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VICKY Pattison looked absolutely sensational in a new string of throwback pictures and videos from her time in Cyprus. 

The Strictly Come Dancing star was flown over to the exotic island as the host of Channel 4 series Honesty Box – where struggling couples competed for a cash prize as they were grilled on their romance by a military-standard lie detector.

But while the cameras were off, Vicky seized the moment to soak up some sun by the hotel pool, showing clips of her stripping down to a tiny black bikini for some summer sun. 

Sharing the new pictures on Instagram, Vicky shared: “Come and film the Honesty Box with me…

“Had this in my drafts for AGESSSSS… and thought it needed to be shared! Last year Honesty Box hit screens and I wanted to give you a little BTS of what a day in the life looked like out there!” 

“Me and my team had such a ball! And the show was AMAZING!!!” she wrote. 

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“Loads of singles, all looking for love in a villa with one MAJOR twist… THE HONESTY BOX! Which uses military grade, lie detector technology to make sure our cheeky little truetopians are being as honesty as possible!!! 😂😳 

“That’ll put the cat amongst the pigeons! 😂 All with me and the gorgeous [Lucinda Light] making sure these cheeky little minxes behave 😂” 

Unfortunately for Vicky, the potential for any other trips over to Cyprus for the show have been cancelled following the axe of the series after just one batch of episodes.

The decision was made in November as Channel 4 chose to focus on other dating shows that also grabbed public attention at the time. 

A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: “Honesty Box was a brilliant format from a great team but there were many great new reality hits this year.

“We have had tough decisions on what is returning. Virgin Island really landed with our audience and will return next year.”

The show was part of a new string of shows by Channel 4 which became smash hits – most notably Virgin Island, which aired around the same time and caused a bigger buzz as cameras followed a dozen virgins on a journey to pop their cherries.

Honesty Box is available to watch in full now on Channel 4. 

Celebrity Traitors winner Alan Carr opened up about being ‘walked over’ in past relationships and admitted he ‘doesn’t trust anyone’ in candid chat with Amanda Holden

Alan Carr has made a heart-wrenching confession about his divorce, revealing that he’s been “walked over” in the past and now finds it hard to trust anyone.

The 49-year-old winner of Celebrity Traitors opened up during his BBC show ‘Amanda and Alan’s Greek Job’, which he co-hosts with his best mate, Amanda Holden, 54.

As they enjoyed Aperol Spritz cocktails under the sun, the close friends discussed the rapid pace of life and their respective experiences with divorce. Alan, who was previously married to Paul Drayton, didn’t mention his ex by name but shared some poignant reflections on his past relationships.

The conversation began when the star of The Traitors expressed his feelings about nearing the age of 50. Amanda chimed in, acknowledging that they’d both weathered many storms in life, including divorce, and admitted to making “bad decisions” in her past.

Reflecting on his own romantic history, Alan responded: “I mean, it’s not decisions for me, but knowing your worth and the amount of times I’ve been walked over and people have demeaned me.”

He added: “You know, like, there’s times that I wish I’d said, ‘no’, I wish I’d been a bit bolder and a bit… No. Stronger. Yeah, a bit stronger.”

Alan then confessed his biggest challenge when it comes to starting a new relationship. “I don’t really trust anyone, really. That’s the trouble. I think that is my main thing,” he confided in Amanda. “But, yeah, it’s just getting out there and trusting, isn’t it?”

Alan was previously in a 14-year relationship with his now ex-husband. Paul and Alan were together for a decade before tying the knot in 2018, with superstar Adele officiating their nuptials at her lavish Los Angeles residence.

The couple shared a life on a farm they purchased in West Sussex, where they raised animals together. However, the pressures of lockdown took a toll on their relationship, leading to their divorce in 2022.

During Alan’s stint on Celebrity Traitors, which he ultimately won, Paul opened up to The Sun about their relationship. He revealed: “He [Alan] was tolerant most of the time when we were together, but if he felt someone was taking advantage of him, he would cut them out of his life. He is ruthless in that way.”

“I don’t want to say he’s a good liar – as far as I know, he never lied to me during our relationship – but he will be good at playing the game, and he will be a good Traitor.”

Reflecting on the controversy from Traitors involving Paloma Faith, where Alan touched her face to “murder her in plain sight”, Paul joked: “There were a few times in our relationship when I bet Alan wished he could have touched my face and bumped me off, to save him from the stress I was causing him. I fell in love with him because he’s funny and we used to make each other laugh.”

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It has been called Lancashire’s ‘most beautiful village’, and it’s easy to see – the picturesque spot is so well-kept it feels a world away from modern life

This stunning village is meticulously maintained by the family that owns it, seamlessly blending into its scenic surroundings whilst remaining within the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Downham is part of the historic Assheton Estate, belonging to the notable Lancashire family, the Asshetons. Given this ownership, at their behest, the area is devoid of any traces of contemporary life amongst its idyllic cottages and undulating countryside. There are no TV aerials or telephone wires running in between houses, nor are there any road signs. This uniqueness makes the village feel even more otherworldly, as they have held ownership for more than 450 years.

This enables them to make choices that preserve the historic charm of the location, with all properties in Downham, including farms, being leased out to prevent any further contemporary encroachments. One attraction that lures numerous visitors to the region is the magnificent manor house, Downham Hall, which has remained in the family’s possession since 1558.

Yet at the village’s centre lies the welcoming pub, the Assheton Arms, where you can enjoy hearty fare in a classic pub environment. The establishment itself radiates history through its low-beamed ceilings, aged timbers and period features, providing the perfect relaxed ambience.

Guests consistently post glowing TripAdvisor reviews following their visits, with many describing the venue as “beautiful”. One visitor wrote: “We had the pleasure of a two-night stay at the Assheton Arms after reading many positive reviews. From our arrival to our departure, our experience was nothing short of exceptional.

“The manager and his staff could not do enough for us, and the quality of our accommodation was everything we hoped for. Advance dining reservations were made for both evenings of our stay, and the food was of a very high standard and plentiful. We will certainly return.”

Another guest shared: “Beyond the fantastic accommodation, the food was outstanding. Every dish was beautifully presented and full of flavour, using high-quality ingredients. The pub itself has a warm and inviting atmosphere, with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside – such a peaceful and scenic location.”

This picturesque location has served as a filming destination for numerous productions throughout the years, including the 1961 classic, Whistle Down The Wind. The BBC also chose it for Born and Bred, whilst it featured in another BBC drama in 2012 called The Secret of Crickley Hall, owing to its genuine rural charm.

Whilst wandering through the locale, visitors frequently discover St Leonard’s Church, positioned next to the village inn. Guest reviews highlight it as “picturesque” and “peaceful”, boasting its 15th century tower constructed in 1910. One reviewer noted: “Very picturesque church in a most beautiful village. Parts of the church date back to the 15th century.”

Secret Traitor Fiona has revealed the real reason she went after fellow Traitor Rachel and tried to throw her under the bus, as the Welsh woman is the next to be banished from The Traitors

The Traitors‘ Fiona tried to throw fellow Traitor Rachel under the bus in one the tensest episodes the BBC show has seen, but it was ultimately her who got the chop. On Uncloaked, the elusive Secret Traitor shared why she picked a fight, inadvertently causing her downfall.

This week, Fiona, who had only just been revealed as the Secret Traitor, told the Faithfuls that she thought Rachel was a Traitor, accusing her of lying about Amanda being a former police officer.

She was, of course, correct – hard not to be when you’re also a Traitor. Dobbing Rachel in was a first for the series, as it came completely unprompted and happened right in front of both Rachel and the third Traitor, Stephen.

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Ultimately, Fiona’s devious ways caused the team to turn on her, and she was banished at the roundtable. On spin-off show Uncloaked, Fiona was asked whether she really thought Rachel was lying about Amanda being a retired cop. Fiona said: “I knew she was saying the truth. I absolutely knew she was saying the truth and I trusted her explicitly.”

But, the banished Traitor added that she thought Rachel would “throw me under the bus” and therefore felt Rachel had to go. “However I had my suspicions about Rachel and I thought if anyone was going throw me under the bus it was her. And in poker, when you have a rubbish hand, you throw the hand in.

“I thought that’s what I’m going to do here, I’m going to throw a grenade in the room and see who comes out unscathed. Unfortunately it was me, but I felt it had to be done. It would have been lovely if the three cloaks had gotten to the end but that was never going to happen.”

In the end, Rachel did not get a single vote at the roundtable, while Fiona went home. Despite her spectacular demise, Fiona said afterwards that she wouldn’t change a thing.

“No, I had an absolute ball. Yes, it would have been lovely to have won, but it wasn’t going to happen. I wasn’t fetching money to the table,” she said.

She later added that she felt Rachel was not a “team player”. Fiona said: “I wasn’t delighted to be leaving, but I was really the master of my own downfall because I needed to confront Rachel just to be sure in my own mind that she was a team player and not playing singularly.

“I suspected that when there was the end game, that I would be thrown under the bus, not by Stephen, but by Rachel. Rachel is phenomenal but she started playing this game the minute she was selected.

“She was amazing, I’ve got so much respect for that woman. But I felt that when somebody mentioned Stephen, she didn’t challenge their decision. So straight away I thought, she’s a lone wolf here, and if she’s going to get rid of somebody from the turret, it will be me.”

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BRUCE Springsteen’s classic Born in the USA is being censored for radio — with a lyric about “the yellow man” removed.

The Boss, now 76, is widely considered to be calling out racism in his 1984 hit, covering the struggles of war vets returning from Vietnam.

He belts out: “So they put a rifle in my hands, sent me off to a foreign land, to go and kill the yellow man, Born in the USA.”

However Absolute Radio will mute the song as he utters “yellow man”, considered an offensive slur for an Asian person.

The track, hailed for its scathing commentary on the treatment of Vietnam vets and working-class Americans, is ranked 275th in Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

The Born in the USA album sold over 30 million copies worldwide and was the world’s best-selling record in 1985.

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It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2012 and includes other hits like Dancing in the Dark, Glory Days and I’m on Fire.

Bruce’s censorship comes after the Spice Girls’ 1997 track Spice Up Your Life — which includes the lyric “Yellow man in Timbuktu. Colour for both me and you” — was similarly altered last year on BBC Radio 2.

DJ Scott Mills played a version on his breakfast show which removed the word “yellow”.

Bauer Media, which owns Absolute Radio, declined to comment.

Hugh Laurie left quite the impression when he starred as villainous Richard Roper in The Night Manager 10 years ago.

Hugh Laurie, the legendary star of The Night Manager, is set to appear alongside a Westworld icon in a forthcoming crime thriller.

After initially rising to prominence in the Blackadder franchise with Rowan Atkinson and Stephen Fry, Laurie has since featured in numerous major dramas including Veep, House, and naturally, The Night Manager.

While his previous co-stars Tom Hiddleston and Olivia Colman return to the BBC thriller, Laurie has been busy filming his latest project, The Wanted Man, for Apple TV+, which is presently in post-production.

The 66 year old will portray crime boss Felix Carmichael, who lands behind bars after running the infamous criminal organisation The Capital for two decades.

The official synopsis reveals: “Upon discovering internal betrayal while locked up, he plots his breakout to seek vengeance and restore his criminal empire.”

The eight-episode series has been created by Hijack’s George Kay and also features Mission Impossible and Westworld star Thandiwe Newton.

However, they won’t be the only recognisable names, as Laurie and Newton will be accompanied by Game of Thrones actor Stephen Dillane, Say Nothing’s Hazel Doupe, and Dunkirk star Fionn Whitehead.

No official release date has been confirmed yet, though reports suggest The Wanted Man could launch around May 2026.

Meanwhile, fans’ focus has returned to Laurie following his memorable role in The Night Manager, which has made its comeback to British television screens. In the 2016 BBC thriller, he played the villainous Richard Roper, starring alongside leading man Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine and Colman as Angela Burr.

After a decade-long hiatus, The Night Manager has made a comeback for its second season, but with an unexpected twist – Roper was killed off-screen.

Laurie does make an appearance in the first episode through a dream sequence, but he hasn’t been seen in The Night Manager since and isn’t expected to return.

However, Laurie remains involved with The Night Manager behind the scenes, serving as an executive producer alongside Hiddleston.

The Wanted Man is slated to premiere on Apple TV+ in spring 2026.

Award-winning BBC comedy thriller Black Ops returns to BBC One tonight with Gbemisola Ikumelo and Hammed Animashaun reprising their roles alongside Tom Stourton and Nigel Havers

The critically acclaimed BBC comedy thriller, Black Ops, is set to return for a second series on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. The first season of the show drew an impressive audience of 2.3 million viewers for its premiere episode, averaging 1.6 million across the entire series.

Gbemisola Ikumelo will be back in her role as Dom, with Hammed Animashaun reprising his character Kay, and Akemnji Ndifornyen returning as gang boss Tevin. This season also boasts a star-studded guest cast including Tom Stourton (Barbie, Poor Things), Nigel Havers (Chariots of Fire, Coronation Street), Annette Badland (Heartstopper, Ted Lasso), Ed Speleers (Star Trek: Picard, You), and Cathy Tyson (Help, Death in Paradise).

When asked about her decision to return for the second series, Gbemisola said: “Honestly, I think the love from the audience. Series one felt really, really special, and got a lot of love and recognition. How could you not want to do it again?”.

In response to whether she anticipated such an overwhelming response from viewers, Gbemisola, who also co-created and wrote the series, admitted: “Absolutely not. You always want to be able to put something out there, and if you’re proud of it, then great, and move on. But it was really lovely to hear how much love people had for this show.”

The upcoming season will see Dom and Kay working for MI5, but their roles are far from glamorous. As the synopsis teases: “They may be in the world of espionage, but their jobs are decidedly unglamorous – not everyone can be James Bond, someone has to do the admin.”

“All that changes when Dom meets a charismatic spy called Steve, offering the promise of more exciting, classified work. Dom and Kay soon find themselves embroiled in an escapade that tests their wits, their friendship, and their love of carnival to the limits.”

Speaking about what’s in store for series two, Gbemisola hinted: “It’s going to be a bigger, louder, crazier show. I’m actually quite shocked about the things we’ve been able to achieve in this series, so I’m looking forward to seeing how audiences respond to the things that I’m excited about.”

The second series launches on Thursday, January 8, available on BBC One or via BBC iPlayer from 9:30pm, reports the Express.

The opening episode’s synopsis reveals: “Dom and Kay are back and working at MI5, but they’re struggling to find their feet in the world of intelligence. Dom, ambitious and eager to prove herself, is frustrated to be stuck carrying out menial work in the archives, while Kay misses his former role as a PCSO, and the direct impact he had on the community. Dom takes a big gamble to impress a senior agent, with dangerous consequences for her and Kay.”

The series consists of eight half-hour episodes, airing weekly on Thursday evenings in the same time slot.

A fan-favourite star from Stranger Things took on a minor Game of Thrones role before becoming a household name

Joseph Quinn, known for his role in Stranger Things, had a minor part in HBO’s smash-hit fantasy series Game of Thrones, and fans are just now discovering this unexpected link.

The British actor is most recognised for his portrayal of the standout character Eddie Munson in the fourth series of Netflix’s popular supernatural horror drama.

He has since secured the iconic role of Johnny Storm, also known as the Human Torch, in Marvel’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps and will be playing George Harrison in the eagerly awaited four-part Beatles cinematic event.

However, before he became a familiar face, he played a small role in the seventh and penultimate season of Game of Thrones as Koner, a soldier loyal to House Stark.

In the episode titled The Spoils of War, Koner is seen guarding Winterfell’s gate alongside fellow soldier Henk (played by Danny Kirrane) when Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) arrives and insists on being let in, reports the Express.

The soldiers mock her and dismiss her, believing Arya to be dead, and instruct her to leave when she requests to see Jon Snow (Kit Harington), who they inform her is thousands of miles away.

Eventually, Arya manages to bypass the soldiers by warning them of severe repercussions if her sister and the castle’s head, Sansa Stark (Sophie Turner), learns of their refusal to let her in.

Koner and Henk argue over who will accompany her to Sansa, while Arya seizes the opportunity to sneak through the gates.

Viewers who haven’t watched the episode since its original broadcast in 2017 were left gobsmacked after a recent Reddit discussion jogged their memories about the Stranger Things actor’s early television role.

“I was today years old when I realized that Joseph Quinn (who plays Eddie in Stranger Things) was also in GoT!” one fan wrote.

Another viewer on X recently made the connection as well, writing: “Love when you go back to an older show and notice a now established actor in the start of their career.

“Joseph Quinn in Game of Thrones. Never realised he was in it.”

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This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Stranger Things.

Interestingly, Quinn’s episode was helmed by Matt Shakman, who would later go on to direct him in The Fantastic Four.

The actor has also featured in films including Gladiator II and Warfare, as well as BBC dramas Strike and Small Axe.

He’s set to return as the Human Torch in Avengers: Doomsday, which arrives in cinemas towards the end of 2026.

Stranger Things is available to stream on Netflix. Game of Thrones is available on Sky and NOW.

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BBC viewers will see the beloved comedy series return to screens on Thursday night with some very familiar faves joining the cast.

Laughter is set to fill BBC screens this evening (January 8) as the second series of a popular comedy returns.

This follows hot on the heels of a new comedy featuring Dawn French and Mark Heap, which debuted on Wednesday night.

Black Ops, which originally launched in 2023, is making its comeback as viewers will see Gbemisola Ikumelo and Hammed Animashaun return as Dom and Kay.

The first series followed two East London police community support officers who unexpectedly found themselves working undercover.

Tasked with penetrating a criminal gang led by boss Tevin (Akemnji Ndifornyen), audiences were treated to a hilarious journey as the pair attempted to stay under the radar whilst Tevin grew increasingly suspicious, reports Wales Online.

Now, the cast reunite for a fresh series, which will feature appearances from Death in Paradise’s Cathy Tyson and Coronation Street’s Nigel Havers.

Discussing his return as Tevin, Akemnji revealed: “Series one was so nice, of course, we had to go and do it twice! Hugely excited to be going bigger, better and blacker for series two.

“Whatever is next for Dom, Kay – and of course Tevin – one thing is for certain, two things are for sure: it’s going to be a wild and thrilling comedy ride! Seatbelts, please!”

A synopsis for the second series reveals it begins with Dom and Kay working for MI5. Despite operating in the secretive world of espionage, their roles in the organisation are far from glamorous as they’re confined to administrative duties.

However, the situation shifts as an overview states: “All that changes when Dom meets a charismatic spy called Steve, offering the promise of more exciting, classified work.

“Dom and Kay soon find themselves embroiled in an escapade that tests their wits, their friendship, and their love of carnival to the limits.”

The series has received glowing reviews from viewers in the past, with one person commenting: “I find UK shows so much more my level of humour and cadence.. This show is excellent.”

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“The chemistry between the two main characters is spot on. It’s smart and funny and drama all at the same time. That’s hard to pull off. It’s a great storyline.”

Another viewer added: “Thought this was hilarious. The two main characters are a blast. And the series’ plot was twisting and gripping enough to also provided enough suspense to make me keep watching to the end. Loved it.”

Black Ops is available to watch on BBC One from 9:30pm

Can You Keep a Secret? aired on Wednesday night starring Dawn French and Mark Heap.

BBC viewers appeared distinctly underwhelmed on Wednesday evening following the debut of a fresh sitcom on the channel.

Can You Keep a Secret? stars Dawn French and Mark Heap as married couple Debbie and William Fendon.

The plot centres on widow Debbie, who goes to extraordinary lengths to safeguard her family following the sudden death of her reclusive husband.

But there’s a shocking revelation: she’s not actually bereaved, as William is very much alive. After being wrongly pronounced dead, Debbie takes the audacious step of going along with the charade and pocketing his life insurance payout, provided he stays hidden from view, reports the Express.

When their son Harry (Craig Roberts) discovers the reality, he’s understandably shaken to find his supposedly deceased father alive and kicking.

As the programme began, BBC viewers wasted no time heading to X to voice their reactions, with many clearly unimpressed.

One viewer remarked: “Makes Mrs Brown look like a comedy masterclass. Wish the bbc had kept it a secret!” Another posted: ” Waiting for the comedy on @bbc #CanYouKeepaSecret.”

A third viewer admitted: “Not sure not raised a half hearted smile so far #CanYouKeepaSecret.”

whilst another simply declared: “Just awful.”

Yet not everyone shared the same view, with some thoroughly enjoying the new programme, as one person noted: “That was lucky. I kept the TV on after #Traitors and Dawn French humour is cracking me up.”

While another viewer enthused: “Same here. This is hilarious!”

Yet the comedy appears poised to shift into darker territory, as the episode’s closing moments revealed someone has discovered William’s survival, with a menacing letter addressed to him being pushed through the letterbox.

A teaser for upcoming episodes showcased a montage of scenes making it abundantly clear the family’s closely guarded secret has been exposed, with the mysterious individual demanding hush money – but whose identity remains unknown?

Discussing her role in the sitcom, Dawn French explained: “Right from the off I could see that she’s one of those people that absolutely believes she’s always right. I don’t think I’ve ever done that in my life, been sat firmly in that righteous place the way Debbie is.

“I may have often imagined that I could be right, but I’ll err on the side of thinking, ‘I’m probably wrong about this’. Debbie just doesn’t have that anxiety or filter. She’s made a split decision in a mad moment, and once the decision is made, unless she’s prepared to go to prison, she knows she’d better man up and deal with it.

“I mean, I’ve never been in this situation, but I guess once you make a life-changing decision like that, and you jump into the dilemma of it, you’ve got to gird your loins and get on with it because once you’re in, you’re in.”

Can You Keep a Secret is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

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BBC Breakfast presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay spoke to a mum whose daughter was killed in a car crash in 2017

BBC Breakfast’s Sally Nugent announced some heartbreaking news on Wednesday’s show after a guest’s daughter tragically died.

Sharon Huddleston, whose 18-year-old daughter Caitlin died in a car accident in 2017, appeared on the BBC programme on Wednesday morning (January 7), reports the Express. She shared that the coroner had attributed Caitlin’s death to driver inexperience, prompting her to campaign for graduated driving licences.

Presenter Sally outlined: “Learner drivers in England and Wales could face a mandatory wait of up to six months between sitting their theory and practical tests as part of a new road safety strategy being launched by the government today.”

Her co-presenter Jon Kay chimed in: “While some campaign groups have welcomed these proposals, others have criticised the government for stopping short of introducing what are called graduated driving licences, which is where newly qualified drivers face restrictions until they’ve got a bit more experience.”

Sharon responded: “Well, it’s great that we’ve got a road safety strategy because it’s been 14 years since we’ve had one, so that’s good news. And it’s also good news that young drivers are being addressed in the strategy, but I don’t think it goes far enough. I understand that the limited period for learner drivers is a good thing because we’re seeing like 17-year-olds pass the test within a few weeks, and then they’re on the roads.

“But the element I am passionate about because of the reason why my daughter was killed is that she was a passenger in a newly qualified driver’s car, and the coroner put the crash down to the inexperience of the newly qualified driver.

“And so the element that I am passionate about, the graduated driving licence, is the passenger safety precaution, and that’s the element that I would have liked to have seen addressed in the strategy as well.”

Jon chimed in: “There’s lots in this strategy, isn’t there, for all drivers potentially of all ages, but as far as young drivers are concerned, what it’s saying then is that you would have to, if you pass your theory test, you’re going to have to wait six months to get more practice before you take the practical test. But what you would like to see is a delay in what you can do after the test, after the practical test as well.”

Sharon continued, acknowledging it as “a very positive thing” that the issue was being addressed, but emphasised that “we need more”.

“It doesn’t go far enough for us,” she expressed. “And as I say, if this element of the safety precaution of passengers was in place in 2017, my daughter would be alive.

“You know, and this law has been campaigned for for decades now. Unfortunately, I didn’t know about it until after Caitlin was killed. It was too late.”

Sally said: “And it’s really important to make the point that, as you’ve mentioned already, the coroner said it was inexperience. That’s really key, isn’t it? It was simple inexperience that contributed to this terrible tragedy.”

BBC Breakfast is broadcast on BBC One.

HAPPY Mondays singer Shaun Ryder missed Stone Roses bassist Gary “Mani” Mounfield’s funeral with pneumonia.

Shaun, 63, said he and Black Grape bandmate Paul Leveridge caught the lung condition as they were finishing a tour on December 20.

He told BBC Breakfast: “I got back the day before Mani’s funeral and collapsed, and so I couldn’t even go.

“In the end I got antibiotics . . .  that sorted me out. I’ve only been out of bed, what, four days?”

Shaun was on the breakfast show with Happy Mondays dancer Mark “Bez” Berry, who made Mani’s funeral at Manchester Cathedral on December 22.

Mani, who had emphysema, died at 63.

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Oasis star Liam Gallagher helped carry legendary bassist Gary’s coffin at his funeral – as a host of stars said their final goodbyes.

Sir David Beckham and Ian Brown also paid their respects to Stone Roses’ Mani, who died just two years after losing his wife, Imelda, to cancer.

The dad-of-two was last seen in public alongside Liam at the funeral of legendary boxer Ricky Hatton in October.

Just weeks later, the rocker’s family announced the sad news of his death on social media – sparking floods of tributes from across the globe.

Hundreds of locals in his hometown of Manchester were spotted lining the streets as Mani’s procession passed.

The BBC are now recruiting for a new head of a team dedicated to complaints and whistleblowing after the corporation has faced a string of scandals, including Huw Edwards and Gregg Wallace’s departures

The BBC is hiring a dedicated head of a whistleblowing and investigations team. The jobs currently advertised with the licence fee-payer-funded corporation come with hefty salaries of up to £120,000.

Currently, three roles are being advertised for the network: Head of Investigations (Corporate Investigations and Whistleblowing), Head of Investigations (HR), and Director of Investigations and Whistleblowing. The jobs, part of a company-wide restructure, come after the BBC faced a string of scandals in recent years.

The individual who secures any of the jobs will be responsible for assisting staff moving out of one part of the company and will form a breakout unit. On the job descriptions, it states that those who apply and are successful will play a “critical role in fostering a culture of transparency, accountability and trust.”

It adds that the successful candidate will “oversee the process and governance of whistleblowing or corporate investigations, including serious criminal behaviour, violent and sexual offences, elevated personal risk, harassment and cases posing reputational risk to BBC.”

The new roles come after former BBC News anchor Huw Edwards was suspended in 2023 and received his full salary of £435,000 per year after it emerged that he had paid a young man for explicit images. Convicted sex offender Edwards, who was spared jail in 2024, left the company in the same year. However, an anonymous whistleblower told BBC News that they believed the complaints against him hadn’t been investigated thoroughly, saying: “Things have been swept under the carpet.”

The investigation into Mr Edwards was carried out by Simon Adair, the BBC’s director of safety, security and resilience. Elsewhere, former MasterChef star Gregg Wallace was sacked by the network following an investigation into his behaviour.

45 of 83 complaints, relating to sexually inappropriate language and humour, as well as culturally insensitive or racist comments, were upheld against Wallace. He later apologised and said he “never set out to harm or humiliate” anybody.

The allegations against Mr Wallace had been spread over a 19-year period. 10 stand-alone allegations were made against other people, and two were substantiated. Those allegations, which didn’t involve Gregg, related to inappropriate language – one including swearing and the other including racist language.

Elsewhere, the BBC had apologised over “missed opportunities” to deal with allegations of “bullying and misogynistic behaviour” from former radio DJ, Tim Westwood. Lisa Nandy, Culture Secretary, met with the BBC’s former Director General in February last year and discussed Westwood’s alleged behaviour.

At the time, she said: “The allegations against Tim Westwood are very serious. It is essential that staff and the wider public can have confidence in the BBC as our national broadcaster.

“There have been far too many instances of appalling behaviour in the media industry, and there has been a culture of silence around inappropriate behaviour for too long. This cannot continue. In my discussion with the BBC Director General, I was clear that the BBC Board and Executive must grip the issue of workplace culture and respond at pace to the independent review they have commissioned as soon as it has concluded.”

Westwood stepped down from his show on Radio 1 and Radio 1Xtra in 2013, having been at the corporation for almost two decades. Westwood, of Westminster, was charged in October last year with four counts of rape, nine counts of indecent assault and two counts of sexual assault. The alleged incidents are believed to have taken place between 1993 and 2016. Westwood denies all allegations made against him. He previously said: “It’s all false allegations.” He is due to stand trial this month.

A BBC spokesperson said: “These roles are simply part of a wider restructure. When it comes to pay, we strike a balance to ensure we remain competitive and can attract and retain the best people, and over 95% of our spending goes on content and its delivery.”

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Fans of The Traitors are searching for answers over the show’s new twist – the Secret Traitor. But viewers think they may have spotted a massive blunder in the background of The Traitors: Uncloaked

Eagle-eyed Traitors fans are convinced they have sussed out who the secret traitor is, after an apparent blunder on spin-off show Uncloaked. With the most recent season of The Traitors starting on New Year’s Day, the format was switched up slightly by BBC bosses, who added in a ‘secret traitor’, as well as the three traitors as usual.

But when fans were watching The Traitors: Uncloaked, they spotted what some thought was a blunder on the show’s behalf. Clocking the photos on the wall behind the hosts, one X user wrote: “Why are the 3 traitors pictured on the wall…..with Harriet.”

Another added: “Spoiler: The portraits of the traitors are in the background of #traitorsuncloaked…. Plus an additional one. Harriet the secret traitor! #TheTraitorsUK #Traitors”

READ MORE: Unmasked star of The Traitors reveals mistakes he made which led to downfall in first interview

A third posted: “Have Uncloaked revealed the identity of the Secret Traitor already?… Imagine though, what a plot twist!? #TheTraitorsUK #TheTraitors”. Although it’s unlikely the producers would make a mistake so obvious, fans are so desperate to crack the puzzle, they are getting “suspicious” over anything – including contestants’ handwriting and choice of words.

During a confessional, psychologist Ellie said she was hesitant as she didn’t want people to think she is the “Secret Traitor”, leading fans to question how she knew those words if the Faithfuls are unaware of this year’s twist. In the interview room, Ellie said: “People will question whether you are sitting and watching as a kind of Secret Traitor…”

Picking up on her choice of words, one fan asked: “Anyone notice Ellie talking in the interview room and saying ‘people will question whether you are sitting & watching as a kind of secret traitor’.”

Another added: “Ellie saying ‘don’t want to look like a secret traitor’ as a faithful who don’t know about a secret traitor??? Suspicious wording.” And a third agreed: “Ellie saying ‘thinking I’m some secret traitor’, why would you say secret and not just traitor unless it’s on your mind?”

Host Claudia Winkleman introduced the new twist to the show on January 1, revealing that for the first time, there would be a fourth traitor, who is unknown to everyone – including traitors and viewers. This secret traitor, who is awarded a scarlet cloak, would call the shots, picking a shortlist of three people that the other traitors could murder.

Speculation is rife among fans, with everyone dying to know who the new secret traitor could be. Last night’s episode (January 3) saw tensions only rise among the traitors, with viewers almost witnessing the uncloaking of the secret traitor.

After Hugo was betrayed by fellow traitor Stephen, the first traitor was banished. The remaining two were set a secret mission that could help them uncover the identity of the secret traitor.

Stephen and Rachel had to highlight the family tree of players with red ink, saying who could be murdered. If they marked nine names, they would not only get to murder a player that evening, but they would also meet the secret traitor.

They succeeded in their mission, but not before almost giving themselves away to Reece. As such, that night, the secret traitor made their way to the traitors’ turret.

But with the credits rolling, viewers will have to wait until at least Wednesday 7 January to find out who it is. That’s if the show reveals it at all.

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READ MORE: Hours remain to grab Amazon’s Fire TV Stick at better than half-price

A “masterpiece” that comes from the creator of The Night Manager can be streamed for free.

The Night Manager has made its comeback to our screens, but there’s another “utterly amazing” drama that fans can binge-watch.

It’s been a decade since BBC viewers last saw Loki star Tom Hiddleston as former soldier Jonathan Pine, and now he’s returned for a second series which was initially revealed, much to everyone’s astonishment, in 2024.

The Night Manager, which draws from the bestselling 1990s novel of the same title, isn’t the sole John le Carré tale brought to television.

Eight years ago, another of le Carré’s narratives was transformed into a mini-series focusing on Charlie, an English actress recruited by Israeli intelligence to penetrate a Palestinian terrorist organisation by masquerading as the girlfriend of a bomber’s sibling.

Branded as both the “ultimate spy novel” and “one of the most beautiful heartwrenching love stories”, this alternative to The Night Manager shouldn’t be overlooked.

The Little Drummer Girl, which is available to stream without charge on BBC iPlayer, has garnered tremendous acclaim since its original broadcast.

Writing on IMDb, one viewer remarked: “This was such a breathtaking screen adaptation.”

Another agreed: “This is a beautifully made, written, directed and acted period thriller that has it all.

“This is not your typical Hollywood action fodder but an elegant and stylish piece of theatre,” a third contributor noted.

One devoted fan branded it “utterly amazing” whilst another viewer hailed it as a “masterpiece of acting, pacing and writing”. One viewer gushed: “I am speechless and overwhelmed…This has left me wanting for more, unlike The Night Manager.”

With a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score of 95%, on par with The Night Manager, The Little Drummer Girl boasts an impressive cast.

At the centre of the drama is Florence Pugh, known for her roles in Marvel’s Thunderbolts, Little Women and Oppenheimer, who plays Charlie.

She stars alongside Alexander Skarsgard, famed for his roles as Eric Northman in True Blood, Perry Wright in Big Little Lies and Tarzan in the 2016 film The Legend of Tarzan.

Other notable names include Michael Shannon from Death By Lightning, Simona Brown of Behind Her Eyes fame and Clare Holman, known for Inspector Morse.

The Little Drummer Girl is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

MANCHESTER United midfielder Mason Mount has found love.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

It sounds like Jordan is his new No1.

Tim’s scored Ad

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

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

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

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

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

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

Jossa is strong for family

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tina will Corrie on

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hannah Hope’s annual 2026 showbiz calendar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Watch it

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

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

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

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

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

A “masterpiece” biopic starring Robert De Niro is streaming on Netflix in the UK

A “masterpiece” biopic featuring Robert De Niro is available to stream on Netflix in the UK as of this week.

Raging Bull (1980) stands as a biographical sports drama adapted from world champion boxer Jake LaMotta’s memoir.

De Niro portrays LaMotta, whose “violence and determination led him to the very top inside the ring but destroyed his relationships outside it”, according to the BBC’s synopsis.

The cast of this Martin Scorsese-directed picture, a frequent De Niro collaborator, features Joe Pesci as Jake’s younger sibling and former manager, plus Cathy Moriarty as Jake’s long-suffering spouse Vickie.

The production secured two Academy Awards, with De Niro claiming Best Actor honours and Thelma Schoonmaker earning Best Editing recognition, cementing its status as a timeless classic, reports the Express.

Film blog Taste of Cinema declared it the “greatest biopic of all time” in a glowing post, celebrating both its performances and “surrealist” boxing sequences.

Devotees have flocked to IMDb to heap praise upon the picture, with one branding it a “masterpiece” whilst commending Scorsese’s directorial prowess.

“The fight scenes are famous for their brutal realism and it’s easy to see why,” they penned.

“He puts you right in the ring with the fighters and you cant help but admire their technical brilliance. However, the most stunning aspect of all is Thelma Schoonmaker’s editing.

“It’s some of the best editing I’ve ever seen especially during the fight scenes where it’s positively breathtaking.”

Another viewer praised: “Besides the legendary performance of Robert De Niro, there are many things in this film that will remain in my heart forever: the splendid black & white, the contrast between the slow moving scenes and the frenetic ones, the choice of the music and the sense of loss which entangles the whole movie.”

A third fan hailed the fight scenes as “are the most brutal that I have ever seen on film even though there’s only like 12 minutes of them and the editing is simply brilliant”.

They lamented: “It should have earned Scorsese a best director Oscar but at least they had enough sense to award de Niro the best actor Oscar,” adding: “I’ll come back to this film forever.”

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A fourth critic, who rated the film a perfect 10/10, enthused: “Terrific performances by the leads, particularly De Niro and Joe Pesci. Overall this is rightfully one of the greatest films ever made!”

The film carries a 15 certificate and includes strong violence, domestic abuse, sex references, and very strong language – so viewers are advised to exercise discretion.

Raging Bull is currently available for streaming on Netflix.

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

Waiting for the Out follows a man who teaches philosophy to prison inmates

The BBC has been slapped with complaints as viewers fumed over a new prison drama on Saturday (January 3).

New six-part drama Waiting for the Out has been penned by award-winning screenwriter Dennis Kelly from Andy West’s memoir, The Life Inside.

It follows Dan Stewer (played by Josh Finan), who decides to teach a group of male inmates about dominance, freedom, luck and other topics that have troubled philosophers for thousands of years. These topics also gain a new meaning when seen through the prisoners’ eyes, both igniting passions and creating tension.

The official synopsis continues: “Through his work, Dan begins to dig deeper into his own past – growing up with a father (Gerard Kearns) who ended up in prison, as did his brother Lee (Stephen Wight) and uncle Frank (Phil Daniels). Dan took a different path, but this time working in a prison begins to make him worry, obsessively, that he belongs behind bars just like his father.

“As Dan’s personal crisis deepens, his actions begin to threaten both his own future, and his family’s.”

The show’s cast also includes Samantha Spiro, Phil Daniels, Ronkẹ Adékoluẹjo, Neal Barry, Alex Ferns, Francis Lovehall, Steven Meo, Ric Renton, Tom Moutchi, Nima Taleghani, Sule Rimi, Charlie Rix and Jude Mack.

The first episode saw Dan begin his first day teaching philosophy in a men’s prison. The lesson soon unravelled as he realised he’d underestimated his audience – and the weight of his own past.

Fixating on small details, Dan lost control of the class, risked his chance to become a father and broke an important promise to his new girlfriend. But when a familiar face resurfaced, Dan was soon forced to confront someone he thought he’d left behind.

BBC viewers were quick to share their complaints after watching the episode, with many sharing their frustration on X (formerly Twitter). “Well this is 45 mins of my life I won’t get back,” one person wrote.

Another added: “This is so weird,” while a third said: “God this is awful. Fella has no survival instinct. I’d be out of there. Don’t think they’d lock him in there alone with no way out.”

Meanwhile, other viewers were impressed with the contents of the episode, with one person writing: “Wow very interesting style! Quite different from anything else I’ve seen,” while another shared: “Just watched #WaitingForTheOut and I think it’s going to be brilliant.”

Andy West, executive producer and author of The Life Inside, previously said in a statement: “I’m so thankful to the writers, directors, producers and everyone involved in adapting The Life Inside. They have brought extraordinary creative and moral imagination to the stories in the book. We all hope to make a series that goes beyond the clichés about prisons and the families inside them and that touches people either side of the wall.”

Writer and executive producer Dennis Kelly added: “It’s not at all unusual for the men in Andy West’s family to end up in prison – but Andy is the only one that chose to be there. His book is funny, insightful, beautiful, genuinely heartbreaking and nothing like what you’d expect it to be – we’ve tried to take that into the series. God alone knows if we’ve succeeded, but we’ve tried…”

Waiting for the Out is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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