Mike and Katya were saved against Emma and Aljaz (Picture: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli reportedly chose to save Mike Bushell because he ‘covered’ for a mistake made by his partner Katya Jones during last night’s dance off.
During their dance off performance to Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines, Katya fell off Mike’s back as she attempted a lift, with Mike quickly carrying on the routine.
According to those watching the result live in the studio, Bruno told the BBC Breakfast presenter he was impressed he ‘had covered for the professional’s mistake’, although these comments were cut from the broadcast of the results show.
‘Something extraordinary happened, the celebrity actually covered for the professional’s mistake,’ Bruno was alleged to have said.
Following the announcement that Emma and Aljaz were to be booted from the dancing show, Katya allegedly ran off stage crying, according to a source from MailOnline.
‘Katya looked absolutely distraught and ran off crying with her head in her hands,’ the source claimed.
It comes after fans have claimed that the show is being ‘fixed’ in favour of Mike, due to his job as a BBC presenter.
Mike and Katya were also saved last week, with Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe being sent home (Picture: BBC)
Last week, he and Katya also found themselves in the bottom two between Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley and partner Johannes Radebe, with the judges opting to send them home.
‘As a non-dancer all I can do is put the hours in, do my best and get through it,’ he said. ‘You have to rise above the abuse on social media, that’s one of the sad things about social media.
‘All you can is your best, accept the judges’ decision and move on. I just have to concentrate on improving, and if Katya is happy with what I’m doing then I’m happy.’
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday at 6:50pm on BBC One.
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The Gavin And Stacey cast were all smiles as they arrived at the press screening of their hotly-anticipated Christmas special in London today.
After being spotted a number of times filming the episode over the summer months, the one-off is officially on its way as show co-creator Ruth Jones joined Joanna Page, Mathew Horne, Larry Lamb, Alison Steadman, Rob Brydon and Melanie Walters to see a preview of it in all its glory.
Ruth, who plays Nessa, seemed delighted and beamed for the cameras as she made her way into the venue, with Larry, aka Mick, also flashing his pearly white grin as he arrived.
Matthew, aka Gavin, looked dapper in a black coat as he rocked up to the event, while comedian Rob gave off an air of cool as he arrived with the top button of his white shirt undone.
The meme queen herself (Alison, who plays our beloved Pam) was also in attendance and oh my Christ, we just can’t handle this!
The 71-year-old actor – who plays Mick Shipman on the beloved show – became so ‘frustrated’ about being asked if the sitcom was ever going to make a comeback that he considered an inking, so he was relieved when a Christmas special was finally confirmed.
Gavin And Stacey is back on Christmas Day (Picture: Baby Cow)
‘I was really getting to the point, it was so frustrating, I was going to have a roll-on tattoo that just went across my forehead and said, “Sorry, I don’t know. Don’t ask”,’ he said on Lorraine.
In a joint statement on the show’s return shared earlier this year, Ruth and James said: ‘Over the last ten years we’ve talked a lot about Gavin and Stacey – where they might be today and what their lives might look like. And so in secret we took the plunge and wrote this one hour special.
‘We’ve loved revisiting Barry and Essex again and bringing the characters back together has been a joy.’
Let the countdown begin!
The Gavin And Stacey Christmas special will air on Christmas Day on BBC One.
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While we wouldn’t go anywhere near a pin while being hurled in the air, some audience members actually refused to vote for the YouTuber after noticing she wasn’t wearing the traditional tribute to victims of war and terrorism during Saturday night’s live show.
‘Why are [Saffron and AJ Pritchard] the only 2 not wearing a poppy,’ cried one fan, while another beckoned on Saffron to explain herself. ‘Maybe you should address why you and AJ are the only people not wearing a poppy, disgraceful,’ they tweeted the 19-year-old.
Well, Saffron’s done just that and replied: ‘We weren’t allowed to when we were dancing causeve [sic] our lift.’
Sounds fair, right?
Regardless, Saffron and AJ sailed through to another week of Strictly – even though the social media star was adamant her time was up.
‘I really thought for a moment our strictly journey was over & I couldn’t imagine not dancing another week as I’ve fallen in love with it,’ she tweeted following last night’s results show. ‘THANKYOU so much to everybody that voted we’re only here for another week because of YOU!!’
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday at 6.45pm on BBC One.
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However the series is set to grind to a halt for the next few weeks, with season six being split into two parts and only the first 10 episodes being shown ahead of a break.
So when will we get to see the rest of it, and how many episodes are left?
Here’s what you need to know…
When is the second half of Power season 6 set to air in the UK?
You’re going to have to wait until 2020 to find out how Power ends, as the next episode – according to the info on Netflix UK – isn’t due to arrive on these shores until Monday 6 January.
The show is heading off on a mid-season hiatus (Picture: Starz Entertainment, LLC)
That’s in line with the next scheduled episode in the US, which is due to air on Starz on Sunday 5 January.
If you want to catch up before then you can not only see the whole of season six to date on Netflix but also the first five seasons as well.
It’s the first time the show has ever taken a midseason break, which is a fairly common practice among US series.
How many episodes of Power season 6 are left?
The not-so-good news is that there are only five more episodes scheduled before the series wraps up for good.
That means you can expect to see the final ever episode some time around early February.
News of the drama’s cancellation was confirmed by rapper 50 Cent – who acts as an executive producer and also appeared in the series as drug dealer Kanan Stark.
Ahead of the start of the current season he said on Instagram: ‘Augs25 starts Season 6 is the final season of POWER.
‘I have 4 spin-off shows coming so don’t trip,’ he added – hinting that we could be seeing some of the characters return in some form.
President of programming for Starz, Carmi Zlotnik, told People: ‘Season 6 brings us the end of what we know is just the first chapter of the Power story. However, as one chapter comes to an end, another will begin.’
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What time is The End Of The F***ing World season 2 on TV tonight?
The first episode of The End Of The F***ing World series 2 will air tonight on Channel 4 at 10pm and be available afterwards to watch on 4od.
The plot for the new series has been kept characteristically cryptic, however the trailer for series 2 has revealed that Alyssa is still dealing with the fallout of the events from series 1 and this time appears to have a new character plotting her demise – the mysterious Bonnie.
An outsider with a troubled past and a connection to Alyssa, Bonnie, is played by Naomi Ackie, who also stars in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Jessica Barden and Naomi Ackie in The End Of The F**king World season 2. (Picture: Channel 4)
Talking about the pressure of bringing back the hugely popular TV show with a cult following for another series, leading star Jessica told Metro.co.uk that she tried to embrace the high expectations without letting the pressure hinder her enjoyment of making the darkly comic show:
‘Living up to expectation is a huge part of having a successful career so I don’t think any of us wanted it to get like in the way of just being in the moment and enjoying the experience,’ Jessica said.
‘We were aware there was an expectation about it, but if you want to have a successful career that’s something you always want to be present in your work.’
The whole of series 1 of The End Of The F**king World is available to watch on both Netflix and 4od.
The End Of The F**king World season 2 will air on Channel 4 tonight, Monday 4 November, at 10pm.
Will Bayley couldn’t control his tears when he left (Picture: BBC)
Will Bayley wanted to prove a point to everyone when he joined Strictly but ‘knew [his knee] was gone’ the moment he landed from his shocking jump.
The star appeared on Loose Women to discuss what he was going through when his rehearsal went wrong and he was forced to leave the show.
He said: ‘I wasn’t even thinking about it I was just thinking about getting through the dance. It was our last run through on the Friday before the Saturday performance.
‘I’ve done it before a couple of times. I just jumped off and as soon as I landed, I knew it was gone.’
Will, who suffers from arthrogryposis in his limbs and joints, wanted to show he could complete the series.
‘I’m quite fearless and I was just going for it, I wanted to prove to people that I could do it,’ the table tennis player said. ‘I had that inside of me, I wanted to prove a point. So I jumped off the table and gave it everything I could and when I landed I just felt a pop.
‘I was on the floor and expecting to see it broken. I was quite relieved when I looked down it was all still there.’
So are we, Will.
Will thought his leg was broken (Picture: ITV/Loose Women)
Will gave the performance of his life (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC)
Will was forced to quit Strictly Come Dancing after a horrific leg injury in rehearsals left him unable to perform.
The Paralympian, 31, was ‘gutted’ he had to pull out of the show when he jumped off a table and collapsed on his knee during rehearsals for the Halloween episode.
Viewers got to see a brief clip of the star coiled over in pain after attempting the jive leaving his future on the show questioned.
A full statement was released by BBC which read: ‘Sadly, due to the injury sustained last week, Will Bayley is leaving Strictly Come Dancing.’
Executive Producer Sarah James said: ‘We are so sad that Will is unable to continue on the show. He is an incredible and talented person who has brought us some unforgettable moments this series – in particular his powerful and moving Couple’s Choice routine. He will be greatly missed and we wish him a speedy recovery.’
‘I’m gutted my Strictly journey has had to come to an end,’ Will said in the statement.
‘I’ve loved being part of the show, and am so grateful for the phenomenal support we have received. I want to say a special thank you to Janette for believing in me and giving me the confidence to believe in myself. The things we achieved, from our Couple’s Choice dance through to the lifts in our Salsa, will stay with me forever. I’ve had the time of my life.’
Will made an emotional final appearence on Strictly Come Dancing (Picture: BBC)
He was joined by host Tess Daly to catch-up following his exit. ‘I am so gutted.
‘I’ve had the most support throughout this whole process.’
Seeing his fellow contestants watching him from above, Will seemed emotional as he paid tribute to them. ‘I’m proud to watch you guys,’ he said. ‘I love you guys.’
The sportsman also pledged to make it to the Olympics next year in Tokyo.
‘I’ll be there for Tokyo,’ Will promised. ‘I want to get that gold medal. I got this.’
Loose Women continues weekdays at 12.30pm on ITV.
Strictly continues this Saturday on BBC One at 6.50pm.
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The Pussycat Dolls reunion is kicking off on X Factor: Celebrity (Picture: ITV/Getty Images)
The Pussycat Dolls are expected to launch their overdue comeback on X Factor: Celebrity – and, frankly, this couldn’t come soon enough.
The six-piece all-conquering girl band were one of the pinnacles of pop through the noughties, shifting over 54 million records and gave us bops like Don’t Cha and Buttons, forever making the world a better place.
With Nicole Scherzinger – who’s said to have signed a multi-million pound deal for the reunion – back as judge on the ITV talent show, it’s only fitting she’ll be joined there by Ashley Roberts, Kimberly Wyatt, Carmit Bachar, Melody Thornton and Jessica Sutta for the PCD’s first performance in more than a decade.
Nicole Scherzinger is back where she belongs on The X Factor judging panel (Picture: Rex/ITV)
‘The X Factor producers approached Nicole about the idea of performing with the girls and she jumped at the chance,’ a source told The Sun.
‘It’s going to be their first big performance of the reunion and will be extra special for Nicole because of her role in the show.
‘Having the Pussycat Dolls perform is a real coup for Simon Cowell and he has told Nicole to pull out all the stops to make sure their routine gets people talking.
‘The girls know how much this performance means to Nicole so they’re going all-out. It will be really special.’
‘If it were to happen I would definitely be up for it so fingers crossed,’ she told us. ‘I’m putting out the positive vibes. We’ll see.’
Moreover, she seemed suspiciously coy when the chances of a new tour or music were put to her. ‘If it were to happen I would definitely be on board,’ she giggled.
X Factor: Celebrity continues this Saturday on ITV.
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Sir David Attenborough solved the mystery which has plagued populations for centuries during last night’s Seven Worlds, One Planet – the legend of Bigfoot. Because, who else could do it?
The 93-year-old recalled myths and legends of ‘human-like monsters’ seen trawling the through the snow of the Himalayas, leaving what were once unexplained footprints in their wake.
‘The forest here, until recently, the least known in the world and outsiders had little idea of what could be hiding in them,’ the broadcaster began.
‘There were stories of human-like monsters, yetis, abominable snowmen who left strange footprints in the snow, but little else.’
Turns out, Dave had the answer all along.
‘And indeed there are monkeys living in these snowy forests and they’re very strange,’ he continued.
These guys are behind the abominable snowman legend (Picture: BBC)
‘Meet the blue-faced golden-coated snub-nosed snow monkey. They are among the heftiest of monkeys.
‘Big animals keep warm more easily than small ones, and they survive in colder conditions than any other monkey on Earth.
‘They all have snub-noses, perhaps prominent ones would only too easily get frost bitten.’
David has been hoping to capture the monkeys on film for more than 50 years.
Of course we could rely on David Attenborough (Picture: BBC)
‘Actually I once read about it in a scientific paper, and I read all about it and thought we must go and film that – and that was back in the 1960s,’ he gasped at a recent screening of Seven Worlds, One Planet.
‘I tried to find it, but couldn’t, trial and error and all that, so in the end I dropped it.
‘But I’d always had it in the back of my mind, then, blow me, as if this lot didn’t find it, popped up and said, “We’ve got it!”’
‘I think it’s one of the stars,’ he added.
Seven Worlds, One Planet airs this Sunday on BBC One.
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George Takei played Sulu on the original Star Trek series (Picture: NBC)
George Takei says including a gay character in the original Star Trek series would have been ‘a bridge too far’ for audiences at the time.
The actor played Mr Sulu on Star Trek alongside William Shatner back in the 60s.
He recalled speaking to show creator Gene Roddenberry about including a gay character, shortly after they caused controversy by airing an interracial kiss.
According to the star, Roddenberry wanted to avoid ruffling feathers again, despite saying it would ‘like to’ introduce a gay character.
On PBS News Hour, Takei quoted Roddenberry saying: ‘The interracial kiss was very controversial. So I’ve got to keep the show on to tell the stories that I’m telling, which aren’t being dramatised metaphorically on any other show.
‘I’ve got to keep the show on. And [a gay character], as you say, may be a bridge too far.’
Star Trek aired between 1966 and 1969 for three seasons.
A gay character in the original Star Trek might have been ‘too far’ for viewers at the time, says Takei (Picture: NBC)
The 2016 film Star Trek Beyond revealed that Sulu, played John Cho, was gay and had a daughter with his male partner.
However a kiss between the two men was removed from the sequel.
Cho told Vulture in an interview at the time: ‘It wasn’t like a make-out session. We’re at the airport with our daughter. It was a welcome-home kiss. I’m actually proud of that scene, because it was pretty tough.’
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Dan Walker has rubbished ‘ridiculous’ claims that Mike Bushell is being kept on Strictly Come Dancing because he works at the BBC.
The BBC Breakfast presenter came out in defense of his morning TV colleague Mike, who this week sent Emma Weymouth packing after surviving his third consecutive dance off.
However, the Viscountess’ exit proved to be a particularly controversial one among fans as Mike made a mistake in his second performance, with viewers believing that Emma improved the second time round.
This prompted the resurgence of conspiracy theories that Mike was only being kept in the show because he works for the BBC.
But Dan was having none of it, telling his Breakfast colleagues: ‘I’m getting increasingly annoyed with people giving him grief.’
‘Some of it’s got… it’s getting a bit cruel,’ he continued. ‘I think all he’s doing is he’s just enjoying himself, trying really hard.’
Dan (L) leapt to Mike’s defense (Picture: BBC)
Pointing out that the judges had unanimously voted for Mike to stay, the 42-year-old went on: ‘All four of the judges said he was the better performer in the dance off than the Viscountess who went home.
‘He’s certainly not being kept in there because he’s working for the BBC, it’s a ridiculous accusation.’
The BBC Breakfast presenter has lived to dance another day (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC)
‘Something extraordinary happened, the celebrity actually covered for the professional’s mistake,’ Bruno is alleged to have said in a clip that was later cut from the show.
Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday at 6.45pm on BBC One.
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BBC’s entire nature collection is leaving Netflix (Picture: BBC)
Sir David Attenborough’s massive collection of documentaries including Blue Planet II and Planet Earth are being pulled from Netflix in December.
Basically, you need to start binging now in order to watch them all before they disappear.
All of the BBC Earth library will be saying goodbye to the streaming service, with 13 titles getting the axe on 3 December.
Others saying their goodbyes include: Africa, Frozen Planet, Life, Nature’s Great Events, plus the Blue Planet locations and the making of series.
Our Planet – Netflix’s first collaboration with Sir David Attenborough – will remain on the service.
After its release at the beginning of April this year,
Thankfully, most are still available on BBC iPlayer – plus there’s the added bonus of Seven Worlds, One Planet there, which is currently being aired.
Start binging now if you want to watch some documentary classics (Picture: BBC)
It’s not known why the BBC have pulled their collection from Netflix, but some will soon be available on Britbox, and there is a new collection being created alongside Discovery Channel.
‘They’ve nicked the filming techniques, the stories, even the title from us, not to mention the presenter,’ a source told The Mirror:
‘And it’s been made by an ex-BBC producer who still makes natural history programmes for the BBC. There is nothing in any way original about this series.’
Despite this, Attenborough has continued to work with the BBC, voicing documentary series Dynasties, and now Seven Worlds, One Planet.
The production team behind the shows will remain with the BBC until at least 2022, delivering a series a year, including Blue Planet III.
Seven Worlds One Planet airs Sundays at 6.15pm on BBC iPlayer, and Our Planet is available on Netflix.
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The series features Ruth Wilson, Lin-Manuel Miranda and James McAvoy alongside Logan star Dafne Keen as feisty heroine Lyra Belacqua.
It’s got off to a good start – and for fans of the book there is plenty more to come, with plans to also turn follow-ups The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass into TV series.
But when is the next episode on TV?
Here’s what you need to know…
When is the next episode of His Dark Materials on TV?
Once again it’s on right after the Strictly Come Dancing results show, and runs for an hour.
Lyra is set for adventure in the next episode – but danger is sure to follow (Picture: BBC)
If you’ve missed the first episode you can catch up via the BBC iPlayer.
How many episodes are there of His Dark Materials?
There are eight episodes of the series in total.
That means the series will come to an end just before Christmas, with subsequent episodes set to air on the next seven Sundays.
What is His Dark Materials about?
The series follows the adventures of Lyra, who becomes caught up in a battle between her explorer uncle Lord Asriel (McAvoy) and the sinister ruling Magisterium.
Her life is turned upside down when she meets the beautiful Mrs Coulter (Wilson), and is initially enchanted by her – but she is soon revealed to have a dark side with sinister ulterior motives.
Episode two is set to see Lyra setting off on an adventure – but is everything as it seems?
We’ll find out next week…
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Speaking on BBC Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Monday morning he revealed he wasn’t even second choice either.
‘I came on board three, four days before we started,’ the 40-year-old actor admitted. ‘They lost one guy, then another guy.’
A super fan of Philip Pullman’s book series, it was James’ never ending knowledge of the books that helped him land the role.
‘I knew Kathleen Crawford who cast it. I’m almost a scholar of His Dark Materials,’ he said.
‘I said, “When do you want me to start?” She said Monday, and this was Friday. It all worked out great.’ You’re telling us…
The actor was the third choice for the role (Picture: BBC)
Refusing to name who the actors asked before him were, we have to say we’re very intrigued.
But while his impressive obsession with the original text won him the role of Asriel, his geekery also added extra pressure.
‘I’ve never seen myself as a classic Lord Asriel type but I knew the moves I wanted to pull,’ he said.
‘As a fan, I’d be devastated to watch the BBC adaptation and think, “Everything was great except Lord Asriel wasn’t right.”’
If it’s any consolation James, we’re pretty sure nobody is saying that by the look of the show’s rave reviews.
We couldn’t think of a better Asriel (Picture: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty)
Another behind-the-scenes revelation recently emerged, as we learnt that the ever-faithful TV adaptation had to stray from the book material ever so slightly to avoid showing a monkey’s genitals.
All of the characters within the Philip Pullman’s mythical world have dæmons who are of a different gender to them, which caused a bit of a problem when it came to Ruth Wilson’s Mrs Coulter, whose dæmon is a large golden monkey.
‘The golden monkey, we kind of hybridised [the gender] a little bit, for a number of reasons,’ VFX supervisor Russell Dodgson admitted.
‘Partially… male genitalia issues. That’s true. Not going to lie!’
His Dark Materials continues next Sunday at 8pm on BBC One.
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The new series of Junior Bake Off had a sweet start as no one was sent home at the end of the episode.
All ten bakers were delighted when host Harry Hill told them they would be back in the tent the following day.
Fans of the Great British Bake Off know that every episode ends with one contestant getting their marching orders.
But judges Liam Charles and Prue Leith were so happy with the bakes they sampled that they didn’t have the heart to send anyone home.
However it does mean that next weeks episode has a sting in the tail.
Host Harry explained that as no one went home this week, next week two young bakers will be eliminated.
Explaining the judges’ decision, Liam said: ‘For a first day the standard has been absolutely amazing.’
Ollie was named star baker (Picture: Channel 4)
The judges sampled a realistic brain cake (Picture: Channel 4)
Prue added: ‘We didn’t have a bad cake. It just doesn’t seem fair to send someone home, but that will make it worse for us tomorrow because we have to send two people home.’
Unlike the adult version of Bake Off, the bakers get two challenges: a technical and a showstopper.
For the showstopper this week they had to bake a cake that reflected their favourite topic at school.
It led to Prue and Liam having to sample an impressively realistic cake creation shaped like a brain.
Ollie, who had brought along a toy monkey for luck, was named star baker at the end of the episode.
The show will have 10 heats, from which only four will progress to the final.
Junior Bake Off continues weeknights at 5pm on Channel 4.
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Olivia Colman taking over the role of Queen Elizabeth II from Claire Foy for The Crown season 3 has possible been more anticipated than the actual series itself.
Thankfully, the expectations are met in the new, 10-episode season of the highly talked about look at our modern monarchy – even though the Queen herself is not the major role she used to be.
Don’t get us wrong, she’s definitely a present force in everyone’s lives, but the course of season three sees the focus shift somewhat, to less about Elizabeth’s adjustment and issues with the throne, but rather just how much everyone else’s lives is affected as a result.
At this stage in her life, Elizabeth has settled into the role, and as such, The Crown season three deviates away from her and in turn marks her as a puppet master to the other members of the monarchy, who become the key players.
It almost veers into melodrama worthy of soap land’s Albert Square, if we’re being totally honest, as artistic licence is used to fill in gaps between what goes on behind closed doors to a degree that isn’t entirely faithful to its reality. But they toe the line well, and while it’s a lot, it’s never too much and it’s always watchable.
Helena Bonham Carter as the bolshy and bored Princess Margaret is the true gem of the early episodes, batting and forthing between being the party girl who wants more regal responsibility, to the jealous younger sister, to the embittered wife whose marriage verges on collapse.
Then there’s Josh O’Connor’s performance as Prince Charles, who as hapless as he acts is desiring a form of validation by any means possible – and it’s his tear between duty and desire that becomes one of the more interesting parts of the final episodes as he meets Camilla Shand (Emerald Fennell).
Helena’s version of Princess Margaret is magnetic to watch (Picture: Netflix)
We all know at this point their love affair becomes a vital role in Charles’s life story, but it also displays the cruelness and snobbery of the monarchy as they vie to stop the relationship before it truly begins. It’s a good propeller for season four when we know he’s due to meet Diana Spencer.
Tobias Menzies as Prince Philip is becoming more dislikeable as he becomes embittered by constantly playing second fiddle to his wife’s, and the nation’s, wants and needs. But that’s not a negative thing to watch because it’s relatable in some ways, while extremely baffling in others.
But while each character has their own fascinating story to tell, the episodes retelling of major moments in British history remain as the jewel in the crown, as it were. It doesn’t deviate from history, no matter how bad their subject matter looks as a result.
As time passes, Elizabeth takes a step back and becomes puppet master to her family’s lives (Picture: Netflix)
One poignant episode is dedicated to the Aberfan disaster, where 144 people were killed by a coal tip landslide that wiped out almost an entire Welsh village. It’s handled delicately, with love and the help of the residents of Aberfan. It shows.
They don’t stray from the fact that it took the Queen eight days to make an appearance in the village, while Prince Philip arrived to pay his respects the next day, and it’s a triumphant piece of television that will no doubt be the most talked about episode of the series.
Running from 1964 and ending in 1977, the show does have a bit of a chop and change when it comes to running through the years, with some completely overlooked or zoomed through while others take several episodes. It’s a weird pace to keep track of, but that’s a small gripe.
Charles is torn between his heart and his family duty (Picture: Netflix)
Then there’s obviously some missing moments from the show, where they’ve picked and chosen what to ignore and what to hone in on, but at the end of the day it’s a fictionalised version of history, not a day-by-day reconstruction, so you will just have to overlook it or lump it.
Overall, the series is great, and is veering in a new direction ahead of season four. It’s an interesting take, but we like it.
The Crown season 3 launches 11 November on Netflix.
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Kevin Feige is welcoming in a new era of characters (Picture: Rex)
With the announcement that Falcon and The Winter Soldier is officially in production, Kevin Feige’s new reign over all of Marvel and the extended TV universe is well underway.
But unfortunately to get there we had to lose some potential favourites along the way – with all Marvel properties heading over to Disney+.
Sometimes, they were on the air, and were pulled before their time (RIP the Netflix Marvel Universe including Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Iron Fist, Luke Cage and Defenders.)
But then on the other hand there were some that never made it to air, and were in the production process when they were cut completely to be reinvented over on the new streaming service.
With the line between Marvel TV and the MCU getting blurrier, there’s a lot more for fans to keep on top of – including the connections between which character knows who, and which world it all revolves in.
While shows like Hulu’s Runaways (that airs on E4 in the UK) are getting a third season due for release within the next month, even Agents of Shield is preparing to close its doors, and that was the one true connection between both television and cinematic universes.
So what else have we lost? Here are the shows that we’ll now never get to see (well, at least see this version of) again, and others whose futures may not be as stable as once hoped.
Marvel’s Runaways – Status: Unknown
Renewed for a third season in March, the show has managed to hold ground as other fan favourites such as the Netflix Marvel collective were laid to rest.
This is despite it having a notably lower viewership to the Netflix shows…so it seems Marvel and Netflix have had a bit of a falling out and that’s more of a reason the shows were left behind.
Due to air in December, it’s not yet known what the deal is with Marvel properties being used by Hulu and Freeform, where it airs in the US.
With Disney a part owner in Hulu, there is a chance that it could still survive a little longer – as long as they hold their own with numbers.
Agents of Shield will end next season (Picture: ABC)
Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD – Status: Axed
To be fair to Agents of Shield, their upcoming final series might just be the natural end of the show’s run time.
Seven seasons is a strong number for any show to go out on, and it was at least able to get one last hurrah out of it rather than a straight up cancellation.
Announcing the show will end in July, former chief creative officer Jeph Loeb said: ‘Going into Season 7, when you know you only have 13 more stories, you really do get a chance to see what that writers’ room is going to do when they can do anything.
‘It was the best kind of creative situation.’
They also vowed to create a season that will satisfy viewers and the creators alike.
Cloak and Dagger – Status: Axed
Cloak and Dagger, unlike some of the others on this list, actually made it to air, running for two seasons on Freeform in the US and E4 in the UK.
However, in October it was revealed that the show will be ending and not return for another season.
It clearly came as a shock to everyone involved, including showrunner Joe Pokaski, who called out Disney on Twitter for making that decision.
‘There are parts of me that feel gut-punched or angry at larger corporate forces,’ they wrote. ‘But the biggest feeling I have in my heart right now, by far, is pride. I’m so f***ing proud with what we got to do on.’
Tyrone Johnson/Cloak (Aubrey Joseph) and Tandy Bowen/Dagger (Olivia Holt) are still due for one more appearance on screen, taking part in Runaways for a mini-crossover.
Ghost Rider never fully got off the ground (Picture: Metrograb)
Ghost Rider – Status: Axed
Unfortunately, no, not the Nicolas Cage film version of the series. We’re talking the Gabriel Luna-fronted series which saw him play Robbie Reyes, the fifth incarnation of the Ghost Rider character.
A high school mechanic who is revived as a devilish-like being after borrowing a car from he was meant to be fixing for a drag race – not realising it contained a boat load of drugs.
Heading off on a mission of revenge, Robbie was briefly seen in Agents of Shield in season six, and was initially intended as a spin-off.
However after the series was scrapped mere days before Feige’s promotion announcement, and with rumours that Feige has plans to integrate Robbie into the MCU, then it looks like this series will now never see the light of day.
New Warriors had a promising start and then flatlined (Picture: MetroGrab)
New Warriors – Status: Unknown
New Warriors has constantly had a bit of a tricky stop and start in the world of television, but now it seems like it’s a complete no go.
Announced initially in 2016, it was picked up for a full series by April 2017, and then shortly after casting began, with announcements including the leading lady of Squirrel Girl being taken on by Milana Vayntrub.
But then things went a bit wrong, and in mid-2017 it was suddenly passed on, and ever since it has not been able to find itself a home.
Now that Feige’s in control, it seems that it might just be left in limbo forever.
Untitled Female Project – Status: Unknown
This one was a thought at best before his promotion – and it’s one of those things that it’s probably going to be left in the dust until the Marvel mastermind has at least found his footing with plans to launch some of the more prominent names in the universe.
It was initially spoken about briefly a few months ago by Karey Burke, ABC president of Entertainment, who seemed positive about something going forward for the channel.
But with Marvel TV changing over to Feige now, and the team seemingly keeping everything close to their chest and preferably on Disney+ and it looks like this is just a thought that disappeared into the ether.
Disney+ will launch in the UK by March 2020.
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A Christmas Carol has always been one of the most haunting festive tales out there (apart from the Muppets version, which is always just fun.)
But throw in Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight to be showrunner for a new version of the Charles Dickens tale, and you know that it’s going to be horrifically dark.
In case we weren’t sure, the new teaser for the upcoming three-part mini-series definitely confirms it…sorry guys, no Marley and Marley, just a sad tale of an embittered man who has lost his way.
Guy Pearce plays Ebenezer Scrooge, the money-hungry Victorian businessman who prefers to live a life of solitude and is as cold as the winter around him.
But he soon faces one of the darkest nights of his life as on Christmas Eve he’s visited by three ghosts to guide him through what he gave up in his past, what is happening in his present, and what the future holds if he doesn’t change his ways.
In one angry confrontation, he’s told by Mary Cratchit (Vinette Robinson): ‘Justice will grab you by the throat and drag you to the truth.’
The embittered businessman is about to get the fright of his life (Picture: BBC)
In others, young Bob Cratchit (Joe Alwyn) is seen tending to his ailing son who looks deathly ill, as they struggle to afford what they need to keep the youngster alive.
The cast of these series is seriously nothing to be sniffled at, as Guy is joined by a host of famous faces to retell the classic ghost story.
Leading it all is Andy Serkis, who will play the Ghost of Christmas Past, Line Of Duty’s Stephen Graham will play Jacob Marley, Charlotte Riley is Ebenezer’s long-lost love Lottie.
Jason Flemyng plays the Ghost of Christmas Future, Lenny Rush will be Tim Cratchit and Johnny Harris plays Franklin Scrooge.
Get ready for something that will send chills down your spine but leave you with a warm heart (we hope…)
A Christmas Carol airs this December on BBC One.
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The Walking Dead contains some of the most intense and bloody scenes ever brought to television – and it’s made even more horrifying by the eerie musical undertones that play it.
From the start of the quickening strings of the title sequence, that builds its heart-stopping suspense, to knowing when silence is key for that moment of pure horror, there’s lots to unpack in what makes the show great.
Composer Bear McCreary has been part of the show since the start, and helped bring out the suspense and heartstopping music that guides us through the 147 episodes completed since.
Also creating the score for other shows including Outlander, Battlestar Galactica and Agents of SHIELD, and it’s obvious that this guy knows how to leave viewers’ hearts in their throats as things start to go wrong for our heroes.
Speaking exclusively to Metro.co.uk, Bear delves into the creation of the theme song, and easter eggs even the biggest fan might have missed over the past 10 years…
Creating the iconic theme
‘When Frank started developing The Walking Dead, he brought me on very early,’ Bear told us, adding that at the time, the show didn’t even have a cast and the pilot episode was yet to start filming.
‘I have to admit that I struggled with the Walking Dead theme, perhaps more than any other theme for a show that I’ve ever written,’ he continued. ‘Normally the theme is the first thing I write, and in the case of the Walking Dead, I just couldn’t crack it, and I struggled at it so long, I eventually started scoring the show when Frank [Darabont, season one showrunner] and I, we’d come together, go through it, talk about all the themes, and I just started writing cues.
‘The theme, the title sequence, was just sort of just gnawing at me, I couldn’t crack it,’ Bear added. ‘Literally the last 15 seconds of the episode, I suddenly have an action thing to write, so I started looking at it, and immediately, I heard this urgent fast string break that use the open strings of a violin, G, D and A, I added a D Flat and within seconds I heard this thing, this urgent, Bernard Harmann kind of colour.
‘In five seconds I realised I had the main title.’
When you try to force something creatively, you often find yourself going down the wrong path
‘I quickly sketched out a main title for the Walking Dead and after struggling with it for weeks, it happened almost instantly,’ he added. ‘It’s really weird, and it tells me that when you try to force something creatively, you often find yourself going down the wrong path, or going nowhere, and then when you wait for the right set of circumstances or inspiration to hit you, something can happen very quickly.’
It seems he wasn’t the only one to think so, and within days Frank and the AMC team had given their approval, and he’d got himself a title track.
‘That sketch that I did in about half an hour when I first got that idea, went to Gail, Frank, AMC, and then the millions of fans, virtually unchanged from that initial idea,’ he said, laughing: ‘It actually went from being one of the hardest things for me to write, to being the thing I wrote the quickest!’
‘I would imagine Walking Dead is among the simpler theme songs out there, if you really boil it down,’ Bear later added of the final piece. ‘It’s a 35 second title sequence but it really is just two seconds of information that just repeats and dissonant colours that come in an modulates a little bit, but basically the entire theme can be boiled down to one bar, and I find in a sort of minimalist way in an almost Phillip Glass horror way.
‘That makes it more effective. It’s utter simplicity is what I think makes it an effective tool for scaring people and simultaneously being memorable.’
Rick’s first bloody stand off with a young girl walker triggered the entire musical score (Picture: AMC)
The theme almost changed in season nine
While the basis for the theme song has remained the same, Bear revealed that there were changes made from episode to episode throughout season one.
‘I developed the main title over the course of the first six episodes,’ he explained. ‘If you really listen carefully, you’ll hear the sound of the strings and the urgency of the arrangement actually increases over the first six episodes. but it’s very subtle.’
However, once it was laid down, it was important they remained the same to Bear, and even when the time jump arrived in season nine, he decided it was best not to adapt it.
He said: ‘One of the reasons I didn’t do that, is there’s so many factions, and characters and such a gigantic world that as we started to move into season two, three and beyond and we had these discussions.
‘I had them most recently with Angela Kang as she took over as showrunner in season nine, where there’s two massive time jumps.’
The Whisperers have now been given their own music theme (Picture: AMC)
Why you hear the theme before the titles run
‘There’s the point in the first episode where this show is structured with a teaser before the main title, and as a teaser for the first episode of The Walking Dead, Rick encounters what he thinks is a little girl and he turns around…it’s a walker and he shoots her in the head, then it cuts to title,’ he said.
‘I thought that was so disturbing, and so creepy, that I just wanted to hear that main title string grade earlier, to comment on the end of that scene, so I started the main title music before the main title.
‘I thought it would be a once-off, special thing that he did in episode one- but it actually created a rhythm for the show, and I’ve done this many times. We don’t do it every episode, but we do it a lot.’
‘I think it’s with an interesting narrative trick that I stumbled upon, because there’s something interesting to the viewer,’ Bear continued. ‘It was kind of my fear it would take tension away, because as you watch episode to episode the introduction of those strings signal the main titles is about 5-10 seconds away.
‘The audience knows there’s only a few seconds left and on this show a lot can change in a few seconds.’
‘I thought that would take tension away with the audience knowing the scene is about to end, but I’ve found it actually does the opposite. It actually ramps it up.
‘The audience knows there’s only a few seconds left and on this show a lot can change in a few seconds. I feel that it has kind of had an interesting, Pavlov-ian effect over the years, their reaction to hearing it and that thing over scenes of extreme tension, over and over and over, and I think it’s sort of burrowed into their brain.’
Carl is one of the only characters to have their own theme music (Picture: AMC)
Only Carl got his own musical theme
Due to the sheer number of characters, factions and survivors on the show, it became impossible for Bear and his team to create something unique for each and every person.
However, Bear admits that there was one character who got his attention, and one of the few themes in the show – Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs).
‘Carl was special, Carl was a really unique character that had this innocence and vulnerability to him, and it transitioned in strength and trying to think,’ Bear explained. ‘The first time I wrote a theme for him was season two, where he starts off the season getting shot, and at the end of the season does pretty, significantly violent things.
‘So I hung on him this beautiful little piano piece that I actually did bring back when he left the show, and I used it several times throughout.’
Bear has won awards for his sinister musical tone for The Walking Dead (Picture: Getty)
However, while others got an outright musical theme, others definitely were inspired by certain things – like John Carpenter, the Halloween creating Horror Master, came in particularly handy for one character’s inspiration.
Bear told us: ‘The Governor in season three got something pretty awesome, this ominous sort of John Carpenter inspired, low-synth growl that just repeated over and over.
‘It was actually the first truly synthetic sounding truly acoustic organic score from around that time. So it was pretty bold for anyone who was at that change of colour that was really attached to him.’
He then added though that he won’t be alone for much longer.
‘You know what else? One other thing!,’ Bear teased. ‘The Whisperers got a big theme, last year, that you’re going to hear a lot this year.’
Something to keep an ear out for for sure…
The Walking Dead airs Sunday nights on AMC in the US, and Mondays at 9pm on Fox in the UK.
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David hands over passports at the border (Picture: Channel 4)
An executive producer Channel 4 documentary Smuggled has responded to accusations from viewers that contributor Carolynne’s passport wasn’t removed.
The programme challenged members of the public to enter Britain from another country without their passport, in an attempt to mirror how migrants try to enter the country.
Carolynne made the journey hiding in the back of the motorhome she shares with her husband David, and successfully made it into the UK.
Border crossings were filmed on cameras rigged into the motorhome, and ‘a producer’ traveled along with them.
The couple reached passport control in Portsmouth, and when it was David’s turn he handed over three passports to staff.
Viewers thought the passports were for him, the producer and Carolynne, who was meant to be traveling without her passport.
But the show’s executive producer Ed Kellie, from Screendog Productions, has insisted that wasn’t the case.
That's enough #smuggled for me. Poorly timed or just in poor taste, who knows? Oh and how many people were declared to the Border Force officer again? Two wasn't it….? pic.twitter.com/dXD8HeCoP9
Responding to a viewer on Twitter, Ed said: ‘There were two production team in the vehicle. Carolynne’s passport was categorically not handed over.’
Before her journey, Carolynne admitted she hoped she would be spotted by Border Control.
(Picture: Twitter)
She said: ‘I want to be stopped and whoever finds me is gonna get a big cuddle and say thank you because I will sleep tonight knowing that you’re doing your jobs.’
Carolynne explained that she wanted more border checks (Picture: Channel 4)
After successfully reaching the UK, she said: ‘I would definitely make sure that more vehicles are checked. I’d rather be waiting an hour to go through a border, knowing that nothing is being brought through.’
David added: ‘If they’re economic migrants who want to better their own lives at the expense of people already in this country, then there’s a problem.’
The show aired a disclaimer at the beginning, explaining that it was filmed before 39 people were found dead in the back of a refrigerated lorry in Essex.
Smuggled continues Monday at 9pm on Channel 4.
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Alyssa has some big decisions to make (Picture: Channel 4)
***Warning: Spoilers Ahead***
The End Of The F***ing World has returned to our screens, and it’s safety that we really, really missed Alyssa and James.
Throw in new girl Bonnie, who is her own special brand of messed up, and you know that their past is about to come back to haunt them.
It’s got off to a cracking start, and now we’re already desperate to know what the future holds for our ultimate teenage anti-heroes.
So, what can we expect over the next few episodes?
Here are just a few questions we have after the first two installments of season f***ing two…
What happened to Bonnie’s mum?
Honestly, the parents to these kids are the actual worst…but at least they seem to be trying.
Bonnie’s mum on the other hand? Nuh-uh, she’s just bitter and evil incarnate – so no wonder Bonnie turned out the way she is.
She’s not stupid though, so it seems a bit unreliable on Bonnie’s part that she just tells us that her mum was OK with her grade passes, without even checking the slip.
And then despite having an overbearing presence at all times in her life until this point, why on earth is she being left to her own devices in uni without so much as a check up?
Throw in the fact she was arrested and imprisoned for manslaughter, we can’t help but think she’s noticably…absent.
Has something happened to her?
Alyssa’s wedding is the last thing on her mind after a death threat (Picture: Channel 4)
Is Alyssa going to go through with the wedding?
Todd seems actually adorable and for a brief moment Alyssa seemed she might be getting a chance at a normal life with him.
But of course, on the eve of her wedding, James has to turn up and throw everything into chaos.
Todd knows what happened to them, and he seems completely OK with it to Alyssa, but is he going to be as ridiculously laid back with James?
To be fair he should be thanking James for saving Alyssa, but there’s obviously some unresolved feelings there on behalf of his fiance.
Will they go through with the wedding or will she make a run for it with her ex, Bonnie and Clyde style?
Will Alyssa go through with her wedding? (Picture: Channel 4)
What are Alyssa and James going to do now they’re reunited?
Alyssa and James are not done with each other just yet… for starters, they’ve got someone out to kill them both.
Bonnie is a woman on a mission, and whoever gave her a gun needs to be….well, shot.
But they don’t even know who or where Bonnie is at this point, so it’s a bit of a cat and mouse chase as they wait for her to show herself.
They’ve got bullets with their names on after all, so they can hardly stay where they are.
Is Bonnie actually going to kill them both?
Bonnie is a supremely heartbreaking character, despite the fact that she’s not all that likeable, if we’re honest.
She’s been emotionally manipulated or abused by everyone she’s come into contact with, to the point that she thinks that’s normal.
So she doesn’t seem to think there’s anything wrong with what she’s doing, despite the murder spree.
Will she be stopped in time? Or will she finally realise just what she was put through at the hands of lecturer Koch, and let them live?
The End of The F***ing World continues Mondays at 9pm on Channel 4.
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