Programme Information (PI)

The information contained herein is embargoed from all Press, online, social media, non-commercial publication or syndication - in the public domain - until Tuesday 16 April 2024.

Glitter: The Popstar Paedophile

This feature-length documentary for ITV1 and ITVX is the first detailed up to date telling of the dark double life of Gary Glitter - real name Paul Gadd - who was viewed as an iconic performer in his heyday, yet was later exposed as a predatory child abuser. The documentary highlights how Glitter was able to evade justice for decades meaning he was free to travel abroad and continue offending.

Documenting his crimes committed both in the UK and across the globe, this new film weaves historical victim testimony, archive and interviews with those who met Glitter on the showbiz circuit, as well as lawyers involved in both the prosecution and defence of Glitter during the different trials across the decades.  

The programme looks into how Glitter used his charismatic onstage persona to cover up his predatory offstage behaviour, meaning he was only brought to justice decades after lighting up the charts with a slew of catchy hits.

Featuring contributors who have never spoken in a documentary about Glitter before - including his defence lawyer in Vietnam, the former Minister who fought to have him deported from Cambodia, and a lawyer representing one of his victims, this programme asks why those who suffered at the hands of Glitter in the UK were largely ignored when they first came forward.

In 1997, Glitter was finally arrested when graphic child pornography was found on his computer after he brought it into a Bristol PC World for repair. Glitter was later charged with sexual assault of children.

However, Glitter was not convicted of the sexual abuse charges relating to children in his 1999 trial. He was only found guilty of the possession of child pornography. After a brief jail term of just two months, Glitter would later flee the UK to Southeast Asia.  

Glitter was subsequently arrested in Vietnam and, in 2006, he was convicted of committing sexual assaults on two Vietnamese children.

Had Glitter been convicted of the previous sexual assault charges in the UK in his 1999 trial, it is likely that he would not have been free to travel to Southeast Asia to abuse children there.

Returning to the UK after serving nearly three years in a Vietnamese jail, Glitter would find a different climate post the ITV Jimmy Savile ‘Exposure: The Other Side of Jimmy Savile’ documentary expose. With attitudes towards historical sexual abuse changing Glitter became the first person to be arrested under Operation Yewtree in 2012. He was charged with the historical sexual abuse of three children, and in 2015, he was convicted of attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one of having sex with a girl under the age of 13.

In 2023, just weeks after he was released from prison after serving half of a 16-year sentence for those crimes, Glitter was returned to prison for violating the conditions of his licence.

Britain’s Got Talent 

Catch up on ITVX here

Britain’s Got Talent is making a spectacular return to our screens for its 17th series. The nation’s beloved talent competition is back to dazzle and enchant audiences this year, with a record-breaking number of ‘golden’ moments sprinkled throughout.

The judging panel - Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli join the incomparable hosting duo Ant and Dec in the search for Britain’s next talented superstar, who will ultimately bag a life-changing £250,000 cash prize and a spot on the bill of the Royal Variety Performance.

Episode 2

Britain’s Got Talent is making a spectacular return to our screens for its 17th series. The nation’s beloved talent competition is back to dazzle and enchant audiences this year, with a record-breaking number of ‘golden’ moments sprinkled throughout…

The judging panel - Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli join the incomparable hosting duo Ant and Dec in the search for Britain’s next talented superstar, who will ultimately bag a life-changing £250,000 cash prize and a spot on the bill of the Royal Variety Performance.

As the competition continues this weekend, more brave contestants brace the stage in the hope to impress the judges enough to progress to the semi-finals.

Britain’s Got Talent

Catch up on ITVX here

Britain’s Got Talent is making a spectacular return to our screens for its 17th series. The nation’s beloved talent competition is back to dazzle and enchant audiences this year, with a record-breaking number of ‘golden’ moments sprinkled throughout.

The judging panel - Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli join the incomparable hosting duo Ant and Dec in the search for Britain’s next talented superstar, who will ultimately bag a life-changing £250,000 cash prize and a spot on the bill of the Royal Variety Performance.

Episode 1

The competition kicks off tonight in the first of a weekend double bill, as the first set of brave contestants take to the stage in the hope of impressing the judges enough to progress to the semi-finals.

FA Cup Live: Coventry City v Manchester United

Live coverage of the FA Cup semi-final between Coventry City and Manchester United as former United striker Mark Robins looks to lead his Championship side to an upset win at Wembley.

Mark Pougatch is joined by Karen Carney, Roy Keane and Ian Wright for expert insight, with Laura Woods providing additional analysis alongside Gary McSheffrey, who played for Coventry over 250 times. Commentary is from Sam Matterface and Lee Dixon, with interviews by reporter Gabriel Clarke.

[The information contained herein is embargoed from all Press, online, social media, non-commercial publication or syndication - in the public domain - until Tuesday 16 April 2024.]

Professor T

Professor T (Ben Miller) finds himself in unfamiliar surroundings banged up in prison after the explosive finale to series two saw him trying to defend his old flame DCI Christina Brand (Juliet Aubrey).

In this series both their careers are on the line, and both have momentous decisions to make. Will Christina allow Jasper to incriminate himself to save her career or will her conscience and the formidable duo of his mother Adelaide (Frances de La Tour) and his therapist Dr Helena (Juliet Stevenson) get the better of her?

The Professor struggles in prison – the hostile, dirty and noisy environment plays havoc with his OCD plus he is a curiosity among the inmates.  But his brilliant criminal mind will soon be put to good use by some of the less than brilliant criminals he finds himself surrounded by.

Again, the police will need the Professor’s analysis and insight to help them solve a series of intriguing crimes. Within the police there’s also been a shift in power as Lisa Donckers (Emma Naomi) enjoys a promotion. There is also a new boss in the police station, DCI Maiya Goswami (Sunetra Sarker) who takes over from DCI Christina Brand, her style of management is abrasive and direct and very different to her predecessor’s.

For the young detectives, Lisa and Dan, their relationship seems to be finally getting on track but a tragic turn of events will blow them apart.

This series will also finally reveal what happened the night a young Jasper found his father hanging. How involved was his mother Adelaide and what did she really know about her husband’s death? With the help of his therapist, Jasper finally manages to piece together his memories of the events despite Adelaide and the Dean’s attempts to shield him from the devastating truth.

Also joining the cast are guest appearances from Jeany Spark, Flora Montgomery, Jack Ashton and Roger Barclay.

Episode 5 -The Conference

The Professor is under suspicion after the murder at a Criminology Conference of his biggest rival, the man who replaced him at the university. Professor T must prove his innocence in order to regain his reputation and his job.  

Alan Titchmarsh’s Gardening Club

Catch up on ITVX here

Series overview

In this brand new series, Alan Titchmarsh and a diverse team of experts shine a light on the latest horticultural trends and innovative gardens across the UK, providing a wealth of practical gardening tips for both aspiring and experienced gardeners. Alongside Alan, the expert team includes David Domoney, horticulturist Camilla Bassett-Smith, community gardener Tayshan Hayden-Smith, eco-friendly gardener Anna Greenland and houseplant expert Sarah Gerrard-Jones.

Episode 7

Alan Titchmarsh opens up his gardening club for a wealth of tips, tricks, and insights. This week, David Domoney shares DIY plant support ideas, Tayshan Hayden-Smith explores a Welsh community garden led by a rugby team, and Camilla Bassett-Smith takes us on a tour of a renowned garden in Hampshire.

Changing Ends

[Full series drop available on ITVX here]

Series overview

Alan Carr’s semi-autobiographical sitcom. Head to 80s Northampton, where this football manager’s son-turned-famous comic grew up against the harsh backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain.

Changing Ends is based on Alan’s own life in Northampton in the 1980’s growing up as the son of a fourth division football manager.  

Alan Carr will star in the series as himself in present day, whilst taking on the role of young Alan is Oliver Savell.

Also starring cast Shaun Dooley and Nancy Sullivan playing Alan’s parents Graham and Christine along with Taylor Fay as his younger brother Gary.

Playing Alan’s neighbours are Rourke Mooney and Gabby Best as Charlie and Angela along with Harry Peacock as Nigel. Guest stars include David Mumeni as Mr Chapman and Michael Socha as Adam.

The comedy series will be more than just a trip down memory lane, it’s a love letter to a time and a town where things weren’t always so inclusive. Told with warmth and wit, it follows Alan’s journey through puberty, adolescence, and finally self-discovery, all against the backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain.

As showcased in many of Alan’s stand-up shows, his experience as a gay teenager in the East Midlands is a veritable treasure trove with a rich comedic seam, whether it’s his sexual awakenings, his daily battle with bullies or navigating the highs and lows of Fourth division football. It’s about school and family, Kevin Keegan and George Michael, and figuring out who you are when your family are Match of the Day and you’re a bit Miss Marple.

Episode 2

Christine is desperate for a night out. At school, Alan struggles with bullies and with the dread of communal showers looming, it isn’t just his father’s identity he wants to hide.

[The information contained herein is embargoed from all Press, online, social media, non-commercial publication or syndication - in the public domain - until Tuesday 16 April 2024.]

Prue Leith’s Cotswold Kitchen

Series overview

In this new series, Prue Leith opens the doors to her Cotswold Kitchen, sharing cherished recipes, tips, and handy culinary hacks. Joined by her husband John and a cast of special friends, including Sandi Toksvig, Alison Hammond and chef Tommy Banks, each episode is a unique culinary adventure. Beyond the kitchen, Prue celebrates her personal food heroes both locally and beyond.  And husband John gets to grips with a varied mix of country activities on offer in the Cotswolds. The series is a celebration of food, friendship and fun – with easy-to-cook recipes for every occasion.

Episode 7

Prue rustles up a classic French stew and is joined in the kitchen by award-winning musician and upcoming restaurateur YolanDa Brown - YolanDa cooks her daughters’ smoked salmon pasta for Prue while they chat about music and YolanDa’s new restaurant venture. 

Prue adds a touch of culinary wisdom with some handy hacks this week – getting the most out of a lime and melting chocolate without burning it – while local conservationist Jimmi Hill enlightens John about owls as they inspect the garden's bird boxes. 

Prue then guides John as they whip up a quick yet delicious classic boozy desert.
 

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For the Love of Dogs with Alison Hammond

Catch up on ITVX here

Series overview

Alison Hammond is preparing to dish out the dog treats and set tails wagging as she steps into her latest role as the new presenter of the award-winning ITV series, For The Love of Dogs.

In this brand new six-part series, Alison heads to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to help the animals in their care look for a new place to live, following the sad passing of much-loved presenter Paul O’Grady last spring.

With more abandoned and stray dogs in need of care than ever, Alison tells the stories of some of the latest arrivals at Battersea before rolling up her sleeves and helping the expert staff and volunteers to take care of the animals and get them ready for their potential new owners.

Episode 2

This week, she meets a lurcher who was found tied up in a cemetery who is in need of emergency surgery, a stressed out French bulldog who's struggling to breathe, and a very matted Bichon Frisé who's desperately in need of a haircut.

The information contained herein is embargoed from all Press, online, social media, non-commercial publication or syndication - in the public domain - until Tuesday 16 April 2024.

In For A Penny

Catch up on ITVX here

Series overview

Stephen Mulhern is back with a brand new series of his hugely popular, on the street game show, In For A Penny.

During the series, viewers will also see Stephen travel to Manchester, Leicester, Bristol, Bournemouth, Glasgow, Wigan, Milton Keynes and Luton giving the public the chance to win a grand, but they’ll need to have a penny to play - there is no contactless on this show.  

The In For The Penny favourites are back including, Left Hanging, Pump It Up, Weigh To Go, Whatever The Weather, Check it Out and Pet Bet but this series we’ll also be introducing brand new games. Diving For Dosh, which takes place at an indoor pool, will test the contestant's celebrity knowledge.  Paint For Pounds, our first ever head to head game and it's a messy one!  Hoover Manoeuvre challenges players to guess which robot hoover will win a nail biting race. In Get Saucy couples face the ultimate test as they attempt to answer questions about their own relationship! In Romance or Showmance players will be introduced to a groom and four possible brides but who is the mystery couple?  Roll It will see players roll toilet roll down a money ladder to win cash prizes! But land on ‘losing all’ and everything they've banked will be lost.   
 

Instagram’s Worst Con Artist

[Full series drop available on ITVX here]

Episode 1

Instagram’s Worst Con Artist tells the inside story of Belle Gibson, the 21-year-old social influencer who duped millions of followers by claiming she cured her terminal cancer through wellness and healthy eating.  

Her miraculous story brought her fame and money, with a successful app with Apple, a book deal with Penguin and countless television appearances. But when journalists investigated, they discovered the shocking truth: none of her story was true – she never had the cancer.  

She misled her legion of followers - and for some there were devastating consequences.  With access to family and friends who speak on the record for the first time, this series discovers the truth about Belle Gibson. Was she a manipulative, compulsive liar, or a damaged young woman?

Using social media posts and Belle’s own voice from recordings she made, the film tells the story of how Belle’s rise to fame began. She said she had a malignant brain tumour and had six weeks to live but had given up her chemotherapy treatment after it made her sick and instead decided to adopt a wellness and natural living lifestyle.

Belle is heard describing how she started to reach out and tap into a community of people who felt ‘uninspired’ and like they wanted to be doing more to help themselves. She started her app ‘The Whole Pantry’, offering recipes and life-style tips and it became an overnight success.

Belle says: “Nobody wants to live with the fear of a terminal illness or dying. I’m really honest about my journey with my health and that opened up everyone else’s honesty and everyone else’s stories.”

Belle’s followers describe how they found her profile online and were stunned by how well she looked and amazed that she was curing her cancer with her healthy living.

Bella Johnston, who found Belle after being diagnosed with cancer, says: “I was so sucked into Belle’s life. I just thought she was so courageous and inspiring. I was like, wow, I don’t know if I want to be this woman or be this woman’s best friend.

“I started really comparing my life with hers. I was so devastated about my face and my body, in the middle of radiotherapy I started fake-tanning. I got hair extensions to try to cover all my baldness. There was this ideology that it’s the medicine that makes you look sick…she looks so good because she fuels her body with this amazing food.”

Belle’s friends tell the series that she would host lavish charity fundraisers whilst looking amazing and her success meant she was travelling the world in first class and living in a luxury home.

Journalists describe how Belle’s fame and followers grew as she raised more for charity and helped more people. Soon she was main stream and offered a book deal for a cook book.

Belle is seen on television interviews talking about her business and cancer battle. There are images of her wearing an Apple watch as the company announced plans to pre-load their products with her app and she is seen accepting awards for her work.

However, one of her closest friends, Chanelle McAuliffe, describes how she started to get suspicious when she witnessed Belle have a ‘seizure’ which she then recovered from very quickly when someone suggested calling an ambulance.

Shortly after this, Belle made a post letting all her followers know that she had been diagnosed with a third and fourth cancer. Her friends, followers and journalists recall seeing the post and how devastated they were at the news.

But, Chanelle tells the film that she felt something was wrong with Belle’s claims. She says: “I started to question everything and go over things in my mind. She always looked so well and she never looked sick. She was very passionate about wellness but then there would be times where I noticed her and another friend went to a solarium to do tanning and another time we went out to a nightclub and she was ordering shots and lots of drinks and drinking quite excessively. These weren’t things she shared with her online community. Things just didn’t add up for me.”

Chanelle talks to the film about the moment she and another friend drove to Belle’s house and confronted her. Belle denied any wrong doing but others were starting to smell a rat too and journalist Richard Guilliatt, whose wife had been diagnosed with cancer, describes how he started ringing experts to ask their opinions.

Richard says: “I realised, if it’s a scam, it’s a really big scam. She had hundreds of thousands of followers all around the world.”

Richard arranged to meet Belle for an interview and shares the recording of his meeting where Belle claimed her doctor had diagnosed her and then gone missing, making her realise she might have been misdiagnosed and maybe didn’t have cancer after all.

Richard says: “Christ almighty, Belle, you’re kidding, you actually don’t have cancer? This was just the last thing I expected…Belle Gibson just recanted on the record. She’s basically saying she can’t back up her cancer claims.”

As Richard prepared to run his story, he looked into Belle’s background and discovered even more secrets that she was hiding.

The 1% Club

Catch up on ITVX here

Have you ever wondered how clever you are? Do you think you might be in the top 50% of the country? The top 10% Or even the Top 1%? This is your chance to find out as comedy legend Lee Mack presents The 1% Club. 

The 1% Club is the ultimate leveller. It doesn’t matter if you’re not usually good at quizzes because the questions have nothing to do with remembering facts. They’re all about logic and common sense so it doesn’t matter if you’re 15 or 50, this is the quiz that the whole family can play together. 100 contestants begin every show but who will make it to the end and answer a question only 1% of the country can get right… and win up to £100,000!

The Twelve

[Full series available on ITVX here]

This gripping courtroom drama tells the story of 12 ordinary Australians who are selected for jury duty in a murder trial as traumatising as it is controversial, in which a woman stands accused of killing her teenage niece. Behind the façade of their anonymity, these twelve ordinary people bring with them their own histories. Lives that are as complex as the trial, full of fractured dreams, shameful secrets, hope, fears, personal trauma, and prejudice. Through the multiple lenses of these jurors, audiences will see the fragility and imbalances of the law, and the chaotic and flawed way we attempt to determine justice in our society.

The limited series also stars Marta Dusseldorp (Wentworth, Stateless, A Place to Call Home) and Kate Mulvany (Fighting Season, Lambs of God, Hunters).

The 10-episode crime drama commissioned by the FOXTEL Group, is produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia in partnership with Easy Tiger Productions with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with FOXTEL.

Financed with support from Screen NSW. The series is distributed globally by FIFTH SEASON. Executive Producers for the Foxtel Group are Brian Walsh and Penny Win.

***

The Twelve begins on the first day of jury selection in a complicated trial.

Twelve ordinary citizens from diverse backgrounds have been summoned to the Supreme Court to decide the fate of a woman charged with murder. Is she guilty or innocent? Is it even a murder? Her fourteen-year-old niece went missing when in her care, but a body has never been found and it isn’t clear what motive she would have for killing her. Her own family is divided about her guilt or innocence, what hope does the jury have of reaching the truth?

Over ten episodes we explore the lives and loves of the people who will decide the fate of the accused, their histories, their conflicts, their families, their secrets: a gentle suburban mum whose husband’s adoration may be hiding coercion, a builder torn away from his responsibilities, a star student struggling with being a role model to his indigenous community, a chronic gambler with money problems, a brash millennial plagued by traumatic memories.

The values they bring and the challenges they confront will shape the different ways they react to the unfolding trial. Being on a jury for a long complex trial is tough and time consuming, the pressures of the trial impact upon the personal lives of the jurors. They are forced to contemplate the darker side of human nature while being forbidden to speak to anyone outside the jury room about the evidence they confront each day. Alliances become friendships, relationships form and come apart as they learn the contradictory details of what may be a horrible crime, or a tragic accident or simply a runaway teen who knows how to hide. When they reach a verdict, it will change the lives of everyone involved in the trial.

Episode 8

When Claire’s ex-boyfriend, Blake, takes the stand, Colby uses it as opportunity to further the theory that Claire could have run away. When Claire’s boarding school mistress, Fiona, takes the stand, she changes the course of the trial. She not only reveals that she knew Kate from her teen years, but divulges that Claire believed Kate and Nathan were having an affair. Rocked by the revelation and the secrecy of his client, Colby scrambles to save the case. But Kate’s focus is on Diane- will the revelation destroy the one ally she had in her sister? Meanwhile, when Georgina finds herself kicked out of her own home, Garry once again comes her aid. Alexi finally shares his dark secret with Corrie, Jarrod finds himself stuck on the bureaucratic treadmill of the university’s appeal process, and Vanessa turns to her mother for answers.

The Twelve

[Full series available on ITVX here]

This gripping courtroom drama tells the story of 12 ordinary Australians who are selected for jury duty in a murder trial as traumatising as it is controversial, in which a woman stands accused of killing her teenage niece. Behind the façade of their anonymity, these twelve ordinary people bring with them their own histories. Lives that are as complex as the trial, full of fractured dreams, shameful secrets, hope, fears, personal trauma, and prejudice. Through the multiple lenses of these jurors, audiences will see the fragility and imbalances of the law, and the chaotic and flawed way we attempt to determine justice in our society.

The limited series also stars Marta Dusseldorp (Wentworth, Stateless, A Place to Call Home) and Kate Mulvany (Fighting Season, Lambs of God, Hunters).

The 10-episode crime drama commissioned by the FOXTEL Group, is produced by Warner Bros. International Television Production Australia in partnership with Easy Tiger Productions with major production investment from Screen Australia in association with FOXTEL.

Financed with support from Screen NSW. The series is distributed globally by FIFTH SEASON. Executive Producers for the Foxtel Group are Brian Walsh and Penny Win.

***

The Twelve begins on the first day of jury selection in a complicated trial.

Twelve ordinary citizens from diverse backgrounds have been summoned to the Supreme Court to decide the fate of a woman charged with murder. Is she guilty or innocent? Is it even a murder? Her fourteen-year-old niece went missing when in her care, but a body has never been found and it isn’t clear what motive she would have for killing her. Her own family is divided about her guilt or innocence, what hope does the jury have of reaching the truth?

Over ten episodes we explore the lives and loves of the people who will decide the fate of the accused, their histories, their conflicts, their families, their secrets: a gentle suburban mum whose husband’s adoration may be hiding coercion, a builder torn away from his responsibilities, a star student struggling with being a role model to his indigenous community, a chronic gambler with money problems, a brash millennial plagued by traumatic memories.

The values they bring and the challenges they confront will shape the different ways they react to the unfolding trial. Being on a jury for a long complex trial is tough and time consuming, the pressures of the trial impact upon the personal lives of the jurors. They are forced to contemplate the darker side of human nature while being forbidden to speak to anyone outside the jury room about the evidence they confront each day. Alliances become friendships, relationships form and come apart as they learn the contradictory details of what may be a horrible crime, or a tragic accident or simply a runaway teen who knows how to hide. When they reach a verdict, it will change the lives of everyone involved in the trial.

Episode 7

Following a bizarre interruption in Courtroom, the Defence cross-examines Kate’s brother, Robbie. Colby adds fuel to the theory that Claire ran away, highlighting a particular text conversation between the uncle and niece. When Kate’s sister and Claire’s mother, Diane, takes the stand, the Defence again focus on the tumultuous and fraught relationship between Claire and her father, Nathan. However, during her re-examination, Bloom suggests that Diane suspects that Claire is dead and is protecting her sister. Who will the jury believe? Meanwhile, Garry becomes nervous when Otto reveals himself and applies pressure, Georgina finds a babysitting solution in Simon’s daughter, Ava, and Peter and Margaret have a date which ends badly. However, proceedings come to halt when Melissa has a seizure.
 

In With A Shout

Catch up on ITVX here

Series overview

Joel Dommett is back with a new series of the high octane game show, ‘In With A Shout’, where contestants are challenged to shout at the TV to win a fortune.  

A fan favourite when it first aired in 2023, this fast-paced gameshow sees two families battle against each other in a thrilling game with a uniquely challenging twist. With an impressive prize of a whopping £20,000, the contestants will have to answer questions hidden within a montage of moving images.  

To win the cash, the contestants will have to shout the answers they see on ten TV screens from ten different categories. For every question they get right, they move up the money ladder, but every question they get wrong sends them back down. The pressure is on, as the families will have to bank as much cash as possible to avoid crashing out altogether.    

With a brand new, dramatic head-to-head round where fortunes can flip completely, one contestant from each rival family will face off, pushing and pulling against each other in a tug-of-war to earn big money and book their place in the final.

The stakes are high for the winning family, who will have just 60 seconds to successfully answer questions correctly to turn off the ten TV’s. If they fail to turn off all ten tellies within the timeframe, they walk away with nothing.  

Across the six weeks series one aired, ITV1’s Saturday 7pm slot was up +20% year-on-year for volume and the series reached 3.5m viewers every week.

Episode 1

On the first show of the new series viewers will see the Prohan family from London competing against The Schofield family from Preston, each hoping they can win the jackpot.  

The information contained herein is embargoed from all Press, online, social media, non-commercial publication or syndication - in the public domain - until Tuesday 16 April 2024.

Martin Clunes: Islands of the Pacific

Episode 2

The next stage of Martin’s journey around the Pacific Islands takes him to the Philippines.

Martin says: “The Philippines is unlike all my other island destinations.  For a start it's one of the world’s largest archipelagos. More than 7,000 islands with an astounding array of landscapes.

“It borders the Western Pacific, yet it's also considered part of Asia. And on the largest island, Luzon, the capital, Manila, is the ultimate Pacific Asian fusion. Twenty million people living cheek by jowl make Manila the planet’s most densely populated city.”

Martin finds the best form of  travel around busy Manila is in a colourful Jeepney, adapted from military jeeps, left by American forces at the end of World War II, and unique to the country.

He says: “It feels like a great introduction to Manila because I think if I was sat at the back of an air conditioned taxi or a minibus I wouldn’t feel so immersed in it here, but you get the smells coming in, people coming on, you can see all the food on the market stalls.  Yeah, I'm getting a great sense of the place.” 

More and more Filipinos are turning to healthier ways to get around with national bike sales  growing by an impressive 25% year on year.  In the heart of Manila’s old Spanish colonial quarter, one brilliant venture is the ultimate in eco travel.   

American born Filipino Bryan McClelland is the founder of Bambike which builds bikes out of bamboo which are shipped around the world.

Bryan explains how they make the bikes: “The bikes are made in a kind of housing project, so we trained up a small community, put in a workshop in their village, and now they're the ones that we're the most proud of because it's their craftsmanship that really is the heart of Bambike.”

Martin discovers the Filipinos’ devotion to catholicism as he joins them to watch a religious parade including 27 floats bearing Catholic saints. Many locals believe that Our Lady of La Naval helped the Spanish defeat a Dutch invasion in 1646 and that she still grants miracles to those who pray. 

After the procession Martin is invited to dinner with a devotee of Our Lady. Jaylord Orellano’s family have their own shrine to Our Lady of Le Naval. Jaylord believes Our Lady has just helped heal his mother, now resting in the room where the family all sleep. 

Making impressive use of a tiny kitchen, Jaylord’s family prepare a traditional meal, known as a  boodle fight feast, that’s all about sharing. 

Two hundred miles north of Manila, high in the mountains of Luzon Island, lies the sleepy town of Sagada.  While the modern world has clearly made its mark here, Martin finds that the ancient ways of preserving the dead are still practised here today, and is shown the hanging coffins of the Kankanaey Tribe.

Martin meets Sagada resident, Chris Angway, who’s agreed to show him where his own ancestors hang. He explains the reason their ancestors’coffins are hanged is so their spirits will be free.

Three hours’ drive away the traditions of the Ifugao Tribe focus less on death and more on life. 

The stunning terraced landscape, a world heritage site, is sometimes called the Eighth Wonder of the World.  For the residents of Banga-an, everything revolves around the rice grown in these centuries old paddy fields. 

With local guide, Tom Magguling, Martin heads for the clustered traditional homes of Banga-an village to learn more about rice from the Hangda-an family. 

Martin joins the family in the paddy fields to help to plant the rice. Armed with a fist full of seedlings, he tries to plant neat rows.  But it's not quite as easy as it looks, and he needs tuition from the family to get it right. 

This rice growing method, unchanged here for 2,000 years, is now threatened by cheap mechanically farmed rice from the outside world. By growing ancient heirloom varieties, the Ifugao hope to export a surplus and sustain their way of life. 

The most sacred figure here is the Rice God Bulul, and many of the rituals seek his blessing for a good crop.  Martin is invited to witness a sacred rice ceremony. 

Leaving behind the mountains of Luzon Island, Martin heads south over the Philippine Archipelago.  In the centre, like a jewel, lies the island of Bohol. 

Bohol boasts a truly unique landscape that’s a bit of a geological mystery. 

Martin says: “This has to be one of the most pleasing sights I've ever seen. 1,776 of these beautiful perfect conical mounds.  They're known as the Chocolate Hills because in the dry season when all this green grass dies down, they all go brown.  Scientists will tell you that the Chocolate Hills are made of limestone moulded by the weather over thousands of years.  But what nobody really knows is why they formed so many perfect pudding shapes on this island. 

The Philippines is one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots, blessed with 52,000 plant and animal species, more than half of them found nowhere else.  And one of its most remarkable creatures lurks in the forests of Bohol. 

With the help of Conservationist Carlito Pizarras and his assistant Jera Bonita, Martin is hoping to spot the elusive Philippine Tarsier. For decades Carlito has fought to preserve this threatened species.  Earning himself the nickname ‘the tarsier man’.  Before the rest of the world understood much about them, as a local boy he instinctively knew they needed protection. 

Martin also meets Bohol businesswoman Dalareich Polot, known as the Chocolate Princess is helping locals to turn their cacao trees in to profit.

Dalareich Polot explains: “if you have just three old cacao trees in your backyard you can send one of your children to college.”

Martin’s last port of call on this stage of his epic adventure is to Siquijor island, which has surprisingly few visitors. Just 20 miles from Bohol this island has long had a reputation for sorcery and black magic. It is known locally as The Island of Witches, and a lot of Filipino people won't go there. 

Siquijor’s witches and shamans actually have an appointed representative, Junel Tomaroy who shows Martin around.

Before leaving the Philippines Martin takes a kayak with guide Ray Donaire  along the Abatan River in Bohol for a magical encounter to see how the river creatures prepare for the night.

Martin says: “I’ve absolutely loved my time in the Philippines, and even though I've only got to visit three of the 7,000 or so islands, I've got a real sense of this unique part Pacific island, part Asian, strong Spanish influences. Everybody works so hard for their church, their village, their community and their tribe, and all smiley, happy, laughing, welcoming people.  It's a real gem.”

[end]

Red Eye

[Full series drop available on ITVX here]

Series overview

Six-part thriller set on the red eye flight from London to Beijing. Whilst escorting a doctor being renditioned, an incident on-board leads DC Hana Li to uncover a wider conspiracy.

Episode 1

A drunk and disoriented Dr. Matthew Nolan races through the streets of Beijing and crashes his car. Wounded, he catches a flight home to the UK, only to be detained at the airport and accused of murder. DC Hana Li is assigned to escort Nolan back to Beijing on the next North China Air flight. When a group of Nolan’s colleagues land at Heathrow, they’re asked to return and give witness statements.

MI5 director Madeleine Delaney is leading the operation, keeping close communication with Chinese Minister Tang and the British Prime Minister. She must tread carefully, as a Chinese-British nuclear deal could be at risk. CIA officer Mike Maxwell is also helping on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Nolan tries to escape police custody at the airport and videos of him publicly declaring his innocence go viral. Hana’s sister and aspiring reporter Jess Li sees the video and jumps at the opportunity of a story.  

On the flight, an incident onboard shakes everyone. Nolan believes he’s being framed.

Changing Ends

[Full series drop available on ITVX here]

Series overview

Alan Carr’s semi-autobiographical sitcom. Head to 80s Northampton, where this football manager’s son-turned-famous comic grew up against the harsh backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain.

Changing Ends is based on Alan’s own life in Northampton in the 1980’s growing up as the son of a fourth division football manager.  

Alan Carr will star in the series as himself in present day, whilst taking on the role of young Alan is Oliver Savell.

Also starring cast Shaun Dooley and Nancy Sullivan playing Alan’s parents Graham and Christine along with Taylor Fay as his younger brother Gary.

Playing Alan’s neighbours are Rourke Mooney and Gabby Best as Charlie and Angela along with Harry Peacock as Nigel. Guest stars include David Mumeni as Mr Chapman and Michael Socha as Adam.

The comedy series will be more than just a trip down memory lane, it’s a love letter to a time and a town where things weren’t always so inclusive. Told with warmth and wit, it follows Alan’s journey through puberty, adolescence, and finally self-discovery, all against the backdrop of Thatcher’s Britain.

As showcased in many of Alan’s stand-up shows, his experience as a gay teenager in the East Midlands is a veritable treasure trove with a rich comedic seam, whether it’s his sexual awakenings, his daily battle with bullies or navigating the highs and lows of Fourth division football. It’s about school and family, Kevin Keegan and George Michael, and figuring out who you are when your family are Match of the Day and you’re a bit Miss Marple.

Episode 1

Having a father who's the football manager of a Fourth Division club is never going to be easy, but when you're being dropped by your friends for being camp Alan decides to take things into his own hands. Should he go against his own instincts and become a footballer himself? Will throwing himself into the beautiful game be enough to win back his bezzie mate Charlie?

The information contained herein is embargoed from all Press, online, social media, non-commercial publication or syndication - in the public domain - until Tuesday 9 April 2024.

It's Showtime

This new feature-length documentary showcases a powerful true story about a group of working-class men from Darlington in the North East of England who one night, while having a few beers, decided to club together to buy a racehorse.

In May 2022, Showtime Mahomes (named after Patrick ‘Showtime’ Mahomes, the NFL quarterback with 2024 Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs) ran the race of his life, as he defeated a field of high pedigree favourites to win at York.

An astonishing feat for a three-year old sprinter with no proven pedigree, owned by a group of men looking to have some fun.

This film gallops out of the gate to follow Showtime's return to action in 2023, taking in the men's emotional backstories as they prove that with friendship, love and a huge number of laughs, anything is possible.

Starting with his first 2023 race at Ripon, cameras follow Showtime’s owners, who named themselves The Muffed Punt Partnership, and their horse's nail-biting bid to return to York to recapture his former glory. Showtime Mahomes is now a four-year old and, in his racing prime, but is he able to go back to York and then win again?

The partnership - consisting of Anth, Ste, Dog, Baz, Mike, Jeff and Nick - meet up at their base, the Railway Athletic club in Darlington, to discuss their horse's prospects for the upcoming year - dreaming of another win at York, known as the Ascot of the North.

The information contained herein is embargoed from all Press, online, social media, non-commercial publication or syndication - in the public domain - until Tuesday 9 April 2024.

The Olivier Awards 2024

West End Superstar Hannah Waddingham hosts tonight’s awards from the Royal Albert Hall.

Highlights from the biggest night in British theatre include a spectacular performance from Guys & Dolls, which is up for nine nominations, as well as a very special star-studded performance celebrating the National Theatre’s 60th anniversary. Find out who has won the 26 coveted awards including Best Actress, Best Actor, the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director and Best New Musical.

Other contenders include Sheridan Smith, David Tennant, Sarah Jessica Parker, Joseph Fiennes, James Norton, Sarah Snook, Sophie Okonedo, Sam Mendes, Nicole Scherzinger and Marisha Wallace.

The information contained herein is embargoed from all Press, online, social media, non-commercial publication or syndication - in the public domain - until Tuesday 9 April 2024.

Katie Piper’s Breakfast Show

Series overview

Get ready to start your weekends in style, Katie Piper is back with a third series of her breakfast show and this time, she's doubling the fun expanding into both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ensuring your weekends are filled with feel-good features, entertainment, and inspiration.

Each week she’ll be serving up fabulous guests, fantastic experts, plus top tips, and recommendations to keep you entertained in the week ahead. As Katie says, “Our vibe is like you're with a friend having a coffee, a gossip, and a laugh” and you can join in it all from the comfort of your own home.

Saturdays will be all about igniting that weekend spark with sizzling celebrity interviews, must-watch TV/film/podcast picks, and a deep dive into the hottest fitness and wellness trends that'll have you breaking out of your comfort zone or sweating it out in style.

Then, on Sundays, prepare to ease into the day with more insightful celeb chats, thought-provoking expert interviews and Q&A sessions that'll broaden your horizons ending with a craft section that will infuse your week with a sprinkle of joy.

Katie’s Breakfast shows promise to deliver a fresh and inspiring experience, bringing you something new, exciting, and unexpected every week – so who knows what adventures await!

Episode 2

Katie Piper is here to ease you into the day with more insightful celeb chats, thought-provoking expert interviews, Q and A sessions to broaden your horizons and a craft section that will infuse your week with a sprinkle of joy. This week she’s joined in the studio by celebrity guests, Dr Idz Mughal will be medical myth-busting, and we’ll be showing you how to revamp your old denim with fashion ‘redesigner’ Rosette Ale.

The information contained herein is embargoed from all Press, online, social media, non-commercial publication or syndication - in the public domain - until Tuesday 9 April 2024.

Katie Piper’s Breakfast Show

Series overview

Get ready to start your weekends in style, Katie Piper is back with a third series of her breakfast show and this time, she's doubling the fun expanding into both Saturday and Sunday mornings, ensuring your weekends are filled with feel-good features, entertainment, and inspiration.

Each week she’ll be serving up fabulous guests, fantastic experts, plus top tips, and recommendations to keep you entertained in the week ahead. As Katie says, “Our vibe is like you're with a friend having a coffee, a gossip, and a laugh” and you can join in it all from the comfort of your own home.

Saturdays will be all about igniting that weekend spark with sizzling celebrity interviews, must-watch TV/film/podcast picks, and a deep dive into the hottest fitness and wellness trends that'll have you breaking out of your comfort zone or sweating it out in style.

Then, on Sundays, prepare to ease into the day with more insightful celeb chats, thought-provoking expert interviews and Q&A sessions that'll broaden your horizons ending with a craft section that will infuse your week with a sprinkle of joy.

Katie’s Breakfast shows promise to deliver a fresh and inspiring experience, bringing you something new, exciting, and unexpected every week – so who knows what adventures await.

Episode 1

On the show this week Katie will be joined by comedic legend Jo Brand, TV's Anita Rani and our entertainment guru Elle Osili-Wood will have all the must-see TV  and film recommendations. Plus we'll be getting up off our feet - quite literally - with aerial dancer Molly Whitehouse.
 

[The information contained herein is embargoed from all Press, online, social media, non-commercial publication or syndication - in the public domain - until Tuesday 9 April 2024.]

The Jonathan Ross Show 

On The Jonathan Ross Show this week, the first exclusive chat with Little Mix singer Perrie Edwards ahead of her much-anticipated solo music debut, legendary comedian Frank Skinner, Emmy-Award winning Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, Strictly star Johannes Radebe, plus the BRIT-Award winning and multi-platinum selling Kasabian who will be performing in the studio.

Watch and embed this video on your website. Simply play and click on the embed icon upper right to copy the embed code.

For the Love of Dogs with Alison Hammond

Catch up on ITVX here

Series overview

Alison Hammond is preparing to dish out the dog treats and set tails wagging as she steps into her latest role as the new presenter of the award-winning ITV series, For The Love of Dogs.

In this brand new six-part series, Alison heads to Battersea Dogs & Cats Home to help the animals in their care look for a new place to live, following the sad passing of much-loved presenter Paul O’Grady last spring.

With more abandoned and stray dogs in need of care than ever, Alison tells the stories of some of the latest arrivals at Battersea before rolling up her sleeves and helping the expert staff and volunteers to take care of the animals and get them ready for their potential new owners.

Episode 1

In the first episode, Alison meets a tiny three-week old pup who was thrown away in a bin, a boisterous terrier cross who needs to put his energy to good use and a spaniel with an eye problem who Alison quickly falls in love with.

As Alison feeds tiny pup Oscar, she says: “This is the best day of my life. Honestly, it takes me back to when I was a mum feeding my baby. How you could ever throw this away?”

Next Alison meets Nelly, a nine-year-old spaniel who was brought to Battersea after her owner fell ill and could no longer take care of her. Alison helps as Nelly has her eye medication before giving her a much-needed cuddle ahead of an impending operation.

Alison then heads out to the paddocks to meet a spaniel-terrier cross who has lots of energy and is hoping to get a job as a sniffer dog.

[The information contained herein is embargoed from all Press, online, social media, non-commercial publication or syndication - in the public domain - until Tuesday 9 April 2024.]

Professor T

Professor T (Ben Miller) finds himself in unfamiliar surroundings banged up in prison after the explosive finale to series two saw him trying to defend his old flame DCI Christina Brand (Juliet Aubrey).

In this series both their careers are on the line, and both have momentous decisions to make. Will Christina allow Jasper to incriminate himself to save her career or will her conscience and the formidable duo of his mother Adelaide (Frances de La Tour) and his therapist Dr Helena (Juliet Stevenson) get the better of her?

The Professor struggles in prison – the hostile, dirty and noisy environment plays havoc with his OCD plus he is a curiosity among the inmates.  But his brilliant criminal mind will soon be put to good use by some of the less than brilliant criminals he finds himself surrounded by.

Again, the police will need the Professor’s analysis and insight to help them solve a series of intriguing crimes. Within the police there’s also been a shift in power as Lisa Donckers (Emma Naomi) enjoys a promotion. There is also a new boss in the police station, DCI Maiya Goswami (Sunetra Sarker) who takes over from DCI Christina Brand, her style of management is abrasive and direct and very different to her predecessor’s.

For the young detectives, Lisa and Dan, their relationship seems to be finally getting on track but a tragic turn of events will blow them apart.

This series will also finally reveal what happened the night a young Jasper found his father hanging. How involved was his mother Adelaide and what did she really know about her husband’s death? With the help of his therapist, Jasper finally manages to piece together his memories of the events despite Adelaide and the Dean’s attempts to shield him from the devastating truth.

Also joining the cast are guest appearances from Jeany Spark, Flora Montgomery, Jack Ashton and Roger Barclay.

Episode 4: A Little Drop of Poison

Out of prison the Professor is desperate to get back to his work at the university and with the police.  Detectives need the Professor’s help to investigate a series of unexplained deaths before more people die.