THE con is back on.
Hustle returns to BBC1 next month for a fifth series.
With Adrian Lester back as Mickey.
Reunited with Robert Vaughn and Robert Glenister (pictured) as Albert and Ash.
Guest stars in the new series include Bill Bailey, Kelly Adams, Matt Di Angelo, Tim McInnerny, Kate Fleetwood, Patrick Bergin and Adam James.
Previous regulars Marc Warren (Danny), Jaime Murray (Stacie) and newcomer Ashley Walters (Billy) have left the series.
But Adrian says it was great to be back on set with the dream team of Vaughn and Glenister.
REPORTS about the casting of a new factory boss in Coronation Street have missed out a family link.
Craig Kelly arrives on screen in February as Luke Strong, who turns out to be the majority shareholder in Underworld.
And former Queer As Folk star Craig just happens to be the elder brother of ex-Shameless actor Dean Lennox Kelly.
Dean, 33, whose recent credits include The Invisibles, The Passion, Cranford, Sorted and Doctor Who, began life as plain Dean Kelly.
But as there was already an actor of that name, he added his mother’s maiden name – Lennox.
While Craig, 38, has played a string of roles since appearing as Vince Tyler (pictured) in Russell T Davies’ classic Manchester C4 drama.
Including Casualty, Waking The Dead and teacher Mr Treblecock in the third and final series of The Grimleys.
ITV has now released the first publicity pic of Demons.
The six-part drama stars Philip Glenister as American Rupert Galvin.
It’s due on screen early in the New Year in a weekend schedule which will also include the 2009 series of Dancing On Ice.
I asked Phil if part of the attraction of the role was the fact that, perhaps, his eldest daughter could watch him on screen.
“Well, yeah, I’ll try it out on Millie, maybe.
“I don’t know, because it is quite scary in places.
“PUT the gun down or forever know my wrath…”
Philip Glenister as an American vampire smiter?
How’s that going to work?
It’s always dangerous to judge things from a press screening.
Firstly you’re watching the programme on a much bigger screen with better sound than back at home in your living room.
And then there’s the influence of the venue.
The press screening of the first episode of ITV1’s Demons was in the crypt of this central London church late this afternoon.
Throw in a few candles and it’s just about the perfect spot to set the mood for this new six-part fantastical drama series.
CERTAIN critics have been getting very hot and bothered about Survivors.
A few appear more concerned about making an impact with their readers, rather than giving a balanced opinion on the drama.
Sunday’s opening BBC1 episode got an impressive audience of 6.5 million.
Pretty good when you’re in direct competition with an altogether different bunch of survivors in I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!
Episode two is screened at 9pm tonight.
As you can read in today’s MEN TV feature here, it puts a whole new spin on Supermarket Sweep.
And just what is going on in that mysterious secret research facility?
YES, I know we’ve not even reached the end of November yet.
But the BBC release their Christmas and New Year programme information today.
So I thought you’d like to see a selection of new 2008 festive images.
Almost all the programmes have been trailed before.
And over the last few months I’ve been interviewing some of those who star in them.
As you can see, it’s slipper time for the much anticipated return of The Royle Family.
Jim (Ricky Tomlinson) has the After Eights poised by his armchair, while Barbara (Sue Johnston) has a hole in her leggings.
THERE probably wasn’t much doubt.
But Simon Cowell has all but confirmed that he’ll be giving Diana Vickers a recording contract.
And that’s whether she wins The X Factor or not.
Take That stars Gary Barlow and Mark Owen paid Diana several compliments during a master class last week.
With Gary telling the Lancashire student: “If Simon Cowell ever doesn’t sign you, I would sign you tomorrow.”
To which Simon responded last night: “We will not be accepting Gary Barlow’s kind offer for a recording contract.
“Leona has done fine with me, thank you Gary.”
YOU can always rely on Spooks to hurtle towards a conclusion.
The last two episodes in the current series gather speed like a runaway train.
Episode six – the third last in this series – is screened on BBC1 at 9pm on Monday.
And then we come to episode seven.
It’s shown for the first time on BBC3 at 10.30pm on Monday, ahead of the main BBC1 transmission a week later.
It begins in the same place as episode six ends.
With Harry (Peter Firth) sitting at home in a brown leather armchair.
Having taken a stiff drink, he starts his CD player.
JUST back from the press launch for new ITV1 drama Whitechapel.
The three-part thriller stars former Spooks leading man Rupert Penry-Jones.
So, naturally, we asked him about the recent explosive exit of MI5’s Adam Carter.
“I was very pleased with it,” he said at the Q&A.
“I wanted to go out with a bang and I did.
“Everybody on Spooks, all the actors on it, whenever one of us is going to leave…we always hope that we’re going to get killed off, rather than just exit quietly.
“And I think the best exits from all the lead characters have been the ones who’ve been killed.
“So I’m glad they chose to kill me off.
IT was the most explosive edition ever of It Takes Two.
Many of those reporting on the John Sergeant affair seem to have missed last night’s hour long special.
And yet it contained some of the most revealing, controversial and outspoken interviews of them all.
As well as the tears of John’s professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff.
She appears to have been almost forgotten by some commentators.
The Siberian-born viewers’ favourite broke down while being interviewed alongside John live on the BBC2 show.
His decision to quit ended Kristina’s main involvement in what was her very first series of Strictly.
Life of Wylie 