Entertainment
Top Gun star Tom Cruise spotted at Teesside Airport

An A-list actor has been seen stepping off a jet at a North East airport.
Top Gun star Tom Cruise was seen just before 11:30am on Tuesday 6 September at Teesside airport.
Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said: “Another day, another Hollywood superstar flies into Teesside Airport.”An eagle eyed Teessider caught Tom Cruise flying into the airport before he boarded a helicopter.”
He added: “Apparently he was piloting the helicopter when he got on, not sure about the plane though.”
The Hollywood actor had previously been spotted in the region filming the newest instalment of the Mission Impossible series in the village of Levisham, near Pickering, North Yorkshire.
According to a source, Cruise was “very friendly” and had waved and smiled at onlookers as he made his way across the tarmac. After a few friendly exchanges from afar, the star was whisked away in a car before boarding a helicopter bound for an undisclosed destination.
It is thought that Mr Cruise arrived to and from the Mission Impossible set in this helicopter.
Entertainment
ITV to Launch Love Island For Middle-Aged Single Parents

Casting is open for the dating show, in which contestants will be nominated by their adult children
ITV has begun casting for a dating show for single parents. The contestants on The Romance Retreat will be nominated by their adult children to search for love at a Love Island-style villa.
“This is the only dating show where single parents can search for love, by spending time in a luxury retreat, where all the parents have been nominated by their grownup children,” reads the casting call.
A take on Love Island, which is a hit among gen Z viewers, for older contestants has been rumoured for months. In January, Davina McCall told Stephen Bartlett’s podcast, The Diary of a CEO, that she had pitched the idea to ITV.
“I could fill a villa in Love Island with middle-aged people with the best back stories you have ever heard in your life,” she said.
“They’ve lived a life – they’re widows, they’re people who have been through horrific divorces. They are people who have split up with somebody and decided they want to try going out with somebody the same sex as them. They’re like interesting people. I’d watch that show.”
According to the presenter, ITV responded to her request to host a show of that style with: “We’re looking at something else that’s quite similar, we might consider you for that”.
The current series of Love Island began on Monday, with a stricter set of rules in place to protect contestants’ wellbeing. Participants’ social media accounts must now remain unused while they are in the villa, rather than be operated on their behalf. It follows contestants’ families – who often run their accounts during the show – appealing for kinder comments from viewers.
This is the first series to be hosted by Maya Jama, after Laura Whitmore stepped down in August.
Entertainment
Sunday for Sammy Concert Cancelled For 2023 Due To Cost of Living

A popular charity concert will not be held in 2023 due to the cost of living crisis.
Sunday for Sammy, which is held in memory of North East actor Sammy Johnson, is a biennial event aimed at benefitting young performers.
The long-running event has featured the likes of Joe McElderry, Johnny Vegas, Brenda Blethyn, Denise Welch, AC/DC’s Brian Johnson and Mark Knopfler, Jill Halfpenny and Ant and Dec.
Tim Healy, who hosts Sunday for Sammy, said: “We’ve had lots of enquiries over the recent months asking when the next Sunday for Sammy will take place.
“We are very much aware at the moment that people are struggling with day-to-day living costs and are watching their pennies. Everything is becoming more and more expensive and that includes the cost of putting on a show the size of ours.”
He added: “We can’t in good conscious put on a show that we aren’t sure people can afford to be tickets for. It would be wrong to risk your money you have generously given us.
“So sadly we have decided that there won’t be a show in 2023. We’re going to wait until the time is right.”
Often dubbed The Geordie Command Performance, the shows, which have been running for more than 20 years, are held in memory of Geordie actor Sammy Johnson, who died in 1999.
Entertainment
Former Health Secretary, Matt Hancock to enter I’m a Celebrity!

News had not long broke that ex Health secretary Matt Hancock was to enter the jungle in I’m a celerity that he has had his Tory Whip suspended.
Matt Hancock is expected to be added as a surprise final addition to the line-up of celebrities who will travel to Australia as part of the reality TV show this year.
Asked about Matt Hancock appearance, Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “The PM believes that at a challenging time for the country MPs should be working hard for their constituents, whether that is in the House or in their constituency.” The spokesman said it was “unlikely” Mr Sunak would be watching the programme.
Simon Hart, the chief whip, confirmed that Mr Hancock would have the whip removed – “Following a conversation with Matt Hancock, I have considered the situation and believe this is a matter serious enough to warrant suspension of the whip with immediate effect.”
What do you think of him appearing in the hit TV show?
Follow us on Facebook to join in the conversation – North East Updates | Facebook
-
Sports1 year ago
Newcastle transfer rumours as January window approaches
-
News1 year ago
Local mum left with serious injuries after being spiked
-
Sports1 year ago
Rumours: How could Newcastle line-up after the January transfer window?
-
Featured11 months ago
North-East Collection Points For Ukraine Donations
-
Featured11 months ago
Humanitarian aid for Ukraine collection point in Newcastle
-
Best of North East12 months ago
Top 10: Date Ideas In Newcastle
-
Sports1 year ago
Favourites to sign for Newcastle in January, according to SkyBet
-
Sports8 months ago
Six potential strikers that would improve Newcastle’s attack