Friday, October 18, 2024

‘I’m not interested in cleaning it’: James Bay still uses guitar with his blood marks

James Bay still has blood marks on his guitar from shredding a little too hard with nerves during his early gigs.

Coldplay to feature on FC Barcelona shirt in latest Spotify partnership

Coldplay will feature on FC Barcelona's shirt. The 'WE PRAY' band have teamed up with the club's sponsors Spotify...

Colin Greenwood thinks Radiohead will have musical ‘freedom’ if a reunion happens

Colin Greenwood believes Radiohead will have plenty of "freedom" should they reunite. The 'Creep' rockers have been on hiatus...

Dua Lipa ‘ramps it up’ for Royal Albert Hall show

Dua Lipa is "going all out" for her gig at the Royal Albert Hall. The 'Training Season' hitmaker is...

Sam Ryder’s manager recruited to lead search for UK’s 2025 Eurovision entry

Sam Ryder's team have been recruited to lead the search for the UK's Eurovision Song Contest entry next year.

Latest Articles

Mark Wright: Michelle Keegan changed me


Mark Wright says Michelle Keegan changed him.
The former 'The Only Way is Essex' lothario has credited his stunning 'Coronation Street' fiancée with changing his life, but admits she - and her family - were initially wary of him because of his playboy reputation.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "In the past I have lived like a lot of young boys - meeting a lot of people and having a fun time. But the moment I met Michelle I was a completely different man.
"In the beginning Michelle did say to me, 'I imagined you would be different.' I tried to explain myself but she said, 'Don't go there.'
"I get on with her family so well, and her dad keeps me in place. At first he wouldn't let loose until he got to know me. Now he likes me and we play badminton and golf together."
The 27-year-old star popped the question to the 'Corrie' actress last year after struggling to be away from her for three months while he filmed his new ITV2 reality show.
He explained: "I was desperate to see her. I missed her so much and that's when I realised, 'F***ing hell, this is intense.' I couldn't be away from her for that long, so I thought I'm going to get on this flight and propose. I flew Michelle to Dubai and that's where I told her I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her."

Maggie Smith not leaving Downton Abbey


Dame Maggie Smith has no plans to leave 'Downton Abbey'.
The 79-year-old actress - who plays the Dowager Countess of Grantham, Violet Crawley - is still enjoying her role as the Crawley family matriarch and will remain part of the period drama for the foreseeable future.
Executive producer Gareth Neame said: "Maggie Smith will be in the show as long as she wants to do it. She'll be back this coming season. She's a huge part of the show, and I think she enjoys doing it.
"I think it's remarkable for someone who's had such a long and illustrious career to be still delivering work of this calibre. One has also really got to make reference to the remarkable combination of [writer-and-creator] Julian Fellowes and Maggie Smith. She's almost like a muse to him."
The producer also teased the addition of Richard E. Grant to the show's cast in series five, playing Downton houseguest Simon Bricker.
He told The Hollywood Reporter: "The show has always been big about the guests coming in, though we don't really do stunt casting. Although the bedrock of the show is this cast of hugely loved characters, it's how they interact with the guests that I think makes every season feel fresh. Richard [E. Grant] and Anna [Chancellor] are two very fun additions."

Strictly Come Dancing could be axed in five years


'Strictly Come Dancing' could be by the BBC in the next five years, according to the corporation's former director of communications.
The celebrity ballroom dancing competition could be pulled along with 'Top Gear' and 'The One Show' in the coming years and BBC executives are reportedly hunting for replacements.
Former BBC director of communications, Ed Williams said: "I think there's a series of very popular formats which over the next five to 10 years will reach the end of their natural lives, such as 'Strictly Come Dancing', 'The Apprentice', 'Dragons' Den', 'Top Gear' and 'The One Show'."
The sensational claims made in Ed's new book, 'Is the BBC in Crisis?', also suggest staff are struggling to come up with fresh ideas and TV's brightest producers are put off working for the institution due its low wages.
Ed added: "What I think is particularly challenging for the BBC is how can they make the case to get the best creative people at the BBC coming up with these ideas when, actually, if you've got a great idea, why take it to the BBC?"
The BBC has seemingly reached a standstill in Saturday night entertainment formats since 'Strictly Come Dancing' launched in 2004.
Meanwhile, independently produced talent show 'The Voice' has proved a hit with viewers this year but is costly for the BBC to air.

TOWIE producers nab catchphrase rights


The producers of 'The Only Way is Essex' have trademarked the cast's signature catchphrases.
Lime Pictures is acquiring full rights to what is said on the hit ITV2 reality show, which means stars including Sam Faiers and Gemma Collins will need to pay the production company a share of profits from entrepreneurial efforts utilising their favourite phrases.
'TOWIE' has spawned lots of popular sayings such as 'reem', 'well jel' and 'vajazzle'.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "The cast of 'TOWIE' are a canny bunch and they know that when they coin a marketable catchphrase that they can really make some money out of it."
Among the stars affected will be former cast member Joey Essex and his Fusey fashion brand.
The insider added: "Joey created a shop from his range and sells T-shirts, fragrances and hair products named after phrases he coined on the show. The producers already take 15 per cent of the cast's earnings, but this would mean even their company's earnings would be eligible - even after they leave the show."
However, it's thought 'TOWIE' catchphrases may not be as popular as they once were as cast members attempt to emulate the success of words like 'reem'.
The source claimed: "Since the odder words, like Joey's 'reem', took off in popularity, a lot of the cast seem to have been using more of their own distinctive words. The potential income could be considerably less lucrative from now on."
A spokesperson for Lime Pictures commented: "Lime Pictures will always endeavour to protect the 'TOWIE' brand."

Pippa Middleton jokes about ‘backside’ of fame


Britain's Pippa Middleton has joked her infamous bridesmaids dress "fitted a little too well".
Duchess Catherine's younger sister became a worldwide sensation in April 2011 when her pert rear in her cream Alexander McQueen bridemaids dress stole the show at Kate and Prince William's wedding in London's Westminster Abbey.
Pippa has finally opened up about the figure-hugging gown, joking in a speech at the Women in Advertising and Communications dinner: "As I have found out, recognition has its upside, its downside and - you may say - its backside."
The brunette addressed a crowd of 400 at the event at Central London's Savoy Hotel, where tickets cost a whopping £132, admitting she didn't sleep for two nights before the landmark televised wedding because she was so nervous.
She said she was "glad [the dress] fitted" at the time, adding, "In retrospect it fitted a little too well".
A guest told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "It was the first time she's made a speech of this kind but you wouldn't have known it, she was so relaxed. It was unbelievable how open she was - I don't think anyone was expecting that.
"She talked about the royal wedding and her career since. She came across as really grateful for the opportunities but also talked about the pitfalls of her position."
The 30-year-old beauty also confessed she was hurt by allegations she was cashing in on her sister's connections by writing her party-planning book, 'Celebrate'.

Oprah Winfrey has signed on to produce Selma

Oprah Winfrey has signed on to produce 'Selma'. The 60-year-old star will work on the forthcoming drama based on civil rights activist Martin Luther King and his 1965 landmark voting rights campaign, which was regarded as the peak of the civil rights...

The Conjuring 2 for October 2015 release


Warner Bros. are set to release 'The Conjuring 2' in the US on October 23, 2015.
Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga will return in the sequel to 2013's American supernatural horror after they played paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren respectively in the original, reports Variety.com.
Director James Wan helmed the first movie and while a filmmaker for the second is yet to be confirmed, Carey Hayes and Chad Hayes who penned 'The Conjuring' will work on the follow-up.
New Line Chief Executive, Toby Emmerich, previously revealed 'The Conjuring 2' will avoid "blood, gore and death" often associated with horror flicks.
He said: "'The Conjuring' is incredibly effective and scary without the use of blood, gore and death.
"It's a horror film that emphasizes atmosphere and suspense in the tradition of classics like 'Psycho' or 'The Others.'"
'The Conjuring' was well received by film critics and proved a box-office success grossing over $318 million worldwide.
New Line are currently working on 'Annabelle', which is a spin-off based on the possessed doll which was introduced in 'The Conjuring'.

Biffy Clyro want to write Bond tune


Biffy Clyro want to write the next James Bond theme tune.
The Scottish rockers hope to follow in the footsteps of Adele, who won an Oscar for Best Original Song for 'Skyfall' in 2013, by penning a track for the next movie.
Frontman Simon Neil told the Daily Star newspaper: "Biffy for Bond, yes - I will follow you to the ends of the earth, sir. I'd love that.
"I think we've got a couple of songs in our back catalogue that could have suited but that is most songwriters' dream, isn't it, to write for Bond?
"You get given the key it has to be in, I believe, and certain motifs."
He added: "It's such a dramatic theme that I think it would really suit us."
The band had a busy year in 2013, after their double album 'Opposites' conquered the charts, and they have no plans to slow down.
The group - also made up of James Johnston and Ben Johnston - will headline both the Isle Of Wight festival and T In The Park this summer.
Simon, 34, admitted the band still have a lot to learn but feel they get a lot out of playing for small audiences as well as big festival crowds.
He said: "Bands hopefully become great by playing to nobody and being tested and being great in those situations.
"We're still a young band. I feel like we've still got lots to achieve and lots to discover."
Biffy Clyro are up for both Best British Band and Best Live Band at the NME Awards tonight (26.02.14) at London's O2 Academy in Brixton.
And they plan to apologise to David Bowie, 67, he if decides to make a rare appearance, after beating him to Best Album at the Q Awards.
Simon said: "So sorry sir, sorry sir Bowie. He's a mystery, isn't he? He's an enigma.
"I would be a heap on the floor if David Bowie turned up."

Oasis to re-release Definitely Maybe


Oasis are re-releasing their debut album 'Definitely Maybe' with previously unheard tracks to celebrate the LP's 20th anniversary.
The band - who split in August 2009 after brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher had a huge backstage bust-up in Paris, France - sent the internet into meltdown yesterday (25.02.14), after teasing an announcement at 9am this morning (26.02.14), prompting speculation of a reunion.
But instead they revealed plans to bring out a new version of their acclaimed debut record - which will be available from May 19. The anticipation of a possible reunion saw fans crash their official website oasisinet.com.
The re-issue is the first in the 'Chasing The Sun' series from Big Brother Recordings - the brothers' own record label - with 'What's the Story (Morning Glory)?' and 'Be Here Now' also set to be re-released.
Original Oasis guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs - who quit the group in 1999 - told NME magazine: "There were no discussions at all about any anniversary shows. These reissues are the best way to celebrate, because all three albums have great extras."
The re-issue will be available in a number of formats and packages, including a three-disc deluxe edition, featuring unheard acoustic versions recorded in Paris of 'Live Forever' and 'Shakermaker', along with an early demo of 'Half The World Away', recorded by Noel in a hotel room in Tokyo, Japan, and a demo of rare song 'Strange Thing'.
The band's 1994 standalone single 'Whatever' will be included as well as versions of all the B-sides from the album's four singles - 'Supersonic', 'Shakermaker', 'Live Forever' and 'Cigarettes & Alcohol'.
'Definitely Maybe', which was produced by Owen Morris, sold 86,000 copies in its first week of sales in August 1994 and was the fastest-selling debut album in UK chart history until Arctic Monkeys' 'Whatever People Say I Am, That's What I'm Not' beat the record in 2005.
The original line-up of Oasis that recorded the album was made up of singer Liam, guitarist and songwriter Noel, rhythm guitarist Bonehead, bassist Paul 'Guigsy' McGuigan and drummer Tony McCarroll.

Chloe Sims hoping for TOWIE romance


Chloe Sims wants to find love on 'The Only Way Is Essex' this year.
The single mother - who has eight-year-old daughter Madison with a mystery ex-boyfriend - is hopeful she could meet Mr. Right on the ITV2 reality show's 11th series, although she is nervous about the idea of having a relationship play out on camera.
She told the Daily Star newspaper: "There's no man on the scene at the moment but I'm working on it! I don't know whether there will be any love action in this series.
"But I am single and I would love to be in a new relationship, because they're the best ones. So we'll just have to see what happens. I really don't know at the moment.
"It would be hard to have a relationship on the show and I think that scares people a bit. Once a love affair goes on 'TOWIE', it seems it always ends in tears. But for me, I've never had a boyfriend on the show so I might give it a go."
The busty brunette also revealed she was missing her cousin Joey Essex, who quit the show last year to pursue other TV projects, and insists the door is always open for him to return.
Chloe sighed: "It's weird not having him there. Tom Pearce talks like him sometimes so it's like I keep hearing him when he's not there.
"But he's gone on to do other things so I'm happy for him. I think the door will always be open for him - there wouldn't be a problem if he wanted to come back.
"But a change for him is good. He's still young and he can do lots of other things."

Jenna Fischer is pregnant


Jenna Fischer is pregnant.
The 39-year-old actress - who was famed for her role in 'The Office' - is expecting her second child this summer with her husband, Lee Kirk, Us Weekly magazine reports.
Although the couple are yet to give an official announcement on the pregnancy, Jenna re-tweeted a link to a news report by the celebrity news website on Twitter, which was seemingly her way of acknowledging the news.
She also hinted that she will have lots of baby news to talk about with Jimmy Kimmel's expectant wife, Molly McNearney as she tweeted: "Let's talk 🙂 Congrats! (sic)."
Jenna had previously expressed her want to expand her family, following the birth of their two-year-old son Weston Lee, who was born September 24, 2012.
She said: "I love being a family. I love going from two people to three people, and it has deepened the bond between me and my husband. We love being together, the three of us. Our little unit."
Kirk also admitted he was "having a lot of fun" raising a child as he gushed: "He's laughing a lot. I feel like making your son laugh is the greatest feeling in the world."
Jenna and Kirk married in Malibu in 2010, in a ceremony which was officiated by 'Survivor' host Jeff Probst.

Katherine Jenkins dating American professor


Katherine Jenkins is dating an American professor.
The 33-year-old singer - who split from her former fiance, TV presenter Gethin Jones, in December 2011 - has been spending time with New York university professor Andrew Levitas since she moved to Los Angeles at the beginning of the year and is hoping he's 'the one'.
A source told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "She thinks Andrew is lovely, she hopes this one works out.
"They are literally joined at the hip at the moment and spending all of their time together.
"Katherine has been careful not to flaunt him around as she is used to her high profile relationships going wrong but she reckons this relationship could be the one to last."
Katherine recently gushed about him online after he surprised her with an oil painting.
The blonde beauty wrote on Twitter: "A simple bunch of daffodils would have done! Thank you @AndrewLevitas It's beyond beautiful. (sic)"
Attached to the message was an image of the art work he had got her.