Mike Bassett’s Back

Those of you who thought they'd seen the back of inept England manager Mike Bassett had better brace themselves for a rematch, because the portly coach will be returning to our screens in a spin-off series to the 2001 film. The scruffy coach, who failed to lead our boys to victory in the world cup, will not be demoted back down to Norwich City, but will fall even further and find himself in charge of Wirral County Football Club, a luckless third division team that makes Norwich look like Real Madrid. And, if that weren't indignity enough, he's also a couple of lost matches away from divorce, adding marital strife to his growing list of problems. It wouldn't be Mike Bassett without Ricky Tomlinson (quite literally), so it's a good job the actor will be returning, accompanied by Amanda Redgrave, who will reprise her role as Bassett's ball and chain. The show is scheduled to air on ITV next year.