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7 hours ago
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12 MI6 Facts You Didn't Know But Definitely Do Now
Think MI6 is all tuxedos, fast cars, and shaken martinis? That's just the movie version. The real British intelligence service has a story that's far more surprising, and a lot less glamorous. From spy gadgets hidden in matchboxes to hacking terrorist magazines with cupcake recipes, these are the MI6 facts you probably never heard about… until now. The whole reason MI6 exists? Britain was paranoid about Germany in 1909. MI6 wasn't born out of slick spy missions or dramatic shootouts—it started with good old-fashioned paranoia. In 1909, Britain was convinced that Germany was plotting against them, so they secretly set up what would become MI6 to keep tabs on enemy activity, and let's just say… they've been watching ever since. The head of MI6 isn't called 'M' in real life, it's 'C', and they always use green ink. In the Bond universe, the boss goes by 'M.' But IRL? It's 'C.' That's short for Sir Mansfield Cumming, the very first chief of MI6, who used to sign all his notes with just the letter 'C' (in green ink, no less). The tradition stuck. Every MI6 head since has kept the title and the signature style—yes, they still write in green ink. Very on-brand for a secret agent, honestly. MI6 was a secret for decades, and wasn't officially acknowledged until 1994. MI6 has been around since 1909, but for most of its life, it was like the Voldemort of government departments—never officially named. Originally set up as the Secret Service Bureau, the agency operated entirely in the shadows. It wasn't until 1994—yes, the same year Friends premiered—that the British government publicly admitted MI6 even existed. Talk about a long game. There wasn't just MI6—at one point, there were 19 different MI departments. MI6 didn't always work alone. Back in the day, there were actually 19 different 'MI' branches doing everything from decoding messages to watching the skies. MI1 dealt with information management, MI2 focused on Russia and Scandinavia, MI4 handled aerial surveillance, and MI11 (weirdly enough) took on codebreaking. Over time, most of these departments either shut down or got folded into MI5 and MI6. So no, MI6 isn't just a spy movie thing—it's what's left after a major intelligence agency merger. MI6 HQ isn't just a building, it's basically a fortress. The MI6 headquarters in London is no ordinary office. With 25 types of glass, bombproof walls, and triple-glazed windows, it's built like a tank. Rumors say it even has a shooting range, rooms where eavesdropping is impossible, and a Faraday cage to block radio signals. James Bond could only dream. Some of the greatest spy novelists were actual spies. Yes, really. Before Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy became a classic Cold War thriller, its author, John le Carré was living the spy life for real. Born David Cornwell, he worked for MI6 but had to use a pen name—real agents weren't allowed to publish under their own identities. And le Carré wasn't alone. The Quiet American author Graham Greene was also with MI6. Meanwhile, Ian Fleming—the man behind James Bond—served in Naval Intelligence, which gave him all the material he needed to invent 007 (minus the gadgets and martinis, probably). The first MI6 chief had a wild way of testing recruits. It involved a knife and a wooden leg. Sir Mansfield Cumming, the original head of MI6, had a pretty unhinged method for screening potential agents. In the middle of an interview, he'd suddenly stab himself in the leg to see how the recruit reacted. Don't worry, it was a wooden leg. But if you flinched? You probably didn't make the cut. In 2011, MI6 swapped b*mb instructions with cupcake recipes, yes that happened. MI6 pulled off one of the sassiest cyber moves in spy history. In 2011, agents hacked into an online Al-Qaeda magazine and replaced its bomb-making instructions with… cupcake recipes. Instead of a step-by-step guide to explosives, readers found details for the best cupcakes in America. It was part sabotage, part bake sale, and 100% genius. Real MI6 gadgets existed, just don't expect exploding pens or laser watches. The spy gear wasn't all Hollywood-level madness, but it was real. While James Bond had grenade pens and magnetic watches, actual MI6 agents worked with gadgets that were a little more low-key (and way more practical). Think cameras hidden inside matchboxes, hollowed-out shaving brushes, and other everyday objects turned into tools for espionage. Less flashy, more sneaky. MI6's top spy almost lost his job because of a Facebook post. Back in 2009, the head of MI6—Sir John Sawers—nearly had his career derailed thanks to his wife's Facebook activity. She casually posted their home address, vacation photos, and even details about their kids' locations… all publicly visible. Not ideal for the UK's most secretive spy. The info was taken down eventually, but not before the headlines started flying. Women in early MI6 weren't exactly given spy gadgets; they were used as 'honey traps' or stuck taking notes. Back in the early days of MI6, women weren't sent on glamorous missions or handed briefcases full of gadgets. Instead, they were often used to seduce and compromise targets—what's known as a 'honey trap'—or assigned to secretarial work behind the scenes. It wasn't until much later that women began taking on actual intelligence roles and field assignments. And now? For the first time ever, MI6 has its female chief. Talk about a full-circle moment. MI6 helped train America's first spies, including the predecessor to the CIA. When the U.S. finally joined World War II, it didn't exactly have a seasoned spy agency ready to go. So MI6 stepped in. Britain's top-secret service helped train America's brand-new Office of Strategic Services (OSS)—aka the baby version of the CIA. That early collab laid the groundwork for one of the most enduring intelligence partnerships in the world. So the next time you watch a Bond movie, just remember, the real MI6 doesn't hand out grenade pens or jetpacks (at least not that we know of). From secret aliases and cupcake hacks to wooden leg interviews and green ink signatures, Britain's top spy agency is full of facts stranger than fiction. And now, with its first-ever female chief at the helm, MI6 is proving it knows how to keep secrets and shake things up.
Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Where Soldier, Soldier cast are now - booze battles, affairs and tragic death
Soldier, Soldier was a huge TV hit in the 90s and made stars of Robson Green and Jerome Flynn who went on to have a number one hit and huge success in Hollywood Soldier, Soldier star Marise Wipani has tragically died aged 61. The actress, who also appeared in Xena: Warrior Princess, died on her birthday on Friday. Her Facebook page announced the news of her death in a sad message to friends and family. It read: "Marise passed peacefully today on her 61st birthday surrounded by family and friends. "She just wanted to say....I have shuffled off this mortal coil. Good byyye, good luuuck, good God!!! Quote from Driving Miss Daisy." Her cause of death was not shared in the post. ITV's Soldier, Soldier was a massive telly hit in the 90s, captivating viewers with its fictional insight into the ups and downs of the British Army. Set within the made-up 1st Battalion The King's Fusiliers regiment, it delved into the professional and personal dramas of the show's ensemble. The standout stars were Robson and Jerome, who enjoyed a brief but significant music career, sparked by an episode where they performed Unchained Melody. With Simon Cowell's support, their rendition topped the charts for seven weeks and became 1995's best-selling single. They both exited the show in the fifth series, but it continued for another two seasons before wrapping up in December 1997. It ran for seven series and captured the nation's attention. Since the show ended, the stars have had varied fates. Here's a look at what the cast have been up to... Robson Green - Fusilier Dave Tucker Robson was already familiar to viewers for his role as Jimmy Powell on BBC One's Casualty when he scored the part of Fusilier Dave Tucker, reports the Express. This role propelled him to mega-stardom and chart-topping success. He and co-star Jerome Flynn had a short but massive music career which saw them become the first act to have their initial three singles enter the charts at number one. Since leaving the show, angling fanatic Robson has presented numerous fishing shows. He has also appeared in BBC Three's supernatural drama Being Human, as well as BBC One's Waterloo Road. His current role sees him playing DI George Keating in ITV's hugely popular '50s set detective drama Grantchester. Off screen, Green's personal life has been quite eventful; he wed Alison Ogilvie in 1991, but their marriage ended by 1999 amid reports of Green's affair with Pamela McDonald, who was then the wife of Emmerdale 's Ian Sharrock, known for his role as Jackie Merrick on the soap. He met his second wife, former Page 3 model Vanya Seager, during a recording session at BMG Records in 1995. They went on to have a son, Taylor Seager-Green and tied the knot in 2001. However, a decade later they issued a statement saying their marriage had "irretrievably broken down" and that they were separating. Jerome Flynn - Lance Corporal Paddy Garvey After getting his breakthrough in London's Burning Jerome found huge fame with Soldier, Soldier and in his music career with co-star Robson Green In more recent times Jerome resurrected his acting career, impressing audiences globally with his role in Game of Thrones and gracing ITV's Ripper Street. His career took another thrilling turn in 2019 when he shared the big screen with Keanu Reeves and Halle Berry in the action thriller John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. Off-screen, the star has never married nor had children, but he's created a new-age holiday retreat named Trefacwn in a Grade II-listed Georgian mansion, which its website claims radiates "an ancient healing energy palpable to all who visit". Denise Welch - Marsha Stubbs Denise became a household name as Marsha Stubbs on the show back in 1993 and continued to grace the screens for two years until 1995, by then already recognised from her stints in Byker Grove and Spender. Post Soldier, Soldier, she starred in Coronation Street as Natalie Barnes, causing a stir across the nation when she became embroiled in the breakdown of Kevin and Sally Webster's marriage. Since then, Denise's career has thrived with roles in hit series like Holby City, Down To Earth, Waterloo Road, and Hollyoaks. She is also no stranger to reality TV and has appeared on Dancing On Ice and she won Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. A familiar face now on Loose Women, Denise openly shares her struggles with alcoholism on the show and is well appreciated for her candour. Behind the scenes, Denise is a mother to two sons with her former spouse Tim Healy, one being Matty, the frontman of The 1975, and she's currently married to artist Lincoln Townley. Annabelle Apsion - Joy Wilton Annabelle might not have been a well-known figure to audiences during her time on Soldier, Soldier with only a few minor roles under her belt, but today she stands as one of televisions most recognisable figures, noted for a myriad of iconic roles since departing the series in 1995. A year on from her exit, she portrayed Jenni Hicks, a mother who tragically lost her two daughters in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in the docudrama Hillsborough. She also shared the silver screen with Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp in From Hell, where she played Polly Nichols, Jack the Ripper's first known victim. In 2002, she made a brief yet unforgettable appearance on Coronation Street as Patricia Hillman, the ex-wife of serial killer Richard Hillman, who met a gruesome end at his hands. Despite her impressive acting portfolio, until recently she was most recognised for her role as Monica Gallagher in Channel 4's Shameless. However, these days she is best known for her portrayal of Mayor Violet Buckle in BBC One's Call The Midwife. Paterson Joseph - Fusilier Eddie "Horatio" Nelson Paterson Joseph was just beginning to make a name for himself when he featured in one episode of Soldier, Soldier in series four in 1994. That same year, he appeared in an episode of BBC's Casualty before becoming a regular on the show three years later. Over his 45-year career, he has become one of the most recognisable faces in British drama, playing roles such as Reuben in William and Mary, alongside Martin Clunes, the Marquis de Carabas in Neverwhere, Alan Johnson in Peep Show, Lyndon Jones in Green Wing; and Shorty in the first episode of Jericho. Like many other esteemed British actors, he has appeared in Doctor Who in the 2005 two-part episodes Bad Wolf and The Parting of the Ways. He played Rodrick, a contestant on a futuristic version of The Weakest Link game show. Most recently, he dazzled audiences in cinemas as Arthur Slugworth in Wonka. Away from the spotlight, he shares his life with wife Emmanuelle Joseph and their child. He also holds the esteemed position of Chancellor at Oxford Brookes University. Holly Aird - Corporal (later Sergeant) Nancy Thorpe Holly, a veteran actress since childhood, boasted an impressive resume by the time she joined Soldier, Soldier. Post-departure, she captivated viewers as Carla in Dressing For Breakfast and became widely recognised for her role as forensic pathologist Frankie Wharton in BBC1's Waking the Dead. Her recent credits include roles in A Discovery Of Witches and Four Lives, and last year she shone in the Idris Elba-led Apple TV production Hijack. In her personal life, Holly was married to Rome actor James Purefoy from 1996 until 2002 and is currently wed to Toby Merritt since 2004. Samantha Morton - Clare Anderson Samantha Morton first graced our screens in Soldier, Soldier, making an immediate impact despite appearing in just four episodes. A mere four years later, she captured the nation's attention in ITV's Band Of Gold. Since then, she has graced the silver screen in Hollywood blockbusters like Minority Report with Tom Cruise, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age alongside Cate Blanchett. Expanding her talents, she has also ventured into producing and directing throughout her thirty-year career. Her outstanding contributions were honoured at this year's BAFTAs with the prestigious fellowship, where she delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech: "representation matters". Away from the spotlight, she's a mother to three children, including actress Esmé Creed-Miles.
Daily Mirror
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Soldier, Soldier star tragically dies at at 61 as co-stars left devastated
Marise Wipani has tragically died aged 61. The actress, best known for appearing in Soldier, Soldier and Xena: Warrior Princess, died on her birthday on Friday. Her Facebook page announced the news of her death in a sad message to friends and family. It read: "Marise passed peacefully today on her 61st birthday surrounded by family and friends. "She just wanted to say....I have shuffled off this mortal coil. Good byyye, good luuuck, good God!!! Quote from Driving Miss Daisy." Her cause of death was not shared in the post. The New Zealand actress' co-star Jay Laga'aia, who appeared on British drama Soldier, Soldier with her, said that he was "devastated" to hear about her death. He said: "You are so young and I will miss you. We have worked together over the years and I was always so pleased to have you on set. Travel well my sister, love you always." While Ian Mune, who directed Came a Hot Friday (which she starred in), said: "Your presence and performance added a whole layer to that movie arising from your truth and honesty. It was what always struck me whenever we met. Fly high, Princess.' Other friends and fans also shared their respects, with one writing: "Devastated to hear this. She was always such a rock star and incredibly funny. We lost a beautiful woman today." While another commented: "So sad to hear this. Love and hugs to whanau." A third sharing the post wrote: "Heart broken but you'll never be forgotten sis. After all your achievements in life to go so humbly I will miss you and cherish your memory thank you for our final conversation lastnight, for giving me some of your precious final moments. Much love Marise til we meet again ,no more pain Moe moe ra xoxox." Marise first began her career in the early 80s when she was spotted by the Miss New Zealand pageant producer, who had encouraged her to compete. She went on to be cast as a variety of characters on the Billy T. James Show and in 1985, won the role as Esmerelda in Ian Mune's Came a Hot Friday. In the late 80s and early 90s, she became the host of the televised draw for Lotto New Zealand.
The Irish Sun
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Soldier Soldier star dies aged 61 as devastated colleagues pay tribute to ‘truest actor & good friend'
SOLDIER Soldier star Marise Wipani has died suddenly aged 61. The actress - who also appeared in Xena: Warrior Princess and Shortland Street, and was a former Miss New Zealand - passed away on her birthday on Friday (June 6). Advertisement A post on her Facebook page said: "Marise passed peacefully today on her 61st birthday surrounded by family and friends. "She just wanted to say....I have shuffled off this mortal coil. Good byyye, good luuuck, good God!!! Quote from Driving Miss Daisy." A cause of death was not revealed. Wipani played Ellie in season three of ITV drama Soldier, Soldier, which broadcast in 1993. Advertisement At its peak, the show saw an average viewership of 16.1 million, which coincided with Wipani's time in the cast. The programme - created by Lucy Gannon - followed the daily lives of a group of soldiers in 'A' Company, 1st Battalion The King's Fusiliers, and also featured Robson Green and Jerome Flynn, running from 1991 to 1997. Co-star Jay Laga'aia, who played Sgt. Bob Gilligan, was among those to pay tribute to Wipani, writing: "I saw this and quickly checked that it wasn't some kind of sick joke. "Sister I am devastated to hear this news. You are so young and I will miss you. We have worked together over the years and I was always so pleased to have you on set. Travel well my sister, love you always." Advertisement Most read in News TV 1 Marise Wipani played Ellie on ITV drama Soldier, Soldier
India.com
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Lost her father at the age of 13, built a net worth of ₹ 1830000000, and owns an IPL team — her name is… her team is…
At the age of 13, Preity lost her father in a road accident. Her mother was seriously injured and she also passed away after some time. This accident broke Preity from the inside, but this experience inspired her to become self-reliant. This difficult childhood gave birth to responsibility and self-confidence in her. Preity Zinta's Punjab Kings have lost in IPL final for second time. After losing IPL 2014 final, PBKS also lost IPL 2025 final to RCB by six runs in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Preity studied at a convent school in Shimla and then did post graduation in English Honors and Criminal Psychology from St. Bede's College. She told that due to childhood incidents she became interested in crime and human psychology, and she once wanted to become a crime investigator. After gaining recognition through Liril soap advertisement, she entered Bollywood with superhit films like 'Dil Se' and 'Soldier'. Preity Zinta made a place in the hearts of the audience by her strong acting in films like 'Kya Kehna', 'Kal Ho Na Ho', 'Veer Zaara' and 'Dil Chahta Hai'. In 2003, Preity Zinta testified in the court despite receiving threats from the underworld, which was a bold step at that time. For this she received the Gallantry Award. She said, "I did not compromise with lies nor did I bow down to fear." In 2008, Preity along with Ness Wadia bought 23% stake in Kings XI Punjab and became the first woman to own an IPL team. She was initially ridiculed, but she never gave up and is still passionate about her team. In 2016, she married Gene Goodenough and is now the mother of twins born via surrogacy. Despite staying away from Bollywood, Preity is still active in social work, especially for women and children. Her emotional reaction after the defeat in IPL shows that she is still as passionate about her team and dreams.
