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Am Dram Reality Show
One Foot In The Grave and Merlin star Richard Wilson to help
mentor an amateur theatre group.
Judge John Deed star Martin Shaw, ex-EastEnder Jill Halfpenny and Heartbeat
actress Niamh Cusack are also among the stars taking part in the Sky Arts
show.
Provisionally entitled Stagestruck, the series will search for the UK's
greatest amateur theatre groups.
The celebrities, all of whom are also known for their stage work, will act
as mentors for eight groups which make it through an initial round.
The winning group will perform a play at a top London West End theatre.
Each actor will help a group hone their theatrical skills in preparation for
their appearance before a panel of judges, which includes actress Miriam
Margolyes, producer Bill Kenwright and theatre critic Quentin Letts in the
show, to be broadcast on Sky Arts next summer.
Sky Arts channel director James Hunt said: "This is an extraordinary list of
mentors who are, without doubt, amongst some of the finest actors to ever
tread the board.
"Each group will learn an incredible amount under their careful guidance,
hopefully enough to impress the judges all the way to the final."
Other stars taking part as mentors include Roger Allam, Julie Graham,
Paterson Joseph and Dame Harriet Walter.
October
06
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
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ITV Gets Rights To
Dance Version Of X Factor
ITV has acquired the rights to a new show called Ultimate
Dance Battle.
With a similar format to The X Factor, Ultimate Dance Battle
will see contestants audition for a judging panel, with successful
candidates being sent through to a 'dance camp', similar to The X Factor's
boot camp.
From there, those who impress the judges will advance to the live stages of
the competition where they will face the public vote, much like the
contestants on the X Factor live shows.
Ultimate Dance Battle will differ from BBC show Strictly Come Dancing in
that the contestants featured will not be paired up and the styles of dance
they tackle will range from jazz to hip-hop.
ITV director of international formats Mike Beale said of the new reality
series: "The show is a rollercoaster ride for choreographers, dancers and
viewers.
"And we believe the incredible feats of endurance, teamwork and creativity
will attract buyers to this exciting reality dance show."
October
06
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
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BBC Announces Job
Cuts
The BBC has today announced that 2000 jobs will be cut by
2017, as it proposed how to make budget cuts of 20% as a result of the
freeze to the licence fee.
The corporation said BBC Two's daytime schedule will be
mainly repeats.
It is also cutting back on non news programmes in the UK nations and
regions, as well as reducing it's spending on sports rights by 15%.
BBC director general Mark Thompson said: "This is a plan which puts
productivity first."
He added: "It's a plan for a smaller BBC but a BBC which uses it's resources
more effectively and collaboratively to deliver a full range if services to
the public."
The plans, known as "delivering quality first" and aimed at
reducing the budget by 20%, will also see the BBC completely pull out of
it's west London base.
The Television Centre is already up for sale but now the neighbouring White
City site will also be sold.
The BBC insists it will protect some key areas including peak time
programming on BBC One and BBC Two.
It is also keeping Radio 4's budget the same, while also protecting spending
on children's programmes.
The BBC is making the cuts after the cost of the annual TV licence was
frozen at £145.50 by the Government until 2017.
The BBC is also now paying for operations like the World Service which had
been financed by the Foreign Office.
Speaking to staff, Thompson said that "compulsory
redundancies could not be ruled out".
Key points in Thompson's speech included:
Radio 4's underlying programme budget to be unaffected
Small reduction of 3% in BBC One's budget
Extra investment in childrens' channels to be protected.
Small reduction in scope of BBC News
15% reduction in sport budget
Reduction in entertainment and aquisitions
Elimination of BBC2's daytime budget
Reduced spend in off-peak programming
The BBC HD channel will close and be replaced
with a single version of BBC Two in high definition.
Red button services will also be reduced after
the Olympics.
Thompson dismissed the idea of shutting down any of the BBC's core services.
"The danger of closing a service is you face losing audiences critical to
the BBC," he said.
October
06
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
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Coronation Street Actor Arrested
 Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell has been arrested on
suspicion of a sexual offence involving a young girl.
The 46-year-old, who plays Kevin Webster in the soap, was arrested at his
home in Hale, Greater Manchester on September 30, police said.
Le Vell was released on bail until November 16 pending further inquiries.
Police said the arrest followed a report of an historical offence made to
them on September 29.
The actor said in a statement: "I strenuously deny these
allegations and will do everything in my power to prove my innocence."
A spokeswoman for ITV said: "We are aware these allegations
have been made. Given that a police investigation is under way, it would not
be appropriate to comment further on this matter."
October
06
2011 - waveguide.co.uk
Read more
It's time this country changed the law about the
publishing of news stories like this, before the case (if there is one) has
been brought to court or any formal charges made. If Mr LeVell is proved to
be innocent, this allegation will still remain linked to his name for the
rest of his life. If he's guilty, then maybe he deserves all that he gets,
but surely there should be some discretion until a proper case is made and
presented to a judge and jury.
rmalin
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