Michael Portillo Train Trip

Former Conservative cabinet minister Michael Portillo is to present a documentary about cuts to the UK railway network for BBC Radio 4.

Portillo will present One Way Ticket: The Beeching Cuts Revisited for Archive on 4 this Saturday at 20:00.

It will examine the cuts to the network recommended by Richard Beeching, chairman of the British Railways Board, in 1965.

Portillo also presents the BBC Two series Great British Railway Journeys.

As part of the Radio 4 programme, Portillo travels along the Settle to Carlisle line, which lost many of its stations during the Beeching era.

He also hears from former transport ministers about the impact Beeching's plans have had on government rail plans and policy over the past five decades.

The programme is being made by independent production company Made in Manchester.

Producer Ashley Byrne said: "Michael loves the railways and his passion for their history and heritage really comes through in this programme."

April 30 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Saturday Night Viewers

Britain's Got Talent  moved ahead of rival talent show The Voice in the ratings battle on Saturday as the BBC show began the first of its live shows.

ITV's Britain's Got Talent (BGT) recently moved to a later slot after The Voice consistently beat the programme in a head-to-head clash.

But on Saturday, BGT drew an average of 9.4 million viewers to The Voice's 9.3 million, overnight ratings showed.

Viewers watching on ITV1+1 took BGT's average up to 9.9 million.

At its peak, 10.7 million tuned in for BGT on ITV1, while 10.3 million watched its BBC One rival.

The Saturday night scheduling has been a source of tension since it emerged in March that both channels were launching talent shows on the same night.

April 30 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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White Van Man Axed

BBC Three has confirmed that White Van Man has axed after just two series.

Creator and writer, Adrian Paynton revealed over the weekend that the series had been axed. He said: “We honestly believe we made the second series bigger, bolder and stronger than series one, and audience reaction seemed to back that up.

“Sadly it seems BBC Three wants to take its comedy output in another direction.”

The series had initially been commissioned by former channel head, Danny Cohen, but had survived the cull of comedy shows by Zai Bennett when he took on the role.

April 30 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Keith Duffy In Coronation Street Musical

Keith Duffy is the latest ex-Coronation Street star to sign up to the upcoming musical version of the soap.

The ex-Boyzone singer is joining up with the cast for the Dublin and Belfast legs of the arena tour.

Duffy will appear opposite his former co-star, Kym Marsh, who is playing legendary character Elsie Tanner in the musical.

April 30 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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Judge Rules Out X Factor Return

Singer Kelly Rowland will not be returning as an X Factor judge later this year, her spokesperson has confirmed.

"Kelly has not been able to agree a deal that fits into her autumn/winter schedule so sadly cannot accept a place on the 2012 panel," they said.

The former Destiny's Child singer said being a mentor on the ITV1 show had been "an incredible experience" and a "great opportunity".

Rowland's representatives cited "global commitments", "scheduling issues" and the show's "increasing demands" among the reasons for her departure.

Some tabloid newspapers had speculated that the 31-year-old's remuneration had also proved a sticking point.

An X Factor spokesperson said the line-up would be announced "in due course".

"Kelly's immense experience in the music industry shone through in both her judging and mentoring on The X Factor," the spokesperson continued.

"We would like to thank her for being a part of the country's number one show and wish her well for the future."

The first X Factor auditions in front of the judges are scheduled to take place in Glasgow on June 11.

Simon Cowell was absent from the judging panel for the first time last year as he concentrated on launching a US version of the show.

April 30 2012 - waveguide.co.uk

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