Entertainment News

From 9am today, The Phoenix Newspaper presents PhoenExpo 2015 and the Jamaica Grand Market, and in the evening, our Gala Dinner and Awards Presentation Ceremony, at the Bethel Convention Centre, West Bromwich. Come along during the day to experience a great family day out! There are still tickets available for the Awards Presentation Ceremony, so come along and get yours during the day!

In the contest between dogs versus cats, the nation has spoken and it prefers dogs. New research by Churchill Pet Insurance reveals that almost half (45 per cent) of UK adults prefer dogs over cats. Just a quarter (23 per cent) of people prefer cats over dogs and another quarter (23 per cent) like both equally. Controversially, nearly one in 10 (nine per cent) do not like either dogs or cats.

The recent passing of the law banning smoking in a vehicle with anyone under 18 years old heralded a new era for health and safety and was welcomed by politicians and the British Medical Association.  However, safety experts are now urging for the same logic to be applied to alcohol and the drink-drive limit.

Ding dong merrily on high the Christmas bells are beginning to ring. There's no better place to get into the spirit of Christmas this year than at The Shops at Dartington. To help create that sparkly festive feeling, on Thursday 10th December there's a special late night shopping event and then on the 19th and 20th December it's the much loved The Shops at Dartington Christmas Fair.

A founding member of 90s indie rock band Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine, J.B. Morrison, has beaten thespian heavyweights including Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Derek Jacobi to win a prestigious Older People in the Media Award. Meanwhile Baroness Joan Bakewell has won the “Best older person’s champion in the media” award.

Christmas came early for one lucky Walsall school child on Saturday 21st November as eight year old Mason Jones won a special Santa sleigh ride following the Victorian Arcade Shopping Centre’s ‘Design a Christmas Tree’ competition.

To avoid sleepy little ones missing the festivities, the LEGOLAND Hotel will change its clocks to Kid Standard Time (KST) so younger guests can enjoy the midnight feel with a countdown to New Year and a spectacular fireworks display all at 9pm (GMT) - just in time for bed.

Join The Drum Arts/Leisure Centre, on Sunday, 7th February 2016 for this rare and EXCLUSIVE pre-Valentine affair with the legendary Millie Jackson. With a career spanning more than three decades, Miss Jackson is known for her sexually explicit, racy, gritty, rap style fused with soul.  One of her earliest singles, ‘My Man Is A Sweet Man’, released in the early 70s remains popular amongst northern soul enthusiasts, as is ‘House For Sale’ (1976).

Santa and his reindeer will be joined by Sandwell’s mayor in Tipton’s fun-filled Christmas lights switch-on. Mayor Councillor Barbara Price will officially switch on the lights on in Owen Street on Friday 27 November at 6.30pm. Festive market stalls, Santa’s grotto and a funfair as well as entertainment from Funtime Theatre are also lined up.

Based on the beloved Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye film, the merry musical White Christmas comes to Wolverhampton Grand Theatre this December. South Staffs Musical Theatre Company returns following their successful 2014 production of Oliver! to tell Irving Berlin’s tale of two famous song-and-dance men who stage a show in a scenic, snow-topped Vermont inn.

Penzance, Cornwall's most south westerly town has a unique Christmas calendar to celebrate the festive season in 2015. Beginning on November 28th, the town comes alive with a mix of Christmas lights, entertainment and culture. Penzance's locals are passionate about their rich historical past which also plays a unique part in the town's festive celebrations, which are open to all.

Fabulous florals, wonderful window boxes and gorgeous gardens were celebrated at the annual Haringey in Bloom awards. Dozens of green-fingered residents from across the borough took part in this year’s competition, and the most brilliant blooms were rewarded at a ceremony at the Sunshine Garden Centre.

A British man has completed the build on an apocalypse-proof bunker in his back garden... in rural Lincolnshire. Following on from the worldwide success of his Ejector Bed (over 5.5m views on YouTube), British inventor Colin Furze is back with a brand new project. Teaming up with Sky 1 alongside their new series You, Me & The Apocalypse, Colin has turned his back garden into a massive underground bunker.

This Christmas the Birmingham Hippodrome will be hosting the spectacular pantomime showing of 'Aladdin' and there are a limited amount of tickets available at a special, discounted rate for Cure Leukemia supporters.

Birmingham’s nightlife venues are preparing to go head-to-head as the shortlist for this year’s Best Bar None awards was announced. Now in its ninth year, the city-wide scheme is one of the biggest in the country and champions licensed premises that provide a safe and enjoyable night out.