
Coronation Street icon making comeback 15 years after death
Reece Dinsdale, who played the role of Gail Platt's fourth husband Joe McIntyre, was axed from the show after his character tried to fake his death for insurance money.
Tonight's episodes of #CoronationStreet (and both of Friday's) are directed by yours truly.
Loved every second of making them.
Hope you enjoy, too! pic.twitter.com/3iJ7geyjmf
However, he will not be reprising his role on Coronation Street and instead will be taking on a job behind the camera, directing tonight's episode of the soap opera (Wednesday, June 4).
According to The Sun, he took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to tell fans: "Tonight's episodes of Coronation Street (and both of Friday's) are directed by yours truly. Loved every second of making them. Hope you enjoy, too!"
The ITV star confirmed that the episodes were filmed around six to eight weeks ago.
In the comment section, he added that he "loves" being a director on the show and shared his excitement at tonight's broadcast.
According to IMDb, Reece Dinsdale, who was born on August 6, 1959, has had a number of acting and directing roles over his long career.
In terms of acting, he played the role of Paul Ashdale in Emmerdale, Matthew Gurney in Waterloo Road and DI Mike Casey in the Scottish crime drama Taggart.
He has also had other roles in shows like cult classic Life on Mars, Threads and Bergerac.
Since 2022, he has directed eight episodes of Coronation Street and has even directed 42 episodes of Emmerdale since 2020.
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Scottish Sun
26 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Exact date beloved Scottish venue to reopen after devastating closure
Several Hollywood stars from across the globe backed the three-year campaign to save it Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ICONIC Scottish venue is set to reopen in weeks after being forced to close three years ago. Edinburgh's Filmhouse almost closed for good back in October 2022 after its parent charity, Centre for the Moving Image, collapsed. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 The Filmhouse in Edinburgh is set to reopen this month Credit: PA 4 It has undergone a £2million refurbishment 4 It comes after it was forced to close three years ago Credit: Alamy But a lengthy campaign was launched to save it, and over time it was pulled "back fae the brink" of closure. The beloved cinema first opened in 1978 in a repurposed church, but was feared to have been lost for good when it closed. Several Hollywood stars from across the globe backed the three-year campaign as they helped fight to save it. This includes Scottish icons such as Mary Queen of Scots star Jack Lowden, director Charlotte Wells, Love Actually actress Emma Thompson, Emmy award-winning actor Dougray Scott and Succession star Brian Cox. The Filmhouse cinema, located on Lothian Road, has undergone a huge £2 million refurbishment and is now set to reopen on Friday, June 27. The revamp has seen a complete internal refit to all of its public areas and screens, and "substantial" repairs made to the roof and stonework. After months of hard work, the incredible team at Filmhouse have managed to pull one of Scotland's few truly independent cinemas back fae the brink Jack Lowden It also saw more seats added, meaning the cinema now has a capacity for 350 super-comfy seats which each has extra legroom. The foyer space and the bar have also been renovated, and there is now room for 100 people to dine and enjoy food and drinks from a new menu that focuses on sustainable produce from the UK. A second phase of works is set to be carried out next month, which will see a fourth screen added to the venue. This newest screen will be used primarily for "private screenings", according to BBC Scotland News, and will have 24 seats. Inside 'world's largest cinema' the 'Big King' with 2,700-seater triple-decker 'grand hall' and giant 3,000sq ft screen When it opens again in three weeks, it will show a list of some of the most iconic films that were missed while it was closed. Lowden, who also starred in Dunkirk, said the reopening will give a much-needed "lift" to the film industry. He said: "Filmhouse is a place utterly dedicated to the promotion and celebration of independent cinema. "Films need to be watched, not just made. Now, after months of hard work, the incredible team at Filmhouse have managed to pull one of Scotland's few truly independent cinemas back fae the brink. "To have such a place on the streets of our capital providing the platform to give our world-class film-makers and storytellers the lift-off they need, and continue to ask the big questions of ourselves through cinema, is exciting and vital." Andrew Simpson, executive director of Filmhouse, added that the cinema is now returning with a "fresh energy and clear plan". He said: "The love for Filmhouse never went away, it was just waiting to be reignited. "The incredible response to its closure showed us how vital this space is, not just for Edinburgh, but for audiences across Scotland and beyond. LONG TIME COMING PLANS to reopen the cinema first began to take shape when bosses signed a new lease in July last year. Caledonian Heritable, who own the building, agreed the lease it back as a space for a modern cinema for a minimum of 25 years. Works quickly began seven months later after the team managed to secure extra funding. This included £324,000 from the Open the Doors crowdfunding campaign, £1.5million from the UK government. The team also managed to secure £977,925 in donations from Screen Scotland and £1,243,312 from Creative Scotland over the next three years. Refurbishment works started in February early this year, and a second phase is set to finish the project off in July. "We are returning with fresh energy, a clear plan for the future and a commitment to delivering world-class film experiences for everyone. "Filmhouse belongs to its community and we're excited to welcome people back." While Margaret Graham, culture and communities convener at Edinburgh City Council, praised the reopening at "wonderful" for the city. She added: "I am sure that many people across Edinburgh and beyond will be looking forward to this event. "This much-loved cinema is both a community hub and cultural asset for the city. "Its refurbishment will allow even more people to enjoy the magic of global cinema in the heart of the city."


The Courier
32 minutes ago
- The Courier
Ged Grimes on life with Simple Minds: From Dundee and St Andrews busking to rocking USA
It's been quite a journey from busking on Dundee's Murraygate to gearing up for a 10,000-capacity show in Portland, Oregon – but Ged Grimes wouldn't have it any other way. Speaking exclusively to The Courier via WhatsApp from Los Angeles – where the weather, he laughs, is 'not quite taps aff' – the Dundee born and bred Simple Minds bass player is in the thick of the band's biggest North American tour in four decades. The iconic Scottish band, led by original members Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill, have just come off a rapturous run through South America, and the US and Canada leg is beginning in earnest. It's a packed 24-date schedule, taking in coast-to-coast cities and a mix of iconic outdoor 'sheds' and atmospheric indoor theatres. But as Ged reflects on his 15 years as Simple Minds' longest serving bassist, his 50 years as a musician and looks forward to Simple Minds playing to a 35,000 strong home crowd at Bellahouston Park, Glasgow on June 27 which will be opened up by St Andrews singer-songwriter KT Tunstall, the passionate Dundonian takes none of it for granted. 'It's quite fascinating to be back in a hotel directly opposite where Tower Records on Sunset Boulevard used to be,' he says, looking out of his hotel window towards the former site of the music mecca he first stepped into as part of Dundee's Danny Wilson in the late 1980s. 'I have vivid memories of being there in 1987 when the first Danny Wilson album was on the outside of Tower Records. We were signed from '85 to '91 so that's a six year period that we were making records. 'But it's quite something when you think that I've now been with Simple Minds for 15 years. 'When you look at it like that, I'm a proud of every single thing I've done, and every single twist and turn in the road. To be doing this now at this stage and age is a privilege.' Ged's musical journey started as a school boy back home in Dundee. He met fellow musician Gary Clark at St Saviour's High School – the two were introduced through their shared guitar teacher, Paul Fitzpatrick. 'I was already playing with my family in The Grimes Folk Four – yes really!' says Ged. 'Around the age of 12, 13, we were doing the Five Ways Club, the Civil Service Club… it was this kind of variety concert party. There was a magician, country dancers, and us doing folk songs. God, it sounds like it's from another era!' he laughs. Soon enough, Ged and Gary were playing together and immersed in Dundee's thriving live scene – learning from local legends like Michael Marra and the Mafia band. 'They used to let us jump up at their gigs. That was our way in – and it really made us feel part of something,' he smiles. The duo would head to local studios in the evenings to record whatever they could, experimenting with sounds long before they were signed. In fact, before Danny Wilson became Danny Wilson, they were busking in Dundee's Murraygate – and further afield. 'We used to head to St Andrews and play for the American tourists – we called ourselves the Scots Porridge Notes,' Ged chuckles. 'We had a tea chest bass, accordion, guitar – doing Sinatra covers. Then we'd come back and spend the lot in the Tayside Bar!' That hustle paid off. After a tough stint in London – 'living in a terrible squat' – and after being inspired by Simple Minds' 1982 album New Gold Dream, Ged and Gary returned to Dundee, regrouped with Gary's brother Kit, and got signed shortly after. Simple Minds' album, New Gold Dream, wasn't just a Scottish success – it was a musical wake-up call. 'We were floundering a bit, then this incredible album came out – it sounded expansive, aspirational. It made me believe that Scottish bands didn't have to leave Scotland to succeed. And it was a huge influence on us heading back to Dundee.' Signed in 1985, and touring with Simply Red in 1987, Danny Wilson had their own success in the States – with hits like Mary's Prayer. 'The live band were from Dundee as well,' recalls Ged. 'So you can imagine eight Dundee guys in America for the first time. It was an absolute hoot!' Even now, US fans remember. 'People wait outside (Simple Minds) venues here in the US with Danny Wilson memorabilia. It's honestly touching.' Danny Wilson weren't primarily a live band – 'it was more a studio thing'. Never say never, but that's why realistically he doesn't think Danny Wilson would hit the road today. The entourage required would be sizeable. But the live experience changed drastically when Ged joined Simple Minds in 2010. Ged had crossed paths with Jim Kerr and Charlie Burchill a few times when Danny Wilson were on Virgin. But it wasn't until 2008 when he was with Deacon Blue that he reconnected. Deacon Blue supported Simple Minds in 2008 on their 30th anniversary tour, and when Jim asked him to get involved with his solo record, the offer to join the band came from there. Fifteen years on, Simple Minds 'just feels like home'. 'They've always been known for the live show, and we wear that on our sleeve,' he says, describing the band's current line up as 'tighter than ever' and 'dynamite'. 'It's full-on, night after night, giving it everything. 'You don't just play the records – you give people an experience.' After the break-up of Danny Wilson, and before joining Simple Minds, Ged spent most of his time writing and producing music for computer games. The new venture started in Dundee through his friend Chris van der Kuyl. Eventually that led to material being produced in America and Japan. It's a venture he's still involved with today. 'I'm just finished a game for Microsoft I've managed to work in between the Simple Minds tours,' he says. 'There's a game called Clockwork Revolution, a big role playing game that's coming out later in the year. That keeps me on my toes, because I had to find opera singers I had to find string quartets. It's the antithesis of working in Simple Minds. But I'm lucky. I get to do both.' The music industry has changed – and so has Dundee. Ged is especially excited about LiveHouse, the city's new state-of-the-art venue promising to transform the local live scene. 'Dundee's often missed out on big tours,' he says. 'We'd see Glasgow, Edinburgh, maybe Aberdeen – but not here. A lot of that was down to a lack of suitable venues. Now, that's changed.' He's been in touch with LiveHouse director Gus Robb to help attract major acts. 'See the next time Simple Minds are planning a tour that involves Dundee, I'm sure Live House would be an amazing, Barrowlands style, classic venue for us to play. 'It's going to take time that is going to take time to build a reputation. But I'm sure it'll happen.'


The Courier
32 minutes ago
- The Courier
Tay ferries and Royal Arch star as amateur photographer's photos of 60s Dundee unearthed
Old photographs which capture the changing character of Dundee have been digitised to bring the past back to life. They chart moments of city history and lost landmarks in the 1960s. The photos were taken by Dundonian Ron Wilson, whose lifelong passion for photography started from a young age, inspired by his mother. Ron was a Clydesdale Bank manager and well-known in Dundee. He died aged 69 in 2000. The slides had lain untouched for decades before his family decided to preserve them for future generations, including the grandchildren he never met. They were digitised by Grant Millar from Broughty Ferry, who runs a business converting cine films, videos, slides and negatives from the analogue era. His daughter Fiona Robb, from Kinross, said the collection goes back to 1959. She said: 'We have great memories of family evenings, setting up the projector and screen to look at the slides. 'Dad was interested in capturing events on his camera. 'Because he lived in Dundee for so long, he had a lot of photos of Dundee scenes. 'We wanted to get them digitised to preserve the images and prevent any further deterioration. 'Another reason was that my parents sadly did not get to meet their grandchildren. 'Preserving the photos lets the grandchildren have an idea of what their grandparents were like, as well as seeing their parents' generation growing up. 'It will give them a visual family history.' Ron was born in March 1931 in Dundee. He grew up in Glenprosen Terrace and attended Rockwell School and Harris Academy. After a period of National Service in the RAF, he started working as a bank clerk for the Clydesdale Bank in Dundee High Street and sat his bank exams. He lived in Glenprosen Terrace until he married Marjorie MacKenzie. And it was a double wedding at St David's North Church in August 1959. Marjorie's sister, Elizabeth MacKenzie, also tied the knot with Stanley Watson Millar. Ron and Marjorie moved to Downie Park in Dundee. Fiona was born in 1962 and Murray followed in 1966. The couple were both dedicated members of the High Kirk in Kinghorne Road. In addition, Ron was a keen photographer – both of family and Scottish scenery. Ron's photographs chronicle the transformation of Dundee in the Swinging Sixties. Street scenes include the old Overgate. And the Angus Hotel is shown welcoming visitors. The Grill and Griddle is pictured serving coffee and breakfast. The Tay Ferries are also still sailing in the photographs taken by Ron. The La Scala cinema was still showing movies. The Murraygate cinema had a narrow facade consisting of a large, square tower clad in white tiles and topped by a huge golden globe. It was recognised as the grandest cinema in Dundee. However, the spectacular building disappeared in October 1968. The Royal Arch and Dundee West Station are still standing in Ron's photographs. Dundee West was one of the city's gothic architectural masterpieces. It closed in May 1965 and was then demolished in April 1966. The Royal Arch stood at the junction of Dock Street and Shore Terrace from 1850. However, it was allowed to fall into disrepair and neglect. Slow but steady work started to dismantle the arch in February 1964. It was blown up with dynamite on March 16 1964. But some saw it as a deliberate act of cultural vandalism. The start of construction of the Tay Road Bridge is also recorded by Ron. The Tay Ferries were still in daily use up until the crossing took over. Rubble from the Royal Arch was used as foundations for the approach ramp. Fiona has spent hours admiring Ron's photographs. She said the family is incredibly proud of his collection. They also show private moments which were all the more precious. 'Dad's main camera was a Pentax Spotmatic SP II,' said Fiona. 'He always took it with him on trips. 'I think our grandmother sparked his lifelong passion for photography. 'We can fondly remember our gran using a Ricohflex box camera with the viewfinder on top and trying not to cut people's heads off! 'We remember that, as children, he would get us to stand still for him to photograph family portraits. 'On Christmas Day he got us to arrange our Christmas presents for a photo. 'This was partly so we could remember who to thank. 'My brother Murray and I can remember being a tad impatient with this process, as we were not allowed to play with our presents until the photo was taken. 'Parties and family occasions were also always photographed by my dad.' After stints as a bank accountant in St Andrews and Ayr, he moved with the family to Lochgilphead, in Mid-Argyll, after he was promoted to bank manager. But he never stopped taking pictures. Ron and Marjorie continued to live there after he retired from the bank in 1988. In 1992 they moved to Forfar. Ron always wore a shirt, tie and waistcoat – even after retiring. Fiona described her dad as quiet and reserved 'with a great sense of humour'. 'He was a very good provider to our family and worked extremely hard and conscientiously, doing his best to be helpful to his many customers,' she said. 'He was a devoted husband, father, son, nephew and family man. 'As well as his interest in photography, Dad was also an avid stamp, coin and toy car collector and proudly displayed his car collection in the hall of the family home.' He was also a fan of classic films and musicals. Westerns with John Wayne, Glenn Ford and Alan Ladd were always a favourite. Fiona said: 'He was a church elder and member of the Iona Community. 'He was also a Rotarian.' His idyllic retirement was shattered when Marjorie died in 1994. She was just 58. Ron was heartbroken. 'Dad regained some zest for life but never really recovered,' said Fiona. 'In the last five years of his life, he suffered a series of mini-strokes. 'He died in 2000, aged only 69. 'We are now so very grateful that he took all these photographs, as it gives us a wonderful collection of photos of family occasions, events in the Dundee area and shots of beautiful Scottish scenery. 'Unfortunately, our parents did not live long enough to meet their grandchildren. 'We want to keep our parents' memory alive, via Dad's photos, so that Joel and Lucas will have some idea of what their grandparents were like. 'When asked, people usually described our dad as a lovely man – unless you were one of the very few who he denied a loan to…'