News about Frank Cottrell Boyce

After the death of her mother in 2002, the Queen grew more carefree, as though relieved of the burden of parental judgment. She relaxed into her role and had more fun. Ten years on, at the age of 86, she readily agreed to perform a version of herself - or a version of a version of herself - in a short James Bond film commissioned for the opening of the London Olympics. Lord Janvrin, her private secretary from 1999 to 2007, doubted she would have gone ahead with the idea had her mother been alive, 'simply because she would have felt her mother wouldn't have approved - that it would have been a bit undignified'.

 Didi (15, 94 mins) Verdict: Brilliantly observed drama With the school summer holidays stretching ahead of some parents like the endless, arid landscape of the Gobi Desert, three cheers for the nation's cinemas which are at least providing a few oases of entertainment.

Spectacular stage performances, brilliant new albums, a slew of fantastic films, and stunning art shows are among our writers' picks of the best of theatre, music, film, and art. Find out what to expect and do this weekend.

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On Monday, viewers of the National Lottery's Big Eurovision Welcome event were moved to tears as they watched Ricky Tomlinson perform and passionate poetry readings. On Sunday, the actor, who died in Liverpool, took to the stage in the Song Contest's host city, Liverpool, with highlights being shown on BBC One the next day. With the poem made up of lyrics from songs that have no relation to Liverpool, the Royle family actor read some words by screenwriter Frank Cottrell-Boyce, 63, who is from Merseyside.

Daniel Craig, a James Bond actor, described filming a scene with the Queen for London 2012 as "an amazing thing." When she made a cameo appearance in Danny Boyle's opening ceremony for the Olympic Games, the world saw a more spirited side to the monarch. Craig, a British spy 007 on the comedy sketch, called the Queen to the performance at Buckingham Palace.

Frank Cottrell Boyce, a writer who co-penned both the Paddington Bear and Daniel Craig Olympics sketches, said the late queen had real talent when it came to acting, and that filming the Paddington scenes ahead of the Platinum Jubilee gave her 'true joy,' according to BBC Breakfast News hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty. (Pictured from left: In the Paddington Bear sketch, the Queen and Daniel Craig were seen pulling a marmalade sandwich out of her bag. Inset: Frank Cottrell Boyce)