Latest news with #PeterBeale
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Controversial comedian bags role on EastEnders after pleading with BBC bosses for a whopping 37 years - gushing 'it's an honour' ahead of Walford debut
A controversial comedian bagged herself a role on EastEnders after pleading with BBC bosses for a whopping 37 years. Funny woman Shazia Mirza, 50 - who has made jokes about ISIS in the past - has gushed that 'it's an honour' to appear on the soap ahead of her Walford debut. Shazia appeared on Thursday's instalment of the BBC show as a doctor talking to Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) about her son Jimmy's condition Optic Nerve and Chorioretinal coloboma. Little did some know that the star has been desperate to take part in the programme for a number of years. After her debut, she took to Instagram to share a picture of a letter that the Beeb had sent her after applying for a role on the show. It said: 'We get so many young people wanting parts on EastEnders, that it is our policy to have to say no. 'We are obliged to use only Equity members in the making of EastEnders. 'We are sorry we have not been able to assist you, but hope you will continue to enjoy the programme.' The next picture of the post was one of her recently starring in the BBC soap. Shazia wrote on Instagram: '37 years ago I wrote to @BBCEastEnders asking for a part and 37 years later I got one. 'EastEnders is working with advice from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) on a storyline where Lauren and Peter's son is diagnosed as severely sight impaired. 'Having struggled to settle baby Jimmy in recent weeks, Lauren becomes concerned by his lack of ability to focus as he struggles to latch during breastfeeding. 'Determined to follow her mother's instinct, Lauren takes Jimmy to the hospital for further tests where the doctors confirm that Jimmy is severely sight impaired. 'The storyline follows Lauren and Peter as they attempt to navigate life with a newborn, the symptoms that Lauren picks up on which leads her to seek a diagnosis, and how the diagnosis will impact Jimmy and their family as a whole. 'It has been an honour to be part of such an important storyline.' Many rushed to the comments section to share their support. 'Wow and the fact that you still have the letter makes it even more brilliant!!' 'you're incredible mA & indefatigable. SO inspiring.' 'Oh my! I LOVE that you wrote asking for a part!!! This is beautiful! Congratulations (and also, a part on Eastenders has always been my dream but thankfully I am hiding my jealousy-to-the-point-of-insanity pretty well).' 'NEVER GIVE UP! Congratulations! I actually thought while watching what a beautiful lady.' 'You were a sensation.' Shazia shot to fame in 2000 and has made a string of controversial jokes over the years. Back in April 2016 Loose Women viewers were left outraged after she joked about ISIS terrorists. Shazia appeared on the ITV panel show to talk about her upcoming tour, which addressed a number of politically-charged issues including terrorism and jihadi brides. When asked about why she thought young girls were leaving the UK for Syria, she jokingly suggested they were fleeing because they thought the male jihadists were 'a bit of alright'. Back in 2023 Shazia hosted a major Labour diversity event after she branded branded ex-Home Secretaries Sajid Javid and Priti Patel 'coconuts' for showing a lack of loyalty to their ethnic communities. The star is a stand-up comedian, but also writes for The Guardian and The Daily Telegraph. Not only that, she's also appeared on The Wright Stuff and F*** Off and I'm A Hairy Woman. Shazia has also dipped her toe into the reality TV realm, appearing on SAS: Who Dares Wins, MasterChef and Celebrity The Island with Bear Grylls.
Telegraph
03-07-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Ask the head gardener: Why are my rose petals turning brown and falling off?
Dear Tom, We have an annual problem with our roses. They bloom wonderfully, with large flowers, but the petals drop very quickly (after three or four days) and sometimes go brown around the edges. Otherwise they look healthy. No rust, black spot or aphids. Any ideas for how we can solve this problem? – Brian Dear Liz, A healthy rose in full fettle can be hard to beat, but when things don't go to plan, it can be incredibly frustrating and pretty miserable-looking. I recently judged the roses at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, and I have to say that the hot, dry conditions were far from favourable for the nation's favourite flower. Despite the incredible talents of the rose growers at the show, namely David Austin, Peter Beale and Harkness, the blooms were showing signs of stress on day one. When it comes to your roses, there are a number of potential issues which I'll highlight, requiring further investigation from you to decipher which is causing the petal drop. The heat and dry conditions would accelerate the deterioration of rose flowers. It is tricky to overcome the heat issue, but first, check if there is any moisture within the soil around the base of the shrub. Dig down by 10cm, and if no moisture is present, then regular watering through dry spells will help. Next year, apply a thick layer of mulch in the spring. The use of grey water is perfectly adequate for roses; washing-up water with the food particles removed or bath water without salts will help to sustain your plants. Feeding your roses every month through the growing season with a granular rose fertiliser will help to keep the shrubs in good health and extend flowering. Once you've applied the feed, water in well. There are several diseases which will affect the health of your roses, as well as pests such as thrips, which are hard to spot with the naked eye but cause damage to most flowering plants. The best way to combat either pests or diseases with your roses is through good husbandry and hygiene. Clear away any dead flowers or foliage and pop into the bin, rather than the compost heap. Remove any crowded areas of stems to maximise air circulation and don't overplant the areas around the shrubs, which will restrict air movement and increase the potential for pest and disease and their spread. Growing healthy roses through challenging conditions is becoming more of an issue. I remember at the start of my career that monoculture rose beds were commonplace, but the spraying regime to keep them healthy was also common practice. As we garden through more erratic conditions and move away from maintaining plants with chemical intervention, there needs to be a new approach. Using roses in a mixed planting will avoid the group of bushes becoming a magnet for specific pests and diseases. In mixed plantings, allow a reasonable amount of light and air movement around your roses to minimise issues. Some old-fashioned roses such as hybrid teas and floribundas can be less suited to drier conditions and become more prone to diseases such as black spot. Here are a few roses that have stronger disease resistance and are more tolerant of less ideal conditions, if your roses do not improve:
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders' Lauren Branning and Peter Beale left in shock as baby Jimmy's devastating health condition is confirmed
EASTENDERS' Lauren Branning and Peter Beale are rocked next week as they receive heart-breaking news about baby Jimmy's health. The young parents are left reeling when doctors deliver a crushing diagnosis following a hospital visit, throwing their world into chaos. 6 6 Next week on EastEnders, Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) is cracking under the pressure of new mum life - and fears she's failing baby Jimmy. The struggling mum is clearly overwhelmed as she tries to adjust, with Peter (Thomas Law) doing his best to keep things afloat behind the scenes. But while he's lending a helping hand, he's secretly fretting over Lauren's past battle with addiction and whether history might repeat itself. Things get worse after an awkward run-in with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins), who begs Lauren to convince Peter to let her back into their lives. The stress leaves Lauren in tears, convinced she's not cut out for motherhood. Luckily, Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) arrives with a thoughtful gift - and a bit of tough love. Spotting the signs, she sends Peter out and opens up about her own demons in a heart-to-heart that gives Lauren a much-needed confidence boost. Linda urges her to trust her gut - especially when it comes to worrying signs about baby Jimmy. Tensions rise as Lauren and Peter prepare for their health visitor appointment, with the couple at odds over their baby's health. Lauren is growing frustrated after Belinda, the health visitor, dismisses her worries about Jimmy. EastEnders legend set for heartbreak as she makes shock decision amid secret affair But Peter becomes more concerned when Belinda privately hints that Lauren may be suffering from post-natal depression. Meanwhile, Cindy has her own agenda, urging Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) to join her in supporting Peter through this tough time - though he's not exactly on board. Later, Lauren grows increasingly worried when she notices something troubling about Jimmy's eyes. Fearing the worst, she rushes to the hospital for an emergency appointment, convinced that Jimmy may be losing his sight. Soap's most harrowing teen storylines We take a look at other harrowing teen soap storylines from soaps Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks. Belle Dingle's schizophrenia in Emmerdale - Belle's (Eden Taylor-Draper) traumatic journey in Emmerdale took a dark turn when, after accidentally killing her best friend Gemma at just 16, her mental health began to spiral. The storyline, which saw Belle struggling with her grief and guilt, showcased her battle with hearing Gemma's voice inside her head, leading to a dramatic decline in her well-being. Hannah Ashworth's anorexia in Hollyoaks - Viewers were horrified as they watched Hannah (Emma Rigby), a seemingly innocent teen, spiral into dangerous behavior, starving herself in an attempt to achieve what she thought was the ideal body. As Hannah's condition worsened, the storyline became more intense, culminating in her being hospitalised for two months as she fought for her life. Bethany Platt's grooming ordeal in Coronation Street - Vulnerable schoolgirl, played by Lucy Fallon, was at the centre of one of Corrie's darkest storylines to date when she fell under the spell of her older boyfriend and sexual predator. The controversial scenes saw Nathan groom and manipulate the 16-year-old before coercing her into sleeping with his friends, with one of them raping her. Whitney Dean's abuse from Tony in EastEnders - Since the age of 12, she had been in a twisted relationship with her stepmum Bianca's boyfriend, Tony King. The predator had groomed young Whit (Shona McGarty), making her believe she was in love and planning to run away with him. On her 16th birthday, the traumatised teen finally revealed the years of abuse to Bianca. Tony was swiftly sent to prison sentenced for 13 years. At the hospital, Lauren is frantic, demanding that someone examine baby Jimmy after growing increasingly concerned about his health. Back at home, Peter panics when he returns with Louie to find Lauren missing, and his worry intensifies when Louie innocently mentions seeing Lauren take pills. Meanwhile, at the hospital, Lauren's anxiety catches the attention of her midwife, Hannan, who steps in and contacts Peter. He arrives at the hospital with Ian and Linda, but is shocked when Lauren defends herself, adamant that she hasn't relapsed. Hannan, however, takes Lauren's concerns seriously and arranges for a consultant to examine Jimmy. When Consultant Miss Ayub examines the baby's eyes, the devastating news comes: Jimmy is severely sight-impaired. Lauren and Peter are left utterly stunned, struggling to comprehend the diagnosis and what this means for their son's future. After receiving the heart-wrenching news about Jimmy, Lauren returns home to the Square with her son, still grappling with the weight of the diagnosis. She confides in Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), sharing her fears and doubts, seeking comfort in the close bond they've always shared. Later, she opens up to Lily Slater (Lillia Turner), who offers her support in a tender moment of understanding. Despite the overwhelming circumstances, Lauren tries to reassure Peter, urging him to believe that everything will be okay. As the couple shares a deeply emotional moment, they both struggle to come to terms with their new reality, but Lauren is determined to stay strong for their family. Could this be just the beginning of a much bigger battle? EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm on BBC One or stream from 6am on BBC iPlayer. 6 6 6 6
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Top secret EastEnders wedding exposed as drone footage is leaked online ahead of the scenes this summer
A top secret wedding in EastEnders which is due to air in the summer has been exposed after footage of the scenes was leaked online by fans. Reports have revealed that a drone managed to fly above the iconic Walford set at the Elstree Centre, located in the village of Borehamwood in Hertfordshire. According to The Sun, the footage was then leaked online by fans and the clip managed to get snippet of a limo arriving outside the Queen Vic, surrounded by some of the characters of the BBC soap getting into the party spirit. It also saw a cast member trying to shoo the electronic device away. Luckily for the show, the clip is not available to watch online anymore. Fans will be able to see the actual storyline play out on their screens later this year. A source told the publication: 'It's a bit of a nightmare. 'Drones are always hovering about but this is the first time a major storyline has leaked from them.' MailOnline have contacted BBC for comment. The Beeb have kept the couple who are walking down the aisle a secret, but there are a few engaged Walford residents who it could be. Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) recently decided to take their relationship to the next step. Not only that, the pair have recently become parents for the first time, after Lauren gave birth to their first child earlier this week. The two have gone through a lot recently after Peter's mum Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was left for dead on Christmas Day after being hit over the head. Lauren was accused of the crime, but it has since been revealed that it was Kathy Beale (Gillian Taylfort) who did it. Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig) and Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) could be the characters who tie the knot. Daughter of Michelle Fowler and Den Watts, Vicki, recently returned to the Square to show her respects to Martin Fowler (James Bye) at his funeral. Her boyfriend Ross and Ross' son Joel (Max Murray) joined her. The trio have now set up camp in Walford. And the couple appear very loved up. Some fans of the programme might not know that Harvey Monroe (Ross Boatman) and Jean Slater (Gillian Wright) are set to get engaged very soon. This means that they could also be the other characters who could say 'I Do' in the summer. Their engagement scenes are due to hit our screens next week. Fans will see the Slaters head off on a camping trip, but it gets off to a bad start when Jean tells Harvey that she doesn't want to go without her daughter Stacey (Lacey Turner). Things get awkward when Stacey agrees to attend, but her daughter Lily (Lillia Turner) tells them she doesn't want her there. Luckily the mother daughter duo managed to put their differences aside and Havey is left lost for word when Jean asks him to marry her. Awkwardly, he's not sure what he wants to do and Jean thinks that he wants to take her hand in marriage.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
EastEnders films explosive summer wedding as filming leaks online months in advance
A MAJOR EastEnders spoiler has leaked months ahead of airing - with a huge wedding set to take place in Walford this summer. The BBC soap recently filmed a top secret wedding on the Elstree set and unfortunately for them, parts were captured by drone footage. 2 2 The footage was then leaked online by fans - months before airing. It shows a party in the Queen Vic and a stretched limo arriving in the Square with some of Walford's finest in their Sunday best getting into the party atmosphere. A source said: 'It's a bit of a nightmare. 'Drones are always hovering about but this is the first time a major storyline has leaked from them.' In the video - that has now been removed from the internet - a cast member can be seen beckoning the drone in further while filming in the famous Square. The wedding is set to air this summer and has been kept a closely-guarded secret - though there are a number of couples that could be tying the knot. Lauren Branning and Peter Beale were the most recent to get engaged after a family secret confirmed that Lauren hadn't tried to kill Cindy Beale during a drug-induced blackout. The recently returned Vicki Fowler and new love Ross could also be a potential summer wedding. And next week's spoilers have revealed that Harvey Monroe and Jean Slater are also getting engaged. However with Harvey's affair with Kathy Beale set to be exposed - could it be Harvey and Kathy walking down the aisle?
