Historic Cheshire pub re-opens following huge transformation

It’s September 1 – all aboard the Hogwarts Express.

We’re back, Insiders. Jesse Whittock here. After a week away, we’ve got you covered for all the big news as festival season gears up once again. We’ve been mob-handed in Venice while diligently covering all the major TV and film news around the world. Let’s begin…

It is possible that in his search for CNN’s next boss, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav simply checked back through the news network’s archives. 

Luke Combs and his wife, Nicole, have welcomed a new addition to their family!

gave his first major interview to podcaster Joe Rogan on Wednesday. In a free-wheeling two-hour appearance he laughed off attempts to pigeonhole him politically and decried how hard life has become for people in forgotten rural areas.He largely stayed clear of talking about his own family and background, apart from saying he is hoping someone will buy his battered truck, and alluding to his own personal struggles with substance abuse. But his wife Tiffany’s grandfather, Arthur Brogdon, told The Post of their pride at his success, calling him a dedicated family man.The “Rich Men North of Richmond” singer’s real name is Chris Lunsford.

Cooking Vinyl Publishing has signed a deal covering the songs catalogue of indie-rock duo Her’s, four years after they were killed in a car accident while on tour in the US.The deal has been agreed between Cooking Vinyl, the band’s record label and management company Heist Or Hit, and the families of the two band members, Audun Laading and Stephen Fitzpatrick. It is the first time that the songs in the catalogue have been published.“We are honoured to announce our new partnership with Cooking Vinyl Publishing in commemoration of the enduring musical legacy of Her’s, a fantastically unique duo that has left an everlasting mark on music fans across the world”, says Heist Or Hit’s Martin Colclough.“We’re incredibly proud to have witnessed the hugely positive impact that Stephen and Audun’s songs have made over the past four years”, he goes on, “and this new collaboration will enable us to preserve their musical heritage and continue to inspire future generations”.Cooking Vinyl Publishing Managing Director Ryan Farley adds: “We’re immensely proud to be entrusted with Stephen and Audun’s amazing songs at Cooking Vinyl.

Naman Ramachandran The third edition of Fragments Festival (Sept. 28-Oct. 1) – set up as a platform for underrepresented filmmakers and as a showcase of films featuring unique individuals and minority groups – returns to London’s Genesis cinema and will open with Ken Loach‘s “The Old Oak.” The film centers on struggling pub The Old Oak, where tensions mount following the sudden arrival of Syrian refugees who have been housed in the area.

September has finally arrived, officially marking the end of meteorological summer and kickstarting autumn.

Lee Johnson reckons 'small margins' cost him his job at Hibs as the departing boss bids an emotional farewell to Easter Road.

The official matchday programmes for home nation games at Rugby World Cup 2023 France are available to order now from reachsportshop.com.

Italian producer and Lido habitué Mario Gianani is at the Venice Film Festival this year with Saverio Costanzo’s drama Finally Dawn which world premieres in Competition on Friday.

Now the new school term has started, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding families to open a Tax-Free Childcare account to save up to £2,000 per child on their annual childcare bills. Families can use their Tax-Free Childcare account to pay for any approved childcare including holiday, breakfast and after school clubs, childminders and nurseries.

EastEnders fans are wondering if a major return may be on the cards for Max Branning, as the Cindy Beale comeback storyline unfolds.

St Mirren boss Stephen Robinson has seen his side's impressive start to the season rewarded with a manager of the month award.

Richard Madeley has slammed “ridiculous” presenters who believed they’re more “special” than others because they’re on TV.

Wes Anderson arrived on the Lido this morning with The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, his second film of the year and his latest Roald Dahl adaptation following 2009’s Fantastic Mr. Fox. 

Survivor and Big Brother maker Banijay France has set its leadership team, with Sébastien Petiot and Delphine Plantive joining as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Editorial Strategy and New Business respectively.

Ben Shephard has wished his wife, Annie, a happy birthday on Instagram. Though the 48 year old doesn’t really share much about his personal life with fans, he posted a sweet message along with a lovely photo of Annie looking joyful as she smiled while out in the sun.

Denise Van Outen and Blue's Duncan James appeared on Good Morning Britain, where they shared a big and exciting collaboration announcement. GMB hosts Robert Rinder and Charlotte Hawkins first stated that Denise and Duncan looked “so sweet together” on Friday's episode, 1 September, before Denise joked about their news.

Tunisia has picked Kaouther Ben Hania’s Four Daughters, which debuted in competition at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, as its entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2024 Oscars. 

Celebrity Masterchef viewers were left in tears after contestant Wynne Evans' heartbreaking story behind his dish.The semi-finalists were tasked with creating a meal which was inspired by a memory and the recollection behind Wynne's dish left some viewers fighting back the waterworks. When asked about the reason for his dish, Wynne said his was in honour of his Belgian grandfather who had to flee the country during the war. In honour of him and his story, Wynne cooked Boudin Blanc - creamy white sausage with chicken mince flavoured with truffle, nutmeg and thyme - Stomp (mash potato, carrots, leeks and bacon) and beer-braised chicory topped with an onion and Belgian beer gravy.

Money saving expert Martin Lewis has shared an exclusive discount code for the viral Ninja Creami ice cream maker.The kitchen appliance offers endless possibilities for homemade desserts, from smooth gelato and luxurious milkshakes to soft sorbets, guilt-free ‘nice creams’ and more.The Ninja Creami has fast become a TikTok favourite, with users sharing all of their favourite recipes online. It's no surprise the gadget been a hit this summer, as it allows you to whip up sweet frozen treats with minimal effort, and in hardly any time at all.

A driver who fled after leaving three people with life-changing injuries in a hit-and-run returned to his smashed-up car to grab suitcases - before flying off to Tenerife. Taylor Moss ploughed his BMW into an oncoming car while attempting to overtake a taxi, before hitting another vehicle.

Matheus Nunes wants to become part of Manchester City history after sealing a move to the Premier League and European champions.

Rylan Clark has been flooded with well-wishes to pass on to his mum after revealing she had been rushed to hospital. The BBC Radio 2 host made a statement after a period of silence on social media.

Billie Shepherd and Stacey Solomon have had something in common this week as both of their babies reached an exciting milestone at the same time. Former The Only Way is Essex star Billie took to Instagram and declared 'she's off' alongside a sweet video of baby Margot.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Mexico’s Teresa Sánchez, winner of a 2022 Sundance World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for acting in Juan Pablo González’s “Dos Estaciones,” is set to star in the follow-up, his sophomore outing “Warm Water.” Co-directed with Ana Isabel Fernández, co-writer of “Dos Estaciones,” “Warm Water” will also star Rafaela Fuentes, who played opposite Sánchez in “Dos Estaciones.” Set up at Mexico’s Sin Sitio Cine, whose partners are González, Ilana Coleman, Makena Buchanan and Jamie Gonçalves, “Warm Water,” produced by Bruna Haddad (“La Hija de Todas Las Rabias,” “Dos Estaciones”) and Gonçalves, will be brought onto the market at the San Sebastian Europe-Latin American Co-Production Forum, where it ranks as one of its highest-profile projects. In development and scheduled to shoot in fall 2024, “Warm Water” turns on Ana María, a renowned actress who, after a devastating break-up, reluctantly travels to the rural countryside in Mexico to lead an acting workshop.

Naman Ramachandran Production has commenced on British multiverse horror-thriller film “Parallel.” The film follows a detective’s journey through the pain of losing his son. As he navigates through a small British community veiled in enigma and fear, a hidden portal to a parallel realm offers a chance at reunion, blurring reality as secrets unfurl. The film is directed by Matthew Tibbenham (“Surviving Confession,” video game “Peaky Blinders: The King’s Ransom”).

Ellise Shafer Wes Anderson has confirmed that his Roald Dahl “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” anthology will eventually include three more short films of the author’s stories: “The Swan,” “Poison” and “The Ratcatcher.” During the Venice Film Festival press conference for the 37-minute “Henry Sugar” on Friday, Anderson teased the forthcoming “very, very strange” short films. “There’s another one that’s in the ‘Henry Sugar’ collection that’s called ‘The Swan,’ we’ve done that with Rupert Friend,” Anderson said. “We did a very old one called ‘Poison,’ which is one I always loved… And then we’ve also done a very, very strange one called ‘Ratcatcher,’ which is from a book called ‘Claud’s Dog,’ a kind of obscure Dahl book set in the Eastern part of England.

easyJet has issued a travel warning to holidaymakers flying today (Friday September 1) and tomorrow as train drivers walk out across the country. The airline has urged passengers to make sure they find alternative travel options to get to their airport so that they do not miss their flight.

Starfield features contributions from a former The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim writer who is now training to become a priest.Religion acted as a conduit for Starfield‘s themes of theology yet, as it is such a personal part of people’s lives, the team was aware they might mistakenly offend players. In the game, Sanctum Universum believes that God exists in the universe and that the Grav Drive (that allows for interstellar travel) is evidence that He is encouraging humans to find Him.In an interview with Polygon, design director Emil Pagliarulo shared that Bethesda reached out to one of their old employees for a realistic perspective on a fictional religion.“We actually had Shane Liesegang, who was one of our writers [on Skyrim and Fallout 4] … He’s now studying to be a Jesuit priest,” explained Pagliarulo.

ABBA reunion ahead of one of the band’s upcoming milestones.The singer was speaking in an interview when she seemed to hint that there may be some potential ABBA announcements on the horizon – particularly with the group celebrating the 50th anniversary of their Eurovision win.Reflecting on her time in the band alongside Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson, and Anni-Frid Lyngstad during a discussion with The Sun (via Daily Mail), it seemed as if something may be in the works to bring their concerts back.“You never know anything about ABBA and when we’re going to…’ Fältskog said, trailing off and quickly adding: ‘Well, I won’t say anything about that. I’d rather be quiet.”The comments also arose after the band were rumoured to be planning to perform at next year’s instalment of Eurovision, when the contest will return to their native country following the win of returning Swedish contestant Loreen earlier this year.The hints dropped by Fältskog also come on the heels of her recent single ‘Where Do We Go From Here?’, her first new solo music in 10 years.The single is taken from her upcoming album ‘A+’, a revisited version of 2013’s record, ‘A’.Set for release on October 13, the singer explained her reasons for revisiting the record in a letter to fans, writing: “I have lots of fond memories from making that album, so I couldn’t help but smile, time flies…”“Suddenly it hit me, what would the album sound like if we had made it today…? I couldn’t stop thinking about it,” she added.

much speculation last month that both Grande and Braun’s highest profile client, Justin Bieber, were seeking new management, although sources at his company SB Projects denied this.Rumours about Grande and Bieber leaving SB Projects began circulating as it was confirmed that another client, Demi Lovato, had indeed ended a four year alliance with Braun’s management firm. It also followed the departure of Idina Menzel in January this year and J Balvin in May.As the Grande and Bieber rumours gained momentum, sources close to SB Projects said that the company was simply going through some restructuring as Braun stepped back from artist management in order to focus on his role as CEO of Hybe America.South Korean entertainment company Hybe acquired Braun’s Ithaca Holdings, which included SB Projects, back in 2021, of course.“All of Scooter Braun’s clients are under contract and negotiations have been going on for several months”, one of those sources told Rolling Stone.

A court in New York has dismissed a lyric theft claim made against Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion because, and let’s be clear about this, standalone lyrics about wet pussies are not sufficiently original to enjoy copyright protection. And that, people, is the law.“The concept of using ‘pussies so wet’ as a rhetorical device in a song is neither original nor unique to plaintiff”, district judge Andrew L Carter Jr declared in a ruling earlier this week, “and in any event, copyright does not protect ideas or themes”.You might have guessed that the Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion song subject to this particular lyric theft claim was ‘WAP’.

Tickets went on sale yesterday for screenings of a ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ concert film, which will arrive in cinemas across North America next month. And, according to Deadline, ticket pre-sales have already topped $10 million.“The Eras Tour has been the most meaningful, electric experience of my life so far and I’m overjoyed to tell you that it’ll be coming to the big screen soon”, Swift posted on social media yesterday, alongside a trailer for the film.

APPOINTMENTSThe Scottish Music Industry Association has announced that its Creative Director Robert Kilpatrick will take on the additional role of Interim CEO following the departure of Ronnie Gurr from the top job. The association’s Interim Chair, Nick Stewart, says: “Robert understands the SMIA’s importance better than anyone else.