STEP aside Joey Essex and Binky Felstead.
The new stars of the constructed documentary scene are bold, brash and all aged over 65.
Following the same format as the likes of The Only Way Is Essex and Made In Chelsea, Close To The Edge is a new reality series for BBC4.
The difference is it’s set among a group of retirees in Bournemouth.
The cast include a former dominatrix, Sooty’s old stage manager, the father of a Page 3 girl and a tap-dancing septuagenarian.
The larger than life characters share one motto they’re determined to make the most the time they have left.
The seven-part series, which starts with a double episode on Tuesday night, sees the cast develop and improvise many of the scenes themselves with honest conversations about the challenges of getting older.
There is romance, rivalries and friendships, as well as the tough times coping with illnesses and the feelings of loneliness as they get older.
Executive Producer Karl Warner, said: “Television about old age tends to be focused on single issues but Close To The Edge combines drama and documentary to help give a voice to a broader range of stories being lived out by the over 65s.
“The cast are complex, funny and outspoken – and like most things in life, get better with age.” Here’s a rundown of the people you’ll get to know over the coming six weeks:-Barbara “Babs” FowlerThe youngest member of the cast at 65, businesswoman Babs is still trying to find a market for her My Babylog company, which sells keepsake boxes for parents and grandparents. “This could be my 15 minutes of fame,” she says.Chris DowdingChris is referred to as Babs’ “frenemy,” a UKIP supporter who speaks as he finds and frequently embarrasses Babs. The pair have known each other for years but familiarity is starting to breed contempt. Chris is the father of former glamour model Leilani Dowding. Beate BrabanA glamorous 71-year-old, golf club owner Beate (pronounced Be-arta) still takes an active role in the running of things and has no plans to retire. Is friends with Babs and has a permanent look of surprise on her face at some of the things that come out of Chris’ mouth.John SeatonA born comedian who was stage manager and puppeteer for The Sooty Show in the 1980s and 1990s. His late wife, Connie Creighton, appeared in the original Sooty programme on television. The 75-year-old widow is keen to get back on the dating scene after six years alone but may have to smarten up his wardrobe of wacky shirts.Bill KennedyA youthful 76-year-old, Bill is an ex-army officer and keen marathon runner. He’s John’s best friend and golfing partner and on hand to talk about women and offer him fashion advice none of which he takes.Simon CowenReferring to himself as the programme’s “token gay”, 72-year-old Simon is a former jazz dancer and male model. He still visits the health club three or four times a week and has CeCe Peniston on his iPod.Vanessa ColemanVanessa served two months in prison in 2006 for running a brothel. She’s now a UKIP fundraiser with a photo of Neil Hamilton on her desk. “I’d like people to remember me for the good things I’ve done,” she says. But her past keeps coming back to haunt her.
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