Sick of January already? So are we! But one thing the month does have in its favour is the fantastic crop of new dramas on TV. And the programme that's got us most excited is The Palace - a glossy, glamorous, soap-style show about a fictional (and yet sometimes strangely familiar) British royal family. Read on to get the gossip...

by Jane Murphy
Pictures: ITV

What's the story? After the sudden death of his father, the 24-year-old Prince of Wales is crowned King Richard IV. This new-found responsibility is all very well - but the reluctant ruler was much happier hanging out in swanky clubs with party-loving younger brother George.

What's more, the press and public know he could be heading for a fall - and it could mean the last days of the monarchy... Oh, and then there's the rest of his warring relatives, not to mention rebellious servants and tough-talking politicians, to contend with...

The Palace is on ITV1 on Monday at 9pm. It's fast, fabulous and, OK, a teeny-weeny bit far-fetched. But if your life hasn't been the same since Dynasty went off air, you're bound to be gripped.

Now get the low-down on the royals - and the actors who play them...