Voices

This was Peppa Pig week, the week in which a cartoon character that “looks like a hairdryer” became a footnote in British history. Boris Johnson ’s genius for a colourful analogy appeared to rebound on him on Monday after he lost his place in the text of a speech to the Confederation of British Industry (CBI). What will for ever be known as “the Peppa Pig speech” was poorly received by business leaders, and it gave Keir Starmer some good lines at Prime Minister’s Questions. The Labour leader said “The prime minister’s routine is falling flat”, and he must be hoping that it marks the moment the voters start to tire of the entertainer in No 10. This may be reading too much into Johnson getting the pages of his speech mixed up, but sometimes these accidental moments crystallise something that is happening to public opinion. Will we look back on this week as the moment when, as Starmer suggests, the joke finally wasn’t funny any more? Johnson certainly didn’t seem to …

[Read more...] about Voters will tell us what they think of Boris Johnson’s Peppa Pig speech in next week’s by-election

When the first three estates are weak, the fourth estate looks strong by contrast. The British press, therefore, appears important in 1992, as it did in 1963, or in 1930, but its importance is more a reflection of the failure of other national institutions than of its own power. For the Royal Family, 1992 has indeed been a horrible year, but the damaging events have been reported, and not caused, by the press, broadsheet or tabloid. The marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales had failed long before Andrew Morton's book appeared. Indeed, his book was a consequence of the failure of the marriage, and would never have been written if the Princess of Wales had not decided that she wanted her side of the story to be known. Nobody suggests that the press had anything to do with the Princess Royal's divorce, or decision to remarry. The Duchess of York rightly says that the breakdown of her marriage was her own fault. No doubt press intrusion made the break-up more difficult …

[Read more...] about The fourth estate: not guilty: Fingers point at the messenger, but the Royal Family, Government and

Matt Hancock has opened the door to assisted dying in the UK by requesting figures for how many people have killed themselves for medical reasons , to “inform the debate”. Britain will legalise it. It’s inevitable. Inevitable because that’s our direction of travel since the Sixties, towards full bodily autonomy; because we’re living longer, suffering and want a dignified end; and because religious conservatism has all but collapsed in Parliament. There are MPs who have qualms about legalisation, Danny Kruger wrote intelligently against it in this paper recently , but they know they’re in a tiny minority - and that they’ll be up against a chorus of emotional rhetoric. Those who are alive and suffering can have a voice. Those who have taken their own life under pressure never do. There is no lobby for the dead. It’s the same problem debating abortion - living, breathing human beings who believe it’s a woman’s right can write to their MP, but unborn babies cannot - and I see …

[Read more...] about Assisted dying may be ‘exceptional’ at first, but that’s what they said about abortion

Prince Charles: ‘No way’ he can fill Queen’s shoes says Tominey Sign up for FREE now and never miss the top Royal stories again. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info While the future of the Royal Family is still under wraps, Prince Charles is rather busy enjoying the “spotlight” he deserves after many years. Charles is next in the line after the Queen but could face the possibility of acting as a mere "bridge" to his son and heir Prince William's reign, Camilla Tominey claimed. Prince Charles is the longest-serving Prince of Wales, having been anointed in 1969, and has been long serving in a supporting role to his ageing mother. Related articles Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to skip Christmas with Queen - CLAIM …

[Read more...] about ‘No way on Earth’ Prince Charles can fill Queen’s shoes as William and Kate are ‘future’

Ore is performing in the Rocky Horror Show until February (Image: Getty) Sign up for FREE for the latest news from the world of showbiz SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info SO high is the standard achieved by Strictly Come Dancing champions, it's surprising that more of them don't put their best foot forward and start hoofing for a living. But last year's victor Bill Bailey is still a comedian and Stacey Dooley (2018) remains a TV reporter. Since lifting the Glitterball with professional partner Joanne Clifton five years ago, however, former BBC Breakfast sports presenter Ore Oduba hasn't been able to get the glitz, glitter and sheer razzamatazz of showbiz out of his system. Portia Oduba and Ore Oduba attend the inaugural British Ballet …

[Read more...] about Ore Oduba: ‘Winning Strictly unlocked my secret ambition to perform’

Things can often get a bit bitter when you break up with someone. However, one woman has had the last laugh after her former partner mocked her by telling her she should join racy subscription-based site OnlyFans . Bombshell Syd Wilder did just that - and has now become one of the top earners on the site. The brunette beauty said she grew up "as your average fat kid", before making a failed attempt to become a country singer. She eventually became a comedian, actor, model, writer, podcaster and voiceover artist. However, joining OnlyFans has proved to be her most profitable venture yet as she's making more money than ever. Instagram Syd said she set up her account on the site last April, and within a year, she has reached the top one percent of creators on OnlyFans. She said she owes part of this success to the backhanded advice from her ex. The LA-based star told LADBible : "I was going through a break-up, and he was like, 'Well, join …

[Read more...] about Woman mockingly told by ex to join OnlyFans becomes one of site’s top earners

It’s that time of year again, when we’re hit in the face with a flurry of festive flicks from various streaming services and studios. Netflix Christmas movies always arrive in a fair quantity, and 2021 is no exception . With follow ups to past favourites, animation and rom-coms aplenty, let’s dive into this year’s offerings. The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star The crown jewel in Netflix’s original Christmas movie offering, or something like that seeing as it’s back for the third year in a row, Vanessa Hudgens is here again with another helping of festive doppelgänger drama. When a priceless relic is stolen, Queen Margaret (Hudgens) and Princess Stacy (also Hudgens) enlist the help of Margaret’s cousin Fiona (Hudgens again), who teams up with a man from her past to retrieve it, resulting in romance and a very unexpected switch. Basically, Hudgens now gets to be a blonde and sparkly dupe as well as a British (ish) one. Available to watch on Netflix …

[Read more...] about Netflix Christmas movies 2021: All the holiday releases you should know about

A transgender Netflix employee, who protested against Dave Chappelle’s comedy special The Closer, has resigned from the company. Terra Field, who worked as a software engineer for the streaming platform, uploaded a copy of her resignation to Twitter on Tuesday. The comedian was accused of transphobia for stating ‘gender is a fact’ at his show while backing JK Rowling and stating he is ‘team Terf’, the acronym for trans-exclusionary radical feminist. Field, along with many others, protested against the stand-up show led by the 48-year-old comic, as they believed his show was an attack on the trans community. The former technician tweeted: ‘I resigned from Netflix yesterday, yes you can read my resignation letter below. ‘I am not happy that this is how things turned out, but I do think this outcome is the best for all parties involved.’ A Netflix spokesperson responded saying: ‘We have resolved our differences in a way that acknowledges the erosion of trust on …

[Read more...] about Netflix trans employee resigns following controversial Dave Chappelle special

New episodes of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here have been pulled from the TV schedule this weekend due to technical difficulties resulting from adverse weather. A statement from ITV reads: ‘Owing to technical difficulties caused by extreme weather conditions in the area, there will be no new episodes of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! this weekend (Saturday and Sunday). ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! will be replaced tonight and tomorrow night in the ITV schedules by compilation shows (voiced by Ant & Dec) featuring best moments from previous series.’ Much of the UK was hit with strong winds last night as Storm Arwen tore through the country. The celebrity contestants are safe within the Castle. More to come. …

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"Flamboyant. No other word stands out so much in connection with Freddie Mercury ," writes author Nicola Bardola in the preface to his biography "Mercury in Munich — His Best Years." On November 24, 1991, the extraordinary artist died of AIDS-related complications, only a day after he had publicly announced that he had contracted HIV. Until then he had kept silent about his illness, despite all the rumors. Mercury, born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar in 1946, was cagey when it came to his private life and mostly kept a low profile during interviews. He once said that he hated talking to people he didn't know. "Mercury in München" looks at the singer's years in the Bavarian city of Munich Unknown in Munich This is one of the reasons he felt so at home in the Bavarian metropolis of Munich, where he lived for a period between 1979 and 1985. Germanist and author Nicola Bardola has written an extensive biography of Mercury's time in Munich, quoting the singer at the outset as …

[Read more...] about Freddie Mercury: inimitable and unforgettable