MAGIC news today for fans of Merlin, which has been recommissioned for a fourth BBC1 series.
The current series is being watched by an average of over six million viewers, even though it has been pitched into direct battle with ITV1 ratings juggernaut The X Factor.
Ten new episodes will begin filming next March for screening in the UK later in 2011.
Featuring the arrival of the Knights of the Round Table.
THE 6am alarm call is never welcome on a Saturday.
But it has afforded me time to polish the silver and iron the morning newspapers.
Now, in a brief respite from my duties, I am told the Manchester Evening News – said to be favoured by Mr Crawley – has this very day published my discussion with a young lady by the name of Joanne Froggatt.
Who may also be known to some of you as Anna, the head housemaid at Downton Abbey.
IT begins in the Los Angeles of 1976 as Christopher Isherwood types out his autobiography.
Before taking us to Berlin in the 1930s.
Matt Smith was at BAFTA in London last night – both in person and on the big screen – for a preview of Christopher And His Kind.
THE stars of Coronation Street talk to me on the cobbles about the show’s 50th birthday – and the tram crash.
This 20 minute podcast includes interviews with actors Ian Puleston-Davies (Owen Armstrong), Antony Cotton (Sean Tully), Craig Gazey (Graeme Proctor), Michelle Keegan (Tina McIntyre) and Steve Huison, who plays Eddie Windass.
Plus the sounds of Corrie’s Street party in the background.
Including Kym Marsh singing Son Of A Preacher Man.
IT’S never too late to change.
I have to admit that BBC3 documentary series Are You Fitter Than A Pensioner? would probably have passed me by.
Had I not been invited to interview some of those who flew to America to take part.
Discovering some rather inspiring transformations along the way.
So whatever age you are, perhaps you might care to check out the next episode at 8pm tonight?
In the meantime, here’s my feature running in today’s MEN.
Me? I’m off to the gym.
TO BBC TV Centre in west London late last Friday afternoon for a round table interview with Bruno Tonioli.
Walking past several of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing celebrities and their professional partners as they prepared for that night’s first competitive show.
Dressed in a green V-neck top, blue jeans and brown boots, Bruno gave us over half an hour of his time.
A rainy night in London town this evening for a special BBC Drama event.
Launching both its autumn and winter season, as well as a vision of the future.
Many actors, writers, directors and producers were there.
Including Sherlock and Doctor Who’s Steven Moffat, Daniel Mays, Jamie Bamber, David Morrissey and Anne Reid.
HE was in South Africa filming the new series of Wild At Heart. And I wasn’t.
So a call to Stephen Tompkinson’s mobile phone thousands of miles away had to suffice for an interview ahead of his new ITV1 drama DCI Banks: Aftermath.
TUBE strike day in London earlier this month and a long walk to the launch of ITV1’s Downton Abbey in Knightsbridge.
A screening of this Sunday’s first feature length opening episode and extracts from the rest of the series was followed by Q&A sessions with members of the cast and production team.
Then small round table interviews with many of the actors involved.
THERE was plenty to discuss when I met up again with Kevin Whately in London one Friday afternoon in July.
Some of what we talked about will have to wait for another day.
Tonight (Sunday) he takes the lead in Joe Maddison’s War, a one-off film on ITV1 at 9pm.
Life of Wylie 