My Telly HEAVEN!
BEVERLEY CALLARD AND MORGANA ROBINSON STAR AS MOTHER AND DAUGHTER IN THIS JOYOUS NEW SITCOM…
It’s Great British Menu’s finals week, as winners of the regional heats compete to win a place on the menu of a spectacular banquet celebrating a century of British broadcasting – and here, series host Andi Oliver dishes up her taste in television shows…
What’s the best thing about working on
The chefs are the joy – working with people at the peak of their creativity, pushing themselves, it’s constantly inspiring. And in my role as host, being able to help guide them through the competition emotionally and practically feels like a real privilege. I love it!
Which other TV shows have you been enjoying most recently? Ozark blows my mind every time I watch it – it has incredible plot twists, and I love that kind of TV. I also have a propensity for superheroes, and there’s a dark and weird superhero series on Prime Video that I love called The Boys…
How about comedy shows? Drag Race is funny to me, I like that kind of wit – sharp back and forth. And I just watched the first episode of This Is Going To Hurt, which is really interesting. I like it when there’s drama within the comedy. I thought Fleabag was completely brilliant, too.
What shows did you love growing up?
We only had three channels back then! The Saturday afternoon movie was a big thing for me, I’m a huge fan of the old black-and-white films. Then my dad would come home and flip over to the wrestling and I’d go mad!
Which shows do you chill out with? Call The Midwife – it’s just bliss, and so clever. Really good acting and so well written. It encompasses tricky, challenging issues people have had to deal with, and makes you think.
Is there a TV personality who’s particularly inspired you?
Dame Floella Benjamin
– to me she’s one of those people on whose shoulders
I stand. If people like
Floella hadn’t dealt with the challenges of being a black presenter all those years ago, I wouldn’t be able to do what I do today. I can only be grateful and inspired by her.
If you could appear in any other programme, what would it be? I’d like to be a superhero. I’ve just read about a black Spider-Woman character from the 70s, called Valerie the Librarian. So I’d like to be in Spider-Woman, please – if only I didn’t have a tricky knee… Catch the Great British Menu finals on BBC2, Mon-Fri
Meet Leslie (Jai Hollis) and his chip shop manager mum Maxine (Morgana Robinson), celebrating her 40th birthday after divorcing hopeless husband Terry (Mathew Horne), while her meddling mum Pauline (Beverley Callard) is determined to get them back together. Set in a small East Midlands market town, this warm and goofy sitcom (penned by actor and writer Nathan Foad) was a delight to make – as Beverley and Morgana tell Inside TV…
Hi, both! Introduce us to
Morgana We meet Maxine and son Leslie while they’re navigating tricky moments in their life. Maxine’s tasting singledom for the first time, and Leslie’s coming out – desperately wanting to be the only gay in the village, but he’s not… Beverley There’s a deep love between Pauline and Maxine, but Pauline is hideous! She doesn’t care who she upsets – I couldn’t wait to play her.
This is your first role since leaving Corrie, Beverley – how did this script stand out for you? Beverley When you leave a show like Corrie, you’re terrified you’re not going to work again. But I’ve said that I won’t go back and, in a way, it’s exhilarating as your world opens up. When this script came, I didn’t even ask how much they were going to pay me. I could just see myself making Pauline come to life.
What about Pauline’s choices of clothes? Beverley I wanted Pauline’s clothes to be horrible. She has this Matrix-style coat that she never takes off, she loves it. She’ll have it forever because she thinks she is The Matrix!
What was it like mastering Newark’s accent? Morgana I never stop banging on about how difficult the accent was! I think I went mad. It’s the toughest accent I’ve ever had to do…
This show has a brilliant cast, what was it like working together? Beverley We didn’t want filming to end. Me and Morgana clicked straight away, we did get the giggles a lot. But it was a great feeling! Morgana Jobs like these are few and far between. And Bev and I look alike, so we could actually be mother and daughter!
Morgana, you’re known for your impression of Natalie Cassidy
Sonia), so might
Liz be on the list too, now? Morgana I mean, Dame Callard has my throne. I know Nat Cass will understand!
Celeb skaters Kimberly Wyatt, Brendan Cole and Regan Gascoigne have made it to the Dancing On Ice 2022 final, which – having skipped a week for the footie – is set to be hosted by Phillip Schofield. Co-host Holly Willoughby is also back, after missing the semi-finals due to Covid. And they’re glad to be returning…
“We’re very lucky,” shares Holly. “We work with such ease, and that only comes from having a friendship for a long time…”
“We met doing this show,” explains Phil. “This is where we first sent each other cards, saying how terrified we were!”
“Yes, every time we’re here, it’s an anniversary of where we met,” concurs Holly. “This Morning is so special – but this is like our holiday home!”
For the big night, all the eliminated contestants return to the ice, with judges Jayne
Torvill and Christopher Dean also giving an extra-special performance, with the three finalists taking on the mighty Boléro routine that won Torvill and Dean Olympic gold in 1984. So do Holly and Phil think anyone might lose their cool with the panel?
“There’s always a danger of that,” reckons Phil. “But if there is a difference of opinion, then fair enough; everybody’s a grown-up. However, it’s tough to argue with our judges because in their own fields, they’re all legends. I mean, who will argue with Jayne and Chris about skating?”
“It’s passion, isn’t it?” agrees Holly. “If what you’re doing is super-important to you, you will defend yourself. But don’t mess with Jayne and Chris!”
IT’S TOUGH TO ARGUE WITH OUR JUDGES”