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Children in Need returned on Friday, with the presenters revealing the huge amount raised at the end of the show.

The BBC has confirmed the total amount raised for Children in Need 2026.

The annual spectacle returned to screens on Friday, 13 November, with hosts including Alex Jones, Mel Giedroyc, Rylan, Sara Cox and Tyler West.

The charity event saw an incredible line-up of famous faces taking part in challenges, performances and sketches, with the BBC having earlier teased “dazzling performances, exclusive sketches, surprise appearances and a heartwarming return from the much-loved Children in Need Choir”.

It has now been confirmed how much was raised, as the live show came to an end.

How much was raised for Children in Need 2026?

As the show came to an end, Mel confirmed the total amount raised for Children in Need: £38,720,170.

Last year’s show raised £45,507,536 on the night of its 2025 appeal show.

“To the millions of children and young people out there, remember, Children in Need is here for you,” Alex said, signing off the show, as Sara urged: “Keep the donations coming in!” Mel added: “We’re so grateful to each and every one of you for your support.”

The total comes after BBC radio presenter Owain Wyn Evans completed his four nations cycling challenge in Cardiff on Friday, having raised £3,853,530.

He took part in a five-day cycle ride through Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales. As he crossed the finish line with his bike, Shania Chain, Owain said: “Thank you so much everyone, from me and Shania. Honestly, this has felt so far away for such a long time. I can’t believe that I’m here with this welcome and the sun’s out!”

He added: “Just reflecting on what it’s been like. We’re doing it all for an amazing cause, Children In Need. There are so many children who need our help and who will be helped by all the donations.”

Ahead of this year’s Children in Need airing, The One Show host Alex shared: “It means the absolute world to be part of the team for the big night of Children in Need, I have watched it avidly since I was a little girl and Sir Terry Wogan was at the helm.

“It was always one of the big highlights of the year. And more recently for me, The One Show has always been very much at the heart of Children in Need, as we will be again this year with our Challenge Squad, so it feels amazing to be there with Pudsey on his big night.”

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Mel shared: “Being part of Children in Need every year, as I have been for the last 10 years as presenter, which I’m so honoured and privileged to do, is everything to me. It’s a red-letter day, and one of the most life affirming and important for me in my calendar.”

Rylan added: “⁠It’s amazing to be part of Children in Need’s appeal show, obviously it’s something that I have grown up watching and loved and have been involved in in the past, so to be asked to host this year is a real honour.”

He continued: “Children in Need matters because unfortunately, the title still stands – there are a lot of children that are still in need and we need to do our bit to make sure no child goes without the love and care that they deserve.”

Children in Need is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

A woman and her daughter brought a Bible that once belonged to her grandmother Florence, who was held with her three children in an internment camp during war.

A guest on The Repair Shop has shared the devastating family history behind a treasured heirloom, and why she wanted to have it restored.

Judy and her daughter Laura appeared on the programme in an episode that originally aired in October 2025, where they brought a Bible with them, hoping to have it restored from its ‘battered and weathered’ state. It had once belonged to Judy’s grandmother Florence, and passed down to her children, including Judy’s mother.

As Judy and Laura spoke to The Repair Shop expert Chris Shaw, they detailed their family history, and the conditions that Florence and her children found themselves in, after they were hel at the Lunghua Civilian Assembly Centre in Shanghai during the Second World War.

“She was living and born in China, her father was an Irishman and her mother was a local Chinese lady and at some point, Florence met her future husband, an Englishman,” Laura explained. “Unfortunately, he left her widowed in her early 30s with three children and he died just a few weeks after their son was born.”

She noted that Florence was remarkably young to lose her husband, as bookbinder Chris Shaw described the story as “terrible”, though she encountered additional hardship when conflict erupted and Japan invaded China.

Florence and her children were identified as British and sent to the internment camp, where the children, including Judy’s mum, were aged 17, 15 and 10, reports the Express.

Judy described the appalling conditions, saying: “They were all crammed in, it was hot, little food. They were having very watered down rice with added maggots. Then my grandmother caught TB and she was taken out of camp to a hospital, and they were on their own in camp for about 18 months without their mum.”

The three children found solace in the Bible throughout their four-year ordeal in the camp. Following liberation when the war ended, they were finally reunited with their mother.

Judy recalled how the camp experience stayed with her mum for the rest of her days, explaining: “The habits, if you like. We had a walk-in larder when I was a little girl and it was rammed, floor to ceiling, with tinned food, saying she’d never starve again if war broke out.”

Laura added: “She did have a terrific sense of fun. Obviously as my grandmother, she was always up to mischief, she was definitely your ally. And she was very much of the view that childhoods should be fun and lighthearted, because she felt robbed.”

Judy and Laura were hoping Chris could rescue the “battered and weathered” Bible that had endured the wet and damp conditions of the camp, disclosing that it was over a century old.

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After Chris restored it, Judy was left in tears, seeing the Bible brought back to life. “It represents my mum and my nan’s legacy really, and what they went through. Their strength, their endurance, and hopefully this book can survive a little bit longer, too,” she said.

“Oh gosh,” she said, after seeing it, in disbelief. “Is that the same one? It’s amazing… this is how it would have looked.”

She thanked Chris, adding: “It’s something my nana would have held, and obviously it meant a lot to my mum and her sister in camp, giving comfort when things were so bad. We’ve got it back in one piece that we can hold, it’s a lesson that not all is lost.”

The Repair Shop is available to watch on BBC iPlayer

The streaming giant has kept the comedy special on the service despite the comedian’s conviction for rape and sexual assault.

Russell Brand’s stand-up show Rebirth is still available on Netflix tonight, despite the comedian’s conviction for rape and sexual assault.

The streaming giant has kept the comedy special – in which he talks about sex – on the service but stopped it from being actively recommended or promoted to its customers.

The 2018 show, filmed at Hackney Empire, is about his life after the birth of his first child and opens with politicians including David Cameron and Ed Miliband commenting on Brand.

It it he refers to his penis after getting married, clutching his crotch and saying: “He’s gone from chairman of the board to tea lady overnight.”

He later jokes: “I’ve hardly been conservative with sperm. Giving the stuff away like sticky confetti. The real miracle is that one of them’s been allowed to germinate instead of being squandered in a stranger’s eyelashes.”

The Telegraph reports that the title will “no longer be automatically recommended or actively promoted to subscribers” but will still remain available for streaming.

A Netflix source told the newspaper: “We prioritise choice and control for our members: the freedom to watch what, how and when you want, with recommendations and ratings to inform those choices.”

The comedian, 51, was sentenced to a total of 10 years and six months in jail earlier this week for raping one woman and sexually assaulting three others.

Brand was told he will be on the sex offenders register for life and must serve at least seven years of his sentence behind bars before being considered for release on license, while his wife watched on in court.

Judge Mr Justice Joel Bennathan sentenced Brand for the rape of a fan and sex assaults on three women, including a woman in a Soho bar, as well as a radio worker and a Channel 4 staffer, who were both abused by him while at work.

The Mirror has contacted Netflix for comment.

Elsewhere, the BBC have edited out a joke about Russell Brand that appeared on Gavin & Stacey from a festive episode of the comedy series.

In the episode, Nessa returns to the Christmas dinner table after finally managing to get Neil the Baby off to sleep by reading him part of the disgraced comedian’s autobiography.

She says: “I had to read to him to get him off. No. Russell Brand: My Booky Wook. He’s loving every word.” That part of the dialogue is still available in the iPlayer edition of the programme, but then, originally, Nessa told Stacey that she didn’t get a mention in the comedian’s memoir.

Stacey replied: “Aw that’s a shame. I’m quite disappointed, are you?”and Nessa said: “Don’t be, Stace. We had a cracking night, Pam. All three of us.” Instead, the conversation moves quickly on to Nessa complimenting Pam’s (Alison Steadman) Christmas turkey.

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The latest episode of BBC drama This City Is Ours left fans on the edge of their seats

Viewers of This City Is Ours were left concerned following the latest action packed episode.

The current series of the BBC programme resumed on BBC One on Sunday evening (November 8) with a fresh episode for those who haven’t yet devoured the complete season. Continuing from its launch last year, both audiences and reviewers have showered the Liverpool-set crime drama with acclaim.

*Warning – this article contains spoilers for This City Is Ours series 2, episode 5*.

Its second run follows Michael Kavanagh being pulled back into the Phelan criminal empire, operations, and brutality. The ensemble features performers including Mike Noble, James Nelson-Joyce, Laura Aikman and Hannah Onslow.

In the fifth instalment, Jamie and Melissa threw their engagement celebration while Michael and Diana tried to negotiate peace with the family. Meanwhile, Freddie descends deeper beyond Michael’s grasp and the Phelans negotiate an arrangement with Ozzie Thompson, reports the Liverpool Echo.

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However, audiences could sense that something truly terrible was imminent as the celebration drew to an end. Shortly after Michael arranged an accord between the groups, Freddie was observed tearing across the city, evidently on a mission.

Michael’s efforts to locate him and intervene before events unfolded proved fruitless. As the Phelans departed the party venue and spilled out onto the street, Freddie emerged from a concealed position opposite and began shooting.

Jamie appeared to be his intended target. However, in an earlier scene, Freddie had tested the weapon and missed spectacularly.

It came as little shock, then, when it emerged he had once again failed to hit his mark. Amid the chaos, Rachel discovered she had been shot in the leg.

Michael swiftly arrived to assist her husband Bobby in rushing her to hospital, with the rest of the family close behind. As she was brought into the emergency department, Rachel flatlined, and her prospects looked deeply troubling. Meanwhile, outside, Michael persuaded the Phelans to make a run for it as he gave himself up to police.

Viewers watching at home were left utterly devastated as the dramatic scenes unfolded. Many had sensed chaos was imminent, with one person posting on social media: “I’m getting definite The Godfather vibes from watching the engagement party scenes.”

Another added: “Sobbing here. They can’t kill off Rachel.”

Several fans warned that another character’s fate also looked precarious. As one viewer asked: “Freddie’s in trouble! Do the others know it was him?”

Another wondered: “Omg Freddie. What have you done?” While one admitted: “I fear for Freddie’s future.”

However, another viewer remarked: “For a bad shot Freddie got the right spot on that leg. Fatal surely?”.

Meanwhile, one viewer believed they had noticed a blunder in one character’s behaviour, commenting: “Whyyyyy didn’t Michael just level with Freddy and say “your auld fella’s playing dead but he’s fine” Sometimes you’ve just got to be blunt”.

This City Is Our is streaming on BBC iPlayer

When it comes to Strictly Come Dancing this year, there has been no shortage of drama on the BBC show, and now fans have called a ‘wave of negativity’ that has been directed at one star on the show

There has been no shortage of drama on Strictly Come Dancing this year. Many fans of the BBC show haven’t particularly warmed to the new hosting line-up of Emma Willis, Josh Widdecombe and Johannes Radebe after the departure of presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly last year.

A lot of Strictly fans also haven’t been thrilled about some of the changes made to Strictly’s BBC 2 companion show, It Takes Two, either. However, some viewers have now spoken out against certain fans criticising another area of the show – one of the judges. One Strictly fan took to Reddit after last weekend’s Halloween shows to slam fellow viewers regarding their treatment of head judge Shirley Ballas.

Talking to the site, they wrote: “Can we chill it with the Shirley hate please?

“I’m seeing posts on here directing negativity, hatred and vitriol towards Shirley on the daily now and it’s getting tiring.

“Has she done anyone any physical harm? No. Has she ever been verbally abusive or nasty towards contestants? No. Has she ever had dancers publicly speak out against her? No. So why am I seeing constant piles on against her?”

They added: “She might be a flawed person, but oh my god everyone is. This is probably an unpopular opinion but she’s my favourite judge, I love her sass and I just think she seems really fun and lovely.

“It’s fine if you’re not enamoured by her but is it really necessary to critique every single thing she does?”

Shirley, 66, faced significant backlash from viewers following her Halloween week judging appearance on the show.

Viewers accused her of being excessively harsh and out of step with the other judges.

Fans on social media voiced frustration over what they perceived as double standards in her technical scrutiny, claiming she was far more forgiving of certain contestants while penalising others heavily for technical flaws.

Critics also argued that her technical reprimands—such as scolding contestants on footwork and posture—were disproportionate for the fun, production-heavy Halloween specials.

Ballas has defended herself from the critics, insisting she judges strictly on what she sees “without fear or favour” and does not do “fluff”.

She maintained that 4s and 5s are still respectable scores in technical ballroom judging and that higher marks must be earned as the competition progresses.

Many people agreed with the original Reddit poster, as one wrote: “I’m a Shirley Ballas fan. I have criticisms of all the judges, none of them are perfect or everybody’s cup of tea, but Shirley gets it worst. The same happened to Arlene Phillips when she was a judge. Craig is a far harsher critic than Shirley but is allowed to be the pantomime villain.”

While another echoed: “Why does Shirley get the brunt of it? If you look at the show’s history, Craig has said a lot of things and yet he avoids the heat.”

A third chimed in: “She can not do right for doing wrong. We are all critics at the end of the day but she has however many years of dance experience behind her to back up her comments.”

Not everyone agreed though, as one person wrote: “Not seeing this personally, I absolutely don’t condone extreme hate but there’s a lot to criticise about Shirley and as long as it’s said respectfully, I don’t see a problem with it.”

Another added: “I expect more from Shirley, she is the best and most experienced dancer and she sometimes goes so off piste.”

Strictly Come Dancing is next on TV on BBC One at 6:30pm on Saturday, 7 November 2026 for Week 7.

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Two mothers whose children have been affected by sodium valproate have urged the government to compensate victims

Two mothers have claimed they weren’t warned of possible birth defects after taking an epilepsy drug.

Emma Murphy was diagnosed with epilepsy at age 12 and was medicated with sodium valproate, which she used throughout her pregnancies after “no warnings” of possible harm to her unborn babies were given.

Emma’s five children have now been diagnosed with various medical conditions, including deafness and cerebral palsy. Appearing on Tuesday’s (November 3) instalment of BBC Breakfast, Emma appeared alongside Janet Williams as they urged the government to compensate families impacted by the use of sodium valproate during pregnancy.

Emma told hosts Jon Kay and Sally Nugent: “There were no warnings given by healthcare professionals. We were informed there was a possibility of cleft lip or palate, maybe spina bifida, but that would be picked up on any scans we had and we were reassured by that.

“But there were no warnings regarding a syndrome that it would cause autism or lifelong disability, and I have got five children affected now. It’s just completely devastating.”

Explaining how sodium valproate has affected her own five children, Emma added: “There’s a diagnosis of autism, cerebral palsy, deafness, incontinence, sensory processing disorder, language difficulties, learning disabilities, it is a huge spectrum that has completely devastated not just my family, but thousands of families in the UK.”

Sodium valproate, which is also used to treat bipolar disorder, can cause physical harm in the womb, and children can be born with a cleft palate and spina bifida, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders.

The medicine now carries warnings about use during pregnancy, with the NHS website stating: “Sodium valproate is not recommended in pregnancy, as it can cause birth defects and problems with your child’s learning and behaviour. If there’s a chance you could become pregnant while taking this medicine, your doctor will enrol you on Prevent, the valproate pregnancy prevention programme.”

Mum-of-two Janet was diagnosed with epilepsy when she was 16 and was also prescribed sodium valproate. However, after giving birth, her son suffered from withdrawal symptoms and was taken down to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“We knew nothing about it, we had nothing explained to us, so just him going down to NICU was a worry. They eventually explained to us about the withdrawals but nothing was said to us about the syndrome”, Janet confirmed.

When she welcomed her second son into the world, she was met with the same heartbreak as he was also taken down to NICU as he suffered from withdrawals.

Janet later received a letter confirming it was the Epilim, which is a brand name for sodium valproate, that had caused her children to be unwell. Both sons have been diagnosed with autism.

Jon asked: “How do you know it’s the drug, Emma? There are some children who will have the conditions and symptoms that your kids have got. How do you know it is the drug that is to blame?”

Emma replied: “There is a definitive syndrome now called Fetal Valproate Spectrum Disorder, and we know it is that that causes this.”

She also urged Andy Burnham to meet with her and help the victims get justice and compensation. Jon pointed out that while the Prime Minister is in a position of power, there are other “scandals” including “nuclear test victims, the blood scandal, the Post Office scandal”, that also require compensation, and there is “not much money”.

Jon said: “The government says it’s working on it, there has been a huge report. They say they’re going through that, making progress but they haven’t yet made a decision on how to provide financial redress.”

Emma and Janet are both starring in the upcoming BBC documentary Mums v Big Pharma, which airs on November 9, and details a decades-long campaign by British mothers against drug companies, doctors, and the government.

The Department of Health said the Government was determined to make progress on its response to the Hughes report, adding it was clear those affected have already waited far too long for answers. A decision has not yet been made to provide financial redress, it added.

A statement from Sanofi, the pharmaceutical company behind Epilim, said: “Sanofi understand the concerns of persons affected by valproate and their families and their need to be heard. The use of valproate in pregnancy is an incredibly complex issue that involves many different parties including government, regulators, doctors and other prescribers, pharmacists, manufacturers, patients, and other people affected.

“The supply of valproate, an essential medicine used to treat serious and potentially life-threatening conditions, is subject to detailed regulatory requirements and supervision by the regulatory authority. We have provided information to the regulatory authorities, under their supervision and in accordance with their evaluation and decisions, information has been given to healthcare professionals and patients that reflect the evolution of scientific knowledge.

“We are committed to working with all concerned stakeholders to continue educating about the risks and precautions for the appropriate use of valproate.”

BBC Breakfast airs 6:30am on BBC One and iPlayer

Emmerdale, EastEnders and Coronation Street spoilers see big moments for all three soaps next week, as villains return, bombshells are dropped and new questions are asked

There’s some huge moments ahead on the soaps according to new Emmerdale, Coronation Street and EastEnders spoilers.

EastEnders welcomes back a familiar face, a past villain, and what they have to say will shock some residents. It’s set to be an unmissable week on the show as secrets are revealed, and big twists occur.

On Emmerdale, two returns are teased before one is sadly ruled out. As for the other, a villain’s confirmed comeback finally begins, and it could leave one family at war.

On Coronation Street, there’s a special episode on the way centred around Debbie Webster, as her health continues to deteriorate after her dementia diagnosis. But it seems more than one discovery will be made.

EastEnders

Linda is shocked to discover Lee has spent the night on Sean‘s floor after getting drunk. Linda turns to Elaine and Sharon for support but she’s rocked by what she uncovers when she answers a phone call on Lee’s mobile.

Linda heads off to seek the truth, needing answers and it’s Janine she chooses to confront. Soon she makes a bombshell discovery from Janine but what has Janine told her?

As Linda refuses to believe what she’s been told, she heads back to the Square and has a heart-to-heart with Max. But Linda is not done and she plans to see Janine once more, while Max makes a decision he might regret.

Later, Linda knows something and she has to tell Lee, Nancy and Johnny what she’s been told. It leads to the trio disappearing and Linda and Max are desperately searching for them.

Linda finds Nancy and they soon reflect on things, but shortly after Nancy’s waters break. Meanwhile, Lee shares his concerns with Linda about becoming a dad, and Nancy’s rushed to hospital, but what have they found out? And what does Janine tell them?

Coronation Street

There’s a special episode next week that focuses on Debbie Webster, as her friends rally round her amid her dementia battle. But soon, accusations fly and emotions run high with secrets to be revealed.

The episode focuses on Debbie‘s Angels Abby, Bernie, Christina, Sally and Glenda, who are helping Debbie surprise her son Carl for his birthday. But what’s meant to be a fun experience soon turns into chaos. As tensions between the women rise and confrontations take place, history and trauma rise to the surface.

As the group struggles to keep things going for Debbie, characters confide in one another and decisions are made about futures. As the evening comes to an end, the women unite to move forward whilst some of them are keeping some life-altering choices private, so what will be revealed?

Emmerdale

Tom King is finally back on Emmerdale next week. Meanwhile there’s another return teased for Samson Dingle, but things come to a halt when it’s revealed Tom has been beaten up in prison.

He’s in a critical condition in hospital and soon Belle finds out that Cain organised the attack and that Samson was the one who carried it out. Things get tense as Sam realises what Cain has done.

As the family come to blows, Samson reveals to his family that his new charges mean he could have a longer stretch in prison. As Belle feels paranoid about how Tom will react to this, Kammy tries to calm her down.

Soon Sam and Cain are clashing again but at breaking point, Belle makes a decision. As she calls out her brothers Cain and Sam she announce her she will talk to Tom at the hospital.

Tom is being held there while he recovers. Belle decides to visit him alone, but will she go in and will Tom have his say?

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. Emmerdale airs weeknights at 8pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Coronation Street airs weeknights at 8:30pm on ITV1 and ITV X. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

There was a very awkward moment during a BBC News segment which was spotted by viewers

Viewers of BBC News were taken aback by an unexpected error.

Those tuning in to the latest update on the channel were left distracted by the blunder. One of the latest updates which aired from the broadcaster over the weekend, left more than a few people rubbing their eyes in disbelief.

It came during a bulletin which reported on the key midterm elections over in the United States. Americans are set to go to the polls this week as they choose to elect members of Congress.

The results could have a huge impact on Donald Trump’s presidency, of which he has two years remaining in his term. However, during the segment, the channel unintentionally broadcast an unrelated word.

It was pointed out on Tuesday, November 2 by TV critic, and co-host of BBC podcast Must Watch, Scott Bryan. He shared a screengrab of the moment on social media and said: “BBC News errrr… you might want to check the reflection.”

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While the graphic read: “US Midterm Elections” accompanied by a US flag, the reflection of it on the newsreader’s desk made it look very different. The upside down ‘L’ made it look more like an unconventional letter ‘R’.

As a result, it appeared to many watching along that the word ‘erections’ was being plastered over the reflective surface. Scott’s original post gained several responses.

Many of them were from people who just could not help themselves but poke fun at the situation. One person immediately asked: “Will they face stiff competition from Sky News?”

Another added: “They’re going to have to open up a Department for Reflections Corrections at this rate.”

Someone else said: “Is that a seismic shift in Congressional voting intentions, or are you happy to see me?!” Others predicted that the incident could well form the inspiration of a sketch on SNL UK in the near future.

Not everyone was as amused or even convinced that the reflection accurately portrayed what was suggested. Someone argued against the idea and noted: “I’m willing to accept a TOYS”Я”US-style backwards ‘N’, but an upside-down T ruins it for me.”

Mirror has approached BBC for a comment

Countryfile viewers were quick to share their thoughts on Sunday’s episode of the BBC programme.

BBC viewers were less than impressed with the latest episode of Countryfile.

On Sunday night, BBC’s Vick Hope and Matt Baker kicked off Countryfile at Forest Green Rovers football club. During the programme, Vick interviewed figures including club historian Tim Barnard and former player Alex Sykes.

The BBC revealed that in 2010, the club was struggling financially and was given help by Green energy entrepreneur Dale Vince, who stepped in as owner and chairman.

He told Vick that he wanted to get involved with helping to run the club after he watched a game and was told it was at risk of being closed after 120 years. Meanwhile, Matt visited Stroud Brewery, a supplier of organic real ale for the match-day bars, reports the Express.

As the show opened, Matt told Countryfile audiences: “With qualifications done, this week sees the first round of the FA Cup, and to kick it off, we are at the country’s most rural professional football clubs. Forest Green Rovers.”

Vick added: “Yes, this Gloucestershire club has, over the course of its history, created jobs, supported local businesses and brought the community together.”

Matt explained to audiences that the football club “defied the odds” as it climbed through the divisions to reach the upper echelons of the professional game.

Throughout the programme, the pair examined how the rural club bolsters the local community and economy. However, it wasn’t long before viewers flocked to X to air their views on the episode, with many raising the same grievance

One person said: “This is the worst episode of #Countryfile I’ve ever seen.” Another complained: “Remember this used to be about the countryside!”

Someone else added: “#countryfile football doesn’t even compare to crops. Who writes these scripts?” One viewer wrote: “This programme @Countryfilelive has really gone downhill. I’ve had to switch over #bbccountryfile #countryfile.”

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Meanwhile, another fumed: “@bbc have managed to do a hefty part of #Countryfile about a football club – hardly core rural issues #RenameIt.”

Another viewer commented: “Why are #BBCCountryfile doing a whole programme about football? What exactly has that got to do with farming? Switched off, so boring!” While someone else quipped: “Didn’t know that motd was on a Sunday evening.”

Countryfile is available to watch Sundays on BBC One from 5:40pm.

TV Licensing guidance offers details on how people could be entitled to a refund on their £180 TV Licence

Paying for a TV Licence is one of those things in life few people enjoy but must accept as just a rule you have to follow. A standard TV Licence will set you back £180.

But what not everyone realises that there are circumstances where that sum you’ve forked out can be refunded. If that happens, there is a process to go through, TV Licensing explains – and how much you might get in a repayment depends on certain factors.

Why would you be able to claim a refund, you might wonder. Well, if you do not need a licence any more before the one you have runs out, you can make a request for a refund – as long as there is at least 1 full month left on it.

Furthermore, if you meet the criteria for an over-75 concession, or for a blind concession, you can make a claim for a refund. And in those circumstances, you can do so at any point, regardless if how long you have left on your licence.

The TV Licensing website says: “Working out precise refund amounts can be complicated. But we will do it for you. We’ll look carefully at the information you give us and let you know if we can offer you a refund, and how much it will be.”

If you do not any longer need your licence, and it is found that you are eligible for a refund payment, the TV Licensing officials will make a calculation based on when the licence you have was issued, and when it expires.

Refunds are calculated in unused months. The rules say you could get a refund for anywhere between one and 11 months, depending on your situation.

If you want to sit down and look into when your licence expiry date is, it’s pretty simple to do so. Just sign to the TV Licensing website with your licence number, name and postcode.

If they decide that your claim is valid, and a refund payment is agreed, your licence ends at once.

Here is the full list of people who may be entitled to a refund on their TV Licence:

• The address is covered by another licence
• refunds for those who qualify for a blind concession
• TV receiving equipment is no longer in use
• Refunds in consequence of a free TV Licence application – payments are made for each complete month remaining on the current licence.
• TV Licence is bought in error
• refunds for those who do not need it before it runs out and there is at least one month left on it
• Refunds due to the death of the licence holder
• A replacement TV Licence has been bought
• refunds for those who qualify for over-75 concession

For more on refund rules on TV Licences and for information on who might qualify, go to the relevant section of the TV Licensing website here.

Prince William revealed he met with Ross Kemp recently and confirmed “he was really jumpy” as he opened up on his family’s love for The Celebroity Traitors on The Graham Norton Show

The Prince of Wales has revealed his family’s love of The Celebrity Traitors, adding that he even touched paranoid faithful Ross Kemp “to see what reaction I got from him”.

The EastEnders star had been on alert about being murdered in plain sight through touch since the first episode of the BBC One series. The paranoia proved justified in Thursday’s episode, when he was indeed murdered in plain sight by traitors James Acaster and Maya Jama.

But instead of touch, he was murdered by yawning and inhaling a poisoned perfume. Discussing the star-studded programme during a surprise appearance on an Earthshot Prize edition of The Graham Norton Show, William said: “I love it, the family love it. Charlotte and Louis are obsessed with it. It’s really good telly.

“I saw Ross Kemp the day after the first episode and I couldn’t help but try – in the most appropriate way – to touch him to see what reaction I got from him. Turns out he was really jumpy!”

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Asked how he switches off, he said: “It is music and film. I love getting immersed in deep-thinking films. I like action films too, but I like something a bit different. I’m a big fan of everything Christopher Nolan does. His films are fantastic – The Dark Knight series is psychologically dark and deep and I absolutely love that.

“He takes concepts that are completely out there and makes them incredibly entertaining.”

William joined Cate Blanchett, Robert Irwin and Hannah Waddingham on the chat show to gasps from the audience to speak about the environmental award, which connects all four guests.

Blanchett is an Earthshot Prize council member, Irwin is a global ambassador for the prize and Waddingham hosted the 2023 Earthshot awards in Singapore.

Mumbai will stage the Earthshot Prize next month where the future king will meet Bollywood stars as he learns about India’s hugely popular film industry, play with cricketing royalty and preside over the ceremony awarding £5 million in prize money.

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The Repair Shop expert Kirsten Ramsey was on hand to help restore a prized Pride of Birmingham Award, which was accidentally smashed

A mum was left feeling terribly guilty after accidentally breaking her son’s most prized possession while doing the housework.

During Wednesday’s (October 21) episode of The Repair Shop: Beyond the Barn, BBC viewers saw ceramics expert Kirsten Ramsey tasked with fixing an award statuette belonging to Mikey Akers from Coventry. In a cutaway scene, viewers saw Mikey alongside his mum Louisa share more about the incredible story behind the award.

In 2018, Mikey was 16 years old when he won a Pride of Birmingham Award for his tireless campaigning to raise awareness about verbal dyspraxia, after being diagnosed with the rare neurological speech disorder when he was two.

Mikey struggled to learn to speak and, throughout his childhood, needed intensive speech therapy to find his voice.

When he was 13, he wrote a poem called I Am The Boy about his struggles and set up campaign organisation, Mikey’s Wish, to raise awareness and support other young people with the condition.

Louisa explained: “It affects the messages from the brain to the mouth, and they struggle to move the muscles and the nerves in order to form the sounds needed for speech.”

Speaking about his diagnosis, Mikey added: “Growing up with verbal dyspraxia was quite lonely. People outside of my family struggled to understand what I was saying. It was quite common that people thought I weren’t as intelligent because of my speech. It was very frustrating.”

Mike was ecstatic with the Pride of Birmingham award and called it his “proudest achievement”; however, the angel-like trophy was damaged when Louisa knocked it off a shelf while doing housework, shattering it. “When it shattered, I was mortified. I felt so guilty”, Louisa told the camera.

Back at the Repair Shop, Kirsten was determined to make the award look brand-new again and said, “You don’t get this unless you’ve done something quite extraordinary.”

The expert explained that it would be tricky to recreate the award’s shiny surface because of all the broken pieces that would need to be reattached.

As Mikey and Louisa visited the barn to collect the award from Kirsten, Louisa said she “just wanted to see it back in one piece again.”

Miraculously, Kirsten had managed to make the award statuette look brand new, leaving Mikey elated. “Oh wow, Thank you”, he told Kirsten while Louisa joked: “The guilt has gone”, as the mother and son giggled.

“I am proud of him”, Louisa added as Mikey confirmed: “It brings me back to when I first got it, it’s a nice feeling.”

Kirsten commented: “You’re clearly an inspiration to many, many people, which really spurred me on to try and do the best job that I possibly could, and It’s ready to go back to whatever safe spot you’ve got for it. “

The Repair Shop Beyond the Barn is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

The third and final episode of Jimmy McGovern’s prison anthology drama Time has had BBC viewers saying the same thing

Jimmy McGovern’s gripping drama Time has ended.

The third and final series reached its conclusion on BBC One on Sunday, October 18 and it seems fans were left more than impressed with the episode and the series as a whole starring David Tennant and Siobhan Finneran.

Set inside a Young Offenders Institution (HMYOI Alderwick) it follows the intersecting lives of staff and teenage inmates. A synopsis for the final episode read: “The possibility of romance and an opportunity at work makes Bailey (Tennant) question his choices, and he turns to Marie-Louise (Finneran) in a moment of need.

“She receives the sign she has been waiting for, but debates whether she is able to take a risk. Meanwhile, new evidence complicates loyalties between Peter and his friends, driving tensions higher, and James confronts his fears.”

After the credits rolled, viewers were rushing to X, formerly Twitter, to have their say. One said: “What a programme #Time is that is exceptionally well written by Jimmy McGovern and Sam Bailey. It leaves you with so much to think about.”

A second added: “Time was just spellbounding – the writing, the acting, everything. What drama should be.” Another commented: “Really enjoyed that #Time on @BBCOne with the fabulous #DavidTennant @SFinneranTV.”

A fourth posted: “#Time on @BBC, all three episodes – outstanding and brilliant drama. Possibly the best series of all three.” Agreeing to the post, one responded: “I’d have to agree. @ #Time was astoundingly good. Those young actors – all of them but especially the actor playing Peter. The writing. Just brilliant, emotionally draining but worth it. And glad some good endings.”

Time first began in 2021 and has featured the likes of Stephen Graham, Jodie Whittaker and Bella Ramsey. McGovern explained that while the first series focused on a male prison and the second series was based on a female prison, he knew he wanted to focus on young offenders next, but didn’t have a story.

That was until he found a real-life story in his research about a mother going to see her son in a Young Offenders Institution, whom she hadn’t seen for years.

Speaking to RadioTimes about the series ending he said: “There’s very little altruism involved with these stories. I do them because I love doing them, although I think this will be the last time. I have said that many a time before, though, because these are also stories I feel bound to tell.”

Ahead of the series launch, Tennant, who plays Bobby Bailey, said of taking on the role: “Initially, you go, ‘It’s a Jimmy McGovern script, I’ve never worked with him, he’s the guv’nor and this is an opportunity I can’t pass up.’

“Then you read the script and what Jimmy and [co-writer] Sam Bailey have created is just so human and accessible. I was a huge admirer of the first two series; prison is such a fertile ground for storytelling, because it’s such an extreme situation, pushing that human experience to the limits.

“So, while these aren’t necessarily the easiest stories, they’re the best stories and exactly the kind of characters you want to have a go at.”

Meanwhile Finneran, who plays the returning character of Marie-Louise O’Dell, said of coming back for series 3: “Who doesn’t want to work on a McGovern script? They’re raw, but written with real heart and care, so it was a pretty big yes. I’m thrilled to bits.”

Time is available to stream on BBC iPlayer