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Huge ITV drama ‘facing axe' dealt fresh blow as creator quits after he's slammed for woke storylines
DESPITE gaining a huge following since its launch a decade ago, cold case series Unforgotten feels to some fans as if it is losing its way a little.
First, lead Nicola Walker was replaced in 2023, then this year's series was criticised for its woke storylines.
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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.'
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.'
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?
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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.
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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.
