The Telegraph & Argus: Leisure News from across the Bradford district

Comic Sean Hughes takes a feelgood look at death

9:00am Friday 19th April 2013

Trying to interview Sean Hughes is a bit like trying to hold onto a bar of soap in the bath.

Gareth Gates is keen to share Alhambra stage with young stars of the future

10:23am Friday 1st March 2013

When Gareth Gates takes to the stage in his home city later this month, he will be joined by youngsters from the performing arts school he set up here.

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Versatile Dani Harmer steps into brave new panto world in Wizard of Oz

9:54am Friday 1st March 2013

Dani Harmer has the kind of fanbase many performers her age dream of. As Tracy Beaker in the hugely popular CBBC programmes, based on Jacqueline Wilson’s books about a headstrong girl growing up in care, she gained a loyal following of young fans.

Jools Holland brings a Fine Young Cannibal to show

10:00am Friday 2nd November 2012

Jools Holland has met just about everyone who is anyone in the music business.

Elkie Brooks is the shy girl who rose to top of the pops on her own

9:43am Friday 2nd November 2012

It was singing Ella Fitzgerald’s Lullaby Of Birdland that got shy teenager Elaine Bookbinder noticed.

The Proclaimers return for another foot-stomping gig

10:29am Monday 15th October 2012

Bradford’s St George’s Hall is bracing itself for an invasion of the tartan army when Scotland’s much-loved entertainers The Proclaimers come to the city next month.

Fairytales are a dark inspiration for actress and singer Heather Peace

8:26am Monday 23rd April 2012

Heather Peace got her break playing TV action girls; fighting fires and leaping around disused buildings with the SAS.

Mark Kermode’s busking it again in Bradford

9:11am Friday 20th April 2012

In 1985, a young student with a love of rock and roll began to regularly travel over from Manchester where he was at university to boost his grant by busking on the streets of Bradford.

Elaine C Smith plays Susan Boyle on Bradford stage

4:55pm Tuesday 3rd April 2012

When a middle-aged woman in a frumpy dress and sensible shoes walked onto the Britain’s Got Talent stage with a nervous giggle, it wasn’t just Simon Cowell who feared the worst.

New chapter for Leslie Ash

8:37am Monday 26th March 2012

Leslie Ash made her first TV appearance as a cute little girl in a washing-up liquid advert.

30 years of Fascinating Aida

4:37pm Tuesday 6th March 2012

Dillie Keane has the kind of infectious giggle that, if she was at school, would ripple through assembly and get everyone into trouble.

Peter Grant: How I took control after losing it all

8:38am Monday 5th March 2012

Jim Greenhalf talks to Guiseley singer Peter Grant about legal battles, being broke and a new start

Gilbert O’Sullivan welcomes you to Gilbertville

10:30am Monday 20th February 2012

Nothing has a nostalgic pull quite like music.

Embrace's Mike Heaton: ‘Take Centre Stage and help Martin House Children's Hospice'

8:49am Monday 13th February 2012

Back in the late 1990s, when five mates from the Bradford district got together to form a band, it was a case of getting by on raw talent and dogged determination.

Bernie Nolan heading for Bradford in Chicago

8:52am Tuesday 7th February 2012

This time last year Bernie Nolan had lost her hair following gruelling bouts of chemotherapy.

Julian Lloyd Webber: Time to tune in to musical master

9:02am Tuesday 31st January 2012

Most people in Bradford will be on at least nodding terms with Frederick Delius – after all, the district has a pub, a school, an arts centre and a sculpture named for him.

How Horrible Histories author came up with the idea

3:51pm Monday 23rd January 2012

Terry Deary was an actor for 21 years. During that time, he started to write books. He had 50 to his name when, 20 years ago, he was asked to write a Father Christmas joke book.

Hilary O'Neil has a passion for panto

8:42am Monday 16th January 2012

Performing in the Alhambra pantomime, opposite Billy Pearce, has now been ticked off Hilary O’Neil’s ‘bucket list’.

Omid Djalili set for the stage in Bradford

11:59am Tuesday 3rd January 2012

Omid Djalili is a rare comedian, capable of provoking huge laughter and profound thought at the same time. Yet he hasn’t toured for more than three years.

Belinda Carlisle: Solo tour is heaven for me...

9:08am Monday 19th December 2011

She was the teen punk-turned-pop princess, whose purry vocals and upbeat lyrics epitomised the sunny side of the Eighties.

Actress Denise Black in Sister Act in Bradford

8:08am Monday 5th December 2011

Despite an extensive theatre career, and a stint as a professional singer, Denise Black had never been in a musical.

Shakin' Stevens's Green Door still open

8:54am Monday 28th November 2011

It’s around this time of year that well-worn Christmas hits are dusted down and played endlessly on the radio, in shopping centres and at office parties.

Ade Edmondson tucks into the best of British

9:37am Monday 14th November 2011

Although commonly finding himself stuck in the mud while filming his latest TV series, Ade Edmondson has no such issues with his career.

Bradford's Kimberley Walsh in love with Shrek!

8:22am Monday 10th October 2011

Bradford pop star Kimberley Walsh has returned to her first love – the stage – and this week began her role as Princess Fiona in Shrek – The Musical, in London’s Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Here she talks about taking on the role and what the future holds for Girls Aloud.

Sophie McShera has got it maid as Daisy in Downton Abbey

8:34am Monday 26th September 2011

With the dark shadows of the First World War looming over Downton Abbey, life upstairs and downstairs will never be the same again.

Jo Caulfield is heading on a tour of discovery

8:31am Tuesday 20th September 2011

Whenever Jo Caulfield appears on a TV comedy panel show, she is always the only woman booked.

Paul Nicholas's affair of the political heart

9:16am Monday 5th September 2011

Later this month, three new plays by Gill Adams will be read on stage at Hull’s Ensemble 52 theatre. Starman, Hooked and Wild Man on My back reportedly delve into the “highs and lows of celebrity life”.

Bob Geldof looks ahead to Bradford date

7:45am Thursday 18th August 2011

In a quick game of Bob Geldof Word Association, it’s likely ‘music’ wouldn’t be the first word you’d think of.

David Essex set for Bradford date

10:43am Wednesday 10th August 2011

As a recent addition to Walford’s Albert Square, Eddie Moon has made quite an impact.

Su Pollard: from Peggy to Annie in Bradford

8:53am Monday 1st August 2011

Su Pollard was the first – and possibly only – woman to sing Ava Maria in hotpants in a working men’s club.

Opening up the Gates for young performers

9:45am Monday 25th July 2011

Emma Clayton speaks to singer Gareth about his new academy

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It’s end of an era, but it’s been magic, says Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis

10:17am Monday 11th July 2011

As a schoolboy, growing up near Bradford, Matthew Lewis would lose himself in his collection of Harry Potter books.

Discovering the reel Mark Radcliffe

8:41am Monday 4th July 2011

Mark Radcliffe is perhaps best-known as a radio presenter with an encyclopedic knowledge of music from the past half-century.

Nichola's content to follow the van in Bradford play

9:54am Monday 27th June 2011

The story sounds apocryphal, but it’s true. Alan Bennett, as shy and retiring as Mole in The Wind In The Willows, opened his curtains to find a Del Boy-style three-wheel van parked outside his London home.

Russ Swift's life in the fast lane

9:19am Monday 20th June 2011

Swift by name, swift by nature.

Blake Morrison’s Bronte connections...

9:17am Monday 13th June 2011

Next month, actors and writers are due to congregate in Haworth to promote the autumn premiere of Blake Morrison’s new play about the Bronte sisters.

Grease is the word for ice skating icon Robin Cousins

8:50am Monday 6th June 2011

Robin Cousins is one of Britain’s best-loved ice skaters who won world and European championships and topped his career with an Olympic Gold medal.

Verity Rushworth's Sounf Of Music role is second to nun

8:40am Saturday 28th May 2011

When she was nine years old, Verity Rushworth landed her first stage role – playing one of the Von Trapp children in The Sound Of Music at Yeadon Town Hall.

Tales of life on the street

9:13am Monday 23rd May 2011

There are times, when he’s sharing a stage with the likes of Hilda Ogden and Bet Lynch, that Roy Barraclough blinks back a tear or two.

Jonathan's all on his own in the spotlight

8:56am Monday 16th May 2011

The week has been a busy one for Jonathan Ansell. On Wednesday he had half-a-dozen telephone interviews to do to promote his forthcoming concert tour.

Why the stars have a little faith in Sally

8:31am Monday 9th May 2011

She is described as “Britain’s best-loved celebrity psychic” and her clients have included Princess Diana, Katie Price and George Michael.

The Trapp fits for Jason Donovan

9:37am Tuesday 3rd May 2011

He started out as a bronzed surfer boy pin-up, adored by teenage girls around the world.

Corrie's Steve a star with a big heart

4:23pm Monday 18th April 2011

Steve Huison remembers the days when, halfway through a night out in a social club, a man with a basket of seafood would turn up.

Staying cool with heart and soul

8:49am Monday 4th April 2011

Shortly before his last concert appearance at St George’s Hall a few years ago, Tony Christie said: “It’s no good having the confidence if you don’t have the talent.”

Marti shows his many sides

8:43am Monday 28th March 2011

He was born Mark McLachlan and grew up in Clydebank where, aged 17, he formed a band with three schoolmates.

For he’s a jolly good Fellow...

8:26am Monday 21st March 2011

When former Monty Python animator, actor, screenwriter and movie director Terry Gilliam was told he was being awarded a Fellowship at this month’s Bradford International Film Festival, he replied: “To be honoured by such an important festival pre-posthumously will force my family to treat me with some respect while I’m still alive.”

‘I'm an inlikely musical star'

8:27am Monday 14th March 2011

Back in 1984, when Phill Jupitus quit his nine-to-five job in the civil service and started performing punk poetry, supporting the likes of Billy Bragg and The Housemartins, the thought of being in a musical would have filled him with horror.

Neil set to say Hello, Goodbye

10:32am Monday 7th March 2011

f the real John Lennon had not been shot dead by Mark Chapman on December 8, 1980, the former Beatle would be 71 this October.

Stage show is streets ahead

8:28am Monday 28th February 2011

When you get Elsie Tanner, Hilda Ogden, Ena Sharples and Bet Lynch all sharing a stage, it’s not long before the hairnets and slingbacks start to fly.

By George! Om is back

8:34am Monday 21st February 2011

On the surface he’s an overbearing father who resorts to brute force to instil strict religious disciplines in his seven children.