HAVING hooked viewers for almost a decade, much-loved crime drama Unforgotten is being turned into a documentary series.
I can reveal the two-parter will look at the real-life cold cases that are the inspiration for the hit ITV show that stars Nicola Walker, Sanjeev Bhaskar and Sinead Keenan.
Simply called The Real Unforgotten, it will air early next year on ITV1 around the time that the sixth season of the detective series is released.
A TV insider said: “Often real-life events get featured in factual TV shows and then inspire dramas, but in this case it’s the other way around.
“ITV bosses saw this as a no-brainer and there are plenty of incredible cold cases to choose from that can feature.”
The documentary series and sixth season also coincide with the tenth anniversary of the show, which comes from the pen of acclaimed screen writer Chris Lang.
From 2015 to 2021, Sanjeev, who plays DI Sunny Khan, was paired up with Nicola as DCI Cassie Stuart.
But she was killed in a car crash at the end of series four.
In series five, which aired last year, Sinead played new female lead detective DCI Jessie James.
They’re now both set to reprise their roles in the next series. Over the past decade, the show has gained a loyal following, and previous seasons have included some masterclass performances from A-listers attracted to appear in it.
Billy Liar star Tom Courtenay and Line Of duty actor Mark Bonnar both bagged Baftas for their stints on series one and two, respectively.
So the pressure is on for the real characters to be just as captivating in the spin-off documentary.
RACING driver Billy Monger is the sixth celebrity joining the BBC’s Strictly Christmas special on December 25.
He said: “I’ve spent the last 12 months training 20 hours a week for an Ironman world record attempt, but the thought of donning sequins in front of Craig Revel Horwood fills me with a fear I’ve never experienced before.”
Other stars include Tamzin Outhwhaite and VVogue Williams.
AS host of Sex Rated and Dating Naked, it’s fair to say Rylan isn’t shy about baring all to make great telly.
But now he is exposing his darkest secrets – his Amazon order history.
Rylan is welcoming swimmer Adam Peaty and fellow TV stars Stacey Dooley and Clara Amfo for the retailer’s Black Friday Week Show.
He told me: “It’s basically a chat show for social media and it’s been really, really fun.
“We talk about our purchase history, but we had to keep it clean and I found that quite difficult.
“Let’s just say after I hosted Sex Rated I was inspired to buy a few of my friends something!”
Episodes run daily on Amazon UK’s Instagram until December 2
KEVIN COSTNER’s departure has not stopped Yellowstone’s new series landing with a bang.
The Hollywood actor quit ahead of the second part of series five.
But the Western drama’s return has broken all records for Paramount+, getting its highest ever viewing figure on a launch day.
NOT to be outdone by Netflix buying up social media stars The Sidemen‘s online hit Inside, Channel 4 is proving it’s also down with the kids.
The broadcaster has announced a celebrity prank show inspired by its Channel 4.0 YouTube series Tapped Out.
Nella Rose will host as Aston Merrygold and other celebrities take on extreme challenges. Tapped Out Prank Stars will air next year.
