Connect with us

Published

on

Liverpool will host next year’s Eurovision Song Contest, the BBC has announced.

It beat off Glasgow to win the chance to host the show, with the grand final taking place on 13 May 2023.

Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra won this year’s contest but organisers, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), ruled it would be unsafe to host next year’s contest in the country.

The UK’s Sam Ryder came second, with the BBC stepping in to offer to host the contest instead.

The BBC’s Graham Norton, who commentates on the event on behalf of the UK, revealed the announcement live on The One Show.

In a statement, the EBU said Liverpool, which is twinned with the Ukrainian city of Odesa, “was chosen following a strong city bid process that examined facilities at the venue, the ability to accommodate thousands of visiting delegations, crew, fans and journalists, infrastructure, and the cultural offer of the host city in reflecting Ukraine’s win in 2022, amongst other criteria.”

The head of the Eurovision Song Contest, Martin Osterdahl, added the city was the “ideal place” to hold the competition next year, and that Liverpool’s arena “exceeds all the requirements” to put on the show.

More on Eurovision

Kalush Orchestra, reacting to the announcement, said: “We are very pleased that next year’s Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Liverpool.

“Though we haven’t had the privilege of visiting yet, the musical heritage of the city is known all over the world. Playing in the same place that The Beatles started out will be a moment we’ll never forget!

“Although we are sad that next year’s competition cannot take place in our homeland, we know that the people of Liverpool will be warm hosts and the organisers will be able to add a real Ukrainian flavour to Eurovision 2023 in this city.”

Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan also congratulated Liverpool after the announcement, saying: “Huge congratulations to Liverpool. The city loves music and knows how to throw a party, so I’ve no doubt it will host a spectacular experience for the thousands in attendance and millions watching at home on the BBC.

“(Vladimir) Putin’s illegal war means the competition cannot take place in Ukraine, but Eurovision brings people together and, together with the government, I am sure Liverpool and the BBC will honour the country’s culture and creativity with an event to remember.”

Thoughts will now turn to planning the mammoth event, which consists of three live shows and countless rehearsals, and how it will be paid for.

Eurovision is usually paid for by the host broadcaster, the host city, and the government of the host country.

The BBC, which is the UK’s host broadcaster, has been forced to make cuts over the next few years, and the government is being faced with its own financial crisis, and it is not yet clear how the up to £20m bill will be footed.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Liverpool City Council has said it will begin putting its plans into action, working with Ukrainian artists and creating an education programme.

Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson said: “I’m over the moon that Eurovision is coming to Liverpool!

“We knew that we faced strong competition from Glasgow, but we also knew that we had a great bid underpinned by the expertise of our award-winning Culture Liverpool team and supported by all our brilliant partners.

“This is a massive event and the eyes of the world will be on us in May, especially those of our friends in Ukraine.

“Now begins months of work to put on the best party ever. Ukraine – you have my promise we will do you proud.”

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Saif Ali Khan: ‘Suspect detained’ in Bollywood star stabbing – as doctor reveals how ‘hero’ arrived at hospital

Published

on

By

Saif Ali Khan: 'Suspect detained' in Bollywood star stabbing - as doctor reveals how 'hero' arrived at hospital

A suspect has been detained after one of India’s top Bollywood stars was stabbed multiple times in an attempted robbery, according to Indian media reports.

Saif Ali Khan was stabbed six times in an attack at his home in an upscale neighbourhood in Mumbai, in the early hours of Thursday.

He underwent emergency surgery and is now out of danger, doctors said, after they reportedly had to remove a 2.5in shard of blade from his spine.

Police personnel stand outside Lilavati hospital where Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan underwent surgery for stab injuries after a scuffle with an intruder at his home in Mumbai, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.(AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade)
Image:
Police outside the hospital where Saif Ali Khan is recovering. Pic: AP

After a manhunt across the city, one person was detained, TV channels reported on Friday, adding it was not clear if they were the attacker.

Videos circulating online showed officers escorting a man into a police station in Mumbai.

Dikshit Gedam, the police officer investigating the case, did not confirm the detention and told Reuters there was no major development in the case.

Dr Niraj Uttamani, of Lilavati Hospital, reportedly said Khan walked into hospital despite his injuries “like a lion”, accompanied by his son.

“He was soaked in blood when he arrived in the hospital,” he added, according to NDTV.

“But he walked in like a lion. He is a real hero.

“He is very fortunate. If a knife was 2mm deeper, he would have sustained a serious injury.”

The attack on Khan, one of Bollywood’s best-known actors, shocked the film industry and led to many calling for better policing and security.

Mr Gedam said police received reports of an attack around 3am, and the suspected attacker entered the home from a fire escape and got entry to the stairs.

Read more from Sky News:
Imran Khan sentenced to 14 years in jail
SpaceX rocket ‘lost’ on test flight
Gaza ceasefire latest

Police said it appeared the attacker was related to a member of staff who worked at Khan’s home – who allowed them entry into the property.

Khan, the son of former India cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and actress Sharmila Tagore, has starred in more than 70 films and television series, some as a producer.

Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Khan at Anant Ambani's wedding in March 2024. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Saif Ali Khan is married to fellow Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan. Pic: Reuters

He lives in an apartment in the western suburb of Bandra with his wife, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, and their children.

Representatives for Ms Khan said in a statement that the rest of the family were uninjured in the incident.

Ariyama Phillips, who works at the home and raised the alarm, was also injured when the actor challenged the intruder.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Severance star Adam Scott on balancing Hollywood fame with family life: ‘Everything’s a challenge at some point’

Published

on

By

Severance star Adam Scott on balancing Hollywood fame with family life: 'Everything's a challenge at some point'

Adam Scott says achieving a healthy work-life balance can be tricky for actors who spend large chunks of time away from their friends and family.

The 52-year-old star, who is about to return to our screens for the second season of Severance tells Sky News: “It’s hard because we live in Los Angeles, and we make the show in New York. So, it’s months and months away from home.”

Pic: Apple TV+
Image:
Pic: Apple TV+

It’s been three years since the first season of the Emmy-award-winning workplace thriller, which was met with widespread critical acclaim.

Scott plays Mark Scout, a microdata refinement team leader who catalogues numbers for shadowy corporate entity, Lumon Industries.

Part sci-fi experiment, part chilling workplace parable, the show imagines a world in which workers can opt to undergo a surgical procedure called severance to divide their consciousness into separate professional and personal entities, dubbed “innie” and “outie”.

While Scott’s character has undergone the procedure to help him divide his time more effectively, he has come up with a less extreme solution to achieve work-life balance.

Best known for his role in Parks And Recreation, and with numerous other credits including Big Little Lies and Party Down, Scott and his wife, TV and film producer Naomi Sablan, set up their own production company Gettin’ Rad Productions in 2012.

More on Apple

He explains: “My wife and I work together when I’m not making the show. We have a company, and we make indie movies and TV, so it’s great. We have an office that we can go to, and that’s a great way to spend time together.”

They also have two children, a son Graham, 18, and daughter Frankie,16.

Scott goes on: “My kids are teenagers now, so they can just fly out on their own, which is great. But it’s hard. We figure it out, you know. Everything’s a challenge at some point. We make do.”

Pic: Apple TV+
Image:
Pic: Apple TV+

Getting the second season in the can was clearly a big relief for him, and fans will be pleased to hear a third is rumoured to be in the works.

Scott says: “We finished making the show almost a year ago now, so I’ve been home for a while and it’s always great to be home.”

‘Just a little oppressive’

So, how did it feel to work in such an oppressive office space of Luman Industries, even though it was all make-believe?

Scott admits production designer Jeremy Hindle had done a big chunk of the work on his behalf.

Describing the “incredible experience” of entering the set, he says: “In our office, there are those green carpets and then the fluorescent lights, and the ceiling is just a bit low.

“It’s not crazy low. It’s just low enough to feel like something’s off, that it’s just a little oppressive. Little decisions like that by Ben [Stiller] and Jeremy [Hindle] make this whole world feel active and alive when you’re there.

“So, as far as a kind of nightmarish feeling, after you’re there for 12, 14 hours, it’s not difficult to summon those feelings.”

Pic: Apple TV+
Image:
Pic: Apple TV+

‘I like trying different stuff’

And what about Severance’s star director, Ben Stiller?

A far cry from his screen appearances in comedies like Zoolander and Tropic Thunder, Stiller is both executive producer and lead director of the show.

Scott says Stiller is his favourite director to work with.

“He’s someone who obviously understands actors, so is able to talk to them, work with them and understand that language.”

Scott also says he trusts Stiller “completely and implicitly”.

He says: “With a director, it’s really important that you trust them, that they know when something is working, that they’re not going to move on until they feel they’ve gotten a scene.”

A perfectionist, Scott adds: “I’m always ready to do more and more takes. I like doing a lot and trying different stuff. But if Ben says, ‘We’ve got it’, then I trust that we’ve got it and I’m ready to move on.

“I love his filmmaking. He’s a great guy, and also just the best person to work with.”

The 10-episode second season of Severance will debut globally on Apple TV+ with the first episode on Friday 17 January followed by one episode every Friday.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Jessica Alba splits from husband Cash Warren after 16 years

Published

on

By

Jessica Alba splits from husband Cash Warren after 16 years

Jessica Alba has split from her husband of 16 years, film producer Cash Warren.

The Fantastic Four actress shared the news in an Instagram post, telling her 20.6 million followers she had been on a “journey of self-realisation”.

She said their three children remained a priority as they “embark on a new chapter of growth and evolution as individuals”.

Alba married the film producer in 2008 after getting together on the set of the superhero movie Fantastic Four.

The US actress wrote: “I’ve been on a journey of self-realisation and transformation for years – both as an individual and in partnership with Cash.

More on Jessica Alba

“I’m proud of how we’ve grown as a couple in our marriage over the last 20 years and it’s now time for us to embark on a new chapter of growth and evolution as individuals.

“We are moving forward with love and kindness and respect for each other and will forever be family.”

Alba concluded her statement saying that their three children – Honor, 16, Haven, 13, and Hayes, seven – “remain our highest priority”.

‘I really, really like you’

Alba first met Warren in 2004, when she was starring as invisible superhero Susan Storm in Fantastic Four and he held the position as assistant to director Tim Story.

She previously said Warren slipped her a note on the set, signed with a dollar sign – to match his name – that said: “I really, really like you.”

The couple eloped while she was nine months pregnant with their first child, Honor Marie, Alba told Glamour magazine in 2022.

They later welcomed a second daughter named Haven Garner in 2011 and son Hayes in 2017.

‘New endeavours’

Alba had early starring roles in Nickelodeon’s series The Secret World Of Alex Mack, as well as the revival of the 1960s television series Flipper.

Aged 19, she received a Golden Globe nod for her break-out role as Max Guevara in James Cameron’s TV series Dark Angel.

She went on to star in hit film Honey playing an aspiring dancer-choreographer, and action crime thriller Sin City, opposite Bruce Willis and Mickey Rourke.

Alba has also made a name for herself as an entrepreneur, having co-founded ethical consumer goods brand The Honest Company in 2012.

Last year, she stepped down as the company’s chief creative. She kept a seat on the board, saying she would be focusing on “new endeavours”.

Continue Reading

Trending