Sally Gunnell announced as judge for BBC Make a Difference Awards
Ms Gunnell, who set a world record in the woman's 400m hurdles in 1993, said there were "so many different options" judges wanted to hear about. She suggested nominees could be helping communities through sport, keeping people active, or anyone who has done "something incredible" like raising money for charity through physical activity.Exercise is "everything for our health", Ms Gunnell added, highlighting its positive social and mental effects. "It's so important." MADA is a BBC initiative to honour community champions across eight different categories. To nominate someone go to the Make A Difference site, with nominations closing at 17:00 BST on 31 March.
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Metro
2 minutes ago
- Metro
Bend It Like Beckham director confirms sequel and teases original cast's return
An exciting movie sequel is afoot, it has been confirmed. Released in 2002, Bend It Like Beckham starred Keira Knightley and Parminder Nagra and is credited with inspiring a generation of girls to take up football. Its plot follows Jesminder Bhamra (Nagra), who dreams of a career in professional footie. However, her Sikh parents want her to study for a law degree and get married. She meets Jules Paxton (Knightley), a white female striker who invites Jess to join the local women's team. The sports comedy-drama—named after Sir David's iconic curling free kick technique—has certainly stood the test of time and retained its fanbase in the years since, having even been adapted into a stage musical in 2015. And now, its director, Gurinder Chadha, has announced that a second instalment is in the works. The timing of the announcement couldn't be more fitting, since the Lionesses are due to take on Spain in the Euro 2025 final on Sunday. Chadha also hopes to schedule the sequel's release for 2027, not only to coincide with the original movie's 20th anniversary but with the Fifa Women's World Cup in Brazil too. And while nothing is set in stone and meetings are yet to be had, the filmmaker is hopeful that the original cast will reprise their roles. 'We've been part of changing the game for women, so it felt like this was a good time for me to go back and investigate the characters,' she told BBC. The London-based director added to Deadline: 'I'm excited to revisit the original characters and revive the enduring story and build on the legacy we helped to create for the women's game.' She confirmed that Nagra, Knightley, Archie Punjabi, Juliet Stevenson, and other cast members 'are aware that a sequel is being developed, but they obviously want to see a script before they commit'. 'I'm pretty certain that everyone's going to want to come back,' she said with optimism. 'Everything hinges on the script, and if the original cast likes it. 'I am working really hard to make sure every character I bring back has a decent arc and scenes.' As for why it's taken over two decades for the ball to start rolling for a sequel (pun fully intended), Chadha 'didn't want' to touch the idea because she 'didn't have a story'. Teasing what fans can expect from the currently nameless sequel, she continued: 'And then I came up with a great story, really super-cool story. So now I'm inspired. Literally came up with it just about a month ago.' She's keen to get the cast back 'very, very soon', declaring proudly: 'Women's football is more competitive, more exciting, and more global than ever. It is an honour for me to be a small part of it.' A Bend It Like Beckham sequel would undoubtedly be huge for cinema, what with the original grossing $76.7million (£57m) against its $5.6m (£4.2m) budget. The film has also become adored by many communities of cinema fans over time, thanks to its exploration of women in sport and the expectations of South Asian women in society. What's more, while not explicitly queer, its storylines deeply resonated with LGBTQ+ viewers, leading to the film being adopted as a lesbian cult classic. Its upcoming sequel even has the backing of Lisa Nandy MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, who will attend the Euros final with Chadha this weekend. 'Bend It Like Beckham captured something so special about Britain, our spirit, our diversity, and our ability to dream big in the face of challenge,' she said. 'Gurinder Chadha gave us a story that resonated far beyond the screen and became part of our cultural DNA.' Nandy added: 'The announcement of a follow-up is a brilliant moment for British film. It builds on a legacy that continues to inspire and shows the world what British storytelling can do. Productions like this help tell our national story, remind us who we are, and who we can be.' Chadha is hoping her husband, Paul Mayeda Berges, will also be back on board to help pen the screenplay, as he did the first, to reignite the magic. More Trending 'I'm hoping to write it with Paul, who has come up with some very funny lines like he did last time.' One thing's for sure, and it's that, in the era of Freakier Friday and Happy Gilmore 2, the news is being eaten up by nostalgia hungry social media users, with plenty branding the announcement exactly 'what we need'. 'one of the greatest movies ever. bring back the original cast', wrote @rasalistair on X. 'MY CHILDHOOD! LETS GO!', added @AnthonyDaytv. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 00s pop star reveals pain of fame forcing him 'back into the closet' MORE: Netflix viewers rush to watch 'absorbing' reboot of beloved Scottish crime drama MORE: 00s pop icon reveals how crystal meth addiction 'almost killed' him
North Wales Chronicle
2 hours ago
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England hope Ben Stokes benefits from a rest and bowls on Sunday
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Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
England hope Ben Stokes benefits from a rest and bowls on Sunday
Having turned an overnight 77 into 141 for a first Test century in two years to propel England to 669 and a 311-run first-innings lead, Stokes was then conspicuously absent for the 63 overs India batted. He claimed five for 72 in India's first innings but restricted himself to fielding duties as Shubman Gill and KL Rahul helped the tourists recover from nought for two to 174 without further loss. A Ben Stokes 💯Wizz at the double 🔥Smashing six hundred 🏴 It's all in our Day 4 highlights 📺👇 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 26, 2025 Stokes has pushed himself to the limit this summer but there is a suspicion this is catching up with him, having struggled with cramp in his left leg when he was batting on Friday, briefly retiring hurt. Asked if he will be fit to bowl on the final day of the fourth Rothesay Test, with England looking to move into an unassailable 3-1 series lead, England assistant Marcus Trescothick said: 'We're hoping so. 'We're hoping another night's rest and physio work overnight that he'll be back. It's just a build-up (of things). He's had quite a big workload in the last few weeks. It's just trying to monitor it.' Stokes underwent surgery on his left hamstring at the start of the year, but he has already bowled the most overs he ever has in a series, even if he leads the wicket-taking charts with 16 at 24.75. He has proved his all-round worth in Manchester by becoming the fourth Englishman – after Tony Greig, Ian Botham and Gus Atkinson – to record a century and five-for in the same match. Ashes 2005-winning captain Michael Vaughan said on the BBC's Test Match Special: 'Ben is a super-human at times. He was probably hoping that they would get the wickets and he wasn't going to be required. 'Maybe the medical staff just said 'Ben, have a day off'.' Chris Woakes dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan with successive deliveries in the first over but Gill survived the hat-trick ball and overcame being dropped on 46 by Liam Dawson to reach 78 not out. KL Rahul is unbeaten on 87 to give India hope of avoiding defeat and setting up a decider at the Kia Oval next week but Trescothick remains upbeat about England's chances, with or without Stokes. Trescothick added: 'We've got 10 other guys who are capable of doing special things also. 'It's never great when bowlers go down or you don't have someone available to do the work you need them to do, it's then just up to everybody else to pick up the pieces and do the extra work.'
