BBC

BBC One commissions new four-part series from Jack Thorne

Jack Thorne (Credit: BBC)

Best Interests tells the story of two parents who must make a life-changing decision that no one could ever want to make.

Andrew and Nicci’s daughter, Marnie, suffers from a life-threatening condition to the extent that medical staff have suggested that it would be in her best interests to be allowed to die to end any suffering.

Andrew and Nicci struggle to contemplate the decision and launch a legal battle to prevent their daughter’s death.

Book review: The Battle for Sky

Agatha Raisin (Ashley Jensen), DCI Bill Wong (Matt McCooey) and Charles Fraith (Jason Merrells) in Sky One's Agatha Raisin (Credit: Sky)

Is it just me, or does this account of the relentless march of Sky feel less like a window into the “future of entertainment” and more the TV equivalent of ancient history?

There are glorious deeds and all-conquering heroes. Step forward Jeremy Darroch, and the man who appointed him CEO of Sky, James Murdoch. Not forgetting the tragic fate of doomed and misguided rivals: hold your heads in shame, Setanta and a host of others.

Stewart Purvis: The challenges of Brexit on political coverage

Our Next Prime Minister (Credit: BBC)

In May 2018, the top two UK parties, as measured in opinion polls and real votes cast in elections, were Labour and the Conservatives. A year later, they had been displaced by the Brexit Party and the Liberal Democrats.

One man’s journey during just three of those 12 months helps to illustrate this wacky new world of UK politics. In March 2019, he left one party to help create another, which started with one name, changed to a different one and then changed back. He then joined a third party, saying that he should probably have gone with it in the first place.

Lydia Noakes’s TV Diary

Lydia Noakes (Credit: Paul Hampartsoumian)

My week starts the way it has done most Mondays for the past three years – sitting in a university library. There’s one big difference. At this time of year, there is a veil of calm. The underlying current of stress has dissipated. It’s a big change from the tensions of exam season a month ago.

Chairs stand unoccupied and academic books are tossed aside. I am finally on my last chapter. This one is entitled “The real world of television”.

BBC orders new Rylan makeover show and more

Rylan Clark-Neal (Credit: BBC)

Rylan Clark-Neal will present a new BBC One fashion makeover show, You Are What You Wear, which gives people the chance to makeover their look with the help of professional stylists.

Also coming to BBC One is new series, Easy Ways To Live Well, in which Steph McGovern and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall team up to bring people tips on how to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Returning to BBC Two following the hit ratings for series one, is global travel series Race Across The World, which has been confirmed for two further series. 

Obituary: John Myers (1959 – 2019)

John Myers (Credit: Family Photo)

John was one of the most influential and successful figures in British media having launched and developed commercial radio brands including Century, Smooth, Real and Rock.

He was chief executive of both GMG Radio and the Radio Academy, and produced the Myers Report on the future of local radio for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (as it was) in 2009. Two years later, he advised the BBC on streamlining its radio services.