Football Fantastics Returns to CBeebies with More Football, Comedy and Imaginative Adventures

Images: BBC/Strike

By Jon Donnis

CBeebies is bringing back Football Fantastics for a second series, with the energetic live-action football show returning to screens on Saturday 6 June.

The new series consists of ten 15-minute episodes and sees the original Fantastics team reunited at their Saturday morning football club. This time, they are joined by two new players who introduce fresh challenges, comedy and imaginative adventures to the group.

Designed for preschool viewers and families to enjoy together, Football Fantastics combines football, storytelling, music and humour while promoting friendship, confidence, teamwork and the importance of getting involved. The show aims to appeal both to young football fans and children who may be discovering the sport for the first time.

The latest series promises an even bigger mix of fun and fantasy. Among the adventures awaiting viewers are a visit to the Match of the Day studio, football boots that can talk, a hedge with a surprising appetite for footballs, a game of football in space with real aliens, a superhero-themed show-and-tell and an ambitious bucket heist. Giant mascots, a band of adult football supporters, kids-versus-adults penalty shootouts and a particularly adorable dog also feature throughout the series.

Football Fantastics will once again include appearances from some of England's best-known football stars. Viewers can look forward to cameo appearances from Declan Rice, Nico O'Reilly and Ollie Watkins, alongside Lionesses players Alessia Russo, Hannah Hampton and Chloe Kelly.

A brand-new feature called Jill's Skills will also debut in the second series. Football legend Jill Scott will teach both the Fantastics and viewers at home a different football skill in every episode. The segment will cover a variety of techniques, including nutmegs, communication on the pitch, the "around the world" trick and how to strike a successful volley.

With its blend of football action, comedy, music and imagination, Football Fantastics looks set to deliver another entertaining run of episodes for young audiences when it returns to CBeebies this June.

Jill Scott says: “I’ve loved coming back for series two and getting to share some of my favourite football skills with the Fantastics and the audience at home. What I love about Jill’s Skills is that it’s not about being perfect. It's about encouraging kids to have a go, try new things and enjoy being active together.

"With the World Cup this summer getting everyone excited about football, it feels like such a brilliant time to encourage families to get involved and enjoy being active together. That’s what Football Fantastics is all about too, bringing people together, building confidence, having fun and showing kids that anyone can join in and give it a go.”

ITV Unveils First Look at The Dark, a New Scottish Serial Killer Drama

Image credit: ITV Studios / Mark Mainz

By Jon Donnis

ITV has released first-look images from its upcoming six-part serial killer drama The Dark, giving audiences an early glimpse of the chilling new series ahead of its arrival on ITV, STV and streaming platforms ITVX and STV Player this summer.

The drama stars Laura Donnelly, known for The Nevers and Sugar, alongside Mark Rowley, recognised for his roles in Trigger Point and Karen Pirie. It has been adapted for television from GR Halliday’s debut novel From the Shadows by Matt Hartley and is produced by Poison Pen Studios, part of ITV Studios.

The newly released images introduce DI Monica Kennedy, played by Laura Donnelly, as she begins a tense investigation into a series of disturbing killings across the Scottish countryside. Working alongside her new partner DC Connor Crawford, played by Mark Rowley, she is seen navigating a case that quickly escalates into a dangerous pursuit of a calculating murderer.

Also featured is Bethany Morgan, played by Helen Baxendale, a distraught mother drawn into the investigation after Monica arrives at her home once again, linking the case to her missing son. Alongside these character moments, the images provide a first look at the masked killer, presented as a silent and threatening presence at the centre of the story.

The series begins when the body of a young man is discovered carefully staged in a remote and picturesque part of Scotland. What initially appears to be an isolated incident soon raises fears within the investigative team that something far more serious is unfolding. As more tension builds, suspicion spreads through the local community and long buried secrets begin to surface.

DI Monica Kennedy finds herself pulled deeper into the case as paranoia grows and trust within the investigation begins to fracture. Her own past starts to resurface as the pressure increases, forcing her to question her judgement while she attempts to stay ahead of a killer who always seems one step ahead.

Behind the series, Matt Hartley serves as executive producer alongside Ben Stephenson, Preethi Mavahalli, Luke Woellhaf and Fern McCauley. Matt Brown produces the drama, with writing contributions from Lena Rae and Nessah Muthy, and Gilles Bannier acting as lead director and executive producer.

The Dark is produced in association with ITV Studios, which will also handle international distribution of the series.

Channel 4 Announces Ingenious, a New Competition Series Celebrating British Invention

By Jon Donnis

Channel 4 has announced Ingenious, a new four-part feel-good competition series from Curve Wales, hosted by comedian, musician and lifelong enthusiast for clever contraptions Bill Bailey.

The series celebrates Britain’s long tradition of tinkering and its ongoing passion for innovation. It brings together amateur inventors from across the country, each arriving with ideas shaped in everyday spaces such as garden sheds, garages, kitchen tables and spare rooms.

These inventive entrants are practical problem-solvers at heart, building original contraptions designed to tackle everyday challenges and improve daily life. Their creations form the basis of a competitive format that rewards imagination, resourcefulness and hands-on mechanical skill.

Across four episodes, contestants take part in a variety of invention-based challenges. Each round is designed to test their creativity and technical ability as they compete for the title of Britain’s best home inventor.

The series is filmed in a large, light industrial space that reflects Britain’s industrial heritage. This setting provides a working backdrop for ambitious builds, giving contestants the room and atmosphere to turn bold ideas into working inventions.

Bill Bailey said, “I’m thrilled to be hosting Ingenious, a brand-new show that celebrates Britain’s shed-born brilliance, in a collision between practical problem-solving and creative innovation. Watching these inventors solve everyday frustrations with clever contraptions is exactly my kind of fun.”

Coming Soon

Channel 4 Revisits England’s Greatest Football Triumph in Full Colour

Image: Ch4 Press

By Jon Donnis

Sixty years after England lifted the World Cup for the first and only time, Channel 4 is bringing one of football’s most iconic matches back to television in a remarkable new broadcast event.

In partnership with SunLife, the channel will air England’s unforgettable 4-2 victory over West Germany at Wembley Stadium on 30 July 1966, presenting the entire match in full colour for modern audiences. More than just a celebration of sporting history, the broadcast also aims to raise awareness of dementia and Alzheimer’s Society, supporting those living with the condition and the families affected by it.

The special presentation will be introduced by comedian David Baddiel, whose long-standing passion for England football has made him closely associated with the national team’s history. Sir Geoff Hurst, the hero of that historic afternoon and still the only man to score a hattrick in a World Cup final, will also reflect on the match and pay tribute to former teammates who later developed dementia.

Current and former England players are also set to contribute, including men’s captain Harry Kane, helping connect generations of football supporters through one of the defining moments in English sport.

The broadcast promises to capture every memorable detail of the dramatic final. From the six goals and controversial extra-time strike to the scenes of jubilant fans spilling onto the Wembley pitch, viewers will once again witness Queen Elizabeth II presenting captain Bobby Moore with the famous Jules Rimet trophy.

Throughout the match, on-screen messages will encourage viewers to donate to Alzheimer’s Society, turning a nostalgic sporting occasion into an opportunity to support an important cause.

For many supporters, the 1966 World Cup final remains the single greatest day in English football history. Channel 4’s full colour presentation offers both longtime fans and younger audiences the chance to experience the drama, emotion and atmosphere of that extraordinary summer evening in a completely new way.

1966 FIFA World Cup Final In Colour is to air on Channel 4 and Channel 4 Streaming on Saturday 6th June.

Save Me: Danae Skiadi Heads Into a Town Full of Secrets in New Greek Crime Thriller

Image: Viaplay 

By Jon Donnis

Nordic noir has dominated television for years, but now a new Greek thriller looks ready to drag viewers into something every bit as cold, haunting, and emotionally charged. Save Me arrives in the UK this June carrying a strong reputation after being seen on Netflix Greece, and from the sound of it, this could easily become one of the sleeper crime drama hits of the summer.

Set against the atmospheric backdrop of northern Greece, the series immediately stands out thanks to its moody setting and deeply personal central mystery. Danae Skiadi stars as Nikol, a young woodcarver returning to her hometown of Komotini for her father’s memorial. It is supposed to be a difficult but brief visit home. Instead, events quickly spiral when her younger sister suddenly disappears, forcing Nikol into a desperate search for answers in a town filled with buried secrets and uneasy memories.

What makes Save Me especially intriguing is the way it blends psychological drama with classic crime thriller elements. The missing persons case soon develops into something far darker, with the possibility of a serial killer lurking beneath the surface of an otherwise quiet community. That tension between ordinary daily life and hidden horror always makes for compelling television, and this series seems determined to lean heavily into that unsettling atmosphere.

Elena Mavridou co-stars as a local detective who becomes entangled in the investigation alongside Nikol. From the early details, it sounds like both women are carrying emotional scars of their own, giving the story a strong human core beneath the suspense. Rather than simply focusing on procedural twists, the series appears more interested in trauma, guilt, corruption, and the emotional damage left behind by long hidden truths.

Visually, the setting alone could become one of the show’s biggest strengths. Northern Greece is rarely explored in international television drama, and the rugged landscapes and isolated communities sound perfect for a slow burning noir thriller. There is every chance the location itself becomes a character within the story, adding to the sense of dread and emotional isolation.

Another encouraging sign is the involvement of author Dimitris Simos, whose original novel serves as the basis for the series. Simos also acts as head screenwriter, which often helps preserve the tone and themes that made the source material popular in the first place. Fans of literary crime dramas will likely see that as a major positive going in.

With eight 45 minute episodes, Save Me also looks perfectly structured for weekly viewing. Releasing two episodes every Monday from 22 June should give audiences enough time to absorb the mystery, speculate on suspects, and slowly sink deeper into the show’s dark world rather than simply racing through it all in one sitting.

For viewers who enjoy tense European crime dramas filled with damaged characters, layered mysteries, and oppressive atmosphere, Save Me already feels like one to watch closely. Between its gripping premise, emotionally driven story, and distinctive Greek setting, this could end up being a genuinely memorable addition to the growing world of international noir television.

Available to watch on Viaplay via Prime Video

https://amzn.to/4wY2Vgs

COMPETITION: The Creep Tapes: Season 2 (A Shudder Original Series) on Blu-ray

The Creep Tapes Season 2 is set to arrive on Blu-ray on 1 June 2026, courtesy of Acorn Media International. 

And to celebrate we have a copy to give away!

Synopsis:

SPAWNED FROM the brilliantly macabre minds of Patrick Brice (The Overnight) and Mark Duplass (Safety Not Guaranteed, The Morning Show), the creators and stars of innovative found-footage horror films Creep and Creep 2, comes the critically acclaimed The Creep Tapes Season Two. Peachfuzz is back and even ‘more evil and unpredictable than before’ (Bloody Disgusting), with six new truly terrifying tapes of torture and chaos, upping the ante as we draw back the curtain on our favourite lupine killer once more. 

In true Creep style, each instalment finds a new victim to add to the tape collection of the devious and deranged murderer Peachfuzz (Duplass). The psychopath and his alter ego play with their prey in the most bizarre ways, revealing one supremely odd killer who relishes the awkwardness and terror of his unsuspecting victims.  

  

Press play on The Creep Tapes Season Two for another boundary pushing addition to the Creep franchise, diving deeper into the fractured mind of the man beneath the wolf mask with more murder and mayhem than ever before. 

Pre-Order from https://amzn.to/3PmRKwZ

Enter now for a chance to win.

Who are the creators and stars of Creep and Creep 2?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions

1. Closing date 08-06-26

2. No alternative prize is available

3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.

4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.

5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Reputation Begins Filming For BBC One And iPlayer

Naomie Harris and Christina Hendricks (Images via BBC Press: NH - Bex Aston / CH - David Roemer)

By Jon Donnis

Filming is now underway on Reputation, a new six-part legal drama heading to BBC One and BBC iPlayer from writer Anya Reiss and production company The Forge. Built around celebrity culture, media manipulation and courtroom warfare, the series looks set to dive headfirst into the chaos that follows when private scandals become public entertainment.

Leading the cast is Academy Award nominee Naomie Harris, playing high-powered lawyer Lena, a woman drawn into what quickly becomes the most explosive celebrity case in the country. Her client is global pop icon Davina Knight, played by Christina Hendricks, whose latest song triggers a bitter and deeply public legal battle with her former husband Billy, played by Kyle Soller.

The drama begins after Davina releases a provocative track accusing Billy of abusive behaviour. He responds publicly with accusations of his own, pushing the collapse of their marriage into the spotlight and sparking a fierce libel case. What follows stretches far beyond the courtroom itself. Public relations teams move into overdrive, social media becomes a battlefield and every detail is picked apart in real time by strangers online chasing outrage, attention and clicks.

While the series centres on the legal fight between the former couple, Lena finds herself increasingly exposed as the pressure surrounding the case intensifies. Her professional reputation, private life and personal limits are all tested as the battle spirals further out of control. The story raises difficult questions about truth, influence and the cost of winning when public opinion can shift in seconds.

Alongside Harris, Hendricks and Soller, the cast includes Alex Jennings, David Gyasi, Emily Atack, Marli Siu, Alex Heath, Tilly Keeper, Corey Johnson, Aidan McArdle, Ernest Kingsley Jnr, Jodie Campbell, Kayla Meikle, Mike Noble, Enzo Cilenti and Kat Ronney.

Reputation appears to be aiming for something slick, modern and sharply cynical about the relationship between fame and justice. Courtroom dramas are nothing new for television, but placing celebrity culture and online outrage at the centre of the story gives this one a distinctly current edge.

Naomie Harris says: “I was hooked from page one of Reputation. It's so rare to read scripts with the wit and flair of Anya's writing and I knew straight away that I wanted to play Lena.”

Christina Hendricks says: “Davina's a fantastic, fierce character. I'm so looking forward to working with Naomie and I'm delighted to be working again with the Forge.”