Neville Staple to perform one-off charity gig in Birmingham
The evening will see guests experience a journey through 1980s Birmingham, the hospice said, with entertainment, live music and fine dining.Staple will round off the gala dinner with a headline performance.Supporting the event is Steven Knight, creator and writer of Peaky Blinders, who also created and wrote This Town, and grew up in Birmingham.
Knight is a patron of the hospice, and the gala will also be supported by Kudos, the production company behind the series.Other local guests include Birmingham-born comedian, actress, and writer Shazia Mirza, who will host the event, and the city's Poet Laureate 2020-2022, Casey Bailey."We are thrilled to have such an extraordinary line-up of local talent, led by none other than ska legend Neville Staple," said Trevor Johnson, chief executive of the hospice charity."But amidst the style and glamour, it is important to remember that at the heart of this truly special event are the children and families we support. "This night is for them and will enable us to continue to provide the care and support they can't get anywhere else."It will be held at Birmingham's International Convention Centre on 28 February.
Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
41 minutes ago
- The Sun
Ozzy Osbourne's sisters open up on heartbreaking texts rock legend sent before he died as they pay tribute to brother
OZZY Osbourne's sisters have opened up on the heartbreaking final texts they received from the late singer shortly before his death. Jean Powell, 85, and Gillian Hemming, 80, revealed how "our John" messaged them, saying he "couldn't wait to come back" to Birmingham, following his iconic final gig in the city earlier this month. 3 3 3 The rock legend passed away this week at the age of 76, surrounded by his family after bravely battling against Parkinson's disease. After learning of his death through a phone call, the sisters said they stayed up all night reminiscing about the "loving and funny" Black Sabbath star. Speaking to the Mirror, Jean explained how they had last seen their brother at his final concert at Villa Park. She said they got texts from him as he drove down Lodge Road - a street where they used to live close to the stadium. Jean said Ozzy "couldn't believe" the sheer volume of crowds who were walking down their old road to watch him perform. She said: "He was blown away. We had an executive box in the stadium, and when I saw the sea of people waiting to see our John I just broke down. "We didn't really get a chance to chat much because it was such a chaotic visit. But in his last text to me he said he would be coming to Birmingham again. "He said 'I can't wait to come back'. We were hoping to see him this week." Jean said that although Ozzy was ill, the news of his death " still came as a shock". She added: "He still had plans and things he wanted to do. We don't know the details of his death, it's still too early. Watch touching moment Ozzy Osbourne says his final words to adoring fans just weeks before rock legend died "It's just so sad. I'm just thankful he died in England." Over the years the sisters have travelled to see Ozzy in Los Angeles, Malibu and Las Vegas. In 2019, Ozzy was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, going public with his diagnosis the following year. As well as mobility issues, the condition caused him to suffer nerve pain, depression and blood clots. Jean continued: "We saw him in Birmingham the other week when he and the rest of the band were given the freedom of the city. "It was upsetting because he could not stand up straight, but he was still our John, still cracking the jokes. Ozzy Osbourne's career The singer first pursued his love of music after hearing The Beatles hit She Loves You in 1963, aged 15. After appearing in a handful of school plays, Ozzy joined Sabbath bassist Geezer Butler in their first group Rare Breed in 1967. When that band split, the pair reunited in Polka Tulk Blues alongside Tony Iommi and drummer Bill Ward. The group later became known as Black Sabbath and went onto shatter the music world with their whining guitar solos, Occult-based lyrics and Ozzy's screeching vocals. In 1970, the group gained a cult following in both the US and UK after releasing their eponymous first album. Black Sabbath saw incredible success with hit tracks such as Paranoid but discord in the group saw most of the original line-up leave. Ozzy himself quit the band in 1978, with a spiral into drug abuse leading to a divorce from first wife Thelma Mayfair, who he had two children with. It was then he first met a young Sharon Arden, who Ozzy at first wrote off as he believed she would think he was a "lunatic". But the singer could not be more wrong and the pair married in Hawaii in July 1982 before going on to have three children together, Aimee, Kelly and Jack. With Sharon's encouragement and help from her music manager dad Don, he began to carve out a successful solo career. His seminal first album Blizzard of Ozz in 1980 became a multi-platinum success thanks to Ozzy's howling vocals and macabre laugh on hit Crazy Train. Coupled with the Prince of Darkness' insane tour that saw him bite the head off a live bat, a string of successful tracks followed - cementing Ozzy as a rock legend around the world. In 1992, the singer announced his retirement but four years later created the beloved annual music festival Ozzfest with Sharon. Ozzy returned to Black Sabbath in 1999, with the band winning a Grammy for best metal performance for the song Iron Man. They later earned the same award in 2013 after releasing single God Is Dead? from album 13. "To us he was our brother, not a celebrity, so it's crazy to see the outpouring of love since his death was announced. "He had an amazing life and wonderful family in Sharon and the lovely kids." Ozzy went public with his diagnosis in an emotional joint interview with wife Sharon back in 2020. The singer told Good Morning America that he couldn't hide his health struggles any longer. As his health struggles limited his ability to perform, the music legend committed to one last gig in Birmingham to celebrate his career. His final performance at Villa Park saw him on stage alongside his old bandmates Geezer Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward on July 5. The reunited Black Sabbath lineup played a touching five-song set in a farewell to Ozzy, with the rock icon seated on a giant black throne - as he was unable to stand. The gig was touted as "the greatest heavy metal show ever," with Ozzy grinning to chanting fans as he thanked them for all they had done for him.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Peaky Blinders' Steven Knight teases 'brilliant' movie and addresses future
Steven Knight spoke exclusively to Reach Screen Time about the Peaky Blinders universe. Peaky Blinders mastermind Steven Knight has dropped tantalising hints about the forthcoming big-screen version of the hard-hitting drama, reports the Express. During an exclusive conversation with Reach Screen Time, Knight declared the film was "brilliant". He went on: "We're a long way down the road and it's really, really good. So, hopefully people will look forward to it." Knight suggested the Peaky Blinders world appeared to have its own momentum, whilst discussing the movie's position within the franchise: "The series runs and then it felt natural to conclude that part of the story, not the whole world, but that part of the story. "With the movie, thankfully, it's worked really well. Then we looked to the future and who knows what other forms Peaky could take?" Netflix had previously announced that shooting on the Peaky Blinders film had concluded back in December 2024 and offered a sneak peek, though no launch date has been revealed as yet. There are also hopes of a new series. Nevertheless, Peaky Blinders enthusiasts have another treat to get excited about: Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby, which opens at the iconic Sadler's Wells Theatre next month. The dance production initially premiered in 2022 in Peaky's home city of Birmingham, before launching national and European tours. Knight disclosed that from Paris to Istanbul, shows of Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby had earned standing ovations, even during afternoon performances. Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby emerged after renowned dance troupe Rambert, which has existed since the 1920s, was initially recruited to choreograph sequences for a fifth series episode featuring a Swan Lake performance at Tommy Shelby's (portrayed by Cillian Murphy) countryside estate. Knight collaborated with Rambert's artistic director Benoit Swan Pouffer on the ballet production, with the creator crafting the screenplay whilst the latter handled choreographic responsibilities. The theatrical production centres on the romantic tale between Tommy Shelby and his initial spouse, Grace Burgess (Annabelle Wallis), with their relationship proving a viewer favourite. Knight hinted that devotees of the programme would witness an alternative perspective of the criminal mastermind that offered a "deeper" interpretation than his television counterpart. He continued: "It's a much more intimate portrayal of who he is." Looking back on the triumph of the Peaky Blinders television series, which drew inspiration from tales he encountered about Birmingham during his childhood, Knight remarked: "I think the whole thing about Peaky has been quite remarkable really." He hadn't originally anticipated the BBC programme would achieve such global acclaim, yet he was thoroughly wrong and observed that Peaky Blinders enthusiasts stretched from Argentina to China. Notable admirers of Peaky Blinders include Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Snoop Dogg and David Beckham, amongst others. Meanwhile, the programme has generated a festival, a video game, and even a Primark partnership. Indeed, the Peaky Blinders craze has infiltrated the national psyche, with baby names such as Arthur and Ada seeing a surge in popularity, as per the Office of National Statistics. Knight expressed that the reception was "great" and it gave him the confidence to transform Peaky Blinders into a dance show, confessing that the stage production's success was "beyond expectations".
The Independent
3 hours ago
- The Independent
Fans queue to sign book of condolence for ‘proud Brummie' Ozzy Osbourne
Fans have queued to sign a book of condolence for the late Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne following his death at the age of 76. The book has been opened at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which is currently holding an exhibition about the late singer titled Ozzy Osbourne: Working Class Hero. Mourners also had the option to leave a voice note in any language they chose by speaking into a red phone. Osbourne was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2019 and died at the age of 76 on Tuesday morning, surrounded by his family. The news came a few weeks after he reunited with his Black Sabbath bandmates on July 5 to play a farewell gig at Villa Park – a stone's throw from where the band was formed in 1968. Tributes were led by his Black Sabbath bandmates, including Terence 'Geezer' Butler, Tony Iommi and Bill Ward, along with celebrity friends including Kiss star Gene Simmons and Queen guitarist Sir Brian May. Earlier on Thursday, Status Quo frontman Francis Rossi spoke on ITV's Good Morning Britain and described Osbourne as 'wild'. He said: 'He was a great young guy. And then obviously, American success got to him, I think. And it gets to a lot of us. You get carried away with all that stuff that one shouldn't. I did and I'm over it.' Osbourne was also described by the Lord mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, as a 'proud Brummie' who helped put the city 'on the world map'. Mr Iqbal met the founding members of the heavy metal band, formed in the city in 1968, when they were presented with the freedom of Birmingham in June. He told the PA news agency: 'He (Osbourne) was very important and he was a proud Brummie. He loved the city. He will be much missed, I think, and he was loved by so many people in the city.' Other stars have also honoured the 'Prince of Darkness' by paying tribute to him during live concert performances, including Lady Gaga, Coldplay and Alice Cooper. In a statement shared on Instagram, Cooper said: 'He was and will continue to be a rock n roll legend. Rock n Roll is a family and a fraternity. When we lose one of our own it bleeds. I wish I would have gotten to know my brother Ozzy better.'
