England rugby captain announced as new ambassador for King's charity
The 30-year-old co-founded an artists' residency – for African, Caribbean, Southwest Asian, North African and diaspora creators – that runs at The King's Foundation's headquarters in Scotland.
So far, seven Akoje Residency artists have stayed at the Dumfries House site in Ayrshire.
The King aims to improve sustainability, traditional crafts and the arts through his charity that was founded in 1990 when he was Prince of Wales.
Maro Itoje during the British and Irish Lions squad announcement (John Walton/PA)
Itoje joins the ranks of fellow ambassadors including footballer David Beckham, actress Sienna Miller and gardener Alan Titchmarsh.
His ambassadorship was announced on Friday, and he said in a statement: 'Seeing African art find a home in rural Scotland through the Akoje Residency has been inspiring.'
The London-born rugby star added: 'It has been incredibly rewarding to work with The King's Foundation during my artist residency over the past year, and I'm thrilled to build on that relationship by becoming an ambassador for the charity.
'Discovering my passion for art — and the importance of preserving the traditional skills behind it — has been life-changing for me.
'It's been a privilege to witness how the artists have been welcomed and have become part of the local community.'
He co-founded the Akoje Gallery with gallery director Khalil Akar in 2023, and it exhibits at different sites across world – but is also accessible online.
Dumfries House (Andrew Milligan/PA)
Its residency programme was set up in 2024, allowing emerging and established artists to stay on-site in Ayrshire and produce work inspired by the surrounding landscape.
Kristina Murrin, chief executive of The King's Foundation, said: 'We have been delighted to work with Maro on the Akoje Residency at Dumfries House over the past year, so it's fantastic to formally cement his role as an ambassador for the Foundation.
She added: 'I have personally enjoyed meeting the artists taking part in the residencies and seeing how they have enjoyed living and working on site at the Dumfries house estate.
'We look forward to building on this existing partnership and working with Maro to raise awareness of the importance of traditional heritage skills for artists and ensuring they are given a platform to create.'
Maro Itoje for England (Adam Davy/PA)
Itoje, who also captains the British and Irish Lions squad and plays as a lock, has represented England 93 times since his first call-up in 2016.
He is the first English captain of the British and Irish Lions since Martin Johnson in 2001.
The player was named captain of the England team in May ahead of the 2025 Six Nations.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
24 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Rod Stewart 'devastated' as he cancels more gigs just weeks before Glastonbury
British rock legend Sir Rod Stewart has been forced to scrap a series of US gigs due to flu, with hopes to bounce back in time for his much-awaited appearance at Glastonbury. Scheduled to take the prestigious tea-time legends slot at the festival in Somerset on Sunday June 29, fans are eager for his performance. The star expressed his sorrow on Instagram, telling followers he was "devastated" to postpone six stateside concerts planned for the following eight days. "I have to cancel and reschedule my next six concerts in June as I continue to recover from the flu," Sir Rod shared, clearly disheartened. His heartfelt message continued with: "So sorry my friends." Adding, "I'm devastated and sincerely apologise for any inconvenience to my fans. I'll be back on stage and will see you soon." He finished the note with "Sir Rod" alongside a heartbreak emoji. Further to the announcement, he detailed the postponed gigs, including dates in Las Vegas and Stateline, Nevada, with two California performances expected to get new dates. The 80 year old rocker also whipped up excitement by revealing his upcoming Glastonbury gig will feature a reunion with Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood. On That Peter Crouch Podcast, Sir Rod lamented the brevity of his Pyramid Stage performance, pleading for a quarter-hour boost to his planned hour and fifteen minutes slot, citing his standard two-hour setlist. Peering into the future, he has stated that he won't hang up his mic in 2024 but declared his 2025 tours across Europe and North America would mark the end of epic world tours, hinting at more cosy venue shows thereafter. Sir Rod's most recognised solo hits include Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? , Every Beat Of My Heart, and Maggie May. Just last month, he was honoured with a distinguished lifetime achievement award at the American Music Awards (AMAs), presented by five of his children.
Metro
35 minutes ago
- Metro
'A police drama with a twist': Your favourite underrated TV thrillers
Conspiracy, crime, coverups. Just some of the hallmarks of TV thrillers that make them so bingeable. From cult classics like Twin Peaks to recent favourites such as Slow Horses, TV fans have been treated to a huge variety of gripping dramas over the years, and the genre is as popular as ever. But while well-worn series like Black Mirror and Mindhunter are worthy of praise, there's nothing quite like discovering a hidden gem that's been overlooked by the streamers or forgotten by modern audiences. We asked Metro readers to share their favourite underrated TV thrillers, to find out which lesser-known series should be added to your watch list. Justin Lawrence-Ball praised a political thriller from 1985, writing: 'Edge of Darkness. Not the Mel Gibson nonsense, the original 1985 TV series with Bob Peck.' A popular choice, Sharon Joyce echoed, 'Agree the TV series was brilliant.' Simon Silk also suggested a political thriller. 'House of Cards (the British version) from 1990.' The BBC series is set after the end of Margaret Thatcher's tenure as Prime Minister and, as Simon pointed out, 'came out the same week Thatcher was forced from office. By pure coincidence.' House of Cards aired on BBC One on November 18 1990, and Thatcher resigned on November 28. Elsewhere, a user calling themselves FizzbuzzAvabanana suggested the first series of BBC One's Messiah. They said: 'At the time it was way ahead of anything else, great cast, suspense etc,' but added, 'The rest were good but never quite lived up to the first series. Like Broadchurch, series one was a class above.' The series follows DCI Red Metcalfe (played by Ken Scott), who investigates a series of particularly grisly murders. Another user, Longirl, agreed: 'What an incredible show. Some scenes are still with me 20-odd years later.' Unfortunately, the first series of Messiah, which aired in 2001, is not available on any streaming platforms at the moment — though viewers can purchase series five on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video. DaveBacon suggested River, a TV mini series from 2015, praising it as 'really good.' They added: 'It's a police drama with a twist, which I can't describe without spoiling it, though it gets revealed in the first episode. It's a really interesting one. It's on ITVX at the moment.' Other readers mentioned Stag, a 'very funny' black comedy that follows eight men on a deer hunting trip from hell. Collateral, a four-part drama from 2018 starring Carey Mulligan, was also praised, as well as The Worricker Trilogy, which features Bill Nighy as an MI5 officer. We're sure you've heard of Netflix's House of Cards, which starred Kevin Spacey and marked the beginning of the streaming service producing its own original content. But few know that it was based on the lesser-known British series from 1990, produced by the BBC. The series follows Francis Urquhart (Ian Richardson), the fictional Chief Whip of the Conservative Party, and his manipulative rise to power as he plots against his colleagues to become leader of the party and, ultimately, Prime Minister. On Google reviews, several fans revealed they prefer it to the American version. Richard Saxe Coburg wrote: 'Excellent, thrilling, a web of exciting characters and plotted deep and multilayered,' adding, 'The US version is pale and forgettable. THIS is the one to watch!' Anne Suttor agreed, sharing they 'much preferred' it to the Netflix show, and praising the casting as 'perfect'. Where to watch: Series one is free to watch on UKTV, and all three series can be purchased on Apple TV from £1.89. Starring Bob Peck as policeman Ronald Craven, Edge of Darkness follows his efforts to unravel the brutal murder of his daughter, who is shot in front of him. The series plays on the fears that surrounded the Cold War in the 1980s, as Ronald's investigation leads him to uncover a government conspiracy at the Northmoor nuclear waste storage facility. Edge of Darkness was repeated on BBC One soon after it first aired, owing to the buzz around the series, and doubled its audience to eight million viewers. In 2010, the original director and producer, Martin Campbell and Michael Wearing, turned the series into a film starring Mel Gibson. Where to watch: On Apple TV from £2.49 or on Prime Video for £12.99. Six-part series River sees Stellan Skarsgård star as John River, a brilliant police officer who is haunted by his murdered colleague, Jackie 'Stevie' Stevenson (played by Nicola Walker). While attempting to hunt down Stevie's killer, he has to deal with her estranged family, his new partner (Adeel Akhtar) and a psychiatric evaluation as a result of his colleague's death. The series boasts an impressive 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics calling it 'engrossing', 'dazzling' and 'heartbreaking'. Where to watch: Free on ITVX. This black comedy may not take itself as seriously as other Metro readers' picks, but perhaps that's what makes it underrated. It stars Jim Howick as Ian, a last-minute addition to a stag weekend trip, alongside Reece Shearsmith, Stephen Campbell Moore, Tim Key and Amit Shah. The obnoxious group of friends head to the Scottish Highlands on a deer hunting weekend, but things soon turn sinister when they find themselves being picked off one by one by a mysterious killer. Recommending the series in subreddit r/horror, one Reddit user wrote: 'The comedy is played completely straight, and the horror and gore is balanced perfectly with the humor. There's a number of twists, a number of fake outs, and a number of wonderful deaths. And the acting is perfect'. Where to watch: On Apple TV from £2.49 or on Prime Video for £6.99. Collateral is a four-part thriller set in London, with an impressive cast featuring Carey Mulligan, John Simm, Billie Piper and Nicola Walker. Taking place over four days, it sees DI Kip Glaspie (Mulligan) investigate the murder of a pizza delivery driver, who was gunned down by a masked shooter while delivering to the ex-wife of a politician (Simm). Glaspie refuses to believe it was a random act of violence, and soon finds herself untangling a conspiracy involving drug dealers, smugglers and spies. With a very respectable 79% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the series has been labelled 'gripping' and 'exciting' by critics. Where to watch: Free with a Netflix subscription. Ok, this might be a film trilogy rather than a TV thriller, but they did all air on the BBC. The three films (Page Eight, Turks & Caicos, Salting the Battlefield) star Bill Nighy in the lead as long-serving MI5 officer Johnny Worricker. In Page Eight, his life is turned upside down when his boss and best friend (played by Michael Gambon) dies suddenly, leaving him to deal with a top-secret file. More Trending We cant' say much more without spoiling the entire trilogy, but expect appearances from A-listers including Christopher Walken, Helena Bonham Carter and Ralph Fiennes. Page Eight received a near-perfect 94% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 4.1 rating on Google reviews. Viewer Geoff Harris wrote of the trilogy: 'What a delight, the stories intertwined, and of course Bill Nighy was on top form. With a great supporting cast, I really enjoyed the films, no doubt I will watch them again. The filming was excellent, great scenery and good storylines. Just superb.' View More » Where to watch: On Apple TV from £6.99. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Metro
35 minutes ago
- Metro
The new Mango collection screams summer dressing - all we need is warm weather
Metro journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission – learn more Mango has collaborated with some big names in recent years, including Victoria Beckham, and now British-Indian designer Supriya Lele. The new collaboration is giving us all the summer vibes as it features bold silhouettes, feminine cuts, sheer fabrics, as well as a blend of neutral tones and pops of vibrant colours. The website reads: 'In this collaboration with the renowned British-Indian designer, the dreamlike essence of warm summer nights in the city sets the stage for a contemporary tapestry where diverse influences merge. The collection reflects Supriya Lele's vision of femininity – bold and unapologetic – through sheer fabrics, statement dresses, sensual detailing, and a vibrant palette.' Sheer skirts have been hugely popular in recent months, so we are pleased to see the collection include the on-trend design in a puddle maxi skirt, as well as maxi dress. With the summer holidays just around the corner, the selection of standout swimwear is a must for an upcoming vacation. More Trending Plus, the collection features modern twists on classic staples, such as cut out leggings, ruched mini dresses with layered detail, or feathered hemlines. Whether you are shopping for new wardrobe staples, such as leggings, tank tops or evening-appropriate body suits to pair with jeans or trousers, or you are shopping chic eveningwear for any lavish events, this collection has it all. From clothing to footwear and accessories, Mango has covered all bases with its latest collection. We have curated our favourite picks below to help with your shopping spree. The capsule is limited edition, and only available to shop exclusively from Mango. This glamorous dress is red-carpet worthy. Crafted from polyester, with a polyester and elastane lining, this maxi dress drapes over the body elegantly. The bodice provides a secure fit, which contrasts the fluidity of the maxi skirt. It boasts cut out details, as well as a partially open back with cowl-style lower back detailing. BUY NOW FOR £199.99 This sheer skirt boasts a maxi length, and low-rise waist. What we love about this maxi skirt is the vertical seam running down the skirt, as well as the ruffle detail in the centre, which adds another dimension and texture to the classic slip skirt. Pair with a slip underneath for more coverage, layer over swimwear or your underwear if you're feeling brave. Pair with a tank top, satin shirt, oversize T-shirt, ruffle blouse or blazer, depending on the occasion. BUY NOW FOR £79.99 Heading to a beach club this summer? This is the perfect swimsuit for bandeau style avoids any pesky tan lines, while the cross detail adds a bit of character. The swimsuit boasts a low front, but high rise brief at the back for fuller cover. We also love the metallic bright blue fabric, which matches the blue sky and dazzling ocean we will wear this one piece to swim in. BUY NOW FOR £59.99 We live in leggings all day long. While we would say we don't need another pair, we don't have a cut out waist design, so, yes, we do need these. This design gives the illusion you are wearing a low rise pair of leggings with your underwear hanging out the top, which was all the craze circa the noughties. BUY NOW FOR £59.99 This satin crop top is a must looks ultra luxurious and is versatile enough to wear on its own with jeans, high waisted trousers or a slip skirt, though it can also be layered under a sheer blouse, dress, or blazer. BUY NOW FOR £35.99 A satin slip skirt is a failsafe wardrobe essential and has been since 2018, or thereabout. The viscose fabric allows the fabric to flow seamlessly down the body, while the elasticated waist ensures the skirt stays in offers a mid-rise waist and midi length, though it falls just under the knees, which is shorter than other midi skirts we own. We love the pearlescent hue, which will pair beautifully with the matching Crop Top, with an oversize T-shirt, shirt, or blazer. BUY NOW FOR £49.99 From the halterneck, the open back, to the cowl neck, this bodysuit is uber flattering for all body shapes. It boasts a press-stud fastening at the back of the nape to avoid any excess fabric from tickling your back and to achieve a seamless silhouette from the back. Pair with jeans, white high waisted trousers, the sheer skirt in the collection, and anything in between. BUY NOW FOR £49.99 We predict this may be the sell-out item of the entire collection because it is chic, effortless, versatile and oh-so boasts a wrap halterneck, draped neckline and maxi length, which falls into a small puddle on the floor that is ultra elegant – and perfect for the tall girlies. The sheer gauze fabric complements the straight cut of this dress as it flows down the body without being too figure hugging and sheer dress can be layered over underwear, swimwear, or a slip, depending on the occasion, as well as your style preferences. Available in a neutral or black colour. BUY NOW FOR £179.99 Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Share your views in the comments below MORE: These are the must-have straw and raffia bags to see you through summer MORE: These co-ords should be staples in your summer wardrobe MORE: Antler launches new Summer Capsule collection just in time for summer
