff, in which he appeared to mock the then-recent murder of Scottish teenager Liam Aitchison. With news headlines reporting on the murder of Aitchison on the island of Lewis, Wright affected a Scottish accent and said, "there's been another murder", mimicking the catchphrase from detective series Taggart. Wright subsequently apologised for his remarks, and sent a letter of apology to Aitchison's parents. 7. Love Island, ITV2 1st July 2018 – 2,644 complaints View oEmbed on the source website Dani Dyer came in for a nasty shock on the 2018 series of sun-soaked dating show Love Island, when it was revealed that her partner Jack Fincham's ex-girlfriend had entered the programme. Viewers were up in arms about the way the development was handled, which led Dani to believe that Jack had shown an interest in his ex, with some calling it "emotional manipulation". The 2,644 complaints the moment prompted might have given some indication of Dani's popularity among Love Island fans – it came as no big surprise when she and Jack emerged from the series as winners. 6. Channel 4 News, Channel 4 29th March 2019 – 2,717 complaints Veteran newscaster Jon Snow sparked nearly 3,000 complaints after making the remark during a pro-Brexit rally, "I've never seen so many white people in one place." The remarks were accused by some of being racist or offensive, but Channel 4 stood by their man, saying it was justified under the broadcasting code of “reflecting his observation that in a London demonstration of that size, ethnic minorities seemed to be significantly under-represented”. He was subsequently cleared of any wrongdoing by the Ofcom moderators. 5. The X Factor, ITV 11th December, 2010 – 2,868 complaints View oEmbed on the source website Pop singers Rihanna and Christina Aguilera both gave performances on the final of The X Factor in 2010, and the raunchy dance moves and revealing outfits led to almost 3,000 complaints. Because the series is broadcast in the early evening slot, the contention was that their skimpy get-ups were too sexually graphic for the many children who were watching. 4. Sky News 27th September 2018 – 3,463 complaints The right wing activist known as Tommy Robinson (real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) was interviewed by Sky News in September 2018, and complained that the "disgusting" footage was edited to express political bias, and was a defamation of character. Ofcom then received 3,463 complaints about the interview, but decided there was no grounds for an investigation. It had been reported around the time that most of the complaints had been lodged by Yaxley-Lennon's right-wing supporters. In the year since the interview, Yaxley-Lennon has served a term in prison for contempt of court, stemming from an unrelated incident. 3. UKIP: The First 100 Days, Channel 4 16th February 2015 – 6,187 complaints View oEmbed on the source website This one-off mockumentary imagines a world in which UKIP won a General Election and ascended to power, as seen through the eyes of a fictional Asian MP, Deepa Kaur (played by Priyanga Burford). The special attracted an exceptionally large number of complaints for electoral bias, although the Guardian reported that a "significant number" had been sent as part of a copy-and-paste email campaign organised by the far-right group Britain First. UKIP: The First 100 Days failed to make much of an impression with audiences – those people outraged enough to write to Ofcom might have been some of the only ones watching. 2. Loose Women, ITV 29th August 2018 – 8,002 complaints ITV chat show Loose Women received over 8,000 complaints for this 2018 episode, 7,912 of which pertained to the infamous argument between Celebrity Big Brother contestants Coleen Nolan and Kim Woodburn. Having fought during their time in the House (Kim once called Coleen a "two-faced maggot"), they were brought onto Loose Women to bury the hatchet – but ending up swinging it. Kim stormed offstage, calling her co-star "trash", and saying she was being ganged up on by the show's panel. Ofcom complaints were sent in support of both contestants, and the episode is remembered as a dark day for talk show civility. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. 1. Celebrity Big Brother, Channel 5 30th August to 1st September 2018 – 25,327 complaints View oEmbed on the source website Coleen and Kim's feud may have taken the no 2 spot, but Celebrity Big Brother blew all other TV out the water when it came to Ofcom complaints, with 25,327 complaints lodged about its 2018 scandal, dubbed "punchgate". Housemates Roxanne Pallett and Ryan Thomas (both soap stars) were at the centre of the scandal, which saw an inconsolable Roxanne accuse Ryan of physically assaulting her – only for it to be shown later that she had been grossly exaggerating. Viewers were incensed, first at the substance of the allegations, then at the attempts to besmirch a man's name. Roxanne was removed from the House, and Ryan ended up winning the series, but not before the complaints came rolling in en masse.
Michael Barrymore forced to quit Dancing On Ice to be replaced by Radzi Chinyanganya
The comedian has officially pulled out of the upcoming ITV dance competition, with former Blue Peter presenter Chinyanganya taking his spot
Michael Barrymore has been forced to quit the upcoming season of Dancing on Ice after breaking his wrist, with former Blue Peter presenter Radzi Chinyanganya stepping in to replace him. The comedian and TV presenter had been preparing to star on the twelfth series of the ITV reality competition, which starts in January 2020. But ITV have confirmed that, after sustaining the injury in training, Barrymore had no choice but to withdraw from the show. Chinyanganya will be partnered by professional skater Jessica Hatfield. Barrymore will still feature in Dancing on Ice on Christmas, the festive special which airs on ITV this Sunday, but was pre-recorded last week. He released a statement about his withdrawal: “Shortly after shooting the Dancing On Ice Christmas Special I took a tumble whilst rehearsing for the January shows. After the fall, I thought I had sprained my wrist but it turns out that it is broken. Unfortunately, the medics have told me that I cannot compete. "I am absolutely devastated; I have loved every second of the journey so far with my wonderful dance partner Alex Murphy and the support from the public has been overwhelming. "I have been fortunate enough to work with such a great bunch of people over the previous few months; trainers, celebrities, pro skaters, the judges, Holly and Phil and the incredible production team at ITV who really are exceptional and help to make it the fantastic show that it is. "I shall be in the studio for the first show on Sunday 5th January and hope to make other appearances throughout. I would like to wish the whole of Dancing On Ice 2020 the best of luck.” While this is sure to come as a bitter disappointment to the 67-year-old comic and his fans, it is at least good news for Chinyanganya, who had said: "I am thrilled and privileged to be part of the Dancing On Ice 2020 cast. I am absolutely gutted for Michael, who is one of my all-time favourite TV presenters, and I wish him a speedy recovery. "I've only got two weeks to get ready to ice skate in front of the nation so I'm looking forward to a Christmas and New Year filled with training on the ice!" The Dancing on Ice Christmas special airs on ITV at 7pm on Sunday 22nd December, before the new series begins on Sunday 5th January 2020 at 6pm
Over 2 million sign petition to remove Netflix comedy about gay Jesus
Brazilian Netflix comedy special The First Temptation of Christ has stirred outrage with its depiction of a gay Jesus and a weed-smoking Mary Magdalene
A Netflix Christmas comedy special which portrays Jesus Christ as a gay man has prompted outrage in Brazil's Christian community, leading to an online petition to have it removed – which has gained more than two million signatures. The First Temptation of Christ was created by Porta dos Fundos, a Brazilian YouTube comedy channel that has been known for producing provocative religious satires in the past. The new 46-minute offering focuses on Jesus's surprise birthday party and his relationship with Orlando, his flamboyant boyfriend. While Jesus first tries to conceal Orlando from his friends and relatives, he later welcomes him to the party and ends up singing a sexually suggestive musical number. Also included in the cast of characters is Mary Magdalene, who is shown to be an avid marijuana user. The Change.org petition, which calls for Netflix to remove the special from their streaming catalogue and apologise, has been signed by more than 2 million people already. It alleges that the special is offensive to Christians. Porta dos Fundos have over 16 million subscribers on YouTube, and have remained defiant in the face of the backlash. In a statement, the group said: "Porta dos Fundos values artistic freedom and humor through satire on the most diverse cultural themes of our society and believes that freedom of expression is an essential construction for a democratic country." Porta dos Fundos won an International Emmy Award for Best Comedy Web Television Special for their previous Christmas special, titled The Last Hangover. The First Temptation of Christ can be watched now on Netflix
Will there be a second series of Gold Digger on BBC One?
***Spoilers ahead for the ending of Gold Digger series 1***
The truth always comes out in the end. In the final episode of Gold Digger's first season, the BBC One mystery-drama brought a couple of major revelations and tied up some loose ends, before settling into an unexpectedly happy ending. Fans of the series reacted with surprise to some of the plot developments, with some wondering whether the BBC would renew the programme for another run of episodes... View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website Will there be a second series of Gold Digger? RadioTimes.com is currently waiting for confirmation from the BBC one way or the other about whether there will be a second season of Gold Digger, although the nature of the series one finale suggests that Julia and Benjamin's story may have already come to an end. Fans spent much of the first season doubting Benjamin's (Ben Barnes) motives when he started dating Julia (Julia Ormond), a woman three decades his senior. Much like Julia's children, we were given subtle reasons to suspect that he was hiding something – that he was, as the series' title suggests, a gold digger after Julia's money. Episode five revealed that the truth may be even darker – Julia learned that Benjamin had been convicted of killing a shopkeeper when he was a teenager. Calling off the wedding, Julia confronted her lover, who revealed that it was in fact his brother who had carried out the accidental killing – and that he had merely taken the rap to protect his sibling, who was a legal adult, from the more severe penalties. Eventually Julia made peace with this, and she and Benjamin got married, the series ending on a positive note with the show's main couple in a loving embrace. While there are a few loose ends that could feasibly stand to be tied up – such as the question of who sent the note to Patrick (Sebastian Armesto) about his extra-marital affair – all of the series' emotional arcs were given a sense of closure. If there was to be another series, it's hard to see where the story would go. Would Julia and Benjamin get into a new, completely unconnected drama? Or could the series backtrack and reveal that Benjamin was still harbouring dark secrets, which would risk undermining the original ending? It seems most likely that the show's creators will decide to let sleeping dogs lie – but if we hear otherwise, we'll make sure to update you straight away. The entire series of Gold Digger can be watched now on BBC iPlayer
Meet the Celebrity Christmas Come Dine With Me contestants
A special festive edition of the E4 series brings together a group of celebrity competitors to host dinners for each other - but who are they?
Put the mince pies in the oven and break out the brandy – Come Dine With Me is back with a celebrity Christmas special. The festive edition of the hit E4 culinary reality series brings together six contestants, including a reality TV star, a drag queen and a former magician's assistant, to face off for a week of competitive dining. Beginning on Monday 16th December 2019, the week-long celebrity special features a range of different seasonally-inspired meals, from classic Christmas dinner to a Caribbean extravaganza. But who will be cooking them? Find out below... Courtney Act hosts on Monday The first of the contestants to flaunt their culinary prowess, Courtney Act starred in RuPaul's Drag Race and was the winner of UK Celebrity Big Brother in 2018. One of the world's most high-profile drag acts, Act (AKA Shane Jenek) is also a successful pop singer and was the host of The Bi Life on E!, the UK's first-ever bisexual dating series. Her night (airing on Monday) will feature an all-vegan array of foods, themed around the colour pink – a typically eye-catching idea from the stylish performer. Charlotte Dawson hosts on Tuesday Charlotte Dawson is next up, providing her guests with a three-course Northern feast to celebrate the season. Dawson, who is most recognisable for her roles on reality TV series Ex on the Beach and Celebs on the Farm, is also the daughter of the late comedian Les Dawson. She scandalised some audience members during her stint on Ex on the Beach by having a threesome with Gaz Beadle and Olivia Walsh. Stevo the Madman hosts on Wednesday Internet celebrity Stevo the Madman gained notoriety for his pranksterish snapchat videos. Stevo (real name Kevin Stephens) made headlines in 2014 when a prank involving fake guns provoked a response from armed police officers. Before assuming the identity of 'Stevo the Madman', Stephens was a professional footballer, who had played for clubs including QPR and Boreham Wood. Bucking the usual yuletide trends, Stevo will opt for a Carribean-style Christmas dinner – his extra-spicy meal will even be accompanied by a steel drum band. Debbie McGee hosts on Thursday Debbie McGee is something of a show business legend, having found her fame as assistant to her husband, the late celebrity magician Paul Daniels. She competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, and is a familiar face on British TV. Hosting Day Four of this year's festive Come Dine With Me, McGee will be pulling out all the stops: her night will be a black tie affair, complete with a butler. Dick and Dom host on Friday Richard McCourt and Dominic Wood, better known as Dick and Dom, the Odd Couple stars of children's series Dick & Dom in da Bungalow) host the final night of festive dining. In an tribute to the show that made their name, the couple are staging the dinner in a bungalow. They will be serving up festival-themed food – including a not-so-appetising "Christmas dinner kebab". Celebrity Christmas Come Dine With Me will air every night on E4 at 7:30pm Monday 16th to Thursday 19th and at 8pm on Friday 20th December