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By Emily Sheridan Mail

HAPPY MONDAYS REFORM AFTER 19 YEARS


Cult band HAPPY MONDAYS are reforming their original line-up for a series of gigs this year (12) - the first time the founding members have toured together since they broke up in 1993.

The Step On hitmakers disbanded 19 years ago as frontman Shaun Ryder's drug addiction spiralled out of control, and when they reunited in 1999, original guitarist Mark Day and keyboardist Paul Davis refused to join the comeback.

But it appears the rockers have made up and put their differences behind them as they are currently touting for gigs across Europe, according to TheQuietus.com.

A statement obtained by the website reads, "The rumours are true... Happy Mondays, the seminal Manchester band who changed musical culture forever has reformed and will be available for select live gigs across 2012."

The announcement has sparked speculation the band will be supporting their fellow '90s rockers Stone Roses at their sold-out reunion gigs in Manchester in June and July (12).

Express

Gabriel Byrne To Star In C4 Drama

Gabriel Byrne is to star Channel 4’s new four-part drama series Coup.

Byrne, best known for films such as The Usual Suspects, will play politician Tom Dawkins in the drama, which is based on the book A Very British Coup by Chris Mullin.

Coup has been written by Robert Jones. It will go into production next month for transmission later this year.

waveguide.co.uk

Liam Neeson: I may become a Muslim
Catholic movie star is thinking about changing faith Sun

Shopaholic Hoarders

Channel 4 has commissioned a new series about shopaholic hoarders whose lives will be transformed by two experts who will clear out their cluttered houses, turn their possessions into cash and redesign their homes.

My New Home will feature out-of-control consumers whose quality of life is being buried under their mounds of excessive, but potentially valuable possessions.

On hand to help each case will be two experts who make their living out of clearing and redesigning houses. Dealer of antiques and artefacts, Nick Allen will sort through the clutter and determine what money can be made from the collections, giving viewers top tips on how to find the hidden gems in their homes and maximise their worth.

Meanwhile interior designer, Abigail Ahern will use the money raised, and her great tricks of the trade, to transform the house in a way that reflects the character and personality of the hoarders.

From collectors of Dr Who memorabilia and dolls, to hoarders of electronic gadgetry and antique furniture, the weird and wonderful will be uncovered in this series.

My New Home was commissioned by Channel 4's Deputy Head of Features Andrew Jackson.

Jackson said: "After decades of buy, buy, buy I think we're all a little fed up of the stuff we've amassed so it's time to sell, sell, sell. This show is the ultimate spring clean of crap & clutter and where's there's muck, hopefully there's brass. I really hope that week after week Nick digs out diamonds in the rough to give Abigail all the cash she needs to give our shopaholic hoarders the makeover they need and the new life they crave."

The six-part series will air in March.


ITV Commissions Soldiers Wives Drama

ITV has commissioned a new six-part drama about the wives and girlfriends of soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

The drama, which has the working title Swags, has been created by Sue Teddern, who will write the series with Jan McVerry. It will begin filming in the Manchester area in May.

Swags is being produced by ITV Studios in Manchester, with ITV Studios creative director Kieran Roberts executive producing the series.

He described Swags as “an emotional and heart-wrenching drama about the women who fight their own battles on the home front while thousands of miles away their loved ones are risking their lives every day”.

“Seeing how these remarkable women cope with survival, triumph, love and loss will make compelling viewing,” he added.

Swags has been commissioned by ITV’s drama commissioning team Laura Mackie and Sally Haynes.

waveguide.co.uk

Shirley MacLaine Joins Cast Of Downton Abbey

Oscar winning actress Shirley MacLaine is to join the cast of Downton Abbey, it has been revealed.

The Hollywood star will appear as the mother of Lady Grantham - played by Elizabeth McGovern - in the third series of the ITV1 show.

Her character, Martha Levinson, will go head-to-head with current matriarch Maggie Smith who plays the dowager Countess of Grantham

Filming on the new series of Downton Abbey begins next month.

SkyNews

Angelina Jolie: Tragic love story made me cry in Brad’s arms
Star on the heartache of her Bosnian War movie, In The Land Of Blood And Honey Sun

Russell Crowe is being lined up to play Noah

Gladiator star, soon to be seen as Superman's father in Man of Steel, is linked to Darren Aronofsky's biblical epic Guardian

Harry Hunters

A new Channel 4 film is to look at five girls who are determined to snare their own Prince Charming.

The film First Cut: The Harry Hunters follows 21-year old American friends Cassie and Whitney who grew up in rural Iowa, watching Disney movies and dreaming they would one day marry Prince Harry. They know that to achieve your dreams you have to be prepared to go the distance. Cassie and Whitney have done their research and have a plan - to hit his favourite haunts - from Polo clubs to exclusive Mayfair nightspots.

However, they have strong competition from the ‘queens' of the social network in East London. School friends Joy and Jade know Prince Harry's whereabouts at any time, day or night. Twitter is their medium of choice - whether Harry's partying in Croatia or flying Apache helicopters, they will know within seconds. 16-year old Joy even has an engagement ring for the Prince when the right moment comes to propose.

And finally 14-year-old Flora who hangs out in Chelsea, London and avidly reads the newspapers to know what Prince Harry is up to each week. However, she is determined to impress her teenage heart-throb by working hard at school in her hopes to become an intelligent Princess.

Channel 4 Commissioning Editor Aysha Rafael said: "The Harry Hunters shares the romantic age-old dreams held by thousands of young girls around the world. They fantasise of fairy tale dresses, extravagant royal weddings and for that special day when they finally meet their Prince Charming."

waveguide.co.uk

HBO Films: Game Change Youtube - Trailer

Radio 2’s Simon Mayo to host Blockbusters Sun

Norwegian Comedy Drama For BBC Four

Stevie Van Zandt stars in a new comedy drama series from Norwegian broadcaster NRK called Lillehammer to be shown on BBC Four.

Van Zandt plays a New York mobster Frank ‘The Fixer’ Tagliano. After testifying against his Mafia boss, Frank enters the Witness Protection Programme and makes an unusual demand: he asks to be set up with his new life in the sleepy Norwegian town Lillehammer, which he fell in love with while watching the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. Thrust into a town that has little crime but a very colourful group of inhabitants, Frank has to confront a totally alien lifestyle.
The new eight-part series set records when it launched in Norway last month, achieving the highest ratings ever for a drama premiere on NRK.

Richard Klein, Controller BBC Four says: “Lilyhammer mixes sharp wit and American big city ways with the beauty of the Norwegian mountains and folksy nature of a small town - a perfect combination for a razor-sharp drama about cultural mores. I am delighted the BBC Four has acquired this drama and I am sure our viewers are going to have a good time!”


BBC, ITN and Sky Lobby For Courtroom Television

The BBC, ITN and Sky have sent a joint letter to MPs calling for the lifting of the ban on television cameras in British courtrooms.

The letter, co-signed by director of BBC News Helen Boaden, head of ITN (Independent Television News) John Hardie and Sky News chief John Ryley, claimed the move would improve public understanding of the justice system and provide a “fundamental freedom”.

“The ability to witness justice in action, in the public gallery, is a fundamental freedom,” said the letter. “Television will make the public gallery open to all. The administration of justice is a key part of a democracy.”

The Ministry of Justice announced last September that it intended to allow the limited televising of courtroom proceedings, with an adjournment debate - a House of Commons debate that does not require a vote – set for Wednesday 8 February.

The broadcasters want to ensure legislation to overturn the ban is included in this year’s Queen's Speech ahead of the state opening of Parliament in spring, arguing that subsequent discussions as to the limit and logistics of filming in court are likely to be detailed and long-winded, meaning the first case would not appear on television for some time.

waveguide.co.uk

Whitney Houston's death stuns music world

Fans and musicians have reacted with shock to the death of American singer and actress Whitney Houston.

Aretha Franklin, the star's godmother, said the news was "stunning and unbelievable" while Mariah Carey said she was "heartbroken and in tears".

Police said Houston died in her room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where she had been staying as a guest, on Saturday.

The 48-year-old was best known for powerful ballads such as I Will Always Love You and One Moment In Time.

But her later career was overshadowed by substance abuse and her turbulent marriage to singer Bobby Brown.


BBC

Comedian Frank Carson dies, aged 85, after cancer battle

Comedian Frank Carson has died today, aged 85, his agent has announced.

The Belfast-born stand up, who had been battling stomach cancer for some time, passed away this morning at home near Blackpool, Lancs.

The Irish comic rose to fame in the 1960s after winning talent show Opportunity Knocks three times.

He was recognised for his catchphrases "It's a cracker" and "It's the way I tell 'em" and performed all over the UK.

A spokesman said: "He died this morning, his family called to tell us."

Mirror