Young NI singing duo hailed as ‘inspirations' after releasing Greatest Showman hit for World Autism Acceptance month
A young singing duo from Northern Ireland have been hailed as 'inspirations to the autism community' after releasing a song together in support of World Autism Acceptance month.
Isla McManus and Logan Doyle, both aged 11, recorded their own version of The Greatest Showman's 'A Million Dreams' which has since racked up almost 150k views on social media.
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Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'I tried the UK's new high-tech £200million trains with underfloor heating'
It's not every day that the country gets a new train. Let alone 36 of them. Happily, Monday was one of those days. On June 9, the first of 36 Class 730/2 Northwestern Railway trains opened doors to passengers for the first time. I was lucky enough to be on the test train on Friday, when it trundled out of London Euston stations, making its way roughly half an hour to Milton Keynes, where it promptly turned back around. For those who need a little more to get their blood pumping than a ride from a classic domitary settlement on a spotless commuter train, there was entertainment. Sequin jacket-wearing performers belted out tunes that might've been from The Greatest Showman, while viral pudding brand Humble Crumble served up little cardboard bowls of their sweet treat. Merlin Entertainment was onboard, hiding free tickets to its attractions up in the freshly polished, see-through luggage racks (designed to make spotting bags/freebies easier) and beneath the tidily upholstered chairs. For those with a deeper appreciation of a good train, then Great Northwestern delivered some tantalizing figures. The 730 Class consists of 84 trains and 324 carriages. An average three-carriage train has 199 seats, while the five-carry configuration takes 406. For the 36 Class 730/2 trains specifically, north of £200million has been splashed out. It will run on Cross City Line routes from Lichfield to Birmingham and Redditch, linking Walsall and Wolverhampton and Rugeley to Birmingham International. At its fastest, the train rattles along at 90 mph, powered by electric engines. London Northwestern has tweaked the classic train design a little to give the impression of more space. The gangways have been left open, giving a "more spacious feel", while extra room has been allocated to bike storage - although "up to three" bikes will do little more than remind cyclists of how far we have fallen since the giddy days of bike-carriages on UK trains. For that kind of considerate fun, your best bet is heading to France, Italy or the Netherlands. Each seat has a plug and USB socket. While this is to be expected on a new train, it is still good news—so long as they actually work and don't cause your phone to glitch out, as is often the case. London Northwestern's overall investment in new trains and infrastructure (which totals three new train fleets and lots of depot upgrades) is £1billion. So what will commuters make of it? While it might not be blow anyone's mind or cause Michael Portillo to dust off his presenting boots, it is a solid train. The 730/2 does not fall into any of the classic traps. Its seats are comfortable and well upholstered (more than can be said for the likes of GWR) and its aisles are well proportioned (something Greater Anglia finds incredibly difficult for some reason). There's enough space in the seats and communal areas to give you a bit of breathing space during the morning commute, and the toilets don't talk to you, unlike the psychotic Virgin trains that used to serve this part of the country. All in all, a well-executed train. Would ride again.
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Big Brother star to play Princess Diana in new musical in theatre debut
The drag queen won Celebrity Big Brother in 2019 after receiving 49 percent of the public vote and is now set to step into the shoes of royalty Celebrity Big Brother winner Courtney Act is set to make her UK theatre debut in the unexpected role of Princess Diana in a bold new musical. The production, which is called The Diana Mixtape, will have its world premiere at HERE at Outernet in London. It will be running in the English capital from 28 July to 10 August 2025, before transferring to The Lowry in Salford for a week-long run from 19 to 24 August. The show has been described as a hybrid of concert, biopic and musical. It was created, written, and directed by Christopher D. Clegg, and reimagines the life and legacy of Princess Diana through a soundtrack of modern pop hits. The songs that will be used to lead the audience through Diana's major milestones were originally performed by artists including Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, Dua Lipa, Kylie Minogue. Courtney Act, whose real name is Shane Gilberto Jenek, will be one of five drag performers playing the People's Princess. Fellow RuPaul's Drag Race alumni Rosé and Priyanka will be joining Courtney on stage as Diana, alongside UK drag favourites Divina De Campo and Kitty Scott-Claus. Other members of the cast include The Greatest Showman star Keala Settle as Queen Elizabeth II, former Hear'Say singer Noel Sullivan as King Charles III, and Lucinda Lawrence as Queen Camilla. Courtney first came into the public eye as a finalist on Australian Idol in 2003, and went on to earn more global recognition on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 6, where she finished the series as the runner-up. But it was her 2018 win on Celebrity Big Brother UK with 49 percent of the public vote that made her a British household name. Courtney made headlines before even stepping foot in the Big Brother house, thanks to a memorable wardrobe malfunction where her skirt fall off during her grand entrance, exposing the drag star's bits. Thankfully, this only boosted her popularity, as Little Mix star Jade dubbed it "iconic". While on the reality show, Courtney won audiences over with her bubbly personality while advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, and also formed a close and slightly flirty friendship with The Apprentice star Andrew Brady. When asked about their relationship after the Channel 5 show ended, she shared: "The thing I love about Andrew is that he's so comfortable with everything and everyone... not caring about what anyone in the house thinks... I love and respect him. The thing that I really did respect was that we both had that understanding." After winning Celebrity Big Brother, the drag queen described the experience of coming in top place as "very surreal". She also gushed: "It's amazing to think that the public chose me – I guess it's validation in the things that I believe in." Now Courtney is prepared to step into the shoes of royalty for the first time, and will be joining the show alongside a creative team led by musical director Matthew Harvey, choreographer Taz Hoesli, costume designer River Smith, and lighting designer Toby P. Darvill. The show's dramaturg is Geri Allen, with wigs by River Medway and video design by Adam Nightingale.
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Ranvir Singh left gobsmacked as BGT winner Harry Moulding wows her with ‘absolutely ridiculous' card trick on Lorraine
RANVIR Singh was left gobsmacked after Britain's Got Talent champ Harry Moulding wowed her with an "absolutely ridiculous" card trick live on-air. The magician, who has been part of the illustrious Magic Circle since he was a youth, scooped the ITV reality series title this weekend. 7 Ranvir Singh was left gobsmacked as BGT winner Harry Moulding wowed her with 'absolutely ridiculous' card trick on Lorraine Credit: ITV 7 Blackpool lad Harry, 24, asked her to pick a card Credit: ITV 7 She chose the 10 of clubs yet turned it away from him Credit: ITV 7 He then pulled the card out of his mouth in a trick the anchor branded 'absolutely ridiculous' Credit: ITV Harry, 24, was crowned BGT winner in a tense final - taking hone £250,000 in the process. Yet while the Blackpool lad's victory was shrouded in "fix" claims, he shrugged off the backlash on Monday's Lorraine. Good Morning Britain anchor Ranvir, 47, was standing in for regular host Lorraine Kelly, 65, and told how Harry was a "good old Northerner, a Lancashire lad," before she added: "You always had my vote." As his interview wrapped, he pulled out a pack of cards to challenge Ranvir. He asked her to pull a card from the pack and show the camera, where she revealed it was the 10 of clubs. Harry didn't look at the card but asked her: "All good, are you happy? "Just say stop in it goes," before she inserted it back into the pack which he shuffled slowly, at Ranvir's request. To her shock he then pulled out the 10 of clubs and confessed: "No, most magicians wouldn't show you the moment this happens but I will. "If you watch that 10, we will bring it really close, I'm going to let you do this. "Can you push it in [the pack] yourself?" Harry Moulding crowned winner of Britain's Got Talent 2025 After a click of his fingers, Harry said "look at me," and Ranvir let out an audible gasp. The ITV favourite said: "What did you just do there?" as he replied: "It jumped all the way here." She could then be seen clapping as she said: "That is absolutely ridiculous well done." SHOW FIX? Prior to the BGT show final, angry fans of the series took to social media and shared their thoughts about an act that seemed to get special treatment and more air time. BGT's Best Golden Buzzer Moments BGT have handed out many Golden Buzzer's over the years, can you remember some of the most famous Loren Allred - Loren Allred, 32, from Brooklyn, New York jetted to London to audition after recording the vocals for The Greatest Showman. The stunning singer got a standing ovation and a Golden Buzzer from the judges as she delivered a stirring rendition of Never Enough from the popular film. Loren came out on stage and revealed to the judges they would have heard her voice many times before that moment. "I was hired to record the vocals for The Greatest Showman as a guide for the actors to know how to sing the songs," she explained. Loren then revealed actress Rebecca Ferguson was so stunned by her singing that she decided to let her vocals be heard in the movie. "So she lip-synced," Loren said. - Loren Allred, 32, from Brooklyn, New York jetted to London to audition after recording the vocals for The Greatest Showman. The stunning singer got a standing ovation and a Golden Buzzer from the judges as she delivered a stirring rendition of Never Enough from the popular film. Loren came out on stage and revealed to the judges they would have heard her voice many times before that moment. "I was hired to record the vocals for The Greatest Showman as a guide for the actors to know how to sing the songs," she explained. Loren then revealed actress Rebecca Ferguson was so stunned by her singing that she decided to let her vocals be heard in the movie. "So she lip-synced," Loren said. Chicken Shed Theatre Company - Comprised of individuals aged between 5 and 37, the group was set up to welcome anyone irrespective of background to get up on stage and perform and fulfil their dream. Chicken Shed prides itself on accepting anyone and does not hold auditions to make the group a safe and inclusive space. The group wowed as they performed Wonder by Naughty Boy featuring Emeli Sande. It meant that Alesha wasted no time as she decided to hit her golden buzzer for the young performers. She told them it was her "honour" to reward their inclusiveness with her golden buzzer. - Comprised of individuals aged between 5 and 37, the group was set up to welcome anyone irrespective of background to get up on stage and perform and fulfil their dream. Chicken Shed prides itself on accepting anyone and does not hold auditions to make the group a safe and inclusive space. The group wowed as they performed Wonder by Naughty Boy featuring Emeli Sande. It meant that Alesha wasted no time as she decided to hit her golden buzzer for the young performers. She told them it was her "honour" to reward their inclusiveness with her golden buzzer. The Dancing Granny - Granny Paddy Jones and her professional partner Niko Espinosa first hit headlines when they won the Spanish talent show Tú sí que vales in 2009, before going on to appear on Britain's Got Talent in 2014 where they came ninth. Amanda Holden was so impressed with Paddy that she gave her the Golden Buzzer, which sent them straight through to the semi-finals. But things took a worrying turn when Paddy cracked a rib while rehearsing a new move and her place on the show was under doubt. She was given the all-clear to perform in the end but didn't quite live up to expectations. - Granny Paddy Jones and her professional partner Niko Espinosa first hit headlines when they won the Spanish talent show Tú sí que vales in 2009, before going on to appear on Britain's Got Talent in 2014 where they came ninth. Amanda Holden was so impressed with Paddy that she gave her the Golden Buzzer, which sent them straight through to the semi-finals. But things took a worrying turn when Paddy cracked a rib while rehearsing a new move and her place on the show was under doubt. She was given the all-clear to perform in the end but didn't quite live up to expectations. Bars and Melody - They will forever be remembered for their anti-bullying song on the talent show. Bars and Melody were first seen on the 2014 series of Britain's Got Talent, getting shuttled into the semi-finals when Simon Cowell pressed his Golden Buzzer. They made it to the final thanks to a performance of I'll Be Missing You but lost out on the crown to Collabro. These days Charlie Lenehan - known as Melody - is covered in tattoos, with inkings on his neck, arms and chest. But he is as close as ever to co-star Leondre Devries - who is Bars - with the pair seen enjoying themselves in exotic locations all over the world. Magician Harry took to the stage again after winning a spot in the semi-final. And while he wowed the audience and judges, viewers thought that something wasn't fair. One disgruntled fan said: "10 minutes of sh**e. How come no other act gets that time. It's a big fix folks." Another added: "11 acts but some got more stage time than others! How can that be fair?" It's not the first time the magician has caused controversy because fans insisted they had worked out his semi-final trick. 7 The northerner is a part of the Magic Circle Credit: ITV 7 He scooped the BGT title over the weekend Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
