Latest news with #TheAssembly
Irish Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Gary Lineker reunites with first wife Michelle at son Harry's lavish wedding
Gary Lineker and his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, put their differences aside as they came together for the joyous occasion of their son Harry's wedding in Ibiza. The star-studded event saw Harry Lineker marry amidst the company of his well-known family, including Gary's brother Wayne, earlier this month. In the heartwarming photos from the day, Gary, 64, looked dapper in a beige linen suit paired with cropped trousers and brown suede loafers, while seated next to Michelle, who was radiant in a midnight blue silk maxi dress, ideal for the Mediterranean setting. Another snapshot shows Michelle joining Gary and their four sons, Tobias, 29, George, 34, Angus, 26, and the groom, Harry, 31, for a memorable family moment on the Balearic island. Gary and Michelle's romance began when they met at a young age; he was an 18 year old reserve for Leicester City, and she was just 14. They tied the knot in 1986. Reflecting on their early days, Gary shared: "There wasn't one particular moment when we suddenly became a couple but I do remember asking her out for our first proper date to a restaurant when she was 17 and it just went on from there," adding sentimentally, "I was probably keener on her then than she was on me and I'm probably keener now." The pair had four sons, but faced unspeakable heartache when their baby George was diagnosed with cancer, reports the Mirror. Gary Lineker opened up about the unimaginably difficult period, revealing that George was hospitalised for seven months, during his chat on ITV's The Assembly, where celebrities are interviewed by neurodivergent or learning disabled individuals. He tearfully recounted how their infant son was not expected to survive after being diagnosed with leukaemia at just two months old. An emotional Gary recounted: "That was really tough - it changes you, he was only two months old. We got told he had leukaemia, he wasn't given much chance." Recounting the ordeal, the ex-footballer, who has recently transitioned away from MOTD following a two-and-a-half-decade stint, shared: "It was really awful. We were in the hospital for around seven months with him." Choking back tears, Gary reflected: "We were the lucky ones, because there were other parents in there that lost their kids so we felt quite fortunate in the end. It was really scary." While discussing how he and Michelle endured the dread of those moments, Gary concluded: "I felt I needed to talk about it. Michelle, she would bottle things up. But ultimately we got a good ending." Twenty years into their marriage, Michelle accused Gary of 'unreasonable behaviour', filing for divorce when he was just 16 and citing his conduct had led to her experiencing 'stress and anxiety'. Yet later on, the ex-couple declared their separation was without hard feelings. Gary, who remarried Welsh model Danielle Bux, reflected positively in The Times, saying he's had "two really good marriages".
The Guardian
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘It's not tokenistic': how The Assembly became an international hit
It is an interview like no other. One which has seen Emmanuel Macron confronted over whether it was right to marry his former teacher and Danny Dyer probed about whether he has a joint bank account with his wife. Celebrities have been caught off guard, or left sobbing and laughing in equal measure. The Assembly, in which an audience of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled people ask unpredictable, probing and often remarkably direct questions of a celebrity, has won plaudits and rave reviews since launching in 2022. It has now become an international phenomenon. The show, which originated in France, had more international commissions than the all-conquering reality hit The Traitors last year. The format has already been commissioned across 19 countries, according to an industry report by K7 Media. Ten new versions have already been confirmed. Unusually for a new European format, The Assembly is already making its mark in Asia: it will launch in Singapore in January. It is heading into its fourth series in France and has been a hit in Norway, Australia and Denmark – succeeding on public and private broadcasters. Its producers say the authenticity of the show has created its universal appeal – while the clippable content is perfect for a social media age in which broadcasters are desperate to reach younger audiences glued to their feeds. Stu Richards, creative director of the programme's UK producers Rockerdale Studios, said it was crucial the show was billed as having broad appeal, rather than as a programme highlighting neurodiversity. 'It's not just representation for the sake of it – it's not tokenistic,' he said. 'We see this as mainstream entertainment.' The stripped-back look of the show – shot over three hours in natural light with the camera crew in full view – adds to the sense that viewers are getting an unfiltered experience. 'There's an honesty that you just don't get in other TV shows,' said Richards. 'It has non-culturally specific values like honesty and by extension, empathy. In shows with disabled people, you as a viewer are almost always asked to be sympathetic towards the people you're seeing. You're rarely asked to empathise. In this show, our cast have the authorship, they have the agency.' Richards said he was sold on the idea immediately after seeing Macron asked bluntly about the propriety of his marital relationship. 'When I saw that question, I thought: this is something unlike any interview format I've seen,' he said. 'We've had interview formats in the past, like Ali G, where people have tried to ask comedically funny questions. But the president of France asked about the age gap with his older wife? Boom, yes. I'm completely in.' For broadcasters desperate to reach new audiences to be found on social media, the format also lends itself to short clips, as an unsuspecting celebrity responds to a left-field question. Several of such clips, featuring Macron, Michael Sheen and the Game of Thrones actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau in the Danish edition, have gone viral. 'That's the mother load for so many commissioners and broadcasters at the moment,' said Michelle Singer, Rockerdale's director of production. Coster-Waldau broke down when talking about the death of his alcoholic father. In the Australian edition, the Jurassic Park actor Sam Neill was similarly floored when asked about the best lesson he had learned from his parents. Sign up to What's On Get the best TV reviews, news and features in your inbox every Monday after newsletter promotion The team distributing the show had a queue of potential takers after it aired in France. They said the dynamic between the cast and the interviewee meant it was unlike other chatshows or political programmes. 'It's the authenticity,' said Arnaud Renard, co-founder of Can't Stop Media, the programme's distributor. 'Everybody gets it. Everybody understands it's a show where we have people that are going to ask unexpected questions – but without bad feelings. We're not trying to trick people.' Despite the show's international success, it has had an unusual journey in the UK. A pilot featuring Sheen was made for the BBC, but the corporation is said to have concluded it did not have the funds to make a series. It has since found success on ITV, where the first series featured David Tennant, Jade Thirlwall, Gary Lineker and Dyer – who, among other things, was asked how much he was paid for presenting the Saturday night gameshow The Wall (about £100,000). Bigger names have been booked for follow-up series overseas, though producers are sworn to secrecy. To take it to the next level in the UK, fans are hoping a British politician might be brave enough to enter The Assembly should a second series materialise. 'It's interesting that the idea for this programme grew from the grilling of Emmanuel Macron.' said Tim Nicholls, assistant director of policy, research and strategy at the National Autistic Society. 'Wouldn't it be great if we could see British politicians subjected to the same scrutiny by autistic interviewers?'
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
BBC announces new Doctor Who series – but with a huge twist
THE BBC have announced a new Doctor Who series - but there is a huge twist. Fans were left stunned last month when bosses replaced Ncuuti Gatwa with former star 5 Ncuuti Gatwa, the show's 15th Doctor, left after just two series Credit: BBC 5 Fans were left shocked when he regenerated at the end of the last episode Credit: PA 5 Billie Piper made a surprising return as the new Dr Who Fans were therefore shocked to see her make a surprising return as outgoing Gatwa, 32, the show's 15th Doctor, left It is unclear if Piper's role will be a permanent move. DR Who Her character remained with Showrunner Instead, he just noted: "After 62 years, the Doctor's adventures are only just beginning!" And now the BBC is set to expand the Whoniverse as it launches plans for a brand new pre-school animation series which will see the Doctor's adventures come to CBeebies for the first time ever. Most read in News TV The BBC is looking for a passionate production company to create and produce the series, which will run independently from the main show. It will see the Doctor travelling through time and space for the pre-school audience, solving mysteries and problems alongside their companions and other friends. David Tennant tells Doctor Who haters to 'f--k off' in hilarious new The Assembly trailer as he gets a grilling And, of course, they may come up against one or two challenges on their way. Speaking about the plans, Patricia Hidalgo, Director of Children's and Education said: 'Everyone is welcome at CBeebies, including the Doctor! "This much-loved franchise entertains millions around the world, so it is only right that our younger audience get to experience the wonder and the magic of the Doctor in a brand new format. "This is an extremely exciting opportunity, and we are looking forward to welcoming companies to pitch for this new project, as we continue our commitment and investment in the UK's animation industry.' Meanwhile, i nsiders say at the end of the latest series was understood to be teeing up a A source said: 'The BBC brought Doctor Who back in 2005 and there is talk about a possible one-off project to celebrate the 20th anniversary. 'David and Billie were a hugely popular partnership and he brought in a golden age of 'With the anniversary of the reboot this year there have been some ideas floated about, with the thought of maybe bringing David and Billie back together for one last hurrah. 'When David's Doctor bi-generated in the 60th anniversary special, his 'half' went on to live a normal life in an alternative universe while Ncuti Gatwa's carried on as the Time Lord. 'It wouldn't be beyond the realms of imagination for him to return with Billie as Rose for a one-off special to celebrate not only their partnership but the anniversary of BBC bringing back Doctor Who.' In a twist, he then returned as the 14th The Sun revealed last month that And after the final episode, Ncuti said: 'I've loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have. 'I'll truly miss it, and forever be grateful.' Doctor Who's future is still undecided, with the BBC now waiting to see if Disney+ — which pumped millions of pounds into the show — will renew its deal. Ratings for the sci-fi staple have plummeted since Tennant left, with overnight peak viewing figures dropping as low as 1.6million. Many fans of the show complained it had gone 'woke'. Meanwhile, Whovians are waiting to see if Billie is the new, 16th Doctor or is sidekick Rose again. Shame we can't jump in a Tardis and find out as only time will tell. 5 Billie Piper originally played sidekick Rose Tyler to Christopher Ecclestone's Doctor back in 2005 Credit: Alamy 5 Rose remained with David Tennant's Tenth Doctor, before becoming trapped in a parallel world Credit: Alamy All episodes of Dr Who are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mirror
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gary Lineker reunites with his first wife Michelle at son Harry's Ibiza wedding
Former Match of the Day host, Gary Lineker, was seen beaming with pride alongside his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, when the proud parents attended their son Harry's wedding in Ibiza Gary Lineker and his first wife, Michelle Cockayne, put the past behind them when they reunited for their son's wedding in Ibiza recently. Harry Lineker was surrounded by his famous family when he tied the knot on the Spanish island at the lavish nuptials, which were also attended by Gary's brother, Wayne, earlier this month. In snaps taken from the celebration, Gary, 64, dressed in a beige linen suit with cropped trousers and brown suede loafers, sits next to Michelle as they wait for Harry's bride, Annabelle, to walk down the aisle. Michelle looked stunning for her son's big day, sporting a midnight blue, silk maxi dress, which was perfect for the sun-kissed nuptials. She is also seen in another family photo on the party island alongside Gary and the former couple's four sons, Tobias, 29, George, 34, Angus, 26, and groom, Harry, 31. Gary married Michelle in 1986 when the former footballer met his wife-to-be when she was 14 and he was an 18-year- old reserve for his home town club Leicester City. "There wasn't one particular moment when we suddenly became a couple but I do remember asking her out for our first proper date to a restaurant when she was 17 and it just went on from there," Gary once recalled, adding: "I was probably keener on her then than she was on me and I'm probably keener now." The couple went on to welcome four sons, but, tragically, were made to endure every parent's worst nightmare when they discovered their son, George, had been diagnosed with cancer when he was just a baby. Gary discussed the heartbreaking time - during which their son spent seven months in hospital - during an interview on ITV 's The Assembly in which celebrities are interviewed by a panel of neurodivergent or learning disabled individuals. With tears in his eyes, the former footballer, who recently left MOTD after a 25-year-tenure, explained that George wasn't given much of a chance following his leukaemia diagnosis when he was just two months old. Visibly moved when asked about his son, Gary said: "That was really tough - it changes you, he was only two months old. We got told he had leukaemia, he wasn't given much chance. "It was really awful. We were in the hospital for around seven months with him.' Gary continued: 'We were the lucky ones, because there were other parents in there that lost their kids so we felt quite fortunate in the end. It was really scary." Claiming that he and Michelle handled the terrifying time differently, he concluded: "I felt I needed to talk about it. Michelle, she would bottle things up. But ultimately we got a good ending.' Two decades after they tied the knot, when George was 16, Michelle filed for divorce from Gary on the grounds of her his 'unreasonable behaviour', with documents submitted to the court claiming that the England star's actions in their marriage had caused her 'stress and anxiety'. However, they later stated their marriage breakdown was amicable, with Gary, who went on to marry Welsh model, Dannielle Bux, recently telling The Times he'd had "two really good marriages".
Scottish Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic Doctor Who pair set to sensationally REUNITE for huge special after Ncuti Gatwa flop
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DOCTOR Who's most popular pair could be coming back for a final turn in the Tardis. Insiders say Billie Piper's shock return to the show was understood to be teeing up a comeback for David Tennant as the Time Lord for a one-off special. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 David Tennant and Billie Piper will make a return to Doctor Who Credit: check copyright 3 The duo were iconic in the 2000s Credit: BBC 3 Billie teased as the 16th Doctor in the series finale Credit: PA A source said: 'The BBC brought Doctor Who back in 2005 and there is talk about a possible one-off project to celebrate the 20th anniversary. 'David and Billie were a hugely popular partnership and he brought in the golden age of Doctor Who. 'With the anniversary of the reboot this year there have been some ideas floated about with the idea of maybe bringing David and Billie back together for one last hurrah. 'When David's Doctor bi-generated in the 60th anniversary special, his 'half' of the Doctor went on to live a normal life in an alternative universe. 'While Ncuti Gatwa, who carried on the mantle, carried on as the Time Lord. It wouldn't be beyond the realms of imagination for him to return with Rose for a one-off special to celebrate not only their partnership but the anniversary of BBC bringing back Doctor Who.' David, 54, played the tenth version of the Time Lord for five years until 2010. In a twist, he then returned as the 14th Doctor for three specials before handing the role over to Ncuti. The Sun revealed last month that Gatwa, 31, was leaving the Tardis. It was confirmed last Saturday when he surprisingly regenerated into Billie, 42, at the end of the series finale. After the episode, Ncuti said: 'I've loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have. David Tennant tells Doctor Who haters to 'f--k off' in hilarious new The Assembly trailer as he gets a grilling "I'll truly miss it, and be grateful to it, Doctor Who's future is still undecided, with the BBC waiting to see if Disney+ — who pumped millions of pounds into the show — will renew their deal. Ratings for the sci-fi staple have plummeted since Tennant left, with overnight peak viewing figures dropping as low as 1.6million. Many fans of the show complained that it had gone 'woke'. Meanwhile, Whovians are waiting to see if Piper is really the 16th Doctor or is sidekick Rose again.
