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Television X
Fined By Ofcom
Ofcom has fined Portland Enterprises Ltd £25,000 for breaches
of Ofcom's Broadcasting Code in respect of its service Television X - The
Fantasy Channel.
Portland Enterprises was fined for transmitting - under encryption -
material that Ofcom judged to be the equivalent of 'R18' - i.e. highly
explicit sex material - which is prohibited under the code; and for
transmitting - free-to-air - explicit sexual content, which Ofcom considered
to be 'adult-sex' material.
The specific issues surrounded the broadcast of explicit sexual output
broadcast on TVX during both encrypted and free-to-air elements on June 8,
2007 from 22:00. It included content in a live 'babe' programme – trailers
used to encourage viewers to subscribe to the encrypted, pay-TV output and
main programming featuring 'live' action.
The material transmitted under PIN encryption on 8 June 2007 between 22:10
and 22.40 featured two naked female presenters engaging in very explicit
sexual acts.
19:21
July
23 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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Des O'Connor To
Quit Countdown
Des O'Connor is to is step down as the host of Countdown at
the end of the current series in November, he has announced.
He began as quizmaster on the Channel 4 show two years ago, replacing Des
Lynam, who took over the reins when original host Richard Whiteley died.
But the 76-year-old said he had no plans to retire unless he thought the
public no longer wanted him.
He will be working on his 36th album and is in talks about a West End show.
Speaking of his time on Countdown, O'Connor said: "It's been wonderful
hosting a programme which is part of TV folklore.
"I've made a lot of new friends. Carol Vorderman has been a joy... it's been
a giggle since day one.
"But I miss the thrill of stepping out on a live stage for the one-man
concerts and the challenge of live TV entertainment-based shows."
Fellow host Carol Vorderman, who has been with the programme since its debut
26 years ago, described O'Connor as a "true gentleman".
She said: "Audiences love him and we have had so many laughs in the studio
and only last week we recorded some of our best shows."
19:13
July
23 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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Documentary About Wartime Entertainer
Channel 4 is to broadcast a documentary about twenties
cabaret star Leslie Hutchinson - once the UK’s highest paid entertainer.
The 60-minute programme tells how the black entertainer, who
was commonly known as Hutch, emigrated from the island of Grenada and became
one of the UK’s biggest stars of the twenties and thirties. It will feature
dramatised segments
Currently in production, it will also focus on the bisexual cabaret star’s
relationships with the likes of Cole Porter, Ivor Novello and actress
Tallulah Bankhead.
The documentary will tell how Hutch ended up having an affair with a member
of the royal family, which eventually destroyed him socially and
professionally.
Channel 4 specialist factual commissioning executive Liz Hartford told The
Stage: “We want to put that right. The film will chart Hutch’s spectacular
rise and fall.
“It will also explore the prejudices of the period and how Hutch, as the
first black superstar in Britain, challenged the class system in less
socially mobile times.
“With his incredible musical talent, he became one of the biggest cabaret
stars in the world during the twenties and thirties, and a much-loved
wartime entertainer who lifted the spirits of the nation every bit as much
as Vera Lynn.”
Dramatic moments in his life will be recreated by actors who have yet to be
cast. The programme is scheduled to be broadcast in October.
14:38
July
23 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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John Leslie -
No Further Action
No further action will be taken over a rape allegation made
against former Blue Peter presenter John Leslie, police confirmed today.
The latest allegation against Edinburgh man Leslie was claimed to have taken
place at a party at his former home in Sheen, west London.
It was reported his accuser was in her early 20s when she claimed she was
attacked.
The Metropolitan Police said today that officers had
investigated an allegation of rape and indecent assault on a woman from
November 1995.
The force said that following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service no
further action would be taken.
Leslie's law firm released a statement on his behalf, saying he was
"delighted" and the complaint was "ridiculous".
It also said there was "little justice and no fairness" in what Leslie and
his family had been put through, having his name dragged through the mud
once again.
The statement said: "We have today been informed by the Metropolitan Police
that the complaint against John Leslie has been dropped.
"Yet again, after a complete and thorough investigation, it has been
confirmed that there is no truth or substance to the damaging allegations
that were made against our client last month.
"He is of course delighted. The complaint was ridiculous, but yet again and
for a second time his name has been dragged through the mud before the law
has had a chance to confirm his innocence.
"The law confers a blanket of anonymity on complainants but the accused
enjoys no such protection.
"Instead his reputation, his character, his career and his family are
regarded as fair game by the media.
"There is little justice and no fairness in what our client and his family
have been put through."
Leslie, who is now back living in Edinburgh, was acquitted of two counts of
indecent assault on a 23-year-old actress in 2003.
13:50
July
23 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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New BBC Drama
A new BBC One Saturday night drama - Merlin - is to
feature a number of stars including John Hurt, Michelle Ryan and Richard
Wilson.
The 13-part series follows the fabled friendship between the young wizard
Merlin and Prince Arthur.
Bafta-winner Hurt will provide the voice of Merlin's mentor, the Great
Dragon, while former EastEnders actress Ryan will play wicked sorceress
Nimueh.
Newcomer Colin Morgan, 22, from Northern Ireland, takes the title role.
The BBC hopes the drama will appeal to young and old audiences alike - much
like Doctor Who, which occupies a similar slot in the schedules.
BBC Wales' Head of Drama Julie Gardner said: "In this new version, Merlin
and Arthur are young contemporaries for the first time ever, bringing a much
loved tale to a whole new generation with a fresh, youthful new look and
approach for Saturday nights."
The drama is set in a time before Arthur becomes king, as Merlin comes to
terms with his magical powers.
Santiago Cabrera, who played Isaac Mendez in Heroes, will take the role of
Lancelot and up-coming actress Angel Coulby stars as Guinevere.
Oscar-winning visual effects team The Mill, who were behind Doctor Who and
the Gladiator, are producing the series' computer generated imagery.
The show is currently being filmed in Wales and France.
06:50
July
23 2008 - waveguide.co.uk
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