TV & Film
Happy Valley’s James Norton reveals ‘top secret’ scenes in the finale
‘No, that’s complete nonsense. I can put that to bed now.’
Happy Valley actor James Norton said that the shows final scenes were kept top secret from the rest of the cast.
Fans of the BBC drama, Happy Valley, came to the end of the emotional roller-coaster ride as it drew to a close on Sunday evening, February 5th. After nine years and three series, it all ended in Sergeant Catherine Cawood’s (played by Sarah Lancashire) kitchen as she and evil nemesis Tommy Lee Royce (played by James Norton) had one final clash.
Viewers were gripped on the edge of their seats to watch the showdown after weeks of speculation as they saw Royce, a killer on the run, break into Cawood’s house on her final shift before retirement. The straight-talking copper came home to find the dangerous criminal sitting in her kitchen, where the two had a spat and exchanged insults while Royce, bleeding and having ingested pills washed down with alcohol.
The evil Royce had planned to kill Cawood and take his biological son Ryan abroad but as he sat looking through her photo albums of Becky and Ryan, he realised all the love and happiness she had provided them with.
After seeing everything Cawood had done for her grandson Ryan in raising him after her daughter Becky, who was raped by Royce, took her own life shortly after his birth, he finally ended it all and freed her of his burden by dosing himself in petrol and striking a match, setting himself on fire.
Catherine put the flames out with one of her sister Clare’s crochet blankets as emergency services arrived, but Royce later died in hospital.
Speaking on The News Agents podcast to hosts Emily Maitlis and Lewis Goodall, Norton revealed what it was like to film those final scenes of the hit series, which launched in 2014. He praised his co-star Sarah Lancashire describing her as ‘genuinely very, very special and brilliant.’
James said the epic ending was kept so top secret only he and Sarah and producers knew what was about to happen, as he recalled: “Everyone knew that this day was very special. No one knew what was going to happen because they only gave the scripts to Sarah and myself and the people, the producers who needed to know, so everyone was really excited to see what happened.”
James continued: “And the crew, the cast, everyone was walking around in whispers. The energy was palpable. It was crackling.
“And Sarah and I, I think we knew the pressure on us, but often you thrive in that kind of environment. I mean, I could say so many platitudes about her. She’s genuinely very, very special and brilliant.”
When Emily addressed the talk about different endings being filmed, he said: “No, that’s complete nonsense. I can put that to bed now. That was the media taking something which was said, completely out of context.”
He added: “I think what happened is Amit Shah, who played Faisal said that… I think they shot his final scene in lots of different ways, different sort of interpretations, which was then misconstrued, and then there was a rumour that we’d shot hundreds of different endings, which would have been a hugely wasteful and impractical way of shooting.
“You’re already desperately trying to play against the clock. And so, the idea of having days to shoot alternative endings is nonsense.”
TV & Film
Ed Sheeran breaks down over wife’s health issues in emotional new documentary
Ed Sheeran broke down over his wife Cherry Seaborn’s health issues
Ed Sheeran breaks down in tears in new emotional documentary as he talks about his wife Cherry Seaborn’s health issues and the death of his best friend Jamal Edwards.
The pop sensation can be seen breaking down into tears in the first trailer for his new documentary series, The Sum Of It All. The singer, 32, will be showing the ups and downs in his life on the road to stardom in the four-part series on Disney+, airing on Wednesday May 3rd.
As reported in The Mail Online, the clip begins with Ed talking about his childhood, growing up with a stutter, and saying: “That guy doesn’t grow up to be a pop star. It’s so unlikely,” — referring to himself. Childhood videos of Sheeran are interspersed with clips of him on stage during his sellout arena tours.
Fans will be taken through a journey from the beginning of his career, as they will see him first starting out in the industry, working his way up. As viewers watch the timeline of events, they will watch as Sheeran describes first meeting his best friend Jamal Edwards, who gave him his first big break, and their friendship until his sudden death last year.
Edwards, a music producer and son of Brenda Edwards (Loose Women), tragically died after suffering a cardiac arrest brought on by taking cocaine and drinking alcohol in February 2022, at the age of 31. Sheeran’s wife Cherry Seaborn is also seen in the docuseries, as clips show her pregnant with the couple’s two children Lyra, two and Jupiter, 10 months old.
They are seen going on dates together with Ed saying: “Everything in my life sort of got so much better when Cherry came into it.” The series also delves into the health issues Cherry faced and the impact it had on the pair.
Just recently, Sheeran revealed they were plagued with ‘fear, depression and anxiety’ after Cherry was diagnosed with a tumour while she was pregnant with their second child. But she was unable to receive any treatment for it until after the birth.
The popular singer is seen breaking down as he cries in the back of a car as the death of his best friend and his wife’s health issues become overwhelming. A clip is also shown of Sheeran crying on stage while Seaborn can be heard saying: “I’ve never seen him cry on stage”.
Adding: “He hasn’t had the time to process and be at peace with his thoughts.”
The first look trailer ends with clips of happier times as Sheeran celebrates his birthday, performs on stage and laughs with his friends saying: “Life can be unpredictable.” The popular singer recently revealed that the first single off his new album Subtract, is dedicated to his late best friend Edwards — with Eyes Closed set for release on Friday March 24th.
As he announced the release of his sixth studio album he said it had been inspired by the personal tragedies he had faced.
In a post on his Instagram account on Wednesday, made to his 42 million followers, he revealed the loss of his close friend who had inspired the track and that in the video he is ‘dancing with my eyes closed to try to get through it.’
Alongside the post he wrote: “Eyes closed is out March 24th, you can pre order it now. “The song is about losing someone, feeling like every time you go out and you expect to just bump into them, and everything just reminds you of them and things you did together.
“You sorta have to take yourself out of reality sometimes to numb the pain of loss but certain things just bring you right back into it. Blue was Jamal’s colour, but now is all I feel. And I guess music helps heal, so I’m dancing with my eyes closed to try to get through it x.”
Alongside the images, the singer posted two black-and-white photographs, where he appeared deep in thought as he reflected on the emotional toll he experienced over the past couple of years.
Sheeran’s latest single, Subtract is set to be released on May 5th with Asylum Records and Atlantic Records. It is thought it will be similar to the hitmaker’s earlier works, having his signature acoustic feel.
Davina McCall has been announced as the host of new ITV reality dating show The Romance Retreat, which will see a group of single parents brought together in a villa in what is being dubbed the ‘middle-aged Love Island’.
The former Big Brother presenter and The Masked Singer judge, 55, confirmed the news in a post on her Instagram with a video of her showing her sheer excitement for the new show.
In the clip, posted today (Thursday March 16th), she said: “I manifested and I made it happen. I willed there to be an amazing new dating programme for grown-ups, people who have lived a life, who have been through experiences, bad, moving, they’ve had tough lives.
“They’ve got luggage but they deserve love and it’s happening. It’s coming to ITV soon.”
The Instagram caption read: “Omg.. I manifested and it came true!! I’ll be hosting a brand NEW grown up dating series for ITV1 !!
“This is a show for single parents who have lived a life, have stories to tell about their dating pasts and deserve another chance at love and I’m gonna help you. It will all take place in the most romantic countryside location!”
Fans of the familiar media personality congratulated Davina on the new role with one saying: “Oh my god, you really are a power house. I was listening to you talking to Steven Bartlett about this thinking what a good idea. You’re such an inspiration. Go get ’em Davina !!”
Another put: “YESSSSSS! You told me about this and it is SUCH a great idea forwarding to amazing, beautiful single friends now xxxx.”
And many more also wished her a huge congratulations. Davina encouraged anyone who wants to find love, and who has a child over the age of 18, to apply before adding: “It’s going to be amazing.”
Driver in vintage Ford Sierra Cosworth caught doing 104mph in 30 zone
Woman with undiagnosed brain tumour had to visit doctors nine times to get scan
McDonald’s brings back iconic Coke glasses in new peel-to-win game with cash prizes
Busted announce comeback with massive UK arena tour
Noel Gallagher responds to Oasis reunion rumours after Liam says ‘it’s happening’
