TV TALK

AND THERE’S MORE!

■ A third series of hit crime drama Mcdonald & Dodds starring Jason

Watkins and Tala Gouveia (above) is underway – before series two has even aired! Executive producer Damien Timmer says, ‘We’re talking this week about new story puzzles – I’m sure the writer Robert Murphy has many in his head!’ ■ Johnny Vegas (left) has confessed he once nicked the BBC’S telephone switchboard after a few drinks too many. On an upcoming episode of Dave panel show Unforgivable he tells host Mel Giedroyc, ‘I stole the whole phone system from the front of the BBC. I woke up with it in my flat.’ ■ Claudia Winkleman admits she had serious doubts about whether a celebrity version of Best Home Cook would work, because she didn’t think the contestants would be up to the task! ‘Some celebrities can’t string sentences together, never mind make toast,’ says Claudia (right), who presents the BBC1 show. ‘Happily my fears were misplaced – the food they prepared often blew the judges away.’

■ Kenneth Cranham felt very underdressed playing Gerry (left) opposite Nigel Havers’s dashing Roger in ITV’S Finding Alice. ‘Nigel wore his own, stylish clothes,’ says Ken. ‘When I dipped into the pocket of Gerry’s zip-up, I discovered a £3.50 receipt from the hospice shop!’