From proud Billy Boy to devout Catholic... so, is Northern Ireland ready to accept JD Vance as one of its own?
Did you know that the term 'hillbilly' emanates from these shores? The 'Billy' bit requires little explanation, referring to Ulster Scot Protestants beholden to William of Orange.
The 'hill', however, alludes not to Stormont but to the Appalachian Mountains, where so many folk from here ultimately settled centuries ago. They became known in America as Billys, Billy Boys and, ultimately, Hillbillies.
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Scottish Sun
04-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Coronation Street star's future on soap revealed after her onscreen dad is axed amid cast cull
A game-changing plot starring the show's younger cast will take centre stage in the coming weeks cobbles carry-on Coronation Street star's future on soap revealed after her onscreen dad is axed amid cast cull Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE future of a Coronation Street character has been revealed after her entire onscreen family has been axed in the soap's ongoing cast cull. Actress Harriett Bibby plays the role of Summer Spellman on the ITV soap opera but fans were left fearing she could be next to face the chop when it was revealed her on-screen dad, Billy Mayhew, would be leaving just months after her other on-screen father, Paul Foreman, was killed off. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Harriett Bibby has been handed another 12-month contract on Coronation Street Credit: Getty 5 The Summer Spellman star will be sticking around well into 2026 Credit: ITV 5 It comes as her on-screen father is axed from the show Credit: ITV The news of Billy actor Daniel Brocklebank's impending departure cast doubt on whether Summer would remain on the show as she would no longer have any family left in Weatherfield. Now, The Sun can exclusively reveal that Summer will be remaining on the cobbles with soap chiefs rushing to sign actress Harriet up on another contract amid the rampant departures. The 27-year-old has been handed another brand new 12-month deal to keep her on the programme well into 2026. A source told The Sun: "Harriet is a real asset to the show and extremely well liked. "There is a big story coming up later this month with Harriet and the other younger cast at the centre of it which will have repercussions for many of the residents." Summer has proved a real fan favourite on the programme and so it was a no-brainer for bosses to lock her down and keep her on the nation's favourite street. The Sun first told earlier this week how Coronation Street had lined up a game-changing plot that will focus solely on the programme's younger characters. Sydney Martin and Cait Fitton, who play Betsy and Lauren, told The Sun at the British Soap Awards about the scenes which will see the Corrie teens banding together. Actress Cait said: "There is gonna be something quite different in the near-near future where we see all the younger cast come together. "We really enjoyed that because nine times out of ten you don't really get to see people unless you are working with them. Coronation Street stars reveal game-changing episode starring soap's younger cast members as show bombs at the Soap Awards "Working with people our own age has been so much fun. "It was two weeks of us non-stop altogether." Summer is expected to appear in the scenes which will have repercussions for months to come She is also expected to play a part in the exit of her on-screen dad, vicar Billy, who will exit as part of an issue-based storyline when his contract was not renewed after 11 years on the show. It is understood his departure was one solely made by Corrie bosses as 'a story-based decision.' Confirming his exit, Daniel said: "I have been working on Corrie for a quarter of my life. "I have adored every minute I have been in that building and have never not looked forward to going into work. "I love everyone who works on this show and whilst I am sad to be going, I am equally excited to see what the future holds." 5 Bosses were over-the-moon to secure Harriett for another year Credit: PA
BBC News
28-05-2025
- BBC News
Has Smith 'earned right to be No.1' or is he not 'the answer'?
We asked for your views on whether Jordan Smith should start next season as number one number one at what some of you said:Keith: Smith has been excellent for us since he came in but is he the answer? I doubt it. We must look to improve all over the pitch and goalkeeper is one of those Jordan deserves to be Hibs' number one keeper next season. He has been exceptional since his introduction to the team, and it's a team game and he's so important to our current team, so whoever we buy will have to be his understudy as for me he's cemented the number one Smith has done well overall, however he's still got room for improvement. He was at fault for some of the goals conceded and he's had a few shaky moments in games. We need to bring in someone to really challenge him or take his place. Competition for places is Smith has earned the right to be number one, is there nobody at the academy to be an understudy?Alan: I would get Kevin Dabrowski back from Raith Rovers, he was outstanding for them a season ago, best keeper in Championship by a mile. His face doesn't seem to fit since Barry Robson arrived. Smith has been good but still a bit suspect and not good with his Smith should deservedly retain the number one spot next term. However, he is prone to the odd error and it's clear we need a quality option to challenge for the gloves, especially given the strain that European football can bring. Overall though Smith has been very good since breaking into the While Smith was brilliant last season, there are some elements to his game that he needs to improve upon. He's a little hesitant on coming off his line to clear the ball at times which has cost us a few goals. That has been a problem for Hibs for a while, so if we can get someone in who can deal with that, it will be a big plus. As for our third-choice keeper, it will be interesting to see if Hibs bring anyone in or have one of our academy players to fill the spot, we'll have to wait and see.
NBC News
22-05-2025
- NBC News
Aging elephants quietly moved from L.A. to Tulsa Zoo should be in sanctuary, advocates say
LOS ANGELES — Billy and Tina, the last remaining elephants at the Los Angeles Zoo, were quietly moved this week to a zoo in Oklahoma despite pending lawsuits seeking to have them transferred instead to an animal sanctuary where they could live out their days with more room to roam. The announcement last month that Billy, 40, and Tina, 59, would be sent to the Tulsa Zoo angered animal advocates who argue that they would be subjected again to an enclosure that's too small for aging elephants. The move came "under cover of darkness," said Jake Davis, an attorney for the Nonhuman Rights Project. Davis said he received reports that the Asian elephants were transferred out about 1:30 a.m. Tuesday to elude protesters who've been staking out the zoo. The nonprofit on Tuesday filed a petition asking a court to release Billy and Tina from the L.A. Zoo and send them to one of two accredited sanctuaries appropriate for elephants where they would have full-time care and ample space. "At a sanctuary, they could live as nature intended," Davis said Wednesday. "They need massive swaths of land; they need varied terrain." The L.A. Zoo said in a statement Wednesday that the elephants "have arrived safely at the Tulsa Zoo" but didn't say when the transfer occurred. The move was necessary because the Tulsa Zoo has other Asian elephants who will provide important socialization for Billy and Tina because "keeping them in larger groups is crucial for their well-being," especially at their advanced age, the L.A. Zoo statement said. Asian elephants typically live around 60 years. A move to a sanctuary was considered, but the Tulsa Zoo was the top recommendation based on the standards of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Elephant Species Survival Plan, which considers "space, herd dynamics, and expertise of the staff," the L.A. Zoo said. "This option also ensured that Billy and Tina would be able to remain together," the statement said. Davis said he expects the Los Angeles lawsuit will be dismissed, but his group will not give up the fight to get Billy and Tina a sanctuary retirement home. He said his team is exploring legal options in Oklahoma. The Tulsa Zoo didn't immediately reply to a request for comment. A lawsuit filed this month by an L.A. resident sought to halt the elephants' transfer, but a judge denied an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order. That lawsuit includes a declaration by the singer Cher, who has advocated for the elephants for years, the Los Angeles Times reported. "Billy and Tina have served their time in confinement," Cher said in the declaration. "They deserve the chance to live out their lives in peace and dignity." The L.A. Zoo referred questions about the court actions to the city attorney's office, which said it doesn't comment on pending litigation. Los Angeles City Councilmember Bob Blumenfield introduced a motion in April requiring the zoo to explore sanctuary options for the pair. But before the council could act, the zoo went forward with the move, "thwarting public discourse and transparency," In Defense of Animals said in a statement Wednesday. The nonprofit said the Tulsa Zoo's enclosure is "cramped, unnatural, and harmful to elephant health," with seven animals "jammed into an enclosure less than one percent the size of their smallest natural range." The Tulsa Zoo said last month that it has renovated and expanded its elephant exhibit, which dedicates 17 of its 124 total acres to pachyderms. A large barn was built in 2024 and an additional 10 acres will be added to the preserve this summer, the zoo said in an April statement. Zoos across the country have been targeted in recent years by animal activists who criticize living conditions for elephants. Broadly, some elephant experts say urban zoos simply don't have the space that elephants, who roam extensive distances in the wild, need for a normal life. Some larger zoos such as the Toronto Zoo and San Francisco Zoo have phased out their elephant programs, sending their aging animals to sanctuaries that have far more space. But other zoos say they are committed to keeping elephants and are turning to breeding, arguing that a sustainable population of zoo elephants will help spur a commitment to wildlife conservation among future generations of visitors. In New York, the Nonhuman Rights Project filed legal papers to try to free the Asian elephant Happy from the Bronx Zoo but lost in court in 2022. The group then filed similar papers in California to try to free the Fresno Chaffee Zoo 's three African elephants but a judge ruled against the group.
