Tina Calder

Journalist, commentator, author and content creator specialising in showbiz, entertainment, business, trade, human interest and lifestyle.

News In Brief: Covid Vaccine Certificates Introduced From Today

Covid vaccine certificates are set to be introduced in Northern Ireland from today. Starting from November 29th, those attending licensed hospitality venues such as nightclubs, pubs and restaurants will have to provide their digital vaccine certificate, their vaccination cards or proof of a negative lateral flow test for entry. Northern Ireland’s Chief Medical Officer, Michael […]

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News In Brief: Third Of The Public Know More About Game Of Thrones Than The Wars Of The Roses

More than a third of us admit knowing more about Game of Thrones than the Wars of the Roses. A survey revealing the shocking level of historical knowledge also said one in ten of us think Game of Thrones star Jon Snow was a real-life figure. And one in 20 thought the Lannisters and Starks

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Jingle All The Hairspray At Theatre At The Mill

Caroline Curran renews her festive partnership with Theatre at The Mill with Jingle All the Hairspray – a riotous, razor sharp tale of fun and friendship set in Scary Bears Hair and Beauty Salon. After ten years of starring in the Mossley Mill theatre’s Christmas spectacular, this is Caroline’s first solely written show, stuffed full

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UU Offers 1st Of Its Kind Computing Law Course In UK, Backed By Industry

Remember when evidence in legal cases used to arrive in big, brown bankers’ boxes? No longer: now it comes in multi-sheet data sets for analysis and interrogation. But how can we expect legal graduates to have not only the legal expertise to use this data but also the tech skills to interpret millions of data

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City Invited To Have Its Say on Council’s Tourism Plan

A 10 year tourism plan for Belfast that puts its people and its stories at its heart is now out for consultation. Belfast City Council has launched the 12 week consultation on its draft tourism plan which is inviting people, locally and globally, to ‘make yourself at home’. The draft document sets out a blueprint

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Shoppers Set To Bag Their Christmas Shop For Just £1 As Lidl Northern Ireland’s Charity Trolley Dash Returns

As the festive season approaches, Lidl Northern Ireland is helping to lighten the load this holiday season by offering customers the opportunity to win their entire Christmas food shop for just £1 in this year’s Trolley Dash, in aid of charity partner NSPCC Northern Ireland. Tickets are now on sale in all 41 Lidl Northern

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Heineken Secures SSE Arena ‘Gig’ For Next 5 Years

HEINEKEN has agreed a new five-year contract with The SSE Arena, Belfast, which will see the company continue as the venue’s exclusive beer and cider partner until at least 2026. The deal will see Heineken’s portfolio of drinks, including leading draught brands Heineken, Birra Moretti and Orchard Thieves, served at all bars within The SSE

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5 Tips For Northern Ireland Businesses To Enjoy A Tax Friendly Christmas

After a quiet ‘Covid Christmas’ last year, companies across Northern Ireland are now making preparations for their long overdue Christmas party. To sprinkle a little extra festive cheer on proceedings, Lisburn-based digital accountancy specialist Exchange Accountants has come up with some ‘cracker’ ideas to help make this year’s staff party that little bit merrier for

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Showbiz News: Britney Spears Not To Appear On Oprah

It has been reported that American Pop Star Britney Spears will not be giving Oprah Winfrey an interview regarding the termination of of her conservatorship. Despite the Toxic singer kicking off rumours when she posted a video on Instagram teasing that she will share her story with Oprah Winfrey, a source has revealed to TMZ

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Befrienders Brew Up Series Of Afternoon Tea Events To Support The Elderly & Isolated Across Belfast

Volunteer befrienders across Belfast have been brewing up a series of new afternoon tea events aimed at supporting vulnerable older people who experience social isolation and loneliness to establish new friendships, create connections and enjoy a social day out. A group of service users from Volunteer Now’s Befriending, Shopping and Driving scheme enjoyed an afternoon

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News In Brief: Amazon To Stop Accepting January Issued Visa Credit Cards

Amazon will stop accepting Visa credit cards issued in the UK from 19 January, the online retail giant has said. It said the move was due to high credit card transaction fees but said Visa debit cards would still be accepted. Visa said it was “very disappointed that Amazon is threatening to restrict consumer choice

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Public Consultation Opens Into Proposed Changes To Dual Language Street Signs Policy

A public consultation has opened today into proposed changes to the Council’s Dual Language Street Signs Policy. This follows on from a Council decision, taken in January, to revise the policy. The consultation will last for 14 weeks and finish on Monday 28 February 2022 and everyone interested in this issue is encouraged to provide

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Showbiz Briefs: Tom Daley To Launch Sustainable Knit Collection

Tom Daley is launching a 15-piece collection of renewable and biodegradable pure wool knits — with some pieces costing £200. Tom says ‘I like to think knitting is making a comeback.”   Hear more news and showbiz from me, Tina Calder, on Belfast 247 every day and catch my show Interesting People every Friday from 9am –

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Entertainment Briefs: Spitting Image To Return This Christmas

Spitting Image will come back to ITV this festive period with a new special. Following its recent outing on TV for Halloween, the comedy series will air a Christmas episode this December. Apparently there’s a shocking Christmas surprise for Prince Andrew; an ever-heroic Tom Cruise steps up to save Christmas for Santa. And Rishi Sunak

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News In Brief: Campaigners Demand Intervention For Drivers Being “Fleeced” At Fuel Pumps

A group campaigning for lower fuel prices has demanded urgent intervention, claiming drivers are being “fleeced” at the pumps. FairFuelUK say it’s clear that the government should look at how “rip-off” pump prices are calculated after President Biden ordered a similar investigation in the United States. It also called for the government to establish an

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Entertainment Briefs: Tickets For Jingle All The Hairspray On Sale Now!

Tickets have gone on sale for Caroline Curran’s Jingle All the Hairspray – a riotous, razor sharp tale of fun and friendship set in Scary Bears Hair and Beauty Salon. This is Caroline’s first solely written show, stuffed full of madcap comedy, twists and turns and original songs. This Christmas ‘hairytale’ has loads of topical

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News In Brief: Family Mediation NI Host Event Celebrating Positive Mediation

Children caught in the middle of family breakdown court battles are at long-term risk from trauma while the process is costing the public almost £8.9m annually, says Family Mediation NI. The charity is calling for action from a multi-departmental approach to keeping family conflict out of the courtroom, where possible, achieving better outcomes for the

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Showbiz News: Batgirl Leslie Grace Shows Off Intensive Training Regime

In the Heights star Leslie Grace has recently been cast as the titular heroine in Batgirl. Now, Leslie has shared new behind-the-scenes footage of her extensive training for the upcoming HBO Max project. As many may already know, Batgirl is known within the DC Universe as a formidable opponent in the arena of battle. So,

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News In Brief: Key To Making Online Dating Profile Stand Out Revealed

“LOVE” and “FUN” are the key words most likely to get you a date online. They are in the profiles that get the most views, a survey of daters found. Six words – friends, laugh, happy, kind, music and honest – were key triggers to both sexes. But “family” and “caring” were likelier to hook

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News In Brief: Independent Shops Voted Top Community Improvement

Independent shops are the community improvement people would most like to see, a survey found. More free car parking was second most popular. The top 10 is: 1. Indy shops 2. Parking 3. Greens 4. Recycling 5. Restaurants 6. Parks 7. Benches 8. Chain shops 9. Bins 10. Public transport   Hear more news and

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Entertainment Briefs: Anthony Toner To Play Empire Music Hall

Belfast singer songwriter Anthony Toner will play Belfast’s Empire Music Hall on Sunday November 28 as part of the Songs for Ronnie – a gig remembering the late Ronnie Purvis, with a line up including Mandy Bingham, Wilfie, Becah, Sam Wickens and many more. Ronnie is best known for his unwavering support for local artists

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Showbiz Briefs: Salma Hayek Recieves Star On Hollywood Walk of Fame

Oscar-nominated actress and Emmy-winning filmmaker Salma Hayek has gotten her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in honor of a career of nearly three decades of involvement in the international movie scene. The actress of Frida, Eternals and the upcoming film House of Gucci got her star in the category of motion pictures Friday,

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News In Brief: Ads For Cosmetic Procedures Targeting Under 18’s Banned

Ads for cosmetic procedures will be banned from targeting under-18s next year, the regulator has announced. The new rules mean companies will not be able to advertise procedures that are designed to change a person’s physical appearance – including breast augmentation, or reduction, “tummy tucks”, eyelid surgery, nose reshaping, or facelifts. The ban also covers

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Children Caught In The Middle Of Family Breakdown Court Battles At Long-Term Risk From Trauma Says Family Mediation NI

Children caught in the middle of family breakdown court battles at long-term risk from trauma while the process is costing the public almost £8.9m annually, says Family Mediation NI (FMNI) The charity calls for action from a multi-departmental approach to keeping family conflict out of the courtroom, where possible, achieving better outcomes for the child

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Showbiz Briefs: J-Lo Teases New Rom-Com With Owen Wilson

Singer, actress, and businesswoman Jennifer Lopez has teased her fans with a glimpse of her upcoming romantic comedy film with Owen Wilson. Under the direction of Kat Coiro, ‘Marry Me’ is set to premiere in 2022, and it is inspired by the graphic novel of the same name. The newly released video includes JLo’s track

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Showbiz Briefs: Kerri Quinn Embraces Her Accent In New BBC Show

Belfast-born actress, Kerri Quinn, has opened up about being proud of owning her accent in BBC Northern Ireland’s new police drama, Hope Street. The 38-year-old plays the role of Sergeant Marlene Pettigrew in the new drama which will air tonight at 7pm on BBC1 Northern Ireland. In an interview with Belfast Live, the North Belfast

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Entertainment Briefs: Giuseppe Dell’Anno Wins The Bake Off!

Bake Off has its first Italian winner, and now Giuseppe Dell’Anno has clinched the title in the show’s 12th series. Giuseppe took on Chigs Parmar and Crystelle Pereira in the final. They had to make a carrot cake in the signature challenge, Belgian buns in the technical and finally a showstopper from the Mad Hatter’s

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Showbiz Briefs: Timothée Chalamet’s ‘Wonka’ Halted By Covid Scare

Filming for Timothée Chalamet’s musical fantasy film ‘Wonka’ has reportedly been halted for five days, after a cast member tested positive for coronavirus. The upcoming musical fantasy will serve as a prequel to Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. However, due to a team member contracting the virus, Chalamet and his

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Showbiz Briefs: Passport Thrown At Nadine Coyle In Kremlin Nightclub

Former Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle has revealed that she had a passport thrown at her during a recent gig in Belfast. In an interview with Metro, the singer said it happened at a gig in Kremlin nightclub at the beginning of November. The Derry native famously lied about her age so that she could

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News In Brief: Colour Of Your Cup Impacts The Taste, Says Research

Is your coffee too bitter? Well, change the colour of your cup… Blue and transparent glass mugs apparently make drinks taste sweeter. Researchers asked volunteers to drink coffee from different coloured cups. They found that blue mugs made it taste the sweetest. White cups made it taste bitter because they make the drink appear browner.

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News In Brief: The Purple One Crowned As Top Quality Street Sweet

The Purple One has been crowned Britain’s favourite Quality Street sweet after Nestle launched pick-your-own tins of the popular chocolates. The chocolate, hazelnut and caramel treat pushed the Green Triangle into second place. Strawberry Delight took third place with Orange Creme and Caramel Swirl fourth and fifth.   Hear more news and showbiz from me,

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News In Brief: Income Boost For Workers On Universal Credit

Budget changes that boost the income of some working people on universal credit come into force from now, the government has announced. Workers will now take home 8p more of any extra pound earned, owing to a shift in the so-called taper rate. Chancellor Rishi Sunak said in October’s Budget that the change would take

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News In Brief: Belfast City Councillors Back ‘Circle Line’

Belfast City Councillors have backed calls to introduce a new ‘Circle Line’ to help ditch the city’s ‘chronic dependency’ on cars. The campaign group, Circle Line Belfast, have proposed a circle train line that stops at 25 locations across the Belfast Metropolitan Area. These stops include Belfast International Airport, Cathedral Quarter and the Abbeycentre.  

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Showbiz Briefs: Jamie Dornan Opens Up About Late Father

Actor Jamie Dornan has said that his father’s death and becoming a father himself has made him more ambitious in his career. Dornan’s father, Dr Jim Dornan, died of COVID-19 in March at the age of 73. In an interview with the New York Times, the 39-year-old opened up about succeeding for his children, and

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