LOUIS THEROUX is making a star-studded documentary looking at the rise and fall of boy bands.
The three-parter from his Mindhouse production company will air on the BBC this year and delve into the controversies that surrounded the phenomenon.
Producers have already contacted Coree Richards, the hellraiser ousted from Damage, the R&B group that included Jade Jones who went on to marry Spice Girl Emma Bunton.
They’ve also been in touch with former EastEnder Danniella Westbrook who dated Brain Harvey, the troubled lead singer of EAST 17.
A TV insider said: “It’s obvious Louis and his team intend to delve into the dark underbelly of bubblegum pop. They will focus on the golden era of boy bands in the Nineties and early Noughties. But given the thorny topics his production company has already tackled it was never going to be a gentle, nostalgic wander.”
Its shows have looked at the darker side of snooker and tennis and probed the Columbia space shuttle and Lockerbie disasters.
So approaching the lives of popstars ranging from Take That and 5IVE to Boyzone and Westlife who had a 2005 No1 with You Raise Me Up — should be a walk in the park.
But given the volume of sensational stories involving drink, drugs, bust-ups and exploitation, the biggest challenge is likely to be fitting it all into three episodes.
There are clues as to who else might feature — on Instagram Louis follows Simon Webbe from Blue, Robbie Williams and East 17’s Brian
Surely Louis will have to do a sequel on girl groups?
Dope girls get set to feather their nest
UPCOMING BBC One drama Dope Girls has clearly captured all the grit and glamour of London’s underworld clubland.
The six-parter centres on the time immediately after World War One when women keen to earn a living did so by catering for the growing needs of a society looking for sex, dancing and all sorts of other indulgences.
Among the doyennes of Soho are Kate Galloway (Julianne Nicholson), a single mum who establishes a string of scandalous clubs in London.
Her character is based on Kate Meyrick, who gained infamy for her dens of iniquity.
Umi Myers plays Billie Cassidy, a dancer who tantalises in saucy costumes, and Micheal Duke plays Eddie Cobb.
Eliza Scanlen is Violet Davies, one of a first wave of female officers dispatched to the West End.
Double trouble for Luke
TEENAGE darts sensation Luke Littler is used to taking on doubles – so starring with Rob Beckett and Romesh Ranganathan should be a piece of cake.
He will be one of the guests as their hit show Rob & Romesh Vs returns for a new series on Sky Max.
Romesh added: “Of all the 17-year-olds we were looking at to chat to, he was like number four, but we’re looking forward to it.”
The duo will also work alongside Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt in the world of Hollywood stunts, travel to Las Vegas for an UFC stint and perform at the Download Festival in Leicestershire as they tackle heavy metal music.
They will also compete in the Wildlife Photographer of the Year contest.
'Tis the season
THE Office star Steve Carell will join Tina Fey in a new Netflix comedy.
The Four Seasons is based on the 1981 film of the same name and tells the story of three couples who holiday together every year.
Tina’s 30 Rock co-stars Lang Fisher and Tracey Wigfield are co-creators.
Joe off on Brum jaunt
JOE LYCETT is hoping to give his home town a boost by heading to places that share its name.
The proud Brummie will travel across the pond to visit places named Birmingham for a new series.
There are 18 such places in the continent of North America, including one in Canada’s Saskatchewan province.
Joe will explore the history of each town and form “friendship agreements” with their residents.
Then he plans to bring his new overseas pals together for an International Day of Birmingham.
Joe Lycett’s United States Of Birmingham will air on Sky Max.
The comedian is already a self-appointed city ambassador for his home town, with the blessing of its Lord Mayor.
Joe joked: “I am delighted to be making this show for Sky which will finally secure me enough money to move to London.”
Bang for your buck
ANGERS And Cash: Restoring Classics will return for its fourth season next month.
The series follows the renovation of vehicles bought at family-run auctioneers Mathewsons.
Once the vehicles are restored, they are reauctioned.
It starts on May 16 on Yesterday and UKTV Play at 8pm.
Footie’s Georgia on bawl
IF you saw someone sobbing on a dating show, you might think it was all going wrong.
But for I Kissed A Girl participant Georgia Robert, it meant things were going right.
The professional footballer has emotions running high just days into BBC Three’s new lesbian dating show.
She opens up about her sexuality, and suffering nasty comments at school.
Then, as fellow singletons rally round her, Georgia is moved to tears.
Ahead of episode one on Sunday May 5, she says: “My goal was not to cry on TV, and I think I made it to day two.
“It’s amazing there’s finally a show like this out there. I’m just so glad I got to be a part of it.”
Georgia is one of the show’s ten single women who are matched with each other.
New bid to snare fiends
BRITAIN’S sex crimes will be put under the microscope in a new BBC factual two-parter.
Cold Case Investigators: Solving Britain’s Sex Crimes will feature experts using cutting-edge science and DNA techniques to identify suspects in previously unsolved offences, some of which date from the 1980s.
Cameras will follow cops from Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire’s Major Crimes Unit.
The hour-long episodes, which will air on BBC Two, will also see victims share their emotional stories.
Head of science commissioning Tom Coveney said: “The detectives’ skill and dedication and the meticulous work of the forensic scientists are extraordinary.”