Latest news with #Alma'sNotNormal
Daily Mirror
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC viewers obsessed with 'best comedy since Only Fools' starring Strictly icon
BBC viewers have demanded others to watch a hilarious but moving sitcom that features an incredible cast A sitcom on BBC Two has left viewers utterly captivated, with some declaring it 'possibly the best thing they have ever watched'. The show, Alma's Not Normal, first aired in 2020, and was created by and stars Sophie Willian. It follows the life of aspiring actress Alma Nuthall as she deals with her quirky family and relationships in Bolton, Manchester. Drawing on Sophie's personal experiences growing up in care, Alma's Not Normal addresses a range of topics from sex work and relationships to death and addiction. The cast boasts several television legends. Strictly star Jayde Adams portrays Alma's best friend Leanne, while Lorraine Ashbourne embodies her unforgettable grandma, Joan. Siobhan Finneran, known for her roles in Happy Valley and Benidorm, plays Alma's former drug addict mum Lin, reports the Express. Following its release in 2021, the first series garnered glowing reviews and earned Sophie numerous awards, including a BAFTA for Best Female Comedy Performance. A second series was launched in October last year, once again earning critical praise. At the 2025 BAFTA Awards, the show bagged the award for Best Scripted Comedy. In the second series, Alma returns to Bolton - but just as she begins to settle back into her Bolton life, grandma Joan drops a bombshell that changes everything. Fans of Alma's Not Normal have been taking to social media to praise the show, with one viewer gushing on Facebook: "One of my favourites -so well written and acted beautifully." Another fan recommended: "Watched all of this highly recommend it. Best comedy since Only Fools. It's hilarious if in need of a good laugh." A third shared their emotional reaction: "I sobbed and laughed at the same time... Nothing has ever done that to me before , brilliant." Meanwhile, another viewer was effusive: "I think this is possibly the best thing I have ever watched." Despite the clamour for more episodes, Sophie Willan, the star of the show, has dashed hopes for a third series. Speaking on The Guilty Feminist podcast, she revealed: "Basically, they're not getting a Series 3. I'm done,". Sophie also mentioned her plans for the show's future: "I want to do a Christmas special, they've commissioned the script. But I don't want to do another series. I want to wrap up the journey. She is no longer a situational comedy protagonist. They have to not learn, that's the point. She's Del Boy at the end when he gets boring and rich."
Daily Mirror
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BAFTA award-winning actress pregnant with first child after controversial speech
Sophie Willan has confirmed she is expecting her first child. The creator and star of the award-winning BBC series Alma's Not Normal, took to Instagram to reveal she is pregnant, marking the announcement with a photo of herself dining with partner Carniel Francis Levy. In the image, the couple are seen smiling across a table set with a white tablecloth, menus, and surrounded by floral arrangements. Willan wore a red dress for the occasion, and while the photo itself made no reference to the news, the announcement followed in her caption and additional photos showing her baby scan. Alongside the photo of the scan, Sophie wrote: "WE'RE HAVING A BABY BOY. Coming November 2025. Our lives are about to change forever, in the most chaotic, joyful, and magical way. And yes, we're already arguing about baby names." The post was quickly met with congratulatory messages from fans and fellow actors alike, celebrating the couple's growing family.
The Irish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Brit TV star reveals she's pregnant with first baby after sweary speech at BAFTAs
A BRIT TV star has revealed her happy pregnancy news just days after scooping a BAFTA. The Bolton-born actress, 37, turned the air blue with her very sweary acceptance speech at one of telly's biggest events of the year. Advertisement 5 A Brit TV star has revealed she is pregnant with her first child Credit: Instagram 5 Sophie Willan, 37, shared images of her scan to Instagram Credit: Instagram 5 She stars in BBC show Alma's Not Normal Credit: BBC Yet now The Alma's Not Normal star took to her Instagram page to share an image of her in a red dress, having dinner with partner Carniel Francis Levy. They flashed smiles as they posed on opposite sides of their table, which was adorned with a white table cloth and menus and surrounded by flowers. The snapshot itself gave no hint as to the announcement, before Sophie made the big reveal in her caption and in subsequent pictures showing her scan. Advertisement read more sophie willan She wrote: "WE'RE HAVING A BABY BOY! "Coming November 2025. Our lives are about to change forever, in the most chaotic, joyful, and magical way… "And yes, we're already arguing about baby names." SCREEN QUEEN Sophie voiced reality show The Circle since 2018. Advertisement Most read in Drama She has also appeared in person on a number of TV programmes including Still Open All Hours and Click And Collect. She has also been on a number of comedy shows including The Tez O Clock Show, Class Dismissed and Live from The Comedy Store. BBC star confirms their comedy has been axed after two series - but there's a twist More recently, she created Alma's Not Normal which is set to be released in 2021. On stage, Sophie's Branded tour was a national sell-out including spending three weeks at SOHO Theatre in London. Advertisement She was also named on The Times Best Living Comedians List in 2018. The mum-to-be claimed the Herald Angel Award in 2017, while also bagging the 2018 BBC Caroline Aherne Bursary title. Bafta TV 2025 Winners List Here's everyone who has taken home an award at tonight's ceremony Drama Series: Blue Lights Leading Actor: Lennie James, Mr Loverman Leading Actress: Marisa Abela, Industry Entertainment: Would I Lie To You? Entertainment Performance: Joe Lycett - Late Night Lycett Factual Series: To Catch a Copper Factual Entertainment: Rob & Rylan's Grand Tour International: Shogun Supporting Actor: Ariyon Bakare, Mr Loverman Supporting Actress: Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer Limited Drama: Mr Bates Vs The Post Office Male Performance in a Comedy: Danny Dyer, Mr Bigstuff Female Performance in a Comedy: Ruth Jones, Gavin and Stacey Fellowship: Kirsty Wark News Coverage: BBC Breakfast: Post Office Special Reality: The Jury: Murder Trial Scripted Comedy: Alma's Not Normal Short Form: Quiet Life Single Documentary: Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods Special Award: ITV - Mr Bates Vs The Post Office Soap: EastEnders Live Event Coverage: Glastonbury 2024 Specialist Factual: Atomic People Sports Coverage: Paris 2024 Olympics, BBC One Children's Non-Scripted: Disability and Me (FYI Investigates) Children's Scripted: Cbeebies As You Like It At Shakespeare's Globe Current Affairs: State of Rage Daytime: Clive Myrie's Caribbean Adventure P&O Cruises Memorable Moment: Strictly Come Dancing - Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell dance to You'll Never Walk Alone FAN SHOCK Sophie stunned fans - with her sweary acceptance speech cut - at the recent BAFTA ceremony in London. The star, who took home her second Bafta for comedy series Alma's Not Normal, couldn't resist cursing when taking to the stage – though made multiple efforts not to. Advertisement The excitable star admitted as she took to the stage: "I'm not allowed to swear and all I want to do is Beep Beep, Bl**dy Beep!!" before attempting to replace swears with something else. "I just want to say, these lot are flupping brilliant. Blimming fabulous!" she joked. However, she later slipped up and let a few out. The offensive words were edited out by the time they made it to broadcast on BBC One. Advertisement 5 Sophie stunned TV fans with a sweary acceptance speech at the recent BAFTAs Credit: Getty 5 Her partner Carniel F Levy works as a chef Credit: Getty
Scottish Sun
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Brit TV star reveals she's pregnant with first baby after sweary speech at BAFTAs
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRIT TV star has revealed her happy pregnancy news just days after scooping a BAFTA. The Bolton-born actress, 37, turned the air blue with her very sweary acceptance speech at one of telly's biggest events of the year. 5 A Brit TV star has revealed she is pregnant with her first child Credit: Instagram 5 Sophie Willan, 37, shared images of her scan to Instagram Credit: Instagram 5 She stars in BBC show Alma's Not Normal Credit: BBC Yet now Sophie Willan has confirmed she is expecting her first child. The Alma's Not Normal star took to her Instagram page to share an image of her in a red dress, having dinner with partner Carniel Francis Levy. They flashed smiles as they posed on opposite sides of their table, which was adorned with a white table cloth and menus and surrounded by flowers. The snapshot itself gave no hint as to the announcement, before Sophie made the big reveal in her caption and in subsequent pictures showing her scan. She wrote: "WE'RE HAVING A BABY BOY! "Coming November 2025. Our lives are about to change forever, in the most chaotic, joyful, and magical way… "And yes, we're already arguing about baby names." SCREEN QUEEN Sophie voiced reality show The Circle since 2018. She has also appeared in person on a number of TV programmes including Still Open All Hours and Click And Collect. She has also been on a number of comedy shows including The Tez O Clock Show, Class Dismissed and Live from The Comedy Store. BBC star confirms their comedy has been axed after two series - but there's a twist More recently, she created Alma's Not Normal which is set to be released in 2021. On stage, Sophie's Branded tour was a national sell-out including spending three weeks at SOHO Theatre in London. She was also named on The Times Best Living Comedians List in 2018. The mum-to-be claimed the Herald Angel Award in 2017, while also bagging the 2018 BBC Caroline Aherne Bursary title. Bafta TV 2025 Winners List Here's everyone who has taken home an award at tonight's ceremony Drama Series: Blue Lights Leading Actor: Lennie James, Mr Loverman Leading Actress: Marisa Abela, Industry Entertainment: Would I Lie To You? Entertainment Performance: Joe Lycett - Late Night Lycett Factual Series: To Catch a Copper Factual Entertainment: Rob & Rylan's Grand Tour International: Shogun Supporting Actor: Ariyon Bakare, Mr Loverman Supporting Actress: Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer Limited Drama: Mr Bates Vs The Post Office Male Performance in a Comedy: Danny Dyer, Mr Bigstuff Female Performance in a Comedy: Ruth Jones, Gavin and Stacey Fellowship: Kirsty Wark News Coverage: BBC Breakfast: Post Office Special Reality: The Jury: Murder Trial Scripted Comedy: Alma's Not Normal Short Form: Quiet Life Single Documentary: Ukraine: Enemy in the Woods Special Award: ITV - Mr Bates Vs The Post Office Soap: EastEnders Live Event Coverage: Glastonbury 2024 Specialist Factual: Atomic People Sports Coverage: Paris 2024 Olympics, BBC One Children's Non-Scripted: Disability and Me (FYI Investigates) Children's Scripted: Cbeebies As You Like It At Shakespeare's Globe Current Affairs: State of Rage Daytime: Clive Myrie's Caribbean Adventure P&O Cruises Memorable Moment: Strictly Come Dancing - Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell dance to You'll Never Walk Alone FAN SHOCK Sophie stunned fans - with her sweary acceptance speech cut - at the recent BAFTA ceremony in London. The star, who took home her second Bafta for comedy series Alma's Not Normal, couldn't resist cursing when taking to the stage – though made multiple efforts not to. The excitable star admitted as she took to the stage: "I'm not allowed to swear and all I want to do is Beep Beep, Bl**dy Beep!!" before attempting to replace swears with something else. "I just want to say, these lot are flupping brilliant. Blimming fabulous!" she joked. However, she later slipped up and let a few out. The offensive words were edited out by the time they made it to broadcast on BBC One. 5 Sophie stunned TV fans with a sweary acceptance speech at the recent BAFTAs Credit: Getty
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sophie Willan and Bolton Wanderers at centre of Lowry 360 experience
As part of its 25th anniversary celebrations, The Lowry is staging a free, immersive experience based on L S Lowry's painting Going to the Match. Developed with world-renowned creative studio Layers of Reality, Lowry 360 surrounds audiences with the sights and sounds of Going to the Match, transporting them into the painting before they can experience the original painting firsthand. Visitors enjoying the Lowry 360 experience (Picture: Michael Pollard)Going to the Match painted in 1953, is arguably one of Lowry's best known works and depicts crowds heading to Bolton Wanderers Burnden Park. The six-minute audio-visual experience uses super-high resolution animation and features an evocative narration from Bolton's BAFTA-winning writer and performer Sophie Willan. Sophie, who created and stars in the TV comedy series Alma's Not Normal, was supported by the Lowry's Artist Development Programme early in her career. Julia Fawcett, Chief Executive of Lowry said: 'The reaction to Lowry 360 since it was launched has been wonderful, with visitors responding with real emotion and joy to the experience of being transported into Going to the Match and then being able to view the real painting afterwards. 'This is one of the most ambitious and exciting projects we have ever undertaken. 'Working in partnership with the brilliant Layers of Reality we have transformed our gallery space, bringing to life an unforgettable experience that we hope will encourage new audiences to discover L S. Lowry's jobs" target="_blank">work as well as delighting those already familiar with our collection. L S Lowry's Going to the Match on display (Picture: Michael Pollard)'When we acquired Going to the Match in 2022, our goal was to keep it on public view and free to access. Now, through this immersive experience, we can share this remarkable and iconic painting with even more people. 'And to open up the arts to as many people as possible, we're making this experience completely free - a special gift to audiences in our 25th year, ensuring everyone can take part and be inspired.' The 25th anniversary programme features world-class shows and exhibitions to fill the Salford venue's theatres and galleries including a free exhibition of Quentin Blake's illustrations, featuring his most beloved characters and the regional premiere of James Graham's Olivier Award winning play, Dear England which opens on May 29. Although Lowry 360 and the Quentin Blake exhibition are free, booking a slot is recommended. For details visit
