Latest news with #Derry-born
Metro
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Nadine Coyle: 'I'll honour Sarah Harding forever'
Nadine Coyle has vowed to honour Sarah Harding in everything she does, almost five years on from the Girls Aloud star's death. The beloved pop star died in September 2021 at the age of 39 after being diagnosed with breast cancer in August the previous year. Since then, her Sound of the Underground bandmates—Nadine, Cheryl, Kimberley Walsh, and Nicola Roberts—have fundraised in her memory and continue to keep her alive through the group's music. Speaking exclusively to Metro, Nadine, 40, has now declared that 'Sarah will always be honoured' by the girls. It comes after she and her fellow bandmates, who were put together on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002, completed a 30-date tour across the UK and Ireland as a four-piece. Titled The Girls Aloud Show, it was their first tour as a quartet and consisted of all their major hits, also including emotional tributes to Harding throughout. On why Harding simply had to feature in the set, Nadine told us: 'It's so important. She's such a huge part of the band in so many ways, and to not have her there is very surreal.' 'Even talking about it still feels surreal that that's the way that it is,' she admitted. 'And definitely some of the rehearsals and bits that Sarah and I would usually do together, I was doing it with Nicola, and it was difficult; those were some tough days. 'But we definitely knuckled down and tried to just see it for how important it was that we did the tour and did it for Sarah and spent time with the fans.' Nadine has never made any secret of her love for Girls Aloud, declaring even today that it's 'great to still be doing it all these years later'. She added that it's still just as 'fun' to be part of one of the UK's biggest girl bands, despite the 'hard parts' fans aren't privy to. 'You don't see all the work or all the things that go into it, but that's, like, anything. You don't get to see behind the screen and see everybody's jobs.' Nadine proceeded to shrug off 'concerns' with her identity beyond the group, saying she 'feels very confident in [herself] and who [she] is'. 'I have never really had to overthink my identity because it's there. I think if I had been concerned enough to try and conform or try to have myself be something more palatable, I reckon this accent would've gone a long time ago, and it hasn't!', she joked. This summer, the Derry-born musician will headline the Clapham Grand Pride Day Party as part of their celebrations for the LGBTQ+ community. Having always had a loyal LGBTQ+ following, Nadine is no stranger to performing at a Pride event, admitting that it 'wouldn't be summer' without it. 'lt's my third time doing the Clapham Grand, and every time I've done it, it's been such a fun time, and this one, you'll have London Pride, then it will come to Clapham, and you can have a great night there, and we can all hang out together again and have a wonderful time.' Asked about the importance of being an LGBTQ+ ally, Nadine said it's not something that ever 'comes into question'. More Trending 'It is just what it is. It's as natural as anything in the world for me. 'I am so proud of my friends and people who have faced struggles that mean we all get to live in this somewhat peaceful existence. 'I'm really up for people having themselves be whoever it is they feel natural being and enjoying that, and I hope that for myself, and I hope that for everybody else.' Nadine Coyle returns to The Clapham Grand to headline their Pride Day Party on Saturday, July 5, from 5-10pm, as part of the venue's biggest ever day of Pride celebrations. Get all tickets here. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Belfast Telegraph
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Andrew Doyle: ‘Graham Linehan's living proof of cancel culture'
Derry writer and commentator Andrew Doyle talks about his new book, The End of Woke, why old-fashioned liberalism needs to make a comeback, and writing a sitcom with Graham Linehan 'I've seen people getting very, very angry about the cancellation of Kneecap,' says Andrew Doyle, the Derry-born writer, political commentator and satirist. 'These are the same people who have called for similar cancellations of others. 'And I'd like to think they would realise that they've sowed the seeds of that by pushing for cancellations when they don't approve [of something] — or whatever it might be. But I'm not sure they've really grasped the hypocrisy.'
Belfast Telegraph
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Andrew Doyle: ‘If you support freedom of speech, you have to support people's right to say the things you don't much want to hear'
Derry writer and commentator Andrew Doyle talks about his new book, The End of Woke, why old-fashioned liberalism needs to make a comeback, and writing a sitcom with Graham Linehan 'I've seen people getting very, very angry about the cancellation of Kneecap,' says Andrew Doyle, the Derry-born writer, political commentator and satirist. 'These are the same people who have called for similar cancellations of others. 'And I'd like to think they would realise that they've sowed the seeds of that by pushing for cancellations when they don't approve [of something] — or whatever it might be. But I'm not sure they've really grasped the hypocrisy.'
Sunday World
24-05-2025
- Health
- Sunday World
Feargal Sharkey on being diagnosed with prostate cancer after sore throat complaints
'DOING WELL' | The Derry-born singer (66), who said the issue was resolved last year, revealed he is now doing 'very well' as he urged other men to get tested. The Derry-born singer (66), who said the issue was resolved last year, revealed he is now doing 'very well' as he urged other men to get tested. Had he not visited his GP, Sharkey believes there may have been 'a very different ending and a very different outcome to my life'. Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men in Northern Ireland. Over 1,200 males here are diagnosed with the disease every year, and around 290 die from it. It usually develops slowly, so there may be no signs of it for many years. Most cases develop in men aged 50 or older. Sharkey, who grew up during the Troubles and is now a high-profile environmental campaigner, spoke out about his diagnosis in an interview with the Daily Express. He said: 'About a year and a half ago, I randomly went to see my GP with a sore throat. Now I've known him long enough but he goes, 'No no, you're that bloke that used to sing. So if you're telling me you've got a sore throat, there's something going on'. 'So my doctor, being the beautiful, wonderful, awkward, cantankerous old man that he is, went, 'Oh Feargal, by the way, you're 65 now, I'm going to run the full battery of tests'. 'Two days later, it turns out, I began a journey which led to the [diagnosis] of prostate cancer. 'Thankfully, that's all now been resolved a year ago. But here we are, had it not been for that random visit to my local GP, I would never have known that I was at that point carrying prostate cancer, and if it had not been seen to, it could have been a very different ending and a very different outcome to my life. 'The reason I'm very happy to talk about it is because if there's one man out there over the age of 45 go and see your GP. Go and get the blood test done.' Sharkey was the lead vocalist of The Undertones. Their most famed single was 'Teenage Kicks', which was released in 1978. 'We were deflated when we first got the record': The Undertones, from left, Michael Bradley, Damian O'Neill, Feargal Sharkey, John O'Neill and Billy Doherty. Photo: Fin Costello/Redferns Prostate cancer is back in the headlines after six-time Olympic cycling gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy (49) revealed his diagnosis, which is now terminal. Last weekend, former US President Joe Biden (82) said he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. A PSA test - a blood test that measures the amount of prostate specific antigen (PSA) in your blood - can detect the signs of the disease. Sharkey added: 'Now, for one in eight of you, you will be put in the same journey I've had and it's quite astonishing to think that in this country right now, one in eight men have prostate cancer. Most of them don't even know it. So go and have the blood test and if you're lucky, you'll walk away. "If you're lucky, like me hopefully, you'll have caught it early on and you can deal with it and get on top of it. 'But, and I have such unbelievable admiration for Chris Hoy over the last couple of months, if you end up where Chris is, well you're now looking for a very different outcome and not the one you were expecting for your life, my friend. So, for a blood test - go get it done right now.' According to the NHS website, symptoms of prostrate cancer include an increased need to pee, straining while you pee or a feeling that your bladder has not fully emptied.
The 42
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
'I have that picture in my head' - Michael Duffy's dream of his son lifting the LOI trophy
MICHAEL DUFFY WILL tell you he is a worrier. A worrier with a positive outlook on life. His fiancée Emily will say the same. She slags him enough about it. The kids are a centre piece of concern. Eli is five – going on 15 – and Georgie is two. Not quite terrible but earning his stripes. 'Leave him down and turn your back, gone in a second,' Duffy says. The middle of the night is no different. There was a time, not so long ago but feeling increasingly like another lifetime, when Duffy would gladly spend his evenings playing Call of Duty or Fifa on the computer. No more. Now his worries kick in. 'What's that noise?' has become a catchphrase. Quickly followed by 'I'll check on the boys.' The TV is constantly paused. 'I'll be sitting staring at the monitor, when they were both younger I couldn't settle at night at all,' Duffy says. Advertisement Even the false alarms will ring true. 'The way they're on my mind, I could hear any little noise and think it's about them. I don't know what it is, just a bit of panic in me.' And when he and Emily are in bed and eventually do nod off there is no respite. Georgie will sleep through but Eli will always find comfort between his parents. The morning wellness checks that Duffy and his Derry teammates must now fill out when they arrive for training before 9am will ask about the quality of sleep, as well as a range of other personal issues that try and determine each player's state of mind and ability to train. Duffy is – still – Derry's hometown hero. Of the starting XI for the 2-1 win over Cork City last weekend he was the only Derry-born player in the side. Not that anyone has an issue with that given the Candystripes are on a run of five wins from their last six games that has them level on 26 points with Premier Division leaders Shamrock Rovers but off the top of the table on goal difference as they head to Drogheda United tonight. The one defeat in that run was away to Waterford, a loss that came at the end of a week in which they won away to Galway, then at home to Sligo a few days later before the trip to Munster. Tonight's fixture with Drogheda now has an added resonance after last season's FAI Cup final defeat to Kevin Doherty's side at Aviva Stadium, a result that was the catalyst for Ruaidhrí Higgins' departure as manager after also seeing their title challenge falter when it was in their own hands entering the final month. That's when the positive side of his personality came through. 'I knew it was going to be very different, on the pitch and off the pitch, but it was exciting. I just looked at it as it's exciting. And sort of using last year as an extra bit of drive, like how much it hurt at the end of last season. I think it's sort of kicked me on a bit. It's made me want to win even more, even though I don't feel like I needed that, but it's just maybe that wee bit extra. Because I think the way it ended was probably the toughest in my career to take. 'I don't give up and think 'we're not going to do it after last year'. It nearly gives you [more belief] . . . We're getting closer, and then all these changes. Maybe it's a good thing that it needed to happen.' Still, there were tears in the Duffy household, poor Eli now of an age when he understands what success and failure means. There is no escape from expectation and demand for Duffy. 'I love how positive he is about football now too, seeing him look at some of my goals on YouTube, seeing him smiling watching and then coming to me to ask about it, I think I can see how proud he is and that just makes me want to be even more successful for my kids and my family.' When Duffy drops him down to his father in law to be minded before heading to training talk will be of the match, who they're playing that week and what the celebration might be. But Eli also wants to win the league, especially after not being impressed by having to watch Shelbourne lift the trophy at the Ryan McBride Brandywell last November. 'That's how mad about Derry he is. He knows the craic with the league, he says it is the main thing he wants and is always talking about the trophy and getting to lift it. I have that picture of him doing it in my head too. It (the league) is what I want to win.' When Eli got to be mascot for a recent game he had only one demand: matching boots with his Daddy. Michael Duffy with his son Eli as mascot recently. Michael Duffy Michael Duffy They are both Arsenal, fans, too, and while he is Derry City by birth the Gunners won't be forced on him. 'Once he's not Manchester United I don't mind,' Duffy smiles. The way new boss Tiernan Lynch works also allows for family time to be planned each weekend. When fixtures are Friday to Friday – as they are for the games with Drogheda, Rovers and Bohemians before the mid-season break from 30 May – the Derry players train Monday to Thursday and then have Saturday and Sunday off to spend with their families. It's the first time Duffy has experience such leeway at weekends. By the time the new Premier League season kicks off on 16 August, father and son might even make it over to the Emirates. By that stage of the League of Ireland season – with no European football this season either – Duffy intends to be in the mix for his first league title with his local club. He will turn 31 on 28 July – sandwiched between games against Bohs and Rovers – and is feeling rejuvenated, especially after a leg break in 2022. 'This is the best I've felt since I was back, I'm in a good place.' That's reinforced every day at the Derry GAA centre of excellence in Owenbeg, where the Candystripes now call home after not having a permanent base previously. 'It's amazing, the pitches were like GAA ones at the start but for the last few weeks they've been brilliant, and the atmosphere and togetherness of all the lads is great. Fats (Patrick McEleney) is in with us coaching every day working on set-pieces with Andy Mitchell, they're loving it. 'The club's a lot more professional this year. I feel like we're probably a professional team at the minute, and I think it's starting to show in the last month or so.' The feelgood factor definitely is, and even on weeks like this with a tough trip to Drogheda family life is centred around football. 'I was with Eli down in the Brandywell for a wee match last night. He's a little leftie, he's come out of his shell and loves it now, he didn't want to be tackle at first but now he's dribbling around enjoying himself.' Wonder where he gets it from?
