Latest news with #versatility
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Danny Dyer struggled to ditch ‘hardman' persona before sitcom Mr Bigstuff
Danny Dyer is often described as a 'hardman' thanks to his roles in The Football Factory, EastEnders, and The Business, but it meant he wasn't able to show his versatility onscreen. However, that perception is now changing. Dyer recently was the standout of Disney+'s Rivals, the adaptation of Jilly Cooper's bonkbuster, and won a BAFTA for his part in Mr. BigStuff. Now, the Sky comedy is returning for a second season, and Dyer tells Yahoo UK how he is grateful for the opportunity to show the world his acting range. 'It was about getting the opportunities, really,' he explains. 'I was very lucky to get Rivals and Mr. Bigstuff back to back. 'I don't suppose I've had an opportunity to show that versatility, in a sense of, I'm still cockney and working class, but I'm managing just different physicality, [my characters] Freddie and Lee are very different.' Mr. BigStuff tells the story of carpet salesman Glen — played by writer and creator Ryan Sampson — whose life is flipped upside down after his larger-than-life brother, Lee, comes barrelling back into the picture. Dyer's part was written specifically with the actor in mind. 'It's the brilliance of Ryan, being a selfless man and writing this thing for me, giving me an opportunity,' Dyer adds. '[He said] 'Here's a vehicle, go and crack on.' I've been around a long time, and it's just about being lucky enough to get the right jobs we can show off.' For the second season, Sampson leaned into Dyer's mannerisms, bringing them into the new series. 'There are a lot of quirks there,' says the writer. 'I write it, and then Danny does the Dyer-isms pass [of the script], and then spins lines in his own voice, and it's always so much better. It's really good, it's impressive.' One of Dyer's most recent — and perhaps surprising — quirks has been his love of miniatures, having built a model library in recent years. The actor jokes that it is the kind of hobby that matches his new role as a grandfather, following daughter Dani Dyer welcoming three children since 2021. 'I've been so busy, I haven't had time,' he said. 'But it's good for mindfulness. "I built a little Victorian library, but tried to put the roof on, the roof was a dome, then I broke the whole thing. I was fuming. I had to put it down for a bit, because I was very, very wound up over this dome, but I do love it. 'I've got magnified glasses, the little flippy-uppy ones. I'm a granddad now. That's what grandfathers do. I'm fitting into the role perfectly.'
Auto Car
04-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Citroen C3 Pluriel: are you overlooking this £1000 quirky cabrio?
Coupé, Targa, cabriolet, pick-up – the Citroën C3 Pluriel was all of these things, and sometimes more. It was also close to being a concept car that you could actually buy, the ingenious flexibility of its bodywork just the kind of thing to be demonstrated by a group of fixed-grin models dancing to overloud music on a motor show press day. It wasn't a pretty car, but there was something chubbily appealing in a shape lent extra glamour by the contrast-colour arc of its A-pillars, roof and D-pillars. The Pluriel's headlights and tail-lights were pretty groovy for their day (2003, since you ask) and those with long memories might spot the 2CV reference in its tail, the large 'CITROEN' lettering underlining the fabric-framed rear window a feature of many Deux Chevaux. The Pluriel's cabin looked pretty funky from a distance too, the quartet of head restraints, duo-tone dashboard, silver air vents and orange instruments all unusual enough to be redolent of Citroën's bolder design phases. Versatility stemmed from a lot more than its electrically retracting fabric roof. Not only did the fabric concertina into a neat pile but could be packaged into the boot once you opened the luggage bay's drop-down lid. Advertisement That gave you a four-seat cabriolet with an unimpeded view to the rear; unlocking the roof side rails left only the windscreen rising above the car's waistline, although you'd then have the challenge of storing the rails elsewhere. Still more of a challenge would be brazening out the summer squall dumping rain on your head if you were caught fully roofless and rail-less.
Vogue
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
From Graphic Lines to Painterly Strokes, 30+ Ways to Wear Summer Stripes
For the pattern-shy (myself included), stripes are an easy entry point. Long associated with prep-school and nautical styles, stripes are a classic. They feel more approachable than, say, a floral or tropical print—and this summer, they're just as fun. All of our favorite designers seem to agree—with fresh interpretations and inspirations for how to wear the classic summer pattern . On the runways, notably at Chanel, Prada, Proenza Schouler, and Rabanne, stripes played a starring role—pairing imaginatively well with It items like chain belts and bikinis to effortlessly cool effect. Vogue's Favorite Striped Pieces: In stores, summer stripes are everywhere. Think matching sets, easy trousers, breezy maxi dresses, and even beach totes. Whether your style leans classic or experimental, stripes deliver versatility without the fuss. If you're looking to make a subtle statement with your warm-weather wardrobe, stripes are a foolproof pick. Shop our favorites by category, below. Sets Dresses Skirts Tees Pants Shorts Knits Swim Bags
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Why Omari Hutchinson is the Premier League's new most wanted man: FOUR top-flight clubs chase his signature with only Florian Wirtz and Desire Doue ahead of him in one key area
With 11 major trophies to his name and a reputation as one of Europe's best coaches, Unai Emery's observations on the game are always worth remembering. Rather than pace, technique, speed or balance, the Aston Villa boss prizes versatility over every other quality. That is why he urged Villa to sign a Middlesbrough fringe player in January 2024, based on a handful of viewings. Less than two years later, Morgan Rogers is one of the most valuable wide attackers in Europe. Thanks to the dizzying output of players like Harry Kane, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski, as well as Alexander Isak, Mateo Retegui and Viktor Gyokeres, the traditional No9 is alive and well. Yet gone are the days when the centre-forward was the first name on the team sheet. At Barcelona, the player Hansi Flick cannot do without is not Lewandowski, but Lamine Yamal, still only 17 but probably the best player in the world. Liverpool were prepared to pay the 33-year-old Mohamed Salah a stratospheric salary to keep him. In the Champions League Final, Paris Saint-Germain did not field an orthodox central striker. They still beat Inter Milan 5-0. From Yamal to Desire Doue and Rogers, not forgetting Raphinha, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia or Vinicius Junior, clubs go wild for wide men. If they can operate on either flank, so much the better. The ability to make and take chances at speed means these players can be unstoppable at their best. Which brings us to the current English market. Rogers is admired by both Chelsea and Arsenal but it is hard to imagine Aston Villa even considering offers that do not break records. He is one of many examples of the value that exists outside the top flight - and now Ipswich attacker Omari Hutchinson could be the next to prove it. Bigger clubs are lurking. Mail Sport understands Hutchinson is a target for Everton, with Brentford, West Ham and Fulham also monitoring his progress along with Bundesliga clubs Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig. He is likely to draw scouts and interested observers to Channel4 for England Under-21s in their European Championship semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday and is thought to be valued at about £30m. That's the price Ipswich drew when selling Liam Delap to Chelsea last month. They could be ready to listen to the highest bidder for Hutchinson. While the forward is grateful to Ipswich for improving him and giving him the opportunities he craved after leaving Chelsea for first team football, it is believed the 21-year-old would like to continue testing himself at the highest level. Whether in the Premier League or in another country, Hutchinson feels ready for European football – and the data from his displays last term is impressive. Across Europe's top-five leagues, only Florian Wirtz and Doue completed more dribbles last season. Wirtz has just joined Liverpool for a British record £116m while Doue was the breakout star of PSG's Champions League triumph. Hutchinson managed 95 successful dribbles, the same as Morgan Rogers, who has performed brilliantly for Emery in the last 18 months. Having already proved himself in the Championship, Hutchinson showed last season he could deliver against high-profile opponents, with goals against Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham. Yet there is work to do: three goals and two assists are not going to blow the house down, and Hutchinson needs to improve his finishing and decision-making in key areas. Jarrod Bowen is an intriguing comparison to make here. David Moyes brought Bowen to West Ham from Hull in January 2020 and turned him into a proven Premier League performer at West Ham. Back for a second spell at Everton, it is tempting to wonder whether Moyes can repeat the trick with Hutchinson. Comparing their first full seasons in the Premier League, most of the numbers are in Bowen's favour – but the England international was 23 when he joined West Ham and had played 141 senior matches. Hutchinson had managed only 60 before last season. The Hammers back then were also much stronger than 2024-25 Ipswich: they finished sixth with 65 points in 2020-21, qualifying for the Europa League, while Ipswich were 19th with 22 last term and were relegated. Kieran McKenna is a fine judge of a footballer and believed in Hutchinson both in the Championship and in the Premier League. And while Hutchinson's data suggests he would be a long-term project rather than a player to transform an attack immediately, the raw material is undoubtedly there. As clubs start to realise that Premier League-ready centre-forwards are both very rare and very expensive, they look to see who is waiting in the wings. Hutchinson is one of many desperate to take his chance.
Globe and Mail
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Globe and Mail
Saskatchewan's Ferland a perfect fit anywhere on Roughriders' offensive line
Logan Ferland has built a reputation for versatility over his CFL career. The 28-year-old can play – and excel – at any position on the offensive line. His adaptability was apparent during the 2024 season, when injuries forced the Roughriders to use 13 different starters and 16 players total on the line. Ferland made 11 starts at right guard, two, including the West final, at right tackle and six, including the West semi-final, at centre. He performed so admirably he was named the outstanding offensive lineman for the West Division and a CFL all-star at guard. For Ferland, from Melfort, Sask., it hasn't been a problem shifting to multiple spots on the offensive line, because it has been something he has been doing since his junior days in the CJFL. He was often lined up against the best defensive lineman the opponents had. 'Where it started was really with the Regina Thunder,' said Ferland, who starred for the team from 2015 to 2019. 'My last couple of years they would move me around in different spots. 'I really got used to it there. I was playing in multiple positions. When I moved on to the 'Riders, I knew that would be a way I could make the team was showing my versatility even though I was undersized at the time.' It appears the Roughriders are going to have to lean on Ferland's versatility once again. The team has already lost a pair of big free agency pickups to long term injury at its training camp at Griffiths Stadium on the University of Saskatchewan campus. Centre Sean McEwen, who played last season with the Calgary Stampeders, is out with an unspecified leg injury. Roughriders head coach Corey Mace confirmed Saturday that McEwen, who earned a Grey Cup ring with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017, would be out for a lengthy stretch. Guard Philippe Gagnon tore his biceps at practice on Monday. On Wednesday, Mace said Gagnon's injury might not be season ending, but he won't be available for a while. Gagnon played with the Montreal Alouettes last season and helped them win the Grey Cup in 2023. Those injuries caused the Roughriders to re-sign Saskatchewan Huskies grad Noah Zerr on Tuesday after releasing him on May 14. The Roughriders play the first of their two pre-season games on Saturday, when they travel to Winnipeg to take on the Blue Bombers at Princess Auto Stadium. Saskatchewan has a bit of time before cementing a starting offensive line. The Roughriders open their regular season June 5, hosting the Ottawa Redblacks at Mosaic Stadium. Mace said Ferland's versatility is a huge asset for the team. 'We think so highly of Logan as an offensive lineman, period, and that is at multiple positions,' said Mace. 'If something does happen, having him as somebody who can move into multiple spots allows us to keep him on the field always and affords us an opportunity to put the best linemen out there that we feel gives us the best shot to win. 'I am extremely happy with him. He takes reps at all spots still, so I can't say enough good things about Logan Ferland.' Once the injuries started to happen at training camp, it was business as usual for Ferland. He will play wherever the team needs him to play. 'I approach it like any other year, nothing changes,' said Ferland, who stands six-foot-four and weighs 300 pounds. '[The coaches] do reports for me every year, so I approach it like being ready for any spot. 'If they throw me in at centre, I will play centre. If they want to move me up to tackle, I will be ready for that. If they want to keep me at guard, I'll stay a guard.' Ferland, who says his favourite position is right guard, said a number of coaches with the Thunder and the Roughriders played a huge role in helping develop his versatility. He said he also learned a lot from now retired centre Dan Clark, who is also a Thunder alumnus, and retired guard Brandon LaBatte, a Regina Rams grad. Ferland still says it is special for him to play for the Roughriders after growing in small Saskatchewan towns. He lived in Kindersley until age 11 before moving to Melfort and later playing for the Melfort and Unit Comprehensive Collegiate Comets nine-man team in high school. He said the veterans he played with when he first joined the Roughriders reinforced that. 'It really is an honour to be able to play for this province being from here,' Ferland said. 'Growing up watching these guys and now being here, I have to pinch myself sometimes and just really realize where I am at. 'I have full-circle moments when I think back to where I initially started watching those guys and really looking up to those guys on TV.' He says he is now setting a goal for young players who want to play professionally. 'Especially the ones from Saskatchewan – from the small-town schools – that might not think they have the opportunity. 'They can make an opportunity for themselves.'
