Latest news with #MartinClunes
Powys County Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Martin Clunes set to appear in Powys at Royal Welsh Show
Actor Martin Clunes has shared his excitement at joining the judges at the Royal Welsh Show as a new attraction joins the line-up at the event. The Heavy Horse Village will be next to the horse ring at this year's show, and nobody will be more delighted than Men Behaving Badly and Doc Martin star and horse enthusiast Martin. Speaking ahead of Monday's first day at the show, he said: 'I'm really looking forward to coming to the Royal Welsh Show and coming back to Wales. 'I love a show, but I've never been to this one before and it sounds epic. I'm absolutely delighted to be judging the supreme horse. 'The serious judging will be done by the serious judges of each horse in its class, so I just get to pick one I like the look of best, which I'm very qualified to do. I can't wait.' Martin Clunes is president of the British Horse Society and will judge the Supreme Horse Championship in the Main Ring on the Thursday afternoon. The judging will follow his tour of the Heavy Horse Village with its different breeds and displays. The village is the brainchild of this year's Royal Welsh Ambassador, Rhys Griffith. He runs the family Trem-y-Wyddfa Stud in Llanberis and sells all over the world. It comprises 20 horses, including 12 mares, four stallions and young stock including four foals. 'I want to bring the knowledge and love of heavy horses to more people,' said Rhys Griffith. 'I'm grateful that the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society is supporting my vision. 'I feel lucky to have a platform for people to see the Heavy Horses. There will be preparations and competitions and a new turnout class. I'm looking forward to meeting Martin Clunes and to showing him around – he knows a lot of people who will be there and will be among friends.' There will be more than 70 heavy horses entered in various competitions and featuring in displays, with 40 in the in-hand section and 35 in the turn out every day.
The Sun
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Our UK seaside village is inundated with tourists after TV show made us globally famous – it's forcing us out our home
A POPULAR TV show is forcing residents to leave their picturesque coastal village - because it has become a mecca for tourists. Residents in the Cornish village of Port Isaac have fumed that droves of Doc Martin fans arriving each year have made their town unlivable. 9 9 9 Tens of thousands of 'Clunatics' - the nickname for fans of the show and star Martin Clunes - flock to the peaceful fishing village annually. During the summer months, the town's narrow winding lanes are so crowded that locals steer clear of the historic harbour. Fans from the UK, USA, Australia and mainland Europe has turned the once quiet village into an international tourism hub. To some in Port Isaac, this has brought new opportunities including walking tours, cafes and merchandise shops. Rubber-necking tourists reportedly flock to view iconic landmarks such as the home of Martin Clunes' character Dr Martin Ellingham, and Aunty Ruth's cottage above Squeezy Belly Alley. But locals have suggested that their home has become a "victim of its popularity". Over the past two decades, house prices in the area - renamed Port Wenn on the show - have quadrupled. Mum-of-two Anne Wilce, 44, a lifelong Port Isaac resident, told how it had become "unrecognisable". She fumed: 'It is horrific, there is no affordable housing available for anybody now. 'My sons are 19 and 22 and they won't ever be able to afford to buy a house at this rate. 'Without more affordable housing in the village the younger generation will move away because there is nothing here for them. 'My house is 30 years old and it's part of the last affordable housing that has been built here. 'I don't go down to the village centre, I have no reason to because it's all second homes. "Even when something does come up for sale it's ridiculously priced - nobody around here can afford it. 'Doc Martin brought a whole load of money into the village which has created jobs for people and helped this community. "But it is also a victim of its popularity and it doesn't feel like our village any more.' Tourism has long since overtaken fishing as Port Isaac's main industry. Local businesses have thrived as a result of the town's worldwide fame. 9 9 9 John Cleave, who was brought up in the village and runs the Boathouse fashion and gift shop, agrees that the show has changed village life. "The locals talk about BDM – that's Before Doc Martin. "It was always favoured by comparatively few people who simply saw it as a beautiful, typical Cornish fishing village. "As a business you could close your doors from October to Easter and it wouldn't make a lot of difference. "Thanks to Doc Martin we now have all-year-round trade." The British comedy-drama first aired in 2004. On the outer edge of the village - next to Port Isaac's real GP surgery - sits a small housing estate containing some of the village's only affordable homes. They were constructed around 30 years ago and according to residents they were the last affordable homes built in the village. There are now just two active fishing boats remaining in the village - compared with 174 holiday lets on Airbnb alone. In the past year, semi-detached properties in Port Isaac sold for an average of £810,000, with terraced properties fetching £616,250, according to Rightmove. Shop worker Elisha Scott, 19, and her family have lived in the area for 10 years. She said: 'Nobody my age can afford to rent let alone buy a house here, all my friends still live with their parents. 'I'm not really thinking about house prices though because I don't think I'll stay here for a long time, there just aren't the job opportunities. 'Doc Martin definitely made a difference to Port Isaac, there are always fans of the show looking around the village. "What has come with that is a lot of people buying second homes here which has made it too expensive for locals.' Earlier this month a new plan was unveiled to build more affordable homes for local people. Tre Haven Community Land Trust (CLT) has started negotiations with Cornwall Council to purchase land for 25 affordable housing developments. The proposal has support from the area's Lib Dem MP Ben Maguire and local celebrity chef Nathan Outlaw. But critics point out the site sits on a main road several miles from the village - with almost no public transport links to shops or schools. Unemployed Ciaran Patching, 20, said: 'It took me two years of searching and I feel incredibly lucky to be here, before that I was living with my mum in the town. 'I would love to be able to buy my own house here but it doesn't feel like that will ever be an option at the moment. 'Port Isaac is definitely very popular in summer but in winter it can be dead. "The popularity of Doc Martin has helped a lot of businesses around here but it has made it hard for year round residents.' 9 9 9
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Martin Clunes to star in 'huge-budget' Hollywood movie with Oscar nominee
Martin Clunes to star in 'huge-budget' Hollywood movie with Oscar nominee Doc Martin actor Martin Clunes has revealed his next acting role and he's set to star opposite some huge names Martin Clunes is due to star in a new film (Image: HGL/WireImage ) Martin Clunes is set to feature in a huge Hollywood movie, opposite the likes of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. The Doc Martin star's next acting role will be in next year's Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell. The film is set for release in February 2026, but many other details have been kept under wraps so far. Martin revealed his role in a new interview, as he reased he's due to star in a " massive, Warner Brothers, huge-budget movie, all built on sets at Elstree " while talking with The i Paper. The actor will portray Mr Earnshaw, father of Catherine Earnshaw, in Wuthering Heights. Catherine is due to be played by Margot, while Jacob takes on the role of Heathcliff. Martin Clunes will appear in Wuthering Heights (Image: David Buchan/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images ) Elsewhere, Hong Chau plays Nelly Dean and Shazad Latif portrays Edgar Linton, while Alison Oliver stars as Isabella Linton. Also making up the cast are Owen Cooper, playing a young Heathcliff, Charlotte Mellington, portraying teenage Catherine and Vy Nguyen as young Nelly. Article continues below Wuthering Heights is an adaptation of Emily Brontë's 1847 novel of the same name, which tells the story of the tumultuous relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff, an orphan adopted by Catherine's family. If the film is to reflect the book accurately, film fans can expect an intense tale of love and revenge, set in 19th-century Yorkshire. Themes of social class, obsession and love feature heavily. Margot Robbie will also star in the new film (Image: Getty ) It marks Emerald's third collaboration with LuckyChap Entertainment, which is run by Margot, her husband Tom Ackerley and Josey McNamara. Emerald teamed up with the company to make the films Promising Young Woman and Saltburn. While she has not disclosed any details about Wuthering Heights, she has spoken about being "obsessed with the gothic" in the past. Writing for the Los Angeles Times, Emerald disclosed: "I've always been obsessed with the gothic. Whether it was Edward Gorey's children who are variously choked by peaches, sucked dry by leeches or smothered by rugs; Du Maurier's imperilled heroines or the disturbing erotic power of Angela Carter's fairy tales, the gothic world has always had me in its grip. Article continues below "It's a genre where comedy and horror, revulsion and desire, sex and death are forever entwined, where every exchange is heavy with the threat of violence, or sex or both." Wuthering Heights will be released 13 February 2026
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
TV favourite set to appear at literary festival
The Dorchester Literary Festival has revealed exciting details ahead of its autumn programme. The festival is set to return with a stellar line-up, including some of the most renowned names in the literary world. Running from October 18 to October 25, there will be a variety of events for book lovers to enjoy. Among the highlights is an appearance by Martin Clunes, who will be discussing his book Meetings with Remarkable Animals on October 25. The much-loved television personality will celebrate the intelligence, loyalty and bravery of animals in what promises to be a captivating talk. READ: Author shortlisted for international literature prize Raynor Winn, the bestselling author of The Salt Path, will also be in attendance. She will be discussing her latest book on October 24, much to the anticipation of her fans. Other notable names include Gyles Brandreth, Jeremy Vine and Jonathan Sumption, each bringing their unique perspectives to the festival. Brandreth will delve into the world of Winnie-the-Pooh on October 25, while Vine will showcase his crime-writing skills. Sumption, a former Supreme Court judge, will share his provocative essays on the challenges of democracy. READ: Tickets sell out within hour for book signing with beloved children's author The festival will also showcase a range of other topics, from AI and its implications, to the rich history of the 14th century, providing something for everyone. The festival is not just about listening to authors speak, however. On October 19, Mark Chutter will take festival-goers on a guided literary walk around Dorchester, uncovering stories of law and literature. There will also be a chance to explore the maritime history of the 100-year-old shipping forecast with Meg Clothier on October 20. Tickets for the festival will be available on general sale on the festival website at and at Waterstones in Dorchester, from August 29. READ: The Dorset books that will help your wellbeing Early bird tickets, offering a 10 per cent discount, will be available to Friends of the Festival from August 18 to August 28. The festival is sponsored by a number of organisations, including Weldmar Hospicecare, Albert Goodman, Hall & Woodhouse and The Oldie. A full list of sponsors and more information about the festival can be found on the Dorchester Literary Festival website, where you can also keep up with the latest news about the event. Festival-goers are advised to check the website for the latest news, timings, venues and information about the children's and schools' programmes. The festival will also be active on social media, with updates available on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Powys County Times
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Powys County Times
Elite bowlers to descend on Powys spa town next month
The British Bowls Championships and International Series will be held at Llandrindod Wells Bowling Club from next month. The showpiece event begins on Monday, June 23 and will conclude on Sunday, June 29. Practice will dominate Monday before the championships take place on Tuesday and Wednesday with the international series beginning on Thursday after Wednesday morning's opening ceremony. The event will bring over 300 bowlers from Wales, England, Scotland, Ireland and Jersey to Llandrindod Wells for a weeklong feast of bowls. Steam trains restored on Llanfair railway after dry weather caused fire risk Powys tenant farmers tell council: 'Stop selling off our farms' ITV axe Powys-set primetime drama starring Martin Clunes after just one series The event will bring hundreds of bowlers and spectators to the event using the local bars and restaurants, pubs and accommodation within the town and the local area. Entry to the event is free and is a great spectacle with action each day from 8.30am until 8.30pm. Powys will be well represented with June Morgan, Barbara Sheers, Fiona Preece and Jo Weale of Presteigne Bowls Club competing in the ladies fours championship. Berriew's Caroline Taylor captain's the senior women's side in the international series and is joined by club-mate Emma Gittins along with Naomi Evans from Llanidloes and Jo Weale from Presteigne. Machynlleth's Andrew Fleming is included in the senior mean's squad alongside Sam Roff of Llandrindod Wells.
