Latest news with #Cheltenham
Scottish Sun
30 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Reality TV legend lands £500k deal to become face of Paddy Power during Royal Ascot as she films top-secret ad
Former TOWIE star Gemma caused a stir when she was spotted at Cheltenham earlier this year SECRET DEAL Reality TV legend lands £500k deal to become face of Paddy Power during Royal Ascot as she films top-secret ad GEMMA Collins has landed £500,000 to become the face of Paddy Power ahead of Royal Ascot. The former Towie star, 44 — 'The GC' to fans — filmed a top-secret advert for the betting firm in London last week. Advertisement 1 Gemma Collins has been signed up for a lucrative Paddy Power advert to promote Royal Ascot Credit: Paul Edwards She is seen poking fun at the fashion side of the annual racing event, which takes place this month. It comes after she was a popular guest in Paddy Power's box at the Cheltenham Festival in March. An insider said: 'Gemma's show-stopping appearance at Cheltenham caused a stir and Paddy Power bosses realised the value of her appeal. 'She was great fun and spoke to everyone so they were quick to ink an extremely lucrative deal that included an ad ahead of Royal Ascot, poking fun at fashion. Advertisement "Ladies' Day is a huge event during the five-day festivities and plenty of women get involved with the betting side of things too. "The ad is in keeping with Paddy Power's tongue-in-cheek theme.' The Irish bookmaker has previously signed up several celebs for their ads, including former England striker Peter Crouch and his wife Abbey Clancy, ex-EastEnders star Shaun Williamson and Rhodri Giggs, brother of Manchester United love rat Ryan. Gemma said of her stint at Cheltenham: 'I've never been before and Paddy Power invited me so I couldn't turn him down. Advertisement "Obviously I love the Irish and the Irish love me. "I've lost an absolute fortune. None of the horses I bet on won but it's been amazing.' Gemma Collins shows off her two stone weight loss in pink cycling shorts Opening up about her intuitive betting technique, she added: 'If I hear a name or see a name and get a vibe about it, then I'll take a punt and put a bet on. "I think gambling at the races can be so much fun. Safe gambling, obviously — gambling awareness.'
The Irish Sun
30 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Reality TV legend lands £500k deal to become face of Paddy Power during Royal Ascot as she films top-secret ad
GEMMA Collins has landed £500,000 to become the face of Paddy Power ahead of Royal Ascot. The former Towie star, 44 — 'The GC' to fans — filmed a top-secret advert for the betting firm in London last week. 1 Gemma Collins has been signed up for a lucrative Paddy Power advert to promote Royal Ascot Credit: Paul Edwards She is seen poking fun at the fashion side of the annual racing event, which takes place this month. It comes after she was a popular guest in Paddy Power's box An insider said: 'Gemma's show-stopping appearance at Cheltenham caused a stir and Paddy Power bosses realised the value of her appeal. 'She was great fun and spoke to everyone so they were quick to ink an extremely lucrative deal that included an ad ahead of Royal Ascot, poking fun at fashion. READ MORE GEMMA COLLINS " "The ad is in keeping with Paddy Power's tongue-in-cheek theme.' The Irish bookmaker has previously signed up several celebs for their ads, including former England striker Gemma said of her stint at Cheltenham: 'I've never been before and Paddy Power invited me so I couldn't turn him down. Most read in News TV "Obviously I love the Irish and the Irish love me. "I've lost an absolute fortune. None of the horses I bet on won but it's been amazing.' Gemma Collins shows off her two stone weight loss in pink cycling shorts Opening up about her intuitive betting technique, she added: 'If I hear a name or see a name and get a vibe about it, then I'll take a punt and put a bet on. "I think gambling at the races can be so much fun. Safe gambling, obviously — gambling awareness.'
BBC News
8 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Concern over Cheltenham ice rink damaging Imperial Gardens grass
Concerns have been raised over the environmental impact that a temporary ice rink could be having on a popular winter attraction at Imperial Gardens in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, provides a huge boost to the local economy throughout the Christmas period. Speaking at a planning committee meeting, Cheltenham borough councillor Glenn Andrews raised fears that with each passing year that the rink is installed, soil compaction and sunlight deprivation are slowly killing the grass the committee voted to allow the installation and operation of the rink for up to 75 days a year, from November to January, for the next three years. During the meeting on 22 May, Andrews said he was worried that after another three winters, the council may have to completely redo the gardens."Every time I go into Imperial Gardens... the re-turfing isn't taking as well. That is fairly obvious," he said."I do worry about soil compaction. We've got three whole years, and winter is the time when traditionally those gardens would regenerate."I think on ecological grounds I'm against this." According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, head of planning Chris Gomm said he was not aware that soil compaction was an issue assessed by the case officer."The condition that requires the land to be reinstated to its former condition would also apply to the flowerbeds and the grass, to make sure they are healthy post deconstruction," he Frank Allen added the economic benefit it brings to the town outweighed any potential ecological issues."The ice rink is one of our best features in the winter. We would do well to keep on preserving that," he said.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
LGBTQIA+ map 'promotes belonging' at rail stations
An illustrated travel map and exhibition is being launched to highlight local LGBTQIA+ stories and develop a sense of "visibility, belonging, and safety" across a rail network. The project - called Exploring LGBTQIA+ Gloucestershire - was developed by Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership (GCRP) and features 13 original portraits by Brockworth-based illustrator Sherina Steele. The portraits include both historical and contemporary figures like King Edward II and Olly Alexander, who have shaped Gloucestershire's queer history. About 2,000 maps will be distributed throughout June as part of Pride Month, with the exhibition open to the public at Cheltenham Spa Station from 31 May. GCRP executive director, Hannah McDonnell, said: "Through this map and exhibition, we're working to remove barriers, amplify underrepresented voices, and build a more inclusive transport network rooted in the communities it serves." The initiative, funded by Great Western Railway, aims to promote visibility at railway stations across the county and forms part of the national Railway 200 celebrations, by spotlighting underrepresented histories and communities within the rail network. Ms McDonnell said that by sharing the stories of LGBTQIA+ people and places across Gloucestershire they hope to "inspire connection, pride and belonging, both within the community and among those who travel through it". The 13 portraits featured in the exhibition and on the map include singer and actor Olly Alexander, former chief constable of Gloucestershire Police Suzette Davenport, King Edward II and Conservative MP for Cheltenham between 1874 and 1928 Sir James Agg-Gardner. Others included are computer scientist Alan Turing, Bee Bailey - the first openly transgender police woman on Gloucestershire Police, and Stroud-born barman Jody Dobrowski who was killed because of his sexuality in London in 2005. Project manager Piper Holmes said the LGBTQIA+ population in the UK is "steadily increasing by 3.3%" but she said recent spikes in hate crimes had "tripled in recent years". She said that through the project, the team wanted to "encourage queer people to explore their area and know that Gloucestershire can be a place for them". "Making the places listed accessible by public transport is critical as many young people are not driving these days," she added. She also hopes the project will help build "confidence within the community to access rail industry careers". Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Allie X to headline Bristol Pride 2025 UK Pride groups suspend involvement of political parties Crowds gather to celebrate Cheltenham Pride Pride Gloucestershire GWR - Pride
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
LGBTQIA+ map 'promotes belonging' at rail stations
An illustrated travel map and exhibition is being launched to highlight local LGBTQIA+ stories and develop a sense of "visibility, belonging, and safety" across a rail network. The project - called Exploring LGBTQIA+ Gloucestershire - was developed by Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership (GCRP) and features 13 original portraits by Brockworth-based illustrator Sherina Steele. The portraits include both historical and contemporary figures like King Edward II and Olly Alexander, who have shaped Gloucestershire's queer history. About 2,000 maps will be distributed throughout June as part of Pride Month, with the exhibition open to the public at Cheltenham Spa Station from 31 May. GCRP executive director, Hannah McDonnell, said: "Through this map and exhibition, we're working to remove barriers, amplify underrepresented voices, and build a more inclusive transport network rooted in the communities it serves." The initiative, funded by Great Western Railway, aims to promote visibility at railway stations across the county and forms part of the national Railway 200 celebrations, by spotlighting underrepresented histories and communities within the rail network. Ms McDonnell said that by sharing the stories of LGBTQIA+ people and places across Gloucestershire they hope to "inspire connection, pride and belonging, both within the community and among those who travel through it". The 13 portraits featured in the exhibition and on the map include singer and actor Olly Alexander, former chief constable of Gloucestershire Police Suzette Davenport, King Edward II and Conservative MP for Cheltenham between 1874 and 1928 Sir James Agg-Gardner. Others included are computer scientist Alan Turing, Bee Bailey - the first openly transgender police woman on Gloucestershire Police, and Stroud-born barman Jody Dobrowski who was killed because of his sexuality in London in 2005. Project manager Piper Holmes said the LGBTQIA+ population in the UK is "steadily increasing by 3.3%" but she said recent spikes in hate crimes had "tripled in recent years". She said that through the project, the team wanted to "encourage queer people to explore their area and know that Gloucestershire can be a place for them". "Making the places listed accessible by public transport is critical as many young people are not driving these days," she added. She also hopes the project will help build "confidence within the community to access rail industry careers". Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Allie X to headline Bristol Pride 2025 UK Pride groups suspend involvement of political parties Crowds gather to celebrate Cheltenham Pride Pride Gloucestershire GWR - Pride
