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Digital Spy Reader Awards
Digital Spy (DS) is a British-based entertainment, television and film website and brand and is the largest digital property at Hearst UK. Since its launch in 1999, Digital Spy has focused on entertainment news related to television programmes, films, music and show business to a global audience. As well as breaking news, in-depth features, reviews and editorial explainers, the site also features the DS Forum. History digiNews (1999) In early January 1999, Iain Chapman launched the digiNEWS website, providing news, rumours and information on Sky's new digital satellite platform SkyDigital. At the same time, Chris Butcher launched the ONfaq website, offering similar news and information on the UK's new digital terrestrial platform ONdigital. Both sites proved to be popular, attracting a lot of attention from visitors eager for more news about these rapidly developing TV platforms. Very soon Chapman and Butcher discussed the idea of a merger of the two sites, to create the digiN ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hearst Communications
Hearst Communications, Inc., often referred to simply as Hearst, is an American multinational mass media and business information conglomerate based in Hearst Tower in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Hearst owns newspapers, magazines, television channels, and television stations, including the ''San Francisco Chronicle'', the ''Houston Chronicle'', ''Cosmopolitan'' and ''Esquire''. It owns 50% of the A&E Networks cable network group and 20% of the sports cable network group ESPN, both in partnership with The Walt Disney Company. The conglomerate also owns several business-information companies, including Fitch Ratings and First Databank. The company was founded by William Randolph Hearst as an owner of newspapers, and the Hearst family remains involved in its ownership and management. History The formative years In 1880, George Hearst, mining entrepreneur and U.S. senator, bought the '' San Francisco Daily Examiner.'' In 1887, he turned the ''Examiner'' over to his son, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
ITV (TV Network)
ITV is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network. It was launched in 1955 as Independent Television to provide competition to BBC Television (established in 1936). ITV is the oldest commercial network in the UK. Since the passing of the Broadcasting Act 1990, it has been legally known as Channel 3 to distinguish it from the other analogue channels at the time, BBC1, BBC2 and Channel 4. ITV was for four decades a network of separate companies which provided regional television services and also shared programmes between each other to be shown on the entire network. Each franchise was originally owned by a different company. After several mergers, the fifteen regional franchises are now held by two companies: ITV plc, which runs the ITV1 channel, and STV Group, which runs the STV channel. The ITV network is a separate entity from ITV plc, the company that resulted from the merger of Granada plc and Carlton Communications in 2004. ITV plc holds the Channel 3 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Samantha Janus
Samantha Zoe Womack (''née'' Janus; born 2 November 1972) is an English actress, singer, model and director who has worked in film, television and stage. Womack initially planned a career in singing and she represented the United Kingdom in the 1991 Eurovision Song Contest. Her song for the contest, "A Message to Your Heart", was released as her first (and only) single in April 1991 and reached number 30 in the UK Singles Chart. Womack made her name in the mid-1990s with her role as Mandy Wilkins in '' Game On'' (1995-1998) leading onto roles in the BBC One drama ''Pie in the Sky'' (1995–1996) and the sitcom ''Babes in the Wood'' (1998). She has since become known for playing the role of Ronnie Mitchell in ''EastEnders'' (2007–2011, 2013–2017). Her portrayal of Ronnie gained her more prominence and acting roles after some time out of the limelight. She also played Tanya Porter in Sky One comedy-drama '' Mount Pleasant'' from 2013 until the final episode in 2017. Womac ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Clare Devine
Clare Devine (also Cunningham) is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera ''Hollyoaks'', played by actresses Gemma Bissix and Samantha Rowley. Bissix reprised the role in 2009 for the culmination of Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) and Justin Burton's (Chris Fountain) storylines. She later returned to the show in 2013. Clare was killed-off in October 2013, and Bissix said that it would allow ''Hollyoaks'' to develop other villainous characters. Bissix has won three British Soap Awards for her portrayal of Clare, and has been named one of the best British soap opera characters. Storylines 2005–2007 Clare first appears in December 2005 when Max Cunningham (Matt Littler) and Sam "O.B." O'Brien (Darren Jeffries) hire her as an events supervisor at The Loft. With her friendly face and likeable and vibrant personality, Clare quickly settles into life in the village and becomes popular with the other residents. Both O.B. and Max immediately fall for her, but after weeks ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gemma Bissix
Gemma Bissix (born 6 June 1983) is an English actress. She has been acting since the age of 9. Her most prominent roles have been in soap operas, as Clare Bates in '' EastEnders'' (1993–1998, 2008) and Clare Devine in ''Hollyoaks'' (2006–2007, 2009, 2013); she was awarded with two British Soap Awards for the latter role. Away from soap opera, Bissix has appeared in various television programmes and she competed in the 2009 series of '' Dancing on Ice''. She has appeared in various pantomimes. Bissix returned to ''Hollyoaks'' in 2013. Personal life Bissix was born in St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey, Surrey, UK, the eldest of five siblings. Her parents divorced when she was 11. She was brought up in Elmbridge, Surrey, and attended Thames Ditton Middle School and Hinchley Wood School. She is a patron of the White Lodge Centre for disabled adults and children in Chertsey, and hosts charity auctions at her father's bar, Reds, in Weybridge. Career Acting Bissix began her acti ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Roxy Mitchell
Roxanne "Roxy" Mitchell (also Slater) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, ''EastEnders'', portrayed by Rita Simons.The Mitchell Sisters , ''The Daily Mirror''. Retrieved 11 May 2007. Roxy arrived in Walford with her sister Ronnie Mitchell, Ronnie (Samantha Womack) on 24 July 2007Samantha Janus lands 'EastEnders' role , ''Digital Spy''. Retrieved 11 May 2007. and decides to move permanently to Walford from Ibiza where they ran a bar together. Roxy is the younger of the two sisters. She is described as the "fire", as opposed to Ro ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rita Simons
Rita Joanne Simons (born 10 March 1977) is an English actress and singer from London. She is best known for playing Roxy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'' from 2007 to 2017, when her character was killed-off, alongside her on screen character's sister Ronnie Mitchell (Samantha Womack). For her performance on the show Simons received many accolades, including the 2008 National Television Award for Most Popular Newcomer. On 12 November 2018, Simons was confirmed to be participating in that year's series of '' I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!''. She was the fourth to be eliminated on 4 December 2018. Personal life Simons was born at Whipps Cross University Hospital in Whipp Cross, Leytonstone, London. She is Susan (née Franks) and Mark Simons daughter. Both of her parents are Jewish. She has an older brother, Ben. Through her paternal aunt's marriage, Simons is the niece of billionaire businessman Lord Sugar, who is best known for appearing in the BBC reality ser ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Louise Summers
Louise Summers is a fictional character from the British Channel 4 soap opera ''Hollyoaks'', played by actress Roxanne McKee. The character first appeared in February 2005 as the feisty, glamorous girlfriend of Darren Osborne (Ashley Taylor Dawson). McKee has been nominated for several awards for her portrayal of the character. In 2008, it was revealed McKee had quit her role as Louise and planned to depart later in the year. She made her final appearance on 26 December 2008 when fiancé Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) murdered her on their wedding day. Creation and casting Actress Roxanne McKee auditioned for the role of Louise in 2004 as part of ''Hollyoaks: On the Pull'', a nationwide search to find a new actor for ''Hollyoaks''. After being chosen from over 35,000 applicants, McKee began portraying Louise, who was introduced by series producer David Hanson in 2005. In 2008, McKee hinted at a possible exit for her character, despite refusing claims that she wanted to leave. She to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Roxanne McKee
Roxanne McKee (born 10 August 1980) is a British actress and model. She is best known for playing Louise Summers in the British soap opera ''Hollyoaks'' (2005–2008), Lou Foster in the British drama series ''Lip Service'' (2010), Doreah in the American fantasy drama series ''Game of Thrones'' (2011–2012) and Lady Claire Riesen in the American apocalyptic supernatural series ''Dominion'' (2014–2015). She has also starred in films including '' Wrong Turn 5: Bloodlines'' (2012), ''Vendetta'' (2013) and ''The Legend of Hercules'' (2014). Early life and education McKee was born in Canada to Irish parents and completed a BA degree in Social Policy & Political Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London in 2005. Career ''Hollyoaks'' McKee auditioned for the role of ''Hollyoaks'' character Louise Summers in 2004 as part of ''Hollyoaks: On the Pull'', a nationwide search to find a new actor. After being chosen from over 35,000 applicants, McKee began portraying Louise, who was in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Jack Branning
Jack Branning is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera ''EastEnders'', played by Scott Maslen. He made his first appearance on 29 October 2007. He is the youngest child of Jim (John Bardon) and Reenie Branning (Joy Graham) and the brother of April Branning (Debbie Arnold), Carol Jackson (Lindsey Coulson), Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman), Suzy Branning (Maggie O'Neill) and Max Branning (Jake Wood). The character was introduced to the show during a period when ''EastEnders'' was being routinely criticised in the media for its reliance on resurrecting old characters. The casting of Maslen provoked some controversy, being the first time an actor had been poached from one mainstream soap to another. It was quickly established that Jack is a morally ambiguous character with a murky past in the police force resulting in the paralysis of his young daughter, Penny (Mia McKenna-Bruce). Tabloid media have praised the character for his role as resident Romeo, commenting frequently on h ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Scott Maslen
Scott Alexander Maslen (born 25 June 1971) is an English actor and model, best known for his portrayal as DS Phil Hunter in ITV's ''The Bill'' and Jack Branning on the BBC's flagship soap ''EastEnders'' since 2007. He also took part in the 2010 series of ''Strictly Come Dancing'' and the 2015 series of ''Celebrity MasterChef''. He portrayed Claude Speed in the live-action trailer for ''Grand Theft Auto 2'' in 1999. Early life Maslen was born in Woolwich, London, England on 25 June 1971. As a young boy Maslen admired the Royal Marines and attended Bromley Marines Cadets on a Monday and a Thursday at T.S. ''Narvik'' in Bromley Common. He was brought up in Woolwich and signed up to join the Royal Marines with his school friends, Marcus Marnham and Simon Farnham at the age of 16. He later sustained an injury whilst doing the PRMC (Potential Royal Marines Course), resulting in him not gaining entry to the Recruit training course.''Friday Night with Jonathan Ross'', 22 May 2009 He ha ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Tanya Branning
Tanya Cross (also Branning and Jessop) is a fictional character from the BBC soap opera, ''EastEnders'', played by Jo Joyner. She made her first appearance on 27 June 2006. Joyner left the show temporarily on 25 December 2009 for maternity leave. After a guest appearance, Tanya eventually returned on 27 September 2010. On 1 April 2013, it was announced that Joyner would be departing the role and she made her final appearance on 28 June 2013. Tanya returned in February 2015 for two episodes as part of the show's 30th anniversary celebrations. She later reprised the role again in 2017 for four episodes, appearing between 25 December 2017 and 16 February 2018. Tanya's storylines have included opening her own salon, giving birth to her third child, discovering that her husband Max Branning (Jake Wood) had an affair with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) before divorcing and then burying him alive with the help from her new partner Sean Slater (Robert Kazinsky), marrying Greg Jessop (Stef ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
