Latest news with #RobBeckett
Campaign ME
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Campaign ME
How live podcasts are redefining community and content in MENA
Live podcasts are now taking the event industry by a storm. They are extending from smartphone apps to stages around the world and becoming a driving force in live entertainment and community-building. What started as fairly niche audio storytelling and conversations has evolved into a new kind of live event experience that is rooted in familiarity, intimacy, and a shared interest. At Platinumlist, we've seen this transformation unfold and we can say for certain – it's only gaining momentum. From listening to experiencing The emergence of live podcasts changed how people interact with the content they love. Fans are no longer entirely happy with being passive listeners. They seek presence, interaction, and the excitement of seeing their favourite hosts in real time. This desire for connection is fuelling a new genre of live entertainment – refreshingly different from stand-ups, concerts, or seminars. Popular UK shows like Parenting Hell Live and NearlyParents Live have found eager audiences not just in London or Manchester, but across the Middle East. In July 2023, comedians Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe brought their signature chaos to Dubai Opera, transforming parental meltdowns into sold-out comedy gold. In October 2025, Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo returned to the same venue with NearlyParents Live, chronicling their journey into parenthood with an audience full of expats who saw themselves in every anecdote. Live podcasts are more than just traditional stage recordings. They are manifestations of a shared digital closeness that has been transformed into actual group interactions. These programmes, which only require a few microphones, unvarnished honesty, and well-timed humour, encourage a level of involvement that is rarely possible with traditional formats. Why fans show up Three key factors that appeal to younger audiences have contributed to the surge in live podcast events: familiarity, community, and emotional depth. Unlike a new play, concert or seminar, podcast audiences already have a relationship with the performers. They've spent hours or even years with their voices, heard their stories and have a certain attachment to their persona. It's like meeting old friends; except this time, they're holding a mic on stage. This sense of familiarity helps the viewers connect with their favourite performers and shorten the distance between the artist and the community. Second, these events create an instant community. People who attend live podcast shows often share specific interests or life experiences. Whether it's new parenthood, personal development, or chaotic comedy, the crowd is already pre-selected to vibe together. That shared reference point amplifies laughter, vulnerability, and connection. Lastly, there's a unique depth-with-lightness to these shows. Unlike tightly scripted theatre or high-energy stand-up, live podcasts have a flexible, conversational tone. Shows like The Diary of a CEO – An Evening with Steven Bartlett blend real-time audience Q&A with free-form reflection. This brings content that's just intellectually and emotionally stimulating but not overly polished and rehearsed. More than entertainment: A platform for brand and creator growth Creators and brands also benefit from the move to live events. Podcasts are increasingly becoming a part of personal and commercial brand-building strategies. Going live adds a powerful layer: it humanises the voice, strengthens fan loyalty, and creates new monetisation opportunities through tickets, merch, and sponsorships. What's perhaps most striking is how well these events have translated to the Middle East. In a region known for rapid digital adoption and growing demand for culturally relevant content, live podcasts are the perfect platform for local and international audiences and creators. At Platinumlist, we've seen significant interest in these events. Popular UK shows like Parenting Hell Live and NearlyParents Podcast have successfully toured the UAE, demonstrating significant regional appeal. For another live show, My Therapist Ghosted Me's, at Dubai Opera in 2023, tickets were completely sold out. All in all, live podcasts are gaining popularity among the UAE-based fans of international podcast stars. What's next for the region Looking ahead, we see the Middle East as more than just a rising market for international podcasts, but a source of its own live content. There will be no shortage of Arabic, English and bilingual shows from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the UAE, building tight-knit communities. There are several key emerging trends in the region. First, we anticipate more local creators launching regional tours. Second, we also expect a rise of podcast mini-festivals and themed series, as well as hybrid event formats that mix live storytelling with Q&A, improvisation, and audience engagement. Finally, we are likely to see more brands partnering with podcast hosts for targeted, trust-based engagement. Podcast live events offer a fresh alternative in a day when content is abundant but real connection is few. And we think this is just the beginning as that community keeps expanding, both online and offline. By Cosmin Ivan, CEO at Platinumlist
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Infested waters is only kept afloat by Helen George – erotic brush with stingray could help get her land huge TV deal
AT the risk of raining on ITV's latest celebrity parade, do you think this newspaper would've mentioned his death if Sir Lenny Henry had been eaten by a shark? I do. 9 Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters has become The Helen George Show Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 9 The Call The Midwife actress is so traumatised by a childhood swimming pool incident, involving rubber floats, that she cannot put her head under water Credit: ITV 9 Helen had a brush with a stingray on the series Credit: Getty It would've taken a heroic level of restraint not to do it under the headline 'Lenny Henry in pieces' as well. My point being, expectations should be well and truly managed before clicking on Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters where, in honour of Jaws' 50th anniversary, some reasonably famous people are forced to 'confront their fears' and 'step out of their comfort zones' while having to cope with the very real trauma of coming face-to-face with scuba diving instructors in the Bahamas. It's a hell of an ordeal for Lenny and the gang, as you can imagine. All but sunk Just in case the seven ever forget the point, though, they're joined by a trio of marine experts to ram home the environmental message and explain the celebs have 'nothing to fear from one of the most persecuted animals on the planet'. A fine sentiment that's only slightly undermined by the fact one of the team, Australian Navy para Paul de Gelder, has a prosthetic arm and leg, on account of the real ones being eaten by a bull shark in Sydney Harbour. As remote as the chances of this dismembering ever being repeated on Celebrity Infested Waters were, any possibility of it being a spectacle vanished with the line-up, which really should've been headed by an apex political predator like Boris or Alastair Campbell. Aside from getting the health and safety team drunk while you tampered with the shark cage, all you would then have needed to do was sign up some professional irritants, like Nish Kumar, Gemma Collins and the drumming Welsh weatherman, before filling the final crucial spot — for teeth-related reasons — with Rob Beckett. One of the sharks attempts to attack Rob Beckett? It's funny. One of the sharks attempts to mate with Rob Beckett? It's even funnier. Instead, the show was all but sunk when ITV went for worthy and likeable characters who include: Dougie Poynter, from McFly, Ross Noble, Ade Adepitan, actress Lucy Punch and Countdown's Rachel Riley. Lenny's there as well, obviously, still trying his best, bless him. Shark! Celebrity Infested Waters All hopes the other six ever had about hogging the camera, though, were dashed with the booking of Call The Midwife's Helen George, who announced her arrival right at the start of episode one when team leader Dr Tristan Guttridge told them: 'You're meeting bull sharks today.' 'Sharks? Today? In the water?' No, back in the Coconut Lounge at the hotel. Where the hell do you think you're going to meet them? From that moment onwards, it effectively became The Helen George Show. An actress so traumatised by a childhood swimming pool incident, involving rubber floats, that she cannot put her head under water or even look at it without giving us her full Meryl Streep routine from Sophie's Choice. Mind you, it was a slightly different performance we got when a stingray nuzzled her crotch in the shallows off Bimini island. 'Oh my God, it's gone right for my vagina! 9 Helen seems to be using her rather lovely Bahaman holiday as an audition for ITV's jungle, as she keeps shouting 'Get me out!' every time she's in the water Credit: ITV 9 Ross Noble and Rachel Riley on the series Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 'Ooh! Sucky sucky,' she groaned, before admitting afterwards: 'I've never been tickled by a stingray before. It was quite pleasant.' If I had to guess, of course, I'd say what's really going on here is that Helen's using her rather lovely Bahaman holiday as an audition for ITV's jungle, as she keeps shouting 'Get me out!' every time she's in the water. I'm vaguely glad she's there as well, because Celebrity Infested Waters would be an even flatter experience without her histrionics. What all the screaming in the world cannot do, though, is add any sort of point to Celebrity Infested Waters or take away from the stupidity of the exercise. Cupping goolies Because the really mind-blowing thing about this format is that ITV tried exactly the same thing in 2005, to mark the 30th anniversary of Jaws, with a one-off show called Celebrity Shark Bait, featuring Ruby Wax, Richard E Grant and Colin Jackson. And none of them had the decency to get eaten either. Now here we are, 20 years later, with a five-part series and Dougie Poynter from McFly cupping his goolies as he waded cautiously into the ocean asking: 'Are my testicles safe?' From the sharks? 100 per cent. From Helen? 50/50. UNEXPECTED MORONS IN THE BAGGING AREA LIGHTNING, Zoe Lyons: 'In which classic board game are the Hippopotamus Defence and Queen's Gambit opening moves?' Shui: 'Cluedo.' Zoe Lyons: 'A revolving pole with red and white stripes on it is often used to identify what place of business?' Rebecca: 'Fire station.' And Zoe Lyons: 'What type of raincoat is named after the Scottish chemist who invented the material it was first made from?' Craig: 'Anorak.' Aye, good old Charlie Anorak. One of the greats. RE: ITV's women's Euros 2025 pundit Eni Aluko: 'I struggle with questioning goalkeepers.' Then kindly p*** off. It's your job. GREAT SPORTING INSIGHTS Andrew Castle: 'The final result was three sets to one but it could have been four sets to love.' Clare Balding: 'Anything could happen. And it did.' And Pat Cash: 'There are four players who can hit with a straight arm – Federer, Nadal, Del Potro, Alcarez and Fernandez.' (Compiled by Graham Wray) BONO'S A LIVE 8 NO-NO 9 The Live 8 event was driven by a politician who longed to be a rock star, Tony Blair, and a rock star who longed to be a politician, Bono, above Credit: Getty THE difference between the first two brilliant episodes of BBC2's Live Aid At 40 documentary and the soulless third was as stark as the chasm that existed between the original gig and the 2005 version. Because the first concert, in 1985, was a beautiful, spontaneous union between the British people and their favourite rock stars, driven by two men, Bob Geldof and Midge Ure, who were just trying to make a difference while having some fun. The terminally pompous Live 8 event, on the other hand, was clearly driven by a politician who longed to be a rock star, Tony Blair, and a rock star who longed to be a politician, Bono, who shared a messiah complex that overwhelmed everyone and everything else. It missed someone capable of filling the impossible void left by Freddie Mercury as well, obviously. But the most notable absence, in part three, was the public, who just had to sit tight while Blair, Putin, George W Bush and Bono did some sort of behind-closed-doors deal about Third World debt, and remain polite while Live 8 cretins like Miss Dynamite told them: 'As a nation we've robbed, killed, stolen and violated the Third World for centuries. If there's a debt to be paid, we're the ones that owe.' A version of events which is a bit hard to stomach when Britain was the first country in the whole history of humanity not just to ban the international slave trade but police it as well. She certainly set the self-loathing tone for a lot of large concerts that followed, though, and probably helped ensure one of Live Aid's main legacies is the constant background drone of celebrity sermonizing we must all now endure. And as for Africa? Yeah, it's still screwed. CELEBRITY Gogglebox, Alison Hammond watching The Price Of Perfection: 'Imagine going to sleep fat and waking up thin.' And miss your fifties? I wouldn't, Al. RANDOM TV IRRITATIONS RANDOM TV irritations: Love Island's half- German flight attendant Helena replying 'I don't know' to the question: 'Where's Austria?' Good Morning Britain imbeciles captioning a famous 1980s toy as the: 'Rubix cube'. BBC1's normally superb Gabby Logan turning into a seven-year-old child with the observation: 'Two more sleeps until the Wales- England game.' And Wimbledon commentators getting a throb on for the tournament's celebrity flotsam. A practice which should've ended long before Andrew Castle debased himself with the words: 'A lovely royal box there. 'That was Nick Clegg, our former Deputy Prime Minister.' THIS WEEK'S HERO TV hero of the week. The bloke who spent eight days on Weymouth beach turning 30 tonnes of sand into a life-size sculpture of Ben Shephard, Cat Deeley and the This Morning set who was then asked: 'How do you feel?' Very relieved Eamonn isn't still hosting, I'd imagine. LOOKALIKE OF THE WEEK 9 'Human Barbie Doll' Alicia Amira, left, and the Test Card clown, right Credit: Supplied THIS week's winner is 'Human Barbie Doll' Alicia Amira, off ITV2's Price Of Perfection, and the Test Card clown. Sent in by Ewen Davidson, of Hoddesdon, Herts. WITH all of its sly talk about 'diversity,' 'climate change,' and 'migration,' BBC2's anthropological series Human was already giving me the uneasy feeling it was using the past to spread propaganda about the present. 9 Ella Al-Shamahi hosting BBC2's anthropological series Human Credit: BBC Then host Ella Al-Shamahi, right, said: 'Six million years before Homo sapiens appeared, some primates left the trees, they started walking upright and began using stone tools. These tool-makers became . . .' Click. Bloody Keir Starmer. TV GOLD 9 Noel Edmonds invited the Prime Minister of New Zealand to dinner on the final episode of ITV's Kiwi Adventure who was 'busy' Credit: PA CHANNEL 4's reliably brilliant 24 Hours In Police Custody: Lost Boys. Sky Documentaries' over-long but incredibly touching Jayne Mansfield tribute My Mom Jayne. BBC2's Live Aid at 40 concert footage confirming Queen's show-stopping performance was every bit as mesmerising as the legend suggests. And Noel Edmonds going 'full Brent' on the final episode of ITV's Kiwi Adventure, where he invited the Prime Minister of New Zealand to dinner (he was 'busy'), speculated that he may have been a dolphin in a previous life and then assured his wife Liz, while sat in a hot tub, that she was 'one of the three most important things' in his life, ahead of 'helicopters and topiary'. You spoil that woman, Noel.
Metro
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Favourite British comedian forced to cancel shows after saying he's quitting sta
Rob Beckett has been forced to axe a string of shows after previously announcing he was quitting stand-up. The comedian began performing stand-up in 2009, making his debut at Edinburgh Fringe three years later. He is now best known for appearing on shows including Mock the Week, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Taskmaster and Lol: Last One Laughing UK. However, in March, the 39-year-old detailed his plans to take a step back from the stage. A month after Rob had announced he was stepping down from his BBC Radio 2 show, he explained he was planning on pausing stand-up shows to prioritise time with his children. Although he'd had shows planned in Scotland next week, Rob's now had to pull the plug after falling ill. Posting a message on Instagram, he wrote: 'Hello everyone, I'm so sorry but I'm not well and can't do the shows in Scotland this week. 'Aberdeen has been rescheduled to Wednesday 14th Jan 20206 and Edinburgh has been rescheduled to Thursday 15th Jan 2026. 'The venue will be in touch, but tickets remain valid for both shows. I hate doing this, but I'm not well enough to give you the best show possible, but I look forward to seeing you all at the new shows.' Despite his plans to take a break from stand-up, Rob has shows throughout the UK up until April next year. While most of Rob's upcoming stand-up shows have sold out, these ones still have tickets available: Southend- Cliffs Pavilion (September 10) Derry- Millennium Forum (September 25) Dublin- 3Olympia Theatre (September 27) However, after the cancellation of his Scotland shows, he won't be back on stage again until September, where he will perform in Liverpool, Sheffield, Southend, Buxton, Oxford, Belfast, Derry and Dublin, before he embarks on a tour of Australia. When previously explaining his decision to spend more time with his family, Rob told The Sun: 'I'll still do stand up and local clubs and charity gigs but I'm going to take a break from touring until the kids are 16/17. 'Then I'll do a big tour when they're sixth form and when they go to Uni, me and Lou are going to spend Feb and March in Australia bumming around.' The comedian also revealed that when he is 50, he wanted 'to do a psychology degree'. When revealing he was quitting his radio show, Rob said in a statement: 'I've had such a laugh each Sunday getting to know the listeners, but as my tour schedule hots up and my family forget what I look like, I've decided to step away from a weekly show.' More Trending However, the comedian also promised fans that he would return. He added: 'But you won't get away from me that easily as I'll be back presenting shows on Radio 2 later in the year when normal service is resumed!' Rob has been married to teacher Louise Watts since 2015. They share two daughters. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: All episodes of the 'funniest show on TV' are finally free to stream MORE: Amazon confirms beloved 98-year-old star will return in 2027 sequel to iconic 80s comedy MORE: Netflix fans rush to binge 'must-see' series after huge Rotten Tomatoes boost
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Huge comedian issues heartfelt apology to fans as he's forced to cancel upcoming Scotland shows due to being too unwell to perform
Rob Beckett has apologised to fans after being forced to cancel his upcoming stand-up shows in Scotland this week, due to ill health. The popular comedian, 39, took to his Instagram Stories to break the news and issue a heartfelt apology, as he admitted he was too unwell to perform. His was set to take his comedy tour, Giraffe, to Aberdeen Music Hall and Edinburgh Playhouse this week, but explained the gigs have now been rescheduled for January next year. In his statement, Rob penned: 'Hello everyone, I'm so sorry but I'm not well and can't do the shows in Scotland this week. 'Aberdeen has been rescheduled to Wednesday 14th Jan 20206 and Edinburgh has been rescheduled to Thursday 15th Jan 2026. The venue will be in touch but tickets remain valid for both shows.' He concluded: 'I hate doing this, but I'm not well enough to give you the best show possible, but I look forward to seeing you all at the new shows.' The Celebs Go Dating star is taking the next couple of months off from the tour, before recommencing in Liverpool in September, with shows in Sheffield, Southend, Buxton, Oxford, Belfast, Derry and Dublin. The following month, Rob is jetting off Down Under, with shows across Australia and New Zealand, before returning to the UK for dates in Leicester, Coventry, Halifax, Newcastle, Hull, Bristol, Nottingham and Eastbourne. While the star will continued the Giraffe tour in the new year, with the rescheduled Scotland shows being followed by gigs in Dubai, Brighton and London. However, after wrapping up the mammoth tour, Rob has revealed that he is quitting stand up touring to prioritise spending time with his children. He is the proud dad of two daughters with his wife Louise, whose names and faces he keeps private, despite being incredibly open about the highs and lows of parenthood on his podcast Parenting Hell with co-host Josh Widdicombe. And in March, he admitted to The Sun that he wanted to put touring on pause until his two daughters were all grown up. Rob said: 'I'll still do stand up and local clubs and charity gigs but I'm going to take a break from touring until the kids are 16/17. 'Then I'll do a big tour when they're sixth form and when they go to Uni, me and Lou are going to spend Feb and March in Australia bumming around.' Revealing another of his ambitions for the future, he added: 'When I'm 50 I want to do a psychology degree.' Meanwhile, Rob also quit his Sunday afternoon show on Radio 2 in April, after taking over from the late Paul O'Grady in 2022. Following a schedule shake-up, which saw him regularly swapping with Rob, Paul quit in August 2022 when he was told to share his duties with a younger presenter. He admitted at the time that he left the station because he 'wasn't really happy with the 13 weeks on, 13 weeks off business'. It came after a push by Radio 2 to attract younger listeners by recruiting younger talent sparked an ageism row and triggered an exodus of older talent including Ken Bruce. Rob had been hosting the 5pm-7pm slot every week since, until he announced he was stepping away from the show in February, but added that he will remain part of the BBC Radio 2 family. He explained: 'I've had such a laugh each Sunday getting to know the listeners, but as my tour schedule hots up and my family forget what I look like, I've decided to step away from a weekly show. 'But you won't get away from me that easily as I'll be back presenting shows on Radio 2 later in the year when normal service is resumed!' Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, added: 'I'd like to thank Rob for his brilliant work every Sunday evening. He'll stay within the Radio 2 family and will be heard on the station at a later date.'
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Top British comic apologises to fans after postponing tour dates last minute due to illness
Rob Beckett has apologised to fans after pulling out of a string of live gigs in Scotland due to illness. The comedian took to Instagram on Tuesday to share an update for ticket holders, admitting that he's 'not well enough' to perform. The Celebs Go Dating narrator penned: 'Hello everyone, I'm so sorry but I'm not well and can't do the shows in Scotland this week.' Beckett confirmed that his Aberdeen and Edinburgh dates have been rescheduled to early 2026. 'Aberdeen has been rescheduled to Wednesday 14th Jan 2026 and Edinburgh has been rescheduled to Thursday 15th Jan 2026,' he continued. "The venue will be in touch but tickets remain valid for both shows.' He concluded the announcement: 'I hate doing this, but I'm not well enough to give you the best show possible, but I look forward to seeing you all at the new shows.' In light of the news, some fans took to social media to share their disappointment over the postponed gigs. One penned on X: 'Meant to be seeing Rob Beckett in Aberdeen tomorrow night but just got an email to say it's been rescheduled to 14th of January next year' alongside a head in hands emoji. While another commented: 'So frustrating when that happens. Something to look forward to in the new year.' The update comes shortly after the comedian revealed plans to step back from large-scale touring to spend more time with his family. Beckett said he would continue doing smaller gigs, but would press pause on major tours until his children are older. 'I'll still do stand up and local clubs and charity gigs but I'm going to take a break from touring until the kids are 16/17,' he told The Sun in March. 'Then I'll do a big tour when they're sixth form and when they go to Uni, me and Lou are going to spend Feb and March in Australia bumming around. 'When I'm 50 I want to do a psychology degree.' Beckett, who began his stand-up career in 2009, rose through the comedy ranks after winning four competitions in his debut year. He launched his first solo show Rob Beckett's Summer Holiday at the 2012 Edinburgh Fringe and has since become a fixture on television and the comedy circuit. He married wife Louise in 2015 and the couple share two daughters.
