Latest news with #CentralLondon
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
First look at Nick Frost as Hagrid on set of Harry Potter TV series as he strides past fast food restaurants to get the tube - and fans are already divided
Nick Frost was spotted striding past fast food restaurants as he filmed scenes as Hagrid for Harry Potter 's TV series this week. The actor and comedian, 53, was captured in full costume as shooting on the first season of the highly-anticipated adaption continues. Earlier this month bosses confirmed the show had gone into production with actor Dominic McLaughlin who plays Harry, posing with a clapperboard on set. A video posted to X, formerly Twitter, shows Nick as he sports long black locks as well as a bushy beard while playing the fan-favourite grounds keeper. Filming is believed to have taken place at Embankment in Central London, as Frost can be seen descending a staircase for the London Underground. Dominic was also spotted in the background of the clip, suggesting the pair had just filmed scenes together. However, the first look has left diehard Harry Potter fans divided as they flooded X with comments. One remarked: 'A bad version of Hagrid incoming and Nick playing well Nick.' A second said: 'Hagrid looks much better here than the original picture.' Meanwhile, a third fan posted: 'Thank God. I'm so happy that the character of Hagrid is doubling as a prosthetic/physical prop as well as the actor just like the original Hagrid was. The set photo of Nick Frost as Hagrid just looked really weird, but I am so glad that that is not going to be completely how he looks.' 'He is already struggling while walking in production of first season,' said a third. Robbie Coltrane, who died in 2022 at the age of 72, played the character in all eight of the original movies. Meanwhile, Nick was forced to switch off his Instagram comments when news of his casting was announced after he was trolled by trans activists. Distancing himself from Rowling's trans views, Nick told the Observer: 'She's allowed her opinion and I'm allowed mine. They just don't align in any way, shape of form.' He is already struggling while walking in production of first season — Waseem (@waseemmehmood24) July 21, 2025 A video posted to X, formerly Twitter , shows Nick as he sports long black locks as well as a bushy beard while playing the fan-favourite grounds keeper British actor-comedian Nick Frost will play half-giant Rubeus Hagrid, originally embodied by the late Robbie Coltrane The series is a reboot of J.K. Rowling 's seven-book series and is a full-scale, decade-long adaptation that promises to stick far more closely to the original storylines than the blockbuster films Playing Harry's best friends are Arabella Stanton as Hermoine Granger and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley. Additional cast members have also been revealed, with Rory Wilmot set to play Neville Longbottom, Amos Kitson as Dudley Dursley, Louise Brealey as Madam Rolanda Hooch, and Anton Lesser - best known for his role as Qyburn in Game Of Thrones - as Garrick Ollivander. It comes as Bel Powley and Daniel Rigby were announced the Mr and Mrs Dursley earlier this summer. Janet McTeer, known for her powerhouse performances on stage and screen, will step into the sharp heels of Professor McGonagall, while rising star Paapa Essiedu takes on the darker, more complicated role of Severus Snape – a part made famous by the late Alan Rickman. BAFTA-winning actor Daniel Rigby, 42, will play her husband Vernon Dursley, though it's yet to be revealed who will play their son English actress Bel Powel has reportedly signed up to play Petunia Dursley in the TV adaption after shooting to fame in 2015 Johnny Flynn, 42, will play Draco Malfoy's dad Lucius - who was played by Jason Isaacs in the movie Emmy-nominated actress Janet McTeer (left) will take over from the late Maggie Smith (right) as Professor McGonagall in the highly-anticipated HBO adaptation John Lithgow (left) was been picked to play the new Professor Albus Dumbledore, a role originally played by Michael Gambon in the last six of eight Harry Potter films It was confirmed earlier this year that Essiedu (left), an acclaimed English actor who is of Ghanaian descent, would star in HBO 's new Harry Potter series as Hogwarts professor Snape, a role originated by the late Alan Rickman (right), a white man Johnny Flynn, 42, will play Draco Malfoy's dad Lucius - who was played by Jason Isaacs in the movie. Emmy winner John Lithgow has also signed on the dotted line to play Headmaster Albus Dumbledore. It was also revealed that Katherine Parkinson, 47, will be playing Bill, Charlie, Percy, Fred, George, Ron and Ginny's mum Molly Weasley. The HBO TV show is said to be costing £75million per episode - and the three child actors taking the lead roles have been tipped to land themselves even bigger fortunes than the original stars.
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Johnny Depp is supported by pals Ronnie and Sally Wood at UK premiere of new movie after opening up about his 'dumping' from Hollywood amid Amber Heard's allegations of abuse
Johnny Depp looked typically stylish as he stepped out for the premiere of his new movie Modi: Three Days on the Wing of Madness on Tuesday. The new film, scheduled for release in the United Kingdom on Friday, is directed by the Hollywood star, 62, and boasts a star-studded cast including Al Pacino. Johnny arrived at the UK premiere shortly after 8pm donning as extravagant an outfit as ever. While covering his eyes with a pair of blue-tinged sunglasses matching his socks, the man of the moment sported a dark grey suit teamed with a scarf and boots for the occasion. He posed for photos with the stars of the new film, including Riccardo Scamarcio, Bruno Gouery and leading lady Antonia Desplat. Johnny and Antonia, who dazzled in a yellow flowing dress, appeared in great spirits for the central London event as they were pictured joking around outside. The man of the moment sported a dark grey suit teamed with a scarf and boots as he arrived shortly after 8pm The new film, a biographical drama about the Bohemian Italian artist Amedeo Mogigliani, marks Depp's return to the director's chair more than 25 years after he made his debut with the 1997 film The Brave. Helping the Pirates of the Caribbean actor celebrate on the evening were his pals Ronnie and Sally Wood. The Rolling Stones rocker, 78, has long been friends with Depp, who even appeared on-stage at a Rolling Stones gig in 2018. Ronnie looked typically dapper on the red carpet in a black suit and coordinated tie after taking off a stylish pair of sunglasses. While his spouse, 47, who he tied the knot with in 2012, dazzled on the occasion in an eye-catching golden dress and some red lipstick. The couple looked as loved-up as ever as they stood arm-in-arm while posing for photos on their arrival. FBI International actress Eva-Jane Willis, 41, was another of the stars in attendance, with the South African-Irish star arriving alongside her husband Alex Forsyth. She flashed a hint of her abs in a black and white two-piece while posing for wholesome photos alongside her partner, who she married in 2022. The release of Depp's new endeavour comes just a couple of weeks after the star opened up about his 'dumping' by Hollywood amid Amber Heard's allegations of abuse. Johnny strenuously denied what his ex, who he split from in 2016, accused him of. The couple's alleged violent relationship sent shockwaves throughout the industry and both parties were dropped from work projects at the time. After her allegations surfaced in 2018, Depp was axed from the Fantastic Beasts movie 'in what felt like a millisecond'. He told The Telegraph: 'Like while I was doing the movie. They said we'd like you to resign. But what was really in my head was they wanted me to retire'. He remembered his response being: 'F*** you. There's far too many of me to kill. If you think you can hurt me more than I've already been hurt you're gravely mistaken'. Johnny married Amber in 2015 after the pair met on set of The Rum Diary (2011). However, she filed for divorce the following year, and it was finalised in 2017. As well as being axed from jobs, Johnny has now claimed he was also let down by some of the people in his inner circle who attended his children's birthday parties. Speaking to the Sunday Times, Johnny criticised the actions of three of his close friends and claimed he had been a 'crash test dummy for the #MeToo movement'. He said: 'I'll tell you what hurts. There are people, and I'm thinking of three, who did me dirty. Those people were at my kids' parties, throwing them in the air.' 'And, look, I understand people who could not stand up [for me], because the most frightening thing to them was making the right choice.' During the Depp v. Heard trial that came to an end in June 2022, Johnny received a rally of support from fans at the Fairfax County courtroom in Virginia. Johnny and Amber's publicised legal issues began when he filed a libel lawsuit against The Sun's publisher and it's executive editor Dan Wootton over a 2018 article which included claims that he was a 'wife beater.' But in 2020, the High Court of Justice ruled in favour of The Sun's publisher and Wootton, but Johnny later sued Amber in 2019 for defamation over a 2018 op-ed article she wrote for The Washington Post. She countersued her ex-husband in 2020 and the trial officially began in April 2022. Two months later, the jury's verdict was in favour of Johnny. At the time, the star had offered his reaction to the ruling and expressed that the 'jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.' He star also expressed, 'Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.' Amber has since moved and settled in Spain - where she raises her three children, a daughter born in 2021 via surrogacy and she announced in May that she had also welcomed twins. Johnny has also made his return to the big screen following the trial, such as Jeanne du Barry (2023).
Daily Mail
03-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
West end landlord Great Portland Estates cashes in on Work From Home crackdown
West End landlord Great Portland Estates has been boosted by demand for premium office space in 'a market starved of supply'. It has signed 17 leases and renewals since April 1, worth around £20.7million in rent a year. A further £7.7miillion worth of rent is under offer. It comes as firms dramatically cut the homeworking they allow amid fears that it has stifled productivity and career progression. And rents have been driven up by a lack of supply after office investment dipped during the pandemic. Great Portland expects rental growth for the year of 4 per cent to 7 per cent, and more across its prime locations, as demand booms. The firm, which owns sites in central London including in Oxford Street, said rents were up 6.7 per cent compared with March. It recently let 62,500 sq ft of office space to US private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice on a 15-year lease, signed a year before the property is complete.
Telegraph
03-07-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Why you can now find a bargain in London's family home hotspots
The market for the capital's most expensive homes has taken a battering in recent years. House prices have been falling consistently for more than two years, dropping almost 4pc in the past year alone, according to Savills. In some areas, this has been far more extreme. In St John's Wood, Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, highly affluent areas historically frequented by artists and celebrities, prices have plummeted 14.2pc in the past year, according to LonRes. North Kensington recorded a drop of 8pc over the same period. Properties are not selling, so house prices are being slashed. In central London's WC postcode, 18.6pc of home on the market have had their prices cut, according to property portal Zoopla. The capital's SW, EC, SE and W postcodes also feature in the top 10. Of homes in central London valued at between £1m and £10m that sold in the first three months of the year, 82pc went for less than the asking price, according to data from Coutts. It said that the level of discounting is at a five-year high. Across prime central London, values were 21.2pc lower in the first quarter of 2025 than in the peak in 2014, according to estate agent Savills. That marks a 42pc drop in real terms. The Government's hostile policies towards wealth, combined with high interest rates, uncertainty and sky-high stamp duty have pushed many of the capital's wealthy, and largely international, residents to sell up. But this has created a 'unique opportunity' to find bargains, estate agents say, and many British families are taking advantage. 'It's not all about non-doms' An exodus of millionaires due to the Government's scrapping of the non-dom policy is the driving factor behind the slump. The UK is expected to lose more millionaires than any other country this year, according to advisory firm Henley & Partners, which predicted that a net 16,500 millionaires will leave Britain in 2025, up from 10,800 last year. 'I'm on the shop floor, and I speak to buyers and sellers – they are leaving. That's a fact, there's no getting past it,' explains Stuart Bailey, who looks after the prime central London market for estate agent Knight Frank. But there are others who have also felt forced into selling up, he adds. 'It's not all about non-doms – that's an eye-catching headline term. 'There are wealthy entrepreneurial self-made Britons, who employ a lot of people here and own property, there are Americans who come here, and the 90-dayers too [who avoid paying tax in the UK if they spend less than 90 days here in a tax year]. 'There's a perception of successive UK governments – not just this one – as being anti-wealth, and that has a big impact on sentiment. If one person leaves and speaks to their friends, they then decide that if their mates are going, they might go too. It feeds itself.' 'This is a unique opportunity' The exodus of ultra-wealthy, more international buyers from the market is spurring other buyers into action. Many are British, explains Keith Rigby of estate agent Rigby and Marchant. 'At the moment there are more domestic buyers than overseas buyers… [British families] have the same anxieties and concerns as our international buyers, but they have different needs. They have ties to the schools here, and can't just up sticks and move to Dubai or Milan.' Christian Lock-Necrews, of estate agent Winkworth's Knightsbridge branch, adds: 'It's more domestically led now. People feel like they don't need to be international billionaires to be able to compete. The market works again for British buyers, who have been the predominant [demographic] recently.' British families prefer buying in areas that are still 'prime', but which are less central, adds Rigby. '[Areas such as] Shepherd's Bush, Chiswick and Queen's Park have continued to do well with domestic buyers, because prices there did not rise as quickly as the prime areas did between 2012 and 2016.' In areas generally frequented by international residents, there is a glut of properties for sale, explains Charlie Ellingworth, of Property Vision, a buying agency. 'In Chester Square [in Belgravia], for instance, there are more than 20 houses on the market... Montpelier Square [in Knightsbridge], with Harrods as the local grocer, has nine houses on the open market and at least another three who could be persuaded. 'The 'international' market of central London is, at best, treading water and the areas further out – essentially 'domestic' – are trading quite strongly.' Lock-Necrews believes that prices are now at their lowest. 'If you're buying now, I think this is likely to be the bottom,' he says. 'For me, [the prime central London market] has found its baseline. Those transactions are starting to take place again, people are spending. But it'll only be possible to tell when looking back in the rear-view mirror. From what I can see, this is a unique opportunity, and the people buying now will get the best of it.' Bailey adds: 'There are people who have moved to Dubai, and they don't like it – I suspect that in due course, many intend or wish to come back. They're not necessarily happier there, but they feel forced out.'
Daily Mail
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Lady Lola Bute's princess party! Model aristocrat dances the night away in a tiara as she's chauffeured around London in a glitzy bus for her 26th - after THAT debauched 25th bash
Her 25th was certainly one for the books, involving a weekend-long celebration at her family seat, surrounded by A-listers in daring sheer outfits, dining on lobster, oysters and local beef before watching a grand fireworks display. But proving she's the Queen of birthday bashes, Lady Lola Bute celebrated her 26th in equal style this year, enjoying a fun-filled night of dancing while being chauffeured around London in a glitzy double decker party bus. Celebrating her latest milestone, the daughter of the late John Crichton-Stuart, 7th Marquess of Bute and fashion designer Serena Bute paraded around Claridge's in a tiara before putting on an evening of disco-filled fun for her loved ones. Deciding to stay closer to home this year, she threw a big birthday bash in Central London, inviting her closest family and friends onto a plush double decker party bus kitted out with a bar, dancefloor and comfy sofas. The aristocratic model certainly turned heads as she strutted around in a shimmery blue mini dress which featured a low back and showed off her toned physique. She paired her ensemble with strappy silver heels and a matching bag. Lola spent her evening dancing away to classic hits such as Whitney Houston 's I Wanna Dance with Somebody and Don't Phunk with My Heart by the Black Eyed Peas, as the bus toured around famous landmarks such as the London Eye, where Lola hopped out to get a snap in all of her finery. Champagne, beers and cocktails appeared to be endlessly flowing for guests, although not for Lola, who is sober and has been since 2020 after losing her boyfriend Kai Schachter, to suicide in 2019, and her best friend IIa Scheckter to a suspected accidental overdose just six months later. Meanwhile, four years ago, Lola's father died of cancer and she said at the time that she 'wouldn't wish it on her worst enemy'. She spent time raising awareness of mental health and raising money for charities, while continuing to post the occasional snap of the pair together, ensuring that his memory continues to live on. Lola captioned her birthday Instagram upload: 'I'm usually quite shy, don't really like attention and realllyyy hate my birthday, but this year thought I'd change it up… I feel so loved, I love my friends and family more than I could ever describe. 'Birthdays can be weird, turning 26 without my dad but knowing he's somewhere watching over me, hopefully proud. He was the one who always allowed me to be myself.' The 26-year-old decided to bask in the spotlight and soaked up being the star of the show as she put on a leggy display in her glittering frock and twirled around as her closest pals who encouraged her to let her hair down after a tough five years. Lola - who was once described as the 'ultimate It-girl' by society bible Tatler - had two separate celebrations, as she also shared snaps of her wearing a pink tiara which said: 'Birthday princess'. It is believed she spent the morning of her birthday tucking into breakfast at Claridge's - a luxury five-star hotel located in Knightsbridge and loved by A-listers and royals, from Queen Victoria to Kylie Minogue. Dressed in a silky pink top, Lola sipped her tea as she tucked into an impressive spread of exotic fruits, pancakes, avocado, sourdough and boiled eggs - which she washed down with some freshly squeezed orange juice. Later, she was also seen riding as a passenger on a Lime bike, wrapping her arms around a man's back who is believed to be her Dutch model boyfriend Parker Van Noord, who she has been dating since 2023. Lola was showered in stunning bouquets of flowers which she placed inside her Claridge's hotel room, where a superior suite is priced at an eye-watering £1,560 a night. It is believed she spent the morning of her birthday tucking into breakfast at Claridge's - a luxury five-star hotel located in Knightsbridge She was given a birthday card and a cake from the hotel to add to her towering stack of gifts which included Charbonnel and Walker chocolate truffles, a Quasi face mask along with gift boxes filled with goodies. Lola was seen blowing out her candles on her buttercream heart-shaped cake adorned with pink flowers, as she appeared to keep her birthday celebrations relatively low-key in comparison to last year. Ever the party planner, the socialite she had been planning the impressive party since she was five years old. The star-studded guest list included Sienna Miller, Poppy Delevingne and Princess Olympia of Greece, who all joined Lola on the island. She wore a similar 90s-inspired silver micro-dress and was pictured dancing seductively with her boyfriend Parker. Lola told ELLE magazine: 'I've literally been planning this party since I was five. My mum would dread getting stuck on a ski lift with me because it's all I talk about. Most girls are thinking about their wedding. I was like, 'I don't want to share the attention with anyone'.' The theme was 'How Lola Can You Go?' and she must had had a vivid childhood imagination judging by the pictures Lady Lola later posted on social media which immediately caused a viral sensation. Giant inflatable mushrooms and tepees implausibly sprouted throughout the vast baronial mansion on the Isle of Bute. There was techno music and flashing lights, dining tables groaning with lobsters, oysters and local beef, a marching band of pipers and fireworks lighting up the skies above the Firth of Clyde. Hollywood stars mingled with fashion icons and royalty sipping champagne through straws straight from the bottle with the whole weekend extravaganza described as Ibiza colliding with Saltburn, the arch movie satire about the debauchery of the upper classes. 'I love an occasion,' she told the magazine, admitting that she has always loved to play a character rather than herself 'because I think I wasn't quite sure who I was, honestly, until recently'. She recalls telling her headmaster on her first day at school that she wanted to be Cinderella rather than Lola. Nevertheless, she was surprised with the media frenzy the bash received: 'My mum was like, 'I think we should say no Instagram or social media over the weekend'. I was like, 'Don't be ridiculous. No one cares'. I don't know what happened, but I went to sleep on Sunday night and woke up on Monday, and it was everywhere.' Her father, John Crichton-Stuart, spent much of his time on his namesake Scottish island at his ancestral home, Mount Stuart, and had chaired the Board of Mount Stuart Trust since 2005. The 7th Marquess, once ranked 616th in the Rich List, was also a Formula 1 driver in 1986 as he partnered Ayrton Senna and raced under the name Johnny Dumfries. At the time of his death his family issued a statement describing him as a 'devoted husband, father, brother, uncle, son and grandfather and loved by all'. It said: 'The indomitable spirit and energy which Johnny brought to his life will be greatly missed, and the immense warmth and love with which he embraced his family. 'His heart was firmly rooted on the Island of Bute where he spent much of his time. 'Johnny chaired the Board of Mount Stuart Trust from its active inauguration in 2005 when Mount Stuart and its gardens opened to the public, and its rural estate was vested into the charitable trust. 'He was a moderniser and an inspirational thinker, transitioning a family home to a progressive, working visitor facility and estate. 'His island projects include the internationally respected Bute Fabrics and, most recently, the Kerrylamont Centre for Rural Excellence and Bute Yard. He was a philanthropist through his foundation, particularly focusing on Scotland and the West Coast. His family request privacy at this time.'
