On Saturday (July 11), presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty were back at the helm, discussing a range of topics. But according to viewers, football appeared to take precedence.
During the show, the news anchors discussed England playing against Norway in the World Cup later on in the day a number of times.
Not only this, but later on in the show a BBC sports journalist reported outdoors amongst children playing football; this was then followed by a discussion on football stickers.
With all the footie content on show, viewers had enough and demanded a change. Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, those who were tuned in shared their frustrations.
One viewer said: “Give the football a frigging rest now.” Another fumed: “I’m going to watch the match later but ffs no more of these football fans fillers, I’m not interested in their input.”
A third chimed in and wrote: “I wish that British tennis bloke had won yesterday so they could concentrate on something rather than the football.”
A fourth added: “Four people sitting around a table pointlessly yakking rubbish about football just to fill 30 minutes of #bbcbreakfast.”
Another penned: “Just imagine how football would dominate #BBCBreakfast if England was in the final.”
One more groaned: “Right thats enough now. What a boring lot of old farts.”
For those who are interested in the upcoming England match, England’s quarter-final against Erling Haaland’s Norway will be played at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, with a far more fan-friendly kick-off time of 10pm BST.
It’s a welcome change from the last-16 clash with Mexico, which didn’t get underway until 2am in the UK and left plenty of supporters battling through work the following morning after a sleepless night.
The quarter-final gets underway at 5pm local time in Florida on Saturday, July 11, which means a 10pm BST kick-off for fans watching in the UK. If England can get the job done inside 90 minutes, the match should wrap up by around midnight.
If the match can’t be settled in 90 minutes, extra time and a penalty shootout could keep fans watching for another 45 minutes or more. In that scenario, the final whistle may not come until around 1am on Sunday.
When the World Cup ends, regardless of who wins, we’ll still have loads of great content every day as we build up to the new football season.
As well as all the fall-out and reaction to the tournament, we’ll quickly shift back in the club football with pre-season coverage and all the latest transfer gossip and stories.
BBC Sport and teams across BBC Nations and Regions cover every club in the Premier League, WSL, EFL, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We have dedicated club reporters, who will be travelling to bring you behind-the-scenes insights from pre-season tours.
We’ll also have live pages for selected pre-season matches as well as in-depth features and storytelling, giving you the latest updates before the new campaign.
Once the World Cup ends, some of the standout players will be hot property in the transfer market, with top clubs chasing their signatures.
Our reporters, including senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel, will be breaking the big transfer stories on our website and app.
We’ll also have our daily transfer gossip column, wrapping up all the rumours from across the football world.
For fans of World Cup Predictor, a brand new weekly Predictor game will be launching immediately after the tournament with five fixtures a week to predict the outcomes of.
You’ll be able to build up your streaks and share your results with friends and family.
Our quizzes will also continue to be available to play so you can test your knowledge of the beautiful game.
The ITV show was back with another jam-packed show on Friday (July 10), as presenters Dermot O’Leary and Angela Scanlon took the reins in the studio. Meanwhile, Alison was in Birmingham for the countdown to the Invictus Games.
Founded by Prince Harry, the Invictus Games is a global sporting competition that began in 2014 for military personnel and veterans who have been wounded, injured, or become ill during their service. The name Invictus, which means “unconquered” in Latin, reflects the resilience, determination, and strength of participants.
Trying her best to interview the founder, presenter Alison was thrown into a race. But she did manage to steal a hug from him wheh he spotted her and she referred to him as “babes” leaving viewers very unimpressed with one labelling it “a car crash”.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, in their droves, fans of the ITV show shared their thoughts. One viewer said: “I’m just waiting for her to call him ‘Babes’. She didn’t disappoint.”
Another fumed: “Alison, what on God’s Earth are you doing? Absolutely embarrassing behaviour! Are you 6 years old?!” A third viewer chimed in and wrote: “What a car crash and a bloody noise.”
A fourth added: “Hammond….just an embarrassment.” While another agreed, saying: “This is embarrassing.”
However, some viewers loved Alison’s approach, with one writing: “Howling at Alison. You go girl.” Another added: “Harry always has some spare time for Alison.”
Prince Harry’s appearance on This Morning came as rival daytime show Morning Live announced on Friday that it is now taking a break for the summer.
At the beginning of the live BBC broadcast, host Gethin Jones revealed that Morning Live would be taking a break and wouldn’t return for some time throughout the summer months.
It’s not yet known when Morning Live will be back on air, but from next week, the slot will be filled by fresh episodes of Animal Park, which will air straight after BBC Breakfast from 9.30am until 10.15am.
The documentary programme is also scheduled to air from the following Monday (July 20) as well.
Kate Humble and Ben Fogle will mark 25 years of Animal Park next week, looking back at unforgettable animal tales and their lasting bond.
RADIO and TV broadcaster Paul Gambaccini has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
The BBCRadio 2 and Greatest Hits Radio presenter, 77, shared a heartbreaking statement confirming he is suffering from the illness.
Paul Gambaccini has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’sCredit: BBCThe veteran DJ and radio presenter, seen here in 2015, says ‘for now life goes on as normal’Credit: Getty – Contributor
He said: “As Freddie Mercury once sang, you can’t turn back the clock, you can’t turn back the tide. Ain’t that a shame.
“There’s no denying it’s a serious condition with an uncertain future, but for now life goes on as normal and I continue to broadcast The Paul Gambaccini Collection on BBC Radio 2 from 8-10pm on Sundays, and my shows on Greatest Hits Radio.
“I’m grateful for the kindness and support I’ve already received.
“For now, I wish to be given the space to keep on broadcasting the music I love to the listeners I love even more.
“These are the days of our lives.”
Alzheimer’s disease is named after the doctor who first described it in medical literature, Alois Alzheimer.
The condition affects one in six people over the age of 80 and it is thought that around 850,000 people in total are suffering in the UK alone.
A hallmark of the disease is the build-up of amyloid beta proteins in the brain, which causes plaques.
The plaques then result in the loss of connections between nerve cells in the brain – and ultimately the death of those cells and a loss of brain tissue.
Those with Alzheimer’s also have a shortage of key chemicals in the brain, which help transmit messages.
A lack of these chemicals means the brain is unable to process certain messages how it would have previously.
But it is ultimately a progressive disease which means more symptoms appear and worsen over time.
Since his diagnosis, Gambaccini and his husband Christopher Sherwood have been receiving support from the Alzheimer’s Society.
Charity chief executive Michelle Dyson said: “Paul’s experience shows that there can be life after a dementia diagnosis – his fans will be delighted at his decision to carry on hosting his shows.”
She added: “Receiving a dementia diagnosis can be frightening, but it can also open the door to receiving treatment and support.
“We hope that by sharing his diagnosis, Paul will encourage others to spot the symptoms and reach out if they are worried about themselves or a loved one.
“The earlier someone is diagnosed, the better the chances are that they can continue doing the things they love and live independently for longer, and plan for the future.”
Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s
Alzheimer’s will affect everyone differently, but there are some common early symptoms to look out for in your loved ones.
Memory problems – often the first noticeable sign, which might affect recollections of recent conversations or events, appointments, as well as familiar journeys and places
Problems with thinking and reasoning – this might mean difficulty concentrating, following a conversation and planning, and confusion about what time of day it is
Changes in mood – they may become anxious, easily annoyed, frightened or sad, or lose interest in hobbies
Changes in perception of distance, which might make parking the car or using the stairs hard, finding certain noises upsetting
Known as “The Great Gambo” and “The Professor of Pop”, New York-born Gambaccini has presented regular programmes on BBC Radio 1, 2, 3 and 4.
He was a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4’s long-running arts programme Kaleidoscope.
He’s also hosted the Classic FM series Paul Gambaccini’s Hall Of Heroes, the Radio 4 music quiz Counterpoint, Pick Of The Pops on BBC Radio 2, and America’s Greatest Hits on Greatest Hits Radio, as well as the Paul Gambaccini Collection on Radio 2.
Gambaccini was inducted into the Radio Academy Hall of Fame in 2005.
The Alzheimer’s Society offers support to everyone affected by dementia at alzheimers.org.uk and has a support line on 0333 150 3456.
During the research for Doctor Who star Ruth’s, 38, episode, the genealogy team uncovered a family secret – that Ruth’s grandma Beatrice was adopted. Ruth’s dad, Geoff, who is Beatrice’s son, had never known this fact or the family.
Ruth and her family were intrigued and wanted to know more information about Beatrice’s biological parents and family with the episode focused on the discoverings.
Using painstaking detective work, the team were able to trace back generations of her grandma’s biological family, which included London links before settling in Manchester.
After lots of history and research, Ruth’s biological great-grandmother’s name was revealed as Adelaide Osborne. Ruth discovered that Adelaide had Beatrice in a workhouse hospital.
Ruth was both emotional and desperate to share this news with her dad, but when she called him, there was yet another shock for the family as he knew Adelaide already.
Geoff remembered her as a friend of his Grandma Burrows, Ruth’s adoptive great-grandmother. Adelaide was around all the time, and when she died, his mum Beatrice buried her.
Ruth then met with professor Julie-Marie Strange to learn more about Adelaide, where Julie revealed that her great-granny Burrows had a similar upbringing to Adelaide and that her family spent time in and out of workhouses. Ruth and Julie speculated on whether this shared experience motivated Granny Burrows to adopt Beatrice.
In an extremely emotional moment, Ruth looked at Adelaide’s will, where she left everything to her biological daughter Beatrice. The team were able to track down the family of the man who was the executor of the will. Tragically, he had died, but his wife and daughter are still alive and met with Ruth.
After meeting in Stratford-upon-Avon, the family told Ruth that Adelaide used to clean for them and looked after Margo when she was a child. They spoke about Adelaide’s character and how much love she had, especially to Margo, and even gave Ruth photographs to cherish of her biological great-grandma.
At the end of the episode, Ruth emotionally reflected on her findings as she visited Southern Cemetery in Manchester, where she paid her respects to the graves of both her biological great-grandma Adelaide and her adopted great-grandma Elizabeth Burrows.
After laying flowers, Ruth broke down in tears as she reflected: “Who do I think I am? I am from a family of survivors. I am an incredibly proud Northerner. And I am so unbelievably privileged to have done this.”
Viewers were left very moved by the emotional episode as they took to Twitter, now X, to praise the show. One person said: “A great #WDYTYA tonight, really interesting and moving to see the findings.”
A different account put: “Very much enjoyed Ruth Madeley’s #WDYTYA A normal story where extraordinary things happened to ordinary people.”
Another viewer wrote: “What a moving episode: top genetic genealogy detective work, and satisfying to see everything come full circle with the family in Stratford. #WDYTYA.”
While a different show watcher added: “Really have enjoyed tonight’s #WDYTYA with Ruth Madeley. Interesting to see a story travelled through DNA and how they’ve pieced the puzzle pieces together.”
Who Do You Think You Are is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
After Strictly Come Dancing announced Love Island winner and dancer Cach Mercer as the fifth contestant for 2026’s line-up, several fans of the BBC show were angered to discover he already has dance experience
Cach, who won Love Island last year, was the fifth contestant announced for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. But, according to charity Young Minds, of which Cach is an ambassador, the star is a “professional dancer from East London”.
The Love Island star appears to have training in Hip Hop and Afrobeats and regularly posts videos of himself dancing online. In many of these videos, he has choreographed his own dance moves. He has also taught a dance classes for places such as dance event Move It and Platinum Performing Arts.
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After discovering that the latest Strictly celeb had dance experience several fans were upset. One wrote on Instagram: “Had to google who he was, and the first thing that came up was ‘professional dancer’!!!”
Another added: “A professional dancer? How is he getting on as a celeb then?” A third said it gave “such an advantage when they’re already dancers” and that it was “extremely unfair to the other contestants”.
A fourth hilariously thought Strictly’s post about Cach joining the show was intended to announce a new pro dancer. “Oooh he’s a professional dancer!” they wrote. “So we are get getting some new pros this year!” The fan quickly added: “Oh wait no, this says celebrity reveal. He’s a Love Islander and professional dancer. I might just delete all this.”
But, other fans defended Cach, pointing out that many celebs who have competed on the show had dance experience and that Cach’s training was not in ballroom or latin.
“He’s trained in hip-hop and afrobeats. He’s never done ballroom or latin, never been to a stage school and never danced with a partner,” one said. “So he’s well within the rules of the show.”
Another continued: “When so many contestants have been to stage school and done musical theatre etc, it is well past time that we stopped calling people out for having previous dance experience.”
Every year there seems to be at least one celeb contestant who fans say should not be on the show due to their prior dance experience and/or training. Last year, both Emmerdale star Lewis Cope and Love Island winner Amber Davies came under fire for doing the show whilst having dance training.
Amber, who dances in musical theatre shows, responded to the backlash with: “We see the same thing over and over again and I feel like it doesn’t matter what I say or how I feel, if I’m struggling, people will of course have things to say because I do musical theatre.
“I have worked my a**e off to be taken seriously in the musical theatre world, and I feel like I have been working so hard. The musical theatre world is actually quite small so once you work hard, you are committed, consistent in your job and are a good company member, you can build your reputation quite quickly within the industry.”
Meanwhile, Lewis, who danced as a child and got to three dance world championships, said to Metro: “I don’t really know where all that came from, to be honest. I trained as an actor, I danced a bit when I was a teen, but haven’t since. It’s only ever really been acting for me for a long, long time – so I don’t really know where that came from. I don’t really take notice of it, though – everyone’s so strong, and anyone can pull out a brilliant performance at any point.
“To call me professionally trained or a professional dancer seems a bit bizarre, especially now that I’m working with these pros on the show. It’s kind of an insult to them, really, to suggest I’m on their level when they’ve dedicated their lives to becoming as brilliant as they are.”
Exclusive: The much-loved actor travelled halfway across the world to find out whether a hunch his dad had about his past was true
Toby Jones goes on a massive voyage of discovery for Who Do You Think You Are?(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Wall to Wall Media Ltd / Stephen Perry)
Toby Jones has told of his delight at discovering that his late father’s conviction that he had Indian heritage was true.
Delving into his family tree for Who Do You Think You Are?, the actor discovered that his great x 3 grandmother Mary was described as Indo-British on her marriage certificate in 1821, meaning that one of her parents must have been Indian.
“That’s so wonderful because I was told as a child by my father that there was this connection, that there was some Indian heritage that we had, and one of the questions I had on this journey was – where did this idea come from?” he said. “I’m not sure that I thought he was making it up, but I wondered if he was exaggerating it.”
“My dad was absolutely convinced he had some Indian ancestry which we all slightly took the mickey out of, because he was a romantic,” Toby explained. “He loved other cultures and the idea that he might have some other ancestry, I think would have been absolutely fantastic for him.
“He felt a kinship with Indian culture and we’d all take that with a pinch of salt and think that he was projecting it because that’s what he wanted to happen.”
In the BBC programme, which airs on Thursday, Toby admits he knows nothing of his father’s side of the family beyond his grandparents, Charlie and Ida. But after discovering that his great x 2 grandmother Jane had been born in India, he is thrilled to go back to the country he last visited as an 18-year-old in the 1980s.
His travels take him from the potteries in Stoke on Trent, which is where his actor dad grew up, to Northern India, as he follows in the footsteps of his great, great grandfather John Jones. John was a private in the British army when he and Jane married in 1855, living in Meerut, near to Delhi.
In Meerut, Toby meets writer Gillian Wright, who explains how John came to India from Stoke. Military records show John enlisted in Newcastle-under-Lyme and a memoir written by an officer paints a vivid picture of John’s journey on foot over 500-miles from Calcutta to his station in the north.
In 1857, John was among the first troops sent to quash the 1857 Uprising against the rule of the British East India Company, now known as the First War of Indian Independence.
A staggering 800,000 Indians are thought to have perished and many soldiers also lost their lives. By 1860, having been injured, John was back in Stoke-on-Trent with Jane, working as a labourer. There is a great deal of sadness in the story when he discovers the Jane, aged 31 in 1860, had previously been widowed and that all four of the children she had with her first husband seem likely to have died in childhood or infancy, with at least two of them succumbing to cholera.
He finds out that Jane had been born in India, with her father Samuel Burns also in the military. One expert Toby meets tells him Samuel’s mixed-race wife Mary was “most likely” to have had a British father and an Indian mother.
Toby, 59, is given the result of a DNA test he has already taken for the programme’s research team and learns that while he is 87% English, he is also 1% Indian. “Well, I’m very proud of that 1%,” he declared. “I know for a fact that it was a big part of my father’s sense of himself.”
After making the episode he said he had a lot to process. “It’s amazing to have the past tilled over like this and to meet, even obliquely, these people who I knew nothing about.”
Toby, who has two daughters Madeleine and Holly with wife Karen, said that discovering his dad’s theory about his Indian ancestry was correct felt “vey moving”. “That was the most thrilling thing I found out,” he added. “It was always a bit of a joke in our family that my father couldn’t prove anything, but he constantly claimed a connection with India.”
Freddie died in 2019. “I’m a little sad that I can’t go back to him with hard scientific fact but I also know he wouldn’t have cared anyway – he knew who he was – and I’m really enthusiastic to share it with my own children.”
– Toby Jones’ episode of Who Do You Think You Are? airs on Thursday 16 July, BBC1, 9pm
The fifth Strictly Come Dancing star has been revealed for the upcoming BBC series, following in the footsteps of Chris Appleton, Delta Goodrem, Dani Dyer and Lacey Turner
15:11, 09 Jul 2026Updated 15:23, 09 Jul 2026
Cach Mercer has been announced for Strictly(Image: BBC)
Cach rose to fame on last year’s series of Love Island, winning the public vote to be crowned the 2025 male champion. He won alongside Toni Laites, who now hosts spin off show The Debrief with Shakira Khan and Yasmin Pettet.
With almost 50 million likes on TikTok, he has earned a legion of social media followers for his posts showcasing his Afrobeat, hip-hop and street dance moves. Cach also works as a model and DJ, and is an ambassador for a young persons’ mental health charity.
Following the news, he said: “I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!”
The show has already featured a Love Island winner, as series three champion Amber Davies made it to the final last year. Love Island finalist Tasha Ghouri also took part in Strictly and made it to the final as well.
Meanwhile, Dani Dyer, who won series four, was supposed to take part last year but had to pull out. As she has already been announced as part of the line-up for this year’s Strictly, Cach’s participation marks the first time two Love Island winners will go head to head.
The BBC have been announcing their celebrity line-up for the show since the middle of June, much earlier than their usual release which comes around mid-August.
However, there’s a lot of ‘new’ this series, with five professional dancers stepping away and another five taking their place. Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have also gone and three presenters – Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdecombe – will replace them when the BBC show returns later this year.
It comes after celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton was confirmed to have signed up to the show. He counts Jennifer Lopez, Kim Kardashian, Sofía Vergara, Ariana Grande, and Katy Perry as his clients.
“I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new. I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story – and I can’t wait to get started,” he said.
Lacey Turner – who plays Stacey Slater on EastEnders – was the first to announce she was joining the show. She said: “I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!”
Dani Dyer, who had to withdraw last year after an injury, is also back. “I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one! I’m just over the moon and cannot wait to find out who else is doing it!” she said.
Singer songwriter Delta Goodrem shared: “I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor! I’m absolutely thrilled to be joining Strictly and can’t wait to get started!”
Ricky Gervais today marked the 25th anniversary of the hit BBC sitcom with a countdown of his favourite 25 David Brent moments.
20:43, 08 Jul 2026Updated 20:43, 08 Jul 2026
Ricky Gervais has been celebrating 25 years of The Office(Image: Ricky Gervais and The Office/Youtube)
Ricky Gervais has crowned David Brent’s dance his favourite moment of The Office – but admitted it could have left him needing hospital treatment.
The co-creator of the show, along with Stephen Merchant, has marked the 25th anniversary of the hit BBC sitcom with a countdown of his favourite 25 David Brent moments.
In a specially curated retrospective on his YouTube channel Gervais had a training role play scene, Brent’s song Freelove Freeway and the dance by Brent as his top three.
Speaking about the crazy dance and how the scene was made, Gervais revealed: “It probably is the most famous single thing I’ve ever done, and when we had to do that, that’s three takes cut together, the first time they laughed, the second time I laughed, and then the third one we got to the end, and and then just cut it together in the edit using people looking like bewildered, but it sort of looked like one take.
“I sort of knew the type of thing I was gonna do. It’s totally improvised, obviously. I quite like the fact that it looked nearly real. Some of them looked a bit like dance moves, and I can’t believe how low I got when I did the crab, I couldn’t do that now.”
And anymore takes might have been dangerous. He added: “I remember after I filmed it, I was sat in a corner on a chair and they were fanning me.
“I was, I think I was the blobbiest I’ve ever been. I think I was like 14 stone, no muscles to speak of, just a blob, and you know, there was a small chance of heart failure.
“So, I think people were genuinely worried the way I was breathing afterwards. Tom Cruise jumps off buildings. Do I want to do a little dance? I’ll have go. It would f***ing kill me now. I’m glad I recorded it to show I did it once.”
The Gervais special is not the only celebration of the show, as the BBC also aired a programme called Remember… The Office.
On the second show Martin Freeman and Mackenzie Crook reflected on their time on the TV show. The pair spoke about how some of the scenes features small bits of improvisation which helped make them even more magical.
Freeman said: “The writing on it that they did was brilliant. But you only need to know us a little bit or know the process of it. We’re also in there, you know? It doesn’t mean it’s a co-credit. Doesn’t mean it’s improvised, but it’s nicely loose.”
Freeman, who played Tim, also said he had a good feeling about the show from the beginning.
He explained: “At the read-through, I remember thinking, ‘This script is really good, it’s brilliant’.”Despite huge success The Office was just two series long along with several Christmas specials. It inspired the award-winning US version, which ran for nine seasons
* The full countdown of David Brent moments is available to watch on Ricky Gervais’ YouTube channel.
The woodwork restorer, who has become a fan-favourite on the BBC programme, admitted he was ‘going to cry’ after an emotional restoration.
During Wednesday’s (July 8) episode of the BBC hit show, Will and expert shoe restorer Dean Westmoreland were joined by Barbara Dennison and granddaughter Giovanna.
The duo came into the workshop looking for the experts help to restore a pair of baby shoes holding precious memories of wartime heroism.
The shoes belonged to Barbara and her late father Norman William gave them to her. He was gifted the shoes in Holland in 1945, during the Second World War after saving a little girl.
During a heartfelt moment, Barbara explained: “He was going down the street in Holland and there was a little girl playing in the street. Some shooting started and he grabbed this little girl and jumped into a cellar.
“When the shooting finished, he took her back to her mum and dad. The family must have been really grateful because he saved her. They must have been talking and he told them that he had a little girl, then they brought him these little shoes.”
Pointing at the shoes, she added: “Shortly after that his jeep got blown up but they survived , which is a miracle in itself.”
Dean knew he had a huge task on his hand as he admitted that he was feeling “nervous”. While getting stuck into the restoration, he said: “They’re so delicate and so small that I’m a little bit nervous about handling them.
“Unfortunately, I can’t scale my hands down to get in and do all this fine micro-detail work. The lining on this one is actually, almost all of it has come away. The leather is quite stiff, it’s quite dry so I’m going to have to think about how to hydrate this leather.”
Despite the huge challenge ahead, Dean managed to restore the item and Barbara was left in tears after reuniting with her precious shoes.
Joining Dean and Will back in the workshop, Barbara was tearful as she said: “Oh that’s lovely. Look it’s all stitched on. Oh Dean, thank you.”
She continued: “You’ve done exactly what I wanted. Each crack is just a wonderful memory of my dad and all my kids.”
The moment left Will emotional as he turned to Barbara and Giovanna and admitted: “You’re going to make me cry.”
Barbara was grateful to Dean for all his hard work as she added: “I can’t thank you enough.”
You can catch up on The Repair Shop on BBC iPlayer.
The BBC has confirmed that David Mitchell’s comedy-drama Ludwig will return for a third series, even before its eagerly awaited second season premieres
Ludwig: Official BBC trailer
The BBC has announced that David Mitchell’s popular comedy-drama Ludwig will be back for a third series.
Even before its highly anticipated second season launches later this year. The detective programme, which is ideal for fans of Death In Paradise, has become the broadcaster’s most successful scripted show since 2024, leading executives to commission another run for both BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Made by Big Talk Studios, in partnership with That Mitchell and Webb Company, the series is also a co-production with Germany’s ZDF. The programme’s first series proved an enormous ratings triumph, becoming the BBC’s most successful comedy debut since at least 2018, reports the Express.
Its initial run drew 9.5 million viewers within its first 28 days, while the opening episode has steadily grown its audience, achieving an impressive 11.8 million viewers in total.
Created and penned by Mark Brotherhood, the six-part mystery features David Mitchell as the unconventional puzzle-enthusiast detective Ludwig, with Anna Maxwell Martin portraying Lucy Betts-Taylor, the wife of the missing James Betts-Taylor. Both performers are confirmed to return to their roles when the series comes back.
Expressing his delight at the third series commission, actor David Mitchell told the BBC: “I am delighted that Ludwig will be returning to solve more of Mark Brotherhood’s brilliant mysteries. I can’t wait to get started and have renewed the subscription on my denouement-learning app.”
Meanwhile, Kenton Allen, Executive Producer and CEO of Big Talk Studios, said: “Ludwig has become one of those rare shows that genuinely cuts through – critically, commercially and internationally. We’re hugely grateful to the BBC, ZDF and ITV Studios for the confidence they’ve shown in greenlighting a third season ahead of the launch of series two.”
He went on to say: “What Mark Brotherhood has created is brilliantly original, hugely entertaining and deceptively distinctive in the way it blends smart comedy with a richly satisfying detective engine. At the heart of that success is the remarkable partnership between David Mitchell and Anna Maxwell Martin, brought to life by an exceptional creative team.
“In a crowded global market, for audiences to have embraced Ludwig on this scale feels incredibly special. There’s clearly nothing puzzling about that.”
Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy Commissioning, added: “Ludwig is exactly the kind of smart, distinctive, audience-pleasing show we love at BBC Comedy. Sharp writing, a compelling story, big laughs and, naturally, a generous helping of puzzles. The team at Big Talk have crafted something truly distinctive and much-loved, and we’re excited to see what mysteries Ludwig tackles next.”
Ludwig is produced by Big Talk Studios in collaboration with That Mitchell and Webb Company for the BBC. The third series, comprising six hour-long episodes, will once again be penned by creator Mark Brotherhood, with Chris Foggin returning to helm the show as lead director.
Ludwig series one is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
EastEnders star Natalie Cassidy has been in the public eye for decades, but there’s one project she wishes she never did.
10:57, 08 Jul 2026Updated 11:07, 08 Jul 2026
Natalie Cassidy spoke about her career regret on Good Morning Britain(Image: ITV)
EastEnders legend Natalie Cassidy has revealed the one project she regrets doing during her career.
The actress has remained in the public eye for decades, having joined the BBC soap aged just 10.
Best known for her portrayal of Sonia Fowler, fans have watched her depart and return to the soap numerous times, with her latest exit occurring last year.
This isn’t her only venture beyond her EastEnders role, as she released a workout video back in 2007 called Then And Now, reports the Daily Star.
Yet, discussing the making of the fitness video with Ed Balls and Susanna Reid on Good Morning Britain, she admitted it’s a major regret.
She told the two ITV presenters: “Huge mistake, I never thought about my weight before that time.
“I was very happy-go-lucky, didn’t get on a scale, didn’t do anything. I was offered that job, go and do it, earn loads of money and lose loads of weight.
“I did that job, lost loads of weight and put it all back on again. It was really hard, which is why this campaign, what I’m doing at the moment, is really important to me.”
Natalie revealed to the GMB presenters that she doesn’t think people discuss their feelings about weight with genuine honesty, as Ed questioned what someone ought to have said to her when she was contemplating the DVD all those years ago.
She replied: “That it will change, you’ll start having food noise. I felt very alone after the DVD. I felt very alone. The job finished, and I was on my own. I wish I had someone to talk to, somewhere to go, wherever that would be.”
Susanna pointed out that people appear to be in a rather bewildered place currently when it comes to weight, given that a body positivity movement emerged just before weight loss drugs.
Natalie added: “The culture changes and shifts every 10 years; we have those ups and downs. But, I think what I’m saying is, it’s about being able to talk to somebody, be it a friend, family member, whoever, about how you’re feeling.
“How things are making you feel. It’s not just about getting on the scale and seeing a number and keeping that within you, feeling depressed all day and worrying about what you’re going to eat. We should have conversations about it.”
Good Morning Britain is available to watch weekdays on ITV from 6am
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BBC viewers have called the cosy detective series the ‘best TV show of all time’
Death in Paradise fans looking for their next fix need look no further(Image: BBC / Red Planet Pictures / Philippe Virapin)
Death in Paradise fans looking for their next fix need look no further.
BBC viewers have gone wild for ‘one of the best’ detective series, calling it a ‘real gem hidden in the daytime schedules’.
Shakespeare and Hathaway: Private Investigators first aired in 2018 and is now in its sixth series. It stars EastEnders legend Jo Joyner as Luella Shakespeare and Waterloo Road star Mark Benton as Frank Hathaway.
A synopsis for the show reads: “After the death of her fiance, Luella Shakespeare joins Frank Hathaway, a private detective, to help him solve some bizarre cases in Stratford-upon-Avon.”
The series has been a huge hit amongst fans who have likened it to Death in Paradise, Beyond Paradise and Midsomer Murders.
One person said: “I don’t know what this show is doing in the day time section, I would have missed it, had it not for the fact that I logged into iPlayer. It reminded me of ‘Death in Paradise’ but set in Warwickshire. They have filmed in really scenic locations, and I love the cast.
“The two leads have very good on screen chemistry and their side kick, the “RADA Grad” is pretty funny. I have watched six episodes so far and I can’t wait to finish it.
“I hope BBC renews it because it is pretty cheerful and feel good show. I am a little tired of gritty and dark dramas so this is pretty much right up my stream!”
Another show watcher put: “Just binge watched the first and second series of this show on demand! I can’t believe I’d never heard of it or even seen it advertised.. I absolutely loved it! Light hearted, clever writing, witty loveable characters, I could go on and on…”
A different viewer said: “I have watched both seasons of this sweet, light hearted and funny show. I think it should be on in the evenings, it’s very much like Death in Paradise except set in Stratford Upon Avon.
“Hope it’s renewed for season! It’s a witty sweet show and some of us like light-hearted programmes!”
Another fan commented: “This show is much better than I hoped. I was looking for something on Britbox once I had watched the last episode of Death in Paradise and decided to give this a try. What a complete gem.”
While a different viewer added: “If you are a fan of exquisite British murder mysteries in the vein of Midsommer Murders you will be hooked! Fun characters, engaging comedic elements and very interesting plot twists make this a winner!! LOVE IT!!!”
The BBC has produced a number of critically acclaimed and beloved films and TV shows over the years – but one gritty crime drama may have slipped under the radar for many fans
The crime drama follows a teenager who gives his brother’s friends a lift then finds himself charged as an accessory to murder(Image: Tony Blake/BBC/LA Productions)
A “gritty” BBC crime drama has left viewers “heartbroken” but it may well have gone completely unnoticed by some film fans.
The BBC has built a stellar reputation among TV and film enthusiasts thanks to its numerous top-tier productions which continue to be praised long after they first aired. There’s something to suit all tastes, from entertaining and fun sitcoms, steamy storylines and beloved period dramas, to powerful, unflinching crime thrillers, and much more.
Lots of BBC-backed films remain critically celebrated and adored to this day, from 2019’s musical crime drama hit Blue Story, and the thought-provoking Looted, to the 1989 Gary Oldman-led cult crime classic The Firm, and countless others.
The BBC’s television catalogue is equally respected, with the likes of hugely popular police drama Line of Duty, bleak favourite Happy Valley and the tense anthology drama The Missing frequently listed as among the best the broadcaster has produced.
But a 90-minute crime film may have escaped many viewers’ attention – and if you’re partial to hard-edged legal dramas, it’s worth checking out.
It’s the 2014 made-for-television film, Common. It was written by Jimmy McGovern and directed by David Blair. The film stars Nico Mirallegro, Michelle Fairley and Harry Potter alum Michael Gambon.
The storyline follows 17 year old Johnjo O’Shea, portrayed by Mirallegro, who is asked to give his older brother’s friends a lift in his brother’s car to take them to a pizza takeaway.
Unbeknownst to Johnjo, one of his passengers has an ulterior motive for heading to the takeaway – he intends to confront a rival who’ll be there.
A row erupts between one of Johnjo’s passengers and an onlooker, Tommy Ward. Tommy is eventually stabbed and fatally wounded by the passenger.
Johnjo ends up in court charged as an accessory to murder, under the doctrine of common purpose; a component of the UK’s contentious Joint Enterprise legal doctrine which permits multiple people to be prosecuted and found guilty of the same offence – regardless of the different roles they may have played in a crime.
Writer Jimmy McGovern drew inspiration from the actual case of 16 year old Jordan Cunliffe, who received a sentence under this law for a minimum period of 12 years for the murder of Garry Newlove, who was beaten to death in August 2007 after challenging a group of youths outside his home.
Cunliffe was understood to have played no active role in the assault on Newlove.
The film traces the legal proceedings that follow, alongside the consequences and tensions that arise between the various families affected.
On Rotten Tomatoes, viewers have shared their opinions on the somewhat overlooked drama. One fan said: “Actor and storyline driven, this gritty British drama brings a new area of crime and punishment to light.
“Jodhi May stands out, but with many regular British drama faces, this is a tale that leaves no mother without an emotional pull.”
Another viewer wrote: “I thought this was a simple movie, but powerful all the same.”
A third added: “Very well made and acted, but so heartbreaking I never want to see it again.”
Critics were equally impressed, with The Guardian describing it as “a brutal and devastating drama” that’s “bleak, powerful” and “thick with political intent”, though it noted this “occasionally robs it of its quality”.
The history of all living things is examined through five key species chosen for the way they move, feed and reproduce and also for their size and intelligence
Chris Packham holds a baby ostrich which has just hatched in his hands(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC Studios/Will Edwards)
Chris Packham famously hates so-called “T-shirt” animals – preferring beetles and bugs to the more box-office elephants, lions and tigers.
But for his major new BBC series examining the history of every living creature’s existence, the presenter had to block that prejudice as he looked back over 4 billion years. In Evolution, viewers will see how every plant and animal evolved – differently – from a single celled organism called LUCA.
And in order to explain this effectively, the five episodes focus on the elephant (size), ostrich (reproduction), horse (movement), bat (feeding) and dolphin (intelligence) to show what changes have happened over the millennia until they started to look a bit like the creatures we recognise today.
“TV likes an iconic species, something to put on the T-shirt,” Chris laughs, acknowledging that he doesn’t normally go for these “celebrity” animals which tend to draw in viewers, but go against the grain for Chris. “On Springwatch we’re always keen to champion the underdog, we make films about slugs and snails and flies and all those sorts of things, so we’re trying to build up that idea in people’s minds that everything counts – not just the fluffy birds in the nest, or the cute pine-marten kits. Survival of the cutest has always been an issue.”
“But had we picked, I don’t know, some innocuous little bug, it wouldn’t have looked great,” he laughed. “I’m not a great fan of T-shirt animals, but I am a fan of using them constructively.”
He even admits that filming the series, in different locations around the globe, brought him one of the best moments of his life, when he found himself right in the middle of a pod of dolphins during a break in filming. “It was absolutely extraordinary,” he says. “There were times when the cameraman was doing something and I was still in the water and I could just actually just be there with them.
“I dived down about four metres and I looked down and I had a dolphin right underneath me, under my chest. And I had couple on one side, I mean they never touch you, but they’re close, and a couple on the other side – and then I looked up and they were above me. And I was like in the middle of a pod of dolphins. You can hear them the whole time, they’re constantly clicking. So you can here that that’s that communication going on.
“It was just five minutes or something, it wasn’t a lot of time, but long enough to actually just engage, and realise that this was one of the most remarkable moments in my entire life. To be in that environment with these astonishing animals. I thought ‘blimey, I’m Flipper’.”
The five-part science show, which must be Packham’s most ambitious programme to date, has clear similarities in scope to Sir David Attenborough’s 1979 series Life on Earth, which set out to look at the earliest life forms. “I’d say it was more modern in its narrative structure,” he says thoughtfully. “Also, we’re catering for an audience that we know we need to surprise. We want to feed them short snippets, which are basically entry information into a bigger story, if you like. Those twenty-second things that get people to prick up their ears. And we want people to down the pub and say, ‘do you know what? I just watched this programme and, you won’t believe it, we couldn’t have a head before we had an arse’.
“I don’t think Life on Earth is like that. That felt very 1970s, because that’s when it was made, this just feels like a really modern, cutting-edge version.”
To film the series the BBC team were very careful about where they went in order to limit the carbon footprint. “Ten or 15 years ago, we would have gone to multiple locations to make a series like this,” Chris says. “But I’m pleased to say that each of our programmes was essentially made in one location.”
The elephants in the series opener were filmed in Kenya and the ostriches in South Africa. The horses were in the UK, with three days in France which was reached by train. Then the dolphins were in the Bahamas and the bats were in Borneo.
Chris says his role as presenter on the show, from the team who previously brought us Earth, is to keep the audience enthralled, and showing his own excitement is a big part of that, just as he experienced while watching his hero Attenborough. He particularly remembers a programme made by the veteran broadcaster about birds of paradise, filmed in Papua New Guinea.
“They were my dream birds because they’re mental, they look like space aliens,” he explains. “And I was sat there waiting for it to come on, just thinking, ‘you b****rd, I want to go to Papua, I want to see that.’ But in fact my response to the programme, and a testament to his broadcasting, was that I absolutely loved it because I felt the connection to the birds through his joy.”
Chris found himself caught up in some beautiful moments that will also tug at the audience’s heartstrings, such as when a baby ostrich hatched out of its egg right into his hands. “You’re peering into it, it’s not even in the world yet, and it’s like you’ve had a sneak preview into a life which is going to unfold,” he marvels. “It’s just this little thing moving, and that was really very emotional, that formation of new life.”
Learning new stuff is “the greatest joy” of his job. “I get to work with people who know more about a subject than I do. And their job is to tell me and the team everything they know about it in 30 seconds,” he says. “So my joy is that I attend the University of Zoology every single day that I’m working, and this is updated information, so we’ve constantly gone to the latest science.”
While they don’t skirt away from the technical stuff, like explaining how DNA works, Chris feels it is carefully woven into the narrative. “There’s no dumbing down, but we are conscious constantly of building a narrative which will keep our audience engaged.”
Trying is back on Apple TV after a two-year hiatus.
Hayley Anderson Screen Time TV Reporter
23:09, 06 Jul 2026Updated 23:13, 06 Jul 2026
Trying season five welcomes Peaky Blinders star Charlotte Riley as Kat.(Image: APPLE TV)
Trying season five is arriving sooner than you might expect, continuing from that shocking cliffhanger.
Rafe Spall and Esther Smith return as couple Jason and Nikki, who have endured a rollercoaster fertility journey since the very beginning in the Apple TV and BBC comedy-drama.
At long last, they managed to adopt siblings Princess and Tyler, with the programme jumping forward to their teenage years where yet another twist emerged in season four’s closing moments.
As anticipation grows for its comeback, here’s everything you need to know before Trying season five.
Trying Season 5 release date
Trying season five debuts on Wednesday, July 8, on Apple TV with fresh episodes dropping every Wednesday.
The latest series will comprise eight episodes, with the finale scheduled to land on Wednesday, August 26.
An official BBC or BBC iPlayer release date is yet to be confirmed, though previous series have generally appeared roughly a year following its Apple TV launch.
What is Trying Season 5 about?
Trying Season 5 will pick up from the dramatic finale of series four when Princess and Tyler’s biological mother Kat turned up unexpectedly.
Her appearance throws a spanner in the works for their settled family life, with Jason and Nikki poised to confront even more fresh challenges as they navigate this enormous disruption.
Trying Season 5 cast
Under Salt Marsh star Rafe Spall and Cuckoo’s Esther Smith reprise their roles as couple Jason Ross and Nikki Newman.
They will be joined by Kat, Princess and Tyler’s biological mother, portrayed by actress Charlotte Riley, best known for her roles in Peaky Blinders, The Take and Wuthering Heights.
Newcomer to Trying for its fifth series is The Thursday Murder Club’s Celia Imrie, who takes on the role of Harriet, an “upper-class hoarder” whom Jason encounters while training for a new job.
The Paper’s Gbemisola Ikumelo steps in as Chrissy, a hard-pressed social worker, while Merlin and The Killing Kind’s Colin Morgan takes on the role of Kerry, Nikki’s easy-going colleague and confidante.
Trying Season 5 premieres on Wednesday, July 8, on Apple TV.
The BBC Alba deal means there will still be some live coverage of the Commonwealth Games on free-to-air television in Scotland.
The commentary and presentation will, of course, be predominantly in Gaelic.
A similar deal is in place in Wales. This means there will be some live coverage on the Welsh language broadcaster S4C.
These deals happened because TV rights packages are available to cover many indigenous languages across Commonwealth countries – not just the main language.
The BBC was outbid for live English language rights in the UK by subscription service TNT. Channel 5 later secured a package of two hours of daily recorded highlights.
The Welsh and Gaelic deals ensure there will at least be some free-to-air live coverage.
BBC Alba and S4C are available to all viewers in Scotland and Wales respectively.
But the profile of the TV coverage will, inevitably, still be much lower to that afforded to previous Commonwealth Games in the UK.
The games in 1970, 1986, 2002, 2014 and 2022 got wall-to-wall coverage on BBC One.
The schedule on BBC One is currently dominated by the World Cup and Wimbledon. Major sporting events have the potential to bring large, diverse groups of people together to share memorable moments.
The deals covering BBC Alba and S4C are good news for these channels and inevitably some who do not speak Gaelic or Welsh will watch too.
But how will the scaled down Commonwealth Games fare without high profile live coverage on a major free-to-air channel?
Gardeners’ World star Adam Frost has been a familiar face on the BBC show for years, but there is one garden design request he simply can’t bring himself to carry out.
09:23, 06 Jul 2026Updated 09:24, 06 Jul 2026
He made his feeling towards giant outdoor chess pieces known(Image: BBC)
Adam Frost has disclosed he knocked back one individual’s gardening request.
Making an appearance on the most recent instalment of Sunday Brunch (July 5), he chatted with Tim Lovejoy and Simon Rimmer regarding his new podcast alongside Caitlin Moran.
Yet during their chat, Tim pointed out that Adam harbours a loathing for outdoor chess boards, with the BBC presenter confirming this.
He responded: “The massive, plastic chess sets. You go to a hotel, or even people put them in their garden!”
“They pave a huge area, and they have these plastic chess pieces that slowly change colour. Really, kids just use them to attack each other.
“If you want to play chess in your garden, buy a board, a set, take it out into the garden around a table with a nice drink. Civilised. Don’t do that plastic, no.”
While Tim suggested it’s an ‘immersive experience’ having the pieces exceptionally oversized, Adam was swift to dismiss this, reports the Express.
He continued: “That’s not immersive! How is that immersive? No. It’s a complete and utter waste of space.”
When swimmer Mark Foster queried whether it might resemble a form of artwork in a garden, Adam appeared utterly bewildered by the notion.
The Gardeners’ World presenter went on: “I can remember, first doing a landscape job very early on when I had a small landscape company and someone wanted me to lay a checkerboard paving pattern in their back garden.
“I refused, very politely. I just couldn’t do it. It’s just a no.”
This follows Adam’s candid reflections on the bittersweet nature of relocating, which took place towards the end of last year.
The BBC presenter recently returned to his previous home, which has since been taken over by a new couple.
Adam described the conflicting feelings that come with leaving behind a cherished garden as he said: ” I walked around with them [the new couple] and they are absolutely loving it.
“And I think that’s a great thing to hold on to, is the fact that maybe you’ve just left somebody else a whole load of joy.”
Sunday Brunch airs on Sundays on Channel 4 from 10am.
An ‘exquisite’ period romance adaptation is available for free on BBC iPlayer and fans say it’s the best version of this classic tale
‘Mesmerising’ period drama on BBC iPlayer fans say is ‘exquisite’
The iconic tome has been adapted many times over the years – could this be the best?
BBC iPlayer is currently hosting a “masterpiece” adaptation of a much-loved classic novel, available for just one more month. Having aired on Sunday 5th July on BBC Two, the 1943 adaptation of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre can be streamed on the platform for the next 29 days.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest novels ever penned, this enduring story follows a young woman who, after losing her parents at an early age, is dispatched to a harsh boarding school. A decade on, she takes up a position as a governess to a young girl, the ward of the mysterious and imposing master of Thornfield Hall.
Little by little, she finds herself falling for her unpredictable employer, all while beginning to unravel his deeply buried secrets.
Helmed by Robert Stevenson, best known for directing Disney’s much-cherished Mary Poppins, this underappreciated Gothic romance from Hollywood’s golden age features Joan Fontaine as Jane and Orson Welles as Mr Rochester.
Film enthusiasts have long maintained that it stands amongst the finest screen adaptations of Brontë’s novel ever committed to film. It’s an absolute must for viewers who have lapped up recent period romances such as Wuthering Heights and The Other Bennet Sister, or are eagerly anticipating the forthcoming versions of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility and Pride and Prejudice, reports the Express.
One glowing 10/10 review from an IMDb user declared that, while other renditions of Jane Eyre are equally stunning, fans should “see this to be fully satisfied”.
“This is simply an exquisite film,” they continued. “Film-making at its best in every respect; and while not as letter-perfectly definitive as the 1983 miniseries, I feel it is overall the best, truest version of JANE EYRE.”
Another film enthusiast commented: “While not staying completely true to the book, this is still the best version of Jane Eyre ever made.
“Joan Fontaine is plain but still beautiful and Orson Welles is absolutely powerful and alluring. The chemistry these two share is on screen phenomenal.”
As if that weren’t sufficient, they added: “The scene where they kiss is the most powerful and most beautiful kiss I have ever seen.”
Someone else declared it “A masterpiece!” and wrote: “Magnificent is the only word that can be applied to this remarkable film. It represents Hollywood’s ability to make the occasional brilliant movie when all aspects of the film-making craft come together in such talented union.
“I first saw this film as a very young child, and it gripped and enthralled me then as it still does all these years later. Romantic, gothic and mesmerising, it is as near faultless as it is possible for any movie to be.”
And one final admirer went even further, gushing: “In my opinion, this is the best movie ever made. It’s sweet and romantic, and true to the book. Joan Fontaine is great as the title role, and I think this is Orson Welles in his finest performance.”
Period drama enthusiasts should make certain this gem is at the top of their watchlist before it ceases to be available free of charge at the month’s end.
EastEnders is set to welcome a new face to Walford later this summer as Casualty’s Jason Durr makes an appearance and is set to strike up a close bond with Linda Carter
17:48, 05 Jul 2026Updated 17:48, 05 Jul 2026
Casualty’s Jason Durr is joining EastEnders(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
EastEnders is set to welcome a Casualty legend in the coming weeks. Actor Jason Durr, who starred in the BBC medical drama as David Hide, will be making his first appearance in Walford later this summer.
But his arrival in Albert Square will see him cross paths with local businesswoman Linda Carter [Kellie Bright], and it’s fair to say that the pair will see sparks between them both. Durr is taking on the role of Clive, a local councillor, when things start to heat up in the Square.
Local residents will be joining forces to save the Community Centre, Walford’s hub, which is at risk of redevelopment. Linda, who’s known for not shying away from airing her thoughts, leads the charge as things start to heat up.
But while planning to save the Community Centre, she and Clive strike up an instant friendship as he backs the campaign. But both Linda and Clive soon realise that there is more than just a feeling of friendship between them both.
Speaking about joining EastEnders, Jason said: “Few shows command their place in the national conversation quite like EastEnders, so I’m delighted to be joining the cast as Clive Masters.
“Working with the wonderful Kellie Bright has been an absolute joy and pleasure from day one. All the cast, crew and production staff have been incredibly generous, welcoming and good humoured. I’m excited for audiences to meet Clive and see what’s in store.”
And it’s set to be an exciting time for Linda, who has endured her fair share of heartache in recent years. Her soulmate and husband, Mick Carter (Danny Dyer), died after Janine Butcher’s (Charlie Brooks) secrets were unravelled, resulting in a feud on the coast. She also battled alcoholism and murdered Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), following a fight at the Queen Vic as she attempted to save her best friend, Sharon (Letitia Dean).
The Mirror understands that Jason has already started filming his scenes, which will air later this summer. His role comes three years after Jason walked away from Casualty, having left Holby City three years prior.
His character, David, left Wyvern’s emergency department after the death of his colleague, Robyn (Amanda Henderson). At the time, Jason said he was planning to spend more time with his family, as well as explore other opportunities in the industry. His role was open for a possible return in the future.
Confirming his exit on social media, he shared a snap of himself, alongside the caption: “After 6 yrs playing the wonderfully complex #NurseDavidHide @bbccasualtyofficial I’ve hung up my scrubs.
“I’ve forged firm friendships, learnt to pronounce Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty & had my squeamishness thoroughly challenged! Here’s to new adventures (hopefully with less blood & guts).”
Over the course of his time on the show, Jason’s character David was at the centre of a string of huge storylines. One included the death of his teen son, Ollie, who, with a friend, Rob, set out to carry out a mass shooting at their school.
He’s also appeared in the likes of Lewis, Midsomer Murders, Above Suspicion and Shakespeare & Hathaway.
Adapted from Janice Hadlow’s celebrated novel, The Other Bennet Sister centred on Mary Bennet (played by Ella Bruccoleri), the frequently ignored middle sister from Pride and Prejudice.
The concluding episode saw Mary agreeing to marry Tom Hayward (Dónal Finn), though the happy couple may face some obstacles ahead.
Jane Tranter, Executive Producer, said: “We always hoped audiences would fall in love with Mary Bennet’s story, but the response to The Other Bennet Sister has exceeded even our most optimistic expectations.”
The programme’s popularity led directly to the festive special, and here’s everything we know about it thus far.
Who is in The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special?
Ella Bruccoleri is set to reprise her role as Mary, alongside “a host of other familiar faces from the series”.
After learning about the festive special, supporters rushed to social media with one unanimous request, as there was a particular breakout star they were desperate to see return.
Taking to Instagram, one fan said: “Best news ever! Please confirm Dónal being back as Tom.”
Another commented: “@donal.finn will be in it, right? RIGHT?!” A third shared: “I need confirmation that @donal.finn is part of this pleaseeeee.”
A fourth added: “Donal Finn better be there with Ella!!!!” A final viewer concluded: “Best news just hope Donal is in there with Ella too, love them both.”
Given that the Christmas special is set following Mary and Tom’s wedding, it seems highly probable that the Irish actor will make his return to the show.
He captured the hearts of viewers portraying the shy and awkward character, and has further kept fans captivated with his portrayal of the eccentric and charismatic James Moriarty in Prime Video’s Young Sherlock.
What is The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special about?
Tranter offered a tantalising glimpse of the festive episodes, saying: “These Christmas specials give us the chance to spend a little more time with characters audiences have taken to their hearts, and to explore what happens after the wedding bells fade and real life begins.
“Returning to the world of Mary Bennet with our brilliant partners at the BBC and BritBox feels like the perfect way to celebrate the success of the series and give viewers a treat this Christmas.”
While the precise plot is yet to be unveiled, the storyline will likely chart the newlyweds’ ups and downs as they adjust to married life – whether that involves navigating tricky in-laws or the prospect of starting a family – but viewers will simply have to sit tight and find out.
How long are The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special episodes?
While devotees had hoped for three feature-length episodes, the BBC confirmed the specials will follow the same format as the original series, with each instalment running at 30 minutes.
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: “It’s been incredibly exciting to see Mary Bennet cause such a sensation in 2026, and we could not be happier to announce this new three-part Christmas gift to her millions of fans.
“Marriage was just the beginning for the no-longer-so-overlooked Bennet sister.”
Where will The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special air?
The specials will broadcast exclusively in the UK on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Viewers in the US and Canada will be able to catch it exclusively on BritBox.
The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special will air on BBC One.
