Category Archive: News

Exile: John Simm

Jim Broadbent (Sam) and John Simm (Tom)

“DON’T measure me against him. He’s won an Oscar,” smiles John Simm.

We’re sat in a conference room at BBC TV Centre in west London, where a few days before I’d also interviewed Jim Broadbent.

John and Jim co-star in superb new BBC1 drama Exile, to be screened over three consecutive nights from Sunday May 1.

Relaxed in a grey V-neck jumper, white T-shirt and blue jeans, an unshaven John was in good spirits during the small round table chat back in January.

Where the conversation ranged from Hamlet to Harry and Paul via Exile, Doctor Who and Sam Tyler.

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The Suspicions Of Peter Capaldi

Peter Capaldi as Samuel Kent

DOES Peter Capaldi watch himself on TV?

“I don’t really have a hard and fast rule about it,” he replied.

“I’m always disappointed, anyway. I always look much worse.”

We met in March for a small round table interview high above the South Bank in London.

When Peter was both charming and gracious.

Which just goes to show what a good actor he is when tackling roles like The Thick Of It’s Malcolm Tucker.

He stars this Easter weekend in a new two-hour ITV1 drama.

My feature is in today’s Manchester Evening News and below, along with a few extras.

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United: David Tennant

Jimmy Murphy (David Tennant) and Bobby Charlton (Jack O'Connell)

“ME and Jimmy here, we’re men of grass and boots and beauty.”

Manchester United manager Matt Busby (Dougray Scott) is sitting next to his assistant Jimmy Murphy (David Tennant).

Leaving Football League Secretary Alan Hardaker (Neil Dudgeon) in absolutely no doubt as to who is the boss.

You don’t need to be a football fan to appreciate BBC2 drama United, which tells the story of the Busby Babes, the Munich Air Crash and the months that followed.

My second feature on the film is in today’s Manchester Evening News – and below – ahead of a preview screening at The Lowry in Salford tonight.

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Britain’s Got Talent: 2011 Press Launch

Michael Collings

BACK from the London press launch for Britain’s Got Talent 2011.

Where the media saw most of the first audition show to be broadcast on ITV1 at 8:20pm this Saturday.

Followed by a Q&A with judges Michael McIntyre, Amanda Holden and David Hasselhoff.

Michael and David are new to the show this year, thanks to the absence of both Simon Cowell and Piers Morgan.

And on the evidence of programme one, neither Simon nor Piers will be missed.

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Britain’s Next Big Thing: Theo Paphitis

Theo Paphitis

“YOU saw the good, the bad and the damned ugly.”

Theo Paphitis is talking about his new BBC2 series which starts tonight.

The first episode of Britain’s Next Big Thing includes a Professor of Architecture who discovered how to turn minerals and stones into luxury silk scarves.

And some other fascinating product ideas.

My feature on Theo and the show is in today’s Manchester Evening News – and below, with added extras.

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Christopher And His Kind

Matt Smith as Christopher Isherwood

I’M off to see Matt Smith again early next month at the launch of the new Doctor Who series.

Which will include a screening of the opening two-parter The Impossible Astronaut and Day Of The Moon.

But first comes the long awaited broadcast this Saturday night of Matt’s drama Christopher And His Kind.

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South Riding: Lasting Images

(Don’t scroll down if you have yet to see the conclusion)

THE third and final episode of South Riding has just finished on BBC1.

I first saw it a few weeks ago and have watched it again several times since.

A beautiful, haunting last hour of television drama, adapted by screenwriter Andrew Davies from Winifred Holtby’s novel.

Both heartbreaking and uplifting.

With a spellbinding – and hopefully award-winning – performance from Anna Maxwell Martin as Sarah Burton.

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Monroe: James Nesbitt

James Nesbitt as Gabriel Monroe

THERE’S a plate full of biscuits on the table.

James Nesbitt reaches for one as he describes what he saw while attending four brain operations.

Just another day in the world of television.

I met up with James in London before Christmas for a small round table interview ahead of his flight to New Zealand to star in The Hobbit.

He’d finished filming new ITV1 drama Monroe just a few days before.

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South Riding

IT begins with Anna Maxwell Martin on a steam train and David Morrissey riding a horse.

Both heading for the same destination.

If you’re in the UK and able to watch, do yourself a favour tomorrow (Sunday).

Record anything else you might want to catch and settle down to watch BBC1 at 9pm.

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