Channel 4

VICKY Pattison looked absolutely sensational in a new string of throwback pictures and videos from her time in Cyprus. 

The Strictly Come Dancing star was flown over to the exotic island as the host of Channel 4 series Honesty Box – where struggling couples competed for a cash prize as they were grilled on their romance by a military-standard lie detector.

But while the cameras were off, Vicky seized the moment to soak up some sun by the hotel pool, showing clips of her stripping down to a tiny black bikini for some summer sun. 

Sharing the new pictures on Instagram, Vicky shared: “Come and film the Honesty Box with me…

“Had this in my drafts for AGESSSSS… and thought it needed to be shared! Last year Honesty Box hit screens and I wanted to give you a little BTS of what a day in the life looked like out there!” 

“Me and my team had such a ball! And the show was AMAZING!!!” she wrote. 

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“Loads of singles, all looking for love in a villa with one MAJOR twist… THE HONESTY BOX! Which uses military grade, lie detector technology to make sure our cheeky little truetopians are being as honesty as possible!!! 😂😳 

“That’ll put the cat amongst the pigeons! 😂 All with me and the gorgeous [Lucinda Light] making sure these cheeky little minxes behave 😂” 

Unfortunately for Vicky, the potential for any other trips over to Cyprus for the show have been cancelled following the axe of the series after just one batch of episodes.

The decision was made in November as Channel 4 chose to focus on other dating shows that also grabbed public attention at the time. 

A Channel 4 spokeswoman said: “Honesty Box was a brilliant format from a great team but there were many great new reality hits this year.

“We have had tough decisions on what is returning. Virgin Island really landed with our audience and will return next year.”

The show was part of a new string of shows by Channel 4 which became smash hits – most notably Virgin Island, which aired around the same time and caused a bigger buzz as cameras followed a dozen virgins on a journey to pop their cherries.

Honesty Box is available to watch in full now on Channel 4. 

IF you’re a fan of pottery, more specifically The Great Pottery Throwdown, you’ll want to pop into this museum.

On the outskirts of Stoke-on-Trent is a towering attraction dating back to the 1700s that makes for a family-fun day out.

Stoke-on-Trent is, bizarrely, the World Capital of Ceramics and one of the museums that focuses on the history of pottery is found on the outskirts in Longton.

It’s called Gladstone Pottery Museum and you’ll recognise it as for 10 years it has been the backdrop of Channel 4‘s popular TV show.

The show sees a series of amateur potters take to the wheel to compete in a series of challenges – the most recent series started on January 4, 2026.

You can step inside yourself to hear more on the history of pottery – and even get your hands dirty with creative workshops.

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The Gladstone Pottery Museum is inside a former Victorian pottery factory which operated from 1787 up until 1970.

It’s easily recognisable thanks to its tall coal-fired bottle kilns and was well-known for its bone china production.

Potters still work at the museum, demonstrating their skills modelling clay and glazing.

You can get your hands-on some clay too as it offers workshops where potters can attempt to create tiles, pots, and even masks.

On Tripadvisor, the museum has over 1,000 reviews with a rating of 4.8 and lots of visitors have praised it for being the ‘best day out’.

One dubbed it the “must-do in the potteries region” while another called it an “unexpected hidden gem”.

Another added: “The Great Pottery Throwdown is our favourite programme so was lovely to visit the place where it’s filmed.”

Alongside exhibits, and plenty of pottery, there’s also a café which serves cakes, snacks as well as hot and cold drinks.

If you pop in, make sure to try some Staffordshire oatcakes which are a local delicacy – essentially these are flat, savoury pancakes served with a choice of fillings.

There’s a gift shop too selling ceramics made and decorated at the museum, as well as other various china and pots.

During the winter season, the museum is open between Wednesday – Saturday 10am – 4pm and Sundays 11am – 4pm.

The summer opening hours start on April 1, 2026, when the museum will be open until 5pm and 4pm on Sundays.

Ticket prices for adults start at £8.75 and children (ages 4-16) are £6.10.

Students and over 65’s can get tickets for £7.10 or get a family ticket for £26 (for 2 adults and 2 children).

Here Are Some of Europe’s Weirdest Museums…

Last year easyJet found the quirkiest museums in Europe, from ones filled with taxidermy frogs to the history of sewers and another that’s fully underwater.

Ranked top weirdest is the Icelandic Phallological Museum in Reykjavik, Iceland.

It’s the world’s only scientific penis museum and contains over 300 penises and penile parts from more than 100 species of mammals.

The museum is the only one dedicated to collecting, studying and presenting actual phalluses.

The second strangest museum as voted for by the Brits is the Paris Sewer Museum (called Musée des Égouts) in France.

Inside, visitors will learn all about Paris‘ underground sewers where work began in the 19th century.

Another of the strangest museums is Froggyland in Croatia which has 507 taxidermy frogs.

Across 21 dioramas, frogs are posed to look like they’re participating in human activities like playing musical instruments, teaching a class or rowing a boat.

For more on attractions, here are the Sun Travel team’s 30 best experiences around the world that everyone should do this year.

And here are the 20 most-visited attractions in England that are completely free to enter.

WHEN it comes to buying a home abroad, no one knows more inside tips than the A Place in the Sun presenters.

With costs rising all over the world those on the hunt for a holiday home might be disheartened – but there are still bargains to be found according to property expert, Craig Rowe.

A brand new series of A Place in the Sun is back and presenter Craig Rowe who first joined the show four years ago has found a hidden gem.

In the upcoming episode airing on Thursday, January 7, Craig heads to the French countryside region of Limousin.

He’s helping best friends Fiona and Tina look for Fiona’s ideal home with a a maximum budget of £80,000.

Yet Craig reveals that they manage to bag a deal for £75,000.

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Craig told us: “I’ve spent a lot of time in France, but for this show we were in Haute-Vienne – and I was amazed at the prices.

“At first when we were looking through the properties I said to my producer, ‘I think we’re going to struggle to get something decent for that price’.

“But you’d be amazed at what we found which were really good properties – and that really surprised me.”

While the Limousin region is miles away from the coastline, it’s well-known for being a hotspot for watersports thanks to its thousands of lakes.

In fact, the region is even called the ‘French Lake District‘ – it also has lots of walking and cycling routes.

Craig added: “It’s a beautiful region filled with little patisseries and boulangeries, which is everything I love about France.”

Craig continued: “It has lots of beautiful French towns, and of course, lots of lakes so you won’t miss being by the coast – and if you want to visit a city then Bordeaux isn’t far away.

“There’s still an expat community, and as we found, properties are really good value.

“With prices going up all over the world, it’s great to find these pockets where you can still get a really good bargain.”

If the French countryside doesn’t tickle your fancy, but you still want somewhere up-and-coming with lower prices, Craig has some other suggestions.

He said: “Valencia is one of my favourite places in Spain and in the last few years, I’ve heard more and more about it.

“It’s really booming and while property prices are going up, it’s still much more affordable than Barcelona or Madrid.

“Another place to watch in Spain would be Murcia – it’s still relatively under the radar because it doesn’t have as many airlinks as Malaga or the Costa Del Sol.

“For example in the winter you’ll have to fly from Alicante, but it’s definitely up-and-coming. That’s one to watch in 2026 – it would be a great place to invest.

Outside of Spain, I’d consider Porto in Portugal which is a great alternative to Lisbon which is getting quite expensive. But it still has great culture, food and wine.”

If you’ve been watching A Place in the Sun wondering whether now is the right time to buy abroad, Craig has some words of wisdom.

Craig told us: “Property is going up everywhere, in the UK, Europe, the States. So if you’re thinking about doing it, why not now?

“Costs are only going one way, and while you’ve got these little gems, like Haute-Vienne, which are up-and-coming destinations, take the opportunity now.

“2026 is an exciting year, and I know for A Place in the Sun, we’ve got a lot of filming coming up with house hunters – there’s still a big passion and a hunger for people who want to look at properties overseas.”

After selling Brits their dream home for five years, Craig is getting ready to take the plunge himself.

“My partner Paul and I are hoping to buy a property in Spain, we’re not in a position to do it yet, but hopefully we’ll be able to in the next couple of years.

“I love Valencia as a city, whereas my partner loves Barcelona – but I think he’s coming round to my idea.

“Valencia is smaller than Barcelona, it’s the third biggest city in Spain, but there’s only around 800,000 people that live there, so it’s still a relatively small city.

“It has amazing coasts, beautiful architecture, it’s got everything you need from a city.”

Watch Craig on A Place in the Sun on Thursday 8 January on Channel 4 at 6pm – new episodes will continue air Monday-Friday.

One Woman Who Was on A Place In The Sun Bought Her Dream Spanish Home For £45k…

Jacqui Lockhart from Scotland left for Almoradi on the Costa Blanca shortly after the airing of her episode of A Place in the Sun back in December 2017.

Originally looking for a holiday home, Jacqui travelled to Spain in search of her dream escape with the help of presenter Danni Menzies.

After looking at multiple apartments, Jacqui fell for a flat in Almoradi with a communal pool and rooftop costing just £45,000 – after visiting 10 times in one year, Jacqui made it her permanent home.

Talking to Sun Travel about her move to sunny Spain Jacqui said: “It took a lot of guts for me to move. To say ‘right, I’m not coming back to the UK’ took a lot of courage. But it’s been so good, I absolutely love it.”

She says that one of the biggest perks of life abroad is that going out for meals and drinks works out to be a lot cheaper.

Jacqui said: “I love going out for meals, and it’s so much cheaper than in the UK, you can get a glass of wine for €1.50.

“You can get a three-course meal and a coffee for around €10.”

Jacqui bravely bit the bullet and loves her new life abroad, she does heed some warnings for anyone hoping to do the same.

She explained: “I’m lucky as I have a plan B, I’ll never sell my house in Scotland.

“But I know a lot of people here who have sold up completely, moved lock, stock and barrel and now they’re coming into their dotage and they can’t go back because they can’t afford it.

“I also know some people who came just before Covid wanting to open a bar and then as they started, had to close because Spain went into lockdown.

“They lost so much money and used all their savings to live and have had to move back to the UK and rent which is such a shame.

“My other piece of advice would be to rent first to see if you like the area. Thanks to Brexit, Brits can only rent in Spain for three months at a time, but do that and get to know the town you like.”

Plus, another A Place in the Sun presenter reveals her favourite foreign family holiday park – and it’s surprisingly affordable.

And another A Place in the Sun presenter moved to the Costa del Sol where she spends evenings on the beach but reveals there is a catch to her new life in Spain.

A beloved Celebrity Gogglebox star shared a health update on Tuesday’s episode of BBC Breakfast

A Celebrity Gogglebox star has shared a health update after collapsing.

Happy Mondays stars Shaun Ryder and Bez are a popular duo on the hit Channel 4 programme, after joining the line-up back in 2019. The pair are known for their hilarious and candid commentary, delighting fans with their unique chemistry and outspoken takes on the latest TV shows.

Shaun and Bez appeared on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday (January 6) as they mark 35 years since the release of their iconic album Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches. Happy Mondays will celebrate the anniversary with a tour that kicks off in March.

While speaking to hosts Jon Kay and Sarah Campbell this morning, Shaun revealed that he suffered a recent health scare. “How are you physically, because you weren’t well before Christmas, were you?” Jon asked.

Shaun replied: “I got pneumonia. I was on tour [and] I ended up with pneumonia. [I] had to throw everything I could down me, every sort of painkiller and everything else just to get through it.

“When I got back, I couldn’t even go to the funeral, Mani’s funeral. I got back the day before Mani’s funeral and collapsed, so I couldn’t even go… Like I say, you have to get the job done on the tour, we’re old school you know.”

Shaun then explained that he was prescribed antibiotics, which have helped him recover.

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Hollyoaks spoilers have confirmed that Liberty Savage gets caused in the act with her mystery new man by Sienna Blake next week and it’s a familiar face to Brookside fans

A Brookside legend is exposed as the secret lover of a Hollyoaks beauty next week.

In upcoming scenes of the Channel 4 soap, Liberty Savage (Jessamy Stoddart) is beaming after going on a date and tells John Paul McQueen (James Sutton) all about it.

Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) arrives home distraught and Liberty comforts her before a man springs out from her sister’s bedroom – it’s Tinhead.

Fans last saw Timothy ‘Tinhead’ O’Leary (Philip Olivier) after the iconic Hollyoaks and Brookside crossover episode in October when Marie Fielding (Rita Simons) moved to Brookside Close, after her pregnancy lie was exposed.

Marie met Tinhead but what brings him to Hollyoaks?

Later in the week, Sienna goes to Jez Blake’s (Jeremy Sheffield) shed and is about to destroy it until she hears movement, someone is in there.

She runs and finds a van driving off and fans see that it’s Tinhead but why was he lurking around Jez’s shed?

Fans will know that Sienna’s serial killer father Jez and Clare Devine’s mid-air fight led to their plane crashing and hitting the love boat causing the death of Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell).

A brawl ensued, with Sienna barely restraining Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson), who wanted to exact his revenge against Jez over his niece Peri’s death.

Dodger Savage (Danny Mac) was able to handcuff Jez to a railing by the pond but, when the murderer unexpectedly freed himself, Liberty, John Paul and Ste rushed to stop him, causing him to slip into the water.

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There, Jez met a terrible, off-screen fate courtesy of the plane’s airscrew back in full motion. Fans will have to see why Tinhead is hanging out Jez’s old haunt.

Elsewhere in the village, Hollyoaks spoilers have confirmed that Sienna is kicked out by new mum Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin).

Cleo snaps at Sienna feeling scrutinized and, hearing a commotion, Misbah Maalik (Harvey Virdi) goes round to check on them.

At the Maaliks, a distraught Sienna asks Misbah why Cleo is treating her like this. Misbah wonders whether Sienna may be suffering from PTSD following recent events with Jez.

Hollyoaks airs Monday to Wednesday on E4 at 7pm and first look episodes can be streamed Channel 4 from 7am

The content creator is one of 14 famous faces taking part in the latest series of Channel 4’s Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins star Jack Joseph has opened up about a devastating health battle that left his parents checking on him “every single hour” fearing he would die in his sleep.

The 25-year-old content creator is one of 14 famous faces appearing on the Channel 4 reality show which sees celebrities put through back-breaking SAS training guided by Billy Billingham MBE, Jason Fox, Rudy Reyes and Chris Oliver.

This year’s series – made up of eight one-hour episodes – sees UK celebrities competing against Australian stars, with former Love Island contestants Dani Dyer and Gabby Allen, social media personality Cole Anderson-James and MAFS Australia’s Jessika Power among the cast.

The opening episode aired tonight (January 4), in which Jack opened up about a health scare that motivated him into taking part in the show. The star, who comes from a family who are passionate about fitness, said he took a legal steroid which had a devastating impact on his body when he was just 19 years old.

“I went to a bodybuilding gym and I hear a lot of talk of this supplement which is like a legal steroid so I bought this supplement from a website and after six weeks I had liver failure. I went all yellow, pupils all yellow, my brain completely went south. It’s a hard thing to describe,” he shared on the show, visibly emotional.

“I had to go into hospital every day for about nine or 10 months to give blood everyday and I had to be under supervision. So the way you pass away with liver failure is, I was told, that you just go to bed at night and you don’t wake up.”

He remembered: “It was hard because every night, every single hour, my parents came in my room to check if I was dead, basically. That broke my heart.

“It’s hard to see your parents with that kind of emotional weight when you know you’ve caused it. Since then I’m quite an anxious person and that’s why I came on this course. I hide my emotions a lot.”

Channel 4’s synopsis for the series reads: “The celebrities will have no entourage, agents, filters or social media followers to rescue them. Instead, they’ll face sweat, physical endurance, sand, tears and the truth they’ve been avoiding – all in the blistering North African heat.

“The DS don’t care how famous the recruits are, how many social media followers they have or what they have done before this. As soon as they enter the selection process, their celebrity status and luxuries are stripped away and there will be no room for mistakes.”

You can watch the latest episode of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins on Channel 4’s catch-up service

The former Islander was left ‘panicking’ just seconds into the first task of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins season eight

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins star Gabby Allen was left furious after failing the show’s first challenge within seconds.

The thrilling Channel 4 programme kicked off its eighth series on Sunday (January 4), featuring 14 celebs braving a modified version of the gruelling SAS (Special Air Service) training.

In a series first, the contestants are split into two international teams: seven Brits and seven Aussies.

Team UK boasts Love Island favourites Gabby and Dani Dyer, social media influencers Jack Joseph and Cole Anderson James, rugby hero Ben Cohen, Gladiator Toby Olubi, and cricket star Graeme Swann.

The first mission of this year’s series was an emergency evacuation drill, where one participant from each team was strapped into a plane and submerged underwater, reports OK!.

Once under, they had to hold their breath for 30 seconds before being given the signal to escape. Gabby was up first, alongside Olympic swimming champ Mack Horton.

The risk of drowning was acknowledged prior to the stars being plunged into the water, but things quickly took a horrifying turn as Gabby began to panic just seconds into the task.

She was swiftly rescued by the crew who recognised her “panicking”. The reality star “failed” the test as she couldn’t hold her breath for the necessary duration.

The 33-year-old appeared visibly annoyed following the challenge. Looking back on it, she remarked: “I weren’t scared about the height, I weren’t scared about the water. And then I f****** didn’t take a big enough breath. What the f***? !”

Ex-Islander Dani similarly fell short in completing the emergency evacuation challenge. “Instantly, I failed,” she vented afterwards.

Ahead of the episode going to air, the 29-year-old had shared her thoughts with followers regarding her time on the gruelling military programme.

In an Instagram Stories video, Dani revealed: “SAS is obviously on tonight at nine o’clock. This is one show I’ve been absolutely really excited for you all to see, but also petrified because it was one of the hardest experiences of my entire life.”

She went on: “I’d love to do it again, this is one of those things I’d love to do again and be a lot more headstrong, and a lot more…not a wimp. But do you know what? It was great and, yeah, I hope you all enjoy it.”

Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins continues tomorrow night at 9pm on Channel 4

‘This wants so bad to be Romancing the Stone, but it can’t even be Jewel of the Nile’

A modern rom-com that harkens back to an 80s’ classic while featuring a pair of A-list stars is on British telly tonight (Sunday).

Starring Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum, The Lost City was released in 2022 to generally positive reviews, earning back almost three times its budget.

Bullock plays Loretta Sage, a former archaeology researcher who writes romance-adventure novels. She reluctantly agrees to go on a book tour with a cover model for her fictitious hero, played by Tatum, but both find themselves embarking on an adventure, searching for a lost city that hides a priceless treasure.

The movie also features Brad Pitt in a rare supporting role, while Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe plays against type as an egotistical, eccentric billionaire who acts as the film’s ultimate baddie.

The Lost City has a 78% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which says that while “The Lost City doesn’t sparkle quite as brightly as some classic treasure-hunting capers such as Romancing the Stone, its stars’ screwball chemistry makes this movie well worth romancing.”

One critic wrote: “The Lost City is every bit the romantic adventure we didn’t know we needed and then some. It’s fun and hilarious, and its on-the-nose praise of the romance genre is something we’ll never tire of exploring.”

Another was more circumspect, writing: “Sandra Bullock and Channing Tatum get blindsided by a wonky and aimless script better suited for the balls-to-the-wall performances of its side characters.”

Movie fans were also divided on the film, which has some big supporters but more than a few who were left unimpressed. One wrote: “Enough laughs to make it enjoyable. All the actors did great in it. Sandra Bullock is really good at doing clumsy slapstick.”

A second stated: “It was such a funny treat. All the cast and crew were amazing. It had the whole theatre laughing. I’d definitely recommend watching this film.”

A third said: “Very enjoyable adventure-romance-comedy movie. I loved it. Highly recommend!”

However, some thought it paled in comparison to the classics: “This wants so bad to be Romancing the Stone, but it can’t even be Jewel of the Nile… It’s fun enough to be a passable time-waster, but it’s not compelling or unique enough to leave a lasting impression.”

Another wrote: “Clicked play immediately upon seeing the cast – found myself extremely disappointed that such great actors would partake in such an overplayed, cheesy plot. Paying attention was a chore.”

The Lost City airs on E4 tonight (Sunday, January 4) at 9pm.

Gogglebox stars Sue and Steve Sheehan have celebrated a special family milestone

Gogglebox stars Sue and Steve Sheehan have stunned fans with a snap of their rarely-seen daughter.

The married couple first joined the cast of the Channel 4 show back in 2019, and have since become fan favourites with their witty commentary from the comfort of their stunning South London home.

Steve, a retired black cab driver, and Sue, who is semi-retired, have been married for nearly 47 years. They have two daughters, Leah and Kate, as well as a grandson named Roman.

Sue and Steve took to Instagram on Saturday (December 27) to share a rare photo of their youngest daughter Kate as she celebrated her 40th birthday.

“Our 2nd born 40th birthday today. Happy Birthday my darling, celebrations later,” the caption read, alongside several photos of Kate over the years.

Sue later shared a throwback photo of their daughter when she was younger, as well as one of her 40th birthday cake.

“The beautiful retro cake made by @claires_cakes5 and the old holiday photo,” she wrote.

On Monday (December 29), the stars went on to share more photos of a celebratory dinner for their daughter, which took place at Boys Hall restaurant in Kent.

The caption read: “A good time was had by all @boys.hall sharing a special birthday with the family.”

Several Gogglebox fans have shared their well wishes in the comments section, with one person writing: “Beautiful young woman, happy happy birthday. Best wishes to your gorgeous daughter.”

Another added: “Happy birthday to your lovely girl,” while a third said: “What a beautiful girl happy birthday.”

A fourth fan echoed the sentiment, saying: “Stunning girl you have!” with another similarly sharing: “Your daughter is absolutely beautiful. You have every reason to be proud.”

The news comes after Sue announced that she had Bell’s Palsy, which causes temporary weakness or paralysis in the muscles on one side of the face.

After an extended break from Gogglebox, the star told viewers that she had to “relearn” a couple of things since the diagnosis, explaining: “One is to speak through the side of my mouth, and the other one is chewing. Chewing takes a long time.”

Steve then joked: “I have offered to chew your food for you, but you declined. I’ve gotta say, you haven’t lost the sharp side of your tongue though, have you?”

“No, it’s sharper than ever actually,” Sue quipped in response.

Gogglebox is available to stream on Channel 4

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Christmas is a time for the whole family, including the very youngest members of the household.

With Christmas Day just hours away, families are on the hunt for festive films that cater to all ages.

A flurry of new Christmas movies have recently hit the screens, from Netflix‘s Champagne Problems and My Secret Santa to Prime Video‘s Oh. What Fun.

However, these might not be the most suitable picks for the younger audience. So, here’s a guide to where you can catch some of the top-notch Christmas films for children.

Christmas films for children and toddlers

The Snowman

The 1980s classic fantasy animation, The Snowman, is an iconic and charming viewing experience for the entire family.

The Snowman spins the story of a young lad who crafts a snowman that springs to life while everyone else is fast asleep, whisking him off on an extraordinary journey.

Adding to the thrill is the fact that the narrative is introduced by none other than the late glam rock legend David Bowie.

The Snowman is available on Channel 4.

Mickey Mouse’s Once Upon A Christmas

Mickey Mouse also has his own holiday film with Once Upon A Christmas, a compilation-style movie featuring three separate tales about love, kinship and the spirit of giving.

This animated Disney gem stars Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, Daisy Duck, Pluto, and naturally, Mickey Mouse himself.

Mickey’s Once Upon A Christmas is available to watch on Disney+.

A Charlie Brown Christmas

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A Charlie Brown Christmas may be celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, but it remains a timeless classic for good reason.

Disheartened by the commercialisation of the holiday season, Charlie embarks on a quest to uncover the true essence of Christmas by directing his school’s nativity.

Through this venture, he discovers that Christmas isn’t about material possessions but love and the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth.

A Charlie Brown Christmas is available on Apple TV.

Arthur Christmas

Featuring the voices of James McAvoy and Bill Nighy, Arthur Christmas centres around Santa Claus’ well-meaning but bumbling grandson, Arthur.

Upon realising that Santa has overlooked delivering a present to a little girl on Christmas Eve, Arthur embarks on a frantic last-minute quest to ensure it reaches her before daybreak.

Arthur Christmas is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video, or for streaming via Sky Go or NOW.

Klaus

Another contemporary Christmas family favourite is Klaus, which explores the origin story of Santa Claus.

After spoilt postman Jesper is banished to the desolate town of Smeerensburg, he teams up with reclusive woodsman Klaus to distribute toys, igniting community spirit and a cherished new tradition.

Klaus can be streamed on Netflix.

The Polar Express

Voiced by the legendary actor Tom Hanks, The Polar Express follows a young lad who, doubting the magic of Christmas, embarks on an enchanting train journey to the North Pole.

During his voyage, he forms new friendships and experiences the true essence of Christmas.

The Polar Express is available for rent or purchase on Prime Video, or for streaming via Sky Go or NOW.

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Often hailed as one of the greatest Christmas films ever, the 1990s flick The Muppets Christmas Carol holds a special place in many hearts.

Featuring Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, Gonzo, Rizzo and the rest of the Muppets crew, these endearing puppets breathe life into Charles Dickens’ timeless story, A Christmas Carol.

At the centre of this yuletide film is none other than actor Michael Caine, portraying the curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge.

The Muppet Christmas Carol can be viewed on Disney+.

THE Muppet Show is making a 50th birthday comeback — with pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter joining as a special guest. 

Disney has revealed Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy and the gang are back for a one-off special, more than four decades after the curtain came down on the beloved original series.

The show will stream on Disney+ from February 4, promising fans “music, comedy and a whole lot of chaos” from the original Muppet Theatre.

In a teaser clip, Kermit’s green arm can be seen turning on the lights of an old studio, before placing down a mug with his name on it.

The show originally ran from 1976 to 1981, with a generation of kids singing along to the theme tune: “It’s time to play the music. It’s time to light the lights.”

The series became so popular that big name stars clamoured to be guests, including Sir Elton John, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, John Cleese and Debbie Harry.

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It was broadcast in more than 100 countries and in 1978 Time magazine called the show “the most popular television entertainment now being produced on Earth”.

The series won a host of awards, including Emmy, Grammy and Bafta gongs.

Despite the lights going out on the main series, the Muppets Tonight talk show ran from 1996 to 1998.

Other short-lived TV projects followed, including a mockumentary series in 2015, the Muppets Now short form series in 2020 and The Muppets Mayhem musical comedy series in 2023.

A host of movies included The Great Muppet Caper in 1981 and The Muppet Christmas Carol in 1992.

The last film, Muppets Most Wanted, in 2014, starred British comedian Ricky Gervais.

Muppets creator Jim Henson died in 1990 and Disney bought the rights in 2004.

Sabrina, who has had four UK No1 singles and two UK No1 albums, is an executive producer for the new show, as is Canadian comedian and actor Seth Rogen, who was in the 2020 series.

Jimmy Kimmel, the US chat show host, has recorded Channel 4’s 2025 Alternative Christmas Message, during which the 58-year-old star has lauded a “really great year”

US chat show host Jimmy Kimmel has said it has been a “great year” from “a fascism perspective” in his Christmas address.

The presenter, 58, was chosen to deliver Channel 4’s 2025 Christmas Message, an alternative to the monarch’s annual televised address on December 25. Jimmy, who was taken off air by Donald Trump earlier this year, is expected to say: “From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year.”

The comedian was suspended indefinitely in September following comments he made on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the murder of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, an ally of the US President. Staff were reportedly “shocked” when the programme was yanked off air minutes before it was due to broadcast.

But Jimmy’s fans expressed their outrage at Mr Trump’s decision, and the programmne was swiftly reinstated. Some of Hollywood’s biggest stars and political figures towards the US administration for infringing on their freedom of speech and free press.

READ MORE: Jimmy Kimmel’s childhood friend Cleto Escobedo’s cause of death revealed

OPINION

Mikey Smith

In the Christmas Day address, Jimmy, born in Brooklyn, New York City, will continue by reflecting on the events of the past year, sharing his own personal experiences and insights after being at the centre of one of the stories that shocked the US and its foundational democratic values.

A Channel 4 spokesperson said: “Donald Trump’s return to the White House and wide-ranging impact on the world has been the story of 2025 and it would be hard to think of a better person to address it than Jimmy Kimmel, who has found himself on the front line of America’s battle over free speech.”

The channel’s annual broadcast, which first aired in 1993, aims to bring viewers a message about that year’s events. Kimmel’s address follows on from previous messages delivered by a wide range of presenters, including comedian Chris McCausland who addressed ableism last year after becoming the first blind person to win Strictly Come Dancing.

He playfully said: “Discrimination is never a good thing. Well, I mean sometimes I suppose. Many, many years ago before I got into comedy, I applied to be a spy for MI5. I got down to the last 30 out of 3,000 applicants. The top 1 per cent of potential spies that this country had to offer before they decided no, a blind spy wasn’t what they were looking for but, you know, I think they had a point. I think sometimes discrimination can be vital for the safety of the nation, but usually, we can do better.”

Other presenters have included former president of Iran Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, actor and TV presenter Sir Stephen Fry, whistleblower Edward Snowden, former speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow, and actor Danny Dyer. The Alternative Christmas Message will air on Channel 4 at 5.45pm on Christmas Day.

Celebrated actor Will Sharpe is taking the lead in a must-watch new Sky drama, so what do we know about his life away from the screen?

British actor Will Sharpe stars alongside Paul Bettany in one of Sky’s biggest new shows of the year, Amadeus.

A brand new, star-studded interpretation of the classic Peter Shaffer play, this sumptuous five-part drama reimagines the fierce rivalry of two iconic composers; Antonio Salieri (played by Bettany) and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Sharpe).

Created by Joe Barton, the series is set to catapult the star to even loftier levels of fame after already landing acclaimed roles in The White Lotus, A Real Pain and Too Much.

But, did you know the actor, writer and creator already won himself a BAFTA nomination over a decade ago and is married to an equally familiar name from the world of streaming TV?

Let’s take a look at what we know about Will Sharpe’s life and career so far.

Early Life

Will Sharpe is half-Japanese on his mother’s side and, despite being born in London, was raised in Tokyo until he was eight. The family then settled in Surrey.

After schooling at Winchester College, he went on to study classics at the University of Cambridge and became the president of the Cambridge Footlights comedy troupe.

However, his first attempts at a showbiz career didn’t go as planned. Upon graduating, Sharpe moved to London and began performing at open-mic comedy nights in Whitechapel.

Speaking to GQ, he recalled: “The thing that I’d sometimes do was see how long I could act as if I wasn’t sure about the performing space, like moving chairs around and adjusting the mic, before it stopped being funny for them. And then seeing if I could do it for so long it became funny again.”

Unfortunately, he was eventually approached by a comedy agent who admitted she couldn’t represent him because it was unclear if he was actually performing comedy. He opted for a different approach instead, joining the Royal Shakespeare Company for its 2008-2009 season.

Career Success

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for Sharpe’s talents to be recognised as his 2011 film Black Pond, co-directed by Stath Lets Flats and Ghosts’ Tom Kingsley, was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. They had previously worked together on the 2009 short film, Cockroach.

A few years later, Sharpe received more awards recognition for his Channel 4 comedy-drama series Flowers, starring Olivia Colman, Julian Barratt, Daniel Rigby and Sophia Di Martino, as well as himself. This won Sharpe his first BAFTA, for best scripted comedy.

A few years later, he won his first acting BAFTA for his critically acclaimed turn in Amadeus writer Barton’s hit crime drama Giri/Haji. He went on to have similar success in Hollywood for his Emmy-nominated turn in The White Lotus season two. Sharpe also directed the biopic film The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, starring Benedict Cumberbatch as the titular troubled artist.

Mental Health Struggles

Many of Sharpe’s projects tackle mental health issues and the actor/director has drawn from his own experiences to bring those personal stories to life.

Following the release of the second season of Flowers in 2018, the creator revealed he had been diagnosed with type two bipolar disorder.

Writing in a blog for the mental health charity mind, he shared his wish for the series was for “the audience to get a sense of how helpless you can feel in the face of mental illness, of how relentless and confusing it can be, and how painful it is to love somebody who is suffering.

“Because, for me, the only way to feel truly hopeful is to look at that stuff head on and still feel like there’s a way through.”

He added: “My experience of mental illness is that it can sell you an overpoweringly compelling – and fictional – narrative about your life, to which it can eventually start to feel like there is only one possible conclusion.

“The final episode of the second series of Flowers, I hope, challenges that and offers, if you like, a break in the narrative.”

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Sky has cut the price of its Essential TV and 300Mbps fibre broadband bundle, but the deal expires on October 15.

Famous Spouse

Sharpe is married to his Flowers co-star Sophia Di Martino, with whom he has had a relationship since 2009. The pair met while filming Casualty, in which they were both main cast members. They have two children born in 2019 and 2021.

The actress is perhaps best known for portraying Sylvie, an alternate female version of Tom Hiddleston’s iconic Marvel villain Loki, in the Disney+ superhero drama based on the fan-favourite character.

She has also appeared in Sharpe’s The Electrical Life of Louis Wain and reunited with him again in an episode of Netflix’s Too Much. Di Martino will also star in her husband’s upcoming Apple TV series Prodigies, alongside Ayo Edebiri.

Amadeus is available on Sky and streaming service NOW.

The former This Morning guest shared how Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan treated her off-camera, following a “disastrous” moment on the show

A former This Morning guest has revealed how her appearance on the show ended in disaster. Hosted by Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan at the time, podcast host Louise Boyce said she was invited onto the show as a teenager for a live haircut, though was mortified by the outcome.

Joined by Richard and Judy’s daughter Chloe Madeley on her podcast, she told her: “Your mum and dad, it [This Morning] was the first TV show that I went on when I was 15. And, I really want to find the footage, it must be in the archives somewhere, but I went on there to have my haircut, a live haircut.

“I was 15 years old, I was still at school and very aware of how I looked and the haircut was disastrous.”

Recalling her immediate reaction, she said she instantly knew it was “horrendous” but politely told the hairdresser she “really liked it” with a shaky voice.

“But, your mum and dad were so kind to me because they must’ve seen or felt that I was just like, ‘I hate what you’ve just [done to me’]’,” she continued on the No Parental Guidance podcast.

“‘You have just violated my hair live on TV, my first ever TV [experience]’. And they were so, your mum and dad, even off-camera they were like, ‘Hair grows, it’s okay’.”

In response, Chloe gushed: “I can’t say it enough how kind he is and how fair of a man he is and how unbelievably good his values and [morals] are. I get really angry when people go for him because I’m like, ‘You don’t know how good this person is’.”

The fitness guru continued by revealing she’d also picked up valuable lessons from her mum, especially regarding being “a calm” and “well adjusted” parent.

Richard and Judy presented the ITV programme from 1998 to 2001. When previously asked about their decision to leave the show, they said it felt like the right moment to move on and explore new ventures.

The duo went on to front their own programme, Richard and Judy, which was broadcast during early evening slots on Channel 4.

Richard remains a familiar presence on ITV as a presenter on Good Morning Britain, while Judy has stepped away from the public eye.

The former broadcaster was most recently spotted on television during their daughter’s ITV documentary, Chloe Madeley: A Family Affair.

However, after running for just one series, it didn’t return following Chloe’s split from rugby player James Haskell.

The pair, who are parents to two-year-old daughter Bodhi, announced their separation in 2023 after five years of marriage.

During her recent podcast chat, Chloe revealed that the former couple are still navigating a “stressful” divorce.

Providing an insight into her love life situation, she said she’s content with being single after having a disliking her experience on dating apps.

Gogglebox’s Helena Worthington has been a fan favourite since joining the Channel 4 show eight years ago and now her family is expanding

Everything you need to know about pregnant Gogglebox star Helena Worthington

• Helena Worthington joined Channel 4 show Gogglebox back in 2017 for series 10 with the rest of the Worthington family: her mum Alison and Alison’s partner George. And it didn’t take them long to become firm favourites with fans. Over the years, the family – who live in Manchester – have had fans in stitches thanks to their hilarious one-liners and comical takes on the telly highlights.
• Away from the programme, Helena is in a relationship with partner Dan. She is also a proud mum to six-year-old son Erwin. Recently, Helena confirmed she was pregnant as she reflected on welcoming another child into the family. Taking to her Instagram, Helena shared several snaps from a recent day out.
• In the caption she penned: “Pregnant. Tired. Raging indigestion. Still crouching down to explain why we don’t dig up all the bullbs. 33 weeks pregnant at RHS Bridgwater with my first baby, while waiting for my next one. We took Erwin here often when he was a new bean. These in-between moments feel really precious lately — messy, slow, and very real. I’m excited but I feel weird that Erwin will seem so big all of a sudden.”
• While the Worthington family films their segments for Gogglebox at Alison and George’s abode, Helena has made a cosy nest of her own in Salford with Dan and Erwin. Her Instagram is a gallery of domestic bliss, featuring everything from handmade crochet blankets to walls adorned with artwork, all set against a palette of vibrant colours.
• When she’s not on Gogglebox, Helena is an accomplished artist and focuses on sculpting and painting. Her artwork has been displayed in prestigious venues such as The Whitworth Art Gallery and The Manchester Open at Home, and her paintings have found homes in various private collections. In a candid chat with ilovemanchester.com, Helena opened up about her personal life. Reflecting on what sparked her artistic journey, she shared: “When I was very little I used to draw on the walls and in my mum’s cook books and then blame it on my brother… so I guess that was the start of things.”

READ THE FULL STORY: Gogglebox star confirms she’s pregnant as fans rush to congratulate

WHEN it comes to A Place in the Sun most house hunters are on the lookout for a bargain along the Spanish coast.

But actually, there are plenty of affordable spots to be found outside of Europe – from beautiful Caribbean islands to cities less than an hour to huge theme parks.

Sun Travel got the inside scoop from A Place in the Sun presenters Laura Hamilton, Jean Johansson and Craig Rowe on where Brits should look in 2026 for cheap property outside of Europe.

Jean told us: “If you can stretch to the Caribbean, St Lucia has blown me away – and it’s quite cheap compared to Europe to eat out.

“If you want a paradise lifestyle, you can fly out this time of year and get beautiful weather. It’s so laidback too and everyone slows right down.

“The last time I was there for A Place in the Sun, one couple had a budget of £200,000 and they bought an amazing two-bedroom apartment on a little island that you have to get to via a water taxi – it was just absolutely idyllic.

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“If you’re willing to have that Caribbean way of life and something a bit different, your money can go far.”

Another destination that is becoming more popular with Brits as being an affordable holiday spot is Thailand.

Craig said: “I’ve not done any shows in Thailand yet – I think the show may have gone there a long time ago, but that’s somewhere else I think has great value property.

“It might be far, around 14 hours on a plane, but in terms of investment, and perhaps if you’re retiring and can stay there for months at a time, it’s a great option.”

Property prices can vary in Thailand depending on the destination with Chiang Mai being more affordable than the beachside property in Phuket.

Once you get there, the likes of food are so much cheaper – you can pick up a meal from as cheap as 150baht (£3.55).

But out of all destinations, there was one that every presenter mentioned as being one of the best places to invest – and for a good price next year.

Laura told us: “Florida is a place offering exciting opportunities and it’s always been a place we’ve visited on A Place in the Sun.

“I filmed there just before Christmas and it’s quite interesting. In Florida there are lots of properties that 20 years ago were prime luxury houses along the 192 route which is within 30 minutes to the Disney Parks.

“The location is still amazing, but the houses are a bit tired, so the rental opportunities are incredible. In terms of being able to make properties over and add value to them, I think that’s an exciting market.”

Jean added that she did some Florida shows last year where she headed to Fort Lauderdale.

“I think Florida’s always been popular and it’s nice for us to get away from Orlando and away from the Disney parks.

“Fort Lauderdale is a dream with the classic American lifestyle up there – locals start their day with a coffee on the beautiful promenades and there’s a lovely community feel.”

According to Palm Paradise Realty Group, some of the most affordable areas in Fort Lauderdale include Lake Aire Palm View and Flagler Village where the average property price is $343,000 (£255,543).

New episodes of A Place in the Sun will return from Sunday 21 December, and you can catch up on previous episodes on Channel4.com.

A Place in the Sun experts reveal coastline worth buying on NOW where you can ‘still get bargains’ – and flights are £15…

When we asked Laura Hamilton, Craig Rowe and Jean Johansson where exactly Brits looking for a holiday home should buy right now in Europe – they all had the same answer.

Laura Hamilton, who has been working on the show since 2012, explained: “There are still places in Spain which are great places to invest, especially around Costa Tropical.

“The area has increased in value and is still going up. It’s the opposite side of Málaga to Marbella and Puerto Banús, and it’s much cheaper.

“If you go out to a bar or a restaurant, the prices will be significantly cheaper but still great quality.”

Laura revealed that the Costa Tropical has accessibility to both the mountains and the beach.

She added that it’s marketed so that “you can be on the slopes in the morning and beach in the afternoon”.

To get from the beaches to the base of the Sierra Nevada mountains takes just an hour and a half in the car.

Laura continued: “I love that part of Spain and the scenery around Granada is spectacular. If you love the beach, skiing and hiking then it’s a stunning part of Spain – but prices are on the rise.”

Also in southern Spain is the region that presenter Craig Rowe recommended and like Costa Tropical, the region sits between the coast and Sierra Nevada mountains.

Craig told us: “Costa Almería in Spain is really good, especially for anyone on a lower budget.”

Jean Johansson, who has been working on the show for seven years, the same question, she agreed with her colleagues.

Jean said: “It’s got to be Murcia and the south of Spain because you can still get bargains there.”

“When I started on the show seven years ago the area wasn’t as popular at all, but now people are really understanding the value for money.”

For those jumping in to buy a property abroad, one woman who was on A Place In The Sun and bought her dream Spanish home for £45k – I have one regret and need to warn others of pitfalls.

And another presenter from A Place in the Sun took on her own renovation project on the Costa del Sol.