TV & Showbiz
ITV to air documentary on Manchester Arena attack
The two-part programme will air five years after the attack took place.
ITV has announced a two-part documentary on the Manchester Arena attack will air next spring.
The programme is set to broadcast five years on from the 2017 suicide bombing – in which 22 people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured at an Ariana Grande gig.
The documentary will explore the events leading up to, and the aftermath of, the devastating incident – using insights gleaned from the Manchester Arena Public Inquiry which has been ongoing since September 2020.
The programme will also feature testimonies of those who were there on the night.
Award-winning independent production company Label1 (Hospital; School) is putting the documentary together, with BAFTA nominee Marcus Plowright (Football, Prince William and Mental Health; The Murder of Jill Dando; In Cold Blood; Generation Gifted) directing.
Tom Giles, Controller, Current Affairs at ITV, said: “As we approach the fifth anniversary of the devastating attack at the Manchester Arena, we’re pleased to be working with Label 1 on this series, which aims to provide fresh insight into what happened and ask what lessons can be learned.”
Creative Director, Label1, Simon Dickson, added: “The programmes will sensitively piece together the timeline leading up to the bombing and its aftermath, as well as exploring the evidence that has been presented to the Public Inquiry”.
Featured image: David Dixon / Geograph
TV & Showbiz
ITV confirms release date for new single parents dating show dubbed ‘middle-aged Love Island’
Emily Sergeant
ITV has confirmed that its brand-new dating series for single parents is officially a thing, and it’s hitting our screens later this year.
It had long been rumoured that ITV had a somewhat Love Island-inspired spin-off series geared more towards those looking for love in the middle of their lives in the works, with reports hotly-tipping it to hit screens soon first surfacing back in July of last year – but nothing was actually set in stone at that point.
Then it was revealed back in January that, after months of speculation, all the rumours were true, as the broadcaster was actively casting for contestants and calling on single parents across the UK to get their applications in.
Already having been dubbed “middle-aged Love Island”, but previously called the working title of The Romance Retreat, ITV explained when it first put out the casting call that the new series would see a group of “vibrant single parents” from across the UK all meet under one roof, and that it was set to be the only dating show where they can search for love in a safe space.
Now, coming up to six months after that initial casting call, ITV has confirmed that the long-awaited series is finally set to hit TV screens later this autumn.
Given the new official title of My Mum, Your Dad, and hosted by legendary TV presenter Davina McCall, ITV took to social media yesterday to reveal that the “secret is finally out”.
Teasing a little more information about the new show, ITV explained: “My Mum, Your Dad is a brand-new series following a group of single parents looking for a second chance at love. They’ve been nominated by their grown-up kids, but what they don’t know is that their kids are watching their every move, playing matchmaker and holding cushions over their faces as they watch the shenanigans.”
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An exact release date for the show is expected to be announced by ITV in due course, so you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled.
Featured Image – ITV
TV & Showbiz
First Dates’ Merlin Griffiths has been given the ‘all clear’ from bowel cancer
Danny Jones
Merlin Griffiths has been given the ‘all clear’ from bowel cancer following his first-year scan. Things you absolutely LOVE to hear.
The beloved First Dates bartender was diagnosed with stage three bowel cancer back in 2021 and had undergone multiple surgeries since then, including a first robotic operation to remove a 4.5cm-wide tumour in April last year.
Now, after going along for multiple CT scans following his first full year of treatment, Merlin received the final results from his doctor who confirmed that he has been given the all-clear, sharing the email on his Instagram account.
Wonderful news.
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As the email reads, his doctor informed him that “all looks good” and that “there are no signs of any reoccurrence” at this time.
Writing in the caption, the 48-year-old added: “Final Year 1 scan results are in, and it’s ALL CLEAR for now. Nice. Thank you #NHS #bowelcancerawareness.”
Merlin told his followers that he was “clear” of the disease last month following his initial scans, having continued to film First Dates and make other TV appearances throughout his 18-month cancer battle, but was only made certain after these final results. What a legend.
We’re so happy for you, Merlin, and we hope to see you back behind the bar and slinging drinks again soon.
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Featured Image — Merlin Griffiths (via Instagram)/Channel 4
The Manc -
18th May 2021 
