Nibs

• The Jeff Pope mini-series on Cilla launched on ITV last night with an audience of 6.7m. 4.2m stayed with Series 11 of New Tricks on BBC1. Original British Drama.

• Actor James Cromwell, who inhabited the role of Dudley Smith in the movie version of LA Confidential, takes the part of Rupert Murdoch in the latest stage production of David Williamson's theatrical biography.  An updated version hits Sydney in November, and is expected in the West End next year.

• Some BBC local radio listeners will get a break from the pan-England Mark Forrest Show on the evening of October 12 - stations are being offered a night of comedy recorded at the BBC Radio Theatre, featuring Nabil Abdul Rashid, Toju, Afolabi Dasaolu, Michelle De Swarte, Miss London, Daliso Chapondo and Aurie Styla.