Tom Holland to Bring Superworm to Life in CBeebies Bedtime Story

Image: BBC

By Jon Donnis

Spider-Man star Tom Holland is swapping superhero action for a bedtime tale as he joins the line-up of famous faces appearing on CBeebies Bedtime Stories.

The British actor will read Superworm by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, bringing the much-loved story of the heroic and super-stretchy worm to a new audience. The adventure follows Superworm as he uses his abilities to help others, before finding himself in need of rescue when he falls under the control of the villainous Wizard Lizard.

Holland’s appearance comes as he prepares for his latest outing as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, but his CBeebies role will see him take on a very different kind of hero. Rather than battling villains, he will be helping younger viewers settle down with one of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s popular family stories.

The actor joins a growing list of superhero and supervillain performers who have taken part in the BBC children’s series. Previous readers have included Chris Evans, Idris Elba, Tom Hardy, Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Jason Momoa.

Tom Holland’s CBeebies Bedtime Story will air on CBeebies on Friday 24 July at 6.50pm. The episode will also be available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Netflix Expands the Parasyte Universe with New Live Action Series Parasyte: TAMIYA

Image: Netflix

By Jon Donnis

Netflix is expanding its Parasyte universe once again with Parasyte: TAMIYA, a new live action series arriving worldwide in 2027. Following the success of Parasyte: The Grey, the latest instalment moves away from introducing a new conflict and instead explores the perspective of Ryoko Tamiya, a parasite whose understanding of humanity changes over time.

Shioli Kutsuna will star as Tamiya, portraying the character across three different stages of her existence. The series will explore her journey from the original human whose body is taken over, through her early identity as a violent parasite, to a figure who begins questioning whether humans and parasites can exist together.

That shift in perspective places one of Parasyte’s central ideas at the heart of the new series. Rather than focusing only on the battle between two opposing species, Parasyte: TAMIYA examines the possibility that survival may depend on understanding the enemy. Through Tamiya’s eyes, the story explores questions around identity, adaptation and what separates humans from the creatures that imitate them.

The character has a significant history in the original manga by Hitoshi Iwaaki, which was published by Kodansha from 1988 to 1995. After taking over the body of a high school teacher, Tamiya initially behaves like the other parasites, viewing humans as little more than targets. However, her experiences, including observing Shinichi Izumi and Migi, lead her to reconsider the future of her species and whether coexistence could be possible.

The original Parasyte manga has remained popular for more than three decades, selling around 25 million copies across more than 20 countries and regions. Its combination of horror, science fiction and philosophical themes has helped it remain influential, leading to anime adaptations and live action films that have introduced the story to new generations.

Netflix’s previous expansion of the franchise, Parasyte: The Grey, created a new story set in modern day Korea while drawing inspiration from the original manga. The series became a global success after its 2024 release, spending four weeks in Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English Shows list and reaching number one in 34 countries.

Parasyte: TAMIYA reunites many of the creative figures behind Parasyte: The Grey and Human Vapor. Yeon Sang-ho developed the series and wrote the script alongside Ryu Yong-jae, while WOWPOINT returns for development and production. Kensaku Kakimoto and Kazuhiro Nakagawa will direct the series.

Yeon Sang-ho has praised Shioli Kutsuna’s performance in the role, highlighting her ability to portray the gradual transformation of a character who begins as something non-human but slowly develops an understanding of humanity and her own existence.

With Ryoko Tamiya taking centre stage, Parasyte: TAMIYA offers a different viewpoint on the conflict that has defined the franchise for decades. The series will stream worldwide exclusively on Netflix in 2027.

Kirstie's Handmade Christmas Returns with Two More Festive Series on Channel 4

Image: Kirstie's Handmade Christmas (credit - Raise The Roof Productions Ltd)

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 has confirmed that Kirstie's Handmade Christmas will return for not one, but two more festive seasons, with new series commissioned for both 2026 and 2027.

Hosted by property expert and festive crafting enthusiast Kirstie Allsopp, the daytime competition sees talented makers put their creative skills to the test across a variety of seasonal challenges. Each episode focuses on a different craft, with contestants competing for the chance to be crowned the best in their chosen creative discipline.

Produced by Glasgow-based Raise the Roof Productions, this year's five-part series celebrates the joy of handmade Christmas traditions. Competitors will tackle a wide range of festive projects, including Christmas wreaths, homemade Christmas cakes and handcrafted toys, with their finished creations helping to transform Christmas HQ ahead of the series finale.

Filmed in Devon, the series also welcomes expert judges from across the crafting world, who will assess each challenge before selecting a winner in every one-hour episode. Alongside the competition, specialist guests will share practical craft tips and demonstrate some of their favourite homemade techniques, offering viewers plenty of ideas to try for themselves.

Away from the judging table, Kirstie Allsopp will once again inspire audiences with a selection of affordable festive projects that can easily be recreated at home. From simple paper decorations to elegant ornaments and eye-catching mantelpiece displays, the series aims to encourage viewers to add a personal, handcrafted touch to their Christmas celebrations.

With two further series now confirmed, Kirstie's Handmade Christmas looks set to remain a staple of Channel 4's festive daytime schedule, continuing to celebrate creativity, craftsmanship and the enduring appeal of making something special by hand.

Kirstie Allsopp said: “Keep Calm & Think of Christmas. This might sound bonkers but what I’m doing in this boiling hot weather is thinking about hot toddies & cosy knits, because Kirstie’s Handmade Christmas is coming back. We’re already making plans for how we are going to make my favourite show (don’t tell Phil I said that) better than ever.”

Greg Davies Returns for Festive The Cleaner Special Set in the Italian Dolomites

Image: BBC

By Jon Donnis

Greg Davies is back as UK crime scene cleaner Paul ‘Wicky’ Wickstead in The Cleaner In Italy (w/t), a brand new one-off special of the BBC comedy series, which will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One over the festive period.

Written by and starring Davies (Taskmaster, The Inbetweeners) and produced by SHUK, The Cleaner follows Wicky, a state-certified cleaning technician whose unusual day job involves scrubbing away the grisliest remnants of crime scenes.

The show's first ever hour-long special, which began filming this week, sees Wicky reluctantly join his girlfriend Ruth (Zita Sattar) and her friends Andrew and Andrea (Robert Webb and Tori Allen-Martin) on a hiking holiday in the Italian Dolomites.

When an accident occurs, Wicky is forced to spend the rest of the trip at a remote mountain hotel while Ruth heads off to enjoy the great outdoors. Surrounded by an eccentric hotel manager (Peter Serafinowicz), an array of peculiar guests and a cast of increasingly suspicious staff, Wicky’s boredom soon turns to paranoia.

Additional cast joining the special include Robert Webb (Peep Show, That Mitchell and Webb Look), Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy, Amandaland), Kevin Eldon (Hot Fuzz, Four Lions), Tori Allen-Martin (Here We Go), Veronica Ferres (Call My Agent Berlin), Zita Sattar (Holby City), Milanka Brooks (Black Mirror) and Dylan Blore (Shetland).

Series one of The Cleaner launched to 5.4 million viewers, making it the second biggest new BBC Comedy series in 2021. All three series of The Cleaner were in the top five most viewed scripted comedies in the UK across the market in their respective years of 2021, 2023 and 2024.

All three series of The Cleaner are available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

Greg Davies, writer and star of The Cleaner In Italy, says: “I think Wicky has got to the stage in life where he only likes three things: his job, going to the pub and beer. To get the opportunity to force him to go to Italy on a hiking holiday is the perfect opportunity to test his breaking point. I can’t wait to show everyone how horribly wrong a holiday can go…”

Celebrity Hunted Returns With a New Cast Ready to Take on the Ultimate Game of Hide and Seek

Image: Ch4

By Jon Donnis

Celebrity Hunted is back for another thrilling run on Channel 4, once again raising money for Stand Up To Cancer, and the latest line-up promises plenty of entertainment as a fresh group of famous faces attempt to disappear without a trace.

Produced by Shine TV, part of Banijay UK, the factual entertainment thriller sends its celebrity fugitives into hiding across mainland Britain for 14 intense days. With no luxury hotels, no celebrity lifestyle to fall back on and every decision carrying real consequences, the challenge is as much about keeping calm under pressure as it is about staying one step ahead of the Hunters.

This year's celebrity line-up offers an entertaining mix of personalities from television, comedy, reality TV and dance. Strictly Come Dancing professionals Amy Dowden MBE and Carlos Gu will put their teamwork to the test, while Brian Conley joins forces with Lucy Conley. Love Island stars Chris Taylor and Toby Aromolaran also enter the challenge, alongside presenters JJ Chalmers and Sophie Morgan. Property experts and siblings Scarlette and Stuart Douglas bring their family bond into the competition, while comedians Jen Brister and Laura Smyth complete the line-up with what is sure to be plenty of humour, even under pressure.

Standing in their way is Ray Howard and his elite team of Hunters, drawn from policing, military and intelligence backgrounds. Armed with powerful investigative tools including CCTV, ANPR, facial recognition, helicopters, drones, search dogs, cyber investigations and media appeals, they have one goal. Find every fugitive before the clock runs out.

Part of the appeal of Celebrity Hunted has always been seeing familiar faces stripped of the advantages that fame usually brings. Instead of red carpets and television studios, contestants are forced to think on their feet, rely on trusted allies and constantly adapt as the Hunters close in. Every phone call, journey and unexpected encounter has the potential to expose their location.

With a varied celebrity cast and the Hunters once again equipped with an impressive range of resources, the new series looks set to deliver another tense and unpredictable chase. Whether any of the fugitives can evade capture for the full 14 days remains to be seen, but viewers can expect plenty of suspense, clever strategy and dramatic close calls when Celebrity Hunted returns to Channel 4.

Fred Sirieix Goes Behind the Scenes in New Series Fred's Ultimate Hotels

Image: Ch4 

By Jon Donnis

Fred Sirieix is setting off on a global adventure in Fred's Ultimate Hotels, a brand-new series that explores some of the world's most remarkable luxury destinations while uncovering the people and expertise behind every unforgettable stay.

The hospitality expert and presenter visits an impressive collection of world-famous hotels, beginning each journey as a guest before swapping comfort for hard work as he joins the staff responsible for delivering exceptional service. By experiencing both sides of the hospitality industry, Fred gains a unique perspective on what separates great hotels from truly extraordinary ones.

The series takes viewers to stunning locations across the world, including the elegant Royal Mansour in Marrakesh, the wildlife-rich Royal Madikwe safari lodge in South Africa, the historic Raffles Hotel in Singapore and the mountain retreat of Les Barmes de l'Ours in the French Alps. Along the way, each destination offers not only luxury accommodation but also an insight into the local culture and surroundings.

As he explores every hotel, Fred judges each one using his own Five Fs. These are First Impressions, Facilities, Flawless Service, Fine Details and Feeling. The approach allows him to evaluate every aspect of the guest experience while also highlighting the dedication required behind the scenes to maintain world-class standards.

Working alongside hotel teams, Fred witnesses the planning, precision and teamwork involved in creating seamless stays for guests. From front-of-house staff to the individuals working tirelessly out of sight, the series shines a spotlight on the people whose commitment often goes unnoticed.

Each episode concludes with Fred presenting his Hospitality Hero Award to a standout member of staff, recognising those whose professionalism, warmth and passion leave a lasting impression on both guests and colleagues.

Blending spectacular locations with exclusive behind-the-scenes access, Fred's Ultimate Hotels celebrates the craftsmanship, attention to detail and personal dedication that define exceptional hospitality, offering viewers an engaging look at what it really takes to deliver luxury at the very highest level.

Fred Sirieix said, “People often think the secret to a great hotel is the building, the food or the luxury.  Of course those things matter, but for me it’s always about the people. The welcome, the attention to detail and the passion of the staff are what turn a wonderful hotel into an unforgettable experience. It was an incredible privilege to work alongside some of the world’s best hospitality teams and to see first-hand the pride they take in what they do. I hope viewers will discover some extraordinary places, but more importantly meet the remarkable people who make them so special.”

Crystal Lake Heads to Sky This October With a Chilling New Chapter in the Friday the 13th Universe

Image: Sky TV

By Jon Donnis

Fans of the Friday the 13th franchise have plenty to look forward to this October as Crystal Lake arrives exclusively on Sky and streaming service NOW. Created, written and showrun by Brad Caleb Kane, the eight-part series from A24 serves as a prequel to one of horror's most recognisable franchises, exploring the events that shaped the legend long before the original film.

Leading the cast is Emmy-nominated actress Linda Cardellini as Pam Voorhees, a single mother still struggling with the devastating loss of her young son Jason, who drowned in the town lake almost a year earlier. When two strangers begin investigating her past, their arrival sparks a disturbing chain of events that leaves the residents of Crystal Lake questioning everything they thought they knew about Pam Voorhees.

William Catlett, Devin Kessler, Cameron Scoggins and Gwendolyn Sundstrom also star in the series, which expands the mythology of the Friday the 13th universe through a story centred on psychological suspense, mystery and emotional storytelling.

Crystal Lake will be available exclusively on Sky and streaming service NOW in October 2026.