Major new C4 renovation show to follow top music mogul as he does up huge country mansion with ‘turbulent’ history

FROM KEVIN McCLOUD’s Grand Designs to George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces, Channel 4 is the home of renovation shows. Now producers are working on a documentary that depicts one of the most ambitious and unusual restoration projects they’ve ever shown. Channel 4 producers are working on a documentary that depicts the renovation of Parnham House in Dorset Credit: Getty – Contributor A Manor Reborn: Saving Parnham will feature “rave king” James Perkins and his wife Sophie Credit: BNPS C4, which is unveiling a string of shows at this year’s Edinburgh TV Festival, has just commissioned A Manor Reborn: Saving Parnham, which features “rave king” James Perkins. It will follow the music mogul as he restores grand Parnham House in Dorset. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! So far, Perkins and his wife Sophie have opened a restaurant on the site — which is recognised in the Michelin Guide — and are offering breaks in the restored West Wing or a cottage in the grounds. But the couple will be seen juggling the desire to create a lavish bolthole with the demands of heritage chiefs keen to preserve the the property’s character. Perkins will also face objections from local residents as well as environmental experts’ claims the work could destroy the habitat of an albino badger called Alberto, who lives in the surrounding Parnham Park. A TV insider said: “This is one of the biggest renovation shows C4 has ever made. “Perkins isn’t your typical ‘Lord of the Manor’ so he’s likely to adopt a unique approach to the house’s renovation. “He’s certainly got the millions to make it happen — and he’ll need it, asthe house’s turbulent history means he will have his work cut out.” Most read in TV Perkins, who made his fortune hosting parties and founded the Fantazia rave organisation in 1991, bought the Grade I listed property with Sophie back in 2020. The couple paid £2.5million for the house three years after it had been gutted by a fire. The scaffolding bill alone to keep the property standing has already topped £1.7million. But once complete, the property — set in 139 acres of parkland — could be a haven for the rich and famous. Noel Gallagher, Kate Moss, Madonna and Bono are among the stars who attended lavish gatherings at Perkins’ former property, Aynhoe Park. The wild parties at the stately home in Oxfordshire cemented his reputation as the “rave king”. LINEKER IS KEANE ON ROY Gary Lineker says he would love to get Roy Keane on his Netflix show Credit: GARY LINEKER says he has another football pundit he really wants to poach for his Netflix show – the legend that is Roy Keane. The host of The Rest Is Football said he’d love to bring the fiery Irish star across, just as he has done with Micah Richards and Alan Shearer. Gary made the revelation while being quizzed by Netflix director, Adam Hawkins. He was also asked whether – at the landmark age of 65 – he would consider writing an autobiography, like many of his footballing peers did years ago. But Gary responded with a definite ‘no’ – and said he couldn’t be bothered to traipse up and down the country signing copies of the book in shops. Guess we shouldn’t hold our breath for that one, but poaching Keane might be a possibility . . . AMELIA BEEB DRAMA YouTube star Amelia Dimoldenberg is developing a new drama for the BBC Credit: Getty CHICKEN Shop Date star Amelia Dimoldenberg is developing a new drama for the BBC which has echoes of cult Channel 4 show, Skins. While it isn’t a done deal she says she intends to “will it into existence” – which isn’t an empty promise as that’s how she got Chicken Shop Date made, as well as her upcoming Amazon rom-com. Amelia also revealed she is keen to interview Timothee Chamalet on her online show, but will steer clear of Harry and Meghan. She says: “I’m going to stand firm on my ‘No royal’ policy.” JONATHAN ROSS’s Handcuffed will be returning for a second series, Channel 4 has revealed. The reality show sees people from very different backgrounds and with wildly opposing views, “shackled” together to see if they can find any common ground – or if sparks will fly. CHANNEL 5 today announces its latest documentary – a deep dive on the financial scandal which involved former Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon’s ex-husband Peter Murrell being jailed. WORKS LIKE A CHARM Line Of Duty legend Polly Walker has been cast in new sexy thriller, Charmer Credit: AP SKY picked the opening day of the TV event to announce the impressive casting for new sexy thriller, Charmer. News of the show and its lead star, Anthony Boyle, leaked earlier this year, but now the rest of the line-up has been released. It includes Sex Education’s Connor Swindells, Babygirl star Sophie Wilde and Line Of Duty legend Polly Walker. It follows an ambitious group of thirty-something Londoners whose lives are turned upside-down by Ryan, played by Anthony, who is a seducer-for-hire employed to test the fidelity of his rich clients’ partners. The actor has previously said: “I’m thrilled to come on board.” I bet he is. GLIMPSE OF THE ROONEYS ONE of the most talked about shows is upcoming fly-on-the-wall series, The Real Rooneys. And at Disney+’s showcase tomorrow, attendees will get the first glimpse ahead of its release, expected at the end of next month. It features Coleen Rooney juggling her business with being a parent, while Wayne Rooney carves out a new career as TV pundit. The streaming giant is expected to drop the series at the end of September or early October. The buzz around the first look is similar to when Disney+ debuted the trailer for Coleen’s big 2023 documentary, The Real Wagatha Story. And there’ll be one question on everyone’s lips: does it look better than ITV’s The Vardys? MAURA’S A THRILLA AS NEW CILLA Maura Higgins will host the reboot of former Saturday night classic, Blind Date Credit: Getty Maura will step into the hosting role previously filled by Cilla Black Credit: PA DISNEY+ will tomorrow confirm that Maura Higgins will host the reboot of former Saturday night classic, Blind Date. I revealed in June how she was poised to sign for the project as her star continues to soar, after appearing on I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! and The Traitors US. The streaming giant is staging its showcase of upcoming shows and is expected to reveal more details about the new version of the programme. As well as having a very different host to its famous presenter, the late Cilla Black, I can also reveal the reboot will actually be made in the steamy surroundings of a tropical retreat in Mexico. Maura had better dig out some of her old Love Island bikinis . . . Comment now