Andy Collins
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Articles by Andy Collins
Look-alike dad mistaken for hip-hop star Pitbull
A father-of-four who was mistaken for the rapper and singer Pitbull and mobbed by fans at one of his concerts says the whole experience has been "crazy". Phil Mansford, 49, from Shefford, Bedfordshire, decided to go a gig at the O2 Arena in London dressed as the Latin hip-hop star in a "standard suit" - with shades on. It has become a custom to dress like the star, donning his trademark glasses, shirts and jackets - and a bald cap.
Bollards removed six months after woman injured
A woman who claimed she was seriously injured after tripping over a collapsed bollard said she was both "angry and happy" they have been removed. Jilly Fernandez, from Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, said she has been left with life-changing injuries after the fall in the town centre on 12 December. Gennaro Borrelli, a local business owner, said the bollards were taken away this month, two weeks after some had been replaced.
Britain's Got Talent comic addresses online trolls
A Britain's Got Talent comic says internet trolls have not upset him, but he wants people to realise belittling someone on the internet "is sad". Joseph Charm from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, came fifth in the 2025 ITV series after receiving the Golden Buzzer from judge Alesha Dixon and his mum, who had joined the panel. The 33-year-old said the buzzer, which automatically sends an act to the semi-finals, brought a lot of praise and a lot of trolls.
'I went from planning my wedding to my funeral'
A young woman has made an urgent appeal for more people to become stem cell donors after learning she had cancer as she was planning her wedding. Salma Shah, from Watford, Hertfordshire, said that in January, she had been trying on wedding dresses days before her diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. The keen runner, 45, said she had attributed bouts of ill health throughout 2024 to the mumps and perimenopause.
Everyone reporting crime 'entitled to a response'
Bedfordshire's police and crime commissioner has insisted that "wherever you are in the county, you are entitled to and will get a good response" if you report a crime. Labour's John Tizard spoke to BBC Three Counties Radio at an outside broadcast in Leighton Buzzard, where resident Caroline Gates claimed police "were not interested" when her cafe was "broken into several times". Mr Tizard said "anyone who reports a serious crime or dials 999 should be receiving an immediate response".
'Five million people saw me empty my dishwasher'
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'Five million people saw me empty my dishwasher'
Alex Pope - BBC News, Hertfordshire and Andy Collins - BBC News, Hertfordshire 18 January 2025 at 10:07 pm·2-min read A 75-year-old "Instagran" said she was using her new social media fame to spread the word on how to be green, after videos of her waist-height dishwasher and inventive staircase at her retro-fit home went viral.
'Five million people saw me empty my dishwasher'
A 75-year-old "Instagran" said she was using her new social media fame to spread the word on how to be green, after videos of her waist-height dishwasher and inventive staircase at her retro-fit home went viral. Judith Leary-Joyce's reel about her clever dishwasher solution has been viewed more than five million times, and two videos about her counter-weight staircase at her Hertfordshire home have been watched on 30 million occasions.
Actor hails 10 years of West End 'going wrong'
The co-writer of a popular comedy has said he is "so thrilled" to be celebrating its ten years in the West End. Henry Lewis, 35, who grew up in Buckinghamshire, wrote The Play That Goes Wrong, with Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields almost straight after drama school. The show about accident-prone thespians - where everything that can possibly go wrong, does - has also been licensed to be performed in more than 50 countries. "It continues to surprise us," Lewis said.
'Without animals I don't know where I would be'
Alex Pope - BBC News, Bedfordshire and Andy Collins - BBC News, Bedfordshire August 17, 2024 at 12:17 AM·1 min read An RAF veteran who suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder has told how looking after rescued farm animals had helped him cope. Wayne Eckersley created Eckson Sanctuary CIC with his partner Kenny Atkinson to help others facing mental health issues. The sanctuary is preparing to move about 150 animals from its current base in Sharnbrook, near Bedford, to Luton.
Olympian to champion environment issues at Games
Alex Pope - BBC News, Bedfordshire and Andy Collins - BBC News, Bedfordshire July 26, 2024 at 1:26 AM·2 min read A former Olympian is to run a series of workshops at the Paris Games to champion environmental issues. Etienne Stott, from Bedford, who won gold at the 2012 London Games, said he believed in the "power of sport" to do good. The canoeist was found guilty of a public order offence in 2019 after taking part in Extinction Rebellion protests on Waterloo Bridge in London.
Appeal to find nurses for 50th anniversary reunion
Alex Pope - BBC News, Hertfordshire and Andy Collins - BBC News, Hertfordshire June 5, 2024 at 12:58 AM·2 min read Twenty nurses started their training at Watford Peace Memorial Hospital in September 1975 [Sue Barrell] A former student nurse has made an appeal to find the classmates she trained with in 1975 in the hope of organising a reunion to mark the 50th anniversary of their meeting. Sue Barrell, née Danzig, said only nine of the group of 20 students were still in touch.
Comedian makes 'cathartic' sitcom about sexual abuse
A comedian who wrote a sitcom about his experiences of sexual abuse said the process was "cathartic" and "life changing". Mark O'Sullivan, from Hitchin, wrote My Sexual Abuse: The Sitcom and said the process was better than any therapy he had ever had. A documentary on Channel 4, with the same title, chronicles O'Sullivan's work writing, directing and filming the 80s-style family sitcom.
Tics part of act for Britain's Got Talent comedian
A comedian with autism and Tourette’s who appeared on Britain’s Got Talent said he poked fun at his tics as they were "fundamentally funny". The involuntary movements are a key feature of Tourette’s syndrome, and Alex Mitchell made them part of his routine on the ITV talent show. The primary school teacher, who comes from Bedford and now lives in Leeds, received four "yeses" from the judges during episode six of this series. "It would be weird not to acknowledge them.
Volunteers sought for record-breaking athlete's club Original
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Town where key D-Day decision made not lighting beacon
The beacon on Dunstable Downs, has stood for decades and is lit to commemorate certain events [Getty Images] The National Trust said it would not be lighting a beacon to mark the D-Day landings in a town where a key decision was made about the mission. The charity, which manages Dunstable Downs, in Bedfordshire, said "it was not in the position" to commemorate an event onsite due to costs.
Town where key D-Day decision made not lighting beacon
The National Trust said it would not be lighting a beacon to mark the D-Day landings in a town where a key decision was made about the mission. The charity, which manages Dunstable Downs, in Bedfordshire, said "it was not in the position" to commemorate an event onsite due to costs. Jean Yates, a Dunstable historian and author, said during World War Two, The Met Office relocated to the town, and it helped persuaded General Dwight D.
Radio 1 star excited to bring Big Weekend to 'overlooked' Luton
Radio 1 Breakfast presenter Greg James says he is excited to see the Big Weekend come to an "often overlooked" Luton. The three-day music festival - headlined by Brit winner Raye - will take place in Stockwood Park in Luton between 24 and 26 May. James said announcing the event in January "couldn't have felt less like festival season".
More than £5k raised for Chesham Bois shop worker after axe attack
A fundraiser to help a shop worker who was attacked with an axe by two robbers has raised over £5,000. The victim was taken to hospital with serious injuries after the incident at Chesham Bois Store, Buckinghamshire, on Thursday. Thames Valley Police have appealed for witnesses and information. Markus Green, the shop's manager, thanked the community for their support and said the incident was unusual. Police said men entered the store on Bois lane at about 17:30 GMT and one was carrying an axe.
Man to run marathon after friend died in training
A man whose friend died while training for the London Marathon is taking his place in the event in April. Roger Bolton from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, made the decision after Justin Posner, 55, was hit by a vehicle while out for a run. Mr Bolton, 59, said his aim was “honouring Justin and raising as much as I can for his charity”. Mr Posner’s family said they were “so grateful” to Mr Bolton for taking on “this huge challenge” in his memory.
Bob Monkhouse's Bedfordshire home to appear in new film about the star
Filmmakers are fundraising to make a movie about Bob Monkhouse, using his former home. The comedian, whose career spanned over four decades, lived in Eggington in Bedfordshire for the last 28 years of his life. Actor Simon Cartwright is playing the lead role which he previously took on in the 2017 short-film The Last Laugh. Mr Monkhouse bought the house called Claridges in 1975. The current owners have told filmmakers they can use the property in the movie.
Rowing coach praises work ethic on George Clooney movie shoot
A rowing coach who trained actors for a movie directed by George Clooney has described the star as ""nurturing, affable and friendly". Nick Harding trained stars of The Boys In The Boat on the Thames by his home town of Marlow, Buckinghamshire. The biographical sports film tells the story of the United States crew during the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics. Mr Harding said the famous director "wasn't going to put anyone through hard days he wasn't go to do himself".
Houghton Conquest misplaced canine discovered by thermal drone
By Danny Fullbrook & Andy Collins BBC News, Bedfordshire 6 January 2024 A thermal drone has been used to discover a canine that was lacking for 12 days. Ulysse went lacking on 20 December throughout a walk in Houghton Conquest in Bedfordshire. A staff from Nottinghamshire-based charity Drone to Home spent fewer than two hours trying to find the lacking Hungarian wire haired vizsla once they noticed him in close by Haynes on Sunday.
Houghton Conquest lost dog found by thermal drone
A thermal drone has been used to find a dog that was missing for 12 days. Ulysse went missing on 20 December during a walk in Houghton Conquest in Bedfordshire. A team from Nottinghamshire-based charity Drone to Home spent fewer than two hours searching for the missing Hungarian wire haired vizsla when they spotted him in nearby Haynes on Sunday. "How many dogs go missing each year and all it needs is a thermal drone," said Ms Boyle, who has raised about £9,000 of her £12,000 target.
Houghton Conquest lost dog found by thermal drone Original
A thermal drone has been used to find a dog that was missing for 12 days. Ulysse went missing on 20 December during a walk in Houghton Conquest in Bedfordshire. A team from Nottinghamshire-based charity Drone to Home spent fewer than two hours searching for the missing Hungarian wire haired vizsla when they spotted him in nearby Haynes on Sunday. The dog's owner Sam Boyle is fundraising to buy the charity another drone.
NYE 'party to remember' set for closing Watford nightclub
A "historic" nightclub is to close its doors for good - but not before throwing a New Year's Eve "party to remember". Pryzm in Watford, Hertfordshire, hosted acts such as The Real Thing and Sister Sledge during its disco heyday in the 1970s and 1980s. The venue has been known as Baileys and Paradise Lost - and Kudos in the 1990s. Its current owners said they were "unable to reach an agreement with the landlord on a new lease".
Thank you to kind man who paid for our dinner at Taco John's
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Breaking Down Marvel SNAP's November Datamine
Marvel SNAP fans know that each month brings a new season. We get a new season pass, new cards, and plenty of goodies across the month. While October is all about being spooky with the Bloodstone theme, November is around the corner. But how you may ask, do we know about unannounced stuff in Marvel SNAP? Dataminers generally know everything a month or two early, and it makes its way to websites like Marvel Snap Zone.
Suspected arson attack at Rosenannon Downs Nature Reserve for third year in a row
Around 15 hectares of land, equal to the size of 37 football fields, was burned to the ground, along with 250 metres of fencing used to keep the site stockproof and allow local graziers to graze the site with native North Devon cattle. Fire brigades were called to tackle the blaze at Rosenannon Downs Nature Reserve last night (7th March 2022), after receiving multiple reports by members of the local community.
Family Fortunes reboot series with Gino D'Acampo officially announced by ITV Original
Family Fortunes is officially returning to ITV, with This Morning favourite Gino D'Acampo hosting the rebooted series. The classic family gameshow will once again have a primetime weekly slot, while all of the original features and rules will remain the same. Gino will lead contestants through a series of rounds as two families go head-to-head to guess the most popular replies to survey-based questions posed to 100 people.
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