Latest news with #CallTheMidwife
Scottish Sun
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Infested waters is only kept afloat by Helen George – erotic brush with stingray could help get her land huge TV deal
AT the risk of raining on ITV's latest celebrity parade, do you think this newspaper would've mentioned his death if Sir Lenny Henry had been eaten by a shark? I do. 9 Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters has become The Helen George Show Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 9 The Call The Midwife actress is so traumatised by a childhood swimming pool incident, involving rubber floats, that she cannot put her head under water Credit: ITV 9 Helen had a brush with a stingray on the series Credit: Getty It would've taken a heroic level of restraint not to do it under the headline 'Lenny Henry in pieces' as well. My point being, expectations should be well and truly managed before clicking on Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters where, in honour of Jaws' 50th anniversary, some reasonably famous people are forced to 'confront their fears' and 'step out of their comfort zones' while having to cope with the very real trauma of coming face-to-face with scuba diving instructors in the Bahamas. It's a hell of an ordeal for Lenny and the gang, as you can imagine. All but sunk Just in case the seven ever forget the point, though, they're joined by a trio of marine experts to ram home the environmental message and explain the celebs have 'nothing to fear from one of the most persecuted animals on the planet'. A fine sentiment that's only slightly undermined by the fact one of the team, Australian Navy para Paul de Gelder, has a prosthetic arm and leg, on account of the real ones being eaten by a bull shark in Sydney Harbour. As remote as the chances of this dismembering ever being repeated on Celebrity Infested Waters were, any possibility of it being a spectacle vanished with the line-up, which really should've been headed by an apex political predator like Boris or Alastair Campbell. Aside from getting the health and safety team drunk while you tampered with the shark cage, all you would then have needed to do was sign up some professional irritants, like Nish Kumar, Gemma Collins and the drumming Welsh weatherman, before filling the final crucial spot — for teeth-related reasons — with Rob Beckett. One of the sharks attempts to attack Rob Beckett? It's funny. One of the sharks attempts to mate with Rob Beckett? It's even funnier. Instead, the show was all but sunk when ITV went for worthy and likeable characters who include: Dougie Poynter, from McFly, Ross Noble, Ade Adepitan, actress Lucy Punch and Countdown's Rachel Riley. Lenny's there as well, obviously, still trying his best, bless him. Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters All hopes the other six ever had about hogging the camera, though, were dashed with the booking of Call The Midwife's Helen George, who announced her arrival right at the start of episode one when team leader Dr Tristan Guttridge told them: 'You're meeting bull sharks today.' 'Sharks? Today? In the water?' No, back in the Coconut Lounge at the hotel. Where the hell do you think you're going to meet them? From that moment onwards, it effectively became The Helen George Show. An actress so traumatised by a childhood swimming pool incident, involving rubber floats, that she cannot put her head under water or even look at it without giving us her full Meryl Streep routine from Sophie's Choice. Mind you, it was a slightly different performance we got when a stingray nuzzled her crotch in the shallows off Bimini island. 'Oh my God, it's gone right for my vagina! 9 Helen seems to be using her rather lovely Bahaman holiday as an audition for ITV's jungle, as she keeps shouting 'Get me out!' every time she's in the water Credit: ITV 9 Ross Noble and Rachel Riley on the series Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 'Ooh! Sucky sucky,' she groaned, before admitting afterwards: 'I've never been tickled by a stingray before. It was quite pleasant.' If I had to guess, of course, I'd say what's really going on here is that Helen's using her rather lovely Bahaman holiday as an audition for ITV's jungle, as she keeps shouting 'Get me out!' every time she's in the water. I'm vaguely glad she's there as well, because Celebrity Infested Waters would be an even flatter experience without her histrionics. What all the screaming in the world cannot do, though, is add any sort of point to Celebrity Infested Waters or take away from the stupidity of the exercise. Cupping goolies Because the really mind-blowing thing about this format is that ITV tried exactly the same thing in 2005, to mark the 30th anniversary of Jaws, with a one-off show called Celebrity Shark Bait, featuring Ruby Wax, Richard E Grant and Colin Jackson. And none of them had the decency to get eaten either. Now here we are, 20 years later, with a five-part series and Dougie Poynter from McFly cupping his goolies as he waded cautiously into the ocean asking: 'Are my testicles safe?' From the sharks? 100 per cent. From Helen? 50/50. UNEXPECTED MORONS IN THE BAGGING AREA LIGHTNING, Zoe Lyons: 'In which classic board game are the Hippopotamus Defence and Queen's Gambit opening moves?' Shui: 'Cluedo.' Zoe Lyons: 'A revolving pole with red and white stripes on it is often used to identify what place of business?' Rebecca: 'Fire station.' And Zoe Lyons: 'What type of raincoat is named after the Scottish chemist who invented the material it was first made from?' Craig: 'Anorak.' Aye, good old Charlie Anorak. One of the greats. RE: ITV's women's Euros 2025 pundit Eni Aluko: 'I struggle with questioning goalkeepers.' Then kindly p*** off. It's your job. GREAT SPORTING INSIGHTS Andrew Castle: 'The final result was three sets to one but it could have been four sets to love.' Clare Balding: 'Anything could happen. And it did.' And Pat Cash: 'There are four players who can hit with a straight arm – Federer, Nadal, Del Potro, Alcarez and Fernandez.' (Compiled by Graham Wray) BONO'S A LIVE 8 NO-NO 9 The Live 8 event was driven by a politician who longed to be a rock star, Tony Blair, and a rock star who longed to be a politician, Bono, above Credit: Getty THE difference between the first two brilliant episodes of BBC2's Live Aid At 40 documentary and the soulless third was as stark as the chasm that existed between the original gig and the 2005 version. Because the first concert, in 1985, was a beautiful, spontaneous union between the British people and their favourite rock stars, driven by two men, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, who were just trying to make a difference while having some fun. The terminally pompous Live 8 event, on the other hand, was clearly driven by a politician who longed to be a rock star, Tony Blair, and a rock star who longed to be a politician, Bono, who shared a messiah complex that overwhelmed everyone and everything else. It missed someone capable of filling the impossible void left by Freddie Mercury as well, obviously. But the most notable absence, in part three, was the public, who just had to sit tight while Blair, Putin, George W Bush and Bono did some sort of behind-closed-doors deal about Third World debt, and remain polite while Live 8 cretins like Miss Dynamite told them: 'As a nation we've robbed, killed, stolen and violated the Third World for centuries. If there's a debt to be paid, we're the ones that owe.' A version of events which is a bit hard to stomach when Britain was the first country in the whole history of humanity not just to ban the international slave trade but police it as well. She certainly set the self-loathing tone for a lot of large concerts that followed, though, and probably helped ensure one of Live Aid's main legacies is the constant background drone of celebrity sermonizing we must all now endure. And as for Africa? Yeah, it's still screwed. CELEBRITY Gogglebox, Alison Hammond watching The Price Of Perfection: 'Imagine going to sleep fat and waking up thin.' And miss your fifties? I wouldn't, Al. RANDOM TV IRRITATIONS RANDOM TV irritations: Love Island's half- German flight attendant Helena replying 'I don't know' to the question: 'Where's Austria?' Good Morning Britain imbeciles captioning a famous 1980s toy as the: 'Rubix cube'. BBC1's normally superb Gabby Logan turning into a seven-year-old child with the observation: 'Two more sleeps until the Wales- England game.' And Wimbledon commentators getting a throb on for the tournament's celebrity flotsam. A practice which should've ended long before Andrew Castle debased himself with the words: 'A lovely royal box there. 'That was Nick Clegg, our former Deputy Prime Minister.' THIS WEEK'S HERO TV hero of the week. The bloke who spent eight days on Weymouth beach turning 30 tonnes of sand into a life-size sculpture of Ben Shephard, Cat Deeley and the This Morning set who was then asked: 'How do you feel?' Very relieved Eamonn isn't still hosting, I'd imagine. LOOKALIKE OF THE WEEK 9 'Human Barbie Doll' Alicia Amira, left, and the Test Card clown, right Credit: Supplied THIS week's winner is 'Human Barbie Doll' Alicia Amira, off ITV2's Price Of Perfection, and the Test Card clown. Sent in by Ewen Davidson, of Hoddesdon, Herts. WITH all of its sly talk about 'diversity,' 'climate change,' and 'migration,' BBC2's anthropological series Human was already giving me the uneasy feeling it was using the past to spread propaganda about the present. 9 Ella Al-Shamahi hosting BBC2's anthropological series Human Credit: BBC Then host Ella Al-Shamahi, right, said: 'Six million years before Homo sapiens appeared, some primates left the trees, they started walking upright and began using stone tools. These tool-makers became . . .' Click. Bloody Keir Starmer. TV GOLD 9 Noel Edmonds invited the Prime Minister of New Zealand to dinner on the final episode of ITV's Kiwi Adventure who was 'busy' Credit: PA CHANNEL 4's reliably brilliant 24 Hours In Police Custody: Lost Boys. Sky Documentaries' over-long but incredibly touching Jayne Mansfield tribute My Mom Jayne. BBC2's Live Aid at 40 concert footage confirming Queen's show-stopping performance was every bit as mesmerising as the legend suggests. And Noel Edmonds going 'full Brent' on the final episode of ITV's Kiwi Adventure, where he invited the Prime Minister of New Zealand to dinner (he was 'busy'), speculated that he may have been a dolphin in a previous life and then assured his wife Liz, while sat in a hot tub, that she was 'one of the three most important things' in his life, ahead of 'helicopters and topiary'. You spoil that woman, Noel.
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
BBC drops first look at Call The Midwife Christmas special - and there's a VERY worrying sign
The BBC has dropped a first look at the Call The Midwife Christmas special - and there is a very worrying sign. The broadcaster has confirmed filming is underway for the festive episode of the beloved period drama series about midwives working in London 's East End from the fifties to the seventies. The programme's official Instagram account shared a snap of the cast on set on Wednesday, all in decidedly breezier linen looks than usual. It came after it was announced earlier this year the Christmas special would be set both in Poplar, as normal - and in Hong Kong. Fans were delighted by the update, taking to the comments section to express their excitement. But eagle-eyed observers noted there were three notable absences from the cast picture - raising questions about the extent of their involvement in the special. Nurses Trixie Aylward (Helen George), Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry) and Joyce Highland (Renee Bailey) were not seen in the Hong Kong cast picture. It suggests viewers can count them out of those storylines - and keep their fingers crossed they will see enough of them on screen back in Poplar. But one fan favourite who does appear to feature in the Hong Kong storylines by their presence in the cast snap are GP Dr Turner (Stephen McCann). He is joined by Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter), Sister Hilda (Fenella Woolgar) and nurse Shelagh Turner (Laura Main). Handyman Fred Buckle (Cliff Parisi) and his wife Violet (Anabelle Apsion) also appear to have joined the gang on their adventure. The exact storyline of the Christmas special is not yet known. It will run in advance of the fifteenth series of the programme, set to begin in early 2026, with a sixteenth instalment commissioned to follow. Excitingly, a film and prequel series are also on their way. The caption of the Instagram post read: 'NEWS! Cast Begins Christmas Filming in Hong Kong! 'Earlier this year, it was revealed that the 2025 Call the Midwife Christmas Special would be set in both Poplar and Hong Kong – and so last week, members of our team quietly jetted off to film the far eastern elements of the festive story! 'What better way to mark the beginning of an exotic filming adventure than with a traditional clapperboard shot! 'Our team report that the weather is rather hot and humid, but morale is very high, and the work rather exciting…' Teasing additional filming updates, it said: 'Over the next days, we'll be bringing you news and updates on the progress of our cast in Hong Kong so do keep a look out! xxx' And reassuring fans the show would be on screens for some time to come, it added: 'Call the Midwife returns with a new Christmas Special and Series 15 in 2026 xx' Fans were absolutely ecstatic to see the post, commenting, 'This is so exciting!', and, 'I am beyond thrilled at this new special coming!' Another said: 'OMG I am a huge fan and from Hong Kong. Great fun shooting in my city and can't wait for the new season. Sending love.' Other dedicated viewers added, 'Very exciting news', and, 'Best show, cast and crew'. The major filming update comes after a period of uncertainty for Call The Midwife, which had been dogged by rumours it was set to be axed. It first aired in 2012 and has so far run for 14 series with numerous festive episodes - so its cancellation would mark an enormous shake-up for the BBC. With speculation rife, show bosses were forced to address the rumours - thankfully clarifying the fate of the TV stalwart was certain. 'The BBC would like to reassure fans that Call The Midwife will remain at the heart of the BBC for years to come', the broadcaster said. 'As previously announced, there are two Christmas specials, a new series, a film and prequel series, before a sixteenth series in due course. 'Call the Midwife isn't going anywhere.' The cast for the prequel series, which will be set during World War Two, is yet to be confirmed. But the programme's creator and writer Heidi Thomas has previously said: 'The opening of new doors at Nonnatus House feels profoundly emotional and yet just right. 'I have never run out of stories for our midwives and I never will. 'But having wept, laughed, and raged my way from 1957 to 1971, I found myself yearning to delve into the deeper past. 'The Blitz years in the East End were extraordinary - filled with loss, togetherness, courage and joy. 'The bombs fell, the babies kept on coming and the Sisters kept on going. 'There will be so much in the prequel for our wonderful, loyal fans, including the appearance of some familiar (if much younger!) faces. 'As the classic Call the Midwife series moves further into the 1970s, it also seems the perfect time for our much-loved regulars to take a short break from Poplar and test themselves in an unfamiliar landscape. 'The rise in hospital births, and changes in the NHS, have clipped their wings, and this is their chance to take flight and work out what really matters. 'Whilst the location of the film remains top-secret, I can say it is going to look absolutely fantastic on the big screen!' The next series of the main show will launch into 1971 and the nurses will tackle several issues including 'premature birth, placenta previa, kidney cancer, tuberculosis and slavery'. At the start, senior members of the Nonnatus House staff head to Hong Kong on a mercy mission. While they are away, the younger midwives are left to help the local community alone. Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) experiences a huge change in mindset and the 'energy reverberates throughout series 15'. What's more, the women's liberation movement is in full swing and several ladies burn their bras outside of the convent. The film will be set a year later, in 1972. BBC boss Lindsay Salt has described the show as a 'jewel in the BBC's crown'. Executive producer Dame Pippa Harris has also previously said: 'In an increasingly competitive viewing environment not only have our loyal fans stayed with us for 14 years, but they've been joined by a new, younger generation who have also fallen in love with our characters and the challenges they face. 'Emboldened by this warmth and enthusiasm, now feels like the right time to expand our world and take our nuns and midwives onto the big screen with our movie, and back in time with the prequel!' Based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, Call The Midwife has been consistently popular ever since its first series. It is the UK's biggest drama series, averaging 7.8million viewers this year while the 2024 Christmas special drew in a whopping 8.9million spectators. The programme has also won big at awards ceremonies over the years. Some of its gongs including National Television Awards for Best Female Drama Performance, for Miranda Hart, and Best Period Drama.
South Wales Argus
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Call The Midwife shares huge filming update for new series
In a post on the Instagram page for the show, it confirmed that filming was officially underway in Hong Kong. Sharing a picture of the cast, it showed Dr. Turner, Sister Julienne, Fred and Violet Buckle and Shelagh Turner smiling with extra cast members. Call the Midwife shares major filming update Captioning the post, it read: "Earlier this year it was revealed that the 2025 Call the Midwife Christmas Special would be set in both Poplar and Hong Kong – and so last week, members of our team quietly jetted off to film the far eastern elements of the festive story! "What better way to mark the beginning of an exotic filming adventure than with a traditional clapperboard shot! "Our team report that the weather is rather hot and humid, but morale is very high, and the work rather exciting…. "Over the next days we'll be bringing you news and updates on the progress of our cast in Hong Kong, so do keep a look out!" @officialcallthemidwife Being husband of Mayor Buckle allows our Fred the chance to show off his ceremonial bling - but we do worry it may be giving him ideas... Straight Outta Poplar? ♬ original sound - officialcallthemidwife The post ended by confirming that Call the Midwife will return with a new Christmas special and Series 15 in 2026. It's expected that the new series will focus on the women's liberation movement. Recommended Reading Previously, it was confirmed that the BBC series would be getting a film and a prequel series. As creator of Call The Midwife, Heidi Thomas OBE shared that the spin-off prequel series will be set in Poplar during World War Two and will debut in 2026. Information on the film has been limited, but it is said to take place in 1972 and will feature fan favourite characters in an adventure overseas.
Yahoo
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stage adaptation of classic Jane Austen rom-com to finish summer tour in Salisbury
A STAGE adaptation of a classic Jane Austen novel will finish its summer tour in Salisbury. Northanger Abbey is the classic Jane Austen rom-com that was adapted by Matthew Francis for the stage. It is being performed by Maskers Theatre Company, who are based in Southampton, and has already received high praise after its run of shows at their Maskers Studio. They will be embarking on a summer tour across Hampshire and Wiltshire, and they will visit King Edward's Hall in West Tytherley for their final show on Saturday, July 26. You can get tickets HERE. The story is about a young woman called Catherine Morland (played by Katarina Smith) whose head is turned by the gothic novels she reads. Read more Noises Off at Salisbury's Studio Theatre is hilarious evening of entertainment Youth theatre company prepares for biggest summer show yet with Les Misérables A laugh-out-loud romp brimming with energy, superb choreography and delightful songs She visits Bath and then Northanger Abbey, where reality and fantasy meet. Director Rob Iliffe said: "We are doing this play because this year marks the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen's birth and Northanger Abbey was her first novel, inspired by Netley Abbey near Southampton. "Also, it seemed an interesting choice for theatre with the imaginary gothic world. "It's been great working with a cast spanning through several decades, as the members of the cast are between the ages of 20 and the General, Philip, is in his 80s." General Tilney, played by Philip de Grouchy, welcomes Katherine to Northanger Abbey (Image: Ian Wilson) The cast has 12 members with a range of experience, from Neil Maddock, 50, who has appeared on screen in Star Wars and Call The Midwife and on stage in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe and the Southampton Passion, to Samantha Richards who is appearing on stage for only her second time after being a teacher. A review of the show from Scene1+ said the show "offers a charming, witty, and thoroughly enjoyable interpretation of Jane Austen's beloved novel." The review goes on to say: "Whether you're a longtime Austen fan or a newcomer to her world, this is a delightful and accessible interpretation that offers plenty to enjoy. With strong performances, creative design, and a keen understanding of the novel's tone, Northanger Abbey at The Maskers Studio is well worth seeing on tour this summer." Maskers Theatre Company will take their stage production of Northanger Abbey on tour from July 17, visiting Totton, Southampton and Winchester, before finishing in West Tytherley.
Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Call The Midwife star details 'panic attacks' as she recalls emergency C-section
Call The Midwife actor Jennifer Kirby took to her Instagram page to share a mirror selfie that showcased her c-section scar Call The Midwife star Jennifer Kirby welcomed her baby with partner Robert Gilbert via emergency caesarean section last year. The actress took to her Instagram page to share a bathroom mirror selfie taken while rocking a cropped button-up shirt and black underwear as she revealed her c-section scar. "One emergency caesarean, many crying sessions, a few panic attacks, infinite love, one glorious little baby, and one whole year. Thank you @ and thank you little body for all you've endured and all you've done. I won't take you for granted again," she captioned the honest post and tagged her actor partner. Fans and friends immediately took to the comment section to praise the couple as one user wrote: "Beautiful lady. I have a similar scar too from my c-section with my second. Just amazes me how utterly fabulous our bodies are." Another posted: "Congrats on one year! Amazing achievement. After 2 sections I find it interesting how our bodies keep changing for a long time." "Nurse Valerie would have been proud of you. still miss you in ctmw, but life moves on and you have a whole new world. nothing better," one fan commented as they shared their love for her Call The Midwife character. Jennifer and Robert, known for his role in Killing Eve, first met when they starred in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Henry V a decade ago. She played Nurse Valerie on Call The Midwife between 2017 and 2020. Revealing the news of her exit, she said on Twitter /X: "After four joyful years spend with Call the Midwife, I have decided to say goodbye to Nonnatus, Val and the wonderful cast, crew and production team. "The programme is truly a national treasure, and it will always be a huge honour for me to have been a part of something so wonderful. 'I can't wait to keep watching our beloved Nonnatus from the other side of the screen. Long live Call the Midwife. So long, chicks." Jennifer's first major role was as Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice over 10 years ago. She also starred in Teddy and The Recruiting Officer. She even received a Commendation at the Ian Charleson Awards for her 2014 role as Lady Percy in Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and for the Royal Shakespeare Company she was also Katherine in Henry V. In 2021, she starred as Dr Gillian Nicholls in Endeavour.
