THERE will be extra interest in the TV ratings released next Monday morning.
Will ITV1’s new Sunday night musical drama Britannia High be a hit?
The first episode goes out at 6.15pm in a direct clash with BBC1’s Antiques Roadshow.
So that should ease the path to reaching younger viewers.
Unless they’re busy on eBay selling off the family silver.
But the Manchester and Salford filmed series – which is actually set in London – also needs to attract a family audience.
The timeslot for episode one means Britannia High avoids a clash with the Strictly Come Dancing results show at 7.15pm.
But it feels like just too early a start for many older viewers, even taking into account the fact that the clocks go back this weekend.
Thanks to ITV1’s coverage of the Brazilian Grand Prix, episode two a week on Sunday starts at 7pm.
Author: ianwylie
“SOMEONE is in terrible danger and we’re fighting to save them.
“Isn’t that the only thing that makes sense of, well, all of this?”
Adam Carter goes out in style in the new series of Spooks.
Even though many fans already know, I can’t say when and I can’t say how.
Rupert Penry-Jones, who plays Adam, will be missed.
But production company Kudos always turn such losses into new opportunities.
Such as the arrival of Richard Armitage as Lucas North.
And the appointment of a new chief of Section D.
DANIEL Craig fans won’t be disappointed by his interview on a South Bank Show special this week.
The actor who re-invented James Bond is as relaxed and candid as you like when talking to Melvyn Bragg.
He confirms his deal to film four Bond films.
That includes his triumphant 2006 debut in Casino Royale.
And Quantum of Solace, which opens in the UK on October 31.
There are plenty of clips from the new film along with archive material of Bond through the decades.
Plus interviews with Sean Connery, Judi Dench and several others involved in the 007 story.
AXED Coronation Street star Bruce Jones re-visits a few demons on TV tomorrow night.
Including the day he found one of the Yorkshire Ripper’s victims.
And how Les Battersby took over his life.
Manchester-born Bruce, 55, appears on BBC1’s The Dark Side Of Fame With Piers Morgan.
You can read more in last Friday’s MEN TV feature here.
It’s not the first time he’s spoken about the horrific Ripper discovery.
The story first re-surfaced when he joined the Street in 1997.
He also talks about the beatings he had from his father.
And how he knew he’d become the most hated man in soap when he agreed to play layabout Les.
JUST hours away now from the second live studio show of The X Factor 2008.
For some reason, yesterday’s MEN story on Scott Bruton did not go online.
That means I can’t post a link as promised in yesterday’s blog.
But here’s what it said:
X Factor finalist Scott Bruton has revealed how the support of fans in Manchester rescued him from tearful despair.
“I feel like I’m the luckiest man in Britain,” said Clayton-raised Scott, who broke down in tears on last Saturday’s first live studio show.
Now he aims to serve up a winning performance – and hopes Bolton comedy star Peter Kay will pay a visit to The X Factor.
SCOTT Bruton told me this week how The X Factor finalists watched Peter Kay’s spoof reality comedy last Sunday.
And it turns out that Laura White isn’t the only act who has met Mr Kay.
While she once sang alongside Peter when he switched on Bolton’s Christmas lights, Scott served him in Argos.
There’s another story on Scott in today’s MEN.
Update: You can read what it said here.
Due to space restrictions, his Peter Kay anecdote was cut from the page.
But here’s what Manchester-raised Scott told me:
“I used to work at Argos in Ancoats a couple of years ago and I served him.
“He was buying a Thomas the Tank engine set for his little lad.
THAMES House, London. MI5 Central HQ.
Spooks is back with a spy swap, fish and chips and a lesson in the use of cutlery.
As regular readers will know, I’ve been a fan since the very first press launch for series one.
I went on set again back in April to interview cast members.
The first feature ran in the MEN yesterday – the online version is here.
Some fans will already know what’s ahead.
But along with other members of the media, I’ve agreed not to spoil viewers’ enjoyment of the new series by revealing too much detail.
So you won’t find any major spoilers below.
DAWN was breaking today when a Coronation Street story caught my eye.
ITV is to cash in on the popularity of the soap by launching a range of spin-off products, it read.
It added: “ITV is also planning to re-open the Coronation Street set in Manchester to the public with behind-the-scenes tours.”
Except the new report here reminded me of how these possible plans had already been trailed back in March here.
Having since spoken to the ITV team currently out in Cannes, it’s clear that these potential spin-off products are still “in development”.
Although a presentation has now been made to manufacturers, no deals have yet been signed.
So don’t go rushing out just yet to order Betty’s Hot Pot in your local Rovers Return.
As for some kind of return for Granada Studios Tour, that’s still just another idea – and certainly nothing to get excited about just yet.
IT’S been a pleasure to interview all three of the north west X Factor finalists ahead of tonight’s first live show.
Last, but not least, this week was Diana Vickers.
She told me she is having dreams about appearing on stage in front of the judges.
Diana also vowed not to change her style, despite her X Factor makeover pictured on this page.
You can read the online version of today’s MEN story here.
And check out my interviews with Laura White and Scott Bruton.
Quirky Diana, 17, also spoke about her reaction to a tabloid story last weekend which used photos of her on a night out.
It claimed she was a “wild child” who “loves boozy nights out” – but it looked to me like a story created to fit the pictures.
THE Coronation Street cobbles could see the return of a few rovers next year.
As mentioned in last night’s blog, I spoke to producer Kim Crowther yesterday.
She told me: “There might be a few faces we bring back.
“Ones that have left recently, who we love but we just felt at the time, ‘Why would they stay at this point in the story?’
“But that we might well still bring back and see again next year.”
Although I may be wide of the mark, my thoughts immediately turned to one or two members of the Morton family.
They were led by Michael Starke, recently departed as kebab shop owner Jerry
Life of Wylie 