Judi Dench was 'drunk on power' playing M in James Bond films - Castanet

23 hours agoRachael LewisWest Midlands Press AssociationDame Judi Dench is among more than 100 current and former cast and crew members calling on the BBC to keep The Archers in BirminghamMore than 100 current and former cast and crew members of The Archers, including Dame Judi Dench, have called on the BBC to keep the programme in Birmingham. Supporters say recording the drama elsewhere could affect its quality and future. The BBC says the move is part of wider cost-saving measures and alternative options are being explored. In a letter to director general Matt Brittin, actors, writers, directors and sound engineers argued that moving recordings away from the Midlands would have a "tangible impact" on the programme. The letter compares the prospect to "Coronation Street leaving the north-west, or EastEnders leaving the south-east", adding that it risks "ripping out the heart of Ambridge". Supporters say recording The Archers outside the Midlands could affect the programme's futureSignatories said Birmingham had been central to the show's identity since it began and warned that separating cast and production teams could affect the way the programme is made.

Marvel Studios’ release of Avengers: Endgame: Encore was a shrewd gambit for a few reasons: It put the studio’s most successful film back in conversation right after the juggernaut success of Spider-Man: Brand New Day; it tided die-hards over with new footage ahead of December’s Avengers: Doomsday; and, perhaps most importantly, it raked in an additional $138 million for the film, reinstating its position as the worldwide box office champion over James Cameron’s Avatar. Cameron, who certainly doesn’t spend his precious time fretting about such matters as lifetime financial grosses and being the best in the world at stuff, recently expressed his congratulations to Marvel for once again overtaking his 2009 sci-fi film. “You are one of the people,” the director wrote (per The Wrap) in a composite image from Avatar, with Iron Man at the center of a welcoming Na’vi tribe. “Congratulations to Marvel and the #1 Avengers: Endgame: Encore for bringing moviegoers to the cinemas! – Jim Cameron.”

John Alexander Greer III, age 44, passed away suddenly on October 12, 2026. Born in Fredericton, New Brunswick to John Alexander Greer II, Shelley Ann Greer, ( Stewart Allan), John lived his life devoted to caring for those he loved. Above all, John’s greatest joy was being a father to his sons, Jonathan and Nathaniel. He was a hero to his brothers, Jobi James and Jermey Dale Greer, and a loving partner to his fiancée, Samantha Vernon. Possessing a heart of gold, John brought warmth to everyone around him and found his ultimate freedom riding his motorcycles on the open road. He is reunited in rest with his late grandparents, Fred and Gladys Ramsey, and John Greer I and Shirley Gould