Latest news with #CallTheMidwife
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders legend 'died virtually penniless' after blowing £1m fortune
Leslie Grantham was a jewel in the crown of EastEnders as 'Dirty' Den Watts – but the actor sadly died with virtually no money to his name after an incredible downfall EastEnders continues to bathe in the glory of it 40th anniversary celebrations back in February. Viewers were delighted by an epic live episode that saw the harrowing death of Martin Fowler (James Bye), although viewers couldn't help spotting 'blunders' with Sonia and Linda during the special programme. For many months, the soap has also been indulging in a bit of nostalgia, welcoming back several familiar faces from the past, including from David Wicks (Michael French), Tracy-Ann Oberman (Chrissie Watts), Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer), Grant Mitchell (Ross Kemp) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). Yet, these comebacks are dwarfed by the programme's most dramatic 'return' plotline, which unfolded back in 2003. The decision to bring back 'Dirty' Den Watts from the dead – despite the character being 'killed off' in 1988 – made headlines and sent the show's ratings skyrocketing. Regrettably, for Leslie Grantham, the actor who portrayed Den, this comeback was to be his last hurrah. His second tenure on the show ended amidst scandal, causing his career to stumble. In 2004, a newspaper revealed then-57 year old Leslie had been exposing himself online, using a webcam in his EastEnders dressing room. Consequently, Den was written out of the show in early 2005, meeting his end for the second time after his wife Chrissie hit him on the head with an iron doorstop – and this time, there would be no miraculous resurrection. Following his departure from the limelight, Leslie did snag a part in The Bill, yet post-2005, his professional life was largely made up of panto and theatre gigs. Reports suggest that by 2018, when cancer claimed his life, Leslie was nearly destitute, having spent some of his last years in a friend's spare room after his long marriage to Jane Laurie ended. Daily Mail coverage indicated that the financially-stricken actor took measures to organise and pay for a 'no frills funeral', worried his family might otherwise be burdened with the cost. Possessing only scant shares in a business worth below £23,000 and a modest Bulgarian property, legal complexities meant his survivors – including his three sons with ex-wife Jane – wouldn't inherit much. A confidant revealed: "Leslie suffered from really bad money troubles the past several years, and worrying about it did his health no good. In fact, the stress of his financial situation probably speeded up his death as he was so frail." Detailing Leslie's funeral preparations, the informant shared: "He paid for the whole event and left specific instructions about what he wanted. An average funeral costs £4,000 and he made sure it was all sorted." On a brighter note, Leslie's son, Daniel Laurie, is keeping the acting legacy alive with his regular appearance as Reggie Jackson in the BBC series Call The Midwife.
The Sun
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Call The Midwife star marries director fiance amid rumours show is ‘ending'
CALL The Midwife star Rebecca Gethings has tied the knot with her director fiance. The 47-year-old married her long-term partner Tom Brass in the same week it was claimed the BBC drama is ending. 2 2 The pair, who share two children together, posted a sweet snap of them leaving The Old Truman Brewery in London, with Rebecca wearing an unusual pink wedding dress. The actress - who plays Sister Veronica in the BBC drama - wrote in a caption on Instagram,: "I do, he do, and we very much did." A number of Call The Midwife cast members sent their congratulations including Renee Bailey who plays Joyce Highland, wrote: "Wow", as Natalie Quarry who stars as Rosalind Clifford, wrote: "So gorgeous." This week there were reports the show is set to wrap up after series 15 in 2026, with the cast already filming their final scenes. However, the BBC has denied claims hit series Call The Midwife is coming to an end. The Daily Star told how it was transferring from the small screen to the big screen to follow in the footsteps of ITV series Downton Abbey which has spawned two spin-off movies, with the third coming to cinemas in September. The broadcaster said: "The BBC would like to reassure fans that Call The Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come. "As previously announced, there are two Christmas specials, a new series, a film and prequel series, before a sixteenth series in due course. "Call the Midwife isn't going anywhere.' BBC's Scott Mills forced to make a u-turn live on air
Scottish Sun
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Call The Midwife star marries director fiance amid rumours show is ‘ending'
The actress wore a pink wedding dress to marry her long-term partner tied the knot Call The Midwife star marries director fiance amid rumours show is 'ending' CALL The Midwife star Rebecca Gethings has tied the knot with her director fiance. The 47-year-old married her long-term partner Tom Brass in the same week it was claimed the BBC drama is ending. 2 Tom Brass married his long-term partner Rebecca Gethings 2 Rebecca Gethings plays Sister Veronica Credit: BBC The pair, who share two children together, posted a sweet snap of them leaving The Old Truman Brewery in London, with Rebecca wearing an unusual pink wedding dress. The actress - who plays Sister Veronica in the BBC drama - wrote in a caption on Instagram,: "I do, he do, and we very much did." A number of Call The Midwife cast members sent their congratulations including Renee Bailey who plays Joyce Highland, wrote: "Wow", as Natalie Quarry who stars as Rosalind Clifford, wrote: "So gorgeous." This week there were reports the show is set to wrap up after series 15 in 2026, with the cast already filming their final scenes. However, the BBC has denied claims hit series Call The Midwife is coming to an end. The Daily Star told how it was transferring from the small screen to the big screen to follow in the footsteps of ITV series Downton Abbey which has spawned two spin-off movies, with the third coming to cinemas in September. The broadcaster said: "The BBC would like to reassure fans that Call The Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come. "As previously announced, there are two Christmas specials, a new series, a film and prequel series, before a sixteenth series in due course. "Call the Midwife isn't going anywhere.'
The Irish Sun
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Call The Midwife star marries director fiance amid rumours show is ‘ending'
CALL The Midwife star Rebecca Gethings has tied the knot with her director fiance. The 47-year-old married her long-term partner Tom Brass in the same week it was claimed the BBC drama is ending. 2 Tom Brass married his long-term partner Rebecca Gethings 2 Rebecca Gethings plays Sister Veronica Credit: BBC The pair, who share two children together, posted a sweet snap of them leaving The Old Truman Brewery in London, with Rebecca wearing an unusual pink wedding dress. The actress - who plays Sister Veronica in the BBC drama - wrote in a caption on Instagram,: "I do, he do, and we very much did." A number of Call The Midwife cast members sent their congratulations including Renee Bailey who plays Joyce Highland, wrote: "Wow", as Natalie Quarry who stars as Rosalind Clifford, wrote: "So gorgeous." This week there were reports the show is set to wrap up after series 15 in 2026, with the cast already filming their final scenes. READ MORE ON CALL THE MIDWIFE However, the BBC has denied claims hit series Call The Midwife is coming to an end. The Daily Star told how it was transferring from the small screen to the big screen to follow in the footsteps of ITV series Downton Abbey which has spawned two spin-off movies, with the The broadcaster said: "The BBC would like to reassure fans that Call The Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come. "As previously announced, there are two Christmas specials, a new series, a film and prequel series, before a sixteenth series in due course. Most read in News TV "Call the Midwife isn't going anywhere.'
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Call The Midwife star ties the knot with director fiancé and breaks wedding tradition as BBC star gushes 'we very much did it'
Call The Midwife actress Rebecca Gethings has tied the knot with her long-term partner, choosing a pink frock in a twist on tradition. The 47-year-who plays Sister Veronica in the hit BBC series, married her long-term partner, the animation director Tom Brass, with whom she has two children. Taking to Instagram, Rebecca confirmed her nuptials beneath a happy photo of the pair emerging from the Old Truman Brewery in London. She said: 'I do, he do, and we very much did' which prompted a slew of Call The Midwife cast members to send their best wishes. Renee Bailey who plays Joyce Highland, wrote: 'Wow.' And Natalie Quarry who stars as Rosalind Clifford, wrote: 'So gorgeous.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rebecca Gethings (@rebeccagethings) Since first joining the series in 2023, Rebecca's character Sister Veronica who works as a nun and health visitor, has become beloved by viewers for her plucky personality and forthright manner. Despite a shaky start, Sister Veronica proves her worth as she delivers babies, advocates for social care improvements and builds trust among her colleagues at Nonnatus House. But earlier this year the Canadian-born actress told how she'd experienced some 'spooky' encounters on set, as several co-stars are said to have witnessed some 'weird goings on' amid rumours that the Surrey-based building is haunted by an Edwardian lady. Rebecca told My Weekly magazine: 'I never go there on my own.' She went on to describe, 'lights going on and off and spooky male laughter outside the women's toilets.' She added: 'Just outside Dr Turner's office, our medic heard a bang when they were locking up for the night,' Gethings explained. 'She went running in and took a photo in the dark, and when you zoom in, there is the figure of an Edwardian lady holding what looks like a pig.' The period drama is filmed at Longcross Studios in Surrey, where a Victorian manor serves as Nonnatus House. But aside from some spookiness, Rebecca, who is also known for her roles in the BBC comedy The Thick of It and Ricky Gervais's Extras, also confessed that the Call the Midwife cast are like family. The cast and crew are currently filming the 15th series of the show which includes a two-part Christmas special set both in Hong Kong and Poplar, followed by eight hour-long episodes set in early 1971. It comes after it was reported that Call the Midwife will reportedly come to a close after its 15th series next year. The heartwarming show first aired in 2012 and has since put out 14 series, totalling to more than 100 episodes following the nurses and nuns in Poplar. A Christmas special for this year has already been announced, with the cast said to be currently at work filming for next year's series. However, according to The Daily Star, season 15 will be the show's last, as bosses want the popular drama to 'go out on a high'. A source told the publication: 'After years of drama and countless births, Call The Midwife is coming to an end. The team have decided it's time to draw the show to a close and bow out. 'This is the last we'll see of these much-loved characters. Storylines will tie up a lot of loose ends. It's a bittersweet time for the cast and crew. They're all sad it's coming to an end, but they want to make sure the show gets the ending it deserves.' However, the insider teased that there could be a special return episode one day in the future, saying: 'The writers are also open to the idea of reviving Call The Midwife for a special one day in the future. It's a case of never say never.'
