AMID rumours of projects getting cancelled and shows getting pushed back, Channel 4 seems to have been on the backfoot recently.
While other huge series including SAS: Who Dares Wins are axed, I can reveal Jamie Oliver has been handed a new show.
With his golden handcuffs deal ending last year, the channel is desperate to see off rivals such as Netflix, who showed interest in The Naked Chef.
The four-parter, Jamie Cooks The Mediterranean, follows the celebrity chef’s travels from Greece to Tunisia, Spain and France to explore fresh flavours from a host of vibrant styles.
It will reach our screens in the autumn, with Jamie using what he learns in each country to inspire new recipes.
A source said: “Jamie held an exclusive contract with Channel 4 for years. But at the back end of last year he began to look at other options once his golden handcuffs deal lapsed.
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“He made One-Pan Wonders and Seasons on a non-exclusive basis for Channel 4, but Netflix showed interest in a project around his healthy-eating campaigns.
“Channel 4 are all too aware how much of a draw Jamie still is for viewers, and wanted to reward his loyalty with a glossy new show.”
Our source also revealed that a Christmas special will follow.
Tim Hancock, commissioning editor for Channel 4, said: “Jamie has been going from strength to strength in his series for us, and this is a really beautiful travelogue showcasing techniques and recipes even the most avid foodie might have missed, and some ingenious recipes from Jamie.”
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The star has given a flavour of some recipes from his Med tour, which will feature in a companion cookbook.
They include smoky aubergine flatbread that is inspired by Greece, crispy prawn parcels drizzled with harissa dreamt up in Tunisia, a pork chop with chargrilled peppers courtesy of Spain and a courgette, goat’s cheese and olive tapenade tart created in France.
Now that’s a bumper spread for fans to feast their eyes on.
FIT CHRIS: MY RUN-IN WITH GOD
CHRIS Evans was spurred on to get fit by the “voice of God”.
The Virgin Radio breakfast show presenter revealed it was a passing thought that inspired him to take up running and cycling at 47.
Ten years on, Chris runs to work and cycles several times a day – and has an ice bath to keep his performance up.
He told Nick Grimshaw and Angela Hartnett on the Dish podcast: “I literally heard a voice from God, it was a divine intervention.
“The words, ‘pull into the car park, run around that lake’. I got out of the car and tried to run around the lake and I couldn’t.
“I tried the next day and couldn’t. On the third day I managed to just about shuffle around without stopping and I have never stopped running since. I have no idea why that happened.”
DEAF JOB BARRIERS FOR ROSE
ROSE Ayling-Ellis has been told she is “not deaf enough” to land certain parts.
The 2021 Strictly Come Dancing winner revealed that she has been shunned from some shows casting deaf actors.
Rose, who starred in BBC documentary Signs For Change last night, said: “I have been told I’m not deaf enough because I speak.
“At the same time, all of us who are deaf, we all have these barriers, but I am deaf enough.
“I’m aware that I do have periods of being able to speak clearly because society listens to me more when I speak.
“But when I sign, they don’t necessarily take it seriously.”
Rose, who played deaf character Frankie Lewis in BBC One soap EastEnders until last year, added: “Sometimes I feel like I’m working really hard just to fit into the hearing world.
“I feel like I’ve spent all my life learning to fully accept who I am.”
RYAN Reynolds has picked Welsh dramas and documentaries for his Maximum Effort TV channel.
The actor, owner of Wrexham FC, linked up with S4C for “Welsh Wednesdays”, which starts this week.
He said: “There is an alarming lack of Welsh content available for American viewing pleasure.
HORNE’S SECOND SECTION
TASKMASTER co-host Alex Horne will be back with a second series of his critically acclaimed show The Horne Section.
After the success of its first run last year, the series, which combines elements of mockumentary, chat show and sitcom, is set for six more episodes on Channel 4.
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Tim Key, John Oliver and Desiree Burch will be returning alongside Alex and his band of musicians, while newcomer, comedian Reggie Watts, also joins the guest line-up.
Other stars who will be making appearances this time round include Ronni Ancona, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, Stevie Martin and Anna Crilly.
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