Latest news with #BBCLauraK
RTÉ News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Ncuti Gatwa explains why he left Doctor Who: 'I'm getting old, and my body was tired'
Former Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa has said he quit the long-running BBC show because "I'm getting old, and my body was tired". "I'm getting old and my body was tired" Actor Ncuti Gatwa says being Dr Who was "the most amazing job in the world" and he'd "never say never" to returning to the series #BBCLauraK — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) July 13, 2025 The Rwandan Scottish actor, 32, whose breakout role was Eric Effiong in the Netflix hit Sex Education, played the Time Lord for two series after first appearing in a 60th anniversary special with the 10th and 14th incarnations of the Doctor, David Tennant. In May, during his final episode as the 15th Doctor, Gatwa appeared to be replaced by former Doctor Who companion Billie Piper when his character regenerated. Gatwa told the BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme: "I'm getting old, and my body was tired... and I've now just started doing some ballet, so I'm making really great decisions. "It's the most amazing job in the world, a job that any actor would dream of and - because it's so good - it's strenuous. "It takes a lot out of you, physically, emotionally, mentally, and so it was time." Asked if he would ever come back to the show, he said: "Never say never." Barbie star Gatwa had played the Doctor since Tennant's Time Lord bi-generated in 2023, after his version of the alien character was brought back to the series as the 14th Doctor. Gatwa was expected to be the UK's spokesperson at the Eurovision Song Contest in May but pulled out, with speculation that the decision was connected to controversy surrounding Israel's participation in the competition. "It all panned out very interestingly. I pulled out of it a long time before it was announced," he said. "And it was announced when it was announced. I don't know why, but I was just very busy. "Just had a lot of work schedules, a lot of press around The Roses (his latest film), around Doctor [ Who ]." Asked about the speculation surrounding his withdrawal, Gatwa, who did not watch this year's competition, said: "I was just very busy." The actor appeared on the Sunday morning news show to discuss the West End premiere of Born with Teeth, a play that re-imagines the relationship between rival playwrights Christopher Marlowe and William Shakespeare. Gatwa plays Marlowe with his Sex Education co-star Edward Bluemel as Shakespeare in the Royal Shakespeare Company production at London's Wyndham's Theatre from August. "It's a really great story between these two huge literary icons, and it's very exciting to imagine what could have happened in a room together," he said.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Andy Burnham: 'The loss of Pope Francis hit me harder than I expected'
Andy Burnham has opened up about how the death of Pope Francis hit him 'harder than expected'. Paying tribute to the late pontiff on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg this morning (April 27), the Greater Manchester mayor seemed 'genuinely' emotional as he described meeting Pope Francis as the 'most memorable and moving experience' of his life. The Labour mayor met the late leader of the Roman Catholic Church in 2023 as part of a delegation from Greater Manchester. READ MORE: Tributes as 'happy go lucky' man killed alongside beloved dog in south Manchester horror crash named READ MORE: Neo-Nazis celebrate Hitler's birthday in an Oldham pub with racist flags and a swastika cake During the visit to the Vatican, Mr Burnham presented Pope Francis with a signed Lisandro Martinez Manchester United shirt. Mr Burnham later revealed that it was a gift from the footballer dubbed 'the Butcher' who, like the late Pope, is from Argentina. The Greater Manchester mayor paid tribute to the late Pope, posting a statement on X ahead of his funeral on Saturday (April 26). "The loss of Pope Francis hit me harder than I expected"Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham says meeting the Pope was the "most moving" experience of his life#BBCLauraK — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) April 27, 2025 Appearing on her show the next day, presenter Laura Kuenssberg said she could tell Mr Burnham's emotions were 'really genuine'. The Greater Manchester mayor said: "To be honest, the loss of Pope Francis hit me harder than I expected. "He was certainly the most relevant and relatable Pope of my life and the one who seemed to live the Catholic Social Teaching that I learnt about in school so he really connected. "I had the good fortune to meet him with a Greater Manchester delegation. It was the most memorable and moving experience of my life. "It was profoundly moving and all of us felt that who were there with him because he connected with every single person in the room. It was something to experience. "The thing is, I think the world's lost a really important voice and the reason is, we're living in a time when big tech is monetising hate through social media platforms and then you've got political and religious leaders almost playing along with that and polarising people and firing up their bases. "That's why he was such an important voice in speaking for the poor, the marginalised, the underdog. That's what he did. "And he was also about deeds not words - he lived it as well. So few people do that these days. "So I just hope that those leaders gathered yesterday in St Peter's Square reflected - perhaps they did when he see some of the images. "Perhaps they reflected on why Pope Francis was so popular around the world and respected."
Yahoo
02-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Kemi Badenoch says Donald Trump did not 'ambush' Volodymyr Zelenskyy
CONSERVATIVE leader Kemi Badenoch has said Donald Trump and JD Vance did not "ambush" Volodymyr Zelenskyy following their shocking exchange at the Oval Office. The US President and Vice President humiliated the Ukrainian leader on live television on Friday accusing him of "gambling with world war three". The extraordinary clash resulted in the cancellation of a planned press conference and the expected signing of a rare minerals deal between the two countries. But despite the scenes causing shockwaves across the world, Badenoch has said she does not believe Trump ambushed his Ukrainian counterpart. READ MORE: She added that she did not think having English as a second language was "helpful" for Zelenskyy. Speaking to the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, she said: 'Honestly, my heart went out to President Zelenskyy. I watched it and I couldn't believe what was happening, he was being humiliated. 'I don't think we should conduct these sorts of difficult conversations in front of the cameras and we have to remember that President Zelenskyy is a hero, he is the person who represents that strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people.' "My heart went out to President Zelensky" Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says she "couldn't believe what was happening" and that Ukrainian President Zelensky was "humiliated" while meeting US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office#BBCLauraK — BBC Politics (@BBCPolitics) March 2, 2025 She added: 'I don't think it was an ambush, I think that both parties are working for their respective national interest, and they seem to be speaking at cross-purposes. 'I think sometimes having English as a second language is not necessarily helpful. During all the trade negotiations I had as trade secretary, most of the eastern European countries had an interpreter there.' Badenoch added that the UK needs to make sure "America does not disengage" in efforts towards peace in Ukraine. READ MORE: Earlier on the programme, Keir Starmer said he still trusts Trump despite his treatment of Zelenskyy. Asked if he trusted both Trump and Zelenskyy, he responded 'yes, I do' to both questions. Pressed on why he trusts the US President, he said: 'Because I've spoken to him a number of times. I've got to know him. I've had extensive discussions with him and I believe his motivation is lasting peace.' Starmer also refused to say he would pull an invitation to the US President for an unprecedented second state visit to the UK. Kuenssberg questioned why Trump deserves an unprecedented second visit when it wasn't offered to other US presidents like George Bush or Ronald Reagan. He said: 'I've seen people ramping up the rhetoric and taking to Twitter and saying what they would do. 'Good for them. I'm not that interested in that. 'I'm interested in what are the practical steps, what is the bridge building that I can do, what are the relationships that I can mend and take forward to take us to lasting peace in Europe."
