TV
TV
'Hollyoaks' gangster Fraser Black is to be killed off in a dramatic new plot.
The menacing bar boss - played by Jesse Birdsall - meets his untimely end in a whodunnit storyline, the Channel 4 soap have confirmed in their spring trailer.
Several names will be in the frame, with the clip suggesting Fraser's protégée Trevor Royle (Greg Wood) finds out the truth about his boss' involvement in his father's death, Ste Hay (Kieran Richardson) seen by a burning car as he issues a warning to the sinister businessman and Joe Roscoe (Ayden Callaghan) waking from his coma.
A source told Digital Spy: "The village will be left not puzzled about who had a motive, but who didn't. Residents will be looking across the dinner table not knowing if they are sharing mealtimes with the person responsible."
The trailer also includes footage of Sinead Roscoe (Stephanie Davis) in a frantic dash to reach her baby daughter Katy before her health takes a turn for the worse, and Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Wareing) appearing to confess to her involvement in the murder of Dr. Paul Browning, leaving her accomplices Lindsey Butterfield (Sophie Austin) and Mercedes Browning (Jennifer Metcalfe) in line for questioning.
Spring storylines will also see love in the air for Holly Cunningham (Amanda Clapham) and Jason Roscoe (Alfie Browne-Sykes) as she finally confirms her love for him, and Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins) and Peri Lomax share their first kiss.
However, Peri (Ruby O'Donnell) is later seen in hospital, while there is also shock for Maxine Minniver (Nicki Sanderson) who discovers she is pregnant - but with her abusive lover Patrick Blake (Jeremy Sheffield) having had a vasectomy, it looks likely a paternity riddle is on the cards.
John-Paul McQueen's (James Sutton) agony continues as her faces court for his attack on Robbie Roscoe (Charlie Wernham), but the schoolboy offers him a lifeline when he tells former friend Finn O'Connor(Keith Rice) he plans to confess all about their bullying, including his pal's rape of their teacher.
'Hollyoaks' airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.
Hollyoaks to kill off Fraser Black
'Hollyoaks' gangster Fraser Black is to be killed off in a dramatic new plot.
The menacing bar boss - played by Jesse Birdsall - meets his untimely end in a whodunnit storyline, the Channel 4 soap have confirmed in their spring trailer.
Several names will be in the frame, with the clip suggesting Fraser's protégée Trevor Royle (Greg Wood) finds out the truth about his boss' involvement in his father's death, Ste Hay (Kieran Richardson) seen by a burning car as he issues a warning to the sinister businessman and Joe Roscoe (Ayden Callaghan) waking from his coma.
A source told Digital Spy: "The village will be left not puzzled about who had a motive, but who didn't. Residents will be looking across the dinner table not knowing if they are sharing mealtimes with the person responsible."
The trailer also includes footage of Sinead Roscoe (Stephanie Davis) in a frantic dash to reach her baby daughter Katy before her health takes a turn for the worse, and Cindy Cunningham (Stephanie Wareing) appearing to confess to her involvement in the murder of Dr. Paul Browning, leaving her accomplices Lindsey Butterfield (Sophie Austin) and Mercedes Browning (Jennifer Metcalfe) in line for questioning.
Spring storylines will also see love in the air for Holly Cunningham (Amanda Clapham) and Jason Roscoe (Alfie Browne-Sykes) as she finally confirms her love for him, and Tom Cunningham (Ellis Hollins) and Peri Lomax share their first kiss.
However, Peri (Ruby O'Donnell) is later seen in hospital, while there is also shock for Maxine Minniver (Nicki Sanderson) who discovers she is pregnant - but with her abusive lover Patrick Blake (Jeremy Sheffield) having had a vasectomy, it looks likely a paternity riddle is on the cards.
John-Paul McQueen's (James Sutton) agony continues as her faces court for his attack on Robbie Roscoe (Charlie Wernham), but the schoolboy offers him a lifeline when he tells former friend Finn O'Connor(Keith Rice) he plans to confess all about their bullying, including his pal's rape of their teacher.
'Hollyoaks' airs weeknights at 6.30pm on Channel 4, with first look screenings at 7pm on E4.
TV
Rufus Hound thinks all-male panel shows "should be a thing of the past".
The 35-year-old comedian - who was a panellist on 'Celebrity Juice' from 2008 to 2012 - has backed the BBC's decision to ban panels consisting of only men on its shows including 'Mock the Week' and 'Have I Got News for You'.
He said: "All-male panel shows should be a thing of the past because we live in a world awash with funny women.
"Panel shows often set out a combative premise because traditionally, men like the feeling of a fight, so the nature of those shows may have to change to allow women the tools to be as incredibly funny as they are.
Rufus feels it's unlikely talented female comics like the legendary Victoria Wood would agree to appear on panel shows in their current form because they are so testosterone-fuelled.
He explained to the Metro newspaper: "There's no way you're telling me Victoria Wood isn't funny but she wouldn't do a panel show in a month of Sundays.
"[Lorna] Watson and [Ingrid] Oliver, two funnier people I couldn't dream of spending my time with, but ask them to go on 'Mock the Week' and they'd rather be sick on themselves. It's just about growing up as a species."
Rufus Hound backs all-male panel show ban
Rufus Hound thinks all-male panel shows "should be a thing of the past".
The 35-year-old comedian - who was a panellist on 'Celebrity Juice' from 2008 to 2012 - has backed the BBC's decision to ban panels consisting of only men on its shows including 'Mock the Week' and 'Have I Got News for You'.
He said: "All-male panel shows should be a thing of the past because we live in a world awash with funny women.
"Panel shows often set out a combative premise because traditionally, men like the feeling of a fight, so the nature of those shows may have to change to allow women the tools to be as incredibly funny as they are.
Rufus feels it's unlikely talented female comics like the legendary Victoria Wood would agree to appear on panel shows in their current form because they are so testosterone-fuelled.
He explained to the Metro newspaper: "There's no way you're telling me Victoria Wood isn't funny but she wouldn't do a panel show in a month of Sundays.
"[Lorna] Watson and [Ingrid] Oliver, two funnier people I couldn't dream of spending my time with, but ask them to go on 'Mock the Week' and they'd rather be sick on themselves. It's just about growing up as a species."
TV
Aneurin Barnard will star in 'Cilla' with Sheridan Smith.
'The White Queen' actor will play Cilla Black's husband Bobby Willis in the new three-part period drama which will chart the rise to fame of the legendary British entertainer in the 1960s.
Ed Stoppard, best known for his role in 'The Politician's Husband', has been hired to play iconic music manager Brian Epstein, who discovered Cilla and also managed The Beatles.
John Henshaw ('Downton Abbey') will play Cilla's father John White, while Melanie Hill is set to star as the singer's mother, Priscilla, also known by her friends and family as Big Cilla.
The drama, which was written by Oscar-nominated 'Philomena' scribe Jeff Pope, will follow Cilla as she chases her dream of becoming a recording artist. The series will depict her struggles with her baker husband Bobby, as well as her friendship with the legendary Beatles.
BAFTA-winning star Sheridan, who will bring Cilla's tale to life, said: "I am thrilled to be playing Cilla, as she is a British icon. In the '60s, as a young girl from Liverpool, she had numerous number ones and sang with The Beatles, her life story is fascinating."
Filming is currently under way in Liverpool.
Aneurin Barnard joins Cilla Black drama
Aneurin Barnard will star in 'Cilla' with Sheridan Smith.
'The White Queen' actor will play Cilla Black's husband Bobby Willis in the new three-part period drama which will chart the rise to fame of the legendary British entertainer in the 1960s.
Ed Stoppard, best known for his role in 'The Politician's Husband', has been hired to play iconic music manager Brian Epstein, who discovered Cilla and also managed The Beatles.
John Henshaw ('Downton Abbey') will play Cilla's father John White, while Melanie Hill is set to star as the singer's mother, Priscilla, also known by her friends and family as Big Cilla.
The drama, which was written by Oscar-nominated 'Philomena' scribe Jeff Pope, will follow Cilla as she chases her dream of becoming a recording artist. The series will depict her struggles with her baker husband Bobby, as well as her friendship with the legendary Beatles.
BAFTA-winning star Sheridan, who will bring Cilla's tale to life, said: "I am thrilled to be playing Cilla, as she is a British icon. In the '60s, as a young girl from Liverpool, she had numerous number ones and sang with The Beatles, her life story is fascinating."
Filming is currently under way in Liverpool.
TV
Disney Channel will air a new mystery adventure series produced in Britain.
The global giant has tapped Lime Pictures - which produces 'Hollyoaks' and 'The Only Way is Essex' - to produce 'Evermoor', a new multi-part TV movie franchise, which will broadcast across the world in autumn 2014.
'Evermoor' follows an American teenager, Tara Bailey, who is uprooted from her surroundings in the US and moves to Evermoor, an idyllic English village which harbours some dark secrets.
Tara, her brother Jake, and her step-siblings Seb and Bella find themselves in the mix of "danger, mystery and intrigue" in the small town.
Filming will take place in North West England and Cheshire's stunning Arley Hall will double as the fictional Evermoor Manor.
The series marks Disney's first co-production with a British independent production company.
Disney's David Levine said: "'Evermoor' is a hugely exciting project with a gripping story that I'm sure with captivate our Disney Channel audience. The show's intriguing cast of characters also gives us a great opportunity to find exciting new talent."
Lime Pictures' Claire Poyser added: "We are delighted to be the first independent production company in the UK to work with Disney on a live action series to be aired worldwide including the US. 'Evermoor' extends Lime's reputation for producing fantastic children's drama that is inspiring for the whole family."
Disney Channel orders British series Evermoor
Disney Channel will air a new mystery adventure series produced in Britain.
The global giant has tapped Lime Pictures - which produces 'Hollyoaks' and 'The Only Way is Essex' - to produce 'Evermoor', a new multi-part TV movie franchise, which will broadcast across the world in autumn 2014.
'Evermoor' follows an American teenager, Tara Bailey, who is uprooted from her surroundings in the US and moves to Evermoor, an idyllic English village which harbours some dark secrets.
Tara, her brother Jake, and her step-siblings Seb and Bella find themselves in the mix of "danger, mystery and intrigue" in the small town.
Filming will take place in North West England and Cheshire's stunning Arley Hall will double as the fictional Evermoor Manor.
The series marks Disney's first co-production with a British independent production company.
Disney's David Levine said: "'Evermoor' is a hugely exciting project with a gripping story that I'm sure with captivate our Disney Channel audience. The show's intriguing cast of characters also gives us a great opportunity to find exciting new talent."
Lime Pictures' Claire Poyser added: "We are delighted to be the first independent production company in the UK to work with Disney on a live action series to be aired worldwide including the US. 'Evermoor' extends Lime's reputation for producing fantastic children's drama that is inspiring for the whole family."
TV
'Two Fat Ladies' star Clarissa Dickson Wright has died aged 66.
The TV chef - who fronted the BBC Two cookery programme with the late Jennifer Paterson between 1996 and 1998 - passed away at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in Scotland on Saturday (15.03.14).
Her agent Heather Holden-Brown said: "Loved dearly by her friends and many fans all over the world, Clarissa was utterly non-PC and fought for what she believed in, always, with no thought to her own personal cost.
"Her fun and laughter, extraordinary learning and intelligence, will be missed always, by so many of us.
"In recent years, she often said, 'I've had a fantastic life and I've done everything I could have wanted to do and more.'
"During her time in hospital, she was endlessly touched and impressed by the care of the doctors, nurses and support staff, aware of the pressure under which they worked and the fact that sometimes their work was not as valued as it should have been."
Clarissa and Jennifer starred in four series of 'Two Fat Ladies', which saw them travel around Britain in a motorcycle and sidecar in order to find the best local food, until Jennifer's death from cancer in August 1999.
Clarissa opted against continuing the programme following Jennifer's death but she continued to work for the BBC on programmes such as 'Clarissa and the Countryman' and 'Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner'.
Two Fat Ladies star Clarissa Dickson Wright dies
'Two Fat Ladies' star Clarissa Dickson Wright has died aged 66.
The TV chef - who fronted the BBC Two cookery programme with the late Jennifer Paterson between 1996 and 1998 - passed away at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in Scotland on Saturday (15.03.14).
Her agent Heather Holden-Brown said: "Loved dearly by her friends and many fans all over the world, Clarissa was utterly non-PC and fought for what she believed in, always, with no thought to her own personal cost.
"Her fun and laughter, extraordinary learning and intelligence, will be missed always, by so many of us.
"In recent years, she often said, 'I've had a fantastic life and I've done everything I could have wanted to do and more.'
"During her time in hospital, she was endlessly touched and impressed by the care of the doctors, nurses and support staff, aware of the pressure under which they worked and the fact that sometimes their work was not as valued as it should have been."
Clarissa and Jennifer starred in four series of 'Two Fat Ladies', which saw them travel around Britain in a motorcycle and sidecar in order to find the best local food, until Jennifer's death from cancer in August 1999.
Clarissa opted against continuing the programme following Jennifer's death but she continued to work for the BBC on programmes such as 'Clarissa and the Countryman' and 'Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner'.
TV
Sir David Jason never expected to return to 'Only Fools and Horses' following the death of the show's creator.
The actor plays Del Boy in the popular British comedy - which has a special sketch for Sport Relief that will air on March 21 - and thought it was "the end" of the show when John Sullivan died in April 2011.
Speaking on 'The Michael McIntyre Chat Show', David explained: "As you know, unfortunately, bless him, John Sullivan, the creator of it all, very unfortunately died.
"And as Nick Lyndhurst used to say, Sullivan made the ammunition and we just fired it. So, he was the brains behind the whole thing. So when dear John died, we thought that was the end of it."
Retried footballer David Beckham came up with the idea of making a cameo appearance in the sketch, which also stars Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney Trotter.
The 74-year-old actor explained: "He said he had always loved 'Only Fools and Horses' and that it would be great to do something with me and Nick. So then the grapevine started to work as these things do."
David was captured by script and insists it all "came back" to him instantly and he didn't "even have to think about it".
He added: "Once I read the script that they intended to do, and I said yes I would do it, it was so much of Sullivan and so much of 'Only Fools and Horses' the original, that I said, 'Yes, let's do it'.
"When I got together with Nick for the first run-through it came back like that [clicks fingers]. I didn't even have to think about it.
"It's like anything, it's like falling off a log. As soon as I put on the gear and started to look at the script, back it came."
David Jason didn’t expect Only Fools and Horses return
Sir David Jason never expected to return to 'Only Fools and Horses' following the death of the show's creator.
The actor plays Del Boy in the popular British comedy - which has a special sketch for Sport Relief that will air on March 21 - and thought it was "the end" of the show when John Sullivan died in April 2011.
Speaking on 'The Michael McIntyre Chat Show', David explained: "As you know, unfortunately, bless him, John Sullivan, the creator of it all, very unfortunately died.
"And as Nick Lyndhurst used to say, Sullivan made the ammunition and we just fired it. So, he was the brains behind the whole thing. So when dear John died, we thought that was the end of it."
Retried footballer David Beckham came up with the idea of making a cameo appearance in the sketch, which also stars Nicholas Lyndhurst as Rodney Trotter.
The 74-year-old actor explained: "He said he had always loved 'Only Fools and Horses' and that it would be great to do something with me and Nick. So then the grapevine started to work as these things do."
David was captured by script and insists it all "came back" to him instantly and he didn't "even have to think about it".
He added: "Once I read the script that they intended to do, and I said yes I would do it, it was so much of Sullivan and so much of 'Only Fools and Horses' the original, that I said, 'Yes, let's do it'.
"When I got together with Nick for the first run-through it came back like that [clicks fingers]. I didn't even have to think about it.
"It's like anything, it's like falling off a log. As soon as I put on the gear and started to look at the script, back it came."
TV
The 'I Can't Sing' musical has been forced to remove a joke about Andrew Lloyd Webber from its script.
The legendary theatre impresario went to see an early run-through of the West End show - which is based on ITV talent show 'The X Factor' - at the London Palladium in central London, which he owns, and executives decided to drop a line which mocks his recent production 'Stephen Ward' so as to not offend him.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "They didn't want to run the risk of upsetting him. After all, he does own the Palladium. Lloyd Webber is blissfully unaware."
Andrew's latest work - which is based on the Profumo scandal of the 1960s - opened in December last year but is now set to close on March 29 after poor ticket sales, which he anticipated.
Speaking before its opening, he said: "I'm resigned now to the fact that anything I do probably nobody is going to like."
'I Can't Sing' - which was written by comedian Harry Hill, with the financial backing of 'X Factor' mogul Simon Cowell - also pokes fun at a number of past and present employees of the show, including Dermot O'Leary, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh and will open on March 26.
I Can’t Sing cuts Andrew Lloyd Webber joke
The 'I Can't Sing' musical has been forced to remove a joke about Andrew Lloyd Webber from its script.
The legendary theatre impresario went to see an early run-through of the West End show - which is based on ITV talent show 'The X Factor' - at the London Palladium in central London, which he owns, and executives decided to drop a line which mocks his recent production 'Stephen Ward' so as to not offend him.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "They didn't want to run the risk of upsetting him. After all, he does own the Palladium. Lloyd Webber is blissfully unaware."
Andrew's latest work - which is based on the Profumo scandal of the 1960s - opened in December last year but is now set to close on March 29 after poor ticket sales, which he anticipated.
Speaking before its opening, he said: "I'm resigned now to the fact that anything I do probably nobody is going to like."
'I Can't Sing' - which was written by comedian Harry Hill, with the financial backing of 'X Factor' mogul Simon Cowell - also pokes fun at a number of past and present employees of the show, including Dermot O'Leary, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh and will open on March 26.
TV
Enrique Iglesias, OneRepublic and Jason Derulo will perform on 'The Voice'.
The BBC has drafted in big stars to perform on the singing competition's live shows this year, which kick off on Saturday (22.03.14).
The trio will join previously announced guest star Shakira, who is also a coach on the US version of 'The Voice' with Usher, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.
'Talk Dirty' star Jason and 'Counting Stars' group OneRepublic will perform on Saturday's first live show.
Shakira and Enrique will perform the following week on March 29.
And BBC bosses are already lining up more big names for the grand final, which takes place in early April.
Jason said: "I'm thrilled and excited to be performing. 'The Voice' is an incredibly popular global brand and I thank them for inviting me to be a part of it. It's going to be a great show."
There will be just three weeks of live shows on 'The Voice' this year, with 12 acts competing to win the third series of the singing competition.
Viewers saw coaches Kylie Minogue, Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am and Ricky Wilson finalise their line-ups for the live shows on Saturday night (15.03.14).
Team Kylie will consist of Lee Glasson, Rachael O'Connor and Jamie Johnson. Tom's team includes Sally Barker, Georgia and Bizzi Dixon. Ricky has enlisted Chris Royal, Christina Marie and Emily Adams. Finally, will.i.am has taken Iesher Haughton, Sophie May and Jermain Jackson through to the live quarter finals.
One member from each group will be axed in Saturday's live show, with the eight remaining acts going through to the semi-final on March 29. Four acts will then compete in the final in April.
Enrique Iglesias, Jason Derulo perform on The Voice
Enrique Iglesias, OneRepublic and Jason Derulo will perform on 'The Voice'.
The BBC has drafted in big stars to perform on the singing competition's live shows this year, which kick off on Saturday (22.03.14).
The trio will join previously announced guest star Shakira, who is also a coach on the US version of 'The Voice' with Usher, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton.
'Talk Dirty' star Jason and 'Counting Stars' group OneRepublic will perform on Saturday's first live show.
Shakira and Enrique will perform the following week on March 29.
And BBC bosses are already lining up more big names for the grand final, which takes place in early April.
Jason said: "I'm thrilled and excited to be performing. 'The Voice' is an incredibly popular global brand and I thank them for inviting me to be a part of it. It's going to be a great show."
There will be just three weeks of live shows on 'The Voice' this year, with 12 acts competing to win the third series of the singing competition.
Viewers saw coaches Kylie Minogue, Sir Tom Jones, will.i.am and Ricky Wilson finalise their line-ups for the live shows on Saturday night (15.03.14).
Team Kylie will consist of Lee Glasson, Rachael O'Connor and Jamie Johnson. Tom's team includes Sally Barker, Georgia and Bizzi Dixon. Ricky has enlisted Chris Royal, Christina Marie and Emily Adams. Finally, will.i.am has taken Iesher Haughton, Sophie May and Jermain Jackson through to the live quarter finals.
One member from each group will be axed in Saturday's live show, with the eight remaining acts going through to the semi-final on March 29. Four acts will then compete in the final in April.
TV
Louis Walsh won a bet with Simon Cowell to return to 'The X Factor'.
The 61-year-old music manager, who has been on the judging panel for the past 10 series, reportedly won a wager with Simon by agreeing to go on stage and dance with leprechauns at a recent showing of 'X Factor' musical, 'I Can't Sing'.
Simon, 54, challenged Louis to earn his place back on the panel by dancing in public with leprechauns, and Louis did just that at a preview of the theatre show in London last week.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "He certainly is game for a laugh. The audience gave him a standing ovation. Simon lost the wager and he clearly felt that anyone who is brave enough to do that deserves their seat back on the 'X Factor' judging panel."
'I Can't Sing' features caricatures of 'X Factor' judges Simon and Louis, who is depicted as a boy band-obsessed Irishman that dances with leprechauns.
Recent reports suggest Louis' place on 'The X Factor' is in doubt as returning judge Cheryl Cole wants him axed, but Simon is keen for his Irish pal to return.
Meanwhile, other candidates being lined up for a potential spot on the panel include LMFAO rapper Redfoo, former runner-up and 'Xtra Factor' presenter Olly Murs, and Black Eyed Peas frontwoman Fergie.
Louis Walsh wins bet for X Factor return
Louis Walsh won a bet with Simon Cowell to return to 'The X Factor'.
The 61-year-old music manager, who has been on the judging panel for the past 10 series, reportedly won a wager with Simon by agreeing to go on stage and dance with leprechauns at a recent showing of 'X Factor' musical, 'I Can't Sing'.
Simon, 54, challenged Louis to earn his place back on the panel by dancing in public with leprechauns, and Louis did just that at a preview of the theatre show in London last week.
A source told the Daily Star newspaper: "He certainly is game for a laugh. The audience gave him a standing ovation. Simon lost the wager and he clearly felt that anyone who is brave enough to do that deserves their seat back on the 'X Factor' judging panel."
'I Can't Sing' features caricatures of 'X Factor' judges Simon and Louis, who is depicted as a boy band-obsessed Irishman that dances with leprechauns.
Recent reports suggest Louis' place on 'The X Factor' is in doubt as returning judge Cheryl Cole wants him axed, but Simon is keen for his Irish pal to return.
Meanwhile, other candidates being lined up for a potential spot on the panel include LMFAO rapper Redfoo, former runner-up and 'Xtra Factor' presenter Olly Murs, and Black Eyed Peas frontwoman Fergie.