Belgium Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Manchester United's academy chief Nick Cox has identified the personality trait that Kobbie Mainoo shares with the best players in the world.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent Fashion designer and creative director Nicola Formichetti, who has worked with Lady Gaga for over a decade, has been recruited by Saudi Arabia’s Film AlUla as mentor for its AlUla Creates initiative that is at the intersection of film and fashion. In his new role, the prolific Formichetti – who besides masterminding Lady Gaga’s instantly iconic meat dress has collaborated with Nicole Kidman, Bad Bunny and Olivia Rodrigo and created visual campaigns for global fashion houses such as Mugler, Diesel and Uniqlo – will “support the first wave of emerging Saudi design talent, as both the film and fashion pathways converge,” according to a statement.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Belgian filmmaker Sofie Benoot‘s “Apple Cider Vinegar,” which has its world premiere in the International Competition section of Visions du Réel, has been picked up for world sales by Filmotor. The trailer and poster are being released exclusively by Variety. The film is narrated by actor Sian Phillips, who appeared in “I, Claudius” and David Lynch’s “Dune,” and is a veteran nature documentary narrator.

Holly Jones Germany’s Beta Film (“Babylon Berlin”) sets its sights on the Croisette for the world premiere of Dutch Royal drama “Máxima,” selected to screen out-of-competition at Canneseries on April 9. In tow, Delfina Chaves (“The Secret of the Greco Family”), who portrays the titular character in the series that Variety recently likened to Emmy-Award-Winning Netflix Drama “The Crown.” Teased at last month’s London TV Screenings, the six-part drama series unravels the love story between then Dutch Crown Prince Willem-Alexander (Martijn Lakemeier) and his enigmatic Argentine love interest, Máxima, who goes on to become Queen, at his side.

American rock band Thirty Seconds to Mars have been forced to reschedule a number of UK and Europe gigs planned for this summer - including a show at Manchester’s AO Arena that was set for next month.

Stevie Nicks has added UK and Ireland shows to her 2024 summer tour – find new dates and ticket information below.Announced today (March 18), the new dates follow news that the iconic ‘70s singer and Fleetwood Mac frontwoman would be heading to London later this summer, and set to headline at the BST Hyde Park series.The new shows kick off with a single show in Ireland, where Nicks will headline a show at the 3Arena in Dublin on July 3, before heading over to Scotland for a slot at the OVO Hydro Arena in Glasgow three days later (July 6).From there, she has added a show at the new Co-op Live arena in Manchester to the run of dates, which is set to take place on July 9 – three days before she plays the huge set in London.The rock icon has lined up dates in Europe, which will be held after the UK and Ireland shows. These consist of a slot in Antwerp on July 16, followed by a slot in Amsterdam on July 19.Tickets go on sale this Friday (March 22) at noon and can be found here.

With a solid offshore hold, Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two is closing in on $500M globally. The overseas weekend brought in $51.2M across 73 markets, a 40% drop versus last session (-37% excluding China). The international box office cume through Sunday is $289.4M, and worldwide the running total is $494.7M. The latter figure means the film has already surpassed Villeneuve’s 2021 Dune worldwide.

For a time, Peter Fury was a major player in Stockport's underworld. He was said to have faced down the town's one-time Mr Big, the even more notorious Chris Little.

In a sign that the Eurovision Song Contest is becoming ever more political as we head towards the competition in May, a London cinema has announced that it will not be screening the Grand Final unless Israel is banned from taking part.

England manager Gareth Southgate says Kobbie Mainoo is doing "brilliantly" but has not had enough playing time this season to earn a maiden squad call-up.

Newcastle United have been handed an apparent injury boost ahead of their weekend FA Cup clash with Manchester City.

Kevin De Bruyne has been suffering with a groin injury while playing for Manchester City recently, his Belgium manager has confirmed.

Ryan Gosling revealed a sweet tribute to his longtime love Eva Mendes in his forthcoming movie The Fall Guy.

The Eric Andre Show Live Tour to the UK and Europe this spring – check out the full list of dates below.Andre is known for Adult Swim’s hit series The Eric Andre Show and is also seen regularly as a panelist on ABC’s The Prank Panel, alongside Johnny Knoxville and Gabourey Sidibe.Andre also recently launched his first podcast ‘Bombing with Eric Andre’.The American comedian and actor will arrive in the UK this spring.

Manchester United prodigy Kobbie Mainoo is set to miss out on being handed his first senior call-up to the England national team this month, according to reports.

Already well-known for her cheeky sense of humour, Queen Camilla had a good giggle when she was presented with a Barbie doll that looked just like her! The Queen was hosting a Women of the World event at Buckingham Palace when she was presented with the toy which had been designed in her likeness. Just like the Queen, the doll was dressed in a Royal blue Fiona Clare dress, a black Amanda Wakeley coat, Eliot Zed shoes and even had a Launer handbag and Van Cleef and Arpels bracelet.

A Place in the Sun buyers have shared a crushing update after they landed their dream home. Caroline and Gary were on the hunt for a three-bedroom property in Valencia on Monday's show - which saw presenter Jasmine Harman show the househunters around five properties in the Spanish region, reports Liverpool Echo.

Coronation Street star Colson Smith has admitted to 'hating himself' before his weight loss. The actor documented his incredible weight loss in his own YouTube film 'Bored Of Being The Fat Kid’, which was released on YouTube in 2021. after finding a love of running during lockdown.

A couple who bought their dream Spanish home on A Place in the Sun were moved to tears - but issued a disappointing update soon after.

Israel’s Eurovision team have struggled to create a non-political song against the background of strong international feeling over the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.

Chat show star Luke Littler shines at Belgian Open Luke Littler put in another stellar performance on Saturday night, progressing to the third round of the Belgian Open.

Ben Croll Paris, Hong Kong and L.A-based sales company All Rights Entertainment has picked up worldwide rights for “The Defects,” a 3D animated sci-fi comedy that drew significant buzz as this year’s Cartoon Movie, which ran from March 5 – 7 in Bordeaux. Directed by Federico Milella (“The Fairy Princess & the Unicorn”) and produced by Luxembourg-based Fabrique d’Images (“Luis and the Aliens,” “Tally Ho!”), the family adventure will enter production later this year with budget of €10 million ($10.9 million) with an intended 2027 delivery date.

IQ Mag, three minors and one adult were arrested on Sunday morning (March 4). The adult suspect hailed from Liège, whilst the three minors were from Ninove, Brussels and Charleroi.The 18-year-old suspect was brought before a judge the next day and charged with “participating in the activities of a terrorist group and preparatory acts with a view to committing a terrorist attack.” The remaining three minors appeared in front of a judge in Dendermonde.All four met online and reportedly planned the attack on Botanique, a music venue located in Brussels, scheduled for a few weeks ahead.

Despite its “particularly British” nature, Mr Bates vs the Post Office has now sold to a dozen territories around the world, ITV bosses revealed this morning.

Manchester City are dealing with a number of injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s showdown trip to Liverpool.

Coronation Street star Colson Smith is well known among soap fans for playing Craig Tinker - or PC Craig Tinker to give him his full title - on the cobbles. The actor joined the ITV soap back in 2011 and he has viewers to thank for his continued stint in the show, now in its 13th year.

Manchester United are interested in Royal Antwerp midfielder Mandela Keita, it is claimed.

Nicki Minaj is back on the road!

Kacey Musgraves has announced her “Deeper Well World Tour,” in support of her upcoming album of the same name. The tour kicks off in Europe in April, with shows scheduled in Ireland and the U.K.

Soccer Mommy has announced a run of UK and European tour dates, set to kick off later this year. Find ticket details below.The new run of shows arrive on the heels of Soccer Mommy – also known as Sophie Allison – sharing her latest LP ‘Sometimes, Forever’ in 2022, then dropping the follow-up EP ‘Karaoke Night’ last year.All set to take place later this summer, the newly-announced tour comprises six live performances across the UK, followed by three stops in cities across Europe.Kicking off on June 28, the tour will start with a headline slot at the Papillon venue in Southampton, and continue two days later (June 30) with a performance at the Outbreak Festival in Manchester.

EXCLUSIVE: Beta Film‘s Crown-esque high-end drama series Maxima has sold to networks in Lat Am, Israel and across Europe.

A man has been sentenced after CCTV footage captured the moment he kicked and threw a defenceless dog across a garden in a horrific attack.

Interim boss John O'Shea will be taking charge of the Republic of Ireland's friendly games in March. The former Manchester United player turned coach has been picked by the Football Association of Ireland to lead the team.

UK Music, which is the collective voice of the UK music industry, has urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to cut VAT in the spring Budget to throw the sector a “vital lifeline” and save venues that are threatened by closure.Tom Kiehl, UK Music’s Interim Chief Executive, has asked Hunt to use his Budget next Wednesday (March 6) to lower the current 20 per cent VAT rate on tickets to 10 per cent as a “boost for consumers, music professionals and venues”.The request to slash VAT is among the recommendations that UK Music has made to the Government in its Budget submission, which outlines the support the sector needs to grow (read it in full here).Currently, music fans in the UK must pay 20 per cent VAT on their tickets – almost double the EU average (10.3 per cent) and around triple the rate in countries like Belgium (six per cent) and Germany (seven per cent). ‌ The 20 per cent rate is the third highest rate of cultural ticketing in Europe. Gig-goers pay more tax on UK tickets than anywhere else in Europe, except Denmark and Lithuania.The calls come amid growing concerns for the future of grassroots venues.

Emiliano De Pablos “Professor T,” the crime series produced by Eagle Eye Drama, and starring Ben Miller (“Bridgerton”), has been greenlit for a fourth season by ITV and PBS Distribution. Attracting audiences of over four million viewers on ITV and making a successful debut on France 3, the highly acclaimed drama has been sold to almost 120 territories worldwide. Most recently, Telekom acquired rights in Germany, TV3 bought the series for Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova 1 for Moldova, and BBC and TVP for Poland.

Annika Pham Paris-based global distribution powerhouse Newen Connect has secured a first round of pre-sales on the French live-action drama series “Cats Eyes,” based on the original cult manga work ‘Cat’s Eye’ from Japanese artist Tsukasa Hojo. The female-led series, produced by Big Bang Production for top French commercial channel TF1, has been acquired by RTS for Switzerland and RTL for Belgium.