A trio of well-known literary characters are getting their own TV series on CBeebies this autumn.
Biff, Chip and Kipper are hitting the silver screen.
Based on the beloved characters from The Magic Key book series that so many of us grew up reading in primary school, CBeebies’ new show ‘Biff & Chip’ will tell the fun adventures of twins Biff (Tilly Kaye) and Chip (George Robinson), alongside their inquisitive little brother Kipper (Freddie James), and pet dog Floppy.
CBeebies revealed a first-look image of its live action series on social media this week, and it successfully grabbed the attention of thousands of Brits who’ve seemingly been transported back to the classroom.
The Magic Key books have been a mainstay of the National Curriculum, helping children learn how to read for more than 30 years.
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The books are said to be used in around 80% of Britain’s primary schools.
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According to the BBC, ‘Biff & Chip’ will take inspiration from the famous books, but is set to include storylines written exclusively for the show and will see characters making up games, solving problems, creating make-believe worlds in their homes, playing in the park and having fun with their best friends Wilf (Inathi Rozani) and Wilma Page (Dorothy Peters-Lowe).
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The series will also star actors Jack Wilkinson and Kellie Shirley as Biff, Chip and Kipper’s parents – Mr & Mrs Robinson.
Melanie Walters – who is best known for playing Gwen in BBC sitcom, Gavin and Stacey – has also joined the cast as Gran, described as “fun-loving, energetic and at times mischievous”.
The Magic Key books are said to be used in around 80% of Britain’s primary schools / Credit: Oxford Reading Tree
And if all that wasn’t exciting enough as it is, a lot of the show has apparently also been shot right on our doorsteps in Greater Manchester and the North West.
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Filming took place at various locations across Warrington and Urmston in Trafford.
Although no exact air date has been confirmed, Biff & Chip is set to hit screens on CBeebies and BBC iPlayer this autumn.
Featured Image – BBC / Gideon Marshall
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BBC issues statement after UK forecast shows ‘hurricane force winds’ up to 14,000mph
Daisy Jackson
The BBC has issued a statement after alarming people across the UK with a weather forecast of hurricane force winds and temperatures of up to 400°C.
Mancs woke up this morning stunned to see predicted wind speeds of up to 14,000mph.
The alarming weather report hit the BBC Weather app today while Hurricane Milton batters Florida across the pond.
One person shared on X: “I guess we need to batten down the hatches with 26,898 mph winds today.”
Another asked: “Why isn’t this forecast making the news? 14,712mph wind sounds dangerous to me!! I’m going back to bed.”
But now the BBC has rushed to reassure people not to be ‘alarmed’ at the prospect of the entire island blowing away.
BBC presenter and meteorologist Simon King shared: “Oops, don’t be alarmed by some of our @bbcweather app data this morning.
— Barefoot Spooky Bartender 👣💀🍹 (@barefoottiki) October 10, 2024
“Be assured there won’t be 14408mph winds, hurricane force winds or overnight temperatures of 404°C.
“It is being looked at and hopefully sorted asap.”
BBC Weather shared: “You may have noticed some data issues on our app and website. We are working hard to fix it quickly. Sorry – please bear with us.
“In the meantime here are Thursday’s weather headlines: -Colder, clearer air moving in -Rain and drizzle in south -Blustery showers near east coast”
And national treasure Carol Kirkwood said live on air: “We are having a technical glitch at the moment. It’s showing wind speeds far too fast, in fact, hurricane strength and that is not the case at all.
“Please don’t be alarmed. We are aware of it and on it.”
At the time of writing, the BBC Weather forecast service is still predicting hurricane force winds for the UK. Eek.
BBC issues statement after UK forecast shows ‘hurricane force winds’ up to 14,000mph
Liam Gallagher says Oasis reunion rehearsals have begun after blatant hints at tour support acts
Danny Jones
Liam Gallagher has confirmed that rehearsals for the Oasis reunion are now underway and has been teasing the acts that could be supporting them on the tour.
The incomparable frontman has been very vocal on social media (more so than usual) ever since the talk of their comeback was actually confirmed to be real, though we’ll admit we’re still having to pinch ourselves every few days.
Nevertheless, the Oasis reunion IS happening, the tickets have gone and even a slate of North American dates have now sold out along with an Australian tour set to do exactly the same – though there has been some furore over price differences.
Although the gigs are still a little ways away, practice for summer 2025 has to start sometime and after a fan asked Gallagher a point-blank question online, he had a simple but exciting answer.
The idea of the two actually being back in the same room still feels so surreal but we’re SO glad they are.
After the pair were first snapped posing for the reunion press shots by photographer Simon Emmett, it sounds like the two are not just in each other company but now practising those songs they first played together some 20-30 years ago.
The Britpop icons and legendary rock band also announced a new special collection of the seven-inch Definitely Maybe single pressings to celebrate the 30th anniversary of ‘Cigarettes and Alcohol’; there are only 4000 up for grabs and they come in the actual 1996 cigarette-style CD (vinyl) box.
After rehearsals are all said and done, one thing that we still don’t know for sure is who will be supporting Oasis on their reunion tour, but that hasn’t stopped the 52-year-old from having fun with some rather heavy hints.
We don’t know how blatant or serious any of these names are, or if this is just a clever red herring or two, but let’s just say we’d be happy with any of them.
Liam is very much enjoying the usual wind-up and toying with Oasis fans.
As well as Manic Street Preachers and Cast – the lattermost having already supported Liam on his Definitely Maybe anniversary tour – there seems to be a lot of debate around whether a potential Richard Ashcroft support would include the rest of The Verve, who haven’t played together since 2017.
That being said, Blossoms have been heavily linked with the tour since they were the band to break the first reunion teaser at their massive Wythenshawe Park gig; there have also been rumblings of Kasabian, The K’s, New Order, Gene Gallagher’s band Villanelle and many more.
Again, we’ve got nothing concrete yet so you’ll just have to take LG at his word – just do so with a big fistful of salt.
Right, we’ll give you three support slots: who would be your dream warm-up acts for the Oasis reunion?
Emily Sergeant -
16th June 2021 
