Latest news with #UKTV
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV period drama 'like spoonful after spoonful of splendid jam' streaming for free now
Home Fires, which is currently available to stream for free on UKTV, is set in a fictional rural Cheshire community and follows the lives of members of the Great Paxford Women's Institute Crafted by ITV, Home Fires stands as a British period drama that unfolded across two series. Conceived by Simon Block and jointly helmed by Robert Quinn and Bruce Goodinson, this 2015 historical television programme chronicles the experiences of Great Paxford Women's Institute members on the Home Front throughout World War II. Drawing inspiration from Julie Summers' novel Jambusters, Home Fires unfolds in Great Paxford, a fictitious rural Cheshire village, and centres on the women's experiences as they face wartime adversity, limited supplies, and personal challenges during the conflict whilst discovering innovative methods to discover resilience and meaning through collective endeavours. The programme's inaugural series spans from September 1939 through to early 1940, whilst its second series commences during the summer of 1940. Featuring an outstanding ensemble cast predominantly comprising women such as Francesca Annis, Samantha Bond, Leanne Best, Fenella Woolgar, and Claire Rushbrook, Home Fires attracted an average audience of 6.2 million throughout its debut series. The programme's second run achieved comparable triumph. Presently accessible to watch without charge on UKTV, the period drama maintains a flawless 100 per cent critics approval score on review aggregation platform Rotten Tomatoes, where it garnered glowing reviews, with one reviewer noting: "Home Fires offers British drama that's as satisfying as a warm cup of tea." As per the Express, another critic praised the series, saying: "It's more uplifting and affirming than challenging or surprising, and it is handsomely made with convincing period detail and a fine cast delivering top notch performances." Meanwhile, a third reviewer kept it simple, declaring: "This series is spoonful after spoonful of splendid jam." Viewers were equally smitten with the wartime drama, with one devotee gushing: "The name being Home Fires on Masterpiece, it doesn't lie about the Masterpiece part." Another fan raved: "Loved, loved, loved this series! ! Just heard they are doing a second season, hurray! Just good, clean TV about regular people dealing with irregular circumstances. Please continue the series." A third enthusiast observed: "The show follows several women and the challenges they face in supporting the war effort. Some of the story lines are more soap opera than others, but I am enjoying every minute." One admirer penned: "One of the many really good shows from England, Australia and New Zealand. Honest look at how life was during the Second World War. Shows the effect on the families and those left behind when the 'boys' go off to war." Just days following the airing of series two's final episode, ITV delivered crushing news that the programme wouldn't be returning for a third run - despite its triumph and leaving devoted fans absolutely gutted, who flocked to launching a campaign to resurrect the series, which gathered over 50,000 signatures. An ITV spokesperson announced: "The ITV commissioning team continues to refresh the channel's drama portfolio, hence the decision not to commission a further new series." Despite a spirited campaign, efforts to save the show fell flat, leading to its official axing in 2016.
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
TV fans can now binge ‘must-watch' crime drama after season 2 is confirmed
It's always a solid vote of confidence for a TV show when it gets a season two renewal before the first has even aired. UKTV confirmed that work is already underway on the second instalment of new crime drama Bookish, just as the first season's six episodes dropped on U&Alibi. Set after the Second World War, the drama stars (and was created by) Mark Gatiss, who plays the eccentric secondhand bookshop owner Gabriel Book (a surname and job combination that means much wordplay ensues). Since Gatiss also co-created the classic crime-busting show Sherlock, he's clearly developed a taste for mystery-solving, as his character Gabriel sets about piecing together a series of whodunnits. Armed with a letter from Prime Minister Winston Churchill that allows him to investigate crime scenes despite being a civilian, Gabriel is much like Holmes before him and helps London's coppers on the beat to see what only he has twigged. The old-fashioned drama isn't overly cosy in its crime, nor is it terribly dark, but the show does have serious themes, with debonair Gabriel hiding his sexuality behind a lavender marriage to wife Trottie (Bridgerton's Polly Walker). Set in 1946, this is an era where being openly gay was criminalised. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Gabriel takes on three cases across the new show, with the first being an investigation into some mysterious remains which have been discovered near a bomb site. Co-written with journalist Matthew Sweet, Bookish gives viewers a series of clues so that they can try and crack the case alongside Gabriel – rather than pulling the culprit out of thin air. While the show has only been out to watch on U&Alibi (available via Sky and NOW) for a day, several avid TV-watchers have already got stuck in to the episodes and shared their takes online. Sharing a glowing review on Google, Lorna Mitchell said Bookish was 'absolutely excellent'. More Trending They added: 'Really enjoyed this. Nice storyline and very likeable characters. Not the usual run of the mill detective series.' Steve Mepham had similar thoughts, writing: 'Brilliant acting, a great story and wonderful setting. Mr Gatiss has produced a little gem.' 'Brilliant fun and clever writing, a must watch, light hearted whodunit!,' raved Dan C. View More » Bookish is available to watch on U&Alibi. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: One of Pride and Prejudice's most iconic scenes 'won't be in Netflix reboot' MORE: Netflix has me hooked on this 'naughty' hidden gem Spanish period drama MORE: I spent 10 years getting my second film made – it's a Scottish samurai Western
The Irish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Gemma Atkinson's son Thiago, 2, rushed to hospital in ‘scary' incident hours before christening
GEMMA Atkinson's two-year-old son Thiago has been rushed to hospital following a "scary" incident. The ex-Hollyoaks star, who shares daughter named Mia, six, and son Thiago with Strictly dancer and fiancé Gorka Marquez, shared the health update with fans on social media on Wednesday. Advertisement 3 Gemma Atkinson said she rushed her two-year-old son Thiago to hospital on Saturday Credit: Instagram 3 The 'scary' incident happened just hours before Thiago and daughter Mia's christening Credit: Splash The mum-of-two said Thiago was rushed to A&E on Saturday night as the youngster received treatment into the early hours. Despite the ordeal, the family were still able to attend the service for Mia and Thiago's christening just hours after the hospital dash. Gemma wrote: "We had such a busy weekend with a big build up & lots of organising. A family birthday tea for Mia on Friday, her party for her school friends Saturday, both Mia & Thiagos christening on Sunday and on top of that a trip to A&E with Thiago sat night. Advertisement READ MORE ON GEMMA ATKINSON "We were there until 1am Sunday morning and still somehow rocked up to church at 9.30. "We were exhausted but we had the best day." The soap star did not detail exactly what happened to her son, but reassured fans that he was on the mend. She continued: "He's absolutely fine! But it was a scary few hours and I wanted to say a massive thank you to Bolton hospital children's A&E department, and also the lovely paramedics who took us up there. God bless our NHS!" Advertisement Most read in News TV Gemma's followers were quick to comment on the star's post and to share their support. One wrote: "Glad to hear Thiago is ok, nothing worse than when the kids get really unwell." Gemma Atkinson turns to crowdfunding to raise £500k to launch her beauty brand, but angry trolls rage she can 'do one' A second shared: "Happy to hear Thiago's OK though, they do scare us these kids." In May The Sun revealed that Gemma and Gorka had been delivered a devastating blow as their reality show was axed. Advertisement But unfortunately, The Sun can reveal that the couple's fly-on-the wall show has now been shelved after just two series. The programme had aired on the channel U&W, which is part of the UKTV family. Confirming the news, a UKTV spokesperson said: "It's been a privilege to make two series of Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens with Two Rivers Media. Advertisement " Gemma, 40, found fame on Channel 4's Hollyoaks before moving to ITV soap Emmerdale. She is now the drive time host on Hits Radio. She met professional dancer Gorka, 34, when appearing on the 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Gemma did not dance with Gorka, as she was partnered with Advertisement The couple welcomed their first child into the world, daughter Mia, in July 2019. They got engaged two years later. 3 Gemma and Gorka's reality show has been axed Credit: PA
Scottish Sun
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Gemma Atkinson's son Thiago, 2, rushed to hospital in ‘scary' incident hours before christening
Gemma and Gorka had been delivered a devastating blow as their reality show has been axed HOSPITAL DASH Gemma Atkinson's son Thiago, 2, rushed to hospital in 'scary' incident hours before christening Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GEMMA Atkinson's two-year-old son Thiago has been rushed to hospital following a "scary" incident. The ex-Hollyoaks star, who shares daughter named Mia, six, and son Thiago with Strictly dancer and fiancé Gorka Marquez, shared the health update with fans on social media on Wednesday. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Gemma Atkinson said she rushed her two-year-old son Thiago to hospital on Saturday Credit: Instagram 3 The 'scary' incident happened just hours before Thiago and daughter Mia's christening Credit: Splash Gemma shared a clip of her working out in her home gym. The mum-of-two said Thiago was rushed to A&E on Saturday night as the youngster received treatment into the early hours. Despite the ordeal, the family were still able to attend the service for Mia and Thiago's christening just hours after the hospital dash. Gemma wrote: "We had such a busy weekend with a big build up & lots of organising. A family birthday tea for Mia on Friday, her party for her school friends Saturday, both Mia & Thiagos christening on Sunday and on top of that a trip to A&E with Thiago sat night. "We were there until 1am Sunday morning and still somehow rocked up to church at 9.30. "We were exhausted but we had the best day." The soap star did not detail exactly what happened to her son, but reassured fans that he was on the mend. She continued: "He's absolutely fine! But it was a scary few hours and I wanted to say a massive thank you to Bolton hospital children's A&E department, and also the lovely paramedics who took us up there. God bless our NHS!" Gemma's followers were quick to comment on the star's post and to share their support. One wrote: "Glad to hear Thiago is ok, nothing worse than when the kids get really unwell." Gemma Atkinson turns to crowdfunding to raise £500k to launch her beauty brand, but angry trolls rage she can 'do one' A second shared: "Happy to hear Thiago's OK though, they do scare us these kids." In May The Sun revealed that Gemma and Gorka had been delivered a devastating blow as their reality show was axed. Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind The Lens followed the couple's lives as they juggled their busy work commitments with family life. But unfortunately, The Sun can reveal that the couple's fly-on-the wall show has now been shelved after just two series. The programme had aired on the channel U&W, which is part of the UKTV family. Confirming the news, a UKTV spokesperson said: "It's been a privilege to make two series of Gemma and Gorka: Life Behind the Lens with Two Rivers Media. "Gemma and Gorka are both very busy with other projects at the moment, so at this time, there are no current plans for another series, but we look forward to working with them again soon." Gemma, 40, found fame on Channel 4's Hollyoaks before moving to ITV soap Emmerdale. She is now the drive time host on Hits Radio. She met professional dancer Gorka, 34, when appearing on the 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing. Gemma did not dance with Gorka, as she was partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec on the show, however the pair hit it off backstage. The couple welcomed their first child into the world, daughter Mia, in July 2019. They got engaged two years later.
Scotsman
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Outrageous review: This mediocre Mitford tale fails to tell us what was so Outrageous
The lives of the aristocracy during that golden period between the wars seems to fascinate TV programme makers – all the shooting parties, the balls and the flirtation with fascism exerts a strange fascination. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Watching Outrageous (U&Drama, Thurs, 9pm), however, you can't really see why. It's the story of the Mitford sisters, the famous – or infamous – sibling sorority that apparently took London society and the landed gentry by storm during the 1930s. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Each of the six sisters had some sort of celebrity: Nancy was a novelist, famed for The Pursuit of Love and Love in a Cold Climate; Diana was a famed beauty who left her fabulously wealthy husband for the country's leading far-right demagogue Oswald Mosley; Pamela was a noted horsewoman and fond of driving sports cars; Unity fell in love with Adolf Hitler; Jessica became a communist and ran off with her cousin; and Deborah became the Duchess of Devonshire and chatelaine of Chatsworth House. The cast of Outrageous, the new drama which tells the story of the infamous Mitford sisters (Picture: UKTV) Each had a notably picaresque life – even by the standards of the bohemian aristos of the time – with scandalous divorces, trips to the Nuremberg rallies, castles in Ireland and elopements to Spain – but very little of this comes across in Outrageous. In fact, the most outrageous thing they seem to do is lounge about in silk kimonos and headscarves in the middle of the day. We're supposed to care about these privileged creatures, but we're given precious little reason to. None seem particularly charismatic, especially given dialogue which attempts to cram in great chunks of exposition and quick character sketches as we meet yet another arrogant posho. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And why should we care about them, especially Diana and Unity, who didn't so much flirt with fascism as take it to bed for a night of passion. Joanna Vanderham plays Diana Mitford in the new series Outrageous, which airs on U&Drama on Thursdays (Picture: UKTV) At times, the programme attempts to give some reason for their lurch to the far right, such as widespread economic hardship and industrial unrest, but that rarely impinges on to the sisters' lives beyond a few banners in passing. Diana is supposed to be infatuated with Mosley, but he comes across as a boring blowhard no one in their right mind would fancy, while Unity's obsession with Hitler is painted as a teenage crush. I mean, these people weren't merely outrageous, they were just horrible anti-semites. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is a charitable reading of all this putative outrageousness – that the sisters were kicking against the limited future societal norms had planned for them, as daughters of hard-up minor aristocracy. Nancy Mitford (Bessie Carter) contemplates life in bohemian 1930s London in the new U&Drama series Outrageous (Picture: UKTV) Their mother, 'Muv' (Anna Chancellor) tells warring sisters Jessica and Unity: 'Can't you see that if you don't start behaving properly you're going to end up as penniless old maids? 'You need to start thinking of yourselves as women. As wives and housekeepers, as mothers. These are incredibly important roles. Roles you were made for. I guess faced with those constrictions, anyone with a modicum of gumption would attempt to kick over the traces. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But when financial hardship means 'letting out the London house', but still having a pied a terre in the capital, when no one seems to need a job, when you can live in varying degrees of bohemian luxury, rebellion seems unnecessary. And far from taking a stand for women, these sisters seem unhealthily defined by the men in their lives – Diana by Mosley, Unity by Hitler, even firebrand Nancy moons over some weak-chinned deadbeat called Hamish, and Outrageous can offer no earthly reason for it. If you didn't constantly refer to the internet, the average viewer – including me – would have very little clue why the Mitford clan should be so celebrated. Far from being Outrageous, this latest ode to aristocracy is mediocre and, frankly, infuriating.
