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I turned down Strictly, I’m A Celeb & Top Gear to focus on helping people – now I’m Netflix star reveals Dave Fishwick
DAVE FISHWICK’s new film is the fastest commissioned sequel in Netflix history thanks to the phenomenal success of his 2023 debut movie on the streamer.
Bank Of Dave: The Loan Ranger, which drops today, charts the next round of real-life battles of crusading business buff.
But despite his spiralling fame off the back of his movies and Channel 4 TV series, Lancashire-born Dave is one of the most down-to-earth celebs I’ve ever met.
He tells me: “I’ll have been chatting with someone really famous, or I’ll have spent a day with Netflix — and my wife Nicky grounds me immediately.
“I walk through the door and she’ll say, ‘Never mind all that nonsense. Is it corned beef or cottage pie for your tea?’ It brings me back down to earth.”
Laughing, he adds: “When I was at the Baftas, they brought round the champagne.
“I’ve been nominated three times and won two, so I know what it’s all about at those things.
‘Helping people’
“The first time I went, I asked them, ‘Don’t you have any Carling or Foster’s going?’ And they kindly went and found a dusty old bottle of Grolsch.
“I’m the first person in history to walk into the Baftas with a lager in my champagne glass.”
And if you don’t already know Dave, you soon will.
My insiders tell me he is nailed on for Strictly this autumn, after he was forced to pull out of last year’s show because of charity commitments, including the endless free talks he gives in schools to help inspire the next generation.
On top of this, he has spent years on the hit list for I’m A Celebrity and other primetime shows.
“I was offered Dragons’ Den three times but it just wasn’t for me,” Dave explains. “And the BBC came to me about Top Gear but ended up going to Chris Evans.
“I wanted to focus on my shows and what was important to me, and that is helping people.”
His first Netflix film, which went straight to No1, and the follow-up are both biographical, and chart how Dave — played by Rory Kinnear — has helped people financially.
He left school with no qualifications and was, as he puts it, “p*** poor” growing up.
Despite not having a gilded start in life, Dave was a born entrepreneur and began buying cars to do up and sell on — which has led to him now running multiple multi-million-pound businesses in both the UK and US.
His entrepreneurial spirit also saw him creating the UK’s first high street bank in 120 years, Burnley Savings and Loans — aka Bank Of Dave — which was the premise of the first movie.
To date, the bank has lent more than £27million to people in the UK.
Dave says: “I know what it’s like to be so poor there is no food on the table.
“When you know what it’s like to have that life, and then to have money, you use that knowledge to help as many other people as people. Especially up North.”
The Loan Ranger focuses on Dave’s real-life fight to help close down payday loan company Wonga.
In the film, Dave is seen recruiting an American journalist and a local Citizens Advice counsellor to try to bring down the industry of cruel, corporate sharks after he learns about them ripping off locals.
Dave says: “Piers Ashworth, the scriptwriter for Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible got involved and I am so proud of the final edit.
“I play three parts. One is an American/Italian baddie. I was proper Don Corleone.”
After seeing the film earlier this week, I can promise it is a must-watch.
It will make you cry, laugh and become incredibly angry when you see people being ripped off.
As we part, Dave imparts some wisdom and tells me: “If we can get to kids early enough we can make a difference.
“A lot of people feel like if they don’t get qualifications they’re left behind. But there is another way.
“Hard work will put you where luck will find you.”
Madge a geisha goddess
MADONNA dresses up as a geisha as she follows her own advice and takes a Holiday.
The singer posed in a lavender kimono and wore bright red lipstick alongside another woman in traditional dress while enjoying some downtime in Japan.
She wrote on Instagram: “Thank you, Japan, for the most magical and inspiring experience with the ones I love! A beautiful way to start the new year!”
She flew there with her whole family and her Jamaican ex-footballer boyfriend Akeem Morris – and sparked rumours he had popped the question by showing off a diamond ring, although I’m informed that she’s not engaged.
Given she said she admitted regretting her two marriages, that might be for the best.
NEW releases dried up in December but Ellie Goulding is getting this year off to a belting start with her new tune Hypnotized.
Out today, it is a collaboration with US DJ Anyma, who she recently joined him for his residency at The Sphere in Las Vegas where they performed it live for the first time, right.
Jade Thirlwall is also back with her confident tune It Girl, while The Beatles legend Ringo Starr drops his album Look Up today.
LILY ALLEN has revealed she is taking a break for her mental health following her split from husband David Harbour.
The singer has admitted she has been “spiralling” for months and is now taking a break from Miss Me, her podcast with Miquita Oliver, in order to recover.
Speaking to listeners, she said: “I’m finding it hard to be interested in anything.
“I’ve been spiraling and spiraling and it’s got out of control.
“I’m going away next week. You’re not going to hear me for a few weeks.
“I do want to reassure people that I’m going to drug rehab. I’ve not relapsed.”
Lily, who wed David in 2020 but split before Christmas, went on to say she will be uncontactable during her break.
She added: “I really don’t like my phone. This is the one thing I’m excited about where I’m going the next few weeks is I’m not allowed my phone.”
IT’S MUSIC EDUCATION
DESPITE his enormous fame and fortune, Ed Sheeran has not forgotten where he came from.
Yesterday, the Shape Of You singer launched the Ed Sheeran Foundation – a nationwide initiative aimed at providing inclusive, high-quality music education in schools across the country.
“Music education shaped who I am,” Ed told me in an exclusive catch-up.
“I went to Thomas Mills High School, a state school, and it had a brilliant music teacher called Mr Hanley who would say ‘If you are interested in music, I’m going to encourage your interests.’
“I had the confidence to feel that I could write a song and go and perform it on stage because of him.”
Ed continues: “I launched the foundation because he told me about the terrible state that state school education was in and that his music department was chronically underfunded.
“There are also organisations that do out-of-school music clubs that are getting shut down.
“The music industry contributes £7.6billion to the UK economy, but we risk losing our UK talent.
“There’s an opportunity for this government to make a real difference and action real change in music education.”
Upon its launch, Ed’s foundation has already helped support 18 grassroots music organisations and state-school music departments – which has directly helped 12,000 children and young people.
As well as improving access to instruments, Ed’s Foundation has helped create performance opportunities and opened pathways into the music industry.
In Coventry, the foundation is partnering with Coventry Alternative Provision Academy and Coventry Music on creating a studio space.
The academy’s headteacher Glenn Mellor praised Ed, saying: “Music is so important for our young people.
“Having this studio reaches them in a way that will inspire them to believe they can go further with their ambitions and future careers.”
It’s only going to get bigger and better from here.
Bravo, Ed. We’re right behind you.
GRIMMY’S MORNING GLORY
HAVING quit the Radio 1 Breakfast Show seven years ago to finally get a lie-in, it’s time for Nick Grimshaw to dig out his alarm clock again.
He has been announced as the new host of the BBC’s 6 Music Breakfast Show, replacing Lauren Laverne, who is moving to mid-mornings.
It comes after he stood in for her last year as she took a break while battling cancer.
Lauren said: “I had a really tough 2024 and worried at times that I wouldn’t be able to return to the station I love so much.
“It has been a huge honour to host the Breakfast Show for six wonderful years, but it is time to pass the baton on, and to set my alarm later.”
Nick added: “6 Music is a precious place, I’m honoured to be asked to work there and can’t wait to continue supplying the best new music from the world’s most interesting artists.”
‘With great power comes great responsibility’ – Rory Gallagher threatens Jarlath Burns with legal action over Naas email
RORY GALLAGHER has threatened legal action against GAA president Jarlath Burns if he fails to retract his comments in an email sent to Naas GAA.
Burns contacted the Kildare club on Sunday to air his concerns over Gallagher’s proposed appointment as a coach in the wake of domestic abuse allegations from his estranged wife, Nicola in 2023.
Gallagher subsequently stood down as Derry manager in the wake of the claims, and categorically denies the allegations.
No charges have ever been brought against him and a PSNI investigation has been concluded and a decision was made not to prosecute.
And he has hit back at the Armagh man’s intervention which saw Naas ditch their decision to recruit him as a coach.
The GAA president warned the club of the wider implications of appointing Gallagher to Joe Murphy’s backroom team for the upcoming season.
Burns also referenced the GAA’s “game changer” project, which was launched last November in conjunction with the LGFA and Camogie Associations and aims to raise awareness around domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
Ulster council chiefs temporarily barred Gallagher from all GAA activity in 2023, but the Belleek native successfully appealed the decision to the Disputed Resolution Authority, which saw him return to coaching with the Corduff club in Monaghan last year.
And Gallagher declared in a statement that he will instigate legal proceedings if Burns does not withdraw his correspondence with the Kildare champions.
He said: “With great power comes great responsibility. Mr Burns’ actions are premised on a misguided and self-serving compulsion to share his concern.
“Regrettably, whilst this is the first time Mr Burns’ actions have been made public, this is not the first time that I have been informed that he has taken matters into his own hands with respect to me and my family life.
“By Mr Burns’ own admission, his motivation is the “controversy” surrounding my “personal life” that “has created division”.
“These words should be a matter of concern to not just me and my family, but to every GAA member. It seems that social media commentary and controversy now equates to a licence for presidential intervention.
“Most importantly I engaged with the GAA’s own procedures which set aside my disbarment.
“Despite having engaged with due process and procedure, it seems clear that the president has now opted to take matters into his own hands.
“Such action is not only without precedent, it seeks to enter into an authoritarian world where due process and procedure count for nothing.
“I await with interest to see if Mr Burns takes such direct personal action against others who find their private life the subject of social media commentary and hyperbole.
“The chilling effect of these actions cannot be greater. Mr Burns’ actions not only undermine the very principles of fairness and equality to which the GAA is premised, but it sends a clear message that such dictatorial action can and will be taken, when the president sees fit.
“I have never asked for sympathy or support. I do, however, ask that this action is formally withdrawn and the contents of the correspondence is retracted. The president should lead by example and accept when he has overstepped the mark.
“Absent such a retraction, I will have no other alternative but to take legal action to cure the irreparable damage done to me and my family in my ability to continue to work as a manager in the years ahead.”
It remains to be seen if Burns will retract his comments, and a GAA statement issued in response said: “The GAA acknowledges receipt of queries that have been put to us from media organisations in relation to coaching positions with the Naas senior football team. We have no comment to make at this time.”
Coronation Street bosses facing revolt as stars complain they’re ‘worked like dogs’ and panic about being axed
CORONATION Street bosses are facing a stars’ revolt amid a storm of shock exits.
Insiders told The Sun Weatherfield is uneasy, with mid-ranking actors and younger stars fearing they face the chop in a bid to save costs.
A source said: “There’s a WhatsApp group which has been pinging with messages about concerns of where the axe will fall next.
“It’s a tough time on the soap and it’s filtering down.
“There is a feeling more people will be cut to save money and to keep the best paid stars like Bill Roache and Jack P Shepherd on board.”
William Roache, 92, has played Ken Barlow since 1960.
Jack, 36, joined in 2000 as David Platt.
Insiders also said some of the cast had moaned about the long hours, with some threatening to jump ship.
The source added: “Filming is tough.
“One person moaned they were ‘worked like dogs’.
“With the grip on the purse being tightened by ITV, it’s not fun.
“The days of bumper pay are gone.
“Coronation Street used to be jewel in ITV’s crown.
“Now there’s a despondent feeling among actors.”
Charlotte Jordan, who played Rovers barmaid Daisy Midgeley, became the fifth star to leave Corrie in just weeks on Tuesday.
Colson Smith (Craig Tinker), Sue Cleaver (Eileen Grimshaw), Luca Toolan, (Mason Radcliffe) and Sue Devaney (Debbie Webster) have all left the show.
Corrie legend Helen Worth, 74, who played Gail Platt, also had her final scenes on Christmas Day after 50 years on the soap.
Insiders said rising costs and falling advertising revenue has piled on pressure.
Cobbles boss Kate Brooks warned last month she is set to axe characters including “some unexpected ones that will send shockwaves”.
La Rochelle suffer further blow as SECOND player banned from Champions Cup clash against Leinster
RONAN O’Gara and La Rochelle have been dealt a second blow ahead of their Champions Cup clash against Leinster.
The French outfit will be without Tolu Latu for their fixture against Leo Cullen’s side this Sunday.
The former Australian international hooker was handed a three-match suspension following an incident in the club’s French Top 14 win over Toulouse last weekend.
The 31-year-old was initially shown a yellow card for a dangerous ruck clear-out that left Toulouse’s 19-year-old scrumhalf Simon Daroque injured.
Latu, who has started eight of La Rochelle’s 13 matches this season, has a history of poor discipline, including multiple red cards, one of which occurred while playing for Stade Français against Connacht.
The Tongan-born hooker earned 21 caps for the Wallabies during his international career from 2016 to 2021.
News of the hooker’s ban will come as more concern for their Irish boss Ronan O’Gara.
It’s the second player from the 2023 Champions Cup winners that will miss the game due to suspension.
Teddy Thomas was banned for this week’s European clash in France earlier this week.
The 31-year-old France international was further punished after a yellow-carded for a challenge on Clermont’s Theo Giral.
A review committee cited the incident, and the player received a four game ban.
Both Thomas will be missing for the Pool 2 rematch against Leo Cullen’s side next Sunday, who beat La Rochelle twice last season.
The teams have a lengthy history, with the French outfit beating Leinster in the 2022 and 2023 Champions Cup final.
Meanwhile, it’s good news for the four-time European Cup winners Leinster ahead of the clash against their rivals.
Hugo Keenan, Ciarán Frawley and Jack Conan are all available for selection.
Full-back Hugo Keenan is set to make his return to action for Leinster in Sunday’s clash for the first time since Ireland’s November victory over Australia.
Keenan sustained a wrist injury during the 22-19 win over the Wallabies at the Aviva Stadium.
Leinster also confirmed the availability of Jack Conan, Ciarán Frawley, Thomas Clarkson, and Max Deegan.
Conan returns after an injury suffered against Connacht just before Christmas.
Frawley has recovered from a back issue sustained in the game against Bristol Bears.
Clarkson is fit again following an arm injury picked up in the win over Clermont, and Deegan has completed the graduated return-to-play protocols.
Kick-off is on Sunday at 3:15pm.
Wycombe and Portsmouth fans can watch their moved FA Cup clash in Kyrgyzstan or Papua New Guinea… but NOT in UK
THIRD ROUND weekend is upon us, with a seemingly endless list of FA Cup ties kicking off at different times over a five-day spell.
Starting with Thursday’s tie between Sheffield United and Cardiff City at Bramall Lane, there are some FOURTEEN different kick-off times.
While the BBC and ITV have a host of games between them, including glamour ties like Liverpool vs Accrington and Tamworth vs Tottenham, other matches were moved after being picked for overseas TV.
Among the slightly less glamorous ties moved are Wycombe Wanderers vs Portsmouth on Friday night and Birmingham vs Lincoln on Saturday lunchtime.
Yet, despite being moved, many of these ties are NOT available to watch in the UK.
When League One Wycombe host Championship rivals Pompey on Friday, overseas fans in SEVENTY FOUR countries will be able to tune in.
Supporters in Kyrgyzstan can tune in for the 7:45pm kick off at nearly 2am local time time should they so wish – nothing screams finishing your Friday night out with an afterparty watching the FA Cup.
Likewise, any avid Pompey fans in Papua New Guinea can sit down and watch the game if they like – though it would mean a very early 5:45am start.
The decision to move many of these fixtures has been controversial with home and away fans alike, particularly ahead of Everton vs Peterborough on Thursday night.
The final third round tie at Goodison Park is available on BBC iPlayer and the Red Button, but the decision went down like a lead balloon with much of the Posh fanbase, who face a 300-mile round trip in icy conditions on a school night.
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When TV selections were confirmed, the League One club urged the FA to rethink the decision, saying: “There are no viable trains from Liverpool to Peterborough scheduled on the evening of the match meaning supporters must travel by car or coach.
“Supporters will be required to take two days off work to attend this incredibly important fixture and our younger fans will not be able to attend due to school commitments.
“We have never played a competitive game at Goodison Park and interest in the game is very high.
“An expected reduced home attendance would reduce the potential revenue for both Peterborough United and Everton.”
Ultimately, the match is a sell out, with both home and away fans coming out in their thousands for what looks set to be a strange night on Merseyside.
The Toffees sacked Sean Dyche earlier today, with Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman set to take charge, and David Moyes among the contenders to land the vacant job.
Top Gear star Richard Hammond announces split from wife of 23 years after she ‘wanted him gone’ and demanded divorce
RICHARD Hammond and Amanda “Mindy” have announced they are separating after an “amazing 28 years together”. The Sun has learned ...
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