Latest news with #Helliar
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Procurement process for two new Northlink ferries launched
The 'freight-flex' ferries, also known as Northern Isles Freight Vessels (NIFV), have been being developed by Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd and naval architects Leadship Design and Consulting, and has been presented to Scottish government ministers and officials. Ms Hyslop confirmed that the design will be the basis of a tendering process, with funding available in the 2025-26 budget. Transport Scotland said that there is a 'potential' contract start on the freighter replacements next year. The freighter-flex vessels will replace the aged Helliar and Hildasay, offering additonal freight capacity, quicker crossings and space for up to 200 passengers on board at peak times. The MS Hildasay (Image: NQ) Ms Hyslop confirmed the launch of the procurement process in response to a parliament question from Highlands and Islands MSP Emma Roddick. She said: 'The Scottish Government is fully committed to investing in all of our lifeline ferry services and so, I am pleased to see this progress in procuring two new freight flex vessels to serve the Northern Isles. 'These new vessels will have increased freight capacity, higher operating speeds, and additional capacity for passengers in peak season. This will enhance the efficiency and reliability of ferry services to best meet the needs of the businesses and communities in the Northern Isles for years to come. 'The start of this procurement is an important milestone in our plans to improve ferry services and I look forward to following the progress of this project over the coming months.' READ MORE: Ferry fare price hike was eight percent more than requested by operators Visitors to Shetland 'twice as likely to be influenced by film, TV or literature' CMAL chief executive Kevin Hobbs said the announcement marked an 'important step forward in strengthening the long-term resilience of the Northern Isles services. 'We look forward to receiving bids that demonstrate innovation, efficiency and the ability to deliver reliable vessels that will support a more adaptable and robust service for years to come,' he added. Fiona Hyslop (Image: NQ) NorthLink managing director Stuart Garrett has thanked all those involved in the project. 'NorthLink Ferries welcomes the additional capacity that the freight flex vessels will provide, enabling us to continue to support the growth of the Northern Isles economies,' he told the Shetland Times. Ms Roddick said: 'It is great news that CMAL is moving to procure two new freight vessels for Orkney and Shetland. 'This will make such a difference to capacity on the route and promote resilience even when there are issues with weather or other disruption.
Courier-Mail
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Courier-Mail
Peter Helliar names worst celeb to interview
Don't miss out on the headlines from Entertainment. Followed categories will be added to My News. Australian comedian and TV personality has named the celebrity responsible for his all-time worst interview: Hollywood action man Mark Wahlberg. Appearing on The Hit Network's Carrie & Tommy show on Tuesday, Helliar recalled flying to the US in 2017 to interview Wahlberg and Will Ferrell to promote their film Daddy's Home 2 for The Project, but said it seemed Wahlberg did not want to be there. Helliar prefaced his interview by saying that he'd interview Wahlberg in the past and 'many times he's been great' – however, on this particular day, 'I think Mark may have either been hungover, tired, or not interested. He had his phone out …' Peter Helliar said he must've caught Wahlberg on a bad day. To be fair, it was 2017. Candy Crush and Farmville were HUGE. Picture:Host Carrie Bickmore asked if Wahlberg had taken his phone out mid-interview, which Helliar confirmed – but said the star did eventually put it away again. 'It was just too weird … he wasn't doing it in a fun way. I've interviewed Will a few times – and he does remember me – and he was a little bit embarrassed and carried the interview. That was not a great one. But I've had experiences with Mark Wahlberg where he has been great,' he said. He did at least smile! Ferrell (left) and Wahlberg chat to Helliar in 2017. The interview aired in November 2017, but it seems it never made it online, save for a brief seven-second teaser clip which was shared to social media before the episode and showed Ferrell and Wahlberg both laughing along with Helliar. Elsewhere in his chat with Carrie and Tommy, Helliar revealed his celebrity 'Hall Pass' – aka his biggest celebrity crush: Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore. 'She's great, she's awesome. Redhead; she's great. I do love Julianne Moore,' he gushed. Aussie hosts name their worst celeb interviews Helliar is hardly the first Australian TV or radio presenter to name and shame a dud celebrity interviewee. Last month, comedian and radio host Mick Molloy named F1 champ Mark Webber as a contender for his worst interview, describing the former nine-time Grand Prix winner as 'honestly designed to not give an interesting answer.' Molloy had previously told about an awkward interview with country superstar Shania Twain at the peak of her 90s fame, which was scuppered by Twain's posse of handlers sitting in the studio to constantly interrupt and tell him 'You can't ask that.' Beau Ryan revealed on-air earlier this year that popular US actress Melissa McCarthy was his worst famous interview to date, describing her as 'prickly' during their chat several years ago. '[She gave] short answers, didn't want to be there, gave me nothing,' he continued, saying the 'disappointing' interview made him feel 'uncomfortable.' Funny lady Melissa McCarthy's lack of chat was 'disappointing' to Beau Ryan. Picture: AFP Jonesy and Amanda took revenge on a 'surly' Harrison Ford. Picture: AFP Also earlier this year, Dave Hughes named another hilarious Hollywood A-lister as his least favourite interviewee when asked by his campmates on I'm A Celeb. 'If we're going to be honest … it hurts me to say it, but it's … Ben Stiller. I was a big fan, and he was just a pain in the a**e,' Hughes confessed, before joking that he might have 'ruined his Hollywood career' by calling out the powerful actor and director. Perhaps radio stars Amanda Keller and Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones can claim the prize for worst interview with a Hollywood star, though. Several years ago, they confessed to that their interview with A-list actor Harrison Ford had gone so badly it was deemed unusable and never actually aired. 'He was cranky, he was surly, he wasn't our favourite … and we dropped him,' Keller revealed. Originally published as Peter Helliar names worst celeb to interview
