ManchesterOnline

Secret Millionaires' priceless contribution

THE Secret Millionaires have written cheques to the tune of £1,485,200 since Channel 4 embarked on its covert mission to help the down-at-heel.

But it hasn't all been about the cash.

Those who took part in the show made an emotional investment, too.

Bear's just born to be wild

DAREDEVIL adventurer and all-round action man Bear Grylls is best known for parachuting into the world's worst 'hellholes' and surviving on his wits alone.

This is a man who's been known to drink the juice from elephant dung to stay hydrated, eat raw zebra to keep hunger pangs at bay and climb inside a dead camel for shelter.

Why? is just one question that springs to mind.

O'Grady's back for new season

PAUL O'Grady thought it was a joke when he got a letter from Buckingham Palace offering him an MBE. He received the gong in the Queen's Birthday Honours, announced in June, but reckoned it was a right royal wind-up.

"I've got a weird friend who always sends me letters, looking really official, saying, 'Dear Mr O'Grady, We have reason to believe you are running a brothel at weekends'. Or, 'Dear Mr O'Grady, this baby-farming has got to cease'.

Place Of Execution for Juliet

IT'S one of the classiest thrillers on TV this year and will keep you guessing right to the end.

Place Of Execution (ITV1, Monday, 9pm) is a three-part drama adapted from the novel by Stockport's Val McDermid.

Made by Coastal Productions, it has taken six years to bring to the screen.

Saturday Knight fever

HE'S the young wizard who aims to cast a spell with plenty of Saturday night sorcery.

Merlin (BBC1, Saturday, 7.30pm) is a new 13-part fantasy adventure following in the footsteps of Doctor Who and Robin Hood.

I'm not such a good Neighbour

IMOGEN Bailey might be complaining about her skin being dry and her eyes being puffy as a result of just flying in from Australia, but she still looks a million dollars.

Her petite frame is dwarfed as she perches delicately on the end of an enormous sofa in the library of a posh London hotel.

Wedding bells for Hollyoaks

WHEN it comes to Hollyoaks (Channel 4, 6.30pm) characters there are few to match the appeal of Calvin Valentine. The village's resident copper, and goody two-shoes, has also become the soap's heart-throb, thanks to his hunky looks.

But his many fans could be in for a shock. The nice guy might be about to turn bad on the eve of his wedding to Carmel.

Ty demolishes the stiff upper lip

IMAGINE Anneka Rice and Handy Andy crossed with Superman and you might get be able to picture American TV presenter Ty Pennington.

Earlier this year the former model/carpenter, who shot to fame in the US equivalent of Changing Rooms, spent eight days in Cornwall, bringing his evangelical yet muscular makeover magic to the residents of Portreath for Ty's Big British Makeover (Tuesday, UKTV Style, 10pm).

Strictly gets back in the swing

THE glitterball is back along with fresh supplies of sequins, fake tan and famous faces ready to hit the dancefloor.

Strictly Come Dancing (BBC1, Saturday, 6.30pm) returns for a sixth series with a sneak preview before next week's first live studio show.

Hosts Bruce Forsyth and Stockport-raised Tess Daly take a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the series and introduce the new celebrities.

Success calls for Billie

SHE might look demure but singer-turned-actress Billie Piper has got a reputation for being full of surprises.

From the moment she burst onto the music scene as a 15-year-old, to her marriage to the much older radio DJ Chris Evans, Billie seemed destined to shock.

When she spent a few years out of the spotlight - and had an amicable split from Evans, it looked like she might have settled down.

It's a Massive role for Ralf

ASK a 17-year-old music fan what they want to do with their life, and they might just tell you they dream of starting their own record label.

That's exactly how Danny and Seamus feel at least.

They're the central characters in new comedy Massive (BBC3, Sunday, 9pm) which begins with a double bill of episodes.

Success on a plate at Restaurant

NINE couples begin their battle tonight for a once in a lifetime chance to open a restaurant with top chef Raymond Blanc.

The Restaurant (BBC2, 8pm) returns for a second series, along with a fresh cast of competitors.

Each couple aims to prove they have the vision and talent to create their perfect restaurant - with one going out each week.

Good, bad and ugly times at Cornerhouse

THE Cornerhouse continues it's excellent, fortnightly 'Breakfast Club' this Sunday with an opportunity to enjoy one of cinematic histories finest hours.

‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’ is the last and best of the great Sergio Leone's Spaghetti Western trilogy and it is an epic.

The story has everything you'd want from a classic western - revenge, gunfights, hold ups, betrayal, missing gold, some more revenge - in fact the only thing it's short on is love, but this is Sergio Leone country.

Robson hunts for shocks

MAKE sure you've finished your TV dinner before watching Robson Green this week.

He's back as clinical psychologist Tony Hill in a new series of Wire In The Blood (ITV1, Friday, 9pm), which is definitely not for the squeamish.

The first film is a two-part story involving a cannibal killer. "This is a particularly disturbing topic," agrees Robson.

For the sake of the children

HARRY Potter star Geraldine Somerville did not sleep easy when filming her latest TV drama.

"I was really moved by the script and cried a lot. I had terrible nightmares," recalls the former Cracker actress.

"It made me anxious because the story touches on all your worst nightmares. As a mum-of-three the story was even more emotive. It made me go home and really appreciate my children."

BB9: Rachel crowned

RACHEL Rice won the ninth series of Big Brother tonight, walking away with the £100,000 prize.

The 24-year-old trainee teacher, from Torfaen in South Wales, beat Mikey Hughes to win the title.

Guy Ritchie: Films, fame and 'my wife'

THE first time I met Guy Ritchie, Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels had just had a successful pre-release screening in front of a bunch of film writers, and he was like an innocent, wide-eyed kid who couldn't believe his luck.

Not only had he finally got to make a 'real' film but people actually seemed to like it! In truth, at the time most of us were more interested in Vinnie Jones, who was there with Ritchie, and his role in the film.

The return of Ugly Betty

MARC St James, the scheming, slickly-dressed assistant to villainous magazine boss Wilhemina Slater, is much-loved by fans of US series Ugly Betty (9pm tonight, Channel 4).

But when Texan actor Michael Urie auditioned to play the "bitchy, gay assistant", the role wasn't going to exist beyond the pilot.

Passion's not enough for Raymond

TOP chef Raymond Blanc says Manchester has helped to cook up a storm in the nation's restaurants.

"Now in Great Britain one can eat extremely well and very soon it will be everywhere," explains the world-renowned French-born restaurateur.

"It has happened in Manchester and London and it's filtering out right through the country. The British people are connecting with their food culture.

Comedy couple back on fast track

THE world of Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse is possibly the only place you'll find a pair of elderly Jewish gentlemen presenting a rap radio show for Radio 3.

Or two scaffolders who, when not shouting sexist obscenities down to the street below, exchange high-brow comments about modern art and politics?

Or Nelson Mandela pushing Fidel Castro along in a wheelchair, while having a discussion about the new iPhone?

Antiques role for Fiona

LIFE on the road away from the BBC News At Ten hotseat is full of surprises for Fiona Bruce.

"I met a couple who were married last year," recalls the new host of The Antiques Roadshow (BBC1, Sunday, 8pm).

"The groom loves the show so much that his bride surprised him by coming down the aisle to the theme tune," she laughs. "You hear bizarre things like that all the time."

James' taste of great Brittany

ON a campsite overlooking a beach in Brittany, James Martin is blow-torching a bag of charcoal.

When the coals are white-hot, he slaps a couple of fresh veal steaks on the barbecue, and sprinkles them with rosemary and garlic, all the while talking to the camera with the ease of a seasoned TV chef.

Classic to take Pride in

WRITER Guy Andrews is honest about his initial reaction to a TV reinvention of classic novel Pride and Prejudice.

"I was as polite and indulgent as I could manage under the circumstances, and privately thought that the idea - what I could grasp of it - was utter drivel," he confesses.

BB9: Housemates share jackpot

BIG Brother housemates Lisa and Sara won a £50,000 cash jackpot, after going head-to-head in a game of trust.

The pair were given a block each saying “share” or “take” and were asked to chose between the two without showing their opponent.

Now boarding, the CelebAir crew

FASTEN your seatbelts for yet another reality TV show.

You can just imagine telly bosses thinking up the format for new eight-part series CelebAir (ITV2, Tuesday, 9pm).

Millions of viewers tuned in to shows like Airport and Airline, proving many of us are fascinated by the world of air travel.

BB9: Face-off for rivals

ONE Big Brother contestant could be £50,000 richer tonight after a "nomination face-off" where housemates will be forced to determine who will be up for eviction in front of each other.

Presenter Davina McCall will host two live shows - the first at 9pm will show highlights of the last 24 hours in the house.

Kevin likes his screenplays bleak

LEWIS and Morse star Kevin Whately has never been one for the easy life.

"The blacker and bleaker it is to film, for some reason the more I enjoy the shoot. So I really enjoyed this one."

He's talking about The Children (ITV1, Monday, 9pm), a three-part drama about step-families, modern lives and the death of an eight-year-old girl.

BB9: Mohamed's final boost

MOHAMED has secured his place in the final week of Big Brother after being voted head of house.

The housemates were asked to vote for the final head instead of making nominations for eviction.

War-time eye view of city

SEVENTY years ago, the Luftwaffe photographed Manchester and Salford from the air.

The German images of potential air raid targets were captured by the allies at the end of the Second World War and marked as classified by British Intelligence.

BB9: Nicole booted out

STUDENT Nicole was evicted from the Big Brother house, having received the highest percentage of the public vote recorded over the nine series of the show.

The 19-year-old made her exit after more than 90 per cent of the public vote was for her to leave.

How Martin went to the dogs

CELEBRITIES are often required to feign enthusiasm for their latest project, especially if it involves getting up at 3am to go wolf hunting.

But when Martin Clunes walks into the room with an excited Mary, his pet golden cocker spaniel, it's clear this actor would have had no problems with an early wake-up call for his latest project.

Latest locks of long blonde

KEELEY Hawes has an almost Madonna-like way of reinventing herself.

From mousey-bobbed MI5 agent in Spooks to time-travelling cop with an '80s perm in Ashes To Ashes, she manages to pull off any guise with style.

So I'm not surprised, when we meet on the set of her latest show Mutual Friends (BBC1, tonight) to see her sporting long blonde locks.

BB9: Three face eviction

THREE female contestants from the Big Brother house will face eviction this week in an all-girl showdown.

Lisa, Nicola and Sara will be put before the public vote after being nominated by their housemates.

Australian Sara Folino received five nominations from her housemates, while Lisa and Nicole had four each.

Cheryl's got the max factor

THE X Factor is back with the show's highest ever debut audience - and presenter Dermot O'Leary is delighted.

An average of 10.2m viewers tuned in on Saturday, many curious to see how new judge Cheryl Cole would get on alongside Simon Cowell.

"I think Cheryl has just slipped into Sharon Osbourne's shoes incredibly well. Surprisingly as well, because she's the youngest panel member," says Dermot.

Crumbs - more hairy moments

WITH big beards, bikes and leather jackets, Dave Myers and Si King aren’t your archetypal cooks.

But then that’s been the gimmick of The Hairy Bikers – as they’re collectively known – since they first appeared in their first TV series.

BB9: Bubblegum task for pair

BIG Brother's Sara and Nicole chewed their way to winning the latest task.

New head of house Rex, who was judging the contest, said the two girls had created the best Roman mosaic.

The pairings had been ordered to make the mosaic in Rex's image - from used bubble gum.

The Corrie quizmasters

THE rovers have returned to Weatherfield with a huge cash boost for charity.

"It's a dream come true," said Coronation Street actress Jennie McAlpine after her win on a celebrity special of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?

BB9: Stuart voted out

STUART Pilkington is the ninth housemate to be evicted from the Big Brother house.

The 25-year-old personal trainer and property developer from Cheshire was voted out of the house, losing to fellow nominated housemate Rachel Rice.

Cowell: Emma won't give in

SIMON Cowell has spoken for the first time about his X Factor re-match with singing hopeful Emma Chawner.

Emma, from Ramsbottom, hit the headlines last year after being criticised by the judges for wearing a home-made dress.

But her attempt to win Simon over at the 2008 Old Trafford auditions ended in yet more heartbreak."It didn't go well," he told the M.E.N.

Why King's lifestyle suits me

HE'S the most famous King of England with a life story that reads like a film script.

"He was like a rock star," maintains Jonathan Rhys Meyers, who plays Henry VIII in The Tudors (BBC2, tonight, 9pm).

"Everything revolved around the King. We put rock stars and movie stars up there and treat them like gods, and that's the way Henry was treated.

Glam gran's got X Factor

GLAM gran Jazz Gibbs will bring a bit of extra spice to this year's X Factor show.

For pub landlady Jazz, from Ramsbottom, decided to go on the TV talent show to prove that a 55-year-old gran-of-one can still be sexy.

SuperDoctors under the microscope

PROFESSOR Robert Winston gently holds the hand of mother Yvette McGeehan as she cries over the loss of her son.

She had twins Dominic and Rebecca through IVF treatment, but before he was eight, Dominic contracted meningitis and fell into a coma.

Cheryl's got the X Factor

X FACTOR new girl Cheryl Cole admits she was nervous about joining the award-winning TV talent search.

"The night before the first auditions I didn't sleep a wink. I've always been a big fan of the show so I was so excited to be taking part," she says.

"But it was also really weird and scary to think I was going to be a judge. I didn't know what to expect."

BB9: Rachel and Stuart face vote

RACHEL and Stuart will go head to head for the ninth Big Brother eviction on Friday.

Trainee teacher Rachel picked up six nominations, while 25-year-old Stuart received five.

Darnell, who nominated Stuart, said: "Of all the housemates he wants to be here the least, and when someone does feel that way, it makes it harder to get on with them in the house."

We still have X Factor

MANCHESTER still has The X Factor, according to judges on the hit ITV1 show.

The city - home of 2005 winner Shayne Ward - has again produced some potential stars of the future.

"As with every year, Manchester has come up trumps with talent," said a spokesman for judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole.

Adrian's game for some thrills

THE gold medals have started to flow for Team GB at the Olympics and Adrian Chiles could not be happier.

He and Hazel Irvine bring first news of overnight success to a waking nation every day in Olympic Breakfast (BBC1, 6am).

"For me, I think the Olympics represents the apotheosis of all the usual stuff about sport - the dedication, the glory, the disappointment, the tension, the joy, the despair," reflects Adrian.

BB9: Lisa's the BB barber

SALES rep Lisa was picked to cut her fellow housemates' hair in the latest Big Brother task.

The head of house, Mikey, picked the 40-year-old to be the Big Brother barber.

Big Brother provided Lisa with a jar that she had to fill with housemates' hair in order for the house to receive a reward.

Hunting for the real Gene

MILLIONS of viewers lapped up the action of Manchester-set time-warp cop show Life On Mars, but did such uncompromising 'tecs really exist?

A new programme investigates, writes Ian Wylie.

Tiff has no quarrel with rivals

TIFF Needell's real name is Timothy, but the presenter of Fifth Gear (Five, tonight, 8pm), was given his nickname Tiff by his younger brother because of their constant arguing.

So are there any 'tiffs' with his former colleagues on Top Gear? Tiff said: "We have a very good rivalry with them. They're all my apprentices really, they learned everything from me, although I'm not taking the blame for Jeremy's dress sense!"

BB9: Housemates face chop

THE Big Brother housemates were rewarded with a party after having their hair chopped off to pass a task.

Big Brother set up a barber shop in the house, with gym fanatic Lisa taking on the role as hairdresser.

The housemates had to fill a jar with their own hair in order to pass, and were rewarded with alcohol, music and wigs.

Prize for good conduct(ors)

WHAT do drum 'n' bass whizz Goldie, former Blur bassist Alex James, actress Jane Asher, newsreader Katie Derham, presenter Peter Snow, David 'Starsky and Hutch' Soul, comedian Sue Perkins and actor Bradley Walsh have in common?

Believe it or not they are all passionate fans of classical music and they've all signed up for Maestro (BBC2, Tuesday, 9pm).

BB9: Dale's out

TRAINEE teacher Dale was reunited with his love interest Jennifer when he was evicted from the Big Brother house.

The 21-year-old received 63% of the public vote when he went head to head against Stuart, a personal trainer.

Film? It's just child's play...

MANCHESTER'S Family Friendly Film Festival returns with more than two weeks of cinematic treats including premieres, pyjama parties and pirates.

Kevin Bourke dons his eyepatch and says 'Arrrggghhh'.

Marr looks down on Beetham

ANDREW Marr is in no doubt about the biggest highlight of his latest TV job. "Being dropped out of a plane twice, two miles up - in other words, skydiving., which was completely unlike what I'd expected," he explains.

"It is categorically not like floating. You are plummeting. You are going down as fast as the human body could go. You drop about a mile before the parachute is opened."

Claire's ready to hit the beat

A VETERAN of hospital and police dramas, Claire Goose is donning a uniform yet again as she joins The Bill (ITV1, tonight, 8pm).

The actress became a household name and lads' mag pin-up following her roles as Tina Seabrook in Casualty and Mel Silver in Waking The Dead. Now, four years on, she's back on our screens as Sergeant Rachel Weston.

BB9: Dale and Stuart face vote

TRAINEE teacher Dale and personal trainer Stuart were nominated for eviction from the Big Brother house this week, after receiving the most nominations.

The pair reacted with joy to the news, hugging and thanking their housemates.

A karaoke classic

THERE is a rare breed of person who is willing to sing without the aid of alcohol, and who is actually able to do the song justice.

It is this kind of people that Who Dares Sings (ITV1, Saturday, 7PM ) hopes to find in a show that gives everyday people the chance to win up to £50,000.

Spooks, after the Bomb

IT was only a matter of time before Spooks spawned a spin-off:

Spooks: Code 9, (BBC Three, Sunday) takes place in a very different landscape to its established big brother.

BB9: Kick out Dale and Stuart, says Rex

REX tried to persuade Sara to nominate Dale and Stuart for Big Brother eviction.

The smug chef told Aussie Sara he was going to nominate the homesick pair, and suggested she should do the same.

The greatest show on earth

IT'S still the greatest show on Earth and former tennis star turned TV host Sue Barker can't wait.

She will be on duty in Beijing for the Opening Ceremony of Olympics 2008 (BBC1, Friday, 12.45pm) and during the 17 days of this international festival of sport.

BB9: Rex blows budget

THE housemates could be denied even basic rations this week, after Rex spent their food allowance on 57 of Big Brother's "ever-changing special prize tokens".

In previous weeks the tokens have been exchanged for plastic crabs, a gorilla apron, and dinner for two in the Diary Room.

Inside Britney's meltdown

CELEBRITY meltdown became live TV news when Britney Spears was stretchered out of her Los Angeles home earlier this year.

One photographer recalls: "You went to bed at night thinking, 'I wonder if Britney will be alive in the morning?'"

Nikki steps back in time

HEARTS beat just a little faster in Aidensfield this weekend with the arrival of former Coronation Street star Nikki Sanderson.

The Bury actress plays Dawn Bellamy, sent from her home in Manchester to a new life in the country.

"I was really nervous on my first day," recalls Nikki, 24, still known to millions as Corrie crimper Candice Stowe. "But I walked into the read through and everyone was brilliant, the whole cast and crew."

BB9: Maysoon quits house

A HOMESICK Maysoon has walked out of the Big Brother house for good.

The 28-year-old, who arrived in the house four weeks ago, told fellow housemates yesterday evening that she had asked Big Brother for her suitcase.

How I became Saddam

WHEN you think of famous Israeli actors, there probably aren't many that spring to mind.

However, having already featured in the Steven Spielberg film Munich, Igal Naor is establishing himself as just that.

His latest role should bring him yet more attention as it sees him become the most infamous dictator of our time, Saddam Hussain, in House Of Saddam (BBC2, tonight 9pm).

BB9: Nine face eviction

NINE Big Brother housemates will face eviction on Friday night.

Dale and Luke were nominated for eviction by their fellow housemates yesterday.

But Big Brother also announced that Darnell, Rex, Mohamed, Rachel, Maysoon, Kathreya and Stuart would also face the public vote as punishment for rule breaking.

Penny reveals sack fears

A WASHED-UP breakfast TV presenter in her 40s who makes terrible jokes, gets the sack and worries she'll never work again?

It could be a plot for a novel based on any number of telly presenters, but surely not Penny Smith, the bright, beautiful and witty GMTV presenter who has been doing the job for 15 years?

They've got the Edge

THEY'RE young, gifted and beautiful - but for goodness sake don't call them posh.

A new teenage cast has been recruited for MTV's Cheshire-based reality soap Living On The Edge - but this time they're trying not to wave in front of our faces the fact they're loaded too.

BB9: Housemates discuss nominations

BIG Brother housemates were given a unique opportunity to discuss nominations with each other when a purpose-built pod was unveiled in the garden.

For the first time in the Channel 4 reality show's history, contestants were able to plot nominations tactically with each other, enabling them to gang up to put a particular person before the public vote.

Success is child's play for Keith

THE chance encounter which was to define Keith Chapman's career came when he spotted a bright yellow JCB digging up the road. "I thought to myself, 'that's such a cool machine'," Chapman recalls.

"And I wondered why no one had ever produced a children's series based on digging and building."

Fast forward 20 years and Bob The Builder is among the most successful animation series ever produced.

Cooking up a treat in China

AS THE world's eyes turn on China for the Olympics, one man in particular is focusing his attention, and his appetite, in that direction.

Like many of us Gary Rhodes loves Chinese food.

And as Beijing comes under the spotlight he's ideally placed to reveal exactly what visitors to the Games will be enjoying in restaurants and cafes around the competition sites - and how to recreate these dishes at home.

BB9: Rebecca is evicted

NURSERY nurse Rebecca has become the sixth person to be evicted from the Big Brother house.

The 21-year-old from Coventry was voted out by the public ahead of Mohamed and Darnell.

Stars at Denise's 50th bash

TV celebrities partied into the early hours at a bash to celebrate the 50th birthday of actress Denise Welch.

Denise, the former Coronation Street favourite who now stars in school-based drama Waterloo Road, was joined by more than 150 friends and relatives at her party.

BB9: Rebecca homes in on Luke

A NEAR-naked Rebecca forced a kiss on Luke, despite him trying to escape, in the latest "romantic" encounter in the Big Brother house.

The 21-year-old was wearing little more than a red thong and a towel when she threw herself at Luke yesterday.

BB9: Pair continue to fling

LUKE and Rebecca have continued their Big Brother fling, sharing another secret kiss under a duvet.

The pair snuggled up in the luxury bedroom after Rebecca learnt that she would face the public vote on Friday.

But if she was hoping for some words of comfort from her beaux, she was sadly mistaken.

Paul gets pulses racing

PAUL Nicholls is no stranger to the job of setting female pulses racing. But just what the doctor ordered has already landed his latest character in trouble in new medical drama Harley Street (ITV1, tonight, 9pm).

Last week's opening episode saw Dr Robert Fielding falling for the charms of a young lady who turned out to be the daughter of veteran Dr Harvey Cost (James Fox).

BB9: Three face eviction

THREE housemates have been nominated to face this week's Big Brother eviction vote.

Darnell, Mohamed and Rebecca will find out who is the most unpopular with viewers on Friday when one of them is booted out of the house by the public poll.

Darnell was the least popular with his fellow housemates, receiving six nominations, while Mohamed and Rebecca each received five.

Alan's living the dream

CORONATION Street star Alan Halsall admits: "I have to pinch myself all the time."

Wedding bells are set to ring for Weatherfield mechanic Tyrone Dobbs and also in real life for Alan as he marks his tenth anniversary on the cobbles.

The Salford actor smiles: "I absolutely love my job, so it doesn't feel like 10 years. If you enjoy something, time just goes, doesn't it?"

BB9: Rebecca's the week-est link

REBECCA Shiner continued to look sure of claiming the Jade Goody award for Big Brother buffoonery - by saying she thought there were 12 weeks in a year.

Barely a day after she performed a ballerina dance wearing just a pair of hotpants, the 21-year-old made another embarrassing outburst.

She stunned housemates as they discussed who had made the least impression on the house.

Julie digs deep for new role

JULIE Graham enjoyed digging deep to play her latest TV character.

The William and Mary actress stars as Dr Gillian Magwilde, head of the team of university archaeologists in Bonekickers (BBC1, tonight, 9pm).

"The script is so original - it's like nothing I've ever read before," she says.

BB9: Banquet for Dale

DALE Howard celebrated his first day as head of the Big Brother house with a raucous party.

He tucked in to cup cakes and profiteroles with other members of heaven, the luxury area of the house, while the housemates in hell salivated from the sidelines.

The group could barely contain their excitement at the sight of the party treats, which included Rachel Rice's favourite food, grapes

Witchcraft and magic come to Midsomer

IT'S a kind of magic as Midsomer conjures up yet another murder mystery for John Nettles to solve.

The current series of Midsomer Murders (ITV1, Sunday, 8pm) comes to a close with a story called The Magician's Nephew.

King Dragon's not so fierce

DRAGONS' Den judge Peter Jones might be slightly more photo-friendly than Britain's other favourite go-getter Sir Alan Sugar but he is no less brutally honest.

However, as the sixth series of Dragons' Den, ( BBC2, Monday, 9pm), begins he explains that sometimes the camera is less than truthful.

Encore for the Proms

THE finest names in classical music are preparing to serve up a feast for the senses as the BBC Proms returns.

The Proms is 115 years old and still remains true to its original aim: to present the widest possible range of music, performed to the highest standards, to large audiences.

BB9: Housemates given dung task

SOME of the Big Brother housemates received an unwelcome distraction from tonight's eviction as they held their noses and put their backs into a filthy task - shovelling manure.

Dressed in lumberjack shirts with handkerchiefs tied around their necks, the contestants from the "Hell" side of the house erupted in cheers yesterday evening after learning they had won the muck-spreading task.

Date with a serial killer

WHEN the TV channel FX started showing dark drama Dexter (FX, Tuesdays, 10pm) it became one of the most-talked about shows.

Thanks to its repeat on ITV2 in the spring, even more people are hooked on the US hit.

Upmarket Suranne

IT’S a long time since Suranne Jones graced the small screen, but fans of the sultry former Coronation Street star veteran are in for a treat this week as she returns in Harley Street (ITV1, tonight, 9pm).

First colour film of the Queen

THE earliest known colour film of the Queen is screened on TV for the first time tonight in The Thirties In Colour (BBC4, 9pm).

The footage was taken in the summer of 1936 by socialite and amateur film-maker Rosie Newman.

Casting off shackles

THESE are dangerous times for Sergeant Smith (The Bill, tonight, 8pm) , who is still undercover and working for arms dealer Darren Cutler (Gary Powell).

Smithy (Alex Walkinshaw) meets Bob Gatting (Miles Anderson), the boss of the infamous SE1 gang, and is stunned when Kieran Wallace (Rupert Hill) interrupts them to protest his innocence after a weapon was earlier planted in his car.

BB9: Rex and Belinda nominated

BIG Brother's Darnell Swallow admitted to being a back-stabber as he put his former friend Rex Newmark up for eviction this week.

The 24-year-old chef will face the public vote after receiving a total of six nominations from his housemates.

Rupert's green concerns

SPOOKS star Rupert Penry-Jones admits his role in a global warming drama left him terrified for the future of the planet.

The actor has been enlightened by the thriller's focus on the fight for the environment.

Jimmy's farm friends

LET’S be honest, while he only came into the public eye a handful of years ago, there simply weren’t that many celebrity farmers out there, never mind a programme such as Jimmy Doherty’s Farming Heroes (BBC2, 9pm).

Life on the inside

THE residents of the Big Brother house may moan about the tasks, the lack of tobacco, and each other, but if they think they've got it tough, they should probably think again.

Banged Up (five, 9pm) is unquestionably this summer's toughest reality show, and what's more, it serves a very serious purpose - which is probably why it's presented by a former Home Secretary.

New lease of life for New Tricks

DENNIS Waterman played Detective George Carter in The Sweeney and now stars as a retired copper in New Tricks (BBC1, tonight, 9pm).

But it doesn't mean he's above the law. In fact, it seems some policemen even go out of their way to `nick' him.

Big Bro axed in Australia

BIG Brother faces the axe from British screens after TV chiefs dropped the reality TV show in Australia.

The programme has been pulled from schedules down under by Network Ten seven years after it began.

BB9: Darnell appointed

SONGWRITER Darnell Swallow has been voted head of the Big Brother House.

The former gang member romped to victory in the secret ballot with nine votes.

BB9: Evictee's fears for Mikey

MARIO Marconi became the fourth contestant to be evicted from the Big Brother house and called fellow housemates "snide" in their treatment of blind contestant Mikey.

With 77% of the public vote, 43-year-old Mario - whose real name is Sean Astbury - lost out to nursery nurse Rebecca Shiner, 21, with nominations from five of his fellow housemates.

Taking T and Hollywood

THE music festival season is well under way and after last month's successful Glastonbury, attention switches to Balado, a former airfield in Perth and Kinross, for T In The Park (BBC2, BBC3, Radio 1, Saturday and Sunday).

Fantabulosa portrayal

“STOP messing about!” That’s what a certain Carry On star might have said on hearing he was about to become the subject of Kenneth Williams: Fantabulosa! (BBC2, 10.45pm), a drama about the most successful years of his career, starring Michael Sheen.

Mother of all film musicals

THE stage musical Mamma Mia! has come a very long way in the decade since an impoverished would-be theatrical impresario called Judy Craymer had a dream of a musical inspired by the songs of Abba.