Latest news with #UnchainedMelody


Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Where Soldier, Soldier cast are now - booze battles, affairs and tragic death
Soldier, Soldier was a huge TV hit in the 90s and made stars of Robson Green and Jerome Flynn who went on to have a number one hit and huge success in Hollywood Soldier, Soldier star Marise Wipani has tragically died aged 61. The actress, who also appeared in Xena: Warrior Princess, died on her birthday on Friday. Her Facebook page announced the news of her death in a sad message to friends and family. It read: "Marise passed peacefully today on her 61st birthday surrounded by family and friends. "She just wanted to say....I have shuffled off this mortal coil. Good byyye, good luuuck, good God!!! Quote from Driving Miss Daisy." Her cause of death was not shared in the post. ITV's Soldier, Soldier was a massive telly hit in the 90s, captivating viewers with its fictional insight into the ups and downs of the British Army. Set within the made-up 1st Battalion The King's Fusiliers regiment, it delved into the professional and personal dramas of the show's ensemble. The standout stars were Robson and Jerome, who enjoyed a brief but significant music career, sparked by an episode where they performed Unchained Melody. With Simon Cowell's support, their rendition topped the charts for seven weeks and became 1995's best-selling single. They both exited the show in the fifth series, but it continued for another two seasons before wrapping up in December 1997. It ran for seven series and captured the nation's attention. Since the show ended, the stars have had varied fates. Here's a look at what the cast have been up to... Robson Green - Fusilier Dave Tucker Robson was already familiar to viewers for his role as Jimmy Powell on BBC One's Casualty when he scored the part of Fusilier Dave Tucker, reports the Express. This role propelled him to mega-stardom and chart-topping success. He and co-star Jerome Flynn had a short but massive music career which saw them become the first act to have their initial three singles enter the charts at number one. Since leaving the show, angling fanatic Robson has presented numerous fishing shows. He has also appeared in BBC Three's supernatural drama Being Human, as well as BBC One's Waterloo Road. His current role sees him playing DI George Keating in ITV's hugely popular '50s set detective drama Grantchester. Off screen, Green's personal life has been quite eventful; he wed Alison Ogilvie in 1991, but their marriage ended by 1999 amid reports of Green's affair with Pamela McDonald, who was then the wife of Emmerdale 's Ian Sharrock, known for his role as Jackie Merrick on the soap. He met his second wife, former Page 3 model Vanya Seager, during a recording session at BMG Records in 1995. They went on to have a son, Taylor Seager-Green and tied the knot in 2001. However, a decade later they issued a statement saying their marriage had "irretrievably broken down" and that they were separating. Jerome Flynn - Lance Corporal Paddy Garvey After getting his breakthrough in London's Burning Jerome found huge fame with Soldier, Soldier and in his music career with co-star Robson Green In more recent times Jerome resurrected his acting career, impressing audiences globally with his role in Game of Thrones and gracing ITV's Ripper Street. His career took another thrilling turn in 2019 when he shared the big screen with Keanu Reeves and Halle Berry in the action thriller John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum. Off-screen, the star has never married nor had children, but he's created a new-age holiday retreat named Trefacwn in a Grade II-listed Georgian mansion, which its website claims radiates "an ancient healing energy palpable to all who visit". Denise Welch - Marsha Stubbs Denise became a household name as Marsha Stubbs on the show back in 1993 and continued to grace the screens for two years until 1995, by then already recognised from her stints in Byker Grove and Spender. Post Soldier, Soldier, she starred in Coronation Street as Natalie Barnes, causing a stir across the nation when she became embroiled in the breakdown of Kevin and Sally Webster's marriage. Since then, Denise's career has thrived with roles in hit series like Holby City, Down To Earth, Waterloo Road, and Hollyoaks. She is also no stranger to reality TV and has appeared on Dancing On Ice and she won Celebrity Big Brother in 2012. A familiar face now on Loose Women, Denise openly shares her struggles with alcoholism on the show and is well appreciated for her candour. Behind the scenes, Denise is a mother to two sons with her former spouse Tim Healy, one being Matty, the frontman of The 1975, and she's currently married to artist Lincoln Townley. Annabelle Apsion - Joy Wilton Annabelle might not have been a well-known figure to audiences during her time on Soldier, Soldier with only a few minor roles under her belt, but today she stands as one of televisions most recognisable figures, noted for a myriad of iconic roles since departing the series in 1995. A year on from her exit, she portrayed Jenni Hicks, a mother who tragically lost her two daughters in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, in the docudrama Hillsborough. She also shared the silver screen with Hollywood heartthrob Johnny Depp in From Hell, where she played Polly Nichols, Jack the Ripper's first known victim. In 2002, she made a brief yet unforgettable appearance on Coronation Street as Patricia Hillman, the ex-wife of serial killer Richard Hillman, who met a gruesome end at his hands. Despite her impressive acting portfolio, until recently she was most recognised for her role as Monica Gallagher in Channel 4's Shameless. However, these days she is best known for her portrayal of Mayor Violet Buckle in BBC One's Call The Midwife. Paterson Joseph - Fusilier Eddie "Horatio" Nelson Paterson Joseph was just beginning to make a name for himself when he featured in one episode of Soldier, Soldier in series four in 1994. That same year, he appeared in an episode of BBC's Casualty before becoming a regular on the show three years later. Over his 45-year career, he has become one of the most recognisable faces in British drama, playing roles such as Reuben in William and Mary, alongside Martin Clunes, the Marquis de Carabas in Neverwhere, Alan Johnson in Peep Show, Lyndon Jones in Green Wing; and Shorty in the first episode of Jericho. Like many other esteemed British actors, he has appeared in Doctor Who in the 2005 two-part episodes Bad Wolf and The Parting of the Ways. He played Rodrick, a contestant on a futuristic version of The Weakest Link game show. Most recently, he dazzled audiences in cinemas as Arthur Slugworth in Wonka. Away from the spotlight, he shares his life with wife Emmanuelle Joseph and their child. He also holds the esteemed position of Chancellor at Oxford Brookes University. Holly Aird - Corporal (later Sergeant) Nancy Thorpe Holly, a veteran actress since childhood, boasted an impressive resume by the time she joined Soldier, Soldier. Post-departure, she captivated viewers as Carla in Dressing For Breakfast and became widely recognised for her role as forensic pathologist Frankie Wharton in BBC1's Waking the Dead. Her recent credits include roles in A Discovery Of Witches and Four Lives, and last year she shone in the Idris Elba-led Apple TV production Hijack. In her personal life, Holly was married to Rome actor James Purefoy from 1996 until 2002 and is currently wed to Toby Merritt since 2004. Samantha Morton - Clare Anderson Samantha Morton first graced our screens in Soldier, Soldier, making an immediate impact despite appearing in just four episodes. A mere four years later, she captured the nation's attention in ITV's Band Of Gold. Since then, she has graced the silver screen in Hollywood blockbusters like Minority Report with Tom Cruise, and Elizabeth: The Golden Age alongside Cate Blanchett. Expanding her talents, she has also ventured into producing and directing throughout her thirty-year career. Her outstanding contributions were honoured at this year's BAFTAs with the prestigious fellowship, where she delivered a heartfelt acceptance speech: "representation matters". Away from the spotlight, she's a mother to three children, including actress Esmé Creed-Miles.


Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gareth Gates now from Katie Price romp to money woes and hair transplant
Pop Idol star Gareth Gates, 40, is completely unrecognisable to the spiky-haired teen who turned his back on fame after a fling with Katie Price and has a whole new career Pop Idol 2002 was the year of the brave – Will Young famously shut down Simon Cowell 's criticism of his "average" performance, and 16-year-old Gareth Gates overcame his stammer to showcase his incredible talent. Born in Bradford, Gareth showed an early passion for music. He joined the Bradford Cathedral Choir at the age of nine and achieved grade eight in piano, classical guitar, and singing. After finishing as the runner-up to Will, now 46, on the ITV competition, Gareth's debut single, Unchained Melody, soared to number one and was certified double platinum. His next two singles also hit the top of the charts, and Smash Hits even declared October 7, 2002, as International Gareth Gates Day in his honour. But fame is a fickle beast, and Gareth's second album Go Your Own Way dropped down to number 32 after just one week. And his reputation harshly took a beating when it emerged that he'd lost his virginity to a pregnant Katie Price after he was spotted sneaking out of her hotel room on CCTV. Gareth insisted they hadn't hooked up at first, but later admitted: "I denied the whole Jordan thing because I was 17, I didn't want my family to find out about my sex life." And the fall-out even saw him turn his back on fame. "It wasn't too long after that I decided to take a break from the industry," he once told New! magazine. "It wasn't the reason I wanted to be a pop star. There are stars out there who are out there for the wrong reasons. I wanted to be recognised for my talent." As for Katie, 46, she confessed that she was looking for love in all the wrong places. 'It's terrible – I was still young, I was pregnant, I didn't have the dad about and I still wanted to be loved," she previously said. 'It was wrong when I look back. It was over in seconds!' Gareth was let go by his record label, Sony BMG, in 2006 while working on a third album, Pictures of the Other Side, which he later released under UMTV, but that too failed to make an impact. However, he found the perfect platform for his talent in musical theatre, and has since forged an extremely successful stage career for himself. The star has performed in everything from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat to Les Mis, Legally Blonde and Boogie Nights. And in 2013 he teamed up with Dane Bowers, Adam Rickitt, Blazin' Squad star Kenzie and singer Kavana to form a 'super group' for ITV documentary, The Big Reunion. Gareth met his future wife Suzanne Mole when she was a dancer at the Record of the Year Awards in 2002. They married in 2008 and their daughter Missy was born the following year. But in 2012, the pair announced their split with Gareth explaining they had 'grown apart'. He told The Mirror: "Despite our efforts over the past three years to make our marriage work, sadly Suzanne and I have decided to separate. Whilst we have grown apart, we love and cherish our wonderful daughter Missy and together we will prioritise her happy upbringing." He subsequently dated Coronation Street actress Faye Brookes for almost seven years before they called off their engagement in 2019. Gareth went on to date DJ Chloe McLennan for two years, even moving in together before going their separate ways in December 2022. Now, he's loved up with West End star girlfriend, Allana Taylor. The pair met when they appeared in a pantomime production of Jack And The Beanstalk in 2022, and they made their relationship official on Instagram in July 2023. The singer-turned-actor has has spent six years transforming himself into a beefcake. Achieving his ripped body has been no mean feat. He works out for two hours a day and bench presses 120kg. To keep his body fuelled, he eats 4,000 calories but focuses on clean food and protein shakes. "It's taken me six years to get this body. I got into the gym when I was 30 and stopped partying," he told The Sun. "But in the last couple of years I've started to take my fitness really seriously. I would rather look good - and more importantly feel good - and be up for the gym than waste the day hungover.' While Gareth is in the best shape of his life, his finances took a hit to the eye-watering tune of £250,000. He unknowingly used a dodgy money trader to invest the princely sum but soon realised his money had been lost. "I'm more careful now as I got burnt once and lost £250,000," he told the Sunday Times last year. "I was a victim of that. I got nothing back and it was a big learning curve for me. I learnt a big lesson that I invested a little bit more than I possibly should have." And in 2017 Gareth addressed an issue that had been bothering him for some time - his thinning hair. The star underwent a hair transplant after years of struggling with hair loss. "I'm constantly on stage so image is a big, big thing for me and I have to look my best," he explained at the time. "I'm nervous but I'm really, really excited as well. I can't wait to get it done and lose all that self-consciousness about my hair thinning." As for Will - who he recorded a duet of The Beatles' Long and Winding Road with - he confirmed that they're still friends and always will be. "I keep in touch with Will. We went through a lot together. It was the first of its kind, well before X Factor and the likes, therefore we had no idea what this brand new format was about," he said in 2017. "We had no idea it was going to be as huge as it was and as life-changing. So we went through a lot together and as a result of that we're still good mates." Last year, Gareth was banned from driving for six months after pleading guilty to driving over the speed limit on 6 April 2024 his fourth offence in less than three years. Gareth was clocked by a speed camera doing 62mph in a 50mph zone on the M4 in Port Talbot, South Wales, in his three-year-old black Range Rover Sport but had been due to fight a potential ban by claiming he would experience "exceptional hardship". Gareth told the court he was a "one-man band, driving himself to engagements with his Range Rover full to the brim with equipment, musical instruments, clothes and outfits". However, he withdrew the claim and emailed Cardiff Magistrates Court asking for the case to be dealt with in his absence on Thursday. According to The Sun newspaper, District Judge Charlotte Murphy said: "Mr Gates has nine points on his license for three offences of speeding. He will be disqualified from driving for six months." The 'Unchained Melody' hitmaker was also fined £230, which was reduced to £153 as a result of his guilty plea. Gareth previously faced a driving ban in 2017 after again clocking up points from four speeding offences.


CNN
27-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Demi Moore's best performances, from ‘St. Elmo's Fire' to ‘Ghost' and beyond
'The Substance' has paved the way for what could be Demi Moore's first Oscar, but as the actress has candidly shared during her award season sweep, the road to this career-defining moment has been long. With her beautifully expressive face and uniquely gravelly voice, Moore has actually been capturing moviegoing audiences' attention and admiration for decades, starting in the 1980s when she ran with the Brat Pack. Moore's career can even be used as a guide for a walk down Hollywood memory lane. In order of release, here are some of her most quintessential screen performances: After a handful of roles in smaller films and two years on 'General Hospital,' Moore hit it big with this similarly soapy Brat Pack film, in which she portrayed Jules, a fun-loving but somewhat unstable party girl who secretly does care what her absentee dad and 'stepmonster' think. For those gunning for a sequel, there's reason to be cautiously optimistic, at least according to Moore's costar Rob Lowe. With her pageboy haircut and look of bottomless grief, Moore redefined the role of a leading lady for 90's audiences in this blockbuster supernatural thriller/romance hybrid. When it comes to classic Hollywood romance, few moments compare to the provocative pottery scene she shared with Patrick Swayze, set to the timeless 'Unchained Melody.' Along with 'A Few Good Men' (which deserves an honorable mention on this list), 'Proposal' was Moore's most successful followup after the hit 'Ghost.' It became a pop-culture phenomenon in its own right thanks to Moore's chemistry with both Woody Harrelson and Robert Redford, with a little help from the incredible track 'No Ordinary Love' by Sade. While definitely a bit dated through the lens of 2025, Moore stole the show in this twisty corporate thriller based on a Michael Crichton novel that saw her play a vindictive executive who commits sexual harassment against her male subordinate (Michael Douglas). This beloved dramedy followed four female friends both as adults and children, with much of the story told in flashback and narrated by Moore. Costarring Rosie O'Donnell, Rita Wilson, Melanie Griffith, Christina Ricci and Thora Birch, among others, love for this buddy movie – and the love these actresses have for each other – remains strong to this day. Moore continued to dominate the 1990s with this physically demanding and mold-breaking performance, in which she played the first female Navy SEAL. The Ridley Scott-directed film also showcased Moore's chiseled appearance with a shaved head that marked the totality of her transformation. In what could be considered her Bond villain moment, Moore switched gears and played a bad guy who gave new meaning to the term badass in this successful franchise followup. Starring Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz, this movie had it all – action, adventure and a bikini scene so memorable that Moore and Barrymore revisited on the latter's talkshow last year. Moore reteamed with her fellow Brat Pack-er Emilio Estevez for this underrated political drama that reconstructs the night that politician Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. The star more than held her own in an ensemble that included Helen Hunt, Laurence Fishburne and Anthony Hopkins. A rousing war cry against misogyny and ageism, Moore's portrayal of an established Hollywood star facing down an industry trying to discard her – and the drastic measures she takes to remain relevant in their eyes, as well as her own – became the buzziest allegorical film in a long while. It's also one of the few horror films to ever gain significant recognition from the Academy.


CNN
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Demi Moore's best performances, from ‘St. Elmo's Fire' to ‘Ghost' and beyond
'The Substance' has paved the way for what could be Demi Moore's first Oscar, but as the actress has candidly shared during her award season sweep, the road to this career-defining moment has been long. With her beautifully expressive face and uniquely gravelly voice, Moore has actually been capturing moviegoing audiences' attention and admiration for decades, starting in the 1980s when she ran with the Brat Pack. Moore's career can even be used as a guide for a walk down Hollywood memory lane. In order of release, here are some of her most quintessential screen performances: After a handful of roles in smaller films and two years on 'General Hospital,' Moore hit it big with this similarly soapy Brat Pack film, in which she portrayed Jules, a fun-loving but somewhat unstable party girl who secretly does care what her absentee dad and 'stepmonster' think. For those gunning for a sequel, there's reason to be cautiously optimistic, at least according to Moore's costar Rob Lowe. With her pageboy haircut and look of bottomless grief, Moore redefined the role of a leading lady for 90's audiences in this blockbuster supernatural thriller/romance hybrid. When it comes to classic Hollywood romance, few moments compare to the provocative pottery scene she shared with Patrick Swayze, set to the timeless 'Unchained Melody.' Along with 'A Few Good Men' (which deserves an honorable mention on this list), 'Proposal' was Moore's most successful followup after the hit 'Ghost.' It became a pop-culture phenomenon in its own right thanks to Moore's chemistry with both Woody Harrelson and Robert Redford, with a little help from the incredible track 'No Ordinary Love' by Sade. While definitely a bit dated through the lens of 2025, Moore stole the show in this twisty corporate thriller based on a Michael Crichton novel that saw her play a vindictive executive who commits sexual harassment against her male subordinate (Michael Douglas). This beloved dramedy followed four female friends both as adults and children, with much of the story told in flashback and narrated by Moore. Costarring Rosie O'Donnell, Rita Wilson, Melanie Griffith, Christina Ricci and Thora Birch, among others, love for this buddy movie – and the love these actresses have for each other – remains strong to this day. Moore continued to dominate the 1990s with this physically demanding and mold-breaking performance, in which she played the first female Navy SEAL. The Ridley Scott-directed film also showcased Moore's chiseled appearance with a shaved head that marked the totality of her transformation. In what could be considered her Bond villain moment, Moore switched gears and played a bad guy who gave new meaning to the term badass in this successful franchise followup. Starring Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz, this movie had it all – action, adventure and a bikini scene so memorable that Moore and Barrymore revisited on the latter's talkshow last year. Moore reteamed with her fellow Brat Pack-er Emilio Estevez for this underrated political drama that reconstructs the night that politician Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. The star more than held her own in an ensemble that included Helen Hunt, Laurence Fishburne and Anthony Hopkins. A rousing war cry against misogyny and ageism, Moore's portrayal of an established Hollywood star facing down an industry trying to discard her – and the drastic measures she takes to remain relevant in their eyes, as well as her own – became the buzziest allegorical film in a long while. It's also one of the few horror films to ever gain significant recognition from the Academy.


CNN
26-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Demi Moore's best performances, from ‘St. Elmo's Fire' to ‘Ghost' and beyond
'The Substance' has paved the way for what could be Demi Moore's first Oscar, but as the actress has candidly shared during her award season sweep, the road to this career-defining moment has been long. With her beautifully expressive face and uniquely gravelly voice, Moore has actually been capturing moviegoing audiences' attention and admiration for decades, starting in the 1980s when she ran with the Brat Pack. Moore's career can even be used as a guide for a walk down Hollywood memory lane. In order of release, here are some of her most quintessential screen performances: After a handful of roles in smaller films and two years on 'General Hospital,' Moore hit it big with this similarly soapy Brat Pack film, in which she portrayed Jules, a fun-loving but somewhat unstable party girl who secretly does care what her absentee dad and 'stepmonster' think. For those gunning for a sequel, there's reason to be cautiously optimistic, at least according to Moore's costar Rob Lowe. With her pageboy haircut and look of bottomless grief, Moore redefined the role of a leading lady for 90's audiences in this blockbuster supernatural thriller/romance hybrid. When it comes to classic Hollywood romance, few moments compare to the provocative pottery scene she shared with Patrick Swayze, set to the timeless 'Unchained Melody.' Along with 'A Few Good Men' (which deserves an honorable mention on this list), 'Proposal' was Moore's most successful followup after the hit 'Ghost.' It became a pop-culture phenomenon in its own right thanks to Moore's chemistry with both Woody Harrelson and Robert Redford, with a little help from the incredible track 'No Ordinary Love' by Sade. While definitely a bit dated through the lens of 2025, Moore stole the show in this twisty corporate thriller based on a Michael Crichton novel that saw her play a vindictive executive who commits sexual harassment against her male subordinate (Michael Douglas). This beloved dramedy followed four female friends both as adults and children, with much of the story told in flashback and narrated by Moore. Costarring Rosie O'Donnell, Rita Wilson, Melanie Griffith, Christina Ricci and Thora Birch, among others, love for this buddy movie – and the love these actresses have for each other – remains strong to this day. Moore continued to dominate the 1990s with this physically demanding and mold-breaking performance, in which she played the first female Navy SEAL. The Ridley Scott-directed film also showcased Moore's chiseled appearance with a shaved head that marked the totality of her transformation. In what could be considered her Bond villain moment, Moore switched gears and played a bad guy who gave new meaning to the term badass in this successful franchise followup. Starring Drew Barrymore, Lucy Liu and Cameron Diaz, this movie had it all – action, adventure and a bikini scene so memorable that Moore and Barrymore revisited on the latter's talkshow last year. Moore reteamed with her fellow Brat Pack-er Emilio Estevez for this underrated political drama that reconstructs the night that politician Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated. The star more than held her own in an ensemble that included Helen Hunt, Laurence Fishburne and Anthony Hopkins. A rousing war cry against misogyny and ageism, Moore's portrayal of an established Hollywood star facing down an industry trying to discard her – and the drastic measures she takes to remain relevant in their eyes, as well as her own – became the buzziest allegorical film in a long while. It's also one of the few horror films to ever gain significant recognition from the Academy.