Channel 4

Sharing the spotlight with Robert Rinder, Liz Hurley stars in The Inheritance as The Deceased – an eccentric winemaker. But she admits she isn’t the biggest fan of alcohol.

Liz Hurley recently opened up about her relationship with alcohol – and it may be the secret to her ageless appearance.

Her admirers may be surprised but Liz Hurley is a Traitors superfan. So, when the chance came to star alongside Robert Rinder in C4’s The Inheritance, she didn’t hesitate.

In the new reality game show, Liz plays The Deceased, a glamorous winemaker with a lavish estate. Barrister and broadcaster Robert portrays The Executor in the show and ensures the stipulations of The Deceased’s will are followed to the letter.

“I really enjoyed The Traitors and loved the idea of being part of a show in which audiences were really invested,” Liz says, “I thought Robert Rinder and I would be a good combination.”

Though she wouldn’t mind following in the footsteps of celebrity vintners like Kylie Minogue and Brad Pitt, Liz has her own spin in mind.

“I can certainly see the glamour of having your own wine, and Brad Pitt’s rosé is actually delicious,” she says. “But I drink alcohol so rarely that I’d be more interested in trying to create an exceptionally fabulous alcohol-free wine.”

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At 60, Liz is still gleefully playful about her roles – even if that includes lying in a coffin. “I quite enjoyed it, it was very restful,” she quips. What really stole her heart, though, was the shoot’s picturesque setting.

“Shooting at an exquisite country estate was a real treat,” she says. “The air was so fresh it felt like we were at a health retreat. It can be easier shooting on a sound stage, but I prefer real locations as it really helps with getting into character.”

Liz shines on screen but she admits she’s never been tempted to join a reality show as herself. “I have been invited on a few really good ones, but I prefer scripted work,” she says. “I don’t much like being myself on camera; it feels like I’m invading my own privacy!”

Talk of inheritance sparks a softer note. Liz treasures porcelain coffee cups passed down from her great aunt. “I think of her with every espresso,” she says.

Material possessions don’t matter much, though. “I’m not desperate to inherit anything,” she says. “I want everyone I love to check out empty, having spent every penny on enjoying themselves.”

Produced by Studio Lambert, the powerhouse behind BBC’s The Traitors, the show takes 13 strangers, locks them inside a grand stately home, and pits them against each other in challenges to prove themselves worthy of inheriting part of The Deceased’s fortune – and it’s no easy feat.

Contestants must show cunning, teamwork and nerve, all while enduring surreal challenges that embody Liz’s camp and larger-than-life alter ego.

“They’re very right for this lady and her estate,” she says, “As the show goes on, she comes up with some interesting things.” The absurdity is clear from the very first episode.

Tasked with creating The Deceased’s trademark rose, players must gather white wine from the bottom of a lake and pick out the perfect red wine from a string of barrels. “That’s absurd, isn’t it?” Liz says, “Everyone has to put on their diving suits. I wouldn’t want to do that!”

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The Bake Off judges and Alison Hammon explain the secret ingredients that keep hit series on track

The Great British Bake off will celebrate its 150th episode during the new series – and judge Prue Leigh hopes to create a slice of TV history herself.

Prue and Paul Hollywood are in charge once again of deciding which cakes are up to scratch. And the restaurateur, broadcaster, cookery writer and novelist loves the idea of still being on the Channel 4 show in her Nineties.

“Why not? I mean, I’m asked this question all the time and I always say the same thing: ‘I’ve got to give up some time, but I’m loving it.’ I just enjoy it. I look forward to it. I mean, it’s a lovely job for goodness sake. It’s a wonderful job, so I love it, but I want to go before I’m pushed.

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“I don’t want some poor executive to have to come and say to me: ‘You know, Prue, I’m just wondering… you are 87 or something. Do you not think it’s time you just stepped down?’ I don’t want somebody to have to do that.

“And I shouldn’t say this, because they’ll cut my pay in half, but it’s such a piece of cake to do. It’s so easy. All I have to do is walk on, eat cake, walk off and get paid. What could be easier or nicer? And so it’s not an effort. Even at 5 o’clock in the morning, you don’t feel “Oh, I’ve got to go to work.” It’s not at all stressful. So I don’t think I’m conscious, at all, when we’re doing it, that we have to keep this show nice because

it’s somebody’s stress-free zone, it’s somebody’s therapy, it’s somebody’s quiet time when they can be with their family. It is all of those things, and I’m very glad it’s all of those things, but when we’re actually doing it, we’re just having a good time.”

Prue is now 85 but is often the last one standing when it comes to wrap parties on the Channel 4 series. Host Alison Hammond, who works alongside Noel Fielding added: “They say me and Noel are the naughty ones, but really and truly, it’s Paul and Prue. They’re the naughty ones. They’re the ones who are up late. We’re in bed by eight. Not together. Obviously.”

Bake Off returns next week for the 16th series. The new batch of 12 contestants features a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, a drag king and two hairdressers hoping to make the cut.

Paul Hollywood believes the show, which moved from BBC1 to Channel 4 in 2017, should continue long beyond Prue and even his reign as judge. For him the show has proven itself and cemented a place on TV for the long haul.

He said: “There should be a Bake Off forever now. Obviously, not in the current line-up. We will all go. But I think it should stay. It is an institution. It’s a cult now. It’s found its feet. There’s no reason why it shouldn’t go on.”

Prue added: “Like Match of the Day or something. There are some shows that just go on. It’s been going for 16 years. And what happens is the bakers know the atmosphere before they come in and they sort of join the club and they know how to behave. Very seldom, once or twice, we’ve had somebody who comes in at the beginning, who’s a bit not on the vibe. Not this year, but I remember one woman particularly wanting to diss her rivals and that didn’t last. She got it. She changed.”

Turning to discuss the competition, Paul says there are slightly less Hollywood handshakes than usual but the standard is v high. “If I don’t give a handshake it is ‘Paul’s been stingy’ if I give out too many it is Paul is ‘devaluing them’” he explains.

“I think this is an exceptional year. I think the standard of the baking has been phenomenal. I was really shocked – it was unbelievable. Proper borderline-professional from the off. And the bakers all bonded really quickly as well. Straight out of the traps, there were a number of bakers that made me think ‘Wow, we’re in for a good year.’ And it is a really good year.

The new series also sees two new ‘themes’ with Meringue week and Back To School with lots of cake and custard presumably on the cards. But for all the themes and new challenges it is very much a show about the bakers themselves too.

Host Alison said: “People fall in love with the bakers. That’s the crux of it. It’s all about the bakers. We could be replaced at any moment, but the bakers are what’s driving the show.”

Paul added: “What changes is the bakers every year, but the bakers are the people who bring the character to the show and they have done. They are amazing bakers and really nice people.

“The standard of baking overall since series one has got better and better. That’s not to take anything away from the bakers in series one, they were of their time, but the baking has improved. The challenges are a little more tricky. But they’ve all risen to the challenge and created things that have been really incredible.”

* The Great British Bake Off starts next Tuesday September 2, stream or watch from 8pm on Channel 4.

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Sandra Martin, who shot to fame on Gogglebox, has admitted she’s ‘glad’ to be back on benefits

Former Gogglebox star Sandra Martin has confessed that she “prefers” life on benefits, stating it’s less stressful.

The 55-year-old telly favourite, who rose to fame alongside her best mate Sandi Bogle on the popular Channel 4 show, revealed she had to sign back on in February 2018 after her TV earnings dwindled.

Despite having credits from reality series 100 Years Younger in 21 Days and various chat show appearances, Sandra admitted the work was short-lived.

After leaving Gogglebox in 2017, she splurged the last of her earnings on a hotel stay. By Christmas of the same year, she confessed to being “homeless and penniless”, struggling to make ends meet.

In 2018, Sandra told The Sun: “I went back to the job centre and shouted, ‘Hello! I’m home!’ I was on benefits for 35 years before I went on Gogglebox. I’m glad I’m back on social. I loved Gogglebox, but it was stressful because I couldn’t talk as much as I wanted, when I wanted.”

Now, she says she feels more comfortable living on handouts than pursuing TV fame, despite critics highlighting her frequent posts about jetting off on holidays, reports the Express.

Sandra added, “I turned to benefits when the money ran out. It’s less stressful. I feel like myself again.”

In January of this year, Sandra faced further criticism after refusing to sit in a plane’s middle seat because she claimed to be a “celebrity.” The former fan-favourite expressed her displeasure at being allocated the middle seat on social media.

Sandra caused a stir on a Ryanair flight when she refused to sit between two passengers. She shared a video from inside the plane’s cabin, standing in the aisle in protest.

She told her followers: “There’s no person there, I’m not showing your face and there’s one person there and they want me to sit there. No, I’m a celebrity… I’m Sandra Gogglebox. I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!”

“I cannot sit in that spot. No, I can’t breathe, I’m gonna faint, I’m gonna fart.”

Sandra said she was waiting until boarding was finished to see if there was a spare alternative seat.

In a kind gesture, her neighbour eventually agreed to swap places, and Sandra took the aisle seat for the flight.

John Middleton takes a bold step as he goes from vicar to villain in C4 soap Hollyoaks. The former Emmerdale legend has spoken about his time on set and his role as Froggy Black.

He played much-loved vicar Ashley Thomas in Emmerdale for 20 years, but now John Middleton has taken on a much darker role as Fraser “Froggy” Black – grandfather to villainess Grace Black and her sister Clare Devine – in Hollyoaks.

After years in Longmere Prison, Froggy is finally out – and heading straight back into the heart of his fractured family. “He does want to bring the family together,” John, 71, says. “For what purpose, that’s yet to be revealed. But he wants to restore the relationship between Clare and Grace.”

One of the highlights of his new role, John says, is working with Tamara Wall and Gemma Bissix, who play Grace and Clare. “They ask me, ‘What do you tell your wife when you go back home?’”, John shares.

“I say, ‘I don’t tell her anything. I sit in a corner, occasionally hugging my knees and rocking backwards and forwards,’” he jokes. “They’re a laugh to work with!”

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Froggy made his first appearance in the Chester-based show in early August, seen behind bars with Tom Cunningham, whom he’d taken under his wing as a financial advisor.

When his granddaughters were arrested for their part in Clare’s husband’s trafficking ring, the reunion was icy. Still, Froggy was determined to win over Grace – despite his hatred for Clare.

Now, John teases that Froggy could blow the village apart. “He knows things, particularly about one particular person,” John says. “The past being revealed would be catastrophic for their present.

He knows something about people he’s most closely working with, which is going to be revealed. He knows a lot of secrets, he knows where all the bodies are buried – quite literally.

His past is possibly murderous, his present is possibly vengeful. Froggy is totally unpredictable. You never know what he’s going to do next.”

With secrets come enemies – but Froggy isn’t fazed. “He’s an incredibly manipulative person so the fact he’s got enemies doesn’t bother him,” John admits. “The fact that he has control over his enemies is essential to him.”

This isn’t John’s first brush with Hollyoaks . In 1997 he popped up as Cindy Cunningham’s doctor – a role he admits he’d forgotten about.

His soap career was then peppered with cameos. In the 1990s he appeared twice in Coronation Street – first as John Hargreaves, the driver who accidentally killed Lisa Duckworth, and later as a hospital consultant. Even Emmerdale wasn’t entirely new to him when he took on Ashley’s role.

“I was a policeman about a year and a half before becoming Ashley,” he says. “But Froggy is a completely different character, which is why I’m doing it.”

John says the whole Hollyoaks team made his transition easy. And though he still struggles with nerves, executive producer Hannah Cheers has assured him he’s in the right place.

“You adjust quickly to it and it was helped because everyone here is lovely,” he says. “My first few scenes, I was nervous. I was completely reassured when I bumped into Hannah and she said, ‘I really love what you’re doing.’ That was a great relief!”

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SIMON Cowell makes a surprise cameo in tonight’s penultimate episode of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

The brutal Channel 4 series welcomed another 14 famous faces to tackle intense Special Forces training.

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Along the way, celebrities have quit, been axed and – last week in the case of boxer Conor Benn – medically withdrawn.

Tonight, the remaining five recruits tackled one of their toughest challenges yet, before having their mental strength tested by having the option to receive calls from loved ones.

While Adam Collard receives his from fiancee Laura Woods, singer Lucy Spraggan is seen taking two calls.

And the first is from her X Factor boss, Simon.

The 65-year-old appears on a video call to Lucy, who had appeared on The Factor in 2012, sitting outside in a sprawling garden.

“How’s my little trooper?” he asks, causing Lucy to chuckle.

She tells him: “It’s been a lot rougher than I anticipated. Simon, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

Never one to mince his words, he replies: “You do look tired, I’m not going to lie.”

Lucy then quickly fills him on some of the challenges she’s faced, adding: “It’s not a joke Simon. It’s so, so real.

“Like, you know when you said you might think about doing it if I didn’t find it hard? You would not be doing it.”

As she laughs, she adds: “Although I would pay such money to see you do it!”

Simon replies with a chuckle: “Just imagine it was me, and how long I would last.”

The pair have remained close in the years that followed Lucy being on The X Factor, and he even walked her down the aisle at her wedding to wife Emilia Smith earlier this year.

Lucy previously told The Sun: “He read a poem at our ceremony, which was cute, and he said to me, ‘I love seeing you this happy’.” 

The newlyweds regularly stay with Simon and his partner Lauren Silverman at their homes in LA and the Cotswolds.

But Lucy admitted: “I speak to Lauren all the time, but Simon hasn’t got a phone so I speak to him when she’s on the phone!”

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Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4, with all episodes available to plus members on Channel4.com.

CHANNEL 4 has opted to axe a controversial reality show following backlash from its launch. 

Around The World in 80 Weighs, which aired in 2024, followed six medically obese participants as they travelled around on a fact-finding mission to learn different cultures’ secrets to weight loss. 

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The series was hit with criticism, particularly around the show’s ads, which often featured confectionery. 

Now, according to Daily Mail, Channel 4 has opted not to bring the show back for a second season. 

“Around The World in 80 Weighs caused a stir with critics and its audience, but while Channel 4 had originally commissioned it for one series, there was scope for it to be brought back with a new batch of participants after they established the show’s format,” they said. 

“The series being parked is reflective of changing audience habits where programmes remotely reminiscent of noughties hits that created a shame culture on other people’s lives and their struggles for entertainment purposes is widely shunned.” 

Across the five episode series, the participants travelled across Japan, Texas, Tonga and India to try weight loss treatments.

This also included discovering diet secrets, and experiencing the different cultural relationships to food in both positive and negative ways.

In one uncomfortable scene, the group are seen being laughed at on the streets of Tokyo by onlookers. 

The group visit the Japanese city after it’s revealed the country only has a 4% obesity rate, compared to the UK’s 25%. 

Participant Marisa is seen telling cameras: “It just blows my mind that you’re not allowed to be who you are and you just have to fit it.

“I don’t feel like I should be here. In this country I don’t feel comfortable, and for me personally, it isn’t somewhere I would come back.”

After that, the group moved on to Tonga, which has one of the highest obesity rates in the world.

After meeting a woman who at 28 weighs 47 stone, and another who had lost both her legs, members of the group were reduced to tears as they feared they would die.

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ADAM Collard breaks down in tears over fiancee Laura Woods’ miscarriage in heartbreaking Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins scenes tonight.

The former Love Islander signed up for the Channel 4 series alongside 13 other famous faces.

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But in tonight’s episode, Adam reveals how he almost backed out of participating, after a difficult few months in his personal life.

Speaking to the Special Forces staff on the show, an emotional Adam explains how he was diagnosed with depression.

He struggles to get his words out before saying: “One of them was with my partner…and…we, erm lost something…when it was really close to getting there a second time and telling everyone.”

As the tears fall, the staff clarify that he’s talking about a miscarriage and Adam nods.

He adds: “I think I was proud of the fact that I was excited for it, which I didn’t think I ever would be.

“And when it got taken away, and it was 10 times worse for her, I think it hit us like a tonne of bricks.

“We just really, really went to a bit of a bad place. And to be honest, in front of her I pretended I was cool, and pretended I was absolutely fine.”

Later in the episode, the tears flow again as the celebrities are tasked with reading out their ‘death letters’, which they were asked to write to their loved ones.

As Adam stands up to read his out, he pays tribute to Laura and how much he is thinking of her, before saying: “The last few months have been really tough, but nowhere near as tough as you.

Adam continues to read: “We lost a baby recently” but then starts to sob, as his co-stars look just as emotional, not knowing what he had been through until that moment.

He says: “I wish I had one more night to give you the world’s biggest cuddle. Love you always, Adam.”

Conor Benn then goes over to give Adam a cuddle, who sheds more tears as he is consoled over his loss.

In a piece to camera, Adam praised Laura, saying: “I’d say I’m pretty closed off as a person and she definitely helped me to open up.”

Despite their baby heartbreak, the couple – who got together in 2023 and became engaged in September last year – welcomed son Leo in January this year.

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Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4 with all episodes available to plus members on Channel4.com

KATIE Price is facing a new legal battle with all three of her ex-husbands.

Kieran Hayler, 38, and Alex Reid, 50, are said to be consulting lawyers in a bid to stop her explosive Sky documentary airing next year.

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It comes after Katie’s ex Peter Andre accused her of making “baseless accusations“ against him, and claimed their children Princess and Junior have been in his care since 2018 ‘for their safety.’

Peter finally snapped after Katie moaned about being frozen out of her daughter Princess‘s blossoming career – and claimed that their kids live with both Pete and her.

He said: “Unfortunately, there are many more lies and baseless accusations that I have yet to address. Those will be dealt with in the coming months.”

Now Kieran and Alex are in contact via an intermediary after a tell-all documentary was announced.

A source told the Mirror: “They feel like they have been backed into a corner and have no choice. They just want her to stop trashing them, and can’t believe she is being given a platform.”

A spokesman for Kieran said: “We are keeping all our options open. I can confirm Alex Reid is on the same page.”

After Peter broke his 16-year silence on Katie, she spoke out in a statement via her rep.

A spokesman for the mum of five told The Sun: “Kate is in a much better and clear headspace and is at peace with the situation.

“This was in the past and she doesn’t feel the need to bring up tit for tat comments, but more importantly she’s dealing with this the right way and it’s now in her lawyers hands.

“Kate will no longer be gaslighted and bullied as she once was…”

Katie is currently dating MAFS star JJ Slater, but before this she had a long-term romance with Carl Woods. 

Before falling for Carl, Katie was engaged to fitness trainer Kris Boyson, 29, and before Kris she was married to Kieran. 

Katie married MMA fighter Alex in Las Vegas in February 2010 and before Alex there was Pete, who she met on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2004. 

The pair soon got together and married in a lavish ceremony in September 2005 in Highclere Castle.

After Peter released his statement, Katie’s ex Kieran Hayler shared a cryptic post about “rising like a Phoenix” amid their public feud.

Kieran, 38, who was married to the former glamour model, 47, for five turbulent years before their divorce was finalised in March 2021, took to his Instagram to share a photo of the mythical bird.

Our Yorkshire Farm’s Amanda Owen was faced with extreme weather

Channel 4 broadcast a repeat episode of Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids on Saturday evening.

The episode, which originally aired earlier this year from the second series, showed the farm facing harsh weather conditions as it became blanketed in snow, with the family struggling to safeguard their expectant sheep spread across the hillsides.

Clive expressed his worries about the snow, saying: “January and February were funny months, and anything can happen. That Beast from the East was quite nasty, the kids were little and we had no electric for a week.”

He continued: “You know, everybody gets a little bit of snow, but it can be absolutely unbelievable here, and you’ve got to be careful, otherwise it’ll have you out of business.”

Amanda shared her thoughts on the bitter snow conditions: “When that snow hits, it can be exhausting. It can be exhausting mentally and physically. Day one, day two, yeah, it is fun, day four, five, six, seven, and beyond, it is a real test.”, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Further into the programme, Amanda made a frank confession about farming, particularly during severe weather conditions.

Whilst caring for the horses, she revealed: “On a day like today, when you see that light shine through the window and you know that it’s icy and snowy out there, you don’t pull the duvet over your head; you’re like, ‘Let me at it’.”

She pondered: “Because that’s what you have to do. And I always think to myself, ‘the day that you don’t want to do that, you’ve got to quit’.”

Initially hitting our screens in 2018, Our Yorkshire Farm showcased the extraordinary way of life of Clive and Amanda Owen with their nine youngsters at their remote sheep farm in Yorkshire.

Amanda and Clive are mum and dad to nine children: Raven, Reuben, Miles, Edith, Violet, Sidney, Annas, Clementine, and Nancy. The beloved documentary programme concluded in 2022 after Amanda and Clive’s split.

Continuing to enchant viewers, the Owens have made a comeback with the following instalment of their journey in Our Farm Next Door, following the family’s escapades as they restore a period farmhouse situated in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales countryside.

The 1800s dwelling sits in Swaledale close to Ravenseat Farm and bears the name Anty John in honour of a previous occupant called Anthony John Clarkson.

In the final instalment of series two, Amanda gathered the entire brood to unveil the most recent progress in their continuing restoration project following 20 months of grafting, highlighting “how far we’ve got and how far we’ve got to go”.

Our Farm Next Door is available to watch on All 4.

Brookside was the gritty soap that shocked the nation, smashed taboos, and made suburban cul-de-sacs the stage for explosive drama. But what happened to the cast?

Brookside, the groundbreaking soap that shocked the nation and turned ordinary suburban streets into a hotbed of drama, was a staple of British television for over two decades.

The show, which first aired on Channel 4 on 2 November 1982, followed the everyday lives of its characters, dealing with everything from heart-wrenching break-ups to shocking crimes that reflected real issues in the UK. The Liverpool-based soap ran for an impressive 21 years before its final episode aired on 4 November 2003.

Created by Phil Redmond, Brookside was never one to shy away from controversial topics – it was responsible for the UK’s first pre-watershed lesbian kiss and tackled subjects such as domestic abuse, incest, and even a body buried under a patio.

Now, the beloved soap is poised for a comeback – featuring in an unprecedented crossover with Hollyoaks.

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After Brookside concluded on November 4th 2003, Hollyoaks stepped up as Channel 4‘s premier continuing drama. The show began production on a portion of Brookside’s former set, which remains its filming location to this day.

As Hollyoaks gears up to celebrate its 30th anniversary this October, it plans to commemorate the occasion with a special episode that pays homage to both Brookside and their shared creator, Sir Phil Redmond.

The upcoming crossover episode will delight viewers with the reappearance of beloved, classic Brookside characters to celebrate this significant event.

But what became of the Brookside cast once the cameras stopped rolling? From heartbreaking losses to surprising career changes, here’s a look at where some of the show’s biggest stars ended up.

Dean Sullivan (Jimmy Corkhill)

Jimmy, a troubled drug addict turned teacher, was one of Brookside’s longest-serving characters. Portrayed by Dean Sullivan, he joined the series in 1986 and was involved in many major storylines.

Tragically, Dean passed away in 2023 at the age of 68 after a battle with prostate cancer, a diagnosis he had bravely shared just months before his death. He had been diagnosed in 2018 and had been receiving treatment.

Following his passing, fans and former co-stars paid their respects.

Sue Jenkins (Jackie Corkhill)

Jackie Corkhill, played by Sue Jenkins, was the long-suffering wife of Jimmy Corkhill, enduring his emotional turmoil and schemes in many of the show’s most gripping storylines.

Since the end of the show, Sue has continued her acting career with roles in Coronation Street, Holby City, and Doctors, as well as theatre productions. Now 66, she is a vocal advocate for arts education and is married to David Fleeshman, with whom she has three children, Richard, Emily and Rosie.

Anna Friel (Beth Jordache)

Beth Jordache, portrayed by Anna Friel, became a cultural icon when she was involved in the first pre-watershed lesbian kiss on British television, a storyline that made international headlines. The episode aired in January 1994, also featuring Margaret Clemence, played by Nicola Stephenson.

Anna has since built a highly successful acting career on both sides of the Atlantic, starring in shows like Pushing Daisies, Marcella, and The Girlfriend Experience. Now 48, she is an award-winning actress and a regular on the red carpet.

She has been married twice and has one child.

Claire Sweeney (Lindsey Corkhill)

Claire Sweeney played Lindsey Corkhill, a member of the troubled Corkhill family, who found herself caught up in love triangles, dodgy dealings, and emotional confrontations. Lindsey started as a recurring character before being promoted to the regular cast in 1995.

Actress Claire shot to fame following Brookside, transitioning into musical theatre, releasing an album, and becoming a Loose Women panellist. She has recently made a comeback to the soap world with a stint on Coronation Street.

Earlier this year, Claire delighted Brookside enthusiasts as she returned to the West Derby houses where the programme was originally filmed. The 53-year-old shared numerous photographs and videos on Instagram from her impromptu nostalgic journey.

In her Instagram video, Claire revealed to followers that whilst she had visited the location the previous year, she had spotted a “beautiful little surprise” beneath the Brookside sign commemorating Dean Sullivan, who portrayed her on-screen father Jimmy.

Michael Starke (Sinbad Sweeney)

Sinbad Sweeney was a window cleaner with a heart of gold. He became a viewer favourite after joining the programme in 1984.

Actor Michael Starke subsequently featured in The Royal, Coronation Street, and even enjoyed a role in Benidorm. He has also established himself as a pantomime regular and serves as a dedicated ambassador for Liverpool’s cultural scene.

Now 67, his latest role saw him portray a taxi driver in Hollyoaks from 2021 to 2023.

Jennifer Ellison (Emily Shadwick)

Emily’s storyline concluded in devastating fashion, with her character’s tragic plunge from a window ranking among Brookside’s most shocking departures. Actress Jennifer switched gears to pop music, reality TV (Dancing on Ice, Hell’s Kitchen), and theatre, before launching her own dance academy in Liverpool.

She also starred in the West End and now leads a quieter life centred around family.

She is married to Rob Tickle and they have three children.

Louis Emerick (Mick Johnson)

Mick Johnson was the straight-talking single dad and mini-mart owner with a strong moral compass. He made his final appearance on 22 August 2001, having first appeared in 1989.

Actor Louis Emerick, 64, has continued his acting career in TV dramas and soaps, including Coronation Street and Doctors, and has performed in theatre tours across the UK.

Where are the others?

Several cast members left the industry altogether – some moved abroad, others stepped away from the limelight. A few, like Ray Quinn (who briefly appeared in the later years), reinvented themselves entirely.

Ray went on to become a singer and X Factor finalist, with a stage career.

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The series is available to watch on Channel 4’s streaming service and is based on Mary Wesley’s novel of the same name

Lovers of period drama are in for a real delight as a captivating Second World War series is now available to stream at no cost whatsoever.

Channel 4 is the proud broadcaster of this gem, which first graced television screens back in the early 90s and even snagged a BAFTA nomination for Best Drama Serial in 1993. The narrative unfolds within the picturesque confines of Helena Cuthbertson’s Cornish country abode, with the series’ name inspired by a scenic stretch of land between her house and the coastal cliffs where pivotal moments occur.

Cornwall’s reputation as a prime setting for exceptional period dramas remains unchallenged. The role of Helena Cuthbertson is portrayed by none other than Felicity Kendal of The Good Life fame, with Toby Stephens as Oliver Ansty, Jennifer Ehle as Calypso, and Tara Fitzgerald as Polly.

READ MORE: Epic historical series based on ‘best book of all time’ is streaming for freeREAD MORE: BBC viewers praise ‘incredible’ period drama as ‘one of the greatest’ on iPlayer

Spanning from just before the outbreak of the Second World War to its aftermath in the mid-1980s, The Camomile Lawn has earned acclaim from enthusiasts as “ingenious”.

Mary Wesley’s novel kicks off with a family gathering in Cornwall during the tranquil summer preceding the global conflict, reports Cornwall Live.

When the family reconvenes for a funeral almost fifty years on, they come to terms with the profound effects the war had on their lives.

Wesley was spurred to pen The Camomile Lawn following the passing of her second husband, an event that left her in financial ruin.

Drawing from her own experiences, parts of the book reflect Wesley’s formative years, with the Cornish house mirroring Boskenna – the historic settlement – where she spent considerable time during her younger days.

Audiences expressed their views on the adaptation, with Antony Taylor declaring: “Simple and ingenious story, wonderful cast, perfect direction and a script full of sparkle. Watch it and love it.”

Drawing in over seven million viewers during its debut broadcast, The Camomile Lawn became Channel 4’s highest-rated drama of all time – a milestone it maintained as of 2022.

One admirer commented on IMDb: “The Camomile Lawn is one of my favourite British TV adaptations.”

Notmicro described it as “Compulsively watchable and great fun”, continuing: “I’d been curious for years to see this thing, both because of the very interesting actors, and the period setting.

“Now I’ve just watched the British DVD, and found that its absolutely brilliantly done, and compulsively watchable.

“It takes some time getting accustomed to the affected and presumably somewhat archaic upper-middle-class accents assumed by some of the actors.”

The Camomile Lawn is available to watch on Channel 4’s streaming service.

TRAITORS star Harry Clark has broken his silence after being booted off SAS: Who Dares Wins for cheating.

It was a humbling moment for the ex-Army lad, who has now admitted he “hated” his time on the Channel 4 show.

Directing staff Billy Billingham and Jason Fox caught Harry out performing only 10 burpee exercises when he’d been challenged to do 20 – then lied about it.

He was meant to complete the set before pulling a switch.

Harry said: “Obviously I was so disheartened and so annoyed, but at the same time in the back of my head I was like, ‘but it’s all right though because I’ve made that switch, I’m here to stay’.

“I did exactly what I would do in the military.

“And that’s what annoyed me so much because it was like I just hit that switch, but they’d kicked me off for it.

“So it was like, well then how can I prove to you now that I’ve changed?

“But then at the same time, when I look back on it and I’ve matured a lot now, they’ve probably done me a favour because I know that the next big stage was the interrogation phase.”

The show was filmed in September last year.

Celebrities always dread the interrogation segment and many crumble.

Harry added: “The place where I was mentally and physically, I would’ve definitely been broken down easy. I was easy pickings.

“So I think they actually done me a favour kicking me off the show, they probably saw that I needed to go and sort myself out.

“I didn’t like the experience that much, personally, it made me angry at them and myself that I wanted to get better.

“I felt like they didn’t like me.

“I absolutely hated it while I was there.

“I just want people to be able to look at me now and think that is a completely different person.”

The episode of Harry’s exit aired as The Sun revealed he had got into a shocking brawl at the Brits Awards with a Tiktok star.

Harry is said to have had a “drunken scuffle” with Moe Osman at the glitzy bash in March.

Sources close to Harry say he retaliated after being “antagonised” by the influencer, who goes by the username of Hellacreps online.

Harry was an Army helicopter engineer for seven years but left the forces following his Traitors win.

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Tonight, Channel 4 viewers sat down for the first instalment of gripping new thriller, In Flight but it seemed like they all had the same complaint as they took to X to discuss

Tonight, Channel 4 aired the first episode of highly anticipated thriller, In Flight. The six-part series follows the story of single mum and flight attendant Jo Conran whose life is turned upside down when her son is imprisoned for a murder in Bulgaria. However, he swears he didn’t commit it.

In a desperate attempt, to save her son, Jo takes a huge risk and begins to smuggle drugs over the boarder through her job – but how will things pan out?

Fans sat down at 9pm to watch the first instalment on Channel 4, starring Katherine Kelly, but it seemed like a number of fans had the same comment, as they took to X, formerly known as Twitter to complain. It comes after BBC Death in Paradise’s Kris Marshall shares heartbreak over being sacked and losing job.

Fans had no complaints about the series, just the lack of it. “Too many bloody ads,” said one disappointed viewer, while another penned: “More adverts than programme!”

Aside from the adverts, the series had good reviews, with excited fans ready to watch the new series. One penned: “I Can’t wait! I’m going to have to watch the rest of the series on 4 now!”

Those who can’t wait for the next episode next week can catch all episodes on the streamer now. Fans were left on a cliffhanger with Jo telling a concerned Dominic that she needed her help – and some can’t wait until next week to find out what happens next.

We won’t give too much away for those who haven’t caught up, but for those wanting to know more, the official synopsis for the drama reads: “As Jo becomes ensnared in the murky underworld of corruption and hired killers, she is forced to carry out their orders while desperately trying to find a way out.

“She turns to her ex, Dom, for help. However, no matter how far Jo finds herself from her old life, her mission remains the same: to keep her son alive.

“Set against the fast-paced, high-pressure backdrop of international air travel, In Flight follows Jo’s relentless quest to protect her family while entangled in a dangerous criminal syndicate.”

The fictional crime drama, which stars Coronation Street‘s Katherine Kelly in the lead role, is set to air weekly, with fans not wanting to binge online having to wait until Tuesday for the next part of the series.

Joining Katherine Kelly in the series is Babylon’s Stuart Martin who plays the role of lead criminal gang member Cormac.

Jo’s ex, Dom Delaney also plays a key part in the role and is played by actor Ashley Thomas, who also goes by stage name Bashy. Fans may recognise the star for his role as Jermaine Newton in TopBoy.

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