UK News
Tribute paid to child who died just one day before starting school
This is heartbreaking.
The parents of Rose O’Leary have issued a heartbreaking tribute to their child, who tragically died just hours before her first day of school.
The four-year-old had just undergone her third open heart surgery to help treat a heart condition, which she was diagnosed with at her 20-week scan.
The surgery took place last month but Rose contracted an infection and died several weeks later, The Hoot reports.
Rose, who was from Pool-in-Wharfedale near Leeds, passed away just one day before she was supposed to start school.
Her heartbroken parents, Katie and Sue O’Leary-Hall, have released a moving tribute to the four-year-old, describing her as ‘feisty’ and ‘gorgeous’.
Issuing a tribute through a GoFundMe set up by a friend, they wrote: “Sue O’Leary-Hall and I are devastated to inform everyone that our beautiful baby girl, Rose, has lost her fight to CHD.
“She had her third open heart surgery on the 15th of August and despite battling ferociously for her life died yesterday after contracting an infection. We are spending the next few days at Martin House Hospice.
“I have no words to describe the depth of the pain we feel on the day she should have started school.
“Rose was so full of love and life. Our lives will forever be shaped by knowing and loving her and they will certainly never be the same without her.
“Her feisty, strong willed and gorgeous nature will last forever in our hearts. Sleep well, beautiful girl.”
Read more: The reason why Manchester United couldn’t sell Rasmus Højlund shirts is pretty silly
The GoFundMe has been set up to help with funeral costs for Rose and her family. It’s already raised almost £8,000 at the time of writing – double its target.
It reads: “I’m sorry we’re all connecting due to the tragic circumstances of Rose’s death. I’m sure we’re all grieving the devastating loss of such a beautiful, feisty little girl.
“Unfortunately with such tragic grief also comes the heartache and financial burden of arranging a funeral.
“I’m sure we all feel completely useless in this situation and would love to do anything to support Katie and Sue. Therefore, Amy, Laura and I have spoken to Katie about us arranging some donations from friends in order to support them with the financial costs of the funeral.
“We completely understand that everyone’s situations are different and there’s absolutely no pressure to donate and there’s absolutely no set amount – just anything you feel you’re able to contribute.”
Featured image: GoFundMe
UK News
Manchester-born Lord of the Rings and Titanic actor Bernard Hill dies aged 79
Danny Jones
Manchester actor, best known for roles in Lord of the Rings, Titanic, Shirley Valentine and more, has sadly died at the age of 79.
Born in Blackley near the River Irk, historically part of Lancashire, the familiar British face who often popped up in Hollywood too famously played Théoden, the King of Rohan, in the original trilogy of fantasy films as well as Captain Edward Smith in Titanic.
His death was announced by his agent Lou Coulson via the BBC, who confirmed that he passed away in the early hours of Sunday morning.
A statement from his family is expected soon and tributes are already pouring in online.
Hill studied at what is now the Manchester School of Theatre, formerly known as the Polytechnic School of Theatre and also went on to appear in the much-loved BBC drama by Alan Bleasdale, Boys from the Blackstuff, back in 1982.
Playing the character of Yosser Hughes – best-known for the line “gizza a job” – the show went on to be awarded a BAFTA for best drama series in 1983 and was ranked as the seventh best TV show ever made on a 2000 round-up by the British Film Institute
He was also due for a big return to TV screens in series two of another BBC hit, The Responder starring Martin Freeman, which begins airing at 9pm this Sunday.
Rest in peace.
Read more:
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Featured Image — Wikimedia Commons
UK News
Gavin and Stacey will return with a 2024 Christmas special for its final episode
Danny Jones
After some pretty big rumblings earlier this year, it’s finally been confirmed that Gavin and Stacey will be returning for a Christmas special this year and what will be its last-ever episode.
The beloved British comedy last aired back in 2019 with their previous Christmas special and fans of the show have been crying out for more ever since.
Well, it turns out they’ll be getting just one more go around the block as co-creators James Corden and Ruth Jones revealed that they have now finished writing their third and final Xmas special which will tie a festive bow on the trio of series which started all the way back in 2007.
Sharing a picture of the script on social media, the pair wrote: “Some news… It’s official!!! We have finished writing the last ever episode of Gavin and Stacey. See you on Christmas Day, BBC One. Love Ruth and James”.
That’s an early present if we’ve ever seen one.
The news comes just a couple of months after co-writer and co-star Jones went out of her way to rubbish the rumours live on the radio, stating that the so-called sources who had claimed a deal had been struck between the BBC and Netflix had been sorely mistaken.
However, what was actually going on was a bit of a red herring as she carefully chose to talk down any notions of another series but didn’t categorically dismiss the potential Christmas special.
In fact, she actually went on to add: “All I can say is, if there was something to say on that front, James [Corden] and I would happily announce it, we would.”
And that’s exactly what they’ve done. Well played, Nessa.
Read more:
As for details surrounding the final chapter in the Gavin and Stacey story, we have very few details at this stage but fans of the iconic show will already be wondering how they might pick up from where certain threads left off.
With Corden and former co-star Matthew Horner having famously parted ways several years back too, it will be interesting to see whether those fences will be mended in time for the final-ever episode of the show that put them both on the map.
Production companies Baby Cow, Corden’s Fulwell 73 and Jones’ Tidy Productions are all behind the special and, given the momentous occasion, it will likely have a primetime slot on the TV guide when it finally rolls around this holiday season.
So get your remotes, baubles and bhunas at the ready because Gavin and Stacey is coming back for one last time and it’s sure to be a TV event that people all across the UK will remember for years to come.
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Featured Images — BBC/James Corden (via Instagram)
Daisy Jackson -
11th September 2023 
