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KIM Kardashian and her sisters got all decked out for the family’s annual Christmas Eve party, and showed off their lavish looks on social media for fans to take in.
Kim Kardashian wore a vintage Mugler gownCredit: Instagram/kimkardashianKendall Jenner channeled Mrs. Clause for her vintage Mugler lookCredit: Instagram/kendalljennerKylie Jenner wore GallianoCredit: Instagram/kyliejennerKhloe Kardashian wore a diamond necklace and earrings with her white gownCredit: Instagram/khloekardashian
Kim, 44, took a sexy selfie video of her skintight silver gown with sparkly black accents that looked like festive garland.
She wore dangly diamond earrings and matching diamond cuff bracelets to accessorize the look.
She topped off her outfit with a high half ponytail.
The breathtaking dress was a 1986 vintage Thierry Mugler.
Hostess Kendall chose an all-white vintage Mugler look with matching fur trim.
She showed off her long legs in a very, very short skirt.
In a sexy selfie, she held a glass of red wine.
In a white satin dress and diamond accessories, Khloe, 41, shared some pics of her kids, Tatum and True.
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Kylie, 28, chose a strapless black Galliano gown, and wore her hair in a braided updo.
‘INTIMATE’ BASH
Oldest sister Kourtney, 46, mentioned she attended the party, but didn’t share any photos of her fashion choice.
Momager Kris also kept fans in suspense and kept her looks off camera as of Christmas morning.
However, this year the family decided to keep the party more intimate, claiming Kris’ recent 70th birthday bash took all their energy.
‘We are not doing a big Christmas Eve party this year, because we just had my mom’s huge 70th and we just wanted something more intimate, so we’re doing just family, but of course, we have to still be so dressed up, because that’s what we love to do,” Khloe said.
“And so we are just celebrating the holiday very glam and fab.”
Kendall’s skirt was very, very shortCredit: Instagram/kendalljennerKim looked bustier than ever in her gownCredit: Instagram/kimkardashianKim shared a selfie video from her closetCredit: Instagram/kimkardashianKylie showed off her braided updoCredit: Instagram/kyliejenner
It takes a lot for sweet-tempered 28-year-old Nick Darnell to transform himself into Christmas’ most sought-after sourpuss.
There’s colored contacts and facial prosthetics, a protruding belly and at least an hour of makeup. But for the devout Christian and preternaturally cheerful young actor, the real metamorphosis is psychological.
“People today love to connect with the villain,” said the viral Grinch impersonator. “The world is just a darker world now.”
Darnell called the chartreuse baddie he portrays “the modern-day Santa.”
Dr. Seuss’ holiday parable “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” has been a seasonal favorite since it was published in 1957, ranking among the most popular and profitable of the author’s iconic rhyming picture books.
The story’s sassy, brassy antihero has likewise adorned Christmas trees and school library shelves for generations. His hornlike fur forelocks and pathological refusal to assimilate have led some critics to call the Grinch ambiguouslyantisemitic, but those concerns have largely been glossed over by years of nostalgia.
Experts say 2025 heralds the Grinch’s ascent from Yuletide bit player to Christmas A-lister. He now crowds out Kris Kringle in store displays, social media feeds and holiday meet-and-greets.
Unlike Santa, who ho-ho-hos his way through the holiday season, Grinches twerk and pout and scream in kids’ faces. Compilations of their antics on YouTube and TikTok routinely rack up millions of views.
“I do the things that people think,” Darnell said of the role. “I’m not restrained.”
Despite the Grinch’s anti-consumerist zeal, the market for his visage has exploded in recent years.
Target touts its “Grinchmas,” while Walmart has “WhoKnewVille.” McDonald’s sells Grinch fries, Starbucks features a “secret menu” frappuccino. Hanna Andersson, a popular purveyor of holiday pajamas, boasts roughly a dozen different Grinch patterns, compared to three Hanukkah options and just one Santa design in two colorways.
“I’m not restrained,” Grinch impersonator Nick Darnell, 28, says of his role.
(Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Ownership of the Grinch’s likeness is guarded as jealously as the villain protects his lair: Dr. Seuss Enterprises holds the rights to the children’s book, Warner Bros. Discovery the 1966 animated TV special, and Universal Studios the 2000 live-action Jim Carrey film, which ranks among the highest-grossing Christmas movies of all time.
But impersonators, academics and even working Santas agree: Americans’ embrace of the Grinch in 2025 goes far beyond consumerism.
“It’s definitely more popular,” said ‘Santa’ Ed Taylor, the famed Los Angeles Santa behind the Worldwide Santa Claus Network, a training camp for the art of Christmas cheer. “It’s a little yin and yang. Maybe we need a little bit of both.”
Costume companies across Los Angeles say they’ve seen a deluge of demand for the Grinch this year. At Etoile Costume & Party Center in Tarzana, nearly half of Christmas costume rentals are now furry green villains.
“It’s about equal to Santa,” one employee said. “Maybe 40% Grinch and the rest Santa.”
Ryan Ortiz, dressed in a Grinch costume, stands next to his 1969 Volkswagen Bus in San Diego on Dec. 21.
(K.C. Alfred / The San Diego Union-Tribune via Getty Images)
Fans of the hirsute sourpuss seek him out for his in-your-face edge — the opposite of Santa’s remote joviality. Santa enforces his regime of goodness through lists and surveillance. The Grinch will get in your face and yell at you to shut up.
“[Santa]’s supposed to be mysterious and unknown,” said Darnell’s fiancee JadaPaige. “He’s supposed to just come in the night and you’re never supposed to see him.”
“I grew up obsessed with Santa Claus — I did not grow up obsessed with the Grinch,” Darnell said. “I was the kid waiting up in the middle of the night, peeking, wondering if Santa’s down there. A lot of modern day kids aren’t having that journey.”
Instead, many Gen Alpha youths look to the Grinch for his views on “corruption or poverty or the oversaturation of commercialism,” Darnell said.
“Santa is looked at more like a godly figure, while the Grinch is a more everyday man,” the actor explained. “The world is so sinister and negative. [The Grinch] tells you how it is, rather than telling you everything is going to be fine.”
TikTok turbocharged that trend, with the infamous green meanie matching or beating his red rival in holiday clout.
Grinch impersonator Nick Darnell said the character he plays has become popular because, “He has aura.”
(Christina House/Los Angeles Times)
Today’s professional Santas are often retirees with a bit of a belly and some time on their hands. Grinches, by contrast, are more likely to be working actors like Darnell, who look reverently to Carrey’s performance as a blueprint for the character’s slapstick antics and snarky reads.
Still, experts say the Grinch’s 2025 glow-up likely owes as much to holiday exhaustion and broad consumer pessimism as it does vertical video virility.
“The Grinch is the opposite side of Christmas,” said Oscar Tellez, who owns Magic Dream Costumes and Party Rentals in East Los Angeles and says he’s seen a spike in Grinch requests even as overall holiday rentals have sagged.
“Especially with the Latino community, I don’t think they feel the enthusiasm to celebrate,” Tellez said. “They are more worried about what’s gonna happen next.”
Pop culture experts agreed.
“The economy is in big trouble, our political situation is chaotic, there’s a lot of hate — it’s no wonder that we would seek to express that through the embodiment of a monster like the Grinch,” said Michael M. Chemers, director of the Center for Monster Studies at UC Santa Cruz.
“You’ve seen these nativity displays popping up all over the country that have the Jesus figures removed and it says ‘ICE was here,’ ” he added. “I think there’s just a lot of Grinchy feeling right now in the world.”
Chemers and other scholars say the emergence of the Grinch as a foil to Santa is less a departure than a return to form: the Grinch is a “PG version” of the mythical Krampus, a shaggy, fork-tongued Germanic goat man who beats and even abducts naughty children, working as an enforcer for Father Christmas.
An “organillero,” or traditional street musician, dressed as the anti-Christmas character known as the Grinch plays on a central street in Mexico City on Dec. 9.
(Yuri Cortez/AFP via Getty Images)
“He’s been called the Christmas devil,” said Jeff Belanger, author of “The Fright Before Christmas,” a compendium of so-called “Yuletide monsters.”
“[Krampus] represented the consequence of bad behavior, while St. Nick rewards good behavior,” he said.
Krampus likely evolved from older, pre-Christian deities, just as Christmas absorbed solstice and midwinter customs, the author explained. The Christmas most Americans grew up with only emerged as a national holiday in the wake of the Civil War, he said, about a decade after the formal introduction of Thanksgiving in 1863. It was around this time that Christmas trees became popular in the United States.
“In 1867, Charles Dickens came over to Boston and that’s when he read his ‘Christmas Carol’ for the first time in America,” spurring President Ulysses S. Grant to declare Christmas a federal holiday, Belanger said. “It was truly on the back of that story.”
The holiday’s corpulent, white-bearded dandy arrived even later, his schmaltzy persona skimmed from bony St. Nicholas between Reconstruction and 1931, when Coca-Cola debuted its iconic, brandy-flushed Santa Claus.
“That’s when Christmas turned purely commercial, and there was no room for consequences anymore,” Belanger said.
Seuss’ Grinch sits somewhere in the middle — cuddlier than Krampus and pricklier than Santa — making him the perfect avatar for a moody, uncertain age.
Workers check Grinch inflatables ready for export at a factory in Suixi County in central China’s Anhui Province on March 19.
(Wan SC/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Grinch boosters point out that the villain repents and reforms at the end of the story, shedding his pathological hatred of Christmas.
“I always tell people, ‘Don’t you just love how his heart grew three sizes?’ ” Taylor, the famous Santa, said of his increasingly popular crossover events.
Others note that it’s never the repentant Grinch who marauds through schools and holiday parades or blows up on social media.
“Once he’s rehabilitated, he’s no fun anymore,” Chemers said.
That makes it hard for the holiday villain to visit sick kids in the hospital, as legions of Santas do every year, or comfort children who confide in him about bullying.
“The message is one of encouragement and positivity and acknowledgment of accomplishments and encouragement to strive harder,” Taylor said. “It’s these beautiful personal development messages that Santa gets to be the conduit for.”
The Grinch, by contrast, can affirm where you are, without ever asking you to be better.
“He can hear you and know what you’re thinking, because he has the same thoughts,” Darnell said of his beloved version of the character. “People want to know his heart and his mind, and that’s something they wouldn’t be able to ask Santa.”
RYAN Thomas has admitted he almost dumped fiancé Lucy Mecklenburgh after “self sabotaging” during the early stages of their relationship.
The pair are engaged and share two children now but the former Coronation Street star has revealed it all nearly didn’t happen.
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Ryan Thomas has admitted he nearly dumped Lucy MecklenburghCredit: Instagram/@thethomasfamThe pair opened up about their relationship on The Thomas Bros podcastCredit: Instagram/@thethomasfam
The two first met on The Island with Bear Grylls before coming back to the UK and going on proper dates.
On the latest episode of his podcast with his brothers Adam and Scott, The Thomas Bros, the trio were joined by Lucy and Adam’s wife Caroline.
Talk soon turned to Ryan and Lucy’s relationship as they recalled what happened right at the beginning of their blossoming romance.
Love Island star Scott began: “Ryan asked you to be his girlfriend…”
Lucy added: “On our first date yeah,” as Ryan jumped in: “But wait wait we’d been on an island for a month.”
Scott interjected: “No no wait but how did it… this is cringing me out.”
Lucy continued: “Well we’ve known each other for like two months, we’d been on the island for a month together.”
“Did you not say ‘Are we official?’, Scott asked as Ryan said: “I would never say that I’m old school.”
Former TOWIE star Lucy then dropped: “It gets worse. He later on told me he was meeting me, because I was working in Manchester, meeting me to say “No, no I’m not interested.’
Ryan interrupted to say: ‘I was just a bit like… ugh I dunno I just found it a bit unattractive that someone actually liked me and once I got them I was like “No it’s not for me.”‘
“Then when I went to meet her…”, he added, as Lucy said: “It’s mad isn’t it.”
Clarifying what he was intending to do, Scott exclaimed: “So you were going to break it off and then you saw her.”
Ryan divulged: “And she looked incredible. And she was like super cool and we had this kiss in the car, yeah in Adam’s car.
“I don’t know why you had your shoes off… but your foot were on the dashboard. And I went ‘Yeah I’m in.’”
The couple got engaged back in June 2019 while on holiday in Italy together.
They welcomed son Roman into the world in March 2020 before having daughter Lilah Rae two years later.
Ryan is also dad to singer and Waterloo Road star, Scarlett Thomas, who he shares with ex Tina O’Brien.
Speaking on the podcast, he expressed: “We got to the hotel, lovely room, went for dinner in this beautiful new restaurant overlooking the whole of Manchester.
‘It just slowly, I just started to feel it bubbling.
“And every time a conversation come up, it was a debate, right, rather than conversation it was like, you just felt the energy was all off.
“I thought she’s gone to the toilet, 10 minutes has passed, 15 minutes has passed, half an hour passed!
“And I was still sat there. So I text her and said ‘long toilet break’.
“I rang her, and it went boom down, I rang her again, and it went down, and then I was like okay, so she’s not coming back.”
The couple got engaged back in 2019Credit: SplashThey share children Roman and Lilah-Rae togetherCredit: Getty
This year alone, Hallmark has 80 hours of original holiday-themed programming, including two unscripted series, two scripted series, a holiday special and 24 movies with titles such as “The Snow Must Go On” and “Christmas at the Catnip Cafe” that run from mid-October to Christmas.
The company also has branched out into the experiences business with a Hallmark Christmas Cruise and the Hallmark Christmas Experience festival in Kansas City, Mo., where the company is based.
“I think that’s one of the most brilliant business decisions they’ve made, and they’re expanding there because they have to,” Anjali Bal, associate professor of marketing at Babson College, said of Hallmark’s experiences business. “It allows a connection between the consumer and the brand on a direct level in a way a movie can’t provide.”
It may seem like a far cry from Hallmark’s roots as a greeting card purveyor, but company executives say the holiday feelings evoked by its cards, ornaments and gift wrap translate into the type of content they produce.
And that plethora of content has turned Hallmark into a Christmas juggernaut, fueling competitors such as Lifetime and Netflix, which also produce holiday romantic comedies in the vein of Hallmark movies.
But Darren Abbott, Hallmark’s chief brand officer, doesn’t seem overly concerned.
“There’s a reason everyone else is trying to do this, and it’s because consumers are looking for this,” he said.
Hallmark’s legacy is rooted in celebrating holidays and Christmas, he said, “and no other business or brand has that.”
Countdown to Christmas
Founded in 1910 by an 18-year-old entrepreneur hawking postcards, Hallmark built its brand over the years through cards, holiday ornaments and retail stores.
The family-owned business ventured into entertainment in 1951 with the television presentation Hallmark Hall of Fame. Today, Studio City-based Hallmark Media operates three cable networks, including the Hallmark Channel, which debuted in 2001, as well as a subscription streaming service.
Though Hallmark had aired holiday movies practically since the inception of its cable channel, the company doubled down on the season in 2009, rolling out “Countdown to Christmas,” a 24-hour-a-day programming block focused solely on holiday content, a tradition that has lasted for 16 years.
Hallmark produces about 100 movies a year, both holiday and non-holiday films.
As a privately-held company, Hallmark did not disclose its finances, though executives acknowledge the holiday season is a key driver of entertainment revenue.
The expansion into entertainment is a way for Hallmark to stay in the zeitgeist over multiple generations and to diversify its business beyond just cards and retail products, analysts said.
“Their television stations and experiences business allows them to stay culturally relevant while staying true to their origin,” said Bal, the marketing professor.
Holiday programming — and the breezy, romantic fare Hallmark has become known for — has become increasingly popular with audiences.
Holiday features, both old movies and new, typically make up more than a third of total movie viewing time in December, according to U.S. television data from Nielsen. That percentage has remained fairly consistent for the last three years, though it reached 42% in December 2021.
Hallmark’s television viewership also edges up in the months leading into the holidays. In October, Hallmark commanded 1% of total viewership across linear TV and streaming, ticking up to 1.2% in November, according to Nielsen data. During that same time, competitor A&E, which owns Lifetime, remained constant at 0.9%.
Hallmark’s feel-good movies typically resonate with audiences across the country. They invariably conclude with happy endings (and at least one kiss), where romantic misunderstandings, financial difficulties and family drama all get resolved. After years of criticism, the movies’ casts and plot lines are diversifying, though experts say there is still room for improvement.
“These films are designed to be highly appealing to broad audiences,” said Kit Hughes, associate professor of film and media studies at Colorado State University, who watched every single Hallmark film released in 2022 for research on the portrayal of small business owners. “They’re good consensus movies.”
To grow its audience and the types of stories it tells, Hallmark has increasingly turned to brand partnerships, including with the NFL.
Last year, the company released a movie centered around a Kansas City Chiefs romance; this year, it released one about Buffalo Bills fans. Hallmark also has a partnership with Walt Disney Co. to release a holiday movie next year set at Walt Disney World. The film stars Lacey Chabert, who Abbott describes as Hallmark’s “Queen of Christmas.”
Meeting Hallmark stars on cruise ships
Hallmark’s foray into the cruise business might seem odd, but it follows a long tradition of entertainment companies creating real-world experiences with their fans, whether that’s on a ship, in a theme park or on a stage. As part of its massive tourism business, Disney operates its own line of cruise ships that promote the company’s classic characters.
Hallmark launched its first “Hallmark Christmas Cruise” last year on Norwegian Cruise Lines. The inaugural cruise from Miami to the Bahamas sold out even before a planned TV marketing campaign. After racking up a wait list of 70,000 people, Hallmark had to add a second cruise, Abbott said.
For this year’s cruise, from Miami to Cozumel, Mexico, Hallmark had to book a bigger ship to accommodate demand. During the November cruise, attendees participated in various Christmas festivities, such as ornament-making workshops and cookie-decorating, and mingled with Hallmark stars in various on-stage games.
The cruises even spawned an unscripted Hallmark show focused on the experiences of several attendees and their interactions with Hallmark actors.
Many are not exactly household names, but they’ve starred in dozens of Hallmark holiday movies over the years and have loyal fan bases.
Abbott joined the cruise last year, and while he’s not a “cruise person,” he said he was fascinated to see how guests interacted with the stars.
“We’re a bit of a respite from what’s going on in the world right now,” he said, “and these experiences sort of hit on that at the right time and the right place.”
Are you a true fan of the fan-favourite sitcom set to make a striking comeback this Christmas or just another Scrappy Doo? Take the 30-question quiz below to find out!
Larry as Mick with the award-winning cast of Gavin & Stacey (Image: Tom Jackson/PA Wire)
It wouldn’t be Christmas Day without a fun family quiz, and this Gavin and Stacey game will really put your sitcom knowledge to the test. Whether you’re competitive or just having a bit of fun, it’s a good way to get the family together today.
Penned by Ruth Jones and James Corden – who portray the love-hate relationship of Nessa Jenkins and Neil ‘Smithy’ Smith – the popular show returned to our screens last Christmas after five years since the suspenseful ending where Nessa proposed to Smithy on one knee.
So how well-versed are you in the popular telly show? Put your knowledge to the test with our ultimate Gavin and Stacey quiz….
Question – 1 of 29
Score – 0 of 29
Gavin and Stacey quiz – What is Smithy’s favourite service station?
This article contains spoilers for the Season 1 finale of Apple TV’s “Pluribus.”
Fellow misanthropes, Season 1 of “Pluribus” is done. Now what do we do, other than lean into our usual harsh judgment and mistrust of others?
Our spirit series left us wondering who or what will put the final nail in humanity’s collective coffin: an alien virus or a malcontent with an atomic bomb. As for saving everyone? Cranky protagonist Carol Sturka (Rhea Seehorn) struggled to find ways to preserve the human race for much of the series, but by the finale, she was fairly convinced that the planet would be better off without us.
For those of you who haven’t kept up with the best show on television this year, Carol’s among 13 people left on Earth who are immune to an alien virus that’s otherwise fused all of humanity’s consciousness together into one blissful hive mind. Now everyone thinks alike and has the same knowledge base, which means TGI Fridays waiters can pilot passenger planes and children can perform surgeries. No one is an individual anymore. They simply occupy the body formerly known as Tom or Sally or whomever. “Us” is their chosen pronoun.
This army of smiling, empty vessels just wants to please Carol — until they can turn her into one of them. Joining them will make her happy, she’s told. It’s a beautiful thing, having your mind wiped. But the terminally dissatisfied Carol would rather stew in her own low-grade depression and angst that forfeit her free will. Plus, her ire and rage is kryptonite against those who’ve been “joined.” When confronted with her anger, they physically seize up and stop functioning. Their paralyzing fear of Carol’s ire is empowering, pathetic and hilarious. The world literally comes to a standstill when she snaps. No wonder she’s my hero.
“Pluribus” comes from Vince Gilligan, the same brilliant mind behind “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” The Apple TV series is nothing like his previous successes except that it’s set in Albuquerque, stars Seehorn and is singularly brilliant. And like those other seminal dramas, it plumbs deeper questions about how we see ourselves, who we really are and who we strive to be.
To be fair, Carol was irritated by the human race long before the alien virus converted them into worker bees. She was convinced most people were sheep — including those who loved the flowery writing and cheesy romance plots of her novels. But the the total loss of a free-thinking community isn’t all that satisfying, either.
In the finale, she connects with Manousos Oviedo (Carlos-Manuel Vesga), a fellow survivor who’s also immune to the virus. He wants nothing to do with the afflicted, no matter how peace-loving they appear. In the before times, it appears he was a self-sufficient loner. Postapocalypse, he travels all the way from Paraguay to meet Carol after he receives a video message from her. He drives most of the way before arriving at the treacherous Darién Gap, where he’s sidelined after falling into a thorny tree — but “they” save him, much to his chagrin. He eventually continues the journey, via ambulance.
Now saving the human race is up to two people who never had much love for it in the first place. They converse through a language translation app, which makes their arduous task all the more complicated — and hilarious.
Multiple theories have sprung up around what “Pluribus” is really about. One prevailing thought is that “the joining” is a metaphor for AI creating a world where all individual thought and creativity are synthesized into a single, amenable voice. Surrender your critical thinking for easy answers, or in the case of “Pluribus,” an easy life where you’ll never have to make a decision on your own again. Most humans would rather be a doormat than a battering ram, regardless of the urgency or circumstance.
Optimists might say, “Why pick one extreme or the other? There’s surely a place in the middle, where we can all live in harmony while holding onto our opinions and sense of self.” That’s sweet. Carol and I heartily disagree given the arc of history and all.
Just how my favorite new antihero will deal with her disdain for the Others is yet to be seen. Save the world or destroy it? We’ll all have to wait until next season to find out. Until then, “Pluribus” just needs some space.
Pat Finn, a veteran comedy actor known for playing the Heck family’s friendly neighbor Bill Norwood on “The Middle,” died Monday, reportedly following a three-year battle with cancer. He was 60.
“After a beautiful life filled with laughter, love, family, and friends, we share the heartbreaking news of the death of Pat Finn,” Finn’s family said in a statement to multipleoutlets. Finn’s manager, Andrea Pett-Joseph, who described the actor as “the kindest, most joyful person in any room, told Deadline that he died surrounded by his family and friends. His death was first reported by TMZ.
Finn broke into show business in the 1990s, appearing in various sitcoms. His first major role was on “The George Wendt Show,” where he played Dan Coleman, the brother of Wendt’s character, George Coleman. He also had a recurring role on “Murphy Brown” as Phil Jr., the son of the original owner and bartender of Phil’s Bar (portrayed by Pat Corley) who took over the establishment in later seasons.
”Seinfeld” fans might remember Finn from his role as Joe Mayo in “The Reverse Peephole” episode. He also portrayed alternate-universe Monica’s boyfriend Dr. Roger in a couple of episodes of “Friends.” Finn’s credits also included roles on “The Drew Carey Show,” “3rd Rock From the Sun,” “That ’70s Show,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “The Bernie Mac Show,” “2 Broke Girls” and “The Goldbergs.” His most recent credits included the films “Unexpected” (2023) and “Diamond in the Rough” (2022).
Born in Evanston, Ill., Finn attended Marquette University in the 1980s, where he met his future wife, Donna, and Chris Farley, with whom he became friends. After graduating, Finn, along with Farley, joined Chicago’s Second City to hone his comedy chops.
In a 2022 interview published on Phoenix.org, Finn said he’d always gravitated toward comedy.
“My mom and I watched ‘The Carol Burnett Show’ and ‘The Odd Couple,’” he said. “I really liked the idea of sitcoms. Growing up in Chicago, nobody said they wanted to be an actor. They wanted to be firefighters or in sales. … A career in comedy didn’t become a reality until I was picked up by The Second City and then the main stage.”
According to a statement provided to the New York Post, Finn was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2022. Although he went into remission, the cancer later returned and metastasized.
A lifelong Bears fan, Finn “often showed the biggest signs when the Bears scored a touchdown” in his final days, the statement from the actor’s family said. “No pressure Bears — just saying — do it for Pat.”
Finn is survived by wife Donna and their three children, Cassidy, Caitlin and Ryan.
The 1999 romantic comedy is available to watch on Film 4 this evening
The film has been hailed the blue print for all rom-coms(Image: Press Association)
This much-loved romantic comedy is set to return to our televisions on Film 4 on Christmas Day.
Written by Richard Curtis, and starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, the nineties classic Notting Hill spins the tale of an improbable romance between a British bookshop owner and a world-famous American actress. The film features a fantastic supporting cast including Rhys Ifans, Hugh Bonneville, Emma Chambers, Tim McInnerny and Gina McKee, and remains a favourite for its feel-good factor, nostalgia and unforgettable quotes.
Its award-winning soundtrack, brimming with hits from iconic musicians, perfectly complements this heartwarming narrative. The life of travel bookshop proprietor William Thacker (played by Grant) takes a surprising twist when the beautiful and renowned US actress Anna Scott (portrayed by Roberts) walks into his Notting Hill, London shop to buy a book. Their lives couldn’t be more contrasting – Will, a divorcee, cohabits with his messy Welsh flatmate Spike (Ifans), while Anna stays at the Ritz hotel during her promotional tour for her latest film.
After Anna surprises Will with a kiss, a flirtation develops into a romance, leading her to meet his eccentric circle of friends. However, as in any love story, there are heartbreaking hurdles to surmount, and the couple find themselves separated due to misunderstandings and miscommunication. Packed with iconic one-liners, including the unforgettable “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy”, the film became a runaway hit with both critics and cinema-goers when it premiered in 1999.
The rom-com hauled in £31 million at UK box offices alone, cementing its position as Britain’s biggest-grossing film of the time. The movie garnered numerous awards, including a BRIT Award for its outstanding soundtrack featuring numbers such as Ronan Keating’s When You Say Nothing At All, Elvis Costello’s She, and Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine.
Fans still adore every element of this treasured classic. On Rotten Tomatoes, where it boasts an impressive 84% rating, one critic wrote: “Charming, feel-good romantic comedy that still holds up. Notting Hill has just the right mix of humor, heart, and sincerity. “The chemistry between Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts is natural and warm, and the story – while simple – hits all the right notes. It’s light but not shallow, and there are moments that genuinely stay with you.”
Another admirer suggested it should be considered the definitive romantic comedy template: “Expertly written and brilliantly directed!” they said. “Classic that should be a sort of ‘model’ for love stories. With Roberts and Grant in the lead, what could go wrong hey? Razor sharp wit and spectacular characters, this is a winner.” A third viewer, who admitted they don’t usually gravitate towards romantic films, gave it a glowing five-star rating and remarked: “Not a rom-com type but this really worked for me. The two leads were superb / It’s perfect… one of the best rom coms of all time.”
Notting Hill is on Film 4 at 11.15pm on Christmas Day.
BBC thriller The Night Manager is set to return to screens after its successful debut back in 2016
BBC thriller The Night Manager is set to return to screens for its second season.
Based on the characters created by John le Carré, the series followed Jonathan Pine, a night manager of a luxury hotel in Cairo and a former British soldier, who was recruited by the manager of a Foreign Office task force to infiltrate the inner circle of a dangerous arms dealer.
The show won multiple BAFTAs, Emmy Awards, and Golden Globes, including Best Actor for Tom Hiddleston as Pine.
Almost ten years after its explosive finale captivated over ten million viewers, the hit BBC spy thriller is now back with a bang as Pine takes on an explosive new case.
The official synopsis teases: “Jonathan Pine thought he’d buried his past. Now living as Alex Goodwin – a low-level MI6 officer running a quiet surveillance unit in London – his life is comfortingly uneventful.
“Then one night, a chance sighting of an old Roper mercenary prompts a call to action and leads Pine to a violent encounter with a new player: Colombian businessman Teddy Dos Santos.
“On this perilous new journey, Pine meets Roxana Bolaños, a businesswoman who reluctantly helps him infiltrate Teddy’s Colombian arms operation. Once in Colombia, Pine is plunged deep into a deadly plot involving arms and training of a guerrilla army.”
The logline concludes: “As allegiances splinter, Pine races to expose a conspiracy designed to destabilise a nation. And with betrayal at every turn, he must decide whose trust he needs to earn and how far he’s willing to go before it’s too late.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the BBC thriller’s return, including release date, cast, and episode details.
When will The Night Manager be released?
The first episode of season two is set to premiere on BBC One on Thursday, January 1 at 9pm. The new series will then be available to stream on Prime Video from January 11.
Who is in the cast of The Night Manager?
Tom Hiddleston returns as former British intelligence operative, Jonathan Pine, with Diego Calva as Teddy, and Camila Morrone as Roxana. They are joined by Indira Varma as Mayra, Paul Chahidi as Basil, and Hayley Squires as Sally.
Olivia Colman reprises her role as Angela Burr, alongside returning cast members Alistair Petrie as Sandy Langbourne, Douglas Hodge as Rex Mayhew, Michael Nardone as Frisky, and Noah Jupe as Daniel Roper.
The cast and creatives have promised “danger, espionage, betrayal, love, heartbreak, drama, and suspense” in the next chapter of Pine’s story.
How many episodes are in The Night Manager?
The Night Manager season two consists of six hour-long episodes. After the first episode premieres on New Year’s Day, the drama will continue three days later on Sunday, January 4 at 9pm on BBC One.
The following four episodes will air every Sunday at 9pm, with the explosive finale expected to air on February 1.
For international viewers, the first three episodes will drop on Prime Video on Sunday, January 11, with subsequent instalments premiering every Sunday through to February 1.
The Night Manager season 2 premieres on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 9pm on Thursday, January 1
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website
The 50-year-old has opened up about her impressive transformation
Alison Hammond(Image: Kate Green, Getty Images for the NTA’s)
Alison Hammond has worked hard to lose weight after being given some scary health news. The TV presenter made two huge lifestyle swaps, which led to remarkable results both inside and outside her body, helping her discover ‘new love’.
Aside from losing an impressive 11 stone, the beloved TV host known for her work on programmes like ITV’s This Morning and Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off also managed to ‘reverse’ her prediabetic condition through dedication and determination.
The 50-year-old first earned public fame during a brief appearance on Big Brother back in 2002. Alison stepped into the famous house at just 22 years old, and her brief fifteen days on the reality show led to a successful TV career that has spanned decades.
In recent years, the presenter has slimmed down and achieved an incredible 11 stone loss with the help of a personal trainer. However, alongside her fitness regime, she cut out two key items from her diet after receiving a prediabetic diagnosis.
Speaking to Women’s Health, she said: “My mum had Type 2 diabetes and she was worried for me, so when I then found out that I was pre-diabetic, that was frightening. I thought ‘I have to be an adult about this’. The sweets had to stop, and the fatty foods.”
Alison, who weighed 28 stone at her heaviest, maintains her fitness by working with her personal trainer twice weekly and keeps weights in her bedroom for additional workouts. She said: “I try to vary it so it’s not the same every day.
“If I miss a session or two with my trainer, I notice it. That kick you get out of the way you feel is so good.” Following a complete lifestyle transformation, according to a previous report by Surrey Live, the TV star revealed she’s no longer prediabetic.
She said: “Because my body’s working properly, I can allow myself a bit of sugar here and there. I love my new shape and although I still have areas I’m conscious of, such as my arms and tummy, it’s great being able to wear things I would never have been able to before. I mean, look at me, I’m a bombshell.”
What is prediabetes?
Diabetes UK reports that people may be classed as being pre-diabetic if their blood sugars are “higher than usual, but not high enough to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes”. It added that, for those who catch this condition before it gets over the limit, people can reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes, and it may be possible to prevent or delay the condition from developing.
Prediabetes doesn’t have any symptoms. If you start to have any of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, it means you have probably already developed it. Diabetes UK shared a list of signs people may want to look out for, including:
going to the toilet more often, especially at night
feeling more tired than usual
losing weight without trying
genital itching or thrush
cuts and wounds taking longer to heal
blurred vision
feeling extremely thirsty
Diabetes UK claimed that there are an estimated 6.3 million people at an increased risk of type 2 diabetes in the UK based on blood sugar levels. Specialists believe that 1.3 million people are currently living with type 2 diabetes but are yet to be diagnosed
As Celia and Ray’s plans for April become clear, Emmerdale teases a sad twist for the teenager and a gunshot drives fans to fear the worst for two of the soap’s most beloved characters
For months, fans have watched as crime duo Celia (Jaye Griffiths) and Ray (Ray Absolom) have manipulated troubled teen April (Amelia Flanagan) into working for their drug ring and prostitution network.
Though April seemed to have gained some distance from the pair in recent weeks, tonight’s episode saw Celia issue a terrifying ultimatum.
The criminal mastermind met April in a cafe, where the youngster said she would start working for Celia again if she stopped blackmailing her father, Marlon Dingle (Mark Charnok) ,alone.
But Celia had other ideas. She told April that she and Ray would be leaving the Dales soon to start up their business somewhere new – and that April would have to come with them, or else.
Celia told April she would need her answer by the end of the following day. When April pointed out this was Christmas, Celia, the village’s resident Scrooge, said: “What difference does that make?”
April is not the only character fans fear will be leaving the soap. Elsewhere in tonight’s episode, Aaron Dingle (Danny Miller) and Robert Sugden (Ryan Hawley) were left fearing for their lives after Kev Townsend (Chris Coghill) took a shot at them… literally.
Evil Kev, who fans have deemed as “psychotic”, has been stalking the couple and is clearly not over Rob choosing to be with Aaron instead of him. While Rob and Aaron were busy affirming their love for each other, Kev ruined the happy moment by aiming a rifle at them from the shadows. Thankfully, he hit a post behind Rob rather than either of the love birds.
Though the police said it must have been poachers, Rob and Aaron knew the truth, especially after they received an envelope with Kev’s wedding ring and a bullet inside it.
Fans were horrified by the danger Rob and Aaron are in and quickly argued the villainous character had lost his mind. One wrote online in all capitals: “Kev U f***ing nutter.” Another added: “Kev is a psycho he needs locking up.”
A third said that they hoped this would show Rob just how “psychotic” Kev was: “Hopefully our boy has realised now there is no reasoning with this crazy psychotic idiot and it’s time to fight back!”
Another felt Kev was now beyond saving. “I can’t see how they can redeem Kev after this…he’s attacked them with a sword, shot at them and that’s just for starters. I really can’t see how ED could keep him after all this.”
Princess Kate and her daughter Princess Charlotte shared a touching moment at the royals’ carol concert, Together At Christmas, that had fans in tears, as Louis stole the show
19:56, 24 Dec 2025Updated 19:57, 24 Dec 2025
The Princess of Wales opens royal Christmas concert with touching duet with Princess Charlotte(Image: Kensington Palace)
The Princess of Wales and her daughter, Charlotte, delighted fans by sharing a. beautiful moment together at the royal carol service. The concert was filmed at the beginning of December but aired on ITV on Christmas Eve.
Opening the concert, Catherine and Charlotte took to the piano together for a song. As a voiceover from the Princess spoke about the meaning of Christmas, a pre-recorded duet with her daughter played.
The mother and daughter played Holm Sound, a 2020 piece of music by Erland Cooper. It was written for the composer’s mother, Charlotte. Cooper hails from the Orkney Islands, and his work is inspired by nature and connection, themes which, according to ITV, are of deep importance to The Princess of Wales.
“Omg! It’s The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte on the piano!” one fan wrote online. Another added: “Aaaw, a mother daughter duet from the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte. How lovely.”
A third said: “The Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte! So beautiful.” Another added: “Princess Charlotte and our beautiful Princess of Wales playing piano together. What a beautiful vision and spoken words – Together at Christmas. Wow.”
One emotional fan particularly loved Catherine’s speech: “What a gorgeous opening, well spoken and incredibly thoughtful. 1st speech I’ve wanted to listen to this festive season. Found myself quite tearful.”
The Royal Family teased Kate and Charlotte’s musical moment before the concert. They posted a teaser of Kate on the piano to Instagram with the caption: “A special duet…” Fans were excited, and many remembered when the princess accompanied Tom Walker on the piano in 2021.
The Princess has been playing the piano since she was a child. Her second public performance came in 2023 when she appeared in a segment of the Eurovision Song Contest’s opening sequence. She has passed on her love of the piano to her daughter.
During the concert, fans also pointed out how lovely it was to see the whole of Kate and Prince William’s family together. “Beautiful images of the Prince & Princess of Wales & their three gorgeous children. What a wonderful example of family unity & love.”
William and Kate have two sons, as well as Charlotte. George is their eldest, and Louis is their youngest. The younger son is known for his tendency to steal the show at big events, with his outgoing and often silly nature.
In 2023, Louis made many smile as he provided some hilarity to the service. During one song, he leaned over and blew out his sister’s candle. Charlotte was left giggling at her brother’s behaviour, as were many fans.
Avicii narrates the film from his perspective and offers insight into his life away from the stage. The documentary also features previously unseen material from the Swedish artist’s life and conversations with his collaborators, including Coldplay’s Chris Martin.
The Stockholm-born sensation ruled the EDM world during the 2010s with number-one anthems like Wake Me Up and Levels. However, he battled health and substance abuse issues away from the spotlight, reports the Daily Record.
Audiences were moved by the film at the time of its release, with many urging others to tune in. On X, formerly Twitter, one excited supporter declared: “AVICII’S LAST SHOW AND HIS DOCUMENTARY ARE ON NETFLIX RUUUUUUN.”
Someone else commented: “I have just finished watching ‘I’m Tim’ the new Avicii documentary on Netflix. It was very nicely put together and helps show the true genius and character of Tim Bergling. I recommend checking it out” whilst a third shared: “Avicii doc on Netflix… A must-watch.”
Another viewer lauded the film, saying: “This Avicii I’m Tim documentary that was just released on Netflix was absolutely incredible.”
Some reflected on the DJ’s personal battles, with one X user stating: “Avicii’s documentary on Netflix is one of the saddest stories I have ever watched.”
Music fans also took to Reddit to commend the documentary, with one admitting: “I really enjoyed the ‘I’m Tim’ documentary. Very well done.
“And to watch the last show after that was…bittersweet. Sad that Tim just wanted to make music and the success of his music became too much for him.”
The film quickly climbed Netflix’s charts when it premiered in December 2024, and it was released alongside a concert special of his final performance in Ibiza, titled Avicii: My Last Show.
The gig took place on 28 August 2016, at the renowned party hotspot, Ushuaïa Hotel. Despite 2016 marking his final live performance, Avicii continued to produce music for another two years before tragically ending his own life in April 2018.
Avicii – I’m Tim and Avicii: My Last Show are streaming now on Netflix. For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.
A report revealed: “The directors believe that the gross core income from royalties, sponsorship and endorsement income will continue to be generated in the immediate future at a satisfactory level.
“The directors use many key performance indicators to monitor the performance of the company. They regard the following as the key financial indicators of performance, all of which can be observed in the attached financial statements.
“The directors’ expect the performance of the company to be comparable in the following year as a result of similar activity within artist sponsorships and royalty distributions.”
Dua Lipa maintains lucrative multi-million dollar deals as a global ambassador for YSL Beauty, along with partnerships with Porsche, Versace, and Puma.
Her media platform Service95, which includes a newsletter, podcast, and book club, has become a core part of her business empire.
Dua, who lives in London, said that her parents’ struggle as immigrants to the UK from Kosovo influence her work ethic.
She said previously: “What’s maybe the immigrant mentality…this thing I have in my head where I know that, if I don’t work hard enough, the rug could just be pulled from under my feet.”
Part of that work ethic is keeping immaculate records and schedules to maintain her sanity.
Dua added: “I don’t even want to show you my phone [calendar], because I’m embarrassed about it, but it’s really down to the minute: where I’m going, what I’m doing: ‘Wake up, glam, prep for podcast.
“I have to watch Succession, so I’ve got to schedule that.”
The couple, who got engaged last Christmas, ranked in the under 40 rich list, which included Louis Tomlinson and Zara McDermott.
They’re on the lookout for a place in the sun – after spending the summer months soaking up the rays in Ibiza.
The star is thought to be worth £130mCredit: Getty
They called on a property expert to tap up a series of very posh holiday homes in Andalusia in southern Spain, with a source telling The Sun: “Dua and Callum are looking for a sunny bolthole to enjoy with their families.
“Their preference has been pretty clear: nice weather and properties that have space.
“They have a man scouting for homes in Portugal and Andalusia, which have amazing weather all-year round.
“The house has to be able to comfortably fit Dua and Callum, as well as their family and friends.
“They also want peace and tranquility, that has been made very clear.
“Dua and Callum have a healthy budget too. They’ve been sent details on properties priced between £3million and £9million and are weighing them up.
“They’ve been shown massive mansions overlooking the sea, as well as a huge retreat in the hills of Marbella.
“Dua and Callum have been spending time looking through all the properties and are expected to put an offer in soon.
They’re really excited about getting a secret bolthole in the sun.”
Fans of the show have been given a ‘Christmas Eve gift’ from the streaming service
Samantha King Content Editor
21:00, 24 Dec 2025
Fans of the Netflix romcom have been given an early Christmas present(Image: Netflix)
Netflix has given fans of its beloved romcom Emily in Paris an early Christmas present just days after the release of the eagerly-awaited fifth season.
In a post to its official social media accounts, Netflix shared a video featuring Lucien Laviscount, who plays Alfie Peterson on the show, dressed in a brown trench coat and holding a number of large white placards while standing in a road. It captioned the clip: “Lucien Laviscount has a Christmas Eve gift for you.”
In a nod to classic Christmas film Love Actually’s placard scene, the star then looks directly into the camera as he reveals what each card says, with every single one bearing a handwritten message.
“Hey beautiful. Can you stop scrolling for a second?” the first reads, as Lucien waves to viewers before revealing a second that says: “Please read everything I’m about to show you in a British accent.”
“The holidays bring lots of feelings. This is your sign to exhale,” reads the third. The message continues: “You are my favorite gift this year. Your smile sparkles brighter than the Eiffel Tower and your lips are made to be under a mistletoe.”
The subsequent cards continue: “Aside from your beauty you are an incredible soul, an incredible mother/daughter/sister/best friend. Your optimism is infectious. It even makes me blush.
“I am proud of you and love how you show up for yourself. You deserve all the love that you abundantly give. happy holidays, I love you.”
Fans were quick to react to the surprise clip, with one commenting: “This is such a charming holiday surprise and definitely the best reason to stop scrolling today.”
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A second fan agreed, adding: “A very on-brand Christmas Eve surprise from Lucien Laviscount, consider this gift happily received,” while a third gushed: “Cheers, Lucien – feeling the holiday warmth now.”
Despite being Emily Cooper’s (Lily Collins) love interest in past seasons of Emily in Paris, Alfie was shown pursuing a connection with her best friend Mindy Chen (Ashley Park) in the latest series which released on December 18.
However, Mindy’s reluctance to go public with their situationship causes the duo to go their separate ways. The synopsis for Season 5 reads: “Now the head of Agence Grateau Rome, Emily faces professional and romantic challenges as she adapts to life in a new city. But just as everything falls into place, a work idea backfires, and the fallout cascades into heartbreak and career setbacks.”
Emily in Paris Season 5 is now streaming on Netflix
Coronation Street icon Carla Connor (Alison King) was revealed to have become a victim of evil Becky Swain on the Christmas Eve episode of world’s longest-running TV soap
21:15, 24 Dec 2025Updated 21:16, 24 Dec 2025
Coronation Street’s Carla Connor has become a victim of kidnap again(Image: ITV)
Having managed to move her way into number six after claiming that a gang was after her, Becky was thrilled when Carla announced last week she was off to the Canary Islands. But in the latest episode if the world’s longest-running TV soap, things took a shocking turn when it was revealed that was not where she had ended up at all.
Before the twist involving Carla came to light, Becky set about taking full advantage of Lisa when they were in the house alone. What started as a massage ended up with the pair heading upstairs. When all was said and done, Becky told Lisa: “I never stopped loving you, you know. We do need to think about…where do we go from here? “
Lisa insisted: “I’ve lost so much trust. I still love Carla too,” and Becky shot back: “Of course. Complicated Carla. I’m not being horrible, but which one of us is here? Carla was just a tourist, and it looks like she heard the bell ring and finally it was time to jump off the bus.”
Later that evening, Lisa voice noted Carla. She said: “It’s Christmas Eve, babe. I can’ stop thinking about you. I want you back in my life and I’m gonna do whatever it takes to get you back. It’s you. And it will only ever be you. I love you. Merry Christmas.” To Lisa’s relief, a message from Carla popped back up almost straight away.
In the very next scene, it turned out that Becky had gone back to her flat, and was texting Lisa herself, from Carla’s phone. This would mean that all of Carla’s social media pictures of herself on a beach were in fact, fake.
Becky threw down the mobile phone, got out of her chair and a terrified Carla appeared on screen, having been bound and gagged. She kicked Carla and coldly said: “Get back in the closet, Carla,” before slamming the door. Fans of the Manchester-based soap will remember that this is not the first time the businesswoman has found herself in this sort of sticky situation.
In 2010, Carla’s now-late husband Tony Gordon returned to Underworld from prison and, seeking revenge, he held Carla hostage along with fellow Street legend Hayley Cropper in the factory as he set it on fire. They both made it out alive, just before the building exploded, but earlier this year, Carla was held hostage by her brother Rob Donovan at number one, who had escaped from prison after almost a decade behind bars for the murder of Tina McIntyre.
Reacting to the latest kidnap twist, fans predicted that even if Carla does manage to make it out of her latest scrape, there will never be a reconciliation between herself and Lisa, and that the policewoman will likely be leaving Weatherfield for good.
One fan wrote on Reddit: “I don’t see a way back for Carla and Lisa at present and more importantly I can’t see a way back for Lisa as a character in 2026 in general and I am someone that actually likes her character.”
Another said: “I said about a month ago Lisa wants her cake and to eat it too and that’s what’s transpired. She’s quite happy to have Becky around and enjoys her being there regardless of Betsy or fake gangs. She was lying to herself saying otherwise at the start. She expected Carla to be fine with that which is just ridiculous.”
My Christmas shopping is done. My annual rewatch of “The Family Stone” is queued up. And our last issue of 2025 is out in the world. Which means it’s time to sign off and start food prep. (I’m doing beef Wellington this year.)
But before I do, I wanted to share stories from this week’s edition of The Envelope, and my thanks to all of you out there for reading. Have a very happy holiday!
The Envelope Directors Roundtable
(Jason Armond / For The Times)
As Rian Johnson said while taping this year’s Envelope Directors Roundtable, filmmakers don’t get many chances to hang out and talk shop — so when they do, it’s always an engaging and illuminating conversation.
Led by moderator Mark Olsen, participants Johnson (“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”), Jon M. Chu (“Wicked: For Good”), Nia DaCosta (“Hedda”), Guillermo del Toro (“Frankenstein”), Mona Fastvold (“The Testament of Ann Lee”) and Benny Safdie (“The Smashing Machine”) shared their unvarnished views on theatrical moviegoing, budgets and artificial intelligence. It’s absolutely worth your time.
And by the by: I’m not sure what The Times’ standard is on the, uh, pungent phrase Del Toro used to describe A.I. during the conversation, so I’ll just say that you can and should see it in all its glory on our Instagram.
‘Roofman’ Is a Christmas Movie
(The Tyler Twins / For The Times)
If you’re looking for a new Christmas movie to watch before Santa squeezes down the chimney tonight, “Roofman” is just the ticket. Like “The Holdovers” last year, Derek Cianfrance’s charming fable about a fugitive (Channing Tatum) who falls for a single mom (Kirsten Dunst) while hiding out in a Toys R Us channels Old Hollywood in a way that can seem sadly out of fashion.
“As we were selling this movie, trying to get it financed, I was pitching it to everyone as a Capra movie and what I kept hearing is, ‘We don’t make those movies anymore,’” as Cianfrance told Kristen Lopez.
Perhaps they should reconsider. Unfairly written off after its $8 million opening weekend in October, “Roofman” went on to gross $34 million worldwide from a slim $19 million budget. Not exactly “Home Alone,” to be sure, but a respectable showing nonetheless — and that’s before its streaming afterlife. And those of us who dearly miss the mid-budget studio movie will take any data we can to show they can still thrive at the right price.
Imax’s banner year
(Robert Alexander / Getty Images)
Speaking of box office, one big bright spot in 2025 was the performance of Imax and other premium formats, which are attracting cinephiles to see movies theatrically, often multiple times, and at a higher price point than the standard movie ticket.
With an estimated $1.2 billion take this year, and a raft of highly anticipated films like Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” slated for 2026, Imax has forged an alliance between our most committed moviegoers and some of our most exciting filmmakers that bodes well for the future of cinemas, writes Daron James.
“Imax superfan Shane Short, who saw ‘Oppenheimer’ 132 times and once sat next to [cinematographer Autumn Durald] Arkapaw during a screening of ‘Sinners,’ says it’s a good thing. ‘What really pulls me into movies is the emotional aspect when connecting with something. For me, it’s hard to get that in a normal theater. Imax is truly the ultimate immersive experience that draws me in.’”
Former Gogglebox and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! star Scarlett Moffatt is among the celebrities taking part in the 2025 Strictly Christmas special – but fans have hit out over her dance past
Scarlett Moffatt has defended her dance past ahead of her Strictly Christmas special performance(Image: INSTAGRAM/scarlettmoffatt)
Scarlett Moffatt has hit back after being accused of cheating in an upcoming Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing. It had previously been revealed that the reality star had attended dance training ahead of taking part in the BBC show.
The TV star – famous for appearing on reality shows including Beauty School Cop Outs,Gogglebox, and I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! – will appear on the festive special, partnered with Vito Coppola. Other stars taking part in the Christmas episode include singers Brian McFadden and Melanie Blatt, Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley aka Fury, EastEnders actor Nicholas Bailey, and comedian Babtunde Aléshé.
But fans were quick to call the 2025 Christmas episode a fix because Scarlett had already enjoyed years of dance training in her youth. Now she has hit back at those claims and insisted her dance days are a long, distant memory.
She told The Sun: “I feel they’ve really hyped me up. I enjoy dancing, but that was when I was a little girl; I’m 35 now. I did dance, but it was so long ago. So I did Old Time and Sequence, which is a bit like ballroom and Latin.”
She continued: “Strictly started when I was 13, and I remember it starting, thinking, ‘oh, this is the coolest thing ever’. When I was little, this sounds so sad, but I used to follow the dancers online. Anton and Erin were doing a show, and at the end of the show, they would teach people how to do a bit of a foxtrot or a bit of a waltz. I went to that when I was eight, and Anton signed a piece of paper which I’ve still got.”
Defending herself further, she added: “That somehow was translated into that I was trained by Anton. Somehow, that’s been twisted, and I am professionally trained by Anton. It’s so funny though, man. You’ve got to laugh, haven’t you?”
Scarlett, however, has previously spoken about her dancing past. She took to Instagram this week to share footage of herself gliding across a ballroom in a dance contest from her past – while adding details about her skills.
She wrote in an accompanying caption on Instagram: “I know I’ll probably never get to dance on the main Strictly series because of my past dance experience when I was a little girl so getting to be part of the Christmas special means everything to me.”
Explaining that dance was something of an escape for her, she continued: “School wasn’t always easy for me, but dance was my safe place. It’s where I found my people, where I felt happiest, and where I could just be me.”
She went on: “Dancing on the Strictly Christmas Special, on Christmas Day, feels like a true bucket-list moment — one of those wishes you make quietly and never really expect to come true. I am so grateful to share this moment with my family, my friends, Vito and everyone watching at home & this will forever be one of the greatest days of my entire life.”
Despite her expectation that she would never be allowed onto the main version of the show, Scarlett was offered the glimmer of hope that one day the BBC might call her up and ask her to return for a true run at winning the glitterball trophy.
Former winner Stacey Dooley defended the TV star, arguing: “Babe, you can ABSOLUTELY do the main series! can’t wait to see u in action!” While professional dancer Karen Hauer wrote: “You’re a star and most importantly you’re a wonderful human. You would be an absolute dream on the main series.”
Other Strictly contestants have been critcised for having dance backgrounds when they have taken part in the show. During the 2025 contest, Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope and Love Island star Amber Davies were singled out for being West End stars – however the show was ultimately won by footballer Karen Carney who went from complete novice to ballroom champion.
The Princess of Wales personally requested compoer Erland Cooper to watch her and Princess Charlotte perform his piece, Holm Sound, at Windsor Castle for tonight’s Together At Christmas on ITV
Princess Charlotte playing the piano with her mum the Princess of Wales as part of the Royal Carols: Together at Christmas concert(Image: Kensington Palace)
The composer behind the piece of music played by the Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte has spoken of his pride of witnessing their “incredible bond”. Kate was joined by her 10-year-old daughter for a special performance to launch her Together at Christmas carol concert broadcast on ITV1 this evening.
She personally requested Erland Cooper to accompany them at Windsor Castle earlier this month as they performed his piece Holm Sound. The award winning composer and producer, from Orkney in Scotland, cited as “one of the most unique, consistently engaging composers of his generation”, is renowned for taking inspiration for his melodic work from nature and connection.
Speaking of his shared passion for the natural world with the princess, who has credited immersing herself in nature as a marker in her recovery from cancer treatment last year, Erland said: “It was such a treat, such a lovely, warm and inviting day to be present with Their Royal Highnesses. It completely took me by surprise. I’m used to rambling around the ruins and brochs of the Orkney Islands, but to go to Windsor Castle itself was a slightly different architectural wonder.”
Erland, 43, wrote his classical piece in 2020 at the height of the coronavirus pandemic, taking inspiration from the wild environment of the Orkney islands. The Princess of Wales, who has played the piano since the age of 10, first wrote to Erland to express her love of his music and thank him for his dedication to promoting the beauty of the natural world through his craft.
Through their exchange of messages, the future queen revealed how she had enjoyed teaching Charlotte his compositions at home, creating a special bond between them. As she planned to create a special moment as part of her fifth annual Together at Christmas carol concert, celebrating hundreds of community heroes at Westminster Abbey, the princess requested to play one of her favourite pieces with her daughter as part of the television on ITV1 on Christmas Eve.
“I’m always in the head and hearts and back gardens of others. I often think, in this case, this little piece of music sort of landed on her shoulder like a bird,” Erland said. “And when you write a piece of music and you share it with the world, you’re sort of letting that out, and you’re letting it go, and you have no idea how far and wide it might fly. So it’s always a great surprise when people write to me or call me, and this was, you know, one of those great surprises. I didn’t expect it at all.”
Describing the moment as “a wonderful bit of serendipity” after originally composing the piece for his mother, Charlotte, Erland said: “We had a very warm, creative conversation earlier in the year, which was lovely, and then it culminated with an invitation to Windsor Castle. The princess asked ‘Would it be okay if we perform this piece of music that we so enjoy together?’
“It was such a lovely request so I said absolutely no problem at all. I was invited to witness this incredible bond between mother and daughter performing together and for that I am so grateful. And there’s a wonderful bit of serendipity as the piece was composed and dedicated to my mum, also called Charlotte, they didn’t know about, that it’s about motherhood, and how family plays such an important role and such a key part to all of this.
“The Princess and I both have a sort of shared love of music that celebrates the natural world and its rejuvenation and the wonder that you know that comes from it. There’s so much joy and warmth and creativity and ideas surrounding those themes.”
Erland, whose work combines field recordings with traditional orchestration and electronic elements, is renowned for burying the only copy of his first classical album as part of the “return to the natural earth” process. In 2021, after deleting all digital copies of his composition, he planted the master tape in peaty soil in Orkney, along with a “cheap violin”, the original score in a biscuit tin and a note to return to sender if it was ever found.
Erland posted clues on his website, but said if no-one found it he would dig it up himself and release the music in 2024, no matter how much the recording had changed. The score was discovered by two fans who found the soggy spool of magnetic tape buried in Stromness and returned it to him.
The record, titled Carve the Runes Then Be Content With Silence, later became a number one classical album, in collaboration with nature, topping the UK official charts in 2024.
Erland added: “I merely tap into the energy of the natural world, and I’m very grateful for it. It is a constant source of inspiration. It’s the life blood of my work. The idea behind my first piece was to compose, decompose, and then recompose. The finished piece would be a collaboration with Mother Nature. We all have this incredible connection to the natural world and I find it so warming that the Princess of Wales has found solace and such comfort in nature.”
On witnessing Kate and Charlotte sharing the stage together for their joint performance, he said: “It was just lovely. I think I was there for a little bit of encouragement. I mean, imagine anybody performing a piece of music in front of a film crew, and then the person who wrote it. Princess Charlotte played beautifully, she really has a wonderful way of playing the lighter notes just beautifully. So we were able to celebrate in that together.
“It’s certainly one of my favorite winter solstice moments. To walk into the Castle, to be greeted by a Steinway grand piano, and then to have a really poignant recital and performance. It was a very special, sort of quiet moment. There’s a power in reaching out to people, and that’s what they did here.”
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 Kerry Wyatt actress Laura Norton has revealed all about her character’s shock wedding to village legend Eric Pollard(Image: ITV)
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.
“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.”
Described as ‘haunting’ and ‘disturbing’ the 12-episode show is certainly not for the faint of heart
Samantha King Content Editor
18:40, 24 Dec 2025Updated 18:44, 24 Dec 2025
The series follows the aftermath of a schoolboy’s disappearance in a forbidden forest(Image: Netflix)
A supernatural horror series on Netflix is winning rave reviews from viewers who are hailing it as ‘perfect’ and ‘disturbing’ – and it boasts a rare 100 per cent Rotten Tomatoes rating.
The Summer Hikaru Died centres around a town still recovering from the disappearance of a young schoolboy, Hikaru (Shuichiro Umeda), who vanishes for a week into a forbidden forest in the mountains. When he returns, it becomes apparent to his best friend Yoshiki (Chiaki Kobayashi) that he has come back fundamentally changed – but by what?
As per Netflix’s synopsis: “Two best friends living in a rural Japanese village: Yoshiki and Hikaru. Growing up together, they were inseparable… until the day Hikaru came back from the mountains, and was no longer himself. Something has taken over Hikaru’s body, memories, feelings… and everything they know begins to unravel.”
As Yoshiki grapples with the grief of his losing his best friend while maintaining a friendship with the shell of him, he finds himself losing grip of his emotions and questioning if he’s truly safe with Hikaru in his life.
The 12-part anime series blends horror with a coming-of-age tale, and many have praised its LGBTQ+ undertones. It is based on a comic of the same name by manga creator Mokumokuren.
At time of writing the Japanese language show has an impressive 100 per cent critics’ score while viewers awarded it a strong 87 per cent, with plenty of praise for the animation style.
One glowing review praising its director read: “Ryohei Takeshita’s direction is something to behold. His masterful orchestration of perspective, textures, and spatial composition is reminiscent of Twin Peaks in its gift for making the ordinary feel faintly poisoned.”
“The Summer Hikaru Died is the perfect series for horror fans to experience a haunting, heartfelt reminder that anime still has the power to surprise, disturb, and move viewers,” another show fan penned, while a third added: “Each episode leaves you with a constant feeling of unease, which doesn’t rely too heavily on jump scares but instead focuses on building tension.”
Tentative anime watchers were reassured by one viewer, who gushed: “This is the most interesting animated series I’ve ever seen. It’s use of animation is so fun and unique, working perfectly in tandem with the surreal plot. The whole tone of the show is spectacular.”
The Summer Hikaru Died is now streaming on Netflix
The limited series is one to binge-watch this Christmas period
For those seeking a break from traditional festive TV, Netflix is currently streaming a tense crime drama that had viewers hooked from the very first scene.
The Glass Dome (or Glaskupan) originally dropped in April and quickly climbed the streaming giant’s most-watched charts, but it may have slipped under your radar.
Set in a small Swedish community, the six-part show follows criminologist Leijla as she sets out to investigate the vanishing of a local girl, in the same town she was once held captive.
The search brings up difficult feelings for Leijla, who still hasn’t discovered the truth behind her own kidnapping. While it sounds like a simple whodunnit drama, the limited series is packed with plot twists that most viewers won’t see coming.
Swedish actress Léonie Vincent leads the show as accomplished career woman Leijla. Viewers first meet the main character while she is working in the United States, before she receives a concerning phone call begging her to return to Sweden.
She’s joined by fellow Stockholm-born actor Johan Hedenberg as her adoptive father Valter, who is also keen to uncover the truth.
A glowing IMDb review from the time of release said: “From the very beginning, it pulls you in with its intense atmosphere and never lets go.
“The plot is packed with brutal and unexpected twists that hit you when you least expect them, and the tension only escalates with each episode.”
The same fan added: “Just when you think you’ve figured it out, everything changes again. It’s unpredictable, addictive, and full of surprises right up to the final scene. If you enjoy clever, suspenseful storytelling, this series is a hidden gem you shouldn’t miss.”
Get Netflix free with Sky
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Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.
This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Stranger Things and The Last of Us.
Someone else raved: “One of those rare thrillers that hooks you from the very first scene. The storyline is well crafted — just when you think you’ve figured out who’s behind the crime, the plot twists and makes you question everything again.
“It’s a true whodunnit that keeps your brain ticking till the very end.”
While another impressed viewer raved on X, formerly Twitter: “Just binged Glaskupan (The Glass Dome) on Netflix and wow, this Nordic thriller had me on edge! Perfect mix of suspense and mystery, after True Detective, Mind Hunter, The Chestnut Man, This one got me. 7/10, Highly recommend!”
Another X user shared: “Y’all… ‘The Glass Dome’ on Netflix was completely wild to me. I swear I didn’t expect that twist. I did not see that s*** coming,” while a third described it as “mind blowing”.
