
BBC to air controversial banned film Blue Story for first time
BBC Three is set to air the 2019 crime drama Blue Story, which was deemed controversial at the time of its release after youth violence broke out in two cinemas.
The acclaimed film, directed by Supacell creator Rapman, follows best friends Marco (Micheal Ward) and Timmy (Stephen Odubola) who find themselves embroiled in a postcode-based gang war in south London.
The film was temporarily banned from all Vue cinemas after a mass brawl broke out at a Birmingham branch of the cinema chain. Police said up to 100 teenagers were involved in the 'major disorder' and officers were left with facial injuries.
The chain Showcase cinemas also banned screenings of the film, while Nottingham's Cineworld also cancelled screenings of all films after a stabbing incident took place in the cinema.
Director Rapman wrote on X/Twitter at the time, saying the film is about 'love not violence'.
'Sending love to all those involved in yesterday's violence at Star City in Birmingham,' he wrote at the time. 'It's truly unfortunate that a small group of people can ruin things for everybody. Blue Story is a film about love, not violence.
'There were also a few incidents earlier this year with the release of Joker. It's always unfortunate, but I hope that the blame is placed with the individuals and not an indictment of the film itself.
'I pray that we can all learn to live with love and treat each other with tolerance and respect.'
At the time, Vue's decision to pull the film sparked huge criticism, leading some to boycott the chain, writing 'No Blue, No Vue' on social media.
In an article for The Independent, Fiona Sturges pointed out that violence had erupted at screenings for other films, such as Bohemian Rhapsody, but it had not elicited the same response from cinemas.
Sturges wrote: 'That Blue Story has been treated as the primary culprit in the Birmingham fracas says a lot about the world in which we live – one in which a film featuring a black cast, made by black filmmakers and about issues overwhelmingly affecting black communities is subjected to greater scrutiny and suspicion than those made by, for and starring white people.'
Vue said in a statement at the time that the decision to pull Blue Story from its venues was 'categorically not' related to race.
Despite the controversy, the film received overwhelming critical acclaim. Writing for The Observer film critic Simran Hans praised the film for 'underscoring the tragedy of corrupted innocence, constricting codes of masculinity and the aftermath of trauma'. It currently has a high 93 per cent score on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes.
Blue Story creator Rapman – real name Andrew Onwubolu MBE – recently reflected on the 'insane' situation surrounding the film's rollout.
He told LadBible of his reaction to the events, saying: 'I went 'that's not fair, I'm an indie filmmaker and this is my first movie' this could have really put me in a position. I was so angry about it. But I wasn't as angry as the people were, the people were outraged by that.'
He added: 'When I think about it now the press that came from that, the next week everyone went to see it in the cinema.'
'It made people want to see it, who wants to see this 'dangerous' movie. It was really hard at the time but everything happens for a reason I guess.'
Blue Story will air on BBC Three at 10.05pm tonight (25 February).

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Scottish Sun
Forgotten MTV reality star marries long-term girlfriend 11 years after starring with Vicky Pattison on hit show
His new life is worlds away from reality TV 'I DO!' Forgotten MTV reality star marries long-term girlfriend 11 years after starring with Vicky Pattison on hit show Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MTV reality star Marco Alexandre has married his long-term girlfriend 11 years after starring on Ex On the Beach. The MTV reality show was a hit from the off thanks to its outspoken, outrageous and downright drama-packed cast. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Former reality TV star Marco Alexandre has married his longterm girlfriend Emma Nichols Credit: Facebook 4 The gorgeous couple tied the knot after a two year engagement Credit: Facebook 4 Reality TV fans will remember Marco from Ex On The Beach Credit: MTV The programme dumped eight single people – four muscle-bulging blokes and four bikini-clad girls - in a sunny destination to help kick-start their love lives. But the path of true love didn't run smoothly, and the group's romantic liaisons were interrupted throughout the series by their exes. Marco Alexandra had viewers 'aww-ing' at their TV screens in 2014 thanks to his sweet romance with Frankie Thrope. He described himself as a "Greek god" at the time, appearing alongside Ashley Cain, Jack Lomax, Liam Lewis Chloe Goodman, Emily Gillard, Farah Sattaur and former Geordie Shore cast member Vicky Pattison. But Marco and Frankie didn't last, and now the 32-year-old from Sheffield has found everlasting love. He proposed to stunning beauty salon owner Emma Nichols in January 2023. Marco shared a stunning snap with Emma at the time, as she proudly flashed her diamond ring. He captioned it: "She said yes!" Their followers rushed to congratulate them, with one writing: "About time!" Marco and Emma waited two years to get married, previously revealing they wanted the wedding to take place in Portugal as they hunted for venues. And the couple looked every bit the picture of love in new photos on Facebook after saying "I do". Watch the moment Virgin Island stars CLASH during very awkward encounter on the beach Emma stunned in a dazzling white dress which she matched with floor-length veil, while Marco wore a crisp white dinner jacket over black trousers. Hundreds of fans commented on their photos congratulating the newlyweds. Since leaving reality TV behind, stylish Marco has been running his own fashion labels and is a property developer. His most recent posts on social media show him promoting a property in Liverpool, and praising his partner on her beauty business venture.


Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Daisy May Cooper shares her 'real name' in sweet social media post
In a post marking her son Benji's first birthday this week, Daisy May Cooper seemingly revealed that her legal surname is still the same as her ex-husband, Will Weston Daisy May Cooper has seemingly shared her real legal name as she posted a sweet throwback photo on social media. The actress and writer, who won the 2018 BAFTA TV Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for playing Kerry Mucklowe in the BBC Three series This Country, has always been known by the surname Cooper since rising to fame. However, in a post shared this week, she revealed that her surname is actually Weston. The photo, shared by Daisy on her Instagram Stories on Friday, is an image of her hospital visit on June 6, 2024, when she gave birth to her son Benji. She wrote: "1 year ago today at 03.04am we welcomed our baby boy into the world." In the snap, her full name is written as Daisy May Weston - the surname of her ex-husband, Will Weston. The pair married in The Cotswolds in September 2019 and they share to children to whom they are "both devoted parents". However, they decided to part ways in 2021 after the Covid-19 lockdown "shone a spotlight" on their marital difficulties. Daisy, 38, is now in a relationship with her new partner, Anthony Huggins, who is Benji's father. The couple met on dating app Hinge in December 2021 and welcomed their child a year ago. When her youngest son was born, Daisy announced the news via Instagram and detailed how the little one arrived earlier than planned, penning: "You came a bit earlier than we expected and gave me the worst post op constipation that I nearly had to phone the Samaritans but my god you are perfect. "I cannot thank @deliverysuitegrh enough. The way you looked after us through such a scary time was above and beyond." Daisy's pregnancy was announced in March last year when she and Anthony packed on PDA while shopping for baby clothes in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The couple held hands when they stepped out for a spot of shopping, with the actress' bump on full display in a figure-hugging all-black look. The pair could barely keep their hands off one another while making the most of the sunny weather, and Daisy was seen heartily laughing as they went about their day. At the time, a source said: "Daisy is pregnant and is really excited to become a mum for the third time with her new partner. The pair have been going strong, so the addition of a baby will only bring them closer together." Then earlier this year, the couple sparked engagement rumours after Daisy was spotted wearing a diamond rock on her ring finger. Speculation that Anthony had popped the question began in February when Daisy was promoting her BBC series Am I Being Unreasonable? on her Instagram Stories and referred to Anthony as her "fiancé" for the first time. In a clip, she jested that her "fit fiancé and baby daddy" would make an appearance on screen. It was reported at the beginning of the year that Daisy and Anthony were happily engaged and "over the moon" with the news after a secret proposal. A source told The Sun at the time: "Daisy and Anthony are madly in love with each other and are a success story for dating apps. Their relationship has gone from strength to strength and already have a baby boy together." In addition to son Benji, Daisy shares children Pip, five, and Jack, three, with her ex Will. After their break-up, Daisy admitted to The Times: "Will is amazing, an incredible, incredible dad - but fundamentally, there wasn't real love there, I don't think there ever was, really." She went on to reveal that the lockdown "shone a spotlight" on their marital difficulties" and that she needed to be by herself after the strains of the Covid-19 pandemic.


Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Billie Piper 'let slip' she was returning to Doctor Who weeks ago
Billie Piper will be the next Doctor after it was revealed in the finale episode of the latest series last weekend - but she accidentally 'shared' the news weeks before Actress Billie Piper appeared to let slip she was returning to Doctor Who weeks before it was revealed. The 42-year-old will become the second female Doctor in the next series. So far, Jodie Whittaker is the only female to take on the iconic role. It comes after Ncuti Gatwa's shock exit during the finale of the latest series when his character regenerated into Billie in his final episode, which aired on the BBC on Saturday, May 31. Speaking in BBC Three's Doctor Who: Unleashed to mark the 20 years since the show was revived, Billie dropped a huge hint she was returning to the show for the third time, following her original appearance as Rose Tyler from 2005 to 2006 and a cameo in 2010. Asked if she would ever make a comeback in the interview filmed weeks before the news was officially announced, she said: "Yeah I would… I would come back. What's funny is that I never feel like I've left Doctor Who, because there is this huge Doctor Who afterlife." She continued: "Obviously people still really want to talk about it, it's a massive fandom, so we do conventions and we meet lots of the fans, and there's always features. It's always on the TV on some channel, and a new generation pick it up, so it never feels like it's over, like it does with all the other jobs I've done." Billie then accidentally blurted out: "So coming back is really good fun." Quickly correcting herself, she added: "So I would do it, but I still feel like I'm in it. Just a lot older." Now cat is out the bag, Billie has since said it was too good of an opportunity to turn down. In a statement, she shared: "It's no secret how much I love this show, and I have always said I would love to return to the Whoniverse, as I have some of my best memories there. So to be given the opportunity to step back on that Tardis one more time was just something I couldn't refuse." Now it is rumoured that the 10th Doctor, played by David Tennant, could also return to the show alongside Billie 20 years after they first appeared on screen together. Though if Billie is the new Doctor, it's unclear what role David would take on. A source told The Sun: "The BBC brought Doctor Who back in 2005 and there is talk about a possible one-off project to celebrate the 20th anniversary. David and Billie were a hugely popular partnership and he brought in a golden age of Doctor Who. "With the anniversary of the reboot this year there have been some ideas floated about, with the thought of maybe bringing David and Billie back together for one last hurrah. When David's Doctor bi-generated in the 60th anniversary special, his 'half' went on to live a normal life in an alternative universe while Ncuti Gatwa's carried on as the Time Lord. 'It wouldn't be beyond the realms of imagination for him to return with Billie as Rose for a one-off special to celebrate not only their partnership, but the anniversary of BBC bringing back Doctor Who." David, 54, played the 10th Doctor from 2005 to 2010 and appeared in three specials returning as the 14th Doctor before handing the role over to 32-year-old Sex Education star Ncuti. Speaking about his exit from the show after just one season, Ncuti told fans: "You know when you get cast, at some point, you are going to have to hand back that sonic screwdriver and it is all going to come to an end, but nothing quite prepares you for it. This journey has been one that I will never forget and a role that will be part of me forever. "I've loved every minute of it, but now is the time to hand over the keys to that beloved blue box and let someone else take control and enjoy it every bit as much as I have. I'll truly miss it, and forever be grateful to it, and everyone that has played a part in my journey as the Doctor." Explaining his reasons for leaving, he added: "It's a role that demands a lot of you physically and emotionally and mentally. The actors playing the Doctor are only actors playing the Doctor. Unfortunately, we are mere mortals. I would love to have the energy and the youth to be able to do this full time for the rest of my life, but my knees are telling me it's time." However, die-hard fans think there may be another reason behind his exit. Taking to X, a fan named Mr Tardis wrote: "In October 2024, Ncuti Gatwa was on 'The Graham Norton Show' saying he was going to be filming another series of DW next year. In June 2025, he officially leaves the show and regenerates. This was never the plan. What a shame. He deserved so much better." But the BBC were quick to shut down those claims. A spokesperson said: "Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been 'axed' is pure fiction."