Latest news with #CBeebies
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Wild camping in Scotland let me find the remote space that I'm used to, says Tim Peake
MAJOR Tim Peake has revealed that being in a remote corner of Scotland reminded him of his historic mission to space. Ten years ago Tim became the first Brit to join the European Astronaut Corps, blasting off from Kazakhstan to spend a total of 185 days onboard the International Space Station. 5 Major Tim Peake is heading to Scotland in September for a series of live dates 5 Tim and his Scots wife Rebecca exploring the great outdoors in Scotland He has been in demand ever since, reading a CBeebies bedtime story from 250 miles above the earth and was even recently quizzed about his time in orbit by Hollywood legend Tom Hanks. But last year he and his Scots wife Rebecca decided to get away from it all when they went 'off grid' while touring the North Coast 500. He says: 'We did kind of like the western part of the NC500. That was brilliant. 'We got this camper that looked like something out of Jurassic Park with this module stuck on the back of a Ford Ranger. 'We went completely off-grid - solar panel, hot water, outdoor shower, all that kind of stuff. And it was just great fun.' When it's pointed out he will be used to being so remote and self-sufficient after his time onboard the Space Station, he added: 'I know, it was brilliant. 'It was wonderful just kind of having that freedom to be able to go everywhere. 'We spoke to a few farmers who were very kind and just said, 'Yeah, you can go out on our land and find a spot and camp up.' However one thing Tim - who brings his live show Astronauts: The Quest To Explore to Scotland in September - wasn't plagued by in space were any pesky invaders like he experienced on his camping trip. He laughs: 'Most of the time when I go to Scotland, the midges are not a problem. Katy Perry kisses the ground after all-female Blue Origin mission – as Bezos's fiancee moved to tears by power of space 'But actually, last summer, they were quite bad, I have to admit. It was head nets on at least three nights.' Tim from Chichester, Sussex, attended Sandhurst in 1990, becoming a fully qualified helicopter pilot in 1994. But it was while posted to Germany he met his wife-to-be Rebecca, from Comrie, Perthshire - the couple married 27 years ago and went on to have two sons. He says: 'Rebecca she was in the Royal Logistics Corps and I was in the Army Air Corps. We were both based out there, met there, and got married in St Andrews.' But Tim's career really took off when he made the most of his time in space, conducting a crucial space walk to help carry out repairs to the ISS and even remotely running the London marathon. That's why he had absolutely 'no concerns' when his NASA astronauts pals Suni Williams and Barry 'Butch' Wilmore ended up stranded on the station for nine months instead of just an eight day mission. 5 Katy Perry faced international ridicule for her antics during an 11 minute space flight 5 Tim played a track by Scots singer Amy Macdonald while he was in space He says: 'Once they kind of made that mental adjustment to think, 'Okay we're up here for the long haul' then they would have absolutely loved it. 'I mean they both got to do spacewalks. They mucked in as an ordinary space station crew. They did so much science and maintenance. And as astronauts, that's what you train for.' However, Tim is dubious about the benefits of space tourism, which in April saw Katy Perry and an all-female crew blast off in the Blue Horizon spacecraft owned by Amazon boss Jeff Bezos. The pop star faced international ridicule when she kissed the ground following her 11-minute space flight. But can Katy officially call herself an astronaut? Tim says: 'Yes, because she's passed the Kármán line, which is a hundred kilometres away and that's the official boundary of space. 'But I think we're kind of approaching an era of career astronauts, who have trained for years to do what they do. 'Then you have a tourist spaceflight participant, with the bare minimum of training, who are just like passengers on an aircraft.' He adds: 'I think every mission to space should be grounded in having some benefit for humanity. 'So right now, there's not a huge amount of benefit (to space tourism).' Tim, 53, even got to spend Christmas Day in space, talking to his wife Rebecca and sons Thomas and Oliver back on earth. He says: 'It was nice. I was kind of keeping an eye on them from up there.' And he has been delighted to recount his experiences in space to thousands of schoolkids and space enthusiasts since returning to earth, including to Tom Hanks, 68, when they appeared on a Radio 2 show together. He says: 'Tom wanted to know if the stars were brighter in space. They weren't actually but they don't twinkle up there. It's our atmosphere that makes them do that. So they are steady stars 'And of course there is zero light pollution up there so the Milky Way is amazing.' Tim also took an extensive playlist into space including Amy Macdonald's 2007 single This is th Life. He beams: 'That is a brilliant track. It's just got so much energy. It's one to be on the treadmill to or the bike machine. 'She's just an amazing artist and I love her music. I haven't met her but my playlist is out there. So maybe she knows that her track's been into space.' But when he's not working, Tim and his activity-mad family are regular visitors to the Cairngorms in The Highlands where they take part in 'hill climbing, cycling and kayaking'. However one thing he was unable to deliver during his months in space was a cloudless snap of Rebecca's home country. He says: 'I got quite a few pictures of Scotland, actually. It is pretty difficult to photograph in the winter months, I'll grant you that. 'I was trying to get a nice picture of the whole of the UK cloudless. I don't think I ever achieved that.' *Tim's live show Astronauts: The Quest To Explore Space will be at Eden Court, Inverness on Sept 1 and 2, Aberdeen's Music Hall Sept 3 and Dunfermline's Alhambra Theatre on Sept 4. For more info visit:
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
‘The fandom was rock'n'roll. Sophie Ellis-Bextor loved our rap song!'' How we made Balamory
After graduating from Rada I'd been a jobbing actor for 20 years. One day I was with my kids watching Play School, and thought: 'I could be a presenter on this.' So I became one, and then the BBC trained me up as a preschool director and I went on to be a freelance director and producer specialising in preschool. The BBC wanted to do a preschool drama centred around travellers in Ireland. It didn't get commissioned but it gave me the idea to create something set in a community. I had a health hiccup, which put me out of work but gave me downtime to think. Play School had been a new programme every day, so it had an immediacy. I thought: 'Why not make a preschool soap?' A year later, BBC had created CBeebies and had masses of airtime to fill and were looking for a programme that was about the world around us, so I pitched my idea. The commissioning editor said: 'How can you do a soap for preschool kids?' I said: 'Well, instead of the Queen Vic you could have a nursery school.' He said: 'That's quite a good idea.' I was made series producer and we had to film 126 episodes in 10 months, beginning in January 2002. I went down to the EastEnders set. They were very helpful and I came back with a formula. We were originally going to film in Kirkcudbright but that was too far from Glasgow, where we needed to film some of the indoor shots, so we moved it to Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, which is a child's dream with all its colours, water and hills. I'd already written the theme song: What's the Story in Tobermory? But there was a Womble called Tobermory, so a researcher in the Gaelic department came up with Balamory. It wasn't a nod to Oasis's (What's the Story?) Morning Glory, which I'd never heard of! We put out feelers for the cast, such as 'a child's dream nursery teacher' for Miss Hoolie. Lionel Jefferies, who'd played the grandfather in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, applied, but we weren't really looking for named actors, plus – it's terrible to say – I think I was too terrified to audition him in case I had to say no. Mary Riggans, who'd been in Scottish soap opera Take the High Road, wowed us, and we cast her as Suzie Sweet. We constructed our own school in Barmulloch, in the north of Glasgow. The kids would come in and believe it was their nursery, so they didn't have to act. Kids programmes aren't just for children. They're meant to be a shared experience. The characters we created all had their quirks. There was friction between [school bus driver] Edie McCredie and Suzie Sweet [who runs the village shop and cafe]. Miss Hoolie [nursery teacher] and PC Plum quite liked each other. I think the quirks made them seem more relatable. We created a community on this little island that felt realistic and had humour no matter what age you are. I think that's probably why people are so fond of the characters and the place. I'm not involved in the reboot, at least, not yet. I was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy at the age of two. It was amazing how many people thought my wheelchair was a prop. A small role in ITV drama Blind Ambition that centred on disabled athletes gave me the itch to act, although being disabled often means playing a character who specifically has a disability issue or medical problem. Eventually I found myself in a room with Brian Jameson and lots of other actors who were all being considered for the role of Penny. My disability was never openly discussed in front of me, which is what made the role so very important to me. Penny runs the village shop and cafe with Suzie Sweet. She's a bit of a maths wizard and likes organising. As the writers got to know me and realise how active I was, Penny went on to be the football and rowing coach. I spent the best part of three years filming up in Scotland, doing 14-hour days but having the best of times. Working on Balamory was such joy. I was surrounded by such a brilliant cast and crew. We laughed a lot! The scripts were funny but also sometimes surreal, like one about a party at the nursery when Penny and Suzie were dressed as Pearly Queens but nobody else was in costume. It was also emotional – I particularly remember the episode when Penny and Suzie went to Finland to visit Santa. I got to meet him and cuddle a litter of husky puppies – there were sobs! The Balamory fandom quickly grew. We were able to meet many of them when we performed live on the arena tours. It all felt a bit rock'n'roll. I remember Sophie Ellis-Bextor coming to the show and saying she loved Penny's rap song. For the first time my son started to think I was cool. I started to realise how popular the show had become when I went to St James' Park to watch Newcastle United play and the fans, in their thousands, all sang What's the Story? when they saw me. It gave me goosebumps, and still does, thinking about it.
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders star has very famous dad - and fans are only just realising who
Molly Rainford is known for playing Anna Knight in EastEnders - but she's not the only famous member of her family, as fans have just found out This EastEnders star has a very famous dad - but fans are only just realising it after it was pointed out on social media. Molly Rainford is known for playing Anna Knight, the daughter of George Knight and Cindy Beale in the long-running BBC soap. She first appeared in Albert Square in June 2023, so is coming up to her second anniversary on the show. Viewers will also know the 24-year-old for appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2022, when she was partnered with pro dancer Carlos Gu. She reached the finals, but lost out to CBeebies star Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal, who went home with the glitterball that year. She is now dating her Strictly co-star, KISS DJ Tyler West, after romance blossomed on the show. The pair took their relationship to the next level in January 2024 when they revealed they'd moved in together. But actor and singer Molly - who first shot to fame with her performance of Ave Maria after reaching the Britain's Got Talent finals in 2012 at the age of just 11 - isn't the only famous member of her family. Her dad is former footballer Dave Rainford. The 46-year-old started at Colchester United as a teenager before going on to play for Slough Town, Heybridge Swift, Bishop's Stortford and AFC Hornchurch. The midfielder joined Chelmsford City 2008 before becoming their assistant manager in 2012. After retiring from football in 2014, Dave now works in a top job for the Premier League, as as Head of Education & Academy Player Care. After discovering the identity of Molly's dad, EastEnders fans took to Reddit to debate whether she was a 'nepo baby' or not, as some insisted her success was down to her dad's career. This is despite him being in a totally different industry - as some fans were quick to point out - and Molly impressing Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell so much when she appeared on the ITV show, she was awarded their first ever drama school scholarship to the Sylvia Young Theatre School. This led to her landing roles on CBBC presenting Friday Download and starring in sci-fi series Nova Jones. One fan wrote: "That's a lot of nepotism". But another rushed to her defence and wrote: "None of it is nepotism - it isn't family connections that have helped her out she was just lucky enough to have been given a massive opportunity at a young age." A third argued her dad's football connections wouldn't have opened any doors to her in music or TV. They commented: "I don't see how she's a nepo baby when neither of her parents have any connection to TV or film." While Molly has previously credited a famous star she says "changed my life", she was referring to music mogul Simon Cowell rather than her dad Dave. She previously said: "I did Britain's Got Talent in 2012 when I was 11 years old. "That definitely changed my life because after getting to the finals, I was sponsored by Sony Music and Simon Cowell to go to the Sylvia Young theatre school. From those auditions throughout school, I got into the CBBC world." The famous theatre school in London is credited for kickstarting the careers of music greats like Amy Winehouse, Adele, Rita Ora and Dua Lipa. Singer and actor Billie Piper also went there, as did Spice Girl Emma Bunton, All Saints singers Mel Blatt and Nicole Appleton, Busted's Matt Willis, McFly's Tom Fletcher and fellow EastEnders' stars Kara Tointon, Letitia Dean and Samantha Womack.
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bafta TV Awards 2025: Strictly Come Dancing wins Memorable Moment
Some of the biggest names in British television were in London on Sunday night for the Bafta TV awards are given out by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, with the event this time taking place at the Royal Festival Come Dancing winners Chris McCausland and Diane Buswell not only did enough to win the famous glitterball trophy on the show, but also a on to find out more from the big night. Strictly Come Dancing won the prize for Memorable Moment - that's the only award at the Bafta TV Awards that is voted for by the all of the other awards, the winner from the nominees is selected by a group from comedian Chris McCausland was Strictly's first ever blind waltz with professional dance partner Diane Buswell to You'll Never Walk Alone was voted the most memorable was there to pick up the award and said it was "such an honour" to win, before reading a message from Chris that said: "After 22 years in comedy, I win a Bafta for dancing. It hurts, but I'll take it." Other winners included CBeebies As You Like It At Shakespeare's Globe, who won the award for Children's: adaptation of the famous play beat tough competition from the likes of Horrible Histories, Ready Eddie Go! and Tweedy & the Children's: Non-scripted, FYI Investigates came out on top with Disability And faced competition from Operation Ouch! and BooSnoo!
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BBC Balamory producers seek out Scots kids to star in hit show's reboot 20 years on
The show has been commissioned for two new series on CBeebies from next year, with some of the old characters expected to make an appearance. Balamory producers have launched a casting call for Scots kids to star in the hit show as they prepare for its return after 20 years. The CBeebies show, which aired from 2002 until 2005, was based on a fictional pastel-hued island community and residents such as Miss Hoolie, PC Plum, Josie Jump, Edie McCredie and Archie the inventor. The Bafta-winning series, which was originally filmed in the colourful town of Tobermory on the Isle of Mull, had 15million devotees worldwide and attracted two million viewers a week in Britain. And now its creators are looking for youngsters aged between four and five years old "from all backgrounds and abilities" to be a part of the show, which is set to hit screens next year. Cerebral Palsy Scotland shared the appeal from Lion TV on Facebook, saying: "We're sharing a fun, inclusive TV opportunity from a production filming in accessible spaces in Glasgow this summer (July–Sept 2025)! "They're looking for 4–5 year olds from all backgrounds and abilities to take part – no scripts, just natural reactions and a bit of fun (maybe even a song). "Casting sessions will be held in nurseries or informal meetups with families." Balamory was broadcast around the world, becoming a hit with young audiences in Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, Canada and South Africa and became famous for its catchy songs. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. 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. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The programme was cancelled after four seasons and 254 episodes, but the BBC announced in September that it has commissioned two new series, which will begin airing in 2026. Julie Wilson Nimmo, who played Miss Hoolie, declared the return of the show would be "bigger than the Oasis reunion". She said: "Everyone I know loves the show and has been missing it.' In January, following a tender process, Lion Television Scotland, an All3Media company, secured the contract to produce the return of the show. BBC Children's and Education said the new programmes would be filmed in Scotland, either in Tobermory or possibly another Scottish location such as Rothesay on the Isle of Bute. Kate Morton, head of commissioning 0-6, said: 'A whole new generation will discover and enjoy Balamory as we bring families together with this new update for CBeebies. "It will be a real treat for parents who grew up with the show to now introduce their little ones to the brightly coloured world getting to know a host of old and new characters together.'
