‘Cultural Vandalism’: U.K. Media Unions, Filmmakers Weigh in on Channel 4 Privatization

Great British Bake Off presenter Matt Lucas has said he was 'thin-shamed' after losing weight. The comedian, who is best known for his work with David Walliams on Little Britain and Come Fly With Me, Matt previously spoke of his weight loss on ITV show Lorraine. He said: “I lost some weight, I needed to take the edge off, because I put on a lot of weight in lockdown.

Camera are rolling on an ITV drama that tells the true story of Britain’s biggest ever police manhunt.

EXCLUSIVE: CBS has set up a writers room for drama The Great Game, produced by CBS Studios in association with Alex Kurtzman’s studio-based Secret Hideout. It will be led by the project’s co-writers/executive producers John Hlavin (The Man Who Fell to Earth) and Matthew Newman (Chicago PD) with the goal of generating multiple scripts for a potential straight-to-series order.

EXCLUSIVE: Singapore-based Indian financier Vistas Media Capital has launched a North American division to be run by film industry vet Ben Waisbren.

Downton Abbey star Dan Stevens is barely recognisable from his days as the posh and well-to-do fan-favourite Matthew Crawley in his latest appearance on the red carpet. The British actor, now 39, who recently made a dig at Prime Minister Boris Johnson on The One Show, was part of one of the most beloved couples in the period drama during his days on the ITV show. Matthew fell head over heels in love with Michelle Dockery's Lady Mary Crawley, but their passionate romance came to an abrupt end when Dan left the show.

Guy Lodge Film CriticOperation Mincemeat was an aptly absurd code name for what was, on the face of it, a preposterous British military mission: In 1943, with Allied forces planning to invade Sicily and wrest it from fascist Axis control, two intelligence officers conspired to convince the Nazis they were targeting Greece instead, pulling off the ruse with false documents and the stolen, dressed-up corpse of a fictitious British marine. It’s a true chapter of history that nonetheless sounds like a war film as dreamed up by Ealing Studios scriptwriters; it’s practically begging to be made into a farce, and sure enough, the gag-filled knockabout musical “Operation Mincemeat” hits London stages this very month.

Celebrity Bake Off star Matt Lucas has hit back at the notion that Paul Hollywood showed him ‘favouritism’ in the tent, stating that people can ‘say what you like’. On last night’s episode, Matt – who typically hosts the programme with Noel Fielding – stepped in to take part in the celebrity charity special for Stand Up To Cancer alongside Ed Gamble, Example and Annie Mac after another star dropped out at the last minute. While the Little Britain star was making glass window biscuits, judge Paul helped knead some of his dough after coming over to check on him, before the contestant later received a coveted Paul Hollywood handshake during his critique.

The Great British Bake Off presenter Matt Lucas has hit back at claims that he was shown ‘favouritism’ when he made his baking debut in the tent. In the most recent episode of the Celebrity Bake Off, Matt donned his apron and stepped in to compete against the likes of Example and Annie Mac when another famous face dropped out of the show at the last minute.The 48 year old was seen attempting to make glass window biscuits, and judge Paul Hollywood soon stepped in to give him a helping hand.

Paul Hollywood invoked the wrath of the celebs on Celebrity Bake Off after he was caught giving Matt Lucas a helping hand. The absolute scandal of it. Little Britain star Matt, who usually hosts the baking show with Noel Fielding, stepped up to compete as a baker for this year’s series in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.

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High-profile politicians and media figures have slammed the UK government’s decision to press ahead with privatizing It’s A Sin broadcaster Channel 4, as a petition to stop the process nears 35,000 signatures.

The Government proposal to privatise Channel 4 'is cultural vandalism', Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell has said in a stinging statement. Ms Powell, the Shadow Culture Secretary, said the move would 'cost jobs and opportunities'.

Paramount+’s latest UK slate is headlined by a dark drama from The Bridge and Marcella creator Hans Rosenfeldt, with new unscripted shows including a reality series about LA hairdressers and true crime doc about a notorious hoax caller. 

Example has revealed that Matt Lucas had to step in as a contestant on The Great Celebrity Bake Off after Martine McCutcheon pulled out of the show last minute. The Great British Bake Off special in aid of Stand up to Cancer has seen a new host of celebrities step into the famous tent to bake for the judges, Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood.