SUSAN BOYLE NEW YEAR SURPRISE IN DUNFERMLINE

SUSAN Boyle surprised revellers celebrating the turn of the year when she turned up for an unplanned duet with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
The Celtic rockers were playing their regular end of year show at the Alhambra when 
Susan arrived to watch her friend and vocal coach Chris Judge perform.  
The 62 year old who recently told that she had suffered a minor stroke last April was just there to watch the show but after speaking with Chris and the band backstage, she was asked if she might like to join them. 
Chris was about to sing his last song of the first half of the show with the pipers but paused to tell the large crowd they had a star in their midst. 
Chris teased: “The singer that we wanted was not available because our favourite singer comes from Blackburn in West Lothian. 
But tonight she’s not in Blackburn West Lothian. Dunfermline please welcome to the stage our friend Susan Boyle.”
Susan then duetted on the Leonard Cohen song Hallelujah as the audience went wild. 
And after hitting the high notes with Chris she told the crowd to have a happy new year. 
Chris said of the magical moment: “Susan and I had never properly duetted on stage before and it was such a buzz, the smiles say it all. 
She surprised the audience and earned a worthy standing ovation and it was a moment I will cherish forever.”

The rest of the band added on their social media: “What an honour!!! Last night wasn’t only an incredible night with it being the last show of another amazing year for the band, it was also capped off by an extra special moment when the world famous and Scottish national treasure, Susan Boyle joined us on stage to sing a song with her good friend and our singer, Chris Judge. 
“Susan had came along to the gig, and we couldn’t believe that she was willing to give us the honour and privilege of allowing us to share the stage with her. It’s safe to say that the crowd gave her the reception she deserves, and what a memory it was for every single person in the auditorium last night.”
Happy New Year to all of you out there, much love from all of us wherever you are in the word.”
Susan’s impromptu appearance came after she was filmed stealing the show as she appeared on-stage for a singalong with Donny Osmond in Glasgow at the start of December.
The world talent who shot to fame with her rendition of the Les Mis smash hit I Dreamed A Dream on Britain's Got Talent in 2009, appeared alongside the American singer to preform 'This is the moment.' 

KEVIN BRIDGES FANS IN FOR A TREAT WITH OVERDUE DVD

KEVIN Bridges fans are in for a treat with a new DVD of his record breaking show. 

The Glasgow born talent who we have had the privilege of seeing since his early shows - and even dined with at a Glasgow Awards show, had hit success with The Overdue Catch-up.  As a record-breaking theatrical run, the biggest cinema comedy release since the pandemic, Kevin’s show is now available digitally and on DVD from the 4 December 2023.

 Kevin is back and funnier than ever with his hotly anticipated new show, from his sold-out international live tour and featuring brand-new material.

Filmed live from the Cork Opera House, Ireland, his stand up special (Kevin Bridges: The Overdue Catch-up) welcomes audiences into the mind of one of the sharpest comedy talents of a generation.

Kevin, who left comedy for two years to get a break and learn Spanish while he lived in Madrid, is back and better than ever. 

His cheeky chappy persona makes him so relatable and his new DVD is sure to be the perfect Christmas pressie when it’s released on December 4. 

Theshowbizlion.Com is definitely due an overdue catch up with the Scots star. 

MARTI PELLOW WILL PLAY TO JUST 200 PEOPLE IN GLASGOW HOTEL

MARTI Pellow will play to just 200 people for a special Greatest Hits Radio set at Radisson’s RED Glasgow this December. 

 

RED Sky Bar welcomes the former Wet Wet Wet frontman ahead of his OVO Hydro gig in March next year – and he’ll be showcasing classic songs and entertaining an audience of just 200 lucky Greatest Hits Radio listeners that have won their way into the gig.

  

Marti said: ‘I cannot wait to perform to this very special audience - talk about starting the festive season in style! Looking forward to seeing everyone there very soon. Love to love Marti x’

 

Jackie Brambles added: ‘What an incredible evening this is going to be and it’s brilliant that all our Greatest Hits Radio listeners will be able to hear Marti when we premiere his performance on my show later in December. It’ll be an unmissable event!’

 

Ewen & Cat said: ‘We cannot wait to spend the evening with our great pal Marti Pellow and what an amazing evening for our listeners it’s going to be. Imagine hearing all of those iconic numbers up close and personal. Make sure you’re listening to our show from this Monday to win your way in!’

 

Graham Chalmers, Radisson RED Glasgow’s Curator said: ‘We’re thrilled to welcome one of Scotland’s greatest ever voices to the RED Sky Bar.

 

With our pals at Greatest Hits Radio and their sister stations we have staged some immense events as well as the packed programme of our own standalone shows which have seen us named Best Late Night Venue in Scotland two years in a row.

 

This is a really cool addition to our packed festive programme and again shows we always work hard to lead the way in entertaining the people of Scotland.

 

Thanks to Marti and the team at Greatest Hits Radio for another year of great tunes and shows – and look out for more coming your way.’

 

 For more information on Greatest Hits Radio presents Marti Pellow: Live in Glasgow and how to win tickets, listen to Ewen & Cat At Breakfast on Greatest Hits Radio across Scotland on DAB, online, via the Greatest Hit Radio App and on your smart speaker.

.

 

The gig will be broadcast as part of Jackie Brambles Greatest Hits Radio show on Thursday 14th December at 7pm

About Greatest Hits Radio  

At Greatest Hits Radio it’s all about the music and the unique feeling that hearing a great song gives you, with listeners able discover an upbeat, authentic, fun and entertaining format where the ‘Good Times Sound Like This’. Targeting an audience of 40+, the station plays the biggest songs of the 70s, 80s and 90s including music from iconic artists such as Blondie, Queen, George Michael, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Elton John and Whitney Houston.  

 

Featuring a presenter line-up of legendary broadcasters including; Simon Mayo, Mark Goodier, Pat Sharp, Paul Gambaccini, Jenny Powell and many more, Greatest Hits Radio is part of the Hits Radio Brand Network. Find the station on your radio, mobile or ask your smart speaker to play ‘Greatest Hits Radio.’ 

 

EDINBURGH MUM IS A HIT ON NETFLIX SQUID GAME CHALLENGE FOLLOWING SPLIT

Beverley Lyons 
EDINBURGH IT worker Trudy McCabe wanted to experience life again after splitting with her husband so she entered Netflix blockbuster Squid Game: The Challenge. 
Trudy, 47, who is mum to 16 year old singer Danny McCabe from Scots boyband Just The Brave and his 18 year old brother Ben, joined 455 other contestants to battle it out for a prize of $4.56 million (£3.6 million) on the show. 
Trudy, who is number 427 on the series, said: “I couldn’t tell anyone I was doing it and when I eventually told my family they thought I was crazy. My sons were so proud of me and are still excited in case I’ve won. The winner doesn’t get any prize money until around thirty days after it is shown on TV."
Although she can’t say how far she got in the competition yet, Trudy says she  deliberately stayed out of the limelight as part of her tactic on the gruelling programme. 
Unlike some contestants who have complained about the show’s harsh filming conditions,  Trudy says she loved every minute of the experience.  
She explained: “I recently split with my husband after twenty seven years of marriage and was looking for something to challenge me and allow me to experience life again. 
As soon as I heard they were looking for contestants, I filmed a one minute video that night, and started training myself up for it.”
Trudy, who went swimming with sharks and ran a 5k every day to get herself geared up for the show, said taking part was mentally and physically exhausting. 

But she wanted to prove that a 47 year old woman could be just as fit as the younger ones in the show. 
She said: “I might be getting a bit older but physically I could outdo most people in there. 
Age is just a number and it’s mind over matter. Mentally you need to stimulate yourself because life gets a bit monotonous and you’ve got to live it.”
Fans can now watch the first five episodes with games like Red Light Green Light and cookie cutting being played for real. 
Instead of being killed, contestants are squibbed ie shot with black ink cartridges to signify they are out of the game. 
Trudy said: “I made some really good lifelong friends on the show and it was really sad and emotional when someone got shot. We’ve remained in touch and I plan to see some of them in Canada next year.”
Players were given stacked high bunk beds to sleep in and their diet was so meagre that many lost weight or went to bed hungry.  Trudy’s trousers began to fall down during filming. 
She said: “I tried to be strategic about where I slept. I didn’t chose the bottom or top bunk cause I thought one of the guards might come in during the night and take us out the game. I also picked a block near the toilet because we didn’t have time in the mornings to get showered properly once the music woke us up.”
She added: ”Food was horrendous - porridge everyday and it was not cooked properly, more like slime. I’d force others to eat it because it would give them a bit of energy.  We had small tins with rice and dry chicken in them.  I felt sorry for the big guys because I was starving. I lost a lot of weight and I thought my tracksuit bottoms would fall down at one point.”
For Red Light Green Light, the first game in the show, Trudy admitted it was so cold she couldn’t feel her hands or feet. 
She explained: “It was really cold. It was in January and there was a lot of waiting about.  
When they got squibbed or inked they did verification checks and that took time. 
At one point I was standing still and snot was running out of my nose and I couldn’t wait to wipe it.  
“I couldn’t feel my feet and hands and my shoe came off and I didn’t even know. A really big guy fell on top of me as I was running with just seconds to spare, and I thought I can’t go back to Scotland and tell the boys I didn’t pass the first game.”
“It was everything I thought it would be, the most physical and mental thing I did in my life. I was sleep deprived, didn’t know what day it was and living on rations but afterwards I felt I could get through anything.”
It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to win all that money and I would definitely do it again. I loved every second of it.

IRN-BRU WANTS YOU IF YOU’VE EVER BEEN GHOSTED

HAVE you ever been ghosted because if you have, IRN-BRU wants to hear from you in time for Halloween…

Scotland’s dating scene is being haunted by the spread of ghosting with two thirds of Scots having experienced the phenomenon, according to new research by Scotland’s other national drink and  there's no better time than October to vanquish this horror.

 

To rid the nation's ghosts, theshowbizlion.com’s favourite fizz has summoned Dan Harry, star of BBC Three’s landmark gay dating show 'I KISSED A BOY', as their very own 'Ghost Bru-ster' to host the ultimate Bru-themed dating night - and for the first time ever, only those who have been on the receiving end of someone cutting off all contact with no explanation are invited.

 

The term 'ghosting' is relatively new in the dating world - and refers to a potential relationship ending when someone stops replying to messages without giving the other person any warning for doing so and disappears. 

 

Dan Harry said: "Heartache shouldn't haunt anyone's Halloween so I'm reaching out to spirited singles who have been ghosted to guide them to resurrect their love lives. Together with IRN-BRU we want to hear your ghost(ed) stories to get the chance to exorcise those dating demons and maybe even find a kindred spirit.

 

“I’ll be on hand to pair up potential matches, helping to banish any would-be ghosts this Halloween.”

 

A spooky study by IRN-BRU shows two thirds of the nation's Gen Zs reporting the supernatural experience while looking for love, with 16-percent being ghosted more than three times in the last year. Something which might also cause a fright is 58% owning up to ghosting someone, for reasons as ridiculous as getting the ick from long nails, noisy eating or overusing emojis.

 

The research found that while 59% of Gen Z are frequent users of dating apps, a whopping 94% voiced they’re eager to swap swiping for real life link-ups but 48% are spooked at the thought of asking someone on a date IRL, so IRN-BRU’s Ghost BRU-ster is here to take away the awkwardness and help give offline encounters a go. 

 

Bringing a BRU-nique twist to Halloween, IRN-BRU is teaming up with Glasgow’s El Perro Negro to host the ultimate halloween party for ghosted daters. The restaurant will be transformed into an enchanting dating night like no other, with tricks and treats, including an IRN-BRU inspired menu and cocktail selection.  IRN-BRU pulled pork sliders will be served up alongside veggie deep fried haggis with BRU sauce and Ghost BRU-ster Dan will also be on hand to play cupid in an enchanting venue which will be fizzing with eerie surprises.

 

Dan wants to hear the nation's spookiest 'ghosting' stories. Anyone who shares a tale of how their potential new boo suddenly left them on read could be lucky enough to receive an invitation for them and their pal to attend IRN-BRU's Ghost BRU-sters event on Halloween night.

Kenny Nicholson, Head of Brand at IRN-BRU said: “We know ghosting is a big red flag for young people and that finding that spellbinding match can feel a little like the graveyard shift. So this Halloween, our Ghost BRU-ster event is on hand to turn the hunt for that special someone from a chiller into a thriller.”

 

To share ghost(ed) stories, singletons should visit IRN-BRU’s Instagram or TikTok channels.

HEADLESS HORSEMAN SEEN AT INGLISTON ESTATE AND COUNTRY CLUB

A group of holidaymakers at a Scots country club couldn’t believe their eyes when they saw a ‘headless horseman’ during an evening walk.
Tommy Gillan and his friends were staying in the on-site RV Park at the luxury Ingliston estate and country club in Bishopton when they decided to go for an after dinner stroll.
They were in the middle of filming some of the surrounding countryside to show their family before they were stopped in their tracks by a figure on horseback.
And they had to do a double take when the mysterious figure began cantering then galloping towards them on a dark horse.
Tommy from Glasgow, who was still visibly shocked after the incident, said: “My pals and I decided to take an early weekend break in Ingliston and were just enjoying the outdoor scenery.
We couldn’t actually believe it when we heard hooves then saw what looked to be a headless figure on a horse. It kind of came out of nowhere.
We didn’t know if we’d had too much to drink. One of my pals, Sharon, was freaking out when she saw it and shouted out ‘it’s got nae heid’. I was just running in the other direction by that point.”
He added: “I’m really not sure what we saw - the body on the horse was dressed in a black outfit, with a cape and the horse seemed bigger than normal. We tried to film it but to be honest we were all a bit shaken.”
The group managed to get a video of the ‘headless horseman’ as it came towards them.
Staff at the venue, which hosts a Christmas party with telly star Mark Wright on December 2 refused to comment though one insider said: “Ingliston House was built in 1846 on the old Greenock Road and the area has a history of some spooky going ons. With October and Halloween celebrations coming including their Masquerade Ball on October 28 theres definitely something in the air.”

WORLD FLOWER SHOW COMES TO EDINBURGH

FLEURS de Villes, the world-renowned floral show behind international blockbuster exhibitions in cities including Sydney, New York, Chicago, Miami and Toronto, has announced the fifteen Edinburgh florists who will star in the UK premiere - in Edinburgh - of its major new exhibition; Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE, along with the fifteen countries being celebrated. They are:

Scotland X KDM Event Styling & Floral Design 

Canada X Petals Flowers

United States X Flowers by Kerry

Australia X Sugarbush Flower Studio

Holland X Nikki’s Fleurs

France X Papaver

Madagascar X Flowers by Minty

China X Simpsons Florist

Japan X Quate & Co

Türkiye X Feather Grass Florals

Peru X Charmed Floristree

Argentina X Flowers for All Occasions

South Africa X Ribbons & Rose

Nepal X Petals by the Shore

India X Gillytree Studio

 

In a coup for the city, and for Scotland, the experiential flower show sensation – known as the “floral disrupters” of the floral world – has announced Edinburgh as the host city for the UK premiere of VOYAGE, which opens this month. Theshowbizlion.Com has seen a preview of the show and it’s something else. 

Now, fifteen of Edinburgh’s stars of the flower world, each of whom have been paired with an iconic country, will be bringing the exhibition’s theme of travel to life in an unmissable globe-spanning floral spectacle. 

This major new show will be staged at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh for ten days, opening to the public on Friday the 15th of September and running until Sunday the 24th of September, 2023.

The fifteen Edinburgh florist extraordinaires will take inspiration from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s awe-inspiring botanical collections, with each talented florist creating fresh floral mannequins celebrating the cultures, people and heritage of the country they have been partnered with. 

 

Visitors will be taken on a fresh floral journey of discovery to experience the vibrant bazaars of Türkiye, marvel at a floral Lone Piper from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, catch a glimpse of a captivating geisha from Kyoto, Japan, and many more displays at this feast of cultural storytelling - bringing the world to Scotland through flowers like never before.

 

Set within the magnificent grounds of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh; one of the finest botanic gardens in the world, and located just a mile from the city centre, Fleurs de Villes VOYAGEwill be staged inside a beautiful marquee at the heart of the Edinburgh Garden. 

Visitors can admire a striking floral Tesla Model Y before entering the marquee to experience Fleurs de Villes’ signature famous floral mannequins, watch floral demonstrations, and enjoy refreshments from the Moët & Chandon Impérial Champagne and Glenmorangie whisky bars. 

 

The exhibition continues in the adjacent historic Inverleith House where visitors can ‘voyage’ through rainforest, safari and Paris-inspired rooms bursting with blooms, and stop by the Edinburgh Gin ‘filled with wonder’ room to sample a floral gin cocktail. Book here: fleursdevilles.com/edinburgh

 

Enhancing the VOYAGE experience further, visitors can participate in botanical-themed workshops (full schedule here) where they can make floral crowns, tablescapes and bouquets with top local florists, create a Van Gogh-inspired masterpiece, enter a thrilling world of flora and fiction with renowned author of The Fair Botanists, Sara Sheridan, enjoy a sensory scent experience with Scotland’s first fragrance house, or indulge in a botanical gin tasting. Workshops can be purchased as an ‘add-on’ experience when booking VOYAGE exhibition tickets at fleursdevilles.com/Edinburgh.

 

Karen Marshall, Co-founder of Fleurs de Villes said:

 

“We are thrilled to be bringing the UK premiere of VOYAGE to Edinburgh. The iconic Royal Botanic Garden is the perfect stage to showcase Edinburgh’s world-class floral talent, and to bring the global cultural storytelling of VOYAGE to life in flowers like never before through these fifteen Edinburgh florists and fifteen countries. We have been so inspired by the stories shared by fans, florists, and partners in every city Fleurs de Villes has visited across the globe these last few years, and cannot wait to welcome visitors to Edinburgh for what will be a truly unmissable experience.”

 

Kari Coghill, Director of Innovation Projects at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, added:

 

“As admirers of Fleurs de Villes, we are excited to be able to work together to host VOYAGE at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. This beautiful showcase of floral artistry and craftsmanship is a natural fit for the Garden, and we can’t wait for visitors to experience these stunning displays at Inverleith House, located at the heart of the Edinburgh Garden and our magnificent Living Collections.”

 

Tickets to Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE are on sale now and can be purchased at fleursdevilles.com/edinburgh

 

Tickets are priced at £22.50 for adults, £18.50 for seniors and RBGE members, and £10.50 for ages 4-17. A family discount (2 adults & 2 kids) is priced at £55. 

 

The Fleurs de Villes VOYAGE global tour will travel through the US, Canada and UK in 2023, stopping in cities including Chicago, Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Boston and New York.

 

CELTIC LEGEND FERGUS MCCANN JOINS NEIL LENNON AT THE CELTIC STORY

CELTIC Football Club’s former Managing Director Fergus McCann joined the opening night cast of the original and inimitable The Celtic Story in Glasgow alongside former player and manager Neil Lennon and fellow Celtic legends Murdo MacLeod, Tosh McKinlay and Tom Boyd. 

Last night’s show - which marked the first in a three-week run at the SEC Armadillo - was held in support of Celtic FC Foundation. 

Theshowbizlion.Com joined Fergus, Neil and Murdo backstage. X ex Celtic Captain, Tom Boyd said: “This show just epitomises how Celtic was started.  It takes us through all the generations, highlights the emotions that come with so many things and proves that we are much bigger than a football club.  An absolutely astonishing show.”

Tosh McKinlay added: “This took me right back to my grandad’s days when he said no one could lace Jimmy McGrory’s boots, which they talked about in the show tonight, so that was absolutely fantastic. It took us right through the years, right through our years – an amazing show”.

Starring the likes of Martin Quinn, David Mackay and Kathleen McDermott, the large-scale theatre production - which charts the unique history of Celtic Football Club through the eyes of an Irish immigrant family in living in Glasgow - was also a smash hit with fans, who took to their feet to give the cast an emotional standing ovation. 

One Celtic fan said: “When you are at a show called the Celtic story, it’s hard not to think of your own Celtic Story. Every time one of those games happened or one of these moments happened it was with people you loved or people who are not here anymore, so it’s a really emotional and uplifting show.”

The Celtic Story - being produced by Regular Music and Bublico in partnership with Celtic FC - was first performed at The Pavilion Theatre by Wildcat Theatre Company in 1988 and was the very first play of its kind about a football club. 

Originally commissioned by Celtic to commemorate the Club’s Centenary Season, it was a smash hit with Celtic fans. Since then, there have been three hugely successful revivals of the production, with the last run of the show taking place over twenty years ago. 

This latest - and long overdue - revival, adapted and directed by Martin McCormack with Martin McCardie exec producing, has been updated to reflect the changing times and evolving history of the Club while still capturing the unwavering passion and commitment of the fans.  

Featuring a brand new song, Celtic Did It First, penned by songwriter Ciaran McEneny and Ken McCluskey - of Bluebells fame – which is set to become a new anthem for the Club, The Celtic Story is a funny, moving and completely gripping, it promises to be an unforgettable night at the theatre. 

Tickets are on sale now for The Celtic Story which runs from September 1 to September 16 at SEC Armadillo, Glasgow from  www.ticketmaster.com

SOHO HOUSE CONFIRM GLASGOW OPENING WITH VIP DINNER ON CITY ROOF

SOHO House have now confirmed they will open their first venue in Scotland with Soho House Glasgow expected to open in Glasgow next year.

Located just off George Square, Soho House Glasgow will have various spaces for members to eat, drink and socialise across four floors including a roof terrace.

The redevelopment of the former Glasgow Parish Council Chambers and Collectors Hall form part of the Love Loan urban regeneration project which is taking shape in Glasgow’s city centre.

 

Soho House & Co CEO Andrew Carnie said: “From its renowned School of Art to its rich architectural heritage and the city’s lively music scene, Glasgow has a creative energy which makes it an exciting choice for our first Scottish location. Over the last year, we’ve been building a diverse and creative community of members in Glasgow with Cities Without Houses and can now confirm that we’re bringing a Soho House to the city. We couldn’t be more humbled by the warm reaction we’ve received so far.”

 

Glasgow-based creatives who are interested in joining Soho House’s existing community in the city can apply for Cities Without Houses membership – giving access to local events hosted by Soho House as well as entry to Soho House locations globally when they travel.

https://www.sohohouse.com/membership/cities-without-houses

 

The announcement comes as Soho House hosted an intimate dinner to celebrate the House coming to the city with CWH members from Glasgow and Edinburgh and the local creative community on the roof of The Schoolhouse building in Glasgow’s southside, which is home to the Indestructible Language installation by artist Mary Ellen Carroll. 

Commissioned for COP26 in 2021, the artwork consists of a series of eight-foot-high red neon characters which illuminate Glasgow’s skyline.

Theshowbizlion.Com had the pleasure of attending the event to catch up with Scotland’s creative talent including Jean Johansson, Sanjeev Kohli, Martin Compston and Gerard Butler. 

Conversations we’re as sparkling as the champagne and cocktails on offer and there was a definite buzz on the air. 

We can’t wait to tell you more as the venue is launched properly next year. 

A GLASGOW KISS AUTHOR SOPHIE GRAVIA RECKONS MARK WRIGHT IS MIGHTY FINE ROMANTIC LEAD

BESTSELLING Scots author Sophie Gravia reckons Mark Wright would make a ‘mighty fine’ romantic lead in any potential future production based on her racy books.

The Scots nurse, who has become Amazon’s number one author and has had major interest from production companies about the filming of her novels, including A Glasgow Kiss, met Mark at a ladies day in Ingliston Estate and Country Club in Bishopton near Glasgow.

After enjoying her afternoon tea at the venue which also welcomes Denise Van Outen for a Discolicious lunch on August 27, the two talents met up backstage and posed together for a picture.

Sophie told fans who are desperate for an adaptation of her book of her meeting with the former TOWIE star : “I can't be the only one thinking @wrighty_ would play a mighty fine Tom Adams?

“Had THE BEST day @inglistoncountryclub for ladies day! The most stunning venue and only 20mins from the city centre.

“Mark was unbelievable and the full place was buzzing!”

#aglasgowkiss #whathappensindubai #meetmeinmilan #sophiegravia #markwright #inglistoncountryclub #ladiesday #party #glasgow #scotland

Fans of the author were quick to add their own thoughts about her new casting.

One said: “ Sugar Daddy right there.”

Another added: “ Pleaseee let this be a teaser of a film or series!!!”

And a third replied: “ Well..... there's a thought.”

But a fourth added: “No please don't ruin his image in my head.”

Sophie’s debut novel, A Glasgow Kiss, published in December 2020, quickly became a word-of-mouth global sensation, reaching the number one spot on Amazon and surpassing the popularity of the Fifty Shades of Gray.

Following the tremendous success of her first book, Sophie released What Happens in Dubai, in August 2022 which also soared to the top of the charts and her latest Meet Me In Milan has reached the number one top spot again in pre orders ahead of August 17.

SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH STAR RETURNS TO EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

SABRINA the Teenage Witch star Aunt Hilda herself is headed to Edinburgh for the famous Fringe festival. 

 Canadian actress and stand-up comedian Caroline Rhea who has attended the fest in previous years has announces a brand new Fringe show at Gilded Balloon - 'I Identify As A Witch'.

 Best known for hit roles which also include  Phineas and Ferb, Caroline will perform a limited run from 15th - 18th August, at Gilded Balloon Teviot from 8.45pm with a show filled with comedy, improv and star-studded Hollywood tales. 

With 5 star reviews the last time Caroline played the Festival in 2013, the Hollywood star's four night run is sure to be unmissable, especially for fans of cult classic Sabrina the Teenage Witch where she made her name as Aunt Hilda for seven years or as Linda Flynn Fletcher on Phineas and Ferb for over 10 seasons. 

The stand-up comedian has also had numerous comedy specials on Comedy Central, HBO and Showtime, marking 30 years as a comic. 

Caroline Rhea said, "Hi, it’s me, Caroline Rhea. I’m thrilled to return to Scotland, my part-time childhood home, and not just because it’s the only place you can get tablet and no salad. 

Yes, you know me as Aunt Hilda on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and I’ve been a standup comedian for 34 years. I’m here to do my new show, “I Identify as a Witch” because at this point I seriously do, so does my 14 year old daughter. My new show covers everything from parenting a teenager to dating (it’s super fun at this age), outrageous stories of life in Hollywood like when I met Taylor Swift, and a lot of improv."

Don't miss Caroline Rhea : I Identify As A Witch at Gilded Balloon Teviot, 15th - 18th August from 8.45pm. 

Tickets via tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk/event/14:5014/

KAYE ADAMS REVEALS ALL ABOUT FORTHCOMING LOOSE WOMEN TOUR IN GLASGOW

Loose Women is hitting the road for the very first time this autumn with Loose Women Live and Kaye Adams reckons it could be the ultimate girls night out.

Theshowbizlion.com can’t wait to be there as the gals swap the studio for the stage to bring laughter, never-before-heard stories and backstage secrets. 

It’s been twenty four years since the show began and the women will be truly let loose for the tour. 

 

Kicking off at Birmingham Symphony Hall on Friday September 01, the tour will visit 16 spectacular venues throughout the month and include a night at the world-famous London Palladium.

 

Joining Loose Women Live will be Brenda Edwards, Charlene White, Christine Lampard, Dame Kelly Holmes, Denise Welch, Frankie Bridge, Gloria Hunniford, Jane Moore, Janet Street-Porter, Judi Love, Katie Piper, Kaye Adams, Kelle Bryan, Linda Robson, Nadia Sawalha and Sunetra Sarker.

Tickets are on sale now via livenation.co.uk

Panellists Kaye Adams  reckons things will be a bit different from the weekday show? 

 

She told us: “I'm really, really looking forward to it actually. Obviously, we love the show. It feels like your favourite pair of slippers, in the best possible way, but we're going to have to get our tap shoes on for the tour! Just to take it into a different arena is going to be interesting but also just to feel that buzz in a large theatre of all those people. 

We're going to mix things up a lot more, which I think we're all looking forward to. I think we can be a little freer when we're in a live theatre situation. I think people can expect it to be a ‘very loose’ Loose Women. We want it to be fun and for people to have a great time!”

A live audience will also offer a different dimension to Kaye and the panel. 

 

She explained: “I think it's just going to be amazing on the tour because we obviously have an audience when we’re recording Loose Women and it’s a huge part of the show. It really does give the show a lot of energy. It gives you a lot of information because you can see what resonates with people and what doesn't resonate with them, and the different kinds of reactions to different topics. So to be able to do that on a large scale and just give people a really good night is great. We want the audience to feel part of the experience, rather than watching an experience. That’s 100 per cent what we’re going to be focused on.”

 

Kaye also reckons there could be extra carnage on tour. She said: “How many times are you going to go on tour with a bunch of your mates?  Even for me, who's usually known as the sort of sober one, I think to be in bed at 11 o'clock would be a bit of a tragedy! So hopefully, this will be the ultimate girls’ night out! 

 

“With Judi, Jane and Nadia, [who I’m opening the tour alongside] we know each other very well. We've been away together, for weekends and things. We went to the Cotswolds last year for four nights, which was a riot, I can tell you. So I think you can expect us to be even less discreet than we would normally be!”

Kaye admits she is a tad nervous about going on stage. 

She said: “I expect to be absolutely bricking it. You know, I've got a podcast called ‘How To Be 60’ and we're doing three live shows at the Edinburgh Festival in August. We did a couple last year and I am a bag of nerves because you want people to have a good time and you want to be able to enable that. But also you do need nervous energy because I'm quite a laid back kind of person. I have to almost purposely wind myself up just to give myself that level of energy or it would be dull!”

She said she’ll also be ensuring she brings her dressing gown on tour. 

She said: “I got it when I did Strictly and it’s fabulous and fluffy with my name in gold on the back, so I’ll bring that. 

 

“One of the dates I’m doing will be in Glasgow, where I live, so I’ll sleep in my own bed that night but I will be sleeping in a different bed for the others, which will make me feel 25 again! I have heard that you can get a bus that you can sleep in overnight and, oh my god, that is where I want to be because I want the full Spinal Tap experience. I want to be on the top bunk! I don't think Judi will want the top bunk? Denise might… She is an absolute riot!”

 

For Glasgow Kaye plans of os something extra special. 

She said: “Yes, I’m sure I’ll do something special with the other panellists. Glasgow has been my home for such a long time. I feel so comfortable here. Often it's just the way you speak, the references that you make, and stuff like that. The panel that night are welcome to stay in my house and I will give them very competitive rates for that! 

 

“Do my children really want to come and see their mum cavorting on the stage? I'm not entirely sure…  And Ian would definitely rather be playing tennis. I know I don't watch him play [tennis] so I don't really expect him to come and watch me! “

 

And she said she’ll miss  Bea, her Cockapoo when she is not at home. 

She said: “Bonnie will look after her and Ian takes Bea to the tennis club and she runs about and chases tennis balls all day so she’s quite happy. 

 

Ian and I are both away for work a lot though and it wouldn't work for everybody but I think it works for us. You know, we've been together for 30 years plus… We're never entirely sure because it's so long and can't remember… But it's definitely 30 years plus! We've just always been like that, we've always had our own thing going on and before I had the kids and I was doing Loose Women I was in Manchester from Monday to Friday for a long time and he works a lot in Italy doing tennis stuff so it's just the way that we are. Whether it strengthens us or not I don’t know but I do know that it certainly doesn't damage it [the relationship] because it's just our rhythm!”

 

LOOSE WOMEN LIVE TOUR  2023: 

Fri 01 Sept

Birmingham, Symphony Hall

Sat 02 Sept

Cardiff, St. David's Hall

Sun 03 Sept

Liverpool Philharmonic Hall

Wed 06 Sept

O2 City Hall Newcastle

Thu 07 Sept

Nottingham, Royal Concert Hall

Fri 08 Sept

Opera House Manchester

Sat 09 Sept

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall

Thu 14 Sept

Sheffield City Hall

Fri 15 Sept

Leicester, De Montfort Hall

Sat 16 Sept

Ipswich Regent Theatre

Mon 18 Sept

The London Palladium

Thu 21 Sept

Bath, The Forum

Sat 23 Sept

Plymouth Pavilions

Sun 24 Sept

Southampton, Mayflower Theatre

Mon 25 Sept

New Theatre Oxford

Wed 27 Sept

Southend, Cliffs Pavilion

BARBIE INSPIRED COCKTAILS, MOCKTAILS AND BURGERS AT INGLISTON COUNTRY CLUB

BARBIE inspired cocktails, mocktails, burgers, goujons and desserts have come to Scotland allowing fans of the movie to live their dream at Ingliston Estate and Country Club in Bishopton. 

The Renfrewshire venue decided to get creative with a mix of pink delights that will get the boys as well as the girls excited for the forthcoming movie starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. 

They have created everything from a Dreamhouse Milkshake which boasts whipped cream, strawberries, vanilla and strawberry  ice cream and milk to an alcohol infused KC Colada with strawberry syrup, Bacardi carta blanca, strawberry purée, lime,and pineapple juice with a blue colada mix and a Sparkling Barb with pink gin, lemon juice, raspberry syrup and rose Prosecco with cherries on top. 

The kitchen created a special recipe pink sauce to Barbify its popular dishes including burgers, fish n chips and chicken goujons and all customers can get that added to their main dishes for free. 

And delicious desserts include the incredible Raspbarb Tart, Pink Doll Viennese and a fabulous Mansion Meringue. 

Staff at the Renfrewshire venue just twenty minutes from Glasgow launched the special Barbie inspired treats which are available until 30th July  by wearing pink and they can’t wait to host Barbie fans big and small over the coming weeks.   

Sales and Events manager, special events, at Ingliston Estate and Country Club Lynn McDermott said: “The Barbie movie is something we are all excited about here in Ingliston and we wanted to have a bit of fun with our customers. We know that people will be coming to see us before and after watching the movie and we have such a fairytale style venue that it seemed fitting to join in with some Barbie and Ken inspired treats. Our ‘pink’ theme continues on August 27 when we welcome Denise Van Outen for a special inclusive Discolicious Brunch with some drag performance on offer too.

https://www.ingliston.com/events/

BANKSY’S GRIM REAPER HAS MADE AN APPEARANCE IN GLASGOW

BANKSY’S grim reaper on a dodgem made a surprise appearance outside his latest exhibition in Glasgow - as shocked onlookers watched on. 
Amused shoppers outside the city’s Gallery of Modern Art, where the anonymous artist’s new exhibition Cut and Run is on display until the end of August, were treated to an animated simply as the gold coloured deathly dodgem jolted and rode up and down the stone paving in front of the building. 
A videographer could be seen trying to capture the moment outside Banksy's first official exhibition in fourteen years  as it took place on Tuesday afternoon. 
The famed Dance of Death figure last made an appearance at Banksy's Dismaland theme park / art show at Weston-Super-Mare when it slowly emerged in low lighting to a watching crowd and The Beegees - 'Staying Alive' started blaring. 
The spooky moving artwork made its first appearance in New York in 2013  as it zoomed along to Blue Öyster Cult's 'Don't Fear the Reaper'. 
The installation at that time was narrated by an audio guide with a lisping voice speaking over an accordion saying 'Welcome to the fair, which life isn't. 'This sculpture perfectly represents death in that—it's a bit random.
'It often said that the role of art is to remind us of our mortality.
The moving art was based on a picture that Banksy created in 2010 for the British band then known as Exit Through The Gift Shop, who shared the same name he wanted to use for his 2010 documentary film.
To avoid copyright issues, the group agreed to Banksy’s offer to create a then £200,000 painting for them on the condition they changed their name. 
And this March the very same artwork was sold for 1.64million pounds  to Miguel Garcia Larios, owner of Rcnstrct Studio in Hollywood, during an event hosted by Julien’s Auctions in Beverly Hills.
Its original estimate was 600,000 US dollars (£485,472) and the sale was preceded by a live performance by Brace Yourself!, fronted by singer Natalie Zalewska.