News about Noel Coward

The actress was best known for her role as Irene Raymond in the BBC soap from 1997 to 2000, before joining the cast of The Bill as Inspector Gina Gold. According to Roberta's obituary published in The Guardian, the star died on July 6 'from an infection caused by a fall two months prior, agitating her underlying health problems with pneumonia .' She leaves behind her actor husband Peter Guinness, her son Elliott, a granddaughter and two stepbrothers. Born in east London, she left school without qualifications but later took acting classes and eventually joined a theatre company.

Lady Pamela Hicks has lived an extraordinary life. She was the late Queen's lady in waiting and friends with Gandhi. Now, after much coaxing, her daughter, India, has written a book all about it. Constance Craig Smith reviews this thoughtful collection of stories and pictures.

When her daughter India suggested that she should dust off her photograph albums, dig out her old letters and write a book about her life, Lady Pamela Hicks (pictured) asked: 'Who will be interested?' Fortunately, she allowed herself to be persuaded, and the result is a delightful book which records an era of vast stately homes, lavish house parties, thoroughbred horses and ball gowns. What gives this account added spice is that Pamela Hicks, now 95, is not only fantastically posh but has also been part of the Royal Family's inner circle all her life. The daughters of Earl Mountbatten of Burma and his rich, beautiful wife Edwina, Pamela and her elder sister Patricia were favourite playmates of their cousins, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret . Pamela was a bridesmaid at Elizabeth's wedding to Prince Philip (another cousin). (Pictured right, Queen Elizabeth II with Lady Hicks.)

A heartwarming resurfaced video of Roberta Taylor shows the late actress opening up about what it was like to work with her husband Peter Guinness. Roberta, who passed away on July 6 aged 76, was best known for her role as Irene Raymond in EastEnders from 1997 to 2000, before joining the cast of The Bill as Inspector Gina Gold. According to Roberta's obituary published in The Guardian, the soap star died 'from an infection caused by a fall two months prior, agitating her underlying health problems with pneumonia'. 

EastEnders have paid tribute to Roberta Taylor after her death at the age of 76.  The actress was best known for her role as Irene Raymond in the BBC soap from 1997 to 2000, before joining the cast of The Bill as Inspector Gina Gold. According to Roberta's obituary published in The Guardian, the star died on July 6 'from an infection caused by a fall two months prior, agitating her underlying health problems with pneumonia.' 

EastEnders star Roberta Taylor has died at the age of 76. The actress was best known for her role as Irene Raymond in the BBC soap from 1997 to 2000, before joining the cast of The Bill as Inspector Gina Gold. According to Roberta's obituary published in The Guardian, the star died on July 6 'from an infection caused by a fall two months prior, agitating her underlying health problems with pneumonia.'

Kneeling in front of his mother with his sword at his side, Prince Charles vowed that he would be her 'liege man of life and limb' 55 years ago today. It was a solemn promise that the Prince of Wales - as he was then - would live up to in the decades he spent as the heir of Queen Elizabeth II. At Caernarfon Castle on July 1, 1969, Charles made history as his mother placed his futuristic coronet on his head while 4,000 invited guests saw the proceedings in person and a further 500million people around the world watched on television. But the terror threat from Welsh nationalists (inset, an Army bomb disposal van outside Caenarvon Castle the day before the ceremony) was so high that the BBC recorded obituary tributes to the 20-year-old future King in case he was assassinated. In the early hours of the morning of July 1, two militant nationalists were killed by their own bomb in the town of Abergele, on the route of the royal train. Another bomb planted in a Caernarfon police constable's garden also went off, and activists hiding in the crowd hurled eggs at the Queen's horse-drawn carriage. However, the proceedings were ultimately a success - Charles fulfilled the first part of his destiny and millions across the nation and the world were buoyed by the spectacle.

Noel Coward was the premier musical figure of the first half of the 20th century. He was a successful composer and lyricist, known as The Master, writing the words for eight musicals between 1928 and 1963.

Three plays, set in the same luxurious suite in a Swiss hotel where the same waiter, Felix, tops up the bubbly for the same trio of actors with one hell of a lot of lines to remember. Pity then, that these mid-Sixties pieces - swansongs of an autumnal Noel Coward - in which nothing much happens, very slowly, have little of the Master's characteristic champagne effervescence. Shadows Of The Evening, the first of the double-bill, is an intimation of mortality. Distressed mistress (Tara Fitzgerald) calls a truce with discarded, bitter wife (Emma Fielding) to take care of terminally ill George (Stephen Boxer).

Alessandro Nasini, the curator behind the exhibition celebrating 100 years of royal portrait photographs, said retouching - which can vary from simply cropping an image to removing entire backgrounds - remains a vital tool in royal portrait photography. Many of the photos on display to the public at the King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from today have been retouched and notes describe the process. His comments came two months after five major news and picture agencies (inset, PA's 'kill notice') issued 'kill notices' withdrawing a photograph (left) of the Princess of Wales with her children for Mother's Day because it had been digitally altered. Kate later admitted she had been experimenting with editing the family photo, taken by William. Pictured right: A sign in the new exhibition explaining how retouching is an 'essential part of photography'.

To the National Cyber Security Centre, where they supposedly know all about high-tech gadgets, to hear Lord Cameron say we must stop being so wet about foreign policy. We should stop grovelling to political correctitude and we should focus more on defence. 'A chill has once more descended on the world.' We should see off 'malign' countries such as Russia and Iran by proclaiming our generosity and strength rather than being 'cowed by accusations of neocolonialism'. In 1943, Noel Coward's Don't Let's Be Beastly To The Germans brilliantly skewered the naive Left. The BBC banned the song. David Cameron may lack Coward's lyricism but he was taking on the same political tendency.

As the first Royal wedding to be televised live from Westminster Abbey, it gripped the attention of the British nation. The groom was the first commoner to marry into senior royalty for centuries. It was a glittering affair. The congregation featured show business stars such as Noel Coward, Anna Massey, Sir Michael Redgrave, Margot Fonteyn and the Chinese-Trinidadian actress and singer Jacqui Chan, a recent flame of the groom.

The heroic founder of the Handwritten Letter Appreciation Society, Dinah Johnson, fears that the Royal Mail 's proposal to reduce delivery days to two or three a week will spell the end of the letter. 'This is how you get to the death of letter-writing. I didn't think when I set up the society that there would be a scenario where the service is threatened, but it is.' So just how well do you know your letters? Take the test and find out...

In a variety of electric, mild hybrid, and petrol models, the Italian automaker will debut the first production city car version on July 11th this year to mark its landmark 125th anniversary - as well as a new 'fun and functional' variant that follows every year. Fiat said that its new Panda, which was first introduced in 1980 and now in its third generation, was inspired by Turin's legendary Lingotto building with its popular oval rooftop test track - once Fiat's headquarters, starring Michael Caine and Noel Coward in the classic 1969 The Italian Job film, starring Michael Caine and Noel Coward.

Your Majesty, never mistress; it will only end in tears. Every British monarch over the past 400 years should have received this single piece of advice, but no one of them would have listened. These kings and princes were the rock stars of their day - women flocked and bowed before them, and they could choose whoever they liked. And as many as they wanted. Admittedly murder, blackmail, grand larceny, and kidnapping were all part of bedding these royal mistresses, but their Majesties never shrank above it.

Here are 100 films that I believe every person should see at least once in their lifetime, and all of them should make you laugh, cry, gasp, or think. In some instances, perhaps all four are present. I hope my list would bring you some good cinematic treats, or better still, introduce you to them. Happy viewing!

Since making a name for himself on a long-running soap, he's one of Britain's most recognisable actors. He began acting from childhood, and on Monday he posted a throwback snap from 1981 in a production of Oliver at the then Albery (now Noel Coward) Theatre, where pop star Helen Shapiro appeared as Nancy. Despite the fact that he began his life on the West End, many will remember him for his work in the East End after he transitioned to become a character on the small screen.

Any time a gleaming new cruise ship comes into port, it is always something to celebrate. And there will be no shortage of them in 2024, including the world's largest. With more than 31.5 million passengers, it's been a record-breaking year for cruising, with more than 31.5 million passengers on board, and 2024 reservations are expected to top that record. Here's a look at a preview of the most exciting new ships to buy right now.

This year's literary quiz is just the challenge you're looking for with seven rounds testing your memoirs, anniversaries, books, and TV series. Good luck!

The BBC has been heavily chastised for describing playwright Noel Coward as 'queer,' despite complaints that the word, which some in the gay community have reclaimed, is still offensive to some. In a'very straight world,' a BBC Arts account social media post promoting the BBC2 Boxing Day documentary about the actor, singer, and composer's life referred to him as being "queer" in a "very straight world." On the BBC's iPlayer, the same wording is used on the show's description. Critics accused Coward of using "homophobic slurs" to describe him, implying that the word "queer" was a 'insult for both gay men and women.'

Daniel Cowling, a historian at the National Army Museum, delving into Foreign Office papers, private diaries, newspaper reports, and interviews.

They make a riotous comedy team. And Nigel Havers, 71, and Patricia Hodge, 76, are back together, reprising their roles from Noel Coward's classic comedy play Private Lives. After touring around the United Kingdom last year, the pair have decided to bring the show to the Ambassadors Theatre for a limited 12 weeks.

ALEXANDRA SHULMAN: People who are either visitors or hosts are divided in life. Guests love someone else arranging everything and then participating in activities planned for them, while others are dissatisfied with being on someone else's timetable or in their space. I am, by nature, a visitor. I love going to other people's parties and not knowing who will be there. Or staying in their homes and having their schedule managed by them. Despite being the best of them in several regions, I am relieved to leave the catering to someone else.

CRAIG BROWN: Today is my birthday. It only seems that I opened a birthday card with the word '6' attached a day or two ago. If I get a badge today, it will say '66'. I have overnight, and as a result of less tactful times, an old pensioner. I have always been a natural convert to bad news, so I have found it difficult to ignore the years' oldness.