Black Sabbath drummer Bill Ward has left the band following a contract row and will no longer perform at a long-awaited reunion gig or tour.

For those who didn’t know, James Morrison is no longer that boy with a guitar and a nice line in ballads. He’s a man now and, judging by his demeanour on stage last night, a fun performer who can’t help but have a good time.

Carl Jones reviews The Muppets, a film has the gang back to doing what they do best – producing good, wholesome, family entertainment for the school half-term holidays.

For more than 35 years, Kermit The Frog, Miss Piggy and their fun-loving friends have been firmly ingrained in our rose-tinted childhood memories with their slapstick routines and song and dance numbers.

Acid rain, global warming, bird flu, mad cow disease . . .  just a few of the things Lee Hurst ponders as he brings his latest stand-up comedy tour to Wolverhampton.

Regarded as one of the fastest rising stars in the comedy world, Jim Jeffries is set to play Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall.

Theatre-goers who were expecting to see former EastEnders stars Samantha Womack and Alex Ferns perform in hit musical South Pacific in Birmingham last night said they were disappointed after both performers again pulled out due to ill health.

The curtain has gone up on comedy Sister Act at Wolverhampton’s Grand Theatre – and is already proving a huge hit.

For those who didn’t know, James Morrison is no longer that boy with a guitar and a nice line in ballads. He’s a man now and, judging by his demeanour on stage last night, a fun performer who can’t help but have a good time.

Sumptuous sets and cracking costumes completed a truly stunning production of Nutcracker! at Birmingham’s Hippodrome Theatre last night.

Sumptuous sets and cracking costumes completed a truly stunning production of Nutcracker! at Birmingham’s Hippodrome Theatre last night.

Dance students from the City of Wolverhampton College are stepping in to the spotlight for their annual showcase.

Were you enjoying a night out at Bar Sport in Cannock when the Express & Star photographer called in? Check out our photo gallery.

I must say I seriously enjoyed some local antics last weekend, writes DJ Stuart Ojelay. From reading this column I’m sure many of you know that I’ve been ‘getting around a bit’ of late so I have to give a special mention for The Bell in Stourbridge.

Tony Bennett performed on the very first Grammy Awards, and as he returns for the 54th show, the singer says it never gets old.

She has been a sensation since she has been born, and now Blue Ivy has made her public debut.

Lichfield Festival’s popular market day is to get a new name and new backing for 2012, with the announcement that Florette UK, the bagged salad specialist which has its UK headquarters at Fradley Business Park, Lichfield, is to become its major sponsor.

The Stone Roses are being lined up to headline next year’s V Festival at Weston Park, it emerged today.

A stunning showcase of portrait paintings have gone on display at Wolverhampton Art Gallery.

There is plenty for film, fashion, opera and theatre fans to enjoy at Wolverhampton’s Light House media centre in October.

Sorry, I know I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t help myself, writes our undercover meal reviewer, The Insider. Briefly loitering around the door to the kitchen, casually eavesdropping on any action that might be going on.

These days it can be difficult to find somewhere to go for lunch that offers something affordable but different to the typical chain pub grub or stone-baked pizzas, writes Adam Burling.

Lichfield Festival’s popular market day is to get a new name and new backing for 2012, with the announcement that Florette UK, the bagged salad specialist which has its UK headquarters at Fradley Business Park, Lichfield, is to become its major sponsor.

This March, survival expert Bear Grylls will be live on stage for the very first time at Birmingham’s NIA, with his live tour, Mud, Sweat and Tears.