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      Where Lock, Stock cast are now…‘sham marriage’ row & Only Fools role to child star who quit fame to become estate agent

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      GUY Ritchie’s series The Gentlemen is proving a huge hit with viewers, and some have dubbed it the best thing Netflix has ever shown.The writer and director – who was married to Madonna for eight years, until 2008, and is now wed to Jacqui Ainsley – has been heaped with praise for the comedy-drama, a spin-off of his hit 2019 film.The film kickstarted Vinnie’s film careerVinnie has found love with Emma FordCredit: Discovery +Set in the same world of drugs, crime and deceit, the Netflix series stars Theo James, Kaya Scodelario and Ray Winstone as well as Vinnie Jones, who appeared in Ritchie’s first two hit films, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.This week, it was revealed the 59-year-old has found love again – five years after the tragic death of his beloved wife Tanya.The former football hardman has fallen for personal assistant Emma Ford, while filming his new TV show Vinnie Jones in the Country. Lock, Stock – released in 1998 – centres on a cocky young card sharp who ends up owing a gangster £500,000 after a rigged game of three card brag.Read more in FeaturesMade for just £1million it grossed £20 million in the box office, launching the career of Guy Ritchie, as well as sending Vinnie and co-star Jason Statham to Hollywood,So what happened to the rest of the cast of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels?Vinnie Jones – Big ChrisFormer football player Vinnie shot to fame after signing for Wimbledon, but quickly became infamous for his aggressive behaviour both on and off the pitch.The 59-year-old was convicted of assault and criminal damage after drunkenly beating up a neighbour in 1997, the following year he bit a journalist’s nose down to the bone and was given community service in 2003 after assaulting a passenger on a plane.Most read in CelebrityIn 1998 Guy Ritchie cast him as Big Chris, a role which would cement his place as a favourite to play Hollywood hardmen.The star was wed to his childhood sweetheart Tanya, having met her at the age of 12 growing up in Watford.Vinnie Jones explains his upcoming role on Netflix drama The GentlemenBut after 25 years of marriage, Vinnie was left heartbroken when Tanya, 53, died in 2019 after a six-year battle with cancer. The couple shared two children, Kaley, 37, and Aaron, 33.Today Vinnie is 11 years sober after battling alcohol demons and has starred in almost 100 movies.This week The Sun reported how he has been offered a lucrative deal to play gangster Danny Driscoll in Only Fools and Horses on the West End.When he’s not working, Vinnie is busy renovating his farm as seen on Amazon series Vinnie Jones in the Country, and has found love again with his PA Emma Ford.Jason Statham – BaconJason is now our biggest Hollywood exportJason is engaged to model Rosie Huntington-WhiteleyCredit: GettyDerbyshire-born Jason, 56, practiced martial arts and was a talented footballer and diver, even representing Britain in the Commonwealth Games in 1990.Shortly afterwards he was signed as a sportwear model, and went on to front campaigns for Levi, French Connection and Tommy Hilfiger. But he still worked on a market stall with his dad to make ends meet.He was introduced to Guy Ritchie, who happened to be looking for a market-seller type to star in Lock, Stock as a street-wise con artist, sealing his own career as a gritty, toughguy in a string of big budget movies.Jason had starring roles in dozens of box-office hits, from the Italian Job in 2003 to the Fast and Furious franchise and its spin-off Hobbs and Shaw as well playing the lead in The Beekeeper this year.Now Hollywood’s highest earning Brit, Jason pulled in a whopping £32million last year.The 56-year-old movie hardman came seventh in a rich list of acting stars recently published by Forbes, tying with Oscar-winner Leonardo DiCaprio and beating Ben Affleck and Denzel Washington.Jason was engaged to model Kelly Brook, who he dated from 1998-2004.In 2010 he met Victoria’s Secrets model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, six years later they got engaged, and the couple now have two children.Peter McNicholl – Little ChrisPeter McNicholl was a child actorPeter played Vinnie’s character Big Chris’s nine-year-old son, and while his dad constantly warned his mates to ‘mind your language’, his gobby suited kid dropped a few swear words himself.Although the film triumphed at the box office, Peter was not allowed to attend the premiere because of its 18 certificate.Peter, now 34, went on to land a few more roles, including the role of a friend to the child in About A Boy alongside Hugh Grant.His experience led to him attending the prestigious Sylvia Young Theatre School but he quit acting to become an estate agent.Producers of the film offered him £6,000 or a cut of sales, and he followed his agent’s advice and took the £6k. He later admitted if he’d taken the cut, it could have been £50,000, but he said: “It was never about the money.”Nick Moran – EddieNick went on to a prolific screen careerAnother of Lock, Stock’s breakout acts was Nick, who grew up on an east London Council estate with three younger brothers, a hairdresser mum and mechanic dad.He has since starred in countless films and TV shows, including playing the part of Scabior in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows parts one and two, a role in CSI: Miami and Mr Selfridge.Despite reportedly earning fees of £2,250 a day, at the peak of his career, he was left penniless after bad investments and running up huge bar bills and had to borrow money against his home to pay tax bills.  In 2017, he admitted he was “living hand to mouth” in his London home.Most recently Nick, 54, was reunited with Jason Flemyng in a movie called Firecracker, the story of how a heist goes wrong and a trio find themselves fighting for their lives.Nick was married to Helen of Troy actress Sienna Guillory for three years until 1997, he went on to date Denise Van Outen, before marrying Harley Street dentist Jasmine Duran in 2015.In 2015, in the run up to his wedding to Jasmine, who is half- Iranian, he was summoned before local council officers for a personal grilling amid suggestions that he was entering into in a sham marriage.He later said the which he said “was a shock, like something out of the film Green Card” and added: “‘We thought we might have to show them photographs of us in the social pages of Tatler to prove that it was a genuine relationship.”When he’s not acting or directing Nick’s fronting his own Frank Sinatra tribute band or working towards raising awareness of Alzheima’s.Jason Flemyng – TomJason Flemyng starred in Lock, Stock and SnatchJason starred in Snatch, alongside Brad Pitt, and went on to appear in Vaughn’s flicks Layer Cake, alongside Brad Pitt, Kick Ass and X-Men: First Class.He later appeared in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, again with Pitt, and dozens of other high-profile movies and TV series, including Deep Rising and From Hell, with Johnny Depp.Born in Putney and raised by a single mum, he grew up with a love of acting and later in his career joined the Royal Shakespeare Society.He’s an advocate of speaking about mental health and a patron of The Samaritans, sharing in one interview that he’d had friends who died from suicide.Jason dated Game of Thrones star Lena Heady for nine years, until 2003, after meeting on the set of The Jungle Book.The 57-year-old is now married to Elly Fairman and the couple have 12-year-old twins Noah and Cassius.Dexter Fletcher – SoapDexter ended up as a successful directorNow 58, Dexter was a child actor who starred in children’s comedy drama Press Gang and played the role of Baby Face in classic movie Bugsy Malone in 1976, which also starred Jodie Foster.After Lock Stock he also appeared in Murder Most Horrid with Dawn French and Vaughn’s Layer Cake.Not to be typecast, Dexter also appeared in a Midsummer Night’s Dream and in opera, including a production at Sadler’s Wells.Steven Spielberg’s Band of Brother’s bought more success to the English actor, before he began directing movies, including the Elton John biopic Rocketman.North Londoner Dexter married Lithuanian film and theatre director Dalia Ibelhautait in 1997 with Alan Rickman his best man.Steven Mackintosh – WinstonStephen is a familiar face on our TV screensUnlike most of his Lock Stock co-stars, Steven was bought up in the countryside, near Cambridge.Like many of them, Steven was also propelled into the realms of Hollywood and theatrical stardom after appearing in Lock, Stock.The 56-year-old is perhaps now best known for his portrayal of Andreas Tanis in the horror movies Underworld: Revolution and Underworld: Rise of the Lycans.Acting and narrating, his other work includes a villain role in ITVX’s flagship programme The Confessions of Frannie Langton, the male lead in Toni Collette’s Wanderlust, and playing a conniving adoptive father in Kiri.He was most recently seen in ITV crime thriller Payback.Steven met his wife Lisa Jacobs in 1989 when they appeared on stage together, and the couple have two grown up children, Martha and Blythe.Suzy Ratner – GloriaSuzy in the movie and posing with Joan Collins as a showbiz bashAs one of few women in the movie, Suzy played the perpetually stoned Gloria, as well as starring in a short film called The Booth, but went on to become a big name in production in both Los Angeles and the UK.As well as producing Selling Sunset she also made a name for herself producing The Only Way Is Essex and Selling Orange County.The 53-year old’s producing credits also include Gok’s Fashion Fix, Am I Normal? and Very British Problems.Suzy’s is the daughter of the jewellery magnate Gerald Ratner, who gained notoriety after making a speech which labelled his products ‘cr**’ and caused his own company’s downfall. He is now 73 and making business speeches for up to £3,000.Vas Blackwood – Rory BreakerVas is the cousin of EastEnders star Richard BlackwoodVasta Roy Blackwood, 61, is the cousin of former EastEnder Richard Blackwood, and has enjoyed a varied career in acting, writing, and even advertising Toffee Crisp chocolate bars.He shot to fame as Lenny Henry’s sidekick Winston Churchill in The Lenny Henry Show in 1987 and as David Sinclair in Casualty.Vas remained a regular on the small screen, but often in smaller roles than his counterparts, as well as fronting a TV advert for Tesco.His most recent work is an indie film alongside Tamsin Outhwaite, playing a criminal who steals cars to order and whose enemies kidnap his daughter.Vas became the step-cousin of supermodel Naomi Campbell in the 1980s when his uncle Cliff, Richard’s dad, married her mother, Valerie, before later divorcing.Jake Abraham – DeanJake Abraham, with co-star Victor McGuire in the movieCredit: AlamyJake played Dean, one of two bungling Scousers who try to get rich dealing in guns, which became one of the most memorable roles of the film.The actor was already experienced when he appeared in Lock Stock, having appeared in Red Dwarf, and in extra parts in other smaller movies and treading the boards in theatre.After the success of playing Dean, he also landed work on The 51st State starring Samuel L Jackson and in The Parole Officer with Steve Coogan.But last July he revealed he had prostate cancer and had only months to live.He said: “I found out really late down the line and there’s nothing they can do for me. I’ve just got to wait for the day.”READ MORE SUN STORIESTheatre director Bill Elms paid tribute to Jake who died in October last year, at the age of 56.He said: “He was a wonderful actor, a great company member and was much loved by so many in the industry. He will be sadly missed. I have many fond memories of Jake, he was always so upbeat and fun to be around.” More

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      How legendary hardman Vinnie Jones found love again five years after losing wife Tanya and beating cancer himself

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      FIVE years ago Crazy Gang footballer-turned-actor Vinnie Jones lost the love of his life and his career was waning.But now, at 59, the hardman has found happiness again with a new partner — and is adored by a new generation of fans after starring in hit Netflix gangster series The Gentlemen.At 59, former football hardman has found happiness again with a new partner Emma FordCredit: Discovery +The Sun revealed that Vinnie has finally found love again with his personal assistant, and former model, Emma, 47Vinnie with Tanya, his beloved wife of 25 years, who died of cancer in July 2019, aged 53Credit: GettyHe has given booze the boot and is set for West End stardom after being offered a big-money deal to be in Only Fools And Horses The Musical.Such a change in fortunes would have felt unlikely for Vinnie after Tanya, his beloved wife of 25 years, died of cancer in July 2019, aged 53.The couple were both diagnosed with melanoma — skin cancer — in 2013, and Tanya’s diagnosis followed a string of other health problems including cervical cancer and an emergency heart transplant at 21.Vinnie’s treatment was successful but Tanya’s cancer spread to her brain. After she died at their home in Los Angeles he said: “They said to us maybe days, maybe weeks, maybe months. I was on my knees howling.”READ MORE ON VINNIE JONESHe vowed he would never marry again, adding: “It was the perfect one and done for me.”But yesterday The Sun revealed that Vinnie has finally found love again with his personal assistant, Emma Ford, 47.Though a wedding seems unlikely, given his previous comments, pals say Emma has “brought the light back into Vinnie’s eyes” after years of heartache.True gentlemanThe former Wimbledon, Chelsea and Leeds midfielder fell for her while filming his 2023 TV show for the Discovery+ channel, Vinnie Jones In The Country.Most read in ShowbizBut out of respect for Tanya — who he had dated when they were teens before they later reunited and wed in 1994 — Vinnie has chosen not to speak about his romance with Emma.They care about each other deeply and things are looking up for both of them.Friend of Vinnie and EmmaOne source said: “Tanya is the love of Vinnie’s life and he’s a true gentleman, so he didn’t want to reveal his new relationship purely out of respect for her.Football legend lands surprise big-money role in Only Fools and Horse musical“But he is happy with the way things are progressing with Emma and is excited for what their future holds.“They care about each other deeply and things are looking up for both of them.”Emma, from Taunton, Somerset — who Vinnie affectionately calls “Blondie” — worked for lads’ TV channel Men & Motors, where Vinnie also hosted his own show in the 1990s.She posed for racy snaps in her undies to promote her show, Emma’s A-Z Of American Sex, and was also a team captain on gameshow A Question Of Sex in 2003.She once appeared in a magazine ad for fashion firm Urban Stone, with her photos taken by erotic snapper Bob Carlos Clarke, who is said to have regarded her as his “muse”.Like Vinnie, actress Emma later moved to Los Angeles for work, and after many years of partying hard in the US, she quit booze.In Vinnie’s Discovery+ show, which first aired in November, she is seen helping him run his farm in Petworth, West Sussex.Insiders told The Sun their relationship was “very organic” and blossomed from a working friendship into a romance — and pals were “thrilled” when they revealed they had become a couple.Vinnie’s love life development has intertwined with a resurgence in his acting career.He has reunited with director Guy Ritchie — who gave Vinnie his film debut in gangster movie Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels 26 years ago — on The Gentlemen.Vinnie won the Empire Award for Best Newcomer for his role as Big Chris — and he starred for Guy again two years later as bounty hunter Bullet-Tooth Tony in Snatch.Emma in TV show Vinnie Jones In The CountryCredit: © 2022 Warner Bros. Discovery,Emma was also a TV presenter before becoming Vinnie’s personal assistantA pal said former model ‘Emma has brought the light back into Vinnie’s eyes and she clearly makes him very happy’This time, Guy has cast him as Geoff Seacombe, the loyal groundskeeper to an aristocratic crime family in Netflix mega-hit The Gentlemen.The eight-parter, featuring Theo James as the Duke of Halstead, dropped on March 7 and blew its competition out the water — with 12.2million views in its first week.The show — a spin-off of Guy’s 2019 film of the same name — has been viewed 44million times in the UK alone.The director said of casting Vinnie again: “There’s been a hole in my soul in the shape of Vinnie Jones for the last 20 years. I was so happy to have him back.”And he has been rewarded for giving Vinnie another shot — with the actor gaining plaudits for his role.Queen Camilla’s son Tom Parker Bowles said: “The Gentlemen is the first thing I’ve binged for ages. Pure joy. But Vinnie Jones . . .  god he’s good.”Vinnie said: “Guy and myself have come a long, long way since the Lock, Stock and Snatch days.“I think he was warmed that I was on the set and I was warmed that we were reunited.“I’d reunited with Matthew Vaughn a few years ago on Kingsman, so it was just wonderful.“It’s like your brother’s directing it and you’re in a movie. That’s kind of how it is. That’s really the best way to describe it.”Grabbing Gaza’s privatesVinnie’s acting career has frequently seen him play a tough guy — mirroring his image from his footie playing days, when he formed part of Wimbledon’s “Crazy Gang” side who caused a huge upset to beat Liverpool and win the 1988 FA Cup.A famous press photograph from 1987 that perhaps best captures his reputation is that of him acquainting himself with a young Paul Gascoigne in a not-so-gentlemanly way — by grabbing his privates as they clashed on the pitch.Vinnie retired from football in 1999 while playing for Queens Park Rangers, with 13 red cards to his name.He has also previously been caught up in trouble off the field — which he blames on his addiction to alcohol.In 1995 he bit a journalist’s nose in a Dublin bar in what he claimed was a “prank gone wrong”.In 1998 he was convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage after drunkenly beating up his neighbour.I grew up in an era when mental health wasn’t even a thing, yet it’s something I struggled with without realising. Now I want to empower men and women to talk about itVinnie JonesFive years later, he got community service for attacking a passenger on a plane while drunk and claiming he could have the flight’s crew “murdered for £3,000”.Watford-born Vinnie — who turns 60 next January — has said he was “19 or 20” before he had his first drink, but he quickly became hooked on it.He said of the toll of booze addiction: “It’s all rot. You’re rotting from the inside out. I didn’t talk about it to anybody.”This week, though, he is celebrating 11 years of sobriety by playing golf in the sunshine of Palm Springs, Florida.And Vinnie is fronting a mental health campaign to encourage football fans to talk more.In a video for the campaign with his former club Chelsea and the Samaritans, Vinnie says in a team talk: “Huddle up, everyone. Enough is enough — it’s time to chat.“I grew up in an era when mental health wasn’t even a thing, yet it’s something I struggled with without realising. Now I want to empower men and women to talk about it.“To those of us that love football, we need to use those connections we have made to talk about more than just football. If I can do it, then you can too.”Vinnie’s latest character Geoff — though sometimes seen handling a shotgun — is calm, quiet, caring and polite, never forgetting to address his boss with “your grace”.It is a far cry from the stereotypical Vinnie role, but one that appears to reflect his character in real life.And it may be one that proves to be the launch pad for a new chapter of success in his screen career.He is in advanced talks to play gangster Danny Driscoll in the Only Fools musical and has called in some of his old footie pals for cameos — including ex-Chelsea ace Dennis Wise.And the calls for a second series of The Gentlemen are already growing louder.A source said: “Vinnie is more in-demand than he has ever been, thanks to the show’s success.READ MORE SUN STORIES“He would no doubt be brilliant in the musical too — even though no one has heard his singing voice!”After five painful years, this ex-footballer and now genteel gangster groundskeeper is headed for greener pastures once more.The former footie hardman has reinvented himself as a sought-after actor, appearing in films such as Lock, Stock And Two Smoking BarrelsCredit: AlamyA tearful Vinnie talks about Tanya’s death on Good Morning Britain in 2019Credit: refer to caption.Vinnie in Netflix hit The GentlemenThe star playing for the Wimbledon crazy gang in 1988Credit: Allsport More

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      Avoidance cast, plot and filming locations – all about the BBC comedy series starring Romesh Ranganathan

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      FANS of hit comedy show Avoidance will be happy to know that it is returning for a second series.Romesh Ranganathan will be playing the main character of the hilarious programme once again.Avoidance BBC SeriesCredit: BBCWho is in the cast of Avoidance?The cast of Avoidance is made up of some recognisable faces including comedian Romesh Ranganathan.The actors from the first series are set to return for the new season.Romesh RanganathanRomesh plays the main characterCredit: BBCRomesh is best known for his comedy and acting career.Read more on showbizHe plays the main character role of Jonathan in the hit series Avoidance.The programme follows the ups and downs of Jonathan’s life.This isn’t Romesh’s only TV work as he also regularly appears as a panellist on shows such as The Apprentice: You’re Fired!, Play to the Whistle, and The Museum of Curiosity.Lisa McGrillisMost read in ShowbizLisa plays CourtneyCredit: BBCLisa McGrillis plays Courtney in Avoidance.McGrillis has secured impressive roles throughout her acting career.You may recognise her for playing the regular character DS Rachel Coles in Inspector George Gently.Jessica KnappettJessica has starred in multiple TV showsCredit: BBCJessica Knappett is someone you probably recognise due to her impressive acting back log.She plays Claire in Avoidance.Knappett played Lisa in The Inbetweeners Movie and appeared in the Alan Partridge Movie Alpha Papa.Other Avoidance cast members include:
      Kieran Logendra
      Mandeep Dhillon
      Tommy Finnegan
      Tony Jayawardena
      Tianna Haffenden
      What is Avoidance about?Avoidance follows the character of Jonathan navigating life after splitting from his wife Claire.In order to avoid awkward questions, Jonathan takes his son Spencer to hide out with his sister Danielle and her wife Courtney.The synopsis reads: “Newly separated Jonathan has no home, no friends and no ambition. “Can a slightly useless single dad find some much-needed backbone?”Where was Avoidance filmed?Avoidance was filmed in Bracknell.Specific locations such as the bus station are visited multiple times throughout the show.Speaking about filming the second series, Romesh said: “I’m delighted to be back on set with this amazing cast, so much so it almost makes up for the crushing agony of my recent spandex-filled wardrobe fitting…”Romesh’s production company Ranga Bee makes the comedy for BBC One which he writes alongside Benjamin Green and Jessica Knappett.Ranga Bee was founded several years ago by Ranganathan and Green after they met while working together on BBC Three series Asian Provocateur.How to watch Avoidance?You are able to watch the new series of Avoidance on BBC iPlayer.All six episodes are now available to watch so you could even binge the whole series in one go.READ MORE SUN STORIESHowever you can also watch it on TV on BBC One Friday April 5, 2024 at 9:30pm.If you are yet to watch the first series then this is still on iPlayer to catch up on beforehand. More

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      Who is Scoop’s Fran Unsworth and where is the former BBC director now?

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      SCOOP is one of the most anticipated dramas of the year.Fran Unsworth played a part in securing the Prince Andrew Newsnight interview but who is she?Lia Williams is playing Fran UnsworthCredit: ITVWho is Fran Unsworth?Fran Unsworth is the former director of BBC News who was involved in the Prince Andrew Newsnight interview.She was born in Stoke-on-Trent on December 29, 1957.She has had quite the journalistic career and has held multiple senior roles at the BBC.This includes being involved in the coming together of the Newsnight interview with Prince Andrew which aired in 2019.Read more on ScoopIn September 2021 it was announced that Unsworth would leave the BBC in 2022 after 40 years.Where is Fran Unsworth now?Fran tends to keep her personal life private so it is unknown when she is doing now.It’s thought she may have retired after leaving the BBC in 2022.Who plays Fran Unsworth in the Scoop Netflix series?Fran Unsworth is played by Lia Williams in Scoop.Most read in ShowbizThis isn’t her first big role as her most recent work can be see when she played CEO Paula Vennells in ITV’s Bates vs the Post Office.She is also known for her roles in The Capture, The Crown, The Missing and His Dark Materials.You can also expect to see other famous faces in Scoop.Gillian Anderson plays the part of Emily Maitlis while Prince Andrew is played by Rufus Sewell.Billie Piper plays Sam McAlister who wrote the book that the film is based on.Amanda Thirsk, who is the royal aide who encouraged Prince Andrew to do the interview, is played by Keeley Hawes.Scoop is available to watch on NetflixCredit: NETflixThe rest of the cast includes:
      Connor Swindells as Jae Donnelly
      Romola Garai as Esme Wren
      Charity Wakefield as Princess Beatrice
      Theresa Godly as BBC US News Reporter
      How to watch ScoopYou will be able to watch Scoop on Netflix from Friday April 5, 2024.Fans are able to watch the film after it dropped on the streaming platform at 8am.The film runs for 96 minutes and is rated 12A.Scoop is based on a book by former Newsnight producer Sam McAlister.The production gives an insight into what happened behind the scenes when securing the interview between Emily Maitlis and the Duke of York in 2019.The interview focused on Andrew’s relationship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.Scoop focuses the women who worked to get the “scoop” of the decade.Get the scoop on Netflix’s ScoopTHE Netflix film brings to life the real events of the 2019 Prince Andrew Newsnight interview. More

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      Who is actress Kate Phillips and who does she play in Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light?

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      KATE Phillips is a British actress who has appeared in some of the nation’s favourite programmes.She’s set to feature in the new series of Wolf Hall — here’s everything you need to know.Kate Phillips as Jane Seymour in Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The LightWho is Kate Phillips?Kate Phillips was born on May 21, 1989 — making her 34 years old. She studied at Leeds University before securing a place at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.After graduating Kate returned to Leeds to appear as Abigail Williams in The Crucible at the West Yorkshire Playhouse.At this point in her career she had already filmed scenes for the first series of the BBC’s adaptation of Wolf Hall (2015), which she was cast in while still studying.read more in showbizThere was a bit of controversy following Wolf Hall airing when some historians described her as “too pretty” to play Henry VIII’s third wife.Even so, Kate received much praise for her performance, with Screen Daily naming her a ‘Star of Tomorrow’.What has Kate Phillips starred in?Kate’s breakthrough role was in the first series of Wolf Hall in 2015.She went on to play Lise Bolkonskaya in the 2016 BBC miniseries of War & Peace.Most read in CelebrityDuring the same year Kate featured as Venetia Scott in The Crown.The actor appeared in an episode of The Alienist as Laura Boone in 2018.In 2019, she took on the part of Princess Mary in Downton Abbey.Between the years of 2016 and 2022, Kate starred as Linda Shelby in Peaky Blinders.How to watch Kate Phillips in Wolf Hall: The Mirror And The LightWolf Hall: The Mirror And The Light is the screen adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s third instalment of her multi-award-winning trilogy of Wolf Hall novels.The first two books — Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies — were adapted into the 2015 series Wolf Hall.Mantel did not publish the final instalment of her trilogy until March 2020 — eight years after its predecessor.The new TV series comes 18 months after Mantel’s sudden death from complications following a stroke in September 2022.After almost a decade break, the programme is back for another season.Kate appears in the show as Henry VIII’s short-lived third wife Jane Seymour.Director Peter Kosminsky said: “Casting Director Robert Sterne has done a truly extraordinary job assembling the most stunning cast with which I’ve ever had the privilege to work.”Led by Mark Rylance and Damian Lewis, they’ve been drawn by the quality of Hilary Mantel’s writing and Peter Straughan’s adroit adaptation.”Shooting in Tudor locations all over England and Wales, it is our privilege to bring Hilary’s last novel to an international television audience.”Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light will air on BBC One and iPlayer, with the series consisting of six episodes.An exact release date is yet to be announced.Who is in the cast of Wolf Hall: The Mirror and the Light?

      Damian Lewis
      Mark Rylance
      Kate Phillips
      Lilit Lesser
      Jonathan Pryce
      Harriet Walter
      Harry Melling
      Thomas Brodie-Sangster
      Timothy Spall
      Alex Jennings
      Charlie Rowe
      Amir El-Masry
      Cecilia Appiah
      Sarah Priddy More

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      Huge Oscar winning actor looks unrecognisable as he transforms into Frankenstein’s monster for terrifying new role

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      A HUGE Oscar winning actor looks completely unrecognisable after he transformed for a terrifying new role. The Hollywood star is set to take on what could be his most terrifying role yet alongside an A-list cast.Christian Bale has surprised fans as he looks almost unrecognisable for his newest roleCredit: Getty Images – GettyThe actor is completely transformed into Frankenstein’s monsterCredit: Warner BrosThe new Warner Bros film is directed by Christian’s Dark Knight co-star Maggie GyllenhaalCredit: GettyChristian Bale, 50, is arguably best known for his portrayal as Batman in The Dark Knight trilogy. But Warner Bros have just released the first pictures for Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride. He has reunited with his former The Batman co-star for the new project, for which she serves as its director.The upcoming production has a star-studded cast which includes the likes of Annette Bening and Penelope Cruz.READ MORE ON HOLLYWOODIn the black and white images that were dropped by the studio on social media, Christian sports a look that is a far cry from his the usual suave looks on the red carpet. He is seen in full makeup as his head has been completely transformed to look like Frankenstein’s monster, complete with scars across the forehead.Cuts across his chest are also visible alongside a tattoo that seems to read, ‘Hope. In the monochrome image, the star – who is completely in character can be seen pulling back his hair whilst he wears scruffy clothing included a number of ragged looking pin-striped jackets. Most read in FilmWicked Little Letters star Jessie Buckley, 34, will be Bale’s leading lady as she stars as his bride. The movie studio also released an image of the former I’d Do Anything competitor in character. We review Napoleon, Wish and “Dark Comedy Masterpiece” SaltburnShe sports a curly 1920’s style blonde wig,and fur clothing whilst a spot of a mysterious dark substance is smeared across the right side of her face. Her eyebrows seem tinted along with heavy eye makeup as the actress looked away from the camera.Little is known about the precise plot, but Variety reports the production is set in 1930s Chicago and it will puts a different spin on the iconic Frankenstein story. The outlet reports it will focus around a murdered young woman (played by Buckley), who is revived. But her new life surprises those who brought her back to life as ignites a radical social movement in the word around her whilst she also desires romance. However, this is not the only Frankenstein movie in the works as Oscar winning director Guillermo del Toro is currently filming his own version. The new Netflix production stars Saltburn sensation Jacob Elordi alongside the likes of Oscar Isaac, Mia Goth, Charles Dance and Christoph Waltz.The role of Frankenstein’s monster is set to be the latest in critically acclaimed roles for Hollywood actor Christian. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe previously won an Academy Award in 2011 in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role as Dick ‘Dicky’ Eklund in The Fighter. He’s also known for roles in huge movies which include American Hustle, The Big Short, Vice and Ford v Ferrari. Jessie Buckley will star alongside Christian in a modern re-imagining of The Bride of FrankensteinCredit: Warner BrosWarner Bros released the first look of The BrideCredit: Warner BrosHe is known for acclaimed roles such as The Big Short (pictured)Credit: AlamyHe previously completely transformed into former US Vice President Dick Cheney in the 2018 film ViceCredit: Alamy More

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      Vinnie Jones finds love again with his personal assistant five years after tragic death of childhood sweetheart Tanya

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      ACTOR and former footballer Vinnie Jones has found love again — five years after the death of his wife Tanya.The ex-Crazy Gang hardman fell for personal assistant Emma Ford while filming his TV show Vinnie Jones In The Country.Vinnie Jones has found love again with his personal assistant Emma Ford, above — five years after the death of his wife Tanya.Tragically, Tanya died of cancer at the age of 53 in 2019Credit: PA:Press AssociationA pal said former model ‘Emma has brought the light back into Vinnie’s eyes and she clearly makes him very happy’Pals said Vinnie, 59, had been brought back to life by Emma, whom he affectionately calls “Blondie”.On the show, which first aired on Discovery+ in November, Emma is seen helping Vinnie run his farm in Petworth, West Sussex.A source said: “Vinnie and Emma’s relationship was very organic and started as purely a working friendship before it developed into something more. “They’re not rushing into anything and just take every day as it comes.“Emma has brought the light back into Vinnie’s eyes and she clearly makes him very happy. “They are a great match and everyone who knows them was thrilled when they became a couple.”Emma previously worked as a PA for The Clash rocker Mick Jones and returned to the UK after years spent working in Los Angeles.Vinnie, currently starring in Guy Ritchie’s Netflix comedy-drama The Gentlemen, had previously said he would never be with anyone else ­following Tanya’s death from cancer at the age of 53 in 2019.Most read in ShowbizEx-Wales midfielder Vinnie has reinvented himself as a film star since retiring from football.He appeared in two of Guy Ritchie’s early films — 1998’s Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, and 2000’s Snatch.Emma is a former model and actressVinnie had previously said he would never be with anyone else following Tanya’s deathCredit: GettyFriends of the actor said Vinnie, 59, had been brought back to life by Emma, whom he affectionately calls ‘Blondie’.Credit: Discovery +Football legend lands surprise big-money role in Only Fools and Horse musical More

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      The Gentlemen’s Kaya Scodelario spent night on the street at 4 & was troubled teen before making £1.2m as Hollywood star

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      SHE’S the star of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix series The Gentlemen and has a Hollywood hit list which includes Maze Runner and Pirates Of The Caribbean 5.But Kaya Scodelario – who first found fame in Skins at 14 – was forced to sleep on the streets when she was just four and has fought her way up from a poverty-stricken childhood to become a screen star, commanding up to £1.2million a movie.Kaya with co-star Theo James in the Netflix hitCredit: RexKaya says her mum struggled but was ‘my inspiration’She starred with Johnny Depp in Pirates of the Caribbean 5Credit: ©Walt Disney Studios / Supplied by LMKThe 31-year-old has also overcome a sexual assault at 12, troubled teen years which saw her leave home at 16 and, most recently, a split from husband Ben Walker, the father of her two children, after an eight year marriage.But the plucky star – who plays drug queen Susie Glass in the action-packed Netflix series – says acting was a lifelong dream and “the only thing I was ever good at.”She sees success as a way of paying back her mum, Brazilian-born Katia, for the sacrifices she made while raising her daughter alone,“I want to give a life back to her as she gave her whole life up for me,” she has said.READ MORE IN FEATURES“She had to play the role of mother and father at the same time, and she did it to perfection. I managed to find a way through because of her. My mother is my biggest inspiration.”Hard childhoodKatia split from Kaya’s dad, Roger Humphrey, when she was just one and, three years later,  she left East Sussex to move to London, taking her four-year-old daughter with her.Homeless, the pair were forced to sleep on the streets for their first night before being given a council flat in north London, where Katia struggled to make ends meet, working several jobs and battling depression.“Mum built a life for me in a difficult place, at a difficult time,” she said in 2017.Most read in Celebrity“When I was growing up, we didn’t have much money. What was important in my house was to have food on the table, be happy and have our family.”Kaya also struggled with dyslexia and describes herself as “painfully shy child, very insecure, very anxious”Vinnie Jones explains his upcoming role on Netflix drama The GentlemenShe told Hollywood Reporter:  “I was really bullied as a young child, and I changed schools a couple of times. But, I always had this dream that I wanted to act. It was the only thing I was ever brave enough to put my hand up and put myself forward for.“Growing up in England, being very working class and having an immigrant single mother, I didn’t think that people like me could do things like that. “I knew I’d never be able to afford to go to drama school or have any coaching. So, I kind of accepted that it wasn’t going to happen at the very mature age of 14, which is quite depressing.”The star had a tough upbringingCredit: InstagramKaya at the premiere of the The GentlemenCredit: RexKaya runs a drugs empire in the Netflix hitSexual assaultKaya was estranged from dad Roger until 2010, a year before his death, and left home at 16 after relations with her mum became strained, although they are now close.“She raised me alone and she suffered depression most of her life,” she has said. “It can be very dark, very difficult, especially as a teenager. It put a lot of pressure on our relationship.“I wanted to help but I was 16 and probably not saying the right thing.”My best friend’s boyfriend was stabbed in Stoke Newington a couple of months before I got offered the roleKaya ScodelarioAs well as her difficult homelife, Kaya was a victim of a sexual assault, when she was 12 – causing a rift with her Brazilian ‘family members’.In 2018, as the #MeToo movement began to gain momentum, she revealed the “horrific” assault in order to help other abused children to speak out earlier.“It’s taken me 13 years to say #MeToo,” she wrote on Twitter, adding her alleged attacker is “still protected by ‘family members’ in Brazil. They’ve told lies to papers to try to silence me.”She added that others who had spoke out gave her the courage to do the same and told Harper’s Bazaar: “I remember thinking that if I was 12 years old and I had this horrific thing happen to me but I saw a woman I admired speaking up about it, it would have made me feel less guilty. “It would have inspired me to think, ‘This won’t hold me back, this is something that has happened but I am not a victim.’”So I thought if I can do that for one person then I owe it to my 12-year-old self.”Age lieKaya’s life changed overnight when she landed the role of Effy in the gritty teen drama Skins, at the age of 14.She later revealed she almost lost out on the part after a lying about her age backfired – because they thought she was too old.After being told about the open auditions for the show, she dropped by on the way home from school to see who was lining up, but didn’t actually go in.She was approached by producer Bryan Elsley after he spotted her sitting across the road. “For some reason, he came over and asked me if I wanted to audition. I said, “Yes,” but I knew I was too young because I was told you had to be 16 and up,” she said. “So I lied and said that I was 16 and a half, and he let me audition. Then they called back and said that I was too old so I admitted that I lied about my age. “Luckily, they gave me the opportunity. I happened to be in the right place at the right time.”Kaya was cast at 14Credit: Channel 4Kaya (centre) played Effy and dated Jack O’Connell (centre left) who played CookCredit: HandoutShe starred alongside Billie Piper in True LoveCredit: BEffy became one of the longest running characters, from 2007 to 2012, and had hard hitting storylines – which included sex scenes and teen drinking – which Kaya said reflected the life she had known growing up on a council estate.She said: “My best friend’s boyfriend was stabbed in Stoke Newington a couple of months before I got offered the role.“I know kids who live like this.”She also experimented with drink and drugs growing up, although her mum was strict and insisted she was home by 8pm every night, because “she didn’t want me to get pregnant like all the people around me.”“My mum’s quite open-minded. She’s Brazilian and I think that helps. I always knew about sex, about drugs, about religion,” she adds.“I did go through a phase of smoking weed but I told her about it and she convinced me to stop. I never smoked it again.“She’s even made me promise never to do a nude scene. That’s my excuse, producers!”Kaya’s stint in Skins also led to a role in the BBC drama True Love, in 2012, where she played a schoolgirl seduced by a female teacher, played by Billie Piper, with whom she shared a kiss.Famous first loveStarring as lovers in the Skins led to an offscreen romance with Jack O’Connell, who she called her “first love.”“We were so young and at the same time both becoming famous,” she said.“I was completely in love with him. If he’d told me to jump off a bridge, I would have.”Jack – who has since starred in Unbroken and Ferrari – “broke my heart” and she says she “spent a whole week in my room crying” after their split in 2009.She went on to date Shameless star Elliot Tittensor for five years, and supported him when he was arrested after an incident in 2010. The actor drove at an 18-year-old who was following Kaya, knocking him down and causing brain damage and was later fined £750 for driving without insurance.The pair broke up in 2014 but, after the injured man launched  a civil suit for damages, she gave evidence on Elliot’s behalf via video link from Australia – where she was filming Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. Kaya dated Shameless star Elliot for five yearsCredit: GettyKaya and ex-husband Ben met in 2014Credit: GC ImagesThe former couple have two children together, now aged seven and twoCredit: InstagramIt was also in Australia that Kaya met actor Benjamin Walker, her co-star in The King’s Daughter, in 2014. Benjamin, then 31, had just divorced Meryl Streep’s daughter Mamie Gummer and quickly fell for the then 22-year-old BritHe proposed after just six months – when he presented her with a Cartier love bracelet for Christmas then realised he “wanted to buy me an engagement ring” – and they got married at New York City Town Hall in 2015.I was completely in love with him. If he’d told me to jump off a bridge, I would haveThe Maze Runner star told ELLE Magazine: “I never had any family heirlooms, nothing that was ever passed down to me and so when I met my husband and we were falling in love, he bought me a Cartier Love bracelet for our first Christmas together.”Kaya added: “He says that it was then that he realised that he actually wanted to buy me an engagement ring, so he sort of weirdly proposed with a Love bangle.”The couple have two children, aged seven and two, who they keep out of the limelight and sadly, in February, they announced their split, saying they had made “the joint decision to end their marriage but continue to co-parent lovingly whilst remaining the best of friends.”Hollywood hit From her Skins launchpad, Kaya landed the role of Cathy in Andrea Arnold’s Wuthering Heights before playing Teresa in Maze Runner series, from 2013. She went on to star opposite Johnny Depp in the fifth Pirates movie, in 2017, taking home a reported salary of £1.2m.But she says her latest role, as drug baron Susie in The Gentlemen, is her coming of age. READ MORE SUN STORIES“She’s the first actual woman I’ve played. It’s been a long line of teenagers and young adults,” she told the LA Times. “It was really f***ing cool to play someone who was already there, who is at the top of their game, who is confident and who is unapologetic.”Seems the Skins star is all grown up – and owning her future.Ray Winstone stars as Susie’s dad in The GentlemenCredit: Christopher Rafael/Netflix More