All posts tagged: ITV

Playing Nice star James McArdle’s life off-screen explored

Playing Nice star James McArdle’s life off-screen explored

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James McArdle plays calculated villain Miles in ITV’s new thriller, Playing Nice, which follows two sets of parents who discover their toddlers were swapped at birth.  The Scottish actor, 35, stars alongside James Norton, Niamh Algar and Jessica Brown Findlay in the gripping series, which follows the two couples as they are faced with a horrifying dilemma: to keep the son they’ve raised or reclaim their biological child? While James is a big name in the world of theatre, he’s become a familiar face on-screen in recent years thanks to his roles in Mary Queen of Scots, Mare of Easttown, Andor and Sexy Beast. But how much do you know about his life away from the cameras? WATCH: James McArdle stars in Playing Nice James’ upbringing and career James grew up in Darnley on the south side of Glasgow. He developed a love of acting from a young age and attended Paisley youth theatre group PACE before moving to London to study at RADA.  The actor was just 17 years old when he jumped on …

Brenda Blethyn makes big Vera admission after calling time on ITV series

Brenda Blethyn makes big Vera admission after calling time on ITV series

Published by Sam

Brenda Blethyn has made a big admission about her hit show Vera after ITV aired the final ever episode. The crime drama has officially drawn to an end, months after the British star announced she had quit the series after 13 years. Blethyn has portrayed Detective Chief Inspector Vera Stanhope in every episode of the show, which debuted in 2011, and filmed her final episodes earlier last summer. The final episode, which was described as “poignant” by viewers, saw Vera retire from her role as DI – a conclusion that reassured many who were concerned the character might be killed off. In the documentary special Vera… Farewell Pet, which aired on Friday (3 January), Blethyn explained why she “didn’t want Vera to be killed off”, stating: “I suspected that she’d be living on in the books.” The lead character, as well as some specific episodes in series one and two, are based on Ann Cleeves’s Vera Stanhope crime novels. Blethyn continued: “She’s a sensible woman, Vera. She knows when it’s time to call it a …

Vera viewers all saying the same thing about heartbreaking final episode as detective’s fate revealed

Vera viewers all saying the same thing about heartbreaking final episode as detective’s fate revealed

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Vera drew to an emotional close on Thursday night, marking Brenda Blethyn’s final turn as DI Vera Stanhope after 14 years – and viewers have given their verdict on the dramatic finale.  In her final case, Vera was on the trail of a missing teenager Chloe while also trying to solve the murder of a student named Josh in the Northumbrian countryside. The investigation led to a dramatic climax at a witch hunt festival in a village linked to her past and featured flashback scenes involving her younger self and her dad Hector (Stevie Raine).  © Helen WilliamsVera drew to a close after 14 years on Thursday [Warning, spoilers ahead!] At the end of the episode, Vera saved Chloe from being killed and as the case came to a close, reflected on her time in the force as she headed back to the office to pack up her things.  The next day, Joe Ashworth turned up to work in search of his boss to find a note on his desk that read: “Time to spread …

I’m A Celebrity faces major blow as rumoured star ‘pulls out’

I’m A Celebrity faces major blow as rumoured star ‘pulls out’

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A rumoured I’m A Celebrity contestant lined up for this year’s series is said to have pulled out of the show with just weeks to go.  It’s been reported that Tommy Fury, the former Love Island star and professional boxer, was expected to fly to the jungle to take part in this year’s series but has withdrawn after receiving a better offer.  © Getty ImagesTommy Fury has reportedly pulled out of the line-up According to The Sun, the 25-year-old had been in talks with the ITV show for months before being offered a more lucrative project, with speculation rife that he pulled out to take part in a boxing match with KSI. Earlier this month, Tommy fuelled rumours that he would be heading to Australia after keeping his cards close to his chest when asked about the speculation. “Listen, a lot of things in my life, it’s like a rollercoaster at the minute, there’s so many things that I might do; could he be doing this, could he be doing that?” he told Heart Radio “To …

Bend It Like Beckham’s Parminder Nagra reveals whether she’d return in film sequel – Exclusive

Bend It Like Beckham’s Parminder Nagra reveals whether she’d return in film sequel – Exclusive

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Parminder Nagra hasn’t ruled out reprising her role in a Bend It Like Beckham sequel. The actress, who starred as football-playing 18-year-old Jess alongside Keira Knightley’s Juliette in the feel-good 2002 film, said she would have to see the script. The romantic sports comedy follows Indian teen Jess as she dreams of becoming a professional football player, despite the expectations of her traditional Punjabi family: to get a job as a lawyer and settle down with a suitable husband.  © Film Council / Lions GateParminder Nagra and Keira Knightley starred in the film Sitting down with HELLO! ahead of her returning role in ITV’s DI Ray, Parminder said “I don’t know” when asked whether she’d star in a second film. “Sometimes I feel like when someone’s made a film, you kind of go, that was that moment and it probably should just be left alone because then the expectation for whatever the sequel is,” explained the actress.  Pondering where her character would be 20 years on, she asked: “What I would like come back as, a coach? What would …

ITV boss defends letting Ed Balls interview wife Yvette Cooper – but says it won’t happen again | Politics News

ITV boss defends letting Ed Balls interview wife Yvette Cooper – but says it won’t happen again | Politics News

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ITV’s chief executive has defended allowing Ed Balls to interview his wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, but said it will not happen again. Dame Carolyn McCall said the broadcaster got “very short notice” that the senior politician would be coming on Good Morning Britain on the day her spouse grilled her about rioting across the UK. She said the interview on 5 August, which attracted thousands of complaints, was “fair and impartial” but the set up would not be repeated. Politics Live: Minister dismisses concerns over free Taylor Swift tickets Speaking at the Royal Television Society (RTS) London Conference, the ITV boss said: “It was a very, very tricky morning, there was a national emergency almost being called, and so we got very short notice that the home secretary was coming on the show. “No one has picked up on the fact that Ofcom are not pursuing these complaints, because they believe it’s fair, balanced and impartial. “So would we do it again? No. Was it impartial, fair and balanced? And did they behave professionally? …

ITV Has Finally Just Teased What To Expect From Gail Platt’s Coronation Street Exit Storyline

ITV Has Finally Just Teased What To Expect From Gail Platt’s Coronation Street Exit Storyline

Published by Sam

Coronation Street bosses have teased what they have in store for when Weatherfield staple Gail Platt bids farewell to the cobbles later this year. Last month, soap veteran Helen Worth announced she was stepping down from the long-running ITV show after 50 years of playing Gail. Since then, speculation has been rife about the nature of her exit, with Corrie boss Iain MacLeod insisting the character will be given a “happy ending”. “It didn’t feel like killing her off would be right,” he told the Daily Star. “Gail’s exit is a brilliant story. I thought, ‘What do the viewers want to see?’. “Gail has had a hard life. She had a difficult childhood [and] disastrous marriages. So, we thought what viewers really want is a happy ending for her, so that’s what we’re doing.” The Sun previously claimed that Gail’s departure would involve the return of her ex-husband, Martin Platt, the father of her youngest son David. And on Wednesday morning, ITV confirmed that actor Sean Wilson would be reprising his role as Martin as …

Coronation Street spoilers as Toyah gets shock news in hospital, DNA twist revealed and Sarah questioned

Coronation Street spoilers as Toyah gets shock news in hospital, DNA twist revealed and Sarah questioned

Published by Sam

There are shocks aplenty in Coronation Street next week and there’s also a new arrival. Starting with Toyah Habeeb and she’s horrified when she finds her sister Leanne Battersby showing Amy Barlow an Institute video to help relieve her stress and realises she is considering investing. Later, after she complains to Nick Tilsley that she has terrible stomach pains, he is shocked when he returns home from work to find Toyah in agony on the floor. He takes her to the hospital and as he and Leanne wait at her bedside the doctor has some shocking news. Later, while still in shock after the doctor’s news, Toyah is left reeling when he drops another unexpected bombshell. READ MORE: Coronation Street’s Tina O’Brien suggests new relationship for Sarah as she stuns in previously unseen co-star snap READ MORE: Read more of our Coronation Street stories here Elsewhere, Bernie Winter waits for her long-lost son Kit in the Rovers to discuss how they tell Gemma Winter and Paul Foreman they have a brother, unaware he is already …