Latest news with #BucksFizz
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Celebrity to relaunch Tonbridge charity shop where she volunteers
A celebrity is relaunching a charity shop in Kent where she Baker, who was a member of pop group Bucks Fizz, is relaunching the Demelza shop in Tonbridge as an outlet on charity, which supports children with serious or life-limiting conditions, said: "It's great for sustainability and means all donations get as much chance as possible of being sold."Baker, who is a celebrity ambassador for Demelza, opened the charity's original Tonbridge shop in August 2018 and regularly volunteers at the site. The charity said its outlet shops sold products between 50p and £5 in uniformed block prices - such as all trousers for £ said this helps move stock around to ensure everything "has the best chance of getting sold - so if something hasn't sold in one shop it will come to an outlet". Gemma Cruttenden, Demelza's deputy director of retail, said: "Charity shopping is a great form of recycling as it keeps unwanted goods out of landfill, gives items a new lease of life and provides affordable shopping options for people."
Irish Examiner
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Lighten up: Rock and rolling in West Cork
I went to an outdoor rock concert over the weekend. The first I had attended since Wacko rocked SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh back in 1988. This one was held in Bandon town, with local band Déjà Vu belting out the hits. And boy golly they did. No rolling stone was left unturned. They were brilliant. The rain stayed away, Déjà Vu gave it welly. A great night was had by all. And better again, this time the concert was free! The good people who run the Bandon Music Festival, and fair play to them, understand completely that local farmers like me have no money to be splashing out on fancy concert tickets. With the high prices now needed to pay for store bullocks, we have no money for anything that costs more than a pot of jam The days when hard-working farmers would queue for long hours for tickets to see the likes of Kylie Minogue are in the past. The only "spinning around" most of us do nowadays is on the tractor with a fertiliser spinner attached to our rear. With our input costs gone through the roof, Bucks Fizz and their ilk are in "the land of make-believe" if they think farmers like me will flock to their shows. No. In today's farming world, it's a case of the best things in life are free. Anyhow, as I mentioned earlier, it was free, and so as Déjà Vu belted out one rock anthem after another, I soaked it all in like molasses on silage. I thought I was 16 again, shaking my head that now has no hair on it, and shaking a leg that now shakes even when there is no music playing. The hours might be on the clock, but the old throttle can still be opened fully. And better again, while I rocked and rolled in Bandon town, back home on the farm, the rolling also continued. For unbeknownst to many who might presume that Auld Lehane was taking the night off, the reality was far from it. My feet may have been in LA, but my mind was definitely back in Tennessee The farm at home, at that very moment, was being rolled like crazy by my daughter Aisling, who had happily chosen rolling fields over the Rolling Stones. While I moved like Jagger (literally), she was rolling the fields to perfection in preparation for the upcoming silage season. And while many might wonder as to the late date to be rolling and indeed preparing for silage, I only have one answer. In the words of Phil Lynott: "Don't believe a word." Don't believe what the experts tell you. It's never too late to roll or cut silage. I rarely cut silage before September. For like Rod Stewart himself, I believe "the first cut is the deepest" and I am usually in no hurry to get it out of the ground. "Let it grow", to quote Eric Clapton, has always been my motto with regards to silage. For now, rolling is the priority. For me personally speaking, any opportunity to put the feet up — or indeed to shake them in all directions — will be welcomed with open arms. The silage can wait. Summer in West Cork is unbeatable and you simply "gotta roll with it". Read More Denis Lehane: Dreams of Tom Cruise at Cork Summer Show
Irish Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker shares 'tense moment' Mike Nolan quit the band
Bucks Fizz star Cheryl Baker has revealed the tense moment Irish man Mike Nolan quit the band. The 1981 Eurovision winner has spoken of the moment her former band member Mike Nolan quit spin-off band 'The Fizz' in a difficult exchange back in 2024. Speaking in a new interview with Slingo, Cheryl who was part of 1981 Eurovision-winning group 'Bucks Fizz', admits Mike 'had been talking about [quitting] since lockdown' but she managed to 'keep talking him out of it'. However, she said the final straw for Mike came during a 2024 photoshoot, when he revealed to Cheryl and fellow member Jay Aston he didn't want to do any of their upcoming gigs. She said: '[The Fizz] have just finished working on a ship, we did an 80s cruise and we had so much fun. 'We've got a festival in a couple of weeks up in Sunderland and I can't wait. We're rehearsing some songs they haven't learnt yet, for them, they're still learning stuff. 'We've got two guys now who are very happy to be there, whereas Mike didn't want to be there. He'd had enough. 'He'd been talking about it since lockdown. I kept talking him out of it but in the end, we did a photo session for a newspaper and it was a really good session, we did the photos, interviews etc. 'We then went to have some lunch, and me and Jay were chatting about gigs we had coming up, and Mike's face just went (sighs), he looked upset. I went, whatever's the matter.' Cheryl recalls giving him an ultimatum on his future in the band, which led to Mike leaving, but not before a 'very special' last gig in November last year. 'He said, 'I don't want to do them!' I slammed my fists down on the table and said,' you can't keep playing like this, you're either staying or you're going', so he said, 'I want to go'. We had to make a final date which was in November last year, we did it in a small theatre, a 500-seater, but it was a favourite in Kent, we all live there. 'It was a very special night with all our families and friends there, but I think he was relieved it was the last one. 'I miss Mike Nolan, because he's like a brother to me but he'd really had enough. Scott Mills kept playing, audio of Mike saying 'I've had enough', and he had. 'He was fed up with the journeys, with the driving and trains. I talk to him every couple of days, and we check in with each other. 'He's not envious in the slightest, he's very happy with us to carry on working.' But she said she still talks to Mike every few days. 'We have the best memories! And the most fun. Mike and I were like naughty children, going back to sneaking back in Dublin, we have a lot of fantastic memories, Mike and I. 'But we're making new memories with our new guys, they're so much fun, I love them.'
Daily Mirror
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Brits name the greatest Eurovision UK entry - and it's an 80s classic
The UK has notched up five Eurovision Song Contest wins over the years, with the most recent victory in 1997, but which of the past entries are the most loved by Brits The British public have had their say on the top UK Eurovision entries of all time. Despite many Brits hoping for Ed Sheeran, Adele or Harry Styles to represent the UK in the annual song contest, there's a wave of optimism this year among Eurovision enthusiasts that Remember Monday could break the UK's 28-year losing streak. A survey revealed that 38% of Brits are devoted Eurovision fans, tuning in every year or most years and with anticipation mounting for Saturday's final, Brits have shared their rankings of past UK entries. Noteworthy mentions in the list of top UK Eurovision songs include Lulu's 'Boom Bang-a-Bang' from 1969, and Sonia's 'Better the Devil You Know', which just missed out on first place in 1993. Cliff Richard's debut Eurovision entry in 1968, 'Congratulations', and Katrina and the Waves' 'Love Shine a Light', which marked the UK's last Eurovision victory in 1997, completed the top five in the poll of 2,000 adults. However, topping the nation's favourite past entries are Bucks Fizz's 'Making Your Mind Up', Sam Ryder's 'Space Man' and Brotherhood of Man's 'Save Your Kisses for Me'. Cheryl Baker, who secured the Eurovision title as part of Bucks Fizz in 1981, expressed her joy at being ranked the favourite of all time: "That's fantastic! It's amazing it was 44 years ago that we won." "My favourite was Sandie Shaw with 'Puppet on a String', and I was so thrilled when I got to meet her. Brotherhood of Man were the biggest selling of the Eurovision entries – I think they sold six million records! But it's an absolute honour and a privilege that people think of our entry as the best of British. "There's been so many great songs which have come from the UK over the years, and it makes me so proud that people think of Bucks Fizz when they think of Eurovision." Chatting at the WhichBingo Awards, Cheryl also shared her thoughts on this year's UK entry, Remember Monday. Cheryl said: "I've never picked a winning song yet. I think the girls are fantastic, and the song is really good. "I know the bookies are only giving it a 1% chance – but you never know. I love what the girls wear, it's almost theatrical, and historical in a way – it could be something from Bridgerton." But she said this might not be enough, especially against Sweden: "They put everything in – it's not just the song and the singing, it's all in the production." "I think they could possibly nick it, which would make them the most successful Eurovision country ever, and they'd love to take that crown – but we'll give them a good run for their money." Hopeful that her song with Bucks Fizz will remain just as popular in years to come she said: "I'd like to think Making Your Mind Up will still be popular in another 44 years. The bit they always show on the telly is when the skirts come off, as simple as that was it made that performance, and that moment is what stuck in people's memories." The study revealed that the key elements to a Eurovision-winning entry include a catchy, memorable chorus (38%), an unforgettable strong hook melody (34%) and an emotional or powerful vocal performance (24%). Other crucial components include a charismatic performer you can root for (20%) and a sense of fun and chaos (19%). Charlie Shakespeare added: "We're backing Remember Monday to go all the way, but how cool would it be if Ed Sheeran stepped out for Britain one year? As our research shows, there's a few different factors which go into a knockout Eurovision performance. If they can stick close to them, there's no reason Britain can't go all the way. "It's been great hosting so many stars at our awards ceremony this week. There's been a real buzz about the place with everyone chatting and having so much fun together." TOP 10 BRIT EUROVISION ENTRIES Bucks Fizz – 'Making Your Mind Up' Sam Ryder – 'Space Man' Brotherhood of Man – 'Save Your Kisses for Me' Cliff Richard – 'Congratulations' Katrina and the Waves – 'Love Shine a Light' Lulu – 'Boom Bang-a-Bang' Sonia – 'Better the Devil You Know' Olivia Newton-John – 'Long Live Love' Bonnie Tyler – 'Believe in Me' Cliff Richard – 'Power to All Our Friends'
Daily Record
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Brits music icon says she'd love to do Strictly but gets 'rejected every year by producers'
The singer, who rose to fame in the early 80s on the Eurovision Song Contest, revealed that BBC bosses have rejected her proposal to star on the show multiple times. UK Eurovision icon Cheryl Baker has revealed that she would love to participate in Strictly Come Dancing but she gets turned down by the producers every year. The 71-year-old singer, who was born Rita Maria Stroud, won the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest with the UK's pop group entry, Bucks Fizz, which she was a member of. However, it seems that the pop group's memorable win still isn't enough to get Cheryl Baker onto that Strictly Come Dancing ballroom floor. Cheryl still performs in the band alongside OG member Jay Aston and newcomers Nikk Mager and Matthew Pateman, but the group are now known as The Fizz instead. Speaking exclusively to Slingo, the singer revealed she's been repeatedly turned down for the BBC One reality series, despite regularly throwing her name into the ring. She also revealed that she had put herself forward for this year's Celebrity Traitors but was left 'gutted' to discover she was too late and the star studded cast had already been selected. While Cheryl has made her eagerness to dip her toes into reality TV pretty clear, also saying she'd 'love' a go on I'm A Celebrity, she has ruled out a return to Eurovision, despite insisting the group are now 'vocally stronger'. Formerly known as Bucks Fizz, the band were victorious in the 1981 Eurovision Song Contest Final with their song Making Your Mind Up. Their big win over 44 years ago comes as the second last time the UK have won the annual singing contest since. Britain have not been successful in Eurovision in the contest since 1997, when Katrina & The Waves came out on top with their song Love Shine A Light. During a conversation with Slingo, Cheryl was asked about her reality TV ambitions. She said: 'I'd love to do Strictly. I always put myself up for it every year, and they always say no, which is a great shame. I love dancing - I'm not a trained dancer, but I love dancing. "I would love to go do I'm A Celebrity - I would love that. I would also love to do Traitors. When I knew there was going to be a celebrity one, I contacted my agent and said, 'Get me on it!' "When she told me that they'd already cast it, I was gutted. I can't wait to see it, but I'd do any of them." Cheryl continued: "That's the way TV has gone. If you don't want to be on any of those shows, it really limits you to what you can do, because that's what's on TV now. "I miss Top of the Pops - I wish they'd bring it back. All the young artists now, they've got a televisual platform to show how good they are.' However, when questioned on a Eurovision return, she was not so keen. When asked if she'd ever go back on the contest, she said: " I mean, we've got our two new guys, they're great singers and if the cameras are far enough away… I'd hate for them to do camera close ups of Jay and I, and go, they're getting on a bit! "I feel vocally we're stronger now than we have been for years, because there's four of us and the boys are tremendous but I don't think we could do Eurovision again. 'We've carried on and had lots of gigs, working with Mike and Jay and now with Matthew [Pateman] and Nikk [Majer] as four. There are certain gigs that haven't employed us because we're not officially Bucks Fizz but we're really good!" Cheryl, 71, added: "We haven't done a Let's Rock for years, we used to do it as The Original Bucks Fizz, but because we're called The Fizz now, I'm guessing that's probably the reason we don't get to do it. "We do lots of other festivals and 80s weekends. It's great fun, I love it. They all chant and at the end we get them to sing 'A Land Of Make Believe' and they all sing it on their own, all the musicians cut out. I love it, what's not to love? It's such a boost to your ego!'
