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The Courier
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Patience of Angels songwriter Boo reveals unlikely source of inspiration ahead of WestFest set
Acclaimed songsmith Boo Hewerdine is excited about returning to Dundee this weekend – but admits he won't be able to stick around for long. The former Bible frontman, who's been one of Brit Award-winning Scots songstress Eddi Reader's key collaborators for over three decades, is playing the city's Westfest on Sunday afternoon. 'But I'm going to have to get home as soon as I'm done,' he explains. 'My missus has gone away and I've got to go home and look after the dog, so I'm going to miss out on the Funkin' Idiots. I bet they're brilliant but I can't see them on kiddies' TV, can you?' he laughs. Already a familiar face on the Scottish music scene, Cambridge-raised Boo moved from East Anglia to Glasgow around six years ago. It's a move that's paid dividends with the already prolific performer and producer apparently busier than ever. So busy, in fact, that it seems his trip to Dundee on Sunday could be something of a nail-biter. 'It's going to be quite a dash about because I'll be coming up from Yorkshire, so it's going to be like a Mission Impossible thing – I hope all the trains work,' he chuckles. Boo will be armed with just an acoustic guitar for his strictly solo set at Sunday's Magdalen Green event, where other performers on the bill include Celtic outfit Gleadhraich, folk veterans Watt Nicoll and Andi Lothian, and Dundee's Schools Rock Band. Looking ahead to his Westfest appearance, he says he's planning to take a relaxed approach to the occasion. 'Every gig is completely different and one of the nice things about playing solo is you get there and you adapt, and I love it,' he tells me. 'I don't have a setlist or anything, I just go up there and see what happens and you can't do that when you're in a band. 'I love all the people I play with, of course, but there's a special thing about doing a gig all by yourself, and I'll just play what feels right in the moment.' Asked if he has time for any interests outside music, his eyes light up. 'Doing the prize crossword on a Saturday, that's my pleasure,' he reveals. 'It's really good for lyrics because it takes your mind off at tangents and it's like going to the gym with your brain. 'My favourite setter is a man called Paul – that's his pseudonym. 'Where I used to live down south there was another guy who used to write them, he was called Shed and he was like the god of crosswords. 'Someone pointed him out one time and he was like a really scruffy looking bloke in a pub – never meet your heroes.' Boo's just finished his second album with Squeeze legend Chris Difford – his third record already this year following earlier efforts with Williams and Lyon. But it's his work with Reader that he remains best known for, in particular a song the Fairground Attraction star adopted in 1994 that has become such a signature theme that Boo says many people don't actually realise he wrote it. 'I'll do Patience Of Angels in Dundee, because if I don't things could get ugly,' he quips. 'I only play songs I enjoy playing and I don't think I've ever been fed up playing that one. 'A few years ago I was doing a gig in Portsmouth and there was a review in the local paper and they said it was good, but it's just a shame I did so many covers.' Following Westfest he'll be back out playing a handful of gigs with Reader, including a show at Dunfermline's Alhambra on June 5, before a short tour with his Outliers cohort Jenny Sturgeon in June.
Metro
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Lawson frontman Andy Brown undergoing chemotherapy after rare health diagnosis
Andy Brown from the boy band Lawson has revealed his health diagnosis for the first time which puts him at risk of leukaemia. The lead vocalist for the band, 38, shared an image from his hospital bed as he shared that he has been privately dealing with a rare blood disorder for the past decade. 'For the past 10 years, I've been living with a rare blood disorder. Up to now, it hadn't massively affected my day-to-day life, apart from frequent blood tests and the occasional infection, but as things stand, if it's not treated, I have a very high chance of developing leukaemia. 'I've been under close supervision at King's College Hospital in London, which has one of the country's leading haematology departments. And after a lot of discussions, we've come to the decision that the best way to prevent leukaemia is for me to have a stem cell transplant. He then revealed that he has found a donor – a person who he has never met. 'I have a 100% matching donor. I find it so overwhelming that a total stranger, someone I've never met, is willing to give up their cells and blood to save my life. That's just incredible. With everything awful going on in the world, it's easy to lose faith in people, but then you see things like this, people willing to do something so selfless, and it restores your hope.' He then explained that he was hoping sharing his story would encourage others to learn about stem cell donation and sign the register. He added that he would update fans on his journey and share his story as he hopes to make a full recovery. We've teamed up with SXSW London to give away two pairs of Music Festival Wristbands valid for 2-7 June 2025. Headliners include Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems, Brit Award-winning artist Mabel, Crystal Castles's Alice Glass, and East London-based R&B artist NAO, plus emerging talent set to perform at showcase acts around Shoreditch. Click here to find out more about SXSW London's incredible events and how to enter to be in with a chance to win, or simply enter your details using the form below. *T&Cs apply. You have until midnight on Sunday 25th May 2025 to enter. Good luck! * Open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 06:01 BST on 13 May 2025 and closes at 23:59 BST on 25 May 2025. The promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required. Entrant must visit and when prompted by the form, submit their name, email, telephone number, date of birth and postcode. Acceptance of the terms and conditions (by ticking the relevant checkbox) is necessary to enter the promotion. 1 entry per person. 1 prize available per person. There will be two (2) winners. Each winner will win two (2) Full Week (6 days) Music Festival Wristbands (each such wristband worth £99) granting secondary access to Official SXSW London Music Festival showcases valid from 2 until 7 June 2025. Proof of age and photographic ID is required for entry (18+). The prize, including entry and attendance at SXSW, is subject to and governed by the SXSW's full ticket terms and conditions here. Full T&Cs apply, see here. 'Day 4 of chemo done,' he said at the beginning of a recent post about his treatment plan as he shared an update. 'It's stepped up big time the last couple of days, not feeling the best at the moment, but there's just no way around it. Three more days to go, then the new stem cells go in next Tuesday!' He added that although he was being upbeat, the chemotherapy had been gruelling. 'Staying positive as much as I can, but I won't pretend it's easy. I've spent years being so mindful of what I put into my body, ten years sober, clean eating, all of it. 'So feeling what this chemo is doing hits hard. But I know it's part of the fight. It's about accepting it, getting through it, and coming back stronger.' 'Anyway, next week is when the real battle begins. That's when the transplant happens, and my body starts the process of rebuilding from scratch. It's a second chance at life, and not everyone gets that opportunity. 'Stem cell donors are hard to find. You could literally be the match that saves a little girl's life, a dad's life, someone's world. If you're healthy and able, please consider signing up to the register. It takes minutes, but it can change everything for someone like me. 'This is just another chapter. Nothing is gonna stop me #StemCellTransplant#ChemoJourney' This comes just a week after he announced to fans that he had been living with a rare blood disorder for 10 years. Andy has previously battled other health issues, and 18 years ago he had a brain tumour removed. When the band was actually originally called The Groves but opted to be renamed Lawson after David Lawson, a consultant neurosurgeon at The Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery in Liverpool, who operated on Andy. The singer credited the doctor with saving his life in 2007 after a gruelling 17-hour-long operation to remove an acoustic neuroma, a non-cancerous brain tumour that was growing on the nerve of his inner ear. Lawson hasn't released an album since 2021, and Andy appears to have found focus in his new photography career. The singer was supported by various fans and friends in the music industry. More Trending Zoe Ball commented: 'sending love 🧡.' Laura Whitmore added: 'Think of you Andy. You've got this! ❤️' Max George commended: 'You got this mate 💪❤️' If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information. You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information. 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: S Club icon reveals new life in Costa Rica after quitting band MORE: Joe Biden's 'aggressive' cancer diagnosis: Type, treatments and prognosis MORE: I'm a prostate cancer specialist — don't ignore these 7 warning signs
Hindustan Times
18-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
With £640 million fortune, King Charles is now as rich as Rishi Sunak and Akshata Murty
Britain's King Charles's personal fortune has risen to £640 million, making him as wealthy as the former UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty, according to The Sunday Times Rich List. This puts the 76-year-old monarch significantly ahead of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose fortune was estimated at £370 million in 2022—the year Charles ascended to the throne. Charles now ranks 238th on the list of the UK's wealthiest people and families, thanks to a £30 million boost in wealth over the past year. The The Sunday Times estimate is based on King Charles's personal assets, including an inherited investment portfolio and private estates such as Sandringham and Balmoral. It does not include the Crown Estate. A 2023 investigation by The Guardian suggested King Charles's total fortune could be close to £2 billion. Meanwhile, Sunak and Murty's wealth has dipped by £11 million in the past year. Since leaving Downing Street, Sunak has taken up a part-time role at Stanford University, and the couple has launched a charitable foundation. Most of their combined fortune stems from Murty's stake in Infosys, the Indian IT giant co-founded by her billionaire father, Narayana Murthy. Gopi Hinduja and his family have once again topped the list, with their Hinduja Group empire valued at an estimated £35.3 billion. Real estate moguls David and Simon Reuben are second at £26.9 billion, followed by media tycoon Sir Len Blavatnik with £25.7 billion. Pop star Dua Lipa also made headlines by becoming the youngest person on this year's 40 Under 40 rich list. The 29-year-old Grammy and Brit Award-winning singer is ranked 34th, with an estimated wealth of £115 million. (Also read: This Indian-origin family behind a major conglomerate crowned UK's richest for 4th consecutive year)
ITV News
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Sam Fender to be awarded Freedom of North Tyneside
Sam Fender is set to be given the Freedom of the Borough of North Tyneside. The North Shields-born singer-songwriter will be bestowed North Tyneside Council's highest honour after councillors unanimously voted in favour of the move. The 31-year-old was nominated by Conservative councillors in January. The nomination read: "Sam Fender is more than just a musician – he is a cultural ambassador for North Tyneside. "His music has helped define the borough's modern identity, and his influence has been a driving force behind the growing recognition of North Shields as a creative hub. "His ongoing commitment to the area, through advocacy, philanthropy, and inspiration, makes him an outstanding candidate for the Freedom of the Borough." Karen Clark, newly elected Mayor of North Tyneside, described him as a a strong and powerful advocate for North Shields and North Tyneside" while Conservative opposition leader Councillor Liam Bones called him "a proper 21st century Geordie Icon". Fender will become the youngest person to receive the honour - beating his own childhood hero Alan Shearer, who was 34 when he was given the civic award. The Brit Award-winning artist is promoting his latest album People Watching, which sold more than 100,000 copies in its opening week and propelling him to the top of the UK albums chart. He will play three sold out homecoming gigs at St James' Park stadium in Newcastle in June.
Metro
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Win a pair of Music Festival Wristbands worth £99 to SXSW London
South by Southwest (SXSW) is one of the hottest events in the music industry's calendar, and now the much-anticipated festival is coming to London for the first time ever. Originally founded in Austin, Texas back in 1987, SXSW has grown into a huge global event, attracting creatives from around the world to its series of conferences and festivals. SXSW London is taking place from 2-7 June in Shoreditch, and two lucky Metro readers will be able to win tickets to see the incredible array of live gigs and musical showcases. We've teamed up with SXSW London to give away two pairs of Music Festival Wristbands valid for the whole week. Read on to find out how to enter to be in with a chance to win. A launchpad for emerging artists and a platform for discovery, SXSW London is an exciting series of multi-genre live showcases, industry meetups and networking opportunities across Shoreditch. The festival brings the world to Shoreditch in a unique multi-venue format, including both big names and emerging talent. Fans can explore a host of new music and underground scenes at ultra cool East London venues, including the historic Shoreditch Town Hall, Village Underground, nightclub XOYO and 93 Feet East. SXSW London's Music Festival will dive into international underground music scenes, offering a glimpse into the future of music from London's unique perspective. Co-curated by world-class and cutting-edge pioneers, each venue will transport festival-goers into a different musical movement, from Afrobeats to classical. Headliners include Brit Award-winning artist Mabel, Crystal Castles's Alice Glass, and East London-based R&B artist NAO. But there's also plenty of emerging talent set to perform at showcase acts around Shoreditch. Back home in Austin, SXSW has grown a reputation for helping to launch the careers of huge stars like Amy Winehouse, Little Simz and Billie Eilish, and it's likely you might discover the next big thing at this year's event in London. You can see the first 100 showcase acts on the line-up alongside full details of the performances on the festival's website here. Shoreditch Town Hall is set to host The House of R&B for the entire week, highlighting the best emerging voices in R&B from both the UK and internationally, featuring showcases by some of the most influential platforms in the genre. The series kicks off with Notion, presenting BRIT Award-winning artist Mabel. Following that Soul Surge will spotlight Sasha Keeble, while The Blues Project showcases Grammy-nominated NAO. This week-long series offers an exciting opportunity to discover the next wave of R&B talent in one of London's iconic venues. Shoreditch Town Hall will also play host to the Future of Classical Music Series with showcases including Classical: Next, Classical Unlocked and Black Lives in Music, with special guest Carleen Anderson. From Thursday 5 June, the Caribbean Music House will take over Strongrooms, an independently-owned bar and late-night venue and Shoreditch's biggest beer garden, presenting a series of exciting showcases featuring artists from across the Caribbean diaspora. Highlights include a special showcase by Deadly, featuring Lila Iké in the live room, while fans in the courtyard will be treated to Seani B's Bruk Out session. Across the festival, a series of showcases will spotlight queer music, featuring platforms such as Gay Times, Queer Alt Music, Wraith, Sounds Queer, Trans Voices and Queer Ass Folk. As part of this celebration, special guest Queen Priyanka will perform at the Old Blue Last for the Hungama showcase. Village Underground and XOYO will spotlight diasporic electronic music and community clubbing with showcases from Crack Magazine, featuring Alice Glass; Eastern Margins, presenting Mono; and Shubbak Festival, which will debut an immersive audiovisual performance by DJ Saliah. Adem Holness, Head of Music for SXSW London said: 'One of the things I love most about London is that you can step out of any tube station and find yourself in a distinct community. 'That's exactly how I want our festival to feel — each of our music venues will be a gateway into a different international new music scene. We're collaborating with the most exciting pioneers in underground music movements to present the future of music from their unique perspectives, and I'm beyond excited by the artists they've chosen to platform.' Each winner will win two Full Week (6 days) Music Festival Wristbands (each wristband worth £99) granting secondary access to Official SXSW London Music Festival showcases valid 2-7 June 2025. Single-day music festival wristbands start from £65 and 3-Day Passes to the music festival and conference are available to buy now for £595. More Trending But Metro has teamed up with SXSW London to give away two pairs of full-week Music Festival Wristbands worth £99 so you can gain access to the incredible grassroots music events taking place around East London. For a chance to win an incredible day out at this UK-first festival for you and a friend, simply enter your details in the form below. You have until midnight on Sunday 25th May 2025 to enter. Good luck! A CHANCE TO WIN 2 MUSIC FESTIVAL WRISTBANDS TO SXSW LONDON Conditions of entry This prize draw (the 'Promotion') is only open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland). Any employees or agents of either the Promoter, the Prize Administrator, and/or any company connected with the production or distribution of this Promotion, as well as any members of their immediate family (e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling) and persons living in the same household as them, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter this Promotion. Persons under the age of 18 are not eligible to enter this Promotion. Entrants must be aged 18 years or over at the time of entry. Proof of eligibility must be provided upon acceptance of the Prize. By entering the Promotion, you are deemed to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions. Enter between 06:01 BST on Tuesday 13 May 2025 and 23:59 BST on Sunday 25 May 2025 inclusive ('Promotion Period'). The Promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required. To enter, entrants must visit and when prompted by the form, submit their name, email, telephone number, date of birth and postcode. Acceptance of the terms and conditions (by ticking the relevant checkbox) is necessary to enter the Promotion. Only one (1) entry will be accepted per person. Maximum one (1) Prize per person. Winner There will be two (2) winners. Each winner will win two (2) Full Week (6 days) Music Festival Wristbands (each such wristband worth £99) granting secondary access to Official SXSW London Music Festival showcases valid from 2nd until 7th June 2025 ('Prize'). Individual venue or showcase access cannot be guaranteed. Digital codes will be delivered via email to winners to redeem their e-tickets before the event by visiting SXSW London Music Festival Wristbands will need to be collected from a dedicated collection point at Shoreditch Studios, 37 Bateman's Row, London EC2A 3HH, which will open at midday on Monday 2nd June 2025. Proof of age and photographic ID is required for entry (18+). Accepted forms of photo ID include: an in-date photographic driver's licence or provisional licence; a valid passport (please note that photocopies or out of date passports will not be accepted); and a Proof of Age Standards Scheme Card (showing the PASS hologram). The Prize, including entry and attendance at SXSW London, is subject to and governed by the Promoter's full ticket terms and conditions: The winners will be selected in a random draw, conducted by the Prize Administrator using a computer process that produces verifiably random results, from all eligible entries, held on Tuesday 27th May 2025. The winners will be notified by the Prize Administrator by email within one (1) week of this date and will be given details of how to accept their Prize. Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the provisional winners, but it is each winner's responsibility to monitor their email address (including spam folder). Failure by the winner to accept the Prize in the manner specified within seven (7) days of the Prize Administrator's email will make any claim invalid and the Prize Administrator will then select another winner using the same random process. For the avoidance of doubt, the Prize does not include any travel/transportation, accommodation, food, beverages, souvenirs, gratuities, car parking charges, or any other costs of a personal nature (including spending money) that are not explicitly set out in these Terms and Conditions and neither the Promoter nor the Prize Administrator nor any provider of any part of the Prize will be responsible for any such costs. Gifts, prizes and other promotional items are not transferable, may not be re-sold and are subject to availability. The Promoter reserves the right in their reasonable discretion to substitute any such gift, prize or item with a gift, prize or item of equal or greater value. By entering the Promotion, each entrant acknowledges that in the event of a win, their surname and county of residence may be disclosed to persons enquiring, where permitted by law. Provided no objection is received from the winners, a winners list will be made available by the Prize Administrator 4 weeks after the end of the Promotion Period, for a period of 8 weeks. To request the winners list, please email competitions@ Without prejudice, the Prize Administrator will provide winner information to the Advertising Standards Authority when requested by them. Entrants agree to provide reasonable cooperation to allow the Promoter and the Prize Administrator to use the name and/or likeness of the winner for advertising and publicity purposes in connection with this Promotion including but not limited to publication of the winner's name and photograph on the Promoter and Prize Administrator's websites. In addition, by submitting an entry and in consideration of the Promoter and the Prize Administrator granting a right to enter the Promotion, entrants agree to grant the Promoter and the Prize Administrator a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sub-licensable right and licence to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute and exercise all copyright and publicity rights with respect to any materials contained in the entry (including but not limited to text, images or video materials) (the 'Materials') worldwide and/or to incorporate the Materials in other works in any media now known or later developed for the full term of any rights that may exist in the Materials. By submitting Materials to the competition, an entrant: warrants that the Materials are its own original work and that it has the right to make them available for all the purposes specified above; that it does not infringe any law; that it is not obscene or libellous; and that it does not violate the rights of any third party; agrees to indemnify each of the Promoter and the Prize Administrator against all legal fees, damages and other expenses that may be incurred as a result of a breach of the above warranty; agrees to waive any moral rights in the Materials for the purposes of its submission to, and publication by, the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator and the purposes specified above. Personal information Any personal information provided to the Prize Administrator during the entry process (including but not limited to your name, e-mail address, address, post code, telephone number and date of birth) must be correct. The Prize Administrator accepts no responsibility for any incorrect personal information provided. We will hold your personal information in accordance with these terms and conditions and our privacy policy (available here: The Prize Administrator will only share your personal information with the Promoter where you are the winner of the Promotion or where you have opted in to receive direct marketing from the Promoter. The Promoter will hold your personal information as a separate controller in accordance with its privacy policy (available here: and shall implement and maintain appropriate technical and organisational security measures in compliance with the UK GDPR and any other applicable law. General The determination and decision of each of the Promoter or the Prize Administrator on all matters shall be final and no promotional correspondence or discussion will be entered into. The Promoter and the Prize Administrator reserve the right in their reasonable discretion: to disqualify any claimant, competitor or nominee whose conduct is contrary to the spirit of the rules or the intention of the promotion and to declare as void any or all of their claims or entries based on such conduct; to declare as void any claims or entries resulting from any printing, production and/or distribution errors (including but not limited to any error(s) on any website of the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator, any game cards and/or other printed materials) or where there has been error(s) in any aspect of the preparation for or conduct of the promotion materially affecting the result of the promotion or the number of claimants or the value of claims; to add to or to waive any rules on reasonable notice; and/or to cancel the promotion or any part of it at any stage in the event of circumstances beyond the Promoter's and/or the Prize Administrator's reasonable control. No entries will be accepted in bulk, from agents or third parties. To the fullest extent permitted by law (and subject to paragraph 21 below), the Promoter and the Prize Administrator hereby exclude all warranties, representations, covenants and liabilities (whether express or implied) relating to this Promotion and/or the Prize. The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with any social media platform or any other third party. All third-party trademarks and other intellectual property rights are hereby acknowledged. Use of and entry to promotions via social media platforms is always subject to the rules, terms and policies of those platforms. By participating in the Promotion, entrants are providing information to the Promoter and Prize Administrator, not to any relevant social media platform. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the relevant social media platforms shall have no liability to any person in connection with or arising out of the Promotion howsoever caused, including for any costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities. Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude the Promoter's and Prize Administrator's liability for: death or personal injury as a result of its negligence; fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or any liability that cannot be limited or excluded by law. The Promoter and the Prize Administrator each reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, suspend or cancel the Promotion should virus, bugs, tampering, fraud or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter or the Prize Administrator corrupt or hinder the administration, security or proper play of the Promotion. If any of the provisions of these terms and conditions are held to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part that part shall be severed from the remainder of the provisions and the validity of the other provisions and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected. These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales and any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except that residents of Scotland may also bring proceedings in the Scottish courts. Promoter The Promoter is SXSW LONDON LIMITED, Second Floor, 67-71 Shoreditch High Street, London, England, E1 6JJ (company number 16034054). Prize Administrator The Prize Administrator is Associated Newspapers Limited, Northcliffe House, 2 Derry Street, London, W8 5TT, (company number 00084121). MORE: 9 incredible alternatives to Glastonbury you can still get tickets for MORE: Fans fuming as major star suddenly drops out of 'iconic' festival with just weeks to go MORE: Missed out on Glastonbury tickets? Here's 5 'hidden gem' festivals you've probably never heard of
