Latest news with #ElsieDotStancombe
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Haunting TV drama about aftermath of horrifying Southport murders which shocked UK being made for streamer like Netflix
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE horrifying murder of three schoolgirls in Southport has inspired a TV drama. Sadistic Axel Rudakubana was jailed for 52 years for killing Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, when he launched an attack on a Taylor Swift dance class. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Irish actor Jonas Armstrong will lead the project, which has a working title of Rooted Out Credit: Getty 5 Sadistic Axel Rudakubana was jailed for 52 years for killing Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice Da Silva Aguiar, nine, when he launched an attack on a Taylor Swift dance class Credit: PA Eight other children and two adults – dance class leader Leanne Lucas and businessman Jonathan Hayes – were seriously wounded. Now a haunting two-part drama is in the works covering the devastating riots that followed. Irish actor Jonas Armstrong will lead the project, which has a working title of Rooted Out. He said: 'There were riots in the UK two summers ago because a few girls were murdered by a young man over in Southport, which is just across the water from where I am. 'Riots were kicking off throughout the country and loads of people were arrested and there was a lot of anger and frustration going on. 'This is the backdrop of that. 'The character I play is Oxford-educated and now is a university lecturer at the London School Of Economics.' Production will begin this month, Jonas said, and will make up two 90-minute parts which will air on a streaming platform like Netflix. Real life horrors are increasingly looked at by TV execs, with titles including Fred and Rose West: A British Horror Story and David Tennant's Des on Dennis Nilsen and Little Boy Blue on the murder of Rhys Jones. The actor, who is best known as Robin Hood in the BBC's 2006 series, shared more on the project's direction on podcast Lament of Hope, adding: 'I spoke to the writer and director and I said 'Why did you think of me?' and he said 'Because this breaks down racial bias, social bias, stereotypes, northern bias'.' Shocking new footage shows yobs hurl bricks & bottles at police as 3 more thugs jailed David: I'll never say dye He may have been on our screens for over two decades now, but David Walliams isn't worried about looking like his Little Britain days by dyeing his hair. The comedian, and former Britain's Got Talent judge, revealed he's turned down offers from his hairdresser to touch up his greying barnet. 5 David Walliams says he's happy to go grey and won't dye his hair despite offers from his hairdresser Credit: Alamy He said: 'Someone offered to dye my hair the other day and I thought, 'That is a slippery slope' isn't it? Dyeing your hair and then dyeing your beard, it is weird. 'A hairdresser said, 'Oh do you want me dye it?' I was like 'No, you end up like Jimmy.' But his Come Fly With Me co-star Matt Lucas, who lost his hair due to alopecia, joked to the Making A Scene podcast he'd love a new 'do. He told David that if he could have hair, he'd opt for long curly locks like Brian May or 1980s Arsenal player, Charlie Nicholas. A Prime Video documentary will take a closer look at the brutal murders of four university students in 2022 in Idaho, America. Told by those involved and affected by the crime, the series will explore the impact and fallout of the killings. One Night In Idaho will stream from July 11. Kelly's voice is paused The Voice UK has hit the pause button with this year's series now being delayed until 2026. Insiders say that the ITV singing show – which has just signed up Kelly Rowland to join the judges panel – will make its comeback in January, instead of its traditional autumn slot. 5 The Voice UK has been delayed until 2026 – with Kelly Rowland joining the judging panel for its big return Credit: Getty Judges Sir Tom Jones, and McFly's Tom Fletcher and Danny Jones will return alongside new girl Kelly, who previously appeared on The Voice Australia and coached on The X Factor. She replaces singer LeAnn Rimes, who left her role as mentor on the show to focus on her US career. She has headed over to the American version of the format alongside Sheryl Crow. It's Good Morning Olivia Olivia Attwood has a lot to celebrate at the moment. Her ITVX show The Price Of Perfection is riding high in the ratings – and it's now been revealed she will be joining the This Morning family. 5 Olivia Attwood is joining the This Morning team as a summer stand-in after the success of her ITVX doc series Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The Love Island star launched the second series of her cosmetic industry documentary last week, with an impressive 300,000 streams just hours after it dropped. Now, she is set to be one of the stand-in summertime presenters on the ITV daytime show. Joining Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley to discuss her new doc series, Olivia said: 'I have news, it's very exciting, I'll be joining the hosting team. 'I'm going to be doing a couple of shows in the summer. It's a huge honour. 'Being part of the Daytime team with the Loose Women has been the best experience and this just feels like a very natural progression of that.' This Morning airs weekdays on ITV from 10am. The Discovery Channel is marking its 40th birthday with a four-part docuseries investigating how its shows have sparked viewers' passions. Discovery Changed My Life follows a wildlife cinematographer, hiking guide and adventure organiser inspired by the channel. Airing on Discovery+. Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
BBC News
7 days ago
- BBC News
Southport knife attacks: No further charges, Merseyside Police says
No further charges are being considered in the investigation into the Southport knife attacks, police have Rudakubana was 17 when he murdered three young girls and severely injured 10 others - including eight children - at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town on 29 July Rudakubana was sentenced in January to a minimum of 52 years in custody, Merseyside Police said it was investigating whether anyone had assisted him or failed to prevent his the force has said that "after a comprehensive review... no further charges will be brought at this stage". 'Comprehensive review' In a statement, Merseyside Police said: "During the course of the criminal investigation into the Southport murders, a number of lines of enquiry were pursued. "Some of the aspects of the investigation allowed for consideration of charges against those who may have assisted Axel Rudakubana or failed to prevent his crimes."Post-trial, the force conducted a comprehensive review of all of the material available and considered it in the light of the case law and statutory offences that may have been applicable. "As a result, it has been determined that no further charges will be brought at this stage."Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, Bebe King, six, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, died in the addition to eight other children, two adults - dance class leader Leanne Lucas and businessman Jonathan Hayes – were seriously wounded. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Independent
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Mother says Southport project a thank you to ‘community that saved us'
The mother of one of three young girls murdered in Southport hopes a renovation project in the town will serve as a thank you to the 'community that saved us'. Jenni Stancombe, the mother of Elsie Dot Stancombe who was killed alongside Alice da Silva Aguiar and Bebe King, was speaking after the Government pledged £5 million for the work at Town Hall gardens. The work will also be funded by £2.5 million each from Sefton Council and the Liverpool City Region, bringing the total investment to £10 million. She told the BBC: 'We hope for Southport, us enabling this will help us to say thank you. Thank you to a community that stood by our side. Thank you to a community that wants to continue our legacy for our girls. Thank you to a community that saved us. 'And we hope we can create a beautiful space that the community can be absolutely part of building with us that will become renowned for how we've reacted to the events of last year.' Sefton Council said the regeneration will create a family-friendly and child-oriented space that will also host open-air performances. The families of the young girls said the project is 'a vision we have all shared for some time, which is rooted in love, resilience and unity'. Plans for the project have been drawn up by Elsie's uncle Chris Long, who said the gardens had become the focal point for the town's grief after the murders in July last year. 'The first point was to see if we could create a town square to enable people to interact and for children to be able to go there and feel safe,' he said. 'There's an element of memorial but it's a regeneration project for Southport and it's to reflect the community in Southport that has come together in solidarity.' Sir Keir Starmer thanked the families for their 'continuing courage and resilience' during a meeting with him and Angela Rayner at Number 10 on Tuesday afternoon. 'We sit here as Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, we sit here as human beings with families of our own, and we sit here on behalf of millions of people who would love to see the plans and to say well done for bringing them forward and getting to this point,' he said. He also told them Ms Rayner will 'personally oversee' the implementation of the project. Elsie, Bebe and Alice were murdered by Axel Rudakubana at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport . He was jailed for a minimum of 52 years in January.
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Town Hall gardens £10m revamp inspired by Southport victims
Southport's Town Hall gardens are to undergo a major £10m revamp inspired by Elsie Dot Stancombe, Alice Aguiar, and Bebe aged seven, Alice, nine, and Bebe, six, were killed in the Southport knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in shared love of dance, music and the arts have inspired the vision for a new town square and community space which will act as a "thank you" to people of Southport for their support in the aftermath of the families hope the space in the heart of the town centre "will become a legacy inspired by our three beautiful and amazing girls" and loved by many generations to come. Elsie, Alice and Bebe's families envision the space as a safe and joyful place, full of energy and creative expression, particularly for Southport's younger said the project, which will be a platform for performers and include regular family-friendly events, was "rooted in love, resilience and unity"."It will be a place of joy, hope and community. A vibrant place where children and families can feel safe, connected and celebrated in the heart of our town," the families said."We wanted to find a way to thank the people of Southport for standing shoulder to shoulder with us.""Your compassion has never wavered and your strength has helped carry us forward." Sefton Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority have both provided £2.5m for the project with the government allocating £5m to the families thanked Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Sefton Council as well as Liverpool City Region Combined Authority "for listening to our voices and helping us achieve the funding we need for this project".They added: "This is only the beginning, and we all walk forward together with our amazing community in Southport, with purpose and hope."Rayner said: "The strength of everyone in Southport has been beyond words and I am delighted we are able to help with the families' vision to give back to that amazing community, who continue to give everything they can to those families and victims."We are committing £5m to help create a safe community space for connection, reflection, and renewal - a lasting symbol of hope, guided by the strength of the families and wider community."Leader of Sefton Council, councillor Marion Atkinson, said: "A space for joy, culture, and togetherness will reflect Elsie, Alice, and Bebe's vibrancy in a beautifully positive way. "The Town Hall gardens and the Atkinson were where the community came together in their grief, demonstrating Southport's incredible strength."It was a place of togetherness then, it is a place of togetherness now, and it will be for years to come."The regeneration will create a dynamic, family-friendly stage for creativity, celebrating the love for dance and the arts that meant so much to the girls."Southport's MP Patrick Hurley said: "This legacy project, to renovate, refurbish and remodel the gardens outside The Atkinson will be a nod to their memory and a flare of bright optimism for the future of Southport."He said the community gathered "spontaneously and collectively" in the gardens outside The Atkinson, "standing defiantly in the face of evil".The Labour MP added: "So it is fitting that as time goes on, these gardens are at the heart of the proposal for the renewal of Southport, not just to acknowledge the awful events of July, but more importantly, to recognise the spirit of the town, its people and the families of those affected in bringing Southport back into the light." Metro mayor of Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, said: "Few places capture the heart and soul of a community quite like Southport's Town Hall gardens."It became a place of reflection, resilience and unity where thousands came together to grieve, to support one another, and to stand as one."He said: "This regeneration is a powerful opportunity to give something back to that same community; a lasting symbol of hope and joy."By putting children, families and the arts at its core, we're creating a space that honours the memory of Elsie, Alice and Bebe in the most meaningful way: by inspiring future generations." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
27-05-2025
- BBC News
Southport: 'Elsie always came to school on her dad's shoulders'
The teachers of one of the girls killed in the Southport stabbings have said they remember her always smiling, and arriving at school "on her dad's shoulders".Head teachers Adrian Antell and Jennie Sephton from Farnborough Road School were describing Elsie Dot Stancombe's journey from when she arrived at the school's nursery up until the end of infants seven-year-old was one of three girls killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in the Merseyside town in July last year. The others were nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguiar and six-year-old Bebe Sephton, head teacher of Farnborough Road Infant School said Elsie was "a very charismatic young lady". "She often came to school sitting on her dad's shoulders, or walked through the gates with a big wave, and a big smile," said Ms added that Elsie was "very determined" and liked by her friends and all the was several months away from moving into Farnborough Road's junior school before she was killed by Axel Rudakubana, who was jailed for a minimum of 52 years, in learning would have been under the stewardship of Mr Antell, who said Elsie's classmates were still struggling with what happened."Every child is different and so they will all deal with it in different ways," he said."Sadly we will never get to know Elsie, but we have got to know her friends and have worked hard to support them." 'Positive legacy' Mr Antell added that the school had introduced different methods to support the children."We have had things like play therapy and support for individual children but that need can change on a daily basis, so what works today might not work in three months time."A charity has since been founded in memory of Elsie, called Elsie's month Mr Antell and Ms Sephton will be skydiving to raise money for the trust."Kindness shines through and we wanted to continue with a positive legacy so that Elsie would be remembered, and good things would happen to young people in this community," he said."We've got a huge two-day event planned. The children are going to come to school, and break every rule."We'll do the parachute jump, with the idea being that they break 15 rules, we raise £15,000 and then we jump from 15,000ft (4,572m)." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
