Patsy Palmer and Michelle Collins lead the glamour as stars turn out for Soap Awards 2025 red carpet

Pulp's Jarvis Cocker says his writer's block ‘led the band to grind to a halt'

South Wales Argus

3 hours ago

South Wales Argus

Pulp's Jarvis Cocker says his writer's block ‘led the band to grind to a halt'

The Britpop band, best known for their hit song Common People, will release their first album in over two decades, More, on June 6. The frontman, 61, said he wrote the lyrics before going into the studio to 'make things easier'. Speaking to the Big Issue, Cocker said: 'It's weird because we don't hang around with each other outside of the band any more, but I was aware of what the others were up to with various projects. But when you've made music with people for that many years, you have an unspoken understanding. 'I tried to make things easier by writing my lyrics before we went into the studio, for the first time ever. Because that's what kind of led the band to grind to a halt in the first place. 'It was taking me so long, I just felt embarrassed that the rest of the band were hanging around waiting for me to get my finger out.' The group split in 2002 but got back together for occasional live performances including headlining Wireless Festival in Hyde Park and playing at Glastonbury in 2011. Jarvis Cocker on stage at Finsbury Park in London (Victoria Jones/PA) They reunited again in 2023 for a series of UK and Ireland dates, but months before the tour was due to start bassist Steve Mackey died at the age of 56. Cocker added: 'It sounds a bit crass, but Steve passed away just before our last tour and it made me realise that we only have a finite amount of time to do the things you want to do. And for Steve, it was no longer an option, but it was for us.' Speaking about raising his son amid conversations about toxic masculinity he said: 'Women brought me up. All the males in our family just disappeared, and that had a significant effect on me. 'As for Andrew Tate, I did worry when my son first got his phone that he would encounter weird ideas about stuff. I thought, 'If I don't discuss certain subjects with him, then who will he learn from?'' The Sheffield group formed in 1978 and is currently made up of singer Cocker, keyboard player Candida Doyle, drummer Nick Banks and guitarist Mark Webber. The band struggled to find success in their early days, releasing It (1983), Freaks (1987) and Separations (1992), before finding their audience during the 1990s Britpop era with their first UK top 40 single, Do You Remember The First Time? and subsequent His 'N' Hers album, in 1994. In 1995, they gained nationwide fame with the release of the single Common People and the critically acclaimed Different Class album as well as their Glastonbury performance. They have since had five UK top 10 singles and two number one albums. The new album More is dedicated to bassist Mackey and is due to be released on June 6.

Glasgow Times

3 hours ago

Glasgow Times

Pulp's Jarvis Cocker says his writer's block ‘led the band to grind to a halt'

The Britpop band, best known for their hit song Common People, will release their first album in over two decades, More, on June 6. The frontman, 61, said he wrote the lyrics before going into the studio to 'make things easier'. Speaking to the Big Issue, Cocker said: 'It's weird because we don't hang around with each other outside of the band any more, but I was aware of what the others were up to with various projects. But when you've made music with people for that many years, you have an unspoken understanding. 'I tried to make things easier by writing my lyrics before we went into the studio, for the first time ever. Because that's what kind of led the band to grind to a halt in the first place. 'It was taking me so long, I just felt embarrassed that the rest of the band were hanging around waiting for me to get my finger out.' The group split in 2002 but got back together for occasional live performances including headlining Wireless Festival in Hyde Park and playing at Glastonbury in 2011. Jarvis Cocker on stage at Finsbury Park in London (Victoria Jones/PA) They reunited again in 2023 for a series of UK and Ireland dates, but months before the tour was due to start bassist Steve Mackey died at the age of 56. Cocker added: 'It sounds a bit crass, but Steve passed away just before our last tour and it made me realise that we only have a finite amount of time to do the things you want to do. And for Steve, it was no longer an option, but it was for us.' Speaking about raising his son amid conversations about toxic masculinity he said: 'Women brought me up. All the males in our family just disappeared, and that had a significant effect on me. 'As for Andrew Tate, I did worry when my son first got his phone that he would encounter weird ideas about stuff. I thought, 'If I don't discuss certain subjects with him, then who will he learn from?'' The Sheffield group formed in 1978 and is currently made up of singer Cocker, keyboard player Candida Doyle, drummer Nick Banks and guitarist Mark Webber. The band struggled to find success in their early days, releasing It (1983), Freaks (1987) and Separations (1992), before finding their audience during the 1990s Britpop era with their first UK top 40 single, Do You Remember The First Time? and subsequent His 'N' Hers album, in 1994. In 1995, they gained nationwide fame with the release of the single Common People and the critically acclaimed Different Class album as well as their Glastonbury performance. They have since had five UK top 10 singles and two number one albums. The new album More is dedicated to bassist Mackey and is due to be released on June 6.

Reason Gary Lineker's final interview with Mohamed Salah was 'scrapped' revealed

Metro

4 hours ago

Metro

Reason Gary Lineker's final interview with Mohamed Salah was 'scrapped' revealed

Gary Lineker's interview with Mohamed Salah was due to air after his BBC exit (Picture: PA) The alleged reason for Gary Lineker's final blow from the BBC ahead of his exit has been revealed. Lineker, 64, bowed out of presenting Match of the Day last month after 26 years at the helm. It was initially claimed that the sports pundit was due to interview Liverpool star Mohamed Salah before his exit, but the BBC has scotched reports that the reason they put a stop to the interview was because they feared discussions would turn political. The broadcaster has now made it clear that 'the only reason' the interview was cancelled was because of when it was due to air. A source allegedly told The Sun: 'The plan was for the interview to be shown across the BBC the weekend of Gary's final Match of the Day. 'That would include on Football Focus the day before, as well as online and on social media.' Last month, Lineker signed off from hosting Match of the Day after 26 years (Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire) But 'out of nowhere, it got cancelled' by Director of Sport Alex Kay-Jelski, who took over the role from Barbara Slater last April. 'Some people think they didn't want Gary and Mo to talk about Gaza,' said the source. 'Salah has spoken out in his support for Palestinians living in Gaza, and Gary has made his feelings clear too.' Bosses reportedly feared the ongoing war would 'come up naturally in conversation'. Consequently, the BBC preferred to 'axe' the interview rather than 'risk possible editorial issues'. 'They'd only just overcome one storm, so to face another would have been a nightmare.' It's reported there is 'no love lost' between the pundit and the BBC's Director of Sport (Picture: Ash Knotek/Shutterstock for AWEu) To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Up Next Previous Page Next Page But when contacted for comment, a BBC spokesperson told Metro that the interview was actually scrapped for a different reason. 'The only reason the interview was cancelled was because it was planned to air after Gary's last match of the day, and it would be wrong to suggest anything else,' they said. It comes after a source also previously told The Sun that Lineker was 'well-liked' among his co-stars ahead of his departure. Lineker's final MOTD aired last Sunday, which he fronted alongside pundits Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, with whom he also presents the Rest Is Football podcast. He announced his departure from the BBC following a row after he shared a post about Zionism, which featured a depiction of a rat, historically an antisemitic insult. Lineker, the BBC's highest-paid presenter on a £1.4million salary, issued an unreserved apology over the Instagram Story, as it was confirmed he would leave his presenting role at the Beeb early and would no longer front coverage of the 2026 World Cup or next season's FA Cup. Lineker fought back tears in his final MOTD sign-off (Picture: PA/BBC) 'On Instagram I reposted material which I have since learned contained offensive references,' he said in a statement at the time. 'I very much regret these references. 'I would never knowingly share anything antisemitic. It goes against everything I believe in.' Lineker deleted the post 'as soon as [he] became aware of the issue.' In his final sign-off from the highlights show, he struggled to speak through tears. Lineker described his time on the programme as 'utterly joyous' as he thanked his co-stars and those working behind the scenes. 'Let me take this opportunity to thank all of the other pundits I've had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years. You've made my job so much easier,' he began. The footie icon said it was a 'privilege' to front the highlights show for so long (Picture: Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images) Lineker continued: 'Also, a huge thank you to those you don't see at home. The work that goes into making this iconic show is a huge team effort, from the editors to the analysis team to the commentators to the producers to the floor managers to the camera operators to the PAs to the subs. Thank you, all. You're the very best. 'Rather like my football career, everyone else did all the hard work, and I got applauded. 'It's been an absolute privilege to have hosted Match of the Day for a quarter of a century; it's been utterly joyous.' Reflecting on his final show afterwards on his podcast, Lineker admitted he 'struggled' to 'keep it together' when a montage of his career highlights was shown. Gabby Logan, Kelly Cates, and Mark Chapman will replace the Leicester-born star and share the presenting role from the next Premier League season, with Lineker wishing them 'all the very best when they sit in this chair'. 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. Arrow MORE: Race Across the World star dies in car crash aged 24 Arrow MORE: When is the Ballon d'Or 2025 and what are the odds on the winner? Arrow MORE: Doctor Who fans notice glaring issue with Billie Piper's shock return

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Pulp's Jarvis Cocker says his writer's block ‘led the band to grind to a halt'

Pulp's Jarvis Cocker says his writer's block ‘led the band to grind to a halt'

Reason Gary Lineker's final interview with Mohamed Salah was 'scrapped' revealed

Patsy Palmer and Michelle Collins lead the glamour as stars turn out for Soap Awards 2025 red carpet

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Pulp's Jarvis Cocker says his writer's block ‘led the band to grind to a halt'

Pulp's Jarvis Cocker says his writer's block ‘led the band to grind to a halt'

Reason Gary Lineker's final interview with Mohamed Salah was 'scrapped' revealed

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