Latest news with #BognorRegis
BBC News
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Northampton clown 'buzzing' about return after 11-year break
A clown who started in the industry when he was seven said he was "buzzing" to be back after an 11-year Reed, better known as Clumsy, attended his first clown convention in Bognor Regis as a child, which inspired a 30-year career. He will be performing twice a day, six days a week at Billing Aquadrome holiday park in Northampton as part of its Circus Fiesta event. Mr Reed decided to take a break to settle down with his partner and focus on his business but, after putting on his clown make-up once again, he said: "I feel unbelievable. I look in the mirror and it's shocking." Mr Reed acknowledged a lot of people suffered from coulrophobia, a fear of clowns, which meant he needed to adjust his performance according to the crowd."It's all about the way you approach the situation," he said. "People that are scared end up getting used to me and we have photos together after the show." His fascination with clowns began at the age of three, when he was taken to his first circus, inspiring him to start dressing up and attending said: "My parents always thought I'd grow out of it."Clowning has taken a back seat for over a decade but when he got the call to be a part of the Circus Fiesta, he said he was "buzzing like you wouldn't believe"."It's bonkers how everything's slotted into place. It's like it's meant to be." Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Gladiators Butlin's future decided following licensing rights row
GLADIATORS will not return to holiday camp Butlin's next year following a licensing rights row. Stars from the hit BBC game show were forced to compete in black tracksuits rather than their usual on-screen costumes when they headlined in March. 3 3 Stages for the Meet the Stars of Gladiators experience were also free of the usual logos and branding at the resorts in Bognor Regis, Minehead and Skegness. A source said: 'Gladiators won't be coming back for 2026 and will be replaced by another headliner. 'The licensing row was a headache — and bosses have decided that it is best to make room for a new act next summer. 'Fans were excited to see the Gladiators but many were left disappointed to find out they were in black tracksuits for some of the performances.' Hungry Bear Media, owned by telly host Holly Willoughby's husband Dan Baldwin, makes Gladiators for the BBC, and is said to have agreed the deal with Butlin's. However it only holds TV rights in the UK while US entertainment giant MGM owns the original format and branding worldwide. In March, photos of the Gladiators were taken off the Butlin's website. But the stars, who are due to appear at the resorts over the summer holidays and in October, have since reappeared in full costume, including Dynamite. A Butlin's spokesman said: 'Meet the Stars of Gladiators are performing as scheduled, and we have not dropped them. 'Our contract was a one-year deal and we're looking forward to having them at all three resorts this summer and for October half-term. "We've got an exciting line-up of new headliners for 2026.' This holiday park is like Center Parcs, Haven and Butlin's in one 3
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sam Thompson ‘punched by kid' after visiting one of UK's 'worst seaside resorts'
Former Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson admits he has never been on a caravan holiday, but has visited one UK seaside town that welcomes six million tourists a year Sam Thompson was 'punched in the b******s by a kid' when he visited the city dubbed one of the UK's worst seaside destinations. The former Made in Chelsea star says he was in Southend-on-Sea when he was struck by the youngster. The city was recently named among the worst seaside locations by consumer champions Which?. It propped up the table of seaside resorts along with Bognor Regis, Bangor in Wales, and Clacton. The I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! winner opened up about his visit to Southend after being quizzed if he had ever been on a caravan holiday by pal Pete Wicks. On their Staying Relevant podcast, Sam replied: 'No.' It led to reality TV star Pete reminiscing about his childhood holidays to towns such as Frinton and Saint Osyth in Essex. The former TOWIE star said: '[We] used to go to the static caravan homes. 'You'd go there, there'd be a clubhouse where all that sort of s**t goes on, there'd be weird forced fun activities during the day that even as a child I'd be miserable to do, and you'd get to play in the arcades down at Southend. You'd go to Frinton and the beaches.' It prompted Sam to recall the moment he visited Southend. He replied: 'I've been to Southend. I got punched in the b******s by a kid.' Pete responded: 'Yeah…let's go back. Not for that reason. But a typical old-school staycation like that, I think is fundamental to growing up, especially if you don't grow up with a lot of things. 'They were f*****g brilliant. Like honestly brilliant. I used to love the caravan type of stuff.' It would seem that Sam isn't the only person who doesn't have fond memories of Southend. The Essex city was recently branded the 'worst place on Earth' by Which? readers. Its beaches scored a lowly two stars while the city's scenery only bagged one star. Despite the criticism however, Southend attracts around six million visitors each year. In September 2024, the city was branded a 'no-go zone' due to street drinking, reports EssexLive. While visitors and locals alike have taken to Tripadvisor to share their reviews of the beach in Southend. One wrote: 'Went with my family on a trip to Southend. A few years back this beach was in an absolutely horrible state, so we came back to this beach to see if there were any improvements. However, results were very unexpected and shocking." Another reviewer said it was the "worst place on Earth", adding: "Avoid the beach, avoid the city, avoid the people." Not everyone was critical however. One visitor to the city praised the beach, writing: 'The beach is generally kept clean and tidy, if you're local it's nice to visit early in the day or later in the evening when the tourists aren't swarming the place but on a sunny bank holiday it is absolutely packed with people from out of the area."
North Wales Live
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
Iconic holiday park nominated as one of the best in prestigious UK travel awards
A popular family holiday spot is celebrating national acclaim after being shortlisted for two top honours at the 2025 British Travel Awards. Butlin's Bognor Regis has been named a finalist in both the 'Best Company for UK Parks and Lodges Holidays' and 'Favourite Company for Radio Advertisements' categories. These prestigious, consumer-voted awards recognise outstanding achievement across the UK's travel and leisure sector, spanning everything from holiday parks to cruise lines. With winners chosen entirely by public vote, the awards provide a genuine reflection of what matters most to UK holidaymakers. Butlin's is urging holidaymakers to cast their votes before the deadline on 1 November. Everyone who takes part will be automatically entered into a prize draw, with rewards including a £5,000 Greek holiday, a river cruise worth over £4,000, holiday vouchers of up to £1,000, or a £5,000 European villa break. Votes can be submitted online via the British Travel Awards website, reports the Mirror. The Bognor Regis resort has recently revealed new attractions following an ambitious program of refurbishment. Among the highlights is the company's largest-ever indoor Soft Play centre, spanning over 3,000 square feet across four floors and accommodating up to 200 children at a time - double the previous capacity. The resort's family-friendly appeal has been further enhanced with the introduction of a new Puppet Theatre, themed play zones, a sensory area for babies, a cosy café and complimentary shows such as Under The Sea and Christmouse. These additions have already proven popular, with thousands of families set to visit during the school holidays. The £1.8 million Soft Play investment is part of broader developments across Butlin's three seaside resorts. Bognor Regis also boasts the £15 million indoor activity centre PLAYXPERIENCE, offering nine immersive gaming experiences, ranging from laser tag and a VR arcade to escape rooms and more. In addition, the Minehead site recently welcomed a second £2.5 million SKYPARK, an inclusive and interactive playground suitable for children of all abilities. Over in Skegness, the £12 million Maple Walk village introduced 128 contemporary Premium Lodges at the heart of the resort. To mark these developments, Butlin's has launched a significant summer sale on 2025 and 2026 holidays, offering discounts of up to 40%. Deals include Midweek Showtime breaks at Bognor Regis from £69 in June, Summer Holidays with Stephen Mulhern featuring three-night stays from £352 and Justin Fletcher Tots Breaks starting at £79 in September. Holiday parks remain a beloved British institution, with families booking breaks to enjoy an action-packed getaway closer to home. For those seeking a break by the sea Haven Holidays offers an ideal combination of entertainment and sentimentality. Parkdean Resorts offers a similar arrangement across 66 locations featuring swimming facilities, onsite restaurants and more than a touch of old school nostalgia. While Center Parcs remains a favourite for its forest escapes packed with activities, prices can soar during school holidays. Brits love Butlins for the affordable fun it offers, with holidaymakers sharing their experiences on TripAdvisor. One visitor said: "We had a lovely Easter break at Butlin's Bognor. Top quality entertainment, engaging and friendly staff and we had the weather too. Such good fun for young and old alike. Very impressed with the new soft play, the Splash water park was fabulous and from start to finish we received nothing but exceptional customer service." Another family who stayed at Minehead added: "We've just returned from our most amazing family break at Butlins Minehead, marking our fifth year visiting, and we honestly can't praise it enough! From start to finish, everything exceeded our expectations." A holidaymaker who just returned from a visit in June, said: "Went to Skegness Butlins over the weekend and it was amazing, the kids absolutely loved it! The place was lovely and clean, staff were extremely helpful and we can't wait to come back." Nevertheless, not everyone left with rave reviews. One less impressed visitor noted: "Decided to give Butlin's a go for half term. Overall, for us adults, everything was a bit meh except for the entertainment, which was awesome." Another positive review from Bognor mentioned: "Always things to do never get bored. Very clean apartment. New playxperience building is very good, packed with new, fun experiences. Had great fun in laser tag. Brilliant and helpful staff." All of Butlin's holiday offers can be found here, with deals available at Minehead, Bognor Regis and Skegness. Depending on the date and location, guests could also secure up to 40% discount on meal packages.
BBC News
05-07-2025
- BBC News
Sussex Police officers served notices in fatal stabbing probe
Gross misconduct notices have been served to two police officers as part of an investigation into their actions prior to the death of a man in West April an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation was launched following the fatal stabbing of Metodi Petrov Ivanov in Bognor watchdog said the notices had been issued to a police sergeant and police constable and all parties involved had been said the serving of conduct notices did not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings would follow. The IOPC said: "Our investigation began following receipt of a complaint referral from the force in April 2025 and relates to previous reports made to Sussex Police from May 2024 onwards."Mr Ivanov was reportedly attacked near the pier on The Esplanade on 4 April and died the following day, Sussex Police previously Uzhyk, 31, from Bognor Regis, was charged with murder on 8 was also charged with two counts of possession of a bladed article and two counts of criminal damage. His trial is scheduled for 27 April 2026 and is expected to last four Police has been contacted for a comment.
