documentaries

Celebrities and the world’s toddlers adore the long-running Aussie children’s TV entertainers, but now in it’s third reincarnation, the punishing schedule has taken its toll on the kiddie supergroup

Robert De Niro, Dolly Parton and Jessie J are fans, they’re worth millions and play sell-out concerts around the world. The Wiggles – aka The Beatles for toddlers – are a preschooler’s entertainment juggernaut that has taken over the world.

They’ve got a new country album out, Wiggle Up Giddy Up, featuring two songs with the rhinestone queen herself, Dolly Parton. And tickets to their current world tour are hotter than an Oasis reunion gig.

They have previously sold out Madison Square Garden in New York for 12 days in a row and, ahead of this week’s show in the US, Hollywood legend De Niro, 81, was granted a backstage pass with his two-year-old daughter, Gia, to meet her idol – founder member, Anthony Field (Blue Wiggle).

Like most people over the age of five, De Niro didn’t have a clue about this global phenomenon until he had Gia with professional martial artist girlfriend Tiffany Chen, 45.

The Wiggles sang their classic banger Rock-A-Bye Your Bear for the veteran actor’s family, which drew a rare smile. And De Niro admitted: “I didn’t know of them until I started seeing them and my daughter loves to watch them… but they’re great!”

With the advent of YouTube and the arrival of their shows on Netflix, a new British audience is embracing The Wiggles.

When they came to the UK recently, Jessie J met them with her son Sky and was treated to some of the Tree of Wisdom’s viral TikTok dance moves.

They’re also part of a wave of Australian children’s TV, like Bluey, that is captivating British kids, giving them Aussie accents and pushing CBeebies off the map.

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Borkowski PR’s Gregor Cubie expects his 19-month-old to join the fan club soon, and wonders if ‘Aussie-ness’ is the magic ingredient wooing international audiences.

“In the same way that Bluey is almost universally popular and accessible, The Wiggles’ sheer Aussie-ness might work in their favour when it comes to their reputation,” he says.

But, scratch the surface, according to Gregor, and you’ll find a long-running supergroup, dogged by controversy, ill health and accusations of “going woke”.

One of Australia’s most successful exports, The Wiggles take it in turns with pop sensation Kylie Minogue and Hollywood actor Russell Crowe to top the Aussie rich list.

Majority owner Anthony is estimated to be worth £25m, on top of the £10 million a year the band rakes in from tours, TV shows, new releases, merchandise and sponsorships.

They have their own TV series Ready, Steady, Wiggle, have produced 62 studio albums, sold 40 million books, CDs and DVDS, and attracted more than 5 billion views on YouTube and 3 billion streams across various music services.

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They’ve been making ear-worm sing-a-long pop since 1991, when kindergarten teaching students Anthony and Jeff Fatt, who were members of the R&B pop band the Cockroaches, and got together with two fellow students – Murray Cook and Greg Page – in Sydney, to make an album of simple, catchy songs for pre-schoolers

After Anthony’s infant niece tragically died from sudden infant death syndrome, the Cockroaches disbanded.

One of the songs Anthony wrote, Get Ready to Wiggle, inspired the new band’s name because they thought “wiggling” describes how children dance.

“We met at university doing a course in early childhood – this connection with music and teaching is what became The Wiggles,” explains Anthony.

While The Wiggles has evolved since those early days, the four original members hold a special place in people’s hearts – Anthony and Jeff Fatt (Purple Wiggle), Murray Cook (Red Wiggle) and Greg Page (Yellow Wiggle). And their hits like Hot Potato and Fruit Salad, were toddler dance floor fillers for the next two decades.

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While members have changed, the primary colours of red, yellow, blue and purple that they wear is no doubt the secret of the Wiggles’ success with the ankle biters.

In Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles 2023 documentary, Anthony says: “It doesn’t matter who wears the skivvies, as long as we reflect our audience and communicate with children.”

Like any band, they had to break America to go truly global – and when the Disney Channel played them four times a day to their 85 million subscribers, their success was meteoric. All of a sudden, they were playing 10,000 seater arenas.

PR, Gregor puts their success down to a “combination of their prolific output with its ceaseless ability to hypnotise toddlers”.

He adds: “Also, a less extreme version of the Royal Family’s ‘never complain, never explain’ approach. Instead of saying nothing, they say the bare minimum and carry on as if nothing happened.

“You rarely see naval-gazing and the consistency and popularity of their work keeps generations of kids coming back for more.”

While there aren’t many skeletons to rattle in The Wiggle cupboards, behind their happy faces and signature finger point, members have been dogged by setbacks.

Controversies include the Hot Potato incident two years ago, when a council in Western Australia played their famous song on loop to deter anti-social behaviour at a homeless shelter.

The Wiggles complained, saying their music should only be used to “spread joy and happiness” but the damage was done.

But the fact De Niro was happy to be pictured with The Wiggles is a massive endorsement.

“Robert De Niro seems increasingly like the kind of guy who considers how his every public appearance and utterance might affect his legacy, so it’s a pretty major stamp of approval that he’s happy to be publicly associated with the Wiggles. Fundamentally they are free of reputation risk,” says Gregor.

“The irony is that the Wiggles have had a few controversies which are fairly stereotypical of long-running bands – walkouts, inter-band marriages and divorces; allegations that a song is racially insensitive, accusations of going ‘woke.’ They’ve been ruthlessly parodied on 30 Rock and, of course, the Hot Potato incident was unpleasant.”

For members of The Wiggles, the squeaky clean expectations can be tricky.

“During my time in The Wiggles, I was out at a gig one night and I was having a drink, and the next day a newspaper reported: ‘The Wiggles member caught having a beer’, and that was a shock. I am an adult!” says Murray.

And doing 400 to 500 shows a year – cramming up to three gigs into a single day – took its toll on the original members, with Jeff, Murray and Greg retiring for health reasons in 2012.

A mystery illness forced Greg to leave in 2006. He was replaced by Sam Morans, but came back in 2012. Then he suffered a heart attack on stage during a 2020 reunion show. That same year, Murray had open heart surgery.

Revealing his own struggles, Anthony released a memoir Out Of The Blue last year, detailing the years of mental and physical health problems he’s suffered, including depression, undiagnosed ADHD and chronic pain.

Yet Field created a second generation of Wiggles with Simon Pryce (Red Wiggle), Lachlan Gillespie (Purple Wiggle) and the first female, Emma Watkins (Yellow Wiggle).

“We might be responsible for their first experience of music,” says Emma, speaking about their responsibility to their tiny fans

Sadly, trouble soon upended their paradise, as shortly after Yellow Wiggle Emma married Purple Wiggle Lachie, they divorced and she left the group not long after.

Another shake-up in 2021 saw 15-year-old Tsehay Hawkins becoming Yellow Wiggle.

Now 62, Anthony is the only remaining original Wiggle, in a group of eight performers – Tsehay, Lachlan, and Simon, as well as Caterina Mete, Lucia Field, Simon Pryce, Evie Ferris, John Pearce – who are as gender-diverse and racially-diverse as their millions of fans.

Costumed characters, played by the more junior Wiggles, include Dorothy the Dinosaur, Henry the Octopus, Wags the Dog, and Captain Feathersword.

While some of the newer members say their estimated £72,000 earnings are a fraction of the big bucks of the original members, they have given the group a bigger presence on social media, where the Tree of Wisdom (played by Anthony’s nephew, Dominic Field) regularly goes viral on TikTok, with his exuberant dance moves.

And, in recent years, they’ve been noticing something new – a generational crossover, as kids grow up, but remain fans.

Dorothy the Dinosaur is also now a DJ, who remixes the original Wiggles classics for the older audience. And they’ve been getting down with the cool kids – covering songs by Fatboy Slim, White Stripes and Tame Impala’s Elephant.

“We’re bringing back happy memories,” says Anthony. “And it’s a real privilege to do that.”

Altogether now, kids, wiggle, wiggle, wiggle!

Classic kids TV groups down the years:

The Monkees, 1960s – Four cute surfer boys Davy Jones, Mickey Donlenz, Peter Tork and Michael Nesmith running around in zany plots to brilliant pop tracks, in a sitcom that captured the spirit of the era.

The Banana Splits, 1970s – Four costumed animal characters who’d perform songs and comedy skits in a psychedelic world, was just as weird and fun as it sounds. The makers had clearly been on the wacky baccy.

Rainbow, 1980s – Presenter Geoffrey and his camp puppets Zippy, George and Bungle and hippy singers Rod, Jane and Freddy took us “Up above the streets and houses, Rainbow climbing high” every week. I still miss them.

Teletubbies, 1990s – Some called it the most disturbing children’s show on TV – but even now millions of babies are glued to repeats of these four tubby aliens, Tinky-Winky, Dipsy, Laa-laa, and Po, with coat hangers on their heads living on a mini golf course.

Zingzillas, 2000s – Puppet monkey band Zak, Tang, Panzee and Drum lived on a tropical island and made real music together and introduced tots to rock, soul, jazz and samba styles – along with some dodgy titles like Do You Didgeridoo?

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Netflix has added a new true crime series to its collection that has been described as ‘essential viewing’ and ‘a shocking documentary that everyone’s got to see’

Netflix has released a gripping new true crime documentary, hailed as ‘essential viewing’ and available for a limited time only. The platform, renowned for its compelling documentaries, is kicking off the month with fresh additions to its library, including a series that’s bound to have viewers glued to their screens.

The four-part series, Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers, revisits the harrowing terror attacks on London’s transport system two decades ago, featuring first-hand accounts and previously unseen footage. It delves into the tragic events of July 7, 2005, when four suicide bombers launched an attack on the capital’s transport network, resulting in the deaths of 52 people and injuries to more than 770 others.

The British Transport Police (BTP) revealed at the time that three explosions occurred on the London Underground around 8.50am near Aldgate, Edgware Road, and Russell Square stations.

A fourth bomb detonated at 9.47am aboard a bus rerouted through Tavistock Square, close to the BTP’s headquarters at the time.

Luke Eccleston, a movie and TV content creator, took to TikTok to recommend Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers to his followers.

He urged: “Stop whatever you’re doing because Netflix have just dropped a brand new four-part limited series, and trust me when I say that this is an essential viewing. It’s a shocking documentary that everyone’s got to see.”

Luke shared insights into the intense Netflix documentary, detailing the harrowing terror attacks and subsequent investigation, featuring interviews with survivors and the prime minister at the time, Tony Blair.

The TV fan praised the streaming giant’s work, saying: “Now, Netflix have done such a good job with this documentary, as it’s such a great and serious documentary where it [doesn’t just] delve into the actual original attacks, but [an incident] two weeks later [when] an innocent man was shot.

“It’s genuinely heartbreaking to see what happened and how it genuinely shocked London so please make sure you get this on your watch list.”

The tragic case of Jean Charles de Menezes – the 27-year-old misidentified as a terrorist involved in a failed attack later that month and fatally shot by police at Stockwell Underground station – is also covered in the documentary.

The perpetrators of the 7/7 bombings were eventually identified as Mohammad Sidique Khan, Shehzad Tanweer, Hasib Hussain, and Germaine Lindsay.

Luke’s TikTok followers echoed his recommendation, with comments pouring in about the documentary.

One viewer commented: “Great doc, binged it all already.” Another recommended it as a “must watch Netflix series.”

A third shared: “Watched the first two parts and great watch so far. Awful seeing what happened.”

Following the success of Louis Theroux’s series called Boybands Forever, the journalist is planning a girl group version, but one iconic group has reportedly shunned his approach

Louis Theroux is used to interviewing the best in the business. However, one band has reportedly shunned his advances to tell their story.

The popular journalist is creating a new bombshell BBC documentary on girlbands following on from last year’s successful production of Boybands Forever. It’s thought Louis had seen the iconic band as being instrumental in any production.

However, a TV insider has claimed that the quintet – made up of Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton, Melanie C, Melanie Brown MBE and Geri Horner – aren’t prepared to bare all just yet.

While last year’s boyband version saw Robbie Williams open up on his turbulent time in Take That, the source says the Girl Power group aren’t looking to follow suit.

Talking to the Sun, a source said: “The difference is that the Spice Girls are fast approaching 30 years since the release of their debut single Wannabe and have a string of projects in the pipeline.

“Many of the issues that Robbie brought up on Boybands Forever were wholly justifiable, and most viewers sympathised with his situation when he was in Take That.

“But none of the Spice Girls want to do the same, and they feel it wouldn’t be fair on their loyal fans to spoil the magic of Girl Power so close to their anniversary year. They want 2026 to be a moment when they celebrate the group’s achievements.”

While the Spice Girls are reportedly steering clear of the offering, other groups from the era are expected to feature. With it thought chats will be conducted face to face, members of groups such as Eternal, Atomic Kitten, Girls Aloud, Sugababes and All Saints are rumoured to be taking part.

Boybands Forever, which was released at the back end of last year, was a series that focused on boybands of the 90s and early 2000s. Among those who featured, as well as Robbie Williams, was Simon Cowell.

Prior to its release, Louis said of the series: “It involves some of the icons of modern British pop – and we see them through their highs and lows.” He added: “It’s how they came together, the experience of sudden fame, the opportunity and temptations that came their way, conflicts within the groups, between the groups, and between the boys and their managers.

“It’s a gripping fable about getting everything you dreamed of, and it not being what you imagined, centred on a generation of young men, and their managers, who were wildly successful and also immensely vulnerable, having the times of their lives and also in some cases cracking up.”

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It’s been claimed that staff at the BBC are in an ‘open revolt’ after the broadcaster scrapped a documentary about Gaza which will now be shown on Channel 4

Staff at the BBC are said to be in an “open revolt” after the broadcaster decided to scrap a documentary about Gaza, according to MailOnline. On Saturday, it was revealed that Channel 4 will now air the said documentary instead, which was earlier commissioned by the BBC.

Gaza: Doctors Under Attack was created by two Emmy award-winning filmmakers and commissioned by the BBC over the year ago. However, it’s been claimed that the corporation had put a pause on production in April after an investigation was launched into another documentary, titled Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone.

Following this, Channel 4 will now be broadcasting Gaza: Doctors Under Attack on Wednesday, July 2, at 10pm. But the BBC’s decision is said to have left a bad taste in their staff’s mouths and they are reportedly in uproar over the broadcaster not showing the documentary on their channels.

The aforementioned publication has claimed that more than 300 people have reportedly signed an open letter to director-general Tim Davie to raise concern about censorship at the BBC as it pertains to reporting about Israel.

An insider told MailOnline: “The people at commissioner level who are experienced journalists and take these decisions on an almost daily basis are being overruled by people who are pretending to be journalists.

“There’s open revolt [at the BBC]. [Bosses] approved the film multiple times and then delayed it at least five times but confirmed in emails that it would go out and that the delays were not due to the Johnstone report into Gaza: How to survive in a war zone.

“They said this [new documentary] was a vital film that exemplified ”public interest journalism’. After these multiple delays over six weeks they then apologised and said, ”Sorry, it is because of the Johnstone report”.’

Gaza: Doctors Under Attack is a one-off episode, produced by Basement Films, that examines allegations against Israel that the nation have repeatedly targeted hospitals which is a breach of international law. The documentary was made by journalist Ramita Navai, director Karim Shah and former Channel 4 News Editor Ben De Pear.

The source went on to tell MailOnline that they had to “handle the duty of care” for doctors and medics who couldn’t understand why their interviews wouldn’t be going out on the BBC.

“The film has been fact-checked and complied by Channel 4 to ensure it meets the broadcaster’s editorial standards and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.

It was greenlit by Channel 4 Head of News and Current Affairs and Specialist Factual and Sport, Louisa Compton. She said: “This is a meticulously reported and important film examining evidence which supports allegations of grave breaches of international law by Israeli forces that deserves to be widely seen and exemplifies Channel 4’s commitment to brave and fearless journalism.”

Basement Films has added: “This is the third film we have made about the assault on Gaza since October 7th at Basement Films, and whilst none of them have been easy this became by far the most difficult. As ever we owe everything to our Palestinian colleagues on the ground; over 200 of whom have been killed by Israel, and the doctors and medics who trusted us with their stories.

“We want to apologise to the contributors and team for the long delay, and thank Channel 4 for enabling it to be seen.” Mirror have contacted both the BBC and Channel 4 for comment.

A BBC spokesperson told the Mirror: “Robust discussions amongst our editorial teams about our journalism are an essential part of the editorial process. We have ongoing discussions about coverage and listen to feedback from staff and we think these conversations are best had internally.

“Regarding our coverage of Gaza, the BBC is fully committed to covering the conflict impartially and has produced powerful coverage from the region. Alongside breaking news, ongoing analysis, and investigations, we have produced award winning documentaries such as Life and Death in Gaza, and Gaza 101.”

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Disney Plus new shows and series have been revealed for summer 2025, including new Marvel series Ironheart, The Bear season 4, Washington Black and Ocean with David Attenborough

With UK temperatures reaching huge heights some of us wanting to hide away in doors, Disney Plus has all you need.

With a new summer line-up of shows including new seasons of some fan favourites, new Disney shows and some new additions from elsewhere, there’s something for everyone. We have a new Marvel show, season four of a hit favourite and some nature too, as well as some thrillers, animation and intriguing new entrainment.

Of course not everyone wants to stay indoors with summer finally here, so there’s always the option of watching some classics or the new and latest additions to Disney Plus on the go. For those who are hiding out from the heat, there’s plenty to stream on the big screen.

Arriving in August, there’s FX’s Alien: Earth which sees a space research vessel crash-land on Earth. It leads to a group of tactical soldiers making a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat.

It’s the year 2120, and humans are living beside cyborgs and synthetics – but a new technological advancement changes everything as hybrids are created, marking a new dawn in the race for immortality. As the series goes on, the hybrids encounter mysterious life forms more terrifying than anyone could have ever imagined.

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Viewers can see this series on August 13. Also coming soon is the third part of Abbot Elementary season four. The workplace comedy following a group of dedicated, passionate teachers in a public school in Philadelphia, and a slightly tone-deaf principal, continues with seven new episodes on July 2.

As ever there’s drama and comedy and plenty to keep you watching. On July 1, fans of the hit show The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives will get to watch the reunion special. After a shocking end to the second series, secrets and scandals will apparently come to the forefront of the special episode when it drops next week.

With new footage that has yet to air, a surprise announcement and the usual drama, there’s plenty of twists and turns ahead no doubt, hosted by Nick Viall and starring some of the show favourites. Also coming very soon, July 23, is limited new series Washington Black.

Based on the bestselling novel with the same name, the series, according to Disney Plus’ synopsis, “follows the 19th-century odyssey of George Washington ‘Wash’ Black, an eleven-year-old boy born on a Barbados sugar plantation, whose prodigious scientific mind sets him on a path of unexpected destiny.”

The youngster is thrust into a globe-spanning adventure that “challenges and reshapes his understanding of family, freedom and love” after a harrowing incident at the start of the series. The synopsis continues: “As he navigates uncharted lands and impossible odds, Wash finds the courage to imagine a future beyond the confines of the society he was born into.”

Its cast includes Sterling K. Brown, Ernest Kingsley Jr., Eddie Karanja, Tom Ellis and Sharon Duncan-Brewster. Also coming soon is National Geographic series JAWS @ 50, arriving on July 11. A documentary celebrating the hit film 50 years after it launched in Hollywood, featuring director Steven Spielberg.

The inside story will “chart the extraordinary journey from Peter Benchley’s bestselling novel to one of the most iconic films ever made”. There’s behind-the-scenes footage, rare archival footage and interviews, as well as comment from top shark scientists.

This is certainly one for Jaws fans, or anyone interested in film… or even sharks. Chris Hemsworth’s Limitless series is returning with another instalment soon too, with a date not yet revealed.

Titled Limitless: Live Better Now, the series will “will delve into a series of physical and mental obstacles that people across the world face daily”. Chris will apparently be pushed to “explore and grow” like never before, travelling to the ends of the Earth to check out some of the world’s best-kept secrets to a better life, while checking out the latest science too.

The final upcoming series, arriving on 11 July, is ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires. The fourth instalment of the movie series sees Zed and Addison take an unexpected detour on a road trip, landing them amid a monster rivalry.

This time tensions will flare as it’s Daywalkers vs Vampires, with the characters having to do what they can to convince sworn enemies to unite to take down an even bigger threat. There’s plenty of summer content already up on the streaming platform too, including Spanish original series I, Addict, National Geographic series Underdogs and David Attenborough’s latest series, Ocean.

If that isn’t enough, Disney’s live action remake of Snow White is ready to stream, as well as new action and science fiction series Predator: Killer of Killers, while Marvel’s latest show Ironheart is ready to watch too. In this series, set after the events of the movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, a young, genius inventor named Riri Williams is ready to make her mark on the world, only to get caught up with the mysterious yet charming Parker Robbins, known as ‘The Hood’.

There’s also a new season of hit animation Phineas & Ferb, which sees the crew tackle another 104 days of summer and are set for exciting new adventures featuring some unforgettable milestones. The synopsis read: “The boys will break several world records, Candace will take her driver’s license test, and Perry will finally make a trip to the vet!”

Finally, fans waiting for the latest season of hit series The Bear are in luck too as this is now on the platform. As it kicks off, the characters are “pushing forward, determined not only to survive, but also to take The Bear to the next level.” The synopsis reads: “With new challenges around every corner, the team must adapt, adjust and overcome. This season, the pursuit of excellence isn’t just about getting better – it’s about deciding what’s worth holding on to.”

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The Mirror’s TV writer Jake Hackney joined DAZN to watch the FIFA Club World Cup for free, but the streaming platform’s other features left him impressed

The FIFA Club World Cup kicked off earlier this month, so the Mirror’s TV writer Jake Hackney set up a free DAZN account to see what all the hype is about. Like many Brits, Jake always linked DAZN with boxing, but as that’s never been his sport, he was yet to truly delve into the platform.

DAZN is now the sole global broadcaster of all 63 matches in the Club World Cup and is showing every game for free. FIFA has really pulled out all the stops with the competition, giving it a makeover with a new format featuring 32 of the world’s top clubs.

Manchester City and Chelsea are flying the flag for the Premier League, along with the likes of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Miami and Boca Juniors. The tournament runs until the final on July 13, and football fans can sign up for a free DAZN account to watch every match.

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As Jake previously told the Mirror, he found it odd not watching football on the BBC or Sky Sports, but given the quality of content and amount of extras available on DAZN, he believes the streaming platform will become more associated with football in the future. Jake opted for the free account, but there’s also the option to upgrade to DAZN’s Premium plan from £9.99.

This includes every Club World Cup match in HDR picture quality and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound, plus highlights, replays, fewer adverts and full access to the rest of the DAZN platform. But even with a free account, there’s plenty of football content to keep fans entertained in the gap between the Premier League and EFL seasons.

Watch the Club World Cup free on DAZN

The streaming service is showing all of the FIFA Club World Cup games.

What struck Jake was the sheer volume of content available beyond the live matches, with a plethora of features, shows and compilations readily accessible on the Club World Cup homepage. Interviews with big names such as Harry Kane and Pep Guardiola are featured, along with DAZN’s ‘Icons’ series, which offers an in-depth look at each team and the 12 USA host cities.

Since signing up to DAZN, Jake has found himself engrossed in the amount of documentaries focusing on football greats like Cristiano Ronaldo, Maradona and Brazilian Ronaldo. There’s a treasure trove of vintage footage showcasing all the goals scored by specific teams at previous FIFA World Cups, featuring legends like Alessandro Del Piero, Raúl and Didier Drogba.

In short, there’s a feast of content to delve into on DAZN. It’s also straightforward to keep up with the latest competition, with every forthcoming fixture displayed on the Club World Cup homepage complete with dates and kick-off times, as well as the option to view the group brackets and tables, making it simple to stay updated with the current standings.

One can track their favourite teams in the competition to receive a push notification before their games, with Jake following Chelsea and Man City. DAZN sends him reminders about each of their fixtures, though with some kicking off in the early hours, he’ll opt to watch the DAZN highlights instead.

For those who aren’t keen on adding another subscription to their list, DAZN has sublicensed a selection of matches to Channel 5, meaning 23 games will be shown on both DAZN and Channel 5. This could be a good alternative for football fans who aren’t as tech-savvy or don’t mind missing out on some games.

Of course, there’s always the traditional Sky Sports package that costs £35 per month on a 24-month contract, in addition to essential Sky TV. This includes nine dedicated channels, covering the Premier League, Football, Cricket, Golf, F1, Boxing, NFL, NBA, Netball and much more, although the length of the contract might be a drawback for some.

DAZN boasts an impressive lineup of pundits for its Club World Cup coverage, including none other than Brazilian legend Ronaldo. Other big names include John Obi Mikel and Sami Khedira, with Conor McNamara, Andros Townsend, Brad Friedel, Rob Green among the commentators, offering a refreshing change from the usual voices on Sky or TNT Sports.

Jake has been using DAZN on both his Samsung smart TV and iPhone 13 and it’s performed largely well. There have been moments where it’s been slightly slow to respond and there’s been a bit of lag, but once a live game or documentary has loaded up, he has encountered no major problems.

Zara McDermott has made a BBC series about stalking but was shocked by her experiences

Laura’s ex broke into her car and followed her to and from work. He bombarded her with ­hundreds of unwanted messages. She moved house to get rid of him. He found out where she lives, and stands outside at night, watching.

“This has been going on for four years,” she says. “There doesn’t seem to be an ending. When we split up, my neighbours told me that he used to turn up at my door and look through the kitchen window at seven in the morning. He was sending me 200 messages a day.

“I even had holes in my back fence and every time I covered them up, more appeared. When I went around the back, you could see straight into my living room. I had a note left at my house that said ‘caught in my trap’. Now I am checking my cameras outside all the time because he is watching me. He keeps turning up at like three or four in the morning and I catch him on my Ring doorbell.

“The person I am seeing is standing there anywhere between 30 minutes to an hour and a half. They are just stood there and then they disappear. I am convinced it is him. I cannot think of anyone else like a passer-by or a dog walker… they would not just stand there for an hour staring at the house in the middle of the night.”

Laura’s nightly reality would be enough to break most people. For Love Island star turned filmmaker Zara McDermott, one night at Laura’s place was more than enough. In her forthcoming BBC mini-series To Catch a Stalker, Zara admits: “I could not relax. I could not sleep. This is how some women live every single day. It would absolutely destroy me.

“Even the creaking sound of the house is freaking me out a bit.” Zara, 28, wanted to reflect the reality facing thousands of women in the UK who live in fear for their lives because of the actions of a stalker.

Laura’s ex has already been convicted twice for stalking and was given a suspended sentence. When Zara visited, he was out on bail having been arrested for breaching the terms of the suspended sentence.

The former reality star – who has never experienced what it is like being stalked – offers to spend the night and keep watch in case the figure returns, and is warned to dial 999 immediately if she spots someone.

Zara admits: “I want to keep her company for the evening. I am really interested in getting an understanding as to what she has been going through.

“I am staying the night to keep an eye on the door bell so Laura gets the chance for a good night’s sleep. But I almost jumped at my own reflection and I feel a bit paranoid in this house.”

Later, Zara says: “It’s nearly 2am. Laura has given me access to her cameras and I can’t relax because I am waiting for this figure to appear.” Zara is relieved to report the next morning that the figure did not appear across the street.

But she tells Laura: “I didn’t sleep much. I spent most of the night checking the camera. But it makes you realise how distinctive that figure on your ­screenshots is. It is undoubtedly someone because it is so pitch black.”

Anxious Laura struggles to hide her tears as she tells Zara exactly how her ex has turned her life upside down with his creepy behaviour. She says: “It is quite unpredictable but through the six-week holidays it was about eight times.

“I had to move here because of it. Before I’d stay at my sister’s every other weekend, just because I did not feel safe at home. Then a vehicle that is very similar to his started driving past my sister’s house at 2am.

“You know it is him but it’s not like he is knocking on the door and waving at the window – which is what the police need.

“So I think this is why it is so difficult to get him charged. I am lucky that he has already been charged with stalking but I don’t want to move again because he is just going to keep finding where I live.”

In Zara’s documentary, Laura adds: “Although I am not with him, I feel my life is still controlled around him and I think that is what I find most frustrating and quite scary ­because how can you escape?”

She tells Zara after her stay: “It is nice to have someone who has experienced it. I feel believed – which is very rare when you are stalked.”

Zara discovers Laura’s ordeal could have some positive resolution if the offender is given a stalking prevention order. The police can apply for this civil order to protect anyone at risk of stalking, and it does not require the same standard of proof as a criminal conviction.

An SPO can ban a stalker from going near a victim’s home or a place they often visit, and from contacting or approaching them.

In contrast with a restraining order, an SPO can also force a suspect to have a mental health assessment, sign on at a police station or attend an intervention programme.

The National Stalking Helpline has received over 75,000 contacts from victims of stalking since 2010. Anti-stalking charity the Suzy Lamplugh Trust, named after the estate agent who disappeared in 1986, says: “When many people hear the word stalking they still think of a stranger lurking in the shadows or a delusional fan following a celebrity. About 45% of people who contact the helpline are being stalked by ex-intimates and a further third have had a prior acquaintance with their stalker.

“Just because you know or knew the stalker does not mean that the situation is your fault – it is still stalking and it is wrong.”

A 2024 report found police forces often lack a sufficient understanding of stalking, conduct flawed investigations, fail to respond to breaches of orders and lack a consistent and effective strategy to support victims.

Latest figures say one in seven people aged 16 and over in England and Wales have been a victim of stalking at least once, with women and younger people the most targeted. An estimated 1.5 million people aged six years and over experienced stalking in the year ending March 2024. Among women, 20.2% have experienced stalking since the age of 16, as have 8.7% of men.

In the documentary, a Met Police detective tells Zara: “Many suspects have a pattern that is fixated and obsessive. He does not stop just because a victim changes her number. You can find their TikTok or Snapchat, we all leave a footprint.”

Zara adds: “The impact this crime has on its victims is truly devastating.

“I have seen women have to change their entire lives, their entire routine, but also live in constant fear.”

The documentary will be screened just days after a convicted stalker of singer Cheryl Tweedy admitted another breach of a restraining order after turning up at the singer’s home. Daniel Bannister pleaded guilty to a single charge of breaching a restraining order on Thursday.

* Zara McDermott: To Catch A Stalker launches on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer on Tuesday July 1 at 9pm.

A new Netflix documentary has captured the horrors on-board the ship dubbed the ‘poop cruise’

Holidaymakers on a lavish cruise liner were plunged into a real-life horror when a blaze cut off power, leaving them adrift in the Gulf of Mexico.

The ill-fated 2013 journey spiralled into chaos as the fire damaged electrical systems, immobilising the vessel and leaving it without lights, air conditioning, and even working loos.

This ordeal is now the focus of Trainwreck: Poop Cruise, a brand-new Netflix documentary released yesterday (June 24), which gives viewers a harrowing glimpse into the experiences of the Carnival Triumph’s passengers.

The preview hints at the chaos: “Soon raw sewage leaks out all over the ship, food supplies start dwindling and passengers begin to revolt. As the cruise company races to control the fallout, a media frenzy ensues. Soon everyone is talking about ‘The Poop Cruise’.”

Those intrigued by the incident and the boat featured in this new documentary may wonder what became of the ship. Some may even be brave enough to contemplate boarding her for a trip, reports Surrey Live.

But, is it still possible to book a holiday on the Carnival Triumph?

In line with standard practice for high-end cruise ships, the Carnival Triumph experienced a significant refurbishment and, as of 2019, has been navigating the seas with a new identity: Carnival Sunrise.

Still a favourite among cruisers, this celebrated liner remains operational throughout The Bahamas and the Caribbean with a lots of scheduled voyages for this year lined up, including a four-day trip to The Bahamas from Miami in November.

A spot in an inside cabin will cost travellers about $284 each, while those willing to splash out for a fancier space can expect to fork over up to $836 for a sumptuous luxury suite.

TripAdvisor has seen recent guests sharing their experiences on-board. One said: “For an older ship, it’s still a lot of fun – just temper your expectations. We stayed in a balcony cabin on deck 8. Yes, the bathroom looks outdated with its bright blue sink and shower curtain – but it’s part of the charm.”

Another traveller gushed said: “I loved every minute of being on the ship. The food and shows were amazing… It was everything I wanted and more!”.

In the wake of the fire incident aboard Carnival Triumph and the subsequent scrutiny, Gerry Cahill, then the president and CEO of Carnival Cruise Lines, assured holidaymakers that such a calamity would “not happen again”, as he announced an inquiry into the cause of the blaze.

In response to the forthcoming Poop Cruise documentary, Carnival released a statement to Surrey Live’s Screen Time reporters, saying: “The Carnival Triumph incident over 12 years ago was a teachable moment for the entire cruise industry.

“A thorough investigation following the incident revealed a design vulnerability which was corrected and led Carnival Cruise Line to invest more than $500 million across our entire fleet in comprehensive fire prevention and suppression, improved redundancy, and enhanced management systems, all in support of our commitment to robust safety standards.

“This is in addition to our vigorous Health, Environmental, Safety and Security (HESS) protocols that guide the entire Carnival Corporation fleet as we maintain our commitment to industry leadership in this area.

“We are proud of the fact that since 2013 over 53 million guests have enjoyed safe and memorable vacations with us, and we will continue to operate to these high standards.”

Trainwreck: Poop Cruise is now available to stream on Netflix

The Carnival Triumph cruise from Texas to Mexico in 2013 turned into a nightmare when an engine room fire cut power to the ship, leaving over 4,000 passengers and crew adrift

A passenger who endured the ill-fated Carnival Triumph “poop cruise” has lifted the lid on what the horror sailing was really like.

The smelly voyage is the focus of the Netflix documentary “Trainwreck: Poop Cruise,” which premiered on June 24. The voyage from Texas to Mexico descended into chaos after an engine room fire caused a massive electrical failure, leaving over 4,000 passengers and crew to wade through urine and feces and camp on deck.

Tay Redford, 24, a passenger who was only 12 at the time of the incident, has watched the trailer and feels “hurt” by the portrayal. Now a bakery owner from Enid, Oklahoma, Tay vividly recalls the fear and chaos, arguing that Carnival failed to provide meaningful support after the ordeal.

Still grappling with long-term trauma, Tay is concerned that the documentary does not adequately represent the voices of those passengers onboard and has vowed never to go on a cruise again.

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“I’ve only seen the trailer, but from what I saw, it doesn’t even scratch the surface,” she said. “It’s just Carnival workers telling the story. It’s really hard watching the documentary come out and seeing all these people making money from it.

“To me, it feels like they’re profiting off something that deeply affected and traumatized me.”

On February 10, 2013, a blaze broke out in the engine room of the Carnival Triumph, located at the rear of the ship, while it was off the coast of Mexico. A faulty flexible fuel line had ruptured, spewing fuel onto a scorching surface, which in turn crippled the ship’s generators.

As a result, the vessel lost all primary power and propulsion, stranding over 4,000 passengers and crew in the Gulf of Mexico for four days. Raw sewage inundated numerous cabins, and essential services ground to a halt as the ship was laboriously towed to Mobile, Alabama over the course of several days.

Tay was on board the ship, accompanied by her parents, older brother, and a group of family friends. What was intended as a relaxing family getaway rapidly descended into a traumatic experience.

“It was the most fear I’ve ever felt in my life,” Tay recounted. “I’m not that old yet, but that was hands down the scariest thing I’ve ever been through.”

The fire caused a total blackout, plunging the ship into darkness and depriving passengers of basic necessities. Due to the unhygienic conditions and poor ventilation, Tay’s family was forced to vacate their cabin.

“My first thought is we’re sinking, we’re going down. That was the only thing I thought. I was crying hysterically, trying to follow my parents around in the dark,” she recalled. “When we went down to our room, we were up to our ankles in sewage and urine and feces, and there was no air flow. There were no lights.”

The situation was nothing short of chaotic and terrifying, compelling the family to take refuge on the uppermost deck for nearly four days. Passengers on a cruise ship faced a nightmare holiday when access to food, water, and sanitation became severely limited.

“They ran out of water to give us, so they said, ‘Hey, we’ll open up the bar and let people drink liquor,'” one passenger recounted.

The situation quickly deteriorated as inebriated guests, furious over the scant information and deteriorating conditions, started brawling. Tay, a passenger, recalled how some resorted to “throwing their bodily fluids over the ship” amid rising tensions.

During the ordeal, Tay’s brother came up with a clever solution.

“My brother actually had this great idea. He said, I’m going to build a tent out of these sheets. And he cut the sheets up and invented Tent City where everybody followed him to make tents to keep us out of the sun,” Tay said.

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After enduring days of hardship, the crippled vessel was towed back to port in Mobile, Alabama. Although Carnival offered a modest compensation – $500 and a refund for the journey home – Tay feels the company failed to truly acknowledge the trauma suffered by passengers.

A spokesperson for Carnival said: “The Carnival Triumph incident over 12 years ago was a teachable moment for the entire cruise industry. A thorough investigation following the incident revealed a design vulnerability which was corrected and led Carnival Cruise Line to invest more than $500 million across our entire fleet in comprehensive fire prevention and suppression, improved redundancy and enhanced management systems, all in support of our commitment to robust safety standards. This is in addition to our vigorous Health, Environmental, Safety and Security (HESS) protocals that guide the entire Carnival Corporation fleet as we maintain our commitment to industry leadership in this area.”

The statement ended by pointing out that the company is “proud of the fact that since 2013 over 53 million guests have enjoyed safe and memorable vacations with us, and we will continue to operate to these high standards.”