Latest news with #DianeMorgan
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
TV tonight: a horrifying look inside the prison walls of the Assad regime
9pm, BBC TwoWhen the reign of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad came to an end in December 2024, the image that went around the world was of political prisoners being released after years of confinement and torture. This film follows the story of two incarcerated brothers, matching it with the confessions of more than 40 former regime operatives, from intelligence officers to prison guards. They describe actions so dark and cruel, they are hard even to comprehend. Jack Seale 8pm, BBC OneDiane Morgan's comic creation Mandy was once on an episode of Who Are You, Do You Think? ('Not as good as Danny Dyer's, but still all right'). Now, Morgan – better known as clueless TV presenter Philomena Cunk – is doing the real thing, involving a pilgrimage to Germany and a moving conclusion to a second world war love story. Ellen E Jones 8pm, Channel 4Despite what co-presenter Ellie Taylor suggests, there is a world of difference between a savoury paté en croute and a Greggs sausage roll. Putting a signature spin on the French classic is just one of the stressful tasks the four remaining pastry chef duos must juggle if they are to make it past the opening heat. Graeme Virtue 9pm, BBC ThreeParis Lees' turbo-charged coming-of-age drama continues. School teenager Byron (Ellis Howard) has found their tribe in the Nottingham clubs with the 'Fallen Divas' but there's danger ahead with toxic Liam (Jake Dunn), who gave them a taste for ketamine and has a 'plan' to make money together. Hollie Richardson 9pm, Sky Arts 'If the Guerrilla Girls tell you to meet them at the Getty museum, you meet them at the Getty museum.' Kate Bryan is in genuine awe as she spends a week with the female art group – it's wonderfully surreal as 'Frida Kahlo' and 'Käthe Kollwitz', in their gorilla masks, squabble over car directions. HR 10pm, BBC FourRachel Elitzur grew up Orthodox Jewish and got married, but then decided to not have children, divorce her husband and follow her dream to become a film-maker. In her new feature documentary, she interviews fellow Orthodox Jews about their wedding nights – on which they are expected to have sex for the first time in their lives. HR
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Watch Diane Morgan take BRUTAL swipe at Who Do You Think You Are producers in BBC first
Diane Morgan takes a catty swipe at the Who Do You Think You Are producers in the next episode of the BBC show. Tuesday's instalment of the programme will see the comedian and actress, 49, explore her father's side of the family after he passed away six years ago. In an exclusive first look obtained by MailOnline, Diane certainly shows off her funny side as she chats to the camera about taking part in the programme, and brings up some of her work that has poked fun at the series. Sitting on a brown leather sofa, she cheekily says: 'This is what I can't understand about any of those shows, like this one, where people go on a journey, you know, you'd think people would stop using those tropes. 'Even the tiny little things like walking past the camera...' A number of shots of her doing exactly that then play out. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. She continues: 'I wonder how much wondering aimlessly I'll be doing in this...' Back at the sofa, Diane says: 'So I wrote this comedy called Mandy, about this woman who can't hold a job down, in one episode she goes on Who Are You, Do You Think?... 'Loosely based on Who Do You Think You Are.' As the actress bursts into laughter, a scene from the programme appears, Diane's character Mandy can be seen in a jacuzzi Deborah Meaden. She continues to say: 'But I never thought in a million years, I thought you'd ask me to be on it.' The clip ends with the star taking her pooch for a walk. Diane tells her dog: 'Come on Bob. Bob, we're going to go to the park! You love the park!' As Bob refuses to move, Diane says: 'I knew he'd steal this. Come on Bob! 'Bob. Come on Bob.' She later picks him up and confesses: 'He's just very headstrong...' Back in March the Beeb confirmed the return of Who Do You Think You Are? with a Strictly star, soap legend and Hollywood icon in the new celeb-filled series. The genealogy show, which follows famous faces as they find out about their family tree, hit our screens on the Beeb in 2004 and has had 177 episodes over 20 seasons. The likes of Andrew Garfield, Diane Morgan, Mushal Husian, Ross Kemp, Aisling Bea, Will Young, Fred Siriex and Layton Williams explore their family history. Last week singer Will made a shocking discovery that he's related to King Edward I. Will learnt that Edward I is his 20 times great grandfather, with the monarch ruling from 1272 to 1307. After discovering the royal link, Will says: 'No? Edward the First! No? You are joking? You have made it up. That's unbelievable. This is just amazing. 'I cannot believe it. It is wonderful. Being related to a king, will it change my behaviour? I mean the short answer is Yes. 'What you are beholding is essentially a future despot. You see Mr Nice Guy. Now get ready for Mr Nasty.'
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Majority of animal tested drugs fail in human trials as celebs back campaign
Campaigners say not only do medical experiments cause the death and unnecessary suffering of millions of dogs, mice, rabbits, monkeys and other species but they also wasted taxpayers 'cash Celebrities have teamed up with top photographer Rankin to reveal the suffering faced by animals in British laboratories. It come as a study found that 90% of drugs that appear to be effective after testing on animals fail in human trials. Almost half of these are due to unanticipated human toxicity, despite this not being observed in animals. In a shoot for animal champions Animal Free Research stars including comic Diane Morgan and TV host Kirsty Gallacher posed with beagles Luna and Elvis. They are highlighting the plight of more than 2.6 million animals, including dogs, used in British laboratories annually. Campaigners say not only do the medical experiments cause the death and unnecessary suffering of millions of dogs, mice, rabbits, monkeys and other species but they also wasted hundreds of millions of taxpayers 'cash. A recent report called the Roadmap to Reducing Animal Testing in Preclinical Safety Studies produced by the Food and Drug Agency in the US said: 'There is growing scientific recognition that animals do not provide adequate models of human health and disease. 'Some medications which are generally recognised safe in humans, such as aspirin, may have never passed animal testing. Conversely, some compounds which have appeared safe in animal models have been lethal in human trials.' Animal Free Research UK is calling for the UK Government to introduce Herbie's Law, named after a beagle who was bred for the animal research industry but deemed surplus to laboratory requirements. It would prompt the phasing out of animal tests over 10 years, replacing them with humane, effective alternatives. Many scientists are already using animal-free alternatives, including artificial intelligence, lab-grown 3D cell cultures, and organ-on-a-chip technology – cutting-edge systems that replicate the functions of human organs. Carla Owen, CEO of Animal Free Research, said: 'If 92% of drugs which show promise in animal tests currently fail to benefit patients, it doesn't make sense to still use animals. 'As a nation of animal lovers, now is the time to replace ineffective methods and animal suffering, with modern, human-relevant science.' Chris Mague, head of policy of not-for-profit organisation Understanding Animal Research, said: 'The true statistic of animal effectiveness is more or less the opposite of that used by activists. 'Various studies prove that effects seen in animals manifest in humans an average of 86% of the time, but much higher depending on the organ and species we're talking about. 'If we can use non-animal methods, the law requires that we do. Nobody can say with confidence that we'll be able to phase out animal use by this or that date.' Snapper Rankin said: 'It's shocking to me that we're still testing on animals in the name of science.' Pete Wicks, Deborah Meaden and Russell Kane were also pictured.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie unveils 10 star-studded new and returning shows, championing affordable, distinctive, UK comedy
BBC Director of Comedy Jon Petrie today announced 10 new and returning shows at the BBC Comedy Festival, as he championed affordable, distinctive comedy from across the UK. Speaking at the BBC Comedy Festival in Belfast, Jon Petrie and Eddie Doyle, Senior Head Content Commissioning BBC Northern Ireland, also announced over half a million pounds of additional, year-long funding for brand new comedy. The money will be ringfenced exclusively for production spend on new comedy in Northern Ireland for 2025/2026. BBC Comedy and BBC Northern Ireland are committing to putting the commissioning spend towards the production of comedy-focused projects, demonstrating the BBC's unwavering commitment to new comedy from across the UK. Jon confirmed: Diane Morgan's sitcom Ann Droid (w/t) about a social humanoid robot designed to keep elderly people company, exploring the hilarious intersection of technology and human connection Supernatural family sitcom Reluctant Vampire starring BAFTA winner Lenny Rush Bill's Included, which stars Rob Brydon as a middle-aged divorcee who staves off financial ruin by renting his spare rooms to students Small Prophets, created by BAFTA winner Mackenzie Crook, starring Pearce Quigley, BAFTA winner Sir Michael Palin and BAFTA winner Sophie Willan Stuffed, starring Guz Khan as an office worker who gets an unexpected Christmas bonus and takes his family to Lapland, only to find that he has to pay the money back. The return of Only Child, Funboys, The Young Offenders and Golden Cobra Ahead of the festival, BBC Northern Ireland also announced Leonard and Hungry Paul, based on the award-winning, best-selling novel by Rónán Hession Jon said: 'The BBC continues to be the biggest single investor in original comedy content in the UK. And for the second year running eight out of the top 10 scripted comedies were on the BBC. Created, written by and starring some of the UK's most brilliant homegrown talent, I'm really proud of the shows we have announced today and can't wait for BBC viewers to see them.' He added: 'Great comedy always comes back to the fundamentals: brilliant characters, sharp jokes, a unique voice. Those are the elements that endure – not massive sets or casts of thousands. 'Our priority is to keep our shows affordable and distinctive, because comedy doesn't need explosions and continuous shots, it needs punchlines, authentic voices, and that gleeful point of view that no algorithm can touch.' Eddie Doyle, Head of Commissioning, BBC Northern Ireland, said: 'We're known in Northern Ireland for our unique and sometimes dark sense of humour, so it's fitting that Belfast is hosting the BBC Comedy Festival this year. 'We've been doing our part to develop local comedians and comedy writers on and off screen at BBC Northern Ireland over the last number of years, and it's great that network BBC Comedy is recognising the talent that's here. The additional year-long funding of more than half a million pounds shows real faith in Northern Ireland comedy talent and will provide a decent leg up to network commissioning for the comedy sector here, like Hot House has been to factual and the Green Lit project to scripted. 'And of course, it's been exciting to announce the commissioning of Leonard & Hungry Paul and the return of Funboys which we can't wait to bring to audiences.' LH2
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Who Do You Think You Are? spring 2025 line-up revealed
The double BAFTA award-winning genealogy show Who Do You Think You Are? will return to BBC One and iPlayer this Spring. Produced by Wall to Wall Media, the 22nd series features a show-stopping line-up of stars including Andrew Garfield, Diane Morgan, Mishal Husain, Ross Kemp, Aisling Bea, Will Young, Fred Sirieix and Layton Williams. The latest series of the acclaimed genealogy show will see eight celebrities uncover astounding revelations as they dive into their families' heritage. Spanning almost 800 years of history, the celebrities unearth remarkable stories from tragic romances and early Hollywood glamour to harrowing revelations of war and slavery. It will take viewers across the UK and around the world including Jamaica, Morocco, India, Poland, Germany, Ireland, the USA and France as the celebrities search for answers. Watch Who Do You Think You Are? on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist In the upcoming series of Who Do You Think You Are?, audiences will follow BAFTA-award winner and Oscar nominated actor Andrew Garfield as he embarks on a journey of emotional contrasts, from pre-War Poland; to the Treblinka Nazi death camp; to the sunshine and glamour of early Hollywood. Acclaimed actor, writer and comedian Diane Morgan steps away from her role as clueless historian Philomena Cunk to learn some history of her own from the experts, involving a poignant love story and her ancestor's brave fight for the rights of her illegitimate children. EastEnders legend and esteemed documentary maker Ross Kemp ends up in Casablanca trying to solve a family mystery, along the way finding out that his 4x great grandfather was a drummer boy during the Napoleonic wars. BAFTA-winning and RTS nominated actor and writer Aisling Bea discovers how her family's been shaped by some of the most dramatic moments in Irish history, telling a tale of violent tragedy, female resilience and a passion for Irish independence. British pop icon and actor Will Young uncovers his grandfather's extraordinary experience as a Bomber Command pilot in World War Two and being captured as a Prisoner of War in Germany. Will then dives back further in time, discovering both villains and royalty in his family tree. Elsewhere, TV personality and the UK's number one matchmaker Fred Sirieix sets sail to France to explore his family roots where he discovers a wartime romance worthy of First Dates and is delighted by an unexpected connection to wine making. Musical theatre and acting phenomenon Layton Williams investigates his London roots, revealing a surprising musical connection, before travelling to Jamaica where he uncovers some distressing family history. Journalist and broadcaster Mishal Husain traces an illustrious family history, in India she discovers an ancestor who was a personal physician to a Maharaja, and in an unexpected twist finds herself travelling to the East Coast of the USA. Simon Young, BBC Head of History, says: 'The stellar line-up this year is a real treat for our audiences. But so is the history, from the shock of a royal ancestor to epic stories of survival. And that's why this series endures, because it hints at the amazing family micro-histories that make all of us who we are.' Colette Flight, Executive Producer for Wall to Wall Media, says: 'Spanning centuries and travelling the globe, Who Do You Think You Are? is back, with eight much-loved celebrities to entertain and captivate us as they delve into their family histories. As they discover their ancestors' adventures, triumphs, trials and tribulations, their rich family stories reveal incredible snapshots of history, including one of the greatest villains of Medieval England, the evacuation at Dunkirk, rescuing art looted by the Nazis, and the birth of American Independence.' The new series of Who Do You Think You Are? launches on BBC One and iPlayer in spring 2025. Produced by Wall to Wall Media, executive produced by Colette Flight and series produced by Lucy Swingler. The format is distributed by Warner Bros. International Television Production.
