Channel 4: Last News

Channel 4 has announced Taskmaster series 16 will kick off later this month.The comedy game show returns on September 12 on Channel 4 at 9pm, with a new batch of celebrities joining hosts Greg Davies and Alex Horne.In the sixteenth series, the line-up includes comedians Julian Clary, Lucy Beaumont, Sam Campbell and Sue Perkins. Rounding out the roster is actor Susan Wokoma, best known for starring in Chewing Gum, Cheaters and Enola Holmes.A synopsis for the series reads: “Week by week this fragrant five will wrangle giant ducks, design fresh sausages and create googly-eyed gangs as they seek to attract a word of praise from the Taskmaster.Big news! Series 16 of #Taskmaster is arriving on @Channel4 Thursday 21st September at 9pm.

The Inbetweeners can never return for a new season.The actor, who played Jay Cartwright in the Channel 4 sitcom and its two film adaptations, told the Daily Mail that the characters wouldn’t be able to realistically behave the same way as they did in the original show.“It was all justified because they were never the heroes,” Buckley said, referring to the antics of the sixth-former friendship group (via Lad Bible). “They were idiots and they got what they deserved.”He continued: “That’s why it can’t come back – you can’t have men in their late thirties acting like they’re in sixth form and getting away with that stuff.“I always get asked if I’d ever do more [episodes] and I said, ‘for no amount of money’ and that quote got run away.”Buckley added: “I didn’t mean about money – it means more to me than money.”The actor, 36, is the youngest among the main cast of The Inbetweeners, which also starred Simon Bird (39), Blake Harrison (38) and Joe Thomas (39).Earlier this year, Bird (who played William McKenzie) said the show “wouldn’t be made today” due to its “casual homophobia” and sexism.“I rationalise it to myself by saying that at the time it was an accurate representation of the way teenagers talk to each other.

Alone has been evacuated after sustaining an axe injury just hours into the series.The six-part Channel 4 show premiered on Sunday (August 6) and saw 11 ordinary members of the public left in the Canadian wildness with only basic supplies, with the goal of being the last person standing to win a £100,000 prize.The show is in its tenth series in the US, while other versions have aired in Denmark, Norway and Sweden, with other territories due to be announced soon. This is the first time the format has come to the UK.Mike, 49, was among contestants on the show, a former heroin-addict who hoped that the show might “open doors” and be a “defining” moment in his life.However, just four hours after being dropped off, Mike was forced to withdraw after injuring himself with an axe while building his shelter.“I can’t fucking believe it. I’ve fucking nailed myself,” he said into his camera.

Sacha Baron Cohen is reportedly reviving his character Ali G for a new feature film.According to Hollywood insider Daniel Richtman (via World Of Reel), Cohen has been secretly working on a new movie which sees him return to his early breakout character.This would be the second Ali G film following 2002’s Ali G Indahouse, directed by Mark Mylod. Cohen originally played the character on Channel 4 comedy series The 11 O’Clock Show and Da Ali G Show, which aired from 2000 to 2004.In 2021, Cohen reprised the character for a string of stand-up shows.

The British Miracle Meat, with some praising it as “absolute genius” and others labelling it “gross”.The one-off show – which aired on Channel 4 yesterday (July 24) – is a spoof documentary that was presented as a real investigation into a company that sold “engineered human meat” as a solution to the cost of living crisis.“With food prices soaring, Gregg Wallace explores a cheap new lab-grown meat product that its makers claim could be a solution to the cost-of-living crisis,” a synopsis for the show reads.At the end of the documentary, Wallace learns that the best tasting meat comes from children.TONIGHT at 8.30pm! @GreggAWallace explores the answer to rising food prices and the cost-of-living crisis in Gregg Wallace: The Miracle Meat. You don't want to miss it… #MiracleMeat pic.twitter.com/aohJrR5KE9— Channel 4 (@Channel4) July 24, 2023The Guardian said that “the anger of it will linger for years”, asking if the show was “the most disturbing TV satire ever”.Confused and disgusted viewers also took to Twitter to share their reactions to the show, with many questioning whether Wallace’s show was real or fake.“This is either great comedy or we’re all doomed!” one person wrote.

Channel 4.The comedian, best known for appearing on 8 Out of 10 Cats, QI, Have I Got News for You and The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year, died of cancer in August 2021, aged 58.The Sean Lock Comedy Award will now honour the late TV star’s legacy and showcase “talented new writers and performers who embody the alternative comedic spirit of Sean and Channel 4”.Winners will receive £5,000 to support their live work and a £1,000 script commission from the comedy team, along with mentoring and support from the broadcaster for newer writers and performers.Bill Bailey, who worked with Channel 4 to set up the award, said he was “delighted”, adding: “It’s a way to honour Sean’s memory and to inspire others to pursue their own unique comic brilliance.”Lock’s former agent, Damon Pettitt from Off The Kerb, said: “I hope the recipient proves to be a worthy winner and shows the same integrity, work ethic and eye for the absurd, in both writing and performance, so evident in Sean’s fine body of work.”Channel 4 has announced The Sean Lock Comedy Award, which will showcase talented new writers and performers: https://t.co/6hS629dlrW pic.twitter.com/dsANAYC4U2— Channel 4 Press (@C4Press) July 17, 2023Head of comedy at Channel 4, Charlie Perkins said that the channel is “honoured to have collaborated with Sean’s friends and family on our first comedy scheme that melds the genres of scripted, entertainment and digital together.”“Combining a love for Sean’s polymathy and supporting and nurturing new generations of homegrown comedy talent, we’re proud as hell to be part of this award,” he said. “Thank you so much to our passionate nomination panel for giving up their time to help stretch our tendrils out across the UK.

Channel 4 documentary.The comedian leads a film titled Rosie Jones: Am I A R*****?, which sets out to explore the online abuse disabled people face across social media platforms.Three influencers who contributed to the documentary – Shelby Lynch, Kate Stanforth and Lucy Dawson – recently pulled out due to the use of an ableist slur in the title, saying that it would be “damaging to the disabled community”.Speaking to Press Association (via Evening Standard) about the documentary, Jones said she “wanted to take control” of the slur so people will “realise how offensive it is”.A post shared by Rosie Jones (@josierones)“I need to say, first and foremost: it was my choice, my idea,” Jones said. “I really wanted to take control of it and say, ‘This is not OK’…  I understand that some people may be offended, or will be very upset by it, but at the same time, it is unfortunately still a word that has been used every day towards me.“I fundamentally believe that people don’t take ableist slurs as seriously as other slurs, so I decided to put it in the title so that hopefully people will still realise how offensive it is.”She added: “This might sound very rude, I do hope disabled people watch, but if I’m being honest, this documentary is not for disabled people, ‘cause they already know all this shit.

Disney+ shows are being licensed to Channel 4‘s official on-demand service.Alias (seasons one-five), The Americans (seasons one-six), Empire (seasons one-six), Scandal (seasons one-seven), The X Files (seasons one-11), Bones (seasons one-12), The Killing (seasons one-four), Star (seasons one-three), Grown-ish (seasons one-six), and Abbott Elementary (seasons one-two) are included in the deal.Except for Star, all the series are available to watch as part of a monthly subscription on Disney+ in the UK.The additions to the Channel 4 streaming platform will be available to watch from later this month.Nick Lee, head of acquisitions at Channel 4, said: “We’re so pleased to have agreed such an extensive content deal with Disney, ranging from their most iconic series like ‘The X-Files’ to fresh hits such as ‘Abbott Elementary’ and ‘Star.’ We look forward to our viewers being able to binge series after series on Channel 4.”Meanwhile, sign-ups for streaming giant Netflix have risen by more than 100 per cent since the streaming service began cracking down on password sharing.Earlier this year, the streaming service announced details of its password crackdown, making it impossible to use one account in several locations.The rule then came into force in May, with Netflix receiving major backlash from existing subscribers.Since then though, Netflix has experienced a large rise in sign-ups, with the days between May 25-28 – shortly after the May 23 announcement – becoming the platform’s four biggest days of new sign-ups in the US since 2019, as Variety reports.On those days, 73,000 new users signed up for Netflix, a 102 per cent increase on the previous 60 days.

Channel 4 documentary.The comedian leads a project titled Rosie Jones: Am I A R*****?, which sets out to explore the online abuse disabled people face across social media platforms.Prior to the show’s announcement, multiple contributors to the documentary – including influencers Shelby Lynch, Kate Stanforth and Lucy Dawson – have withdrawn their consent from the project after going “backwards and forwards” with the network over the title.In a post on Instagram, Lynch wrote: “As some of you may know we were asked to take part in a documentary about Ableism and Online Trolling with a well known disabled comedian. Talking about ableism on mainstream TV [is] obviously something that needs to be discussed but the way it’s happened isn’t something that I can support and all three of us spoke out against them.“We were told a few months ago that the documentary was going to include a slur that is used against disabled people and I was heartbroken.

Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker says the show was “effectively cancelled” by its original home of Channel 4.Brooker’s hit show started in 2011 on Channel 4, staying on the network until 2014 before moving to Netflix two years later.Ahead of the show returning with a sixth season, the creator has discussed the move, saying that Channel 4 considered the show too expensive to produce.“Channel 4 cancelled us, effectively,” Brooker told The Sunday Times in a new interview of the breakup between the show and network.As The Independent report, Brooker has previously spoken about the situation in his book Inside Black Mirror, written alongside the show’s co-producer Annabel Jones.He goes into further detail about the Channel 4 fall-out in Inside Black Mirror, the book he wrote with executive co-producer Annabel Jones.In the book, he revealed what he called an “outrageous” decision for the network to ask to see “detailed synopses” of each episode in advance, adding: “When feedback came, we were told they weren’t very Black Mirror and they were no longer going to allocate the money for four episodes.”Jones said: “We were trying to get a meeting to discuss why these ideas weren’t Black Mirror, so we could attempt to understand what the concern was.“Given the show had won lots of awards and had been really positively received on the whole, it was strange. I think there wasn’t any clarity from the channel.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s highly publicised court case will air on Channel 4 this weekend.Depp vs Heard is a three-part series from BAFTA-nominated director Emma Cooper, and will offer an in-depth look at last year’s trial, which saw Johnny Depp sue his ex-wife for defamation.The miniseries will explore the impact of social media on the infamous Hollywood court case, which was followed by millions of people around the world.A synopsis for the series reads: “The trial of Depp v Heard, in which both parties accused each other of domestic abuse, was a global media event and dubbed ‘the first TikTok trial’. It raised huge questions about violence, gender and the memeifcation of justice in the era of post-truth.“The series, made by Bitachon365 and co-producer Empress Films, places Depp and Heard’s testimonies side by side for the first time, bringing together courtroom footage, news sources, existing interview footage and User Generated Content from various social media platforms to explore some of the extraordinary moments of the trial and the impact this had on public opinion at the time.”Depp sued his ex-wife for defamation over a 2018 op-ed in The Washington Post, where she wrote about being a survivor of domestic violence.Come the end of the trial, Heard was instructed to pay Depp $10million (£8.4m) in compensatory damages and $5million (£4.2m) in punitive damages.

The Inbetweeners on Instagram.The actor, who played Neil Sutherland in the Channel 4 comedy series, shared various photos of himself with cast members Simon Bird, Joe Thomas and James Buckley on Monday (May 1).“A little show I did is 15 years old today,” Harrison wrote in the caption. “First episode aired May 1st 2008.

Channel 4 viewers were left divided following the premiere of new body positivity series Naked Education.Hosted by Anna Richardson, Yinka Bokinni and Dr Alex George, the series aims to normalise different body types, champion differences and break down stereotypes.However, some viewers objected to a moment in which five teenagers were shown a group of naked adults.“Channel 4 “Naked Education” is NOT it,” tweeted one person. “Showing children under 16 MINORS, people, strangers I should say, standing fully naked in front of them.

Danny Dyer has said he could “taste” former footballer Paul Gascoigne’s farts while filming for an upcoming Channel 4 series.The actor hosts new reality series Scared Of The Dark, which follows a group of celebrities as they’re forced to live inside a pitch-black bunker for eight days. Inside the bunker, they will take on challenges designed to test their fear or ability to function in the dark.Alongside Gascoigne, the show’s celebrity line-up includes TV star Scarlett Moffatt, former boxer Chris Eubank, comedian Chris McCausland, actor Donna Preston, reality star Chloe Burrows, The Wanted singer Max George and former boxer Nicola Adams.Speaking about living inside the enclosed space, host Dyer explained that Gascoigne’s flatulence was something contestants had to “get immune to”.“He’s got a rotten arse, Paul,” Dyer told The Sun.

Channel 4 has announced Taskmaster will kick off its new series later this month.As announced on Thursday (March 16), series 15 of the comedy game show will start on Thursday March 30 at 9pm on Channel 4.The line-up for the new series includes comedians Frankie Boyle, Jenny Eclair and Ivo Graham, alongside Ghosts star Kiell Smith-Bynoe and Mae Martin, who created and starred in the Netflix comedy series Feel Good.Series 14 concluded in December last year, which featured Dara Ó Briain, Fern Brady, John Kearns, Munya Chawawa and Sarah Millican. A New Year’s special aired in January.Enormous news: #Taskmaster Series 15, starring @frankieboyle, @IvoGraham, @jennyeclair, @kfRedhot and @TheMaeMartin starts Thursday 30th March on @Channel4.

Peep Show.The actor, who played the character in 36 episodes of the Channel 4 sitcom, explained on Twitter why he sometimes “forget things” that Hans has said over the show’s nine seasons.“Yes, sometimes I do forget things Hans said in Peep Show,” King wrote. “Because I’ve never sat down and watched an episode. Ever.

Channel 4 drama Truelove due to ill health.The actor will be replaced by Lindsay Duncan in the role of Phil on the upcoming series, after filming was paused last year due to Walters suffering severe back pain.Speaking to Deadline, Truelove creators Charlie Covell and Iain Weatherby said they were “saddened” by the loss of Walters, but “with her blessing, Lindsay has joined and we are both huge admirers.”A statement from producers Clerkenwell Films reads: “Last year, filming on Truelove was paused while Julie Walters sought medical advice and attention for severe back pain.“Subsequently, Julie has decided to step back from the project to focus on her recovery and recuperation, and so will not be returning to the role of Phil. We wholeheartedly support her decision, and the entire cast, crew and production team wish her the very best and a speedy recovery.”Filming on the project, which also stars Clarke Peters (The Wire), is set to restart in Bristol later this year.Walters previously revealed she was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer in 2018, but was given the all clear after undergoing chemotherapy.Her last major role was in the 2020 film The Secret Garden opposite Colin Firth, which was based on the novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett.Truelove follows the lives of Phil (Duncan) and Ken (Peters), two former childhood sweethearts who reunite when they’re retired in their 70s after decades apart.

Laura Hamilton, 40, is known for wearing skyscraper heels when filming popular property investment show, A Place In The Sun.Posting an image of herself in a pair of tight black wet-look leggings and a tan polo neck jumper.The petite blonde finished the look with a pair of tan open-toed high-heeled shoes.She posted: “Not my usual @aplaceinthesunofficial attire but whilst it’s sunny here, it’s pretty cold.”She added: “People often comment on my shoes and if you watch my stories you will see one of the reasons I wear them!"Robert Rinder 'unrecognisable' after break with Carol Vorderman  The star referred to the reel which showed hilarious footage of her with a camera explaining the high-heeled shoes.In the video, you see a laughing cameraman pan down to her feet and she captioned the clip with: "He is taking the mickey now”The quip was about why she always wears high heels in some of the world's most exotic locations.To that, she answered: “In my last reel you can't hear what I am saying but basically the reason I wear such high heels is that I am only 5”2 and sometimes the cameramen are very tall @twhittaker.”The post received over seven thousand likes and followers flocked to her page to comment on her revelation.One fan wrote: “Anyone else zoom in or just me ?” Another posted: “ It really doesn’t matter what you wear, the result is always the same.

Great British Bake Off judge Prue Leith admitted she was deeply distraught to hear that her co-star Matt Lucas would be leaving the show.

Beloved actor John Bird has died at the age of 86, and tributes have started to pour in for the late actor.

Taking to her Instagram Story, Laura first shared a video from the hospital room as Gary walked on crutches.Later, she shared a video of Gary laying on the sofa and watching TV after he was discharged from the hospital.A later post featured a collage of pictures marking the series of events from their Christmas dinner until Gary finally got home after the collision.Gary is best known for playing Luke Morgan in the Channel 4 classic Hollyoaks.He first appeared on the show when he was still a teenager from 1999 until his exit in 2002.Following his character’s departure to Canada, Gary returned to the soap in 2017 and has since left again.Earlier this year, he and Laura surprised fans after the Love Island beauty revealed that she and Gary were officially together.Speaking to The Sun back in October, Laura said the romance was "blossoming” after meeting on the E4 dating show.Laura explained: "I get on really well with Gary, it's blossoming."It's the happiest I've been in a long time.”Laura continued: “We started off as friends but let see what happens."There were loads of dates on the show and sometimes when your dates don't go that well you just see who else is around."Things are going really well for us, I wouldn't change anything."We are going with the flow and seeing where things go."Laura had broken up with Another Level's Dane Bowers in the summer.She and Dane, 42, were together for five years before their split in August.