Thunderbirds and Peppa Pig actor David Graham dies aged 99

Published

2 months ago

September 21, 2024

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David Graham, whose voice featured in some of the UK’s favourite TV shows, including Thunderbirds and Peppa Pig, has died.

The London-born star was 99.

Jamie Anderson, the son of Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson, led the tributes on X as he called Graham a “legendary” actor.

Graham brought to life the Thunderbirds puppet characters Gordon Tracy, scientist Brains, and Lady Penelope’s driver, Aloysius “Nosey” Parker, in the series about the secret International Rescue organisation.

“We will miss you dearly, David. Our thoughts are with David’s friends and family,” Anderson’s post on X confirming the death on Friday said.

Anderson went on to pay tribute to Graham, who also voiced the evil Daleks in Doctor Who, saying: “David was always a wonderful friend to us here at Anderson Entertainment.”

‘What a talent’

Anderson also told the PA news agency: “Just a few weeks ago, I was with 2,000 Anderson fans at a Gerry Anderson concert in Birmingham where we sang him happy birthday – such a joyous occasion.

“And now, just a few weeks later, he’s left us. David was always kind and generous with his time and his talent. And what a talent.”

Highlighting all the characters played by Graham, Anderson added: “He will be sorely missed.”

Graham returned as Parker for ITV’s remake Thunderbirds Are Go, which ran between 2015 and 2020, but not for the live-action 2004 film which saw Ron Cook take on the role.

The original 1965 Thunderbirds was created by Gerry Anderson, who died in 2012, and his second wife, Sylvia, the voice of Lady Penelope, who died in 2016.

Graham also played Grandpa Pig in children’s show Peppa Pig, and provided the voice for characters in Ben & Holly’s Little Kingdom.

His in-person acting roles included Doctor Who, Coronation Street and Casualty.

Entertainment

Jamie Oliver withdraws book that ‘offended’ First Nation Australians

Published

15 hours ago

November 10, 2024

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Jamie Oliver withdraws book that 'offended' First Nation Australians

Jamie Oliver has withdrawn a children’s book he wrote from sale after criticism that it stereotyped First Nation Australians.

In his book, Billy And The Epic Escape, the TV chef tells the story of a First Nations girl living in foster care in an Indigenous community who gets abducted by the novel’s villain.

But the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Corporation (Natsiec) blasted the book for contributing to the “erasure, trivialisation, and stereotyping of First Nations peoples and experiences”.

The body’s chief executive, Sharon Davis, said the book “ignores the violent oppression of First Nations people” and that its depictions of First Nations people and cultural practices were “irresponsible and damaging, reflecting a profound lack of understanding and respect”, according to The Guardian

In a statement, Oliver, 49, said: “I am devastated to have caused offence and apologise wholeheartedly.

“It was never my intention to misinterpret this deeply painful issue. Together with my publishers we have decided to withdraw the book from sale.”

A spokesman for publisher Penguin Random House said: “It is clear that our publishing standards fell short on this occasion, and we must learn from that and take decisive action.”

The chef published his first children’s book, Billy And The Giant Adventure, last year and said in a social media post that he had “carefully chosen the font to make sure the text is as clear as possible” as people with dyslexia, which Oliver has, can find it hard to read.

He is also well-known for fronting several TV series including Jamie’s Easy Christmas (2022), Jamie Cooks The Mediterranean (2023) and Jamie: Fast And Simple, which began airing on Channel 4 last month.

At the start of his career, he was known as The Naked Chef, after his 1999 book and TV series of the same name.

Entertainment

Dua Lipa cancels tour date over ‘safety and logistical issues’ with stage

Published

2 days ago

November 9, 2024

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Dua Lipa cancels tour date over 'safety and logistical issues' with stage

Dua Lipa has been forced to cancel a tour date in Indonesia after “unforeseen safety and logistical issues” with the stage were found, organisers said.

The New Rules singer said she was “heartbroken” over not being able to perform at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on Saturday evening.

“I am here in your amazing country and ready to perform, but I am gutted to share that it has been determined that it is not safe for the performance to carry on due to safety issues with the staging,” she wrote on X.

“I was so looking forward to this night, and it truly pains me that we cannot perform for you all, especially after such a long time since my last performance in Jakarta.

“I love you all and truly can’t wait to be back together in the same room with you singing and dancing our hearts out as soon as possible.”

In a joint statement on Lipa’s website, organisers TEM Presents and PK Entertainment said the cancellation was “due to unforeseen safety and logistical issues”.

They said the team had made “diligent efforts to resolve critical production issues related to the stage structure provided by Mata Elang Productions” but it was “not safe for the performance to carry on”.

“This very difficult decision to cancel was made with the utmost care and consideration for the safety of both the audiences and artist,” it said, apologising to the fans affected.

Lipa, 29, won a Brit Award for best pop act earlier this year and has achieved two number one albums with her two latest records Future Nostalgia and Radical Optimism.

There have been two notable incidents recently of artists falling through stages.

Last week, Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin fell into a hole in the stage while performing in Sydney, Australia.

Olivia Rodrigo also fell last month during a gig in Melbourne, but told fans at the time: “Oh my God, that was fun. I’m OK.”

Entertainment

British supermodel Georgina Cooper dies aged 46

Published

2 days ago

November 9, 2024

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British supermodel Georgina Cooper dies aged 46

British supermodel Georgina Cooper has died at the age of 46.

Fellow British model and presenter Jade Parfitt said: “Devastated to share the news of George’s passing.

“One of the funniest and naughtiest, never mind most beautiful friends, we all wanted to hang out with George backstage.

“Sending so much love to her son, family. And friends.

“Gone too soon.”

Cooper rose to fame in the 1990s – during the days of Cool Britannia – and had only recently married, according to her former agent.

Tributes came in from across her industry.

Her former agent Dean Goodman said: “I’m in total shock, and talked to her not long ago to meet up after she just got married.

“She was the original gap-toothed girl! I will miss her immensely, rip in peace, Georgie girl, I will never forget you and always love you, see you on the other side.”