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Late ex-UDA boss inspired Give My Head Peace's Uncle Andy… and even wanted to be on hit BBC show

Late ex-UDA boss inspired Give My Head Peace's Uncle Andy… and even wanted to be on hit BBC show

...and the terror chief even wanted to be on the show, reveals one of its co-creators
The late UDA chief Andy Tyrie was the inspiration for the hapless loyalist and Elvis obsessive Uncle Andy in the hit series Give My Head Peace, one of its creators has revealed.
Not only was the terror boss's distinctive tinted sunglasses and Zapata moustache the source of the character's look — he loved the show so much he even wanted to make a guest appearance.
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Priscilla Presley, 80, makes very rare public appearance two years after devastating death of her daughter Lisa Marie
Priscilla Presley, 80, makes very rare public appearance two years after devastating death of her daughter Lisa Marie

The Sun

timea day ago

  • The Sun

Priscilla Presley, 80, makes very rare public appearance two years after devastating death of her daughter Lisa Marie

PRISCILLA Presley made a rare public appearance two years after she tragically lost her daughter Lisa Marie. The ex-wife of late rock 'n' roll icon Elvis was spotted out and about in Los Angeles this week. 8 8 8 Priscilla, 80, looked chic in a sheer floral purple blouse teamed with black flared trousers and a pair of heeled leather boots. The former actress and model wore her signature red hair pulled back in a sleek ponytail and a jeweled black clutch in hand. She looked composed and stylish as she strolled through Bel Air earlier this week with her security. Her appearance comes two years on after losing her daughter Lisa at the age of 54. She was rushed to the hospital on January 12 after her housekeeper found her unresponsive in the bedroom of her Calabasas home. Lisa Marie's death was caused by complications resulting from a small bowel obstruction, the coroner has said. The star's autopsy and toxicology reports revealed that there were two opioids in her system at the time of death, according to TMZ. Therapeutic levels of Oxycodone were found in Lisa Marie's blood, along with Buprenorphine, which is often taken to treat overuse of opioids, the outlet reported. Lisa Marie reportedly had a cosmetic procedure done a few months prior to her death and was prescribed the opioids. Traces of Quetiapine - an antipsychotic - were also found. Lisa Marie's urine toxicology was negative and no drug paraphernalia or narcotics were found at her home, the coroner report said. Lisa Marie Presley memorial updates — Elvis' daughter honored by Sarah Ferguson at Graceland as more tributes paid The bowel obstruction was said to have been caused by adhesions that formed after Lisa Marie had gastric bypass surgery years ago, though TMZ noted that opioids can cause constipation that can lead to bowel obstruction. RUSHED TO HOSPITAL Insiders previously told TMZ that the late singer's ex-husband Danny Keough performed CPR at their home until paramedics arrived. The pair was living together at a new multi-million-dollar home in a private enclave in Calabasas following their son Benjamin's suicide in 2020. Lisa Marie reportedly went into "full arrest" and was given adrenaline at least once to help her regain a pulse during the medical emergency. She was placed in an induced coma and was listed in critical condition before she died at a Los Angeles hospital hours later. Lisa Marie's mother Priscilla Presley announced her daughter's death in a statement shortly after. "It is with a heavy heart that I must share the devastating news that my beautiful daughter Lisa Marie has left us," the heartbroken mother said. "She was the most passionate, strong, and loving woman I have ever known. We ask for privacy as we try to deal with this profound loss. "Thank you for your love and prayers. At this time there will be no further comment." LISA MARIE'S FINAL DAYS Lisa Marie was last spotted at the 80th Golden Globes on January 10, where she celebrated her late father alongside her family and actor Austin Butler - who won an award for his portrayal of the King of Rock n' Roll in the biopic Elvis. The late singer looked frail in the days leading up to her collapse and she clung onto Butler's arm in photos before the event. Donning an all-black dress, Lisa Marie wrapped her arms around the actor for support as she walked across the red carpet and into the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Her eyes looked distanced and tired, and she had a slight slouch. In one final interview, Lisa Marie spoke slowly and appeared to slur her words at times after being asked about the movie. Footage also showed her telling Elvis' longtime friend Jerry Shilling: "I'm gonna grab your arm." Asked about her thoughts after seeing the movie Elvis for the first time, Lisa said: "I was mind blown, truly. "I actually had to take like five days to process it." She said she "hoped" it would be a wonderful night for Elvis, adding: "I adore him [Butler]." Extra's Billy Bush, who carried out the interview, told NewsNation that the famed singer seemed "off" during the chat. Speaking after her death, he said: "We had two steps up onto our platform. I asked her, here, let me lend you a hand to help you up. "She was on the arm of Jerry was holding her arm. "She was very much relying on his support for balance and she spoke very slowly. "And I can tell you this when the interview was over, I said to my crew, 'something's off.' "There's no question that she was off. She was a little slow." HOW DID PRISCILLA MEET ELVIS? Priscilla's stepfather was in the Air Force and was stationed with his family West Germany, which is where a young Priscilla met the superstar in 1959 in Bad Nauheim, while Elvis was in the army. She was just 14 but made a huge impression on Elvis, who was 24 and already a huge star. The couple met at a party and hit it off right away. But because of his age and rock star status, Priscilla's parents were slightly hesitant about allowing their daughter to get involved with him but soon warmed to him. The pair anaged to see each other often when he was in West Germany before he was discharged from the military in 1960. When he returned to America she was convinced the affair was over, but the pair stayed in touch via phone and eventually they were able to convince her parents to let her visit. She eventually moved in with him in Graceland in 1963 and they married in 1967 at the Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada - eight years after they first met. The superstar's brutal touring schedule put strain on the marriage, and both had affairs. Their marriage fell apart in 1973, but they stayed friends. 8 8

The best bars and nightclubs in Zakynthos
The best bars and nightclubs in Zakynthos

Telegraph

time3 days ago

  • Telegraph

The best bars and nightclubs in Zakynthos

Away from Laganas' rowdy three-kilometre-long strip, Zakynthos' (also known as Zante) nightlife scene is far more laid back. Cafés and bars radiating out from Solomas square in Zante town attract locals who sit out in boisterous clusters greeting friends, eating traditional honey and almond mandoles and playing backgammon tavli. A string of chic bars on Bochali's Venetian castle-crowned hill just outside of town attracts a hip crowd who come here to sip cocktails and admire panoramic views. This Ionian island has a traditional music scene, too and it's well worth seeking out the local bars where they still host atmospheric and traditional kandathes nights. For further Zante inspiration, see our guides to the island's best hotels, restaurants and things to do. Plan an extended visit with our ultimate guide to planning a Greek island-hopping holiday. Paradise Cocktail Bar There's always something going on at this funky little bar in the low key resort of Tsilivi. Far from Laganas' rowdy crowds this family-run venue, which has been around for more than 23 years, proudly promotes itself as the place to have 'an old fashioned good night out' with plenty of fun and occasional games, ranging from reggae nights and quizzes, to plate smashing and drag nights. With banners on street lamps proclaiming it to be 'the best bar in Greece' and a wrecked pink motor parked outside with a sign that reads 'Elvis' mothers car', this one is easy to find. Jungle Bar Named for its salt flats, which were abandoned in the 1980s and are now a magnet for migrating birds, the seaside resort of Alykes has one of the island's best low-key nightlife scenes – and the family-run Jungle Bar, set on a busy road in the centre of town, is one of the best places to enjoy it. Children are welcome at this bar's saloon-like terrace (great for people watching) where they serve an extensive range of (competitively priced) cocktails and mocktails, along with Guinness and beer on tap, to the tune of Eighties and Nineties hits. Movida Club Moonlight works magic on this sky bar sat atop the sweet-scented, pine-studded Bochali hill, close to the Venetian castle's crumbled walls, where the city's hip crowd come to sip handcrafted cocktails. Trees strung with glittering lights surround a wood-decked terrace with amphitheatre-like views of the inky black Ionian Sea way below and Zante town's sparkle way beyond. In summer, drinkers (perched on high-backed wooden chairs) are serenaded by the high-pitched toot of Scops owls, and local and international DJs who play mainly chill-out hits. There's also a limited menu: try the handmade burgers with chunky fries. Website: Price: ££ Getting in: Dress code is hip/casual. Cebu Club Although it's just down the road from Laganas, the nightlife in Argassi, just a few kilometres from Zante town, is far more chilled. Early evening is the time to hangout with locals – who flock here to eat in a string of taverns and fast food joints – before heading to one of the laidback clubs. Cebu's palm tree-shaded garden behind high walls is the perfect place to gaze at the stars through waving palm fronds, whilst sipping cocktails. There's also a football-pitch-sized dance space inside where local and guest DJs do their sets. Zakanthi Bar Restaurant Housed in a tall ochre building with olive green shutters along a quiet street in chilled seaside resort Kalamaki, this laidback bar is surrounded by a pretty garden – clipped lawns, palm trees and plants in pots – which makes it feel very private. Interiors are rustic-cosy (think flagged stone floors, chunky wooden tables and candles) but the best seats are outdoors, where friendly waiters serve cocktails handcrafted by a resident mixologist, as the sweet sounds of classic and jazz music filter out from speakers concealed amongst the trees. In summer they also have regular live music nights. Contact: 0030 26950 43586; Price: ££ Getting in: Dress code is elegant casual; it's best to book on weekends. Cotton Club Zakynthos When beret-clad Christian Marstrander and wife Merete, the Norwegian owners of Ibiza's celebrity-loved Cotton Club, first stepped ashore in Zakynthos they were captivated by the Ionian island's pristine seascapes and lush greenery, and vowed to create a second Cotton Club here. An ideal place to escape the coastal crowds, this sophisticated lifestyle club sits on a pine-clad hill with breathtaking views over Laganas bay. Come here during the daytime to sip cocktails and chill by the pool, or stay later to enjoy live DJ's and plant-based menus in the club's al fresco restaurant - for those who choose to linger, they also rent out villas, along with a sleek line of luxury yachts. Porto Azzuro Beach bars are ten a penny in the beach resort of Vasilikos, but Porto Azurro's location – just steps from the warm shallow waters and soft sand of its eponymous beach – combine with an imaginative range of cocktails (try the Greek Collins made with grappa-like tsipouro, instead of gin) makes it a popular lunchtime choice. Drinks can be ordered on the bamboo-shaded terrace of the bar, or from the never-want-to-leave comfort of a sunbed. They also serve Mediterranean snacks: olive oil-drizzled choriatiki salads, fresh grilled meat souvlaki and seafood. Villa Rossa Wine bar Although the best grapes were once exported as currants, these days Zante produces some excellent wines from a wide range of local varietals – and not just the ubiquitous white wine Verdea, either. Housed along the Vassilikos peninsula in an atmospheric villa, with creaking wooden floors and ornate antique furnishings – and which once belonged to the powerful Roma family (who also owned Archontiko Roma in Zante town) – Villa Rossa has plenty of choice. Sit at picnic tables (with plenty of cushions) beneath citrus-scented cypress trees and choose from an extensive list served with spicy ladotyri cheese and other snacks. Portokali Along a side street in the popular seaside resort of Argassi, Portokali (Greek for 'orange') really rocks that amber vibe with carrot-coloured deco ranging from lampshades to seating. Surprisingly, however, the orange-with-everything theme is not oppressive because this quirky live music bar restaurant nestles in lovely lush gardens. There are immense palm trees thrusting palm fronds to the velvet, star-spangled sky and ancient olive trees strung with (orange) hammocks where you can laze and listen to live music which plays most nights here and can be anything from laidback jazz to lively rock 'n' roll. There's also a restaurant serving traditional local treats, including – you guessed it – portokalopita (orange cake). Contact: 0030 26950 45730; Price: ££ Getting in: Casual, but get there early – this place is popular. How we choose Every bar, venue or experience in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from casual pubs to exquisite cocktail bars – to best suit every type of traveller – and consider the service, drinks, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations. About our expert Heidi Fuller-Love I'm a fan of traditional music, and have spent many summers listening to kanthades in Zante's kafeneions and hiking the island's remotest goat trails.

Inside the Elvis Evolution chaos: ‘bad pay, booing and low morale'
Inside the Elvis Evolution chaos: ‘bad pay, booing and low morale'

Times

time6 days ago

  • Times

Inside the Elvis Evolution chaos: ‘bad pay, booing and low morale'

When performers were cast in Elvis Evolution, an ambitious new theatre show billed as an 'authentic' AI tribute to the king of rock'n'roll, many believed it would be a career-defining opportunity. Elvis Evolution, produced by Layered Reality, is an immersive theatre show blending live performance, storytelling and AI. Set across multiple themed spaces, the experience promised audiences a 'life-sized digital Elvis performing iconic moments in musical history on a UK stage for the first time'. Tickets to the show at the Excel London cost £75 for a standard ticket and £300 for a 'super VIP' option, which includes a mid-show champagne experience, commemorative glass, dedicated seating, a drink at each of the three bars and cloakroom access. • Fans demand refunds over cardboard cutouts at Elvis 'hologram' show Within a week of its opening, on ­July 18 — and after audience ­complaints and intense public scrutiny — cast members said the reality behind the scenes had been far from the ­dazzling production promised. Instead of the holographic Elvis that had been expected, AI had been used only to compile video footage. The holographic imagery promoted in early publicity never materialised. One performer claimed the working environment had left them feeling 'demoralised', 'exploited' and desperate to escape a 'sinking ship'. In a letter sent to producers and seen by The Times, 23 cast members raised several concerns about the production. The letter, signed by 'the cast of Elvis Evolution', raises concerns about pay and chaotic rehearsals. One cast member claims that the show's central draw — an AI-powered hologram of Elvis Presley — was misrepresented. 'We had seen comments on Facebook about the Elvis fans wanting a hologram. And we knew that there were no holograms at all being used,' an actor on the show, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Times. 'Once we saw the AI, we were actually really disappointed. We were sold the same delivery as the audience members. We were told it was going to be this progressive AI, imaginative, creative piece.' Despite tickets being sold for up to £300, performers claim they were paid as little as £13.50 an hour, with some performers alleging that they were 'often left in hallways doing nothing' during rehearsals periods. • From Abba to Elvis — are holograms really the future of pop? Poor scheduling, they claim, made it impossible to take on other jobs. Performers were asked to keep weekdays free in case they were called in at short notice, sometimes for just a few hours but often with nothing to do. 'One day you wouldn't be called in and then the next day you'd find out you're called in for 11 o'clock, only to then leave at one. And in those two hours, you've done nothing,' the actor continued. As morale dropped, the cast say they attempted to raise concerns formally about the conditions. In their letter to the producers, they highlighted that 'the ad hoc nature of the hours, combined with the current level of compensation, has meant that many cast members have had to seek additional employment; second and third jobs, in order to cover basic living expenses'. The response, the actor said, was underwhelming. 'We could see the wheels were falling off the car very early,' the actor said. 'When we sent the letter, they emailed us back saying we can give you 50p more and make it £14 an hour. All while selling tickets on pre-sale for £300.' According to those involved, multiple departments, including costume, reportedly experienced upheaval, with some people deciding to leave the production. The actor claimed 'panic' had spread across the production, with 'every single department' in disarray. This version of events, however, has been disputed by others on the production. One cast member claimed their experience on Elvis Evolution is 'standard across theatre'. They said: 'When rehearsal hours were lower than expected, this was flagged by the cast and quickly remedied for all of us. We reached an agreement on a minimum rate of monthly pay; for me, they've always been open to listening and quick to deal with queries. 'We have an ongoing dialogue with all Layered Reality departments, and we have two team members who are dedicated to working with us. Due to the nature of the show, the director was with the dev and tech teams to bring the show to life. With such a big cast of people playing different roles, rehearsal call times were staggered, but this is standard in an immersive production of this scale.' Responding to claims of upheaval, one cast member said the production had only lost 'one member of cast from the beginning of the rehearsal process'. This, they added, is 'probably a low turnover rate compared to most immersive productions'. The production had initially suggested that the 'brand new interactive experience' would involve cutting-edge AI and holographic imagery. Plans for the hologram were scrapped, a development fans quickly noticed. The audience, the actor said, quickly picked up on the show's flaws. 'I think it's been really awful for the cast. One of my colleagues came on stage and got booed before he'd even given a line,' they said. 'The audience felt duped because they'd read the reviews. It's really demoralising. it's a sinking ship.' 'I said very early on I don't want anyone I know to come and watch this. We were embarrassed. But at the end of the day, we've signed this contract. With the current acting climate and our profession being so risky, we're just doing our job. Ultimately it's not our fault.' Paige Rannigan, 29, from Essex, spent more than £200 on tickets , expecting a 'life-sized digital Elvis'. 'There were three musicians on the stage in front of the screen, acting as the musicians that were there in real life,' she said. 'But their instruments weren't plugged in and there was fake applause over the top. There were only about three songs on his '68 comeback video, but it was anything you could look up on YouTube or iPlayer.' In the cast's open letter, they call for several key changes: a guaranteed minimum weekly pay, a review of compensation, paid breaks and travel reimbursement, clearer scheduling, itemised payslips, and formalised guidelines in line with Equity standards. A Layered Reality spokesperson said: 'As an immersive theatre company, the welfare and happiness of our cast members is of the utmost importance, and we greatly value our entire team. Since the beginning of rehearsals, our cast have had two full-time employees — our company manager and performance manager — dedicated to protecting the well-being of the actors, who our actors can speak to at any time, to address any concerns. 'Throughout pre-production and live shows, where concerns have been raised, adjustments and improvements have been promptly sought and implemented. We're talking directly with cast members who have expressed concerns.' The spokesperson added: 'As with many complex productions that are two years in development, and creating something new to the market, the concept did develop from our earliest vision announced in January 2024, but all communications since October 2024 reflected an accurate picture of the show as it evolved.'

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