BBCs

The Hairdresser Mysteries seems to have won over TV viewers as it launched to favourable reviews on BBC One

A new BBC detective series has left fans “obsessed” as it launches with positive reviews.

The Hairdresser Mysteries made its debut on Friday, 17 July at 2pm. Written by playwright Jim Cartwright, the series centres on Lily Petal, a talented hairdresser whose obsession with all things 1970s is matched only by her flair for styling.

After leaving the fast-paced world of an upmarket London salon, she relocates to a small hairdressing shop in a quiet northern market town in search of a slower pace of life. However, that plan quickly unravels when a string of suspicious deaths begins unfolding around her new home.

Before long, Lily finds herself solving crimes instead of simply cutting hair, with sharp-minded assistant Clary Coombs by her side. Their unlikely detective team is completed by the town’s resident busybody, Wincey, and enthusiastic Police Constable Adam, who all become caught up in a series of investigations.

Leading the cast is Sally Phillips as Lily, the fashionable salon owner whose knack for uncovering clues proves just as useful as her skills with a pair of scissors. The 56-year-old actress is widely recognised for playing Shazza throughout the Bridget Jones film series.

Taking on the role of Clary is Charlotte Jordan, whose character’s intelligence and eye for detail make her an invaluable partner in Lily’s amateur sleuthing. The 32-year-old actress is best known to television audiences for portraying Daisy Midgeley in Coronation Street, a role she held between 2020 and 2025.

Promoting the show on Instagram, actress Charlotte penned: “The Hairdresser Mysteries’ drops on @bbcone and @bbciplayer today with the schamazinggg @sallysmack @isunetra and @bencastlegibb.

“Welcome to Blosson Vale. Where everyone’s a little bit odd…and someone usually ends up dead. New episodes every Friday for the next six weeks.”

After seeing her post, fans couldn’t get enough and headed straight to the comment section to share their thoughts. One social media user wrote: “So obsessed, already need another series!!”

Another wrote: “LOVING IT SO FAR!! Lily and Clary are already an ICONIC duo!!”

Fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, also shared similar sentiments, with one writing: “I guess a lot of us were just watching because it was Charlie Jordan’s first job after Corrie and she was brilliant.”

The Hairdresser Mysteries airs Fridays at 2pm on BBC One.

Mark Chapman led the BBC’s live coverage of the second World Cup semi-final between England and Argentina

The BBC unveiled a major change ahead of the second semi-final.

Mark Chapman hosted the broadcaster’s live football coverage on Wednesday (July 15), as England prepared to take on Argentina in Atlanta.

England reached their fourth World Cup semi-final with an extra-time victory against Norway in the quarter-finals, and were victorious in the Atlanta stadium in the last 32, when they came from behind again to defeat DR Congo.

Meanwhile, reigning champions Argentina have managed to score three times in each of their knockout matches so far, with Lionel Messi set to face England for the first time in his career.

Mark was joined by regular pundits Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Micah Richards during the build-up to the anticipated match, with BBC viewers quickly noticing a huge change.

Up until now, BBC stars Mark, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan have hosted the coverage live from a state of the art immersive studio in Salford, which transported viewers to 16 cities across three host nations.

But for the latest encounter, the team travelled to Atlanta Stadium in person, after the BBC announced that it would be leaving its domestic studio to head across the pond.

Viewers were quick to share their verdict on X (formerly Twitter), as Mark introduced the coverage from inside the spacious stadium for the first time.

“The BBC finally arrive at the World Cup. Only about a month late,” one person wrote, with another adding: “I see that the BBC pundits have finally bothered to travel out for the World Cup.”

A third said: “Remember all that nonsense about the BBC presenting the World Cup from Salford while ITV1 was actually IN one of the host countries?! Tonight, one of them presents LIVE from a stadium for the first time. What one? Yes, the BBC!”

Someone else wrote: “BBC actually made it to the World Cup. Crazy.”

Mark began the coverage by saying: “Evening, don’t look back in anger. Sometimes it’s hard not to.”

A montage of some of England’s most devastating footballing moments against Argentina was then played, including Diego Maradona’s Hand of God moment and David Beckham’s 1998 red card.

Some viewers weren’t impressed with the negative start to the coverage, with one angry fan writing: “The BBC could not hate us more! We play Argentina tonight in the World Cup semi-final and how does the [BBC] open its coverage?

“Some inspiring footage of England’s past triumphs? Of course not. They open with a montage of some of our most devastating footballing moments. With the soundtrack of a post apocalyptic horror movie playing in the background.”

Someone else wrote: “The rest of the build up is just one big [Lionel] Messi love in! It’s sickening, FFS if I was Kane or Bellingham I’d be fuming, let’s have some god damn positivity please BBC.”

Meanwhile, former Football Focus host Dan Walker praised the BBC team’s build-up, writing on X: “Brilliant build-up from the BBC. Pundits all on it, Chappers superb, in the stadium, on the pitch… best of the World Cup so far.”

Coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 airs on the BBC and ITV

The Other Bennet Sister fans were delighted to hear the BBC had commissioned a three-part Christmas special.

The Other Bennet Sister fans have all made the same demand ahead of the festive special.

Fans of The Other Bennet Sister were delighted when the BBC announced a three-part Christmas special, following the triumph of the opening series.

Adapted from Janice Hadlow’s celebrated novel, The Other Bennet Sister centred on Mary Bennet (played by Ella Bruccoleri), the frequently ignored middle sister from Pride and Prejudice.

The concluding episode saw Mary agreeing to marry Tom Hayward (Dónal Finn), though the happy couple may face some obstacles ahead.

The Other Bennet Sister became the most-watched debut drama across all UK platforms and streaming services since May 2025, drawing 7.3 million viewers within its initial 28 days.

Jane Tranter, Executive Producer, said: “We always hoped audiences would fall in love with Mary Bennet’s story, but the response to The Other Bennet Sister has exceeded even our most optimistic expectations.”

The programme’s popularity led directly to the festive special, and here’s everything we know about it thus far.

Who is in The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special?

Ella Bruccoleri is set to reprise her role as Mary, alongside “a host of other familiar faces from the series”.

After learning about the festive special, supporters rushed to social media with one unanimous request, as there was a particular breakout star they were desperate to see return.

Taking to Instagram, one fan said: “Best news ever! Please confirm Dónal being back as Tom.”

Another commented: “@donal.finn will be in it, right? RIGHT?!” A third shared: “I need confirmation that @donal.finn is part of this pleaseeeee.”

A fourth added: “Donal Finn better be there with Ella!!!!” A final viewer concluded: “Best news just hope Donal is in there with Ella too, love them both.”

Given that the Christmas special is set following Mary and Tom’s wedding, it seems highly probable that the Irish actor will make his return to the show.

He captured the hearts of viewers portraying the shy and awkward character, and has further kept fans captivated with his portrayal of the eccentric and charismatic James Moriarty in Prime Video’s Young Sherlock.

What is The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special about?

Tranter offered a tantalising glimpse of the festive episodes, saying: “These Christmas specials give us the chance to spend a little more time with characters audiences have taken to their hearts, and to explore what happens after the wedding bells fade and real life begins.

“Returning to the world of Mary Bennet with our brilliant partners at the BBC and BritBox feels like the perfect way to celebrate the success of the series and give viewers a treat this Christmas.”

While the precise plot is yet to be unveiled, the storyline will likely chart the newlyweds’ ups and downs as they adjust to married life – whether that involves navigating tricky in-laws or the prospect of starting a family – but viewers will simply have to sit tight and find out.

How long are The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special episodes?

While devotees had hoped for three feature-length episodes, the BBC confirmed the specials will follow the same format as the original series, with each instalment running at 30 minutes.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: “It’s been incredibly exciting to see Mary Bennet cause such a sensation in 2026, and we could not be happier to announce this new three-part Christmas gift to her millions of fans.

“Marriage was just the beginning for the no-longer-so-overlooked Bennet sister.”

Where will The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special air?

The specials will broadcast exclusively in the UK on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. Viewers in the US and Canada will be able to catch it exclusively on BritBox.

The Other Bennet Sister Christmas special will air on BBC One.

Gabby Logan hosted the BBC’s live coverage of England’s second World Cup group match

BBC viewers weren’t impressed as they tuned in to watch England play.

Gabby Logan returned to screens on Tuesday (June 23) to present coverage of England’s Group L match against Ghana at Boston Stadium in the USA, as both teams played their second game of the group stage.

This is just the second time that these sides have ever met and the first time they’ve faced each other in a competitive fixture. The last time was back in March 2011, when former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan scored an injury-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium.

Gabby was joined in the Salford studio by Joe Hart, Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards, with match commentary coming from Guy Mowbray and Alan Shearer.

However, BBC viewers were quick to issue the same complaints about the broadcaster’s coverage. Many fans weren’t impressed with the “buffering” coverage on iPlayer, as well as a live interview with British rapper Stormzy.

“England v Ghana on BBC iPlayer is buffering like crazy. It’s not just iPlayer, games buffer on ITVX too. Happens on the big fixtures, obvs,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter), with another adding: “@BBCiPlayer not fit for purpose. Give me @itvx every time.”

A third wrote: “@BBC what’s going on,” alongside a screenshot of the app not loading.

Referring to Stormzy’s interview ahead of the match, a fourth viewer said: “Dear BBC Sport. Football. Fans. Don’t. Care. About. Celebrities. At. The. World. Cup. Stop it,” with another adding: “@BBCSport wasting licence payers cash yet again with a pointless interview with #Stormzy! Pathetic & nothing to do with football!”

More complaints were issued, with someone else writing: “BBC World Cup coverage is poor. S***,” while another shared: “Their coverage of this #worldcup has been beyond woeful.”

Another commented: “Congrats to ITV and the BBC for making the World Cup unwatchable.”

Meanwhile, other viewers praised the BBC’s World Cup coverage, particularly lead hosts Gabby and Kelly Cates.

“BBC coverage soo much better. Great female presenters with Gabby and Kelly. Miles better than ITV,” one person wrote, with another agreeing: “Yeah the female presenters are excellent.”

The Three Lions will be hoping to make it through to the knockout stages for the third consecutive World Cup. They have only been knocked out at the group stage once in their last seven appearances in the finals.

Tonight’s viewer complaints come after several disruptions to the BBC’s coverage of the football tournament.

Gabby Logan notably made a politics announcement during Monday’s (June 22) live broadcast, just hours before coverage was pulled off air due to France and Iraq’s match being delayed.

FIFA issued a statement after warnings of a “severe thunderstorm approaching” the Philadelphia stadium.

Coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and ITVX

BBC presenter Simon Reeve has named a unique city as his favourite in the world – and it might surprise you

BBC explorer Simon Reeve has named a city perched at the crossroads of East and West as his ultimate favourite destination on earth. He revealed his profound love for a place where he described history and culture as almost something you can reach out and touch.

Simon has visited more than 130 countries during a years-long career as a broadcaster. His favourite location centres on a bustling metropolis that straddles both Europe and Asia and is home to a jaw-dropping structure regarded as “one of the most stunning buildings on the planet”.

He told The Express: “In terms of a city, I think Istanbul is not just spectacular, but you can’t go there and not smell the history and the culture there. You know, I love how it’s clearly divided. You’ve got your old bit.

“You’ve got your modern bit. You’ve got your Eastern area, as well – the other side of the Bosphorus, Asia, basically. It is the point where, for a thousand years and more, the East and the West have met.”

When discussing what he describes as his “favourite little quirky thing”, Simon turns his attention to Hagia Sophia – the remarkable former basilica, now a grand mosque, which stands at around 1,600 years old.

He went on to explain how this world-famous landmark remains open to visitors while maintaining its status as an “incredible building”. He said: “I’ll tell you my favourite little quirky thing actually, in many a way; there’s a building in Istanbul called Hagia Sophia, which was a church, then a mosque, is now sort of a museum, just open as an attraction.”

Simon went on: “But it’s an incredible building – one of the most stunning buildings on the planet, and up at the top, inside on the upper balcony, there’s a bit of graffiti carved into the balcony.”

He was referring to ancient Viking runes carved into the Hagia Sophia during its time as a church. The National Museum of Denmark has confirmed the Viking visitors as Halvdan and Are.

Atlas Obscura reports that the inscription likely reads “Halfdan carved these runes” or “Halfdan was here”, a find that Simon described as particularly captivating, dubbing it his “favourite little bit”.

For the presenter, discovering the story of the rune-carving Vikings was a “chill down the spine moment”, emphasising that people have been explorers since the beginning of time.

He noted that throughout history, humans have always felt compelled to leave their mark and engage with these “incredible sights”.

He added: “It’s just a reminder that our ancestors travelled, and they were quite similar to us, actually. They probably wanted a beer, a selfie, and to leave a little bit of a mark behind.”