Latest news with #GavinandStacey
Scottish Sun
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Kevin Bridges spotted with unrecognisable noughties TV legend – can you tell who it is?
The comedian found himself mingling with a couple of big-name stars GUESS WHO Kevin Bridges spotted with unrecognisable noughties TV legend – can you tell who it is? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KEVIN Bridges has been snapped rubbing shoulders with an unrecognisable noughties telly legend. The Glasgow funnyman, 38, joined the buzzing crowd at Wembley Stadium in London for Oasis' Live '25 reunion tour on Saturday. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Kevin Bridges sported a "fake" tee to the Oasis gig on Saturday Credit: INSTAGRAM 2 The Glasgow funnyman posed with an unrecognisable noughties TV star Credit: instagram Before heading to the gig, he took to Instagram to share a cheeky selfie, showing him sporting a "fake" tour tee. He captioned the snap: "Fake top, real tickets. F****n' mad for it." The Clydebank-born comic was among a whopping 90,000 fans at the iconic venue. And the comedian found himself mingling with a couple of big-name stars. Bridges appeared to have later ditched the 'fake' tour tee and opted for a casual navy t-shirt instead. In a snap shared on social media, the comedian was spotted posing alongside an unrecognisable Mathew Horne, who is best known for playing Gavin in the smash-hit sitcom Gavin and Stacey. Horne, 46, looked worlds away from his Gavin days as he smiled for the camera. Joining the duo was American actor and TV presenter Adam Richman, best known for his foodie adventures on Man v Food. Kev rocked a bucket hat and gave a thumbs up while Horne and Richman kept it cool in baseball caps. Fans flocked to the comments to react to the unexpected trio. Kevin Bridges mercilessly ribs Humza Yousaf over his resignation in new stand-up show One wrote: "What an elite trio". Another said: "This combo was not on my bingo card but can't wait for the Netflix season Gavlar vs Food". A third wrote: "Are you with Kevin Bridges?! Yaaas!"
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC star details 'horrific' car accident and says 'I should have died'
She's bravely showing how her PTSD and mental health issues won't be stopping her take on a once in the lifetime challenge. A contestant on the upcoming BBC gameshow Destination X has opened up about a near-fatal car crash that changed her perspective on life. The show, which will be hosted by Gavin and Stacey star Rob Brydon, is set to premiere next week with 13 contestants vying for a £100,000 prize. In what promises to be an epic adventure, reminiscent of The Traitors meets Race Across The World, the participants will traverse the continent without knowing their location or destination, deciphering truth from the clues, deceit, and lies presented to them. The diverse group includes an 11-time world record holder, a London cabbie who's conquered Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru and rowed the Atlantic without prior experience, a pilot, a nuclear engineer, and a content creator. Among the competitors is Claire, a retired detective sergeant from West Sussex, who's eager to "go missing for a while" in this unique challenge, reports Wales Online. he 51-year-old from West Sussex is already physically prepared for the game after training in the army and police, having worked with the latter for 26 years. She's also had some adventurous experiences, as an HGV one lorry driver travelling through France and the Alps. But it's not just her professional and adventurous pursuits that define her; Claire has also survived a harrowing ordeal. She disclosed the details of a dreadful car accident she was involved in, describing the scene as "carnage". This brush with death nearly cost her life and has since led her to adopt a new outlook on life. Claire opened up about her past, sharing: "I was in a horrific car accident seven years ago and should have died which was a life changing experience. It made me look at life completely differently. They had to shut the road for six hours, there were four ambulances, five fire engines and it was carnage. My car was in the middle and they didn't expect me to be alive. But there I was." Now gearing up for Destination X, Claire is keen to tackle the show's challenges head-on, despite grappling with mental health issues. She continued: "I'm most excited about getting stuck into the challenges. I have got PTSD and the reason I'm doing this show is to say to the world that even though you might have mental health issues, you can still do it. But equally, I know my limitations. I'm excited about pushing myself to the absolute limit but will say no if I need to." The 10-episode competition will see the players travel on a bus with sensory deprivation and no contact with the outside world, as they're tasked with attempting to figure out where they could possibly be after being offered a series of bizarre clues to help them. Only the smartest will be able to decipher the red herrings from the truth behind the hints, and the players are slowly whittled down to the winner (who scores a £100,000 prize) as they guess their locations, with the contestant furthest away from where they really are being eliminated from the game. "It's the adventure of a lifetime, with one simple question at its heart: where in the world am I? Rob Brydon masterminds the high-stakes competition where nothing is as it seems...," the synopsis teases.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Must-watch shows this week: Destination X, Pompeii and Hurricane Katrina
New dramas and documentaries are set to keep TV fans entertained this week, from a must-see true crime documentary to a brand new game show hosted by actor and comedian Rob Brydon. New dramas and documentaries are set to keep TV fans entertained this week - but Rob Brydon will keep them on the edge of their seats. The Gavin and Stacey star fronts Destination X, a new game show airing on BBC One pushing thirteen individuals out of their comfort zone as they take a road trip through Europe. Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell, on the other hand, return to ITV as they catch up with foundlings from previous episodes, while Dan Snow and Kate Lister explore Pompeii for 5. Elsewhere, National Geographic and Disney+ offer an insight into the lives of those who survived Hurricane Katrina 20 years ago. But that's not all you can expect on your screens this week - get the lowdown. I Am Raquel Welch Saturday, Sky Documentaries More than a pin-up, Raquel Welch redefined what it meant to be a leading lady. This intimate portrait charts her journey from bombshell status to feminist icon, spotlighting the strength behind her beauty. Through archival footage and moving interviews, Raquel reveals herself as a single mother of two children, a savvy businesswoman and a quiet trailblazer who stood firm in a male-dominated world. It's a celebration of glamour, grit and a legacy that helped reshape Hollywood from the inside out. Fergie, Andrew & the Scandal of South York Saturday, 8pm, 5 After tying the knot in 1986, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew moved into Sunninghill Park, also known as SouthYork. The property became the backdrop for key moments in their marriage, from the birth and upbringing of their daughters to high-profile parties and, eventually, their separation. Once a symbol of royal family life, the home has since been tainted with controversy. Now, this documentary explores the history of Sunninghill Park and uncovers the secrets still buried within its walls. The Facebook Honey Trap Sunday, Amazon Prime When Christine Robinson was murdered at her South African lodge in 2014, her family's world shattered. Years later, the investigation takes an extraordinary twist - but it's not led by detectives. Confined to the UK due to a chronic illness, Christine's niece has never given up the search for the culprit. Using only Facebook to gather clues, she launched a digital hunt for justice across continents. This gripping true crime documentary delves into obsession, grief and determination through one woman's search for justice. Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time Sunday on National Geographic, Monday on Disney+ In August 2005, Hurricane Katrina tore through southeastern Louisiana, becoming one of the deadliest and most devastating natural disasters in the US. This raw five-part series brings viewers back to one of America's darkest times - when lives were lost and a city was nearly drowned. Told through the testimonies of survivors, this programme doesn't just recount events, it relives them. From the chaos in the Superdrome to the heartbreak on flooded streets, it's a tribute to the resilience of survivors, a must-watch reminder of what happened - and what was left behind. Animal Park Kate Humble and Ben Fogle are back at Britain's first safari park for a brand new series of Animal Park - and it's as wild and wonderful as ever. Set in the heart of Longleat, in Wiltshire, the show offers an adorable - often dramatic - glimpse into the lives of the exotic residents and the dedicated teams who care for them. From the arrival of the park's first hippos in forty years to tensions in Lion Country, there's never a dull moment. The Nazi Cartel Tuesday, Sky What do Nazis, cocaine cartels and Bolivian politics have in common? More than you'd think. This jaw-dropping docu-thriller uncovers how Michael Levine, a DEA agent deeply undercover in Argentina, discovered that a cattle rancher named Roberto Suarez had become the Pablo Escobar of the 1970s. But the real twist? Roberto was allegedly being advised by Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie - hiding in plain sight as Klaus Altmann. This gripping show is an insight into corruption, legacy and the power of unchecked ambition. Pompeii: Life in the City Tuesday, 9pm, 5 Pompeii comes back to life as historians Dan Snow and Dr Kate Lister reveal the reality behind the history books in this powerful new show. From local delicacies to residents' bedtime routine and the dangers that once lurked in the streets of the now-mythical city, Kate and Dan shine a light on what it was truly like to live in the heart of Ancient Rome. It's real-life Pompeii in gritty detail. Long Lost Family Born Without a Trace: What happened next Wednesday, ITV The stories that broke our hearts get a powerful follow-up in this emotional catch-up special. Davina McCall and Nicky Campbell revisit the lives of foundlings featured in previous episodes to find out what happened after the cameras stopped rolling. Whether it's sisters reunited after being abandoned years apart or a nurse grappling with her beginnings as a severely ill baby in a basket, these are deeply human stories about connection, identity and closure. It's poignant and profound and a celebration of family, fate and second chances. Destination X Wednesday, BBC1 Mystery and strategy collide - but you'll stay for Rob Brydon's wardrobe. Destination X - the BBC 's latest high-concept reality game show, where thirteen contestants travel through Europe on a bus with blacked-out windows. The trick? They can only rely on clues, instincts and deductive skills to figure out their location. With wild challenges, cryptic signs and mind games stitched into every stop, this show is an addictive blend between The Traitors and Race Across the World - with a sat nav that gives no directions. Buckle up! Project Runway Thursday, Disney + Fashion's fiercest competition is back - and so is Heidi Klum. In this sizzling new season, she returns as both host and judge alongside Nina Garcia, Law Roach and Christian Siriano, mentoring a fresh crop of budding designers with couture dreams. From avant-garde challenges to raw and emotional breakdowns, the runway gets tougher to walk, the stakes get higher and the seams start to fray. There's glam, grit and even more glitter. Marked Thursday, Netflix In this South African drama, Lerato Mvelase delivers a powerhouse performance as Babalwa - a security guard pushed to the brink. With her daughter Palesa's (Ama Qamata) life hanging in the balance, Babalwa makes an impossible choice: betray her job to fund a miracle. But loyalty is tested and betrayal runs deep for her as survival comes at a chilling cost. Dark, emotional and tightly plotted, Marked explores how far a mother will go for love - and what it really means to lose yourself in the process. Kirstie and Phil's Love It Or List It: Brilliant Builds Friday, C4 The dynamic property duo are back with the sixth series of their Brilliant Builds, diving deep into some of the most impressive transformations and inherited homes from Love It or List It through five gripping episodes. From neglected spaces to jaw-dropping extensions, Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer revisit standout episodes to see how the couples they helped are getting on - and whether they chose to stay put or pack up. Expect clever design hacks, real-life drama and big emotional pay-offs. My Oxford Year Romance gets a scholarly makeover in this heartfelt drama starring Sofia Carson and Corey Mylchreest. When driven American Anna lands her dream place at the University of Oxford, the last thing she expects is to fall head over heels for charming local Jamie. But love and ambition clash in this stunning adaptation of Julia Whelan's bestselling novel. With cobbled streets, dreamy libraries and bittersweet surprises, it's the kind of film that warms you up and breaks your heart in the same breath.
New Statesman
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
Peter Kosminsky: We need a BBC that is brave
Photo by Bailey-Cooper/Alamy One could be forgiven for thinking that British television is at the strongest it has ever been. More than 12 million of us tuned in to watch the Gavin and Stacey finale. Mr Bates vs The Post Office sparked a wave of national anger and forced the government into action after years of journalist trying to raise awareness of the Horizon Post Office scandal. Baby Reindeer, Adolescence and Toxic Town have all been enormous successes on both sides of the Atlantic. But those at the very top of the industry are worried. 'We're in dire straits,' Peter Kosminsky, one of the UK's most highly respect TV professionals and the man behind the BBC's Wolf Hall, told the New Statesman podcast. While we are able to watch a variety of high-quality programming, dramas that are 'peculiarly British' are under threat of extinction. The likes of Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video and Apple TV will not make them. 'The streamers say they're speaking to an international audience, and they make programmes that are of interest to an international audience,' Kosminsky explained. 'What they actually mean is American audiences.' 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office doesn't get made' in this world, he warns Kosminsky has worked in the television industry for 45 years, and for all of the UK's major public service broadcasters. A director, writer and producer, he has won every accolade possible: multiple Baftas, Royal Television Society awards, Golden Globes along with individual recognition for what he has personally contributed to British television. His most recent triumph was the final part of Wolf Hall, broadcast in 2024. But the cost of making high end drama, documentary and comedy has soared in recent years – 'by a factor of five or six', Kosminsky says. Not because of inflation, but because the streamers have driven up the costs. 'They've arrived here, competed to use our crews and our facilities, and they have deep pockets, and they pay a lot of money.' The homegrown sector – BBC, Channel 4 and ITV – have been priced out. They can't compete. 'It's interesting talking to Patrick Spence, the producer who developed Mr Bates vs The Post Office,' Kosminsky says. 'He said he wouldn't develop it now. Why? Because there would be no prospect of it getting made. And that's really worrying.' Both Mr Bates and Wolf Hall were turned down by all the big streamers, Kosminsky told the New Statesman. Actors and executives on both took significant pay cuts to make sure they even made it to screen. Both Kosminsky and executive producer Colin Callender waived 90 per cent of their production fee. Peter Straughan who wrote the adaptation and actor Mark Rylance who played Cromwell 'also made a huge financial sacrifice'. Kosminsky dismisses those who cite the success of Adolescence or Toxic Town – both written by Jack Thorne and both snapped up by Netflix – as a challenge to his argument. 'Adolescence was a fantastic drama, and I applaud Netflix for making it. But just stop and think for a moment. What's adolescence about at root? It's about a murder carried out in a school of one pupil by another pupil. Not a problem they're unfamiliar with in America.' The same goes with Toxic Town, Kosminsky says of the drama depicting the fight by a group of Corby mothers to get justice for their children damaged by contaminated waste from the nearby steelworks. Stop again and think about the subject, Kosminsky says. 'Anyone watched Erin Brockovich recently?' Reflecting on his career, Kosminsky is someone trying to 'challenge the orthodoxy'. He wants to ask uncomfortable questions of the rich and powerful. A television maker, yes, but a public service journalist at heart. Audiences don't want to be 'harangued all the time', he says, 'but occasionally it's our job to say, hang on a minute, have you thought about it like this? And actually, are you really comfortable with this? And if not, what could we possibly do about it?' He has made powerful dramas on the Israel-Palestine conflict (The Promise), British peacekeepers who bear witness to ethnic cleansing in Bosnia (Warriors), the experience of young British Muslims post 7/7 (Britz), and the role of scientist Dr David Kelly in the run-up to the Iraq War (The Government Inspector). Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Kosminsky places the blame for the British TV's current predicament firmly at the Government's door. He says they 'refuse' to help public service broadcasters make these programmes by rejecting the idea of a streamer's levy. A levy would make it compulsory for the streaming giants to pay 5 per cent of all money earned from British subscribers into a separate fund to be used to make programmes where a UK public service broadcaster is part of the commission. Similar schemes are in place in 17 European countries, including France and Germany where Netflix unsuccessfully tried to take legal action to prevent the levy being introduced. 'When I asked one of the founders of Netflix, whether they would challenge it in the court if it was brought in here in this country, he said, 'No, as long as it was a level playing field across all the streamers,'' Kosminsky said. So why is the Government saying no? 'Because they fear that it would be perceived by the current administration in America as a tariff.' This misses a fundamental point, he stressed. The streamers can get some of the levy back if they partner with UK broadcasters on productions. 'So, it's not a tariff,' Kosminsky insists: no other tariff allows you to get some of your money back. 'And the British government has failed to make that argument… I think the truth is that… the British government currently is disappointingly craven,' Kosminsky said in a damning rebuke. 'There's a proud 100-year tradition of public service broadcasting in this country. Stand up for it. Defend it. Don't just say, 'Yes, Donald; you're not very happy. Allow us to bow down and lick your boots.' It's pathetic. It's embarrassing.' On 22 July, the Guardian reported that Kosminsky had written to the Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy, accusing her of trying to 'bully' the BBC over its Gaza coverage. In recent weeks, Nandy has levelled intense criticism the corporation, refusing to say she has confidence in the leadership of its director general, Tim Davie, and asking why no one has lost their job over the broadcast of a documentary about Gaza, narrated by the 13-year-old son of a Hamas official. The letter reminded Nandy that past attempts by government to place political pressure on the BBC had ended badly. 'There's a dreadfully dishonourable tradition of this,' he told the New Statesman. (He cited both the suicide of David Kelly shortly after being revealed as the source for a BBC's reporting on the dodgy dossier behind the Iraq war, and the Thatcher government's attempt to pull a 1985 BBC documentary on Northern Ireland.) 'I think you have to be very careful as a government when you hold the purse strings of what is supposed to be an impartial broadcaster whose job is to speak truth to power in a democracy,' Kosminsky said. 'When you call for sackings and by implication the sacking of the chief executive of the BBC, I think that is deeply troubling… It feels like you're placing financial pressure on the organisation. You're saying, 'Do what I'm asking you to do and otherwise you won't get the money that we all know you want.'' Was the Culture Secretary really 'bullying' the BBC, or was she simply saying to its upper echelons, on behalf of the nation, 'get your house in order; we've had enough'? Davie's tenure has been plagued with difficulties. Soon into his role it emerged that the BBC religion editor Martin Bashir had misled Princess Diana's brother, Earl Spencer, to secure a Panorama interview with her 25 years earlier. Davie bears no responsibility whatsoever for the original misdemeanour. A host of scandals followed: the failure to tackle multiple and ongoing complaints against former MasterChef presenter Gregg Wallace; bullying allegations levelled at senior staff; serious criminality on the part of former news anchor Huw Edwards. Others involved editorial failures, including the live broadcasting of an anti-Semitic rant by Bob Vylan at this year's Glastonbury and the broadcasting of a Gaza documentary linked to Hamas. Does Nandy speak for the public when she says the corporation has 'a problem of leadership'? A spokesperson for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport told the Guardian that license fee payers rightly expect 'serious failures' to be acted upon so that they don't happen again. 'The BBC is operationally and editorially independent of government, and we will always defend this principle. However, there is an important distinction between being independent and being accountable.' If something has gone wrong, Kosminsky counters, it is for Ofcom or the BBC Board to hold the corporation to account. It is not the job of government. 'What I'm worried about is the chilling effect of this. You can see [it] in other Gaza programmes that the BBC has backed away from in recent years,' Kosminsky says, referring to the BBC's decision not to broadcast Gaza: Doctors under Attack, leaving it instead to Channel 4. Programmes like these, he says, are 'just too hot to handle because they're nervous of what the reaction will be in certain quarters. We need a BBC that is brave enough to not care about ruffling a few feathers.' Few would disagree with that final sentiment. But there are many in the industry, both inside the BBC and out, who see a wider problem. That perhaps the exodus of senior, long-standing editorial staff over the past five years has left the corporation depleted. There is a lack of diversity of thought, and years of both editorial and life experience have been lost, providing a vacuum at times in sound editorial judgement. 'Just because I'm saying the government should lay off the BBC and let [the board] and Ofcom do their job, it doesn't mean I'm saying I would personally endorse everything that's going on at the BBC. The two are not linked,' Kosminsky explained. While having the 'highest respect' for Tim Davie 'as a person', for example, Kosminsky expressed his 'surprise' that 'a man with no journalistic or editorial experience in his past' should have been made the BBC's editor-in-chief. 'If I'd been asked my opinion of the appointment – and I knew Tim well as head of BBC Worldwide – I would have said, 'No, I'm not sure that is quite right.' He's a great bloke, fantastic asset to the organisation, but I don't think he has enough editorial experience. I think the governors got that wrong.' For Kosminsky, the failure of the government to address the impossibility for UK public service broadcasters to compete with the streamers and its recent criticism of the BBC are inextricably linked. 'It seems to be the tentpole of our foreign policy is to butter up the Americans and unfortunately our domestic broadcasting is going to be the casualty,' he said. 'Lisa Nandy has had virtually nothing to say about all the problems that broadcasting is facing in this country… The only time she's popped her head above the parapet is to start calling for sackings at the BBC.' While this 'may get lot of sort of nods from certain quarters' – the US – 'it's extremely dangerous'. Kosminsky believes we have a government 'too susceptible to pressure from outside' and unwilling to stand up for and defend our national institutions. Instead, it is 'prepared to grovel to outside forces for reasons of limited financial and political gain'. And, Kosminsky believes, this attitude comes from the top. 'We have seen the way our Prime Minister behaves around Donald Trump… Actively fanning the ego of this man in the way he has been is really quite an unpleasant thing to observe and it filters down through everything. Anything that might upset Donald Trump and therefore by extension anything that might upset Israel is stamped on. And dear old Lisa Nandy, in my opinion, is part of this government. Keir Starmer is her boss and she's performing her role.' We are in a delicate place. When broadcasters can no longer make programmes that hold truth to power, 'that's just a little bit of our freedom of speech gone', Peter Kosminsky argues. And while future governments might be relieved about that, 'our democracy is the worse for it'. Perhaps a streamers levy is not the answer, but the government does not seem to be coming up with any solutions of its own. If it does not intervene, we will 'end up with a situation where the editorial decisions about everything we watch here in the UK on our television, are made half a world away in California,' Kosminsky warns. 'I regret that.' Hannah's full conversation with Peter Kosminsky is available as a New Statesman podcast. [Further reading: The BBC is afraid] Related
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Brit takes boyfriend to ‘height of British culture' holiday after fancy Venice trip – by going to Barry Island
WHEN it comes to romantic getaways most will consider Paris and Santorini, but one took their partner on a trip to Wales. After going on a romantic escape to Venice with his boyfriend, Ross Whyatt decided to return the favour by booking them on a Gavin and Stacey tour in Wales. Advertisement 5 The couple had just returned from a romantic getaway to Venice Credit: Jam Press/@whyitsross 5 Their next trip took them much closer to home, to Wales Credit: Jam Press/@whyitsross Ross had just spent a relaxing weekend basking in the sunshine, sipping on Aperol Spritz and eating delicious pizza. He was taken to the Italian city as a treat by his boyfriend, Riccardo Gugliermini. As it goes in relationships Ross decided to do something equally as thoughtful in return - and decided to book a trip to Barry in Wales. The pair had become big fans after watching the final episode at Christmas. Advertisement Read More on UK Breaks Ross revealed to Ross took to social media to document their experience revealing that on the tour, a knock-off version of Nessa welcomes guests on board a coach. And they recite There's even a group sing-along to gets spirits high, and Riccardo showed off his Advertisement Most read in Travel It turned out not that many people knew about the tour with one commenting on Ross' video: "Omg, I had no idea you could do a Gav and Stace tour with Nessa, this is mint." Another remarked that it was "the height of British culture.' The real life of Barry Island made famous by BBC's TV Series Gavin and Stacey 5 The pair took a selfie outside of the Shipman house Credit: Jam Press/@whyitsross 5 Riccardo made sure to pick up all his merch too Credit: Jam Press/@whyitsross Advertisement Ross added: 'Riccardo came back home with all the merch, including a mug, magnet and t-shirt - we had the absolute best time. 'It's part of the fun of being in a multicultural relationship, I'm slowly learning Italian and enjoying his cooking. I've introduced him to Greggs, Yorkshire puddings and a chippy tea. 'I'm also getting him into other British comedy classics, like Outnumbered, Peep Show and The Inbetweeners. But Gavin and Stacey is his favourite." Although Ross admitted that he'd rather do a week in Advertisement For anyone who wants to head over to do Barry to do some film location sight-seeing themselves, make sure to visit Up the road is The Colcot Arms aka Smithy's local Essex hangout and of course the Here's more about Barry from a local who Advertisement She reveals more about what Barry was like in the days of the Butlin's resort on Nell's Point Here's even more on Here's where you can find the 5 Barry is just as fun as Venice according to these two Credit: Jam Press/@whyitsross Advertisement
