Tributes pour in for Miss Marple's Geraldine McEwan who has died aged 82

'The perfect combination of funny and beautiful': Tributes pour in for Miss Marple's Geraldine McEwan who has died aged 82

• Geraldine McEwan died yesterday aged 82, her children have confirmed
• The actress was best known for playing Agatha Christie's Miss Marple
• Ms McEwan played Miss Marple for 12 TV films - with her last one in 2009
• She had a long and successful career, winning a Bafta award in 1991
• Stars and fans this evening paid tribute to the 'beautiful and funny' actress 

By OLLIE GILLMAN FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 18:18, 31 January 2015 | UPDATED: 20:11, 31 January 2015

Actress Geraldine McEwan, best known for playing Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, has died aged 82

Tributes have poured in for actress Geraldine McEwan, best known for playing Agatha Christie's Miss Marple, who has died aged 82.

Ms McEwan starred in the role of the spinster consultant detective Jane Marple in 12 television films aired on ITV.

Her death was confirmed this evening in a joint statement from her children. 

Her son Greg and daughter Claudia said: 'Following a stroke at the end of October and a period in hospital, Geraldine McEwan passed away peacefully on January 30.

'Her family would like to thank the staff at Charing Cross Hospital who cared for her incredibly well.'

Stars and fans took to Twitter to pay tribute to the actress, who retired from the role of Miss Marple in 2008. 

Actor John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools and Horses and starred alongside the late actress on stage, tweeted: 'Dear Geraldine McEwan - a highlight of my career working with you at the NT [National Theatre] in The Rivals. Generous and kind to all of us. God bless you.'

Charlie Lawson, who plays Jim McDonald in Coronation Street, said: 'The sad death of another fine actress, Geraldine McEwan, today. Check out The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie. Great performance.'

Gyles Brandreth said: 'Shocked & saddened by the death of Geraldine McEwan, a great comic actress and a very lovely lady.

'Geraldine McEwan was a neighbour in Barnes, a lovely, funny & wise lady - and a great comic actress, with a unique voice, charm & style. Funny & beautiful: a perfect combination.'

Actress Sally Thomsett, who starred in The Railway Children in the 1970s, said: 'How sad, but what a wonderful actress & a lovely lady RIP Geraldine McEwan. X' 

Scroll down for video 

Ms McEwan, who died yesterday following a stroke in October, played Miss Marple from 2004 to 2009

Ms McEwan starred in the role of the spinster consultant detective Jane Marple in 12 TV films aired on ITV

Ms McEwan's death was confirmed this evening in a joint statement from her children Claudia and Greg

In 1953, Ms McEwan married former principal of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts Hugh Crutwell, who she met while working at the Theatre Royal in Windsor

Good times: Ms McEwan said she would leave Miss Marple with 'fond memories' after announcing she would no longer play the character after the New Year special in 2009

Pictured alongside Joanna Lumley in a 2004 episode of Marple, Ms McEwan's acting career started when she was just a teenager

Fans also paid tribute to the actress, with Emma Foster tweeting: 'Sad to hear about Geraldine McEwan. Loved her as a twinkly Miss Marple.'

Zeb Soanes said: 'Sad to hear death of Geraldine McEwan - the best Judith Bliss in Hayfever I've ever seen, rolling over a sofa without spilling her whisky!'

Christine Symington tweeted: 'Really sad to hear of the death of Geraldine McEwan. Wonderful Lucia and Miss Marple.' 

Ms McEwan announced she was retiring from the role of Miss Marple in 2008.

She said at the time: 'Of course, it is terribly disappointing to have to pass the baton on, but it has been a marvellous experience to inhabit this role for the last few years, and I am sure that my successor, whomever she may be, will thoroughly enjoy her time with the production team - and with the extraordinarily talented group of writers and actors that they come up with for each series.

'It's been an absolute pleasure to work on Miss Marple since 2003, and I leave with fond memories.'

Born Geraldine McKeown in Old Windsor, Berkshire, she attended Windsor County Girls' School before moving to a private school on a scholarship.

She made her first appearance on stage in 1946 at the Theatre Royal in Windsor in A Midsummer Night's Dream. 

Geraldine McEwan famously starred as Miss Marple

The Marple (right) actress picked up the Bafta award (left) for best actress in 1991 for her role in Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit

Ms McEwan starred in the BBC drama Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit alongside Charlotte Coleman (left)

The award-winning actress, pictured left with Dirk Bogarde and Vivienne Drummond, had a long and successful career

Ms McEwan, Richard Attenborough and Martin Miller in a dress rehearsal scene from Sweet Madness at the Vaudeville Theatre, London

Domestic goddess: Ms McEwan's late husband Hugh Cruttwell said she was to thank for their ability to juggle their careers with a family life

In 1953, Ms McEwan married former principal of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts Hugh Cruttwell, who she met while working at the Theatre Royal.

The couple had son Greg and daughter Claudia together and she did not re-marry after Cruttwell's death in 2002.

Asked how they combined successful careers with a family life, Mr Cruttwell was quoted saying: 'I really don't know how we did it. Geraldine took care of it all.'

The award-winning actress had a long and successful career in theatre, television and films which saw her work with the likes of Laurence Olivier - most notably in Dance of Death for the National Theatre at the Old Vic - and Kenneth Williams. 

Ms McEwan had roles in films such as box office hit Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves in 1991, which saw her play evil witch Mortianna alongside Kevin Costner.

She also won gongs for her theatre work, collecting two Evening Standard Best Actress Awards in 1983 for The Rivals and 1995 for The Way Of The World. 

Ms McEwan was also well-known for her role as Emmeline 'Lucia' Lucas in Mapp And Lucia, a television series based on three 1930s comedy of manners novels by E. F. Benson.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2934516/Miss-Marple-actress-Geraldine-McEwan-does-aged-82.html#ixzz3QSK5jlEA
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Freida Pinto keeps it casual in camouflage trousers and military inspired outfit as she jets out of Los Angeles

By KAREN MIZOGUCHI FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 20:53, 31 January 2015 | UPDATED: 23:41, 31 January 2015

She is a regular on the best-dressed list donning red carpet worthy ensembles.

But on Saturday, Freida Pinto showed off her off-duty style opting for camouflage trousers when she was seen catching a departing flight out of Los Angeles International airport.

The 30-year-old Slumdog Millionaire actress added aviator sunglasses and Patagonia travel backpack to complete her overall military inspired outfit.

Off-duty style: Freida Pinto was seen arriving at Los Angeles International airport on Saturday 

Army attire: The 30-year-old actress opted for camouflage trousers, aviator sunglasses and Patagonia travel backpack to complete her overall military inspired outfit

Freida rounded out her look with a black tank top, matching camisole and Nike sneakers.

The newly single star, who split from former flame and co-star Dev Patel in November, sported her freshly cut bob hairstyle as she made her way through the travel hub.

She held onto a black jacket and carried a rolled up yoga mat over her shoulder.

Recently, Freida wrapped a string of fun events in California, where she and Dev had made their home.

New hairdo: The newly single star sported her freshly cut bob hairstyle as she made her way through the travel hub

Easy carry-ons: The Indian-born beauaty held onto a black jacket and carried a rolled up yoga mat over her shoulder

The Indian-born beauty attended the opening night of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on January 27 to promote her latest film Desert Dancer.

Desert Dancer is a true story of a young, self-taught dancer in Iran, Afshin Ghaffarian, who risked his life for his dream to become a dancer despite a nationwide ban.

Freida plays his friend Elaneh, who is one of a group who helped him to form an underground dance troupe.

Her usual: Freida dazzled in a silver dress at the 30th Santa Barbara International Film Festival on January 27

Desert Dancer: She plays Elaneh, who is one of a group who helped form an underground dance troupe

Desert Dancer is a true story set in Iran during the 2009...

During her stay in Santa Barbara, she hiked one of the city's most popular tourist sites.

'Made it! Inspiration point, Santa Barbara. Thank you #sbif for hosting me and #desertdancer,' she captioned the photo of herself standing on a cliff.

And then on January 29, she took in the Sam Smith concert at The Forum in Inglewood.

'Swoon! Enuff said! #samsmith #theforum #losangeles (sic),' she wrote.

Taking in the sights: Freida hiked Inspiration Point in Santa Barbara on January 29

More fun-filled events: Later that same day, she watched the Sam Smith concert in LA

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2934593/Freida-Pinto-opts-fitted-camouflage-trousers-military-inspired-outfit-catching-flight-LAX.html#ixzz3QRj4QcYl
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

The most glamorous moments from Paris haute couture fashion week

Frills, flowers and fashion: The most glamorous moments from Paris haute couture fashion week where the dresses don't even come with price tags because hardly anyone can afford them

• The SS15 haute couture catwalks served up the boldest and most forward-thinking designs the city has seen
• Shows included Valentino, Jean Paul Gaultier and Chanel
• FEMAIL rounds up the most glamorous moments the week had to offer

By BIANCA LONDON FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 21:36, 30 January 2015 | UPDATED: 21:37, 30 January 2015

From lovely lace at Chanel to dripping diamonds at Schiaparelli, the Paris haute couture shows are the stuff of fashion dreams.

The garments, some of which require 300 hours of work, are crafted with the red carpet in mind and are so bespoke that they don't even come with a price tag because if you're lucky enough to snap one up, budget is of no relevance.

The SS15 haute couture catwalks served up the boldest and most forward-thinking designs the city has seen in a good few years; haute is all about making a statement after all (even if no one buys the clothes). FEMAIL rounds up the most glamorous moments the week had to offer.

FEMAIL rounds up the most lavish moments of Paris haute couture week, starting with Chanel's runway, which was transformed into a paper jungle and watched by the likes of Kris Jenner and Anna Wintour 

It makes sense to start with Chanel, which has become one of the most talked-about, anticipated and well-attended shows in haute couture history.

Watched from the front row by Kris Jenner, Anna Wintour and Kristin Stewart, Karl Lagerfeld sent his models - including Kendall Jenner - down the beautifully ornate runway in tulle, thousand-colour boucle and crystal flower embellished everything. 

Clearly a key theme in the paper jungle show, flowers featured prominently and hair maestro Sam McKnight's hair decorations, which hung from each girl's low plait, trended on social media. 

Karl Lagerfeld - the King of couture - unveiled crop tops and lavish skirts embellished with thousands of ornate floral sequins and tulle, as modelled by his new muse, Kendall Jenner, right 

Giving the Chanel showspace a run for its money was Dior's haute couture show, which was held across two levels.

Adding to the drama, the upper deck was supported by white scaffolding so that the clatter of the models' shoes added to the general ambiance of the show. 

There were printed catsuits, ballerina dresses and plenty of sequins, as well as knitted minidresses,  crop tops and stripes in abundance.

Perhaps the most talked-about item on the catwalk was the latex legging boots in bold, primary colours and ankle boots with Perspex heels.

Over at Zuhair Murad was a whole different story. The Beirut-based Lebanese fashion designer, who is loved by Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Jennifer Lopez, sent models down the runway in beautifully embellished floral tulle gowns.

The ethereal gowns, which were decorated with blush pink rosebuds and smatterings of sparkle, will no doubt be gracing the Oscar red carpet next year.

The ornate gowns were sometimes slashed from the chest to the naval, but the long sleeves and floor-length hemlines kept a certain conservatism about them.

Dior's haute couture show in Paris was held across two levels to add to the drama 

The most talked-about item on the catwalk was the latex legging boots with clattering metal heels

Zuhair Murad, a Beirut-based Lebanese fashion designer, who is loved by Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Jennifer Lopez, sent models down the runway in beautifully embellished floral tulle gowns

The Ralph & Russo runway was a similar story. Watched from the front row by Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and her husband, the designers aimed to capture the Goddess of Spring with a majestic collection that they say symbolised nature’s regenerative powers.

For SS15, the Ralph & Russo muse is an 'exultant deity, whose gifts lend themselves to delight', they say.

Acclaimed for its excellence in craftsmanship, the maison de couture aims to inspire with eye-catching embellishment, such as petal appliqué and pearl embroidery; the devil really is in the detail.

The colour palette - crisp and most sophisticated - was full of pomegranate pinks, soft mints and cornflower blues.

The collection, above all, aims to flatter the female form thanks to sheaths of organza, which promise to hug the figure in all the right places.

The show saw the models metamorphose into fairies and nymphs, gracefully collecting blossoms in their structured collars or scattering buds into the folds of their gowns - and Mrs Fernandez-Versini seemed most impressed. 

The designers at Ralph & Russo were inspired by the 'goddess of spring' with detail such as blue and white petal appliqué and pearl embroidery sewn to Fifties-style dresses and flirty tulle-lined strapless dresses

A model wears the bridal gown closing the Ralph & Russo show in dramatic fashion

Lindsey Wixson walked the Jean Paul Gaultier runway show in a dungaree style gown teamed with some interesting headgear

Jean Paul Gaultier's show opened with the silhouette of a bride in a cloud of dry ice to the beats of Billy Idol's White Wedding.

Each model that followed rocked a look as flamboyant as the one before it from a red snakeskin blinged up trench-dress to a modern take on Madonna’s famous conical bra.

Lindsey Wixson walked the runway show in a dungaree style gown teamed with a beekeeper-esque hat and Naomi Campbell drew loud cheers as she closed the show looking as youthful as she did when she stepped out for the designer twenty years ago. 

Valentino, a label coveted by the A-list, served up romantic skirts, dresses and coats printed with poetic embellishment.

The brand's creative directors, Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli, were inspired by 'love in its purest form' and SS15 was a story of billowing velvet dresses and hand-embroidered sheepskin coats.

The duo's main source of inspiration came from the work of Marc Chagall, the Russian-French artist who travelled between St Petersburg and Paris before World War One.

The SS15 pieces took cue from Chagall’s romantic and modernist interpretation of different cultures.

There was plenty of white tulle hand-painted in grey and embroidered with pearls and delicate flowers.

One dress, which was splashed with the moon and smatterings of stars, took a staggering 3,000 hours to embroider on hand painted linen. 

Valentino served up romantic dresses and coats printed with poetic embellishment and hand-stitched motifs

The brand's creative directors were inspired by 'love in its purest form' and the work of Marc Chagall

Fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier and model Naomi Campbell walk the runway at the end of the Jean Paul Gaultier show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture week

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2929966/The-20-glamorous-moments-Paris-haute-couture-fashion-week.html#ixzz3QRYU1sLL
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

Aliki Chrysochou Liverpool Concert - Awakenings 22nd February

Liverpool Concert -Awakenings

Published on 31 Jan 2015

Join us on February 22nd at 7:30
EveryMan Theatre in Liverpool
For #WED222 (World Encephalitis Day)
Love Aliki x
Tickets available:
https://tickets.everymanplayhouse.com...

Join us at The Everyman Theatre in Liverpool for this exclusive World Premiere with International singer Aliki Chrysochou.  The evening is hosted by Dr Ava Easton, Chief Executive of The Encephalitis Society who is joined by the University of Liverpool's Professor Tom Solomon.  The theatre recently won the RIBA sterling Prize for Best British Building against the huge competition of The Shard and London Aquatics Centre!  The theatre is opening its doors on a Sunday in order to host this premiere event.  

As a little taster watch the video below an listen to the song Aliki dedicated to World Encephalitis Day 2014.

Several years ago Aliki contracted Encephalitis.  The devastation that this wreaked upon her and her family should not be underestimated and Aliki lost all capacity for co-ordination, speech and movement.  She was unable to take care of herself and her mother fed her, bathed her and took care of her every personal need.  After months of medical care Aliki eventually began the road to recovery and music became the conduit for her recovery.  Now a sought-after artist, Aliki has gone on to sing all over the world, including winning universal praise from the judges of Britain’s Got Talent, for her talent and courage and with all four judges giving her a standing ovation not once but twice.  It was shortly after this that Aliki agreed to become an Ambassador for The Encephalitis Society providing hope and inspiration for other people affected by this devastating condition.   Aliki wanted to do something to help us raise awareness and we have been thrilled to work with her on this exciting project!  During the event we will also hear a Keynote Address from Professor Tom Solomon, of Liverpool’s Institute of Infection and Global Health, who Chair’s the Encephalitis Society’s Professional Advisory Panel. He will give a brief overview of Encephalitis, explain why World Encephalitis Day is so important, and talk about recent research.
Liverpool is a fantastic city with a vibrant city centre, the Philharmonic Hall, a plethora of museums and buildings of historical interest as well as being home to probably the most famous boy band in the World – The Beatles!  Why not make a weekend of it and stay at our preferred hotel and sponsor The Hope Street Hotel. Hope Street Hotel are offering a special rate of £90for the sunday night with breakfast if you quote the following code: 450035. 

Provisional Programme.

19:00 Pre Show Drinks Reception for VIPs

19:30 Welcome and Introductions - Dr. Ava Easton and Professor Tom Solomon 

20:00 Concert Commences

21:00 Aliki tells her story with an opportunity for questions from the audience

Tickets can be purchased here:

£20.00 Concert.

£50.00 Deluxe Experience to also include a signed DVD of the concert and pre-show drinks reception

£100.00 VIP Experience to include all of the above with a pre-show meet with Aliki and after-party at a local boutique hotel (only 10 available).

Please note this event including shots of the audience will be filmed and photographed.

This event is organised by The Encephalitis Society in collaboration with the University of Liverpool and all proceeds from the event will go direct to The Encephalitis Society’s charitable work.

Aliki Chrysochou @alikichrysochou · Jan 9

Tickets on sale for #Awakenings concert @LivEveryPlay #WED222 February 22nd. Can't wait to see some of you there! who's coming? Love Aliki x

You can Follow Aliki on these links

Facebook

Twitter