Terence Davies: British screenwriter and film director dies aged 77

Published

2 years ago

October 7, 2023

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British screenwriter and film director Terence Davies has died aged 77 following a short illness.

He established himself on the cinematic map in the 1970s and 1980s with a trilogy of autobiographical films titled Children, Madonna And Child, and Death And Transformation.

Nine feature films would follow – and most recently, Doctor Who’s Peter Capaldi and the late actor Julian Sands starred in his Netflix drama Benediction, based on the life of English poet Siegfried Bassoon.

His manager John Taylor said Davies died peacefully at home in his sleep.

A statement added the Latin words Umbra Sumus from poet Horace, and an extract from British writer Christina Rossetti’s poem titled When I Am Dead, My Dearest – both of which had significance to Davies.

Born in Liverpool, Davies worked as a clerk in a shipping office and a bookkeeper in an accountancy firm for 10 years before enrolling at the Coventry Drama School in 1973.

In 1988, he won the Cannes International Critics Prize for Distant Voices, Still Lives – a film drawn from his own family memories of a working-class life in the 1940s and 1950s.

Over the years, a host of famous faces have appeared in Davies’ works.

Sex Education star Gillian Anderson played socialite Lily Bart in his 2000 adaptation of Edith Wharton’s The House Of Mirth.

Oscar winner Rachel Weisz played Hester Collyer in a 2011 adaption of 1952 play The Deep Blue Sea, about a forbidden love and the fear of loneliness.

And in 2016, Sex And The City star Cynthia Nixon played 19th century poet Emily Dickinson in A Quiet Passion, written and directed by Davies.

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A-ha frontman Morten Harket diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease

Published

13 hours ago

June 4, 2025

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A-ha frontman Morten Harket diagnosed with Parkinson's disease

A-ha frontman Morten Harket has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.

The 65-year-old has been lead singer of the Norwegian band since it was founded in 1982 – and sung the track “Take On Me” which remains one of the most popular songs of the 1980s.

In a statement on the band’s website, and confirmed by record label Sony Music, Harket said he had undergone
several rounds of brain surgery and that he was managing the symptoms of the disease.

Parkinson’s causes deterioration in the brain’s nervous system, leading to tremors and other symptoms that can become
progressively worse over time.

The disease can be treated with surgery and medication, but there is no cure.

Harket said he underwent neurological procedures to have electrodes implanted inside his brain last year and that this had reduced the symptoms.

Known for the wide range of his voice, Harket said he did not know if he would be able to perform again.

“I’ve got no problem accepting the diagnosis,” he said, adding that it was difficult to balance medication and managing
side effects of the treatment.

“I’m trying the best I can to prevent my entire system from going into decline,” Harket said.

Formed in 1982 by Harket and his friends Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and Magne Furuholmen, A-ha saw a global breakthrough in 1985 with their debut album “Hunting High and Low” featuring “Take On Me” and the hit “The Sun Always Shines on TV”.

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Jessie J diagnosed with early breast cancer

Published

19 hours ago

June 4, 2025

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Jessie J diagnosed with early breast cancer

Singer Jessie J has been diagnosed with “early breast cancer”.

The Price Tag singer, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, said in a video posted to Instagram that she has recently spent a lot of time “in and out of tests”.

She said she will “disappear for a bit” after performing at Capital Radio’s Summertime Ball later this month to have surgery.

“I was diagnosed with early breast cancer,” the 37-year-old said during the video.

“Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding on to the word ‘early’.

“It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery, and I will come back with massive tits and more music.”

‘I need a hug’

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women in the UK.

The singer said sharing her diagnosis publicly has helped her process the news and show solidarity with others going through a similar experience.

“I just wanted to be open and share it,” she said.

“One, because, selfishly, I do not talk about it enough. I’m not processing it because I’m working so hard.

“I also know how much sharing in the past has helped me with other people giving me their love and support and also their own stories. I’m an open book.

“It breaks my heart that so many people are going through so much similar and worse – that’s the bit that kills me.”

She continued: “The timing of it has been mad but also beautiful and given me this incredible perspective in this time.

“But honestly I need to process it and talk about it and, I need a hug. You have loved me through all my good and hard times. And I don’t want this to be any different.”

‘I’m here for you’

Messages of support from celebrities flooded the comments section under the singer’s post.

Former Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock wrote: “Sending you so much love.”

Fellow singer Rita Ora said: “You’re literally my favourite person and I’m praying for you, you’ve got this. My mother had it and I know the surgery and any treatment on this matter is mentally tough, so I’m here for you.”

London-born singer Jessie J welcomed her son, Sky Safir Cornish Colman, in 2023, having miscarried in November 2021.

She has battled with ill health throughout her life, having been diagnosed with a heart condition aged eight, suffering a minor stroke aged 18 and having briefly gone deaf in 2020.

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‘Each day is brighter and better’: Meghan shares photos of Lilibet to mark fourth birthday

Published

1 day ago

June 4, 2025

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'Each day is brighter and better': Meghan shares photos of Lilibet to mark fourth birthday

The Duchess of Sussex has posted pictures of her daughter Lilibet in a touching message on her fourth birthday.

Meghan wrote on Instagram: “Happy birthday to our beautiful girl!

“Four years ago today, she came into our lives – and each day is brighter and better because of it. Thanks to all of those sending love and celebrating her special day!”

Alongside the birthday wishes, Meghan posted two pictures of her with her daughter.

In one, the pair sport windswept hair with water behind them, while in the other, the Duchess holds her daughter – named after the late Queen, whose childhood nickname was Lilibet – as a newborn.

Last month, Meghan spoke about the challenges of balancing being an entrepreneur and a mother.

Alongside Prince Harry, the duchess stepped back from her duties as a senior working royal in 2020 – before starting a new life in the US.