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Peter Kay has performed three secret shows in Bolton – his first time doing stand up in his hometown for 20 years.

The comedian has been on a comeback tour – his first since 2010 – but paused his arena stops to appear at Bolton’s 390-capacity Octagon Theatre.

His three Sunday shows raised more than £80,000 for the venue, with first access to the very limited tickets given to members and patrons of the theatre – before the rest sold out in minutes.

It’s where the comedian attended a youth theatre and worked in the box office – before he was “let go” in the 1990s he told fans, according to local media reports.

Lotte Wakeham, the venue’s artistic director, praised Kay on social media “for championing the Octagon at his 1st hometown gig in 20 years”.

Reviews for the Phoenix Night’s stars homecoming were glowing, with Roddy Gauld, chief executive at the Octagon, saying “honestly, I ached with laughter”.

One fan wrote on X that he and his wife had front row seats: “What a privilege to see this outstanding warmly funny comedian close up.”

Another told the Manchester Evening News they felt like they were sat in Kay’s living room “having a good old chin wag”.

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Mr Gauld said in a statement afterwards: “Over one thousand people got the chance to be part of a hilarious, exclusive, and up-close performance with one of Britain’s best loved comedians, here in his hometown.

“It was a unique experience that Octagon donors and returning customers were able to book.

“We’re a charity and rely upon fundraising. Every pound allows us to create more magical, creative experiences on and off stage for young people and communities in Bolton and beyond.

“We’re incredibly grateful to Peter for his support.”

At the start of December, Kay was brought to tears on the opening night of his first live comedy tour in 12 years.

Since then, he has announced yet more shows for 2024, with stops in Newcastle, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Birmingham, Glasgow and a 28th night at London’s O2 Arena.

O2 had to apologise after its priority ticket website offering customers early access to the first tranche of Kay’s tour tickets crashed due to “extraordinary demand”.

In 2010, Kay gained the Guinness World Record for the biggest-selling run of all time – playing to a total of 1.2 million people.

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Police take no further action over Bob Vylan’s London performance

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Police take no further action over Bob Vylan's London performance

Police will take no further action over alleged chants at a Bob Vylan concert in London.

Met Police had launched an investigation after allegations the singer, real name Pascal Robinson-Foster, was heard in footage saying “death to the IDF (Israel Defence League)”.

The footage was filmed at a performance supporting Iggy Pop, 78, at Alexandra Palace in May.

In a video, Mr Robinson-Foster is also alleged to have said: “Death to every single IDF soldier out there as an agent of terror for Israel.”

But the Met Police confirmed they are closing the investigation following advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The Glastonbury performance led to a police investigation. Pic: PA
Image:
The Glastonbury performance led to a police investigation. Pic: PA

‘No further action will be taken’

A spokesperson for the force said: “On Wednesday 2 July, officers became aware of footage that appeared to have been filmed at Alexandra Palace in London on 28 May. An investigation was launched into the language used in the footage.

“Early investigative advice was sought from the Crown Prosecution Service who considered a number of potential offences but determined that, based on the information and material available, there would likely be insufficient evidence to take the case forward.

“As a result, officers have decided that no further action will be taken. We recognise the concerns that the footage caused, particularly among many in London’s Jewish communities.

“It emerged during a period where we have seen a concerning rise in antisemitic hate crime.

“We continue to work closely with community representatives to understand those concerns, to ensure the safety and security of Jewish Londoners and to provide reassurance moving forward.”

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It followed footage of Mr Robinson-Foster allegedly leading a chant of “death, death to the IDF” during a BBC live-streamed performance at Glastonbury Festival, in June earlier this year, leading to an investigation from Avon and Somerset Police.

A man, in his 30s, understood to be Mr Robinson-Foster, had voluntarily attended an interview on Monday in relation to the band’s Glastonbury performance, the force said.

Police added the individual was not arrested but an investigation is ongoing.

After the Glastonbury appearance, the group were dropped from a number of festivals.

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Samantha Morton calls for manslaughter charges over deaths of children in care

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Samantha Morton calls for manslaughter charges over deaths of children in care

Actor and director Samantha Morton has said councils who fail to prevent the deaths of children in care should face manslaughter charges.

Warning: This story contains references to suicide.

In a powerful interview with Sky News, the Oscar-nominated, BAFTA-winning actor and director, who grew up in care, said Britain’s care system needs to be “completely rethought”.

It comes after a Sky News documentary, A Girl Called Nonita, told the story of 18-year-old Nonita Grabovskyte, who died in the care of the state following a catalogue of failures by those responsible for her care.

Nonita took her own life on railway tracks in December 2023, just two weeks after her birthday. She had previously told doctors and social workers that she intended to kill herself as soon as she turned 18. But nothing was done to prevent her death.

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Unseen: A girl called Nonita

“I was a child of the state, just like Nonita,” Morton told Sky News.

“I was put in care at birth until I got the letter to say I was no longer the council’s responsibility. I was kicked out at 16 and put into a homeless hostel.”

After spells of homelessness, she found a local TV actors’ workshop and managed to secure roles that would eventually lead to Hollywood.

But she says she has never forgotten her childhood, which saw her in and out of children’s homes and foster families.

“The lack of care historically is shocking,” she said. “But the lack of care today is worse. Back then, it felt like there was at least some comeuppance.

“The system now is not fit for purpose. It needs root and branch reform. It needs to be completely rethought.”

The young people who grew up in care who have died in England since 2020

2020: 40

2021: 30

2022: 60

2023: 90

2024: 80

Source: Department for Education

The data shows a sharp rise in deaths among care leavers – young adults who have aged out of the care system and are expected to live independently, often with little or no support.

The Department for Education only began collecting data for care leavers aged 22 to 25 in 2023, meaning the true scale of deaths over the past decade is likely to be far higher.

Morton says councils should be held more accountable for the deaths of children in their care, especially if local authority failings contributed to deaths.

Pic: Invision/AP
Image:
Pic: Invision/AP

‘State manslaughter’

“A failure to care has massive consequences,” she told Sky News. “And the consequences are that people like Nonita die. I believe that that is a kind of state manslaughter.

“And individuals who fail to do their job properly should be in a dock.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has told Sky News that deaths of care-experienced young people should “shame us all”.

All deaths of children in the care of the state must be reported to the government via the Child Safeguarding Incident Notification Scheme.

But there are doubts as to whether all deaths are being reported.

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Phillipson: ‘Nonita was failed on so many levels’

‘Shames us as a country’

Ms Phillipson told Sky News she has asked officials to urgently review the process to check for underreporting.

“I’m concerned about serious incident notifications – about making sure we’re receiving all notifications of such incidents taking place,” she said.

“Because it’s only if we know what’s happening, if we fully understand what’s going on in the lives of children, that we as a government, as a country, can provide the support they need.”

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Ms Phillipson added: “It shames us all as a country that we so badly fail many of the most vulnerable children who’ve experienced such appalling trauma and abuse in their early lives.

“I read every single notification personally – and it always stays with you. Every case is a child or young person who deserved better.”

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, help, and support is available. You can call Samaritans free on 116 123 anytime day or night. You can also email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find support online.

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Sally Kirkland, famous for her Oscar-nominated roles in The Sting and Anna, dies aged 84

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Sally Kirkland, famous for her Oscar-nominated roles in The Sting and Anna, dies aged 84

Sally Kirkland, a former model and Oscar nominated actress known for her roles in films such as Anna, The Sting and JFK has died aged 84.

Her representative, Michael Greene, said Kirkland died on Tuesday morning at a Palm Springs hospice.

Kirkland had been unwell and struggling to cover medical bills after she fractured six bones last year and developed two life-threatening infections. She had also been diagnosed with dementia.

A GoFundMePage that was set up by her friends to help pay for her ongoing treatment had raised over £45,000 ($60,000).

Michael Douglas, left, and Sally Kirkland appear with their best actor Golden Globes for Wall Street and Anna. Pic: AP
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Michael Douglas, left, and Sally Kirkland appear with their best actor Golden Globes for Wall Street and Anna. Pic: AP

Her biggest role was in the 1987 film Anna, as a fading Czech movie star remaking her life in the United States and mentoring a younger actor.

Kirkland won a Golden Globe and earned an Oscar nomination alongside Cher in Moonstruck, Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, Holly Hunter in Broadcast News and Meryl Streep in Ironweed.

Born in New York City, Kirkland was encouraged to start modelling at age five by her mother, who was a fashion editor at Vogue and Life magazines. Kirkland went on to graduate from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 1961.

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An early breakout for the star was appearing in Andy Warhol’s 13 Most Beautiful Women in 1964.

Sally Kirkland in 2015. Pic: Reuters
Image:
Sally Kirkland in 2015. Pic: Reuters

Some of her earliest roles were playing Shakespeare parts, including Helena in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Miranda in an off-Broadway production of The Tempest.

She once told the Los Angeles Times: “I don’t think any actor can really call him or herself an actor unless he or she puts in time with Shakespeare.”

Kirkland was also infamous for her nude scenes, often disrobing in films and for social causes. In particular, Kirkland volunteered and advocated for people with AIDS, the homeless and prisoners.

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