LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Thurs 15th Feb

All eyes in the country seem focussed on one area of our great city tonight - and for reasons that are very far from great. Yesterday yet another young man lost his life to what some are calling South London's "Gun crisis".

Billy Cox. A 15 year old who died yesterday
Michael Dosunmu. A 15 year old shot last week.
James Andre Smartt-Ford. A 16 year old who lost his life just days before that

In Streatham, in Peckham and yesterday in Clapham.

It's a tragic rollcall and it begs the questions why is this happening and what can the police, government and society do to curb what seems to be an increasing spiral of violence.

Whatever your point of view OR your experience on this issue we hope you'll join us for the latest news and the debate on where we go from here.

Alastair's in Clapham and he'll be speaking to the Mayor's director of policing and equalities, Lee Jasper, and Deputy Assistant Commissioner Cressida Dick. We'll also hear from Richard Blackwood, now a celebrity but once just another young man growing up in Clapham, he takes us back to the haunts of HIS childhood and looks at what's changed in the intervening years.

Glen Goodman will have a full report on yesterday's tragedy and Ronke Phillips will be looking at gang culture and how it can be controlled.

Also....

The Congestion Charge countdown continues...as do our special reports. Today Liz Wickham looks at the effects the expansion of the zone will have on local businesses. We've also the latest on the 2012 Olympic budget...it's a story that's going to run and run (appropriate really) and we'll be running with it. We've also got the first of some fantastic reports all the way from the Arctic. We're joining Emily Thornberry - MP for Islington and Finsbury - as she takes an up-close look at climate change, and makes friends with some huskies.

It's going to be a very busy programme - join us at 6 and we'll share the latest

Tamzin and Alastair

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Weds 14th Feb

Hello,

We've got an incredibly busy show today and then obviously everyone's rushing off to be fed champagne and chocolates by their loved ones so let's got on with telling you about it...

First. An outcome to a chilling story we've been following since summer 2005.

18 year old Roberto Malasi burst into a christening party and shot Zainab Kalokoh dead - she was cradling a tiny baby. Two weeks later, before being caught for that first horrifying crime, he dragged teenager Ruth Okechukwu from her car and stabbed her through the heart. A double murderer, today sentenced to thirty years in jail. But those close to the second victim are asking why he wasn't caught sooner. We speak to the policeman in charge.

A story, not unconnected comes next. Marcus Powell's been finding out more about a website called gonetoosoon.co.uk. It's a space for anyone who's lost a loved one, often through violent means, to remember them, mourn them, ask questions about why their death occurred. And its popularity is growing. We speak to the founders and take a look around some of the touching tributes.

Ken Livingstone's the star of a new web advert. Well he's the main attraction anyway, even if it's not actually him in it. This ad's been dreamed up by a political lobbying website and it attacks the Mayor's records, with the gloves very firmly off. It's the kind of short film you're likely to see during American elections, no punches pulled. Can elections and political agendas be swayed by this kind of ad? What's Ken's reaction? We'll tell all later.

After the dark start to the show - the light....the sparkly showbiz light of music's biggest night. Yes, It's the Brits (by the way if you were our competition winners earlier in the week enjoy your evening !!). Steve's on the red carpet lying in wait for all the celebs who will be parading up it. He's also checking out the runners and riders...AND looking ahead to the actual ceremony. Russell Brand is presenting it. Live. Before the watershed. Can the anarchic comic be trusted or will it all end in tears. Whichever way it goes we're sure it'll be entertaining. Especially if you're off to the aftershow party (no we're not jealous of our winners at all !!)

More sparkle here - in the shape of Tiffany jewels.....a THOUSAND POUNDS worth of them could be yours, PLUS a romantic night for two at fancy London hotel PLUS champagne and flowers PLUS a romantic meal in a top restaurant, a limo, entrance to a top nightclub AND - his and hers Tom Tom Sat Navs in special Valentines Day cases. We want to win this one but we're not allowed. You are though so tune in and get texting !!!!

Chrissie's here too and she's got a some of your photos to show off. Thanks to everyone who's already sent some in. She's looking forward to seeing many more - weather@itvlondon.com is the address.

We'll see you at 6.

Tamzin and Alastair

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Tues 13th Feb

Greetings and welcome to the London Tonight e-mail.

Forest Gate and the police raids divided opinion sharply in London: innocents invaded or suspicious behaviour, nipped in the bud? There was more rumour and conjecture than fact at the time. Now the dust has settled, though the grievances are as live as ever, the Independent Police Complaints Commission has handed down its verdict. It is fascinating and Ronke has the story. She has also talked to the two brothers who were the focus of the operation. Among a plethora of recommendations, the Commission suggest the Met apologise, publicly, to the "victims" of the "aggressive, terrifying" raids. Will they? Will they, heck. Reaction to that, too, at 6.

Now, Simon Harris is in the studio, as we write, preparing a graphic sequence for his report on the congestion charge which demonstrates that, since the charge was launched, congestion has got WORSE!!!
"It looks a bit psychedelic" said some of the newsroom 'art critics'.
"love it", said the rest of us, including the Editor - always a bit of a clincher in moments of dispute.
"Just like the cover of a Cream album... or Jimi Hendrix"....
Which reminds me, we have a fantastic prize to give away tonight.
Want to know what?
Well, you'll have to wait to find out.
Plead with me? Petition me?

Ah: petition... you may have seen the story about the petition on the PM 's Downing Street website asking him not to introduce road-pricing. There's also one asking him to stand in a barrel of custard and sing a silly song. He is unlikely to respond positively to either and, petition or not, I am not going to be bullied into telling you any more about our competition until I am good and ready. The petition Mr Blair might respond positively to is the one that comes in at Number 6 in the charts (getting all 'pop-music' again: another competition hint?).
It is the petition asking him to save the Royal Surrey County Hospital at Guildford. We've that story and a sideways look at petitions: we'd like to hear what you think about them and we'll read the most astute and/or funniest thoughts out at the end of the programme.

Now, David Beckham is married to Posh Spice who was/is a pop star (and had a rather good backing-band).
There was a great movie in which neither of them appeared and in which there was very little pop music, but not quite enough Keira Knightly for Alastair's taste, called "Bend it Like Beckham": the brilliant woman who directed it is in town today to get her OBE from HM The Queen (not THAT Queen, good rock band though they are and what a fine musician Brian May is?).
Anyway, hot foot from Buckingham Palace, Gurinder Chadha OBE joins us in the studio.

Steve is live from Leicester Square for the premiere of Hot Fuzz - a wickedly funny film wherein the violence, crime and brutality is so hilariously understated that it makes Telly Tubbies look positively Tarantino. (Who also directed Pulp Fiction. Which includes the name of Jarvis Cocker's rock band. Which comprised some find instrumentalists...)
Chrissie wants your pictures for her weather forecasts because she says the Met Office ones are "pants". (Note to Met Office: don't sue: we'll all deny it.) She'll feature your best offerings in her future forecasts.

Finally, that competition: if you are a pop-rock music player, it is awesome.
If you want to become a pop-rock music player, it would be like learning to drive in a Ferrari or Bentley but, hey, what a way to start?

If you are a mum, dad, uncle, aunt, grandma or grandpa to any of the above then you could be about to become the most popular example thereof.
Our prize is.... a brand new, certified Fender Telecaster electric guitar.
If you want to be in the running for a strum you'll have to join us live at 6.
The editor promises to stop us pinching it before then.

Alastair & Tamzin.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Mon 12th Feb

Good Afternoon ...

Today Alastair will mostly be purrrrring with the legendary Ms Eartha Kitt. The unique actress/singer/performer is dropping in to the London Tonight studio to talk about her brand new show that's running in the capital this week. Pretty impressive considering she's just turned 80 !!

But before that we've a packed show of news and features for you....

The congestion charge expands next week. Here on London Tonight we're counting down those 7 days with a different look at the story every day. Today, property prices and what the new rules will do to them. If you live WITHIN the zone your house price could apparently go UP because it'll mean you get a huge discount on the charge. If you live just OUTSIDE the zone but your school, shops, place of work are within it then it's not such good news. Property guru Kirsty Allsopp's coming in to give us her (no doubt strong) opinions on the subject.

Also - large parts of Holborn, The Strand and Covent Garden have been out of action today because of a flood which led to a power cut. The buildings affected included the Royal Courts of Justice....Emma Walden has a full report.

With all eyes on 2012 it might be easy to overlook another huge sporting event the World Cup in 2018... but never fear Gordon Brown's got his eye on the ball. He's been at Wembley today revealing the support there is for US to host the tournament.

Plus Strictly Come Curtain Call.....We speak to Bruno Tonioli the man choreographing the way one West End cast are taking their bow. He's there to make it all a lot more interesting apparently.

We've a fantastic competition for fans of the Brit Awards - tune in to find out more...

And of course Chrissie is here with London's weather prospects.

Plenty to keep you entertained on a damp and drizzly evening

We'll see you at 6

Tamzin and Alastair.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Fri 8th Feb

Hello

Bit of a moveable feast tonight - but here's what we know we'll bring you.

There's been an arrest in the letter bomb investigation. It's a strange tale involving a radio phone in. Marcus is on the scene, he'll have the latest live.

The woman who puts the shoes on the stars is talking to Tamzin - she'll explain why she's Hollywood's cobbler of choice (yes, really).

Then there are the couple who decided to recreate the end dance in "Dirty Dancing" at their wedding. Then post it on the internet. Some have called it cringeworthy. It certainly made me cringe. Judge for yourself - we talk to them - and show you the video - at 6 tonight.

We've the sport - a special guest movie reviewer (get well soon James) and your guide to the weekend too.

That's all on ITV1 at six. Do join us.

Stuart
Editor, London Tonight

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Thurs 8th Feb

BBBRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

But beautiful!!!!

Now if you have had an accident, had your hedge or wall driven in to or had frozen pipes, we apologise but you have sent us some of the loveliest pictures ever of this rather inconvenient blanket of snow. But we think most of you have rather enjoyed it.

OK, the trains got screwed up but what's new?

Airports at Luton and Stanstead were shut for a while but others remained opened and they are both OK, now..
But those snowmen! Those smiling children! Those toboggan races! We'll have the full story from Simon Harris and lots of your lovely images. Also, Chrissie with the weather prospects from City Hall, all lit up. To find out why it's environmentally OK, join her at 6.

And, to warm the hearts of all, the delightful Hugh Grant talks to Tamzin while motormouth, one-man arts industry Ben Elton talks to us about his latest charity initiative. Mama Mia, what a line up.

Finally, pun fully intended, a chilling story from Essex about burglars who target just one object in your house if they get in: wonder what it is? The story and the warning from Ronke

See you at 6.

Alastair and Katie

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: EXTRA SNOW EDITION

Hello

Stay tuned to London Today and London Tonight for all the snow information and news.

We've a bulletin at 11.10am this morning and another at 1.50pm before London Tonight at 6pm.

If you've a digital camera then please send us some pictures of the snow near you - and we'll put them on the television!

Email them to londontonight@itvlondon.com - don't forget to tell us where you are in the region!

Take care today.

Stuart
Editor, ITV London News
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LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Weds 7th Feb

Hello.

Twin track troubles encircle the capital tonight and we have the most comprehensive coverage of both - plus lots more besides.

First, it is looking increasingly as if Peckham has evolved into London's new badlands. Brixton and Tottenham, in their time, have suffered that depressing accolade but mainly through rioting and mass crime. In Peckham it is a series of singular tragedies, building to critical criminal mass: three killings in four days, two of them quite possibly linked. Knives and guns have been used to end lives. And that, after millions was spent in the six years since Damilola Taylor was killed in the same borough. Something more fundamental than poor housing and scant social provision is at play. We talk to local MP, and Minister, Harriet Harman as Piers takes you on a worrying journey of discovery.

Next, what started on Monday with the letter bomb at Capita, who manage the congestion charge, has now spread like a virus: Vantis, who helped a speed camera firm run it's business were hit yesterday; the Driving License HQ miles away in South Wales today; Wokingham, Birmingham, Oxfordshire and Folkestone have all been hit.
We've the latest from our patch and from Swansea, where three people were hurt.
Heavy stuff but stuff you'll want to know about.

As you will, with the weather. Several of us are staying in town tonight for fear of not being able to make it to work tomorrow: that's dedication to the cause and you, dear viewers, are the cause. Chrissie has the forecast and Ben has the story of the preparations for the big chill. And we're not talking hot chocolate and blankets.

Lots more news, besides, plus the fascinating interview with Tony Visconti, he of David Bowie and T Rex fame, which got squeezed out last night but is as fresh as Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars in Alastair's vinyl LP collection.

Robin Ross is the woman in the trench coat and trilby hat at the Science Museum's new espionage exhibition.
Did I mention why it will be more costly to go to Greenwich? No? Well you'll just have to tune in at 6.

Hope you do.

See you then.

Alastair and Katie.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Tues 6th Feb

Good afternoon.

It is one of those days when it is difficult to know where to start: yesterday's frightening letter bomb incident in Victoria had a somber echo in Wokingham today: same style and similar target. This time it was company that does the accounts for Speed Check cameras - after yesterday saw a company that runs the congestion charge. So, too glib to say an angry motorist in on the loose but there are weird cross-overs: Liz is putting things together for you.

The theme of repetition runs through another powerful story: a fifteen year old boy, murdered in Peckham - close to where Damilola Taylor was murdered - which is not that far from the ice-rink where another kid was shot and just moments from Southampton Way where a 21 year old was killed on Saturday. Very nasty. Phil has the story.

And then some of the most upsetting video many of us have ever seen: the cockpit video of the accidental "Blue on Blue" killing of Windsor soldier Matty Hull. It is the video the Americans claimed didn't exist: you'll begin to understand when you see it at 6. Marcus is your guide.

On top of that, Europe's biggest ever planning application - it is of Olympic proportion!
Late night tubes delayed for Fridays and Saturdays because of.... well you can guess.
Tony Visconti talks to Steve. Think Ziggy Stardust, Metal Guru, glam' rock and you're there.
And it might snow tomorrow. Chrissie has her warming warning.

I don't think you can miss it.

See you at 6.

Alastair and Katie.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Mon 5th Feb

Hello and welcome to the start of another week - I think we are nearly back to normal after Friday's transatlantic extravaganza: Tamzin returned from New York, laden with tapes. She got in on the Red Eye at 7am and went straight to work. The results of her efforts will be there for all to behold at 6: it is a fascinating look at the world of The Devil Wore Prada. Ms Sylvester in New York's fashion jungle with the woman behind the styling on Sex and the City as her guide! Wow.

Simon Harris is not around: he will claim he is resting. We think he is taking in Cape Canaveral and the Everglades. Hey ho....

Alastair is still in Holborn, as he was on Friday but then you probably know that: he went on about it enough in the newsroom, word must have leaked. Anyway he is ready to join Katie, who never grumbles about anything, on the sofa tonight.

Two powerful news stories to get us going tonight: a letter bomb sent to the HQ of the firm that runs the Congestion Charge amongst many other services. The recipient was hurt but fortunately only superficially. However, a frightening thing to happen to anyone and a cowardly act to carry out. Ben is on the case.

Next, the weekend shooting of a teenager at the ice-rink in Streatham: a terrifying end to a party but, tragically, all too common. Emma has the story and has been talking to Mothers Against Guns.

More senior members of the Government are in open-revolt against....... the Government, over A&E closures. Harriet Harman and Tessa Jowell are among many who want to keep Maudsley Hospital's Accident & Emergency going. Incidentally it has the only psychiatric A&E unit so they may have a case: but we report - we don't comment. We'll leave that to you as we ask for your e-mails.

We also lighten up with the sound of "mush mush" in Epping Forest as people, including a number of MPs, get fit for a husky sledge race for charity: ( I read this back and felt I should say I have not been drinking nor taking drugs: it is true).... as is the case of the vicar who, standing in his pulpit, said "let there be light" and there was but not in the manner he had anticipated: the hilarious details and images at 6.

Chrissie has found some lovely little Robins who have hatched early.... ah, global warming!
(Not funny: Ed)
(No, but true! Alastair)

And if you were thinking of buying the Gherkin, you're too late: find out what it went for but make sure you are sitting down - at 6, and watching ITV1.

See you then.

Alastair and Katie.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Fri 2nd Feb

Hello from a busy London Tonight newsroom.

This evening we go all transatlantic, and much to Alastair's disappointment it's Tamzin and Simon who get to bring you the news from the other side of the pond.

Ken Livingstone is in the U.S. to announce the full details of the American Football game that's coming to London. He's happy - claiming it'll bring thousands of American tourists back to the capital. The NFL are happy - because they desperately want their game to take off over here. So is everyone happy? Our own political quarterback Simon is in Miami - he'll report - you decide (as they like to say in America).

Tamzin is co-presenting the programme from New York - where she's also reporting on the city's fashion week - the fashion roadshow's rolled into the big apple - before rolling onto London next weekend.

And from our great capital, Alastair will have the news here - including the latest Olympic funding row.

There are normally a couple of centimetres between them - how will Alastair and Tamzin cope with being 3456 miles apart? Find out - ITV1 at six.

Stuart
Editor, London Tonight

London Tonight: Thursday February 1st

Hello and good afternoon.
It feels more like a travel agents than a newsroom this afternoon: Tamzin is in New York for an exciting exclusive tomorrow. Simon Harris is in Miami because Ken is in Miami: think grid-iron football rather than gridlock traffic and you'll know what we are talking about. Much more from both of them tomorrow!
Emma is on the sofa with Alastair which is terrific, says Alastair.
The rest of them have been scouring London for your enlightenment and edification.
Glen tripped over a report by the Centre for Policy Studies which suggests Ken is possibly, a waste of money. Now it may just be co-incidence but the Centre has, in the past, had quite a close relationship with the Conservative Party and the author is someone who has harboured ambitions to be a candidate for the Mayoralty. Anyway, Glen has put his slide-rule, dividers and protractor all over the report and will share with you his thoughts at 6... on the sole condition that you then share your thoughts with us and the rest of the viewers.
Deal?
Good.

David Cameron is in hospital this afternoon: don't cry if you are a Tory and don't cheer if you are either Labour, Liberal Democrat or, come to that, of any other political persuasion. He is on a mission in Guildford to help the local MP, and many others, save the local hospital.
When Liz last saw him, he was fit as a fiddle and she'll tell you how it all went off.
Damian's lovely piece about barges for business on the river ran aground last night because we ran out of time. We've relaunched it for tonight and it is sailing in your direction at 6.
All aboard: it's really nice.
Ronke is helping Sir Ian Blair with his enquiries on a housing estate and Steve Hargrave, himself quite a talented little plucker, has been to the brilliant guitar exhibition at Harrods.
Steve is in a band but is yet to break into the charts. Mika, on the other hand, went to number 1 with his first effort: we've tickets for a unique Mika concert. But you have to be watching to win, as they say!
Chrissie is with us, in spirit and in person.
So, all in all, a compelling little mixture I'd say. Hope you agree.

See you at 6.

Alastair and Emma

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Weds 31st Jan

Hello and welcome to our mid-week e-mail prior to our mid-week edition of London Tonight.

When Ken first asked the overground railway companies to join in the Oyster card scheme he felt he was casting pearls before swine as they threw it back in his face. Well, they have eventually decided it makes sense for them to take part: when Alastair reached the office at 9am, Emma was already very exercised about the merits and demerits of the development, and she nearly came to verbal blows with Brendan, the news editor about it! So, with energy and passion, she will tell you why the railway companies have come on track and what it will mean for you - at 6.

Joining us in the studio, the delightful Esther Rantzen, again! Last time she was telling us about her campaign against bullying among kids: this time she thinks she has been the victim. And the Big Fat Boy in the playground? A Westminster parking warden. The tale of the broken meter, the long march, the ticket and telly presenter with the lady, herself.

Last night, Liz told you about artist Mark McGowan's plans to make a piece of performance art out of the July 7th bombings. None of us were happy about the idea. Liz was shocked and angry but told the story with her calm authority and characteristic objectivity. It got to Mark who called us after the programme to say he was going to cancel the show. But, and it is a big but, tonight we will tell you why we may still be shocked and saddened: find out why and how, at 6.

We've also an even more shocking story that involves a serial drink-driver, a case of manslaughter and some deeply troubling evidence of why tagging isn't foolproof let alone killer-proof.

Barges and French bicycles, the weather and the papers - rounded off with the chance to win tickets to the magnificent England Vs Scotland opener to the 6 Nations Rugby tournament. (Well not "rounded off" so much as "ovaled off" - you know, odd shaped ball! Oh.. You can win one of them, too.... and a shirt. (did Robin write this bit? Ed)

See you at 6!

Come on Scotland! (Alastair)
Shut up and get on with your work!(Katie)

London Tonight: Tuesday January 30th

Afternoon all!

Manchester!! Who'd have thunk it! Just imagine - Ben was in that bookies yesterday - he could have got 16-1 on it!
We will, of course, have all the reaction on that decision NOT to go with Greenwich for the super casino - and indeed the reaction to the lesser publicised fact that there WILL be a smaller casino in Newham.

But our top story tonight is one we think will get the emails and texts coming in. The performance artist Mark McGowan's latest project - re-enacting the 7th of July suicide bombing on the underground between Russell Square and King's Cross. He says it will help Londoners come to terms with the horrors - but is it in good taste? Is it an appropriate subject for art? We'd love your views.

There's stacks more to get through - from Emma taking up the cause of the elderly people in sheltered accommodation who're left freezing because of unreliable central heating - to a chat with the man in charge of London's future design - to a chat with the mayor about his new budget plans.

And last but not least..... The puns have been flying round the office all day...
"it'll be gold"
"true"
"yeah but to cut a long story short..."
You get the drift. But it's not Spandau Ballet that Tony Hadley's in live to talk about - it's his new West End role!

Do join us at 6 - it promises to be a good'un.

Ed

London Tonight: Monday January 29th

Greetings at the start of another week of London Tonight: eyes down looking for a terrific programme.
If you've ever played roulette, or seen the licence-to-throw-money-away game played, you'll know you can place a number of bets ranging from any number, 0-36, to different groups of numbers.
The easiest, even-money bet is simply black or red: and that is what the great, Super-Casino game looks to have boiled down to except it's green or black: Greenwich or Blackpool.
The decision is announced tomorrow but tonight we place our bets and link up with our friends at ITV Granada, in the north-west, too see what they reckon is at stake. Ben is your croupier.
We've all done it: something goes missing that really matters and you say you don't care who did it, you're not looking for a prosecution or even to apportion blame. You just want your stuff back. It happened to Dr Otto Chan who, amongst a whole lot of stuff including laptops, lost an irreplaceable collection of family photos. He put the matter in the hands of the police but also put up "Reward Offered - No Questions Asked" posters. When the Police visited he expected good news. Hear the staggering news he actually got, with Emma.
Once your blood has returned, from boiling point, to normal - let us know what you think!
Our competition tonight is to win a master class from the former England cricket captain Michael Vaughan. (Alastair asked "In what?" but was told off, by the Editor.)
Steve meets Beyonce who is in a film called Dreamgirls which is loosely the story of the 3 Degrees and Simon is on the trail of the pigeon feeders and the Mayor: Coo what a scorcher more than phew what a scorcher.
The ever engaging lottery that is Chrissie's weather forecast and the odds on making a profit when you turn a garage into a flat, with Kirstie and it is all there.
I'll bet we've left something out but there's enough there, we hope, to stop you from throwing your hand in.
See you at six.

Alastair and Katie.

London Tonight: Friday 26th January

Hello, Good Afternoon and a very Happy Weekend (nearly)

London Tonight will take you there with a packed programme...

The first thing we're tackling tonight is something that may well have affected you at some point in your life, it might even be something you're worrying about now. Debt. We've obtained figures that show Londoners are getting into more and more trouble with debt, repossessions and bankruptcies. The latter has risen FIVE FOLD over the last year. Staggering figures. Why is this happening and what can be done ? We've a full report PLUS information and advice from an expert. We'll also be asking for your experiences and your advice.

Stoke Newington Church Street has always been a haven for the one-off, the unique, the individual shop, bar, cafe or restaurant...until now. Residents say they're horrified to discover that there are plans for a Starbucks to move into a recently vacated building. In fact they're so horrified that they've occupied the space and are refusing to move on until the issue's resolved. Phil Bayles will be with the protestors for us tonight.

Marcus Powell is feeling the wind through his hair and experiencing the joy of the open road...well he's at Alexandra Palace actually, but he's there for the Superbike Motorcycle Show so he'll certainly be revving his engines... and for afficionados, we'll be giving away some free tickets.

Movie man James King is in the house for his usual Friday films chat...Willsy has his Friday sports roundup and there's the lookahead to weekend activities in What Not to Miss...can you tell it's nearly the end of the week !!

And we've a real treat in the studio for comedy fans... Mr Bill Bailey - he of Black Books and Buzzcocks fame. Here to tell us about a slightly more serious undertaking. He's about to take to the stage in a Harold Pinter play. Tune in at 6 to hear all about it.

We'll see you then

Tamzin & Alastair

London Tonight: Thursday January 25th

Afternoon all! Alastair's been behaving very strangely today.... his answer to most questions is a low "brrr" sound.
He's not cold - the central heating here is lovely and toastie. No.... it's motor noises he's making .. he has a fascination with Plymouth Barracudas and Ferraris - and something in tonight's show has piqued his interest.... all will become clear at 6...if my - and Lizzie the news ed's - patience lasts that long!!

So the big news is - more trouble for British Airways. The dispute with cabin crew - over their sick leave policy, among other things. The union blames BA - BA blames the union - and as usual, it's the hundreds of thousands of people planning flights next week who suffer. Phil's at Heathrow with the very latest on that one - and we're really keen to hear your views on the dispute. Who's in the right?

It's been a bitterly cold night and though Chrissie tells us the next few days will get a BIT milder, this cold snap is really taking it's toll on the vulnerable. Chris Rogers has been speaking to some of them - and has some good advice on staying safe in this weather.

Liz is on the case of the curious am-dram theft. Who would want to steal the entire costume collection from a theatrical group? And why? Not exactly easy to offload, you'd have thought..... But they have, and it's jeopardising their next performance.

There's another great competition to win a European short trip - and we'll bring you that Bow Street report from Ben that we promised yesterday and woefully weren't able to show you last night.

It's shaping up to be a goodie - so do accept our invitation to join us 6.

Ed

London Tonight: Wednesday January 24th

Afternoon - and what a chilly one it is!

We've been inundated today with your fantastic snapshots of the snow where you live - with lots of kiddies and snowmen - thanks for that, they've been really lovely to look at and made a great change from everyone moaning about their tube journeys in this morning.

Speaking of which... Can you believe that virtually every single line on the underground was hit by delays except one? It's being put down to the over weather - but tube bosses aren't happy with Metronet. And with more snow forecast for tonight and tomorrow - is more travel chaos on the cards? Ronke will have the lowdown on that one - plus some thoughts from less than happy commuters this morning.

Tonight we really want to hear from you about the London Olympics funding row. A select committee of MPs has published a pretty critical report - saying the spiralling costs should have been foreseen. They also say extra costs shouldn't be met by London council tax-payers OR the Lottery - so who pays?

We've sent Ben to clink - he's checking out the former Bow Street Magistrates Court where they're offering hotel stays - in the old cells!

Phil's looking at a new crime-busting initiative in Islington - where members of the public can contact the CCTV control room directly from the street if they see a crime happening. It means the control room staff can whizz the cameras round quickly and catch the offenders in the act.

We also meet the South East London man who's been collecting celebrity autographs for 30 years. Now he's decided to flog them - and you won't believe the price they're expected to fetch.

Tune in at 6 with Al and Tamzin to find out.

Ed

London Tonight: Tuesday January 23rd

Hello. It's cold again, really cold. Chrissie told us it would be, last night, but the greyness of the sky and the chill wind still seem to make it worse.
So, it falls to us to keep you in, warm you up and entertain you.
And I think we might.
Tonight, twenty twelve year olds, (geddit? 2012?), on their hopes and dreams for the London Olympics. Today, there are just 2,012 days to go so they'll be about 16 or 17 come the Games and they are terrific kids. We think you'll enjoy meeting them because Emma certainly did.

Kirstie Allsopp is back, having had her baby, to talk about the year ahead in the property world. Tips, warnings and ever useful bits of guidance from Mama K.

Fancy owning a bit of a Turner and saving the masterpiece for the nation? Tate Britain have come up with an ingenious way of raising the nearly £5 million needed to stop it going into a private collection abroad. Phil, who has done his bit already, will tell you how you can do your bit.

It is day two of our fantastic competition to win a Business Class jet trip to New York with hotel accommodation laid on in the Big Apple. Tune in to have a chance to win one of three pairs of tickets.

And the battle of the giants: Wycombe Wanderers meet Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for a place in the final of the Carling Cup. Probably the best tie in the world, as the brewer might say. The ever impartial Gooner, Marcus, is there and you will want to share in the fizz.
It'll be like a warming football supporters scarf, wrapped round your chilly chin.

All that and more, as they say, at 6. See you then!
Alastair and Katie.

London Tonight: Monday January 22nd

Afternoon ...

It seems our streets could be safer today with the news - unconfirmed, of course - that the SAS have decided to have a permanent unit deployed in London, to counter the terrorist threat. Of course, we'd never know they were there anyway - but does it make you feel a bit more protected? Or does it worry you that it's necessary at all .. If it's true? Marcus has been investigating, and we want your thoughts.

Surrey is spending millions to upgrade its drains ... Not a glamorous job, granted .. But an urgent one, it seems, thanks to this increasingly odd weather we're having . So much rain, the drains can't cope. But who's paying for it all?

Now, if you're worried whenever you step out of your front door that you may be the next victim of casual street crime, or vandalism, then Damien could have found your dream home. He reports tonight for us from a new estate which has been designed specifically to reduce the risk of crime. Find out more at 6.

The skeleton of the poor little whale who got lost and swam up the Thames goes on show today; we've got the frankly unbelievable story of a studio flat in Chelsea on the market for 170 thousand pounds... I kid you not, it is the size of a snooker table; we have the West End's newest, brightest star in the studio, Connie Fisher ... And we've got an amazing competition for you.
That, and Chrissie with all the details of the proper winter weather that's on its way ...

See you at 6!
Katie and Alastair.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Fri 19th Jan

Hello

Today - the calm (and chaos) after the storm...

The calm bit is TODAY's weather.. the chaos, we're sorry to tell you is that some train services are still being affected the night after the day before. The problem - trees on the tracks and broken power lines.

We've also the full, chilling story of a psychiatrist whose life was wrecked by an obsessed stalker. She broke into his home, flooded him with hate mail and texts, put such strain on his relationship that it ended and ultimately accused him (totally falsely) of rape. That accusation saw Dr Jan Falkowski arrested and bailed for months - before being cleared. Today the stalker, Maria Marchese was jailed for 9 years. One police officer branded her "the most dangerous woman he had ever met". We speak to Dr Falkowski AND get an exclusive reaction to the sentencing from the psychiatrist's ex girlfriend.

Phil Bayles has spent the day with a group of teenage gamblers who are benefiting from a brand new scheme. The first ever out-patients clinic that aims to help people with such an addiction....

Want to go to a star studded premiere and bag a PS2 as well as a game for it - well, watch the show and maybe that dream will come true. New animated movie "Arthur and The Invisibles" stars the voices of Madonna, Robert De Niro, David Bowie and Snoop Dog. And our competition tonight could see you stepping out onto the red carpet too.

Also - as it's Friday we thought we'd fill your screen with sport, showbiz, film reviews and a whole of ideas for weekend fun, aren't we good to you.

Have a great afternoon and we'll see you at 6

Tamzin and Alastair

London Tonight: Thursday January 18

Hello. Hold onto your hats for London Tonight tonight: gale force winds have blasted their way across our part of the world today with roofs ripped off, trees uprooted and transport in a right mess: To say "it's dangerous out there" is to underestimate it. Stay in for a great night's viewing and keep safe.
Simon has all the details and Chrissie will tell us why it happened and whether, no pun intended, there's more to come.
Alastair may also share with you the brutal attack he nearly suffered at the hands of a random flower-pot: so near, dear friends, so near!

Oil prices are falling and so electricty charges should come down before too long. So, Go Ahead, those lovely people who provide some of the trains in the South East, are levying a passenger surcharge due to high electricity prices: they say they just can't afford to carry the cost themselves. Excuse me, Mr. Go Ahead: how do you think your passengers feel? Well, we'll be asking for your e-mails so you can tell them!

And we have a mega-star in the studio: Kevin Spacey talking about the Old Vic's production of Twelth Night. Also with him, Ed Hall, son of the great Sir Peter Hall, who produced it.
If those aren't powerful enough reasons for staying in and watching you must be claustrophobic.

See you at 6.

Alastair & Tamzin

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Weds 17th Jan

Good afternoon - we have, again, been holding a mirror up to life in the capital for you.

The odd thing about mirrors, of course, is that things look very different: back to front and not what you expect.
We are at Gatwick with British Airways who tell us that being a member of cabin crew is the most popular job in the land: little girls no longer want to be nurses, they want to be "trolley-dollies" and little boys don't want to drive steam engines anymore, they want to show you how to fasten your seat belt.
Now, I am sure this has nothing to do with the fact that, just two days ago, the existing army of cabin crew workers voted to go on strike....
Odd, that.

David Beckham signed to play for LA Galaxy so he can lift the footballing prospects of that soon-to-be-great club. So, no longer Manchester, no longer Madrid but now LA- Hollywood! Not the home of soccer but the home of ... movies.
Today we have a preview of David's latest offering on the silver screen.
Odd, that.

Down at City Hall, when the Tories wanted to grill the Mayors senior staff about those 2006 trips to Venezuela and Cuba, you'd have expected them to be poised, guns loaded and fists bared, to give the Livingstonians a right seeing to. And you'd have expected Ken's Gang to be there, primed and briefed with the perfectly reasonable explanation for why the Mayor did what the Mayor did.
But, no: Tory leader Brian Coleman had to call "time" due to an alleged lack of preparation on the part of the Livingstonians. Mr. Coleman is furious. Simon Harris (who else?) is on the case and we'll be talking to Brian on the show..

Down on the farm, what was entirely expected was the reaction of the authorities to a farmer who fed rabbit food, which contained cattle meat products, to ....his cattle: they ordered the slaughter of the entire herd. BSE, Mr. Farmer, BSE? It is a sad but proper reaction and Liz has been down on the farm.

And while Ben explains why a couple of Private Eyes are starting prison sentences tonight for seriously over-stepping the line when it came to prying, Marcus is trying to find out why another man nearly joined them - for leaving a tap running: honest, both tales will take your breath away....

As will Chrissie, doing a Tracey Emin for you with the weather - and it doesn't involve cats or beach-huts... not to be missed!

See you at 6.

Alastair and Tamzin.

London Tonight: Tuesday 16th Jamuary

Hello and hope you're having a good afternoon,

Tonight we hear testimony from the families of two young men who died on Friday Night.
Daniel Elgar and Bradley Chapman were killed after being hit by a train in Barking, the reason they were in harm's way - they were graffiti-ing at the station depot and ran into the path of an oncoming train.
A terrible story, whatever your thoughts on so called "tagging", the families are bewildered and share their thoughts and feelings with us later.

Now then - do you live in Richmond ? Do you own a 4X4 ? Is it parked outside your house ? If so your resident's permit bill could be about to rocket. Some owners are expected to be charged up to £300 a year .... Too much ? Or fair enough considering the environmental impact campaigners say these vehicles have. This is the debate we want to hear from you on tonight.

Glen's been out on the open seas...well on the Thames anyway. A year after the whale came upstream to visit London the RSPCA has launched its first boat dedicated to helping creatures in distress on the capital's river.

Any cheerleaders among you should get ready to star-jump into action. Yes, American Football is touching down in London Town. The NFL have announced they're playing one of their major league games HERE once a year from now on.

Another American export is next - an equally iconic one - Sly Stallone. Live. On the Red Carpet and talking to us. He's over here for the premiere of Rocky 6 (Rocky Balboa) and the man lucky enough to be standing next to him ... our very own Steve Hargrave

If we all recover from that we'll have Chrissie next... in among the blooms at the Winter Flower Festival and asking why some are out earlier than they should be.

That's all...we'll see you at six.

Tamzin and Alastair

London Tonight: Monday 15th January

Good Afternoon!

It's busy busy busy here and the Christmas break already seems a distant memory.
The trial's started today at Woolwich of six men accused of planning suicide bombs in London on the 21st of July 2005.
Phil Bayles has the detail on that.

Another court case - but this one sounds like the plot of a spy flick. It takes us inside the glamorous world of casinos and involves hundreds of thousands of pounds. The main characters - a trio of Poker cheats - who thanks to cameras hidden up their sleeves managed to net a QUARTER of a a MILLION pounds. Today however their luck ran out as they were sentenced today for cheating (yes there is actually a crime of cheating under gaming law!!!)
We will have the amazing pictures of this scam actually being carried out. Who needs 007 when you've got London Tonight !

Also....the 2021 Olympics. Who's going to pay for any overspends? The woman in Government in charge of this told Simon Harris today she doesn't know - and that they're "looking at a whole range of options".

Has the Tory's policy of allowing residents to buy up their council houses backfired twenty years later ? A report suggests that stocks of council housing stocks are seriously low and warns of a "timebomb".

The History Boys has been a massive hit - on both stage and screen and now it's playing on the West End. Tonight our studio plays host to its new star, Stephen Moore

And of course not forgetting Chrissie. She'll be here with the weather prospects.

That's your lot (and a very good lot it is too !)
See you at 6

Tamzin and Alastair

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Fri 12th Jan

Good Afternoon,

Do you remember the school teacher Sarah Flooks who mysteriously vanished without a trace last March ? She'd left her home in Wanstead at 7 in the morning to go to work and not been seen again. Well today, tragically, we hear police believe they have found her body. The grim discovery was made yesterday in a woodland area in Wanstead Park. We will have a full report on the programme at 6.

Also - what would YOU think if photos of your house and car, with all details including number plates and any security features clearly visible, were made available on the internet. Well, if you live in Camden we have to tell you that those photos are out there. And what makes it worse in residents' eyes is that they are on a council website. We'll be asking for your views on this one.

The English National Ballet faced a protest today - from Anti-Fascist demonstrators. They were calling for one of their dancers to be sacked after she was exposed as a member of the British National Party. Simone Clarke WAS back on stage today but the debate continues about whether her political beliefs SHOULD have a bearing on her future career with the company.

As it's Friday we thought we'd give you a double dose of showbiz....reviews of this weekend's big releases, including Will Smith's latest AND Al Murray live in the studio talking to us about his new TV project.

PLUS all the sport from Willsy...Chrissie halfway up an ice-wall (possibly, if she's got the bottle) and details on what you can get up to in the capital over the next couple of days.

All just waiting for you at 6

See you then

Tamzin and Alastair

London Tonight: Thursday January 11th

Afternoon!

You probaby noticed. It's a bit blowy out there. And in fact, the gales are leading the show tonight .. Because it has been windy enough to cause some pretty serious damage - enough to destroy at least one viewer's business. We want to hear your stories too.

That sad story yesterday about the bodies of a woman and 2 children in East Ham - some confusion, as the police say they're treating it as murder, and yet it could be suicide AND murder. We'll be investigating.

More on Colin Stagg - yesterday the news that he was going to get at least 250,000 pounds in compensation for the year he spent in jail, wrongly convicted of killing Rachel Nickell. Today, we hear from him about how he is hoping at last to rebuild his life with his new partner.

Do you worry that there are always cameras filming you? CCTV on every street corner? Well now there are mobile cctv cameras, fixed to little Smart cars... We've sent Liz Wickham to find out why.

Marcus Powell has been with the Met as they show journalists the new computer simulator for training police marksmen. The idea is it will show the general public just how difficult it is to make a split second decision whether to fire at a suspect or not. Good community relations? Or asking for trouble?

Ben's got more on modern culture in Moscow, and Tamzin's been in Florence as our Savile Row tailors teach those Italians a thing or two about suits.... They're a busy, well travelled lot, our reporters!

See you later, hold onto your hats out there..

Katie and Al.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Weds 10th Jan

Greetings from the London Tonight collective.

"From each according to his/her abilities, to each according to his/her needs" - and "nothing is too good for the working classes". Those old school Commies knew a thing or two and we have spared no effort to bring you an heroic programme, taxing all our efforts and meeting, we hope, all your needs. Ben has even been to the Mother Land, Russia, to report on how the Reds intend to take over London, well Trafalgar Square at least, with a feast of entertainment. Alastair thinks it will begin in Trafalgar Square and spread across the nation: leopards, especially Russian ones, he says, don't change their spots. Anyway, the first of three Scotchbrook Specials airs tonight.

Then a hero in anyone's country: the Oldest Copper in the Land: he works at the Houses of Parliament and he's so good they have let him stay beyond retirement age. The REALLY OLD Bill is with Phil tonight.

Talking of old age, what is best for a pensioners contentment? A garret, groaning with gadgets or a friendly face, popping in now and then? Liz has been to some flats designed to help our senior citizens with modern technology but, like many of us, has a soft spot for the friendly approach, too. Her thoughts at 6 and we will be asking for yours, too.

Think wedding cakes and you might think layer upon layer of marzipan, looking not unlike a church, or even a cathedral. Tonight we meet the man who hasn't made a wedding cake but has made a cake version of St. Paul's Cathedral. It is big, has stained glass windows and would certainly do your waist-line no good at all. But it is a joy to behold and you can behold it with Glen tonight.

On a serious note, Colin Stagg, who was cleared of the killing of Rachel Nickell on Wimbledon Common fourteen years ago but served a year in prison, is to receive damages from the Home Office - (not their day, week or year is it?)
Ronke has the details.

And, to lighten your evening, the ever glorious Victoria Wood on why she is taking Acorn Antiques on tour. The darling of stage, screen and cabaret is live in the studio with the two of us!

Chrissie on the weather and it is an offering we hope you will throng to like an invader horde.....at 6.

Alastair & Katie.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Mon Jan 8th

Hello and a very good afternoon to you all.

Full team here now Alastair is back from his holidays.

Two architectural stories that are miles apart but both fascinating:
First, we've the New York reconstruction of the London bombers flat which they are using for training purposes: why, then, don't the Met have one?
And we have the developers, designing obesity out of estates: a flat to make you fit! Now that makes sense even for Damien, who has the story.

Emma has the remarkable tale of the Billericay family who don't want their child to grow older or bigger. It involves hormone treatment and a lot of real moral dilemmas and pain. You won't want to miss it and we'll be asking for your e-mails, too.

Will Smith is in town and, naturally, has been talking to Tamzin.

And Glen has tracked down the Shetland pony who thinks he is a Labrador - and the labradors who are willing to play along with him. It could only be followed by Robin's weather and it is.

See you for all that and more, at 6.

Alastair & Katie

London Tonight: Wednesday 3rd January

Hello, Hello.

Hope you're all well and happy, despite the sort of weather that leaves you longing for a fortnight away on a hot sunny beach somewhere - with the only thing to worry about being which drink to have at the bar come sunset...

However, come six this evening, we'll have plenty to take your mind off the weather in a packed 30 minutes.

We start with an admission from the Met that they got it wrong. Only this mistake may have cost a young man his life. Almost 4 years ago, Scotland Yard had been warned that a gangland hit was being planned - and yet Jason Fearon was allowed to walk out of a nightclub in Clerkenwell to be shot in the street. It's though he wasn't even the intended target. Police say that, after a review of intelligence available to officers at the time, lessons have been learned. But Jason's family say 'too little, too late'. Marcus Powell has the details on that.

Nick Thatcher has had a day out by the sea. Down at 'Leigh-on-Sea' in fact, where fishermen who've been cockling for decades are worried about the future of their industry. They say say that plans to open up the trade by issuing more 'hand-raking' licences could see the area swamped by outsiders... and spell doom for the lot of them.

Now, how do YOU get about London? On the bus or tube? Naaah, fares have just shot up. In a car? Naaah, you have to pay the congestion charge AND you have to pay for parking. Are you one of the thousands who've switched to mopeds for a cheaper ride round the city. Screeeeeeeeeeech (that's brakes being slammed on)... Westminster City council now wants to CHARGE for moped parking, saying there are just too many bikes to avoid it. Damien Steward will look at both sides of the argument... before we ask you which side YOU'RE on.

What about 'Mayor Ken v Mike Read'? Yes... that's right, the former Radio One DJ who used to delight breakfast listeners with "You were my First Love" every morning. Anyway, Mike wants to be the Conservative candidate in the next mayoral election. Glen Goodman's been asking why anyone should vote for a man, not famous for his grasp on City Hall expenditure plans. And, for all we know, he may know more about it than we think.

Meanwhile, Liz Wickham has been to the Tower of London to report on the fall of a bastion of male reserve. It's been confirmed that... come September... for the first time in their 522 year history... the Beefeaters will number a... wait for it... WOMAN among their ranks. Extraordinary that it's taken this long perhaps, but can a woman Beefeater, er, cut the mustard?

So, quite a spread, we're sure you'll agree. The only place to get your teeth into all of it is ITV, at six.

See you then.

Katie & Ben

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Fri 5th Jan

Good afternoon,

We have, as usual a very busy show for you tonight with a real mix of stories...starting with a tale that will strike fear into your heart if you've ever eaten in a certain Chinese restaurant in the West End. The Rong Cheng restaurant on Shaftesbury Avenue has been shown to be one of the filthiest in the West End. It's boss has been handed a suspended jail sentence after mice, cockroaches and mould were found in its kitchen. We have some shocking pictures of the state of the place - be warned you should save your tea until after this story.

Also....An absolutely horrendous killing.
A man's admitted to robbery and murder after gagging the wife of a close family friend and binding her face with parcel tape so tightly she died. Police have likened the tape to a "death mask" . Marcus Powell's been in court covering this story for us.

On a lighter note - a much lighter note - what are you planning to do with your Christmas tree ? The one in Trafalgar Square's about to be recycled...should we all be doing the same...have you already worked out where you can take your tree to be green ? Let us know.

It's Friday so it's showbiz day ! Steve Hargrave's going a couple of rounds with Amir Khan to find out if the release of Rocky 6 is going to make boxing the keep-fit trend of 2007....

Mark Eccleston's here with the movie review - including Renee Zelwegger as Beatrix Potter AND Mel Gibson's latest spectacular if somewhat historically inaccurate epic, Apocolypto.

AND we're at the Boat Show 2007 to find out what cool creations will be cresting the waves this year.

Enough to keep you entertained we're sure.

See you at 6.

Tamzin and Willsy

London Tonight: Thursday 4th January

Good Afternoon one and all,

It's Thursday and you can almost smell the weekend. Just as well because it's felt like a very long week, hasn't it? Even though most of us had our feet up on Monday, week's end has been a long time coming.

Now. This evening's programme starts on the story that's dominated the news across the country - this morning's tragic coach crash on an M4 sliproad. Two people were killed and many more were injured, some of them even losing limbs. The driver's been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving. It's a desperate start to the year, and Phil Bayles has been following events for us.

We'll also have the latest on another, very sad, story. You may remember how Clare Bernal was shot dead while she was working in Harvey Nichols in September 2005. The man responsible - her ex-boyfriend - then shot himself. Well, Clare's flatmate told an an inquest into Clare's murder today that she was so worried about Michael Pech's behaviour that she had alerted security at the store. Could they have done more to protect Clare? Marcus Powell will have the detail on that.

Liz Wickham, meanwhile, has been in court for the sentencing of a married couple who were caught illegally selling a steroid-cream, which black customers bought to bleach their skin, but, in fact, was so dangerous it could have left them vulnerable to skin-cancer.

Then - a victory for 'People Power'. Hurrah and Ballyhoo! How many of us are fed up with a rail company making our lives a misery day in day out. Well, the good customers on the 'C2C' line no doubt had their 'fare' share of niggles as the trains chuffed in and out of Fenchurch Street... until the company changed the timetable. And that make them REALLY mad. So they complained. And complained. And then complained some more. And now, one month after dumping the old schedule, it's making a comeback. Nick Thatcher will report on that 'feel-good' story for us.

We'll also be chatting with Prunella Scales ("Basil!") about her latest stage-role... we've got a terrific 'behind-the-scenes' look at the work of Cirque du Soleil... and.. AND, Chrissie will have the weather.

And if THAT lot doesn't leave you gasping for the weekend... you can jog off.

See you at SIX,

Ben & Tamzin.

London Tonight: Tuesday 2nd January 2007

Hello and a Happy New Year to you all! Hope you had a great one - and if you're back at work that all those batteries are well and truly recharged.

In fact, if you ARE back at work, then you might be one of the millions who were greeted with a whopping fares rise on the buses and tubes! Now, TfL made no secret about the rises - they want to encourage more uptake of the Oyster Card of course - yet all the same, quite a few of you were caught unawares. We've got both sides of the argument and will be asking for your views on that one too.

We'll also be hearing from Lord Coe on how he rates last year's progress on the London Olympics - and what we can expect to see happening to the Stratford site in the coming year.

And if you're still feeling the excesses of the festive period then check out our resolutions double-whammy - Liz Wickham on joining a gym - AND how to stick to it - and Robin Ross on the pubs trying to ease smokers in gently to the inevitable ban this summer. Go on... You know it's good for you...

And apologies in advance if you're a hammer - but what a monumental, resounding defeat at the hands of Reading!! Six-Nil!! SIX. Unbelievable - and more than a few glum faces around the office today - but they're an optimistic bunch and already talk's turning to Curbs and the transfer window.... Bless.

It's Katie and Willsy in the hot seat tonight - see you there.

Ed

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Fri 22nd Dec

Good afternoon,

There's a decidedly Christmas feel in the London Tonight newsroom today .... Robin's baked a cake, Tamzin's made coconut ice, Alastair's eaten both ... and we've spent the past 5 minutes talking about Chilly the Hamster's great escape.....more on that later.

There's also a Christmas feel on the roads...and by that we mean they're busy, foggy and frosty. Yes, the great getaway's underway and for those STILL stuck at Heathrow it couldn't be less festive. We have a whole team of reporters out at ALL the major travel locations tonight for you and we'll try our best to get you home for Christmas in time and safely.

What's your favourite bit of Christmas dinner ? The Turkey ? The sausages wrapped in bacon ? The pud ? We bet it's not the sprouts...BUT maybe sprout ice cream might be a better bet ???? Maybe not - but we'll be tasting it for you to find out later, seriously.

James King's in the studio to tell us about Christmas at the cinema...

And we've had some fantastic news after yesterday's missing person's appeal, it'll be a great Christmas for one North London family.

Plus - a festive treat at the end of the show to get you all in the mood. So stay off the roads, trains and planes, at least until 6.30 and celebrate the start of the holiday with us.

See you at 6

Tamzin and Alastair

(P.S. London Tonight Tonight returns in 2007!)

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Thurs 21st Dec

A day of high-drama and an afternoon of technical hiatus: sorry for the second but join us with baited breath for the first:
a gang of teenagers storm a christening party in a robbery "steam" - they kill the auntie of the family as she nurses the child to be christened. They then rob most of the rest of the party and even steal food on their way out.
Justice done, hear what they got from the courts.

Almost as muddled and confused as our work-place this afternoon is Heathrow airport: hundreds of flights canceled again, thousands of people with holiday plans disrupted and the only things flying are the accusations over who is to blame. OK you can't solve the weather but you can plan for this sort of thing. Who didn't?

We are still running our hand-in-a-phone feature with our friends at the National Missing Persons Helpline and we have another amazing story of a woman who isn't missing but who's identity is: she just can't remember who she is or where she is from. See if you can help out.

McFly are with us, leaving it a bit late for a Christmas Number One but very good nevertheless.....

And Chrissie, having escaped the clutches of the London Gay Mens choir is helping Simon with the fog story and promises Things Can Only Get Better - yeah, she's off tomorrow.

See you at 6.. And sorry for being late.

Alastair and Katie

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Weds 20th Dec

A very good afternoon to you all: cold it may be, foggy chaos at Heathrow there may be, but we had our first mince pies in the office this afternoon! OK, with builders tea but it does prove that Christmas is just around the corner.

So our thoughts turn to pressies, puddings and decorations: 'tis the season of goodwill.

And we have the tale of great, goodwill: superstar George Michael, who hasn't had the easiest of years, is leading the way with a FREE concert for NHS registered nurses at the Roundhouse tonight. It keeps a promise he made when his dear old mum died, nearly a decade ago, to say "thanks" to nurses, some of whom had been wonderful in his mother's hours of need. Good on you George! Jon Gilbert is the man with the Access all Areas pass.....

Less festive and positively Scrooge like are the goings on in Greenwich: residents of the Ferrier Estate have been told their's is a prime site for massive redevelopment with hundreds of new homes and a glistening and glorious future. Only problem is that those EXISTING residents have only been offered the market price for the properties which they bought when they were Council houses under the old Right to Buy scheme. And it is a take it or leave it scenario. Unhappy bunnies all round: Liz has been taking a look.

Also, entirely the wrong sort of decorations have been troubling British Transport Police: graffiti merchants cause what the owners call damage to their trains and stations while some, and only some, say their work adds to the colour and texture of city life. But, strictly speaking, it is of course wrong and rubs railway and tube companies up the wrong way.
What is to be done? Nick Thatcher poses the questions.

A feast of footy fixtures and a relish of results for you, plus another invitation to give up your old cell' 'phones and help the National Missing Persons Helpline this Christmas.

160 gay men will be singing Christmas Carols for Chrissie who will then attempt to regain her composure and tell you when the fog will left. (there used to be a joke about the F in fog... But I can't quite remember it)

Finally, a cryptic end to the second trial of the youngster who has admitted killing Kiyan Prince but denied his murder. Can't say much for legal reasons but what we can say is fascinating.

Tune in for that and much more at 6.
Tamzin and I look forward to your company.

Alastair

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Tues 19th Dec

Good afternoon:

By the time we go on air at 6pm this e-mail may be out of date because the jury at the Old Bailey could have come to a verdict on the sixteen year old, accused of killing promising young footballer Kiyan Prince: the outcome, if there is one, live, with Phil.

The continuing saga of the Bishop of Southwark took an odd turn this morning, as, it is claimed, did the good Bishop a few nights back.
He often appears on the BBC's Today programme, offering his Thought for the Day. This morning he appeared as an interviewee, in an effort to explain just what happened between his leaving the Irish Embassy Christmas Party and appearing the next day, bruised, battered and not a little embarrassed. He says the answers are all on his Oyster Card. Others, including the owner of a Mercedes saloon, suggest a different story. We will try to unfathom the truth, because that's what we do. Up for the craic? Nick Thatcher is on the case of the curious cleric.

No connection, of course, but we are still running our feature with the National Missing Persons Helpline: hand in your old cellphone and NMPH get a fiver to help reunite loved ones who have run-off, drifted apart or ..... just can't remember who they are or why they left home.

Ricky Gervais on his latest escapade: a star role in a Hollywood film, which also features Ben Stiller. Is there no limit to the man's talent? Ricky's pretty hot, too!

We've also got an amazing competition: an all expenses paid trip to MUMBAI, a gem of a place in India. More details and the key to how to get there at 6.

Chrissie has the weather and Katie and I hope you'll join us.

Alastair

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Mon 18th Dec

Afternoon one and all...

Well, this time next week, we'll all be pushing back from the Christmas table, stuffed to bursting with turkey and all the trimmings. Or we'll be sitting around getting hungrier by the second - arguing over who's job it was to turn the oven on.

That's NEXT Monday. THIS Monday though, we've got a very busy programme for you, starting with the sentencing of six smugglers. They smuggled people, in fact, but not hidden in the back of a lorry, driven off a ferry in Dover. These boys did it in style - flying their cargo in super comfy planes and landing them at air-strips around the M25. Glen Goodman has the low-down on all that.

Now, what's your opinion on organic food? Worth the extra cash? Are you confident that what you're paying for IS 100% organic? We ask because a top restaurant in Holland Park is now looking for £11,500 for a fine they've been given... because the 'organic' food they've been dishing up was about as organic as a bag of Quavers (not that we've anything against Walker's best selling snack, you understand. It's just a phrase). Jon Gilbert will have the full story.

All this week, we'll be covering a number of seasonal stories. Tonight, a story about the big day itself, and a charity's efforts to serve up 800 Christmas lunches to children who don't have the easiest of lives on the 364 others days of the year. It's a huge undertaking but that's what the Kids Company is trying to do. Piers Hopkirk will be speaking to the amazing woman who runs the charity.

Meanwhile, Phil Bayles has been getting into the Christmas spirit over in Docklands, listening to a (hopefully) unique concert of carols. There are members of the London Symphony Orchestra playing - that's good. And then there are some guys on their car-horns - that's, er, unusual. It's also rather entertaining.

We'll also be live in Leicester Square, ahead of the premiere of a new movie, produced by Sir Elton John and his other half... There's a chance to win a new 'hair-do' - yes, really... and Chrissie will have the weather.

Oh - and watch out for our Christmas Tree. The good people from John Lewis are in the studio right now putting it up for us.

Right - time for a mince pie.

See you at six.

Ben & Katie.

London Tonight: Friday December 15th

Good afternoon - a special, pre-Christmas offering for you tonight: cautionary tales and not a little levity and merriment, beside.

First, a staggeringly cautionary tale of the dangers of the demon drink.
We've all done it, or nearly done it: you have a bit too much to drink, or a heck of a lot too much, and getting home becomes your sole your ambition.
It's not that easy: lamp-posts, low-hanging branches, slippy pavement slabs - all out to get you. You might even fall asleep on the train.
Well, falling asleep ON the train is one thing....
But now we get serious. Tonight, we have the man who ticked all the boxes above but went one worse: he fell asleep, not ON a train, but on..... a railway line!
What happened next, at 6!

I fear tomorrow we may face more of the same because tonight, according to all the experts, is the pre-Christmas night when we let our hair down more than any other night: next Friday, true to tell, lots of you (not me!!!) won't be coming to work so you go off on one tonight.... and how!
It is the worst night of the year for office parties and general, bacchanalian bonkers-ness.
But, again, we get serious: London's great ambulance service are worrried for you and for their ability to deal with your worst antics. Some serious words of caution from the people that know, at the LAS.

Also on the show tonight, the one hundredth anniversary of the Piccadilly Line... We look forward to the one hundredth anniversary of the repair work to the Northern Line, too - can't be far off.

We talk to Cliff Richard about his hopes for another Number One - which would make six decades in a row in which he has had a Number One, the '50s being his first.
"Take that!" he might say to all other recording acts, if he pulls it off.
Take That might say "We'll see about that", in reply....

James King is popping in to share his views about movies Branded and Deja Vu to help you decide whether or not to go to the movies tomorrow - if you aren't still nursing your head.
And Tamzin, as always, will delight and tempt you with her collectable confection of clever clues for a carefree or creative weekend in What Not To Miss: don't miss it!

Willsy has all you need to know about who London clubs face in the Champions League, why Ronnie O'Sullivan did a runner and West Ham's prospects this weekend, under Icelandic ownership and Curbishley control.

And finally, Chrissie braves all for you in Wimbledon with Captain "the Fonz" Hook - "oh no she doesn't, oh yes she does"- and gives her own rendition of Peter Pan.
I hope.
I really hope.

See you at six.

Alastair and Tamzin

London Tonight: Thursday 14th December

Good Afternoon,

Hope you've all got your stockings ready to hang out for Santa - not much time left now. And we hope they'll be filled with all the things on your list....For some people though the thing on their list isn't the latest playstation or a bottle of fancy perfume. Instead what they want most for Christmas is an organ transplant. And campaigners are using this festive season to highlight the cronic lack of donors in the country - and urging people to come forward to offer help. Liz Wickham's been to meet Helen, an ex City Fund Manager who's now in desperate need of a kidney...we''ll bring you her story later.

Meanwhile - organisers are now under starter's orders for the 2012 Olympics. Today demolition work got underway along with warnings that there still may be a bumpy ride ahead.....

Puff Daddy...P Diddy....Puffy....whatever you call the US rapper we've discovered one very definite thing about him....It's not easy having a conversation withe the man. Our showbiz reporter Steve Hargrave had to work very hard to get any blood out of this particular stone. But once Diddy did start chatting we got to hear all about his friendship with Becks AND why he's now a Gunners fan.

Do you want to pppppick up a Penguin this Christmas ? If you were at Madam Tussauds this morning you'll have seen a bunch of the little black and white fellas arriving by limo and waddling up the red (actually it was white) carpet. Jon Gilbert got the showbiz opportunity of his life today as he went to meet the "Happy Feet" lookalikes.

We continue our campaign to help the National Missing Person's Helpline ...

And Chrissie continues HER love affair with Panto. Tonight she's within heckling distance of a Dame. Live with Trigger from Only Fools and Horses, otherwise known as Roger Lloyd Pack as he prepares to don a dress for his role in Dick Whittington.

We'll see you at 6

Tamzin & Ben

London Tonight: Tuesday 12th December

Hello from the London Tonight team ..Another full programme coming up at 6 for you.
First the dreadful realisation that a gunman who murdered a gang rival is none other than the cousin of Donnel Carty, who killed the lawyer Tom Ap Rhys Price.
We'll go live to our reporter Ronke Phillips who will tell us how
Lloywen Carty was one of three men convicted of murder at the Old Bailey today for the murder of Subaran Lee - known as Gangsta.
In other news West Ham are wasting little time in finding a replacement for Alan Pardew who was sacked yesterday. In keeping with East End tradition they look like keeping it in the family. Former player and ex Charlton boss Alan Curbishley was at the club today to discuss the post.
Tonight we want to hear whether or not you think Princes William and Harry's idea of a concert in memory of their mother Diana Princess of Wales is a good thing...or do you think there should be a more fitting tribute to the Queen of Hearts?
In addition there's an intriguing and deeply worrying tale of 13-year-old Nordine Bansar. Nordine became separated from his family in the crowds Christmas shopping in Oxford Street on Saturday and he hasn't been seen since. As you'd expect both family and police are desperately concerned for his welfare.
The Dome has a new name....no longer will it be called a hideous White Elephant...now it will be known as the O2 centre.
We'll be taking our latest look at Pantomime in the capital and - wait for it - live in the studio we'll be joined by Prince and Princess Charming themselves, Peter Andre and Katie Price who will be talking about their new record.
Finally we'll be doffing our cap to our very own Alastair Stewart who was up at the Palace today to pick up his very own OBE. Well done Al!
Looking forward to seeing you at 6.

London Tonight: Monday 11th December

Hello.
The Lloyds Insurance building divides opinion like few others: we all love St Pauls and we all hate the Barbican (I await your corrections!) but Lloyds? Inside out and lumpy ugly! Anyway, the appearance of the building has nothing to do with tonight's programme but what goes on inside it has... and how.

Up in what's left of Kensal Rise, hundreds of people are poring over their Policy Documents to check and re-check those 'exclusion clauses', 'limitations' and 'notes on submitting a claim'. Most will be OK but some will be excluded and will have a fight on their hands.
But what if you had no cover?
What if you were unemployed, with a young child and your wife had another on the way?
What if your only explanation was that you were trying to stretch the budget and make ends meet?
No brainer: your fault!
But, hey, we're all human and tonight Piers talks to just such a couple and hears how they hope to go forward.

(Meanwhile, up in Hemel Hempstead, lots of families and businesses who DID have insurance are wondering if our Kensal Rise couple might have been right all along: despite having what they thought was comprehensive cover they are still waiting for settlement - some in hotels - some having been told to move back into homes that are still not fit for survivors. And that, a year on!)
So, tonight we ask how good is your house insurance? Damian has all the questions you should be asking to be on the safe side.

Alan Pardew has been fired by West Ham. Interesting that around the newsroom there was a buzz of "he's FINALLY got the boot" so poor have things been for the Hammers of late. Well the new Icelandic owners appear to have bitten the bullet and put the man's career on ice. Sharon, a former Sunderland supporter, has the story - we like to be impartial but Hyper-Hammer Ken Hayes is acting as Sharon's little helper. (Sharon won't mind my saying it is her last report before going off to become a very proud mum: she goes with all good luck and all our love!!!)
We've a great campaign from those wonderful people at the National Missing Persons Helpline: details below**.
All proceeds go on helping find people who, for whatever reason, have slipped out of someone's life. And there's a significance to the phones: sometimes all you need is a call to know your missing loved one is fine but just wants to make a fresh start.
And then there's The Fonz! Oh yes, the great Henry Winkler is in the studio talking to us about..... being Captain Hook in panto! That has to be worth tuning in for.
As is Ed Speleers, the dashing young star of ERAGON which premieres in Leicester Square tonight - Jasmine's there, but is she safe?
And "nights are fair drawing in" defines a dull conversation in some quarters but when we asked Chrissie why, we got a wonderful talk on the winter solstace, druidic revelry and the burgeoning anticipation of the pagan and theocratic season: well, to be fair, she said "it's nearly Christmas so it gets dark!"
More detail at 6!

Al

** We're launching a really special campaign this week with our friends at LBC radio.
If you're getting a new mobile this Christmas - don't just let the old handset gather dust in a drawer - do some good with it. Every old phone donated raises £5 for the National Missing Persons Helpline and someone in the developing world gets an affordable mobile. Tune in at 6 to find out more details.

London Tonight: Friday 8th December

Hi there, and a thousand apologies for being late with this! The reasons, in a way, explain why we have a fascinating programme for you - in 45 minutes time!

I spent the morning at No10 Dowing Street with four London Tonight viewers. We went to hear the PM, who had just got back from Washington, talk about race relations. We had been invited to meet the man himself afterwards and, exclusively, to talk to him: just the five of us!
Hear what your fellow viewers had to say and what the PM had to say back to them.
Then I was right into the studio with Tamzin and another Tamsin (note the different spelling: my Tamzin is hot on that!). The other Tamsin is Tamsin Greig, the crazy but lovely dark haired woman doctor in Green Wing. She'll be talking about her new role with the Royal Shakespeare Company: a really fascinating and wonderful lady.
Then we were looking at Phil and Jon's amazing material from Kensal Rise and hearing about the mighty row brewing up there over broken houses and broken promises.
Tamzin is crafting her unmissable What not to Miss as I write and we'll have two terrific sports stories too.
Again, sorry to keep you waiting but I think you'll find the programme is well worth waiting for.
See you shortly!
Alastair

London Tonight; Friday 8th December

Hi there, and a thousand apologies for being late with this! The reasons, in a way, explain why we have a fascinating programme for you - in 45 minutes time!

I spent the morning at No10 Dowing Street with four London Tonight viewers. We went to hear the PM, who had just got back from Washington, talk about race relations. We had been invited to meet the man himself afterwards and, exclusively, to talk to him: just the five of us!
Hear what your fellow viewers had to say and what the PM had to say back to them.
Then I was right into the studio with Tamzin and another Tamsin (note the different spelling: my Tamzin is hot on that!). The other Tamsin is Tamsin Greig, the crazy but lovely dark haired woman doctor in Green Wing. She'll be talking about her new role with the Royal Shakespeare Company: a really fascinating and wonderful lady.
Then we were looking at Phil and Jon's amazing material from Kensal Rise and hearing about the mighty row brewing up there over broken houses and broken promises.
Tamzin is crafting her unmissable What not to Miss as I write and we'll have two terrific sports stories too.
Again, sorry to keep you waiting but I think you'll find the programme is well worth waiting for.
See you shortly!
Alastair
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London Tonight: Thursday 7th December

Afternoon all - sorry we're a bit late this evening. The small matter of a tornado - in suburban North London!! What's going on with the world??

Katie's going to be live in Kensal Green where it happened this morning - for something that lasted just a matter of moments, the damage has to be seen to be believed.

That's pretty much the bulk of the show - thanks to all of you who've sent in your pictures, we're running those along with ones our own crews have been filming - and we'll be asking Chrissie why it happened - and how significant it is.

We've got plenty of other news to pack in - AND Denzel Washington's been chatting to Steve.

I'm out of breath just thinking about it - do join us at 6, it's promising to be a great watch.

Ed

London Tonight: Wednesday 6th December

Afternoon friends of London Tonight.

Hope you're all well - we're looking to the future tonight - of the tube and in the air.
Tomorrow's tube train - judging by images and information released today - is spacier and, get this, air-conditioned!! Of course, it'll take years to happen and even then only on certain lines, but it's something - so long as it lives up to the billing!!! We want to know what you think about that one - and your horror stories too!

Air-side, the future is streamlined check-in - using biometric technology - fingerprints, iris recognition - that kind of thing. It should see an end to the queues - but do you WANT all your information on file??

On the more serious side of things, it's now a week since Laila Rezk was attacked in her home in Kingston Vale. She died a day later from her horrendous head injuries and the police have no idea who did it. Ronke's live there tonight with police as they carry out a new push for witnesses.

There's a whole bundle of other stuff to get in tonight - from the lollipop lady's big day at the Palace, to Robin Williams talking penguin..... Please don't ask me to explain - just tune in at 6.

Al, Katie and Chrissie are all in the house for your viewing pleasure - so please make it a date.

Take care

Ed

London Tonight: Tuesday 5th December

Good Afternooon,

It's a bit miserable out there so we think you'd be much happier curled up on the sofa with a cup of tea...and London Tonight !

First off - it sounds like parking heaven. In Maidstone there are no parking wardens.....you'd think that would be making a lot of drivers smile. It's actually making a lot of drivers curse. The reason, with nobody to enforce parking restrictions, it's turned into a free-for-all - cars stopping wherever they fancy blocking roads, doors, driveways etc and ultimately causing traffic chaos. The council have said they WILL take over the enforcement but red tape is holding things up. And in the meantime there are fears the current state of affairs could end up causing really serious problems for emergency vehicles.

10 years ago 17 year old Krista Ocloo died from acute heart failure at the Royal Brompton Hospital. The hospital's been cleared of any wrongdoing but Krista's mother still doesn't know exactly why her daughter died...and after spending the past decade fighting for answers she's set up a body campaigning for patient's rights....Glen Goodman's been to meet her.

We hear from a 71 year old mini cab driver who's calling for the same rights as black cabbies. He wants to be able to use bus lanes for example and is fed up with being fined for pulling over in the wrong place to drop off or pick up his fares. He's got other mini-cab drivers on board and they're planning to march for their rights.

We've a competition for all you Lionel Richie fans out there - come on you know you are !!

AND we'll be talking to Hollywood superstar Cameron Diaz, LIVE on the red carpet at the premiere of her new movie.

All that plus the ultimate eco restaurant, Chrissie with the weather, Robbie Earle with the build up to tonight's Champion's League clash at Stamford Bridge and the rest of the days news....

We're exhausted just telling you about it .... join us at 6 for the real thing

A&T

London Tonight: Friday 1st December

Good Aftenoon and Merry Christmas (it's the 1st of December you know).

24 shopping days .... and counting. So where are you planning to carry out this seasonal chore? Your local high street? the web? or are you planning to go up West? Well retailers in the heart of the city are determined to intice you to spend your hard earned cash with them...and they'll be telling our reporter Phil Bayles how they plan to persuade you.

Next - a tale with no seasonal cheer. In fact it's horrific. Laila Rezk was viciously attacked in her own home. The mother of two from Putney suffered serious head injuries and died yesterday. Police now want your help to find those responsible. Ronke will have the details at 6.

We've got the usual Friday fare of sports and movies...Willsy will have all the latest on the first ever North London derby to be played at the brand spanking new Emirates Stadium. While Mark Ecclestone will be splashing around in the city's sewers with the latest Aardmon creations for new movie Flushed Away. Well he'll be in the studio actually but it's a interesting image.

Jools Holland, multi platinum selling artist and all round superstar, is playing the Royal Albert Hall tonight but he's promised to pop into our studio first to tell us all about his latest album.

We've a compeition which should sort out all your christmas tree and decoration needs....there's a thousand pounds worth of vouchers poised to wing their way to you. You have to enter first though so tune in for the details.

That should be enough to keep you entertained !

We'll see you at 6

T & A

London Tonight: Thursday 30th November

Evening all!

We're topping off with a pretty serious warning tonight - we all know drugs are bad, and we all know that those who want to take them will do - regardless.
But police are really worried about the newest fashion drug sweeping part of clubland - it's killed two people in the last two months, and caused at least 15 collapses.
It's really bad stuff and we've got all the information you need to avoid it - and maybe help others avoid it too.

Onto our talking point for the night - bus drivers.
Now, we know that they do keep London running and we don't want to bash them unfairly - but anyone who uses a bus knows that they do jerk around as the stop and start - and the driver does drive off before you get to your seat. Now, a group of pensioners in Surrey is taking them on. Glen has the details - and we'd like your thoughts please.

Pigeons: Feathered Friends or Rats With Wings?
Westminster Council is firmly in the second camp and the battleground is Trafalgar Square.
Feeding pigeons there is banned, except for a small patch on the Square's north side - and the council wants to close the loophole that allows it!

We'll also be telling you which London landmark has just been sold for 400-million pounds - which means a 390-million pound profit for its former owner.

We'll also keep you entertained by speaking to legendary singer Dionne Warwick, plus one-time world and Olympic ice skating champions Torvill and Dean are with us live in the studio.

So, tune in and catch up at six o'clock.

Al & Katie

London Tonight: Wednesday November 29th

Afternoon and greetings from the hothouse of news.

And quite a popular little newsroom we are today... you see, word's gone round that star of the West Wing Richard Schiff - aka Toby Ziegler - is live in our studio tonight ... and suddenly people from all sorts of different departments are finding reasons to pop over! Who knew there were so many die-hard fans of the US political drama here.
In case you're wondering, he's soon to join the ranks of American actors on the West End stage and he's in to tell us all about it.

And as if that's not enough celebrity for you, we're also talking to the delicious Irish actor James Nesbitt live at a movie awards in town tonight.

But before we can get to all that - we'll have a sumptuous menu of hard news to dish up, from spectacular aerial pictures of the inmates' disturbance at Harmondsworth immigration detention centre - and we're hoping to be speaking to someone who's been inside and seen what's going on.

You may remember two months ago, that terrible accident in Battersea where a crane collapsed, killing one man. Marcus has been speaking to his father.

And finally - the mysterious contents of the female handbag. They may be out-of-bounds to men - but as Ronke found today that doesn't include the police - or pickpockets! There's a valuable lesson to be learnt, so don't miss it.

Willsy & Katie will be your hosts for the evening, so please accept our invitation to be there.

Ed

Tonight's Competition

The winners in tonight's competition:

"Darren", Jamie Chamberlain, Eddie Brock, Anna Holloway, Suzan Noorooya, Caroline Barrett, Aarti Pal, Caroline Evans, Kelli Hartley, Jackie Wolf.

LONDON TONIGHT TONIGHT: Tues 28th Nov

Good afternoon,

Yesterday the men responsible for the pointless, violent death of promising young lawyer and husband-to-be Tom Ap Rhys Pryce were found guilty. Today they were sentenced. Donnel Carty got a minimum of 21 years, Delano Brown 17. Marcus Powell was there for us and will update us with what went on in court....including the reading of a statement from Tom's grief-stricken fiancee. It spoke of the "indescribable pain and absolute devastation" his death had caused. Heartbreaking.

Now...remember ex Olympic boss Jack Lemley....he quit his post out of the blue last month THEN later said reason he'd done so was because the project was "running late and over budget". Well today we got the latest in this saga. Mayor Ken has revealed the US businessman had suffered a stroke and "was not the man he'd been before", that he "wasn't on top of the job". Mr Lemley, your move !

Other Olympic News and it was a right royal affair this morning in Greenwich Park. The Duchess of Cornwall unveiled the venue for the equestrian events AND presented her niece Zara Phillips with a trophy for Equestrian Olympic Athlete of the Year.

One for men of a certain age next. The lady who made dungarees sexy and wellies footwear to covet...Yes Barbara Good, otherwise known as actress Felicity Kendal is in the studio talking about her latest stage role. We may have to restrain Mr Stewart.

Fancy a great night out tomorrow ? We can fix it for you if you tune in. The Sugababes, McFly and Amy Winehouse are waiting to entertain the winners of our competition.....The gig is at the Forum in Kentish Town, we've 10 pairs of tickets to give away.

Also in our bag of goodies....Fergie from US band "The Black Eyed Peas" talks to us about her struggles with drugs, her love for London AND her new album, Chrissie has the weather and we reveal why there are a few sore heads in the newsroom today...

See you at 6

A & T

London Tonight: Tuesday 28th November

Good afternoon,

Yesterday the men responsible for the pointless, violent death of promising young lawyer and husband-to-be Tom Ap Rhys Pryce were found guilty. Today they were sentenced. Donnel Carty got a minimum of 21 years, Delano Brown 17. Marcus Powell was there for us and will update us with what went on in court....including the reading of a statement from Tom's grief-stricken fiancee. It spoke of the "indescribable pain and absolute devastation" his death had caused. Heartbreaking.

Now...remember ex Olympic boss Jack Lemley....he quit his post out of the blue last month THEN later said reason he'd done so was because the project was "running late and over budget". Well today we got the latest in this saga. Mayor Ken has revealed the US businessman had suffered a stroke and "was not the man he'd been before", that he "wasn't on top of the job". Mr Lemley, your move !

Other Olympic News and it was a right royal affair this morning in Greenwich Park. The Duchess of Cornwall unveiled the venue for the equestrian events AND presented her niece Zara Phillips with a trophy for Equestrian Olympic Athlete of the Year.

One for men of a certain age next. The lady who made dungarees sexy and wellies footwear to covet...Yes Barbara Good, otherwise known as actress Felicity Kendal is in the studio talking about her latest stage role. We may have to restrain Mr Stewart.

Fancy a great night out tomorrow ? We can fix it for you if you tune in. The Sugababes, McFly and Amy Winehouse are waiting to entertain the winners of our competition.....The gig is at the Forum in Kentish Town, we've 10 pairs of tickets to give away.

Also in our bag of goodies....Fergie from US band "The Black Eyed Peas" talks to us about her struggles with drugs, her love for London AND her new album, Chrissie has the weather and we reveal why there are a few sore heads in the newsroom today...

See you at 6

A & T

And the winner is...

The more observant among you may have seen that at the end of the programme we used to bring up a little caption that said "Programme Of The Year". Last month we replaced it with the address of this website.

Why? Well - I always like to take that label off of our programme when the annual RTS award ceremony is close. It's all about tempting fate.

Well, the 2006 awards were last night. Thirteen of us got all dressed up (which was interesting as we had a table for twelve). And my, what a night we had. ITV London took home seven of the ten awards.

For us - the big two are the "News Story of the Year" and "Programme of the Year" awards. We knew we'd win "News Story Of the Year" - as we had all three nominations on the shortlist. We were delighted that our coverage of the Heathrow terror plot took that prize.

Then - the big one. Programme of the Year. The nominations were two for London Tonight and one for BBC London. They played the clips. They opened the envelope. And before I knew it we were up on stage picking up the award.

So when you see the title "Programme of the Year" at the end our broadcast tonight, you'll know why it's back.

Thanks for watching - we all work very hard every day to produce a programme that we hope you will want to watch.


Stuart
Editor, London Tonight

London Tonight: Monday 27th November

Good afternoon and welcome to another week of London Tonight.

Dramatic developments in the mysterious killing of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko: in the House of Commons this afternoon the Home Secretary John Reid said that radioactive polonium had been found in several more locations. It's believed they could include, possibly, an office block in the West End and at an address in Mayfair.
We'll have the latest live at 6.

Also this evening , within a star studded, action packed programme, we have the good, the bad and the ugly.
In reverse order, the ugly: Rotten landlords who don't give you back your deposit! Find out about the new law that means that will soon be a thing of the past.
The bad, and it really is bad: a promising young lawyer, Tom Ap Rhys Pryce, was walking home in January from the tube station in Kensal Green after a night out.
He was set-upon and stabbed to death. An act of ghastly violence prompted by sheer jealousy and greed.
Today, two teenager were found guilty of his murder and robbery.
Justice tempered by deep sadness for a loving family.

And the good: on the 6th Anniversary of the killing of Damilola Taylor, the great Rio Ferdinard goes public in urging youngsters to give up knives and the life-style that goes with them.

Star studded? Win tickets for Christina Aquillera's sell-out concert AND the chance to try-out her life-style: lots of pampering, a limo on call, a make-over and massage plus much more besides.
Rik Mayal auditioning would-be Tony and Cherie Blairs for his stage show of the New Statesman.
And Take That in London ahead of their big TV extravaganza on Saturday and celebrating beating U2, the Beatles and Oasis to the Number 1 slot in the album chart!

Chrissie has the weather with dramatic flooding in the home counties - you won't even want to make a cup of tea or pour another glass of champagne between 6 and 6.30!
See you then.

A & T