Latest news with #Glaswegian
Edinburgh Live
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
East Lothian bingo caller's heartwarming tribute to brother ahead of BGT final
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info East Lothian holiday park bingo caller Vinnie McKee is just one performance away from potentially clinching the title of this year's Britain's Got Talent champion. The 29 year old Glaswegian from Ruchazie is counting on Scotland's support as he prepares to take the stage in tonight's eagerly anticipated live final. Vinnie, who has been deeply affected by the loss of his brother Frankie last year to a suspected irregular heartbeat, believes his brother will be with him in spirit during his performance. The entertainer, who works at Dunbar's Thurston Manor Holiday Park, impressed with his rendition of The Proclaimers' classic 'I'm Gonna Be (500 miles)' at his audition and earned Simon Cowell's golden buzzer in the process. Vinnie said: "When I step on stage tonight my brother will be there with me and I will 100 per cent be singing for him." He recounted feeling his late brother's presence during the live semi-final, saying: "I felt Frankie beside me when I sang in the live semi-final. I spoke to him before I went on saying he better be on stage waiting for me as I could not walk out there myself and he was.", reports the Daily Record. Vinnie opened up about the profound impact his brother's passing had on his family, describing the past year as the most challenging period of their lives, but noted that BGT has brought them a glimmer of hope. He expressed how participating in BGT has been a beacon of light amidst the darkness, stating: "Losing him has been devastating for my whole family. Last year was the worst time of our lives but BGT has given us all something to be excited about. It's been a bit of light at the end of a very long tunnel." Reflecting on his journey to the final, Vinnie revealed the personal significance behind his audition song choice: "When I sang 500 Miles in my audition it was an ode to my brother and everything that has happened to our family." He confessed that while he didn't verbalise the tribute at the time, he believes the emotion resonated in his voice as he performed: "I didn't say that out loud at the time but I think everyone could feel and hear the emotion in my voice as I sang the words. "My mum, dad, sister, aunt and uncle will all be in the audience tonight and Frankie will be with me on stage cheering me on. I want to make him, my family and Scotland proud." Vinnie, who is gearing up to wow at this year's Pride of Scotland Awards, is set for a final showdown alongside LED dance squad The Blackouts, the youthful guitar wizard Olly Pearson, ping pong dance ensemble Ping Pong Pang and humourist Joseph Charm. Joining them in the quest for glory are vocalists Maya Giotea and Stacey Leadbeatter, the impassioned Hear Our Voice choir, nimble nine year old gymnast Binita Chetry, and drag artist songstress Jasmine Rice in the gripping race to clinch the talent show's top honour. While judges Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden, and Simon Cowell will put forth their critiques, the ultimate decision rests in the hands of the public; Vinnie is counting on passionate support from Scotland to claim victory. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. Should he triumph, the soul-stirring crooner would become the second Scot to seize victory on the renowned ITV programme, echoing the success of Jai McDowell, who earned accolades as champion back in 2011. With his semi-final rendition of Snow Patrol's "Chasing Cars" leaving audiences captivated, Vinnie expressed: "I am so proud to be flying the flag for Scotland and it would be amazing if the nation got behind me tonight and voted." He added with heartfelt pride, "I feel like I have already won as reaching a final is a huge achievement for a wee boy from the East End of Glasgow." He revealed the shock of performing for millions compared to families at the holiday park: "This is the biggest thing I have ever done and I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure it is really happening. I'm used to singing in front of a room full of families in a caravan park and now I'm singing live in front of millions." Don't miss the Britain's Got Talent live final airing tonight on ITV1 and ITVX at 7pm.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Maya Jama shares sweet video with rarely seen Scottish grandad on family holiday
The telly favourite even gave a Scottish accent a go SCOTS ROOTS Maya Jama shares sweet video with rarely seen Scottish grandad on family holiday Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MAYA Jama shared a sweet clip with her rarely-seen Scots grandad while soaking up the sun in Thailand. The Bristol-born Love Island host, 30, posted the TikTok video from a plush hotel where she enjoyed a luxury getaway with her family last month. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Maya Jama shared a cute video with her Scots grandad on TikTok Credit: TIKTOK 2 He comes from Dollar in Clackmannanshire Credit: TIKTOK In the cheeky clip, Maya cleared up any confusion about her roots as she chatted with her grandad, who proudly comes from Dollar, Clackmannanshire. The telly favourite even gave a Scottish accent a go - much to the delight of her fans. Maya said: "Everyone was asking if my grandad's Scottish. Yes, he is. Look!" She turned the camera to her grandad, who wasted no time shutting down any doubts, saying: "Listen you lot, I'll tell you once and I won't tell you again. I'm f*****g Scottish, right? So no more f*****g b******t." Maya added: "And he's from Dollar in Scotland. All I remember about Dollar is that there were loads of hills. Loads and loads of hills. The people were lovely over there. Loads of glens and castles." The pair kept the banter going, with Maya giving a half-decent Scottish accent a shot, saying: "Too right, aye a f*****g castle. Aye man, I canny even f*****g stand it." She then jokingly asked her grandad about his kilt, quipping: "I want to borrow that kilt." Fans flooded the comments to praise Maya's attempt at the Scottish lingo. One wrote: "Your accent is brilliant!" Another added: "The Scottish accent sounds good on you." Maya Jama looks incredible as she dives in the sea in thong bikini We previously told how Maya, who's dating Manchester City star Ruben Dias, admitted she has a soft spot for Scotland. She even revealed that she supports Scotland during major football tournaments. Last year, a snap of Maya sporting a Rangers top gifted by her Glaswegian pals was shared online by a fan. A Gers fan posted the pic of Maya rocking the kit, which she revealed was given to her as a birthday present by friends in Glasgow.
Metro
11 hours ago
- Metro
Fears grow for British tourist who vanished on first night of stag do in Algarve
Fears are growing for a British tourist who has been missing for four days after a night out in Portugal's Algarve. Greg Monks, 38, had travelled to the party resort of Albufeira for a five-day stag do. His parents and his girlfriend Nicole Ashleigh Kelso have now flown to the nearby Faro Airport to search for the Glaswegian as his disappearance is seen as 'completely out of character.' His sister Jillian sounded the alert on Friday, saying that he had last been seen in the early hours of Wednesday on his way back to the apartment he was staying in. She wrote on an Albufeira website for UK expats: 'My brother has not been since Tuesday evening. 'If you are currently there and have any information place contact me with any info.' Jillian revealed that police had placed her brother around Cerro da Aguia, a ridge overlooking the coastline, on the outskirts of Albufeira, on the night he vanished. The hill with residential properties is more than an hour's walk west of the Albufeira Strip where Greg is thought to have left his friends, whereas the Novochoro Apartments he had checked into on Tuesday night is a 30-minute walk north. Responding to the wave of support from British holidaymakers and expats as well as locals, Jillian said in a new Facebook post late last night: 'Hi all. Thank you for all information and shares and we truly appreciate it. There have still been no sightings or no updates at present. More Trending 'As previously stated, this is so unlike Greg and we are truly desperate for answers. 'I am now seeking help from residents of the Cerro da Aguia area to please check any home cameras or doorbell footage around between 2am and 5am on Wednesday as police believe he was in the area around this time. 'Please share this if you know anyone in the area. Asking for people that live in Cerro da Aguia that have cameras that cover the street or parts of the street to send me a message with their name and phone number.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Stag do marched off easyJet flight for abusing crew, vaping and drinking too much MORE: British man who vanished nearly a month ago in Amsterdam has been found MORE: Urgent search for British man, 24, missing in Spain after his van is found abandoned
Edinburgh Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Billy Connolly's life from net worth to health and return to screen after six years
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Sir Billy Connolly has been bringing a smile to people's faces for more than 50 years, thanks to his long career in comedy. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin, meaning The Big One. Despite being recognised as one of the finest comedians, the much-loved star initially entered the entertainment industry as a folk singer with the Glaswegian group The Humblebums. However, by the mid-70s, he transitioned from being the band's humorous frontman to a full-time stand-up comedian. His debut solo album, a blend of music and comedy sketches, featured one of his most renowned routines, The Crucifixion, where he compares the Last Supper to a boozy night out in Glasgow. The success of the album and subsequent live performances catapulted him to UK fame, making his first appearance on BBC's flagship chat show, Parkinson, in 1975. (Image: Luke MacGregor/PA Wire) Is Billy Connolly married and does he have children? In 1968, at the age of 26, Billy married his first wife, fellow Scot Iris Pressagh and together the pair had two children. They divorced in 1985, and in 1989, Billy went on to tie the knot with New Zealand-born writer and psychologist Pamela Stephenson. The couple are still married and also have three children together. (Image: David M. Benett/for Audi) Billy Connolly's health battle Billy has been battling Parkinson's disease, a degenerative brain condition, since 2013. In 2018, he released a documentary titled Made In Scotland, where he reflected on his life, career, and illness. At the time he said that when he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, he felt like his life was "slipping away". He was dealt a devastating blow when he was diagnosed with both prostate cancer, which he later received the all-clear on, and Parkinson's at the same time. Last year, he teased that he may return to screens after retiring from the scene six years ago. He took a break from doing sketches when he started to forget his routines. At the time, Mike Reilly, who has collaborated with Sir Billy for over a decade, has revealed that the comedian has approached him about working on a new project. (Image: BBC) He remained secretive, telling the Metro: "I've been asked about doing something else with him, which we're in conversations about that. "But I'm not allowed to say what it is. But it'll be nice if it happens, it'll be great if it happens." Mike insisted that he was not putting pressure on the actor and comedy legend, saying they are working on new ideas at a pace that works for him. What is Billy Connolly's net worth? Billy has an impressive wealth thanks to his long career as an actor and comedian. It is reported that he has a fortune of £16.5M. This has been earned through Billy's work as a movie actor and stand-up comedian.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Fears mount for missing Brit who vanished just hours after flying abroad
Greg Monks, from Glasgow in Scotland, was last seen in the Portuguese party resort of Albufeira before disappearing on Tuesday evening, hours after landing in the Algarve Fears are growing for a missing British holidaymaker who vanished during a night out with friends hours after flying to the Algarve on Tuesday. The family of the tourist have appealed to expats in the area in a "desperate" attempt for more information about the disappearance, saying it is "not like him to do this". Greg Monks, from Glasgow in Scotland, was last seen in the party resort of Albufeira before disappearing on Tuesday evening, his sister Julian said. The worried sibling sounded the alert today, May 29, saying the Glaswegian had been on his first night out in the sunshine resort when he vanished. The sister of the missing man described his disappearance as "completely out of character." She wrote on an Albufeira expat site: "My brother has not been since Tuesday evening. If you are currently there and have any information place contact me with any info." Jillian also confirmed her brother's disappearance had been reported to the British Embassy as well as police and his hotel. She said: "Please any info. We are desperate. Not like him to do this." Alison Meechan Fraser, from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire, subsequently confirmed the 38-year-old had been reported missing and police were looking for him. She said: "He was with a group of friends. All the other boys are at the accommodation. They all arrived Tuesday, went on a night out and none of them have seen him since late Tuesday/early Wednesday. "It's out of character, he's 38 and named Greg." Portuguese police could not be reached for an immediate contact this afternoon. Other British holidaymakers reacted to Jillian's SOS by promising their support. Last month, Edinburgh University history student Gregor Thomson vanished briefly less than a full day after arriving in Madrid with rugby club teammates for a weekend trip abroad. Relatives of the student said he had last been seen at Diverzo Cocktail Bar in the Spanish capital at around 1.30am on April 26, where he became separated from his friends. The 21-year-old's dad Dan Murray said his son and his friends had "obviously had a few drinks", meaning things were "a little bit hazy" regarding the situation. The father later touched down in Madrid to learn his son had reappeared. His return was confirmed by cousin Amy Hood on April 27, who said: "He has been found safe and well. Thank you all for your concern it is much appreciated." Members of the public expressed their relief at the "brilliant news" on social media, with one commenting: "Sending love to all family, I'm so pleased he is back and safe, what a relief for the family."
