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Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
BGT finalist Vinnie McKee says his late brother will be with him in spirit when he takes to the stage tonight
The singer also reveals his joy at being asked to perform at this year's Pride of Scotland Awards HOLIDAY park bingo caller Vinnie McKee is one song away from being crowned the winner of this year's Britain's Got Talent. The 29-year-old from Glasgow's Ruchazie is hoping Scotland will get behind him when he takes to the stage in tonight's live final. And as he sings for the win Vinnie says his late brother Frankie, who passed away suddenly last year from a suspected irregular heartbeat will be there in spirit cheering him on. The caravan park entertainer, whose version of Proclaimers' hit 'I'm Gonna Be (500 miles) bagged him Simon Cowell's golden buzzer in his audition said: 'When I step on stage tonight my brother will be there with me and I will 100 per cent be singing for him. 'I felt Frankie beside me when I sang in the live semi-final. I spoke to him before I went on saying he better be on stage waiting for me as I could not walk out there myself and he was. 'Losing him has been devastating for my whole family. Last year was the worst time of our lives but BGT has given us all something to be excited about. It's been a bit of light at the end of a very long tunnel. Vinnie, who stormed into the final after winning the public vote in the semis, added: 'When I sang 500 Miles in my audition it was an ode to my brother and everything that has happened to our family. 'I didn't say that out loud at the time but I think everyone could feel and hear the emotion in my voice as I sang the words. 'My mum, dad, sister, aunt and uncle will all be in the audience tonight and Frankie will be with me on stage cheering me on. I want to make him, my family and Scotland proud.' Vinnie, who is set to perform at this year's Pride of Scotland Awards, will be joined in the final by LED dance crew The Blackouts, 11-year-old guitar prodigy Olly Pearson, ping pong dancing troupe Ping Pong Pang and comedian Joseph Charm. Singers Maya Giotea and Stacey Leadbeatter, the Hear Our Voice choir, nine-year-old gymnast Binita Chetry and drag queen singer Jasmine Rice are also in the race for the talent show crown. Although judges Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell will be giving their opinion on each act, who wins will all come down to the public vote and Vinnie hopes Scotland will get behind him. If he is victorious the soulful singer will be the second Scot to win the hit ITV show - following in the footsteps of Jai McDowell who took top spot in 2011. Vinnie, whose semi final cover of Snow Patrol hit Chasing Cars wowed viewers, said: 'I am so proud to be flying the flag for Scotland and it would be amazing if the nation got behind me tonight and voted. 'I feel like I have already won as reaching a final is a huge achievement for a wee boy from the East End of Glasgow.' Vinnie admits his BGT journey is a world away from his day job at Thurston Manor holiday park near Edinburgh, where he runs kids' clubs and does the bingo calling and he's loving every minute. The performer, who would buy a retirement home for his parents Ann and Joe with the £250,000 prize money, said: 'When I started in the holiday parks, I really loved it. My dream was to be this singer who performs for people and gets them to listen to my own music, but the dream got further away over the years but now thanks to BGT is back and I'm living it. 'This is the biggest thing I have ever done and I have to pinch myself sometimes to make sure it is really happening. I'm used to singing in front of a room full of families in a caravan park and now I'm singing live in front of millions. 'After my audition the clip went viral on YouTube and the most crazy part was that I overtook Lady Gaga and Beyoncé on the trending list. A few celebrities have also been posting me on their social media too. It's just crazy.' The former St Andrews RC Secondary School pupil added: 'I went into my old high school last week and was able to tell the kids that no matter where they come from or what their background is they should never let go of their dreams because just look at me. 'I would never have imagined my dreams would have come true the way they have and hopefully it's only the beginning. 'It has inspired me to just go for it and make singing my full-time job. If I could do this every day for the rest of my life I would never retire. It's my passion and my dream.' Vinnie, who is planning to get into a studio soon and record some songs, says he will be forever indebted to Simon Cowell. The singer, who would love to do a collaboration with the Proclaimers, said: 'I'm chuffed to be Simon's first ever Scottish golden buzzer. I couldn't believe it when he pushed it and the confetti started raining down. He told me it was the best rendition of 500 Miles he had ever heard. 'During the audition I was trying not to look at the audience but I caught Simon's eye at one point and he was smiling. He was so lovely to me afterwards too. 'When I was standing on the stage in the semi-final and my VT was playing I looked down at the judges and Simon smiled at me and said, 'You've got this.' He also gave me the thumbs up. 'Knowing that he was rooting for me meant so much and I want to continue to make him proud as he took a chance on me and gave me the golden buzzer.' He added: 'I'm ready to give the performance of my life tonight so keep everything crossed for me. Bring it on! I've never been so prepared and I'm raring to go. 'I can't reveal what song I will be singing in the final but it's my twist on a classic by a well known band and I think folk should have their tissues at the ready.' Vinnie says he is also excited about performing at the Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards with P&O Cruises on June 23. He said: 'I am over the moon and thrilled to have been asked to sing at the Awards and celebrate the nation's unsung heroes. Knowing that I will also be performing in front of some of the biggest names in Scotland is just unreal. 'It will be my first performance back home after appearing in the BGT final and I will be singing the Proclaimers' classic that kicked it all off so it's going to be extra special. I can't wait.' - The Britain's Got Talent live final will be on ITV1 and ITVX tonight at 7pm
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Love Island star stuns fans as she teams up with Take That member for charity gig
LOVE Island winner Paige Turley has stunned fans after teaming up with a hunky boyband member. Scottish beauty Paige, 27, was pictured with 5 Love Island star Paige joined forces with Howard Donald Credit: Instagram 5 The star showed off her dress for the occasion Credit: Instagram Paige and Howard joined forces for the Big Shiny Disco Brunch, along with a whole host of popular drag queens. "What a gig with @bigshinydiscobrunch & @howarddonald for the @catherinemcewanfoundation," Paige penned in the caption of the post where she posed with Howard. In the first snap, Paige could be seen sitting on a sofa beside Howard as they beamed for the camera. Posing with the Take That hunk, Paige was wearing a black and white vest t-shirt and had her legs on display. Read More about Love Island In other snaps from her photo dump, Paige could be seen performing on stage in a glittery red frock. Commenting on her Instagram post, one fan said: "What a great day. You were fabulous as always Paige." Another gushed: "You Look great Paige." "Very lucky girl lol," swooned another. Most read in Love Island A fourth then wrote: "Amazing. I love Howard." While a fifth penned: "Noooo , your so lucky!! Howard." Love Island's Anton Danyluk and Paige Turley has fun at Pride of Scotland Awards Although Paige is famed for starring on Love Island, she is also known for having participated in Britain's Got Talent in 2012. Both Paige and her ex have now moved on with their respective partners. Earlier in the year, Paige looked happier than ever as she showed off her new man at an event. 5 The star is a singer as well as an influencer Credit: Splash 5 Paige rose to fame on Love Island in 2020 Credit: Rex 5 Howard is well loved for being part of Take That Credit: AFP Love Island winners - where they are now EVERY year Love Island opens its doors to more sexy Islanders who are hoping for a holiday romance that could turn into more. Here we take you through all of the 2025 - The second series of All Stars saw STATUS: Still together. 2024 - The summer Love Island saw and Josh Oyinsan were STATUS: Broken up. 2024 - The first ever All stars spin off show was STATUS: Still together. 2023 - STATUS: Broken up. 2023 - The first series of 2023 saw STATUS: Still together. 2022 - STATUS: Broken up. 2021 - STATUS: Still together. 2020 - The first ever winter Love Island saw STATUS: Broken up. 2019 - Series 5 saw STATUS: Broken up. 2018 - It wasn't surprising fan favourites STATUS: Broken up. 2017 - STATUS: Broken up. 2016 - Nathan Massey and Cara De La Hoyde were together from the start of the series, and since they won the show they've had two kids and are married. STATUS: Still together. 2015 - Despite poor STATUS: Broken up. Talking about how they met, she told The Sun: 'We knew of each other already and we're from the same area so had known of each other for a couple of years. 'But then I was in Ibiza in June with some friends and so was he, and we got together as all our friends knew each other.' Paige had She shared photos with a mystery man in a plunging dress at the time, but he's now been confirmed as her new boyfriend. In the post, she shared a series of ten pics and captioned it: "Some moments recently with my fave people!!"
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Love Island star stuns fans as she teams up with Take That member for charity gig
Plus, more about Paige's career so far NEW PAIGE Love Island star stuns fans as she teams up with Take That member for charity gig Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOVE Island winner Paige Turley has stunned fans after teaming up with a hunky boyband member. Scottish beauty Paige, 27, was pictured with Howard Donald from Take That as they united for a charity gig. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Love Island star Paige joined forces with Howard Donald Credit: Instagram 5 The star showed off her dress for the occasion Credit: Instagram Paige and Howard joined forces for the Big Shiny Disco Brunch, along with a whole host of popular drag queens. "What a gig with @bigshinydiscobrunch & @howarddonald for the @catherinemcewanfoundation," Paige penned in the caption of the post where she posed with Howard. In the first snap, Paige could be seen sitting on a sofa beside Howard as they beamed for the camera. Posing with the Take That hunk, Paige was wearing a black and white vest t-shirt and had her legs on display. In other snaps from her photo dump, Paige could be seen performing on stage in a glittery red frock. Commenting on her Instagram post, one fan said: "What a great day. You were fabulous as always Paige." Another gushed: "You Look great Paige." "Very lucky girl lol," swooned another. A fourth then wrote: "Amazing. I love Howard." While a fifth penned: "Noooo , your so lucky!! Howard." Love Island's Anton Danyluk and Paige Turley has fun at Pride of Scotland Awards Although Paige is famed for starring on Love Island, she is also known for having participated in Britain's Got Talent in 2012. Paige and her Love Island ex Finn Tapp split in 2023, after winning the first winter series in South Africa back in 2020. Both Paige and her ex have now moved on with their respective partners. Earlier in the year, Paige looked happier than ever as she showed off her new man at an event. 5 The star is a singer as well as an influencer Credit: Splash 5 Paige rose to fame on Love Island in 2020 Credit: Rex 5 Howard is well loved for being part of Take That Credit: AFP Talking about how they met, she told The Sun: 'We knew of each other already and we're from the same area so had known of each other for a couple of years. 'But then I was in Ibiza in June with some friends and so was he, and we got together as all our friends knew each other.' Paige had previously hinted that she'd met someone new in September of last year. She shared photos with a mystery man in a plunging dress at the time, but he's now been confirmed as her new boyfriend. In the post, she shared a series of ten pics and captioned it: "Some moments recently with my fave people!!"
Scotsman
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Callum Beattie charity nominated for prestigious award
Scottish singer-songwriter Callum Beattie has hailed Hamilton-based Ups And Downs Theatre Group as 'superstars' after its nomination for this year's Pride of Scotland Awards. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... Beattie is patron of the parent-led charity dedicated to young people with Down Syndrome and their families, which takes its members from all backgrounds, ages and abilities. The group performed a memorable week-long show at the Hamilton Town House to mark its 30th anniversary, performances which lead to them being shortlisted in a new category at the prestigious awards - the P&O Cruises Inspiration Award. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It honours a remarkable individual or group who inspires everyone around them, or the wider world, with their positive spirit and awe-inspiring journey to achieve, or overcome, adversity – and Beattie, who was a guest performer on each of the five nights, insists the nomination is well deserved. Help: S3 Hamilton College pupil Daniel Ford was among the helpers at the show. 'Being a patron of Ups And Downs (along with my manager Dave) is one of the greatest honours of my life,' he said. 'Spending time with the cast is the best thing we do every year. They are all absolute superstars. I'm delighted to hear of their nomination. It's well deserved as they really are an inspiration to so many.' The Ups And Downs annual performance is always memorable but this year's week-long showcase was extra-special as the significant milestone was marked, with pupils from nearby Hamilton College playing a role in making the event a success. Ably assisted by singers from the school on three of the five nights, the theatre group performed a selection of No. 1 hits from the past 30 years before the cast wowed the audience with their production of a Teeny Shop of Terrors, based on the musical Little Shop of Horrors. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hamilton College has enjoyed a long-standing partnership with the local charity, doing whatever it can to help over the years. Former Head of Science Shelda Pirie is currently a board member and said: 'Following the success of our 30th anniversary show, we are extremely proud to have been nominated for the Pride of Scotland Inspiration award this year. Support: Ups and Downs patron Callum Beattie on stage at Hamilton College's 40th anniversary concert. 'Hamilton College has generously supported the Ups and Downs Theatre Group for over 15 years and we truly believe the support we received this year played an important part in our recognition. 'The involvement of the singers from Hamilton College added significant value to the overall sound on the night, enhancing both the volume and clarity on stage. Their contribution was key in helping us deliver such a memorable and professional show. We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the Hamilton College pupils who volunteered their time during show week to sell programmes and raffle tickets. Their assistance was a great help and contributed to the welcoming and supportive atmosphere throughout the week.'
