Celebrity Gossip

Actress Lynda Bellingham, famous for long-running role as mother in Oxo TV adverts, dies in husband's arms after battle with cancer
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Lynda Bellingham
Lynda Bellingham Photo: REX

Actress and presenter Lynda Bellingham, who had been suffering from cancer, has died in her husband's arms.
The 66-year-old star, best known for her long-running role as a mother in the Oxo TV adverts, had been battling colon cancer, which later spread to her lungs and liver, since being diagnosed in July last year.
She died in the arms of her husband Michael in hospital on Sunday, her agent Sue Latimer said.
The actress said she decided to end her treatment on August 13 to limit the amount of suffering her family would witness.
In a statement on behalf of Bellingham's family, her agent, Sue Latimer, said: "Lynda died peacefully in her husband's arms yesterday evening at a London hospital.

"Her family, to whom she was devoted, would like to thank the nurses and staff for their tremendous care and support.
"As an actor, writer and presenter, Lynda was a consummate professional to the very end.
"Those of us privileged to have known her personally will miss the entertaining, life enhancing, true and honest friend that blessed our lives."
The actress openly discussed her decision to stop her cancer treatment earlier this year.
She was one of the presenters of ITV's Loose Women and told her co-hosts she was "in a good place" when she made the decision, saying: "It is essential to feel you have some control of your life."
In an emotional message, she told viewers: "Grasp it all, don't be afraid, enjoy the bits you can and tell your family you love them while you have the chance."
The actress was diagnosed with colon cancer little over a year ago, which later spread to her lungs and liver.
Ms Bellingham, who married Michael Pattemore in 2008, opted to end her chemotherapy treatment.
Poignantly, she said she wanted to spend one last Christmas with her family and hopefully die in January 2015.
Ms Bellingham's decision to end her treatment was revealed in a newspaper serialisation of her forthcoming autobiography.
She said: "The decision to give up chemo was a huge relief because I took back some control of myself. It's there on the table if I want it.
"I don't want the boys or my husband to see me die a little sad old lady. I want to go out there as I am."
She said she wanted her autobiography to be "uplifting", adding: "I wrote the book for everybody out there.
"It's not supposed to be an embarrassing account of me having terminal cancer.
"I wanted to write it for everybody who is given that curveball and say of course there are no answers but, if you can, take it and make it positive and talk about dying.
"If two people read this book and think 'Actually, that's how I feel and I'm not on my own', then I'll have done something half decent."
Ms Bellingham, who took part in the 2009 series of Strictly Come Dancing, was also a panellist on ITV show Loose Women in recent years.
She filmed a special farewell episode of the ITV show, which is yet to air, in which she received a standing ovation.
She also presented a number of other programmes, following an acting career which saw her star in dramas such as At Home With The Braithwaites and The Bill.

RIP Lynda :(

amazing women

I saw her in real life giving awards to the charity sector

Former Coronation Street actress Gwen Taylor has revealed that she has cancer.

Taylor, who starred in the stage version of Calendar Girls with the late Lynda Bellingham, told the Derby Telegraph that she feels both lucky and guilty that she is winning her own battle with the disease after identifying it early.
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Gwen Taylor (Anne, Corrie)
© Rex Features / ITV
Gwen Taylor as Anne in Coronation Street
ynda Bellingham appears on This MorningL
© Rex Features / Ken McKay

"I was in the bathroom listening to the radio when it came on that [Lynda] had passed away," she recalled. "It was just so shocking and deeply upsetting. She was such a nice person.

"It made me think how lucky I am. I had breast cancer and underwent surgery in August. I also had radiotherapy but I haven't needed chemotherapy.

"I'm lucky because the lump was quite tiny and we managed to catch it early. Of course, it was nowhere near as serious as what we've seen happen with Lynda.

"I feel like there's a future for me and I'm really pleased. But I feel guilty - I'm one of the lucky ones."

The 75-year-old actress also described Bellingham as a "wonderful person", who worked hard, did a lot for charity and was also very stylish.

"When I heard her talk on the radio, I thought it was one of the bravest things I've heard," Taylor continued. "The way she spoke about it really got me.

"She was a wonderful person. Off the screen and stage, she was exactly the same smashing woman."

Taylor appeared as Anne Foster in Coronation Street from 2011 until 2012. She also starred as the titular character in ITV sitcom Barbara and had a role in Heartbeat.

After being diagnosed with cancer last year, Bellingham passed away earlier this week (October 19) at the age of 66.

Famous as the Oxo mum and for her roles in Doctor Who, All Creatures Great and Small, The Bill and more, Bellingham also was a regular panellist on Loose Women for several years.

Former Coronation Street actress Gwen Taylor has revealed that she has cancer.

Taylor, who starred in the stage version of Calendar Girls with the late Lynda Bellingham, told the Derby Telegraph that she feels both lucky and guilty that she is winning her own battle with the disease after identifying it early.
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Gwen Taylor (Anne, Corrie)
© Rex Features / ITV
Gwen Taylor as Anne in Coronation Street
ynda Bellingham appears on This MorningL
© Rex Features / Ken McKay

"I was in the bathroom listening to the radio when it came on that [Lynda] had passed away," she recalled. "It was just so shocking and deeply upsetting. She was such a nice person.

"It made me think how lucky I am. I had breast cancer and underwent surgery in August. I also had radiotherapy but I haven't needed chemotherapy.

"I'm lucky because the lump was quite tiny and we managed to catch it early. Of course, it was nowhere near as serious as what we've seen happen with Lynda.

"I feel like there's a future for me and I'm really pleased. But I feel guilty - I'm one of the lucky ones."

The 75-year-old actress also described Bellingham as a "wonderful person", who worked hard, did a lot for charity and was also very stylish.

"When I heard her talk on the radio, I thought it was one of the bravest things I've heard," Taylor continued. "The way she spoke about it really got me.

"She was a wonderful person. Off the screen and stage, she was exactly the same smashing woman."

Taylor appeared as Anne Foster in Coronation Street from 2011 until 2012. She also starred as the titular character in ITV sitcom Barbara and had a role in Heartbeat.

After being diagnosed with cancer last year, Bellingham passed away earlier this week (October 19) at the age of 66.

Famous as the Oxo mum and for her roles in Doctor Who, All Creatures Great and Small, The Bill and more, Bellingham also was a regular panellist on Loose Women for several years.

RIP Lynda and I hope Gwen recovers

Singer Alvin Stardust has died aged 72 after a short illness.

He had recently been diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer and died at home with his wife, Julie, and family around him, his manager said.

Born Bernard Jewry in the East End of London in 1942, his hits included My Coo Ca Choo, Jealous Mind and I Feel Like Buddy Holly.

The former glam rock star had been due to release his first studio album in 30 years on 3 November.

He recently announced the record, titled Alvin, was finished and would represent "a new and exciting departure" of which he was "immensely proud".

Stardust grew up in Mansfield and started playing guitar as a schoolboy. He met one of his biggest influences, Buddy Holly, at a gig in Doncaster and played backstage with the singer and his band the Crickets.

He signed his first record deal in 1961 as the frontman of Shane Fenton and the Fentones, though the band struggled to get in the charts.

In 1973 he signed with Magnet Records and took on the name that would make him famous.

"It started off as Elvin Starr, because they wanted a kind of rocky, country name," he recalled in 2010.

"But [a woman] who was doing promotion for us said it wasn't 'glam-rocky' enough, so it became Stardust and then Alvin."

The singer previously recorded under the name Shane Fenton
My Coo Ca Choo, the debut song under his new guise, peaked at number two in the UK singles chart.

Known for his rockabilly quiff, sideburns and black gloves, he projected a glowering persona he said he adopted because he was nervous and "didn't want to be found out".

His success led to him being part of a Green Cross Code road safety campaign in 1976, which saw him instructing children to look both ways before they crossed the road.

That success continued into the 1980s with Pretend, I Feel Like Buddy Holly and I Won't Run Away all making the top 10.

Once described as "the Godfather of British Rock 'n' Roll" by Rolling Stone Keith Richards, he made sporadic acting appearances in Hollyoaks, The Grimleys and Doctors.

He also appeared on stage in such musicals as Godspell, The Phantom of the Opera and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, in which he played the fearsome Child Catcher.

Stardust was married three times. His first wife was Iris Caldwell, with whom he had two sons, Shaun and Adam.

His second wife was the actress Liza Goddard, with whom he had a daughter named Sophie.

"RIP Alvin Stardust," Goddard tweeted on Thursday. "Thank you for our beautiful daughter and granddaughter."

Stardust went on to marry Julie Paton, an actress and choreographer, with whom he had a daughter, Millie.

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Alvin Stardust talks to BBC Breakfast in 2010
Shaun is now a headmaster of a school in Reigate, while his brother is a producer and DJ who records under the name Adam F.

DJ Tony Blackburn remembered the singer as "a great showman" who would be "sorely missed". "Performing was his life," added the veteran broadcaster.

"He had this bad boy image, but he was not like that at all," Blackburn continued. "On stage he was brilliant, but off stage he was just an ordinary guy."

Stardust, a committed Christian, was also remembered as "a great bloke" by his former Hollyoaks co-star Jeremy Edwards.

"RIP Alvin Stardust, the original landlord of the Dog in the Pond," the actor wrote on Twitter, referring to the Channel 4 series' fictional public house.

"I may not have known him long, but even in that short time he proved to be one of the most genuine and likeable men I've ever met," said the singer's manager Andy Davies.

"His passing is a huge and sad loss."


RIP Alvin :(

Leonard Nimoy has passed away at the age of 83.

The actor and filmmaker, who rose to fame as Mr Spock in the Star Trek TV series and movies, died from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, his wife confirmed to the New York Times.
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Leonard Nimoy at the LA premiere of Star Trek Into Darkness
© PA Images / AP/Press Association Images

Nimoy revealed last year that he was suffering from the disease, caused by smoking in his younger years. He had been treated in hospital earlier this week.

Nimoy began his career in the early '50s teaching acting and appearing in B movies, such as 1952'a Kid Monk Baroni, and TV roles. He also served in the United States Army in 1953.

In 1965, Nimoy played Mr Spock for the first time in the rejected Star Trek pilot 'The Cage'. He retained the role when the show was taken to series and portrayed the character on the small screen until 1969.

After success as Spock, Nimoy played Paris for two season on Mission: Impossible and appeared in Invasion of the Body Snatchers before Star Trek: The Motion Picture brought the original cast to the big screen in 1979.

Nimoy played Spock in several more sequels, directing '80s outings Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Star Trek III: The Search for Spock.

After a long absence from the role, he returned to play Spock twice more in JJ Abrams's Star Trek (2009) and Star Trek Into Darkness. Nimoy's 'Spock Prime' provided a bridge between the classic Trek and the new timeline led by Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto.

Nimoy's other notable acting parts include the Abrams-produced TV series Fringe and voice roles in Transformers: The Movie and The Simpsons monorail episode.


RIP Leonard

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Leonard Nimoy has passed away at the age of 83.

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That's sad. Rest in peace. :(

Leonard Nimoy's last tweet (on 22nd February 2015):

A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP

(LLAP = live long and prosper, Mr Spock's catchphrase.)

What a beautiful, if sad, sentiment (especially given his death a few days later). :(

Keith Harris has died at the age of 67.

The entertainer and ventriloquist was best known for his partnership with his puppets Orville the Duck and Cuddles the Monkey.
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Keith Harris & Orville
© Rex Features
Orville the Duck and Keith Harris

Harris passed away at Blackpool Victoria Hospital after being diagnosed with cancer.

The comedian's agent Robert C Kelly confirmed the news this morning (April 28).

"Sad to announce death from Cancer of my client, dear friend and great talent, Keith Harris," Kelly said.

Harris had a prime-time spot on BBC One Saturday night TV with The Keith Harris Show in the 1980s.
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Orville the Duck and Keith Harris
© Rex Features / FremantleMedia Ltd
DS Icon: Orville (and Keith Harris)

He had a number four hit in the UK singles charts in 1982 with 'Orville's Song'.

Harris remained a popular cultural figure despite the waning of variety, and as well as other TV guests spots he made an appearance in the 2012 series of Big Brother.

Harris was married four times. He is survived by his fourth wife Sarah and their two teenage children, as well as his 27-year-old daughter Skye from his first marriage.

Watch Keith Harris and Orville perform 'Orville's Song' on Top of the Pops below:

Congratulations to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby daughter today :D:thumbsup::bow:

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Congratulations to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby daughter today :D:thumbsup::bow:

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they should call her diana

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Congratulations to Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their baby daughter today :D:thumbsup::bow:

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they should call her diana

The former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has died at his home aged 55, his family has said

RIP Charles

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Originally Posted by Perdita

The former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has died at his home aged 55, his family has said

RIP Charles

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Sad, I always liked him. RIP. :(

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Originally Posted by Perdita

The former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy has died at his home aged 55, his family has said

RIP Charles

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Very sad news, he had a lot of qualities as a politician that a good many in politics could do with following.

Big band leader James Last has died in Florida, aged 86.
The German-born musician's manager said he died at his home "peacefully and in the presence of his family".
Last sold millions of records with his trademark "happy music" and was a regular fixture on British TV for many years.
He appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in the spring as part of a farewell tour he announced after becoming seriously ill last year.
The illness, which took a "life-threatening" turn last September, apparently forced him to face the fact that "a man full of plans, needs to not just slow down but give up his life on tour altogether".
But he said the tour would give him the opportunity to bid farewell to his fans.
"The main thing is that my fans have the best concerts of their lives and we will make this our 'happiest' concert yet," he said when he announced the tour in February.
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Last started his music career in the 1960s, making instrumental recordings as James Last and His Orchestra - a big band with additional strings and a choir.
Over his career he produced 75 hit albums in Britain alone, and at his peak, was creating two albums a month.
The BBC spoke to the musician in March as he performed his final British shows - his 89th and 90th concerts at London's Royal Albert Hall.
"I can't talk about goodbye - it's a terrible feeling," he said.

BBC News

Actor Ron Moody has died at the age of 91.

The British star was best known for his Oscar-nominated role as Fagin in Oliver!.
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Ron Moody
© Getty Images / David Levenson

Moody also played Jim Branning's nemesis Edwin Caldecott in EastEnders, and the wizard Merlin in Disney's A Kid in King Arthur's Court.

"He brought joy to his family and to the hearts of many and will be greatly missed. He was singing until the end," his widow Therese said.

Born Ronald Moodnick in Tottenham in 1924, his Jewish father anglicised the family name to Moody several years later.

After originally planning to be an economist, Moody didn't take up acting until he was in his late 20s.

Moody also played Jim Branning's nemesis Edwin Caldecott in EastEnders, and the wizard Merlin in Disney's A Kid in King Arthur's Court.

"He brought joy to his family and to the hearts of many and will be greatly missed. He was singing until the end," his widow Therese said.

Born Ronald Moodnick in Tottenham in 1924, his Jewish father anglicised the family name to Moody several years later.

After originally planning to be an economist, Moody didn't take up acting until he was in his late 20s.

He won a Golden Globe award for playing pickpocket master Fagin in the musical version of Oliver Twist in 1968.

Moody had also said that his biggest regret was turning down the chance to play The Doctor in Doctor Who.

Other notable roles include parts in David Copperfield, Othello and as several characters in The Animals of Farthing Wood.

His final role was playing a character named Vincent Mancini in BBC One soap Holby City in 2012.

RIP Ron :(

Sir Christopher Lee has died at the age of 93.

The actor was best-known for his work with Hammer Horror as well as The Wicker Man and The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
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Christopher Lee attends 66th Locarno Film Festival
© Getty Images / Pier Marco Tacca

Lee died at at 8.30am on Sunday (June 6) at London's Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

He had been undergoing treatment for respiratory problems and heart failure over the last few weeks.

RIP Sir Christopher :(

Patrick Macnee, famous for his role on “The Avengers” British TV series, died Thursday of natural causes at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He was 93.

Macnee, who played John Steed in the spy-fi show, died with his family at his bedside.

“Wherever he went, he left behind a trove of memories,” a statement on the actor’s website read. “Patrick Macnee was a popular figure in the television industry. He was at home wherever in the world he found himself. He had a knack for making friends, and keeping them.”

“The Avengers” initially focused on Dr. David Keel (Ian Hendry) and his assistant (Macnee), but Macnee’s famously bowler hat wearing, umbrella-wielding intelligence officer (he never used a gun) became the protagonist when Hendry exited the series. Macnee played the part alongside a succession of strong, female partners, including Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg and Joanna Lumley. The show ran from 1961 and 1969 and was reprised in the 1970s.

The series was unsuccessfully adapted for the bigscreen in 1998 in a film that starred Ralph Fiennes as John Steed and Uma Thurman as his female partner and Sean Connery as the villain they faced.

The original “Avengers” TV series is still broadcast all over the world.

Macnee also made guest appearances on “Columbo,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Love Boat” and “Frasier.”

On the film side, he appeared in Laurence Olivier’s “Hamlet,” the 1951 version of “A Christmas Carol,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” and the 1985 James Bond film “A View to a Kill.”

Macnee is survived by a son and a daughter as well as a grandson.

Donations may be made to the Actors Fund.

rest in peace

Patrick Macnee, famous for his role on “The Avengers” British TV series, died Thursday of natural causes at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif. He was 93.

Macnee, who played John Steed in the spy-fi show, died with his family at his bedside.

“Wherever he went, he left behind a trove of memories,” a statement on the actor’s website read. “Patrick Macnee was a popular figure in the television industry. He was at home wherever in the world he found himself. He had a knack for making friends, and keeping them.”

“The Avengers” initially focused on Dr. David Keel (Ian Hendry) and his assistant (Macnee), but Macnee’s famously bowler hat wearing, umbrella-wielding intelligence officer (he never used a gun) became the protagonist when Hendry exited the series. Macnee played the part alongside a succession of strong, female partners, including Honor Blackman, Diana Rigg and Joanna Lumley. The show ran from 1961 and 1969 and was reprised in the 1970s.

The series was unsuccessfully adapted for the bigscreen in 1998 in a film that starred Ralph Fiennes as John Steed and Uma Thurman as his female partner and Sean Connery as the villain they faced.

The original “Avengers” TV series is still broadcast all over the world.

Macnee also made guest appearances on “Columbo,” “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Love Boat” and “Frasier.”

On the film side, he appeared in Laurence Olivier’s “Hamlet,” the 1951 version of “A Christmas Carol,” “This Is Spinal Tap,” and the 1985 James Bond film “A View to a Kill.”

Macnee is survived by a son and a daughter as well as a grandson.

Donations may be made to the Actors Fund.

rest in peace

Val Doonican has died at the age of 88.

The Irish entertainer was a hugely popular singer and TV presenter for several decades from the 1960s.
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Val Doonican
© Getty Images / George Wilkes/Hulton Archive

He was best known for hosting The Val Doonican Show on the BBC from 1965 to 1986. He also famously knocked The Beatles' Sgt Pepper album off the top of the UK chart in 1968 with Val Doonican Rocks.

Doonican had many hits in the UK, including the singles 'Walk Tall' and 'Elusive Butterfly'. He was known for his novelty-style recordings and for his trademark rocking chair and bright cardigans.

The singer quit performing in 2009, and retired to his homes in Buckinghamshire and Spain.

RIP Val

Amanda Holden has signed off on This Morning.... Holly Willaby will be back in sept

wonder what Amanda will do next ?

Amanda Holden has signed off on This Morning.... Holly Willaby will be back in sept

wonder what Amanda will do next ?

BGT, X Factor, Loose Women or permanent role on TM ..she is good in presenting :D

maybe she ll folllow Denise Van O inot Eastenders ?

Good at presenting .. not acting imop :D

Bobbi Kristina Brown: Daughter of Late Whitney Houston Dies at 22, Family Says
"She is finally at peace in the arms of God," the Houston family said in a statement Sunday. Brown was found unresponsive on Jan. 31 and was later placed in a medically induced coma.

RIP Bobbi

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Originally Posted by Perdita

Bobbi Kristina Brown: Daughter of Late Whitney Houston Dies at 22, Family Says
"She is finally at peace in the arms of God," the Houston family said in a statement Sunday. Brown was found unresponsive on Jan. 31 and was later placed in a medically induced coma.

RIP Bobbi

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That poor girl never had a chance after her mother died, both sides of the family only after her estate and money

RIP Bobbi Kristina

Spanish police confirmed the much-loved TV presenter and entertainer's passing to The Telegraph.
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Cilla Black
© PA Images / Yui Mok
Cilla Black

"I can confirm the death of British national Priscilla White, aged 72," said a police spokesperson.

"We are still awaiting autopsy results but everything at this stage is pointing towards her death being the result of natural causes."
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Cilla Black in 1969
© REX/DAVID MAGNUS

Born Priscilla Maria Veronica White on May 27, 1942 in Merseyside, Cilla's career as a singer took off in the 1960s, and was recently documented in ITV biopic Cilla, starring Sheridan Smith as the young singer.

Black had 11 Top Ten hits in the UK charts including 'Anyone Who Had a Heart' and the John Lennon and Paul McCartney-penned track 'Step Inside Love'.
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Cilla Black on 'Blind Date' with Alex and Sue Tatham in 1988
© ITV / Rex Features

She started her television career in the late 1960s when she was offered her own TV show by BBC executive Bill Cotton, and soon became a staple of Saturday night light entertainment with primetime hits such as Surprise Surprise and Blind Date.

BAFTA honoured her with a special award last year, celebrating her long-standing contribution to the entertainment industry.


RIP Cilla

wow very surprised surprised by this rest in peace cilla

If any of you have not seen the drama Cilla it is worth watching

RIP Cilla

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Originally Posted by swmc66

If any of you have not seen the drama Cilla it is worth watching

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Yes, it is, well worth watching!

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Originally Posted by swmc66

If any of you have not seen the drama Cilla it is worth watching

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Yes, it is, well worth watching!

Ooooh! I'm so thrilled. We've just signed up Rick Wakeman to appear at the West Cliff Theatre on St Valentine's Day next year.:cheer::thumbsup::cheer:

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Originally Posted by parkerman

Ooooh! I'm so thrilled. We've just signed up Rick Wakeman to appear at the West Cliff Theatre on St Valentine's Day next year.:cheer::thumbsup::cheer:

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Will he bring flowers and chocolates? :D

..

:cheer::cheer::cheer::cheer: Go Parkerman!!!