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The star had signed up to play alongside professional athletes Gareth Ellis, Mark Flanagan and Danny McGuire in aid of the David Lewis Centre, a charity supporting individuals with complex needs.
The soap star had initially been benched, but was later shown in the game being tackled. He admitted at the time: “I’m hoping, fingers crossed, I’ve not, but it feels like I’ve torn my bicep.”
In the latest update given to viewers, he revealed a scan had now confirmed that he was indeed suffering from a torn bicep, rendering him unable to see through his commitments on the farm.
“I need to find a potential understudy,” he remarked on the programme as he weighed up whether he could still show his Lincoln Red cows at the Royal Cheshire Show.
Turning to wife Liz, he said: “My arm is killing me still. My arm’s really sore and I’m just thinking whether it’s best you taking them. You’ll be fine.” He added: “Let’s just see, but just on standby. How do you feel about that?”
Liz, clearly unimpressed replied: “Well not great, obviously,” as Kelvin reassured her that “despite the adversity, despite the hiccups we’re still going to go.”
Later in the episode, Liz revealed her anxiety about showing the cows, telling the cameras: “Where I thought I was just going to be having a lovely day at the Cheshire show with the kids, no pressure, no worries, I’m now told I’m going to have to step it up and potentially be the one that’s in the ring with the cow because of Kelvin’s injury.”
She continued: “I feel underprepared, more than last year. Even though he is a beautiful and calm temperament, it’s how does he respond to those other bulls. But we’re in it now, what can we do? We’re going.”
Not content with just a torn muscle, Kelvin was also seen suffering a paper cut as wife Liz joked he was a “delicate flower” before embracing him tightly.
Fletchers’ Family Farm airs on ITV1 every Sunday, with episodes available to stream via ITVX
Holly Hagan has revealed she is pregnant with her second babyHolly’s sister Darci tragically died last monthCredit: Instagram
Holly said Darci Rose passed away peacefully holding her hand surrounded by family.
She also revealed Darci was a beloved aunt to her young son Alpha-Jax, writing as she announced the news at the time: “She was the best aunty, Alpha-Jax adored her.
“She spent his whole birthday on the bouncy castle with AJ and Alba, and that’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.”
Holly, 33, has now told fans she will welcome another baby into the world next year.
The star also revealed in an emotional post on Instagram that she got to share her news with Darci before the 19-year-old’s sudden death.
Holly posted a video that included screenshots of a conversation they had over WhatsApp.
They were the siblings “last messages to each other” and Holly said: “I will cherish these forever.”
After learning she was to become an aunt again, Darci wrote to Holly: “I’m so happy for you, that made me want to cry.
“I did not expect that at all … you’re the best mummy to (AJ) already.
“They are both going to be so lucky. Love you.”
Holly also captured on camera the moment she saw her ‘positive’ pregnancy test for the first time.
And the prescious moments she told her husband, professional footballer Jacob Blyth, and her parents that she was expecting.
Holly wrote alongside the sweet video: “Our little rainbow amongst the storm. Baby Blyth no2 coming May 2026.”
Her Geordie Shore co-stars rushed to congratulate her as Sophie Kasaei said: “My darling girl ….
“Amongst the heartbreak you’ve been through this is your angel and the best gift you could have ever been given. Adore you and your family so much forever.”
And Nathan Henry penned: “This is just the most precious news.
“I’m so happy for both. And I’m so happy for you that Darci got to be apart of your new journey. Love you and congratulations.”
The Geordie Shore star, 33, took to Instagram to share a video of the moment she told her family she was expecting againHolly shared precious moments like her baby scan in an emotional videoShe announced her sister Darci had died in a heartbreaking post last monthCredit: Instagram
Back in 2024, Universal conjured a pink and green tornado that swept pop culture.
From themed drinks at Starbucks and dolls of Elphaba and Glinda, to joint appearances by stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande at the Olympics and throughout a heavily-publicized press tour, “Wicked” was everywhere.
As the conclusion of the two-part film franchise heads to theaters at the end of the week, the marketing for “Wicked: For Good” has accelerated.
There are still themed Legos, but now also Gain laundry scent boosters, Swiffers and Pottery Barn bedding. There was a “Wicked” night on rival network ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” and a “Wicked: One Wonderful Night” musical event broadcast on NBC.
Beyond the immediate revenue, “Wicked” also gives Universal a rare, female-focused franchise, an underserved audience, particularly as so many recent films have been geared toward men.
The success of the Broadway play, which has run for more than two decades, gave Universal the confidence in its potential for the big screen, said David O’Connor, president of franchise management and brand strategy at Universal Pictures. He’s also been a fan of the stage production almost from the beginning — he watched a table reading on the Universal lot, saw the musical additions to the script and finally, its run in San Francisco.
“For us, you had this potential to really take the fanship and really make ‘Wicked’ into a cultural imperative,” he said in a call from New York ahead of the film’s premiere. “When you think about the characters, the two leads, the themes of friendship, identity and empowerment, and how that resonates universally, and then, of course, the fantastical worlds of Oz and Shiz and Munchkinland, it just seemed like such a great opportunity for us.”
“Wicked” has proved to be a key boost to Universal’s lineup of blockbuster franchises.
Though the studio boasts series like “Jurassic Park,” “Despicable Me” and “Fast & Furious,” it has lacked the deep roster of intellectual property that rivals like Walt Disney Co. and Warner Bros. have, said Brandon Katz, director of insights and content strategy at data firm Greenlight Analytics.
The series “has really emerged as a much-needed, fresh tentpole for Universal,” he said. “There’s such a waterfall of value that this two-part franchise creates that Universal will be banking out on this for years to come.”
The two films were shot back-to-back, with a combined production budget of $300 million, reportedly split evenly between the two.
So far, interest for the second film is high — as of Thursday, “Wicked: For Good” was the highest ticket pre-seller of the year, according to Fandango. It is also the highest PG-rated ticket pre-seller ever on the Fandango platform, passing 2017’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast,” 2019’s animated hit “Frozen 2” and the first “Wicked.”
The film is tracking to haul in $150 million to $160 million in its opening weekend, according to estimates from industry analysts.
And the film’s appeal to women is crucial, particularly in a year when there were few films geared toward female viewers. Despite the persistent debates about the dearth of female-focused films, there have been few big, recent hits, other than 2023’s “Barbie” and last year’s “Wicked.”
“Every three or four years, female audiences are rediscovered with some hit,” said Alisa Perren, professor in the department of radio-television-film at the University of Texas at Austin’s college of communication. “It’s kind of striking how little mainstream female [films] have been released.”
To court all audiences, including those who were familiar with the play as well as those new to the story, Universal leaned into its so-called Symphony program to leverage all arms of the company to promote a film.
The program has been used previously for films like “Despicable Me” and has become a critical part of the marketing campaign, O’Connor said.
One new strategy the company used for supporting this franchise was building a “Wicked” fair, which was held on set in 2023 in London and allowed more than 200 partners to get a feel for the story, see the filmmakers and actors and meet heads of departments, like costumes and props. The studio has done set visits in the past, but nothing like this.
That open house was pivotal in driving partnership agreements and started to fuel the franchise’s success, O’Connor said. One of those was Lego, which signed on with “Wicked” after the fair and has been a partner on both films with product lines and an episode of “Lego Masters.”
Because not all geographic markets had the same built-in awareness of the Broadway play, getting corporate brands on-board was key to increasing knowledge of “Wicked” around the globe, he said.
Though “Wicked: For Good” marks the conclusion to the two-film series, O’Connor was coy about what’s next for the franchise.
“Our focus remains on building experiences that will deepen that connection to ‘Wicked,’” he said. “And all I can say is, we are very committed to ‘Wicked,’ but it’s probably too early to share much more than that.”
Legendary actress Nina Wadia, who is best known as Zainab Masood in hit soap EastEnders, could be going up north for a new role
11:21, 23 Nov 2025Updated 11:21, 23 Nov 2025
An EastEnders star could be moving soaps(Image: PA)
Albert Square legend Nina Wadia is setting her sights on bagging herself a new job on Coronation Street having played Zainab Masood on EastEnders for six years before leaving the soap in 2013.
Nina told The Daily Star: “I’d love to tread the cobbles. That would be a lot of fun. When you’re on a soap, you get the chance to develop your character during a workshop at the start. Then because you’re living the character, you find out more about them.
“I haven’t been offered any soap roles lately, but who knows what will happen? I know a couple of the Corrie cast but I wouldn’t put them under pressure to help me get a role!”
Nina joined EastEnders in 2007 and her acting credits include Goodness Gracious Me, The Vicar of Dibley and Holby City. She has secured even more impressive acting roles in recent years on shows including The Sandman, The Outlaws and Midsomer Murders and there are more are set to be released.
Her most recent acting credit came in 2023, when she starred as Binta Prabhu in former BBC screen staple Doctors before it was eventually cancelled.
Outside of her TV work, she has also turned to radio and theatre work, making her first panto appearance in 2023 playing Fairy Sugarsnap in Jack and the Beanstalk in York.
During her stint in panto, she shocked audiences as she was able to help her niece get engaged during the course of one of her shows. Reflecting on the experience, she told the BBC: “I felt so privileged to be a part of my niece’s love story.”
Nina added she is used to working long hours as an actress and thanks to her six years playing feisty Zainab Masood on EastEnders.
But despite not actively looking to join a different soap, she has said she is prepared to push herself if they right role comes up for her.
Speaking about how passionate she feels about her work, Nina admitted that working on a soap is “very busy” but she “loves” hard work and that is what she thrives on.
Away from acting, Nina has tried her hand at reality TV too, she entered the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom in 2021 but was unfortunately the first to be voted out.
LOUISE Thompson has revealed she will never be able to carry another child due to severe health issues following the birth of her son Leo.
The Made In Chelsea star, 35, came close to dying after going into labour with her son four years ago.
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Leo is Louise’s only childCredit: InstagramLouise gave birth via an emergency cesarean and lost over three litres of blood – before expieriencing a second devastating haemorrhage at homeCredit: Louise Thompson instagram
The harrowing ordeal led to a myriad of health issues, the most recent of which saw Louise bravely reveal she had a stoma.
Following Leo’s birth she suffered multiple injuries including a post-natal haemorrhage, developing Asherman’s Syndrome, in which scar tissue in the uterus becomes ‘glued’ together, worsening bowel problems and emergency surgery.
Her injuries mean that she cannot carry another child.
Louise also has post-traumatic stress as a result of the horrific complications she endured and now relies on a stoma bag.
She believes women are being deterred having children due to a growing number of horror stories.
She told Daily Mail: “It’s something that a lot of people within my circle are talking about fairly regularly – the population problems we have.
“Thousands of women are crying out to me about this topic.
“Speaking on my own personal experience, I won’t be able to carry another child.
“So immediately that puts us in a position where we are part of that problem now.”
She is now an advocate for women’s health and maternity rights, and has spoken about her ordeal to the Birth Trauma All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG).
Louise teamed up with former Conservative MP Theo Clarke to set up the APPG and is now launching a petition urging the Government to appoint a commissioner dedicated to overseeing maternity care.
Their goal is to reach the 100,000 signatures needed to trigger a Parliamentary debate.
Louise has spoken about her distressing birth experience in the past.
The former reality star lost three-and-a-half litres of blood following the arrival of her son Leo by emergency C-section.
Things got even worse when Louise eventually returned home and suffered another haemorrhage, during which she lost five litres of blood and woke up in intensive care.
She previously spoke about the “uncertainty” around having another child.
She said last year on Lorraine: “It’s still fairly inconclusive. I will never mentally be strong enough to carry a child and, physically, I have something called asherman syndrome where my uterus is glued together with scar tissue.
“I suppose in one sense, it’s a bit of a miracle that I didn’t have to have a hysterectomy, so I do still have a womb.
“I had a year with no periods, then I had a surgery to try and fix that and then that ended up in another haemorrhage so where I am left currently is that the hospital have sort of said ‘It would be too threatening.
“We wouldn’t want to do another surgery in that area. Let’s let you live’. Equally I am so grateful to have one beautiful, healthy child who has lots of friends and cousins. I do have ovaries and embryos so there is a chance I could freeze some eggs… when I am ready…”
Louise Thompson with her fiance Ryan as they announced they were expectingCredit: Instagram / Louise ThompsonThe former reality star admitted she initially struggled to connect with her son after he was bornCredit: instagram
Self-centered news anchor Tulio Triviño and his reporter best friend Juan Carlos Bodoque, who has a gambling problem, have amused audiences for 22 years. Neither has aged a day. That’s because they are hand puppets — a monkey in a suit and a red rabbit in a striped shirt, respectively — at the forefront of the beloved Chilean TV show “31 Minutos.”
First conceived as a children’s program for Chile’s public television, “31 Minutos” debuted in March 2003, and now spans four seasons. A parody of a traditional newscast, the irreverent concept features dozens of peculiar puppets who populate the fictional town of Titirilquén. Their sharply absurdist misadventures and reportages are accompanied by pun-heavy, humorous original songs.
“The Muppets and ‘Sesame Street’ have been great inspirations for us,” says co-creator Pedro Peirano speaking in Spanish from Santiago, Chile, during a recent Zoom interview. “But we mixed that with a more Latin American idiosyncrasy, so it’s familiar but very different.”
Peirano voices and puppeteers Tulio, while Álvaro Díaz, the show’s other co-creator, gives life to Bodoque (who started out as a green toad before taking on his rabbit form). Among their fabric-made pals are Patana, Tulio’s niece who is a duck, field reporter Mario Hugo, a Chihuahua in a suit, and Juanín, a fuzzy white creature with no visible eyes, the newscast’s producer.
“What we set out to do, I don’t know if consciously, was to create characters who are not role models of anything,” says Peirano. “They have their flaws and their virtues; in fact, they have more flaws, especially Tulio, who is a villain, but he’s also the face of the show.”
Over the years, as the show’s popularity grew across Latin America, “31 Minutos” has transcended the small screen and spilled into other formats. Through Aplaplac, their production company, Díaz and Peirano have created “31 Minutos” live shows that tour the region, a theatrically released feature film, and even an ambitious museum exhibit.
This fall, “31 Minutos” sets its sights on the global market with the release of “Calurosa Navidad” (One Hot Christmas), their first special for Prime Video, streaming on Friday. The Spanish-language film comes on the heels of another big moment for the puppet troupe, when they performed some of their hits on NPR’s “Tiny Desk” last month.
Co-creators Álvaro Díaz, left, and Pedro Peirano on the set of “31 Minutos: Calurosa Navidad.”(Sebastian Utreras)
Although “31 Minutos” emerged as kids’ programming, Díaz and Peirano sidestepped expectations for message-driven storylines.
“In Latin America we tend to confuse children’s television with educational television, as if everything has to be an extension of school,” says Díaz. “We wanted to quickly transform it from that into more of a family show.”
The duo met while studying journalism at the Universidad de Chile in the late 1980s, as the country transitioned from a dictatorship to a democracy. It was their compatible humor, a shared interest in film, and a desire to explore a variety of mediums that brought them together.
“We had a lot of free time to develop our interests,” says Díaz. “And you connect through those interests, even more so that’s based on your personality or your origins.”
Before “31 Minutos,” Díaz and Peirano already had experience working in written media and television, so their impulse was to parody the news world they were familiar with.
When first developing the show, which they produced after winning public funding, the puppets appeared somewhat organically, Díaz says, because neither he nor Peirano wanted to be on camera. And since the project was originally geared toward children, it seemed appropriate.
A scene from Prime Video’s “31 Minutos: Calurosa Navidad.” “We believed that by putting puppets in front of the camera — initially very simple puppets — children would immediately identify with them,” says co-creator Álvaro Díaz.
(Amazon MGM Studios)
“We believed that by putting puppets in front of the camera — initially very simple puppets — children would immediately identify with them, and we wouldn’t be forced to emphasize the children’s tone so much,” recalls Díaz. “On the contrary, the puppets were a vehicle that allowed us to tell stories that interested us.”
And while it was Díaz who first suggested puppets, Peirano, who is also a comic book author, was a lifelong fan of Jim Henson and the worlds he created, including more adult fare like “The Dark Crystal.” The first puppets they used were those that Peirano had made as a child. As self-taught puppeteers, Díaz and Peirano honed their craft along the way.
“It’s much cheaper and faster to make puppets and create this fantastical world than to produce animation,” says Peirano. “Puppets have an immediacy that also makes them fun to perform with and to improvise with.”
As is often the case with children’s shows, they needed to incorporate music. Peirano brought along his friend Pablo Ilabaca, the guitarist and composer of Chilean rock band Chancho en Piedra, who tangentially had created tracks that could work for the show.
“He showed us that music, and we immediately felt that the sound of the ’31 Minutos’ was there,” says Díaz. “There was a lo-fi quality about it. It had something candid that didn’t necessarily have an infantile tone but had a lightness. And we could add lyrics to that music.”
The editorial line for the songs was to validate childhood experiences without trying to impart any life lessons, acknowledging those feelings through comedy.
“There is a song called ‘Diente Blanco’ [White Tooth], for example, which is not about the importance of brushing or taking care of your teeth but, rather, about a child saying goodbye to a tooth he was very fond of,” explains Díaz.
As a father of three (who he hopes will eventually take on the show’s mantle), Díaz operates from a conviction that young audiences deserve quality content that’s not patronizing nor simplistic.
“The entertainment options for children in Latin America, and generally everywhere, are very poor,” says Díaz. “It’s mostly about extracting money from parents with disappointing offerings. As kind of a governing principle for ’31 Minutos,’ we want these options to improve.”
“31 Minutos” rapidly became entrenched in Chilean popular culture. Peirano remembers the exact moment when he realized its cross-generational influence.
“I heard someone whistling the show’s theme song, and it wasn’t a child — it was an adult sweeping the street,” he says. “That was the first time I said, ‘How strange, someone is actually watching it!’ ”
Pedro Peirano remembers the moment he realized “31 Minutos” was becoming entrenched in Chilean pop culture. “I heard someone whistling the show’s theme song, and it wasn’t a child — it was an adult sweeping the street,” he says.
(Sebastian Utreras)
For Díaz, it was when he heard the album with the first batch of songs, released about four months after the show’s debut, playing in multiple record stores around Santiago. Not long after that, they saw the first bootleg merchandise: a toy version of Mico, el Micófono, a character that is just a microphone with googly eyes that street vendors could easily replicate.
Internationally, Mexico became a key market for “31 Minutos.” The creators first realized that country’s adoration for the show when an email address where viewers could write to Tulio was flooded with more messages from Mexico than Chile.
A tribute album, “Yo Nunca Vi Television” (I Never Watched Television), where Mexican and Chilean bands reinterpreted songs from “31 Minutos,” was released in 2009. The show’s museum exhibit, “Museo 31,” visited two Mexican cities (Mexico City and Monterrey) between 2024 and 2025 after its time in Santiago at Centro Cultural La Moneda.
Díaz believes that “31 Minutos” benefited from evolving in front of a young audience who accepted the show’s peculiarities at face value. The industry these days, he thinks, demands every narrative choice be justified with substantial meaning.
“You now have to write with an explicit intention and give everything coherence, as if life is a series of very coherent interconnections,” Díaz says. “It’s impossible to make something like ‘31 Minutos’ today.”
That’s especially true, in their eyes, of the U.S. entertainment industry where one must “understand fun down to its smallest detail” even before anything has been produced.
“Much of the fun of making ’31 Minutos’ has to do with spontaneity,” says Díaz.
Nevertheless, their “Tiny Desk” concert and the Christmas special have brought them to their closest proximity yet to American audiences.
To prepare for their “Tiny Desk” performance, which features some of the show’s most emblematic puppets, the “31 Minutos” team re-created the set in Santiago — a famously tight space where bands are sandwiched between a desk and overflowing bookshelves. “We had to reduce the idea of ‘31 minutes’ to 20 minutes in a small space, without lighting, without special effects,” explains Díaz.
Tapping into current events, the running joke of their “Tiny Desk” appearance is that their work visas will expire immediately after performing.
“We didn’t intend to make a political statement, but since we were in the United States, what’s the joke in the air? That they are going to kick us — as Latin Americans, the joke is always that the U.S. wants us out,” says Peirano. “In the end, it still ends up being a commentary, and we included this crocodile puppet [as an immigration agent] because that’s the satirical nature of ‘31 Minutos.’ ”
Meanwhile, making “Calurosa Navidad” for Prime Video fulfilled their goal of entering the streaming realm. Amazon was interested in genre films, and they opted for a Christmas one.
Fans of “31 Minutos” will recognize that the story, in which Bodoque has to search for Santa and bring him to heat-stricken Titirilquén; it’s the expansion of a story from an earlier special Christmas episode that later evolved into a Christmas live show. The cheeky charm remains intact, but now it’s going to be accessible to a global audience.
Currently, Peirano splits his time between Santiago and Los Angeles. In the U.S., away from the media empire that “31 Minutos” has built in Latin America, he works as a screenwriter. His credits include the HBO series “Perry Mason.” He’s working on a project for horror outfit Blumhouse with collaborator Mauricio Katz. The two recently signed an exclusive overall deal with Sony Pictures Television.
But don’t expect Tulio or Bodoque to speak English anytime soon or for their adventures to be crafted outside of their South American homeland. Díaz has no desire to leave Chile.
“I live five kilometers from the hospital where I was born. And that’s the farthest I can be,” he says. “Chile is the reality that I understand, and, above all, that nourishes us. I like to travel and go on tour, but I hope things always happen here, with the people we know here.”
Díaz cites director Peter Jackson’s ethos to establishing WETA FX, a world-renowned digital effects company, in his home country of New Zealand instead of moving abroad, as a mindset that resembles their own — in admittedly a smaller scale.
“What we advocate for in ‘31 Minutos’ is artistic excellence from Chile,” Díaz adds. “From Chile to Latin America first, and hopefully from Chile to the world.”
The Chancellor has previously promised that the new budget will “deliver on the priorities of the British people” by reducing NHS waiting lists, the national debt and the cost of living.
Although she has reportedly decided against raising income tax rates, there are rumours that she could announce an extended freeze on income tax and National Insurance thresholds, meaning more people would pay it as wages increase over time.
There might also be a new tax introduced on high-value homes, of which there are roughly 2.4 million in England. This could impact properties in council tax bands F, G and H, reports the Express.
Roger Johnson and Sarah Campbell were presenting BBC Breakfast today when the show took a brief pause.
“I’m not sure there’s ever a quiet week in politics these days but this week is particularly significant with the budget on Wednesday,” Sarah started.
She then handed over to Laura Kuenssberg who was ready in a separate studio to outline what was coming up on her Sunday morning politics show, momentarily interrupting BBC Breakfast’s schedule.
Speaking about the upcoming episode of Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Laura stated: “It really is, we are now just a few days away from Rachel Reeves’ huge moment in the House of Commons.
“A massive moment for the country, a massive moment for the economy and a massive moment for this government that has had such a turbulent few months.”
She continued: “This morning we’ll be giving you everything you need to know in the final days before the big moment itself.”
BBC Breakfast is broadcast daily from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
VICTORIA Beckham is embracing her Spice Girls past more than ever – leaving many convinced she’s sewing the seeds for an announcement that will send fans into meltdown.
All five Spice Girls reunited for Victoria’s 50th birthday last yearCredit: InstagramBut Victoria has suggested many times Posh Spice has been retiredCredit: GettyShe missed the group’s sell-out stadium tour in 2019Credit: PA
But the fashion designer has dropped many hints in recent months that Posh Spice is coming out of retirement.
Victoria shared a clip of David enjoying himself at the concert and tagged all of her former bandmates, adding: “Tempting…”
During their 2019 reunion tour, Spice Girls sold out 13 stadium dates – including three nights at Wembley – which grossed an estimated £55million.
So you can’t blame Posh for wanting a slice of it this time around…
Posh residency
Since launching her eponymous luxury fashion brand in 2008, Victoria has made it clear it’s her priority professionally.
Discussing her decision not to join Mel B, 50, Emma, 49, Melanie C, 51, and 53-year-old Geri on tour in 2019, she told Vogue Germany: “It took me a lot of courage not to go on tour with the Spice Girls again.
“But to be the one who says, ‘You know, I’m not doing it because things feel different now than they used to’.”
She added: “I’d rather concentrate on my family and my company. I’m 45 now and very happy to be the woman I am…”
Speaking to Andy Cohen on Sirius XM, she said: “It would be tempting.
“But could I take on a world tour? No I can’t. I have a job…
“How good would the Spice Girls be at the Sphere! I love the idea of it. I mean I don’t know if I could even still sing, I mean I was never that great!”
The 20,000-capacity concert hall features wraparound screens and has hosted residencies from U2, The Eagles and Backstreet Boys, with No Doubt set to reunite there for 12 dates next May.
Spice Girls forever
Posh almost broke the internet with her acoustic rendition of Viva ForeverCredit: InstagramShe was joined by her budding pop star son CruzCredit: InstagramVictoria performing with the Spice Girls at Madison Square Gardens in 2008Credit: Spice Girls LLP via Getty Images
Right from the start, Victoria was labelled as the ‘Posh one who doesn’t sing’.
And it was all because – due to a prior family commitment – she missed the final recording session for Wannabe, meaning she was the only member without a solo.
Writing in her 2001 autobiography Learning To Fly, Victoria recalled trying to write the track over the phone with the girls – calling missing the session one of her biggest regrets.
She wrote at the time: “It did make a difference, because by the time it came to recording, performing and singing it, all the parts had been divided up between the rest of them.
“And every time we performed it I just felt like a gooseberry standing at the back not doing anything.
“And I used to say to my mum, ‘God, they’ll say I’m the one who doesn’t sing’. And she’d say, ‘Don’t worry, Victoria, no one will notice’.
“But they did notice. And to this day it’s what always gets thrown at me: Posh Spice, the one who doesn’t sing.”
Victoria has always been ahead of the joke about her vocals and recently quipped: “[My voice] wasn’t off-key, but it was small. Sometimes, they just turned my mic off.”
But she almost broke the internet when she sat down for a stripped back acoustic performance of Viva Forever with son Cruz, 20.
The incredible video sent fans wild, with one writing: “My fave song ever. Goosebumps listening it on your beautiful voice!”
And another said: “This gave me goosebumps… so iconic.”
But it was Melanie C’s comment that set tongues wagging, as she wrote: “Love this. Getting a head start on rehearsals.”
Mum guilt
Victoria joked David ‘mum-guilted’ her into taking part in the 2007 tourCredit: NetflixDavid said: ‘Our kids weren’t around to see their mum be a Spice Girl!’Credit: Netflix
Despite her reservations about singing with the girls again, Victoria has always been proud of their legacy.
Speaking in her recent Netflix documentary she admitted she “wouldn’t have been who I am now if it wasn’t for the Spice Girls, 100 per cent”.
Victoria added: “People love the Spice Girls. I love the Spice Girls. I’m so proud of that.”
And the mum-of-five joked David “mum-guilted” her into joining the group for their 2007 world tour.
In the series, he said: “Our kids weren’t around to see their mum be a Spice Girl!”
And, given Cruz’s recent duet with his former pop star mum, there’s no doubt David and the kids will be encouraging Victoria to dust off her little Gucci dress at least one more time.
Victoria hasn’t performed with the girls since the closing ceremony of the 2012 London OlympicsCredit: Getty ImagesBut all the signs are pointing to the Spice Girls performing as a five-piece once againCredit: Getty Images
“Suffs,” Shaina Taub’s musical about how women finally secured the right to vote in America, won Tony Awards for its book and score. It lost the best musical race to “The Outsiders,” but the respect it earned when it opened last spring on Broadway made it an unequivocal winner.
The show is having its Los Angeles premiere at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in a touring production that is smooth and smart. Taub’s work deserves nothing less than an A. The cast is excellent, the staging is graceful and the political message could not be more timely.
The show might not have the crackling vitality of “Hamilton” or the bluesy poignancy of “The Scottsboro Boys.” It’s a good deal more earnest than either of these history-laden musicals. There’s an educational imperative at the heart of “Suffs,” which deals with a subject that has been marginalized in schools and in the collective consciousness.
The 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote, was ratified in 1920, a little more than a century ago. The history isn’t so distant yet I’m sure I wasn’t the only one at Wednesday’s opening who was learning about the forceful tactics that helped Alice Paul and her fellow suffragists push their movement over the finish line.
“Suffs,” a musical for the public square, is as informative as it is uplifting. It is above all a moving testament to the power of sisterhood. The struggle for equality continues to face crushing setbacks today, but Taub wants us to remember what can happen when people stand united for a just cause.
Alice (a winning Maya Keleher) doesn’t seem like a rabble-rouser. A bright, well-educated woman with a polite demeanor, she looks like a future teacher of the year more than a radical organizer. But she has an activist’s most essential quality: She won’t take no for an answer. (Keleher lends alluring warmth to the role Taub made her Broadway debut in.)
Marya Grandy and the company of the national tour of “Suffs.”
(Joan Marcus)
She’s rebuffed by Carrie Chapman Catt (Marya Grandy), the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Assn., whose motto (“Let your all-American mother vote”) is the basis for the show’s opening number, “Let Mother Vote” — a distillation of the old-guard approach that has yet to yield women the vote.
Alice wants to organize a march in Washington, D.C., to force the president’s reluctant hand, but Carrie prefers a more genteel strategy. “Miss Paul, if my late great mentor Susan B. Anthony taught me anything, it’s that men are only willing to consider our cause if we present it in a lady-like fashion.
“State by state, slow and steady, until the country’s ready” is, after all, NAWSA’s fundamental creed. But Alice points out that if they continue at this glacial pace they’ll be dead before they can ever cast a vote.
Swinging into action, Alice teams up with her friend Lucy Burns (Gwynne Wood), who worries that they haven’t the experience to take on such a momentous mission. “We’ve never planned a national action before,” she objects at the start of their duet “Find a Way.” But undaunted Alice has the bold idea of recruiting Inez Milholland (played at the opening night performance by Amanda K. Lopez), and a way forward miraculously materializes.
Inez has just the right glamorous public image that Alice thinks will give their march the publicity boost it needs. Studying for the bar exam, Inez is initially reluctant but agrees if she can lead the march on horseback.
This image of Inez on a steed becomes central both to the movement and to director Leigh Silverman’s production, which finds simple yet striking ways of bringing revolutionary change to life. A chorus line of activists wearing suffragist white (kudos to the luminous tact of costume designer Paul Tazewell) eloquently communicates what solidarity can pull off.
Brandi Porter, left, and Jenny Ashman as President Woodrow Wilson in “Suffs.”
(Joan Marcus)
An all-female and nonbinary cast dramatizes this inspiring American story. Taub takes some fictional license with the characters but largely sticks to the record.
Notable allies in Alice’s organization include Ruza Wenclawska (Joyce Meimei Zheng) a Polish-born trade union organizer with a no-nonsense grassroots style, and Doris Stevens (Livvy Marcus), a shy yet undeterred student from Nebraska who becomes the group’s secret weapon secretary.
Ida B. Wells (Danyel Fulton), an early leader in the civil rights movement, takes part in the march but resists being used as a prop in what she calls NAWSA’s “white women convention.” Mary Church Terrell (Trisha Jeffrey), a fellow Black activist, by contrast believes that it’s only through participation that representation can move forward.
President Woodrow Wilson (Jenny Ashman), who makes promises to the suffragists he is hesitant to keep, is a crucial target of Alice’s pressure campaign. Her group’s access to him is aided by Dudley Malone (Brandi Porter), Wilson’s right-hand man, who becomes smitten with Doris.
The score marches ahead in a manner that makes progress seem, if not inevitable, relentless in its pursuit of justice. The songs combine the patriotic exuberance of John Philip Sousa and the American breadth of Broadway composer Stephen Flaherty (“Ragtime”). The note of pop accessibility in Taub’s music and the satiric humor of her lyrics add to the buoyancy. You won’t leave humming a tune, but the overall effect (while ephemeral) is pleasing in the theater.
With the history already determined, the book can’t help resembling at times a civics exhibition. Dramatic tension is hard to come by. Alice and her cohorts suffer grave disappointments and indignities (including a harrowing stint in prison), but the eventual outcome of their struggles is known.
“Suffs” sometimes feels like a history lesson neatly compartmentalized into Important Episodes. There’s a whiff of PBS to the way the musical unfolds. This is cultural programming that’s good for you.
But the teamwork of the performers honors the messy yet undeniably effective cooperation of Alice and her freedom fighters — women who changed the world by not staying silent in their prescribed place.
‘Suffs’
Where: Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., L.A.
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays. (Check for exceptions.) Ends Dec. 7.
Here’s what you need to know about TV Licence refunds
There are some instances in which you could get a refund for your TV Licence(Image: Getty)
Brits are being reminded that they could be eligible for a refund on their BBC TV Licence, provided they adhere to a one-month rule. If you no longer need a TV Licence from the BBC, you can request a refund, as long as there is at least one full month remaining on it.
The TV Licence fee has been a customary expense for many UK residents since its introduction in 1946. At that time, the BBC was the only broadcaster in the country, and the licence cost £2 – roughly equivalent to around £105 today.
Despite significant shifts in television consumption, including the emergence of numerous channels, streaming and on-demand platforms, this annual charge persists. Following a price hike last year, it now stands at £174.50.
Even if you don’t watch any BBC channels, many households still need a licence. For instance, it’s required to:
Watch or record programmes as they’re being broadcast live on any TV channel
Watch live programmes on any online TV service – such as Channel 4, YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video
It’s also necessary to download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer. However, there are four lesser-known situations where you can use your TV without needing to pay for a licence.
According to the Government website, you do not need a TV Licence if you only watch:
Streaming platforms such as Netflix and Disney Plus
On-demand television through services like All 4 and Amazon Prime Video
Online video content on sites like YouTube
Video content or DVDs
If your television is exclusively used for these particular activities, you won’t need to pay for a licence. Furthermore, if you’ve already made payment but this situation applies to you, you may be entitled to reclaim some of your money.
The TV Licensing website states: “You can apply for a refund if you won’t need your licence again before it expires, and you have at least one complete month left on it.”
Applications for TV Licence refunds can be made up to a fortnight before the date you no longer need it. Certain people are also exempt from TV licence payments or qualify for discounted rates, meaning they can request a refund.
“If you’re eligible for an over 75 or blind concession, you can apply for a refund at any time and for any length of time left on your licence,” the TV Licensing website adds.
People aged 75 and above
The Government website confirms you can obtain a free TV Licence if you’re 75 or older and either:
Are in receipt of Pension Credit
Share a household with a partner who receives Pension Credit
Those currently claiming Pension Credit can apply for a complimentary TV licence upon reaching 74. Nevertheless, you must continue licence payments until the month’s end before your 75th birthday.
Your complimentary licence will take effect from that point onwards. Applications for a free licence can be submitted online here.
Care home residents
If you’re a resident in a care home or sheltered accommodation, you’re eligible to apply for a discount. Those residing in a qualifying residential care home, supported housing or sheltered accommodation can obtain a TV Licence for £7.50.
To be eligible, you must also be either:
Retired and over 60
Or disabled
Your housing manager can verify your eligibility and apply on your behalf.
If you’re registered as blind
If you’re registered as blind, or severely sight impaired, or live with someone who is, you can receive a 50 per cent discount. The licence must be registered in the name of the blind person – if it’s not, a new application can be made to transfer it into their name.
When applying, you’ll need to provide your existing TV Licence number. You can apply online here.
SHE was known for late-night partying with showbiz pals during her ladette days and Sara Cox admits that behind doors she was full of energy too.
The DJ says “no surface was safe” when she was at home with her advertising executive husband Ben Cyzer, who she has been with for two decades.
Former ladette turned Radio 2 presenter Sara Cox, who has just completed the equivalent of five marathons in five days to raise an astonishing £10m for Children In NeedCredit: Mark Hayman – FabulousSara talks to Radio 2 listeners on third day of her mammoth questCredit: Children in NeedA jubilant Sara at the end of her huge trek on November 14Credit: BBC/Sarah Louise Bennett
But flash forward to today and the 50-year-old mum of three says that “every surface is safe” and they often sleep in separate rooms because she can’t stand his snoring.
Sara said: “When I sometimes get on my little stool in the kitchen to reach for some Tupperware, I do think, ‘Oh, look, my fun area is really parallel with his face right at the moment’.
“But as the kids get older, you just can’t be doing that — they’d never get past it.
“I mean, when you’re in your early 30s and stuff, no surface is safe in the kitchen or the bathroom, is it? But now pretty much everywhere is safe.”
Sara, who has just completed the equivalent of five marathons in five days to raise an astonishing £10million for Children In Need, opened up about their sleeping habits at home in North London.
Just days before the epic fundraiser, she told The Teen Commandments Podcast: “This is my issue that I’ve got with Ben in the night.
“Just general breathing — just him breathing is annoying. Not during the day, I have to point that out. I just mean any slight noises.
“You know on a wildlife documentary where they have a shot of an animal that’s on high alert for a predator? I think I’ve got that kind of feeling in the middle of the night.
“Like, if I just hear the tiniest sound, it’s so magnified in the middle of the night — I think there’s a bit of anxiety in there.
“Because I remember in my 20s, if I woke up at 1.30am — well, I probably wouldn’t be in bed at half one — but if I woke in the middle of the night and it was like 3am in my 20s, I’d be, like, ‘Yeah, I’ve got loads of time to sleep, amazing’.
“And now I’m 50, I just go, ‘F**k, it’s three, I’m not going to sleep’. I nudge him and he’s really patient — he’s great about it. But we keep sleeping in separate rooms, which is a bit depressing.”
Bolton-born Sara doubtless needs plenty of rest after running a total of 135 miles from Kielder Forest in Northumberland to Pudsey in Leeds earlier this month — carrying the annual Beeb telethon’s mascot Pudsey Bear on her back.
During her Great Northern Marathon Challenge, the star was sent a message of encouragement by Prince William, who said: “Keep going — you’ve done fantastically well and the nation’s so proud of you.”
Sara says she was inspired to raise money for vulnerable kids after recalling the bullying she suffered at school from “two girls who made my life hell”.
This week she revealed she battled through the challenge by listening to tracks by rapper Stormzy and said it was a lot tougher than she ever expected.
Behind-the-scenes footage shown on Sara Cox: Every Step Of The Way For Children In Need, on BBC One on Wednesday, revealed the heartbreaking reason she decided to take on the challenge.
And now I’m 50, I just go, ‘F**k, it’s three, I’m not going to sleep’
Sara said: “My brother David died suddenly in 2019 and it completely destroyed the family — like, it came out of nowhere and he was a real athlete who ran countless Ironman competitions.
“I don’t think he’d believe I’m doing this, I think he’d be super-proud. I’m hoping that I’ve just got a bit of strength from him today.”
Sara’s children are now nearly the age she was when she found fame. Her eldest, Lola — from her first marriage — is 21, while Isaac and Renee are 17 and 15 respectively.
Sara had been working as a model when, at the age of 22 she landed her first TV job hosting The Girlie Show on Channel 4.
Sara with husband Ben at an album launch in London in 2015Credit: GettyParty girl Sara on a night out in 1998Credit: Big Pictures
They became notorious for their wild nights and were dubbed ladettes — a term Sara has always hated, saying it suggested they were “just trying to be like the boys . . . and we were never trying to be like the boys”.
Her lifestyle changed dramatically when she became mum to Lola in 2004, a year before she separated from her first husband DJ Jon Carter, who she had married in 2001.
Sara began dating Ben, now 50, in 2005 and they married in 2013 a year after she signalled another shift by quitting BBC Radio 1 to host the breakfast show on its more mature sister station, Radio 2. ‘Mind-boggling behaviour’.
She has admitted: “Yes, I used to drink loads. I thought nothing of having wine with lunch then going to the pub later, but they were different times. It all stops when you have children, to be replaced with other things that are just as pleasurable.
“The first ten years of my career I was out a lot more and the second decade I was explaining my behaviour in the first decade and apologising for it.”
And she said she never felt pressure to bring back her “Coxy” alter ego, because she had “buried her with some vodka and Marlboro Lights”.
The first ten years of my career I was out a lot more and the second decade I was explaining my behaviour in the first decade and apologising for it
Now her work has changed too. The BBC Radio 2 presenter has been hosting the station’s Drivetime show since January 2019 and next up is a new BBC One series, starting on December 1, about professional model-makers, called The Marvellous Miniatures Workshop.
When she’s not on the TV or the radio, Sara is busy hosting The Teen Commandments podcast with her best friend Clare Hamilton, who she has known since they were children.
The pair launched the podcast in January, having raised five teenagers between them.
The show casts light on the “mind-boggling behaviour” of their youngsters and how they tackled it with “wisdom that only comes from being rule-breakers themselves”.
On this week’s episode, Sara revealed she has been trying to break her family’s addiction to mobile phones.
She confided: “I just feel like a st mum because I am not stopping it, and I feel completely powerless.
My brother David died suddenly in 2019. He was a real athlete. I don’t think he’d believe I’m doing this, I think he’d be super proud
“I did suggest something, but it was immediately . . . I mean, the faces I was met with . . .
“I should have really got Ben more on side because what can happen sometimes is that I will suggest something for us to do as a family, and Ben will immediately side with the teenagers and undermine me.
“I told him that I wanted to do something where we start having more time together as a family and we put the phones away.
“So over dinner, I was like, ‘Right, this weekend, can we do it where we just have four hours without our phones or our laptops or anything?’
“Immediately, Ben piped up, ‘That’s too long’. I’m giving him daggers when the youngest pipes up that she’s got to revise. She needs her phone. Fair enough.
“But I’m really worried that we’re not living our lives together as a family, where we look at each other and where we chat and where we do things and hang out.
“So I’m just, like, ‘Whether we go out on a big dog walk or we just do something as a family, let’s put the phones away for four hours’.”
Sara is unlikely to be popping out for a stroll any time soon as she complains she cannot walk following her fundraising efforts.
But she still feels like she is in the best shape of her life, explaining on her podcast: “It’s good on this side of 50, I’ve got to say.
“I think — especially when you’re a woman — it’s always like, ‘How do you feel about turning 50? What are you going to do?’ But this age seems better than the alternative, babe.”
A federal judge has temporarily blocked OpenAI’s use of several monikers, including “Cameos” and “CameoVideo,” for elements of its Sora artificial intelligence video generation products and marketing.
U.S. District Judge Eumi K. Lee on Friday issued a temporary restraining order to prevent the San Francisco AI giant from using names that are part of an ongoing trademark dispute.
The Northern California judge also set a Dec. 19 hearing to delve further into the matter.
The lawsuit was brought late last month by Chicago-based tech business Baron App, which also goes by the name of its product, Cameo. The eight-year-old firm sued OpenAI, alleging trademark infringement and unfair competition.
In its Oct. 28 lawsuit, Baron said it has secured several U.S. Trademark Registrations for its Cameo product, which enables fans to engage celebrities to make personalized videos to wish friends a happy birthday or other greetings.
Snoop Dogg, Tony Hawk, Jon Bon Jovi and Donald Trump Jr. are among celebrities who have participated, connecting with fans through Cameo, the company said in its complaint against Open AI. Cameo said its posts have been popular, attracting more than 100 million views in the past year.
The legal dispute began after OpenAI announced an update to its text-to-video tool Sora in September. The update included the launch of a new Sora feature that it called Cameos.
OpenAI’s fall product update gave consumers on the Sora app the ability to scan their faces and allow others to manipulate their facial images in AI-generated environments. YouTube influencer and boxer Jake Paul, who is an investor in OpenAI, participated in OpenAI’s Cameos’ rollout. In less than five days, the Sora app hit more than 1 million downloads.
“OpenAI is now using Cameo’s own mark, CAMEO, to compete directly with Cameo,” Baron wrote in its lawsuit against OpenAI.
Lawyers for the two companies argued their positions in a Tuesday hearing.
Lee’s decision forbids OpenAI and its “officers, directors and employees from using the mark ‘Cameo,’ or any other mark that includes or is confusingly similar to ‘Cameo,’ ” according to her order. “Defendants are ordered to show cause why a preliminary injunction should not [be] issue[d].”
The temporary restraining order expires Dec. 22.
“While the court’s order is temporary, we hope that OpenAI will agree to stop using our mark permanently to avoid any further harm to the public or Cameo,” Cameo CEO Steven Galanis said in a Saturday statement. “We would like nothing more than to put this behind us so that we can focus our full attention on bringing talent and fans together as we head into the holidays.”
An OpenAI spokesperson responded in a statement: “We disagree with the complaint’s assertion that anyone can claim exclusive ownership over the word ‘cameo’, and we look forward to continuing to make our case to the court.”
The move comes as OpenAI has faced blowback in Hollywood as images of celebrities and dead newsmakers were manipulated without their consent.
Bullseye returned to ITV earlier this month with Freddie Flintoff as host
Bullseye is back for another fun episode on Sunday night as three more pairs made up of keen darts player and quizzing partners compete against one another to win points and prizes.
Hosted by Freddie Flintoff, this weekend’s episode sees professional darts player Fallon Sherrock team up with Freddie, 47, to try to complete a charity challenge.
In an exclusive clip obtained by the Mirror of this Sunday’s episode, it sees a simple Coronation Street question cause confusion amongst the players.
Freddie asks: “The winner of Celebrity Big Brother in 2025, Jack P Shepherd, is a star of what soap?” to which contestant, Scott, wrongly guesses: “EastEnders?”
Freddie is quick to respond that his answer is sadly incorrect as he then asks the same question to the fellow players, Brian and Stuart.
Brian is quick to buzz in but before he can give his answer he hilariously admits: “What was the question?”, leaving the audience in hysterics while a confused Freddie responds: “Hey?”
However, Brian quickly remembers the questions and delivers the correct answer of Coronation Street.
It comes as Bullseye has returned for a new series and a 2025 Christmas special following last year’s one-off Bullseye festive special, which drew in audiences of over 8.6 million.
The original Bullseye aired from 1982 until 1995 and was hosted by the late Jim Bowen.
Meanwhile, Freddie will not be using his real name as the former England cricketer hosts the ITV quiz show.
The 47-year-old has always gone by Freddie but is actually named Andrew.
Cricket icon Flintoff has always been known as Freddie ever since his school days. He was given the nickname because his surname was similar to that of cartoon character Fred Flintstone.
“It’s strange, isn’t it? Because obviously, my name is Andrew, and then – since I was about 15 – I’ve just been called Fred or Freddie,” he said in a self-titled documentary on Disney+.
“Because Andrew is probably more a reflection of me. Quite introverted. Just like his own space.
“But that would never have survived the world of professional sport. I knew that pretty quickly.”
AFTER their split in 2010 and cancelled reunion tour in 2020, I can reveal that The Pussycat Dolls are talking about getting back together.
I’ve heard that Kimberly Wyatt has been telling pals the girls have ironed out their issues and are reforming.
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Kimberly Wyatt has been telling pals The Pussycat Dolls have ironed out their issues and are reformingCredit: GettySingers from left: Jessica Sutta, Kimberly Wyatt, Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton and Ashley Roberts onstage during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2009Credit: GettyA source said: ‘Kimberly has been open about the fact the girls have sorted out their issues’Credit: Getty
Let’s hope nothing comes in the way of this reunion.
The Dolls started off as a burlesque troupe but in 2003 Nicole Scherzinger, Melody Thornton and Kaya Jones joined Carmit Bachar, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta and Kimberly Wyatt to form the group.
Kaya went solo in 2004 and Carmit left in 2008.
They split for good in 2010 but got back together in 2020.
Canadian officials are investigating the death of actor Spencer Lofranco, who died Monday.
The British Columbia Coroners Service confirmed its investigation on Friday, days after the “Gotti” and “Unbroken” actor’s brother announced his death on social media. Lofranco died Tuesday at age 33.
“My brother. You lived a life only some could dream of. You changed people[‘s] lives, and now you are with God,” Santino Lofranco wrote in a Facebook statement shared Thursday morning. “I will always love you and miss you BEAR. RIP.”
The statement did not include a cause of death. A spokesperson for the British Columbia Coroners Service did not share additional details, pending the ongoing investigation.
Spencer Lofranco most notably shared the screen with John Travolta in the critically-panned John Gotti biopic “Gotti” and appeared in Angelina Jolie’s Oscar-nominated World War II-set drama “Unbroken.” His credits also include films “At Middleton,” “Jamesy Boy,” “Dixieland” and “King Cobra” and the 2015 short film “Home,” according to IMDb.
In his “Jamesy Boy” review for The Times, critic Martin Tsai wrote, “newcomer Lofranco deserves credit for carrying the film.” Starring as ex-convict-turned-filmmaker James Burns, Lofranco “holds his own against vets” Ving Rhames, Mary-Louise Parker and James Woods, Tsai added.
Lofranco, born Oct. 18, 1992, told Interview in 2014 that he became interested in acting at age 17 despite his father’s wishes for him to be a hockey player or lawyer. His mother was a dancer, musician and actor and would often take him along to auditions, he said.
Amid his brief acting career, Lofranco faced legal trouble for running over a cyclist with his SUV in Hollywood in 2013. The cyclist suffered severe injuries, including a broken hip and several fractures, according to CBS News. Officials said Lofranco got out of his vehicle after the accident to apologize to his victim before leaving the scene.
A judge, after his victim’s urging for a harsher sentence, sentenced Lofranco in 2015 to 50 days of community service, two years of probation and $161,000 in restitution.
Over the last year, Lofranco often posted to Instagram, sharing photos of his outfits, tattoos and graffiti art. In his final Instagram post, a black-and-white selfie, Lofranco seemingly wrote about starting a new chapter of his life.
“Period the best is yet to come,” he said, after encouraging fans to follow his OnlyFans account. “The hair is on it way it’s got held up customs. Crazy.”
When he spoke to Interview more than a decade ago, Lofranco said his future path included doing “real-life, candid films.”
“I don’t want to be thrown into anything that could jeopardize my career. I want to be wise about what I choose,” he said. “Actors whose choices I’ve liked are Sean Penn, Leonardo DiCaprio, River Phoenix.”
Jack Osbourne broke down in tears as he discussed his late father and rock legend Ozzy Osbourne on the latest episode of the ITV jungle reality show with co-star Eddie Kady
Liam Payne’s family is set for more heartbreak as his ex-fiancée Maya Henry is making a documentary about their relationship and break-upCredit: GettyMaya is working with HBO and an independent production company to make a film about her time with himCredit: GettyMaya was in a relationship with Liam from 2018 to 2022Credit: Getty
American model Maya, who was in a relationship with Liam from 2018 to 2022, is working with HBO and an independent production company to make a film about her time with him.
I am told that contributors are being invited to film in Texas, where Maya was born and raised, with those from overseas being flown over.
A source said: “This documentary is going to be hugely upsetting for Liam’s family, who are struggling with unimaginable loss.
“There is also concern within the industry that it is going to be one-sided.
“Of course, Liam is not here to give his side of the story or his version of events. It all just feels terribly sad.”
It comes after disgruntled Maya has already penned a fictional book, Looking Forward, rumoured to be based on her tumultuous romance with the star.
Meanwhile, another mole revealed that Maya will also touch upon trolling she received from 1D fans.
An insider said: “The social media comments were vicious and Maya wants to open up about what she went through and the dark side of dating a world-famous pop star.
“‘It wasn’t just the strain of the relationship itself. She also faced relentless trolling from the band’s fanbase, receiving hateful messages almost daily, which made moving on even harder.
“She hopes the documentary will finally give her the chance to share her experiences and tell her side of the story.”
Last month details of Liam’s emotional second album — which he had finished before he died and features a poignant track called Safe In Heaven — were released.
One industry insider explained that the follow-up to his 2019 debut LP1 was the most self-reflective piece of work he had ever done.
On the few occasions I met Liam he was genuinely a lovely bloke, I think his legacy should be treated with respect . . .
LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE, ZARA
ZARA LARSSON lit up Norway in this bright yellow skirt on Friday night.
The Swedish pop star flaunted her incredible figure on stage as part of her Midnight Sun Tour.
Zara Larsson lit up Norway in this bright yellow skirt on Friday nightCredit: Getty
Aside from the tracks on her new album, Zara played her hits Lush Life and Never Forget You.
Next week sees her head to Finland for a couple of gigs before a homecoming night in Sweden.
RONNIE ’N’ ZACH LOVING IT
LOVE Island: All Stars is upon us and I hear two former lotharios are busy pressing their trunks for a villa comeback.
Semi-professional footballer Ronnie Vint is hoping it’s third time lucky as he finds himself single again.
Semi-professional footballer Ronnie Vint is hoping it’s third time lucky as he finds himself single againCredit: ITVZach Noble is giving love another chance after his relationship with Molly Marsh broke down earlier this yearCredit: Rex
The hunk, who originally appeared in the 2024 summer series and then in this year’s All Stars show, is single again after splitting from Harriett Blackmore.
I’m also told that 2023 contestant Zach Noble is giving love another chance after his relationship with Molly Marsh broke down earlier this year.
A source said: “Love Island: All Stars 2026 is shaping up to be a sizzling cast and bosses have scouted these two rebound hunks keen to find love.
“Both lads were fan favourites, with bags of personality and a decent following on social media.”
Female contestants rumoured to be taking part include Millie Court and Andrada Pop.
I can’t wait to watch the chemistry crackle . . .
PARTY of the WEEK
THE ZYN Rolling Stone UK Awards at The Roundhouse, North London, on Thursday.
Who was there: Sir Bob Geldof, Danny Dyer, FKA Twigs, Lewis Capaldi and Louise Redknapp.
Sir Bob Geldof at the Rolling Stone UK AwardsCredit: Supplied
What we ate: Smoked salmon, lamb and chocolate pears.
What we drank: M&S beer and Rockferne English sparkling wine.
Goodie bag: Percy Pigs.
PIPING HOT, BILLIE
BILLIE PIPER looked a sheer delight as she belatedly celebrated her 43rd birthday in this lacy black dress.
The actress, who turned 43 in September, was partying with pals including Dominic Cooper and Richard Madden at Upstairs At Langan’s in central London.
Billie Piper looked a sheer delight as she belatedly celebrated her 43rd birthday in this lacy black dressCredit: GettyRichard Madden and Dominic Cooper at the partyCredit: Getty
Billie recently starred as music teacher Isadora Capri in season two of Netflix show Wednesday.
She said: “I’ve always wanted to play a sort of floaty, liberal musician or art teacher.”
And now the British actor has given the biggest clue yet that he will be taking over the reins from actor Daniel Craig to be the next 007.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson has been announced as an ambassador for Swiss luxury watchmaker OmegaCredit: Getty
Aaron has been announced as an ambassador for Swiss luxury watchmaker Omega, which is Bond’s favourite timepiece.
Since 1995, the secret agent has worn an Omega Seamaster in every film – with special tribute watches made to honour the character.
Aaron said: “My interest in watches first began with my dad, who introduced me to Omega, if you can believe it.
“He was working class and saved his earnings to purchase an Omega watch.”
In 2022 I revealed that Aaron had completed a top-secret screen test at Pinewood Studios, the home of James Bond movies.
Aaron is currently filming in Dartmoor alongside Lily-Rose Depp for upcoming horror film Werwulf, which is scheduled for release next year.
Sounds like the time is ticking for the next Bond to be formally announced.
OLLY: I WOULD GIVE A BOXING BOUT A SHOT
HIS new album Knees Up is about having a good time with your mates – but Olly Murs has revealed that instead of sinking pints down the pub, he prefers throwing punches in the boxing ring.
Olly has struck up a friendship with super-welterweight champ Sam Gilley and now has a “burning desire” to get fighting fit.
Olly Murs has revealed that instead of sinking pints down the pub, he prefers throwing punches in the boxing ringCredit: Supplied
Chatting to Bizarre’s Emily at his album launch in East London on Friday, left, Olly said: “I train twice a week without fail. I love it.
“I wanted to learn how to punch properly and move, and I wanted to learn the fundamentals of boxing. Am I open to a fight? Yes. Whether or not my wife lets me is another question. I just know there is definitely a burning desire for me to get into the ring and give it a shot.”
Olly added: “I think it is something in my blood. I did Who Do You Think You Are? on the BBC and I learned so much about my grandad.
“He was Latvian and came here in the Second World War. He was an amateur boxing champion.”
It’s a bird, it’s a plane … it’s a Superman comic beyond most of our price range!
A pristine copy of “Superman” No. 1 sold for $9.12 million at Heritage Auctions on Thursday, making it the most expensive comic book ever sold at auction. The closing price smashed the record previously set by another Superman-related comic, a copy of “Action Comics” No. 1, which sold for $6 million through Heritage Auctions in 2024.
The first issue of “Superman” was among a small trove of comic books found by three brothers in Northern California who were sorting through their late mother’s belongings. The collection had been tucked under a pile of old newspapers and cobwebs in the attic of their family home, according to a press release from Heritage Auctions.
The copy of “Superman” No. 1 was graded 9.0 on a 10-point scale by the Certified Guaranty Company (CGC), a third-party service that authenticates and grades collectibles, including comics, trading cards and video games. It’s the highest-ever graded copy of the 1939 comic book. (That newspapers helped preserve the comic’s condition would make reporters Lois Lane and Clark Kent proud.)
Superman made his comic book debut in 1938 in “Action Comics” No. 1. The anthology comic is often credited as kicking off the superhero genre in comics. The popularity of the Man of Steel — created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster — led to the launch of his own comic book series in 1939.
In addition to the launch issue of “Superman,” the mother’s comic book collection included issues of “Action Comics” Nos. 9, 12, 15, 18 and 21.
According to Heritage Auctions, this copy of “Superman” No. 1 is one of just seven known copies with a CGC grade of 6.0 or higher. A CGC graded 8.0 copy of “Superman” No. 1 sold for $5.3 million in 2022.
Sherrie Hewson has revealed which of her Loose Women co-stars jokingly kicked her under the table when she recently went back to the ITV chat show panel after almost a decade away
Loose Women’s Sherrie Hewson reveals which of her co-stars ‘kicked’ her under the table(Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Sherrie Hewson has claimed that a Loose Women star kicked her under the table. The actress spent more than a decade on the panel of ITV’s lunchtime panel show, putting the world to rights alongside other long-serving stars such as Jane McDonald, Carol McGiffin, and Denise Welch, amongst a whole host of other familiar television faces. The actress, 75, was probably best known for starring as Maureen Holdsworth on Coronation Street in the late 1990s when she landed the job, and was yet to experience further success as hotelier Joyce Temple-Savage on the sunny sitcom Benidorm.
The former Emmerdale star announced in 2016 that she would be stepping down from the panel after a total of 13 years on air, having worked alongside anchors such as Andrea McLean, Carol Vorderman and Kate Thornton, and had appeared in more than 800 episodes by the time she left.
She has now claimed that while she did have intense debates with co-stars like Janet Street-Porter, everything was normally okay once the cameras stopped rolling, but she returned a few months ago for a guest appearance and was ‘kicked’ under the table by one long-serving star in particular.
She said: “I don’t recall anyone back then being offended by what we said or did. Nobody was rude. Yes, we had rows. I had awful ding-dongs with Janet Street Porter – I’d tell her to shut up because I thought she was talking rubbish. But we’d both end up laughing and thinking it was very funny. She was talking rubbish – and maybe I was, too!
“But you have rows and you make up – that’s life! It was never about deliberately creating an argument for the sake of it, like you get on some shows. I don’t mean about it being horrible and nasty, but like: ‘Do you know what? I don’t agree with you. Let’s agree to disagree’. We all have different opinions. And we should be allowed to say them!
“I went on Loose Women a few months ago and I said something slightly outrageous – can’t remember what it was now – and Coleen [Nolan] kicked me under the table!”
During a chat with The Sun, Sherrie went on to say that she told I’m In The Mood For Dancing songstress to not do that to her, and recalled that Coleen simply replied: “But I like kicking you.” But she insisted that was the “kind of banter” that was needed and insisted that there was “no hard feelings” between herself and the former Dancing On Ice star.
The actress recently spoke out about the much-discussed revival of Benidorm, which initially ran from 2007 until 2018 and also featured the likes of Steve Pemberton, Siobhan Finneran, and Tony Maudsley amongst its stellar cast. Several big-name guest stars also made an appearance over the years, including Dame Joan Collins, Hi-de-Hi legend Su Pollard and the late Cilla Black.
On the subject of a comeback, Sherrie told the Mirror: “We’re always the last to know when it comes to Benidorm! But wouldn’t it be brilliant? It would be fabulous, wouldn’t it? It still gets great ratings you know, I sit and watch it all the time! I don’t know the answer to if it’s coming back but of course I’m up for it.
“I was lucky because Joyce was a brilliantly written part. Derren Litten could really write for women and you can’t say that about a lot of people.
“He wrote that part and it was such an amazing gift. I had so many incredible years on that show – five months in Benidorm every year, you can’t get better than that, can you? I’d jump on the plane now if they were bringing it back.
“We had the likes of Martin Kemp, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Bananarama, and Tony Hadley come out. None of them wanted to go home. Of course I want to do it again, and it’s the same with Corrie. I’d love to link up with Tony Maudsley [George Shuttleworth] who played Kenneth in Benidorm, could you imagine?”
BILLE Piper just celebrated her birthday in style alongside a host of other celebrities, including Fearne Cotton and her new beau.
The actress and former singer turned 43 on Friday night and celebrated the occasion with a joint birthday party thrown for her and her long-time friend, Jeremy Langmead.
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Billie looked super sexy on her birthdayCredit: GettyShe shared the celebrations with her celebrity palsCredit: GettyFearne and her new beau seemed in good spirits at the eventCredit: Getty
The guests of honour gathered together with their pals at Upstairs at Langan’s in London for the do, filled with drinks, laughs and good company.
Billie looked absolutely gorgeous in a daring black minidress.
Floral lace details scattered over the skimpy sheer number covering up her body, though in certain snaps you can see she’s sporting flesh-coloured undergarments and nipple pasties.
Underneath the venue’s warm lighting, embroidered beads sparkled and shone as Billie moved.
She finished off the look by bundling up her auburn tresses into a chic bun and added a matching black choker around her neck.
Meanwhile her friend Jeremy – brand director of luxury men’s fashion retailer Mr Porter – kept things simple yet handsome in a suit and white shirt.
Other famous faces in attendance included Richard Madden, Jenna Coleman, and David Tennant, as well as two of Billie’s sisters – Harley and Elle.
Fearne Cotton, 43, was also spotted enjoying the evening with her new boyfriend, film director Elliot Hegarty.
The couple looked ever so loved up in their matching party outfits, with Fearne donning a navy dress with light blue flowers and Elliot, 53, wearing a navy suit.
They posed for a series of snaps together, all smiles as Elliot’s arm wrapped around Fearne’s waist.
Fearne’s signature blonde hair now features stunning soft brunette highlights, flowing down from her shoulders.
Though blonde money pieces frame her face beautifully.
Fearne and Elliot started dating after Fearne’s marriage from Reef guitarist Jesse Woodended in December of last year.
The pair celebrated with a giant cakeCredit: GettyBillie’s sisters came down for the evening as wellCredit: GettyDouglas Booth, Bel Powley, Richard, Madden, Jenna Coleman and Gemma Chan joined the celebrationsCredit: Getty
They tied the knot over a decade ago in 2014, after three years of dating, and share two children.
Though Fearne quickly found her own happiness post-divorce, being first spotted out and about with Elliot just two months after her life with Jesse came to a close.
