Latest news with #Tennant
Irish Independent
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Gaby Lewis aiming for fast start to Lloyd Tennant's reign against Zimbabwe
The Girls in Green have a good record against their lower-ranked opponents and will be favourites to complete a clean sweep before moving up to Belfast for two one-day internationals next weekend. 'We can take confidence from past results,' skipper Lewis said. 'But the conditions will be different this time and we can't afford to take any side lightly.' Tennant, who has taken over from Ed Joyce, has only been in the job six weeks but skipper Lewis and her team-mates have already been impressed with his approach and methods. 'It's been a big change,' Lewis said. 'Ed was more on the batting side of things while Lloyd is more focused on the bowling but he also likes to get the two groups working together more, rather than being separate. 'He wants the bowlers to understand what the batter is thinking and trying to do, and how to combat that. I've listened to some of the conversations he's had with the bowlers and they've been brilliant.' One area the Girls in Green will be desperate to improve is their fielding – and particularly catching – which was a major problem during the unsuccessful World Cup qualifying campaign in Pakistan in April. 'I believe 80pc of fielding is your attitude towards it, and how aggressive you are,' Lewis said. 'If you have a couple of bad days the pressure does build and we have to get rid of that fear because if you're scared you're not in a good head space, and not as clear and relaxed as you should be.' T20I SQUAD: Gaby Lewis (c) (Phoenix), Ava Canning (Leinster), Christina Coulter Reilly (Clontarf), Laura Delany (Leinster), Amy Hunter (Instonians), Arlene Kelly (Malahide), Louise Little (Pembroke), Sophie MacMahon (Leinster), Jane Maguire (The Hills), Lara McBride (The Hills), Cara Murray (Waringstown/Clontarf), Leah Paul (Merrion), Orla Prendergast (Pembroke), Rebecca Stokell (Merrion).
Spectator
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Spectator
Captain Britain was an embarrassing superhero
The news that the latest Superman picture has been an enormous hit in the United States, but has been received rather more tepidly here, has been taken in many quarters to mean that there is an anti-American mood at large. Maybe this is dictated by America's choice of president and administration, which means other countries are no longer as enamoured of that quintessentially all-American superhero. Alternatively, it could of course mean, as this magazine's critic Deborah Ross has suggested, that the film simply isn't very good and that we should all stick to the 1978 Christopher Reeve picture instead. Whatever the reason, the USA is Superhero Central, and no other English-speaking country has ever had much luck creating its own comic book superstars – perhaps because we don't have the same traditions of uplift and go-getting optimism that they do in America. There does, however, remain one little-heralded exception to this, and that is none other than Marvel's character Captain Britain. Captain Britain was introduced in 1976 as part of the company's attempt to branch out into the British market via their operation Marvel UK. Looked at today, the character seems somewhat misguided, to say the least. He was created by the Anglo-American writer Chris Claremont and Incredible Hulk artist Herb Trippe, and his non-heroic alter ego was Brian Braddock – a Fettes-educated aristocratic layabout who is recruited by Merlin and his daughter Roma to save Britain (or Avalon, as it is quaintly known) from the evil ministrations of Morgana Le Fay. Throw in the Captain Britain Corps, Braddock's twin sister Betsy (who eventually took on the mantle of Captain Britain), and you have something that baffled comic book readers when it was launched. It never recovered, and swiftly spluttered to an end after 39 issues. Marvel have not been known for their willingness to abandon characters, however, and Captain Britain was occasionally resurrected over the following years, with some big names involved in the process. Watchmen and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen supremo Alan Moore briefly came up with some storylines in the early 1980s – only to depart when his invoices weren't paid, a decidedly un-heroic end to his time with the company – and none other than Pet Shop Boy Neil Tennant served as the character's original editor when he worked at Marvel between 1975 and 1977. He helped to anglicise dialogue and attempted to point out where characters needed to have additional clothing drawn onto them, for reasons of decency. Although Tennant had suggested the idea of a British hero, his initial concept had been closer to an indomitable second world war fighter (somewhat like Captain America) than the rather strange concept of a man who dons a Union Jack leotard, likes to hang around the lions at Trafalgar Square, and has an oddly flirtatious relationship with his twin sister. As Tennant remarked to the New Statesman last year, the character was doomed. 'It wasn't my idea – and it was a mistake. I called up New York and said, now, it's 1976 and the National Front are huge. You've got the Stars and Stripes: the United States is a very diverse country, and there's an ideology behind your flag. Ours, there isn't. What it means to a lot of people is 'Nazi'.' Perhaps he's right. Squeamishness about the flag is a peculiarity of the British bourgeoisie. Urban middle-class parents simply weren't – and still aren't – interested in soft nationalism. Tennant and his fellow Pet Shop Boy Chris Lowe later jokingly alluded to the character in their 2009 song 'Building a Wall', which features Lowe sarcastically joshing 'Who do you think you are, Captain Britain?' A decade and a half later, it remains clear that, while British actors such as Andrew Garfield, Christian Bale and the previous Superman Henry Cavill might excel at playing superheroes on screen, there is something embarrassing, even tawdry, about the idea of anyone seeking to create a Captain Britain. The reason why American superheroes succeed is that they can unblushingly – and unironically – cite truth, justice and the American way as their motivation. The British equivalent would probably blush and say something self-deprecating about wanting to make a difference when it counted, which is not quite the stuff of super-heroism. Personally, what I'd like to see if ever there had to be a very English comic-book character is a tea-drinking type who, when he or she isn't fixing potholes and trying to calm traffic round the North Circular, is taking part in neighbourhood disputes and preventing Tube fare dodgers from bursting through the barriers. I'm not quite sure, though, whether the world is ready for Jenrick-Man – or whatever this character would end up being called. Still, at least they couldn't be any more of an embarrassment than the ignoble, failed Captain Britain.
Daily Record
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
David Tennant's new show set to be 'axed' after its branded 'ITV's most expensive flop' in years
David Tennant's ITV game show The Genius Game debuted earlier this year but has failed to bring in substantial viewing figures and is now at risk of being axed David Tennant's new ITV game show has reportedly flopped in the world of TV amid very low viewing figures. The Genius Game first aired earlier this year in a timeslot that put it up against the popular BBC show Race Across The World and it appears the gamble has not paid off as the programme has now been branded as an 'expensive flop'. Hosted by the beloved 54-year-old Scots actor, best known for his role in Doctor Who, the show saw 11 'geniuses' battle it out in what was dubbed as a 'fiendish battle of wits' by the broadcaster to test their intelligence and try to clinch a top prize. However, only 1.2M ITV viewers tuned in for the first episode, according to figures from Broadcast Now, compared to the 3.1M viewers pulled in by Race Across the World in the same time slot over on BBC One. On its second episode, viewing figures for the Genius Game slumped to 846,000. According to the Radio Times, the low ratings for The Genius Game put the show at just half the 2.2 million average for the 9pm time slot on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Following the underwhelming response to the show's debut, Tennant's programme is now reportedly at risk of being axed, the Metro reports. A TV insider told The Sun that after the game show's finale failed to accumulate viewing figures to trump a BBC Two nature documentary about pangolins, the show's future isn't optimistic. Viewing figures for one evening were matched by Pangolins: The World's Most Wanted Animal which looked at why the scaly creatures are so endangered. The source told the publication: "Publicly ITV maintains that no firm decision has been taken, but most execs and commissioners view it as a disaster. "Not only did it occupy a primetime 9pm slot, it had a big-name host and was seen as a potential rival for BBC's The Traitors. "But of the five main channels on June 11, it was beaten by two and equaled by BBC2, thanks to those pangolins." Join the Daily Record's WhatsApp community here an d get the latest news sent straight to your messages Another insider previously told the publication that while Tennant is a beloved household name, his involvement with the show resulted in increased costs, meaning the disappointing ratings came as an even bigger blow to ITV. According to The Sun, the reality game show cost a whopping £2.5M to make but only drew an average of £661,000 by the end of its run. ITV shifted The Genius Game to Wednesday slots for the latter part of its run, with Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? celebrity specials taking the Thursday slot. An ITV spokesperson told The Sun no decision regarding the show's future has been made as of yet.
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Check with OHMS if your home is eligible for free Net Zero upgrades
OHMS Renewables UK is a Glasgow-based company that is a trusted partner with Octopus Energy – one of Europe's largest investors in renewable energy – and is committed to providing a complete solution for residential clients, covering a range of services such as rewiring, safety Assessments, landlord certification and the installation of cutting-edge renewable technologies. Most of Scotland's existing housing stock will require to be significantly upgraded – but for many the cost of such an undertaking may appear daunting. However, as OHMS director Gordon Tennant explains, there are millions of pounds available in free funding to help tenants, housing associations and landlords achieve overall Net Zero. 'At OHMS Renewables, we're not just illuminating spaces; we're lighting up a brighter, cleaner future for all,' he says. This impressive source of funding – some £12m-£14m has been made available to OHMS through the ECO4 Scheme in Scotland, which provides 100% grants for free insulation and renewable energy products. ECO4 is the fourth and latest incarnation of The Energy Company Obligation (ECO), a UK government-backed scheme where qualifying homeowners and private tenants on certain means-tested benefits could have their inefficient heating systems replaced. ECO4, adds Tennant, is designed to help Scottish households deemed to be living in fuel poverty. 'If anyone living in your household qualifies for one or more benefits there is a significant chance that you will qualify for this free government scheme. 'We just need the homeowner to approve the assessment of the property, and we can let you know what products will benefit you most,' he adds. 'It's the chance to join us on the path to a more sustainable tomorrow – and we can help you get started on your project today.' OHMS was launched three years ago as a partnership of two and since then has grown from being a subcontractor into a main contractor and a trusted partner with Octopus. 'After years of successful partnerships with utilities and subcontractors alike, we are now in a position where via our utility companies we have available that significant amount of money to invest in solar panel and heat pump products for people who qualify under the criteria for the scheme,' says Tennant. These include those entitled to Child Benefit, Income Support Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Based Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and Pension Credit Savings Credit. The company manages domestic and commercial electrical projects, offers landlord certifications, conducts EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) assessments and holds MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certifications for Solar PV, battery storage, Air Source Heat Pump Installations and installs Electric Vehicle Charging Points. 'Basically, the whole aim of the scheme is that we take an existing building and retrospectively bring it up to today's standard and, while doing that, create a carbon saving,' says Tennant. 'The client sees the benefit from the free installation of heat pump and/or panels or high heat retentions through cavity wall installation – whatever it takes to bring the house up to today's standard.' OHMS has grown its team to around 60 people operating from 20 vans and one example of the ECO4 projects undertaken by the company was at Waterside Cottage in the Scottish Borders and consisted of three Energy Efficiency Measures (Solar PV, loft insulation and High Heat Retention Heaters) which enhanced the properties EPC Rating, the valuation of property for landlord and had wider environmental benefits. 'We were able to offer free renewable and fabric measures to ensure inclusiveness and best working practice while striving toward a fully-fledged Net Zero policy,' says Tennant. This is all part of a new narrative in approaching home energy, he adds. 'The UK is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to clean energy sources. OHMS Renewables shares this vision and stands at the forefront of the solar energy revolution. 'Our mission is to make Solar PV and other means energy efficiency accessible to everyone, helping the nation move closer to a sustainable, eco-friendly future.' An additional benefit is that investing through ECO4 in solar panels and renewable heating could increase the value of a property and help sell it more quickly when someone decides to move. 'Increasing numbers of UK homeowners are becoming environmentally conscious, so properties with solar and other energy-efficient installations are increasingly attractive to potential buyers,' he says. To see if your home is eligible, go to or call 0141 611 5777
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Check with OHMA if your home is eligible for free Net Zero upgrades
OHMS Renewables UK is a Glasgow-based company that is a trusted partner with Octopus Energy – one of Europe's largest investors in renewable energy – and is committed to providing a complete solution for residential clients, covering a range of services such as rewiring, safety Assessments, landlord certification and the installation of cutting-edge renewable technologies. Most of Scotland's existing housing stock will require to be significantly upgraded – but for many the cost of such an undertaking may appear daunting. However, as OHMS director Gordon Tennant explains, there are millions of pounds available in free funding to help tenants, housing associations and landlords achieve overall Net Zero. 'At OHMS Renewables, we're not just illuminating spaces; we're lighting up a brighter, cleaner future for all,' he says. This impressive source of funding – some £12m-£14m has been made available to OHMS through the ECO4 Scheme in Scotland, which provides 100% grants for free insulation and renewable energy products. ECO4 is the fourth and latest incarnation of The Energy Company Obligation (ECO), a UK government-backed scheme where qualifying homeowners and private tenants on certain means-tested benefits could have their inefficient heating systems replaced. ECO4, adds Tennant, is designed to help Scottish households deemed to be living in fuel poverty. 'If anyone living in your household qualifies for one or more benefits there is a significant chance that you will qualify for this free government scheme. 'We just need the homeowner to approve the assessment of the property, and we can let you know what products will benefit you most,' he adds. 'It's the chance to join us on the path to a more sustainable tomorrow – and we can help you get started on your project today.' OHMS was launched three years ago as a partnership of two and since then has grown from being a subcontractor into a main contractor and a trusted partner with Octopus. 'After years of successful partnerships with utilities and subcontractors alike, we are now in a position where via our utility companies we have available that significant amount of money to invest in solar panel and heat pump products for people who qualify under the criteria for the scheme,' says Tennant. These include those entitled to Child Benefit, Income Support Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Based Employment Support Allowance (ESA), Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and Pension Credit Savings Credit. The company manages domestic and commercial electrical projects, offers landlord certifications, conducts EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) assessments and holds MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) certifications for Solar PV, battery storage, Air Source Heat Pump Installations and installs Electric Vehicle Charging Points. 'Basically, the whole aim of the scheme is that we take an existing building and retrospectively bring it up to today's standard and, while doing that, create a carbon saving,' says Tennant. 'The client sees the benefit from the free installation of heat pump and/or panels or high heat retentions through cavity wall installation – whatever it takes to bring the house up to today's standard.' OHMS has grown its team to around 60 people operating from 20 vans and one example of the ECO4 projects undertaken by the company was at Waterside Cottage in the Scottish Borders and consisted of three Energy Efficiency Measures (Solar PV, loft insulation and High Heat Retention Heaters) which enhanced the properties EPC Rating, the valuation of property for landlord and had wider environmental benefits. 'We were able to offer free renewable and fabric measures to ensure inclusiveness and best working practice while striving toward a fully-fledged Net Zero policy,' says Tennant. This is all part of a new narrative in approaching home energy, he adds. 'The UK is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and transitioning to clean energy sources. OHMS Renewables shares this vision and stands at the forefront of the solar energy revolution. 'Our mission is to make Solar PV and other means energy efficiency accessible to everyone, helping the nation move closer to a sustainable, eco-friendly future.' An additional benefit is that investing through ECO4 in solar panels and renewable heating could increase the value of a property and help sell it more quickly when someone decides to move. 'Increasing numbers of UK homeowners are becoming environmentally conscious, so properties with solar and other energy-efficient installations are increasingly attractive to potential buyers,' he says. To see if your home is eligible, go to or call 0141 611 5777
