Latest news with #TheMaskedSinger
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
ITV The Masked Singer winner's 'must-see' film is now available to stream
Frozen fans can now relive the magic of the West End musical, starring Samantha Barks The Masked Singer winner Samantha Barks' "must-see" film is now available to stream. Samantha famously clinched the title in the sixth series of the popular ITV singing contest in February, with Gregory Porter and Marti Pellow coming in second and third place, respectively. Concealed behind the memorable Pufferfish mask, Samantha delivered a variety of pop and musical theatre classics. Viewers will recall her captivating performance of Chappell Roan's Good Luck, Babe, Teddy Swims' Lose Control, and Don't Rain on My Parade from Funny Girl. In the grand finale, Samantha performed a breathtaking duet with McFly's Danny Jones, belting out Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler, reports Surrey Live. Samantha first shot to fame in 2008 as one of the finalists in I'd Do Anything - the BBC talent hunt for a fresh face to play Nancy in the West End revival of Oliver! Since then, she has graced the stage in several hit musicals, including Cabaret, Chicago, and Pretty Woman. After portraying Éponine in Les Misérables on the West End, producer Cameron Mackintosh selected Samantha to reprise the role in the 25th Anniversary Concert of the show, and in the 2012 musical film. Her rendition of On My Own remains one of the most celebrated performances to date, even making it onto the Billboard Hot 100 upon its release. Most recently, she played Elsa in the West End production of Frozen, which ran from August 2021 to September 2024. Frozen enthusiasts can now experience the enchantment all over again as the stage production, captured at the stunning Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, is available to stream. The acclaimed Broadway and West End musical, which draws inspiration from Disney's hit film, was recorded early last year and made its debut on Disney+ today (Friday, June 20). Samantha takes on the role of the enchanting Queen Elsa, with Laura Dawkes portraying her lively younger sister Anna. Completing the principal line-up are Jammy Kasongo as Kristoff, Craig Gallivan as the lovable Olaf, Oliver Ormson playing Hans, and Richard Frame as the Duke of Weselton. Audiences can expect a dazzling display of music and magic on stage, complete with awe-inspiring surprises and top-notch special effects. In addition to the beloved original songs, the show introduces 12 new musical numbers. In a conversation with the WhatsOnStage podcast in March, Samantha expressed her delight at the prospect of her 20-month-old son, Rafael, being able to see her performance on Disney+. "It's really exciting. It was a really beautiful moment when we found out we were going to do that because you're doing a show like Frozen, which means so much to me professionally and personally," she said. "Having Raffi, I was thinking, 'Oh, he'll never see it'. And then you find out you're going to be filmed for Disney Plus, and it's like, 'Wow, it'll live on forever'. My nieces can watch it everyday and Raffi can watch it if he wants to." The West End production has been showered with accolades, as one theatre-goer exclaimed: "Magnificent is an understatement. I was overwhelmed with emotion at the whole thing, loved every minute." Equally impressed, another remarked: "I was blown away by the West End production. The singing is stirring, the orchestration is phenomenal, the visual effects are stunning! I was moved to tears," while someone else proclaimed: "It's the best stage musical. A truly must see production of this generation." Frozen the Musical is available to stream on Disney+
Daily Record
11 hours ago
- Daily Record
'I went to Butlin's for the first time on my own and three words sum it up'
Walking into Butlin's Bognor Regis, two things were crystal clear. One, I was the only child-free person for miles. And two, it was going to be an epic weekend. As a resident of the United Kingdom, I was recently told that going to a Butlin's was a rite of passage. As a relatively new resident of the United Kingdom - I had absolutely no idea what Butlin's was. So naturally I decided to spend a weekend at the closest one I could find, stat. For some context - I moved from India to the UK in June last year and holiday parks were not a popular concept back at home. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find one, especially of the same scale and renown. So off I went to Butlin's Bognor Regis to have myself a 'typically British' holiday break. To be fair, Butlin's isn't a holiday park. It's a holiday resort with all the frills and fancies to keep oneself entertained within its (expansive) boundary walls. Although a literal stone's throw away from the beach, that's not the Butlin's USP. The resort chain prides itself at having enough activities on offer within its premises that guests don't feel the need to turn to the beach for excitement. Walking into Butlin's with my partner during the May Bank Holiday weekend, almost immediately two things were crystal clear. One, my partner and I were perhaps the only child-free couple for miles. And two, it was going to be a wild weekend. The Rooms Butlin's Bognor Regis has three hotels within its premises - the Shoreline, Ocean, and Wave Hotels - along with the Comfort range of rooms and apartments. I was staying at the Wave Hotel which was fairly close to the action, and quite frankly, delightful. Entering the room, we were greeted by a neon blue glow (it was there in the name, really), yellow interiors, and the most adorable junior room for kids - outfitted with bunkbeds and a quirky porthole on the door. My 30-year-old self was so excited to have a lie-in on those bunk beds (complete with their own mini-TVs on each level), that I could only imagine how chuffed a child would be to have that space all to themselves. Entertainment Butlin's signature white tents hold a whole world within themselves. Complete with an arcade, a bowling alley, pool tables, a couple of bars, restaurants, and a few stages for entertainment shows in and around the space - it's hard to imagine being bored within its tented walls. You best believe I was a sucker for the arcade games, enjoying myself as much as the swarms of elated children around me. On closer inspection, I found I wasn't the only adult indulging. Seeing the parents in my vicinity become kids themselves was a joy to watch. A spirited game of bowling and a few rounds of pool later, I was in my 11-year-old self's childhood paradise. For those with kids, there were heaps of live shows on offer including The Masked Singer hosted by Mark Rhodes (of Crackerjack and CBBCs Junior Bake Off fame) featuring masked celebrity participants, Electric Wonderland, Iconic, Snow White and her Magnificent Friends, Animals and Mythical Beasts, and even a meet-and-greet with Gladiators stars Cyclone and Nitro. They were always jam-packed, and with the energy radiating out of them, it wasn't difficult to understand why. The PLAYXPERIENCE A brand-new addition to Butlin's Bognor Regis' already jam-packed holiday resort is the PLAYXPERIENCE. Having opened its doors to the public in October 2024, the PLAYXPERIENCE was definitely a highlight of my first-ever Butlin's weekend. Sprawled over two floors and nearly 50,000 square feet, it's undoubtedly a haven for gamers and fans of modern tech. A VR Cade featuring state-of-the-art VR games, laser tag, techputt (mini-golf), digi darts, escape rooms, glow pong, shuffleboard, a batting cage, and neo games - there's something for everyone is this gamer's paradise. Equipped with a bar and cafe within the premises, it was safe to say me and my passion fruit daiquiri had a great time while indulging in some neon mini golf. Another definite highlight was playing laser tag with mischievous kids and their equally (over) enthusiastic parents. Turns out, adrenaline-fuelled, cutthroat competitiveness is all one needs to get the morning going. As we squared off into four teams, it was once again apparent to me that the adults were enjoying themselves as much as the kids. That seemed to be the magic of Butlin's. Food and drink The Butlin's all inclusive drinks package felt like a no-brainer. With a good selection of cocktails, spirits, beers, ciders, wines, mocktails, Costa coffee, and soft drinks on offer - it's almost worth walking around with a pulsing neon-orange wristband for three days. It helps that most of the drinks are fairly delicious and get the job more than done. And with well-placed bars and restaurants throughout the resort site, we never had to go too long without refreshments. There were plenty of options no matter what your budget, whether we were after breakfast or a buffet dinner. We had the premium dining package booked which sorted our breakfast and dinner on each of the days. Breakfast timings were 8am to 10:30am on all days, and while the spread was extensive and catered to both kids and adults, the actual taste and quality of the food was average for me. But I guess you can't have everything. We were also surprised when we walked in at 10am the first day - I guess everyone wakes up really, really early as we definitely felt like the odd ones out, with people looking at us like we had two heads! The next day we made it at 9.45am but I still think everyone gets up really early and fuels up - which for me, being the person who likes to maximise sleep and get breakfast at the last minute, was not ideal. Fairground and Splash Waterworld A cute little fairground was the cherry on top of my Butlin's weekend. From go-karts and adventure golf, to mini-rides and a trampoline - the pre-booked All-Action Pass proved to be a success. My inner Lewis Hamilton came out to play in a spirited round of karting (in which I came first - and no, it doesn't matter that I was one of a handful of adults competing against mainly children). While I didn't take a swim, the faces of happy families walking around with wet hair and huge smiles plastered on their faces was enough to tell me it would've been a fun experience (when it wasn't raining and unbelievably windy). So, how did my first Butlin's visit rank as far as holidays go? Three days of fun, games, activities, and kids. Lots and lots and lots of kids. Perhaps the next time I'll return is when I have a little one of my own. Book the holiday Butlin's offers a three-night Showtime Weekend break featuring staying in a two bedroom Ocean Hotel room in Bognor Regis from £269 on 11 July 2025. Price is based on a two adults sharing and includes all live shows and activities with free flow access to the pool, unlimited fairground rides and access to PLAYXPERIENCE. Dining packages start from £24.95 per adult, per day, £14.95 per junior (6-14), per day and £6.80 per child (2-5). To find out more head to
Daily Mirror
20 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I had never heard of Butlin's but the moment I turned up I knew it'd be wild'
As a resident of the United Kingdom, I was recently told that going to a Butlin's was a rite of passage. As a relatively new resident of the United Kingdom — I had absolutely no idea what Butlin's was. So naturally I decided to spend a weekend at the closest one I could find, stat. For some context — I moved from India to the UK in June last year and holiday parks were not a popular concept back at home. In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find one, especially of the same scale and renown. So off I went to Butlin's Bognor Regis to have myself a 'typically British' holiday break. To be fair, Butlin's isn't a holiday park. It's a holiday resort with all the frills and fancies to keep oneself entertained within its (expansive) boundary walls. Although a literal stone's throw away from the beach, that's not the Butlin's USP. The resort chain prides itself at having enough activities on offer within its premises that guests don't feel the need to turn to the beach for excitement. Walking into Butlin's with my partner during the May Bank Holiday weekend, almost immediately two things were crystal clear. One, my partner and I were perhaps the only child-free couple for miles. And two, it was going to be a wild weekend. Butlin's Bognor Regis has three hotels within its premises — the Shoreline, Ocean, and Wave Hotels — along with the Comfort range of rooms and apartments. I was staying at the Wave Hotel which was fairly close to the action, and quite frankly, delightful. Entering the room, we were greeted by a neon blue glow (it was there in the name, really), yellow interiors, and the most adorable junior room for kids — outfitted with bunkbeds and a quirky porthole on the door. My 30-year-old self was so excited to have a lie-in on those bunk beds (complete with their own mini-TVs on each level), that I could only imagine how chuffed a child would be to have that space all to themselves. Butlin's signature white tents hold a whole world within themselves. Complete with an arcade, a bowling alley, pool tables, a couple of bars, restaurants, and a few stages for entertainment shows in and around the space — it's hard to imagine being bored within its tented walls. You best believe I was a sucker for the arcade games, enjoying myself as much as the swarms of elated children around me. On closer inspection, I found I wasn't the only adult indulging. Seeing the parents in my vicinity become kids themselves was a joy to watch. A spirited game of bowling and a few rounds of pool later, I was in my 11-year-old self's childhood paradise. For those with kids, there were heaps of live shows on offer including The Masked Singer hosted by Mark Rhodes (of Crackerjack and CBBCs Junior Bake Off fame) featuring masked celebrity participants, Electric Wonderland, Iconic, Snow White and her Magnificent Friends, Animals and Mythical Beasts, and even a meet-and-greet with Gladiators stars Cyclone and Nitro. They were always jam-packed, and with the energy radiating out of them, it wasn't difficult to understand why. A brand-new addition to Butlin's Bognor Regis' already jam-packed holiday resort is the PLAYXPERIENCE. Having opened its doors to the public in October 2024, the PLAYXPERIENCE was definitely a highlight of my first-ever Butlin's weekend. Sprawled over two floors and nearly 50,000 square feet, it's undoubtedly a haven for gamers and fans of modern tech. A VR Cade featuring state-of-the-art VR games, laser tag, techputt (mini-golf), digi darts, escape rooms, glow pong, shuffleboard, a batting cage, and neo games — there's something for everyone is this gamer's paradise. Equipped with a bar and cafe within the premises, it was safe to say me and my passion fruit daiquiri had a great time while indulging in some neon mini golf. Another definite highlight was playing laser tag with mischievous kids and their equally (over) enthusiastic parents. Turns out, adrenaline-fuelled, cutthroat competitiveness is all one needs to get the morning going. As we squared off into four teams, it was once again apparent to me that the adults were enjoying themselves as much as the kids. That seemed to be the magic of Butlin's. The Butlin's all inclusive drinks package felt like a no-brainer. With a good selection of cocktails, spirits, beers, ciders, wines, mocktails, Costa coffee, and soft drinks on offer — it's almost worth walking around with a pulsing neon-orange wristband for three days. It helps that most of the drinks are fairly delicious and get the job more than done. And with well-placed bars and restaurants throughout the resort site, we never had to go too long without refreshments. There were plenty of options no matter what your budget, whether we were after breakfast or a buffet dinner. We had the premium dining package booked which sorted our breakfast and dinner on each of the days. Breakfast timings were 8am to 10:30am on all days, and while the spread was extensive and catered to both kids and adults, the actual taste and quality of the food was average for me. But I guess you can't have everything. We were also surprised when we walked in at 10am the first day - I guess everyone wakes up really, really early as we definitely felt like the odd ones out, with people looking at us like we had two heads! The next day we made it at 9.45am but I still think everyone gets up really early and fuels up - which for me, being the person who likes to maximise sleep and get breakfast at the last minute, was not ideal. A cute little fairground was the cherry on top of my Butlin's weekend. From go-karts and adventure golf, to mini-rides and a trampoline — the pre-booked All-Action Pass proved to be a success. My inner Lewis Hamilton came out to play in a spirited round of karting (in which I came first - and no, it doesn't matter that I was one of a handful of adults competing against mainly children). While I didn't take a swim, the faces of happy families walking around with wet hair and huge smiles plastered on their faces was enough to tell me it would've been a fun experience (when it wasn't raining and unbelievably windy). So, how did my first Butlin's visit rank as far as holidays go? Three days of fun, games, activities, and kids. Lots and lots and lots of kids. Perhaps the next time I'll return is when I have a little one of my own. Butlin's offers a three-night Showtime Weekend break featuring staying in a two bedroom Ocean Hotel room in Bognor Regis from £269 on 11 July 2025. Price is based on a two adults sharing and includes all live shows and activities with free flow access to the pool, unlimited fairground rides and access to PLAYXPERIENCE. Dining packages start from £24.95 per adult, per day, £14.95 per junior (6-14), per day and £6.80 per child (2-5). To find out more head to
IOL News
a day ago
- Entertainment
- IOL News
For entertainment that fits every mood – Find your happy only on BBC Brit
Whether you're in the mood for high-speed thrills, clever quizzes, or enjoy spending a night trying to figure out the voice behind the mask, BBC Brit's (DStv Channel 120) new season line-up is here to deliver feel-good entertainment, seven nights a week. With premium British programming to suit every mood, across every genre, BBC Brit is your new go-to destination to Find Your Happy. The new slate is carefully structured to deliver something delightful every evening. Fridays bring the rush with Top Gear Australia. Sundays are for surprises through The Masked Singer. Tuesdays delve into drama in the world of Beyond Paradise and Death Valley, and Wednesdays test your trivia with The Weakest Link. This curated content calendar invites audiences to build new habits and rediscover their favourites. It's premium entertainment, tailor-made for every mood BBC Brit is built on the idea that great television not only entertains, but also immerses viewers. The channel offers smart, surprising, and satisfying content that feels like a reward at the end of a long day. Designed with loyal fans of British entertainment in mind, and ready to welcome new viewers with open arms and some tongue-in-cheek British humour, the refreshed channel structure ensures every evening brings something to look forward to. New premieres that pack a punch
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Music is what keeps me alive...' Capital's Summertime Ball performer Rita Ora says singing is something she has to do
Rita Ora says music keeps her "alive" and is one of the most important things in her life. Although Rita's career has gone in different directions, including appearing on TV talent shows like The Masked Singer, recording songs is in her "blood" and she needs music in her life every day. Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz at Capital's Summertime Ball with Barclaycard at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday (15.06.25), she said: "Music is what keeps me alive, to be honest. I wake up listening to music; it runs in my blood. I think we all secretly need music in so many different ways." The Hot Right Now hitmaker's natural creativity is what motivates her in life. Rita - who performed some of her much-loved tracks, including Praising You and her new single Heat, at the Summertime Ball - said: "I love working and being creative, and it keeps my blood flowing. "If I get excited, I love it - fashion, movies, music. I just need to have that excitement." Rita and Will Smith - who both performed at Wembley Stadium on Sunday (15.06.25) - are "great friends", and she is thankful for his support over the years. The pop star - who recently told ITN she feels "inspired" by his "sense of filmmaking" - said: "Will and I have crossed paths many times over the years, and we are great friends. "He's a supporter of mine and has helped me in a lot of ways." Rita is married to award winning filmmaker-and-actor Taika Waititi and she admits she would love to work with him on a project in the future. The For You singer - who tied the knot with Taika in August 2022 - said: "It's about the project. Of course, he's my husband, and I want him to win at all costs, and it just needs to feel right, and it needs to be right. "We're going to be supporting each other regardless." And Rita says she and Taika, 49, are always inspiring each other and are always "full of ideas" as creatives. Speaking to E! in September 2024, Rita said: "We inspire each other. "With me coming from music and him being a writer, a director and a filmmaker, it's a house full of ideas. We're both fire signs, too. So it's just fire, fire, fire. "We help each other out, always."
