Kirstie's Handmade Christmas Returns with Two More Festive Series on Channel 4

Image: Kirstie's Handmade Christmas (credit - Raise The Roof Productions Ltd)

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 has confirmed that Kirstie's Handmade Christmas will return for not one, but two more festive seasons, with new series commissioned for both 2026 and 2027.

Hosted by property expert and festive crafting enthusiast Kirstie Allsopp, the daytime competition sees talented makers put their creative skills to the test across a variety of seasonal challenges. Each episode focuses on a different craft, with contestants competing for the chance to be crowned the best in their chosen creative discipline.

Produced by Glasgow-based Raise the Roof Productions, this year's five-part series celebrates the joy of handmade Christmas traditions. Competitors will tackle a wide range of festive projects, including Christmas wreaths, homemade Christmas cakes and handcrafted toys, with their finished creations helping to transform Christmas HQ ahead of the series finale.

Filmed in Devon, the series also welcomes expert judges from across the crafting world, who will assess each challenge before selecting a winner in every one-hour episode. Alongside the competition, specialist guests will share practical craft tips and demonstrate some of their favourite homemade techniques, offering viewers plenty of ideas to try for themselves.

Away from the judging table, Kirstie Allsopp will once again inspire audiences with a selection of affordable festive projects that can easily be recreated at home. From simple paper decorations to elegant ornaments and eye-catching mantelpiece displays, the series aims to encourage viewers to add a personal, handcrafted touch to their Christmas celebrations.

With two further series now confirmed, Kirstie's Handmade Christmas looks set to remain a staple of Channel 4's festive daytime schedule, continuing to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship and the enduring appeal of making something special by hand.

Kirstie Allsopp said: “Keep Calm & Think of Christmas. This might sound bonkers but what I’m doing in this boiling hot weather is thinking about hot toddies & cosy knits, because Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas is coming back. We’re already making plans for how we are going to make my favourite show (don’t tell Phil I said that) better than ever.”

Greg Davies Returns for Festive The Cleaner Special Set in the Italian Dolomites

Image: BBC

By Jon Donnis

Greg Davies is back as UK crime scene cleaner Paul ‘Wicky’ Wickstead in The Cleaner In Italy (w/t), a brand new one-off special of the BBC comedy series, which will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One over the festive period.

Written by and starring Davies (Taskmaster, The Inbetweeners) and produced by SHUK, The Cleaner follows Wicky, a state-certified cleaning technician whose unusual day job involves scrubbing away the grisliest remnants of crime scenes.

The show's first ever hour-long special, which began filming this week, sees Wicky reluctantly join his girlfriend Ruth (Zita Sattar) and her friends Andrew and Andrea (Robert Webb and Tori Allen-Martin) on a hiking holiday in the Italian Dolomites.

When an accident occurs, Wicky is forced to spend the rest of the trip at a remote mountain hotel while Ruth heads off to enjoy the great outdoors. Surrounded by an eccentric hotel manager (Peter Serafinowicz), an array of peculiar guests and a cast of increasingly suspicious staff, Wicky’s boredom soon turns to paranoia.

Additional cast joining the special include Robert Webb (Peep Show, That Mitchell and Webb Look), Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy, Amandaland), Kevin Eldon (Hot Fuzz, Four Lions), Tori Allen-Martin (Here We Go), Veronica Ferres (Call My Agent Berlin), Zita Sattar (Holby City), Milanka Brooks (Black Mirror) and Dylan Blore (Shetland).

Series one of The Cleaner launched to 5.4 million viewers, making it the second biggest new BBC Comedy series in 2021. All three series of The Cleaner were in the top five most viewed scripted comedies in the UK across the market in their respective years of 2021, 2023 and 2024.

All three series of The Cleaner are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

Greg Davies, writer and star of The Cleaner In Italy, says: “I think Wicky has got to the stage in life where he only likes three things: his job, going to the pub and beer. To get the opportunity to force him to go to Italy on a hiking holiday is the perfect opportunity to test his breaking point. I can’t wait to show everyone how horribly wrong a holiday can go…”

Celebrity Hunted Returns With a New Cast Ready to Take on the Ultimate Game of Hide and Seek

Image: Ch4

By Jon Donnis

Celebrity Hunted is back for another thrilling run on Channel 4, once again raising money for Stand Up To Cancer, and the latest line-up promises plenty of entertainment as a fresh group of famous faces attempt to disappear without a trace.

Produced by Shine TV, part of Banijay UK, the factual entertainment thriller sends its celebrity fugitives into hiding across mainland Britain for 14 intense days. With no luxury hotels, no celebrity lifestyle to fall back on and every decision carrying real consequences, the challenge is as much about keeping calm under pressure as it is about staying one step ahead of the Hunters.

This year's celebrity line-up offers an entertaining mix of personalities from television, comedy, reality TV and dance. Strictly Come Dancing professionals Amy Dowden MBE and Carlos Gu will put their teamwork to the test, while Brian Conley joins forces with Lucy Conley. Love Island stars Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran also enter the challenge, alongside presenters JJ Chalmers and Sophie Morgan. Property experts and siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas bring their family bond into the competition, while comedians Jen Brister and Laura Smyth complete the line-up with what is sure to be plenty of humour, even under pressure.

Standing in their way is Ray Howard and his elite team of Hunters, drawn from policing, military and intelligence backgrounds. Armed with powerful investigative tools including CCTV, ANPR, facial recognition, helicopters, drones, search dogs, cyber investigations and media appeals, they have one goal. Find every fugitive before the clock runs out.

Part of the appeal of Celebrity Hunted has always been seeing familiar faces stripped of the advantages that fame usually brings. Instead of red carpets and television studios, contestants are forced to think on their feet, rely on trusted allies and constantly adapt as the Hunters close in. Every phone call, journey and unexpected encounter has the potential to expose their location.

With a varied celebrity cast and the Hunters once again equipped with an impressive range of resources, the new series looks set to deliver another tense and unpredictable chase. Whether any of the fugitives can evade capture for the full 14 days remains to be seen, but viewers can expect plenty of suspense, clever strategy and dramatic close calls when Celebrity Hunted returns to Channel 4.

Fred Sirieix Goes Behind the Scenes in New Series Fred's Ultimate Hotels

Image: Ch4 

By Jon Donnis

Fred Sirieix is setting off on a global adventure in Fred's Ultimate Hotels, a brand-new series that explores some of the world's most remarkable luxury destinations while uncovering the people and expertise behind every unforgettable stay.

The hospitality expert and presenter visits an impressive collection of world-famous hotels, beginning each journey as a guest before swapping comfort for hard work as he joins the staff responsible for delivering exceptional service. By experiencing both sides of the hospitality industry, Fred gains a unique perspective on what separates great hotels from truly extraordinary ones.

The series takes viewers to stunning locations across the world, including the elegant Royal Mansour in Marrakesh, the wildlife-rich Royal Madikwe safari lodge in South Africa, the historic Raffles Hotel in Singapore and the mountain retreat of Les Barmes de l'Ours in the French Alps. Along the way, each destination offers not only luxury accommodation but also an insight into the local culture and surroundings.

As he explores every hotel, Fred judges each one using his own Five Fs. These are First Impressions, Facilities, Flawless Service, Fine Details and Feeling. The approach allows him to evaluate every aspect of the guest experience while also highlighting the dedication required behind the scenes to maintain world-class standards.

Working alongside hotel teams, Fred witnesses the planning, precision and teamwork involved in creating seamless stays for guests. From front-of-house staff to the individuals working tirelessly out of sight, the series shines a spotlight on the people whose commitment often goes unnoticed.

Each episode concludes with Fred presenting his Hospitality Hero Award to a standout member of staff, recognising those whose professionalism, warmth and passion leave a lasting impression on both guests and colleagues.

Blending spectacular locations with exclusive behind-the-scenes access, Fred's Ultimate Hotels celebrates the craftsmanship, attention to detail and personal dedication that define exceptional hospitality, offering viewers an engaging look at what it really takes to deliver luxury at the very highest level.

Fred Sirieix said, “People often think the secret to a great hotel is the building, the food or the luxury.  Of course those things matter, but for me it’s always about the people. The welcome, the attention to detail and the passion of the staff are what turn a wonderful hotel into an unforgettable experience. It was an incredible privilege to work alongside some of the world’s best hospitality teams and to see first-hand the pride they take in what they do. I hope viewers will discover some extraordinary places, but more importantly meet the remarkable people who make them so special.”

Crystal Lake Heads to Sky This October With a Chilling New Chapter in the Friday the 13th Universe

Image: Sky TV

By Jon Donnis

Fans of the Friday the 13th franchise have plenty to look forward to this October as Crystal Lake arrives exclusively on Sky and streaming service NOW. Created, written and showrun by Brad Caleb Kane, the eight-part series from A24 serves as a prequel to one of horror's most recognisable franchises, exploring the events that shaped the legend long before the original film.

Leading the cast is Emmy-nominated actress Linda Cardellini as Pam Voorhees, a single mother still struggling with the devastating loss of her young son Jason, who drowned in the town lake almost a year earlier. When two strangers begin investigating her past, their arrival sparks a disturbing chain of events that leaves the residents of Crystal Lake questioning everything they thought they knew about Pam Voorhees.

William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins and Gwendolyn Sundstrom also star in the series, which expands the mythology of the Friday the 13th universe through a story centred on psychological suspense, mystery and emotional storytelling.

Crystal Lake will be available exclusively on Sky and streaming service NOW in October 2026.

COMPETITION: Win The Brokenwood Mysteries: Series 12 on DVD

New Zealand's deadliest detective drama, The Brokenwood Mysteries, is back for its entertaining 12th outing, arriving just in time for a summer of sleuthing with even more witty whodunnits, deadpan humour and heart. 

And to celebrate we have a copy on DVD to give away!

Synopsis:

Return to the rustic town of Brokenwood where behind the scenic splendour of small-town life, a web of deception, greed and dark secrets lurks in the shadows… 

 

Brokenwood’s best and brightest detectives are back as Mike Shepherd (Neill Rea – Go Girls, Auckward Love), Kristin Sims (Fern Sutherland – The Almighty Johnsons, A Mistake) and Daniel Chalmers (Jarod Rawiri – Boy, Shortland Street) continue to grapple with the tranquil town’s ever-growing murder rate. With the help of their eccentric pathologist, Dr. Gina Kadinsky (Cristina Ionda – Out of Season, Filthy Rich), and the trusty locals, they must employ all manner of unorthodox techniques to solve their most bizarre and macabre murder investigations to date.  

 

The new series features six new feature length mysteries, from attempted alien abductions to a surfing priest with a dark history and a masquerade ball masking a mysterious death. The formidable team also dig into the strange case of a dead bride found by the tracks of a historic railway, a killer ukulele and a stolen family heirloom that leaves blood on the hands of fan-favourite siblings Ray Neilson (Jason Hoyte – What We Do in the Shadows, Nothing Trivial) and Trudy Neilson (Tracy Lee Gray – Educators). 

 

For a delightful mix of retro detective drama, intriguing investigations, warmth, wit and small-town charm, crack open a new casebook of crimes from New Zealand’s most murderous town with The Brokenwood Mysteries Series 12. 

The Brokenwood Mysteries Series 12 is set to arrive on DVD and digital on 20 July 2026, following its run on U&Drama.

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/4fdjmxc

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who plays Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Shepherd in The Brokenwood Mysteries?

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

Quick Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 27-07-26

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.

Here We Go Returns for Fourth Series as Filming Begins on BBC Comedy

Image: BBC

By Jon Donnis

Filming is underway on the fourth series of BBC comedy Here We Go, with the Jessop family set to return for another collection of chaotic family adventures.

Produced by BBC Studios Comedy for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, the new six-part series will once again be created by and star Tom Basden, with the acclaimed ensemble cast reprising their roles.

Returning for the new series are Jim Howick as Paul, Katherine Parkinson as Rachel, Alison Steadman as Sue, Freya Parks as Amy, Jude Morgan-Collie as Sam, Tori Allen-Martin as Cherry, Mica Ricketts as Mica, Ed Kear as Ed and Jon Furlong as Jon.

The fourth series will continue to follow the ups and downs of the Jessop family as they navigate a new set of challenges involving love, loss, jealousy, a graduation, a birthday celebration, a surprise snail allergy and an eventful fun run.

Rachel is preparing to graduate while taking her first uncertain steps into political protest, while Paul continues trying to cope with feeling undervalued as a policeman. He also finds himself taking on some messy painting and decorating projects.

Robin continues his entrepreneurial ambitions, including a campaign designed to impress Dragons' Den, while also purchasing a property he knows little about. Cherry is attempting to balance raising baby Atlas with developing her new skills as a make-up artist.

Amy is searching for a fresh start, a job and a way to gain some distance from her family, while Sue struggles with sleep but still finds time to create a potentially dangerous home-brew. Meanwhile, Sam continues documenting the family's various disasters and moments of chaos up close.

All previous episodes of Here We Go are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer, with further details about the fourth series to be announced in due course.

Creator Tom Basden, says: “Working with such an incredible comedy cast is a pleasure and a privilege so I’m thrilled to be bringing Here We Go back to the BBC for a fourth time. We’ve only just started shooting but it’s already shaping up to be the best series yet!”