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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Review of the Year 2008: TV/Radio | Review of the Year 2008: TV/Radio |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A year of departures, reality shows and controversy - it all happened in the world of television and radio in 2008. | A year of departures, reality shows and controversy - it all happened in the world of television and radio in 2008. |
| Here's a round-up of some of the most headline-grabbing stories. JANUARY Liz Dawn had played Vera Duckworth since 1971 | Here's a round-up of some of the most headline-grabbing stories. JANUARY Liz Dawn had played Vera Duckworth since 1971 |
| January saw the US TV industry hit by the Hollywood writer's strike, bringing production to a standstill. | |
| Millions tuned in to watch Vera Duckworth's final scenes on Coronation Street. Actress Liz Dawn had played the character since 1971. | Millions tuned in to watch Vera Duckworth's final scenes on Coronation Street. Actress Liz Dawn had played the character since 1971. |
| The newly formatted Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack saw 20-year-old politician John Loughton win the show. | The newly formatted Big Brother: Celebrity Hijack saw 20-year-old politician John Loughton win the show. |
| Meanwhile, viewers and TV stars mourned the death of prankster Jeremy Beadle who died from pneumonia aged 59. | Meanwhile, viewers and TV stars mourned the death of prankster Jeremy Beadle who died from pneumonia aged 59. |
| Q&A: Hollywood writers' strike John wins Big Brother hijack Vera's exit seen by 12.5m TV presenter Beadle dies | Q&A: Hollywood writers' strike John wins Big Brother hijack Vera's exit seen by 12.5m TV presenter Beadle dies |
| FEBRUARY | FEBRUARY |
| Bruce Forsyth reveals the secret to how he stays feeling young. | Bruce Forsyth reveals the secret to how he stays feeling young. |
| Veteran entertainer Bruce Forsyth celebrated his 80th birthday in February with a star-studded dinner. | Veteran entertainer Bruce Forsyth celebrated his 80th birthday in February with a star-studded dinner. |
| Actress Emily Perry, better known as the flamboyant Dame Edna Everage's long-suffering bridesmaid Madge, died at the age of 100. | Actress Emily Perry, better known as the flamboyant Dame Edna Everage's long-suffering bridesmaid Madge, died at the age of 100. |
| It was a month of new beginnings on Five with Aussie soap Neighbours and newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky both moving from the BBC to the channel. | It was a month of new beginnings on Five with Aussie soap Neighbours and newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky both moving from the BBC to the channel. |
| Kaplinsky helped boost Five's evening news ratings by 72% in a month. | Kaplinsky helped boost Five's evening news ratings by 72% in a month. |
| Brucie enjoys birthday in style Neighbours keeps audience Edna's 'bridesmaid' dies Kaplinsky attracts viewers | Brucie enjoys birthday in style Neighbours keeps audience Edna's 'bridesmaid' dies Kaplinsky attracts viewers |
| MARCH | MARCH |
| March saw former Hear'Say singer Suzanne Shaw win ITV skating show Dancing On Ice. | March saw former Hear'Say singer Suzanne Shaw win ITV skating show Dancing On Ice. |
| EastEnders attracted 167 complaints after the soap showed character Max Branning being buried alive in a coffin by his wife and her lover. | EastEnders attracted 167 complaints after the soap showed character Max Branning being buried alive in a coffin by his wife and her lover. |
| Former Walford star Michelle Ryan gave ITV2 its largest ever audience with The Bionic Woman, attracting 2.2m viewers. | Former Walford star Michelle Ryan gave ITV2 its largest ever audience with The Bionic Woman, attracting 2.2m viewers. |
| And Radio 4 listeners heard newsreader Charlotte Green dissolve into giggles while on air during Today. | And Radio 4 listeners heard newsreader Charlotte Green dissolve into giggles while on air during Today. |
| Suzanne wins Dancing On Ice Bionic gives ITV2 record EastEnders coffin anger Radio news hit by giggling fit | Suzanne wins Dancing On Ice Bionic gives ITV2 record EastEnders coffin anger Radio news hit by giggling fit |
| APRIL Mark Speight presented children's art show Smart | |
| Children's TV presenter Mark Speight was found hanged in London in April following the death of his fiancee, actress Natasha Collins, in January. | Children's TV presenter Mark Speight was found hanged in London in April following the death of his fiancee, actress Natasha Collins, in January. |
| My Family star Kris Marshall suffered head injuries after being hit by a car in Bristol. He made a swift recovery and appeared on stage the next month. | My Family star Kris Marshall suffered head injuries after being hit by a car in Bristol. He made a swift recovery and appeared on stage the next month. |
| This month also saw 9.7m people tune in to watch Ricky and Bianca's return to Albert Square. | |
| Meanwhile Gavin and Stacey and Harry Hill's TV Burp dominated the TV Baftas. | Meanwhile Gavin and Stacey and Harry Hill's TV Burp dominated the TV Baftas. |
| Obituary: Mark Speight Gavin and Stacey Bafta win Ricky and Bianca attract 9.7m Actor Marshall hurt in accident | Obituary: Mark Speight Gavin and Stacey Bafta win Ricky and Bianca attract 9.7m Actor Marshall hurt in accident |
| MAY Andy Abraham came last in the Eurovision Song Contest with 14 points | MAY Andy Abraham came last in the Eurovision Song Contest with 14 points |
| TV talent shows picked winners in May with Jodie Prenger cast as Nancy, David Cook winning American Idol and George Sampson triumphed in Britain's Got Talent. | |
| Russia won its first Eurovision Song Contest. The UK came last. | Russia won its first Eurovision Song Contest. The UK came last. |
| Broadcaster James Whale was sacked from radio station Talksport after urging listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in London's mayoral elections. | Broadcaster James Whale was sacked from radio station Talksport after urging listeners to vote for Boris Johnson in London's mayoral elections. |
| Ant and Dec returned a comedy award they won in 2005 after ITV revealed that they did not originally win it. | Ant and Dec returned a comedy award they won in 2005 after ITV revealed that they did not originally win it. |
| Russian Eurovision victory Ant and Dec return awardJames Whale is sacked Jodie wins Nancy role David Cook wins American Idol Sampson wins talent show | Russian Eurovision victory Ant and Dec return awardJames Whale is sacked Jodie wins Nancy role David Cook wins American Idol Sampson wins talent show |
| JUNE | JUNE |
| Sir Alan Sugar announces his decision | Sir Alan Sugar announces his decision |
| June saw former Blue Peter presenter Valerie Singleton admit she had a "brief fling" with co-host Peter Purves while filming on location. | June saw former Blue Peter presenter Valerie Singleton admit she had a "brief fling" with co-host Peter Purves while filming on location. |
| This Morning host Fern Britton took a short break from the show after admitting she had gastric banding in 2006 to help her lose weight. | This Morning host Fern Britton took a short break from the show after admitting she had gastric banding in 2006 to help her lose weight. |
| Lee McQueen became Sir Alan Sugar's fourth Apprentice. | Lee McQueen became Sir Alan Sugar's fourth Apprentice. |
| Meanwhile Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole was named as the new X Factor judge after Sharon Osbourne quit. | Meanwhile Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole was named as the new X Factor judge after Sharon Osbourne quit. |
| Singleton reveals Purves 'fling' McQueen named Apprentice Fern plays down gastric op Cole is new X Factor judge | Singleton reveals Purves 'fling' McQueen named Apprentice Fern plays down gastric op Cole is new X Factor judge |
| JULY | JULY |
| The moment Pamela Anderson joined Australia's Big Brother | The moment Pamela Anderson joined Australia's Big Brother |
| Carol Vorderman left Channel 4 quiz show Countdown in July after claims she had been forced to take a 90% pay cut. | Carol Vorderman left Channel 4 quiz show Countdown in July after claims she had been forced to take a 90% pay cut. |
| The BBC was fined £400,000 by Ofcom for misleading audiences by "faking" phone-ins. Comic Relief and 6 Music radio shows were caught up in the scandal. | The BBC was fined £400,000 by Ofcom for misleading audiences by "faking" phone-ins. Comic Relief and 6 Music radio shows were caught up in the scandal. |
| Comedian Russell Brand apologised for making a prank call to a crime hotline during a stage show in Northampton. | Comedian Russell Brand apologised for making a prank call to a crime hotline during a stage show in Northampton. |
| And actress Pamela Anderson stayed in Australia's Big Brother house for three days. The show was axed a week later. | And actress Pamela Anderson stayed in Australia's Big Brother house for three days. The show was axed a week later. |
| Record fine over phone-ins Vorderman 'forced' to quit Brand sorry for prank call Pamela enters Aussie BB Aussie TV evicts Big Brother | Record fine over phone-ins Vorderman 'forced' to quit Brand sorry for prank call Pamela enters Aussie BB Aussie TV evicts Big Brother |
| AUGUST | AUGUST |
| Wellard had been in EastEnders for 14 years | Wellard had been in EastEnders for 14 years |
| In August reality TV star Jade Goody entered the Big Brother house in India, but her stay was cut short after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. | In August reality TV star Jade Goody entered the Big Brother house in India, but her stay was cut short after she was diagnosed with cervical cancer. |
| Across the pond US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres married her long-time partner, actress Portia de Rossi. | Across the pond US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres married her long-time partner, actress Portia de Rossi. |
| It was also a month for departures with presenter Fiona Phillips announcing she was to leave GMTV after 15 years. | It was also a month for departures with presenter Fiona Phillips announcing she was to leave GMTV after 15 years. |
| Richard and Judy hosted their last show on Channel 4 while in soapland, Wellard the dog was killed off in EastEnders. | Richard and Judy hosted their last show on Channel 4 while in soapland, Wellard the dog was killed off in EastEnders. |
| Goody diagnosed with cancer DeGeneres and De Rossi wed Fiona Phillips to leave GMTV Richard and Judy in final show Wellard to be killed off | Goody diagnosed with cancer DeGeneres and De Rossi wed Fiona Phillips to leave GMTV Richard and Judy in final show Wellard to be killed off |
| SEPTEMBER Rachel won the £100,000 prize money on 2008's Big Brother | SEPTEMBER Rachel won the £100,000 prize money on 2008's Big Brother |
| Trainee teacher Rachel Rice, 24, was the surprise winner of Big Brother 9 in September although the show was filled with controversy this year. | Trainee teacher Rachel Rice, 24, was the surprise winner of Big Brother 9 in September although the show was filled with controversy this year. |
| Alexandra De-Gale was removed for intimidating housemates and dance student Dennis McHugh was thrown out for spitting in the face of another. | Alexandra De-Gale was removed for intimidating housemates and dance student Dennis McHugh was thrown out for spitting in the face of another. |
| TV satire 30 Rock dominated the comedy side of the US TV Emmy Awards, winning four honours. | TV satire 30 Rock dominated the comedy side of the US TV Emmy Awards, winning four honours. |
| And long-running BBC school drama Grange Hill rang its final bell. | And long-running BBC school drama Grange Hill rang its final bell. |
| Big Brother win for Rachel TV satire wins four Emmys Grange Hill closes its gates | Big Brother win for Rachel TV satire wins four Emmys Grange Hill closes its gates |
| OCTOBER | OCTOBER |
| Watch some of the best Blue Peter memories from the last fifty years | Watch some of the best Blue Peter memories from the last fifty years |
| Singer Kerry Katona admitted in October she was an alcoholic following concerns over a slurred TV interview she gave. | Singer Kerry Katona admitted in October she was an alcoholic following concerns over a slurred TV interview she gave. |
| David Tennant announced he was to quit as Doctor Who, while Blue Peter celebrated 50 years on the air. | David Tennant announced he was to quit as Doctor Who, while Blue Peter celebrated 50 years on the air. |
| Prank phone calls made to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross prompted a major row that led to Brand quitting his Radio 2 show. | Prank phone calls made to Fawlty Towers actor Andrew Sachs by Russell Brand and Jonathan Ross prompted a major row that led to Brand quitting his Radio 2 show. |
| Both the station's controller and head of compliance quit, while Ross was suspended for three months without pay. | Both the station's controller and head of compliance quit, while Ross was suspended for three months without pay. |
| Katona reveals drink battle Tennant quits as Doctor Who Blue Peter marks 50 yearsBrand quits over lewd calls | Katona reveals drink battle Tennant quits as Doctor Who Blue Peter marks 50 yearsBrand quits over lewd calls |
| NOVEMBER | NOVEMBER |
| Some of John Sergeant's most famous moments on Strictly Come Dancing | Some of John Sergeant's most famous moments on Strictly Come Dancing |
| November saw ex-political journalist John Sergeant waltz out of BBC show Strictly Come Dancing after nine weeks. | November saw ex-political journalist John Sergeant waltz out of BBC show Strictly Come Dancing after nine weeks. |
| He won over the public despite his lack of dancing skills, but quit as winning would have been "a joke too far". | He won over the public despite his lack of dancing skills, but quit as winning would have been "a joke too far". |
| British talent dominated the International Emmys in New York, winning seven out of the 10 awards including best actor for David Suchet. | British talent dominated the International Emmys in New York, winning seven out of the 10 awards including best actor for David Suchet. |
| Sir Trevor McDonald also presented his last News at Ten for ITV. He said it had been "an enormous pleasure". | Sir Trevor McDonald also presented his last News at Ten for ITV. He said it had been "an enormous pleasure". |
| Sergeant quits Strictly contest British talent dominate Emmys Sir Trevor hosts last news | Sergeant quits Strictly contest British talent dominate Emmys Sir Trevor hosts last news |
| DECEMBER | DECEMBER |
| The moment the result was announced | The moment the result was announced |
| Three reality shows culminated in December, with former EastEnders star Joe Swash becoming I'm A Celebrity's "king of the jungle". | Three reality shows culminated in December, with former EastEnders star Joe Swash becoming I'm A Celebrity's "king of the jungle". |
| Alexandra Burke beat boy band JLS and Eoghan Quigg to become this year's X Factor winner. | Alexandra Burke beat boy band JLS and Eoghan Quigg to become this year's X Factor winner. |
| After a judges' scoring anomaly in the semi-final, Strictly Come Dancing saw three couples through to the final. | After a judges' scoring anomaly in the semi-final, Strictly Come Dancing saw three couples through to the final. |
| But in the end Holby City star Tom Chambers foxtrotted his way past singer Rachel Stevens to win the show. | But in the end Holby City star Tom Chambers foxtrotted his way past singer Rachel Stevens to win the show. |
| Swash named jungle king Alexandra wins X Factor Chambers is Strictly champ | Swash named jungle king Alexandra wins X Factor Chambers is Strictly champ |