Latest news with #CeliaImrie
UPI
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
Watch: Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan investigate in 'Thursday Murder Club'
1 of 4 | Celia Imrie, Sir Ben Kingsley, Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan star in "Thursday Murder Club." Photo by Giles Keyte/Netflix May 29 (UPI) -- Netflix is teasing The Thursday Murder Club starring Helen Mirren and Pierce Brosnan. The actors, who also star opposite one another in MobLand, portray retirees Elizabeth and Ron, who enjoy solving cold cases alongside Ibrahim (Ben Kingsley) and Joyce (Celia Imrie). The film takes its inspiration from Richard Osman's 2020 book, and follows the group as "their casual sleuthing takes a thrilling turn when they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands," according to an official synopsis. "There's been a murder, an actual murder," Joyce says in the trailer released Thursday. "Now we've got a real case to solve. Isn't it wonderful? Obviously, RIP and all that." Chris Columbus, known for his work on Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, directs the film. "This is the finest cast I've worked with since Potter," he told Netflix's Tudum. "They're just so incredibly well-prepared, and it's because they do everything. They do theater, they do television, they do film, and they've developed those sorts of muscles." "Thematically it's interesting that we've got four elderly people who are living in a retirement community and who are fascinated by death and murder," he said. "They are facing their own demise, yet at the same time they are obsessed with studying cold cases. I fell in love thematically with that. It's comedic, but it's also very emotional." Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Tom Ellis, Jonathan Pryce, David Tennant, Paul Freeman, Geoff Bell, Richard E. Grant and Ingrid Oliver also star in the film, which arrives on Netflix Aug. 28.
Edinburgh Live
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Celebrity Traitors' Celia Imrie suffered ‘horrific' treatment in doctor's ‘sleep room'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Former patients of psychiatrist William Sargant have revealed the horrifying treatment they received at a renowned London hospital. Author Jon Stock has collected stories from several of Sargant's victims, including well-known actress and star of 'Celebrity Traitors', Celia Imrie. Speaking to the Mirror, Jon said that a majority of the people subjected to Sargant's cruel "Sleep Room" therapies were women and young girls. The troubling revelations include Sargant's preference for lobotomising unhappily-married women, rather than allowing them to go through with divorce. Sargant justified his disturbing stance by saying: "A depressed woman, for instance, may owe her illness to a psychopathic husband who cannot change and will not accept treatment. Separation might be the answer, but... we have seen patients enabled by a [lobotomy] to return to the difficult environment and cope with it in a way which had hitherto been impossible." (Image: Hilary Stock) The unethical doctor went as far as humiliating his female patients by having them parade nearly-nude before audiences of medical students. Amongst those mistreated by Sargant is acclaimed actress Celia Imrie, whose credits include hits like 'Bridget Jones's Diary' and 'The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel'. She is set to appear again on television screens in the BBC's 'Celebrity Traitors'. Imrie confided to Jon about developing an eating disorder during her youth after being labelled "too big" to realise her ambition of becoming a ballet dancer. (Image: GL Weekend) She detailed her extreme efforts to lose weight, stating: "I worked out every means possible to dispose of food, determined to get 'small' enough to be a dancer, and I was soon little more than a carcass with skin." Her experience under the care of Sargant was disturbing, as she recounted: "The side effects were startling. My hands shook uncontrollably for most of the day, and I'd wake up to find clumps of my hair on the pillow." Celia described the harrowing ordeal: "But the worst consequence was that everything I saw was in double vision. When Sargant came into the room, there were two of him. It was horrific and terrifying." She further explained the treatment's impact: "Even simple tasks such as picking up a glass of water became impossible. I was injected with insulin every day too. Sargant was a big believer in fattening up his patients to get them well and you soon put on weight with insulin. "I think I had what was called 'sub-coma shock treatment'– you weren't given enough insulin to induce a hypoglycaemic coma, but it was enough to make you drowsy, weak, sweaty and hungry." She added: "I will never know for sure if I was given electric shocks during my stay," due to missing medical records, a situation Celia blames on Sargant: "Some years back, I tried to find my hospital records, to see the details of my treatment. Unfortunately, Sargant seems to have taken away a lot of his patients' records, including mine, when he retired from the NHS in 1972." (Image: Alamy Stock Photo) She concluded with lingering doubts, expressing: "Either that, or they were destroyed. I can't remember ECT happening to me, but I can remember it happening to others." Sargant's methods were brutal and included electroshock therapy. "I vividly recall every sight, sound and smell," Celia remembered. "The huge rubber plug jammed between her teeth; the strange almost silent cry, like a sigh of pain, she made as her tormented body shuddered and jerked; the scent of burning hair and flesh. It was a terrible thing for a fourteen-year-old to witness." (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Women were placed in Sargant's care for the most trivial of reasons. Jon told the Mirror that patient Mary Thornton was admitted to The Sleep Room after her parents suspected she was having a romance with an "inappropriate" boy. She told Jon that she also only has patchy memories of her treatment: "One is of the electrodes being attached to the side of my head. I remember the complete, utter terror because I didn't even know who I was." Jon says this was a common reason for young women's hospitalisation: "In the mid 1960s, for example, a wealthy businessman contacted Sargant, explaining that his daughter had fallen in love with an "unsuitable" local man in Europe and wanted to marry him." Sargant was tasked with curing the young girl's love-struck "madness." He explains: "A photo later emerged of Sargant, the father and a heavily sedated daughter standing at the door of the aeroplane that had returned her to the UK." A former student at the hospital told Jon: "Basically, Sargant brought this attractive young woman back at the end of a needle." Rumours link Sargant to the CIA's infamous MK Ultra "mind control" programme, with speculation that the US spy agency may have funded some of his work. Jon states: " The minutes of St Thomas' Research Advisory Committee meeting reveal that in September 1963, Sargant announced that an anonymous donor would fund the salary of a research registrar (£80,000 a year in today's money) for two years. Sargant refused to reveal the donor's identity." (Image: Chris Floyd) Jon confirms that Sargant did have ties to the intelligence community, stating: "Sargant did regular work for MI5 – in 1967, for example, he was called in to assess the mental health of Vladimir Tkachenko, a suspected Russian defector." However, Jon admits that proving Sargant's association with the CIA is one of the most challenging aspects of the story. One former serviceman, Eric Gow, who participated in drug trials under the impression he was helping to cure the common cold, reported being given massive doses of LSD. Jon says that Gow claims to recall seeing Sargant overseeing some of these experiments at the MOD's chemical and biological research facility at Porton Down. The Sleep Room: A Very British Medical Scandal by Jon Stock is published by the Bridge Street Press (£25).
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Celebrity Traitors star opens up on ‘coma shock treatment' at hands of cruel doctor
Celebrity Traitors star opens up on 'coma shock treatment' at hands of cruel doctor Celia Imrie, who is set to appear in the BBC's upcoming Celebrity Traitors series, was subjected to a series of cruel treatments at the hands of psychiatrist William Sargant - including being put into a 'sub-coma' Celia Imrie was one of many young women entrusted to the care of psychiatrist William Sargant (Image: Karwai Tang, WireImagevia Getty Images ) Former patients of a secure psychiatric ward at a prominent London hospital have come forward to share the traumatic experiences they endured under the care of psychiatrist William Sargant, who subjected them to inhumane and unethical treatments. For his new book, The Sleep Room, author Jon Stock spoke with several of Sargant's victims, including actress Celia Imrie, known for her roles in films such as Bridget Jones's Diary and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, as well as her upcoming appearance in the BBC's Celebrity Traitors. A disturbing pattern emerged, revealing that the majority of Sargant's patients in the notorious "Sleep Room" were women and young girls. In some cases, Sargant even recommended lobotomies as a solution for unhappy wives, rather than suggesting divorce or separation. His twisted rationale was that this drastic procedure would enable them to cope with their difficult circumstances. Jon Stock spoke to several of Sargant's former patients (Image: Hilary Stock ) Sargant's blatant disregard for his female patients' dignity and well-being was exemplified by his practice of parading them, semi-naked, in front of rooms filled with medical students. Celia Imrie, who was also under Sargant's care, told Jon how she had developed an eating disorder as a young girl, after being told she was "too big" to pursue her dream of becoming a ballet dancer. She recalled: "I worked out every means possible to dispose of food, determined to get 'small' enough to be a dancer, and I was soon little more than a carcass with skin." Article continues below She found herself under the care of Sargant. Celia shared: "The side effects were startling. My hands shook uncontrollably for most of the day, and I'd wake up to find clumps of my hair on the pillow." Celia Imrie says that all records of her treatment have mysteriously vanished (Image: GL Weekend ) Celia said that one of the most disturbing side-effects of Sargant's treatment was that everything she saw was in double vision: "When Sargant came into the room, there were two of him. It was horrific and terrifying. "Even simple tasks such as picking up a glass of water became impossible. I was injected with insulin every day too. Sargant was a big believer in fattening up his patients to get them well and you soon put on weight with insulin. I think I had what was called 'sub-coma shock treatment'– you weren't given enough insulin to induce a hypoglycaemic coma, but it was enough to make you drowsy, weak, sweaty and hungry. "I will never know for sure if I was given electric shocks during my stay," Celia added. "Some years back, I tried to find my hospital records, to see the details of my treatment. Unfortunately, Sargant seems to have taken away a lot of his patients' records, including mine, when he retired from the NHS in 1972. "Either that, or they were destroyed. I can't remember ECT happening to me, but I can remember it happening to others." Celie is one of the stars in line for the BBC's Celebrity Traitors Sargant's brutal methods included frequent electroshock treatments. Celia recounted the harrowing experience, "I vividly recall every sight, sound and smell," describing the distressing scene she witnessed at just 14-years-old. Women were entrusted to Sargant for the most trivial of reasons. Jon revealed to the Mirror a case where patient Mary Thornton was placed in The Sleep Room because her parents disapproved of her relationship with an "unsuitable" boy. She shared with Jon her fragmented memories: "One is of the electrodes being attached to the side of my head. I remember the complete, utter terror because I didn't even know who I was." Many of the records of Sargant's work at the Royal Waterloo have been lost (Image: Universal Images Group via Getty Images ) Jon noted that this was often the reason for young women being admitted to the hospital: "In the mid 1960s, for example, a wealthy businessman contacted Sargant, explaining that his daughter had fallen in love with an 'unsuitable' local man in Europe and wanted to marry him." Sargant was tasked with treating the girl's infatuation, which was seen as insanity. He detailed, "A photo later emerged of Sargant, the father and a heavily sedated daughter standing at the door of the aeroplane that had returned her to the UK." A former student at the hospital told Jon about the incident: "Basically, Sargant brought this attractive young woman back at the end of a needle." Sargant himself underwent psychiatric treatment earlier in his life (Image: Alamy Stock Photo ) It has even been claimed that Sargant may have had ties to the CIA's infamous MK Ultra "mind control" programme. According to Jon, there are whispers that the US spy agency may have provided funding for some of Sargant's work. Jon explains: "The minutes of St Thomas' Research Advisory Committee meeting reveal that in September 1963, Sargant announced that an anonymous donor would fund the salary of a research registrar (£80,000 a year in today's money) for two years. Sargant refused to reveal the donor's identity." Jon confirms that Sargant did have links to the intelligence community, stating: "Sargant did regular work for MI5 – in 1967, for example, he was called in to assess the mental health of Vladimir Tkachenko, a suspected Russian defector." Article continues below He also admits that solid proof of Sargant's association with the CIA is hard to find. However, he notes that Eric Gow, a former serviceman who participated in drug trials under the guise of helping to cure the common cold, was administered large doses of LSD. Jon believes that Gow may have seen Sargant overseeing some of these experiments at the MOD's chemical and biological research facility at Porton Down. The Sleep Room: A Very British Medical Scandal by Jon Stock is published by the Bridge Street Press (£25).
The Independent
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Watch: Celebrity Traitors cast in BBC's dramatic first-look teaser
The Celebrity Traitors' full cast was finally confirmed by the BBC in a dramatic teaser clip on Tuesday, 13 May. Host Claudia Winkleman returns to castle with an all-star line-up including stars such as actors Ruth Codd and Celia Imrie and YouTuber Niko Omilana. The celebrities will compete against each other as Faithfuls and Traitors in the hope of winning a cash prize up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice in the ultimate game of deception. The Celebrity Traitors will be on BBC One and iPlayer in autumn 2025.
North Wales Chronicle
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Stephen Fry, Celia Imrie and Paloma Faith among Celebrity Traitors contestants
The charity spin-off sees 19 celebrities, who also include acclaimed actress Celia Imrie, comedian Alan Carr and singer Cat Burns, gather in the Scottish Highlands for the 'ultimate game of deceit and betrayal'. Other stars joining the group at Ardross Castle are former England rugby player and podcaster Joe Marler, presenter Jonathan Ross, broadcaster Clare Balding and singer Paloma Faith. Hosted by Strictly Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman, the nine-part celebrity version will give contestants the chance to win a cash prize of up to £100,000 for a charity of their choice. Sir Stephen Fry is among the star names confirmed for Celebrity Traitors (Ian West/PA) Winkleman said: 'We're incredibly lucky these brilliant people have said yes. 'I'd love to say we'll take it easy on them and they'll just wander round the castle and eat toast for a couple of weeks, but that would be a lie.' The game show follows contestants as they try to detect the traitors in the group while completing a series of challenges to win cash towards the prize pot. If at the end of the series a traitor is among the finalists, the faithfuls lose out on the money and the traitor takes the full cash prize home. EastEnders star Tameka Empson, Bafta award-winning film-maker and historian David Olusoga, and comedians Nick Mohammed and Joe Wilkinson are also part of the line-up. Another cast member is influencer Niko Omilana, who has more than seven million subscribers on YouTube and millions more followers across other platforms. He is best known for his prank-style videos, which include sneaking into the KSI v Logan Paul boxing rematch and attempting to get in the ring. In 2021 he got nearly 50,000 votes in the London mayoral election, coming fifth and being the top independent candidate. Scottish actor and Shetland star Mark Bonnar, Irish actress and The Midnight Club's Ruth Codd, and comedian and TV star Lucy Beaumont complete the line-up. Kate Garraway has been confirmed as a contestant in Celebrity Traitors (Ian West/PA) The Traitors debuted in 2022 and has since picked up a Bafta TV Award for Best Reality & Constructed Factual programme as well as a Broadcasting Press Guild Award for Best Entertainment Programme. The third and most recent series of The Traitors saw project manager Jake Brown and former soldier Leanne Quigley share the prize pot of £94,600. – Celebrity Traitors will air on BBC One and iPlayer this autumn.
