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BRAKES ON
Channel 4 motoring show featuring Prem goal-machine axed after poor ratings
The series only debuted last year
CAR shows are running out of gas as another one heads to the scrap yard.
After the brakes were put on Top Gear and The Grand Tour, I can reveal Channel 4’s Bangers: Mad For Cars, hosted by rapper Tinie Tempah, will not be back for a second instalment.
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Tinie, who presented the show with F1 analyst and stunt driver Naomi Schiff, grilled famous names including ex-footballer Ian Wright and chef Tom Kerridge during its debut run last year.
A TV insider said: “It’s so tough for car shows right now, especially on mainstream channels.
“Bangers: Mad For Cars was always viewed within Channel 4 as a one-off.
“But if it went down a storm with viewers.
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“A second series would likely have been on the table.
“But sadly it’s not to be and the show’s being parked, and may never restart.”
The Channel 4 series was tipped to “fill the gap left by Top Gear” when it launched last October in partnership with eBay.
It had segments that were reminiscent of Top Gear, including racing retro cars and taking celebrities for a test drive in their first motors.
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The show also featured some bizarre challenges, namely Tinie and rapper pal Mist hunting down a “robber” driving a Ford Fiesta with a siren attached to the roof of their Ford Sierra Cosworth, a former police force favourite.
The BBC pulled Top Gear last November in the wake of host Freddie Flintoff's near-fatal car crash at Dunsfold Park Aerodrome in Surrey 11 months earlier while he was filming the show.
The Grand Tour boss posts first look at Scotland special in teaser vid as Top Gear wraps shortest series ever
It had been on our screens for 46 years.
The cancellation was confirmed a week before former presenters Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May revealed they would be ending The Grand Tour, their hit Prime Video series.
The final episode airs later this year, much to the disappointment of petrolheads around the world.
It seems they are slowly running.
DAVID IS RIVALS BIG SHOT
DAVID TENNANT is gunning for a showdown in this first look at new Disney+ drama series Rivals.
The former Doctor Who actor plays TV controller Lord Tony Baddingham in the adaptation of Jilly Cooper’s bonkbuster novel, which also features Alex Hassell as ex-Olympian and MP Rupert Campbell-Black.
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They will be joined by Poldark’s Aidan Turner as presenter Declan O’Hara, and Nafessa Williams, who is an American TV executive.
The series also has Humans actress Katherine Parkinson, Sex Education’s Bella MacLean, and guest stars Emily Atack, Danny Dyer and Rufus Jones.
The Eighties-set story hits screens later this year.
It follows the antics of a power-grabbing social elite as the world of independent television hits the big time.
SURGEONS: At The Edge Of Life will returning for two more series.
BBC Two’s behind-the-scenes show, which will be following the surgeons, anaesthetists, theatre staff and patients at NHS Lothian’s Royal Infirmary, Western General and St John’s hospitals, will give an insight into experimental surgeries challenging the front line of medical science.
A TOUGH MISSION FOR TRIO
THREE military veterans join some of the world’s elite forces as Netflix takes a close-up look into the world of special ops.
The new documentary series sees British Special Forces operator Dean Stott, US Army Ranger Cameron Faith and Navy Seal Ryan Bates learn what it takes to fight alongside jungle commandos, parachute rangers and bomb disposal teams in their extreme environments.
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From Jordan to Colombia, Sweden to Mexico, challenges include attacking a terrorist camp in the desert, rescuing hostages and taking a ship back from pirates in open waters.
Toughest Forces On Earth is on Netflix from May 22.
THE Rap Game UK is returning to BBC iPlayer for a sixth series, continuing its search for new rap stars and cementing itself as the longest-running unscripted show focusing on Black British music over the past 25 years.
This series, rappers compete for a £20,000 cash prize.
LIFE RICH AS REBUS
RICHARD RANKIN says it is a “privilege” to be playing TV detective John Rebus – and was hooked right away.
The DI was played by John Hannah and later Ken Stott.
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But now Outlander actor Richard is taking on the role after the cop’s 15 years off screen.
He tells The Sun’s TV Mag, free with Saturday’s paper: “The script for episode one had me hooked.
"People are always excited about the prospect of seeing one of their most beloved detectives come back.
“It’s a privilege to have been given the honour of bringing Rebus to life again.
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"I really hope we get another series.”
Rebus will be available on iPlayer next Friday, and airs on BBC One next Saturday.