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. 

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

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.”

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

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

FORD KIERNAN TALKS ABOUT THE AGONY HE ENDURED AFTER STILL GAME LIVE SHOW

Exclusive
Beverley Lyons
STILL Game’s Ford Kiernan has spoken for the first time about the agony and pain he endured before having to go under the surgeons knife following his last run of shows at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro.
The comedian and actor who will star as Jack alongside Greg Hemphill’s Victor as well as actors including Jane McCarry, Paul Riley, and Sanjeev Kohli in Still Game Live: The Final Farewell stage show from September 27 until October 13, endured a complex back operation following his run of shows in 2017.
Asked about any luxuries he’d indulged in since having success with his comedy, Ford said: “The starriest thing that I’ve done is that I had two of my vertebrae removed and never waited on the National Health to give me a date for it. I went round the corner to the Nuffield and I got them to whip it out and that’s something I couldn’t have done if I hadn’t been working on the telly. It was my lower back, vertebrae five and six.”
Ford said the operation took place following his last sell out run of Still Game: Bon Voyage shows at the SSE Hydro in February 2017. And he revealed he couldn’t go on stage without receiving medical treatment before each performance.
He added: “And it was just after I finished the Hydro in 2017. I was getting a cortisone injection into my spine in 2017 before every single show.”
Showing off the scar at the base of his back he added: ”Put it this way, before I got into Chewing the Fat they’d say ‘You know who would be ideal for this?’ - Stretch Kiernan. I did the damage lifting barrels off the back of a van when I was twenty one.”
Greg laughed: “The truth of the matter is there was nothing wrong with Ford back then. It was just a Daniel Day Lewis thing. I was slouching and he was committed to be the wee one and took two vertebrae out and that is commitment.”
Ford and Greg will be saying farewell to their beloved TV and stage characters following their final bout of stage shows in Glasgow.
Greg said: ”It’s one of my favourite things going to the Hydro to do the show and it’s great fun and it feels like the end of the road. It took us six or seven months to write it, to make sure it was a fitting show, picking up where the tv show left off. It’s like getting to be a rockstar for fifteen nights and it’s pretty cool. We’re not doing the Eagles. It’s the end.”
Ford said: “People say ‘Is it the same show as before?’ but we’ve written a brand new show because it’s the finale with the big splash at the end. In the last TV episode Jack and Victor walked into the mist and they were gone. It’s all down to interpretation. If you think they are dead you might get a surprise either way. If we were designing a funeral for Jack and Victor it would be a pire.”
Greg said: “Don’t say we killed them. Maybe we differ on this. My feeling is they live their life full. I don’t think anyone would invite 150 thousand people into an arena to make them cry. I think you can’t kill them off. It would be too sad. Jack and Victor have always been about life and living it to the full.”
Following the run, both men say they want to spend more time with their families.
Greg said: ”I’m celebrating my twentieth wedding anniversary in a week and I remember buying my mum and dad a gift for theirs. It’s really freaking me out. Twenty five is silver, fifty is gold and forty is ruby. There’s other things we want to do together down the line, together and separately.”
Ford added: “We’ve got a body of actors here who are dynamite and phenomenal not just for comedy bit for everything which we are extremely lucky to have. I’d be surprised if we don’t bump into them in some professional capacity in the future.” 

111 BY NICO DELIVERS WITH A TREAT OF A TEN COURSE TASTING MENU

A ten course tasting menu is the stuff of dreams when you’re a foodie like me and I was thrilled to try out the 

brand new menu at 111 By Nico. 

With high style, and a unique sense of whimsy, the new ten-course tasting menu which launched on Friday September 6th will only be available every Friday and Saturday in the restaurant located at Cleveden Road in Glasgow's Kelvinside. 

Each dish was suitably different but combined well to make you feel full and satisfied at the end and not overly stuffed. 

Amongst my favourites were the duck liver parfait delivered in a golden egg presented on its own nest of straw and grass which was suitably moreish.

The sole was also a must try with orange instead of lemon delivering citrusy notes on a creamy shellfish bisque. It was light and frothy. 

I also enjoyed the white polenta which was akin to a mushroom risotto with a taste of truffle and aged parmesan. It was rich but the smaller portion size meant it wasn’t overbearing. 

The desserts were delicious and special mention goes to the gingerbread and cheese combo which was classily candied with nuts and fruits. 

Chef Nico Simeone said;

"At 111 by Nico it has always been important for us to offer an affordable dining experience without compromising on taste or portion size and the new ten-course tasting menu will take it one step further, elevate our TRUST offering and showcase some extra special food for guests to enjoy every Friday and Saturday."

Dishes on the ten-course menu include Potato Terrine - Black Garlic Emulsion, Ewes Cheese; Golden Egg - Duck Liver Parfait, Yellow Peach Comote, Brioche Espuma;

 Mackerel - Cucumber, Greengage, Elderflower, Dill & Buttermilk; Beef Tartare - Oyster Emulsion, Crisp Tongue, Pickled Shallot; White Polenta - Aged Parmesan, Chestnut Mushroom, Truffle; Sole - Orange, Braised Fennel, Shellfish Bisque; 

Lamb Flank - Tomato Compote, Olive, Ricotta, Artichoke Barigole; Turnworth - Spiced Ginger Bread, Golden Raisin, Candied Walnut; White Peach - Woodruff Cream, Almond, Peach Consommé and Strawberry - Yoghurt & Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich. 

Nico continues:

"We want to constantly push boundaries with our food concepts and we believe 111 by Nico is like a fine wine – it gets better with age. This new ten course menu is a perfect showcase for our chef's creations and of course, the challenge now is that we have to deliver for our guests".

The ten-course menu offering will sit alongside the restaurants much-loved TRUST tasting menu - an immersive experience where guests choose from a list of 12 ingredients. 

Never the same dinner twice, 111 by Nico's TRUST menu begins with an amuse bouche highlighting local ingredients, then guests enjoy individual courses such as pasta, lamb, asparagus or fish - the options are endless. The six course tasting menu ends on a sweet note with a decadent dessert and available at 111 by Nico every Tuesday - Thursday and all day Sunday. 

111 by Nico has cemented itself as a restaurant brand with an ever changing innovating dining experience, not scared to make changes and cut through the noise. The ten-course tasting menu is priced at £40 per person with a matching wine flight priced at £35 and available every Friday and Saturday only.  .