Latest news with #200YearsofTheRailways
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Michael Portillo will ‘celebrate 200 years of railways in Britain' with BBC show
Michael Portillo will celebrate the 200th anniversary of British railways with a special programme on the BBC. The opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway on September 27 1825 is credited as being the birth of the modern railway, and north-east England is set to be one place Portillo will travel to for the new programme. The former Tory government minister turned broadcaster, 71, has presented Great British Railway Journeys since 2010, with the last series in 2024. His spin-off programme, Great Continental Railway Journeys, last aired in 2020, after beginning in 2012. Both shows will also be back this year, along with the two-part series: 200 Years Of The Railways. 🚂 Michael Portillo's taking audiences on a journey through time with 200 Years of The Railways, a brand new two-part series And he's off on some Great Continental Railway Journeys and Great British Railway Journeys too! Get all the info ➡️ — BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) February 5, 2025 Portillo said: 'I am proud of having made new series of Great Continental Railway Journeys and Great British Railway Journeys. 'As ever, my adventures are brought alive by the wonderful characters whom I encounter along the way. This year we shall also produce a special series to celebrate the 200 years of railways in Britain and the world. 'I thank our viewers warmly for their commitment to these programmes.' The two one-hour specials will see Portillo travel by train to the North East and North West of England and look at what the railways have achieved and their future. During the shows he has been accompanied by his trusty series of Bradshaw's Guides, and he uses the programmes to compare railways now with past lines through different areas of the UK and Europe. He has also presented Great American Railroad Journeys. Alex McLeod, commissioning editor for BBC Daytime, said: 'The railways have been a rich part of our British heritage since they started, and who better to celebrate this momentous anniversary with but Michael Portillo, whose passion for trains is undisputed and infectious. 'The specials will entertain and educate and there is something for everyone to enjoy.' For Great Continental Railway Journeys, Portillo will go to Switzerland, Croatia, Bosnia, Norway, Denmark and France, while in Great British Railway Journeys he will go to Epping Forest, the Black Country, the Lake District and the Weald. Co-executive producer John Comerford, head of Naked West, a Fremantle label, said: 'This year marks a momentous anniversary of the first steam-hauled passenger train. 'We are delighted to be celebrating this extraordinarily significant moment in history, not only with a brand-new commission, 200 Years Of The Railways, but also with the return of Great Continental Railway Journeys and Great British Railway Journeys' 200 Years Of The Railways airs later this year. Great Continental Railway Journeys and Great British Railway Journeys return to BBC Two from March 10.
BBC News
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
200 Years of the Railways - Michael Portillo presents two-part special and two new series
September 2025 marks 200 years since the first steam-hauled passenger train ran on a public railway, from Stockton to Darlington, in 1825. To celebrate this incredible anniversary, Michael Portillo is set to take audiences on a journey through time with a two-part series: 200 Years of The Railways which will air on BBC Two later this year. Produced by Naked West, a Fremantle label, the two one-hour specials will see Michael Portillo travel by train to the Northeast and Northwest of England and investigate what the railways have done for us over the past 200 years and explore what the railways' role could be in the future. The special comes as two brand new series - Great Continental Railway Journeys and Great British Railway Journeys - return to screens on BBC Two from 10 March. Great Continental Railway Journeys will see Michael embark on a new journey, exploring some of Europe's most beautiful and historic regions, from Switzerland to Croatia and Bosnia, Norway and Denmark to Normandy and Brittany as he uncovers how nature and history have shaped life in some of the most enchanting settings on the continent. Great British Railway Journeys will follow Michael as he takes to the rails to explore some of Britain's most scenic and intriguing settings. From Epping Forest to the Black Country, the Lake District to the Weald, this series takes viewers on a journey through history as Michael discovers the beauty of Britain, all accessible by train. Michael Portillo says: 'I am proud of having made new series of Great Continental Railway Journeys and Great British Railway Journeys. As ever, my adventures are brought alive by the wonderful characters whom I encounter along the way. This year we shall also produce a special series to celebrate the 200 years of railways in Britain and the world. I thank our viewers warmly for their commitment to these programmes.' John Comerford, Head of Naked West, a Fremantle label and Co-Executive producer adds: 'This year marks a momentous anniversary of the first steam-hauled passenger train. We are delighted to be celebrating this extraordinarily significant moment in history, not only with a brand-new commission, 200 Years of the Railways, but also with the return of Great Continental Railway Journeys and Great British Railway Journeys' Alex McLeod, Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime comments, 'The railways have been a rich part of our British heritage since they started, and who better to celebrate this momentous anniversary with but Michael Portillo, whose passion for trains is undisputed and infectious. The specials will entertain and educate and there is something for everyone to enjoy' The Railway series' are commissioned for BBC Two and iPlayer by Rob Unswoth, Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning. Alex McLeod is the Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime, the Executive Producers for 200 Years of the Railways will be Alison Kreps and John Comerford. Great British Railway Journeys and Great Continental Railway Journeys are Executive Produced by Alison Kreps and John Comerford for Naked West, a Fremantle label.
