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Fans of English novelist Jane Austen have been celebrating the anniversary of her birth 250 years ago. Al Jazeera’s Charlie Angela has been to Austen’s former home in southern England.

A clear favourite has emerged to take the Strictly Come Dancing crown, say bookies and fans.

Three nervous celebrities are going into the Strictly Come Dancing final but only one can win – and it’s increasingly clear who that will be. Despite the final being touted as the closest in years, a single star is surging ahead in the battle for the Glitterball trophy that will take place on Saturday night.

Former England footballer Karen Carney, 38, has leapt ahead of all the others in the running and has been named as the far-ahead favourite to take the title, with people piling in to back her. It’s something of a last-minute upset since social media star George Clarke, 26, has long led the market, but is now drifting away.

West End star Amber Davies, 29, who has been in the dance-off for two weeks running now but managed to survive, is now thought to be the least likely to win the competition with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin and is predicted to finish third behind runner-up George and winner Karen.

One fan wrote: “The odds are slowly beginning to suggest we do have our winner” but added: “I think it’ll be the closest final we’ve had in years which is always a refreshing change after the past few years!”

Others said they would be switching their vote from Balvinder to the football star. One wrote: “Karen! I like George but I’ve been less moved by his story and I think the Karen/Carlos pairing is endlessly fun.” Another agreed: “As a Bal fan, im now gonna be voting for Karen.”

Lee Phelps for William Hill explained: “Karen Carney has taken firm control of the Strictly betting ahead of the final, and her move into 2/5 from 6/5 shows just how strongly punters are backing her to lift the Glitterball. After weeks of favouritism see-sawing between the two, Clarke has now eased out to 15/8 from 4/5, indicating that momentum has swung decisively in Carney’s favour at the ideal moment.

“Amber Davies’ survival in the dance-off hasn’t gone unnoticed either, with her trimmed into 20/1, but the market is clearly focused on a straight fight at the top as we head into the final.”

Others dismissed the predictions, with one fan writing: “Omg why is Karen such a strong favourite to win when George is going to win?” Another pointed to the huge fanbase he has thanked to his vast online following who are ready to vote for him.

They said: “I hate to get my hopes up, but I saw the strictly results show post of Facebook, and majority of the comments were saying their votes go to George and they want him to win. Not only that but he has his fanbase, and has been top of the polls. It’s looking promising.”

Another agreed: “What also helps George is the same thing that likely helped Ginge win I’m A Celeb – he’s in with some of the biggest stars in the UK YouTube scene, so if they post the vote link the same way they did for Ginge I think it’ll be a real uphill battle for Karen or Amber.”

Strictly Come Dancing’s live final is at 7pm on Saturday on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

There is unlikely to be a knee-jerk reaction at Tottenham to Sunday’s disappointing loss at Nottingham Forest.

Thomas Frank’s future has been thrust back into the spotlight once again following the 3-0 loss at the City Ground that, not for the first time this season, sparked anger from Spurs supporters towards their head coach.

But for the time being, there is no sense that the Dane’s future is under any immediate threat despite the lacklustre level of performance against Forest.

For context, Tottenham were on the back of a three-match unbeaten run ahead of Sunday’s loss – a credible 2-2 draw at Newcastle was followed by two straight victories over Brentford and Slavia Prague.

Prior to the loss to Sean Dyche’s side there had been shoots of improvement, so with that said Sunday’s loss is unlikely to prompt an immediate change of tact.

That’s not to say that the backing for Frank is entirely universal behind the scenes at the north London club.

Following the home loss to Fulham on November 29, which extended a worrying run of just one victory in eight matches, well-placed sources told BBC Sport at the time that Frank’s performance had come increasing internal scrutiny.

The apparent disdain from sections of supporters towards Frank during the opening half of the season is also an unsavoury dynamic that has not gone unnoticed.

Spurs, though, are yet to reach a point so far this season whereby they have given serious consideration to dispensing with Frank.

There is an acknowledgement that there will be bumps in the road, though you can imagine Frank can ill-afford many days like Sunday if those aforementioned doubts aren’t to resurface more prominently in the coming weeks.

It is also key to point out that chief executive Vinai Venkatesham was integral to Arsenal‘s decision to stick with Mikel Arteta during some of the lowest depths of the Spaniard’s stewardship at the Emirates.

Arsenal are now widely viewed as one of the strongest teams in European football.

Frank has some way to go emulate Arteta – but there is currently a willingness to give him an opportunity to lay foundations towards a similar path to success.

Results, though, will be key towards that continued support. Further disappointments like the one suffered on Sunday and Frank’s backing will wane.

Netflix viewers have just uncovered a surprising link between the Knives Out thriller series and Daniel Craig’s famous James Bond franchise.

Netflix viewers have just spotted a surprising link between the beloved Knives Out trilogy and Daniel Craig’s iconic 007 films.

The streaming giant has just released Wake Up Dead Man, which marks the third thriller in the Rian Johnson whodunit franchise.

Craig reprises his role as eccentric detective Benoit Blanc and takes on a seemingly impossible murder case.

Wake Up Dead Man has bagged a stellar 92% Rotten Tomatoes score, with many viewers already crowning it as the best thriller in the series.

This comes as no surprise considering its talented cast, which includes Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Kerry Washington, and Mila Kunis.

But the ensemble cast has caught moviegoers’ attention with more than just their acting chops. Many have pointed out that each instalment in the franchise has featured at least one actor that Craig worked with during his James Bond days.

Taking to Reddit, one fan posted a series of images of Bond actors who have also appeared in the Knives Out trilogy.

They shared their discovery, writing: “Something interesting I noticed after watching the movies back to back. With Wake Up Dead Man featuring Andrew Scott and Jeffrey Wright , Daniel Craig has worked again with at least one other actor from his James Bond movies on all 3 Knives Out films.”

Fans of the series will remember that the first film featured Oscar nominee Ana de Armas as nurse Marta Cabrera.

Craig and de Armas also collaborated in No Time to Die, in which the actress played CIA agent Paloma.

However, as some fans on Reddit pointed out “Ana de Armas was a Knives Out actor in a Bond movie, not the other way around,” since she joined the Bond universe two years after starring in the mystery film.

Craig later reunited with fellow Bond star Dave Bautista in Glass Onion, the Knives Out sequel.

Spectre fans will remember Bautista as terrifying henchman Hinx, a character worlds away from his light-hearted Glass Onion role as gamer Duke Cody.

Irish actor Andrew Scott also featured in the same 2015 Bond film as intelligence agent Max Denbigh.

Scott plays misguided writer Lee Ross in Wake Up Dead Man, though he sparingly shares scenes with Craig.

Another No Time to Die star, Oscar nominee Jeffrey Wright also reunites with Craig in the new Knives Out film.

Wright plays Bishop Langstrom, who serves as something of a mentor for main character Father Jud Duplenticy (O’Connor).

Fans were especially thrilled to see this duo collaborating again, four years after Wright played Bond’s ally Felix Leiter.

Responding to the Reddit thread, one fan penned: “God I love Jeffery Wright,” with someone else agreeing: “Was the best surprise seeing him!”

And a third added: “The Jeffrey wright one really made me happy. Didn’t know he was in it!”

Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is streaming now on Netflix

Lionel Messi’s tour of India got off to chaotic start in Kolkata as fans vented their anger over the Argentina legend’s brief appearance at a city stadium. Fans paid up to $150 for a ticket to see their football idol – but many barely caught a glimpse of him.

The new short documentary has proven a tough watch for Netflix viewers

Netflix fans have been left in tears over the “saddest” true crime documentary that they are forced to “take a break” from.

Just this month, the streaming giant quietly added a short, but “poignant”, true crime documentary which aims to highlight the need for action against the “rising epidemic of gun violence” in America.

All The Empty Rooms on Netflix is around 35 minutes long but is a powerful story following reporter Steve Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp who embark on a journey to memorialise the bedrooms of children who were killed in school shootings.

Netflix states about the documentary: “The untouched bedrooms of American children killed in school shootings tell a story of memory, loss and enduring love in this poignant short documentary.”

The documentary was released on December 1 with true crime fans urged to give it a watch. But for some, it is a struggle to watch in one go as they are left “sobbing”.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one Netflix fan said: “I just watched All the Empty Rooms documentary on Netflix and wow 30 minutes of sadness. Everyone should watch it.”

Another wrote: “All the Empty Rooms documentary on Netflix … the saddest 30 min documentary I’ve ever seen. Cried my eyes out!”

Over on TikTok, may videos have been made as one user warned: “When I tel lyou this one is going to have you stopping to catch your breath, I’m not being dramatic, please heed this warning.”

One fan replied: “Every gun owner should be made to watch this before getting a gun. I’m sobbing.”

Another penned: “I just started this in the UK. It’s crazy. I can’t believe it’s normalised. The dirty clothes in the laundry basket [crying emoji] poor souls [broken heart].”

A third echoed: “Ohhhh!!! I started it tonight and I had to stop… had to take a break. I may try later tonight but may have to wait until tomorrow. I feel guilty for stopping it but I just can’t make it in one sitting.”

In another video, one true crime fanatic said: “This is the most powerful and heartbreaking 33 minutes of anything I’ve ever watched.”

As one person replied: “I bawled so hard I actually couldn’t finish it, it’s just… haunting…”

The short film, by Oscar-nominated Joshua Seftel, follows the after effects of school shootings and the heartbreak families are continuing to endure several years after the tragedies. Reporter Steve speaks to families involved as they share of their heartache and what the rooms now mean to them.

In an emotional trailer, the clip starts with a video of a young girl speaking to the camera as she says “Hi”. This is then followed by an emotional Steve who can be heard saying: “I’ve been typecast as, you know, the feel good happy news kind of guy… What I’ve been doing is just whitewashing the whole thing.”

Writing in another clip, it reads: “For seven years, journalist Steve Hartman has documented the empty bedrooms of children lost to school shootings.”

Heartbreaking clips are then shows of some of the children who were killed as fans were quick to comment on the heartbreaking watch. One person posted on the YouTube trailer: “The feeling this trailer gave me was just a visceral punch to the stomach that I think is really needed right now. The empty rooms become memorials in place of their child and I can’t even fathom the weight of that.”

All The Empty Rooms can be streamed on Netflix now

Argentina football icon Lionel Messi is on a three-day GOAT tour of India ahead of the 2026 defence of FIFA World Cup.

Lionel Messi’s much-hyped tour of India got off to a rocky start on Saturday with angry fans throwing bottles and attempting to vandalise a stadium after many of them failed to get more than just a glimpse of their hero.

The Times of India reported that many ticket holders said that they failed to see Messi at all – either in person or on the stadium’s big screens – despite waiting for hours.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee apologised to the Argentinian football star for the “mismanagement” of the event.

“I am deeply disturbed and shocked by the mismanagement witnessed today at Salt Lake Stadium,” Banerjee wrote on social media, where she also apologised to fans who had expected more after paying for tickets.

Banerjee said a committee would be constituted to “conduct a detailed enquiry into the incident, fix responsibility, and recommend measures to prevent such occurrences in the future”.

Messi’s three-day “GOAT (Greatest of All Time) India Tour” was to bring the World Cup winner from Kolkata to Hyderabad and then Mumbai before concluding in New Delhi on Monday.

He was joined by longtime teammates Luis Suarez and Rodrigo De Paul.

Earlier on Saturday, Messi remotely “unveiled” a 21-metre (70-foot) statue of himself in Kolkata.

Former FIFA President Sepp Blatter once described India as a “sleeping giant” in the football arena, but the sport in the country has run into many problems in recent years.

The Indian Super League (ISL) – India’s top football competition – has been in danger of collapse over a dispute between the federation and its commercial partner.

ISL side Bengaluru FC stopped paying the salaries of its first team’s players and staff as a result of the turmoil.

In a statement in August, the 2018-19 ISL champions said they had taken the decision “in view of the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Indian Super League season”.

“It’s a chance to qualify. It is a chance to participate in a big event,” Fifa president Gianni Infantino declared in January 2017.

The Fifa Council had just unanimously voted to expand the World Cup to 48 teams. Nations who had never or rarely reached the finals were being given hope.

Infantino added: “Football is more than Europe and South America. Football is global.

“The football fever you have in a country that qualifies for the World Cup is the most powerful tool you can have, in those nine months before qualifying and the finals.”

Yet that “football fever” is falling a little flat after the ticket prices were released.

While the players will be there, the price of tickets could outstrip wages.

Take Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world. The average wage in the Caribbean nation is around $147 (£110) a month.

The cheapest tickets for Haiti’s first game at the World Cup in 42 years, against Scotland, cost $180 (£135).

To attend all three matches – they also play Brazil and Morocco – would cost $625 (£467). That’s more than four months’ salary for the average Haitian, just to get into the ground.

It’s a similar story for Ghana, where the average monthly salary is around $254 (£190).

Ghana supporter Jojo Quansah told BBC World Service that fans would have to cancel their plans.

“It’s a bit of a disappointment for those who, for the last three-and-a-half years, have been trying to put some money away in the hope that they can have their first World Cup experience,” he said.

“Fifa themselves have gone ahead to increase the number of teams so a lot more smaller football nations will get a chance to have themselves and their fans represented.

“It’s been overshadowed by pricing those same fans out of a chance to watch their country play at the World Cup.

“I have a feeling that quite a number of people within the next couple of months, are going to drop out of that desire to be at the next World Cup. Sadly. So sadly.”

Other nations could see their fans priced out.

Emmerdale fans are convinced they know who will take down Celia Daniels and Ray Walters in a shocking turn of events – and it’s not Cain Dingle

Emmerdale fans have rumbled who will take down villainous Celia Daniels and Ray Walters in a surprise twist. Many had been hopeful that Cain Dingle might finally be the one to see to the end of the two village villains.

Celia and son Ray have been running a huge drugs and human trafficking ring from the farm near Moira’s including keeping Bear and others as modern slaves.. As well as this, the pair have been getting April to run drugs for them.

Marlon and Rhona, desperate to get Rhona out of the ‘game’, have insisted they can pay Ray money to make sure she’s relieved of the job, but things went from bad to worse when Ray made more demands.

In tonight’s episode, Marlon got some surprise news from Paddy about young Dylan’s future. Fans will remember Dylan was deliberately run over by Ray in shocking scenes last week.

“I’ve just seen a doctor and you’re not going to believe this. After being told to prepare for the worst, they’re now saying he’s turned a corner and he’s doing really well,” Paddy told Marlon.

“In fact, he’s doing that well, they reckon that if he keeps improving they might be able to wake him up in the next day or two. I can’t tell you how relieved I am.”

It’s clear Marlon thinks Dylan waking up is the end of their problems and they can finally get Ray caught for all that he’s done so far, ending the shocking drugs ring he and Celia are running.

“When Dylan wakes up, we can persuade him to tell the police what happened – what Ray did,” Marlon told Rhona, who replied: “He will realise that the only way out of this is to go to the police and tell the truth.”

However, is Dylan the one to bring down Ray finally, or will the family still be under his clutches? The storyline comes amid an exit for Celia Daniels star Jaye Griffiths, who confirmed she’d be leaving the ITV soap.

Speaking to The Mirror, she said: “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 … The reason Celia works is because she has no little voice in her head. You know that little voice that tells women, particularly, that you’re not enough, you’re too tall, you’re too short, you’re too fat, you’re too thin, you’re too old, you’re too young.

“That self-critical, nasty voice that stops us doing many things. Celia doesn’t have one of those. That is very freeing. If there are no consequences internally, if there’s no conscience, you can do anything you want.”

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Fans of the BBC soap EastEnders are fearful for a ‘vulnerable’ character as a desperate Sam Mitchell appears to target him for money as part of her ‘manipulative’ scheming

EastEnders fans are worried for a ‘vulnerable’ character after some scenes between him and a desperate Sam Mitchell suggest he will be the next target of her manipulative ploy for money.

In Tuesday’s episode (9 December), Sam was caught at the train station by her ex Jack Branning and revealed she found a lump and believes she has breast cancer.

As such, she had taken £20,000 from her brother Phil to pay for a flight back to Spain and to put into an account for her son Ricky. But, whilst she was at the station, Phil, who had learned of the theft from his friend Nigel Bates, caught up with her and took the money back.

READ MORE: EastEnders legend supported by co-stars after announcing major life updateREAD MORE: EastEnders fans ‘devastated’ as plot twist revealed amid sad Mitchell scenes

She also tried to convince Jack and Denise Fox to give her the money, telling Denise that she would get a doctor’s appointment about the lump if she and Jack agreed to send her the money.

Denise told Sam she would do it, but refused to until she had been to an appointment with Sam to make sure she kept up her end of the bargain. Unbeknownst to Sam, Denise has her own plans to trick the Mitchell woman into leaving without a penny.

Meanwhile, Sam had to beg Phil to let her crash on his couch. It was there that she got talking to Nigel. During Monday’s episode, Sam was caught going through Phil’s safe by Nigel, who is suffering from dementia. He let her go, as he mistook her for his daughter Clare, who he is estranged from.

As Sam got to talking to Nigel during Tuesday’s episode, he still believed she was Clare and told her that he had some money saved up that she could have. Sam sneakily smiled just as the duff duffs rang out.

Fans are convinced Sam will manipulate Nigel, exploiting his dementia and sending her scheming ways to a new low. One wrote online: “I know Sam’s always been a scheming character but scamming a man with dementia out of money would be very low even for her.”

Another added: “Oh no, Sam’s going to manipulate Nigel for money.” Meanwhile, another warned Sam not to do it: “Oooh Sam don’t do it girl.”

Many pointed out that Nigel’s illness makes him vulnerable and hoped Sam would not exploit it. One added that they would be sick if Sam targeted Nigel: “If I have to watch Sam Mitchell scam Nigel and steal his money by exploiting his dementia then I will physically vomit.”

Another said: “Tonight’s Duff Duff! If Sam steals off a vulnerable Nigel I swear to god…” And a third simply said: “Oh Sam better not scam Nigel. I don’t like that look on her face.”

Sam returned at the beginning of December after three years away. She is just one of several returns to the Square since Ben Wadey took over as the showrunner. Since September, Zoe Slater has returned, as has Max Branning, who will make a proper return later this month and feature heavily in the New Years episode.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.

“I hope he continues at Liverpool and Arne Slot gets sacked.” Mohamed Salah fans at the Arab Cup told Al Jazeera’s Rylee Carlson he has done a lot for his club and shouldn’t be sidelined. Salah had said he felt disrespected after being benched in several games, prompting a backlash from Liverpool management.

The beloved 2003 Christmas film that became a box office smash and stars some of Britain’s most famous actors airs on ITV2 tonight for the perfect festive night in

Initially launched in 2003, this beloved film has cemented its status as a seasonal must-watch, drawing audiences back year after year for repeat viewings. Tonight, ITV provides the perfect opportunity for a cosy festive evening in with this Christmas classic.

Both written and helmed by British cinema icon Richard Curtis, Love Actually perfectly encapsulates the essence of a distinctly British Christmas.

The production boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring several actors who have collaborated with Curtis on multiple occasions, most notably Hugh Grant.

Set predominantly in London, the narrative weaves through diverse expressions of love across multiple storylines – spanning bereavement and first romance to unreturned affection, matrimony, and workplace attraction, delivering a comprehensive emotional spectrum.

These universally relatable themes consistently draw audiences back year after year, sparking ongoing discussions across social media platforms.

A dedicated Reddit thread about the movie reveals countless viewer opinions, with many confessing to multiple viewings. One fan declared, “Freaking love it; have to watch it every Christmas season. Nothing will ever make me hate this movie.”

Another enthusiast proclaimed, “Literally the most iconic rom-com of all time. I absolutely love watching it every year. It’s not the greatest movie, but it is so comforting, and I love the entire cast. I can’t not watch this movie.”

The movie kicks off six weeks before Christmas and tracks these characters’ journeys in a weekly build-up to the festive season. We witness the interconnected stories of these families and couples across London, as many dive into fresh romantic adventures, ranging from a schoolboy’s innocent infatuation to a workplace liaison, and even the newly appointed Prime Minister developing feelings for a member of his team.

This stellar ensemble features the talents of Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Emma Thompson, and the late, beloved Alan Rickman. The cast also features Thomas Brodie-Sangster as a child actor, portraying Liam Neeson’s character’s stepson. Additionally, we see performances from Keira Knightley and Billy Nighy in this quintessentially British star-studded mix.

Numerous memorable quotes and moments have become embedded in pop culture and remain widely referenced to this day. One fan highlights a particular sequence, noting: “I think about/watch that montage where Andrew Lincoln is walking around the city distraught while Dido plays in the background at least once a month.”

Another enthusiast shared: “I love it! It’s definitely a Christmas tradition for me, and watching Hugh Grant dance to Jump For My Love lives in my head rent-free.”

A different viewer commented: “It’s really corny. I can see it being a comfort movie for lots of people.” Meanwhile, someone else offered a more sceptical take: “I enjoy the movie, but it’s one I can’t think too hard about, because then I end up focusing on just how unhealthy and doomed all the relationships actually are.”

If you fancy a rewatch or a first-time viewing of Love Actually, you’re in luck, as it’s scheduled to air on ITV2 tonight at 9pm. If that doesn’t suit your schedule, don’t fret – the film is also available for streaming on both Amazon Prime and Netflix.

MARK Wright looked very unhappy as he waited for his wife Michelle Keegan, to snap pics with fans in London.

The former Towie star and his actress wife were spotted outside the Corinthia Hotel in London where fans asked Michelle for a photo, but didn’t pay him any attention.

Michelle smiled patiently as the different men loaded up the cameras on their phones to snap a selfie with the former Coronation Street star.

Mark could be seen in the background of the video posted to TikTok waiting beside a black cab and appeared to be annoyed when another fan asked for a photo.

While Michelle said thank you to the fans and walked towards Mark, he still did not smile and opened the door, getting into the waiting cab before his wife.

Fans rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts on the awkward moment.

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“He didn’t even let his wife go in the cab first! WOW,” wrote one person.

Another added: “Oh the frustration in him. The mouth, the hands scrunched in the pockets, he was raging.”

And a third commented: “That was quite a hard watch actually.”

Mark may have been inpatient to rush back to the couple’s Essex mansion, where they’d spared no expense to deck it out with Christmas decorations.

Last week, Mark and Michelle revealed their lavish Christmas decorations, that can be found throughout their incredible home.

The celebrity couple are full of the festive spirit as they prepare to celebrate baby daughter Palma‘s first ever Christmas.

Michelle and Mark are well known for their over-the-top Christmases, but this year is extra special because of their daughter.

Sources say the Wrights plan on making this festive season “one to remember”, with “no expense spared” as they go all out.

An insider close to the couple told OK!: “Mark loves Christmas and he’s wanted a family for a long time, so for him it couldn’t get any better.

“He’s like an excited puppy dog and cherishing every minute of it. It means the world to him.

“When it comes to presents, he’ll be spoiling them both – Mark doesn’t know how to reign it in.”

Hollyoaks have announced that fans will be able to binge-watch four Christmas episodes at once as the Channel 4’s annual festive boxset returns once again this month

Hollyoaks‘ annual gift to fans is back this Christmas.

It’s been revealed that four special festive episodes will be available to stream on Channel 4 on Monday, December 22 from 6am.

This Christmas, Hollyoaks invites viewers to get festive with four of its most iconic families.

The festive episodes will follow Christmas Day from start to finish, focussing on one family at a time; the Hutchinsons, the Lomaxes, the Clarks/Maaliks and the McQueens.

Jack and Pearl, alongside the Osbornes, are the uniting thread throughout all four episodes.

Pearl takes it upon herself to revive the Christmas magic in the village, but she remains blissfully unaware that Jack is carrying a surprise of his own.

The Christmas boxset follows a triumphant few months for the Channel 4 continuing drama, as the 30th anniversary week in October delivered the show’s strongest performance in years.

Spoilers have confirmed there’s festive cheer at the Hutchinsons this Christmas but an unexpected present sends the day into turmoil. Meanwhile, Jack Osborne (Jimmy McKenna) is suited and booted with a special mission under his sleeve to make the day extra special.

Dee Dee Hutchinson (Chloe Atkinson) hides a gift and Diane Hutchinson (Alex Fletcher) tries to put on the perfect Christmas, grateful Tony Hutchinson’s (Nick Pickard) there to celebrate with them, but a troubled Ant Hutchinson (Brook Debio( continues to cause tension in the household.

Forced to pull his weight and set the table, Ant stumbles across a burner phone which he pockets in secret. An excited Eva Hutchinson (Aubrey Burgess) sneaks a peak in a present under the tree and Dee Dee is left horrified. Ant also reveals a secret that leads to many questions.

There’s Christmas magic at the McQueens, but for Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe) the sparkle has faded.

Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) turns up in full Santa costume to help spread cheer but things don’t go to plan and a knock on the door grants Theresa McQueen’s (Jorgie Porter) festive wish.

It’s frosty between Misbah Maalik (Harvey Virdi) and Donny Clark (Louis Emerick) this Christmas but will the festive cheer bring the family closer together or will Donny’s recent escapades be exposed?

It’s the first Christmas without Peri (Ruby O’Donnell) at the Lomaxes but Leela (Kirsty-Leigh Porter) is determined to give her children and Lucas Hay (Oscar Curtis) the best day she can which includes extending an olive branch to Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson).

Meanwhile, watching the carollers perform in the village, Pearl Anderson (Dawn Hope) has something she wants to get off her chest.

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