News Archive

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==2018==
==2018==
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Leslie_grantham_headshot.jpg|Leslie Grantham|75px]]</div>15 June '''Leslie Grantham'''<br/>The death has been announced of [[Leslie Grantham]] aged 71 following an illness. He was best known in the game show world as the Master of Channel 5's [[Fort Boyard]] and outside the game show world as ''Dirty Den'' in ''EastEnders''.<br/><br/>
<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square Channel 5.jpg|Win Your Wish List]]</div>16 May '''There's No Wish List Like Home'''<br/>Channel 5 have announced that Stellify Media will be rebooting [[Win Your Wish List]] for the channel, with chef [[Gino D'Acampo]] in charge, five players from the same family rather than two, and new "physical games to be played out against the digital floor".<br/><br/>
<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square Channel 5.jpg|Win Your Wish List]]</div>16 May '''There's No Wish List Like Home'''<br/>Channel 5 have announced that Stellify Media will be rebooting [[Win Your Wish List]] for the channel, with chef [[Gino D'Acampo]] in charge, five players from the same family rather than two, and new "physical games to be played out against the digital floor".<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:The X Factor logo.jpg|75px|The X Factor]]</div>10 March '''Cheryl Cole is Back Too'''<br />Following in the footsteps of a certain Mr Cowell, Cheryl Cole has today announced via Twitter that she will be returning to the judging panel on [[The X Factor]] after a four-year break. Ms Cole was the winning mentor twice during her previous tenure, guiding Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry to victory. The talent show's eleventh series is due to air this summer.<br/><br/>
<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:The X Factor logo.jpg|75px|The X Factor]]</div>10 March '''Cheryl Cole is Back Too'''<br />Following in the footsteps of a certain Mr Cowell, Cheryl Cole has today announced via Twitter that she will be returning to the judging panel on [[The X Factor]] after a four-year break. Ms Cole was the winning mentor twice during her previous tenure, guiding Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry to victory. The talent show's eleventh series is due to air this summer.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square Simon Cowell.jpg|The X Factor]]</div>7 February '''Simon Cowell's Back'''<br />Three years after he last judged musical careers, [[Simon Cowell]] will return to [[The X Factor]] in the UK. He left us to star in the US version of the show, which wasn't such a success, and now returns to find the next Shayne Ward.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square Simon Cowell.jpg|The X Factor]]</div>7 February '''Simon Cowell's Back'''<br />Three years after he
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==2013==
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18 December '''Travis Penery'''<br />Everyone at UKGameshows.com is very sad to hear of the death of Travis Penery, one of our contributors and a long-standing member of the UK game show fandom scene. Travis was well-known for his in-depth knowledge of formats and selflessly shared his passion for television with fans both in the UK and around the world. Often his Christmas cards contained a small bundle of CDs containing rarities he had found from his extensive sources, including his own satellite TV system. He also wrote his own blog and contributed UK-skewing articles to the US game show site Buzzerblog. He died aged 29, following complications from a stroke. We would like to extend our sincere condolences to his friends and family.<br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square davina mccall.jpg|Davina McCall]]</div>7 November '''Davina Jumps to Victory'''<br/>Channel 4 has announced that [[Davina McCall]] will host Twofour's new upcoming reality competition [[The Jump]], which means that she now holds the title as the [[UK Game Show Records#Most formats hosted|most prolific game show host in the UK]] with 16 main hosting roles (not counting co-hosting roles, regular/stand-in/guest appearances, one-offs and pilots), overtaking [[Bob Monkhouse]] who previously held the title with 15 main hosting roles.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square the voice uk black white.jpg|The Voice UK]]</div>19 September '''The BBC Reveals its New Voice'''<br />After drip-feeding information for a week, the BBC has finally confirmed the full line-up for the upcoming third series of [[The Voice UK]]. Returning coaches Sir Tom Jones and will.i.am with be joined by Aussie songstress Kylie Minogue and Kaiser Chiefs frontman Ricky Wilson, while [[Emma Willis]] and Marvin Humes will be the new presenters. The new series will air in January, avoiding a ratings battle with [[Britain's Got Talent]].<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square brendan sheerin.jpg|Coach Trip]]</div>4 September '''Coach Trip Back on the Road'''<br />Channel 4 have announced that they have commissioned a ninth series of [[Coach Trip]]. The series which sees tour guide Brendan Sheerin overseeing a couples tour of Europe, with the least popular couple voted off at the end of each day, last aired in March 2012. The new series will consist of thirty half-hour episodes, and will take in countries in southern Europe.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:The X Factor logo.jpg|75px|The X Factor]]</div>''The story below has been contradicated by events: we heard in March 2014 that Louis Walsh will return for the eleventh series.''<br>6 August '''Louis has The Exit Factor'''<br />Louis Walsh has revealed that the upcoming tenth series of [[The X Factor]] will be his last. The Irish music mogul has judged on all series of the programme since it first aired in 2004. During his time on the programme he has mentored several acts that have gone on to have chart success, including JLS, Shayne Ward, Union J, and [[Jedward]].<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square 036.jpg|Knightmare]]</div>24 July '''Life Force Replenished'''<br />There's to be a new edition of [[Knightmare]], distributed on the internet. Original producer Tim Child has returned to the one-off show, which features Jessie Cave from ''Harry Potter'' and comedian Isy Suttie. This summer will also see a stage show of ''Knightmare'' performed at the Edinburgh Festival.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square_Channel_4_diner_ident.jpg|8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]]</div>9 July '''8 Out of 10 Cats Prefer Countdown'''<br />Channel 4 have announced that [[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]] has been commissioned for a full series. The format, which sees the [[8 Out of 10 Cats]] regulars invade the [[Countdown]] studio, originated from the ''Channel 4 Mash-up'' evening aired in January 2012. This special, originally intended as a one-off, rated well, and led to three more specials being aired. The new series is scheduled to air this summer.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square ITV Studios.jpg|Dancing on Ice]]</div>21 May '''Dancing on Ice Skates Off'''<br />ITV have announced that the forthcoming series of ''Dancing on Ice'', scheduled to air in January 2014, will be the last. The format, which first aired in 2006, will bow out by celebrating the 30th anniversary of Torvill & Dean's gold-medal-winning performance of ''Bolero'' at the 1984 Winter Olympics.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square_big_brother_2010.jpg|Big Brother]]</div>2 April '''Brian, You Have Been Evicted'''<br />Channel 5 has announced that [[Emma Willis]], presenter of [[Big Brother]] spin-off ''Bit On The Side'', has been promoted to host of the main show, replacing two-time ''Big Brother'' winner [[Brian Dowling]] who has hosted the programme since its move to the broadcaster in 2011. Willis will take the helm for the first time when the civilian version of the programme returns for its 14th series this summer.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square_Peter_Jones_%283%29.jpg|Dragon's Den]]</div>11 March '''They're In'''<br />The BBC has announced Cloud-service entrepreneur Piers Linney as the second new Dragon to join the den, following the departures of Hilary Devey and Theo Paphitis. Linney, and fellow new Dragon, designer Kelly Hoppen, will appear alongside long-standing Dragons Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, and Duncan Bannatyne when the programme returns for its eleventh series later this year.<br/><br/>
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==2012==
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Superstars S.jpg|73px|Superstars]]</div>14 November '''More Heavy Action'''<br />The BBC's Christmas schedule will include a one-off revival of [[Superstars]], featuring sixteen medal winners from the recent Olympics. Amongst those due to compete are Mo Farah, Nicola Adams, Alistair Brownlee, and Kath Grainger. The full line-up's in [http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2012/superstars-2012.html the BBC press release]<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square the voice uk black white.jpg|The Voice UK]]</div>13 November '''Found Their Voice'''<br />The judging panel for the second series of [[The Voice UK]] has been confirmed, and it's very familiar. Jessie J, Sir Tom Jones, Danny O'Donaghue, and will.i.am are all going to reprise their roles when the show comes back in 2013.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square_antoine_jacques.jpg|Fort Boyard]]</div>15 September '''Jacques Antoine'''<br/> UKGameshows is very sad to hear of the death of the prolific French TV director and producer Jacques Antoine, aged 88. During a career that spanned over 45 years, he developed 150 formats for French radio and television. His shows were characterised by imaginative locations and the novel use of physical activity - such as 1960's ''La Tête et les Jambes'' (Head and Legs). His adventure show [[Fort Boyard]], still running in France, was developed in the UK as [[The Crystal Maze]], and his other ideas influenced [[Treasure Hunt (2)|Treasure Hunt]] and [[Interceptor]].<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square red or black graham.jpg|Red or Black?]]</div>8 September '''Largest Cash Prize in History Paid'''<br />Graham Fletcher, a carpenter from Reading, has won £1,500,000 on ITV's [[Red or Black?]]. It's the biggest money prize ever awarded on UK television, and he goes to the top of our [[All Time Winners List]].<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square richard stilgoe.jpg|Richard Stilgoe]]</div>16 June '''Heraldic Rigor Sits'''<br/> In the Queen's Birthday Honours, [[Richard Stilgoe]] was knighted. This was for his charity work, and not his services to anagrams. Mary Berry from [[The Great British Bake Off]] was appointed CBE. Those appointed OBE included [[The X Factor]]'s Gary Barlow and Armando Iannucci of [[The 99p Challenge]].<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square great british bake off.jpg]]</div>28 May '''The Great British Bake Off Wins Again'''<br/>Is there no stopping Mel and Sue's grotto of gateaux? [[The Great British Bake Off]] rolled off with the Best Lifestyle programme at the Rose d'Or festival, and added another layer of success with the Best Feature at the BAFTA Television awards. A new series is being whipped up for later in the year.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square total wipeout.jpg|Total Wipeout]]</div>29 March '''Totally Wipedout'''<br/>The BBC won't commission another series of [[Total Wipeout]]. The show has been making its way across the big red balls of television for four years, but now looks a bit wobbly, and will fall into the water after one final series.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square andrew lloyd webber.jpg]]</div>18 January '''Who Wants to be a Messiah?'''<br/>Andrew Lloyd Webber is taking his casting shows to ITV, and the first role to fill will be Jesus Christ. A new arena tour of the rock opera ''Jesus Christ Superstar'' is planned, and the title part will be cast by the great British public. More: [http://www.itv.com/presscentre/pressreleases/programmepressreleases/superstar/default.html ITV press release]<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square bob holness.jpg|Big Brother]]</div>6 January '''Bob Holness'''<br/>Game show legend [[Bob Holness]] has died peacefully this morning. He had been suffering from heart conditions for several years. The South African-born actor and radio presenter hosted the long-running student quiz [[Blockbusters]] and a modern incarnation of [[Call My Bluff]].<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square alesha dixon.jpg|Strictly Come Dancing]]</div>2 January '''Alesha Dixon leaves Strictly'''<br/>It has been announced that [[Alesha Dixon]] will not return to the judging panel for the tenth series of [[Strictly Come Dancing]], which is due to air later this year. Dixon has been a judge on the programme since 2009, when she controversially replaced original judge [[Arlene Phillips]]. Instead, Dixon will judge on [[Britain's Got Talent]], alongside [[Simon Cowell]], Amanda Holden, and newcomer [[David Walliams]].<br/><br/>
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==2011==
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square big brother 2010.jpg|Big Brother]]</div>31 December '''That's ''Sir'' Big Brother to you'''<br/>The New Year's Honours list has recognised people associated with game shows. Former [[:Category:Endemol Productions|Endemol]] Creative Director Peter Bazalgette, the overseer of shows including [[Big Brother]] and [[Ready Steady Cook]], is appointed a Knight. There's a CBE for [[Ronnie Corbett]] for his services to broadcasting, [[Lorraine Kelly]] is appointed OBE for her charity work, and [[Stuart Hall]] is honoured for both of these reasons.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square Eggheads.jpg|Eggheads]]</div>1 December '''Eggheads crack'''<br/>C J de Mooi, the curly-haired one, has announced he's leaving [[Eggheads]]. In a brief statement, he said "I'm acting full time now and that's what I want to pursue."<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square Nick Hewer.jpg|Countdown]]</div>16 November '''Countdown to Nick Hewer: You're Hired'''<br/>One of Alan Sugar's henchmen from [[The Apprentice]] will be the new host of [[Countdown]]. Nick Hewer will host the parlour game from the start of 2012, and said in a Channel 4 press release, "It's particularly fitting that I should be doing this now as my spelling has started to slip quite badly. I used to be able spell chrysanthemum."<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Shootingstars gang.jpg|75px|Shooting Stars]]</div>15 November '''Uvavu! Shooting Stars axed'''<br/>The BBC has confirmed that is has cancelled long-running comedy panel show [[Shooting Stars]]. Hosted by Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer, the programme first appeared on TV screens in 1993, and despite two hiatuses in the time since, has racked up over 70 episodes of anarchic fun.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square 013.jpg|Weakest Link]]</div>22 April '''Goodbye... and this time, she means it'''<br/>[[Anne Robinson]] is quitting [[Weakest Link]] and will not be replaced, bringing the show to an end next spring. Robinson is stepping down to devote more time to writing. She will continue with her other programmes including ''Watchdog''.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square_big_brother_2010.jpg|Big Brother]]</div>5 April '''Big Brother is getting back to you'''<br/>Channel 5 have signed a £200m, two-year deal with rights holder Endemol which will see the reality show, and its celebrity spin-off, return to UK screens from August 2011.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square stephen fry.jpg|QI]]</div>3 March '''QI goes home'''<br/>It has been announced that [[QI]] will be returning to its original home of BBC Two for the next series. Producer John Lloyd said, "QI did very well in the ratings on BBC One but we thought we ought to give Coronation Street a fighting chance."<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square RTS logo.jpg|Award Winners]]</div>1 March '''RTS awards'''<br/>The nominations for this year's Royal Television Society Awards are in. The major game show category is "Best Entertainment", with [[The X Factor]], [[The Million Pound Drop Live]] and [[The Cube]] battling it out. Also up for awards are [[Deal or No Deal]] (Daytime and Early Peak), [[The Great British Bake Off]] (Lifestyle and Features) and inevitably Ant & Dec (Best Entertainment Performance).<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square radio4extra.jpg|The News Quiz]]</div>1 March '''Have I Got A Bit Extra News Quiz For You'''<br/>Following the success of extended versions of TV shows such as [[Have I Got News for You]], [[QI]] and [[The Apprentice|The Apprentice: You're Fired!]], the concept is to be transferred to radio for the first time, with Radio 4's [[The News Quiz]] getting an hour-long repeat on soon-to-be sister station Radio 4 Extra (currently Radio 7).<br/><br/>
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==2010==
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square Ready Steady Cook.jpg|Ready Steady Cook]]</div>5 November '''Ready... Steady... Gone!'''<br/>BBC2's long-running cookery challenge [[Ready Steady Cook]] is to be chopped, the BBC's head of daytime, Liam Keelan, has announced. The move is part of a far-reaching revamp of the BBC2 afternoon schedule. The show debuted in 1994 as part of Peter Bazalgette's Bazal Productions slate. Originally members of the public fought in the red tomato and green pepper kitchens, but recent years have mainly featured celebrity contestants.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square britains got talent.jpg|Britain's Got Talent]]</div>18 October '''ITV's Got the Cowell Factor'''<br/>ITV has announced it has agreed a deal with [[Simon Cowell]]'s Syco company and Fremantle Media, which will see [[Britain's Got Talent]] and [[The X Factor]] both broadcast until 2013. However, it remains to be seen whether [[Simon Cowell]] himself will appear in all the programmes due to his commitments in America.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square Challenge.jpg|Category:Challenge Programmes]]</div>15 September '''Challenge to launch on Freeview'''<br/>It has been announced that game show channel ''Challenge'' is to launch on the ''Freeview'' digital TV platform, doubling the number of homes able to receive it. The channel, recently purchased by BSkyB, is home to classic episodes of game shows such as [[Bullseye]], [[Catchphrase]], [[Family Fortunes]], [[Strike it Lucky]], [[The Crystal Maze]] and [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire]].<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square_big_brother_2010.jpg|Big Brother]]</div>10 September '''Big Brother isn't watching'''<br/>After 11 years, 274 housemates, and thousands of hours of television, the daddy of reality TV shows [[Big Brother]] has finally come to an end, with series two winner [[Brian Dowling]] being voted the ultimate ''Big Brother'' housemate.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square robert robinson.jpg|Brain of Britain]]</div>3 August '''Robinson steps down'''<br/>[[Robert Robinson]] has left [[Brain of Britain]], of which he has been the official regular host since 1972. Russell Davies, who has stood in during Robinson's illness, now becomes the full-time host.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square brian fortuna.jpg|Strictly Come Dancing]]</div>9 June '''No Fortuna'''<br/>Professional dancer Brian Fortuna has left [[Strictly Come Dancing]] after changes to the format were revealed. Fortuna was one of five regulars asked to step down from competing and instead form part of a dedicated professional dance troupe, along with Ian Waite, Matthew Cutler, Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova. The others will not be competing this year but have yet to announce whether they will join the troupe.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square ray alan.jpg|Ray Alan]]</div>24 May '''Ray Alan'''<br/>The death has been announced of ventriloquist and presenter [[Ray Alan]] at the age of 79. Alan's hosting roles included [[Three Little Words]] and the travel quiz [[Where in the World?]], and with his dummy Lord Charles he was a regular guest on shows such as [[3-2-1]] and [[Celebrity Squares]].<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square davina mccall.jpg|Davina McCall]]</div>2 May '''Davina to host new show'''<br/>[[Davina McCall]] is to host Channel 4's live primetime game show, [[The Million Pound Drop Live]]. The programme, described by C4's Julian Bellamy as "live event meets game show", launches later this month and will offer a potential £1m prize. <br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square Hole in the wall fail.jpg|Hole in the Wall]]</div>23 April '''Hole in the Wall axed'''<br/>[[Hole in the Wall]] has been axed after two series, according to ''The Sun'' today. The first of a new wave of physical gameshows when it launched in 2008, it has since been overtaken in the ratings by the likes of [[Total Wipeout]] and [[The Whole 19 Yards]]. <br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Tarrant square.jpg|75px|Chris Tarrant]]</div><del>20 March '''Tarrant becomes #1 all-time UK host'''<br/>With the launch of ITV's [[The Door]] in April, [[Chris Tarrant]] becomes indisputably the [[UK Game Show Records#Most formats hosted|most successful UK game show host of all time]]. He will have 17 main hosting roles to his credit, and involvement in 18 different formats overall, beating the late [[Bob Monkhouse]] who, to our knowledge, had 15 main hosting roles. Tarrant's varied career has included two shows with diametrically opposite aims: [[Lose a Million]] and [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire?]] as well as board game conversions ([[Cluedo]], [[PSI]]) and the raucous [[Man O Man]].</del> Though believed accurate at the time, subsequent analysis has demonstrated that Tarrant has never had more than 15 hosting roles, and had not overtaken Monkhouse. We regret the error.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square a question of sport.jpg|A Question of Sport]]</div>16 February '''A Question of Sport to tour'''<br/>[[A Question of Sport]] is to mark its 40th anniversary year by going out on tour. It follows in the footsteps of shows as diverse as [[I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue]], [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire]] and [[Dancing on Ice]] which have cashed in on their popularity with non-broadcast variants. Host [[Sue Barker]] and team captains Matt Dawson and [[Phil Tufnell]] are all signed up to take part in the 15-date tour.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[File:Square monkey.jpg|Noel Edmonds]]</div>15 February '''Beat the Monkey to make Noel Feel Good?'''<br/>[[Noel Edmonds]] has set up a new company, Feel Good Television, and is currently touting a number of potential formats. Feel Good will concentrate on exploiting format rights and will contract production out to other companies. Among the formats being shopped around are valuation game ''Bank It or Bin It'', which recently filmed a pilot, and the headline-grabbing ''Beat the Monkey'', in which questions will be selected by a monkey in recorded inserts. <br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[File:Square scorpion island.jpg|Escape From Scorprion Island]]</div>13 February '''CBBC cleans up at KidScreen Awards'''<br/>[[Escape from Scorpion Island]] has been honoured as Best Non-Animated or Mixed Series at the inaugural KidScreen Awards. It was one of five trophies picked up by CBBC at the awards, which aim to recognise engaging and entertaining children's TV from around the world.<br/><br/>
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==2009==
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square pat gibson.jpg|Eggheads]]</div> 23 November '''Yes, he is an Egghead'''<br/>Pat Gibson is the new [[Eggheads|Egghead]]. Gibson, a former [[Brain of Britain]], [[Mastermind]] champion, jackpot winner on [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire]] and 2007 IQA World Quiz champion, beat fellow ''Millionaire'' and ''Mastermind'' winner David Edwards to become the seventh member of "arguably Britain's most formidable quiz team".<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square max robertson.jpg|Going for a Song]]</div> 20 November '''Max Robertson'''<br/>The death has been announced of Max Robertson at the age of 94. Robertson hosted the popular antiques panel game [[Going for a Song]] for twelve years, 1965-77. He was also a commentator, associated particularly with tennis, and retired in 1986. <br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square Argumental sergeant.jpg|Argumental]]</div>10 November '''Auntie gets Argumental'''<br/>BBC Two is to trial the Dave-commisioned comedy debating show [[Argumental]]. It is the first time the BBC has picked up an entertainment show from the UKTV network. <br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square Alan Sugar.jpg|The Apprentice]]</div>10 November '''Apprentice put back to summer'''<br/>The BBC has confirmed that the 2010 series of [[The Apprentice]] will be moved from its usual March starting date to the summer. The move was recommended by the BBC Trust in July, due to concerns that Alan Sugar's position as a government advisor could cause a breach of impartiality rules if the series, currently filming, were aired during a general election campaign. The ''Junior Apprentice'' spin-off will also be delayed.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square jack dee.jpg|Jack Dee]]</div>16 October '''Dee to host ISIHAC'''<br/>[[Jack Dee]] is to be the sole host for the next series of [[I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue]]. His appointment is for the next series only, and no decision has been made on a permanent host. Dee was one of three rotating hosts on the previous series, the first made since the death of long-serving chairman [[Humphrey Lyttelton]].<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square ian wallace.jpg|My Music]]</div>14 October '''Ian Wallace'''<br/>[[My Music]] panellist Ian Wallace has died at the age of 90 after a long illness. Wallace partnered [[Denis Norden]] on the panel game from 1967 to 1993, never missing a single episode. Wallace was also a bass baritone singer, best known for his performance of Flanders and Swann's ''The Hippotamus Song''.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square mock the week.jpg|Mock the Week]]</div>2 October '''Frankie Boyle quits MTW'''<br/>[[Mock the Week]] has been commissioned for a further two series, but Frankie Boyle will not be taking part. Boyle has been a regular on the show since the first series in 2005, when he was still considered an unknown. He has left to pursue other TV projects.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square five 2009.jpg|Name That Tune]]</div>1 October '''I'll name that tune on five'''<br/>Five has announced that it is to revive the classic format [[Name That Tune]] next year. The show will be made by Ant and Dec's production company Gallowgate but they will not host it. Five previously revived the show in 1998, in a short-lived version hosted by [[Jools Holland]].<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square wizard of oz 1939.jpg|Andrew Lloyd Webber]]</div>11 September '''Spoiler: He's not a real wizard'''<br/>The BBC has confirmed that next year's planned casting show for ''The Wizard of Oz'' will go ahead. [[Andrew Lloyd Webber]] had been in talks to move to ITV.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square ant dec tvquick.jpg|Saturday Night Takeaway]]</div>8 September '''More prizes for Ant and Dec'''<br/>[[Ant McPartlin|Ant]] and [[Declan Donnelly|Dec]] were the big winners at last night's TV Quick & TV Choice Awards, picking up an Outstanding Contribution award as well as trophies for Best Entertainment Show ([[Saturday Night Takeaway]]) and Best Talent Show ([[Britain's Got Talent]]). Other game show winners were [[The Apprentice]] for Best Reality Show, and [[Deal or No Deal]] for Best Gameshow.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square Karren Brady.jpg|The Apprentice]]</div>30 August '''Brady takes on Apprentice role'''<br/>The managing director of Birmingham City FC, Karren Brady, has been confirmed as Margaret Mountford's replacement on [[The Apprentice]]. Brady has appeared as an interviewer in two previous series and as a contestant on the ''Comic Relief'' celebrity version of the show.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square Big Brother.jpg|Big Brother]]</div>26 August '''Big Brother axed'''<br/>C4 has confirmed that next year's [[Big Brother]] series will be the last. The channel's Director of Programmes, Kevin Lygo, said that the show was still profitable but that it "has reached a natural end point on Channel 4 and it’s time to move on." The station is planning to spend the money saved on commissioning more original drama.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square martina hingis.jpg|Strictly Come Dancing]]</div>25 August '''BBC holds press conference'''<br/>The celebrity line-up for this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing was announced at a press conference in London this morning. The full list, which includes former tennis star Martina Hingis (pictured) is now up on the [[Strictly Come Dancing#Participants|Strictly Come Dancing]] show page.<br/><br/>
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square_masterchef_spiral.jpg|Masterchef Goes Large]]</div>24 August '''Junior Masterchef'''<br/>CBBC has commissioned a full series of ''Junior Masterchef'' following a one-off competition for last year's ''Children in Need'' night. The show joins the regular, celebrity and professional versions of [[Masterchef Goes Large|Masterchef]], all of which have already been commissioned through 2011.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square sun sea bargain spotting.jpg|Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting]]</div>
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23 August '''Show pulled after fakery claims'''<br/>The BBC has suspended [[Sun, Sea and Bargain Spotting]] after it emerged that a "member of the public" seen buying an item from contestants was in fact one of the show's cameramen. The series, the offending episode of which was repeated last Wednesday, has also been withdrawn from the BBC's iPlayer catch-up service.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:The X Factor logo.jpg|75px|The X Factor]]</div>
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18 August '''X Factor splits over weekend'''<br/>[[The X Factor]] is to move its results shows to Sunday nights for the forthcoming series. Unlike [[Strictly Come Dancing]]'s recently-abandoned Sunday night show, The X Factor's results show will be live.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square brendan sheerin.jpg|Coach Trip]]</div>
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18 August '''Coach Trip keeps travelling'''<br/>12 Yard's recently-revived [[Coach Trip]] has been recommissioned for a longer, 50-episode run in 2010. The show returned to Channel 4 daytime earlier this year after a 3-year break.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square alesha dixon.jpg|Strictly Come Dancing]]</div>
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9 July '''Strictly changes'''<br/>
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Judge [[Arlene Phillips]] has been dropped from the 2009 series of [[Strictly Come Dancing]], the BBC confirmed today. She will be replaced by the 2007 series champion, Alesha Dixon (pictured). Unspecified changes will also be made to the voting for the new series, which is to be launched with a special Friday night show.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square steve race.jpg|Steve Race]]</div>
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23 June '''Steve Race'''<br/>
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The death has been announced of the pianist, composer and broadcaster [[Steve Race]]. He was 88. Race's major contributions to game shows were hosting [[My Music]] on both radio and TV,  and appearing as the "musical mistakes man" in [[Many a Slip]].
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square britains got talent.jpg|Britain's Got Talent]]</div>
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31 May '''Talent's Got Ratings'''<br/>
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Saturday night's final of [[Britain's Got Talent]] was the most watched British game show for ten years, and the highest-rated TV show of any kind for nearly five years. Overnight figures suggest that the programme, won by dance troupe Diversity, averaged over 18 million viewers and peaked at over 19m. The last TV show to rate higher was an England match in Euro 2004, and the last game show to do so was [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire?]] in March 1999.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square clement freud.jpg|Clement Freud]]</div>
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16 April '''Clement Freud'''<br/>
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Regular panel game contributor [[Clement Freud]] has died at the age of 84. The former restaurateur and MP was latterly best known for being a panellist on [[Just a Minute]], having regularly appeared on the show since its launch in 1967.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square lennie bennett.jpg|Lennie Bennett]]</div>
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9 April '''Lennie Bennett'''<br/>
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Comedian and game show host [[Lennie Bennett]] has died at the age of 70. The star of [[Lucky Ladders]] and [[Punchlines]] died at Royal Lancaster Infirmary on Wednesday night after a fall at home.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square_BAFTA.jpg]]</div>
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25 March '''BAFTA TV awards'''<br/>
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Game shows shortlisted for this year's BAFTA TV Awards are: [[QI]] and [[The X Factor]] (Entertainment programme); [[Masterchef Goes Large|Celebrity MasterChef]] and [[The Apprentice]] (Features) and [[Stephen Fry]] and [[Ant McPartlin|Ant]] & [[Declan Donnelly|Dec]] (Entertainment Performance).
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Jade_goody_headshot.jpg|75px]]</div>
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22 March '''Jade Goody'''<br/>
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It has been announced that [[Jade Goody]] has died at the age of 27. The former [[Big Brother]] contestant and star of [[Jade's PA]] was diagnosed with cervical cancer last year and died at home in the early hours of Sunday morning.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square_richard_holloway.jpg|Britain's Got Talent]]</div>
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18 March '''Royal Television Society Awards'''<br/>
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[[Bruce Forsyth]] has received a Lifetime Achievement award, and producer Richard Holloway (pictured) picked up the Judges' Award, at the RTS awards ceremony held last night. Holloway's credits include [[Supermarket Sweep]], [[New Faces]], [[Pop Idol]] and [[Britain's Got Talent]]. None of the nominated game shows won their categories, though Peter Kay's ''Pop Factor'' spoof won the Comedy Performance prize.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square rose dor logo.jpg|Award Winners]]</div>
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11 March '''All, some, or none shall have prizes'''<br/>
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UK game show nominees for the prestigious Rose d'Or awards 2009 are [[Relentless]] and [[The Colour of Money]] in the Game Show category and [[Last Choir Standing]] for the Entertainment award. The winners will be announced at the Lucerne Television Festival in May.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square masterchef spiral.jpg|Masterchef Goes Large]]</div>
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10 March '''MasterChef poached for BBC One menu'''<br/>
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[[Masterchef Goes Large|MasterChef]] is to move to BBC One next year after achieving strong ratings for its most recent series on BBC Two. BBC One already shows the spin-off, ''Celebrity MasterChef''.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Generic News 2.jpg|University Challenge]]</div>
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4 March '''UC ruckus rumbles on'''<br/>
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Following Monday's disqualification of Corpus Christi College from [[University Challenge]], press investigations have turned up evidence of at least three previous winning teams fielding players who were not studying at the institutions they represented at the time of the finals. The programme's producers apparently did not consider these to be an issue, and the BBC have said that they did not act on these breaches of the rules because they were not made aware of them at the time. The decision to disqualify CCO has been widely criticised in the press as disproportionate.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square RTS logo.jpg]]</div>
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4 March '''RTS Programme Awards'''<br/>
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The Royal Television Society programme awards shortlists have been published. Game show nominations are [[Masterchef| Masterchef: The Professionals]] for Best Daytime / Early Peak programme, [[Strictly Come Dancing]] and [[The X Factor]] for Best Entertainment and [[Britain's Missing Top Model]] for Best Constructed Factual Series. The winners will be announced on 17 March.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square sam kay.jpg|University Challenge]]</div>
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2 March '''University Challenge: Corpus Christi stripped of title'''<br/>
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Corpus Christi College, Oxford, has been officially disqualified from the just-completed [[University Challenge]] series, and stripped of their champion status after it emerged that one of the team was not technically a student. Sam Kay applied for the Corpus Christi team in the expectation that he would be studying for a DPhil there, but funding fell through. The title has been awarded to Manchester.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square dale winton.jpg|Dale Winton]]</div>
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25 February '''Dale deal'''<br/>
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[[Dale Winton]] has signed up for another two years as host of BBC [[National Lottery shows]]. The deal guarantees him two more series of [[In It to Win It]] and two of a new format, most likely ''We Know Where You Live'' which will be piloted next month.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square tarrant great pretender.jpg|Chris Tarrant]]</div>
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<del>24 February '''Tarrant becomes #1'''<br/>
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According to our records, the advent of [[Chris Tarrant]]'s new ITV game show [[The Colour of Money]] means he has become Britain's top game show host, with [[UK_Game_Show_Records#Most_formats_hosted|16 different shows]] under his belt. The previous record holder, the late great [[Bob Monkhouse]], had 15. 12 Yard's guessing game - dubbed the "most stressful" on TV - didn't stress BARB's ratings last Saturday, bringing in under 4 million viewers.</del> Though believed accurate at the time, subsequent analysis has demonstrated that Tarrant has never had more than 15 hosting roles, and had not overtaken Monkhouse. We regret the error.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square kelly brook.jpg|Britain's Got Talent]]</div>
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13 January '''Britain's Got Talent's Got Brook'''<br/>
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[[Kelly Brook]] has been added to the judging panel for the new series of [[Britain's Got Talent]]. Brook was a last-minute addition, being signed up on Friday for series 3 which begins filming this week. ('''Update''' 20 January: And now she's been dropped,  Simon Cowell saying that "it's become clear the format doesn't support another judge".)
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square david vine.jpg|David Vine]]</div>
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12 January '''David Vine'''<br/>
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The death has been announced of former [[Superstars]], [[It's a Knockout]] and [[A Question of Sport]] host, [[David Vine]]. He was 73 and died of a heart attack at his Oxfordshire home on Sunday.
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==2008==
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square TV Set.jpg]]</div>
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27 December '''New game show book'''<br/>
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If you're wondering what you do with all your Christmas cash, you could do a lot worse than buy [http://www.amazon.co.uk/Quiz-Show-TV-Genres/dp/0748627537/labyrinthgames The Quiz Show by Su Holmes], a new book published by Edinburgh University Press. Very thoroughly researched and reasonably priced for an academic work, it gives a decent coverage of quizzes old and new all set in a social context.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Premium rate.jpg|Dermot O'Leary]]</div>
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18 December '''OFCOM fines BBC £95,000'''<br/>
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OFCOM has imposed fines totalling £95,000 on the BBC in respect of competition irregularities on [[Dermot O'Leary]]'s Radio 2 show, and Tony Blackburn's programme on BBC London. Both shows invited callers to apply for on-air competitions which had already been recorded. Premium rate numbers were not used on either show. Earlier this week, OFCOM also fined the Gcap station Mercury FM £20,000 for deliberately screening out correct answers from callers to its "Secret Sounds" competition.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Norton_graham_square.jpg|75px|Eurovision Song Contest]]</div>
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5 December '''ESC: Wogan out, Norton in'''<br/>
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[[Graham Norton]] has been confirmed as the new BBC TV commentator for the [[Eurovision Song Contest]], replacing [[Terry Wogan]] who has stepped down after complaining that it is "no longer a music contest".
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Ben Shephard.jpg|The Krypton Factor]]</div>
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25 November '''Krikey!'''<br/>
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[[Ben Shephard]] has been confirmed as the new host of [[The Krypton Factor]]. The revived series, made by ITV Productions, begins filming next month.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square jeff stelling.jpg|Countdown]]</div>
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21 November '''Countdown conundrum resolved'''<br/>
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The new host of [[Countdown]] has at last been named. Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling will take over from [[Des O'Connor]] in January. Meanwhile, [[Carol Vorderman]]'s replacement has been named as Rachel Riley, a 22-year old Oxford graduate with a masters degree in maths.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square strictly sergeant.jpg|Strictly Come Dancing]]</div>
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19 November '''I want my 15p back'''<br/>
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BBC One controller Jay Hunt has said that the BBC "has every intention of reimbursing" people who voted for [[John Sergeant]] in this year's [[Strictly Come Dancing]]. Sergeant quit the show on Wednesday following weeks of adverse comment in the media.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Countdown definition.jpg|Countdown]]</div>
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12 November '''The Countdown Presenting Saga: part umpteen'''<br/>
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Uncomfirmed reports are claiming that Sky Sports frontman Jeff Stelling is back in the frame to become the new host of Countdown. The ''Soccer Saturday'' frontman, who had previously ruled himself out of the role, is said to have been reapproached following [[Alexander Armstrong]]'s 11th hour pullout last month. According to some sources, Stelling will be named as the new host, barring any problems.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square friendly robot.jpg|Countdown]]</div>
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31 October '''Countdown saga continues'''<br/>
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It now looks likely that [[Alexander Armstrong]] will not be taking over as host of [[Countdown]], after reportedly pulling out at the last minute. No new names have yet emerged as possible replacements, and producers have not officially ruled out employing a large friendly robot to dispense quips and engage in banter with guests.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square alexander armstrong.jpg|Alexander Armstrong]]</div>
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17 October '''Countdown latest'''<br/>
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It now looks almost certain that [[Alexander Armstrong]] will take over as the new host of [[Countdown]] in January. Contrary to some reports, the appointment had not been confirmed as of 1pm Friday, but it is understood that Armstrong has verbally accepted the post and an official announcement is expected in the next few days.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square gordon burns 2.jpg|The Krypton Factor]]</div>
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13 October '''Krypton Factor to be AFP'''<br/>
+
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The forthcoming revival of [[The Krypton Factor]] is to be ITV1's first primetime Advertiser Funded Programme. The series will be sponsored by the business software company Sage, which will also be promoted through the show's web and interactive content.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Chris Tarrant.jpg|Chris Tarrant]]</div>
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9 October '''12 Yard show us the colou...BONG!'''<br/>
+
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ITV1 is to air a primetime series based on the Bong Game from [[Chris Tarrant]]'s old Capital Radio show. Tarrant himself will host ''The Colour of Money'', the first new ITV1 commission from 12 Yard since the production company was bought by ITV last year.
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<div class="square" style=float:left">
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[[Image:Square stephen fry.jpg|QI]]</div>
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3 October '''BBC One poaches QI'''<br/>
+
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The BBC has confirmed that [[QI]] is to move to BBC One following five series on BBC Two, during which it has become one of the channel's most watched shows. The new series is to air early in 2009.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Premium rate.jpg]]</div>
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1 October '''SFO no-go on premium rate inquiry'''<br>
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The Serious Fraud Office has announced that it will not be carrying out inquiries into the recent allegations of abuse of premium rate services. Allegations against the BBC, ITV, GMTV, Big Game TV, Audiocall and Opera Telecom were referred to the SFO, which reports that "none of these meet the SFO criterion for acceptance for investigation". ([http://www.sfo.gov.uk/news/prout/pr_580.asp?id=580 SFO statement])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square john suchet.jpg]]</div>
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28 September '''Suchet goes for gold'''<br/>
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ITN newsreader John Suchet is to host Five's revival of long-running daytime quiz [[Going for Gold]]. The show is to air in the old [[Brainteaser]] slot and will be broadcast live. Potential applicants should see the [[Contestant Calls]] page for more details.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square 024.jpg|The Krypton Factor]]</div>
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25 September '''ITV to regain Krypton Factor ?'''<br/>
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''Broadcast'' magazine reports that ITV is on the verge of commissioning a revival of classic game show [[The Krypton Factor]]. The show would be made in-house by ITV Productions. The Krypton Factor has been the subject of recurrent comeback rumours since it was axed 13 years ago. ('''Update''': The revival has now been confirmed.)
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square eurovision logo.jpg|Eurovision Song Contest]]</div>
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15 September '''ESC brings back juries'''<br/>
+
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The European Broadcasting Union has announced that next year's [[Eurovision Song Contest]] is to use a combination of national juries and televoting, in a move seen as a response to concerns over "neighbourly" voting skewing the results of recent contests. A similar combined system was used in this year's ESC semi-finals and in the recent [[Eurovision Dance Contest]].
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square isihac CD.jpg|I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue]]</div>
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9 September '''ISIHAC to return'''<br/>
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The self-styled "antidote to panel games", [[I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue]] will return next year, Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer has announced. The show's future had been in doubt following the death of host [[Humphrey Lyttelton]] in April.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square bw geoffrey perkins.jpg|Don't Quote Me]]</div>
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29 August '''Geoffrey Perkins'''<br/>
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Former director of [[:Category:Hat Trick Productions|Hat Trick Productions]] and BBC Head of Comedy, Geoffrey Perkins, has died in a road accident. He was 55. Perkins was the devisor of [[I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue]]'s signature game Mornington Crescent and in 1990 hosted the short-lived panel game [[Don't Quote Me]].
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Countdown_vorderman_1982_square.jpg|Carol Vorderman]]</div>
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25 July '''Vorderman quits, too'''<br/>
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[[Carol Vorderman]] has also announced she is to leave [[Countdown]] at the end of the year. Carol has been with the show since it started in 1982 and since 1989, has been sole hostess. In a statement released today, Carol's manager John Mills said she is 'extremely sad'.
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([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7526290.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_Des_O'Connor.jpg|Des O'Connor]]</div>
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23 July '''O'Connor quits Countdown'''<br/>
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[[Des O'Connor]] is to leave his role as host of [[Countdown]] at the end of the current series in November. Des, aged 76, has presented the Channel 4 show since January 2007, when he took over from [[Des Lynam]], the original replacement for the late [[Richard Whiteley]]. O'Connor says he has no plans to retire and is working on new projects.
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([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7522099.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square ITV.jpg|ITV]]</div>
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8 May '''Record fine for ITV plc'''<br/>
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Ofcom has fined ITV plc a record £5.675 million for misconduct over its premium rate phone services - the biggest fine ever imposed by the regulator. The fine follows a report by Deloitte last year which identified "serious editorial issues" within [[Saturday Night Takeaway|Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway]], [[Gameshow Marathon]] and [[Soapstar Superstar]]. ITV will also have to broadcast six summaries of the regulator's adjudication.
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([http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7373131.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Eggheads.jpg|Eggheads]]</div>
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8 May '''Eggheads sought'''<br/>
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Are you one of the millions convinced you could do better than CJ and Judith Keppel? 12 Yard are developing a spin-off show of [[Eggheads]] called ''Are You an Egghead?'', the winner of which will join the official line up of the popular BBC2 quiz. Details on how to apply can be found on our [[Contestant Calls]] page.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square humphrey lyttelton.jpg|Humphrey Lyttelton]]</div>
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25 April '''Humphrey Lyttelton'''<br/>
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[[Humphrey Lyttelton]], the long-serving chairman of [[I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue]], has died following surgery for an aortic aneurysm. He was 86.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square mark speight 2.jpg|Mark Speight]]</div>
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13 April '''Mark Speight'''<br/>
+
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Police have announced that the body of children's TV presenter [[Mark Speight]] has been found at Paddington station. Speight, who was 42, went missing on Monday.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Premium rate.jpg|Main Page]]</div>
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9 April '''Ofcom consults'''<br>
+
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The media regulator Ofcom has issued a new consultation document outlining proposals for the regulation of premium rate "services". The major recommendation is that programmes using phone-ins "must consist primarily of content other than the promotion of the premium rate service" or be reclassified and regulated as teleshopping services. The consultation period runs until 22 May. ([http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/participation2/ OFCOM site])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square mark speight.jpg|Mark Speight]]</div>
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8 April '''Speight missing'''<br>
+
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TV presenter and children's game show host [[Mark Speight]] has gone missing. The disappearance follows the death in January of his fiancee Natasha Collins, who appeared as the jester "See" in [[See it, Saw it]] with Speight. A recent inquest ruled that Collins had died from a large drugs overdose.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square banknotes.jpg]]</div>
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6 April '''Phone cash unclaimed'''<br/>
+
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Despite ITV offering refunds to all viewers affected by the premium rate phone line scams, only ten thousand pounds out of £7.8 million has been reclaimed. It was announced last October that any unclaimed money will go to charity, and the period for making claims ended on 29 February.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square RTS logo.jpg]]</div>
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20 March '''RTS awards'''<br>
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The two game show winners from last night's Royal Television Society awards are [[Come Dine with Me]] for Best Daytime Programme ("a pioneering show for daytime, with... great energy and pace", said the judges) and [[QI]] for Best Entertainment Programme ("a Great British programme, incredibly old-fashioned but absolutely part of the zeitgeist").
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square codex.jpg]]</div>
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1 March '''Brits up for golden roses'''<br>
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British game shows shortlisted for this year's Rose d'Or awards are [[Codex]] (pictured) and [[Who Dares Wins]] in the game show category, [[Deadline]], [[Last Man Standing]] and [[The One and Only]] for best reality, and [[Streetmate]] for best entertainment series. Technically a Netherlands entry (as it's made by Dutch company Eyeworks), CBBC's [[Hider in the House]] also joins ''Streetmate'' in the entertainment category.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Des Lynam.jpg]]</div>
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21 February '''Des returns to the Beeb'''<br>
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After an ill-conceived move to ITV, [[Des Lynam]] returns to his alma mater to present a sport-themed version of the BBC's long-running quiz, [[Mastermind]]. Over ten programmes, the debonair Lynam will test contestants over the usual specialist subject and general knowledge rounds to find the country's Sport Mastermind.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Premium rate.jpg]]</div>
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19 February '''New phone-in regulations'''<br>
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Under new OFCOM rules, broadcasters will need to have premium rate phone-in competitions approved by the premium rate regular PhonePayPlus. Broadcasters will need to meet new guidelines, including closing lines promptly when competitions end. OFCOM wants the new system to be in place by the end of June.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Vernon Kay.jpg|Vernon Kay]]</div>
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31 January '''Vernon Kay signs with ITV'''<br>
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[[Vernon Kay]] has signed a two-year golden handcuffs deal with ITV, said to be worth £2m. He is currently lined up to present ''Beat the Star'' this spring. The deal allows Kay to keep his current Radio 1 show.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Beadle Jeremy.jpg|Jeremy Beadle]]</div>
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30 January '''Jeremy Beadle'''<br>
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[[Jeremy Beadle]], the trivia buff and practical joker, has died of pneumonia. He was 59. Beadle rose to fame as the naughty brother on [[Game for a Laugh]], where he pioneered the hidden camera stunts that he developed on ''Beadle's About''. More: <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7217342.stm">BBC</a>.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Gladiators logo.jpg|Gladiators]]</div>
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30 January '''Re-enter the Gladiators'''<br>
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A revival of the 1990s ITV show [[Gladiators]] has been commissioned by Sky. The new series will be produced by [[:Category:Shine Productions|Shine]] and ''The Sun'' reports that [[Ian Wright]] is in talks to be the show's new host.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square 023.jpg|Who Wants to be a Millionaire]]</div>
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26 January '''Millionaire "best game show"'''<br>
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[[Who Wants to be a Millionaire]] has been named the nation's favourite game show in a survey to promote insurance company Churchill. [[The Crystal Maze]], which topped our [[All-time Poll|all-time poll]] two years ago, came fourth, behind [[Deal or No Deal]] and [[Mastermind]]. [[Ant McPartlin|Ant]] & [[Declan Donnelly|Dec]] were named favourite hosts, [[Bullseye]] best theme tune and "[[Blockbusters|Can I have a P please, Bob?]]" the top catchphrase.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square 013.jpg|The Weakest Link]]</div>
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17 January '''Good neighbours? Not likely!'''<br>
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The BBC has confirmed that [[The Weakest Link]] is to switch channels from next month, to fill the gap left on BBC One by the loss of Aussie soap ''Neighbours''. The quiz will retain its traditional 5.15 slot. The BBC have denied that the move will diminish its commitment to children's programming, which currently runs until 5.35.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Ben Shephard.jpg|1 vs 100]]</div>
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10 January '''Shephard to take on new flock'''<br>
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[[Ben Shephard]] is to replace [[Dermot O'Leary]] as host of the Saturday night lottery tie-in [[1 vs 100]]. The show has been recommissoned for a further run of eight episodes.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square natasha collins.jpg|See it, Saw it]]</div>
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4 January '''Natasha Collins'''<br>
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Natasha Collins, who appeared as the jester "See" in [[See it, Saw it]], has died suddenly at the age of 31. Police are treating the death as "unexplained". Her boyfriend and co-star [[Mark Speight]], who lived with her, was questioned and has been released on police bail.
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==2007==
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square BBC.jpg|Popmaster]]</div>
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30 December '''BBC phone-ins to return in new year'''<br>
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The BBC's phone-in competitions will be phased back in from January, starting with  [[Popmaster]] on Radio 2's [[Ken Bruce]] show and ''Match of the Day'''s "Goal of the Month" contest. Call charges will be capped at 15p except for specific charity appeals.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square michael parkinson bw.jpg|Michael Parkinson]]</div>
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29 December '''Going for a Gong'''<br>
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Sometime game show hosts [[Michael Parkinson]] and [[Des Lynam]] are recognised in the 2008 New Year Honours list. Des becomes an OBE, while Parky receives a knighthood.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[File:Norton_graham_square.jpg|75px|Graham Norton]]</div>
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22 December '''Graham!'''<br>
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2008's follow-up to [[How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?]] and [[Any Dream Will Do]] will be a search for actors to play Oliver and Nancy in a revival of ''Oliver!''. [[Graham Norton]] will again host the show, called [[I'd Do Anything (2)|I'd Do Anything]], and Andrew Lloyd Webber is again involved, despite recent interviews suggesting he didn't want to invest the time in another TV series. Legendary West End producer Cameron Mackintosh will also be involved.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square You Say We Pay.jpg]]</div>
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20 December '''OFCOM say, C4 pay'''<br/>
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Channel 4 has been fined £1million by OFCOM over irregularities in ''Richard & Judy'''s "You Say, We Pay" competition and a further £500,000 over the viewers' competition in [[Deal or No Deal]]. C4 has said it intends to recover part of the fines by starting legal proceedings against phone service provider Eckoh. Meanwhile, OFCOM has asked ITV for details relating to last Saturday's [[The X Factor|X Factor]] final after more than 2,400 complaints from people who could not get through to vote, mainly for runner-up Rhydian Roberts. ITV has also been asked to reveal the full findings of the Deloitte Report into telephone irregularities, a condensed version of which was published in October.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square 12 Yard.jpg]]</div>
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5 December '''Yard sale nets tidy profit'''<br/>
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ITV has bought the game show producer [[:Category:12 Yard Productions|12 Yard]] for an initial £26m, with a further £9m to follow contingent on performance. The company was founded by [[David Young]] in 2001 and has recently enjoyed international success with its format [[Who Dares Wins|The Rich List]].
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_BBC.jpg]]</div>
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21 November '''BBC competitions to return: new code of conduct introduced'''<br/>
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The BBC has announced that competitions will return across its radio, television and online services by the end of the year. Today, the corporation's Director General, Mark Thompson, announced a new code of conduct which states that every competition entry ''should have a fair chance of winning'' and contest winners must be ''genuine''. Competitions were suspended in July this year after an inquiry found 'serious editorial breaches' in programmes such as Children In Need's Scottish opt-out and Comic Relief.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7106112.stm BBC] [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/11_november/21/code.shtml Competition code details]
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Big Brother 2007.jpg]]</div>
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6 November '''OFCOM: Big Brother cleared'''<br/>
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OFCOM has ruled that Channel 4 did not breach guidelines by broadcasting two incidents in which contestants in [[Big Brother]] used potentially offensive language. A total of 650 complaints were received after the incidents were broadcast in June.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Alan Coren.jpg|75px]]</div>
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19 October '''Alan Coren'''<br/>
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Writer and frequent panel game contributor [[Alan Coren]] has died from cancer at the age of 69. Coren was a regular panellist on [[The News Quiz]] and a team captain on the 90s/00s revival of [[Call My Bluff]].
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square ITV.jpg]]</div>
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18 October '''ITV Deloitte report released'''<br/>
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The long-awaited Deloitte report into ITV plc's premium rate phone-in services has found three 'key areas of failure' in how the broadcaster integrated services into its programming. In a statement this morning, the executive chairman of ITV plc, Michael Grade, said that a 'serious cultural failure' within the company had been identified. He added that the company will reimburse £7.8million worth of unfunded votes to misled viewers. Voting via digital television and SMS text systems have been suspended, and ITV has pre-announced [http://www.itv.com/competitions/ a refund scheme].
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[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7036316.stm BBC] [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a78001/x-factor-final-hit-by-phone-scandal.html Digital Spy]
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Mastermind.jpg]]</div>
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8 October '''Ladies please!'''<br/>
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[[Mastermind]] is to advertise for contenders in women's magazines in an effort to encourage more female applicants, reports ''[http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,2185784,00.html MediaGuardian]''. At present only a quarter of applicants are female, and no woman has won the title since Anne Ashurst in 1997. Applications (regardless of gender) can be made through the [http://www.bbc.co.uk/entertainment/mastermind/contestant.shtml Mastermind website].
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Ned Sherrin.jpg]]</div>
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1 October '''Ned Sherrin'''<br/>
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[[Ned Sherrin]], the original and long-serving host of [[Counterpoint]], has died of complications from throat cancer. He was 76.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square GMTV.jpg]]</div>
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26 September '''GMTV fined'''<br/>
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GMTV has been fined £2m by Ofcom over its use of premium-rate phone-in competitions between May 2003 and April 2007, during which time around 18 million calls were placed which were disreagrded as winners had been selected early on. Ofcom ruled that GMTV had been "both irresponsible and negligent" in its relationship with operator Opera Telecom and had not done enough to ensure compliance with Ofcom codes of practice. The fine equals the largest ever handed down by Ofcom.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Premium rate.jpg]]</div>
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24 September '''Telecoms company fined over GMTV competitions'''<br/>
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Opera Telecom, the former phone operator for GMTV competitions, has been fined a record £250,000 by the premium rate regulator, ICSTIS. The regulator found that over four years, more than 18 million calls were made to GMTV competitions that had no chance of winning. The fine is the largest ever imposed by ICSTIS in its 21-year history.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Gabby Logan.jpg]]</div>
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13 September '''Strictly Mr & Mrs'''<br/>
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[[Gabby Logan]] and her husband, former rugby international Kenny Logan, are to be the first married celebrity couple to compete against each other in [[Strictly Come Dancing]] when the show returns next month. Gabby was barred from competing in the 2006 series because she was then under exclusive contract to ITV. Other celebs appearing this year include [[Kate Garraway]], [[Kelly Brook]] and John Barnes. The line-up of professional dancers is unchanged from last year. ([[Strictly_Come_Dancing#Series_Five|Full list]])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square WWTBAM 50-50.jpg]]</div>
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12 September '''50/50'''<br/>
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[[Who Wants to be a Millionaire?]] bosses have created a spin-off show based on the 50/50 lifeline. Called 50/50, surprisingly enough, the quiz will see pairs of contestants competing for big cash prizes by accepting or rejecting alternative answers to questions, but quite what that means is still unclear. ([http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2001320029-2007400375,00.html The Sun])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square ITV Play.jpg]]</div>
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12 September '''Game over for ITV Play'''<br/>
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ITVplc has announced that its phone-in quiz programming on ITV1 + ITV2 is to be axed by the end of the year. The company's executive chairman, Michael Grade, announced the decision to end [[Glitterball]] and [[Make Your Play]] this morning saying that the recent TV phone-in scandal had decreased call volumes to 'uneconomic levels'. Earlier this year, a dedicated [[ITV Play]] channel was closed down in what the broadcaster described as a 'commerical move'. ([http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/broadcasting/a75509/itv-play-programming-to-be-phased-out.html Digital Spy])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square TV Quick Award.jpg]]</div>
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3 September '''No shocks at TV Quick awards'''<br/>
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Winners at last night's TV Quick Awards included [[I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!]] as Best Reality Show and [[The X Factor]] as Best Talent Show. The award for Best Entertainment Show was won by [[Saturday Night Takeaway]].
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Big Brother.jpg]]</div>
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31 August '''"This is so men'al"'''<br/>
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Brian Belo, who famously said he did not know who William Shakespeare was, and told [[Davina McCall|Davina]] he was a director who made Romeo and Juliet, has won the eighth series of [[Big Brother]] ahead of twins Amanda and Sam, Liam and Ziggy. ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6971261.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square WWTBAM India.jpg]]</div>
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31 August '''Boyle goes Bollywood'''<br/>
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Trainspotting director Danny Boyle is to base his forthcoming movie on the Indian version of hit TV quiz show Who Wants to Be A Millionaire? Based on a true story, Slumdog Millionaire, will shoot in Mumbai from a script by fellow Briton Simon Beaufoy, who penned The Full Monty. ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6972243.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Channel 4 diner ident.jpg]]</div>
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24 August '''EXCLUSIVE: Scrapheap scrapped'''<br/>
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<s>[[Big Brother|Celebrity Big Brother]] is to be rested, and [[Scrapheap Challenge]] axed in a major shakeup of Channel 4 programming. Celeb BB will not run next year, in order to free up the 9pm weeknight slot for new commissions, though a "very different" BB spin-off will air on E4 only. Scrapheap Challenge will end after its 2008 series, which has already been recorded.</s> '''October 2007 Update:''' ''Broadcast'' magazine reports that although the pre-released copy of Kevin Lygo's speech lists Scrapheap as one of many long-running formats to be axed, the show itself was not personally listed by Lygo in his address. Furthermore, we understand that the future of Scrapheap remains undecided at this time.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square WWTBAM.jpg]]</div>
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13 August '''12 question money tree on WWTBAM'''<br/>
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Jon Culshaw and John Thomson will be the first people to face the new-look [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire?]] The prize money will now start at £500, not £100, and it will only take 12 correct answers to win the top prize. It will only take two questions to reach the first safe haven at £1,000. The second rises in value from £32,000 to £50,000, and is achieved after seven correct answers. ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6944392.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Merv Griffin.jpg]]</div>
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13 August '''Merv Griffin'''<br/>
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Merv Griffin, the devisor of game shows [[Wheel of Fortune (2)|Wheel of Fortune]] and [[Jeopardy!]], has died at the age of 82. The US entertainer, best known for his eponymous talk show which ran from 1965 to 1986, had been diagnosed with prostate cancer for a second time earlier this year.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Tony Wilson.jpg]]</div>
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10 August '''Tony Wilson'''<br/>
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Maverick music mogul, veteran news anchor and sometime game show host [[Anthony H. Wilson]] has died at the age of 57. Wilson was diagnosed with renal cancer last year but his condition was said to have been responding well to treatment.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Gcap.jpg]]</div>
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9 August '''Gcap forgoes phone profits'''<br/>
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Gcap, the radio giant which runs Capital and BMRB, as well as Classic FM and Capital Gold, is the latest broadcaster to drop profit-making phone-ins. The move comes after phone operator MX Telecom was fined £17,500 over irregularities in Gcap's "Secret Sounds" competition broadcast across 31 local stations in its "One Network". Gcap will continue to use premium-rate services but will not take a profit from them.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Deal or No Deal Box.jpg]]</div>
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9 August '''Fine over DoND phone-in'''<br/>
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iTouch, the telephone operator for [[Deal or No Deal]]'s phone-in contest, has been fined £30,000 by ICSTIS because the programme gave the impression that viewers could win any one of the three prizes on offer. In fact because the show is pre-recorded, producers knew which prize would be available before the lines opened. Though imposing a fine for a breach of its code of practice, ICSTIS' ruling stated that "the detriment to consumers from this specific breach was not high".
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square WWTBAM.jpg]]</div>
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6 August '''Millionaire moves to audition model'''<br/>
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In an attempt to refresh the show ahead of its tenth anniversary (or to put it another way, stop boring people getting on screen), [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire?]] is to begin holding auditions for prospective contestants. The premium-rate application line will remain, but will be joined by a free web entry route. Auditions are already held in some countries where the WWTBAM format has been licensed.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Channel 4 diner ident.jpg]]</div>
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1 August '''Channel 4 scraps ''almost'' all phone-ins'''<br/>
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In what it describes as "a tough new policy", Channel 4 has announced that it will no longer include profit-making phone-in competitions in its shows, with the exception of [[Big Brother]] and [[Deal or No Deal]], from which Channel 4's profits will go to charity. The announcement follows the discovery that between September 2004 and March 2007, a total of 2.9 million calls were entered to ''Richard & Judy'''s "You Say, We Pay" competition which had no chance of winning because the shortlist had already been finalised soon after lines opened.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Phil Drabble.jpg]]</div>
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30 July '''Phil Drabble'''<br/>
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[[Phil Drabble]], the original and longest-serving host of [[One Man and His Dog]], has died at the age of 93. Drabble, who fronted the programme from 1976 to 1993, died peacefully at his Staffordshire home on Sunday.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Mike Reid.jpg]]</div>
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29 July '''Mike Reid'''<br/>
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The death has been announced of comedian and actor [[Mike Reid]] at the age of 67. Latterly famous for his role as Frank Butcher in ''EastEnders'', Reid was also the sometime host of [[Runaround]] and recently competed in a celeb reality show, [[The Baron]], which was due to air next month on ITV1.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square 022.jpg]]</div>
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27 July '''Give a Few Bob'''<br/>
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Game show legend [[Bob Monkhouse]] returns to our screens four years after his death. With full support of the Monkhouse family, amazing computer graphics and body doubles have been used in conjunction with archive footage to produce an amazingly lifelike advert featuring Bob asking the public to donate money to prostate cancer research, the illness which took Monkhouse's life. [http://giveafewbob.org/ Watch the advert here]
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square GMTV.jpg]]</div>
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25 July '''GMTV MD resigns'''<br/>
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Paul Corley, the managing director of GMTV, has announced his resignation over the mishandling of phone-in competitions on the station. GMTV will offer a series of free draws with a total prize fund of 2.5 million pounds and will also change the way that competitions are run in future. Mr. Corley says that he hopes his resignation and this series of initatives will help restore 'viewer trust' in the station. ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6914999.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square BBC.jpg]]</div>
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18 July '''All BBC competitions suspended'''<br/>
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BBC Director-General Mark Thompson has announced that all BBC phone-in competitions will be suspended from midnight tonight (Wednesday) and that online and interactive competitions will be suspended "as soon as possible". The measures come after an internal enquiry at the BBC uncovered five previously unknown instances of competition results being faked, including phone-ins during the ''Sport Relief'', ''Comic Relief'' and ''Children in Need'' telethons.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Nick Knowles.jpg|75px]]</div>
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11 July '''Holmes flop is new lottery vehicle'''<br/>
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[[Nick Knowles]] is to host a new BBC One lottery tie-in this autumn. The [[:Category:12 Yard Productions|12 Yard]] show, ''Who Dares Wins'', is a renamed version of ''The Rich List'', a format which was billed as [[Eamonn Holmes]]' bid to crack America, but which was pulled from US TV schedules after just one episode. The show had previously been piloted and rejected by ITV. The format has, however, been a hit in Australia.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square You Say We Pay.jpg]]</div>
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6 July '''Richard and Judy phone quiz thievery'''<br/>
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A fine of £150,000 is to be levied on the phone company involved in the Richard & Judy phone quiz fraud. You Say We Pay began shortly after Richard & Judy went on air at 5pm and ended at 5.38pm, with the competition being won at 5.42pm. On most days a shortlist of 24 possible winners was drawn up as early as 5.11pm, and sent by Eckoh to Cactus Television. ([http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/media/article2034113.ece Times])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square_Peter_Jones_%283%29.jpg|Tycoon]]</div>
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27 June '''Tycoon toppled from Tuesdays'''<br/>
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ITV has pulled its much-hyped business reality series [[Tycoon]] from Tuesday nights after the show failed to improve on its first-week ratings. Only 1.8 million people saw the second episode, a 9% share of viewing. The one-hour episodes will be re-edited to half an hour to fit a 10pm slot on Mondays and it is likely that the live final, originally scheduled for 24 July, will be put back.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Brainteaser.jpg|Brainteaser]]</div>
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26 June '''er Bra | e fin | Fiv | inte | ed ov | aser'''<br/>
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OFCOM has imposed a record £300,000 fine on Five in respect of a series of incidents during the first three months of this year in which [[Brainteaser]] faked the results of on-air competitions. According to the ruling, the incidents "should be seen against a background of serious and longstanding compliance failures" dating back to 2003. Five will also have to broadcast apologies both in the show's old slot and in primetime.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square BBC 2.jpg|The Restaurant]]</div>
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26 June '''Highbrow reality series for BBC2 autumn line-up'''<br/>
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BBC2's autumn line-up, announced today, includes two major new reality shows. ''Classical Star'' will seek a young musician to be awarded a recording contract with a major classical label, while [[The Restaurant]] challenges nine couples to run an eaterie with the winners receiving backing from Raymond Blanc. [[Dragons' Den]] will also return for a fifth series.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">[[Image:Square Stephanie Bruce.jpg|People's Quiz]]</div>
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23 June '''People's Quiz pays out'''<br/>
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Stephanie Bruce, a chemist and self-styled "Essex girl" resident in Haverhill, Suffolk has been named the [[People's Quiz]] champion after beating Mark Labbett in the final head-to-head round. Her £200,700 prize is the most ever paid out by a BBC show.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">[[Image:Square Louis Walsh 2.jpg]]</div>
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22 July '''Walsh gets job back'''<br/>
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[[Louis Walsh]] has confirmed that he is back in [[The X Factor]] fold for the next series. Walsh had previously been dropped from the line-up but will return to replace "new judge" Brian Friedman, who has quit the panel but will be given a new role on the show.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square James Caan.jpg]]</div>
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15 June '''Dragons' Den'''<br/>
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Entrepreneur James Caan has been confirmed as the new Dragon in [[Dragons' Den|the Den]]. Caan, founder of HR firm The Alexander Mann Group, will replace Richard Farleigh when the fifth series goes into production this summer.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Tarrant Edmonds.jpg]]</div>
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14 June '''The Great Pretender'''<br/>
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[[Chris Tarrant]] is taking on [[Deal or No Deal]] host [[Noel Edmonds]] by fronting a weekday tea-time quiz. The [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire?]] star, 60, has signed up for an ITV show in which players bluff each other to win. ([http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2001320029-2007270522,00.html The Sun])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Simon Ambrose.jpg|The Apprentice]]</div>
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13 June '''Bloody old fool that I am, I'm going to take that risk'''<br/>
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Simon Ambrose has won [[The Apprentice]], beating Kristina Grimes to the £100,000-a-year job with Sir Alan Sugar. The pair's final showdown saw them compete to win over architects and property developers with a design for a building on the South Bank. Kristina's property design was said to resemble Fascist architecture which was later changed. ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6749303.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square David Hatch.jpg|I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue]]</div>
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13 June '''Sir David Hatch'''<br/>
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The death has been announced of former BBC Managing Director of Radio, [[David Hatch]]. He was co-creator of the long-running comedy panel game [[I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue]] and host of [[Wireless Wise]], as well as commissioner of countless other radio shows. ([http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/06_june/13/hatch.shtml BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Katie Hopkins.jpg|The Apprentice]]</div>
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12 June '''Katie, you're fired'''<br/>
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Katie Hopkins, a former candidate on BBC's [[The Apprentice]], has been fired from her 'real job' (a brand manager for the Met Office) as she failed to pass her probationary term. The final, between Simon Ambrose and Kristina Grimes takes place on Wednesday 13th June at 21:00 on BBC1. ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6743877.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Five.jpg|Brainteaser]]</div>
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8 June '''Brainteaser compensation sought'''<br/>
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Five is reported to be claiming compensation from Endemol for loss of revenue following the sudden axing of [[Brainteaser]] in March this year. The show, made by Endemol's Cheetah West subsidiary, was pulled after it was discovered that some of the on-air winning "callers" to the show were in fact members of the production staff.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square Big Brother 2007.jpg|Big Brother]]</div>
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7 June '''The 'n' word is clearly offensive'''<br/>
+
-
Emily Parr has been removed from the [[Big Brother]] house for using a racially offensive word to Charley Uchea, while they were dancing in the living room on Wednesday evening. The eviction vote, in which Emily was nominated along with Shabnam Paryani, has been suspended.
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([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6729673.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Grand Slam.jpg|Grand Slam]]</div>
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7 June '''Grand Slam goes to U.S.'''<br/>
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Winners from American shows including [[Jeopardy!]] (Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter), [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire?]] (Kevin Olmstead and John Carpenter), [[Wheel of Fortune]], [[Criss Cross Quiz|Tic Tac Dough]], [[Lingo]] and [[The Weakest Link]] are scheduled to compete for $100,000 in the U.S. version of [[Grand Slam|the 2003 quiz]]. The show will be hosted by Dennis Miller with [[The Big Breakfast|Amanda Byram]] and broadcast on Game Show Network from 8 Aug. ([http://www.tvguide.com/news-views/Entertainment-News/Article/Default.aspx?idx=1015934 TV Guide])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_Dannii_Minogue.jpg|The X Factor]]</div>
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4 June '''X Factor appointments'''<br/>
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Singer Dannii Minogue and choreographer Brian Friedman are the new judges on [[The X Factor]]. Their appointment follows [[Louis Walsh]]'s departure from the show.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Jason Manford.jpg|8 Out of 10 Cats]]</div>
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3 June '''Manford's the man for Cats'''<br/>
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Stand-up comic Jason Manford is to join the regular cast of [[8 Out of 10 Cats]].  He will replace [[Dave Spikey]] as team captain when the fifth series begins on 15 June.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_Nick_Hancock.jpg|Nick Hancock]]</div>
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30 May '''Hancock returns'''<br/>
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[[Nick Hancock]] has been announced as the host of new Channel 4 daytime show [[Win My Wage]], which will air in [[Deal or No Deal]]'s slot this summer. It will be his first regular hosting role on national TV since leaving [[They Think it's All Over]] in 2004.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Kidney.jpg]]</div>
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29 May '''The Big Donor Show'''<br/>
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[[Big Brother]] maker [[:Category:Endemol Productions|Endemol]] is said to be going ahead with a new [[:Category:Reality|reality TV]] programme called ''De Grote Donorshow'' (The Big Donor Show) to be screened on Dutch TV station BNN this Friday, in which viewers vote on who will recieve the kidney of a terminally ill woman. ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6699847.stm BBC]). ('''Update''' 1 June: It was a hoax.) For more information on organ donation, visit: [http://www.uktransplant.org.uk www.uktransplant.org.uk]
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_Big_Brother.jpg]]</div>
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24 May '''OFCOM adjudication: CBB broke broadcasting rules'''<br/>
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An OFCOM investigation has found that Channel 4's 2007 series of [[Big Brother|Celebrity Big Brother]] was in breach of the Broadcasting Code. The report says that a serious failure of the compliance process led to serious editorial misjudgements. Channel 4 and S4C (also affected by OFCOM's actions) will broadcast a summary of the findings after the first show of the new series next week. Repeat summaries will be shown after a revised repeat and the first eviction.
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([http://www.ofcom.org.uk/tv/obb/ocsc_adjud/channel4_cbb/ OFCOM adjudication])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square BAFTA.jpg]]</div>
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20 May '''BAFTA Winners'''<br/>
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The sole game show winner from this year's BAFTA TV awards was [[The X Factor]] as Best Entertainment Programme out of about half a dozen game show nominations. If you count [[Numberwang]] from That Mitchell and Webb Look (winner of Best Comedy Programme), there are two winning game shows!
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_richard_farleigh.jpg|Dragons' Den]]</div>
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18 May '''Dragon dropped'''<br/>
+
-
Australian investor Richard Farleigh has been dropped from the next series of [[Dragons' Den]]. Farleigh said he was "gutted" not to be invited to take part after appearing in the previous two series. His replacement has not yet been named.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Jeremy Paxman.jpg|University Challenge]]</div>
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18 May '''MGEITF'''<br/>
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The MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival has announced some of the confirmed speakers for this year's event, including [[Jeremy Paxman]], who will deliver the MacTaggart Lecture and host a one-off live edition of [[University Challenge]]. Channel 4's chief executive, Andy Duncan, will take part in a major session, including discussion of the [[Big Brother]] controversy. ([http://www.worldscreen.com/newscurrent.php?filename=mgeitf051707.htm WorldScreen])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square ITV.jpg]]</div>
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17 May '''Quiz scandal hits ITV profits'''<br/>
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In a statement for its annual general meeting the broadcaster confirmed that its premium rate telephone services revenue dropped by around 20 per cent in March and April amid scandals involving GMTV and [[The X Factor]]. Ad revenues for the first half of 2007 at ITV1 are down 9.6 per cent against last year, while ITV's total take from advertising is down 5.7 per cent. ([http://www.inthenews.co.uk/money/business/news/buisness/quiz-scandal-hits-itv-profits-$1086188.htm InTheNews])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader.jpg]]</div>
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13 Apr '''Are You Smarter?'''<br/>
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Sky One has bought the rights to the phenomenally successful US game show - Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader. It will be renamed Are You Smarter Than a 10-Year-Old? ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6549723.stm BBC])
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+
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
+
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[[Image:Square BAFTA.jpg]]</div>
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11 Apr '''BAFTA Nominations'''<br/>
+
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The nominees for this year's BAFTA TV awards have been announced. [[Dancing on Ice]], [[How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?|Maria?]] and [[The X Factor]] go up against Derren Brown's ''The Heist'' for Best Entertainment Programme, while [[Stephen Fry]], [[Ant McPartlin|Ant]] 'n' [[Declan Donnelly|Dec]], [[Paul Merton]] and [[Jonathan Ross]] face off in the Best Entertainment Performance category, and [[The Apprentice]] and [[Dragons' Den]] are up against ''The Choir'' and [[Gordon Ramsay]]'s ''The F Word'' for Best Features. Dragons' Den and [[Big Brother|Celeb BB]] are shortlisted for the Pioneer Audience Award but stand no chance against ''Life On Mars''. Finally [[Numberwang]], or at any rate ''That Mitchell and Webb Look'', is up for Best Comedy. The winners will be announced on 20 May.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square Bruce Forsyth.jpg]]</div>
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4 Apr '''Brucie's Back!'''<br/>
+
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[[The Generation Game]] is making a comeback later this year as part of UKTV Gold's £10 million new programming strategy, with UKGameshows.com's [[All Time Top 30 Hosts|top host of all time]] (as voted by readers) [[Bruce Forsyth]] at the helm. ([http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/programming/a44848/uktv-gold-brings-back-generation-game.html DS])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[File:Dermot oleary mugshot.jpg|75px]]</div>
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30 Mar '''O'Leary has X Factor'''<br/>
+
-
[[Dermot O'Leary]] has been confirmed as the new host of [[The X Factor]], replacing the ousted [[Kate Thornton]]. The hit ITV talent show will return in the autumn.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square ITV Play.jpg]]</div>
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13 Mar '''ITV Play channel closes down for good'''<br/>
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The controversial [[ITV Play]] channel has ceased transmission permanently after just under a year on air. Overnight broadcasts, which currently include [[Glitterball]] and ''Make Your Play'' will continue on ITV1 + ITV2. ([http://itn.co.uk/news/7936891d6b5c243c3c936f4acf86a400.html ITN],
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[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/6447375.stm BBC])
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+
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
+
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[[Image:Square ITV.jpg]]</div>
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5 Mar '''ITV suspends premium rate phone-ins'''<br/>
+
-
ITV has admitted a mistake when a vote on [[The X Factor]] led to viewers being overcharged by £200,000. There have also been complaints regarding Richard and Judy and [[Big Brother]] on Channel 4. ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6420885.stm BBC], [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6424677.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square PokerFace Dominic Jackson.jpg]]</div>
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3 Mar '''Dominic wins £1m'''<br/>
+
-
Dominic Jackson beat Colin Lynch in the final to scoop the jackpot on the second series of [[PokerFace]] and go into 12th place in the UK game shows [[All Time Winners List]]. Congratulations to him!
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square You Say We Pay.jpg]]</div>
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22 Feb '''You Say We Don't Pay refund line'''<br/>
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For people ripped off by Richard & Judy, the refund line is 0800 666 805. The line will be open until the investigation is complete. ([http://www.channel4.com/entertainment/tv/microsites/R/richardandjudy/ C4], [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6375761.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square_Endemol.jpg|Category:Endemol_Productions]]</div>
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8 Feb '''Two new ITV game shows'''<br/>
+
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Two shows from Endemol-owned Initial have been commissioned by ITV: [[For the Rest of Your Life]] by [[Deal or No Deal]] creator Dick de Rijk gives couples the chance to win a pay cheque every month of every year for the rest of their lives; and [[Golden Balls]] are due to air in the Spring.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_The_Match.jpg|The Match]]</div>
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12 Jan '''Match burnt out'''<br/>
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-
Sky One have confirmed that their longest-running game show format, [[The Match]], has been axed. The celebrity football show ran for three series, but failed to produce a team capable of beating a squad of ex-professionals. Sky has said it is seeking a new football-based reality format.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square_Deal_or_No_Deal_Laura_Pearce_jackpot.jpg|Deal or No Deal#Jackpot]]</div>
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7 Jan '''Deal jackpot won'''<br/>
+
-
Laura Pearce, a civilian police worker from Hemel Hempstead, has become the first person to win the £250,000 jackpot on [[Deal or No Deal]]. It is the biggest prize ever given away on daytime television in the UK.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_Magnus_Magnusson.jpg|Magnus Magnusson]]</div>
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7 Jan '''Magnus Magnusson dies'''<br/>
+
-
Former [[Mastermind]] presenter [[Magnus Magnusson]] dies of cancer at the age of 77. ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6239745.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square_Peter_Jones_(3).jpg|Dragons' Den]]</div>
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5 Jan '''ITV1 seeks tycoons'''<br/>
+
-
The first fruit of ITV1's deal with [[Dragons' Den]] investor Peter Jones has been announced. ''Tycoon'' will see Jones mentoring would-be entrepreneurs and is likely to air this summer. Applications can be made via the [http://www.itv.com ITV website] from Saturday.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_Danny_Wallace.jpg|Danny Wallace]]</div>
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1 Jan '''Return of the King'''<br/>
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It has been confirmed that [[School's Out]] will be returning for a second, eight-part, series, to be filmed in February. [[Danny Wallace|King Danny of Lovely]] will again host the show, which is made by [[Graham Norton]]'s So Television.
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==2006==
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square_June_Sarpong.jpg|June Sarpong]]</div>
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30 Dec '''A gong for Sarpong'''<br/>
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[[June Sarpong]] is an unexpected inclusion on the 2007 new year honours list, becoming an MBE for her broadcasting and charity work. Penelope Keith is made a CBE, though it is unlikely that her stint as host of [[What's My Line?]] had much bearing on the award.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
+
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[[Image:Square_People's_Quiz.jpg|People's_Quiz]]</div>
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26 Dec '''Grand Cram'''<br/>
+
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The first-round questions for the forthcoming ''National Lottery People's Quiz'' have been published online, together with details of the five open auditions for the show. The guaranteed jackpot is £200,700, more than double the previous highest prize awarded on a BBC show. [http://www.bbc.co.uk/peoplesquiz/ People's Quiz website.]
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square_Big_Game_TV.jpg|Big Game TV]]</div>
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23 Dec '''Big Game TV'''<br/>
+
-
Fraud charges against [[Big Game TV]] have been dropped after a six-month investigation found no evidence of criminality. However, the channel may still face regulatory action from OFCOM.
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_Des_O'Connor.jpg|Des O'Connor]]</div>
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7 November '''Another Des'''<br />
+
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[[Des O'Connor]] is said to have won the race to replace [[Des Lynam]] as host of [[Countdown]]. Des, aged 74, is said to still be in negotiations but reports are confident he has been given the job. Channel 4 is thought to have offered him a contract worth £500,000. His first episodes would be broadcast in January 2007. Other contenders [[Michael Aspel]], [[Alan Titchmarsh]], [[Stephen Fry]] and [[Paul Merton]] are said to have pulled out of the race due to work commitments.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square_National_Television_Awards.jpg]]</div>
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1 November '''National Television Awards'''<br/>
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The winners have been announced of the ITV-sponsored National Television Awards.  [[Ant McPartlin|Ant]] and [[Declan Donnelly|Dec]] won Most Popular Entertainment Presenter, while [[Gameshow Marathon]] was voted top game show, ending [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire?|Millionaire]]'s seven-year winning streak. [[Deal or No Deal]] took the Most Popular Daytime Show title, [[Big Brother]] was Most Popular Reality Programme (and BB7's Nikki Grahame was named Most Popular TV Contender) and Most Popular Entertainment Programme was [[The X Factor]].
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_New_Faces.jpg|New Faces]]</div>
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30 October '''New Faces discovery'''<br/>
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A 1973 episode of [[New Faces]] previously believed to have been lost has been rediscovered by director Paul Stewart Laing. The episode includes the first TV appearance of Victoria Wood, who went on to win the series. Including this new discovery, only 18 out of the 160 episodes produced in the 1970s are known to have survived.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
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[[Image:Square_Magnus_Magnusson.jpg|Magnus Magnusson]]</div>
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12 October '''Magnus Magnusson diagnosed with cancer'''<br/>
+
-
Former [[Mastermind]] presenter [[Magnus Magnusson]] has been diagnosed with cancer. He has cancelled a number of public appearances, including a talk at the Cheltenham Literature Festival to mark his 77th birthday. ([http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6045792.stm BBC])
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<div class="square" style="float:left">
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[[Image:Square_Big_Brother.jpg|Big Brother]]</div>
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5 October '''BB vote rapped'''<br/>
+
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The premium rate watchdog ICSTIS has ruled that Channel 4 "misled" viewers and broke its own guidelines when it invited [[Big Brother]] viewers to vote to evict housemates who were subsequently reinstated. ISCTIS received over 2600 complaints about the matter. C4 avoided a fine, but have been ordered to pay the costs of the investigation.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
+
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[[Image:Square_Des_Lynam.jpg|Des Lynam]]</div>
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30 September '''Lynam quits'''<br/>
+
-
[[Des Lynam]] has announced that he is to leave [[Countdown]] at the end of the present series, citing the inconvenience of travel between his West Sussex home and Yorkshire TV's studios in Leeds. No decision has yet been announced on who will take over as host.
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<div class="square" style="float:left;">
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[[Image:Square WWTBAM.jpg|Who Wants to be a Millionaire?]]
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</div>
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16 September '''Ingram wins the jackpot'''<br/>
+
-
Ingram Wilcox's win on [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire?]] puts him in at position 10 on the [[All Time Winners List]]. His final question was "Which boxer was famous for striking the gong in the introduction to J. Arthur Rank films?" A: Bombardier Billy Wells, B: Freddie Mills, C: Terry Spinks, D: Don Cockell.
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<div class="square" style="float:right">
+
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[[Image:Square_National_Television_Awards.jpg]]</div>
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18 October '''NTA Award noms'''<br/>
+
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The shortlists have been announced for the ITV-sponsored National Television Awards, to be handed out on 31 October. The major game show categories are Most Popular Game Show ([[8 Out of 10 Cats|Cats]], [[Gameshow Marathon|Marathon]], [[Have I Got News for You|News]], [[Who Wants to be a Millionaire|Millionaire]]),  Entertainment Programme ([[Saturday Night Takeaway|Takeaway]], [[Strictly Come Dancing|Strictly]], [[Dancing on Ice]], [[The X Factor]] and non-gameshow ''Friday Night with Jonathan Ross'') and Reality Programme ([[Big Brother|BB7]], [[Big Brother|Celeb BB4]], [[I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!|I'm a Celeb 4]] and [[The Apprentice|Apprentice 2]]). [[Deal or No Deal]] is up for Most Popular Daytime Programme, [[Bad Lads Army]] is nominated for Most Popular Factual, and there is a new "TV Contender" category featuring contestants from BB, Celeb BB, I'm a Celeb and [[Soapstar Superstar]]. The Most Popular Entertainment Presenter noms are [[Ant McPartlin|Ant]] and [[Declan Donnelly|Dec]], [[Noel Edmonds|Noel]], [[Davina McCall|Davina]], [[Paul O'Grady]] and perpetual winner in this category, [[Jonathan Ross]]. You can vote if you wish at [http://nta.itv.com nta.itv.com].
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<div class="square" style="float:left;">
+
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[[Image:Square Anne Gregg.jpg|Going, Going, Gone]]
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</div>
+
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6 September '''Anne Gregg'''<br/>
+
-
The death has been announced of the presenter Anne Gregg. Best-known for presenting the ''Holiday'' programme, she also hosted the short-lived [[Holiday Quiz]] spin-off and was a regular panellist on the antiques quiz [[Going, Going, Gone]]. Gregg was 66 and had been ill with cancer.
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-
<div class="square" style="float:right;">
+
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[[Image:Square Deal or No Deal Box.jpg|Deal or No Deal]]
+
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</div>
+
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5 September '''Noel's mystery solved'''<br/>
+
-
The mystery of the symbols on Noel Edmonds' hand when filming [[Deal or No Deal]] has been solved. Far from being an object lesson in cosmic ordering, as many had thought, in fact the final messages spelt out "www", "red", "box" and "club" pointing to [http://www.redboxclub.com/ this website]. If you can solve the hidden message of the code you can win a VIP trip to the DoND studios including a chance to meet Noel and be one of the blue box openers.
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<div class="square" style="float:left;">
+
-
[[Image:Square TV Quick Awards.jpg|Deal or No Deal]]
+
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</div>
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5 September '''Award season again, so soon'''<br/>
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The ''TV Quick'' Awards were handed out last night. [[Deal or No Deal]] added the "Best Daytime Show" award to its already strained trophy cabinet, while the usual suspects also picked up gongs: [[I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!]] won "Best Reality Show" for the fourth year running, and [[Strictly Come Dancing]] took "Best Entertainment Programme" for the second year on the trot (so to speak).
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Revision as of 23:11, 8 November 2018

Old news stories are archived here. See the main page for the latest news.

Contents

2018

Leslie Grantham
15 June Leslie Grantham
The death has been announced of Leslie Grantham aged 71 following an illness. He was best known in the game show world as the Master of Channel 5's Fort Boyard and outside the game show world as Dirty Den in EastEnders.

Win Your Wish List
16 May There's No Wish List Like Home
Channel 5 have announced that Stellify Media will be rebooting Win Your Wish List for the channel, with chef Gino D'Acampo in charge, five players from the same family rather than two, and new "physical games to be played out against the digital floor".

Dale Winton
18 April Dale Winton
The death has been announced of Dale Winton aged 62, there are no reports as to the cause of his death as of yet. He is best known for hosting the 9:25am sleeper hit Supermarket Sweep and the National Lottery smash hit In It to Win It in the game show world.

Katie Boyle
21 March Katie Boyle
The death has been announced of Katie Boyle who passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 91. She is known for hosting the Eurovision Song Contest a record breaking four times.

Robot Wars
16 March Cease all robots!
The BBC have announced today that they have axed the revival of Robot Wars after three series in order to create room for new shows.

Jim Bowen
14 March Jim Bowen
The death has been announced of Jim Bowen at the tender age of 80 after he was affected by a number of strokes. He is well known in the game show world for hosting the darts quiz show Bullseye.

Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?
9 March 2018 Who wants to be…?
Who Wants to be a Millionaire? will be revived, with Jeremy Clarkson as host. The one-week return will air "later this spring", and we're promised "a number of new twists and turns". The idea was first published in The Sun on Sunday on 11 February, and confirmed almost a month later.

2017

Keith Chegwin
11 December Keith Chegwin
The death has been announced of Keith Chegwin (a.k.a. - Cheggers) at the age of 60. His most memorable game show hosting roles include Cheggers Plays Pop, Sky Star Search and It's a Knockout.

Eurovision Song Contest
7 November All Aboard for Eurovision 2018
The European Broadcasting Union has announced that 43 entries will compete in the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, Portugal after the country claimed their very first victory in 53 years of entering the contest. Russia will return after a one-year absence. The logo and slogan for next year's contest were also revealed. (This entry was revised on 17 November after Macedonia was allowed to enter.)

William G. Stewart
21 September William G. Stewart
The death has been announced of William G. Stewart. He produced many quiz shows including Family Fortunes and The Price is Right but was perhaps better known as the first fronter of Fifteen-to-One.

Pointless
4 September Is a recommission Pointless?
The BBC has recommissioned Pointless for another 204 episodes, comprising 165 daytime episodes and 39 primetime celebrity episodes. The recommission means Pointless will still air new episodes on its 10th anniversary in 2019.

Bruce Forsyth
18 August Sir Bruce Forsyth
The death has been announced of Bruce Forsyth at the age of 89. A TV regular for more than half a century, his many popular game shows included The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right, The Price is Right and Strictly Come Dancing.

The Generation Game
23 July Baking the British Generation with a brand new Game Off
The BBC announced that they have commissioned a four episode run of 70s and 90s Saturday night hit The Generation Game with Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins as hosts.

Weakest Link
19 July The Weakest Rethink
Reports in the press claim that The Weakest Link may return, and Anne Robinson could again host. According to these articles, a Children in Need special will air in November, with more celebrity editions in 2018. The BBC has not confirmed any of the claims.

Raven
27 June Flying Back
Raven is returning to our screens. New host, Aisha Toussaint, said "I used to dream of one day being a warrior contestant - I never for a second imagined that I'd one day be Raven.". The fantasy adventure show enchanted a generation of children in the last decade, and will swoop back to CBBC later this year.

Britain's Got Talent
31 May Britain's Got Talent Final Moves
The final of Britain's Got Talent has been moved to Saturday 3 June, from Sunday night. A concert for Manchester has been arranged for Sunday, raising funds after last week's bombing. To avoid distracting from this cause, the talent show final moves up to Saturday night.

The Great British Bake Off
16 March Baking News
Channel 4 have confirmed the lineup for The Great British Bake Off. Joining Paul Hollywood in the marquee are cookery expert Prue Leith, Fifteen-to-One host Sandi Toksvig, and comic actor Noel Fielding. Channel 4 intends to air a new series this autumn.

Blind Date
16 March Paul O'Grady's Blind Date
Channel 5 have also made a major announcement, confirming rumours that Blind Date is to come back. Paul O'Grady will host; the sliding partition and three-question format will return. Blind Date ran for almost two decades on ITV.

The Crystal Maze
13 January Let the four winds blow!
The Crystal Maze is back for a full series on Channel 4. Richard Ayoade is the new host, fronting 20 episodes including some celebrity specials. They'll be making the show in Bristol, and it'll be played by teams of five.

2016

Eurovision Song Contest
31 October Forty-three for Eurovision
The European Broadcasting Union has announced that 43 countries will compete in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, Ukraine. Bosnia and Herzegovina will not return due to the broadcaster's ongoing funding problems. Portugal will return after a one year absence, and Romania has resolved the outstanding debt that kept them out of Stockholm. Australia will also return for the third year running; this year, they finished second with 511 points.

Robot Wars
11 October Roboteers, Standby...for another wars!
The BBC have announced today that they have recommissioned the Robot Wars revival for another 6 episodes. Dara O'Briain and Angela Scanlon will be returning as hosts as well as commentator Jonathan Pearce.

You're Back in the Room
7 October You're Back in the axe
ITV has announced today that the hypnotic You're Back in the Room with Phillip Schofield has been axed after two series. Viewing figures from the second series slipped by a quarter - to just over 3 million - and producers struggled to find suitable celebrity names who were keen to make a fool of themselves.

Taskmaster
3 October Your time starts now
Tomorrow is the start of the third series of Taskmaster, which was not supposed to be shown until 2017, but was brought forward after the second series received a positive reception. Dave, the channel showing Taskmaster, has recommissioned the show for series 4 and 5, which are due to be filmed next year. Both of these series will have an extended run of 8 episodes.

The Apprentice
16 September You're Hired in the Firing Line Mr. Gilbert
Rhod Gilbert has been announced as the new host of The Apprentice spin-off programme You're Fired! after Jack Dee fired himself from the BBC2 vehicle after only one series. Romesh Ranganathan, who was a regular panellist in the last series will not return due to scheduling conflicts.

The Great British Bake Off
13 September We've had the most amazing time on Bake Off
Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins have announced that they will not follow The Great British Bake Off to Channel 4. They will step down as hosts after the current series on the BBC. Mel and Sue said in a statement: "We made no secret of our desire for the show to remain where it was... we're not going with the dough."

The Great British Bake Off
12 September Bake Off Off
The BBC has lost the rights to show The Great British Bake Off after the current series and Christmas specials. The exceedingly popular show will move to Channel 4, after Love Productions turned down the BBC's final offer. It's not immediately clear if any of its stars will leave.

Blankety Blank
22 August BLANK Me One More Time
More information about the Blankety Blank revival has been revealed as David Walliams will host a Christmas special of the cult game show. According to the Daily Mirror, the Christmas special will be a trial for a full series, which is quite similar to how the Lily Savage era went.

Deal or No Deal
19 August Deal Me Out
Channel 4 announced today that Deal or No Deal has been axed after being on the screens for 11 years and airing over 3,000 episodes. The final series will air in autumn 2016.

Blankety Blank
15 August ReBLANKED
A piece in the Sunday People claimed that ITV wanted to make another series of Blankety Blank. We've not been able to confirm that ITV has commissioned a series, as the broadcaster has not commented on the speculation.

The X Factor
1 June Meet the new judges, same as the old judges
Louis Walsh! Sharon Osbourne! Simon Cowell! Nicole Scherzinger! The judging panel for The X Factor has been announced, and the names have bags of experience. With Dermot O'Leary back as host, this year's show takes us back to the glory days of 2013, and with no Gary Barlow.

Eggheads
5 May CJ de Mooi on the move again
CJ de Mooi will leave the Eggheads panel and move to South Africa. CJ, one of the original Eggheads, left the programme between 2012 and 2014. He will be replaced by two new Eggheads who will be found in a televised quiz.

Coach Trip
6 April Coach Trip Rolls onto E4
Coach Trip is heading for a new destination by moving to E4. The series which sees tour guide Brendan Sheerin overseeing a couples tour of Europe, with the least popular couple voted off at the end of each day, has aired on and off for 11 years on Channel 4. The new series will consist of thirty half-hour episodes, and will air later in the year.

The X Factor
5 April Cheryl has The Exit Factor
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has quit The X Factor. The singer first appeared as a judge between 2008-10, before returning for the 2014-5 series. The former Popstars: The Rivals contestant has chosen to leave to focus on her music career. To date, no judges have been confirmed for the upcoming series, which begins airing this summer.

Ronnie Corbett
31 March Ronnie Corbett
The other half of "The Two Ronnies" Ronnie Corbett died today at the age of 85. In the game show world, he is well known for hosting Small Talk.

Drive
30 March Vernon drives to success
Next week, Vernon Kay will host Drive on ITV. He's now the second most prolific game show host in the UK with 16 main hosting roles. Vernon moves clear of the late Bob Monkhouse, who is now in third place with 15 shows. Davina McCall remains the current leader, she's fronted 17 programmes.

The X Factor
29 March Your Saturday Night Starts Right Here!
Dermot O'Leary is returning to host The X Factor. The announcement was made almost a year after he left the programme. The 2015 series was helmed by Caroline Flack and Olly Murs and saw mixed reviews and falling ratings. The new series, which will also see the return of the room auditions, will begin in the summer.

Paul Daniels
17 March Paul Daniels
Magician Paul Daniels died today at the age of 77 after he was taken to hospital a month ago following a brain tumor. He is well known for hosting such game shows as Odd One Out, Dealing with Daniels and Every Second Counts.

Jack Dee
15 March I'm Jack Dee and I'm Fired
Jack Dee has fired himself as the host of The Apprentice spin-off programme You're Fired! He said "It's been a tough decision to leave You're Fired, I'd like to thank The Apprentice team, BBC2, the candidates and the 'Big Man' Lord Sugar himself for making me feel so welcome but now, in keeping with The Apprentice tradition, I am firing myself. Good luck with the next series.".

Robot Wars
3 February Dara, Standby!
Dara O'Briain has been announced as the new host for the Robot Wars revival. Angela Scanlon will work alongside him as co-host. Jonathan Pearce will return as commentator. The new series will be recorded in Glasgow, and will go out on BBC2 later in the year.

31 January Sir Terry Wogan
The broadcaster Terry Wogan has died of cancer, aged 77. In five decades of broadcasting, he helmsed the Radio 2 breakfast programme, and a primetime chat show. Wogan spent many nights at the Eurovision Song Contest, hosted the micro-budget Blankety Blank, and many other shows.

Robot Wars
13 January 3...2...1...Activate!
Robot Wars has been revived by the BBC. The series, which sees amateurs construct weaponised robots to battle each other in a specially built arena, originally aired on the BBC from 1998-2003, before a brief spell on Channel 5. The new six episode series will air on BBC2 later in the year.

2015

The Voice UK
23 November ITV Finds its Voice
ITV have confirmed they have signed a deal to broadcast The Voice UK from 2017. The three-year deal, worth a reported £50m, will also see the broadcaster air two series of The Voice Kids, as well as spin-off programmes on ITV2. The programme will air its fifth and final series on the BBC in January.

Eurovision Song Contest
17 November Good evening. This is Canberra calling. Again.
The European Broadcasting Union has announced that Australia will compete in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. The country was given a one-off wildcard entry to the 2015 event to mark the contest's 60th anniversary. Following positive feedback, the Antipodean country will compete again in Stockholm, Sweden in May. They will however not be granted a pass to the final, and will have to take part in one of the semi-finals to secure their place in the grand final.

The Voice UK
7 November The BBC Loses its Voice
The BBC has confirmed that The Voice UK has been poached by another broadcaster, and the upcoming series will be the last to be broadcast by the corporation. The series has aired on the BBC since 2012, and will return in January for its fifth series, with new judges Paloma Faith and Boy George. The identity of the new broadcaster has yet to be revealed.

Mock the Week
19 October The points DON'T go to Andy
Andy Parsons has announced he is quitting Mock the Week after becoming a regular panelist on the show since 2006. He will be focusing on his future live stand-up tours and his new podcast.

QI
14 October N for Sandi Toksvig
QI is to get a new host. Stephen Fry is leaving "one of the best jobs on television" after the M-series ends in early 2016. Sandi Toksvig will take over from next year, taking viewers through from N to an unknown destination. "Who knows what lies ahead? It should all be quite interesting." Alan Davies remains on the panel to the end of the alphabet - and beyond?

Let's Play Darts
8 October Laughing All the Way to the Oche
Four new episodes of the pro-celebrity darts tournament Let's Play Darts have been ordered and will be filming on 17 and 18 November in aid of Sport Relief. Gabby Logan will return to host.

Jack Dee
11 September Jack Dee Hired for You're Fired!
Jack Dee has been announced as the new host of The Apprentice spin-off programme You're Fired! The comedian replaces Dara O'Briain who has left as host after five years. Dee has previously appeared on the celebrity version of the programme. He will be joined by fellow comedian Romesh Ranganathan, who becomes a regular panellist, when the series returns later this year.

The Voice UK
14 August Boy George and Paloma Faith to join The Voice
The coaching line-up has been revealed for the upcoming fifth series of The Voice UK. New coaches Boy George and Paloma Faith will join returning coaches will.i.am and Ricky Wilson. They replace long-standing coach Sir Tom Jones and Rita Ora, who is now a judge on rival singing show The X Factor. The new series will begin filming in Salford next month, and will air in the new year.

Davina McCall
12 August Davina's On Target Again
Davina McCall has now increased her lead as the title holder of most prolific game show host in the UK. With the upcoming darts show One Hundred and Eighty added on to her resume, she will now have done 17 main hosting roles (not counting co-hosting roles, regular/stand-in/guest appearances, one-offs and pilots). The previous title holder, the late Bob Monkhouse, had 15 main hosting roles.

Cilla Black
2 August Cilla Black
Blind Date host Cilla Black suddenly died on 1 August 2015 at her holiday home near Marbella, Spain. She was 72 years of age. A post mortem examination later confirmed that her death was from a stroke.

The Chase
21 July Five For Chasing
Britain has a new Chaser. Jenny Ryan from Bolton joins Mark, Shaun, Anne, and Paul on ITV's teatime show. Known as "The Vixen", her quiz pedigree includes the semi-finals of University Challenge, a spot on Are You an Egghead?, and an Only Connect championship with the Gamblers in 2010.

You're Back in the Room
21 July You're Back Again
ITV has announced that they have commissioned another run of You're Back in the Room with Phillip Schofield returning as host after the first series picked up an average of 4 million viewers. The second series will consist another 4 episodes.

Britain's Next Top Model
14 July Britain's Next Top Model Gives Us Another Twirl
After being dropped by Sky Living in 2013, Britain's Next Top Model is taking to the catwalk once again courtesy of TV network Lifetime. The programme, based on the American original, first aired in the UK in 2005, and racked up nine series before its cancellation. The new 10-part series will air in 2016, with the host and judges to be confirmed in due course.

The X Factor
16 June The Ora Of Success
Appointments to The X Factor have concluded with two new mentors. Rita Ora joins the judging panel, fresh from a similar role on The Voice UK earlier in the year. The final judge is Nick Grimshaw, host of Radio 1's breakfast show. The new series will begin later in the summer.

1000 Heartbeats
26 May ITV's Heart Keeps on Beating
ITV has announced a second series of 1000 Heartbeats. The first series averaged 1.2 million viewers throughout its run, prompting ITV to hand it an extended 30 episode run. The new series will air in the autumn, with Vernon Kay returning as host.

Never Mind the Buzzcocks
26 May No More Buzzcocks
The BBC has announced that long-running music-based panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks will not return. The programme first aired in 1996, and has seen three permanent hosts, and more than 60 guest hosts during its 28 series run. The final episode, a best-of compilation of the previous series, aired in January.

The Apprentice
27 April Claude, You're Hired!
The BBC has announced that Claude Littner will replace Nick Hewer as one of Lord Sugar's advisors on the upcoming series of The Apprentice. Littner, notable for his tough interview style on previous series, will line-up alongside fellow advisor Karren Brady when the programme returns in the autumn.

The X Factor
17 April Olly & Caroline have The X Factor
Olly Murs and Caroline Flack have been announced as the new hosts of The X Factor. The appointments were strongly rumoured for several weeks, and will re-unite Murs and Flack who previously hosted spin-off programme The Xtra Factor together in 2011-2. The new series will begin airing in the summer.

The X Factor
27 March Leaving the Competition Tonight is... Dermot O'Leary
Dermot O'Leary has announced that he has left The X Factor. He first hosted the programme in 2007, when he took over from original host Kate Thornton. O'Leary commented, 'After eight wonderful years on The X Factor it's time for me to move on'. A replacement has not yet been announced.

Big Brother
19 March Channel 5 moves in with Big Brother Again
It has been announced that Channel 5 has extended its deal to broadcast Big Brother for another three years. The agreement between the channel's owner Viacom, and Endemol subsidiary Initial, will see two celebrity series and one civilian series, as well as associated spin-offs, air each year until the end of 2018.

Image:Square BBC.jpg
12 March BBC = Big Bonanza Commissions
The BBC has announced an array of new series and pilot commissions as well as recommissions for the four main channels. BBC One were given two series commissions for Can't Touch This and 5-Star Family Reunion as well as a pilot commission for Perfect Match and three recommissions for Win Your Wish List, Who Dares Wins and In It to Win It, BBC Two were given a pilot commission for Airheads and a recommission for Only Connect, BBC Three were given a series commission for Killer Magic and BBC Four were given a series commission for The Hive (working title).

Would I Lie to You? (2)
24 February Truth accepted
The BBC has commissioned 10 new episodes of the hit comedy panel show Would I Lie to You?. The ninth series will consist of eight regular episodes, a Christmas special and an unseen bits compilation.

Eurovision Song Contest
10 February Good evening. This is Canberra calling.
The European Broadcasting Union has announced that Australia has been invited to compete in this year's Eurovision Song Contest. The contest has a strong following Down Under, and in recognition of this, the country has been granted a wildcard entry into the final. The EBU has said this is a one-off to mark the contest's 60th anniversary, but should they win, Australia will be allowed to defend their title in a European city in 2016. Organisers have also not ruled out allowing other guest countries to compete in the future.

Dragons' Den
30 January I'm Out, I'm Out, and I'm Out Too
Dragon Piers Linney has announced he will be leaving the Den. His announcement follows that of fellow Dragons Kelly Hoppen and Duncan Bannatyne who will also being leaving at the end of the current series. Linney and Hoppen have both been Dragons for two years, while Bannatyne has been with the programme since it began in 2005.

The Apprentice
10 January Dara, You're also Fired!
Dara O'Briain has decided to quit his hosting duties on The Apprentice's spin-off show "The Apprentice: You're Fired" as he'll be focusing more on his stand-up comedy roots and he'll be doing his new tour coming this year.

2014

The Apprentice
19 December Nick, You're Fired!
Nick Hewer has described his decision as a "relief tinged with regret" to not be Lord Sugar's aide for future series of The Apprentice. The 70-year-old PR expert explained in his statement that "I've been pondering my departure from The Apprentice for a while and have decided that year 10 is the appropriate time." He will still be hosting Countdown.

The Voice UK
23 September Rita Ora finds her Voice
The BBC have announced that Rita Ora will join the judging panel on The Voice UK when it returns for its fourth series early next year. The singer, who will replace Kylie Minogue, guest judged on The X Factor in 2012, and will appear alongside returning coaches will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones, and Ricky Wilson.

File:Square ITV.jpg
17 September Rising Star Falls
ITV has cancelled forthcoming singing contest Rising Star. The series, which was to have replaced Dancing on Ice early next year, sees viewers voting via an app as contestants perform, with only those securing 70% or more positive votes progressing to the next stage. The programme was a success in its native Israel, but has under-performed in both the United States and Germany, prompting ITV's decision to cancel it.

Deal or No Deal
8 September Deal for a Decade
Channel 4 has renewed Deal or No Deal until the end of 2015. The agreement makes sure that Noel and his red box club will mark their tenth birthday at the end of October next year. We've also heard about changes to the game, including a way for the studio player to demand an offer from The Banker.

Never Mind the Buzzcocks
9 July New Rock Follies
Welsh stand-up comic Rhod Gilbert has been confirmed as the new permanent host of the music comedy panel game Never Mind the Buzzcocks. Guest presenters have filled the chair for 4 years, since Simon Amstell stepped down as the resident ringmaster in 2008.

The X Factor
11 June Zig-a-zig-ah! Mel B joins The X Factor
Mel B has been announced as the fourth and final judge on this year's series of The X Factor. The former Spice Girl was previously a guest judge on the 2012 series, and has also judged on the Australian version of the programme, and on America's Got Talent. She will join Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole who are returning to the panel, as well as long-standing judge Louis Walsh, who, contrary to earlier reports, has not left the programme. The new series will begin airing in the summer.

A League of Their Own
19 May They're in a League Of Their Own (Again)
That's the BAFTA-winning A League of Their Own, folks. Sky's flagship sports-and-entertainment quiz won the BAFTA award for Best Comedy and Comedy Entertainment Programme. Ant and Dec won Best Entertainment Programme and Best Entertainment Performance for Saturday Night Takeaway.

Strictly Come Dancing
10 May Please Welcome to the Floor, Claudia Winkleman
Claudia Winkleman has been confirmed as the new co-presenter of Strictly Come Dancing following Sir Bruce Forsyth's decision to step down. Winkleman has previously stood-in as a main presenter during Forsyth's abscence, and has also previously hosted spin-off programme It Takes Two. She will join Tess Daly when the series returns for its twelfth outing in the autumn.

A League of Their Own
23 April They're in a League Of Their Own
A League of Their Own will air until at least 2017, according to a new deal. Hosted by James Corden, the sports-themed quiz has been one of Sky1's most consistent performers. The new contract, for three ten-episode series, will see the programme reach its eleventh series, making it one of Sky's longest-running game shows.

Strictly Come Dancing
4 April Nice to see you...
Sir Bruce Forsyth is to step down as host of the main Strictly Come Dancing show after 11 series. The 86-year-old entertainer said "it was the right time to step down from the rigours". He will continue to host the show for the Children in Need and Christmas specials.

The X Factor
10 March Cheryl Cole is Back Too
Following in the footsteps of a certain Mr Cowell, Cheryl Cole has today announced via Twitter that she will be returning to the judging panel on The X Factor after a four-year break. Ms Cole was the winning mentor twice during her previous tenure, guiding Alexandra Burke and Joe McElderry to victory. The talent show's eleventh series is due to air this summer.

The X Factor
7 February Simon Cowell's Back
Three years after he
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