Betty Driver, who made her Weatherfield debut back in 1969, died in October 2011 at the age of 91. Driver’s character has not yet been written out on screen in the ITV1 soap.

Roberts has said that former characters from Betty’s 42-year tenure will return for her April send-off. He told the Manchester Evening News: “I think we’ve come up with a fitting exit for her. It’ll be shown in the spring.

“It’s important we get that right because she was so loved by the fans and by all of us who work on Coronation Street.

“But it will mainly be about her and saying goodbye to her with the right amount of respect and the right tone.”

It has been rumoured that Corrie alumnus including Jean Alexander (Hilda Ogden), Julie Goodyear (Bet Lynch), Roy ­Barraclough (Alec Gilroy), Sarah Lancashire (Raquel Watts) and Cheryl Murray (Suzie Birchall) may all reprise their roles in order pay their respects to Betty.

Goodyear, who worked alongside Driver for 25 years, has already said she wants to return for a one-off appearance.

Series producer Phil Collison recently revealed that viewers will find out a long-held secret by the Rovers barmaid. He told the Daily Star:

“We will be paying tribute to Betty, but behind the scenes will be the revelation of a secret she has kept hidden. I cannot tell you what it is, but it’s a secret that Betty has taken to the grave with her and I can promise you that fans will be surprised.

“There is no love child or anything like that. The secret has something to do with the show’s history but I am saying no more.”

via Radio Times.

Broadcast magazine said the actors face a pay decrease when Saturday’s omnibus episode is moved to ITV2.

Moving to a digital channel means ITV does not have to pay the cast as high a premium for repeat fees.

Trade union Equity are representing the actors, but have declined to comment. An ITV spokeswoman said an agreement would be worked out.

In a statement ITV said: “We are in the process of talking to cast members whose pay may be affected by the ending of the omnibus repeat on ITV1, we expect to come to an arrangement in the next few weeks.

“In the meantime we have confirmed that we will continue with repeat fee payments.”

According to reports, the actors are set to receive a small royalty payment instead.

That is thought to be less than the 37.5% of the episode fee they currently receive for the omnibus repeat.

via BBC News.

We hear from those who have worked at Butlin’s down the decades – including now famous Redcoats like Roy Hudd and Stephen Mulhern; from ordinary holidaymakers who spent the winter months looking forward to their Summer break at Butlin’s; and from those in the entertainment industry who started out at Butlin’s – including Status Quo.

The documentary calls upon previously unseen home movie footage which has remained on shelves and in attics for decades, showing the changing face of Butlin’s down the years.

Butlin’s was the first large-scale, all-inclusive holiday camp in Britain and, in 1936, proved an instant success. We hear from holidaymaker David Bradshaw who returns to the Skegness camp he first visited on the very day that it opened.

By the time the war had broken out three years later, a second holiday camp had been opened at Clacton-on-Sea. But Butlin’s holidays were soon suspended as the camps were taken over by the armed forces. We hear from broadcaster David Jacobs who was stationed at Butlin’s in Skegness (or HMS Royal Arthur as it became known) and we reveal the story of Prince Phillip’s chalet during his wartime years at Pwllheli.

Silvia Collins tells us of her first visit to the Filey camp as a 16-year-old just after the end of the war while other contributors share their memories of Butlin’s straight after the war years.

We also find out how Butlin’s has played a part in the careers of many famous entertainers. We hear how Ringo Starr got the call to join The Beatles while he was playing at Butlin’s – and ITV’s Stephen Mulhern tells us how Butlin’s played a crucial role in shaping him as an entertainer.

We also hear the first hand accounts of some of the stars who have passed through Butlin’s over the decades, including Status Quo, Dame Kelly Holmes and comedian Roy Hudd.

But at the heart of this programme lies the stories of the ordinary campers who grew up at Butlin’s, met their spouses at the camps, honeymooned there and had the time of their lives in its resorts – all told using seven decades of archive footage, much of which has never been seen on television before.

This Liza Tarbuck narrated documentary tells the story of 75 years of ups, downs, and ups again of this British institution.

The seventh series of the ITV Studios produced hit show returns in January 2012 with a brand new line-up of celebrity skaters. Last year’s show averaged 9.0 million viewers across its twelve week run in the winter of 2011, with the most watched show attracting a peak of over 11 million viewers.

Christine Bleakley joined ITV in summer 2010. She will also co-host ITV1’s Christmas entertainment and charity event, Text Santa, alongside Phillip Schofield this December. Christine takes over from Holly Willoughby, who will continue to present ITV1’s This Morning and ITV2’s Celebrity Juice, but has other commitments over the winter season.

ITV Director of Television, Peter Fincham said: “Dancing on Ice continues to be one of ITV1’s most successful entertainment hits and I’m delighted that Christine will be joining Phillip Schofield to host next year’s show.”

Christine Bleakley said: “I’ve always been a total Dancing On Ice addict so it really is hard to sum up how excited I am to be joining the team. My only concern was what a big task it is to follow the brilliant Holly and I can only promise her, Phillip and everyone at home that they couldn’t have a bigger fan of the show on board.”

Phillip Schofield said: “I’m absolutely delighted that Christine is on board and I’m really excited about the new series.”

The films, based on the remaining Poirot novels and short stories yet to be filmed, have been commissioned from ITV Studios and Agatha Christie Ltd.

The Poirot films which will go into production during 2012 are:

Labours of Hercules;
Dead Man’s Folly;
The Big Four;
Elephants Can Remember;
Curtain.

Curtain is Poirot’s last case in which an arthritic and immobilised Poirot calls on his old friend Captain Hastings for assistance as they return to the scene of their first case, Styles Court, to try to prevent an imminent murder.

David Suchet has often spoken about his ambition to film all the Poirot stories. He has worn the moustachioed Belgian sleuth’s polished spats very successfully for 22 years and starred in a total of 65 films including the iconic and best known title Murder on the Orient Express, which broadcast on ITV1 during Christmas 2010.

The Clocks, the latest Poirot film from ITV, will broadcast this Christmas and will star David, alongside an exciting cast including Phil Daniels as Inspector Hardcastle, Jaime Winstone, Tom Burke, Lesley Sharp, Geoffrey Palmer and Beatie Edney and the late Anna Massey.
Filmed in London and Dover, The Clocks is adapted by Stewart Harcourt, directed by Charles Palmer and the producer is Karen Thrussell.
After nearly two decades, Poirot continues to rate consistently highly and is sold all around the world to over 40 countries.

“I’m more than delighted to be reprising my role as Poirot. It’s been my life’s ambition to bring this amazing canon of works to completion on ITV,” said David. “Poirot is a brilliant, yet profoundly complicated character and I’ve always loved playing him. He’s considerate, with a love of elegance and precision, but he is also so maddeningly frustrating to play as he’s so vain and pedantic! What endears me to him the most is his endless love of people,” added David. “And for all his faults he is one of the greatest listeners in literature. I’ve been so fortunate to play him.”

The Poirot films have been commissioned for ITV by Drama Commissioning team Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes.

“Poirot is without doubt one of fiction’s finest detectives and we’re thrilled to welcome him back to ITV1 with his refined approach to crime-fighting, “said Laura. We’re equally delighted that David has agreed to play him in the final Poirot films for the ITV1 audience and immensely privileged to be producing Curtain.”

Damien Timmer says: “The audience’s admiration for the character of Poirot has never faltered since ITV began producing the Christie stories in 1989. I’m thrilled we can repay this loyalty by producing these films for ITV1. In keeping with the tradition of Poirot we hope to attract a stellar cast which will make each film unique in the history of television drama.”

Added Michele Buck: “We can promise the final five Poirot films will be a fitting tribute to a much-loved literary character. When the ending comes it’ll be very dramatic and incredibly emotional. We’ve been on a remarkable journey with Poirot.”

Mathew Prichard, Chairman of Agatha Christie Limited and Agatha Christie’s grandson said: “It is tremendous to renew our partnership with ITV and David Suchet as Poirot, and these five films will be a magnificent climax to over 20 years of David’s portrayal of Hercule Poirot.”

Presented by Mark Austin, the programme features interviews with Cooper’s son, interviews with victims’ relatives, and the key investigating officers who finally succeeded in convicting Cooper after a 25 year murder investigation.

Real Crime tells how Pembrokeshire, West Wales, was devastated in the 1980s by four brutal shot gun murders. In 1984 brother and sister Richard and Helen Thomas were robbed and murdered in their home, which was then set on fire. Then in 1989 two holidaymakers – Peter and Gwenda Dixon – were robbed and killed on the coastal path just seven miles away. For twenty years these crimes remained unsolved – casting a long, dark shadow over the community and remaining a source of frustration for Dyfed Powys Police Force, who had a suspect, but no proof. They believed the killer was a local farm labourer – John William Cooper – who was convicted of burglary and robbery in 1998, and had a history of violence, including the abuse of his own son, Andrew. Cooper was a darts player and a gambler and had been filmed for ITV game show, Bullseye, three weeks before the Dixon murders.

In 2006 Dyfed Powys police launched a cold case review, hoping that advances in forensic science would connect Cooper to the murders, and a horrific sexual attack on teenagers in 1996. After three years of painstaking research and expert forensic analysis, the team had constructed a complex web of forensic evidence that complemented a strong circumstantial case and Cooper was convicted of all the crimes in May 2011 and given a life sentence.

Nicholls (Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Harley Street) will play DS Sam Casey, a headstrong young officer with a strong sense of justice brought in to investigate the shooting of DS Matt Devlin (Jamie Bamber).

Nicholls joins a critically acclaimed cast, including Bradley Walsh, Harriet Walter, Freema Agyeman, Peter Davison and Dominic Rowan who achieved an average audience of 5.6 million and a 21% share during series five Law & Order: UK, which was shown in summer 2011.

The latest seven part series sees the police and legal teams facing a shocking crime captured on video, up against the clock in the search for a hostage, and exposing a tragic, medical cover-up. Cases are reopened, the past threatens to catch up with Ronnie (Walsh) and careers are on the line…

Quality guest stars join the cast for series six including Tamzin Outhwaite, Toby Stephens, Eva Pope, Luke Roberts and Tim McInnerny.

The beginning of the second series brought in a 34.6% share of viewing and an average 9.27 million viewers (including ITV1 +1) between 9pm and 10.30pm last night.

Aviva, which has a sponsorship deal covering ITV’s drama output, used ‘Downton Abbey’ to introduce new idents about the benefits of income protection insurance.

The period drama was a hit for ITV last year, launching with an average of 7.6 million viewers and going on to achieve a series average of 8.4 million.

This year’s viewing figures were expected to be higher in part due to Scottish viewers who missed out last year (STV opted out of ITV’s programming) being able to see this series at the same time as it appears on ITV.

BBC One, despite unleashing the last ever series of ‘Spooks’ struggled to compete as the spy caper brought in 4.62 million viewers at 9pm-10pm, just half of ITV1′s audience.

In the 8pm-9pm slot ‘Antiques Roadshow’ managed 5.53 million viewers and a 20.9% share, but ‘The X Factor’ delivered 11.48 million and a 42.3% share.

Saturday night’s instalment of the talent show delivered 11.07 million and a 44.5% share between 9pm and 10pm.

Channel 5′s ‘Big Brother’ attracted 1.83 million viewers for its second Friday night show, which aired between 9pm and 10pm and included a live eviction.

The first show in this series, on Friday 9 September, was watched by 2.6 million people between 9.30pm and 11pm.

This Friday’s show was up against Channel 4′s ‘Million Pound Drop’, which attracted a similar-sized audience of 1.81 million.

via Campaign.

The hour-long Jonathan Ross Show began at 21:45 BST, following ratings winner The X Factor and the results show of Simon Cowell’s Red or Black?

Ross, who announced his departure from the BBC in January 2010, drew around 21% of viewers, the largest share of the audience at that time.

Critics were lukewarm, saying ITV had made few changes to Ross’s BBC format.

“Jonathan Ross returned to prime-time television tonight with a new chat show that looked remarkably like his old one – and, well, made a pretty good fist of it,” wrote the Telegraph’s Serena Davies.

“Different channel, same old show!” decried the headline from Daily Mail reviewer Sarah Bull.

“Minus the Four Poofs and a Piano and the bright violet colours, the show if anything looks classier, but the content is almost identical to its BBC predecessor,” commented Metro Online.

Runaway success

The Jonathan Ross Show – which drew a peak audience of 4.6 million – saw the eponymous presenter interview Hollywood actress Sarah Jessica Parker, singer Adele and Formula One’s Lewis Hamilton.

Competition for viewers included Channel Five’s Celebrity Big Brother, which took 1.5m viewers and 7.6% of the audience in an identical timeslot, C4′s Million Pound Drop and BBC Two’s Proms coverage.

BBC One coverage at the time included the end of John Bishop’s Britain, BBC News and the first half of Ricky Gervais film Ghost Town, and hovered around 12.5% of the audience share.

However, the runaway success of the night was talent show The X Factor, which continues to cement its flagship status on ITV1 with 11.1 million viewers.

The final episode of Friday Night with Jonathan Ross on BBC One was watched by 4.6m viewers in July 2010 – easily the most watched episode of the show’s run that year, which pulled in an average of 3.1 million each week.

via BBC News.

November 1916. The family and servants are busy working to get the house ready for a concert to raise funds to equip the village hospital which is to take even more casualties from the front. New housemaid, Ethel Parks, has replaced Gwen, but her boasting does not make her popular with the others. Indeed O’Brien plays a cruel trick on Ethel in front of the family.

Robert is being dressed by William, the second footman, while Bates is away at the funeral of his mother. Robert is now Lord Lieutenant of the county. He is anxious to be allowed to fight, which makes William feel like a coward for not enlisting. William’s widowed father has begged him not to, but he assumed that once the Conscription Bill was passed, he would be called up straight away. William’s mood is not lightened when, during the concert two women give white feathers to any young men not in uniform, which includes Branson and William. Branson just laughs at the intended insult, claiming his chauffeur’s outfit is his uniform. William’s hopes are raised when Daisy, feeling sorry for him, kisses him. William misinterprets this as a sign of love and asks a trapped Daisy to be his girl. Mrs Patmore urges her to comply.

Feeling left out of the war effort, Robert is delighted when there is a suggestion that he is going to be given the Colonelcy of the local volunteers. Attending a regimental dinner, his hopes are dashed when he realises it is only an honorary position.

Isobel informs Robert and Cora that Matthew is engaged and wants to bring his fiancée to Downton, she feels it is time to patch things up – Matthew is in the thick of the fighting now. Despite being disappointed that Matthew has clearly moved on from Mary, Robert agrees. Isobel runs into Sybil who is shocked at the death toll of so many young men. Isobel suggests she become an auxiliary nurse. She enrols for training in York. O’Brien reports this news back to Cora who is initially unhappy at the thought of her youngest being confronted with such terrible injuries, but comes to realise how the role could actually be good for her daughter.

Carson is trying to compensate for having only one footman and Mrs Hughes is frightened he is working himself into an early grave. Edith has been learning to drive from Branson in the hope she will use this skill as a result of all the men being called up.