Yentob Issues BBC Spring Schedule

Comedy and drama feature strongly in BBC’s spring/summer schedule, issued yesterday, with new arrivals such as Every Silver Lining, a comedy starring Frances De La Tour and Andrew Sachs about husband and wife cafe owners, six comic Strip films, a new series of The Full Wax and Have I Got News For You and regulars like Jim’ll Fix It.

The highlight of yesterday’s schedule, the first for new BBC1 controller Alan Yentob, was the promise of a toned-down version of Lady Chatterley’s Lover, starring Joely Richardson and directed by Ken Russell, which will appear as a a main feature of Sunday nights in an attempt to win the ratings battle with ITV. Other Sunday night features will include dramatisations of novels by Frances Fyfield and Ngaio Marsh.

BBC2 will wallow in nostalgia in August with a special ’60s Day’ as well as an examination of British cinema in the 1960s boom years in Hollywood Britain. Music and arts highlights for the station include Every Picture Tells A Story, giving a behind the scenes look at the art world, and Tales of Rock ‘n Roll, a look at the origins of four classic rock songs.

Summer sport on BBC will include the usual extensive coverage of Wimbledon, The Ashes Test Series between England and Australia, Formula One motor racing and the climax to the FA cup, plus golf and athletics action.

BBC: 081 743 8000