‘It was never meant to be a blockbuster…’: BBC’s surprise hit about Yorkshire women who form a rock band gets the green light for a second series — as bosses hail the heartwarming drama a “real gem” that’s struck a chord with viewers across the nation… - suong

Posted November 3, 2025

A DRAMA about a group of menopausal ladies in Yorkshire who suddenly decide to form a rock band may not seem like a ratings winner on paper.

But I can reveal that the BBC are so pleased with the response to Riot Women that they are all set to sign off on a second series.

A TV insider said: “Sometimes shows come along which just seem to capture the public’s imagination and this is one of them.

“It was never going to be a blockbuster, but Riot Women is viewed as a great yarn and a real departure for a Sunday night drama, which tend to be more gritty or high-octane.

“Plus it covers a section of society which doesn’t always get as much attention as it deserves, and Yorkshire is a corner of the country that doesn’t always have as much focus either.”

Sources say the second series would start filming next year and possibly air towards the end of 2026.

Riot Women debuted last month on BBC One with an all-star comedy cast, including The Thick Of It actress Joanna Scanlan, Friday Night Dinner’s Tamsin Greig and The Royle Family star Sue Johnston.

Not surprisingly, given the show was penned by top screenwriter Sally Wainwright — who also gave us Happy Valley and Last Tango In Halifax — it had a distinctly northern feel, particularly as it was filmed in the Pennine town of Hebden Bridge.

Female viewers, in particular, have really got behind the show.

Some have even called for the show’s hit song Seeing Red — which vents many of the frustrations of older women — to be released as a single with a view to getting it to the festive top spot in the charts.

I’m sure that news of a second series will make them feel like Christmas has come early, too.

Gabby: I had firm bottom

MARY BERRY exposed plenty of soggy bottoms on the Great British Bake Off – but she didn’t have that issue with Gabby Logan.

The Match Of The Day host has revealed how she won high praise for hers, which was “nice” and “firm”.

Gabby invited Mary to dinner when she moved into the same Buckinghamshire village.

In an episode of Mary At 90: A Lifetime Of Cooking, which airs on BBC Two tomorrow, she told the former Bake Off judge: “We had minestrone. Then we had lamb which I had slow-cooked for 12 hours, and then I made the lemon cheesecake – which was from your book, actually.

“And I don’t know if you remember, but my children were impressed – you said it had a nice, firm bottom.”

Glad to hear there was a bit more context to that cheeky comment.

Hollywood hitters

Hollywood stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson will appear on The Graham Norton Show on BBC One on November 21, talking about playing a real-life Neil Diamond tribute act in new movie Song Sung Blue. Comic actor Ben Stiller will also be on the sofa.

Michael spins up millions

HE has been continuing his turn as host on quiz show The Wheel, and it seems Michael McIntyre’s TV career is still a real money-spinner.

New records show his firm Breachcroft Ltd paid £659,000 in corporation tax, which suggest it made profits of £2.63million in a year.

The figures show that, as a result of a bumper 12 months, Michael’s business is now sat on equity of almost £6.9million – up from £4.9million the previous year.

Small wonder he’s raking it in as The Wheel is one of BBC One’s biggest Saturday night programmes, eclipsed only by Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.

Next year he’s also going on a lengthy stand-up tour of the US.

So no doubt he’ll be laughing all the way to the bank 12 months from now, too.

Andy musical mixup

CHANNEL 4 has wasted absolutely no time in amending the title of their show Prince Andrew: The Musical after its subject’s fall from grace.

It will now be called Andrew: The Musical.

The comedy, which satirized the former royal’s life, aired in 2022 but is still available on catch-up.

Big fat problem for Ross

HE left the BBC under a cloud after he and Russell Brand humiliated the granddaughter of actor Andrew Sachs in 2008.

But Jonathan Ross says the only other time he came close to falling out with Beeb bosses was over Channel 4’s Big Fat Quiz of the Year.

When it launched in 2004, Jonathan was very much seen as a Beeb face and there was a mutual agreement he wouldn’t host shows elsewhere.

But on his Reel Talk podcast, he admitted: “The only time it came to a kind of a head was when I came up with the idea with my wife for the Big Fat Quiz of the Year.

“I remember trying to sell the show to the BBC and they didn’t want it.

“I knew I couldn’t host it for Channel 4 but I said I would be a guest and they didn’t like it and it got a bit tense.”

Towie’s Elliott Wright reveals real reason he’s selling £6.5m restaurant after devastating arson atta ngocc

TOWIE alum Elliott Wright has revealed the real reason he’s selling up his £6.5million Spanish restaurant following a devastating arson attack.

Last week, we reported how the reality TV star-turned-businessman, 45, was quitting life in the Cosa del Sol to return home.

Towie’s Elliott Wright has revealed the real reason he’s selling his £6.5million restaurantCredit: Instagram

He is the proud owner of Olivia’s La Cala in MarbellaCredit: Instagram

Yet the dad of five is taking the eatery to auction after his two eldest kids didn’t want to take it overCredit: Instagram

Elliott, 45, told how he wanted to be closest to his eldest kidsCredit: Instagram

He is putting his establishment – Olivia’s La Cala in Marbella – on the market to be near his older children Elliott Jr, 18, and Olivia, 16.

We previously told how Elliott is taking the establishment to auction, with bids starting at €7.5million (£6.5million).

The sale will include the freehold beachfront property, the trading business, and the Olivia’s La Cala brand and trademark.

Now h has told why he’s upping sticks despite a recent rebrand for the celeb-favourite eatery.

Most read in Celebrity

“It was a lovely dream, but a pipe dream, and it wasn’t one that they wanted to do.

“There’s no sad feelings at all about it. I’m very content, and I’m going to be closer to my children. The most important thing for me is spending time with the kids.”

Towie Star Elliott Wright Announces Fifth Baby

FAMILY JOY

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Elliott previously told how his two children are soon to be based in London, and that his dreams of them taking the reins would not be happening.

He is also parent to Billy, aged six, John, aged two and daughter Dolly, who is just three months.

He added: “Olivia’s is a party restaurant. It’s a fun place to be. You can’t sit there and ponder on what’s going on in the past.

“You do have bad times, but the good times outweigh the bad. And with Olivia’s, it massively outweighs it.

TOWIE STARS SPIN OFF

WITH the announcement TOWIE will return in 2025 for two new series, it's good news for some former ITVBE stars, too

TWO of the show’s best loved former stars will celebrate their own big life moments with a spin off series featuring Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou.

Their new show title is currently unconfirmed.

The pair, who first met and found love on TOWIE back in 2014, finally say ‘I Do’ in a three part special produced by Objective Entertainment.

The show will follow on from the success of their Baby Steps series.

“None of that has really played a part in it. Whatever business you’re going to go into, you’re gonna go through it.

“It’s part and parcel of being a business owner.”

RESTAURANT HISTORY

Named after his daughter, the fine establishment was known for hosting wild nights out for a plethora of stars including The Only Way is Essex favourites Ferne McCann and Elliott’s cousins Mark and Jess Wright.

Elliott’s project evolved into a destination restaurant that attracted celebrities, tourists, and expats with its lively atmosphere.

But the restaurant has also gone through its fair share of troubles, with the establishment attacked by vandals shortly after a bouncer was killed there two years ago.

Elliott, who was a part of The Only Way is Essex from 2010 to 2017, said in a previous video: “Hi everybody, I just wanna do a short reel just to explain that what’s in the news today is true.

“I am selling my beautiful restaurant Olivia’s. It’s been an amazing 10 years.

“I’ve loved every minute of it.