Latest news with #ItalianJob
Irish Examiner
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Irish Examiner
Josh McErlean hoping to conquer 'rough and relentless' Rally Sardinia alongside Eoin Treacy
The "Italian Job" awaits for the Irish pairing of Josh McErlean/Eoin Treacy onboard their M-Sport Ford Puma Rally1 as they tackle Rally Italia Sardegna, the sixth round of the World Rally Championship that is set to be hot, both in pace and weather. Buoyed by their performance in the most recent round in Portugal, the faster and tighter stages on the island's north eastern coast will provide yet another challenge as they become more familiar with their Rally1 car. For Kilrea's McErlean, it will be a fourth time competing on this infamous event, last year in a Skoda Fabia RS Rally2, he punched in eight top-five stage times in the WRC2 category and knows what to expect over the three days. "Rally Sardinia is one of the toughest events on the European calendar - rough, technical and relentless. But you have to learn to love this rally. It's a real test for both car and crew, and that's exactly what makes it so rewarding. We had a positive run in Portugal and the goal is to carry that rhythm into this weekend." Indeed, another positive from Portugal was the fact that McErlean and Killeagh's Eoin Treacy were the top M-Sport crew, that prompted McErlean to add, "I feel we're progressing in the right direction. We're learning more about the Puma on gravel with every kilometre and this weekend will be another big step for us." Based Olbia, it's one of the most demanding of the 14-event WR schedule. Sixteen stages totalling some 320 kilometres of competitive action through the hills and coastline is a supreme test of both man and machine. M-Sport, who have yet to secure a podium finish in the current campaign, have a four-man team with Gregoire Munster, Martins Sesks and Jourdan Serderidis steering the other Puma Rally1 cars. Having played second fiddle to the Toyota Gazoo Racing outfit so far, Sardinia offers the Hyundai outfit some mid-season redemption with Ott Tanak aiming to repeat his 2024 victory in Sardinia where he finished just 0.2s ahead of Sebastien Ogier. In Portugal a few weeks ago the pair had a great battle until a power steering issue for Tanak handed the win to Ogier. This latest showdown is unfinished business from both their perspectives. "Sardinia is another super punishing event." said Tanak, who added, "At first, it can look smooth and sandy, but the roads normally develop quickly. We can suddenly find solid rocks sticking out from the ground, which will make life hard for both the car and tyres. We know our car is not easy to find good setup for different surfaces, but in the past we have done well in Sardegna. Hopefully, we have done our homework and we are going to be on the pace from the start." His team mate and reigning WR champion Thierry Neuville was somewhat more direct. "We need to be consistently fast and there's no room for mistakes, so we will be pushing across every stage. I want to be fighting for the win, so I need to finish ahead of my main championship rivals." Tanak is thirty-four points behind championship leader Elfyn Evans (Toyota GR Yaris Rally1) and should, along with his team mates Neuville and Adrien Fourmaux (fifth and seventh respectively) benefit from strong road positions on today's (Friday) six stages. Of course Evans has the onerous task of sweeping the loose gravel from the tracks and that will cost him valuable time and is likely to be a damage limitation exercise for the Welshman. His team mate Kalle Rovanpera, second in the series, will be aiming to cut into Evans' 30-point advantage. The Toyota presence is completed by Takamoto Katsuta (with his Northern Ireland co-driver Aaron Johnson) and Sami Pajari. Cavan co-driver James Fulton calls the notes for Japan's Yuki Yamamoto (Toyota GR Yaris Rally2). Meanwhile, Killarney's Colin O'Donoghue (Ford Escort) is the top seed for Sunday's Laois Heartlands Rally, a six stage event that is headquartered in Stradbally. Opposition includes Scotland's David Bogie (Ford Escort), Donegal's Kevin Gallagher and Wexford's James Stafford both in Darrian T90 GTR's and the Monaghan duo of David Moffett and Richard Moffett in a pair of Toyota Starlets.
Wales Online
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Britain's Got Talent's Amanda Holden booed as she says 'I'm not going to be very popular'
Britain's Got Talent's Amanda Holden booed as she says 'I'm not going to be very popular' Amanda Holden was not impressed during the live semi-finals of Britain's Got Talent Amanda was booed loudly by the live audience (Image: ITV ) Within minutes of the live semi-final of Britain's Got Talent getting underway, judge Amanda Holden found herself being booed over comments she made. Amanda said: "I'm not going to be very popular" before discussing the first act. Bravely performing first was dance duo Harry and Lewis, from the Wirral and Manchester, who have danced together since they were children. Despite receiving positive comments from fellow judges Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon, Amanda quickly brought the mood down. Saying "I'm not going to be very popular" and "thank God for the production", Amanda did not mince her words. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . She said: "I don't think it was enough, I just don't feel like that was a step up from your first audition." She was drowned out by the loud boos from the live audience while speaking. While Simon Cowell said this performance was better than their audition, he did question how much Harry and Lewis wanted to win. Separately, Amanda recently made a stunning admission about the current state of her marriage, claiming that her husband "judges" her for one thing. Article continues below The TV stalwart also batted off claims that her spouse, record producer Chris Hughes, is "jealous" of her friendship with comedian Alan Carr, with whom she has hosted several shows. Appearing on the Life's A Beach podcast, both Amanda and Alan were talking about life behind the scenes filming their hit BBC series Amanda and Alan's Italian Job, and its spin-off Spanish Job. But when the conversation turned to their friendship, Amanda jokingly claimed her husband "judged" her for her drinking and rubbished suggestions he is "jealous" because she gives Alan "way more" attention. Such is her closeness to "good friend" Alan that Amanda claimed fans stop either of them on the streets to be asked why either of them are not seen walking together. She said: "Everyone stops us for it more than anything. And when I'm not with you, they're like, 'Where's Alan?'" Alan replied: "I know. They say, 'Where's Amanda?' When I went to South Africa, 'Where's Amanda?'" After Amanda jokingly said: "Well, my husband Chris doesn't get a look-in," Alan asked: "To be honest, is he jealous of me?" The pair laughed for a few seconds before Amanda firmly answered: "No. He loves you as much as me. I think he's jealous because I give you way more. I'm nicer to you." Article continues below Alan then said: "We're always on the phone, though, aren't we? And having a little gossip and everything." To which Amanda dropped her tongue–in-cheek bombshell: "You don't judge my drinking habits. My husband does. Anyway..." The conversation then swiftly moved on to their forthcoming third series, tentatively titled Amanda and Alan's Greek Job, which Alan revealed would be set in Corfu. You can read more, here.
Wales Online
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Amanda Holden admits husband 'judges' her amid 'jealousy' over famous friend
Amanda Holden admits husband 'judges' her amid 'jealousy' over famous friend The Britain's Got Talent star made a surprising claim about her marriage to record producer Chris Hughes, before batting off suggestions there was any strife between them Amanda Holden quipped that husband Chris Hughes had reservations about her drinking habits (Image: Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty Images ) Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden made a stunning admission about the current state of her marriage, claiming that her husband "judges" her for one thing. The TV stalwart also batted off claims that her spouse, record producer Chris Hughes, is "jealous" of her friendship with comedian Alan Carr, with whom she has hosted several shows. Appearing on the Life's A Beach podcast, both Amanda and Alan were talking about life behind the scenes filming their hit BBC series Amanda and Alan's Italian Job, and its spin-off Spanish Job. But when the conversation turned to their friendship, Amanda jokingly claimed her husband "judged" her for her drinking and rubbished suggestions he is "jealous" because she gives Alan "way more" attention. Such is her closeness to "good friend" Alan that Amanda claimed fans stop either of them on the streets to be asked why either of them are not seen walking together. She said: "Everyone stops us for it more than anything. And when I'm not with you, they're like, 'Where's Alan?'" Alan replied: "I know. They say, 'Where's Amanda?' When I went to South Africa, 'Where's Amanda?'" After Amanda jokingly said: "Well, my husband Chris doesn't get a look-in," Alan asked: "To be honest, is he jealous of me?" Article continues below Alan Carr jokingly asked Amanda if her husband was jealous of him (Image: BBC/Voltage TV ) The pair laughed for a few seconds before Amanda firmly answered: "No. He loves you as much as me. I think he's jealous because I give you way more. I'm nicer to you." Alan then said: "We're always on the phone, though, aren't we? And having a little gossip and everything." To which Amanda dropped her tongue–in-cheek bombshell: "You don't judge my drinking habits. My husband does. Anyway..." The conversation then swiftly moved on to their forthcoming third series, tentatively titled Amanda and Alan's Greek Job, which Alan revealed would be set in Corfu. The pair gave fans a quick glimpse on what properties they want to spruce up and what outfits they hoped to wear. During that segment, the pair slammed critics who claimed they do none of the heavy-duty construction work on set, while Amanda was shocked to hear rumours that the pair do not get on well. The pair were "sick" of claims they do no work on the set of their TV series (Image: BBC/Voltage TV ) Alan said: "We are... We're doing it. We're going to stay, because I know people always say, 'A, do you do the work on the houses?' I'm sick of that!" Amanda echoed his points passionately, saying: "Yes, we do the work! It's so knackering!" Alan then said: "And then people go, 'Oh, do you really get on with Amanda? You can't do that job'. They do say that." Amanda erupted: "What?! Do they?" The comedian continued: "They say, 'How do you put up with... How do you tolerate her? How do you tolerate her? Oh, and that laugh." Amanda then laughed off the backchat before adding: "Are they talking about my laugh? This is an outrage!" In a sign of their enduring friendship, Alan admitted: "But of course, we can't do that job if we didn't like each other. I mean, it'd be hell. No, I couldn't. I'd have to be you. It would have to be you." Amanda agreed, saying: "There is not a single person that I could do it with." Amanda later said Chris "loves" Alan as much as she does (Image: Tim Stewart News Limited ) Amanda and Chris have been married since 2008 and have two children together, but she admitted on Heart FM in March that their busy working schedules mean they end up living "separate lives". A year later in 2009, she became friends with Alan after appearing on his show Chatty Man, and the pair grew even closer over the past two years while filming their BBC home renovation series. Article continues below Furthermore, Alan told The Sun in 2022 that he and Amanda grew even closer as friends while filming their Italian Job series, even claiming she tried to set him up with a new man after his marriage to ex-husband Paul Drayton broke down. He commented: "Amanda and I were showbiz mates, but by the end of the summer we were such good friends. We're always texting. So even if no one buys this house, I've come out of it with a better friendship than I went in. We could actually probably go on holiday together now."
Daily Mail
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The horrifying truth about how China could cripple Britain in just seconds - by barely lifting a finger... as former MI6 boss makes desperate plea to end our reliance on Beijing: IAN WILLIAMS
The Italian Job is giving Britain's intelligence agencies sleepless nights. In the classic movie, the gang of cockneys led by Charlie Croker (played by Michael Caine) hijacks a truck full of stolen gold after disabling Turin's traffic lights. The lights are manipulated by a bungling boffin played by Benny Hill, who somehow manages to hack a clunky central computer and cause city-wide traffic jams, allowing Croker's crew to intercept the consignment of bullion.
Scottish Sun
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Amanda Holden and Alan Carr's renovated BBC house sells for huge six-figure profit
AMANDA Holden and Alan Carr's Spanish renovated townhouse has sold for a huge six-figure profit. Following the success of their previous renovations in Sicily and Tuscany, the third season saw the pair headed to the historic village of Moclín in Spain for BBC One's Amanda and Alan's Spanish Job. 4 Amanda Holden & Alan Carr's Spanish townhouse has sold for six-figures Credit: BBC 4 The duo transformed the derelict building into this colourful abode Credit: RightMove 4 The TV presenters showed off their DIY skills on their latest project Credit: BBC Best friends Amanda, 54, and Alan, 48, soaked up the Spanish sun as they renovated a run-down townhouse that had been uninhabited for decades. And now the property has gone under offer for a six-figure sum - just one month after going on the market. They initially bought the derelict building for €65,000 (£55,000), and was put on the market for £208,355 just a few weeks ago. Now one lucky buyer has snapped up the three-bedroom house, which is now "under offer" on property marketplace Rightmove. All proceeds will go to Comic Relief and Children in Need. In a bid to push their DIY skills to a whole new level, the pair reunited for a third time with their most ambition project yet. Amanda took a gamble on a run-down 3 storey townhouse and convinced Alan to join her in a lifelong dream of transforming it into a boutique B&B. With over 2000 square feet to contend with, a roof in need of repair and a crumbling outbuilding on its last legs, it dawned on them that they were over their heads. Alan and Amanda previously shared how excited they were to shake up the show by moving it from Italy to Spain after two seasons. Amanda & Alan's Italian Job - Series 2 Trailer Alan, 48, told The Mirror: "It's always exciting when a show you love gets recommissioned but the fact that we will be bringing our unique DIY expertise to a whole different country makes it even more special. "We are saying ciao for now and Hola España! Can't wait to grab our power tools and get our hard hats on and bring some much-needed TLC to a casa in Spain." Amanda, 53, added: "It's wonderful how often I'm stopped in the street and told how much people love our show. "Alan and I have the best time filming it and to have reached series three already is beyond the dreams of our lockdown pitch to the BBC. "By day we love getting our hands dirty knocking down walls and lugging around power tools knowing we'll be sipping on an ice-cold reward by night, forgetting the cameras are rolling." The TV duo will be back for a fourth series of their hit BBC travel show and it's moving to a stunning new location. It will see the duo head to Greece for the very first time.
