Have you heard Tom Hardy spit some rhymes? Have you seen this year’s Eurovision hopefuls? And what links Boris Johnson to an 18th Century syphilitic mummy? Welcome to the AngloFiles, a weekly rundown of the weird and wonderful, bringing you the best bits and bobs that British news, culture, science and entertainment has to offer.
#3: Boris Johnson’s Family Tree
The Foreign Secretary can be an unpredictable character, but even he couldn’t have guessed the headlines he’s scooped recently! After years of DNA testing, Swiss scientists have finally identified an exceptionally well-preserved mummy – as the body of Boris’ great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandmother! The remains have long drawn curiosity, mostly because they’re so well-preserved, but new technology reveals a 99.8% chance that she and Johnson are related. It’s believed that the woman, who was called Anna Bischoff, had contracted syphilis, most likely through trying to treat other sufferers – Boris says that he’s proud of her pioneering work.
#2: Eurovision: You Decide
If eclectic, genre-smashing, singalong anthems are your thing, then you’ll already be excited for Eurovision 2018! The actual Song Contest isn’t until May, but Britain is well on the way to selecting its representative, with a six-strong shortlist all hoping to fly the flag. There’s Asanda, a 2013 finalist on “Britain’s Got Talentâ€; Goldstone, a three-piece girl group; RAYA, a Little Mix backing dancer; SuRie, a piano-playing singer-songwriter; Liam Tamne, a former performer on “The Voiceâ€; and Jaz Ellington, another one-time “The Voice†contestant. The acts will be whittled down to one on “Eurovision: You Decideâ€, February 7th on BBC 2!
Before we get to our final entry, let’s remember what else happened on this week in history:
It’s eighty-seven years since the premiere of “City Lightsâ€, starring Charlie Chaplin. The film is regarded as one of the last great silent movies, coming amidst a widespread transition to talkies. Albert Einstein attended the premiere; Orson Welles called “City Lights†his ‘favourite film’; and it made more than $2 million with American audiences!
#1: Tom Hardy’s on the Mic
‘Before they were famous’ stories are rarely all that flattering, but this latest look at Tom Hardy’s pre-celeb existence is one of the weirdest of the lot. We now know Hardy as Bane, Bronson or Mad Max, but in the late-‘90s he went by the name, Tommy No. 1 – and he was hoping to become a hip-hop legend! A must-hear mixtape has landed online, recorded in 1999 and featuring Hardy as chief lyricist while his mate, Eddie Too Tall, lays down some tunes. Eddie, real name Edward Tracy, published the duo’s efforts on the music sharing website Bandcamp, and fans are going crazy for it. “Dr Livingstoned†is so far proving a favourite track, but rumours of a last-gasp Grammy nomination are unfounded…
Have you got a good story for us? Is there an unusual event headed to your town? Head over to WatchMojo UK, let us know in the comments and watch this space for more British-based brilliance.
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