TV & Film
Sir David Attenborough returning to TV screens this weekend with brand new series
Can’t wait!
Sir David Attenborough will be back on our screens this week with his new series Wild Isles, likely to be his last on location.
In his new five-part series, the 96-year-old — who usually travels around the globe to capture nature at its most spectacular — will explore the natural history in Britain and Ireland for the first time in his long career. For the first time he will focus on the natural history closer to home as he says the British Isles can be just as ‘dramatic and spectacular’ as anything elsewhere.
The TV legend says there’s never been a more important time to invest in nature in our own backyard as his new show will shine a light on the disappearing species and the challenges facing local wildlife.
Nearly half of British wildlife species have declined since 1970. While filming on location at a puffin colony on Skomer Island off the west coast of Wales, he says: “Though rich in places Britain as a whole is one of the most nature depleted countries in the world.
“Never has there been a more important time to invest in our own wildlife – to try and set an example for the rest of the world and restore our once wild isles for future generations.”
The nature enthusiast said one of his regrets is spending so much time overseas working on natural history programmes, rather than looking at nature right on his own doorstep.
The show’s producers said Sir Attenborough had agreed to narrate the new series from the start but later agreed to presenting it after he was approached to do so because he can share his rare perspective on the changes to the British countryside after almost a century of life.
Wild Isles producer Alistair Fothergill, who has worked with David Attenborough for 35 years, wanted to call attention to internationally important wildlife and habitats on our own islands, from seabirds to chalk streams. Speaking to the BBC he said: “We are globally important for nature – and I don’t think many people in Britain appreciate that. It was very important to us to say, this is really precious, but at the same time it’s fragile.”
Crews went out to capture wildlife around Britain and Ireland using modern technology including drones and slow-motion cameras. After visiting 145 locations over three years to produce the footage, crews managed to capture moments of high drama including Orcas hunting seals off the coast of Scotland and a white-tailed eagle pulling a goose from the sky — in never before seen behaviour in the British Isles.
Scientific advisor on the series, Dr Philip Wheeler of the Open University, said he hoped the programmes would generate public awareness of nature loss close to home. Wild Isles is released shortly after nearly 200 countries pledged to protect 30% of lands and seas for nature by 2030 at the UN nature summit in Montreal.
Speaking to BBC News Dr Wheeler said: “I think it can make a lot of difference in terms of shifting the conversation and the narrative. It’s not just the nature nerds and the conservation community talking — this conversation spills out into the wider public and into the political arena as well.”
The series was co-produced and co-funded by two conservation charities, WWF and RSPB, and the Open University. Wild Isles will air on BBC One on Sunday March 12th.
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.”
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