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Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Two Doors Down star reveals awkward encounter with member of Royal Family after she mocked them
She wasn't sure how the Royal would react to her joke ROYAL RIDICULE Two Doors Down star reveals awkward encounter with member of Royal Family after she mocked them Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TWO Doors Down star Arabella Weir has revealed she risked upsetting Princess Anne by making fun of her lack of qualifications. The actress was presented with an MBE by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace last year. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Two Doors Down star Arabella Weir poked fun at Princess Anne when presented with her MBE Credit: PA 2 She is best known for playing Beth Baird in the hit BBC comedy Credit: Handout After being told by a friend to make the princess laugh when receiving the honour, Weir poked fun at the royal's academic performance. When Princess Anne confessed she wasn't very good at school, Weir jokingly replied: "We all know that." Princess Anne famously never went to university and left school with a handful of O-levels and two A-levels. Weir, who plays Beth Baird in Two Doors Down, said she was relieved when the Royal laughed after her quip. Speaking on presenter Lewis Nicholls' YouTube channel, she said: "I'm not a royalist or anything but I was quite nervous before it. "My friend who went with me and my two children to the palace said to me 'Just make her laugh' and I did. "Princess Anne said to me 'I know who you are but why are you getting this?' "I said 'Oh I think it's because I make people laugh'. "She said 'When did you first realise you were funny?' and I said 'At school because I wasn't very academic.' "She said 'Neither was I,' and I went 'We all know that,' because famously she didn't do well. Two Doors Down star looks worlds away in unrecognisable BBC newsreader role "As it came out of my mouth I thought 'Is that something you're not supposed to say to royalty,' but she laughed. She was jolly nice." Weir, 67, received her MBE for service to acting and charity work. She made her name in The Fast Show alongside co-stars Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson and John Thomson. She has played Beth in Two Doors Down since 2016 and is set to reunite with the cast for a Christmas special this year. Princess Anne was taught at home in a small class before going to Benenden School in Kent at the age of 13, the first sovereign's daughter to attend boarding school. She left five years later, with six O-levels and two A-levels and instead of going to university she entered the public life of the Royal Family. Since then she has come to be regarded as the busiest and most hard-working of all the Royals and is well-known for her no-nonsense approach. In a documentary to mark her 70th birthday in 2020, she said: "So many of my contemporaries, when asked why they were going to university, would say, 'Well basically because that's what you do.' "And I remember thinking really that doesn't sound like a very good reason to go university, so I thought I would skip that."
Wales Online
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Paul Whitehouse spotted having 'best night out' in Cardiff
Paul Whitehouse spotted having 'best night out' in Cardiff The comedian was celebrating his birthday at a city restaurant Paul Whitehouse said he had a great night out in Cardiff (Image: Giovanni's in the bay ) Popular comedian Paul Whitehouse celebrated his birthday in a Cardiff restaurant. Paul, known for The Fast Show and his friendship with Bob Mortimer on Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, is in Wales performing in the musical Only Fools and Horses: The Musical. He is playing Grandad in the show at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay, and to celebrate his birthday enjoyed a night out at Italian restaurant Giovanni's in the bay, with his fellow castmates. The restaurant even created him a "lovely jubbly" birthday board in homage to the hit TV show. Speaking about the night, Paul said: "We've been on the road for months and this is the best night we've had by a million miles." General manager of Giovanni's in the bay, Bleddyn, said: "It was a show in itself. Paul and the cast were absolutely amazing." Paul is not the only celebrity who has visited Cardiff recently. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter . Jack Dee was helped out by South Wales Police Service in Cardiff city centre. Article continues below The a stand-up comedian and TV presenter posed for photos with officers where he looked unrecognisable. Posting a selfie of Jack, where he is wrapped up in a hat and scarf and not the most recognisable, with PCSOs, the caption read: "Comedian Jack Dee was a little lost in #Cardiff city centre. Luckily our friendly city centre PCSOs Deb and Lynda were on patrol and happy to give directions." You can read more, here. Jack is best known for the sitcom Lead Balloon, which he wrote and starred in, and he's also gained fans hosting long-running Radio 4 panel show I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue. He recently took part in the 2024 series of Taskmaster where he finished second. Earlier in 2025, shoppers cross Wales had a few surprises in January after two Hollywood actors were spotted shopping in different parts of Wales. BAFTA-winning Irish actor Barry Keoghan was recognised by fans while shopping in Merthyr Tydfil, while Golden Globe winner Taron Egerton was seen further west in Aberaeron. Article continues below Taron, who was born in Merseyside but grew up in Wales, popped into The Moody Cow Welsh Kitchen & Farm Shop and took a selfie with a member of staff who recognised him. Barry was reportedly spotted shopping in Sports Direct in Merthyr Tydfil. You can read more, here.
Express Tribune
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
HBO announces casting for Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, Hagrid in upcoming Harry Potter series
HBO has officially confirmed the first batch of actors for its upcoming Harry Potter TV series. Among the newly announced cast members are John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall, Paapa Essiedu as Severus Snape, and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid. These actors were previously reported to be in talks for the roles, but their casting has now been officially confirmed. Additionally, Luke Thallon, known for his work in Leopoldstadt, has joined the series in the recurring role of Quirinus Quirrell. Paul Whitehouse, famous for The Fast Show, will appear as Argus Filch in a recurring capacity. Francesca Gardiner, the showrunner and executive producer, alongside director and executive producer Mark Mylod, expressed excitement about the talented cast, saying, "We are happy to announce the casting of John Lithgow, Janet McTeer, Paapa Essiedu, Nick Frost, Luke Thallon, and Paul Whitehouse to play Dumbledore, McGonagall, Snape, Hagrid, Quirrell, and Filch. We're delighted to have such extraordinary talent onboard, and we can't wait to see them bring these beloved characters to new life." While the main roles of Harry, Ron, and Hermione have yet to be cast, HBO launched an open casting call last fall, receiving over 30,000 submissions for the coveted parts. The series is expected to begin filming this summer. Described as a "faithful adaptation" of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter book series, the show will explore every aspect of the wizarding world. Each season will introduce Harry Potter's magical adventures to both new and existing fans. The series is written and executive produced by Gardiner, with Mylod directing several episodes. The project is a collaboration between HBO, Brontë Film and TV, and Warner Bros. Television, with Rowling, Neil Blair, Ruth Kenley-Letts, and David Heyman serving as executive producers.
The Guardian
29-03-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Andoni Iraola's impressive Bournemouth are stuck in the silverware paradox
The first time Bournemouth played in an FA Cup quarter‑final was 1957 when they faced Manchester United. They were still called Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic in those days and played in the Third Division (South). They had put out Wolves and Tottenham in the previous two rounds, the excitement enticing a record crowd of 28,799 to Dean Court to see them play Matt Busby's side. The United centre-half Mark Jones was carried off early on and, nine years before the introduction of substitutes, Bournemouth took the lead against the 10 men, Brian Bedford nudging in after Ray Wood had flapped at a corner. Two Johnny Berry goals, the second a penalty, in the space of five second‑half minutes, though, saw United through. They went on to lose to Aston Villa in the final, when Peter McParland fractured Wood's cheekbone after six minutes, forcing the centre-half Jackie Blanchflower to take over in goal. There's a terrible poignancy to the Pathé footage now. Six of the United side from the quarter‑final would die in the Munich air crash the following February while Blanchflower, who did not play at Dean Court, was so badly injured he never played again. Bournemouth finished that 1956-57 season fifth, a place above Brighton and three above Brentford, two of the other upstart clubs who have thrust their way into the top half of the Premier League this season. Bedford joined QPR a couple of years later and, under Alec Stock, an inspiration for The Fast Show's Ron Manager, he became a prolific forward there, although he left before the League Cup win of 1967. Bournemouth would eventually beat United in a Cup tie at Dean Court, although not until 1984, by which time they were managed by Harry Redknapp and Ron Atkinson had acceded to the United dugout. That season Bournemouth finished 17th in the Third Division. It wouldn't be until 2021 that they reached the last eight of the FA Cup again. Does any of that matter? Perhaps not, but if the FA Cup can't facilitate nostalgic discussion of greats of the past, it really has lost its purpose. And if nothing else that Bournemouth have reached this stage of a competition that began in 1872 only twice before says a lot about their ascent and the rarefied position in which they now find themselves. That other run to the quarter‑finals was rather less storied than the first. As a Championship side, Bournemouth beat Oldham, Crawley and Burnley before going down 3-0 to Southampton. But now they are back again. Sunday's game against Manchester City will be their first FA Cup quarter-final as a Premier League side and the first time there has been a realistic possibility of Bournemouth winning a major trophy. Bournemouth beat City 2-1 at the Vitality in November. They were one of the sides Pep Guardiola listed as playing the most up-to-date form of the game, a mantle Andoni Iraola has accepted, discussing how the positional play Guardiola helped popularise can become predictable. The approach Iraola favours, with runners tearing in behind opposing defences, is just the sort of style that tends to unsettle Guardiola teams. But Bournemouth have failed to win any of their last five games. Having passed through an injury crisis with a minimum of fuss, they have suffered an unfortunate regression to the mean just as it appeared that Champions League qualification was within their grasp. Iraola's frustration at his side's occasional inability to finish games off has been clear, particularly after they squandered a two-goal lead to draw at Tottenham in a game they had dominated. Though Bournemouth are 10th, the gap to City in fifth is only four points, and none of the other contenders entirely convince. Which is why the next couple of weeks feel so vital for their short-term future. As it stands, Bournemouth are three games from the first major trophy in their history, one of two routes that still lie open to them for a first qualification for Europe. But equally, should they lose to City and then drop more than a couple of points against Ipswich, West Ham and Fulham in the three games that follow, this season could dwindle, the promise of winter melting away. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion Win the Cup and Bournemouth would have achieved something that nobody could possibly have imagined two decades ago when they had the buckets out collecting to save the club. They would have generated memories to stand alongside Brian Bedford and sustain the club's fans for decades. Qualify for the Champions League and they would have generated a source of revenue that would make a profound difference to Bournemouth's spending capacity and raise their profile immeasurably. Not that it's necessarily an either/or: against Wolves in the last round, Iraola did not pick a weakened team. Fans tend to prioritise silverware, particularly at clubs for whom trophies are a rarity. They would get their Wembley final, their name on the Cup, their permanent place in history. Playing in Europe is fun but transient, as the example of Leicester showeds. It might be fun to be playing Porto, Sevilla or Atlético, but that can have a negative impact on league form and, if the revenues generated aren't invested wisely, it doesn't protect a club from relegation. Recent recruitment has been of a level with that of Brighton or Brentford, but smaller clubs are always walking a tightrope; errors of judgment hurt them more than the elite. But directors are drawn primarily to money, which will always be the paradox for clubs such as Bournemouth, having to focus less on winning trophies in order to be better placed to win trophies. Although there has been bold talk from Tim Bezbatchenko, the president of the Black Knight Football ownership group of which Bournemouth are a part, of 'matching Iraola's ambitions', Bournemouth remain Bournemouth. There are plans for a larger stadium but there is a reason the capacity is 11,000. Champions League money could add a layer of security, but Bournemouth can never be a super-club. Bournemouth's rise has been remarkable, but clubs of their stature do not endure at the top for long. These could be the greatest two months in the club's history; another such opportunity may not come along any time soon.
