Latest news with #BBCEssex
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Gavin and Stacey star makes it clear show will never return
Gavin and Stacey star makes it clear show will never return Larry Lamb has ruled out a reboot of the hit BBC show, admitting the cast and crew have realised the Christmas special was the 'end' of the series The actor is nodding to the much loved TV series on his first ever book tour. Fans of Gavin and Stacey may have finally recovered after the Christmas series finale, but a key actor from the beloved series has quashed any lingering hopes for a revival. Larry Lamb, known for his role as Mick Shipman in the BBC's cherished sitcom for 17 years, described last year's Christmas special as an "extraordinary experience." The festive episode achieved a staggering 19.11 million views, and is even up for a memorable moment award at this year's BAFTAs for the iconic wedding scene. He told BBC Essex: "At the time, we all thought it probably won't be the end, I'm sure we will be doing it again, but gradually what's happened over the months, what I've realised is that was the end." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . While he acknowledged the sadness in concluding the show, he said that it was the right way to finish the much loved series He said: "That scene in the wedding - that's up for the moment of the year. "It was the way to end this story, you can't keep going on with it. Ruth and James brought it to a grand finale." Larry Lamb who plays Mick Shipman in Gavin & Stacey stole the show with his heartfelt speech (Image: BBC/GS TV Productions Ltd/Tom Jackson ) Article continues below Larry Lamb expressed that Mick will always be a part of him, and he's incorporating a Gavin and Stacey twist into his upcoming tour promoting his new book, 'All Wrapped Up'. He said in a release: "For the past 17 years, it's been such an honour to play the ever-popular Mick Shipman, Gavin's dad. Fans of the show often ask me what it's like to work on a TV or film set – and I hope that my novel gives them a glimpse into that world." Although he's embarking on fresh ventures, Lamb's fondness for the series is evident, particularly with the theme of his book tour. Larry told BBC Essex: 'I've chosen to start my book tour in Billericay, and end in Barry Island, in tribute to the fans of Gavin and Stacey and the unwavering support that each of the local communities have shown us over the years." The tour will kick off at The Reading Rooms in Billericay, Essex on Friday 16th May, and will end at the famous Marco's Café in Barry Island later this year. His tour also includes visiting The Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, The Mold Bookshop in Mold, Flintshire and The Hours in Brecon before finishing the tour in the iconic café where Stacey worked in the sitcom. Earlier this year fans were sent in to meltdown as the cast had a mini reunion to toast the launch of his debut novel. Larry Lamb's debut novel All Wrapped Up is available to buy online and in all good bookstores. (Image: Pete Jones - All Wrapped Up is available to buy now online and in all good bookstores. ) In attendance was his on screen wife Alison Steadman (aka Pam Shipman), Melanie Walters (Gwen ), and Ade Scarborough (Pete Sutcliffe). Read more here. Article continues below
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Maldon Mud Race to be competed by hundreds of people in Essex
Hundreds of competitors are preparing to put mud, sweat and tears into slogging their way across a boggy Maldon Mud Race will take place across a 440m (1,443ft) stretch of the River Chelmer at low tide on Brian Farrington said one woman previously remarked the gruelling challenge in Essex was "harder than child birth".With the fundraiser marking its 51st year, here is what racers, supporters and mud enthusiasts can expect. What is the Maldon Mud Race? First staged in 1973, the mud race has become synonymous with the maritime and market town of was born out of a dare made to the landlord of the Queen's Head pub, on Hythe had to serve a meal on the saltings, a strip of land in the river that only appears at low tide, dressed in a dinner was the excitement about the antics, the next year a bar was placed on the saltings, which 20 people waded over to for a pint. The event took place at the end of December each year, until weather concerns in 2010 saw it moved to spring weather - and an appearance from TV comic Jo Brand - helped its popularity and the switch was made a permanent one from then race will be less boozy, but certainly not less strenuous for those fighting to not get stuck in the mud near the Promenade from across the UK and abroad brave the bog by crossing the river, running along a stretch of it and then returning back across the record time for clamouring through the sludge? An inspired two minutes and 48 seconds, run by Jason the other end of the spectrum, some determined entrants have taken up to 35 minutes to cross the finish year's winner, Peter Carlsson, was just seven seconds off topping the fastest time while representing nearby school Plume and 356 others were watched by about 20,000 people, who soaked up the atmosphere from the safety of the total, £40,000 was raised for local charities. What is happening this year? The event is due to run from 10:00 to 17:00 BST on Sunday, with the race starting at about 13:00, subject to the entrants have to be aged 16 or are again expecting 20,000 visitors to line the quay and watch race chairman Brian Farrington told the BBC he was excited for the event's warned this year's competitors that the final climb up the river bank was "exhausting".The 78-year-old said: "A lot of people think it's all easy because it's not a long distance."But one woman last year told me it was harder than child birth."BBC Essex is hosting live entertainment from the main stage, with live inserts into its radio programme presenters Akylah Rodriguez and Jodie Halford have also enlisted themselves to take on the mud. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Billericay mum with brain cancer completes London Marathon
A woman with stage four brain cancer who has outlasted her doctors' life expectancy predictions has completed the London Mortimer, 31, from Billericay, Essex, received her diagnosis in November 2023, with doctors telling her she could only expect to live another five to eight she is not slowing down, having enjoyed Sunday's run of 26.2 miles (42km) so much that she is hungry for more."It was incredible. I loved every minute of it, and I've signed up for next year already," she said. The London Marathon is not the only commitment Ms Mortimer, a wellness coach, is making, however: she hopes to marry her fiance Jack Panteny in October next is currently waiting for the results of her latest MRI scan, but will not let them stop her from planning for the future."It's bad but, to be honest with you, what the doctors say and what I do is two different things," she said."I just push myself. If I have something to do - no matter if it's tomorrow or in two years' time - I will be doing it." Ms Mortimer aimed to raise £3,000 for the National Brain Appeal, but has so far raised £5,000."[It's] just gone up and up and up; it's brilliant," she Mortimer said she was far from a runner before, but it had become "like my therapy" since her had previously taken on two half-marathons in 2023, but Sunday was the first time she faced the physical challenge of a full marathon, completing the distance in seven hours."Apart from a toe that's a bit swollen, I feel great," she told BBC Essex. "I powered it completely without stopping until mile 16. Pure adrenaline pushed me through that and I was like 'Wow'."I started walking and that's when the pain started happened."I saw my partner and my kids and I just broke down crying, I was like 'I'm in so much pain.'"And then I got an adrenaline boost from them going 'Go Mummy! Go Mummy!'" Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
27-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
London Marathon: Mum to run a year after her life expectancy
A woman who 17 months ago was told she had between five and eight months to live is to run the London Marathon. Wellness coach Elle Mortimer, 31, from Billericay had a benign brain tumour removed in 2021, which required two 12-hour October 2023 she was told her tumour had returned. A biopsy soon after revealed a "vicious" stage four brain cancer and Ms Mortimer was told she probably would not see next of her first marathon she has said she "feels fantastic". 'Got to be a mum' Ms Mortimer has been pushed on by her sons Ted, 4, and Arthur, told BBC Essex: "I've got two young little boys, and (I've) got to be a mum so I just get up and get on with it."I've got to get through this, and I know I'm going to get through this, 100%, nothing is going to keep me down."She says her cancer is stable, but she is waiting for the results of her latest MRI scan. Ms Mortimer said an active lifestyle had helped keep her spirits high."I feel fantastic, an active and healthy lifestyle helps, and just keeping positive," she said."When I run, it's like my therapy."I just feel great after I've done that run. I feel calm, and relaxed."Running has become an escape since she became ill, but she was not a runner beforehand."No, hell no," she her newfound enthusiasm for the sport galvanised her to take on the Hackney, and then the London half marathons in weekend she is finally fulfilling her desire to run the London Marathon, raising money for the National Brain Appeal."Last year I really wanted to do it, and I couldn't because I just had an operation," she said. "I'm just so excited more than anything. I can run a lot, I'm still very fit," she she has surpassed her £3,000 paper sign on her running top reads: "I'm a warrior, I'm a fighter, I am Elle Mortimer." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
Mental health probe over man found dead in river
Inquiries are ongoing to establish if a man found dead in a river was known to mental health services, a coroner has said. Martyn Richardson's disappearance in Bocking, near Braintree, Essex, sparked a manhunt lasting almost three months from last August. The 27-year-old was last seen at a family gathering before being found by a volunteer search party in the nearby River Blackwater on 16 November. Opening the inquest into his death, area coroner Michelle Brown said Mr Richardson's cause of death had been "unascertained". Mr Richardson, who had Asperger's syndrome, was identified through dental records, the brief hearing at Essex Coroner's Court was told. Ms Brown said she was awaiting further reports from police before the inquest could proceed further. Family members made several emotional appeals for Mr Richardson's return before his body was found. He had lived with his grandmother, Mary Richardson, in Braintree since the age of one. She previously told BBC Essex that Mr Richardson was "absolutely fine" when he left the party, adding: "There were no obvious signs of anything." Mrs Richardson described the uncertainty that followed as "an absolute nightmare". Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Body confirmed as missing man Martyn Richardson Nan's plea for return of grandson with Asperger's Missing man's bike found as police continue search Essex Coroner's Service
