
David Tennant's heartbreak over wife's cancer scare which saw her organise her own funeral
David Tennant returns to screens tonight for brand new series, The Assembly. The exciting new show sees a range of celebrities such as Danny Dyer , David Tennant, Jade Thirwall and Gary Lineker all quizzed by a group of autistic, neurodivergent and/or learning disabled interviewers. The Assembly is based on the format of French show Les Rencontres du Papotin, which has featured President Emmanuel Macron. A pilot of the show actually aired on the BBC last year starring Michael Sheen but the new series will air on ITV with four episodes. Last night saw former EastEnders actor Danny Dyer take the hot seat and tonight it's David Tennant's turn to be grilled about his life. The Doctor Who and Rivals actor lives a star-studded life as he also presents the BAFTAs but away from the spotlight, the Bathgate-born actor has a very normal home life and has been married to Georgia Moffat since 2011, who he met when she appeared on an episode of Doctor Who in 2008. The actress' mum and dad are stars Sandra Dickinson and Doctor Who legend Peter Davison, meaning David has some rather well-kent in-laws. And their eldest son Ty - who David adopted when he met Georgia - is an actor now too in his own right, having starred in Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon. Back in 2020, the couple appeared on That Gaby Roslin Podcast where they opened up about the early days of their relationship. "I very much forced it into happening, didn't I?" said Georgia. "I was very much the driving force. Had I not worked quite so hard, it might not have happened." David replied: "That makes it sound like I was resistant, which was not what happened. I thought we were an unlikely life partnership, I suppose. There is a bit of an age gap. "Because Doctor Who had run through my life like a stick of rock, to end up marrying the daughter of one of the Doctors, it all felt a bit stupid... that wasn't really likely to happen. So there were a lot of things against it." Georgia first appeared on screens at the age of 15, playing Nicky Davey on Peak Practice in 1999 and she's also known for her recurring role as Abigail Nixon in The Bill from 2007-2009, as well as being mother to her and David's five children. However, back in 2023, Good Omens star Tennant's happy home life was rocked when Georgia was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The mum-of-five said a simple smear test saved her life but admitted she'd been planning her own funeral after abnormalities were spotted. She said the test "stopped, beat and cut out" her cancer before it had time to spread. However, the actress admitted she had begun planning her own funeral after seeing abnormalities in her test. In her personal blog post from 2018, she urged women to book smear tests so that they can avoid similar situations. Sharing a picture of herself in her hospital gown at the time, she wrote: "Here I am on February 22, 2018. Although 'tis indeed a fetching look, if you'd like to learn more about why you should never miss a smear test please read the story attached in bio #cervicalscreeningawarenessweek." Georgia continued: "Before I'd made it up upstairs to tell my husband, I'd started planning my funeral. Having kids takes you to that place pretty quickly I find." Recalling the time when she returned to the doctor's office, Georgia found out she had CIN 2 - known as pre-cancer. Doctors were then forced to perform a cervical excision on the actress. The mum-of-five penned: "The lovely doctor called yesterday. Results are back. It was cancer. They've got it all but it was cancer. Survived cancer without ever realising I had it. As you can tell I'm still processing this, it's quite a thing to get your head round. "My betraying little cervix had begun an attempt to kill me off and by a stroke of baffling luck I had stopped it, beat it, cut it out before it had a chance to make it out of the starting gates (that's dog racing speak for 'hadn't spread beyond the layers they'd already removed')." She added: "Survived cancer without ever realising I had it. As you can tell I'm still processing this, it's quite a thing to get your head round. The swirling storm cloud of 'what ifs?'. I'm currently half terrified child, half superhero." Georgia then urged others to take the smear test, as she wrote: "If the first part of the story didn't hit home, I hope this bit does. From borderline changes to cancer to cancer free in mere months. It really could have been a different story. One I will be forever grateful I didn't have to tell."
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Telegraph
11 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Richard Wilson's fantastic King Lear is proof that the BBC should be doing more Shakespeare
According to the actor Jonathan Pryce, you should play Lear while your back can still handle it. Pryce played the octogenarian king when he was a mere 65, and still put his back out staggering onstage with Cordelia in his arms. Drama on 4: King Lear (Radio 4, Sunday) gave us a satisfying reminder that radio drama can reach the places other mediums can't, as the 89-year-old Richard Wilson took on the role – becoming the oldest British actor to do so in the process. When he staggers on with Cordelia in Sunday's concluding part, Wilson's back will be safe. Clive Brill's production, while relatively no-frills, is a treat, as well as being a potential blueprint for BBC radio drama. Wilson is the eye-catching name at the top of the bill, but the undercard isn't too shabby either – Toby Jones as Gloucester, David Tennant as Edmund, Greta Scacchi as Goneril, Tamsin Greig as Regan. Renowned cellist Steven Isserlis adds interstitial howls from his bow, which begin a little overbearing but grow in stature as the play increases in intensity. Among the less starry cast, Trevor Fox's Geordie Fool stands out. However, it is Wilson that this production will be judged on. His Lear is a slow-burn, beginning, as he vaingloriously beseeches his daughters to shower him with sycophancy in return for a share of the kingdom, in a stubbornly low gear. It is a little jarring at first, with Lear sounding mildly peeved rather than furious at Cordelia's refusal to play ball. 'Come not between a dragon and his wrath,' he says, sounding more like a sleepy guard dog lazing in the sun. While it's sensible not to start Lear at too high a pitch – he has some serious emotional mountains to climb later – I was, in those very early scenes, left wanting a bit more p--s and vinegar from Wilson. His stolid, pompous statesman act felt like it was going to be overshadowed by Tennant's duplicitous bastard (in every sense of the word) Edmund. Tennant gave the listener a fairground ride of an opening soliloquy ('Why brand they us / With base? with baseness? bastardy? base, base?') and his slippery chameleon act was matched by an emotionally raw performance from Jones, who reacted to Edgar's invented betrayal with the sort of passion previously missing from Wilson. Perhaps Wilson was to play an anchor role next to the pyrotechnics from his younger castmates. I was, like Lear, too quick to rush judgement and gradually Wilson's haughty, dismissive old king began to take a grip on proceedings. His Lear is a man who has grown used to hearing no dissent, to having his every whim catered to. When things do not go his way, he does not get angry (at first), because he does not need to – he'll still win. At the point Cordelia 'betrays' him, his reaction is not hot anger, but a surprised disappointment followed by a swift execution. He is vain, thin-skinned, completely in love with his own power, and unwilling to brook any kind of dissent or believe the cards will not fall for him. 'Fetch me a better answer,' he says when Regan and Goneril will not meet him. There is, yes, something very Trumpian about this Lear. If there's a sense that Wilson is saving something up for the more explosive events of this weekend's instalment, that's understandable, but it's tricky to truly give a verdict on his Lear before he has wandered the heath and delivered the most memorable lines ('Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks!', 'Howl, howl, howl, howl!', 'I don't believe it!' etc). Yet what a pleasure it is to hear him, age 89, delivering the words that presumably he'd long given up imagining he would. The production is also a salute to the power of the older actor – Matthew Marsh (Kent) is 70, Scacchi is 65, Jones and Greig are 58. Yet that cast is significant for another reason – put this production on in the West End, with the same actors, and you'd be paying more than £100 to sit behind a pillar or peer at them dimly from the upper circle. With theatre pricing becoming increasingly eye-watering, the BBC has a chance to remind everyone (ahead of charter renewal) of its essential place in British culture. With the Corporation's sway and reputation, they could put a star-name Shakespeare on once a month, or even once a week, increasing access beyond those who can justify the exorbitant West End fees. Not only can BBC radio drama save Wilson's back, it can save something that should be coursing through the nation's veins.


Daily Mirror
16 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Jermaine Jenas axed from ITV show after BBC sacking and sexting scandal
Jermaine Jenas has been largely absent from media work since being sacked by the BBC last summer and he will not be involved in Soccer Aid coverage for ITV this weekend Jermaine Jenas will not be part of the ITV team covering Soccer Aid this weekend amid the continued fallout from being sacked by the BBC over allegations of workplace misconduct. The former England international was axed in August over claims he had sent inappropriate texts to female colleagues. Jenas was removed from his role as a presenter of The One Show and a pundit for BBC Sport after an internal investigation was launched. Jenas saw his contract terminated by the broadcaster and ultimately also parted ways with his long-term agents MC Saatchi in addition to being let go from his role presenting Formula E. Previous years have seen Jenas work alongside Maya Jama as part of coverage for the charity match Soccer Aid, with the likes of Dermot O'Leary and Alex Scott taking on presenting duties. The latter pair are set to host once again as England taking on a Rest of the World side with Wayne Rooney and Tyson Fury co-managing the Three Lions at Old Trafford on Sunday. According to Mail Online, Jenas was not considered by ITV to be part of the production. The channel did not want to bring unwanted attention to an event centred around charity, given Jenas' recent controversies. It is claimed that ITV still have a good relationship with the former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder. Jenas has returned to working in the sphere of football in the aftermath of his sacking by BBC, however. After stepping back from his role as a presenter on talkSPORT, the 42-year-old appeared as a guest and returned to action as a commentator in February. Upon his return, Jenas told the station: "The biggest thing in this whole situation is about taking responsibility and that has been at the forefront of my mind… There's a reason why you're in this position and there's a reason why this has happened. "Once you accept those things, then you can work on yourself and you can work on the other things and you can work on your family and work towards a brighter future. Essentially this is about me looking inwards, making some improvements and coming back a better person.' In March, Ellie Penfold announced her split from Jenas. The pair share four children and Penfold took so social media to confirm the end of her 16-year relationship. "I never imagined I would have to share something so personal with the public, but given the situation, I feel it's necessary," she 16 years together and 4 wonderful children, Jermaine and I have decided to part ways. "We will remain friends and continue to co-parent. We kindly ask that you respect our children's privacy during this challenging time. Thank you, Ellie." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.


Scottish Sun
25 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Emmerdale and Coronation Street facing major changes to cut costs, ex-soap boss warns
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) EMMERDALE could soon be filmed outside Yorkshire for the first time as part of a production merger with Coronation Street, according the one the ITV1 soap's former bosses. Peter Fincham, the channel's Director of Television before current boss Kevin Lygo, has revealed he believes that the soap could soon be moving to Manchester. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 10 Emmerdale could soon be filmed outside Yorkshire for the first time - pictured the Woolpack Credit: Rex 10 The soap could move as part of a production merger with Coronation Street Credit: PA He's predicted that the recent devastating cuts to daytime television, and the loss of hundreds of jobs, would lead to executives looking at similar measures with their two biggest soaps, which are made in locations just 50 miles apart. Talking on The TV Podcast, Peter said: 'You've got Coronation Street being made in Manchester, Emmerdale in Leeds. 'Big savings' 'Could you imagine, rather like the daytime consolidation, that ITV will decide to have them both made in the same place under one umbrella? Big savings. 'You still keep Emmerdale set in Yorkshire, but it could be made in Manchester and Salford, which is a bigger hub for ITV. I don't think that's inconceivable — it might be being planned as we speak.' Merging the two shows in any way once seemed unthinkable, but recently ITV announced that it would air an episode next year where the soaps would have a joint storyline. The news came around the same time ITV announced a merger of production between Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women, with the expected loss of more than 200 jobs behind the scenes. Currently, Emmerdale is made just north of Leeds while Coronation Street is largely filmed at MediaCity in Salford, having previously been at the Granada Studios in Manchester for decades. Peter continued: 'The new hub for Coronation Street in Salford, it cost many, many millions of pounds and it was better facilities for all the people who worked on it in the old place in the middle of Manchester.' A spokesperson for ITV hit back at Peter's suggestion of a soap filming merge: 'ITV has no plans to merge the productions of Coronation Street and Emmerdale. 'Both are uniquely set in Manchester and Leeds, and that production model will continue for the long term. It's pure speculation to say otherwise.' ITV Daytime Shake-Up: Major Changes to Lorraine and Loose Women Revealed ELLA RAE WISE was all smiles as she stepped out to film for The Only Way Is Essex in Portugal. The reality star is set to come face to face with ex-boyfriend Dan Edgar in the upcoming series, which marks the reality show's 15th anniversary with a trip abroad. 10 Ella Rae Wise was all smiles as she stepped out to film for The Only Way Is Essex in Portugal Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Sophie Kasaei looked cosy with boyfriend Jordan Brook Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Chloe Meadows sipped on a drink Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Roman Hackett and Sammy Root enjoy a ball game Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD 10 Junaid Ahmed stepped out hand in hand with boyfriend Joe Blackman Credit: Objective Media Group/RAW IMAGE LTD While the last series saw Ella and Dan become 'official' ahead of her stint on Celebrity Big Brother, it was revealed in April the two had split 'amicably'. But that will be put to the test as the cast were seen gathering poolside in the Algarve. Joining Ella were Roman Hackett and Sammy Root who enjoyed a ball game, as Chloe Meadows sipped on a drink. Sophie Kasaei looked cosy with boyfriend Jordan Brook while Junaid Ahmed stepped out hand in hand with boyfriend Joe Blackman. Others including Elma Pazar, Harry Derbridge, Amber Turner, Dani Imbert and Amy Childs are also on the trip. SHERI'S DRAMA A SAFE BET MICHAEL SOCHA and Sheridan Smith play two casino workers on the run from a local gangster, and the police, in upcoming drama The Cage. A first look at the new series, which will air on BBC One and iPlayer, sees the duo as the show's Matty and Leanne, dressed for their job at a gambling mecca in Liverpool. 10 Michael Socha and Sheridan Smith After discovering that they have both been robbing from the business, the pair are on a terrifying collision course. For the five-parter, the actors will be joined by House Of The Dragon's Barry Sloane, Dope Girls' Geraldine James, Extraordinary's Shaun Mason and The Power Of Parker star Louis Emerick in the high-stakes, high-energy series. DEATH Valley is set to return for a second series. The BBC murder mystery comedy drama, which stars Timothy Spall and Gwyneth Keyworth as unlikely crime-solving partners, is set to begin filming again this autumn in Wales. The first series is currently airing on BBC One on Sunday evenings. RICHARD: MY PAST SO RACY BEING a man of the cloth doesn't mean that Reverend Richard Coles has forgotten all about his rock 'n' roll past in the Eighties. If anything, the I'm A Celebrity star is still haunted by the bad decisions from his youth as a member of band The Communards. 10 Rev Richard Coles is still haunted by the bad decisions from his youth as a member of band The Communards Credit: Rex Richard told Rylan on his How To Be In Love podcast: 'After the band reached its highest point, and we were taking a break, that was when sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll came together for me, and I went to Ibiza. 'There was one summer I went with a bunch of people, and we l took ecstasy, and acid, everything really, and got barred from Avis car rental for life because we got through a lot of vehicles. 'Then I bought a speed boat, and I don't know where it is, but I did buy a speed boat.' RACE TO FINALE HOTS UP THE contestants have now been whittled down to four pairs for the the tense finale of Race Across The World tonight. Now Melvyn and Brian, Caroline and Tom, Elizabeth and Letitia and Fin and Sioned will battle it out to win the BBC One contest. 10 Race Across The World finalists: Melvyn and Brian, Caroline and Tom, Elizabeth and Letitia and Fin and Sioned But just because things are hotting up, and requiring more physical energy than ever, it doesn't mean the show's oldest ever contestants, brothers Melvyn and Brian, are going to struggle. Melvyn joked: 'I'm 66 but that doesn't mean I can't do a parachute jump or a bungee jump! 'The wife wouldn't be happy, but that doesn't mean I can't do it – don't think you're too old to do stuff. I'm proud of what we have done.' Brian added: 'We knew going into the race it would be tough and we would probably be out of our comfort zone. 'But, it's no surprise to me, I always knew that we could do it.'