Latest news with #ChittyChittyBangBang
Daily Record
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
There's no place like home for young stars of West Lothian musical theatre group
Star Harmonies were off down the yellow brick road in their latest production The fabulous superstars of a West Lothian theatre group for young people followed the yellow brick road for their latest stage production. Star Harmonies presented The Wizard of Oz on two dates at the Reconnect Theatre, Howden, Livingston on May 31 and June 1. Established in 2012, you can always rely on the musical theatre group to put on a fantastic show and this season's was no exception. Previous Star Harmonies productions have included; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Annie, Beauty and the Beast, and The Addams Family, to name just a few. All staff members have musical theatre degrees and each also has a wealth experience in their specialised areas. They are also fully PVG disclosed. Children aged three years to 18 attend Polbeth Harwood Church on Tuesday evenings where they are able to learn skills in singing dance and acting, whilst the emphasis is on fun and friendship. Everyone is a star at Star Harmonies, which considers itself to be one big happy family.
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Fancy a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang replica in your home?
life and society 27 minutes ago A successful youth performance of the musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has just wrapped in Northland. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Junior was performed by youngsters at the Otamatea Repertory Theatre across eight sold-out shows. And rather than being broken down for parts, the iconic Chitty, made from scratch from bits of old junk by theatre members, is now being auctioned for charity. Show production manager Jan Connell joins Jesse.
Metro
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
EastEnders legend says ‘life is good' as she addresses unemployment
EastEnders legend Charlie Brooks has revealed the 'joys of unemployment' after leaving the BBC soap in 2022. Charlie has played Janine Butcher on and off since 1999, and her dramatic last tenure saw her tear Mick and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright) apart before marrying him herself. However, she ended up being sent to prison for perverting the court of justice, after her cruel plot against Linda was uncovered. Janine had framed Linda for drink driving but was caught red-handed disposing of evidence in the back of a photograph. When the truth was revealed on Christmas Day, a dramatic car chase ensued, resulting in Mick, Linda and Janine all plummeting into the sea after driving off a cliff. While Linda and Janine got out safely, Mick wasn't so lucky, and has been missing at sea ever since. Having kept herself busy for a long time, she is now taking time to enjoy unemployment. Taking to Instagram she wrote: 'Life is good. As someone who is generally validated by work…Turns out being at home, chilling with my dog, taking long walks, reforming, reading and actually getting to hang out with my friends doing everything and nothing makes me really f***ing happy.' This follows on from an earlier post in June, where she revealed that the 'joys of unemployment' meant 'Getting to watch Martha Wainwright at union chapel with my gorgeous friend for belated birthday celebrations'. She went on to add: 'Having time to read her book. Martha was everything and more. Thank you.' Since leaving EastEnders, Charlie has appeared on Dancing On Ice and in the UK tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, taking on the role of the iconic childcatcher. More Trending Earlier this year, Charlie addressed the possibility of a return to the BBC soap for its 40th anniversary, but ruled it out before teasing what is her future plans. 'I'm going straight back into Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for a while, and then I probably need a little bit of time off,' she told The Mirror in January. 'And then we're in talks about another theatre project at the moment, so I don't know yet. I'm biding my time. So who knows.' View More » This article was originally published on 2nd June 2025. If you've got a soap or TV story, video or pictures get in touch by emailing us soaps@ – we'd love to hear from you. Join the community by leaving a comment below and stay updated on all things soaps on our homepage. MORE: EastEnders star James Bye's son, 2, rushed to hospital after eating 'seriously toxic' plant MORE: Emmerdale's Danny Miller pays loving tribute to 'beautiful' pregnant wife Steph MORE: Emmerdale legend reunites with co-star just months after TV exit
Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
EastEnders icon is unemployed two years after soap exit
Best-known for playing Janine Butcher on the long-running hit UK television show, Charlie Brooks recently took to Instagram to talk about life since leaving the BBC series Former EastEnders star, Charlie Brooks, has revealed she's currently not working two and a half years after her epic soap exit. Best-known for playing Janine Butcher on the long-running hit UK television show, Charlie recently took to Instagram to talk about life since leaving the BBC series. Sharing a picture in which the actress can be seen grinning from ear-to-ear while donning a black ensemble with sunglasses to match, Charlie captioned her post: 'Life is good. As someone who is generally validated by work…Turns out being at home, chilling with my dog, taking long walks, reforming, reading and actually getting to hang out with my friends doing everything and nothing makes me really f**king happy.' In a separate post just two weeks ago, Charlie spoke about the 'joys of unemployment' as she listed out all the things that are making her time off from work a blast, namely: 'Three whole uninterrupted days with her [best friend], Rummikub, Fire, Ice bath, Massage.' Since leaving EastEnders almost three years ago in December 2022, Charlie has been seen enjoying family time and attending gigs, and shared an insights into her post Walford life on her social media. With her latest post, Charlie has confirmed she's still on a break and taking it easy. Charlie's character Janine Butcher first set foot in Walford in 1999, staying until 2004, when her villainous character made her first departure from the show. She then ventured into other roles including Robin Hood and playing a murderous nurse in Beverley Allitt: Angel of Death. Charlie made a comeback to EastEnders in 2008 before departing once again in 2012. Her latest return to the smash hit soap was in 2021, followed by her subsequent exit in the latter half of 2022, where she was embroiled in the tragic loss of beloved landlord Mick Carter, who is still lost at sea. Janine is currently serving a five year prison sentence after she was arrested for perverting the course of justice, specifically for framing Linda Carter for drink-driving. She gave birth to her son, named after his dad Mick Carter, in prison. In January this year, the actress opened up about the possibility of returning to Walford. She revealed: 'I'm going straight back into Chitty Chitty Bang Bang for a while, and then I probably need a little bit of time off," adding, "And then we're in talks about another theatre project at the moment, so I don't know yet." She teased further: "I'm biding my time. So who knows." Earlier this year, the 44-year-old appeared on the 17th season of Dancing on Ice, partnering with Olympic professional skater Eric Radford. Unfortunately, Charlie was eliminated from the competition in the fifth week. She also reprised her role as The Childcatcher in the new production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in March this year, as part of the show's UK tour. Charlie is a proud parent to her 20-year-old daughter, Kiki Truman Brooks, whom she shares with former flame Tony Truman, an Ibiza club impresario. The couple parted ways in 2006, just two years after Kiki's birth, yet they've remained amicable, evidenced by Tony residing just above Charlie's Surrey abode. The Lie With Me actress' love life recently made headlines as Charlie and her producer boyfriend James Fuller parted ways in February, mere weeks after confirming their relationship publicly. Charlie also participated in and won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special in 2011 and also took home the I'm A Celebrity title in 2012.
North Wales Chronicle
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Inquest into the death of The Vivienne taking place
James Lee Williams, who was born in North Wales and attended Rydal Penrhos school in Colwyn Bay, died at home in Chorlton-by-Backford, Cheshire, on January 5. In March, the star's family revealed the 32-year-old had died 'from the effects of ketamine use causing a cardiac arrest', saying they wanted to raise awareness about the dangers of the drug. The inquest will be heard by senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish at Cheshire Coroner's Court in Warrington. The Vivienne was found dead in the bathroom of their home near Chester, the opening of the inquest was told. Police attended and confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances. During their time on the show, The Vivienne admitted having been a drug addict for four years. Speaking on the the first series of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, they said: 'It was party, drugs, but I couldn't leave the drugs at the party, it was constant for me.' They added that their addiction was a 'habit that caught on a bit too quick and a bit too hard'. The star performed as the Wicked Witch of the West in a UK and Ireland tour of The Wizard Of Oz musical and reprised the role in the West End at the Gillian Lynne Theatre last year. They were due back on stage in March as the Childcatcher in a tour of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, a role they first played last year. Their funeral in Bodelwyddan was attended by RuPaul's Drag Race UK contestants Tia Kofi and Baga Chipz, along with singers Ian 'H' Watkins and Aston Merrygold and Coronation Street actress Claire Sweeney. The Government is seeking expert advice after illegal use of ketamine surged to record levels. In the year ending March 2023, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16 to 59 had reported use of the substance, which is controlled as class B, according to the Home Office.
