Showbiz Newswrap
Showbiz 5: All change at BT Sport and a Lucky Escape for Channel 4?
A day early, as we have a special tomorrow…
DORAN INVESTIGATES
David Doran is the new Editor of the RTE Investigations Unit. David is a highly experienced producer / director and film journalist with over 15 years’ experience.
He has delivered groundbreaking programmes for RTÉ Investigates on Ireland’s National Ambulance service, abuse of children in state care, whistleblowers, domestic abuse, ESB oil leaks and illegal quarries. He is a two-time winner of the Royal Television Award for powerful documentaries during the pandemic inside Ireland’s Covid ICUs as well as receiving multiple international awards for harrowing investigations on sex trafficking in Ireland.
He joined the Unit in 2012 when it was originally formed. Prior to this he worked as a producer with RTÉ Prime Time and also produced a number of independent documentaries. David is a graduate of Politics and Economics in UCD and completed a Business scholarship in Tilburg University, Holland. He is married with two children.
SPORTING CHANGE
From July 2023, TNT Sports will replace BT Sport. The name and look will, BT say, ‘continue the spirit of what BT Sport has built over the past decade.’
This new brand will be brought to life for the first time later this year shortly before the start of the 2023/2024 football season. Until then, fans will continue to enjoy BT Sport on all of its channels and platforms as they do today.
On forming last year, the joint venture will see the combination of BT Sport and Eurosport UK, bringing together an extensive line-up of live sports coverage for fans in the UK & Ireland.
TNT Sports will have a dedicated brand for the UK and Ireland the name already has an association with premium live sport in other countries as part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s family of brands. This includes being home to top-level domestic and European football in a number of countries in Latin America, while live sport has been a staple on the TNT network in the US including the NBA, NHL and NCAA.
As part of the changes, the face of BT Sport for the past ten years, Jake Humphrey has decided to move on to new ventures. He previously hosted programmes for BBC Sport and CBBC.
REACH FOR THE STARS
S Club 7 star Paul Cattermole died of natural causes, it was revealed following details released by Dorset Coroner’s Service.
The singer was found dead at his home in April at the age of 46. His sudden loss of life came as a shock to his fans as it happened just weeks after it was revealed that S Club 7 were getting together for a 25th-anniversary reunion tour.
A spokeswoman for Dorset Coroner’s Office said: “We confirm that Mr Cattermole died from natural causes and our investigations have concluded. As his death was from natural causes there will be no inquest.”
The rest of the pop group featuring Rachel Stevens, Tina Barrett, Jon Lee, Bradley McIntosh, Jo O’Meara and Hannah Spearritt were said to be continuing the tour in tribute to Paul, however, Spearritt has pulled out due to the experience being too emotional. The group, now a five-piece, will perform as S Club.
RIP
The Smiths bassist Andy Rourke has died aged 59. The 1980s alternative indie band was fronted by Morrissey and had hits such as This Charming Man and Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now.
CHANNEL 4 ESCAPE THE CHATEU
Channel 4 has severed ties with two of its reality faces, Dick and Angel Strawbridge, after ordering an independent investigation into their conduct, Deadline exclusively revealed this week.
The publication noted ‘Deadline can reveal that the British commercial broadcaster will no longer work with the couple, despite the success of their Escape To The Chateau series and various spin-off shows.’ It is reported that disagreements with producers have seen the production company refuse to work with the couple.
