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The Herald Scotland
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Destination X review: Rob Brydon's star vehicle is a bus
*** It has been called the new Traitors, but what hasn't? The BBC hit has generated so many wannabes, I half expect Songs of Praise to be next for a Traitors makeover. In the meantime, here's Destination X, a blend of game show, coach trip and geography lesson. What will they think of next, sighs the viewer. Rob Brydon took the Claudia role, welcoming the 13 contestants to an airport in Baden-Baden. After a Traitors-style quick fire elimination round, the ten remaining were introduced to the luxury coaches that will be their home for the duration. Though kitted out nicely enough, a coach is a coach (with an inevitably small, shared toilet). Not quite The Traitors HQ at Ardross Castle. Players are given a series of clues and at the end of each episode have to guess where they are. The person furthest away is sent home. Whoever is left at the end of the ten weeks scoops a very nice £100,000. Take that, Race Across the World with your measly 20 grand. It sounds easy enough given a basic knowledge of geography, but there's a catch. Of course there is. Producers control what the players see via goggles that go on and off and coach windows that switch from opaque to clear. There's some faffing in a big box besides, plus shoals of red herrings, and a dash of Traitors-like skulduggery. To be fair, Destination X, a hit in its native Belgium, is not just The Traitors on wheels. There are so many other competitive reality shows referenced, from Race Across the World and Coach Trip, to Big Brother and Challenge Anneka, it would be wrong to single out just one. Every reality show relies on a few 'characters' emerging from the mix. Among the contenders here are a London cabbie who has climbed Kilimanjaro and rowed the Atlantic but who took 14 years to do The Knowledge; a nuclear engineer; a pilot; a historian; and a multiple-marathon runner. No Scottish accents in case you were wondering. Read more Deborah the crime writer, 62, was looking good till it emerged she doesn't like lying. Once the friendliness of the first week is over, that could prove a drawback. Dawn, a 34-year-old care assistant from Northern Ireland, whose prep for the series was buying a children's atlas from TK Maxx for a fiver, could be one to watch. It wasn't much of a vote of confidence in the show when one of the younger contestants, Mahdi, quit because he was missing his home-cooked meals back in Tottenham. Will there be others? Not if Brydon has anything to do with it. Though sporting a navy blazer, the Gavin & Stacey star went full Butlins Redcoat early doors and did not let up. He's a naturally friendly sort, so there are no mountains of likability to climb. How different it would be if the producers had opted for Steve Coogan, Brydon's oppo in the sublime The Trip. Now that would be a trip.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC Broom Cupboard star Josie D'Arby's surprise new career and very famous ex
The BBC's hit children show The Broom Cupboard saw the birth of many iconic presenters - now Josie D'Arby's career has taken a surprising turn away from the cameras In a tiny, cramped booth nestled away in the BBC studios, a whole host of famous TV presenters kicked off their careers. Children's TV show The Broom Cupboard began in 1985, replacing the shaky voiceover and still slides linking CBBC shows with real-life presenters. Despite its practical beginnings it soon became a hit in itself, with the likes of Phillip Schofield, Debbie Flint and Zoe Ball all forging their famous TV personalities on the show. Iconic characters Edd the Duck, Otis the Aardvark and Gordon the Gopher even joined in on the fun, with letters and drawings from viewers plastered across the walls of the tiny studio room. Many of the programme's stars look completely different these days, with brand new careers - and Josie D'Arby is no exception. Where The Broom Cupboard's Andy Crane is now and unrecognisable new look Jesy Nelson admits being in 'constant state of fear' during tough pregnancy with twins After her stint in The Broom Cupboard, Josie went on to become an award-winning presenter, becoming a well-known face on the likes of Songs of Praise, Top of the Pops, Inside Out and Cardiff Singer of The World. In 1999, the 52-year-old star from Newport, Wales, became the youngest British woman to have her own chat show, titled Josie, on Channel 5. Josie's media ambitions didn't stop there and she soon pivoted to acting, where she starred as Alisha Adams in Holby City and made guest appearances in Casualty and Doctor Who. She's even tried her hand as a quiz show contestant, appearing on Richard Osman's House of Games and Pointless in 2022. More recently, Josie ditched the cameras for a career that's worlds away from presenting. The star has been pursuing her artistic talent, even showcasing her painting in a show at the Newport Museum Art Gallery in 2023. The BBC star started to take art more seriously after winning a televised art competition, South Wales Argus reports. The painting was called Less, which Josie said was "about how little it can take to make people happy." "Art is for everyone and I am happy if my piece is just a tiny little reminder that public galleries can be a space and a time to press pause, and enjoy a lovely space if you're in the city," she explained. Before her TV career took off, Josie was said to be in a relationship with Hollywood actor Gerard Butler - known for iconic roles in 300, Law Abiding Citizen and London Has Fallen. The pair apparently briefly dated in 2005. And Gerard isn't her only celebrity flame, as Josie reportedly went on a date with actor Joseph Fiennes - the brother of Harry Potter legend Ralph Fiennes - in 2006. Josie isn't the only Broom Cupboard presenter who took a different career path. Andy Crane, 61, has been brightening up people's days on Greatest Hits Radio since 2019 and he looks very different from his days on the CBBC show. He is now residing in the picturesque location of Lake District. Andy, who was born in the seaside town of Morecambe, Lancashire, presents three hours of the best songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s on Greatest Hits Radio, including The Top 10 at 10 and Midnight Music Marathon. Before hitting the radiowaves, Andy also presented children's show, Motormouth, for ITV on Saturdays. He also featured on What's Up Doc? and Challenge TV.
Wales Online
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
North Wales Big Brother star's incredible transformation as he confirms a major career change
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Former Big Brother contestant Glyn Wise has revealed a surprising career shift. The Blaenau Ffestiniog native, who appeared on the show in 2006 at the tender age of 18 and finished as the runner-up in the seventh series, has now become a reverend. The ex-reality TV personality announced his new role on social media, where he has often discussed his faith and participated in religious programmes like Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol and Songs of Praise. On Instagram, Glyn declared: "This is Rev Glyn - I'm coming to get you!" He added: "Day 1 as an official Rev! Hard work, praying and studying has paid off - "With God all things are possible" Math 19: 26. Looking forward to follow in the footsteps of the disciples in the book of Acts, spreading the good word across the nations! Diolch yn fawr am yr holl gefnogaeth." He also included a passage from Paul's letter to the Philippians in the New Testament, written in Welsh, at the end of his post. Supporters have been quick to express their congratulations in the comments section. One individual wrote: "Keep spread the love, well done mate." Another chimed in with: "Congratulations father, this is awesome news." Lea Walker, who appeared alongside Glyn on Big Brother, expressed her admiration in the comments section. She said: "Babes you have no idea. Just how proud I am of you. You've worked tirelessly you've worked so hard and I am so unbelievably proud of you," reports Wales Online. "Congratulations congratulations congratulations. I love you with every beat of my heart and I can't wait to see you again next month." In 2015 Glyn was selected by Plaid Cymru to contest the Cardiff Central seat in the 2016 Senedd elections. But he later quit the party after disagreeing with its pro- EU stance. Then in April 2022, he announced he was training to become an ordained minister in the Church in Wales and shared his journey on social media. He shared on social media at the time: "Done it! I'm [sic] been accepted for Ordained Ministry with the Church in Wales. Thank you to everyone at London Church of England for their support and prayers! Looking forward to spread the good word and become Fr Glyn." Despite growing up in a Christian family he said that his time in Asia, particularly South Korea inspired him to pursue his new career. He told BBC Wales: "When I was in Asia, particularly South Korea, I saw that Christianity was growing at a massive scale and whilst I was there I went to church and felt every sermon was basically speaking directly to me. "I wanted to bring the good word back to the UK, well Wales and the Church in Wales, and now I've been fortunate enough to be accepted to go into the ordained ministry - it was a dream come true." Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Find out what's happening near you
North Wales Live
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
North Wales Big Brother star's incredible transformation as he confirms a major career change
Former Big Brother contestant Glyn Wise has revealed a surprising career shift. The Blaenau Ffestiniog native, who appeared on the show in 2006 at the tender age of 18 and finished as the runner-up in the seventh series, has now become a reverend. The ex-reality TV personality announced his new role on social media, where he has often discussed his faith and participated in religious programmes like Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol and Songs of Praise. On Instagram, Glyn declared: "This is Rev Glyn - I'm coming to get you!" He added: "Day 1 as an official Rev! Hard work, praying and studying has paid off - "With God all things are possible" Math 19: 26. Looking forward to follow in the footsteps of the disciples in the book of Acts, spreading the good word across the nations! Diolch yn fawr am yr holl gefnogaeth." He also included a passage from Paul's letter to the Philippians in the New Testament, written in Welsh, at the end of his post. Supporters have been quick to express their congratulations in the comments section. One individual wrote: "Keep spread the love, well done mate." Another chimed in with: "Congratulations father, this is awesome news." Lea Walker, who appeared alongside Glyn on Big Brother, expressed her admiration in the comments section. She said: "Babes you have no idea. Just how proud I am of you. You've worked tirelessly you've worked so hard and I am so unbelievably proud of you," reports Wales Online. "Congratulations congratulations congratulations. I love you with every beat of my heart and I can't wait to see you again next month." In 2015 Glyn was selected by Plaid Cymru to contest the Cardiff Central seat in the 2016 Senedd elections. But he later quit the party after disagreeing with its pro- EU stance. Then in April 2022, he announced he was training to become an ordained minister in the Church in Wales and shared his journey on social media. He shared on social media at the time: "Done it! I'm [sic] been accepted for Ordained Ministry with the Church in Wales. Thank you to everyone at London Church of England for their support and prayers! Looking forward to spread the good word and become Fr Glyn." Despite growing up in a Christian family he said that his time in Asia, particularly South Korea inspired him to pursue his new career. He told BBC Wales: "When I was in Asia, particularly South Korea, I saw that Christianity was growing at a massive scale and whilst I was there I went to church and felt every sermon was basically speaking directly to me. "I wanted to bring the good word back to the UK, well Wales and the Church in Wales, and now I've been fortunate enough to be accepted to go into the ordained ministry - it was a dream come true." Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday Find out what's happening near you
Wales Online
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Big Brother legend looks unrecognisable as he turns to god and becomes a vicar
Big Brother legend looks unrecognisable as he turns to god and becomes a vicar That's Reverend Glyn Wise to you... Former Big Brother star Glyn Wise has announced a rather unexpected career change. The man from Blaenau Ffestiniog appeared on the show in 2006 at just 18-years-old when he became the runner up of the seventh season. The former reality TV star has now taken to social media to announce that he has now become a reverend. The news comes as Glyn has frequently shared his relationship with his faith on social media as well as taking part in Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol and Songs of Praise. Glyn shared the announcement on Instagram, he said: "This is Rev Glyn - I'm coming to get you!" For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter He continued: "Day 1 as an official Rev! Hard work, praying & studying has paid off - "With God all things are possible" Math 19: 26. Looking forward to follow in the footsteps of the desciples in the book of Acts, spreading the good word across the nations! "Diolch yn fawr am yr holl gefnogaeth. " He also added a passage from the New Testament, Paul's letter to the Philippians in the Welsh language at the bottom of his post. Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below People have rushed to the comments to share their support for the former reality TV star. One person said: "Keep spread the love, well done mate." Another added: "Congratulations father, this is awesome news." Lea Walker, Glyn's former Big Brother co-star even took to the comments. She said: "Babes you have no idea. Just how proud I am of you. You've worked tirelessly you've worked so hard and I am so unbelievably proud of you. "Congratulations congratulations congratulations. I love you with every beat of my heart and I can't wait to see you again next month." In April 2022, Glyn announced that he was training to become an ordained minister in the Church in Wales and shared his journey on social media. He shared on social media at the time: "Done it! I'm [sic] been accepted for Ordained Ministry with the Church in Wales. Thank you to everyone at London Church of England for their support & prayers! Looking forward to spread the good word & become Fr Glyn." Content cannot be displayed without consent Despite growing up in a Christian family he said that his time in Asia, particularly South Korea inspired him to pursue his new career. He told BBC Wales: "When I was in Asia, particularly South Korea, I saw that Christianity was growing at a massive scale and whilst I was there I went to church and felt every sermon was basically speaking directly to me. "I wanted to bring the good word back to the UK, well Wales and the Church in Wales, and now I've been fortunate enough to be accepted to go into the ordained ministry - it was a dream come true." You can read more here. Article continues below
