Birmingham Showbiz Latest News and Updates

A brand new series starts tonight on BBC and it features some cast members who you may recognise from popular TV shows. This Town will premiere on BBC One on Easter Sunday (March 31) and is created and written by Peaky Blinders creator, Steven Knight.

Michelle Dockery is back in another period drama – but she has swapped 1920s high society for the two-tone music scene of the 80s. In BBC drama This Town – from the pen of Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight – Michelle plays Estella, a mother and singer who never hit the big time, due to her difficult relationship with alcohol. Against a background of social unrest and IRA terrorist threats, a group of young people harness the power of music to escape their grim reality.

If you're planning a holiday in 2024, knowing what luggage you can take can be confusing.That's because each airline has its own rules when it comes to cabin bags, including size limits and costs. Ryanair, Jet2, easyJet, TUI and other airlines all have specific rules for cabin bags - and some of them have changed this year. If you don't follow these rules, you might end up having to pay extra charges at the airport, reports Birmingham Live.

Police have grabbed more than £9,000 in fake Scottish notes after a trick at Asda's self-checkouts.

Death in Paradise's schedule replacement has been confirmed, with a new BBC series set to air in the show's slot.The thirteenth series of Death in Paradise came to an emotional close on Sunday, 24 March, with DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little) sailing off into the sunset with Florence Cassell (Joséphine Jobert). Fans were left devastated to see another series of the hit BBC drama conclude, but it's now been revealed that a new show will be launching to fill the void.The programme, titled This Town, will air on BBC One on Sundays at 9pm.

Downton Abbey's Lady Mary, played by Michelle Dockery, is all set to surprise her fans with a tough new look in the creator of Peaky Blinders' latest series. As Lady Mary, she was the picture of elegance, but now, nine years after Downton Abbey finished, she's coming back to our screens as Estella Quinn, a much more rough-around-the-edges character, in This Town. Estella has a hard life; she's been kicked out of Birmingham by the IRA and her husband who uses guns.

The 1975 frontman Matty Healy has shared a new solo track, ‘Loads Of Crisps’.The song, which you can listen to below, was shared on his Soundcloud page under his Truman Black moniker.

Strictly Come Dancing star Karen Hauer has jokingly been called 'mum' by her co-stars as she revealed she's been given a new role. The dancer appeared alongside Dianne Buswell and Carlos Gu on The One Show where they promoted their upcoming tour.

Brian Steinberg Senior TV Editor Fierce media rivals like ESPN and Fox Sports aren’t often eager to see the other do well. But the competitors may be cheering one another this weekend. Fox and ESPN will this weekend each broadcast two games from the new — depending on how one looks at it — UFL, a league that has been built out of the former USFL and its rival, the XFL.

Britain’s Got Talent star Rosie O’Sullivan shocked fans as she revealed her impressive 17-stone weight loss, ten years after starring on the hit ITV show. Rosie wowed the judges with her impressive singing voice as she belted out ballads which saw her secure a place in the semi-finals during the seventh series of BGT.

IDLES have announced their support acts for their upcoming 2024 UK/Ireland tour – check out all details below.The Bristol band have just released their fifth album ‘Tangk‘ and are set to tour the album across the country from July this year. Now, the band have taken to social media to reveal a swathe of support acts who’ll join their tour with them.First, Australian genre-bending master Genesis Owusu, along with Brighton punk rockers Lambrini Girls have been announced to perform with IDLES.

As household bills continue to rise, finding the cheapest phone plan is high on my priorities to reduce my outgoings as much as possible. Luckily, I managed to save a whopping £344 on an iPhone 15 with unlimited data by switching providers at checkout.

The Smile have debuted a new song called ‘Don’t Get Me Started’ at their recent live shows. Check out footage of the track below.The band – comprised of Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood alongside Sons Of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner – broke out the unreleased song while on tour across the UK this month.The dates come in support of their latest album ‘Wall Of Eyes’, and have seen them break out some new tracks for the audience.It was at their show in Glasgow last week that Yorke and Co.

Kate Middleton shocked the world on Friday when she announced she had been diagnosed with cancer.The royal mum of three explained that the cancer was discovered following her abdominal surgery, and she is now undergoing treatment, sharing that she is having "preventative chemotherapy." The treatment, known formally as adjuvant chemotherapy, is a course of anti-cancer drugs that is given to mop up any cancer cells that might remain in the body after primary cancer treatment, which is usually surgical removal of a tumour. Chemotherapy is a type of cancer treatment that kills cancer cells and prevents the disease from coming back.There are many types of chemotherapy, but the most common are tablets and liquids that are put directly into the vein.

Twenty One Pilots tour is upcoming.Today (March 26), the social media accounts of several huge arenas have been simultaneously sharing billboards and screens that feature a silhouette image of Tyler Joseph and Josh Dun.In the UK, arenas that shared the image included London’s The O2, the AO Arena in Manchester and the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham.

A new illusion museum that’s already popular in locations including Las Vegas, Shanghai and Dubai could be making its way to Manchester's city centre.

Maxïmo Park have shared a new single titled ‘Favourite Songs’ and announced details of an upcoming UK and European tour. Check out the track and find ticket details below.The newly-shared single marks the first new material from the band in over 18 months, and comes as somewhat of a salute to the impact that pop music can have on its listeners – celebrating how it can provide solace in times of need, and a place to retreat into with like minds.“My best years are behind me/ but I’ll be damned if I’m giving up/ your intervention was timely/ I was acceptable, at a push/ am I able to sit at the big boy’s table?” frontman Paul Smith questions at the start of the uplifting track, while a poppy guitar riff and shimmering synths sit behind.It also comes alongside a black-and-white music video, which shows the singer singing directly to the camera, as well as swirling visuals of the city around him.“Our aim was to create a peppy yet powerful ode to the consolation of music and companionship in the face of other people’s preconceptions,” Smith explained of the inspiration behind the song.

A young farmer who vanished after a serious car crash tragically ended his own life "in a panic".

Alison Hammond has been supported by her fans, followers and a few famous faces after she hit back at 'nasty' comments. The presenter is currently in the midst of a month-long break from This Morning where she hosts in the Friday slot alongside Dermot O'Leary.

Katcy Stephan Universal Pictures has pre-emptively landed an adaptation of Mark A. Bradley’s “Blood Runs Coal: The Yablonski Murders and the Battle for the United Mine Workers of America,”with newly-minted Oscar winner Cillian Murphy attached to star and produce. Jez Butterworth (“Spectre,” “Ford v Ferrari”) and John-Henry Butterworth (“Get On Up,” “Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny”) will adapt the screenplay.

A burger restaurant where staff are purposely rude to customers has issued an update after its Manchester branch was put on the market. The lease for Karen's Diner, which opened in Prestwich in 2022, was listed on Rightmove prompting questions about its future.

Money saving expert Martin Lewis has warned millions of EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three customers to send a simple but crucial text before next Monday.

The Enemy have announced details of an ‘Indie Til I Die’ UK tour, set to kick off later this year. Find ticket details below.Announced today (March 25), the shows come following the British indie rock band reforming back in 2022, and going on to play a number of festival slots across summer 2023.

Jem Aswad Executive Editor, Music R&B ace Maxwell has announced “The Serenade 2024” North American Tour, which will see him joined by two special guests: two-time Grammy winner Jazmine Sullivan and rising singer-songwriter October London. Full dates appear below.

Congratulations are in order for Ben Shephard and his wife Annie Perks, who are celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary on Monday, 25 March. As the new co-host of This Morning alongside Cat Deeley, 49 year old Ben is a well-known face on TV, but many of us don't know much about his personal life – including his relationship with Annie.The TV presenter met his wife when he was a student at the University of Birmingham, and they've been married for two decades, reports the Mirror.

A mum-of-six has been caught out in a shocking benefits scam, lying about her boyfriend living with her to swindle more than £85,000. Emma Buck, who lives in Bournville, dishonestly claimed income support, housing benefit and child tax credits for three years.

A mum-of-six swindled more than £85,000 in benefits by lying about her boyfriend living with her. Emma Buck pocketed income support, housing benefit and child tax credits for three years after claiming she had separated from her partner, BirminghamLive reports.

A mum who kicked a police dog in the neck because it was biting her son's leg 'reacted like any other mother', a court heard. Lauren Hatch lashed out after being woken up by a commotion at her home, BirminghamLive reports.

Cat Burns has announced details of her debut album ‘Early Twenties’, as well as new UK and European tour dates. Find ticket details below.The multi-BRIT-nominated artist from South London has shared details of her first studio album, which is set to arrive on 12 July via Since ’93/Sony RCA.It comes following the release of her latest single ‘Alone’, which was co-written and produced by award-winning British producer Steve Mac (Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Charli XCX).“‘Early Twenties’ is my love letter to this period of time in my life,” Burns said of the new announcement in a press release.“It’s my attempt at showcasing the highs and lows of being in your early twenties.

Melanie Martinez has announced a UK and European arena tour for later this year – find all the details below.The New York singer-songwriter is due to bring ‘The Trilogy Tour’ to these shores in the autumn when she’ll play headline shows in Dublin (September 18), Birmingham (20), Manchester (21), Glasgow (23), Cardiff (24) and London (26).Martinez will then head to Europe for concerts in Brussels, Amsterdam, Paris, Lyon, Barcelona, Madrid, Cologne, Frankfurt and other locations throughout October.Tickets go on general sale at 10am GMT/11am CET next Thursday (March 28), except Barcelona and Madrid, which go on sale at the same time on Wednesday (27). Fans who sign up to Martinez’s mailing list can access a pre-sale on Monday (25).You’ll be able to purchase tickets here (UK and Ireland) and here (Europe).“Putting my all into this show, can’t wait to share this experience with you,” Martinez wrote on social media while announcing the upcoming dates.Elita will appear as the support act for the entire UK and European leg, with Men I Trust joining for the London and European dates only.

What’s next for Cillian Murphy after his award-winning performance in “Oppenheimer“? How about returning to his most iconic role before playing the nuclear physicist? Deadline reports that Murphy will reprise his role from the BBC/Netflix series “Peaky Blinders” for Steven Knight‘s upcoming follow-up film. “He definitely is returning for it,” Knight told Birmingham World about Murphy’s involvement.

Cillian Murphy is reportedly set to reprise his role as the Irish-Romani gang leader in a “Peaky Blinders” movie, according to Steven Knight, who created the hit British crime drama. “He definitely is returning for it,” Knight, 64, told Birmingham World of Murphy, 47, at the premiere of “The Town,” his new drama series for BBC. “We’re shooting it in September just down the road in Digbeth [England].”The Post has contacted reps for Murphy for comment.

The Peaky Blinders movie is happening, and a big star is returning!

What’s next for Cillian Murphy after his award-winning performance in “Oppenheimer“? How about returning to his most iconic role before playing the nuclear physicist? Deadline reports that Murphy will reprise his role from the BBC/Netflix series “Peaky Blinders” for Steven Knight‘s upcoming follow-up film. “He definitely is returning for it,” Knight told Birmingham World about Murphy’s involvement.

Zack Sharf Digital News Director It looks like we haven’t seen the last of gangster Tommy Shelby after all. Speaking to Birmingham World at the premiere of his new BBC drama “The Town,” “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight confirmed that recent Oscar winner Cillian Murphy will be reprising his beloved role in the upcoming film version of the British crime drama. Knight said Murphy is “definitely” coming back, and filming on the “Peaky Blinders” movie kicks off this September.

Sharon Stone has made a critical comment about Johnny Depp’s artwork in a recent interview.The Basic Instinct star, who switched her focus from acting to art during the COVID lockdown, has just opened her own exhibition in Berlin, and is due to open another in San Francisco in April.In explaining her road to success to The Guardian, she made comments referring to an art collection created by Depp, which sold for more than $3.6million within hours.The collection, titled Friends And Heroes, featured portraits of individuals who inspired the actor: Keith Richards, Bob Dylan, Al Pacino and Elizabeth Taylor.According to Business Insider, Depp sold all 780 pieces within hours of his announcement that the art would be on sale at Castle Fine Art’s 37 gallery in Birmingham, England.Stone however, didn’t seem to be quite so enamoured with the portraits, saying: “Johnny Depp is printing pictures of people, putting some paint over it and signing it, and making a fortune.”Depp followed up the original collection with some more prints in 2023, which featured other famous faces including Bob Marley, Heath Ledger and River Phoenix.Seemingly referring to Depp’s recent sale of his self-portrait, in which he donated $200 from every sale to Mental Health America, Stone shared that she had received similar requests from galleries.“I had galleries approach me and say, ‘Could you please make prints of your face?’ I think it’s my duty not to do that,” she said.