Huge ITV drama ‘facing axe' dealt fresh blow as creator quits after he's slammed for woke storylines
First, lead
4
ITV drama Unforgotten has been dealt another fresh blow after Nicola Walker, pictured, was replaced in 2023
Credit: Rex
4
Chris Lang, the writer behind the ITV thriller, wants to quit the series after next year's run
Credit: Alamy
Now Chris Lang, the brains behind the ITV thriller, says he wants to quit as writer after
next
year's run.
He said: 'I'll probably hand on the baton after this series. I'll still be involved, but I've written 42 episodes and don't want to repeat myself.'
In an interview with the Royal
Television
Society, Chris added: 'I wouldn't write it if I didn't have something to say about the state of the nation.
'Because Unforgotten has an inherent and robust structure, that allows me space to hold up a mirror to British society — it's a Trojan horse show.'
READ MORE TV NEWS
But the show, which also stars Sanjeev Bhaskar as DI Sunil Khan, has been slammed by some viewers for those 'Trojan horse' storylines that deal with themes including
immigration
,
racism
and the Covid crisis.
Taking to X, one remarked: 'I reckon one more series and this show will get mothballed or even fully axed. Unfortunately this one is a real box-ticking leftie crowd-pleaser.'
Another posted: 'The woke mind virus has even taken hold of #Unforgotten'
Another added: '#Unforgotten is forgettable. Another drama has gone woke.'
Most read in News TV
A fourth said: '#itv how many woke boxes did you tick in that first episode? Lecturing your audience is so tedious.'
Yet another stated: 'Given up on this load of woke garbage, supposed to be entertainment not propaganda.'
Unforgotten star reveals surprise real-life family link to storyline - as hit ITV crime drama returns
The first episode of last series, which aired in February, peaked at 7.4million viewers, making it the second highest-performing drama of last year.
Chris also said that many viewers still hadn't forgiven the show for losing Nicola, who played DCI
Cassie
Stuart and replacing her with Sinead Keenan as new department chief, DCI Jessica James.
He recalled how he was with his wife on holiday last year and met some American fans who were initially thrilled to discover Chris had written the show.
But he said: 'The mood suddenly soured. One of the women went full Kathy Bates and said, 'You killed Nicola Walker!'.
Here's hoping he hasn't killed off the whole show, too.
WOULD I FLY TO YOU?
4
Rob Brydon IN Destination X, the BBC's new challenge show
Credit: BBC
HERE'S the first look at Rob Brydon as he launches Destination X, the BBC's brilliant new challenge show.
Smartly dressed as a pilot, the Would I Lie To You? host can be seen getting the first nail-biting trial under way in the series that is part Traitors and part
Race
Across The World.
And the contestants are in for a wild ride.
The show, which launches later this month, sees them board a blacked-out bus where they are fed clues – and a few nasty red herrings – with one simple question at the end of each episode: Where in
Europe
are you?
A £100,000 prize awaits the winner.
But with the amount of Euro facts we'll all learn along the way, I reckon some of us will win big at the next pub quiz too.
GLAD SPIN-OFF IS BACK
THE Gladiators spin-off prank show proved such a hit with viewers it's back for a second series.
I can reveal it will be shot when the lycra-clad muscle men and women convene this month to film the conventional show for BBC One.
Gladiators: Epic Pranks is aimed at youngsters and sees the likes of Phantom and Giant playing tricks on one another, and members of the public, for the sadistic amusement of viewers.
There will also be the celebrity spin-off, which usually airs around Christmas, at the same time as the regular show.
But the names of the stars taking part have yet to be revealed.
Watch this space . . .
IT'S A FULL HOUSE IN LONDON
MOST of you probably thought The Real Housewives Of
London
would be a bunch of filthy rich women carping at each other while gorging on various luxuries in the capital.
Well, you're wrong – because they also go to
Scotland
.
4
Panthea Parker is one of the six cast members for Real Housewives of London
Credit: Hayu
Everything else is true, however, which is pretty evident in the trailer which has just been released ahead of the new show streaming on Hayu from August 18.
It's like a game of posh princess
bingo
, with mentions of diamond bracelets, facelifts, caviar, castles – and, of course, oodles of
money
.
Some of the interactions between the warring women are a delight.
In the trailer, one tells another: 'You're just a chronic liar and an insecure tw*t!'
Another tells a rival: 'You're a f***ing bitch, a low life and mutton dressed as lamb.'
Can. Not. Wait.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Colin Farrell's Penguin is perfect TV for the age of antiheroes like Trump
It may be the defining TV show of our times. A dark fairytale with a performance for the ages from our own Colin Farrell, that this week earned him an Emmy nomination to add to an earlier Golden Globe win. HBO hit 'The Penguin' reeks of the decay, collapse and corruption of the Roaring 2020s. After a global pandemic it was supposed to be a decade of renewal and rebirth. But at its midpoint, it's becoming clear that was a bad joke. The roars instead have become screams of anxiety across the world. Cries for help as societies have moved on from me too to me first. On screen that has taken shape as the century of the antihero. From Tony Soprano to Logan Roy, Walter White to the Wicked Witch of the West. And Oswald Cobb. Farrell has earned critical acclaim for his performance as Oswald Cobb in The Penguin (Image: © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. THE PENGUIN and all related characters and elements are copyrights and trademarks of DC. All Rights Reserved.) In a world that is increasingly shaped in the image of kleptocrats like Putin and narcissists like Trump, citizens are giving up on holding out for an old-fashioned hero. It is the world of Donald Trump the ultimate American Antihero. As president, Trump has taken a flamethrower to America's democratic and public institutions as well as the international order. He put a target on anyone who didn't pledge him loyalty, replaced justice with revenge, and truth with fantasy. His favourite Irishman is our own offering to this new cult of the antihero. Conor McGregor is a narcissistic bully who has lost a civil action in which he was accused of a savage rape. But millions still slavishly worship him because he rose from the streets and used violence to claim his share of the good life. He is an icon of the new road warrior dystopia that echoes in the darker alleys of social media. Where an army of the dispossessed and disaffected plot to 'take back their freedom'. Conor McGregor That always seems to mean taking it from others who are weaker. And by any means necessary. The Penguin chimes with these times, where hopelessness and history seem to rhyme more with each passing crisis. Where decline seems to have set into a civilisation that can't stop the rot eating away at respect for things like truth, decency and the institutions of law and democracy The streets of this dark comic fantasy carry a whisper of foreboding: the world looks to be all out of heroes. The Penguin recognises that by writing the caped crusader out of the picture entirely. There is no Batman in this hellish version of Gotham. On the streets only chaos and bad men reign. Only after eight relentlessly brilliant but dark chapters, is there a faint hopeful flicker of the Bat Signal dancing across the skyline in the final scene. But it's an illusion. There is no caped saviour coming to the rescue. The citizens of the world's Gothams are on their own. Which means they themselves will have to become the heroes they've been holding out for. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
How ‘heartbroken' & ‘blindsided' MasterChef star John Torode learned BBC had sacked him over ‘racism at work' revealed
MASTERCHEF presenter John Torode learned yesterday that he had been sacked by reading about it on the BBC News website. The star, 59, was said to be heartbroken after the BBC and production firm Banijay confirmed his Advertisement 6 John Torode was said to be heartbroken after his dismissal from Masterchef was confirmed Credit: Alamy 6 John was dismissed for racist language following the Gregg Wallace scandal Credit: BBC 6 John pictured with his wife Lisa Faulkner Credit: PA 6 John Torode's statement in full Credit: instagram A source said: 'John had no idea. 'He was blindsided.' His axing came after Beeb chief Tim Davie said BBC's MasterChef meltdown Advertisement Read more on John Torode Host Read John Torode's Torode His shamed co-host BBC Director General The Corporation said: 'John Torode has identified himself as having an upheld 'This allegation — which involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace — was investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by law firm Lewis Silkin. John's agent received a call 11 minutes before the statements went out and hadn't had a chance to call him. Source 'John Torode denies the allegation. Most read in News TV Exclusive 'We will not tolerate racist language of any kind and, as we have already said, we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken. Advertisement 'John Torode's contract will not be renewed.' A source said: 'John's agent received a call 11 minutes before the statements went out and hadn't had a chance to call him. 'He What did the report find? FORTY-five allegations made against Gregg Wallace during his time on MasterChef, including one of "unwelcome physical contact", were found to have been substantiated. An independent report commissioned by production company Banijay assessed 83 allegations against Wallace. The report substantiated: - Twelve claims he made inappropriate jokes and innuendo; - Sixteen reports he made sexually explicit comments; - Two allegations that he made sexualised comments to or about someone; - Four complaints that he made culturally insensitive or racist comments; - Three claims that he was in a state of undress; - Seven allegations of bullying; - One allegation of unwanted touching. The allegations span from 2005 to 2024. 'Devastated' Gregg Wallace FIRED by BBC over MasterChef sexual comments 'Obviously he's heartbroken. Advertisement 'He feels he's been made a scapegoat off the back of the Another source told The Sun the Australian chef planned to quit at the end of this week. In an Instagram post John said: 'Although I haven't heard from anyone at the BBC or Banijay — I am seeing and reading that I've been 'sacked' from MasterChef and I repeat that I have no recollection of what I'm accused of. 'I have loved every minute working on MasterChef, but it's time to pass the cutlery to someone else.' Advertisement Mental health issues Torode was cited in the report — but not named — over a racist remark allegedly made during a private conversation. We revealed yesterday that BBC bosses had He refused to do so. Advertisement No decision has been made as to whether the next MasterChef series will be aired. Mr Davie insisted the show 'absolutely' had a future and was 'much 6 Torode learned that he had been sacked by reading about it on the BBC News website Credit: Getty 6 John 'feels he's been made a scapegoat off the back of the Gregg Wallace report' Credit: PA Advertisement MasterChef scandal timeline 2005 to 2011: Problems with MasterChef began way back in the mid-2000s, with 27 substantiated claims made against host Gregg Wallace regarding alleged incidents in this period, according to a report by law firm Lewis Silkin. Most of these were related to sexually explicit comments, although one allegation of unwanted physical contact in this period was also substantiated. The same report found there was a failure by the production company to retain records of any actions taken during this time. 2012 to 2018: Another 17 allegations were upheld from this period, according to the report. The production company behind MasterChef investigated an allegation about Wallace's behaviour in 2015 - but he was not made aware of the complaint. In 2016, the production company merged with Endemol, introducing more formal policies as well as regular training and anonymous reporting lines. The BBC intervened in response to a complaint in 2017, after which Wallace was then warned to change his behaviour. 2019 to 2024: One substantiated complaint about an inappropriate comment was from this time period. November 2024: Wallace faces allegations of inappropriate sexual comments from 13 people across a 17-year period on a range of TV shows. He steps away from presenting MasterChef while Banijay - the show's production company - announces it will conduct an external review to 'fully and impartially investigate' the claims against him. Some of these allegations included Wallace 'talking openly about his sex life, taking his top off in front of a female worker saying he wanted to 'give her a fashion show', and telling a junior female colleague he was not wearing any boxer shorts under his jeans'. Banijay UK also confirms it has appointed law firm Lewis Silkin to lead the investigation into Wallace's alleged behaviour. December 2024: Wallace posts a video on Instagram which claims accusations against him making sexual comments towards staff and guests have come from 'middle-class women of a certain age'. His remarks are widely panned as "inappropriate and misogynistic', causing Wallace to apologise for any 'offence' or 'upset' he caused with his remarks, saying he will 'take some time out'. Co-host John Torode says he 'loves being part of' the show and 'will continue to be a part of it'. July 8 to 9, 2025: Wallace is sacked as MasterChef presenter following an enquiry into his alleged misconduct by Banijay. In an Instagram post, the former greengrocer claimed he had been cleared of the 'most serious and sensational accusations' against him, ahead of the published review. He also said he recognised that some of his humour and language was inappropriate 'at times' and apologised for this. July 14, 2025: Lewis Silkin publishes its report, on behalf of Banijay. It says that a total of 45 out of the 83 allegations made against Wallace during his time on the show were substantiated, including one allegation of 'unwelcome physical contact'. It concludes that the 'majority of the substantiated allegations against Wallace related to inappropriate sexual language and humour', adding that 'a smaller number of allegations of other inappropriate language and being in a state of undress were also substantiated'. In the wake of the report's findings, Banijay says that 'Wallace's return to MasterChef (is) untenable'. July 15, 2025 : Co-host Torode is sacked after allegedly making a racist remark while on the show. BBC bosses axe the TV host and slam an "extremely offensive" term, which was raised in the bombshell report into Gregg Wallace's "inappropriate behaviour". Torode says the comment - which the report attributed to an unnamed person - referred to him, but added: 'I have absolutely no recollection of this, and I do not believe that it happened.'
The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Ben Shelton gets over Wimbledon heartache as US tennis star packs on PDA with Trinity Rodman on vacation
BEN SHELTON has gotten over his Wimbledon heartache by packing on the PDA with Trinity Rodman while on vacation. The tennis ace was beaten at SW19 by eventual champion Jannik Sinner in the quarter-final. 6 Ben Shelton enjoyed some PDA with Trinity Rodman Credit: INSTAGRAM 6 The pair are on vacation after the tennis star's Wimbledon heartbreak Credit: INSTAGRAM @trinity_rodman 6 Trinity was seen at Wimbledon cheering on Shelton Credit: PA 6 She stunned in this blue outfit Credit: Reuters Shelton, 22, had reached the last eight by beating the likes of Marton Fucsovics, Rinky Hijikata and Lorenzo Sonego. However, he was no match for Sinner as he was beaten in straight sets on Court 1 last week. Shelton now has a smile back on his face as he is enjoying his time with Rodman while on holiday. NWSL star Rodman, 23, shared a post of their break on Instagram for her 615k followers. In a couple of pictures, the couple can be seen embracing and sharing a kiss next to the sea. Rodman looked stunning in a green bikini while Shelton opted for just a pair of black and orange trunks. She has been out of action since April due to a back injury. She captioned the Most read in Sport "Can't wait to be back on the field." Fans loved the adorable pictures as they flooded the comment section. 'Ruthless US star' Ben Shelton slams 'garbage and terrible' part of Wimbledon which leaves British fans fuming One posted: "This is cuteness." A second wrote: "I literally have a crush on your relationship." A third commented: "Cute couple, hope it last." A fourth said: "I love them together. Ben and Trinity. Love is love." Another added: "Love these two!" 6 Shelton was knocked out of Wimbledon at the quarter-final stage Credit: Alamy 6 He was beaten by Jannik Sinner Credit: Alamy The post also included glimpses of Rodman's efforts to get herself back fit. It showed she was practising her shooting on a pitch as well as working hard in the gym.
