Latest news with #VickyMcClure
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Big names heading to Leeds for International Festival of Ideas
Comedian David Baddiel, rapper Chuck D and journalist Victoria Derbyshire will be among the big names to appear at this year's Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI), organisers have taking part would be writer Sally Wainwright, talking about her new Hebden Bridge-based TV drama, I Predict A Riot, along with Tamsin Greig, one of the show's festival, between 14-18 October, was expected to feature talks, discussions and performances tackling some of society's biggest questions, organisers director Martin Dickson said this year's event, also featuring Vicky McClure, Myleene Klass and Caitlin Moran, would be "the most urgent and exciting edition yet". "In an increasingly polarised world, we need safe spaces to explore difficult topics with empathy, expertise and a sense of hope," he said. Baddiel, who is also an author and podcaster, was expected to explore faith, division and identity in Is Religion the Ultimate Culture War? which would take place at Leeds Playhouse on 16 October, according to the festival's Public Enemy frontman Chuck D would take part in How Hip-Hop Changed the World, a conversation with broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake at the same venue on 14 etiquette expert and podcaster William Hanson was expected to present Manners Cost Nowt, an exploration of what counts as good manners, and why they still events would include Our Dementia Choir Live, with Vicky McClure bringing her inspiring project to Leeds with a mix of music and conversation, while Fara Williams MBE, Verity Smith and Emily Campbell would take part in How Level is the Playing Field? - a debate on gender equality in Dickson said: "This year's line-up reflects the richness of public discourse, from legendary cultural icons to everyday change-makers, all ready to challenge ideas, share truths and spark curiosity. "Leeds has always been a city of voices. LIFI is where they come together." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Daily Mail
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sam Thompson pulls out of Soccer Aid match last minute after THAT awkward interaction with Louis Tomlinson
Sam Thompson has pulled out of the Soccer Aid match last minute after THAT awkward interaction with Louis Tomlinson during training. During an appearance on Friday's episode of This morning, the 32-year-old confirmed the devastating news that he won't be taking part in the charity match this Sunday (15 June). It comes after he suffered a string of injuries, including a calf injury, after his 260-mile Soccer Aid challenge at the start of the month. Now, instead of playing the game, the reality star will be helping from the sidelines as a coach. Host Alison Hammond, 50, was keen to know how he's been since his injury, asking: 'Have you recovered, how are you doing?' Sam replied: 'I'm still very sore, still got the torn calf, however I am here at Soccer Aid HQ and it does not get better than this. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. During an appearance on Friday's episode of This morning, the 32-year-old confirmed the devastating news that he won't be taking part in the charity match this Sunday (15 June) 'We've still got the management team of England, we've got Vicky McClure, Tyson Fury, who's stepping into some new shoes and Harry Redknapp... 'But also because I'm not going to be able to run around, you've also got me, part of the management team. Come on baby!' Dermot said: 'So you can't play this year obviously because you're literally falling apart. 'So is that right? you're not going to play but you're part of the management team?' Sam said: 'Yeah I came here with high hopes and went to see Gary the physio and I can kick a ball from a standing start, but when it comes to like general chaos of playing competitive sport there's just no way. 'I cant really run properly so yeah. They were very kind and said we still want you to be a part, so I get to go on the dark side with Tyson Fury.'
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Paul Weller's little-known Welsh connection to Merthyr's Jonny Owen
For years, filmmaker Jonny Owen had been saying that his hero, singer Paul Weller, was Welsh. And not just Welsh - more importantly than that, The Jam lead vocalist had roots in Owen's beloved hometown of Merthyr to mark Weller's 60th birthday, a national newspaper asked 20 well-known figures to pose any question they wanted to the star, known as The Vicky McClure, Owen's wife, was asked to contribute. Without him knowing, she decided to put an end to the debate with her husband about Weller's Welsh roots. "She asked him, without telling me, which is quite funny," Owen told Lucy Owen. "She said, 'my husband is obsessed with you, to the point where he actually claims you're Welsh. Not only that, he actually claims you're from Merthyr Tydfil'. "And he came back confirming that his grandmother was indeed from Merthyr Tydfil and lived in Aberdare as a young girl. I was over the moon." Owen has since got to know Weller and they text and meet up every now and then. And when he played the Town Called Malice star some music by an up and coming singer from Merthyr called Nancy Williams, it proved to be a hit."He gave her a week free in his barn studios, he said 'get her down to my studios and let her record'," Owen said. "That's the kind of guy he is, he supports not just new artists but Welsh artists as well, so he hasn't forgotten his roots. What a guy." As part of a season across BBC Wales celebrating Merthyr Tydfil and the 200th birthday of Cyfarthfa Castle, Owen has been discovering more about the place where he grew up in a documentary series for BBC Radio Wales called Merthyr Made said his favourite thing he discovered from a historian he spoke to as part of the documentary was how the famous Welsh valleys accent was born in Merthyr. "There was no Welsh accent [when speaking English] before, because people spoke Welsh. All these people came together from Ireland, west, north Wales, England, Italy, Spain, as part of the industrial revolution there," he said. "And this accent was sort of created. It's the accent I've got, the accent people know all over Wales, all over the world know, a valleys accent. It was born in Merthyr. I thought that was fascinating." As part of the documentary series, Owen returns to his roots to learn about his own family history as well as the town's history - even going back to his old primary school in Heolgerrig. "They traced all my generations back and I'm almost a perfect example of someone from Merthyr," Owen said, speaking about relatives like his great-grandfather who left Ireland for the "goldrush" town in search of work during the industrial revolution."There was even a saying in west and north Wales that if someone disappeared for whatever reason, they would say they've gone to Merthyr," he said. "People would just turn up in Merthyr because there was work there." Owen and McClure now return to Merthyr Tydfil as often as possible, organising their Day Fever daytime disco events in the town as well as watching Merthyr Town FC, which they sponsor. "[Vicky] loves Merthyr," Owen said."We try to do as much as we possible can in our hometowns. We film stuff there and try to create a positive impression of both places."She's an adopted Merthyr girl, the people there love her and she loves the town as well." You can catch up with Lucy's full interview with Jonny Owen on BBC Sounds.
Daily Mail
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
ITV reveals the fate of Trigger Point as filming concludes on series three - with Vicky McClure paying tribute to cast and crew
ITV has revealed the fate of Trigger Point as filming concludes on the third series of the popular show. The broadcaster has recommissioned a fourth instalment of the bomb disposal drama, starring Vicky McClure as Lana Washington, an ex-military bomb disposal operative and Afghan War veteran. Trigger Point first aired in 2022 and delves into the world of a team of explosive disposal officers who try to keep the city safe from threats. The third series is set to air later this year in autumn on ITV and STV, while the fourth will hit screens in 2026. Filming for the newest instalment is set to commence over the summer months. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Trigger Point first aired in 2022 delves into the world of a team of explosive disposal officers who try to keep the city safe from threats Actress Vicky paid tribute to the show's cast and crew and gushed about how she had a 'great time' creating the drama. She said: 'We're all buzzing ITV have such faith in this series to commission a fourth before the third has even aired. 'I love working with the team, we have a great time making the show and I cannot wait to continue Lana's journey on Trigger Point.' While ITV's Director of Drama, Polly Hill commented: 'Trigger Point is one of ITV's most-watched dramas of last year after Mr Bates Vs The Post Office so I'm delighted that this thrilling series is returning for a fourth series. 'I know audiences will be once again on the edge of their seat as Lana and the team take us on another thrilling ride to keep the capital safe.' Last year, Vicky revealed how filming for the hit show was no mean feat and said the gruelling physical scenes left her feeling like her back had 'broken in half'. Speaking about the fatigue she felt on set, McClure told ITV: 'It was so exhausting! It is physical for sure. 'But the most tiring aspect is that I'm in pretty much every day because even if I'm not acting I'm there as an executive producer, watching footage and writing notes on scripts. 'I don't want to be an exec just for the title, I've got my own production company now and I like to get involved. 'I feel like a crew member on Trigger Point, which is great. I'm just one of those people who tends not to take too much time off.' Revealing she refused to let the fatigue get to her, McClure added: 'I think I did have one massage during the shoot because my back felt like it was broken in half at one point, but otherwise I just kept going. 'I turned 40 while we were filming, so that was a great excuse for me to keep moaning about the fact that I'm 40 and was doing all this running. 'The camera could tell it was me so there was no chance of using a stunt double! 'I lucked out though because my birthday was the day of the Coronation so everyone was off. I was in the day after though, so no hangovers allowed, but thankfully I'm not a big drinker!'
ITV News
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
ITV RECOMMISSIONS TRIGGER POINT STARRING VICKY McCLURE, PRODUCED BY HTM TELEVISION
ITV has recommissioned a fourth series of Trigger Point, starring Vicky McClure and produced by Jed Mercurio's HTM Television. The announcement comes as filming concludes on the third series, which has been in production across London since January. Series three of Trigger Point will air in the autumn schedule this year on ITV1 and STV and be available for streaming on ITX and STV Player, with series four coming to screens in 2026. Series three also received a special honour in March when Her Majesty The Queen visited the Trigger Point set and met with the team to mark the start of ITV's 70th year celebrations, and following the success of the series. The last series to have aired - series two - averaged 8.1million viewers and was streamed 30million times on ITVX. On recommissioning the propulsive drama series for a fourth time, ITV's Director of Drama, Polly Hill commented: 'Trigger Point is one of ITV's most-watched dramas of last year after Mr Bates vs The Post Office so I'm delighted that this thrilling series is returning for a fourth series. I know audiences will be once again on the edge of their seat as Lana and the team take us on another thrilling ride to keep the capital safe.' Trigger Point follows a team of bomb disposal officers, known as EXPOs, as they dedicate themselves to keeping the capital safe from explosive devices and terrorist threats. Leading actress Vicky McClure, who plays Expo Lana Washington, will film series four across the summer months. 'We're all buzzing ITV have such faith in this series to commission a fourth before the third has even aired. I love working with the team, we have a great time making the show and I cannot wait to continue Lana's journey on Trigger Point.' The series is in association with All3Media International, who distribute the series internationally. The new series is written by Chris Brandon (Bloodlands) and will be directed by Jennie Darnell (Payback, Line of Duty) and Nirpal Bhogal (DI Ray, Grace) with series producer Kristian Dench (The Capture, Red Eye) and block producer Kingsley Hoskins (The Road Trip, The Flatshare). Executive producers are Jed Mercurio (Line of Duty, Breathtaking), Daniel Walker (Boat Story, The Tourist), Jessica Sharkey (Breathtaking, Derry Girls), Chris Brandon, and Vicky McClure.
