Naomi Ackie: ‘After Whitney, I never wanted to play a real person again'
The Thursday Murder Club will bring Ackie, 33, to a fresh audience. It's the first British comedy she has been in, although her CV is impressively varied. Since her breakthrough as the maid in Lady Macbeth with Florence Pugh in 2016, Ackie has worked with some of the starriest names in film and television — including Daisy Ridley, JJ Abrams and co in 2019's Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Steve McQueen in his Small Axe anthology and the director Bong Joon Ho and Robert Pattinson in Mickey 17. ('If we were out and I heard a tornado of screaming fans I realised it was because Rob had got out of the car.') Her biggest role to date is Whitney Houston in the 2022 biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody. It was this film (more on this later) that changed how she sees her career and meant that last year she made both the warm comedy The Thursday Murder Club and the more offbeat American indie film Sorry, Baby.
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The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Real Madrid icon leaves locals stunned as he pops into Scots pub for a curry – before returning the very next night
A REAL MADRID icon left local punters stunned after popping into a Scots pub for a slap-up Indian feast with pals. He also watched his beloved hometown team in action. 4 4 4 Wales legend Gareth Bale headed to The Glendevon Hotel in Auchterarder, Perthshire where he enjoyed tucking into a Tikka Masala cooked by chef Mandeep Saini - who previously delighted customers at the world-famous Gleneagles hotel. The ex-Tottenham star enjoyed the experience so much, the party returned the following night for more football and curry. And he got the result he'd have hoping for too as he watched hometown club Cardiff City beat Swindon 2-1. The 35-year-old, who retired from the game two years ago after a stellar career in which he won five Champions Leagues with Madrid and 111 caps for his country, delighted locals with his 'down-to-earth' charm. He even posed for snaps and signed autographs. The bar manager told the Scottish Sun: "I suspect they were all staying at Gleneagles which is just nearby, but they came here both nights. "He and a few of his pals came along around 6pm, they chose to sit facing the big screens to catch the game - it's the best view in the house. "They had a big feast cooked by our chef Mandeep - who still cooks the delicious recipes he used at Gleneagles. "It obviously went down well - we couldn't believe when they walked back through the doors for round two on Tuesday night. "He was so lovely, polite and down to earth. Micah Richards gasps 'you said that?' as Gareth Bale makes shock revelation live on TV "There was a bit of a crowd on Tuesday night, with the talk spreading through the town, and Gareth was so happy to chat and pose for pictures for fans. "We'd gladly welcome him back - what a lovely customer." It is thought the star, who is well known for his love of golf and has cut his handicap from 'three or four' to just 0.1 since retiring from football, was staying at Gleneagles. Famous faces are often spotted at the quaint, bustling town - with luxury hotel often playing host to the likes of Rod Stewart, Jennifer Lawrence and prince William and Kate.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
MasterChef viewers demand contestant is 'disqualified' after he makes a MAJOR blunder
This year's series of Masterchef had already been marred in controversy, after its stars John Torode and Gregg Wallace were axed by bosses. But viewers were venting their fury for a wholly different reason after Wednesday's episode, as they demanded a contestant be 'disqualified' for a major gaffe. The show saw the remaining six contenders - Naomi, Martin, Joy, Michael, Reuben and Victoria - face the challenge of impressing Gregg and John with their 'basic to brilliant' creations. Contestants were ask to transform everyday home cooking into something 'extraordinary', and IT project manager Reuben chose to present traditional meatballs alongside handmade pappardelle pasta in tomato sauce. Things took a turn when Gregg cut into the meatballs to taste them, only to discover they were still raw inside. Despite earning praise for his pasta and sauce, Gregg and John were quick to share thoughts on the main element of the dish being undercooked. Gregg said: 'Big issue with the meatballs,' whilst John added: 'I cannot ignore the fact that you've got meatballs that aren't cooked all the way through.' Visibly dejected by the feedback, Reuben admitted: 'I'm feeling deflated. After all, they weren't cooked all the way through, so I can forgive them for not wanting to eat them.' Viewers were also quick to make their feelings known on social media, with some claiming Reuben should be 'disqualified' for the gaffe. Posts on X included: 'Undercooked meatballs should be instant disqualification; 'Were they cooked with a blowtorch?; 'Sorry, but that's a major schoolboy error at the stage he should absolutely be disqualified. Shame.' Reuben's meant he ultimately missed out on a place in the quarter-finals, and he was sent home along with Joy and Martin. It comes days after MasterChef was ripped to shreds for its 'disgraceful' editing of Gregg in its latest episode, with viewers declaring: 'Is this for real?' Viewers were also quick to make their feelings known on social media, with some claiming Reuben should be 'disqualified' for the gaffe Gregg and co-host John Torode were sacked after almost 20 years on the show by the BBC last month after an investigation upheld allegations about their poor behaviour. Wallace had 40 complaints upheld, including one where he was accused of wandering around set naked with a sock on his penis. Torode was found to have used a racist term in 2018. Their final series of MasterChef was filmed before they were both fired. The show's bosses have insisted on keeping them in the final edit - but only if they were on screen less and their banter and jokes were cut down to a minimum. Several contestants asked to be edited out themselves to avoid being on screen with them. Daily Mail revealed that viewers have pointed out 'disgraceful' edits in the new series on BBC One and iPlayer, with many cuts appearing awkward and repetitive, including those of Mr Wallace. In one scene shown last week, stills of Gregg pulling the same face three times in around a minute made it to air - with many suggesting that the BBC and production company Banijay used the same footage of the disgraced host repeatedly through the show. Some of his fans have even claimed the edits, where Gregg gives a semi-gurning smile, were deliberately to embarrass him and 'make him look demented'. TikTok user Gingernat Design shared a particularly unusual example, writing: 'Clever editing from MasterChef. 'Whether this is to do with the allegations or not I don't know, but it's jokes how they just froze Gregg Wallace for an entire conversation.' The now-viral clip sees a contestant discuss her performance with Torode and Wallace. The same shot of Wallace appears to be used three times in succession - and he is seen with a broad grin fixed on his face. The uncanny scene has horrified fans, who rushed to social media to express their disapproval.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Celebs Go Dating airs emotional scenes as stars break down in tears over 'triggering' past relationships and difficult childhoods
The Celebs Go Dating agency was turmoil during Wednesday night's episode after two stars broke down in tears in a candid discussion about their past. Olivia Hawkins, 30, admitted to feeling 'triggered' by her past relationships while Sam Prince, 28, said he found himself 'never being enough' for his parents which has left him 'sensitive' when it comes to romance. Speaking to experts Anna Williamson and Dr Tara, former Love Island star Liv discussed her date with Louis Russell - which ended in tears after he kissed someone else during another date. 'It's a trigger of people I've dated from the past,' she explained as she wiped away her tears. 'I've always wanted that instant connection with someone and I really feel that with him, and I know it's so early but I don't think it's the right situation for me.' Liv recalled when she discovered a man she had been dating in the past had a partner. She continued: 'But I just kept going back. I just really wanted to change him and I lost myself a bit.' Meanwhile, Sam headed out on a date with a girl called Annie, who went on to brand him 'nasty' and rate their night a 2/10. He explained: 'As much as I have this persona where people watch me on TV and think I don't give a f**k, I give more of a f**k then ever and I'm very sensitive. 'When I'm in love with someone, I'm so in love. Sometimes I feel like I'm too in love. I rely on that person for everything, and that's where I think I've gone wrong.' Sam then explained how past relationships have left him feeling 'resentful' after giving too much, which he thinks stems from 'never feeling like he was enough' for his parents. Former Love Island star Olivia and Too Hot To Handle 's Louis immediately hit it off after they landed in Ibiza to film the E4 dating show and shared a smooch. However, during Monday evening's instalment, their connection was put to the test as Louis went on a date with a gorgeous brunette, who was later revealed to be Jazmine Nichol. Jazmine entered the Casa Amor Love Island villa in 2022 as a bombshell; however, she failed to find a spark with any of the boys and was dumped from the villa. Sam then explained how past relationships have left him feeling 'resentful' after giving too much, which he thinks stems from 'never feeling like he was enough' for his parents Previously, Olivia and Too Hot To Handle's Louis, 24, immediately hit it off after they landed in Ibiza to film the E4 dating show and shared a smooch Louis and Liv had a very strong connection on the hit E4 show, and things between the pair got steamy in a short matter of time. A show insider told The Sun at the time: 'It usually takes a few weeks for things to spice up, but not with these two. 'Within 48 hours of arriving in Ibiza, the sexual spark between them was obvious. They clearly couldn't resist each other.'
