Why Darren Campbell is telling the story of his rise from poverty to Olympic success – and brush with death – before it’s too late January 15, 2021 Darren Campbell was in no hurry to write a book until May 2018. A near-death experience has a way of rearranging priorities. Aged just 44, the British former Olympic champion sprinter needed intensive care after a bleed on the brain caused a series of seizures. The ordeal brought Campbell the stark realisation that he ought [...]
Week in Sportbiz: Amazon and private equity target Serie A; Arsenal pick Garlick; sponsors keep faith; and boosts for electric racing January 14, 2021 Amazon’s foray into broadcasting Premier League matches could be a taste of things to come in Italy. The retail behemoth has held talks about buying the domestic rights to show Serie A on its Prime Video platform, according to multiple reports. Amazon has already secured a foothold in the Italian market, snapping up some Champions [...]
Stardust review – Bowie movie is a real oddity January 14, 2021 It’s five years since David Bowie passed away, leaving behind fifty-year legacy of creativity and inspiration. A movie biopic has been the dream of many a filmmaker since before Bowie died, with Danny Boyle recently attempting to make a musical. Bowie refused to allow the director to use the rights to his songs, scuppering the [...]
Blithe Spirit review: Judi Dench leads spooky nostalgia fest January 14, 2021 Welcome to cinema’s New Normal. While big blockbusters are optimistically waiting for us in the spring, the first quarter of the year is strategically filled with independent releases that have adopted a dual release format – in cinemas if we have them, on VOD if not. Produced by Sky, Blithe Spirit (starring Dame Judi Dench) [...]
One Night In Miami – Muhammad Ali fiction shines a powerful light January 14, 2021 Based on the Kemp Powers play of the same name, Amazon’s One Night In Miami, a big hope for the 2021 awards season, is centred on the real life meeting of four African-American icons in the hours after Muhammad Ali’s (Eli Goree) 1964 title victory over Sonny Liston. Instead of partying, Ali met with friends [...]
Trevor Steven: It’s time for Manchester United to cut loose and show they deserve to lead the Premier League January 14, 2021 When Liverpool and Manchester United meet it is always a massive fixture for both clubs and their fans. But this Sunday at Anfield the match will have wider significance, due to United and Liverpool being first and second in the Premier League. It’s strange. A few weeks ago, the only discussion around United concerned Ole [...]
The best of travel: Why Okinawa is Japan’s Alex Garland destination January 14, 2021 Throughout January we’re remembering better times and sunnier climes by reposting some of our favourite travel stories from the last decade. In this instalment, our Life&Style editor Steve Dinneen ventures to the remote Japanese archipelago of Okinawa. ••• Everyone who is serious about travel should have their Alex Garland destination, somewhere you can casually name-drop [...]
Andy Murray tests positive for Covid-19 January 14, 2021 Just weeks before he is set to play in the Australian Open, Andy Murray has tested positive for the coronavirus. The two-time Wimbledon champion is said to be in good health but isolating at home, according to STV. Hopes are still high for Murray to attend the event, which begins on 8 February.
Chris Tremlett: Sri Lanka Test series is chance to showcase wealth of England options January 13, 2021 England are in good shape as they prepare to kick off a big year with a two-Test series in Sri Lanka, starting tomorrow. The tourists have a very balanced squad and a lot of depth to choose from; that hasn’t always been the case in previous years. With Ben Stokes, Rory Burns, Moeen Ali, Chris [...]
Manchester City owner City Football Group makes Club Bolivar the 11th club in its network January 12, 2021 Manchester City owner City Football Group has added Bolivia’s most successful side, Club Bolivar, to their portfolio of football teams. Bolivar becomes the 11th team in the group but the first to be designated as a “partner club” to City. City Football Group said the tie-up would give Bolivar access to its expertise and proprietary [...]