Sunday 15 December 2019

ITS CHOCOLATE COVERED IN ANYTHING DAY AND GLASGOW IS CEELBRATING



WE’VE heard a lot about unusual food days but we absolutely love the idea of Chocolate Covered In Anything  day which takes place this Monday
After all, in this season of festive indulgence, what better excuse than to have to dip into some of the sweet stuff as a matter of national duty. 
Indeed Scots admit to eating sweeties at least once a day, compared with just 30 percent of their counterparts in England and Wales - no wonder the average annual per capita consumption of chocolate bars is estimated at 200. Supermarket chain Marks and Spencer also admit its sweeties sell in far greater numbers north of the border.

Here’s some other fascinating chocolate facts to celebrate the big day. 

1. Scotland became a nation of chocolate lovers when sugar cane or white gold as it was known came over from the Caribbean. There was so much sugar coming down the Clyde  that the first town you came to on the river, Greenock, was nicknamed Sugaropolis. 

2.  Dark chocolate (with 70 to 85 percent cocoa content), contains different nutrients. In 100 grams of dark chocolate, you receive almost 100 percent of the daily recommended intake of manganese, nearly 90 percent of necessary copper intake, and about 67 percent of your needed iron intake.

3. Scotland boasts a number of independent chocolatiers with Finlay MacDonald being one of the youngest. Finlay established Chocolates of Glenshiel in 2016 in his Highland kitchen by Loch Duich. His chocolates are flavoured with Talisker whisky, Misty Isle gin and sea salt – all from the nearby Isle of Skye, heather honey and raspberries from Blairgowrie and marmalade from Dundee.

4. The Spanish Conquistador Don Hernán Cortés first realised the  commercial value of cocoa beans which he took to Spain in 1528. Very gradually, the custom of drinking the chocolatespread across Europe, reaching England in the 1650s.

5. Gluten free Indian restaurant Dakhin in Glasgow’s Merchant City is celebrating this Monday’s occasion with its specially created Chocolate Dosa. The South Indian crepe has been specially coated with chocolate with a rich chocolate and coconut filling and will be available for £4.95 on the day. It’s similar to a crepe without the wheat flour.

6. The creation of the first modern chocolate bar is credited to Joseph Fry, who in 1847 discovered that he could make a moldable chocolate paste by adding melted cacao butter back into Dutch cocoa. By 1868, a company called Cadbury was marketing boxes of chocolate candies in England.

7. Studies have shown that eating dark chocolate has the same effect on the brain as falling in love, thanks to a release of the chemical phenylalanine. Maybe that’s why us Scots will do crazy things to get our hands on a chocolate bar. 

8. Some studies suggest that colder, dark climates—during midwinter, in Scotland, the sun might rise for barely seven hours per day—the human body craves more sugary foods to offset Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD.

9. Drink it or eat, melt it or freeze it, have it bitter or have it sweet. Chocolate is such an exciting ingredient to include in dishes and can add a sweetness or bitterness to an otherwise acidic or spicy meal. It can even  complement nicely the salty notes of crisps.
There’s plenty of room for creativity on National Chocolate Covered Anything Day.
This is a sponsored post by Dakhin restaurant in Glasgow. 

Sunday 8 December 2019

BAY CITY ROLLER STUART WOODY WOOD SAVES LIFE



Exclusive  
BAY City Roller Stuart Woody Wood has been hailed a hero after rescuing a lost dog that was trapped down a hole for three days.
Stuart and his wife Denise were on holiday in North Berwick when they learned that black Labrador Kruger had gone missing whilst on a walk with his owner.
Stuar,  who was taking a break after a sold out performance in Canada at Casino Rama with his band The Bay City rollers said: “My wife Denise saw online that Krueger had gone missing and she thought that we would be able to find him. She just had a feeling. A search party had already combed the area where he’d run off at the side of the golf course, and had had no luck. We went out at 9am the following morning and made a point of searching every nook and cranny.”
“We were out for just twenty minutes and I couldn’t believe it when I looked over into a very dark corner on waste ground with old buildings around it and saw someone eyes looking up at me from three foot down. Kruger was inside a drain than didn’t appear to have any cover over it  and he was terrified. When dogs are in distress they don’t make a sound and Kruger had been there for two nights. I kept my distance and shouted out that I had found him. If we hadn’t found him he would’ve been a goner.”


Kruger’s mum Janette Murray couldn’t believe it when the eleven year old family pet was found. 
She said: “It was so stressful. It had been nearly three days and we were so close to him and it was heartbreaking because he didn’t make a noise. I’d had him out for a teatime walk and he was running behind me. It was still daylight on the golf course but I turned round and he had just disappeared. All the neighbours and their kids went out with dog biscuits and walked the golf course and beyond to find him. I’d called the drone rescue people in Perthshire and they were about to send out a drone to try to detect his body heat. We thought he wouldn’t be far from where he wandered and we couldn’t believe it when he was found by Woody in the old council yard. There was broken fencing all round and a hole there. We’re so happy we got him back and I’m eternally grateful.”
Janette admitted that she had no idea who Stuart initially was. She said “I initially thought he was from a Bay City rollerstribute band and then realised he was an actual Bay City rollers band member. His wife and him were wonderful and helped to get the dog out of the hole. We can’t thank them enough.”
Kruger was wrapped in a thermal blanket and taken to the vets where he was put on a drip. 
He is now happily at home and enjoying all the extra attention from his family.

This story has since appeared in the Daily Record. From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

Friday 6 December 2019

MOËT MAGIC WITH MAMMA LION AT KIMPTON BLYTHSWOOD



CHRISTMAS is almost here and the corks are already popping to celebrate the magic at Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel.
Theshowbizlion.com was recently invited to the very special launch of the Moët & Chandon Bar in the swish hotel and we decided that mamma lion needed a night out too. 
We were treated to a lovely night of songs from the Glasgow Gospel Choir along with Moet by the glass, delicious canapés and specially made Moët pretzels. 
Founded in 1743, a bottle of Moet champagne opened every second around the globe so we were in excellent company. 
From the iconic Moët Impérial to the Grand Vintage Collection, the extroverted Moët Rosé Impérial to the innovative Moët Ice Impérial, each champagne dazzles and delights with bright fruitiness, an enticing palate and an elegant maturity. 


At Kimpton Blythswood, for those who feel a bit Naughty, Moet are offering their new cocktail, Fairytale of New York; Solerno blood orange liqueur and orange and clove syrup topped with Moët, and garnished with Moët-branded orange peel for sparkling splendour.
 Of course, with mamma lion there we fell into the Nice camp so we can’t wait to go back and indulge in some Moët Champagne Afternoon Tea, offered daily 12pm to 5pm. As well as a classic combination of finger sandwiches, there are  scones served warm with clotted cream, sweet pastries and freshly baked cakes. The centrepiece of afternoon tea is, of course, a chilled glass of Moët. Cost is £46 per person with Moët Brut Imperial, £47.75 with Moët Rose Imperial served until the 30th of December, 2019.
 Moët moments are best shared with loved ones and clinking our champagne proved to be the ideal pre theatre treat before a brilliant night at Glasgow's Tron Theatre where we enjoyed the launch of the brilliant Cinderfella. 










Thursday 5 December 2019

APPRENTICE STAR ATTENDS FRANK MCAVENNIE BASH

Beverley Lyons 
APPRENTICE Star Thomas Skinner has become such a fan favourite that he now has his own Showbiz manager and publicist. 
Pillow company boss Thomas, 28, who has impressed with his wheeling and dealing and hands-on cheeky chappy attitude thoughout the show with Lord Alan Sugar is now just weeks away from a potential victory. 
He has currently made the final eight following Ryan-Mark Parsons departure last week and he is high up on the bookies list to win alongside Lewis Ellis, Pamela Laird, Marianne Rawlins, Carina Lenore, Lottie Lion, Scarlett Allen-Horton, and Dean Ahmad. 
Last week, fans raved that Thomas was noble and chivalrous following his demands to be brought back into the boardroom to save his teammate. 
We can now reveal that Thomas, who had a paper round at 12 and used to work on market stalls from the age of 16, has been snapped up by Showbiz agency CAN who represent celebrities including Peter Andre, Rachel Hunter, Amy Childs, Dan Osbourne and Gary Lucy. 
A spokesperson for CAN confirmed: “The CAN Group are now representing Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner. The 28 year old is part of the current 2019 series of the hit BBC TV show and is also owner of his own business, The Fluffy Pillow Company. Tom’s hobbies include boxing, golf and fitness, has a passion for fashion and relishes the challenge of being an entrepreneur. He is now available for opportunities.”
Thomas is currently keeping tight lipped about the future of his role in the programme. 
The businessman who claims that he like boxing, rugby, beer and West Ham in his Twitter profile, was spotted enjoying a special anniversary interview  with Frank McAvennie at the weekend in the famous grounds in East London. 
Thomas didn’t demand any special treatment as he turned up to support Frank, who turned sixty, at the interview ahead of the match. 
Singer Debi Ronain who was a guest of Franks at the stadium said: “We couldn’t believe it when we saw Thomas at the match. He was like a normal punter mingling with everyone. He told us he absolutely loves Frank. We kept asking him about Snotty Lotty but he just laughed off our comments. He couldn’t tell is if he’d won or not but was very polite and took time to have his photos taken. He’s also shared on his socials the song we wrote starring Frank McAvennie called Funtime Frankie. I think he was driving so he wasn’t even drinking at the match. He was such a nice guy.”


JAMES MCAVOY PROVES TO BE A REAL SWEETIE IN NEW SHOW




Beverley Lyons
X Men’s James McAvoy got rave reviews for his dress rehearsal of Cyrano de Bergerac - after letting the audience pay with sweeties - and going topless. 
The Hollywood A lister decided to invite people to London's Playhouse theatre ahead of the official opening night to make theatre accessible to everyone. 
He told fans ahead of the show: “We are doing an open dress rehearsal. That means that even though we are rehearsing, Anybody and everybody come can come. That means you can pay whatever you like 1p or 1000p. You can pay in sweets or anything you like really. We’re pretty excited.  It’s pretty unprecedented in the West end.”
As he also gave out Haribo from a box to some of the theatre goers outside in the queue, James said: ”Hope you enjoy the show. This is a dress rehearsal. Be kind.” 
The stage production was stark with few props but the rhyme and performances got thumbs up from the fans ahead of the official previews. 
The fact that James also performed shirtless in just a pair of leather trousers also got rave reviews. 
Paige Oblong Ellìot wrote: “Other plays may be good but are they James McAvoy in leather pants sitting in front of you shirtless with leather pants on? I thought not.”
Abha T was one of the punters who took advantage of the offer and paid £12 for tickets that would normally cost £119. 
She said: “The show was fantastic. The cast was incredible.”
Scottish actor Max McVey also said of the performance: “Amazing performances by all! Had me in tears by the end of it. Fantastic first half. Couldn’t help but laugh. On the edge of my seat the whole time. And such wonderful use of rhyme.” 
Another lucky ticket holder Sylwia added: “The show was outstanding.”
And Mira Vasiliu wrote on Twitter: “Just saw Cyrano de Bergerac  at @ThePlayhouseLDN and now I don’t know what to do with myself. How do you return to your life after seeing something like that?? #cyranodebergerac #JamesMcAvoy #theatre #London.”

SIMPLE MINDS & TOM WALKER HOMECOMING AT SCOTTISH MUSIC AWARDS




Beverley Lyons 
SIMPLE Minds celebrated their homecoming as they picked up an award for Outstanding Contribution to Music at The Specsavers Scottish Music Awards. 
Jim Kerr and Charlie Birchill joined Brit award winner Tom Walker, The Incredible String Band, Be Charlotte,  Twin Atlantic, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers and Joesef on the red carpet at Glasgow’s Fruitmarket to raise awareness for Nordoff Robins music therapy charity. 
And Jim reminisced: “This is a mile from where we were born. We’ve been working on new songs and it’s a nice homecoming.”
Referring to the passing of his father, he added: “Unfortunately I’ve got no family here tonight but they will definitely be here in spirit.”
Mike Heron accepted the Living Legend award for the Incredible String Band in a neck brace, revealing that he had fallen down the stairs at home.
He said: “In the late 60s Bob Dylan had an accident on his motorbike and damaged a couple of bits of his neck and I had the same thing but it was falling downstairs in my house. It was hard to play guitar but I can do it again now.”


Brit award winner Tom Walker who picked up a gong for Best Album made it a family affair. He said: “It’s lovely to be back. I remember coming here two years ago and I was so frightened doing the red carpet.  I have my granny, my mum, my dad, three uncles, my auntie here tonight. I’m not wearing a kilt because it’s too itchy.”
Other award winners who sent Thankyou s included Best UK Artist Liam Gallagher and Song Writing Award winner Lewis Capaldi. 

Thursday 28 November 2019

WET WET WET PLAN NEW MATERIAL NEXT YEAR




Exclusive 
Beverley Lyons 
WET Wet Wet have confirmed they are going back into the studio next year to record new songs, but the band admit they have some obstacles to overcome.
The Scottish hitmakers who have sold over 16 million records recently replaced front man Marti Pellow with Liberty X singer Kevin Simm.
Having toured in the last few months, the Sweet Little Mystery band have now confirmed that they are keen to get into the studio and make new tracks – their first misic release since 2013.
Graeme Clarke said: “We want to make new music and I think we all need a kick. It’s important because it’s always been a priority and that’s where I come from. It’s always been about trying to get new music and in this day and age it’s all radically changed. 
I can’t really see us going out on a tour and saying ‘Before we  play any hits, we’re going to play a new album man.’ We wouldn’t get away with that. We have to find a way of doing like what we used to do, of bleeding in new tracks. So for me, I think what’s going to happen is we will write a couple of tunes and will put it out maybe as an extended player an EP. Then maybe we can bring one or two into the set. That would be a way forward.
You know Neil and I have been venturing down. We’ve all been playing. Other musical jobs are up, so now we just need to set a bit of time and just go in and play.”



Graeme said the band will need to balance the old with the new. 
He explained:”If I came in with a 17-year-old get up and said ‘Hey guys how do I look man? It’s going to be pretty daft –that would be silly.‘ You know what I mean. I think in terms of musically we have to be true to the band and be true to who we are and what we are and who we are playing to. That plays a part. It’s exciting to write songs and I’m  excited about writing new music. You want to hear the hits and that’s unfortunately where we are in the musical world. And we can do a bit of that as well and hopefully sneak in a couple of tracks.”
Tommy Cunningham added: “Everyone has got different taste but I think the bottom line is it’s got to have a melody and it has to have structure. It has to make you smile and it has to lift you emotionally. Wet Wet Wet are about emotion so it shouldn’t be too hard a challenge. It shouldn’t be.”
Kevin is also keen to get a taste of Wet Wet Wet album sales. He joked: “I’ve not been party to these 16 million albums sales so at least 300 would be good.”
Neil said: “It’s exciting as well because we’ve got Kevin and we come from a different angle now. It’s something to really  forward to.” 


From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

Tuesday 26 November 2019

LEWIS CAPALDI SAYS TRNSMT 2020 WILL BE CHUBBY AND FAST



LEWIS Capaldi claims things are about to get ‘chubby, sexy and fast’ as he’s confirmed he’s playing TRNSMT festival 2020 as headliner on Sunday July 12. 
Lewis said of the news “Yaaaaaas! I've been lucky enough to play TRNSMT every year since it’s inception and to be a headliner is absolutely wild. Things are about to get chubby and sexy, fast. See you up the road next year! X” 

After three incredible years in Glasgow Green, TRNSMT has also announced Courteeners and Liam Gallagher will bring top-draw headline performances to the heart of the city.
 


Liam who plays on Saturday said of the news: “I love Scotland and it’s an honour to be going back to headline TRNSMT Festival. P.s. Have I told you lately that I Love You?”
   
And Courteeners frontman Liam Fray who plays on Friday said:
“Scotland took us straight to their hearts, right from the very start. Starting with playing the ABC with The Coral back in 2007, we’ve always had an amazing connection with the people of Scotland. Feels like a 2nd home. To headline TRNSMT is a serious honour and we'll be bringing a serious party. What a line-up”
 
Other acts announced for this years mega music fest include Rita Ora, Foals, Snow Patrol who missed playing last year, Blossoms, Sam Fender, Twin Atlantic and Ian Brown also making a TRNSMT debut. 



Speaking about TRNSMT 2020, Rita Ora said:
“Scotland! Delighted to return to Glasgow for my first appearance at TRNSMT, with an amazing lineup on the Sunday! Looking forward to seeing you all, it’s going to be a big one.”
Speaking about their hometown return, Twin Atlantic frontman Sam McTrusty added:
“It’s going to be wild. We feel so energised with new music we made in a studio that overlooks Glasgow Green. There is no closer venue to our studio! It’s an added special sauce that is going to make this a day to remember for us. Ross and I walked past the production entrance in 2018 on our way to work on our new album ‘POWER’ when Queen were soundchecking and felt so inspired to the point that the energy of playing to a massive crowd outdoors in the city we belong to is literally interwoven with the music. Here we fucking go.”
 
Keane, Aitch and Little Simz also join the lineup which theshowbizlion.com reckons is one of the best yet.
 Festival Director Geoff Ellis said: “The response that we’ve had to TRNSMT since we launched in 2017 is amazing to see. The fact that it has become such a pillar of the UK festival scene every year is testament to the incredible music fans that we have here in this country. We’re delighted that TRNSMT 2020 will host the major UK festival headline debuts from global superstar Lewis Capaldi and indie favourites Courteeners, plus the return of the legend that is Mr. Liam Gallagher. With a varied line up and many more acts to be announced in the new year, plus several fun activations as always, along with a wide range of drinks and scrumptious artisan food to suit all tastes, we can’t wait to welcome 50,000 music fans per day to the heart of this cultural capital that is Glasgow.

Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council said: “The world knows of Glasgow’s standing as one of the great music cities and our ability to put on a show.

“In just four short years TRNSMT has cemented its place as a fixture on our events calendar, bringing tens of thousands of visitors and some of the biggest names in popular music to the heart of Glasgow, all generating a major lift for the city’s economy worth millions of pounds. 

“2020 is shaping up to be a historic year for Glasgow. Euro 2020 at Hampden and the gathering of world leaders at COP26 will again underscore our international reputation for vitality, vibrancy and hospitality. TRNSMT will no doubt play its part in what will be a memorable 12 months.

“Between now and July the Council will be working closely with organisers DF Concerts, other partner authorities and, of course, the local community to ensure that visitors and Glaswegians alike can enjoy and benefit from TRNSMT.”
Revealing only a selection of names set for TRNSMT 2020, with more to be revealed across the Main, King Tut’s Stage Powered by Utilita Energy and Queen Tut’s stage - it’s another blockbuster weekend in the UK festival summer that’ll have thousands flocking to Glasgow Green this July.
 
Home to the greatest crowd on the planet, TRNSMT welcomes 150,000 fans to Glasgow Green across one incredible weekend - as a pinnacle of the summer festival season and a defining headline moment for some of the biggest artists in the world. Previous years have seen the likes of Arctic Monkeys, RadioheadThe Killers, Stormzy, Queen & Adam Lambertand George Ezra serve up mammoth moments, with TRNSMT 2020 destined to add more unforgettable memories in front of an adoring Glasgow crowd.
https://www.facebook.com/TRNSMTfest/  https://twitter.com/TRNSMTfest /  https://www.instagram.com/TRNSMTfest/

Friday July 10th
Courteeners
Ian Brown / Sam Fender / Blossoms / Aitch / Little Simz
 
Saturday July 11th
Liam Gallagher
Foals / Keane / Twin Atlantic
 
Sunday July 12th
Lewis Capaldi
Snow Patrol / Rita Ora

Tickets for TRNSMT 2020 are on-sale from 9am on Friday November 29th, with a TRNSMT database pre-sale on sale from 9am on Wednesday November 27th. 


Special Black Friday Deals* available for one week only:
1 Day Ticket - £62.60
1 Day VIP Ticket - £115.00
 
2 Day Tickets - £119.50
2 Day VIP Tickets - £220.00
 
*3 Day Weekend Tickets - £149.50
*3 Day VIP Tickets - £260.00
 
3 Day Weekend Tickets -£165
3 Day VIP Tickets - £275


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Monday 25 November 2019

FORMER CELTIC PLAYER BOBBY PETTA IS ON TRACK TO NUMBER ONE



Exclusive 
Beverley Lyons 
FORMER Celtic player Bobby Petta is on track to be number one after carving out a new career for himself as a house DJ. 
Dutch star Bobby, who was with the Glasgow club for five years until 2004, was well known for his fancy footwork but decided to pursue his other passion of DJing two years ago. 
Two months ago he went into the Groove City Radio studios to produce his own tracks. 
Bobby said: ”I released a track with Saint Luke and it was top 100 and has now gone to number four in the Traxsource Jackin’ house charts. To be honest it’s really weird, but it’s doing well so we’ll see.”



Bobby claims he’s always loved music but never got the chance to pursue his hobby when he joined the Hoops in 1999. 
Bobby who recently celebrated Republic Bort Halle’s 20th anniversary with Hospitality legend Colin Barr said: “I always actually liked DJing when I was at Ipswich but when I came here it was different. It was only two years ago that I went back to it and I like doing it but I want to produce too. I’ve got some good people around me and it’s a new journey in my life and I love it. It’s a process, it’s a journey and I love it.”
This month he released his funky disco house track Feel Good with Glasgow producer Saint Luke which is now at number four. 
Bobby, who recently played at charity night in honour of Fernando Ricksen at Club 69,  said: “The track is called Feel Good and it’s a jackin’ house number, funky disco house. It is deep and underground and I like melodic techno too. It changes all the time. I got together with Saint Luke, a producer from Scotland who knows his stuff. I’ve got it in my head and he translates it for me. It’s hard when you’re doing everything yourself so he’s the one that can translate what I want from my head. It’s a good combination.
“The fact that it is at number four in the charts means I am on the right track and it is only my second attempt. I know what it takes and it’s just learning every time as I go on. I just play what I like to play. For me it’s all feel.”
Bobby says he’s not quite at the level of Calvin Harris but he admits he’s competitive when it comes to making tracks. 
He said: “I’m very competitive. I say this with football, I put in the hours and enjoy it. It’s not like work. For mental health, it is my outlet and it keeps me happy. That’s what I do, I do what I love. Whenever I’m behind the decks I’m doing it because I love it. It’s not work. It’s enjoyment. Like football and the fans, music connects people.



If I’m being honest, I’d like to go to Ibiza, like Jackmaster from Glasgow. That’s just an ambition and a half. I’d like to go to the Sub Club on Glasgow or Circo Loco in Ibiza, that’s my vibe. 
A Vegas residency would be nice but do you know how many good people that are out there? 
In this industry there are really quality people like my manager Jay Gunning from Attic Room Sessions. I’m humble and take it as it comes.”
So far, he’s kept his own name but he admits he might change it for the dance world. 
He laughed: “Whilst we are here in Glasgow and called Bobby Petta, but I like to step away from the football thing. It’s hard. I’d like to be judged on the music I play.
Football has given me a lot, but this for me is not physically demanding. I can play music as long as I want and it’s fun and if You can make a living out of it that’s good too. For me it’s more the journey and experiencing everything and meeting various people who are very good a bit like football.”

Monday 4 November 2019

CORRIE’S HELEN FLANAGAN ON RICHARD MADDEN





CORRIE actress Helen Flanagan was disappointed to miss Richard Madden at the BAFTA Scotland awards. 
Helen who said she was having a rare night off with footballer hubby Scot Sinclair admitted she had been hoping to catch a glimpse of the star at the bash. 
Richard was a no show on the night but Helen said: “I’m a massive fan of the Bodyguard and I love it. I think everybody did. I don’t think I’d say anything to him but I just like watching him. It’ll be nice for me and Scott to have a night off.”
Helen’s two young children were being babysat for the night so she could relax with Scott. The couple chose stay at the nearby Blythswood hotel was they enjoyed some cocktails ahead of the ceremony. 
As she stunned in an Isabel Kristensen gown chosen by her stylist Kelvin sam he said:  “I feel really settled here. Whenever I’m away and in Manchester I miss here. Because I have two children my family tend to visit me here too.”
From Scotland with Love

Sunday 3 November 2019

SHIRLEY HENDERSON TALKS BRIDGET JONES, LAUREL AND HARDY AT BAFTAS



HARRY Potter and Laurel and Hardy star Shirley Henderson says seeing herself in Bridget Jones ever year is a lovely celebration. Shirley said: “It’s a sweet chocolate box feel good with a bit of the angst of life at the same time. It was a lovely thing to have been in.”
The 53-year-old who looks much younger in the flesh loved playing Lucille in the award winning Laurel and Hardy film. She said of her co star John C Reilly: “Getting to work with John was amazing. He became Oliver. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He looked exactly like Oliver Hardy, it was just incredible. His fat suit was weighted so he was very, very tired at the end of the day because it was so heavy. And John is very tall so I was so small beside him, but so was Lucille, who used to cuddle in under his arm.”
Shirley who was incredible as Lucille claimed it was difficult to research her character. 
She said: “It was actually difficult to do any research because there’s not a lot about her, but when I did find a little video of her she was just so caring and sweet towards him. But I met someone in America who had known her and he came up to me and said that even though I didn’t look like her, he felt like I was Lucille. That was really nice.”
Theshowbizlion.com is a huge fan of the star and she told us she will appear again with Stan Laurel actor Steve Coogan next year in the film Greed when she plays his mother.”

From Scotland with Love 

Thursday 24 October 2019

SNOW PATROL WILL BE LOOKING BACK FOR THE FUTURE



Snow Patrol fans will be able to take stock after the band have have announced details of a new album. Reworked features 13 reimagined versions of some of the band's biggest hits alongside three brand new recordings and will be released on 8th  November via Polydor Records. The record accompanies a Reworked tour in November and December and follows the release of Reworked EPs 1 and 2. Twenty-five years into a career that has taken in one billion global track streams, five UK platinum albums, an Ivor Novello award and Grammy and Mercury Music Prize nominations, Reworked marks a period of looking back and taking stock. 
"After 10 years of no success, no-one - least of all us - expected us these last 15 years to sell 17 million albums, headline festivals and play to thousands of people all over the world," says frontman Gary Lightbody.
 The idea for the Reworked album took shape as the band were touring their hugely successful 2018 record Wildness. They had undertaken a Reworked tour in 2009 and were already planning to do the same at the end of 2019 - why not, reasoned guitarist Johnny McDaid, support it with a whole Reworked album? "So on the Wildness tour, Johnny set his recording gear up everywhere we went. He worked his butt off." An acoustic tour of Australia, New Zealand and Asia helped inspire their approach. "On those shows we did some of the songs close to how they sound on the Reworked album," says Lightbody. "The new version of You're All I Have came directly out of playing those acoustic shows."
 Recently unveiled as the 21st century's biggest radio track, Chasing Cars is stripped down to its rawest form. "It's just the vital parts of the song," says Lightbody. "It's not so much a reworking as a tender portrayal of its essence." Tracks from across their career are broken down, reassembled and reanimated, recorded in hotel rooms or dressing rooms backstage in some of the world's biggest venues. "I had worried a little that the whole record was getting very downtempo," admits Lightbody. "The nature of recording in hotel rooms and dressing rooms is that things will invariably be low-key. Hard to rock out with a family of four in the next hotel room trying to sleep! When it came to some of the songs we recorded towards the end of the new album, we wanted to explore a slightly higher tempo."
 Former full-time member and occasional writing/producing wingman Iain Archer chipped in on certain songs to bring these new versions to life.
 Three new songs complete the set. The lovely, heart-stopping Time Won't Go Slowly was written by Lighthouse and McDaid at the latter's house in LA. "We're both massive fans of Frank Ocean, so we wanted it to sound like Frank Ocean crossed with Frank Sinatra. It's a classic crooner track." I Think Of Home is a folk-flavoured piano ballad with vivid, evocative and deeply personal lyrics, whilst Made Of Something Different Now is quietly sweeping, quietly epic and wholly devastating. "It's one of my favourite tracks we have done in ages," says Lightbody. "In keeping with the Reworked attitude of trying new things, it's unlike much of what we've done before."
 These 16 inspiring, enveloping tracks are a moment for Snow Patrol to embrace the past, but also a hint at where they might go next. Reworked is Snow Patrol's history, and their legacy.

1. Take Back The City (Reworked)
2. Open Your Eyes (Reworked)
3. Time Won't Go Slowly
4. Chocolate (Reworked)
5. Set The Fire To The Third Bar (Reworked)
6. Made Of Something Different Now
7. You're All I Have (Reworked)
8. I Think Of Home
9. Empress (Reworked)
10. Run (Reworked)
11. Heal Me (Reworked)
12. Called Out In The Dark (Reworked)
13. Crack The Shutters (Reworked)
14. Chasing Cars (Reworked)
15. Just Say Yes (Reworked)
16. Don't Give In (Reworked)

Snow Patrol Reworked Tour Dates
 
13 November - Cardiff Motorpoint Arena Cardiff
14 November - Plymouth Pavilions (SOLD OUT)
16 November - Oxford New Theatre Oxford (SOLD OUT)
17 November - Llandudno Venue Cymru (SOLD OUT)
19 November - Nottingham Royal Concert Hall (SOLD OUT)
20 November - London Royal Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)
21 November - Ipswich Regent Theatre (SOLD OUT)
23 November - Leicester De Montfort Hall (SOLD OUT)
24 November - Brighton The Brighton Centre
26 November - Dublin Olympia Theatre (SOLD OUT)
28 November - Belfast Waterfront Hall (SOLD OUT)
28 November - Belfast Waterfront Hall (SOLD OUT)
1 December - Manchester O2 Apollo (SOLD OUT)
2 December - Edinburgh Usher Hall (SOLD OUT)
2 December - Edinburgh Usher Hall (SOLD OUT)
5 December - London Royal Albert Hall (SOLD OUT)

Wednesday 23 October 2019

SUSAN BOYLE REHEARSES WITH JAI MCDOWALL AHEAD OF 2020 TOUR


Pic: Steve Walsh

Fans will be in for a treat after seeing Susan Boyle team up with Jai McDowall for her upcoming tour. 
The BGT star hits the road in March 2020, and a successful first rehearsal, saw the addition of fellow BGT alumni Jai McDowall as special guest for “The Ten Tour”.
Susan, along with Jai McDowall and a dazzling array of the industry’s best musicians are coming to the stage this Spring, performing in 15 cities across the United Kingdom, starting on the 3rd of March through to the 25th of March, 2020.
Susan said; “I was looking forward to my tour, but getting into the studio and rehearsing and coming up with exciting new material and suggestions, I can’t wait to get back on that stage. I’m also looking forward to Jai joining as well. This will be an all-new show, like nothing you’ve seen me do before.”
Jai added, “After a very successful first rehearsal with Susan I am beyond excited to start the tour it’s going to be incredible and the fans are in for a real treat, can’t wait to hit the road in March 2020.”
With brand new production, staging and choreography, “The Ten Tour” is set to wow audiences. The spectacular concert, will feature her greatest hits and some incredible new genres of music in an honest and intimate show that will inspire and delight, just as she did ten years ago.
Following on from the phenomenal success of Susan’s sell out UK tour in 2013 and USA tour in 2014, she is not only singing into the top venues in the country, but into the hearts of the Brits. “The Ten Tour” is traveling throughout the U.K. including stops in Edinburgh, Manchester, Cardiff, Birmingham and Dundee, in this 15 show extravaganza.
For up to date information and to purchase tickets visit www.susanboylemusic.com

Tuesday 22 October 2019

US BOYBAND 5WEST HAPPY TO TAKE OVER FROM BOYZONE AFTER RECENT TOUR SUPPORT



US Boyband 5West reckon they’ve been handed the baton by Boyzone to carry on their pop legacy after supporting the Irish lads on their last ever tour. 
Theshowbizlion.com recently caught up with the four funny lads during their visit to Scotland to chat about their music and new single The Stars About You. 
‘Fun and poppy’ are how the four amigos describe their music and they are keen to bring a new energy to the stage. 
Luke , 17, Owen, 19, Jon Paul, 21 and Peet, 29 had to audition for a place in the band and they admit they are lucky to all get on. 
The band, who initially began as a five piece,  made their first live performance as a group in South Africa at The President’s Ball before headlining Cape Town’s Mr Gay World 2019. An invitation to perform at Grand Canaria Pride (supporting Eurovision’s Conchita) was followed by spots at Pride Festivals in the UK where the group then hit the road to perform at county shows, holiday resorts, high profile charity events (including a tribute for England legend Duncan Edwards), under 18 nights, and their own school tour.
Linguist Luke who used to live in Monaco and is described by the other lads as seventeen going on forty eight said: “We auditioned in LA and we met in Nashville in February and that afternoon we recorded our first single. Every day it feels like we are fine tuning this so its pretty cool.”
Peet, the loveable redhead in the band couldn’t wait to come to Scotland to explore his ancestry. 
He said: “My great grandma was from Scotland and I’m really into finding out more.”


The boys have been learning a lot from their elders including Ronan Keating who they describe as a father figure. 
Charmer Jon Paul explained: “We met Ronan just  before we went on stage and he was in flip flops with a sweater on. We had fifteen seconds before we sang and were shaking and he just was so casual and said good luck.  He was looking like a dad and he’s a living legend.”
Owen, who was keen to try the haggis on his trip and loves fast cars, can’t wait to come back to Scotland with the rest of the band and make some new Scottish friends.  
He said: “We’ve really enjoyed and appreciated all the shows we’ve done so far this year. We aren’t expecting things to fall into our laps and are prepared to work really hard, to get out there and perform wherever we can and to as many people as possible. It’s been so encouraging to see the reaction from the audiences to our songs and our shows.”
 The boys new single ‘Stars About You’ is out now co-written with Grammy Award winning producer Bryan Todd (Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus). 

Wednesday 16 October 2019

SIMPLE MINDS JIM KERR PAYS TRIBUTE TO LATE FATHER JIMMY



JIM Kerr has paid a touching tribute to his late dad Jimmy who passed away just before he and Simple Minds embark on a 40th anniversary world tour and live album. 
Sunday soundtrack radio host Ricky Ross admitted he didn’t expect Jim Kerr to come into his Sunday morning BBC show following the tragic news. 
Rocky told Jim: “You’ve come in and I didn’t expect you to come in today. You’ve been looking after your dad the last two months and sadly he’s gone.”
Jim replied: “Don’t make me cry Ricky. People will be turning off. Let’s cut to the chase - my dad was a big fan of your show, a big fan of radio and a great great reader as well. You ticked a lot of boxes for him because you are a country show. That was his music. My dad would tell me you’ve got to check this and that. Only two weeks ago dad told me about the show you’d done then and Willie Haughey was on it.
“There’s no way dad would have accepted me not coming in here and it’s a pleasure to see you here. ”
Jim then said of his dad: “Dad was eighty three and I’m so lucky. He was just the greatest dad and I feel very fortunate to be born, that was my dad and he was also my best pal and a great great influence. 
He was a brickies labourer all his life. He was a strong guy. Perhaps uncommon or maybe not when you think of a lot of the shipyard guards, he was very keen on educating himself. 
”Although he could mix it with the rest of the labourers and go to the pub and football he had his head in a book from Monday to Friday. The only person Who can read as much is my other best pal Charlie Burchill. 
Jom said his dad taught him how to dream: “My dad, there was a great curiosity in him to know about world beyond the end of his street. Unfortunately his generation you couldn’t just decided you were going to Nepal and they had to knuckle down and thanks to them we were allowed to dream bigger.  My dad would point me out a window and say ‘over there is Africa’. 
I think that is the most quality - to dream big or to imagine big. The idea of being a dreamer or have your heads in clouds was once a derogatory thing. But I realised it’s the most potent thing ever. It all begins with imagination. Sitting here all these  years later  I’m bewildered that the things we had came to pass.” 
Jim also told of the moment his dad realised he would do well as a musician. 
He laughed: “My dad also gave up drinking a long time ago but when we were starting the band he was in a period where he had to go to the meetings and he was trying to sort himself out. It was more a subtle thing. He wasn’t happy and we were up and down in vans and going here there and everywhere. I didn’t have much dialogue with him for around a two year period. Dad didn’t grasp it but finally we got to play in Glasgow in Tiffany’s and it was a big deal to sell it out. Mum and dad were coming but dad went to the pub first and mum got fed up waiting and went to the gig herself. Dad wasn’t drunk but he didn’t go home and still had his working gear on and mum would have been humiliated. We did the gig. What a night.
“ I saw him the next day - Saturday morningHe made breakfast the next morning and he was a wee bit sheepish and he said ‘you are going to make it. You are going to be a big big band’. He said ’I was watching this one guy last night and he was in the queue and dancing and he got his chips and you started this song The American and he threw them up in the air and ran down. Anybody that can get people to do that. That’s a talent.’
That was his version of the old grey whistle test.”

Tuesday 15 October 2019

SCOTSMAN GOES VIRAL DURING HIS FUNERAL IN IRELAND



A Scotsman has gone viral during his funeral - after speaking beyond the grave.  
Irish Defence force veteran Shay Bradley whose mother is from Glasgow got mourners  laughing hysterically when he started speaking to them from his coffin at his funeral in Ireland. 
As relatives and friends  watched his coffin being buried his voice could be heard shouting: “Hello, hello. Let me out.” 
As he knocked on the wood of the coffin Shay continued: “Where the f*** am I? Let me out, let me out. It’s fing dark in here. Is that the priest I  can hear. This is Is Shay I’m in the box. No in fing front of you. I’m dead.”
 Shay then sings: “Hello again hello, hello I just called to say goodbye.”
Mourners laughed hysterically as Shay who passed on October 8 following a long illness had the last laugh in saying his final goodbye. 
The video of the service has now gone viral and yesterday was shared by Irish Defense Forces veterans News who said: “ It is with great sadness that I was informed of the passing of our Military Brother and Veteran Colleague Shay Bradley. On behalf of the members of the IDFVA I extend our sincerest condolences and prayers to Anne and  family at this sad time. May Shay Rest in Peace.”
They later added: “Was asked a question the other day, it was what's the difference between military humour and Civilian Humour it's simple it's black. This video should say it all. This is the funeral of Shay Bradley on the 12 of October 2019 and it says it all......”
Shays daughter Andrea explained that the message was recorded before Shay passed and was put out via a speaker on the ground. She said on Twitter: “ He would love to know how many people he made laugh. He was an amazing character.”
Andrea said: “My dads mum was Susannah Mulligan from Glasgow and she married Jack Bradley who was a butcher from Dublin. It’s been a complete whirlwind - amazing and also very sad. We couldn’t believe it when we heard him speak from the coffin. We were all in hysterics laughing. My brother recorded it with my dad about a year ago and said you have to play it.” He told him ‘Let your mam hear it first but don’t let her say no. The grandkids and us heard it first but no one else knew apart from his immediate family. It’s made it so much easier for us with this prank. He was always joking through life. We’ve had absolutely tons of people contacting us.”
His wife Anne said: “He was in the army in his early days and worked in his family butcher shop for a while but he was a salesman and sold everything and anything though never coffins. He always felt sorry for undertakers because he thought how could  they ever have a laugh.
He was sixty three and diagnosed with illness three years ago and made the recording around a year ago when my son popped into lunch to see him one day.
He always called himself Famous Seamus and he’d be so happy with this right now. In hospital he loved the nurses and all his careers and he was a larger than life character. He loved life and his family. I’m totally overwhelmed.”

Excerpts of this article have since appeared on the Mail Online.