Kirstie and Phil celebrate 25 years of house-hunting with Channel 4 anniversary specials

Image Channel 4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Pioneering property show Location Location Location marks its silver anniversary this spring with a special night of celebratory programming on Channel 4. To honour 25 years of helping people find their dream homes, and the enduring on-screen partnership of Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer, viewers are being treated to a brand-new series alongside two commemorative specials.

Since launching in 2000, Location Location Location has become one of Britain's most trusted property shows, guiding nearly 750 buyers and viewing more than 1,800 properties across the UK. The new series, which kicks off on Wednesday 14 May, continues that legacy as Kirstie and Phil travel to North Wales, North London, Stirling, Oxfordshire, Glasgow and beyond, helping a new generation of home seekers.

Alongside the launch of the new series, Channel 4 will air 25 Years of Location Location Location, a one-hour documentary reflecting on the ever-changing landscape of the UK property market. Featuring key moments from across the decades, Kirstie and Phil look back on trends, technology, and memorable offer negotiations – including one conducted in a phone box.

Also airing as part of the anniversary evening is Kirstie & Phil: Bleeps, Bloops & Best Bits, a 30-minute compilation of behind-the-scenes outtakes, never-before-seen bloopers, and some of the duo's most memorable moments from the past two and a half decades. With candid chats and plenty of nostalgia, the special offers a light-hearted peek into how their professional relationship has grown into a lasting friendship.

Reflecting on the milestone, Kirstie said: "However many times I hear it I still can't believe it has been 25 years. It is an enormous privilege to have had this opportunity." Phil added, "It's surreal and fun looking back at how we've changed, and how our friendship has developed across the years. Supporting people through one of the most important decisions in their lives has been a real privilege."

Commissioned by Channel 4 and produced by IWC Media (a Banijay UK company), the anniversary programmes are overseen by Deborah Dunnett and her commissioning team. Executive Producer Gerard Costello noted the emotional warmth behind the show's success, saying, "Kirstie and Phil's fondness for their house hunters, for each other, and for the thrill of the search resonates in these anniversary programmes."

Location Location Location, 25 Years of Location Location Location, and Kirstie & Phil: Bleeps, Bloops & Best Bits all air from 8pm on Wednesday 14 May on Channel 4. Fans can also stream Kirstie and Phil's top ten episodes now on Channel4.com

COMPETITION: Win Signora Volpe: Series 2 on DVD

With the return of Signora Volpe Series 2 on U&Drama, Acorn Media International has announced Signora Volpe Series 2 is set for release on DVD and digital on 5 May, along with the Signora Volpe Series 1 & 2 Box Set.

And to celebrate, we have a great competition for you and a chance to win a copy of Series 2 on DVD.

Synopsis:

The thrilling and entertaining three-part crime series also sees the return of TV favourite Tara Fitzgerald (Game of Thrones, Belgravia) and picks up where series one left off… with Sylvia Fox (Fox) settled in the beautiful Umbrian countryside for a so-called quiet life. 

 

Sylvia has re-connected with her sister Isabel Vitale (Fitzgerald) and is now restoring a charming house, but old habits die hard… Sylvia can’t help but get involved in a bevy of fresh mysteries, including the murder of a pillar of the local community, and an undercover mission for MI6 at a perilous house party by the lake.   

 

As her relationship with Carabinieri Captain Riva (Giovanni Cirfiera – American Crime Story; The Assassination of Gianni Versace, Queen of the South) heats up, he’s torn between frustration at her interference and gratitude for her help. But a dangerous case is set to threaten everything… when a dead man comes looking for vengeance, Sylvia’s family and Riva must race against time to save her life.  

  

For a sensationally savvy lead with a stunningly superb vista, look no further than Signora Volpe – a captivating series brimming with escapist charm and marvellous mystery that will have you booking a ticket to Italy in no time.  

Out Now at - https://amzn.to/4jXEbxz

Enter Below

Who plays the character of Isabel Vitale in Signora Volpe?

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

Quick Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 12-05-25

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.

Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park – New Sky Documentary Uncovers Tragedy and Police Failings

Image: Sky TV Press

By Jon Donnis

The powerful Sky Original docuseries Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park explores the heartbreaking story of sisters Bibaa Henry and Nicole Smallman, whose lives were brutally taken in a London park in June 2020. What began as a small, joyful birthday gathering for Bibaa turned into a devastating tragedy, further compounded by shocking police misconduct in the aftermath.

As lockdown restrictions eased, Bibaa and Nicole celebrated into the evening with friends. When the sisters failed to return home, their disappearance was initially ignored by the police, leaving their family and friends to organise a desperate search. It was Nicole's partner who eventually found their bodies 36 hours later. As the investigation began, a new outrage emerged when police officers tasked with guarding the crime scene shared photographs of the sisters' bodies on social media.

The series features emotional interviews with the women's mother, Mina Smallman, as well as family members, friends, and detectives involved in the case. Through their accounts, Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park pieces together the sisters' final hours, the failures that delayed the investigation, and the wider issues it revealed within policing.

Produced by True Vision TV for Sky Documentaries, the series is directed by Alex Thomas, with Brian Woods as Executive Producer. Kathryn Taylor and Gilberte Phanor also serve as executive producers for Sky, alongside Series Producer Sian Guerra and Producer/Director Lindsay Konieczny.

Bibaa & Nicole: Murder in the Park premieres on 11 May on Sky Documentaries and NOW.

Virgin Island: Channel 4’s New Reality Series on Modern Intimacy

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

In a groundbreaking new series, Virgin Island follows twelve adult virgins as they travel to a luxury Mediterranean retreat to take part in a unique course on intimacy. Across the series, they face their fears around sex, relationships and physical closeness, with the aim of helping them move past the barriers that have held them back.

The modern world is often seen as highly sexualised, yet research from University College London shows a different story. According to their findings, one in eight 26-year-olds today are still virgins, compared to just one in twenty in previous generations. Factors such as social media, pornography, and loneliness are suggested influences, leading to increased body image anxiety and fear of intimacy among young people.

This warm and thought-provoking series offers a sensitive look at these challenges, as leading sexologists guide the twelve participants through practical, hands-on sessions. With many of the group nervous even about simple touch, the course sets out to help them build confidence in emotional and physical connection. The question remains whether they will be able to overcome their fears, fall in love, or take their first steps towards sex and intimacy.

Virgin Island is produced by Double Act Productions for Channel 4 and Channel 4 streaming. The series premieres in May.

Filming Begins on Jack Thorne’s New Drama Falling for Channel 4

Images: Channel 4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Production is underway in Wales and Bristol on Falling, a brand new 6-part drama for Channel 4 from The Forge Entertainment. The series is the first ever love story written by BAFTA winner Jack Thorne, best known for Help and Adolescence, and stars Keeley Hawes and Paapa Essiedu in the lead roles.

Keeley Hawes plays Anna, a devoted nun. Paapa Essiedu takes on the role of David, a Catholic priest. Both are firmly rooted in their religious vocations and deeply committed to serving their communities. But when an unexpected connection draws them together, they are forced to question everything, their vows, their identity, and their relationship with faith itself.

This is not a typical romance. Falling is described as witty, heartfelt, and emotionally honest. It explores love through a different lens, balancing spiritual conflict with personal desire, and it poses difficult questions about loyalty, identity, and purpose.

The show brings together a strong ensemble cast. Alongside Hawes and Essiedu are Rakie Ayola, Jason Watkins, Niamh Cusack, Adrian Scarborough, David Dawson, Susan Brown, and Sandra Voe. Two fresh faces, Holly Rhys and Shayde Sinclair, also make their TV debuts.

Keeley Hawes expressed her excitement about the project, saying she's thrilled to be working with Essiedu and bringing Thorne's "beautiful scripts to life." Essiedu added that the story captures the extraordinary within the ordinary, a hallmark of Thorne's writing.

Jack Thorne himself admitted he never expected to write a love story but is eager to share this one, praising both the cast and director Peter Hoar for helping bring his vision to the screen.

The six-part series is directed by Peter Hoar, known for work on The Last of Us and It's A Sin, and produced by Joe Donaldson. Executive producers include Thorne, George Ormond, and George Faber. The series was commissioned by Channel 4's Gwawr Lloyd and Ollie Madden, with Banijay Rights handling international distribution.

Broadcast dates are yet to be announced.

Signora Volpe Series 2 Returns with Intrigue, Romance, and More Murder in the Italian Sun

Images: Acorn Media

By Jon Donnis

Get ready to return to the rolling hills and sun-drenched piazzas of Umbria as Signora Volpe is back for a gripping second series. The thrilling three-part crime drama once again stars Emilia Fox (Silent Witness) as the effortlessly sharp Sylvia Fox, a former British intelligence officer trying to live a quiet life in Italy. After the success of the first series, fans will be pleased to see the return of Tara Fitzgerald (Game of Thrones, Belgravia) as Sylvia's sister, Isabel Vitale, adding emotional depth to the story's blend of mystery and personal drama.

As series two opens, Sylvia is settling into her picturesque new life, working on the restoration of a countryside home. But her instincts as an investigator remain as sharp as ever. When a respected member of the local community turns up dead under suspicious circumstances, Sylvia is once again pulled into a world of secrets and danger. Her unofficial sleuthing soon leads to an even deeper risk when she takes on an undercover mission at a lavish house party linked to MI6.

The storylines escalate as Sylvia's relationship with Captain Riva (Giovanni Cirfiera) grows more intense. Their romantic connection deepens while their professional clashes create tension. When Sylvia becomes the target of someone long believed to be dead, her peaceful life is thrown into chaos. The danger becomes personal, and Sylvia's family must join forces with Riva to protect her before time runs out.

Set against the breathtaking Umbrian backdrop, Signora Volpe blends classic detective storytelling with heartfelt personal drama. Emilia Fox leads the cast with poise and wit, delivering a performance that balances intellect, vulnerability, and quiet strength. The cinematography captures both the warmth of the Italian countryside and the suspense that builds with every episode.

Whether you're drawn to the show for its captivating mysteries, its slow-burning romance, or the escapist setting, Signora Volpe offers all that and more. The series continues to build on its strong foundations with layered storytelling and a sense of place that feels both cinematic and intimate.

Signora Volpe Series 2 is released on DVD and digital on 5 May from Acorn Media. For new viewers or long-time fans, the Series 1 and 2 Box Set will also be available, making this the perfect time to get swept away by this charming and suspenseful crime drama.

Amazon - https://amzn.to/3Rv4fnu

Glow Up Returns: Leomie Anderson Hosts Bigger, Bolder Series Seven on BBC Three

Image: BBC Press

By Jon Donnis

Glow Up: Britain's Next Make-Up Star is back for its seventh series, promising more drama, artistry, and ambition than ever before. Hosted by supermodel Leomie Anderson, the new season welcomes ten fresh-faced contestants who will compete in a range of creative and high-pressure challenges. Returning judges Val Garland and Dominic Skinner will test their skills week after week, pushing the make-up artists to showcase originality, precision, and professional polish.

Each episode will feature stunning Professional Assignments, from working backstage at a major fashion show to handling complex SFX work for TV and film. Contestants will also tackle theatre-inspired looks from the West End and contribute to real-world campaigns for top beauty brands. This year's highlights include assisting on set for House of the Dragon, creating looks for a Nova Twins music video, and developing a social media campaign with Beauty Bay and NikkieTutorials. One artist will be eliminated each week following a dramatic Face Off, with the final winner crowned Britain's Next Make-Up Star and awarded a career-changing prize.

Series seven brings a stellar lineup of guest judges to the Glow Up studios, including:

• Amanda Knight, BAFTA winner and Oscar-nominated make-up artist
• Billy Porter, actor and Cabaret star
• Danessa Myricks, international MUA and founder of Danessa Myricks Beauty
• NikkieTutorials, make-up artist and founder of Nimya
• Ashnikko, genre-bending rapper and singer
• Isamaya Ffrench, visionary artist and founder of Isamaya Beauty
• Patricia Bright, leading beauty and fashion influencer
• Courtney Act, drag queen and RuPaul's Drag Race finalist
• And many more from the worlds of beauty, theatre, and fashion

Each challenge is designed to push boundaries and elevate the contestants' artistry to new heights. Whether working on celebrity looks, editorial shoots, or high-concept transformations, the MUAs must prove they have what it takes to break into the beauty elite.

With intense competition, bold creativity, and a lot on the line, this season of Glow Up promises to be the most exciting yet. Tune in from Wednesday 30 April on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer to follow every brushstroke.