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Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Gerard Butler ‘back on with ex' as they're spotted together on red carpet
Scots-born star seems to have patched things up with his former flame GER-IFFIC Gerard Butler 'back on with ex' as they're spotted together on red carpet Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GERARD Butler has seemingly confirmed rumours he is back in the arms of his ex after she joined him on the red carpet. The Paisley-born actor, 55, and longtime flame Morgan Brown, 52, were joined at the hip at the premiere of his latest movie How To Drain Your Dragon in LA on Saturday. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 The actor, 55, and longtime flame Morgan Brown, 52, were joined at the hip at the premiere of his latest film How To Drain Your Dragon in LA on Saturday 3 Gerard Butler was joined by actor pal and fellow Scot Tony Curran and his wife Mai and their daughter at the How To Train Your Dragon premiere in LA 3 Tony Curran and Gerard Butler Gerard dressed in a smart blue suit while his girlfriend wore a figure-hugging, nude coloured dress. The Scot and the brunette real estate investor have been on and off for a few years after first being linked in 2014. However it seems that their red carpet love display is an indicator the pair are officially back on. The loved-up pair held hands and hugged while flexing their muscles for photographers in a comical nod to Butler's character in the movie, Viking leader, Stoick The Vast. After splitting with Morgan during the Covid pandemic, he said: "I went through a break-up during corona so I lost a loved one in a different way, and that's been very hard, much harder than I thought." It's the second time in recent weeks the pair have been pictured together after she was the actor's plus one at a 45th birthday bash for actor Oliver Trevena. Also on the red carpet was Gerard's actor pal and fellow Scot, Tony Curran who brought along his wife and daughter to the premiere. Tony, who has starred in Doctor Who, Thor, Underworld, amongst others, gushed about his 'brother' Gerard on his Instagram page where he shared pictures from the event, saying: " What a magical time, thank you for sharing such a special day brother!" Gerard splits his time between LA where he has a home and Scotland where he is often spotted when he is home visiting family. The One Show in last minute shake-up as Hollywood star pulls out of show due to sudden illness In February this year the superstar was seen cheering on a team of more than 300 cyclists raising funds for motor neurone disease (MND) research in memory of rugby legend Doddie Weir. The actor greeted the Doddie's Grand Tour team as they arrived at Glenalmond College in Perthshire. Butler chatted and signed autographs with tour leaders Rob Wainwright, Mark Beaumont, Gordon D'Arcy and the rest of the teams. More than 300 cyclists are journeying 800 miles across Ireland and Scotland to raise funds for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation.
Edinburgh Live
26-05-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh's Fred Goodwin to bag £600k-a-year pension as final RBS sale set to cost taxpayers £10bn
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 Disgraced former boss of RBS, Fred Goodwin who lives in Edinburgh, is cashing in an annual pension worth an estimated £600,000 thanks to a deal which will see his payouts linked to inflation It comes as the UK Government prepares to sell its final stake in the bank, which was brought back from the brink of extinction in 2008 thanks to billions of pounds of the taxpayers' money, reports The Daily Record. Now, Labour ministers are set to write-off as much as £10bn in losses when the shares are sold-off in the coming days. Goodwin remains a hugely controversial figure after he became the public face of the banking crash in the UK, which cost the public coffers billions. Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. The Paisley-born chartered accountant who lived in Edinburgh and was dubbed "The Shred" by his colleagues, oversaw a rapid expansion of the Royal Bank of Scotland in the 2000s before the once-respected institution was brought to its knees by the global banking crash. RBS has since rebranded as NatWest at corporate level in a bid to improve its tarnished public image. The banking group is expected to return to full private ownership shortly - which will draw a line under a £45bn state bailout that saved the bank from the brink of collapse at the height of the 2008 financial crisis. The 17-year effort to off-load the government's 84 per cent stake in the lender has come at a substantial cost to the public purse. Shares have only recently pushed past their pre-financial crisis levels – closing at 524p on Friday – but the bulk of the UK Government's holding has remained below the 502p at which they were bought. Analysis by the Guardian means the UK Government could end up recovering roughly £35bn of the original £45bn spent on the rescue package in 2008, marking a near-£10bn loss. It comes as annual pension payouts have soared for Goodwin. He was sacked as part of a non-negotiable condition of the state rescue and originally walked away with a £16m pension pot that paid out about £700,000 a year. But public outrage forced Goodwin and the bank cut those payouts in half to a sum of £342,500 a year. However an agreement that linked his payouts to the rate of inflation has pushed that figure ever-closer to the original sum. Estimates by wealth manager Quilter, and first published by the Guardian, show the bank is now spending about £598,000 a year on Goodwin's pension nearly 17 years after the bailout. Goodwin was slated for what was later viewed as excessive spending on a string of acquisitions, private jets, and a sprawling £350m campus in Edinburgh. It meant the 300-year-old bank was left without sufficient financial buffers that could have helped the company weather the storm of the 2008 credit crunch. Lorna Slater, Scottish Greens co-leader, said: "The last UK Labour Government was responsible for bailing out big banks, while abandoning working class families who were forced into extreme financial difficulties from the catastrophic decisions of bankers like Mr Goodwin. "Now, this Labour government is set to hand the keys back to the people that caused the financial crash and give huge payouts to those directly responsible. "This deal is yet again set to benefit the richest in society while costing working-class people." NatWest has been approached for comment.
Daily Record
26-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Fred Goodwin coins in £600k a year pension as final RBS sale set to cost taxpayers £10bn
The UK taxpayer is line for a £10bn loss when the former RBS group is finally returned to full private ownership this week. Disgraced former RBS boss Fred Goodwin is coining in an annual pension worth an estimated £600,000 thanks to a deal which sees his payouts linked to inflation. It comes as the UK Government is preparing this week to sell its final stake in the bank, which was saved from extinction in 2008 with billions of taxpayers' money. Labour ministers are expected to write-off as much as £10bn in losses when the shares are sold-off. Goodwin remains a hugely controversial figure after he became the public face of the banking crash in the UK, that cost the public coffers billions. The Paisley-born chartered accountant - dubbed "The Shred" by his colleagues - oversaw a rapid expansion of Royal Bank of Scotland in the 2000s before the once respected institution was brought to its knees by the global banking crash. RBS has since rebranded as NatWest at corporate level in a bid to improve its tarnished public image. The banking group is expected to return to full private ownership shortly - which will draw a line under a £45bn state bailout that saved the bank from the brink of collapse at the height of the 2008 financial crisis. The 17-year effort to off-load the government's 84 per cent stake in the lender has come at a substantial cost to the public purse. Shares have only recently pushed past their pre-financial crisis levels – closing at 524p on Friday – but the bulk of the UK Government's holding has remained below the 502p at which they were bought. Analysis by the Guardian means the UK Government could end up recovering roughly £35bn of the original £45bn spent on the rescue package in 2008, marking a near-£10bn loss. It comes as annual pension payouts have soared for Goodwin. He was sacked as part of a non-negotiable condition of the state rescue and originally walked away with a £16m pension pot that paid out about £700,000 a year. But public outrage forced Goodwin and the bank to halve those payouts to £342,500 a year. But an agreement that linked his payouts to the rate of inflation has pushed that figure ever-closer to the original sum. Estimates by wealth manager Quilter, and first published by the Guardian, show the bank is now spending about £598,000 a year on Goodwin's pension nearly 17 years after the bailout. Goodwin was slated for what was later viewed as excessive spending on a string of acquisitions, private jets, and a sprawling £350m campus in Edinburgh. It meant the 300-year-old bank was left without sufficient financial buffers that could have helped the company weather the storm of the 2008 credit crunch.
Edinburgh Reporter
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Reporter
McInnes: ‘Hearts are a good fit'
Derek McInnes sat on the podium behind a microphone-filled desk in the spacious Gorgie Suite bereft of match-day decoration and he hoped the excitement he was experiencing at being appointed head coach at Hearts shone through. The former Aberdeen boss talked at length, voicing phrases fans want to hear like winning silverware, making cup finals, challenging in the Premiership top six and qualifying for Europe on a regular basis. Basically, the 53-year-old wants to harness the undoubted power of Tynecastle fan base. They want to win silverware and so does McInnes. The former Greenock Morton, Rangers, West Bromwich Albion and Dundee United player believes Hearts have a jump on other teams in the 12-strong division as they harness the backing of Jamestown Analytics, vociferous support on the terracing and also in the backroom staff to achieve. Yes, the Paisley-born coach comes in after a disappointing past season for the ambitious Jambos, who finished seventh in the table, but McInnes said his appointment is for the future and he spoke about having quality in the current playing staff. Naturally, the twice capped McInnes wants to supplement that and the work starts here. In-depth talks are planned with Hearts' sporting director, Graeme Jones, as work starts to build a side which teams hate to play, particularly at Tynecastle. McInnes told the packed media conference the was 'absolutely delighted' to be confirmed as the new head coach and he declared: 'The opportunity to manage Hearts was everything I wanted. It is a club I always wanted to manage. It is a good fit. 'Hopefully, I can give them (the club) what they want. The intention is to try and deliver silverware and sustained success on the pitch and to just be the biggest animal we can be.' He is also determined to meet the expectation that is there from everybody in Gorgie and said: 'I have managed before at a similar sized club at Aberdeen and there are similar expectations. I feel there is so much going for us here at Tynecastle and at Hearts that I have real excitement at being the guy to take it on. 'There is a structure there, behind us there is a support network and I feel it is something that we can really get our teeth into and deliver.' The Paisley-born former player said he loved his time at Kilmarnock which he described as 'a brilliant club'. There he made so many good friends and built relationships and there were some real highlights. However, when Hearts' interest was first mooted, McInnes spoke to businessman, Billy Bowie, the owner and major shareholder, at Rugby Park. He told Bowie that he did not want to leave Rugby Park until the club was safe from relegation from the Premiership, but he did intimate that the interest from the Capital club was something he was keen to explore. He added: 'For me, it is all about the new start with Hearts. For me and my family, this is what I wanted and here we are. It is all about trying to move forward now. I feel as though I can get everything I want from the job.' Initially, he wants to deliver what is expected, what the Hearts support expect from the team, and then, in time, exceeding those expectations and he declared that a solid support network as a manager is vitally important. Jamestown Analytics, a world-leader in football player and head coach data, gives Hearts, he said, an added advantage over other teams. But McInnes cautioned: 'That support network is brilliant as long as you utilise it to its maximum. They (the data) will help me build the squad and I will build the team and it is up to me deliver on the pitch. 'It is about players ultimately. I want to work with good players and the club's relationship with Jamestown can help us get more good players into the club. Ask any manager, you just want to work with good players.' Ultimately, it is all about trying to get players to perform on a daily basis and McInnes believes he can get the most out of squad. Hearts, he declared, do have advantages over others, the support, the stadium, the infrastructure, the budget which is afforded to the manager, and it is important to utilise that to the maximum. He stressed: 'With those advantages, we have got to work more effectively and we have got to have a togetherness and be able to tap into the support we have. 'It does not come automatically, and it is important that everybody at Tynecastle realises that. We are going to have to work for everything we get and it is up to me to drive those standards and set the pace.' Earlier, Andrew McKinlay, Hearts' chief executive, thanked interim manager, Liam Fox, for his efforts after taking over from Neil Critchley, sacked after the 1-0 home defeat to Dundee in the first match in the second phase of the league, and he told the media pack: 'Welcome to Tynecastle for the dawning of a new era at the club. 'I want to say a few thanks to a few people who thoroughly deserve it. Firstly, thanks to Liam Fox for expertly guided us through what was a precarious situation and all at the club wish Liam all the very best as he moves on to the next stage in his career.' He also thanked Kilmarnock FC for their co-operation in the recruitment process and he also thanked colleague Graham Jones who led the process professionally and expertly led us to where the club are today, appointing a new head coach. McKinlay also wanted to put on record his thanks to Gary Locke, who played for and managed Hearts and Kilmarnock, as well as Raith Rovers, for what he termed 'his invaluable insight and input' into the process of acquiring McInnes. As the manager left the podium before speaking directly to print media he spotted my green jersey. He declared: 'The wrong colour.' An eye for detail, and small details count. Hearts fans will hope that the newcomer will use that attribute to pilot their club to great things in the future. PICTURE: Derek McInnes at the press conference at Tynecastle. Picture courtesy of Heart of Midlothian FC Like this: Like Related
Glasgow Times
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
St Mirren legend's daughter speaks after losing dad to alcoholism
The 'no-nonsense' midfielder, who came through the youth ranks of St Mirren Football Club, captained the Buddies to their 1987 Scottish Cup win and played for Partick Thistle in the late 80s, died in June 2024 following alcohol-related health issues. He was just 65 years old. (Image: Image: SNS) (Image: Image of Billy, provided by Hayley.) The Paisley-born baller, who also played for the likes of Dunfermline Athletic, Cowdenbeath and East Stirlingshire, battled with severe alcoholism when his playing days ended - which Abercromby detailed in his biography, Aber's Gonnae Get Ye. (Image: Hayley Quigg, pictured by Colin Mearns, Newsquest) Billy's daughter, Hayley Quigg, told the Glasgow Times: 'I've seen first-hand the effects alcoholism has on people and the damage it causes families. 'Glasgow in general has a huge problem with alcohol addiction.' In a bid to raise awareness of the effects of alcoholism and addiction, Hayley – who hails from Crookston - will be taking on the Step Up For Charity event on June 7. The fundraiser will see the 37-year-old mum and her dance partner, Craig, take the floor to dance the samba. They will compete against 11 other couples, each performing a different dance style. (Image: Pictures taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest) (Image: Pictures taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest) Hayley said she was desperate to take part and raise money for a great cause. She hopes that taking part in the event – which is similar to Strictly Come Dancing - will be a fitting tribute to her late dad too. She added: 'It is a great concept for an event and as an adult who has a 14-month-old child, I don't always have the opportunity to perform.' (Image: Image of Hayley and her dad, supplied.) (Image: Image of Billy, provided by Hayley.) All the money raised will go to the North East Recovery Community (NERC) in Bridgeton, which has helped keep people clean and sober in a supportive environment since 2014. Speaking on the 'deserving' charity, Hayley said: 'NERC aims to promote and assist with recovery for individuals and families. It is a recovery community with comprehensive programmes. 'I have chosen the charity because it helps people to sustain their recovery and is a lifeline for many. I really hope that the money raised can help others fight their addiction and help with their road to recovery. 'Every penny donated will make a massive difference.' You can donate by clicking HERE (Image: Pictures taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest) Anne-Marie Quigg, who is Hayley's mother and sits on the board for NERC, said: 'NERC is a recovery community with comprehensive drug programmes which support people through the entire journey. 'They encourage people to put down drink and drugs and go into education or employment. They even take people away for retreats and keep them safe.' Anne-Marie is 34 years into recovery. The 66-year-old added: 'When I first got into recovery, there was only Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) meetings, and they were full of men. 'That was so daunting for me at the time, but the help for people nowadays is bigger and better.' (Image: Pictures taken by Colin Mearns, Newsquest) Anne-Marie went on to say: 'If this fundraiser can make people aware that there are options out there to get help, then that's a good thing.' To find out more information about NERC, visit
