Latest news with #JonathanCreek
Scotsman
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Unmissable shows at Gilded Balloon's 40th Fringe
Continuing on from my last column, I'm delighted to give you another rundown of some of the unmissable shows taking place at Gilded Balloon's 40th Anniversary Fringe. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... First up, 30 years after their last appearance at the Gilded Balloon, we have the return of the Oblivion Boys and Gayle Tuesday. Steve Frost and Mark Arden were an '80s double act who performed in The Young Ones, Blackadder and were the boys who caused havoc in Channel 4's The Tube. You may also recognise them from their hilarious Carling Black Label ads, in my opinion some of the funniest TV ads from the 80s! I can't wait to see them treading the boards once more. QI panellist, comedian and Jonathan Creek star Alan Davies, is back with his new show, Think Ahead Another familiar face making a welcome return is QI panellist, comedian and Jonathan Creek star Alan Davies, back with his new show, Think Ahead. After making his first fresh-faced appearance at the Gilded Balloon in 1994, he's back after a 10-year break with his new show. Also, impressionists Ronni Ancona and Hal Cruttenden will join forces for their parody podcast, In Pieces, where they seek help from celebrity guests dealing with performance chitters. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Comedian and actress Rosie O'Donnell, 11-time Tony and Emmy award winner and American talk show host, is making her Edinburgh Fringe debut after recently relocating to Ireland. Her new show, Here & Now, reflects on her life and extraordinary career, with Rosie's signature blend of heart, humour and honesty, this is a rare chance to see one of America's biggest TV stars in a Fringe setting. We also have another star returning in Aunt Hilda herself, Canadian-born comedian Caroline Rhea of Sabrina the Teenage witch and Pineas and Ferb fame. Caroline is a close friend and very much one of the Gilded Balloon family. She's a class act and loves Scotland – so much that she popped over for a Scottish tour last year. She has been working as a stand-up comedian for over 35 years and has some very funny showbiz stories to tell. There's a hub of Scottish stories in our 40th programme, including the incredible acting of Gail Watson in Ian Pattison's Faye's Red Lines. It received rave reviews from its run at Oran Mor earlier this year. Gail appeared in last year's Chemo Savvy and is part of BBC TV's River City, and we're so excited to have her with us as the star of this incredible piece of writing. Mary, A Gig theatre show uses original music and spoken word in this feminist retelling of Mary Queen of Scots' iconic story. F Bomb Theatre also return with a new autobiographical show telling a heartfelt, hopeful and immersive story about the turbulent journey of experiencing pregnancy loss as a young queer person. And there is so much more – head to our website and come and see some incredible entertainment at the Gilded Balloon this year.
Metro
20-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
I didn't know how to react when Mum mistook me for her mother
The signs of a problem had been subtle at first. (Picture: Owner supplied) 'Hi, Mum', said a cheery voice as I answered my phone in the middle of a bookstore. I froze. Because although I am a mum, it wasn't either of my children on the other end of the phone. It was my own mother. At that moment, with my phone in my hand, I didn't know how to react. 'Go along with it' is often the advice given when dealing with people who have dementia. But should I remind my mum that her own mother died 40 years ago and that I am, in fact, her daughter? My mum, Diane, was one of the first women to get a scholarship to Cambridge University in 1960s. She went on to have a 30-year career as a producer and director for the BBC. Travelling the world to war-torn countries, reporting news and current affairs, she was more comfortable in combats than heels. The first sign of a problem came in 2018, with increasing forgetfulness. It had been subtle at first: asking the same question twice over dinner. Then came heightened anxiety over the smallest things. The woman who once got to an airport to fly across the world with an hour's notice would call me every few hours to rehash our lunch plans at the café where we had met 100 times. This annoyed me and I asked myself, 'Why is she being so ridiculously needy?' It has always been just Mum and me. My grandmother died when my mum was pregnant – and my dad left at the same time. It has always been just Mum and me. (Picture: Owner supplied) Endless googling of 'early dementia symptoms' led to the conclusion that a visit to the GP was in order. The first step was a blood test to rule out any deficiencies – thyroid, vitamin B12, anaemia – that can change someone's mental state. Next was a referral to the memory clinic where Mum had comprehensive neuropsychological testing. And finally, a brain scan. Then, in 2018, came the devastating diagnosis: at the age of 72, Mum had Alzheimer's, the most common type of dementia. We attended the appointment together. I recall her being quiet for a while and then saying, 'Oh well, at least we can start rewatching our Jonathan Creek boxset – I clearly won't remember any of the endings!' I felt a range of emotions: relief that there was something wrong, anger that this was happening to us, and scared for what the future held. Would Mum ever meet grandchildren and be at my wedding? How long until she'd no longer know who I was? In the first couple of years, the progression was slow. Then Covid hit. I guess we'll never know if the isolation directly affected Mum's health, but enough studies have been done to show that being isolated and unoccupied can lead to faster progression. Visiting the flat of my once house-proud mum after not being able to do so for a few months during lockdown was shocking. Piles of rubbish, a fridge full of rotting food, cat poo on the carpet. My guilt was overwhelming: the woman who had raised me single-handedly really needed me – and I had let her down. My mum, Diane, travelled the world to war-torn countries, reporting news and current affairs. (Picture: Owner supplied) We relocated Mum to around the corner from our home and I fell into a carer role. I took over all life admin: shopping, cleaning, bills. Luckily I'd applied for power of attorney while Mum was still of sound mind. That's something I highly recommend doing when caring for a loved one because the process is more complicated further down the line. It's part of the advice given by Alzheimer's Society, too. Time-confusion is a common symptom of dementia but tools are available to help. Mum's flat featured two dementia clocks that simplify time by writing it out – 'three in the morning' etc. A toddler clock at the front door stated 'red means night, green means day' and sensors on doors alerted my phone whenever they opened and closed. I urge anyone in a similar position to reach out for help. From gadgets to coping techniques, Alzheimer's Society has so much advice. The earlier the diagnosis, the better it is for all concerned. It hasn't been all doom and gloom, though. As Mum regresses into a childlike state, the simplest of things bring her happiness: the blossom on a tree, a good cup of tea, dancing to a busker in the street with my toddler. Pure joy was on her face every time she clocked my baby bump during my second pregnancy. 'You're pregnant!' she'd exclaim. Diane with her grandson Noah (Picture: Owner supplied) Now living in a care home near me, she's baking, painting and growing vegetables at an allotment. I get to hold Mum's hand and watch the faces of my children light up when they see her. We're still making memories I'll treasure for ever. The six signs that can indicate dementia About a million people in the UK have dementia and the figure is projected to rise to 1.4million by 2040. Each person experiences dementia in a different way, especially during the early stages. Here are six red-flag signs used by Alzheimer's Society in its online symptoms checklist – endorsed by the Royal College of GPs – to help people describe their symptoms to their health professional. Changes in mood or personality Nobody is expected to feel positive all the time but if someone starts to become easily irritable, lose interest in things or have extreme highs and lows, this may be a sign of dementia. Asking the same question over and over again could also be a sign. If you spot these signs in yourself or a loved one, seek support from a GP or a healthcare professional as soon as you can. Memory loss For someone with dementia, problems with memory and thinking become worse more quickly than they would normally do with age. The decline is noticeable over a period of months rather than years. For a doctor to diagnose someone with dementia, their symptoms must have become more frequent and have a significant affect on daily life. Difficulty organising thoughts or staying focused Familiar tasks they've done all their lives may start to get more difficult. Someone may also lose the ability to perform tasks in the proper order, such as trying to cook pasta before putting water in the pan. Equally, if a person finds they're making lots of poor decisions – because they can't process information in the way they used to or their personality seems to have changed over a few months – it could be a sign they need to see their GP. Asking the same question over and over again could also be a sign. Other signs include forgetting the names of common objects and words, and quickly losing the thread of what someone is saying. Problems using words or communicating As people get older, it's common to have trouble finding the correct word occasionally. Most of the time, this is a normal sign of ageing. However, if someone consistently struggles to communicate because they can't remember commonly used words, or they're putting words together in a way that doesn't make sense, this may be a sign that something is wrong. Problems with vision It's normal for a person's eyesight not to be as sharp as it was when younger. However, if they're still having issues reading text, even with glasses on, it might be worth telling their GP. Some people with dementia have difficulty judging distances or seeing edges, leading to trips or falls. Dementia sometimes causes hallucinations. Confusion about where you are or what time it is If someone finds themselves getting lost in a familiar place or being unable to find their way home, this can be a red flag. Some people experience 'time shifts' – eg they may think they're living in a previous home. If you're worried about yourself or someone close to you, then check your symptoms today using Alzheimer's Society's symptom checklist. Visit or call their Dementia Support Line on 0333 150 3456 Arrow MORE: The Metro daily cartoon by Guy Venables Arrow MORE: I'm 53 and have never had savings – I thought that was normal Arrow MORE: Couple renovating their 1850s home make a chilling discovery
ABC News
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Comedian Alan Davies says he never remembers the facts from QI
British comedian and star of the popular comedy panel show QI Alan Davies says he struggles to remember any of the facts from the series. Davies has been a staple on the long-running BBC quiz show since its launch in 2003, first with original host Stephen Fry, who left in 2016, and now with Sandi Toksvig. Despite being QI's only permanent panellist for more than 20 years, Davies told ABC News Breakfast he "can't remember anything that happens" on the show. "We record early in the year usually, we just recently recorded a batch, and they go out six months later and I don't remember a thing. Literally not a thing. I don't remember anything that has been said. Alan Davies with current QI host Sandi Toksvig, former host Stephen Fry, comedian Johnny Vegas and long-time series producer John Lloyd in 2010. ( Supplied: BBC ) "Sometimes I watch it and someone says something and I'm sitting on my sofa at home and I think what I would say, and the person on screen does say it. So that is weird. "My brain is quite limited which has made it easy for them to catch me out over the years." Davies, who also starred in the BBC mystery drama series Jonathan Creek, is returning to Australia in November and December for the first time in a decade with his new stand-up comedy show, Think Ahead. He says he's looking forward to coming back, describing Australian audiences as a "little bit louder" than British audiences. "I had some terrific shows on my previous tours," he says. "I am 60 in 2026 and the show is called Think Ahead because you have to do that at this moment. Alan Davies will tour his brand-new stand-up show, Think Ahead, across Australia later this year. ( Supplied ) "When I started in stand-up, I didn't look further than three months ahead because that was how far ahead the comedy clubs would book you. "So I am thinking ahead all the time and now that's fed its way into my act. It's a chance for me to let the little middle aged man scream." COVID-19 'catastrophic' for comedians Davies, who started performing stand-up comedy in 1988, says he is still capable of feeling nervous before a show, especially if he hasn't been in front of a live audience in a while. "Getting onto the stage is the thing. Then it just comes back like a muscle memory, it is the most fun for me. "I have been gigging all the time, apart from during COVID which was awful for our profession, it was catastrophic, with all the live venues shut down. "This is the first tour since COVID. Theatres are packed again and I love being face-to-face with the audience, it's the best thing. So I have been gigging, just not touring. "Apart from COVID, having a third child really impacted on my tour time." Loading YouTube content Davies says putting together a new stand-up show is like "panning for gold". "I just sort of jot things down, things I've heard, things I've thought of, start doing a few gigs and stuff starts to come up. "I have got some funny things to say when I come." Davies's tour will mean he's in Australia for Christmas this year. He says he'll be joined by his wife, Katie, and his three children. "I am looking forward to doing all the work and then putting it down and having a great Christmas in New South Wales." Think Ahead will be touring across Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Hobart, Newcastle, Toowoomba, Caloundra, Brisbane, Canberra, Thirroul and Sydney in November and December.
Wales Online
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Beyond Paradise season 3 episode 5 cast as Jonathan Creek star joins penultimate episode
Beyond Paradise season 3 episode 5 cast as Jonathan Creek star joins penultimate episode Beyond Paradise's penultimate episode sees a mythical figure cause a scare. Beyond Paradise is back with episode 5 of season 3 Beyond Paradise is back on BBC One and episode five sees the harvest come to an end and a couple follow their long-held tradition of hanging a corn doll. However, things take a dark turn when the doll mysteriously falls and a figure dressed as the mythical Cornman strikes. From then on, the couple become targets of strange happenings. Meanwhile, DI Humphrey Goodman (played by Kris Marshall) and Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) witness their foster daughter Rosie (Bella Rei Blue Stevenson) start school. Elsewhere, Anne (Barbara Flynn) takes a bold step to embrace life after her health scare. The rest of the main cast will also return including Zahra Ahmadi as Esther Williams and Dylan Llewellyn as Kelby Hartford. Article continues below Felicity Montagu is back as Margo Martins with Melina Sinadinou as Zoe Williams and Jamie Bamber as Archie Hughes. Here is all you need to know about who makes up the guest cast for episode five. Kevin McNally and Caroline Quentin star in Beyond Paradise Lotty Robson - Caroline Quentin Caroline Quentin is a 64-year-old actress and TV presenter known for her roles in Men Behaving Badly and Jonathan Creek. She went on to play Kate Salinger in Kiss Me Kate and DCI Janine Lewis in Blue Murder. The star met Sam Farmer in 1998 on the set of Men Behaving Badly, where he was a runner, and they have two children together. Her daughter Rose is also an actress. George Ellis - Kevin R McNally Kevin R McNally is a 68-year-old English actor and writer known for his roles in I, Claudius and Pirates of the Caribbean. McNally played Joshamee Gibbs in the films and is one of only three actors who appear in all five films. The father-of-three met actress Phyllis Logan in 1994, and they married in 2011. Michaela Robson - Rebecca Lee Rebecca has previously trained at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Her TV credits include Babs and Sparks, and she has voiced commercials for Calm and The Body Shop. Amy Morgan and Rebecca Lee join the cast Stella Ellis- Amy Morgan Amy Morgan has starred in the murder mystery series Death Valley, as well as We Live in Time and Playing Nice. She was most recently seen on stage in Dear Octopus at the National Theatre. She has also recently been seen in Welsh series The Steeltown Murders and The Cleaners. Rhys Tomlinson - Oliver Hembrough Oliver Hembrough is an actor from Bristol whose most recent credits include The Crow Girl and War of the Worlds. He also played John in The White Princess and Robinson in Around the World in 80 Days. Skydive instructor - Ankur Sengupta Ankur Sengupta starred in the TV miniseries Special Owl, with his other credits including Until I Kill You and The Pact. Ankur Sengupta joins the series Article continues below Beyond Paradise airs on BBC One on Fridays at 8pm
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Alan Davies jokes QI mishap could have 'finished' him before he met wife
Alan Davies has told how he first spotted his now wife when he was in the middle of a botched stunt on QI. The comedian has now been with wife Katie for 20 years and they have three children. Speaking on The One Show, he revealed he had long-running BBC comedy quiz game show QI to thank. The star said he was in the middle of dodging a glass that was flying towards him when he clapped eyes on Katie in the audience. He joked that he thought the glass could 'finish' him, right as he had seen someone he wanted to get to know. Davies was on the BBC show on Wednesday, 29 January to talk about his new Think Ahead tour and told hosts Alex Jones and Vernon Kay how he and Katie met. 'I saw her in the audience at QI,' said the star, who has been on the quiz show since 2003. 'And just as I saw her, this is what happened. We had a stunt set up with a sugar glass, which is a glass that can smash. Arthur Smith, a brilliant comedian, was on the other team, and he had a glass and he thought that was a sugar glass – it wasn't a sugar glass – and he threw it in our direction. 'As it came towards me I thought, I have just spotted someone in the audience who I want to talk to afterwards and this could end my career, this could finish me, and I nearly die!" 'But in fact it hit the desk and broke, it was very funny," he said. "And I met her in the Green Room afterwards and luckily for me she wasn't wearing her glasses so she couldn't see what I looked like!' Davies is also well known for mystery crime drama Jonathan Creek, which aired between 1997 and 2016. Sharing an anecdote from the set, he told how producers once offered his young son a role - but he and Katie turned it down as he would have been playing a corpse. He explained: "My boy was about six, we were up in Scotland filming and the family were with me and they said, would he like to be in it. And I said, 'I am not sure, I'll ask him.' He said, 'Yes, well maybe'." Laughing, Davies went on: "They said what they wanted him to do was be dead on a gurney with a blanket over him. And we agreed, Katie and I, that that might be actually damaging in the long run, to have that experience. So we decided not to have him do it!" Alan Davies' Think Ahead UK tour starts on 19 September. The One Show airs on BBC One at 7pm on weekdays.
