Latest news with #BendItLikeBeckham
Metro
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Steve Coogan reads the names of over 15,000 children killed in Gaza at vigil
Steve Coogan made a statement at a vigil at the Houses of Parliament as he read the names of 15,000 children who have died in Gaza. The actor and comedian, 59, was among the many people at the vigil organised by Choose Love on Thursday morning. The Alan Partridge actor, was one of the many artists who, for several minutes, read a long list of names of children who had been killed during the Israel-Hamas war. 'They were the names of children who have been killed in the bombing of Gaza in the last 20 months. 'It was just showing that those names are not just statistics, they are real people, real children who had lives who died and it's to some extent to humanise them. 'There's a world war phrase that one death is a tragedy and 10 thousand is a statistic,' he said, speaking to Sky News he said that he was at the event. In the same interview, he added: 'I'm here to protest about the, basically, enforced starvation of thousands of women and children in Gaza by the weaponisation of the blockade on aid to those people. 'And also it's to give this the coverage that a lot of mainstream news outlets aren't giving.' He said human rights should apply to everyone, and criticised tough rhetoric from governments in the UK, France and Canada as He added that human rights should be applied to every human and rhetoric from UK, French, and Canadian governments was 'too little, too late'. 'Tragically, it's taken the mass, indiscriminate killing of innocent people to get to this stage,' he said. 'I think more and more people are realising that it has to stop.' Juliet Stevenson, best known for acting in Bend It Like Beckham and Truly, Madly, Deeply, was also among the actors reading the exhaustive list of names. This vigil comes as the celebrities supporting Palestine grow, with stars including Dua Lipa, Gary Lineker and Benedict Cumberbatch calling on the Government to suspend arms sales to Israel in an open letter. More Trending The open letter read: 'We urge you to take immediate action to end the UK's complicity in the horrors in Gaza.' It highlights: 'Right now, children in Gaza are starving while food and medicine sit just minutes away, blocked at the border. Words won't feed Palestinian children – we need action. Every single one of Gaza's 2.1 million people is at risk of starvation, as you read this.' 'Mothers, fathers, babies, grandparents – an entire people left to starve before the world's eyes. 290,000 children are on the brink of death – starved by the Israeli government for more than 70 days.' This was about Israel's 11-week blockade of food and other supplies into Gaza, which was lifted last week to allow a 'basic amount of food into Gaza'. 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. MORE: Gazan doctor receives the charred remains of nine of her 10 children after Israeli bombing MORE: A mum in Gaza told me her children are waiting to die MORE: Everything we know so far about Washington DC shooting suspect Elias Rodriguez
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Anita Dobson addresses huge Doctor Who twist as she takes on iconic role
Doctor Who's upcoming finale is set to confirm fan suspicion as Anita Dobson has lifted the lid on Mrs Flood's true identity and embodies an iconic villain in the Whoniverse. Doctor Who fans have been suspicious of Mrs Flood from the get-go - and rightly so! A new twist has now been confirmed with a huge secret set to unravel in the show's double-bill finale. Anita Dobson is getting good at keeping secrets. After pulling off a surprise comeback in EastEnders for the soap's 40th anniversary, the 76-year-old actress faced another major challenge: keeping her Doctor Who character's true identity under wraps. 'It was hard,' she says. 'You start to say a sentence and think, 'No, I can't go down that road.' It was so exciting, though.' In the current season, Anita plays kind and unassuming Mrs Flood. But underneath that warm exterior lies the Rani, a ruthless, renegade Time Lady. 'She's a classic enemy of the Doctor,' says series creator Russell T Davies. 'Whenever you introduce any woman into any role on Doctor Who , half the internet conjects that she's the Rani. Sometimes, you just have to go with it.' For long-time fans, the Rani's return is a major moment. Originally introduced in 1985 and played by the late Kate O'Mara, the character was a sharp-witted and glamorous neurochemist who preferred science over ethics. 'She's more interesting than simply being all evil because she was a scientist that was always more amoral than immoral,' Russell adds. Kate, who died from ovarian cancer in 2014, left a big impression on the Doctor Who fandom, Russell included. 'She was a wonderful woman, I wish I'd known her. We dedicated the readthrough to her,' he says. Now, four decades after the Rani first graced our screens, Anita is bringing her back – in a big way. But she's not alone. In a groundbreaking moment for the Whoniverse, Anita shares the role with Bend It Like Beckham star Archie Panjabi, who appears as a future incarnation of the Rani in a jaw-dropping bi-generation scene. Weight loss method backed by Dr Michael Mosley and loved by Davina McCall 'It was so much fun. I saw the one with Ncuti [Gatwa] and David [Tennant], when Ncuti took over as the Doctor,' Anita says. 'When I got told it was going to happen to me and Archie, I was blown away. It was more difficult than you'd think, but it was great fun.' But the transition took some getting used to. 'When Archie came on board, I didn't understand it all,' says Anita. 'Until I learned we'd be doing the split. Then I got it. We are one, except she plays the bossy one, I sit and make notes. It was an exciting alliance.' And the chemistry between the two was instant. 'Archie was a dream to work with,' Anita says. 'We clicked on the first day. That's what you hope for. ' Russell recalls, 'We don't have any behind-the-scenes footage of them separately, because they never left each other's sides.' Anita had her suspicions, but wasn't told she was the Rani until the last minute. 'Throughout the series, my make-up artist and I used to discuss it,' says Anita. 'But I wasn't sure. Once I found out, I had to be even more careful not to give anything away.' In the two-part season finale – Wish World and The Reality War – both versions of the Rani are unleashed on a universe that has changed in their absence. With Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor believing he's the last Time Lord, the Rani's power takes seismic proportions. 'She's on her greatest experiment yet,' Russell says. 'She's rarely worked at this level before. What you get now is the two Ranis working together. It's a fantastically servile relationship where she sort of becomes the Igor to the Rani's Frankenstein. The Doctor is up against two enemies instead of one.' The episode promises twists – and a coalition of evil that includes Jonah Hauer-King 's Conrad, last seen imprisoned. 'He's now part of this big coalition against the Doctor,' teases Russell. Familiar faces including Millie Gibson, Jemma Redgrave, Ruth Madeley and Alexander Devrient also return. For Anita, the experience has been nothing short of exhilarating. 'When I went in to do some audio dubbing, I watched the episode,' she says. 'I gasped out loud. They even filmed my reaction. I'm proud to be a part of it.' With secrets revealed, alliances forged and evil ascending, Doctor Who is heading towards a finale packed with heart-pounding drama. The Doctor steps into a battle unlike any other – but what will become of Ruby? What is the Rani's endgame? And who will survive the chaos she unleashes? All that's left is to board the TARDIS and hold on tight.
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The first Sikh woman to play rugby for England
The first Sikh woman to represent England at rugby says she wants to break down the cultural barriers that may prevent others accessing the Nagra, from Hove, East Sussex, started playing at Bath University in the 1990s where she was then selected to play for England Students."When I went home, unfortunately, the expectation for me was to stop playing rugby, to start looking for a job, to think about getting married and have children," she dream of a senior England call-up ended and she pursued a career in law, but she continued to be involved in the game and, 10 years ago, set up Hove Girls Rugby. She said: "I suppose my life was like a rugby version of Bend It Like Beckham I often say."Quite often when I played, I was the only person of Asian heritage on the pitch, and that was in my 30 years of play."People need reminding that we are a community that is engaged in sport, we're good at sport. We just need the chance and the opportunities, and people to reach out to us."When Manjinder founded Hove Girls Rugby, the team had just six players, but now have about 80 girls playing across four different age says the Women's Rugby World Cup coming to England later this year will have a "phenomenal" impact on attracting players from all backgrounds into the sport. Brighton & Hove is one of eight cities hosting said: "I didn't have role models when I was growing up, but if these girls can see the change, see their role models, it will encourage them to think about a sport that they may not have otherwise a thought of."Mark Ward is the head coach of the U12 girls at Hove Girls Rugby and says they are looking forward to watching international rugby at the home of Brighton & Hove Albion."There's already a buzz in the club about it," he said."We've already planned the events around it. Loads of the girls have already got tickets for the games at the Amex and the final at Twickenham as well."England are hosting the Women's Rugby World Cup starting in Red Roses will face Australia in Brighton on 6 September with the match being shown live on BBC Sport.
Telegraph
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
David Beckham at 50: Despite the scandals, nothing can tarnish his reputation
Last week, Pepsi released its latest advert featuring a leather-jacket-clad global icon who nonchalantly mounts a motorcycle and roars off into the distance. That famous biker? Not some twentysomething Gen Z star, but former England footballer David Beckham, who on Friday celebrates his 50th birthday. It's testament to Beckham's extraordinary career longevity and unusual international reach, not to mention the fact that his brand is seemingly Teflon. Despite some major reputational blows, from the 1998 World Cup sending off and Rebecca Loos's 2004 claims of an extramarital affair to controversy over the Qatar-hosted 2022 World Cup, Golden Balls is entering his golden years more professionally successful and adored than ever. A video posted by his wife Victoria on Thursday night showed the pair dancing together apparently without a care in the world – and it's easy to see why. Last year Beckham's holding company, DRJB Holdings, approved $124 million (£99 million) of dividend payouts, with Beckham entitled to $35 million (£28 million). He's also the co-owner of Inter Miami football club and his business empire includes production company Studio 99, which made the 2023 Netflix documentary Beckham. Not bad for a man who was once ridiculed as the quintessential dumb footballer. Rachel Richardson, who writes the culture and trends newsletter Highly Flammable, says: 'If you remember back to the peak of Beckham mania in the late 1990s, Manchester United won the treble, David married Victoria, and the Bend It Like Beckham movie came out, all in the span of five years. For most celebrities that would be the peak and then it's all downhill. But he and Victoria have sustained enormous interest decades on.'
Daily Mail
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EastEnders fans only just realising Priya actress Sophie Khan Levy has a very famous mum - with role in legendary film
EastEnders fans have been left open-mouthed after realising that star of the show Sophie Khan Levy has a famous mum. The actress, 35, joined the BBC show as Priya Nandra-Hart in October 2023 and has become a huge fan favourite. Many don't know that her mum Shaneen Khan, 65, is also in the acting industry - and is best known for playing Mrs Bhamra in 2002 movie Bend It Like Beckham. But that isn't the only time she's been on screen - Shaneen has also landed roles in various other TV shows and films. Some include Kiran Joghill in Casualty, Grace in Grange Hill, P.C Penny in Holby City, Jamila Khan in The Bill and Mrs. Palmer in The Five. More recently she's appeared in ITV drama Maternal, drama Mogul Mowgli, Unforgotten, Doctor Who and Apple Tree House. She's also narrated a two-part documentary called India 1947: Partition In Colour. When fans realised Sophie and Shaneen's relation, many shared their shock on TikTok, with one account, named Bollywood_Collections, saying: 'If you watch EastEnders you would have recognised that the characters that played as Priya's, who is Ravi's ex girlfriends, and had two children together... 'And is part of the only Asian family in EastEnders, is actually played by Sophie Khan Levi. 'Little did I know, she is actually the daughter of Shaneen Khan, who is famously known for her role in Bend It Like Beckham as the mother.' Many rushed to the comments section to share their shock. 'Omg didn't know the bend it like Beckham mum was her mum.' 'I didn't know this I love the film bend it like Beckham and she's so good as Priya.' Sharing the news that she had joined EastEnders in September 2023, Sophie wrote on Instagram: 'Cat's out the bag and this one's got claws … Can't wait to join the fam' 'Omdsss I had no idea that was her daughter.' 'I didn't know this one of my fav films. As a non-Asian, it made me love Asian culture.' 'Now I can see the resemblance.' Sophie posted some sweet snaps of the pair together on her Instagram to mark Mother's Day in 2024. She wrote: 'Happy Mothers Day @shaheen_khandem. Meanwhile EastEnders isn't the only credit that Sophie has under her belt. She's appeared in various stage plays including A Midsummer Night's Dream, Measure for Measure, While the Sun Shines, As You Like It and Private Lives. Before her stint on the BBC soap, she's appeared as Gabrielle Ade in The Sixth Commandment. She's also appeared in All Creatures Great and Small, Mammals, Avernus and Rude. Her first role was as Alice in The Last Bus in 2013. Sharing the news that she had joined EastEnders in September 2023, Sophie wrote on Instagram: 'Cat's out the bag and this one's got claws … Can't wait to join the fam.' One wrote: 'Just love it��the expressions and attitude ��.' 'Best of look in Eastenders, a great start Btw!'
