Profile

“Last Christmas, I gave you my heart…” From director Paul Feig, the brains behind comedy smash Bridesmaids, comes a new festive film that captures the essence of the holidays and steals your heart. It is warming, charming, and as camp as the season itself. Based on the greatest Christmas song of the same name (yes, I said...

A mere ten years ago, it was near impossible to dress like your fave celebs for a fraction of the price. Imitation Valentino heels were hard to come by, and the high street was more Jane Norman than Gianni Versace. How times have changed. In 2019, everywhere you look are affordable replicas of the outfits...

Crack out the celebratory omelettes, because much-loved sitcom Gavin and Stacey is to return to our television screens for a Christmas special. Actually, forget the eggs, this calls for nothing less than a bhuna. PETE, are you eyeing up my bhunas? It has been 9 years since the original run of BBC’s Gavin and Stacey ended,...

For 38 years, one wheeling and dealing Peckham family have dominated the comedy television scene, and in turn have defined British culture. Regularly topping polls for the best sitcom, Only Fools and Horses has truly engrained itself into the hearts and homes of the nation. Whether your love for the Trotters and co stems back...

“You’re gonnae be the next Dolly Parton!” As jailbird Rose-Lynn Harlan (Jessie Buckley) bursts onto the screen, teasing prison officers and joshing with her fellow inmates, her quick wit, wild hair and thick Glaswegian accent precede her. The aspiring country (and not Western) singer is being released from Her Majesty’s pleasure and is determined to...

The evenings are getting darker earlier, the thermostat is firmly on high, and you’re telling anyone who will listen that it’ll be Christmas before we know it. Yes, it’s autumn, which means that TV normality has been restored and the treat that is Great British Bake Off is back on our screens! Each year brings...

Ten years after we poured out of cinemas completely wrecked with emotion – still thrilled by the antics of Meryl Streep and her sidekicks Julie Walters and Christine Baranksi, and left cringing every time Pierce Brosnan burst into song – it is time to grab the popcorn (and tissues) again. The Mamma Mia all-star cast...

The era-defining reality TV show is rumoured to be coming to an end, and has a history as colourful as its ever-changing logo... With franchises in over 54 countries, there is no denying that reality game show Big Brother holds the monopoly on 21st Century entertainment. Social experiment The ultimate social experiment began in the...

Among the turkey and tinsel, the gifts and the endless supply of chocolate, lies the true shining star of the holiday season – the perfectly-wrapped present that is Christmas television. Whether on 25th December festive programming takes centre-stage, or hums unassumingly in the background, the TV is undeniably as part of Christmas as novelty pop...

For fellow children of the ‘90s, Sir Bruce Forsyth was a stalwart of Saturday night television. The veteran entertainer, who has died aged 89, enjoyed a long and glistening career as the host of some of Britain’s most popular game shows. Forsyth, for many, was a reliable signpost throughout childhood. Cosy weekends would be spent...

Arguably one the best children’s TV programme of the Noughties, Raven was an exhilarating rollercoaster from start to finish. The adventure game show tested the agility and nerve of groups of six schoolchildren in a series of challenges over three weeks. These ‘warriors’ were the envy of youngsters up and down the country. What we...

Peter Kay has been a stalwart of television for over two decades. For children of the ‘90s, he is as ubiquitous as hair scrunchies and the Macarena. He has starred in everything from comedies to chat shows, with even a stint in Coronation Street in between. The funny-man found fame in That Peter Kay Thing, which...

Festival season is now officially in full swing and the city of Coventry is preparing to host yet another jam-packed, and free, three-day event next month. The festival, now in its 19th year, will run from July 7 to July 9 and the confirmed line-up promises to deliver an exciting and varied weekend of entertainment. After a record...

Peter Sallis, who has died aged 96, achieved something very few actors have. In his career, which spanned theatre to sitcom and even the odd big-screen movie, Sallis was the beacon of several generations’ childhoods. Born in Middlesex on 1 February 1921, Sallis caught the acting bug during his wartime service in the RAF. He was...

A strong desire to pack your suitcase and get the first flight to anywhere around the world can be tempting and everyone's travel list can be full of some great countries they wish to travel too. Our Travel feature, "Around the World", gives us a glimpse into the places and countries our editors here at Kettle travelled too. This week, we have...

Being British is great, isn't it? We may be a tiny nation, but we are full to the brim of mind-boggling accents, deliciously bland cuisine, and often-infuriating sporting representatives.  But what are the very best things about being a Brit? Our rich culture that unites a nation  Our culture knows no bounds. Making a ~proper~ cup of...

In 2017, it is hard to imagine a Western world where half of the population is denied a chance of attending university. Yet, despite a long history of higher education – Oxford itself is over 700 years old – women were forbidden from gaining degrees until the 19th century.  Enter Catherine Brewer, the feminist icon you’ve never heard of. In 1840, she became the first...

March is Women’s History Month, so here at Kettle, we are marking the occasion by celebrating amazing achievements by incredible women.  The following six women have been chosen as being some of the most influential in music history. In an industry so heavily dominated by men, these fierce females have stood their ground and made...

In a world where red carpet commentators are more focused on designer labels than acting prowess, female Hollywood stars are offering alternative responses to the tedious, yet inevitable, question of: “Who are you wearing?” At the 74th Golden Globes Awards ceremony, Evan Rachel Wood, Octavia Spencer and Kathryn Hahn ditched the flowy ballgowns in favour of...

Halloween this year brought with it the usual excitement of pumpkins, parties, and finding the perfect costume. Among the festivities, however, lay something far scarier than any ghost or ghoul - the idea that people can dictate what others, especially women, can and cannot wear.   Although it is less than two months until we are...

It is often said that great art can be found anywhere. For a week in July, mind-blowingly beautiful exhibits were found in an unassuming display room in the East End of London. The Brick Lane Gallery Annexe housed paintings, drawings, illustrations and collages so vastly unique but sharing one common theme: paper. The collection, titled...

They’re back, sweetie darlings! Twenty-four years after the first episode of sitcom Absolutely Fabulous was aired, outrageous best friends Edina “Eddy” Monsoon and Patsy Stone have finally made it onto the big screen. After Jennifer Saunders was bet £10,000 that she would not write a film script (thanks to Dawn French), she gave fans what...

Tributes have been pouring in for comedian and actress Caroline Aherne, who died on Saturday at the age of 52 after a battle with cancer. Since her death at the weekend, Caroline has been heralded as one of Britain’s greatest comedy performers, and it is easy to see why. Gritty with realism, Aherne’s comedy lacked...

As Emma Watson announced that April’s allocated reading for the Our Shared Shelf book club was How To Be a Woman by one of my feminist heroes, Caitlin Moran, I rejoiced. A firm fixture on my bookshelf, the hilarious memoir/guidebook sees Caitlin answer the questions that every modern woman is asking. The Goodreads group has become...

It’s a new month, which means another book to check off the Our Shared Shelf reading list. March’s instalment was All About Love: New Visions by American author, feminist and social writer bell hooks. You won’t be surprised to hear that this book was, of course, all about love. With each chapter focusing on an...

The Color Purple by Alice Walker is an esteemed classic, and after reading devouring it for Emma Watson’s feminist book club, it isn't hard to see why. Emma has - whether consciously or not - began Our Shared Shelf with two brutally honest, unapologetic pieces of literature. Choosing a novel by an African-American author instilled some...

Last month, actress and UN Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson announced she was beginning a feminist book club and urged men and women alike to join. After reaching out to Twitter for the club’s name, it was christened ‘Our Shared Shelf’ - a moniker that encapsulates the group’s intersectional inclusivity. Emma explained that the aim of the...

Since its launch in 2003, BBC Three have provided eye-opening documentaries and cutting-edge comedies to an otherwise safe, traditional set of BBC TV listings. The feisty younger relative of traditional Auntie Beeb, the channel attracts viewers that mostly fall between 16 and 34, though it is particularly popular with under-25s. In keeping with this, BBC Three...

Following the death of music legend David Bowie this week, the world has been mourning the loss of a true star. His influence was undeniable, with his domination of the charts lasting six decades. The trailblazer of music and fashion taught generations that they could be whatever they wanted, and his inspiration to countless individuals will...

With Christmas only a few days away, many of us will be grabbing a marker pen and a copy of the trusty Radio Times Christmas 2015 issue, or scouring the digital TV guide if you’re firmly in the 21st century, and deciding what festive programmes are worth watching. This year there are noticeably fewer TV repeats on BBC...

For music lovers everywhere, Adele’s return was hotly anticipated. Last month ITV aired an understated advert with her unmistakable voice singing the intro to ‘Hello’ with the lyrics appearing on screen. The advert quickly went viral, and with that the powerhouse who has dominated the charts since 2008 was back.  Chasing Pavements, not fame Adele is one...

With the 25th James Bond film, Spectre, set to be released next month, eager fans have been waiting in anticipation for the reveal of the latest 007 theme song. Last month, chart-topper Sam Smith was confirmed as the singer with ballad ‘Writing’s On The Wall’, a move that seems to have divided opinion among Bond fans… in love...

As the annual prom season came to an end, 40,000 people clad in red, white and blue gathered in London’s Hyde Park for a star-studded 19th BBC Proms in the Park on Saturday, September 12th. The event, hosted by Radio 2 legends Tony Blackburn, Sir Terry Wogan and Ken Bruce, showcased a fantastic array of...

Thanks to a certain amateur baking programme, millions of people across the nation are donning their aprons and whisking up a storm. Founder of the Clandestine Cake Club (CCC) Lynn Hill attributes her club’s success to the inclusivity of the show: “You can imagine that baking a whole cake and having to eat it yourself...

It’s that time of year again, when fifteen new celebrities take to the dancefloor in a bid to lift that coveted Glitterball trophy. Adorned in sequins, the contestants will Tango, Twist, Samba and Salsa into the nation’s hearts every Saturday night. The series began with a launch last night (Saturday 5th) where the celebrities were...

After having entered the leadership race at 100/1, bookmakers Ladbrokes have slashed his odds to 6/4. Now also the favourite amongst Labour Party members, it looks like the bookies were too quick to back the wrong horse. Corbyn has been criticised for being “too socialist” and his manifesto has led to comparisons to Karl Marx....

Now in its thirteenth year since its revival in 2002, the Isle of Wight Festival returns this weekend. The event’s unique location means that it provides some much-needed escapism from normal life, whilst still being a valuable asset to the UK festival season. Across three days, some of the music industry’s most influential acts will...

To mark Mother's Day, take a look at the best mother figures and overall fierce females literature has to offer. These strong-minded women are often stern, but always, always caring. Perhaps most importantly, they each are not afraid to push their children to be the best they can be.  Ladies, we salute you. Mrs Lancaster: The...

  An esteemed writer and broadcaster, Robert Elms has lived a colourful life to say the least. Now the presenter of a successful daytime slot on BBC London 94.9, he has an impressive CV. He became a columnist for The Face and NME in the 1980s and went on to work for Channel 4 in...

It’s October, which means the autumn term has well and truly commenced and students across the country are back to school or university. But never fear! Here to brighten up your long days of studying is a list of the top 5 fictional teachers. Don’t say I don’t treat you. So, teachers: however good you...

A British institution, the BBC Proms captures the nation’s imagination each year with a range of breath-taking performers across some of the capitals most esteemed A British institution, the BBC Proms captures the nation’s imagination each year with a range of breath-taking performers across some of the capitals most esteemed venues.  The 2014 run of...

American Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead at his California home on Monday. Th American Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams was found dead at his California home on Monday. The 63-year-old star was known for his success spanning several decades, his roles ranging from manic slapstick to poignant diatribes about life, and death. ...

BAFTA award-winning The Great British Bake Off makes its debut on BBC One tonight (Wednesday 6th August). BAFTA award-winning The Great British Bake Off makes its debut on BBC One tonight (Wednesday 6th August). The baking show had humble beginnings on BBC Two but its surge in popularity has secures its move to the corporation’s...

Acclaimed writer and feminism champion Caitlin Moran kicked off her sold-out How to Build a Girl tour this month, publicising her recently released novel of the same name. Author of How to be a Woman, Moranthology, and now, How to Build a Girl, Caitlin holds an ability to capture so accurately what everyone is thinking-...

Everyone loves a musical. Everyone loves a musical. Whether you admit it or not, there's no denying the intoxicating magic of the musical wonderlands that are London's West End and New York's Broadway.    That delight though can be recreated in your own living room thanks to the wonder of musical films. It even allows...

As a culture obsessed society, it’s nice to know we can own a slice of the high life- for a small fee, or rather, fortune. As a culture obsessed society, it’s nice to know we can own a slice of the high life- for a small fee, or rather, fortune. Last week the books and...

To Kill A Mockingbird? Written by a woman. Beloved? Written by a woman. Jane Eyre? Written by- well, you get the point. To Kill A Mockingbird? Written by a woman. Beloved? Written by a woman. Jane Eyre? Written by- well, you get the point. There is no doubt that females can write and across a...

Detective series have been a favourite on the box for years, with so many to choose from. Detective series have been a favourite on the box for years, with so many to choose from. Here’s my countdown of the top 5 on the telly:   5. Columbo The classic American crime drama captivated the minds...

The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations look set to be bigger and bolder than ever before. The St. Patrick’s Day celebrations look set to be bigger and bolder than ever before. Everyone loves a knees-up, and from Dublin to Manchester, there are unmissable parades and parties marking the occasion. Dublin, Ireland The Irish capital is one...