Category Entertainment News

British comedian Johnny Vegas is set to return to screens this week in Netflix’s The Twits.

British telly favourite Johnny Vegas is set to grace screens once more this week in Netflix’s The Twits.

The Netflix film marks the first time Roald Dahl’s beloved short story has been brought to life on screen and boasts an impressive ensemble cast.

Phil Johnston, famed for his contributions to Zootopia and Wreck-it Ralph, helms the animated feature.

The official synopsis for The Twits reads: “The Twits tells the story of Mr. and Mrs. Twit, the meanest, smelliest, nastiest people on the face of the earth, and their epic battle against a family of magical Muggle-Wumps and two brave children who refuse to let the Twits’ cruelty win.”

Who does Johnny Vegas play in The Twits?

Johnny Vegas lends his voice to Mr Twit in Netflix’s The Twits, an animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s famous short story.

He shares vocal duties with Hollywood legend Margo Martindale, who brings Mrs Twit to life.

The supporting cast features Star Wars icon Natalie Portman as Mary Muggle-Wump and Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke as Pippa.

Johnny Vegas in Ideal, Benidorm and other roles

Beloved British funnyman Johnny Vegas has racked up numerous prominent roles throughout his career, reports Lancs Live.

His most memorable appearances include BBC Three’s dark comedy Ideal, in which he portrayed Moz/Roger, and ITV sitcom Benidorm, where he brought to life Geoff Maltby, also known as ‘The Oracle’.

Additional credits feature Eric Agnew in the BBC One sitcom Still Open All Hours and Krook in Bleak House. His knack for comedy has landed him regular appearances on popular panel shows like QI and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

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Johnny Vegas’ art

There’s been a growing interest in Johnny Vegas’ artwork, which has been creating quite a stir.

Just last month, it was revealed that Johnny had teamed up with sculptor Emma Rodgers to craft an installation for an upcoming pottery exhibition titled Just Be There.

Dubbed as an “avenue of hugs captured in clay”, it was showcased at the British Ceramics Biennial, which kicked off in Stoke-on-Trent in early September.

The British Ceramics Biennial is taking place at the Spode Works until 19 October and boasts displays from top ceramic artists.

During the pandemic, Johnny rekindled his passion for ceramics, describing it as an “unfinished part” of his journey.

His artwork can also be snapped up at the Blackmore Gallery and Bluecoat Display Centre.

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Who is Johnny Vegas’ ex-wife?

Johnny Vegas first tied the knot with interior designer Catherine ‘Kitty’ Donnelly, after they met at a London pub. They got hitched in August 2002.

In 2003, the couple welcomed their son Michael Pennington, but by 2006 they had separated and were officially divorced two years later.

Vegas then walked down the aisle again in 2011, this time with Irish TV presenter Maia Dunphy in Spain.

By then, Dunphy had already made a name for herself competing in Celebrity Masterchef: Ireland and the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars.

The pair welcomed their son, Tom, in 2015 before calling time on their marriage two years later.

Maia announced the separation with a “heavy heart” in 2018, posting on X (Twitter): “We are telling people now because speculation is unhelpful at best, and dangerous at worst.

“As we think is obvious, we continue to fully support each other, there is no acrimony, no story and no one else involved.”

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Johnny Vegas’ weight loss

Johnny Vegas has been open about his weight loss transformation, revealing that he decided to take action after becoming “wedged in a tunnel” whilst on his honeymoon in Vietnam in 2011.

Calling the experience a “wake up call”, Johnny subsequently began monitoring his food intake more carefully.

This meant reducing his consumption of his beloved bread and cheese, as he shared during an appearance on Loose Women in 2019.

He said: “I have not done a diet in any way whatsoever. I have cut out things, it’s a lifestyle change.

“Then you can live with it and you don’t feel like you are denying yourself anything – apart from cheese!”

Bafta-winning actor Micheal Ward is charged with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault against one woman

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Actor Micheal Ward’s lawyer will apply to have sexual allegations against him dismissed, a court has heard.

The 27-year-old, who starred in Blue Story and Top Boy, was charged with two counts of rape, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault against one woman in January 2023.

He appeared in person at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday for what was initially listed as a plea and trial preparation, but his lawyer instead requested a dismissal hearing.

The next hearing is listed for December 5 and Ward was bailed under condition he does not contact the alleged victim.

He was bailed in August after appearing in court charged with rape and sexual assault. Ward appeared at Thames Magistrates’ Court on August 28 where he spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth during a short hearing.

He did not enter any pleas and was granted conditional bail to next appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on September 25. His condition is not to contact the alleged victim.

In a statement issued after the charges were announced last month, Ward said, “I deny the charges against me entirely,” and he added that he had cooperated with police throughout their investigation.

The Jamaican-born actor was awarded the Bafta Rising Star honour in 2020 and was nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Bafta for his role in the BBC ’s Small Axe in 2021 and the 2022 film Empire of Light.

Ward played in the Soccer Aid match at Stamford Bridge last year and gave a reading at the Christmas Eve carol service hosted by the Princess of Wales in 2023.

He also stars in the American film Eddington alongside Joaquin Phoenix and Pedro Pascal, which was released this month.

Dianne Buswell is currently performing on Strictly Come Dancing after announcing she is expecting her first baby with partner Joe Sugg

Channing Tatum ended up confused about a Strictly Come Dancing star’s pregnancy during his The One Show appearance this week. The actor was appearing on the BBC show to promote his latest role but Dianne Buswell and Stefan Dennis were also there to talk about Strictly.

Before the latest series kicked off, Dianne announced that she and her boyfriend, who she met on the show, were expecting their first baby together. She is still taking part on the show throughout her pregnancy.

The One Show host Alex Jones gave her congratulations to Dianne, joking that “there’s actually three of you dancing”. The professional dancer agreed, but Alex had to clarify what she meant when Channing looked slightly confused.

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Alex said “Dianne’s expecting a baby” while the actor admitted he was “not understanding” what was going on. He said that he thought Strictly seemed “different to Dancing With The Stars” as others joked that he must have thought three people took to the dance floor instead of the usual couples.

Dianne went on to say how great it is to be able to be on the show while pregnant, she said: “It’s really exciting. Thank you so much. Yeah, that was very cool. And when I’m out there, I often think I’ve got a little bunny just dancing along with us. It’s really cool. It’s a magical experience.”

The 36-year-old is partnered up with Stefan and they got off to a good start but had to miss Move Week due to the actor not being very well. However, they will be taking to the Strictly dancefloor once again this weekend.

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Fans were disappointed as they wanted to see their Shrek inspired routine for Movie Week. Dianne was still able to join in with her professional dancers as she took part in the group routines instead.

Now, the pair have confirmed if they will be back on the show as they recorded a message for their worried fans. Stefan and Dianne revealed they were back in the training room and are planning to make their comeback this Saturday.

In their message, Stefan said: “Hi everyone, just want to say thank you very much for all your support and well wishes while we were away last week. We are back in the training room and if all goes well, which it will, I will be back on the floor this Saturday. I am looking forward to it.”

Stefan confirmed that the pair would be dancing a Charleston. The dancer added: “But honestly, from the bottom of our hearts we thank you for all the support and love and we are very very excited to be back in the training room.”

The BBC confirmed Stefan’s absence with a statement before the live show. They said: “Stefan Dennis won’t be dancing on Saturday night due to illness. We wish him a speedy recovery and will hopefully see him back in the Ballroom with Dianne next week.”

Dianne took to Instagram to share the announcement and added her own message for Stefan. On her Instagram Story, the Australian dancer wrote: “Sending Aussie love to the wonderful @stefandennis7 you are such a trooper and I know how much you wanted to dance. Hopefully we will be back in full force next week.”

The retailer is stocking an “gorgeous” and “beautiful” decoration, which has been praised by shoppers

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With Christmas just a few months away, shoppers are beginning to search for festive decorations to spruce up their homes. Dunelm shoppers are raving about the retailer’s “gorgeous” £24 accessory, designed to improve the look of your front door.

Dunelm is selling the Artificial Evergreen Forest Wreath, priced at £24, which is said to be a “great alternative to fresh arrangements.” The product can be used indoors and outside, and features pine cones and leaves.

The full Dunelm product description reads: “Brighten up your home this Christmas with our 36cm Evergreen Forest Wreath. Handcrafted from natural materials, it features leaves, natural pinecones, and white mistletoe berry decorations.

“The earthy forest green tones and woodland bracken make this wreath perfect for hanging on your front door or around your home.”

Elsewhere, Next stocks the Red Berry Lit Christmas Wreath for £34, while B&Q has the £25.50 Vintage Style Starry Night Festive Decor Autumn-Winter Wreath Front Door Christmas Wreath 35cm. Rober Dyas also has the Festive 30cm Red Flowers/Cones/Gold Cones/Balls Wreath for £19.99.

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The Artificial Evergreen Forest Wreath has racked up a 4.3 star rating online, gaining a number of reviews from impressed shoppers. Among them, one person said: “Lovely autumn door wreath. This is one of the nicest door wreath I have ever had really stands out very good quality colours really striking very pleased.”

A second wrote: “A very pretty item. Looks lovely and very spring like on my front door.” A third read: “Beautiful wreath, was packaged well and looks exactly like the photo on the website. Really happy with it as it looks beautiful on my front door for Christmas.”

However, some shoppers found the quality of the wreath poor. One person said: “It looks so lovely, but I was disappointed at how easy it broke at the slightest touch.”

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Another wrote: “Lovely wreath design but the material used is very brittle & breaks easily. Not sure if its going to last.”

BBC Breakfast weather presenter Carol Kirkwood has opened up about her desire to have children, but sadly it “just never happened” – and she’s now shared a further poignant detail

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BBC Breakfast’s Carol Kirkwood has opened up about her heart-wrenching struggle to have children but insists she’s grateful for the life she’s led. The weather presenter, who recently released her fifth novel, Meet Me at Sunset, spoke candidly about her family life in a recent interview.

Carol, one of eight siblings, has no children of her own despite having wanted to be a mother since she was young. She revealed that she “tried everything” to conceive, but sadly, it “just never happened.”

In a further emotional revelation, Carol shared that her doctors never explained why she couldn’t conceive. Despite this, she chose to focus on the positive aspects of her life.

According to Candis Magazine, Carol “would have loved” to start a family. She said: “Nor did the doctors ever tell us why.”

However, she refused to let this dampen her spirits and highlighted a silver lining, reports the Express.

She reflected: “Well, just look at the life I’ve had. I couldn’t have achieved half of it if I’d had children at home.”

In a 2022 interview with Yours Magazine, Carol echoed these sentiments, acknowledging that her impressive career achievements — “none of that would have been possible” if she’d had children to care for at home.

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Carol began her broadcasting career at BBC Scotland before transitioning to radio. She married property developer Jimmy Kirkwood and took a break from the BBC to work in recruitment.

She made her comeback to the BBC more than thirty years ago after joining as a freelance contributor in 1993.

She subsequently became a familiar face on The One Show and BBC Breakfast in her role as a weather forecaster.

Unfortunately, Carol and Jimmy’s marriage ended in divorce in 2008 following 18 years together.

She later married her second husband, police constable Steve Randall, in 2021, though she has previously discussed the challenge of maintaining her cheerful on-screen demeanour during difficult times.

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In an interview with Yours Magazine, she revealed: “I still had to be sunny Carol on screen. It was all so shocking to me. I’d come off air, go to the ladies, have a good cry, and then reapply my eye make-up before stepping in front of the cameras again.”

She described how this approach aided her healing process, explaining that she compartmentalised her “grief into a compartment.”

Carol mentioned that this was something she maintained as separate from her professional duties; otherwise, she said, she would have been reduced to a “puddle of tears.”

Nevertheless, Carol has discovered contentment with her new husband, Steve.

She told PA that her partner was “very romantic and very generous” and a “lovely man.”

Strictly Come Dancing star Tess Daly took to social media this week to issue a special tribute to someone special in her life.

This week, Strictly Come Dancing presenter Tess Daly celebrated her oldest daughter, Phoebe, turning 21.

The BBC star, who recently opened up about keeping a secret from bosses, has been in the limelight since she was just 18 years old when she began her modelling career.

It wasn’t long before she turned her head to TV when she was given her big break as the presenter of The Big Breakfast’s Find Me A Model competition on Channel 4 show back in 1999.

Keeping in the public eye ever since, people have seen Tess reach major milestones in her life, from meeting Vernon Kay in 2001, tying the knot together two years later and then becoming a mum to her two daughters.

This week, her oldest daughter Phoebe celebrated a milestone of her own, as she turned 21 years old.

Celebrating a momentous occasion, Tess took to social media as she shared a collection of images, including some throwback snaps of a younger Phoebe,

Captioning the photos, Tess wrote: “21. What a milestone. Could not be more proud of our brilliant girl Phoebe on her big birthday here’s to celebrating how special you are.”

In one of the images, it showed the hilarious birthday card Tess and Vernon got their daughter, making fun of her messy habits.

Along with a photo of the 21-year-old, the text on the front said: “Love you more than all the stars in the sky and all the clothes on your floor.”

It wasn’t long before people commented on the images, with many sending their well wishes.

One person commented: “Happy birthday to your gorgeous daughter! Takes after her momma.”

Someone else wrote: “Happy 21st Birthday gorgeous girl. Congratulations @tessdaly you’ve raised an absolute beauty.”

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Another added: “Love you more than all the stars in the sky and clothes on your floor” I’m pinching that!! She’s absolutely stunning.”

Vernon also took a moment to praise his daughter with a series of images on social media where he teased that the birthday celebrations were going to be ‘epic’. He lovingly added: “You’re the best any parent could ask for.”