AN angry Andrew Lloyd Webber went on live TV today to defend himself against accusations made over How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?
Cynics have continued to snipe about the BBC1 show since Connie Fisher won the role of Maria von Trapp in a new stage production of The Sound of Music.
Rehearsals for the London Palladium musical, which opens in November, began at 10.30am today.
But first Lord Webber got in touch with BBC Breakfast and asked to go on the programme so he could set the record straight – and also revealed he was thinking of taking out a libel action.
Author: ianwylie
HARRY Potter and Cracker star Robbie Coltrane has spoken about his personal demons, how he views global fame and the legacy he will leave behind.
The actor, who plays gentle giant Hagrid in the Potter movies, gives a rare insight into his personal life during an interview with Melvyn Bragg on tonight’s South Bank Show.
Robbie, 56, has also portrayed 18th century literary legend Dr Samuel Johnson several times and said he can identify with his hero’s terrible depressions.
He is asked by Bragg: “Did you find some kind of succour, some kind of identity with the depressions?”
“Yes. Definitely yes,” replied Robbie. “He was visited by the old dark dog quite a lot. He did have weeks on end where he could not get out of bed.”
SHAMELESS star Maggie O’Neill has filmed her final scene and left the hit Channel 4 show.
Actress Maggie, who plays “bonkers” Sheila in the Manchester comedy drama, says her farewells in episode three of the new series.
But there’s good news for fans with the arrival of Eccles-raised Ciaran Griffiths, who played Gary Best in The Bill.
Desperate housewife Sheila became Mrs Frank Gallagher in the last episode of the third series screened earlier this year.
Then Frank, played by David Threlfall, let slip that the wedding might not exactly have been legal.
AN invite to the corridors of power in Westminster to meet the Prime Minister.
No, not the one headed this weekend for Labour’s conference in Manchester. His successor. Former supermarket manager Ros Pritchard.
Tony Blair even rang to congratulate Ros on her general election landslide victory. Or, at least, someone who sounded very much like him.
ROBBIE Coltrane was in playful mood at the launch of the new Cracker film yesterday.
Rightly proud of the feature length story, set and filmed in Manchester, he was asked if he liked his character – criminal psychologist Fitz.
“Do I like him?” he replied, putting on a posh Scots voice. “I think he’s desperately handsome. I’ve always thought of him as one of the most attractive men in the world.
THE stars of Coronation Street were out in London last night to reveal dramatic highlights of the show over the coming months.
Devastation, revelation, manipulation and celebration were the themes at a venue near Liverpool Street station, on the border of EastEnders country.
As well as chatting to cast, producer Steve Frost and other members of the Corrie team, we watched a showreel of what is to come.
“If you thought this summer was hot, then wait for the temperature to rise in Weatherfield this autumn and winter as the residents of Britain’s most famous street find themselves at the centre of some of the most gripping storylines viewers have ever seen,” said a Street spokeswoman.
CAN you solve a Midsomer Murders mystery?
Laura Howard is Cully Barnaby in ITV1’s global hit, daughter of Det Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby, played by John Nettles.
But Laura confesses that even though she has played the role since the pilot episode in 1997, she has no idea where the name Cully comes from. And it seems no-one else on the Midsomer team knows either.
AN interview with Paul O’Grady is always memorable.
Whether in a posh restaurant or church hall rehearsal room, he always gives full value and, as you might imagine, doesn’t hold back his views.
So it’s great to know that The New Paul O’Grady Show is returning to Channel 4 on weekdays at 5pm from a week on Monday.
Paul has been inundated with good wishes since his heart attack in the summer. He says: “I found it really overwhelming. There must have been about 7,000 letters.
“Some of them just said, ‘Paul O’Grady, Kent.’ Our postman deserves a bloody medal. It was just incredible.
DAME Helen Mirren has revealed why she is quitting her role as one of TV’s most popular detectives.
It will be the end of an era next month when the actress is seen on screen investigating her last ever Prime Suspect case.
Retirement looms for Det Supt Jane Tennison in the seventh and final ITV Granada film, amid speculation that the character may be killed off.
I watched the first half of the four-hour film in London yesterday before attending a press conference given by the leading lady.
The final Prime Suspect is one of the TV events of the year and doesn’t disappoint. Helen must get fed up with people saying it, but she proves yet again what an astonishingly good actress she is.
IT’S always refreshing when you get an honest answer to an honest question.
Former Bad Girls and Monarch of the Glen actress Simone Lahbib is back on screen next week in Wire In The Blood.
She plays Det Insp Alex Fielding, taking the place of Hermione Norris in the dark and disturbing ITV1 thriller based on the books by Stockport author Val McDermid.
Talking at the press launch for four new Wire films, leading man Robson Green had already warned that Stirling-born Simone was not a lady to mess with.
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