Latest news with #TheChief
Times
4 days ago
- General
- Times
Martin Shaw: ‘My remote cottage? You need a 4×4 to get to it'
I live near Norwich in a very rural area. My house was built in 1611. It's a standard East Anglian farmhouse cottage with a high, pitched roof. It's not big — three bedrooms with an attic room — but it's the perfect size for me. The house is surrounded by farmland and it's pretty isolated. I have about four acres, which include a lot of trees and a meadow. It's flat land, as you'd expect — windy, and awful for the internet and the phone line — but I wouldn't live anywhere else. I've been here for about ten years. Before moving here I had a very similar, slightly smaller cottage of about the same age nearby. How did you come to settle in Norfolk? About 20 years ago I did a TV series for Anglia Television called The Chief. At that time I was living in Stoke Newington in northeast London. I rented a simple cottage here, with somebody else's furniture and cutlery in it, like an old holiday home. I'd never been happier. So when The Chief finished after four years I sold the place in London and moved up here. Unfortunately I moved too early to catch the property boom. Have you changed the decor much since moving in? I've not done an enormous amount of renovation or redecorating — just a touch here and there to make the place feel and look more in keeping with what it is. I felt this was better than trying to make the place more modern, which is what one of the previous owners did, with absolutely hideous results. For instance, and this I found absolutely gobsmacking, they took out the original leaded mullion windows and replaced them with modern windows. Correcting that was one of the first things I did. Where did you grow up? I grew up in Erdington, Birmingham, which could not possibly be more different from where I live now. It was an early 20th-century council house — one of the first in the country — and had gas rather than electric lighting. The place was a little crowded, being home to my parents, Jo and Frank, my brother Jem and I, and my maternal grandparents. My grandfather was a gunsmith, and he had a shed in the back garden where he brought work home. The place was off limits, but I managed to steal the odd peek when the chance arose. Do you have a second home? I've had my getaway in southwest Scotland for 40 years. I'd always found city life oppressive, although I didn't realise this until I got out into the country and took a deep breath. So it remained an ambition to have somewhere in the country until I found this very remote small stone cottage. It's perched on a steep hill, and you need a 4×4 with exceptional ground clearance to get to it. But it's worth it. On a clear day I can look out of the window and see the Isle of Man. Why did you choose acting? When you start, you don't know what's coming. For me it was a process of osmosis. At school the only things I was really good at were English and drama. Naturally you gravitate toward what you do well. When I left school I worked in an office for a couple of years while doing semi-professional street theatre, before turning professional. I've been in more or less continuous employment for sixty years. • What was it like being in The Professionals? Before The Professionals I'd had three or four major successes in the West End, at the National Theatre, the Royal Court and on television. When the role of Doyle came along, I took it without thinking where it might lead. After the end of the first series I asked if I could be released, and quite rightly they held me to my contract. This meant four and a half years of misery, because the independent production company was not nice to work for, and the loss of privacy was horribly uncomfortable. All the kudos I'd built over ten years vanished for a spell as I became identified with that kind of role. How do you relax? I go on walks, and I like to fly old aeroplanes. I've had a pilot's licence for about 30 years, and enjoy spending time with my friends in the flying community. I don't have a routine because I'm never out of work for long enough to need to figure out what to do to fill my time. If I have a bit of time, I'll go up to Scotland. As lovely as this old house and the surroundings are, after a couple of months I want to get back to work because I enjoy digging into a new character, researching, and creating a role. Do you have a treasured belonging? I've been interested in aeroplanes since I was a young boy. Back then there were still a lot of planes flying over Erdington that had been involved in the war. It was a marvel to watch them. That fascination never waned. Now I have a Piper L-4 Grasshopper, which is what the US air force used as an artillery spotter during the Second World War. I've had it for 15 years. I feel privileged to own something that is a part of history.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
"They've definitely cleaned it up in that aspect" - Parish on why he's in favor of the so-called 'soft' NBA era
"They've definitely cleaned it up in that aspect" - Parish on why he's in favor of the so-called 'soft' NBA era originally appeared on Basketball Network. Many NBA legends are critical of how the game is being played these days. For most of them, the league has gone "soft." While that might be the case in today's NBA, Boston Celtics legend Robert Parish doesn't see anything wrong with it. During his playing years, Parish was one of the most dominant big men in the league. He never shied away from banging bodies with his matchups season after season. The Chief believes that today's NBA players are no longer doing the same, and it makes the game "better." Parish argued that players couldn't play their game back then because of too much physicality. Today, however, Robert can see most players being able to play their game without getting hacked or hurt. "From a physicality standpoint, I think it's better because first of all, you're eliminating a lot of the altercations that went on when they had the hand-checking and the bumping and grinding impeding players' progress when they wanted to make a move," Parish told The Signal in a Q&A session in 2016. "So, they've definitely cleaned it up in that aspect." Parish is against load management Even though Parish supports the NBA's shift from physical to softball, he disagrees with some league trends and practices, one of which is load management. For Robert, load management should not exist in a prestigious and competitive league such as the NBA. He believes injuries could be prevented in many ways without compromising the number of games a player is supposed to play each season. The Chief noted that being healthy is the result of a player's discipline and work ethic. He thinks all players are obliged to stay fit to avoid injuries, and resting should never be an option. For Parish, that's what LeBron James does best, and his longevity speaks volumes about his remarkable conditioning. "First of all, I find it insulting. First and foremost, your main and most significant priority should be fitness and conditioning. Load management should not be an issue unless you're coming off a significant injury," the nine-time NBA All-Star once said of load management. "We're all tired. We're all banged up and beat up. You take personal pride in your fitness and conditioning." "Everybody in the NBA needs to take a page out of LeBron's book in terms of fitness and conditioning, to take it as serious as he does. If you take care of your body the way LeBron does, load management should not be an issue," he pointed made a good point In all fairness, Parish made a good point with his take on today's NBA. He enlightened fans about the positive side of the soft NBA era and what players should do to stay healthy, apart from load management. Not everybody would agree with Robert, but he was right about players being able to maximize their abilities because of the absence of physicality. Moreover, Parish has also proven that load management isn't the key to avoiding injuries, as he lasted 21 years in the NBA just by being disciplined and dedicated. All told, it's quite interesting to know that a legendary player from the past era believes that the evolution of the game is good for the story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Aug 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Scotsman
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Get to know your Postcode Pals at the Fringe, that's an order!
Shows taking part in the Postcode Pals initiative include Jack Docherty in The Chief – a spin-off from the award-winning BBC Scotland comedy Scot Squad No matter how many years at the Fringe we have under our belts, August always seems to speed around the corner. As we celebrate our 40th anniversary this year, we're getting ready to celebrate in style and excitement is building around the office. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... This year, our beloved Teviot Row House is still undergoing renovations so it's been a new adventure to open a brand new venue in Edinburgh University's Appleton Tower. We have a small but dedicated team of staff who are busy getting Appleton Tower and our returning venues of Patter House and The Museum ready to open. While there are so many finishing touches to get in place this time of year, feeling the excitement start to build around the city makes it worth it. Plus, this week, our fantastic Postcode Pals initiative returns, which allows local residents from across Edinburgh and the Lothians, Falkirk and Fife to access thousands of discounted tickets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad We have over 125 shows taking part, meaning locals in EH, KY and FK postcodes can secure £6 tickets for some of the Fringe's biggest shows across our comedy, family and theatre programme. It's a great way for locals to find their new favourite Fringe show and try out something new. Some shows taking part in Postcode Pals include Jack Docherty, pictured, in The Chief – a spin-off from the award-winning BBC Scotland comedy Scot Squad – TikTok star Kim Blythe, rising star Alana Jackson, local comic Michael Welch and Ian Pattison's play Faye's Red Lines featuring a stunning performance from Gail Watson. For families, check out Lindsey Cole and Mark Thompson, as well as interactive shows like James Campbell 4 Kids: Reducks that are sure to keep the kids (and parents) entertained! We're also very excited to welcome actress, comedian and talk show host Rosie O'Donnell to Edinburgh for her very first Fringe. Rosie has always used her voice to stand up for what she believes in, something the world needs now more than ever. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She's an incredible talent and storyteller, so I'm looking forward to hearing more about her experiences over the past few decades in her new show with us, Common Knowledge. With the world's largest arts festival on our doorstep, it's great to see locals embracing it and we hope Postcode Pals helps to get residents involved – so start planning your shows now because August is coming up quickly!
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Scotsman
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Edinburgh Fringe: £6 tickets for Edinburgh and Lothian residents for some of the Fringe's biggest shows
After a successful inaugural run in 2024, Edinburgh Fringe venue Gilded Balloon has relaunched its Postcode Pals scheme, offering locals discounted tickets for some of the best shows. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, 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... Over 125 shows will offer £6 tickets for residents across Edinburgh and the Lothians, Fife and Falkirk, including Alana Jackson, Caroline Rhea, Jack Docherty in The Chief, Kim Blythe, Rosie O'Donnell and many more. This year's programme celebrates Gilded Balloon's 40th Fringe, with household names returning alongside a line-up of newcomers and fresh talent. And now, Postcode Pals will ensure local residents can grab discounts for the very best Fringe shows for the first few days of the festival, whether planning a family day out, late night comedy or thrilling theatre. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Postcode Pals runs from now until 6pm on Tuesday, July 29 for residents in EH, KY and FK postcodes, valid for select shows from July 30 - August 3. See here for the discounted tickets. Type PALS25 at checkout to unlock the discount. Edinburgh comedy legend Jack Docherty will return to the Fringe this year as The Chief, his popular character in BBC Scotland show Scot Squad. | Gilded Balloon This scheme enables local residents to see some of the Fringe's top shows in the very first few days of the world's biggest arts festival. Locals can pick up two tickets per show with a maximum of six transactions. For the ultimate family day out, locals can enjoy a line-up of fantastic family-friendly entertainment from world-class performers like Lindsey Cole and Mark Thompson, as well as interactive shows like Woody's Bush Cabaret for Kids and & the ImproBots: How to Train Your Robot, which are sure to keep the kids (and parents) entertained. Postcode Pals can secure tickets to some of the Fringe's top comedians including Jack Docherty in The Chief, Rosie O'Donnell's first Fringe, TikTok star Kim Blythe, rising star Alana Jackson, local comic Michael Welch and Aunt Hilda herself, Caroline Rhea. They can also enjoy some top-tier comedy from abroad, including New Zealand funny girl Sarah Bradley in Just Like Other Girls and New York comic Liz Coin's show Lizzy Sunshine. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Katy and Karen Koren, artistic directors of Gilded Balloon said, 'We're excited to launch a second year of Postcode Pals and release thousands of discounted tickets for some of our very best shows to ensure local residents don't miss out on Fringe fun. 'With the world's largest arts festival on our doorstep, it's important as locals that we embrace it and we hope Postcode Pals helps local residents to get involved, grab a bargain and see some big names, or maybe take a chance on someone new! 'With £6 tickets running across all three of our venues, there's shows on offer for all types of Fringe fans - from the littlest members of your family to comedy fans, theatregoers and more.' Fringe shows by Kim Blythe and Rosie O'Donnell are also part of the Postcode Pals deal this year. | Gilded Baloon Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For pals who are more on the adventurous side, Gilded Balloon's interactive shows will keep you on the edge of your seat, and sometimes bring you onto the stage! Some exciting additions to the programme this year are IKEA WARS, which challenges two comedians to build Ikea furniture on stage in a race against the clock, Married at Fringe Sight, a Fringe dating show that ends with a marriage, as well as some show-stopping tricks at 1 Hour of Insane Magic. Postcode Pals can also bag discounted tickets for some of the most exciting new theatre at this year's festival, including Gail Watson in Faye's Red Lines and EastEnders star Michelle Collins in her new show, Motorhome Marilyn. For the musically inclined, Arthur Hull's FLOP and Midnight at the Palace are two that can't be missed. Gilded Balloon's 'Pals in Pink' will welcome audiences from around the world as staff transform all three venues (Appleton Tower, Patter House and the National Museum of Scotland) into fabulously pink hubs of creativity with acts from every genre descending during the month of August. Postcode Pals gives local residents even more incentive to start their Fringe wish lists early so they can take advantage of this great opportunity to see some of the biggest shows of the year at the start of their runs. Tickets on sale now via
Daily Record
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Hit BBC comedy police series to return as Hollywood superstar joins cast
The Chief is returning for a second series with Jack Docherty reprising his role as Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson - and he's bringing a Hollywood star with him Comedian Jack Docherty is set to return as Scotland's leading law enforcer, Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson, in the eagerly anticipated second series of the hit sitcom The Chief, with a Hollywood star also slated for a cameo. Dougray Scott, famed for his roles in Mission Impossible 2, Vigil and Desperate Housewives, will be joining the lineup for the new series, which has commenced filming this week in Glasgow. Dougray, 59, will portray himself, embarking on a personal endeavour involving The Chief. The BBC has hinted at what to expect from the new series: "Taking a peek into the workplace and home life of The Chief as he deals with colleagues, bams and family alike, the second series sees the return of cast regulars including Lorraine McIntosh as Miekelson's estranged wife Barbara and Eilidh Loan as his rebellious daughter, Ellen. "Also returning are The Chief's loyal and (often) long-suffering police team played by Carmen Pieraccini, Dylan Bore and Lana Pheutan, with Sanjeev Kohli joining as an MSP from a new government putting pressure on the Chief from the top.", reports the Mirror. The forthcoming series is expected to showcase The Chief balancing his professional, personal and recreational lives, managing a myriad of tasks and obligations. Jack, 63, expressed his excitement about reprising his iconic role and the upcoming series, stating: "I can't wait to once again don the uniform of Scotland's finest crime-fighting legend, law-enforcer, justice dispenser, hero, icon. "It's a privilege to play a character as modest and handsome as Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson." He added: "This series I'm delighted that Dougray Scott will be guest-starring. The Scottish public have longed to see these two giants of acting together on screen. "Well the wait is over. We're going toe to toe. Finally. Like DeNiro and Pacino in The Heat." Dougray himself expressed his anticipation for the role, remarking: "I am very much looking forward to spending time with The Chief. He's a legend in his own lunchtime, a justice seeker of gargantuan proportions and outrageously realising it. "I may have worked in Hollywood with A-listers but starring alongside The Chief might be one of my most challenging roles to date. Joking aside, it's going to be great to work alongside Jack Docherty – I just hope I can keep a straight face!". Gavin Smith, BBC Scotland Executive Producer, also chimed in: "BBC Scotland is delighted to be firing up the blue flashing light for a second time and welcoming The Chief back to our screens. "Rumours that Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson furnished the commissioning team with a new set of golf clubs from the evidence lockers are entirely unfounded."
