ADVERTISEMENT

News

British acting legend Dame Maggie Smith dies aged 89

Legend doesn't come even close to cutting it.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 27th September 2024
ADVERTISEMENT

Some deeply sad showbiz news this weekend as it has been announced that British acting royalty Dame Maggie Smith CH DBE has died aged 89.

The legendary English actor was confirmed as having passed away on Friday, 27 September, following an official statement from her sons, Toby Stephens and Chris Larkin.

They wrote: “It is with great sadness we have to announce the death of Dame Maggie Smith.

“She passed away peacefully in hospital early this morning, Friday 27th September. An intensely private person, she was with friends and family at the end. She leaves two sons and five loving grandchildren who are devastated by the loss of their extraordinary mother and grandmother.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital for their care and unstinting kindness during her final days.

ADVERTISEMENT

They go on to thank the hordes of fans paying their respects online, adding: “[we] ask that you respect our privacy at this time.”

With a career spanning six decades and known to generations of movie lovers for appearances as Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter films, Lady in the Van, Downton Abbey and Oh! What a Lovely War, just to name a few of her countless iconic roles, she is the definition of a household name.

ADVERTISEMENT

She appeared in more than 85 films and TV programmes all told but was arguably most famously known to kids all around the world as the stern but enigmatic and fiercely loyal Hogwarts witch who first welcomed them into the live-action universe of the much-loved wizarding world.

Her theatre career is arguably even more revered, with the BBC dubbing her “a piercing presence on stage and screen” in their official obituary. By all accounts and judging from the tributes online too, a lovely human being with a razor-sharp wit.

Making her acting debut way back in 1952, she went on to win two Oscars five BAFTAs, four Emmys; three Golden Globes, not to mention a Tony as well as nominations for six Laurence Olivier Awards – she quite literally did it all.

ADVERTISEMENT

Made Dame Maggie back in 1990, Smith is one of the few performers to ever earn the so-called ‘Triple Crown of Acting’, which should tell you everything you need to know about her status within the industry.

Rest in peace to a true legend and thank you for the memories in some of our most formative years.

‘One, two, three – Vera Verto’.

Featured Images — Warner Bros

News

Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Police appeal to find next of kin after man found outside Palace Theatre
ADVERTISEMENT

Police are trying to track down the family of a man who died after being found unresponsive outside the Palace Theatre in Manchester.

The man, who has now been named as Jonathan Bernard Carroll, was seen outside the city centre theatre at around 6.30am on Tuesday 12 November.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and Mr Carroll was taken to hospital.

Tragically, the 47-year-old passed away a short time later.

A large cordon was in place on Whitworth Street and Oxford Road while police and security attended the incident.

Greater Manchester Police are now appealing to find his next of kin.

It’s believed that he resided in the Salford area of Greater Manchester.

Anyone with any information should contact the Coroner’s Office on 0161 856 1376.

Read more

Featured image: The Manc Group

News

Greater Manchester public urged to help get people ‘off the streets and on their feet’ before Christmas

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant
ADVERTISEMENT

Locals are being urged to help get hundreds of people “off the streets and back on their feet” this festive season.

As the temperatures told colder by the day, and Christmas creeps closer and closer, Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity is bringing back ‘1000 Beds for Christmas’, and the massively-important initiative is aiming to provide 1,000 nights of accommodation to people at risk of homelessness before the big day arrives.

Forming part of the ongoing ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme, this festive fundraising mission is designed to provide food, shelter, warmth, and dedicated vital wrap-around support for those who need it most.

The charity says it wants to build on the “incredible success of 2023”, which raised more than £55,000 and provided 1,800 nights of accommodation.

Stockport-based property finance specialists, Together – which has supported the campaign for the last two years – has, once again, generously pledged to match every public donation for the first £20,000 raised.  

Unfamiliar with the ‘A Bed Every Night’ scheme? Since 2017, when rough sleeping peaked, the initiative has helped ensure a significantly-higher rate of reduction in the numbers of people facing a night on streets in Greater Manchester than seen nationally.

The landmark scheme has given people the chance to rebuild their lives, while also giving them access to key services and opportunities that allows them to stay off the streets for good.

Despite the scheme’s recent success, organisations across Greater Manchester are under “a huge amount of pressure” to meet the demand for their services this winter, and given the current economic outlook, household budgets will continue to be squeezed – leaving people on the sharp end of inequality and poverty.

Read more:

“Help us be a lifeline to organisations on the frontline,” Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity urged in it’s public appeal for donations.

You can help make sure ‘A Bed Every Night’ is a reality for all by donating here.

Featured Image – EthelRedThePetrolHead (via Flickr)

More News

Crime

Former Manchester police officer jailed after sexually assaulting a child while on duty

City Centre

Manchester’s libraries will become ‘warm spaces’ with free hot drinks and Wi-Fi again this winter

The Manchester 24 Hour Charity Run Against Homelessness 2024

City Centre

Manchester’s 24 Hour Run Against Homelessness returns with its biggest venue host yet for 2024

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches