“THIS is the real world of Cheshire, believe it or not.”
That was how a preview screening of Channel 4’s much anticipated new drama series Goldplated was introduced last night.
And on the evidence of the first episode, most of Cheshire and Manchester will be hooked by a show with a dark underside.

CELL doors slammed last night – but it was all in aid of the MEN TV pages.
The Courthouse Hotel Kempinski in London used to be better known as Great Marlborough Street Magistrates’ Court.
Several famous names appeared there over the years, including Oscar Wilde, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Johnny Rotten and even Napoleon.
Charles Dickens also worked there as a reporter for the Morning Chronicle before going on to write a few more lasting stories.

DAVID Dickinson has heard all the jokes about his perma-tan, whether it features him being dipped in tea or impersonating a mahogany hat stand.
You can learn the real story about the Cheadle-raised Bargain Hunt star on tonight’s Who Do You Think You Are?
It’s a real Bobby Dazzler and shows a different side to the antiques expert and TV presenter, who is anything but as cheap as chips.

ONLY Fools and Horses star Roger Lloyd Pack had a confession to make at the screening of a moving new ITV1 drama.
What We Did On Our Holiday features Roger as Jim, a husband and father in the advanced stages of Parkinson’s.
His son Nick is played by Shane Richie, in a very different role to that of Alfie Moon in EastEnders.
Shane may be a familiar face to millions of TV viewers, but Roger had never heard of him.

MIXED reviews this morning for the return of Robbie Coltane in Cracker.
The general conclusion of TV critics is that it was good, but not the best. And several complain about being bashed over the head by writer Jimmy McGovern’s views on Iraq.
But there is praise for the performances of both Coltrane and co-star Anthony Flanagan, who played a classic killer in last night’s ITV1 film.
Stockport actor Anthony has won plaudits for his powerful portrayal of psychologically damaged Manchester policeman Kenny Archer.

THE average Coronation Street viewer will never have heard of him. And there’s no reason why they should.
But as ITV chief executive, Charles Allen has been a major figure in the world of television and beyond.
He was also a key player in bringing the 2002 Commonwealth Games to Manchester and part of the team that won London the 2012 Olympics.
Today is his last day in the top ITV job.

IT’S always best to interview someone face to face. But sometimes, for whatever reason, that’s just not possible.
The request, “Can you call them on their mobile?” often leads to interesting conversations in all sorts of different ways.
I was having a mobile phone chat with Olympic gold winner turned TV presenter Jonathan Edwards this week. He was sat at home in Newcastle. Or that’s what I thought.

GLOBAL warming or not, if it’s September, it must be time for a new series of Heartbeat.
Back on screen from the end of next month, this is series 16 of the sixties drama the TV critics love to hate.
But what do they know? It may be undemanding, easy viewing but Heartbeat is still one of the most popular shows on the box, a perfect fit for the 8pm Sunday slot.
And you do wonder if those who find it so easy to criticise the Aidensfield Arms regulars ever actually bother to watch the programme before spouting their views.

“SORRY I’m late,” says former EastEnder Nigel Harman.
We’re at the launch of The Outsiders, a 90-minute ITV1 pilot for a possible series along the lines of Department S, The Persuaders or The Avengers.
On screen a week today, it’s not quite up there with Spooks but shows potential. Nigel plays Nathan, who is, of course, a cool man with a mysterious past.
Now rehearsing Harold Pinter’s The Caretaker, which opens next month at The Crucible in Sheffield, Nigel confesses, “I can’t see myself pursuing an action hero line. I would find that too safe and a bit boring.”

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.