FORMER Fleet Street editor Anne Robinson is going back to her journalistic roots for a new show scrutinising our criminal courts – and I can reveal which emotive case she will launch with.
The first to be analysed in The Sentence: You Be the Judge will be that of , the Hollyoaks star who was killed in an horrific roadside crash in 2023.
The actress was pregnant and waiting in her car on a motorway after getting a puncture, when she was hit at 92mph by a BMW driven by .
He was initially jailed for 12 years for the incident on the M66 in Bury, but it was later ruled unduly lenient and increased to 15 years after her partner, , took it to the .
But campaigners felt he should have received , which also claimed the life of Frankie’s unborn baby daughter.
A TV insider said: “This was an incredibly tragic case, and one which is probably still fresh in the minds of many people.
“It is also one that will stir up a great deal of debate over exactly what sentence Iqbal should have received.
“Anne will be talking through all the different elements of the case with experts and trying to take the reins on what promises to be a controversial subject.”;
The C5 programme, set to air later this year, will allow viewers the chance to compare their judgments about convicted criminals against those of real judges, and panels of experts.
Jaw-dropping story
Iqbal’s case will be one of four reconstructions of sentencing hearings, which are part of the trial system but where a jury is not involved.
Former and host insists that the show will explore a “widely inconsistent”; side of the criminal justice system.
She adds: “This programme tells a jaw-dropping story. The Government needs to watch it.”;
I think we all do.
VICK HUNT FOR TRUE LOVE
is known as a straight-talking Geordie, but it sounds like she’s been pulling the wool over our eyes for years – because she’s confessed to telling more than a few porkies.
The reality star is the host of new dating show , where 12 hopefuls look for love under the watchful eye of an AI-powered lie detector.
But Vicky, who will be aided on the show by star revealed: “No one’s perfect, I’m a people pleaser.
“I just want everyone to have a nice time and be liked and stuff like that, so I’m definitely guilty of some white lies here, there and everywhere. But not on the big stuff!”;
Filmed in , the Honesty Box sees singles bare their souls to the EyeDetect technology, which measures changes in eye behaviour, such as blink rate, gaze fixation and pupil dilation, to detect lies.
But even such high-powered wizardry couldn’t stop filming being plunged into chaos by events at a nearby cheese factory.
Producer Shaun Parry revealed: “There are some things you just can’t mitigate against, such as a reggae festival at a nearby halloumi factory.
“It was around 7 o’clock in the evening and we were all set to record a big set piece in the show when the strains of very loud reggae music drifted across the valley.
“We had to delay the shoot until the next day, but from the look of some of the crew, who were bopping away to the music, they were happy to take a break.”;
The Honesty Box begins next Monday at 9pm on E4.
CHANNEL 4’s new quiz show The Snake launches on May 1 via YouTube.
Two players in a team of six are secretly “snakes”; whose job is to get questions WRONG to scavenge money for their own prize pot.
Influencers including , Tyrique Hyde and Zeze Millz feature.
DERMOT’S SILENCE LICENCE
HE is a safe pair of hands, but was delighted to let loose on his new game show, Silence Is Golden.
The series sees each audience member mic’ed up, with three comedians, led by , attempting to make them laugh so they miss out on the prize pot.
The format has given host Dermot a new sense of freedom – and he even swears “F*** it!”; in one clip.
He told Sunday Times Culture mag: “I’m at a stage where I just do things that interest me.
“And this seemed, well, liberating is not the word. I don’t need to be liberated.
“But there are no constraints at all.”;
Silence Is Golden starts on U and U&Dave on May 5.
KATH’S NO-NO FOR JOJO
– and their growing closeness – continues to be the talk of the .
On last night’s episode, other housemates debated whether hunk Chris had attached himself to the US pop star to gain fame.
But one person who has checked out of the conversation is JoJo’s partner Kath Ebbs.
The Aussie actor has snubbed the series since the onscreen chemistry began to sizzle.
Kath has not mentioned CBB online since April 11, despite a stream of support before.
Since then, Chris has told JoJo he “would kiss her”; and they could “have babies together”;. They also shared a massage in the hot tub.
Let’s assume Kath won’t be switching on any time soon.
The series continues tonight at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.
