Latest news with #Gallacher
Sydney Morning Herald
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
Dating apps be damned, this live game show is connecting real people
There's a fair bit to love about The Dating Game – the pearly-white smile of host Jim Lange, the groovy beat of Spanish Flea, the 'flower power' decals. It was also television's first ever dating game show, debuting in 1965. From there, however, it arguably goes astray. If the 'lucky girl' isn't asking the three anonymous bachelors what they would do if she ' squeezed them real hard ', she's wondering what their mothers would say if they discovered their son's body was deemed 'the eighth wonder of the world'. Sexual and superficial, these were the trademarks of retro dating shows like The Dating Game, Blind Date and Australia's Perfect Match. But perhaps even more concerning was the frequent objectification of contestants, particularly the women, as well as the serious lack of diversity and participant screening. After all, The Dating Game is where serial killer Rodney Alcala famously featured in 1978. To resurrect a show like this would require some serious reworking. But that hasn't deterred Conor Gallacher who, together with Melbourne-based friends Alex Reid and Xander Allan, created Human Love Quest, today's answer to The Dating Game. 'The old shows seemed to just involve a lot of cheesy answers, like they 'enjoy long walks on the beach'. Who actually says that?' Gallacher says. 'The things our contestants say are based in either the mundane or the important, but it's always based in some level of reality we can relate to … So, someone could ask what their last relationship taught them about themselves and then follow it up with the order they put on their socks and shoes.' Human Love Quest 's aesthetic and premise are nearly identical to the old-school shows – three hopefuls vie for the attention of one solo contestant who sits behind a partition. It even features Perfect Match 's Dexter the Robot. However, that's generally where the comparison ends. It began as a monthly live show at the Brunswick Ballroom, and has now evolved into a three-show extravaganza at ACMI. Gallacher says it's confessional in a non-exploitative way, and unlike the '60s iterations, it represents modern-day diversity, thus allowing any adult (regardless of gender, background and sexual orientation) to apply.
The Age
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
Dating apps be damned, this live game show is connecting real people
There's a fair bit to love about The Dating Game – the pearly-white smile of host Jim Lange, the groovy beat of Spanish Flea, the 'flower power' decals. It was also television's first ever dating game show, debuting in 1965. From there, however, it arguably goes astray. If the 'lucky girl' isn't asking the three anonymous bachelors what they would do if she ' squeezed them real hard ', she's wondering what their mothers would say if they discovered their son's body was deemed 'the eighth wonder of the world'. Sexual and superficial, these were the trademarks of retro dating shows like The Dating Game, Blind Date and Australia's Perfect Match. But perhaps even more concerning was the frequent objectification of contestants, particularly the women, as well as the serious lack of diversity and participant screening. After all, The Dating Game is where serial killer Rodney Alcala famously featured in 1978. To resurrect a show like this would require some serious reworking. But that hasn't deterred Conor Gallacher who, together with Melbourne-based friends Alex Reid and Xander Allan, created Human Love Quest, today's answer to The Dating Game. 'The old shows seemed to just involve a lot of cheesy answers, like they 'enjoy long walks on the beach'. Who actually says that?' Gallacher says. 'The things our contestants say are based in either the mundane or the important, but it's always based in some level of reality we can relate to … So, someone could ask what their last relationship taught them about themselves and then follow it up with the order they put on their socks and shoes.' Human Love Quest 's aesthetic and premise are nearly identical to the old-school shows – three hopefuls vie for the attention of one solo contestant who sits behind a partition. It even features Perfect Match 's Dexter the Robot. However, that's generally where the comparison ends. It began as a monthly live show at the Brunswick Ballroom, and has now evolved into a three-show extravaganza at ACMI. Gallacher says it's confessional in a non-exploitative way, and unlike the '60s iterations, it represents modern-day diversity, thus allowing any adult (regardless of gender, background and sexual orientation) to apply.
Express Tribune
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Who is Russell Brand's wife? Inside Laura Gallacher's relationship with the comedian as he faces court for assault charges
Russell Brand's legal situation has brought renewed attention to his personal life, particularly his marriage to Laura Gallacher. The comedian and actor was granted bail on 2 May after appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court to face five charges, including rape, oral rape, indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. The alleged offences involve four women and are said to have taken place between 1999 and 2005. As Brand awaits his next court appearance at the Old Bailey on 30 May, interest has grown around his wife, Laura Gallacher. A writer and entrepreneur, Gallacher is the sister of television presenter Kirsty Gallacher and the daughter of former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher. She married Brand in 2017 during a private ceremony near Henley-on-Thames. The couple share three children and live in the English countryside. Gallacher and Brand first met in 2007 and reconnected in 2015. Speaking in a past interview, Gallacher described their reunion as unexpected but meaningful, saying she ran into Brand by chance while recovering from a previous relationship. They later rekindled their connection, leading to marriage and family life away from the public spotlight. Before marrying Gallacher, Brand was married to pop star Katy Perry. The pair tied the knot in India in 2010 and finalised their divorce in 2012. Perry later revealed that Brand ended their marriage via text and said they had no further contact afterward. In a video response following his indictment, Brand denied all allegations, stating, 'I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist. I've never engaged in non-consensual activity.'
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Kirsty Gallacher reveals impact of ear tumour and ‘severe tinnitus' as she opens up about hearing loss on Vanessa Feltz show
Kirsty Gallacher has opened up about her ongoing battle with tinnitus and hearing loss, stemming from a benign tumour in her right ear. Speaking on The Vanessa Feltz Show alongside audiologist Dr Gladys Sanda, the 49-year-old presenter discussed the challenges she faces in noisy environments. She said: 'They have suggested a hearing aid. I'm not there yet, I don't think. I'm managing it fine. 'I do find it upsetting and I sympathise... it's management and sometimes if I'm in an acoustically difficult environment, say I was out for dinner last night, noisy environment, I have to leave sometimes. I get really upset. 'I can't cope with it because I can't hear anyone... I now look at people's lips because my hearing loss is pretty bad in my right ear.' Ms Gallacher was diagnosed with an acoustic neuroma—a benign tumour in the inner ear canal—after experiencing hearing difficulties during rehearsals for GB News in 2021. Initially fearing a brain tumour, the mother-of-two underwent an MRI scan which confirmed the diagnosis. Speaking candidly on Loose Women in 2022, she recalled: 'I woke up in the summer one morning and I couldn't hear very well in my right ear. I thought "it will pop at some point". It didn't pop. I went on a plane the next week, it didn't pop. 'I went to the doctor and she said "how long has this been going on?" and I said "two weeks". She checked and said you're very healthy, this is an emergency. 'I said "could it be a tumour?" and she said "listen, it probably isn't, but you're going to see a consultant tomorrow".' 'He said "I'm gonna give you a steroid injection into your eardrum." I went back the week after, he said it was an MRI scan. They found I had a very small tumour right in the inner ear canal.' 'I had to have an MRI and doctors discovered I had an acoustic neuroma,' she previously said. 'We have to monitor it as I don't want them to operate on it as it's so close to the brain. I have to have targeted radiotherapy for it, so I'm having to think about that and when I will do it.' The condition has led to severe tinnitus, affecting her sleep and prompting her to step back from her role at GB News. She wrote on Instagram at the time: 'During the summer I discovered I have a tumour in the inner canal of my right ear. Thankfully, it's benign and not hugely detrimental to my normal life. 'However, the tumour has caused severe tinnitus which makes it very difficult to sleep. Sadly my 3am starts at GB News, compounded by sleep deprivation, are exacerbating my symptoms.' Despite these challenges, Ms Gallacher remains optimistic. 'I'm fine, I just have to be ... I'm very lucky and grateful,' she said. She continues to manage her condition while maintaining her career, including her current role as a presenter on Gold Radio. This comes the day after a fiery exchange on The Vanessa Feltz Show, in which the host clashed with co-star Cristo Foufas during a debate on menopause and the need for greater workplace support. Feltz, 63, grew visibly exasperated as Foufas argued that similar support should be extended to men experiencing what he dubbed the 'manopause'. 'It is a medical condition so there absolutely should be accommodations made for you at work,' he said. 'But what I will say is if that's the case for women, we should also have something similar for the manopause.' Fellow guest Jenny Powell retorted sarcastically: 'Right, well how are you suffering at the moment with your manopause?' Foufas replied: 'I am at the age now where I have a drop in testosterone. You get more lethargic and tired and I know it's not as extreme as the menopause but...' Interrupting, a stunned Feltz said: 'As extreme?! Any minute now you are going to find yourself booted off my pink sofa. Jenny is being incredibly reserved by not giving you a right thump on the TV!' Still undeterred, Foufas added: 'I am not underplaying what women go through, but if a man is genuinely lethargic and tired as a result of testosterone levels having dropped, I think that is a valid reason to have some time off work—the same way I would never undermine a woman needing time off.' Feltz shot back: 'You need one appointment with your doctor to rectify that—what time do you need off!?' 'You have to wait months to have your testosterone tested,' Foufas replied. 'For heaven's sake! I think how very dare you, really!' said Feltz, bringing the debate to a heated close.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Couple travel 300 miles to try and smuggle £1,800 worth of 'the drug of the moment' into music festival
A judge says 'drug of the moment' ketamine should be reclassified after a couple travelled hundreds of miles to try and smuggle almost 2,000 worth of it into a music festival. Erin Gallacher, 23, and her then boyfriend Keir Lyons, both from Scotland, were arrested at Creamfields festival in Runcorn, Cheshire after she tried to sneak in 46 wraps of ketamine hidden inside two Kinder egg tubes, concealed in her vagina. Passing sentence, Judge Patrick Thompson said it was 'so prominent now' and that the consequences of its use are 'most people's worst nightmare.' READ MORE: Mum, 41, found dead in bed after telling husband 'I love you' READ MORE: 'What this man has done to his own mother and his family is unforgivable' He said the majority of judges wanted the Class B drug, which has seen record levels of abuse in the last two years, upgraded to Class A. Chester Crown Court heard the couple were caught after travelling to the popular event on August 25, 2023 by coach. Will Griffin, prosecuting, said: 'They had a weekend pass but when trying to enter, Miss Gallacher was stopped by security, searched and found to have concealed drugs. "She claimed to have been paid to take the drugs into the festival and made arrangements on the coach. She then became very emotional and Mr Lyons said he would take responsibility for the drugs.' When quizzed, Gallacher claimed they had not planned to smuggle the drugs into the event whilst Lyons insisted the items were for their own use the court was told. Judge Thompson said: ''What planet do people think judges are on? If they had taken 46 wraps over the weekend they would probably both be using colostomy bags now. I have heard every excuse in the book. I know exactly what was going on." He said their excuses were 'just not believable.' He continued: 'I have been dealing with Creamfields cases for the 15 years I have been sitting, rather too often for my liking. No-one seems to get the message. The drug of the moment seems to be ketamine. "I do not know why people do not realise the damage done to the bladder and bowels. It is most people's worst nightmare to have a colostomy bag. 'More and more people have them because that is what ketamine does to your insides. It is a category B drug but most judges feel it should be category A. I do not know why it is category B because it is so prominent now and the damage it is causing to people. 'But people choose to take the drug. It puts a strain on the NHS for various bladder and bowel operations that they have to do. "During a murder case at court recently, the defendant constantly had to be allowed breaks for the toilet. He was a ketamine user and his bladder was shot to bits. That is what it gets to.'' He added: ''This court really is tired with dealing with young people like yourselves, young people who have everything going for them, have a bright future, who choose to turn up at Creamfields, travel long distances, like you did, and decide that they will get some drugs into the festival. The reason for that, is that they are double the value once you get through the security gate. 'This court is not naive about Creamfields. For 15 years I have been sending young people to prison. It was not something I enjoyed. In fact it is very depressing. '' Gallacher, of Garvock Place, Dundee and Lyons, of Glamis Road, Dundee, both admitted possession of ketamine with intent to supply. Barrister Paul Wood representing Gallacher said: 'This was an act of immaturity but she has now stopped using ketamine. She has disassociated from peers who were more pro-drug. "She lives with her parents who are described as upset but supportive. She has learnt her lesson and there is genuine remorse.'' For Lyons defence counsel Oliver Saddington said his client's parents had both died due to a drug use and added: ''It is astonishing to me as it is to the court, that he now appears to be sentenced for drugs offences bearing in mind what happened to his parents. It's a painful irony.'' Gallacher, who wept in the dock, was sentenced to four months in jail, suspended for 18 months, along with 200 hours of unpaid work whilst Lyons was sentenced to 12 months in jail, suspended for 12 months, along with 300 hours of unpaid work.
