Latest news with #TopofthePops
The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Zoe Ball reveals painful struggle with new health condition weeks after surprise return to BBC Radio 2
ZOE Ball has reveal her painful struggle with a new health condition. The much-loved presenter, 54, made the admission just weeks after 3 Zoe Ball revealed she is battling a painful health condition Credit: BBC 3 The much-loved presenter returned to Radio 2 last month Credit: PA 3 Zoe quit her Radio 2 Breakfast Show last year, but has since returned to the airwaves Credit: PA Zoe Ball now just hosts a Saturday afternoon slot, During her latest show, the mum-of-two revealed a painful health condition that keeps flaring up. Addressing fans she said: "Yes, it's come to that. Fifty-four and I got bursitis." Bursitis is a condition that occurs when the fluid-filled sacs (bursa) that cushion the joints become inflamed, painful and swollen. Read more on Zoe Ball Zoe revealed that she is not letting the condition slow her down, and she is continuing to train with her personal coach, Seth. "Thank you to Seth," she said on her Saturday show. "I found out I've got a… what is it? A rating of… was it a four or five on the fitness level? "I was quite impressed with myself - out of, I think it's nine or ten. Most read in Celebrity "You've gotta start somewhere, haven't you?" This is the second time that Zoe has opened up about a painful health condition. Emotional Zoe Ball's final farewell to BBC Radio 2 as she quits show and thanks staff for 'holding her up in her lowest moments' Last year, RADIO COMEBACK At the beginning of last month, Zoe thrilled fans when As she made her comeback, taking over the headphones from Rylan Clark, she told listeners: 'Hello it's me, oh it's lovely to be back on a Saturday. 'This is where it all began for me, back in the day when I used to sweep up and make the teas.' Zoe Ball's career so far Zoe was born in Blackpool and is daughter of the children's TV presenter Johnny Ball and his wife Julia. She appeared on television at a young age as part of the studio audience of the Saturday morning children's show, Saturday Superstore when her father was a guest. The star began her career in broadcasting as a presenter on the pre-school programme Playdays. After various behind the scenes roles, she earned a spot as a regular host of Top of the Pops, when she alternated with the likes of In 1996, she was chosen to front BBC One's saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which led to stints on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4. But she maintained a huge presence on the radio as she was chosen to be the co-host of BBC Radio 1 Breakfast alongside Kevin Greening in October 1997. Zoe was later appointed the sole host of the show in a groundbreaking move by the corporation as she was the first female DJ to hold the post. The presenter chose to leave the station in March 2000 to start a family, where she was succeeded by As a mainstream face in TV through the noughties, she hosted a range of huge programmes for ITV, including the Brit Awards in 2002, Extinct in 2006, and both In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show, She also filled in for Claudia Winkleman on the main show in 2014, when The Traitors star took leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries. After 10 years fronting the show, Zoe Zoe's journey in BBC Radio 2 started in 2006 when she fronted specialist documentaries. Over the years she sat in for names such as Dermot O'Leary, After several shake-ups, she returned to the station on a permanent basis when she took over Dermot's Saturday afternoon slot between 3pm and 6pm. In October 2018, Zoe previously made a tearful During her time away from Radio 2, it was revealed she was enjoying doing some gardening and being at home. Zoe even The long-time radio favourite decided to leave her Breakfast show last year, explaining she wanted to spend more time with her family after the death of her mum. , the DJ paid tribute to her "hero" - fellow station star Jo Whiley - and her team on the show, saying they "held me up, quite literally, when I was at my lowest". She was replaced in the slot by Scott Mills.
Scottish Sun
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Zoe Ball reveals painful struggle with new health condition weeks after surprise return to BBC Radio 2
Zoe quit her Radio 2 Breakfast at the end of last year to 'focus on her family' ZOE'S PAIN Zoe Ball reveals painful struggle with new health condition weeks after surprise return to BBC Radio 2 ZOE Ball has reveal her painful struggle with a new health condition. The much-loved presenter, 54, made the admission just weeks after her surprise return to BBC Radio 2. 3 Zoe Ball revealed she is battling a painful health condition Credit: BBC 3 The much-loved presenter returned to Radio 2 last month Credit: PA 3 Zoe quit her Radio 2 Breakfast Show last year, but has since returned to the airwaves Credit: PA Zoe Ball now just hosts a Saturday afternoon slot, after quitting Radio 2's famous Breakfast Show at the end of last year. During her latest show, the mum-of-two revealed a painful health condition that keeps flaring up. Addressing fans she said: "Yes, it's come to that. Fifty-four and I got bursitis." Bursitis is a condition that occurs when the fluid-filled sacs (bursa) that cushion the joints become inflamed, painful and swollen. Zoe revealed that she is not letting the condition slow her down, and she is continuing to train with her personal coach, Seth. "Thank you to Seth," she said on her Saturday show. "I found out I've got a… what is it? A rating of… was it a four or five on the fitness level? "I was quite impressed with myself - out of, I think it's nine or ten. "You've gotta start somewhere, haven't you?" This is the second time that Zoe has opened up about a painful health condition. Emotional Zoe Ball's final farewell to BBC Radio 2 as she quits show and thanks staff for 'holding her up in her lowest moments' Last year, she revealed she had TMJ (temporomandibular joint) which affects the jaw and can cause painful headaches. RADIO COMEBACK At the beginning of last month, Zoe thrilled fans when she made a triumphant return to Radio 2 for her new Saturday afternoon slot. As she made her comeback, taking over the headphones from Rylan Clark, she told listeners: 'Hello it's me, oh it's lovely to be back on a Saturday. 'This is where it all began for me, back in the day when I used to sweep up and make the teas.' Zoe Ball's career so far Zoe was born in Blackpool and is daughter of the children's TV presenter Johnny Ball and his wife Julia. She appeared on television at a young age as part of the studio audience of the Saturday morning children's show, Saturday Superstore when her father was a guest. The star began her career in broadcasting as a presenter on the pre-school programme Playdays. After various behind the scenes roles, she earned a spot as a regular host of Top of the Pops, when she alternated with the likes of Jayne Middlemiss and Jo Whiley. In 1996, she was chosen to front BBC One's saturday morning show Live & Kicking, which led to stints on The Big Breakfast on Channel 4. But she maintained a huge presence on the radio as she was chosen to be the co-host of BBC Radio 1 Breakfast alongside Kevin Greening in October 1997. Zoe was later appointed the sole host of the show in a groundbreaking move by the corporation as she was the first female DJ to hold the post. The presenter chose to leave the station in March 2000 to start a family, where she was succeeded by Sara Cox. As a mainstream face in TV through the noughties, she hosted a range of huge programmes for ITV, including the Brit Awards in 2002, Extinct in 2006, and both Soapstar Superstar and Grease Is The Word in 2007. In mid-2002, she returned to radio when she joined Xfm (later known as Radio X), when she was the voice of the weekday drivetime show until December 2003. In 2004, she stood in for Ricky Gervais while he filmed the second series of The Office. In October 2005, she appeared as a contestant on the third series of Strictly Come Dancing, where she was partnered with Ian Waite, The star impressed viewers with her footwork and the duo waltzed into third place. In 2011, she returned to the franchise as she took over as the host of the magazine spin-off show, It Takes Two. She also filled in for Claudia Winkleman on the main show in 2014, when The Traitors star took leave after her daughter suffered serious burn injuries. After 10 years fronting the show, Zoe announced she was quitting her role on BBC Two in May 2021. Zoe's journey in BBC Radio 2 started in 2006 when she fronted specialist documentaries. Over the years she sat in for names such as Dermot O'Leary, Ken Bruce and Chris Evans. After several shake-ups, she returned to the station on a permanent basis when she took over Dermot's Saturday afternoon slot between 3pm and 6pm. In October 2018, Chris Evans moved to Virgin Radio and he personally announced that Zoe would take over his popular slot. She started presenting the breakfast show on 14 January 2019. Zoe previously made a tearful goodbye to the Breakfast show after six years at the end of 2024. During her time away from Radio 2, it was revealed she was enjoying doing some gardening and being at home. Zoe even worked shifts in at Big Beach Café in Hove with her ex-husband Norman 'Fatboy Slim' Cook, who she's been married to since 1999. The long-time radio favourite decided to leave her Breakfast show last year, explaining she wanted to spend more time with her family after the death of her mum. In an emotional final farewell to listeners, the DJ paid tribute to her "hero" - fellow station star Jo Whiley - and her team on the show, saying they "held me up, quite literally, when I was at my lowest". She was replaced in the slot by Scott Mills.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tributes paid to 'local legend' and renowned Cornish photojournalist
A legendary Cornish photojournalist, famed for his news coverage, has died. David Brenchley, known across the county, has died at the age of 80. Born in 1944, David began his journey as the child of Walter James John Brenchley and Muriel Agnes Brenchley. Raised in Harpenden alongside his siblings, he attended St Dominic's Primary School and later St Albans County Grammar School for boys. Photojournalist David Brenchley. (Image: supplied) In his youth, David dabbled in chemistry and music, with an infamous ginger beer experiment resulting in the destruction of the family shed. A prodigious guitarist, he formed a skiffle band called The Electrons and even played with early members of The Zombies before they reached international acclaim. He left the music sphere to embark on a career in photojournalism, enrolling at the BBC Camera Operative training school in London, later working on iconic programmes such as Doctor Who, Top of the Pops, Steptoe and Son, and That was the week that was. Anecdotes from his time with the BBC include a peculiar exchange with a Dalek on the set of Doctor Who. David left the BBC and initially worked for a Hertfordshire newspaper before seizing the opportunity to establish a press business in Cornwall. Despite humble beginnings, he managed to build the Cornish Photonews business, providing news and photographs to multiple media outlets such as the Falmouth Packet, West Briton, and Western Morning News. His ambition saw him setting up a wire service, a technological achievement for the time, that enabled him to transmit images to London via telephone lines. David was known for "his slightly scruffy appearance, quick wit, and ever-present cigar." He managed to gain the trust of locals, often winning stories that other reporters struggled to get. He was a well-respected figure in the industry, covering notable stories such as the memorable 1998 Porthleven storms, the 1979 Fastnet disaster, and the 1985 capsizing of Simon Le Bon's yacht, Drum. David Brenchley was a pioneer, remaining ahead of the technological curve, embracing digital photography early on in its advent. He co-founded the Really Wide Picture Company, capturing panoramic images of Cornwall, a venture that led to the creation of a custom enlarger to accommodate the unique format. David was a man of many talents, from being a member of touring band The Ferryboaters, to his love for DIY and fishing. He was a familiar face at local pubs like the Seaview pub in Falmouth or the Norway Inn, ever eager to participate in a quiz. In 2009, he suffered a stroke that led to his gradual withdrawal from frontline journalism. He went on to marry his long-term partner, Trish Bray, in 2012, with whom he enjoyed a peaceful retirement. David lost his battle after a short illness, leaving behind his wife, four children, six grandchildren, and a sister. The family expressed special thanks to Barry (Samantha's long-term partner) for his steadfast support and friendship towards David. David was a true legend, remembered for his wit, charm, and contribution to regional journalism. His photographic archives stand as a legacy, documenting more than three decades of Cornwall's history. His coverage of the Fastnet disaster in 1979, his documentation of the 1998 Porthleven storm, and his innovative advancements in technology have left an indelible mark on the world of regional journalism. The family has chosen a private cremation for the venerable photojournalist, but his life and contributions to journalism will be celebrated later. Further details will be announced soon. Those wishing to pay tribute to David Brenchley may contact his daughter, Samantha, directly. David's legacy remains in the people he photographed, the stories he told, and the lives he touched. His unparalleled charm, wit, and eye for news will never be forgotten, and his archive of decades of Cornish history stands testament to his unique perspective and dedication. David Brenchley, an enduring legend, leaves behind an enduring mark in the realm of journalism, woven into the very fabric of Cornwall's picturesque landscapes and the hearts of its people.
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Martin Kemp makes brutal confession about sex life with wife live on Loose Women
Martin Kemp left the Loose Women panel in fits of giggles after he made an unexpected admission about his and his wife Shirlie Holliman's sex life. Martin Kemp left the Loose Women panel at a loss of words after making a shocking admission regarding his sex life with wife Shirlie Holliman during a live TV appearance. The 63-year-old EastEnders star appeared on a special edition of the ITV daytime show, which was a Loose Women and Loose Men mash up, alongside Kaye Adams, Paul C Brunson, and Judi Love, where the topic of scheduling sex with a partner came up. While dating expert and Celebs Go Dating star Paul insisted that it was a good idea, Martin wasn't convinced. He declared: 'I don't think you can schedule sex,' prompting awkward laughter from the audience and the panel. He continued: 'If I had to look in my diary and it says 7:30pm on a Thursday night, I'm going to do it… I don't think it works. I even feel under pressure if it's a Sunday morning!' The studio burst into giggles as Martin doubled down: 'Oh so everyone in here does it on a Sunday morning? I know. But I do! I feel that pressure... 'Oh it's Sunday morning, I'm going to have to do it in a minute.'' Paul tried to shift the focus by explaining that most couples only spend an average of an hour together per week, the Express reports. Martin responded: 'What I'm saying is you can schedule a time where you are just going to eat together. You don't have to say sex. So you're talking a date night?' Paul replied: 'It could be a date night, we're going to have some wine, we're going to watch something. And then who knows what will happen.' Host Kaye Adams later playfully asked Martin if he'd be trying the suggestion, to which he cheekily replied: 'I will definitely give it a try. I'll give Shirl a call in a minute,' before glancing at his watch and joking, 'I'll book it in... Hang on, this is going out live isn't it?' Looking straight into the camera, Martin finished with: 'Shirl, get yourself ready, I'm on the way home.' Martin and Shirlie met in 1982 after the Spandau Ballet star spotted her performing with Wham! on Top of the Pops. The couple went on tie the knot in St. Lucia in 1988 and share two children, daughter Harley Moon, 35, and son Roman Kemp, 32. It's not the first time Martin has made an eyebrow raising remark in regards to his marriage. Earlier this year, on the podcast FFS! My dad is Martin Kemp, the singer stunned his son Roman by saying: 'Shirlie gives me some good tongue lashings... you know exactly what I mean when I say tongue lashings... "She's good at it, she's good at the old tongue lashing, she will know when and how to put me down.' Roman didn't hold back, exclaiming: 'What the actual f*** does that mean? That is horrendous, that's the worst thing you've ever said. I can see the headline now, that is horrendous.' After their uncomfortable exchange, the father-son duo still managed to end the conversation in fits of laughter, as Martin said: 'I love coming in here and talking to you. "When I'm out and about even with my mates. I never laugh as much as when I'm sitting here with you, talking to you.'
Irish Examiner
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Sparks: The band where eccentricity meets high art
Sparks brothers Ron and Russell Mael expect to feel thoroughly at home when playing Dublin's National Stadium this July. When not hosting live music, the stadium is a boxing arena – a dead ringer, in fact, for the venue featured on the cover of Sparks' Whomp That Sucker, one of the classic albums the art-pop siblings from Los Angeles released in their first golden streak of success in the 1970s and early 1980s. Over video link from his home in Los Angeles, Russell nods enthusiastically: 'We can recreate our Whomp That Sucker cover!' As Sparks prepare to share their new long player, MAD!, it is from the surreal vantage of being an overnight sensation 60 years in the making. Since 1971, they've been putting out reality-distorting pop that, at various moments, recalls Queen, Kraftwerk and the emotions you experience watching a David Lynch movie. They've had hits, appearing on Top of the Pops after 1974's This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both Of Us went to number two in the UK; the track would later be embraced by voguish Brit-rockers the Last Dinner Party, who covered it in Dublin last year. Along with the brilliantly catchy tunes, the Maels have turned eccentricity into high art, radiating a studied oddness unlike anything else in pop. During one tour, Russell would play the keyboard with comedically extended arms that made him look like a life-size muppet. And when they went on Top of the Pops, John Lennon was so struck by what he was watching that he called up Ringo Star to say he'd just seen Marc Bolan collaborating with 'Hitler' – a reference to the frizzy hair Russell sported in the 1970s and the tooth-brush moustache Ron wears to this day. Their charm and their weirdness made them beloved – yet their audience was modest and, in the best sense, cult-like. It wasn't until director and lifelong Sparks fan Edgar Wright eulogised them with his 2021 documentary, The Sparks Brothers that they returned to the mainstream of popular culture. Their subsequent movie-musical Annette cemented their comeback, but it was the Sparks Brothers that grabbed the headlines, thanks to the participation of Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea, Taylor Swift producer Jack Antonoff, fellow Californian Beck and others – all happy to gush about their fandom of the Maels. This has led to the extraordinary situation of Ron (79) and Russell (76) rolling into Dublin this year with the buzz of a brand-new band. 'It's not the traditional career path where, after having 27 albums and now the new one with our 28th album, things are on the rise for a band,' says Russell. 'It's really special. Since the time when Edgar Wright did the documentary on Sparks a couple of years ago, more people that previously weren't exposed to Sparks were made aware of Sparks. And people that had been lurking in the background and not exactly following every move that we've been making, I think the documentary helped reawaken those people, too. And so since that time, and then also the movie musical that we did – I think the two movies combined, it has helped to push the profile of Sparks higher, which is great.' In the film, Wright traced the Maels' journey from the early years as Americans obsessed with British glam rock through to the 1980s days as electro-pop pioneers and their subsequent adventures in everything from art-rock to indie pop. He also made the case that the group were innovators who brought humour and self-awareness into songwriting and pioneered the use of synthesisers in music, with projects such as 1979's No.1 In Heaven – produced by disco kingpin Giorgio Moroder. 'Most of the artists he went to – we don't know them personally at all. So when Edgar said, 'Oh, this week, I'm interviewing, you know, Flea, and I'm in interviewing Jack Antonoff, I'm interviewing whoever you know'. We went 'what' ?,' says Russell. Despite living in LA all their lives, rubbing shoulders with the great and the good of Californian music isn't their thing. 'We're maybe shyer in that way to be going out and talking to other musicians. Edgar is brazen. He just says, Hey, 'you like Sparks, right?' 'Well, yeah, of course, I like Sparks'. That's his approach. "And it was so nice, that he went out to all these people that he did know. Or even some that he didn't know, I think, at the time, and but thought, 'I'm pretty sure they must like Sparks'. More times than not, he was right. We didn't know most of the people personally that that he that he approached. It made it all flattering.' The movie's success hasn't unduly impacted the Maels' songwriting: the new album is classic Sparks, brimming with shapeshifting melodies and madly catchy choruses. The lyrics run, as ever, from the surreal to the heartfelt. 'There is sincerity to what we do,' says Russell. 'Sometimes, if you couch the sincerity in something humorous it's taken as being light or something like that. We always feel it. Even in songs of ours that have a humorous side to them, maybe there's the other flip side to it that has an emotional side to it. On the new album, there's quite a few songs that we feel have a strong, emotional and melodic content. Those songs in particular – they're relationship songs, but relationship songs hopefully done in a fresh sort of way.' Sparks in 1975: Russell Mael and Ron Mael. Picture: Evening Standard/. Wright's movie also showcased the darker side of the music business. Despite the success of This Town Ain't Big Enough, and the accompanying album, Kimono My House, the industry never knew what to do with Sparks. So, for many years, it ignored the siblings, who had grown up in the wealthy LA suburb of Pasadena Palisades. They were left to make their own way, yet they never became bitter or resentful. 'You have to do what you feel is right,' says Russell. 'And all the peripheral stuff – what's going on the industry, all that kind of stuff… It's not the important thing. And you sometimes get consumed by thinking that it is important. "I mean, it is in a certain in a certain way. Then the most important thing is doing what you do creatively. And then you hope that someone will be able to take what you've done and kind of disseminate it to more people in a good way. And sometimes it happens. Sometimes it doesn't. Those kind of forces are out of our control once we've given our our music to them.' They've noticed a change in their audience when they go out on the road nowadays. The older fans are still there, but now they are joined by Gen Z-ers, many of whom came to them through Wright's film. 'We're fortunate that we have a devoted fan base that that either has stuck with us from the beginning or, like, from things like the documentary, have discovered Sparks more recently, and are passionate about the band and feel it's kind of a their own club. Especially when we tour we get to see it more first hand how passionate people are for what we do. "And also we're able to do songs from all eras of our career. People are surprised by us doing songs maybe that are more obscure from albums that weren't as visible at the time. The situation for Sparks right now couldn't be better.' MAD! is out now. Sparks play National Stadium, Dublin, July 15 and 16
