City Belfast Showbiz Latest News and Updates

A British pensioner has died on a flight to Portugal of a suspected heart attack.

Manori Ravindran International EditorIn another major M&A coup, Fremantle has taken a majority stake in Irish production company Element Pictures, the producers of “Normal People,” “Conversations With Friends” and “The Favourite.”Element Pictures has grown to become one of Europe’s top drama producers, and is managed by co-founders Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe, with offices in Dublin, London and Belfast.The deal was spearheaded by Fremantle group COO and continental Europe CEO Andrea Scrosati and Lorenzo De Maio, of De Maio Entertainment. The deal represents continued investment in European drama from Fremantle, which is owned by Germany’s RTL Group.

In another mega M&A deal, Fremantle has taken a majority stake in Irish The Favourite, Room and Conversations with Friends producer Element Pictures.

Alan Partridge has poked fun at Piers Morgan’s struggling TV ratings.Steve Coogan’s beloved comedy character took aim at the former Good Morning Britain presenter and his new show in a speech at the TV BAFTAs.“Hello, I’m Alan Partridge,” the comedian began, saying: “Here to commemorate 75 years alongside this fella,”lifting up the BAFTA award.“Yep, it’s the BAFTA trophy,” he added. “A face I affectionately call the TV commissioner because he’s one-eyed, brainless and couldn’t crack a smile if he wanted to.”Apologising for his absence in person, Partridge said: “Sadly I can’t be with you, because I’m on a nationwide tour, performing in person each night to an audience bigger than Piers Morgan gets on the actual telly.”He added: “But the good thing about Piers is it doesn’t bother him.Take a look at the full speech here:A post shared by Alan Partridge (@alanpartridge_aha)Alan Partridge returned for a second series of This Time With Alan Partridge last year.In a four-star review, NME wrote: “Sharp, funny and toe-curlingly cringeworthy in the way that only Alan can be, This Time‘s return is a comforting continuation of the Norfolk celeb’s recent revival.

Billboard Music Awards are bringing your favorites to the stage! On Monday, Billboard announced a new slate of performers for the upcoming awards show, which takes place at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15.Ed Sheeran will join the show for a remote performance all the way from Belfast, Northern Ireland, where he’s in the midst of his  stadium tour. Sheeran leads the list of BBMA finalists with a spot in nine categories including Top Male Artist, Top Song Sales Artist, Top Radio Songs Artist, Top Billboard Global 200 Artist, and more.Becky G will make her BBMAs performance debut, hot on the heels of her new album, , and her first No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs: «MAMIII,» with Karol G.

Van Morrison‘s new track ‘Dangerous’ appears to reference the musician’s ongoing feud with Robin Swann, the Northern Ireland Minister Of Health.Last November, Swann filed a defamation lawsuit against Morrison over comments he had made regarding COVID-19 earlier in 2021.During a pre-show dinner event in Belfast in June, Morrison branded Swann “very dangerous” in a response to Swann criticising him for his anti-lockdown stance in a 2020 op-ed, in which he said Morrison’s words “will give great comfort to the conspiracy theorists”.On Friday (April 29) Morrison released ‘Dangerous’, the third single from his upcoming 43rd studio album ‘What’s It Gonna Take?’, which is due to arrive on May 20 via Exile Productions/Virgin.The almost-eight-minute number includes the lines: “Somebody said I was dangerous/ I said something bad, it must have been good.” Later, Morrison tells this listener that he “was just looking for the evidence” and asks for “proof“.You can listen to the song below.Per his official website,  the forthcoming ‘What’s It Gonna Take?’ “features fifteen new Van Morrison compositions that collectively reflect the artist’s indefatigable drive to record and perform live in front of audiences.”The album also includes the songs ‘Fighting Back Is The New Normal’, ‘Fodder For The Masses’, ‘Can’t Go On This Way’ and ‘Damage And Recovery’.In response to Swann taking legal action last year, representatives for Morrison said their client “regrets that Mr Swann considered it necessary to issue proceedings” and that they were “disappointed by the publicity that surrounds the issue”.Regarding a planned defence for the singer, they said: “Mr Morrison asserts within that defence that the words used by him related to a matter of

Love Island 2018.

Glasgow on Thursday. The actor, 58, whose character is currently unknown, wore seventies-style attire as he donned a long beige coat over a suit jacket and trousers. He wore a crisp white shirt teamed with a brown tie and matching shoes as he walked across the set in the city's affluent West End which doubled for a very poor Kensington and Chelsea complete with abandoned cars and boarded up houses, as it would have appeared in the seventies.

A Greenock -born martial arts stuntman is doubling as Tom Hardy in an upcoming Netflix film.

Tyson Fury is set to make at least £25million in upcoming fight with Dillian Whyte - with potentially much more coming his way in what will be one of the most lucrative nights for any boxer in the history of the sport. Fury defends his heavyweight championships against Whyte in an all-British heavyweight blockbuster at Wembley on Saturday.

Read more: Cast of Belfast filmed 'Conversations with Friends' named The show was partly filmed in Belfast, with the main cast members being spotted throughout the city during the several months in 2021 when filming took place. Film crews for the drama were spotted at places like Ormeau Road's Canteen Cafe, and Botanic Avenue's No Alibis bookshop. Here is what we know so far about the Sally Rooney drama:The story follows Frances, a 21-year-old student, as she navigates a series of relationships that force her to confront her own vulnerabilities for the first time.

Tyson Fury has revealed how playing golf during his intense training camp has help his boxing abilities whilst he prepares for the biggest fight of his career against Dillian Whyte. Fury will defend his heavyweight championships in just nine days, in what could be his last ever fight as he takes in Whyte in an all-British heavyweight blockbuster that is set to be held at Wembley Stadium.

Benedetta on Good Friday.The film, directed by Paul Verhoeven, is based on the real-life 17th-century nun Benedetta Carlini, and is released this Friday (April 15).“This movie is a fraud and nothing more than a blatant attack on the Catholic faith,” Damien Murphy, a spokesman for the Irish Society for Christian Civilisation told Belfast Telegraph.Despite the film being released across Ireland and the UK this Friday, Murphy pointed at the Queen’s Film Theatre in Belfast, saying: “To launch this film on Good Friday is a calculated insult to Christians everywhere.“And shame on the Queen’s Film Theatre in Belfast for permitting this showing at any time, but especially on this highly significant religious occasion.”The petition, addressed directly to the film’s producer and to MUBI, the distributor, reads: “I strongly oppose and condemn your distribution and promotion of Paul Verhoeven’s film Benedetta. It offends God, and countless Catholics all over the world.”They go on to hit out at the fact that the film “blasphemously” features “several Jesus-on-nun intense ‘make outs’”, “a statuette of Mary Most Holy used as a sex-toy”, and “voyeuristic lesbian nuns’ ‘pornography’”.

Jesy Nelson has seemingly brushed off her former bandmates rumoured "dig" at her as she returned to social media.The star, 30, was enjoying some time in LA with friends as her former Little Mix co-stars continued their Confetti tour of the UK.The Boyz singer returned to social media as she posted videos of herself singing in the car with friends and then going out to a cafe for some cake. Jesy wore her curly hair loose and had some visor sunglasses covering her eyes as she filmed her friends in the car.

Little Mix star Leigh-Anne Pinnock reportedly made a dig at former bandmate Jesy Nelson over the weekend. Singer Leigh-Anne, 30, is rumoured to have made the jibe during her band's first performance of their Confetti tour in Belfast.

Little Mix kicked off their ‘Confetti’ tour last night (April 9) in Belfast and gave several songs their live debut – check out footage and the setlist below.The 29-date run started last night at Belfast’s SSE Arena and saw the band give seven songs their live debut, including tracks from sixth album ‘Confetti (‘Happiness’, ‘Gloves Up’) and their 2021 greatest hits record ‘Between Us’ including ‘No’ and ‘Love (Sweet Love)’.

Henry Patterson, the best-selling author of The Eagle has Landed, has died aged 92, his publisher has announced.

A mum who was told she was being "overly anxious" by doctors was left shattered after being diagnosed with cancer.

Read more: Kevin Hart spotted filming new Netflix film in Belfast after announcing second Limelight gig After some digging into locations across the UK where you might not know your favourite show/movie was filmed, Betway named Belfast as one of their top 5 filming locations that are prime for celeb-spotting. They said: "Northern Ireland has garnered a reputation among production crews as the perfect cinematic backdrop thanks to iconic shows like 'Game of Thrones', 'Line of Duty' and 'Derry Girls'.

Liam Neeson harbours some seriously traumatic memories.

The owners of a puppy who contracted a serious bug at a city centre park say vets fighting for his life are running out choices.

Self Esteem has announced details of her 2023 UK and Ireland tour, ‘I Tour This All The Time’ – you’ll be able to buy tickets here when they go on sale later this week.The artist, real name Rebecca Lucy Taylor, will continue touring early next year in support of her acclaimed October 2021 album ‘Prioritise Pleasure’.‘I Tour This All The Time’ will see Self Esteem touring in Cambridge, Hull, Nottingham, Dublin and Belfast in February 2023.The tour will then continue in Manchester, Birmingham, Gateshead, Brighton and Cardiff in March 2023, before wrapping up with a date at London’s Hammersmith Apollo on March 11, 2023.I TOUR THIS ALL THE TIME. BACK IN THE HABIT NEXT YEAR.Sign up before 7am Wednesday to access presale tickets from 9am tomorrow.

CODA makes history at the 2022 Academy Awards. The film, which brings Deaf actors and the Deaf community to the forefront, secured the Oscar in the best picture category.

Dame Judi Dench looked incredible as she graced the red carpet for the Oscars 2022 ceremony. The much-celebrated actress stunned in an all white ensemble as she attended the event. Judi's outfit for the evening was simply beautiful.

Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell won the Best Song Oscar for “No Time to Die,” the brother-sister duo’s power ballad from James Bond film No Time to Die.

Encanto for the of “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” at . John Leguizamo (who voices Bruno) introduced the splashy performance, which featured Encanto stars Adassa, Stephanie Beatriz, Mauro Castillo, Carolina Gaitan and Diane Guerrero, alongside musicians Becky G and Luis Fonsi. Introducing the colorful staging, Leguizamo poked fun at the song’s earworm status.

Judi Dench is at the Oscars with her grandson Sam Williams, who fans think is a celebrity lookalike!

Van Morrison is a nominee, but don’t expect to see him at the 2022 Academy Awards!

Jamie Dornan definitely has a sense of humor when it comes to his past role in the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise!