Entertainment And Arts
Ryan Reynolds’ Children Tired of Hearing About Wrexham
Actor Ryan Reynolds, known for his role in Deadpool, frequently encounters fans on the street who want to discuss his acquisition of the football club.
Ryan Reynolds, star of the Deadpool franchise, has revealed that his children often become exasperated when he is approached by fans on the street who want to discuss Wrexham, the football club he co-owns.
The actor has admitted that he always makes time for fans who want to talk about the club, a habit that tends to annoy his three daughters and son, who often have to wait while he chats with supporters.
In February 2021, Reynolds partnered with Rob Mac, star of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, to purchase Wrexham, the world's third-oldest professional football club, marking a new chapter in the club's history.
In a recent interview with The New York Times' Athletic, the co-owners acknowledged that, even after five years, they still do not fully comprehend the sport, but Reynolds affirmed his commitment to the club, stating that he is now "a Wrexham lifer".
Prior to the involvement of Reynolds and Mac, Wrexham AFC was facing significant challenges, having been relegated from the Football League in 2008.
In 2011, the club was taken over by its supporters in a bid to prevent it from going out of business, a move that ultimately helped to secure its future.
Since Reynolds and Mac acquired the club, now valued at £350m, Wrexham has achieved three consecutive promotions, elevating the team to the Championship.
Mac has credited the Sunderland FC Netflix documentary 'Til I Die as the inspiration behind his decision to purchase a football club, sparking his interest in the sport.
Mac recalled being drawn to the community of Wrexham, stating that the people reminded him of those he grew up with, creating a sense of connection to the town and its residents.
The faces of the people in Wrexham, Mac noted, were familiar, evoking a sense of nostalgia and shared experience that resonated with him.
At the time, Reynolds and Mac had not met in person, their only interaction being an Instagram message from Reynolds praising Mac's work on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Mac reached out to Reynolds via email, sending a lengthy message that would eventually lead to their partnership, as the club's takeover required significant financial investment, which Reynolds could provide.
The email proved persuasive, capturing Reynolds' attention and sparking his interest in the project, which would ultimately lead to their collaboration.
After joining forces, the pair began searching for a club to invest in, and their journey was documented in the Disney+ docuseries Welcome to Wrexham, which earned 10 Emmy awards.
Reynolds' children have grown accustomed to their father's fame, but they become frustrated when he is stopped on the street by people who want to discuss Wrexham, rather than his acting career.
Reynolds noted that conversations about Deadpool tend to be brief, lasting only a few seconds, whereas discussions about Wrexham can be more in-depth, causing his children to become impatient.
When someone approaches him to talk about Wrexham, Reynolds often engages in a lengthy conversation, much to the dismay of his children, who are left waiting.
Under the guidance of manager Phil Parkinson, the team is now focused on achieving its first-ever promotion to the Premier League.
Reynolds confessed that he has become deeply invested in the team's success, stating that he is "inconsolable" when Wrexham loses, demonstrating the depth of his emotional connection to the club.
Reynolds acknowledged that he has never been as invested in a team's winning and losing before, highlighting the significant impact that Wrexham has had on his life.
Mac outlined the pair's plans for the club's future, including the completion of the Kop stand at The Racecourse ground, which would increase the stadium's capacity.
In addition to their goals for the club, Reynolds and Mac hope to establish a program focused on arts and entrepreneurship at the local Glyndwr university, aiming to attract more students to the area.
Mac explained that their vision is to create a sustainable model that combines arts and business, drawing people to Wrexham and encouraging them to stay and contribute to the local community.
Mac expressed his desire to see the team win the Premier League and the Champions League, but emphasized that the club's success must be accompanied by the town's prosperity, as the two are inextricably linked.
Mac stated that if Wrexham as a town is unsuccessful, despite the club's achievements, then they will have failed in their mission to make a positive impact on the community.
Reynolds views the club as the heart of the community, serving as a central gathering place that brings people together, much like a community center or church.
Reynolds believes that the club performs a vital function in the community, fostering a sense of unity and shared identity among its members.
Entertainment And Arts
Spielberg Contributes $25,000 to Van Der Beek’s $2 Million Crowdfunding Campaign
The relatives of the deceased actor, known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, have expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the $2m fund.
A donation of $25,000 (£21,000) has been made by film director Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, to a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $2m (£1.6m) for the family of late actor James Van Der Beek.
Van Der Beek, who passed away at the age of 48, is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children, and the crowdfunding effort to support his family has now exceeded its initial target of $2m.
Other notable donors include Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldana, who contributed $2,500 (£2,108), and director Jon M Chu, who gave $10,000 (£8,432) to the cause.
A statement from the organizers of the fundraiser, Friends of the Van Der Beek family, expressed gratitude to all contributors, stating that their support is deeply appreciated.
The statement highlighted the significance of the donations, saying that the kindness shown by contributors is beyond words.
It also noted that the outpouring of support has been a source of comfort during a difficult time, serving as a reminder of the power of love, community, and the enduring legacy of James Van Der Beek.
Van Der Beek was perhaps best known for his starring role in the popular US teen drama series Dawson's Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003, although he remained associated with the show until 2023.
Although Van Der Beek and Spielberg never collaborated on a project, the late actor's character in Dawson's Creek was a fan of Spielberg's work, with posters of films like ET and Schindler's List featured in his bedroom.
At a Dawson's Creek cast reunion event last year, Spielberg paid tribute to Van Der Beek by sending a video message.
In the message, Spielberg said, "Dawson, you made it," and jokingly added that he hoped to one day have a room like Dawson's, filled with memorabilia from his films.
Van Der Beek passed away on Wednesday after a battle with bowel cancer.
He had been dealing with the diagnosis since August 2023 and publicly disclosed his condition in November 2024.
The GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the family with medical expenses, which had depleted their funds.
The statement from the organizers concluded by saying that the family is currently taking time to grieve and be together, and thanked everyone for their compassionate and generous support in honoring James Van Der Beek's life.
Entertainment And Arts
Bookstore Seeks to Revitalize Romance Genre
In Leamington, a bookstore caters specifically to adults, offering a selection of literature that focuses on the genres of dark romance and romantasy with mature themes.
This weekend, a bookstore claiming to be Europe's largest specialty store for adult romance novels is set to open its doors.
With over 2,500 titles in stock, The Spicy Librarian in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, aims to shine a light on various romance sub-genres, providing a welcoming space for book enthusiasts to unwind.
The bookstore's founder, who prefers to remain anonymous, cited her lifelong passion for reading, which began at the age of 14, and her experiences shopping at independent stores in the US as the inspiration behind the venture.
Recounting her visit to an independent romance shop in the US, the founder said, "I spent an hour browsing and left with seven new books, having also made a new friend – it was a truly memorable experience."
The Spicy Librarian has planned a range of events, including monthly book clubs, community nights, and a subscription service featuring works by independent authors.
According to the founder, her goal is to create a sense of familiarity and comfort for customers, making them feel like they've been to the store many times before, even on their first visit.
Ali Maynard-James, a member of the store's team, highlighted the unique nature of their offerings, which differ from traditional romance novels, focusing instead on the "spicy romantasy" and "dark romance" sub-genres.
Maynard-James noted that the characters in these stories are empowered, driving the narrative forward, making their own decisions, and navigating complex worlds, setting them apart from traditional romance protagonists.
She added that readers can relate to the female characters in these stories because they are multidimensional and flawed, reflecting the complexities of real-life individuals.
Indie author J Rose expressed her gratitude for having her work featured in the store, acknowledging that independent authors often lack the recognition afforded to traditionally published writers.
Rose described the experience of having her books in the store as "incredibly fulfilling," knowing that readers are engaging with her work, which she considers pieces of herself.
Rose emphasized the importance of independent bookstores, praising The Spicy Librarian for being "curated by readers, for readers," providing a platform for sharing passions and connecting with like-minded individuals.
Romance novelist Florence Keeling, a Coventry native, writes under her own name, as well as the pen names Charlie Dean and Tanya Mounts, specializing in darker romance material.
With a decade of experience writing romance novels, Keeling has observed a growing interest in the genre, particularly in "spicy" books, as readers become more confident in their preferences.
Keeling attributed her decision to explore the romance genre to a desire to tap into the universal human experiences of affection and connection, saying, "I thought, 'why not give it a try?'"
In her Tanya Mounts series, Keeling focuses on creating strong, older female characters who take charge of their lives, defying traditional romance novel tropes.
These characters, according to Keeling, are not passive or submissive, but rather empowered individuals who drive the narrative forward, taking control of their own lives.
Entertainment And Arts
BBC Announces Massive Cost-Cutting Measures Totalling Hundreds of Millions of Pounds
On Thursday, the departing director general informed employees of the savings via an internal call.
The BBC has announced plans to reduce its expenditure by approximately 10% due to significant financial constraints.
The broadcaster aims to achieve these savings over a three-year period, starting from the current fiscal year.
Although a specific figure was not disclosed, the BBC's public service budget for the previous year exceeded £4bn, providing context for the potential scale of the cuts.
At present, the BBC has not revealed which programmes or services will be impacted by the cost-cutting measures.
These new reductions are in addition to the £150m in savings that the BBC must still identify by March 2028 as part of its existing cost-saving initiative.
Tim Davie, the outgoing director general who will be leaving the BBC in April, informed staff of the planned savings on Thursday.
According to a BBC spokesperson, the organisation has achieved savings of over £500m during the past three years, with a significant portion being reinvested in its content.
The spokesperson noted that the BBC continues to face substantial financial pressures amidst a rapidly evolving media landscape.
As a result, the corporation anticipates making further savings of around 10% of its costs over the next three years.
The goal of these efforts is to enhance the BBC's productivity and prioritise its offerings to audiences, ensuring the best possible value for money, both currently and in the future.
This announcement coincides with the BBC's ongoing negotiations with the government regarding its future and the licence fee, ahead of the royal charter's renewal in late 2027.
The government has initiated a public consultation to gather opinions on the BBC's future and potential funding models.
The majority of the BBC's revenue comes from the licence fee; however, the number of TV licences sold has decreased in recent years.
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