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The Smiths Bass Guitarist Andy Rourke, Dead At 59

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LONDON, England – Andy Rourke, bass guitarist for The Smiths, one of the most prominent British bands of the 1980s, died Friday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, according to former bandmate Johnny Marr. He was 59.

In a lengthy Instagram post, guitarist and songwriter Marr paid respect to Rourke, whom he first met as a youngster in 1975.

“Throughout our teens, x, and it was on those Smiths records that Andy reinvented what it is to be a bass guitar player,” Marr explained.

During their brief tenure as a four-piece band, The Smiths purposefully avoided the mainstream of popular music, establishing a cult following on the indie music scene.

Though much of the focus was on Marr’s songwriting connection with frontman Steven Patrick Morrissey, better known as Morrissey, the sound of The Smiths was heavily influenced by Rourke’s bass and his rhythm section partner, drummer Mike Joyce.

As their fame grew, the band recorded some of the most memorable British songs of the 1980s, including “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now” and “Girlfriend In A Coma.”

the smiths

The Smiths purposefully avoided the mainstream of popular music, establishing a cult following on the indie music scene.

The Smiths’ songs were thought to be melancholy, yet they were darkly hilarious and accompanied by rousing and uplifting guitars. Their albums, including “The Queen is Dead” and “Meat is Murder,” are still required listening for every self-respecting music listener, and they are at the vanguard of the vinyl record revival.

“I was present at every single one of Andy’s bass takes on every Smiths session,” Marr explained. “Sometimes I was the producer, and other times I was his proud mate and cheerleader.” Watching him play such amazing baselines was a true honor and something to behold.”

Marr claimed he and Rourke kept in touch after the band broke up, recalling that Rourke played in his band at Madison Square Garden as recently as September 2022.

“It was a special moment that we shared with my family, as well as his wife and soul mate Francesca,” Marr said. “Everyone who knew Andy will remember him as a kind and beautiful soul, and people who love music will remember him as a supremely gifted musician.” Andy, congratulations. We’ll miss you, dude.”

Following The Smiths, Rourke worked with The Pretenders and Sinead O’Connor, the Stone Roses’ Gary Mounfield and New Order’s Peter Hook in the supergroup Freebass.

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SOURCE – (AP)

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Gypsy Rose Talks Parenting Plans After Announcing Pregnancy

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Gypsy Rose Blanchard
Gypsy Rose earlier told Us Weekly that she hoped to become a mother when the time was right.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard and her boyfriend, Ken Urker, are preparing for the birth of their first child. Gipsy Rose stated, “We’re going to accomplish this together. Blanchard, who revealed her pregnancy on YouTube this week.

“He’s going to have to stay at my parents’ house for a couple of days and vice versa,” Blanchard said of Urker. “But I can’t move in with him or buy a house until I come off parole. So we’ll have to work around the schedule.”

Blanchard was released from prison on parole in December 2023 — she was sentenced to 10 years in prison for the murder of her mother, Claudine “Dee Dee” Blanchard, who allegedly mistreated her throughout her childhood — and has been living in her father, Rod’s and stepmother Kristy’s home in Louisiana.

Gypsy Rose’s parole expires in 11 months, after which she and Urker intend to move into their new home.

Gypsy Rose is due in January 2025, which means she and Urker will have to commute between their parent’s homes for the first six months of their baby’s life.

Gypsy Rose takes Parenting Seriously.

Until then, Gypsy Gipsy is focussing on her own and her baby’s health. (She discovered the sex through a blood test but has yet to share the information publicly.)

“I’m making sure I’m taking my prenatal vitamins, and with the mood swings and the symptoms, I just haven’t even had any extra time to even communicate with anyone,” Gypsy told reporters.

“I’ve been quite busy. It was equally difficult to maintain silence about this. I wanted to reveal it on my terms and in a specific manner, but keeping this secret for so long was concerning.

I didn’t want it leaked. It would have taken away the excitement of disclosing it to my friends, family, and, eventually, the public.”

She continued, “I believe every parent wonders if they are ready. I am currently in therapy for my sanity and mental well-being, and I have ticked all of the boxes to ensure that I am stable. All I can say is that I have a solid support system, and Ken and I are doing quite well.”

Gypsy Rose earlier told Us Weekly that she hoped to become a mother when the time was right.

“I think that I’m going to be a good mother,” she told Us exclusively in May. “I think Ken would be a wonderful father, and so we’ll see what the future holds for us.”

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Young Sheldon Cast: Where Are They Now?

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Young Sheldon Cast

“Young Sheldon,” the beloved spin-off of “The Big Bang Theory,” wrapped up its run in 2024, leaving fans curious about what its talented cast is up to now. This show chronicled Sheldon Cooper’s quirky childhood and introduced us to a cast of memorable characters portrayed by a talented ensemble. Let’s dive into what the “Young Sheldon” cast is doing today.

Iain Armitage (Sheldon Cooper)

Iain Armitage brought young Sheldon Cooper to life with incredible charm and precision. Starting in the role at nine years old, Armitage quickly became a household name. Now, at 16 years old, Iain continues to thrive. Recently, he’s explored theatre, attending performances like Jim Parsons’ play and sharing the stage with other talented actors.

His social media presence reveals his passion for acting and hobbies like music and nature. With a bright future ahead, fans eagerly await his next project.

Zoe Perry (Mary Cooper)

Zoe Perry, daughter of actor Laurie Metcalf (who played Mary Cooper in “The Big Bang Theory”), portrayed Sheldon’s devout and caring mother. Perry is exploring other acting opportunities after playing Mary Cooper for seven seasons.

While she hasn’t announced her next major role yet, Perry remains active in Hollywood. Her commanding performances suggest she’ll continue to book compelling roles that showcase her talent.

Lance Barber (George Cooper Sr.)

Lance Barber’s depiction of George Cooper Sr. was humorous and emotional, providing depth to Sheldon’s father’s complex character. Since the series finale, Barber has spent time with his family while scouting for new roles. Known for his versatility, fans expect him to appear in other TV dramas or comedies soon.

Raegan Revord (Missy Cooper)

Raegan Revord stole hearts as Missy Cooper, Sheldon’s spunky twin sister. Now 16 years old, she continues to make waves. Revord has hinted at future roles in TV and film, picking dynamic, fun characters.

Offscreen, she’s focused on her education and personal growth, balancing her teenage life with her acting career. Her charismatic performances make her a young actress to watch.

Montana Jordan (Georgie Cooper)

Montana Jordan matures alongside his character, Georgie, evolving from a rebellious teen to a young man with responsibilities. Post “Young Sheldon,” Montana aims for more significant roles in film and television. His Southern charm and comedic timing make him an exceptional talent in the entertainment industry.

He’s also active on social media, sharing snippets from his personal life and career updates.

Annie Potts (Meemaw)

Annie Potts brought warmth and humour to the role of Meemaw, Sheldon’s fiery grandmother. Potts, already an accomplished actress before “Young Sheldon,” continues to act in various projects. Known for her roles in classics like “Ghostbusters” and “Designing Women,” fans can’t get enough.

Outside acting, she often supports charities and engages in community work.

Emily Osment (Mandy McAllister)

Joining the show as Mandy, Emily Osment brought a fresh dynamic to the show’s final season. Many know her from “Hannah Montana” and “The Kominsky Method.” Since “Young Sheldon,” Osment has been busy. She’s reportedly filming upcoming projects and continues to engage with fans on social media, giving updates on her life and musings.

Matt Hobby (Pastor Jeff)

Matt Hobby’s portrayal of Pastor Jeff added humour and awkward charm to “Young Sheldon.” Post-show, he’s appeared in guest roles in other TV comedies. Matt brings quirky, relatable humour to every project he touches, and fans enjoy spotting him in both leading and supporting roles.

Wyatt McClure (Billy Sparks).

Who could forget Billy Sparks, Sheldon’s neighbourhood “frenemy”? Wyatt McClure, who played Billy, continues to act and grow in his career. At a young age, he continued to be involved in acting while balancing school. Fans hope to see more of McClure as he matures in the industry.

Jim Parsons (Narrator and Executive Producer)

While not part of the on-screen cast, Jim Parsons played a pivotal role as the narrator and executive producer of “Young Sheldon.” His voice tied the spin-off to “The Big Bang Theory” while providing insights into Sheldon’s thoughts.

Parsons has stayed busy with various projects, both acting and producing. His performances in theatres and feature films remind fans why he’s a Hollywood favourite.

Conclusion

The “Young Sheldon” cast has grown tremendously since the show aired in 2017. From theatre ventures to exciting upcoming roles, each actor builds their career while cementing the show’s legacy. As fans, we can’t wait to see where their journeys take them next. Keep an eye on these talented stars—they’re just getting started!

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Gregg Wallace Sidelined From Masterchef Over Sexual Misconduct

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Gregg Wallace Sidelined From Masterchef
Gregg Wallace allegedly used sexualised language and ‘people were uncomfortable

Gregg Wallace, a familiar face on BBC MasterChef, has found himself in hot water over allegations of inappropriate sexual comments. The TV host has left the program under claims of improper behaviour spanning 17 years.

The debate started when several claims of Wallace making improper sexual remarks to colleagues arose. Reports state that the claims cover 17 years and involve 13 people working on different shows he has directed.

According to Masterchef’s production firm Banijay UK, Wallace is co-operatively investigating the situation.

The charges have rocked fans of BBC MasterChef, who are accustomed to Wallace’s direct and impassioned on-screen attitude. Some defend him, while others consider this as still another instance of entertainment industry responsibility.

Social media has been abuzz with the accusations against Wallace. Opinions are divided; some support the host by saying cancel culture has gone too far, while others contend that major accusations require a response.

Greg Wallace Thanks Fans

Wallace thanked his fans on social media while still claiming innocence. However, as public personalities are all too well known, words cannot frequently change public opinion in the court of public opinion.

Gregg Wallace has been a mainstay on BBC MasterChef for years, providing co-host John Torode with vitality and charm.

His departure left a clear void. Series buffs wonder how the show will change without him.

The BBC itself struggles as well. Allegations connected to one of its well-known actors provide a negative picture of the network, particularly because the entertainment business is increasingly scrutinized for how it manages charges of misbehaviour.

After learning of the claims, BBC News—editorially autonomous from the larger company—started investigating Wallace in the summer. We have heard claims spanning five programs from 2005 to 2022.

A few employees have had more favourable interactions with Wallace.

One former employee of Inside the Factory told us he frequently cracked “bad jokes,” but it never went beyond that.

One former MasterChef employee stated nothing during her stay there seemed alarming. Another said she understood why some people would have felt uneasy, but his remarks lacked malice.

The circumstances between Gregg Wallace and BBC MasterChef show how even the entertainment business struggles with claims of misbehaviour. Wallace’s future rests in flux, but the larger debate about public personalities and responsibility continues.

One thing is certain: the era of unaccountability in entertainment is over, and even long-standing performers like Gregg Wallace are not exempt. Fans of the program will have to wait to see how this narrative evolves.

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