BBC boss defends new Jimmy Savile drama after backlash to Steve Coogan show

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefHollywood franchise movies “Hotel Transylvania: Transformania” and “Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore” have both secured April theatrical release dates in mainland China.“Transylvania” will open in Chinese cinemas on Sunday April 3, 2022, a couple of days ahead of the Qingming or Tomb Sweeping holiday on April 5. “Beasts” will open, more conventionally, on Friday, April 8.Sony missed out on a China release for “Spider Man: No Way Home,” which was the biggest film worldwide in 2021. But the confirmation represents the studio’s second Hollywood film this year to receive approval from the Chinese authorities (after “Uncharted,” set for March 14 ).

HELLO! have rounded up the most influential women in one room for a special event sponsored by F&F Clothing. We exclusively talk to Katie Piper on motherhood, having more babies and juggling it all and we get the lowdown from Dancing on Ice star Rachel Stevens on raising two girls, plus more celebrity interviews…MORE: International Women's Day 2022: 32 of the best female-founded brands we love to shop Rachel Stevens is raising two daughtersDancing on Ice star Rachel Stevens revealed what International Women's Day means to her. "I just think it's important to celebrate amazing, strong women.

RAPPER Kodak Black has begged Kim Kardashian to date him after she was declared legally single in her divorce from Kanye West. The music star, who is currently recovering from being shot in Los Angeles last month, made his feelings known on Instagram.

CORONATION Street actress Rebecca Ryan has given a glimpse inside her stunning Manchester flat where she relaxes away from the Cobbles. The Lydia Chambers star, 30, who arrived in Weatherfield in December, lives in a gorgeous pad complete with its own music room.

YESTERDAY's trip to Albert Square kick-started Gray Atkins' downfall after years of impunity. However, EastEnders fans couldn't help but notice a funny nod to the soap's new set in a scene involving Sharon Watts.

Newcastle United have reportedly opened talks with Real Madrid over a possible loan move for former Chelsea star Eden Hazard.The Belgian has had an absolutely torrid two-and-a-half year spell in Madrid and the Spanish giants are desperate to offload him at the end of the season, having decided to cut their losses.Chelsea are also considering a move, according to Spanish news outlet Defensa Central, but they are yet to make any kind of formal approach to Los Blancos, who are looking to get the bulk of Hazard's wages off their books to help fund an ambitious summer transfer window.Newcastle will be keen boost their profile in the coming window too and landing Hazard would make a serious statement, given his magnificent Premier League pedigree.The 31-year-old is reportedly earning £400,000-a-week at the Bernabeu, and getting the winger off the books could open the door for Madrid to pursue a move for Erling Haaland this summer.Kylian Mbappe is expected to join from PSG when his contract expires in a few months, but a move for Haaland likely won't be financially viable until next season, unless they can free some space on the wage bill.While any move away will only be temporary, Hazard's fate at Madrid appears to be sealed.

KILLING Eve fans were left stunned after Sandra Oh wore a rather revealing dress in the second episode of the new fourth season.  With the final series now on our screens, the gripping Killing Eve saga is hurtling to a close - and actress Sandra is certainly going out with a bang.  As the second episode began, Sandra’s character Eve can be seen showcasing her stunning hourglass figure in a backless minidress, while sporting an immaculate waist-length braid. And fans were quick to notice her elegant look, too, with many applauding the 50-year-old on Twitter for serving up a “truly beautiful” look.  Alongside an emoji of a heart, one person penned: “Can we talk about Sandra Oh in that black dress with the high ponytail braid for a minute?" Echoing their comments, someone else exclaimed: “Damn! Sandra Oh in that little black dress.

CAMILA Cabello has revealed the surprising reason why her boob fell out on national TV last night. The former Fifth Harmony singer, 25, shocked viewers of teatime staple The One Show when she accidentally flashed her nipple to millions of viewers. And it turns out she'd been partying the night before and was still feeling a little worse for wear when the mistake happened.

forced to pull out of the tour to undergo cancer treatment.The star has been battling an incurable stage four brain tumour.After spending three weeks in Spain for his treatment, Tom, 33, was able to reunite with his bandmates Max George, Nathan Sykes, Siva Kaneswaran, and Jay McGuinness in an emotional moment on Monday night.Just before the boys ended the show with their hit Glad You Came, Tom appeared on stage, seated in a throne, with Nathan telling the crowd: ‘Give it up for Tom Parker!’Fans definitely gave the star the welcome he deserved, chanting his name.Nathan went on: ‘As you guys can probably tell there is a massive space in this band tonight. And we love Tom as much as you do. ‘In fact we’ll be big headed and say that we love him slightly more, which is a lot.

EastEnders reportedly hit a new low in the ratings at 2. 9million viewers.

READ MORE: How much Strictly dancers get paid - Huge pro dancer, judge and celebrity salaries revealed An increase in streaming services including Amazon Prime and Netflix have also contributed to the decline in viewers. The BBC winter line-up includes A Very British Scandal which stars The Crown star Claire Foy, The Tourist which will star The Fall actor Jamie Dornan and The Responder which will star Sherlock's Martin Freeman.

It has been on our screens for years but now Line of Duty writer Jed Mercurio is reportedly undecided on whether to bring back the show for another season.

BBC drama director Piers Wenger has stressed the “public interest” in the network’s controversial Jimmy Savile project as he showcased eight upcoming shows that “don’t fit into the convention of genre.”

Naman Ramachandran As Mipcom rolled on at Cannes, U.K. public service broadcaster BBC held a preview of its upcoming scripted titles for journalists at an event on Monday presided over by Piers Wenger, director of BBC Drama.A hot button topic of discussion in recent weeks has been the matter of “distinctively British content.” Hours before he was removed from office, John Whittingdale, then Minister for Media and Data, told the Royal Television Society convention at Cambridge that the government intended to introduce a White Paper that includes a requirement for such content.“If it’s set in Britain and made in Britain by our public service broadcasters, then it should be distinctively British,” Whittingdale had said.

Steve Coogan's decision to take up the role of disgraced TV host Jimmy Savile has raised eyebrows.

Executive producer Jeff Pope said: "Its purpose is to explore how Savile’s offending went unchecked for so long and, in shining a light on this, to ensure such crimes never happen again."Steve has a unique ability to inhabit complex characters and will approach this role with the greatest care and integrity," he added.The BBC said: "He rose from working-class origins to become one of the biggest stars of British television - but in death has become one of the most reviled figures of modern history."The drama will examine the impact his appalling crimes had on his victims and the powerlessness many felt when they tried to raise the alarm."Savile died aged 84, having never been brought to justice for his crimes.He is now believed to be one of

A carer 'systematically, ruthlessly and remorselessly' scammed her mum, dad, gran and a disabled woman she looked after to fund a gambling addiction.

Top stories from the Manchester Evening News today include a terrifying gang fight at Radcliffe Metrolink station involving 30 youths, Steve Coogan being spotted filming a new Jimmy Savile drama in Bolton and a Rochdale cafe which was praised for its response to an angry note left by a customer.

The Reckoning.The behind-the-scenes shot via News For All shows Coogan with Savile’s light blonde hair in a jester’s outfit on a Bolton hospital ward, signalling that this would be the phase of the presenter’s career where he volunteered at Leeds General Infirmary and Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

BBC drama have been revealed as the actor donned a jester outfit on set in Bolton, Manchester, on Monday.The comedian, 55, filmed scenes in fancy dress while wearing a wig to mimic Savile's trademark blond hair.The Reckoning will detail the late presenter’s upbringing, early career and prolific child sex offences.The snaps appeared to show Coogan shooting hospital scenes and standing next to an extra dressed in nursing gear from the Sixties - when child abuse allegations against Savile began.

Steve Coogan has been seen for the first time as disgraced radio and TV presenter Jimmy Savile.