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BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Arthur Berry's last play performed in Stoke-on-Trent for his centenary
The last play written by a leading dramatist from the Potteries is receiving its world premiere as part of commemorations marking the centenary of his Berry grew up in Stoke-on-Trent and became a prolific writer and artist before his death in final play Whatever happened to Pheobe Salt is being staged at the New Vic Theatre. The New Vic opened in 1986 with a performance of one of Berry's poems by Freddie Jones, father of actor Toby city is also marking its centenary - with Stoke-on-Trent Day being held on Thursday. The production of Whatever Happened to Phoebe Salt features local Rossi, who is making her stage debut, said it was an honour."To be able to be here which is a theatre which I grew up in coming to watch shows and now to be on the stage, doing a show and for such a celebration - for Arthur - for Stoke - it is just a full circle." As well as being a renowned writer, Berry was a notable artist, using the inspiration he drew from his hometown as a thread that ran throughout his Heskins, artistic director of the theatre, said he loved the area he was from."The very first word spoken on this stage by Freddie Jones, [film and TV actor] Toby Jones' dad, was the word 'yes' as part of a poem called Yes by Arthur Berry - what a thing to be part of our history."He made these plays about Stoke-on-Trent really. The place that he loved and all of his work was about it."It's all full of the grit and humour of Stokie life." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Danny Dyer reveals he has taken up posh sport loved by the Royals to prepare for new season of Rivals after winning first BAFTA
BAFTA-winner Danny Dyer has taken up an unlikely posh sport loved by the Royals to help prepare for the new series of Disney+ hit Rivals. Speaking to MailOnline at Sunday night's BAFTA Television Awards, which saw the ex-EastEnders star claim the best male performance in a comedy gong for his role as Lee Campbell in Sky series My Bigstuff, the actor revealed he's been having polo lessons which has left his backside feeling 'uncomfortably sore.' Danny, 47, told how he's been enrolled into an intensive horse-riding course by show bosses and once he becomes a natural in the saddle, will then learn how to strike a ball with a mallet on horseback. Speaking at Southbank's Royal Festival Hall, Danny, who plays Freddie Jones, said: 'We're filming season two of Rivals this week. I'm learning how to play polo, it's not easy. I spend my days now galloping on a horse...' And on his moustache, Danny added: 'Oh, and this isn't for fashion either…' The father-of-three was still beaming after scooping the prestigious gong, the first BAFTA in his career which has spanned four decades. Speaking to MailOnline at Sunday night's BAFTA Television Awards, the actor revealed he's been having polo lessons which has left his backside feeling 'uncomfortably sore' During his emotional acceptance speech on stage, Danny admitted he was 'choked up' winning the award and thanked his two daughters, Dani, 28, and Sunnie, 18, in attendance, saying: 'Girls, Sunnie and Dani… I've done it, girls, I've f***ing done it!' The star said it was catching a glimpse of his daughters in the audience that reduced him to tears during the award ceremony. And speaking following his win, Danny went onto explain how much the gong meant to him and what his critics over the years might have to say. He quipped: 'Oh, there'll be some people fuming! 'I don't know, man. I've earned it. I only want one; I don't need more than this. I'm happy. 'I've lifted a couple of NTAs over the years, and I always like to win awards and lose them, do the moody clap [pretending] that you're happy for someone else… I've done all that b******s, and I thought I'd be doing that tonight. 'I've had a really good run this year. Rivals has been so well received. A bit odd, really. I've got Rivals sitting there, and I've got Mr Bigstuff there. I've made it.' Danny triumphed over fellow nominees Bilal Hasna for Extraordinary, Dylan Thomas-Smith for G'wed, and Nabhaan Rizwan for Kaos. The cast reunited at the BAFTA Television Awards on Sunday as Emily Atack, who plays sultry Sarah Stratton, attended the red carpet event dressed in a white gown with leather gloves Oliver Savell, who plays a young Alan Carr in Changing Ends, was also recognised, as was Phil Dunning for his role in BBC Three's Smoggie Queens. Danny stars in Disney+ series Rivals alongside David Tennant who plays station boss Tony Baddingham and Aidan Turner, whose character, journalist Declan O'Hara goes against him to create a competitor channel. The cast reunited at the BAFTA Television Awards on Sunday as Emily Atack, who plays sultry Sarah Stratton, attended the red carpet event dressed in a white gown with black leather gloves. She appeared alongside US star, Nafessa Williams, famed for her role as Cameron Cook, who wore a red latex vintage dress by Alexander McQueen. During the prestigious awards, Danny watched his former cast mates in EastEnders also walk away with a huge gong after being named Best Soap. Danny, who played Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter between 2013 and 2022 before he was 'lost at sea', faced an awkward reunion with his ex-bosses after slamming the show's 'dark' storylines during a public speaking event on Friday night. He also hit out at former co-stars Jessie Wallace and Shane Ritchie for 'blanking him' when he first started and claimed he was 'off his nut' on prescription drugs, including 'Valium and diazepam.' On the intensive work schedule, he added: 'You earn good money, but you ain't got time to go to a cashpoint. You have no life. 'The amount of birthdays I missed. If someone dies in your family, they won't even let you go to the funeral. It's such a machine. There's not much duty of care. That's the truth. 'On EastEnders there is no messing about, and you've got to do it. It's the hardest part of our job. I'd love to see A-list actors come in and do it, they'd crumble. You've got to be on it. 'In films you make yourself properly cry, you go to a dark place, and you have time to recover. It messes a lot of people's heads up. Most people are off their nut.
Scottish Sun
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Danny Dyer reveals he'll strip totally naked in full-frontal nude scene in new bumper sized season of Rivals
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DANNY Dyer has revealed he'll strip completely starkers in the new series of Rivals. The ex EastEnders alum, 47, plays Freddie Jones in the Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel - and he's eager for a piece of the racy action. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 6 Danny Dyer has revealed he'll go starkers in the new series of Rivals Credit: Getty 6 He played affable Freddie Jones in the Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel Credit: Robert Viglasky 6 He is eager for a racy script for the second Rivals season, which has already been confirmed Credit: Robert Viglasky With his fake moustache and wig, he played a working class lad who found himself in higher social circles due to his skills in IT. Yet Danny is eager to get his kit off as the kind-hearted, dispute-fixing character returns for a second instalment. He candidly said: "I do think I will get my c**k out in the second series!" Show fans were stunned as the series kicked off with a full-frontal scene, as well as featuring a game of nude tennis. Danny added of his next career steps: "I've always believed I had something about me and that I can act. "It is just a matter of never giving up, really. Especially in our world where you get used to a lot of rejection. "I've never faded into the shadows and always thought 'No, f**k it, I want to do something, I want to get out the council estate and earn a few quid'." Danny, who exclusively revealed to The Sun he was "off my nut" while filming "dark" scenes for BBC soap EastEnders, added: "I was a snobby f***er going 'I will never go in EastEnders' looking down my nose at it. "It saved my f***ing career. I'd be f***ed without it." It came as he also revealed his true feelings about co-star Jessie Wallace. Danny Dyer calls himself a 'p---k' as he candidly opens up about split from wife Jo in The Assembly Despite spending seven years in his role as Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter, the actor made the huge decision to quit the soap in 2022 He has told how the Rivals role - and daughter Dani Dyer triumphing in Love Island in 2018 - saw his bank balance rocket. He added his income "tripled" and said: "Honestly, I was the father of the f***ing year and I'd done f*** all. I thought, what a touch!" RIVALS RETURN As per the original book, the first series of Rivals was set in the fictional county of Rutshire in the 80s. Rivals: The Cast An ensemble of stars make up the huge cast of the hit Disney+ show Rivals. Alex Hassell - Rupert Campbell-Black (A retired Olympian show jumper who is now a Tory MP and sports minister) David Tennant - Lord Baddingham (The managing director of Corinium Television) Aidan Turner - Declan O'Hara (Former BBC journalist who is lured over to Corinium) Victoria Smurfit - Maud O'Hara (Declan's wretched wife and a former actress) Nafessa Williams - Cameron Cook (No-nonsense American TV producer who works for Corinium) Bella Maclean - Agatha 'Taggie' O'Hara (Eldest daughter of Declan and Maud who wants to own her own catering business) Katherine Parkinson - Lizzie Vereker (A romance author and resident of Rutshire) Oliver Chris - James Vereker (TV host at Corinium and Lizzie's self-absorbed husband) Danny Dyer - Freddie Jones (Self-made successful electronics businessman and resident in Rutshire) Lisa McGrillis - Valerie Jones (Freddie's wife who is a notorious social climber) Emily Atack - Sarah Stratton (The second wife of MP Paul Stratton, who wants to become a TV presenter) Rufus Jones - Paul Stratton (British MP going through a mid-life crisis) Claire Rushbrook - Monica, Lady Baddingham (Tony's wife) Luke Pasqualino - Basil 'Bas' Baddingham (Tony's younger and promiscuous half-brother) Gary Lamont - Charles Fairburn (Controller of programmes at Corinium) Long-held grudges bubbled to the surface as the characters vie for business and each others' affections in the cut-throat world of telly execs. Viewers tuned into the show in droves as they raved about the racy action in both the bedroom and boardroom. After the jaw-dropping cliffhanger ending, many viewers eagerly waited to watch more. The streaming giant then confirmed that the critically acclaimed series has been given the go-ahead for a second outing. We previously reported that bosses were so impressed by early screenings of the show, they commissioned the sequel before it even landed on the platform. A source previously told us: "Going for a follow-up is a no-brainer, though these things take money and time, particularly as they have to try to align the very busy diaries of Rivals' star-studded cast." 6 The actor told how he was up for a full-frontal nude scene Credit: BBC 6 Danny told how he was 'off his nut on drugs' during filming for EastEnders Credit: BBC
The Irish Sun
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Danny Dyer reveals he'll strip totally naked in full-frontal nude scene in new bumper sized season of Rivals
DANNY Dyer has revealed he'll strip completely starkers in the new series of Rivals. The ex EastEnders alum, 47, plays Freddie Jones in the Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel - and he's eager for a piece of the racy action. 6 Danny Dyer has revealed he'll go starkers in the new series of Rivals Credit: Getty 6 He played affable Freddie Jones in the Disney+ adaptation of Jilly Cooper's novel Credit: Robert Viglasky 6 He is eager for a racy script for the second Rivals season, which has already been confirmed Credit: Robert Viglasky With his fake moustache and wig, he played a working class lad who found himself in higher social circles due to his skills in IT. Yet Danny is eager to get his kit off as the kind-hearted, dispute-fixing character returns for He candidly said: "I do think I will get my c**k out in the second series!" Show fans were stunned as the series read more danny dyer Danny added of his next career steps: "I've always believed I had something about me and that I can act. "It is just a matter of never giving up, really. Especially in our world where you get used to a lot of rejection. "I've never faded into the shadows and always thought 'No, f**k it, I want to do something, I want to get out the council estate and earn a few quid'." Danny, who exclusively Most read in Drama "It saved my f***ing career. I'd be f***ed without it." It came as he also revealed his true feelings about co-star Jessie Wallace. Danny Dyer calls himself a 'p---k' as he candidly opens up about split from wife Jo in The Assembly Despite spending seven years in his role as Queen Vic landlord Mick Carter, the actor made the in 2022 He has told how the Rivals role - and daughter Dani Dyer triumphing in Love Island in 2018 - saw his bank balance rocket. He added his income "tripled" and said: "Honestly, I was the father of the f***ing year and I'd done f*** all. I thought, what a touch!" RIVALS RETURN As per the original book, the first series of Rivals: The Cast An ensemble of stars make up the huge cast of the hit Disney+ show Rivals. Victoria Smurfit - Maud O'Hara (Declan's wretched wife and a former actress) Danny Dyer - Freddie Jones (Self-made successful electronics businessman and resident in Rutshire) Rufus Jones - Paul Stratton (British MP going through a mid-life crisis) Long-held grudges bubbled to the surface as the characters vie for business and each others' affections in the Viewers tuned into the show in droves as they raved about the After the jaw-dropping cliffhanger ending, The streaming giant then confirmed that the critically acclaimed series has been We previously reported that bosses were so impressed by early screenings of the show, on the platform. A source previously told us: " Going for a follow-up is a no-brainer, though these things take money and time, particularly as they have to try to align the very busy diaries of Rivals' star-studded cast." 6 The actor told how he was up for a full-frontal nude scene Credit: BBC 6 Danny told how he was 'off his nut on drugs' during filming for EastEnders Credit: BBC 6 He admitted his wages 'tripled' when daughter Dani won Love Island Credit: Getty
