+ Screen News

* Reports that Simon Cowell is axing The X Factor would appear to have been exaggerated. Instead, the scuttlebutt has it that after 15 years on air, Cowell and his production team will radically revamp the format in time for an autumn relaunch. Apparently, King Simon is considering ditching the public auditions (surely the only interesting bit?) and introducing celebrity contestants. There is also talk of incorporating a new segment featuring previous winners from international editions of the show. * The production team behind the recent movie hit, Stan & Ollie, is turning to another real-life duo for their next production, this time with a six-part TV series in mind. Joan & Jackie will tell the story of the Collins sisters: one a leading actress, the other, a best-selling author. Both made major headlines throughout the 1980s, with Joan starring in Dynasty and Jackie penning Hollywood Wives. No casting details yet, but both storylines are meaty enough to attract big-name interest.

* Fans of everybody’s favourite marmaladeeating Peruvian bear will be delighted to hear that, following two successful big-screen outings, Paddington bear is now heading back to our TV screens. Producer David Heyman has confirmed that Studiocanal and Nickelodeon will team up for a brand-new Paddington television series for pre-schoolers. Ben Whishaw will reprise his role as the voice of the title character. Each episode will open and close with Paddington’s letters as he tells Aunt Lucy what he has learned about life through the day’s exciting adventures.