Shane Allen

BBC serves up a dozen new comedy commissions

Sticky stars Javone Prince, Tom Hardy, Kayvan Novak and Charlotte Riley (Credit: BBC)

The commissions include programmes from established talent, including Kayvan Novak (Facejacker) and Tim Vine (Not Going Out), and a bumper crop of new faces.

BBC Three’s Comedy Slices (formerly known as Comedy Feeds) will return for a fifth year, and are designed to develop a new generation of comedy stars, both on and off screen. Many of the pilots from previous years have become hit series, including Josh and RTS award-winning People Just Do Nothing.

Amazon's online drive for audiences

It’s rare for Yorkshire town Whitby to make the national press – unless, of course, there’s been a flood – but wherever Jeremy Clarkson goes, the world follows. Amazon’s impending launch of The Grand Tour is one of the most globally anticipated series of all time.

Jay Marine, vice-president of Amazon Prime Video Europe, says: “It is a huge TV moment, not only for us but for UK TV generally.”

BBC commissions three Landmark Sitcoms

A Brief History of Tim, Motherland, and Porridge will all return to television with a full series. Each programme was piloted as part of the BBC's celebration of 60 years of the sitcom, marking the anniversary of the first TV episode of Hancock's Half Hour.

Porridge was brought back by the creative time behind the original 1974 sitcom of the same name. A reimagining of the BBC One favourite, the new Porridge stars Kevin Bishop as the cyber criminal grandson of Ronnie Barker's iconic inmate Fletcher.

Jonathan Creek returns to Daemons' Roost

Alan Davies stars as Jonathan Creek (Credit: UKTV)

Legend has it that in the 19th century, sorcerer and former owner of Daemons’ Roost, Jacob Surtees would summon the powers of Hell to his home to terrorise and subjugate his victims.

A hundred and fifty years later, the house is occupied by Nathan Clore, a veteran horror film director with secrets of his own.

With his health failing, Clore summons his stepdaughter Alison to Daemons’ Roost to share with her the chilling truth of what happened to her family there.

YOUNG TV-MAKERS SUCCESS

Young Peoples’ Media Festival participants

Young people with a passion for broadcasting and filmmaking have been celebrated at one of the region’s most prestigious media events.

The University of Sunderland hosted the RTS North East and Border Centre, Young Peoples’ Media Festival (YPMF) on Wednesday 18 May. The festival celebrates work from students, schools and colleges throughout the North East, North Yorkshire, and Cumbria.