confirmed

The hit sci-fi series’ latest season dropped almost a year ago

The future of dystopian sci-fi series Black Mirror has finally been confirmed after a nearly year-long wait for new episodes.

Releasing on Netflix, the Charlie Brooker-created show centres around the dark side of technology and its often terrifying impact on humanity.

A seventh season released on the streaming giant in April 2025 after a two-year hiatus, bringing viewers six harrowing new episodes to enjoy. Among them was the story of a woman whose life depends on a subscription service she can no longer afford, plus the tale of an isolated man forced to face his past wrongs after new technology allows him to step inside old photographs.

In an interview with Netflix’s Tudum, Brooker confirmed a new season would be going ahead, and he made a chilling promise that what comes next will be “more Black Mirror than ever.”

“Well, luckily it does have a future, so I can confirm that Black Mirror will return, just in time for reality to catch up with it. So, that’s exciting. That chunk of my brain has already been activated and is whirring away,” he teased.

While no release date has been confirmed yet, Black Mirror fans have been sent into a frenzy by the update and many are already counting down the days until they can consume new episodes.

One eager viewer penned: “Black Mirror is always such a wild ride. Can’t wait to see what’s next.” A second fan responding to the news added: “More Black Mirror than ever is a good sign, I feared they had lost their way a couple seasons ago.”

Meanwhile a third commented: “Charlie Brooker basically saying reality is catching up is savage because let’s be real, every new episode could be a mirror to the chaos we’re already living in. People are gonna binge it and instantly freak out thinking the show predicted their life again and it’s glorious.”

Brooker added that he was also working on another Netflix series that is as of yet untitled, but completely unrelated to the dark world Black Mirror explores.

“There’s definitely something I’m not saying about it at the moment just yet. I can’t even tell you what it’s called yet, but it’s very much not Black Mirror,” he revealed to Tudum.

“I can say that. It’s a very, very different thing. The most detective show of all time. It’s a deeply profound and profoundly serious crime thriller.”

Seasons 1 to 7 of Black Mirror are now streaming on Netflix. A release date for the upcoming season is yet to be announced. For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

The emotional one-off special last year saw Stephen Mulhern break down in tears.

ITV has commissioned three more Accidental Tourist specials which will see Stephen Mulhern joined by Ant and Dec in a bid to face more of his fears and phobias.

During an episode which aired late last year, the presenter travelled to South Korea and filmed emotional scenes as he reflected on the death of his dad.

Speaking about his late dad, Christopher, Stephen broke down in tears, saying: “As a family, we know what we like and that’s what we do, and we always have. I am scared, I find my phobias so frustrating, but it’s time to make change, and the change is now.”

The episode saw Stephen attempt to overcome his food phobias and fear of the sea, and continued after mentioning his late father: “If I was to tell my dad this, my dad passed away at the start of the year…sorry.” Struggling to get his words out, he whispered: “He wouldn’t believe it. I hope… he’d be proud.”

ITV has now confirmed Stephen will embark on an unknown journey and leave behind his creature comforts.

The broadcaster teased: “Travelling to South Korea opened Stephen’s eyes to a brand new culture, but there is still a long way to go.

“The trip proved such a success that Stephen made some much needed changes to his life back in the UK, but he’s slipping back into his old ways.

“Not wanting to undo the impressive progress he’d already made during his trip to South Korea, Stephen has decided he needs to spread his wings further and who better to help once again than his close pals Ant and Dec.

“With their support, further encouragement from his family and a little help from social media, Stephen will again find himself thrust into the unknown as he attempts to navigate unfamiliar territories in the hope to quell some of his life limiting phobias.”

Stephen shared: “The response to my trip to South Korea has been so overwhelming and the amount of people that related to the worries and fears I have has blown me away.

“I was so proud of what I achieved that I planned to book a trip to Japan on my return, but what did I do instead? I booked an all inclusive trip to the Algarve!

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“I don’t want to undo the good work I achieved so I’ve asked Ant and Dec to help me again. I need that little loving shove in the right direction, otherwise I fear I’ll slip back into my old ways.

“I’m still scared but this time I’m a little excited too, I know I can do this…. Or at least give it a good go!”

Ant said: “We are so proud of Stephen, we never thought he would accomplish what he did in South Korea – if we’re honest, we weren’t even sure he’d get on the plane! We loved seeing how much of a positive impact the trip had on his life, but we’ve noticed his old ways creeping back in… so when he said he was up for another trip, we were only too happy to oblige.

Dec added: “Unbeknown to Stephen, we have a long list of places we’d love him to experience that will hopefully help him get over more of his fears and phobias, which we know he’s keen to try and conquer. We can’t wait to see what he will accomplish during his next adventures!”

Sue Murphy, Director of Factual Entertainment and Kate Teckman, Head of Development and Commissioning Editor also said, “We are delighted to be building on the success of the Accidental Tourist with Ant and Dec and Stephen with this exciting new series. The audience has clearly enjoyed seeing them together in a new light in such a personal project, as have we.”

Accidental Tourist is available to watch on ITVX

Stranger Things fans got a hint about the finale in a cryptic social media post

Netflix’s gargantuan hit Stranger Things is on the home run now with only one episode left to drop. The epic sci-fi fantasy series is promising a cinematic-scale series finale, with a feature-length runtime to match the story. Many have been theorising about how the show will end, who will die and the real villains.

However, Stranger Things die-hards have now been sent into overdrive after the official Instagram account for the Netflix drama dropped a cryptic post ahead of the finale. The account shared an embroidered number from Henry Creel’s (played by Jamie Campbell Bower) Hawkins Lab uniform, which read: “1106” and captioned the post: “did you notice….henry creel’s badge number [sic].”

Many correctly pointed out that this was also 6th November when Will Byers (Noah Schnapp) first disappeared and is essentially Stranger Things day. One person posted under the comment: “It’s the day Will goes missing – November 6th !”, with the Stranger Things account responding with a looking eyes emoji. As a second fan simply said: “Lucas’ theory” and got a response from the official account: “idk about you but I don’t believe in coincidences [sic].”

READ MORE: Did Jonathan and Nancy break up in Stranger Things?READ MORE: Who is Meg in Stranger Things?

Lucas Sinclair (Caleb McLaughlin) predicted that everything had to happen on this date as it connected everything. A third person commented: “The day Henry was transported in the cave, the day of Joyce’s play in the 50s, the day Will Byers vanished, Stranger Things Day.” Their thoughts were echoed by another fan: “All. Connected. Will. Henry. The Play.”

Although this is a key date in Stranger Things and vital to the plot, there was another chilling connection that some might have missed after one Stranger Things fan noted: “1 + 1 + 0 + 6 = 008.” However, someone else said: “it is the date will is capture, it’s probably just a coincidence but kali / 008 has been acting really suspicious lately.”

Yet another fan made an astute observation: “wait but remember when Dustin says, I don’t know about u, but I don’t believe in coincidences. He says this in the episode of them in d&d club with Eddie and they r fighting vecna.. js saying. Maybe not a coincidence? [sic].” While another fan said: “Kali is def betraying el [sic].”

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There’s already been plenty of speculation that Kali Prasad (Linnea Berthelsen) is actually an evil character after she told Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown) that they needed to sacrifice themselves to break the evil cycle to stop creating more monsters. Eleven was hoping to flee with Mike Wheeler (Finn Wolfhard) from Hawkins and start over, but Kali warned her that they would be found and her powers exploited.

On Reddit, some fans speculated about Kali’s true motives as fan suggested she was the Mindflayer because she shares her name with the Hindu goddess of destruction and rebirth. Moreover, they drew another connection between Vecna, Kali and the Mindflayer: “Additionally, 008, or Eight, matches the motif of Spiders that fascinated Henry.”

However, another fan debunked this theory and said: “In Hindu culture, Kali is the goddess of destruction/ time and rebirth and she is famously depicted slaying monsters. Kali is motivated to put an end to all of this. She is going to kill the Mindflayer. Maybe because of the hive mind, all Mindflayer particle becomes kaput once you kill him. As a result El may live.”

The user went on to explain their theory: “This may cause a “Snape” moment with the audience, flipping her perception and making her bad***. I also think somebody will be left behind in the Abyss at the end of finale , and I think it will be Kali, to shape the Abyss.”

While someone else commented: “This is too complex for the Duffers to have planned. So it will definitely not happen. It’s too good.” A third person noted Kali’s neck tattoo: “It looks like two dice with a rolled one. Which would be called snake eyes. The duffer brothers said the word traitor summorizes the series, so I think Kali is the snake [sic].”

For now, it looks like the jury is out about whether Kali will be a force for good or evil at the end. However, there’s not much longer to wait for the Stranger Things finale to land and everything to be revealed once and for all, including which beloved characters will meet their maker.

Stranger Things season 5, volume 3 is released on Netflix UK & Ireland on New Year’s Day at 1am

Emmerdale has announced when Celia Daniels and Ray Walters will leave the village as their reign of terror on the Yorkshire village ends – with one more victim ‘revealed’

Emmerdale has confirmed when Celia Daniels and Ray Walters will leave the village as their reign of terror comes to an end. The mother and son duo have been causing heartbreak and havoc in the sleepy Yorkshire village.

The pair are running a modern slavery ring, and have got teenagers April and Dylan involved in drug dealing, leaving Marlon and Rhona terrified for their family’s life. As suspicions grow around Ray and Celia, it seems like they’re keen to make their exit.

Speaking previously, actress Jaye Griffiths shared Celia’s plan to leave the village. She said: “Celia doesn’t mark Christmas. And this year she is planning on them leaving the area. As it has all got too complicated, April’s family are an irritant to her and things are also getting complicated business wise as Moira is becoming troublesome by asking too many questions.

“But more alarmingly Ray has gone and fallen in love. So she’s extricating them to another area. It is clear that this is something they have done before – find another farm in another location and set up their enterprise again.”

In today’s episode of Emmerdale, Ray seemed to have convinced April to leave the village with them to move to a new area to continue their criminal work if they keep her family protected.

As Ray explained the plan to April, he said they had set a date on January 1st to head out of the village, leaving April shocked that it was so soon. He warned her to enjoy her last Christmas in the village.

Fans have known for a while that this storyline with Ray and Celia would be ending soon. Jaye explained: “I knew it was finite from the start, which I am very sad about. I would like to stay forever, but it’s such a strong arc.

“It’s heaven [working on Emmerdale], one of the nicest places I’ve ever worked, and I’ve done a little bit of work before! It is gentle and kind and professional and funny, and people care that it’s good. People care that we tell the story properly.”

Speaking about her villainous character, she added: “I love her. She doesn’t have many laughs, I’m hardly swinging from the rafters but no, it’s just so wonderful to explore someone who doesn’t mind whether you like or not, because your opinion is of less than no value.

“It simply doesn’t cross her mind that you have one or that I should take any note of it. So it makes her big and to never be afraid, to never feel fear, because the worst that could happen has already happened, and she survived. So bring it on. Just bring it on!”

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THE Pussycat Dolls have seemingly “confirmed” their reunion by signing with a new talent agent.

The news comes despite feuds and legal battles in the band, formed of Nicole Scherzinger,  Kimberly Wyatt, Ashley Roberts, Jessica Sutta, Carmit Bachar and Melody Thornton.

CAA music division head Rob Light  and Paul Franklin – a specialist in reunion tours – are now set to manage the band in a telling move.

While Nicole teased the reunion this week by talking about “what’s to come” for the band.

Sharing a clip from their hit song Buttons, Nicole wrote: “From then to now… seeing this video hit 1 billion views on YouTube fills my heart with so much gratitude.

“For the PCD fans. For the memories. For what’s to come.”

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Last month, The Sun revealed that the band were “in talks” for a reunion, with the idea spearheaded by Kimberly.

At the time, a source said: “Kimberly has been open about the fact the girls have sorted out their issues.

“She also told pals they’ve been discussing a tour.

“The Pussycat Dolls certainly had their differences over the years, but a comeback would send fans wild.”

The Dolls started off as a burlesque troupe but in 2003 Nicole , Melody and Kaya joined Carmit, Ashley , Jessica and Kimberly to form the group.

They split in 2010.

This is not the first time a reunion has been on the cards, with multiple members of the band reuniting in 2019 before planning a 2020 tour, which was halted due to Covid-19.

It was later cancelled due to the pandemic and legal issues.

Nicole had a bitter row with the band’s founder, Robin Antin, 60, who sued singer for “extortion”.

Robin claimed that Nicole was refusing to take part in the tour unless she received a larger share of the group’s joint firm.

She allegedly demanded her 49 per cent holding in the firm is increased to 75 per cent, giving her creative control of the group and “final decision-making authority”.

According to the lawsuit filed by Robin, Nicole said the “growth of her personal brand” and the “opportunities she would have to forego to engage in the partnership” was why she deserved an increased share.

However, in a fiery retaliation, former X Factor judge Nicole issued a statement through her lawyer, Howard King, in which she branded Robin’s claims as “ludicrous and false”.

Melody wasn’t involved in the last planned reunion after clashing with Nicole over singing the band’s lead vocals.

Loose Women host Kaye Adams bid farewell to another co-star on Friday

Another Loose Women exit has been confirmed as host Kaye Adams made a sad announcement on Friday (December 19).

Friday’s instalment of the beloved ITV programme was fronted by Kaye, alongside panellists Denise Welch, Katie Piper and Jane Moore, as they discussed the day’s biggest talking points.

As the show drew to a close, Kaye revealed that producer Helen Stuart would be leaving the programme today.

“We also have to say a very, very fond farewell to our lovely producer, Helen, who is going off to pastures new. So, you take with us your love, Helen,” Kaye announced.

Jane and Denise chimed in with their farewells, saying: “Good luck, Helen!” reports the Express.

The departure follows closely after fellow Loose Women producer Eleanor Cotter said goodbye to the show following an 11-year stint, amid a series of changes at ITV.

Kaye broke the news on Wednesday (December 17), stating: “I might have a little cry today because our cherished producer Elle, it’s her last day after 11 years. So, we’re going to say we love you, Elle,” whilst Nadia Sawalha expressed: “We’re so sad.”

Later during the broadcast, Kaye acknowledged other departing crew members, including floor manager Katie Keates.

“I mentioned our lovely Elle, our producer, just before the break there and it’s a few last days today in the studio, of course, because we’re moving studios,” the presenter explained.

“Katie, our lovely floor manager, who’s looked after us. We’ve known her since she was a girl. And lots of our crew actually as well, so thank you very much to all of you. They’re an amazing bunch of people, they really are.”

This follows ITV’s announcement earlier this year of significant changes to its daytime line-up, affecting Loose Women, Lorraine, This Morning, and Good Morning Britain.

From January 2026, these programmes will move to a new central London location and operate under a restructured broadcasting timetable. The shake-up will see Loose Women revert to its previous 12.30pm to 1.30pm slot on a 30-week “seasonal basis”.

The programme will also be scrapping its live studio audience, meaning comedian Lee Peart will step down from his role as warm-up act – a position he’s occupied since 2017.

Before his exit, Lee made an on-screen appearance during today’s Loose Women, presenting the competition segment, which is typically fronted by Jeff Brazier.

Loose Women airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 12.30pm

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