Archive May 28, 2025

BBC’s crime drama Death Valley breaks ratings record – despite viewers ‘switching off’

By in Entertainment News, News

The first of six episodes of the new comedy-drama series Death Valley, starring Gwyneth Keyworth and Timothy Spall, premiered on BBC One over the weekend.

The BBC’s new comedy-drama Death Valley launched over the weekend with its first episode(Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway)

The BBC has announced the viewing figures for its new comedy-drama Death Valley following the launch of the show on the weekend. It comes following a mixed reaction from some viewers over the recently-aired first episode.

The six-part series set in Wales follows detective sergeant Janie Mallowan (played by Gwyneth Keyworth) and retired actor John Chapel (Timothy Spall), who team up to solve crimes. The show is written and created by Paul Doolan, whose previous work includes the Sky One sitcom Trollied. Death Valley – which has drawn comparisons Ludwig and Death in Paradise – launched just days ago, with its first episode having aired on BBC One on Sunday night. It’s set to continue on the channel this weekend, though all six episodes are already available through BBC iPlayer.

Timothy Spall in a white shirt and patterned waistcoat in a promo photo for the BBC's Death Valley.
Death Valley, which stars the likes of Timothy Spall, launched on BBC One on Sunday night(Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway)

The BBC has now revealed that Death Valley’s premiere, which aired from 8:15 pm to 9 p.m., attracted 2.9 million viewers on BBC One, making it the biggest Overnights audience for a new BBC Scripted Comedy title in five years. It adds that it surpassed the 2. 8 million viewers that Ludwig’s premiered in September of that year.

The show – which includes Gavin and Stacey stars Steffan Rhodri and Melanie Walters among its cast – centres on the “unlikely crime-solving partnership” between retired actor John, who played a fictional detective, and police officer Janie. It’s teased in a synopsis: “They’d make the perfect crime-fighting duo – if only they could get along!”

Despite the report this week that the debut episode had a positive rating, there was a mixed response to the first episode of X. Some even claimed that Death Valley was being disabled just before the premiere.

One user claimed that “this is AWEFUL SOOOOO baaad” in 5 minutes and then switch off. Another stated, “Had to turn over.” I only lasted for 10 minutes, according to another person. The new TV show didn’t impress viewers in the same way.

Someone remarked, “Ten minutes in, boring, screams unintelligible actors, no thanks. Another user commented, “Just sat and watched the biggest heap of s***e ever, and it’s called #DeathValley, which is 45 minutes of life I’m not getting back.”

One person recently wrote, “Shame #DeathValley had good potential,” and they were also sharing their thoughts. However, it is so uncomfortable. I find it hard to believe it was viewed on Sunday night. I’m anxiously awaiting the second season of Ludwig! “!

Gwyneth Keyworth in a blue top and patterned jacket in a promo photo for the BBC's Death Valley.
The new comedy-drama, which also stars Gwyneth Keyworth, continues this weekend(Image: BBC/BBC Studios/Simon Ridgway)

However, not everyone was happy. Death Valley has received some viewer feedback so far. One fan commented, “I really enjoyed that. Laughable ! Politics at its best #DeathValley . Bravo to everyone involved! I howled throughout”!

Another user commented, “I loved #DeathValley, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. Both lead actors did excellent acting, which was both very entertaining. All involved in this series deserve high marks; we’re looking forward to more. Bravo, #BBC.

Another third person called #DeathValley “absolutely excellent.” The team did a great job of getting the right balance of comedy and drama, but they did it here. It has the power to grow a following. The eleventh season of the brilliant NZ series Brokenwood Mysteries is now underway. Similar results can be obtained from #DeathValley.

Another viewer recently expressed their opinions in a post, saying, “#deathvalley really enjoying the show. a simple murder mystery. Think of Llandeilo as a place where death occurs in Paradise. On television, you can hear genuine Welsh accents. Tidy”.

On Sunday night, from 8:15 p.m., Death Valley airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The streaming service currently offers every episode.

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Ngugi Wa Thiong’o, Champion Of African Expression

By in Entertainment News, News

Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o made the defiant decision while incarcerated, helping to establish literature in African languages.

His daughter announced on Facebook that Ngugi passed away at the age of 87 on Wednesday.

Wanjiku Wa Ngugi wrote, “We are sad to announce the passing of our father, Ngugi wa Thiong’o, this morning. He “fought a good fight and lived a full life.”

Ngugi, who is regarded as the most influential writer in East Africa, sought to forge a work of literature that reflected the people and places he had come from and didn’t deviate from Western tradition.

“I firmly believe in the equality of languages. He spoke to AFP in a 2022 interview from California, where he had lived under self-imposed exile, and said: “I am completely horrified by the hierarchy of languages.

At first, his decision to switch to his native language, Kikuyu, and Kenya’s national language Swahili, was met with a lot of confusion.

We all believed that he was both brave and mad, according to Kenyan author David Maillu. We “asked ourselves to decide who would purchase the books.”

However, the bold decision made a reputation for him and made him a famous author in Africa.

The soft-spoken author also lived a dramatic life similar to that of his books.

His frequent clashes with the authorities resulted from his criticism of post-colonial Kenya, which described the violence of the political class and the newly wealthy as “the death of hopes, dreams, and the death of beauty.”

Decolonizing the mind: a case study

On January 5, 1938, James Ngugi, a large peasant family, spent his first 25 years of life in a colony that was then a British colony.

His country’s struggle against colonial rule and the brutal Mau Mau Mau war of 1952-1960 heavily influenced his early writings.

He described himself as a “stranger in his home country” in his first collection of essays, “Homecoming.”

However, his anger would eventually spread to post-colonial Kenyan society’s inequality, wreaking havoc on the government.

Following the staging of their play “Ngaahika Ndeenda,” “I Will Marry When I Want,” in 1977, Ngugi and another writer, Ngugi wa Mirii, were imprisoned without charge.

He made the decision to write his first novel in Kikuyu, “Devil on the Cross,” which was released in 1980.

He had already chosen to call himself Ngugi wa Thiong’o in response to his “English” surname.

He told US radio station NPR, “I wrote it on toilet paper, the only paper I have.”

Prior to a global campaign that led to his release from Kamiti Maximum Security Prison in December 1978, Amnesty International designated him as a prisoner of conscience.

In the book “The River Between,” Ngugi began a critical analysis of the significance of Christianity in an African setting as early as 1965.

He wrote, “You became lost if the white man’s religion forced you to abandon a custom and then did not give you something else of equal value.”

After being prohibited from performing in theaters in Kenya, he fled to the United States and then initially to Britain.

He wrote a collection of essays about the influence of language on shaping national identity, culture, and history in 1986, which is one of his most well-known works.

A Kenyan Tolstoy, perhaps?

Ngugi was mobbed by supporters at Nairobi’s airport when he returned home in 2004 for a visit.

He declared, “I have returned with an open mind, an open heart, and an open arms.”

He and his wife were attacked by armed men days later, with both of them being beaten and raped. Robbery or the assault’s political motivations were not immediately known.

He was referred to as a national icon by former Ngugi student Margaretta wa Gacheru.

He “resembles a Kenyan Tolstoy” in that he is a storyteller, as evidenced by his appreciation for the language, a panoramic view of society, and his description of the social relations and class struggles landscape,” she said.

The father-of-three, who later became a professor of comparative literature at the University of California Irvine, also published essays and three memoirs.

His most recent book, “The Perfect Nine,” a genre-defying novel-in-verse, was the one he translated into English in 2020.

Folklore and allegory were woven into the narrative of the Kikuyu people’s founding.

The issues raised in the play persist in Kenya and beyond despite expanding economic inequality and the play’s creator’s ignorance of the situation.

Ngugi told AFP, “I want to see change because I am an activist.”

Chelsea Thrash Real Betis 4-1 To Win UEFA Conference League

By in News, sport-news

In the UEFA Conference League final in Wroclaw on Wednesday, Chelsea defeated Real Betis 4-1 to become the first team to win all four major European titles.

With an early goal from Abde Ezzalzouli and Manuel Pellegrini, Enzo Maresca’s team were a changed side in the second half, but they were able to keep the favorites warm in Poland.

With the man-of-the-match Cole Palmer creating both openings for Enzo Fernandez and Nicolas Jackson, the game’s tone changed after two goals in five minutes.

After Real Betis and Chelsea FC’s UEFA Conference League final football game on May 28, 2025, in Wroclaw, the players celebrate with the trophy. (Photo by John McDOUGALL/AFP)

In the 83rd minute, substitute Jadon Sancho scored from a close angle, and Moises Caicedo finished the scoreboard gloss.

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Chelsea becomes the first team to win the complete set of the Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup.

It is also the club’s first silverware since Roman Abramovich’s consortium’s purchase in 2022, a period of unprecedented success for the organization.

With the goal against Fiorentina in the ninth minute, Betis broke the deadlock, which made his side reach the final.

After winning the UEFA Conference League final football game between Real Betis and Chelsea FC in Wroclaw on May 28, 2025, Chelsea’s players take to the podium for the awarding ceremony. The UEFA Conference League title was won by Chelsea when Real Betis defeated them 4-1. (Photo by Sergei GAPON/AFP)

Betis jumped forward after Malo Gusto lost the ball in midfield. Ezzalzouli was found on the edge of the box by Captain Isco, who then drilled a left-footed shot past Filip Jorgensen.

Moments later, as Betis pressed for a second, Marc Bartra&nbsp tried his luck from a distance, but Jorgensen was on top of the job and saved with flying force.

Chelsea clung on as a result of Johnny Cardoso’s deflected shot from inside the box, which was urged on by their enthralling crowd of supporters at the Wroclaw stadium.

With Betis defending well and Isco, a five-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid, pulling the strings, the Premier League team was enjoying the majority of possession but struggling to create meaningful chances.

Chelsea entered the half-time goalless as Adrian raced off his line to deny Enzo Fernandez as the clock ticked.

Palmer magic, &nbsp

Reece James was replaced by Gusto for the struggling Maresca at the break.

When Ezzalzouli was forced to leave, the Betis manager was forced to make a change, with Jesus Rodriguez stepping in to replace him.

After Cole Palmer sent off a fine cross to pick out Fernandez, Chelsea were level in the 65th minute thanks to a fine move down the right.

The midfielder angled the ball past Adrian as he ran into between two defenders.

The fans who were in full support of the goal suddenly heard from Chelsea’s tails up.

Palmer performed some magic on the edge of the box in the 70th minute before sending a lovely cross that struck Jackson’s chest and went in.

Jackson should have scored a second goal, but Adrian was able to gather thanks to a heavy touch.

Chelsea’s players celebrate Moises Caicedo’s fourth goal in the UEFA Conference League final game between Real Betis and Chelsea FC in Wroclaw on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Sergei GAPON/AFP)

Sancho added a fourth when he combined with fellow substitute Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Caicedo to make it 3-1.

Chelsea’s victory breaks a remarkable pattern of victories for Spanish teams.

Of the previous 27 men’s finals involving Spanish teams, all 27 had winners from Spain, taking into account World Cups, European Championships, Champions League, and UEFA Cup/Europa League.

Four Spanish club sides had lost all of those matches, but they had always had rivals in La Liga.

Prior to that, there were more than 2,000 fans in the center of Wroclaw, with green-and-white Betis fans outnumbering their English rivals.

According to Poland’s interior minister, police made 28 arrests in the city’s market square as a result of a violent protest.

Real Madrid join Wirtz fight – Thursday’s gossip

By in News, Sports News

Liverpool are in a RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is being pursued by Chelsea, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Bayern Munich, while Chelsea’s pursuit of Ipswich forward Liam Delap intensifies. Arsenal has already agreed a fee for RB Leipzig’s Florian Wirtz, and Liverpool are in competition for Florian Wirtz.

Despite the fact that the 22-year-old German international has been widely touted as the new manager of Los Blancos, Real Madrid are pressing to sign Bayer Leverkusen winger Florian Wirtz despite his former manager Xabi Alonso having been appointed manager. (AS) in Spanish

With offers for Brentford’s 25-year-old Cameroon forward Bryan Mbeumo and Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, 24, and Newcastle are prepared to make their first moves in a crucial summer. (Telegraph requires a subscription)

Caoimhin Kelleher, 26, a goalkeeper for the Republic of Ireland, has been approached by Brentford over a £20 million deal. (Liverpool Echo)

The Dutch international goalkeeper Mark Flekken, 31, will join Bayer Leverkusen as Brentford prepares to sign him. (Independent)

Cody Gakpo, 26, is one of three teams that the Netherlands international would be interested in joining at Bayern Munich‘s Bundesliga club. (Florian Plettenberg)

Milos Kerkez, a full-back from Bournemouth, has already agreed to join Liverpool, and the 21-year-old Hungary international has no issues with his personal circumstances. (Romano-Fabrizio)

Marcus Rashford, the agent of Manchester United’s out-of-favour striker, met with Barcelona‘s sporting director Deco, the 27-year-old England international desperate to join the La Liga champions. (Sports) in Spanish

Leroy Sane, a 29-year-old German winger on a contract with Bayern Munich this summer, has been targeted by Arsenal. (Times: A subscription required)

Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, 22, has also received offers from Chelsea, Manchester United, and Everton, and Newcastle is one of the clubs currently negotiating a deal. (Irishpaper subscription required)

RB Leipzig has informed Arsenal that they must pay $ 92.5 million to sign Slovenian international Benjamin Sesko, who also has interests at Manchester United.

When their contracts expire at Manchester City and Lille, respectively, are Italian champions Napoli expected to pull off a free transfer double swoop with Belgium midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, 33, and 25-year-old Canada striker Jonathan David. (In Italian, Corriere dello Sport)

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Alcaraz overcomes blip – but Tsitsipas makes sorry exit

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty
Paul Battison
Journalist for BBC Sport

French Open 2025

Location: Roland Garros, May 25 – June

Former French Open champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud are both out, but defending champion Carlos Alcaraz overcame a blip in form to defeat Fabian Marozsan.

Spanish Open champion Alcaraz won 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 over his Hungarian opponent after starting strong but dropping the second set.

Greek 20th seed Tsitsipas, who lost 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, and 6-4 to world number 167 Matteo Gigante of Italy, had no such success.

Ruud, who had previously finished second in Paris, injured himself in the final set of his four-set set-blank defeat against Portugal’s Nuno Borges.

He “started to play much better and be very aggressive in the second set.” The 22-year-old said that because he didn’t miss any shots in the second set, it was a little challenging to control his game.

“But I’m really happy that I kept up my strength and mental vigor.” I improved as I played, which made for a really good final two sets.

Alcaraz won titles in Monte Carlo and Rome before the French Open, and he showed it right away when he broke three times to win the first set within 28 minutes.

Marozsan broke early in a scrappy second set before overcoming the second seed to level the match.

Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, did a good job of surviving the final fifteen minutes to survive.

Tsitsipas exits the Grand Slam once more.

Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas waves to spectators Images courtesy of Getty

Tsitsipas lost in the 2021 final to Novak Djokovic in an epic five-setter, making it another early Grand Slam exit.

The 26-year-old’s first defeat at Roland Garros since 2018 is the fact that he has now failed to make it past the second round in four of his previous major appearances.

Tsitsipas will now, for the first time since August 2018, fall outside of the top 20 of the world.

Gigante, who is making his French Open debut after qualifying, is given a third-round meeting with American 13th seed Ben Shelton. He also won the biggest win of his career.

In other instances, Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe, both Americans, made it to the last 32 despite varying circumstances.

After falling two sets to Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics, Paul, the 12th seed, made an impressive comeback.

Karen Khachanov, the 24th seed of Russia, beat Sebastian Ofner, who won 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 in round three.

The 15th seeded opponent was Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta, who won 6-4, 6-3, and 6-1.

Holger Rune, the Danish 10th seed, defeated American world number 138 Emilio Nada 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in the evening session on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Meanwhile, eighth-seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy advanced to the third round by defeating Daniel Galan of Colombia 6-4, 6-0, 6-4.

Jacob Fearnley, who won his first French Open singles match on Monday, defeated Colombia’s Nicolas Barrientos and India’s Rithvik Bollipalli 6-0, 6-2, in the men’s doubles match.

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Alcaraz overcomes blip to progress to round three

By in News, Sports News
Images courtesy of Getty
Paul Battison
Journalist for BBC Sport

French Open 2025

Location: Roland Garros, May 25 – June

Former French Open champion Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud are both out, but defending champion Carlos Alcaraz overcame a blip in form to defeat Fabian Marozsan.

Spanish Open champion Alcaraz won 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 over his Hungarian opponent after starting strong but dropping the second set.

Greek 20th seed Tsitsipas, who lost 6-4, 5-7, 6-2, and 6-4 to world number 167 Matteo Gigante of Italy, had no such success.

Ruud, who had previously finished second in Paris, injured himself in the final set of his four-set set-blank defeat against Portugal’s Nuno Borges.

He “started to play much better and be very aggressive in the second set.” The 22-year-old said that because he didn’t miss any shots in the second set, it was a little challenging to control his game.

“But I’m really happy that I kept up my strength and mental vigor.” I improved as I played, which made for a really good final two sets.

Alcaraz won titles in Monte Carlo and Rome before the French Open, and he showed it right away when he broke three times to win the first set within 28 minutes.

Marozsan broke early in a scrappy second set before overcoming the second seed to level the match.

Alcaraz, a four-time Grand Slam champion, did a good job of surviving the final fifteen minutes to survive.

Tsitsipas exits the Grand Slam once more.

Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas waves to spectators Images courtesy of Getty

Tsitsipas lost in the 2021 final to Novak Djokovic in an epic five-setter, making it another early Grand Slam exit.

The 26-year-old’s first defeat at Roland Garros since 2018 is the fact that he has now failed to make it past the second round in four of his previous major appearances.

Tsitsipas will now, for the first time since August 2018, fall outside of the top 20 of the world.

Gigante, who is making his French Open debut after qualifying, is given a third-round meeting with American 13th seed Ben Shelton. He also won the biggest win of his career.

In other instances, Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe, both Americans, made it to the last 32 despite varying circumstances.

After falling two sets to Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics, Paul, the 12th seed, made an impressive comeback.

Karen Khachanov, the 24th seed of Russia, beat Sebastian Ofner, who won 7-5, 3-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 in round three.

The 15th seeded opponent was Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta, who won 6-4, 6-3, and 6-1.

Holger Rune, the Danish 10th seed, defeated American world number 138 Emilio Nada 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 in the evening session on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Meanwhile, eighth-seed Lorenzo Musetti of Italy advanced to the third round by defeating Daniel Galan of Colombia 6-4, 6-0, 6-4.

Jacob Fearnley, who won his first French Open singles match on Monday, defeated Colombia’s Nicolas Barrientos and India’s Rithvik Bollipalli 6-0, 6-2, in the men’s doubles match.

related subjects

  • Tennis