'I walked down an alleyway and the unthinkable happened'

Liam Neeson has revealed that he and Ewan McGregor were “personally hurt and offended” by the backlash to Star Wars character Jar Jar Binks.The character (played by Ahmed Best) received a hugely negative reception after making his debut in 1999 prequel The Phantom Menace.Speaking to Empire about working with McGregor and Best, Neeson looked back fondly, recalling: “Ahmed was so funny and inventive. Myself and Ewan were personally hurt and offended by the critical reaction to the character.”Last year, Best opened up about the backlash to his character, revealing that he was afraid to leave his apartment after receiving death threats when his phone number was leaked online.“It was terrible.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump in a speech at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) Awards.The director and writer, who is behind the likes of The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up, was hosting the ceremony on Saturday night (February 10) when he took aim at the 2024 presidential race.“This year’s DGAs were voted for by you and your peers,” he began to the audience. “I swear to God if this is the only time you vote this year, you can all go fuck yourselves.“We need this industry to encourage people to vote.

Avril Lavigne has announced a show at Bedford Park this summer – her only headline performance in the south of England this year.The pop-punk star will be performing at the Bedford Summer Sessions on Saturday, June 29.She’ll join a summer line-up running across June and July that includes Tom Jones, James, Nile Rodgers & CHIC, Jess Glynne and DJ Pete Tong’s Ibiza Classics.Weekend One passes are on sale now, which will get fans access to both Glynne and Lavigne, before general sale tickets for Lavigne go on sale Friday (February 16) at 9am GMT from here.Along with a number of other UK dates planned for the summer, Lavigne has announced details of a US greatest hits tour with support from All Time Low and Simple Plan.The 27-date tour will see Lavigne perform her biggest hits including ‘Complicated,’ ‘Sk8er Boi’ and ‘Girlfriend’.Back in October, Lavigne made a surprise appearance at When We Were Young festival to sing ‘Sk8er Boi’ with All Time Low.She first joined for ‘Fake As Hell’, her collaborative track with the band, before launching into a performance of her 2002 hit ‘Sk8er Boi’. She performed at the inaugural first weekend of 2022’s When We Were Young festival, before she had to drop out the following week due to “unforeseen circumstances”.The singer’s latest album, ‘Love Sux‘, came out in February of 2022, described by NME in a three-star review as “a modern update on early ’00s pop-punk”.

Shania Twain has announced new shows across the UK and Ireland – including her first ever headline gig in Wales. Find ticket details below.Announced today (February 12), the upcoming live shows include the country music legend’s first headline slot in Wales, as part of this year’s instalment of the Chepstow Summer Sessions.Taking place at Chepstow Racecourse, the performance will be held on Friday, July 5 and will see the singer break out live renditions of fan favourites including ‘Man! I Feel Like A Woman!’ and ‘You’re Still the One’.Other newly-announced shows include a Summer Sessions slot in Stirling City Park on July 2, as well as a headline appearance at Lytham Festival on Lytham Green, Lancashire on July 4.Twain will also play Belfast’s Ormeau Park on June 27 – as part of the Belsonic series – and Dublin’s Malahide Castle on June 28.

closed permanently in May last year after Southwark Council approved plans to turn the building into an office block. It had been open for six years.According to the detailed proposal filed today (February 12), British Land and its partner AustralianSuper – one of the UK’s largest pension funds – are looking to redevelop the site in Rotherhithe into a “permanent cultural venue”.It also outlined that both are also in talks with Broadwick, the same electronic music and arts operator that ran Printworks previously, to operate the new venue, and the reimagined space would occupy half of the existing building.

Keanu Reeves’ band Dogstar have shared details of a tour of the UK and Europe – set to kick off this summer. Find ticket details below.The ‘90s alt-rock trio – comprising vocalist Bret Domrose, drummer Rob Mailhouse and bassist Keanu Reeves – are set to embark on a series of 13 headline shows across the continent later this summer.The live dates will commence at the end of May, when the band kick off with a slot at La Sala Teatro in Madrid, Spain on May 30, followed by a gig in Paris on June 2 – taking place at La Cigale.

Brontide have announced a 10th anniversary reissue of their 2014 album ‘Artery’.The British instrumental band will re-release their influential second album on August 2, 2024, which can be pre-ordered on limited edition silver fade vinyl here.They will also be performing their only UK show at Bristol’s ArcTanGent Festival on August 17.Brontide released two albums – 2011’s ‘Sans Souci’ and 2014’s ‘Artery’ – and also toured extensively throughout their nine years together.The band gained a cult following before announcing their split in 2017, after which members pursued their own musical endeavours.Bassist Nathan Fairweather is a member of Rolo Tomassi, while drummer William Bowerman went on to become a musical director and co-founder of WFB Live, the musical direction company behind tours and performances for the likes of Dua Lipa, Elton John and Blackpink.Guitarist Tim Hancock, meanwhile, moved to Los Angeles to work with Fender.In a social media teaser video shared last month, the band said they were “excited to see what the future of Brontide holds”.1. ‘Tonitro’2. ‘Bare My Bones’3. ‘Kith and Kin’4. ‘Cabin’5. ‘Knives’6. ‘Still Life’7. ‘Caramel’8. ‘Red Gold’Announcing their split in 2017, the band said: “After nine years, two albums, an EP, several videos plus multiple shows and tours, we have decided to stop playing as Brontide.“It has been a very difficult decision to make but we can no longer give it the time it deserves so it only feels right to roll end credits.They continued in a statement: “We will always reflect on what we did with a lot of pride and happy memories.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has shared his memories of the "iconic" goal that he believes defines him as a player.

A 13-year-old boy has died after police were called to a 'medical emergency' at a house in Middleton.

A man has been arrested after allegedly flying from London to New York without a passport or a boarding pass.

Millions of tax credit claimants will soon receive the £299 cost of living payment.

Gary Neville has laid out the challenge Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag faces to impress Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

A man has been arrested in connection with a “stabbing” in Elderslie on Sunday.

Stephen Robinson yesterday saluted his battling Buddies in the wake of their Scottish Cup exit at the hands of Celtic.

A grieving father is pleading with young Buddies to seek help with their mental health just months after his soon took his own life.

A new Scots mum has told how hero emergency staff battled through Storm Gerrit to get her to hospital after she went into labour at the side of a busy road.

A man was rushed to hospital after allegedly being 'stabbed' in a Scots town.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent Anonymous Content and Spain’s Morena Films, behind box office breakouts “Cell 211” and Champions, have named former Studiocanal executive Beatriz Campos as the managing director of their Spain-based film-TV production venture Anonymous Content España. Campos will oversee the company’s day-to-day operations working closely with David Davoli, Anonymous Content’s president of international, and Morena Films CEO Pilar Benito, Anonymous Content and Morena Films announced Monday.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent A planned international rerelease of Brazilian director Fernando Meirelles’ “City of God” will kick off from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), marking the 2002 cult crime drama’s first theatrical outing in the region. Prominent Dubai-based distributor Front Row Filmed Entertainment has partnered with Paris-based distributor The Festival Agency – which in turn acquired the “City of God” rerelease rights from Wild Bunch – on what it said marks the beginning of many rereleases planned by Front Row going forward.

As the cold weather is set to come to a head in the new few weeks, fashion fans will be looking to ditch their heavy winter coats for something a little bit lighter for spring. And if your warmer wardrobe is in need of a refresh, you might want to head over to New Look for a browse.

Louise Thompson has offered her first health update after her fiance revealed she had been admitted to hospital. The former Made in Chelsea star concerned fans when she suddenly disappeared from social media following a holiday with partner Ryan Libby and their son, Leo.

Annabel Croft has told her fans it's been an 'honour' to dance with a new professional dancer after wrapping up her time on the Strictly Come Dancing live tour. The former tennis ace has been touring the country with a number of her co-stars after signing up to the show's 2024 tour.

Security minister Tom Tugendhat said it is "not acceptable" that Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales is sitting in dock when it should be out "defending our interests abroad".

Lucy Mecklenburgh was left fighting tears after seeing her fiance Ryan Thomas fall twice during his latest performance on Dancing on Ice. The actor returned to the ice for the latest instalment of the ITV skating competition on Sunday night (February 11) which happened to be Musicals Week.

A mortgage expert has issued advice to anyone looking to remortgage as millions of fixed-rate deals are set to come to an end this year. The guidance comes along with some good news for homeowners, as mortgage rates have seen the 'biggest drop' since 2022.

Homeowners have been warned to 'act now' after flood warnings were issued.

Jason Manford is set to host a brand new gameshow which will air on BBC One and iPlayer later this year. It marks the Salford comedian's return to the channel after presenting quiz show Unbeatable, which ended with its second series last summer.

Rochelle Humes has told fans why her 'heart is full' after she ditched the UK weeks after returning home for the first time in months. The This Morning star and her husband Marvin spent a lengthy period away from home following his I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here stint back in November.

Millions of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants will see an increase to their finances in just a couple of months.

Bobby Brazier posted one of his last pictures from backstage on the Strictly Come Dancing tour - and it was a sweet snap of his co-star after they've been subject to weeks of romance rumours.

Dancing on Ice fans were left complaining about the end of the latest show after two celebrities were axed from the competition. The 'greatest show on ice' returned to ITV on Sunday night (February 11) with the remaining couples taking to the rink for Musicals Week.

Fans have rushed to Gemma Atkinson's defence after she told one of her followers to 'calm down' over their response to one of her recent social media videos. The Hits Radio host took to Instagram to share a video of her partnering with Lyle’s Golden Syrup.

Manchester United legend Roy Keane has revealed in typically uncompromising fashion why he didn't speak to two former Old Trafford team-mates for months.

After weeks of schedule shake-ups, Coronation Street fans were treated to a rare weekend episode on Sunday night (February 11). Due to the football airing last Wednesday, the ITV soap's usual airing pattern was altered so that viewers could still get their Weatherfield fix.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that enforcement times against parents not paying child maintenance will be slashed from six months to as little as six weeks. Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Mel Stride MP said the reforms will mean parents who dodge the financial responsibilities they have for their children will be “quickly held to account”.

Craig Revel Horwood left the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour audience stunned after he reportedly dubbed one contestant a "minger".