Take That Netflix documentary in chaos as key group member fails to confirm he'll appear in new series about the boyband
09/26/2024 02:09 PM
JASON ORANGE doesn't talk much these days but his old Take That bandmates are hoping to squeeze some words out of him for their new Netflix documentary.
I can reveal that Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald are desperately trying to get their old bandmate on board for the special, made by Fulwell 73, the firm behind music docs on Ed Sheeran,Adele and Harry Styles.
The film, which was announced at the Edinburgh TV Festival last month, charts their rise from cheeky Manchester lads with big dreams to one of the biggest boybands in the world.
A TV insider told me: "The documentary was initially going to feature archive interviews from Jason.
"But there's hope he could be persuaded to take part in the present day, which would be a real coup.
"The special is still in its early stages, and Fulwell 73 has yet to formally approach him, but this could change when the project starts to take shape and the lads have managed to work their magic."
Jason quit the band in 2014 and totally removed himself from the spotlight.
Indeed, the former boyband star has only been spotted fleetingly over the past few years, in coffee shops or, most recently, while discovering a parking ticket on his classic motor after having lunch at The Ivy in London.
His close bandmate Howard admitted last year that Jason still communicates with the band, especially when they release new music, but on the whole, he is hard to contact.
'No reply'
He told The Sun: "I don't know where he is. He's difficult to get hold of, and I believe that's the way he wants it.
"When an album is coming out, he'll send an email saying, 'I wish you all the success in the world'.
"And then the next day you try replying to it and it's a no-reply email address."
Another former Take That star Robbie Williams is also tipped to appear in the behind-the-scenes doc.
He's slightly easier to reach given he and wife Ayda Field are rarely off Instagram.
Tamara on case with C4
A CHILLING missing person's case will be at the centre of a gripping new Channel 4 drama.
Get Millie Black sees Time actress Tamara Lawrence play Scotland Yard detective Millie-Jean Black who quits her job to return home to Jamaica.
There, she becomes embroiled in an investigation that threatens to expose a lot more than she bargained for.
The five-part series, which is set in capital Kingston, will also star Skins hunk Joe Dempsie as a game-playing Scotland Yard detective, Gershwyn Eustache Jnr as Millie-Jean's partner in the Jamaican police force, Chyna McQueen as a homeless LGBTQ local and Dorothy 'Patra' Smith as an underworld go-go club owner.
The drama will air on Channel 4 soon.
New Beeb comedies
FIVE new short comedies are coming to the BBC.
The Frick follows a woman who develops the "ick" in her relationship with her best friend.
The Spar is about two boxers in need of cash facing up to a giant competitor.
They will be available to stream from October 7 on BBC iPlayer.
Ender an era for Chris
EASTENDERS could be facing a shake-up – after the soap's boss quit.
Chris Clenshaw has been the executive producer for the past two years and is one of the masterminds behind the BBC One show's 40th anniversary celebrations.
But after the birthday episodes air next February, he will be replaced by former Channel 4 commissioner Ben Wadey, who oversaw rival soap Hollyoaks.
Chris said: "As a proud EastEnders fan, it has been the honour of my life to be its custodian. I made the tough decision that I would step down after the 40th anniversary – to keep the show creatively refreshed.
"The time feels right that I hand over the keys to The Queen Vic."
The Last Of Us to return
BELLA Ramsey and Pedro Pascal will be back for a second series of post-apocalyptic drama The Last Of Us.
A new teaser reveals that the action takes place after five years of peace following the conflicts of season one.
The show, made by US network HBO, returns next year on Sky Atlantic.
Madeley: I’ll stay on GMB
RICHARD MADELEY is not ready to give up his spot on Good Morning Britain, despite taking a short break from presenting the ITV1 show.
The telly legend, whose seat next to co-host Susanna Reid has been kept warm by Martin Lewis, said: "I am very happy to stay on GMB as long as they want me, though at some point I'm going to be too old – I'm 68!
"Either I will think or ITV will think maybe the time has come, but hopefully that will be for a few years yet, because I don't feel 68.
"I wouldn't get up at four in the morning two weeks out of four, Monday to Thursday, if I didn't enjoy it. I don't need to do it.
"My career arch, as it were, is behind me.
"And I could, if I wanted to, just potter about."
Rudolph: Pat axe a mistake
EASTENDERS legend Rudolph Walker has revealed his biggest disappointment on the BBC One soap.
The veteran actor, who plays smooth-talking Patrick Trueman, says he was gutted when Walford matriarch Pat Butcher was killed off in 2012.
The former Queen Vic landlady, played by Pam St Clement, was famous for her huge earrings and once had a steamy affair with Patrick.
In his new book Walking With Dignity, Rudolph wrote: "Working with Pam was a joy – her timing, the twinkle in her eye in our flirting scenes, and her support from day one was invaluable. I was saddened when such an iconic character was written out of the series."
Given Enders' bosses' form for bringing characters back, Patrick may well get an unlikely reunion.
