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James McAvoy is one of the most in-demand leading men in Hollywood following a prolific career. Interestingly, he didn’t take his acting career seriously until he was cast in a project that eventually led to his developing feelings for a costar.

Credits: James McAvoy in X-Men: First Class / 20th Century Studios

The Scottish actor’s journey to discovering his passion in life was tested by several interests that opened possibilities for him. In fact, before he became an actor, he was adamant about becoming a priest or a member of the Navy. Both would have been a tremendous career, but a woman showed him that his path was toward cinema.

James McAvoy Pursued Acting Because He Fell in Love With A Costar

Known for his roles in The Chronicles of Narnia and Atonement, actor James McAvoy snagged his first-ever role in 1995’s The Near Room when he was only 15. At the time,...

The Ballad of Shirley Collins

Prof. Neil Fox is no stranger to the pages of Directors Notes, having contributed many an article over the years in addition to being interviewed for both his filmmaking work and his film festival co-directing. Today, however, we’re speaking to Fox about his latest venture as the author of the BFI book Music Films: Documentaries, Concert Films and Other Cinematic Representations of Popular Music, which is released by Bloomsbury Publishing today. Fox has long been writing on music films and the knowledge he’s gained over the years coalesces into a fascinating read that avoids the typical chronological structuring that comes with genre analysis and instead looks at the varying ways music films can be recognised as true cinematic artefacts. Joining us for a conversation below, Dn asked Fox about the overarching study he looked to produce with the book, the music films he feels deserve a reappraisal,...

Cliff Richard has opened up about the impact of being investigated for historic sex crimes.

The musician was accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy during a religious rally at Sheffield United Football club in 1985.

In 2014, Richard’s home was searched by police as part of the Operation Yewtree investigation. However, he was not arrested and has always strongly denied the allegations.

In October 2016, Richard sued the BBC and South Yorkshire Police for invasion of privacy and misuse of private information.

The incident is the subject of The Accused: National Treasures on Trial, a new Channel 4 documentary airing on Wednesday (23 August).

It sees three household names, who were accused, but either never arrested, charged or convicted, reveal what it was like to be caught in the eye of the storm: Richard, DJ Paul Gambaccini and former Pop Idol judge Neil Fox.

Speaking about being under investigation, Richard said: “You cannot stop thinking about it.

The botched Operation Yewtree investigation, which sought to bring to light historic sex offences perpetrated by British celebrities in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal, is set to be examined in a new Channel 4 documentary.

Singer Cliff Richard, radio DJ Paul Gambaccini and former “Pop Idol” judge Neil Fox were among those publicly accused of historic sex crimes during the operation, which launched 10 years ago. None of them were ever convicted of any crimes.

Richard went on to sue the BBC for invasion of privacy after the network broadcast a police raid of his home during the operation. He was awarded £210,000 in damages and over £2 million (2.4 million) in legal costs, although he said the sum didn’t cover the full cost of the legal bills he incurred in a bid to clear his name.

Curious Films (“Caroline Flack: Her Life & Death”) are producing the doc, which will...

Sir Cliff Richard and two other British entertainers accused but never convicted of sex crimes are to take part in a Channel 4 documentary marking a decade since Operation Yewtree.

National treasure Richard was famously accused by a man of sexual assault but Richard was never charged and went on to win £2M (2.4M) from a BBC settlement, after BBC News sent a helicopter to cover police raiding his Berkshire home.

He will contribute to Curious Films’ The Accused: National Treasures on Trial alongside Pop Idol judge Neil Fox and DJ Paul Gambaccini, all of whom were accused but never arrested.

Led by their personal stories and experiences of being investigated, while in the full glare of the national media, including video diaries recorded with Gambaccini and Fox at the time, the documentary explores the immediate and longer-lasting impact the process had on them, their families, careers and reputations.

It...

There's a companion site for the new edition of Thomas Elsaesser and Malte Hagener's Film Theory: an Introduction Through the Senses that's chock full of some of the best recent audiovisual essays on cinema. Also in today's roundup: Jean-Luc Godard's illustrated scenario for Film Socialisme; Martin Scorsese on three of his favorite actresses, Gene Tierney, Olivia de Havilland and Teresa Wright; Kenneth Turan on Dorothy Arzner; J. Hoberman on Nadav Lapid; David Fear's interview with Julien Temple and Neil Fox's with Alex Ross Perry; Joe Swanberg and Kris Swanberg in conversation; and Adam Schartoff's interviews with James Ponsoldt (The End of the Tour), Patrick Wang (The Grief of Othersv) and Alex R. Johnson (Two Step). » - David Hudson...

There's a companion site for the new edition of Thomas Elsaesser and Malte Hagener's Film Theory: an Introduction Through the Senses that's chock full of some of the best recent audiovisual essays on cinema. Also in today's roundup: Jean-Luc Godard's illustrated scenario for Film Socialisme; Martin Scorsese on three of his favorite actresses, Gene Tierney, Olivia de Havilland and Teresa Wright; Kenneth Turan on Dorothy Arzner; J. Hoberman on Nadav Lapid; David Fear's interview with Julien Temple and Neil Fox's with Alex Ross Perry; Joe Swanberg and Kris Swanberg in conversation; and Adam Schartoff's interviews with James Ponsoldt (The End of the Tour), Patrick Wang (The Grief of Othersv) and Alex R. Johnson (Two Step). » - David Hudson...

The worst-kept secret in telly is out - The X Factor 2015 judging panel has been confirmed.

Together with a returning Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini are BBC Radio 1 breakfast show DJ Nick Grimshaw and popstar/actress Rita Ora.

But is their addition to the X Factor judging lineup a promising shake-up for the show, or a disaster waiting to happen? Here, two writers argue for and against the latest changes to the primetime giant that can still draw in audiences of over 10 million viewers.

For: This jaded format really needs a bit of a gamble - Kate Goodacre

The X Factor is a primetime entertainment show first and foremost, and a talent search competition almost by consequence.

It's a format that's been looking increasingly tired and predictable. The much-hyped returns of Sharon Osbourne and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini didn't shake the show up and give it the boost it craved in its...

The worst-kept secret in telly is out - The X Factor 2015 judging panel has been confirmed.

Together with a returning Simon Cowell and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini are BBC Radio 1 breakfast show DJ Nick Grimshaw and popstar/actress Rita Ora.

But is their addition to the X Factor judging lineup a promising shake-up for the show, or a disaster waiting to happen? Here, two writers argue for and against the latest changes to the primetime giant that can still draw in audiences of over 10 million viewers.

For: This jaded format really needs a bit of a gamble - Kate Goodacre

The X Factor is a primetime entertainment show first and foremost, and a talent search competition almost by consequence.

It's a format that's been looking increasingly tired and predictable. The much-hyped returns of Sharon Osbourne and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini didn't shake the show up and give it the boost it craved in its...

Denise van Outen says Fearne Cotton will ''have many happy years'' with her new husband. The 'Strictly Come Dancing' star has given her advice to the blonde beauty - who got married to Jesse Wood last week - and urged her to ''spend lots of time'' with her man, the son of Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie. Speaking to fellow radio presenter Neil Fox on the 'Magic FM Breakfast Show', she said: ''Obviously, it's important to just spend lots of time together, and if it does get wrong, stay friends. ''I mean, that's the thing, you know - who knows what the future holds...

Denise van Outen says Fearne Cotton will ''have many happy years'' with her new husband. The 'Strictly Come Dancing' star has given her advice to the blonde beauty - who got married to Jesse Wood last week - and urged her to ''spend lots of time'' with her man, the son of Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie. Speaking to fellow radio presenter Neil Fox on the 'Magic FM Breakfast Show', she said: ''Obviously, it's important to just spend lots of time together, and if it does get wrong, stay friends. ''I mean, that's the thing, you know - who knows what the future holds...

Congratulations to Ant & Dec, who celebrate 25 years in showbusiness together this year.

The dynamic (and diminutive) duo first hit our small screens in Byker Grove and have gone on to become a fixture of prime-time telly viewing with Bgt and their Saturday Night Takeaway.

We celebrate Ant & Dec's career successes - from paintballing to motorboating - below:

1. He can't see man!

"He can't see man!!" Dec points out the obvious as Ant lies blinded by paint after an illegal paintballing contest on Byker Grove.

2. Not stable...

Dec makes an earnest-looking stable boy in his sadly uncredited appearance in an adaptation of Catherine Cookson's The Cinder Path in '94.

3. Ant & Dec knighted

Ant & Dec dressed as knights at Knebworth House. Just because.

4. Let's Get Ready...

It's the Geordie answer to the Blues Brothers (sort of), as the duo perform as Pj & Duncan at the Royal Albert Hall back in 1996.

5. Trio of TV fun

Ant,...

The Big Reunion is doing something different this series, by forming a brand new supergroup! 5th Story might not have stories of their tensions as a band, but Dane Bowers, Gareth Gates, Kavana, Kenzie and Adam Rickitt certainly didn't hold back about their time in the spotlight in tonight's show. Read on to find out what we learned from their confessions...

1. We miss Pop Idol.

Who knew? But seeing just a glimpse of Gareth Gates on Pop Idol back in the day brought memories flooding back of Dr Fox and Pete Waterman, of Ant & Dec hosting (we forgot!) and of how generally all-round great it was. So thanks for that, Big Reunion.

2. Gareth Gates regrets denying the whole "Katie Price" thing.

"We saw each other for about three or four months and it was fun - she's a really lovely, lovely girl," Gareth said nervously, as the show flashed up...

Segways at the ready! The shopping centre comedy that's all about prats and pratfalls is on Channel 5 at 5pm

"Remember me? I set you on fire at the pancake festival" - Commander Kent

Now, look, I know you probably have your assumptions about Paul Blart: Mall Cop. It stars Kevin James, who is generally to tasteful film-making what Donald Trump is to tasteful hairdressing. It's a knockabout, low-stakes comedy primarily about how funny fat people are when they fall over. It's called Paul Blart: Mall Cop, for crying out loud. It's impossible to say that out loud without sounding like an especially concussed caveman. And, hand on heart, it's going to take a lot of convincing to persuade me that the word "Blart" isn't a deliberate compound of "blood" and "fart".

And yet I'm here today to tell you that Paul Blart: Mall Cop is a sorely underrated film. Sure,...

It might be months away, but the X Factor speculation is already going crazy. Simon Cowell's confirmed his position, Nicole Scherzinger's being all wishy-washy and Cheryl Cole's being an actual troll by posting Xf-themed Instagrams, the cheeky minx. In fact, all the rumours - Rita Ora! Olly Murs! - got us so exhausted that we had to go and have a lie down... but we dreamt of The X Factor. Still, our fantasy judges were pretty great, so read on to find out who the DS team wants to see putting up with Simon later this year...

Judge Judy - News editor Mayer Nissim

Enough weepy pandering to fame-hungry contestants. Enough of icky fauxmances with fellow judges. Enough of what Trainspotting's Francis Begbie would rightly dismiss as so-called hard chaps on the panel pretending to be strict. Only one candidate has the experience, skill and sartorial flair to save The X Factor,...

'Dr' Neil Fox has slammed The Voice UK, branding the BBC show "s**t", a waste of licence fee money and "a sub-standard X Factor".

The former Pop Idol judge made the comments while speaking to Digital Spy about the state of contemporary TV talent shows, and pointed out the vast ratings gap between The Voice and its ITV rival.

"I think in general [talent shows] are thoroughly entertaining," he told us at the Arqiva Contemporary Radio Awards this week. "The good ones people will watch, the s**t ones, like The Voice, people will turn off.

"Sadly for me it's a very sub-standard X Factor and I feel sorry for the winners. The figures for The X Factor are enormous, and the big difference is when the final of The Voice was on we never spoke about it once. No-one cared.

"I know they've commissioned another series of The Voice - come on BBC,...

'Dr' Neil Fox has backed Tulisa Contostavlos's firing from The X Factor, telling Digital Spy that nobody "has got any respect" for the troubled star.

Fox, who appeared alongside X Factor boss Simon Cowell as a Pop Idol judge in the early noughties, said that Sharon Osbourne was a superior replacement for the N-Dubz singer, who was arrested on drug fixing charges shortly after her axing in May.

Speaking to DS at the Arqiva Commercial Radio Awards, Fox commented: "I think you have a respect for Sharon Osbourne. No-one, to be fair, has got any respect for Tulisa.

"What has she done? Has she got a body of work that if she criticises you you can really take it on the chin? You kind of go, 'No - your last record didn't even make the Top 20'. You need judges [who] know what they're on about."

Fox also stated his...

London, May 11: Model Chantelle Houghton was seen enjoying dinner date with ex-boyfriend Neil Fox, who she dated briefly in 2010.

Houghton, who had an ugly breakup with fiance Alex Reid last year and has one-year-old daughter Dolly with him, was seen enjoying herself with Fox at Hakkasan restaurant in Mayfair here, reports thesun.co.uk.

The model had earlier said that she does not wish to hurry into anything with Fox, who is a construction worker.

"He (Fox) told me he'd missed me and I said I'd missed him too. We discussed the fact that I wasn't ready for a serious relationship last time and he completely understood,".

A mystery man who claims to have inspired Adele's earliest hits has opened up about their romance. Known only as Giles, the singer's alleged ex-boyfriend revealed they enjoyed a 'whirlwind romance' before she was famous and wants her to know he still thinks about her. After phoning British breakfast show host Neil Fox on Magic FM and requesting Elvis Presley's hit 'Always on My Mind' on Tuesday morning (19.02.13), Giles explained his choice: 'Why that one? Well it's for an old flame of mine, a very old flame called Michelle Adkins. I'd like to let her know that I'm thinking of her. She's done pretty well these days. She's actually changed her name to Adele Adkins in recent years.' When...

A mystery man who claims to have inspired Adele's earliest hits has opened up about their romance. Known only as Giles, the singer's alleged ex-boyfriend revealed they enjoyed a ''whirlwind romance'' before she was famous and wants her to know he still thinks about her. After phoning British breakfast show host Neil Fox on Magic FM and requesting Elvis Presley's hit 'Always on My Mind' on Tuesday morning (19.02.13), Giles explained his choice: ''Why that one? Well it's for an old flame of mine, a very old flame called Michelle Adkins. I'd like to let her know that I'm thinking of her.

Neil Fox has taken issue with Nick Grimshaw's comments about Robbie Williams. Radio 1 Breakfast Show host Grimshaw said that the Take That star is "not relevant" to his younger listeners. "Brainless @grimmers @R1Breakfast claims @robbiewilliams is too old & irrelevant for today's teenagers! Some advice.. Stop being a total nob," said Magic FM veteran DJ Dr Fox on Twitter. "Scary how many people seem to agree with my thought re@grimmers being a #totalnob over his @robbiewilliams comments! It's true though." He continued: "While I'm having a rant, much as like @onedirection for what they are, if they're the new saviours of @bbcr1 can I have my license fee back? "Of course I'm not the voice of Today's youth-or trying (more)...

Russell Brand has claimed that he will be on his best behaviour when he shares the stage with the Dalai Lama later this week. The Rock of Ages star was named master of ceremonies for a live event featuring the Buddhist leader at Manchester's Men arena on Saturday (June 16). Despite his past examples of scandalous behaviour, Brand insisted that he has a "genuine respect" for the Dalai Lama and is not out to cause controversy at the talk. Speaking in an interview with Neil Fox on Magic 105.4, Brand admitted: "I've made mistakes in the past Foxy, I won't lie to you but this one I'm on my game. I'm going to crack on. I'm going to give the (more)...

Kate Winslet has credited the success of the 1997 blockbuster Titanic for allowing her to have full control of her own career. The actress, who recently celebrated the film's 15th-anniversary 3D re-release, said that not only has Titanic allowed her to be more choosy about the projects she takes part in but it has ensured a level of financial comfort which has improved her quality of life. In an interview with Neil Fox on Magic 105.4 Breakfast Show, Winslet explained: "I'm fortunate enough to get to choose the roles I play these days, largely due to the success of Titanic actually, and so I do like choosing things that are risky and a little bit unexpected. "It was really Titanic that provided that creative freedom for me and actually then years later becoming a mother, it has been so brilliant (more)...

Gwyneth Paltrow attends 2011 Rhs Chelsea flower show.Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Kirsty Allsopp attends 2011 Rhs Chelsea flower show.Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Gloria Hunniford and Diana Moran attend 2011 Rhs Chelsea flower show.Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Neil Fox attends 2011 Rhs Chelsea flower show.Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. Will Young attends 2011 Rhs Chelsea flower show.Photo copyright Landmark / PR Photos. 05/23/2011 - Floella Benjamin - 2011 Rhs Chelsea Flower Show - VIP Day - Royal Hospital Chelsea - London, UK © Landmark / PR Photos 05/23/2011 - Will Young - 2011 Rhs Chelsea Flower Show - VIP Day - Royal Hospital Chelsea - London, UK ©...

Prince's Trust ambassadors Jenni Falconer and fiancé James Midgley have set the wheels in motion alongside Magic 105.4s Neil Fox for the youth charity’s biggest mass participation event of the year, The Prince’s Trust 2010 Palace to Palace bike ride.

The event sees 3,000 cyclists collectively ride 135,000 miles from Buckingham Palace to Windsor Castle, raising vital funds to get unemployed young people into work.

Read more...

Graham Norton has told Digital Spy that he is optimistic about the chances of UK hopeful Josh Dubovie at this year's Eurovision. Dismissing DJ Neil Fox's criticism yesterday that the Your Country Needs You! winner is "an average song by an average singer", Norton said that he thinks Pete Waterman-penned track 'That Sounds Good To Me' will stand out from the crowd. "I think if it is an average (more)...

Neil Fox has described Pete Waterman's Your Country Needs You! show as a "shambles". The Magic FM DJ, who worked with Waterman on two series of Pop Idol, said that the quality of contestants on the BBC One Eurovision talent hunt was embarrassing. "The comparison between Leona Lewis who won X Factor a few years ago and Your Country Needs You!, which was that Eurovision shambles on Friday - I don't know if you watched it, but I've never been so embarrassed watching anything in years," said Fox. "We have not got a chance of ever (more)...

The second group of contestants and guest panellists have been announced for Let's Dance For Comic Relief. Chefs Paul Rankin, Sophie Grigson, John Burton Race, Nancy Lam, Kevin Woodford, Sophie Michel, Tony Tobin, Reza Mohammad and Silvana Rowe have signed up to appear on the show. Other new additions include cast members from Hollyoaks and Les Dennis, Neil Fox, Angela Rippon and Nancy Sorrell. They will join Jo Brand, Robert Webb and other previously announced contestants on the show, which aims to find the champion of the dance floor while paying homage to iconic routines. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman (more)...