It almost sounds too bizarre to be true, but Bez apparently turned down a night with Julia Roberts back in the 90s.
Well, that’s according to Shaun Ryder anyway.
The Happy Mondays frontman revealed the golden nugget of information during an appearance on ITV’s This Morning yesterday when speaking to hosts Philip Schofield and Holly Willoughby about a night the pair had at the famous LA nightclub The Viper Room – which has always been known as a hangout of the young Hollywood elite.
Shaun explained that he and Bez split once they were inside the club, but when they were reunited later on in the night, Shaun claims that Bez told him: “You heard of Julia Roberts? She’s just asked me to go to her place.”
That’s not the most outrageous part of the story, either.
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It also transpired Bez turned the Oscar-winning actress down because he had other offers – and didn’t really know who she was, anyway.
The Happy Mondays pair were on a night out at famous LA nightclub The Viper Room / Credit: Channel 4
Explaining the situation he found himself in, Shaun said: “When we went to LA, the movie Pretty Woman had only just come out so she wasn’t the Julia Roberts who everyone knows now.
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“We was in The Viper Room and Bez came over ‘you heard of Julia Joggerts?’ ‘Yeah, Julia Roberts, yeah’, ‘Ah, she’s just asked me to go to her place’.”
“And he didn’t have a clue who she was, but she sent her bodyguard over”.
He then added that Bez also “had about four other girls on the go in the club anyway”.
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In understandable disbelief, like we presumably all are, Holly then asked Shaun: “So he turned down Julia Roberts?” and Shaun simply replied by raising his eyebrows and nodding.
How does Bez feel about the situation now then? Shaun assured us: “It’s Bez innit, he wasn’t really bothered.”
“The movie Pretty Woman had only just come out so she wasn’t the Julia Roberts everyone knows now” / Credit: Touchstone / Buena Vista Pictures
Although this may be the first time many are hearing this story, it’s not the first time it’s been told by Ryder, as he apparently first revealed it during an interview on radio station XFM back in 2011, and relayed it once again in his autobiography Twisting My Melon.
So, what’s your take then?
Do you believe it? Or is he just having us on?
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A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester with DJs blasting 2000s indie and emo anthems
Emily Sergeant
A Twilight rave is coming to Manchester this spooky season.
It’s been nearly 20 years since the release of the titular first film in the Twilight Saga, based on author Stephanie Meyer’s bestselling book series of the same name, but despite two decades having passed, the films remain as beloved as ever.
Twilight went on to become a global phenomenon when it first hit cinemas back in November 2008, not just with its target audience of teens and young adults, but with people of all ages – making stars out of its lead actors Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart in the process, and generating millions at the box office.
With the impact it had on the culture at the time, it’s no wonder Twilight remained among fans’ favourites all these years later.
And this success is why events company Throwback Events is hosting a series of Twilight Raves across the UK and Europe this autumn, making a stop off here in Manchester in late November with tickets now on sale.
The event description reads: “Bella, where the hell you been loca? Join us as we celebrate Twilight at the club, where every day is Hoa Hoa Hoa season.
“Step into the shadows and relive the magic, mystery, and eternal romance of Twilight. Get ready for a night of anthems, nostalgia, and glittering darkness as we transform the dancefloor into Forks’ most iconic vampire coven.”
DJs will be spinning Twilight soundtracks on the night, alongside dark pop, emo, indie, and 2000s bangers, as well as playing fan edits from the films on big screens.
Oh, and to make it all the better, dressing up as vampires and werewolves is ‘highly encouraged’.
Fancy it then? The Twilight Rave is coming to the Deaf Institute in Manchester on Saturday 21 November, and tickets will set you back upwards of £7 each.
Manchester cinemas are offering tickets to big blockbusters for just £4 this weekend
Emily Sergeant
You can watch some of the year’s biggest blockbusters for just £4 this weekend.
That’s because, to celebrate National Cinema Weekend (5-6 September), Vue has announced that it’ll be offering cut-price tickets to everything from the latest blockbusters and family favourites, to indie horrors and classic re-releases, so you don’t have to break the bank to enjoy the full cinematic experience this autumn.
Some of the highlights currently showing that you’ll be able to see for just £4 include summer hits like Spider-Man: Brand New Day, The Odyssey, and Toy Story 5, as well as the recent release of Ridley Scott’s latest film, The Dog Stars, starring Jacob Elordi.
Family favourites such as Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie, and Cars will also be screening over National Cinema Weekend.
Meanwhile, horror fans can also catch new releases Insidious: Out of the Further, and indie horror Leviticus, or see the year’s biggest horror hit, Obsession, if you haven’t already.
The best bit about the offer? It applies to every seat on every showing, all weekend long.
This means that film lovers can enjoy Vue’s biggest and comfiest seats, Ultra Lux, which are strategically positioned to give the best possible view of the big screen – with extra-wide armrests, back and leg rests that recline independently, a personal table for snacks and beverages, and a state-of-the-art wine cooler, all for just £4 each.
Mike Anton, General Manager at Vue Manchester Printworks, said it’s been ‘an incredible year’ for film, adding: “This National Cinema Weekend, we want to celebrate the big screen experience by giving back to our audiences.
Emily Sergeant -
24th June 2021 
