'Big Fat Gypsy Weddings' adverts to be investigated

The UK advertising watchdog has confirmed that it intends to investigate a controversial ad campaign for Channel 4's Big Fat Gypsy Weddings.

The campaign, using the slogan "Bigger. Fatter. Gypsier." over images of Gypsy boys and girls, triggered 372 complaints and a protest at Channel 4's London headquarters.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) had initially said that it would not probe the adverts as they were 'in keeping' with the tone and content of the hit series.

In a judgement earlier in the year, the ASA said that the ads "might not be to everyone's taste", but they were unlikely to cause serious or widespread offence.

However, the ASA has now changed its position following a request by the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain.

The regulator took the recommendation of its independent review council that its original judgement was "flawed" and a formal investigation was required.

In a statement, the ASA said: "In their evaluation, the council noted that it had made its original decision without the benefit of knowing that the Irish Traveller Movement of Britain had complained and that this was a material fact to which they should have had regard."

Yvonne MacNamara, the director of the Irish Traveller Movement in Britain, said that the decision marks a "great victory" for travellers and gypsies, which "may prove a turning point as to how travellers and gypsies are portrayed in the media".

"Channel 4 has made a fortune out of their documentaries, which many travellers and gypsies believe have invaded and misrepresented their lives," she said.

"We hope this decision may herald an end to the negative caricaturing of travellers and gypsies in the wider media."

Channel 4 and Honda UK, the sponsor of documentaries on Channel 4, each said: 'We will await the outcome of the investigation'."

'Room at the Top': BBC Four drama to air following legal dispute

BBC Four's adaptation of Room at the Top will finally be broadcast after a legal dispute was resolved.

The two-part drama - based on the 1957 novel by John Braine - was pulled from the channel's schedule last year due to a copyright wrangle between Braine's estate and producers Remus Films.

The dispute has now been resolved and Room at the Top will air "in the near future", BBC News reports.

The original novel - which was also adapted into an Oscar-winning 1959 film - follows the working class Joe Lampton, who leaves his village with aspirations to become part of high society.

BBC Four's version stars Matthew McNulty (Misfits) as Lampton and also includes Maxine Peake (Silk) and Jenna-Louise Coleman (Doctor Who) in its cast.

In a statement, production company Great Meadow Productions said: "The producer of the TV adaptation of Room At The Top, Great Meadow Productions, is pleased to announce that the issue of copyright between Remus Films and the Estate of John Braine, represented by David Higham Associates, has been resolved. The TV adaptation will be broadcast on BBC Four in the near future."

'Revenge' kicks off with 750,000 viewers on E4

The series premiere of Revenge pulled in decent numbers for E4 last night (May 29), managing almost 750k, according to overnight data.

The popular US drama took 613k (2.8%) on E4 and an additional 135k (0.8%) on timeshift.

It also boosted Made in Chelsea's numbers - the reality show improved to 635k (3.6%) from 10pm and 143k (1.5%) on +1 and helped E4 top the multichannels overall.

On the terrestrials, Chatsworth drew 3.78m (17.2%) on BBC One in the 9pm hour but was narrowly beaten live by ITV1's 56 Up, which had 3.85m (17.5%) as well as a further 243k (1.4%) on timeshift.

Spencer Matthews and Oliver Proudlock at a point to point seen on 'Made In Chelsea', shown on E4

Earlier on BBC One, Panorama was watched by 3.5m (15.7%). An average of 3.16m (15%) saw The Queen and I on ITV1 (+1: 105k/0.5%).

BBC Two showed Springwatch (2.22m/10.2%), Afghanistan: The Great Game (1.03m/4.7%) and Sounds of the '70s (621k/3.2%).

Dispatches drew 834k on Channel 4 from 8pm (+1: 122k/0.6%) before Gok Cooks Chinese served 947k (4.2%) from 8.30pm (+1: 157k/0.7%). The Secret Millionaire had 1.56m (7.1%) from 9pm (+1: 189k/1.1%).

The Walking Dead continued with 815k for Channel 5, with The Gadget Show: World Tour and Robson's Extreme Fishing Challenge taking 686k (3.2%) and 1.02m (4.6%) respectively.

Overall, ITV1 secured primetime victory with 21.8% (+1: 0.7%), beating BBC One's 20.4%. BBC Two came third with 6.4% ahead of Channel 4's 4.8% (+1: 0.7%) and Channel 5's 3.9% (+1: 0.2%).

Clarice Starling Series in Development at Lifetime

NBC is looking at Hannibal Lecter's early years in its upcoming drama "Hannibal," and now Lifetime is developing a drama that will shed light on Lecter's "Silence of the Lambs" foe, FBI agent Clarice Starling.

"Clarice" will follow Starling as she begins her career after graduating from the FBI academy, TV Guide reports. Jodie Foster won a best actress Oscar for portraying the young agent.

Lifetime reps did not immediately respond to TheWrap's request for comment.

MGM will produce "Clarice," which Lifetime is developing just as NBC prepares "Hannibal," a drama that will focus on the relationship between Hannibal Lecter -- a role that earned a best actor Oscar for Anthony Hopkins in "Silence of the Lambs" -- and FBI criminal profiler Will Graham.

Hugh Dancy will play Graham in "Hannibal," which was created by "Heroes"/"Pushing Daisies"/"Wonderfalls" producer Bryan Fuller, who's also producing NBC's remake of "The Munsters."

Lecter and Graham first appeared in author Thomas Harris' 1981 novel "Red Dragon," while Starling originated in the 1988 sequel "Silence of the Lambs."

Lifetime, which has been adding more original programming to its lineup with the Jennifer Love Hewitt series "The Client List" and continuing seasons of "Drop Dead Diva," "Project Runway" and "Army Wives," is also focusing on star-packed made-for-TV movies.

Lindsay Lohan begins filming next month on the network's Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton biopic "Liz & Dick." Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, Jill Scott and Alfre Woodard are starring in Lifetime's "Steel Magnolias" remake. And Mary J. Blige will star in "Parallel Lives," a movie about the lives of Coretta Scott King and Dr. Betty Shabazz, the widows of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

Flirty Rita Ora impresses London crowds at 'X Factor' auditions

Rita Ora impressed the crowds with a feisty and flirtatious performance at today's X Factor auditions.

The popstar guest judged at London's O2 today and was given plenty of support from fellow judge Tulisa Contostavlos, who told the crowds that Ora has "years of experience" in the business, even if she has only just reached the top of the charts.

Ora - who wore a white dress and jacket at today's auditions - won huge cheers from the O2 audience, who warmed to her confident and witty approach on the judging panel.

The West London singer flirted with a number of the male acts throughout the day, telling one singer: "I think you're really good looking, so it's a yes from me!" She also teased several other male acts, describing them as "cute" and giving one lucky lad a hug.

An X Factor fan told Digital Spy: "Rita fitted in brilliantly on the panel and was a natural.

"She had great chemistry with Gary and Louis and she was feisty enough to keep up with Tulisa."

The 'RIP' singer became the third guest judge of the series, following stints from Leona Lewis and former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell.

Ora is believed to be in the running to get the X Factor job full-time alongside Halliwell.

'The Voice' UK kids spinoff could air on BBC

The Voice creator John De Mol has revealed that he is planning talks with the BBC about a 'Kids' spinoff of the talent show.

A Voice Kids series has aired in the show's original country Holland and according to De Mol it was a huge success.

"There was a big emotional reaction from the parents of the children talking part, more so than on any other talent show," De Mol told The Guardian.

He claimed that there is a "fair chance" the series, which would feature acts aged 8-14, would air in the UK.

De Mol, who also helped create Big Brother, has sold the Voice format to over 50 countries around the world. The TV producer claimed that he is a fan of the UK's panel of coaches, but admitted that like in other regions, the live show format may need tweaking for upcoming series.

The Voice UK started strongly in the ratings, beating Simon Cowell's Britain's Got Talent regularly when the shows' schedules overlapped. However, during the live shows, The Voice's ratings have slipped significantly and reached a new low of 4.49m viewers last weekend.

Tashie Jackson's sex tape boyfriend for Big Brother 2012?

The boyfriend of former Big Brother housemate Tashie Jackson could join the line up of housemates for the new series.

Tashie Jackson appeared on the first Channel 5 Big Brother last year, with a sex tape quickly hitting the internet after she entered the house.

Speaking to us ahead of the launch of Big Brother next month, BB host Brian Dowling revealed that not only had he watched it, but that the boyfriend that appeared in the tape had auditioned for the show this year!

Brian gossiped: “I think her boyfriend from the sex tape auditioned for the show!”

Ad Brian let slip that he and the whole of the BB team watched her sex tape!

Speaking about the video, Brian said: “She was like a magician because it just disappeared!

“I watched it, it was so weird watching her have sex knowing she was in the house. How can someone so small take something so big and make it disappear? We watched down at the show!”