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The Herald Scotland
6 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Reviews: Noel Edmonds's Kiwi Adventure, The Firm, Outrageous
I must admit his absence wasn't keeping me awake at nights, but Noel Edmonds's Kiwi Adventure (STV, Friday) revealed what happened next. Or as much as he wanted to tell us, anyway. In 2018, said Rob Brydon, the narrator of this three-part docuseries, Edmonds 'turned his back on it all' and travelled 11,500 miles to build a new life in New Zealand with his wife, Liz. It's hard to see how he could have put more distance between himself and Blighty, so why was he back? Was TV missing him, or was he missing TV? As for the format he chose for his return, let's see: chap of a certain age, younger partner, starting new venture, in possession of sidekick with comedy potential - remind you of anyone? It is tempting to conclude that Edmonds took one look at Clarkson's Farm and thought, 'Anything he can do …' There's one major difference between the two, though. Before his recent scare, Clarkson prided himself on being a bloke's bloke about health. Edmonds. In contrast, has long been a fully paid-up member of the woo-woo club. We saw him hard at work on his fitness regime, which included crystals, cold showers, and 'structured water', wherever that is. It might sound bonkers but look at him - he's 76. By far the best thing for his health was Liz, whom he called 'my earth angel'. They met when she did his make-up on Deal or No Deal. All the clocks in the house were set to the exact time, 11.06, to commemorate the occasion. More eyebrow-raising material followed, like the giant figure of a knight kneeling in prayer that sits on his property and is meant to symbolise Edmonds's fight back from bankruptcy. All of this was narrated by Brydon with commendable restraint. No one has to try too hard when Edmonds is around because he is always the star of the show. Edmonds was listed at the top of the credits as 'series consultant'. Still in charge, then. Whatever 'it' is on television, he still has it, and come the end of the first episode I'll admit I wanted to know more. Will his vineyard survive the frost and rains? And is there an end to Liz's patience with his schoolboy humour? Move over Clarkson, you've got competition. At the start of The Firm (BBC Scotland, Tuesday), the lawyer Aamer Anwar said: 'It's almost like a Line of Duty episode.' I have no idea why he said that because nothing was like a Line of Duty episode, unless you counted Anwar's affection for Steve Arnott-style waistcoats. This second series was a world away from the first. Where that was a tonally bizarre mix of the serious and the silly, the new run played it straight down the line. Cheerio Sex and the City and Suits, hello The Handmaid's Tale and Panorama. But was it better for it? It was certainly shorter, reduced from eight episodes to just three. Viewers were taken step by step through some of the high-profile cases Aamer Anwar & Co have dealt with in recent years, including the death in police custody of Sheku Bayoh. Other cases include Margaret Caldwell's fight for an inquiry into the handling of her daughter Emma's murder investigation, and the deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay in Polmont Young Offenders Institute. It is impossible to imagine what these families have been through, but The Firm filled in some of the details with care and compassion. Sometimes was the little things that spoke loudest, like Katie's mum bringing the dog with her into meetings. Would other firms be so understanding? The same point about small details applied to Anwar himself. Last time, he was a flash lawyer about town, stopping off at his tailors to order new suits, or slo-mo walking to the office like some pop star in a video. Here he rocked up to Margaret Caldwell's door with a Sainsbury's carrier bag in place of a briefcase. She welcomed him in (as did the dog, Teddy) like he was one of the family. You can't fake that level of closeness. Likewise, the moments when emotions were running high and only a hug would do. There is no such thing as 'good news' in this branch of the law. None of the families featured wanted to be in this position. But there was a sense of pride in standing up for those no longer here, and that came across loud and clear. Besides the families and Anwar we heard from a much wider spectrum of contributors, including a former detective who worked on the Caldwell investigation. The new faces brought much-needed freshness to otherwise familiar material. Another big change from the first series: we didn't hear from the junior members of staff. They appeared in meetings but not a peep was heard. That was a pity. I'd hate to think they had paid the price for some of the dafter editorial decisions in series one. Murder Most Puzzling (Channel 5, Thursday) isn't the first time Phyllis Logan has dabbled in crime. Her gangster's wife in Guilt was more terrifying than any of her bodyguards, and deserved a series of her own (quick as you like, Neil Forsyth). In the meantime, we will have to do make do with Murder Most Puzzling, one of a growing band of 'cosy crime' offerings taking over the TV schedules (Ludwig, The Madame Blanc Mysteries), publishing (Richard Osman's The Thursday Murder Club) and film (Netflix's adaptation of Osman's book). It's a difficult combination to get right. Logan's Cora Felton could have gone either way. A crossword setter known as The Puzzle Lady, Cora has come to the small town of Bakerbury with her niece, Sherry (Charlotte Hope), hoping for a quieter life. As per, all was not as it seemed, starting with Cora. When a woman was found dead with what looked like a crossword clue in her pocket, the local plod asked for Cora's help. Before you could say a four letter word for unbelievable, more victims had come along and Cora had turned into a full-blown sleuth. The oft-married Cora was a likeable sort given added heft by Logan. There was a scene at the start, involving Cora interviewing bereaved parents, that could have been toe-curling if not for Logan bringing her acting chops to bear. Cora/Logan was also a highly convincing dropper of the F-bomb, a power she used seldom but well, ditto her Scottish sarkiness. 'Isn't the internet a marvel,' she said while picking a lock. 'All these instructional videos by cheerful men, helping burglars.' The rest was as credible as Scooby Doo, and I'd still rather have a series with Logan as a crime clan matriarch, but I might be tempted back to see how Cora is getting on. What ho folks, it's a thoroughly spiffing drama about those game gels, the Mitford sisters. You know the ones: Nancy the novelist, Diana the beauty, the one who went full blown Nazi … There ought to be a verse, like the one for Henry VIII's wives. Phyllis Logan plays a crossword-setter turned sleuth in Murder Most Puzzling (Image: ITV1) Written by Sarah Williams, Outrageous (U&Drama, free to air, Thursday) wisely gave the job of narrator to Nancy the novelist (an excellent Bessie Carter). She introduced us to the six sisters and one brother. Since he was the lucky chap set to inherit everything, it was up to the rest of them to marry well, a rule swiftly ignored like all the rest. Outrageous was handsomely shot and convincingly shabby. A few clunky moments of exposition aside ('Mrs Guinness? Oswald Mosley'), it rolled along like a game of croquet on a well-tended lawn. The first episode - one of six - was a warm-up for what comes next, but Anna Chancellor is already a standout as the mother desperate to get the girls off her hands. Careful what you wish for, 'Muv'.
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'Meghan Markle does so much for her family - but what's Prince Harry up to?'
Meghan Markle is pressing ahead with build her business empire with her lifestyle brand As Ever - but one royal expert has questioned Prince Harry new career path Meghan Markle continues to build her business empire with her As Ever lifestyle brand and a vast investment portfolio. But while the Duchess of Sussex pursues her entrepreneurial aspirations, it seems to be a different story for Prince Harry. The Duke of Sussex is said to be concentrating more on his charity and philanthropic works rather than chasing commercial ventures. It is a marked difference from several years ago, when the Sussexes' careers appeared intertwined with Meghan declaring that she and Harry were like "salt and pepper" as they always "move together". And with a change in their working lives, a new Channel 5 show called Meghan and Harry: Where Did The Money Go? shines a light on their finances; revealing Harry's surprising inheritances, Meghan's millions and their staggering Montecito mortgage. The documentary counts the multi-million pound deals the pair have cut to sell their story since leaving The Firm - but it also details their astronomical outgoings. It also sees one royal journalist pose a question about Harry's contribution - especially given Meghan's revelations about how much of a hands-on parent she is to their children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. Royal commentator Emily Andrews reckons Harry doesn't contribute much else to his household - and she tells the documentary: "Meghan gets up at half six, half an hour before the children, then the children gets up and she gets them dressed, gets their breakfast, and then she makes their packed lunch and takes them to kindy (nursery), then at 9 o'clock she sits down and is a girl boss… Where is Harry in all of this? He's not making money, he's not looking after the kids, what is Harry doing?" It comes after other experts say the couple will see their income dwindle and costs soar as their multi-million pound deals dry up. After striking their 'Megxit' deal in 2020, King Charles removed all financial support from the couple, with Harry moaning to Oprah that his dad "literally cut me off financially". Royal expert Norman Baker tells the show: "There's no doubt in my mind that Meghan and Harry's income is going to decline in the future. It's declining now. They've done the big hits that they could do. They've done the big Spotify event, they've done the big book, there is nothing else to come, nothing else to sell apart from themselves." Upon moving to America, the pair splashed out on a family home costing $14.65 million (£11m). However, they also took out a mortgage of $9.5m (£7m), with repayments in the region of $50,000-100,000 (£73,000 - £37,000) a month. Until now, it's been unheard of for a senior royal to require a mortgage. On top of that, Prince Harry has been forced to fund his own security, and he rarely travels anywhere public without a four-car convoy. Former royal protection officer Simon Morgan explains the costs of specialist protection, saying: "It's always very difficult to identify the cost in relation to specialist protection, purely because there's a lot of other factors that go into it. You are looking at somewhere in the region of about £3 million a year to protect somebody who stays at home. "As soon as they leave the residence, even if they go down to the shops, that could see that cost double or triple and go from £3m to £6m or £9m or £10m, conservatively. Security is not a fashion accessory, it's a need. You've got to address your needs versus your wants." To pay for it, the pair famously signed a £100 million five year deal with Netflix in 2020 and a £15 million deal with Spotify. The Spotify deal has already ended with a top exec at the firm dubbing the pair 'grifters', while the Netflix deal is due to end this year, with no renewal in sight. Before Megxit, the Sussexes were earning £2.3m a year as working royals, receiving money from the then Prince Charles's Duchy of Cornwall. But when the pair left The Firm that all stopped, leaving Harry forced to live on the inheritance his mum Diana, Princess of Wales left him in her will. When she died in 1997 Diana left £6.5m to the boys each, which had grown to around £10m when Harry received it upon turning 30. Talking to Oprah, Harry said 'Without that, we wouldn't have been able to do this," referring to the family's move to California. Meghan, meanwhile, was thought to be worth around £5million when she met Harry - money built up from her time as an actress on Suits and from her lifestyle brand. His tell all book Spare earned Harry a $20m (£15m) advance and sold an incredible 3.2 million copies in its first week. And he's expected to have received a further £7m from the hardback sales. PR expert Nick Ede is backing Meghan to become the family's highest earner. He says: "Meghan is the best way of making money for the two of them. She is the breadwinner.' Nick believes that having to build her own fortune before she met Harry means she's more savvy with deals than her royal husband. Nick continues: 'Megan from an early age knew it was very important to be secure. If you're a jobbing actress that means you don't know literally where the next pay cheque will come from and I think that will have added to her drive.' Broadcaster and critic Bidisha Mamat agrees with Nick and admits she fears that Harry has a lot to prove. She says: "They are going to run out of ideas before they run out of money. Meghan is going to do fine, Meghan is going to make her money, Harry has the bigger financial, personal and emotional challenge. Harry has to prove he really can have a career.' Following the collapse of the Spotify deal, Meghan did indeed land another podcast deal. This time, however, her deal was with smaller company Lemonada and expected to be worth just $40,000 (£30,000). Meghan is also still coining it in from Suits, from which repeats are thought to have recently added another $200,000 (£148,800) to the Sussex bottom line. Indeed, Meghan might be more savvy with money but Harry has just come into another inheritance - this time from his great-grandmother, Elizabeth, Queen Mother. In 1994 the Queen Mother set up a Trust Fund to benefit her great-grand children and this is expected to have paid out £8m to Harry. Since they left the royal family, the pair have become more famous than ever and commentator Afua Hagan believes the pair will go on to achieve more and more. She says: 'What is clear about Harry and Meghan is that they are very savvy with their money. America is a good spot for them at the moment because it definitely fits in with their idea of entrepreneurship. "Harry and Meghan have proven time and time again that they can stand on their own two feet that they can provide for themselves and their family. Definitely we can never count them out.' The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been contacted for comment.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Duchess Sophie given cheeky two-word nickname by Royals
The 60-year-old royal has a two-word nickname within The Firm thanks to her tireless work Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh's two-word nickname, has been unveiled, as she is predicted to take on a prominent role within the Royal Family. The wife of Prince Edward for over 26 years, Sophie has dedicated much of her royal life to charitable work, particularly focusing on women's rights. However, her efforts have often gone unnoticed, with minimal public recognition of her extensive contributions. Veteran photographer Arthur Edwards, who has documented royal events for nearly fifty years, shared on The Sun's Royal podcast that while Sophie is "a joy to photograph," her work rarely makes headlines. However, given the King's recent health struggles and Prince William's children being too young to undertake the rigorous demands of royal duties, some experts believe that Sophie and Edward could offer valuable support to the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Sun 's royal editor Matt Wilkinson highlighted how Sophie has always been referred to as the royals' "secret weapon," pondering: "I'm just wondering whether the kind of House of Edinburgh could replace the House of Sussex at some stage." ITV royal correspondent Chris Ship agreed, suggesting: "I think they could be an additional resource for Buckingham Palace." Chris further noted that while the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh aren't exactly "spring chickens," they provide a sense of continuity, as they represent a generation "in between William and Kate and the King and Queen." Royal photographer Arthur Edwards has suggested that Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie could also provide much-needed support to the royal family's 'reserves bench' by taking on more official duties. Arthur has expressed his puzzlement over the lack of media attention towards the Edinburghs, despite their efforts. He pointed out: "For some reason, newspapers and TV don't publish [the photos], they don't run the stories. They don't go to India when she goes to India, they don't go to Mali and these places where she goes. It just seems that all the good work she does goes unreported." Chris highlighted that the Palace's communication strategy might be impeding Sophie's visibility, mentioning: "Often, they don't tell us in advance where she's going and only tell us when she's already got there – which doesn't help when you've got to dispatch cameras halfway around the world." Although Sophie and Edward's children, Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, 21, and her brother James, Earl of Wessex, 17, have not expressed a wish to undertake full-time royal roles, Lady Louise has caught the eye of royal enthusiasts as a possible invaluable addition to the family. At 60 years old, Sophie continues to energetically support numerous causes, serving as patron for more than 70 charitable entities, including Childline and the London College of Fashion. The Duchess of Edinburgh is typically involved in over 200 engagements annually, spanning schools, universities, and military establishments. Indeed, with Harry and Meghan having stepped back, and both His Majesty the King and the Princess of Wales needing to pay extra attention to their health, there's a pressing need to bolster the royal family's front line — and this could be Sophie's moment in the spotlight.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Russell Myers - 'Kate leads no normal life and cancer update is message to all'
There can be no clearer indication for the Princess of Wales, and indeed anyone recovering from cancer, of the need to take things slowly. In January when Kate announced the news that she was in remission after six months of preventative chemotherapy last year, she spoke of her 'relief' but stated that she remained "focused on recovery". She added: "As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal. I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead.' The future queen was diagnosed with the disease last February, leading her to take an extended period of leave from royal duties to concentrate on her treatment. After announcing in September that she had finished her course, Kensington Palace insisted the princess would take her time returning to full duties with a staggered return to public life. That return has been anything but straightforward, although the princess has in recent days seen a more typical return to royal life. However, with three public engagements in a week - attending the opening of the new V&A museum in east London, the King's official birthday celebrations at Trooping the Colour in London and Garter Day in Windsor, the latter two amid the heatwave we are experiencing - perhaps it has all been too much. Kensington Palace today said while the princess was naturally disappointed to not attend Royal Ascot, often seen as a date in the diary where the royals somewhat let their hair down and enjoy the festivities, she has to find the right balance as she manages her return. Of course, it goes without saying that many people who have lived through such experiences and have the added pressure of managing work and family life, do not have the luxury of time afforded to the princess. Similarly, as current senior members of the royal family have shown working well into their 70s and 80s, the late Queen Elizabeth II performing a public role almost right up until she passed away, this is no normal life. When we take undeniable circumstance and privilege out of the picture for a moment, what is clear is that the Princess of Wales may not yet be ready to perform a full time role for The Firm. The King, at 76 and still undergoing weekly cancer treatment, has embarked upon a staggering schedule in recent months, with those closest to him telling me he is focussed on 'making up for lost time'. The princess, being 43 and a mother of three young children, has not shied away from saying her dedication, for now, would be to her family as well as her recovery. With her youngest Prince Louis only being seven, that role as a parent as well as her role within the monarchy, has quite the shelf life. Aside from the confusion of Kate being named in the official programme and Royal Ascot chiefs announcing her attendance a mere 20 minutes before the palace announced she would not be attending, which at best is a bizarre lack of communication for such a senior figure, the princess clearly needs to listen to her own body and mind and do what is right for her. If she is allowed to do so, her family, the royals and indeed all of the charities and organisations she works with, will reap the benefit. As the Princess of Wales gets back to her normal duties after a difficult year, the Mirror has launched its very own Royal WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the UK's most famous family. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is , select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will 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 .
Edinburgh Live
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Duchess Sophie's cutting eight-word remark about 'stepping in' for Prince Harry and Meghan
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info In the whirlwind of drama that has followed Megxit and the persistent public spats that have been largely one-sided in the divide between the Sussexes and The Firm, one royal has stood out, keeping a dignified silence. Sophie has been hailed as a pillar of stability for the monarchy, celebrating 26 years since she tied the knot with Prince Edward. As a former PR consultant, the 60-year-old Countess holds invaluable understanding of the pressures involved in becoming part of the royal family. This insight has been key to supporting Kate Middleton's journey from university days at St Andrews to becoming the Princess of Wales and mother to the future king among her three children. Reports imply that Meghan Markle was less receptive to Sophie's advice. Insiders suggest the Duchess of Edinburgh was sought to ease Meghan's shift from Hollywood to full-time royal duties. (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo, Getty Images) However, the Duchess of Sussex preferred to rely on Prince Harry, believing there was no need for additional guidance with him by her side, according to the Daily Mail. Sophie's reported reaction to questions about "stepping in" for Harry and Meghan post-Megxit was deadpan: "What did people think we were doing beforehand?" Yet, it is another remark by Sophie that truly reflects her grace. Reflecting on Harry and Meghan during an interview with The Telegraph following their explosive conversation with Oprah Winfrey in 2021, Sophie's comment was simple yet poignant: "I just hope they will be happy." Notably, neither the Duke nor Duchess of Sussex has publicly spoken out against Sophie or her husband Prince Edward, 61, Harry's uncle. When questioned about the couple's decision to step back from royal life in 2021, Edward revealed that he "stayed out of it," adding, "We wish them the very best of luck. It's a really hard decision." (Image: Mark Cuthbert, UK Press via Getty Images) Sophie has recently been highlighted as an example of the type of royal Meghan could have become, particularly due to her tireless advocacy for women's rights. She recently spoke out about the plight of women who become pregnant as a result of rape, with royal expert Richard Fitzwilliam commenting that this was the kind of event at which Meghan should have excelled. He commented: "Meghan is struggling to be an influencer; Sophie has influence in ways that really matter, which Meghan could have been. Meghan has always boasted about how she promotes feminism. "Yet contrast the occasional speech she makes in comfortable surroundings with the remarkable work of Sophie, who actually visits areas of the world such as Sudan and Chad that have been devastated by war and attempts to comfort the women who are victims of rape and exploitation. "If Meghan had seriously wanted to make a difference, she should surely have remained a senior working royal. It does involve compromise, but think what could have been achieved for an important cause she claims is so dear to her heart."
