Latest news with #DavidParry
Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Simon Cowell to search for next breakout band in new Netflix docuseries
The man behind the success of One Direction stars in Simon Cowell: The Next Act, which sees him hold open casting calls before releasing the debut single of a new music group. The 65-year-old announced he was launching a UK-wide search for a new pop group in June 2024. He told the PA news agency at the time: 'I would pray to find a band as good as One Direction and to find the records as good as they made, there are so many factors involved to make a band successful all over the world.' Simon Cowell 'installs' a billboard in London as he launches his UK and Ireland search for the next 'boyband sensation' (David Parry Media Assignments/PA) Through Cowell's production company, Syco Entertainment, which is known for Britain's Got Talent, The X Factor and The Greatest Dancer, the music mogul has helped to launch the careers of pop bands including One Direction, Little Mix and Fifth Harmony. One Direction, comprising Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik, were formed on The X Factor in 2010. The boyband had hits with songs including What Makes You Beautiful and Best Song Ever, before going on an 'extended hiatus' in 2016. In October 2024, Payne died at the age of 31 after falling from the third-floor balcony of a hotel in Argentina. The new six-episode docuseries will stream on Netflix in December 2025. The search was documented by a TV crew from Box To Box Films, the company behind Formula 1: Drive To Survive. News of the show was announced alongside a slate of new unscripted series, including reality shows Let's Marry Harry and Calabasas Confidential.
Metro
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Nintendo Switch 2 outsells Switch 1 launch by over 100% but fails to beat PS5
Only a couple of UK retailers held midnight launches (Credits: David Parry/PA Media Assignments) The Nintendo Switch 2 has already sold over 160,000 consoles in the UK and become Nintendo's fastest selling console ever. Although there's still no official sales figures for the Nintendo Switch 2 everything points towards it being a massive worldwide success, selling more units in its first day than any other console. That'd certainly be an impressive feat, but Nintendo itself has yet to substantiate these claims. Earlier today, though, additional sales data has been shared, and it at least gives an indication of how the Switch 2 has performed here in the UK. Although no exact figures have been given, it's said that the Switch 2 has had the best UK launch of any Nintendo console ever. Although given the company's history in this country, it's difficult to know exactly what that means. The data comes courtesy of market research firm NielsenIQ, which shared its findings with The Game Business, adding that the Switch 2 outperformed the Switch 1 by more than two to one. On top of that, it outperformed the Nintendo 3DS, which was the original record holder for the biggest Nintendo hardware launch in the UK. For the record, the Switch 1 managed 80,000 units in the UK at launch while the 3DS sold 113,000 units. So the implication is that the Switch 2 sold over 160,000 consoles. Expert, exclusive gaming analysis Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. The only Switch 2 figures we have so far are from Currys, which says it sold 30,000 pre-orders at its stores, which they seemed to be very happy with. PlayStation consoles have always been more popular in the UK (Sony) NielseinIQ adds that this only makes the Switch 2 the fourth best-selling console launch in the UK, trailing behind the Xbox Series X/S, the PlayStation 4, and especially the PlayStation 5. Coming out in the middle of lockdown, the PlayStation 5 was a huge deal in the UK, when it launched in 2020, and went on to become the country's best selling console in 2021. As The Game Business points out, the original Switch and the Wii had weaker launches in the UK than the PlayStation 3 and Xbox One. The UK has always been Nintendo's weakest international market, which can be traced all the way back to the original NES from the 1980s. Not only did the UK not receive the console until 1987 – four years after its initial Japanese launch and two years after the US – but it and its games were badly overpriced and little effort was made in converting it for PAL televisions. Nintendo didn't even have a proper UK headquarters at that time and it wasn't until the GameCube that they started taking the region seriously, with the Wii and DS being the first time that Nintendo's success in the UK mirrored that of the rest of the world. The good news for Nintendo is that things have been steadily improving since then and doubling the Switch 1's debut is quite a feat. In the run up to the Switch 2's release, some analysts predicted it would be the biggest console launch ever, although Nintendo is only aiming to sell slightly more than the original Switch managed in its launch period. This more conservative outlook can likely be chalked up to Nintendo opting to play things safe due to all the uncertainty caused by US president Donald Trump's tariffs. Plus, it looks better for them if they easily beat their goals. A lot of people queued up for the Switch 2's midnight launch in the UK (Credits: David Parry/PA Media Assignments) Email gamecentral@ leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter. To submit Inbox letters and Reader's Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here. For more stories like this, check our Gaming page. Arrow MORE: Mario Kart World review – the final verdict on the Switch 2's biggest game Arrow MORE: Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour review – the dullest Nintendo game ever made Arrow MORE: New Splatoon game coming to Nintendo Switch 2 – plus massive Splatoon 3 update
South Wales Argus
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Gaming fans rush to buy new Nintendo Switch 2 before stock runs out
The console has been highly anticipated by gamers following the release of the original Switch more than eight years ago in March 2017. Dozens of people, some dressed as characters from the Mario games, queued outside Currys in Oxford Street, central London, which opened at midnight for shoppers to claim their console, which the retailer is selling for £395. Zac Young, from Kingston, was the first in the queue to get his hands on the device. Nintendo fans get to grips with the new Switch 2 device (David Parry/PA) It comes as Game cancelled pre-orders just days before release, while several other retailers sold out on launch day following the high demand for the product. Nintendo has reportedly upgraded its expectation of sales by the end of the financial year from 15 million consoles to 20 million. Fans in London hit the shops early on Thursday morning to be able to claim their console on release day. Ray Reyes, 36, a nurse from Lincoln, said: 'I tried to pre-order and it was impossible to actually buy one. 'It just wasn't available online at all. Most of the sites said we had to pop into the store to actually get one. 'I think it's to discourage scalping, where people buy one online and then sell it on for a much higher price of like £600 because there's so much demand.' Mr Reyes is visiting London to see Beyonce in concert with his boyfriend, Joseph Agra, 31, and the couple used the opportunity of being in the capital to buy the console. Mr Agra, who works for a bank in Lincoln, said: 'There's that feeling when you're buying the console on the day of release. It hits a bit different. 'We're going back to the hotel to play it now, I'm quite excited. 'It should be a better overall performance. Although the graphics won't be the same as on a proper console, it should be a massive improvement on the original Switch. 'I'm also excited to see what other developers can do with it now it's out.' Zac Young from Kingston was the first in the queue at Currys' Oxford Street store in London (David Parry/PA) Tony Gu, 25, a computer science student who lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was another who purchased the console early. He said: 'I've spent almost 2,000 hours playing Splatoon on the original Switch, so I'm excited to buy the Switch 2. 'There was no stock online for pre-orders either in Saudi Arabia or the UK, so I've had to come here in person and buy it here. 'I bought Zelda, but I never played it on the original Switch as the performance was just terrible, so I hope it has improved. 'I also hope the graphics have gotten better. It's a bit frustrating because, in Japan, there's a Japanese-only version which can be as much as 70% cheaper. 'But given that I played Switch for thousands of hours I think it's worth it, but I still wish I didn't have to pay a lot.' Simon Hudson, 44, a software designer from Perth, Australia, who has lived in London for 15 years said he bought two to play with his husband. He said: 'I don't think it's hype bubble. I'm only picking it up today mainly because my husband's got a couple of games he's wanted to play that are coming out today, along with the release, like the new Mario Kart and Rune Factory. 'So he wants to be among the first ones on there. We've been playing that (Rune Factory) for 20 years, but the new version has come out alongside the Switch. So that's the main reason I'm here.' Others have taken to social media to air their frustration. Asked to post a comment about their favourite Nintendo character in order to enter a Currys giveaway for the console on X, one gamer replied: 'Dry Bowser as he is probably as rare as getting hold of a Switch 2 on release day.' Another fan who managed to get hold of their console said: 'My Switch 2 pre-order is arriving right now. I survived the cancellation apocalypse.'
Irish Examiner
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Gaming fans rush to buy new Nintendo Switch 2 before stock runs out
Gaming fans hit the shops early to ensure they could claim the new Nintendo Switch 2 before stock runs out. The console has been highly anticipated by gamers following the release of the original Switch more than eight years ago in March 2017. Dozens of people, some dressed as characters from the Mario games, queued outside Currys in Oxford Street, central London, which opened at midnight for shoppers to claim their console, which the retailer is selling for £395 (€469). Zac Young, from Kingston, was the first in the queue to get his hands on the device. Nintendo fans get to grips with the new Switch 2 device (David Parry/PA) It comes as Game cancelled pre-orders just days before release, while several other retailers sold out on launch day following the high demand for the product. Nintendo has reportedly upgraded its expectation of sales by the end of the financial year from 15 million consoles to 20 million. Fans in London hit the shops early on Thursday morning to be able to claim their console on release day. Ray Reyes, 36, a nurse from Lincoln, said: 'I tried to pre-order and it was impossible to actually buy one. 'It just wasn't available online at all. Most of the sites said we had to pop into the store to actually get one. 'I think it's to discourage scalping, where people buy one online and then sell it on for a much higher price of like £600 because there's so much demand.' Mr Reyes is visiting London to see Beyonce in concert with his boyfriend, Joseph Agra, 31, and the couple used the opportunity of being in the capital to buy the console. Mr Agra, who works for a bank in Lincoln, said: 'There's that feeling when you're buying the console on the day of release. It hits a bit different. 'We're going back to the hotel to play it now, I'm quite excited. 'It should be a better overall performance. Although the graphics won't be the same as on a proper console, it should be a massive improvement on the original Switch. 'I'm also excited to see what other developers can do with it now it's out.' Zac Young from Kingston was the first in the queue at Currys' Oxford Street store in London (David Parry/PA) Tony Gu, 25, a computer science student who lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was another who purchased the console early. He said: 'I've spent almost 2,000 hours playing Splatoon on the original Switch, so I'm excited to buy the Switch 2. 'There was no stock online for pre-orders either in Saudi Arabia or the UK, so I've had to come here in person and buy it here. 'I bought Zelda, but I never played it on the original Switch as the performance was just terrible, so I hope it has improved. 'I also hope the graphics have gotten better. It's a bit frustrating because, in Japan, there's a Japanese-only version which can be as much as 70% cheaper. 'But given that I played Switch for thousands of hours I think it's worth it, but I still wish I didn't have to pay a lot.' Simon Hudson, 44, a software designer from Perth, Australia, who has lived in London for 15 years said he bought two to play with his husband. He said: 'I don't think it's hype bubble. I'm only picking it up today mainly because my husband's got a couple of games he's wanted to play that are coming out today, along with the release, like the new Mario Kart and Rune Factory. 'So he wants to be among the first ones on there. We've been playing that (Rune Factory) for 20 years, but the new version has come out alongside the Switch. So that's the main reason I'm here.' Others have taken to social media to air their frustration. Asked to post a comment about their favourite Nintendo character in order to enter a Currys giveaway for the console on X, one gamer replied: 'Dry Bowser as he is probably as rare as getting hold of a Switch 2 on release day.' Another fan who managed to get hold of their console said: 'My Switch 2 pre-order is arriving right now. I survived the cancellation apocalypse.'
Western Telegraph
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Gaming fans rush to buy new Nintendo Switch 2 before stock runs out
The console has been highly anticipated by gamers following the release of the original Switch more than eight years ago in March 2017. Dozens of people, some dressed as characters from the Mario games, queued outside Currys in Oxford Street, central London, which opened at midnight for shoppers to claim their console, which the retailer is selling for £395. Zac Young, from Kingston, was the first in the queue to get his hands on the device. Nintendo fans get to grips with the new Switch 2 device (David Parry/PA) It comes as Game cancelled pre-orders just days before release, while several other retailers sold out on launch day following the high demand for the product. Nintendo has reportedly upgraded its expectation of sales by the end of the financial year from 15 million consoles to 20 million. Fans in London hit the shops early on Thursday morning to be able to claim their console on release day. Ray Reyes, 36, a nurse from Lincoln, said: 'I tried to pre-order and it was impossible to actually buy one. 'It just wasn't available online at all. Most of the sites said we had to pop into the store to actually get one. 'I think it's to discourage scalping, where people buy one online and then sell it on for a much higher price of like £600 because there's so much demand.' Mr Reyes is visiting London to see Beyonce in concert with his boyfriend, Joseph Agra, 31, and the couple used the opportunity of being in the capital to buy the console. Mr Agra, who works for a bank in Lincoln, said: 'There's that feeling when you're buying the console on the day of release. It hits a bit different. 'We're going back to the hotel to play it now, I'm quite excited. 'It should be a better overall performance. Although the graphics won't be the same as on a proper console, it should be a massive improvement on the original Switch. 'I'm also excited to see what other developers can do with it now it's out.' Zac Young from Kingston was the first in the queue at Currys' Oxford Street store in London (David Parry/PA) Tony Gu, 25, a computer science student who lives in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was another who purchased the console early. He said: 'I've spent almost 2,000 hours playing Splatoon on the original Switch, so I'm excited to buy the Switch 2. 'There was no stock online for pre-orders either in Saudi Arabia or the UK, so I've had to come here in person and buy it here. 'I bought Zelda, but I never played it on the original Switch as the performance was just terrible, so I hope it has improved. 'I also hope the graphics have gotten better. It's a bit frustrating because, in Japan, there's a Japanese-only version which can be as much as 70% cheaper. 'But given that I played Switch for thousands of hours I think it's worth it, but I still wish I didn't have to pay a lot.' Simon Hudson, 44, a software designer from Perth, Australia, who has lived in London for 15 years said he bought two to play with his husband. He said: 'I don't think it's hype bubble. I'm only picking it up today mainly because my husband's got a couple of games he's wanted to play that are coming out today, along with the release, like the new Mario Kart and Rune Factory. 'So he wants to be among the first ones on there. We've been playing that (Rune Factory) for 20 years, but the new version has come out alongside the Switch. So that's the main reason I'm here.' Others have taken to social media to air their frustration. Asked to post a comment about their favourite Nintendo character in order to enter a Currys giveaway for the console on X, one gamer replied: 'Dry Bowser as he is probably as rare as getting hold of a Switch 2 on release day.' Another fan who managed to get hold of their console said: 'My Switch 2 pre-order is arriving right now. I survived the cancellation apocalypse.'
