Awards

Two HumAngle investigations were recognised at the 2025 Excellence in Journalism Awards in West Africa, winning in the health reporting category and placing as first runner-up in sexual and gender-based violence reporting. 

The awards, organised by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), drew 275 entries from across the region and were announced during the Media and Development Conference in Abuja, North Central Nigeria, on Wednesday, November 26. 

The top prize in health reporting went to “Amid Deforestation Scourge, Vanishing Herbal Plants Pose Health Crisis in Southwestern Nigeria”, an investigation by freelance journalist Abdulwaheed Sofiullahi published by HumAngle with support from the Pulitzer Centre. His reporting detailed how worsening deforestation threatens access to traditional medicine for rural Nigerians, deepening risks from malaria, typhoid, and other common illnesses.

Abdulwaheed, who covers environment and health issues for several local and international outlets, urged young reporters to keep pursuing impactful stories as he received his award. He has previously served as a Health Reporting Fellow at the Wits Centre for Journalism in Johannesburg and is a member of the Oxford Climate Society.

HumAngle also earned recognition in the sexual and gender-based violence category, where Managing Editor Hauwa Shaffii Nuhu’s investigation, “A Tragic Femicide Case in Northeastern Nigeria Smells Like Honour Killing”, emerged as first runner-up. 

The story exposed the killing of a young girl by her uncle in Bama, Borno State, revealing the entrenched gender-based violence and systemic failures faced by women and girls in Nigeria’s conflict-affected North East.

Following publication, the investigation generated national attention for its detailed reporting and sensitive narration, prompting authorities to declare the suspect wanted. He has yet to be arrested. 

Hauwa, a conflict reporter with bylines in multiple international publications, documents the human toll of terrorism and insurgency through long-form storytelling and documentary work. She has won several journalism fellowships, including the 2025 FASPE Journalism Fellowship and the 2024 Ochberg Fellowship at the Dart Centre for Journalism and Trauma. She is also a Pulitzer Centre grantee. 

HumAngle’s multiple recognitions underscore the newsroom’s commitment to covering the human cost of conflict and humanitarian crisis, to bear witness and also hold authorities to account, especially in communities frequently missing from mainstream narratives. 

The CJID awards honour impactful journalism across West Africa, with categories spanning investigations, fact-checking, public service reporting, climate journalism, environment, politics, and gender. 

The award’s panel of judges disclosed that the entries were graded for accuracy and fairness, originality and innovativeness of the reporter, depth of research, storytelling, and public impact, as well as adherence to standards of reporting. This year’s finalists included journalists from Nigeria and Ghana.

It’s awards season crunch time, in the sense that I’m crunching in as much work as I can before a Thanksgiving respite — including a guide to some of the highlights from this week’s issue of The Envelope, covered by my profile of Renate Reinsve.

Whether it’s while you smell turkey legs being turned into gravy (i.e., if you’re me as I write this) or as you’re lounging around over the holiday weekend, I hope you’ll dive into the great stories below. And be sure to take a breather from the mayhem in the process. It’s a marathon, not a sprint!

Digital Cover: Ethan Hawke

(Victoria Will / For The Times)

In the years since the Golden Age of TV, it’s not been uncommon for actors to vie for major awards on both the big and small screens at once. But few in recent memory have done so in such distinct projects as Ethan Hawke in “Blue Moon” and “The Lowdown”: One is a chamber drama about the last days of legendary songwriter Lorenz Hart, the other a noirish tale of a hangdog journalist.

It’s a reflection of the actor’s voracious appetite for the unexpected (see also: “Black Phone 2”), which he reveals that some in Hollywood once found “irritating.”

“Generally, people are more comfortable when they know exactly what you are and what your thing is, and if you keep changing your thing it’s confusing,” he tells writer Emily Zemler. “But it’s always been interesting to me to do different things. It makes acting really exciting to me to keep shaking it up. Each thing has its own geometry and math, and that keeps you really engaged.”

Eva Victor on ‘Sorry, Baby’

(Jason Armond / Los Angeles Times)

One of my favorite films of the year, “Sorry, Baby” works on many levels — as a campus satire, a portrait of a friendship, a slice of small-town life. And as writer-director-star Eva Victor writes in a new essay on the film, it took all of those other levels to make the film’s deepest, darkest level possible.

“There was a time in my life when I was looking for a film about going through a trauma that held my hand while I was watching it,” Victor notes, contrasting “Sorry, Baby” with films that depict similar subjects with violent imagery. “I needed the film to care for me, the person who’d been through the difficult thing. I didn’t need a film that existed to teach people how bad it is to go through a bad thing, I needed a film that existed to make me feel less alone.”

How ‘F1’ became a part of F1

As an avowed fan of Formula One, from docuseries “Drive to Survive” to scripted miniseries “Senna,” what fascinated me most watching Apple TV’s summer blockbuster “F1” was the delicate logistical dance it must’ve required to shoot a major theatrical film at actual races on the actual F1 circuit. Maybe that’s my stressed-out editor brain at work, but I asked Nate Rogers to dig into the question.

He reports back that even with legendary racer Lewis Hamilton and Apple on board, the film had to prove “that they could set up at an event like the fabled British Grand Prix at Silverstone and not cause a pileup.”

“We had to rehearse the blocking and staging for about two weeks with a stopwatch … to prove to them that we could actually shoot a scene and get off the track before the race started,” director Joseph Kosinski tells Rogers.

I can recognize a tough deadline when I see one.

Additional highlights from our Nov. 25 issue

FROM Three Lions to Vindaloo, England have their fair share of rousing football anthems.

But now that Scotland have qualified for their first World Cup since 1998, proud Tartan Army faithfuls Biffy Clyro are planning their own tune to cheer on their lads next summer.

The trio scooped the Live Act gong at the Rolling Stone UK Awards at London’s Roundhouse on Thursday night and told me they are already putting plans in motion.

Asked whether anyone from the Scottish team had been in touch, frontman Simon Neil said: “Well, we’ve been in touch with them.

“We want to do Scottish Band Aid or Live Aid. This is a historic moment for Scotland.”

But on the team’s chances in the tournament, he said with a laugh: “Ninety minutes after the first game, with all of our heads in our hands, it won’t matter. But see, this next six months is truly magical.

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“In this day and age, we all find so many reasons to fall out and disagree that it’s surprising it’s football that’s bringing people together. Lionesses last year, all of England would celebrate.

“I’ve got the lyric for the chorus: ‘The party’s starting because the tartan’s marching’. There you go. That’ll be in your head for now. I want that to stimulate the song.”

Sounds like a belter to me.

Meanwhile, the third annual ceremony was packed with celebs and saw FKA Twigs win the Album award for Eusexua, and Lewis Capaldi the Artist award.

Comedian Mo Gilligan was brought in to present Lewis with the prize, this time pronouncing his name correctly — after accidentally calling him Sam Capaldi on stage at the Brit Awards in 2023.

A host of glamorous guests also turned out for a knees-up, including ex-Eternal singer Louise and former Pussycat Dolls band member Ashley Roberts, who both wore sheer black outfits.

Jessie J was on top form as she gears up to drop her first album in seven years, Don’t Tease Me With A Good Time, this Friday.

She said: “It has been a long time. I finished writing it in 2022.

“I have a lot of music in my phone. So if someone wants to steal my phone, and put it out for me, it would save me a lot of agg. No, but I’m excited for people to hear it, you know?

“I just want to make people feel something.”

And now that Jessie’s back in the spotlight, she has found that her two-year-old son Sky has a taste for fame.

She added: “Oh, my God, he’s so funny. He’s like, ‘Can I come to work? I love when the people say, yay’.

“It’s so cute. I can’t tell him I’m going to work because he wants to come with me.”

Danny Dyer did a cracking job on hosting duties — and raised a glass to The Stone Roses bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield — so ITV would be mad if they didn’t hit him up to host the Brit Awards.

It was typically chaotic, with Danny at one point vaping on stage and later dropping his cigarettes on the floor as he made his way home, despite the fact the whole thing was sponsored by nicotine pouch company Zyn.

He is in the middle of shooting series two of Eighties TV comedy drama Rivals, but promised to get “off his nut” and later celebrated at the after-party until 1am.

IN his opening monologue on the night, Danny said: “It’s been an amazing 12 months because I won a f***ing Bafta.

“There was only one thing that could top that, and that’s the fact that my first-born child married the captain of West Ham United.”

Welcoming Mo Gilligan on stage: “It’s the 11th funniest comedian in the country. He’s funnier than Joel Dommett, I can tell you that.”

Before handing out the Film award: “Here’s a fact for you, I’ve been in 50 films, 47 of them are s**t.”

Introducing the Television award: “They didn’t nominate me for this one, can you f***ing believe it? I’ll come down there and put a nut on ya.”

And while presenting the Festival award: “Deep down, we are all dreaming of being in a field somewhere, warm lager in our hand and off our t**s on mushrooms.”

WICKED A GOOD CHOICE, BEN

WEST END star Ben Forster is going head to head with Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo with his new album.

Musicals Greatest Hits was released yesterday and it features a cover of Wicked’s For Good, just as the second film’s soundtrack, also featuring that song, came out.

But his record features the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydnie Christman.

Ben whose roles include playing the Phantom in The Phantom Of The Opera, told Bizarre: “I’m so excited that everyone can finally hear my album. Creating it has truly been a dream come true.”

Ben embarks on a huge tour next year.

He will play theatres up and down the UK from September.

NEIL YOUNG AND THE CHROME HEARTS are performing in the star-studded line-up for the new Blenheim Palace Festival on July 3.

They are joining acts including Katy Perry and Teddy Swims at the series of gigs in Oxfordshire.

ALBUM PERFECT FOR DOJA TAT

DOJA CAT was so impressed with tattoo artist Claudio Traina’s work that she decided to use his design on her latest album Vie.

Claudio, of Sixty Ink in London, told me: “I met her in a house in LA.

“We were doing tattoos for everyone there, and she got so excited, she decided to get her first tattoo. Two days later she called me for more.”

Claudio, whose clients also include Yungblud and Demi Lovato, added: “Now, every time she’s in London, she comes to the studio for fresh ink.

“She liked the word Vie, meaning ‘life’ in French, and decided to get it tattooed. A few months after, I got a message saying they had used that tattoo I designed for the album cover.”

CHRISTMAS will be arriving early for fans of Jade.

I can reveal that the former Little Mix singer is to announce a bumper deluxe edition of her debut album, That’s Showbiz Baby, which came out in September.

The new album, with fresh songs added, is expected to be available on December 5.

FOREIGN LINGO KEY FOR ALICIA

ALICIA KEYS has teamed up with Italian music great Eros Ramazzotti for his latest album.

But rather than sing in English, the 17-time Grammy-winning Empire State Of Mind singer learned the track in both Italian and Spanish.

Alicia told Bizarre: “We had such a fun time. We’re doing this beautiful song, L’aurora, and I was learning it in Spanish as well as Italian.

“And so, it’s really exciting to be able to sing in a whole different language and poetry and the beauty of how it goes and how it feels coming out is incredible.”

She added: “It felt very easy. It felt natural, it felt fun.”

Proving you may grow older but don’t have to grow up, she added of the 62-year-old Italian singer : “He’s a prankster, a jokester.

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“He’s trying to scare me the whole time, but I’m tough. So, you can’t scare me. But it was beautiful. I love it and I’m so excited about this project.”

The record, Una Storia Importante, also features opera singer Andrea Bocelli, and Eros will kick off a tour in Paris on Valentine’s Day.

BLAKE Shelton and Gwen Stefani were mysteriously absent from the CMA Awards last night, despite the country singer’s nomination.

Blake, 49, and Gwen, 56, sat out Nashville’s big night, with a source telling E! the couple “will be watching the CMA on their TV this year.”

The source did not provide an explanation as to why the couple was passing on the popular annual event.

Despite going missing, Blake won the CMA Musical Event of the Year award for his song Pour Me a Drink with Post Malone.

Blake has won 11 awards at the annual event in the past.

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In March, Blake released a breakup song called Hangin’ On, which fans could suspicious.

He insisted she song was “really no reflection of where Gwen and I are in our relationship – I hope.”

Blake and Gwen have also toned down their constant PDA, and instead have lived much more privately in recent months.

When Blake marked Gwen’s 56th birthday on his Instagram this year, for instance, his caption was much more subdued.

Truth be told, they’re both so different and it’s starting to become more apparent now,” a source told Star magazine.

“There’s a real fear that the way things are headed, Blake and Gwen could wind up becoming another Hollywood divorce casualty, even though it’s the last thing either of them would want.”

The couple will soon be spending more time apart.

Gwen will begin her No Doubt residency in Las Vegas, while Blake is reportedly focusing on making new music and his Ole Red restaurant chain.

Calandagan has been named horse of the year at the Cartier Racing Awards in London.

The four-year-old, trained in France by Francis-Henri Graffard, won three top-level Group One races including both the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

He is the only horse other than Brigadier Gerard (1972) to win both contests in the same season.

Calandagan, who runs in the Aga Khan’s colours, also won the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud in his home country, having finished second earlier in the year in the Coronation Cup and Dubai Sheema Classic.

Champion Stakes runner-up Ombudsman, who won the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes and Juddmonte International, and leading three-year-olds Delacroix and Minnie Hauk were also nominated for the main award.

Trawlerman, trained by John and Thady Gosden, was named leading stayer at the 35th annual awards after four victories this year which included the Gold Cup at Ascot.

The award of merit was given to broadcaster and writer Brough Scott.

If you agree with filmmaker Alejandro G. Iñárritu that Tom Cruise “doesn’t just make movies — he is movies,” then the Oscar that Cruise received at the motion picture academy’s annual Governors Awards wasn’t just long overdue. It was a restoration of balance, a necessary correction, not to mention a nod to the sheer weight of Cruise’s body of work in the collective imagination.

When multi-hyphenate Debbie Allen, herself an honoree, worked in a reference to the “tighty-whities” Cruise wore sliding across the floor in “Risky Business” into her own acceptance speech, you could understand why he received the night’s longest ovation. He really is movies. In one way or another, he completes us.

Cruise, 63, was still shaking hands and posing for pictures long after the ceremony ended Sunday night. He may in fact still be in the Ray Dolby Ballroom, listening to people tell him giddy and sometimes teary stories of when they first saw him in a movie. After Iñárritu introduced him, Cruise delivered a gracious, cinema-booster speech, at one point asking everyone in the room who had worked with him to stand.

“I carry you with me, each of you, and you are part of every frame of every film I have ever made or ever will make,” Cruise said. And yes, he was in alignment with Iñárritu. “Making films is not what I do. It’s who I am.”

Trailblazer Wynn Thomas, widely recognized as the first Black production designer in film, and Dolly Parton also received Oscars at the Governors Awards ceremony. These honorary Oscars, once part of the televised Academy Awards, were spun off into their own event in 2009.

Parton, 79, was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. Health issues, which led to a postponement of her December Las Vegas residency, prevented Parton from attending in person. But she thanked the academy by video, saying, “We didn’t have too much to share, but my mama and daddy showed me that the more you give, the more blessings come your way. And I have been blessed more than I ever dreamed possible, like with this award tonight.”

Lily Tomlin, Parton’s “9 to 5” co-star, gave a delightful, digressive introduction. Capping the presentation, Andra Day sang a spine-tingling cover of Parton’s classic “Jolene.”

The Governors Awards are not televised and, as Will Arnett, introducing the evening, noted, “There are no commercial breaks. The orchestra is not waiting to play anybody off. There is nothing stopping us from doing this until the sun comes up.” The relaxed nature of the show gives honorees room to roam with their speeches and also offers current Oscar contenders a chance to schmooze with voters.

In one corner of the ballroom, you might find filmmakers Richard Linklater, Noah Baumbach and Joachim Trier engaged in a debate over who is better, Jean-Luc Godard or Francois Truffaut, a French New Wave throwdown inspired by Linklater’s sly homage “Nouvelle Vague.” Across the room, Sydney Sweeney, meeting Cruise for the first time, compared notes on broken bones. Outside, Iñárritu told director Ryan Coogler (“Sinners”) about his upcoming movie, starring Cruise. (“It sounds crazy,” Coogler said.)

Cruise was on everyone’s mind, except perhaps Spanish filmmaker Oliver Laxe, director of the superb thriller “Sirāt,” who did not know the actor was receiving an honorary Oscar. People offered me their favorite Cruise movies. Director Eva Victor (“Sorry, Baby”) went with “Edge of Tomorrow.” Shih-Ching Tsou (“Left-Handed Girl”) chose “Top Gun.” (“I fell in love,” she says.) And Coogler went with a wild card, picking the compulsively rewatchable 1988 comedy “Cocktail.”

“It was my parents’ favorite movie, so I saw it all the time,” Coogler says. “I know it’s nonsensical.”

Ethan Hawke, who made “The Last Movie Stars,” a six-part documentary on Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, recalled how Newman didn’t want his honorary Oscar in 1986. He hoped to win one outright. A year later, he took the lead actor trophy for “The Color of Money,” which, yes, co-starred Cruise.

“Cruise should have won for ‘Magnolia,’ one of the best performances of my lifetime,” Hawke told me. “My suspicion is that this will be the first of many Oscars for Tom Cruise. He’ll get this honorary one and then four more in the next 20 years.”

Thomas, it could be argued, should have won a competitive Oscar years ago for any number of movies, including his striking work creating the single block setting in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood for Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing.” Relating his journey to becoming a visual storyteller, Thomas recalled growing up in “one of the worst slums of Philadelphia,” sitting on his front stoop reading Shakespeare, James Baldwin and Tennessee Williams, immersed and transported.

“The local gangs looked down on me and called me sissy,” Thomas said. “But that sissy grew up to work with some great filmmakers.”

Presenting Allen with her Oscar, “Wicked’s” Cynthia Erivo said “to know Miss Debbie is to know that she refuses to let dreams fade and has a determination to make them happen.”

“I myself am fortunate enough to consider her my auntie,” Erivo added.

Allen’s five-decade career includes choreographing the Oscars seven times, as well as films including “Forget Paris” and “A Jazzman’s Blues.” Her producing credits include Steven Spielberg’s 1997 historical drama “Amistad.” She’s probably best known as an actor on the ’80s television series “Fame,” for which she also served as a choreographer. Her nonprofit dance academy is a Los Angeles institution.

Allen namechecked the Dodgers, her husband (the Los Angeles Lakers legend Norm Nixon) and, of course, Oscar.

“It’s like I got married … sorry, Norm,” she said, cradling the statue. “I’m definitely taking him to work with me and keeping him close to remind me, not of what I’ve done, but what I get, need and have to do.”

JENNIFER Lopez and Sydney Sweeney lead the star-studded glamour at last night’s Governors Awards in Los Angeles.

The Hunger Games actress Jennifer Lawrence also turned heads at the 16th annual bash, held at the Ray Dolby Ballroom.

It honours achievements recognised by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Jenny from the Block hitmaker JLo, 56, stunned in a grey and black ball gown ensemble with a plunging neckline, elevated with black velvet opera gloves.

Euphoria’s Sweeney, 28, kept the glam going in a glittering sleeveless gown, leaving little to the imagination with her gorgeous getup.

Also, American Hustle star Lawrence, 35, showed off her legs wearing an off-the-shoulder cream number, with a thigh-high slit, by Dior.

Ariana Grande, 32, was also in attendance, taking a pastel route in a pale pink vintage Dior one-shoulder gown by John Galliano.

The Wicked star styled her hair in a clean, elegant updo.

She was joined on the red carpet by her co-star Cynthia Erivo, 38, after being grabbed at their premiere event in Singapore.

Erivo went more avant-garde in a Givenchy coat dress that swung with movement.

Also in attendance was Elle Fanning, 27, wearing a soft pink sleeveless gown, while Anya Taylor-Joy, 29, sported a white Maison Margiela look.

Zoey Deutch, 31, chose a crisp white buttoned dress finished with a sweeping black train, while Natalie Portman, 44, opted for a pale blue mini dress.

Dakota Johnson, 36, also chose blue, wearing a simple fitted gown in an icy shade.

Mia Goth, 32, joined them in the colour theme with a pale blue dress of her own as Emma Stone, 37, stayed understated in an off-the-shoulder black Louis Vuitton dress with subtle sparkle.

Gwyneth Paltrow, 53, and Kristen Stewart, 35, both appeared in unconventional black outfits as Kate Winslet, 50, kept things sleek in a tailored black suit.

Regina Hall, 54, flashed her toned pins in a daring black gown, and Rita Wilson, 69, shone in metallic green.

Octavia Spencer, 55, went feminine with a floral dress as Kate Hudson, 46, brought a pop of colour in a slinky green silk number with cutouts, arriving with Hugh Jackman.

As for the men, The Bear favorite Jeremy Allen White, 34, wore one of the more unusual menswear looks: an unbuttoned white shirt tucked into high-waisted black trousers.

Leonardo DiCaprio, 51, and Brendan Fraser, 56, arrived in classic black suits, as did Austin Butler, 34, Joe Alwyn, 34, Benicio del Toro, 58, Colin Farrell, 49, and Jason Bateman, 56.

Rami Malek, 44, mixed things up with a red velvet blazer, while Jacob Elordi, 28, leaned into a retro vibe with a vintage-inspired suit.

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Adam Sandler, 59, made a rare appearance in a proper suit alongside wife Jackie, and Jeremy Strong, 46, paired a brown suit with trainers and a bowtie.

Blake Slatkin and Ed Sheeran posed together on arrival.

IF you fancy some celeb spotting in the UK, there is one peninsula you need to head to.

Sandbanks in Dorset is known for being home to lots of celebrities and having very impressive beachside homes especially along Panorama Road.

The average price of a property on Sandbanks is just under £1million – the most expensive home is around £15 million.

Luckily, you don’t have to live in Sandbanks to visit as the nearest neighbourhood is in Poole, Dorset.

Sandbanks Beach is highly regarded having been dubbed by some as “Britain’s Best Beach” and “The jewel in the crown of the English Coastline”.

Sandbanks has won the Blue Flag award 38 times, which is every year since the scheme began in 1987.

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Not only that, but according to Tripadvisor, Sandbanks was the ‘world’s most sustainable beach’ for 2024.

The beaches were measured by a sustainable data partner along with Tripadvisor traveller reviews – winners stand out for their commitments to sustainability including transport options, waste disposal and water quality.

The area is home to former England manager Harry Redknapp and his wife, Sandra.

You might have seen their home on TV when the pair made an appearance on Celebrity Gogglebox.

Their son, Jamie Redknapp even named his clothing brand ‘Sandbanks’ after the area.

Other famous residents who have lived, or live, in Sandbanks include Celia Sawyer, J.R.R Tolkien, John Lennon and Liam Gallagher.

Chef Rick Stein is the name behind one of Sandbanks’ most famous restaurants on the Peninsula – Rick Stein, Sandbanks Restaurant and Bar.

The restaurant has celebrated 50 years and here you can enjoy fresh fish dishes from caviar to tuna sashimi, lobster thermidor and crab linguine.

Along the coast from Rick Stein is Lazy Jacks Restaurant and Bar which is known as being a relaxed eatery with waterside views.

Here you can enjoy sea bass, ribeye steaks, fish and chips, pizzas with various toppings, burgers along with Sunday roast choices.

Another popular spot is CAFF, which is a café along the front which serves homemade cakes, huge milkshakes, Full English breakfasts and hot dogs.

For staying in Sandbanks, there are various options from Haven Hotel, to Sandbanks Hotel, to holiday rental apartments.

To get to Sandbanks, you can walk across from the mainland.

The nearest coastal towns are Poole, which is 17 minutes away, or a 15-minute drive from Bournemouth.

From the neighbourhood, visitors can hop aboard the Sandbanks Ferry goes between Sandbanks and Shell Bay beach on Studland.

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For more in Dorset, check out the English village that is Britain’s prettiest with quiet beaches and huge castles.

Plus, how to enjoy a south coast staycation in Poole without having to hit the beach.

If you’ve watched the Screen Actors Guild Awards over the years, you’ve heard the name of the prize countless times, even if it hasn’t quite registered.

“And the Actor goes to … Timothée Chalamet.”

“And the Actor goes to … Demi Moore.”

“And the Actor goes to … ‘Conclave.’”

Now, in an effort to lean into the name of the statuette and streamline the show’s title, the Screen Actors Guild Awards announced Friday that it is renaming the ceremony to the Actor Awards. Or, if you want to get precise (and a bit verbose): the Actor Awards presented by SAG-AFTRA.

“Now that our global audience is really growing, people don’t always understand what the union name is,” says awards committee chair JoBeth Williams. “But ‘the Actor Awards’ they recognize and they know they’re going to see their favorite actors when they tune in.”

The SAG Awards have long been a reliable precursor to the Oscars on the awards season calendar, with last year being an exception. (Chalamet, Moore and “Conclave,” winner of the guild’s best picture equivalent, the ensemble honor, did not repeat their SAG successes.)

Since the event moved to Netflix in 2024 from TNT and TBS, viewership numbers have increased, besting pre-pandemic levels. Last year, per Netflix, the ceremony received 4.3 million views on the platform.

That’s a far cry from just four years ago, when the pandemic forced ceremonies to postpone and shuffle dates, and the Grammys thought nothing of landing on the SAG Awards’ original date. (SAG-AFTRA voiced its “extreme disappointment,” then slunk off to Easter Sunday for a scheduled one-hour telecast.)

“[Netflix] saw the potential of the show to really grow an audience,” says Jon Brockett, longtime showrunner and executive producer. “We’re on 190-plus countries now on Netflix. So the simplification of the name, from a global perspective, should bring about even greater awareness to understand who we are and what we’re all about.”

Which is, in a word: actors. Like the Golden Globes, the Actor Awards (we’ll just start calling it that now, trying it out for size) reward lead and supporting performances in movies and television, and, in lieu of “best picture” or “best series,” prizes for acting ensembles. Unlike the Golden Globes, the ceremony has not been beset by scandal or raised questions about unethical self-dealing.

Nominations for the Actor Awards are chosen by two nominating committees, one for film and one for television, comprising 2,500 SAG-AFTRA members that are randomly selected each year. Winners are then selected by active SAG-AFTRA members, a massive voting body numbering more than 130,000.

“We are all doing what these folks up there on the screen do, so we have a strong sense of what it takes to do that and what it takes to make it really special,” Williams says of the awards’ voters. “The eyes of the voters are very tuned in to what actors do.”

The Actors Awards will stream live on Netflix on March 1. Nominations will be announced on Jan. 7.

ZOE Ball has moved a new man into her home – a mystery “lodger” who has “won more awards” than she has.

The Radio 2 presenter hinted at a new romance on her Dig It podcast, two years after her split from construction worker Michael Reed.

Zoe, 53, revealed her new living arrangements to co-host Jo Whiley when discussing Christmas gifts.

She said: “I’ve got this thing that I bought online, which is sort of like you hold the handle and it’s loads and loads of different bits of wood and you whack your legs and your underarms with it.

“It really helps circulation. I think it’s quite good for lymphatic drainage.

“I bought loads of them for people for Christmas …”

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Zoe continued: “I remember the first time the lodger walked in and saw me doing it, and just sort of turned on his heels.”

When Jo asked if the lodger was “still around,” Zoe replied: “He’s still here at the moment. He’s still lodging.”

Zoe did not reveal the man’s identity, but said he has “won loads of awards.”

Speaking about her own accolades, she said: “I did get a Sony and it was given to me by Marianne Faithfull. I was well chuffed.

“And I think Caner of the Year for something I can’t remember. 

“We won a BAFTA for the last ever Live and Kicking, which was amazing. But I don’t even have a copy of it …

“Yeah, the lodger has won loads of awards…”

The Sun has reached out to Zoe’s reps for clarification on whether the relationship is romantic or platonic.

Zoe’s ex-husband, DJ Norman Cook – better known as Fatboy Slim – recently spoke about their continued close friendship. 

The pair were married for 18 years before splitting in 2016 and share two children, Woody, 24, and Nelly, 15.

The DJ, 62, recently described Zoe as his “soulmate” while promoting his new photo book reflecting on his music career. 

“Zoe is a very kind, thoughtful person and she just had this way of checking my ego, like ‘We are still human beings. 

“We are still nice to people,’” he told The Sun.

He said Zoe helped him navigate fame in the 1990s: “In the 90s, I was having too much fun to think about the next day. 

“It became a whirlwind, but Zoe helped me through it as she knew that level of fame before. 

“It was nice to have a soulmate in there with you.”

Zoe’s last public relationship was with construction worker Michael Reed. 

The pair dated for five years before splitting in 2023. 

At the time, The Sun reported she had asked him to move out of her £2 million Sussex home after the relationship began to break down.

A source said: “Zoe is gutted but she’s better off without Michael. This is a relief to many of her friends, who think she has done the right thing.”

Before Michael, Zoe dated cameraman Billy Yates, who tragically died by suicide in 2017 after a battle with depression.

BALLSY MOVE

Zoe sold her countryside pile and moved closer to her ex Fatboy Slim last year.

The fan-favourite broadcaster previously lived there with her ex Michael yet it appeared she was eager for a fresh start.

Zoe called time on her relationship with the model in May 2023 after five and a half years together – with pals at the time saying they had “run their course”.

A source revealed she then traded in life in her rural Sussex home – complete with a swimming pool and tennis courts – for the more “lively” surroundings of Brighton and Hove.

Zoe sold up after the sad death of her beloved mum.

Also in her podcast with fellow BBC Radio 2 anchor Jo, Zoe revealed the heartbreaking impact of her loss.

She told her pal on the podcast last month: “I couldn’t work.

“I was on the floor in the kitchen. I couldn’t, I couldn’t move

“I had a proper emotional breakdown, you know, I haven’t really talked about it actually.

“But it was, yeah, it was brutal.

“I had an amazing doctor who turned up at my door with coffee and bagels and said, ‘so, we need to get you some help’, and he was wonderful.”

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She admitted the process of grief was ongoing.

Zoe told how she struggled particularly on the anniversary of her mum’s death and said there was “a lot of crying and pain” that “still has to come out.”

DESPERATE Housewives star Eva Longoria puts on a sterling performance as she glitters in a silver gown at an awards do.

The actress, 50, was among celebrities at the charity gala at the Four Seasons George V Hotel in Paris.

She called the hotel her “home away from home”.

She was joined by Global Gift founder Maria Bravo and model Cindy Bruna, who won an award.

Eva is in talks for her next big role, alongside George Clooney, 64, in Netflix’s new series, Call My Agent.

Eva’s upcoming film Christmas Karma, is out here on November 14 and directed by Kenyan-born female director Gurin-der Chadha.

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When Mexican-American Eva heard about the film, she wanted in.what excited Eva most was working with Culture Club singer Boy George.

Boy George plays the Ghost of Christmas Future alongside American Kinky Boots star Billy Porter as the Ghost of Christmas Present.

She adds of filming with the I’m A Celebrity Star, real name George O’Dowd: “He’s amazing, he was so kind. He was kind of nervous, I think.

“All I wanted to do was get stories out of him.”

Indeed, Boy George is far from the only Eighties British music act Eva is mad for.

“Were The Police English?” she asks. Er, yes. Then she adds, “Other favourite band — Duran Duran”, and “Ooh, Dexys Midnight Runners . . . ”

CHERYL Tweedy and Jade Thirlwall looked sensational at the Harper’s Bazaar Women of the Year Awards this week.

The iconic singers, 42 and 32, arrived at the glamorous event last night alongside an A-list lineup of women.

Girls Aloud icon Cheryl stole the spotlight in a chic black satin dress with a boxy neckline.

It flowed effortlessly to the floor, covering her shoes, and featured lace detailing on the chest.

She finished the look by simply tying her hair up out of her face and accessorised with a pair of small silver studs and a glossy natural pink lip.

The star posed for a series of snaps next to Little Mix‘s Jade in the “winner’s room”, as Jade smiled ear to ear holding up a glass trophy for the “Musician Award”.

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She wore an asymmetrical off the shoulder red dress with an embossed pattern and a draping on the right-hand side.

It fell to the floor in its formal beauty, hugging her waist and hips.

Jade finished off her outfit with dramatic winged eyeliner and a bold brown lip combo.

Her hair flowed down her back in natural loose waves.

Also in attendance on the night was England footballer Chloe Kelly, who wowed in a sheer chain-mail hooded gown.

The unique ensemble featured cut-outs at the side of the bust as well as silver floral detailing that scattered down the right-hand side of her body.

The sporty star enjoyed the night in a pair of silver heeled sandals, comfier on her feet than a higher heeled counterpart.

Melanie C, aka Sporty Spice, posed alongside Chloe in the winners room after she took home the award for Sportswoman of The Year.

In a sweet snap together the duo are throwing up peace signs as Chloe holds the award in her free hand.

Melanie’s smiling in an off the shoulder black dress featuring red piping and a floor-length ruffle detail.

Her red nail polish peeks out of her open-toed shoes, matching the piping to perfection.

Everyone appeared to be having an amazing night.

Cheryl made her first red carpet appearance since the funeral of her former flame, Liam Payne, just last month.

The Girls Aloud legend has since been gradually returning to the spotlight, teasing new TV appearances and brand collaborations on her social media.

Meanwhile Jade has been incredibly active promoting new music and working on her career.

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Earlier this year she took home a BRIT Award for Best Pop Act.

She also received the Trailblazer Award at the Rolling Stone UK 2024 awards.

SINGER Louise Redknapp looked sensational as she stunned on the red carpet of a glitzy awards ceremony.

The former Eternal member was one of the many stars who enjoyed a night out at the extravagant Music Industry Trust Awards.

Louise commanded attention as she flashed her bra under a sheer see-through shirt.

She paired it with a maroon ruched skirt and accessorised with a large black clutch bag.

The glitzy do was hosted in partnership with YouTube and Global and saw a raft of celebrities step out for the event at the Grosvenor House Hotel.

Kelly Brook, who is set to star in this year’s I’m A Celebrity, also looked fantastic as she made a statement on the red carpet.

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The glam model looked phenomenal as she wore a loose-fitting leopard print dress.

The outfit fell to her feet but left her toes exposed with Kelly choosing to wear open-toe heels for her evening out.

Kelly’s hair and make-up looked flawless as she proudly posed away for cameras at the event.

Popstar Rita Ora was another guest of honour and even took to the stage for an exclusive performance at the shindig.

The Hot Right Now singer opted for an all-pink ensemble.

Rita looked as glam as ever in a hot pink sequined mini dress that she teamed with an equally bright pair of skintight leggings.

She added an oversized pink fluffy fur coat to the look as well as showing off her hair transformation after opting for a brand new fringe.

Rita wasn’t the only performer to hit the stage with Price Tag hitmaker Jessie J also wowing audiences with a stellar performance.

It is one of Jessie’s first gigs since undergoing surgery for breast cancer treatment and having to postpone her scheduled tour owing to medical appointments related to her cancer battle.

Jessie equally looked just as glam as her fellow ladies as she wowed in a figure-hugging white dress which featured a sheer skirt with a translucent detail.

Kate Garraway, Emma Bunton and Olly Murs were also all in attendance for the star-studded night out.