Round-up week 45 (5-11 November)

A round-up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output last week.

Sir Jimmy Young

Tributes were paid to BBC radio DJ Sir Jimmy Young who died this week, and we blogged in remembrance of the Radio 2 veteran.

Awards

The winners of the BBC’s Comedy Classroom writing competition in partnership with the National Literacy Trust were announced.

Meanwhile, in Wales, 15 heroes of grassroots sport in Wales have been selected to contest the Wales Sport Awards 2016. They were shortlisted after being nominated for their outstanding contributions to community sport, following a nationwide search.

Appointments

BBC Studios, the BBC’s TV production arm, announced Jon Swain as Head of its new Popular Factual (working title) production unit and Mark Hedgecoe as the Head of Factual Scotland.

Announcements and blogs

Drama

The cast has been revealed for Mike Bartlett’s King Charles III for BBC Two: Charlotte Riley (Close To The Enemy, Peaky Blinders) has been cast in the role of Kate Middleton.

BBC Three’s Five by Five was announced this week: a series of short films from new writers featuring new on-screen talent working alongside established on-screen talent. Set in London, the five standalone films feature chance encounters people face which question identity and change perception, and will feature Idris Elba among others.

Entertainment

The six former Strictly celebrities taking to the floor for an all-star Christmas extravaganza on BBC One were revealed this week.

In addition, David Walliams returns to the network later this month with his brand new sketch show, Walliams & Friend. The show features a different guest 'Friend' every episode, creating a one-off, brand new double act.

Revolting, a brand new 5x30 minute hybrid satirical sketch and prank series from the Bafta-winning team behind The Revolution Will Be Televised (BBC Three) and Brexageddon?! (BBC Two) was announced for BBC Two.

Elsewhere, BBC Four is calling on viewers to help create a gravity map of the UK as it launches a major new TV event exploring the history and science of nature’s most important force.

BBC One Daytime has announced they will broadcast two weeks of Saturday Kitchen spin off Christmas Kitchen in the festive season.

Factual

Jennifer Saunders, Charles Dance and Nigel Havers are among the stars of stage and screen taking to the road for the sixth series of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip, which returns to BBC Two on Monday 14 November at 7pm.

Elsewhere, The Last Minerson BBC One is a new BBC documentary follows workers as they bid final farewell to the last pit standing.

BBC Three has announced two documentary commissions that will see Professor Green investigate the truth about the cannabis trade and child poverty in the UK.

Children's 

British Astronaut Tim Peake has added to his illustrious list of achievements this week as he was awarded a coveted Gold Blue Peter badge following his inspirational work with the long-running BBC Children’s programme.

Sport

The BBC and ATP announced an extension to their broadcast deal for Barclays ATP World Tour Finals which will see the tournament broadcast from The O2 in London from 2016 to 2018.

Children in Need

We all have something we’re good at, or something we’ve always fancied doing. Whatever your 'thing' is, why not 'Do Your Thing' and turn it into a fantastic fundraiser that will help change children’s lives throughout Northern Ireland?

Meanwhile, Ricky Gervais has been confirmed to take part in this year’s BBC Children in Need Appeal Show as David Brent.

Radio

BBC Radio 6 Music announced it will broadcast a world exclusive hour-long interview with the legendary Kate Bush talking to Matt Everitt.

In addition, BBC Radio 6 Music’s ‘Wear Your Old Band T-Shirt To Work Day’ returns for its ninth year on Friday 25 November. Meanwhile, Jo Whiley announced that Tom Odell will perform a live In Concert exclusively for BBC Radio 2.

BBC Music

Robbie Williams and Craig David were unveiled as the latest artists set to perform at the BBC Music Awards, which returns for its third year on Monday 12 December. BBC Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney has also been announced as the backstage presenter, reporting all the latest news and gossip from backstage for the BBC One broadcast.

Online and Interactive

BBC Research & Development’s (R&D) announced their experimental The Turning Forest VR fairytale is to launch for Daydream, Google’s mobile VR offering available free to all audiences.

Regional

A total of 38 talented artists and bands from across Wales have been successful in their bid for a music bursary worth a total of £50,000 as part of Launchpad fund.

Blogs

We rounded up BBC wins at BAFTA Scotland 2016; writer Barry Devlin wrote about his new drama, BBC One’s My Mother and Other Strangers; and Ed Parker CEO and Co-Founder of Walking With The Wounded blogged about No ordinary 'Big Build': Revisiting DIY SOS: Homes for Veterans.

Broadcast Highlights

• Planet Earth II, Sunday 6 November, BBC ONE
• The People Remember, Monday 7 November, BBC ONE
• Moving On, Monday 7 November to Friday 11 November, BBC ONE
• Damilola, Our Loved Boy, Monday 7 November, BBC ONE
• US Election 2016 - Live from Times Square, Tuesday 8 November BBC ONE, BBC RADIO 4, BBC RADIO 5 LIVE, BBC WORLD SERVICE
  
  
• Black And British: A Forgotten History, Wednesday 9 November, BBC TWO
• Radio 2 In Concert: Simple Minds, Thursday 10 November, BBC RADIO 2
• Tommies, Friday 11 November, BBC RADIO 4