Actor Anthony Head died last week at the age of 72 after complications due to pneumonia.
20:37, 10 Jun 2026Updated 20:40, 10 Jun 2026
Colin Morgan paid tribute to his former co-star(Image: BBC)
Last week, the world was shocked and saddened to hear the news that actor Anthony Head had died.
The star was best known for his roles as Giles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Rupert Mannion in the comedy series Ted Lasso.
On Wednesday’s episode of The One Show (June 10), BBC presenters Angellica Bell and JB Gill spoke about his death to actor Colin Morgan.
The 40-year-old starred alongside Anthony during his time on the children’s fantasy show Merlin, which ran from 2008 to 2012.
Anthony played King Uther Pendragon in the series, while Colin played the title character in the beloved show
Addressing the news of his death last week, host Angellica said to Colin: “Your big break was in the BBC series Merlin alongside the late Anthony Head, and you must have some fond memories of working with him?”
He said: “Yeah, I was so shocked and heartbroken to hear about his loss last week. He was such a pinnacle of a role model to me and all the young cast of Merlin.
“I have such incredible memories of working with him. Right now, my thoughts go out to his daughters, Daisy and Emily.”
JB added: “Yeah, condolences to his family as well.”
The news of his death was confirmed by his daughter in a statement which was released on Friday, June 5.
The said: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father, Anthony Head.
“He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family. It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed first-hand the impact both he and his work have had on so many.”
Since the announcement of his death, tributes have been flooding in from his former co-stars, including Matt Lucas, Charisma Carpenter and Sarah Michelle Gellar.
Alongside a photo of them all years ago, the actress wrote on Instagram: “Tell Giles I figured it out and I’m ok” Well I don’t have it figured out and I’m not ok. But I know I’m the lucky one because I knew you. Thank you to Daisy and Emily who not only shared their dad with me, but with the world.
The One Show is available to watch weeknights on BBC One from 7pm
However, on Wednesday night (June 10), BBC fans saw Angellica Bell and JB Gill opening the programme as they explained where the 49-year-old was.
Angellica said: “If you’re wondering where Alex is tonight, she’s at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition before it opens to the public next Tuesday.
“Last night, we revealed the successful artists, both amateur and professional, who were selected to have their work displayed in the world-famous gallery. Tonight, we’ve been invited to a special launch party to celebrate.”
The camera then cut to a clip of Alex inside Burlington House, where the event is taking place, as she walked through one of the rooms holding the artwork.
She said: “It’s one of my favourite nights of the year. Oh my goodness, there is so much to see here. Now, we’ve been following some of the artists all week who are hoping to get their work on the wall.
“Tonight, after 22 years of submitting, Vincent will finally see his on one of these walls, it’s going to be quite an emotional moment, I think.
“Also, you should see the guest list! There are celebrities everywhere here, and I might just get one for a chat later, who knows.”
The BBC star later spoke with Vincent who was overcome with emotion when he saw his artwork on the wall after two decades trying to achieve his goal.
Elsewhere on the show, Nikki Fox informed viewers that they won’t be seeing her on-screen for a while as Watchdog was taking a hiatus.
She told viewers: “We’re having a little break now. Going to have a little lie down and a bacon roll!
“But we are going to be back very soon with plenty more investigations from me, Matt and our new team members! We’ve got Nick Stapleton, who you saw tonight and Amanda Haque.”
As she wrapped up, Angellica told fans the Watchdog segment would return again in September.
The One Show is available to watch weeknights on BBC One from 7pm
Former EastEnders star Ben Hardy is returning to screens in an Agatha Christie film that also includes a Game of Thrones actor
21:09, 09 Jun 2026Updated 21:09, 09 Jun 2026
Ben Hardy played Peter Beale in EastEnders more than 10 years ago (Image: BBC)
Former Peter Beale actor Ben Hardy is set to start filming an exciting new ‘whounnit’ based on real-life events.
The new film Eleven Missing Days will also star Vincent Cassel and Felicity Jones and tell the story of Agatha Christie’s real-life disappearance.
The novelist’s disappearance made national and international headlines during the 1920s, with famous names joining the search to find her, including leading politicians and fellow writers such as Arthur Conan Doyle, according to Deadline.
The synopsis reads for the film: “In December 1926, at the height of her fame, Agatha Christie became front-page news when she vanished in bizarre circumstances from her home.
“In a case of life imitating art, this whodunnit explores the investigation behind her disappearance, strangely resembling an Agatha Christie novel itself, where everyone in her life became a suspect.”
A stellar cast joins Ben Hardy in the forthcoming movie, including Say Nothing star Ryan McParland, Game of Thrones’s Alfie Allen, The Brutalist’s Stacy Martin, Nicole Elizabeth Berger from He’s Watching You, and The Gorge actor Oliver Trevena.
Currently in pre-production, the picture is on course to shoot this summer in the UK.
Who did Ben Hardy play in EastEnders?
The 35-year-old found fame on the BBC soap in 2013 when he arrived in Walford as legendary character Peter Beale. He had taken over the role from Thomas Law, who had played the part between 2006 and 2010 before returning in 2023.
Ben’s version of Peter was most memorable for being caught up in the ‘Who Killed Lucy Beale?’ saga and for dating Lola Peace (Danielle Harold) before rekindling his romance with Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa).
After finding out his own brother Bobby (Eliot Carrington) had killed Lucy, Peter struggled with life in Walford and moved to New Zealand to start a new life in 2015.
In an interview with The Independent, Ben said that he had “been battling it for a year, how to make things work” before ultimately deciding to leave the show.
“I have so much respect for everyone who works on that show, I felt myself getting lazy as an actor,” he explained. “I felt myself constantly going, ‘This scene doesn’t work’.”
Ben went on to say: “That laziness scared me. I said, ‘I have to get out of here’.”
He has since traded in his fruit-and-veg market stall for the bright lights of Hollywood and landed a role in the 2016 film X-Men: Apocalypse.
He also played Roger Taylor in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody and portrayed the role of Four in the Netflix movie ‘6 Underground’ alongside Ryan Reynolds.
Ben also played Frank McCulled in the film Pixie, Seb in The Voyeurs, Simon in The Girl Before, and Tre in Tagged.
Most recently, he starred as Oliver Jones in the Netflix movie Love at First Sight (2023) and the 2025 horror movie The Conjuring: Last Rites.
EastEnders airs Monday to Thursday on BBC One and iPlayer
Death in Paradise fans shouldn’t miss out on this “beautiful” series while the BBC hit takes a break.
Hayley Anderson Screen Time TV Reporter
22:31, 08 Jun 2026
Death in Paradise’s Commissioner Selwyn Patterson is played by actor Don Warrington. (Image: BBC)
Death in Paradise fans need to watch this “wonderful” show that’s just made its eagerly anticipated comeback.
Death in Paradise is currently on its yearly break from BBC One, leaving dedicated fans desperately searching for something to fill the void left by the beloved cosy crime drama until it returns.
While they wait, viewers could instead tune into the real-life equivalent of Death in Paradise, documentary series Policing Paradise, which returned for its second series today, Monday, June 8.
The programme follows the day-to-day workings of the Bermuda Police Service, capturing both local and British officers patrolling the tropical islands as they juggle police duties with ensuring thousands of tourists remain safe.
What makes Policing Paradise particularly thrilling for Death in Paradise enthusiasts, however, is its connection to two of the beloved drama’s prominent cast members.
The debut series of Policing Paradise, which aired in March 2025, was narrated by none other than Officer Ruby Patterson actress Shyko Amos.
Yet for this fresh second series, it is the Commissioner himself, actor Don Warrington, who has assumed narrating responsibilities.
Policing Paradise season two continues to broadcast Monday to Thursday at 2pm on BBC One, with the opening four episodes now available on BBC iPlayer.
Series one of the documentary is already accessible to stream, with the remainder of the second series anticipated to follow at a later date.
Beyond the day-to-day hurdles of tackling petty crime and managing summer festivals, Policing Paradise also shines a light on various specialist units, including marine patrols, dog handlers and drug-enforcement officers.
Ahead of its return, one enthusiastic fan praised the first series on IMDb, writing: “This show has it all; insightful access to the full range of Bermuda police duties from dog handling to diving, beautifully photographed with great skill, and narrated with tact, wit and affection by Shyko Amos (Ruby, Commissioner Pattersons’ niece from Death In Paradise).”
They continued: “This show is an informative documentary with the bonus of that lovely camerawork with Shykos’ voice-over work deftly remaining appropriate and informed across the wide-ranging situations. More of this please!”
A second viewer agreed: “Great to see all the places we love and very interesting to see how Bermuda is policed.
“Hoping there will be another series to get a bit more about it and see more on wonderful Bermuda. Island paradise in the Atlantic.”
Policing Paradise is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
EastEnders spoilers for next week have teased the fallout to the big episodes airing this week, hinting at Jordan’s fate as well as Denise getting a sad update on the BBC soap
There’s some huge moments ahead on EastEnders(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
There’s some huge moments ahead on EastEnders, with spoilers for next week confirming bombshells and worrying scenes.
It’s the fallout to the show’s big week that “changes everything”, with new details confirmed about what happens. Not only that, but we see characters struggling in the fallout, and reacting to some big discoveries.
George clashes with Nicola about her deal with Eddie, leading to him heading to the boxing gym. A friendly session with Mark takes a turn though, when Mark punches George and he falls unconscious.
Phil reveals to a stunned Mark that George should never have been boxing due to his brain injury. A groggy and confused George refuses hospital treatment, so Phil takes him home and informs Nicola about George’s CTE.
Harry worries that George might tell Gina about Nicola’s deal with Eddie, fearing it will end their relationship. He does encourage Nicola to tell Gina before someone else does, while Nicola tries to get through to George.
Denise is shocked when doctors insist she be admitted immediately for treatment. Despite Jack’s pleas, Denise is determined to be there for Chelsea after Jordan’s accident involving Ian.
When Denise’s condition worsens, Jack shares the doctor’s warning with Yolande in a bid to encourage Denise to start her treatment. Denise refuses still, while later in the week Chelsea learns that Jordan’s rehabilitation may not work.
Kat plans a birthday dinner for Jasmine, while Oscar secretly juggles time seeing the twins separately. When Oscar finds out the circumstances around the death of the twins’ foster dad, and Jasmine’s departure from the family, he asks Jasmine about it, causing her to lash out.
Josh and Oscar give into temptation, but Kat spots them kissing. Kat confronts Oscar and tells him to stay away from Josh and Jasmine, before she tells Alfie what she saw.
Unaware of the situation, Zoe invites Oscar to the meal for Jasmine and Josh. It looks set to be another drama-filled week in Walford next week then!
A Death in Paradise icon hasn’t strayed too far from the world of crime and mystery.
Hayley Anderson Screen Time TV Reporter
18:25, 30 May 2026
Death in Paradise is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. (Image: BBC)
Death in Paradise fans need to watch this “incredible” drama, especially after this important update.
Death in Paradise legend DS Florence Cassell (played by Josephine Jobert) originally debuted in the BBC cosy crime back in season four before leaving in series eight.
She thankfully returned to Saint Marie and her story ended in season 13 when she happily sailed away with former boss DI Neville Parker (Ralf Little).
For those who are missing watching Jobert on their screens, Death in Paradise fans can now catch her in the Canadian detective drama Saint-Pierre.
The first season has only recently become available on U&Alibi, as well as Sky and NOW, in the UK, after first airing in Canada in January 2025, followed by series two in January 2026.
Now it’s been confirmed that Saint-Pierre will be back for a season three with UK fans expecting the latest two series to soon be made available to them.
Filming for this 12-episode third season will reportedly begin in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon and Newfoundland, Canada, in July.
As of yet though, there has been no confirmation as to when UK fans will be treated to the second season.
Jobert portrays mysterious Parisian Deputy Chief Genevieve “Arch” Archambault who is forced to work alongside disgraced officer Donny “Fitz” Fitzpatrick (Allan Hawco) after he’s exiled to the small French collectivity.
While the pair initially clash because of their different styles of investigation, they soon realise that they make a great team, delving into a new case every episode.
Scoring an impressive 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s no wonder fans have been praising Saint-Pierre on IMdB.
“Obsessed! Seriously, I’m hooked. Every week, they leave you hanging with a cliffhanger, and I’m just dying!”, a fan commented.
Another described it as a “must watch”, while a third echoed: “The cast are excellent – they have great chemistry.
“Also Saint-Pierre is STUNNING! It’s a character all on its own and the scenery makes me want to visit someday – I didn’t even know it existed!”
Someone else said it was an “incredible series” as another added: “Just love this show! It’s so much more than a police procedural. The chemistry between Fitz and Arch has me hooked!”
Saint-Pierre is available to watch on U&Alibi, Sky and NOW.
The comedy, which originally aired on the BBC in 2019, stars Martin Clunes and Lisa Millett
The series first aired on BBC back in 2019(Image: BBC/Hat Trick Productions/Warren Orchard)
Martin Clunes ‘breath of fresh air’ sitcom is available to stream for free.
The 6-part show Warren, which first aired on BBC back in 2019, is the perfect one-night binge if you have a few hours to spare.
The comedy features Martin portraying a discontented 50-something driving instructor, Warren Thompson, who is compelled to relocate up north after his partner’s father falls seriously ill.
Despite craving a peaceful existence, Warren finds himself in a place he detests, undertaking a job he’s unsuited for with a family he never anticipated caring for – and is repeatedly drawn into self-created problematic scenarios.
. The synopsis adds: “Warren has a way of knowing best and speaking his mind that inevitably leads to conflict, chaos and disaster for those around him – and especially for himself.
“Warren doesn’t embrace the concept of growing old gracefully. He’s quite happy to keep railing against the world and trying to right perceived wrongs against him. There are no happy endings for Warren as he grapples with the problems and misunderstandings of his own making.”
Starring alongside Martin is Lisa Millett (Robin Hood), who portrays his partner, Anne. The cast also features Tim Preston (One Day) as Charlie, Oscar Morgan (A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms) as Danny and Neil Edmond (Ghosts) as Ian.
While the programme got mixed critical responses, it’s still worth the watch if you’re a Martin Clunes fan and fancy seeing him embody a grumpy, discontented character not far from his legendary role as Doc Martin in the ITV medical drama.
The programme was scored comparatively unfavourably by critics, who collectively rated it at 17 per cent on Rotten Tomatoes.
In its one-star assessment, The Telegraph wrote: “Warren is at once underwritten and, worse, overwritten. There is a failure to follow through with the comic potential in a southerner trapped in the north.”
Meanwhile The Times added: “[Clunes’] nuanced comic turn deserved something rather better than Warren, with its overreliance on comedy staples – a shonky clairvoyant and a competitive next-door neighbour.”
Despite the negative critical response, the show proved more of a hit with viewers and currently holds a 69 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes.
“This comedy is really well written and a breath of fresh air,” remarked one viewer. “I wasn’t expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised. I seldom laugh out loud, even when humorous, but this had me really laughing.”
Another commented: “Absolutely hysterical, so well written, I don’t understand why they are not making a series 2!”, while a third noted: “It takes an episode or two but it does grow on you. Interesting premise and quite funny. I’m sorry that there isn’t a second series.”
All six episodes of Warren are available to stream on Prime Video
Ella Bruccoleri shot to fame on Call the Midwife in 2018 and has recently bowled over period drama fans on The Other Bennet Sister
16:34, 28 May 2026Updated 16:36, 28 May 2026
BBC The Other Bennet Sisters stars actress Ella Bruccoleri as Mary Bennet. (Image: BBC)
Ella Bruccoleri has made a surprise confession about her rise to fame as a television actress.
The 36-year-old star recently appeared as the lead in the BBC One drama The Other Bennet Sister, inspired by Jane Austen’s timeless Pride and Prejudice.
Upon its March launch, the period drama became an instant hit with viewers, with some critics branding Ella’s performance “absolutely lovely” and the show a “must-watch”.
The popular character’s final episode in 2022 saw her playing a game with the children at the Mother House to correctly guess the name she had before becoming a nun. On her way back from her day of work, she injured her shoulder after a bike crash.
While she hasn’t been seen since Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter) sent her to Chichester to recuperate, viewers did get some closure when they learned her given name is Rosemary.
Following her exit from Call the Midwife, Ella has gone on to play Miss Barragan in the third season of Netflix’s Bridgerton and appeared in all three entries of the recent Strangers horror movie trilogy.
In 2021, she starred as Anabel Dinsdale in All Creatures Great and Small and played a nun in the series The Last Kingdom.
Enjoying great success in her career, Ella has now revealed that she struggled to watch herself on-screen during her earlier acting days, including on Call the Midwife.
She told the New York Times: “The first year of seeing myself on camera, I was just miserable because I was like, ‘I don’t think that looks like me'”. But on The Other Bennet Sister, Ella was happy to retreat from vanity and relished Mary’s characteristic of an unflattering haircut and geeky glasses.
The story of an overlooked and undervalued young woman finally realising her worth resonates with her. “I relate to her a lot, and I see a lot of her in me”, she added.
Earlier this year, Ella also opened up to the Radio Times about her feelings on her earlier work on Call the Midwife, including why she quit the role:
“When I look back at my early episodes, I’m thinking, ‘Oh, that’s not good’. I learnt screen acting on the job, and it was invaluable”, she said. “It felt crazy quitting a great job but I’d started getting different offers, and I realised I love the variety of different things.”
The Other Bennet Sister and Call the Midwife are both available to stream on BBC iPlayer
The Strictly Come Dancing star turns detective to investigate the mysterious death of her 14-year-old great-aunt in 1888, before uncovering a heartbreaking truth about why her grandfather was the only one of six siblings to be given up for adoption
Amy Dowden makes a shocking discovery about her family in Who Do You Think You Are?(Image: BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden is set to turn detective this week as she delves into her Welsh family history – uncovering a potentially murderous story and a heartbreaking family secret that left her in tears.
The professional dancer, 35, takes centre stage in the second episode of Who Do You Think You Are?, airing tonight, as she embarks on an emotional journey through West Wales that will see her investigate a rumoured murder and discover the painful truth behind her grandfather’s adoption.
Amy’s investigation begins with the death of her three-times great aunt Elinor, who died aged just 14 on a farm in 1888. Playing detective, the Caerphilly-born dancer travels through Ceredigion and Carmarthenshire, desperate to uncover what really happened to her young relative all those years ago.
“I really enjoyed playing detective but, gosh, what we unravelled there,” Amy says. “I found myself really wanting to learn more, faster and quicker. I didn’t want to wait to have to go to court or wait to learn more from another historian, you get really hungry wanting all the answers as quickly as possible.”
While the murder mystery remains open-ended, Amy discovers something special along the way – that a valley in Wales, Cwm Nell, is named after one of her relatives. “It’s so beautiful to be able to see the impact she made in her short life,” she adds.
But it’s on her father’s side where Amy makes the most devastating discovery. Determined to find answers for her dad, who never had information about his own father Frank’s birth family, Amy uncovers why her grandfather was the only one of six siblings to be unofficially adopted.
Frank was informally adopted as a baby after his mother Louisa died of breast cancer aged 39 and his father Bill, a Welsh miner, was left struggling to support six children during the 1921 miners’ strike.
“It was really shocking and emotional, but it was the answer to so many questions,” she explains. “Before we struggled to understand why my grandad Frank, who was one of several siblings, was the only one given up. We could never really understand why. But from the information we learnt, I think we felt a real sense of empathy, and then the sadness and heartache for them took over, really.
“My dad’s reaction to the news was that he was really shocked and quite upset.”
The journey also sheds light on her great-grandfather’s honourable service during the war and the harsh conditions faced by her working-class mining family. “You know about the history, but I don’t think you ever know about the severity of it all,” Amy reflects. “When you’re reading and seeing how it affected your own family it hits differently.”
For Amy, who is Welsh “through and through,” the experience has only deepened her connection to her homeland. “It’s made me even more proud to be Welsh,” she says. Her parents were so captivated by her discoveries that they retraced her steps, visiting every location from the programme.
The episode has brought together family members together, including Amy’s second cousin. “It really brought families who had never met before together. It’s been really heartwarming, really lovely.”
Who Do You Think You Are? airs on BBC One tonight at 9pm
Emmerdale spoilers for next week tease big moments ahead on the ITV soap, from Dr Todd being exposed, to a planned Home Farm robbery and there’s also an affair heating up
New Emmerdale spoilers teasing big plans and secrets under threat(Image: ITV)
It’s another big week ahead on Emmerdale, with new spoilers teasing big plans and secrets under threat.
Charity’s desperate when Kim pulls out of the Woolpack purchase deal. She instead asks Kim for a loan, but Chas overhears their conversation. Charity confesses to Chas she’s being blackmailed by Dr. Todd about Leyla’s true parentage.
Charity and Chas hatch a plan to rob Home Farm to pay Todd. When Charity can only give Todd a portion of the money she’s demanding, Todd demands the rest of it within 24 hours, or she will reveal her secret.
Laurel and Ross’ secret affair heats up, while Gabby is devastated over her rejection from Ross. As Ross and Laurel’s passion continues, only for them to almost be rumbled by Sam.
To cover things up, Ross claims Laurel is Sam’s new dance partner as Sam continues to have secret sessions to impress Lydia. Kim is suspicious of Sam’s shifty behaviour though, while Nicola, knowing about Ross and Laurel, almost reveals all to Manpreet.
Kerry and Pollard present a united front after being conned by Archie. Liam advises Cain to find a practical solution to start living his life again and Gabby contemplates clean living.
Emmerdale isn’t the only soap seeing big things ahead, with Hollyoaks and Home and Away also offering emotional and dramatic moments in the coming days. On Hollyoaks, Diane’s funeral arrives, and Dee Dee is devastated by her late mum’s letter to Tony.
Dee Dee publicly calls out Leela, accusing her of trying to replace Diane. As Dee Dee turns to drugs to deal with her grief, Tony is concerned.
Elsewhere, Beth is convinced the Osbornes are hiding Charlie who has decided to go on the run from the police. As she organises a family lunch, what does she have planned?
As for Home and Away, Tane wakes from his coma after his recent brutal prison attack, and he shocks Jo by dumping her after she’s been supporting him at his bedside. Alf sparks concerns after his recent driving troubles, as he’s determined to visit Martha.
But when he faces accusations of a hit and run, is he to blame? Sonny wants to move back in with Dana, and Richie and Cash continue to clash at work.
So it’s a big week across more than one soap next week, with plenty to keep focus on. As ever some things are not revealed in spoilers too with plenty under wraps, so expect twists and turns.
EastEnders has teased which characters will face life-changing events during their special week on the BBC soap, with new spoilers teasing some big twists for next week
EastEnders has teased which characters will face life-changing events during their special week(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
New spoilers for EastEnders have teased the BBC soap’s big week, where “everything changes” for more than one resident.
Specific scenes are being kept under wraps, but it’s set to be unmissable. Lives will no doubt be changed, and there will be bombshells aplenty.
There’s a huge change to the usual format to for the BBC soap, with things being a little different to mark the occasion. More than one character is involved in the episode, and it’s safe to say that whatever happens, it will impact more than one Walford family.
In a special week of episodes, set across one night, everything changes. Following the drama of Vicki and Ross’ wedding, Walford residents gather but Yolande realises Denise is missing.
Denise soon opens up to Yolande about her cancer diagnosis. She soon receives a call where she’s told she needs immediate treatment, but some worrying family news leaves her rushing to be with Chelsea in her time of need. Prior to this, Mark and Chelsea flirt, but it’s Zack she almost shares a kiss with.
As Chelsea heads back to the wedding reception marquee, her world is turned upside down. Denise tries to be strong for Chelsea, as Yolande helps cover for Denise when her absence is questioned.
Later, Denise tells Jack about her diagnosis. Kathy and Cindy are at loggerheads after one too many wines, but the night is about to take a turn for the worst for Ian.
When there’s a knock at the door, Ian makes a discovery and he realises he could lose everything. Max publicly declares his love for Cindy, before asking her to marry him.
Kat worries that she and Alfie have given the wedding guests food poisoning. Harry makes a confession to Gina about Eddie, leaving her confronting George.
As George realises his dad Eddie will never change, he tries to apologise to his daughter but Gina flees. Soon, George tells Eddie he’s sending him back to prison, which leads to Eddie dropping a bombshell of his own.
As George takes action to protect his family, he may regret it. It’s going to be a massive week for the soap, with plenty of twists and turns ahead, so it isn’t a week to be missed.
What happens to Chelsea? How do Denise’s family react to her cancer news and what happens with Ian? The spoilers are intentionally cryptic with plenty more being kept under wraps until each episode airs that week.
A former MAFS UK bride has alleged she was left traumatised after her on-screen husband performed a lewd act and controlled her behaviour as she criticises welfare team
10:40, 23 May 2026Updated 10:42, 23 May 2026
A bride (not pictured) has revealed the moment her on-screen husband allegedly committed a ‘lewd’ act
A former Married At First Sight UK bride says she was traumatised for years after appearing on the show and alleges her co-star restricted her movements, leaving her isolated.
Speaking to the Mirror following Panorama: The Dark Side of Married At First Sight, which aired on BBC One on Monday night, the bride alleged: “He performed a lewd act and then touched my face without consent. He banned me from drinking or speaking to production staff without him.”
She claims to have reported it to welfare staff and that production staff were aware of incidents but she was encouraged to continue with the show. She alleged: “They [production] would say, ‘It’s going to be OK’. Staff bought me a drink to help smooth things over after I complained.”
Describing the welfare team, she alleged: “They present as your best friend. I thought they were somebody you could talk to about anything. But if I look back on it now, I would say it’s more like grooming.”
The bride alleged she felt pressured into intimacy by her partner and does not believe enough safeguarding existed once couples returned to their apartments off camera.
She said: “I had sex with my partner and whilst I wasn’t forced, I felt pressured.” She added: “The couch ceremonies are supposed to be a safe space where you can speak honestly. But you go back to your apartment afterwards and there are no cameras there and nobody to protect you.”
She told how much of the alleged behaviour took place away from cameras and claimed she repeatedly raised concerns with welfare and production teams throughout filming.
She had months of psychological assessments, interviews and background checks, which she believed were designed to protect participants.
But she said: “I told them everything about myself – that I’d been in controlling relationships before, that I struggled speaking up for myself and that I fall in love very quickly. But now I feel like I gave them the blueprint on how to expose me and use me.
“They knew I had a history of abusive, controlling relationships and paired me with someone who controlled my every move.”
She believes the intense filming conditions heightened emotions. She said: “I’ve never cried more in my life. “You aren’t sleeping enough, you’re filming 14, 15, sometimes 20-hour days and when you’re not filming, you’re isolated in an apartment.
“At the dinner parties you’d be picked up at 8am in full hair and make-up then left sitting in a shipping container for six or seven hours before filming. The worse your situation was with your partner, the longer they seemed to leave you in the room.”
She questioned how much information relationship experts Paul C. Brunson, Charlene Douglas and the late Mel Schilling had received. The contestant said: “The experts had zero idea what was going on. They gave good advice based on the information they had.”
After watching the Panorama episode, the bride believes the worst is yet to come. She added: “They need to properly safeguard people instead of just creating drama. This Panorama story is only the beginning of hearing the nightmares people have had.”
The bombshell claims come as Channel 4 removed all ten series from its platforms and scrapped the series due to air in September following a BBC Panorama investigation that revealed two women claim they were raped by their on-screen “husbands” during filming, while another made allegations of sexual assault against her partner.
The Metropolitan Police has now urged potential victims to come forward, stating they will be “making approaches to the relevant production teams” to ensure anyone affected knows how to report criminal allegations.
The scandal has blown open the production practices used in dating reality shows which have been growing in popularity over recent years.
Monday’s documentary sparked a political row, with Channel 4 CEO Priya Dogra telling MPs the broadcaster was “not an adjudicator” on the serious allegations. But it is feared this is just the tip of the iceberg for dating reality shows and these new claims put pressure on producers and broadcasters to clean up their act.
Channel 4 has commissioned an external review while insisting their welfare protocols are “some of the most comprehensive and robust in the industry”. Industry sources say the show is unlikely to ever air in the UK again.
The Mirror put these allegations to CPL and to Channel 4 who directed us to their statement in full. Part of this includes: “MAFS UK is produced under some of the most comprehensive and robust welfare protocols in the industry. These include the most thorough background checks available, a Code of Conduct which clearly sets out behavioural standards, daily contributor check-ins with a specialist welfare team and access to additional support before, during and after filming. The physical and psychological wellbeing of all contributors is of paramount importance throughout the process. All duty of care processes are regularly reviewed and, where appropriate, strengthened.”
Another section of the statement reads: “Channel 4 believes that when concerns related to contributor welfare were raised through existing welfare and production protocols, prompt and appropriate action was taken, based on the information available at the time. Channel 4 strongly refutes any claim to the contrary.”
The Genesis frontman has stepped away from the spotlight due to health issues
08:06, 22 May 2026Updated 08:07, 22 May 2026
Phil Collins has shared a health update on BBC Breakfast(Image: BBC)
Phil Collins has shared a health update, admitting he has no plans to perform again.
The former Genesis frontman, 74, has remained out of the spotlight since several health setbacks left him unable to continue his music career.
He recently underwent five knee surgeries and developed kidney problems.
During Friday’s (May 22) episode of BBC Breakfast, Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt returned to our TV screens as they presented the day’s top stories from the UK and beyond.
Not long into the programme, the presenting duo announced that the hitmaker sat down with one of their colleagues to share a health update and plans for the future, four years after retiring from performing.
The singer, who has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, appeared on the show in a pre-recorded interview with culture reporter Charlotte Gallagher.
Speaking to Charlotte, he opened up about his knee problems but revealed that he is “healthier than he has been in a while.”
He said: “The last 18 months have been fine, but before that, not so good. Everything health-wise caught up to me at the same time. Whatever could go wrong did go wrong, but everything is fine now.”
The star continued: “I had a problem with my knee, which I had for a while, but I played through it – toured through it. But eventually, I had to have a knee operation, and I had to have five – five times because it kept either getting infected or it broke, so I was inactive for a long time.”
Phil’s music career began in 1970, when he joined Genesis as drummer. While remaining with the band, he also had a solo career in the 1980s, which included hits such as Against All Odds and Two Hearts.
Despite feeling better, he admitted he has no plans to perform again, but he has been working on some music he could release if he ever decides to make a surprise return.
In a candid moment, he said, “I can’t really see it (performing) happening, but I’m healthier now than I have been for quite a while. I mean, this Rock & Roll Hall of Fame – they asked if I would perform and I said no because you know, you’ve got to be match fit to do something like that.”
He explained, “You can’t just go on stage, you’ve got to rehearse, and then by that point, if you’ve not been singing, your voice is going to be shot, and then that’s not going to be good, so I’d rather not do it.
“But whether I would go out again… I would contemplate. I’m constantly saying to myself, ‘I’ve got to go back down into my studio at home.’’
The singer added: “I’ve got lots of lyrical ideas that I write down, and there are things that are half-formed and a couple of things that are finished. So there’s something that I can get my teeth into to start working on.”
BBC Breakfast airs everyday from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
EastEnders spoilers for next week have teased a feud brewing between the Brannings and the Mitchells, as well as two exits being teased and some chaos at Vicki and Ross’ wedding
There’s big moments ahead on EastEnders next week(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)
There’s big moments ahead on EastEnders next week, as spoilers confirm bombshells, rivalry and twists and turns.
Max is suspicious of Lauren after a car delivery at the car lot, and he soon confides in Cindy. As Grant, Sam and Phil dismiss Max’s claims, Max and Cindy go public with their suspicions about Mark.
Everyone’s shocked when Grant claims he’s behind the dodgy car scheme. Cindy accuses Grant of lying and Max threatens to call the police.
Lauren tips off the Mitchells as the police arrive, while Sam considers joining Grant in Portugal whenever he plans to go back. Preparations are underway for Vicki and Ross’ wedding, while Zack receives some upsetting news.
He offers Vicki a bracelet but she refuses his gesture, leading to him dropping hints to Ross that Vicki is cheating. As the wedding arrives, Ross is rattled and Zack tries to get Vicki to leave Ross.
Soon, Ross comes to a realisation and asks if Zack was the man she slept with. Tensions simmer between Eddie and Harry after Eddie criticises Gina.
Ian and Elaine clear the air and agree to be friends, while Will is upset when he misses a rave. Ravi returns home, and Priya hopes they can rebuild their relationship.
Denise receives a call from the hospital requesting she come in that morning for a bone marrow test, with her going alone. Meanwhile, Denise receives the results of her recent hospital tests and is left stunned when doctors tell her she has blood cancer.
But will she confide in her loved ones? It’s set to be another big week on the BBC soap next week according to these spoilers. It comes as the soap teased life-changing scenes ahead in the coming weeks.
In the trailer, some of Walford’s biggest names appear to be gathered in the pub in their finery. They’re all enjoying a drink until the clock hand moves and David Bowie’s ‘Changes’ plays.
Everything starts to tilt out of place and sirens can be heard before four characters – George Knight, Ian Beale, Denise Fox and Max Branning – look at the camera. While their smiles fade, an ominous voice warns that this is “the night that everything changes”.
According to the BBC, the night in question is Vicki and Ross’ wedding. The Beale, Branning, Knight-Mitchell and Fox-Trueman families will “find themselves at the heart of the drama”, but all for different reasons.
Over the course of a week, the same night will be explored, with new details emerging about what happened to each family and how this will effect them in the run up to New Year.
The BBC star finds it ‘heart-breaking’ that her great x3 grandfather had such a difficult start in life – and was later declared ‘destitute’.
Zoe Ball was stunned by the ‘devastating’ discoveries she made during Who Do You Are?(Image: CREDIT LINE:BBC / Wall to Wall Media Ltd / Stephen Perry)
Zoe Ball was famously the top-earning presenter at the BBC, earning a high of £1.4million a year as host of the Radio 2 Breakfast show back in 2021. But in the new series of Who Do You Think You Are?, the radio star discovers that her great x3 grandfather James Temby, a Cornish miner, was deported from Guernsey as a young father for being “destitute”.
He and other members of the family, who had travelled there to start a new life with the promise of work in the granite quarries, were ordered out after two years. And this came after he’d already had a particularly tough start in life – spending six weeks in Bodmin jail as an illegitimate two-year-old after his single mother Julia was locked up for six weeks in 1851 for an “assault” an another woman.
On hearing how the pair of them would have spent time in the pitch black at the Cornish reform prison, which restricted access to light in order to encourage better behaviour from inmates, Zoe is horrified. “It’s heart-breaking isn’t it?” she says.
Standing in the tiny, draughty cell – which could have been the very one where her ancestors were incarcerated – she also learns that the prison was silent, and so all speaking was banned, and that the inmates also had their heads shaved to prevent lice.
Zoe gasps: “That’s tough living isn’t it? It’s pretty devastating to think of a two-year old living in these conditions. Must have been terrifying for both of them.”
Jess Marlton, general manager of The Bodmin Jail which is now a hotel and museum, agrees: “Trying to keep a two-year-old quiet I should think was quite a challenge.” But she explained: “There was nowhere else for him to go and no other means to support him.”
Zoe stays the night in one of the converted cells and admits she had to “sleep with the light on”. Afterwards there is happier news when she discovers that James went on to marry her great x3 grandmother Mary Ann at the age of 19 and, despite the setback in Guernsey, he and his family fared better once they returned to England. They were initially sent to Plymouth in 1869 but by 1875 had moved 400 miles north to County Durham, which is where Zoe’s late mother Julia grew up.
James successfully secured work in the coal mines and they also ran a greengrocers shop. By the time he died 40 years later, at the age of 73, he was said to be held in the “highest esteem” by the local community. Shown a picture of the shop, based in Hunwick, Zoe says of Mary Ann: “There she is, she’s got her pinny on ready to work. It’s so wonderful to see their faces.” The couple had five children who all went on to marry.
Zoe – who’d speculated at the start of the film that she was descended from “a long line of wrong ’uns” – is thrilled to see that James was “respected in the end”. She admires the “strength and resilience” he showed in moving around to find work and support his family and feels she was actually “quite wrong” about the family history journey she’d expected to go on.
Zoe, 55, also tells the programme that she was brought up by her dad, former TV presenter Johnny Ball, from the age of two when her parents divorced, and didn’t have any contact with Julia for 14 years – which was “pretty tough”. Having fully reconciled with her mother in her later teenage years, she says that Julia’s death, in 2024, made her take a long hard look at her own life. “It really made me step back and reevaluate what’s important,” she explained. Speaking of her 15-year-old daughter, Nelly, she said “I really just want to be mum and be around for her, before she’s grown up and off into the big wide world like her brother.”
In the programme the former Radio 2 breakfast star also learns that her impoverished maternal grandmother was a serial fantasist who had “delusions of grandeur”and was sent to a mental hospital.
Margaret ‘Peggy’ Minto was committed for acute mania after being put on trial for shoplifting. Poor Peggy’s fantasies continued even while she was undergoing treatment, which included electroconvulsive therapy – an electric current passed through the brain.
Zoe’s only regret is that Julia did not live long enough to find out the fascinating details of their shared ancestry. “It’s been hard to do this without Mum,” she sighed. “I want to ring her up – I know she’d be really chuffed.”
– Zoe Ball’s episode of Who Do You Think You Are? airs on BBC1, May 26 at 9pm.
BBC One’s crime comedy Death Valley is back for a hotly anticipated second series, and a whole lot of new ‘whodunnits’ that need to be solved
Angie Quinn Screen Time Reporter
22:39, 17 May 2026
Death Valley: Official trailer
Death Valley has made its eagerly awaited return for a second series.
BAFTA-winning performer Timothy Spall stars alongside Gwyneth Keyworth in the comedic murder-mystery programme, portraying the improbable pairing of actor John Chapel, formerly her hero as TV detective Caesar, and determined detective Janie Mallowan.
The series maintained a robust average of 4.6 million viewers over 28 days, and amongst Welsh audiences, Death Valley claimed the top comedy spot across all channels and platforms throughout 2025.
Given the programme’s triumph, it came as little shock when plans for a second series were swiftly revealed, with Death Valley series two now scheduled to debut on Sunday, 17 May at 8:15pm on BBC One. Audiences can also stream the complete box set on iPlayer from the same date, reports the Express.
The second series resumes several months following the conclusion of series one. Janie has secured promotion to Detective Inspector and finds herself more overwhelmed than ever, with administrative duties mounting faster than she can manage them.
Complicating matters further, she’s been avoiding John since discovering he’s been romantically involved with her mum, Yvonne (Melanie Walters), and the pair are compelled to make amends when DCI Barry Clarke (Steffan Rhodri) enlists John’s assistance to crack a murder investigation.
They must set aside their complicated personal relationships when tasked with examining a suspicious death within a community service group, following the fatal plunge of one of its members from atop a crumbling castle.
The latest series of Death Valley also sees John hesitantly return to the acting world, appearing on the set of a grand Welsh fantasy television production, though another killing soon demands attention.
Additional murders occur in a seaside fishing community, at an eco-friendly commune, and within a rugby club, as John and Janie persist in delivering justice throughout the mid-Wales area.
Throughout the series, there’s also an impressive roster of guest appearances, featuring Outlander’s Mark Lewis Jones, Game of Thrones legend Owen Teale, and Killing Eve’s Alexandra Roach.
Jane Horrocks (Here We Go, Chicken Run) also appears in the programme alongside Hammed Animashaun (Black Ops, SNL UK), Alexandra Roach (Killing Eve, Bodies), Roisin Conaty (After Life, Last one Laughing), Jim Howick (Ghosts, Here we Go), Asim Chaudhry (People Just Do Nothing), Lynn Hunter (Pushers & End of the Fxx World), Rhiannon Clements (Small Prophets, Pushers), Mike Bubbins (Mammoth) and Liz Carr (Silent Witness, Good Omens).
Death Valley series 2 launches on Sunday, 17 May at 8:15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
BBC Breakfast has been hit with complaints by angry viewers following a major shake-up
BBC Breakfast viewers ‘fuming’ as show ‘bins’ popular segment ‘completely in tatters’
BBC Breakfast viewers have been left rather unimpressed following a segment shake-up.
The morning show returned to screens on Saturday (May 9) for another instalment. Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt were back at the helm, to discuss some of the biggest stories hitting the headlines.
BBC Newswatch is a weekly show offering viewers and listeners the opportunity to respond to BBC News. The segment sees Samira presenting viewer feedback on the BBC’s reporting of major stories, with audiences either praising or critiquing the coverage.
But fans hoping to watch the latest Newswatch were left disappointed as the segment was conspicuously missing from BBC Breakfast. As the clock approached the typical Newswatch time, Naga and Charlie continued their interview with Labour’s deputy leader Lucy Powell.
And when the interview stopped and the hosts moved onto the next topic, angry fans soon took to X to fume over there being no Newswatch. One person wrote: “Hope newswatch hasn’t been binned for repeats of the same political news.” A second added: “Never thought I’d be desperate for news watch.”
A third comment read: “Fuming it’s dropped.” Another person penned: “Mean buggers binning newswatch, it’s only 10min long sods.” Someone else said: “Saturday viewing fun completely in tatters lol.”
This is not the first time Newswatch has taken a break from screens. In March, Samira announced the segment would be off air for several weeks – but reassured viewers that it would return to screens.
“We are off air next weekend over Easter but we will be back to hear more of your thoughts about how the BBC covers the news, in a fortnight,” Samira told viewers.
Meanwhile, journalist and broadcaster Samira has 20 years’ experience in print and broadcast and has hosted Newswatch since 2012. In 2020, Samira was named British Broadcasting Press Guild audio presenter of the year.
She has presented many news and arts programmes over the years for BBC TV and radio, including The World Tonight, PM, Sunday Morning Live on BBC One, Night Waves on Radio 3 and The Proms on BBC Four.
BBC Breakfast airs Monday to Sunday from 6am on BBC One.
He’s made more programmes in the last decade than at any point before, and despite reaching the age of 100, David is showing no signs of slowing down
Sir David will narrate the BBC’s next big natural history series for the autumn, Blue Planet III(Image: BBC)
Sir David Attenborough will narrate Blue Planet III when it hits the screen on BBC1 this autumn. The veteran broadcaster, who celebrates his 100th birthday today, has already recorded his voice-over for the six-part series, which is returning for a third outing 25 years after the first one aired.
This time around, it aims to take the Blue Planet brand “to extraordinary new depths”. In 2001, it was the first ever natural history series to take a deep dive into the state of the world’s oceans, attracting huge audiences across the globe.
In 2017, the Blue Planet II sequel galvanised a huge campaign to rid the sea of single use plastic, with Sir David even taking to the stage at the Glastonbury Festival to hammer home the point.
Where Blue Planet II exposed the threats to the world’s oceans, Blue Planet III aims to explore stories of adaptation and resilience, showing both hope and recovery. The first five episodes will focus on the planet’s five key underwater habitats: Tropical Seas; Open Ocean; Seasonal Seas; Polar Waters; and The Deep. As is now traditional, the sixth and final episode, Future Seas, will turn to the issue of conservation and examine what further changes must be made.
Jonny Keeling, head of BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit, said they were thrilled to have the world-famous naturalist take the lead on the latest landmark programme to address the issue of our oceans.
“We are so excited to have David narrate this new blockbuster series,” he said. “It’s full of never-before-seen animal behaviour, new locations, new science, and heartfelt storytelling. David is the perfect voice to inspire audiences across the globe to love, understand and protect the oceans.”
BBC specialist factual boss Jack Bootle, added: “I’m thrilled that David is taking the helm of Blue Planet once again. His extraordinary talent for storytelling has shaped the way generations of audiences understand and connect with the natural world, and his voice remains synonymous with the very best of the BBC’s natural history output. I’m absolutely delighted that he’ll be once more bringing his unique skill and authority to Blue Planet III. ”
Expert oceanographer Dr Phillip Sexton, who is an academic consultant on the upcoming series, said that this third run would build on the ground-breaking legacy of the last two, and “offer rays of hope” when it comes to further saving the planet.
“Blue Planet II catapulted issues surrounding our oceans’ health into the public consciousness and demonstrably changed people’s attitudes and behaviour with regard to our oceans,” Dr Sexton explained. “Underpinned by breakthroughs in marine science and cutting-edge technology, this new series will transform our view of what is possible for life on Earth and offer rays of hope for us to conserve the ecological wonders that lie beneath the waves.”
The series will make new breakthroughs in underwater film-making thanks to a “whole new generation” of camera technology, to reveal brand new and previously untold stories. It will build on the legacy of the previous two series to reveal brand new and untold stories from magical underwater worlds using new technology including splash drones and long-term remote underwater cameras.
Blue Planet III was announced by Liz Bonnin and Steve Backshall at an event held at the Royal Albert Hall last night to mark Sir David’s milestone birthday. The glittering show included music from the BBC Concert Orchestra and many clips showing iconic moments from his programmes over the decades.
Tributes were paid by both King Charles and Prince William, and he was also sent a heartfelt message from Felix Ndagijimana at the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund Karisoke research centre in Rwanda, giving an update on how they all are doing since his visit there fifty years ago.
Celebrities paying tribute and sending birthday wishes on the night included Chris Packham, Michael Palin, Dame Judi Dench, Chris Martin, Hamza Yassin, Kate Winslet and even Paddington Bear. They were joined by more celebrities interested in conservation work, including Leonardo di Caprio, Cate Blanchett, Nile Rodgers, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Theroux, Camila Cabello and Alan Titchmarsh.
After many musical performances from the likes of Bastille, Icelandic band Sigur Rós and Sienna Spiro – performing music that has been used in series including Planet Earth – the evening closed with a clip of the presenter in action as Sir David recorded his narration to Blue Planet III, followed by him reading the lyrics from the song What a Wonderful World, accompanied by stunning wildlife footage.
Hosted by Kirsty Young, it saw guest appearances from the likes of Dame Judi Dench and Sir Michael Palin, as well as historic clips of Sir David’s TV career.
And while he may be 100 years old, the national treasure clearly has no plans to slow down, as the BBC has now confirmed a new series of Blue Planet.
Moments before David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth came to an end, Kirsty announced: “Well, even though it’s his birthday week, David has still been hard at work, voicing a brand new series.
“Tonight, I am thrilled to announce that launching this autumn is Blue Planet III.
“We felt that we couldn’t go this evening without sharing a little glimpse, recorded just a few days ago, into 100-year-old David Attenborough’s typical working day.”
The show then aired a clip of Sir David voicing over an animal’s ‘mating call’, with Kirsty hailing him “an inspiration to us all”.
As the latest Blue Planet series was announced, viewers took to social media to share their excitement.
“Ooohh Blue Planet III so excited,” one person said, while another wrote: “Blue Planet 3!!! Always so hyped and it’s not even out yet.”
Wildlife documentary series Blue Planet first aired in 2001, with the sequel following in 2017.
This comes after a film producer who has worked with Sir David addressed the centenarian “slowing down”.
Joe Loncraine appeared on Good Morning Britain last month, where he recalled the privilege of working with him over the last decade.
He said: “I first worked with him just before his 90th birthday, and I thought, I’m so glad I got to work with him because surely he won’t be making films for much longer now that he’s nearly 90.
“Since then, I’ve worked with him on five projects, five different films over that time in the last ten years, and I’ve stopped thinking he’ll be slowing down. You’ll lose that bet if you have it any time.
“He always surprises us, he’s always wanting to do more. He remains very curious about the world and wants to learn more and show people what he’s learnt and show people what he’s excited about.
“I imagine he’ll probably rest a bit more, he’s earnt it. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he keeps doing stuff for as long as we want him, which will be as long as we can have him.”
Back in 2019, Sir David, then 91, said he would retire from broadcasting if his work became substandard, or if he could no longer walk up and down stairs.
“I would like to think I would be able to detect when I couldn’t find the right words any more,” he told the Radio Times. “If I think I’m not producing commentary with any freshness or which is apposite or to the point, I hope I would be able to recognise it before someone else told me.
“If I thought I was turning in substandard work, that would stop me.”
He added: ““If I can’t walk up and down steps any more, that will stop me.
“Yes I do dread not working, although there are things I can do without running up steps six times – books to be written, things I’ve never got round to.”
David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
The Count of Monte Cristo is a 2024 film based on the 1844 novel by Alexandre Dumas.
Starring Pierre Niney as Edmond Dantes, the tale follows the young sailor falsely imprisoned for treason on his wedding day.
Escaping more than a decade later from the fortress he is imprisoned in, he transforms into a wealthy Count and builds a new life under the fake identity.
Behind the mask, he sets out to get his revenge on those who betrayed him.
The synopsis reads: “Falsely accused, imprisoned for 15 years – now he’s out for revenge on those who wronged him. An epic drama of betrayal, love and vengeance starring Pierre Niney.”
The 2024 film has been split into four parts for BBC iPlayer after becoming a huge hit when it first premiered.
One fan hailed it an “excellent adaptation from the beautiful novel, with another calling it “absolutely terrific”.
One viewer branded it a “masterpiece”, while someone else said: “I truly loved this movie and I am not an avid movie watcher, easily one of the best movies I’ve ever seen.”
“A dream come true for Monte Cristo fans,” one said, as another review was titled “Absolutely stunning”.
“Go out of your way to see this one,” one viewer advised, while someone else called it “unmissible”. They continued: “I was absolutely captivated by the film from start to finish. Every moment kept me on the edge of my seat, and I wasn’t bored for a single second.”
“A gorgeous modern production of timeless epic,” another person said, while one fan called it “spectacular”.
Despite the widespread praise, French actor Pierre Niney previously admitted he was “pessimistic” about the project at the start.
He told Forbes: “I remember thinking ‘It’s not going to be made, they’re not going to find the money’. It would take people crazy enough to embark on a 1200 pages book to make one movie.
“So I was pessimistic at the start, thinking it was too good to be true. And actually it’s even better than what I had imagined, so it will stay engraved in my memory forever.”
The Count of Monte Cristo is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
The much-revered broadcaster and natural historian has been sent hundreds of items in the post
17:01, 07 May 2026Updated 17:08, 07 May 2026
Sir David Attenborough thanks fans for 100th birthday wishes
As birthdays go, they don’t come much bigger than Sir David Attenborough turning 100 – as the postmen of Richmond-upon-Thames have discovered.
In the run up to the big day today (FRI) the BBC natural history star has been inundated with hundreds of cards, packages and gifts from across the UK – with some even coming from abroad.
Yesterday Sir David issued a statement of gratitude. In it, he admitted that he’d been hoping for his milestone anniversary to slip by unnoticed, but added that he’d been “completely overwhelmed” by the messages he’d received.
In a message recorded for social media he is shown holding a harvest mouse, from the Wild Isles series about British wildlife. He said: “I had rather thought that I would celebrate my 100th birthday quietly – but it seems that many of you have had other ideas.
“I’ve been completely overwhelmed by birthday greetings, from preschool groups to care home residents and countless individuals and families of all ages.
“I simply can’t reply to each of you all separately, but I would like to thank you all most sincerely for your kind messages and wish those of you who have planned your own local events tomorrow, have a very happy day.”
As the posties have arrived carrying armfuls and boxes of letters in recent days, Sir David has been seen answering the door to his home in Richmond, south west London, looking surprised and delighted by the scores of thoughtful messages people have sent for his birthday.
He will mark the day itself with close family in the daytime and then attend a live event staged in his honour at the Royal Albert Hall, to be shown on BBC1.
Called David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth it aims to showcase his groundbreaking career at the forefront of natural history storytelling and will feature the BBC Concert Orchestra plus special guests expected to include Prince William.
The event will take audiences on “a journey through a century of exploration and discovery in the natural world, seen through the prism of David’s extraordinary life”. It will feature wildlife stories accompanied by live music from his programmes, plus reflections from leading advocates for the natural world and those he has collaborated with over the decades.
Accompanied by the BBC Concert Orchestra, it will feature original compositions from some of David’s best-known landmark series. Alongside the music, guests will include some of those he has collaborated with from the world of conservation and wildlife filmmaking.
It was commissioned by BBC specialist factual boss Jack Bootle who said at the time: “It’s impossible to overstate what Sir David Attenborough has given us. His programmes have changed how we see our planet and our place within it.”
He added: “It’s also a moment for all of us at the BBC to say thank you to David — for his generosity, for his brilliance, and for a lifetime spent bringing the wonders of nature into our homes.”
The 40-year-old was one of the original stars on the BBC revival, which was rebooted in 2024.
He alleged that he was axed after saying he wanted to go public with his new relationship, including his partner’s career.
However, despite being dropped from Gladiators, Giant has insisted he still has hopes to work on TV.
He told The Sun: “TV is something that I would very much like to continue. And having the flexibility and the ability to speak about more taboo subjects is something that moving forward, perhaps, can now happen.”
Giant teased future projects, saying: “There’s lots of things in the pipeline at the minute.
“It’s actually a very, very exciting time and I’m definitely looking forward to the future.
“I can’t divulge any information on particular shows or events, situations just yet.”
This comes after Giant set the record straight on his exit from Gladiators during an appearance on Good Morning Britain last week.
The bodybuilder from Derbyshire told Susanna Reid and Ed Balls: “I had a very positive season three chat. I think season three was the best season yet, and like you said, [I was] a fan favourite on the show.
“At that time, they [were] aware of my relationship with Taylor and said they needed to explore avenues and have conversations about that.
“At a later point, I was told that the season four contract wasn’t being renewed because of my relationship.”
He went on: “It wasn’t explained, I think you’ll have to ask them for a statement on that as well, because my dismissal’s been very unclear. That’s why I’m here today, because I think it’s very important that we get our side across.
“I think it’s very important that fans of the show understand that Giant is a character on the show, and Jamie is a person that has a private relationship. And I feel like there’s a big injustice here for fans of the show that haven’t been given a voice or a decision in this matter.”
He claimed it “wasn’t my choice” to leave, but that he was “faced with an ultimatum”.
“I class myself as a role model and one of those values, as a role model, is to stick by the people I love.
“So, I decided [to leave], and I imagine other people in my situation would find it very hard to walk away from an amazing opportunity like being a Gladiator.”
A BBC Gladiators spokesperson previously told the Mirror : “After three formidable series, Giant is leaving Gladiators. We’d like to thank him for everything he has contributed to the show and wish him well for the future.”
