Latest news with #Scotland-based
The Irish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Gogglebox stars reveal they've been AXED from show after three years saying ‘C4 didn't ask us back'
A GOGGLEBOX duo have been axed from the hit series after three years on-screen. The Scotland-based pair, who signed up for the hit Channel 4 show back in 2022, gave their take on the nation's telly from Advertisement 5 A Gogglebox couple have been axed after three years on the Channel 4 series 5 Roisin Kelly and Joe Kyle were Gogglebox's first Scottish cast members in six years when they signed up in 2022 Credit: PA 5 The much-loved duo told how they were 'grateful' for their time on telly Credit: Rex Yet Roisin Kelly, 26, and Joe Kyle, 28, who moved in together at the beginning of lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, have revealed they'll no longer be on screen. Roisin posted a lengthy statement to her social media page, describing their Gogglebox stint as "so mad" while admitting they were "grateful." She wrote: "After three and a half years of sitting on the sofa Channel 4 have decided it's time for Joe and I to stretch our legs and have not asked us back for season 26. "Therefore we are leaving the Gogglebox family. Advertisement READ MORE GOGGLEBOX "We couldn't be more grateful to Studio Lambert for the opportunity, the experience has actually been so mad and we will miss watching TV with you all on Friday nights!" She added: "It's been an honour to represent Scotland as some of the first Scottish people on the show and prove we don't actually need subtitles." Roisin and boyfriend Joe, who were the first Scots to appear on the much-loved hit for over six years, added: "We have made friends for life and after filming every week for years you have become like our family! "We could not have asked for better people to work with and we will miss you immensely. Advertisement Most read in Reality "It for sure has been a once in a lifetime opportunity." The pair, who vanished in the first episode of the 2023 season, wrapped with the words: "Time to watch TV in silence for a bit and put down the popcorn." Roisin worlds away from Gogglebox sofa in incredible glam-up OFF SCREEN Roisin has built up an army of loyal social media followers for her fashion hacks away from Gogglebox fame. The office worker previously told how she wears slippers as outerwear as well as Advertisement She then told how she was flogging her garments on Vinted following a number of ASOS hauls. Away from Gogglebox, Roisin has also hosted a podcast titled Celebrity Gogglebox 2024: The lineup These are the celebrity pairings that are taking part in the special for Stand Up To Cancer. Josh Widdicombe and Stephen Merchant David Baddiel and Frank Skinner Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Saskia Reeves Miriam Margolyes and Lesley Joseph Jordan Pickford and Tony Bellew Meanwhile, just last year, we told how Roisin showed photos of her car rammed into a tree after the terrifying accident. Advertisement The Glasgow based star then accused the other driver of faking a heart attack as an excuse. Snaps revealed her smashed up motor surrounded by glass and debris after another car slammed into the back of it. 5 Roisin told how Gogglebox 'has not asked us back' Credit: Channel 4 5 They moved in together during the coronavirus lockdown Credit: Instagram Advertisement
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Gogglebox stars reveal they've been AXED from show after three years saying ‘C4 didn't ask us back'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A GOGGLEBOX duo have been axed from the hit series after three years on-screen. The Scotland-based pair, who signed up for the hit Channel 4 show back in 2022, gave their take on the nation's telly from their stunning seaside home. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 A Gogglebox couple have been axed after three years on the Channel 4 series 5 Roisin Kelly and Joe Kyle were Gogglebox's first Scottish cast members in six years when they signed up in 2022 Credit: PA 5 The much-loved duo told how they were 'grateful' for their time on telly Credit: Rex Yet Roisin Kelly, 26, and Joe Kyle, 28, who moved in together at the beginning of lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic, have revealed they'll no longer be on screen. Roisin posted a lengthy statement to her social media page, describing their Gogglebox stint as "so mad" while admitting they were "grateful." She wrote: "After three and a half years of sitting on the sofa Channel 4 have decided it's time for Joe and I to stretch our legs and have not asked us back for season 26. "Therefore we are leaving the Gogglebox family. "We couldn't be more grateful to Studio Lambert for the opportunity, the experience has actually been so mad and we will miss watching TV with you all on Friday nights!" She added: "It's been an honour to represent Scotland as some of the first Scottish people on the show and prove we don't actually need subtitles." Roisin and boyfriend Joe, who were the first Scots to appear on the much-loved hit for over six years, added: "We have made friends for life and after filming every week for years you have become like our family! "We could not have asked for better people to work with and we will miss you immensely. "It for sure has been a once in a lifetime opportunity." The pair, who vanished in the first episode of the 2023 season, wrapped with the words: "Time to watch TV in silence for a bit and put down the popcorn." Roisin worlds away from Gogglebox sofa in incredible glam-up OFF SCREEN Roisin has built up an army of loyal social media followers for her fashion hacks away from Gogglebox fame. The office worker previously told how she wears slippers as outerwear as well as dazzling in a see-through outfit. She then told how she was flogging her garments on Vinted following a number of ASOS hauls. Away from Gogglebox, Roisin has also hosted a podcast titled Nags and Brags. Celebrity Gogglebox 2024: The lineup These are the celebrity pairings that are taking part in the special for Stand Up To Cancer. Josh Widdicombe and Stephen Merchant David Baddiel and Frank Skinner Dame Kristin Scott Thomas and Saskia Reeves Miriam Margolyes and Lesley Joseph Jordan Pickford and Tony Bellew Meanwhile, just last year, we told how her parked car had been written off after it was smashed by another vehicle. Roisin showed photos of her car rammed into a tree after the terrifying accident. The Glasgow based star then accused the other driver of faking a heart attack as an excuse. Snaps revealed her smashed up motor surrounded by glass and debris after another car slammed into the back of it. 5 Roisin told how Gogglebox 'has not asked us back' Credit: Channel 4
Edinburgh Reporter
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Discussion on dementia stories to follow UK premiere of Lost Lear at Traverse on Sunday evening
A special discussion around telling stories of dementia will follow the first UK performance of Lost Lear at The Traverse on Sunday 27 July. The new show by award-winning Irish theatre maker Dan Colley is a moving look at living with dementia, told through the familiar lens of Shakespeare's characters Following the preview performance on the 27 July, Dan will be joined by Alex Howard and Gus Harrower from Capital Theatres dementia-friendly programme and Magdalena Schamberger, who specialises in creating theatre for those with dementia Lost Lear will run on the main stage at the Traverse from 2 to 24 August Following its first-ever UK performance at Traverse Festival on 27 July, the hit Irish theatre show Lost Lear will host a special public discussion around telling the complex stories of dementia in theatre. The discussion will feature Lost Lear's award-winning creator Dan Colley, who will be joined by Alex Howard and Gus Harrower from Capital Theatres Edinburgh's dementia-friendly programme and Scotland-based theatre-maker and consultant Magdalene Schamberger, who has over 20 years experience working with people living with dementia. The discussion will look at the initial creation of Lost Lear and its collaborations between Dementia Carers Campaign Network and the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland. The play itself, a loose adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear, examines how we know ourselves and who we are to each other, amidst the complexities of dementia. The discussion will also be a chance for audiences to talk about how the show has resonated with their own experiences of living with and caring for those with dementia, with an invite being sent out to people from local dementia communities. 'Dan collaborated with the Dementia Carers Campaign Network (DCCN), an advocacy group supported by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, in the early days of writing this play.' says Judy Williams, Advocacy, Engagement and Participation Officer for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. 'Through focus groups, carers shared their experiences, shaping Dan's approach to the play. For the DCCN, the project was compelling, inclusive, and in some ways, healing. It also provided new opportunities for carers to share their stories, while raising awareness about the challenges they face. We were very grateful for the opportunity to have this engagement with Dan and Matt, and we wish them all the best at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025. We hope as many people as possible have the opportunity to see this sophisticated and thought-provoking play.' 'Lost Lear is a captivating journey, from an energetic and rambunctious beginning to the poignant and gentle end, it portrays the bewilderment of someone who wants to care, trying to have the shared experience with the person living with dementia, struggling and sometimes failing.' says Susan Crampton of the Dementia Carers Campaign Network. 'I am delighted to hear that Lost Lear is going to Edinburgh and many more people will have the opportunity to see it for the first time – or again.' Lost Lear is a moving and darkly comic remix of Shakespeare's play told from the point of view of Joy, a person with dementia, who is living in an old memory of rehearsing King Lear. Joy's delicately maintained reality is upended by the arrival of her estranged son who, being cast as Cordelia, must find a way to speak his piece from within the limited role he's given. Using puppetry, projection and live video effects, the audience are landed in Joy's world as layers of her past and present, fiction and reality, overlap and distort. Lost Lear is a thought provoking meditation on theatre, artifice and the possibility of communicating across the chasms between us. Following rave reviews for its Irish premiere, where it picked up nominations for Best New Play, Audience Choice, Best AV Design and Best Supporting Actor at the Irish Times Theatre Awards, Lost Lear will have its UK premiere at the Traverse Festival in Edinburgh this August. Following its Fringe run, Lost Lear will tour to North America in Autumn 2025. Co-produced by Mermaid Arts Centre and Riverbank Arts Centre. Funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and supported by Fishamble's New Play Clinic. Part of the 2025 Culture Ireland Edinburgh Showcase. Traverse 1 Preview 27 July 7.30pm and 2 August 9.30pm Then 3 – 24 August (not Mondays) Times vary. Run time: 1 hr 15 min Tickets: £5 – £25 Like this: Like Related
The National
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
Edinburgh Fringe Festival 'eye-wateringly expensive' say performers
Story after story has appeared in the media about the spiralling costs but some performers are so determined to be there, they have resorted to crowdfunding to raise the cash. The Sunday National has been speaking to a number of Scots, Scotland-based performers and theatre makers from as far away as Australia to find out how and why they did it ... As a queer artist telling a deeply personal story, Edinburgh-based Conor O'Dwyer said he didn't want lack of finance to stop him staging his show at the Fringe. READ MORE: 'Not in our name': Protests start in Aberdeen amidst Donald Trump visit However, even with support from Creative Scotland for the development of his show, Homo(sapien), and with the Assembly venue giving a space without a guarantee, he has still had to fundraise to meet the 'inordinate' costs of the Fringe. 'It's getting harder every year to bring work to the Fringe without serious backing,' he said. 'We've had to meet huge costs for tech, marketing, and PR, which can spiral into the thousands. And that's all before artist fees. 'As a queer artist telling a deeply personal story, I don't want finances to be the thing that stops me. Crowdfunding has become a necessary part of the process, not just for raising money, but for building a community that's rooting for the show from the beginning. 'This was my first time using the service, and the Irish in me felt apologetic for asking for money! But it shocked me how people really get behind you when you've got a dream and a vision. I was overwhelmed by the support we received. And it's made this whole thing possible. It really does take a village.' is at Assembly Roxy, Snug Bar, from July 30 to August 24 Belfast-based Amanda Verlaque said the cost of staging her show, This Shit Happens All The Time, was 'anxiety-inducing'. 'It's eye-wateringly, bum-clenchingly expensive,' she said. 'My main goal is to ensure the actress and director are paid properly and the crowd funding donations are a life saver in this respect. 'Personally I'm not expecting to see a wage but it doesn't mean I'm happy to settle for an 'artist working for free for the exposure' tag around my neck. 'It's anxiety-inducing. I'm excited to have my play at the Fringe and I can't wait to soak up the atmosphere. But having to constantly hustle for money alongside all the other tasks that come with producing a show is overwhelming and demoralising at times. I'm steadying myself with the knowledge that it's for a finite period and come August 26, I'll be able to say that audiences loved the show and I had an absolute blast.' This Shit Happens All The Time is at Assembly George Square Studios (Studio Four), July 30 to August 25 (not 6, 13, 20) Glasgow's Sanjay Lago said he was very grateful for the support for his show, Love Me Like A Chai Tea Latte. 'The Fringe is a great place to create art but it feels that to be able to live when you aren't funded you have to fundraise,' he said. 'It's hard. And no one should have to work for free. My team and I are so grateful to the support we've had with a fundraiser and it shows people want to support art. But it's hard to create art when you come from up the road in Glasgow – or to be blunt, don't come from money.' Sanjay Lago, Love Me Like A Chai Tea Latte, is at Assembly Roxy (RoxyBoxy), July 30 to August 25 (not 11, 18) ALL the way from the US, The Monkeypox Gospel has a budget of $27,000 for its run at the Fringe and director, Alex Hare, said fundraising was still ongoing. 'The cost of housing this year was a little shocking but not exactly surprising – we're coming from NYC, where high rents affect us and everyone we know, so that aspect of the Fringe unfortunately feels like home,' he said. 'Our main costs are fees paid to our venue Underbelly, our PR team, housing, and sound equipment (it's a podcast-play with a fairly intricate sound design). Because we're independent artists and it's our first Fringe, we've been aiming to balance scrappiness with responsibility. 'On the one hand, that means having me as the director doubling as the sound board operator, while on the other hand prioritising good housing, for the sake of mental peace during the performing of a very personal show. 'Our show started life as a podcast memoir and will eventually be released in that form, but we've felt called to adapt it for theatre and bring it to the Fringe in order to create a group listening experience. 'The financial costs associated with that decision have been a lot for us – especially since many costs are front-loaded, with the expectation of some reimbursement later in the form of ticket sales. 'But like so many other artists coming this year, we believe in the work, in the process of making art from our lives, and in the prospect of sharing it with strangers.' The Monkeypox Gospel is at Underbelly Cowgate (Belly Laugh), July 31 to August 24 (not 11) Glasgow-based American playwright Connor McKenna is making his Edinburgh Fringe debut and said there was no question about having to fundraise because the costs are so high. A total of £3000 has been raised to stage Selzer Boy but he is not sure it will be enough. 'Plus, we're operating on a profit share model, and we're lucky that none of us are relying on our show to be a moneymaker first,' he said. 'It's our first time coming to the Fringe and so don't have any kind of institutional backing. We applied for a few different awards, such as the Keep It Fringe, but were unsuccessful. It's an incredible initiative, but there's unfortunately just not enough to go around for everyone. 'We're really lucky that we had such a supportive network that were willing to help us out, but we also know that it's not exactly a sustainable model, and not one that can be repeated year after year.' Seltzer Boy plays Appleton Tower (Ruby), July 30 to August 24 (not 11). Teeside-based Scott Turnbull's show Surreally Good has cost almost £15,000 for the entire Fringe run. 'My show is told for and through a working class lens – that kind of representation doesn't often get seen in the media because there are financial barriers we have to jump over to make sure we can afford to come to big festivals like the Fringe. 'This one's cost almost £15,000 for an artist like me to do a show for the month. The value in that isn't necessarily the money that I will make from it, but the representation that I give to some of my local community and their voices. 'A lot of the stories I tell are based in Teesside. These small working class, post-industrial towns are underrepresented and get an unfair public image. 'I want to celebrate where I'm from and the cool, kind, good natured and sometimes dark sense of humour of the area. 'The Fringe felt like a great opportunity to take my regional work to a national level. By fundraising, it allowed the local community to support a local artist to come up to Edinburgh.' (Image: PA) Surreally Good is at Summerhall (Former Women's Locker Room) July 31 to August 25 (not 11,18) Milly Blue and Jessie Maryon Davies have spent around £10,000 so far, without counting unpaid writing and rehearsal time to bring Elysium to the Fringe. 'It's kind of eye watering. But we really believe in our show and are excited beyond belief to be coming to Edinburgh. We're realising some huge dreams. But they're not messing about when people warn you it's pricey! 'We only recently launched our Crowdfunder as we had really hoped we could manage without it. But it has been a really wonderful experience. 'There's something deeply warm and encouraging about our community coming together and supporting us. 'I think that as we get closer and closer to our run and the nerves begin, affirmative messaging is really welcome. And we are so utterly grateful for the love we've been shown so far. 'We're so grateful to have received the £2.5k Keep it Fringe bursary, which was also really validating at the beginning of this process. But that amount, whilst invaluable, can only really be supplementary to the considerable further costs of taking a show to the Fringe.' Elysium by Ghouls Aloud Appleton Tower (Ruby), 30 July to August 24 (not 11). Capgras Theatre Company, based in London, decided to tackle the cost problem creatively by throwing a fundraising launch party on the solstice in the crypt of a church. The event was appropriate for their creepy new show Strangewife which has a strong wedding theme. 'The cost of accommodation, travel, and production for even small-scale, low-budget work has skyrocketed in recent years,' said a spokesperson. 'On top of that it's crucial to raise funds to pay our creative team what they deserve and achieve the artistic quality that would best represent our show. Despite the barriers, our work is ambitious and crowdfunding is key to realising its potential. 'Obviously getting all the necessary funds to cover the huge costs can be quite difficult, but we've chosen to take it as a creative challenge that has intertwined with the building of the show itself.' Strangewife is at Assembly Rooms (Front Room), July 31 to August 24 (not 6, 13, 20). Australian performer Darby James said running a fundraising campaign for Little Squirt felt like a whole project in itself. 'I've gone to crowd funding for a few reasons. When grant funding doesn't come through, crowdfunding helps absorb the immense cost of touring a show overseas, especially as an early-career artist,' he said. 'It's also an opportunity for me to connect with my community and have conversations about the work I'm doing. 'This year it's given me a chance to capture my second year of Fringe in a documentary which I didn't have capacity for last year. 'I'm really excited because it means we get to make something our donors can experience and bring a piece of the festival back with us. 'People have been so warm and receptive and it's a really joyful feeling to go into a fringe season with the backing of your community.' Little Squirt is at Appleton Tower (Bramley), July 30 to August 24 (not 6,18)
NBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- NBC News
Six university students drown while visiting mine in China
HONG KONG — Six students from a university in China drowned Wednesday after falling into a flotation tank while visiting a mine in the country's Inner Mongolia region. The students from Northeastern University in Liaoning province were observing the flotation process when a grid plate they were standing on suddenly gave way, causing them to fall into the tank, according to Xinhua, China's state-run news agency. 'Despite rescue efforts, all six students were confirmed drowned after being pulled from the tank. One teacher was also injured,' Zhongjin Gold, a subsidiary of state-owned China National Gold Group that operates the mine, said in a company filing Thursday. Flotation tanks are used to separate different types of small mineral particles, said Richard Williams, principal and vice chancellor of Scotland-based Heriot-Watt University, who has a background in mineral engineering. Anyone who falls into the tank could pass through the thick foam on top 'and then find themselves in a mixed slurry or in contact with the mixer blades,' Williams said in emailed comments. 'These types of accidents are rare. But mine safety remains a global challenge due to the nature of the work,' he said. Zhongjin Gold, which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, plunged at Thursday's open and ended the day down 4.41%. Calls to Northeastern University went unanswered on Thursday. The flotation workshop had been carrying out technical upgrade projects, including replacing floor grating panels on the second-level platform to address on-site safety risks, according to an article that China National Gold Group Inner Mongolia Mining Co. published in February on its official WeChat account. 'In 2024, the flotation workshop achieved zero safety, environmental, or occupational health incidents, meeting the 'zero accidents' safety goal,' the article said. Another article published in July 2020 described the flotation workshop during the summer as a 'giant steamer,' where workers were drenched in sweat. Both articles, which were viewed by NBC News, were deleted on Thursday afternoon after they were quoted by several media outlets. The accident has been a top discussion topic on social media in China, which is one of the world's top producers of many major minerals and has a long history of mine safety issues. In January 2024, the Chinese government said it was introducing strict measures to 'curb the frequent occurrence' of mining accidents. The previous year, there were 120 mine accidents in China resulting in more than 250 deaths, according to the country's official Mine Safety Accident Network.
