IT was the new comedy horror series that failed to raise enough laughs with viewers last year, despite its big-name cast.
Now I can reveal that Channel 4 show Generation Z will NOT return for a second season.
The first run followed townsfolk trying to survive after a chemical leak turned their local care home’s elderly residents into flesh-eating zombies.
The cast included Anita Dobson and Sue Johnston as members of the zombie community, while Robert Lindsay and Johnny Vegas featured as terrified locals.
A band of young heroes trying to save their fictional town of Dambury from a bloody apocalypse were played by Jay Lycurgo, Viola Prettejohn, Lewis Gribben and Buket Komur.
After six episodes of them battling against the undead, the action ended in a cliffhanger when actress Sue’s character Cecily was reborn into a young woman’s body.
‘Walking Dead spin-off’
But the show received mixed reviews from viewers, perhaps pushing the broadcaster into making the decision to call time.
An insider told me: “It had seemed with Cecily being reborn, there was more to come in this series.
“The fate of a lot of the other characters in Dambury was also left unclear.
“But Channel 4 decided to put this one on the shelf, and there are no plans to bring it back.
“That’s certain to be disappointing news for those who did like it — many likening it to a bizarre spin-off of hugely popular American zombie drama The Walking Dead.
“But sadly it didn’t win everyone over and it’s likely that was behind the decision to rest it.”
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”EastEnders legend completely unrecognisable as she returns to TV in terrifying new role 36 years after leaving BBC soap” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6363365989112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]Channel 4 added: “We’re very proud of Generation Z and thank [writer] Ben Wheatley, [producers] The Forge and the wonderful cast and crew involved in the show’s success.
“We look forward to working together on future Channel 4 projects.”
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D108939%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]CALL OF DUTY FOR DAN’S KID
DANNY DYER’s son would likely have a golden ticket into Hollywood – but despite having now made his film debut at age 11, it seems he has little interest.
Arty co-stars with his dad in dark comedy Marching Powder, in cinemas now with Danny as a druggie footie thug and the actor’s lad playing his screen son.
Rivals star Danny told radio station FM104: “They couldn’t find any parents of a child who would allow them to swear, so they said, ‘Do you think Arty would be up for it?’ and he said, ‘I’ll do it’. He got £1,300.”
But he swiftly blew his pay on computer games Call Of Duty and Fortnite, and Danny added: “He’s got no interest in being an actor.
“My agent phoned me up afterwards and said, ‘Listen, for Arty, they’re casting a new TV version of Harry Potter – does he want to go for it?’
“So I asked him, and he said, ‘Nah’.”
BRITAIN’S Got Talent slayed Gladiators in the ratings on Saturday night, as the ITV talent show drew 5.2million viewers while its BBC
One arch-rival managed just 2.8million – and was beaten to second place by quiz show The 1% Club, watched by 4.3million. Gold star for ITV.
OOH-LA-LA WHAT A PRIZE
CHANNEL 4 daytime hit Chateau DIY looks set to become even more popular – as a new spin-off competition offers winners their very own French castle.
The main series, which launched in 2018, charts the highs and lows of Brits who buy, then renovate, grand French homes that have fallen into disrepair.
In new show Chateau DIY: Win The Dream, hopefuls will showcase their design and business skills over three weeks.
Some will then be chosen for the finals week – where they stand to win a chateau worth up to £250,000.
Channel 4’s Jayne Stanger says: “It will offer the perfect blend of glorious escapism and real-life twists and turns that our viewers love.”
Casting has commenced for Chateau DIY: Win the Dream. Those interested in taking part can head to https://shortaudition.net/WIN-THE-DREAM for more information.
NATALIE: SONIA IS ALL MINE
SHE may have only just left EastEnders but that does not mean Natalie Cassidy has ruled out coming back.
The Sonia Fowler actress is already planning her return to Albert Square, which she hopes will take place in a decade’s time, for the next big anniversary show.
And the much-loved star, who quit the BBC soap after three decades, issued a warning to show bosses in case they are thinking of replacing her with a new actress in the meantime.
She said: “If they recast Sonia, I’m going to Borehamwood [where the show is shot] with a sledgehammer.
“I feel very protective about Sonia.
“She could die off screen, though. We could be watching it one night and you know the old phone call: Cathy runs in saying, ‘Ian, I’ve just had a message, Sonia’s dead’. That could easily happen.
“But I do hope, like for the 50th anniversary, that I could pop back.”
YOUTUBE stars sold out 90,000-seater Wembley Stadium for a charity football match – and raised more than £4.7million for good causes.
The YouTube All Stars beat The Sidemen – including Britain’s Got Talent guest judge KSI – on penalties after a 9-9 draw on Saturday.
OH HOW FAITHFUL, HARRY
HE won BBC reality hit The Traitors by backstabbing fellow contestants – but it seems Harry Clark is ultra-faithful in real life.
The former Army ace has rejected a huge offer from ITV to do next month’s Celebrity Big Brother.
It’s the second year in a row ITV has tried to woo him but he is sticking with Aunty and will film a new season of hit celebrity travel show Pilgrimage.
A source said: “ITV would love Harry, and came with another offer. They are gutted. He’s got great things going on this year but CBB won’t be one of them.”
The Sun has revealed how Love Island’s Chris Hughes, The One Show’s Angellica Bell and Olympic great Daley Thompson will all join the new CBB.