Kay Mellor’s new drama, The Syndicate, debuts on BBC One this coming Tuesday at 9pm, and among the stars who’re playing roles on the show is former Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page, who’s been talking to What’s On TV about her character, Leanne.

And it seems that shop worker Leanne is hiding rather a dark secret which the publicity about her syndicate win threatens to expose!

Joanna explained, “When you first meet Leanne the syndicate members have won the lottery and are getting ready to meet the press.

“We’re in the supermarket and all dolled up. Then it flashes back to what has happened before the win…” Read more & comment »

Screenwriter Kay Mellor – whose daughter Gaynor Faye is currently starring in Emmerdale as Megan Macey – has hit out at National Lottery organisers Camelot, claiming that many of the happy stories they cite about winners are “not always true.”

As you’re probably aware, big lottery winners are given the option of remaining anonymous or going public about their win, and those who choose to have publicity are invariably shown smiling happily while clutching champagne.

However, Kay – who’s written hit dramas Band of Gold, Fat Friends and The Chase – says that research she’s done ahead of penning a drama about lottery winners, to be entitled The Syndicate, paints a less than cheery picture… Read more & comment »

It’s been revealed today that former Gavin and Stacey star Joanna Page – who’s married to Emmerdale actor James Thornton – is to star in a new sitcom about a national lottery winner.

In the new show, which is entitled, The Syndicate, Joanna plays the role of supermarket worker Leanne who, along with some of her co-workers, wins the lottery jackpot, making them all rich overnight.

The show, which will air on BBC1 next year, will also star Timothy Spall in the role of Bob, who finds that money can’t buy everything. Timothy of course previously starred in Auf Weidersehn Pet.

Written by Kay Mellor – Gaynor Faye’s award winning writer mum – What’s On TV magazine report that Kay said, “I was inspired to write it after a friend of mine was told she was losing her job.

“With a mortgage to pay and outstanding debts her only hope was to win the Lottery. It made me think how many people were thinking the same.

“As cuts hit hard we’re left with only a dream of six numbered balls deciding our fate – what strange times we are living in!

“It’s both funny and tragic; a perfect recipe for great drama.” Read more & comment »