ITV series Primeval is to be revived just weeks after being axed after a deal was struck with the BBC.
The special effects-heavy dinosaur drama – starring Hannah Spearritt and Andrew-Lee Potts – was pulled in the summer as ITV bosses refocused their budgets to concentrate on “post-watershed dramas”.
Now the series is back after a groundbreaking deal which will see two new series being partly funded by BBC Worldwide, the corporation’s commercial arm.
The cancellation caught viewers and the show’s producers on the hop after the third series wound up with a cliff-hanger ending.
However, ITV1 has struck a deal with UKTV, BBC Worldwide and production company Impossible Pictures to bring the show back from 2011.
ITV1 – which had an audience of 5.5 million for the show – will premiere the fourth series while UKTV’s pay TV channel Watch will have the first screening of the fifth.
Impossible worked with BBC Worldwide to find funding for the forthcoming series which will see US cable network BBC America and Germany’s ProSieben team up as co-producers.
Laura Mackie, director of ITV Drama Commissioning, said the innovative nature of the partnership would “allow the show to maintain its high production values and deliver the fantastic programme that our viewers know and love”.
Tim Haines, creative director of Impossible Pictures, said: “The confidence demonstrated in the programme’s continued success here and abroad will help us bring more big screen action and a whole host of new creatures roaring back into people’s living rooms.”
Posted: September 30th, 2009
They say that once married, couples stop trying to impress each other.
And maybe that is why Rachel Stevens was out with her new husband with not a scrap of make-up on.
Luckily for the pop singer she is naturally pretty and still managed to look good, if a little tired, while popping to the shops.
Her look was in stark contrast to the heavily made-up and groomed look she had for the GQ Men of the Year awards earlier this month, where she looked like Sarah Jessica Parker.
But Alex was clearly happy to be with his more toned-down wife.
The couple seemed happy to potter to the corner shop for some groceries and to pick up a coffee near their home in Hampstead, London yesterday.
Posted: September 24th, 2009
Jo, Bradley, and Paul are continuing their tour as S Club 3. The following tour dates have been added to their schedule:
September
- 21st – Leeds University Union
- 24th – Hamilton Palace, Scotland
- 26th – Kings Hall, Herne Bay
(more…)
Posted: September 20th, 2009
Strictly Come Dancing star Rachel Stevens has been named top of the bottoms as she claimed the accolade Rear Of The Year.
The former S Club 7 singer and Strictly runner-up shares the cheeky title with tenor Russell Watson, who landed the men’s prize.
The pair follow figures such as Denise Van Outen, Melinda Messenger and Robbie Williams in being chosen for the award.
They received a huge vote for the 2009 Rear of the Year at the official website for the award which is now in its 27th year.
Stevens, 31, has previously been voted the world’s second sexiest woman in an annual poll for FHM magazine. She said: “I’m very flattered and I’m now going to insure each cheek for a considerable sum of money.”
Watson, who bounced back after surgery for a brain tumour in 2007, said: “For the past 10 years it’s always been about The Voice but, for the first time, I’m delighted to say it’s about my rear. Winning the Rear of the Year Award is better than getting an OBE.”
Award organiser Tony Edwards said: “They’ve both been high on the list of contenders for the past few years but this year broke through with amazing support. This is the era of the well-toned rear when people are taking care of their bodies with work-outs, jogging, and aerobics. Rachel and Russell typify the look.”
Posted: September 15th, 2009
Just back from her honeymoon, Rachel Stevens appears to be a woman on a mission. “I really want to have a baby, so I’m hoping it will be soon,” she told Mandrake at the Eclipse cocktail bar in Chelsea.
“I’d like to have a little brood – or a big one, but I don’t know how my husband will feel about that. Motherhood is definitely for me.”
The 31-year-old pop singer and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant married the actor Alex Bourne last month. He is pursuing a new career as a bond trader.
“It’s a bit like acting,” he tells me. “You make decisions with instinct. I am not very good with numbers, so I do make some big mistakes, though. They have allowed me to be quite flexible, so I can still go to some auditions.”
His wife says: “It’s a complete U-turn and I don’t understand what he does at all, but I am very impressed.”
Posted: September 11th, 2009
Rachel Stevens reckons that Alesha Dixon will find her new judging job a challenge.
The former Mis-Teeq singer, who won the fifth season of Strictly Come Dancing, will replace choreographer Arlene Phillips on the judging panel, where she will give her opinions alongside Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood.
“I think it will be a tough call for her because Arlene’s been on the show a long time,” Rachel said.
“But she’s been given a great opportunity and she loved it and won it, so I’m sure it’ll be good. I think it’s great.”
Rachel – who lost out to Holby City’s Tom Chambers in the last season – has advice for the new batch of contestants, which includes boxer Joe Calzaghe, soap star Natalie Cassidy and cricketer Phil Tufnell.
“Just to love it. Really enjoy it. It’s an amazing experience so throw yourself into it 100 per cent, have a giggle with it and not take it too seriously,” she advised.
And Rachel revealed that she can’t wait for the new series, which starts on September 18.
“Oh my God, yeah. I can’t wait. It’s so exciting. I’m literally counting down the days,” she added.
Posted: September 10th, 2009
Rachel Stevens at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards in London on September 8, 2009
Posted: September 10th, 2009
The voting has started for this year’s National Television Awards.
Hannah Spearritt has been nominated in the category “Best Drama Performance” for her role as Abby Maitland in Primeval. Primeval has also been nominated for “Best Drama”.
Click here to vote!
Voting ends on 30th September and the award winners will be announced at the ceremony on ITV1 in January.
By voting you also get the chance to win VIP tickets to the awards ceremony held at The O2 Arena on 20th January, 2010.
Posted: September 7th, 2009
