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STV News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
Miriam Margolyes: 'Edinburgh is a place to thrill the soul, but my heart belongs to Glasgow'
Miriam Margolyes is back at the Edinburgh Fringe this year with a show about her passion for Charles Dickens – but she's not playing it safe. The 84-year-old BAFTA-winning star of stage and screen returns with Margolyes and Dickens, blending her love of the man behind the classics with candid stories from her own life. 'It's a bit naughty to come back and do just what I did before, so I've added to it,' she told What's On Scotland. 'There are echoes of the past show, but it's really just a continuation of my joy in acting, Dickens, sharing him – and then the other bit is just talking about me.' With her larger-than-life personality, quick wit and love of all things taboo, it's safe to say Miriam would describe herself as an open book. 'People seem interested in my ex-partners, which kind of surprises me. They don't just ask about the theatre things, what I've been in – but rather, who I've been in,' she laughed. She may be in her 80s, but the national treasure has shown no signs of slowing down. Last year marked her first return to the Edinburgh Fringe in 12 years with her tribute to Dickens. She is also set to release her fourth book, The Little Book of Miriam, in September – a no-holds-barred collection of stories and reflections gathered from conversations with friends and colleagues over the years. STV News Miriam performing at the Fringe last year 'I never thought I'd be old, but I am. I'm 84. I never imagined I could live this long. But one of the sad things about it is, you lose friends along the way. People just die. 'I wanted to try and get everything down before they've all gone. So I'd ring up my school friends – some of whom are still with me – and say, 'Remember when I did that? What do you remember?' 'I've got a few little treats to offer. Some of them are naughty, some of them are just rather tender and good, because I don't want to go down in history as just foul-mouthed. 'No – I care about people, and the world we live in, and I want to leave it better.' But if fans are hoping to catch Miriam tripping the light fantastic on Strictly or perfecting pavlova on Bake Off, they'll be disappointed. 'I lead a very simple, pleasant unstarry life. When people want me to be in those celebrity shows, the ones where they throw Ann Widdecombe around the room? No. Not for any money in the world, I wouldn't.' While she may shun the glitz and glam, Miriam hasn't shied away from speaking candidly about her own health. Miriam hit headlines for saying that she 'may not have long to live,' following heart surgery in which her aortic valve was replaced with that of a cow. 'That was a plot to stop people buying tickets for the show,' she joked. 'I'm grateful that I have a cow's heart. It's keeping me alive. You can either have a pig or a cow. I'm Jewish, so I chose a cow.' Miriam's roots explain her soft spot for Scotland. Born in Oxford in 1941, she was the only child of Ruth and Joseph, a merchant navy doctor who grew up in Glasgow's Gorbals and kept his accent for all of his 96 years. 'He had the accent all his life – he lived until he was 96. He was a merchant seaman doctor. 'I have to say that my heart belongs to Glasgow. Edinburgh is a place to thrill the soul, quicken the spirit, to enjoy, relish and share all the things available here. But when I go to Glasgow, I feel something I don't feel anywhere else in the world – recognition.' She recalls visiting a synagogue for a fundraising event in Garnethill. 'A very sweet gentleman said, 'Miriam, delighted to have you here, but don't be too controversial.' Well, I hope I wasn't – but sometimes you have to be.' That outspokenness is something she shared with another Glaswegian, the late comedian Janey Godley, who became a close friend. 'Janey was wonderful. I knew she wasn't well, so I sent her a message. She came through from Glasgow to Edinburgh and we spent the day together. 'She became my friend in a day and will ever be in my heart. A real genius of a comic and a visionary. I mourn her.' Referencing their mutual disdain for the US President, she added: 'Her opinion of a certain recent visitor to our shores was crisp.' While at the Fringe, Miriam hopes to catch friends' shows, including Nina Conti, Ned Van Zandt and Michelle Collins. 'I like to support chums, but I do get tired,' she said. 'I've got to be on form for my own show – people have paid to see me, so I have to be as good as I can.' And as for late nights? 'Not much partying. I'm not a party girl. I'm so short that nobody can ever see me. But they can hear me, alright.' Miriam Margolyes performs at Pleasance at EICC, Pentland Theatre, Edinburgh between August 9-24. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
New festival for dog lovers set to make debut in Glasgow
A new festival celebrating dogs is making its debut in Glasgow this weekend. From exciting agility classes and canine wellbeing sessions to live mural painting, Barklove organisers promise a tail-wagging good time for everyone – whether 'you're a proud pup parent or simply a big dog fan'. The all-day event is taking place indoors and outdoors at the city's SWG3 complex on Sunday (July 6). Founder Jenn Nimmo-Smith told What's On Scotland: 'I thought, why not combine my lifelong love of dogs and events, and the idea for Barklove was born. 'It's grown legs, paws and tails since then.' Michael Hunter Barklove is taking over Glasgow's SWG3 Michael Hunter The event will feature a fun dog show, live DJ sets curated with canine comfort in mind and a range of independent traders. Alasdair Macdonald, chairperson of Bearsden Dog Training Club, said: 'It's a good opportunity for dogs to get involved in things. 'The agility classes are open to all dogs – the emphasis is on fun and there's an opportunity to do some jumps, tunnels and sit-stays.' If you need a 'paws', you can chill out in the quiet zone with volunteers and dogs from the charity Pets As Therapy. Pets as Therapy local area administrator Lucy Miller said: 'We'll be providing a quiet space away from everything going on. 'We want to invite people in, meet our pet dogs and experience the joy and calm that they bring to people.' Tickets are £12.50 plus booking fee and can be bought on Ticketmaster. Find out more about Barklove on the event's website. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
STV News
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Daniel O'Donnell: 'I've done so much in life - now I just get out there and enjoy it'
He's the only artist in the world to score a hit in the UK album charts every year since 1988, making Daniel O'Donnell one of the most successful recording stars ever. The legendary Irish singer is performing in Glasgow and Aberdeen for his devoted fans next weekend. Daniel, 63, has released 46 albums and in 2015 and sold over ten million albums worldwide. He revealed he is set to launch his 47th studio record in October – though it may be the last released in physical form. 'This might be the last physical CD, as people are moving to downloading,' he told What's On Scotland. 'I love a CD. I remember when records were everywhere – I used to go to HMV and see my face on the wall! 'I'm sure people who weren't familiar with me saw me there and wondered 'who's that?'' he joked. Daniel is kicking off his UK tour this month some 40 years since he first performed in Scotland. He recalled some of his first solo gigs in Glasgow at The Squirrel bar in the Barras, the Claddagh Club, and the Irish Centre. 'I'm not doing as many shows as I used to; I'm in my 60s, so I've slowed down a bit. 'It's lovely to do the shows – I love coming back and look forward to it. 'It's the audience. When you start singing, and they sing with you, they lift you up to the heavens. That's what makes it. 'There's nothing quite like the atmosphere of singing live.' Supplied Daniel O'Donnell's music video for Home To Donegal Daniel's roots in the music business trace back to the early 1980s, when he abandoned his business studies course to perform with his sister Margo in her country band. His love of singing began as a boy growing up in the village of Kincasslagh, in the west of County Donegal. 'I don't remember a time without music. I don't remember a time when I wasn't singing myself. 'My father, even though he died young, was apparently a good singer. My mum used to write poems. 'On both sides of the family, my uncles and grandfathers were singers. 'It's the same here in Ireland. Someone is always singing a song. When we would have family gatherings, we just did it. It wasn't for a profession, but it was in our blood.' In 1983, Daniel forked out £1,200 of his own money to record and release his debut single, The Boy From Donegal, selling all the copies himself. He went on to form band Country Fever later that year and, later, The Grassroots. He shot to stardom following the release of his breakthrough solo album From The Heart, cementing himself as a household name across Ireland and the UK by the mid-1990s. Daniel has many cherished memories from the earlier days of his career. One of his favourites performing I Just Want To Dance With You on Top of the Pops, appearing alongside Ebeneezer Goode techno hitmakers The Shamen. 'We were like a hundred streets apart. The Shamen were punkish with earrings and piercings, and I had a Fairisle cardigan on.. They were probably as frightened of me as I was of them! 'Looking back, I never thought I'd be on anything like that.' Supplied Daniel in happy-go-lucky music video for Down At the La De Da Looking back on his rise to success, Daniel credits his dedicated fans who have been there every step of the way. He said he can 'count on one hand' the number of times he didn't meet fans after his concerts. 'I love meeting people who come through the shows. The only time I didn't was during Covid. 'Without the audience, I wouldn't have had success or longevity. 'It's their connection with the music. It's not fickle – it's the language, genre. With modern music, some people move on to different things, but they are loyal and stick with it.' Despite his veteran status in the industry, the Irish icon proves he's still game. On April Fool's Day, he surprised a family who have gone viral on Tiktok for their traditional monthly unveiling of the star's official calendar at their County Down Home. He also teamed up with college students to cover Jimmy Buffett tune Down at The La De Dah for a happy-go-lucky music video for his 60th birthday in 2021. 'Two fellas came to me and asked if I'd be interested in doing a production, making films, promoting what they were doing. 'I had flowery things around my neck and it was filmed in a community centre – it was just amazing.' When he's not hitting the stage or recording yet another album, Daniel spends time with wife Majella and loved ones at home in Ireland. He's also looking forward to meeting his baby grandson Jack for the first time when family come over to visit from Melbourne, Australia in July. But before he can kick back and relax, he's heading Stateside for a string of concerts in the Midwest and North East this summer. 'When you get older, you're not trying to get ahead – you're just doing what you love,' he said. 'I've done so much – and you still want to be the best you can be – but you just go out and enjoy it.' 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