Oasis reunion kicks off in Cardiff: Stage times, support acts and all you need to know
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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
BBC iPlayer adds 'suspenseful and moving' war film about real-life hero
The Courier, which was released in the US and UK in 2021, is now available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer and stars Benedict Cumberbatch BBC iPlayer has just welcomed a gripping film rooted in real events, which first hit screens in 2020. This captivating historical espionage thriller is now available to watch at no cost, featuring Benedict Cumberbatch in the role of Greville Wynne, a British tradesman enlisted by the Secret Intelligence Service. His mission involved acting as a go-between with Russian intelligence asset Oleg Penkovsky (portrayed by Merab Ninidze) during the 1960s. The Courier, formerly known as Ironbark, made its debut at the Sundance Film Festival in 2020 before reaching American and British cinemas in 2021. Critics showered the production with praise on Rotten Tomatoes, earning an impressive 85% critics' score and a remarkable 95% audience approval rating, reports the Express. The narrative centres on ordinary British merchant Greville Wynne, who finds himself drawn into one of history's most significant global tensions. The plot description elaborates: "At the behest of the UK's MI-6 and a CIA operative (Rachel Brosnahan), he forms a covert, dangerous partnership with Soviet officer Oleg Penkovsky (Merab Ninidze) in an effort to provide crucial intelligence needed to prevent a nuclear confrontation and defuse the Cuban Missile Crisis." Reviewers praised the production as a "rousingly effective old-school spy adventure elevated by a thrilling fact-based story and Benedict Cumberbatch's nervy central performance". One viewer gushed: "Thrilling and heartbreaking. Benedict Cumberbatch really doesn't disappoint." Ready Steady Cut declared: "The Courier has everything you want in a Cold War spy thriller. It's solidly paced and strikes a nice balance of suspense and moving human drama." Zach Pope reviews noted: "What could have easily been a boring slog of a film is turned into a daring, intense drama." Cumberbatch received particular praise for his outstanding performance, with iNews among other outlets commenting: "The brilliance of Cumberbatch's performance lies in the way he conveys both Wynne's venality and his idealism." The real-life espionage work of Wynne and Penkovsky was uncovered by the KGB, leading to both men being detained in November 1962. Wynne received an eight-year prison sentence but was freed in April 1964 in a prisoner swap for Soviet agent Konon Molody, following British worries about his declining health. Following his release, Wynne resumed his business activities. The Courier is available on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Monty Python's Eric Idle says he's had a 'reprieve' after cancer
Eric Idles was among the comedic geniuses behind the revolutionary sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus Actor and comedian Eric Idle has expressed gratitude for 'every single day' after overcoming pancreatic cancer. The Monty Python star, 82, received an early diagnosis in 2019 and was successfully treated for the illness. Now, in a heartfelt 'Letter To My Younger Self' for the Big Issue, he's once again reflected on the ordeal. "I miss a lot of people. Great people like Mike Nichols [director of The Graduate]," he wrote. "I will find myself thinking of a funny line and thinking, you must tell Mike that. Or Jonathan Miller [a British public thinker and former comedian]. So many of my heroes have gone, like Robin Williams. I still kind of occasionally speak to Billy Connolly, but I really miss him. "You've got to find other people, you know, because there are still other funny people you can have dinner with or play guitar with. I got lucky, because I had to, I survived pancreatic cancer. So I feel that since 2019 I've had a reprieve. So I don't know or care what people say about me, I'm lucky every single day." Eric also looked back on some of the challenges in financing Monty Python's Life Of Brian, a film whose creators received assistance from Beatles icon George Harrison. He said: "For a while we had no money. (Media impresario) Lew Grade read it and just went nuts. He said, 'We can't possibly make this'. I went to America to find money. "I had been talking to George Harrison, who was a huge fan, and he said, 'I'll phone you in the morning, don't worry'. And I thought, well, nobody's got four and a half million dollars. "But finally, when everybody turned us down, there was a call from him saying, 'I've got you the money'. He had mortgaged his house and his business and raised the cash and put it all on a Python film. The most extraordinary thing to do." Eric, alongside John Cleese, Graham Chapman, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, and Sir Michael Palin, were the comedic geniuses behind the revolutionary sketch show Monty Python's Flying Circus. The series was a massive success, with 45 episodes produced from 1969 to 1974. It also gave rise to five films, including the 1975 classic 'The Holy Grail', which later inspired the hit musical 'Spamalot', penned by Eric himself. For more insights, catch the full interview with Eric Idle in the Big Issue, available now.
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Gavin and Stacey star Larry Lamb retires from acting
Larry Lamb is known for his role as Mick Shipman on the popular BBC sitcom. Lamb, who is now 77, has had an extensive career that has spanned five decades. He said that the character of Mick is the "closest to my heart", with the role being in the latest Christmas special likely being his last TV role. Larry Lamb played Mick Shipman in Gavin and Stacey (Image: Ian West/PA Wire) Gavin and Stacey star Larry Lamb retires from acting Speaking to The Mail, Lamb said he will be focusing on a new novel. While suggesting he will be taking a step back from acting, he did say he may still take on small stage parts to "keep my face in". He said: "I have had a very fortunate career. I've done so much that I am really proud of that maybe not so many people know. 'I have worked at the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre, I have been in 12 West End shows, I have done all the principal fringe theatres in London, on Broadway, I have been very lucky and now I am quite happy to let someone else play the big roles." The iconic actor has been playing Mick Shipman on Gavin and Stacey since its inception in 2007. Top 10 Best British TV Series The BBC sitcom, created by Ruth Jones and James Corden, first aired in 2007 and tells the story of two families from Billericay in Essex and Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. Lamb played Mick in three series and three Christmas specials, being the father to the titular character Gavin. He added: "You get so involved with these characters that they become your favourite at that time, they are the focus of your life, but to finish up in my 70s playing a character like Mick who is beloved by millions of people, you have to give the writers credit... at this stage in my career Mick is the closest to my heart." Who is Larry Lamb? Larry Lamb has had an extensive acting career over a large number of years, appearing in many TV series and theatrical shows. In his early career, he was a regular in the BBC's North Sea ferry-based soap Triangle. He also appeared in shows such as Lovejoy, A Touch of Frost, Taggart, Casualty, Midsomer Murders and The Bill. Many will know him for his role as Mick Shipman in the BBC sitcom Gavin and Stacey, a role he played for more than a decade, including in the 2024 Christmas special. In 2008, Lamb began playing Archie Mitchell, the father of Ronnie and Roxy Mitchell, in EastEnders. He left in 2009, but returned later the same year, and was killed off that Christmas. Despite several great roles, he will likely be remembered for playing Archie Mitchell and Mick Shipman. Recommended reading: On being remembered for certain roles, he said: "If you have been through a life in entertainment and people don't all know you, to suddenly be where pretty much everybody knows you as a character. "I find it's a reward, it's better to be known than unknown as far as I'm concerned. "Particularly if you are known as a character that people really love... what a way to finish your working life."
