ROSS KEMP RETURNS TO GLASGOW TO FILM BRIDGE OF LIES NEW SERIES

ROSS Kemp’s hit BBC One daytime quiz show Bridge of Lies is returning to Glasgow for a third series, and the primetime celebrity series will also be back for series two.

 

The new celebrity episodes (8x45) will air in primetime, while regular episodes (25x45) of theSTV Studios-produced show will follow on BBC One Daytime, both filmed in Glasgow’s Kelvin Hall and coming in 2024.

 

Host Ross Kemp said: “I’m overwhelmed at the response we’ve had from audiences for this show. It’s great for all the family to get involved in, both in the day and on Saturday evenings. Hosting Bridge of Lies, with all its jeopardy, tension and hilarious moments, is one of the most enjoyable parts of my year, so I’m delighted it’s been recommissioned by the BBC and can’t wait to get back filming in Glasgow.”

Theshowbizlion.com has met former Eastenders star Ross during his previous visits to Glasgow - going back as far as one of his guest appearances at the now defunct Privilege nightclub, formerly Bonkers, and we hope to catch him once again when he arrives here. 

 

Rob Unsworth, Head of BBC Daytime comments: “Bridge of Lies has been a real hit with Daytime audiences, so I’m delighted to be bringing it back for a third series. It’s a unique and winning format, and Ross does a brilliant job making contestants feel at ease when they’re under pressure. I know viewers will be as excited as I am to see it return.”

 

Bridge of Lies sees teams of contestants competing for cash by crossing a bridge made up of stepping stones across the studio floor. Each stepping stone has a different option, and the players must try to get from A to B by stepping on the truths and avoiding the lies, or risk falling off the bridge and out of the game. Series three is currently looking for contestants to take part*.

 

Gary Chippington, Creative Director of Entertainment at STV Studios, says: “We are so proud of this show. It’s gone from strength to strength and we were delighted by the reaction to the latest series and celebrity specials from audiences and critics alike. Our wonderful host, Ross Kemp, plays a huge part in the show’s success, and we’re looking forward to being back in the Glasgow studio with him, some brilliant new contestants and our fantastic production team later this year.”

 

The first series of Celebrity Bridge of Lies featured teams of soap actors, pop icons, comedians, radio broadcasters, Strictly stars, sporting legends, TV presenters, and some of the most memorable queens from Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK.

* You can apply to be a contestant on series three via BBC Take Part: https://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/take-part/bridge-of-lies

 

TAKE THE HIGH ROAD PROVES A RATINGS HIT FORTY YEARS ON

The late Gwyneth Guthrie played Mrs Mack

TAKE The High Road or The High Road as it became known was one of the most popular Scottish shows over forty years ago. 

And now it’s been revealed that the show based in fictional Glendarroch is still as popular as ever as new figures show. 

Over 40 years after it first launched on STV, Scottish drama fans are still being gripped by the goings-on in Glendarroch, as Take the High Road  has been revealed as one of STV Player’s most-streamed drama series of 2021.

 

The iconic soap, which aired its final episode in 2003, has won a legion of new followers – and delighted existing fans – since dropping on STV’s free streaming service two years ago. It was the fifth most-watched drama on the platform in 2021, attracting more streams than major new series such as Marcella (#6) and Finding Alice (#9). 

 

However, despite the enduring popularity of the gentle rural soap, a chilling American crime drama about the hunt for a serial killer operating around the US-Mexico border proved more popular. Critically-acclaimed The Bridge – starring Diane Kruger as formidable detective Sonya Cross – was added straight to STV Player without being aired on the channel itself and, as the fourth most-streamed drama of the year, has been a bingeworthy hit with viewers.

 

Daily streams of Take the High Road reached a peak on 12 November, as viewers sought to rewatch the memorable performances of one of the series’ most treasured stars, Gwyneth Guthrie(Mrs Mack), in the wake of her death. 

 

Elsewhere, the top three dramas of 2021 on STV Player were perennial favourites Coronation Streetand Emmerdale, as well as the second series of British crime thriller The Bay. 

 

Rounding out the platform’s top ten most-streamed dramas of the year were David Morrissey-starring detective series Thorne (#7) and US legal drama The Firm (#10) – both STV Player-only shows – as well as beloved Scottish classic, Taggart (#8). All 27 series of the show, which originally aired from 1983 to 2010, are available to stream on STV Player.

 

Richard Williams, MD of Digital, STV said:“Never underestimate the power of Glendarroch! We’re so pleased that, among the countless big-name, big-budget international dramas our viewers are enjoying on STV Player, there remains a soft spot for the gentle familiarity of Take the High Road.

 

“This list also highlights that Corrie and Emmerdale fans have embraced the flexibility that watching their favourite soaps on-demand gives them. The sheer variety of our top ten list, from the day-to-day antics on the cobbles to the high-octane thrills of The Bridge, shows there really is a drama to suit every taste on STV Player.”

 

STV Player’s ten most-streamed drama series of 2021:

 

01. Coronation Street

02. Emmerdale

03. The Bay

04. The Bridge

05. Take the High Road

06. Marcella

07. Thorne

08. Taggart

09. Finding Alice

10. The Firm

 

BGT CHAMPION JAI MCDOWALL UNDERWENT GRUELLING CIRCUS TRAINING AHEAD OF SHOW

JAI McDowall proved to be the Greatest Showman when he appeared on BGT The Champions at the weekend. 

And now we can reveal that the Ayrshire born singer underwent special training at the circus to build his confidence ahead of the show. 

As well as having knives thrown at him, and limboing under fire, Jai also took part in Zippos Globe of Death where he stood while two 125cc scrambler bikes circled his head. 

He said: “I was very nervous the first time I took part in BGT and the judges even remarked that my knees were knocking together as I performed. This time round I wanted to make sure that I’d be confident so I got some extra special training at the circus. 

He laughed: “I figured that nothing would be worse than staring death in the face.”

Jai wowed the audience with a moving performance of I’ll Never Love Again during the weekend’s talent contest and even received a standing ovation from Simon Cowell. 

Simon apologised to the Scots star for writing him off eight years ago after he won the show and proclaimed: “So, 2011. I remember my issue at the time was I was struggling to find out where you fit into the market," Simon told Jai. 

"The fact that I never gave you support during or after the show and you have the guts to come back and prove a point to me: you've grown in stature and in confidence and that was an amazing performance.

"I owe you an apology for not giving you the support you needed at the time, but I also respect the fact you've come back and made me look like an idiot and you look fantastic.

"I could not be more thrilled so here's the standing ovation I should have given you."

Jai has been inundated with calls since the show and was even approached by Hollywood producers to star in a big movie. 

A spokesperson for the star said: "Jai is in talks about lots of future projects and there is s lot of interest in him taking on some acting roles, He has also received a request from Susan Boyleto join him on tour this March."