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Bringing the Issue of Mass Migration Caused by Climate Change to the Stage With Transport Theatre's 'The Edge'

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It's Sunday afternoon, nearly 6pm and I've been sitting with my laptop since 8.30 this morning. Tomorrow marks the beginning of week four of rehearsals for The Edge. I'm trying to pull a script together: revisiting scenes we've created in the room, throwing things out and writing new episodes. I want to give our cast of two as much as possible so they'll have time to learn the 80 mins of text that could be in the show. We open in just under three weeks. All the time we're sensing our way through the narrative. Much like the characters themselves.

Devising always comes at a cost - it's full of risk. You're always working, in rehearsal, out of rehearsal, even when you're doing something banal like cleaning the bathroom (cleaning is normally work avoidance for me) - the head is processing the material all the time.

Four years ago I started to look at making a piece about interconnectedness. I took two places I loved, the south east coast of England (I was living in Folkestone at the time) and India (I had visited and worked in the country several times since 1992) and started to look for connections. I discussed the project with a good friend and colleague, Vicky Long - we'd met in India on our gap years. She was working for Cape Farewell at the time so started to talk about climate change.

With British Council funding we were lucky to spend a month in Bengal collaborating with Kolkata based theatre company, Ranan. We worked together in a studio and more significantly visited the Sundarbans - the largest single tract of mangrove forest in the world, three hours south of Kolkata. The Sundarbans is on the frontline of sea level rise. There we experienced first hand the impact of climate change on the landscape and the community.

Many of the islands had eroded and in some cases disappeared. There had been significant migration out of the region; in the villages many children had been left without parents and local fishing and agricultural economies were collapsing. Predictions for 2050 put the whole of this region and its five million inhabitants at risk.

On returning to the UK I started to look at sea level predications for England. Talking to coastal management and sea level experts the revelation was that there will come a time where decisions will begin to be made to let communities go. Current coastal management decisions are based on the economic significance of an area. The most impoverished and vulnerable, as in India, may not be protected. There was the connection and the starting point.

Two actors, Tim Lewis plays a climate-induced migrant from the Sundarbans and Balvinder Sopal plays a woman from a coastal community whose house has been vacated and left to the sea, perform The Edge. The piece charts the story of the two from childhood (2015) through to adulthood (2035) culminating in their encounter on a beach in England. It offers two seemingly unrelated lives and highlights the threads between them.

The piece is about our future but most of the events explored are based on things that have already taken place - the decline of UK coastal communities, reports of migrants attempting to swim the English Channel, reconstruction of borders throughout Europe, climate induced migration, demands for climate induced migrants to be given refugee status, increases in cyclonic activity in the Bay or Bengal and weather events in the UK becoming more severe.

We're juggling a lot and the more we look at the problem the more complex the whole appears to be. With a layered performance style supported by a wonderful team of collaborators (composer Raymond Yiu; sound designer Helen Atkinson; designer James button; projection designer Will Duke; lighting designer Matt Haskins; creative associate Vicky Long and dancer Julie Cunningham): there's a lot to navigate. I'm hoping it will be the simplest, purest thing, much like the performance style of traditional story telling we saw in the Sundarbans.

The touchstones of the piece are the current refugee crisis and a question; 'in what way do I want our audiences to feel different after experiencing this?' We want them to look at their environment anew and to take a collective responsibility for the vulnerable that will be displaced by climate change and its affects over the coming decades. Many argue that the catalyst for the Syrian conflict was climate change and we are already seeing the reality of climate induced migration.

The Edge begins its UK Tour at Ipswich New Wolsey Theatre on 8 October, running at various venues across the UK until 14 November. http://www.transport-theatre.eu/theedge

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David Hockney: Early Drawings

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"Ink drawings are unbelievably unforgiving. There's no room for error," proclaims gallery owner Offer Waterman as he lauds the technical skill and emotional impact of some of David Hockney's early portraits. If there was a mistake, and they were rare, a gentle use of the scalpel would be enough to disguise it.

David Hockney: Early Drawings is a feast of a show and a fine way in which to introduce Waterman's eponymous gallery's new grand location in the heart of London's Mayfair. It's situated opposite Sotheby's at 17 St George's Street, where the William Morris and Co textile showroom was once housed . "A bit of Chelsea has come to Mayfair," says Waterman.

The exhibition comprises 55 works drawn from 16 private collections around the world and centres on the gallery's own works, 30 of which are for sale. They span the 1960s and '70s.

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For Sleepy Kas (above), from 1967, is a typical example of the kind of intimacy Hockney achieves in pen and ink, capturing the essence of his subject, in this case his art dealer John Kasmin. It's achieved in minimalist fashion that draws the focus and allows the brain to fill in the rest.

This portrait, from Kasmin's personal collection, is also typical in other ways. The annotations at the bottom of this and other works enhance the close relationship and say much about the artist himself.

Hockney never went anywhere without a sketchbook and capturing his subjects asleep, and not therefore moving, was perfect modelling time for him. What's more, as with artists like Lucian Freud, he was at his best when working with people he knew well.

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Among these were his lovers. The exhibition is laced with erotic portraits of such as Gregory Evans and his first great love Peter Schlesinger. Peter, Le Nid de Duc (above) from 1971, is a beautiful work that holds a certain poignancy because the couple's relationship was on its last legs by then. Schlesinger is looking away, red-eyed and disengaged.

Hockney was open about his homosexuality even when gay rights did not exist and to be gay was socially unacceptable. His brazen and unashamed manifestation of his sexuality within his drawings showed a brave willingness to take a principled stand. In this way, this exhibition becomes not just a study of artistic brilliance but also of a kind of moral crusade.

It reveals a consistent steeliness that had seen him become a conscientious objector over his National Service, just as his father had been during the Second World War. He fought the RCA's decision not to let him graduate in 1962 after he'd refused to write an essay, saying he should be judged only on his artworks. They relented.

Offer Waterman relates a story about how Hockney's stash of American gay men's magazines was once confiscated by British customs at his arrival at Heathrow on the grounds of their "inappropriateness". He took his case to the highest echelons of government. The magazines were duly returned. Even today he is still campaigning, as a high-profile figure in the pro-tobacco lobby.

Hockney's overtly sexual depictions weren't primarily aimed at propagandising gay rights - it was the way he lived his life that he was expressing. Yet they became part of a collective striving for a sexual revolution that gripped the late 1960s.

Indeed that spirit of optimism and self-expression captured by the effervescent Hockney, with his trademark dyed golden hair and round broad-rimmed glasses, is evident in his now familiar iconography. Among these is the figure of Celia Birtwell, one of Hockney's set of friends who in many ways encapsulated that decade.

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Celia, 1972 (above) is one of three portraits of her in the exhibition. It's the first time it has been on show and is one of the items on sale. Other familiar icons are those chairs, the cigarettes, beds and a foreshadows of a future passion, the inevitable swimming pool that so defined his early years in Los Angeles.

Hockney's travels were a feature of his early career. Such was his reputation that in 1963, only a year after leaving the RCA, the Sunday Times sent him to Egypt from which he returned with innovative drawings in coloured crayons, one of which is in the exhibition. They were shelved owing to the assassination of John F. Kennedy and not published until 2012.

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Hotel Luxor, from 1978 (above) shows a return to Egypt. Hockney's fondness for vivid colours that exude warmth and the use of blank white paper to invoke heat owes something to Impressionism.

Indeed, one aspect of David Hockney's early drawings that soon becomes apparent is his fondness for mixing styles. We also see elements of pop art, of expressionism, nods to Picasso and cubism and abstraction. Later, we were to see him continually innovate with the use of acrylic, computers, photography, the iPad and 3-D printing to name but a few.

"This mixing of styles was not a question of him finding his feet," maintains Offer Waterman, "He has taken multiple branches throughout his life and continued to innovate."

This is an intimate exhibition in both style and substance with nothing of the grandeur of his recent monumental works. The early drawings are a reminder of how David Hockney first set out on the road to becoming one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century and perhaps the best loved.

David Hockney: Early Drawings runs at the Offer Waterman Gallery from 25 September - 23 October 2015.

All images are copyright David Hockney and are used with the permission of the artist and gallery.

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Win A Bike And Stylish Office Goodies With 'The Intern' – In Cinemas 2 October (COMPETITION)

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If you want to stand out in the office, we’re giving you the chance to arrive in style on a stunning white bicycle and then add a touch of flair to your desk with some chic merchandise from THE INTERN.

Click here to enter this great competition.


The heart-warming comedy stars Anne Hathaway, Robert De Niro, Adam Devine and Nat Wolff and to celebrate the release we have a 26” bicycle to give away, just like the one Anne Hathaway uses in the film! Plus a RuMe tote bag, Museum Of Modern Art note organiser, spiral notepad, note card set and t-shirt.

De Niro stars as Ben Whittaker, a 70-year-old widower who has discovered that retirement isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Seizing an opportunity to get back in the game, he becomes a senior intern at an online fashion site, founded and run by Jules Ostin (Hathaway).

Watch THE INTERN trailer above, then click here to answer one easy question and be in with the chance of winning our competition.

intern

The winner will receive the bike, tote bag, note organiser, notepad, note card set and t-shirt, while two runners up will be chosen to win the tote bag, note organiser, notepad, note card set and t-shirt.

For further information on THE INTERN join us here https://www.facebook.com/warnerbrosuk or follow us @WarnerBrosUK

© 2015 Warner Bros. Ent. All Rights Reserved.

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Why Do I Write?

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Why do I write?

Because, you know, I have the right.

Why do I write about women?

Because I can. A Woman is where my self has been living.

Why do I write about mothers?

Because I am a mother and a feminist. And I need to. So there. Because mothering is a top-billing when feminism can feel like it left after the compere.

Why do I write?

Because it satisfies, simultaneously, my need for solitude and conversation.

The solitude of working, when that work is writing; of thinking, when those thoughts demand thinking. The conversation being those dialogues in my head with people long dead or with ideas from a book, spread before me or scattered along with others. Annotated with love, or anger, laughter and interest, especially the ones about mothers.

Why do I write?

Because I must.

Why do I write about women, mothers and politics?

Because reality TV doesn't do it for me, Saturday nights are for reading, for scribbling; the Great British Bake Off makes me want to gorge on cake - ones I could easily make - but I'd rather live my dreams than watch a stranger fulfill theirs; Because I don't enjoy learning about gardening, ancient civilisation, attics stuffed with cash, or antiques brought for valuation.

Why don't I write about fathers?

Because I'd rather leave it to them.

Because the world is already packed with fishing, Top Gear and stuff for and by men; with tales of stay-at-home dad heroes and prime ministers who combine fatherhood with career (a feat inquired into by nobody) with policies carved and laws made by institutions dominated by men. With religion, politics and law, stuffed to the brim, still, with Our Fathers.

Because the male of the species is still able to dictate, to decide, to dominate and to delegate. Don't worry Son, Husband, Brother and Dad, I love you - I don't 'man hate'.

Because pregnancy, birth and breastfeeding are, almost exclusively, when the exception in identity politics does not prove the rule, issues which affect women.

Because women still risk financial disadvantage and future poverty-ed old-age pensionage out of circumstances which failed to see the worth and need in what she did when what she was doing was mothering.

Because the mother-women of this world have rarely had their soapbox, too busy with washing powder boxes and laundry, too devoted in time and energy to their family.

Because I have yet to see the day when libraries are filled with shelves upon shelves labelled 'herstory' and those stories were that of the women, of the mothers, of the children; not the history of the politician, the commander, the soldier or the madmen.

Because a woman's cause need not include the world's.

Because the use of the word 'mother' does not, with justice, exchange to 'parent' or 'father'.

Because the moment a mother, writing about mothers, writing about women, is compelled to deny the word 'mother', the cause for her writing is even stronger.

Because a woman's interests need not defer to another.

Because a father can do what I do, if he wants to. My existence, my words and my voice are not a threat, a prohibition or a diversion. A father, too, can write, in his spare time, in urgent moments snatched between sandwiches and sandpits. Go for it, Dad, go write for the man-person.

Why do I write?

Because a woman must be able to proclaim with a vision: this is my voice. I am going to use it. I am going to ask that you listen.

Why do I write, when I could easily sit? Why do I write, though I happily knit?

Because I love to inhale the books written by women. Women who, like me, for some reason, had to write about women.

Because I must. Because I can.

Why do I write?

Because I have the right.

When the question with its permutations and accusations 'why do you write...' is not asked of me or others, I might decide that I can lay-off it, still being happy amongst the mothers.

Even then, I will probably write between the times I read, knit and mother my children - my loves, my light.

Because although, when I write, I do not claim to speak for everybody, I know that when I speak for myself I speak for somebody.

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Fire in a Bottle (To 'Twin Peaks' and Back Again)

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This weekend, the Twin Peaks UK Festival welcomes cast members and devotees to Whitechapel's Genesis Cinema to celebrate 25 years of seductive mysteries.

Contemporary culture has for some time now, been laced with references to the show's iconography, from themed dining to tribute concerts, from clothing lines to art exhibitions. Here In London Peaks is never far away, with the deliciously nightmarish Lynchian inspired 'Double R Club' regularly selling out Bethnal Green Working Men's club. Why is it then that one small 90s fictional town continues to cast a long shadow over so many around the world?

My journey into Twin Peaks began with the appalling murder of Lynda Mann. Our teacher confirmed the news as all eyes turned to Lynda's grey plastic chair, now occupied only by an absence of light. With whispers of curfews and serial killers, our town became mottled with paranoia, suspicion and fear. Amateur sleuths appointed themselves overnight; wild theories abounded.

There amongst the mists of November 1983, realisation dawned within me that evil wasn't something distant or untouchable, evil had taken up residency inside one of us and suddenly no one seemed trustworthy. The brutal anguish of the tearing of a unique soul from our reality was compounded by the seemingly endless lack of obvious progress in related police investigations.

Over time, life in our little town returned to a revised version of normality, one in which any life might be stolen away without warning and one in which those wrongly implicated in Lynda's murder struggled to repair ragged reputations. The emergence of evil within our community proved to be an on-going conduit for self-examination and doubt. Could such evil be as a lone tree in the forest? Or was the capacity for evil dormant in the roots that held up every trunk?

In time I too moved on, left school; fell in love, moved away.

Lynda remains forever 15.

Moving Through Time (October 1990)

BBC2's 'Late Show' is previewing a new series about the murder of a school girl, David my partner remarks that it might be worth watching. I'm not convinced for I still bear unprocessed scar tissue. However the fear of missing out on 'the series that will change television' won out and I so tentatively watched the Twin Peaks Pilot, It brought me face to face with aspects of Lynda's murder that I had previously blanked. I considered switching channels, but the Pilot's unprecedented, bravura portrayal of raw grief somehow enabled release of my own internalised anger, not only over the loss of a fellow student, but also of my lost optimism in human nature.

Most unexpectedly Twin Peaks had served as a form of therapy.

Twin Peaks' televisual fire burned over only two seasons; post cancellation film Fire Walk With Me seemed only to sour the cherry for many. Whilst Twin Peaks ultimately faltered in the wake of network pressure and a too slow out of the gate post 'Laura's murderer is revealed' core narrative, its legacy was inspiring previously unseen cinema aesthetics and risk-taking on prime-time TV even before it expired. Yet Twin Peaks never went away, it merely dissipated into wider TV culture, developing multiple personalities on such shows as Northern Exposure, American Gothic, Eerie Indiana, The X-Files, Lost and Fortitude. In these one could sense Peaks lurking just under the fingernail. Yet for fans, none came close to the standard set by Lynch/Frost, after all Peaks wasn't just a show- it was a feeling.

By the late 2000s a renaissance was happening via online chat groups and in music, art and fashion, related perhaps to the maturation of teenagers who had watched on first viewing and to those who had seen their parents re watching or reminiscing. It became not uncommon to read re-appraisals of Fire Walk With Me, whilst box-sets of the series meant that new viewers could visit. Laura Palmer's corpse was exhumed on 90s retrospective shows, whilst in America the Twin Peaks Fest continued to pull in new fans from around the world. Lynch too seemed to have processed the initial negativity surrounding Fire Walk With Me, finally stating 'Twin Peaks is still there.'

In 2014 the 'Twin Peaks Complete Mystery Blu-Ray' landed in devotees living rooms, served up with a thinly veiled hint from Lynch that not only were there were more stories to be told, but he was finally ready to tell them.

Autumn 2015 has seen global media coverage of the new (not reboot) series, interest in the show seems higher than it was in the run up to the Pilot. What implications Twin Peaks+25 holds for the future of this resilient little town must, for now, remain a mystery, rather appropriately as a strong core mystery must surely be present in order to entice a younger Twitter/Netflix age audience.

Lindsey Bowden (Producer of the Twin Peaks UK Festival) became a fan at the age of 14. Bowden recalls forming a Twin Peaks club at school; 'Twin Peaks drew me in straight away, there was something romantic about the show, with its mix of mystery, horror and intrigue all rolled into one. It was safe place to be on my dark days.' Fan Max Leonard Hitchings was drawn in by a 'sense of enchantment'. That the show generates a romantic, magical aura is not an uncommon view, indeed despite the town's dark deeds, my annual re-watch consistently casts a warm, enticing hue over my soul.

Perhaps this is why I never gave up my residency of a town that allowed me to safely explore the potential for human evil, whilst at the same time reminding me of the joy of the wind in the trees, of the comfort of a soft pillow and of the crust of a freshly cooked pie.

After 25 years questions are still being asked, but until 2017 rolls around, in Lynch/Frost we must trust.

Fire In a bottle, can it be captured twice? I can't wait to find out.

(Dedicated to the memory of Lynda Mann)

Tickets are still available for the Twin Peaks UK Festival at http://www.twinpeaksukfestival.com/

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'Strictly Come Dancing' 2015: Anthony Ogogo Suffers Wardrobe Malfunction As His Trousers Split During Routine On First Live Show

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Strictly Come Dancing’ contestant Anthony Ogogo’s first turn on the dancefloor proved to be a memorable one, after splitting his trousers on the first live show.

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The Olympic boxer was left red-faced when he tore his trousers during his performance with partner Oti Mabuse on Friday (25 September) night's show.

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Anthony Ogogo tore his trousers on 'Strictly Come Dancing'


The pair’s jive to Wham’s ‘Wake Me Up Before You Go Go’ may have impressed the judges, but when they had finished dancing, Anthony could be heard telling Oti something had happened. .

He then told host Tess Daly: "I've got a massive split in my trousers, look Tess."

As he bent over, he revealed how his trews had bust at the seams.

A slight wardrobe malfunction but nothing to worry about ladies,” Tess joked.

"When you walk out, walk sideways," she added.

Anthony and Oti ended up fourth on the leaderboard with 21 points out of a possible 40, as the first six couples took to the floor for the first time.

'Call The Midwife' actress Helen George topped the scoreboard for the evening, being awarded 29/40 for her waltz to 'With You I'm Born Again' by Billy Preston & Syreeta Wright, with partner Aljaž Skorjanec.



EastEnders’ actress Kellie Bright was placed joint second, with 27/40 for her tango to The Kinks’ ‘You Really Got Me’ with partner Kevin Clifton, while Antia Rani also scored the same for her cha-cha-cha to Clean Bandit's 'Rather Be'.



Singer Daniel O’Donnell was a surprise high scorer, picking up 24 for his waltz to Bing Crosby’s ‘When Irish Eyes Are Smiling’, placing him and partner Kristina Rihanoff third on the scoreboard.

There was less success for ‘BBC Breakfast’ weather presenter Carol Kirkwood though, as her cha-cha-cha to Leo Sayer’s ‘Thunder In My Heart’ was awarded just 16 points, earning her and Pasha Kovalev the honour of being bottom of the leaderboard.



The remaining nine couples will take to the floor on tonight’s show at 6.15pm on BBC One.



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Strictly Come Dancing's Kristina Rihanoff Reveals She Was Suicidal After Online Trolls Attacked Her For Relationships With Co-Stars

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Strictly Come Dancing’ professional Kristina Rihanoff has revealed how she was left feeling suicidal over abuse she received for dating her co-stars.

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The Russian dancer previously enjoyed relationships with former fellow pro Vincent Simone and 2009 dance partner Joe Calzaghe.

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Kristina Rihanoff


However, she was trolled by fans of the show over both romances, which Kristina admitted “destroyed” her.

Writing in her autobiography Dancing Out Of Darkness, excerpts of which have been published in The Sun, she said: “I felt suicidal at that point in my life. I was having such dark thoughts — and I’m not a person who gives up easily.

“I know that I’m strong but the abuse... it just destroyed me emotionally. I couldn’t find a single positive thing to tell myself.”


What the trolls didn’t know was that she was hiding secret heartache in both relationships, as it turned out Vincent - who she dated following her first series on the BBC ballroom show in 2008 - had got another woman pregnant.

And while with Joe, his love of drinking and partying drove a wedge between them, before splitting in 2013.

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Kristina dated Joe Calzaghe between 2009 and 2013


Kristina, who is partnering Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell on this year’s series, has since found love with rugby star Ben Cohen.

The pair met when she was paired with him on ‘Strictly’ in 2013, and their partnership was subject to speculation.

While the pair insist that nothing happened on the show, Ben then left his wife, and the couple went public with their romance earlier this year.

She recently hit out at claims she was a ‘homewrecker’ on Twitter, ranting: He left his wife a year ago. Recently we started dating but we’re allowed to see each other as two single people.

“I don’t know why I am always attacked. I am a hardworking, self-made person. I support five people in my family in Russia.

“It is such double standards.”

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ continues tonight at 6.15pm on BBC One.

If you've been affected by the issues in this article, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)



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'Top Gear': BBC Bosses 'Worried New Series Will Flop In Lucrative Overseas Markets Due To Chris Evans' Unknown Status'

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Top Gear’ bosses are worrying that the rebooted series will be a flop with lucrative foreign territories, as new host Chris Evans is unknown overseas.

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The BBC Two motoring show is one of corporation’s most exported shows, earning their BBC Worldwide arm over £50m a year.

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Chris Evans


However, execs are concerned that the 350 million viewers in the 214 countries ‘Top Gear’ is shown, will miss the old presenting line-up of Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May, and turn off.

A source told The Sun: “British audiences are going to know exactly who Evans is, but globally the viewers are going to be at a loss.

“If they don’t connect with his presenting style straight away, they could be turned off forever. It’s a huge concern.”


In a bid to conquer the problem, Chris is being flown out to Cannes to appear at a huge TV festival, in order to raise his profile.

A BBC spokesperson told HuffPost UK: "MIPCOM is the perfect opportunity for Chris to meet our international partners.

"There’s huge international interest in 'Top Gear' at MIPCOM"

The Radio 2 DJ is yet to announce who will be joining him on the revamped presenting team, but recent reports claimed he will reunite with his old Radio 1 sidekick Holly Samos on the show.

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Chris Evans and Holly Samos


Holly, who used to be BBC Radio 5 Live’s F1 pit-lane reporter, is thought to be the current frontrunner to join the show when it is relaunched next year.

Chris and Holly go way back, having previously dated as well as working together at Virgin Radio, Radio 1 and on Channel 4’s ‘TFI Friday’.

It is was previously reported that Jodie Kidd and Suzi Perry were both in the running, but both have confirmed they will not be joining the show.

Chris recently revealed that he was ‘champing at the bit’ to get started on the show, which is expected to launch in Spring next year.

“We are ready to roll. We are now champing at the bit and getting far too hysterical for our own good,” he told ‘Top Gear’ magazine.



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Simon Cowell Undergoes Tests To See When He Will Die... And It's Good News For The 'X Factor' Boss

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Simon Cowell has revealed he has undergone tests to predict when he will die.

The ‘X Factor’ boss underwent a hi-tech DNA test which claims it can tell you how much long you will live - and it’s good news for Simon.

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Simon Cowell


It seems we could have him around for a long time yet, as we’re not to lose him for another 40 years.

Speaking to The Mirror, Simon said: “I had the DNA test done in LA which predicts when you’re going to die. They take your blood and DNA, then give you back a sheet of paper which says ‘We think you’re going to be alive until xxxx’.

“Obviously it doesn’t take account of the fact you might get hit by a bus tomorrow, but I got told I’d die aged 95 – which is about as good as you can expect.”


He credited his happy family life with partner Lauren Silverman and son Eric for prolonging his life-expectancy.

“I think a lot of it is down to having a family now, and a lack of stress. I’ve learned to deal with stress much better now, things don’t bother me in the way that they once used to.”

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Simon with partner Lauren Silverman and son Eric


Simon was recently grief-stricken after losing his mother Julie Brett.

The 89-year-old passed away in July after suffering a stroke, but Simon recently revealed how getting back to work helped him mourn her death.

Speaking to the Sunday Express, he said: “I thought about it long and hard. I gave myself two or three days. I know it sounds like a cliché, but having such a strong bond with my mum meant I knew exactly what she'd have said. It would have been, 'This is your show, you love the show, go back and do your job'.

“She was a former dancer, very much 'the show must go on'. I think she'd have been disappointed if I'd said 'I'm not going to do it'.

"I'm not going to lie, there were times it was incredibly difficult, but then there were other times I was able to switch my mind off and concentrate on what was happening and the contestants."


‘The X Factor’ continues on Sunday (27 September) at 7pm on ITV.



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'X Factor' 2015: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini And Rita Ora Have Their First Fallout At Bootcamp Over The First Kings

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Up until now, ‘The X Factor’ judges have been getting along famously, laughing and bantering their way through the auditions and the first stage of Bootcamp. However, that’s all set to change in tonight’s (27 September) episode.

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Tensions are running high on the panel as the contestants face the second Bootcamp challenge, signing individually in front of Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw.

rita cheryl x factor

And while the rows aren’t exactly the of the same calibre as Sharon Osbourne and Dannii Minogue’s famous run-ins, there’s still plenty of shade being thrown about in tonight’s show.

Cheryl and Rita find themselves at odds with one another as boyband The First Kings perform ‘Just Be Good To Me’.

While the former Girls Aloud singer proved to be a massive fan of theirs following their first audition, she isn’t impressed with the boys’ “dated” dance moves during their latest performance.

“That went right back to the nineties,” Cheryl says.

“You thought that was dated?” Rita quips.

“It’s like Backstreet Boys,” the Geordie judge replies.

As Simon steps in to defend Cheryl, asking why Rita is being “bolshy”, she insists: “Because I thought they were really good.”

“That was old moves like they were doing in the nineties,” Cheryl explains.

“So you mean the choreography was bad?” Rita asks.

“Well you’ve got to focus on that when that’s what they’re doing,” she replies.

The former ‘Voice’ judge then hits back, saying sassily: “Yeah, I was kind of listening to their vocals.”

Oooof, BURN.

There’s later a moment where cracks start to show in Simon and Nick’s relationship, when the show boss becomes fed up with the Radio 1 DJ’s interference in choosing who makes it through to the Six Chair Challenge.

grimmy skype x factor
Nick Grimshaw appeared via Skype


Nick is absent from the final day due to prior commitments, but not wanting to miss out on the decision making, he insists on the rest of the panel calling him on Skype so he can have his say.

But annoyed with him constantly chipping in, Simon proclaims: “Do you know what? I’ve had enough,” before marching up to the laptop and closing the lid.

x factor bootcamp
Simon Cowell tires of Nick's interference


Will the judges put their differences aside to decide on which acts will face the Six Chair Challenge? Find out tonight at 7pm on ITV.



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'Celebrity Big Brother's Bit On The Side' Fight: Farrah Abraham Pressing Charges Against Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace, Considering Lawsuit Against Janice Dickinson

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Farrah Abraham has revealed she is pressing charges against Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace following the pair’s brawl on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’s Bit On The Side’ earlier this week.

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The ‘Teen Mom’ star is also considering taking a lawsuit out against Janice Dickinson, who allegedly threw a chair at her during the incident.

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Farrah Abraham


Guest Vicki Michelle was injured in the bust up on Tuesday (22 September) night’s edition of the spin-off show, as she got caught in the crossfire when Farrah reportedly threw a glass across the studio and it hit her in the head.

While the ‘Allo ‘Allo actress has already said she will be pressing charges against Farrah, she has now claimed it was Aisleyne who started all the drama.

"I was assaulted twice by Aisleyne Horgan Wallace and Janice Dickinson,” she said in a statement.

“After speaking with the police and my lawyer, I have pressed charges against Aisleyne and am considering issuing a lawsuit against Janice.

"I can confirm that Aisleyne did assault me and it is now in the hands of the police."

cbb
The brawl happened on 'CBBBOTS' on Tuesday night


Farrah then claimed that police had no charges to make against her following Vicki’s complaint.

"In regards to Vicki pressing charges against me, I can confirm I was neither arrested nor convicted of anything,” she said.

"To clear my name, of my own free will, I explained to the police what really happened with Vicki. They looked over the BB BOTS video footage in detail and said no crime had been committed and therefore no charges were made against me."

Admitting she did throw a glass across the studio, she insisted it was not aimed and anyone, and was sorry Vicki got hit by it.

"I was deeply shocked and traumatised following the initial attack by Aisleyne and was very frightened she was going to attack me again or glass me, so my natural instinct was to jump up and do something to defend myself to make Aisleyne back-off,” she said.

“As a defence mechanism, I threw an empty Champagne glass towards the wall and unfortunately Vicki got caught in the crossfire 100% by accident. It was apparent from the BB BOTS' footage that the glass was not aimed at Vicki or anyone else, I would never throw a glass directly at someone or deliberately want to cause them harm."

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Vicki and Aisleyne backstage at 'Bit On The Side'


Denying Vicki’s claims that she could have been blinded by the flying glass, Farrah said: "The Champagne glass did not go anywhere near Vicki's eyes or front of her face, she was in no danger of being blinded.

"I'm very confused as to how such a lightweight glass could be heavy enough to cause whiplash or concussion - but thankfully Vicki tweeted immediately after the show that she was OK. I had presumed Vicki was OK before she tweeted though because a member of BB BOTS team informed my manager within minutes of the incident that Vicki, along with Janice and Aisleyne, was allegedly happy to continue filming the show."

"Absolutely, I'm deeply sorry [Vicky was caught in the crossfire]! I may speak my mind and come across as opinionated sometimes, but I would never want to harm anyone intentionally."

Despite insisting she was attacked twice by Aisleyne, Farrah failed to reveal how, but claimed the ‘BB7’ star’s actions were premeditated.

"I will say though that I believe Aisleyne's attack on me was premeditated because of some Tweets she put on Twitter a few days prior to BB BOTS, which she has since removed. I'm convinced she wanted to cause me harm and start trouble," she said.

Since the incident, Farrah was pictured in a wheelchair at a hospital, claiming she was in pain after Janice allegedly threw a chair at her.

farrah abraham
Farrah claimed she needed medical attention


"A medic attended to me immediately backstage after the incident at BB BOTS,” she explained.

“As a result of my injuries, I was still in a lot of pain the next morning though so my manager took me to hospital to receive further medical attention. The Big Brother team offered to send me to a private doctor but I was in so much pain that I didn't want to wait for them to sort an appointment and chose to go to A&E instead."

She also posted a picture of a dark bruise, but her face cannot be seen in the picture, nor is it confirmed the bruises were caused during the brawl.

farrah abraham bruise
Farrah claims she was left with this bruise after the incident


When Vicki Michelle gave her version of events earlier in the week, she claimed that Janice only threw a chair at Farrah to stop her throwing glass and further injuring anyone else.

Janice is yet to speak out about the incident.

Aisleyne previously denied that she threw any glass, admitting she only threw champagne at Farrah.

“I take full responsibility that I did throw half a glass of champagne towards her,” she said.

“In retrospect I should have realised that she is so unstable... I thought she was going to throw the champagne back at me, which I could have dealt with. To actually pick up glasses and direct them and aim them to try and cut my face…”



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Dame Joan Collins 'Nagged' Sister Jackie About Breast Cancer Checks

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Dame Joan Collins said she used to "nag" her sister Jackie about getting mammograms but she "refused".

Jackie, who sold more than 500 million novels in more than 40 countries in her four decades-long career as a writer in raunchy female fiction, died of breast cancer last Saturday aged 77.

Dame Joan said she and her sister were "thick as thieves" but admitted they did have "estrangements" in the past.

Despite being diagnosed six-and-a-half years ago, British author Jackie, who lived in Beverley Hills, told few people about her illness, saying she did not want to ''burden'' others with it.

In an online post called A Tribute To My Beloved Sister, Dame Joan wrote: "I used to nag my sister about getting mammograms, as our darling mother Elsa had succumbed to the disease in 1962 when she was only in her early fifties.

"I was religious about doing mammograms regularly. Jackie however refused – she didn't even like going to doctors. Like my brother and I she was needle-phobic."

Dame Joan, who said she and Jackie were "thick as thieves", also revealed the moment Jackie rang her to say she had stage four breast cancer.

She only found out about her sister's illness in the fortnight before her death.

She said Jackie told her that she did not want to upset her, adding that she said: "I know all the problems you've been having in the past few years – I didn't want to burden you with mine."

Dame Joan wrote: "My voice was so choked with tears I could hardly speak."



READ MORE:


The pair, who had been rumoured at times to have a difficult relationship, were pictured together in London just a few days before the death when Jackie was on a promotional tour for her new novel The Santangelos.

In her tribute, Dame Joan wrote: "Jackie really enjoyed her life so much and lived it to the hilt, and when we were together, even if we hadn't seen each other for a few months, we were thick as thieves."

Dame Joan said Jackie "hated" her fourth husband Peter Holm, adding: "She begged me not to marry him but unfortunately I went ahead – one of the worst decisions of my life. Jackie and I didn't see each other so much during that period."

She went on: "Unfortunately, a couple of years later another relationship I had came between us and, having moved back to Europe, we couldn't be as close as we wanted to be.

"Sisters will have their estrangements but happily when that relationship ended and I moved back to LA Jackie and I resumed our devotion to each other."

She added: "I've never had a better girlfriend than Jackie, with whom I shared so much in common and could enjoy talking and gossiping away about everything when we were together, going to our favourite restaurants or to the movies or on long distance phone calls."

In her concluding few lines, Dame Joan said: "I don't think I will ever recover from the sadness of losing my beautiful baby sister."

She added: "She will live on in the wonderful memories I have of her from our childhood and particularly from the last fifteen years, during which we were closer than ever. I feel her spirit, I hear her wonderful laugh and I see her all the time in the hundreds of photos of her that are sprinkled around my home.

"She wasn't just a star – to me she was an entire galaxy."

Dame Joan has requested that people who read her online tribute make donations to Penny Brohn Cancer Care in the UK and the Susan G. Komen breast cancer organisation in the USA.





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Freddie Starr 'Suicidal' After Sex Abuse Probe

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Comedian Freddie Starr has told how being under police investigation for allegations of historical sex abuse left him "suicidal".

The 72 year old was told he would not be prosecuted after spending 18 months on bail before losing a damages claim against his accuser in the High Court earlier this year.



freddie starr
Freddie Starr


In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, he revealed he moved to Spain following the ruling, which left him facing a costs bill unofficially estimated at about £1 million.

He told the paper: "No matter which way I turned there was a ****ing revolver pointing at my head so I thought, 'I'm not going to tell anyone, I'm just going to get on a plane and go to Spain, the place I love, and this is where I'm going to die'.

"I didn't even know how high the legal fees were until after I'd left Britain."

He added he had not moved "to deliberately get out of paying" and had planned to move to Spain regardless of the outcome.

He likened Operation Yewtree - the police investigation into historical sex offences launched in the wake of the exposure of DJ Jimmy Savile's crimes - to the "Salem witch hunt" and said he had "hit rock bottom".

"I feel suicidal at times because I don't think things are going to get any better for me," he told the paper.

Many of his friends in the entertainment business had "forsaken" him and he was too ill to work, he added.

In July, High Court judge Mr Justice Nicol dismissed the entertainer's claims for slander and libel and said that Karin Ward, the woman who said he groped her when she attended a Jimmy Savile TV show when she was 15, had proved the truth of her allegations.

Starr denied any wrongdoing, insisting it was not in his "moral compass" to have groped her and called her a "t**less wonder".

The Metropolitan Police has previously defended the record of the multi-million pound Operation Yewtree inquiry, which has secured several high-profile convictions.

But two who were charged were not convicted and a further 10 arrested men were told no further action would be taken.



If you've been affected by the issues in this article, please call the Samaritans on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)

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'EastEnders': Benedict Cumberbatch Being Lined-Up For Guest Role On BBC Soap

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Benedict Cumberbatch could be about to swap 221B Baker Street for the Queen Vic, as the ‘Sherlock’ actor is being lined-up for a role in ‘EastEnders’.

MORE 'EASTENDERS':


The BBC soap’s executive producer Dominic Treadwell Collins revealed that he has spoken to Benedict about making an appearance in Albert Square, and it seems he is keen.

benedict cumberbatch
Benedict Cumberbatch


However, now being a Hollywood star, it seems his busy schedule is proving to be a sticking point.

Speaking at the Radio Times TV Festival, Dominic said (via The Mirror): “I really want Benedict Cumberbatch to come and do a turn.

“And he says he’ll come and do it but he is slightly busy.”

And it turns out Dominic and Benedict actually go back a long way, as they actually went to school in Harrow together.

“He was the year above me at school and I remember doing the Shakespeare play ‘As You Like It’,” Dominic said.

“I remember afterwards ­running up to my mum to see if I was any good and she said, ‘Yeah, you were fine but that Benedict is an actor’.”

If Benedict was to star in ‘EastEnders’, it would lead on an awkward meeting with Danny Dyer, who plays Queen Vic landlord Danny Dyer.

The actor previously claimed Benedict would be “bullied” if he walked into a pub like the Vic in real life.

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Danny Dyer


"In this country, he has got utmost respect, but if he walked into a pub he’d get annihilated by geezers, he’d be bullied," he told Radio Times last year.

"He couldn’t play a kid from a working-class estate, but I couldn’t do what he does either.

"I think that I could play Sherlock, though, if I did it my way. Benedict’s brilliant and the lines roll off his tongue, but that role is about being highly intelligent rather than posh.”


Get ready to eat those words, Danny.



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‘X Factor' Host Olly Murs Splits From Girlfriend Francesca Thomas

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Olly Murs is nursing a broken heart after splitting from girlfriend Francesca Thomas.

The ‘X Factor’ host and the property manager called time on their three-year romance following a holiday together last week.

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According to The Sun, Olly’s busy work schedule took its toll on the pair’s relationship, as he juggles his pop career with hosting the new series of ‘The X Factor’ alongside Caroline Flack.

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Olly Murs


A source told the paper: “The split has just happened and it is very raw for Olly, he still feels numb.

“He always worried that his relationship would struggle because he'd always put his career first.

"Now, with ‘X Factor’ and his singing on the go, that's exactly what has happened."


Olly is said to be particularly gutted as Francesca was "the first woman he planned a future with".

News of their split comes just a few weeks after Olly confessed that Francesca was not a fan of his new body.

He has been putting the hours in at the gym in recent months, but she didn’t like his new six pack.

“She's not a big fan,” he told Fabulous magazine. “She misses the comfort belly, something to snuggle up to!”

Despite Olly’s heartache, there is one person who will be pleased to hear the news - Caroline Flack’s mum.

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Fans have long wanted Olly and Caroline to get together


The ‘X Factor’ star recently admitted that her mother has always wanted her to marry her co-host.

Playing down rumours of a romance between them during a recent interview on ‘Lorraine’, Caroline said: “My mum still does, my mum says, ‘Can’t you marry Olly? Go on, it’d be perfect!’”

The pair also admitted that while they did fancy each other when they first worked on ‘The Xtra Factor’ in 2011, they agreed not to pursue any romance for the sake of their jobs.

“It all stems from a tweet she did in 2009, which she tweeted when I auditioned saying she fancied me,” Olly explained.

“And obviously then we started to work with each other and we were both single so it was kind of like we were flirting and having a lot of fun but then we realised this should never happen. If we want to work together we can’t be doing this.”

But will Olly now a single man again, we have everything crossed.



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Actor Ioan Gruffudd Celebrates Wales Rugby Victory Over England In His Boxer Shorts

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Many a Welshman and woman would have been celebrating on Saturday after Wales beat England in the group stages of the Rugby World Cup.

But actor Ioan Gruffudd took it up a notch by doing it in his boxer shorts while his wife filmed it for the whole world to see...




Wow, now that is passion.

Despite being 10 points behind, Wales stunned England to snatch victory with a late try from Gareth Davies.

ioan gruffudd
Ioan Gruffudd in calmer times


England are now in the unenviable position of having to beat Australia on Saturday just to keep their hopes of progressing past the group stages alive.

And if you missed the action from yesterday you can watch the highlights in the video below...

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'Celebrity Big Brother': Farrah Abraham Suing Janice Dickinson For Neck And Back Injuries 'Caused During 'Bit On The Side' Brawl'

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Farrah Abraham has confirmed that she intends to sue Janice Dickinson for injuries she alleges were caused in the brawl that took place on ‘Celebrity Big Brother’ spin-off ‘Bit On The Side’ last week.

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The ‘Teen Mom’ star, who was given a police caution over her role in the fight, is launching legal proceedings against her former housemate, claiming she suffered injuries to her neck and back when Janice allegedly threw a chair at her.

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Farrah Abraham


Her spokesperson told The Mirror: "Farrah is taking a civil lawsuit against Janice for the back and neck injuries she caused Farrah."

Janice also received a caution from police for her part in the brawl, which took the Channel 5 show off air last Tuesday (22 September).

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Janice Dickinson


A spokeswoman for the police explained: "Officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary interviewed four people on September 25 in connection to allegations of assault at Elstree Studios on the evening of September 22.

"As a result of investigations, two women, aged 24 and 60, have received a police caution for common assault.

“Enquiries in connection with another assault allegation continue, therefore it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."

cbb
The brawl happened on 'CBBBOTS' on Tuesday night


Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace could still face action over her involvement, as Farrah previously said she would be pressing charges against her, claiming the ‘BB7’ “attacked her twice” during the row.

Aisleyne previously denied that she threw any glass, admitting she only threw champagne at Farrah.

“I take full responsibility that I did throw half a glass of champagne towards her,” she said.

“In retrospect I should have realised that she is so unstable... I thought she was going to throw the champagne back at me, which I could have dealt with. To actually pick up glasses and direct them and aim them to try and cut my face…”

aisleyne
Vicki and Aisleyne were also caught up in the row


‘Allo Allo’ actress Vicki Michelle, who was also on the panel at the time, wanted to press charges against Farrah, who she said “could have blinded her” in the brawl, by catching her in the crossfire of throwing a glass.

However, Farrah only received a caution for common assault, having claimed police had no charges to press.

"In regards to Vicki pressing charges against me, I can confirm I was neither arrested nor convicted of anything,” she explained.

“To clear my name, of my own free will, I explained to the police what really happened with Vicki. They looked over the ‘BBBOTS’ video footage in detail and said no crime had been committed and therefore no charges were made against me."



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'Doctors': Eddie Redmayne, Denise Welch And 12 Other Celebrities Who Guest Starred In The Daytime Soap

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Let’s be honest, within the world of soap, ‘Doctors’ tends to get a bit of a raw deal.

The BBC serial drama has now been on the air for 15 years, but still often doesn’t manage to receive the same recognition as its primetime rivals, ‘Coronation Street’, ‘Emmerdale’ and ‘EastEnders’, although it does have a loyal following from daytime viewers.

However, one area that ‘Doctors’ can definitely stand up on its own two feet, is when it comes to impressive guest stars.

After doing a bit of digging, we were surprised to learn just how many big names have appeared in the soap over the past 15 years, either in cameo roles or playing minor parts in guest appearances.

Among the stars who have appeared include stand-up comedians, high-profile British actors, thespians and even one particularly impressive recent Oscar -winner.

We’ve managed to cut the mammoth list of surprising big-name guest stars down to just 14 who we thought were the the most unlikely, impressive or famous.

Check out our top picks in the gallery below…



Other stars to have appeared in ‘Doctors’ include a number of actors from the world of soap, including former ‘Coronation Street’ stars Adam Rickitt, Natalie Gumede and Amanda Barrie, as well as ‘EastEnders’ graduates, Nigel Harman, Michael Greco and Tracey-Ann Oberman.

Earlier this year, the soap picked up its first British Soap Award in five years, when Jessica Regan won Best Newcomer, for her portrayal of Niamh Donoghue.

‘Doctors’ airs on weekdays, at 1.45pm, on BBC One.



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Radio's New Lease of Life in 2015

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It's been a busy year in the radio industry.

Zane Lowe left London for LA to set up Beats 1. Grimmy and Melvin got second jobs with Simon Cowell. Chris Evans brought TFI back and became a Top Gear presenter. Chris Moyles, Vernon Kay and Johnny Vaughan launched Radio X. Front pages of newspapers told us that BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 were under threat. Plus, Richard Curtis is trying to reach the entire population of the world with Radio Everyone. And we still have another three months to go.

In the run up to Christmas we will see more questions asked of the BBC and there will be plenty more speculation about the future broadcasting landscape of the UK. However, one thing is certain this year - radio remains vital in people's lives. Radio showed everyone that it is still the place in the media that is busy with innovation, has famous names people want to talk about and stations that millions of listeners are passionate about.

I'm particularly pleased that in an era of competing devices and time, there is still space for new radio stations and new ideas to arrive in the market with distinctive offers for listeners.

At Radio 1 & 1Xtra, I am determined to make sure that we remain distinctive - in the support of new British artists, the quality of speech and outreach work and the diversity of our entertaining presenters. I believe the Reithian values of public service broadcasting - inform, educate and entertain - are core to what we do.

I will also continue to ensure that there is space for all of us in the industry to thrive. Over the last four years as Controller of Radio 1 & 1Xtra I have made every effort to focus on a youth audience, listening to the BBC Trust, commercial radio and my own belief that the culture and music of young people deserves to be championed in an environment without advertising. Like Doctor Who, it's important to regenerate every so often.

I think we do a great job and it has been wonderful to see the response of the music industry - I thank them for their continued support during this time of charter renewal for the BBC.

Our fantastically creative industry needs to keep producing engaging content for everybody, whether you listen to our radio stations via traditional transmitters or use your mobile phone. For the good of the radio and music industries it is essential that Radio 1 & 1Xtra remain able to use the licence fee as 'seed capital' for innovation on both platforms, whether that be in the way we create content around artists or bands, or the training and development of presenter and production talent for the rest of the industry.

What happens in the next three months and beyond is difficult to predict, but here are two of my predictions: you will get a present you don't want on Christmas Day, and Radio 1 will continue to play a mix of new music that will find the next Jake Bugg, Florence + the Machine, or Royal Blood. As one industry insider said, "Radio 1 makes the hits and commercial radio plays them." Long may it continue.

Ben Cooper is 'In Conversation' with Zane Lowe at the 2015 Radio Festival.

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The X Factor 2015 Bootcamp Show Two

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Week one of Bootcamp had more drama than a month of Coronation Street. We witnessed drinking, tears, arguments an, of course, the occasional decent singer.

180 were through to Bootcamp, now just 93 remain. I hope you are ready because the contestants had better be....

Gospel girl band Silvertone, kicked us off and with so much at stake, it was obvious there was going to be some nerves. At this moment in time, they are inconsistent, one moment great, the next not so. Tonight was the latter. Look, I do like them, I really do but the competition is tough this year and they need to step it up.

Needing to come back strong after the below par group audition was Lauren Murray. We needn't have worried, this was brilliant stuff. Fantastic comeback.

Brodie Kelly won't like me for saying this but get him in a boy band. Good voice, nice looking lad. I just think he would shine more, with three or four other lads.

With a lovely tone, Simon Lynch made a difficult song sound easy. Very, very impressive.

First up for Team Midas tonight is Josh Daniel. If that doesn't get Josh through to the six chairs, then I'm retiring. Awesome vocal. Another act who could release an album now and do well.

If one person was going to upset the Team Midas apple cart, then it is going to be Seann Miley Moore. This guy has not put a foot wrong to date and that continued tonight. One to watch. A serious contender.

Another act I like is Anton Stephans and this was a very strong performance. After that he might as well go and pack his bags for Wembley.

Team Midas' out of this world girl band, Alien, landed next. The girls showed their human side during their VT and didn't disappoint during their performance. I agree with Rita, there is something special and memorable about these girls.

Tonatha Raihan & Joseph McCaul were OK, I just wished we had seen more of them.

After losing out at the six chair challenge last year, Monica Michael was hoping to get back on her seat. Putting the drama of last week's group challenge behind her, Monica smashed it out of the ball park, well the hotel gardens.

I think Papasidero has been very underrated. During last week's group audition he has been memorable and he was again today. I really hope this opens doors for him, whatever happens on his X Factor journey.

Gem Ozalchin & Andre Batchelor have done well to get this far but I personally think their journeys will end here.

Essex lad Che Chesterman was awesome at his arena audition and he awesome tonight. Like Seann, Che is seriously one to watch. After that wow of a vocal, he should sail through to the six chair challenge. 10/10.

The very likeable Havva Rekbe Jamie Benkert & Ebru Gursoy all let the nerves get the better of them, which was a shame, as they are much better than they were tonight. I hope they all get another shot.

Mason Noise does not lack confidence and his energy really shone on the stage. Love or hate him, he can sing and you will all remember him after that.

Everytime I see Bupsi the more I am growing to like her. Tonight, I warmed to her even more. This girl can sing, I mean really sing. I really hope she gets through.

The same goes for Ben Clark, great singer, very likeable and deserves another chance.

Unless something goes miraculous wrong, after that showing 4th Power are not only going to sail through this, they are going to reach the live shows. Bold statement but 4th Power are amazing, absolutely amazing,

At their first audition, The First Kings blew us all away. Now laid bare, without the screens and dancers, they were vocally very good but I did agree with Cheryl, it was all very 90's. Still think these lads are ones to watch.

Holly Johnson looks and sounds great, in an open overs category, she really stands out. I really hope the judges pick her. Brilliant vocal.

Ankush Khanna was much better than the judges gave him credit for. I thought he did really well and you could hear the potential. Keep smiling Ankush.

From day one Jennifer Phillips has wowed me, not only with her voice but her warm personality. If I had an overs shortlist for the live shows, her name would be on it.

Team Midas' Kiera Weathers looks and sounds like a pop star (OK Louis) I don't know what the judges were watching, as Kiera, yet again, showed us how it should be done. Well done Kiera.

Another Team Midas singer was up next, in the shape of the amazing Louisa Johnson. Look, let's be honest, Team Midas or not, this girl is world class. This is her third audition and her third faultless performance. Louisa is out and out pure talent. 10/10.

Chloe Paige's first audition was breathtaking but this time around she failed to blow me away. Still good enough to progress though.

Closing the solo auditions was Charlie Beard. This girl is not part of Team Midas but I really wish she was. She is awesome with a capital A. This young girl has a very bright future.

The singers have done all they can, now it is over to Simon, Cheryl, Rita (and via Skype) Nick to make dreams come true or turn them into a nightmare.

Good luck Team Midas. It's decision time.

After 15 minute nail biting minutes, thankfully all of Team Midas' acts have made it through, to the six chair challenge.

The full list of acts moving forward:

BOYS: BEN CLARK, BRODIE KELLY, CHE CHESTERMAN, DANNY SHARPLES, JAMIE ELDRIDGE, JORDAN LUKE GAGE, JOSH DANIEL, MARTIN HARICH, MASON NOISE, NATHANEAL LANDSKRONER, OLLIE MARLAND, PAPASIDERO, SEANN MILEY MOORE, SIMON LYNCH, TOM BLEASBY and TOM DAVIES.

GIRLS: CAITLYN VANBECK, CHARLI BEARD, CHLOE BAKER, CHLOE PAIGE, HAVVA REBKE, JASMINE LEIGH MORRIS, KAREN MAV, KATIE COLEMAN, KELLY MAI WEBB, KIERA WEATHERS, LAUREN MURRAY, LOUISA JOHNSON, LUCY DUFFIELD, MONICA MICHAELS, SHARON ROSE and SOPHIE PLUMB.

OVERS: ALEX BOYE, ANTON STEPHANS, BUPSI, EBRU, HANNAH MARIE, HOLLY JOHNSON, JENNIFER PHILLIPS, JOSEPH MCCAUL, KERRIE-ANNE PHILLIPS, LOCHEI KUSI GHENT, MAX STONE, NENETH LYONS, SHERILYN HAMILTON SHAW, STEPHANIE MCCOURT, TONATHA RAIHAN, VICKI ANN NASH and ZEN BLYTHE.

GROUPS: ALIEN, BEKLN, CAM AND BRETT, DECIEBELLAS, 4TH POWER, GOE, MENN ON POINT, MON AMIE, MY BAD SISTER, PYT, RUMOUR HAS IT, RYDER, SILVER TONE, THE FIRST KINGS and TRIBE.

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