ITV ruthlessly axe star-studded comedy after just one series
COMEDY bosses at ITV have shown their serious side by ruthlessly axing new sitcom The Family Pile after just one series.
The six-parter, which starred Mr Selfridge and Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington, flopped in the ratings during its run at the start of the year and won’t be given a chance to revive its fortunes.
I hear that the dramatic culling came as a huge surprise to cast members who thought the series showed great promise.
A TV insider says: “Unfortunately the ratings were lower than expected and ITV decided to concentrate on fresh comedies, rather than pin hopes on The Family Pile.
“The cast and crew are gutted as they felt it was a good sitcom and the best ones always take time to grow.
“But TV is a brutal industry and shows that are not instant successes rarely get a second chance.
“Comedy chiefs appreciate the cast are talented and liked the series, but they couldn’t ignore the poor audience figures.”
Written by Brian Dooley, the creator of BBC3 comedy The Smoking Room, the Liverpool-based sitcom centred on four sisters coming to terms with the loss of their parents.
Family secrets
The Scouse siblings — which included ex-Coronation Street star Alexandra Mardell — need to pack up their family home and sell it on.
But during the ordeal they find out secrets about their late parents — and each other.
The Family Pile is the second ITV show to be culled after just one series in a matter of weeks, after I revealed mum-centred medical drama Maternal is not being recommissioned.
Channel chiefs hope for better success with upcoming comedies, including vampire series Count Abdulla, starring Arian Nik and Jaime Winstone, call centre sitcom Ruby Speaking with Katherine Kelly and Jayde Adams, plus Significant Other from Happy Valley producer Nicola Shindler, featuring Youssef Kerkour and Katherine Parkinson.
An ITV spokesman said: “There are currently no plans for a second series of The Family Pile. We would like to thank all the cast and crew for their hard work in bringing the show alive on screen.”
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Richard laughed into bed
RICHARD Armitage had a great laugh being filmed starkers for new Netflix thriller, Obsession.
The actor admitted the only way he could get through all the nude scenes was by having a giggle.
Discussing his role as a surgeon who starts an affair in tomorrow’s TV Mag – free with The Sun every Saturday – he said: “Before I even read the script I was warned by the producer: ‘This is going to be full on in terms of nudity.’
“I thought ‘Be cool’ because it’s not cool to be uptight about it.
“We spent a lot of time laughing after a take – we were defusing the serious nature of it with humour.”
Jokes aside, anyone who catches the full frontal scene with Richard will see he’s seriously blessed.
Ncuti is a Timelord
DOCTOR WHO takes the Tardis back to the Swinging Sixties in the new series.
Here’s the first look at the new Time Lord played by Ncuti Gatwa and his companion Ruby (Millie Gibson) dressed in fashionable sixties clobber, with trendy hairstyles of the era to match.
The pair will make their debuts in the BBC1 sci-fi series over the festive season, when Sex Education star Ncuti becomes the 15th Doctor.
Ahead of their introduction, three special episodes will air featuring David Tennant back in his role as Time Lord to coincide with the 60th anniversary.
But the veteran star will struggle looking as dapper as Ncuti in these snaps.