Connect with us

Oxford News

Liza Tarbuck quits Radio 2 show in ‘devastating’ move

Published

on



The broadcaster, who has hosted the much-loved 6pm to 8pm slot since 2012, called her time on air “the stuff of dreams” in a message to fans.

She wrote on Instagram: “We made 2 hrs of radio feel like a private members club, that’s the stuff of dreams.

“Thousands of people enjoyed each other’s company like great friends… Thank you for letting me in, it’s been a privilege.”

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, praised Tarbuck’s contribution to the station.

Ms Thomas said: “Every Saturday evening, Liza created a truly magical, fantastical world.

“She was beloved by everyone at the station and all her listeners, and the door at Radio 2 will always be open for her.

“Liza will be hugely missed and we wish her the very best of luck for the future.”

Shaun Keaveny, who will take over the slot until the end of March, also paid tribute.

Mr Keaveny wrote: “Liza, you stand among the greats.

“You’re my hero shoulder to shoulder with Terry, Steve, all that lot.

“You did it best.”

Rylan Clark, who hosts the Saturday afternoon show on Radio 2, shared a heartfelt message.

He wrote: “I’m gonna miss you so much. Genuinely,”

“I’m so lucky to have worked with you for so long.

“Thank you for making me cackle on and off air.

“I love you.”

Listeners took to social media to express their heartbreak at the news, with one saying: “Whaaaaaat! Nooooooo! Liza was our Saturday evening and we’ve been missing her so much.”

Another added: “Liza Tarbuck is unique on the radio. Am truly devastated but wish her all the best.”

While a third said: “Devastating. It was the best two hours of radio ever. A black cloud is over me.”

BBC Licence Fee to increase next month

The cost of a TV licence is set to rise again next month.

From April, the annual fee will increase by £5.50 to £180, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) confirmed earlier this year.

This rise, which comes in line with inflation, is part of the 2022 Licence Fee Settlement and will also apply to future increases, with the fee set to rise again in line with CPI inflation in April 2027.



A DCMS statement said: “The Government recognises the financial pressures on households and is committed to ensuring the BBC’s funding model is sustainable, fair and affordable.

“The Government has committed to the licence fee for the remainder of this charter period.

“To support the public with the cost of the TV licence, we will also continue to support the simple payment plan to spread payments through smaller instalments.

“Free licences remain available for over-75s on pension credit, with reduced fees for care home residents and blind individuals.”

The TV licence, the main funding source for the BBC, is legally required to watch or record live television in the UK and to use BBC iPlayer.

The cost of a black and white TV licence will also rise from £58.50 to £60.50 for 2026/27.





Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Oxford News

All the Oxfordshire locations used as TV and film sets

Published

on


We’ve made a gallery of pictures showing all the Oxfordshire spots which have been used for TV and film sets over the years.

Some of the biggest productions filmed here in Oxfordshire include Spectre in the James Bond franchise, which transformed Blenheim Palace in Woodstock into the Palazzo Cardenza in Rome.

Blenheim Palace featured as a key movie set for the James Bond film, Spectre, when it was dressed up as the Palazzo Cardenza in Rome, 2015 (Image: Andrew Walmsley)

READ MORE: Abandoned Oxfordshire home used as drugs den shut down

Many period dramas were also created in the county, like the BBC adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall, which was partly filmed at Chastleton House in the Cotswolds.

Cotswolds villages have been repeatedly transformed and used as filming locations for their historical appeal, like the villages of Brill, Broadwell and Castle Combe.

Find all the pictures in this archive gallery of historic Oxfordshire filming locations here.





Source link

Continue Reading

Oxford News

Aureus School girls were inspired by Navy’s women’s day

Published

on



Three Year 10 pupils from Aureus School in Didcot travelled to London for the Royal Navy International Women’s Day event, held on HMS President during Careers Week and designed to showcase opportunities within the Royal Navy and beyond.

Students Antonia Pop, Ellie Swan and Tilly Mulvey are all taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme.

Ellie Swan said: “It was fantastic to see the possible career paths within the Navy.”

Rob Hayden, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award manager at Aureus School, accompanied the students to the event.

He said: “During the day, students had talks from individuals within the Navy and from guest speakers, including Hannah Botterman, who last year won both the Rugby World Cup and the Six Nations with England.”

He said: “Students also had the chance to network with the speakers and other attendees.

“The event showed the students a wide range of inspirational females within the Navy and other careers.”

Aureus School, part of the GLF Schools multi-academy trust, says its vision is focused on ‘cultivating ambition’ and ‘high standards for all’.

Headteacher Kirsty Rogers says the Didcot-based co-educational comprehensive has undergone a ‘transformative journey’, creating a community where students feel a strong sense of belonging. She emphasises inclusivity, high expectations, and a broad curriculum that encourages ambition, resilience and respect, supported by dedicated staff and diverse extra-curricular opportunities.





Source link

Continue Reading

Oxford News

Ryanair launches two new routes in significant move

Published

on



The flights mark a major boost to the airport’s connectivity ahead of the budget airline’s record Summer 2026 schedule.

The new routes form part of Ryanair’s expanded Glasgow programme for Summer 2026, which will see the airline operate over 100 weekly flights across eight routes.

The new double-daily London Stansted service further strengthens Glasgow’s access to the English capital, while the launch of the Warsaw service enhances Glasgow’s international offering.

Jonathan Ford, portfolio manager at AGS Airports, said: “It’s fantastic to see Ryanair’s new services to London Stansted and Warsaw take off today.

“The double-daily Stansted route offers even more flexibility for business and leisure travellers heading to and from England’s innovation corridor, while Warsaw provides a valuable new link that expands the international connectivity available to our passengers.

“These launches mark the start of what will be a record summer for Ryanair at Glasgow, and we look forward to welcoming even more travellers through our doors.”

Last month, Ryanair launched its 2026 plan for Glasgow with 10 routes, including holiday hotspots like Lanzarote, Palma de Mallorca, and Tenerife, as well as city break destinations like Barcelona and Pisa.

The budget airline will also operate extra frequencies on its Alicante, Faro, Pisa, Malaga and Murcia routes.

The new schedule is underpinned by Ryanair’s two Glasgow Prestwick-based aircraft.





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending