James Nesbitt 'honoured' to accept LIPA companionship from Paul McCartney
The 60-year-old, who starred in ITV drama Cold Feet, praised the work of students at the institute, as he was honoured alongside James Bond director Sam Mendes, actor Adrian Lester and indie band The Wombats, who were formed at LIPA.
Nesbitt said at the ceremony: "I'm so honoured to accept this award from LIPA.
"When I visited a few months ago to speak to a group of students I was immediately struck by just what an extraordinary seat of learning this is, home to inspirational teachers and magnificent facilities out of which clearly pours creativity, innovation, passion, authenticity, collaboration and joy.
"After my talk I was lucky enough to see a short scene from a new take on Oklahoma. It was honestly astonishing, breathtaking and, somehow, courageous."
The Northern Ireland-born actor also starred as civil rights activist Ivan Cooper in the film Bloody Sunday (2002), and has also appeared in The Missing, Occupation and Murphy's Law.
He was nominated for a Golden Globe for his lead role in Steven Moffat's Jekyll, portrayed Bofur in The Hobbit trilogy, and is a Unicef ambassador.
Nesbitt was awarded an OBE in 2016 in recognition of his services to drama and to the community in Northern Ireland.
Others being honoured by McCartney were director Gay Linvill, who has directed episodes o f The Big Bang Theory, and Go Live Theatre chief executive and arts accessibility campaigner Sita McIntosh.
The LIPA was founded by McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty in 1996, on the site of the old Liverpool Institute – the former school of both McCartney and Beatles bandmate George Harrison, and the adjacent Liverpool Art College, once attended by John Lennon.
This year's graduation ceremony celebrated the achievements of around 420 graduating students from more than 30 countries, including Colombia, Hong Kong and India.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
5 minutes ago
- RTÉ News
Broadcaster James Whale dies aged 74
TV and radio presenter James Whale has died at the age of 74, TalkTV has announced. His colleague and friend Mike Graham read an obituary on air and paid tribute to Whale, who had been battling stage four kidney cancer. Whale was first diagnosed with cancer in 2000 and had to have one of his kidneys removed. Then, in 2020, the TalkTV host revealed that the cancer had returned in his kidney, spine, brain, and lungs. Graham said: "James began his remarkable career in the early 1970s when he pioneered a new kind of radio in Britain, the late-night shock jock phone-in. "By the late 1980s, The James Whale Radio Show had become a cultural phenomenon, broadcasting every weekend on ITV. He attracted millions of viewers, making him a household name. "James would go on to host a variety of programmes for ITV, Sky, and the BBC before finding a new audience for talk radio, all the while continuing to make headlines during his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother. "In 2006, after surviving kidney cancer, James launched Kidney Cancer UK, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds. "In 2024, James was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours, recognising his extraordinary contribution to broadcast[ing] and charity. "James Whale broke the rules. He shaped the airwaves and did it all on his own terms. "For millions, James wasn't just a broadcaster. He was a companion, a provocateur, and a good friend that we'll all never forget. "God bless you, James. We'll miss you." Whale began his career with Metro Radio in the UK in 1974, where he pioneered the late-night radio phone-in. He rose to fame in the 1980s with his frank style, dry wit, and no-nonsense approach on late-night programme The James Whale Radio Show, gaining a legion of loyal listeners. He spent 13 years at TalkSport before hosting the drivetime show on the London-based LBC and the breakfast show on BBC Essex. During his career, he also hosted Whale On, Dial Midnight, and Central Weekend Live for ITV and Talk About for BBC One. His autobiography, Almost a Celebrity: A Lifetime of Night-Time, was published in 2008.
The Irish Sun
5 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Incredible moment shark battles stingray as shocked beachgoers watch on from the shore
THIS is the astonishing moment a shark fights a stingray as shocked beachgoers watch on from the shore. The nail-biting brawl was captured by a tourist off Panama City Beach along Florida's Gulf coast on July 31. Advertisement 3 A shark and stingray were caught on video battling in shallow waters just off Panama City Beach, Florida Credit: Chloe Peterson via Storyful 3 Shocked onlookers watched from the shore Credit: Chloe Peterson via Storyful 3 The shark's fin is seen breaking the surface of the water Credit: Chloe Peterson via Storyful A dozen shark bites are recorded each year in the Sunshine State, with the last fatal attack reported in 2010. Footage shared online shows the shark's fin jutting out of the water as it creeps menacingly towards the stingray. Meanwhile, crowds are seen gathering around the shore to catch a better look, as one person shouts: "Oh my God, is it eating it?" Just metres away, the gargantuan stingray breaks the waves' surface with its glistening fin. Advertisement Read more on World STAR'S SHARK SCARE Former NBA player's pregnant wife bitten by shark in terrifying ordeal After tussling in the sea, the pair appear to swim off in separate directions. According to biologists, it's not uncommon for sharks and stingrays to interact. Some shark species also mistake swimmers for prey - sometimes leading to fatal incidents. Earlier this month, a surfer was mauled by a shark at New Smyrna Beach, Florida. Advertisement Lifeguards sprang into action and fellow surfers used a leash to act as a tourniquet. Speaking from his hospital bed, Bender recalled the horror. Ross Noble is bitten by a shark on new ITV show Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters 'I felt it clamp down like a bear trap out of nowhere,' he told the outlet. 'I never saw the shark, but it bit really forcefully. It felt like electricity.' Advertisement He revealed he was squeezing the area left mangled by the shark bite. Bender had to undergo surgery but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. This comes as a woman from Las Vegas was left seriously injured after a shark sank its teeth into her during her first-ever trip to the state. The terrifying attack happened on May 27 in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, just south of Pompano Beach. Advertisement Emily Ross was snorkeling in waist-deep water when she spotted the animal's tail. "I was just wandering around looking at the fish, and then I saw the tail of the shark," she told Fox affiliate KVVU-TV.
The Irish Sun
5 minutes ago
- The Irish Sun
Jeremy Kyle leads emotional tributes to ‘fearless legend' James Whale after radio star's death at 74 from cancer
James revealed in June that he had just weeks to live as he moved into the final stages of his terminal battle HUGE LOSS Jeremy Kyle leads emotional tributes to 'fearless legend' James Whale after radio star's death at 74 from cancer JEREMY Kyle has lead emotional tributes to "fearless legend" James Whale after the radio star's death at 74 following a battle with cancer. The revered Talk presenter, who took part in the reality show in 2016, recently said he was "happy to go now" after moving into a hospice. Advertisement 5 Tributes have poured in for James Whale after he died at age 74 Credit: PA 5 The broadcaster sadly lost his battle with cancer Credit: X/@THEJamesWhale 5 Jeremy Kyle has paid a special tribute to the 'fearless legend' Credit: Getty Images - Getty But James sadly lost his battle and it was announced earlier today that he had passed away. This tragic news has left the TV world heartbroken with his close showbiz pals taking to social media with tributes. TV presenter Jeremy Kyle said on Talk TV shortly after finding out the sad news: "He was an absolute fearless legend, a man who believed that it was about people. Believed it was about opinion. "Never shied away from being brave enough to say what he felt." Advertisement Talk TV host Julia Hartley Brewer wrote on X: "So sad that my amazing, wonderful @TalkTV colleague James Whale has died. "He was a legend both on air and off air. It was a pleasure and an honour to know him. Sending Nadine and his family all my love xxxx" James fellow colleague Dawn Neesom said: "So sad to hear that James has gone. God bless you Whaley, at peace & free of pain. Thoughts with the amazing @nadine_lamont & James family." In an obituary read on air by colleague and friend Mike Graham, Talk paid tribute to Whale and his outstanding contribution to radio over the last six decades, and his eight years on Talk and talkRADIO. Advertisement He said: 'James began his remarkable career in the early 1970s when he pioneered a new kind of radio in Britain, the late night shock jock phone in. By the late 1980s, the James Whale radio show had become a cultural phenomenon, broadcasting every weekend on ITV. He attracted millions of viewers, making him a household name. 'James would go on to host a variety of programmes for ITV, Sky and the BBC before finding a new audience for talk radio, all the while continuing to make headlines during his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother. Dying James Whale shares emotional update in terminal cancer battle as he reveals he is struggling to breathe and talk 'In 2006, after surviving kidney cancer, James launched Kidney Cancer UK, raising hundreds of thousands of pounds. In 2024, James was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours, recognising his extraordinary contribution to broadcast and charity. James was diagnosed with stage-four kidney cancer in 2020. Advertisement In a heartbreaking update during his show, James revealed in June he had just weeks to live as he moved into the final stages of his terminal battle. 'I'm actually in my last couple of weeks. Last time I saw my oncologist, he said I probably have only got weeks to go," James, 74, told viewers from his home on Saturday June 21. 'James Whale broke the rules, he shaped the airwaves, and did it all on his own terms. For millions, James wasn't just a broadcaster. He was a companion, a provocateur, and a good friend that we'll all never forget. God bless you, James. We'll miss you.' 'Over the 50 years, I have interviewed and chatted to some of the most amazing people. It may have been you. Maybe we'll catch up for the last time." Advertisement Later, when a viewer named Paula called in, he confessed how emotional he has been about his prognosis. He told her: "I spend a lot of time crying. And it really, it's a bit embarrassing, Paula, to be quite honest with you. 'I'm heading into the sunset and I talk about it regularly on the show and you know it's interesting because now everybody talks about it. "Not me, not mine, but their own, you know, they don't feel that they're doing it quite right without having a cancer to talk about." Advertisement Back at the beginning of May, James told viewers that his condition had worsened, treatment was no longer working and he would "be lucky to make it to Christmas". He explained: "I'm at the end of my cancer journey. There is no treatment I can have anymore." That same month, James celebrated his 74th birthday with loved ones. It comes after he spent Christmas in intensive care before being discharged from the ICU on December 30. Advertisement His relieved wife Nadine told fans at the time: "After a worrying week I am happy to report that @THEJamesWhale is out of ICU and back at home, having batted off the Grim Reaper yet again. "This time he tried with a bout of Influenza A, but without success." After battling kidney cancer in 2000, James launched the charity Kidney Cancer UK to increase knowledge and awareness, funding research into the causes, prevention and treatment of the disease. He had fathered two kids with Melinda Maxted, James and Peter, before she herself was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Advertisement Melinda died in May 2018, just three months after James made the announcement of her diagnosis. In 2020, James revealed the disease had returned and spread to his spine, brain and lungs, and has shared his ongoing cancer battle candidly with listeners and viewers over the past few years. A year later, on his 70th birthday, James announced his engagement to Nadine Lamont-Brown, before marrying her in October of that year. 5 James was diagnosed with stage-four kidney cancer in 2020 Credit: PA Advertisement
