Latest news with #PoliceFederationofEnglandandWales
Metro
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
‘Highly offensive' ITV show set for second series despite police backlash
A 'highly offensive' ITV comedy show is set to return for a second series despite receiving backlash from the police. Piglets, which follows a group of new police recruits as they train, will officially be returning to our screens. Starring Superintendents Bob Weekes (Mark Heap) and Julie Spry (Sarah Parish), the show originally caused huge controversy. The Police Federation of England and Wales described the show's title – which is based on the slang term 'pig' for police – as being 'highly offensive'. It also received a number of Ofcom complaints from viewers when it aired. Now, however, after pulling in 5.6million views for its six episodes, the show is heading for a second outing. Both Mark and Sarah will reprise their roles as Bob and Julie, as Colin McFarlane, Rebecca Humphries, Ricky Champ, Halema Hussain, Abdul Sessay and Jamie Bisping will also all feature. Joining the cast will also be Madelyn Smedlyn, who featured in series 2 of The Traitors on BBC. In a statement, Nana Hughes, ITV's Head of Comedy, said: 'We are absolutely thrilled to bring back the attention-grabbing Piglets for a second series on ITV.' This comes after it was revealed that a 'ridiculous' TV show that never aired in the UK due to the October 7 attack will finally be released two years on. In September 2023, the Australian series C*A*U*G*H*T was released. The six-part series followed four Australian soldiers trapped after a secret mission to the war-torn Behati-Prinsloo, where they are mistaken for American spies and have no way home after their government abandons them. In a press release, the broadcaster shared the show's synopsis, adding that it 'unapologetically pokes fun at modern celebrity culture, social media and 24-hour news while exploring the often outrageous price of fame'. After watching the show, many fans weighed in. More Trending 'Acting and scripting is perfect for a slapstick comedy such as this,' Rohan posted on IMDB. 'If you are easily offended or shocked this is probably not for you. On one level it is silly crude slapstick, but there are lots of little clever jokes hidden away,' rijobe shared. 'Don't be a snob and go into this thinking it is full of great performances and amazing storylines. That is not what it is trying to be. It's a crazy Aussie fever dream and is not trying to be anything else,' Suzie wrote. View More » Piglets will be available to watch on ITV. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Lorraine viewers annoyed by 'more irritating than normal' interview MORE: ITV confirms 2025's Britain's Got Talent live final will be longer than most movies MORE: I'm addicted to David Tennant's 'impossible' game show – despite its critics
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Controversial ITV comedy to return as Traitors star joins cast
ITV has revealed that its controversial sitcom Piglets will be back on our screens after making its debut last year despite backlash about its 'offensive' title ITV has announced the return of its police sitcom Piglets, with one particular Traitors star set to join the cast. The comedy follows a group of police recruits as they begin training under the leadership of hopeless Superintendent Bob Weekes (Mark Heap) and ambitious Superintendent Julie Spry (Sarah Parish). The series proved to be controversial ahead of its launch in July last year, with the Police Federation of England and Wales calling it "highly offensive" over its title. The group described the show's title - based on the slang term for police which is 'pig' - as "insulting" and "inflammatory" at the time. The show is set to return for a second series however after reaching 5.6 million views across its six episodes since launching. Sarah Parish and Mark Heap will reprise their roles alongside Colin McFarlane, Rebecca Humphries, Ricky Champ, Halema Hussain, Abdul Sessay, Jamie Bisping and Sukh Kaur Ojla. Meanwhile, Traitors star Madelyn Smedlyn will be joining the cast as new trainee Danni alongside Game of Thrones star Kerr Logan - who also has a connection to the BBC show. While Madelyn competed on the first series of The Traitors, Kerr's mum Diane Carson was one of the standout stars of the second series. ITV 's Head of Comedy, Nana Hughes, said in a statement: "We are absolutely thrilled to bring back the attention-grabbing Piglets for a second series on ITV." While creator Victoria Pile added: "We're delighted ITV have given us the chance to explore the latest antics of our talented would-be cops!" The news follows ITV's latest cuts to its daytime staff, with over 220 employees reportedly set to lose their jobs out of 500 working on Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women. ITV announced this week that Good Morning Britain will be produced by ITN - ITV's news provider - from next year with only 38 of the 113 staff being kept on. Meanwhile, Lorraine will only air for 30 weeks of the year, with its running time being slashed in half from 60 minutes to half an hour. GMB will instead be extended by an extra hour during the weeks when Lorraine is not on air. Insiders recently revealed to The Mirror that the cuts may lead to Lorraine Kelly quitting the show altogether, with the new schedule a "kick in the teeth" for the star.
ITV News
03-05-2025
- ITV News
Almost a quarter of Devon and Cornwall Police officers plan to leave according to new survey
Nearly a quarter of Devon and Cornwall Police officers intend to resign from police service 'within the next two years' or 'as soon as [they] can' according to a new survey. The 2024 Police Federation of England and Wales Pay and Morale report found that 57% said they were facing low morale. The organisation surveyed 1,024 Devon and Cornwall Police officers and also found that: 77% feel 'worse off' financially now than they were five years ago 17% 'never' or 'almost never' have enough money to cover all their essentials 65% are dissatisfied with their pay 71% say they do not feel valued within the service 15% say they've suffered one or more injuries that required medical attention as a result of work-related violence in the last year 69% say their workload has been 'too high' or 'much too high' over the past year 81% say they've experienced feelings of stress, low mood or anxiety over the last 12 months Libby Squire: Mum of murdered student warns of 'red flag' signs of offending Claire Chick's murder triggers 'urgent police review' into stalking Rob Greening, secretary of Devon and Cornwall Police Federation, said: 'The pay and morale survey for Devon and Cornwall Police makes stark reading and unfortunately, when compared to previous years, the situation does not seem to be improving. 'Our members work in extremely stressful and dangerous situations, to afford the public the safety and protection they expect and deserve. "Some officers are having to use foodbanks, others struggle to pay their rent. This should not be the case. 'What the police take home is criminal. Officers have copped enough. Things need to change.' In response to the survey, Devon and Cornwall Chief Constable James Vaughan, said: "Policing remains a very challenging and difficult job, and despite increased demand and limited resources, our dedicated officers continue to fight crime and protect the public every day to make Devon and Cornwall safe. 'Since my appointment in December 2024, I have met over 2000 officers and staff in stations across the force area, to understand their roles and listen to their views, challenges and ideas. I will continue to spend time with staff and officers, to understand where support is needed to protect our workforce and improve morale. 'Officer numbers will continue to be boosted through the Government's Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, an investment into neighbourhood policing which will support the increase of neighbourhood officers in years to come and alleviating the pressure on our frontline. 'I want every member of the organisation to feel confident that their wellbeing is taken seriously and that they are being properly supported. I am committed to ensuring officers know that we are listening and feel valued and supported."
Business News Wales
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Business News Wales
Police 'Exodus of Experience' to Cost £10bn and Risk Public Safety, Federation Warns
The Police Federation of England and Wales (PFEW), which represents more than 145,000 rank-and-file police officers, has warned that a 'broken' police service of underpaid, overworked, and under threat people risks a public safety crisis. New analysis from the PFEW shows that policing faces an exodus of experienced officers which stands to cost the taxpayer almost £10 billion over the next five years. Responding to the Federation's annual Pay and Morale survey of members, a quarter of officers say they plan to resign within two years. Voluntary resignations have risen 142% since 2018 and if this trend continues, 10,000 officers will resign every year by 2027, forcing the government to spend £9.9 billion on recruiting and training replacement officers just to stand still. On International Workers' Day, the Police Federation of England and Wales is launching Copped Enough: What the Police Take Home is Criminal, a hard-hitting campaign which aims to expose the 'crisis in policing that is endangering officers' lives and livelihoods and threatening public safety across the country'. PFEW Acting National Chair Tiff Lynch said: 'Our members run towards danger every day before taking the burdens of that work home to their families with them. What they take home – salary cut by a fifth in real terms within a generation and more trauma and stress than virtually any other worker in the country – is criminal. 'Police officers are overworked, underpaid, and under threat. We need properly-funded urgent action to stop the mass exodus of experienced officers which is putting public safety at risk. You can't have safe communities without enough police, and you can't have enough police if poor pay and poor care drives them away.' Police officers do not have the right to strike. The campaign calls on the public to support police and their families by joining a 'digital picket line' in protest.
