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Daily Mirror
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Ladies in Black: why U's new Aussie drama is better than Call the Midwife
The TV adaptation of Madeleine St John's 1993 novel is coming to U and it's packed with drama, light-hearted mayhem and thought-provoking intrigue, with a killer cast. If you're after a warm, character-driven drama with heart, heritage and a fabulous wardrobe to match, Ladies in Black might just be your perfect next binge - and it's better than Call the Midwife. Set in the glittering world of a 1960s Sydney department store, this glossy new series is based on Madeleine St John's 1993 novel, The Women in Black and was initially released in Australia last year - but it's available to stream on U from this Saturday (July 12). With a fresh cocktail of fashion, friendship and female empowerment - all led by Goodfellas and Entourage star Debi Mazar, it combines feel-good nostalgia and powerful, quietly political storytelling, tackling issues like women's rights, racism and class. In this show, Debi plays Magda, the glamorous and fiercely intelligent head of model gowns at Goodes, a fictional version of Australia's legendary department store company David Jones. But Magda's not draped in silks - she's wrapped in secrets and ambition. 'Her dream has always been to have her own boutique, her own business,' Debi says, 'She is someone who sees the future of fashion.' Debi helped shape her character's backstory, inspired by her grandmother's own history. 'I made Magda Polish,' Debi says, 'She says 'I've had so many losses', so I created a back story for her. She's married to Stefan but I imagine she might have married someone who was Jewish. I feel that she lost a baby. Magda's life has not been easy. I related to Magda a lot because my grandmother was from Latvia, she married a Jewish man. But because he was Jewish, and it was wartime, he had to escape. She stayed but then her country was occupied. My grandmother went through a lot of similar things as Magda.' Kickers' 'durable' Back to School shoe range that 'last all year' Alongside Debi is a cast of fresh and familiar faces - including rising star Clare Hughes as Lisa, a teenage shopgirl and aspiring writer. Lisa's story, full of hope and heartache, will resonate with anyone who has dared to want more. 'She wants to become a writer and she's desperately trying to get her articles published in the student newspaper,' says Clare. 'She's trying to balance all of that and work out who she is. She's discovering boys and sex and drinking which is all very new to her.' One of her first grown-up experiences? Heartbreak. 'She's very curious about boys and love and decides that Richard, the editor of Honi Soit, is the right one for her,' Clare says. 'But she falls in love with the idea of him.' Lisa faces another challenge of the era: sexism in every direction. 'She's writing about the pill and has a lot of feminist ideals in her head, but she's constantly coming up against 'the boys' telling her what to do,' Clare says. 'I admire that she puts them in their place.' Meanwhile, Jessica de Gouw shines as Fay who is newly married to the dashing Rudi (Thom Green). 'She is very empowered in the Goode's department store,' Jessica says. 'But at the same time, she's starting out this life as a newly married woman and none of it fits' Jessica says. 'She's madly in love with her husband but struggling in the domestic sphere.' Fay's past is also shrouded in mystery, but there are clues it could be heavy. 'Early on, I had conversations with John Logue, our hair and makeup designer, about what Fay could look like. We decided she might be a redhead,' Jessica says. 'She had another life before Goodes'. She worked at the Trocadero. She was somewhat more risqué than the women she's now surrounded by so we wanted to give her that edge and spiciness.' Jessica had to adapt to big change, trading her brown locks for an auburn hue. Amid the shifting sands of grief, love and liberation, a new figure arrives at Goodes: Virginia Ambrose, played with icy elegance by Miranda Otto, once known as Eowyn in the Lord of the Rings saga. Virginia, Magda's poised and intimidating replacement, brings a different energy - and a few surprises. 'She provokes a lot of things in the department,' Miranda says, 'She asserts herself in a certain way and you think that she's one particular thing. But then you discover there's a lot more to her. She's mysterious.' Off-set, however, Miranda couldn't have been more thrilled to work with her director sister Gracie again. 'We worked together for the first time on The Clearing,' Miranda says. 'She brings an awesome energy to the set. You can tell that Gracie has played sports because she understands the team; she inspires them and keeps the energy going.' As Magda gears up for her bittersweet exit, one more arrival threatens to unravel things further - enter Angela, a sharp and ambitious newcomer with a powerful pedigree. Played by breakout star Azizi Donnelly, Angela is the daughter of Goodes' fiercest competitor, Dawud Mansour. 'She moves between worlds' Azizi Donnelly says, 'Her story is about discovering herself and going after her ambitions and dreams as a fashion designer.' Ladies in Black is Australia on the brink of change, captured through the eyes of the women making it happen. Visually, the show is stunning, filled with swoon-worthy dresses, sleek 1960s hairstyles and sumptuous sets. But beneath all the glamour, there's a wider message: women supporting women, lifting each other up and rewriting the rules. At a time we're all craving comfort, connection and maybe a little escapism, Ladies in Black brings all three. It's a reminder that, sometimes, the most radical thing a woman can do is believe in herself - and help others do the same.
Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Telegraph
Groom dies days before wedding after e-scooter crash
A man died just 48 hours before his wedding after being seriously injured in an e-scooter crash. Scott Catton, 54, collided with a car door after it was opened as he rode along a street in Top Valley, Nottingham, last Thursday. The father-of-one was taken to hospital suffering from a severe brain bleed, broken ribs and a broken collar bone. He died from his injuries at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre on Saturday. Mr Catton had been due to marry fiancée Debi on Monday and the couple were scheduled to fly off on their honeymoon to Majorca on Tuesday. Instead, his family are now raising funds to help pay for funeral costs and to support his partner and 13-year-old son. Philip Bates, Mr Catton's brother-in-law, said: 'He was on his way home and on an electric scooter, someone opened a car door and he just hit it.' The 56-year-old added: 'It's horrendous. It's never a good time, but this is the worst time though. He was the life and soul of the party, everyone loved him. 'He was a cheeky chap. He was massively into his sports and we both played football. 'He played for local teams and played at veterans level. He loved his cricket and boxing.' A statement on a GoFundMe page for Mr Catton's family said: 'We had to say goodbye to a much-loved friend, partner, father, uncle and brother. Scott had a traffic accident from which he didn't recover. 'I am trying to raise funds to give him the send-off that he deserves any remaining funds will be put into trust for his 13-year-old son he leaves behind.' It added: 'We are all in deep shock, please find it in your hearts to help.' More than £5,800 out of a £7,500 target has been raised so far.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tragedy as groom is killed 48 hours before his wedding in horror e-scooter crash
A groom was killed in a horror e-scooter crash just 48 hours before his wedding. Scott Catton, 54, was fatally injured after he collided with a car door which opened as he rode along the street in Top Valley, Nottingham, last Thursday. The father-of-one was rushed to hospital, suffering with broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a severe brain bleed, his family said. Despite the efforts of medics, the father-of-one passed away from his injuries at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre on Saturday. Tragically, Scott had been due to tie the knot with fiancée Debi on Monday and they were due to jet off on their honeymoon to Majorca today. But instead, his heartbroken family are now raising funds to help pay for funeral costs 'to give him the send off he deserves'. Over £5,700 has been raised so far towards a £7,500 target, with any remaining set to be put into trust for Scott's 13-year-old son. His brother in-law Philip Bates 56 described Scott 'as the life and soul of the party' and was a huge football, cricket and boxing fan. Philip said: 'He was on his way home and on an electric scooter, someone opened a car door and he just hit it. 'He broke ribs, his collarbone and had a severe brain bleed. We went straight to the hospital where we spent most of the weekend. 'He was supposed to get married at Arnold Registry Office at 2pm yesterday. They were going to Majorca, they were supposed to fly out today. 'It's horrendous. It's never a good time, but this is the worst time though. He was the life and soul of the party, everyone loved him. 'He was a cheeky chap. He was massively into his sports and we both played football. He played for local teams, and played at veterans level. He loved his cricket and boxing. 'He went to Wembley to watch England and he recently went to watch the Eubank vs Benn fight. He was Nottingham Forest mad too. 'Because he wasn't married he's got money himself. To get it released is a long process, so the main aim is to pay for the funeral and take the strain off of his partner and give any money left over to his son. 'The main reason is to help his son out and give him something.' Philip has set up a Gofundme to help cover funeral costs and to set up a trust for retired-EON advisor Scott's 13-year-old son. In response to the funds raised so far, the family said: 'We are truly humbled and grateful for all your generosity. It just shows how loved Scott was. 'I will keep the fund raising going to help Scott's son. 'Massive thanks to everyone who has donated and a special thanks to the Park Tavern and the Oxford public house who are organising fundraising events.' Nottinghamshire Police said officers were investigating the incident but were unable to provide any more information at this stage. A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'We received a call at 7.06pm on Thursday 5 June to Ridgeway Walk in Top Valley.
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Tragedy as groom is killed 48 hours before his wedding in horror e-scooter crash - as heartbroken family pay tribute to 'life and soul of the party'
A groom-to-be was killed in a horror e-scooter crash just 48 hours before his wedding. Scott Catton, 54, was fatally injured after he collided with a car door which opened as he rode along the street in Top Valley, Nottingham, last Thursday. The father-of-one was rushed to hospital, suffering with broken ribs, a broken collarbone and a severe brain bleed, his family said. Despite the efforts of medics, the father-of-one passed away from his injuries at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre on Saturday. Tragically, Scott had been due to tie the knot with fiancée Debi on Monday and they were due to jet off on their honeymoon to Majorca today. But instead, his heartbroken family are now raising funds to help pay for funeral costs 'to give him the send off he deserves'. Over £5,700 has been raised so far towards a £7,500 target, with any remaining set to be put into trust for Scott's 13-year-old son. His brother in-law Philip Bates 56 described Scott 'as the life and soul of the party' and was a huge football, cricket and boxing fan. Philip said: 'He was on his way home and on an electric scooter, someone opened a car door and he just hit it. 'He broke ribs, his collarbone and had a severe brain bleed. We went straight to the hospital where we spent most of the weekend. 'He was supposed to get married at Arnold Registry Office at 2pm yesterday. They were going to Majorca, they were supposed to fly out today. 'It's horrendous. It's never a good time, but this is the worst time though. He was the life and soul of the party, everyone loved him. 'He was a cheeky chap. He was massively into his sports and we both played football. He played for local teams, and played at veterans level. He loved his cricket and boxing. 'He went to Wembley to watch England and he recently went to watch the Eubank vs Benn fight. He was Nottingham Forest mad too. 'Because he wasn't married he's got money himself. To get it released is a long process, so the main aim is to pay for the funeral and take the strain off of his partner and give any money left over to his son. 'The main reason is to help his son out and give him something.' Philip has set up a Gofundme to help cover funeral costs and to set up a trust for retired-EON advisor Scott's 13-year-old son. In response to the funds raised so far, the family said: 'We are truly humbled and grateful for all your generosity. It just shows how loved Scott was. 'I will keep the fund raising going to help Scott's son. 'Massive thanks to everyone who has donated and a special thanks to the Park Tavern and the Oxford public house who are organising fundraising events.' Nottinghamshire Police said officers were investigating the incident but were unable to provide any more information at this stage. A spokesperson for East Midlands Ambulance Service said: 'We received a call at 7.06pm on Thursday 5 June to Ridgeway Walk in Top Valley. 'The caller reported that there had been a road traffic collision. 'We sent two ambulances, and one patient was taken to Queen's Medical Centre via ambulance.'
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Time of India
Ludhiana police arrest 2 salesmen after three die from consuming suspected spurious liquor.
Ludhiana: Police have arrested two liquor salesmen after suspected toxic alcohol consumption killed three men in this Punjab district on Wednesday night, prompting a broader investigation into the origin of the hooch. The victims — Rinku, 40, Debi, 27, and Mangu Sharma, 32 — all residents of Sanyas Nagar, allegedly had consumed illicit liquor purchased from a local outlet before their deaths. Police on Thursday confirmed the arrests of Onkar Singh and Sushil Kumar, both from Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh, who were employed as salesmen at the Sanyas Nagar outlet. Cops registered this case under sections 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) and 3(5) (criminal act done by several people in furtherance of common intent) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with provisions under the Excise Act. They based their action on a complaint received from Anil Kumar, a neighbour and friend of the victims. Additional deputy commissioner of police Sameer Verma said police had also written to the excise department seeking a full report on the liquor's manufacturing and distribution trail. "We want details on the distillery, batch number, and intermediaries involved in supplying the alcohol to the outlet," Verma said, adding that a report was expected within three to four days. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo The deaths have raised concerns over a potential hooch tragedy, a term used commonly for deaths due to consumption of spurious liquor. A senior police official confirmed that 17 cartons of liquor were seized from the shop and sent to the forensic sciences laboratory in Kharar for testing. The post-mortem examination of the victims has been completed at the local civil hospital, though the declaration of the official cause of death remains pending. "The viscera samples have been sent for chemical analysis. The autopsy report is awaited," Verma also confirmed. Anil Kumar, the complainant, told police that the men would drink together regularly in an empty plot at Sanyas Nagar. On Wednesday evening, he saw Debi consuming "raspberry liquor", a locally sold variant of desi (country-made) alcohol, near Kaddo's Drinking Arena. Shortly afterwards, all three men reportedly fell ill and died. The excise department is under orders to trace and potentially recall the affected liquor batch from other outlets as a precautionary measure. The case comes amid a series of nationwide crackdowns on spurious liquor, which remains a recurring public health threat in several states. MSID:: 121360205 413 | Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
