Birmingham Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford has shared that he thinks Ozzy Osbourne deserves to be knighted.Speaking to Classic Rock magazine recently, – and reported via Louder Sound – Halford voiced his support for the decade-long campaign to get the Prince of Darkness and former Black Sabbath frontman knighted.“If one person deserves a knighthood, it’s Ozzy Osbourne,” Halford said to Classic Rock. “Just for the joy he’s given people over the years.”Halford, like many others, is of the belief that Osbourne – a forefather of the metal genre – is well-deserving of knighthood for his contributions to the music industry.

Things appear to be heating up between Ellie Leach and Bobby Brazier, with the EastEnders star allegedly seen knocking on Ellie's hotel room door wearing only his underwear. Bobby, 20, has been romantically linked to Coronation Street's Ellie, 22, over recent weeks, with the duo reportedly having grown close while on the Strictly Come Dancing live tour.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed details on when they will send out four payments in February 2024, which will help people cope with the ever-rising cost of living.

Alison Hammond has declared 'I did it' as she reaches the end of her latest job away from This Morning with Dermot O'Leary there to support her. The presenter hasn't been doing full time stints on the ITV daytime show as she has been busy for the past month performing in her home city in the pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk.

This Morning's Alison Hammond has swapped the iconic blue sofa for the stage.The 48 year old is currently starring in the classic pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, which is taking place in her hometown of Birmingham, in the city's famous Hippodrome theatre. Performing alongside Alison is former EastEnders star Samantha Womack - but she's not the only celebrity the presenter has been surrounded by during her time in panto.

Alison Hammond has said she 'nearly cried' after spotting a familiar face in the audience as she nears the end of her 'biggest' job. The This Morning star has been busy for the past month performing in her home city in Birmingham Hippodrome's pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk.

Dianne Buswell has shared an emotional moment with fans as she tours the country with Strictly Come Dancing while also revealing words she says to Bobby Brazier during every show. The dancer is currently on the road with her co-stars as part of the dance show's live tour.

This Morning star Josie Gibson and her five year old son Reggie headed out to Birmingham Hippodrome to support her BBF Alison Hammond in her latest pantomime stint. Alison has been playing the Spirit of the Beans in Jack and the Beanstalk and Josie said her performance was "absolutely amazing". Taking to Instagram, Josie shared a sweet selfie with Alison along with the caption: "Absolutely amazing in Panto!! @alisonhammond55.

Nikita Kuzmin quickly distracted fans as he gave his followers an alternative look at the Strictly Come Dancing live tour. While fans across the country will be flocking to their local arenas to see him and his co-stars in action, the dancer gave his online followers a behind-the-scenes look at what's going on.

SPOILER ALERT: This story features details from recent episodes of The Traitors.

The Zutons have released their funky new single ‘Creeping On The Dancefloor’.‘Creeping On The Dancefloor’ is the Liverpool band’s first new music in 16 years, and was recorded all the way back during the pandemic. The single is taken from their upcoming album ‘The Big Decider’, produced by the legendary Nile Rodgers and Ian Broudie.

Three men have been jailed after holding vulnerable victims hostage to 'sadistically' extort money.

Pet Shop Boys have shared an exclusive clip of them performing ‘It’s A Sin’ for their new ‘Dreamworld’ Copenhagen live movie – watch it exclusively on NME above.The band’s new live film – recorded during their 2023 ‘Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live’ world tour – will hit cinemas on January 31 and February 4.“This cinematic celebration of Pet Shop Boys’ unparalleled career promises to be an unmissable experience for fans and music enthusiasts alike,” said Marc Allenby, CEO of Trafalgar Releasing who are sharing the film.“Join us in celebrating four decades of musical innovation as we bring the magic of ‘Dreamworld: The Greatest Hits Live’ to the big screen.”Tickets for the screenings are available here.In a five-star review of Pet Shop Boys’ ‘Dreamworld’ gig in Hull in 2022, NME praised “the band’s infallible greatest hits collection, and their ability to constantly stay ahead of the pack”.It added: “[The concert] shows the range of styles and subjects tackled in their canon, and is a two-hour joyous celebration of their decades of holding pop to a higher standard.”The band also recently extended the ‘Dreamworld’ tour into 2024 with new UK and Irish dates.Find any remaining tickets here and see the dates below.JUNE 202404 – OVO Hydro, Glasgow06 – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham08 – Utilita Arena, Birmingham 09 – Co-op Live, Manchester 11 – SSE Arena, Belfast22 – Isle of Wight Festival 2024, Newport

Ellie Leach had a simple two-word response as they was seen beaming alongside two of her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars amid fresh romance rumours - but this time not with Vito Coppola.

BBC Strictly Come Dancing stars Bobby Brazier and Ellie Leach have reportedly been enjoying a series of secret dates, following rumours about them growing close to their dance partners. Ellie and professional dancer Vito Coppola fought off rumours they were dating and recently confirmed to the Mirror that they are just close friends.

Coronation Street star Matt Milburn, who plays the role of Tommy Orpington, will be caught up in an affair storyline with Tracy Barlow (played by Kate Ford), just a month after his return to the cobbles. The news of his upcoming storyline was confirmed by the actor himself who returned to the hit ITV soap on Christmas Day, reports Birmingham Live. Speaking of the storyline, Matt told Digital Spy: "I was made-up.

Ellie Leach and Bobby Brazier cuddled up to each as they embark on the Strictly Come Dancing tour.

Ozzy Osbourne is planning “two more shows to say goodbye” before he fully retires from performing live.That’s according to the former Black Sabbath frontman’s wife and manager Sharon, who spoke about Ozzy’s future during her Cut The Crap show at London’s Fortune Theatre on Sunday (January 21).“He won’t tour again but we are planning on doing two more shows to say goodbye as he feels like, ‘I have never said goodbye to my fans and I want to say goodbye’,” she told journalist Jane Moore (via Music News).Sharon continued: “His voice is still absolutely perfect. And all the time he has been off he still does his singing lessons.

Strictly Come Dancing winners Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola have been spotted together in Manchester after finally confirming their relationship status. Ex-Coronation Street actress Ellie, 22, and professional dancer Vito, 31, were all smiles as they exited the BBC Breakfast studios at Media City in Salford on Tuesday, 23 January together.

A person was found dead early today after emergency services were called to reports of a casualty on railway tracks, police have revealed. No sex or age of the person has been released by British Transport Police.

The Smile have announced an extra London date on their March 2024 UK tour after phenomenal demand.The Radiohead side project – comprising Thom Yorke, Jonny Greenwood and Sons Of Kemet drummer Tom Skinner – announced their UK and European tour back in November, alongside their new album ‘Wall Of Eyes‘.The band are due to kick off the tour at Dublin’s 3Arena on March 7 and play dates in Brighton, Manchester, Glasgow and Birmingham before finishing up with a show at London’s Alexandra Palace on March 23.They’ve now added a second London show at the Eventim Apollo on Sunday, March 10 due to “exceptional demand”.Tickets for the extra show go on sale this Friday (January 26) at 9am GMT from here. Fans can also sign up to the pre-sale here.A post shared by The Smile (@thesmiletheband)MARCH7 – Dublin, 3Arena 10 – London, Eventim Apollo 13 – Copenhagen, K.B. Hallen 15 – Brussels, Forest National 16 – Amsterdam, AFAS Live 18 – Brighton, Brighton Centre 19 – Manchester, O2 Apollo 20 – Glasgow, SEC Armadillo 22 – Birmingham, O2 Academy 23 – London, Alexandra PalaceThe Smile’s second album ‘Wall Of Eyes’ is out Friday, which NME described in four-star review as a “masterclass in pushing rock forward”, adding that it features “some of their best work since ‘In Rainbows'”.It added: “Where previously the comparisons to their Radiohead catalogue could warp expectations, the breadth of the material on offer here suggest that it could, eventually, flip that dynamic right on its head.”Reviewing The Smile live in New York City in 2022, NME described the show as an “expansive and dazzling spectacle”.

Ellie Leach has been seen cosying up to one of her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars as they hit the road. The BBC One dance contest winner has been reunited with her dance partner Vito Coppola as a number of stars of the 2023 series tour the country in the show's live tour.

Lulu turned 75 this year and to celebrate her milestone, the Scots legend announced a five-date tour for 2024. The Shout icon is hitting the road for her 'Champagne For Lulu' tour, which will kick off in April in Glasgow.

Alison Hammond has shared some sad news with her fans as the This Morning presenter revealed on Instagram that her time in pantomime at the Birmingham Hippodrome is coming to an end. Alison has been playing the Spirit of the Beans in Jack and the Beanstalk. Alison took to social media to tell her followers: "Hi everyone, I'm just giving you a heads up that there's only seven days left until the end of Jack and the Beanstalk at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

In the shadow of modern Manchester's new skyline, hardship is deepening. Across some areas of Greater Manchester, the number of children living in poverty is perilously close to one in two.

Millions of train tickets are on sale with up to 50 per cent off from today.

Love Island's first dumped islander Demi Jones has opened up on her time in the villa and didn't hold back calling Mitchel Taylor "a menace" after she was told her time was up during tonight's dramatic instalment, 22 January.The reality TV star, who took part in the show's first winter edition back in 2020, was back with a bang for All Stars. Sadly, after only one week in the villa, presenter Maya Jama announced that Demi and Luis Morrison, who have already agreed to go on their first date, were being sent home.

Alison Hammond admitted that she is "gutted" as she announced the end of her current venture in her career as the ITV presenter took to social media and gave her followers a 'heads up' on the news.

Strictly Come Dancing's celebrities and professionals have zipped their sequin-festooned costumes back on to head out on the 2024 live arena tour. The incredible live shows will bring to life all the magic of the hit BBC entertainment show on a grand arena stage.

Vito Coppola has left his Strictly Come Dancing co-star in tears as he took time out of his busy touring schedule to share what he described as 'part of his heart' with his fans and followers. The dancer is still riding high after winning the BBC One dance contest in December.

Millions of parents and carers in England are being urged to book their children in for their missed measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine as part of a major new NHS campaign to protect children from becoming seriously unwell, as measles cases spiral across the country. The NHS campaign will see all parents of children aged from six to 11 years contacted encouraging them to make an appointment with their child’s GP practice for their missed MMR vaccine.

Dianne Buswell has sent a four-word message to Bobby Brazier after their time on the road with Strictly Come Dancing. The pair made it to the final of the BBC One dance contest back in December where they went up against Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola and Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin.

Alison Hammond has issued a seven-day warning to her fans amid being 'replaced' as Dermot O'Leary's co-host on This Morning. The presenter has been hosting the usual Friday edition of the ITV daytime show with the former X Factor star while he has been doing a full-time stint.

There are many of common illnesses that crop up during colder months, and developing things like coughs, colds and the flu can be a real pain.

Michael Mosley has shared five expert tips on the best ways to tackle inflammation, which can spawn an array of health problems if left untreated.

Anybody who is struggling to pay their energy bills amid the ongoing cost of living crisis could be eligible for some vital financial support from British Gas.