Latest news with #Dales
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Emmerdale's Jay Kontzle's popstar past and 'best times' on Britain's Got Talent
Emmerdale fan favourite Billy Fletcher, played by Jay Kontzle, may be part of action-packed storylines in the Dales – but Jay's past career was quite the adventure too. The 34-year-old burst onto our screens in 2018, and has been at the centre of major storylines since then. However, Emmerdale isn't the first time Jay has been known for his TV appearances. Jay was a member of boyband The Mend, formed in 2008 by former Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith. They first appeared on TV on The X Factor in 2011, but left abruptly when it was revealed that having a management deal was a rule break. Jay pictured with The Mend on Britain's Got Talent in 2012. (Image: ITV/ Britain's Got Talent) In 2012 The Mend then auditioned for Britain's Got Talent and made it all the way to final – receiving praise from head judge Simon Cowell. Although The Mend broke up in 2015, they went on to tour with the likes of Little Mix and secured a dedicated fanbase. While reflecting on his popstar days, he told Cheshire Live: "Being part of The Mend was a huge life experience for me and some of the best times of my life. "Obviously, being on tour and performing live on TV gave me so much experience, but as we grew older, we realised that as a boy band that catered for teenagers, we couldn't keep re-inventing ourselves." Recommended reading: Emmerdale's Matthew Wolfenden hints at return to ITV soap Emmerdale's Oliver Farnworth's partner is EastEnders star Emmerdale's Bradley Ritches almost played this ITV soap star Jay decided to take a different career route after his boyband days, and made the role of Billy his own in Emmerdale. Viewers were keen to tune in to see his on-screen antics with wife Dawn and the challenges they faced. Jay's acting credits before Emmerdale include Fresh Meat with Jack Whitehall, a role in Diana and I, a Moonpig advert and behind-the-scenes work on the films Underwater and Bring Back My Bonnie, reports The Mirror.
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Emmerdale legend Eden Taylor-Draper makes soap decision after 'intense' year
Emmerdale star Eden is up for two awards at the British Soap Awards this month for her portrayal of domestic abuse victim Belle Dingle, while the hard-hitting storyline is also up for a prize She's been a staple in the Dales since the late 1990's but now, Belle Dingle is set to leave the nest in upcoming scenes. After a dramatic year at the heart of Emmerdale 's domestic abuse storyline, actress Eden Taylor-Draper is bound to become the belle of the British Soap Awards. The actress, who will celebrate 20 years of playing Belle Dingle this autumn, is nominated for Best Dramatic Performance and Best Leading Performer while the plot is up for Best Storyline. On top of that her soap family, the Dingles, are nominated in the Best Family category and Emmerdale is facing off against Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and EastEnders for Best Soap. 'I'm thrilled,' grins Eden, 27. 'It's a little bit scary but it's been amazing. It's so hard to put into words, but it's been the most challenging and exciting year I've ever had at Emmerdale.' The soap announced plans for a domestic abuse storyline centered around Belle Dingle and Tom King back in 2023, and the twisting, slowburn scenario has kept fans hooked. With fight scenes, confessional scenes, unique perspectives and even alternative outcomes being filmed, the work has been challenging and fulfilling in equal measures for Eden. 'The episode with Belle's imagination of the different outcomes was challenging because it was like playing many storylines at once and there were some very intense, violent scenes, which were intense to play,' says Eden. 'It was a challenge but I also loved it and it's one of my favourite episodes I've ever done.' The hard-hitting scenes saw Belle bravely confide in her cousin Charity Dingle, played by Emma Atkins, who has been a rock during filming for Eden, alongside J ames Chase who starred as Belle's evil but believable abuser Tom King. 'Emma's one of my best friends,' says Eden. 'It was just so special that we got to have that moment together.' During the character's many years on the soap, Belle has faced serious mental health battles with both schizophrenia and psychosis, she was jailed as a teenager for the manslaughter of her best friend Gemma Andrews (Tendai Rinomhota) and she has been kidnapped by her serial killer boyfriend Lachlan White, played by Tom Atkinson. Despite being trusted with some of Emmerdale's biggest plot points, Eden reveals she has never had any formal acting training. 'No, I've never done anything. I've just been at Emmerdale and that's been it since the beginning,' says Eden. 'One of the things about growing up on the show is that everyone that I work with has been a part of who I am today in both how I act and how I am as a person.' Growing up on set meant Eden felt like she had four parents – her real mum and dad and also Jane Cox, who played her soap mum Lisa Dingle and the late actor Steve Halliwell, who played her dad Zak Dingle. She also cites Charity actress Emma and Cain Dingle actor Jeff Hordley as acting influences. 'I have so much credit to give to Jane and Steve who played Belle's mum and dad because they were just brilliant and helped me in that environment,' says Eden. 'I'm surrounded by such talented people and it's such an honour to be able to work with them. I'm always trying to learn, I'm always trying to better myself and be, you know, very natural and also be so in it. The people around me help because everyone is so dedicated and so good at their craft. It definitely helps learning on the job from such a young age and getting to work with these people daily. It inspires you to keep pushing and keep growing every day.' The domestic abuse storyline might be over now that Tom is serving three years behind bars, but the reaction from fans will never leave Eden. 'I'd never experienced anything like it with people reaching out and feeling they can share their stories,' says Eden. 'The amount of messages I've had off people who have followed the story and said, 'Watching this unfold, I've got myself out of that situation,' or, 'I've spoken to the police,' or, 'I'm now in a women's refuge.' It just blows my mind. That is the power of soap. To even help one person, it would be incredible, so the fact that multiple people have said we've helped them… I couldn't ask for more.' In real life, Eden has a very supportive boyfriend in Ed Lewis, her high-school sweetheart. Ed will be accompanying her to the British Soap Awards and regularly helps her learn her lines. 'He is great,' says Eden. 'We were friends before we got together so he's always known what I've done and he's amazing. He'll stay up with me, running lines, until God knows what hour. He's very supportive.' With so many nominations, Eden is sure to get a lot of screen time when the British Soap Awards is broadcast on ITV1 on Thursday 5 June. Naturally, Eden is looking forward to casting off Belle's practical padded jackets and jeans for a glamorous ball gown. 'On a night out my favourite bit sometimes is just doing my hair and make-up and listening to music,' says Eden. 'I do enjoy that bit. I'm not sorted, I don't have a dress. It's all going to be very last-minute, but it will be nice to get dressed up.' Many Emmerdale faces are up for awards including Eden's co-star Beth Cordingly who is also nominated in the Best Leading Performer category for her role as Ruby Fox-Milligan alongside EastEnders legends Lacey Turner and Kellie Bright. No matter who takes the coveted gongs home, Eden knows she and Beth will paint the town red. 'I feel like whenever I've been at awards with Beth, she is up for a good time!' laughs Eden. 'There's a good gang of us and I think everyone's in high spirits. I think that will just be a lovely party… Hopefully I won't be hungover, but I would love maybe a little dance.' When she's not working on a big storyline, Eden loves to travel with Ed. Later this year they're going to Bali in Indonesia for the first time and they dream of travelling to Japan one day. 'I do love travelling,' says Eden. 'I love a little break, I love a big break and I've got family in Australia so that's really cool to get to go to the other side of the world and see them. Last year I didn't really travel that much because I was so busy, so this year I'm trying to cram as much travelling in as possible. Japan is on our bucket list and we're actually heading to Bali at the end of the year and that's my first time going there, so that should be really nice.' However, home is where the heart is and having grown up on Emmerdale Belle never wants to leave. 'I love it,' she says. 'I'm so happy. I guess it's not fully up to me, it's up to the producers, but I am very happy there and I'd love to stay around.'
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
LIZ JONES: There have been a lot of 'if onlys' in my life. Now, after a traumatic year, I've swallowed two citalopram tablets. So are antidepressants the answer?
I've swallowed two citalopram tablets. I keep waiting for my personality to change: I will be confident and arrogant and not answer emails for days, even weeks. I thought I might feel more relaxed on round two of my bid to assuage my stress by taking Teddy on a long walk. So, on Thursday, Nic and I chose a route in what I think is the most beautiful valley in the Dales. She brought her beagle, Boris, who is hugely strong. It didn't go well. We saw a spaniel, and while Nic tried to contain Teddy, almost riding him in the process, Boris tried to back out of his harness. Crossing a field, I was worried it might contain cows with calves. 'We need to run,' I told Nic.
Daily Record
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Danny Miller explains why he doesn't let his kids watch Emmerdale
The actor admitted on Loose Women that he doesn't want his kids witnessing his Emmerdale character, Aaron Dingle, who is about to get married. Emmerdale 's Danny Miller teased his character's upcoming wedding on Loose Women, and also confessed a 'confused' reason as to why he doesn't let his children watch him on the ITV programme. The actor was made a permanent cast member of Emmerdale in 2023, having made his soap debut in 2008 as Aaron Dingle. Since then he's tackled some heartbreaking storylines, and was also part of a beloved Dales couple with Robert Sugden where fans lovingly labelled them as "Robron", reported Manchester Evening News. Aaron recently struck up a relationship with mysterious newcomer John Sugden. In upcoming episodes, the pair's wedding continues to be put into jeopardy as John's secrets begin to come out. Emmerdale fans saw recently that John accidentally killed Nate Robinson, but he panics, as the lake where the body is buried begins to be dredged just as the wedding is about to take place. Not only that, but his ex-fiancé Aidan Moore unexpectedly awoke from his long coma and John is now in constant fear that the truth about how he got there will be revealed. During Tuesday's (May 27) instalment of Loose Women, lead panellist Ruth Langsford was joined by Coleen Nolan, Janet Street-Porter and Denise Welch spoke to Danny ahead of the anticipated Emmerdale wedding ceremony. He shared: "It's a typical soap wedding, We always like to put in surprises here and there. "I think what's interesting about this particular wedding is we shot it away from kind of soap format... "This fantastic idea that it's all from John's imagination of what could go wrong and then back in real time... Oliver Farnworth who plays John Sugden delivers another amazing performance. "There's a few surprises along the way, so I'm looking forward to seeing what people think of it." Coleen then congratulated the actor as he had announced that him and his partner Steph are expecting their third child. He replied: "We had a day where we thought we were never going to have a baby and now we've got three, and Steph is the most amazing wife." When asked what his children make of him being on Emmerdale, Danny responded: "We went to a superstore yesterday and there was magazines all over, and they were spotting me on all of them because of the wedding which was really surreal. "I tend not to let them watch Emmerdale, I mean it's on too late they should be in bed. Also, they might just be a bit confused that I'm not kissing mummy but I'm kissing another man. "Certainly the other side of it is my character tends to be in a lot of fights and stuff, and I just don't want them to see that because I don't want them to think I'm that kind of person. "I don't want them to say that's what you do when you go to class and punch somebody because you don't like their opinion." 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'.
Daily Mirror
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Tragic soap icons who should never have been killed off as Craig brutally axed
A number of soap icons in Emmerdale, Coronation Street and EastEnders have died in the most tragic circumstances - with fans left devastated by their loss Soaps like Emmerdale, EastEnders and Coronation Street have given us some of the heartstopping and dramatic deaths. From falling off buildings to being pushed onto train tracks, or dying in a limousine crash, the soaps have seen it all! After the sad and shocking death of Craig Tinker on Coronation Street, we've looked back at some other heartbreaking deaths from the Dales, from the Cobbles and also from Albert Square. From the death of fan favourite and Dales favourite Rishi Sharma, to the iconic but devastating double death of Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell, we take a look back at six deaths that should have never happened! Craig Tinker Much-loved policeman Craig Tinker - played by Colson Smith - was killed in shocking scenes this week. Craig was murdered by Mick after finding out the truth about his son Brody and the police officer was caught in the firing line. Speaking about his exit, he said: "When I was in the chat with Kate [Brooks] I'd already braced myself for what was about to happen. I have been in that building since I was 12 years old, so I know exactly how it works. "I knew that my time was up and I knew that Craig had backed himself into a corner that was going to be really hard to get out of, so I fully expected the chat to go that way. There had been about 20 minutes of Kate talking to me, but we hadn't touched on when or how, or who or what. So I kind of stopped Kate and said, 'Look, I have two questions, and one is when, and two is do I get killed?.'" He added: "And she kind of like, stopped and stumbled a little bit. And I said, if it makes it easier for you, the right answer for me is yes. Like for me to go, I would want to leave. I would want to die, I would want the door to be shut, so then I can kind of know in my head that Corrie has been this, Corrie has done that, and it is now done, and Craig's journey is over." Paul Foreman In tragic scenes, fans bid a heartbreaking goodbye to Paul Foreman, played by Peter Ash. Paul was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in the months before his death and he drew his last breath in sad scenes last year. Billy didn't make it in time for Paul to die but he believed he had spoken to Paul on the phone, with Bernie having lied that Paul was alive at that moment, leading to fans in tears at what happened. "With a storyline like that there's a lot of pressure to get it right. Obviously you don't want to misrepresent it or anything, so there is a lot of research being done. It's tough and it's been such a heavy storyline, but it feels good knowing we're getting it right," he said. "The response to it has been amazing from people living with MND themselves, and also their families responding to it, so it's been amazing in that regard ... I massively thank Iain and Verity [MacLeod] for trusting me with this story. It's a double-edged sword. I always knew it would be an eventual exit unless we were lucky enough to find a cure [for MND] in that time..." Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell Still one of the saddest soap deaths ever, Roxy and Ronnie Mitchell died in a swimming pool. The pair died back in 2017 when Ronnie drowned in her wedding dress while trying to save her sister. Rita Simons recently reprised her role for a brief stint as her daughter Amy Mitchell struggled with her mental health. Speaking about the moment, Executive Producer Chris Clenshaw said of her return: "I'm thrilled to welcome the fabulous Rita back to the iconic role of Roxy Mitchell for these special scenes. "Although the character was last seen on-screen in January 2017, Roxy still remains a fan favourite. We know our audiences will be thrilled at her short return as Amy seeks some all-important answers from her mum at this point in the storyline." Kush Kazemi Kush was died in shocking scenes when his arch nemesis and villain Gray Atkins murdered him. Kush had tried to save Gray's life but the serial killer decided to end things for Kush and pushed him in front of a train. "I have really enjoyed being part of that final storyline, my time over the six and a half years has culminated in something that people will remember. He's the first character to be killed in this way so it's an EastEnders first, and when you leave a show like this and the door's open, that question can stay over you for a very long time, but this is very definitive, of course, and I'm happy with that," Davood Ghadami - who played Lush - said. Leyla Harding A more recent but equally heartbreaking death on Emmerdale was actually part of some wider sad scenes when Leyla was one of the three victims of the harrowing limousine crash in the village lake earlier this year. Roxy Shahidi exited the soap after several years, with the actress breaking her silence on her exit. She said: "Of course, it's sad to see my character die, and I have loved playing Leyla because she is so funny, camp, and a brilliant character. But at the same time, if I had left it another five years, I might not have felt as excited as I do now. "I have had a long time to process everything and I am looking forward to my next chapter. I've always wanted to explore other things and now I've got the opportunity." Rishi Sharma No one was expecting Rishi to die! An Emmerdale icon, he lost his life when his villainous brother pushed him down the stairs to his death. As his son Jai tied the knot, Rishi was lying dead at the bottom of the stairs. Bidding his farewell to his character, Bhasker Patel said: "When the producer rang me and said: 'I need to talk to you and we're killing you off because we want a big story and it's going to be a big surprise.' "Because my 12 years at ITV, they let me do a lot of other work, so I felt a part of ITV, a part of Rishi, but at the same time... I was working in London as well. So when the producer said 'we're going to kill you off', I was like: 'Okay, that part of my life with this guy is over and I'm going to move on.''
