THE Queen has given unprecedented co-operation for a TV documentary

chronicling her working life as a monarch.

The BBC's portrait of royal life, Elizabeth R -- to be screened next

year -- reveals moments previously shrouded in secrecy, like the weekly

audience with the Prime Minister.

Award-winning producer Edward Mirzoeff, cameramen, sound recordists,

and researchers followed the Queen for more than a year.

Their documentary includes not only unique footage of the Queen's

official life, but also personal family occasions such as the

Sandringham party following the christening of Princess Eugenie last

Christmas, a holiday with her grandchildren in Scotland, and the annual

Ghillies' Ball at Balmoral.

* There will be seven new comedy shows in the BBC's #93m winter

schedule. Comedy thrillers Lovejoy, with Ian McShane, and Spender, with

Jimmy Nail, return.

Bread writer Carla Lane launches her new sitcom -- Screaming -- about

three house-sharing friends and Brush Strokes star Karl Howman is a

handyman in Mulberry.

Rag Trade star Miriam Karlin comes back as a ghost in So Haunt Me and

the staff of Grace Brothers return 20 years on to run a country hotel in

Grace and Favour.

Dame Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer star as old flames in As Time Goes

By and Us Girls is a comedy about family life.

BBC2 last week acquired the rights to screen the 1960s cult series The

Addams Family, now a major new film, and is also to repeat Dr Who.

The cult series returns next month for a re-run of the Doctor's

battles with Daleks, Cybermen, and the evil Master.