The Stage

Savile to host Jim’ll Fix It nostalgia show

Published Thursday 26 October 2006 at 16:30 by Liz Thomas

Jimmy Savile is to return to screens in a new UKTV show celebrating Jim’ll Fix It, as part of the broadcaster’s £15 million investment in new commissions for 2007.

The series, which is scheduled for broadcast on UKTV Gold early next year, will feature classic ‘fix-its’ and contributors from the original TV series.

Produced by North One television, Jim’ll Fix It: Now and Then, is set to run for six half-hour episodes and also features Savile making new dreams come true with the help of celebrity guests.

The Now and Then franchise originally began with Wogan: Now and Then, which is returning for a third series in the new year. It has been produced by Spun Gold TV and will run for eight shows, each lasting an hour.

Les Dennis is also fronting a new quiz, entitled TV Now and Then, which is billed as a comedy panel show on classic small screen programmes. Nick Hancock, Jo Brand and Sally Lindsay will be team captains in the ten-episode series featuring guests such as Keith Chegwin and Iain Lee. Made by Tinderbox Television it will air next March.

The slate of original programmes marks a step up by UKTV with greater investment in new content. The cash injection amounts to 1100 hours of new productions for the first quarter of 2007.

UKTV chief operating office John Keeling said: “This year we have bucked industry trends by showing strong growth in a tough market. We’re in a good position to invest more in exclusive acquisitions and commissioning innovative formats in 2007. While television continues to be at the heart of our business, we’ll also increase our focus on non-linear streams.”