Comedy star Karen Dunbar performing at two West Lothian venues during massive tour
Chewin' the Fat actor Karen Dunbar is bringing her comedy stage show to two West Lothian venues. The comedian and actor, writer, and DJ is embarking on a brand-new tour starting this weekend. The epic 80 date tour starts in Grangemouth on 2 May and runs until the autumn, and includes shows in Bathgate and Livingston. Karen will be stopping off in Bathgate on Thursday, May 15 at the Reconnect Regal Theatre and return to West Lothian later in the year for another performance at Livingston's Reconnect Howden Park on Saturday, September 27. The brand-new show for 2025, will see Karen sharing stories from her life and talking about her career, with – as you would expect from a stalwart of the Scottish comedy scene – a heap of humour and jokes. This is Karen's fourth tour with Aberdeen-based promoters Breakneck Comedy since 2023, and, as the company's founder Naz Hussain explained, it's their most ambitious to date. Naz said: 'This is the biggest tour we've ever organised, and I'm delighted that we're working with Karen for it. This is a big year for Breakneck Comedy – it's our 15th anniversary and to be able to deliver such a huge tour for such a well-loved Scottish act is the icing on the cake. 'Anyone who's been to one of Karen's shows before will know that it's a great night of laughs, jokes, stories, and anecdotes from her career, covering everything from her time on Chewin' The Fat, right through to her latest adventures as a DJ. "The fact that Karen has so many fresh new stories to share is testament to her talent as a comedian, and her amazing career.' Breakneck Comedy is renowned for bringing top comedians and performers to towns and venues that might not be on the usual tour schedule. 'I love bringing big names to towns that some promoters might overlook,' Naz added. 'It's really exciting to be able to put on shows all over Scotland and make it easier for people to be able to enjoy a great night of comedy and entertainment without them having to worry about catching a train home from the city.' Don't miss the latest news from the West Lothian Courier. Sign up to our free newsletter here .
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
40 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
We're raising our children without rules – they don't have a bed time and they only go to school if they want to
The children decide everything for themselves, including what they eat and learn FREE RANGE We're raising our children without rules – they don't have a bed time and they only go to school if they want to A COUPLE who are raising their children without rules have shared an insight into their everyday life. The family-of-five described themselves as "unconventional", with the young children allowed to set their own schedules each day. Advertisement 2 A couple who practice 'unconventional' parenting shared an insight into their everyday life Credit: YOUTUBE Adele and Matt spoke to the YouTube channel the Truly Show about their unique approach to parenting. The Brighton-based pair shared 11-year-old son Ulysses and daughters Astara, six, and Kai, three. All three children are being raised with "no strict rules" in any aspect of their lives, including meal times, bed times, and school. "The children listen to their bodily cues, they sleep when they're tired, eat when they're hungry," said Matt. Advertisement He joked that this does mean that their diets include a lot of "junk food", such as crisps, cookies, chocolate, and pizza. Matt clarified that their "unconventional parenting" style was about giving their children the freedom to choose. This began at a young age as the kids decided when they wanted to stop breast-feeding and co-sleeping with their parents. While their oldest son co-slept until the age of 11 and stopped breast-feeding around six, his younger sister was happy to move into her own room at five and quit breast-feeding the year before that. Advertisement Meanwhile the youngest Kai still sleeps in her parents' bed at three and continues to breast-feed, with Adele saying she didn't see either ceasing any time soon. This feeds into the couple's main parenting philosophy which involves attachment parenting their children when they are young as well as practicing gentle parenting. How one poly couple make it work while raising teenage sons This close relationship is continued all the time as the children do not attend school. Instead, Adele and Matt use an "unschooling" technique at home, though they clarified this is not considered homeschooling. Advertisement According to them, it lets the child lead what they learn, with nature playing a huge part in their education The family even have a garden farm, which includes a flock of chickens and roosters, as well as rabbits and dogs. "We do not worry about them not being in school, I'd worry about what they'd miss out on if they weren't in school actually," Adele said. Different parenting techniques Here are some widely recognised methods: Authoritative Parenting This technique will often foster independence, self-discipline, and high self-esteem in children. It is often considered the most effective, this technique is where parents set clear expectations - enforcing rules - whilst also showing warmth and support. Authoritarian Parenting This is opposite to authoritative parenting, as it is where the parent sets high demands but is low on responsiveness. It involves ensuring the child is obedient and often employ punitive measures. While this can lead to disciplined behaviour, it may also result in lower self-esteem and social skills in children. Permissive Parenting Permissive parents tend to be indulgent and lenient, often taking on a role more akin to a friend than an authority figure. They are highly responsive but lack demandingness, granting children a lot of freedom. This method can nurture creativity and a free-spirited nature but may also result in poor self-regulation and difficulties with authority. Uninvolved Parenting Uninvolved or neglectful parenting is marked by low responsiveness and low demands. Parents in this category offer minimal guidance, nurturing, or attention. This often leaves children feeling neglected, which can have significant negative effects on their emotional and social development. Helicopter Parenting Helicopter parents are extremely involved and overprotective, frequently micromanaging their children's lives. Although their goal is to protect and support, this approach can hinder a child's ability to develop independence and problem-solving skills. Free-Range Parenting Free-range parenting encourages children to explore and learn from their surroundings with minimal parental interference. This method promotes independence and resilience but requires a safe and supportive environment to be successful. Attachment Parenting According to Attachment parenting focuses on physical closeness and emotional bonding, often through practices such as co-sleeping and baby-wearing. This approach aims to create secure attachments and emotional well-being, but demands significant time and emotional commitment from parents. Each of these parenting techniques has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. The key is to find a balanced approach that aligns with the family's values and meets the child's needs for a healthy, happy upbringing. "A conventional education I would say is definitely failing a large majority of children right now." Advertisement Astara shared her hopes to learn how to write when she's turns "seven or eight" but in the meantime she is focused on things like gymnastics and ballet. As well as "outside school", the couple's unconventional parenting approaching also relates to medical care. They opt to "respect our children's bodily autonomy" and try to steer clear of vaccines and medication unless absolutely neccessary. Instead, they use alternative forms of care, such as herbal teas and extracts or "anything holistic without outside effects". Advertisement And as for how they invision their children's futures, the couple said they are with whatever lifestyle they choose when they grow up.
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Daily Record
King Charles knew Queen had died after hearing two devastating words
It was a bittersweet moment for Charles as he stepped into the role he'd been waiting for his whole life for. The Royal Family has been through a few twists and turns but it was the end of a long stable chapter for the UK when Queen Elizabeth died in 2022. The monarch served an incredible 70 years on the throne, making her Britain's longest-reigning, and she was one of the most popular public figures across the globe. With the end of an era marked by the Queen's death, it also heralded a new beginning as King Charles stepped into the role he'd been waiting to do his whole life. At the age of 73, Charles became King, a bittersweet move as he was forced to navigate his new position whilst also grieving for his mum, as writes the Mirror. The Queen was at Balmoral and had been at the Scottish estate for the weeks leading up to her death at the age of 96. On the morning she passed, September 8, 2022, the then Prince Charles was called and told that it would not be long before his mother died. He was joined by his sister Anne, and the pair spent the final few hour's of the monarch's life taking turns to sit beside her, it's revealed in a new documentary. Channel 5's Birkhall: The King's Secret Sanctuary, sees experts discuss the moment Charles became the new King as they delve into the fact that he was 'summoned to Balmoral" from his own home on the Aberdeenshire estate, Birkhall, which is described as one of his favourite residences. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said in the documentary: 'He was told that it would probably be a few hours before she passed away." Royal expert and journalist Emily Andrews added: "Charles and Anne had been taking it in turns to sit with the Queen and then, I think, as she slipped into a coma, Charles needed a bit of fresh air and some nature. "So he went to the grounds of Birkhall, and it was there that he took the call." Viewers will discover that ahead of Charles being given the official news of the Queen's death, he already knew thanks to two words that were said to him upon answering the call. Jennie said: "He knew what had happened. "Because he was addressed by the person who rang him, the courtier, as 'Your Majesty' and then he knew, 'Well, my mother has died' and obviously he raced back to Balmoral to be at her side." It's also claimed in the documentary that members of the family felt relief after their huge loss because the Queen had been able to spend her last days at her beloved Balmoral, where she'd spent some of her happiest times. Emily Andrews added: "I think everybody in the Royal Family, actually, was really glad it happened in Scotland and for Charles as well to be at Birkhall, where it's such a kind of safe space for him, he feels very calm and relaxed, I think was very important'. After the news circulated within the wider family, Prince William, Edward and Andrew soon travelled to Balmoral, followed a short time later by Prince Harry. Harry has since revealed that he found out about his grandmother's death from a breaking news alert on his phone after his flight to Scotland was delayed. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Following the monarch's passing, her coffin was taken to Edinburgh where it laid in rest and Scots were able to say goodbye and pay their respects. The coffin was then flown to RAF Northolt and taken back to London to lie in state at Westminster Hall. Princess Anne accompanied her mother on every leg of the journey, calling it an 'honour and a privilege'. Birkhall: The King's Secret Sanctuary , airs Saturday 21 June at 7.30pm on Channel 5.
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Tyson Fury drinks with locals in Scots bar and visits historic castle during road trip
The former world heavyweight champion dropped by Carbisdale Castle in the Highlands GYPSY KING ON TOUR Tyson Fury drinks with locals in Scots bar and visits historic castle during road trip Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TYSON Fury has been spotted drinking with locals in a bar and visited a historic castle during his Scottish road trip. The boxing icon, 36, visited north of the border for Netflix's At Home With The Furys. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Tyson Fury has been enjoying travelling around Scotland with his family Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram 5 The former world heavyweight champ visited the Claymore Bar in Grantown-on-Spey Credit: Claymore Bar/Facebook 5 He posed with delighted locals as he downed pints in the Moray boozer Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram 5 The boxing hero also visited John o' Groats, the northernmost point of mainland Britain Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram The former world heavyweight champion dropped by Carbisdale Castle in the Highlands. He was shown around the grounds of the 118-year-old country pile and told of the work that had gone into transforming it into a luxury home. But owner Samantha Kane was unable to welcome the Gypsy King as she attending Royal Ascot in Berkshire. She said: "World-famous heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury made an unexpected visit to Carbisdale Castle while I was at Ascot yesterday and was greeted by Sarah and Michael, who showed him around the Castle and what was achieved in bringing Carbisdale to its former glory. 'He was very impressed indeed. Thank you Tyson for your visit.' Earlier this week, Fury was spotted strutting topless around Grantown-on-Spey in Moray wearing a red tartan kilt and matching tie. The 9ft 9ins star got fitted out at a kiltmaker in the small town and chatted with locals. He also enjoyed a drink in the Claymore Bar where he downed Guinness and posed for photos with staff. The ex-boxer has also visited Wick and John O'Groats in the Caithness region. He is visiting with his wife, Paris, children and film crew as he makes the second season of At Home With The Fury's. Boxing icon Tyson Fury spotted posing topless in Scots town as he chats with locals He happily posed for photos with fans, including Cromdale FC manager Stuart Dunbar, who jokingly tried to sign him up. Ms Kane is the only person in Britain to have changed gender three times. Born in Iraq as a man, named Sam Hashimi, she had surgery in 1997 to become Samantha, before a second operation in 2004 when she changed her name to Charles Kane and then a third surgery to become Samantha again in 2018. The barrister and business tycoon spearheaded a Saudi bid to buy Sheffield United Football Club in 2000. She called herself Lady Carbisdale after buying the dilapidated 19-bedroom clifftop castle, near Ardgay, in 2022. Fury retired in January, eight months after suffering the only defeat of his career at the time when he lost to Oleksandr Usyk by split decision. During a rematch last December, the Ukrainian won by unanimous decision. 5 The Gypsy King donned a kilt and matching tartan tie in Grantown-on-Spey Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
