TV & Showbiz

Lauren Laverne asks for ‘good vibes’ after revealing cancer diagnosis

You got this, Lauren!

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 21st August 2024

BBC presenter Lauren Laverne has shared that she has been diagnosed with cancer, sharing a statement from hospital.

The 46-year-old star announced this morning that the cancer was detected ‘unexpectedly’ during a screening test.

She also asked everyone to send ‘good vibes’ her way and sent love to everyone else in a ‘similar boat’.

In her Instagram post, Lauren Laverne said her cancer had been caught early and she is, thankfully, expected to make a full recovery.

Lauren thanked her ‘absolutely extraordinary’ family and friends, plus the medical teams, and her BBC Radio colleagues who have stepped in while she takes time off for treatment.

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The star also urged people to get checked out if they have any concerns about their health.

She wrote: “Right then, some personal news… I recently had a cancer diagnosis. It was (thank God) caught early and unexpectedly during a screening test and I am expected to make a full recovery.

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“I’m in hospital at the moment and wanted to take this moment to say thank you: Firstly to the medical teams who have got me this far with incredible skill and kindness.

“To my family and friends who have been absolutely extraordinary every step of the way – I am so very grateful and love you so much.

“And of course thank you to my colleagues – including those at @itg_ltd, @bbc6music, @bbctheoneshow and #DesertIslandDiscs for their support – and for giving me the time off that I need to get better.

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“I also want to say that if you’re avoiding a test or putting off an appointment to get yourself checked out please, please do it today.

“Half of us will get cancer at some point, and if you do, finding out asap is everything. It’s usually my job to bring the good vibes on air but any you have to spare are very much welcome here.

“Sending loads of love to anyone in a similar boat, or who has made it back to shore. xxx”

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Featured image: Instagram, @laurenlaverne

TV & Showbiz

Waterloo Road has boosted Greater Manchester’s economy by a staggering £6.5 million

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

Waterloo Road has boosted Greater Manchester’s economy by a staggering £6.5 million, according to the BBC.

The British high school classic has seen strength after strength following the new BBC reboot.

Waterloo Road first reached our TV screens in 2006, where we saw Salford’s-own Chelsee Healey burst onto the scene as the fiery Janeece Bryant, a disruptive but loveable student who always found herself getting into trouble. 

Since then, the school-based drama has gone on to see 14 seasons and more than 200 episodes, with an eight year interval in between, befoore returning to our screens again in 2023.

And with a new season dropping just yesterday (10 September), the love for the show certainly isn’t over yet.

The show has been filmed in Greater Manchester since airing, with three seasons retreating to the Scottish lowlands of Greenock in Scotland. 

The first seven series of the TV drama were filmed in the former Hill Top Community Primary School in Rochdale, with the filming location for the most recent season taking place at a former Manchester College building in the city centre.

The newest series sees famous faces like comedian Jason Manford, and ex-Coronation Street star Kym Marsh join the cast.

In new statistics provided by the BBC, it was revealed that the production of the first three new series generated more than £9.5 million for the broader North West area, and at least £6.5 million for Greater Manchester’s economy alone.

“It’s a series that helps nurture and champion local talent and directly supports the economy in the North West,” commented Charlotte Moore, who is the BBC’s Chief Content Officer, “and it’s also part of a much bigger story.

“The BBC now invests more than 60% of its TV budget outside of London – supporting hundreds of production companies and suppliers.”

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You can catch Season 14 of Waterloo Road on BBC one every Tuesday at 9pm, or all episodes are available to watch on BBC iPlayer here.

Featured Image – BBC

TV & Showbiz

Open UK casting call for new Harry Potter TV series announced

Thomas Melia Thomas Melia

It may have been just over a year since rumours of the show had been confirmed, but now the search is officially on.

Harry Potter is one of the most successful and cherished franchises on screen, paper, and stage, and the book series by JK Rowling is the world’s number one best-selling in history, with over 600 million copies distributed across the globe. 

The new original series adaptation will be produced by the American television network, HBO, known for its involvement in huge dramas like Game Of Thrones and Euphoria.

Currently, the show is looking for UK actors to audition for one of the three wizarding friends.

These roles were originally played by the now Hollywood-greats, Daniel Radcliffe, who starred as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley.

Recently, Francesca Gardiner – known for her work on Killing Eve and Succession, was announced as the showrunner, and she will oversee all the writing and producing of the show, with full creative control.

In the description for these leading roles, a statement reads: “We are committed to inclusive, diverse casting. For every role please submit qualified performers, without any regard to ethnicity, disability, race, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other basis protected by law unless otherwise specifically indicated.”

Although the statement pulled from the casting call is open to all actors, with no concern over their protected characteristics, this new original series may be affected by controversy surrounding the author, JK Rowling.

She has previously been criticised for her opinions on gender identity, especially in her condemnation of transgender people and the LGBTQ+ community.

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Currently, producers are only considering children who are between the ages of 9-11 in April 2025, and the only way to officially apply is through the CastIt website here.

Applications must be submitted by a parent or legal guardian.

Featured Image – Warner Bros.

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