The Masked Singer has revealed its latest mystery as snooker star Stephen Hendry was unveiled as Rubbish.
In Saturday’s (21 January) festival-themed episode, Rubbish performed alongside Fawn, Jacket Potato, Rhino and Pigeon.
After his performance of “Ruby” by Kaiser Chiefs, Rubbish landed in the bottom two and was ultimately sent home by the judging panel.
Guesses ranged from athletes Max Whitlock and Sir Chris Hoy to presenters Paddy McGuinness and Jay Blades.
However, no-one managed to detect that it was Stephen Hendry in the colourful costume.
One of the clues hinted at him being celebrated for his youth – fitting, as Hendry became a professional snooker player at age 16 in 1985.
In 1994, Hendry was awarded an MBE, while he and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most World Snooker Championship titles, with seven.
On taking part in the competition, Hendry explained that his primary goal was to try something out of his comfort zone.
In Saturday’s (21 January) festival-themed episode, Rubbish performed alongside Fawn, Jacket Potato, Rhino and Pigeon.
After his performance of “Ruby” by Kaiser Chiefs, Rubbish landed in the bottom two and was ultimately sent home by the judging panel.
Guesses ranged from athletes Max Whitlock and Sir Chris Hoy to presenters Paddy McGuinness and Jay Blades.
However, no-one managed to detect that it was Stephen Hendry in the colourful costume.
One of the clues hinted at him being celebrated for his youth – fitting, as Hendry became a professional snooker player at age 16 in 1985.
In 1994, Hendry was awarded an MBE, while he and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most World Snooker Championship titles, with seven.
On taking part in the competition, Hendry explained that his primary goal was to try something out of his comfort zone.
- 1/22/2023
- by Nicole Vassell
- The Independent - TV
London, Dec 31 (Ians) Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has been knighted, having been included in the United Kingdom's traditional honours list. Hamilton this year equalled Michael Schumacher's record for most driver's championship wins and surpassed the German great for most career race wins in F1.
Hamilton at the age of 35 is the fourth youngest sportsperson to be knighted after former tennis world no.1 Andy Murray, who was 29 when he received the honour, and cyclists Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy, who were both 32 years old.
He is also the fourth F1 driver to receive the honour after Jack Brabham (1978), Stirling Moss (2000) and Jackie Stewart (2001) and the sixth from the sport with F1 team Williams co-founders Frank Williams and Patrick Head being knighted in 1999 and 2015 respectively.
Hamilton is, however, the first from the sport to receive the knighthood while still being an active F1 driver.
Hamilton is the only black driver...
Hamilton at the age of 35 is the fourth youngest sportsperson to be knighted after former tennis world no.1 Andy Murray, who was 29 when he received the honour, and cyclists Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy, who were both 32 years old.
He is also the fourth F1 driver to receive the honour after Jack Brabham (1978), Stirling Moss (2000) and Jackie Stewart (2001) and the sixth from the sport with F1 team Williams co-founders Frank Williams and Patrick Head being knighted in 1999 and 2015 respectively.
Hamilton is, however, the first from the sport to receive the knighthood while still being an active F1 driver.
Hamilton is the only black driver...
- 12/31/2020
- by IANS
- GlamSham
Unicef UK Ambassadors and High Profile Supporters Rita Ora, Sir Chris Hoy, Martin Bell and Emma Willis led this week’s fantastical turn out for Unicef UK’s ‘Twisted Tales’ Halloween Ball raising £435,054 to support Unicef’s life-saving work for children in danger around the world.
The bold and the beautiful descended on London’s Banqueting House for a Halloween experience like no other, with an interactive “twisted tales” themed champagne reception, a Beauty and the Feast dinner, and stellar performances from Brit-award-winning Neneh Cherry and Unicef UK supporter Rita Ora.
Dinner guests heard from Unicef UK Ambassador Sir Chris Hoy about the vital work made possible by generous donations to Unicef, and guests pledged their support at a money-can’t-buy auction – with lots including a starring role in David Walliams’ new book, an exclusive visit to the set of The Crown with Unicef UK supporter Olivia Colman, and...
The bold and the beautiful descended on London’s Banqueting House for a Halloween experience like no other, with an interactive “twisted tales” themed champagne reception, a Beauty and the Feast dinner, and stellar performances from Brit-award-winning Neneh Cherry and Unicef UK supporter Rita Ora.
Dinner guests heard from Unicef UK Ambassador Sir Chris Hoy about the vital work made possible by generous donations to Unicef, and guests pledged their support at a money-can’t-buy auction – with lots including a starring role in David Walliams’ new book, an exclusive visit to the set of The Crown with Unicef UK supporter Olivia Colman, and...
- 11/1/2018
- Look to the Stars
Unicef UK Ambassadors Eddie Izzard, Sir Chris Hoy, Martin Bell OBE and Unicef UK High Profile Supporter Olivia Colman have each lent their support to an emotional and provocative new film putting pressure on the UK Government to change the rules that allow refugee children to reunite with their close family already living in the UK.
The 60 second film, We Are Family, sees famous faces reflecting on their role as different family members (Eddie Izzard as a brother, Olivia Colman as a sister, Sir Chris Hoy as a brother and Martin Bell OBE as a grandfather) with personal reflections on what makes their family relationships so special.
As the film draws to a close, each star comes to the same realisation that it is not the same for every family. This is because right now, refugee children are still forced to make the dangerous and often deadly journey to Europe...
The 60 second film, We Are Family, sees famous faces reflecting on their role as different family members (Eddie Izzard as a brother, Olivia Colman as a sister, Sir Chris Hoy as a brother and Martin Bell OBE as a grandfather) with personal reflections on what makes their family relationships so special.
As the film draws to a close, each star comes to the same realisation that it is not the same for every family. This is because right now, refugee children are still forced to make the dangerous and often deadly journey to Europe...
- 2/1/2018
- Look to the Stars
Sir Chris Hoy is to receive the BBC Sports Personality Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Scottish cycling star will collect the honour at the BBC Sports Personality Awards on Sunday, December 14.
The event will be held at the Sse Hydro in Glasgow, gracing Scotland for the first time in its history.
"It's a huge honour to be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award," said Hoy. "I never thought I'd see my name alongside the likes of Sir Steve Redgrave, David Beckham, Seve Ballesteros and others who've received this incredible honour.
"It makes it even more special to be receiving the award in Scotland."
"As a former BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner, Sir Chris Hoy has been a tremendous ambassador for sport and, although he has retired from cycling, continues to be an inspiration to young athletes," explained Barbara Slater, director at BBC Sport.
Hoy announced his retirement from competitive cycling...
The Scottish cycling star will collect the honour at the BBC Sports Personality Awards on Sunday, December 14.
The event will be held at the Sse Hydro in Glasgow, gracing Scotland for the first time in its history.
"It's a huge honour to be receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award," said Hoy. "I never thought I'd see my name alongside the likes of Sir Steve Redgrave, David Beckham, Seve Ballesteros and others who've received this incredible honour.
"It makes it even more special to be receiving the award in Scotland."
"As a former BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner, Sir Chris Hoy has been a tremendous ambassador for sport and, although he has retired from cycling, continues to be an inspiration to young athletes," explained Barbara Slater, director at BBC Sport.
Hoy announced his retirement from competitive cycling...
- 12/10/2014
- Digital Spy
Hadrian's wall, Culloden, the poll tax, Jacob Rees-Mogg: yes, England has inflicted an awful lot of angst and pain on Scotland down the centuries – but, look, we still don't want you to leave
1 Sorry for calling every last one of you "Jock". We now know it's offensive, especially if you're a woman.
2 So sorry for the years of heartless Conservative governments that you never voted for that ripped the heart out of the Scottish mining, steel and shipbuilding industries, butchered public services and imposed an unwonted, dismal neo-liberal ethos on a land to which such a callous political and economic philosophy was inimical.
3 And for making you guinea pigs for Margaret Thatcher's disastrous poll tax, inflicting it on you a year before England and Wales, and then – somehow! – forgetting to backdate the rebate for the tax when it was abolished in the early 90s.
4 Sorry for the 1746 Dress Act that banned tartan,...
1 Sorry for calling every last one of you "Jock". We now know it's offensive, especially if you're a woman.
2 So sorry for the years of heartless Conservative governments that you never voted for that ripped the heart out of the Scottish mining, steel and shipbuilding industries, butchered public services and imposed an unwonted, dismal neo-liberal ethos on a land to which such a callous political and economic philosophy was inimical.
3 And for making you guinea pigs for Margaret Thatcher's disastrous poll tax, inflicting it on you a year before England and Wales, and then – somehow! – forgetting to backdate the rebate for the tax when it was abolished in the early 90s.
4 Sorry for the 1746 Dress Act that banned tartan,...
- 2/20/2014
- by Stuart Jeffries
- The Guardian - Film News
Alexandra Burke, Frank Skinner and Sir Chris Hoy are among the stars appearing on the final episodes of 'Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?' The long-running ITV game show will come to an end after 15 years next month with two celebrity specials featuring the trio, plus comedian Russell Kane, Rachel Riley, James Nesbitt and more. Former 'X Factor' champion Alexandra will appear on the penultimate episode tomorrow night (28.01.14), teaming up with 'I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!' contestant David Emanuel. The episode will also see Russell team with Gloria Hunniford, and comedian Frank Skinner teaming with Adrian Chiles. Sir...
- 1/25/2014
- Virgin Media - TV
Ah, the great British pastime, caravanning! Yes, the boys and girls, most of whom probably wouldn’t know one end of a caravan from another are off to try to sell accessories to the camping market. When the call comes through to tell them to pack an overnight bag, no doubt visions of sunny Dubai must flash through the minds of some of them, but it’s not the exotic climes of the UAE they’re heading to, but the rather less exotic Birmingham, to take in the Caravan Expo and try to decide on items that they can sell at it.
It’s quite funny when the phone rings at 6Am and a male voice yells out “Phone!” Not thinking of answering it yourself then, whoever you are? No way to know who it is though. Alex looks both at home and a little nervous when they meet Lord Sugar...
It’s quite funny when the phone rings at 6Am and a male voice yells out “Phone!” Not thinking of answering it yourself then, whoever you are? No way to know who it is though. Alex looks both at home and a little nervous when they meet Lord Sugar...
- 6/14/2013
- by Deryck O'Byrne
- Obsessed with Film
Accompanying Prince William on the visit to Glasgow on Thursday, the Duchess of Cambridge (known in Scotland by the title Countess of Strathearn) charmed her audience of well-wishers and future athletes as - in her second trimester - she kept herself and her bump warm and protected against the chilly Scottish wind. Wearing high-heel, knee-length black suede boots and a blue-and-gray-plaid dress coat from the boutique Moloh (that cost £425), Kate and her husband first stopped at the new Emirates Arena, which will be the flagship venue for the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Inside, on their private tour of the courts and the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome,...
- 4/4/2013
- by Helen I. Hwang
- PEOPLE.com
Clare Balding will honour Team Gb with a special prize at the National Television Awards tonight (23.01.13). The 'Britain's Brightest' host will be joined by the next generation of Olympians - 60 young sports stars picked from clubs up and down the country who are hoping to compete for Britain at the Games in 2016 or 2020 - to present the Nta Landmark Award. Clare, 41, and the Olympians - who will be wearing Team Gb tracksuits - will hand over the gong to Lord Sebastian Coe, six-time Paralympics gold medallist David Weir and Sir Chris Hoy, who will accept the...
- 1/23/2013
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Clare Balding will honour Team Gb with a special prize at the National Television Awards tonight (23.01.13). The 'Britain's Brightest' host will be joined by the next generation of Olympians - 60 young sports stars picked from clubs up and down the country who are hoping to compete for Britain at the Games in 2016 or 2020 - to present the Nta Landmark Award. Clare, 41, and the Olympians - who will be wearing Team Gb tracksuits - will hand over the gong to Lord Sebastian Coe, six-time Paralympics gold medallist David Weir and Sir Chris Hoy, who will accept the...
- 1/23/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Clare Balding will honour Team Gb with a special prize at the National Television Awards tonight (23.01.13). The 'Britain's Brightest' host will be joined by the next generation of Olympians - 60 young sports stars picked from clubs up and down the country who are hoping to compete for Britain at the Games in 2016 or 2020 - to present the Nta Landmark Award. Clare, 41, and the Olympians - who will be wearing Team Gb tracksuits - will hand over the gong to Lord Sebastian Coe, six-time Paralympics gold medallist David Weir and Sir Chris Hoy, who will accept the...
- 1/21/2013
- Virgin Media - TV
Olympian Sir Chris Hoy has tipped Bradley Wiggins or Andy Murray to win BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2012. The cyclist, who won two gold medals in the velodrome at London 2012, said he would be happy for either the Tour de France champion or tennis ace to win after "an exceptional year" for British sport.
Speaking to Digital Spy, Hoy said: "I feel bad saying this because there's so many people that will go, 'What about this person? What about this person?' [but] I'd have to vote for Bradley Wiggins. "To win the Tour de France, [be the] first ever British rider not just to win, but to get on the podium, coupled with the fact he's Olympic champion, [has] won now seven medals at Olympic Games over the years. [He's] fantastic for the sport, fantastic for Britain. "At the same time you think Andy (more)...
Speaking to Digital Spy, Hoy said: "I feel bad saying this because there's so many people that will go, 'What about this person? What about this person?' [but] I'd have to vote for Bradley Wiggins. "To win the Tour de France, [be the] first ever British rider not just to win, but to get on the podium, coupled with the fact he's Olympic champion, [has] won now seven medals at Olympic Games over the years. [He's] fantastic for the sport, fantastic for Britain. "At the same time you think Andy (more)...
- 12/13/2012
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Bradley Wiggins has been tipped to win the BBC's 2012 Sports Personality of the Year award by two of his fellow nominees. Ellie Simmonds and former winner Sir Chris Hoy have backed the Tour de France winner and Olympic gold medallist to take this year's trophy. "The favourite I would say is Bradley Wiggins and rightly so, the year he's had to win the Tour de France, to win Olympic Gold [..]. What a year he's had," Hoy told Channel 5 News. When asked who he would vote for, he said: "It has to be Bradley, because I do just believe that winning the Tour de France in terms of a single one-off achievement for a sports person, that is the greatest achievement ever. How do you top that?" > BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2012: who should win? Vote in our poll Talking about the awards ceremony, Hoy - who won the...
- 11/28/2012
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
The BBC has released the 12-strong shortlist for this year's Sports Personality of the Year award, which is filled with London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic stars. Cyclist and the first ever British Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins is the early bookmakers' favourite for the crown, but will face stiff competition from fellow gold medal winners Jessica Ennis and Mo Farah. Grand Slam and Olympic tennis champion Andy Murray, rower Katherine Grainger, boxer Nicola Adams, sailor Ben Ainslie and cyclist Sir Chris Hoy are also included. Paralympians on the list include Sarah Storey, Ellie Simmonds and David Weir. The only non-Olympic star on the list is golfer Rory McIlroy. Viewers will be able to pick the winner of the iconic award via a phone vote on the night of December 16. Following criticism (more)...
- 11/26/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Sir Steve Redgrave and Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson are among the panel of this year's BBC Sports Personality of the Year. Denise Lewis, Chair of UK Sport Baroness Campbell and Director of BBC Sport Barbara Slater will also work together to decide the 2012 shortlist, alongside other experts and representatives from the BBC and the newspaper industry. Sue Barker, Gary Lineker and Clare Balding will host this year's competition, to be broadcast live from the ExCeL in London on Sunday, December 16 on BBC One. A crowd of over 15,000 is expected for the ceremony, its biggest event of its 59-year history. This year's shortlist will prove to be one of the most hotly contested ever, with many British sports stars achieving huge success in 2012. Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah, Ben Ainslie, Sir Chris Hoy and Ellie (more)...
- 10/19/2012
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
Britain's Duchess Catherine is attending a dinner to celebrate the Team Gb's Olympic success at Buckingham Palace. The event will be hosted by Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh and Catherine will be going without the support of her husband Prince William, who has been forced to return to work as a search and rescue pilot in North Wales. A source told the Daily Telegraph newspaper: 'He's had a lot of time off lately - with his Diamond Jubilee tour and so on - and he has to work.' The dinner next week will see Olympians including Sir Chris Hoy and Mo Farah attending. It is the second time in recent weeks Catherine has been left to...
- 10/18/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Sir Chris Hoy has opened up about his plans for after London 2012, suggesting that he would be willing to "enjoy the celebrity status" that comes with his many victories. The Team Gb cyclist became the most successful British Olympian of all time in terms of gold medals, and the joint most-decorated along with Bradley Wiggins, after winning two more golds at the Games this summer.
Speaking to Digital Spy at an event for the Gillette Great Starts Grant, which sponsors a significant number of sports coaching qualifications, Hoy said that while he is only able to "go to the odd party", he has nothing against other athletes who want to "have a bit of fun". "I think it's just down to your own personal taste," he said. "Some people really enjoy the celebrity status that comes with sporting success - I do as well. "I wouldn't (more)...
Speaking to Digital Spy at an event for the Gillette Great Starts Grant, which sponsors a significant number of sports coaching qualifications, Hoy said that while he is only able to "go to the odd party", he has nothing against other athletes who want to "have a bit of fun". "I think it's just down to your own personal taste," he said. "Some people really enjoy the celebrity status that comes with sporting success - I do as well. "I wouldn't (more)...
- 10/9/2012
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Team Gb's Olympic and Paralympic athletes have been honoured at this year's GQ Men of the Year awards. Mo Farah, Bradley Wiggins, Victoria Pendleton, Sir Chris Hoy and Paralympics gold medal-winning swimmer Ellie Simmonds were among those on hand to accept the 'Team of the Year' award at Tuesday evening's (September 4) ceremony at the Royal Opera House in London. Tour de France winner Wiggins was also honoured in his own right with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award', while Thomas Heatherwick, who designed the Olympic cauldron comprised of 204 individual copper petals, was named the 'Alfred Dunhill Cultural Icon'. Michael Fassbender's box office success in films such as Shame, A Dangerous Method and Prometheus was celebrated with the 'Actor of the Year' award, (more)...
- 9/5/2012
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
Sir Chris Hoy has said the greatest legacy of the London 2012 Olympics will be the message that hard work can result in great things. The cyclist, who won his record-breaking sixth Olympic gold medal in the velodrome this summer, wrote a column in The Daily Telegraph about the impact of the Games. "I am not a huge fan of reality TV, although it does seem to have become part of British culture," Hoy said. "Real life is not about instant gratification or overnight fame. There are no guarantees in life and I can assure you that even the most talented athletes in the world, the ones who seem to make their events look easy, have dedicated thousands of hours to developing that natural talent." He continued: "Without that hard work there can be no lasting reward. So I could not be more delighted that the efforts and talent of...
- 8/24/2012
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
Olympics star Jessica Ennis is being immortalised on the cover of The Beano as 'Ennis the Menace'.
In a spoof on Beano character Dennis the Menace, the heptathlon gold medal winner is the star of a special edition celebrating the success of British athletes at London 2012.
Ennis is featured taking part in the "Menace Heptathlon".
Publisher DC Thompson said the special issue will be available in shops tomorrow. It comes days after Jessica was welcomed back to her home city of Sheffield by more than 10,000 cheering fans.
Although Ennis the Menace is the only new Beano character based on Team Gb athletes, a number of other medalists are mentioned in the issues.
These include Sir Chris Hoy, Andy Murray and the Brownlee brothers.
Mike Stirling, editor-in-chief of The Beano and BeanoMax, said: "Our special golden cover couldn't have anyone else other than Ennis the Menace on it.
"Just when Jess...
In a spoof on Beano character Dennis the Menace, the heptathlon gold medal winner is the star of a special edition celebrating the success of British athletes at London 2012.
Ennis is featured taking part in the "Menace Heptathlon".
Publisher DC Thompson said the special issue will be available in shops tomorrow. It comes days after Jessica was welcomed back to her home city of Sheffield by more than 10,000 cheering fans.
Although Ennis the Menace is the only new Beano character based on Team Gb athletes, a number of other medalists are mentioned in the issues.
These include Sir Chris Hoy, Andy Murray and the Brownlee brothers.
Mike Stirling, editor-in-chief of The Beano and BeanoMax, said: "Our special golden cover couldn't have anyone else other than Ennis the Menace on it.
"Just when Jess...
- 8/21/2012
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Jessica Ennis has said that she is keen to appear on The X Factor as a guest mentor. The Olympics heptathlon champion believes that it would be a "brilliant idea" to appear on the show, of which she is a "massive fan". Speculation emerging over the weekend signalled that Simon Cowell hopes to sign the London 2012 star Ennis along with fellow gold medallists Sir Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins. Responding to the rumours on today's (August 20) Lorraine, Ennis gushed: "This is definitely news to me but it sounds like a brilliant idea. I'm a massive fan of X Factor so we'll see. (more)...
- 8/20/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
Sir Chris Hoy has denied rumours that he will appear as a mentor on The X Factor. The cyclist was linked to the role alongside Jessica Ennis, Bradley Wiggins and Mo Farah, as producers try to capture the spirit of London 2012. Simon Cowell reportedly wanted the Team Gb stars to coach contestants on performing under pressure and perfecting their craft for a special Olympic-themed live show later in the year. "X Factor producers were literally jumping up and down with delight when they heard that all four Olympic athletes had agreed to do the show," a source (more)...
- 8/20/2012
- by By Colin Daniels
- Digital Spy
Jessica Ennis, Sir Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins are being lined up as guest mentors on The X Factor, reports the Sunday Mirror. The Team Gb stars are said to be joining double gold medallist Mo Farah at one of the live shows in September. ITV1 has allegedly spent around £1m to secure the athletes' appearance.
"X Factor producers were literally jumping up and down with delight when they heard that all four Olympic athletes had agreed to do the show," an insider is quoted as telling the paper. "If these wannabes really want to achieve their dreams and win The X Factor then there are no better people to spend time with." The source also claimed that Simon Cowell approached the athletes just hours after last weekend's closing ceremony, hinting that the special episode could (more)...
"X Factor producers were literally jumping up and down with delight when they heard that all four Olympic athletes had agreed to do the show," an insider is quoted as telling the paper. "If these wannabes really want to achieve their dreams and win The X Factor then there are no better people to spend time with." The source also claimed that Simon Cowell approached the athletes just hours after last weekend's closing ceremony, hinting that the special episode could (more)...
- 8/19/2012
- by By Alison Rowley
- Digital Spy
Superstars could be revived in the wake of the London 2012 Olympics, it has been reported. BBC bosses are said to be keen on bringing the classic sporting game show back to TV screens following the success of gold medal-winning athletes such as Jessica Ennis, Mo Farah and Sir Chris Hoy. "The BBC want to harness the appeal of Team Gb and has agreed Superstars is the best way to do it," an insider told The Sun. "The programme will showcase their skills, but will be a bit quirky. "How will Mo Farah get on in Chris Hoy's cycling shoes? Can Jessica Ennis add another skill to the seven she already has?" The BBC reportedly wants to relaunch Superstars next spring as part of Comic Relief, and the charity is understood (more)...
- 8/15/2012
- by By Kate Goodacre
- Digital Spy
Team Gb have bid farewell to London 2012 by releasing a video of them singing along to Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now'. The Adidas clip begins with David Beckham calling "action" from a director's chair before Sir Chris Hoy mouths the late Freddie Mercury's legendary lyrics. The clip also features Jessica Ennis wearing a crown and playing air guitar with a table tennis paddle, cyclist Victoria Pendleton in a tiger outfit, and sibling squabbling from triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee. Volunteers at the Games (more)...
- 8/13/2012
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
Having spent two weeks reporting on the Olympics, our writer threw off his detachment and embraced the joyful spirit of London 2012
I have occasionally been a bit troubled by those old Pathé newsreel clips of British sporting events in which, at climactic moments, the men in the crowd chuck their hats – flat caps and trilbys – in the air, and turn to clap one another on worsted and gabardined backs. It always seemed incongruous this Depression-era hat-hurling, and the film clips left the story unfinished: was there always a confusing and awkward five minutes on the terraces subsequently when all the hats were politely returned to their rightful owners, and bashed back into shape? And what of the impulse itself? Reckless, un-British, an expression of simple, unselfconscious joy – it seemed to come from another place entirely. I never quite understood it. I never quite understood it, that is, until this past fortnight.
I have occasionally been a bit troubled by those old Pathé newsreel clips of British sporting events in which, at climactic moments, the men in the crowd chuck their hats – flat caps and trilbys – in the air, and turn to clap one another on worsted and gabardined backs. It always seemed incongruous this Depression-era hat-hurling, and the film clips left the story unfinished: was there always a confusing and awkward five minutes on the terraces subsequently when all the hats were politely returned to their rightful owners, and bashed back into shape? And what of the impulse itself? Reckless, un-British, an expression of simple, unselfconscious joy – it seemed to come from another place entirely. I never quite understood it. I never quite understood it, that is, until this past fortnight.
- 8/11/2012
- by Tim Adams
- The Guardian - Film News
The London 2012 Olympics have already been an astonishing success for the home nation. At the time of writing, the national anthem has been played 22 times for Team Gb athletes stepping up to the podium to receive gold medals. But many winners haven't joined in the singing. Does it really matter? New York resident Piers Morgan certainly thinks so. Not only has he donated £1,000 to Great Ormond Street Hospital every time a British gold medallist sings the anthem, he also has taken to Twitter to chide the likes of Bradley Wiggins and Chris Hoy for choosing not to do so. "I love the Scots, Welsh, English and N-Irish. But sorry, when you play for Great Britain, you sing the damn Gb anthem - which is Gstq. End," he exploded this week. Andy Murray mumbled his way through 'God Save the Queen', much to Morgan's delight, but it's interesting (more)...
- 8/9/2012
- by By Mayer Nissim
- Digital Spy
London – As track cyclist Sir Chris Hoy became the most successful British gold medal winning Olympian ever with his sixth, the U.K. media fervor upped a gear and his marketability rocketed. Wednesday morning dawned with the tabloid's trumpeting home-grown success as Team Great Britain collected its 22nd gold medal courtesy of Hoy landing his sixth and the country's latest precious metal decoration. Hoy rode to gold in the Keirin cycle race making him the most successful British male Olympian of all time with this his sixth gold medal from three Olympic Games, Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 and now
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- 8/8/2012
- by Stuart Kemp
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Britain's Sarah Ferguson and her daughters Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie watched Olympic cycling last night (07.08.12). The trio were among the 6,000 crowd at the velodrome cheering on Team Gb and couldn't hide their delight as they saw Sir Chris Hoy and Laura Trott take gold and Victoria Pendleton pick up a silver medal to add to the gold she achieved earlier in the games. Prince Harry was also at the velodrome but did not sit with his cousins, instead taking a seat close to his aunt Princess Anne and her son Peter Phillips, as well as former UK Prime Minister John Major and Locog chairman Lord Sebastian Coe. He was seen waving and cheering as Chris picked up his...
- 8/8/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Sir Chris Hoy's record-breaking Olympic gold delivered a peak audience of over 10 million yesterday (Tuesday, August 7), the latest overnight data reveals. The Scottish cyclist's sixth gold medal has made him the most successful Great British Olympian of all time, overtaking Sir Steve Redgrave. A peak of 10.1m tuned in on BBC One and BBC Olympics 1 at around 6.30pm as Hoy drew closer to his victory at the Velodrome. Interest (more)...
- 8/8/2012
- by By Paul Millar
- Digital Spy
Sir Chris Hoy became Great Britain's most successful Olympian of all time after winning gold in the Men's Keirin yesterday (August 7). During what is likely to be his final race of the Olympic Games, Hoy's parents Carol and David watched on from the stands. Carol Hoy could hardly take the tension as Hoy battled to win the gold medal at the Velodrome. She was filmed squirming and looking away throughout the whole race, but breathed (more)...
- 8/8/2012
- by By Tom Eames
- Digital Spy
Day 11 at London 2012 will be an emotional one, as Team Gb set out to make Olympic history, get ready to compete in possibly the final ever windsurfing event and bid farewell to two of the country's greatest athletes of all time - cyclists Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton. On such a poignant day, make sure you don't miss any of the action with our must-see TV Guide. Sibling rivalry in the Men's Triathlon It's a family affair in London 2012's gruelling Men's Triathlon, as Brownlee brothers Alistair and Jonny battle it out against fellow Team Gb star Stuart Hayes and a whole bunch of others on land, in water and on a bike. Of course, we're keeping our fingers crossed for the gold, but with the course winding through iconic landmarks like The Serpentine, Hyde Park and Buckingham Palace (hope you're watching, Liz), we'll at least get (more)...
- 8/7/2012
- by By Daniel Sperling
- Digital Spy
HollywoodNews.com: Prince William already had the most public kiss ever with his wife Kate Middleton when they got married last year, and it seems he wants to leave it at that. William recently opened up about being worried about being caught on the kiss cam with Kate while watching the events at the Olympics, states People. "I was absolutely dreading they were going to come and show myself and my wife and that would have been very embarrassing," William said about the kiss cam. The two were able to avoid being on the camera while they watched Scottish cyclist Sir Chris Hoy win gold in the men's team sprint. What do you think about them as a couple? Follow Hollywood News on Twitter for up-to-date news information. Hollywood News, Hollywood Awards, Awards, Movies, News, Award News, Breaking News, Entertainment News, Movie News, Music News Image by PR Photos...
- 8/4/2012
- by Molly Sullivan
- Hollywoodnews.com
Sir Chris Hoy's fifth Olympic gold medal drew a peak audience of 8.2 million to BBC One and BBC Olympics 7 yesterday evening (August 2). Hoy, Phillip Hines and Jason Kenny raced round the Veledrome track in a time of 42.6s, a new world record, scoring Team Gb's first indoor cycling gold medal at the Games. Earlier, Peter Wilson's tense double trap shooting final victory attracted an audience of 3.7 million (a 36% share) as he fired his way to glory with a score of 188. Meanwhile, Team Gb's (more)...
- 8/3/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
We promised you a Gold Rush yesterday and thanks to Bradley Wiggins and our rowers, Team Gb delivered. Expect more British success today as we head to the Velodrome for the first time and we reach gold medal time in the Canoe Slalom and Men's Shooting. Make sure you know which channel to watch with Digital Spy's handy daily guide to London 2012: Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton enter the Velodrome Bradley Wiggins delivered gold on the road yesterday and today we enter the Velodrome for the first time at London 2012, meaning Team Gb flag-bearer Sir Chris Hoy and the ever-popular Victoria Pendleton can join the party. Expect mad-crazy pedalling and (fingers crossed) more gold for Gb. Catch it all from 4pm on BBC One and after at 6pm on BBC Two. Phelps v Lochte Michael Phelps may have secured a spot in history (more)...
- 8/1/2012
- by By Alex Fletcher
- Digital Spy
Richard Williams on the greatly enjoyable - and occasionally bemusing - spectacle of the first night
James Bond parachuting into the Olympic stadium with... the Queen? Not Judi Dench. Not even Helen Mirren. The real Queen. "Good evening, Mr Bond," she said, rising from her Buckingham Palace desk to greet a dinner-jacketed Daniel Craig and play her part in a little film that formed one of the highlights of Danny Boyle's tumultuously inventive opening ceremony to the 2012 Games. Now, thanks to Boyle, we really have seen everything.
Muhammad Ali, probably the most famous Olympic champion of all, was among the flag-bearers. Sir Paul McCartney sang us home. The secret of the cauldron was kept right to the end: it was lit by seven young athletes nominated by Britain's greatest Olympians. Frankly the big surprise had come several hours earlier.
As the Bond theme twanged out and the stadium's bowl...
James Bond parachuting into the Olympic stadium with... the Queen? Not Judi Dench. Not even Helen Mirren. The real Queen. "Good evening, Mr Bond," she said, rising from her Buckingham Palace desk to greet a dinner-jacketed Daniel Craig and play her part in a little film that formed one of the highlights of Danny Boyle's tumultuously inventive opening ceremony to the 2012 Games. Now, thanks to Boyle, we really have seen everything.
Muhammad Ali, probably the most famous Olympic champion of all, was among the flag-bearers. Sir Paul McCartney sang us home. The secret of the cauldron was kept right to the end: it was lit by seven young athletes nominated by Britain's greatest Olympians. Frankly the big surprise had come several hours earlier.
As the Bond theme twanged out and the stadium's bowl...
- 7/28/2012
- by Richard Williams
- The Guardian - Film News
Danny Boyle, the director of the London 2012 opening ceremony, has admitted it will be impossible to satisfy everyone
It must distil thousands of years of history into just over an hour, reflect a nation unto itself, promote Britain to the world, satisfy the demands of politicians and organisers, entertain 1bn viewers and bring the curtain up on the planet's biggest sporting event. So no pressure.
Film director Danny Boyle, the creative director of Friday night's £27m London 2012 opening ceremony, has already admitted that it will be an impossible task to satisfy everyone.
Instead, he has produced what has been described by overall ceremonies creative chief Stephen Daldry as a "singular vision", with music by electronic duo Underworld and other top British acts and with a denouement they are confident will stay secret despite the best efforts of the media.
The identity of the person who will light the Olympic cauldron...
It must distil thousands of years of history into just over an hour, reflect a nation unto itself, promote Britain to the world, satisfy the demands of politicians and organisers, entertain 1bn viewers and bring the curtain up on the planet's biggest sporting event. So no pressure.
Film director Danny Boyle, the creative director of Friday night's £27m London 2012 opening ceremony, has already admitted that it will be an impossible task to satisfy everyone.
Instead, he has produced what has been described by overall ceremonies creative chief Stephen Daldry as a "singular vision", with music by electronic duo Underworld and other top British acts and with a denouement they are confident will stay secret despite the best efforts of the media.
The identity of the person who will light the Olympic cauldron...
- 7/26/2012
- by Owen Gibson
- The Guardian - Film News
Music and comedy festival – the culmination of the Cultural Olympiad – caters for those not interested in track or field, unless the field features a stage filled with entertainers
For all that London's Olympic preparations have been going comparatively well compared with other recent Games – no mass resignations (Sydney), no half-built stadiums (Athens), no human rights controversies (Beijing) – large sections of the population remain unmoved by the prospect.
All the most recent surveys show a roughly 50/50 split between those excited by the looming advent of the biggest sporting event ever to hit these shores and those who couldn't care less or – worse – are actively opposed.
Waking to another day of pouring rain and news of a double-dip recession, perhaps that's not surprising.
So while the stage is built, organisers recognise they need to engage and enthuse those who they hope will generate the atmosphere that will mark these Games out as truly memorable.
For all that London's Olympic preparations have been going comparatively well compared with other recent Games – no mass resignations (Sydney), no half-built stadiums (Athens), no human rights controversies (Beijing) – large sections of the population remain unmoved by the prospect.
All the most recent surveys show a roughly 50/50 split between those excited by the looming advent of the biggest sporting event ever to hit these shores and those who couldn't care less or – worse – are actively opposed.
Waking to another day of pouring rain and news of a double-dip recession, perhaps that's not surprising.
So while the stage is built, organisers recognise they need to engage and enthuse those who they hope will generate the atmosphere that will mark these Games out as truly memorable.
- 4/26/2012
- by Owen Gibson
- The Guardian - Film News
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