Latest news with #SueJohnston
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Channel 4 axes comedy series after one season starring Robert Lindsay and more
A Channel 4 'darkly comic' zombie series has been axed after just one series, the broadcaster has confirmed. Generation Z which starred the likes of Sue Johnston, Robert Lindsay and Anita Dobson first aired towards the end of 2024 but sadly it won't be returning. The six-episode series was set in the fictional town of Dambury where an apocalypse began after an army convoy overturned outside a care home and a chemical leak started to have an adverse effect on the residents. Generation Z was about 'intergeneration justice and community breakdown that boldly satirizes a world where truth is stranger than fiction, exploring not just the political fault lines in our society but also the very real issues facing teenagers today,' according to its Channel 4 summary. The broadcaster previously added: 'On the night of the outbreak, teenagers – Charlie, Kelly, Steff and Finn, are living normal teenage lives: tinnies, messy feelings, complex relationships and ignoring their A-Level prep. But the gang abruptly find themselves at the centre of the virus when Kelly's nan Janine, becomes infected and attacks her. 'However, just because it's the end of the world, it doesn't mean your home life and relationship problems come to a halt; battling with parents, friendship betrayals and old family secrets rearing their ugly heads. 'Life is just as complicated for the zombies, with the virus fuelling single-minded desires, bringing a whole new dimension to their zombie rampage." The final episode ended on a cliffhanger when Cecily (Sue Johnston) was reborn into a young woman's body. An insider told The Sun: 'It had seemed with Cecily being reborn, there was more to come in this series. 'The fate of a lot of the other characters in Dambury was also left unclear. 'But Channel 4 decided to put this one on the shelf, and there are no plans to bring it back. Generation Z aired for six episodes (Image: Channel 4) 'That's certain to be disappointing news for those who did like it — many likening it to a bizarre spin-off of hugely popular American zombie drama The Walking Dead. Recommended reading: Harry Potter and Doctor Who star Simon Fisher-Becker dies aged 63 'Where is Lorraine?' comes to an end after ITV's Lorraine Kelly breaks silence Holly Willoughby quits ITV series as co-host Stephen Mulhern set to take over 'But sadly it didn't win everyone over and it's likely that was behind the decision to rest it.' In a statement to Newsquest, a Channel 4 spokesperson said: 'We're very proud of Generation Z and would like to thank Ben Wheatley, The Forge and the wonderful cast and crew involved in the show's success. 'We look forward to working together on future Channel 4 projects."
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The fancy new re-brand promising to bring ‘pizzazz' to Greater Manchester's biggest town
Bolton has launched a 're-brand' with hopes to celebrate the best of the borough and grow its economy. Brand Bolton, a government funded partnership between businesses, the council and third sector, launched this week promising 'a new way of promoting Bolton'. A newly formed 'Brand Bolton' board has set out plans to grow the local economy, boost footfall and celebrate the best of the borough on a global stage. Those leading Brand Bolton say the programme can 'create a platform for future growth and investment' for the largest town in the region. They said they hope to support the creation of 4,300 jobs along with new housing for 5,000 residents and boost to the visitor economy by £11m a year. The brand presents a 'big idea' of 'Bolton – Born To Perform' with the launch event audience hearing that means the borough has always been successful and that will breed even more success. READ MORE: LIVE M62 traffic updates as section of motorway shut after air ambulance called to 'serious' crash READ MORE: Two Greater Manchester towns handed £40m 'game-changing' windfall as major plans revealed The three themes surrounding the central idea are that the borough 'means business, is better connected and is in the middle of a cultural and leisure renaissance'. Bolton Council's chief executive Sue Johnston told guests at the launch event at the Octagon Theatre that the authority realised the need for a new 'place brand' for the borough 'to help us stand out from the rest'. She said: 'We secured grant funding from the Government's UK shared prosperity fund. We've now produced the final brand material that you see today. 'It has striking graphics and imagery, themes and a crucial underlying big idea. The place grant does not belong to the council, it belongs to every single person and business in Bolton. 'The brand is a clear statement of intent, it projects what this place is about, what it stands for and what is important.' An ambassador programme has been created with representatives from retail, sport, business, charity, leisure and the council recruited to promote the borough. John Till works for Thinking Place, who were involved in developing the brand. He said: 'This approach can help you put back the pizzazz in your place. 'The great bit about Bolton is the passion you have for your place is palpable. 'Places like Bolton are changing, post-Covid, the cost of living and internet shopping but there are also loads of opportunities, it's not all doom and gloom. Bolton can't stand still. 'The heart of place branding isn't just producing a logo it's changing a culture, it's trying to help a place think and act differently.' Becci Martin, founder of Bolton-based Boo Consulting is co-chair of the Brand Bolton board. She said: 'We really believe that Bolton is a thriving town with only great things in its future. 'Bolton is born to perform. We don't need to follow the old set of rules here. We can do things the way that Bolton wants to do them for the future of our town. 'We want to encourage businesses and large employers to come and do business here in Bolton, to open up new opportunities for local people and to enhance the town centre and surrounding areas.' More information on Brand Bolton can be found at
