2011: First read of Col Gaddafi's rumoured capture via a Tweet from Jon Snow before turning to live satellite TV pictures from the scene. Then watched footage of Gaddafi's final moments on my mobile phone minutes after it was posted online thousands of miles away. At the time I just happened to be travelling on a tube train heading to within a few hundred yards of St James's Square.

Sometimes we take technology for granted. What will 27 years from today bring?

BBC: LIbyan Embassy Siege Ends

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With an honourable mention for:

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Life of Wylie

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I heard the below while listening to BBC Radio Jersey last night.

BBC Cornwall presenter Tiffany Truscott (pictured) was sitting in for Duncan Warren on the weekday evening show broadcast by several BBC Local Radio stations across the south west.

At the end of a rainy, cloudy and foggy day, which had forced the cancellation of the much anticipated Jersey Air Display, Tiffany spoke to 88-year old Ray from St Clement, Jersey.

Ray had called in to take part in the regular "Unanswered Question" game.

But before giving his answer, he brought a little sunshine into the world.

Click below for the short clip - and stick with it...

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Photo and clip copyright BBC.

BBC Local Radio

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I've only just thrown out the hot water bottle contained within:

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Happy 18th Birthday to Eleanor Rachel.

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The aftermath of this evening's London round table interviews for some of Sky1 HD's new comedy series.

Among those we interviewed were Jane Horrocks and Jason Watkins for Trollied, which starts a week on Thursday (Aug 4).

Ralf Little, Craig Cash and Michelle Terry for The Cafe.

Plus Sally Lindsay, Daniel Ryan, Sian Reeves, Adrian Bower and Neil Fitzmaurice for Mount Pleasant.

All part of Sky1 HD's autumn line-up launched today.

Click here for more details. 

And, yes, they are all bottles of water - not vodka.

How could you think such a thing?

Update: Now Sky's post-interviews party is long gone (I wasn't invited), I can reveal that the interviews took place here.

It's one of London's newest hotels and a fine addition to the capital's long list of swanky places to stay - or simply take Afternoon Tea.

Life of Wylie

Follow Ian Wylie on Twitter

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We saw an incredible opening episode followed by a teaser trail for the rest of the 10-part series, due to be broadcast both on BBC1 in the UK and Starz in America next month.

"Did you like it?" Barrowman asked the audience after the screening.

"Awesome, isn't it?"

Full spoiler free report in Life of Wylie tomorrow.

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"But me. I'm the rope."

The Shadow Line

The Shadow Line: Gatehouse

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You can view the online catalogue here.

And buy the book here.

Maybe I'm Amazed

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It involves a pitch black car park, two police officers with torches and the discovery of a dead body in a car.

Writer, producer and director Hugo Blick took part in a post-screening BAFTA Q&A last night, along with Christopher Eccleston.

With series creator Hugo explaining the advantages of filming the seven-part drama on the Isle of Man.

Where a spot of light pollution from the airport was solved via a quick phone call:

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It also includes a terrific performance from Rafe Spall.

Judging from the first episode, it's one of the TV highlights of 2011.

Isle of Man Airport

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The Railway Arms

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IT would appear that Mr Carson has again been busy with his photographic equipment.

Filming began this week on the second series of ITV1's Downton Abbey.

And here are the just released (0001 Sunday) first publicity pictures to be issued from the the real life location - Highclere Castle.

The first pic above shows Elizabeth McGovern (Lady Grantham) and Hugh Bonneville (Lord Grantham) in the library at Highclere.

(Click on the photos for larger versions)

The second image shows Elizabeth McGovern having her hairstyle checked by make-up and hair designer Nosh Oldham.

Looking on in the background is Joanne Froggatt, returning as housemaid Anna in the eight part second series, due on screen in the UK this autumn.

To be followed by a Christmas 2011 special.

And below is former Emmerdale and Hotel Babylon actress Amy Nuttall on her first day on set as new housemaid Ethel.

The photos came with a freshly ironed ITV press release on Amy’s introduction to the drama, which I’ve posted under her pic.

Highclere Castle is the impressive location for Downton Abbey and Amy was taken aback when she saw the house for the first time.

“When I glimpsed Highclere Castle for the first time it was breathtakingly amazing,” she says.

“It’s even more gorgeous and beautiful in person. It’s so big but the cameras make it look bigger still.” 

Amy shared her first scenes for the new series of Downton Abbey with Mrs Hughes (Phyllis Logan), Anna (Joanne Froggatt) and Violet, Dowager Countess of Grantham played by Maggie Smith.

“I was in the first scene of the first day of the shoot and I was working with Dame Maggie Smith!”  

Describing that first scene Nuttall smiles, “I plumped a few cushions, said a few lines with the lovely Jo Froggatt and Phyllis Logan and then I had to curtsy when Violet came in,” she laughs.  

Nuttall admits that although the scene was fairly brief, she was still nervous, “It was Ethel’s first day, as well as mine, so I could show my nerves, it’s allowed.”

With first day nerves looming Amy had a sleepless night before her early morning call for Downton.

“I had one of those sleeps where I felt I hadn’t slept all night. I was very conscious of sleeping through my alarms - I had three set! I couldn’t be late on my first day.”

With her scene complete, Nuttall can’t wait for her next day on the set, ‘I’m raring to go, really want to do more now,’" she adds.

Downton Abbey Podcast

Downton Abbey: What Is A Weekend?

Life of Wylie

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ITV1 weighs in with the second half hour of Wild At Heart followed by the Dancing On Ice results.

This Sunday at 9pm also sees the launch of the much anticipated Wonders Of The Universe on BBC2 and BBC HD.

Presented by Mr Universe himself, Prof Brian Cox.

While over on BBC3 there's one of the best episodes of Being Human I've ever seen.

Ahead of the following week's final hour.

Then we come this weekend to the third and final episode of BBC1's South Riding, again at 9pm on Sunday.

The programme I'd opt to watch live - if I hadn't been lucky enough to see it twice already via a preview DVD.

It's a near perfect concluding 60 minutes with so much to enjoy.

Including a classic moment involving Alderman Snaith (Peter Firth), his cat Edgar and Councillor Huggins (John Henshaw).

More fabulous acting from Anna Maxwell Martin, David Morrissey, Douglas Henshall, Penelope Wilton and Katherine McGolpin.

And final moments to bring a tear to your eye.

Plus a simple, yet touching, scene when Mr Holly sits beside his daughter Lydia (above) on the roof of the old railway carriage that is their clifftop home in The Shacks.

Beautifully performed by Shaun Dooley and young Charlie May-Clark.

Don't miss it.

South Riding BBC Site

Mr Holly

Lydia Holly

South Riding Feature

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NFTS chairman Simon Shaps, Ray Winstone, Ashley Pharoah, NFYS Director Nik Powell.

As first revealed by Monastic Productions on Twitter...now the full National Film and Television School press release:

JONATHAN ROSS AND ASHLEY PHAROAH AWARDED HONORARY

 NATIONAL FILM AND TELEVISION SCHOOL FELLOWSHIPS

On 25th of February 2011, the National Film and Television School held its annual graduation ceremony, with Ray Winstone (who took part in an NFTS production, shown in cinemas around the country last year) presiding over the 2011 show and presenting certificates to the NFTS graduates. Amongst the recipients, Jonathan Ross and Ashley Pharaoh were presented with Honorary Fellowships.

The NFTS Fellowship is awarded in recognition of outstanding contribution to the British film and television industry and previous recipients include Lord Attenborough CBE, David Lean CBE, Nick Park CBE, Alan Parker CBE and NFTS graduate and director of the final films in the Harry Potter series, David Yates.

The NFTS show is a yearly event that showcases NFTS animation, documentary fiction, and TV entertainment shows to the industry. Last year’s show was remarkable with two of the eight fiction films shown now nominated for an Oscar and a BAFTA winner, respectively, in the short film category. This year’s show, held at BFI on London’s Southbank on 23-25 February, was a ‘must attend’ event for the film and television production industries, the screenings are also attended by the families and friends of the students.

Honorary fellowship recipient, Jonathan Ross, OBE, is one of Britain’s most popular broadcasters and has been a huge supporter of the NFTS, including hosting the Great British Movie event as well as last years graduation ceremony. With a career in television and radio broadcasting, spanning 25 years, he hosted The Film Programme from 1999 and his BBC One chat show ‘Friday Night with Jonathan Ross’ ran for almost 10 years. Jonathan is launching a new chat show on ITV1 later this year. He has also hosted his own radio show on BBC Radio 2, and is the current host of Channel 4's 'British Comedy Awards', BBC One's 'BAFTA Film Awards and BBC Four's 'World Cinema Awards'.

On being awarded his honorary fellowship Jonathan Ross said " Film has always been a passion of mine, and I have always admired and supported the work done at the National Film and Television School, so being honoured by them is a genuinely flattering and humbling experience. I also would like to take this opportunity to state that I still believe Sex and the City 2 should have been nominated for at least one BAFTA. Thank you."

NFTS graduate and successful television writer, Ashley Pharoah, was also a recipient of an NFTS Honorary Fellowship. He began his television writing career on the BBC soap opera ‘EastEnders’ in 1991 and has gone on to co-create many of Britain’s most popular drama series including ‘Life on Mars’ and ‘Ashes To Ashes’ which was co –produced (with Kudos Film & TV) through his own company, Monastic Productions, for BBC1. He has also created ITV1’s ‘Wild at Heart’ and ‘Where The Heart Is’ and scripted an adaptation of ‘Tom Brown's Schooldays’, starring Stephen Fry.

As he collected his Honorary Fellowship at NFTS graduation ceremony, Ashley Pharoah said "I have always owed the NFTS a great debt as it provided the crucial first step in my life as a screenwriter. I am very grateful and honoured to accept this fellowship from an institution I hold in such high esteem."

Nik Powell, Director of the NFTS added  " It is an honour for the NFTS that Jonathan and Ashley have accepted their awards of a NFTS Fellowship to reflect each of their extraordinary contribution to our industry and, in particular, for their encouragement and support of new and original talent throughout their careers."

Life Of Wylie

Ashes To Ashes Blogs

Life On Mars Blogs

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Carnival Films and ITV today announced that Zoe Boyle (Sons of Anarchy), Cal Macaninch (Wild At Heart), Iain Glen (Spooks), Amy Nuttall (Hotel Babylon) and Maria Doyle Kennedy (The Tudors) will join all the key cast of Downton Abbey when they begin filming series two this spring.

Zoe Boyle will play new character Miss Lavinia Swire, Iain Glen joins as Sir Richard Carlisle, Maria Doyle Kennedy as Vera Bates (wife of John Bates), Amy Nuttall as new Housemaid Ethel and Cal Macaninch joins as Lang, a new Valet.

As well as filming an eight-part second series, Downton Abbey will return for Christmas 2011 and continue where series two ends.

Downton Abbey premiered on ITV1 on 26^th September 2010 with an aggregate audience of 11.8million and finished on 7^th November with an aggregate audience of 12.8 million (ITV1+HD+Repeat+ITV Player) making episode seven the biggest audience for an episode of a new drama series on any channel since 2003.

Furthermore, Downton Abbey opened the ‘Classic’ season on Masterpiece in the U.S. (9^th January) to great critical acclaim, doubling the channel’s season average audience, making it the highest rated show Masterpiece has transmitted in recent years.

Downton Abbey, written by Julian Fellowes, is a Carnival/Masterpiece co-production and executive produced by Carnival Films’ Managing Director, Gareth Neame and Rebecca Eaton, WGBH and Julian Fellowes.  The series producer is Liz Trubridge.

Downton Abbey ITV Site

Downton Abbey: Joanne Froggatt

Downton Abbey Podcast

Downton Abbey: What Is A Weekend?

Life of Wylie

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Though, as is the way with filming, not the last ever scene viewers saw on screen.

It also happens to be the day both Philip Glenister and Keeley Hawes celebrate their birthdays.

I wonder what happened to them, and the rest of this this little lot? ;-)

(Click on the image to enlarge)

Ashes To Ashes: The End

Ashes To Ashes: The Answers

Life of Wylie Ashes To Ashes Archive

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Here are a few screen shots of his final moments.

Also the farewell scene for Jane Wymark as Tom's loyal wife Joyce and Laura Howard as daughter Cully.

Perfectly played out with just the three of them left in the kitchen at the end of the 81st episode.

Where the newly-retired Tom announced his intention to have his (birthday) cake and eat it.

The next ITV1 series of Midsomer Murders, with new leading man Neil Dudgeon, is due on screen this spring.

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ITV Marchlands Site

Marchlands: Anne Reid

Life of Wylie

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