MILLIONS of people are expected to tune in to watch the new offering from Winchester-based producer Claire Lewis.

56Up is the latest in the award-winning series that follows youngsters into adulthood and visits them every seven years.

She has been involved with it since 28Up. Joining as a researcher, she later produced 35Up, 42Up and 49Up.

Each time there was plenty of media interest, and she said that was certainly the case again.

She said: “It’s been absolutely insane. I’ve been doing radio and magazine interviews and there’s just so much interest.”

She added that the director, Michael Apted, had also been doing plenty of promotional work.

The two of them have worked on the project several times before, along with the same camera team.

She added that 13 of the 14 people featured in 14Up were taking part in the latest instalment.

While none live near Winchester, she said she kept in regular touch with many of them between shows.

She said: “I speak on the phone to some of them a couple of times a year, and with others it’s Christmas cards.

“It might sound a bit corny but it’s like having large extended family and the whole reason we can keep on making these programmes is that we all know each other so well.”

Her other projects include the award-winning documentary film, The End of the Line. Released in 2009 and narrated by Ted Danson, it aimed to highlight the dangers of overfishing.

Her other current projects include a documentary about the recently opened Comedy Carpet in Blackpool. She is also working on a film about the co-founder of The Big Issue, John Bird.

56Up is due to be screened in three parts, each lasting one hour. They will be shown on ITV1 at 9pm on Monday, May 14, May 21 and May 28.