Trending
Latest Articles
Showbiz
Julie Walters is worried that acting is becoming a profession only open to the wealthy.
The 'Paddington' star is concerned that young people in Britain who may be interested in pursuing a thespian career are being put off because they can't afford to put themselves through drama school.
If the trend continues, Walters - who was able to get funding to study drama in the late 60s and honed her craft at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, England, in the 70s - thinks the art will ultimately suffer.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror newspaper, she said: "Now the theatre is dying out, where do kids start out? They have to pay a lot to go to drama school, then hope they get straight into television or film. But working class kids can't afford that. I was lucky - I had a grant. You can't get a grant to go to drama school now. Soon the only actors are going to be privileged kids whose parents can afford to send them to drama school. That's not right. It feels like we are going backwards."
The 64-year-old actress has had an incredible TV and film career which has spanned five decades and seen her win several awards, including two BAFTAs.
And Walters - who is married to Grant Roffey - insists she has no intention of retiring because she still gets offered so many wonderful parts.
She said: "The desire is still there. I don't want to retire ... I did take a year off and I thought, 'You know what, I'm quite happy. Then a script came in and I thought, 'Oh my God, I've got to do this.' "
Julie Walters: Acting is for the wealthy now
Julie Walters is worried that acting is becoming a profession only open to the wealthy.
The 'Paddington' star is concerned that young people in Britain who may be interested in pursuing a thespian career are being put off because they can't afford to put themselves through drama school.
If the trend continues, Walters - who was able to get funding to study drama in the late 60s and honed her craft at the Everyman Theatre in Liverpool, England, in the 70s - thinks the art will ultimately suffer.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror newspaper, she said: "Now the theatre is dying out, where do kids start out? They have to pay a lot to go to drama school, then hope they get straight into television or film. But working class kids can't afford that. I was lucky - I had a grant. You can't get a grant to go to drama school now. Soon the only actors are going to be privileged kids whose parents can afford to send them to drama school. That's not right. It feels like we are going backwards."
The 64-year-old actress has had an incredible TV and film career which has spanned five decades and seen her win several awards, including two BAFTAs.
And Walters - who is married to Grant Roffey - insists she has no intention of retiring because she still gets offered so many wonderful parts.
She said: "The desire is still there. I don't want to retire ... I did take a year off and I thought, 'You know what, I'm quite happy. Then a script came in and I thought, 'Oh my God, I've got to do this.' "
Showbiz
Coldplay are working on their "final" album.
The band - made up of Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion - have revealed they are currently recording their seventh studio album, 'A Head Full of Dreams', and likened the upcoming record to the final 'Harry Potter' movie in the film franchise.
Chris, 37, said: "We haven't told anyone this, but we're making an album called 'A Head Full of Dreams'. We're right in the middle of it.
"It's our seventh thing and we look at it as the last 'Harry Potter' book or something like that.
"Not to say that there won't be another thing one day, but this is the completion of something. It was great to go from 'Ghost Stories' right back in the studio."
The 'Sky Full of Stars' singer elaborated on his comments by saying he sees the album as the last thing the band - whose sixth studio album 'Ghost Stories' was released in May - will do apart from a tour to celebrate the record.
He added: "Now we're making things that sound different and it's a very fun time to be in our band. I have to think of it as the final thing that we're doing, otherwise we wouldn't put everything into it. Then we'll go on tour."
The singer made the announcement on BBC Radio 1 after their single 'Magic' was announced as the top track on presenter Zane Lowe's 100 Hottest Records of the Year, and afterwards Chris admitted he didn't get "permission" from the other band members to reveal the huge news.
Speaking to the host, he added: "Because it's you, I'll tell you. I feel a bit nervous to have said it because I didn't get permission!"
Coldplay working on ‘final’ album
Coldplay are working on their "final" album.
The band - made up of Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion - have revealed they are currently recording their seventh studio album, 'A Head Full of Dreams', and likened the upcoming record to the final 'Harry Potter' movie in the film franchise.
Chris, 37, said: "We haven't told anyone this, but we're making an album called 'A Head Full of Dreams'. We're right in the middle of it.
"It's our seventh thing and we look at it as the last 'Harry Potter' book or something like that.
"Not to say that there won't be another thing one day, but this is the completion of something. It was great to go from 'Ghost Stories' right back in the studio."
The 'Sky Full of Stars' singer elaborated on his comments by saying he sees the album as the last thing the band - whose sixth studio album 'Ghost Stories' was released in May - will do apart from a tour to celebrate the record.
He added: "Now we're making things that sound different and it's a very fun time to be in our band. I have to think of it as the final thing that we're doing, otherwise we wouldn't put everything into it. Then we'll go on tour."
The singer made the announcement on BBC Radio 1 after their single 'Magic' was announced as the top track on presenter Zane Lowe's 100 Hottest Records of the Year, and afterwards Chris admitted he didn't get "permission" from the other band members to reveal the huge news.
Speaking to the host, he added: "Because it's you, I'll tell you. I feel a bit nervous to have said it because I didn't get permission!"
Showbiz
Heather Graham found her incest TV movie 'Flowers in the Attic' "sexy" because it is "so disturbing".
The 44-year-old actress portrays abusive mother Corrine Dollanganger in the Lifetime film and while she admitted it is a "twisted" tale and she does not endorse the distressing actions in the story, which include incest and child abuse, the blonde beauty admitted she found it exciting in a bizarre way.
She joked: "It's in a sexy kind of way, that's the thing.
"It's twisted but something about it is sort of sexy so you're like, 'Wow, this is so disturbing but sexy at the same time.' "
Heather insisted the film - which is based on 1979 novel of the same name by V. C. Andrews - was mainly about "really bad parenting" but admitted the incest storyline was "weirdly romantic".
Speaking on iHeart Radio, she added: "It's a dark story, it's about child abuse but it's told in this very kind of, sort of Gothic, kind of weirdly like romantic story about incest.
"I mean it's really twisted there's a brother-sister plot, it's really bad parenting, it's really just a movie about really bad parenting."
The 'Hangover' actress also admitted she has received plenty of positive feedback about her role as child abuser Corrine, who attempts to reclaim the family fortune following the death of her husband so moves her four children into her abusive mother's house, where they are forced to live in the attic.
She said: "I've been told I played a good child abuser. But you know in life, I'm not [a child abuser].
"I just want you to know I am not endorsing this story, I'm not saying this is a story of healthy behaviour."
Heather Graham: Incest movie was ‘sort of sexy’
Heather Graham found her incest TV movie 'Flowers in the Attic' "sexy" because it is "so disturbing".
The 44-year-old actress portrays abusive mother Corrine Dollanganger in the Lifetime film and while she admitted it is a "twisted" tale and she does not endorse the distressing actions in the story, which include incest and child abuse, the blonde beauty admitted she found it exciting in a bizarre way.
She joked: "It's in a sexy kind of way, that's the thing.
"It's twisted but something about it is sort of sexy so you're like, 'Wow, this is so disturbing but sexy at the same time.' "
Heather insisted the film - which is based on 1979 novel of the same name by V. C. Andrews - was mainly about "really bad parenting" but admitted the incest storyline was "weirdly romantic".
Speaking on iHeart Radio, she added: "It's a dark story, it's about child abuse but it's told in this very kind of, sort of Gothic, kind of weirdly like romantic story about incest.
"I mean it's really twisted there's a brother-sister plot, it's really bad parenting, it's really just a movie about really bad parenting."
The 'Hangover' actress also admitted she has received plenty of positive feedback about her role as child abuser Corrine, who attempts to reclaim the family fortune following the death of her husband so moves her four children into her abusive mother's house, where they are forced to live in the attic.
She said: "I've been told I played a good child abuser. But you know in life, I'm not [a child abuser].
"I just want you to know I am not endorsing this story, I'm not saying this is a story of healthy behaviour."
TV
Jake Wood won't dance again after 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
The 'EastEnders' actor has surprised everyone with his snake hips on the BBC One celebrity dance contest but he's revealed he has no plans to carry on dancing once the show's finished.
He said: "People are going to be expecting me to dance but I don't think I can go out and freestyle.
"I don't know what people expect from here on in but I can't see myself getting up. I'll go back to sitting, nodding my head."
The 42-year-old star - who plays womaniser Max Branning in the BBC One soap - claims he had no idea he'd be so successful on the show, because he'd always avoided the dance floor at parties.
He told The Sun newspaper: "I've never danced before, I've never had a lesson, I don't dance at a wedding or a party. So I had no idea.
"I think I've always had these hips but they just needed a bit of guidance.
"I don't know where it's come from, there's nothing in the family tree that I know of. God knows."
Jake doesn't want to continue his new skill because he doesn't know anyone that would live up to his professional partner Janette Manrara.
He added: "I've been spoilt by this world-class tuition. What do I do? Go to the village hall and do waltz classes?
"It's world-class training and I don't see where you go from there. I'm enjoying the experience then I think I'll leave it."
Jake Wood won’t dance after Strictly Come Dancing
Jake Wood won't dance again after 'Strictly Come Dancing'.
The 'EastEnders' actor has surprised everyone with his snake hips on the BBC One celebrity dance contest but he's revealed he has no plans to carry on dancing once the show's finished.
He said: "People are going to be expecting me to dance but I don't think I can go out and freestyle.
"I don't know what people expect from here on in but I can't see myself getting up. I'll go back to sitting, nodding my head."
The 42-year-old star - who plays womaniser Max Branning in the BBC One soap - claims he had no idea he'd be so successful on the show, because he'd always avoided the dance floor at parties.
He told The Sun newspaper: "I've never danced before, I've never had a lesson, I don't dance at a wedding or a party. So I had no idea.
"I think I've always had these hips but they just needed a bit of guidance.
"I don't know where it's come from, there's nothing in the family tree that I know of. God knows."
Jake doesn't want to continue his new skill because he doesn't know anyone that would live up to his professional partner Janette Manrara.
He added: "I've been spoilt by this world-class tuition. What do I do? Go to the village hall and do waltz classes?
"It's world-class training and I don't see where you go from there. I'm enjoying the experience then I think I'll leave it."
TV
Joan Collins refused to be nasty on screen.
The 81-year-old actress - who plays hotel chain chief executive Crystal Hennessy Vass in the ITV comedy 'Benidorm' - requested the director change a scene in which her character was particularly nasty to the Solana hotel manager Joyce Temple Savage, played by Sherrie Hewson.
According to Sherrie, 64, Joan is the "best actress in the world" at playing bitchy characters but struggled to get through the scene as she worried she was upsetting her as the pair filmed the upcoming seventh series earlier this year.
Sherrie told the Daily Star newspaper: "My character has a massive run-in with Joan Collins' character.
"Crystal likes having a dig at Joyce and putting her down. Usually Joyce doesn't fight back, and Crystal likes that.
"Crystal is a bitch and Joan is the best actress in the world at playing that type of character. But she is lovely in person.
"In one scene Joan has to be particularly nasty to me. She turned to the director and said, 'I can't say this to Sherrie. Look how upset she looks. I adore her!'"
Also set to return to the series, which will air next year, is Jake Canuso, who stars as lothario barman Mateo.
The 44-year-old actor confessed there is trouble ahead for Mateo - who resorts to cosmetic surgery after worrying he looks too old to pull girls.
He said: "He gets Botox because young girls are starting to call him a pensioner. It required a lot of prosthetics. We only did it for one episode otherwise it would have been too much work.
"The hotel salon Blow and Go becomes a back-street Botox clinic. They run out of proper Botox, so they start using something that paralyses people's faces!"
Joan Collins refuses to be nasty on screen
Joan Collins refused to be nasty on screen.
The 81-year-old actress - who plays hotel chain chief executive Crystal Hennessy Vass in the ITV comedy 'Benidorm' - requested the director change a scene in which her character was particularly nasty to the Solana hotel manager Joyce Temple Savage, played by Sherrie Hewson.
According to Sherrie, 64, Joan is the "best actress in the world" at playing bitchy characters but struggled to get through the scene as she worried she was upsetting her as the pair filmed the upcoming seventh series earlier this year.
Sherrie told the Daily Star newspaper: "My character has a massive run-in with Joan Collins' character.
"Crystal likes having a dig at Joyce and putting her down. Usually Joyce doesn't fight back, and Crystal likes that.
"Crystal is a bitch and Joan is the best actress in the world at playing that type of character. But she is lovely in person.
"In one scene Joan has to be particularly nasty to me. She turned to the director and said, 'I can't say this to Sherrie. Look how upset she looks. I adore her!'"
Also set to return to the series, which will air next year, is Jake Canuso, who stars as lothario barman Mateo.
The 44-year-old actor confessed there is trouble ahead for Mateo - who resorts to cosmetic surgery after worrying he looks too old to pull girls.
He said: "He gets Botox because young girls are starting to call him a pensioner. It required a lot of prosthetics. We only did it for one episode otherwise it would have been too much work.
"The hotel salon Blow and Go becomes a back-street Botox clinic. They run out of proper Botox, so they start using something that paralyses people's faces!"
TV
Edwina Currie is feeling "sexually frustrated" in the 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' jungle.
The former Conservative MP has confessed to enjoying admiring campmate Jake Quickenden's physique on the ITV reality series and 'Allo, Allo!' star Vicki Michelle, 63 - who was voted off last night (04.12.14) - has revealed they've all been missing their significant others.
She said: "Everyone's a little bit sexually frustrated - some more than others.
"Edwina does talk about it quite a lot, but in a fun way and she's a sexy mama."
The 68-year-old star - who is the oldest campmate - expressed her delight at seeing former 'X Factor' contestant Jake, 26, working out using logs as weights.
She said: "There you go. Wonderful sight isn't it!
"When you get older one of the frustrations is you see young bodies - and young bodies are just awesome.
"Just to sit and watch Jake doing his exercises and doing a bit of stretching and so on. Mmmm, that's an old lady's dream."
And although Jake seems to be more interested in TV presenter Melanie Sykes, former Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson and evicted campmate Nadia Forde, he did admit that he'd "fallen in love a little bit" with Edwina.
He also described his "horny" elder as "Shakira" after she showed off her dance moves and snake hips.
Edwina Currie feeling ‘sexually frustrated’
Edwina Currie is feeling "sexually frustrated" in the 'I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!' jungle.
The former Conservative MP has confessed to enjoying admiring campmate Jake Quickenden's physique on the ITV reality series and 'Allo, Allo!' star Vicki Michelle, 63 - who was voted off last night (04.12.14) - has revealed they've all been missing their significant others.
She said: "Everyone's a little bit sexually frustrated - some more than others.
"Edwina does talk about it quite a lot, but in a fun way and she's a sexy mama."
The 68-year-old star - who is the oldest campmate - expressed her delight at seeing former 'X Factor' contestant Jake, 26, working out using logs as weights.
She said: "There you go. Wonderful sight isn't it!
"When you get older one of the frustrations is you see young bodies - and young bodies are just awesome.
"Just to sit and watch Jake doing his exercises and doing a bit of stretching and so on. Mmmm, that's an old lady's dream."
And although Jake seems to be more interested in TV presenter Melanie Sykes, former Playboy model Kendra Wilkinson and evicted campmate Nadia Forde, he did admit that he'd "fallen in love a little bit" with Edwina.
He also described his "horny" elder as "Shakira" after she showed off her dance moves and snake hips.
Music News
Rod Stewart has paid tribute to his late Faces bandmate Ian McLagan, admitting he is "devastated" by his death.
Keyboard player Ian died at the age of 69 at a hospital in Austin, Texas, after having a "massive stroke" on Wednesday (03.12.14), and Rod admits he is in shock after being told the tragic news by fellow former Faces member Ronnie Wood.
Talking to NME.com, Rod said: "I'm absolutely devastated. Last night I was at a charity do, Mick Hucknall was singing 'I'd Rather Go Blind' and Ron Wood texted to say Ian had passed. It was as if his spirit was in the room. I'll miss you mate."
Ian was in the Faces with Rod and Ronnie Wood until their split in 1975, when he decided to pursue a musical career as a session artist, performing with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Bragg.
Singer/songwriter Billy, 56, took to Twitter to pay tribute to Ian - who was also in the Small Faces - describing him as one of the "greatest players" in "British rock".
He tweeted: "I have lost a dear friend and British rock has lost one of its greatest players. RIP Ian McLagan."
Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones were among other stars who posted on the social networking site to mourn the loss of the musician.
Steve wrote: "Sorry to hear Ian McLagan died today, he and the faces was a big part of my teens. (sic)"
Rod Stewart ‘devastated’ by death of Ian McLagan
Rod Stewart has paid tribute to his late Faces bandmate Ian McLagan, admitting he is "devastated" by his death.
Keyboard player Ian died at the age of 69 at a hospital in Austin, Texas, after having a "massive stroke" on Wednesday (03.12.14), and Rod admits he is in shock after being told the tragic news by fellow former Faces member Ronnie Wood.
Talking to NME.com, Rod said: "I'm absolutely devastated. Last night I was at a charity do, Mick Hucknall was singing 'I'd Rather Go Blind' and Ron Wood texted to say Ian had passed. It was as if his spirit was in the room. I'll miss you mate."
Ian was in the Faces with Rod and Ronnie Wood until their split in 1975, when he decided to pursue a musical career as a session artist, performing with Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Bragg.
Singer/songwriter Billy, 56, took to Twitter to pay tribute to Ian - who was also in the Small Faces - describing him as one of the "greatest players" in "British rock".
He tweeted: "I have lost a dear friend and British rock has lost one of its greatest players. RIP Ian McLagan."
Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones were among other stars who posted on the social networking site to mourn the loss of the musician.
Steve wrote: "Sorry to hear Ian McLagan died today, he and the faces was a big part of my teens. (sic)"
Music News
Sir Paul McCartney lost 14lbs in one week after contracting a stomach bug.
The 72-year-old music icon was rushed to hospital in May during a trip to Japan, where he fell ill with the mystery sickness which resulted in him suffering dramatic weight loss.
Discussing the illness, he revealed: "It was some stomach thing and I was throwing up and didn't eat for a week, which is one way to lose weight.
"That's not recommended. I lost nearly a stone (14lbs) or something."
The former Beatles star - who is married to Nancy Shevell - was forced to cancel the remainder of his Asian tour but ultimately was glad he did because the time he spent resting made him feel "stronger than ever".
He added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "My friends said, 'Normally, you'd hate that because you love working.' "
"But I took six weeks and came back stronger than ever."
Thankfully the illness was not life-threatening, and he praised doctors at Tokyo's St Luke's International Hospital who nursed him back to full health following the scare.
He said: "They looked after me amazingly and by then I was on the drugs anyway, so I didn't care. I felt great."
Following the cancellation of several dates in the country, as well as one show in Seoul, South Korea, the 'Hey Jude' hitmaker has vowed to make it up to his Japanese fans and promised he would soon be returning to the country.
He said: "I'm going back to Japan next year."
Sir Paul McCartney lost 14lbs due to stomach bug
Sir Paul McCartney lost 14lbs in one week after contracting a stomach bug.
The 72-year-old music icon was rushed to hospital in May during a trip to Japan, where he fell ill with the mystery sickness which resulted in him suffering dramatic weight loss.
Discussing the illness, he revealed: "It was some stomach thing and I was throwing up and didn't eat for a week, which is one way to lose weight.
"That's not recommended. I lost nearly a stone (14lbs) or something."
The former Beatles star - who is married to Nancy Shevell - was forced to cancel the remainder of his Asian tour but ultimately was glad he did because the time he spent resting made him feel "stronger than ever".
He added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "My friends said, 'Normally, you'd hate that because you love working.' "
"But I took six weeks and came back stronger than ever."
Thankfully the illness was not life-threatening, and he praised doctors at Tokyo's St Luke's International Hospital who nursed him back to full health following the scare.
He said: "They looked after me amazingly and by then I was on the drugs anyway, so I didn't care. I felt great."
Following the cancellation of several dates in the country, as well as one show in Seoul, South Korea, the 'Hey Jude' hitmaker has vowed to make it up to his Japanese fans and promised he would soon be returning to the country.
He said: "I'm going back to Japan next year."
Movies
Benedict Cumberbatch will play the lead role in Marvel's 'Doctor Strange'.
The 38-year-old star has been linked to the coveted role for the last few months and his casting has now been officially confirmed by Kevin Feige, the President of Marvel Studios.
Kevin, 41, explained: "Stephen Strange's story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity. In 2016, Benedict will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character."
Doctor Strange is a powerful sorcerer, who is responsible for protecting the Earth against mystical threats.
Over the last few months, a number of Hollywood's biggest names have been linked to the part, including Tom Hardy, Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor.
The new movie, which is being directed by Scott Derrickson - who directed 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' - is set for release in October 2016.
Despite achieving major success in Hollywood, with films such as 'The Imitation Game' and 'Star Trek Into Darkness', Benedict recently insisted he has no plans to quit the popular BBC TV series 'Sherlock', in which he plays the role of the detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
He said: "If we can keep the quality up, I can't imagine that I will ever get tired of being Sherlock. I'd love to play him as an old man.
"I really, really love my job. I love sets. I love crews. I love theatres. I love audiences."
Benedict Cumberbatch cast in Doctor Strange
Benedict Cumberbatch will play the lead role in Marvel's 'Doctor Strange'.
The 38-year-old star has been linked to the coveted role for the last few months and his casting has now been officially confirmed by Kevin Feige, the President of Marvel Studios.
Kevin, 41, explained: "Stephen Strange's story requires an actor capable of great depth and sincerity. In 2016, Benedict will show audiences what makes Doctor Strange such a unique and compelling character."
Doctor Strange is a powerful sorcerer, who is responsible for protecting the Earth against mystical threats.
Over the last few months, a number of Hollywood's biggest names have been linked to the part, including Tom Hardy, Colin Farrell and Ewan McGregor.
The new movie, which is being directed by Scott Derrickson - who directed 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose' - is set for release in October 2016.
Despite achieving major success in Hollywood, with films such as 'The Imitation Game' and 'Star Trek Into Darkness', Benedict recently insisted he has no plans to quit the popular BBC TV series 'Sherlock', in which he plays the role of the detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.
He said: "If we can keep the quality up, I can't imagine that I will ever get tired of being Sherlock. I'd love to play him as an old man.
"I really, really love my job. I love sets. I love crews. I love theatres. I love audiences."