Archive for the ‘BBC 1’ Category

BBC dominates ratings with EastEnders most watched Christmas Day programme

Wednesday, December 28th, 2011

EastEnders won the annual Christmas ratings battle, with 9.9 million viewers.

The BBC soap’s festive edition – which featured downtrodden wife Zainab Khan finally standing up to her husband, Yusuf, and the revelation Phil Mitchell is being stalked by his own son, Ben – beat competition from Coronation Street and period drama Downton Abbey to claim the top ratings on Christmas day (25.12.11).

ITV’s Coronation Street had an average viewing figure of 9.3 million to take second place, followed by the Doctor Who Christmas special which claimed 8.9 million viewers.

Downton Abbey – widely expected to be the top rated programme on December 25 – slipped into fourth with 8.9 million viewers.

EastEnders’ ratings grabbing festive scheduling is not over and viewers will see another storyline climax over New Year when matriarch Pat Evans – played by Pam St. Clement – bows out of the show after 25 years as her character.

While Pat has been seen bedridden on the show, it is a closely guarded secret how she will finally exit the soap.

Speaking about her exit, Pam has said: “Leaving the EastEnders’ family will be akin to a bereavement.

“But I’m looking forward to the other work and life opportunities I will now have the time to pursue.”

Top 10 shows on Christmas Day, based on average audience

1. EastEnders, BBC One (9.9 million)

2. Coronation Street, ITV1 (9.0 million)

3. Doctor Who, BBC One (8.9 million)

4. Downton Abbey, ITV1 (8.1 million)

5. Strictly Come Dancing, BBC One (7.5 million)

6. Absolutely Fabulous, BBC One (7.4 million)

7. The Gruffalo’s Child, BBC One (6.5 million)

8. Michael McIntyre’s Christmas Comedy Roadshow, BBC One (6.4 million)

9. The Queen’s Speech, BBC One (6.3 million)

10. Emmerdale, ITV1 (6.2 million)

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EastEnders: Pat Butcher confronted by Derek Branning

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

EastEnders’ Pat Butcher will be confronted by her gangster nephew Derek Branning on her deathbed.

The Albert Square legend, played by Pam St. Clement, will bow out of the show at Christmas, but while the cause of her death – rumoured to be either in a fire, a heart attack or cancer – is unknown as of yet, during her final few minutes she will have one last blazing row with the Walford bad boy.

Ashen-faced Pat will be lying in bed as Derek (Jamie Foreman) confronts her, with the argument then spilling over as the hardman has another slanging match with Pat’s son, David (Michael French).

In other scenes previewed from the festive episodes, Pat’s granddaughter Bianca (Patsy Palmer) and David are seen searching through her belongings for her funeral details, while a huge fire will sweep through Walford’s Bed and Breakfast.

The dramatic storylines are part of the traditional battle for ratings between the BBC One soap and its ITV1 rival, Coronation Street, although they this year face more competition in the form of the Downton Abbey Christmas special.

An insider told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “The whole Christmas schedule is packed full of high-octane drama in Albert Square. Pam St Clement’s decision to leave has been common knowledge, but nobody will be prepared for the drama about to unfold.

“There are dozens of twists and surprises, and fans will be glued to their seats.”

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Does Jonathan Creek pilot from 1997 show that BBC knew about phone hacking?

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

By Marc Moninski

The BBC was fully aware that hacking into people’s answerphone messages was a widespread journalistic practice as long ago as 1997.

If proof is needed, just watch this clip from the pilot episode of Jonathan Creek called ‘The Wrestler’s Tomb’ – produced by the BBC’s own in-house entertainment department, and aired on 10th May 1997.

In the episode, Caroline Quentin plays the role of a freelance investigative journalist called Maddie Magellan.  In one scene  she taps into the answerphone of a character she is investigating, by entering combinations of the possible message retrieval code until she gets the right one.

For activities such as this to make it to a drama series, it has to have been pretty widespread and well-known.  Hacking into phone messages (albeit mobile ones) is at the heart of the current furore.  Which makes all the denials we are hearing during the Leveson Inquiry seem like complete hypocrisy.  It seems to me that it’s time for the BBC – and David Renwick (who conceived and wrote the series) – to explain where they got the idea from and how widespread the practice was.  After all, we’re talking 14 years ago.

I wonder how many of the 9.31 million* people viewing the episode thought they were watching something that was wrong, let alone that it would lead to the demise of The News of the World.

(*and that’s just the first airing of this episode, which has also been aired on several PBS stations in the U.S. and on BBC America, as well as countless repeats on Watch in the UK.  Which begs the question as to whether there isn’t a touch of hypocrisy in the public’s surprise and outrage at such practices.)

Via Moninski.com

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EastEnders’ Pat Evans to have final romance

Friday, December 9th, 2011

EastEnders’ Pat Evans rekindles her romance with Patrick Trueman before she dies.

The Walford matriarch – played by Pam St. Clement – shares a kiss with her friend after he helps her out of financial difficulties, but the shopkeeper is left devastated when she suffers a massive heart attack and dies alone over the festive period.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “Pat and Patrick become close over the festivities but before anything can really happen between them it is too late.”

Pat and Patrick (Rudolph Walker) previously had an affair in 2006 but it ended when his wife Yolande found out after being alerted by Stacey Slater.

Pam revealed earlier this year she was leaving the soap after 25 years playing Pat.

Speaking about her exit, she said: “Leaving the ‘EastEnders’ family will be akin to a bereavement.

“But I’m looking forward to the other work and life opportunities I will now have the time to pursue.”

Pat’s funeral scenes have already been filmed and saw the return of actor Michael French, who played her son David Wicks from 1993 to 1996.

Show chiefs have promised a tear-jerking send-off for the iconic character.

Pam St Clement leaves EastEnders

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Doctor Who costume raises £50,000 for Children in Need

Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011

Matt Smith and Pudsey bear

Matt Smith’s Doctor Who costume has sold for £50,000.

Final bidding on the outfit – which included a tweed jacket, shirt, black jeans, black boots, braces, bow-tie and a watch worn in the episode The Doctor’s Wife – and a script signed by the actor closed at the staggering sum on Monday (22.11.11), with proceeds going to Children In Need.

Of the auction, Matt said: “I’d say the tweed jacket or the bow tie are the most iconic – although the boots are my personal favourite. I hope people donate generously for BBC Children in Need because it’s a wonderful cause.”

In the episode in which he wore the attire, the Doctor’s TARDIS was transported into the body of a woman, portrayed by Suranne Jones.

The auction of the Doctor’s clothes, and a copy of the script written by showrunner Stephen Moffat were part of BBC Children in Need’s Once in a Lifetime online auction being held at www.bbc.co.uk/Pudsey.

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Russell Grant leaves Strictly Come Dancing

Monday, November 21st, 2011

Russell Grant: voted off Strictly Come Dancing

Russell Grant was given his marching orders from Strictly Come Dancing last night (20.11.11).

The TV astrologer – who lost 10 stone in weight prior to appearing on the BBC One show – and his professional partner Flavia Cacace were voted off the series after landing in the bottom two alongside former ‘Neighbours’ actress Holly Valance and Artem Chingvintsev.

However, the 60-year-old star admitted he owed the competition his “life”.

Speaking after the verdict was announced at London’s Wembley Arena – where a Children In Need special episode was filmed on Saturday night (19.11.11) – Russell said: “Every show I’ve done has been a highlight. It’s been fantastic.

“The public have been great, the audiences have been great. I’ve learnt from the judges, I’ve listened to the judges . but most of all I’ve had the most fantastic partner in Flavia Cacace.’

“‘Strictly’ has saved my life, absolutely. I owe this show so much and I’ve got my life back. I only wish this had happened to me 30 years ago, but there’s a time and a place for everything.”

An emotional Flavia added: “I completely agree with everyone out there who absolutely loves you because you are a true inspiration. It has been an absolute pleasure and joy partnering you.”

The ‘Strictly’ judging panel – Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Alesha Dixon – praised Russell for his hilarious entrance on Saturday night, which saw him fired out of a cannon and earned him a standing ovation from the Wembley audience.

However, Bruno admitted he was lacking in technical ability.

He said: “For total unashamed entertainment, Russell is right there at the top. But technically he is far below some of the others. If he has to go I really will miss him.”

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George Michael slams EastEnders for ‘scary’ gay portrayal

Friday, November 11th, 2011

George Michael: angry with EastEnders for gay portrayal

George Michael has launched a twitter rant at EastEnders’ portrayal of gay couple Christian Clarke and Syed Masood’s relationship. Christian (John Partridge) has been falsely accused of molesting sexually-confused teen Ben Mitchell (Joshua Pascoe), and the openly gay singer was disgusted at the BBC One soap’s “pathetic” attempts to represent the homosexual community.

He wrote: “It’s official…..George Michael has had enough of…. Eastenders. ARE THEY F**KING KIDDING!

“Gay people deserve better than the BBC’s pathetic attempts to ‘represent’ us. Message to gay kids in Britain. The East end of London is one of the best places on earth to be a modern gay man or couple.

“The relationship between Sayed and Christian is the most insulting piece of bulls**t on British television right now.

“Insulting to the gay community, insulting to the muslim community, and in the meantime, terrifying every gay child that is struggling… to come to terms with their sexuality , and the prospect of coming out to their family, whatever their religion.

“So far, Christian has been beaten up 3 times that I can remember, and is now accused of child molestation. Sayed has been disowned and… is now mistreating his partner shamelessly, presumably because he is now a confused bisexual after all. Total f**king bulls**t. (sic)”

George explained he is outraged that those battling with their sexuality may be afraid to come out to their families after seeing how difficult it has been for Christian and Muslim Syed (Marc Elliott).

He tweeted: “Life in London is a wonderful thing for so many gay and lesbian people these days, and I know that there are gay people involved in… the writing of the show but they really need to rethink their approach to gay “issues”.

“They are scaring the s**t out of children everywhere For the sake of drama, and it doesn’t seem to have occured to them.

“I think that soaps are HUGELY influential in modern Britain. They should reflect sexuality in just the same terms that they reflect…Race and integration. Positively. And without stereotypes. In this respect, they are failing us all. (sic)”

However, George can see some positives in the plot, adding: “Last thing I want to say is that John Partridge and Marc Elliot have done brilliantly as actors regardless of the storylines.”

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EastEnders: Christmas tragedy for the Masood family

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

EastEnders’ Masood family will see their Christmas end in “tragedy” this year.  As Yusef Khan’s reign of terror over Zainab – played by Nina Wadia – comes to a climax, one of the family will lose their life at the hands of the evil doctor.

An insider explained: “Zainab’s starting to see Yusef’s dark side – and it’s a terrifying thing to behold. He’s beginning to get violent now, and the situation Zainab finds herself in is very dangerous.

“She’s handed over power to this man, who we all know was responsible for trying to kill her once. It can only end in tragedy.”

With wicked Yusef (Ace Bhatti) trying to convince Zainab to leave Albert Square to start a new life with him and her toddler son Kamil in Pakistan, the troubled mother will be left in a “desperate” situation as the festive season approaches.

However, as Zainab’s estranged husband Masood Ahmed and pal Denise Fox – played by Nitin Ganatra and Diane Parish respectively – try to save her from Yusef’s evil clutches, one of the Masood family will end up paying the price.

The source added to Inside Soap magazine: “There’s a lot of intrigue in the build-up to the climax. This story’s going to go in some very interesting directions. Zainab’s a desperate woman, and her problems are set to embroil other people in the whole sorry situation.

“If Yusef took Zainab and Kamil away, Masood could lose them forever. He really needs to find them. But in yet another twist, someone will pay the ultimate price for Yusef’s wickedness – so who’s going to die?”

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Is Tom Jones set to join The Voice

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Is Tom Jones set to join The Voice?

Tom Jones is in talks to join the judging panel of BBC One’s The Voice UK. The Welsh singer will reportedly team up with Jessie J and two other as-yet-unconfirmed celebrity coaches for the British version of the US TV singing competition – which sees hopefuls perform for the judges without them seeing their face – and show bosses are hoping he will attract older viewers.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “Tom is close to committing. He has almost 50 years experience in music so he’ll be able to give contestants decent advice.

“Jessie J will attract younger viewers but Tom’s bound to be the housewives’ favourite.”

Reports of Tom’s participation in the show come just weeks after ‘Price Tag’ singer Jessie was announced as the first judge.

She said: “I’m excited to be a coach, inspiration and mentor and I jumped at the opportunity as it’s all about ‘The Voice’.”

Jessie also took to her twitter page, writing: “So its OFFICIAL I am the first coach for the THE VOICE UK! If you are over 16 and love to sing go to http://www.bbc.co.ukthevoiceuk and apply! #teamjessie #thevoiceuk im so excited #boooyyyaa (sic)”

BBC One controller Danny Cohen added: “Jessie J is going to be an amazing coach on ‘The Voice UK’. She’s a massive young star with a strong personality, and her recent MOBO nominations are testament to her musical and creative ability.”

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Pics of the day: Dalek toys at Brand Licensing Europe 2011

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

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Children from London test out Doctor Who Ride In Daleks, predicted to be a top seller for Christmas this year for 3 to 6 year-old, at the Brand Licensing Europe 2011 event at Olympia Exhibition Centre, London.

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EastEnders’ Jane Beale to covert to Islam

Monday, October 17th, 2011

The downtrodden cafe worker- pictured right – who left Albert Square when her marriage to Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) failed – returns to find close friend Masood Ahmed (Nitin Ganatra) has split from wife Zainab and they embark on a romance.

However, Jane’s new man asks her to convert to his religion, and while she agrees to do so, she has problems adjusting at first.  A source told the Daily Star newspaper: “She struggles a bit at first, like when she makes him a lamb curry that he can’t eat because it’s not Halal.

“But she’s determined to do whatever it takes to be with him. He cares and respects her more than Ian ever did.

“For the first time, she’s really happy and she doesn’t want to do anything to jeopardise that.

“The only thing she finds really tough is giving up the booze.”

When Jane (Laurie Brett) returns to Albert Square, she is in for a shock as Ian has already moved on and is planning to marry Mandy Salter.

Nicola Stapleton, who plays the mouthy blonde, expects Jane’s return to “spice things up” between the pair.

She said: “I really hope she comes back at the worst possible moment. That would spice things up a bit, wouldn’t it?”

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Strictly Come Dancing’s Alesha Dixon hoping for Strictly romance

Monday, September 19th, 2011

Alesha Dixon is hoping for a romance on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The 32-year-old singer – who is a judge on the BBC One show – thinks there will be a relationship between at least one celebrity and their professional dance partner like in other years because they spend so much time together.

She told the Daily Star Sunday newspaper: “I’m sure there will be a romance because there has been every year. The dancing is so intense and passionate it just happens.

“I don’t know who it will be but I’d bet money that there is some sort of affair. You spend so much time with each other it always seems to happen.

“The thing is, I don’t think anyone is single so that could make an interesting show.”

Last year’s winner Kara Tointon, Ali Bastian, Matt Di Angelo and Joe Calzaghe are just a few of the celebrities to have fallen for their partner in previous series.

However, Alesha doesn’t think Kara – who is still dating Artem Chigvinstev – has anything to worry about even though he is dancing with sexy Holly Valance.

She said: “People are saying Holly and Artem look great together but I don’t think it will be them. Artem is so loved-up with Kara and Holly has her billionaire boyfriend so she won’t be going anywhere.

“But it will still be hard for all the celebs’ partners to watch.”

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Strictly Come Dancing line-up. Including Robbie Savage, Alex Jones and Rory Bremner. Pictures

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

It’s the usual motley crew of assorted Z-list celebrities (Nancy Dell’Olio, Chelsee Healey, Russell Grant??!!) , ex MPs (Edwina Currie), comedians/presenters (Rory Bremner, Dann Lobb, Alex Jones) and ageing sports people (Audley Harrison, Robbie Savage) – all looking to supplement their income. Sorry impress us with their dancing skills.

One Show presenter Alex Jones admits she has no natural rhythm and Robbie Savage is more used to getting sent off a football pitch than staying on a dance floor, but then he seems to be everywhere at the moment since hanging up his playing boots.

Says the 36 year old former Leicester City player – onced regarded as one of the dirtiest player in football: “One thing my mother taught me is to respect your elders and respect people who know what they are doing…If the judges dis me who am I to tell them what they’re doing? I’d never argue off the field, it’s not who I am.”

The quality of the ‘celebs’ may not be the highest this year (and let’s face it, it never is), but Strictly Come Dancing is sure to excite a certain type of reality TV fan when it returns to BBC1 this Saturday, presented of course by Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly.

Robbie Savage

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David Essex quits EastEnders to focus on music

Friday, August 19th, 2011
David Essex quits EastEnders to focus on music

David Essex is quitting his role in EastEnders to re-launch a music career.

The 70s heartthrob, who plays Eddie Moon in the BBC One soap, will be bowing out of Albert Square in mid-October in the hope of reviving his once successful pop career and releasing an acoustic album in time for Christmas.

He said: “It’s been wonderful – really, really challenging, intimidating and it does take over your life, but I’ve been blessed because I’ve worked with wonderful actors.

“That was my circle that I worked with, and the level of performance from those actors and the pressure we’re at, it’s just incredible. There’s this kind of galvanised quality of a family under pressure! I really enjoy it.”

Speaking about his new album, he added to ITV1′s ‘This Morning’: “It’s got a lot of my previous hits and some new songs. I’m very pleased how it’s going.”

However, David’s EastEnders alter-ego doesn’t look set to be leaving Walford quietly, as he admitted he has been working on a series of “powerful” exit plots, but producers are leaving the “door ajar” for a potential return in the future.

He explained: “Eddie’s story lines from now until October are phenomenal. They’re so powerful.

“They’re leaving the door ajar for me. It’s tricky. I’d like to go back, but it’s time, really. And I do feel blessed that I seem to be able to work in so many different mediums.”

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Matt Smith: Doctor Who should be scary and sexy

Monday, August 8th, 2011

Matt Smith: Doctor Who should be dark, scary and sexy

Matt Smith believes Doctor Who should be “dark, scary and sexy”.  The actor – who plays the eleventh incantation of the titular Timelord – can’t understand criticisms of the programme for being less family-friendly, as he thinks it still has the same values as in the 1970s.

Asked if he thinks the show is too dark, scary or sexy, he said: “No! I think it’s ridiculous to say so. I think it should be all of those things. I think it should be dark, I think it should be scary.

“And sexy? I mean, for God’s sake, look at the companions of Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker [the third and fourth Doctors] in their tiny, Tarzanian tops.”

Matt also hit out at criticism of his co-star Karen Gillan’s skimpy outfits for her character Amy Pond, insisting the sexiness of the Doctor’s companion is part of the programme’s appeal for older male viewers.

He told Live magazine: “What do people want Karen to dress in – a floor-length skirt, a pair of jeans and a hoodie? I mean, she’s a beautiful woman. Amy Pond is a sexy character, by her very nature. No one’s quite like Amy.

“God, I just think all of that is brilliant, because it is fun. I think it’s clever, too. Have you ever watched ‘The Simpsons’ with your son and laughed at different things? Isn’t that one of the virtues of a show like this, when you can see something and look over and go, ‘Know what? In a few years, you’ll get that one.’ “I think that’s what Steven [Moffat, executive producer] does. Don’t tell me that the dads at home don’t go, ‘Ah, cool – Karen’s on.’ “

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Is Alex Jones facing One Show axe?

Wednesday, August 3rd, 2011

Is Alex Jones the one for The One Show?

Alex Jones is reportedly set to be axed from The One Show. The Welsh presenter has starred as main female host on the BBC One show since Christine Bleakley left in August last year, but sources say bosses are already holding secret auditions with a view to replacing her.

TV chiefs are said to be unconvinced by the chemistry between Alex and current co-host Matt Baker, and ratings are also down on the same period in 2010.

An insider told the Daily Star newspaper: “The bosses are planning a major shake-up soon. Alex joined the show last year and was paired with Jason Manford but then he got involved in a Twitter sex text scandal and had to leave.

“Then she had to co-host with a string of stand-ins before the ­producers opted for Matt Baker. This latest pairing doesn’t ­appear to be working out as well people hoped.”

Show chiefs are considering replacing Alex with former presenter of Channel 4′s Big Breakfast and current Total Wipeout co-host Amanda Byram, 37, who was screen tested for the role last year but lost out to Alex.

The One Show has gone from being one of the BBC’s 12 top-rated programmes, regularly commanding over five million viewers when it was presented by Christine and Adrian Chiles, but has now slipped to only making the top 30 most popular shows on the network.

However, a BBC spokesperson has denied the claims.

They said: “Alex Jones has had a brilliant year, there is no question of The One Show wanting to replace her, and they couldn’t be happier with her as their main presenter.

“We can categorically confirm The One Show have not screen-tested anyone for the main presenter roles, nor do they have any plans to.”

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Ofcom clears controversial EastEnders baby swap storyline

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Samantha Womack: drained from EastEnders' baby plot

EastEnders’ baby swap storyline has been cleared by TV watchdog Ofcom as “justified”.  After the shock plot – which saw disturbed Ronnie Branning (Samantha Womack) swap her dead son with the body of Kat Moon’s (Jessie Wallace) baby – sparked more than 13,000 complained from distressed viewers, BBC One bosses decided to cut the controversial storyline short.

With the climax brought to an end months earlier than planned, Ofcom ruled the scenes were “not unduly disturbing or graphic”.  The report states: “While the storyline was about a sensitive and emotive issue, it is Ofcom’s view that the actual scenes broadcast were not unduly disturbing or graphic.

“Ofcom considered for the regular EastEnders audience, the storyline would not have exceeded their expectations given that the soap is well known for presenting a range of challenging and, at times, controversial issues.”

Meanwhile, regulators ruled the scenes did not suggest Ronnie’s actions were typical of all women suffering from the trauma of cot death, but were spurred on by the various losses she experienced throughout her tragic life.

The report added: “These included her losing the daughter she had been forced to give up for adoption at 14, her desperation to have a baby and the tragedy she had experienced when she had miscarried, and the recent revelation of sexual abuse by her father.

“Whilst the loss of baby James was a catalyst, Ronnie’s reaction was born out of extreme personal trauma in her life and not as the direct and sole consequence of losing her baby.”

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Amira Shah’s EastEnders return to cause chaos

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

Preeya Kalidas who plays Amira Shah in EastEnders

EastEnders’ Amira Shah is set to cause chaos when she makes a dramatic return to Walford. The estranged wife of Syed Masood – played by Preeya Kalidas – fled Albert Square in April 2010 when she discovered Syed (Marc Elliott) and Christian Clarke (John Partridge) had been having a steamy affair behind her back.

However, a shocking Square showdown ensues when “manipulative” Amira returns to face the couple with the baby Syed never knew he was the father to.

An EastEnders insider revealed: “Last year, Amira left Walford a heartbroken woman. When she finds out Syed is planning to marry Christian, she’s totally furious.

“Amira is a manipulative lady, and her presence is set to turn the lives of the Masoods upside down. Has she moved on from her husband – or will she just do whatever she can to get her man back?”

However, the feisty former beautician’s return looks set to make the rest of the Masood family put pressure on Syed to face up to fatherhood and become a responsible dad, while Christian is left “heartbroken”.

The source added to Inside Soap magazine: “The Masoods have never made any secret of how much they disapprove of Syed and Christian’s relationship and the fact he cheated on Amira. But to discover that he has a child will change everything. Now there will be a lot of pressure to face up to his wife and child.

“Syed and Christian have been through so much to be together, and they are still having to overcome hurdles now. But this is something that neither of them expected to happen. Syed’s emotions will be all over the place as he meets his child for the first time.

“There could be real heartbreak for Christian.”

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John Barrowman’s gay sex romp axed from Torchwood

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

John Barrowman’s on-screen gay romp in Torchwood has been axed. The actor plays racy bisexual Captain Jack Harkness in the BBC One drama and during one raunchy moment in the latest series, he enjoys a tryst with a hunky barman, which was due to go out just 20 minutes after the 9pm watershed.

John Barrowman's gay romp in Torchwood has been axed

While the scene has already been shown on US cable channel Starz – which co-founded the drama – BBC bosses have decided to axe it amid fears of a viewer backlash.  A source said: “It wasn’t that it was a gay scene that worried people, but just the fact it was such an explicit sex scene, full stop. You can get away with scenes like that on American cable channels, but you can’t on primetime BBC One.

“Even though the show airs after the watershed, it has a lot of young fans who would have been shocked at the graphic nature of the sex.”

A BBC spokeswoman confirmed the romp had been axed along with a gruesome scene later in the series.

She told The Sun newspaper: “The UK and US versions of  Torchwood are slightly different. However, these differences do not change the story in any way and the strong storylines are first and foremost to the series.”

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Preview: Torchwood, Miracle Day, BBC1, 9pm

Thursday, July 14th, 2011

New series. Death has become a thing of the past. Suddenly, for no apparent reason, people no longer die – despite getting sick and injured – leading to a population boom across the world.

As experts predict it will be only four months before the ageing human race will no longer be able to cope, CIA agent Rex Matheson investigates the phenomenon – and finds himself drawn into the world of a top-secret British institute known only as Torchwood.

John Barrowman and Eve Myles return for season four of the sci-fi thriller, with Mekhi Phifer (ER) and Bill Pullman (Independence Day).

BBC1, Thursday July 14th, 9pm .

You can see interview with John Barrowman about the making of the new series below:

And you can see a preview here:

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