Tupac Shakur’s controversial death investigated by Brit TV star in new BBC series
ROMESH RANGANATHAN has proved himself as a game show host, radio star and travel presenter – but now he’s tackling investigative journalism.
I can reveal the comedian will become a super-sleuth to probe the lives and deaths of intriguing cultural figures for a new BBC Two series.
Romesh, whose Bafta– winning Misadventures travel series aired earlier this year, is kicking off with one of the most enthralling cold cases of them all . . . the death of US rapper Tupac Shakur.
Across the three-parter, he will also look at legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix plus Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and his girlfriend Nancy Spungen.
A source said: “All four celebrities had a lasting impact on the world of popular culture during their lifetimes while also experiencing untimely deaths in their twenties.
“But the real thing that unites them is debate still rages over how they died, with Tupac’s death in particular still a huge topic of debate.
“Step forward Romesh, a man with no experience of criminal investigations whatsoever, who is going to attempt to crack each case once and for all.”
Tupac was shot in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in September 1996 but some fans still believe he staged his own death.
Sid was accused of killing Nancy when she was found with a single stab wound to her abdomen following a hotel-room after-party in October 1978.
The punk rocker died of a drug overdose the following February.
Drugs were also to blame for Jimi’s death on September 18, 1970.
He choked on his own vomit while intoxicated on barbiturates.
Romesh will be joined by criminal psychologist Dr Julia Shaw for the series, which launches later this month and is called The Misinvestigations Of Romesh Ranganathan.
He said: “It’s been really interesting to look into these high-profile deaths and I am very excited for people to see the show.
“Unless, of course, people don’t like it, in which case I will release a statement ex- plaining how I never really believed in the project.”
Bizbit
AFTER the weekend finale of House Of The Dragon’s second run, it has been confirmed only two more series are to come.
But it will be a long wait for the next instalment, with the third series of the HBO fantasy drama starring Emma D’Arcy and Matt Smith expected to film in 2025.
GEMMA’S BACK FOR 60s FUN
GEMMA ARTERTON is once again stepping back in time as a Sixties actress for Sky’s Funny Woman.
She returns as Barbara Parker, aka Sophie Straw, a comedy star juggling her career and a romance with Dennis, played by Arsher Ali.
The second series will pick up where things left off, with Sophie as the nation’s favourite celebrity.
But trouble is not far away when it becomes apparent Dennis’s divorce will take longer than expected.
And when her new sitcom flops, she is forced to take a film role opposite a glamorous French movie star, which catapults her to Hollywood.
It will welcome back cast members David Threlfall, Rosie Cavaliero and Alexa Davies, while newcomers include Roisin Conaty, Steve Zissis, Gemma Whelan and Marcus Rutherford.
Funny Woman airs on Sky Max and NOW on September 6.
Bizbit
CHANNEL 4 is going behind the scenes on the world’s largest cruise ship for a new documentary.
Cameras followed the maiden voyage of Royal Caribbean’s Icon Of The Seas, which is 1,200ft long and weighs nearly 250,000 tonnes.
The hour-long special will hit screens later this summer.
JASMINE SHADOW BOXER
JASMINE JOBSON is swapping life as a drug dealer in Top Boy for the story of a refugee who made it in the world of boxing and beyond.
The Bafta-winning actress, who played Jaq Lawrence in Netflix’s gang drama, will portray Ramla Ali or a new cinema biopic called In The Shadows.
The Somali-British pro fighter is also a model and Unicef ambassador.
The movie has Finn Cole from Peaky Blinders as her husband Richard Moore, with Andor’s Gershwyn Eustache Jnr playing her boxing coach.
Jasmine said: “It’s an honour to take on the role of Ramla and to be trusted to help share her incredible story.
“Not only to celebrate her talent, strength and determination as a boundary-breaking athlete, but as an incredibly inspirational Somali woman who has overcome huge adversity.”