Julia Roberts reunites with Notting Hill director Richard Curtis 26 years on from smash-hit romcom after refusing to star in sequel
The actress, 57, is currently in the UK as she attended the 30th birthday party of Richard's daughter Scarlett Curtis.
Writer Scarlett had told her fans how she 'wanted to burst' and felt 'so loved' as she shared a glimpse from her celebrations.
In a video posted to her Instagram stories, Julia and Richard could be seen smiling as they caught up with one another.
The old pals sung along to a group rendition of Carole King classic You've Got A Friend whilst cuddled up in the corner of the room.
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Julia also used her visit to London to attend this year's Soccer Aid as the Hollywood actress was spotted at Old Trafford for the charity match.
Notting Hill grossed an impressive $368million at the box office following its release and was received well by critics.
The flick also bagged three nominations at the 57th Golden Globe Awards including for Best Actress for Roberts' portrayal of Anna Scott.
However, despite its roaring success, Julia refused to return to the role for a planned sequel over the proposed storyline.
Richard, 68, explained how her character was set to divorce William Thacker, who was played by Hugh Grant.
'I tried doing one with Notting Hill where they were going to get divorced,' Richard said.
'Julia [Roberts] thought that was a very poor idea.'
When previously asked about revisiting any of his previous films, the About Time director said he was satisfied with his work on Red Nose Day and Comic Relief, where he wrote mini-sequels to Love Actually.
'I don't think so,' he told IndieWire. 'We did those mini-sequels to Love Actually, and those satisfied me.'
Meanwhile, Julia previously opened up on her initial reservations about playing the lead role in the romcom.
The Oscar winner told Vogue that she struggled with the character, who is a hot-tempered Hollywood actress.
Speaking to Curtis, for Vogue, Julia said: 'Honestly, one of the hardest things I've ever had to do was [Notting Hill], playing a movie actress. I was so uncomfortable!
'I mean, we've talked about this so many times, but I almost didn't take the part because it just seemed—oh, it just seemed so awkward. I didn't even know how to play that person.'
Her discomfort with the character went beyond the acting, as Roberts also had issues with her costume.
She said that she 'loathed' being dressed as a glamorous movie star.
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Nile Rodgers: Music saved my life ... and David Bowie's too
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23 minutes ago
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The best Oasis songs of all time
Speculation about Oasis's setlist when they take to the stage in Cardiff on Friday for the first night of their mammoth 41-date reunion tour has reached fever pitch. Bookies are offering odds on which song they'll play first (Hello and Rock 'n' Roll Star top the list), while streaming services are packed with playlists based on fans' ideal setlists. But these are my picks of the 10 essential Oasis tracks that Messrs Liam and Noel Gallagher should play as the 'Live '25' juggernaut starts rolling. Readers will note that there's nothing here from after 1997. Had this list been 25 songs long then it might have included later hits including The Importance of Being Idle, The Shock of the Lightning, Little by Little and Go Let It Out. The fact that all of Oasis's best songs were released within three years of their 1994 debut album demonstrates the phenomenal creative burst of those early years. 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A second set of recordings at Cornwall's Sawmills Studio were felt to lack oomph too, but were rescued by producer Owen Morris, who brilliantly managed to extract Oasis's amped-up, angry wall of sound. The song could have come from the Sex Pistols's Never Mind the Bollocks album. It's that in-yer-face. The squalling guitars are one thing – with Noel on lead, and rhythm guitarist Bonehead providing the relentless chug that came to define the early Oasis sound – but what really stand out are Liam's vocals. 'I live my life in the city / There's no easy way out,' he sings at the start of the song with the blistering attack of Johnny Rotten. The song is about believing you're a rock star even when you're not. 'In my mind my dreams are real… Tonight, I'm a rock 'n' roll star.' Astonishingly, the song was written in 1992, the year before Oasis signed to Creation Records. It really was a case of dreaming big. First it was wish fulfilment. 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Likely to have been written about Noel's then-girlfriend Meg Mathews (later his wife, now his last-but-one ex-wife), the ballad is set to a shuffling drumbeat. Liam sings it, having been given a choice between Wonderwall and Don't Look Back in Anger, the Imagine pastiche that Noel sings (and which didn't make this list). The cello sound on Wonderwall is actually a Mellotron, played by Bonehead, while the 'strings' were played by producer Morris on a Kurzweil synth. Noel debuted the song backstage at Glastonbury in 1995, the year that Oasis headlined, and his performance was broadcast on Channel 4. Wonderwall became such a staple that a retro easy listening cover version by Mike Flowers Pops, released two months after Oasis's version, was thought by many radio listeners to have been the original version. 3. Acquiesce (1995) I would be staggered if Oasis don't open the Live '25 reunion shows with Acquiesce, an upbeat duet between the Gallaghers about brotherly love. 'Because we need each other / We believe in one another,' Noel sings in the chorus as a counterpoint to Liam's verses. Given the vitriol that has passed between the pair since Oasis split up in 2009, it would be a lovely moment of reconciliation. These sentiments, and a neat structure that melds a punky bounce with that singalong chorus, elevate Acquiesce above other Oasis bangers. Like three other songs on this list, it was initially released as a B-side (to Some Might Say). It's a mark of how enduring the song is that it has been covered by bands like The Killers and Good Charlotte and featured on various TV shows and films, including 2005's Goal!. On hearing the song for the first time, Creation Records boss Alan McGee was convinced it should be a single. Noel, being naturally disinclined to do anything he's told by anyone in authority, did precisely the opposite of what his boss wanted. 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Telegraph
24 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Should Tim Davie resign over Glastonbury hate chant?
After it was reported that the BBC director general was at Glastonbury when Bob Vylan chanted 'death, death to the IDF' and was personally consulted over what to do about the performance, there have been calls for him to resign. Tim Davie was told of the chant soon after it had been made and ruled that the rap duo's set should not be made available to watch on demand. However, the chant remained on BBC iPlayer for another five hours. This week, we asked readers: Should Tim Davie resign over the Glastonbury hate chant? A large proportion, 87 per cent, of 65,000 respondents said yes. Reader Elvin Reece said: 'Regardless of your views on the Israel and Palestine conflict, it simply isn't appropriate content for our national broadcaster to stream across prime-time television.' He continues, 'not in my name, not at my cost,' and urges others to 'write to your MPs', adding: 'It's time for non-payment of the licence fee to be decriminalised – so that the public can hold the BBC accountable – and for the BBC to be moved onto a subscription model.' M. Bonorino concludes that 'the BBC is not impartial now.' The reader recalls when they were younger, the broadcaster was held up for people of all ages, but 'not now!' 'It has lost its appeal and is a disgrace,' they say, adding: 'Standards of the highest have long since gone.' 'Thrust his views on others' Meanwhile, Ed Sproson asks: 'What about the crowd chanting? If it were a football crowd, the next five games would be behind closed doors.' Reader R. Ellis says: 'The problem is Vylan's opinion is personal and being on a stage has given him the ability to thrust his views on others without others being able to counter his view at the musical festival.' 'The same method is used by dictators in autocratic countries,' they conclude. Kristin Warburton found it 'much more frightening actually seeing it than reading about it'. The reader offers their sympathy 'to our Jewish fellow-countrymen – I am so sorry you are going through this'. 'Subscription model' Some readers argue that Tim Davie should not resign as BBC director general, but should make changes to the organisation. Others assert Bob Vylan is entitled to free speech. For example, Andy Rushton suggests: 'This issue alone isn't enough to force Tim Davie out.' Instead, he wishes there would be an attempt 'to 'right-size' the organisation, to move the entertainment branch to a subscription model, separate from the 'inform and educate' branch, which Davie could argue deserves a licence fee or some other type of public funding'. J. Walford asks: 'With the BBC having so many employees, surely the Director General is not making operational decisions on a minute-by-minute basis?' They continue: 'If he is, then the fundamental failure is lack of delegation, systems, safeguards, policies and management. This is the reason Tim Davie should be shown the door.' Reader A. Tommy 'can't see the problem'. They ask: 'What is the difference between attacking Israel and attacking Putin? I think [Bob Vylan] is entitled to their opinion.' Likewise, Jim Reid argues: 'The IDF has killed women and children. I think [Bob Vylan] has the right to free speech.'
