Showbiz Newswrap
Showbiz 5: From celebrations to life on the streets
Another newswrap as Joanna Gumley casts her views over recent entertainment news…
Steps into the West End
David Ireland’s acclaimed new play The Fifth Step will transfer to London’s West End for a strictly limited season from 10 May until 26 July 2025.
Originally performed as part of the Edinburgh International Festival 2024, this NTS production has been further developed for this West End premiere and the new opportunities for restaging that @sohoplace offers. Directed by rising star Finn den Hertog, associate artist at NTS, it will be a rare chance to see two of the UK’s most exciting acting talents in the intimacy of the in-the-round space @sohoplace.
Jack Lowden reprises his performance as Luka and Martin Freeman will play the role of James in David Ireland’s funny and unflinchingly honest drama about addiction, masculinity and faith.
After many years in the 12-step programme of Alcoholics Anonymous, James agrees to become the sponsor of newcomer Luka. On the journey to sobriety, the pair bond over black coffee, trade stories, and build a fragile friendship out of their shared experiences.
On the cusp of Step 5, their conversations must turn to confessionals, with progress hinging on Luka revealing secrets that could lead back to alcohol. But it’s clear that James also has dangerous truths in his past, truths that threaten the trust on which both their recoveries depend.
Lock In down Walford way
In celebration of EastEnders’ 40th anniversary, the Beeb is set to air a special programme looking at the explosive storylines that are taking place in the show’s anniversary week.
The special – EastEnders Revealed: The Lock In – will be hosted by actor and presenter, Joe Swash, who is best known to the ‘Enders viewers as Mickey Miller. Fans of the saga will be given behind the scenes insights into Cindy Beale’s attacker reveal, Denise, Jack and Ravi’s interactive love triangle, and will also reveal exclusive details relating to the live episode by talking to some of the actors directly involved including Jacqueline Jossa, Natalie Cassidy and Patsy Palmer.
Whilst re-watching their alter egos, some of the actors who find themselves at the heart of the drama will share their possible theories on the outcomes of their storylines, whilst offering their thoughts on taking part in the live episode, and how it feels to be involved as the show reaches its monumental milestone. The 45-minute special will air during the show’s anniversary week, and will also include a special musical performance from a well-known EastEnders superfan.
Speaking on his involvement, presenter Joe Swash:
“It was a privilege to take another trip back to Walford to reunite with my EastEnders family ahead of the 40thanniversary. I won’t say too much as I don’t want to spoil it for the viewers, but the week is full of explosive drama, and it was great to hear from the cast themselves about what we can expect from the week.”
Street life for Emmerdale
On Tuesday 4th February Emmerdale viewers will see a special standalone episode that recounts the heartbreaking story of April, played by Amelia Flanagan, and her life on the streets.
Over the past few weeks, Marlon, played by Mark Charnock and Rhona, played by Zoe Henry, have been living the emotional turmoil a family faces when a young person goes missing. In Monday’s episode they will receive the news that April has been found.
This flashback episode will depict April’s journey from having no luck finding somewhere to stay, to her life on the streets and the terrifying and heartbreaking situations the young teenager found herself in.
Emmerdale Producer, Laura Shaw:
“April’s flashback episode is a heartbreaking depiction of life on the street as a teenage girl. Continuing to take guidance from the fabulous team at Missing People, it was incredibly important that we didn’t shy away from the agonising journey that April would go through and their help was invaluable in making sure the episode has the authenticity required. Amelia Flanagan’s outstanding performance makes this arguably, one of Emmerdale’s stand out episodes of this year and promises to start a new journey for the character of April, forever changed by her time living on the city streets.”
I personally still am traumatised by the sight of Amy Turtle living rough on the streets back in the 1970s in Crossroads, so this is just going to leave me bereft!
Linda celebrates pal Pauline
Linda Robson broke down in tears over her best friend Pauline Quirke’s dementia battle on ITV1 and STV’s Loose Women this week. Linda and Pauline have worked together on screen since their early teens on shows such as You Must Be Joking (Thames for ITV), Shine on Harvey Moon (Central for ITV), Jobs for the Girls (BBC) and Birds of a Feather (BBC/ITV).
Linda, 66, received comfort on Loose Women on Thursday (Jan 30th) as the panel reflected on their memories of the actress following the revelation of her shocking diagnosis. This comes after Pauline’s husband, Steve Sheen, announced last week that she would be stepping away from her 50-year career, having lived with the syndrome since 2021.
At the beginning of the show, Linda made it clear she didn’t want to speak on Pauline’s behalf. Instead, she reminisced about the actress, who was first diagnosed with the illness in 2021.
“One in two people get dementia now. It’s the biggest disease going I think.”
The sweet moment appeared to move Linda as she began sobbing on live TV. She was comforted by fellow LW Christine Lampard who rubbed her arm, before presenter Kelly Brook got up to cuddle Linda.
Pauline is just one of a number of much-loved television faces who have been diagnosed with dementia in recent years including Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear, news host Alastair Stewart, GMTV personality Fiona Phillips, EastEnders mainstay Barbara Windsor, Crossroads stalwart Jane Rossington and Brookside regular Bryan Murray.
BBC Brand probe
At the expense of £662,060, the Beeb has concluded its investigation into Russell Brand.
The corporation earlier this week published the findings of a review carried out by Peter Johnston, BBC Director of Editorial Complaints and Reviews, into Russell Brand’s conduct during his time at the BBC. The review is focused on the BBC’s handling of any complaints about the conduct of Mr Brand during his engagements with the Beeb, in particular for 6 Music and Radio 2, between 2006 and 2008.
“When allegations were raised about Russell Brand in 2023, relating to his work at the BBC, it was important that this was looked into methodically. This work has been conducted with the greatest care. We want to thank the individuals who have participated, as we know that it has not been easy to speak out about some of the issues the review addresses. The review considered eight complaints of misconduct about Russell Brand, only two of which were made while he was engaged by the BBC, one formally and one informally. It is of great concern that some of these individuals felt unable to raise concerns about Russell Brand’s behaviour at the time, and the BBC has apologised to them as part of this review.
“It is also clear that there were compliance inadequacies on some of Russell Brand’s Radio 2 shows which led to content being aired that would not be broadcast today. Russell Brand left the BBC in 2008 following a high-profile editorial breach. As has been reported, there is an ongoing police investigation into Russell Brand. The BBC has been in contact with the Metropolitan police throughout the review and they have seen the report. The BBC acknowledges that Russell Brand categorically denies all public allegations made against him.” – BBC Statement
It is clear that presenters have been able to abuse their positions at the BBC in the past. Since Russell Brand left the corporation in 2008 they state they “have taken a range of actions” to limit the amount of misdemeanours happening by their employees.
These steps include, introducing a specialist case management process to consider the most serious allegations and concerns raised, led and staffed by individuals with high level expertise and an Anti-Bullying and Harassment policy which has been strengthened several times and a dedicated ‘Support at Work’ team to address bullying and harassment cases.
The corporation have also, they state, made significant efforts to centralise and standardise complaints processes which include recent actions arising from the Non-Editorial Complaints Process Review published in February 2024 and the biggest changes to their compliance processes for many years, including for all pre-recorded non-news programming to be reviewed by a senior content maker and an obligation to submit a compliance form, both before broadcast; an enhanced referral process for editorial issues; and strengthened editorial guidance in respect of intimidation and humiliation.
On top of these changes, the senior management team will actively consider any other actions which can build on and improve our processes for handling concerns the BBC note. Brand says he has never acted inappropriate at the BBC or anywhere else.
A copy of the report can be accessed here
In the showbiz departure lounge this week…
We said goodbye to BBC regional personality Andy Ball who worked at Radio Merseyside for over thirty years in roles including reporter, presenter and in recent times a member of the Beeb radio station’s management team. Andy was 62.
Also, we recently said farewell to Sons and Daughters star Leila Hayes died aged 85. She also appeared in Prisoner: Cell Block H and The Sullivans. Leila was also noted for her work as a singer, radio host and writer.
Marianne Faithfull died aged 78. Best known in the 1960s with the release of her UK top 5 single “As Tears Go By” and became one of the leading female artists of the British Invasion in the United States. Pop culture remembered her through the decades with appearances on shows such as sitcom Absolutely Fabulous! And Marianne was sweetie.
The views expressed are of Joanna Gumley and not ATV Today. Penelope Teeth, Judi Dentures and Joanna Gumley are ATV’s exclusive showbiz drag queens with bite.
