Strathclyde Demolition Cup: Kilwinning Rangers and Bonnyton given fresh route into Scottish Cup as only Ayrshire sides in new competition

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentFremantle has acquired a 70% stake in Italy’s Lux Vide, the prominent TV production company that has been steadily raising its standing in the international arena, most recently with the high-end TV series “Medici,” “Devils” and “Leonardo.”The long-gestating Lux Vide deal, which closed on Thursday, marks the latest acquisition by the expanding RTL-owned production and distribution giant. Fremantle, which has been on a buying spree, now owns or controls a panoply of independently operated production shingles across Europe, as well as in Israel, Australia and the U.S.Their stated goal is to invest and grow in the global scripted arena where, by their count, Fremantle delivered 81 scripted shows in 2021, including BBC One hit “The Responder,” HBO Max series “Lust,” from Sweden’s Miso Film, and Italian dystopian drama “Anna.” Previous Fremantle investments include acquiring the 12 former Nent Studios production labels in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark (now rebranded This is Nice Group); Australian-American television production company Eureka Productions; U.K.-based Naked Entertainment; French label Kwai; and Israel’s Abot Hameiri, among others.The Lux purchase also marks Fremantle’s third acquisition of a production company in Italy, where the company already owns Wildside and The Apartment, the outfit behind Paolo Sorrentino’s Oscar-nominated “The Hand of God.” Fremantle also recently inked a pact with Italy’s Cinecittà involving the long-term rental of six sound stages at the iconic Rome studios.Founded in 1992 by Ettore Bernabei, who was a long-time former chief of Italian pubcaster RAI, Lux Vide has since been headed by his progeny, Matilde and Luca Bernabei.

John Hopewell Chief International CorrespondentLatido Films, one of Spain’s biggest vendors of Spanish-language arthouse and crossover movies, has swooped on international sales rights to “Unfinished Affairs” (“La Maniobra de la Tortuga”).Domestic distribution in Spain is handled by A Contracorriente Films, one of Spain’s top independent producer-distributors.World premiering in main competition at this year’s Malaga Festival, “Unfinished Affairs” marks the second feature from Juan Miguel del Castillo whose debut, 2015’s “Food and Shelter,” proved one of the breakout Spanish debuts of the last decade.A modern-day part of Spain’s great social-issue arthouse film tradition, “Food and Shelter” cast Natalia de Molina (“Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed”) as a single mother threatened with eviction and struggling to put food on the table for her 10-year-old son.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaThe incredible story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the all Black, all female Army battalion tasked with solving a mail crisis in England and France during World War II, has an inspired the development of a new musical.The news comes after House voted unanimously on Monday to award one of the country’s highest civilian honors, the Congressional Gold Medal, to the unit. The U.S Senate passed the bill in 2021, so it now heads to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law. When received, the 6888 will be the only female unit serving in a military status to receive the award, the only unit from the Women’s Army Corps to receive the award, and the only African American female unit to receive the award.

K.J. Yossman ITV has bought out BBC’s share of BritBox U.K. ahead of the launch of its new streaming service ITVX, Variety has confirmed.ITVX will integrate BritBox U.K.

Manori Ravindran International EditorWarnerMedia has struck a first-look deal with German-Turkish director Fatih Akin.The tie-up marks the first exclusive deal of its kind for Akin in his 27-year career. The helmer is best known for such films as “In The Fade” (2017), “Head-On” (2004) and “Soul Kitchen” (2009).

K.J. Yossman The Royal Television Society (RTS) has unveiled the nominees for this year’s RTS Programme Awards.“It’s a Sin” has scored six nominations, including nods for Keeley Hawes and Olly Alexander (pictured above), while Tahar Rahim has been nominated for his performance in “The Serpent.”Of the U.K.’s broadcasters, the BBC scored the most noms, boasting 30 across 24 categories, followed by Channel 4, who scored 28, Sky with 10 and ITV who scored 8.BBC One, ITV and Sky Arts have all been nominated for the Channel of the Year award.

K.J. Yossman Disney Plus has unveiled its first Dutch original scripted drama series, titled “Nemesis.”The 8-part series will be produced by Netherlands-based production company Pupkin.Described as a “thrilling crime drama,” the show is based on a novel written by Simon de Waal.

K.J. Yossman Studiocanal has boarded Thomas Vinterberg’s TV debut ‘Families Like Ours’ as a co-producer and distributor.Varety first broke the news last April that Oscar-winning Danish director Vinterberg (“Another Round”) was re-teaming with Danish production outfit Zentropa on his first television drama.Studiocanal previously distributed “Another Round” in the U.K.“I have worked with Studiocanal in the past and greatly enjoyed the process,” said Vinterberg.

It's been 50 years since Samuel L. Jackson made his first on-screen appearance in the 1972 independent blaxploitation film Since then, the actor has become one of the most recognized actors of his generation, one of the highest-grossing actors of all time and has been featured in over 100 films.

Katherine Kelly Lang is looking back at her time on . The soap star spoke to ET's Matt Cohen about the show's 35th anniversary and all the on-screen weddings she's had since joining the show 35 years ago.«I want to say 12,» Lang said before Cohen informed her of her 21 trips down the aisle. «21? I'm going to close my ears.»While the number is still a bit fuzzy, Lang has fond memories of her character Brooke Logan's first wedding on the show.«I still remember the first wedding that I had to Ridge on the beach, riding a horse down,» she shared.

Stranger than fiction. The Dropout follows the controversy surrounding Elizabeth Holmes and her company Theranos, and the details of the scandal are so wild that they were practically made for TV.

A long-awaited reunion. Maks Chmerkovskiy was greeted by wife Peta Murgatroyd upon his return to Los Angeles after fleeing Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion.

Martin Lewis' expert team have issued homeowners with urgent advice ahead of receiving the £150 council tax rebate next month. The discount is one of many support measures announced by the UK government after energy regulator Ofgem confirmed the energy price cap will rise by 54% in April because of surging wholesale gas prices.

Eddie Hearn dropped Matchroom CEO Frank Smith during a quite brilliant sparring session between the pair.Hearn did have a very brief amateur career but has long since hung up the gloves.But once more he got back into the ring to face off against Frank Smith in San Diego.The Essex-born promoter clearly had the height advantage and at one point got his opponent to the ground with a tremendous strike to the abdomen.The pair earned a small round of applause from the crowd as they embraced at the end, both bent over exhausted.Smith said after the end of the contest: "Do you want to do another fight? Easy light work."Meanwhile, Hearn, 42, has claimed that Tyson Fury is “out of control".The Gypsy King is continuing to promote his upcoming fight against Dillian Whyte despite his opponent boycotting such events in the build-up to the bout at Wembley on April 23.Whyte is reportedly furious with the terms of the contract he had signed - and Hearn has claimed that Fury has not been very respectful of the fact he’s voiced his concerns."Dillian Whyte in my opinion was not treated with respect," Hearn told the MMA Hour. "I never told him not to attend the press conference at all.Do you reckon you could take Eddie Hearn? Let us know in the comments section.Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news?Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star football email newsletter!From the latest transfer news to the agenda-setting stories, get it all in your email inbox - don't miss a thing.It only takes a matter of seconds.Simply type your email address into the box at the top of this article and hit 'subscribe'.And that's it, job done.

Earlier this month, several historic achievements were made after “The Power of the Dog” earned 12 Oscar nominations. Jane Campion became the first woman with two Best Director nominations.

Freddie Mercury's shoes at the 1992 tribute concert, as he paid a sweet tribute to the Queen star.The Wherever I Lay My Hat and Love Of the Common People singer was one of many music icons including David Bowie and Elton John to perform at the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert, which was held at Wembley Stadium on April 20, 1992.The concert was held less than a year after Freddie Mercury had died on November 24, 1991 at his Kensington Home, from bronchial pneumonia due to AIDS-related complications.Speaking exclusively to Daily Star, Paul Young reflected on the tribute concert, saying: "It was a privilege to be asked, but it was amazing to step into Freddie's shoes. "To do just one song and see the love that he got from the crowd.

Golf League recently fell flat on its face.Organisers appear adamant for the league to go ahead despite widespread criticism of the would-be rival to the PGA Tour, though the forecast suggests it's at risk of collapse before it's even begun.The event wouldn't be alone if it didn't get off the ground as hoped, however, as Daily Star Sport breaks down some famous examples of breakaway leagues that either failed to lift off or enjoyed shockingly short lifespans.Saudi money claimed an important foothold in western sport when a consortium largely financed by the country's Public Investment Fund (PIF) purchased Newcastle United towards the end of 2021.The Kingdom's proposed Super Golf League (SGL) is another opportunity to gain traction in that sector, which is why Hall of Famers like Mickelson and Greg Norman were selected to be ambassadors for the brand.Household names are often vital in turning the public onto a new idea, but the SGL suffered potentially critical damage when Mickelson—reportedly offered $100million (£75m) per year to join—criticised the Saudi regime.Which failed breakaway competition would you most like to see revived? Let us know in the comments section.Quotes from an upcoming biography about 'Lefty' revealed he called the Kingdom "scary motherf***ers" who "killed [journalist Jamal] Khashoggi," adding they "execute people over there for being gay."Mickelson was the target of a backlash when he went on to suggest he was willing to overlook all that in order to "reshape how the PGA Tour operates," having now instead decided to take a break from the sport.Norman, 67, has insisted the SGL dream is alive and well, but it may well go unrealised after the likes of Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Bryson

OnlyFans, and revealed that her daughter has also started adult modelling. The US woman, who calls herself Mrs Robinson, has shot with high-end porn companies, as well as selling content on OnlyFans. But rather than starting out webcamming or by modelling on Instagram, the adult star had spent most of her life in a corporate job before she embarked on an unusual career change.

Amanda Holden sent temperatures soaring to new heights while wearing a sexy Three Musketeers outfit to the Heart FM head quarters. Of course, every Musketeer needs two other pals to join in on the fancy dress fun and who better to get in on the action than her radio co-stars Jamie Theakston, 51, and Ashley Roberts, 40?The 51-year-old Britain's Got Talent beauty and the former Pussycat Dolls hitmaker opted for matching sexy attire that included a velvet overcoat that was cinched in at the waist, a frilly petticoat and killer over-the-knee black boots.Accessorising, they added black cavalier hats and clutched onto swords as props to complete their look in honour of World Book Day.

Loose Women.During Thursday’s (March 3) instalment of the popular ITV daytime show Kaye Adams joined Linda Robinson, Carol McGiffin and Gloria Hunniford on the show where she rocked a stunning red dress.As the group posed in front of the desk at the start of the show, eagle-eyed viewers couldn’t help but notice that it appeared as though 59-year-old had lost one leg.After the show opened, fans swarmed to social media to share their concerns for the mum-of-two online throughout the show.One user penned: “Kaye I'm concerned where your other leg has gone? [cry laughing emoji] #wobblywomen.”Another agreed, asking: “Where is Kaye’s leg!” as a third chimed in with: “Why is she standing on one leg?.”Elsewhere, one fan of the show presumed: “Kaye’s leg just fell off.”Later on in the show, the blonde belle reassured viewers that she does in fact have two legs as she explained the TV blunder on air. She said: "Thank you very much to viewer Laura for pointing out the fact that it does look like I'm kind of perched on one leg there and one leg has disappeared.

Jacqueline Jossa thrilled her fans in her latest TikTok clip as she showed off her latest outfits. The former EastEnders star confirmed that she's been working on her new collection with InTheStyle as she announced to her followers that it's now live and available to shop.