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The Guardian
2 days ago
- Automotive
- The Guardian
Cars and steps do not mix: why The Italian Job has a lot to answer for
The 1969 caper The Italian Job spawned a Hollywood remake, helped drive the cool-factor of the Mini and launched decades of dad-jokes about bloody doors being blown off. It may also have inspired one driver who got stuck trying to travel down the Spanish Steps in Rome this week. The film ended with Michael Caine teetering on the edge of a cliff in a coach, claiming to have a 'great idea'. In Rome, the 80-year-old's navigational error on his way to work ended with emergency services having to bring in a crane to winch his vehicle off the Italian capital's landmark. But it is not only in Rome where steps, or indeed navigational issues, can create havoc for drivers. In the slightly less celebrated surrounds of north London's Maitland Park estate, residents have been complaining about drivers getting their cars stuck trying to rehash one of the film's most famous scenes by driving down a small flight of steps. According to the Camden New Journal, five cars met their match on the five concrete steps within the space of a month last year, with some of the drivers reportedly blaming their satnav apps for leading them there. One resident, Aron Kennedy, posted online about the phenomenon, which he referred to as a 'new Camden tourist attraction along with Karl Marx'. He told the paper: 'If it happens one more time I think we might have to get a living statue of a car stuck there permanently.' In Plymouth in 2017, it was reported that a driver turned off a road, through the gap in railings at a pedestrian crossing, across the pavement and through a covered walkway leading under a block of flats and a small supermarket, before parking the silver Vauxhall Corsa facing downwards on a flight of steps. All because the satnav had reportedly said to turn left at Tesco. And so many lorries have got stuck following their satnavs down a narrow country lane in Cornwall that one man reportedly paid £150 for a large yellow sign that read, in block capitals: 'Do not follow satnav. This route is unsuitable. You will get stuck.' According to a local newspaper report last month, this was not enough to stop it happening yet again. In Somerset, by a 6ft-wide lane, stands a house that has reportedly sustained £50,000 of damage over several years of HGV drivers trying to force their way past while following directions on their devices. And those are just domestic tales of driving woe. Driving when abroad can be particularly confusing. Guardian readers have been sharing some of their own experiences. Otieno Okatch said he and his wife, from California, rented a car in Switzerland during the annual Fasnacht celebrations. 'One day, we ended up in downtown Lucerne and got lost. The streets were oddly empty. We turned the corner and had inadvertently entered the city Fasnacht parade. We were mortified. A police escort had to help us get out as thousands stared at the two foreigners.' Anand Ranganathan, also from California, told of an experience when he and his wife were in Arles, France while touring the country about 14 years ago. Forced by hefty mobile roaming charges to follow printed-out Google Maps directions to their hotel, they were sent down a 'one-lane road that had a retractable bollard in the middle of it'. He said: 'Only drivers who had a special code were allowed to go through it ... Of course, we didn't realise this until we got close to the bollard. Now we were stuck. There was a line of cars behind us and a bollard in front of us … The cars behind us were honking, the driver immediately behind us was cursing us in well-considered French, and I was standing there gesticulating to indicate that I was but a lost tourist.' To stairs in London and Devon, narrow lanes in Cornwall and Bouches-du-Rhône, add for one driver: a picturesque flight of steps in the heart of the Italian capital.
Irish Examiner
05-06-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Josh McErlean hoping to conquer 'rough and relentless' Rally Sardinia alongside Eoin Treacy
The "Italian Job" awaits for the Irish pairing of Josh McErlean/Eoin Treacy onboard their M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 as they tackle Rally Italia Sardegna, the sixth round of the World Rally Championship that is set to be hot, both in pace and weather. Buoyed by their performance in the most recent round in Portugal, the faster and tighter stages on the island's north eastern coast will provide yet another challenge as they become more familiar with their Rally1 car. For Kilrea's McErlean, it will be a fourth time competing on this infamous event, last year in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, he punched in eight top-five stage times in the WRC2 category and knows what to expect over the three days. "Rally Sardinia is one of the toughest events on the European calendar - rough, technical and relentless. But you have to learn to love this rally. It's a real test for both car and crew, and that's exactly what makes it so rewarding. We had a positive run in Portugal and the goal is to carry that rhythm into this weekend." Indeed, another positive from Portugal was the fact that McErlean and Killeagh's Eoin Treacy were the top M-Sport crew, that prompted McErlean to add, "I feel we're progressing in the right direction. We're learning more about the Puma on gravel with every kilometre and this weekend will be another big step for us." Based Olbia, it's one of the most demanding of the 14-event WR schedule. Sixteen stages totalling some 320 kilometres of competitive action through the hills and coastline is a supreme test of both man and machine. M-Sport, who have yet to secure a podium finish in the current campaign, have a four-man team with Gregoire Munster, Martins Sesks and Jourdan Serderidis steering the other Puma Rally1 cars. Having played second fiddle to the Toyota Gazoo Racing outfit so far, Sardinia offers the Hyundai outfit some mid-season redemption with Ott Tanak aiming to repeat his 2024 victory in Sardinia where he finished just 0.2s ahead of Sebastien Ogier. In Portugal a few weeks ago the pair had a great battle until a power steering issue for Tanak handed the win to Ogier. This latest showdown is unfinished business from both their perspectives. "Sardinia is another super punishing event." said Tanak, who added, "At first, it can look smooth and sandy, but the roads normally develop quickly. We can suddenly find solid rocks sticking out from the ground, which will make life hard for both the car and tyres. We know our car is not easy to find good setup for different surfaces, but in the past we have done well in Sardegna. Hopefully, we have done our homework and we are going to be on the pace from the start." His team mate and reigning WR champion Thierry Neuville was somewhat more direct. "We need to be consistently fast and there's no room for mistakes, so we will be pushing across every stage. I want to be fighting for the win, so I need to finish ahead of my main championship rivals." Tanak is thirty-four points behind championship leader Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) and should, along with his team mates Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux (fifth and seventh respectively) benefit from strong road positions on today's (Friday) six stages. Of course Evans has the onerous task of sweeping the loose gravel from the tracks and that will cost him valuable time and is likely to be a damage limitation exercise for the Welshman. His team mate Kalle Rovanpera, second in the series, will be aiming to cut into Evans' 30-point advantage. The Toyota presence is completed by Takamoto Katsuta (with his Northern Ireland co-driver Aaron Johnson) and Sami Pajari. Cavan co-driver James Fulton calls the notes for Japan's Yuki Yamamoto (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2). Meanwhile, Killarney's Colin O'Donoghue (Ford Escort) is the top seed for Sunday's Laois Heartlands Rally, a six stage event that is headquartered in Stradbally. Opposition includes Scotland's David Bogie (Ford Escort), Donegal's Kevin Gallagher and Wexford's James Stafford both in Darrian T90 GTR's and the Monaghan duo of David Moffett and Richard Moffett in a pair of Toyota Starlets.
Wales Online
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Britain's Got Talent's Amanda Holden booed as she says 'I'm not going to be very popular'
Britain's Got Talent's Amanda Holden booed as she says 'I'm not going to be very popular' Amanda Holden was not impressed during the live semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent Amanda was booed loudly by the live audience (Image: ITV ) Within minutes of the live semi-final of Britain's Got Talent getting underway, judge Amanda Holden found herself being booed over comments she made. Amanda said: "I'm not going to be very popular" before discussing the first act. Bravely performing first was dance duo Harry and Lewis, from the Wirral and Manchester, who have danced together since they were children. Despite receiving positive comments from fellow judges Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon, Amanda quickly brought the mood down. Saying "I'm not going to be very popular" and "thank God for the production", Amanda did not mince her words. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . She said: "I don't think it was enough, I just don't feel like that was a step up from your first audition." She was drowned out by the loud boos from the live audience while speaking. While Simon Cowell said this performance was better than their audition, he did question how much Harry and Lewis wanted to win. Separately, Amanda recently made a stunning admission about the current state of her marriage, claiming that her husband "judges" her for one thing. Article continues below The TV stalwart also batted off claims that her spouse, record producer Chris Hughes, is "jealous" of her friendship with comedian Alan Carr, with whom she has hosted several shows. Appearing on the Life's A Beach podcast, both Amanda and Alan were talking about life behind the scenes filming their hit BBC series Amanda and Alan's Italian Job, and its spin-off Spanish Job. But when the conversation turned to their friendship, Amanda jokingly claimed her husband "judged" her for her drinking and rubbished suggestions he is "jealous" because she gives Alan "way more" attention. Such is her closeness to "good friend" Alan that Amanda claimed fans stop either of them on the streets to be asked why either of them are not seen walking together. She said: "Everyone stops us for it more than anything. And when I'm not with you, they're like, 'Where's Alan?'" Alan replied: "I know. They say, 'Where's Amanda?' When I went to South Africa, 'Where's Amanda?'" After Amanda jokingly said: "Well, my husband Chris doesn't get a look-in," Alan asked: "To be honest, is he jealous of me?" The pair laughed for a few seconds before Amanda firmly answered: "No. He loves you as much as me. I think he's jealous because I give you way more. I'm nicer to you." Article continues below Alan then said: "We're always on the phone, though, aren't we? And having a little gossip and everything." To which Amanda dropped her tongue–in-cheek bombshell: "You don't judge my drinking habits. My husband does. Anyway..." The conversation then swiftly moved on to their forthcoming third series, tentatively titled Amanda and Alan's Greek Job, which Alan revealed would be set in Corfu. You can read more, here.
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Amanda Holden admits husband 'judges' her amid 'jealousy' over famous friend
Amanda Holden admits husband 'judges' her amid 'jealousy' over famous friend The Britain's Got Talent star made a surprising claim about her marriage to record producer Chris Hughes, before batting off suggestions there was any strife between them Amanda Holden quipped that husband Chris Hughes had reservations about her drinking habits (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty Images ) Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden made a stunning admission about the current state of her marriage, claiming that her husband "judges" her for one thing. The TV stalwart also batted off claims that her spouse, record producer Chris Hughes, is "jealous" of her friendship with comedian Alan Carr, with whom she has hosted several shows. Appearing on the Life's A Beach podcast, both Amanda and Alan were talking about life behind the scenes filming their hit BBC series Amanda and Alan's Italian Job, and its spin-off Spanish Job. But when the conversation turned to their friendship, Amanda jokingly claimed her husband "judged" her for her drinking and rubbished suggestions he is "jealous" because she gives Alan "way more" attention. Such is her closeness to "good friend" Alan that Amanda claimed fans stop either of them on the streets to be asked why either of them are not seen walking together. She said: "Everyone stops us for it more than anything. And when I'm not with you, they're like, 'Where's Alan?'" Alan replied: "I know. They say, 'Where's Amanda?' When I went to South Africa, 'Where's Amanda?'" After Amanda jokingly said: "Well, my husband Chris doesn't get a look-in," Alan asked: "To be honest, is he jealous of me?" Article continues below Alan Carr jokingly asked Amanda if her husband was jealous of him (Image: BBC/Voltage TV ) The pair laughed for a few seconds before Amanda firmly answered: "No. He loves you as much as me. I think he's jealous because I give you way more. I'm nicer to you." Alan then said: "We're always on the phone, though, aren't we? And having a little gossip and everything." To which Amanda dropped her tongue–in-cheek bombshell: "You don't judge my drinking habits. My husband does. Anyway..." The conversation then swiftly moved on to their forthcoming third series, tentatively titled Amanda and Alan's Greek Job, which Alan revealed would be set in Corfu. The pair gave fans a quick glimpse on what properties they want to spruce up and what outfits they hoped to wear. During that segment, the pair slammed critics who claimed they do none of the heavy-duty construction work on set, while Amanda was shocked to hear rumours that the pair do not get on well. The pair were "sick" of claims they do no work on the set of their TV series (Image: BBC/Voltage TV ) Alan said: "We are... We're doing it. We're going to stay, because I know people always say, 'A, do you do the work on the houses?' I'm sick of that!" Amanda echoed his points passionately, saying: "Yes, we do the work! It's so knackering!" Alan then said: "And then people go, 'Oh, do you really get on with Amanda? You can't do that job'. They do say that." Amanda erupted: "What?! Do they?" The comedian continued: "They say, 'How do you put up with... How do you tolerate her? How do you tolerate her? Oh, and that laugh." Amanda then laughed off the backchat before adding: "Are they talking about my laugh? This is an outrage!" In a sign of their enduring friendship, Alan admitted: "But of course, we can't do that job if we didn't like each other. I mean, it'd be hell. No, I couldn't. I'd have to be you. It would have to be you." Amanda agreed, saying: "There is not a single person that I could do it with." Amanda later said Chris "loves" Alan as much as she does (Image: Tim Stewart News Limited ) Amanda and Chris have been married since 2008 and have two children together, but she admitted on Heart FM in March that their busy working schedules mean they end up living "separate lives". A year later in 2009, she became friends with Alan after appearing on his show Chatty Man, and the pair grew even closer over the past two years while filming their BBC home renovation series. Article continues below Furthermore, Alan told The Sun in 2022 that he and Amanda grew even closer as friends while filming their Italian Job series, even claiming she tried to set him up with a new man after his marriage to ex-husband Paul Drayton broke down. He commented: "Amanda and I were showbiz mates, but by the end of the summer we were such good friends. We're always texting. So even if no one buys this house, I've come out of it with a better friendship than I went in. We could actually probably go on holiday together now."
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The horrifying truth about how China could cripple Britain in just seconds - by barely lifting a finger... as former MI6 boss makes desperate plea to end our reliance on Beijing: IAN WILLIAMS
The Italian Job is giving Britain's intelligence agencies sleepless nights. In the classic movie, the gang of cockneys led by Charlie Croker (played by Michael Caine) hijacks a truck full of stolen gold after disabling Turin's traffic lights. The lights are manipulated by a bungling boffin played by Benny Hill, who somehow manages to hack a clunky central computer and cause city-wide traffic jams, allowing Croker's crew to intercept the consignment of bullion.
