Latest News – Page 39

BBC reveals gritty new detective drama to rival Luther in first look pictures as Game of Thrones star leads cast

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THE BBC has revealed a new gripping drama that could fill the gap left by hit series Luther.

Virdee is a six part series based on the detective novels of the same name by British author AA Dhand.

Poster for the show Virdee, featuring a man walking down a city street at night.

Virdee is based on the crime novels by British author AA Dhand[/caption]

Close-up of a man with a small cut above his eyebrow.

Fans will be keen to see if the show’s star Staz Nair can rival the likes of Luther[/caption]

A man and a woman talking outside an ambulance.

The show is based entirely in Bradford and many involved in the drama are local[/caption]

It follows the story of a detective who married a Muslim woman, meaning he’s now estranged from his Sikh family.

The drama is a showcase for Bradford, beginning it’s year as Capital of Culture, as the book and show is set entirely in the city and the author is also local.

The cast is lead by the hunky Game of Thrones and Rebel Moon star Staz Nair, who takes up the lead role of Harry Virdee.

The BBC will be hoping that his acting pedigree and brooding good looks will put Detective Virdee on a par with Idris Elba’s Luther.

Luther was a huge hit for the BBC during its five series from 2010 to 2019, before Idris hung up his big coat for good.

Meanwhile Staz’s on screen wife in Virdee, Saima, will be played by Aysha Kala, who fans may recognise from her roles in Channel 4’s Shameless and the Netflix comedy Man vs. Bee.

The cast also includes Vikash Bhai, who plays the detective’s brother in law and Virdee’s dad who’s played by Kulvinder Ghir, famous for his roles in Goodness Gracious Me, Bend It Like Beckham and Blinded by the Light.

Early images showing Staz appearing bruised and battered suggests viewers can expect to see lots of action as the story follows a turf war developing across the Yorkshire city.

Police and gangs are clashing and the murder of a young drug dealer brings Detective Virdee into direct conflict between his professional and private life.

The BBC have also given the show a dusting of Hollywood magic by recruiting one of the most famous film and TV music composers in the world to work with young, local talent on the project.

The multi-Oscar, Grammy and Bafta winning composer Hans Zimmer, who famously wrote the scores for films like The Lion King, Pirates of the Caribbean and Gladiator has composed the title track for the new series.

The show’s star Staz spoke about the show’s comparisons with other detective hits and said: “This show leads with vulnerability more than any detective drama I’ve ever seen. It’s a privilege to be bringing AA Dhand’s hope for his city to life.”

For writer and creator AA Dhand he’s thrilled to be working on a project in his home town saying: “It has been an honour and a privilege to write and produce this series set in my home town of Bradford.”

BBC crime dramas

The BBC is reopening case files on an all-star line-up of crime dramas this summer.

Here’s a refresher on the popular programmes which span six decades.

Campion: Aired from 1989 to 1990, this detective drama series was adapted from novels by Margery Allingham and stars Peter Davison.

Dalziel And Pascoe: A gritty detective drama series about a mismatched pair of policemen, based on the award-winning books by Reginald Hill. Aired from 1996 to 2007.

Death In Paradise: A misanthropic detective inspector is assigned to a Caribbean island against his will. Premiered in 2011 and is still on air to this day.

Happy Valley: Created by Sally Wainwright, this northern noir follows Sarah Lancashire as Sgt Catherine Cawood – tough, defiant and facing her traumatic past.

Hinterland: Welsh drama starring Richard Harrington. Brooding DCI Tom Mathias uncovers secrets – and links to his troubled past amid mountainous terrain and close-knit villages. Aired from 2013 to 2016.

Inspector Lynley Mysteries: Based on the novels of Elizabeth George, this drama series is about upper-crust DI Thomas Lynley and working class DS Barbara Havers. Aired from 2001 to 2007.

Jonathan Creek: Starring comedian Alan Davies, this comedy-drama series follows a inventor of magic tricks who is often called in to solve puzzling murders. Aired from 1997 to 2016.

Law & Order: Originally broadcast in 1978, this four-part drama series is about the British judicial system. Stars include Peter Dean and Derek Martin.

Life On Mars: Beguiling science-fiction police drama following a Manchester policeman who travels back to 1973 following a car accident. Stars John Simm and Philip Glenister. Aired from 2006 to 2007.

Line Of Duty: Created by Jed Mercurio, this drama follows the investigations of AC-12, a controversial police anticorruption unit. Stars Martin Compston, Vicky McClure and Adrian Dunbar, aired from 2012 to 2021.

Luther: Crime drama series starring Idris Elba as DCI John Luther. Aired from 2010 to 2019, with a follow-up film released in 2023.

New Tricks: Warm-hearted drama following an eccentric group of old-fashioned detectives. Starring Dennis Waterman, Amanda Redman, Alun Armstrong and James Bolam. Aired from 2003 to 2015.

Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch stars a modern day Sherlock Holmes, teaming up with Martin Freeman‘s war veteran Dr Watson to solve impossible crimes. Aired from 2010 to 2017.

Shetland: Detective drama starring Douglas Henshall, Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell, showcasing the dark side of one of the most beautiful places on earth. Premiered in 2013 and is still on air to this day.

The Cops: Set in the fictional northern town of Stanton, this acclaimed, provocative police drama stars Katy Cavanagh, Rob Dixon and John Henshaw. Aired from 1998 to 2001.

Waking The Dead: With a cast including Trevor Eve, Sue Johnston and Wil Johnson, this series follows a cold case team who unearths sleeping secrets, but sometimes the past is best left buried. Aired from 2000 to 2011.

Wallander: Starring Sir Kenneth Branagh, Kurt Wallander is unable to unsee the dark crimes he’s tasked to investigate while Wallander’s job comes at a cost to his family and relationships. Aired from 2008 to 2016.

Fans are already excited about the project and have been posting on socials saying: “AA Dhand’s books are brilliant. Strong narrative- can’t wait!!”

Staz’s fans in particular are keen to see if the actor can establish himself and take over the great detective mantle saying: “Can’t wait for this! I’m sure you will be amazing in it Staz. “

Idris Elba as DCI John Luther on a phone call.

Luther – starring Idris Elba – was a huge hit for the BBC from 2010 until it ended in 2019[/caption]

Virdee will air this February on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

I lived a life of luxury staring on Too Hot To Handle now fans are raging as I’ve sacked it all in to marry a prisoner

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THEY say true love knows no bounds, and Lorra has found hers behind bars.

The 27-year-old met her husband in 2023 on a site that allows people to write to prisoners, six weeks later, the pair were engaged.

A woman in a white dress hugs a man in a white jumpsuit. — The pair married just six months after meeting online

Photo of a couple posing for a picture. — Now Lorra has ditched her luxe life to follow her man to the US

Lorra was stuck in Dubai over Christmas because a visa issue had prevented her from returning home to Germany.

Lonely and bored, she decided to go on writeaprisoner.com and wish them a merry Christmas.

“I saw on his profile he said he liked poetry and I was interested in that,” she recounted.

After messaging each other about poetry, the pair took their relationship cellular, regularly talking on the phone for up to 11 hours a day.

She’d also fly over to Washington on occasion to see her imprisoned pen pal face to face.

Now the Too Hot To Handle star speaks to Truly about how she ditched her luxury lifestyle for love.

She said: “Before, I had everything when it comes to like materialistic stuff and financial stuff, I was traveling the world I was like doing everything you could imagine but I never felt satisfied from within.

“That was because I needed love but since I found him I realised that that was what I was missing.”

Now, Lorra works in real estate as she waits for Joshua Stewart to get out of prison.

“His current sentence is seven years he’s been in prison so far for a little bit over three but he can get released after 4 and 1/2 years for house arrest so he’ll have to stay on house arrest for six more months,” she explained.

Lorra regularly flies out to Washington State in the US to see her man while she lives in Germany.

But she plans to move abroad soon so they can start a life together when he gets out of jail.

While romancing a convicted killer might seem unsavory, the prison wife said his crime didn’t change her “opinion of him” as she knew the “backstory.”

“I wasn’t immediately asking about the crime because I didn’t want to judge him just based on that,” Gehrke declared. “I was hearing a lot of stories about him growing up before I knew all the details about what he was incarcerated for. It made me see it all a bit differently.”

The pair even got secretly married in jail when she went to visit, just six months after the pair began speaking.

UK Prison Brides

Tracey Bottomley married double murderer Ernest Otto Smith in the US after meeting through a prison pen pal initiative. Tracey, from West Yorks, knew he had been given a life sentence with no possibility of parole
Rebecca Short, from Oxfordshire, told her family she was on holiday in the US in 2022. Little did they know she was marrying double murderer Manuel Ovate Jr, who was on death row
Paula Williamson, an actress who appeared on Hollyoaks and Emmerdale, married the infamous Charles Bronson in 2017 after they became penpals
Karen Charves married Kenny Richey while he was on death row in 2014. He had been convicted for starting a fire in 1986 that killed his ex-girlfriend’s daughter, aged two. Karen and Kenny’s union did not last and she claimed he was abusive.
Naomi Wise, from Essex, married Victor Oquendo, nicknamed Animal, while he was serving a 24-year prison term in a US jail. They split up in 2022 but have now rekindled their romance

“It was a prison marriage — one of the other inmates was his best man,” she recounted. “We were all in white and had our own color theme. It felt super right.”

The pair are on the phone for hours every single day and Lorra even has a mini cushion of her man that she can snuggle with at night.

Now Lorra is busy working on a clothing line, addressing the nasty comments left by trolls such as ‘daddy issues’ and ‘Mamma, I’m in love with a criminal’.

“We turned all the hateful comments into something positive,” she added.

The Youtube video garnered a huge reaction from viewers who thought Lorra was bonkers for marrying the inmate.

One person wrote: “Sis, please have standards.”

Another commented: “As soon as he’s out of prison, this “relationship” will fall apart.”

“‘Real estate agent’ lool massive red flag right there,” penned a third.

Meanwhile a fourth said: “What a clown move.”

“I will keep my comments to myself,” claimed a fifth.

Someone else added: “Yep that won’t last.”

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I tried fab new gym set from Dunnes Stores from €12 – people say it looks ‘lush’

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DUNNES Stores has released “lush” new gym sets – and there’s three colours to choose from.

The sleek gym sets come in green, navy, or a pink-and-black mix.

Woman in gray leggings and top. — A fashion fan rated the set

Woman in navy blue athletic wear. — A gorgeous gym set has landed in Dunnes Stores

Woman in olive green athletic wear. — It’s available in numerous colours

TikTok user Sara, who posts under @sara_kavv, rated the new gym range in stores.

The Contour Leggings, retailing at €15, are a must for gym lovers.

Dunnes Stores designers said the leggings are “ultra-flattering”.

They said: “Contour is a buttery soft fabric, with medium compression that feels like a gentle hug.

“With a v-shaped waistband and a curved hem detail, these 7/8 length leggings offer a supportive, slimming silhouette that is made to move with you.

“Ultra-flattering, super soft, and quick drying, these leggings feature four-way stretch and moisture management technology to help you stay cool while you work out. Matching jacket sold separately.”

The fashion giant has also released a pair of flared leggings in the same style.

And the Contour Flared Leggings are a steal at €20.

Dunnes Stores chiefs said: “Contour is a buttery soft fabric, with medium compression that feels like a gentle hug.

“With a flattering flared style and a deep comfortable waistband, these leggings offer built-in support and four-way stretch that is designed to move with you.

“Quick drying and breathable, these leggings feature moisture management technology to help you stay cool while you work out.”

Whichever bottoms you choose, be sure to team them with the matching Contour Vest only €12.

Its description reads: “Ideal for workouts, this vest top features removable padding and is created in thick stretch fabric which gives you plenty of support.

“Contour is a buttery soft fabric, with medium compression that feels like a gentle hug.

“The fabric is also breathable and wicks away sweat, and with four-way stretch this vest will move with you during any exercise routine.”

The crop seamless top ranges in sizes XS to XL.

The fashion fan styled the active wear outfit with the Contour Jacket, also in green.

The sleek jacket, costing just €20, ranges in sizes XS to XXL.

Its description reads: “Crafted in a breathable design that allows moisture vapour to be transmitted through the fabric, this fast drying jacket will help you to stay comfortable and dry throughout your workout.

“Its four-way stretch fabric is endowed with moisture management technology that wicks moisture away from your skin.”

People took to the comments to rate the seamless gym sets.

One person said: “So fab. I got the same green set today but with the flares.”

Another said: “The gym set is lush.”

While another added: “Fab bits, love them leggings.”

THE HISTORY OF DUNNES STORES

DUNNES Stores opened its first store on Patrick Street in Cork in 1944 - and it was an instant hit.

Shoppers from all over the city rushed to the store to snap up quality clothing at pre-war prices in Ireland’s first ‘shopping frenzy’.

During the excitement, a window was forced in and the police had to be called to help control the crowds hoping to bag founder Ben Dunne’s ‘Better Value’ bargains.

Dunnes later opened more stores in the 1950s and began to sell groceries in 1960 – starting with apples and oranges.

The retailer said: “Fruit was expensive at the time and Ben Dunne yet again offered Better Value than anyone else in town.

“Over time, our food selection has grown and that spirit of good value has remained strong.

“Now we offer a wide range of carefully-sourced foods from both local Irish suppliers and overseas.”

The retailer’s first Dublin store opened its doors in 1957 on Henry Street and a super store on South Great Georges Street was unveiled in 1960.

They added: “In 1971, our first Northern Irish store opened, and many others soon followed.

“Expansion continued in the 1980s in Spain, and later into Scotland and England.”

Dunnes now has 142 stores and employs 15,000 people.

Woman holding a large Dunnes Stores shopping bag. — Each item is sold separately

Woman in olive green tank top and black leggings. — The set is perfect for the gym or lounging

the outside of a store called dunnes stores — The set is available online and in stores

‘It had my name written all over it’ – Dunnes Stores fan in frenzy over ‘cosy’ new biker jacket & it comes in 2 colours

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DUNNES Stores designers have released the ultimate jacket for spring – and it will dress up any outfit.

Lauren, who posts under @laurenegerton, took to TikTok to show off her pretty find.

Woman in olive green coat. — Fashion fans are in love with a new jacket in Dunnes Stores

Close-up of a woman's olive green wool biker jacket. — The khaki jacket will enhance any outfit

She said: “A great little find from Dunnes Stores!

“I absolutely adore the colour khaki so it had my name written all over it. These are still currently in Dunnes Stores.”

The Boucle Biker Jacket has landed in Dunnes Stores across the country and is also available online.

Lauren continued: “I am addicted to the colour khaki, and the one thing I will never do is apologise for it.

“Okay, some people like to buy chocolate. I like to buy khaki green. Have you seen this in Dunnes?”

The biker jacket has a statement collar and silver zip to the side.

Lauren said: “It’s like a cosy jacket jumper, kind of almost like what I have on now, throw it over anything.”

Dunnes Stores chiefs said the jacket is very versatile.

They said: “Crafted from a cosy boucle material, this biker jacket features notch lapels and two front pockets.

“A warm winter staple that can be styled endlessly.”

Team with leggings for running errands or style with jeans for a coffee date.

The style lover said: “Don’t you tell me that this isn’t pretty.

“I am wearing just a plain black top and a pair of leggings. I feel dressed up.”

Retailing at €35, it’s the perfect addition to your capsule wardrobe.

The TikToker added: “The only thing is it’s just a tad expensive – not like, actually expensive, Dunnes expensive.

“It’s €35 for this, but I do get it. It is a jacket, and I’m going to wear this for a long time.”

The cute jacket is available in sizes XS to XXL.

Lauren said: “I’m a size 10, and I bought a size small; it fits me nicely.

“And by the way, I don’t think that these come in any of the colours.

“I did see a black one sitting right next would but the zip went up the centre. Same material, but just different style.”

The Boucle Funnel Neck Jacket in black is also €35.

Its description reads: “This loose-fitting jacket is crafted from a softly textured boucle fabric.

“Featuring a funnel neck for added warmth, two over-sized patch pockets, and a silky satin lining, it can be worn over anything from winter clothes to dresses.”

Screenshot of a woman with long blonde hair, wearing a black jacket, saying "Great little find from DUNNES". — The TikToker teamed the jacket with leggings and a top

Woman wearing an olive green jacket. — The jacket will keep you cosy on colder days

Woman wearing a black zip-up jacket and grey turtleneck sweater. — It’s also available in a similar black version

Dunnes Stores sign on a brick building. — The jacket is in stores across the country and online

THE HISTORY OF DUNNES STORES