When he was two, Akinola Davies Jr. lost his father, making history by directing the first ever film to compete at the Cannes Film Festival.
The creator of “My Father’s Shadow,” which is up for Camera d’Or for best first movie, said, “I’ve always collected father figures growing up.
According to Akinola, his country has long sought out a father figure to encircle it with an arm.
The movie follows a father and his two sons on an adventure through Lagos just as the military “pulled the rug away from dreams of democracy” with yet another coup, quashing the election’s outcome in 1993. The Guardian praised the movie as “rich, heartfelt, and rewarding.”
Many Nigerians hoped Moshood Abiola, the country’s opposition leader, would save them from the military, according to Akinola.
Instead, the generals imprisoned him.
At the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 18, 2025, British actor Sope Dirisu, British-Nigerian director Akinola Davies, and Nigerian screenwriter Wale Davies pose during a photo call for the movie “My Father’s Shadow.” (Photo by Miguel Medina/AFP)
Dreams were “deferred.”
He claimed that there are “interesting parallels between the father figures acting as the country’s president and as a military dictator.”
According to Davies, who grew up between London and Lagos, there was a perception that a father figure had to be a strong, authoritarian disciplinarian.
After the coup, General Sani Abacha was undoubtedly the figure that Nigeria received.
However, Akinola and his film subtly suggest that Sope Dirisu’s personified “Daddy” could have been a different father of the country.
On May 18, 2025, British actor Sope Dirisu poses during a photo call for the movie “My Father’s Shadow” at Cannes, southern France’s 78th edition. (Photo by Miguel Medina/AFP)
The “Gangs of London” actor plays a father who tries to get his boys’ months of backpay in vain from the village of Lagos.
As soon as they discover that his eye has strayed from his wife in the big smoke, he may be a good man.
On May 18, 2025, the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, features British screenwriter Wale Davies, British director Funmbi Ogunbanwo, British co-producer Rachel Dargavel, British-Nigerian director Akinola Davies, British actor Sope Dirisu, and Nigerian screenwriter Wale Davies posing during a photo call for the movie “My Father’s Shadow.” (Photo by Miguel Medina/AFP)
The boys are able to hold their fathers accountable, according to Akinola, and they can do this because they can see how to do it themselves.
A father’s relationship with his children is a “two-way street, and not a dictatorship,” the young director claimed.
The relationship between brothers Godwin Chimerie Egbo and Chibiuke Marvellous Egbo, who he “idolised” as a child, and Akinola, who wrote the screenplay, and his older brother Wale, who are the boys’ actors, is mirrored in the movie.
In a case of life imitating art, Dirisu was forced to play “Daddy” on the set, gently laying the law a few times while Marvellous attempted to control his younger brother in another scene from the script.
Akinola laughed, “There are levels and levels.”
I’ve witnessed my brothers become fathers, and I’d have wished they had done the same with their children.
On May 20, 2025, the film “My Father’s shadow” will be screened at the 78th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, in the presence of US directors and screenwriters Charlie Polinger, Lucy Mckendrick, British directors and screenwriters Harry Lighton, Akinola Davies Jr., and British cinematographer Jermaine Canute Edwards. Sameer AL-DOUMY/AFP photo
He said he hoped one day Nigeria’s dreams would also come true in light of the film’s positive reviews and Akinola’s friendly encounter with Hollywood royalty on the red carpet.
Ed Sheeran, a surprise performer on BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend today, has won over the audience.
After it was revealed that he would only play 45 minutes before his set, a crowd of people poured into the new music stage. After the secret performance was over, Security had to close the area.
He continued his performance with the classics Shivers, A-Team, Don’t, Old Phone, and Photograph before opening with Castle on the Hill.
He explained to his fans that he had chosen to perform on the new music stage because he had only recently performed on it and wanted to honor aspiring musicians.
The BBC was anticipating the huge turnout of Ed on the BBC New Music stage, according to a source at Big Weekend. As the Red Head took to the stage, the audience was enthralled.
At BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool (DAVE NELSON), Ed Sheeran has entertained fans with a surprise performance.
However, due to unrestrained demand, the crowd was locked down just moments after he took to the stage, which meant nobody else could enter until after his set.
Although Ed’s performance had some flaws, he was forced to re-start when he performed his new single Azizam, telling the audience, “This is how you know it’s live.” And he admitted to his fans at the festival that he had been told he was going over but that he wanted to perform two more songs live.
Before closing the epic, surprise show with Bad Habits, Ed continued to perform his hit Shape of You.
Just before he took to the stage, the 34-year-old Perfect singer announced his performance at the Liverpool-based festival. While the music star belted out his hits, Big Weekend viewers were spotted dancing, jumping, and singing along with their hands in the air.
A big name star was scheduled to appear at the festival, according to rumors, and Ed was the confirmed as the special guest. The announcement was made on CBS Radio 1’s Instagram.
Greg James, a star of BBC Radio 1, describes the secret set as “the best surprise we could have produced.” And it turns out that festivalgoers were in agreement because Ed’s set was so packed that it was locked down.
Security at the festival had to halt other attendees from joining (Reach PLC) because Ed’s crowd was so crowded.
The crowd is seen extending far past the tent where Ed is performing, in a photo from the festival.
As one commenter wrote on Radio 1’s Instagram announcement: “Totally everything Liverpool needed,” “The goat is in town.” Another comment added: “The goat is in town. Absolutely everything Liverpool needed.
The singer is currently touring, so Ed’s surprise set comes along.
We look back at the show’s wildest moments, from C-bomb chaos to celebrity feuds, as ITV cuts jobs and cuts Loose Women to 30 weeks a year.
Loose Women itself is being cut back to a ‘seasonal’ schedule of 30 weeks a year(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
It’s difficult not to reflect on the rollercoaster year Loose Women has delivered on screen as ITV’s daytime lineup undergoes a shake-up and nearly half of its staff are being threatened by sweeping job cuts dubbed the “bloodbath.”
Although the show’s future is uncertain, its lively debates and open-minded revelations have produced some of the most bizarre, moving, and eye-catching moments.
Many people are shocked to learn that nearly 220 ITV employees could lose their jobs during the day, affecting popular programs Loose Women, Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, and This Morning.
In order to reduce costs, Netflix itself has been forced to stick to a 30 week “seasonal” schedule for the year. However, before these dramatic changes are overshadowed by the truly unforgettable moments that made Loose Women a must-watch, from shocking confessions to celebrity clashes, there are some truly unforgettable moments.
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With numerous instances of controversy that have garnered national attention, Loose Women is no stranger to controversy. Here are some of the strange and unforgettable moments that kept viewers glued to their screens:
Judy Finnigan’s comments about rape sparked controversy(Image: ITV)
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Storm of ‘Rapist sympathising’
Judy Finnigan made a controversial debut in 2014 when she spoke about footballer Ched Evans’ rape conviction appeal, saying: “The rape was not violent, he didn’t cause any bodily harm to the person.”
She was accused of having feelings for a rapist by angry viewers. Later, she clarified, “I was completely against making the case that rape was anything other than a horrible crime. I made no attempt to minimize the agonizing ordeal that any woman goes through as a result. ”
A poll conducted by Loose Women earlier in 2006 to find out whether or not a woman could ever have committed rape was a source of controversy. The poll received a lot of negative feedback from viewers and organizations like Rape Crisis, which caused ITV to apologize and label the poll as “misjudged”.
Harvey shocked viewers with his response to trolls (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
The C-bomb controversy
In 2016, Katie Price’s son Harvey shocked viewers when he joined the show to talk about online bullying. Asked how he’d respond to trolls, he said: “Hello, you c***.”
Katie responded with, “Erm, Harvey! as Andrea McLean apologized for the language.
Gay rights debate
In 2015, Coleen Nolan sparked fury by defending a bakery that refused to decorate a cake supporting same-sex marriage. She compared it to being asked to make a cake with an ISIS message, saying: “Would they have to make that?”
No action was taken despite the viewers’ demands that she be fired despite the outcry.
Joan Rivers swore on Loose Women.
Joan Rivers’ obscene red carpet rant
When asked about her Hollywood encounters, comedy legend Joan Rivers responded, “He is a piece – get ready bleep this – of f****** s***! ” ‘”
Jane McDonald apologised to her panellist pals as they tried to get them to apologize, saying, “We haven’t got a bleeper.” We are indeed alive! ”
Fury that has caused fury
Janet Street-Porter faced backlash in 2022 after saying Wayne Rooney looked like he was “about to explode” out of his suit during the Wagatha Christie trial.
One viewer questioned, “Imagine if she was saying that about a woman,” and branded her “vile.” ”
Continuing with the theme of fat-shaming, in 2015, the BBC reported Jamelia faced criticism after stating that high street stores shouldn’t stock clothes for individuals above a certain size, suggesting that it encourages unhealthy lifestyles. She later apologised, clarifying that her comments were taken out of context.
The bum flash from Katie Price
When Katie Price unintentionally flashed her bum on live TV and modelled a high-slit dress during a fashion show in 2016, viewers were left speechless.
Some called it “awkward viewing,” while others praised her stature as “amazing.”
Kim Woodburn departs
After a brutal on-air clash, tensions erupted when Kim Woodburn stormed off set and called Coleen Nolan a “piece of filth.”
Over 3,000 Ofcom complaints were made about the explosive row, with Kim later claiming she had been ambushed.
Coleen and the panel expressed “sincerely hoped for a reconciliation.”
The nose job of Charlotte Crosby and the police clash
Charlotte Crosby pledged never to return in 2016 after feeling “bullied” by her nose job.
What message does that send to adolescent girls who might think, “My nose has a lump in it, but I haven’t got four grand to spend,” Janet Street-Porter posed the awkward question in a grilling session. ”
Charlotte reported to NEWS Magazine: “It was a terrible experience. Before and after, I wept. I was abused. My life never will go on in the same way. ”
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Nicole Cunningham’s confession about having a nose job and having an abortion
After Josie Cunninham admitted to having an abortion so she could pursue her pornographic career in 2015, there was outrage and a public outcry. She faced harsh criticism for her participation in the program, saying: “I was very uneasy with you coming on today.” Your presence on the show is not something I like. Not because I dislike you, but rather because.
Dani Dyer, a former Love Island star, is enjoying her final weeks in Ibiza for her hen do before getting married to West Ham actor Jarrod Bowen.
(Image: Instagram/danidyerxx)
Dani Dyer is preparing for her wedding to West Ham star Jarrod Bowen with a lavish hen party in Ibiza.
The former Love Island beauty jetted to the white isle on Friday for a farewell to her life as a single ahead of her nuptials with the England ace which are scheduled to take place next month. The TV personality was joined by her friends and family as she posed wearing Jarrod’s kit on the plane.
Dani has also been snapped wearing jeans and a white t-shirt printed with the slogan “future Mrs Bowen” before landing and getting ready for her first night out. For the occasion she wore a white strappy lace dress with a corseted bodice and an a-line hem and wore her golden hair down in loose waves.
Dani Dyer poses with her hens(Image: Instagram/danidyerxx)
Dani teamed her outfit with white strappy heels and a white bag as she stepped out for a bite to eat before heading on to a packed club with her hens. She was seen waving sparklers and dancing as she enjoyed the outing in clips and pictures shared to Instagram.
Sunnie, Dani’s sister, and all the other participants in the summer fun this weekend, Dani’s friends tagged along. In a sweet nod to her future husband, Danni crossed her arms and posed for the camera in one of her photo’s.
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As she waited for her flight to the island, she looked over the moon. Before departing for their destination, the group also made sure to stop at the airport bar for champagne. For her fans, Daniel has continued to post updates on the wild trip on her Instagram page.
Dani dressed in a West Ham kit(Image: Instagram/danidyerxx)
Summer and Star are Dani and Jarrod’s twin daughters, and Dani is also the mother of Santiago, 4, who is her ex-partner Sammy Kimmence. Dani revealed Jarrod’s and her and Dani’s wedding plans, and Dani did so.
They revealed they have opted for a small wedding, after Jarrod popped the question while on a romantic boat trip in Ibiza last summer. Despite trying to keep numbers low, the pair are not compromising on style or elegance.
Dani has been joined by her friends and family(Image: Instagram/danidyerxx)
Dani is enjoying herself in Ibiza(Image: Instagram/danidyerxx)
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The night before their wedding, Dani and Jarrod will say their “I dos” in the English countryside. Dani will reportedly reside with her famous parents, Danny Dyer and Jo, following tradition. Summer and Star will be flower girls, while Summer and Star will be the EastEnders star’s daughter.
Dani’s decision to host a Bridgerton-themed bash with less than 50 guests will be a stark contrast to Danny and Jo’s lavish wedding, which they celebrated in Spain with over 100 friends and family members. The reality TV star is said to want numerous violins and will have her support at her side. While Jarrod’s younger siblings Arty and Santi, Dani’s younger brother, Santi, will be page boys, Jarrod’s brother will be a groomsman.
Prince William and Prince Harry no longer speak to King Charles or Prince William, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are still very close to their royal relatives. However, a royal expert claimed that the Prince of Wales allegedly protected his younger brother and sister-in-law from a “very public insult.”
Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (Image: Getty Images for W+P)
They may be leading a very different life in California from the one they sensationally quit as working royals in the UK. But one thing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have continued to use, despite no longer being part of the working monarchy, is their Duke and Duchess of Sussex titles.
The subject of the pair’s royal titles has created controversy in recent weeks, and there has been speculation about whether Prince William might decide to strip them from the couple once he becomes king. While the former working royals are no longer supposed to use their HRH titles for commercial reasons, Harry and Meghan still very much present themselves as the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, titles which were gifted to them by Queen Elizabeth II on their wedding day in 2018.
The couple were given their Sussex titles on their wedding day (Image: REUTERS)
There have been repeated calls from the anti-Sussex camp to strip them of the titles, but no indication that King Charles has any intention of doing so. Yet with William, 42, next in line to the throne, rumours have circulated that he might take a different stance, especially since he and Harry, 40, are no longer on speaking terms and, according to royal expert Jennie Bond, could be estranged forever.
But she warned that it might not be something we ever see happen, especially given the complexity of taking away titles. She told the Mirror: “Granted, there seems to be a public appetite for stripping them of their titles, but I think it’s unlikely that William would choose to do this. It would seem, and in fact would be, quite vindictive. There is also the question of whether a monarch can indeed do this.
“Some titles could be removed on the will of the Sovereign, but the universal view is that to strip someone of their Peerage demands an act of Parliament. Harry became Duke of Sussex, Earl of Dumbarton and Baron of Kilkeel when he married in 2018.
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“And given that there are, in all truth, many more pressing issues, it would be a brave government to enter that field.” Even though King Edward VIII was in exile, he remained a Duke for the rest of his days.
Prince William on a trip to Leith earlier this week (Image: Getty Images)
Even though this would be a very depressing state of affairs, William may stay separated from his brother forever. But if he does, I believe he will continue to view Harry as being unrelated to both his life and this country. And I don’t think he would mind if he were to remove either of their titles.
Because they were not the children of Queen Elizabeth II, the monarch at the time, they were not automatically prince and princess at birth. Archie, six, and Lilibet, who turns four next week.
They became Prince Archie of Sussex and Princess Lilibet of Sussex, respectively, in the sixth and seventh branches of the line of succession, and they finally received the right in September 2022 when Charles acceded to the throne.
The couple with their children Archie and Lilibet (Image: ARCHWELL)
Following a backlash from those questioning the decision, given the couple’s earlier move to distance themselves from the royal family, the Sussex camp released a statement which said: “The children’s titles have been a birthright since their grandfather became monarch. This matter has been settled for some time in alignment with Buckingham Palace.”
Last month, a podcast video from Meghan’s gift basket, which included a card that read, “With the compliments of HRH The Duchess of Sussex,” sparked another title debate. “The Sussex camp’s representatives insisted that the agreement was not violated because they are still permitted to use HRH in private.”
The Sussexes will no longer use their HRH titles because they are no longer active members of the royal family, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace when they resigned from their royal duties in 2020.
Jennie has a suspicion that Meghan and the couple would be “hurt and angry” if William were to remove them completely, given the evidence that Meghan still holds the HRH title. It would, of course, be a very public insult for Harry and Meghan, she said.
They appear very wedded to the idea that their children should use their royal titles, even though they have turned their backs on rejoining the working royals. Meghan, on the other hand, was specifically told not to use her HRH, which she is clearly not averse to.
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If theirs were taken from them, I’m sure they would be hurt and enraged. In the end, it would undoubtedly harm their reputation, especially in the eyes of the American public, who seems to be a sucker for royalties. But I don’t believe this will actually take place.
Rosa Collier, an actress, and Sam Fender have been dating for more than two years, traveling with her across Europe.
Inside Sam Fender’s two-year relationship with actress ahead of BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend gig(Image: Getty Images)
Sam Fender, the North Shields sensation with three Brit Awards to his name, has captured hearts worldwide with his music. The star, who is set to perform at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Liverpool on Saturday, has remained private about his personal life as he navigates his success.
His mother, Shirley, left when he was just eight years old, which helped shape his importance of his privacy. At the age of eight, Sam’s father, an ex-electrician turned music teacher, gave him his first guitar. Sam was forced to move on after Alan’s remarried when his stepmother had to move him when he was only 17 years old, rekindling their relationship.
Sam Fender kept his relationship under wraps for over two years, but now things are reportedly getting ‘serious’(Image: Getty Images)
Sam told The Guardian that he was dealing with abandonment issues before revealing his past struggles. When my parents split up when I was younger, my dad and I moved out, he said, but he and I eventually stopped arguing. Because of my long hair and sensitive skin, I was bullied in school.
He also compared how these situations had an impact on his relationships, saying, “You don’t realize these things affect you until you’re older, and you’re walking around with a pit in your stomach or why you push partners away. I realized when I had a girlfriend that I couldn’t give in to others. In a loving relationship, I felt unsafe. Because you’re leaving someone, you’re not hurting them, and it gives you the impression that you have control over the situation, I’d self-sabotage to almost take control of it. because you fear losing them so much.
Fans have been flocked to his girlfriend’s identity for a while, eager to find out who she is. It was finally revealed earlier this year that he had been dating actress Rosa Collier for more than two years. Rosa and Sam first dated before things started to get serious in 2023, according to a source who spoke to The Sun.
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Earlier this year, it was finally unveiled that he’s been in a relationship with actress Rosa Collier for over two years(Image: Instagram/@rosacollier_)
The insider claims that Sam and Rosa are “heartbroken and they met while she was a student at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.”
The source revealed that they had a brief flirt for a few months before things started to escalate in 2023. Additionally, it was revealed to the publication that Sam and Rosa have traveled extensively together and most recently went on a romantic Maldives trip.
The couple seemed “so serious,” the source said, and it appeared as though their relationship might be gradually going public. With a slew of UK shows scheduled for the summer, the musician’s other half could soon be spotted cheering him on from the audience because Rossa was accompanying Sam on his European tour at the time. Rosa is always in the spotlight and cheering her husband, the insider joked.
The source hinted that the couple ‘seem serious’(Image: Instagram/@rosacollier_)
Rosa, who has performed in drama school shows like Macbeth and Pains of Youth, is followed by Sam and his bandmates on a private Instagram account.
Along with her musical prowess as a grade eight pianist and grade six tuned percussionist, she has a role in Our Man in Havana. She has a wide range of accents for acting roles, and she also has hand-to-hand stage combat skills, which might be useful for Sam’s zealous fans.
Sam had a romantic relationship with Bridgerton star Hannah Dodd before she started dating Rosa. Sam’s engagement with Hannah on social media in 2022 came as a result, according to a source who revealed to The Sun: “Sam thinks Hannah is absolutely stunning and has been liking her pictures like crazy, which is obviously very flattering for her. They are getting along very well, and she has also followed him back. Watch this space is a rule here.
Sam and Raye were also at the center of rumors about each other, especially after their cozy exchange at the 2022 Brit Awards. The two were spotted mingling at Sam’s exclusive gathering at Four Quarters in Peckham, South London, where they joined music sensation Olivia Rodrigo and a number of Sam’s pals after the two had shared several dates, according to reports.
Sam and Raye met on the music scene, and they get along really well, according to an insider. They’ve been on a number of low-key, secret dates together while it’s still early, but they’ve already spent a lot of time together over the past few weeks. They have a lot in common and have a lot of respect for one another.
After sparking rumours with Raye at the 2022 BRIT Awards, Sam’s attentions seemed to drift away, and he was caught liking several saucy posts from Lottie Moss on Instagram following their shared presence at the NME Awards. Sources say Sam was “taken aback” by Lottie’s stunning looks when they met during the award ceremony, leading to OnlyFans sensation Lottie engaging reciprocally via social media.
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