Latest news with #Childcatcher
Rhyl Journal
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
On this day: soap star gears up for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Ms Brooks was set to appear in the production at Venue Cymru from August 13 to 18, 2024. She said: "I can't wait to get to Llandudno - I'm from North Wales so I have lots of family coming. "I'll be staying with my dad; he's got a little holiday home not far from there. "So I'm really looking forward to it coming to North Wales." The actress, best known for her role as Janine Butcher in EastEnders, was set to be joined on stage by Adam Garcia and fellow soap star Liam Fox. She also spoke about her plans outside of the theatre during her visit to North Wales. Ms Brooks said: "I'd like to go to the beach, do some nice swims, go on some nice walks. "Just enjoy what North Wales has to offer - it's such a beautiful, beautiful part of the world." Ms Brooks was set to make history as the first woman to play the Childcatcher. She said: "I'm the first woman to play it, so it's got a slightly different feel to it. "Everything feels big and heightened in this show, the costume and the makeup are fantastic. "Yeah, I've sort of made my own creation of how I see the Childcatcher." Describing the show, she said it closely follows the beloved film and includes a flying car. Ms Brooks said: "There are some fantastic big numbers, big songs. "It's absolutely bonkers. READ MORE: I visited Sidoli's in Rhyl and tried its famous ice cream "The main thing, of course, is there's a flying car, and that is the real star of the show. "For anyone that knows Chitty, that moment where the car goes up is magic and will give you goosebumps." Ms Brooks also said that seeing the car lift up in front of you is more magical than watching it in the film.
North Wales Chronicle
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Inquest into the death of The Vivienne taking place
James Lee Williams, who was born in North Wales and attended Rydal Penrhos school in Colwyn Bay, died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on January 5. In March, the star's family revealed the 32-year-old had died 'from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest', saying they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug. The inquest will be heard by senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington. The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom of their home near Chester, the opening of the inquest was told. Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. During their time on the show, The Vivienne admitted having been a drug addict for four years. Speaking on the the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, they said: 'It was party, drugs, but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me.' They added that their addiction was a 'habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard'. The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year. They were due back on stage in March as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year. Their funeral in Bodelwyddan was attended by RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with singers Ian 'H' Watkins and Aston Merrygold and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney. The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office.
Leader Live
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Inquest into the death of The Vivienne taking place
James Lee Williams, who was born in North Wales and attended Rydal Penrhos school in Colwyn Bay, died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on January 5. In March, the star's family revealed the 32-year-old had died 'from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest', saying they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug. The inquest will be heard by senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington. The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom of their home near Chester, the opening of the inquest was told. Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. During their time on the show, The Vivienne admitted having been a drug addict for four years. Speaking on the the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, they said: 'It was party, drugs, but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me.' They added that their addiction was a 'habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard'. The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year. They were due back on stage in March as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year. Their funeral in Bodelwyddan was attended by RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with singers Ian 'H' Watkins and Aston Merrygold and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney. The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office.
Rhyl Journal
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Inquest into the death of The Vivienne taking place
James Lee Williams, who was born in North Wales and attended Rydal Penrhos school in Colwyn Bay, died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on January 5. In March, the star's family revealed the 32-year-old had died 'from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest', saying they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug. The inquest will be heard by senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington. The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom of their home near Chester, the opening of the inquest was told. Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. During their time on the show, The Vivienne admitted having been a drug addict for four years. Speaking on the the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, they said: 'It was party, drugs, but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me.' They added that their addiction was a 'habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard'. The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year. They were due back on stage in March as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year. Their funeral in Bodelwyddan was attended by RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with singers Ian 'H' Watkins and Aston Merrygold and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney. The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office.
Wales Online
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Inquest into ketamine death of The Vivienne as rules could change
Inquest into ketamine death of The Vivienne as rules could change Lee Williams, 32, died at home in January The Vivienne at RuPaul's Los Angeles DragCon at Los Angeles Convention Center The inquest into the death of The Vivienne, the winner of the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, is to take place on Monday. James Lee Williams, 32, died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on January 5. In March, the star's family revealed the drag queen had died 'from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest', saying they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug. The inquest will be heard by senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington. The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom of their home near Chester, the opening of the inquest was told. Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. During their time on the show, The Vivienne admitted having been a drug addict for four years. Speaking on the the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, they said: 'It was party, drugs, but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me.' They added that their addiction was a 'habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard'. The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year. Article continues below They were due back on stage in March as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year. Their funeral in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, North Wales, was attended by RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with singers Ian 'H' Watkins and Aston Merrygold and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney. The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office.
