Here’s why Wilko Johnson didn’t return as Ilyn Payne after season 2 of Game of Thrones

Game of Thrones boasted a host of remarkable characters that had a lasting presence on the audience’s memory. Some were brave and honourable like Jon Snow, while there were some who were downright scary. One of these scary ones included the silent knight Ser Ilyn Payne. He was a part of some of the most pivotal scenes of the show, including Ned Stark’s execution. The character was played by English guitarist, singer and songwriter Wilko Johnson.

Born John Peter Wilkinson, the music pioneer was instrumental to the punk movement of the 70s. He was the original lead guitarist for the Essex pub rock band, Dr Feelgood. The punk rock icon made his television debut when he joined the cast of Thrones for its first season back in 2011.

As with George R.R. Martin’s original books, Payne was originally intended to have a much more prominent role as the series went on. Unfortunately, HBO was forced to phase out the character following Johnson’s declining health.

The musician announced he had been diagnosed with late-stage pancreatic cancer in 2013. Season two, episode nine, Blackwater, marked his last appearance in the series. Thankfully, the musician and occasional actor has since made a full recovery. At the age of 73, he has been able to continue his music career.

How do you think the story would have changed if Payne had stayed throughout the series? Tell us in the comments below!

Building a house is always on the list of dreams one wants to accomplish during one’s lifetime. However, it would be awful if your dream slides off into the water. In the case of Game of Thrones star Kit Harington, it might actually happen. Like his character Jon Snow, he’s fighting hard to defend his wall. Well, this time, it’s his garden he is trying to protect. Kit Harington and Rose Leslie, who starred in the hit fantasy series, win permission to rebuild the moat wall despite Historic England concerns.

Kit Harington, 34, shares the property with his wife and co-star Rose Leslie. His character Jon Snow had to defend a crumbling 700ft-high fortification known as The Wall on Game of Thrones. Now he is facing structural problems closer to home. He is concerned that the moat at his £1.75 million Suffolk farmhouse is in danger of collapsing.

The 34-year-old has applied for permission to carry out repairs to stop the garden from sliding into the water. Plans submitted to the local council say part of the existing 6ft-high moat wall has fallen down and other parts are suffering a ‘significant lean’.

The collapse, which affects two sides of the 15th Century building and has led to part of the earth bank being exposed. It is also putting structural pressure on a small footbridge across the moat.

The couple wants to build a new wall with a concrete core and faced by heritage-style bricks ‘to ensure the long-term stability and safeguard against future problems’. But Historic England fears the plan to replace the retaining wall could lead to the loss of ancient remains and artefacts.

How would you have solved the problem? Tell us in the comments below!

When we stare at a starry night sky, we see the light of the stars that died out thousands of years ago. The earth lost one of its brightest stars, Diana Rigg, not too long ago. Her warm light still shines upon our memories serving as an inspiration. Diana Rigg was left out of BAFTA’s in memoriam tribute on April 11 alongside other stars who died in the last year. The Game Of Thrones and James Bond (1969) actress was omitted along with fellow Bond girl Honor Blackman (1964).

People on social media were baffled by the omissions. One wrote: “Was a disgrace that @BAFTA missed Diana Rigg [and] Honor Blackman from in memoriam. 2 iconic actresses from the 60s and starred in 2 of the most highly thought of Bond films and many others. These were MOVIE stars not only television stars!”

Was a disgrace that @BAFTA missed Diana Rigg Honor Blackman from in memoriam. 2 iconic actresses from the 60s and starred in 2 of the most highly thought of Bond films and many others. These were MOVIE stars not only television stars!

— Barry Leslie (@bazepeemaster) April 12, 2021

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts explained its decision after the feedback, citing a restricted broadcast duration. “With limited time available for obituaries within the broadcast, it isn’t possible to honour all those who have sadly passed away.

BAFTA’s committee considered Dame Diana Rigg to be better known for her work in TV. So she will be included in BAFTA’s TV Awards broadcast this year. Dame Diana Rigg also features in BAFTA’s online records at www.bafta.org/heritage/in-memory-of.

What do you think about the issue? Talk to us in the comments below!

Game of Thrones ended nearly two years ago. The show is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year on 17th April. HBO is organising a month long celebratory events on account of The Iron anniversary. Yesterday the television network released videos of the show’s stars and crew looking back at the show’s 10 years. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (Jaime Lannister) hasn’t played a role on TV since Game of Thrones ended. He will make a return to the small screen with the series adaptation of the 2020 Christina Clancy novel The Second Home.

No network or writer is currently attached to the series, but Coster-Waldau will also be executive producing.

The novel follows the Gordon and Shaw families following a fateful summer on Cape Cod. The story explores how a devastating secret can derail young love and tear apart families.

Years later, the siblings from one of the families come together to decide the fate of the family beach house. They try to mend relationships by hashing out exactly what happened all those years ago on Cape Cod.

Coster-Waldau will be reaching out to fans to help raise funds for 10 charities close to their hearts during the Iron anniversary along with other Thrones stars. These are The Trevor Project, Women for Women International, World Central Kitchen, Conservation International, International Rescue Committee, UNICEF, FilmAid International, National Urban League, SameYou and Royal Mencap Society.

Are you excited about Coster-Waldau’s return to the small screen? Tell us in the comments below!