Mark Butler
The Scotsman
United Kingdom
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Past articles by Mark:
Big freeze to hit Scotland in January
2019 will get off to a cold and stormy start according to weather experts, with frost, fog, snow and gale force winds set to sweep Scotland. → Read More
These were the most complained about TV shows of 2018
Every year, TV has its fair share of controversy. And every year, thousands of people complain to UK communications regulator Ofcom. From live on-air arguments to ultra-dark soap storylines, plenty has incurred the wrath of the viewing public over the past 12 months. Here are the most complained about TV shows and moments of 2018, … → Read More
It's Lancashire vs Yorkshire in The Apprentice 2018 final: as Camilla Ainsworth and Sian Gabbidon compete for £250,000 prize
Two Northern businesswomen from either side of the Pennines will go head to head in The Apprentice 2018 final, as Lancashire's Camilla Ainsworth and Yorkshire's Sian Gabbidon seek a quarter-of-a-million pound investment from Lord Alan Sugar. → Read More
Will it be a White Christmas in Scotland this year? Latest odds on Christmas Day snow in 2018
Bookies are offering increasingly short odds on it being a White Christmas in Scotland in 2018. Snow has already fallen in parts of the UK in recent weeks, icy conditions are forecast for the coming days, and cold weather is expected to persist into the later part of December. Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “It’s not a … → Read More
Will it be a White Christmas in Lancashire and the North West this year? Latest odds on Christmas Day snow in 2018
Bookies are offering increasingly short odds on it being a White Christmas in the North West in 2018. → Read More
Will it be a White Christmas in Edinburgh this year? Latest odds on Christmas Day snow in 2018
Bookies are offering increasingly short odds on it being a White Christmas in Edinburgh in 2018. → Read More
Our Yorkshire Farm: stunned viewers react to 'heartwarming' childhood without phones, laptops and TV
Our Yorkshire Farm has captured the hearts of TV audiences after the first episode aired last night. → Read More
Margaret Thatcher could be new face of £50 note
In a move that is already proving controversial, the long-list for who will be the new face of the £50 note includes former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Professor Stephen Hawking, Dorothy Hodgkin and Frederick Sanger, as well as Magnus Pyke and Marie Stopes, are also among those in the running to be be featured. … → Read More
Lion King remake: here's the trailer, and everything else you need to know
Disney has just released the first trailer for the remake of The Lion King – the ’90s cartoon classic that entranced, moved and delighted a generation of kids, and their parents. The latest in a series of CGI ‘re-imaginings’ of classic Disney animations (Dumbo is also on its way from Tim Burton), this new version … → Read More
Who will be Christmas Number One? The latest odds
The 2018 Christmas number one song isn’t due to be revealed until Friday 21 December. But that hasn’t stopped early speculation from being rife – and a number of contenders are already being tipped for the UK chart top spot. Debating who is going to be crowned the musical star of Christmas has become something … → Read More
Outlaw King: Scotland reacts to accents, accuracy
Landing on Netflix today (Friday November 9), historical blockbuster Outlaw King is getting a rather warm response from film fans – especially those here in Scotland. Depicting Scottish figure Robert The Bruce’s defiant, guerilla resistance against English occupation in the early 14th Century, the Medieval action movie has been described as “better than Braveheart” by … → Read More
The Good Place season three is as witty, sweet and gently profound as ever
*Spoilers for The Good Place seasons 1 and 2* Inter-dimensional security guards. Demons with a thing for punishment cocoons. And all-powerful, immortal Judges who spend their time binge-ing NCIS. Yes, that’s right folks. The Good Place is finally back. And if you were worried about the thoroughly original philosophical comedy show taking a dip in form, don’t … → Read More
Amazon Prime: the best new TV and films to watch in October
Amazon Prime Video is piling on the horror ahead of Halloween next month, with several spooky TV shows to look forward to, and entries from hair-raising film franchises such as Scream and – naturally – Halloween, available to subscribers. But heavyweight drama is also on the agenda, thanks to the brand new show from the … → Read More
Bodyguard finale: every twist, turn and revelation explained (in case you're confused)
*Major spoilers for the whole of Bodyguard, episodes 1-6* Last night’s edge-of-the-seat finale to hit BBC thriller Bodyguard confirmed some popular theories, tore down others, and answered an awful lot of burning questions. That said, it was so packed full of twists, turns and surprise revelations that it has led to some baffled and amusing … → Read More
Bodyguard creator shoots down popular fan theory, and hints at season 2
*Major spoilers for Bodyguard episodes 1-4* Following Sunday’s shocking fourth episode of hit BBC drama Bodyguard, fans took to social media to discuss the latest twists and turns. In particular, viewers mulled over the apparent death of Home Secretary Julia Montague – played by Keeley Hawes – as a result of a bomb attack. One … → Read More
Bodyguard episode 4: the biggest questions and talking-points after another dramatic hour of TV
*Major spoilers for Bodyguard episode 4* If you thought that hit new BBC drama Bodyguard was going to stop providing talking-points after its compelling opening salvo and explosive third episode, you were dead wrong. Episode four appeared to be a much quieter, more sombre and sobering instalment at first. Until the shocking development where it … → Read More
Bodyguard on BBC One: great drama, the silliest thing on TV, or both?
*Spoilers for episodes 1-3 of Bodyguard* It’s only half-way through its run on BBC One, but already political thriller Bodyguard has packed more explosive incident and talking-points into its action than most dramas would manage in a full-blown season. Attracting almost 7 million viewers in its Sunday night slot, Jed Mercurio’s show has proven to … → Read More
Outlaw King: everything you need to know about Netflix's Robert The Bruce blockbuster
Netflix have unveiled their latest big budget movie – and it’s a historical blockbuster charting the defiant rise of Scottish hero Robert The Bruce. Outlaw King has already been creating early buzz, and it will open the Toronto International Film Festival next month. Here’s everything you need to know about the film. Who’s in it? … → Read More
Why this scary YouTube advert is causing controversy
A frightening YouTube advert for forthcoming horror movie The Nun has been criticised as “problematic” and “in poor taste”. The 6-second teaser has caused controversy, after startling unsuspecting internet users with a sudden jump-scare. ‘Shame on YouTube’ Appearing before certain videos, the short advert initially shows a volume sign being gradually turned down. After a … → Read More
Virgin customers say they may cancel their TV subscriptions as row over channels deepens
Virgin Media customers lost 10 TV channels from their subscriptions last weekend, after UKTV pulled the likes of Dave and Gold from the Virgin television roster. Now, it is being reported that ITV could also remove channels from the Virgin Media service, due to an alleged long-running dispute between the companies. In the wake of this, … → Read More