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Wales Online
31 minutes ago
- Wales Online
BBC Breakfast presenter gets emotional as popular British soap announces return
BBC Breakfast presenter gets emotional as popular British soap announces return BBC Breakfast star Mike Bushell reacted as colleagues shared news of a nostalgic soap update Mike Bushell was left feeling a bit emotional at the news of popular British soap's comeback (Image: BBC) A BBC Breakfast presenter became emotional as he confessed "you've set me off" following a nostalgic announcement. During Thursday's edition of the popular programme, Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty delivered the day's headlines from the famous red sofa. But it was one significant announcement on the BBC show that caused Mike Bushell to feel nostalgic as Charlie declared: "A ground-breaking soap is set to return to our screens but for just one episode." Naga chimed in and disclosed: "Brookside. It launched the careers of Ricky Tomlinson, Sue Johnston and Anna Friel and it's making a comeback in a crossover episode with Hollyoaks - the soap which succeeded it." Your can still watch the episodes from the original show by following our simple guide. The programme then switched to a pre-filmed piece with BBC correspondent Annie Knowlson as she reflected on the show's most unforgettable moments, reports the Express. The soap's return got colleague Mike feeling sentimental as he looked back fondly on the nostalgic drama. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Before his segment, Naga began by commenting: "A lot of people will be enjoying that and reminiscing." Article continues below Charlie concurred: "Yes Brookside, absolutely." Mike confessed: "It's the theme tune isn't it. You've set me off now, the nostalgia". The hit show ran between 1982 to 2003 and still enjoys a massive fan following (Image: Channel 4) Following 22 years away from TV, Brookside is poised to make its comeback as part of an unprecedented crossover with Hollyoaks, as the Channel 4 drama prepares to mark its 30th anniversary later this year. Hollyoaks assumed the mantle of Channel 4's flagship continuing drama following Brookside's conclusion in 2003, with a special crossover episode paying tribute to its forerunner and mastermind Sir Phil Redmond. The groundbreaking soap had built its reputation on tackling pioneering social topics, frequently ahead of the curve, a tradition that Hollyoaks has continued to uphold. The upcoming crossover will witness the comeback of beloved, classic Brookside personalities as a special gift to viewers whilst celebrating this significant anniversary. Specific details regarding which characters will make their return remain under wraps. Executive producer Hannah Cheers commented: "This episode is a love letter to both Hollyoaks and Brookside. "Brookside gave birth to Hollyoaks - it grew up on the same site and eventually took over its sets. "For everyone at Lime Pictures (originally Mersey TV), Hollyoaks' history is deeply rooted in Brookside, and its legacy lives on through our crew and, of course, some of our cast. "This special feels like both a moving and fitting tribute to our origin story and a chance for fans to revisit much-loved Brookside characters in honour of that legacy. Article continues below "These iconic Brookside characters are soap archetypes that helped define British TV; soap archetypes that new generations are still discovering now through Hollyoaks." BBC Breakfast broadcasts daily from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer, Brookside can be viewed on STV player and Hollyoaks is accessible on catch-up via
Western Telegraph
32 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Comedian Munya Chawawa says ‘death of British TV' cannot be blamed on TikTok
The comedian, 32, who turns political discourse into satirical videos online, was given a standing ovation after he delivered the Alternative MacTaggart lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival on Thursday. In his speech, Chawawa said: 'Meticulously crafted, traditionally-produced TV shows have come to terms with the fact that the apex of their existence might be as a pixelated repost on TikTok soundtracked by the Jet2holiday theme song. 'The horsemen of the apocalypse, the broadsheets, bellow out unanimously 'traditional TV is dying', and perhaps the most devastating impact is the fact that much of it is self-inflicted. 'In the face of a rapidly-changing landscape, British television has ignored evolution and the same outdated gatekeepers have stuck to the same outdated guns whilst yelling, 'Hey guys, remember this one?' like an out-of-touch dad doing the worm.' He continued: 'British TV isn't dying because of TikTok. It's dying because it's lost its willingness to take risks, to throw caution to the wind and to gamble on great ideas. 'While traditional television desperately throw texts to its ex with the promise of nostalgia and reboots of all the favourites, the audience swipe through a collection of new hot guys, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok.' In July, an annual Ofcom report revealed that YouTube is now the second most-watched media service in the UK behind the BBC and ahead of ITV. In a separate report, the regulatory body said that traditional public service media (PSM) is under threat and that the Government should bring forward legislation to help 'ensure that PSM content is prominent and easy to find on the (sharing) platforms, and on fair commercial terms'. Chawawa also spoke about the surprising success of Netflix dystopian drama Squid Game, which is a non-English language title whose figures have made it one of Netflix's most watched shows globally. 'Now, whatever doubts you had about the internet's ability to outmatch TV was settled when the first series (of Squid Game) dropped on Netflix, given Squid Game was a revolutionary Korean-language international streaming show. 'However, it set records for what audiences for high-end drama could reach after the first season it sat at a colossal 265 million views. Debate settled. TV wins. Munya Chawawa delivered the Alternative MacTaggart lecture (Ian West/PA) 'Until a few months later, when a YouTuber named Mr Beast recreated the show up on his channel and got 850 million views.' The US YouTube star published a video on the platform that was based on the popular South Korean show, which sees 456 people compete for a cash prize. Chawawa said: 'The message was clear, anything you can do, we can do better, and now present-day evidence supports that theory more than ever. ' He added: 'To survive, tele has to move forward … where creators have passion, TV can sculpt it into ideas and formats, where creators have ideas, we can bring them into formats where creators have formats already. TV can inject budget to elevate them to their full potential.' After his speech, Chawawa spoke about the precarity of working in TV and said: 'I could have been someone who worked at my digital following, had a shot on TV and then just blew it, just by virtue of the fact that it was such an alien landscape. 'There was no sort of nurturing up through to those points… it can't be that our relationship with digital talent is prove to us you are somebody, then we'll put you on the big shows, and if you flop that's the end of your TV career.' Chawawa won best breakthrough comedian at the 2021 National Comedy Awards and has starred in entertainment shows including Would I Lie To You? and Taskmaster. Former Countdown star Carol Vorderman and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn are among the public figures who have delivered the Alternative MacTaggart lecture before. The Observer's editor-in-chief, James Harding, delivered the James MacTaggart Memorial Lecture lecture on Wednesday and spoke about recent criticisms directed at the BBC.
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Everyone need to watch masterpiece war film now streaming at least once
Kate Winslet's film Lee is streaming now and tells the remarkable true story of a woman who abandoned a career as a model to become one of the most important war correspondents of the 20th century A gripping World War II drama critics are hailing as a "masterpiece" is available to stream right now - and it chronicles the extraordinary true tale of a woman whose images transformed how the globe viewed the conflict. Lee (2023), featuring Kate Winslet, draws from the experiences of British photographer Lee Miller, who left behind her modelling career to become one of the most significant war correspondents of the 20th century. The picture traces her transformation from fashion photography at Vogue to the battlefields of Europe, where she captured the liberation of Paris and the atrocities within Nazi concentration camps. Winslet, who also served as producer, has earned acclaim for what many consider to be amongst her most exceptional performances ever. The audience reaction on Rotten Tomatoes has been profoundly emotional following its debut, reports the Express. One review says: "Just an amazing picture. I was shocked, moved to tears and left with such a beautiful picture of what Ms. Lee Miller was. Amazing acting by the beautiful Kate Winslet. Definitely rewatching this masterpiece." Another added: "Possibly Kate Winslet's best performance. Shining light on the harsh reality of WW2. This story is very important and needs to be watched by all." The production doesn't avoid history's harsh realities, showcasing Miller's determination as she wielded her camera to document evidence of war crimes and human anguish. Audiences have hailed it as both heartbreaking and vital viewing. One viewer wrote: "Masterpiece. Incredible multifaceted and deep performance by Kate Winslet, beautifully written, filmed, scored. No words really - this is one of those honest films that can change lives." Helmed by Ellen Kuras, Lee also features Alexander Skarsgård, Andrea Riseborough, and Andy Samberg, intertwining Miller's private world with her battlefield journalism. Critics have lauded the production not only for its acting prowess but for masterfully combining personal drama with wartime grandeur. For Winslet, bringing this character to life represented years of dedication, having fought relentlessly to showcase Miller's overlooked legacy. Speaking to journalists before the premiere, she declared that Miller "should be a household name" and that her photographs "changed the course of history." Lee can be streamed with a Sky subscription and on NOW.
