The Verve's Richard Ashcroft to perform in Wigan for first time in 25 years

Richard Ashcroft has announced details of a huge outdoor show, set to take place in London next summer.The announcement comes as the singer-songwriter has been revealed as the latest addition to the upcoming Kew The Music live music event, held in South West London.Set to take place over the summer, the week-long event will return to the UNESCO World Heritage site, Kew Gardens, between July 8 and July 12, 2024.For his appearance at next year’s instalment, Ashcroft will appear as the final headliner at the event and is set to take to the stage on the last day, Sunday, July 14.The upcoming set follows the two-time Ivor Novello winner’s work with The Verve over the years, as well as his run of solo albums, the most recent of which was his sixth solo LP, ‘Acoustic Hymns Vol. 1’, which arrived back in 2021.As well as Ashcroft, other artists set to appear as headliners for the 2024 edition of Kew The Music include pop singer Mika, who will headline the event on Tuesday, July 9, and Passenger who will take to the stage on Thursday, July 11.Following the recent completion of their 2023 reunion tour, JLS will also be taking to the stage at the London live music event on Friday, July 12, and the upcoming instalment will be opened by British horticulturist, broadcaster, and writer Monty Don, who will be taking part in an ‘Evening In Conversation’ event on Monday, July 8.The headliners for Wednesday (July 10) and Saturday (July 13) are set to be revealed at a later date, as are the guests set to join Ashcroft on the final night of next year’s edition.Tickets for the Richard Ashcroft show will go on pre-sale from tomorrow (December 19) at 10am GMT.

U2 performed their cover of Darlene Love’s ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’ for the first time in nearly 36 years at the Las Vegas Sphere this weekend.The Irish rock band performed the Christmas classic for the first time since 1987 during their show at the Sphere at The Venetian Resort on Friday (December 15).They last performed the track in December 1987 as they closed out the ‘Joshua Tree’ tour at the Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona.While performances from that gig featured on U2’s hybrid live/studio album ‘Rattle and Hum’, their version of ‘Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)’ was not included.However, they did release a video filmed in November 1987 at the Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana before their concert there that night. It was also released in December 1987 with the charity compilation album ‘A Very Special Christmas’.They revived the track on Friday and, according to setlist.fm, rehearsed it during soundcheck in the day but did not print the song on the setlist.Watch the performance below.Back in October, U2 announced they were extending their residency at the Sphere, adding 11 extra dates to the run.

Jamie Spears has been seen for the first time since it was reported that he'd had his leg amputated following a bacterial infection. The 71 year old father-of-three, who is dad to pop star Britney, 42, actress and I'm A Celebrity star Jamie Lynn, 32, and film producer Bryan, 46, was photographed at a storage facility near Kentwood, Louisiana on Tuesday, 12 December. A friend could be seen pushing Jamie in a wheelchair as they made their way round the facility.

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Michael Clifford, the guitarist for pop band 5 Seconds of Summer, has officially announced the safe arrival of his first child, with wife Crystal Leigh.The happy couple took to Instagram to share their happy news, alongside a carousel of pictures showing their adorable baby girl before revealing her name to the world.Their exciting comes just weeks after Michael and his bandmates completed their highly anticipated The 5 Seconds of Summer Show, with concerts across the globe. Taking to his Instagram page, the delighted couple couldn’t contain their joy as they cradled their newborn from moments after she was born, to napping at home with her.

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In an intriguing move, yet retro, move for Disney on the 2024 theatrical release calendar which is starving for product, three Pixar movies –2020’s Soul, 2021’s Luca and 2022’s Turning Red –which were sidelined on Disney+ during the pandemic, are getting special engagement theatrical runs. We hear all three will receive moderate to wide theatrical runs. The titles will remain in play on Disney+ during their new theatrical window.

A new online petition is calling on the UK Government to increase the annual £10 Christmas Bonus payment in line with inflation. The tax-free £10 payment has been paid to millions of benefit claimants since it was introduced by Ted Heath’s Conservative Government in 1972.

Meghan Markle has been spotted out and about in California for the first time since the Royal race row was stirred up again by Omid Scobie's explosive book Endgame. The book has drawn global attention since King Charles and Princess Kate were named as the senior royals who allegedly discussed Prince Archie's skin colour before he was born. The former Suits star, 42, was seen strolling in Santa Barbara on Monday, dressed in her gym clothes.This city is just a short distance from Montecito, where Meghan lives with her husband Prince Harry, 39, and their two children.

Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds have announced plans for a huge outdoor gig in Wigan next year.

Eamonn Holmes has posted an adorable picture after meeting his new granddaughter for the first time.The 63 year old TV presenter welcomed a new addition to the family and became a grandparent again in November.The former This Morning presenter, who can now be seen on GB News, previously announced the arrival of his son Declan's daughter Isabella to his fans after she was born a coupe of weeks ago. Now the proud grandparent has shared a picture of him meeting Isabella for the first time. Posting on Instagram, the picture shows Eamonn pulling tongues at his two grandchildren, Emilia, 2, and the new-born.

Ever wonder where Jonathan Taylor Thomas is these days?

As December starts, so does the official countdown to Christmas. And if you’re looking for a unique gift for a loved one - or even a treat for yourself - we’ve got just the ticket(s)!

Trains are to service Ayr for the first time in more than two months in a major boost for the town ahead of the Christmas period.

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Kate Middleton has been spotted in public for the first time since being labelled as a 'cold' and 'lazy part time' royal in Omid Scobie's explosive new book that has sparked controversy.

Richard Ashcroft will be returning to his hometown of Wigan for a huge show next year.The former frontman of The Verve will play Robin Park on July 20, marking his first show in Wigan for over 25 years.“After 25 years, I’m back playing in my hometown. Looking forward to an amazing night in Wigan,” he said in a press release.The Wigan show won’t be the only large-scale Ashcroft plays next summer, however.

New Order have confirmed they will play a special homecoming gig at Wythenshawe Park next year. The gig will take place next August Bank Holiday on Saturday, August 24.