King Charles III‘s coronation takes place in less than one week. Therefore, preparations are ramping up as the palace readies itself for the ceremonial shift in power. A royal insider reveals details regarding the event, including secret coronation rehearsals and a Buckingham Palace surprise.
The exterior of Buckingham Palace ahead of King Charles’ coronation | Vuk Valcic/Sopa Images/LightRocket via Getty Images King Charles’ coronation ushers in a new era for the United Kingdom’s monarchy
After waiting to take the throne for 70 years, King Charles formally ascended as king on May 6. As its ruler, he can take the United Kingdom into a new, more modern era.
Upon Queen Elizabeth’s death, a more traditional monarchy appeared to be put to rest. As soon as Charles took control of the House of Windsor, he made swift changes.
One of these was a more streamlined monarchy, with only a handful of working,...
The exterior of Buckingham Palace ahead of King Charles’ coronation | Vuk Valcic/Sopa Images/LightRocket via Getty Images King Charles’ coronation ushers in a new era for the United Kingdom’s monarchy
After waiting to take the throne for 70 years, King Charles formally ascended as king on May 6. As its ruler, he can take the United Kingdom into a new, more modern era.
Upon Queen Elizabeth’s death, a more traditional monarchy appeared to be put to rest. As soon as Charles took control of the House of Windsor, he made swift changes.
One of these was a more streamlined monarchy, with only a handful of working,...
- 5/1/2023
- by Lucille Barilla
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
It’s a big year for UK quiz shows shaking up the presenter bench. University Challenge and Pointless have lost presenting stalwarts Jeremy Paxman and Richard Osman respectively, Anne Robinson made an early exit from Countdown, and now her replacement Colin Murray has vacated the chair temporarily to welcome a series of special guest hosts.
To mark the 40th anniversary of Channel 4 this month, the very first show broadcast on the channel has opened its door to four broadcasting greats, each of whom will host Countdown for one week. Let’s meet the new presenters joining lexicographer Susie Dent and mathematician Rachel Riley on the words and numbers puzzle game.
Oct 31st – Nov 4th: Baroness Floella Benjamin
First up was children’s television legend, and House of Lords life peer Baroness Floella Benjamin, who hosted Countdown from Monday October 31st to Friday November 4th. The presenter and campaigner is...
To mark the 40th anniversary of Channel 4 this month, the very first show broadcast on the channel has opened its door to four broadcasting greats, each of whom will host Countdown for one week. Let’s meet the new presenters joining lexicographer Susie Dent and mathematician Rachel Riley on the words and numbers puzzle game.
Oct 31st – Nov 4th: Baroness Floella Benjamin
First up was children’s television legend, and House of Lords life peer Baroness Floella Benjamin, who hosted Countdown from Monday October 31st to Friday November 4th. The presenter and campaigner is...
- 11/7/2022
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Sir Trevor McDonald and Floella Benjamin will guest host Countdown as part of the show’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
The quiz show was the first programme to air on Channel 4 when the broadcaster launched in November 1982 and remains the channel’s longest-running series.
To celebrate the milestone, four broadcasters will each take on a week-long hosting stint alongside resident lexicographer Susie Dent and mathematician Rachel Riley.
Benjamin will be up first, appearing on the week commencing 31 October, with TV judge Rob Rinder joining Dent as the guest in dictionary corner.
She will be followed by celebrity vicar and Radio 4 presenter Reverend Richard Coles the week after. Former BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker will appear with him alongside Dent.
The next week (beginning 14 November), McDOnald will return to host the show. McDonald last sat at the helm in September 2021 as part of Channel 4’s Black to Front project, in which...
The quiz show was the first programme to air on Channel 4 when the broadcaster launched in November 1982 and remains the channel’s longest-running series.
To celebrate the milestone, four broadcasters will each take on a week-long hosting stint alongside resident lexicographer Susie Dent and mathematician Rachel Riley.
Benjamin will be up first, appearing on the week commencing 31 October, with TV judge Rob Rinder joining Dent as the guest in dictionary corner.
She will be followed by celebrity vicar and Radio 4 presenter Reverend Richard Coles the week after. Former BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker will appear with him alongside Dent.
The next week (beginning 14 November), McDOnald will return to host the show. McDonald last sat at the helm in September 2021 as part of Channel 4’s Black to Front project, in which...
- 10/26/2022
- by Naomi Clarke
- The Independent - TV
A variety of stars across TV, theatre and film have written to all major UK broadcasters calling for increased ethnic diversity on British TV and behind the camera.
Signatories on the letter, published in The Guardian today, include Lenny Henry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Richard Curtis, Russell T Davies, Idris Elba, Neil Gaiman, David Harewood, Harry Hill, Terry Jones, Asif Kapadia, Doreen Lawrence, Jimmy McGovern, Phyllida Lloyd, Bill Nighy, Lynda La Plante, Alan Sugar, Meera Syal and Emma Thompson, among others.
Read the letter to The Guardian in full
The recipients of the letter were BBC director general Tony Hall, ITV chief executive Adam Crozier, Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham, BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch and Philippe Dauman, chief executive of new Channel 5 owner Viacom.
"We are dismayed at the poor numbers of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (Bame) people both on our screens and working behind the camera," the letter reads.
Signatories on the letter, published in The Guardian today, include Lenny Henry, Sanjeev Bhaskar, Richard Curtis, Russell T Davies, Idris Elba, Neil Gaiman, David Harewood, Harry Hill, Terry Jones, Asif Kapadia, Doreen Lawrence, Jimmy McGovern, Phyllida Lloyd, Bill Nighy, Lynda La Plante, Alan Sugar, Meera Syal and Emma Thompson, among others.
Read the letter to The Guardian in full
The recipients of the letter were BBC director general Tony Hall, ITV chief executive Adam Crozier, Channel 4 chief executive David Abraham, BSkyB chief executive Jeremy Darroch and Philippe Dauman, chief executive of new Channel 5 owner Viacom.
"We are dismayed at the poor numbers of Black, Asian and minority ethnic (Bame) people both on our screens and working behind the camera," the letter reads.
- 8/20/2014
- Digital Spy
Lenny Henry has criticised the BBC's new plans to increase on-screen diversity.
The comedian said that the black, Asian and minority ethnic (Bame) community had "initiative fatigue".
Last week, Lord Tony Hall announced plans to increase on-screen diversity by 5% in the next three years.
"Tony Hall's announcement last week is something, but with massive respect, it's on an old model that doesn't work," Henry said of the new initiative.
Henry spoke at a culture, media and sport select committee hearing, saying there had been "29 initiatives at the BBC in the last 15 years and numbers (of people from Bame backgrounds working in the industry) have gone down".
He added: "Idris Elba and Chiwetel Ejiofor didn't need more training. They just needed a break."
The actor will be part of a new BBC action group, including Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Asian Network presenter Nihal and Lady Floella Benjamin.
Henry said that...
The comedian said that the black, Asian and minority ethnic (Bame) community had "initiative fatigue".
Last week, Lord Tony Hall announced plans to increase on-screen diversity by 5% in the next three years.
"Tony Hall's announcement last week is something, but with massive respect, it's on an old model that doesn't work," Henry said of the new initiative.
Henry spoke at a culture, media and sport select committee hearing, saying there had been "29 initiatives at the BBC in the last 15 years and numbers (of people from Bame backgrounds working in the industry) have gone down".
He added: "Idris Elba and Chiwetel Ejiofor didn't need more training. They just needed a break."
The actor will be part of a new BBC action group, including Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Asian Network presenter Nihal and Lady Floella Benjamin.
Henry said that...
- 6/24/2014
- Digital Spy
The BBC has announced a new strategy to improve the representation of ethnic minorities at the corporation.
Director general Tony Hall unveiled the proposals at the set of EastEnders in Elstree on Friday (June 20).
The plans include a new executive development scheme and a commissioning fund, while more training internships for black, Asian and minority ethnic (Bame) graduate trainees will be introduced.
Lenny Henry - an outspoken critic of organisations including the BBC over Bame diversity - will be among a panel of experts on a new independent action group to advise the corporation.
Paralympic gold medallist Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, broadcaster Baroness Floella Benjamin and footballer Jason Roberts will also be on the panel.
"The BBC gets much right on diversity, but the simple fact is that we need to do more. I am not content for the BBC to be merely good or above average," Hall said.
"I want...
Director general Tony Hall unveiled the proposals at the set of EastEnders in Elstree on Friday (June 20).
The plans include a new executive development scheme and a commissioning fund, while more training internships for black, Asian and minority ethnic (Bame) graduate trainees will be introduced.
Lenny Henry - an outspoken critic of organisations including the BBC over Bame diversity - will be among a panel of experts on a new independent action group to advise the corporation.
Paralympic gold medallist Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, broadcaster Baroness Floella Benjamin and footballer Jason Roberts will also be on the panel.
"The BBC gets much right on diversity, but the simple fact is that we need to do more. I am not content for the BBC to be merely good or above average," Hall said.
"I want...
- 6/20/2014
- Digital Spy
Letter from the Prince of Wales read at Ntfs Gala event.
Prince Charles has praised the work of the National Film and Television School (Nfts) in their ongoing campaign to improve levels of diversity in the industry.
Baroness Floella Benjamin took to the stage at the Nfts’s annual gala event, held at Old Billingsgate in London, to read the letter of support from the Prince of Wales.
It said: “I am delighted at the long standing commitment the Nfts has made to training of the highest standard. I am very conscious of the generous help that is provided to ensure that the courses you offer are available to those of the greatest potential talent whatever their means.
“Any successful industry is only as good as the people within it and its future success depends on the quality of those whom it attracts to join the profession now.
“So I could not be more pleased at the...
Prince Charles has praised the work of the National Film and Television School (Nfts) in their ongoing campaign to improve levels of diversity in the industry.
Baroness Floella Benjamin took to the stage at the Nfts’s annual gala event, held at Old Billingsgate in London, to read the letter of support from the Prince of Wales.
It said: “I am delighted at the long standing commitment the Nfts has made to training of the highest standard. I am very conscious of the generous help that is provided to ensure that the courses you offer are available to those of the greatest potential talent whatever their means.
“Any successful industry is only as good as the people within it and its future success depends on the quality of those whom it attracts to join the profession now.
“So I could not be more pleased at the...
- 6/19/2014
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Annual event to be held on June 18 on the topic of Great British Film, Television and Games Event - Striving for Diversity Nirvana.
Lenny Henry is to introduce this year’s National Film and Television School’s (Nfts) Gala.
The Great British Film, Television and Games Event - Striving for Diversity Nirvana will take place on June 18 at Old Billingsgate.
Baroness Floella Benjamin, OBE, is chairing the Gala committee, which includes Paralympic medalist Ade Adepitan, director Alrick Riley, Fujitsu UK and Ireland chairman Simon Blagden, MBE, Ingenious Investments CEO James Clayton, Wall to Wall TV founder Alex Graham, Coutts & Co’s media banking division director Judith Chan, Global Group executive president and founder Ashley Tabor and Nfts director Nik Powell.
Henry recently launched a nationwide campaign to increase diversity on our screens by calling for a change in the law to boost the number of Black and Minority Ethnic workers in British broadcast media.
The Gala aims...
Lenny Henry is to introduce this year’s National Film and Television School’s (Nfts) Gala.
The Great British Film, Television and Games Event - Striving for Diversity Nirvana will take place on June 18 at Old Billingsgate.
Baroness Floella Benjamin, OBE, is chairing the Gala committee, which includes Paralympic medalist Ade Adepitan, director Alrick Riley, Fujitsu UK and Ireland chairman Simon Blagden, MBE, Ingenious Investments CEO James Clayton, Wall to Wall TV founder Alex Graham, Coutts & Co’s media banking division director Judith Chan, Global Group executive president and founder Ashley Tabor and Nfts director Nik Powell.
Henry recently launched a nationwide campaign to increase diversity on our screens by calling for a change in the law to boost the number of Black and Minority Ethnic workers in British broadcast media.
The Gala aims...
- 6/11/2014
- by ian.sandwell@screendaily.com (Ian Sandwell)
- ScreenDaily
Iconic children's programme Play School celebrates its 50th anniversary today (April 21).
The show launched on April 21, 1964 and is noted for being the first programme to air on BBC Two.
Play School ran for 24 years until 1988 and was fronted by presenters including Brian Cant, Carol Chell, Johnny Ball, Derek Griffiths and Floella Benjamin.
The programme celebrated landmarks such as becoming the first children's programme broadcast in colour on BBC Two in 1968, and became the first children's show in the UK to feature a black host when Paul Danquah joined the team in 1965.
To mark half a century since the show's launch, Play School will be part of a special exhibition commemorating Children's BBC called 'Here's One We Made Earlier', which is due to open in July at The Lowry in Manchester.
The Children's Media Foundation are also supporting a special reunion of people who worked on the show.
Former head of...
The show launched on April 21, 1964 and is noted for being the first programme to air on BBC Two.
Play School ran for 24 years until 1988 and was fronted by presenters including Brian Cant, Carol Chell, Johnny Ball, Derek Griffiths and Floella Benjamin.
The programme celebrated landmarks such as becoming the first children's programme broadcast in colour on BBC Two in 1968, and became the first children's show in the UK to feature a black host when Paul Danquah joined the team in 1965.
To mark half a century since the show's launch, Play School will be part of a special exhibition commemorating Children's BBC called 'Here's One We Made Earlier', which is due to open in July at The Lowry in Manchester.
The Children's Media Foundation are also supporting a special reunion of people who worked on the show.
Former head of...
- 4/20/2014
- Digital Spy
Baroness Floella Benjamin [pictured] will chair the event, which is about improving diversity.
Screen International and its sister publication Broadcast have been confirmed as media partners for the National Film and Television School’s 2014 Gala.
Baroness Floella Benjamin is to chair Gala, which aims to improve diversity in the film, television and games industries.
The Nfts 2014 Gala will be held at Old Billingsgate on June 18, 2014 and includes live entertainment, a quiz and live and silent auctions.
Joining Benjamin on the Gala Committee are Simon Blagden (Chairman, Fujitsu, UK and Ireland); James Clayton (CEO, Ingenious Investments); Alex Graham (founder of Wall to Wall TV); Judith Chan (Director, Media Banking Division, Coutts & Co); Ashley Tabor (Executive President and Founder, Global Group); Alrick Riley (Nfts graduate, BAFTA-winning director of Hustle, Hotel Babylon and Spooks), Ade Adepitan, (Paralympic gold medalist and television broadcaster) and Nik Powell (Director Nfts).
Benjamin, who is also on the school’s Board of Governors, encouraged the industry...
Screen International and its sister publication Broadcast have been confirmed as media partners for the National Film and Television School’s 2014 Gala.
Baroness Floella Benjamin is to chair Gala, which aims to improve diversity in the film, television and games industries.
The Nfts 2014 Gala will be held at Old Billingsgate on June 18, 2014 and includes live entertainment, a quiz and live and silent auctions.
Joining Benjamin on the Gala Committee are Simon Blagden (Chairman, Fujitsu, UK and Ireland); James Clayton (CEO, Ingenious Investments); Alex Graham (founder of Wall to Wall TV); Judith Chan (Director, Media Banking Division, Coutts & Co); Ashley Tabor (Executive President and Founder, Global Group); Alrick Riley (Nfts graduate, BAFTA-winning director of Hustle, Hotel Babylon and Spooks), Ade Adepitan, (Paralympic gold medalist and television broadcaster) and Nik Powell (Director Nfts).
Benjamin, who is also on the school’s Board of Governors, encouraged the industry...
- 12/18/2013
- ScreenDaily
Gwyneth Paltrow attends 2011 Rhs Chelsea flower show.Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Kirsty Allsopp attends 2011 Rhs Chelsea flower show.Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Gloria Hunniford and Diana Moran attend 2011 Rhs Chelsea flower show.Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Neil Fox attends 2011 Rhs Chelsea flower show.Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Will Young attends 2011 Rhs Chelsea flower show.Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. 05/23/2011 - Floella Benjamin - 2011 Rhs Chelsea Flower Show - VIP Day - Royal Hospital Chelsea - London, UK © Landmark / PR Photos 05/23/2011 - Will Young - 2011 Rhs Chelsea Flower Show - VIP Day - Royal Hospital Chelsea - London, UK ©...
- 5/25/2011
- by M&C
- Monsters and Critics
Lucy Mangan on the people hitting the headlines in the past seven days
Taking liberties
Tony Blair
Turns out the attorney general warned him that going to war with Iraq would be illegal. Several times. But really – what do lawyers know? He lived with one, he was one – he knows what they're like. Anyway, things change. Not facts or anything but ... things. And eventually Lord Goldsmith came round to his way of thinking – sort of – and popped a more helpful note through the door of No 10 suggesting that what Mr B wanted and had just promised George W would be Ok after all.
And that was surely right. Why else would our Tone have received this week the 2010 Liberty Award (lovely medal, plus 70 grand to stick in the account) in the Us for "significantly furthering the expansion of freedom, self-governance, equality and peaceful coexistence" in the world. Really, it's enough to move you to tears,...
Taking liberties
Tony Blair
Turns out the attorney general warned him that going to war with Iraq would be illegal. Several times. But really – what do lawyers know? He lived with one, he was one – he knows what they're like. Anyway, things change. Not facts or anything but ... things. And eventually Lord Goldsmith came round to his way of thinking – sort of – and popped a more helpful note through the door of No 10 suggesting that what Mr B wanted and had just promised George W would be Ok after all.
And that was surely right. Why else would our Tone have received this week the 2010 Liberty Award (lovely medal, plus 70 grand to stick in the account) in the Us for "significantly furthering the expansion of freedom, self-governance, equality and peaceful coexistence" in the world. Really, it's enough to move you to tears,...
- 7/2/2010
- by Lucy Mangan
- The Guardian - Film News
Last week's spinetingling installment of The Sarah Jane Adventures saw the show perform strongly following the previous week's guest appearance from David Tennant. 7.3% of the available audience - around 0.9 million viewers according to overnight figures - saw Thursday's first part of The Eternity Trap which saw Floella Benjamin return as Professor Celeste Rivers in a more prominent role than her previous appearances. Friday's concluding episode saw 6.6% of the audience tune in - the 0.8...
- 11/11/2009
- by Christian Cawley info@kasterborous.com
- Kasterborous.com
Floella Benjamin is a children's TV institution. The Trinidad-born presenter, who was rightly awarded an OBE in 2001, was one of the driving forces behind the long-running BBC kids shows Play School and Play Away. Alongside the likes of Brian Cant, Jeremy Irons and Johnny Ball, Benjamin kept millions of British children smiling with her enthusiasm in front of camera. Other successful projects from her '80s pomp included Channel 4's Treehouse and the zany sketch show Fast Forward. Aside from her work on children's (more)...
- 3/6/2009
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
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