British actor Leslie Grantham, best known for playing rogue “Dirty” Den Watts on the long-running BBC soap EastEnders, has died. He was 71.
The actor, who also co-hosted the UK version of French gameshow Fort Boyard, appeared on EastEnders from 1985 to 1989 and returned to the BBC One series from 2003 to 2005. He played main character Watt, who was the landlord of the Queen Vic, the pub which serves as the focal point of the soap. During his initial four years, ratings reached up to 30M in 1986, when his character divorced his on-screen wife Angie.
A statement from his agent said he died on Friday morning after returning to the UK from Bulgaria to receive medical attention.
In addition to his role on the BBC One series, Grantham was a controversial character and was a constant figure in the British tabloids. In 1966, he was convicted of murdering a German taxi driver and in...
The actor, who also co-hosted the UK version of French gameshow Fort Boyard, appeared on EastEnders from 1985 to 1989 and returned to the BBC One series from 2003 to 2005. He played main character Watt, who was the landlord of the Queen Vic, the pub which serves as the focal point of the soap. During his initial four years, ratings reached up to 30M in 1986, when his character divorced his on-screen wife Angie.
A statement from his agent said he died on Friday morning after returning to the UK from Bulgaria to receive medical attention.
In addition to his role on the BBC One series, Grantham was a controversial character and was a constant figure in the British tabloids. In 1966, he was convicted of murdering a German taxi driver and in...
- 6/15/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Aaron Birch Jul 13, 2016
The Crystal Maze, Cyber Zone, Fort Boyard... We look back at the UK game shows that dared to ask more than just quiz questions...
If the idea of yet another TV game show with an uninspiring presenter and ever so slight spin on the tried and tested Q&A formula fills you with apathy, you're not alone. Although TV quiz shows often rake in the viewers for a relatively low production budget, hence their popularity with TV studios, the whole genre feels a little stagnant. Perhaps it's the rise of the Internet, a general change in viewer culture, and the changing tastes that come with it. While many shows of the past delighted audiences with images of shiny new appliances, cars, and holidays to far-off destinations, today's shows mostly award cold, hard, and boring cash. Great for the winner, but not too interesting for the viewer. Give...
The Crystal Maze, Cyber Zone, Fort Boyard... We look back at the UK game shows that dared to ask more than just quiz questions...
If the idea of yet another TV game show with an uninspiring presenter and ever so slight spin on the tried and tested Q&A formula fills you with apathy, you're not alone. Although TV quiz shows often rake in the viewers for a relatively low production budget, hence their popularity with TV studios, the whole genre feels a little stagnant. Perhaps it's the rise of the Internet, a general change in viewer culture, and the changing tastes that come with it. While many shows of the past delighted audiences with images of shiny new appliances, cars, and holidays to far-off destinations, today's shows mostly award cold, hard, and boring cash. Great for the winner, but not too interesting for the viewer. Give...
- 5/23/2016
- Den of Geek
From ampersands to The Apprentice, from dinner ladies to Dirty Den, here's a selection of nerdy in-jokes from Doctor Who series 2...
Last month we took a look at Doctor Who Series One as it celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Specifically, we delved deep into the murky world of in-jokes and sweet nerdy references.
Let’s take another trip back in time and have a look at the more notable and interesting references and in-jokes from Doctor Who Series Two, starring David Tennant and Billie Piper, where the credit of “Doctor Who” had been changed back to “The Doctor”. Pfft, party poopers.
New Earth
Old-skool fans would have been forgiven for being excited at the prospect, given that “New Earth” was a planet mentioned in the 1974 classic Invasion Of The Dinosaurs (though it didn’t actually exist in that story, it was a fake world). But all fans could get excited at...
Last month we took a look at Doctor Who Series One as it celebrated its 10th Anniversary. Specifically, we delved deep into the murky world of in-jokes and sweet nerdy references.
Let’s take another trip back in time and have a look at the more notable and interesting references and in-jokes from Doctor Who Series Two, starring David Tennant and Billie Piper, where the credit of “Doctor Who” had been changed back to “The Doctor”. Pfft, party poopers.
New Earth
Old-skool fans would have been forgiven for being excited at the prospect, given that “New Earth” was a planet mentioned in the 1974 classic Invasion Of The Dinosaurs (though it didn’t actually exist in that story, it was a fake world). But all fans could get excited at...
- 4/29/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
BBC
EastEnders turns 30 years old this week and it’s the prerogative of a Doctor Who fan to somehow make it all about us.
It’s true that Doctor Who and EastEnders have quite a fair bit in common, though. They’re both long running dramas, for starters (although obviously one of them has been running longer than the other… *ahem*….), and as such they’ve become two of the BBC’s most formidable flagship franchises. What’s more, characters in EastEnders have even been known to regenerate, too. How many times has a character left and come back again with a new face? See, it’s not so different from Doctor Who after all…
After three decades on our screens, Albert Square has played host to a plethora of acting talent and many of its stars have popped up in Doctor Who over the years, too. As well as...
EastEnders turns 30 years old this week and it’s the prerogative of a Doctor Who fan to somehow make it all about us.
It’s true that Doctor Who and EastEnders have quite a fair bit in common, though. They’re both long running dramas, for starters (although obviously one of them has been running longer than the other… *ahem*….), and as such they’ve become two of the BBC’s most formidable flagship franchises. What’s more, characters in EastEnders have even been known to regenerate, too. How many times has a character left and come back again with a new face? See, it’s not so different from Doctor Who after all…
After three decades on our screens, Albert Square has played host to a plethora of acting talent and many of its stars have popped up in Doctor Who over the years, too. As well as...
- 2/18/2015
- by Dan Butler
- Obsessed with Film
From the Queen Vic to the Tardis. As Eastenders prepares to mark its 30th anniversary, we look back at its encounters with Doctor Who...
Back in the mid-eighties an actor who played "Third Assistant" in a Doctor Who story called The Savages (1966) and the director of another Doctor Who adventure, The Underwater Menace (1967), came together to create one of the BBC’s most successful television shows.
And when they got together, it was murder. Well, not quite. (Though the first episode did feature a victim who would later die, fact fans.) But what they did create was Eastenders.
Broadcast on February the 19th 1985 (in between episodes one and two of The Two Doctors), this creation of Who alumni would go on to share numerous links with the long-running science-fiction for years to come. Even its time-slot owes much to the adventures of everyone’s favourite Gallifreyan.
In an interview in...
Back in the mid-eighties an actor who played "Third Assistant" in a Doctor Who story called The Savages (1966) and the director of another Doctor Who adventure, The Underwater Menace (1967), came together to create one of the BBC’s most successful television shows.
And when they got together, it was murder. Well, not quite. (Though the first episode did feature a victim who would later die, fact fans.) But what they did create was Eastenders.
Broadcast on February the 19th 1985 (in between episodes one and two of The Two Doctors), this creation of Who alumni would go on to share numerous links with the long-running science-fiction for years to come. Even its time-slot owes much to the adventures of everyone’s favourite Gallifreyan.
In an interview in...
- 2/12/2015
- by louisamellor
- Den of Geek
Michael Barrymore and Tara Palmer-Tomkinson are among the stars due to appear on The Jeremy Kyle Show.
Jeremy Kyle is to host a week of celebrity specials in June, in which he chats to five guests about a range of issues, including money, drugs and relationships.
Barrymore will appear on June 9, and will talk about his drug and drink addictions, the breakdown of his marriage and the party at his house which resulted in the death of Stuart Lubbock.
Palmer-Tomkinson will discuss her cocaine addiction and her reported relapse on June 10.
Tito Jackson, Coronation Street star Liz Dawn and Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder will also appear on the show later in the month.
Each episode will be broadcast at 2pm on ITV.
The specials follow previous one-off celebrity editions, including Alex Reid, Jodie Marsh and Leslie Grantham.
Jeremy Kyle is to host a week of celebrity specials in June, in which he chats to five guests about a range of issues, including money, drugs and relationships.
Barrymore will appear on June 9, and will talk about his drug and drink addictions, the breakdown of his marriage and the party at his house which resulted in the death of Stuart Lubbock.
Palmer-Tomkinson will discuss her cocaine addiction and her reported relapse on June 10.
Tito Jackson, Coronation Street star Liz Dawn and Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder will also appear on the show later in the month.
Each episode will be broadcast at 2pm on ITV.
The specials follow previous one-off celebrity editions, including Alex Reid, Jodie Marsh and Leslie Grantham.
- 5/28/2014
- Digital Spy
Richard John Taylor had no problem attracting investors to his films. After all, he was a senior editor on EastEnders, ran a production company with Louis Theroux and had a lucrative deal with ITV. There was only one problem…
At the end of Tina Renton's book, You Can't Hide, she thanks her friend Richard John Taylor for everything he's done for her. Taylor, a film-maker, had become a saviour of sorts. He had met her through Rape Crisis in August 2011 when she was at her most vulnerable, befriended her, gave her a job as his personal assistant and made her feel worthwhile again.
Renton's story was as inspirational as it was shocking. She had been abused by her stepfather from the age of six. At 14, she told her mother, but her mother said if she went to the police, the family would be left homeless. She threw her partner out of the house,...
At the end of Tina Renton's book, You Can't Hide, she thanks her friend Richard John Taylor for everything he's done for her. Taylor, a film-maker, had become a saviour of sorts. He had met her through Rape Crisis in August 2011 when she was at her most vulnerable, befriended her, gave her a job as his personal assistant and made her feel worthwhile again.
Renton's story was as inspirational as it was shocking. She had been abused by her stepfather from the age of six. At 14, she told her mother, but her mother said if she went to the police, the family would be left homeless. She threw her partner out of the house,...
- 3/22/2014
- by Simon Hattenstone
- The Guardian - Film News
Danny Dyer claims he's 'EastEnders' saviour. The 'Football Factory' star will make his Albert Square debut on Christmas Day (25.12.12) when he becomes Walford's latest Queen Vic landlord, Mick Carter, alongside Kellie Bright - who will play his on-screen wife Linda Carter - and he believes his character will stir more trouble than the original owner, the late Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham), who was killed off in 2005. He said: ''I'm bringing something to soap land that's never been seen before. I'm telling you that now right. ''You know, he [Dirty Den] was the eighties version, I'm bringing it...
- 11/18/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Danny Dyer claims he's 'EastEnders' saviour. The 'Football Factory' star will make his Albert Square debut on Christmas Day (25.12.12) when he becomes Walford's latest Queen Vic landlord, Mick Carter, alongside Kellie Bright - who will play his on-screen wife Linda Carter - and he believes his character will stir more trouble than the original owner, the late Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham), who was killed off in 2005. He said: ''I'm bringing something to soap land that's never been seen before. I'm telling you that now right. ''You know, he [Dirty Den] was the eighties version, I'm bringing it...
- 11/16/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
So Channel 5's director of programmes Ben Frow wants to bring 'classic' karaoke show Night Fever back to television, and you lot actually seem pretty keen on the notion...
"Fantastic idea," said Scott Peacock, "Awesome," agreed Mark Whiley, "Night Fever is still my favourite homegrown Channel 5 show!!" enthused Neil Martin.
But which other gems from Channel 5's back catalogue should be revived? What have been the broadcaster's best programming efforts since it launched in 1997? Here's 5 shows that 5 could bring back to our screens...
The Mole
Based on an international format, high-tension game show The Mole was hosted by Glenn Hugill and had viewers hooked with its combination of physical tasks, mental challenges and devious sabotage. The show - which saw one team member secretly derail his fellow contestants' efforts - ran for just two series in the UK, but is overdue a modern makeover.
Fort Boyard
Another physical endurance game show,...
"Fantastic idea," said Scott Peacock, "Awesome," agreed Mark Whiley, "Night Fever is still my favourite homegrown Channel 5 show!!" enthused Neil Martin.
But which other gems from Channel 5's back catalogue should be revived? What have been the broadcaster's best programming efforts since it launched in 1997? Here's 5 shows that 5 could bring back to our screens...
The Mole
Based on an international format, high-tension game show The Mole was hosted by Glenn Hugill and had viewers hooked with its combination of physical tasks, mental challenges and devious sabotage. The show - which saw one team member secretly derail his fellow contestants' efforts - ran for just two series in the UK, but is overdue a modern makeover.
Fort Boyard
Another physical endurance game show,...
- 8/7/2013
- Digital Spy
As we reported earlier, a new flick called Cute Little Buggers is heading our way in 3D (of course), and to get you geared up for the blood-spattered mayhem to come, we have about a dozen new stills on tap for you guys! Dig it!
Tony Jopia (Deadtime, Crying Wolf) is readying the ’80s inspired grisly British comic-horror flick Cute Little Buggers 3D starring Caroline Monroe, Joe Egan, Kristofer Dayne, Gary Martin, John R. Walker, Dani Thompson, Jess Jantschek, Samar Sarila, Jo Price, Sarah Bennett and Leslie Grantham.
The flick, described as Gremlins meets Hot Fuzz set in the English countryside, is set for release in June 2014.
Synopsis
After hostile aliens crash land on local farmland, the villagers at the summer ball get suspicious when young women start going missing. The villagers soon band together around our hero Melchoir (Kristofer Dayne) to fend off the invaders and bring back peace to the sleepy English countryside!
Tony Jopia (Deadtime, Crying Wolf) is readying the ’80s inspired grisly British comic-horror flick Cute Little Buggers 3D starring Caroline Monroe, Joe Egan, Kristofer Dayne, Gary Martin, John R. Walker, Dani Thompson, Jess Jantschek, Samar Sarila, Jo Price, Sarah Bennett and Leslie Grantham.
The flick, described as Gremlins meets Hot Fuzz set in the English countryside, is set for release in June 2014.
Synopsis
After hostile aliens crash land on local farmland, the villagers at the summer ball get suspicious when young women start going missing. The villagers soon band together around our hero Melchoir (Kristofer Dayne) to fend off the invaders and bring back peace to the sleepy English countryside!
- 7/23/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
They're out of this world, out of control and out to get you...at least according to the new and extremely early piece of teaser artwork for 'Cute Little Buggers'. The new British comedy horror project from director Tony Jopia has been inspired by classic little creature features from the past such as 'Critters' and 'Gremlins' but has the added bonus of a third dimension as the feature will hit theatres in 3D. The UK quad poster, shown below, features a couple of furry claws scratching along the title and just hinting at what the little buggers will look like. The movie stars Caroline Monroe, Joe Egan, Kristofer Dayne, Gary Martin, John R. Walker, Dani Thompson, Jess Jantschek, Samar Sarila, Jo Price, Sarah Bennett and Leslie Grantham and it'll land in UK theatres from 1 June 2014....
- 6/18/2013
- Horror Asylum
We've had Gremlins, Ghoulies, Critters, Little Monsters, and even Spookies (though we're still not entirely sure just what the hell that one was about); and now we have Cute Little Buggers heading our way! In 3D of course!
The Hollywood News reports that Tony Jopia (Deadtime, Crying Wolf) is readying the ’80s inspired grisly British comic-horror flick Cute Little Buggers 3D starring Caroline Monroe, Joe Egan, Kristofer Dayne, Gary Martin, John R. Walker, Dani Thompson, Jess Jantschek, Samar Sarila, Jo Price, Sarah Bennett and Leslie Grantham.
The flick, described as Gremlins meets Hot Fuzz set in the English countryside, is set for release in June 2014.
Synopsis
After hostile aliens crash land on local farmland, the villagers at the summer ball get suspicious when young women start going missing. The villagers soon band together around our hero Melchoir (Kristofer Dayne) to fend off the invaders and bring back peace to the sleepy English countryside!
The Hollywood News reports that Tony Jopia (Deadtime, Crying Wolf) is readying the ’80s inspired grisly British comic-horror flick Cute Little Buggers 3D starring Caroline Monroe, Joe Egan, Kristofer Dayne, Gary Martin, John R. Walker, Dani Thompson, Jess Jantschek, Samar Sarila, Jo Price, Sarah Bennett and Leslie Grantham.
The flick, described as Gremlins meets Hot Fuzz set in the English countryside, is set for release in June 2014.
Synopsis
After hostile aliens crash land on local farmland, the villagers at the summer ball get suspicious when young women start going missing. The villagers soon band together around our hero Melchoir (Kristofer Dayne) to fend off the invaders and bring back peace to the sleepy English countryside!
- 6/18/2013
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Revisiting 18 years of pop culture, from the Strokes to the early hipster, plus lots of Charlie Brooker
2000: Nasty Nick
Charlie Brooker's first Screen Burn "Hate your job? Weep yourself awake each Monday morning? Spend the working day toying with your desktop icons while nonchalantly contemplating suicide? Ever considered doing something – anything – else? Then whatever you do, don't look to the coming week's television for inspiration. Tucked away in the schedules are four glaring examples of the very worst careers imaginable this side of "oil-rig bitch". First up servile pandering, or "being a butler", as it's commonly known..."
Macy Mania Macy Gray has a (fleeting) moment. "The latest craze is precisely what Macy Gray has become. The first bona-fide pop phenomenon of the new millennium. Right now, the world and its uncle appear infatuated with her. She's bigger than big. And getting bigger all the time."
2020 vision Danny Leigh...
2000: Nasty Nick
Charlie Brooker's first Screen Burn "Hate your job? Weep yourself awake each Monday morning? Spend the working day toying with your desktop icons while nonchalantly contemplating suicide? Ever considered doing something – anything – else? Then whatever you do, don't look to the coming week's television for inspiration. Tucked away in the schedules are four glaring examples of the very worst careers imaginable this side of "oil-rig bitch". First up servile pandering, or "being a butler", as it's commonly known..."
Macy Mania Macy Gray has a (fleeting) moment. "The latest craze is precisely what Macy Gray has become. The first bona-fide pop phenomenon of the new millennium. Right now, the world and its uncle appear infatuated with her. She's bigger than big. And getting bigger all the time."
2020 vision Danny Leigh...
- 1/5/2013
- by The Guide
- The Guardian - Film News
*full disclosure: an online screener of this film was provided by Midnight Releasing. Director: Tony Jopia. Writer: Stephen Bishop. Cast: Laurence Saunders, Carl Coleman, Elisabeth Shahlavi, Alex Marieka Hanly, Leslie Grantham, Terry Christian, and Joe Egan. The United Kingdom shot Deadtime is about a band trying to find a comeback. In a dilapitated studio in Birmingham, they find a serial killer instead. The cliches abound is this small film. From an isolated locale to no cell phone service, you have seen this style of filmmaking and writing before. Fortunately, some late prose and instances of overacting create for a few light moments. The story follows Love Meets Murder, a band struggling with a lack of popularity. Their last outing did not bring in the revenue. Now, they are relegated to a back water studio where they hope to record some new singles. Once at the locale, they sing and gyrate...
- 6/29/2012
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Deadtime
Stars: Laurence Saunders, Carl Coleman, Elisabeth Shahlavi, Leslie Grantham, Joe Egan, Terry Christian, Julian Boote | Written by Stephen Bishop | Directed by Tony Jopia
Getting noticed for recent cuts made to a death scene Deadtime is a British horror hoping to catch people’s attention. With cameos from Leslie Grantham and Terry Christian it definitely gets noticed by British fans who probably wonder why the hell they are in the film. Surprisingly though they are well used, not just for their names but for the scenes they are in.
When a band is in need of a bit of a revival they are locked into an old warehouse studio to record their new video with hopes of getting some interest back. Things don’t go to plan though as a masked killer starts to kill them one by one, with no idea how to escape and the killer hiding within...
Stars: Laurence Saunders, Carl Coleman, Elisabeth Shahlavi, Leslie Grantham, Joe Egan, Terry Christian, Julian Boote | Written by Stephen Bishop | Directed by Tony Jopia
Getting noticed for recent cuts made to a death scene Deadtime is a British horror hoping to catch people’s attention. With cameos from Leslie Grantham and Terry Christian it definitely gets noticed by British fans who probably wonder why the hell they are in the film. Surprisingly though they are well used, not just for their names but for the scenes they are in.
When a band is in need of a bit of a revival they are locked into an old warehouse studio to record their new video with hopes of getting some interest back. Things don’t go to plan though as a masked killer starts to kill them one by one, with no idea how to escape and the killer hiding within...
- 5/15/2012
- by Pzomb
- Nerdly
British slasher flick 'DeadTime' has upset those BBFC fellas and in order to score a UK 18 rating 4Digital Media have had to slash 12 precious seconds from their upcoming release involving a painful sounding stabbing. The new low budget thriller from Spooked Films has been ordered to remove 'a scene of sexual and sexualized violence, in this case a woman being stabbed between the legs with a blade' so that it can successfully hit shelves here in the UK from 14 May. The Tony Jopia helmed horror, stars Laurence Saunders, Carl Coleman, Elisabeth Shahlavi, Alex Marieka Hanly, Leslie Grantham ('Eastenders'), Terry Christian, Joe Egan, Julian Boote, Stephen Spencer and Matt Gibbons. Check out the trailer below....
- 4/30/2012
- Horror Asylum
First A Serbian Film then The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence) and now the UK is censoring one of their own flicks. We've just gotten word that the British film Deadtime had to have footage removed to make the necessary BFFC18 rating.
However, apart from the bad news of the censoring, we can happily report that we've got the trailer for Deadtime below. Oh and if you were wondering what it was censored for, the report stated: In order to obtain the necessary BBFC 18 rating, distributor 4Digital Media had to remove 12 seconds of a scene that is described by the BBFC containing: a scene of sexual and sexualized violence, in this case a woman being stabbed between the legs with a blade. Ouch.
The censored version of Deadtime arrives in UK stores on May 14th, 2012. For more visit the official Deadtime website and like the fficial Deadtime Facebook page.
From the...
However, apart from the bad news of the censoring, we can happily report that we've got the trailer for Deadtime below. Oh and if you were wondering what it was censored for, the report stated: In order to obtain the necessary BBFC 18 rating, distributor 4Digital Media had to remove 12 seconds of a scene that is described by the BBFC containing: a scene of sexual and sexualized violence, in this case a woman being stabbed between the legs with a blade. Ouch.
The censored version of Deadtime arrives in UK stores on May 14th, 2012. For more visit the official Deadtime website and like the fficial Deadtime Facebook page.
From the...
- 4/30/2012
- by Doctor Gash
- DreadCentral.com
Those of you looking for your next low budget shock fix need look no further than this mix of rock ‘n roll, laughs and horror set in the East End of Laahndan Taaaahhn! Deadtime hits DVD on May 14th loaded with an unusual British cast and a few decent extras to boot!
From the Press Release:
Who said rock and roll was about sex and drugs? Not in Deadtime! Leslie Grantham and Terry Christian both have cameo appearances in this bloodthirsty gripping British horror from 4Digital Media. Everyone craves success and most will do whatever it takes, but Deadtime will take you down a chilling and twisted plot of blood, lies and betrayal that will have you jumping out of your seats. Even before its release, the Deadtime extended trailer has notched up over half a million YouTube views, showing everyone loves a good story, great British actors and A Lot of blood!
From the Press Release:
Who said rock and roll was about sex and drugs? Not in Deadtime! Leslie Grantham and Terry Christian both have cameo appearances in this bloodthirsty gripping British horror from 4Digital Media. Everyone craves success and most will do whatever it takes, but Deadtime will take you down a chilling and twisted plot of blood, lies and betrayal that will have you jumping out of your seats. Even before its release, the Deadtime extended trailer has notched up over half a million YouTube views, showing everyone loves a good story, great British actors and A Lot of blood!
- 4/19/2012
- by Aaron Williams
- DreadCentral.com
Above Suspicion on Acorn Media DVD
Kieran Kinsella
Click here to friend Best British TV on Facebook or here to follow us on Twitter. You can also find us on Google+ by clicking here.
March is going to be a marvelous month for fans of British TV as Acorn Media and Athena release something old, something new and something that has elements that people once regarded as being … well a little blue!
Out Acorn Media
Originally broadcast in 1978, Out is a Thames TV drama about a convict named Frank Ross (Tom Bell) who emerges from jail after serving an eight year stretch for his role in a heist. Out has elements that you find in shows such as The Sweeney, Minder and dare I even say Life on Mars only this show is rather more serious than those classics. Ross is a cold customer who is intent on finding the rat who caused his arrest.
Kieran Kinsella
Click here to friend Best British TV on Facebook or here to follow us on Twitter. You can also find us on Google+ by clicking here.
March is going to be a marvelous month for fans of British TV as Acorn Media and Athena release something old, something new and something that has elements that people once regarded as being … well a little blue!
Out Acorn Media
Originally broadcast in 1978, Out is a Thames TV drama about a convict named Frank Ross (Tom Bell) who emerges from jail after serving an eight year stretch for his role in a heist. Out has elements that you find in shows such as The Sweeney, Minder and dare I even say Life on Mars only this show is rather more serious than those classics. Ross is a cold customer who is intent on finding the rat who caused his arrest.
- 2/9/2012
- by admin
EastEnders actress Anita Dobson has revealed that she is glad her iconic character Angie Watts was killed off. Angie graced Albert Square between 1985 and 1988, garnering a legion of fans thanks to her turbulent relationship with 'Dirty' Den (Leslie Grantham) - which ended in divorce on Christmas Day 1986 in a storyline that attracted over 30 million viewers, the most ever for a UK drama. The character passed away off-screen in 2002, a decision that Dobson has now admitted she was pleased with since it prevented her from being tempted back to Walford. "Why tarnish the gorgeous creation that was Angie Watts? I was seriously tempted to go back twice but once you make a decision as big as that to leave, I think it's very rare that you go back," she told The Sun. "And I've been really lucky - I've had a great career and done (more)...
- 12/23/2011
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
I think we’ll all remember Big Brother’s final moments when it completed its 10 year run on Channel 4 last year. After all, it brought a lot of good to the world, and society, and God and Jesus and all of that. I think this was signified solely in Davina McCall’s despairing, teary eyes and Brian Dowling’s extra 10% of face. The image was positively apocalyptic. A bit like when The Mint ended on ITV. Actually a lot like that, but with slightly more of Brian Dowling’s face. It was also a bit like that time when Brian’s Boyfriends ended on ITV2, but with slightly more of Brian Dowling’s face.
And like my dad once said to me post-job interview at a milkshake shop “Now, remember. It’s not the failure that matters; it’s how you react to failure that counts.” Which as you can imagine,...
And like my dad once said to me post-job interview at a milkshake shop “Now, remember. It’s not the failure that matters; it’s how you react to failure that counts.” Which as you can imagine,...
- 4/5/2011
- by Lisa McGarry
- Unreality
Written by British playwright and dramatist Terry Johnson, 99-1 centres on Mick Raynor (Leslie Grantham), a maverick cop in a no-man's land where the underworld meets the establishment. Raynor is 'regular' police posing as a bent ex-policeman who uses his old contacts to gain information on a complex web of organised crime and high-level corruption lurking beneath the surface of British public life. Rather than making arrests every week like a regular cop, Raynor is always after the bigger and more elusive fish: the gangsters with knighthoods and the politicians who are laundering the money. His pursuit of these high-profile targets brings Raynor face to face with one of the most dangerous assignments of his career - and one which will tax his conscience to the very limit.
99-1 makes a bold entrance, with a well-renowned organisation having a regular meeting and stumbling upon a blood-drenched body. The series builds...
99-1 makes a bold entrance, with a well-renowned organisation having a regular meeting and stumbling upon a blood-drenched body. The series builds...
- 2/14/2011
- Shadowlocked
With a poster this cool, who needs brains or originality? Alright, in all fairness, British slasher Deadtime looks like it at least has it's tongue-in-cheek and that counts for something, but I'm posting this more for the fun of it all than as an endorsement of how good I think it could be.
Synopsis:
The story revolves around a troubled rock band whose unscrupulous record label producer, played by Channel 4’s “The Word” presenter Terry Christian, sends them to a run down studio in the Midlands to create their ‘magnum opus’ and revive their flagging career. As the guitars rock and the cameras roll, the entire entourage is stalked by a psychotic assailant, who seems hell bent on killing them all in ways that are increasingly graphic and creative.
Alongside names such as Leslie Grantham (Eastenders, Doctor Who), Terry Christian (The Word), Big Joe Egan (Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes...
Synopsis:
The story revolves around a troubled rock band whose unscrupulous record label producer, played by Channel 4’s “The Word” presenter Terry Christian, sends them to a run down studio in the Midlands to create their ‘magnum opus’ and revive their flagging career. As the guitars rock and the cameras roll, the entire entourage is stalked by a psychotic assailant, who seems hell bent on killing them all in ways that are increasingly graphic and creative.
Alongside names such as Leslie Grantham (Eastenders, Doctor Who), Terry Christian (The Word), Big Joe Egan (Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes...
- 6/8/2010
- QuietEarth.us
Produced by Novelist Dominic Took, the new "bloody brutal British" slasher flick Deadtime, centers around a rock band whose careers have fallen apart. Turning to their record label producer for help, they are sent to a dingy old studio in Wednesbury to utilize their “deadtime” and create their new “magnum opus”. Only moments after finishing their first track, one of the group turns up dead, and the heads begin to roll. The film stars Leslie Grantham (Eastenders, Doctor Who), Terry Christian, Big Joe Egan and metal band Judas Priest’s Ian Hill.
- 6/7/2010
- by wil
- HorrorYearbook
More goodies out of Tony Jopia's camp for his latest flick, DeadTime! The flick that promises that heads will rock and roll, has gotten itself a brand spanking new website and teaser trailer! Dig it!
The flick which looks like it will find its way into UK cinemas sometime in 2011 stars Terry Christian of TV’s “The Word”, Leslie Grantham (TV’s “Eastenders", "Doctor Who", and "The Uninvited”), Joe Egan (Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes), Ian Hill (Judas Priest), and a host of new British talent
Synopsis
"Love Meets Murder - the once popular rock'n'metal band, now down on their luck and their careers, seek to create their "magnum opus". Locked into a Wednesbury studio for the weekend nobody is able to leave - but before the band have just finished tearing into their new hit a series of mysterious murders begin to plague them all. Now only their...
The flick which looks like it will find its way into UK cinemas sometime in 2011 stars Terry Christian of TV’s “The Word”, Leslie Grantham (TV’s “Eastenders", "Doctor Who", and "The Uninvited”), Joe Egan (Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes), Ian Hill (Judas Priest), and a host of new British talent
Synopsis
"Love Meets Murder - the once popular rock'n'metal band, now down on their luck and their careers, seek to create their "magnum opus". Locked into a Wednesbury studio for the weekend nobody is able to leave - but before the band have just finished tearing into their new hit a series of mysterious murders begin to plague them all. Now only their...
- 6/7/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
A few weeks back, we caught wind of a new UK production called Deadtime and introduced you to the teaser trailer. Over the weekend, a full preview made its debut and you can now watch it below. The film centers around a floundering rock band who turn to their record producer for help and are sent to an old studio during their "deadtime" to create their magnum opus. Only moments after finishing their first track one of the group turns up dead and they discover a knife-wielding maniac, haunted by the voice of Satan, is after them all. Leslie Grantham (Dr. Who), Joe Egan (Sherlock Holmes) and Ian Hill (Judas Priest) star. Tony Jopia directs.
- 6/7/2010
- shocktillyoudrop.com
A teaser trailer for Chilean-born director Tony Jopia's bloody British horror tale DeadTime has reared its ever screaming head, and we've got your chance to dig on it right here!
From the Press Release
New British horror movie DeadTime hails from the West Midlands in the UK and released its teaser trailer today. Directed by Tony Jopia and produced by novelist Dominic Took, the film centres around a rock 'n metal band whose members' careers have run aground.
Turning to their record label producer, played by Terry Christian of TV’s “The Word”, for help, they are sent to a dingy old studio in Wednesbury to utilise their “deadtime” and create their new “magnum opus”. Only moments after finishing their first track, one of the group turns up dead, killed in one of the most stomach-churning ways to hit the horror genre yet.
Director Jopia says, “DeadTime was great...
From the Press Release
New British horror movie DeadTime hails from the West Midlands in the UK and released its teaser trailer today. Directed by Tony Jopia and produced by novelist Dominic Took, the film centres around a rock 'n metal band whose members' careers have run aground.
Turning to their record label producer, played by Terry Christian of TV’s “The Word”, for help, they are sent to a dingy old studio in Wednesbury to utilise their “deadtime” and create their new “magnum opus”. Only moments after finishing their first track, one of the group turns up dead, killed in one of the most stomach-churning ways to hit the horror genre yet.
Director Jopia says, “DeadTime was great...
- 5/18/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
We've got the UK teaser trailer for Tony Jopia's Deadtime . The film centers around a floundering rock band who turn to their record producer for help and are sent to an old studio during their "deadtime" to create their magnum opus. Only moments after finishing their first track one of the group turns up dead and they discover a knife-wielding maniac, haunted by the voice of Satan, is after them all. Leslie Grantham ( Dr. Who ), Joe Egan ( Sherlock Holmes ) and Ian Hill (Judas Priest) star. Stay tuned for release details and a full trailer, promised to hit in June.
- 5/18/2010
- shocktillyoudrop.com
Former EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman has claimed that the soap world is similar to life on "old-style" Hollywood movie sets. The actress admitted that she often used to draw comparisons to classic films when shooting scenes as Walford's Chrissie Watts, who is best remembered for murdering husband Dirty Den (Leslie Grantham) in the programme's 20th anniversary instalment. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph about serial drama, Oberman explained: "The way the system works is that you're stuck in this studio a long way from anywhere, and you're living, eating and breathing the job. "You're being driven around on the studio buggy and you're working with the same people. There really is (more)...
- 4/26/2010
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Former EastEnders star Leslie Grantham has been praised for behaving "heroically" after helping dozens of people to escape from a burning building. The 62-year-old actor provided assistance to residents at an apartment block in Swansea when flames began to sweep through the ground floor yesterday. Grantham had been staying with a friend in one of the flats when he noticed that the blaze had broken out inside. He then fled from the burning room and ran from door to door, urging other residents to seek safety. One told the Daily Mail: "Leslie was great, he banged on all the doors telling people to get out. By the time he escaped there was loads of smoke and we could hear the fire engines coming. "I know he is famous for playing (more)...
- 8/13/2009
- by By Daniel Kilkelly
- Digital Spy
Former EastEnders actress Tracy-Ann Oberman has revealed that she would love to finish off her character's storyline. The 39-year-old, who played cold-blooded murderer Chrissie Watts for a year-and-a-half, was written out of the BBC soap in December 2005 when she was left languishing in prison for killing her husband Den (Leslie Grantham). Due to the unavailability of Oberman and the other actors involved - Michelle Ryan (Zoe Slater) and Kim Medcalf (Sam Mitchell) - Den's murder trial was shelved and Chrissie was last seen returning to her cell after a visit from Jake Moon (Joel Beckett). With no resolve to Chrissie's story, Oberman hopes to one day discover what happened to her Walford counterpart. Speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, she enthused: "I'd love to finish off Chrissie's storyline because I love (more)...
- 7/23/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
This is the first picture of Danniella Westbrook on the set of EastEnders since she returned to the soap last month as original Mitchell sister Sam. In April, it was announced that Westbrook was to reprise her role as Sam in the summer. As a suspect in Den Watts's (Leslie Grantham) murder trial, Sam was last seen fleeing the country to live in Brazil. However, she makes a comeback to the Square in September, much to the shock of her family and the locals. What has caused her to return to Walford? (more)...
- 7/9/2009
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
Former EastEnders actress Michelle Ryan has revealed that she quit her Walford role because of boredom. The 24-year-old, who played the role of Zoe Slater for five years, quit the soap in 2005 when her character's affair with Dirty Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) was exposed to the residents of Albert Square. Speaking to thisisbristol, she said: "I just got quite bored in the end, to be honest. Doing the same thing day in, day out. (more)...
- 9/29/2008
- by By Kris Green
- Digital Spy
A dedicated YouTube channel is to be launched housing the most famous EastEnders clips. BBC Worldwide hopes the site will be the "ultimate EastEnders destination" online. The channel will include scenes from throughout the soap's 23-year history, including the Christmas Day episode in which Den (Leslie Grantham) told Angie (Anita Dobson) that he wanted a divorce. The Guardian reports that related content will also be included, such as Shane Richie's (more)...
- 9/15/2008
- by By Sarah Rollo
- Digital Spy
Former EastEnders star Raji James has admitted that he "took pleasure" in Leslie Grantham's 2004 internet sex scandal.
Raji, who played Ash Ferreira on the BBC One soap, revealed how he mocked Grantham on set after the story hit the tabloids. Grantham, better known as Walford legend Dirty Den Watts, was so annoyed over his co-star's behaviour that he refused to speak to him for the rest of their time on the show.
Leslie became embroiled in controversy . . .
Raji, who played Ash Ferreira on the BBC One soap, revealed how he mocked Grantham on set after the story hit the tabloids. Grantham, better known as Walford legend Dirty Den Watts, was so annoyed over his co-star's behaviour that he refused to speak to him for the rest of their time on the show.
Leslie became embroiled in controversy . . .
- 4/20/2008
- by Daniel_Kilkelly_imdb_@digitalspy.co.uk (Daniel Kilkelly)
- Digital Spy
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