THE BBC’s long-awaited £8 million version of Robin Hood was previewed for the first time last night at a packed screening in London.
Despite the theft of high definition tapes, the series will begin as planned on BBC1 early next month with Lancashire lad Jonas Armstrong in the title role.
I joined the cast and crew at the preview and later spoke to Jonas and other leading actors, including Lucy Griffiths (below right), who plays a sexy “kick ass” Marian.
The Mayfair cinema screening was followed by interviews and a party for the cast and crew at the historic Banqueting House in Whitehall. Coaches were laid on to take us all between the two venues.
Sadly, the 12th century mood was shattered when our driver saw fit to blast Is This The Way To Amarillo? on the short trip around the back of Buckingham Palace, past the Houses of Parliament and to the drop off point almost opposite Downing Street.

ONE of the joys of this job is being able to talk to young actors and follow them as they become famous faces.
Marple-raised Kaye Wragg first came to notice in 1997 as Lucy in The Lakes and I’ve interviewed her many times since as her career has progressed.
The former Salford University student revealed early on how she had beaten a serious liver illness which, as a teenager, left her skin bright yellow and forced her to take two years off school.
She’s since gone on to compile an impressive TV CV, including In A Land Of Plenty, The Sins and No Angels. Earlier this summer she joined the regular cast of ITV1’s The Bill and appears on screen for the first time next week.

YOU’LL know the face and almost certainly the name.
At 18, Northern Lights and Early Doors star Mark Benton was rejected when he first tried to get into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Not many people round his way went to drama school. Teeside-born Mark grew up in Grangetown. “It was basically a big council estate right between British Steel and ICI,” he explains.
“My dad was from round the corner in a place called Southbank, which also spawned such luminaries as Paul Daniels and Chris Rea, so I’m in good company.

HOW Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? Well, with just two weeks to go, you change the format to reduce the risk of the public picking the wrong girl.
Five potential Marias remain after two hopefuls – Simona and Leanne – were predictably sent home by Andrew Lloyd Webber in last night’s BBC1 show.
But in a move designed to avoid a possible theatrical disaster, just three girls will compete in the final a week on Saturday – not four as originally planned.
That will deprive the public of the chance to vote for one of their favourites in the final when, crucially, the decision on who wins will be theirs alone.

CHRIS Evans is among the famous faces taking part in the All Star Cup on ITV this Bank Holiday Weekend.
Yet another brainchild of Ant and Dec, golfing celebs from Europe and the USA do battle at the Celtic Manor resort in Wales, which will be the venue for the 2010 Ryder Cup. IE The real thing.
You may remember a similar event last year, which was won by a Europe team including Warrington-born Chris, who is back for more, along with the likes of Ronan Keating.

CHANNEL 4 seasonal programme launches are always a mix of the weird and the wonderful. Today’s autumn offering was no different.
Remotes at the ready for shows like Breaking Up With The Joneses, The Great British Fat March, House of Agoraphobics, The Madness of Boy George and Supernanny: Beyond The Naughty Step.
There must be a whole department at C4’s metal and glass HQ devoted to thinking these titles up. And then we come to new Cheshire drama Goldplated. Note, that’s not Gold Plated. I’m sure there’s a good reason for it.

AND talking of Cold Feet…
Helen Baxendale is back next month in her first lead TV role since we said a tearful goodbye to Rachel in the final series of the Manchester comedy drama.
She plays single mum Annie (left) in a 90-minute ITV1 film called The Only Boy For Me, alongside The Office and Bodies actor Patrick Baladi.
Bramhall-born Cold Feet creator Mike Bullen shocked millions when he killed Rachel off in a 2003 car crash at the end of the fifth series.
But it was the right time to say farewell to Rachel, Adam (James Nesbitt), Pete (John Thomson), Jenny (Fay Ripley), David (Robert Bathurst) and Karen (Hermione Norris).

A top ITV boss today accused the network of making mistakes over its treatment of Granada’s HQ in Manchester.
“It is clear that ITV has lost its way,” said Andy Harries, controller of drama, comedy and film for ITV Productions.
He has overseen the making of numerous award-winning Manchester shows, such as Cold Feet and The Royle Family, currently filming a one-off special for BBC1.
His recent projects include See No Evil, a factual drama about the moors murders, as well as other Manchester filmed dramas like Vincent, Donovan and the imminent return of both Robbie Coltrane in Cracker and Helen Mirren in a farewell Prime Suspect.
Now Andy has finally said in public what many have been saying in private for some time. In the wake of the departure of ITV boss Charles Allen, Mr Harries claimed some bad decisions have been made over the last few years.

SIMON Cowell was all smiles last night at The X Factor new series launch in London after finally meeting his match – an 86-year-old granny.
“I was made to feel like a three-year-old again. Very embarrassing,” he told me, when I asked him about his encounter at Salford’s Lowry Hotel with Edna Moore, from Oldham. More of which below.
Louis Walsh, who had water thrown over him last year by fellow judge Sharon Osbourne, also revealed why he felt moved to soak a female wannabe at one of the auditions
The first show in the third series – screened on ITV1 at 6.50pm this Saturday – is, as usual, brilliantly edited to within an inch of its life. It opens with the auditions earlier this year in Manchester.
Landscape gardener Tim leaves the judges speechless after his rendition of All Night Long. “It’s as bad as it can possibly get,” says Simon, who later comments: “This is the worst day I’ve ever had – ever.”
But it gets worse for one of the most powerful men in music and TV. After years of destroying dreams, Simon is at last made to say the hardest word of all – sorry.

SHARON Osbourne is going to be a busy lady over the next few months.
I’m off to a secret location tonight to talk again to Sharon, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh ahead of the return of The X Factor this Saturday.
But Sharon has something else to worry about, as you may have seen from the TV trailers. The Sharon Osbourne Show arrives on ITV1 at 5pm on Tuesday August 29.
It’s all part of the teatime ratings battle between ITV and Channel 4, which has got increasingly bitter over the last year.
Paul O’Grady is still recovering from his heart attack in June but is expected back in the C4 5pm slot late next month.
At first, Sharon will be in direct competition with Richard & Judy as they come to the end of their current run. TV bosses are then set to run Channel 4 hit Deal Or No Deal from 5pm each weekday.
Other options include bringing Paul back sooner, if doctors give him the OK, or hiring guest hosts for his show.