Latest news with #Hogmanay
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I created Scottish football's most iconic TV show – but the life was sucked out of it before we had to scrap it
The show's creator hasn't held back in his criticism of the BBC 'YOU CAN'T DO THAT' 'YOU CAN'T DO THAT' I created Scottish football's most iconic TV show – but the life was sucked out of it before we had to scrap it "WHERE'S the burds?". "Mibbies aye, mibbies naw..." Just some of the few iconic lines from Scottish football's most famous TV show. Advertisement 4 Only An Excuse was a favourite fixture on TV screens each Hogmanay Credit: BBC 4 Philip Differ created the show with Jonathan Watson doing the acting 4 Watson's Frank McAvennie character became an icon Credit: BBC 4 But BBC bosses 'sucked the good out' of the show Credit: Getty Only An Excuse was a regular on our screens for much of the last three decades before its final episode aired in 2020. After debuting on radio in 1897, the programme became a telly favourite after airing on Hogmany in 1993. It would become something of a Scottish tradition to help welcome in the New Year, with its appeal going beyond just the ordinary football fan. The sketch show turned some of Scottish football's interesting characters figures into genuine household names - with Jonathan Watson's impersonations leaving punters in stitches. Advertisement His parodies of the likes of Sir Kenny Dalglish, Frank McAvennie, Chick Young and Sir Alex Ferguson are entrenched in the public memory. But as time went on, Watson and show creator Philip Differ felt the format had lost its magic. Not because either of them had ran out of jokes though. Indeed, far from it. Instead it was meddling TV bosses that RUINED the show. Advertisement That's how Differ feels five years on from the last episode. He has opened up on the decision to call time on the programme after growing increasingly frustrated with the input from BBC chiefs forcing them to tone things down or take certain jokes out altogether. So much so that for the last few episodes of Only An Excuse, Differ wouldn't even have aired them if it was up to him. Rodgers' message to Celtic board, striker woes & huge Champions League risk Speaking on the the Let Me Be Frank podcast, Differ said: "It wasn't enjoyable towards the end. Advertisement "Everything had to be vetted and given the go ahead by the BBC. "And if it was a wee bit edgy, you'd be told 'No you can't do that'. "I'll be honest, the last three or four Only an Excuses, it wasn't the show I wanted to put out." Differ then described the process by which the show would be made and how the interventions of the broadcast bigwigs led to a diluting of their comedy. Advertisement He said the show's creative team would go from finding the script hilarious to watching the final cut and feeling dejected. "We'd have a read-through, with Jonny and I and Rab Christie the producer at the Comedy Unit, and Noddie Davidson the director," Differ said. "The four of us would have a great time, we'd p*** ourselves laughing reading it, and at Jonny doing the voices, we'd sometimes get another actor in to help out and we'd come out feeling full of it. "But when it came to filming, all the good had been sucked out of it. Advertisement "'You can't do this, you can't do that, I don't think people will find that funny'. "Or, 'Do you know what would be good...?' and they'd suggest something that you had to keep in. "The year we decided we'd had enough, I spoke to Jonny and I told him there's no joy in it. And he was the same. "The characters weren't coming through either." Advertisement Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
STV News
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
Peat & Diesel to get Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations under way
Scottish folk-rock favourites Peat & Diesel have been confirmed as headliners for Edinburgh's Hogmanay Night Afore Hoolie. The Stornoway trio will kick off the capital's world-famous New Year celebrations with a 5,000 capacity open-air show in Princes Street Gardens on December 30. They'll be joined by Ullapool accordionist Ruairidh MacLean, also known as RuMac, whose profile has been raised by recent performances on Britain's Got Talent and the movie 28 Years Later. Speaking ahead of the announcement, the band said: 'We're not just playing, we're unleashing the full force of the 'Night Afore Hoolie' to kick off your legendary Edinburgh Hogmanay Show 2025. Get ready for an absolute explosion of sound and craic that'll have the whole city jumping. 'This isn't just a gig; it's going to be the most raucous, unforgettable start to the New Year you could possibly imagine. Trust us, you won't want to miss a single second when the island madness hits the capital.' The Night Afore Hoolie forms part of a four-day programme of events across the capital. Festivities begin on December 29 with the Torchlight Procession, as thousands of torchbearers illuminate Edinburgh's streets in a spectacular river of fire. The following days feature a mix of live music and traditional ceilidhs, including the Hogmanay Ceilidh and the Bairns Hogmanay Ceilidh at the Assembly Rooms. The celebrations culminate on December 31 with the Street Party and Concert in the Gardens, ringing in the New Year with fireworks and live entertainment, followed by free live music across Edinburgh on January 1. Margaret Graham, culture and communities convener at City of Edinburgh Council, said: 'The Night Afore Hoolie is a brilliant addition to this year's Hogmanay. With Peat & Diesel and RuMac, it promises to be a night full of Scottish spirit and fantastic live music.' Al Thomson, co-director of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, added: 'We're thrilled to bring the sound of the Western Isles to Princes Street Gardens. It's going to be a brilliant way to start the celebrations.' Tickets go on sale at 10am on Saturday July 26, with a pre-sale opening at 10am Friday July 25 for those signed up at Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Edinburgh Reporter
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Hogmanay – Scottish band to headline the Night Afore Hoolie
Scottish folk rock stars Peat & Diesel will headline this year's Night Afore Hoolie on 30 December 2025 in West Princes Street Gardens, joined by Scottish accordion sensation RuMac. The Hoolie offers locals and visitors alike the chance to start Hogmanay 2025 celebrations in style with an unmatched night of Scottish music. Blending Scottish folk and Celtic punk, Peat & Diesel will perform under the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, marking their debut at Edinburgh's Hogmanay with a 5,000 capacity headline show. Edinburgh's Hogmanay Night Afore Hoolie is on sale from 10am Saturday 26 July – sign up for pre-sale access via Culture and Communities Convener Margaret Graham said: 'The Night Afore Hoolie in Princes Street Gardens will be a fantastic addition to the Edinburgh Hogmanay line-up. With headliners Peat & Diesel joined by RuMac it promises to be a fantastic night of Scottish music to launch a lively series of traditional Hogmanay celebrations. Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a special time for the city and I'm thrilled that we're able to offer such an exciting and eclectic programme for our residents and visitors.' Al Thomson, Unique Assembly and Edinburgh's Hogmanay Co-Director said, 'We're thrilled to welcome Peat & Diesel and RuMac to Princes Street Gardens for their Edinburgh's Hogmanay set, bringing the sound of the Western Isles to rock the capital.' for the Night Afore Hoolie with Peat & Diesel are on sale from 10am, Saturday 26 July priced from £32.50 plus booking fees. Revellers who register at will get early access to tickets in a pre-sale which opens at 10am, Friday 25 July. Like this: Like Related
Edinburgh Reporter
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Festival City Goes Digital: How Edinburgh's Entertainment Landscape Is Evolving Online
Edinburgh has long been known for its vibrant festivals, cobbled streets full of performers, and the sheer buzz of live events that seem to pulse through the city every summer. It's the kind of place where creativity isn't just welcomed, it's expected. But lately, the way people are soaking up the city's culture has started to shift. And if you've noticed more screen time creeping into your free time, you're not alone. Because, like everywhere else, Edinburgh's entertainment sector is going online, and it's not a phase. Tradition Meets Technology First of all, the festivals. The Fringe, the International Festival, Hogmanay; these are interwoven with the city. They've filled theatres, transformed parks into festivals, and filled pubs to the brim for decades. But more and more, they're finding new ways to connect, and more often than not, that means online. In recent years, live performances, virtual reality experiences, and hybrid productions have been a standard feature of the festival circuit. And honestly? It's paying off. Not only can more people participate (even if they can't attend in person), but acts are getting to global crowds without having to leave Edinburgh. It's not about duplicating the miracle of live performance. It's about multiplying it. Binge-Watching the Best of Edinburgh You know that feeling when you want something to watch, but something local? And, as luck would have it, there is a demand for on-demand culture that isn't a new Netflix series. In Edinburgh alone, there are even smaller theatres and artistic groups streaming and recording their shows. From amateur theatrical productions to live acoustic performances being recorded in small, dingy spaces, there's plenty to watch without having to leave home. It's affordable, it's easy, and it's lovely watching a show in your pyjamas sometimes. This shift isn't for convenience alone either. It's making the arts more accessible to those for whom going out to events in person isn't an option, due to cost, mobility, or just a hectic schedule. Gaming, Gambling, and Digital Escapes And of course, not all that is available on the internet is arts-related. Some of it is just about switching off and unwinding. Gaming has become extremely popular in Edinburgh, as it has elsewhere in the UK, with more and more people grabbing their phones or laptops for some relaxation time. Online gambling has also grown. But with a twist here: people are getting smarter. They want sites that are secure, user-friendly, and allow for rapid, cashless payments. Amidst all the online action, many people also tried bookmakers that accept Skrill, liking how speedy and easy the websites are to execute secure, hassle-free payments. When people are in control of how they pay, they also feel more at ease with how they play. And it's not high-stakes or risky behaviour. It's a bit of innocent fun, with ease and safety first. Local Creators Go Global This online growth isn't only succeeding for viewers, it's changing creators, too. Musicians, filmmakers, artists, and comedians from Edinburgh are no longer limited to the audience in front of them. They're connecting with people across the country, or even worldwide. Others are employing platforms like Patreon or YouTube. Others are selling digital downloads, online classes, or pay-per-month livestreams. It's giving local artists a way of building their audience and their income, all without needing a massive venue or corporate backing. Even bricks-and-mortar buildings, such as The Cameo, Summerhall, or the Scottish Storytelling Centre, are going digital, streaming their events to a wider, often younger, digitally-born audience. It's Not All Smooth Sailing Of course, this internet boom hasn't all been smooth sailing. Screen fatigue is no myth. So is attempting to cut through in a very crowded digital landscape. There's something about live performance, as well, the buzz of an audience, the shared experience, that can't quite be replicated online. But with all that, the positives undeniably outweigh the negatives. One individual is missing the retro charm of a packed theatre, for everyone who now feels they can join in, thanks to digital accessibility. It is a case of balance. The Future? A Little Bit of Everything So what's next for Edinburgh entertainment? More diversity, basically. The future will be partly virtual, but not all, and nor will it be purely pre-digital. It will be both. You'll still be able to grab a pint before a show, settle into a creaky theatre seat, and experience something live. But you'll also have the option to stream it the next day. Or catch a behind-the-scenes clip online. Or support your favourite act via their latest digital gig. In a city as creative and adaptable as Edinburgh, the mix of old and new feels just right. Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
13-07-2025
- Daily Record
Walk to stunning Scottish castle that inspired a Disney film named among UK's best
A coastal walk in northeast Scotland was ranked among the UK's best for its beauty, based on five-star reviews A scenic coastal walk in northeast Scotland has been ranked among the UK's best, thanks to its dramatic cliffs, medieval fortress and striking natural beauty. The route from Stonehaven Harbour to the iconic Dunnottar Castle was named the third most beautiful walk in the UK in a new study by photo printing company CEWE, which analysed Google reviews to find the country's most-loved walking trails, Express reports. Each location was assessed on the number of five-star ratings and how often words like 'beautiful', 'stunning', 'amazing', and 'lovely' appeared in the reviews. The Stonehaven to Dunnottar walk scored highly, with 254 reviewers describing it as beautiful and an overall 4.8-star rating. The 3.5-mile circular route takes between 90 minutes and two hours to complete and leads walkers south from the town's picturesque harbour to the imposing ruins of Dunnottar Castle. Along the way, the trail passes through Black Hill, Strathlethan Bay, Dunnicaer Pictish Fort, and Castle Haven. Stonehaven, a former fishing town with around 11,000 residents, is known not only for its coastal charm but also for its ancient Hogmanay fireballs ceremony, during which locals parade through the streets swinging flaming balls above their heads to banish evil spirits and welcome the new year. But the real showstopper is Dunnottar Castle itself. A ruined medieval fortress perched dramatically on a rocky headland, it sits about two miles south of Stonehaven and boasts a commanding position on the northeast coast. While most of the existing buildings date to the 15th and 16th centuries, the site has been fortified since the Early Middle Ages. Dunnottar has played a central role in Scottish history, most famously as the hiding place of the Honours of Scotland, the nation's crown jewels, during Oliver Cromwell's invasion in the 17th century. Once the seat of the powerful Earls Marischal and home to the Keith family from the 14th century, the castle declined after the final Earl forfeited his titles for supporting the Jacobite rebellion of 1715. It was later restored in the 20th century and is now open to the public. The castle has also featured on the silver screen, appearing in the 1990 film adaptation of Hamlet and inspiring Merida's family home in Disney's Brave. A few miles further south, nature lovers can continue to RSPB Fowlsheugh, a clifftop reserve teeming with life. In spring and summer, the reserve becomes a noisy haven for more than 130,000 breeding seabirds, including puffins, kittiwakes and razorbills. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Topping CEWE's list of beautiful walks was Mount Stewart in Northern Ireland, a grand 19th-century estate nestled on the shores of Strangford Lough in County Down. The estate features landscaped gardens, a stately mansion with an impressive art collection, and 10 miles of trails winding through farmland and woodland. It received 259 'beautiful' mentions and a 4.7-star average rating. Powis Castle and Garden in Welshpool, Wales, took second place. Originally built as a fortress in the 13th century, the castle boasts sweeping views across the Severn Valley and is surrounded by elegant gardens. It earned 255 'beautiful' reviews and also maintained a 4.7-star rating.
