Latest news with #JohnSullivan
Daily Mail
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
I'm an Only Fools And Horses superfan and Sir David Jason was a family friend - he showed his true colours away from the BBC show
'Lovely jubbly', 'plonker' and an ever increasingly bizarre use of the French language - it could only be one programme. Only Fools And Horses, the BBC sitcom about two south-east London market trader brothers, won its away into the nation's hearts as soon as it hit our screens in 1981. Created by the inimitable late John Sullivan, it starred Sir David Jason as Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter and Nicholas Lyndhurst as his little brother Rodney. And the pair were joined in Peckham by a host of beloved supporting characters, including Grandad (Lennard Pearce) and Uncle Albert (Buster Merryfield). As one of the most iconic British sitcoms of all time, running for seven series until 2003, its stars were bound to become the stuff of acting legend. It means when a fan recently revealed online what David, 85, was really like in person, keen Only Fools viewers jumped at the chance to find out. Created by the inimitable late John Sullivan, it starred Sir David Jason as Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter and Nicholas Lyndhurst as his little brother Rodney (pictured) They posted on discussion site Reddit: 'My mate's dad was good friends with David and used to run a B&B in Weston-super-Mare. 'Over the years, "Uncle David" would pop by now and then and my mate would also see him at family gatherings and events.' David has had an illustrious career outside Only Fools too. He has starred variously in detective series A Touch Of Frost, grocery shop sitcom Open All Hours and fifties-set family life comedy The Darling Buds of May. But it is ambitious Cockney Del Boy, known for his catchphrase, 'This time next year, we'll be millionaires!', who seemed to capture the user's family the most. They continued: 'As you can imagine, whenever he showed up, people couldn't resist asking him to "do a bit of Del Boy". 'He always politely declined, until one unforgettable occasion. After a bit of friendly badgering, David finally gave in. 'My mate said he took a deep breath and in that moment, everything about him changed - his posture, his expression, even the way he stood. They posted on discussion site Reddit: 'My mate's dad was good friends with David and used to run a B&B in Weston-super-Mare' 'It was like Del Boy had walked into the room. For the next 20 minutes, Del Boy was the life of the party, giving everyone a performance they'd never forget.' The heartwarming anecdote shows the funny, nice man David is off as well as on screen - perhaps putting paid to the idea you should never meet your heroes. But fans might have to cough up a hefty sum to do so at an upcoming fan event. David is set to appear at the Only Fools and Horses Appreciation Society Convention in Milton Keynes in October. It has been revealed, though, that the price for tickets for a professional photo opportunity with the actor in the Trotter flat set starts at an eye-watering £350. Any fans who want a signed photo mount and dinner as well as the image will have to find an astonishing £550 for the so-called 'platinum' tickets. Despite the premium price tag, no selfies or autographs will be allowed. The event's website reads: 'Due to time constraints, Sir David will not be signing any items across the convention weekend. 'We kindly ask you do not bring anything to attempt Sir David to sign as it will not be permitted. We will have staff on call to ensure this in fairness to everyone. 'There will be NO "selfies" with Sir David Jason. 'Selfies are left to the discretion of the other guest actors, although most are very happy to pose for a photograph if asked politely.' It comes after Only Fools fans recently had another amazing revelation about David. Even the staunchest observers have only just realised the TV legend, born David John White in 1941, has an older brother who is also a famous actor. Arthur White, 91, starred next to his brother in several episodes of A Touch of Frost where he played PC Ernie Trigg in the police crime drama. He also appeared briefly along with his brother in two episodes of The Darling Buds of May back in 1991. In 2008, he worked with David again on the comic fantasy The Colour of Magic where he played a character called Rerpf. In other work, Arthur appeared in time travel sitcom Goodnight Sweetheart in 1996. The series also starred his brother's Only Fools co-star Nicholas, who played Del Boy's brother Rodney, in the lead role of Gary Sparrow. From 1995 to 2001, Arthur starred in the ITV fire service workplace drama London's Burning, before appearing in police procedural Heartbeat. He has also been seen on a episode of Holby City in 2016, in which he played the part of Sidney Bickton. His other television credits include include Doctors, Family Affairs, Grange Hill, The Professionals and many more roles dating back to the 1950s. More recently, Arthur featured in 13 Hours That Saved Britain, a documentary which delves into the events of the Battle of Britain. In the film, he shared his personal experiences of living in London through World War Two and residing in the capital during the Blitz.
CNA
27-06-2025
- Politics
- CNA
US ambassador to Russia leaves Moscow, embassy statement says
MOSCOW: Lynne Tracy, the US ambassador to Russia, is leaving Moscow, her embassy said on Friday (Jun 27), noting she had served through one of the most strained periods in relations between Moscow and Washington. The departure of a career diplomat appointed under the administration of former president Joe Biden comes as Russia and the United States discuss a potential reset in their ties which sharply deteriorated after Moscow launched its full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022. President Donald Trump has said there are potentially big investment deals to be struck, but is growing increasingly frustrated that his efforts to broker a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine have so far not resulted in a meaningful ceasefire. "I am proud to have represented my country in Moscow during such a challenging time. As I leave Russia, I know that my colleagues at the embassy will continue to work to improve our relations and maintain ties with the Russian people," the embassy cited Tracy as saying in a statement. It said Tracy's time in post had been marked by her belief that meaningful dialogue was important even during difficult times, the embassy said. The embassy said earlier this month that Tracy, who arrived in Moscow in January 2023 and was greeted by protesters chanting anti-US slogans when she went to the Foreign Ministry to present her credentials, would leave her post soon. Her successor has not been publicly named. Her tenure is similar in duration to her predecessor, John Sullivan, who served as ambassador for two years and seven months from February 2020 to September 2022. Tracy was notably involved in efforts to win the release of US citizens jailed in Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan, who were eventually freed in August 2024 as part of a big East-West prisoner swap.
Al Arabiya
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
US ambassador to Russia leaves Moscow
Lynne Tracy, the US ambassador to Russia, is leaving Moscow, her embassy said on Friday, noting she had served through one of the most strained periods in relations between Moscow and Washington. The departure of a career diplomat appointed under the administration of former president Joe Biden comes as Russia and the United States discuss a potential reset in their ties which sharply deteriorated after Moscow launched its full-scale war in Ukraine in 2022. President Donald Trump has said there are potentially big investment deals to be struck, but is growing increasingly frustrated that his efforts to broker a peace deal to end the war in Ukraine have so far not resulted in a meaningful ceasefire. 'I am proud to have represented my country in Moscow during such a challenging time. As I leave Russia, I know that my colleagues at the embassy will continue to work to improve our relations and maintain ties with the Russian people,' the embassy cited Tracy as saying in a statement. It said Tracy's time in post had been marked by her belief that meaningful dialogue was important even during difficult times, the embassy said. The embassy said earlier this month that Tracy, who arrived in Moscow in January 2023 and was greeted by protesters chanting anti-US slogans when she went to the Foreign Ministry to present her credentials, would leave her post soon. Her successor has not been publicly named. Her tenure is similar in duration to her predecessor, John Sullivan, who served as ambassador for two years and seven months from February 2020 to September 2022. Tracy was notably involved in efforts to win the release of US citizens jailed in Russia, including journalist Evan Gershkovich and former marine Paul Whelan, who were eventually freed in August 2024 as part of a big East-West prisoner swap.
Daily Mail
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Only Fools And Horses 'lost' scene emerges 29 YEARS later as script signed by David Jason goes to auction
A 'lost' scene from a classic Only Fools and Horses episode has emerged 29 years later. It was written into the script of the 1996 Christmas special, titled Heroes & Villains, but never made it into the final cut. In the episode, Del Boy (David Jason) and Rodney Trotter (Nicholas Lyndhurst) dressed up as Batman and Robin to prevent a mugging. But it appears there was also an extended scene involving Del later chasing down a mugger and knocking him unconscious with his suitcase full of hooky gear. In the cut scene, it is scripted that a policeman arrives and Del tells him 'It's alright officer, I caught him, he's over there,' but the policeman then arrests Rodney instead of the mugger. The missing scene has emerged in a working script that belonged to the late Roger Lloyd Pack who played Trigger in the sitcom. The 155 page script, estimated to sell for between £2,000 and £3,000, is coming up for sale at Bristol-based Auctioneum on June 30. According to The Sun, Auctioneer Andy Stowe described it as 'comedy history, in black and white.' He explained: 'As a fan of the show myself, I was flicking through the script and began to read lines of dialogue that I didn't recognise. 'As I carried on reading, I realised that these were scenes and lines that had been cut from the episode. Some of them are very funny. 'There are several scenes cut from the episode that focus on the plot of the muggers. 'There was considerable work by the writer, John Sullivan, to establish the threat of them throughout the episode but most of these early scenes were cut from the final show. 'To have Roger's actual script, with his lines marked within it, is really something special. This is comedy history, in black and white on the page.' Only Fools and Horses has been slapped with a trigger warning some fans have deemed 'excessively woke '. The BBC show is known for being feel-good TV, but has become the latest sitcom to be issued with disclaimers around offensive or outdated language, according to The Sun. All seven series of the 80s hit starring David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst and the late Lennard Pearce are on streaming platform ITVX. However, many of the episodes have been hit with trigger warnings for racial and 'outdated attitudes'. 'The Russians are Coming' from series one was a fan favourite, but now features a disclaimer that reads: 'Contains some offensive racial language of the time.' 'The Yellow Peril' from the second series and 'Who's A Pretty Boy' from the third also feature a number of warnings now. Two episodes in the fourth installment also have a warning, while 'The Miracle of Peckham' from series five warns of language that 'may offend'. The only two series which did not receive a disclaimer of some kind are the sixth and seventh. Even the 1985 Christmas special includes a message that says: 'Contains dated attitudes and behaviours and racist language some viewers may find offensive.' The repeats of Only Fools And Horses still air on digital channel U&Gold and have also been slapped with warnings. Fans have taken to social media to share their frustration at the new warnings. One said: 'It takes a brave platform to showcase a comedy. People are desperate to be outraged and offended in this country Even UK Gold has to give a f***ing warning before showing an episode of Only Fools And Horses,' 'I'm watching series 1 of Only Fools & Horses and I wonder how much of this humour would get written today. If any, it's comedy genius but the woke brigade cancel it out nowadays,' 'You know you are living in an upside down offended by everything society when the TV is giving warnings before airing episodes of Only Fools And Horses,' 'This is what happens when everyone gets offended all the time, comedy programs are on their a**e, nowadays you watch only fools and horses and before it comes on they pretty much say these are old jokes that might offend a little whine bag with no soul,' 'There'll never be a new series of Only Fools And Horses because the 2024 generation will get offended,' 'Being offended by Only Fools And Horses, pathetic, get a grip,' 'Anyone offended by Only Fools And Horses has clearly had a sense of humour failure, and needs to lighten up.'
CTV News
30-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Northern Ont. man fined $1,001 for dumping a bag of garbage
Timmins still has a problem with people illegally dumping trash, so it's stepping up fines and enforcement. Sergio Arangio reports. 2021: Cracking down on illegal dumping in Timmins A Cochrane, Ont., man was fined $1,001 for dumping a single bag of garbage on public land. John Sullivan pleaded guilty to the offence, which is a violation under the Public Lands Act. In a news release Friday, the Ministry of Natural Resources said the incident took place Oct. 8, 2023, in Hanna Township, south of Cochrane. 'The officers discovered that garbage had been deposited on public lands at the Little Lake access point parking lot,' the release said. 'The investigation led conservation officers to Sullivan who admitted to the offence.' Justice of the Peace Estelle Bérubé heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Cochrane on Dec. 3, 2024. To report a natural resource problem or provide information about an unsolved case, members of the public can call the ministry TIPS line toll-free at 1-877-847-7667. To remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS. For more information about unsolved cases, click here.
