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. 

Monday, 14 October 2019

CAFE ANDALUZ CELEBRATES WITH NEW OCTOBER FIESTA MENU IN SCOTLAND

WE love a Spanish fiesta at theshowbizlion.com and we had just that at Glasgow’s Cafe Andaluz West End. 
The restaurant has just launched a brand new fiesta menu meaning two people can enjoy five dishes from their Fiesta Nacional de España'  menu along with two desserts for £24.


As the southernmost region of Spain, Andalusia, with its wealth of fertile farmland, vertiginous mountain ranges and rugged coastline, is one of the most gastronomically unique areas of the country. The regions cuisine is dictated by the fish in the sea, the animals in the fields and the wilds of the mountains. 
With a string of whitewashed hill towns, bright sunny skies, vibrant festivals and tempting tapas, Andalucía is the soul of Spain and until October 17 guests at Cafe Andaluz restaurants across Scotland are invited to enjoy a taste of Spain’s southern coast as the restaurant brand introduce a special 'menu in celebration of Spain's National Day. 
Diners at Cafe Andaluz at restaurants in Glasgow's West End, Glasgow City Centre, Edinburgh New Town, Edinburgh Old Town and Aberdeen City Centre will enjoy a selection of the best Spanish tapas and wine around, from the best of Southern Spain and Andalucia region. The menu available for a limited time only is priced at £24 and includes the choice of any 5 tapas and 2 desserts between 2 people. 



Customers who book at Cafe Andaluz during this time will also be entered into a prize draw to win an all expenses paid trip to the Spanish region to soak up the very best of flamenco, fiestas, sherry, siestas, sun-gilded hilltop towns and shimmering sea. 
The 'Fiesta Nacional de España' menu includes a range of Tapas; TORTILLA ESPAÑOLA - a traditional mainstay of Spanish tapas, tortilla is a thick omelette filled with sliced potato
& onion; ENSALADA ANDALUZA - a salad of asparagus tips, artichokes & sun blush tomatoes with a sweet hinamin dressing; PATATAS BRAVAS - skin-on halved new potatoes in a spicy tomato sauce & alioli; ENSALADA DE PIÑONES - a salad of pearl couscous, cherry tomatoes and Spanish olives, tossed with lemon, olive oil, sea salt, fresh basil & toasted pine nuts. 
Fish Tapas available include CALAMARES - crisp-fried classic calamari rings served with fresh lemon & smoked paprika alioli; LUBINA CON SALSA MEDITERRÁNEA - fillet of sea bass with slow-cooked red peppers, garlic, paprika, chilli, black olives, capers & anchovies and GAMBAS PIL PIL - hot roast king prawns with olive oil, chilli, paprika & garlic while meat tapas include ALBÓNDIGAS - traditional spiced pork & beef meatballs in a rich tomato sauce; CHORIZO AL VINO - sliced chorizo sautéed in red wine and a restaurant favourite; CROQUETAS DE JAMÓN Y QUESO - crisp croquettes stuffed with Serrano ham & mozzarella cheese, served with garlic alioli. 
There are gluten free vegetarian options too and we enjoyed three gluten free veggie dishes of Patadas Gratinadas which consisted of mouthwatering potatoes in a creamy cheesy garlic sauce, Pimientos De Padron - salted and seared pan peppers that just pop in your mouth, and a refreshing Ensalada de Mallorca with butter beans, roasted sweet potatoes, pomegranate seeds, onions and pine nuts. 
We also enjoyed the fresh Shetland mussels Mejillones A La Marinera cooked in a beautifully moreish creamy sauce and the Pollo Marinado chicken with its soothing chilli youghurt. Everything was fresh and service was with a smile. They even made us mocktails when we said we were driving. 
To finish who could resist the perfectly crunchy speciality Churros with their chocolate dipping sauce and some ice cream with fresh fruits. 
At £24 it’s a filling menu that offers something a bit different. 



Tony Conetta, Director of The Di Maggios Restaurant Group (The DRG) said:
"Cafe Andaluz restaurants recreate the magic and charm of an authentic Spanish dining experience with an extensive range of dishes showcasing the best of southern Spain's food and drink. Our popular tapas and mouth-watering menus showcase the essence of the Andalusion region and highlight the rich and flavoursome cuisine that Spain is famed for".
Diners can book a table now via a unique online pre-booking link for ‘Fiesta Nacional de España'; https://m.me/cafeandaluzdrg?ref=Reward Available from Sunday 13th October to Thursday 17th October (inclusive) between 12pm - 10:30pm across Cafe Andaluz Scotland wide locations - Glasgow West End, Glasgow City Centre, Edinburgh New Town, Edinburgh Old Town and Aberdeen City Centre. 
The special menu is priced at £24 and includes the choice of any 5 tapas and 2 desserts between 2 people. There are both vegan and vegetarian tapas options available as part of the dining offer as well as 'Para Compartir' (sharing plates) & tapas accompaniments from an additional £3. 

To make a reservation and to book now for 'Fiesta Nacional de España' visit: https://m.me/cafeandaluzdrg?ref=Reward

To enter the online prize draw please visit Cafe Andaluz facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/cafeandaluzdrg/

Thursday, 10 October 2019

WILL FERRELL SAYS HE DOESNT LIKE SCOTLAND



WILL Ferrell says he loves Scotland and is planning to return after a successful shoot in Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

The Anchorman star who has been in Scotland to shoot the Eurovision Netflix movie with Pierce Brosnan, Demi Lovato and Rachel McAdams was in fun loving form when theshowbizlion.com met him. 

Will has just visited Glasgow’s The Spanish Butcher for a spot of dinner with his brother where they enjoyed a mammoth 35-day dry-aged 1.1kg porterhouse steak, alongside a 900g chateaubriand from Galician blond cattle in Northen Spain. 

They also ordered double helpings of their addictive manchego mac and cheese topped with puffed paprika pork skin, after devouring their first portion. 


Asked if he liked Scotland he told us:”No. I don’t like Scotland” before adding: “I love Scotland.”Will told us he’d been here recently to visit play golf and he’d enjoyed the game and the food. 

He added: “I’ll come back soon.”

He also teased our chief lioness Bev about being a journalist in true Anchorman style. 

We can’t wait to see him again. 

Wednesday, 9 October 2019

SIMPLE MINDS, TOM WALKER CONFIRM SCOTTISH MUSIC AWARDS





SIMPLE Minds, Tom Walker and emerging artist Joesef are lined up to appear at this years  Nordoff Robbins fundraiser The Specsavers Scottish Music Awards. 

Now in its 21st year, the prestigious award ceremony will once again raise vital funds for the music therapy charity and honour the very best in Scottish music across one star-studded, unmissable night. The charity has unveiled the first nominees and performers for this year’s awards, with the legendary Simple Minds set to take to the stage alongside one of the biggest breakthrough artists of the last year, Tom Walker as well as Joesef, one of Scotland’s most exciting emerging artists capturing huge industry buzz right now. New for 2019, the awards will be hosted by Scotland’s very own Edith Bowman. 


As one of Scotland’s most rock n roll nights, theshowbizlion.com can’t wait to attend Glasgow’s Old Fruitmarket on Saturday November 30 as we all honour and reward some of music’s biggest stars, whilst raising funds for the UK’s largest independent music therapy charity.

 

BRIT Award winner Tom Walker will perform at this year’s awards, nominated for the Barrowland’s Best Album Award. Born in Kilsyth before moving to England, the singer-songwriter has a special place in his heart for Glasgow, with his Scottish gran at the forefront of his Brit Award winners’ speech in February. With heartfelt, singalong singles like ‘Leave a Light On’ and ‘Just You and I’ Tom Walker’s intimate performance at the Old Fruitmarket will be a real highlight of the awards ceremony. A long-time supporter of Nordoff Robbins, Tom’s single ‘Leave a Light On’ received an update from Scotland’s Red Hot Chilli Pipers, and the new track was released earlier this year in aid of the charity, as Tom and the Pipers performed the duet everywhere from Glasgow’s Buchanan Street to Edinburgh’s Murrayfield Stadium. 

 



Tom said, "I’ve just heard the absolutely sick news that I’ve been nominated for the Barrowland’s Best Album at the Scottish Music Awards. I won UK Breakthrough before I even had an album out, which was the first award I ever got for my music. It was a huge honour and a real boost for me to have that support, so to be coming back again and nominated for this is just amazing. You can help Nordoff Robbins right now by downloading the version of Leave A Light On I did with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers – all the money from that helps them to keep doing their life-changing work. Thank you Scotland!”

 

Always supporting the nation’s most exciting emerging artists, previous Scottish Music Awards have seen the likes of Lewis Capaldiand Nina Nesbitt scoop awards. Looking to follow in their footsteps, rising star Joesef has been nominated for Coors’ Best Breakthrough Artist.

With his distinctively soulful vocals, the artist from the East End of Glasgow has captured the attention of fans and tastemakers alike from well beyond the confines of his hometown with tracks like ‘Limbo’,  ‘Loverboy’ and latest single ‘Don’t Give In’. With three sold-out nights at Glasgow’s iconic King Tut’s already under his belt, and a date at SWG3 in December, the singer-songwriter has already carefully crafted a sound that feels incredibly vital and unique to the city’s constantly developing soundscape. 

 

Joesef Added: "Cheers to Nordoff Robbins for thinking of me as a nominee for the Best Breakthrough award. I still don't feel like I've even kicked a ball yet so this is pretty special.” 

  


Jill McArthur, Chair of Specsavers in Scotland, said: “We are delighted to support this year’s 2019 Specsavers Scottish Music Awards.

 

“The work of Nordoff Robbins and The Scottish Music Awards is a true inspiration to the people of Scotland which is why Specsavers has returned as headline sponsor of the event for this year.

 

“We look forward to working with both the event organisers and charity to ensure the 2019 awards are the most successful to-date and we wish all artists the best of luck on the evening.”

 

Some of the most legendary figures in Scottish music have been awarded over the years at the prestigious ceremony with previous winners including Paolo Nutini, Snow Patrol, Annie Lennox and after another triumphant year for the nation’s music scene, an incredible mix of iconic acts and breakthrough stars will be honoured at 2019’s event. 

 

Formed in Glasgow in 1977, Simple Minds have sold more than 70 million records over the last four decades. With six UK Number One albums to their name, the band have one of the most iconic back catalogues in music history, ranging from electronica infused post-punk to strident, stadium-filling anthems. Over their 40-year career, the band have been responsible for some of the most innovate and enduring anthems in rock music including ‘Don’t You (Forget About Me)’, ‘Alive and Kicking’ and ‘Belfast Child’.  Having collaborated with artists from Bono to David Bowie to Iggy Pop, Simple Minds are, quite simply, one of Scotland’s biggest exports to the international music scene. Nominated for the Specsavers Outstanding Contribution to Music Award, Simple Minds will also perform at the awards ceremony at the intimate Old Fruitmarket.

 


Set to feature one of its biggest and most exciting line-ups to date, this year’s glittering ceremony will shine a light on those acts who have made an outstanding contribution to Scottish music throughout their career as well as those who have made a significant impact over the last 12 months. Making its 21st celebrations even bigger and better, Nordoff Robbins have invited the outstanding Edith Bowman to present the awards this year. There is no one who knows the Scottish music scene better than the Scots DJ and Presenter, making her the perfect host for the evening’s proceedings on St Andrew’s Day in Glasgow celebrating all things Scotland. 

 

Shaping up to be one of the most eagerly anticipated music events of the year, TheSpecsavers Scottish Music Awards have been the main fundraising event for music therapy charity Nordoff Robbins for over 20 years.  Funds raised on the night are a vital part of the charity’s ability to provide music therapists and sessions to those who need it most. 2018’s winners and attendees included Susan Boyle, Snow Patrol, Mark Knopfler, Tom Grennan, The Snuts and Amy Macdonald. 

 

For tickets to the Scottish Music Awards please contact: Simon.Foy@nordoff-robbins.org.uk


Wednesday, 25 September 2019

BAFTA SCOTLAND WITH RICHARD MADDEN, JACKIE BIRD AND JACK LOWDEN



Beverley Lyons
RICHARD Madden, Kelly Macdonald, Shirley Henderson, Jack Lowden, Jenna Coleman and Peter Mullan have been announced as contenders for major honours at this year's prestigious BAFTA Scotland ceremony.
In news that might shock some, Chris Pine  failed to get a nomination at this year’s Awards bash while co-star Florence Pugh received a nomination for best actress in Outlaw King. 
And TV show Hogmanay Live with Jackie Bird was also nominated in the same week that the presenter stepped down from the role amidst programme changes.  
TV mystery The Cry, which Doctor Who favourite Jenna Coleman starred in and was partly filmed in Glasgow, leads the race for honours with three nominations alongside Wild Rose, the hit Glasgow-set movie about a country singer, played by Irish actress Wild Rose, pursuing her dreams of going to Nashville.
Jess Buckley who starred in the country film will be up against Shirley Henderson, who played Oliver Hardy's wife opposite John C Reilly in Stan and Ollie, and Florence Pugh, for her role in Outlaw King, Netflix's Robert the Bruce epic, in the best film Actress category.
This year’s Actor Film category sees last year’s winner Jack Lowden receiving a nomination for his role in Mary Queen of Scots alongside Peter Mullan (The Vanishing) and Lorn Macdonald (Beats).
Richard Madden is also up for his third Actor Television award after winning a Golden Globe and National TV award for his performance in The Bodyguard.
 He will be competing against Alex Ferns (Chernobyl) and Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education) in the category  while Morven Christie (The Bay), Jenna Coleman (The Cry) and Kelly Macdonald (The Victim) vie for the Actress Television awards. 
The Entertainment category will see BBC’s Hogmanay Live battle it out against two CBBC children’s shows - The Dog Ate My Homework presented by Iain Stirling and digital game show Last Commanders. 
Comedy-drama Stan & Ollie, the coming-of-age feature Beats, drama The Victim, and documentary Real Kashmir F.C., have all received two nominations for the awards bash which will take place on Sunday November 3.
The awards, including those for Outstanding Contribution, will be presented at this year’s prestigious ceremony, hosted by Edith Bowman, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.
The change of venue from The Radisson Blu means a bigger ceremony with over seven hundred guests.
  Red carpet coverage will begin at 17.00 and the ceremony will be livestreamed from 19.00 on Facebook. A special awards highlights programme will be broadcast on BBC Scotland at 22.00, which will also be available on iPlayer.  
Jude MacLaverty, Director of BAFTA Scotland, said: “This year the awards nominations are up by almost fifty per cent which demonstrates an increase in the volume of work being produced here, clearly highlighted by this year’s shortlist. 
 We are hugely excited about this year’s awards, with the nominations yet again showcasing the wealth of creative talent in Scotland’sfilm, games and television industries.
 “It is fantastic to have Edith back with us again as our awards host at our new, bigger venue.  BAFTA Scotland is delighted, too, to be able to share our recognition of the phenomenal work and talent in Scotland with a much wider audience in a BBC Scotland 
highlights programme due to be broadcast from 22.00 on the night.”
Edith Bowman, returning host of the ceremony,said: “The British Academy Scotland Awards is an exceptional event that champions the very best in creativity and production in Scotland and I am delighted to be returning to host this year.  As an organisation, BAFTA Scotland plays such an important role in the support and development of creative talent as well as providing a real platform for recognition. I can’t wait to recognise the achievements of all of these incredible nominees on 3 November and very much look forward to seeing who takes home these coveted awards.”
And TV show Hogmanay Live with Jackie Bird was also nominated in the same week that the presenter stepped down from the role amidst programme changes.  
TV mystery The Cry, which Doctor Who favourite Jenna Coleman starred in and was partly filmed in Glasgow, leads the race for honours with three nominations alongside Wild Rose, the hit Glasgow-set movie about a country singer, played by Irish actress Wild Rose, pursuing her dreams of going to Nashville.
Jess Buckley who starred in the country film will be up against Shirley Henderson, who played Oliver Hardy's wife opposite John C Reilly in Stan and Ollie, and Florence Pugh, for her role in Outlaw King, Netflix's Robert the Bruce epic, in the best film Actress category.
This year’s Actor Film category sees last year’s winner Jack Lowden receiving a nomination for his role in Mary Queen of Scots alongside Peter Mullan (The Vanishing) and Lorn Macdonald (Beats).
Richard Madden is also up for his third Actor Television award after winning a Golden Globe and National TV award for his performance in The Bodyguard.
 He will be competing against Alex Ferns (Chernobyl) and Ncuti Gatwa (Sex Education) in the category  while Morven Christie (The Bay), Jenna Coleman (The Cry) and Kelly Macdonald (The Victim) vie for the Actress Television awards. 
The Entertainment category will see BBC’s Hogmanay Live battle it out against two CBBC children’s shows - The Dog Ate My Homework presented by Iain Stirling and digital game show Last Commanders. 
Comedy-drama Stan & Ollie, the coming-of-age feature Beats, drama The Victim, and documentary Real Kashmir F.C., have all received two nominations for the awards bash which will take place on Sunday November 3.
The awards, including those for Outstanding Contribution, will be presented at this year’s prestigious ceremony, hosted by Edith Bowman, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Glasgow Central.
The change of venue from The Radisson Blu means a bigger ceremony with over seven hundred guests.
  Red carpet coverage will begin at 17.00 and the ceremony will be livestreamed from 19.00 on Facebook. A special awards highlights programme will be broadcast on BBC Scotland at 22.00, which will also be available on iPlayer.  
Jude MacLaverty, Director of BAFTA Scotland, said: “This year the awards nominations are up by almost fifty per cent which demonstrates an increase in the volume of work being produced here, clearly highlighted by this year’s shortlist. 
 We are hugely excited about this year’s awards, with the nominations yet again showcasing the wealth of creative talent in Scotland’sfilm, games and television industries.
 “It is fantastic to have Edith back with us again as our awards host at our new, bigger venue.  BAFTA Scotland is delighted, too, to be able to share our recognition of the phenomenal work and talent in Scotland with a much wider audience in a BBC Scotland 
highlights programme due to be broadcast from 22.00 on the night.”
Edith Bowman, returning host of the ceremony,said: “The British Academy Scotland Awards is an exceptional event that champions the very best in creativity and production in Scotland and I am delighted to be returning to host this year.  As an organisation, BAFTA Scotland plays such an important role in the support and development of creative talent as well as providing a real platform for recognition. I can’t wait to recognise the achievements of all of these incredible nominees on 3 November and very much look forward to seeing who takes home these coveted awards.”

Thursday, 19 September 2019

ARIANA GRANDE AND BILLY CONNOLLY IN GLASGOW HOTEL DRAMA



Beverley Lyons 
ARIANA Grande was caught up in drama along with Billy Connolly after the fire alarm sounded at her Scots hotel. 
The US singer was staying at the stylish Blythswood hotel in Glasgow when the fire alarm sounded earlier today and she ended up being forced to evacuate her penthouse. 
Ariana, who was staying with her two dogs at the hotel inside the two and a half thousand pound suite, was less than enamoured after the alarm sounded. 
She later posted an Instagram video of her putting her middle finger up to the alarm on her ceiling as it flashed and sounded its noisy siren. 
Ariana asked the question ‘Why’ as it appeared to wake her up just after ten thirty am. 
Pitbull cross Myron and beagle chihuahua cross Toulouse even got their own room at the £2,500-a-night penthouse suite at the Blythswood where she was staying — which comes complete with a sunken-bath Jacuzzi, sauna and roof garden.
The pop princess who was using the back entrance of the hotel was not the only star staying at the city centre hotel when the incident happened. 
Sir Billy Connolly was also staying in one of the suites and was forced to come down from his room. 
One hotel guest Dr Martin Valentine wrote on Twitter: ”Meeting abandoned temporarily as fire alarm has gone off and the Blythswood hotel is emptied. On the plus side the Big Yin is here too check out his groovy shoes.”
Another hotel guest Deborah Maclachlan Dougall told the showbizlion.com The disturbance only lasted around ten minutes. She laughed: “Everyone in the spa had to evacuate as well as the hotel guests. It was quite funny seeing Billy Connolly out with the rest of us. Only us would be standing wrapped up in just our robes and towels with Billy Connolly walking past us.”

From Scotland with Love 























From Scotland with Love Theshowbizlion.com

Tuesday, 17 September 2019

ARIANA GRANDE POPS INTO GLASGOW RESTAURANT BEFORE MEETING FANS IN CITY







Ariana Grande went walkabout in Glasgow on a rare day off ahead of sell out gig at the city’s Hydro. 
The US singer who has been on a hectic Sweetener tour of the U.K.  couldn’t wait to explore the bars and restaurants  of the city after arriving in the early hours of Monday morning


Ariana who had three blacked out silver people carriers to transport her and her party around the city ventured out shortly after six pm on Monday
After being dropped off at the city’s George Square,  had dinner in the Anchor Line bar and restaurant. 
The stylish New York eaterie boasts dishes like pumpkin and sage tortelloni and Malay vegetable curry which would have suited Arianas vegetarian palette. 


The singer then met up with some of her dancers at the nearby Cafe Andaluz across the road. 
She then met up with fans as she made her up the city’s shopping mecca of Buchanan Street. 
After taking some selfies, she even asked if she could look at the pictures she’d taken and added: “That is cute.”
She said: “I’m really enjoying seeing some of Glasgow and looking forward to the show.”
September marks a year since Arianas ex Mac Martin passed away from an accidental drug overdose. The singer has been suffering from anxiety on her tour nsd had cancelled all meet and greets but as she met her Scots fans they managed to make her smile during an emotionally stressful time. 
From Scotland with Love