documentaries

The Saving Private Ryan star will present the series with more than 20 episodes exploring the origins and turning points of the Second World War

A landmark documentary series spanning over 20 episodes is preparing for worldwide launch, with the factual programme, entitled World War II with Tom Hanks, to be both hosted and narrated by the acclaimed Hollywood star. The sweeping series will feature the Saving Private Ryan actor “present a sweeping and definitive retelling of the Second World War, drawing on rarely seen archival material, powerful, evocative storytelling, and insights from leading historians”.

Broadcasting on Sky History and The History Channel, each instalment will delve into the conflict’s origins alongside its pivotal moments. Audiences can expect deeply moving personal accounts woven throughout the narrative.

Hearst Networks, spearheading the ambitious project, promised “the series offers a panoramic and emotionally resonant perspective on the war that reshaped the modern world“. The American actor and filmmaker revealed his intimate ties to the conflict, admitting: “During my formative years, every single adult in my life would make references to two words: The War.

“The lasting effects of the Second World War on the world and my own family was not lost on me. I am thrilled to partner with The History Channel to produce this all-encompassing series with a long-form format that will give us the ability to tell this important piece of history in its entirety.”

Hanks is serving as executive producer alongside Gary Goetzman for Playtone. An official air date will be announced in the coming months.

Heather Jones of Hearst Networks commented: “World War II with Tom Hanks is a landmark series with deep relevance across all our markets. It’s a privilege to bring such a powerful and resonant project to audiences throughout EMEA simultaneously.

“Our ambition is to deliver premium, globally relevant storytelling at scale, and to remind viewers of all ages of the importance of understanding, and reflecting on, the events and impact of this pivotal moment in history.”

Hanks has featured in numerous productions portraying wartime scenarios, including the 2020 film Greyhound. He took on the role of Commander Ernie Krause, a US Navy officer on his maiden voyage commanding a multinational escort destroyer group, protecting an Allied convoy against U-boats during the Battle of the Atlantic.

In April 2025, news emerged that a follow-up to Greyhound was being developed, with Hanks, who penned the screenplay, returning as Captain Krause. The continuation will track Krause and the Greyhound crew “from the beaches of Normandy to the ocean in the Pacific as they help turn the tide of the war”.

His 1998 epic war drama, Saving Private Ryan, takes place in 1944 in Normandy during World War II and chronicles a group of soldiers tasked with finding Private James Francis Ryan (portrayed by Matt Damon ) and ensuring his safe return home following the deaths of his three brothers in combat. Hanks portrayed Captain John Miller in the film, drawing inspiration from Stephen E. Ambrose’s books and numerous soldiers’ accounts. The film is widely hailed as one of the finest war films ever produced.

Hanks also took centre stage in Steven Spielberg’s historical drama Bridge of Spies, set amidst the Cold War. It narrates the tale of lawyer James B.

Donovan, tasked with negotiating the release of Francis Gary Powers, a convicted Central Intelligence Agency pilot.

The Hollywood luminary played the lead role in the film, which bagged six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay.

World War II with Tom Hanks will be broadcast on Sky History in the UK and The History Channel elsewhere.

**For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website**

Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell and YouTuber Joe Sugg have shared an emotional farewell with fans before welcoming their first child together

Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell and YouTube star Joe Sugg have shared an emotional update with fans as they prepare to welcome their first child together.

Posting on YouTube, the pair revealed that their latest Vlogmas series will be their last as a duo, with Joe telling viewers that next Christmas will look very different for them as a family of three.

Closing the final instalment of the vlog, Joe became reflective as he thanked fans for their continued support. “That, is it. The end of the vlog and the end of Vlogmas,” he said. “This is two or three years in a row now, I can’t remember, but I just want to say thank you very much to everybody that has watched these vlogs, followed them along, followed the build-up to Christmas Day.”

He went on to describe how meaningful the tradition has been for him, adding: “Thank you very much, it’s been fun. It’s always an absolute joy to do. I love it. Being able to watch back on memories, especially around such a lovely time of year. So, thank you for having interest in it and being a part of your day.”

Joe then hinted at the major life change ahead, telling viewers he expected the year to come to bring something new. “I will see you all in the new year in 2026, which I am predicting is going to be quite a different year to our normal years,” he said, before delivering the heartfelt update. “This is the end of the last Vlogmas that we’ll ever do as a two. This time next year there will be three of us.”

The couple announced their pregnancy in September, sharing a video on Instagram that showed them painting together on a canvas. After several brushstrokes, they revealed a simple illustration of two stick figures holding hands with a smaller figure between them, alongside the date “2026”.

Soundtracked by Sir Elton John’s Tiny Dancer , the post was captioned: “Our little baby boy. We cannot wait to meet you.”

The announcement prompted an outpouring of congratulations from across the Strictly Come Dancing family. Judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse, as well as professional dancer Johannes Radebe, were among those sending their well wishes. Fellow dancer Amy Dowden wrote: “Still screaming, dancing and celebrating! So so happy for you both! Magical. Auntie Ames can’t wait.”

Documentary-maker Stacey Dooley, who found love on the show with Kevin Clifton and now shares a daughter called Minnie with him, responded enthusiastically, writing: “YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES.”

Buswell and Sugg first met when they were paired on the 16th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, later confirming their relationship off the dancefloor. Buswell recently competed in the latest series of the show, having won the glitterball trophy last year alongside comedian Chris McCausland, the programme’s first blind winner.

Fans were quick to share support for the couple on YouTube. One user wrote: “Congratulations Joe on completing Vlogmas. I have really enjoyed watching you and Dianne preparing your little boy’s room and sharing your own memories of childhood.”

Another wrote: “Thank you Joe, I really enjoyed all of Vlogmas with you, Dianne, baby bump and your families. Best wishes for Christmas and the new year. I’ll be looking forward to watching more in 2026.”

Netflix is currently streaming a ‘bittersweet’ documentary tracking the tumultuous life of a beloved musician

Netflix viewers have been encouraged to watch a ‘bittersweet’ documentary that tells ‘one of the saddest stories ever’.

Avicii: I’m Tim chronicles the life of late DJ Avicii, real name Tim Bergling, charting his meteoric rise to stardom before his heart-breaking death by suicide in 2018.

Avicii narrates the film from his perspective and offers insight into his life away from the stage. The documentary also features previously unseen material from the Swedish artist’s life and conversations with his collaborators, including Coldplay’s Chris Martin.

The Stockholm-born sensation ruled the EDM world during the 2010s with number-one anthems like Wake Me Up and Levels. However, he battled health and substance abuse issues away from the spotlight, reports the Daily Record.

Audiences were moved by the film at the time of its release, with many urging others to tune in. On X, formerly Twitter, one excited supporter declared: “AVICII’S LAST SHOW AND HIS DOCUMENTARY ARE ON NETFLIX RUUUUUUN.”

Someone else commented: “I have just finished watching ‘I’m Tim’ the new Avicii documentary on Netflix. It was very nicely put together and helps show the true genius and character of Tim Bergling. I recommend checking it out” whilst a third shared: “Avicii doc on Netflix… A must-watch.”

Another viewer lauded the film, saying: “This Avicii I’m Tim documentary that was just released on Netflix was absolutely incredible.”

Some reflected on the DJ’s personal battles, with one X user stating: “Avicii’s documentary on Netflix is one of the saddest stories I have ever watched.”

Music fans also took to Reddit to commend the documentary, with one admitting: “I really enjoyed the ‘I’m Tim’ documentary. Very well done.

“And to watch the last show after that was…bittersweet. Sad that Tim just wanted to make music and the success of his music became too much for him.”

The film quickly climbed Netflix’s charts when it premiered in December 2024, and it was released alongside a concert special of his final performance in Ibiza, titled Avicii: My Last Show.

The gig took place on 28 August 2016, at the renowned party hotspot, Ushuaïa Hotel. Despite 2016 marking his final live performance, Avicii continued to produce music for another two years before tragically ending his own life in April 2018.

Avicii – I’m Tim and Avicii: My Last Show are streaming now on Netflix. For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie.

The singer described one moment that it all went wrong during a show

The singer Taylor Swift has recalled suffering a horrific injury during her ambitious Eras Tour that left her skin ‘flapping off’.

Her admission came during the latest episode of her new doc-series releasing on Disney Plus. The End of an Era is a 6-episode documentary series chronicling the creation, influence, and behind-the-scenes workings of the mega-popular artist’s The Eras Tour.

It offers an intimate glimpse into Taylor’s world as her tour dominated headlines and delighted supporters globally. Two episodes have been releasing weekly starting with last week’s double premiere.

Fans have already been treated to plenty of behind the scenes secrets, including emotional moments. They include the singer rewarding her team with bonus payments for their efforts. Also the pop star broke her silence regarding the tragic Southport attacks for the first time.

Unsurprisingly, the series has proven to be a huge hit with fans. Taylor has even given them an early Christmas gift as it was recently revealed that the two final episodes will now release earlier than originally planned, on December 23.

The latest episodes demonstrated the physical effort needed for Taylor and her team to pull off the Eras show. She is seen rehearsing extensively with plenty of time also spent working out in a personal gym so she can perform all the dances and moves to the best of her ability.

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However, even with all this preparation, sometimes things don’t go quite as planned. Taylor reveals that she suffered a horrendous injury during a show in Texas back in April 2023.

During the show, she tripped and cut her hand open during a costume change. Explaining the incident, she says: “I remember I was running from the Evermore era, and I tripped over the hem of my dress. Bust my knee. I skid the palm of my hand off. Hobble into the quick-change room, blood’s coming down my hand.”

Somehow, she still managed to make her change, which is often timed to take as much as 39 seconds, and into the next item which happens to be her Reputation body suit. But she adds that a piece of her skin was “flapping off.”

She added: “I just pull it off. More blood. They don’t have a Band-Aid back there.” Recreating her movements, she proudly concludes: “Wasn’t late. Wasn’t late for the intro of that song.”

While the incident or injury was not publicly mentioned, it didn’t take long for Swifties to noticed. Taylor adds: “”The fans noticed it a couple of days later, they’re like, ‘Oh, her palm’s gone.’ I was like, ‘I am not acknowledging this. What? Nothing’s wrong, it’s always been like that.'”

Taylor Swift: The End of An Era is streaming on Disney Plus.

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.