Category Archives: Entertainment

Entertainment, News, Tourism

Major boost for South Wales tourism economy this Spring as old meets new at Zip World Tower

Zip World, the adventure company behind the fastest zip-line in the world, has today announced that all being well, its new site in South Wales, Zip World Tower, will be opening to visitors on 22nd April.

Launching with two new experiences, Zip World Phoenix and Big Red, the site has been designed to create a lasting legacy to its deep-routed mining heritage.

Zip World Tower represents a major boost for South Wales growing tourism economy – with the development creating 56 jobs during its first phase and forecasting 100,000 visitors within the first year of operation.

Funding for the project was made possible as a result of a £4.5m loan from the City Deal for the Cardiff Capital Region at the end of last year.

Sean Taylor, founder of Zip World, said: “It’s been a challenging time for the tourism sector over the past year but with the opening of Zip World Tower, we feel like it will only go from strength to strength.

“We have proven experience of preserving and regenerating iconic sites and as a passionate Welshman, I couldn’t think of a better location than the South Wales Valleys to create a new legacy and grow our brand outside of North Wales for the first time. The whole team can’t wait to welcome thrill-seekers and families to Rhigos this spring.”

In what is the company’s first site outside of North Wales, Rhigos in the South Wales Valley will now be home to one of the UK’s most impressive outdoor adventure locations.

Launching with two new experiences including Zip World Phoenix, which will be the world’s fastest seated four-person zip line, the site has been designed to create a lasting legacy to its deep-routed mining heritage.

Set in the iconic Rhigos mountain range with stunning views that overlook beautiful Welsh landscapes including the Brecon Beacons, the Tower Colliery site is steeped in history.

Before its closure in 2008, it was the oldest continuously working deep coal mine in the UK. It became a powerful symbol of the miners’ resistance in the 1990s, as workers invested their own money from redundancy payments to save the colliery from closure in 1994.

Tyronne O’Sullivan OBE, chairman of the Tower Colliery, said: “It’s fantastic to have the opportunity to usher in a new chapter in the Tower story, in a way that captures the industrial history of the site and gives the local community a boost too. We were really impressed with how Zip World reinvented a slate quarry into a thriving tourist attraction at the Penrhyn Quarry in North Wales and couldn’t think of a better way to sustain the legacy of this iconic site.”

David Samways, a former conveyor belt fitter at the coal mine whose Grandson will be working at Zip World Tower as an instructor, said: “Like many others in this area, I feel a close connection to Tower Colliery. I spent much of my working life at the Tower Colliery where we constructed miles of conveyor belt to transport the coal. Seeing things come full circle with my Grandson Jack securing a job at Zip World Tower feels amazing and I’m reminded yet again of what a special community this is.”

Be one of the first people to ride the Phoenix or Tower Coaster at Zip World Tower and purchase your tickets now at: https://www.zipworld.co.uk/vouchers/buy

Entertainment, News

UK’s largest Aquarium launches family virtual tours to fundraise vital funds during lockdown

The National Marine Aquarium has come up with a way to keep families entertained at home and keep its Ocean Discovery Rangers busy through winter – by offering personalised tours of the aquarium’s tanks, which in turn will help boost funds for conservation and education during the latest lockdown.

Virtual visitors are invited to take a 1-hour tour with the Ocean Discovery Rangers, exploring the whole Ocean, from the rocky shores of the coast in Devon, all the way to the colourful corals of the Great Barrier Reef. Virtual visitors will also get VIP access to the top of the Atlantic Ocean Exhibit, and the chance to meet some of the National Marine Aquarium’s most popular residents, including a cheeky turtle called Friday.

Nicola Bridge, Head of Conservation Education and Communications, said:

“While we all face a few more weeks at home this winter we want to invite families to explore the aquarium from their own homes, which in turn will help provide vital funds for the upkeep of the aquarium and our conservation and education work.

“Our Facebook Lives from the tanks have proved so popular that we are launching exclusive virtual tours for families where they can ask any burning questions and interact with our rangers in their own time, just like a real visit to the aquarium.

“As part of the Ocean Conservation Trust, the aquarium is a vital part of teaching children the importance of the Ocean, as well as being a great day out. Our rangers are brilliantly knowledgeable and these tours will be a great diversion from weeks at home”.

The virtual tour includes all three zones of the aquarium, with the first covering local coasts and rockpool shallows and marine life that’s found slightly off the UK shore; the second exhibit houses the inhabitants of the Atlantic Ocean, where some of the aquarium’s biggest animals live – including the sharks; and the third region covers the tropical reefs – with familiar favourites Nemo and Dory.

Heading up the Ocean Discovery Rangers are Freyja Thomson and Lottie Hawkins. Freyja primarily works in the National Marine Aquarium communicating with the public the importance of the Ocean and helping to create an Ocean literate society. Through her work Freyja helps to create and deliver fun, engaging shows, workshops and interactions that the public engagement team of Ocean Discovery Rangers help to run. Lottie’s role combines her love for the Ocean and the incredible wildlife it supports, with her passion for working with people in the hope of creating an Ocean literate generation who will protect the future of our Blue Planet.

Living in the UK, no one is ever further than 70 miles from sea, although these virtual guides and lessons mean distance is not an issue, with tours even available to international guests.

2021 sees the start of the UN Decade of the Ocean and the virtual tours are aimed to get the UK off to flying start.

https://www.national-aquarium.co.uk/events/aquarium-virtual-tours/

Entertainment

£4.4 Million Investment Awarded to Zip World for CCT Tower Colliery Site

Cardiff Capital Region’s Regional Cabinet earlier this week agreed its latest investment as it seeks to boost the south-east Wales economy in the wake of Covid-19.

£4.4m has been awarded to Zip World in the form of a 5 year repayable loan to replicate their successful North Wales adventure business on the CCR Tower Colliery site.

This investment will preserve and regenerate one of the most iconic sites in the region whilst creating significant economic benefits for the whole region. The Zip World Tower Project will create an anchor visitor destination in the City Region and, in so doing, will complement and support other regional attractions, as well as local suppliers, accommodation providers, cafes and shops. Set to be a world class destination, Zip World Tower will attract many new visitors to the region, providing yet another compelling reason to visit and stay in the area.

There are a number of tourist attractions in the area already, including: Penderyn Distillery, Garwnant Visitor Centre, Royal Mint, Cyfarthfa Park, Bike Park Wales and the intention is very much for Zip World to work closely with these businesses, harnessing the power of their hugely successful and internationally recognised brands to create a standout tourist destination within the region, for the benefit of all.

Councillor Andrew Morgan, CCR Cabinet board member and Leader RCT County Borough Council said: “I’m delighted that the Cardiff Capital Region Cabinet has approved the investment loan in Zip World. This project is an ambitious scheme that promises to bring many benefits to our regional leisure and hospitality sector, which has suffered badly during the Covid-19 pandemic. It has the potential to bring an extra 1 million visitors to South Wales over the first 5 years, provide much needed sustainable employment opportunities for the local communities and provide a tremendous boost to the wider regional economy.”

Sean Taylor, President and Founder of Zip World, said: ”This is our first site beyond the North Wales border and we are hugely proud and excited to bring our brand of adventure to the Valleys. Both the area’s landscape and rich mining heritage offers Zip World visitors something truly unique and an experience to remember with family and friends. We’re eager to meet local businesses, school groups and tourism sector organisations prior to opening in Spring 2021 to discuss ways in which we can work together.”

Entertainment, News

TV Then and Now: How Britain’s TV habits, programming, and technology has evolved over time

Televisions have been through an incredible transformation since their first creation, but have our viewing habits and the industry changed as much as technology has developed?

Currys PC World conducted a study into the evolution of television to investigate just how much the world of TV has changed and adapted over time. Here are a few of the key takeaways:

  • Broadcast TV is on the decline, but the British public are embracing a multitude of new ways to watch
  • 1 in 4 Brits now prefer watching subscription video on-demand (SVOD) services instead of broadcast TV
  • Men are twice as likely to watch TV in the bathroom than women
  • The Welsh watch the most broadcast TV, East Midlanders love SVODs and Londoners are the most likely to watch TV on a non-TV device

With huge cultural and technological shifts, you’d expect TV habits to adapt with the times. Today, not only can TV be watched on various different devices (TV, laptop, smartphone, tablet), but there’s also a wealth of content available on numerous platforms (broadcast TV, pay-TV (Sky, Virgin, etc), SVODs (Netflix, Amazon, etc)).

But, while 84% of Brits still prefer to watch on a television set, two in five 16-24-year-olds say they’d rather watch on a non-TV device. What’s more, over 15 million households now have at least one SVOD (subscription video on demand) service and 6% less Brits describe watching TV as “family time” now than 10 years ago.

In terms of the content itself, genres have shifted in popularity over time. Based on the top-rated programmes of each year, entertainment was the leading TV genre in the 60s, with programmes such as the Eurovision Song Contest and The Mike Yarwood Christmas Show stealing the show. Today we prefer reality TV, such as the Great British Bake Off, which topped the most-watched list on two different years in the 2010s.

It’s leisure that has seen the biggest growth in demand though, demonstrating a huge 870% increase in broadcast hours between 2012-2019.

  • The UK turned to TV as a key source of lockdown entertainment
  • The average Brit watched 3,270 minutes of TV during lockdown
  • One in five Brits said they watched more comedy than usual over lockdown
  • 1 in 5 Brits describe TV as a form of escapism
  • The Prime Minister’s statement about “a conditional plan” for easing lockdown attracted 27.5 million viewers across Britain

With a national lockdown confining us to our homes, many people sought solace in TV.

During the peak lockdown period (April), the British public watched 34 minutes more live broadcast TV and 37 minutes more of subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) content a day than they did at the same time the year before. And, as well as watching more TV during this time, they also reported watching it at different times of the day. 1 in 10 Brits confessed to being more likely to watch TV in the middle of the day than pre-lockdown and 4% more people watched late into the night.

The type of content being watched also differed, with over a quarter reporting watching more news (28%) and drama (27%), and a fifth turning to comedy (21%) and documentaries (18%) more often.

  • The rise of subscription services has led to TV revenue coming from new places
  • TV advertising revenue has fallen, but subscription services are bringing increased revenue to the industry
  • During the UK lockdown, TV advertisers pulled £1.1bn in spend
  • Based on average wages, in the 1960s, it would have taken approximately 35 weeks of saving to afford a TV. Today, it would take just two weeks

All sorts of factors can impact the TV industry’s revenue, including technological advancements and world events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and consequential economic recession.

TV advertising has been one of the largest sources of revenue for the UK TV industry since its debut in 1955. While it has taken a huge hit over recent months – as many advertisers chose to cut their spend in uncertain times – TV advertising was already on the decline before this. Revenue was £4.3 billion in 2015, before dropping to £3.7 billion in 2019.

In terms of the cost of TV sets themselves, they have become a much more affordable commodity. With inflation considered, TVs in the 1960s were worth the equivalent of £6,000 or more. Today, this figure is closer to the £1,000 mark.

  • Some minority groups remain underrepresented in the UK TV industry
  • People with disabilities make up 18% of the UK workforce, but only 5% of off-screen TV jobs and 8% of on-screen TV roles
  • ‘Over 50s’ make up 31% of the UK workforce, but only 21% of off-screen TV jobs and 25% of on-screen TV roles
  • Minority ethnic people make up 12% of the UK workforce, but only 9% of senior TV jobs
  • Women make up 46% of the UK workforce, but only 26% of senior TV roles

Historically, minority groups have been underrepresented both on-screen and behind the scenes in the UK TV industry. Unfortunately, today, some groups remain underrepresented or are not offered the same opportunities as others.

Thankfully, largely in response to the recent Black Lives Matter movement and other inclusivity campaigns, UK broadcasters have pledged to take action to diversify their content and workforces.

The BBC, for example, has committed £1 million to produce “diverse and inclusive content”. Meanwhile, ITV has set a target that 15% of managers and staff should be from a minority ethnic background by 2022. Sky claims to have “exceeded” its target for 20% minority ethnic representation in the workforce and Viacom (owner of Channel 5 and MTV) also has a relatively strong record on diversity, with 20% of staff coming from a BAME background. Channel 4 also launched a strategy in 2018 called “4 All The UK” to ensure that their content serves the whole of the UK in a representative way.

Entertainment, News

Pantomonium! to grace Blackpool Grand Theatre in time for Christmas

Blackpool Grand Theatre has announced that with the generous support of producer Martin Dodd of UK Productions, panto legend, BBC Radio Lancashire presenter, and Britain’s Got Talent ‘finalist’ Steve Royle, and special guest West End and TV’s Tom Lister a condensed and COVID-safe pantomime fundraiser will ensure Christmas isn’t cancelled this year at Blackpool’s Grand!

The Christmas production Pantomonium! will run with strict COVID safeguards for a limited time and for a limited period – a sell-out is guaranteed!
Created by Jon Monie (winner of Best Script at The Great British Pantomime Awards 2019 for ‘Beauty & the Beast’), Pantomonium! is a specially written, one-act pantomime about pantomime.

When the beloved panto character, Fairy Tales, is kidnapped by the villainous Killjoy, an extraordinary adventure unfolds as the hunt for the all-powerful magic book begins.
Stepping out of the chorus-line, a young unnamed girl from the village of Ensemble joins the adventure to help find the missing manuscript. Along for the ride are the handsome Prince Charmless, and the hapless Tilly and Billy Topps from the local Panto Emporium.

With laughter and mayhem at every turn, the forces of good and evil fight to the final page over the future of pantomime itself.

A concentrated pantomime……just add laughter!

Matin Dodd, Producer UK Productions said ‘Blackpool Grand is very close to my heart, and this year would have been our 25th pantomime in this beautiful theatre. Our Wardrobe Department and costumes for all our productions are still housed in Blackpool.

‘Unfortunately, we had to postpone our usual major production as the costs and limitations just wouldn’t work based on COVID safe admission numbers.
‘However, after long discussions and the generous support of Steve Royle, Tom Lister and many of our regular suppliers we’ve created a show, a fantastic show, that’s all about Panto!

‘Full of all the great panto elements Comic, Dame, Prince and Princess (a girl from the village in this case!), and the usual mayhem Steve creates (safely distanced, of course!), we just can’t wait to get started. I am thrilled that we can bring Steve and Tom back together following their hilarious antics in last year’s hit Peter Pan.
‘All profits will go to Blackpool Grand, and we hope with the support of our great audience we create a total sell-out.”

Actor, Comic, and Presenter Steve Royle added ‘It was understandable but heart-breaking getting the call saying Pantomime was postponed. I just simply couldn’t let it go, I’d promised Martin and Ruth I’d do anything to make it work.

‘We kept talking and we all agreed our love for Blackpool’s Grand just made us want to find a way to help secure the theatre’s future and save panto and Christmas at the same time, so a fundraiser of a shorter, more COVID-safe version was considered and we are all working hard to make it work along with the kindness and support of others.

‘I cannot wait to be back on that stage, every performance is going to be so special…oh and very, very, funny!’

Ruth Eastwood, Chief Executive Blackpool Grand Theatre added ‘I’ll tell you, there’s been many sleepless nights! First having to close and then to cancel pantomime – the one show that we know means so much to local families – it’s been devastating. But the wonderful support we have received has been really heart-warming and spurred us on to try and salvage Christmas.

‘After days and nights of conversations about how we could make a production work, I am delighted to say with the support of Martin at UK Productions, Steve Royle and Tom Lister we are able to offer this unique Seasonal experience and help raise funds the theatre desperately needs. I guarantee this production will be from the heart, every single person involved just wants to get back on our beautiful stage and entertain. It has been an incredibly emotional time.

‘This will be a unique production, the only show of 2020 following our closure in March. All socially distanced seats will be the same price and, limited numbers available for each performance, you’ll need to book yours fast!’

Tom Lister joined adding ‘Having performed at Blackpool Grand many times it’s a favourite of mine. I was keen to help them last year with their 125th Anniversary and it’s hard to believe only months later the building was forced to close its doors. Martin contacted me and I agreed we had to do something.

It’s going to be a fantastic production and we all know the quality UK Productions are known for at Blackpool Grand. There is going to be a few less people on stage and a few less of you, so bring your enthusiasm in spades, you’re in for a great time! We can’t wait to see you all.’

Pantomonium! will run at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Friday 18 December 2020 to Sunday 3 January 2021. There will be three performances a day (11am, 3pm, and 7pm, running for approx. 1hr.15mins with no interval). All seats will be £25.50 per person and only available in set bubbles of 2, 3, 4 or six.

For your safety: Strict COVID-safeguards will be in place including track-and-trace, specialist cleaning, temperature checks, facemasks must be worn, and sanitiser will be provided. Tickets will only be available in advance and full customer details will need to be provided for UK Government Track and Trace. If a performance is cancelled full refunds will be given. Tickets will only be available in bubbles of 2, 3, 4, 5 and six. Set timed arrivals will be in place, and late arrivals will not be accepted.

Entertainment, News

Stay at Home Choir partners with Koor to deliver a global Christmas Celebration

Stay at Home Choir partners with Koor to deliver a global Christmas Celebration

The collaboration will enable singers to work with John Rutter and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to prepare for a virtual performance, featuring Star Carol and Hark The Herald Angels Sing

The Stay At Home Choir is a global community of more than 16,500 music lovers and artists. They have partnered with Koor, a free app that helps choral singers learn, improve and enjoy singing, to deliver their virtual Christmas celebration this year.

The collaboration will enable singers to work with John Rutter and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra on the run-up to a virtual performance, featuring the Christmas classic Star Carol and a roof-raising rendition of Hark The Herald Angels Sing.

Simon Capet, founder and CEO of Koor comments, “We’re so proud to be supporting the formation of virtual choirs across the world to enable musicians to come together to celebrate, discover and sing short pieces of music while physical rehearsals are not possible.

“Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without John Rutter and, now singers across the nation can work with him directly through this exciting collaboration with the Stay at Home Choir.”

Those participating in the festive edition of Stay at Home Choir will be able to learn about the music from John Rutter himself, rehearse with world-class singers and workshop leaders, as well as build their technique and confidence.

Through a variety of events suited to multiple time zones, participants will also receive support with their recording and singing technique as well as direct access to socials with their 16,500-strong singer community.

Formed since lockdown, the Stay at Home Choir has become known for its vibrant webinar rehearsals, whose places often fill in as little as three minutes. They have welcomed thousands of singers from 75 countries through their Zoom ‘virtual doors’ for the Stay At Home Choir process, where members can meet and rehearse with featured artists such as The Swingles, VOCES8, The Sixteen and the King’s Singers.

Koor is a progressive web app, that enables choral singers who have trouble reading music to learn their parts by interacting with high-quality recordings of professional singers and improve their vocal technique by interacting with personalised online guidance driven by machine learning-based algorithms.

The app allows choral singers to practice with pitch-perfect professional singers, so they can either have them as an accompaniment or learn from them to get their singing just right, using their pitch, rhythm, and correct pronunciation; how to shape vowels and phrases, and where to breathe. In the settings, users can also turn off certain voices or change the volume, allowing them to take anyone’s place, and practice however they wish.

Registration costs £15.99 per member and includes access to all events, resources (including rehearsal tracks on https://about.koor.app/) and scores. Subscription to Koor is free of charge.

Register here: www.stayathomechoir.com/projects/christmas

 

Entertainment, News

Bristol karting venue receives consumer safety standard

Absolutely Karting in Bristol has been awarded the Visit Britain ‘We’re Good to Go’ hospitality and tourism standard, which gives reassurance to customers that the venue adheres to the Government and public health Covid-19 guidance.

To receive the standard, Absolutely Karting had to show it is minimising risk by implementing clear safety processes to maintain cleanliness and aid social-distancing, as well as ensuring all members of its team are briefed on policies and procedures.

At the indoor karting venue these procedures include following a one-way system, wearing a face covering in the centre and making regular use of the hand-sanitising stations. The team has also increased the frequency of cleaning and all suits and helmets are UV sanitised between use.

Naomi Smith, Centre Manager at Absolutely Karting, commented:

“Since reopening in August, it’s been wonderful to welcome customers through the door again and to see people enjoy karting. We’ve worked extremely hard to ensure we are a safe environment for all visitors and the ‘We’re Good to Go’ standard is recognition of that.

“As part of the standard we will receive spot checks, so we are continually reviewing our procedures to see if there is even more we can do. As such, we’ve recently introduced ‘Social Bubble’ parties which give up to six people exclusive use of the track so they don’t have to mix with those outside of their social group.”

For further information about the ‘We’re Good to Go’ standard, head to Visit Britain’s website – https://www.visitbritain.org/business-advice/were-good-go-industry-standard.

Entertainment, Hospitality, News

Blackpool Grand Plans For Recovery And Asks You To #PlayYourPart

Blackpool Grand Theatre closed its doors at the Government’s behest on Tuesday 17 March 2020 approaching over 100 days of closure, one of the longest in its incredible history. While other businesses slowly open it will be some time before Blackpool’s Grand can join that group, it calls on the local community to #PlayYourPart in helping the theatre recover.

With 93% of the theatre’s income coming from ticket sales every day, the success of its latest recovery fund is vital to its survival for the town. With a skeleton staff, the theatre is working through hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of refunds, credits and limited transfers to new dates. The highly anticipated summer show this August, Dirty Dancing The Musical, has had to be postponed until summer 2021.

Anthony Stone, Blackpool Grand Theatre Chair said;

“With the closure of hundreds of theatres across the UK, including The Grand, the arts and entertainment industry, along with many, many other businesses across the country, faces an uncertain future. At this time, I believe, it is important to protect the theatre and its workforce by taking every opportunity to slow down the devastating financial impact of closure so we can be in as good a shape as possible when we come to re-open.

“Arts Council England and Blackpool Council continue to support the theatre and we hope for news soon on further funding support, for which we thank them sincerely. However, The Grand earns 93% of its income through ticket sales which, as you can imagine, are now depleting our reverses. If you are able to, or would like to, make a donation to help the theatre survive, we would be extraordinarily grateful.”

Support Blackpool Grand Theatre.

The venue is asking locals to help support the theatre in various ways;
1. Donate at www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/recoveryfund
2. Purchase an 1894 Club membership
3. Purchase tickets for our Autumn Winter 20/21 season
4. Use Amazon Smile, or Name A Seat

Planning for the future, Ruth Eastwood Grand Theatre Chief Executive said:

“Firstly, I want to thank the thousands of customers for their patience and understanding at this challenging time. Our small team (just five of us) has been moving, refunding and crediting customers over the past few weeks, as quickly as humanly possible, no mean-feat I must tell you.

“At the same time, I’ve been moving many of the shows we had planned for Spring/Summer into Autumn/Winter 20/21. The programme is packed with a wide selection from music and drama, to comedy and dance.

“I’m delighted to have only had to cancel a few shows. Most have moved to new dates, so you can still enjoy much of the great line up planned for earlier in the year. I’m very much looking forward to welcoming you all back from September.”

As a charity, public support is crucial to this iconic heritage theatre’s survival. The Theatre is asking locals to #PlayYourPart, the impact as for many is not just now, but is predicted to last up to 2 years.  The venue is doing all they can do is support their artists, staff, volunteers, partners and community at this unprecedented time. They look forward to re-opening their doors and welcoming you back in the very near future.

Please #PlayYourPart!

To discover What’s Coming in the upcoming months at Blackpool Grand Theatre view it here.

Charity & CSR, Entertainment, News

Entreprenurial Mum Brings Together Global Entrepreneurs and Celebrities to Fundraise for Domestic Violence Charities at Business Event with a Difference

An entrepreneurial mum of 3 from Preston who’s a domestic abuse survivor is on a mission to have ‘done her bit’ during Covid-19, through an ambitious fundraising initiative drawing in celebrities and high profile entrepreneurs to raise money for domestic violence charities whilst also supporting small business owners whose livelihoods are being threatened.

Dani Wallace, 36, who is a highly sought after international speaker and speaker coach, as well as a professional singer, is currently organising ‘The Big Festoon’ – a charity chat-a-thon on 5th June featuring 12 celebrities and 12 entrepreneurs, coming together for ‘real talk’ around how they have chosen to thrive not just survive life in lockdown.

Not your average business event, The Big Festoon has drawn colourful characters who really pack a punch with their messages, as Dani sets out to shake up the tone of business advice that is swamping the internet.

She said: “The business climate currently is like nothing we’ve ever seen before – so our response to its challenges also needs to be unique. As someone very active in the online business space I have seen online summit after summit talking about how to pivot, how to double down, how to hustle during lockdown – it’s all the same advice and I was becoming a bit numb to it – and thought if I feel like this surely others do too. So I decided to mix it up a bit. As someone used to filling line-ups on stage, and with my background as an entertainer I pledged to use these skills to create something fresh for my community -and it grew from there! We now have a huge charity event on our hands where we are hoping to raise significant funds for domestic violence charities and lift the nation’s entrepreneurs at the same time!”

Brad Burton, the UK’s #1 Motivational Business Speaker, will chat to Dani about how he told her she couldn’t be ‘a fat motivational speaker’ yet recently has offered a stage to her and written a foreword in her book. They will chat about the importance of resilience, drive and self-belief.

Dan Meredith, serial entrepreneur will share his straight talking views and no bulls*it approach on what it takes to lead your industry and will also share tips on ‘getting out of a funk’ to enable you to make progress in your business.

Emma Sayle, one of the UK’s leading ‘sex-entrepreneurs’ who launched the elite global adult-party brand Killing Kittens in 2005, and now has a presence across the US, Australia and Europe will talk about female liberation, business expansion and not being afraid of controversy.

….and more of the lineup will be announced this week.

Alongside the entrepreneur panel Dani will also be chatting to celebrities who will share their lockdown learnings, many of whom also have business ventures under their belts. These include; TV Presenter and podcast host Jenny Powell, Atomic Kitten Singer and Health Entrepreneur Natasha Hamilton, TV personality and entrepreneur Callum Best, actress and founder of health and wellbeing brand The Capsule, Natalie Anderson and TV personality, fashion label founder and business and mindset coach Jessica Cunningham.

The primary charity being supported is Women’s Aid, a grassroots federation working together to provide life-saving services and build a future where domestic violence is not tolerated, but funds will also be donated to galop, the LGBT+ anti-violence charity.

Faye Connelly, Fundraising Manager at Women’s Aid said: “We’d like to extend a huge thank you to Dani and all celebrities and entrepreneurs involved in this exciting event! In recent months, we have all witnessed the spread and impact of Coronavirus and the threat that it poses to women and children experiencing domestic abuse. Many women will now be isolated at home with an abuser, with little safety and no way to access face-to-face support. Every penny you raise will make a huge difference to our work responding to this crisis and reaching more women who need our support.”

From, Mindset to Marketing, Advertising to Anxiety the show will cover a whole host of topics relevant to entrepreneurs, all blended with some uplifting entertainment.

Taking place on Dani’s online TV programme, Show Up, Wise Up Rise Up, via Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/thequeenbeedani/), the event is to be a mammoth 12 hours of interviews, trainings, chats and entertainment.

Dani said: “This situation has been tough on us all so let’s hit some truth bombs and not sugar coat it as the Mary Poppins Insta feed of lockdown life can leave us all feeling like failures – so let’s be real, be raw, but also be ready to lift each other up, as we CAN learn from this, and rise up – we can choose to #FlyAnyway “

Dani Wallace is a mum of 3, an international motivational speaker, celeb speaker coach and singer, and is a survivor of domestic violence and homelessness thanks to intervention and support from local services. When Dani was 4 months pregnant, the relationship came to a violent head and after one particular incident whereby she was almost strangled, with the help of DV services, Dani was able to escape the relationship.

She has featured on Channel 5 sharing her story and championing for further government investment into domestic abuse victim services. Having grown up on the council estates of Preston with a troubled home life she is now someone recognised as a leading voice in female empowerment, and Dani always vowed that when she could she would give back. She feels that now is the time when it is most needed.

Leader of the I Am The Queen Bee Movement (#IATQB) Dani is helping thousands across the world Show Up, Wise Up and Rise Up, with her free advice and motivational teachings so that they can take life by the big ol’ lady balls and step up into their birth right of success. Hit between the eyes one day with her purpose, after watching Bee Movie with her kids, Dani heard this message:

“According to all known laws of aviation, there is no way a bee should be able to fly. It’s wings are too small to get its fat little body off the ground. The bee, of course, flies anyway, because bees don’t care what humans think is impossible” – and ever since she has been on a mission to help others who shouldn’t be able to fly, to fly anyway.

This charity event is driven by her passion and purpose to support those who need it from the 2 sides of the coin of her life – those suffering as domestic violence victims and those suffering as entrepreneurs trying to cling on to their livelihoods -as both have been threatened by COVID-19.

Dani said: “ Reports of domestic abuse and violence across genders has risen by an insane 700% since the beginning of lockdown. We NEED to help. Now is the time where those of us in a position to do so must do our bit – to inspire, motivate and uplift each other but also to support those more vulnerable than ourselves. I am no big shot, but I am keen to use my loyal audience to make a difference here and am calling on others who are passionate about using their voice for good to join me. But let’s keep it real – we’re all struggling in varying degrees and I crave a bit of honesty right now. So alongside raising shed loads of cash for incredible charities let’s connect, communicate and collaborate on a very real level to remember we are all human amongst all this madness”

The show will run from 8am to 8pm (UK Time) to capture as many time zones as possible so Dani can serve her global audience. Viewers will be asked to donate after each segment of the show.