‘Exciting' new Channel 4 adventure show with huge cash prize and VERY familiar format set to air later this year
This week, at the Edinburgh TV Festival, it is announcing Worlds Apart, a contest where a young and old person are paired up to complete a challenge on the road.
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With more than a whiff of Race Across The World to the format, the teams of two will be sent to Japan, where there is a stronger emphasis on care and respect for the elderly.
And if that wasn't enough of a feat, many of the contestants vying for the £50,000 cash prize will be Brits who have never travelled abroad before.
Channel 4 commissioning editor Genna Gibson said: 'I've seen how generations can feel miles apart, but bring them together and you realise they share more than you think.
'Japan, with its ancient traditions and cutting-edge modern life is the perfect backdrop for their journeys.'
Unsurprisingly, Worlds Apart is being made by South Shore, which was behind Freddie Flintoff 's young cricketers show Field Of Dreams on BBC One, and The Real Marigold Hotel, about veterans going on adventures, for BBC Two.
Both shows endeavoured to shatter stereotypes about young and old.
RO CAN'T RESIST A REVAMP
TOP Boy creator Ronan Bennett is giving World War Two drama Army Of Shadows a bold new twist.
His Channel 4 show was inspired by Jean-Pierre Melville's 1969 film and Joseph Kessel's seminal book.
Ronan's project was unveiled last night at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
The movie and novel dramatised the emergence of the French Resistance to the Nazi occupation of France.
Ronan has created a new story of how resistance takes shape in a near-future authoritarian Britain.
Under de facto American occupation, a former British army officer builds a covert cell from scratch as young recruits fight to reclaim their country.
Ronan said: 'Democracy is in clear and present danger.
'This is a story about commitment, resistance and defiance in the coming age.'
MOFFAT IN No10 DRAMA
SHERLOCK and Doctor Who writer Steven Moffat is making a drama about life inside the Prime Minister's Downing Street home.
Simply called Number 10, it will delve into what it is like to live in one of the most powerful places on Earth – an old terrace with mice and a lift that never works.
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Channel 4 confirmed it was making the programme as the four-day Edinburgh TV Festival got under way yesterday.
Sue Vertue, executive producer for Hartswood Films, which is creating the show for C4, said: 'We are excited to be working with Channel 4 on Number 10, which is a passion project for Steven.
'He says there are three famous doors in the world; he's done 221B Baker Street and the Tardis – now he's going to do the real one.'
C4 have yet to announce the lead stars, but given the pedigree of Steven and Hartswood, its sure to attract huge names.
GLENN IS STILL KILLING IT
GLENN CLOSE plays a cantankerous killer in new Channel 4 drama Maud next year – having won the part thanks to her bunny-boiler role in film Fatal Attraction.
The 1987 thriller saw her character Alex Forrest terrorise married lawyer Dan (Michael Douglas) after a one-night stand.
Even though almost 40 years have passed, I'm told the film helped her bag the lead in the upcoming six-parter.
Gwawr Lloyd, acting head of drama, at C4 said: 'Maud is a deliciously dark and daring drama and the amazing Glenn Close will bring a thrilling complexity to the role.'
Filming for Maud, which is based on the short stories by Swedish writer Helene Tursten, will take place in London later this year.
GAME SHOW TO RIVAL ALL OTHERS
ITV doesn't appear to be hiding the similarities to Disney+ show Rivals in its teaser image for new game show, Nobody's Fool.
Revealed at the start of the Edinburgh TV Festival, it sees two stars of the Jilly Cooper drama – Emily Atack and Danny Dyer – pose up as hosts.
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And the pair are inside a stately home, just like the one in Rivals where lead character, saucy MP Rupert Campbell-Black, lives.
While Emily looks quite different to her character Sarah Stratton, Danny's moustache and smart attire make him virtually indistinguishable from businessman Freddie Jones.
Commenting on the show, due to air next year, Danny said: 'This is a blinder of a game show.
'Emily and I had a brilliant time making it and, much like the audience at home will be, we were kept guessing right until the very end.'
Emily added: 'It's so exciting to be part of something this fresh.'
Hmm, not entirely fresh though, is it?
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The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
Irvine Welsh documentary was a fitting end to close the EIF
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Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Daily Mail
The beautiful new French-Asian spot tucked inside a foyer hundreds walk past daily + Manu Feildel spills his off-duty dining favourites: THE DETOUR
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Step inside and you're guided by passionate staff past gleaming chandeliers, dark mahogany tables and a floating wine cellar stocked with carefully chosen drops from every corner of the globe. Yes, there's an à la carte menu, but the real magic lies in the eight-course tasting menu (from $165pp). More than just dinner, it's a story - each course inspired by a different milestone in the chef's life, from age 15 through to 38. As each dish arrives, the waiter shares the meaning behind it and invites guests to reflect, share stories, and connect on a deeper level. The journey begins at Age 15: A Glimpse of Purpose. A jewel-bright plate of bluefin tuna, sweet potato and caviar arrives alongside an accompanying story booklet. 'At fifteen there's a spark - a moment when something clicks,' it reads. 'Tuna, clean and confident, reflects that early clarity. It's the first glimpse of purpose: subtle, instinctive, and deeply felt.' 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Niland's nose-to-tail seafood magic, like the famed Fish Butchery Charcuterie (think smoked bar cod roe and John Dory liver pâté tart) and charcoal-grilled garfish with Manjimup truffle and Marlivale Farm rice. 'Julie and I are so incredibly proud of the extraordinarily talented team,' Josh gushed. 'A big thank you to Gourmet Traveller for the recognition and further thanks to the team Fish Butchery, Saint Peter Bar and The Saint Peter Hotel. 'Very grateful to all our guests that find joy in the service we give and to the people that supply, catch and grow the beautiful food we get to serve.' Bravo Josh and team. The Strand Hotel: Darlinghurst's burger comeback The only thing better than a shiny renovation? A shiny new burger menu to match. Darlinghurst's Strand Hotel has emerged from its revamp with a moody art-deco look, a crackling fireplace, and a burger-driven menu crafted by Executive Chef Toby Wilson and Solotel's Hamish Ingham. To celebrate, the pub is slinging $5 burgers for five days (four left, move fast). Mouthwatering options include the Smashed Burger with American cheese, bacon, burger sauce and pickles, The Hot Bird burger, with fried chicken, black pepper hot honey and iceberg and chive slaw, and the Fresh Fish burger, with crumbed ling and house tartare. 'We've looked at what everyone else is doing and realised what the neighbourhood was missing - a seriously good burger,' Toby said. 'Between Hamish and I we've come up with six cracking burgers that cater to a few tastes. 'My personal favourite is the smashed prawn burger with shredded fennel slaw, jalapeno pickle and tartare.' The drinks list also got a glow-up: sip on an Aloe Sour (gin, mango wine, aloe vera, lemon, whites) or a Bulls on Parade (pisco, macadamia, passionflower, lime, paprika oil) among others. 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'Australian travellers have really embraced the Qantas route, with many visiting Palau for the first time to explore our spectacular dive sites,' he said. 'Local tour operators are already seeing the benefits, with strong interest across a range of experiences from traditional sailing tours around the Rock Islands to WWII history adventures on Peleliu. 'The continuation of this route is a vital step in supporting our tourism sector's long-term growth.' Don't have to ask me twice. The spritz out-selling wine In a twist that nobody saw coming, a zingy spritz is the new drink of choice for thousands of Aussies. A national obsession with spritz (wine cocktails) is breathing new life into the wine world, with the State of the Grapes report crowning an unsung hero: Zonzo Estate's Zoncello. The fizzy lemon-kissed spritz has struck a chord with younger drinkers, who are leaning towards lighter, fresher options (hello, spritz culture, rosé, and prosecco) over heavy reds. 'Zonzo is the ultimate success story,' Andrew Shedden, General Manager of Premium and Luxury at Endeavour Group tells me. 'They've merged two key trends: the refreshing spritz culture which is now a mainstay thanks to the previous success of Aperol, and the booming popularity of lemon as seen in the rise of the Italian summer aesthetic. Describing the results as 'staggering', Andrew said the brand's success has 'come extremely quickly'. 'They've created a product that is not only competing with some of the most established wine brands in the country but is also bringing a whole new generation into the category,' he said. 'The data speaks for itself: in the last six months at BWS and Dan Murphy's, Zoncello was the number one sparkling wine product by number of unique customers. 'In that same period, it became the number one wine product by unique customers for Gen Z across all of our stores.' Talk about a zesty takeover. As Manu Feildel marks his restaurant Bistro Red Lion's one year birthday at the Red Lion Hotel, he shares his go-to spots in Australia: What is your favourite restaurant in Sydney right now? Right now, apart from Bistro Red Lion by Manu, King Clarence is my favourite. Chef Khanh Ngyuen is a genius when it comes to creating outside the box kind of dishes. What is your number one type of food to eat and/or prepare. Why? Obviously French food is what I know best but what I like to cook with the most is seafood. Australia has some amazing seafood and for some reason a lot of people are a little scared to cook with it. I love the versatility and there are so many dishes you can create. What is the most underrated hole-in-the-wall spot you've stumbled upon this year? My wife and I love to go to Shalom Indonesian restaurant in Mascot, it's very authentic and absolutely delicious. What is a venue you visited on a recent holiday that had an impact on you? We've just been to Port Douglas and there is a beautiful Thai restaurant called Jungle Fowl, if you're in the area, it's a must. What makes a truly fantastic restaurant in 2025? For me a fantastic restaurant in 2025 is back to basics. Simple food cooked well and a warm and professional service. What is a 'neighbourhood favourite' venue you will continue to visit for years to come? My favourite venues in my neighbourhood are Boulevard Bakery for their amazing croissants and delicious bread, Billy's for their to die for crispy bacon rolls and Eksentrik Cafe for their addictive coffee. What's a dish/project of yours that you're really excited about right now? There is maybe a cookbook brewing behind the scenes from my wife and I, Shhh..... About Bistro Red Lion The historic Red Lion Hotel in Sydney's Inner West is celebrating a major milestone – one year since the launch of its upstairs dining destination, Bistro Red Lion by Manu, which officially opened its doors in July 2024. 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The Sun
2 hours ago
- The Sun
How furry monster Labubus have become must-have toy for kids and celebs – and sparked mini riots & late-night robberies
THEY have been seen dangling from the bags of Rihanna, the Kardashians and Paris Hilton. And now, Labubu dolls are the must-have status symbol for kids everywhere. 8 8 8 The small toy monsters with bright-coloured fur and devilish toothy grins are in such demand they have even led to mini-riots and midnight break-ins. And the craze is making their Chinese owners very rich indeed. Pop Mart reported a near 400 per cent increase in profits during the first half of this year. Now it is one of the most valuable toy makers in the world — worth more than twice as much as rival giants Hasbro and Mattel combined. The firm, founded in 2010 by CEO Wang Ning, has sold more than £496million-worth of products this year alone. Not bad for a furry little monster that's no bigger than a hand. To some, the creatures are adorable, to others, plain ugly. One thing is for sure — the world is in the grip of Labubumania. But how? Inspired by Nordic folklore, Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung designed them in 2015 as part of a collection of characters called The Monsters. It wasn't until Pop Mart bought the rights to them that the seeds for their viral success were sewn. The toy company specialises in 'blind boxes', so-called because customers only find out what they've bought when they open the package. Dramatic moment crowds join massive queue to grab viral Labubu dolls as latest doll craze sweeps across the world Combine that with the characters coming in themed groups such as 'Big Into Energy' and 'Exciting Macaron', ultra-rare limited-edition designs, and collaborations with fashion designers, and you've got the ultimate collector's item. Each 'series' also has a 'secret' final Labubu to complete the collection that is even rarer than the rest. No wonder demand has spiralled. Fake versions, dubbed Lafufus, are big business too, with China seizing 70,000 in just a few days. Although 'blind boxes' from Pop Mart tend to range from £18 to around £60, Labubus get resold online for thousands. Rarer than rest One child-size Labubu fetched a record 1.08million yuan (£110,000) at a Beijing auction in June. Parents are finding their pockets plundered by kids desperate for 'just one more'. But you almost can't blame them when just about every big name is a fan. Having gained popularity in China, Labubus went global after K-pop singer Lalisa Manobal from girlband Blackpink — who also features in TV hit White Lotus — began posting photos of them on her social media. Since then, Rihanna, Lizzo and Dua Lipa have been snapped with Labubus dangling from their designer bags. 8 8 8 In April, Kim Kardashian posted snaps of her collection of ten dolls on Instagram. A few weeks later David Beckham revealed his daughter, Harper, 13, had bought him a rare 'secret' edition Labubu. But they're not just bag accessories. Paris Hilton's kids Phoenix, two, and London, 21 months, own several, including some as big as them. In June, Olivia Attwood was treated to a £175 doll by footballer husband Bradley Dack to mark her second wedding anniversary. A month earlier she celebrated turning 34 with a Labubu-themed birthday party. Towie favourite Gemma Collins says she's 'obsessed' with the dolls. And tennis player Carlos Alcaraz was even spotted wth one at Wimbledon in June. Chaos at shop Yesterday, singer Pixie Lott announced on TikTok the world's first gig for Labubu Dolls — set to be held next Thursday at a 'secret West London location'. And what better way for Madonna to have celebrated her 67th birthday last Saturday than with a giant Labubu cake? It's little surprise then that Pop Mart stores in the UK have had queues snaking around the block. But they underestimated just how desperate people were to get their hands on them. In May, bosses were forced to temporarily halt sales in all UK stores after fights broke out between frenzied fans who had been camping outside since 3am. 'There were big crowds of people hovering around the shop, and there was this really negative vibe,' shopper Victoria Calvert told the BBC after she witnessed the chaos at the Westfield Stratford shopping centre in East London. 8 8 'People were shouting, basically saying there were no more Labubus left. 'I even witnessed a fight between a worker and a customer.' Pop Mart has since moved to a system that only allows shoppers to buy them in store after winning an online raffle. Two weeks ago in California, burglars raided an LA store and swiped boxes of the dolls. The heartbroken owners fear $30,000 worth of Labubus were taken. And in Iraq, Kurdish authorities confiscated 4,000 dolls and banned their sales in shops — though denied it was due to earlier media reports that they had demonic powers. It might be yet another crazy trend. But for now, it seem Labubu fever is here to stay. 'HOOKED AFTER MY FIRST LABUBU' VIDEO editor Iyo Ozigbo, 25, bought her first doll just one month ago – and was hooked. The North Londoner said: 'I first found out about them around December, when Olivia Attwood made a TikTok about them. 'I thought they looked cute.' She entered the raffle to buy one – and finally won four weeks ago. 'I was shocked when I got the email saying I'd won,' she said. 'The lady in the store in Soho told me demand had got so bad that people were having fights over them. 'I was even cautious walking down Oxford Street with it, because I genuinely thought someone would try to nick it.' She's since bought three others, bringing her total Labubu spend so far to £80, and plans to get two more. She said: 'They're fluffy and cute, and the colours look great. 'When you see celebrities wearing them, it's only natural you want one. 'And some people might think £18, their starting price, is a bit expensive. 'But it's not that much to have something that celebrities are wearing. Some of my friends say, 'Oh god, just another trend', but some of them are slowly being persuaded to team Labubu.'
