TV & Showbiz

Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma is heading into the Love Island villa

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 30th May 2022

Michael Owen’s daughter Gemma will be among the contestants on this year’s Love Island.

ITV has announced this morning that Gemma Owen, 19, will be heading into the villa on the search for love – and possibly a few business deals.

The young beauty is an international dressage rider and also owns her own swimwear line, OG Beachwear, which we’ll no doubt see a lot of over the coming weeks.

Gemma is the oldest of four children from footballing legend Michael Owen, who has previously played for Manchester United.

Revealing Gemma on the line-up for the hit reality dating show, ITV said that they ‘cannot wait to watch her smoulder in the villa!’.

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Gemma Owen with famous dad Michael. Credit: Instagram, @themichaelowen

They wrote: “Gemma is used to the spotlight, having ‘travelled all across Europe, competing in big arenas in big competitions’. Plus her dad was a professional football player… That sporting spirit must run in the family!”

Gemma said: “I would say I’m very competitive. [When it comes to relationships] I will always go for what I want.”

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The Chester-born contestant also detailed a previous date, where she was whisked away to Paris.

According to ITV, her family and friends describe her as ‘very honest and a bit stubborn, straight up and a bit fiery’.

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Other contestants announced so far include ‘Italian stallion’ Davide, who lives in Manchester; Irish microbiologist Dami; and model and dancer Tasha, from Thirsk in Yorkshire.

Love Island returns to screens on Monday 6 June.

Featured image: ITV

TV & Showbiz

A new stage adaptation of a Virginia Woolf classic is coming to Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones New stage play version of Mrs Dalloway in Manchester tickets

With both World Book Day and International Women’s Day having only just passed, it feels like perfect timing for a UK tour of a new theatrical adaptation of one of the most important works of feminist writing ever to have just been announced: Mrs. Dalloway.

And, of course, it’s being brought to Manchester.

The legendary modernist novel by Virginia Woolf has already been adapted for stage and screen multiple times, but this most recent version has been hailed as “cinematic”, “immersive”, and striving to be just as ‘radical’ as the original masterpiece itself.

It’s one of the latest shows coming to Storyhouse in Chester for a world premiere, before heading out across the UK for just a select few special performances.

A co-production between said Storyhouse, as well as Harlow Playhouse and CutToTheChase Productions, it’s been co-created by award-winning director Jen Heyes, with help from Olivier Award-winning writer and performer, Kit Green.

Green takes up the role not only of the titular and long-studied character for this bold reimagining of Clarissa, but will also feature as husband Richard Dalloway, tragic supporting character Septimus Warren Smith, and others.

Bookworms and English literature students will likely have come across the name at least in passing, even if they haven’t read it for themselves, and it still remains just as striking now as it was when first published back in 1925.

Elsewhere referred to as The Hours in her diary entries, the text inspired a 2002 Hollywood movie using that ‘original’ working title starring Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep – all of whom play women whose story mirrors that tale and/or troubles of Virginia Woolf in some way.

Most famously, however, it was also turned into an eponymous British film in the late 90s, with Vanessa Redgrave as an older Mrs Dalloway and Natascha McElhone as her younger self.

virginia woolf stage adaptations
Virginia Woolf
mrs dalloway movie
The first major version of Mrs Dalloway on film (1997)
Green embodying one of many roles
Credit: Topfoto/NTB (via NDLA)

Both have little cult followings of their own, as you would expect from anything with the famous writer’s name attached to them, but theatre fans have every reason to be very excited about this next take.

Speaking ahead of the inaugural performance of the play, director Jen Heyes said in a statement, “I wanted audiences to step inside Woolf’s world and see it in a way they won’t expect.

“We’ve mixed theatre, film, and bold reinterpretations to create something alive, surprising, moving, and entertaining. My hope is that people leave the theatre carrying the story with them long after the lights go down.”

Following the Cheshire debut on Friday, 29 May, running until 6 June, the production will head to Harlow in Essex, and Wilton’s Music Hall in London, before landing at beloved local theatre, cinema and arts space, HOME, over on First Street this autumn.

The stage version of Mrs. Dalloway will be in Manchester from 24-26 September (Thurs-Sat); you can grab your tickets HERE. We’ve been spoiled by some VERY good new material of late…

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Featured Images — Monika Koeck (supplied via )/NDLA Archive

TV & Showbiz

Mancs wanted to take part in next series of BBC’s popular Gladiators reboot

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Gladiators cast

The BBC is back casting for the next series of Gladiators, and producers are looking for Mancs to take part.

The gladiators are ready for a new series… but are the contenders?

That’s right – arguably the most exciting and energetic sports entertainment game show of all time is coming back for another series following its long-awaited reboot back in 2025, and that means that the BBC is looking for some brave new contestants to take part.

Greater Manchester residents are among those producers are calling on to consider sticking an application in.

Unfamiliar with the premise of Gladiators? The massively-popular series – which is based on an American show of the same name – sees four contestants compete in a number of physical challenges against the ‘Gladiators’, all with the aim of securing as many points as possible for the final event, which is known as ‘The Eliminator’.

Mancs are wanted to take part in next series of BBC’s popular Gladiators reboot

Contestants battle against each other to win a place in the grand final, and ultimately be crowned the champion for the series.

Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Hungry Bear Media wrote: “Gladiators, one of the most exciting and energetic sports entertainment game shows ever is back for a fourth series.

“We are on the look out for the bravest members of the British public who have the speed and skill to take on our superhuman Gladiators.”

Reckon that’s you then?

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With filming set to start soon, applications are now open for the new series of Gladiators, and all you need to do to be in with a chance of being selected as a contestant is being over 18 years old, and fill out an application form.

You can apply on the BBC website here, before applications close on 31 May 2026.

Featured Image – BBC

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