BBC Blogs - About the BBC - Round up week 45 (2-8 November 2019)

BBC Two’s Great British Menu to celebrate the iconic food from children’s literature

Back on BBC Two in Spring 2020 for its 15th Series, Great British Menu not only has new presenter Susan Calman but also boasts an exciting new format with more chefs and more dishes.

Huw Edwards to lead BBC’s Election 2019 coverage

The BBC’s election coverage will put audiences at its heart, broadcasting from across the length and breadth of the UK to give voters the information they need to make their choice at the polls.

Radio

On Wednesday 6 November, the Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2 will broadcast the world exclusive first play of a new song from George Michael.

A record 1.6 million viewers tuned in to watch Radio 2 Live In Hyde Park on BBC Red Button this year.

Drama

Julia Ormond and Ben Barnes star in the new BBC One domestic noir Gold Digger, about a woman falling in love with a much younger man and the affect it has on her already damaged family.

Stephen Graham, Tom Courtenay and Peter Mullan are among the names joining Colin Farrell and Jack O’Connell in Andrew Haigh’s forthcoming adaptation of The North Water.

Entertainment

BBC Three and World of Wonder have today confirmed that a second-series of the UK version of the award-winning global hit RuPaul’s Drag Race will air in 2020.

Six of the most-loved Strictly contestants from previous series are returning to the dance floor for an all-star Christmas extravaganza special, coming to BBC One on Christmas Day.

This November, a fantastic line-up of familiar faces will feature on the annual BBC Children In Need show live on BBC One, as they help raise money for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

The critically acclaimed, Mortimer And Whitehouse: Gone Fishing is to return with six episodes for a third BBC Two series.

Factual

BBC One adds two more programmes to their science strand The Truth About… that tackle the everyday issues that affect us all.

Presenter and former England football captain Gary Lineker follows in the footsteps of his grandfather, Stanley Abbs, to explore a brutal but often overlooked chapter of World War Two.

Brand new BBC Three series Angels Of The North will give viewers an access all areas pass to Longlox, a real life ‘pre-party’ hair extensions super salon in Tyneside, documenting the highs and lows of its stylists.

News

The BBC has invited the UK's leading political figures to take part in a series of election debates.

Arts

Tying into the BBC’s year-long celebration of literature, a BBC-assembled expert panel of six leading British writers, curators and critics today reveal a list of 100 English language titles that have shaped their world.

Northern Ireland

Four of BBC Radio Ulster’s best known news broadcasters have decided to move away from daily presentation on BBC Radio Ulster to take on new challenges and enjoy a change of pace.

BBC Northern Ireland School Choir Of The Year is set to return next year. The search has begun as applications are now open to find the very best primary and post-primary school choirs in Northern Ireland in 2020.

James Nesbitt (The Missing, Cold Feet) will star in Bloodlands, a major original crime drama for BBC One, created by exciting new writer Chris Brandon and produced by HTM Television.

Holly Hamilton, Stephen Clements and Pudsey Bear team up for BBC Children In Need.

Scotland

BBC Scotland, the BBC’s new digital channel for Scotland, which launched in February this year, celebrated a clean sweep at the Bafta Scotland awards ceremony in Glasgow last night, picking up a bumper crop of gongs across multiple categories.

A belt of new programming - spanning documentary, entertainment, lifestyle and factual - is going into production in the north east of Scotland through BBC Scotland.

Popular comedian, presenter and writer Susan Calman is to front this year’s extended BBC Scotland Hogmanay output, joined by Des Clarke and Amy Irons, who will capture the unique atmosphere of Scotland’s world-renowned celebrations live on the night.

BBC Scotland’s news and current affairs teams are producing an extensive range of programming to keep audiences up-to-date with all the campaign news and the big breaking stories from the General Election 2019.

Wales

BBC Wales has unveiled its plans for coverage of the 2019 General Election - including live debates on TV and radio, brand new podcasts and a comprehensive results service on election night.

Corporate

To mark International Day of People with Disabilities (IDPWD) on Tuesday 3 December, the BBC and ITV will host an event focussed on disability and the media, bringing together contributors from all the major UK broadcasters for the first time.

The BBC’s pioneering partnership with the News Media Association and local news organisations could be significantly expanded - with the number of journalists working on it increased and new services offered.