EASTENDERS NEWS: Janine is back

She's back – Charlie Brooks is back in Walford as she prepares to reprise her role as Janine Butcher. Despite being away from Albert Square for over seven years, one thing viewers can be sure of is that wherever Janine is, drama is never far away…

The infamous Janine has been at the centre of some of EastEnders most unforgettable storylines. Known for her scheming, tumultuous relationships and explosive feuds with nearly everyone that crosses her path, she will stop at nothing one to get what she wants, most memorably pushing her husband Barry off a cliff to his death on New Year's Day 2004. There has been no limit to the scandalous stunts Janine has pulled over the years, cementing her as one the most iconic characters to have passed through E20.

Janine was last seen heading to Paris in 2014 to pick up her daughter Scarlett but her whereabouts have been unknown since then. With Scarlett also set to return, Janine's sudden reappearance will likely send shockwaves around Walford and with enemies to boot around every corner, trouble will no doubt follow her back to E20.

On her return to Albert Square Charlie says, "I am beyond excited to be slipping back into Janine's shoes and returning to the square. The time feels right, and I can't wait to find out what she's been up to for the last seven years! She is and always has been SO much fun to play. Feels a bit like coming home. It's good to be back."

Jon Sen, Executive Producer, EastEnders adds, "Janine is one of EastEnders most iconic characters who is loved, and often despised, in equal measure by viewers and all those in Walford. Charlie's portrayal of Janine over the years has created some of EastEnders most memorable moments and we are all really excited to see Charlie bring her incredible portrayal of Janine back again. We have lots of drama in store for Janine, in fact it may be wise for some of the residents of Walford to invest in some slip-on shoes…"

Production begins on BBC One's third and final series of The Split

Further cast announcements include the return of Barry Atsma as Christie, Chukwudi Iwuji as Zander and Damien Molony as Tyler

Joining the cast will be Lara Pulver, while Dee Koppang O'Leary begins as lead director.

BBC One, BBC America and Sister are delighted to announce that production has started in London on Abi Morgan's returning drama - The Split - for the final part of its trilogy. The series will once again be distributed internationally by BBC Studios.

The highly anticipated series, set in the fast-paced, complex world of London's high-end divorce circuit is created by Bafta and Emmy Award-winning writer Abi Morgan (River, Suffragette, The Hour) and Executive Produced by Jane Featherstone (Chernobyl, Giri-Haji, Utopia), Lucy Dyke (The Split, Black Mirror, Ripper Street) and Lucy Richer (Small Axe, The Salisbury Poisonings, The A Word).

Alongside the returning three Defoe sisters (Nicola Walker, Annabel Scholey and Fiona Button), their formidable mother Ruth (Deborah Findlay) and Hannah's husband Nathan (Stephen Mangan), the production today reveals the eagerly awaited return of Christie, played by Barry Atsma; the catalyst to the breakdown of Hannah and Nathan's marriage in series two.

Also returning to The Split for its final series are Damien Molony (Tyler), Chukwudi Iwuji (Zander), Rudi Dharmalingham (James), Elizabeth Roberts (Liv Stern), Ian McElhinney (Prof Ronnie), Anna Chancellor (Melanie Aickman) and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith (Glen Peters), reprising his role as the Vicar who married Rose and James in season one.

Joining this formidable group is Lara Pulver (Sherlock) playing Kate, a leading child psychologist whose arrival adds a whole new layer of complexity to Morgan's multi-layered examination of divorce and modern marriage. This farewell series, equal parts electrifying, witty and heartbreaking, continues to put the Defoe sisters and their matriarch at its heart; a group of powerful women working together to help their clients, their colleagues and each other as they continue to navigate the messiness of life.

After audiences were left reeling by the collapse of Hannah and Nathan's marriage at the end of series two, we join them again 10 months on, following the two divorce lawyers as they negotiate their way through their own separation. With Dee Koppang O'Leary (Bridgerton, The Crown) boarding as lead director, Abi Morgan will conclude the trilogy with the most heartwarming and heartbreaking series to date, as we watch a divorce lawyer confronted with her own divorce. With Christie making a return combined with a shocking revelation, will Hannah and Nathan repair their broken marriage, or is The Split simply too deep to repair?

Abi Morgan says: "For every writer there are characters that stay with them, long after a show is over. Hannah Defoe and her family are just that, and it's been a welcome balm after a difficult year globally, to reunite this brilliant cast.

"The Split has been building to this exhilarating final act for the Defoes as they navigate their way through the marital make up and break up, both personally and professionally, at Noble, Hale And Defoe. They say you can't have new beginnings without endings, and I want to say a big thank you to the BBC and AMC, and the fans who have kept running by our side."

First Look Picture: Anne Robinson joins Rachel Riley and Susie Dent to become the three ladies of Countdown

Anne Robinson takes up the Countdown reins from Monday 28 June on Channel 4, replacing Nick Hewer as the first female host of Channel 4's longest running series.  She will join numbers whizz Rachel Riley and wordsmith Susie Dent, where together they will be the TV programme's formidable female trio, every weekday at 2.10pm.

On her new all-female team, Anne Robinson, who will become Countdown's sixth host said: "Three Girls Do Countdown - who wouldn't want to watch?"

Reflecting on filming with journalist and broadcaster Anne Robinson, Rachel Riley said: "It's been really fun watching Anne very quickly find her feet in the Countdown studio and seeing the contestants in the new groove with her. She's not shy of asking them funny questions and the responses have ranged from going into their own comedy routines to not looking directly at her and hoping she doesn't see them - it's been very lively!"

Susie Dent added: "I'm so pleased to be able to work with Anne again. She has been a heroine of mine ever since she gently rescued me from an embarrassing moment on my first bit of live TV. With her flair and wit, she's going to be a wonderful addition to the Countdown team."

Countdown, which airs every weekday at 2.10pm, is filmed in Salford and produced by ITV Studios Entertainment.  It was the first programme to broadcast on Channel 4, when the channel launched 39 years ago, in November 1982, making it one of the longest running quiz shows in the world.

COMPETITION: Win The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe Original TV Soundtrack

The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe Original TV Soundtrack - Out July 9th on Audio CD

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies on CD to give away.

Synopsis: 

To many people British television had its heyday in the 1960s, a plethora of entertainment for all ages.

Children's TV was no exception, the many adventure series, educational programmes and puppet shows all had a profound effect on those lucky enough to have grown up in those years.

At 5PM on October 12th, 1965 viewers witnessed a gentle sea rolling over a sandy shore that could just about be anywhere in the world, but in that short twenty seconds or so not only did we discover it was a 'Franco London Film' presentation of The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe', it also gave us that short burst intro to the theme that would stay with us well after the thirteen 25 minute episodes had faded into the mists of time. 

A collaboration between composers Robert Mellin and Gian-Piero Reverberi would give us the wonderful theme and incidental music from this much-loved series.

The Adventures of Robinson Crusoe was a French- German drama series made by Franco London Films as an adaptation of Daniel Defoe's 1719 novel Robinson Crusoe. It was the first, and often quoted as being the best television adaptation of the original story. The series would enjoy a huge European audience in what would be the very first European Television Channel co-production.

Silva Screen's original release from 31 years ago was updated in 1997 when new material came to light and is now reissued once more with a definitive history of the music and series written by Stephen Brown & Lynn Simpson.

Pre-order on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Tzy4bU

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

On what date did The Adventures Of Robinson Crusoe first air on British television?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Terms and conditions
1. Closing date July 9th 2021
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

COMPETITION: Win Diana At Sixty on DVD

Diana At Sixty - Released on DVD from 21st June

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 2 copies on DVD to give away.

Synopsis: 

Diana, Princess of Wales, would have turned 60 on 1st July 2021. To mark what would have been her landmark birthday, her friends, allies, people who worked with her, Royal correspondents, media experts and those touched by her charity work line up to discuss her life, her achievements and look at how she would have been today had she survived the fatal crash in DIANA AT SIXTY, a stunning new documentary from director Robin Bextor (Crown and Country, Hearts of Gold), that pays tribute and celebrates to her life and work. The film will be released on DVD and digital on 21st June 2021 courtesy of Reel to Reel Films.

The film sees Hillary Clinton lead a fascinating line-up of friends and associates, including Diana’s astrologer Debbie Frank and Derek Deane from the English National Ballet to discuss Diana, the Princess of Hearts, the People’s Princess and chronicles the life of Lady Diana Spencer, the young woman who married a Prince, but who went on to become an internationally loved Princess in her own right.  It delves into her life and important work during her 16 years in the public eye and explores her popularity with both the British public and with people all over the world. It follows the moving story of how the People’s Princess touched hearts, made a huge impact and became one of the most adored royals ever. 

DIANA AT SIXTY celebrates the fascinating life of one of Britain’s most beloved figures in recent history. 

Pre-order on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Svmb6o

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

How old would Princess Diana have been on 1st July 2021?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 28-06-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

COMPETITION: Win Too Close on DVD

Too Close - Released on DVD from 21st June

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies on DVD to give away.

Synopsis: 

BAFTA-winning actor Emily Watson gives another powerhouse performance in brand new nail-biting psychological drama Too Close.

Based on Natalie Daniels’ best-selling novel, we enter the world of dedicated forensic psychiatrist, Dr Emma Robinson (Watson – Chernobyl, Apple Tree Yard), who has worked with her fair share of high security patients and isn’t easily shocked…Then she meets Connie Mortenson (Denise Gough – Guerilla, Paula)…

Connie is on remand, awaiting trial for a heinous crime.  When Emma is assigned to her case she must explore the woman’s complicated mind to find out what really happened on the fateful night and what was it that made Connie into a monster?

Delving deep into Connie’s psych, she tries to find answers to how her beautiful friend Ness (Thalissa Teixeira – Baghdad Central), fits into the puzzle and why does her husband refuse to visit her? As Emma tries to make sense of everything, Connie starts to show a searing insight into Emma’s deepest insecurities and begins to brutally exploit them.

Their sessions become a complex psychological game with confusing and emotional undercurrents and the more Emma tries to uncover the truth and learn what triggered Connie’s despicable behaviour, the more she realises that her drive to get justice, may be the thing that destroys her.

Pre-order on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3glMS6R

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

Which actor plays Dr Emma Robinson in Too Close?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Terms and conditions
1. Closing date 28-06-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Janette Manrara to join BBC Two’s Strictly: It Takes Two as new host

Janette Manrara has been confirmed as the new host on Strictly: It Takes Two, joining Rylan Clark-Neal on BBC Two's week-night sister show to Strictly Come Dancing.

She will be share hosting duties with Rylan across the week.

Janette replaces Zoe Ball, who stood down as presenter in May after a decade on the programme, and she shared the news with The One Show viewers this evening.

Janette says: "It's a dream come true to become part of the It Takes Two team! Although it's impossible to fill in the shoes of a legend like Zoe Ball, I hope to make her and all of the Strictly fans proud. I will miss dancing on that iconic dance floor weekly, but forever grateful to continue being a part of the Strictly Come Dancing family!"

The new role means that Janette will be leaving Strictly. New professional dancers for 2021 will be announced in due course.

Strictly: It Takes Two will return to BBC Two week nights in the autumn.