BBC

The star, who died aged 76, also presented the schools show Our World and pioneering deaf community shows Listening Eye and Insight.

One of the stars of Children’s ITV has died aged 76. Tributes are being paid to Peter Llewellyn-Jones, who played Mr Grimley in The Riddlers, which was a teatime fixture throughout the Nineties.

The Riddlers featured the adventures of Marjorie Dawe, played by Victoria Williams, her neighbour Montgomery Lancelot Grimley, played by Llewelyn-Jones, and two Riddlers – puppet creatures – called Mossop and Tiddler.

The show, which was produced by Yorkshire Television, was a huge success, running for 224 episodes on ITV from 1989 until 1998. Five videos, two DVDs and a series of Riddler books were also released.

Away from Riddleton End, Llewellyn-Jones also presented on Our World, an ITV schools series about how children approach life that ran during the Eighties and Nineties.

He was also a prominent British Sign Language (BSL) advocate and appeared in the children’s TV show Insight, which produced sketches and short stories for deaf and hard of hearing young people from 1980 to 1984.

Llewellyn-Jones also appeared on its successor, the BBC’s Listening Eye, a pioneering show for the deaf community which later became Sign On.

The British Deaf Association paid tribute in a signed video, saying: “Today the British Deaf Association is deeply saddened by the passing of Peter Llewellyn-Jones, a BSL champion and strong ally of the deaf community for over 50 years.

“Peter had a long and valued association with the BDA, supporting our work and contributing to BDA events over many decades.

“From the early BDA Summer Schools through to wider national Deaf community events, he played an important role in improving communication and access between Deaf and hearing people.

“Peter was a visionary leader and pioneering advocate for linguistic rights.”

One fan responded to the news, writing: “Sad to hear that Peter Llewellyn Jones has passed away, I love The Riddlers and I remember buying it on video, when I was a kid.”

Dr Xand van Tulleken said people could make a key mistake as UK hit with killer salmonella outbreak

A BBC expert has explained the ‘thing you should worry about’ with UK kitchen egg storage after Salmonella outbreak. Cases of salmonella linked to imported eggs have risen, according to new figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

Officials reiterated that babies, young children, pregnant women and older people should only eat thoroughly cooked eggs in restaurants and cafes. There is no evidence that eggs produced in the UK are affected and the risk to the public remains low.

As of August 25, there have been 259 cases of salmonella and one death, the UKHSA said. Appearing on BBC Morning Live, Dr Xand van Tulleken said people need to consider how they store their eggs – but added one thing they should not do is wash them.

On the subject of whether people should store eggs in the fridge, he said: “From the Food Standards Agency, the advice is that the fridge is good. That’s their gold standard. But it is fine to store your eggs outside the fridge provided it’s in a place that is a steady temperature below 20°.

“Now this summer, my eggs are just out in the kitchen and it’s well over 20° for a lot of the summer and the temperature is fluctuating as well. So you’re fine in the fridge, you’re fine outside the fridge, but you want to cool the kitchen.”

People need to be aware of a potentially dangerous situation in fridges which can allow bacteria to grow, Dr van Tulleken said: “So here, let me give you the thing that you should actually worry about. It’s condensation. So, the reason they say keep them in the fridge at a steady temperature, so you’re trying to avoid temperature fluctuations and condensation because condensation, moisture on the outside of the egg allows bacteria into the egg.

“And so, if you’re getting your eggs in and out of the fridge all the time, you’re getting a lot of condensation, that could be a problem. And so having them in a cool kitchen is fine, but you’ll get a longer life from the egg if you keep it in the fridge. But you’re not mad if you’re keeping your eggs outside the fridge, but on a on a warm summer, you might be better in the fridge in the box.”

He added that people should not wash them: “You don’t want to wash your eggs for the same reason. You don’t want to get your eggs covered in moisture. Your eggs are fine. Don’t wash them. Just crack them.”

Anyone eating in a restaurant should ask one question: “The other thing is I think if you’re eating out at the moment, you can either ask them and say, ‘Have you checked for the British lion? Can I check that your eggs are not imported?’ If you’re not feeling up for that conversation with the waiter, it would be fine to also avoid soufflé, mousse, hollandaise, and mayonnaise.

“The steak with the raw egg on it. Any of those things, soft-boiled eggs, poached eggs, all those things would, if you’re worried, particularly if you’re vulnerable, I think that would be reasonable at the moment. But if you if the kitchen uses UK eggs, you’re fine.”

A contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee spoke about how proud they were to have made it so far.

A contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee has spoken of their pride in making it so far, as they were forced to leave the show. The BBC competition’s 12th series is well underway, with Patrick Grant and Esme Young returning as judges, while Sophie Willan replaced Sara Pascoe as presenter.

Just a week before the semi-finals, the remaining amateur sewers were challenged with Literary Icons week. As they channelled their inner bookworms, they were tasked with creating a deerstalker worn by Arthur Conan Doyle’s character Sherlock Holmes in the Pattern Challenge.

They were then asked to imagine what Roald Dahl’s Matilda would be like as a grown-up, creating an outfit from second-hand school uniforms. And finally, in the Made-to-Measure, the sewers created an outfit from the Regency period, inspired by the works of Jane Austen.

Despite her enthusiasm for the challenges, it was unfortunately Rebecca who missed out on a place in the semi-finals. She broke down in tears as Sophie announced she would be leaving the competition.

Sophie said: “Now for the difficult bit, one of you does have to go home today.” She went on: “You’ve all been amazing, it’s getting very serious now, it’s up here, so it’s very difficult for the judges. But unfortunately, the person going home today is Rebecca.”

Rebecca was supported by her co-stars as she wept over her exit, before sharing her pride in making it so far. She said: “I’m feeling incredibly proud of myself, I never thought I’d make it to the quarter-finals, so it’s been a privilege, every step of the way.”

Esme added: “I’ll really miss Rebecca. She was such fun, and making a dress and jacket was a lot of work. But she made so many mistakes.”

Rebecca continued: “Doing all of what I’ve achieved, being in pain the whole time, it’s just, I’m so proud of myself, and I hope that anyone who is living with an invisible disability or any disability, knows they can do incredible things.”

The Great British Sewing Bee continues next week, with the BBC teasing: “It’s the semi-final, and judges Patrick Grant and Esme Young set three challenges celebrating wardrobe heroes. These are items found in every wardrobe. However little or often they are worn, these clothes are must-haves and essentials.

“First, in the Pattern Challenge, the sewers must put their spin on the classic leather jacket, only this time, the judges have asked them to use plant-based leather.

“Next, for the Transformation Challenge, the sewers take men’s shirts and transform them into outfits for a wedding. Finally, in the Made-to-Measure, it’s the timeless little black dress that is the inspiration Four sewers remain, but only three will make it to the final.”

The Great British Sewing Bee is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

A much-loved BBC favourite is making a surprise return to screens after spending a lengthy break away

A much-loved face is returning to the BBC.

Master woodworker Norman Wilkinson is set to make a surprise return to television today after a lengthy break from the programme.

Sarah Moore revealed that her former co-star Norman will be back on screen when the new series returns on Monday (August 31) afternoon.

Speaking alongside fellow co-star Jacqui Joseph, Sarah was asked about her standout moments from the upcoming series, during which she revealed that Norman’s comeback was one of the things she was most excited about.

She explained that he had been away from the programme for “like eight, nine series”, despite being a firm favourite with viewers.

She said: “I think the standout item was Norman, who was off our screens for like eight, nine series. And he was absolutely the favourite of so many people who watched the series, and we couldn’t really comment on why he wasn’t on it anymore or anything like that.”

Now, however, Norman has returned to the show for a very different kind of project. According to Sarah, he was brought back to carry out an impressive transformation involving an old organ.

“But he came back to do an amazing transformation of an organ, a sort of small church organ,” she explained. Sarah admitted she was delighted to see him back and praised the work he had done on the unusual piece.

“I think it’s just so lovely that he’s back on, he made a great job of it. So I think people would be really pleased to see him.” She went on to describe the finished creation as one of the standout pieces from the new series. Sarah said: “The standout moment was Norman; he did such a solid job.”

The restoration involved transforming a smashed-up 1920s organ into a bespoke writing desk, with Sarah particularly impressed by how timeless the finished item looked.

“It just looks like the kind of furniture that you know in 200 years’ time people will be using it,” she said. “And it was a beautiful desk made out of an organ, and people won’t even know that it was ever anything else. It’s just such a great makeover.”

Norman’s return is set to be one of the talking points of the new series, particularly after such a long absence from the programme. He will appear in the first episode of the 19th series.

Money for Nothing broadcasts Monday – Thursday at 2pm on BBC One and is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie returned for the third Vigil adventure that brings about death and drama from a remote Arctic research station

The third series of all action BBC drama Vigil has arrived and co-leads Suranne Jones and Rose Leslie are understandably proud of what they have achieved.

The adventures and investigations of DCI Amy Silva (Suranne) and DI Kirsten Longacre (Rose) which began on a submarine in 2021 attracted over 13 million viewers and despite TV audiences splitting across streaming platforms and huge choice, more than nine million viewers saw series two in December 2023 on BBC1.

Now they are back again for a new case that takes them to a remote Arctic research station, where a member of a covert British special forces mission has been murdered.

“This is kick-ass,” Suranne said of the project. “I’m always saying this is why I wanted to take this job on. This is a big, ballsy, prime time BBC show that’s like fronted by not just one, two women. And not just one, two women in a same-sex relationship. I mean, it’s great. It’s big. It’s brilliant. And then the drama that comes with it. I am proud that people still love it.

“We’re proudly representing two women that are now together, they’re married, they have two children. Rose and I have always taken the personal scenes and made sure that there is some weight to them so that we can really play, even if it’s one or two scenes, we try and make those count because it’s about our connection and always has been.

“I think fans can relate to Amy and Kirsten because they hope for the best in every situation and they try to see the good in everything. They keep fighting, which is hard these days, but they feel quite hopeful as a duo to change the world. It is the systems around them that let them down.”

Turning to her character and filming in Svalbard, she added: “We’ve seen Amy underwater, we’ve seen her fighting drones, and now series three is set in the Arctic.

“We had the opportunity to go to Svalbard, which was such an experience. It was so beautiful and we filmed those scenes at the beginning of the shoot, which allowed us to get a real feel of the world that we were inhabiting.

“Rose and I felt like we were just on top of the world because we went to places that tourists don’t normally visit since we were filming in such remote locations. There were reindeer outside the breakfast room every morning, we got to drive the snow buggies, and we really had to layer up – the problem was when we got back to Glasgow we were too hot because we still had to film with all our layers on!”

The two actors clearly enjoy working together and on screen their characters now have two children, something Rose has replicated in real life.

A mother herself, 48-year-old Suranne is now a TV veteran with hits including Doctor Foster, Gentleman Jack and Scott & Bailey since moving on from Coronation Street in 2004.

On her co-star Suranne said: “Rose has been through two pregnancies in the seasons, so you know that we bonded over because they’re big life experiences. I shared the hormones! I’m on the other end of the perimenopause. But yeah, I think it’s great.

“It’s been so lovely to develop and you’ll see when we actually get screen time together. It’s an interesting relationship.”

For 39-year-old Rose, a former star of Game Of Thrones, the job of working on dramas has changed and is now combined with bringing up a young family. She married her Game Of Thrones co-star Kit Harrington in 2018 and they have a son born in 2021 and a daughter born in 2023.

Rose continued: “I feel incredibly grateful that I had jobs to go back to post giving birth. That was incredible, and that was a kind of mental safety net to be like, oh my gosh, okay, there can still be money coming in despite the fact that I’m now growing a family. That was amazing.

“I think what it shows about working mums is that we’re f***ing lionesses. You’re juggling it all. Like you’re grappling with who you were prior to that. You’re also wanting to raise a little human who feels that they are worthy and loved, without you always going off to work. But you’re coming home. You’re trying to instil a sense of peace and calm within them, But yeah spinning many plates.”

Despite it being very cold in between takes, the two leads enjoyed the time chatting and catching up after several years between the series. Suranne said: “Rose is always my standout of filming Vigil because it’s always gorgeous to see her and work with her. We didn’t stop talking the whole time. We got to spend a lot more time together in this series in comparison to the previous ones, because Amy joins Kirsten in Svalbard midway through and they work on the case together.

“What’s also lovely is having a new cast for every series of Vigil because we’re in a different world every series, so the entire cast changes except for a few of us. The new characters for this series are brilliant and such fun. Eric Godon (plays Mayor Korotayev) used to bring his own coffee onto set and he’s from Belgium, so he’d sometimes bring Belgian chocolates in.

“We’re just like a band of brothers and we’re all in it together so we’re a real team – that involves the crew too. I loved going into make-up first thing in the morning, it’s my favourite place as they’re so great and they really get you going at the start of the day.”

Grinning Rose added: “I think it comes down for me certainly to the fact that Suranne is utterly divine. Being opposite her and also working alongside of her, and the kind of the energy that she brings and the joy that she brings.

“It’s interesting, particularly with series three the fact that we get to share more screen time has been awesome, so I feel really for series three that our relationship has developed more than in one and two.”

The pair don’t want to give too much of the plot away, but it is fair to say the series continues where the previous two left off with explosions, death and devious characters involved.

Amy and Kristen – fresh back from maternity leave – will need to catch the killer and defuse a potential international confrontation, as different nations compete for control of the Arctic and its resources in the changing polar climate. It is a challenging and dangerous situation with both their careers and relationship seemingly on the line.

Suranne concluded: “Each series also brings new challenges with Amy not knowing her surroundings – she’s constantly put into these new worlds, with new rules and new characters and so she’s always trying to figure out where her authority is in that. I also think Amy and Kirsten are kept in the dark with what they’re being told and it’s their job to find the gaps and piece it together.

“I think fans can relate to Amy and Kirsten because they hope for the best in every situation and they try to see the good in everything. They keep fighting, which is hard these days, but they feel quite hopeful as a duo to change the world.”

Vigil Series 3 returned on August 30 on BBC1 with episodes one and two on BBC iPlayer.

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Lulu performed her own James Bond song, The Man with the Golden Gun, at the BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall

Lulu appeared to be moved to tears following her showstopping performance at the BBC Proms.

Host Nick Mohammed set the tone from the very start of the evening, joking that his appearance at the concert was doubling up as an audition for the next James Bond.

“I will say, while a decision hasn’t yet been made about who’s going to be the next James Bond, I am kind of seeing this as my audition,” he told the audience.

“I know it’s a bit unconventional. I’d usually just do a self-tape on my phone, but I thought, why not hire out the Royal Albert Hall with the full support of an orchestra?”

Introducing conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, Mohammed joked: “Tonight, we provided the illustrious leader of our special operation with a short wooden stick, but when aimed in a particular direction, is able to do this. May I present the man with the golden baton.”

The Royal Albert Hall played host to the beloved and instantly recognisable theme tunes from the Bond franchise, alongside memorable soundtracks from other spy films, with Mohammed describing their mission as a celebration of “more than 60 years of 007 soundtracks and songs, arguably some of the most iconic film music ever created.”

The BBC Concert Orchestra, led by Bartholomew-Poyser, delivered the music alongside a lineup of special guest vocalists.

Yet it was Lulu who truly stole the show. The legendary Scottish singer took centre stage to perform her very own James Bond number, The Man with the Golden Gun.

Fans flocked to X to share their reactions, with one writing, “Ahhh! The eternally delicious LuLu x x x,” reports the Daily Record.

Another praised, “I was so looking forward to this…best thing? Lulu.” Lulu looks and sounds fabulous,” a third chimed in, while another gushed, “Lulu looks and sounds phenomenal.”

One fan noted that Lulu “Seemed emotional at the end there,” while another enthused, “Best singer so far…go on Lulu!”

The audience erupted in cheers and applause for Lulu, who stood on stage, visibly tearful, following her breathtaking set.

The BBC Proms is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The Godfather, widely considered the greatest gangster film ever made, is being shown on BBC2 tonight at 10pm – starring Marlon Brando and Al Pacino

The Godfather, based on the much-loved gangland crime book of the same name, is widely accepted as “the best of all time” is on BBC tonight.

The 1969 novel by Mario Puzo was adapted for screen and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film was a smash hit and swept up during awards season with the performances revered as the best in cinema history.

With a stacked cast including Marlon Brando and Al Pacino to the film remains the gold standard for the crime genre today. One IMDb user said it is “One of the best of all time”, giving the film a solid 10/10 score.

Another wrote: “A flawless movie. This movie translates from the book perfectly!This movie made me want to be a director and create film. Everyone’s acting was perfect. To think that Puza wrote this specifically to make a hit is at first crazy.”

More than five decades since its release, The Godfather continues to command a devoted following, and tonight you can watch it on BBC Two, completely free of charge.

The story follows the shady underground world of the Corleone crime family. It scooped up three Oscars for Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay, with Brando also claiming Best Actor.

An IMDb review said: “A masterclass in film making, is The Godfather a contender for the best film of all time? I’d argue the case that it is, this is the ultimate gangster movie.

“Before you panic at the thought of a film being almost three hours long, you needn’t, you won’t even notice the time, it flies by. Production values are incredible, it looks sublime the whole way through, it’s so well produced, at roughly fifty years old it puts many new films to shame.

“Brandon, Pacino and Castellano, just a few of the Incredible performances, I could add a whole lot more. If you’re considering buying a hard copy, I would recommend it on blu ray, it is sharper than the dvd, there is a difference. This film has had a huge influence down the years, it is still, and will forever be, one of the greatest, 10/10. “

Another wrote: “This movie is strong, good script, great casting, excellent acting, and over the top directing. It is hard to fine a movie done this well, it is 29 years old and has aged well.

“Even if the viewer does not like mafia type of movies, he or she will watch the entire film, the audiences is glued to what will happen next as the film progresses. Its about, family, loyalty, greed, relationships, and real life. This is a great mix, and the artistic style make the film memorable.”

The Godfather will be on BBC2 at 10pm.

Casualty is set to air a gripping double-bill as the BBC medical drama celebrates its 40th anniversary with an explosive incident.

Casualty fans are in for a treat during the landmark anniversary.

Over the years, BBC fans have seen the team at Holby Hospital face a range of intense situations, from helicopter crashes, horrific stabbings and bomb explosions.

However, it looks as though the upcoming double-bill episodes could top them all as one star from the medical drama has spoken about the gripping scenes ahead.

As Casualty is set to mark its 40th anniversary in September, the programme has given viewers a glimpse at what’s to come with a trailer earlier this month.

It features a huge explosion, a multitude of injuries, tears, police and two favourites in an ambulance crash, reports the Daily Star.

Actress Melanie Hill, who takes on the role of Siobhan McKenzie in the BBC drama, spoke to the Screen Time team at Reachplc about the upcoming episodes.

While saying the scenes are ‘always chaotic’, the actress confessed she thinks the instalments are the ‘most ambitious’ that have been seen in the history of Casualty.

Melanie explained that not only is there an influx of people who are injured and needing to be seen to, but there are personal stories surrounding the doctors and nurses who work at the hospital.

A synopsis for the upcoming episodes teases that ‘impossible life-or-death’ decisions are forced onto the beloved characters as their courage, resilience and leadership will be tested.

While Dylan (William Beck) is set to face a personal tragedy of his own, Stevie (Elinor Lawless) and Flynn (Olly Rix) find themselves fighting for survival in a race against time.”

With the trailer dropping earlier this month, devoted fans were quick to share their reactions to the tantalising preview, with many fearing the worst was yet to come.

One person said, “I wonder which paramedic is driving the ambulance; it looks like Indie.” Another added: “This is going to be one intense watch, peak TV incoming.”

While someone else commented: “Sounds awful, but as long as Dylan is ok, I will be SO upset if they kill him off, he’s been my fav for SO long!!” As another added: “If anyone dies, I will be crying unapologetically.”

Casualty’s special double-bill will air on Saturday, 5 September 2026, on BBC iPlayer and BBC One

Vigil is back on the BBC after a three-year hiatus with another complex case to crack.

BBC’s Vigil season three airs tonight but it’s going to look very different from the first two series.

Since BBC fans last saw DCI Amy Silva (played by Suranne Jones) and DI Kirsten Longacre (Rose Leslie), they have built a life together, welcoming their young son but it doesn’t take long before a new case lands on their laps.

The second series saw Amy travel to the Middle East following a drone attack but this time around, it’s Kirsten who is investigating a case in far colder temperatures.

After a British officer on an undercover special forces mission is fatally shot abroad, it’s up to Kirsten, as well as Amy back home, to find out what really happened.

As the countdown begins until its debut, here’s all there is to know about the filming locations for Vigil season three.

BBC Vigil season 3 filming locations

BBC Vigil season three is primarily set in Svalbard in the Arctic Circle which is where the series was also filmed.

Svalbard is part of Norway and a remote Arctic archipelago situated between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

Its largest island Spitsbergen is the home of its largest settlement Longyearbyen which has a population of around 2,600.

Describing the experience to the BBC, actress Suranne Jones shared: “Rose [Leslie] and I felt like we were just on top of the world because we went to places that tourists don’t normally visit since we were filming in such remote locations.

“There were reindeer outside the breakfast room every morning, we got to drive the snow buggies, and we really had to layer up.”

While most of the action takes place in Svalbard, this wasn’t BBC Vigil season three’s only filming location.

When Amy and Kirsten aren’t abroad investigating murder cases, they are at home in Scotland where Vigil is also shot.

The cast and crew were also seen filming extensively in and around Glasgow in areas including the West End and West Princes Street.

Vigil season three premieres on Sunday, August 30, at 9pm, on BBC One.

The former BBC child star is leading a completely different life away from the spotlight

The Queen’s Nose star Victoria Shalet looks almost unrecognisable over 30 years since she rose to fame.

Fans of the nineties show will remember the actress playing Harmony in the children’s programme, which was based on Dick King-Smith’s novel of the same name.

It followed Harmony, a 12-year-old who was gifted a magical 50p coin by her uncle Ginger. The coin had powers to grant wishes when Queen Elizabeth II’s nose was rubbed.

Leading actress Victoria starred on the show from its debut in 1995 until season four, when the story took a new direction without her character.

But her career didn’t end there, Victoria went on to appear in TV shows like The Quest and Midsomer Murders.

The London-born performer also had memorable movie roles in the 1995 horror Haunted and 2003 drama Eroica. But even Victoria’s biggest fans would struggle to recognise the actress now, almost 15 years since her last role.

The 44-year-old is now a psychotherapist for individuals and couples, working in areas including abuse, grief and child-related issues.

Victoria recalls her past life on her website, writing: “Before becoming a psychotherapist, I spent over two decades working as an actor in film, television, theatre, and radio.

“This immersive experience of observing and portraying the human condition deepened my curiosity about why we do what we do—and how our internal world shapes our behaviour and relationships.”

She has previously opened up about leaving the industry, confessing that she simply lost her spark for performing.

Speaking to Glamour, she explained: “From the age of six, I was acting, but I got to my early twenties and realised my heart just wasn’t in it.

“Then I had some therapy myself and it really did make me re-evaluate what I wanted from life. I did a foundation year in counselling and knew I wanted to take it further.”

Victoria went on to describe the moment everything changed, sharing: “The crunch came when I was accepted onto a training course that would qualify me to be a therapist.

“On the same day, I got a call-back from an audition to be a regular in Holby City. When I didn’t get the part, I saw it as a sign that I had to give up acting altogether to do the three-year course. I had to make a choice and I’ve never regretted it.”

Old episodes of The Queen’s Nose are currently available to watch on YouTube

The star is a mainstay on British screens now but was just at the start of the their career in the costume drama

One of the stars of Silent Witness looks worlds away from their role on the BBC crime drama in these images from their first big screen role.

The star was just starting out at the time they landed a part in BBC’s iconic 1995 Pride and Prejudice adaptation with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. Emilia Clarke took on the role of Mr Darcy’s younger sibling Georgiana Darcy in Jane Austen’s cherished romantic classic.

The role saw her character Georgiana making friends with Ehle’s witty Elizabeth Bennet, who was the object of her brother’s affections. The role was just the beginning of an impressive career that saw Fox going on to feature in the BBC’s 1999 Charles Dickens adaptation of David Copperfield, Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased), and Oscar-winning film The Pianist with Adrien Brody.

The BBC’s 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice is still considered by many to be the most faithful screen adaptation of the literary classic. However, Netflix will be hoping to steal this crown when it launches its version of Pride and Prejudice starring Emma Corrin and Jack Lowden.

Fox spoke last year on Kate Thornton’s White Wine Question Time podcast about starring in Pride and Prejudice. She explained how she had “tiny, weeny, weeny part in it” in the Regency series.

She went on to admit that she’d never actually seen Pride and Prejudice, despite starring in the series because she was at university at the time, studying at St Catherine’s College, Oxford.

Nonetheless, Fox said she still had plans to watch Pride and Prejudice at some point. She praised the cast of the drama, which also includes David Bamber, House of Cards actress Susannah Harker, Gavin and Stacey star Alison Steadman and Jonathan Creek’s Julia Sawalha.

Fox hails from an acting dynasty, with her brother being White House Farm and House of the Dragon star Freddie Fox. Meanwhile, her actor parents are Joanna David and Edward Fox.

Her uncle is The Remains of the Day actor James Fox and her cousins are Lewis star Laurence Fox, Sanditon’s Jack Fox, and Lydia Fox. The star has been portraying forensic pathologist Dr Nikki Alexander in BBC series Silent Witness since 2004 after taking over as the show’s lead from Amanda Burton.

Despite being busy on Silent Witness, Fox has managed to squeeze in other projects, such as Legend Has It, Signora Volpe, The Trial of Christine Keeler, and Delicious. She is next going to be featuring in the forthcoming season of Silent Witness, which will be out in 2027.

Pride and Prejudice is streaming on U and BBC iPlayer now

Fans of Beyond Paradise will love the BBC detective drama created by Robert Thorogood

A BBC detective drama written by Death in Paradise creator Robert Thorogood is airing tonight.

The Marlow Murder Club returns tonight and will air at 9pm on BBC Two. Part one of two of the adaptation of Robert Thorogood’s novel will be shown, starring Samantha Bond, Cara Horgan, and Jo Martin.

The synopsis for the episode reads, “Retired archaeologist Judith Potts’s peaceful evening in Marlow is shattered when she witnesses the murder of her neighbour.

“With the local police, led by newly promoted DS Tanika Malik, reluctant to believe her story, Judith starts her own investigation, enlisting the help of the vicar’s wife, Becks Starling, and local dog walker Suzie Harris.”

Fans can tune in to watch the repeat as they eagerly await the fourth series of the crime drama’s return.

Series four is set to return on free-streaming service U in 2027, and will feature an adaptation of Sunday Times Best Seller Robert Thorogood’s novel Murder on the Marlow Belle, alongside brand-new original mysteries.

Returning to solve more complex and intriguing murders in Marlow are meticulous crossword-setter Judith Potts (Samantha Bond), pillar of the community and vicar’s wife Becks Starling (Cara Horgan), and no-nonsense dog walker Suzie Harris (Jo Martin).

Working tirelessly alongside DI Tanika Malik (Natalie Dew) and her police team, the crime-solving trio put their unconventional methods into practice to catch the killers across three brand-new stories.

Series four begins with the discovery of a body in the river, soon linked to the Marlow Amateur Dramatics Society and a homegrown Hollywood star.

The team must also unravel the truth behind a man’s sudden death at his mother’s wake. He appears to have died from an allergic reaction, but is there more to it than that? And when the co-owner of a vineyard is found dead, drowned in his own wine, the women work to make sense of this seemingly unmotivated murder.

Masterpiece Head of Scripted Content and Executive Producer Susanne Simpson shared about the new series: “The Marlow Murder Club has quickly become one of our most popular Mystery! series.

“The strong female characters with unique skills and a special bond that resonates with our audience. And who doesn’t like to solve a good puzzle?! The fourth season is sure to deliver on everything the fans have come to love about the show.”

The Marlow Murder Club airs tonight at 9pm on BBC Two.

We’re marking top-flight German football being shown live on the BBC every Friday with a Bundesliga edition of our Who am I? game.

Bayern Munich host Stuttgart this Friday (19:30 BST) and you can watch live on BBC iPlayer or on the BBC Sport website and app.

The rules are simple. We want you to guess the Bundesliga footballer in as few attempts as possible.

After each wrong guess you unlock a new clue. The fewer clues you need to get the right answer, the more points you score.

Three is a good score, four or five points is exceptional.

Today’s player and clues set by BBC Sport’s Adam Ellis.

After more quizzes? Go to our dedicated Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes pages and sign up for notifications to get the latest quizzes sent straight to your device.

Teen sisters Cat and Honor Black were among the youngest entrepreneurs ever on BBC Dragons’ Den at just 16 and 17.

A Dragons’ Den contestant has shared a powerful message after making history on the programme, becoming one of the youngest-ever entrepreneurs to walk away with five investors. Cat Black and her sister Honor Black were just 16 and 17 years old when they entered the Den, putting forward their brand Maiden to Steven Bartlett, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman, Peter Jones and guest Dragon Gary Neville.

The sisters pitched their venture business Maiden, a brand committed to empowering girls and women. Their company, which creates cricket clothing, teamwear and equipment exclusively for women and girls, had been established following their own experiences.

“We started Maiden because we were tired of being at the sidelines,” Honor explained. “We felt when playing at every level that we were forced to make kit with boys’ kit or unisex gear that wasn’t designed for us. And so we decided that we would make something that worked for us and others like us.”

Cat recalled a moment that left her wanting to quit cricket, after a “humiliating” experience during her time of the month where the other players laughed and she felt misunderstood. “The kit we had was not designed for such a situation,” she went on. “This pushed me to help create something that made girls feel confident and comfort in the sport they play.”

They had walked in asking for £15,000 for a 10% stake in their business, having launched in 2024 to roaring success from girls like them, parents and schools. “The message was clear, we weren’t alone,” Honor said.

Talking about scaling their business, Cat went on: “Women’s cricket is going, the timing is perfect and we’re at the forefront of change. We want Maiden to be the go-to brand for female cricket.” Honor added: “And as our brand does always say, it’s ok boys, we will take it from here,” reports Wales Online.

Leaving the Dragons more than impressed, Cat and Honor secured five investments, giving away a total of 25% of their business. Their product was hailed as “fantastic” by Touker Suleyman, who admitted: “I’m very impressed.” Steven meanwhile praised: “If you’re this capable at 16/17 years old, I can’t imagine what you’re going to be like at 18/19/20.”

In an exclusive interview, Cat spoke to The Mirror about the experience, and building the company with her sister. She said: “When we ended up getting all five Dragons, we were like, oh my god, no way. We’d never even thought about what would happen if we had got Dragons!”

After filming in the Den, Cat was given the opportunity to meet the other Dragons. “It was hugs all around, I met all of them, definitely a bucket list moment ticked off,” she said.

She added: “I remember hugging them so many times, I was so overwhelmed. Peter Jones really understood the situation more than the others, just because he started a business at 16, so he was like, ‘This is an amazing achievement, and I hope it all goes well for you’.”

Talking about their journey to build Maiden into what it is today, she continued: “You always look up to other business, and aspire to be bigger and aspire to be better. I didn’t know that I’d been the youngest contestant on Dragons’ Den [to receive five offers].”

Cat continued: “I don’t think I realise how far we have come until someone tells me, which is always amazing. I am honestly proud that we’ve managed to do this and inspire other women to do the same.

“It’s such a big thing because it’s not just around cricket. The whole Maiden mission is more like for women who see a problem, you can fix it, you can do something about it.

“That’s what inspires me and hopefully it inspires lots of other women, not just in the sports industry but everywhere. You can change and you can do something.”

Dragons’ Den is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Emmerdale fans will remember John Barton’s dramatic exit following a romantic reunion with his wife Moira

Emmerdale icon James Thornton has a very famous wife who sitcom fans will instantly recognise.

It’s been 17 years since James Thornton arrived in the Dales as dashing John Barton, and alongside his wife, Moira (Natalie J Robb), he became the new owner of Butlers Farm.

The farmer took over the agricultural business from the iconic Sugden family, kick-starting a new dynasty on the ITV soap and a long-standing feud between the two families.

John and Moira were childhood sweethearts, and the parents of Matty and Holly Barton, and James was also the adoptive dad of Adam Barton, though his biological father was James Barton.

Before his arrival, series producer Gavin Blyth described James’ character, John, as “a very charismatic and modern farmer”.

However, despite the Bartons initially appearing as the perfect, hardworking family unit, cracks began to show in John and Moira’s marriage.

John’s kiss with Eve Jenson (Suzanne Shaw) and Moira’s subsequent affair with Cain Dingle (Jeff Hordley) tested their relationship. Despite struggling to forgive Moira for her infidelity, John eventually realised he couldn’t live without her.

When the couple reconciled in February 2012, their happiness was short-lived when a harrowing incident saw John and Moira’s car crash following a skid on ice, leading to a tragic plunge off a ravine. John died in the incident, leaving Moira heartbroken.

Speaking to Digital Spy in 2012 about his dramatic Emmerdale exit, James thought the storyline was “brilliant” and said: “As I learned more, I discovered that the scale of John’s departure was going to be huge, and that the amount of money they were spending was massive.

“So I was really, really pleased. As an actor, you always want to do something that’s going to grab the audience’s attention.”

Famous wife

James married Welsh actress Joanna Page, famous for her role as Stacey in the BBC hit Gavin & Stacey, in December 2003, four years after they both starred in the two-part BBC drama David Copperfield – he was Ham Peggotty, and she was Dora Spenlow.

The couple share four children – Eva, Kit, Noah, and the youngest, Boe, who was born in 2021.

It was having children that, Joanna says, completely changed their relationship. She told Woman magazine: “It completely changes you. You’re really close and a unit, then you have kids, and it kind of completely splits you because they’re now the focus.

“We know that romance is going to be on the back burner for now and life is exhausting and hectic, but in 15 years’ time it’s just going to be and him and then we’re going to get to go travelling around the world.”

Road accident

In February 2010, James was hit by a motorist in London and received medical treatment for leg injuries. Emmerdale producers rewrote scenes involving his character. At the time, an Emmerdale source told the Daily Star the entire cast was shocked.

James now works as a voice artist and has narrated several documentaries, including BBC series This Farming Life. He has narrated and appeared in the documentary Benefits By the Sea: Jaywick (2015–2016), narrated the Channel 5 series The Motorway, and has been the voice of Talk TV.

He also narrates ad campaigns for high-profile brands like Ford, Amazon, Shell, and BP.

Emmerdale airs weekdays on ITV and ITVX

Zoe Ball appeared on Wednesday’s Celebrity MasterChef as a guest judge, where she set the contestants a food challenge

Celebrity MasterChef welcomed Zoe Ball on Wednesday’s episode.

During the latest instalment, the second round of heats continued, with five celebrities facing two more culinary challenges as they battled for a place in this week’s quarter-final.

First up, it was the return of the mystery box before the Who’s Coming to Dinner? round, where each week, a special guest sets a culinary brief for the celebrities. On Wednesday’s episode, Zoe, 55, entered the MasterChef kitchen as a guest judge, asking the celebrities to create the ultimate pudding. It comes as Zoe recently admitted fears for her new radio job.

Hosts, Grace Dent and Giorgio Locatelli, were delighted over Zoe’s appearance in the kitchen with Grace calling her a ‘hero’ of hers.

Talking in a VT about appearing on the show, Zoe joked: “I am so honoured to be in the MasterChef kitchen, but I am a terrible cook. I mentioned to my kids that I might be visiting the studio and the looks of horror.

“[They said] ‘What? They’ve allowed you in?’ So the only way I could ever come here was to be a guest judge. So I’m thrilled and I’m ready to be impressed.”

Talking about setting the ultimate pudding task, Zoe quipped: “A meal is not complete without a pudding. It’s a little bit of naughtiness, a bit of indulgence. I will often order pudding before I’ve even thought about the main.”

She added: “I’ve always been a pudding kind of girl. My family are pudding people. A meal is not finished until you’ve had pudding.

“Puddings make me happy. They’re creamy, they’re rich, they’re a little bit naughty and things that are naughty are good for you, in my opinion.”

Taking to Twitter, now X, viewers were all quick to say the same thing about Zoe’s appearance on the show. One person said: “Zoe’s like a breath of fresh air! Best celeb judge! #MasterChefUK #CelebrityMasterChef.”

A different account wrote: “Loving Zoe’s positivity giving encouragement. She realises these celebs are not professional chefs. #CelebrityMasterChef!” while another viewer said: “Zoe Ball seems really nice. #celebritymasterchef.”

Another fan commented: “Seeing #zoeball on #celebritymasterchef just made me think, #zoeball should have been one of the new presenters of #strictlycomedancing!” while a different viewer added: “Zoe Ball feels like a natural presenter for this show #CelebrityMasterchef!”

At the end of Wednesday’s episode, it was sadly comedian and influencer Tom Simons aka TommyInnit who left the kitchen.

Celebrity MasterChef continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

BBC’s Escape to the Country saw couple Matt and Jamie embark on a house hunt in Devon, where they were wowed by a clever country house feature

Escape to the Country host Sonali Shah admitted she was “obsessed” with one property as the BBC show accompanied two new house hunters to Devon.

As the property series supports prospective buyers, it was down to Sonali to help Matt and Jamie find their rural dream home in and around the idyllic county of South West England during Wednesday’s (August 26) episode of the BBC series.

Jamie, an NHS genetic counselor based in the Oxfordshire town of Wantage, and her partner Matt, an aerospace engineer living in Eastleigh, Hampshire, had a budget of £550,000 to purchase their property together, with hopes of the house becoming a family home in the future.

When Sonali visited the third property on her list, she shared her excitement and said: “Our mystery house is all about location, and I can’t wait to see their reaction about being smack bang in the middle of the village. The house itself, oh my word.”

The host later confessed to Jamie and Matt: “I’m going to be straight, I am obsessed with this house,” before Jamie later confirmed it was a “dream home.”

The handsome Georgian house, situated in Ipplepen, offered four bedrooms and two reception rooms, nestled in the very heart of the village, and was priced at £530,000.

As Matt and Jamie explored the charming home, they were particularly struck by one standout feature — a first-floor laundry room.

Matt said, “It’s a clever use of space, actually,” as Jamie replied, “It is a really smart idea. You’re not having to lug washing baskets up and down the stairs every five minutes. I don’t know why everyone doesn’t do that.”

Despite Jamie highlighting the “perfection” of the property’s interior design, she noted the garden offered no room for a workshop — something that could prove a dealbreaker. Matt conceded the home fell short of their “practical needs”, yet remained keen.

Later in the episode, which originally aired in 2024, Jamie and Matt unveiled the outcome of their property search on Escape to the Country.

The couple delightedly announced they had placed an offer on the very first property, with Matt saying: “After seeing the second and third one, the first was the best fit for us.”

Their offer had been accepted, and Matt and Jamie had successfully purchased a property in Mutterton which was on the market for £550,000. The 19th-century cottage boasted three bedrooms, an annexe, and a sizeable kitchen.

Escape to the Country airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer

A contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee has shared an emotional statement after their exit.

A contestant on The Great British Sewing Bee has broken their silence after being forced to leave the competition. The beloved BBC show has returned with its 12th season, with Esme Young and Patrick Grant reprising their roles as judges, whilst comedian Sophie Willan replaced Sara Pascoe as presenter.

The episode airing Tuesday, August 25, saw the remaining amateur sewers “hit all the right notes” for music week, for a place in the quarter-final. In the Pattern Challenge, they paid homage to the original Material Girl, making cone bras inspired by the Jean Paul Gaultier creations Madonna wore in the 1990s.

The Transformation Challenge saw the sewers tested in teams, as they had to use bedroom furnishings to create outfits for two different pop acts. And the theme was DISCO for Made-to-Measure, with the sewers creating outfits inspired by the genre that defined 1970s pop music.

However, sadly, one sewer was forced to leave the competition, with primary school teacher Adele going. She’s now addressed her exit on social media and been supported by a new legion of fans.

The 36-year-old shared: “My incredible Sewing Bee journey has come to an end. What a fantastic experience it has been, with memories I’ll cherish forever. (Watch to the end for my favourite photo EVER!) I have 11 special sewing friends for life! We all supported and looked after each other. Our little Bee family.

“I am so proud that I pushed myself to do it, despite the overwhelming nerves. It’s so terrifying putting yourself out there, but I really wanted to encourage others to give it a go too!

“A huge thank you to my supportive husband Steve, who has encouraged me so much and held the fort at home with the kids, even though I said I’d probably be sent home after the first episode! Also, a big thank you to my mum, who helped look after the kids so I could practice all the made-to-measure last summer.

“Thank you to my beautiful models @amygr.y (Team Ginger!) and the lovely Janvii, who absolutely nailed it and really encouraged me.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d reach episode 7. I only started dressmaking 5 years ago, after being encouraged by the Sewing Bee to start. What a dream come true.”

As part of her post, Adele shared snippets from her Sewing Bee journey, and added: “It’s been the BEST experience of my life. I hope I’ve made everyone at home and my children proud. Believe in yourself and have confidence to chase your dreams. See what magic you can create.”

Adele was showered in support after sharing her post. One follower wrote: “You are amazing, and my son and I have loved watching every moment of you on the Bee and cheering you on. You should be so so proud of yourself.”

The Great British Sewing Bee is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

The sequel to a beloved 1970s family film also stars Sheridan Smith and Sir Thomas Courtenay

Call the Midwife fans waiting for the show’s World War II prequel are urged to watch this inspiring movie.

Before Jenny Agutter ever appeared in BBC One’s Call the Midwife as much-loved nun, Sister Julienne, she was already famed for her many acting roles, including her part in The Railway Children.

It’s been more than 55 years since Agutter first waved her red petticoat to save a steam train from disaster in the movie adaptation of the classic story.

The original film was based on the novel by Edith Nesbit about three children who are sent to live in the countryside beside a railway line after their father is arrested on mysterious spying charges.

Agutter played the eldest child, Bobbie Waterbury, in a 1968 TV adaptation, followed by the film two years later. She also played the mother in an ITV remake in 2000.

In 2022, a sequel, The Railway Children Return, arrived, and Agutter sensationally reprised her iconic role as Bobbie.

The film is set amid the Second World War, with the action taking place in the village of Oakworth in 1944. After the major cities become unsafe to live in, three children are evacuated to the countryside, where they hope to build a new life.

They are greeted by Bobbie, who moved to Oakworth three decades earlier, and her adult daughter Annie, played by Sheridan Smith. The children soon discover an injured American soldier at the nearby railyard and attempt to help him get back home.

Tom Courtenay also stars in the movie as Uncle Walter, and is joined by John Bradley as Richard, KJ Aikens as Abe, Beau Gadsdon as Lily Watts, Eden Hamilton as Pattie Watts, Zac Cudby as Ted Watts, and Austin Haynes as Thomas Waterbury.

Directed by Morgan Matthews from a screenplay by Danny Brocklehurst, the period drama is currently available to stream in the UK on Amazon Prime Video, and fans have dubbed it a “must-watch”.

“Perfect sequel to the original, picking up many social and ethical themes of the time, many still relevant today. Great casting, strong script, and excellent photography,” one viewer wrote on Rotten Tomatoes.

A second stated: “Really good movie with excellent acting and a storyline that pulls you in”, while a third chimed in: “A World War II story that I’ve never heard about. It was very well done.”

“Good wholesome entertainment. Exciting, suspenseful, and inspirational”, explained one fan as another added: “Exceptional movie with real intent and messages given.”

While another said: “It was a beautifully told story with a true meaning of resilience, courage, strength, and making your own family when hard times are around.”

Call the Midwife is streaming on BBC iPlayer, while The Railway Children Return is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

A GARDENER’S World fan-favourite has passed away suddenly, with BBC anchor Monty Don admitting he is “heartbroken”.

The 71-year-old revealed the sad news on his Instagram page and admitted they suffered a “very short illness”.

Monty‘s Yorkshire Terrier pooch Patti, who made her Gardener’s World debut in 2020, has passed aged seven.

He uploaded a series of snaps showing his adorable pet exploring the great outdoors, and one image showing her cuddled to his chest, with the caption: “I have sad news.

“Our lovely Patti died suddenly this morning after a very short illness.

“She was much loved, and lit up our lives.

read more gardener’s world

TRAGIC END

BBC star, 67, dies after rare diagnosis as Monty Don leads tributes

rule breaker

Monty Don ‘warned over breaking BBC rules’ with his on-screen outfit

“We are all heartbroken”.

One fan was quick to send condolences and wrote: “Such a shock for you, Patti was a lovely little dog we always enjoyed seeing her on GW. X”

A second put: “So very sorry for your loss”.

A third then posted: “Monty, I’m so sorry to hear this very sad news, today! Thinking of you all at this difficult time.

“Patti was adored not only by you but the nation too! RIP dear Patti”.

She is the smallest of Monty’s dogs, with the gardening icon also owning Golden Retriever Ned, who also appears on screen.

In 2023, Monty told how an accident in lockdown led to Patti retreating from camera life.

Replying to one concerned fan online, he penned: “She hates the tripods because one fell on her during lockdown.

“That is why you always see me holding her. When the cameras are not here she is out with me all the time.”

His fellow Golden Retrievers Nigel sadly passed in 2020, while pooch Nell died three years later.

EastEnders newcomer Jamie Bamber, who plays Ned Hawkins on the BBC soap, has teased all about what’s ahead with Nicola Mitchell, and his thoughts on joining the show

EastEnders fans will recognise new recruit Jamie Bamber from huge shows, including BBC ’s Beyond Paradise and US hit Battlestar Galactica.

But as he joins the soap as newcomer Ned Hawkins, Jamie says Walford is one of the most iconic sets he’s ever stepped on in his whole career, which spans nearly 30 years. “Seeing it in person for the first time was a real thrill,” says Jamie, 53.

“What struck me most is how real it feels. It doesn’t feel like a television set at all. It genuinely feels like a place. Because it’s so lived in and familiar, it does a lot of the work for you as an actor.” One part of the famous set in particular has already won his heart.

Jamie tells us: “I love filming in The Queen Vic because it’s where so many characters and storylines collide. As Ned is new to Walford, a lot of his early scenes involve him observing people and taking everything in. The Vic is perfect for that because you get to watch the entire community interact around you.”

With Jamie’s wealth of experience in TV and film, he was surprised to be given a mentor when he started filming. When new cast members join the show, a current cast member is assigned to them as a chaperone, to look out for them while they settle in.

Jamie’s mentor is Ian Beale actor Adam Woodyatt, something Jamie says was incredibly exciting. He tells us: “I’d never experienced getting a mentor before on a job and wondered whether, at my age, it might be a bit late in life to suddenly get a mentor!

“I was genuinely touched because Adam came in on my very first day, despite it being his day off, just to introduce himself. He even stayed to watch my first take to make sure I was okay.” Jamie is joined by other new cast members including Holby City star Patricia Potter, Marian McLoughlin, Anna Constable and Felix Uff, who make up the Hawkins family.

This isn’t Jamie’s first time working with Patricia, who plays his character Ned’s wife Gemma, who is also the sister of existing character Nicola Mitchell. Jamie tells us: “We first crossed paths around 30 years ago when we briefly overlapped at drama school, and then we worked together on my second professional job, The Scarlet Pimpernel.

“I’ve always admired Patricia’s work and energy, so knowing I was coming into the show with someone whose company I already enjoyed made the whole experience much less daunting.” There are plenty of his new co-stars that Jamie has not worked with before though. Starstruck Jamie says filming alongside some of the soap’s biggest icons has left him pinching himself.

“My first scene featured several EastEnders legends, including Letitia Dean, Michelle Collins and Gillian Taylforth,” Jamie reveals. “I was mostly sitting there watching these incredible actors do what they do best. At one point, I genuinely had an out-of-body experience and thought, ‘What am I doing here?’

“These are characters and actors that have been part of British television history for decades. It felt surreal, but also incredibly special.” Ned makes his debut next week, while some of the family have already been onscreen briefly.

Next week, Ned and his wife Gemma head to Walford, followed by Gemma’s mother Rose, her sister Jodie, and Gemma and Ned’s son, Ryder. Ned’s caught in the middle of his sister-in-law Nicola’s feud with her mother Rose, leaving the Hawkins desperate to heal their rift.

We’ll also see Ned reconnect with his old friend Alfie Moon, who owns The Queen Vic with his wife Kat Slater. But while Ned initially appears as the perfect man, Jamie warns upcoming scenes could change this perception for viewers.

“Ned is somebody who appears very put together. He’s enjoyed a great deal of success in life, but when we meet him, everything has fallen apart and he’s having to start again.

“Ned certainly presents himself as the image of the perfect man, and he’s somebody who places a great deal of importance on maintaining appearances. Often, when someone works that hard to keep up appearances, it’s because there’s more going on beneath the surface.

“There’s a real depth to him, and as the weeks go on, we’ll start to peel back those layers and discover that Ned is a far more complex character than he first appears.” Jamie also hints that there is a secret Ned and Nicola are keeping to themselves, that viewers will not be let in on for the time being.

Jamie says: “It’s clear that Ned and Nicola know each other extremely well, but there’s also something unspoken between them. There’s a fascinating push-and-pull dynamic at play. You get the sense that there’s something that binds them together just as strongly as something keeps them apart.

“There are secrets and a history that neither of them is willing to talk about openly. Over time, viewers will discover exactly what lies behind that complicated relationship.”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok, Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.

BBC star Hamza Yassin hopes to inspire the younger generation with his new film about the birds of prey he discovered in Africa, amid fears children know more about the Kardashians

Strictly Come Dancing winner Hamza Yassin believes natural history is so important that he’d like to see every child studying it in school.

The BBC wildlife cameraman, who has a new BBC special called Hamza Yassin: African Birds of Prey, said that if he was in charge he’d put the subject on the national curriculum.

‘“I’d rather a kid tell me about five different names of trees than the five Kardashians,” he declared. “If I was Prime Minister, I would make it compulsory that we educate the children of this nation about the natural history that we have here in this country and around the world.”

In the documentary, he says he would not make it another subject to be tested on, but something children could experience and discover for themselves. His hope is that the audience, particularly younger viewers, develop the same sense of wonder that has driven his own career.

“The moment that someone knows information about natural history is the moment they will start caring about it. If they know they’re damaging something, they’re more likely to not do it. So yes, 100%, kids need to learn more, and then I can stop being Prime Minister.”

At the heart of Hamza’s film is an emotional journey through Kenya, as he spends six weeks travelling more than 5,000 kilometres and bringing audiences extraordinary access to some of Africa’s most elusive and spectacular birds of prey.

He works with local conservation rangers, scientists, communities and Maasai people who understand how important the wildlife and land are. Hamza, who moved to the UK From Sudan as a child with his family, in 1998, said: “I’m just a guest in their world. It’s Kenyans looking after Kenyan birds. That, for me, is the hope.”

There is also a moving visit to the Soi Sanbu Raptor Centre, where Hamza sees birds being rehabilitated after accidents and injuries, many caused by human intervention, including electrocution and collisions with power cables.

The film take viewers up close to rarely seen and spectacular birds, including African fish eagles, martial eagles, owls, vultures and the elusive African crowned eagle, which the team eventually find on the final day of filming.

One of Hamza’s most memorable encounters is with a young martial eagle known as K9, which had already fledged and needed to be briefly caught so scientists could fit it with a tracking tag.

For me, it was phenomenal to be able to get the chance to hold this chick. Everyone might have held a chicken before. Times it by about four or five. This thing’s huge,” he explained.

The 36-year-old became a household name after winning Strictly with pro partner Jowita Przystał in 2022. He says they are still friends. “I still dance with Jowita every now and then – whenever we get the chance,” he said.

“I’m very busy, but we’re constantly chatting and whenever we meet up she goes, ‘Do you remember the dance?’ I’m like, ‘I think I do.’ ‘You do the counting, I’ll do the steps.’”

– Hamza’s African Birds of Prey, Sunday 30th August, 7pm, BBC1

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