Hollywood A-lister Will Ferrell is set to join a group of celebrity investors looking to back Leeds United as they look to regain promotion into the top flight and re-cement their position.
The Step Brothers, Anchorman, Zoolander star and former SNL comedian is reported to be one of several famous faces who will be investing in Leeds after buying up "a significant minority stake" in the club's owners, 49ers Enterprises.
Ferrell, who starred in a US soccer film called Kicking and Screaming in 2005, is said to have "fallen in love with English football" over recent years, having also featured in Soccer Aid back in 2012 and becoming co-owner of MLS side LA FC in 2016.
A big sports fan in general, he is now set to turn his interest in American football (both kinds) to Premier League prospects and the hope of lifting Leeds back out of the Championship after being relegated once again last season.
He's been flirting with proper football for years now.
Now bought into the sporting investment group which controls San Francisco's NFL team of the same name, the limited company also boasts a number of other big-name backers from the world of basketball.
Other sporting names involved include multiple NBA players like Russell Westbrook, pro golfers Jordan Spieth and Justin Thomas, as well as record-breaking Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.
As for other celebrities, fellow TV and film star Russell Crowe is also tied to 49ers Enterprises, with a large portfolio of stakeholders and existing franchise pedigree making it one of the wealthiest investment groups in the world.
While no official announcement has come from the Whites yet and club media chose not to comment when asked about the acquisition over the last week, it looks as though Ferrell is now on board ahead of a big finish to the season.
The 56-year-old is obviously just the latest American celeb to buy into a UK football club, with the most notable example being Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's dreamland takeover of newly-promoted Wrexham AFC back in 2020.
With Leeds having just missed out on automatic promotion following a tightly-contested campaign all season, they must now hope to navigate the ever-dramatic EFL playoffs.
No stranger to a blockbuster himself, we can only wish him luck with surviving what will inevitably be an even more stressful few weeks than the entirety of this season.
The question is, will some extra money from the likes of Will Ferrell be the boost that helps Leeds United consolidate themselves as a Premier League club?
Featured Images — James (via Flickr)/LA FC (via YouTube)
Art & Culture
Adventurous people from Yorkshire needed to take part in next series of BBC’s Race Across the World
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? Well, this might just be your calling then.
The BBC is, once again, casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show draws in thousands of viewers each week, and now producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea for the next seried – and that includes Yorkshire residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic people from Yorkshire are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
Adventurous Mancs are needed to take part in the next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, ‘the physical journey is only half of the story’. That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.”
Fancy it then? Applications for the next series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 29 March 2026, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
You may have heard of the funny Star Wars stripper show or even seen clips of it online, but rumour has it that nothing can quite prepare you for the cheekiness of seeing this romp in the flesh.
In case you’ve been completely immersed in the dark side until now, here’s what you can expect:
Now well over a decade into its success and more than 200 Las Vegas shows, ‘The Empire Strips Back’ made its long-awaited transatlantic debut earlier this year.
Getting away at London’s Riverside Studios from May and enjoying a run until this past August, the comedy-driven twist on the classic Star Wars stories and beloved sci-fi characters was an instant hit with us Brits.
It started in Australia way back in 2011 and has gone not only to tour across Europe, but land a coveted residency at the Rio Hotel and Casino in Nevada.
Now set to seek out new padawans and storm-strippers all over the cosmos, and by that we mean the UK, ‘The Empire Strips Back: Burlesque Parody’ is coming to Manchester.
Set to land at TESTBED in February from from Thursday 12 to Sunday 22 specifically, we cannot wait to see how this goes down with Northern crowds.
It’s also worth noting that this two-hour show, including intermission, is a strictly 18+ only event; if you’re interested, you can find out more info and grab your tickets right HERE.
Danny Jones -
7th May 2024 
