Category Entertainment News

Allyson Williams MBE has been connected to Notting Hill Carnival since it’s inception as her late husband was a founding member. The Mirror’s Shannon Miller chat with Allyson and her son Kevin about what Carnival really means

Allyson Williams MBE and her son, Kevin Williams have a generations-deep connection to London’s Notting Hill Carnival. Upon meeting them, I could immediately see their eyes light up as they walked me through memories of Carnival’s past.

Their story is one of the many tales of dancing in the streets of the West London borough as part of a tradition that transcends the Atlantic ocean.

“It started with a melting pot of Caribbean immigrants who never intended to make history, but to celebrate their shared culture in the UK,” Kevin told the Mirror. His father, Allyson’s late husband, Vernon “Fellows” Williams, became a founding member of Notting Hill Carnival in 1964, and played a pivotal role in shaping the event into what it is today. At the time, no one knew it would grow to the scale it has now.

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Kevin said his dad always told him there was debate over who started the first Notting Hill Carnival with some saying Claudia Jones, others Rhaune Laslett but, as Vernon put it: “It was a movement, it’s not about one individual thing.”

By 1980, that movement led to the creation of Genesis Mas, formed by Vernon and Allyson, and it’s been running ever since. For them, Carnival was never something they stumbled into – it was inherited. “We’ve been brought up and lived the culture that we inherited through emancipation,” Allyson told us.

Growing up, both Allyson and Kevin attended Trinidad’s Carnival, and they’ve carried that tradition into Genesis, creating and interpreting historical themes inspired by the Trinidadian way. These weren’t just costumes. For some, they were deeply personal.

“Our mas was about historical themes, so we went through the historical calendar – Genghis Khan, the Incas, the Red Indians, back to Africa. One year, we had South African people from the Zulu tribe commend us on how authentic it was,” Allyson said. “They felt seen and a part of the community and followed us the whole route.”

For Kevin, the connection was just as deep. “I was born in 1979, and the band started in 1980 – I was a baby, but I loved the environment of the mas camp. It was homely and welcoming. And as I became older, my father eventually made me the king of the band, meaning I get to wear the biggest costume.”

Allyson’s role in Carnival grew beyond Genesis. When she joined the board, she was asked to open the event on Sunday morning. “I said to the CEO, ‘What do you want me to say to people?’ He said, ‘Just tell them why we’re here.’ So I did my homework and gave a ten-minute, concise history lesson about slavery, emancipation, and the culture that unites communities.”

That speech left a mark. “Later, these women came running up to me. They said ‘what an amazing legacy you all have inherited,'” Allyson recalled.

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“They’d lived in Notting Hill for 30 years and had no idea Carnival had so much history and meaning and said they’d look at it differently from now on – and tell their friends.”

It’s moments like that which drive Allyson’s mission to keep the history alive. “People don’t know the history, the legacy we inherited, or the significance of Carnival,” she said. “Once you know, it’s not just a party.”

But Carnival has changed. Many historical themes have been replaced with modern, lighter costumes, and Allyson believes it’s time to find a healthier balance. “We need to go back to having Carnival in a meaningful way,” she said.

Genesis took a break for the first time in 45 years but are coming back “bigger and better” for Notting Hill Carnival’s 60th anniversary this year. “When you miss a year, you’ve got to come back big,” Allyson told us.

”We’re talking big, monstrosity costumes, and reaching more people – visiting schools, informing them about the culture and history, and letting them know it’s an inclusive event.” Kevin added, insisting that anyone is welcome to join in. “You don’t need to know much just sign up, join in, and be part of the family.”

Comedian Sir Billy Connolly, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, has released new artwork which is inspired by Sir Elton John

Billy Connolly has revealed how his time touring with Sir Elton John in the 1970s has inspired his latest venture. The comedian, 82, has released a string of new limited edition art works under the series, Born On A Rainy Day, in which he recalls some of the fondest memories from his life.

Billy, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, revealed his pal Sir Elton John inspired one of the pieces, named Saturday Night, which shows a piano player in action, with Sir Billy saying the character in his piece “does that leg thing which is pure Elton”.

Speaking about opening for the Rocket Man singer in 1976, he added: “It was that point of the show where he backheeled the stool and it tumbled off the stage. The roadies all dived so that it didn’t break. I saw Elton lately and he was better than I’ve ever seen him. He’s an amazing performer”.

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Sir Billy, who began drawing in 2007 and has built a name for himself as an artist since his retirement from comedy in 2018, has also released Sausage Tree, which reflects on his childhood, Sunburned, which depicts a sunburned Scottish man, and Fly Away Peter, which shows a multicoloured figure surrounded by birds.

The Glasgow-born star added: “It’s taken me years to call my art beautiful, I would never dream of saying it before for the chance that somebody would say, ‘ it’s crap, you’re no good’, but I’m quite good. I can make people smile and feel happy. It’s great”.

Sir Billy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013 and has been candid about his health in recent years. Last year the comedian said he was ‘ not dead or broken ‘ in his book, The Accidental Artist.

He wrote: “The Parkinson’s just rumbles along, doing its thing. It bothered me for a while but when I think about it I suppose I’m lucky I didn’t get something worse because I was a welder”.

The comedian previously worked as a welder in shipyards in Glasgow in the 1960sbefore persuing his comedy career. He wrote, “The diseases that they talk about now are ones that weren’t discovered when I was working in the shipyards.”

“They were unaware of the risks associated with asbestos. Additionally, accidents frequently left men dead. I also had an accident. My ankle was broken when I fell 40 feet into three feet of water after leaving the ship in the Clyde.

Sir Billy earlier this month issued a warning to fans about fake accounts of him on social media, telling them that he and his wife, Pamela Stephenson, had been duped by artificial intelligence.

He claimed there was “criminal intent” and that scammers had been “impersonating me, frequently reaching out to fans and soliciting direct messaging.”

Sir Billy has continued to record TV programmes since his retirement, with his most recent projects including shows such as 2018’s Billy Connolly: Made In Scotland, Billy Connolly’s Great American Trail in 2019, and Billy Connolly Does…, which began airing in 2022.

Beginning at 8am on Friday, Castle Fine Art will start selling the new pieces.

Comedian Sir Billy Connolly, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, has released new artwork which is inspired by Sir Elton John

Billy Connolly has revealed how his time touring with Sir Elton John in the 1970s has inspired his latest venture. The comedian, 82, has released a string of new limited edition art works under the series, Born On A Rainy Day, in which he recalls some of the fondest memories from his life.

Billy, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, revealed his pal Sir Elton John inspired one of the pieces, named Saturday Night, which shows a piano player in action, with Sir Billy saying the character in his piece “does that leg thing which is pure Elton”.

Speaking about opening for the Rocket Man singer in 1976, he added: “It was that point of the show where he backheeled the stool and it tumbled off the stage. The roadies all dived so that it didn’t break. I saw Elton lately and he was better than I’ve ever seen him. He’s an amazing performer.”

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Sir Billy, who began drawing in 2007 and has built a name for himself as an artist since his retirement from comedy in 2018, has also released Sausage Tree, which reflects on his childhood, Sunburned, which depicts a sunburned Scottish man, and Fly Away Peter, which shows a multicoloured figure surrounded by birds.

The Glasgow-born star added: “It’s taken me years to call my art beautiful, I would never dream of saying it before for the chance that somebody would say, ‘it’s crap, you’re no good’, but I’m quite good. I can make people smile and feel happy. It’s great.”

Sir Billy was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013 and has been candid about his health in recent years. Last year the comedian said he was ‘not dead or broken’ in his book, The Accidental Artist.

He wrote: “The Parkinson’s just rumbles along, doing its thing. It bothered me for a while but when I think about it I suppose I’m lucky I didn’t get something worse because I was a welder.”

The comedian previously worked as a welder in shipyards in Glasgow in the 1960sbefore persuing his comedy career. He penned: “The diseases they talk about now due to welding weren’t known about when I was in the shipyards,” he said.

“They didn’t know about the hazards of asbestos. And men were always dying in accidents too. I was in an accident myself. I fell off the ship into the Clyde, dropped 40 feet into three feet of water and broke my ankle.”

Earlier this month, Sir Billy warned fans about scammers impersonating him online, telling them he and his wife, Pamela Stephenson, had been impersonated using artificial intelligence.

He said scammers had been “impersonating me, often reaching out to fans soliciting direct messaging”, adding there “could well be criminal intent”.

Sir Billy has continued to record TV programmes since his retirement, with his most recent projects including shows such as 2018’s Billy Connolly: Made In Scotland, Billy Connolly’s Great American Trail in 2019, and Billy Connolly Does…, which began airing in 2022.

The new pieces are available from Castle Fine Art from 8am on Friday.

Tom Jones was on stage at Cardiff Castle when he spoke out about the controversy surrounding one of his biggest hits that was banned from use in Welsh rugby matches

Sir Tom Jones was booed as he addressed the controversy surrounding one of his signature songs on Wednesday night. The singer, 85, headlined the Cardiff Castle for two nights from 20 August, and worked his way through classics like What’s New Pussycat, I’m Growing Old and Sex Bomb for the crowd.

But things became heated when it came to Delilah, which was adopted as the Welsh rugby national anthem for many years until it was banned by the Welsh Rugby Union in 2023. The banning came as a result of the song’s lyrical content, which describe a man murdering the titular Delilah after he discovers she has been unfaithful.

One line reads: “I crossed the street to her house and she opened the door; she stood there laughing, I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more”, and it was decided three years ago that the song should not be heard at major sporting events in Wales anymore as was thought to glorify violence against women.

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Speaking out about the banning, Tom told the crowds at his recent gig: “Who’s that man who said we shouldn’t sing that song anymore? That used to make my day that on an international match.”

The Voice UK judge used to look forward to hearing his track performed by thousands ahead of a big game, and insisted that none of the lyrics should be ‘taken literally’.

He added: “I used to wait for it and then they said we can’t sing it anymore. Who is this man who said we can’t sing Delilah? They said it’s about a man killing his wife with a knife. Well it is, but you shouldn’t take it literally.” It was then that crowd booed in support of Tom’s backing of the song, reports WalesOnline.

Delilah was first released in 1968 and became the sixth-best-selling single of that year after it reached number two. It went on to become one of Tom’s signature hits. It featured in the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands that starred Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, and the crooner performed it at Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

But questions about the violent nature began to rise as far back as 2015, with the song’s official removal from the Principality Stadium taking place nearly a decade later.

A Principality Stadium spokesperson said: “Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium. The WRU removed the song from its half-time entertainment and music playlist during international matches in 2015. Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games.

“The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind. We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of its subject matter.”

The use of the song had previously been criticised by Dafydd Iwan, whose version of Yma O Hyd has become synonymous with welsh football, after he said it was “a song about murder and it does tend to trivialise the idea of murdering a woman.” Rhondda MP Chris Bryant referenced the rise in domestic abuse during live sport as reason to stop playing it.

Tom Jones was on stage at Cardiff Castle when he spoke out about the controversy surrounding one of his biggest hits that was banned from use in Welsh rugby matches

Sir Tom Jones was booed as he addressed the controversy surrounding one of his signature songs on Wednesday night. The singer, 85, headlined the Cardiff Castle for two nights from 20 August, and worked his way through classics like What’s New Pussycat, I’m Growing Old and Sex Bomb for the crowd.

But things became heated when it came to Delilah, which was adopted as the Welsh rugby national anthem for many years until it was banned by the Welsh Rugby Union in 2023. The banning came as a result of the song’s lyrical content, which describe a man murdering the titular Delilah after he discovers she has been unfaithful.

One line reads: “I crossed the street to her house and she opened the door; she stood there laughing, I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more”, and it was decided three years ago that the song should not be heard at major sporting events in Wales anymore as was thought to glorify violence against women.

READ MORE: Sir Tom Jones’ comeback show leaves audience in tears as he makes epic stage returnREAD MORE: Sir Tom Jones, 85, cancels gig hours before he’s due on stage with sad health update

Speaking out about the banning, Tom told the crowds at his recent gig: “Who’s that man who said we shouldn’t sing that song anymore? That used to make my day that on an international match.”

The Voice UK judge used to look forward to hearing his track performed by thousands ahead of a big game, and insisted that none of the lyrics should be ‘taken literally’.

He added: “I used to wait for it and then they said we can’t sing it anymore. Who is this man who said we can’t sing Delilah? They said it’s about a man killing his wife with a knife. Well it is, but you shouldn’t take it literally.” It was then that crowd booed in support of Tom’s backing of the song, reports WalesOnline.

Delilah was first released in 1968 and became the sixth-best-selling single of that year after it reached number two. It went on to become one of Tom’s signature hits. It featured in the 1990 film Edward Scissorhands that starred Johnny Depp and Winona Ryder, and the crooner performed it at Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012.

But questions about the violent nature began to rise as far back as 2015, with the song’s official removal from the Principality Stadium taking place nearly a decade later.

A Principality Stadium spokesperson said: “Delilah will not feature on the playlist for choirs for rugby internationals at Principality Stadium. The WRU removed the song from its half-time entertainment and music playlist during international matches in 2015. Guest choirs have also more recently been requested not to feature the song during their pre-match performances and throughout games.

“The WRU condemns domestic violence of any kind. We have previously sought advice from subject matter experts on the issue of censoring the song and we are respectfully aware that it is problematic and upsetting to some supporters because of its subject matter.”

The use of the song had previously been criticised by Dafydd Iwan, whose version of Yma O Hyd has become synonymous with welsh football, after he said it was “a song about murder and it does tend to trivialise the idea of murdering a woman.” Rhondda MP Chris Bryant referenced the rise in domestic abuse during live sport as reason to stop playing it.