Latest news with #Bertazzoni
Daily Mirror
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sally Ann Matthews' DNA test confirms relation to Corrie legend
Sally is best known for playing Corrie's Jenny Bradley - and she was stunned to discover that is related to another Coronation Street legend, who starred alongside her on the soap Sally Ann Matthews became famous for playing Coronation Street 's Jenny Bradley, a role she first played in 1986. During her appearance on Coronation Street's DNA Secrets, she was astonished to learn she was related to another member of the ITV soap. The show focused on members of the ITV soap's cast learning about their family history through research and DNA testing. Sally Ann took part back in 2018 and discovered ancestry from as far away as Russia. But she was even more surprised to learn that she was distantly related to another soap star. At the beginning of the show, Sally was told that she and a mystery cast member had great, great, great grandparents in common on her mum's side of the family. Sally was stunned when she found out that it was none other than Amanda Barrie, who played the role of Alma Halliwell from 1981 to 2001, when her character died of cancer. The two ladies worked together for four years in the soap, and they were clearly delighted by the discovery. "I'm so surprised but thrilled in a bizarre kind of way. Of course, it was Amanda," Sally declared. Meanwhile, Amanda jokingly said she hoped Sally could help her with her health in the future. "I always liked you. The fact with our DNA – and I'm so old – you might have organs to spare," she quipped. The actress then sweetly added: "Funnily enough, I always felt close to Sally Ann. Now I feel extremely close and extremely proud." As the episode aired, Sally took to Twitter to share a picture of herself with Amanda, which she captioned: "Me and my cuz! X." She also posted a photo of a jug that Amanda had given her when she was 18, writing: "Amanda gave me this when I was 18 and it's been with me in every house I've ever lived in." Amanda, meanwhile, wrote: "So proud of my cuz. And I think there's a family likeness." It comes amid reports tensions are boiling over behind the scenes at Coronation Street, with accusations of preferential treatment sparking major discontent among the cast. Sources claim a growing divide has formed after stars Samia Longchambon and Sair Khan were chosen for lucrative brand collaborations - opportunities others on the show claim they were denied. Samia, 42, recently appeared in a promotional video for Marks & Spencer, promoting seasonal treats from its café alongside her husband, Sylvain Longchambon, best known from Dancing on Ice. Meanwhile, Sair, 37, showcased a high-end Bertazzoni oven worth £2,500 in a slick Instagram post. While ITV enforces strict restrictions on external endorsements for its soap stars, requiring all commercial activity to pass executive approval, not everyone seems to be playing by the same rulebook, as disgruntled insiders on the soap have claimed that other cast members are fed up. Frustrated actors say the rules are inconsistently applied, with some actors allegedly blocked from even the smallest form of brand deals. One cast member, who claims two of her endorsement opportunities were vetoed this year, didn't hold back when speaking to The Sun: "It's one rule for the polished PR favourites, and another for the rest of us. If you're not part of the golden circle, forget it," they said. An ITV spokesperson told The Mirror: "We do not discuss individual cases, but the cast are aware that all requests for commercial deals go through an approvals process and are dealt with on a case by case basis."
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Coronation Street star fuels backstage ‘war' with new social media post after row over soap boss ‘favouritism'
CORONATION Street star Sair Khan has fuelled a backstage 'war' with her latest social media post following a row over soap boss 'favouritism'. The Sun revealed yesterday that tensions are brewing on the cash-strapped soap. 6 6 6 Cast members are believed to be clashing over glamorous and Sair Khan, 37, and Samia Longchambon, 42, being allowed to take lucrative brand deals - while others were barred. Now, Samia has taken to Instagram again with her latest ad. Sharing an image of some organic diapers for her one-year-old son with Nathan Chilton, she wrote on her Story: "Lets give these a go! @purebornfamily. @mumandme_app #gifted." Samia previously featured in a reel for Marks & Spencer alongside her Dancing on Ice husband Sylvain Longchambon, plugging its cafe's seasonal menu. Sair, meanwhile, was allowed to upload a glossy video of a posh, £2,500 Italian oven from Bertazzoni. Strict ITV rules all but ban commercial work for soap talent without pre-approval from executives. An insider said Samia and Sair's ad deals have angered colleagues, struggling under the soap's budget cuts, who claim to have had similar work offers blocked. One actress, who says she has had two deals knocked back this year, told The Sun: 'It's one rule for the polished PR favourites, and another for the rest of us. 'If you're not part of the golden circle, forget it. 'They wouldn't let most of us even do a teeth-whitening collaboration, meanwhile Samia's out there posing with pastries. 'It's a total p**s take. 'We've been told time and time again: no ads, no endorsements — not so much as a candle on Instagram. 'But then Samia pops up in a full-blown promo for M&S and everyone's just supposed to pretend it's normal? 'People are keeping quiet as they don't want to rock the boat or get the boot but there's a lot of anger. 'Why are some allowed to cash in while the rest of us struggle?' Samia has played the Street's Maria Connor on and off since 2000 while Sair has portrayed Alya Nazir since 2014. According to internal documents, outside work must be pre-approved, must not conflict with ITV's commercial partners or damage an actor's character's integrity. It comes amid a cash crisis for the long-running soap. We revealed in April how bosses are reducing filming schedules, putting actors on part-time contracts and reworking scenes to stretch airtime to cut costs and raise revenue. A Coronation Street spokeswoman said: 'We do not discuss individual cases, but the cast are aware that all requests for commercial deals go through an approvals process and are dealt with on a case by case basis.' 6 6 6
Daily Mirror
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Coronation Street in 'favouritism row' on set as angry cast member 'hits out' at co-stars
Drama is reportedly simmering among Coronation Street cast members amid claims that only a chosen few are being granted access to high-paying brand deals Tensions are reportedly boiling over behind the scenes at Coronation Street, as accusations of preferential treatment have sparked major discontent among the cast. Sources claim a growing divide has formed after stars Samia Longchambon and Sair Khan were chosen for lucrative brand collaborations - opportunities others on the show claim they were denied. Samia, 42, recently made an appearance in a promotional video for Marks & Spencer, promoting seasonal treats from its café alongside her husband Sylvain Longchambon, best known from Dancing on Ice. Meanwhile, Sair, 37, showcased a high-end Bertazzoni oven worth £2,500 in a slick Instagram post. While ITV enforces strict restrictions on external endorsements for its soap stars, requiring all commercial activity to pass executive approval, not everyone seems to be playing by the same rulebook as at disgruntled insiders on the soap have claimed that other cast members are fed up. Frustrated actors say the rules are inconsistently applied, with some actors allegedly blocked from even the smallest form of brand deals. One cast member, who claims two of her endorsement opportunities were vetoed this year, didn't hold back when speaking to The Sun: 'It's one rule for the polished PR favourites, and another for the rest of us. If you're not part of the golden circle, forget it," they said. "They wouldn't let most of us even do a teeth-whitening collaboration, meanwhile Samia's out there posing with pastries. It's a total p**s take.' The cast member continued: 'We've been told time and time again: no ads, no endorsements - not so much as a candle on Instagram. But then Samia pops up in a full-blown promo for M&S and everyone's just supposed to pretend it's normal? "People are keeping quiet as they don't want to rock the boat or get the boot but there's a lot of anger. Why are some allowed to cash in while the rest of us struggle?' Samia has portrayed Maria Connor since the early 2000s, while Sair joined the cast in 2014 as Alya Nazir. According to internal policy, all outside gigs must receive prior sign-off and must align with ITV's commercial obligations and protect character integrity. The behind-the-scenes friction comes at a challenging time for the legendary soap, currently navigating significant financial constraints. As previously reported, producers are scaling back filming days, shifting actors to part-time status, and stretching scripts in an effort to control costs and boost profitability. When approached for comment, an ITV spokesperson told The Mirror: "We do not discuss individual cases, but the cast are aware that all requests for commercial deals go through an approvals process and are dealt with on a case by case basis."
Vancouver Sun
24-04-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Rockford designed with downsizers in mind
Article content Article content And then there's the secret garden, created as a result of a design decision to cut units that would typically be in the corners of the C-shaped building, and create an extra outdoor space. The result is a unique feature that enables an internal corridor of the Yamamoto Architecture-designed building to back onto the garden. Article content 'When you're on level four and you're walking down the interior corridor you'll walk right by this secret garden. Portions of the corridor are glass, and you can see right out into the garden,' says Gurvich, adding the garden design has a Japanese influenced minimalistic esthetic with specimen trees, a rock garden, ferns and other plantings. Article content For the interiors, Trepp Design Inc.'s Scott Trepp created two colour and material palettes for Rockford: Sand (light) and Stone (dark). The Stone scheme has warm dark grey undertones in the cabinetry and flooring, while the Sand palette has honey toned cabinetry with lighter flooring. Article content Article content Article content 'We understand that people are going to live here, they're going to be hardworking spaces. So while we use natural stone in the kitchen for the backsplash, we stick with (quartz) for the countertops,' says Gurvich adding there is a focus on functionality, such as the pullout unit to maximize corner cabinets, convenient electrical outlets and cutlery organizers. Article content Major appliances (refrigerator, gas cooktop, convection wall oven, speed oven and dishwasher) are by Bertazzoni. Article content In the other area that attracts a lot of attention — the ensuite bathroom — the most striking feature will be the 12- by 24-inch floor to ceiling tiles that will evoke a luxurious ambience, says Gurvich. The ensuite includes a soaker tub, shower with frameless glass enclosure, double vanity and an integrated medicine cabinet. Article content Rockford will also include 19 penthouses, distinguished by significant private rooftop space with an outdoor kitchen. Article content Article content Developer: Cressey Article content Architect: Yamamoto Architecture Article content Interior designer: Trepp Design Inc. Article content Project size: 63 homes
