TV bosses line up big names for 2009 documentaries

Though even the television industry is being forced to tighten its strings in the wake of the global credit crunch, at least some documentary makers have managed to get some big name signatures for their planned 2009 offerings.

First up, former Eternal singer Louise Redknapp will further enhance her status as much more than merely a footballers' wife as she fronts a documentary on the sensitive topic of 'pregorexia', or women who take on extreme diets during pregnancy.

Suitably qualified for the documentary, having just given birth to her and her husband's – the former England midfielder turned TV pundit Jamie Redknapp – second son, Beau.

Despite this new addition to the Redknapp family, 34-year-old Louise has jetted off to California to meet women desperate to keep trim while expecting and, just as she lost around 11 pounds herself while filming 'The Truth About Size Zero' back in 2007, it looks like a sure bet that she will not shy away from tackling the subject head-on and producing what could be one of the real highlights of this year's TV guides.

However, such a task has already affected Mrs Redknapp, though she has certainly welcomed the break from her frantic life as a mother of two.

"It affected me quite deeply, these women are carrying around such guilt, but they have an illness and just because they fall pregnant, that illness doesn't go away," she said in an interview with the Daily Mail.

"As much as I adore my boys, I like work and having that independence, and I actually think I'm a better mother for it," she added.

"It means that when I'm at home, my attention is focused on them completely."

Meanwhile, it has been rumoured that former Friends star David Schwimmer will become the latest big-name celebrity to trace their family history in the acclaimed Who Do You Think You Are?.

The 42-year-old is believed to be teaming up with the show's researchers to explore his eastern European roots, with producers having already revealed that this latest series looks set to be one of the most exciting and thought-provoking yet.

Speculation that Schwimmer will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Jerry Springer, Boris Johnson and Ainsley Harriott in the UK TV guides have been further strengthened by the fact that his former sitcom co-star Lisa Kudrow currently works as a co-executive producer on the US version of the family history show.