Category Entertainment News

The Plume of Feathers, in Barlaston, has revealed that Neil Morrissey, Richard Slingsby, and John Sykes, the company’s managing director, has decided not to renew its lease with Punch Pubs.

After running The Plume of Feathers in North Staffordshire for ten years, Neil Morrissey is leaving the pub industry. His business, MSW Pub Company, which was founded by Richard Slingsby and John Sykes, is searching for a freehold property instead of renewing its lease with Punch Pubs.

With high hopes for the Station Road site’s continued success, a new operator has just started to take over. The pub may close if a new landlord is not discovered. A representative from the MSW Group thanked Punch for their ongoing support during a statement regarding the departure.

They added that Neil Morrissey and the directors “would like to thank Punch for their support over the past ten years and wish the Plume of Feathers’ management and staff the best of luck in the future.”

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The trio’s tenure was also praised by Andy Spencer, the CEO of Punch Pubs, who added, “We would like to thank Neil, Richard, and John for their hard work and dedication over the past ten years in making the Plume of Feathers an exceptional pub business.

We wish them the very best in their new venture and acknowledge that their enthusiasm and commitment have been key to its success. Our top priority as we look to the future is to make sure that the Plume of Feathers will remain thriving in the community for many years to come.

Neil Morrissey’s journey to fame began far from the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world, with a challenging upbringing spent in the care system of Stoke-on-Trent. His early life saw him reside in Stafford before enduring many years in the Penkhull Children’s Home starting in 1974, reports Stoke on Trent Live.

When he discovered his acting passion at Thistley Hough High School in Penkhull, his life changed. His acting credits include roles in Unforgotten, Line of Duty, Bob the Builder, and Death in Paradise.

At the conclusion of his first year of care, he was 17 years old when he faced the dreadful reality that moving to a working boys’ hostel, which might have ended his academic and dramatic endeavors.

However, Neil’s mate, Mark Langston, who stayed with him until he turned 18 that summer, threw a lifeline. Then he continued to perform his talent at Stoke Repertory Theatre, Stoke Schools Theatre, and Stoke Original Theatre.

Such was his prowess, his application to Guildhall School of Music and Drama resulted in an unconditional offer. He catapulted to fame in the mid-1980s as the clueless biker Rocky in the ITV drama series Boon before landing the role of Tony in the hit sitcom Men Behaving Badly.

The Mirror has approached Neil’s representatives for comment.

It is unknown when a funeral will be held for the Hollywood icon Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy after their February death at their Santa Fe home.

The bodies of Gene Hackman and his wife Betsy Arakawa, who is listed under her marital name, are still unclaimed a month after their tragic deaths. The couple were found dead at their Santa Fe home in New Mexico in February. It’s thought 65-year-old classical pianist Betsy died a week before Gene from hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, a rare respiratory illness that is carried by rats and mice.

On February 11, Betsy was last seen running errands while she was still alive. However, police discovered emails that had already been unread from that day and beyond, suggesting that she had passed away. Her 34-year husband, who had Alzheimer’s Disease, passed away suddenly at the age of 95. His pacemaker last gave a reading on February 18 for the first time.

Their deaths were not reported until February 26 when the grim discovery was made. Dr Heather Jarrell, Chief Medical Examiner at the Office of the Medical Investigator, said it was quite possible the Hollywood actor had been in such as an advanced state of Alzheimer’s that he wasn’t even aware that his wife had died. One of their pet dogs, who had been ill and to the vets recently, was also found dead at the property. Two other dogs were found alive and healthy at their home.

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Both bodies were taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner in New Mexico. Documents obtained by the Mirror state that their bodies are still yet to be claimed, 30 days later. The office publishes a list of unclaimed decedents every Monday and two time Oscar winner Gene and Betsy’s names are still on it this week, as of March 24. This suggests they have yet to be claimed so funeral arrangements can be made. The Mirror has reached out to the Office of the Medical Examiner for comment.

Dr. Jarrell confirmed that both of the couple’s deaths were caused by natural causes during a press conference in early March. The medical expert discovered that hantavirus, or pulmonary syndrome, is Miss Betsy Hackman’s cause of death, age 65.

The doctor continued, “We did find signs of rodent entry and other structures on the property and provided information and resources mission related to those areas,” explaining how Betsy might have contracted the illness. It is crucial to take special precautions when cleaning up after vermin, including avoiding contact with or breathing in aerosolized rodent urine or faeces, especially in a poorly ventilated area. Because of this, antavirus can be transmitted to people through rodent urine, droppings, or saliva.

Turning to the death of Gene, Dr Jarrell said there were several causes of death. She explained: “The cause of death for Mr. Gene Hackman, 95 years, is hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, with Alzheimer’s disease as a significant contributory factor. Autopsy examination and a full body post mortem CT examination showed severe heart disease, including multiple surgical procedures involving the heart, evidence of prior heart attacks and severe changes of the kidneys due to chronic high blood pressure.”

Gene’s Alzheimer’s disease had advanced significantly, but the doctor later confirmed that he had not contracted the deadly condition that his wife had. In the end, his pacemaker was ultimately able to determine the day of his death, which was his last recorded cardiac output on February 18.

Dr. Jarrell responded, “The answer is that Mr. Hackman showed evidence of advanced Alzheimer’s disease,” when asked if the actor had been able to live without his wife. What was his typical day-to-day functioning like, I don’t know. His health was extremely poor. He died in his own death because of a significant heart condition, and I believe that was ultimately what led to his death. She remarked in a metaphorical way that she had no idea that his wife, who was deceased, was already in advanced stages of Alzheimer’s, and that it was possible that he had not known that she [his wife] was dead.

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Do you have a tale to tell? Send me an email at katie@gmail.com. wilson01@reachplc.com

Sydney Sweeney, an actress from Euphoria, reportedly called off her engagement tofiance Jonathan Davino after seven years. According to sources, the couple, who got engaged in 2022, have chosen to end their relationship because of difficulties. Since last month, Sydney, 27, and Jonathan, 41, have reportedly lived apart.

Due to their ongoing relationship struggles, the pair are said to be taking their time apart. This week, rumors began to surface that Sydney’s relationship with Jonathan had been rocky. Fans noticed Sydney had deleted a post about her and Jonathan kissing that she had originally posted when the couple fell in love in 2024.

According to another source, their engagement rumors were “halting.” After the film producer proposed in 2022 following a two-year romance, Sydney and her fiancee Jonathan have been together for the past three years.

According to a source, Sydney and Jonathan have separated and are taking time to reconnect.

They continued, “They were supposed to get married in May, but that’s now off and they’re looking forward to it.”

Their relationship has strained since the start of the year, and they are currently apart. Because they are such a wonderful couple, their friends are hoping they can reconcile, but Sydney has made it clear that she needs some space.

One insider told PageSix that “Sydney and Jonathan have been having major issues but are not completely divided.” Although things aren’t great right now, they haven’t yet given up. They are focusing on their relationship, but they have temporarily postponed the wedding.

The actress, 27, reportedly canceled the ceremony because she “could not handle the stress.” Their initial plans were to get married in the spring.

The source claims that the Madame Web star’s relationship with her has become more complicated because of her acting career. Sydney has appeared in the latest hit series, The White Lotus, as well as Euphoria, where she portrays Cassie Howard.

Sydney is actually focused on her career, the source continued. Jonathan wishes they could spend more quality time together.

People constantly speculate about their relationship and Sydney’s closeness to her co-stars, according to the statement, “Things are always tense between them when she is promoting a movie because she has to give her full attention to the project.”

The actress previously sparked romance rumors while co-starring with Glen Powell in the romantic comedy Anyone But You.

Fans took notice of their intense chemistry as they promoted the movie, with many people highlighting their flirtatious and touchy side in interviews. When Sydney hosted Saturday Night Live, the speculation was later ended, calling the online rumors “disorienting and unfair.”

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Stacey Dooley explores the struggles that lead people there in her interview with ABC Three’s Meet the Shoplifters tonight. The Mirror recalls her own mistakes and challenging upbringing in Luton.

Stacey Dooley’s authentic and humble nature has made her one of the most recognisable faces in UK television. Since she first captured the audiences’ attention on Blood, Sweat and T-Shirts, she has gone on to present a wide range of BBC shows, using her warmth and curiosity to tell powerful stories.

Prior to becoming a TV personality, Stacey worked in retail at Luton airport, which is where she was approached to take part in the BBC three documentary, which changed her life.

Stacey won Strictly Come Dancing in 2018 with her dance partner Kevin Clifton. A year after the show, the two publicly announced their relationship and now they live happily together with their daughter, Minnie residing in Merseyside, close to Stacey’s mother.

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However, before her life in the spotlight, Stacey opened up about a darker past shaped by her rebellious teen years. Now she brings her personal journey to the forefront presenting BBC’s Meet the shoplifters.

The BBC documentary began on March 13 and delves into the shoplifting pandemic and the lives of people involved in it. The show will look into their reasons why and offer a glimpse into their personal stories and the struggles they face, which have led them to live a life of shoplifting.

It will also highlight the social and emotional factors that drive people to commit the crime, aiming to give a deeper understanding of a topic that is often seen with limited understanding.

Stacey took advantage of the opportunity to discuss her shoplifting experience while the BBC documentary was being shot.

She revealed in the documentary that when she was 13 or 14, she would steal makeup like mascara and eyeliner. She claims that not mention it would have been dishonest.

“There’s not a world where I could sit here and try and justify it, you know, there was no reason, there was no need for me to be out there behaving like that.”

She continued, “I wasn’t thinking about anyone else but myself, and wasn’t thinking about the girls on the shop floor.”

However, her past goes beyond shoplifting and Stacey previously opened up about her teen years being surrounded by drugs and had even lost a friend “to smack before his 18th birthday.”

“Drugs were always available when I was growing up in Luton. My pals did loads of gear. Everyone was taking pills and sniffing coke,” she revealed.

“Boys would take pills during lunchtime at school.” People have taken heroin, I’ve seen. I went out with a boy who had a significant coke dealing background. One day, when I entered his room, I noticed that he had scales in his room. I have witnessed it all. she continues.

However, Di’s concern for the area where she was raising her young girl grew bigger. Leah Betts, 18, made headlines in 1995 for taking an ecstasy pill at a party.

She passed away in intensive care for five days. Leah’s picture was permanently inscribed on Leah’s fridge as a clear consolation for Stacey to stay away from drugs. Remember what happened to her, Stacey said in a quote from her mother, “if you ever think about taking E, remember what happened to her.”

When Stacey was two, her mum Diane, also known as Di, relocated from Liverpool to Luton after separating from Stacey’s father – an alcoholic whom Stacey never had a chance to reconcile with after he died in her early twenties. Diane told the Mirror: “There was never a bond between Stacey and her dad. The circumstances prevented it.

It was too late for them to reconcile when he attempted to restore her life to her at the age of 13 in a more meaningful way. Stacey Dooley wrote, “My father had his demons, and our relationship was complicated and fractious,” in her book Stacey Dooley: On the Front Line. But I never ever consider myself to be “poor me,” because I’m just grateful I had my mother. She raised such wonderful children.

Dianne worked hard to put food on the table and worked extra shifts to make sure Stacey didn’t go without. She wrote: “She [Diane] used to work in pubs, clean houses, or do whatever she could. She even used to work on Christmas Day – and I’d go with her to the pub to help clean the ashtrays”.

She hasn’t let her past prevent her, turning into a beloved figure despite it.

After leaving school at 16, she made a mark at just 20, when she starred in BBC Three’s Blood, Sweat and T-shirt, which exposed harsh realities in the fast fashion industry. This led to her own series, Stacey Dooley Investigates, where she continued to highlight important issues, including child labour.

In Luton’s My Hometown Fanatics, she also confronted extremism. Stacey has frequently attributed her mother to being her biggest influence, particularly in terms of her strong work ethic. She previously said, “If I ever have the chance to have children, I want them to think that Mum goes to work, standard.” “

Tonight at 9 p.m., BBC One’s Stacey Dooley – Meet the Shoplifters airs.

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The much-loved broadcaster was seen for the first time since leaving Radio 2 for her signature show at Elton John’s London Palladium.

BBC Radio 2 star Zoe Ball made her first public appearance at the Elton John show since stepping down from the breakfast show. The star appeared to be having a great time at the gig which comes after a difficult year for the star in which her mum died.

She joined a plethora of stars including Sam Fender, Ronnie Wood, Jason Momoa, and Björn Ulvaeus at the London Palladium. An onlooker said: “She seemed in great spirits and was singing along.”

Her outing comes after her dad Johnny recently opened up about her tough year. He said: “Her mum died last year and she’s had various other problems, but she’s chuffed to have packed in the Radio 2 breakfast show, as she’s realised every day has 24 hours now.

“Her days used to start at 4 am, and by midday she was knackered.” She recently commented, “I’m in such a good place,” when I visited.

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The broadcaster left the station’s breakfast show last year, with her close friend Scott Mills taking over as host. But she will soon be back with a weekly music offering.

Zoe’s Saturday show will start at 1pm and end at 3pm, featuring “lots of laughs” and playing some of her favorite songs. Zoe is one of the UK’s most beloved presenters, according to Heidi Thomas, head of Radio 2. I’m thrilled to announce that she has found a new home on Radio 2 on Saturday lunchtimes.

Additionally, she’ll be hosting a number of special events for us throughout the year.

Zoe, 54, who presented her last Radio 2 Breakfast Show on December 20 after six years, most recently presented two episodes of Christmas Crooners over the festive period. As previously announced, she will also host TV show Elaine Paige: 60 Years in Showbusiness, a concert honouring the extraordinary career of the singer who is also the station’s host of Elaine Paige on Sunday.

The news comes after Zoe’s eldest child, musician Woody Cook, revealed that she had been helping out in a cafe following her Radio 2 exit. He said: “These crazy party people I grew up with are now gardening, making puzzles and working in the local cafe.”

Woody, 24, also said he was thrilled about Zoe leaving the breakfast show. He explained: “It’s lovely seeing my mum more… obviously she’s had quite a weird schedule for the last few years.”

Zoe made the announcement that she would leave Radio 2 shortly after her extended summertime absence due to the death of her mother. She stated in a statement on television that she thought the time had come to “start a new chapter.”

However, she confirmed that she would be still be working with Radio 2 in some capacity after her breakfast show exit. Her mother Julia passed away aged 74 in April last year following the news that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Before Zoe’s decision to walk away, the breakfast show’s audience increased.

According to statistics provider Rajar, on average, 6.8 million people tuned into Zoe’s show during the final quarter of the year. The show’s highest output since 2023 was 9% higher than the previous three months.

Only 36% of coeliac disease sufferers in the UK are diagnosed, compared to about 1 in 100 people. Knowing what signs to look out for is therefore crucial.

Olympian Rebecca Adlington has been supported by fans after opening up about her life-changing health condition. The 36-year-old recently revealed she’d been diagnosed with coeliac disease, a condition that affects around one in 100 people in the UK.

Despite being estimated to affect 1% of the population, just 36% of people living with the autoimmune disease, which is caused by a reaction to gluten, are clinically diagnosed. However, when people with coeliac disease eat gluten it can lead to complications such as nutritional deficiencies and osteoporosis, meaning it’s vital that people are aware of the symptoms.

In a previous interview with The Mirror, Emma McKay discussed her experience of being diagnosed. Now 26, Emma was a teen when she received her diagnosis, though revealed that she’d been “ill for a few years” prior to receiving an answer after experiencing two main symptoms.

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“I was diagnosed with coeliac ten years ago, in my fifth year of secondary school. I had a few years of illness. I was told every time I visited the doctor that my anxiety was likely brought on by work and exams. She claimed that I was losing weight quickly and couldn’t stand up straight without gasping.

“I eventually brought my mother to the appointment. Crohn’s and coeliac disease were tested by the doctor. I was diagnosed with coeliac antibodies, and an endoscopy revealed that I didn’t have any villi, which are tiny hair-like projections that are responsible for absorbing nutrients.

Following her diagnosis, Emma was forced to drastically alter her lifestyle by adopting a strict gluten-free diet. Making the adjustments, however, wasn’t always simple. Being diagnosed at age 16, especially at such a crucial time in life, wastraumatic. She continued, “I wasn’t well enough to enjoy things that other teenagers were doing.”

“The only treatment available was a gluten free diet, which completely turned my world upside down. Silly things like seeing my family enjoy ‘normal’ food like biscuits and cakes was really frustrating as I began to navigate my new norm.” Cross contamination is a really important issue for those living with coeliac disease. Emma found herself becoming ill after some people around her didn’t take her needs seriously.

“I lived in hostels with new people when I was in college, and I didn’t initially take my diagnosis seriously. I began to be very strict with my diet after a few months of feeling isolated and eating gluten, which made me extremely ill.

Emma started a food blog, The Student Coeliac, in 2017 to share her journey and connect with other people. Her quick growth in popularity and her position as an Assistant Brand Manager at Genius (geniusfood.com), a gluten-free bakery based in Edinburgh, led to her becoming an avid follower.

The NHS states that coeliac disease is a condition where the immune system attacks tissue if you consume gluten, damaging your small intestine so your body isn’t able to properly take in nutrients. The most common and perhaps well known symptoms include bloating, diarrhoea, stomach pain and tiredness.

“Coeliac disease is an autoimmune condition, where something triggers in your body to mount an immune response against itself. In the case of coeliac disease, gluten is the trigger. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley and rye,” Dr Alasdair Scott, a gut health specialist at Selph says.

“Coeliac disease can strike anyone at any age, but it is most prevalent between the ages of 30 and 50. Although it affects both sexes, women are more likely than men to have coeliac disease diagnosed. Coeliac disease is also more prevalent in people in your family if it is passed on by another person.

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