Monty Don to Step Down as Gardeners’ World Head Gardener

Monty and Ned (Image: BBC Studios)

By Jon Donnis

After more than two decades as the face of BBC Gardeners’ World, Monty Don is stepping down from his role as the programme’s longest-serving Head Gardener.

Monty joined the popular gardening programme in 2003 and has since become one of the most recognisable figures in British gardening television, inspiring millions of viewers with his warmth, knowledge and enthusiasm.

Since 2011, audiences have also been welcomed into Monty’s own garden at Longmeadow in Herefordshire, where he has shared the pleasures and challenges of gardening throughout the seasons. His much-loved dogs have frequently accompanied him, becoming a familiar part of the programme along the way.

Although Monty is leaving his role at the end of the current series, viewers will not have to say goodbye just yet. He will continue broadcasting from Longmeadow until later this year.

Speaking about his decision Monty said: "I have decided that the current series of Gardeners’ World is to be my last. I began hosting the programme 23 years ago, first at Berryfields and for the past 16 years here in my own garden, Longmeadow.

"Throughout that time - and around seven hundred programmes - I have had the privilege of sharing my own abiding passion for gardens and gardening with an equally passionate, and often equally knowledgeable audience.

"That connection with millions, not just in Britain but across the world, who share a love of gardens, plants and the natural world is something I have always treasured and which I increasingly believe to be at the heart of a life well lived.

"I have also always relished the craft of programme making and to do so, week in week out, as part of a superlative BBC team has been a deeply rewarding experience. But now is the right time for a change.

"I look forward to continuing to work with and for the BBC on other projects, as well as following new avenues. There are more books to write, more programmes to make.

"And of course, I will still be gardening, dog by side, here at Longmeadow."

SNL UK Adds Freddie Meredith to Series 2 Cast

Image: Sky TV

By Jon Donnis

Saturday Night Live UK is expanding its cast ahead of the return of the hit comedy series, with actor and comedian Freddie Meredith joining the ensemble for Series 2.

Meredith, known for his roles in Such Brave Girls and Big Boys, joins the cast following his Edinburgh Fringe debut with his comedy show Need a Light?, which was nominated for the Best Newcomer Award.

He will appear alongside returning SNL UK cast members Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.

Originally from London, and more specifically Shepherd's Bush, Meredith has a background in both acting and live comedy. After training at drama school, he began his professional career in theatre before increasingly moving towards comedy. He subsequently started performing stand-up alongside his acting work, eventually leading to the creation of short sketches online.

Meredith's comedy influences include Jamie Demetriou, Tim Key, Tina Fey, Nathan Fielder, Kristen Wiig, Steve Coogan, Steve Carrell and Julia Davis.

Speaking about joining SNL UK, Meredith described it as an opportunity he simply could not turn down.

"It's a no brainer, it's the most iconic comedy show and it looks like so much fun. It will undoubtedly inform everything I do for the rest of my career and I can't wait for the experience. It's SNL!!!"

SNL UK will return for its second series on 12 September on Sky and streaming service NOW, with the first six episodes scheduled to air this year. Further episodes are planned for early 2027.

The new series will open with Jeff Goldblum and CMAT on 12 September, followed by episodes on 19 September, 26 September, 10 October, 17 October and 24 October.

BBC Acquires New Irish Factual Drama - The Murder of Mr. Moonlight

Brendan Coyle as Bobby Ryan (Image: Peter Marley)

By Jon Donnis

The BBC is bringing one of Ireland’s most compelling criminal cases to television with The Murder of Mr. Moonlight, a new factual drama commissioned by RTÉ in association with Screen Ireland and Banijay Rights.

Adapted for television by Malcolm Campbell, whose previous credits include What Richard Did and 500 Miles, the series is produced by Conker Pictures, part of Banijay UK, and Samson Films, with additional funding from Screen Ireland.

The three-part story explores the disappearance and murder of Bobby Ryan, a case that would eventually lead to one of the longest murder trials in Irish history. Ryan disappeared in June 2011, with his body not discovered until April 2013 on a farm in County Tipperary.

An extensive investigation followed, eventually leading to the conviction of Patrick Quirke for Ryan’s murder in 2019. Quirke was sentenced to life imprisonment.

Ryan was known affectionately as "Mr. Moonlight", the stage name he used during his work as a local DJ entertainer. He regularly performed in pubs, clubs and social venues, making him a familiar figure within the local community.

Brendan Coyle, known for Downton Abbey and Toxic Town, takes on the role of Bobby Ryan, with Sinéad Keenan of Unforgotten and Little Boy Blue playing Mary Lowry, Bobby’s girlfriend. Owen McDonnell, who has appeared in Killing Eve and Bad Sisters, stars as Patrick Quirke.

The cast also includes Hazel Doupe as Bobby’s daughter Michelle Ryan and Carolyn Bracken as Pat’s wife, Imelda Quirke. Ian Lloyd Anderson, Danny Power, Helena Browne, Muiris Crowley, Aidan O’Hare, Emmet Byrne and Pom Boyd also feature.

Set against the backdrop of a close-knit rural community, The Murder of Mr. Moonlight will examine the relationships, secrets and tensions surrounding the case. The drama will explore the devastating consequences of Ryan’s disappearance and murder, while looking at the search for justice and the impact the events had on those closest to them.

Rather than focusing solely on the criminal investigation, the series aims to explore the human stories behind the headlines and the effect of a tragedy that continued to resonate through the community for years.

The Murder of Mr. Moonlight is based on Catherine Fegan’s book of the same name, drawing on extensive research and interviews. The adaptation will revisit a case that captivated Ireland for more than a decade while examining the people and relationships at its heart.

The series will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and BBC One, with further details about its release to be announced in due course.

Ludwig announces star-studded Christmas special with Sir David Suchet

David Mitchell and Sir David Suchet (Image: BBC / Big Talk Studios / Amanda Searle)

By Jon Donnis

David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin are set to return as the Taylor family for a festive Ludwig special, with an impressive line-up of guest stars joining the BBC detective comedy.

The announcement comes as the International Emmy Award-winning series continues to air its second series on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, while a third series is already in production. The Christmas special will add another mystery to John's increasingly complicated detective adventures.

Among the guest stars is Sir David Suchet, best known for his celebrated portrayal of Hercule Poirot. This time, however, the actor will find himself on the other side of the investigation, taking on the role of a murder suspect.

Jason Flemyng, Joe Wilkinson, Cathy Tyson, Alexandra Roach and Kiell Smith-Bynoe are also part of the guest cast, alongside Rebekah Staton, Claire Price, Ariella Glaser and George Rainsford.

David Mitchell will once again play John 'Ludwig' Taylor, with Anna Maxwell Martin returning as Lucy Betts-Taylor. Dylan Hughes will reprise his role as Henry Betts-Taylor, while Dipo Ola returns as DCI Russell Carter.

The festive mystery takes the Taylors to a remote Christmas-themed hotel in Yorkshire, where John, Lucy and Henry are hoping for a much-needed escape. Their plans take an unexpected turn when a sudden blackout transforms the festive break into a locked-room murder mystery.

With a blizzard cutting the hotel off from the outside world, the guests are left trapped together with a killer among them. John is reluctantly drawn into another unusual puzzle, leaving the Taylors with the difficult task of solving the murder before Christmas.

The 60-minute Christmas special is created and written by Mark Brotherhood and produced by Big Talk Studios, part of ITV Studios, in collaboration with That Mitchell and Webb Company, with BritBox and ZDF as co-production partners.

On working with Sir David Suchet, David Mitchell said: “I have long been a huge admirer of Sir David Suchet’s work and have watched every episode of Poirot several times, so it was a dream come true for me when he agreed to appear in the Ludwig Christmas Special. He was an absolute joy to work and spend time with - funny, interesting and generous - and his performance in the programme is wonderful.”

Sir David Suchet says: “It was an absolute pleasure to work alongside David Mitchell and the wonderful ensemble cast. It made quite the refreshing change to be playing a suspect rather than the detective, and to sit comfortably in my armchair while David delivered the denouement. I had a thoroughly enjoyable time.”

Episodes 1-3 of Ludwig Series 2 are currently available on BBC iPlayer, episodes 4-6 will be available from Thursday 10 September. Episodes are going out weekly on BBC One, Thursdays, 9pm. The Ludwig Christmas episode forms part of the Ludwig series 2 commission.

Saturday Night Live UK announces Jeff Goldblum and CMAT for series two launch

Image: Sky TV

By Jon Donnis

Saturday Night Live UK is returning for its second series, with Jeff Goldblum set to lead the launch episode alongside Irish singer-songwriter CMAT.

The Academy Award-nominated actor and global star, known for Jurassic Park and Wicked, will take on hosting duties when the new series begins on 12 September. CMAT will join him as the episode's musical guest, bringing her own performance to the live opening show.

The series will once again air live each week, with a different celebrity host and musical guest taking centre stage in every episode. Alongside the live music, viewers can expect topical sketches and a distinctly British take on the iconic Weekend Update segment.

The second series will continue to bring the Saturday Night Live format to a UK audience, combining comedy, live performances and topical material across each weekly episode.

With Goldblum taking the hosting role and CMAT providing the music, Saturday Night Live UK will kick off its second series on 12 September.

Saturday Night Live UK launches on 12 September on Sky and streaming service NOW.

Made in Chelsea returns to E4 with new faces and fresh relationship drama

Image: Ch4

By Jon Donnis

Made in Chelsea is set to return to E4 this autumn, with the SW3 social scene welcoming new faces as existing friendships and romances are put to the test.

The new series will begin on Monday 14 September at 9pm, opening with a pool party at Beks’ family home in Surrey. The event will introduce viewers to the latest arrivals while bringing the group together for an evening that quickly hints at the drama still to come.

Sam Prince finds himself at the centre of one of the early storylines when his new love interest attracts the attention of another member of the group. The situation threatens to create tension among the boys, with divisions beginning to emerge within the friendship group.

Meanwhile, Jazz could be heading into a new romance of her own. She introduces her new flame to the wider Chelsea social circle, although it remains to be seen how the relationship will develop once the pair are under the watchful eye of their friends.

The new arrivals will join a number of familiar faces, with several of the show's established couples also returning. Sam and Alice Vanderpump, Jules and Tristan, and James and Maeva are all back for the latest series.

With new friendships forming and loyalties shifting, the latest instalment of Made in Chelsea looks set to bring another round of complicated relationships and social drama when the series returns to E4.

Made in Chelsea returns to E4 on Monday 14 September at 9pm. Previous episodes are available to stream on Channel 4.

Sky News Reveals New Rotating Guest Presenter Format for Sunday Morning Programme

Image: Sky TV

By Jon Donnis

Sky News is taking a new approach to its flagship Sunday morning current affairs coverage, introducing a rotating line-up of high-profile guest presenters from September.

The new format launches on Sunday 6th September with journalist and broadcaster Jon Sopel taking the helm. Sopel, who is also a co-presenter of The News Agents, will be the first of several familiar broadcasting and journalism figures to front the programme on a weekly basis.

He will be followed by Rachel Johnson on 13th September, with the broadcaster, author and LBC presenter bringing her own perspective to the Sunday morning slot. On 20th September, Kamal Ahmed, broadcaster and Fortune's Executive Editorial Director, Europe, will take over.

The line-up continues with political journalist and Times Radio Breakfast presenter Kate McCann on 27th September, before journalist, author and broadcaster Helen Lewis takes charge on 4th October. Sky News says further guest presenters will be announced in the coming weeks, with the rotating format set to continue in the run-up to Christmas.

The programme will also be renamed Sunday Morning with…, with the name of that week's presenter completing the title. The change is intended to give each host greater scope to shape the programme around their own interests, expertise and interviewing style.

Politics and major interviews will remain central to the show, but Sky News says the programme will look beyond Westminster and explore the wider issues and ideas affecting people across the UK. Discussion and debate will have a greater presence alongside interviews and analysis of the biggest stories of the week.

The new format follows Trevor Phillips' departure from Sky News to join CBS News, bringing a new chapter to the broadcaster's Sunday morning schedule. With a different presenter taking the chair each week, Sky News will be giving audiences a broader range of voices and approaches to its weekend current affairs coverage.

The first edition of Sunday Morning with Jon Sopel will air on Sky News on Sunday 6th September.