MY heart sank when I saw this image – published for the first time today.
Earlier this morning, I wrote a story about it for later editions of the MEN.
The Channel 4 image of Myra Hindley as a saint is due to appear from next Monday in TV trailers for their new drama about Lord Longford.
And the version shown here is set to be published in newspaper adverts a week today, the day the 90-minute drama – Longford – is screened.
“YOU’VE been wonderful – thank you for voting.”
That’s the message you’ll get if you vote online in the National Television Awards.
If there’s any justice – and there usually isn’t – Sue Cleaver will be voted Most Popular Actress for her portrayal of Coronation Street’s Eileen Grimshaw.
Sue has earned a deserved nomination alongside Billie Piper (Doctor Who), Evangeline Lilly (Lost), Lacey Turner (EastEnders) and Ursula Holden-Gill (Emmerdale).
Now is the time for Corrie fans to unite. Stop what you’re doing and take a minute to vote online at the NTA site.
IT was the evening of Thursday September 3 1998. The venue: A screening theatre within earshot of London’s thundering Westway.
I was there to see a brand new BBC2 show, described by channel controller Mark Thompson as “a brave departure from traditional sitcom formats”.
This was the very first press screening of The Royle Family, held in the same week Caroline Aherne had confessed all about her champagne and pills suicide drama that July.
In the wake of the revelations, there was a certain amount of tension in the preview theatre as the cast and media took their seats.
But a smile appeared on Caroline’s face as co-star Ricky Tomlinson broke the ice with a joke about the drink problem which almost killed her.
COULD Coronation Street be on the move from Manchester?
The news was broken in a front page exclusive in yesterday’s MEN.
Today’s Sunday Mirror followed up our story, some 24 hours later.
But they put their own “exclusive” tag on the top, which is a load of cobbles…if I say so myself.
HARRY Potter star Jason Isaacs has a very different role in a terrific new BBC1 drama series set in America.
Known to millions as evil wizard Lucius Malfoy, he plays the maverick British Ambassador to Washington in The State Within.
“The BBC archives were fantastic,” recalls Jason. “I said, ‘Do you have any material about embassies or diplomats?’ A truck pulled up.”
THERE’S a scene in the new Channel 4 drama about Lord Longford where he’s visiting Moors murderer Ian Brady.
The deranged and hostile child killer explains that he’s on hunger strike in protest at what he says are filthy prison conditions.
“Why don’t you allow me to make representations to the Home Secretary on your behalf?” asks the campaigning Labour peer.
Brady replies: “I’m not completely insane.”
HE actually said nothing we didn’t know already. But the clue is in the timing of his remarks.
BBC director general Mark Thompson made a speech earlier today warning that the corporation will be forced to abandon its £400m move to Salford if it does not get the licence fee settlement it needs.
That’s always been the case. But it does no harm to spell it out in public when a government announcement on the licence fee settlement is imminent – and the trailers are not looking good.
THEY filmed the final scenes 11 days ago. Life On Mars as we know it is no more.
When I spoke to cast members on set in August, it was clear that the new second series would be the last.
The only question was whether it would be followed by a final two-part special.
Now it’s been confirmed that the eight episodes in the new BBC1 series – due on screen early in the New Year – will be the end of the story.
The news came just hours before Life On Mars was nominated for an International Emmy.
It’s up for Best Drama in the awards, which take place in New York on November 20.
IT’S a very happy Monday morning for Cheadle Hulme stage star Nicola Dawn, who is celebrating after reaching The X Factor live finals.
She is a member of The Unconventionals – currently 8-1 to win the ITV1 series. They were put through to the final 12 by mentor Louis Walsh at his base for the groups’ semi-final – Dromoland Castle in Ireland.
But Nicola, 33, pictured top left in this group photo, is no stranger to showbusiness.
SHAUN Rogerson’s X Factor journey ended in tears last night as he just failed to make the live finals.
The trembling teenager from Abram, Wigan, admitted he had doubts about whether he could conquer his nerves if picked for the ITV1 Saturday night shows.
And in the end, his sweaty palms told their own story as mentor Simon Cowell decided he just could not take the risk.
But at 17, young Shaun has time on his side. He’s vowed to keep on singing – and could try again next year.
Life of Wylie 