News about Ben Elton

Blackadder was nearly cancelled after its first season because the BBC didn't realise its potential, it was claimed yesterday. The show's producer John Lloyd urged TV bosses to give more series a second chance, arguing creative programmes rarely 'get it right first time'. Mr Lloyd, who also worked on Spitting Image and Not The Nine O'Clock News, said broadcasters had become too afraid to say 'have another go' - instead binning shows that aren't an immediate hit. Mr Lloyd, 72, revealed Blackadder's budget was cut 'to the bones' to avoid it being scrapped. The first series won an international Emmy but the second was briefly cancelled by Michael Grade - then BBC One controller - who said it had not attracted enough domestic viewers.

Uh oh. The luvvies are on the march. They are as mad as hell and they aren't going to take it any more. One week before the General Election, when Labour is zooming ahead in the polls like the Tardis streaking through time and space towards the glorious new socialist nirvana of Planet Starmer, a puffed-up platoon of pan-sticked popinjays have nailed their political colours to the mast. And they have come out in favour of - brace yourselves, you're not going to believe this - the Labour Party. I know! One hundred and thirty one luvvie signatories have sent an open letter to The Times newspaper hailing the advent of a Labour government, published yesterday.

Blackadder co-writer Ben Elton says the iconic British sitcom could come back in another form. The comedian, 64, insists the popular show, which ran for four series from 1983 to 1989 could be turned into a play. It would follow the likes of Fawlty Towers which was adapted for a stage show by its creator John Cleese and Only Fools And Horses, which has been turned into a musical.

Netflix's Baby Reindeer has led to a police investigation after fans wrongly accused a theatre director of being the inspiration behind an abuser depicted in the show.  The seven-part thriller series follows the real-life story of comedian Gadd, who plays himself in the form of struggling Scottish comedian Donny Dunn as he deals with relentless stalker 'Martha'.  

With thousands of shows on offer across each category, the number of subscription options on offer in the United Kingdom can seem almost endless. Any platform has particular terms and conditions, while still providing a sample of shows and movies that appeal to various tastes. Our analysts from The Mail's Weekend magazine have rigorously reviewed over 22 services on sale in the United Kingdom and selected which provide the best value for money. They also have a rundown of which is the fastest to cancel and which service to choose based on your viewing preferences. Read their definitive guide here:

The beloved British comedy has proclaimed that it's time for a 'new generation' to take over the annual bash, which has raised £1.5 billion since its inception in 1988. Sir Lenny was known for his edgy stand-up routines and witty characters that would ridicule his Jamaican roots before being named the face of Red Nose Day. But the Dudley-born funny man, 65, has shifted gear, vowing to move away from his old risqué gags and black rights to campaign for racial justice and human rights. Sir Lenny, who appeared in 'black face' on the Black And White Minstrels exhibition as a youth, claimed he was once used as a 'political football' when he appeared as a 'black face' on the Black And White Minstrels show as a youth in the 1975. He has even called out the BBC for allegations of bigotry at the university.

The Daily Mail's Weekend magazine has reached yet another magnificent milestone - this month we turn 30! We asked you to share our top ten TV shows so we could compile our definitive list of the 100 Greatest TV Shows voted for by you.

Luigi and Iango, photographers, embarked on an extraordinary quest to build a collection of the top model photographers in the country. Twiggy on the front page of Vanity Fairs' latest magazine issue showcased her youthful appearance. In the black and white photoshoot that debuted on Monday, the supermodel, 73, looked stunning.

JAN MOIR: At a tiny fringe theatre in London last Monday night, the curtain went up on a brand-new jukebox musical. It was a humble beginning for Close-Up: The Twiggy Musical, written by Ben Elton (inset), and commemorating Lesley Hornby's life (left and right). Lesley who?As if you didn't know! She was the tiny scrap of a girl from Neasden who went on to become a supermodel and a film actress by 21. Twiggy was a worldwide sensation, a home-grown phenomenon that later became a Broadway hit, a best-selling recording artist, a television actor, and a dame.

She was destined to become a hero in the swinging sixties. Twiggy had it as she strutted her stuff down the catwalk at MAC Cosmetic's The Face Show at Outernet during London Fashion Week on Sunday. In a chic silver suit with satin sleeves and wide legged trousers, the iconic model, 73, oozed refinement.

Twiggy, 73, a Middlesex woman, is the first actress to have her life story turned into a musical by Ben Elton, who calls it a "fairy tale" and says it "wasn't planned." (right and inset) One of the show's key scenes will no doubt be related to the now-legendary ride to the posh Mayfair salon, where the 16-year-old Twiggy was given a new look (left).

NADINE DORRIES (left): It was snowing one Sunday, when I finally admitted it to myself: I had made a stupid mistake in purchasing an electric car. On the M6 to collect my mother, who was going to stay with us for Christmas, I was going through a blizzard in heavy traffic. Throughout the long ride, my middle daughter begged that we listen to an audio book - on the highway I loave in the world. My Renault Zoe's wipers were struggling against the snowfall, and even though it was 2 p.m., the headlights were on. The lower the temperature outside lowered the further north we travelled to Mum's house in Lytham St Annes. The car's heater was on full throttle, and the battery was draining before my eyes.

After he advised Brits to 'hold your nerve' over interest rate rises and concentrate on inflation's 'enemy,' Ben Elton said the Prime Minister was 'dripping with vanity.' Elton accused Mr Sunak of delivering a 'extraordinary Orwellian, meaningless, evasive word salad' in a rant to host Laura Kuenssberg. I'm starting to think maybe he's a little more fortunate, and it turns out he's as much of a mandacious, narcissistic sociopath as his former boss,' he told Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday.'

Not even the sight of Ben Elton in a cheesy Borg wig and headband was enough to save the Queen tribute performance, which had to be postponed for 12 weeks last night. Well, it has been on the lottery for 12 years since its humble beginning in 2002 before going global. Well, Queen guitarist Brian May provided an electric solo accompanying Bohemian Rhapsody at the end. However, with tickets selling for about £100 a head and heading north to a whopping £150, theatre-goers can well afford more, especially at a cost of nearly three hours of their time. Editing, on the other hand, has never been a strong suit for Elton, a former motormouth actor, prolific Blackadder TV script writer, and author of 17 novels. We're immersed in a sometimes incomprehensible post-apocalypse schlock rock saga set in the sci-fi future, in which all music is strictly controlled by the 'Global-Soft' company, and yet everyone, virtually everywhere, bursts into song.

Sir Tony Robinson has shared about the lucky twist of fate that saw him appear as Baldrick in Blackadder after he barely missed out on the role. Baldrick, Edmund Blackadder's dogsbody in the British historical sitcom, 76, rose to fame in 1983 and stayed in the role until 1989. But it was actor Philip Fox who played Baldrick in the original pilot of the program, It was called The Black Adder and was shot on June 20, 1982.

EPHRAM HARDCASTLE: Harry's promise to avoid writing tell-all memoirs has been dissatisfied, according to his spokesperson, who has said: "There is nothing left to say" jeopardized his £33 million publishing deal. With he and Meghan confirming that the public catcalling will cease, isn't publisher Penguin entitled to a downward re-negotiation? After Spare, part of the agreement promised a second memoir, but Harry has said there is nothing left to say.

In a UKTV poll, it has been named the "funniest British sitcom of all time." On UKTV channel Gold, the original and unseen pilot will air ahead of the show's 40th anniversary.

Twiggy, a Sixties icon who died gracefully, stars in a new film and a musical charting her remarkable life. She has never gone under the knife like many others in the public eye. 'I'm really proud of my wrinkles,' she says. I know when people have little tweaks and maybe I'll even do it, but I'm not sure.' But what I don't think I'd ever do is the stuff they inject when they get those funny cheeks that look like cotton wool balls have been stuffed in them. It would frighten me.'

For Channel 4's one-off anniversary special appearance of the show that made him popular, Friday Night Live, the producer of UK classics Blackadder and Upstart Crow has just received a BAFTA. Ben Elron is about to do something new and exciting, appearing and singing in a brand new production of We Will Rock You, the musical he wrote with members of the band Queen. It's a project that's very close to his heart, dating back to when he was a schoolboy, feeling hungry and alone, but it's finding solace in the songs of his favorite band.

After almost 30 years off air, an Iconic BBC children's show is expected to return to television screens. Sir Tony Robinson is working on a revival of his award-winning kids' comedy Maid Marian And Her Merry Men. The BBC show, which first aired in 1989, lasted for four seasons until 1994.

She is a legendary cultural figure. Twiggy, 73, of London, is now being honoured with a performance about her life. Ben Elton, a playwright, has written a jukebox musical about the Dame. Not only will it be focusing on her appearance as a model and actress, but it will also chronicle her early working-class roots and being raised mainly by her father. Pictured: Twiggy in her early career with her iconic haircut and inset Twiggy recently

Ben Elton, a blackadder writer, has questioned whether the show will be back more than 30 years since the last episode aired. After Sir Tony Robinson reprised his role as Baldrick in this year's Comic Relief special, the comedian, 63, spoke to Chris Moyles about the raging reunion rumors. Ben, who appeared on Radio X's show on Thursday, jokingly accused Tony of hyping up hype as a clever way to 'flog some book or other.'

The stars and creators of one of Dave's most popular sitcom have confirmed that the show will return for a fifth season. Despite the fact that the fourth series is not yet airing, it has been confirmed that the channel has already commissioned the comedy for another outing.

Sir Tony Robinson has expressed delight in reprising his role as Blackadder dogbody character Baldrick for Comic Relief, but he refuses to produce another complete series of the sitcom. Sir Tony will read a bedtime story based on the hit historical comedy show from 1983 to 1989, as well as Mr Bean actor Rowan Atkinson, and has had many specials over the years. The actor, who died at the age of 76, told the Radio Times how the campaign came to be after he and Blackadder co-writers Ben Elton and Richard Curtis collected commemorative covers for Blackadder Goes Forth, Friday Night Live and Comic Relief respectively.