Channel 4

Channel 4 announces new DIY series from Dick and Angel Strawbridge

In Dick & Angel’s Make, Do & Mend, the duo will offer resourceful DIY guidance to families during the lockdown, using only common household items and materials.

The Strawbridges earned their DIY credentials restoring a chateau in France to its former glory using their own handiwork and design skills in Escape to the Chateau.

Dick and Angel Strawbridge said: “Between the pair of us we have nearly a century’s worth of ‘make do and mend’ experience and so we are really excited to be making this brand-new series.”

Channel 4 announces new Coronavirus factual slate

The slate will follow the scientists striving to tackle the virus and the human stories of those on the front line.

 

Pandemic: Can Science beat Coronavirus?

First up is a strictly scientific, one-off panel show, whereby leading experts will aim to answer the country’s most pressing questions.

Among those answering the nation's questions will be a virologist offering insight into the search for a vaccine, and an epidemiologist explaining inconsistencies in the data.

Free from politics, Pandemic will provide frank and factual discussions.

Who's taking part in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins?

(credit: Channel 4)

Embarking on one of the toughest physical challenges of their lives, the familiar faces will be sent to the West Coast of Scotland to face a punishing course in challenging terrain.

On the remote island of Raasay, the celebrity recruits will have to face the wild seas, harsh landscape and unforgiving weather, all while living in a derelict farmstead.

Chief instructor Ant Middleton will be leading the group, helped by his team of directing staff: Foxy, Billy, Ollie and newest member Jay.

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins starts at 9pm on Monday 20th April.

Youssef Kerkour is done playing the bad guy

Youssef Kerkour (Credit: Channel 4)

Kerkour has been working as an actor for almost 20 years and at six foot four he is used to playing the “killer” on screen, after roles in Strike Back and Nightflyers.

However, in Home he plays a loveable gentle refugee from Syria, who is looking to build a new life in the UK.

“As an Arab on screen I’d spent most of my life either killing people or being killed,” said Kerkour, “then I get this script about a refugee in the UK and he’s humanised.”

Channel 4 launches a new daily cooking show with Jamie Oliver

Jamie: Keep Cooking and Carry On (credit: Channel 4)

In response to our unprecedented times, with so many staying at home, the show will see Jamie Oliver sharing easy-to-follow recipes, tips and hacks to create nutritious meals for the whole family.

Using kitchen staples, Jamie will show viewers how to make the most out of the ingredients they’ve got at home, whatever their budget.

From creative store-cupboard creations, to feasts drawn from frozen food, Jamie will be helping home cooks rustle up some delicious meals using simple ingredients.

New series from comedian Mae Martin heads to Channel 4

(credit: Channel 4)

The six-part series, co-written with Joe Hampson, is a semi-autobiographical comedy following a recovering addict and comedian called Mae.

As Mae attempts to get her addictive impulses under control, an all-consuming relationship with her new girlfriend George, played by Charlotte Ritchie (Fresh Meat), throws life into further complication.

The series was conceived off the back of one of Martin’s stand-up routines about addictive behaviour, and explores concepts of gender fluidity and queer romance.

The Great British Bake Off announces new host

Lucas will be joining Noel Fielding and judges Prue Leith and Paul Hollywood in the tent for the eleventh series.

He said: “I’m chuffed to bits to be joining the most delicious show on television. I can’t wait to break bread with Noel, Prue and Paul and meet the brilliant bakers.

“And bearing in mind my love of cake, I’ve already ordered some much larger trousers in anticipation.”

Channel 4 and Amazon announce new comedy Frank of Ireland

32-year-old Frank Marron (Brian Gleeson) is single, unemployed and still lives at home with his mother Mary (Pom Boyd) in Dublin. A misanthropic and narcissistic fantasist, he claims to be a musician despite neither writing nor performing in over seven years.

It’s also been over seven years since Frank split with his ex-girlfriend Aine (Sarah Greene), and yet he’s struggling to come to terms with her new relationship with Peter-Brian (Tom Vaughan-Lawlor).

Channel 4 recommissions Beat the Chef with a brand new format

Andi Oliver (Credit: Channel 4)

In the updated format, the show takes amateur cooks and pits them against award-winning chefs, Mark Sargeant, Frederick Forster, Hrishikesh Desai and Sophie Michell, with a £10,000 jackpot up for grabs for whoever excels in the fast paced cook-offs.

In the first round of the competition, the contestants make their favourite recipe and the professional chefs create their own version of the contestant’s dish.

Both dishes are then blind taste tested by a jury and each vote a contestant wins from the jury is worth money that is added to their potential prize pot.