Author: SKYNEWS

A new play, written by a former drama student, tells the story of a flawed acting school teacher whose out-of-date and unethical practices land him in deep trouble with his students.  Spider is set in a fictional drama school and the writer and director, Jude Benning, says the lead character – Frank Dowling – is a composite of people who still work in the industry. It’s run at the Riverside Studios, in London, and comes after a Sky News investigation in November last year uncovered misconduct and harassment in some of Britain’s leading conservatoires.Speaking to Sky News, Ms Benning says a…

At 97, Sir David Attenborough is a man still happy to crawl on his belly through wet grass to get his shot.For his latest project, Secret World Of Sound, the world-renowned naturalist and broadcaster explores the ways that animals hear and produce sound, using cutting-edge technology to record noises from nature – with some captured on film for the first time. Attenborough’s long-time collaborator, and the show’s series producer, Sharmila Choudhury tells Sky News: “David keeps us on our toes. He sets the bar very high. And that’s a good thing.”I think he work still works harder than most of…

First it was bent coppers, now it’s explosives planted around London – Vicky McClure’s characters never have it easy.The BAFTA-winning actress is currently on screen as Lana Washington in the second series of ITV drama Trigger Point, leading a team of bomb disposal experts – or “expos” – working for the Met Police. Written by Daniel Brierley, it’s another series executive produced by Jed Mercurio, the man behind Line Of Duty. While it hasn’t quite reached the same fevered levels of fandom just yet, the first season was a ratings winner and a linear TV draw for viewers tuning in…

Jessica Chastain says she “hid” from her co-stars during her latest project, going out of her way to distance herself and allow herself “not to be liked”.The 46-year-old Oscar winner, who stars in Michel Franco drama Memory, told Sky News: “Sometimes I play characters who know everything. They’re the smartest person in the room, and they know what’s going to happen. “It was interesting to play something and to work in a way where you just didn’t know, and you were free to discover.” Image: Jessica Chastain in Memory. Pic: Ketchup Entertainment/Bohemia Media She plays Sylvia, a recovering alcoholic, whose…

Pete Doherty has revealed he has been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes as he battles with ongoing health issues.The Libertines singer and guitarist, 44, has been open about his struggle with alcohol and drugs over the years. In an interview with the Guardian’s Saturday magazine, Doherty said he gave up “the main poisons” and his health improved.”Then you get told alcohol and cheese and sugar are just as bad and you were healthier when you were on heroin.”He admitted he was “a bit of a glutton”, adding: “It’s not a joke. I’ve been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. “And at…

Ellie Goulding has announced that she has split from her husband Caspar Jopling.The 37-year-old Starry Eyed singer, and the 32-year-old art dealer tied the knot at a celebrity-packed ceremony five years ago. Image: Pic: PA They welcomed a son, Arthur, in 2021.Posting a statement in an Instagram story, Goulding said she had been left with “no choice” but to publicly announce that they have been separated for “some time”.The Hertfordshire-born singer wrote: “In light of recent stories, I feel I have been left with no choice but to let you all know that Caspar and I privately separated some time…

Graham Norton is stepping down from hosting his weekend shows on Virgin Radio.The 60-year-old Irish presenter joined the station in 2021 after leaving his BBC Radio 2 Saturday morning show. Norton made the shock announcement on Saturday morning, telling his listeners he wanted to have his “weekends back” after 13 years of radio presenting.”Now the show isn’t quite the normal show today because I have a bit of an announcement to make – I’m leaving weekends here at Virgin Radio,” he said.The chat show host said he will not be leaving Virgin entirely, adding: “I’ll still be kind of popping…

Next has approached administrators to The Body Shop about a potential deal to purchase parts of the stricken cosmetics chain.Sky News has learnt that executives from the UK fashion retailing giant have contacted FRP Advisory to express an interest in acquiring assets as part of any sale process it decides to launch. There were doubts this weekend, however, that FRP, which was appointed to handle the insolvency of The Body Shop in the UK earlier this month, would elect to run a conventional auction, with one source suggesting that contact between FRP and Next had already stalled.Read more: The Body…

The BBC has apologised for a “misjudged” question to Andrew Scott in an awkward red carpet interview at the BAFTA film awards last week.During the starry event, which honours the best films of the past year, Scott was questioned about the film Saltburn, and more specifically about fellow Irish star Barry Keoghan’s genitals. Image: Barry Keoghan. Pic: Reuters After chatting to Scott, 47, about his film All Of Us Strangers, BBC entertainment correspondent Colin Paterson moved onto the popularity of other Irish performers, including Saltburn star Keoghan.Paterson asked: “Do you know Barry well?”To which Scott replied: “I know Barry, yeah.”…

Actor Stuart Organ, who played a teacher in children’s TV school drama Grange Hill, has died aged 72.Organ also appeared in Doctor Who and Casualty, but was best known as Mr Robson, the longest-serving staff member, who taught PE and geography in the BBC series about life in a London comprehensive school. He appeared in the show for 15 years from 1988, with his character promoted to head teacher after 10 years. Image: Stuart Organ in Wycliffe in 1996. Pic: ITV/Shutterstock Grange Hill, which ran for 30 years from 1978, became well known for tackling issues such as racism, drug…