BBC's blog
Bio
choir wars News Do you have the best Choir in the nation?
10 Mar Add new comment | 537 reads
BBC One is searching for the Nation’s Favourite Choir. Whether you belong to a chorus of angels, a bevy of beatboxers or a big band of barbershoppers - they want to hear from you.
From Beyoncé to Beethoven, Green Day to Gospel, the glitter balls will be out in force and you and your choir could be the stars.
To apply, simply download the application form, send in a video and tell them what’s so special about your group.
If you know of any choirs you think should get involved, or want to promote Choir Wars to your choir, print out our flyer.
For the chance to perform on BBC One's Choir Wars and become the Nation’s Favourite Choir apply now!
undefined Press releases Childhood Abuse
6 Mar Add new comment | Read more | 152 reads
An alleged survivor of a horrific catalogue of childhood abuse has been taken on an emotional journey back to the scenes of his ordeal by BBC South's Inside Out.
Les Cummings, 63, is campaigning for an apology from Portsmouth City Council for the abuse he claims to have suffered in its care in the Fifties.
Following the shocking revelations of abuse in Jersey, Hampshire Police are now reviewing the findings of an earlier investigation into Les' claims.
In Friday night's programme, Les agrees to revisit both the last remaining building of Cosham's Children's Cottage Homes and his first foster home.
Les's fight for an apology – and compensation – from the city council has set him on a mission to trace many of his fellow care home children, in the hope of proving his memories are true.
"It's difficult to explain what it's like to be a victim of abuse all those years ago, and at 63 years of age I'm tired of being an abused victim. I want an end to it," he said.
Cold Blood News Cold Blood - Sir David Attenborough's Final Series! - Monday February 4
24 Jan Add new comment | Read more | 731 reads
The Open University gets Under the Skin of Life in Cold Blood on BBC ONE
TX: 9pm, Monday February 4, BBC ONE (repeated on Sunday February 10,
6pm, BBC ONE)
The Open University and BBC ONE present Sir David Attenborough's final landmark nature series with 'Life in Cold Blood'. The series features reptiles and amphibians and completes Sir David's overview of life on planet Earth.
It is the epic story of the cold-blooded amphibians and reptiles, arguably the most successful creatures to walk on land. They dominated the world for nearly 200 million years and well over 14,000 species still flourish today, with new ones being discovered every week.
To complement the main 'Life in Cold Blood' series, The Open University has funded a series of five, 10 minute programmes called 'Under the Skin' which reveal the in-depth scientific study and breathtaking
Blood Rush News BBC Drama Blood Rush - 2 part crime drama
2 Nov Add new comment | Read more | 1710 reads
BBC Drama announced today that Louise Lombard (CSI, The House Of Eliott), Lyndsey Marshal (Rome) and Danny Dyer (Straightheads, The Football Factory, Human Traffic) are to star in Blood Rush (working title), a gritty new two-part crime drama for BBC One, produced in house by BBC Drama Studios.
Written by Barbara Machin (who also created Waking The Dead), the format represents a bold step forward for the crime genre: as events flip both backwards and forwards in time, this compelling story is told at various times from the point of view of every character involved – those investigating the crime, as well as the killer and his victims.
"There's always more than one perspective to a crime," says Emmy and BAFTA award-winning writer Barbara Machin.
Fairy Tales News Fairy Tales: Rapunzel, Cinderella, The Emperor's New Clothes, Billy Goats Gruff
2 Nov Add new comment | Read more | 2695 reads
Four classic Fairy Tales Rapunzel, Cinderella, The Emperor's New Clothes and Billy Goats Gruff are re-invigorated and updated by contemporary writers – Ed Roe, Richard Pinto, Anil Gupta, Debbie Horsfield, Jeremy Dyson and brought to life by the very best in British acting talent Bernard Hill, Geraldine James, Shaun Williamson, Lee Ingleby, Charity Wakefield, James Nesbitt, Maxine Peake, Charity Wakefield, Denise Van Outen, Hariett Walter, Liz White, Mathew Horne, Paul Nicholls and Sarah Smart – for BBC One.
Executive Producer, Mark Redhead at Hat Trick Productions says: "The anthology includes tales made popular by the Grimms, Anderson and Perrault's collections and many of these stories have been around for centuries.
"In our collection of comedy-dramas, these timeless tales are reworked by some of the most talented and original writers in British television who tell their own contemporary and hugely entertaining versions."
BBC Children in Need News BBC Children in Need - Friday 16 November
2 Nov 3 comments | Read more | 849 reads
BBC Children in Need returns on Friday 16 November at 7pm on BBC One, with a rich offering of stellar entertainment acts, all appearing to raise money for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
Terry Wogan will host the 28th Appeal Night, live from BBC Television Centre – which over seven hours will feature some of the UK's top TV, musical and theatrical personalities and acts.
He will be joined by a series of guest presenters, including Fearne Cotton.
On hosting the 2007 BBC Children in Need Appeal Night, Terry said: "It is always a privilege and pleasure, the highest point of my year, to present BBC Children in Need.
"Last year was a record breaker and this year we are hoping the great British public will give us even more. We've certainly got a fantastic show line-up this year. I know I say that every year but this year really is special."
Bangladesh By The River News Nodipathey Bangladesh - Bangladesh By The River: Sunday 28 October
2 Nov Add new comment | Read more | 615 reads
The BBC has launched one of its most ambitious outside broadcast to date by chartering a boat which will tour the major rivers of Bangladesh for one month exploring the impact of climate change on the country and its people.
Nodipathey Bangladesh (Bangladesh By The River) launches from Dhaka on Sunday 28 October and will bring the voices of people coping with flooding and the effects of climate change to a global audience of millions. A special radio link-up will also connect Bangladeshis living in the UK with those living in the danger zones.
A team of BBC journalists – on radio, TV and online – will travel up to 200 miles along the Padma, Meghna and Jamuna rivers visiting many parts of Bangladesh. The specially branded BBC boat will meet people in areas which are likely to be affected by a rise in the sea level as a consequence of global warming.
The Restaurant News Jeremy and Jane win The Restaurant
2 Nov Add new comment | Read more | 618 reads
Royal Marine cook Jeremy Hooper (33) and his wife Jane (29), a trainee teacher from Devon, have won BBC Two's The Restaurant.
The couple seen winning in tonight's programme will join forces with Raymond Blanc to open a new restaurant in Thame close to Raymond's renowned Le Manoir Aux Quat' Saisons.
Says Jane: "We have won the opportunity of a lifetime. It's what we've always dreamed of doing but we never imagined our dreams would become reality so soon, or with such an amazing mentor.
"We couldn't wish for a more well-respected, knowledgeable, and experienced mentor than Raymond. We know that we still have a lot to learn and that it's going to be very hard work, but we know we've got a great teacher and we are ready for our next challenge!"
The Street News The Street: Season Two on BBC One
2 Nov 4 comments | Read more | 3055 reads
Last year The Street, Jimmy McGovern's emotionally powerful BBC One series, proved an instant hit with both public and critics alike.
The show which ran with the tagline, "behind every door in every street, there's a story waiting to be told" scooped British television's top industry awards winning both the 2007 BAFTA and RTS awards for Best Drama Series.
The Daily Mirror dubbed it, "poignant, funny and wonderful," while the Daily Mail reckoned it was "event television." For its part, The Times raved that, "after weeks of watching awful dramas, having a McGovern drama turn up is like having Elvis walk into the room. McGovern is so persistently, noticeably, bracingly, not crap."
Moreover, the first series is garnering international attention and has two Emmy nominations: for Best Series and Jim Broadbent is nominated in the best actor category. The winners are announced in New York on the 19 November.
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross News Daniel Craig interview
2 Nov Add new comment | 825 reads
UK actor and heart throb Daniel Craig – aka 007 – makes a rare chat show appearance when he visits the Ross sofa next month on BBC One show Friday Night With Jonathan Ross.
Craig – who took up the big screen's action hero mantle last year – became the sixth James Bond when he debuted in the role in Casino Royale, hailed by many as the best Bond of them all, and voted Sexiest Man On The Planet by his legions of fans.
Before he returns to more action in the next Bond movie, Craig stars in upcoming fantasy film The Golden Compass, released in the UK in December.
Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, Friday 23 November 2007, 10.35pm, BBC One
Fairy Tales News Cinderella on BBC One
2 Nov Add new comment | Read more | 575 reads
An introduction to Cinderella, the second in BBC One's anthology of four contemporary adaptations of classic fairy tales.
Actress Maxine Peake admits she was completely bowled over to be offered the role of Cindy Mellor, the put upon university cleaner in BBC One's new adaptation of Cinderella: "If I was ever to appear in Cinderella, I always imagined myself as a Buttons, not the leading lady! In fact, when I auditioned it was for one of the ugly sisters but I didn't hear anything and assumed I hadn't got it.
"Then I bumped into James Nesbitt, who I'd never met before, and he came over to me and said 'I heard you're playing Cinderella'. I said I wouldn't say anything but got straight on the phone to my agent begging them to find out! The next day they rang back and told me I'd got the job.
To the Manor Born News Christmas Special 2007
2 Nov 2 comments | Read more | 1272 reads
The classic British comedy To the Manor Born will return for a one-off 60-minute special this Christmas on BBC One.
The return of the show will see Penelope Keith and Peter Bowles reunited as the aristocratic Audrey fforbes-Hamilton and the dashing, self-made businessman Richard DeVere.
Viewers last saw Audrey and Richard in 1981, when the couple finally married following a turbulent relationship conducted over three much-loved and high-rating series.
A quarter of a century on, a major event threatens to disturb life at the estate in Grantleigh as the couple prepare to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary.
With the help of her schoolfriend Marjory (Angela Thorne), a fearless Audrey goes into battle to defend a community, safeguard 400 years of history and save her marriage.
The show enjoyed three immensely successful series on BBC One between 1979 and 1981.
Eastenders News Patsy Palmer returns as Bianca
2 Nov Add new comment | Read more | 837 reads
Patsy Palmer is heading back to Albert Square as Bianca – one of the most popular characters in BBC One's EastEnders.
Patsy Palmer said of her return: "I'm really excited about rejoining the cast and working with old friends again. I can't wait to explore what Bianca has been doing with her life and seeing what she is going to get up to next."
Bianca arrives in the square with Liam (son by Ricky) and a gaggle of other kids by different men. She is at rock bottom, struggling to survive. She has a relative in the Square – Pat – her grandmother (her father was Pat's son, David Wicks).
Diederick Santer, Executive Producer of EastEnders, said: "I'm delighted to welcome Patsy Palmer home to EastEnders. Bianca is one of the most popular characters the show has ever had. Millions grew up with her and, like the audience, I can't wait to see her back in the show. I'm really looking forward to the next chapter in her story."
The Kids Are All Right News Coming soon to BBC One
29 Oct Add new comment | Read more | 1427 reads
John Barrowman, star of Torchwood and Any Dream Will Do, is to host a new prime-time entertainment show on BBC One.
It's a show that pits adults against children in a thrilling battle of wits. Four adults compete to win cash prizes but there is one obstacle standing between them and the cash: seven super kids. Aged between nine and 15, these smart and sassy children are determined to see the adults go home with nothing.
Through four taxing rounds testing their brainpower, knowledge and speed of response, the adults can bank money. But they only get to take it home if they can win the tense, high-jeopardy final game, Beat The Kids.
In the exhilarating finale, the four adults must take on all seven kids, in ascending order of age, head-to-head on the buzzer. Beat a kid and that kid is eliminated and the adults are one kid closer to the cash. However, if the kid defeats the adult, that one is eliminated and the next one must step up to face the kid.
Can our adults defeat all seven kids and win the cash? Or will they be defeated and sent home empty-handed?
The Mighty Boosh News Season 3
29 Oct 6 comments | 2132 reads
BBC Three and Baby Cow Productions are pleased to announce the eagerly-awaited third series of The Mighty Boosh, the comedy show written by and starring multi-award winning comedians Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding.
The third series of The Mighty Boosh sees Vince Noir (Noel Fielding) and Howard Moon (Julian Barratt) working in Naboo's second hand shop in Dalston.
Howard, unsuccessfully trying to sell his esoteric jazz records, mainly moons away the hours in delusions of grandeur while Vince lays around in a hammock playing loud music, trying on wigs and finding Howard ludicrous.
Needless to say they don't get much work done. This doesn't bother Naboo too much, firstly as the shop is really only a cover for his shady interplanetary Shaman business and secondly, he's usually quite chilled out from sampling his own magical herbs and remedies.

