Star

MANCHESTER United midfielder Mason Mount has found love.

I can reveal that the England international was seen with his arm around marketing executive Jordan Porter on a family trip to Lapland in Finland over the Christmas period.

It is understood that the couple met through Mason’s pal Ben Harris who is engaged to Jordan’s sister Jodie.

A source said: “Mason and Jordan have been friends for a long time after being introduced through Ben.

“Family is important to Mason so having Jordan on the Lapland trip meant a lot.

“Mason’s performance on the pitch has also improved so it looks like Jordan is a keeper.”

THAT’S A RAP

Noughties girl group plotting reunion concert to mark 25th album anniversary

VINNIE & THE GUYS

Guy Ritchie, Jason Staham and Vinnie Jones in EPIC reunion for new film

Mason shared a snap of himself with his arm around Jordan at Lapland with his 5.6million followers last month.

The footie ace also posted a glimpse of two red stockings under his Christmas tree, embroidered with an M for Mason and J for Jordan. His brother Lewis also shared a picture of their family to his 16,600 Instagram followers.

Mason was pictured next to Jordan and with his arm around his dad Tony.

The pair were first linked in February 2024 when they were both pictured with a group of friends at the v.

Mason and Jordan also joined Ben and Jodie on their trip to Ibiza in July.

Jordan is Head of Experiences for London-based event planning service, GP Management, and grew up in South East London.

Mason confirmed that he had split from model Chloe Wealleans-Watts to Tatler magazine in 2022, following a five-year romance.

Asked about his relationship status, he said: “Football is my priority.”

It sounds like Jordan is his new No1.

Tim’s scored Ad

MOVIE star Timothee Chamalet is a huge football fan, supporting both Chelsea FC and French club AS Saint-Etienne – and now I can reveal he has been signed up by sports giant Adidas to film a huge World Cup ad.

The actor, who is dating Kylie Jenner, shot a top-secret campaign last month in Barcelona alongside Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny, ex of Kylie’s sister Kendall, and British Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.

A source tells me: “Adidas bosses were chuffed to bring Timothee on to the ad and paid a lucrative fee.

“It is believed the film will drop during the lead-up to the World Cup.”

Timothee has recently been on an epic press tour for his latest flick Marty Supreme, while mostly donning movie merch.

He’ll have to mix that up once the ad drops.

Jossa is strong for family

JACQUELINE JOSSA is determined to start 2026 in strong spirits, despite a probe into online death threats against her.

I revealed last month how the EastEnders actress had been sent menacing messages on social media, and had reported them to her BBC bosses.

But Jac who shares two daughters with husband Dan Osborne, is focusing her energy on her family and work.

A source said: “She trusts the police to investigate. She is not changing her routine and she is still fulfilling her commitments with family and work.

“She is very calm and content in the knowledge the police are dealing with it.”

Jacqueline posted Instagram snaps with the children and Dan in London’s Covent Garden last month.

She wrote: “I love this time of year so much. I love the age the kids are now. They are older but the magic is still here, it’s just different.”

It comes as the actress, who plays Lauren Branning in Albert Square, feared for her character when the soap’s top boss called her in for a meeting last year.

Of the flash-forward episode that aired on New Year’s Day, she said: “It’s always scary when you get called up to a meeting.

It’s either, ‘You’re going to be thrown off the roof of the Vic’ or it’s just a catch-up.”

Tina will Corrie on

CORRIE star Tina O’Brien has signed a new contract keeping her on the cobbles for another year.

The star, who began playing Sarah Platt in 1999, had a tough 2025, splitting from her husband Adam Crofts – father of her son Beau – after seven years of marriage.

Tina who also has daughter Scarlett with her former co-star Ryan Thomas, then revealed in November her beloved dad Steven had died.

A Corrie source said: “Tina had a very difficult 2025, so bosses wanted to reassure her there was nothing to worry about where her job was concerned. She put pen to paper just before the Christmas break.

“Obviously, there have been a lot of changes over the last few months and the last thing they wanted was for her to worry about her role on Corrie.

“She is very much adored on set and her character has got some big things coming up this year.”

Hopefully, 2026 is off to a better start . . . 

Hannah Hope’s annual 2026 showbiz calendar

JAN: Dust off your sequins as 2026 season kicks off with the 83rd Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles on January 11.

Comedian Nikki Glaser will return as host, with Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande in the running for gongs for their roles in Wicked: For Good, while Kpop Demon Hunters are up for their catchy track, Golden.

Rock band All Time Low will begin the UK leg of their Everyone’s Talking Tour on January 20 in Glasgow.

Love Island beauty Maura Higgins and Real Housewives star Lisa Rinna join the line-up for The Traitors US, which starts on Peacock on January 8.

FEB: For the first time in its history, The Brit Awards will be heading up north to Manchester on February 28.

Jack Whitehall is back as host with pop star Tate McRae rumoured to perform at the star-studded show at the city’s Co-op Live Arena.

Fresh from the Strictly final, West End star Amber Davies will return to the stage as Elle Woods in the Legally Blonde musical at Leicester’s Curve Theatre on February 7.

The 2026 Grammys will hit Los Angeles on February 1 at the Crypto.com Arena.

Britain’s brand new boyband December 10 will release their debut single. The band consists of Cruz 19, Danny, 17, Hendrick, 19, John, 17, Josh, 17, Nicolas, 16, and Sean, 19.

MAR: After the success of her album West End Girl, Lily Allen is set to kick off her album tour in Glasgow on March 2.

The album is believed to be inspired by the breakdown of her marriage to Stranger Things actor David Harbour.

Wolf Alice and Manic Street Preachers form part of the line-up of the Teenage Cancer Trust Gigs at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Elbow will kick off the concert series on March 23 with special guest Mrcy.

APR: Olivia Dean truly made 2025 her year with The Art Of Loving album.

The British pop star will continue her tour in the UK in April. She is set to play the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on April 22.

Noughties boy band Blue will kick off their 25th Anniversary Tour at Oxford’s New Theatre on April 7.

Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Karol G are the headliners of Coachella festival, in California, which kicks off on April 10.

MAY: Strictly Come Dancing: The Professionals returns in dazzling style.

Fans can see 11 pros – including Vito Coppola and Nancy Xu – take to the dance floor for the ultimate night out.

The nationwide tour, which travels around the country throughout May, kicks off at the Globe Theatre in Stockton-on-Tees on April 29.

Meanwhile, the glamour of the South of France will come alive with the 79th edition of The Cannes Film Festival on May 12.

JUN: A Glastonbury-shaped hole will be filled with the Isle of Wight Festival.

Lewis Capaldi, Calvin Harris and The Cure form the incredible line-up for the four-day festival which starts on June 18.

Following the global success of Wicked, pop star Ariana Grande will return to the stage for The Eternal Sunshine Tour, which begins on June 6 at the Oakland Arena in California.

JUL: Michael Bublé proves he does not just defrost for the festive season – as he headlines Blenheim Palace Festival in Oxfordshire on July 4.

Rapper Pitbull – aka Mr Worldwide – returns to the UK with special guest Kesha on July 10 for BST Hyde Park in London.

Lewis Capaldi will also be performing at the festival on July 11 and 12.

AUG: All Points East in London’s Victoria Park will see our favourites Zara Larsson, PinkPantheress and Lorde headline the festival on August 22.

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs for three weeks from August 7, filling the city with the best theatre, comedy and music.

SEP: The 31st National Television Awards will see your fave soap stars battle it out to be crowned the winner on September 8 at London’s O2 Arena.

Meanwhile the 2026 Emmy Awards are set to take place on September 14 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The nominations will be revealed on July 8.

Watch it

ANNE HATHAWAY and Meryl Streep return in The Devil Wears Prada 2 on May 1.

Valentine’s Day just got even more romantic as Margot Robbie stars alongside Jacob Elordi in a new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, which is out on February 13.

Supergirl: Woman Of Tomorrow starring Milly Alcock will hit cinemas on June 26.

Buzz, Woody, Jessie and the gang return in Toy Story 5 on June 19.

Cillian Murphy stars in 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple which is out on January 14.

SIR David Beckham’s Hollywood star ceremony could be overshadowed if son Brooklyn snubs it despite living nearby.

A date is being fixed over the next few months for the Walk of Fame unveiling, less than five miles from the house Brooklyn shares with wife Nicola Peltz.

And things could get awkward — as it comes after he ignored a loving New Year’s message from his football star father amid their ongoing family feud.

A source said: “Brooklyn snubbing David’s special day will be a very public humiliation as he lives in Hollywood.

“Of course, David is hopeful the family will have mended their relations by then, especially after he has offered an olive branch to Brooklyn. The rift has been a great cause of heartache.”

David, 50, was included in the Hollywood Walk of Fame class of 2025 after the success of his Netflix documentary. His engraving will include his title “Sir” after he was knighted by King Charles.

READ MORE ON BECKHAM FEUD

social snub

Brooklyn Beckham continues to snub dad’s olive branch as he parties with Nicola

COME BECK

David Beckham says ‘you are my life’ in olive branch to son Brooklyn amid feud

Nominees have two years to schedule their ceremony, and his is set to take place before the summer World Cup in the States.

Other honourees include rockers Green Day, actress Jessica Chastain and ­rapper Busta Rhymes.

On New Year’s Eve, Sir David posted a series of pictures on Instagram showing him with his four children. It included a shot of him and his eldest Brooklyn smiling cheek to cheek, with the caption: “I love you all so much.”

However, he got no response from Brooklyn, 26, who lives with actress Nicola, 30, in an £11.8million villa in Beverly Hills.

Last month, the wannabe chef skipped childhood pal Holly Ramsay’s wedding to swimmer Adam Peaty and spent Christmas with his billionaire in-laws in Miami.

David’s spokeswoman declined to comment. 

A REALITY star just clapped back against trolls in the sassiest way, uplifting women of all shapes and sizes.

The former Love Triangle contestant, 29, has grown tired of trolls making unnecessary remarks about her weight.

So she snipped out one of the nasty comments and posted a simple yet effective response – immediately shutting the troll down.

Sadie Bass got dolled up in a gorgeous forest green bodycon dress with a plunging neckline.

The darts at the waists cinched in her fabulous figure, while she confidently smiled her red lips towards the camera.

She finished the look off by curling her hair into a vintage-esque wave that flowed freely down her shoulders.

AMOR TO SHOW

Casa Amor stunner set to sign for All Stars after shock love triangle in villa

the one

Reality stars reveal they’re moving in together a year after meeting

“is this body CHUBBY or curvey… am confused,” said the rude comment Sadie pasted next to the clip of her in the stunning down.

But Sadie clapped back: “This body is *HOT I hope that clears up any confusion x” while mouthing along to Michael Jackson‘s Dirty Diana, flaunting her beauty.

As Sadie flipped her hair and modelled the dress to perfection during the clip, her fans couldn’t get enough.

“Damn straight,” said one user in the post’s comments on Instagram.

A second added: “Always sexy and beautiful xxx.”

A third empathised with Sadie’s feelings about women being labelled: “Beautiful!

“I had an ex who called me chunky and I was upset at the fact he even had to put a label on it.”

Captioned, “People’s obsession with categorising women’s body types is BORING. can we leave it in 2025 pls???”, fans adored Sadie’s striking between sass and profound messaging.

Sadie appeared on season two of the Channel 4 reality show Love Triangle.

It’s where she met her partner Danny, who she moved in with in the middle of last year.

Love Triangle sees six singletons (the pickers) who text two potential lovers and then have to pick one for a blind date.

Viewers watch contestants meet for the first time after exchanging flirty texts, before moving in together and learning more about one another.

Some of the couples on the show were introduced to a third person (Sadie, in Danny’s case).

At the end of the series the picker has to choose who they want to be with out of the love triangle.

A huge pop star was revealed as Goldfish, the lead singer of a group called No Trout, in the launch episode of The Masked Singer as the hit series returned to ITV on Saturday

Anne-Marie was revealed as Goldfish on the launch episode of The Masked Singer. In a first for the programme, the first two episodes will feature a full band, and the panel also had to guess the identity of the lead singer.

After performing as Bruno Marse and Rose hit Apt part of a group called No Trout, the judges correctly guessed the identity of the singer. Following her unmasking, the songstress said: “When I was at school, I had a very short attention span! I’m used to the voice just going that way [in front of me] but in the thing, it was like ‘Oh, that’s what I sound like!” She then gave her first unmasked performance for the studio audience of her signature track 2002.

Fans were thrilled with the star’s appearance, with one writing on X: “Anne-Marie is sooooo good and such a lovely person, that unmasked performance was beautiful!!” But others had guessed it long before the unmasking took place, with one writing: “Knew it was Anne Marie purely by the way she stood” and another said: “Anne Marie was possibly the most obvious unmasking ever. I knew Goldfish was Anne Marie.”

READ MORE: The Masked Singer fans confused as ITV confirms last-minute schedule changeREAD MORE: The Masked Singer’s Goldfish ‘revealed’ as clue ‘gives it away’ they’re huge pop star

Prior to the revelation, Goldfish asked Davina: “How did it feel to be top of the Christmas tree?” and then asked Jonathan: “They say goldfish have a three-second memory. We’ll be the Judge of that!” Mo received: “54x4x10-166+8=X”, and Maya got a text that says: “I heard you became an award-winning billionaire by swimming upstream!”

The equation, which gives an answer of 2002, was possibly the biggest clue yet. The pop track was released by Anne-Marie in 2018, and references the period of time in which music icons like Britney Spears, Jay-Z and N*Sync ruled the charts. Eager fans who had spotted a preview of the series had already guessed who was behind the mask before it even went to air.

Previously, it was claimed that the new format with the bands was a way of keeping viewers guessing.

The Sun reported that a source said: “As The Masked Singer heads into series seven in the UK, bosses are keeping everyone on their toes by upping the ante on clues and throwing in even more unmaskings. “The franchise’s first-ever bands are going to blow everyone’s minds – but viewers will be left scratching their heads as to whether the band is a big clue or not. “The celebrities hiding inside might run solo in their real lives, or they might be part of some sort of group, or could even be exactly what it says on the tin – an actual frontman or woman.

“Viewers are going to be more bamboozled than ever, but it’s going to be lots of fun.” Viewers can expect to see four unmaskings in the first two episodes. Goldfish and Emperor Penguin are extra celebrities on top of the 12-person lineup.

Last year, the programme was won by West End legend Samantha Barks, who had dressed up as Puffer Fish throughout the series’ run. Samantha, who found fame on the BBC’s I’d Do Anything alongside Coronation Street actress Jodie Prenger and then starred in the film adaptation of Les Misérables with Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne.

Upon her victory, she said: “I feel like I’ve lived this double life because I’ve had these crazy experiences, but nobody in my life knows [about] this, so I’ve loved it!

“I’ve had the best time, I really have. Underneath the mask, it’s been hurting my cheeks because I’ve been smiling so hard! Thank you so much!”

Samantha, who is also known for having played the lead in the West End production of Disney’s Frozen, had fought off competition from celebrities like EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy, singer Macy Gray, and Celebrity Trators star Kate Garraway, amongst a host of others.

Other previous stars to have been brave enough to take part in the fun show include Dionne Warwick, Prue Leith, Daisy May Cooper, Glenn Hoddle, Mel Giedroyc, Sir Lenny Henry and Lorraine Kelly.

The Masked Singer, ITV1/ITVX, Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th January, 6.30pm

The Galaxy could be without Riqui Puig for a second straight season, with the team confirming Friday that the midfielder will undergo a second surgery Saturday to repair the torn ACL that caused him to miss all of 2025.

Puig, 26, tore the ligament in his left knee in the 2024 MLS Western Conference final with Seattle. A week later the Galaxy won its sixth league title. But playing without Puig in 2025, the team stumbled through the worst season in franchise history, winning just seven games.

Puig, a product of Barcelona’s famed La Masia youth academy, returned to training with the Galaxy in the fall. But the Galaxy said he had a setback in his recovery after returning to Spain for the holidays. After consulting with the club’s medical staff and outside specialists, the Galaxy and Puig agreed to a second surgery.

The timeline for Puig’s return will not be determined until after the operation, but losing him for any amount of time will be another significant blow for the team since last year’s performance proved Puig is the Galaxy’s most irreplacable player.

Puig had career highs for goals (13) and assists (15) in 2024, when he also led the league in touches and passes, helping the Galaxy set an MLS record with four players scoring 10 or more times. Without him, the team’s possession-based attack suffered, scoring 23 fewer goals and seeing just one player, winger Joseph Paintsil, reach double figures in scoring.

The Galaxy did not place Puig on the season-ending injury list last season, hoping he would return at some point. If doctors determine he is unlikely to play this season, it’s unlikely the team would make the same mistake since shelving Puig would open up a designated-play spot. Puig, who made $5.78 million last season, the eight-largest contract in MLS, is signed through 2027.

Before the Puig news the Galaxy had enjoyed a productive offseason, acquiring Jakob Glesnes, a former MLS defender of the year, in a trade with the Philadelphia Union and signing defender Justin Haak to a free-agent contract.

The Channel 4 reality show was back with a Christmas special, and one star was left emotional within minutes of the episode starting

Gogglebox star Andrew Nicolls was left crying as his husband shared a sweet gesture during the latest episode of the Channel 4 show.

On New Year’s Day, the much-loved armchair critics were back to share more of their insightful and passionate takes on the festive season’s biggest and best shows.

As the festive special kicked off, Alfie Mulhall re-created an iconic scene from the Christmas classic movie Love Actually.

He held up a set of cards that had sweet messages written on them for his husband, Andrew, which included the words: “And people think you’re my father,” and “Happy Christmas, I Love You.” Andrew asked Alfie, “What are you doing?” as his husband instructed him to sit down.

As Alfie showed Andrew his written messages, Andrew started to get emotional, exclaiming, “Oh, my god, I really love Love Actually,” while wiping away tears.

Alfie, who is 30 years younger than Andrew, replied, “Merry Christmas,” as the pair then laughed.

The couple, hailing from the Cotswolds, represent one of numerous fresh households that have become part of the Channel 4 programme.

Despite their recent arrival, Andrew and Alfie have struck a chord with viewers, courtesy of their sharp observations and cheeky banter between themselves.

Away from Gogglebox, Alfie and Andrew frequently post lifestyle updates on Instagram, featuring holiday photos, personal achievements, pets, and family announcements.

On Sunday (December 21), Andrew took to Instagram to share his happiness after finding love with Alfie when he was aged 60.

During a montage of sweet snaps, the couple can be seen enjoying each other’s company during various special moments.

In one photo, Andrew and Alfie are seen standing side by side in front of the city skyline, beaming with happiness. In another, Andrew kisses his husband lovingly on the cheek as they spend time at the beach.

Andrew wrote in the caption: “I was 60 when I thought my love story was over…Then THIS happened (love heart).”

The couple were met with an outpouring of support, with one person saying: “Love always wins, my friend, and it sometimes is just around the corner – so happy for you both.”

A second stated: “Two beautiful men, one beautiful couple!”, while a third chimed in: “I’ve got a big age gap with my boyfriend, so seeing you guys represent it on TV is so lovely!”

“How flippin’ lovely is this, gorgeous couple and my favourite goggleboxers, have a fabulous Christmas xx”, gushed one follower as another stated: “Love you two, my favs on gogglebox xx.”

Andrew and Alfie, who have a 30-year age difference, tied the knot in May 2024. They exchanged vows at a beautiful destination wedding in Italy, surrounded by their loved ones.

Gogglebox is available to catch up on Channel.com

A TEEN Mom favorite has shown off her drastic weight loss for the new year, and she looks like a completely different person.

In an emotional video, the MTV reality star revealed two scary health emergencies led her to totally change her eating and fitness habits, resulting in an incredible slim-down.

Briana DeJesus‘ best friend Shae Kogut, 35, took to Instagram to cover her health journey over the course of 2025.

She said in 2024, she began suffering “gallbladder attacks,” and scheduled a surgery to get the organ removed.

“That’s where my health journey really began. My entire eating habits have changed,” Shae wrote.

“I learned what my body needed for fuel, I learned that protein is my best friend, I also learned that drinking water isn’t so bad.

WORK IT, MAMA!

Teen Mom Mackenzie shows off abs in bikini 6 months after welcoming twins

‘HAVING A BABY!’

Teen Mom star announces his girlfriend is pregnant with their first child

“Before this heath journey started, I was drinking weekly, I was in taking so much sugar, my energy crashes were so bad to a point I couldn’t even function without daily naps.”

PAINFUL SURGERIES

In August 2025, the Teen Mom pal suffered “bloating and pain” in her stomach area, and discovered she needed to get cysts removed from her ovaries.

“Since my recovery, I’m able to do so much more physically than ever before because I don’t have the pain anymore!” she said.

“Truly thankful for this year, it taught me resilience, perseverance, and believing in myself again!

“I only share my life on here because I know others may be going through similar things! 2026 is going to be a ‘Me year.’

“Toning my body, being the best version of myself all around and I’m really excited to see what this year brings!”

Shae has appeared on Teen Mom many times over the years in scenes with her friend Briana.

She currently works as an Orlando-based influencer and Salty Honey brand ambassador.

From Anthony Solorzano: Through tears, Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza thanked every member of his family after becoming the first Hoosier to ever win the Heisman Trophy. The Cuban American quarterback recognized his family for believing in him throughout his career.

He was a two-star high school recruit who drew little attention before finally landing an opportunity to play at California. After three years with the Golden Bears, including a redshirt year, he transferred to Indiana. On Thursday, the No. 1 Hoosiers will take the field at the Rose Bowl, where they will face college football traditional power Alabama in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Pressure is familiar for Mendoza. He’s faced challenges throughout his career — from proving himself as an overlooked high school athlete to earning his starting role at Cal.

Anytime Mendoza has met a hurdle, he considers how to help those around him shine.

“I know that’s my responsibility to my coaches, to my teammates and to the entire team, to be able to be sharp mentally and not have outside influences, pressures and noise able to impact my game,” Mendoza said. “I think one thing is just keeping the process on how I got here, how the entire team got to this place, which is keeping the process that I’ve kept for every single game.”

The Hoosiers finished the season undefeated. They will play for their first Rose Bowl victory in 57 years and it’ll be the second year in a row Indiana has reached the College Football Playoff.

“His leadership has increased in those crucial moments and I think that’s what makes him such a special player — because when the stakes are the highest, he steps up and gets the team going,” Indiana linebacker Isaiah Jones said. “He’s a guy that people want to get behind and run a play for.”

Continue reading here

Bowl game results

Bowl schedule

USC’s defense continues to be a problem

Texas Christian running back Jeremy Payne carries the ball during a 30-27 win over USC in Alamo Bowl.

(Kenneth Richmond / Getty Images)

From Ryan Kartje: Two years ago, a day after he decided to fire Alex Grinch as USC‘s defensive coordinator, Lincoln Riley made a promise to those concerned about the future of the Trojans’ defense.

“I have complete belief, conviction. We will play great defense here,” the coach said in November 2023. “It is going to happen. There’s not a reason in the world why it can’t.”

Two years later, another defensive coordinator is out the door at USC. The day after Grinch’s replacement, D’Anton Lynn, left to take the same job at Penn State, Riley stood in front of reporters, assuring everyone once again that soon enough, USC would be great on that side of the ball.

“The arrow,” he said Tuesday, “is pointing straight up.”

“The opportunity for us to make a hire, to continue to make us better and to go from being a very good defense to being a great defense is the goal.”

Continue reading here

UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close reacts during a win over Penn State on Wednesday.

(Greg Fiume / Getty Images)

From Ben Bolch: As she spoke about her team’s growth amid its first conference trip, Cori Close steered her comments toward something else she would like to nurture: coverage of women’s college basketball.

It was a topic that the UCLA coach had thrust into the national spotlight three days earlier when she voiced her frustration with a lack of reporting on a top-20 showdown involving her No. 4 Bruins and No. 19 Ohio State.

Now, after her team’s runaway 97-61 victory over Penn State on Wednesday inside Rec Hall, Close glanced at the 10 reporters on a Zoom call and doubled down on her previous remarks.

“The reality of what my comments were after Ohio State were, I have two really passionate agendas in regards to this, and that is, I want to be a pioneer of growing the game, period,” Close said. “I want to really be a part of the surge that’s happening and I want to be a part of telling these amazing stories that these players have, and they’re incredible young women as well as amazing basketball players.”

Continue reading here

UCLA-Penn State box score

Women’s college basketball scores

Former USC players sound off on Lincoln Riley

USC coach Lincoln Riley reacts during a loss to Texas Christian in the Alamo Bowl on Tuesday night.

(Eric Gay / Associated Press)

From Chuck Schilken: Matt Leinart went to bed early.

Tired from hosting family for the holidays and planning on rising early for a workout, the 2004 Heisman Trophy winner and star USC quarterback did not stay up to catch the end of his alma mater’s game against Texas Christian in the Alamo Bowl on Tuesday night.

He likely does not regret that decision.

After allowing a 10-point lead to slip away in the final minutes of regulation, the Trojans eventually lost 30-27 in overtime after TCU running back Jeremy Payne caught a check-down pass on third-and-20 and broke multiple tackles on his way to the end zone for a 35-yard, game-winning touchdown.

Continue reading here

Lakers eager to move on

Lakers coach JJ Redick reacts during a loss to the Detroit Pistons at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

From Thuc Nhi Nguyen: The Lakers started the day by singing “Happy Birthday” to LeBron James as the superstar forward turned 41 on Tuesday. They ended by singing another familiar, but more somber tune.

The Lakers got blown out again Tuesday, letting a close game devolve into a 128-106 loss to the Detroit Pistons. James scored 17 points with four assists and five turnovers while the Lakers (20-11) lost by 20 points for the sixth time this season. They are tied for the third-most 20-point losses in the league, yet somehow are still clinging to fifth place in the Western Conference standings.

“The intent and the, like, effort was there for the most part tonight,” coach JJ Redick said. “… The turnovers and the fast-break points, they kill you.”

Continue reading here

NBA scores

NBA standings

Thank you, L.A. sports teams, for saving me

The Dodgers celebrate winning the World Series, one of many highlight moments that lifted Bill Plaschke’s spirits during a terrible year.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

From Bill Plaschke: It was the last story I wrote before everything changed.

It was Jan. 5, 2025, and I was marveling at the Rams gumption in their shorthanded loss to the Seattle Seahawks.

“It was weird,” I wrote. “It was wild.”

I was so witty. I was so wrong.

Two days later, I was fleeing for my life, steering my car down narrow Altadena streets with a fireball at my back and a nightmarish future sprawled across the smoke-filled streets ahead.

Now that was weird and wild.

The year 2025 was more tumultuous than any silly football game and its accompanying overwrought metaphors. It was a year that knocked me flat, tearing me apart from so many things that once anchored me, setting me afloat in a sea of guilt and despair and ultimate uncertainty.

Continue reading here

2026 high school sports predictions

JJ Harel of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame is gearing up to defend his state championship in the high jump.

(Craig Weston)

From Eric Sondheimer: It’s time to peer into my crystal ball to see what 2026 has in store for the Southland’s high school athletes (and a few former ones), coaches and fans:

JJ Harel of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, armed with passports from the United States, Israel and Australia, will soar so far past 7 feet in the high jump that national organizations from three different countries will fight to have him represent their team.

Striker Pence, a sophomore pitcher at Corona Santiago with a 100-mph fastball, will receive an endorsement deal from a radar gun company.

The UCLA-USC women’s basketball games will have so many celebrities and former players wanting to be seen that TMZ won’t need to pay for video.

Continue reading here

Ducks fall in overtime to Lightning

Tampa Bay defenseman Darren Raddysh, left, scores on Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal in overtime of the Lightning’s 4-3 win Wednesday at Honda Center.

(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)

From the Associated Press: Darren Raddysh scored midway through overtime, and the Tampa Bay Lightning blew three one-goal leads before beating the Ducks 4-3 on Wednesday for their fifth consecutive victory.

Tampa Bay coach Jon Cooper celebrated his 1,000th regular-season game in charge with his 595th victory as the longest-tenured bench boss in the NHL. The Lightning’s coach since March 2013 has also led them in 155 playoff games, won two championships and reached four Stanley Cup Finals.

Nikita Kucherov had a goal and an assist as the Lightning skated off with a win in the opener of their three-game California trip when Raddysh converted a pass from Brandon Hagel, who had three assists.

Continue reading here

Ducks-Lightning box score

NHL scores

NHL standings

This day in sports history

1902 — Michigan beats Stanford 49-0 in the first Rose Bowl. Neil Snow scores four touchdowns in a game that ends with eight minutes to play. The Wolverines earned the nickname as the “Point a Minute” team, having scored 501 points in their ten games. The next Rose Bowl game does not occur until 1916.

1916 — Washington State beats Brown 14-0 in the return of the Rose Bowl. Brown halfback Fritz Pollard, the first African-American to play in the Rose Bowl, gains just 47 yards in the rain-soaked game. After a scoreless first half, Washington State scores on short runs by Ralph Boone and Carl Dietz.

1934 — Columbia upsets Stanford 7-0 in the Rose Bowl when Al Barabas scores in the third quarter on a 17-yard hidden-ball play.

1935 — Bucknell beats Miami 26-0 in the first Orange Bowl.

1935 — Tulane beats Temple 20-14 in the first Sugar Bowl. The Green Wave complete a 14-0 comeback when Temple defender Horace Mowery tips a pass into the direction of Dick Hardy, who takes it in to the end zone.

1961 — The Houston Oilers beat the Los Angeles Chargers 24-16 to win the first AFL Championship.

1961 — Boston Bruins rookie Willie O’Ree, the first black player in NHL history, scores his first goal in a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens at Boston Garden.

1971 — Notre Dame ends Texas’ 30-game winning streak with a 24-11 win in the Cotton Bowl.

1991 — Georgia Tech routs Nebraska 45-21 in the Citrus Bowl to finish as college football’s only unbeaten team (11-0-1).

1992 — Miami beats Nebraska 22-0 in the Orange Bowl, the first shutout of the Cornhuskers since 1973, and finishes with a 12-0 record.

1993 — No. 2 Alabama wins its first national championship in 13 years and deprives Miami of its fifth title as the Crimson Tide defense humbles the No. 1 Hurricanes 34-13 in the Sugar Bowl.

1993 — Florida State beats Nebraska 27-14 in the Orange Bowl to set an NCAA record by winning eight consecutive bowl games.

2000 — Georgia’s Hap Hines kicks a 21-yard field goal in overtime to complete the greatest comeback in bowl history. The Bulldogs pull out a 28-25 victory over Purdue after trailing 25-0 early in the second quarter in the Outback Bowl.

2006 — New England’s Doug Flutie converts the NFL’s first successful drop kick in 64 years during a 28-26 loss to Miami.

2007 — Boise State, after tying the game with seven seconds to go in regulation, stuns No. 7 Oklahoma 43-42 in overtime to win the Fiesta Bowl. The No. 9 Broncos win on Ian Johnson’s 2-point conversion run after receiver Vinny Perretta throws a fourth-down touchdown pass to Derek Schouman.

2008 — Sidney Crosby’s shootout goal gives Pittsburgh a 2-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres in the inaugral outdoor Winter Classic in front of a league-record 71,217 fans. In elements way more suited for football than hockey, Crosby wins the NHL’s second outdoor game — and first in the United States — in the most dramatic of fashion at Ralph Wilson Stadium, home to the NFL’s Buffalo Bills.

2012 — Backup quarterback Matt Flynn throws for a franchise-record six touchdowns to give Green Bay a 45-41 victory over the Detroit Lions.

2014 — Central Florida pulls off one of the biggest upsets of the bowl season by outlasting No. 6 Baylor 52-42 in the Fiesta Bowl. It’s the highest-scoring game in Fiesta Bowl history and second-highest BCS bowl ever.

2015 — Marcus Mariota and Oregon roll past defending national champion Florida State 59-20 to turn the first College Football Playoff semifinal into a Rose Bowl rout.

2015 — Cardale Jones turns in another savvy performance in his second college start and Ezekiel Elliott runs for a Sugar Bowl-record 230 yards, leading Ohio State to a 42-35 upset of top-ranked Alabama in the second semifinal of the College Football Playoff.

2018 — Sony Michel’s 27-yard touchdown run in double overtime gives Georgia a 54-48 win over Oklahoma in a Rose Bowl. It’s the first overtime game in the 104-year history of the Rose Bowl, the highest-scoring Rose Bowl ever and the first College Football Playoff game to go into overtime.

2022 — Chicago Bulls forward DeMar DeRozen becomes first player in NBA history to hit buzzer-beaters on consecutive days; hits three-pointers to beat Washington Wizards, 120-119 and previous night Indiana Pacers, 108-106.

Until next time…

That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at houston.mitchell@latimes.com. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.

Run Away on Netflix is based on author and executive producer Harlan Coben’s best-selling novel of the same name.

Netflix’s upcoming thriller Run Away is about to hit the screens and it features a star-studded cast that viewers will recognise.

For several years now, Netflix has been delivering Harlan Coben dramas, from The Stranger and Fool Me Once to this year’s 2025 Missing You and now, another one is on its way.

Run Away, based on Coben’s 2019 novel of the same name, tells the gripping tale of a desperate father searching for his drug-addicted daughter who has disappeared after severing ties with her family.

As with any Harlan Coben drama, Run Away is packed with familiar faces so here’s a rundown of the cast.

Run Away on Netflix cast

Simon Greene – James Nesbitt

Simon had an idyllic family life until his daughter Paige (portrayed by Ellie de Lange) ran away from home.

Six months later, he finally locates her, but this discovery triggers a series of other distressing events.

James Nesbitt, who plays Simon, first gained fame as Adam Williams in the comedy-drama Cold Feet. More recently, he’s known for his roles in The Hobbit franchise as Bofur and BBC drama Bloodlands as DCI Tom Brannick.

He has also appeared in other Harlan Coben dramas such as Stay Close and Missing You.

Elena Ravenscroft – Ruth Jones

Ruth Jones, famous for her role as the enigmatic yet endearing Nessa Jenkins in Gavin and Stacey, is another key member of the cast.

Her other notable roles include Stella, Hattie, Fat Friends, Little Britain, and Nighty Night.

Jones takes on the role of private investigator Elena Ravenscroft who becomes involved while investigating another case of a young person running away from home.

Isaac Fagbenle – Alfred Enoch

Detective Isaac Fagbenle, played by Alfred Enoch, is at the centre of a gripping investigation with Simon as the prime suspect.

Enoch is best known for his roles as Dean Thomas in the Harry Potter series and Wes Gibbins in the legal thriller How To Get Away With Murder.

Paige Greene – Ellie de Lange

Ellie de Lange, who has starred in acclaimed dramas such as Wolf Hall, The Serpent, The Tattooist of Auschwitz and Arcadia, portrays Ellie, Simon’s daughter.

Her character takes a dark turn, running away and falling into homelessness and drug addiction.

Cornelius Faber – Lucian Msamati

While living in a dilapidated flat with her boyfriend, Ellie befriends Cornelius, their neighbour. He becomes instrumental in helping Simon locate his daughter, but can he truly be trusted?

Lucian Msamati, known for his roles as Salladhor Saan in HBO’s Game of Thrones, David Runihura in Black Earth Rising and Ed Dumani in Sky’s Gangs of London, brings Cornelius to life.

Jessica Kinberg – Tracy-Ann Oberman

Tracy-Ann Oberman, famous for her roles as the fiery Chrissie Watts in EastEnders and Auntie Val in the popular comedy Friday Night Dinner, plays Jessica Kinberg, Simon’s no-nonsense lawyer who goes to great lengths to keep him out of trouble.

Ingrid Greene – Minnie Driver

Ingrid, Simon’s wife, is desperate to bring her daughter back home safely. She is terrified for her daughter’s wellbeing and will stop at nothing to ensure her safe return.

The character is portrayed by actress Minnie Driver, who is widely recognised for her role as Skylar in Good Will Hunting alongside Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Robin Williams.

Driver’s other notable performances include The Riches, Speechless, The Serpent Queen, The Borderline and, most recently, she graced the fifth season of Netflix’s Emily in Paris as Princess Jane.

The ensemble cast also features:

Lou – Annette Badland

Ash – Jon Pointing

Dee Dee – Maeve Courtier-Lilley

Yvonne – Ingrid Oliver

Wiley Corval – Joe McGann

Run Away is set to premiere on New Year’s Day, Thursday, January 1, on Netflix.

The DIY SOS team stepped in to help a youth club in East Yorkshire on Tuesday

DIY SOS star Nick Knowles fought back tears as he unveiled the “most challenging” build on Tuesday (December 30).

The latest episode of the hit BBC programme saw Nick and the team step in to help a youth club that had lost its home in the town of Beverley, East Yorkshire.

The Cherry Tree Community Centre once gave local children a safe place to meet up and find support, but when the pandemic hit, the building was turned into a food hub for families, leaving the kids out in the cold.

With another harsh winter on the way, Nick, designer Gabrielle Blackman and the DIY SOS regulars enlisted the help of local tradespeople to construct a new, purpose-built youth centre on the edge of the park. They were joined by Gladiators stars Jodie Ounsley, Tom Wilson, Lystus Ebosele and Jamie Christian-Johal – aka Fury, Hammer, Cyclone and Giant.

Just before the build began, Nick fought back tears as he shared the importance of the project, after growing up on an estate himself.

“I grew up in a place like this. The kind of places that people say, ‘Oh, don’t bother building anything nice there, it will just get destroyed,'” he said.

“You have to build stuff in tough places, you have to make a difference,” Nick continued, before pausing as he became emotional.

The crowd began clapping, before Nick said: “I didn’t expect it to get me. You will make this happen, you will change the futures of young people round here with what we’re about to do.”

This is a breaking showbiz story and is being constantly updated. Please refresh the page regularly to get the latest news, pictures and videos.

You can also get email updates on the day’s biggest stories straight to your inbox by signing up for our newsletters

Married At First Sight star Leisha Lightbody has hinted that she has started dating a premiere league footballer but is keen to keep his identity under wraps as it’s still early days for the pair

Married At First Sight star Leisha Lightbody has shared with fans that she is dating a Premier League footballer, months after her split with show husband Reiss Boyce. The 32-year-old reality TV star had mentioned while on the show that she had been DM’d by a footballer while on the E4 show, but assured Reiss that she had told him she was in a relationship.

But now it looks as though her desire to be a WAG has finally come true. Although Leisha has remained tight-lipped over his identity, a source has said that she is “excited” over her new romance.

Posting a cryptic video on TikTok, followers only saw the shoulder of a man sitting next to her. She captioned the video saying: “Last plot twist of the year.” Now, it’s been claimed that Leisha is dating not just any footballer but a Premier League one.

READ MORE: Traitors star Claudia Winkleman’s eyeshadow stick drops to less than £10 ahead of NYE

A source told The Sun: “Leisha has spent the summer single but feels she’s finally ready to get into another relationship. It’s too early to tell whether this will work out, but she’s hopeful and excited to see what happens.” The added: “Leisha wants to keep his identity under wraps until she knows if it’s the real deal.”

Adding further fuel to the rumours, she tagged her location as Manchester. Explaining why she has chosen to keep her new beau’s identity a secret, she said: “I honestly can’t”. She went on to say: “We love and adore a man who knows what he wants.”

Earlier this month, Leisha was linked to Love Island star Jack Fincham. The pair reportedly shared a kiss at an event. One fan told her: “I really hope you’ve found someone that appreciates your excitement about the future and your intensity about life.”

In response, Leisha said: “Me too. Thank you so much. 2026, let’s pray.” Another fan said: “As long as you’re happy that’s all that matters.” And again Leisha said: “Yes I am happy. Neeeded the summer to be alone but now things are so good.”

Leisha was left devastated when she split with Reiss after the show. At the time of the commitment ceremony, the couple had decided to try to make it work in the outside world.

But after a few months, the pair failed to make it work after Reiss visited Leisha in Scotland, and they got into an argument while out and about. Soon after the split, Leisha claimed she still had unanswered questions.

In a chat with the Mirror: “When we left after final vows, I genuinely thought that we were in this fairytale and thought we were going to watch it back and it was going to be a magical thing, but actually, he didn’t like me as much as I thought.”

She added: “I honestly thought that he really did like me, and I’m not saying he didn’t, but obviously they picked up things that he said on camera that he didn’t necessarily say too much to me.” Leisha said she felt she had mixed feelings about Reiss.

She continued: “I’m not a body, I’m a human being, I’ve got feelings, I’ve got emotions, and I feel like there was just a lot of mixed emotions, and I think looking back, he probably just wasn’t emotionally available!”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

THE COLOURFUL costumes and heart-warming songs of The Lion King first graced the West End over 26 years ago, yet one person knows the show more intimately than anyone else.

Leading actor George Asprey never imagined he would’ve stayed playing Scar in The Lion King for six months, let alone over 17 years, but it didn’t take him long to fall in love with the production.

Since then, millions have watched him act Scar on stage at the Lyceum Theatre.

And as a result, the actor obviously has a lot of tips for visitors.

His first piece of advice, is that whether you are new to the show or have seen it a thousand times, to come with no expectations.

He said: “Allow yourself to just open up to the set and the costumes.

Read more on travel inspo

CHEAP BREAKS

UK’s best 100 cheap stays – our pick of the top hotels, holiday parks and pubs

LUCKY DIP

I tried Wowcher’s £99 Mystery Christmas Market – everything you need to know

“It is difficult to take everything in, in one sitting, and when you come again, you’ll pick up the different nuances.

“Maybe in the scenery, for example.”

George shared how this is particularly true for one fan, who has seen the show over 100 times “just because she loved it so much and said there was always something to see”.

He added: “She would say ‘this is what I love to do’ – different shows affect different people in different ways, and for her, it was just her love of life in the show.”

One moment is particularly special though, admitted George.

He said: “When people watch The Lion King for the first time, they will never get that experience again – that feeling or reaction.

“I think I am always aware of that kid in the audience, mainly because of having my own children and I know firsthand, as to him and to everyone at the show, I need to be the best possible Scar I can be.

“It is a huge responsibility for all of us to consider the legacy and I think that’s probably one of the reasons I like to think the show continues to impress people.”

And having been in the show for such a long time, George of course has tips for those heading to the show.

He revealed: “I’ve had friends right at the front of the stalls and I have had friends right at the bottom end of the upper circle, and I think the one thing about the Lyceum is that all of the viewing is extraordinary.

“I really don’t think there’s a vantage point in the upper circle where you won’t see everything still.

“I think it its decent price for a reason and I don’t think it’s not worth it and I wouldn’t avoid coming if you can only afford a certain seat, because you still get a wonderful experience.”

George added how it is so much more than a show, that the costumes are all like their own pieces of art.

“Like you have a full-size elephant just walking down he aisle – it is such a feast for the eyes,” he said.

“There are just so many incredible moments in the show.

“I follow two of the greatest numbers in the show – Scar comes on and completely changes the tone.

“I think the Lion King has one of the greatest opening numbers of any musical ever,” he added.

And whilst people may think The Lion King is a show for kids, they couldn’t be more wrong.

George said: “When you’re younger, of course, you think Scar is the scariest character, but then as you get older – you start to think the language is so beautiful, his costume is so interesting and everything he says actually has a point to it.

“It truly is a family show, because every member of the family will get something different from it.”

Each time George performs, he gets to the show around 5:30pm and then by 6pm he is in costume.

He revealed: “We have to be there at 6pm, to start vocal and physical warm up – which runs until 6:30pm – then I am straight into hair and makeup and after makeup straight down to costume.

“I’ll get back to my dressing room by five past 10 and considering the amount of makeup I’m wearing, I’m so quick at getting it off – I am normally out the building by 10:15/10:20pm.”

Of course, they are days where it is more difficult though, like when he is unwell, but he did share “it’s never to do with the job itself”.

As for his routine to ensure he doesn’t get unwell often, he makes sure to eat clean – apart from Sundays, when “all bets are off”.

He also works out as much as he can.

Through 17 years George has had many memorable moments as well – but the most memorable?

“The first show back after Covid,” he revealed, “theatre was the last thing to return so it was a long time coming.

“And of course, it meant a lot to everyone.

“I’m actually welling up at the thought of it.

“To not be able to do what you love doing for 17 months and not seeing the people you love seeing – it’s hard and suddenly, people could enjoy the theatre again.”

He concluded: “All I can say is that it is a huge honour [to play Scar] and something that I never take for granted.”

For more inspiration on things to do in London, here’s everything you can do at one of London’s most popular attractions before it closes ahead of £240million renovation.

Plus, London’s best free indoor attractions for families – perfect for rainy days.

JESS GLYNNE has called it quits with Jay-Z’s management company Roc Nation.

The move is to wipe the slate clean for 2026.

It follows a career blow earlier this year when she split from record label EMI following the release of just one album with them.

I’ve now learned she is no longer being looked after by Roc Nation — who I first revealed she had signed to in 2022 — and her career is now being guided by former Bros bass player Craig Logan.

Jess has teamed up with Logan Media Entertainment, which is run by Craig, who was in the Eighties pop band that had hits inculding When Will I Be Famous?.

It means that she is now on a roster alongside Pink, Dido, Louise and Beverley Knight.

TAYLOR’S TEARS

Taylor Swift breaks down as she opens up on Southport attack for first time

A BIZZY YEAR

From romances to TV twists, the best and worst of another epic year in showbiz

My music insider said: “Jess hasn’t had the easiest situation in music. She has found it hard to get a team behind her who she feels really gets who she is and what she is aiming for.

“Now she has Craig and his firm, there are fresh ideas coming through thick and fast. Big things are being discussed for the coming months.”

Despite a turbulent time behind the scenes in 2025, Jess has had one of her most successful years thanks to hit Hold My Hand — a decade after it was released.

The song was named TikTok’s UK song of the year, after it was supercharged by the viral Jet2holidays trend.

Jess said: “I always knew there was something special about it. Melodically it’s instantly uplifting and catchy, but at its heart, the lyrics are powerful. They are about connection. The Jet2 campaign has brought a really fun, light-hearted twist to the song, and seeing it become TikTok’s song of 2025 ten years after its release has been incredible.

“It breathed new life into it, and I’m so grateful to see a wave of a new audience now connect with it and learn more about the song, and me. I am incredibly grateful for the journey this song is on.”

There has been more good news lately, with Jess suggesting she is preparing to pop the question to her girlfriend Alex Scott following the football presenter’s stint in I’m A Celeb.

During her career, Jess has scored seven UK No1 singles, although her last one was I’ll Be There in 2018.

But with a new team behind her, she will be giving it everything she’s got to add to that hits tally.

Fit Shaun tour vow

SHAUN RYDER is preparing to spend the new year whipping himself into shape ahead of the next Happy Mondays tour.

The group will hit the road for 22 dates across March and April.

Shaun tells me in an exclusive chat: “I am determined to get fit for the tour.

“I still get on my bike, and I love swimming. There is a pool at my gym. I do that a few times a week. But my other hip is f***d, and I need it replaced. So I can’t walk like I used to. “I’ve already had one hip replacement. And that f***d up.

“I should have had the other one done ages ago, but I’ve not had time.”

Shaun also vowed to be on his best behaviour on tour, adding: “I think the last time I went out and did any raving was 2000.

“I went and saw Oasis three nights in a row and danced around like a lunatic but I am totally clean now.

“My only addictions are to tea and Haribos. However, I still have two teenage girls at home.

“This means that when I am at home, I am Shaun’s taxi service. It’s f***ing nuts.

“The missus wants me out of the house as quickly as possible. So, you know, it’s like, I have come back from Ireland, and I am going straight out on the road with Black Grape.

“But I have spent the last few days as a taxi driver for the girls.”

The joys of middle age, eh Shaun?

Khloe’s not to be mist

THIGH and mighty Khloe Kardashian flashes the flesh as she promotes her hair mist.

And it comes after she denied getting back together with basketball player Tristan Thompson after their split in 2021.

The Kardashians celebrated Christmas with a gingerbread house that was iced with the family members’ names, and fans noticed his was on there.

But she replied: “He’s my children’s father.”

Ashley’s melon boat

ASHLEY ROBERTS enjoys a slice of the high life as she chomps on a watermelon during a luxury getaway.

The Pussycat Dolls singer wore a bikini top, shades and headscarf as she posed on a yacht in Mauritius.

She has jetted off with her boyfriend, tattoo artist George Rollinson, for a post-Christmas holiday and looks suitably loved up.

Coming back to dreary England in the new year is going to be quite a shock for her.

Zoe: My Britpop snogs

ZOE BALL has revealed she locked lips with famous names while living life to the full in the hedonistic Nineties.

On her Dig It podcast, she played a game of Snog, Marry, Avoid, and joked: “I did snog and avoid quite a few Britpop stars, none of whom I shall mention now.”

Zoe added: “I would avoid Damon [Albarn] because I can’t talk to him because I go all stupid. Young me would definitely have wanted to snog Liam Gallagher way back in the day.

“He would talk to me and I’d be like, ‘Fair, fair’.

“I don’t think I’d have wanted to marry any of them because I don’t think you should marry or meet your idols, quite frankly.

“But Dave Grohl, however, I would have wanted to marry and snog.”

Me too, Zoe.

Sex pistols are firing with Frank

THE SEX PISTOLS and Frank Carter are planning new music.

The punk band, made up of Glen Matlock, Steve Jones and Paul Cook, have been touring with Frank, who replaced John Lydon as singer.

Now Glen wants the group to get into the studio together.

He said in an exclusive chat: “I’ve got a few ideas. I think Frank has. Steve’s a bit of a, ‘Just go and play’ kind of guy. I think Paul’s sort of on the fence about it, we’ll see. I think we’ve got it in us.”

The Sex Pistols and Frank – whose gigs were branded “karaoke” by bitter John – are also heading on tour again this coming year and have a host of dates in America.

Glen, who has a new documentary out, I Was A Teenage Sex Pistol, said: “We should have been just finishing a two-month American tour, but we had to postpone it because Steve fell over coming out of the Chelsea ground and broke his wrist in three places.

“We’ve had to reschedule everything. We’re going to be busy again.”

Fifth ammendments

FIFTH HARMONY will make their comeback in 2026 after a brief reunion at a Jonas Brothers gig.

NORMANI has confirmed the return, eight years after they split up. She will take part with Ally Brooke, Dinah Jane and Lauren Jauregui, but Camila Cabello won’t be back.

Teasing that fans can expect them back, Normani said: “I don’t have loose lips, but yes, 2026 will be one for the books for Fifth Harmony.”

Freedom for Jade

ANGEL Of My Dreams singer Jade has become Angel Of The North – after being given the Freedom of the Borough in South Tyneside, where she’s from.

She received the honour alongside the owner of local chippy Colmans.

Jade said on Instagram: “What an honour this was, with my family and friends by my side.

“If you see me walking my cattle around the town, mind ya business.”

Olivia’s loving New Year No1

OLIVIA DEAN looks set to claim the first No1 album of 2026, as The Art Of Loving is rising back up the charts.

The British singer’s album is currently in the lead and is expected to spend a third non- consecutive week in the top spot, although Sabrina Carpenter’s Man’s Best Friend is just behind her.

And another Liv – Olivia Rodrigo – is also back in the charts.

After I told last week that she had split up with her boyfriend, actor Louis Partridge, fans have shown their support by streaming her albums.

Guts has risen to No21, while Sour is now at No22.

Card pass for B’s fit

SOMETHING tells me Cardi B was more focused on turning heads than watching the match as she turned up at an American football game in New York.

Her 1991 outfit is vintage Chanel, while the giant pearl handbag is from its latest line.

“At every turn there is a photo worthy view of a mystical place.”

Tucked away in Gloucestershire lies an enchanting and ancient woodland that feels like it’s straight out of a fairy tale.

Nestled in the heart of the Forest of Dean near Coleford, this forest is a spectacle of gnarled trees, moss-draped rocks and gorges, picturesque wooden bridges, endless verdant landscapes, and a complex network of footpaths that add to its charm. Visitors to this unique woodland often rave about its unparalleled beauty, likening it to a world of its own. With hidden caves, peculiar rock formations, and age-old trees whispering untold tales, this distinctive Gloucestershire landscape is a must-see for travel enthusiasts, particularly those keen on uncovering the UK’s natural wonders and mysteries. The woodland has even been recognised as a regionally important geological site in the ‘Forest of Dean Local Plan Review’.

Known as Puzzlewood, this exceptional temperate forest has been luring visitors to its leafy threshold for years. With a star-studded resume, Puzzlewood has served as a filming location for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Secret Garden, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, Doctor Who, Merlin, Netflix’s Our Planet and BBC’s Atlantis, earning it some serious celebrity credentials, reports Gloucestershire Live.

In fact, it’s widely speculated that this magical woodland was the muse behind JRR Tolkien’s Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings series, specifically places like Mirkwood and the Old Forest. This enchanting forest is even rumoured to have sparked the imagination of JK Rowling, inspiring the Forbidden Forest in her Harry Potter series.

Spanning a vast 14 acres, Puzzlewood was earlier this year ranked seventh in Big 7 Travel’s ’50 Most Beautiful Places in the UK’ list for 2025. The woods hold a rich history, believed to have been used for cast iron mining during the Roman era. A staggering 3,000 Roman coins were discovered within its dreamlike landscape back in 1848. Visitors often describe Puzzlewood as “the most magical place on Earth”, and it’s not hard to see why with its glowing reviews.

One enchanted Tripadvisor user wrote: “A truly amazing and mystical place. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of a deep forest experience. We were first to arrive and were able to enjoy the true beauty of the forest without anyone around for a while.”

They added: “A beautiful journey through pathways and gullies lined with moss and ferns, to towering trees high above, listen carefully to the birds and take time to just stand and watch, take in the smells of the forest and watch as the shyest of wildlife may just appear and surprise you. A truly refreshing and relaxing visit. We will definitely return again and again as the seasons change. Definitely underpriced for the truly immersive experience you get.” Another delighted guest said: “Even on a rainy day, Puzzlewood is a special place to visit. It has the feel of a magical glade full of ferns, moss covered rocks and intertwined trees and plants. At every turn there is a photo worthy view of a mystical place.”

Though currently shut for the winter months, Puzzlewood will reopen its doors to visitors from February 14, 2026. Entry for grown-ups is priced at £9.90 each, whilst youngsters can access these enchanted woodlands for £8.50. Concession passes for adults (carers, over-65s, disabled) are available for £8.90, and tots under 2 get free admission — though pushchairs aren’t permitted within the grounds. Concession passes for children (disabled) cost £7.50.

Pets aren’t allowed inside Puzzlewood owing to the site’s resident wildlife, though verified pet-sitting services are listed on their website. Guests should be aware that Puzzlewood features over 200 narrow and uneven steps which can become treacherous, particularly in wet weather. Robust footwear with excellent grip is advised.

An on-site café serves refreshments and those wishing to experience the captivating forest beyond standard opening times can reserve accommodation at Puzzlewood, offering exclusive and unlimited woodland access (during daylight only) plus the chance to assist with morning feeding sessions and meet the site’s cherished animals.

Warning: This story contains spoilers from the series finale of “Younger.”

In the very last scene of “Younger,” Liza (Sutton Foster), wearing a chambray button-down shirt, tries to order a round of drinks at the bar. She’s frantically waving her shoe in an attempt to get the bartender’s attention when Josh (Nico Tortorella), dressed in a crisp white tee, interrupts her.

Josh: Whoa, you don’t wave a shoe, you never wave a shoe! In Thailand, that’s considered a capital offense.
Liza: And you’ve been to Thailand?
Josh: Ah, no. But I have been to Myanmar…
Liza: … which used to be Burma …
Josh: … back in the day.
Liza: I knew that!

Any devout fan watching this scene probably got a feeling of deja vu: Is this the first episode of the series or the last?

The answer, of course, is both. “After seven seasons, it’s tough to end a series in an elegant and satisfying way,” creator Darren Star told The Times. “We all thought it’d be great to have this full-circle moment where we go back to the pilot, if we could find a way to get there.”

It’s quite far from where the series finale began: Liza and Charles (Peter Hermann) are lying in bed and smiling about their reconciliation in the previous episode, in which he left Quinn (Laura Benanti) and told Liza he loved her. “I just know what makes me happy, and to pretend anything else would be just lying to myself,” he tells her. “Only the truth from now on, even if it hurts.”

The hourlong installment takes Charles’ words to heart. Consider the episode’s musical number, which literary agent Redmond (Michael Urie) asks Liza and Charles to watch as a potential investment opportunity. A cross between the “Chicago” roll call “Cell Block Tango” and the “Assassins” opener “Everybody’s Got The Right,” it equates Liza’s fibs about her age to schemes of infamous liars like Elizabeth Holmes, Billy McFarland, Bernie Madoff and Rachel Dolezal.

“When it’s the last season of your show, you want to do everything on your wish list,” said Star of the performance, with lyrics by parodist Ryan Raftery. “But it wasn’t completely gratuitous because it pushed the Liza-Charles story along by bringing the big lie back up again.”

Charles, however, says he has come to peace with that chapter. And it turns out he’s also OK with the fact that Kelsey (Hilary Duff) covertly sent her and Liza’s proposal for their unconventional e-book publishing app Inkubator to investors for a valuation, in case they can get a better deal as a standalone venture than with their publishing house, Empirical.

He already knew Kelsey did that but wanted to hear Liza cop to it herself. “Wait, so you were testing me?” she asks him. “Maybe — in a way, I was — but you passed,” he responds, an answer that visibly irks Liza.

“After everything they went through, Charles wanted a level of complete honesty between them,” said Star. “You see Liza realize that she was never going to be in a safe place with him. There would always be this cloud of suspicion over everything she did, and this would be a relationship where she’d be continually tested.”

Liza soon confesses that she secretly submitted Charles’ unfinished manuscript to the notable writers’ colony Yaddo — and he was accepted. While that’s great news, Charles isn’t thrilled. They discuss it while lying in bed later that night:

Charles: If I hadn’t gotten into Yaddo, would you have let me know?
Liza: Uh, I don’t know. Maybe not.
Charles: Yeah, why bother? Because I didn’t even know you applied. … It would’ve just been your little secret.

It’s a passive-aggressive response that doesn’t go unnoticed. “For Charles, even a white lie, or a lie of omission for the purpose of protecting somebody’s feelings, was considered a lack of integrity for him,” said Star. “We all tell little lies like that, and they’re forgiven. But Liza realized all the things that other people let slide very easily in their relationships weren’t going to slide with them.”

Liza then asks the big, honest question: “Hey, we’re not gonna make it, are we?” Charles shakes his head: “I don’t think so.”

“We wanted to have almost an unspoken moment between them when they really understood that, though they loved each other, it was going to be an impossible relationship to have because he was just never going to forgive her for the original big lie,” said Star. “She was being held to an impossible standard that nobody could ever maintain. So as much as they both wanted to make it work, it just wasn’t going to.

“Maybe, had they met each other under different circumstances, it might have worked,” he continued. “But then again, if they were being honest from the beginning, Charles would have had to meet Liza as a divorced housewife from New Jersey who wanted to get back into publishing, and she would have had to meet somebody who was looking at her like she was a divorced housewife from New Jersey.”

After their breakup, Liza and Charles are back at the office, where she tells him that she plans to resign. But Charles, it turns out, is seizing the opportunity to go to Yaddo and finish his book. He plans to leave Empirical in her hands while he’s gone — and maybe longer. In their final scene together, they genuinely thank each other.

“You have to remember that, for most of the seasons, they were projecting ideas onto the other person, and they didn’t really have a lot of time to actually be their authentic selves together,” Star explained. “It’s also a lot of projection and wish fulfillment from the audience as well — this idea of ‘These two look like they should belong together, so they do belong together.’ In fact, there are a lot of reasons why they aren’t really that suited for each other.

“But they had a passionate love affair, and Charles, through his relationship with Liza, discovers a way to reinvent his life,” he added. “I think he gets so much out of his relationship with her. Finding a partner may not necessarily be what he needs. What he might really need is to feed his creative side, and she helps him find a way to do that.”

The episode concludes with the ladies celebrating their collective good news: Liza’s new role at Empirical, Maggie (Debi Mazar) and Lauren’s (Molly Bernard) respective romances, and Kelsey’s next adventure on the West Coast, after Inkubator finds a home with a Los Angeles-based company. (A spinoff about Kelsey’s next chapter would’ve been “a bit of a female ‘Entourage,’” and is unlikely to move forward due to Duff’s commitment to a new series.)

“Regardless of the spinoff, that was gonna be her path,” said Star. “She had to get out from under publishing and completely set off in a different direction. We felt she needed a fresh start — her own reinvention.”

Liza then heads to the bar and runs into Josh. They look similar, though not exactly the same to how they did when they first met. “Seven years later, Liza and Josh have each grown up a little bit,” said costume designer Jacqueline Demeterio.

Some of the tweaks? Foster wore a denim Celine shirt (instead of the Current/Elliott top from the pilot) and waved a Prada leopard-print shoe rather than a nondescript black flat “to show a slight evolution in her personal style.” (Once Foster tried on the outfit in her final fitting with Demeterio, they both got teary-eyed.)

Tortorella, who wore a burnout’s white T-shirt in the first episode, was updated with a Saint Laurent tee, complete with a tattoo heart design just below the neckline. “I didn’t want it to look like we were trying too hard or distract from what was happening,” said Demeterio. “I just wanted it to be subtle and keep the focus on them two in this moment that’s going to be the end of the whole series.”

After they repeat their meet-cute, she says offhandedly, “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.” He gives her a layered, puzzled look. “Really?” he says. “Because you know what? I’ve been right here, by your side, all along.”

His response is visibly unexpected by Liza — and, likely, the viewer, who hadn’t seen much of Josh all season. “We knew it was worth having him sit back for a while so we could have that beautiful moment at the end of the series,” said Star. Writing those key lines, Star “wanted to keep it simple, heartfelt and real.”

The camera zooms out as they continue to repeat the banter of their first meeting — a decision that leaves their fate up for debate. Does this mean Liza ends up with Josh after all?

“There’s always been a real authenticity between them since the beginning of the series — even though she did lie to him, that lie was revealed by the end of the first season, so he certainly knows her better than any man on the show,” said Star. “I think Josh really loves her, and I think she really loves him.

“In that very last moment, after everything with Charles, Liza is definitely looking at him through fresh eyes and seeing him from a whole new perspective,” he continued. “I don’t know if they’re gonna be together, but I think they’re open to the fact that they’re always going to be in each other’s lives.”

Those final frames — and Star’s explanation — might be unsatisfying to anyone who’s been waiting for years for a more definitive answer about Liza’s love life. “But the show was never about Liza finding a man; it was always about Liza reinventing herself,” reminded Star. “She’d already had a marriage, she was looking to have a career.

“So I never really thought it was such a binary thing — Josh or Charles,” he added. “And I didn’t felt the pressure or obligation to have this big, romantic endgame for her because, to me, at its heart, that was never really what the show is about.”

ACTRESS Melanie Watson died on Friday in Colorado Springs.

Best known for her role on the 80s TV show “Diff’rent Strokes”, she passed away aged 57.

The Diff’rent Strokes actress had been in hospital where she quickly deteriorated, TMZ reported.

Robert Watson, Melanie’s brother told the outlet that she died on December 26.

He said his sister had been suffering bleeding, and that doctors did their best to help her.

Watson was born in Dana Point, California, with a condition called osteogenesis imperfecta, which causes bones to fracture easily.

The disease can also cause a curved spine, difficulty breathing, muscle weakness, and other issues.

The actress’ brother told TMZ that she was lucky to have lived as long as she did with her condition.

Robert said he would always think of Melanie.

She played Arnold’s pal Kathy Gordon on the 1980s TV show Diff’rent Strokes, appearing in four episodes of the hit show.

Her character used a wheelchair, just as the child star did in real life.

In 1982, she appeared in an episode called Kathy, named after her character.

In the episode, Kathy argued with Gary Coleman’s character, Arnold, after he tried to convince her to walk without using crutches.

Watson retired from showbiz after her run on hit show Diff’rent Strokes ended.

Later, she was married to Roger Bernhardt, for four years between 1994 and 1996.

Known professionally as Melanie Bernhardt, the child star was the founder and executive director of Train Rite, an organisation that trains shelter dogs to help disabled people.

In 2020, the the actress began a run for the Colorado State Senate, but pulled out of the race as “unforeseeable health conditions” derailed her campaign.

In 2024, she had expressed hopes of running for political office again.

Watson spoke about her TV stardom in a 2020 interview with IndieWire, describing herself as “a pill” to work with.

She said: “I was always playing with my yo-yo and listening to my Walkman.”

Talking about representing disabled people like her on screen, Watson said: “I didn’t realise what a gift it was to be the first one out there.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have stayed in the business.”

Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd has been flooded with support from fans and friends

Coronation Street star Jack P Shepherd has received an outpouring of support from fans following a joint marriage update with his wife.

The 37-year-old actor, who first appeared on our screens in the ITV soap at the tender age of 12, is best known for his role as David Platt, the mischievous son of Martin Platt, portrayed by Sean Wilson, and Gail, played by Helen Worth.

Over the years, David’s character has been central to numerous dramatic storylines, including pushing his mum down the stairs in a near-fatal incident, seeking revenge on villain Richard Hillman, and a heart-wrenching suicide plot.

However, off-screen, Jack’s life is a far cry from his turbulent character, as he enjoys marital bliss with his wife, Hanni Treweek.

The couple tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony in Manchester earlier this year, surrounded by their nearest and dearest. The wedding came a year after Jack romantically popped the question to Hanni during a dreamy safari holiday, reports the Daily Star.

Joining the happy couple at their celebration were several of Jack’s Coronation Street co-stars, including Lucy Fallon, Alan Halsall, Tina O’Brien, and, notably, his former on-screen mum Helen Worth. Celebrity Big Brother co-star Chris Hughes was also among the showbiz friends in attendance.

This Christmas marked the first festive season that Jack and Hanni have enjoyed as husband and wife, and they took to social media to share snippets of their celebrations.

In one photograph, Jack and Hanni are captured wearing stunning outfits as they stand before a Christmas tree. Another image shows Hanni displaying her glittering wedding bands.

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**

Hanni wrote alongside the post: “Our first Christmas as Mr and Mrs Shepherd. We hope you all had a magical one.”

Admirers and pals of the newlyweds flooded the comments section with congratulations, with one person commenting, “Beautiful photos, beautiful couple.”

Another declared: “Power couple (flame emoji)”, whilst a third added: “Looks amazing.”

“Happy Xmas Mr and Mrs Shepherd”, one follower gushed, while someone else said: “You both look lush.”

Jack has marked 25 years portraying David Platt on Coronation Street. Presently, on the ITV drama, David and his wife, Shona (Julia Goulding), are awaiting their first child together, though they’ve recently faced a devastating choice.

During a standard appointment, Shona and David learned their unborn daughter faces complications, as a scan showed a mass/tumour on the baby’s neck, necessitating risky surgery or termination.

Shona remains resolute about having her baby, and the pair are proceeding with the pregnancy. Nevertheless, further dramatic tension awaits the couple as Corrie links up with Emmerdale.

In a preview for the special episode, broadcasting on January 5, Shona and expectant Charity Dingle (Emma Atkins) from the Dales are shown in distress following a car crash. Will Shona and David emerge unscathed?

Coronation Street airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday on ITV and ITVX

Rams players enjoyed the day off they got for Christmas, perhaps no one more than Puka Nacua.

The previous week, the star receiver was fined $25,000 by the NFL after he made critical comments about officials during a livestream and then again in a social media post immediately after the Rams’ crushing 38-37 overtime defeat by the Seattle Seahawks.

The fine capped a week during which Nacua also apologized for making an antisemitic gesture during the livestream — an incident that caused the Rams and the NFL also to issue statements.

So Nacua said Friday that he was happy to enjoy Christmas before continuing to prepare for Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Falcons.

“It’s been nice to celebrate and rejoice and get ready for what’s ahead of us,” he said after practice at SoFi Stadium.

Nacua said the fine “definitely hurt” but was not unexpected.

“An experience to learn from and, man, never let it happen again,” he said. “There’s going to be moments of frustration later on in the career … so just being able to manage those emotions and be able to send that energy in the right direction.”

Nacua understands that he has opportunities to convey positive messages, quarterback Matthew Stafford said.

“He’s obviously never going to be perfect, nobody is,” said Stafford, a 17th-year pro. “We’ve all had things that we wish we had maybe handled a little bit differently, but he’s still our brother.

“We love him and we’ll continue to support him and try to help him out as best we can.”

Nacua, a third-year pro, was voted to the Pro Bowl for the second time while producing another stellar season that could put him in the conversation for NFL offensive player of the year.

He leads the NFL with 114 catches. His 1,592 yards receiving ranks second, and he has caught eight touchdown passes.

Former Rams receiver Cooper Kupp was the 2021 offensive player of the year when he claimed the so-called triple crown of receiving by leading the league with 145 receptions, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdown catches.

Nacua and Stafford, who also was voted to the Pro Bowl, have been especially in sync the last three games.

In a Dec. 7 rout of the Cardinals, Nacua caught seven passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. The next week, he caught nine passes for 181 yards in a victory over the Detroit Lions.

Four days later, with fellow star receiver Davante Adams sidelined because of a hamstring injury, he caught 12 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns in the defeat by the Seahawks.

Nacua has been notably effective on critical third- and fourth-down plays.

“It’s been fun to have those pressure moments, because that’s what you play sports for,” he said. “You live for the third-down the fourth-down conversions, and you’re finding whatever way to convert.

“It makes it fun when those opportunities come up.”

During the three-game stretch, Nacua did “the same thing he’s done all season,” Stafford said, noting that the Rams have had more snaps the last few games.

“He runs great routes,” Stafford said, “and plays really tough with and without the football.”

The Rams (11-4) have clinched a playoff spot and are currently seeded sixth in the NFC. They play the Falcons (6-9), and then finish the season at home against the Arizona Cardinals.

Nacua aims to continue the recent streak of amplified success, which stems from the connection he has with Stafford and the “excitement” that permeates the Rams’ locker room.

“There’s just an excitement to continue to go out there and prove ourselves,” he said, “and so it makes it fun when you get the reward you want.”

Etc.

After practicing at SoFi Stadium on Wednesday and Friday, the Rams will return to their Woodland Hills facility for practice on Saturday. … Adams, left tackle Alaric Jackson (knee), right guard Kevin Dotson (ankle) and defensive back Josh Wallace (ankle) did not practice, according to the Rams’ injury report.

EXCLUSIVE: Death in Paradise star Don Gilet has teased the return of a familiar face in Sunday night’s Christmas special

Don Gilet, known for his role as Mervin Wilson in the BBC series Death in Paradise, has hinted at the reappearance of a well-known character in the upcoming Christmas special. In an exclusive chat with Reach PLC and other media outlets, Don gave a sneak peek into what viewers can anticipate from the festive episode airing this Sunday.

Without revealing too much, Don hinted that fans should brace themselves for the return of a familiar face – a speculation some fans believe they’ve already figured out.

He revealed, “It’s a very interesting thing to think about that one of the characters, who is the beating heart of this whole thing that has been there from the beginning, the thought that, from a character perspective, they may not be there anymore, and what hole that leaves.

“Because I suppose, in terms of family, they are the closest thing, and then to think, Mervin is back to feeling like an orphan again, just when he’s starting to embrace what Saint Marie has to offer.”

Speaking on the UK crossover in the holiday episode, Don added, “I think it’s great to see what the UK looks like at the very same time as Mervin is solving crimes in the beautiful sunshine,” reports the Express.

This revelation follows Don Warrington’s surprise cameo in Beyond Paradise’s Christmas special last weekend. Warrington, who portrays Commissioner Selwyn Pattison in Death in Paradise, was seen reuniting with Humphrey Goodman (played by Kris Marshall) and Martha Lloyd (portrayed by Sally Bretton) as the pair finally tied the knot.

The episode concluded with Selwyn receiving a phone call from Mervin, hinting at the Commissioner’s appearance in the upcoming festive episode.

Fans took to a Facebook fan page to share their theories and excitement. One viewer exclaimed, “What a surprise ending and lead into DIP Christmas special.”

Another chimed in, “Should be interesting, looking forward to it.”

A third fan added, “Loved the crossover with Selwyn involved.”

Yet another commented, “Intriguing about the Commissioner’s phone message, and hopefully we will find out in the DIP Christmas special.”

The synopsis for the Christmas episode teases: “The office Christmas party of a lifetime takes a dark turn when four co-workers wake up to find a stranger dead in the pool of their Caribbean villa.

“DI Mervin Wilson and the team identify the murder weapon, but they’re left baffled when they find that it was locked in a drawer when the murder took place… thousands of miles away from the crime scene, in Swindon!”

“Stranded in Saint Marie, the team enlists the help of a familiar face to solve the case. Meanwhile, Mervin anxiously awaits news from his newly discovered brother, which hinders him from fully embracing the Christmas festivities of Saint Marie. Can Mervin resolve his family situation and get into the festive spirit – for the sake of his team and the island?”

Death in Paradise is set to air on Sunday at 8.30pm on BBC One.

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website**

Coronation Street’s Debbie Webster actress Sue Devaney has teased all about the big soap wedding, Carl Webster’s comeuppance and the explosive Corriedale episode

As Coronation Street‘s Debbie Webster continues to adapt to living with young onset vascular dementia, one thing she’s determined to see go ahead is her extravagant wedding to Ronnie Bailey.

But actress Sue Devaney, who has played the fan favourite since 1984, warns there’s plenty of tension as the big day arrives thanks to Debbie’s warring siblings Kevin [Michael Le Vell] and Carl [played by Jonathan Howard].

Sue, 58, says Debbie won’t let their feud spoil the wedding of her dreams though. The hotel owner hasn’t had much luck with men in Weatherfield, dumped by tearaway Dazz in the 80s, before her scheming ex Ray Crosby brought trouble to her door in 2020, a year on from her return to the Cobbles.

But Debbie has finally found the one in Ronnie amid the devastation of her diagnosis. “She’s never found true love until now,” admits Sue. “I think because Ronnie said to her, ‘I’m not going anywhere, you might be poorly, you might have dementia, but I’m sticking by your side,’ she just sees that as true love.”

READ MORE: Emmerdale star speaks out over Kerry and Eric’s ‘ridiculous’ secret weddingREAD MORE: Soap spoilers for next week: Multiple exits ‘sealed’, wedding drama and flashforward

Sue originally joined the soap as a teenager in 1984 and bowed out a year later, before becoming a key character after her return in 2019. She’s proven a hit with fans ever since, and so her character’s sad health news came as a blow. Sue and show bosses have promised there’s plenty more to see from Debbie before her eventual heartbreaking exit.

As the soap continues to highlight the condition and what it’s like to live with dementia, Debbie’s wedding sees a performance from the dementia choir in an emotional touch. “I was over the moon because it was so beautiful,” shares Sue. “When they started singing, I had a little tear. It was fabulous. They sounded amazing.”

Sue even got to have her say when it came to Debbie’s amazing wedding look, sharing her inspiration behind the dress. She admits: “I said I just want to look like a Joan Collins from Rochdale. They delivered brilliantly. I wanted that shape, you know, because I like the feathers and that kind of 50s shape with big shoes and a big feather headdress.”

The day is not without its drama, as attention falls on Carl who has been targeting Debbie, even using her diagnosis against her as he plots to flee with her money. With plenty of secrets set to come out, it’s on Kevin and his ex Abi [Sally Carman-Duttine] to expose the truth. “In Debbie’s eyes, Carl can’t do anything wrong, because she loves her brother,” Sue confesses. “I think there’s going to be a lot of tension around the wedding where Abi is watching out for Carl because she doesn’t trust him.

“I think Debbie is letting him get away with little bits. She’s not that far down the line that she doesn’t see things. Love is blind, isn’t it?” Sue reveals the events of the wedding will lead into dramatic scenes as Coronation Street collides with Emmerdale in a special crossover episode, dubbed Corriedale.

“She doesn’t want Carl to leave,” Sue explains. “She doesn’t want Carl to leave the wedding. Also he’s drunk, so she doesn’t want him to drive off. She jumps in the car thinking, ‘Well, you can’t go anywhere if I’m in the car.’ And he thinks, ‘Well, I’m going somewhere,’ and carries on driving far too fast.”

It seems Debbie and Carl could be caught up in the big crash stunt too in something unexpected, possibly, to fans. As Sue shares all about filming for the episode, she appears to confirm Debbie and Carl will be in Carl’s car, after fans had speculated it could be her wedding party bus caught up in the drama. She also addressed some stunt work.

She says: “There was one scene where Carl had to drive off really fast and they had a dummy for me, you know, with the hair and feathers in the hair and everything. And I said to our director, ‘Can I not speed off with the stunt guy?’ and he said, ‘Yeah, go on then.’ He let me do it! It felt like doing a little movie or something.”

It’s safe to say that there will be big consequences in the fallout to Christmas and the start of 2026 too. “It’s not going to be plain sailing,” warns Sue. “There’s going to be some massive reveals, things that we didn’t know about Debbie, and quite a bit of reflection.”

Sue’s also hoping for more scenes with Debbie’s female pals, including Christina Boyd and Glenda Suttleworth, expressing the importance of women supporting women. Sue says: “I think that those friendships and those bonds that you have with another woman is something that has to be highlighted, because you don’t see it that often in soap. I think they should do an episode just with women.”

While it’s been a busy time for the actress, she’s planned a relaxing time off over the Christmas period with her husband Jim O’Farrell, whom she married in a private ceremony last year. “I’m going to be away for three weeks,” Sue teases. “Me and my husband are going to relax in the sunshine. Stepping off that plane, hiring a car, going island hopping. And not a script in sight. I’ll tell you what else is not in sight: phone is off.”

Coronation Street airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Emmerdale’s Kerry Wyatt actress Laura Norton has revealed all about her character’s shock wedding to village legend Eric Pollard, amid a separate wedding being planned on the ITV soap

Emmerdale‘s Laura Norton as revealed all about the shock wedding twist on Wednesday.

In an unexpected turn of events, fans saw her character Kerry Wyatt tie the knot with none other than Eric Pollard. Just as Jacob Gallagher and Sarah Sudden prepared for their own secret wedding, they rumbled the truth.

In a major plot twist is was announced the pair had wed, leaving Jacob horrified. Speaking about the scenes, actress Laura has revealed all behind the decision for Eric and Kerry to marry.

With the wedding coming about as a means of keeping Jacob’s inheritance safe, amid Eric’s concerns about his finances, Laura addressed whether there was more to it. She shared: “Kerry however dysfunctional and chaotic she is, is a girl with a heart who makes true friendships. She is loyal and does genuinely care and about and love people and when she came into the village, Eric and Val had adopted Amy.

READ MORE: Soap spoilers for next week: Multiple exits ‘sealed’, wedding drama and flashforwardREAD MORE: EastEnders legend Pam St Clement admits struggle with emotional return

“And they did a really fantastic job and she was well cared for and Amy was very happy. They thought Kerry was such a mess and a car crash but they were kind and they took her in as well because they loved Amy. But now Amy’s gone. I feel like this is some sort of misplaced guilt a little bit. I think she genuinely does care about Eric.

“They’re both loveable rogues, they’ve both got a really similar default, but I feel like it’s a full circle moment where it is like you looked after my daughter and I know that my daughter would want me to do this for you.”

Laura hasn’t ruled out love for Kerry and recent flame Jai Sharma though, while she hinted that for now it wouldn’t go anywhere. Laura said: “Kerry and Eric are a mad combination but it works and they’re doing it for all the right reasons.

“But her and Jai have hated each other for years. She worked under him at the factory, and they were always bickering and they come from two completely different worlds and now she works up at the depot and it is the same sort of dynamic.

“But there was this moment when they both got to look at each other in a different way, it was a massive surprise to both of them and for the fans, I had quite a lot of messages on social media with people just saying, I don’t know why, but that really works. She brings out a nice side of Jai. A softer side.

“I think that’s why he’s attracted to her as he’s been very doom and gloom and everything she does is a joke and then when she realises he had stuff going on with his son, everything she did was like jokes, but she genuinely, tried to help and suggested things to him and I think it changed his attitude towards her.. she’s not so bad, but she’s also like really funny. I think as to what will happen in the future, watch this space as yeah.

“Who knows? But it did surprisingly work well.” Laura enjoyed the twist too. She shared: “That period of filming was the most fun I had filming in ages, because obviously last year we did all of the limo stuff and I had to say goodbye to a few of the girls in the show that I loved, it was really a bitter sweet.

“Obviously, it was an amazing piece of television, but this recent stuff was just great back to old school Kerry and now she is partnered with somebody who is so.. it’s like a duo that you shouldn’t put together, but for some reason it just works. They are in a situation that is so ridiculous, it’s all so incredibly funny. So, yeah, I’ve loved it for several different reasons.”

Emmerdale airs weeknights at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX, with an hour-long episode on Thursdays. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

JO Whiley has revealed the “horrifying” secret ingredient she uses to make the perfect Christmas dinner.

The radio host says that her husband was left disgusted when he realised how she was pulling together the family’s feast.

Talking on her Dig It podcast with co-host Zoe Ball, Jo said: “My secret ingredient has always been a really good dash of ketchup.

“It gives that slightly vinegary and everyone loves it.”

Jo’s husband Steve Morton only recently discovered the dinner addition, and wasn’t best pleased

She laughed: “Last year, my husband actually saw me put the ketchup in and was genuinely horrified.

MIDDLE MAN

Junior Andre reveals how he’s splitting Christmas between warring parents

FESTIVE FURYS

Molly-Mae Hague reveals Christmas plans at £5m Cheshire mansion –

“He’s been eating this gravy for years and praising it. But now, he insists its wrong?”

“Obviously i’m going to keep doing it, Jo added, before asking fans what their thoughts were.

She also made a call-out for any other strange food combos that listeners do at Christmas time.

From marmite to garlic, commenters had plenty of secret ingredients to share.

“I put a small spoon of jam . Everyone loves it,” wrote one fan.

Another said: “My husband always adds brown sauce to our gravy”.

Jo and Zoe have hosted Dig It since July this year, with the longtime friends discussing the everyday reality of trying to live well on the show.

While they will continue their podcast, the duo won’t be seeing one another in the BBC offices now after Zoe stepped down from her BBC Radio 2 show earlier this month.

After nearly two decades at Radio 2, Zoe said she will be stepping down in the new year but will return to host specials for the station.

She took on the show after quitting as the voice of the Radio 2 Breakfast show in 2024, which she helmed for six years.

The 55-year-old’s departure followed the news the BBC bosses have lined up a “Golden Ten” shortlist of presenters to step into the shoes of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.

The Sun revealed that Zoe Ball was one of the ten stars put through their paces in order to find the perfect on screen partnership in a top-secret chemistry test.

Zoe is yet to speak out on the speculation.