Latest news with #SuePerkins
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Our Guy in Vietnam, review: Martin is wasted on this feather-light tourist stuff
There is no one else like Guy Martin on British television. And there is no one else who can do what he does. So, to be blunt, why have Channel 4 sent him to undertake a job that Sue Perkins could do? Our Guy in Vietnam (Channel 4), a two-part series to mark 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War, is not the usual Guy Martin gig – a daredevil challenge or an engineering geek's adventure – it is a bog-standard travelogue. 'We're in full tourist mode here,' says Martin. Yep. 'We don't normally do tourist things.' You do now, Guy. 'Yeah, Vietnam,' says Martin at the top of the programme, as if the audience had just shouted 'Vietnam?' at seeing the programme title. He's here, he says, because he's keen to get to the bottom of this 'Communism job' and we are treated to some GCSE-level potted history about Ho Chi Minh, the French occupation and central planning. The programme leans gently into Martin's strengths – vehicles, engineering, war history – and, as you witness him trying to pull a wheelie on a motorbike and sidecar, create some homemade napalm, zip down the Ho Chi Minh trail on a dirt bike, and detonate an unexploded cluster bomb, it feels like you are watching someone on a stag-do itinerary put together by a blokey amateur-history enthusiast. Even his patter is war-buffs-down-the-pub: 'It's not a point of debate. Vietnam won the war. Simple.' Yet there was nothing here that Sue Perkins wouldn't do – tai chi down the park, hawking at a floating market, riding an overladen moped – and even the segments that should hold some weight, such as speaking to a man who was born with deformities because of Agent Orange, are gossamer-thin and over in the blink of an eye. Some moments are just plain daft. 'Bus travel is quite a common form of travel in Vietnam,' says Martin. The voice-over teems with inane generalisations about the country ('The Vietnamese admire wealth') and some moments plumb depths of meaninglessness that even Inside the Factory and Gregg Wallace would fear. An electronic-vehicle factory site is, we're told, 'twice the size of Monaco'. We're not told how big Monaco is (about half the size of Central Park, since you ask). It is arguably Martin's first misstep since he roared onto our screens in a cloud of exhaust fumes many years ago, and if the programme has merit, it's simply in spending time with him. There is something undeniably charming about watching a mechanic from Grimsby pottering about Hanoi, calling everyone 'duck' or 'big man', but Martin is wasted on this feather-light tourist stuff. Occasionally, we get a glimpse of his unique appeal, such as when he notices that the thousands of lights in a gaudy temple are 'filament not LED' and frets about the cost, or when he visits Hanoi's famous Train Street and brings a tape measure so he can find out the track gauge. Martin has an idiosyncratic view of the world; Our Guy in Vietnam had everyone else's.
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Nail art company named Small Business of the Year as inspirational small organisations honoured at awards
Nail art company named Small Business of the Year as inspirational small organisations honoured at awards HONA – 'Home of Nail Art' – is a hypoallergenic nail product business set up to raise standards in the nail industry by providing safe, high-performance products for professional nail technicians. Welsh business Home of Nail Art, on a mission to improve safety standards in the beauty industry, won Small Business of the Year at the Small Awards; photographed with Sue Perkins (left) and Michelle Ovens CBE (right) A Welsh nail art business has been named 'Small Business of the Year' by Small Business Britain at this year's Small Awards, with ten other stand-out, inspirational small businesses from across the country also celebrated. HONA – 'Home of Nail Art' – is a hypoallergenic nail product business set up to raise standards in the nail industry by providing safe, high-performance products for professional nail technicians. Michael Henson from Newport founded HONA after seeing nail artists struggle with allergens in nail products and a lack of transparency from suppliers. The Small Awards celebrates the nation's 'smallest and greatest' small businesses across all sectors, and is sponsored by digital marketing leader Constant Contact. HONA was awarded the prestigious Small Business of the Year title by Sue Perkins at a glittering ceremony in London, as well as being awarded winner of the 'Supply Chain Champion' category. Leyla Alexander Design (right) won the 'Sole to Sole' award for best one-person business at this year's Small Awards, this year sponsored by digital marketing leader Constant Contact Ten other UK small businesses also received awards, including Blind Beauty, a skin care brand set up when founder Hazal Baybasin lost her sight, as well as Italian family eatery 'Shambles Restaurant and Bar' in Teddington, co-run by Massimo Langella and first established by his parents. Article continues below Now in its ninth year, the annual Small Awards is organised by Small Business Britain, which champions, inspires, and accelerates small businesses in the UK. From high street heroes and sole traders to sustainability leaders, over 80 independent businesses across 11 categories were celebrated and spotlighted for their incredible achievements and community contributions. The full list of winners included: Michelle Ovens CBE, Founder of Small Business Britain, stated: "Small businesses are the heart and soul of their communities and contribute massively to the UK economy. Every year, The Small Awards recognise their efforts after a nationwide search of the smallest and greatest of businesses. "We are incredibly proud of all the nominees, and congratulate the winners for their success. We are thrilled to celebrate them at our glittering London ceremony, which champions these inspiring entrepreneurs and their businesses. I am excited to see them go from strength to strength, inspiring and supporting other small businesses on their journey." Hazal Baybasin (left) and her accessible skincare brand, Blind Beauty, won Mission Possible at the Small Awards ceremony in London The Small Awards was judged by a panel of leading enterprise experts. Guests enjoyed a night of entertainment at St Mary's church in London, with performances by the London City Voices choir and catering by independent providers. Erika Robinson, UK General Manager at Constant Contact, said: 'Constant Contact exists to help small businesses succeed and grow, and the Small Awards shine a much-deserved spotlight on the incredible entrepreneurs doing just that. 'Our research shows that 79 percent of Brits feel small businesses positively impact their lives - and this year's winners exemplify that impact through their innovation, resilience and deep community roots. We're proud to support their efforts and their vital role in driving the UK economy forward.' Article continues below Michael Henson, founder of the Small Business of the Year Award winner HONA, said: 'What an honour to win tonight—we are so grateful for the judges and Small Business Britain for the recognition. Awards like this give us the validation and push to keep doing what we're doing, making a difference in the beauty industry.' To find out more about the winners visit
Wales Online
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Historic Welsh hotel with huge claim to fame is the setting for top new BBC competition
Historic Welsh hotel with huge claim to fame is the setting for top new BBC competition BBC Two's Chess Masters: The Endgame is filmed in a famous Welsh hotel This grand hotel is in Wales (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Curve Media / Alistair Heap ) New BBC Two series, Chess Masters: The Endgame, is filmed at a famous Welsh hotel which is packed with history. The show, which seeks to find the newest chess star as players go head to head, was filmed at The Coal Exchange, in Cardiff. Only a stone's throw away from the scenic Cardiff Bay, you will find The Coal Exchange which is a striking building from both the outside and the inside. Chess Masters: The Endgame, hosted by Sue Perkins, was filmed in the grand ballroom of the hotel, making the perfect setting for tense chess moves. The Coal Exchange is a boutique luxury hotel where Welsh heritage meets modern comfort and they advertised themselves as "our hotel isn't just somewhere to sleep, it's somewhere to experience." The hotel is a Grade II listed building and once the epicentre of the global coal trade and quite literally the place where the world's first £1 million deal was made and the cheque was signed. Today, it's been lovingly restored into a luxurious hotel that still pays homage to its roots. Original wood panelling, high ceilings and intricate architecture all still remain. The ballroom, where the series is filmed, is as grand as they come, with ornate ceilings, chandeliers and sweeping staircases. Built between 1884 and 1888, The Coal Exchange was designed as a hub for trading Welsh coal. It wasn't just any exchange, though. Article continues below The building has a lot of history (Image: Mirrorpix ) It became one of the most important financial centres in the world, where deals worth millions of pounds were struck daily. At its peak, over 10,000 coal traders, shipowners, and businessmen would pass through its doors each day. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . The building itself was designed to impress, with its grand façade, sweeping staircases, and intricate wood panelling reflecting the immense wealth generated by the industry. The highlight of its history came in 1904 when The Coal Exchange witnessed the world's first £1 million business deal. At a time when £1 million was an almost unimaginable sum, this transaction solidified Cardiff's position as the world's leading coal-exporting port. However, no boom lasts forever. The 20th century brought massive changes to Cardiff and its coal industry. The decline began after World War I, when international demand for coal began to slow. The final blow came in the 1960s and 70s, when coal mining in South Wales drastically declined due to competition from alternative energy sources. As the industry collapsed, so too did the need for The Coal Exchange. By the 1980s, the building had fallen into disrepair. What was once a vibrant hub of global trade now stood empty, a shadow of its former self. What a setting (Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Curve Media / Alistair Heap ) For years, it remained abandoned, with only whispers of its past echoing through its grand halls. The redevelopment of Cardiff Bay in the 1990s and early 2000s aimed to breathe new life into the area, and The Coal Exchange was a prime candidate for restoration. In recent years, the building has been meticulously restored, preserving its rich heritage while transforming it into a luxurious hotel. In 2024 the hotel was closed between January and March after freeholder Eden Grove Developments took back possession of the building from operator Coal Exchange Hotel LLP. Article continues below
Telegraph
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
People ‘weaponise' ADHD to make excuses, suggests Sue Perkins
The comedian Sue Perkins has suggested that people 'weaponise' the label of ADHD to make excuses. The former Great British Bake Off presenter was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in 2022, aged 53. Perkins, who is now fronting the new BBC game show Chess Masters: The Endgame, told Radio Times that the diagnosis was 'useful to have' because it helped her understand 'why some things make me very upset and stressed'. However, the TV presenter explained that the label of the disorder was 'not about going, 'I can't and I won't because I've got a certificate''. She added: 'I don't weaponise it to make excuses for things that I do that aren't optimal. I want to be the best version of myself.' Speaking about her diagnosis, Perkins explained: 'I understand why I lose everything, why I can't prepare for things, why I don't like repetition.' According to the NHS, adults with ADHD typically show signs of being inattentive and struggling to concentrate. This may include having a lot of energy, feeling restless, being forgetful and finding it hard to organise your time. They may also show signs of being more hyperactive or impulsive such as being very talkative and interrupting conversations, as well as making quick decisions without thinking about the results or consequences. Elsewhere in the interview, Perkins explained that her late diagnosis made her feel like an 'outsider'. She said: 'We all feel like outsiders. But being diagnosed with ADHD very late is one reason I felt that way.' In 2023, Perkins responded to a post on X – formerly Twitter – about having the disorder after Tom Gray, the British songwriter and Gomez band member, opened up about his potential diagnosis. I have fully crept. Once I had the diagnosis, suddenly everything made sense - to me and those who love me. Wishing you well on the journey, Tom x — Sue Perkins 💙 (@sueperkins) January 4, 2023 Alongside TV presenting, the comedian will soon be touring her new stand-up live show, The Eternal Shame of Sue Perkins, setting off in January next year. Describing the premise of the show, she said: 'I'm unpacking what would have overwhelmed me when I was younger – the endless failings, awkwardness and difficulties of life.' Perkins is also the co-host of a podcast with the comedian Mel Truly, entitled Mel & Sue: Should Know By Now.
The Independent
07-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Sue Perkins says she refuses to use ADHD as an excuse for behaviour
Comedian and presenter Sue Perkins has opened up about living with ADHD, saying that she refuses to use her diagnosis as an excuse for her behaviour. The 55-year-old, known for co-hosting The Great British Bake Off and presenting the BBC 's Chess Masters: Endgame, recently received her ADHD diagnosis. Speaking to Radio Times, Perkins said the diagnosis has brought clarity to certain aspects of her life. "It was useful to have," she explained. "I now understand why some things make me very upset and stressed. I understand why I lose everything, why I can't prepare for things, why I don't like repetition." Perkins says navigating a world often structured around routines and expectations, which can be difficult for people with ADHD. However, she maintains a proactive approach, she says: "I live in a world where those things are expected, so it's not about going, 'I can't and I won't because I've got a certificate.'" Instead, she strives to understand her condition and manage its impact on her life. 'I don't weaponise it to make excuses for things that I do that aren't optimal. I want to be the best version of myself.' According to the NHS, adults with ADHD typically show signs of being inattentive and struggling to concentrate. This may include having a lot of energy, feeling restless, being forgetful and finding it hard to organise your time. They may also show signs of being more hyperactive or impulsive such as being very talkative, interrupting conversations, as well as making quick decisions without thinking about the results or consequences. In 2023, Perkins responded to a post on X, formerly Twitter, about having ADHD, after the British songwriter and Gomez band member Tom Gray opened up about his potential ADHD diagnosis. Gray said: 'I'm creeping towards an ADHD diagnosis. Strongly advised to do it to help me but more likely help people who have relationships with me. Never realised before how object permanence is such a problem for me. Staying in touch rarely if ever occurs to me. I can only apologise.' The comedian replied saying: 'I have fully crept. Once I had the diagnosis, suddenly everything made sense – to me and those who love me. Wishing you well on the journey, Tom x'. Alongside TV presenting, the comedian will soon be touring her new stand up live show, The Eternal Shame Of Sue Perkins, setting off in January 2026. Mel & Sue: Should Know By Now.
