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News -
News from the 1990's
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Monday, 14 June 1999 10:57 |
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Sixties star Lulu has something to shout about - she is hosting a new Saturday night show on BBC One. * Red Alert - made by Chris Evans' company Ginger Productions - sees her performing live in front of a studio audience with big name stars. * She will also scour the country for people to join her in the studio as well as taking part in outside broadcasts from different locations each week. * In the late 1960s and early 1970s Lulu had her own prime-time show on the BBC, which was dropped in 1975. Since then she has turned down all offers to return to TV. * She said: "The ideas behind Red Alert and the fact it is to be produced by Ginger Television - whose programmes I have always loved - was just too good an opportunity to miss. * Chris Evans: The deal is a coup for his Ginger Productions outfit "Not only does it feature my first love - music - it is also about celebration and simply having fun, which after all is what Saturday night should be all about." * The show will also include the National Lottery draw, a job currently held by Winning Lines, presented by Simon Mayo. * Bill Hillary, head of the BBC's Independent Commissioning Group - which deals with production outfits like Ginger - said: "We are delighted that Lulu is coming to BBC One. She's a star with universal appeal and has been on the wish list of many broadcasters for many years." * The deal also marks a coup for Ginger Productions. Until now, the company has been best-known for Chris Evans' own vehicles, such as TFI Friday and Don't Forget Your Toothbrush on Channel 4, and this will be its first major prime-time show. Another BBC project the company is working on is a fly-on-the-wall documentary about weddings. * BBC bosses will be hoping Lulu can help them re-establish their lead over ITV on Saturday nights, following the cancellation of Noel's House Party after low ratings earlier this year. * Ironically, one of Lulu's rivals will be another star of 1960s and 1970s TV - Blind Date host Cilla Black - who will return to ITV with another series of The Moment Of Truth. *
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