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New Statesman
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Statesman
Why I'm falling for East 17
Illustration by Charlotte Trounce We seem to have chosen just the right moment to move to Walthamstow. The week before we got the keys to our new flat at the end of August last year, the area's only cinema – closed since the previous summer – reopened under new ownership. Next, in March, the Times named E17 the best place to live in London. Getting 'Stay Another Day' stuck in my head every time I write my postcode seems a fair price to pay for such heights. Then, last Friday, the new outpost of Soho Theatre, the confusingly named Soho Theatre Walthamstow, opened. It's not often that a PR invite lands in my inbox that I actually want to say yes to, but a long-anticipated opening night a ten-minute walk from my flat? It was an easy yes. The site has been a cultural landmark since 1887, when a Victorian music hall opened there. The building that now exists opened in 1929 as a cinema, and was often frequented by Alfred Hitchcock, who was born in the borough (though too late, sadly, for William Morris, our other famous alumnus). Later, it operated as a music venue, hosting the Beatles, the Who, the Rolling Stones and Buddy Holly. In 2003 the building was bought by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, but they were unable to get planning permission, and it fell into disrepair. Various groups campaigned for it to be restored and reopened as an arts venue, and in 2018 the council acquired it and announced that Soho Theatre would operate it. We missed all these years of hard work by local activists, swanning in at the last-minute for the rewarding part. But still, seeing the buzz on the street on opening night, I felt pride for my little corner of London. For our first six months of living in the area, the theatre was boarded up and, save for the odd glimpse through a door left open by a workman, we had no idea what lay behind. As it turns out, what lay behind was an opulent baroque theatre, which, at 1,000 seats, proffers a new sort of comedy venue for the capital: far bigger than Soho Theatre's Dean Street home, but far smaller the Hammersmith Apollo. The opening-night show, Weer by the LA comedian Natalie Palamides, is a piss-take of Nineties comedies, in which Palamides plays both on-off lovers over the course of their three-year relationship. When her right-hand side faces the audience she is Mark, with a plaid shirt and a brooooooo-ish drawl; her left is Christina, in alarmingly low-rise jeans and a G-string pulled up to her waist. It's an extraordinary feat of physical comedy; Palamides, at various points, runs into herself, snogs herself, tries to revive herself after a car crash. It's clownish, explicit, and fearless. There are a lot of in-jokes – knowing nods to the duality of the performance; references to Notting Hill and The Notebook – and some truly hilarious audience participation (though perhaps I'd feel differently had I been called upon to pretend to dance in a club on stage). Those roped in are generally good sports, though Palamides has to petition three audience members before one will deliver the traditional 'discovering he's cheating' voicemail. I am all ready to go, should the mic be pointed in my direction: 'Hey baby, I had so much fun last night. You left your pants behind…' There's also a lot of nakedness; I keep waiting to get used to the fact that Palamides has her boobs out for a considerable chunk of the show, but the moment never comes. After a high-energy 80 or so minutes, Palamides gives an emotional thank you and the whole room stands to applaud, and I find myself moved that this space could mean so much to so many, as I often am by collective demonstrations of emotion. I never really wanted to move to Walthamstow – leaving Islington was a financial necessity more than anything. But I'm getting to know it, growing to love it, more each day. Here's hoping those drawn out to the end of the Victoria Line by our very own Soho Theatre don't feel the same, because house prices are bad enough as it is. [See also: The solitary life of bees] Subscribe to The New Statesman today from only £8.99 per month Subscribe Related
Edinburgh Live
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
East 17's Brian Harvey rages 'I'm entitled to benefits' despite selling 22 million records
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 East 17's Brian Harvey, who soared to fame with the band's staggering 22 million record sales, has shockingly admitted he's on benefits despite his nineties stardom. The 50 year old former frontman, who created smash hits like Stay Another Day and If You Ever with Gabrielle, has faced financial hardship since the group parted ways in 1999 and following Tony Mortimer's exit two years prior. After an unsuccessful attempt at a solo career, Brian has retreated from the public eye, only to resurface with a startling revelation on TikTok. While puffing on a cigarette and angrily addressing "trolls" criticising his benefits claims, he exclaimed: "I'm entitled to benefits. I sold 22 million records, that's not a big-up, it's a fact!". In a video taken outside his local council building, Brian erupted with a tirade aimed at council staff declaring, "Who put Walthamstow on the map?"What are you on about, wasting your time? You wouldn't have a job here if it weren't for me paying tax on 22 million f*****g records. F**k you! F**k you!, reports the Mirror. Returning home, the East Anglian music icon – once romantically linked with Danniella Westbrook – continued ranting on TikTok: "How much tax have I paid and how much tax have you d***head trolls paid? 22 million records! Could you do that? No, you couldn't do that, you're just jealous." Despite the explosive outburst, many of Brian's followers rushed to his defence, suggesting he has every right to claim benefits, while some pondered about the whereabouts of his fortune, hinting that perhaps an appearance on Celebrity Big Brother might help bolster his bank account. Following a public spat with Tony that led to his exit from East 17, Brian made headlines for controversial remarks about ecstasy use during a radio interview. He then tried his hand at a solo career, releasing True Step Tonight in 2001. However, he found it challenging to replicate the commercial success he had enjoyed with the band. In 2006, an attempt was made to reunite all four original members of East 17 for Channel 4's Bring Back... series. Another reunion took place in 2010, but Tony departed again in 2013. Brian left once more in 2014, marking the end of the line for the Walthamstow Four. In 2005, Brian survived a severe accident outside his East London home when he fell under the wheels of his reversing Mercedes. The incident resulted in serious injuries and necessitated a lengthy recovery period. Throughout the 2010s, he occasionally surfaced in the media to talk about his ongoing struggles with mental health and financial issues. Brian has been remarkably open about his life post-fame, using social media platforms to engage directly with fans and share his experiences. In recent years, the Deep star has been trying to revive his career via YouTube and TikTok, setting up a channel to connect with his followers and share his journey. (Image: Tik Tok)
Daily Mirror
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
East 17's Brian Harvey defends claiming benefits after selling 22 million records with 90s stars
East 17 star, Brian Harvey, has taken to TikTok in an angry rant, slamming 'trolls' who say he shouldn't be claiming benefits after selling 22 million records East 17 star, Brian Harvey, has revealed he's on benefits despite shifting a staggering 22 million records with the nineties legends. Brian, 50, fronted the band from Walthamstow alongside Tony Mortimer and stormed the charts with tracks, including Stay Another Day and If You Ever, featuring Dreams star, Gabrielle. However, after the band split up in 1999 following Tony's departure in 1997, Brian stepped away from the spotlight after trying to go solo - and has now revealed his financial woes as a result. Taking to TikTok, smoking a a cigarette, ranting furiously about "trolls" who say he shouldn't be claiming benefits, he fumes: "I'm entitled to benefits. I sold 22 million records, that's not a big-up, it's a fact!" Sharing a video from outside his local council office, he can then be heard shouting: "Who put Walthamstow on the map? "What are you on about, wasting your time? You wouldn't have a job here if it weren't for me paying tax on 22 million f*****g records. F**k you! F**k you!" Returning home, Brian, who used to date Danniella Westbrook, continues on TikTok: "How much tax have I paid and how much tax have you d***head trolls paid? 22 million records! Could you do that? No, you couldn't do that, you're just jealous." Responding to the post, many fans supported Brian, saying he was "absolutely entitled" to claim benefits. However, others asked him where all his money had gone as one suggested he needed to "go on Celebrity Big Brother to make some cash". After his departure from East 17 following a public fallout with Tony after Brian made controversial comments about taking ecstasy in a radio interview, the singer attempted a solo career, releasing True Step Tonight in 2001. However, he struggled to achieve the same level of commercial success he had found with the band. In 2006, East 17 attempted a reunion with all four original members for Channel 4's Bring Back... series. In 2010 another reunion occurred, but Tony left again in 2013. In 2014, Brian quit again and that was the end of the road for the Walthamstow Four. In 2005, Brian survived a serious accident outside his home in East London after falling under the wheels of his reversing Mercedes that left him with severe injuries and required lengthy rehabilitation. Through the 2010s, he occasionally appeared in the media to discuss his subsequent struggles with mental health and financial difficulties. Brian had been refreshingly candid about his life after fame, using social media platforms to communicate directly with fans and share his experiences. In recent years, the Deep star has attempted to rebuild his career through YouTube and TikTok where he has set up a channel to connect with his followers and share his story.
