Professor Brian Cox was turned away from a hotel last night because the hotel believed he was already checked-in – except it was the other very famous Brian Cox.
The Oldham-born physicist and the Succession actor were both booked into the same hotel ahead of an appearance on BBC Breakfast.
But when they went to check in, the staff on the check-in desk were completely flummoxed by the matching names.
And now I’m trying to work out how to differentiate the two moving forward. We’ll call them Prof Brian and Actor Brian.
The two Brians appeared on BBC Breakfast together today to share the details of the check-in catastrophe with presenter Charlie Stayt.
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Prof Brian said he tried to whip out his phone after he was denied entry to show that there were indeed two celebrity guests with identical names – but was told by the staff member ‘I know neither of you, I don’t watch television’.
Chaos as both Brians stay in the same hotel. Credit: BBC Breakfast
Actor Brian said: “Last night was very confusing because Brian arrived at the hotel and said that ‘there are two Brian Coxes, so you’ve got two rooms’.
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“And he said ‘No no, there’s only one. I think there might be another Brian Cox’ and the hotel said to Brian ‘We can’t have two Brian Coxes’.”
Prof Brian added, much to Charlie Stayt’s delight: “They wouldn’t check me in!
“I had to change my name! They couldn’t do it on the computer system. They didn’t believe me.
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“And I got a picture out on my phone and said this Brian Cox, he’ll be coming later, and there’s this one, and he said ‘I know neither of you, I don’t watch television’.”
BBC Breakfast booked both Brian Coxes into the same hotel, causing utter confusion. Absolutely amazing. pic.twitter.com/8U1XT5zBp0
TV critic Scott Bryan (oh god, another Bryan) shared the clip on Twitter, writing: “BBC Breakfast booked both Brian Coxes into the same hotel, causing utter confusion. Absolutely amazing” – a clip that’s now been viewed more than 200,000 times.
In the replies, one person wrote: “So now we know the official definition of computer says no. When two people with the same name but into a hotel at the same time…”
Another tweeted: “Fun fact of the day: The collective noun for a group of Brian Cox’s is called a Succession of Brian Cox’s. I’ll see my self out…”
And then came this idea, which sounds ace: “TV SERIES IDEA. ‘The Trip’ but with these two.
“Brian Cox: Hello Brian, would you join me in exploring the enigma of time – a phenomenon we take for granted, but which is one of the biggest mysteries in the universe?
“Brian Cox: F**K OFF!!”
Featured image: BBC Breakfast
TV & Showbiz
BBC to air long-lost Morecambe and Wise episode this month to celebrate star’s 100th birthday
Emily Sergeant
A long-lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show is set to air on the BBC this month, after being ‘missing’ for decades.
In what is already gearing up to be a memorable moment, the episode – which was first broadcast on the BBC on 16 September 1968, and was thought to have been lost forever before being recovered – will be shown on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer in a couple of weeks time to coincide with when Eric Morecambe would have turned 100 years old.
The episode was discovered by Film Is Fabulous! – which is a charitable trust run by film collectors and television enthusiasts.
It was found in the estate of a former television industry professional, before being returned to the BBC.
Audiences tuning in to the episode can expect to see sketches written by Sid Green and Dick Hills – with Ann Hamilton appearing as Pauline in a sketch set in a nudist colony, while Jenny Lee-Wright plays Eric’s niece, a balloon dancer.
📢 ‘Missing’ episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show is coming to the BBC!
A long-lost episode first broadcast in 1968 will be shown on BBC Four and @BBCiPlayer on Thursday 14 May, to coincide with when Eric Morecambe would have turned 100
It also includes a musical performance from The Paper Dolls, who enjoyed hits in the 1960s.
This ‘lost’ programme is the third episode from Morecambe and Wise’s first series after returning to the BBC, following a period working with commercial television.
Eric Morecambe’s daughter, Gail, has described the recovery of the episode as ‘a lovely surprise’, adding: “I’m really looking forward to seeing it on a screen once again after so many years.”
Gary Morecambe, Eric’s son, added: “I honestly didn’t think there was anything out there left to find, and when something like this comes out of nowhere, it’s really quite wonderful. Hats off to Professor Justin Smith and his team, whose dedication and hard work brought this gem back to us. I’m very excited about seeing it for the first time since I was 12.”
Noreen Adams, who is the Director of BBC Archives, concluded: “We’re delighted to share this comedy gold that we thought was lost forever with viewers across the UK.”
This long-lost episode of The Morecambe and Wise Show will be broadcast on BBC Four at 8pm on on Thursday 14 May, and available to watch whenever you like on BBC iPlayer from then.
Featured Image – BBC | Film is Fabulous!
TV & Showbiz
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs to play world’s biggest game of hide and seek
Emily Sergeant
‘Cunning’ Mancs are wanted to take part in the world’s biggest game of hide and seek, as a popular reality competition show returns.
The Hunt: Prey vs Predator is coming back to Channel 4, and producers have now put out a nationwide casting call for contestants to take part.
People from Greater Manchester are being urged to put an application in.
Described as being an ‘exciting’ reality series, The Hunt: Prey vs Predator is a psychological competitive adventure show where players are tasked with tracking down and hunting their rivals in the ultimate game of cat and mouse in the wild.
Channel 4 is looking for Mancs to play world’s biggest game of hide and seek / Credit: Channel 4
Produced by CPL Productions Ltd – the BAFTA award-winning production company behind Married At First Sight UK and Love is Blind UK – the show’s creators are now calling on ‘cunning’ people with the charm and skill to compete to get in touch and apply for the upcoming series.
A casting call on the Channel 4 website simply reads: “Do you want to play the world’s biggest, most exciting game of hide and seek?
“If you have the cunning, charm, and skill to compete, we want to hear from you.”
Think you’ve got what it takes? Applications for the next series of The Hunt: Prey vs Predator are now open, and all you need to do is fill in a short application form and one of the production team will get back to you if they would like to proceed.
Daisy Jackson -
18th November 2022 
