
Rachel Joyce: My favourite read is like Emma Bovary meets Quentin Tarantino
Born in 1962, Rachel Joyce worked as a nanny, door-to-door saleswoman, barmaid and actress. And although she has written since she was a child, her debut novel, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, was not published until she was 50. She has more than made up for the time: Harold Fry won a National Book award, was longlisted for the Booker prize and, more recently, adapted into a film starring Jim Broadbent. She has since published six other novels, including Miss Benson's Beetle, Maureen Fry and the Angel of the North and The Homemade God.
I am lucky enough as a radio writer to have adapted several of the classics for BBC Radio 4, but the one I always wanted — and
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Daily Mail
17 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth the £400 price tag? PETER HOSKIN says the answer is an emphatic yes... and reveals why
Nintendo Switch 2 Verdict: Joy redefined The latest Nintendo console, the Switch 2, is finally here — and a question mark block hovers over it, just like the ones above Mario's head. Is it worth the £395.99 asking price (or £429.99, when bundled with the new Mario Kart World)? In this economy, and with more powerful PlayStations and Xboxes available for less, that's quite an outlay. I could make a financial argument for the Switch 2. Its predecessor, the original Switch, has been around for eight years now. If this new console has the same shelf life, that amounts to about £50 a a pound a week. Most people's chocolate habits cost more. But financial arguments are boring, when the Switch 2 is anything but. Although this is mostly just a bigger, better Switch, it's bigger and better in exciting ways. The larger, higher-definition screen is tremendously good for handheld play. Its more powerful innards mean that it can handle some very visually demanding games, including Cyberpunk 2077, which is also available now. It will come in two varieties: just the console and the console bundled with Mario Kart World. The former will cost £395.99 and the latter £429.99 Can the PS5 and Xbox Series X run these games even better? Yes. But a PC can run them even better again. And none have the easy, well, switchability of the Switch 2, which can move from your TV to your handbag in an instant. Technological domination isn't everything. Then there are the Switch 2's innovations, like its new mouse mode. The detachable Joy-Con controllers can be laid on their sides and moved and clicked just like the mouse for your desktop computer. It adds to the sense that Nintendo has made the Swiss Army knife of consoles. Everything for all occasions. The real draw, though, is the games. Neither the PlayStation nor the Xbox will ever get Mario Kart World, which is a loss for them. This first open-world entry in the madcap racing series is — much like the Switch 2 itself — an improvement on its already great predecessor. And think of all the joys to come! A new Donkey Kong game in July, which looks as though it delivers on its hero's full destructive potential. Followed by, presumably, new Mario and Zelda releases in future. Get saving.


Graziadaily
17 minutes ago
- Graziadaily
Is New BBC Drama 'What It Feels Like For A Girl' Worth Watching? Reviews Are In
New to the BBC, What It Feels Like For A Girl is the new drama taking audiences on a deep dive back to the noughties – millennials stand up! The coming-of-age show, based on the memoir of Paris Lees, explores themes of class, gender, self-discovery and identity. Paris is a journalist, presenter, author and campaigner, described by ID Magazine as 'a voice of a generation' becoming Vogue's first transgender columnist in 2018. Released in 2021, Paris' memoir pulls readers into her world, growing up in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, uncovering her British trans experiencing growing up in living a life she didn't want to, as a boy called Byron (the fictional name she uses to talk about her pre-transition self). Now, her story has been brought to screen. With Paris as executive producer the 8 part series, What It Feels Like For A Girl follows 15 year old Byron, aged 15, caught between the homes of his mum, dad and gran, finding 'freedom' in Nottingham's underground club scene. The series doesn't shy away from the harsh reality of navigating the world that shaper her, telling a raw story that is love overdue, and already it's pulling in amazing reviews from critics. Ellis Howard plays Byron in the show, a teenager at school who is pulled between different homes while struggling with his own identity. The role was inspired by the life of Paris Lees, the author and campaigner who was the first trans woman to present shows on BBC Radio 1 and Channel 4. Speaking about the role, Howard said: 'Byron is at school, without much of a support system, bouncing between their mum's, dad's and Mommar Joe's homes with a desperate internal desire to escape,' continuing 'It's the story of someone who has grown up in a small town with people who aren't like them, dreaming of a life bigger and bolder.' Howard has had roles in the TV series Red Rose (2022) and the film Romeo & Juliet (2021). Laquarn Lewis takes on the role of Lady Die, a podium dancer in the nightclubs of Nottingham. 'Lady Die is eye-catching, fashionable and super stylish,' Lewis says of her character. 'She's over-caring, loving, fun, wild and crazy. I could relate to her, as she has a loving nature. She's someone everyone would want as a friend, and that's what I love about her.' Lewis previously played Elliott in the television series Jamie Johnson. Laura Haddock plays Lisa, Byron's mum who is struggling with her relationship with her son. 'Lisa is Byron's mother, and [with] Byron secretly struggling with their sexuality and gender identity, [their] relationship isn't what it was,' says Haddock. 'She also feels like she's done the hard bit bringing them up and she deserves to have a life now. Their relationship is really strained; she is struggling to understand Byron and accept who they want to be.' You might recognise Haddock from her starring roles in films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, The Laureate and Downton Abbey: A New Era. She has also had starring roles in Da Vinci's Demons, White Lines and The Recruit. Bryon's father Steve is played by Michael Socha, a working class man known locally as 'Hucknall's most feared man.' 'He struggles to accept Byron's femininity and is determined to toughen them up, which can come across as aggressive and even violent at times,' said Socha speaking about his character. 'His frustration stems from Byron not fitting the traditional idea of masculinity, and this manifests in harsh demands for Byron to "man up."' Jake Dunn plays Liam, a 'bad-boy' figure who Byron is drawn in by. 'Liam's a complicated, intense character,' says Dunn. 'While we share some similarities, like being from Nottingham and being in our early twenties, he's completely different from me. He's a gangster who is involved in some dark stuff.' Jake has also had roles in Renegade Nell and Get Even. Hannah Jones plays trans girl Sasha, who is part of the Fallen Divas who take Byron in. Speaking about her role, Hannah explained Sasha is a 'proud scouse' who is 'volatile and aggressive' at times. 'I just think she's a great person, as much as she is a terrible person. There's so much underlying love and misunderstanding of her personality, and she goes through so much trauma and strife in her life,' Jones said. Alex Thomas-Smith plays Sticky Nikki, who is a slightly older member of the Fallen Divas. 'Sticky Nikki is a passionate and headstrong woman who deeply values her friends, relationships and life' says Thomas-Smith when speaking about her role. 'She's a little older than the other girls, which allows her to look at their more-outrageous behaviour with a sense of understanding. Her role is about supporting the others, encouraging them to have fun, but also imparting some of the lessons she's learnt along the way.' You might recognise Alex from her roles in Dixi and The Revenge Files of Alistair Fury. Ali plays Dirty Damian, a 'party instigator' who is always there for the Fallen Divas. 'The girls are protective of each other, and I feel like Damian and Sticky Nikki are the good ones. They are a bit more behaved and sensible. They've got work in the morning when the party is coming to an end,' Ali said. 'They know it's time to go home, and the other three are more party-oriented. The Fallen Divas are also a very tight-knit family, and they're there for each other when things get hard.' Ali is best known as Kai Shariff in Waterloo Road. Despite only being out for two days, the show has gone down a storm with critics. The Guardian gave the show four stars, writing that the show is a 'memorably complex psychological portrait will be your reward.' The Telegraph gave the show four stars, describing the show as 'snappy, addictive, often shocking.' The Independent also settled on four stars for the show. Critic Nick Hilton wrote 'at a time when the trans community are being forced to suffer almost daily indignities at the hands of Britain's political and media establishment, the presence of What It Feels Like for a Girl feels urgent,' adding 'in a world where it is easy to feel pessimistic about the course of progress, What It Feels Like for a Girl presents an engaging – and rational – case for optimism.' Meanwhile, the show is getting rave reviews on social media. One user wrote on X 'Watched the first episode of What It Feels Like For A Girl last night and if it were any closer to my own experiences it would be autobiographical. Incredible, crucial television.' Another simply penned 'Finished watching the Paris Lees' What It Feels Like For a Girl series. It was beautiful, start to end.' A third praised the show's nostalgic element, writing 'I loved the first 2 episodes of the new #LGBTQ series #WhatItFeelsLikeForAGirl and I can't wait to see how the story develops. I also loved the 00s soundtrack and those Bacardi Breezers because that was my drink of choice back then.' The good news is that What It Feels Like For A Girl is available to watch on iPlayer right now! It landed on the platform on Tuesday 3 June, with all eight episodes available. The show will also air weekly double bills starting at 9pm on Tuesday, June 3 on BBC Three.


Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Dani Dyer shares a kiss with new husband Jarrod Bowen as she reveals glimpse into the lead up to the moment they said 'I do' in unseen snaps from their lavish wedding celebrations
Dani Dyer has treated fans to a glimpse into the lead-up to her lavish wedding day with Jarrod Bowen at the weekend. The former Love Island star, 28, and the West Ham captain, 28, tied the knot during an intimate ceremony surrounded by their closest friends and family on Saturday. And in the days since, the newlyweds have been sharing snippets from their nuptials on social media, with Dani taking to Instagram on Thursday with even more unseen snaps, with the caption: 'Moments before'. This time, she showed her followers a look inside the moments before she and Jarrod became husband and wife, with a sweet shot of the couple kissing in the car, after popping a celebratory bottle of champagne. The pair could be seen enjoying spending time with their families, with Dani posing for a beaming selfie with proud dad, Danny Dyer. 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. She also shared a slew of sweet photos of her son Santiago, four, who she shares with ex Sammy Kimmence, tucking into several meals as he prepared to be a page boy, alongside Dani's brother Arty, 11. While her and Jarrod's twin daughters Summer and Star, two, served as flower girls for their parents big day, and could be seen looking adorable in their matching floral dresses. And though she kept her wedding gown secret until the big day, Dani still ensured she looked every inch the bride, wearing an elegant white minidress, with a low back and huge bow detail. While even when she was getting ready, she donned a white jumper with the words 'BRIDE' emblazoned on the back. For the actual ceremony, Dani dazzled in a £10,000 designer gown by Suzanne Neville, before changing into a stunning lace minidress for the raucous reception. Speaking on her joint podcast with Danny, Dani revealed she was keeping her first wedding dress a surprise from her dad until the big day to honour a special tradition. 'Have you not seen that first look when the dad sees their daughter in their dress and that? Oh, it's lovely,' she shared. 'Yeah, your dad's not meant to see it – it's a moment for the dad as well!' While her and Jarrod's twin daughters Summer and Star, two, served as flower girls for their parents big day, and could be seen looking adorable in their matching floral dresses And though she kept her wedding gown secret until the big day, Dani still ensured she looked every inch the bride, wearing an elegant white minidress, with a low back and huge bow detail The Bridgerton-themed wedding took place at the five star Langley Hotel, which sits on the estate of the third Duke of Marlborough, in former royal hunting grounds. White rose petals lined the aisle, with floral sculptures and candles creating a stunning backdrop which the bride and groom shared a kiss in front of. The fun was kicked off by father of the bride Danny, who led a wedding breakfast chant of the rude West Ham anthem, 'Bowen's on fire and he's sh***ing Dani Dyer,' to the 1997 hit Freed from Desire, changing the lyrics to say 'married'. While Dani's sister Sunnie was one of six bridesmaids, who all wowed in matching one shoulder pink dresses. The 18-year-old also had a role during the ceremony as she read a poem from Sex and The City's wedding scene, which went: 'His hello was the end of her endings. Her laugh was their first step down the aisle. His hand would be hers to hold forever. 'His forever was as simple as her smile. He said she was what was missing. She said instantly she knew. She was a question to be answered. And his answer was 'I do'.' After Dani and Jarrod exchanged their vows, the couple were quick to indulge in their huge wedding cake, with the happy couple seen lifting a huge slice in a fun video. The reception also boasted a live band who serenaded Dani as she shared a sweet father-daughter dance with Dani. White rose petals lined the aisle, with floral sculptures and candles creating a stunning backdrop which the bride and groom shared a kiss in front of Dani has had a whirlwind few months, filled with two lavish hen parties and all the excitement of getting ready for her big day. Speaking to Heat magazine earlier this week, Dani said: 'I have finally done my table plans now. Until you are in there writing names out, making sure you have tables of 10, it's the most stressful experience ever - that's the only thing I've not enjoyed.' Dani also revealed she will take on a double-barrel surname after the wedding, becoming Dyer-Bowen. She said: 'I am going to keep the Dyer - I am going to do Dani Dyer-Bowen just because of my work. I feel like if I am Dani Bowen, it takes that thing away from me. We are double-barrelling it.'