News

Gregg Wallace had to step away from MasterChef in November 2024, after allegations of misconduct against him over the years. It was reported that 13 individuals made allegations against Wallace of making inappropriate s*xual comments. Wallace’s lawyers claimed that the allegations were entirely false.

It was reported that TV presenter Kirsty Wark was one of the accusers. Wark accused Wallace of making inappropriate s*xual comments during her time on the show (via BBC). Amidst the allegations, TV presenter Melanie Sykes told the Daily Telegraph on December 2 that Wallace’s comment while she was a competitor on MasterChef led her to end her career in the entertainment industry.

On December 4, the ghostwriter of Wallace’s autobiography Life On A Plate also made s*xual harassment allegations against him. In January 2025, singer Rod Stewart criticized Wallace on social media for humiliating his wife, Penny Lancaster, during the show.

In response to the accusations against him,...

Nearly 50 allegations against ex-MasterChef host Gregg Wallace have been substantiated by a Banijay-commissioned report into his behavior, making his position “untenable.” The report also uncovered allegations against others on MasterChef.

Conducted by independent law firm Lewis Silkin, an executive summary of the report into Wallace confirmed the much-reported decision that he has been fired from the show after a spate of allegations of inappropriate sexual language and humor, along with unwarranted physical contact.

The report substantiated 45 allegations out of the 83 that were made. The full report will not be published, with only a six-page executive summary being made available.

The majority of the substantiated allegations against Wallace relate to inappropriate sexual language and humor. There were a small number of other inappropriate language complaints and of him being in a state of undress. One incident of unwelcome physical contact was substantiated, the report found.

“The volume and consistency of substantiated allegations,...

Gregg Wallace has launched a furious attack on the BBC amid reports that he has been fired from hosting MasterChef UK following an inquiry into his conduct.

Wallace posted a five-slide statement on Instagram setting out his position after a nine-month investigation carried out by law firm Silkins on behalf of MasterChef producer Banijay UK.

Hours after posting the statement, BBC News, which is editorially independent of BBC corporate decision-making, published further allegations about Wallace based on evidence from 50 people.

Its lengthy report included testimony from 11 women who accused the established British TV presenter of inappropriate sexual behaviour, including groping and touching. Some of the women spoke to Silkins, BBC News reported.

Wallace denied the fresh claims, accusing BBC News of “peddling baseless and sensationalised gossip masquerading as properly corroborated stories.” He added that the Silkins review, a summary of which is expected to be published this week, had cleared...

Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Mr Loverman were the big victors at the BAFTA TV Awards, meaning Baby Reindeer did not continue its dominant winning streak.

Hosted by The Traitors star Alan Cumming, the BAFTA ceremony took place in sparkling spring sunshine on the banks of the River Thames at London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday.

The prizes were fairly evenly shared, but perhaps unsurprisingly, it was a notable night for Mr Bates vs The Post Office, the ITV series that dominated the UK ratings last year and fuelled a national conversation about injustices faced by innocent British postmasters, who were convicted of theft, fraud, and false accounting.

The series won Best Limited Drama, beating Baby Reindeer, which has been a darling of the awards season after cleaning up at the Emmys and Golden Globes. Jessica Gunning did, however, take home the prize for Best Supporting Actress for Baby Reindeer,...

The full list of 2025 BAFTA TV Awards winners is in!

This year’s ceremony celebrating all things television was held at the Royal Festival Hall on Sunday (May 11) in London, England.

BAFTA previously announced that ITV won the Special Award for commissioning Mr Bates vs The Post Office. Kirsty Wark, the former BBC Newsnight presenter, won the BAFTA Fellowship, the British Academy’s top accolade.

The BAFTA TV Awards were hosted by Alan Cumming, who currently hosts The Traitors on Peacock.

The ceremony screened on BBC One in the UK and BritBox istatside.

Keep reading to find out more…

2025 BAFTA TV Awards

Drama Series

Blue Lights (BBC) - Winner

Sherwood (BBC)

Supacell (Netflix)

Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light (BBC)

Limited Drama

Baby Reindeer (Netflix)

Lost Boys and Fairies (BBC One)

Mr Bates vs the Post Office (ITV) - Winner

One Day (Netflix)

International

After The Party (Channel 4...

Scottish broadcaster and journalist Kirsty Wark will receive this year’s BAFTA Fellowship, the British Academy’s top accolade.

The BAFTA Fellowship is given in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the industry. Wark will join other journalists to receive the honor including Jon Snow and Kate Adie.

She presented the BBC’s landmark news show Newsnight for 30 years, holding politicians and public figures to account. Making her reputation as a journalist and producer on BBC Scotland, Wark was one of the first television journalists to arrive on the scene when Pan Am Flight 103 was blown up in the skies above Lockerbie in 1988. She famously locked horns with British Pm Margaret Thatcher in 1990, in one of several headline-making interviews that propelled her into the spotlight.

She has also presented BBC arts programs The Late Show and The Review Show. Notable interviews in the cultural space include with Madonna, Harold Pinter,...

Kirsty Wark presents Icons of Style, a new BBC series exploring 60 years of Scottish fashion’s global impact. The show, premiering Sunday, 16 March at 9pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC Scotland, looks at the designers, influencers, and celebrities who put Scottish style on the map. Here’s the Lowdown: Icons of Style examines how Scotland, […]

Kirsty Wark Explores Scottish Style in New BBC Series: Icons of Style...

BritBox’s newest limited drama Douglas Is Cancelled has received a brand-new trailer, introducing Doctor Who’s Karen Gillan and Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville as co-anchors of a TV news show. This marks Gillan’s first major scripted TV project in a long while, after starring in 2014’s short-lived sitcom Selfie.

The video features Bonneville’s titular character as he suddenly goes viral after being accused of making a sexist joke at a recent wedding he attended. The trailer highlights how Douglas and the news team deal with the consequences of getting cancelled online. This timely and provocative comedy-drama is also expected to explore gender politics and trial by social media. Prior to its BritBox debut, the series had already garnered a Tomatometer rating of 71% on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 17 reviews.

RelatedThe 15 Best Karen Gillan Films And TV Shows, Ranked

From Doctor Who, Guardians of the Galaxy, and The Simpsons,...

On Sunday 29 December 2024, BBC Two broadcasts Lives Well Lived!

Season 2 Episode 2 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Lives Well Lived” on BBC Two promises to be a heartfelt tribute to some remarkable individuals who passed away in 2024. Kirsty Wark will guide the audience through the extraordinary lives of legendary actors, music trailblazers, political giants, and sporting greats.

In this episode, viewers can expect to hear touching stories and reflections on the contributions these figures made to their respective fields. The show will highlight their achievements, struggles, and the legacies they left behind. Each story is a reminder of the impact these individuals had on culture and society.

As Kirsty Wark delves into their lives, the episode will feature interviews, archival footage, and personal anecdotes. This blend of storytelling aims to celebrate not just their fame, but also their humanity. “Lives Well Lived” continues to honor those who shaped the world,...

On Saturday 28 December 2024, BBC Two broadcasts Lives Well Lived!

Season 2 Episode 1 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Lives Well Lived” on BBC Two promises to be a heartfelt tribute to some remarkable individuals who passed away in 2024. Kirsty Wark will guide the audience through the lives of legendary actors, celebrated broadcasters, literary giants, and sporting greats. Each story will highlight the contributions these figures made to their respective fields and the impact they had on culture and society.

This episode aims to celebrate the achievements and legacies of these extraordinary people. Viewers can expect to hear touching anecdotes and insights that reveal the essence of who these individuals were. Their journeys through life, filled with triumphs and challenges, will be explored in depth, providing a rich tapestry of experiences that shaped their careers and influenced many.

Kirsty Wark’s thoughtful narration will help connect the past with the present, reminding...

The second season of “Lives Well Lived” begins with a heartfelt and thoughtful tribute to some of the remarkable individuals we lost in 2024. Airing at 7:00 Pm on Saturday, December 28, 2024, on BBC Two, this moving episode is hosted by the respected journalist Kirsty Wark. With her gentle yet insightful approach, Kirsty reflects on the extraordinary lives and legacies of legendary actors, renowned broadcasters, literary icons, and sporting heroes.

Through a blend of archival footage and personal stories, this episode celebrates the achievements and impact of these influential figures. It’s a chance to revisit the moments that made them unforgettable, from iconic performances and groundbreaking works to awe-inspiring athletic feats. Kirsty’s reflections offer a warm and dignified look at the contributions they made to their fields and the joy they brought to millions.

“Lives Well Lived” is not just a program about loss but a celebration of lives filled with passion,...

Baby Reindeer actress Jessica Gunning and One Day star Ambika Mod were among the winners at Friday’s Women in Film & TV Awards, where U.K. chef and presenter Dame Mary Berry was honoured with The Lifetime Achievement Award.

Hosted by comedian Katherine Ryan, the guests at London’s Park Lane Hilton event also included Emilia Pérez leads Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón, Rivals‘ Katherine Parkinson, and Doctor Who boss Russell T. Davies.

In partnership with Sky, the awards on Friday were Wftv’s 33rd edition of the ceremony, honoring winners across 14 categories including directing, writing, producing, performance, business and contribution to the medium in the U.K. “All women are absolute game-changers in their various roles across the industries,” Wftv CEO Katie Bailiff told The Hollywood Reporter. “Both on-camera and off-camera. We don’t divide it into craft, like some awards do — that’s really important.”

DJ Edith...

John Torode has described recent allegations of historical misconduct involving his MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace as “truly upsetting” in his first statement since Wallace made headlines.

Shared this afternoon on Instagram, Torode said in his statement that he hadn’t spoken publicly about the allegations until now because he had been “away filming MasterChef overseas.”

Torode’s statement added: “The thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear.”

Torode continued to write that he would not speak any further about the matter as the official investigation into Wallace continued. You can read the full statement below.

Banijay UK, which owns MasterChef maker Shine, launched an external review into Wallace’s behavior last week after the BBC published an initial report of 13 people saying Wallace had made inappropriate sexual comments to them during their time on the popular cooking show.

The...

The BBC has U-turned from its original position on MasterChef by pulling Christmas episodes following the Gregg Wallace allegations.

The corporation had initially said that all filmed eps would still air, despite the fact that Wallace has stepped away from the show as producer Banijay UK investigates allegations of inappropriate behavior. Today, it has told BBC News that the Christmas eps will not air.

This comes after more than a dozen women accused Wallace of inappropriate behaviour and sexually inappropriate comments, including ex-Newsnight host Kirsty Wark.

Following that BBC News investigation last week, the BBC’s initial position was that it would continue to roll cameras, satisfying concerns from the likes of broadcasting union Bectu that pausing the show would lead to a loss of work for freelancers in a difficult market.

A BBC press release issued on Friday – after the Wallace allegations were made public – said a Celebrity MasterChef...

Gregg Wallace, co-host of the wildly popular BBC show MasterChef, has apologized on social media for his response to the misconduct allegations that have been leveled against him.

“I want to apologise for any offence that I caused with my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people. I wasn’t in a good head space when I posted it. I’ve been under a huge amount of stress a lot of emotion. I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it,” Wallace said in a video posted on his Instagram page.

Ahead of the weekend, Wallace was asked to step down from his TV presenter role while allegations of historical misconduct were investigated. Production company Banijay U.K. said the 60-year-old was co-operating with the internal investigation after BBC News reported accusations that Wallace made inappropriate sexual comments to co-workers over...

Updated 06.11 a.m. Pt: Gregg Wallace has now apologized for suggesting allegations made against him of inappropriate behavior came from “a handful of middle-class women of a certain age.”

After a UK government spokesperson called the MasterChef presenter’s remarks “inappropriate and misogynistic,” Wallace took to Instagram once again to fall on his sword and say he will take some time out.

“I want to apologize for any offense that I caused with my post yesterday, and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people,” he said. “I wasn’t in a good head space when I posted it. I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion, I felt very alone, under siege, yesterday, when I posted it.”

Wallace added that “it’s obvious to me I need to take some time out” while an investigation into his behavior on set is...

“MasterChef” U.K. host Gregg Wallace has apologized after a Downing Street spokesperson called his response to misconduct allegations against him “inappropriate and misogynistic.”

“I want to apologize for any offense that I caused for my post yesterday and any upset I may have caused to a lot of people,” Wallace said in a video on his Instagram Story. “I wasn’t in a good head space when I posted it. I’ve been under a huge amount of stress, a lot of emotion. I felt very alone, under siege yesterday when I posted it. It’s obvious to me I need to take some time out now while this investigation is underway. I hope you understand and I do hope that you will accept this apology.”

According to BBC News, who received the statement from the government, culture secretary Lisa Nandy has also talked with executives for the BBC,...

Gregg Wallace has issued his first statement since more than a dozen women accused him of making inappropriate sexual comments and inappropriate behavior.

The MasterChef host took to Instagram to record a video in which he hit out at his accusers, saying the accusations come from a “handful of middle-class women of a certain age.”

“I’ve been doing MasterChef for 20 years – amateur, professional and Celebrity MasterChef – and I think in that time I have worked with over 4,000 contestants of all different ages, all different backgrounds, all walks of life,” Wallace said. “And apparently now, I’m reading in the paper, there’s been 13 complaints in that time. Now, in the newspaper I can see the complaints coming from a handful of middle-class women of a certain age just from Celebrity MasterChef. This isn’t right.”

The accusations were published in a BBC News investigation from 13 women including ex-Newsnight host Kirsty Wark,...

British rocker Rod Stewart has called out Greg Wallace for his departure from U.K.’s MasterChef cooking show, following allegations of the presenter’s inappropriate sexual comments.

In a post to Instagram on Thursday, Stewart slammed Wallace: “Good riddance Wallace…you humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn’t you? You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got ya.”

He signed off “Sir Rod Stewart.”

It was reported earlier on Thursday that an investigation had been launched against Wallace and he would no longer be involved with the BBC competition show.

Allegations of inappropriate comments were made by 13 individuals who Wallace had worked with across a wide range of shows he hosted over 17 years.

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A spokesperson for BBC said a statement,...

The BBC is pushing on with MasterChef production despite the ream of Gregg Wallace allegations that emerged yesterday, as a conversation is kickstarted around “open secrets” in TV.

Wallace, a fixture on BBC TV screens for decades, has stepped away from presenting MasterChef after producer Banijay UK, which owns MasterChef maker Shine, launched an external review into his behavior.

The BBC published an initial report of 13 people saying Wallace had made inappropriate sexual comments – with former Newsnight host Kirsty Wark coming on the record to say he told “sexualised jokes” during filming on at least two occasions – and since then more people have come forward.

Last night, Rod Stewart took to Instagram accusing Wallace of “humiliating” his wife Penny Lancaster when she was on MasterChef. Others told the BBC Wallace down the years talked openly about his sex life, took his top off in front of a female worker and...

Rod Stewart is taking aim at Gregg Wallace, accusing the former U.K. “Celebrity MasterChef” host of “humiliating” his wife Penny Lancaster, who was on the BBC show in 2021 and was eliminated during the quarter-finals.

“Good Riddance Wallace … You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that part cut out didn’t you?,” the British pop and rock singer and song writer wrote in an Instagram post. “You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully. Karma got you.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Sir Rod Stewart (@sirrodstewart)

Stewart’s comments follow news that producer Banijay U.K. is investigating “complaints from individuals in relation to historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows.”

“Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay U.K., we feel that...

Gregg Wallace, a host on the U.K. version of BBC’s “MasterChef,” is stepping down from his role amid an investigation launched this week into “historical allegations of misconduct.”

According to production company Banijay UK, the BBC received complaints from individuals in relation to “historical allegations of misconduct while working with presenter Gregg Wallace on one of our shows.”

“Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations directly with our show producers or parent company Banijay U.K., we feel that it is appropriate to conduct an immediate, external review to fully and impartially investigate,” the company said in a statement. “While this review is under way, Gregg Wallace will be stepping away from his role on MasterChef and is committed to fully co-operating throughout the process.”

The investigation comes after BBC News reported that the 60-year-old was accused by 13 different people of making inappropriate sexual comments to co-workers over a period of 17 years.

Gregg Wallace, co-host of the wildly popular BBC show MasterChef, has been asked to step down from the role while allegations of historical misconduct are investigated.

Production company Banijay U.K. said the 60-year-old is co-operating with the internal investigation after BBC News reported accusations that Wallace made inappropriate sexual comments to co-workers over a 17-year period came from 13 different people.

One of those includes broadcaster Kirsty Wark, a U.K. Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011. She said that on two occasions, the presenter made jokes of a “sexualized nature” in front of cast and crew.

Wallace’s lawyers have said the accusations that he behaves in this nature are entirely false. His rep did not immediately respond to comment from The Hollywood Reporter.

The TV host is a household name in Britain having appeared alongside fellow presenter John Torode in MasterChef, Celebrity MasterChef and MasterChef: The Professionals on BBC One and BBC Two.

Television host Gregg Wallace is to step down as the presenter of the U.K. version of “MasterChef,” which airs on public broadcaster BBC, while allegations of historical misconduct are investigated.

Wallace, who has been a co-host and judge on the cooking show since 2005, is “committed to fully co-operating throughout the process,” the show’s production company Banijay UK said.

Wallace has appeared on a number of BBC shows in the past, including “Saturday Kitchen,” “Eat Well for Less,” “Supermarket Secrets,” “Celebrity MasterChef” and “MasterChef: The Professionals,” as well as being a “Strictly Come Dancing” contestant in 2014.

Last year, Wallace received a national honor – becoming a Member of the Order of the British Empire – for services to food and charity.

A BBC spokesman said: “We take any issues that are raised with us seriously and we have robust processes in place to deal with them.”

According to BBC News, it...

Gregg Wallace has stepped aside as the host of BBC MasterChef amid an investigation into historical allegations of misconduct.

In a statement, MasterChef producer Banijay UK said it was launching the external review after complaints were made to the BBC this week about Wallace’s behavior.

BBC News has published allegations Wallace made “inappropriate sexual comments” on five shows across a 17-year period. One of 13 people who made the allegations included Kirsty Wark, the former BBC Newsnight presenter who was a Celebrity MasterChef contestant in 2011.

Wark said Wallace told stories and made jokes of a “sexualized nature” on at least two occasions in front of colleagues and contestants. “People were uncomfortable,” she said.

In a letter to BBC News, Wallace’s lawyers denied he engaged in behavior of a “sexually harassing nature.” His spokesperson declined to comment beyond the Banijay UK statement.

“Whilst these complainants have not raised the allegations...

Kirsty Wark investigates the global menopause industry, worth billions, in this edition of Panorama. The industry markets supplements, teas, and even pyjamas to menopausal women, promising relief from their often debilitating symptoms. To assess these claims, researchers from Oxford’s Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine scrutinise the scientific evidence. The programme examines the challenges women face in […]

Panorama: The Menopause Industry...

“Baby Reindeer” creator Richard Gadd has inked a first-look deal with Netflix, despite his series prompting a $170 million defamation lawsuit.

Netflix boss Ted Sarandos made the announcement at the Royal Television Society conference in London on Tuesday morning in response to a question from journalist Kirsty Wark over the lawsuit, saying the streamer stands by Gadd.

“We are facilitating storytellers to tell their stories,” Sarandos said when Wark asked him whether Netflix had made a mistake in calling the series a “true story.” “This is Richard’s true story. We finished [signing] our first-look deal with Richard Gadd to do his next work at Netflix … We’re very proud of Richard and proud of the story he told and the way he told it.”

“It’s not a documentary,” the streaming boss added. “We’re watching it performed by actors on television — we think it’s abundantly clear there’s dramatization involved.

Netflix boss Ted Sarandos has said despite the complaint the occasional streamer is overstuffed with options, it can’t have too much content. “People often ask me if we need so many movies and TV shows on Netflix,” he said. “I always answer with an emphatic yes. People have such different and eclectic tastes that you can’t afford to program for just one sensibility. You have to love it all — prestige dramas, indie films, true crime, romantic comedies, stand-up, documentaries and reality TV.”

The streaming boss made the remarks at the Royal Television Society conference in London on Tuesday morning, where he gave an opening speech before being interviewed by journalist Kirsty Wark.

Among the lessons he shared with the audience, made primarily of TV industry professionals, were the need to innovate and always putting the audience first.

“Think about it not as critics, not as media executives, think...

The BBC has set its election night coverage for the July 4 poll as broadcasters battle to secure debates with Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer as soon as possible.

Established presenters Laura Kuenssberg and Clive Myrie will helm the BBC’s coverage in six weeks time, replacing Huw Edwards, who resigned from the BBC last month following a scandal involving his allegedly paying a young person for explicit images.

Kuenssberg, who hosts a topical Sunday show, and newsreader Myrie, will “bring insight, experience – and perhaps a little wit” alongside BBC political editor Chris Mason, according to the BBC, whose announcement on the coverage was always expected today.

Others set to feature on the night include Reeta Chakrabarti and Jeremy Vine analyzing results with the famous ‘swingometer’, Kirsty Wark, Fiona Bruce, Victoria Derbyshire, Naga Munchetty, Nick Watt and Alex Forsyth. Nick Robinson and Rachel Burden will be on the radio and Martin Geissler,...

The director of Mr Bates vs the Post Office has urged the creation of a “mechanism” for British broadcasters to continue to tell campaigning stories as he communicates a desire for his smash ITV drama not to become a “unicorn.”

Since Mr Bates aired in January, James Strong said he has been contacted by “loads and loads of people asking for help, from small stories to [scandals about] corporate structures.”

“I think it’s about setting up a mechanism so that all these issues can be represented,” he told the Creative Cities Convention. “[People affected] can go to a broadcaster and say, ‘We’ve got this idea, can we make a drama?’.”

The BAFTA nominee, whose past credits include Vigil and Doctor Who, said Mr Bates “shouldn’t be a unicorn” and urged British broadcasters to support “factual stories.”

Mr Bates has become ITV’s most-watched show since Downton Abbey and, even though the...

Prime Video Greenlights Psychological Thriller Starring ‘Vigil’ Duo

Amazon Prime Video has greenlit psychological thriller series Fear starring Vigil duo Anjli Mohindra and Martin Compston. Excited to make a fresh start away from London, Martyn (Compston) and Rebecca (Mohindra) move into a beautiful house in Glasgow with their two young children. At first the new home seems idyllic, but when neighbour Jan (Solly McLeod) makes unnerving comments to Rebecca it turns out to be the start of something far more intimidating. The show comes from Amazon’s The Rig producer Wild Mercury and Capricorn Productions. Banijay Rights is selling worldwide and Fear will launch on Prime Video in the UK and Ireland next year.

BBC Unveils New ‘Newsnight’ Boss After Funding Cuts

The BBC has unveiled the Executive Editor who will lead Newsnight into its new era following funding cuts. Jonathan Aspinwall, who currently oversees BBC News podcasts including Newscast and The Shamima Begum Story,...

Steven Moffat, former Doctor Who showrunner, avoided giving a definitive answer about his return to the show in a recent interview. Moffat praised current showrunner Russell T. Davies and assured audiences that Doctor Who is in safe hands. Moffat's statement leaves room for the possibility of his return to the show, given the ambiguity surrounding the upcoming season and Moffat's schedule.

Former Doctor Who writer and showrunner Steven Moffat slyly circumvents a question about his season 14 return. Moffat is a Doctor Who legend best known for his time on the show’s revival, which he began work on under current showrunner Russell T. Davies back in 2004. Following his tenure in the writers' room, Moffat stepped up to the plate as the Doctor Who showrunner in 2008, a position he held for several years before announcing his step-down in 2016. In Moffat's (presumable) absence, Doctor Who season 14 will soon begin with the new Time Lord,...

Queen Elizabeth II always rose to the occasion when it came to celebrating key events in the UK.

The monarch never shied away from requests for organisers of ceremonies that requested her participation.

On Thursday (8 September), the Royal Family announced that the Queen died peacefully at Balmoral, aged 96, leading to tributes from the world of entertainment.

In the wake of her death, people are remembering her appearances at high-profile events, the most famous being at the London 2012 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.

Directed by Danny Boyle, the televised event occured on 27 July 2012.

Things got off to an unexpected, but very fun start thanks to a special cameo by Queen Elizabeth II herself alongside Daniel Craig in character as James Bond.

Duriong the skit, the fictional spy escorts the Queen from Buckingham Palace to the Olympics in a helicopter.

An actor playing the Queen was then shown jumping out of the aircraft...

Like the Doctor in the Tardis, the new presenter of University Challenge will know they have a hard act to follow, as Jeremy Paxman’s withering looks and razor-sharp question-mastery have become part of the show’s very identity. And, much like the new Doctor, when the BBC announced it would name University Challenge’s next host later this week, it prompted fierce speculation on social media.

So who could it be? While former Question Time and Newsnight presenters make some obvious choices, the new host will need to be someone with enough time in their schedule, and popular picks like Clive Myrie and Jeremy Vine are already busy with quiz shows Mastermind and Eggheads, respectively.

But that still leaves us with plenty of predictions. Fingers on buzzers! Here’s our starter for ten…

Samira Ahmed

A fearless and award-winning journalist and broadcaster, Ahmed will narrate a University Challenge documentary airing later this month,...

Representation

“Slow Horses” star Christopher Chung has signed with The Artists Partnership in the U.K. for representation. He will be repped by Christina Shepherd, who also counts Olivia Cooke, Suranne Jones and Noah Jupe among her clients. Chung recently dazzled viewers as egotistical tech wizard Roddy Ho in Apple TV+ spy series “Slow Horses,” which also starred Gary Oldman and Kristin Scott Thomas. Season 2 has wrapped and the show has already been renewed for a third and fourth season.

As well as an extensive theater background, including stints in Andy Fickman’s “Heathers the Musical, where he originated the role of Kurt, and “Romeo & Juliet” at Shakespeare’s Globe, Chung has also appeared in British drama “Waterloo Road.” Chung is also repped by More/Medavoy Management in the U.S.

Presenters

Victoria Derbyshire, who currently presents on the BBC News channel, BBC World News and the “News at...

“Newsnight” lead host Emily Maitlis is set to leave the BBC, she confirmed today. She will be joined by the broadcaster’s North America editor Jon Sopel.

“Some work news,” she tweeted on Tuesday, Feb. 22. “BBC’s Jon Sopel and I are going to launch a brand new podcast with Global, exec produced by Dino Sofos. It’s an amazing opportunity to do something we all love, and we are so thrilled Global is giving us this opportunity to be big and ambitious with this project.”

“Dino Sofos has been the powerhouse behind ‘Brexitcast,’ ‘Newscast’ and ‘Americast,’ and we are delighted his new company Persephonica will be producing this major new podcast with Global.”

“Nevertheless, it will be a wrench to leave the BBC after 20 phenomenal years. I am so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had there. More than anything I’m grateful to have worked with the most...

Bruno Dumont takes aim at 24-news culture but his tale of a star reporter features its fair share of ill-conceived plot points

France de Meurs is the most famous TV news journalist in la République. She’s a Gallic mash-up of Laura Kuenssberg, Kirsty Wark and Marie Colvin, as poised in the studio as she is in a war zone. Played by Léa Seydoux, France strides into battle with her platinum hair bouncing and her tight professional smile fixed with pink lipstick. But her success is a fiction, her career built out of spinning lies. The second she starts taking notes on herself, that big TV soundstage risks turning into a pumpkin.

Writer-director Bruno Dumont forged his reputation with small, anguished films about life on the margins, nosing in tight to his subjects to show them warts and all. The fitfully fascinating France has the same ominous air, but it has been freeze-dried and air-conned,...

The UK’s BBC Two channel ordered three new shows on Wednesday, including one where Idris Elba opens an “experimental fight school” in London.

“Idris Elba’s Fight School” is a four-part series that will see Elba set up an experimental fight school in London, providing an outlet for young men and women “whose circumstances around their upbringing have not given them the opportunities to make the right choices and avoid street violence,” according to BBC Two. The actor will enlist seven recruits from across the UK and “teach them the discipline, focus and determination needed in fight training in the hope the lessons they learn can help transform their lives.”

The amateur fighters will live and train together over six months, working towards a “big showcase finale,” according to the broadcast channel’s media release. There, readers can learn more about the other two BBC Two commissions. We’ve got basic info below.

U.K. free-to-air channel BBC Two has ordered “Idris Elba’s Fight School,” a four-part series that will see the “Luther” star set up an experimental fight school in London.

Elba will enlist seven recruits whose circumstances around their upbringing have not given them the opportunities to make the right choices from across the U.K. and teach them the discipline needed in fight training in order for them to transform their lives and avoid street violence.

The series is produced by Workerbee and Elba’s Green Door Pictures. Executive producers for Workerbee are Rick Murray and Michelle Chappell and for Green Door Pictures are Elba and Lorraine Burgess.

“I see history constantly repeating itself and can empathize with these kids,” Elba said. “I believe there is a better way to teach people that you don’t need knives to protect yourself. It’s a proven fact that in urban areas where fight schools open,...

Months after Netflix said the company would begin being more transparent about releasing its viewership data, the streaming service’s head confirmed that would be a good idea — in the United Kingdom. Maybe.

Netflix CEO Reed Hastings discussed various aspects of his company during a keynote at a Royal Television Society conference in Cambridge earlier this month, and the topic of the streaming service’s data transparency came up several times. Like most streaming services, Netflix does not regularly release viewership data about its films and television shows, though the company has repeatedly pledged that it would become more transparent.

Hastings told Scottish journalist and keynote moderator Kirsty Wark that Netflix would be open to allowing Barb, which tracks television ratings in the United Kingdom, to measure Netflix’s viewer data. However, Hastings implied that most large data collectors do not have the technology to measure engagement on streaming services...

Louisa Mellor Jun 3, 2019

Good Omens makes a graceful exit, tying up its many plot threads with a satisfyingly romantic ending…

This Good Omens review contains spoilers. You can read a spoiler-free review here.

Good Omens Episode 6 Review

Praise the almighty, Satan, Kirsty Wark or any other deity you care to worship, for proper endings. Endings that end. With sunshine and apples and birdsong, and champagne at The Ritz.

Good Omens has been wonderful and weird - both a tribute in excelsis to the novel and a television series of mad scope and invention. In episode six, it makes a graceful exit by wrapping up its helter-skelter events and toasting the story it’s told with a chink of glasses.

read more: Terry Pratchett's Influence on the Good Omens TV Show

A story with a single message that neatly touched each of its plots: you can choose who you are,...

Steven Seagal walked out of his live interview with the BBC on Thursday after being questioned about the sexual misconduct allegations against him. After journalist Kirsty Wark asked the actor how he deals with the accusations, Seagal ripped off his earpiece and microphone and stormed off. She then checked to see if the Above the Law actor was still there before turning her attention back to the viewers. "Steven Seagal, there. "And, of course, though he didn't respond there, he has said previously he denies any allegations that have been made against him." Back in March, Regina Simons accused Seagal of raping her when she was 18. Faviola Dadis also accused him of sexually assaulting her at a...

Steven Seagal walked out of an interview on Thursday after he was asked about sexual assault allegations made against him.

The 66-year-old actor was accused of rape and sexual harassment by several women including Portia de Rossi, Julianna Margulies, Jenny McCarthy and Inside Edition correspondent Lisa Guerrero.

Seagal has denied all allegations.

During an interview with BBC Newsnight on Thursday, reporter Kirsty Wark asked Seagal about the allegations.

“You obviously spend a lot of time in Russia, you spend a lot of time in America, you’re making films and so forth,” she began.

“In terms of your life in America,...

Steven Seagal walked out of an interview on BBC’s Newsnight today when host Kirsty Wark brought up allegations of sexual misconduct.

Wark asked Seagal about the #MeToo movement. “You’ve been very much caught up in all the allegations of sexual harassment, you had a rape allegation against you and I wonder how you deal with all that?”

Seagal immediately removed his earpiece, stood up, and walked out of the interview.

In March of this year, two women who previously accused Steven Seagal of rape and sexual assault stepped forward to offer more detailed accounts of the actor’s alleged misconduct. Former Dutch model Faviola Dadis and one-time aspiring actress Regina Simons made the claims.

Actresses Juliana Margulies, Portia de Rossi and Pamela Anderson also have complained about Seagal’s alleged conduct during auditions.

The Los Angeles District Attorney decided Seagal would not face charges in the Dadis and Simons case,...

Steven Seagal walked out of a televised BBC interview Thursday after being asked about a flurry of sexual misconduct accusations leveled against him in recent months.

The BBC interview was cut short after the British network’s host Kirsty Wark asked Seagal: “In terms of your life in America, you’ve been very much caught up in allegations of sexual harassment. You had a rape allegation against you and I wonder how you deal with all that.”

Before she could even finish her question, Seagal pulled his earpiece out, stood up and left the set. An offscreen technician can be heard offering to help “take the microphone off you.”

Also Read: Steven Seagal Accused of 1993 Rape: 'Tears Were Coming Down My Face'

A cool Wark simply asked, “Hello, Steven Seagal?” before pivoting back to her viewers.

“Seagal there, and of course though he didn’t respond there, he has said...

Steven Seagal was quick to shut down an interview after a reporter brought up a rape allegation made against the actor. Seagal appeared on BBC's Newsnight Thursday and host Kirsty Wark brought up the #MeToo movement. Wark then says, "You've been very much caught up in all the allegations of sexual harassment, you had a rape allegation against you and I wonder how you deal with all that?" This is the moment Steven Seagal...

Simon Amstell's iPlayer exclusive, Carnage, is worth seeking out. Here's our review...

TV

Carnage is a 70-minute sci-fi vegan comedy, a description which its creator Simon Amstell admits “makes it sound awful”.

It is certainly an experimental commission for the BBC. Amstell - known for sad-com Grandma’s House and causing more than one celebrity walkout on Popworld and Never Mind The Buzzcocks – was asked if he had any ideas weird enough to be an iPlayer exclusive. This mockumentary is what he came up with.

In the year 2067, a group of young people picnic on vegan foods in an idyllic landscape. The idea that anyone ever ate meat is as horrifying as genocide to them, so the film sets out to help the youth of the late 21st century forgive the older generations.

It is important to say at this point, before you tut and go back to eating your sausage and eggs,...

From Queen Victoria’s goddaughter to an African warrior queen and Pocahontas, here are seven women we’d love to see portrayed in film

With Suffragette on wide release and Academy Award chatter beginning, it’s worth revising #FilmHerStory, the hashtag kicked off by Lexi Alexander, Miriam Bale, Catrin Cooper and Shaula Evans around the 2014 awards. Top choice Harriet Tubman was the subject of the best ever Drunk History episode, where Crissle West told a radical story that Hollywood never would. And Wollestonecraft the Movie now has a campaign fronted by Melvyn Bragg, Kirsty Wark and Shami Chakrabarti.

Related: Sex change: why male roles are being rewritten for women

Continue reading...

David Tennant, Katie Price and Claudia Winkleman will be among the celebrity guests for the upcoming series of Room 101.

Hosted by Frank Skinner, the show will be back for an eight-part series to air in early 2016 on BBC One.

The chat show sees three celebrities banish their top pet peeve, annoyance or worst nightmare to the depths of Room 101 forever.

Sir Trevor McDonald, Noel Fielding, Heston Blumenthal, Russell Howard, Aisling Bea, Adil Ray, Greg James and Ian Wright will also be paying a visit to the studio.

Other guests include Meera Syal, John Humphrys, Russell Kane, John Torode, Katherine Parkinson, Greg Davies, James Acaster, Kirsty Wark, Shaun Ryder, Sam Simmons, Bridget Christie, Robert Peston and Joanna Scanlan.

"It's great to be back as the gatekeeper of Room 101 with another bunch of brilliant celebrity complainers," said Skinner. "They are the whinge beneath my wings."

Skinner recently announced a new weekly talk show,...

The Great Comic Relief Bake Off: BBC One, 8pm

Jo Brand hosts the third heat of the charity challenge, with four more celebrities hoping to impress Paul and Mary with their baking skills.

This week, it's comedian David Mitchell, actor Michael Sheen, Radio DJ Jameela Jamil and renowned charity campaigner Sarah Brown taking part - but who will emerge victorious?

The Brit Awards: ITV, 8pm

Everyone's favourite cheeky chappie TV double-act Ant & Dec are stepping up to host this year's Brits, with Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith performing.

Bonus: switch over to ITV2 at 10.20pm for all the behind-the-scenes gossip with The Brit Awards: Afterparty.

The People's Strictly for Comic Relief: BBC One, 9pm

Strictly goes back to its Come Dancing roots as everyday folk take to the dance-floor in place of celebrities for a special Comic Relief series.

In the first of four episodes, we meet three...