Budget Primeval rejected by ITV

Impossible Pictures offered to make a fourth series of ITV1’s CGI drama Primeval for less than £600,000 an episode - but even that was not enough of a bargain to convince the broadcaster to reorder the show.

Under the deal, the Sci Fi Channel in the UK (to be rebranded Syfy in July) would have aired the show first, ahead of ITV1. But ITV turned the offer down and a spokesman confirmed that the decision was made to help the commercial broadcaster protect its 9pm drama slate.

Impossible founder Tim Haines said: “There was a lot of talk when Primeval was cancelled that it must have been because it is a big show, with lots of CGI and special effects.

“That’s not the case. ITV wasn’t paying the whole costs anyway but we offered to lower the price further and bring in 50% of the funding with co-pro deals. It would still have been getting a show worth more than £1m for less than £600,000.”

Haines said he “completely understood” ITV’s position, which was “not unique”. “Drama producers are going to have to become a lot more adept at financing their productions,” he said.

Impossible is now negotiating with a US broadcaster to adapt Primeval. Haines said it was likely that the series would “start from scratch” with a slightly edgier feel.

He added that he was hopeful Primeval could eventually come back to the UK, but as a US acquisition rather than a commission.

Credit: Broadcast Now

Posted: 28th June 2009

Rachel terrified by shooting

The pop star Rachel Stevens was among dozens of diners forced to dive for cover when a gunman began firing shots inside a restaurant where she was enjoying a night out.

The former S Club 7 singer threw herself to the ground when shooting broke out in Harry Morgan's restaurant in St John's Wood, north London, on Friday night.

Miss Stevens was eating with her fiancé Alex Bourne and members of her family when a gunman carrying two pistols and wearing a motorbike helmet chased another man into the busy restaurant.

He opened fire five times in front of terrified diners, shooting the man in the leg. A 15-year-old boy, who was eating in the restaurant, was also injured during the shooting.

The injuries of both victims are not thought to be life threatening and they are recovering in hospital.

A spokeswoman for Miss Stevens said: "Rachel and her family were in a restaurant where there was gunfire. It was very frightening for everyone there but none of the diners were hurt."

The Metropolitan Police said no arrests have yet been made. A spokesman said: "We are waiting the results of a preliminary investigation to establish what might be behind this shooting."

Police forensics officers were today combing through the restaurant, where bullet holes were clearly visible in the walls.

The attack comes just weeks after Miss Stevens was robbed of her jewellery by three men who followed her to her home in nearby Regents Park.

The items believed to be stolen included her engagement ring, a necklace and a Rolex watch.

Credit: Telegraph.co.uk

Posted: 27th June 2009

Rachel storms out on fiancé Alex over dinner

Rachel Stevens stormed out of a restaurant last Wednesday after a row with fiancé Alex Bourne – raising doubts about their forthcoming wedding.

It is the latest unhappy episode for the 31-year-old former S Club singer after her diamond engagement ring was stolen two weeks ago.

A witness who saw the row at Joe Allen’s restaurant in London’s Covent Garden said: ‘All of a sudden Rachel just erupted and screamed at Alex, “That’s it. That is absolutely it.”

'She stormed out with her Chanel bag, leaving Alex looking very red-faced.'

We were told that even TV host Jerry Springer, who was at the next table, looked embarrassed for Rachel and Alex.

The couple are just a few months away from their wedding which is set to take place in August.

Credit: Daily Mail

Posted: 23rd June 2009

Primeval axed after three series

Science fiction drama series Primeval has been axed after "three very successful series", ITV has confirmed.

Starring Ben Miller, Douglas Henshall, and ex-S Club 7 star Hannah Spearritt, the show followed a group of scientists studying prehistoric creatures.

"High quality drama remains a key part of the ITV schedule, although our current focus is on post-watershed production," ITV said in a statement.

The show had an average audiences of about five million this year.

The figure was down from around six million for the first two series.

Earlier this year, ITV announced 600 job cuts and says it is now aiming to cut a further £40m in 2010.

Primeval may have suffered because of the big-budget computer effects needed to generate its fantastical creatures.

Website Total Sci-Fi said it had been told by a source that Primeval's production team were "devastated" but that they had "every intention of keeping Primeval alive in other ways".

Credit: BBC News

Posted: 16th June 2009

Rachel Stevens robbed at home

Singer Rachel Stevens has been robbed of jewellery by three men who followed her into her flat in north London.

The men ambushed the former S Club 7 star on Tuesday afternoon as she entered her flat near Regents Park.

It is believed the items stolen included her engagement ring, a necklace and her watch.

A spokesman for Stevens, 31, who came second in last year's Strictly Come Dancing show, said she had been "shaken" by the experience.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said: "It's believed the woman returned to her flat and was followed in to the premises by three males.

"The suspects are understood to have threatened her before making off with a quantity of jewellery."

A brief statement released on behalf of Stevens said: "Rachel did experience an intrusion and is shaken, but otherwise ok."

Stevens is engaged to actor Alex Bourne, with their wedding planned for this summer.

Credit: BBC News

Posted: 10th June 2009

Hannah Spearritt: ‘Primeval’s been brilliant fun’

The former S Club singer reveals the latest terrors that Abby and the Primeval team have the deal with…

What’s happening in this Saturday’s episode of Primeval?
“We’re faced with a herd of stampeding seven-ton rhino-type beasts! Then Danny turns up with the mysterious woman he saw in the future, Eve, and she says she has the power to save everyone from the herd. No-one knows who she is, and Abby keeps a close eye on her. There’s a big shock to come!”

Sounds like another really big action sequence!
“Yes, this series has been exhausting but brilliant fun. And Abby’s had a Mini Cooper S this time to drive very fast. She drove a Mini in the last series but she’s been upgraded to a Cooper S in this one. I was able to open her up on the track, although I burnt out the clutch so probably took it a bit too far…”

Are you a bit of a petrol-head then?
“Not really, although more so than Andrew [her fiancé, Andrew-Lee Potts, who plays Connor Temple in the series]. Driving is one of my loves, and I’m usually the designated driver, which we’re both comfortable with.”

You’ve had a lot of new toys and gadgets this series… “Yes, I love the flame-throwers, they’re awesome. Any new equipment is very well received. Let’s face it, any new toys to play with are always going to go down well on a set like ours which has lots of boys around! They do love a new gadget and that is especially the case with Jason who was clearly in his element. Lucy and I had a laugh too – it’s not often you get to be all ‘Tomb Raider’ with a flame-thrower.”

So, the big question, Abby and Connor – are they ever going to kiss?
“Ha! I’m not going to say. Let’s just say the relationship continues to be tested!”

Credit: What's on TV

Posted: 21st May 2009

Rachel Stevens' designer designs

Rachel Stevens would like to bring out a fashionrange

Rachel Stevens has revealed she wants to become a fashion designer.

The former S Club 7 star is putting her music career on hold and would love to bring out her own clothing range.

Rachel said: "I have lots of things in planning at the moment, I want to get more involved in fashion - it's something I've always been really passionate about."

She added: I'd love to work with a designer and collaborate, or eventually design my own range.

"I don't have plans to continue with music at the moment, but maybe in the future."

The singer and actress was runner-up in the last series of Strictly Come dancing to ex-Holby City star Tom Chambers.

Rachel, who is the new ambassador for Schwarzkopf Gliss hair products, said: "I do really miss Strictly, it was an amazing experience. I don't miss the pressure and the stress and the worry on the Friday night, thinking 'Oh my god, do I know what I'm doing?' but I miss the dancing."

Credit: Metro

Posted: 9th May 2009

Primeval to get Hollywood treatment

Impossible Pictures has teamed up with US film studio Warner Bros to turn ITV1 dinosaur drama Primeval into a Hollywood movie.

Work will begin on the project later this year. It is not yet known if the actors from the TV series, such as comedian Ben Miller and former S Club 7 singer Hannah Spearritt, will also appear in the film version.

Primeval began airing on ITV1 in 2007 and follows a group of scientists who track down and capture prehistoric creatures which break through a rift in time to the present day.

It was created by Impossible Pictures' creative director Tim Haines, who also produced the BBC's Walking with Dinosaurs in 1999.

Additionally, the indie is also in talks with networks to create a US TV version of Primeval.

Credit: Broadcast now

Posted: 15th April 2009