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Wales Online
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
The Chase's Paul Sinha forced to give up vital part of career due to health struggle
The Chase's Paul Sinha forced to give up vital part of career due to health struggle The Chase star and comedian Paul Sinha has opened up about his struggle with Parkinson's disease, revealing that he has been forced to give up a key part of his career Paul Sinah, known as the Sinnerman on ITV's popular quiz show, The Chase (Image: ITV ) Paul Sinha, known for his role on ITV's The Chase, ventured into stand-up comedy while working as a junior doctor, yet his diagnosis of Parkinson's disease has made his participation in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival increasingly difficult. In 2019, after noticing his limp growing worse on one side, Paul was diagnosed with Parkinson's, a progressive neurological condition that gradually impairs parts of the brain. Symptoms include tremors, balance complications, sleep disturbances, psychosis, and emotional fluctuations. There is currently no cure for the neurological condition, and Paul Sinha, also known as The Sinnerman on The Chase, has opened up about living with Parkinson's and how it has impacted his life. Having been a dedicated attendee of the festival, revelling what he called the "exercise in masochism" of enduring multiple shows in compact, crowded spaces, Paul now faces significant challenges. Speaking to Tim Lihoreau on the Guess Who's Coming to Dinner podcast, Paul, who turned 55 on Wednesday, admitted: "I now find with my health not being what it was, and my general energy levels, I find it a lot harder – not least the heat." He further said: "The rooms at the Edinburgh Festival are really hot, the performing rooms, and I find it hard." Paul went on to discuss his reluctance to leave the festival prematurely, saying: "I don't think I could ever go to Edinburgh and leave early, because I just wouldn't feel like I was part of the gang.", reports Bristol Live. "You've got to be genuinely suffering to a degree to feel that you're part of the gang." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter Previously, Paul has candidly spoken about how early warning signs of his disease were overlooked. His friends in the medical field initially failed to spot his symptoms, but it was during a follow-up consultation that the extent of his illness came to light. Recapping his experience to The Sun, Paul relays a notable comment from his consultant: "I went to see him and he said, 'I've just been watching you on Taskmaster, I wish I'd known. I would have diagnosed you far quicker'," observing that certain gestures he made were symptomatic. The renowned quizzer emphasised that while tremors are commonly associated with Parkinson's, there is less awareness about other symptoms. He mentioned diminished sense of smell as one of the first potential indications that could arise well before the more obvious tremors. He also cited nerve pain, issues with urination, and memory lapses as potential early warning signs of the disease. On Loose Women, Paul discussed another symptom: a lingering shoulder problem that hinted at his condition: "I presented one morning with a stiff, painful right shoulder. I never had a stiff joint before," he explained. "I didn't think anything of it, I thought, 'this is just going to go away,' and then it just never went away." Paul makes a concerted effort to preserve his mental sharpness through daily brain exercises. One of his go-to activities is participating in Tea Time Trivia, an online quickfire quiz at 6pm, emphasising the significance of this routine by saying: "It's something that's always on your mind because my brain is my tool," he said. "If I become more physically disabled, I'll still be able to do The Chase and I'll still be able to do stand-up comedy." Article continues below
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
ITV The Chase Paul Singha's health battle which has made comedy career 'harder'
Paul Sinha, who is known as The Sinnerman, often performed stand-up comedy at Edinburgh Fringe Festival but has been forced to give up a vital part of his career. The Chase star Paul Sinha is most notably known as The Sinnerman on the popular ITV quiz show. However aside from being a brain genius, he is also known for dabbling in stand-up comedy. He juggled his comic flair with his job as a junior doctor before his Parkinson's diagnosis in 2019, which has since made it tough for him to participate in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, an integral event for comedians held in Scotland. While he used to be an enthusiastic participant at the festival, enjoying what he dubbed an "exercise in masochism" by engaging with a number of shows in tight and crowded spaces, it now proves to be a struggle eports Bristol Live. On Tim Lihoreau's Guess Who's Coming to Dinner podcast, Paul, who turned 55 on Wednesday, expressed: "I now find with my health not being what it was, and my general energy levels, I find it a lot harder – not least the heat." He elaborated on the conditions at the festival by saying: "The rooms at the Edinburgh Festival are really hot, the performing rooms, and I find it hard." Paul then reflected on how departing the festival prematurely would alienate him, admitting: "I don't think I could ever go to Edinburgh and leave early, because I just wouldn't feel like I was part of the gang." He added: "You've got to be genuinely suffering to a degree to feel that you're part of the gang." His Parkinson's symptoms first called for medical attention when he noticed his right limp becoming increasingly worse. The condition is characterised as a progressive neurological disorder that incrementally impairs sections of the brain, resulting in issues such as shaking, balance difficulties, sleep disruptions, psychotic episodes, and emotional fluctuations. Currently, there is no definitive treatment for the disease. The Chase's beloved quiz genius Paul, has been candid about his Parkinson's diagnosis and the signs that were initially overlooked. Despite having colleagues in medicine observe early signs of the illness, it took a while before he received an accurate diagnosis. In recounting his journey to The Sun, Paul shared a telling quote from his consultant: "I went to see him and he said, 'I've just been watching you on Taskmaster, I wish I'd known. I would have diagnosed you far quicker'," pointing out specific movements that signalled the condition. The quizzing champion underscored that although tremors are a common symptom associated with Parkinson's, the wider public might not be aware of the other effects. He noted that anosmia or loss of smell can be amongst the initial signs, potentially occurring years prior to other more recognisable symptoms. He also highlighted that other early warning signs may include neuropathic pain, difficulties with urination, and cognitive challenges. During a segment on Loose Women, Paul discussed how a persistent shoulder problem hinted at the underlying condition: "I presented one morning with a stiff, painful right shoulder. I never had a stiff joint before," he said. "I didn't think anything of it, I thought, 'this is just going to go away,' and then it just never went away." Committed to preserving his sharp mind, Paul partakes in daily brain workouts. He participates in Tea Time Trivia, an online speed quiz at 6pm, and underlines the significance of this habit: "It's something that's always on your mind because my brain is my tool," he said. He then highlighted a pragmatic outlook regarding his capacity to work, saying, "If I become more physically disabled, I'll still be able to do The Chase and I'll still be able to do stand-up comedy."
The Guardian
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Number One on the Call Sheet review – a spectacular tribute to black excellence in Hollywood
Denzel Washington. Don Cheadle. Morgan Freeman. Laurence Fishburne. Idris Elba. Viola Davis. Halle Berry. Cynthia Erivo. Angela Bassett. Octavia Spencer. To say that the cast of Apple's new two-part, feature-length documentary series is stacked would be an understatement, and that truly is only a smattering of its many interviewees: I'd be here all week if I listed every single one. A celebration of black excellence in Hollywood, these two films are produced by the likes of Jamie Foxx and Kevin Hart, and stuffed full of household names who have made it to that coveted No 1 spot on the call sheet – in other words, the top-billed star of a production. They also offer a potted history of how black actors came to thrive in Hollywood – and the struggle baked into almost every stage of that process. Episode one focuses on male stars, juxtaposing more established names with a new generation of actors, such as Michael B Jordan, John Boyega, Daniel Kaluuya and the late Chadwick Boseman. We start, though, with Sidney Poitier, and the debt that so many performers feel towards the pioneering star of In the Heat of the Night and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Director Reginald Hudlin cleverly segues between archive footage and new interviews, as we observe Washington's tribute to Poitier on stage at the Oscars in 2002 (the former won best actor, while the latter picked up an honorary Academy award). Present-day Washington then adds more colour to the story, namechecking the stars who Poitier had in turn tipped his hat to: James Edwards, Canada Lee, Paul Robeson and – of course – Hattie McDaniel, the first black Oscar winner (in 1940, for Gone With the Wind), whose story we return to in the 'women' episode. We race through the decades – via Blazing Saddles and blaxploitation – before arriving at Eddie Murphy's imperial phase, when he showed that a black comic actor could garner mainstream acclaim in films such as Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America. If you've forgotten just how big a deal Murphy was in the 80s and 90s, he's here to remind us, complete with some wicked anecdotes, such as, er, the time James Brown advised him to bury his money in the woods to keep it away from the government. As his life story begins to coalesce with that of his biggest fan, Will Smith, there's the risk of these actors going all luvvie central on us. But, luckily, even when Smith (and, later, Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson) begin to speak in riddles and motivational metaphors, the episode stays on the right side of self aware. Its best moments are those that highlight candid, endearing memories, such as Boyz N the Hood's Morris Chestnut confessing that the film's Cannes success went right over his head (he remembers asking: 'Are they gonna release it here in LA …?'). The second instalment – directed by Shola Lynch – pays homage to Whoopi Goldberg in the same way as it does Murphy, reminding viewers that, at the peak of her powers, she was the cream of the comedy crop and totally devastating as Celie in The Color Purple. But Goldberg had to fight for even her most memorable roles; she explains that she only got Sister Act because Bette Midler wasn't available, and Patrick Swayze fought for her to be cast alongside him in Ghost. Elsewhere, we hear from actors at the top of their game who are yet to get the awards-show recognition they deserve; the disappointment on Erivo's face as she learns that Renée Zellweger has won the 2020 best actress Oscar is positively heartbreaking. Meanwhile, the temptation to generalise is resisted. After all, audiences of all races are likely aware that Halle Berry – a former beauty queen whose acting skills were initially underestimated – has had different challenges to overcome in the industry than, say, Gabourey Sidibe. Sidibe speaks beautifully about not conforming to beauty standards: in the way she cared for the titular character in the 2009 film Precious; and feeling that she could relate to a girl who was 'not the sexpot, not the popular girl – not even the one with the cool sneakers'. It isn't a perfect set of films. Samuel L Jackson is conspicuous by his absence (surely the film-makers could've grabbed five minutes with him?!) and Quentin Tarantino makes a needless cameo. And I'm not convinced that splitting the films by gender was necessary. But, Number One on the Call Sheet is still a joy to watch – as a loving homage to black Hollywood's past and a sign of its rude health in the present. Number One on the Call Sheet is on Apple TV+ now.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Oscar trivia questions ahead of film's biggest night
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) — For movie lovers, Oscar night has been a nearly century-long staple of bringing out the brightest and rewarding the biggest names in show business. It also is a night filled with predictions, competitions and viewing parties dedicated to dishing out on celebrities. Whether its the fashion, the performances or seeing an old favorite finally achieving recognition. In preparation for those viewing parties, here are some Academy Awards trivia questions to share with friends and family as you prepare for Hollywood's biggest night. ANSWER: Katharine Hepburn, with four. The actress received her first award for 'Morning Glory' (1934). In the following years she won Best Actress for 'Guess Who's Coming to Dinner' (1968), 'The Lion in Winter' (1969) and 'On Golden Pond' (1982). ANSWER: Hattie McDaniel. The actress won Best Supporting Actress in 1940 for her role as Mammy in 1939's 'Gone with the Wind.' McDaniel was famously not allowed at the Atlanta premiere of the film because it was shown in a whites-only theatre. She also was technically not allowed to attend the awards ceremony, until producer David O. Selznick called in a favor. She was seated in the back of the theatre, away from her fellow nominees, Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable and Olivia de Havilland. As a bonus trivia: the first Black leading actor performance went to Sidney Poitier for 'Lilies of the Field,' 24 years later. ANSWER: 'The Holdovers,' with Da'Vine Joy Randolph winning Best Supporting Actress in 2024. She took home the only trophy of the five nominations that the Alexander Payne-directed film about a curmudgeon all-boy's preparatory school teacher (Paul Giamatti) tasked with watching the misbehaved students stuck at the school over Christmas break earned. ANSWER: Four. 'It's a Wonderful Life' (1946), 'Miracle on 34th Street' (1947), 'The Bishop's Wife' (1947) and 'The Holdovers' (2023) are the only out-and-out Christmas movies to be nominated for the most coveted prize of them all at the ceremony. No Christmas-themed movie has won the award for Best Picture. ANSWER: One, so far. 'The Silence of the Lambs' (1993) is to date the only movie in the horror genre to have taken home the top prize. As a bonus trivia, six other horror films have been nominated for Best Picture throughout the Oscars' 97-year history. Those include: 'The Exorcist' (1973), 'Jaws' (1975), 'The Sixth Sense' (1999), 'Black Swan' (2010), 'Get Out' (2017) and one of this year's nominees, 'The Substance' (2024). ANSWER: Glenn Close and Peter O'Toole, both with 8 nominations and no win. O'Toole was given the Honorary Oscar by the Academy for lifetime achievement in 2003, though it is not a competitive category. ANSWER: 'Shrek' (2001). While many animated films were nominated and won in other categories decades before the DreamWorks classic about the cantankerous ogre was released, the specific 'animated feature' category was not introduced until the 2002 ceremony. ANSWER: Parasite (2019). Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this comedy-thriller about a lower-class family literally sneaking their way to the top won four awards, making history by being the first Korean and non-English film to win Best Picture. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
