Latest news with #ThePowerofParker
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Peter Kay's Car Share star Sian Gibson on her acting career
Sian Gibson, from Mold, is best known for her collaboration with comedian Peter Kay in BAFTA Award winning series, Car Share. And it was that, she says, which led to her acting career getting back on track, having virtually given up on the dream. Gibson recently sat down with Woman's Hour presenter Kylie Pentelow to discuss that and the upcoming return of the hit BBC comedy 'The Power of Parker' in which she also stars. That returns for a second series on Friday (May 30) and also stars the likes of Conleth Hill and Steve Pemberton. Gibson co-wrote the show and stars as Kath, a mobile hairdresser by trade and the devoted mistress of her sister's husband. Set around the fortunes of the Parker family's electrical shop in 1990s Stockport, the next instalment sees a shift of power between the trio of Kath, her sister Diane and the object of their affection, Martin Parker. Speaking on Woman's Hour, Gibson talked of how Peter Kay's Car Share led to other opportunities for her acting-wise, after she had been working in a call centre. She said: "Like many other actors, the work's not always there. I was very lucky when I left college that I could still play teenagers, but then I hit my 30's and the work really dried up. I wasn't getting any auditions. "I was very lucky that Peter Kay's carshare came along and that Peter thought of me. I was very very lucky to have a friend who supported me like that." TOP STORIES She added: "It was a massive sliding doors moment, because I live in north Wales, where I live its not the centre of the entertainment world. "I was happy, I wasn't absolutely gutted that this could be the end of the career or the dream. "But, I still live in the same place, the same village, so things haven't changed that much."
Daily Mirror
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
BBC comedy star lets slip 'huge twist' ahead of series return
Sian Gibson appeared on BBC's The One Show to chat about the new series of her comedy The Power of Parker with co-star Conleth Hill Sian Gibson appeared on The One Show on Monday, May 26 when she revealed a "huge twist" in the new season of her BBC comedy series The Power of Parker. The comedy star, known for her role in Peter Kay's Car Share, appeared with fellow actor Conleth Hill to dish out details about the second series. Set in 1990s Stockport, the show charts the chaotic life of Martin Parker (Hill), caught between his wife (Rosie Cavaliero) and his mistress (Kath). While talking about the new series, Conleth revealed to presenters Alex Jones and Roman Kemp that Martin has experienced a "huge fall from grace" with things being exacerbated by Kath. Sian couldn't help but chime in, saying: "Kath makes everything worse but there's lots of twists and turns and there's a huge twist in one of the episodes which means that Kath and Diane, her sister, played by lovely Rose Cavaliero, and Martin all have to work together." Alex quickly jump in with an "Oh no!" as Sian cheekily noted: "But we can't say what happens," reports the Express. Sian also let slip that despite Martin moving in with Kath, she's having second thoughts about their relationship, feeling he's "lost his sparkle". She suggests that Kath's plan to coax him back into work might just be the spark needed to ignite that lost twinkle. The show's setting in an electrical store tickled presenters Alex and Roman as show co-creator Sian revealed her fondness for such shops. She explained: "Do you remember in the olden days if you wanted a kettle you had to go to one shop for everything electrical, you couldn't shop around. It were magical, these places with everything there." The One Show returned on Monday after being bumped from its usual slot the previous Friday due to BBC reshuffling its schedule for The Chelsea Flower Show coverage; the programme is typically broadcast on weekdays at 7 pm on BBC One. The announcement of the change came during Thursday's episode when fill-in host Angellica Bell became emotional while paying tribute to a charitable individual during the One Big Thank You segment. The programme honoured Carole Hughes of Stamford who, alongside her husband Rob, established the charity Anna's Hope in memory of their daughter, Anna, who tragically passed away at three years old from a brain tumour. Only weeks after losing Anna, Carole and Rob set up the charity to fund specialist occupational, physical, and speech and language therapy for children affected by brain tumours. As a special gesture of appreciation for her tireless efforts, Angellica and Joanna Lumley granted Carole a memorable surprise by naming a flower after her daughter at The Chelsea Flower Show.
Wales Online
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
The One Show's Alex Jones says 'oh no' as guest lets slip BBC series 'huge twist'
The One Show's Alex Jones says 'oh no' as guest lets slip BBC series 'huge twist' Alex Jones and Roman Kemp were back on The One Show when they chatted to Welsh star Sian Gibson about the return of her comedy series Welsh a actress Sian Gibson joined the latest edition of The One Show, chatting about her hit BBC comedy series The Power of Parker's come back when she accidentally revealed a "huge twist". Alongside her fellow actor Conleth Hill, Sian was there to spill the beans on the second series of their show that premiered in 2023. Set in 1990s Stockport, it weaves the tale of Martin Parker (played by Hill), who struggles to balance his mounting debts, familial duties to his wife (portrayed by Rosie Cavaliero), and his clandestine affair with Kath. During the conversation with hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp, viewers learnt from Conleth that upon returning to the programme, Martin has experienced a "huge fall from grace", which is, according to him, exacerbated by Kath. Alex Jones and Roman Kemp chatted to Sian and Conleth (Image: (Image: BBC) ) But it was Sian who jumped in saying: "Kath makes everything worse but there's lots of twists and turns and there's a huge twist in one of the episodes which means that Kath and Diane, her sister, played by lovely Rose Cavaliero, and Martin all have to work together." Alex swiftly jumped in to prevent any further spoilers with an exasperated "Oh no!" as Sian confessed: "But we can't say what happens," reports the Express. Article continues below Sian, also known for her role in Peter Kay's Car Share, divulged that while her character Kath now lives with Martin, she has started to doubt their relationship, lamenting that he has "lost his sparkle" and swapped his suits for fleeces. In hopes of rekindling that lost charm, Kath pushes Martin towards returning to work. The sitcom, located within the confines of an electronics retailer, brought about shared laughter between hosts Alex and Roman as co-creator Sian confessed her fondness for such stores. She reminisced: "Do you remember in the olden days if you wanted a kettle you had to go to one shop for everything electrical, you couldn't shop around. It were magical, these places with everything there." Sian Gibson appeared on The One Show to talk about The Power of Parker (Image: (Image: BBC) ) The One Show's Monday episode followed an unexpected hiatus the previous Friday due to a significant reshuffle of the BBC schedule. Ordinarily broadcast every weekday at 7pm on BBC One, the popular show was displaced by The Chelsea Flower Show coverage on Friday, May 23. The shift in scheduling was announced during Thursday's edition of the show when Angellica Bell, stepping in as host, held back tears after they celebrated a charity worker in the One Big Thank You feature. Article continues below Carole Hughes from Stamford's three-year-old daughter Anna died from a brain tumour and the programme shared the touching story of how Carole, alongside her husband Rob, founded Anna's Hope in tribute to their child. Their organisation aids in securing specialised therapies, such as occupational, physiotherapy, and speech and language sessions for youngsters affected by brain tumours. In an act of gratitude and recognition for Carole's dedication, she was greeted by none other than Angellica and Joanna Lumley with a uniquely named flower dedicated to Anna at The Chelsea Flower Show. The One Show airs weeknights on BBC One at 7pm
South Wales Guardian
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
BBC The Power of Parker series one ending explained
Starring Conleth Hill as Martin Parker, the sitcom, set in Stockport in 1990, tells the story of the titular businessman trying to juggle his debts, his wife, and his mistress. The series aired weekly on BBC One starting in July 2023. It is now set to return for its second series on Friday, May 30. Here is all you need to know ahead of the show's return. The first series of the BBC show introduced us to Martin Parker, a businessman living in Stockport. He is in the middle of his life and everything appears perfect, with a top job, nice car, stunning house and loving wife and children. But he also has a mistress, Kath Pennington, played by Sian Gibson, which causes plenty of problems. It is this revelation that eventually leads to Kath Pennington and Martin's wife Diane, played by Rosie Cavaliero, teaming up to bring him down. Throughout the series, various situations arise, one of which sees the pair, who are revealed to be sisters, working to steal a file. A post shared by BBC Press Office (@bbcpressoffice) This is after speaking to Martin's accountant, Alan, and learning that they had been shareholders in his company and were able to take it over. He later finds the pair in the bank, signing the papers to take over Parker's Electricals. Diane also demanded a divorce, leaving Martin not only broke, but without a family. Martin's shop is later broken into by the Slater Brothers, who had been demanding money from him. It is also set alight by Martin himself to get the insurance money for his family. What will await Diane, Martin and Kath in series 2 of The Power of Parker? (Image: BBC/Boffola Pictures) A three-month time jump then shows that Diane is now the new owner, hiring her family. Kath is watching the advert for the firm on TV, when the doorbell rings and it is revealed to be Martin. She hugs him and then they go off together. But what will be awaiting Martin and the rest of the characters in series 2? Series 2 of The Power of Parker is coming this week and is set two years on from the first series. A tease for the second series shared by Radio Times reads: "It's 1992, the Queen is in the midst of her annus horribilis, John Major is the new PM, and Whitney's I Will Always Love You is stuck at number one. "Up in Stockport, Kath (Sian Gibson), Martin (Conleth Hill) and Diane (Rosie Cavaliero) are just trying their best to get along. "Martin Parker has hit rock bottom and is desperate to get his reputation back, Diane is adjusting to single life and running a business, while Kath is getting her happily ever after with her man by her side and is working on rekindling a relationship with her sister. Recommended reading: "She's on a mission to sort things out for her sister and her man, but her interfering does the opposite and jeopardises everything. "They will need to depend on each other now more than ever, but who do they trust?" The Power of Parker returns to BBC One on Friday, May 30, at 9.30pm.
Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Steve Pemberton interview: ‘For pure nostalgia's sake, I'd love to bring The League of Gentlemen back'
For a man who has stalked television viewers' nightmares with a string of vivid characters – including Psychoville's disturbed savant David Sowerbutts, and Tubbs 'Are you local?' Tattsyrup from The League of Gentlemen – Steve Pemberton goes gloriously unnoticed in a busy central London café. Sausage roll in hand and sipping a white Americano in the spring sunshine, he slips seamlessly under the radar. The lunchtime crowd – a mix of tourists, office workers and lawyers from nearby Lincoln's Inn – blind to the multi-Bafta-winner in their midst. 'I do tire of the big, heavy make-ups and stuff,' he admits, low-key for our conversation in a green shirt and puffer jacket. And who can blame him, after more than 25 years contorting his features with prosthetics in the name of entertainment? 'I wouldn't want to do a Lord of the Rings trilogy and have beards, toes, ears and teeth every day for months, although I recently played Rupert Murdoch [in ITV's upcoming The Hack, a Jack Thorne drama charting the phone-hacking scandal], which was a four-hour make-up,' says the 57-year-old. 'But that was only for two days. It's nice to contrast that with something where I just play a man in middle age with my own hair.' He does just that in the returning BBC comedy The Power of Parker, set in 1990s Stockport, about businessman Martin Parker (Conleth Hill), a silver fox juggling debts, a failed marriage and a girlfriend. After a brief but memorable turn in series one as Sandy Cooper, a Rotary Club bigwig, Pemberton – unadorned on-screen cosmetically save for some tactical augmentation to his own moustache – now gets a proper crack at the character he describes as 'a real dinosaur'. The show was created by Paul Coleman and Sian Gibson, the latter, like Pemberton, a writer-performer, who also stars in the comedy. But why did he take this role when he must have casting directors beating a path to his door? 'I do turn a fair amount down, and with comedy I am pretty picky, but I make decisions based on how much fun I think I'm going to have, and on how good the writing is.' The second series opens in 1992. It's a time when, in real life, Blackburn-born Pemberton was taking baby steps towards his current career. After graduating from Bretton Hall College of Education, which closed in 2007 and was also a springboard for fellow League of Gentlemen collaborators Reece Shearsmith and Mark Gatiss (fourth member Jeremy Dyson attended Leeds University), he secured a job in the London office of the US entertainment bible Variety. 'I landed on my feet. Faxes would come in and I would deliver them and make tea. After a while, they clocked that I knew quite a bit about film, so I ended up staying there for nearly 10 years.' Out of hours, he developed a theatre company and was touring Germany when a health scare threatened to derail his fledgling career. 'I thought I had a heart problem; I just felt very under the weather, and they kept me there. I was desperate to come home, but they wouldn't let me fly. It turned out to be a false alarm, but it was a scary moment. I went on holiday to Thailand, backpacking, after that, and I thought life's too short to worry about what's going to happen.' With that in mind, he set himself a time frame in which to succeed as a performer. 'I decided to give it until I was 30,' says Pemberton. 'I turned 30 in 1997, and that's when The League of Gentlemen won the Perrier Award.' Their television show – which ran for three series between 1999 and 2002, returning with a trio of episodes in 2017 – spawned live gigs as well as a movie, and there's talk of taking it on the road again. 'It's when you really connect with your audience and get to feel the love,' he reflects, fresh from a sell-out West End success with a theatrical version of his BBC Two anthology series Inside No 9, alongside co-writer and performer Shearsmith. 'You don't get highs like that very often in your life. That's the closest I'll get to being Robbie Williams [Pemberton played Williams's father in the recent biopic Better Man ]. For pure nostalgia's sake, and to hang out with those guys again, I would like to do it.' His genuine affection for the group is touching. They seem to have dodged the bitter rivalries that have rended other creative collaborations, but were there ever professional jealousies? 'I think there'll have been a tiny element of it, but, genuinely, we've all had big successes, and that's what's been fantastic. When we all get together, there isn't that band member who needs a reunion because it's never quite worked out for them.' In 2007, Pemberton took an unexpected fork in the road, landing a regular role as Mick Garvey in the primetime ITV sitcom Benidorm, which he juggled with the black comedy Psychoville. The show lasted for 10 series and took his fanbase, not to mention his peers, by surprise. 'Benidorm came into my life out of nowhere, and a lot of people said, 'Why are you doing this?' I don't necessarily think either Reece or Mark would have done it, but it tickled me. The script was really good and I have no regrets at all. Very often things that are mainstream get pooh-poohed; they're not as culty or as cool as The League of Gentlemen, but [because of Benidorm] I would just get mobbed when I went back up north.' There's talk of a revival, but Pemberton wouldn't return. 'I'm not sure it's the sort of thing I would want to go back to, having had such a great time. You don't want to spoil that.' Currently, he is at something of a crossroads. 'I don't think it's quite hit either of us yet,' he says of his recent decision with Shearsmith to call time on Inside No 9 following nine series. 'I never thought after The League we'd do something that got that level of love, so it's hard to think we've finished it and we have to come up with something new... or maybe we don't. I'm a bit sad, but also I'm happy and really proud that we got to end it the way we wanted.' None the less, there was always a sense that the pair, and Shearsmith in particular, felt the award-winning show was somehow underappreciated, despite it being critically acclaimed. 'I slightly tell Reece off about that, because I think, 'How much more celebrated could it be?'' chuckles Pemberton. 'Even in the taxi home, with both of us nursing our Baftas, he's like, 'No one knows it!'' I think what he means is that it could have been on Netflix. It could have done what Black Mirror did and gone global. But, hey, we're big in China.' Pemberton concedes they were afforded a huge amount of trust by the BBC in making the show their own way. 'It got to the point where Shane [Allen, the then head of comedy] would say, 'I don't want to read your scripts, I just want to watch them when they're finished.'' It was a different story when he adapted E F Benson's Mapp and Lucia for a three-part BBC series in 2014. 'Various times it was a case of 'You're a couple of drafts away' and I thought, what you're saying there is that what I do next isn't going to be good enough, either. You've decided it needs two more drafts. But I was working with drama people who didn't know me and I didn't know them. So it can be tough.' For now, Inside No 9 is a closed book, save for a regional tour of the stage show that kicks off this autumn. Taking the project to the theatre has brought him another element of closure. 'We always wanted Sir Ian McKellen [on the series], because we'd had Sir Derek Jacobi, but the timing never worked out. But with the stage show, we had a different guest every evening, and on the penultimate night, Sir Ian came on. He added six minutes to the running time because he was so funny. I don't know if it was the first occasion he'd been back on stage after he'd had his accident [falling off the stage at the Noël Coward Theatre, in June 2024], but he really connects with an audience. We were in awe. So it was a lovely full-circle that he was finally part of the Inside No 9 story.' What comes next is a mystery, even to Pemberton, who has just returned from a break in Japan. He says he's going to be prioritising more holidays in the near future. But would he ever contemplate writing a novel? 'It definitely appeals to me because I've always written, but always scripts. I love mysteries and riddles and storytelling. However, I would miss the bit when you then get to 'do' it, and you get actors in and you hang out and you tell the story. And I'd miss being with Reece. I don't know if you can write novels with two people... 'I'm a couple of years off turning 60,' he continues, 'and I'm going to a lot of birthdays, which is making me think about what the next act will be. But I've never had a plan. I've just gone with what comes up, so we'll have to see.'
