Latest news with #lifetimeachievement
BBC News
5 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Wiltshire Police dog handler recognised for 50 years of service
A retiring police dog handler says he feels "a whole mix of emotions" after receiving a national award for 50 years of Unit manager Ian Partington, who joined Merseyside Police in 1975 and then Wiltshire Police in 1998, worked with the specialist dog section for 33 years whilst holding the ranks of sergeant and then has been given a National Police Chiefs' Council Lifetime Achievement Award, which recognises individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to Partington said he had a feeling of "great pride, but also one of humility as well". In 1986, the officer was promoted to sergeant, then six years later began working in the Merseyside Dog Section. His job has seen him deployed to numerous high-risk situations, including an IRA bomb threat at the Grand National in Partington transferred to Wiltshire Police as the Dog Section Sergeant and remained in the dog section as a handler with all types of police also took on the role of the force dog trainer whilst in the ranks of both sergeant and inspector. He retired as a police officer in 2006 and became the dog section trainer. "Anybody who's had dogs; pets or working dogs, you can't separate them but your first dog is always incredibly special and your first job with that dog is incredibly special," Mr Partington told BBC Radio first dog he received was a rescued German Shepherd called Zack."He was really quite young when I got him. I didn't really know what I was doing. Made an awful lot of mistakes and he taught me an awful lot," he said."I've been incredibly fortunate, I've been blessed with my working life. I've had some wonderful opportunities, I've worked with some fantastic people," he added. Supt Steve Cox, who recommended Mr Partington for the award, said, "Ian takes immense pride that he has passed and continues to pass on his years of knowledge and skills, and nothing gives him more pleasure than seeing his handlers having successful deployments, winning awards at trials, and quite simply watching them develop and improve."Ian is an amazing person; he is passionate and hard-working, and to this date, he continues to deliver his role to the highest standards."
BreakingNews.ie
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Rod Stewart ‘flabbergasted' to receive lifetime achievement award from children
Rod Stewart said he was 'absolutely flabbergasted' to be presented with a prestigious lifetime achievement award by his children. Stewart (80) performed his hit Forever Young after being presented with the trophy at the American Music Awards (AMAs). Advertisement The father-of-eight was introduced to the stage by five of his grown-up children. He told the screaming audience: 'I'm absolutely flabbergasted. I didn't know they were here – my children.' Rod Stewart performs after accepting the lifetime achievement award at the American Music Awards in Las Vegas. Photo: AFP via Getty Thanking all the musicians he has played with over the years, he added that when he was young: 'I had this burning ambition to sing. 'That's all I wanted to do. I didn't want to be rich or famous. And here I am a few years later, picking up this wonderful award.' Advertisement Other winners at Monday night's AMAs included Billie Eilish, who won Artist of the Year, and Eminem, who was named Favourite Male Hip Hop Artist. Eilish swept two major categories, winning Album of the Year for Hit Me Hard and Soft and Song of the Year for Birds of a Feather. She also earned accolades for Favourite Pop Song, Favourite Touring Artist and Favourite Pop Album. Gracie Abrams was crowned Best New Artist, while Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars took home Collaboration of the Year and Favourite Music Video for Die With A Smile. Advertisement Post Malone and Beyonce were named Favourite Male and Female Country Artists, respectively. Stewart, who is also known for songs including Da Ya Think I'm Sexy? and Maggie May, is due to play the coveted Sunday teatime legends slot at Glastonbury next month. In 2024, he promised he would not retire but confirmed his 2025 European and North American shows would bring an end to his 'large-scale world tours', with his next slate to be held at more intimate venues. Stewart is set to continue the North American leg of his tour in July. Advertisement Entertainment Rod Stewart denies 'rift' with Penny Lancaster: We... Read More The 80-year-old's latest album, a collaboration with Jools Holland, was released in February 2024. Wife Penny Lancaster, who married the rocker in 2007, posted on her Instagram stories that she was 'so proud' of her husband's lifetime achievement award. The couple share two children, while Stewart also has six other children, including socialite Kimberly Stewart, model Ruby Stewart and reality star and musician Sean Stewart, from previous relationships.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Princesses, PMs & stars all captured by Sun's Arthur Edwards as he receives gong
OUR BRILLIANT ARTHUR Find out how a lorry driver's son ended up travelling to 120 countries to become the Royals' favourite snapper Mike Ridley , Sun feature writer Published : 0:01, 23 May 2025 IN the world of press photography there are legends – and then there is Arthur Edwards. Our royal photographer has been on The Sun's staff for 50 years, and in that time he has become a household name for his brilliant pictures. 15 Sun snapper Arthur Edward with the press pack on the day PM Margaret Thatcher quit in 1990 Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd And to mark his incredible career, Arthur, who is still working at the age of 84, was last night presented with the well-deserved Lifetime Achievement prize at the annual Press Awards. He received the honour for a feat in national newspaper history that is unlikely ever to be repeated. In half a century working for Britain's favourite newspaper, lorry driver's son Arthur has visited 120 countries to take photos – not only of the royals, but also many of the world's best-known faces. Today he shares some of his favourite pictures – a tiny fraction of the thousands he has taken for readers of The Sun since he joined the staff in December 1974. Lady Diana Spencer, 1981 Probably my most famous Diana picture came about because I knew that the girl who would marry Prince Charles was a nursery assistant. But I didn't know where she worked, so I went to three pre-schools in West London before I came across the Young England Kindergarten in Pimlico. 15 With a bit of luck and sunlight, Arthur Edwards captured his most iconic photo of Diana at a Pimlico nursery Credit: The Sun I knocked on the door and asked the principal: 'Does Lady Diana Spencer work here?' When she said yes, I asked if Diana would pose for a photograph for The Sun. Diana agreed, but she wanted to have two of the children with her. Suddenly the sun came out. With the help of God's light, an ordinary photo became a fabulous picture. Margaret Thatcher and her cat, 1978 I was sent to Flood Street in Chelsea , where Mrs Thatcher lived when she was leader of the Opposition. Prince Harry & Meghan make money trashing the Royals - why should we pay for his security? | Royal Exclusive Show It was the Sunday before the 1978 Tory Conference and The Sun's Editor asked if I could get a picture of Mrs T writing her speech. 15 She was known as 'Thatcher the Milk Snatcher', but the Iron Lady showed her soft side in 1978 – as Arthur snapped her sharing a quiet moment and a saucer of milk with a cat Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun She looked so young back then and happily posed for a photo. But when she was seeing me off later, a cat jumped up on the wall. I saw the soft side of our future Prime Minister – who would become known as the Iron Lady – when she almost purred: 'Kitty, you want your milk.' Despite being nicknamed Thatcher the Milk Snatcher when she was Education Secretary and ended free school milk for children, she happily poured some into a saucer for the cat. It made a couple of brilliant pictures. David Beckham getting his OBE, 2003 I have photographed David many times, and he has always been a superstar. Nothing is too much trouble for him. 15 David Beckham kisses Victoria on the nose after getting his OBE in 2003 – a sweet moment captured when she refused to smile for the camera Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun When he received his OBE from the late Queen, I asked his wife Victoria to smile. But she never does, and she looked at me as if I was asking her for a thousand pounds. So David just kissed her on the nose, which I thought was lovely, and it made a great picture. Sir Paul McCartney, 2001 He was promoting some scarves that his wife Linda had designed. But the photo call at Kew Gardens was so chaotic that he walked away. 15 Sir Paul McCartney pulls a lemon from his pocket and poses with a smile in 2001 – telling Arthur, 'Call me Macca' Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun Back then, The Sun was starting to print colour pages, and I was desperate for a bright photo that would get into the paper. So I waited outside the main pavilion until he came out, and I said: 'Excuse me, Sir Paul.' He replied: 'Call me Macca.' When he realised what I wanted, he pulled a lemon out of his pocket and posed happily for this very colourful picture. Donald Trump, 2016 During his first campaign for the US presidency in 2016, he was at his Turnberry golf course in Scotland. I tried to get a photo that was different, so I took him with a copy of that day's Sun. 15 Donald Trump at Turnberry in 2016 – Arthur secretly thought he didn't have a prayer of winning the presidency… how wrong can you be? Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun I asked him to take his hat off but he said no, adding that his hair wasn't good, and he would not do it. On the plane home, I said to my colleague, The Sun's Chief Feature Writer Oliver Harvey: 'I don't think he's got a prayer in the election.' How wrong can you be? Prince Charles and Ronald Reagan, 1981 I was in Wellington, New Zealand, at the start of a world tour with Prince Charles when we heard the shocking news that US President Ronald Reagan had been shot. The royal tour was due to end in Washington DC, and after the assassination attempt, we assumed that leg would be cancelled. 15 Charles joked about the persistence of the British press, after the snapper asked President Regan to stand for a shot - despite a recent assassination attempt Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun But by the time we had visited Australia and Hawaii, President Reagan had recovered, and his first official meeting was with the prince at the White House. They were sitting by the fireplace and I asked them both to stand up. Reagan, who was still frail, could not believe what I'd asked. But Charles stood up and said: 'The British press – they are so persistent.' Prince Philip, the Queen and Zara Phillips in carriage, 1984 Every year Philip competed at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. The Queen and their granddaughter Zara are on his carriage. 15 Prince Philip competes at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in 1984, with the Queen and granddaughter Zara Phillips cheering from his carriage Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun Philip's biggest fan was his wife, who suffered every fault and every mistake he made – but when he won, she always cheered the loudest. Harry and the hand mark, 2015 This is the moment he got his revenge on me for revealing during New Zealand's breakfast TV that he was losing his hair. 15 Harry takes his revenge for Arthur revealing the prince's thinning crown Credit: PA:Press Association 15 Harry's purple handed artwork We were visiting a youth club where the youngsters asked him to do a hand print on the wall in purple paint. He did – then placed his hand firmly on my head. Prince Charles with Tom Jones and Lionel Richie, 2019 I seem to have been taking pictures of Tom Jones all my life, from his early days in Wales to last year's D-Day celebrations in Normandy. Although he is quite old now, like Elvis, Sir Tom has never lost that fabulous voice. 15 Prince Charles with his great friend Tom Jones and Lionel Richie in Barbados, 2019 - a rare snapshot of music legends and royalty together Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Lionel Richie is a great friend of the now King Charles. I photographed him at the Coronation concert at Windsor Castle, but I love this picture of the three of them, which I took in Barbados. Brian May on Buckingham Palace roof, 2002 Queen guitarist playing the National Anthem on the palace roof to open Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee concert. Genius. Not many people bothered to photograph it because there was a star-studded line-up to come, including Cliff Richard, Ozzy Osbourne and Paul McCartney. 15 Brian May rocks Buckingham Palace roof, 2002, playing the National Anthem to kick off the Golden Jubilee concert - a shot that led to friendship and tea with the Queen guitarist Credit: Arthur Edwards / The Sun Afterwards, Brian asked if he could use my picture of him finishing in triumph – playing the guitar that his dad had made for him – on his social media. Naturally I said yes, because he had done such a brilliant job under immense pressure. Later, Brian invited me to tea and we became quite good friends. Tony and Cherie Blair, 2005 I went along to Downing Street with our political editor Trevor Kavanagh who was interviewing the Prime Minister in the beautiful garden. 15 Cherie Blair asked for a photo with Tony — Arthur said, 'Give him a hug' His wife Cherie asked if they could have a picture together? I said 'give him a hug'. They loved the photo so much the Blairs gave a signed copy to every visitor to No10. I've got a signed copy of it at home. Mother Teresa, 1980 Prince Charles went to visit Mother Teresa in Calcutta and pray with her, which of course we couldn't photograph. 15 Of all his rich and famoous subjects, Arthur says Mother Theresa was the most humble, compassionate person But I photographed her these orphans who had been abandoned on the streets and this wonderful woman, who is now a saint, took them in. Of all the famous people I've photographed, she was the most humble, compassionate person. I am so lucky to have met her. Princess Anne and Gorbachev, 1980 I have been to the Kremlin a few times, including once when I photographer Diana Ross there. 15 Princess Anne meets President Gorbachev at the Kremlin in 1980 This time I went with Princess Anne who visited the USSR space centre before meeting President Gorbachev.
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Legendary Sun snapper Arthur Edwards congratulated by Queen as he lands Lifetime Achievement gong after 50-year career
SUN STAR Arthur has travelled to 120 countries, taking photos of the Royal Family and many of the world's biggest names SUN legend Arthur Edwards last night landed a top honour after 50 years working on the UK's favourite newspaper. Our royal photographer, who still works full-time at 84, was presented with the first Lifetime Achievement gong at the British Press Awards. 2 2 Arthur, who joined The Sun in December 1974, received it as the biggest names in journalism gathered to salute the best in the business. And Queen Camilla sent a congratulatory message on behalf of King Charles and herself. She said: 'I cannot think of anyone who deserves it more. "Not just for your decades of hard graft and talent, but in recognition of the enduring respect, admiration and affection that I know is felt for you across your whole industry — and indeed across the Royal Household. "For more years than either of us care to remember, you have brought your trademark charm, humour and outstanding skill to countless events.' In half a century on The Sun, Arthur has travelled to 120 countries, taking photos of not just the Royal Family but many of the world's biggest names. He received his award at London 's Marriott Grosvenor Hotel. Sun Editor-in-Chief Victoria Newton said: 'Arthur Edwards is one of the greats of British journalism.' I've taken photos of King Charles for 50 years & there's a reason he's a much nicer person now compared to younger days
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Kevin Spacey's cunning Hollywood comeback plan as it's revealed surprising A-list star is behind shock Cannes award
IT takes a lot to upstage the eye-catching dresses on the famous la Croisette in Cannes, but the most outrageous moment of this year's film festival has been the return of Kevin Spacey. Even more shocking was the decision to hand a lifetime achievement award for 'decades of artistic brilliance' to the 65-year-old actor who has been accused of inappropriate behaviour and molesting young men over three decades. 13 13 13 Those highly publicised accounts included actor Anthony Rapp alleging he was aged only 14 when Spacey pressed his groin onto him and actor Richard Dreyfuss 's son Harry saying that Spacey preyed on him when he was just 18. Even though double Oscar winner Spacey has successfully defended civil and criminal claims, new accusers have continued to come forward. Yet at a glitzy dinner at the Carlton Hotel on the seafront in the South of France he was given the chance to rail against being 'blacklisted' and to boast 'I'm still standing'. So who would give the actor best known for The Usual Suspects and American Beauty this platform? The award ceremony, we can reveal, is connected to his old pal Sharon Stone. The Basic Instinct actress copped a lot of flack last year for calling for 'genius' Spacey to be given another chance. And she's backed the Better World Fund which handed out the gong on Tuesday night at the private event in Cannes. The audience paid up to £5,000 for a seat to be at the event aimed at raising money for the 'philanthropic' organisation which uses "cinema and art at the service of humanity". It seems to be part of the latest concerted attempt to bring the House of Cards star - who has just landed a part in a conspiracy action-thriller titled The Awakening, alongside English screen stars Alice Eve, Steven Berkoff and Julian Glover - in from the cold. One man backing Spacey 's comeback is film producer Geoffrey Mark, who tells The Sun: 'He is a survivor. Of course what happened has hurt him. Kevin Spacey hit with new lawsuit over debts months after he was booted from mansion & admitted he feared homelessness 13 13 13 'Of course what's happened has harmed his career and his psyche. He wouldn't be human if it didn't. 'He won't be the lead in this film. He'll be the second lead, but he will steal the movie and he'll win another Oscar and then watch out. 'He deserves it. It's going to happen, folks.' That sounds fanciful, given Spacey's pariah status in parts of the film industry. The officials at the Cannes Film Festival made it perfectly clear that neither the award nor Spacey's first appearance there since 2016 had anything to do with them. The organisers put out a statement saying: 'The Festival de Cannes had no involvement in, and was not informed of, either the invitation extended to Mr Spacey or the award presented during this private event.' Many other people in the movie business want to keep their distance. When Sharon Stone, Liam Neeson and Stephen Fry stated publicly last May that Spacey should be rehabilitated, it wasn't well received. Afterwards Sharon admitted "people are mad at me' for standing up for him. Since then other stars have come forward with their tales of how unpleasant it was to work with the notorious actor. 13 13 Australian actor Guy Pearce claimed this year that he was 'targeted' by Spacey when they made the 1997 classic LA Confidential together. Pearce, 57, said: 'I was scared of Kevin, he's quite aggressive, extremely charming. I was young and susceptible.' Spacey denied the claims in a video, blasting back: 'Here you are now on a mission, some 28 years later, after I've been through hell and back." Last month Scottish actor David Hayman, 77, remembered having a word with Spacey about his behaviour while shooting the 2000 movie Ordinary Decent Criminal in Dublin. He claimed: 'Kevin Spacey is not a nice human being. He was being terrible to everyone.' David alleged that he told the American star 'You are ruining everyone's lives, you are not being supportive and you are reducing people to tears, you are chasing young men around Dublin, you're not being professional.' Last year Scottish actor Ruari Cannon, 33, claimed he was pursued by Spacey while working at the Old Vic Theatre in south London. He alleged in a Channel 4 documentary titled Spacey Unmasked that Spacey, who was at that time artistic director of the famous theatre, touched Ruari intimately without his consent in 2013 when he was aged 21. Ruari has brought a civil case against the Hollywood actor at London's High Court, which is yet to be resolved. In Spacey Unmasked in May 2024, ten men made accusations of sexually inappropriate behaviour. The included claims that he'd pleasured himself in front of a wannabe actor in a cinema and pushed his groin into the face of an Old Vic employee. The star denied doing anything 'illegal', and was found not guilty on all charges, but did admit to 'clumsy' approaches. With accusations still swirling around it is hard to imagine a major studio hiring Spacey. The streaming giant Netflix is yet to release the actor's portrayal of the American intellectual Gore Vidal eight years after the film titled Gore was made. The star was so toxic that British director Sir Ridley Scott reshot all the shamed actor's scenes in 2017's All the Money in the World, replacing him with Christopher Plummer at huge expense. 13 In the same year Netflix axed its political satire House of Cards, feeling it couldn't continue with its lead actor in so much hot water. Since then he's played an assassin in a poorly received film called Peter Five Eight and will next appear in The Awakening, which is seeking buyers at Cannes. The other forthcoming project is a historical drama called 1780 which is set during America's war of independence from Britain. But these are all small scale projects. Geoffrey insists that Spacey is working his way back into favour, saying: 'He is not done. He's just thinking it over and when he figures it out, get out of his way.' Other celebrity backers include Sir Elton John who partied with Spacey in Nice, France, after the actor was found not guilty of nine sexual offence charges in July 2023. The singer was a witness for the defence at the trial at Southwark Crown Court where four men claimed Spacey had forced himself upon them. A jury in a civil case in 2022 also found that Rapp had not proven his allegations. Spacey and his supporters argue that these legal successes prove his innocence. During his speech at Cannes, the actor complained: 'Who would have ever thought that honouring someone who has been exonerated in every single courtroom he's ever walked into would be thought of as a brave idea?' 'Too handsy' The truth, though, is that Spacey has admitted mistreating other men. After Anthony Rapp made his claims in 2017 Spacey's publicist said that the actor was seeking 'evaluation and treatment.' In a 2024 interview with Piers Morgan, the actor confessed to 'bad behaviour' and being 'too handsy'. The House of Cards producers sacked Spacey on the grounds that he was ill with 'compulsive sexual behaviour disorder'. They successfully sued him for £22million, due to the revenue they lost by having to cancel the show. Those huge costs almost bankrupted Spacey and he had to sell his home in Baltimore to pay his legal bills. But Spacey says that following his treatment he is a 'better person.' Geoffrey thinks that Spacey deserves another chance. He concludes: 'Let's give this wonderful man a break. Last time he was in a film, he was a sexy, handsome, leading man. 'Well, he's no longer young. It happens to all of us in show business. We have to adjust to our ages and play different kinds of roles. 'I think he's figuring out what would be good. And when he does, we're going to see him right at the top again." 13 13 13
