PUSSYCAT DOLL NICOLE MAKES SURPRISE X FACTOR APPEARANCE AT JAMES ARTHUR GIG IN GLASGOW

NICOLE Scherzinger made a surprise appearance at James Arthur’s gig tonight in Glasgow’s SSE Hydro.
 The glam X Factor judge introduced contestant Kevin Davy White from the show as a surprise guest on stage and the whole moment was recorded for X factor.
The crowd couldn’t believe it as they got some extra celebrities popping up at the gig.
Nicole told fans: “I have a very special guest I want to bring out here tonight, a very dear friend of mine and he is in the X Factor final this weekend.
“This is the biggest audience he’s ever performed did in his whole life so I need everybody to please turn their lights on to show some love, all the love that Glasgow has to give, to show how beautiful Glasgow is. He is one of the best most beautiful souls I’ve ever met and an amazing musician. Please vote for him, please support him and give him some love.

Kevin then performed a cover of Beatles song Come Together.
James Arthur meantime wowed the crowd at his arran gig with hits including Impossible and Say You Won’t Let Go as well as a beautiful cover of George Michael’s Careless Whisper.

From Scotland with Love - theshowbizlion.com

STEREOPHONICS, JAMES BAY, THE SCRIPT AND JESSIE J SET FOR GLASGOW’S TRNSMT

WELSH heroes and one of Great Britain’s best live bands Stereophonics will take to the TRNSMT stage for the first time next summer on the opening day of the festival.
With ten studio albums under the belt, six of which were UK number ones, there will be no shortage of singalongs on display during the Stereophonics’ set at TRNSMT 2018.
 Kelly Jones said: "TRNSMT line-up looks like a great weekend for all! Happy to be headlining the Friday and getting another chance to play in front of the beautiful always up for it Scottish crowds!"
 TRNSMT will once again programme an immense summer of music in Scotland, returning to Glasgow Green over two weekends on 29th June – 1st July plus 6th and 8th July 2018. These five shows are set to bring music fans the ultimate festival experience, with world-class stars descending to the TRNSMT stage.
Irish trio The Script join TRNSMT’s opening day line-up, set to bring a dose of acclaimed pop rock to Glasgow Green. Releasing their fifth album Freedom Child in September 2017, The Script will perform hits such as ‘Rain’, ‘Hall of Fame’ and ‘For the First Time’ for their Scottish fans.
 Joining Stereophonics and The Script on 29th June 2018 is James Bay. From the moment that he was announced as winner of the BRITS Critics’ Choice Award in 2015, to 12 months later when he was nominated for 4 prestigious awards in the 2016 BRITS ceremony, James Bay’s journey has been exciting for the masses to follow. His debut album, Chaos and The Calm, entered the UK charts at No.1 in March 2015 and stayed in the top 20 for a staggering 40 weeks, reaching platinum status in the UK.
 Completing the latest announcement is singer-songwriter Jessie J who will bring her hip-hop and R&B vibes to Glasgow in June, also joining the bill on Friday 29th June 2018. Jessie J’s debut album in 2011 spawned massive singles such as ‘Do It Like a Dude’ and ‘Price Tag’, which topped the charts in over 19 countries. Multi-platinum collaboration ‘Bang Bang’ saw Jessie join forces with fellow queens of pop Nicki Minaj and Ariana Grande and showcased Jessie’s powerful mix of soulful vocals with hip-hop beats. With the announcement of her fourth album R.O.S.E and release of her single ‘Queen’ in recent weeks, Jessie J ‘s powerhouse act is well and truly back and we can’t wait to feel her powerful stage presence at TRNSMT 2018.
 Last week, TRNSMT announced Liam Gallagher will play his first ever outdoor Scottish gig on Saturday 30th June 2018, joined by fellow British rock Courteeners, Wolf Alice and J Hus. In a line-up that celebrates the cream of the British crop right now, the acts are set to bring an iconic electric atmosphere to Glasgow Green next summer.
 An era-defining voice and the frontman of his generation, Liam Gallagher has owned 2017 with his solo return, Courteeners have been dubbed one of the best live British bands of the moment by Clash Music recently and, fresh from two sell-out Barrowland shows, Wolf Alice are quite simply one of the most epic and energetic British bands of our time. Also revealed by festival organisers last week was hot English grime artist, four-time MOBO nominated singer and breakthrough star of today’s rap scene J Hus, who also joins these home grown British artists on the opening TRNSMT 2018 weekend.
 Today marks the second host of announcements from TRNSMT organisers, offering music fans a taste of what’s to come at five TRNSMT events next summer.
 A city already renowned for its captive music audiences, TRNSMT 2017 showed artists from around the world that there’s nothing better than a Scottish crowd and 2018 promises to deliver an even bigger transmission.
 Big performances from headliners Radiohead, Kasabian and Biffy Clyro created an epic inaugural event for TRNSMT in 2017, which also saw stand-out sets from the likes of Belle & Sebastian, Stormzy and The 1975.
 Shortlisted for three UK Festival awards including ‘Best Major’ and ‘Best New’, TRNSMT was heralded by fans and critics in 2017 for its incredible audience, atmosphere and perfect mix of international and local talent.
 Geoff Ellis, Head of DF Concerts said: “Geoff Ellis, Head of DF Concerts said: “Today’s announcement of headliners Stereophonics plus The Script, James Bay and Jessie J brings yet another brilliant taster of TRNSMT 2018. We were delighted to bring the news of Liam Gallagher’s headline show to the masses earlier last week and TRNSMT’s line-up is shaping up to be a brilliant celebration of world-class bands and local talent, over two weekends, for the first-ever time in Glasgow.
 TRNSMT will once again programme an immense summer of music in Scotland, returning to Glasgow Green over two weekends on 29th June – 1st July plus 6th and 8th July 2018. These five shows are set to bring music fans the ultimate festival experience, with world-class stars descending to the TRNSMT stage.

T3: SON OF BEGBIE SAYS TRAINSPOTTING SCOTS SCREENWRITER

TRAINSPOTTING screenwriter John Hodge says he and the team behind the latest T2 movie fancy making a sequel about the kids of the main characters.

John who just this week picked up a Scottish BAFTA award for best feature, and director fiction as well as Ewen Bremners award for Best actor said:

“There has got to be some progress. We thought there could be a sequel with the offspring, young Begbie, young Spud, Simon’s son that he’s never seen, all getting back together. We’d call it something like Son of Begbie.”

John, who also wrote Shallow Grave, said it would be a challenge and pretty stressful to go back to the characters but one that could bring lots of fun adding: “It was very stressful working the story out in a way that sort of feels true to the character so that it’s not just more of the same. It was lovely getting back into the characters.

Once you’re back inside Begbie’s head he does all the writing for you. I was watching the scene where he is interviewed by the parol officer and the lawyer and I remember looking at it and thinking ‘I don’t even remember that.’

The story was difficult but the scenes were dead easy. Then you think, what would it be like if Begbie has a son and you think ‘That would be fun’.”

In T2, psychopath Begbie’s son is played by seventeen year old Hamilton actor Scot Greenan who said it was a dream come true to work with Danny Boyle and the crew.

Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh suggested earlier this year that the saga might not be over yet, saying: “I think there’s probably room for one more kind of Trainspotting -themed film. You never know what’s going to happen with these things.”

John currently says he’s working on several TV and Film projects and throwing mud at a wall to see what sticks.

He said: “I’m trying to write a script for television and one that would be filmed in Scotland but I’m not sure what’s happening with that now. It’s stalled a bit. I wrote a play that we did in London about five years ago, a historical one that we wrote about Stalin and I was going to talk to Armando Iannucci who has just released a film about Stalin about that. I am also rewriting a science fiction film. Anything that seems like a good story.

Political stuff is thrilling and interesting and you just try and follow your interest. You throw all of the scripts out there and most of them never see the light of day.”

From Scotland with  love - theshowbizlion.com

INVERNESS DOCTOR WHO ACTOR KAREN GILLAN’S NEW JUMANJI LOOK IS NO YOKE

IT looks like Karen Gillan’s egg and avocado diet has paid off in these latest pictures of her scantily clad character in Jumanji. 

Inverness born redhead Karen plays fictional character Ruby Roundhouse in the film based on the computer game of the same name. 

And Karen, 29, who stars as one of the ‘kids’ sucked into the vintage game to become an adult avatar, had to sick to a strict exercise and nutrition regime to fit into the children’s clothes she had to wear for the character. 

When she was on set in November 2016, The five foot ten model and actress shared pictures with her fans of her diet - including three eggs and one avocado which made up a meal. 

She joked at the time: “You know you need to get a life when...”

Karen who even pretended to work out with an avocado in one video also revealed that personal trainer and world class fitness athlete Scott Pearlman got her into tip top shape for the role. 

She said: “Thanks so much to my personal trainer Scott Pearlman who whipped me into shape for Jumanji! Sad to leave our Hawaii routine and continue my mission to swol without him!”

Swol is slang for someone or something that is very muscular in nature. 

Karen who just reunited with the movie stars including Jack Black, Nick Jonas, Kevin Hart and The Rock for some film promo before the official release on December 20 will celebrate her 30th birthday on November 28.

She may not have time to return home to Inverness to celebrate after signing up to do some new Avengers movies as Nebula as well as getting ready to release her own directed film The Party’s Just Beginning. 

Movie goers can expect a few surprises in Jumanji including it seems a potential romance between Karen and co star The Rock aka Dwayne Johnson. 

After Karen said she couldn’t wait for the release on Instagram Dwayne hinted to her in a personal reply: “You killed it. Our ‘kiss’ is everything.”

Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Scottish Mail on Sunday 

From Scotland with Love - theshowbizlion.com

STEPS GO BACK IN TIME TO LIGHT UP THE SSE HYDRO IN GLASGOW

MANY of their original fans might be grown up mummies and daddies now but the red devil horn dilly boppers flashed away with renewed energy as  Steps took everyone back in time. 

A new age of innocence was born with a nostalgia  filled set of hits from Sunmer Of Love, and Deeper Shade of Blue, to Chain Reaction. 

New songs like Happy and Dancing With A Broken Heart as well as the brilliant Story Of A Heart from the fab new album Tears On The Dancefloor got the crowd dancing but it was the oldies that proved the best. 

Numbers like Stomp with incredible disco ball space men style outfits and Better Best Forgotten and Last Thing On My mind with its cavalcade of primary and pastel colours projected on stage took us back to the nineties.

Claire Richards, H, Lisa Scott Lee, Faye Tozer, and Lee Latchford Evans admitted the SSE Hydro hadn’t even been thought of never mind built  twenty years ago when they first began, but they welcomed new fans in the audience. 

Singing a medley of hits like 5,6,7,8 and Better The Devil You Know the fab five were in their element as they joked about how sexy they all felt.

Tracks like The Way You Make Me Feel started off as slow acoustic tracks before gathering pace and the beautiful ballad Heartbeat, written about unrequited love got hands and lights waving in the air. 

We bopped manically to club hit Love You More and by the time Tragedy arrived Steps had  turned the SSE Hydro into a throbbing dance floor. We just needed a giant handbag to dance around. 

 

A SPARKLING NIGHT WITH OUTLANDER, STRICTLY, LOVE ISLAND AND MORE AT SCOTTISH BAFTAS

IT was a real night of sparklers as a host of stars turned out for the BAFTA Scotland Awards at Glasgow’s Radisson Blu Hotel - and T2 made record breaking history by winning three awards.

Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe joined Doctor Who’s Peter Capaldi, Strictly’s Joe McFadden and Freya Mavor on the red carpet. 

Devoted dad and Olympic champ Sir Chris Hoy arrived with his wife Sarah, three year old son Callum and one and a half month old daughter Chloe. 

He said it was the first time the family had been on a night out since Chloe was born in September. 

Looking proud as punch, Chris who awarded Glasgow 1967: The Lisbon Lions for Single Documentary said: “It’s a real pleasure to be here tonight. The wee ones doing well. Callum and his sister Chloe are here tonight and they are here up in the room with the grandparents. It’s our first night out since Chloe was born so it should be nice. There is a real temptation to stay at home and hunker down with family or come to these things without my wife so it’s nice that everyone is here.”

Edith Bowman, Laura Fraser and Armando Iannucci who received the Outstanding Cotnribution for Film and Television Award also graced the stage making a point of sporting 50/50 rings as a silent protest for equality within the industry. 

The rings were provided by actress Deirdre Mullins who has sent them out to various stars before the bash. 

Edith said in her introductory speech: “BAFTA joined others in calling and end to this behaviour as utterly unacceptable.”

James Cosmo who has been filming the Outlaw King with Hollywood star Chris Pike was thrilled to hang out with his pal Peter Capaldi. 

He said: “Peter has joined me for the evening.”

Speaking of his new movie which comes twenty years on from Braveheart he said: “I’m having a wonderful time on it. I have high hopes for it. It’s great Scottish movie. It’s a very different take from Braveheart but I think it will have an equal impact. I play Robert The Bruce’s Dad who is quite a political animal and David Mackenzie is an extraordinary director. It’s stylistically very different and I do think it will have the impact of Braveheart. These movies are always romanticised but I think it is more accurate of that time. I’ve ridden horses all through my career and I don’t know who I felt most sorry for - myself or the horse. I was an awful lot lighter when I was doing Braveheart and I wasn’t wearing chain mail but he’s a good old horse. Having just turned seventy it’s great that I can still get on a horse.”

He said of Chris Pines accent: “It’s a lot better than my Californian accent anyway

James also said of Trainspotting T2: “It was such a huge ask and for Danny to create a sequel for such a huge piece of work and such a seminal piece of work and he was really cruising for the critics to destroy him as they sometimes do. I think he pulled it off in spades and did a wonderful job and I have so much admiration for him.

James also praised Netflix for helping young directors and writers.

Referring to the Harvey Weinstein debacle he said: “It’s become a lot more open and egalitarian and it’s great to have that power structure broken up. Let’s have more independent filmmakers getting in there.” 

A chilled Peter Capaldi claimed he was taking it easy by doing ‘nothing’ since he filmed the last episode of Doctor Who.

He laughed: “It’s very relaxing when you don’t have to find out if you’ve won or not. I’m just hanging out. The first thing I did was nothing. I’m just taking it easy.”

Asked if there was any prospect of Malcolm Tucker making a return he added: “I don’t know you’d have to ask Armando.”

I don’t have anything to report. I’m just really enjoying myself not doing anything. I’m very happy not to have to get up for anything.”

Ewan Macgregor and his costars May have been absent due to filming commitments but the night was anything but a damp squib - and theshowbizlion.com went wild at the after party. 

SCOTS X FACTOR TALENTS THE CUTKELVINS SAY THEIR FATHER IS ON STAGE WITH THEM

SCOTS X Factor stars the Cutkelvins have opened up about the secret heartache behind their success on X Factor.
The talented trio from Lanark admit they are still devastated at losing their beloved Dad Derek seven years ago this December when he died unexpectedly at home.
And the performers who have received support from their mum Lynda throughout the show, carry around a treasured piece of him as they perform during the weekly shows on X Factor.
As Shereen, 20, and her brothers Jay, 24, and Kyle, 22, prepare for another round of live shows this weekend on X Factor they have exclusively told the Scottish Sun of their biggest inspiration from the man they were proud to call their father.

Shereen said: “Dad was there on stage up with us at the weekend - he always is.”
“When we were younger he would always just be listening to our rehearsals and how our harmonies worked and showed us how to breathe properly. He trained me when I was younger and he taught us a lot. That is where our inspiration came from.”
Derek Cutkelvin, then 53,  whose stage name was also Lewis J Jackson was a seasoned performer who sang regularly with his own brothers and sisters in the seventies band Django.
He also performed in a Drifters tribute band The Driftars and occasionally appeared on TV.
Kyle said: “Dad did a six week tour with Ben E King and he was in his group at the time called Django. He was with his brothers and sisters and there were four in the group. It’s like history repeating. He did some TV too but the internet wasn’t as big then as it is now so it was harder. It’s a bit easier now to get exposure.”
Speaking of his father’s tragic death from a cardiac arrest in December 2011, Kyle continued: “He passed away suddenly seven years ago. He didn’t have an illness or anything. He had a heart attack. It was so unexpected. I was sixteen, Shereen was 14 and Jay was eighteen. We are still dealing with it now, everyday.”
Shereen who adored her daddy and once paid tribute to him in a touching YouTube video singing Dance with My Father Again, added: “We are a very close family and we’ve always got each other. Mum is like the glue that holds us all together. We’ve always had that very strong connection and that continues even after dad has passed.”
The band try to start off their days by spending time thinking about their daddy. Jay said: “He is still very much our inspiration now. We go back and look at his videos and watch the way he did it.”
Shereen said: ”Even just this morning we were listening to some of his own original songs and it set off our day right.”
Kyle added: ”If we do well we will perform his songs at some point, maybe not on the show but somewhere.”
The close family carry their father in their hearts but they also admit he brings them luck through some of his old possessions which they’ve been wearing onstage.
Shereen who used to perform in girl group Neon Jungle alongside artists like Taylor Swift in the US said: “I’ve got my dads rosary beads that were given to him by a nun. I keep them on me.”
Jay added: “I wear his bracelet every day and I have not taken it off since. It’s one of my dads that I wear on stage.”
And Kyle said: “I have a watch from my dad that I will wear as well. I was scared to bring it in case I lost it but I will wear it if we reach the final.”
The family can’t wait to catch up with Simon Cowell again this weekend and perform their latest track.
They are thrilled that Scotland is behind them and are keen to get to the final stages of the competition.
Jay added: “Mum is dead proud of us all and always keeps us grounded to make sure we don’t get too big for our boots.”
Excerpts of this article have since appeared exclusively in the Scottish Sun.
From Scotland With Love -  Theshowbizlion.com

SCOTS ODEON CINEMA GOES LUXE WITH LATEST GADGETS

WATCHING a film at home might seem like the ultimate in comfort but ODEON Cinemas have come up with something even better to rival your cosy couch. 

And Scottish film fans are amongst the very first to try the new ODEON Luxe venues with not one bit there opening at a complex near you in the next few weeks. 

Film fans in  in Edinburgh can now experience the ultimate in cinema luxury – as ODEON Luxe Edinburgh West has opened its doors today  following a glittering gala evening last night attended by hundreds of local dignitaries, media and business owners.

Theshowbizlion.com was there to check it out and relax in the very latest of reclining chairs whilst enjoying some of the incredible snacks in offer. 

The cinema, formerly known as ODEON Wester Hailes, is a brand-new ODEON Luxe cinema – making it only the second ODEON Luxe cinema and home to the largest fully-reclining iSense screen in Europe.

There is already one in East Kilbride and Glasgow city centre is next on the list.

Attendees at the event enjoyed a drinks reception in the cinema’s upgraded foyer, sampling some of the cinema’s new food & drink offerings – before being invited into the iSense screen to experience the cutting-edge technology whilst watching Murder on the Orient Express.

 Theshowbizlion.com was joined by X Factor singer Caitlyn Vanbeck and members of local boy band Monroe as well as talents from girl boy group GSide and upcoming Singer Saskia Eng.  

Edinburgh City Council Convener for Culture and Sport, Donald Wilson officially cut the ribbon to open the site alongside Carol Welch, Managing Director of ODEON UK & Ireland, and Isla Stilley, General Manager of ODEON Luxe Edinburgh West – who began her career with ODEON as a Cinema Host at the very same site.

 ODEON Luxe Edinburgh West joins ODEON Luxe East Kilbride, which launched in October, as part of the ODEON Luxe family of fully-reclining cinemas – with the two luxurious venues soon to be followed this month by ODEON Glasgow Quay and ODEON Leeds Bradford.

 As the newest ODEON Luxe cinema, ODEON Luxe Edinburgh West features 800 handmade reclining seats across eight upgraded screens, with triple the legroom and increased personal space for guests, as well as individual, retractable tray tables and a host of new food and drink options to ensure the ultimate cinema experience.

 The cinema’s technology has also been overhauled, including the installation of a cutting-edge 178-seat iSense screen - the largest fully-reclining iSense in Europe - delivering a truly immersive, ultra-high-definition cinema experience, with 4K projection and Dolby ATMOS sound.

 Film fans can enjoy breathtaking sound delivered by 160 brand new speakers across all auditoriums, with all standard screens now packing Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound and improved picture quality through enlarged screens throughout the cinema.

 A new in-screen lighting system will also help minimise distractions between guests, and any guests who are hard of hearing can also take advantage of a new Dolby Fidelio Audio Description system and Hearing-Impaired loops across all screens.

 The opening of the cinema comes ahead of an exciting release schedule of new films, including the release of the highly anticipated remake of Murder on The Orient Express (3rd November), and before upcoming family film, Paddington 2 (10th November) and superhero epic Justice League (17th November).

 Guests of the cinema can choose from an extensive new range of food options, including freshly-popped popcorn, hot dogs and nachos, as well as drink options including a Coca Cola Freestyle with over 100 different flavour combinations to enjoy. It really is something else. 

ODEON Luxe Edinburgh West also features an all-new Oscar’s Bar, which offers guests freshly-cooked pizza and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

 In addition to the range of retail options, guests can also enjoy a range of promotions and discounted screenings including ODEON Kids, ODEON Newbies, ODEON Silver Cinema & ODEON Screen Unseen – as well as being able to take advantage of ODEON’s Limitless cards and ODEON Première Club loyalty scheme.

 For more information on available offers and to book tickets for upcoming screenings, guests can visit the ODEON website: http://www.odeon.co.uk/cinemas/edinburgh_west/140/  

Isla Stilley, General Manager at ODEON Luxe Edinburgh West said: “It’s incredibly exciting to open our doors and welcome local film fans into our luxurious new cinema. The experience we can now offer guests, with handmade recliners and a range of food & drink options, means our cinema is going to be at the forefront of entertainment for years to come.”

Donald Wilson, Edinburgh City Council Convener of Culture and Communities added: “This has always been a very popular cinema, but these refurbishments – including cutting-edge technology and fully-reclining seats – sees it become a state-of-the-art facility with benefits for the whole city. Edinburgh is a city with a rich history of arts and culture, and the new ODEON Luxe Edinburgh West will ensure guests can enjoy the best entertainment in truly luxurious settings.”

 Key features of the new ODEON Luxe Edinburgh West include:

 800 fully-reclining seats (reduced from 2,117) across eight fully-refurbished screens, with increased leg-room, improved comfort and handy tray tables

A new cutting-edge 178-seat iSense screen, delivering a truly immersive, ultra-high-definition cinema experience, with 4K projection and Dolby ATMOS sound

160 brand new speakers across all auditoriums, with all standard screens also upgrading to Dolby 7.1 Surround Sound and 63 multi-channel amplifiers

New enlarged screens across all auditoriums – with new in-screen lighting systems to minimise distractions and optimised viewing angles with better light uniformity on all screens

New Dolby Fidelio Audio Description system and Hearing-Impaired loops across all screens for guests who are hard of hearing

New food & drink offering, including freshly-popped popcorn, hot dogs and nachos, as well as the all-new Oscar’s Bar featuring freshly-cooked pizza and a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

New drinks options including a Coca Cola Freestyle machine with over 100 different flavours and freshly brewed coffee, served in the brand new stylish on-site Costa

Renovated and refreshed areas of the cinema including a new foyer, entrance area, ceilings, toilets and LED lighting

ODEON’s sub-brands including ODEON Kids, ODEON Newbies, ODEON Silver Cinema & ODEON Screen Unseen

BILLY CONNOLLY: WHAT THE BIG YIN WAS GOING TO SAY TO HER MAJ

A trendy looking Billy Connolly said he couldn’t  wait to be knighted on Tuesday - and he’d be an obedient servant.
Billy had been spending the last week in Scotland catching up with his daughter and family before the big event.
Asked what he was going to say to Her Majesty on the big day, the comedy legend said : “I’m just going to do what she tells me.”
During his time in Glasgow The Big Yin, who recently found out he has Indian blood, popped in for a South Indian meal at Dakhin and spoke to staff about his love of the traditional dishes.
He also went shopping at Wholefoods in Giffnock which coincidently used to be the old Tudor cinema - a fact that didn’t go unnoticed when he met a relative of the former owners.

During Halloween celebrations Billy posed with two Superhero superfan students Jonathan Walker, 18 and Ian McMaster, 18 who couldn’t believe they bumped into him.
Jonathan said: “This has made our night. We both love Billy.”

Excerpts of this article have since appeared in the Scottish Sun and Daily Record
From Scotland with Love - theshowbizlion.com