GREEN LIGHT
Fate of hit Sky series with top comedian revealed – months after their BBC show was axed
The BBC drama competition featured celebrity cameos such as Natalie Cassidy
THE Fate of a hit Sky series with a top comedian has been revealed, just months after their BBC show was axed.
Bill Bailey, 59, previously hosted Bring The Drama when it aired on BBC Two earlier this year.
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The series gave aspiring actors the chance to fulfil their TV dreams and land small roles in well-known BBC dramas.
Despite a string of celebrity cameos, the show was given the axe after just one series.
However, the former Strictly Come Dancing competitor has had better news from commercial network Sky as they have recommissioned his show.
Master Crafters: The Next Generation has been given the greenlight by bosses for a third series.
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The first two series saw a selection of early-career craftspeople, who specialised in a number heritage crafts.
In order to help them improve, the group took part in bespoke masterclasses.
Series three will continue to "shine a spotlight on heritage crafts," according to TV Zone.
According to the outlet, more talented specialist workers will engage in bespoke classes.
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They will once again aim to hone their skills in their chosen areas which include mosaics and letterpress painting.
Other crafts to be given a platform from the show include blacksmithing as well as stone masonry & carving.
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In his previous BBC show, eight aspiring actors were mentored by casting director Kelly Valentine Hendry over a six week period.
They were then given the chance to work on various drama shows which included the likes of EastEnders, Peaky Blinders and Silent Witness.
Celebrity cameos on the talent show included soap star Natalie Cassidy and Line of Duty's Rochenda Sandall.
Bill Bailey's career so far
Bill Bailey is one of the most successful comedians in the country, but how did he rise to fame?
In the 80's, Bill toured the country with comedians such as Mark Lamarr.
In 1984, he formed a double act, the Rubber Bishops, with Toby Longworth after they both attended King Edward's school in Bath.
After a number of personnel changes over a decade in comedy, he decided to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1994.
Together, he and Sean Lock put together Rock, a show which followed an ageing rockstar and his roadie.
He almost gave up comedy to take up a career in telesales before deciding to go solo with a one man show, Bill Bailey's Cosmic Jam.
The star was later able to bring together his music and postmodern jokes in a one-hour 1997 broadcast on Channel 4 labelled as 'Bill Bailey Live'.
Awards success followed with a Time Out award in 1995, a nomination at the Perrier Comedy Awards in Edinburgh in 1996 and an award for Best Live Stand-Up at the British Comedy Awards in 1999.
He shot to superstardom in 2000 when he was cast in the role as Manny in the Channel 4 sitcom, Black Books.
Regular appearances on panel quiz shows followed, which include hit programmes such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Have I Got News for You, and QI.
In 2020, he competed in and won the eighteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing with his partner Oti Mabuse at the age of 55.
In 2024, he still remains as the oldest winner in the BBC ballroom and latin show's history.
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Bill Bailey's Master Crafters is currently available to stream on Now.
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