Jericho: Interviews

“I’M really glad we are shining a light on it.

“It’s such a rich and different life we’ve not seen in costume drama before.”

Jessica Raine talking about Jericho, a new eight-part series which begins on ITV at 9pm this Thursday (Jan 7).

Set in Yorkshire during the 1870s, it tells the story of a navvy town community gathered to build a huge railway viaduct.

Former Call The Midwife star Jessica plays Annie Quaintain, evicted from her home after the death of her schoolmaster husband.

Together with her two children – Martha, played by ex-Corrie actress Amy James-Kelly, and George (Sam Bottomley) – she heads for an uncertain future in the remote settlement of Jericho.

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That Day We Sang: Q&A

Enid and Tubby (Imelda Staunton and Michael Ball)

“IT’S letting your dreams literally come true. Which is rather beautiful.

“Ordinary people being extraordinary.”

Imelda Staunton talking about the truly glorious That Day We Sang, written and directed by Victoria Wood.

A TV musical drama destined to become an instant classic.

Screened on BBC2 at 9pm on Boxing Day – Friday Dec 26.

It stars Imelda as “PA not secretary” Enid and Michael Ball as insurance salesman Tubby, two lonely middle-aged people who grab a second chance of life via the power of music.

These fictional characters meet in 1969 at a reunion of the Manchester Children’s Choir which made the iconic million selling recording of Nymphs and Shepherds with the Halle Orchestra 40 years before.

The film moving between events in the late 1960s and the story of a young Tubby, whose real name is Jimmy Baker, and his difficult home life in 1929.

With Harvey Chaisty as the young Jimmy and the always engaging Daniel Rigby as Mr Kirkby, the war veteran who helps him through.

Victoria Wood is also responsible for writing all of the music – Purcell’s Nymphs and Shepherds aside – in the 90-minute film.

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From There To Here: Q&A

“WE nearly died in there. Doesn’t it make you think?”

Daniel Cotton (Philip Glenister) asks the question of his father Samuel (Bernard Hill) in From There To Here.

The three part BBC1 drama, written by Peter Bowker, opens with the June 1996 Manchester bomb which destroyed a large part of the city centre.

But this is not a story about the IRA attack. It charts the ripples of that initial trigger on two families across Greater Manchester and Cheshire.

Last night I attended a screening of episode one at BAFTA in London followed by a Q&A, including Phil and Pete.

You can read my full transcript below, edited very slightly to remove any major spoilers.

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Eric and Ernie: Positive Thinking

Daniel Rigby and Bryan Dick as Eric and Ernie

HE died in 1984.

But I still have Eric Morecambe’s telephone number in my reporter’s contacts book.

Placed there in shaky handwriting in the late 1970s when I was a young cub reporter on the Luton News.

Asked by my news editor to call Eric to talk about a local charity event the comedy legend was involved with.

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Eric and Ernie: Victoria Wood

Victoria Wood (Sadie), Daniel Rigby (Eric) and Bryan Dick (Ernie)

THE train from London to Stockport on a wet morning in September for a real television treat.

A day on location with new BBC2 drama Eric & Ernie, plus interviews with cast and production team.

Sitting in the stalls of the Stockport Plaza, we were transported back to 1939 as Ted Robbins, playing impresario and agent Jack Hylton, appeared through the curtains to introduce a young Ernie Wise (Harry MacEntire).

Watching several rows back from the stage is schoolboy Eric Morecambe (Jonah Lees) and his mum Sadie (Victoria Wood).

“I’m not doing it,” is Eric’s line as he’s called to audition on stage.

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