Latest news with #Channel4
Daily Mirror
38 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Celebrity Gogglebox star breaks silence after Channel 4 replacement fears
Celebrity Gogglebox stars Shaun Ryder and Bez have addressed their future on the Channel 4 show Celebrity Gogglebox star Shaun Ryder has broken his silence after Channel 4 replacement fears. In a recent episode of the hit reality show, which features celebrities commenting on television programmes, Shaun and his Happy Mondays bandmate Bez were notably absent, sparking rumours among viewers. Earlier this month, their absence caused a stir among fans, before they returned for the series finale last week (July 11), much to the relief of viewers. Addressing the rumours, Shaun confirmed: "We haven't left or anything like that, no. Have we heck." He clarified the reason behind their brief disappearance, saying: "This time there's like seven episodes or something and we have filmed five or six, but no we haven't left," reports the Express. Shaun continued: "We love it. Bez comes round to mine and brings loads of s*** like ice cream and sweets and everything. The two girls [his daughters] would go mad if we stopped doing it because we get loads of free stuff!" During the recent season finale, Shaun and Bez were joined by the likes of Rylan Clark and his mum, Linda, Diversity stars Perri Kiely and Jordan Banjo, and This Morning hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley. The famous faces shared their thoughts on popular programmes including the new season of Squid Game, First Dates, Olivia Attwood: The Price of Perfection, Match Me Abroad, and Netflix's fresh reality show, Building the Band. Shaun and Bez have been entertaining viewers on Celebrity Gogglebox since 2019 with their witty takes on various TV shows. Their unique brand of humour has won them many fans, some of whom are even campaigning for the iconic duo to get their own spin-off show. One fan took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to exclaim: "Shaun and Bez are hilarious... Can they not have their own show!!!" Another added: "Whichever channel gives Bez and Shaun their own show is on to a winner #CelebrityGogglebox," while a third said: "Would have to be C4 cause the beep machine would wear out". The Happy Mondays are set to take the stage at Colchester Castle Summer Series on Friday, August 22, with tickets already up for grabs. With the capacity to welcome up to 10,000 music lovers, the Colchester Castle Summer Series is gearing up to be the city's biggest musical extravaganza in recent memory. Set against the backdrop of one of England's most historic and picturesque settings, this event promises an array of live performances that are sure to be etched in memory.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sunday Brunch viewers distracted by Simon Rimmer's habit as they issue same complaint
Sunday Brunch viewers were left unimpressed as they tuned into the latest edition of the Channel 4 show, with some pointing out that they were distracted by Simon Rimmer's constant habit Channel 4 viewers watching the latest Sunday Brunch episode raised concerns about presenter Simon Rimmer. The programme featured guests Rachel Riley, Ashley Roberts, Ryan Sampson, Harriet Webb, and Geoff Norcott alongside hosts Tim Lovejoy and Simon with the usual mix of celebrity chat and culinary segments. However, one particular mannerism began drawing criticism from eagle-eyed viewers at home. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one frustrated viewer posted: "#sundaybrunch why does [Simon] that fake sipping from his mug ? Probably because he can't think of anything to add to the interview." Another observer echoed similar sentiments, writing online: "Rimmer constantly picking up his empty mug again and taking pretend sips." Beyond the presenting style, some viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the guest line-up, with many switching channels. One disgruntled fan commented: "As usual, I've never heard of most of them! And that Ashley Roberts just talks over the others. I'll join you with Titchmarsh." Similarly, another viewer declared: "#sundaybrunch Riley and Norcott on the same show. No thanks. Won't be watching today.", reports the Express. Despite the criticism, the show wasn't without its supporters. One enthusiastic viewer praised: "Lovely to see @jennylinford on #SundayBrunch talking about her book #Repast ! Fascinating stuff . . . Amazing objects from @britishmuseum." Meanwhile, another optimistic fan noted: "People I recognise it could be a good #SundayBrunch this week." Last week, the programme took an uncomfortable twist and left Simon having to tackle the elephant in the room, "why has the Channel 4 show never won a Bafta?". During one section, Omar Allibhoy needed to use the noisy blender to create a watermelon gazpacho soup to go with his tuna carpaccio dish. He said sorry before switching on the kitchen gadget for several seconds, and then Simon appeared on screen and joked: "It's no wonder we've never won a Bafta," as everyone in the studio erupted into laughter.
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Anger as Gaza documentary producer allegedly celebrated Palestinian terrorists as 'martyrs' - including one who gunned down Jewish boy, 14, and six others in Holocaust Memorial Day killing spree
A producer of a Gaza documentary axed by the BBC over impartiality concerns - but later shown on Channel 4 - is accused of having called a terrorist who brutally gunned down seven Israeli s as a 'martyr' and of previously having shared 'celebratory' footage of the October 7 attacks. Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, was originally commissioned by the BBC more than a year ago. However, the corporation paused its production in April following the launch of an investigation into another documentary, Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone, which featured the son of a Hamas minister - a fact omitted by filmmakers. Instead, Channel 4 aired the documentary, made by Basement Films, on July 2 after saying it had gone through 'rigorous fact-checking and extensive compliance processes'. The broadcaster had concluded the film was 'duly impartial'. But concerns have now arisen over social media posts shared by Osama Al Ashi, one of the two Gazan producers of the documentary, The Telegraph claims. In one, the producer is said to have described Khairi Alqam as a 'martyr' on January 27, 2023, the same day the 21-year-old from East Jerusalem carried out a deadly mass shooting in the settlement of Neve Yaakov. The settlement is considered illegal under international law, although Israel disputes that view. Seven people were killed, including a 14-year-old child, after Alqam opened fire on worshippers leaving a synagogue on Holocaust Memorial Day. The terrorist was shot dead shortly afterwards by police as he fled from the scene. It is also claimed that in a now-deleted post, Ashi shared a video montage of photographs showing Alqam alongside the caption: 'The martyr Khairi Alqam – may God have mercy on him and forgive him'. Ashi is also said to have shared footage on October 7, 2023, showing Hamas terrorists flying into Israel by paraglider and described them as 'the resistance'. A caption underneath his post reads: 'These are the videos that settlers are now circulating of the resistance storming and infiltrating the occupied territories in the Gaza Strip.' Ashi was also said to have shared a video on October 7, 2023 to TikTok showing Hamas rockets being fired into Israel. He is additionally said to have called a Hamas terrorist who shot three Israelis as a 'wounded hero' while sharing social media posts during rising violence between Israel and Hamas in 2016. In response to the claims put to him, Ashi deleted several social media posts and told The Telegraph his posts 'have absolutely nothing to do with Hamas.' The producer added he only wanted to share news and updates through reposts, and he did not have 'time to analyse' the material shared on October 7, 2023, due to the rapidly developing nature of events. However the Committee for Accuracy in Middle East Reporting and Analysis (Camera UK), a media monitoring organisation, said the sharing of such posts has raised red flags. A Camera UK spokesman said: 'A producer who celebrates the deaths of Israeli civilians on what he sees as 'the other side', and who appears unable to distinguish them from legitimate military targets, cannot be considered an impartial observer.' Basement Films defended Ashi and said claims put forward by The Telegraph posed a threat to his safety. A spokesperson said: 'Osama has not posted anything himself about Oct 7 but shared news and other posts on social media as it was breaking, and The Telegraph interpretations of these tweets are misleading.' Channel 4 previously said it had fact-checked Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, to ensure the documentary met editorial standards and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code. Louisa Compton, Channel 4's head of news and current affairs and specialist factual and sport, issued a statement at the time saying: 'We are showing this programme because we believe that, following thorough fact-checking and verification, we are presenting a duly impartial view of a subject that both divides opinion and frequently provokes dispute about what constitutes a fact. 'Channel 4 has a strong tradition of putting uncomfortable reporting in front of our audiences. 'In doing so, we know we will antagonise somebody somewhere sometime. But we do it because we believe it is our duty to tell important journalistic stories – especially those that aren't being told elsewhere.' The BBC announced in June that it would not broadcast Gaza: Doctors Under Attack after concerns over impartiality. 'We wanted the doctors' voices to be heard,' the broadcaster said in a statement. 'Our aim was to find a way to air some of the material in our news programmes, in line with our impartiality standards, before the review was published. 'For some weeks, the BBC has been working with Basement Films to find a way to tell the stories of these doctors on our platforms.' But, the corporation added it would no longer be possible to air the documentary. 'We have come to the conclusion that broadcasting this material risked creating a perception of partiality that would not meet the high standards that the public rightly expect of the BBC. 'Impartiality is a core principle of BBC News. It is one of the reasons that we are the world's most trusted broadcaster. 'Therefore, we are transferring ownership of the film material to Basement Films.' The debate arose just months after critics were enraged by the BBC's failure to disclose the narrator of Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone was the son of a senior member of Hamas. It was originally broadcast on BBC Two on February 17 with the aim of showing a 'vivid and unflinching view of life' in the strip. The documentary was made by two producers based in London who remotely directed two cameramen on the ground over nine months. However, independent investigative journalist David Collier discovered one of the child narrators, Abdullah, was the son of a Hamas government minister and grandson of one of Hamas's founding members. Using Facebook and publicly available data online, Mr Collier found the young narrator was the son of Gaza's deputy minister of agriculture, Dr Ayman Al-Yazouri. This meant his grandfather is Hamas founder Ibrahim Al-Yazouri, previously jailed by Egypt and Israel for involvement in proscribed groups. The BBC subsequently apologised, with a spokesperson for the corporation saying at the time: 'Since the transmission of our documentary on Gaza, the BBC has become aware of the family connections of the film's narrator, a child called Abdullah. 'We've promised our audiences the highest standards of transparency, so it is only right that as a result of this new information, we add some more detail to the film before its retransmission. 'We apologise for the omission of that detail from the original film.' A BBC report published earlier this week concluded the documentary, which was pulled from iPlayer in February, had breached editorial guidelines on accuracy. The review also found three members of independent production company Hoyo Films knew about the family connections of the narrator, but the BBC did not. BBC staff however were not 'sufficiently proactive' with their editorial checks.
The National
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Doctors Under Attack: A film about Gaza you can't look away from
Waking in the morning to shocking reports, killings, drone attacks, forced migrations, innocent civilians targeted, icecaps melting. All the stupefying, ungraspable numbers. The feeling of helplessness, guilt even at not being able to do anything. And then trying to start your day. For the sake of 'balance', we're made to listen to apologists, explaining why these people had to die, or be driven from their homes, or left to starve. Or that none of it really happened at all. Government spokespeople justifying why there's nothing whatsoever they can do about it. READ MORE: When 'critical friends' fall out: Angus Robertson's Israel meeting details revealed So why should we watch the news? It's distressing. For some, it can lead to real mental problems. To doomscrolling, going down the rabbit hole of poisonous social media. The world's gone mad and there's nothing we can do about it. So we bury our heads in the sand. But we know full well it won't make reality go away. We've been numbed to the point of indifference, even cynicism. There's a psychological term for all this – Headline Anxiety. A current example is the documentary, Gaza: Doctors Under Attack. The film the BBC commissioned but for – not to put too fine a point on it – incoherent reasons declined to broadcast. They were finally forced into allowing Channel 4 to show it. So long as there was no reference to the BBC. A film described as 'crucial … that the world needs to see'. I decided not to. Too upsetting. Then I heard there was a public screening in Glasgow. For reasons I still don't quite understand, that felt different. Perhaps I could watch it. Something to do with sharing the pain, the feeling of powerlessness. Clearly I wasn't the only one. The screening, in Glasgow University's 160-seater Andrew Stewart cinema, sold out in a couple of days. As one of the panel said on the night, it was easier to get tickets for the Oasis gig. Is there some comfort to be had in viewing difficult material collectively? A sense of not being alone in the face of horrors. I asked people when I got there what had made them come along. Naturally, there were activists among them, people already involved in one way or another. More, it seemed, were medical workers themselves, doctors, nurses, students. Concerned about colleagues under fire. The screening had been organised by the Scottish Palestine Health Partnership, practitioners trying to do whatever they can for their fellow professionals. It was hosted by the university's Thinking Culture programme which finds innovative and creative ways of, well, making us think. A young man sitting behind me was neither a medical worker nor an activist. He was simply confused and wanted to understand. Like me, he'd decided the documentary was too disturbing to watch at home. And he gave me a good example of his puzzlement … 'This thing about Hamas fighters using hospitals. I've no idea whether they do or not. But even if they did, well, if a gunman goes into a school and starts shooting, we don't solve the situation by blowing up the entire school and all the kids in it.' Throughout the film itself, there were audible gasps and shocked sighs. It was comforting – if that's the word – to hear that other people were as affected by the content as I was. A shared pain, not in any way lessened by being in the company of strangers, but still consoling. On the other hand, the experience was more intense than watching on TV. You couldn't pause it for a moment, get your breath back. Couldn't go and make a cuppa to gird yourself to continue watching. The documentary is extremely well made – it holds your attention from the start. It shows more explicit footage than we're used to in British broadcasting – there was no mistaking the violence and cruelty that was taking place. Now. Dead children. Mass graves. Torture victims. It made me think of watching horror movies on the big screen. But there's a huge, inescapable, difference. Not simply that one is fiction and the other is appallingly real. In a fictitious movie, we ~ enjoy the thrill, in a safe space, and usually see the baddies get their comeuppance. The whole point is that it's not real, it's escapism. Gaza: Doctors Under Attack is anything but escapist. There is no resolution reward. Ben de Pear, the documentary's producer, came to Glasgow for the screening. He said, before showing his film: 'I can't say I hope you enjoy it. You won't.' His documentary is dispassionate, serious journalism; its aim is not to entertain, but to assiduously follow the evidence. And that evidence is far more chilling than any fright flick. I use the phrase 'safe space'. Had this been a fiction then perhaps a cinema in Glasgow is a safe place to watch terrible, made-up, things. But one of the speakers had reminded us that a young health worker, Dima Alhaj, had been killed along with her baby, husband, and virtually her entire family in 2023. Dima had been an Erasmus student at Glasgow University, where we were sitting now. That brings the horror closer to home. Whether we like it or not, Palestine is not so very far from us. Nor is Sudan, or Myanmar, or Kharkiv, or Tehran. As another speaker, a doctor, said, what is happening in Gaza has changed us all. We can turn off the TV, but the bloodshed doesn't stop. Changing channels won't protect us. We are involved. The BBC's decision to try and wash its hands of Doctors Under Attack only drew attention to both the film and its own mismanagement of it. As if we have learned nothing from banning the Sex Pistols, or Frankie Goes To Hollywood. The Clockwork Orange, Lady Chatterley, Kneecap, Gaza: How To Survive a Warzone … official prohibition only increases public appetite. According to Ben de Pear, the BBC had obstructed the entire process almost from the moment they had commissioned it. From his journalistic perspective, the accusation of targeting civilian healthcare must surely merit investigation. Nothing like it has happened in modern history. But the corporation, he felt, was 'frightened'. Fear of political reprisal, as much as any bias, led them into disarray. (A predicament that won't surprise anyone who took an interest in the Scottish Independence referendum.) At the end of the screening, a woman said to me: 'I wish I hadn't seen it. But I'm glad I did.' And laughed nervously: 'Does that make any sense?' Yes, I think it does. It was clear from the medical people on the panel, and those in the audience, that they feel the need for such films. The victims of violence – whether in Israel/[[Palestine]], Russia/Ukraine, Sudan or wherever – need us to know of their plight. Especially where journalists are forbidden, where state propaganda conceals what is actually going on. I had wondered, before going, if there might be something uplifting, something hopeful, in the experience of watching difficult material in the public sphere. There was. The courage and decency of ordinary people in terrible circumstances, health professionals going about their jobs even when they themselves have become the target, and have lost loved ones. All that might have been apparent watching alone at home on TV. But being in the presence of brave volunteers, helping not for any political motive but because it's what they do, that was heartening. The admiration and gratitude for organisations such as the Palestine Red Crescent Society. People who risked their lives by telling what they had witnessed, Israelis as well as Palestinians. Do we have, as human beings, a duty to watch such films? To listen to the morning news, the evening headlines. Painful though it all might be. Perhaps it could propel us into some kind of action, however meagre. Write to our MP or MSP. Donate to a charity. Protest. One of the speakers summed it up for me. A colorectal surgeon who has been volunteering in Gaza said before showing some clips of his own experiences, 'I'm sorry'. 'Sorry to make you see this. But I think it's important. I think you need to see this.'
The Irish Sun
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Heartbroken MAFS UK star left devastated by death of beloved family member as she pays emotional tribute
MARRIED At First Sight UK star Erica Roberts has revealed her heartbreak after losing her beloved nan. 6 Erica Roberts has revealed her heartbreak over the loss of her nanna 6 She revealed Jessie passed away on Thursday 6 Erica shared a video combing her nan's hair in her final days 6 The reality star was supported by her MAFS castmates after sharing the sad news "On Thursday night I lost my beautiful Nana Jessie," she wrote. "I'm so grateful for the time we had together and that I got to say goodbye I will cherish the memories we made forever, heaven has gained the greatest angel." Erica accompanied the post with a series of sweet shots of her and Jessie together over the years. She revealed how her nan looked after her in her younger years, and she was able to repay this in Jessie's final days. Erica posed a video of her rubbing cream into her nan's hands and brushing her hair. read more on MAFS UK The reality star explained: "I grew up with her looking after me, so now it's time to look after her." In other snaps, her gran was seeing kissing her cheek, while another saw them holding hands in what appeared to be her last moments. Erica was inundated with sympathy in the comments, including wellwishes from her former MAFS co-stars. "Sorry for your loss Erica," wrote Most read in Reality "Sending you so much love my girl!" added "So sorry babe, sending you lots of love xxxx" said And Erica joined MAFS UK two years ago when she came in as an 'intruder' bride halfway through the series. She was matched with At the final vows, they decided to stick together and make a go of things on the outside world. 6 Erica Roberts and Jordan Gayle met on Married At First Sight Credit: Simon Johns / CPL / Channel 4 6 The pair split in February 2024 Credit: Instagram Unfortunately, the relationship was not to last. The pair "I truly wish him all the best and there is no bad blood between us." Several months later, however, 'I just completely started losing myself, trying to look after him. 'He needed a lot from me and I think he really put a lot of pressure on me to be his sole support system. 'And that's too much for one person. 'I want to be your partner and your lover, not your therapist and your mum. It just got too much for me.'
