Three-man forward lines have been a staple tactic throughout the history of football.
But they have arguably never been as popular as they have over the last 15 or so years.
It is a resurgence that is largely down to Barcelona’s success under Pep Guardiola between 2008 and 2012.
Guardiola helped Barcelona win two Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles with a dominant possession-based style.
It was a revolutionary system that relied on both the midfield and front line – operating with a recognised number nine – to be fluid in and out of possession.
Nine‑time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi was usually the most central attacker, though he often dropped deep to either drag defenders out of position and create space for his team-mates, or to create a numerical advantage in midfield.
Either way, the end result was a fluid style of football that was practically impossible to stop and resulted in Barcelona claiming 14 trophies during Guardiola’s time at the helm.
Since then, three-man forward lines have become fairly prominent in Europe, with the likes of Real Madrid and PSG deploying similar tactics in the years that followed.
In the Premier League, however, the forward line that resembled Guardiola’s side most closely was Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League-winning trio of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah.
During their five seasons together at Anfield, Firmino was deployed as the Reds’ central attacker and, similar to Messi, was responsible for dropping between the lines, linking play with the midfielders and ultimately creating space for Mane and Salah to run in behind.
The trio is widely regarded as one of the greatest forward lines in the history of English football, having helped Jurgen Klopp’s side win a haul of major trophies.
STEPPING through the floo network into the Ministry Of Magic, I feel like I’ve been transported straight on to the Harry Potter film set.
The attention to detail is next-level, even down to the sheer size of the building I’m standing in.
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Epic Universe’s Helios Grand Hotel at Universal Studios Orlando ResortCredit: Supplied by Universal Destinations & Experiences PRSuper Nintendo WorldCredit: KILBY_PHOTO
Surrounded by green subway tiles, ginormous gold ornate statues of magical creatures and hanging banners featuring some of Azkaban’s Most Wanted, the magic really has come alive.
So much so that, as a huge Potter fan, I find myself choking back tears.
Feeling Epic
Join Walt and Mickey at the Magic KingdomCredit: Matt Stroshane, PhotographerThe Dragon Racer’s Rally ride is epic!Credit: KILBY PHOTO
Later, in the How To Train Your Dragon zone, Hiccup’s Wing Gliders is a super-fun coaster I want to ride again and again.
However, nothing quite hits the adrenalin high of Stardust Racers – a mega coaster in the park’s centre that reaches speeds of 62mph and heights of up to 133 feet, with spins and turns aplenty.
All this excitement leaves us needing a tipple, and the best place to take in the view of the park at night with a glass of pale rosé, £13, in hand, is Bar Helios at the top of the Helios Grand Hotel.
We’re staying a five-minute shuttle ride away at Terra Luna Resort, which also opened last year.
Designed in the colours of the solar system, my room features a spaceship-style window looking out on to Epic Universe.
No trip would be complete without visiting Magic Kingdom, home to the Cinderella Castle, and we’re soon flying around on motorbike rollercoaster Tron Lightcycle.
The new night-time parade, Disney Starlight: Dream The Night Away, makes the already dazzling performance even more breathtaking, too (Disneyworld.co.uk).
Located on International Drive, these sleek, modern, self-catering pads can sleep up to 26, and all have private pools – many even have cinema rooms.
There’s a large resort swimming pool, too, with water slides and a lazy river, which I sit beside, sipping frozen margaritas, £12.60, as I dive into a good book.
The crib at Villatel ResortCredit: Supplied by PRCocktails and bites at Palm Tree Club OrlandoCredit: DAVY JONES
One evening, we visit nearby entertainment complex Activate Orlando at Pointe Orlando, where teams face physical and mental challenges using interactive technology.
My favourite is one which involves dipping and dodging a network of lasers.
Luckily, Palm Tree Club Orlando close by offers a party atmosphere alongside delicious Lavender Hugo Spritzes, £12, rigatoni smothered in a vodka sauce, £14.80, and sides of charred broccolini, £9.60, which are a fitting reward for our energetic endeavours (@Palmtreecluborlando).
Orlando’s huge shopping malls are almost as famous as the theme parks, and as Fabulous’ Fashion Editor, it would be remiss of me not to visit one.
I pick The Mall At Millenia, home to designer boutiques and US faves Pottery Barn, Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s (Mallatmillenia.com).
Yet I still end up buying a pair of boots from H&M for £35!
The real souvenir of my trip, however, is the magic feeling this city gave me, theme parks and all.
HARRY STYLES’ love life is heading in just One Direction after The Sun told this week how he and Zoe Kravitz have confirmed he popped the question – and she said YES.
While he is engaged for the first time, she hopes it will be third time lucky for her — after wedding plans with two previous fiancés crashed and burned.
Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz stroll hand-in-hand near his London home last monthCredit: ErotemeZoe shows off a huge ring on her wedding finger in New YorkCredit: BackGrid
But some cheeky pals are joking US actress Zoe could turn out to be the proverbial runaway bride.
A source tells us: “There is a bit of an in-joke in Hollywood about how Zoe has been trading ‘internet boyfriends’ — a term used by Gen Z for celebrities of the moment — and how she’s becoming like Julia Roberts’ character in the hit Nineties film, who leaves all her fiancés.
“While Harry and Zoe have an impressive roster of very attractive and famous exes, neither has the best track record with long-term romances. Of course, people are asking if this will last and questioning if they will even marry.”
One Direction star turned solo hitmaker Harry, 32, is not new to wooing American beauties — he dated Taylor Swift between 2012 and 2013, then actress Olivia Wilde from 2021 until 2022.
‘Deeply in love’
Batman actress Zoe, 37, daughter of rocker Lenny Kravitz, was wed to US actor Karl Glusman from 2019 to 2021. She then dated Hollywood A-lister Channing Tatum, who proposed in 2023 only for the pair to split the following year.
But what people at first assumed was no more than a summer romance for Harry and Zoe, after they began dating last August, now seems far more serious.
They shared news of their engagement just days after we revealed shots of Zoe with a huge diamond ring on her wedding finger, while out in London with Harry.
She looked chic in a beige trench coat and baseball cap emblazoned with the word Kiss — merchandise from Harry’s new collection for his latest No1 album Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.
Earlier last month, the pair had been pictured strolling hand-in-hand near to Harry’s home in Hampstead, North West London, as she stepped out in her trusty trench coat and he kept a low profile in navy slacks, coat and cap.
Harry is said to have popped the question with a ring worth up to £500,000 and it is thought Zoe could make her first official appearance with the bling, and her fiancé, at the star-studded Met Gala ball in New York on Monday.
We previously told how Harry first sparked engagement rumours when he and Zoe flew to the Bahamas just after Christmas to stay in her dad’s home there.
A source said at the time: “If it wasn’t an engagement, then it was something that shows they are very much committed to each other.”
Harry is said to have popped the question with a ring worth up to £500,000, as Zoe could make her first official appearance with the bling at the Met ball on MondayCredit: GettyHarry plants a kiss on Zoe as she gets into a car in London last monthCredit: Eroteme
Speculation mounted when Zoe was spotted wearing a ring on her left hand from jewellery designer Jessica McCormack — but it turned out she was an ambassador for the brand. Then Zoe later revealed her bling from Harry.
It might seem like a whirlwind romance but pals report the lovebirds are already seriously thinking about the wedding day — and even starting a family.
Zoe certainly has history with finding The One, or hoping she has.
She was engaged to Channing Tatum the year before she met Harry and fans have not been able to resist pointing out how similar her ring from Harry is to the one given to her by Channing.
Zoe with Channing Tatum, who proposed in 2023 but the pair split the following yearCredit: BackGridThe engagement ring Channing bought her, which is similar to her new oneCredit: BackGrid
Before her romantic misfire with the actor, Zoe had been wed to Karl Glusman after they said “I do” at her dad’s home in Paris in June 2019 — but she filed for divorce just 18 months later.
Now, we are sure that what she has with Harry is very different and that Zoe is determined not only to make it down the aisle, but also make the relationship last.
A source close to Zoe says: “She is incredibly excited about Harry asking her to marry him.
“She had a strong feeling for weeks that something was coming and now that it’s happened she truly believes he is the love of her life — her soulmate.
“Over the past few weeks, she’s been the happiest she’s been in a long time. She feels deeply in love and grateful to be with someone she sees as the perfect partner — the best companion in every sense.
‘Wedding outfits’
“There’s a real sense of relief for her, too. In past relationships, especially engagements that didn’t work out, she carried doubts and fears.
“But Harry has reassured her. He’s made it clear he wants to build a life with her and make her his wife as soon as possible.
“After past heartbreaks, and relationships that didn’t meet her expectations, she now feels like everything has fallen into place
Zoe with Karl Glusman at an Oscars bash in 2019 before they split two years laterCredit: GettyTaylor Swift and Harry snapped in New York’s Central Park in 2012Credit: Getty
“She’s always believed in love, partnership and building a life with someone, but she never fully felt that connection until Harry.
“To her, their relationship feels like destiny — the beginning of the rest of their lives together.”
Indeed, Zoe has never been shy of commitment. After her first marriage ended, she told GQ mag in 2022: “You meet someone who’s amazing and wants to marry you, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I
“If there’s nothing wrong, then why wouldn’t you do it? You love them and that’s what you do.”
Harry, meanwhile, has always been quite open to the idea of marriage — and in 2020, when asked in conversation with US broadcaster Howard Stern if he could ever picture being “married and devoted to one person”, he reckoned he would welcome that.
Harry said: “It’s definitely what I would like to do. I’d like to think I would want that at some point.” In 2018, asked about starting a family, he said: “I can’t wait for a time when that’s a thing for me. I look forward to that in my life.”
Becoming a mother might not have been on Zoe’s agenda in the past, but an insider tell us: “She has even begun thinking about having children — something she wasn’t particularly excited about in the past.
“Now, Zoe feels ready for the next steps — marriage, building a peaceful home together and starting a family.”
Meanwhile, Harry has not attended the annual haute-couture Met Gala since 2019, but Zoe is part of the host committee this year, so for them to make a grand display of their love seems very possible.
We are told a wedding may take place in the South of France — or Italy, as it is special for Harry and Zoe after they spent time together in Rome last summer.
Our source says: “Zoe is already thinking about the wedding. She wants something unique and has started discussing ideas for outfits, themes and designs.
“She’s torn between a very intimate ceremony — possibly even eloping — and a larger celebration with all their loved ones, though a bigger wedding may ultimately win out. She’s particularly drawn to the idea of a summer wedding in Europe — possibly France.
“She talks about it all the time — beautiful locations like Paris or the French Riviera, lots of flowers, stunning outfits, and a celebration that lasts all day and night, surrounded by love.”
Zoe grew up in the limelight thanks to her rocker dad, now 61, and US actress mum Lisa Bonet, 58, who starred in US sitcom The Cosby Show. She was born in LA and, after her parents split when she was 11, moved to Miami to live with Lenny.
Harry’s start in life was very different — he was a regular kid growing up in the Cheshire village of Holmes Chapel before he tried out for The X Factor at 16 and his life changed overnight.
Our source close to Zoe adds: “Harry feels like a dream come true for her, and marrying him would be the perfect culmination of everything she’s wanted.
“She envisions walking down the aisle and sharing the most meaningful day of her life with him. She often says her heart belongs entirely to Harry.”
THE London Marathon always sees a host of celebrities run alongside the general public, but it didn’t get off to a great start for Harry Judd.
The McFly star took to Instagram on Sunday morning to reveal he had forgotten some essentials.
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Harry Judd forgot his bib for the London MarathonCredit: Instagram/HarryjuddHarry’s wife Izzy came to the rescueCredit: Instagram/HarryjuddGordon Ramsay paid tribute to daughter Tilly who is running itCredit: Instagram/Gordongram
He said: “Really great start to the marathon day, I was about four stops into my journey to Greenwich and realised I had forgotten my bib number, my race number… so that’s good!”
Thankfully wife Izzy came to the rescue, as Harry filmed her pulling up in the car with their kids in the back.
He captioned the clip: “Family to the rescue”.
Harry isn’t the only famous face taking part, as singer Alexandra Burke shared snaps ahead of the race on her Instagram page.
She wrote: “I never take it for granted that I’m able to move my body and do things that challenge me!
“So grateful to be running for @melissabellfoundation & @parkinsonsuk today at the @londonmarath. wishing all the runners the best time out there today! #AllforyouMama #myangel.”
Alexandra’s run comes just hours after she performed on the first Britain’s Got Talent live semi-final.
Meanwhile chef Gordon Ramsay paid tribute to his daughter Tilly, who is running the 26.2 mile route around the capital.
Posing together with Tilly in her running gear, Gordon wrote: “Such a proud dad today watching my little girl @tillyramsay run her first ever marathon !!!!
“Thx to @flora and everyone who supported @feeding_britain on her incredible journey. Go get em kiddo !!.”
Joe Wicks has been training Daddy PigCredit: InstagramThe pair are raising money for the National Deaf Children’s SocietyCredit: PA
Elsewhere, Joe Wicks was running alongside none other than Daddy Pig from Peppa Pig, having trained him for the event.
The pair are raising money and awareness for the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS), after Daddy Pig’s son George was diagnosed with moderate deafness.
Daddy Pig also ran the London Marathon in a special episode of Peppa Pig, which aired last week.
Spencer Matthews was pictured warming up the for 26.2 mile runCredit: Getty
Kenyan Sawe, 29, trod new ground in track and field as he crossed the finish line of the London Marathon along The Mall in an incredible time of one hour 59 minutes and 30 seconds.
It was an astonishing performance, achieving something that few thought was ever possible.
If that was not astonishing enough then second-placed Kejelcha of Ethiopia – running his first marathon – also dipped under the magical two-hour mark as he ran 1:59:41.
HARRY Styles and Zoe Kravitz are engaged after an eight-month romance, a report in US outlet Page Six claims.
A source told the site that the former One Direction star, 32, “is completely smitten” and the Batman actress, 37, “is on cloud nine” with the pair now set to tie the knot.
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Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz are seen on MarchCredit: GettyThe pair were spotted walking in RomeCredit: Instagram
They added: “No one in their circle is surprised.”
Rumours of their engagement had swirled since Zoe was recently spotted wearing a large diamond ring on her finger while kissing her pop-star boyfriend outside a hotel in London.
One onlooker said of the rock: “You couldn’t miss the ring on her finger. It is absolutely huge.”
There had been months of whispers the couple had already taken the next step in their romance.
The Sun first confirmed the pair were dating last August after insiders spotted them snogging inside Rita’s bistro in Soho.
They were also then caught enjoying some downtime by a fan in Rome, who filmed the couple walking arm-in-arm down a cobbled street in the Italian capital.
THEY were once ‘like brothers’, touring the world together and dealing with global superstardom after being propelled into the spotlight aged just 16.
But now in their early 30s, Niall Horan and Harry Styles are “worlds apart” and living “vastly different lives”. Here, an insider tells us why the relationship has soured between the pair, and how the rest of One Direction are keeping their distance.
Niall and his girlfriend Amelia are often spotted walking their dog in LondonCredit: MJ-Pictures.comHarry tends to wear disguises and use fake namesCredit: BackGrid
Fans first noticed cracks between the pair last month when Niall, 32, made barbed remarks about the cost of fame on an American podcast just days after Harry, also 32, said he found his superstardom “deeply isolating”.
Speaking on the Zach Sang show earlier this month, Niall cheerfully revealed how delighted he is to be living a “completely normal life” in London, travelling on the tube, walking his dog and going for beers with his mates in local boozers.
When asked if he minds being stopped by fans, the Irish singer remarked: “You cannot have your f***ing cake and eat it”.
Fans were quick to point out that the comment came shortly after Harry spoke about the cost of superstardom – and wondered if it was a dig in his direction.
Speaking to Runners’ World magazine for their May cover, Harry said that he found fame ‘deeply isolating’ and felt the need to withdraw from public life to protect himself.
As part of this, he moved to Italy, because it allows him to ‘live a quiet life’ and ‘reset’.
But the differing attitudes toward fame are part of reason why the pair are no longer close.
A source tells us: “The boys used to be like brothers, they were the best of friends and used to joke about what life would be like when they were old men and still hanging out together.
“Now they are about a million miles from that. They have gone their separate ways and are all living such different lives.
“Niall is a real homebody; he loves being at their place in London with Mia and the dog, or with his family in Ireland. He’s not a kid anymore; he feels settled now, while Harry still jets all over the world and never seems to stay in one place for long.
“The pair of them hardly have anything in common now, and while Niall would never come straight out and criticise Harry, some things he says definitely make Niall’s eyes roll.”
While the Irish singer songwriter, who is worth £52 million, is completely at ease with being recognised when he’s out and about, scared Styles recently admitted all the unwanted attention left him wanting to become a recluse.
Speaking to US media, Niall claims he can live carefree in London. He says his life with long-term girlfriend Amelia Woolley – known as Mia – is not built around his work schedule and fame.
He added that he’s never minded being mobbed by One Direction’s devoted army of fans: “I don’t ever want it to be like, poor me. That was just the way it was – there were a lot of people around.
“I just get out and do it, and people are going to come up to you and say hello. And that’s fine.
“I used to be nearly afraid of that. I love it now. I basically live a completely normal life, really, apart from the fact that if I walk in somewhere, someone’s going to come up and say hello, that’s fine.
“I walk the dog every day and go on the tube and go into town and go for beers. There’s nothing special.
“It’s a great thing. It’s something that when you were younger, you yearned for.
“We all want that normalcy in effect. You cannot have your f****ing cake and eat it, though, either.
“I want to be out there doing my thing and getting up on stage. It’s the best f***ing thing in the world.”
The former pals’ bruising clash came as they filmed a three-part road trip for a nostalgic Netflix documentary about the band, which has since been scrapped.
Our front page splash on Saturday revealed details of the fightCredit: Not known, clear with picture deskHarry goes out of his way to avoid being recognisedCredit: BackGridBack in 2011 the boys said they were as close as brothersCredit: Getty
Despite the frenzy of worldwide adulation, Niall says that down-to-earth fashion buyer Mia, 28, from Birmingham, keeps his feet firmly planted on the ground.
He went on: “You can sit at home and go like, it’s hard for me to do these things.
“But at times, it being uncomfortable or something can be a reason why you don’t do them. Or you can choose for that to not be a reason and you can do them anyway.
“When you shut out a lot of the things that are assumed can be negative, you also just unconsciously shut out a ton of positive things.
“We live a completely normal life outside of this.
“It’s like someone’s pressed pause on a stopwatch, and then when it clicked back in, I was just this different person. It’s really cool. It happened gradually, but when I think about it in hindsight, it felt like just night and day.
I basically live a completely normal life, if someone’s going to come up and say hello, that’s fine
Niall Horan
“My life just went from being all encompassing to having this good divide.
“I love it. I like having the balance. It’s pretty cool.
“I’ve gotten very good at. When I’m at home, I’m completely at home. I’m not doing anything. I just want to be at home.
“But I like going to work now and then being at home, I like it that way.
“Hopefully, I can keep doing that because it’s a nice little balance I’ve got going on. And it takes time to get to that.
“Amelia’s got her own life. She’s been doing her thing, and everything can’t be just surrounding me.
“It’s already weird enough that she used to fly to Amsterdam to come in on a five o’clock flight on a Friday. It can’t be like that all the time.
Niall’s new album Dinner Party is about the night he met fashionista AmeliaCredit: GoffAmelia and Niall at Wimbledon last summerCredit: Getty
“Bringing her into that is a really cool thing. And she feels that sense of pride and looks at the fans and sees the way they’re thinking and things like that.
“It’s such a cool thing for her if I play her a song; she’s never had that before. It’s not like people were coming home in the evening from work and going, ‘Hey, I wrote you a song today.’
“That’s a new thing for her, too. The whole thing is a shock to the system, but our life is just not all about that.”
Niall previously dated Hailee Steinfeld and Ellie Goulding –resulting inEd Sheeranwriting the hit track Don’t about an apparent love triangle between the trio.
He explained recently: “A large part of the last couple of years has just been about, honestly, learning to like myself away from having so much of my value baked into whether other people are enjoying me or not.
“Learning that fears and feelings aren’t facts, and you can have a feeling about yourself and taking the time to be able to see what that is and see where that comes from.”
Louis was cut on the head and left concussed while filming in AmericaCredit: London News PicturesAfter receiving medical treatment, Louis left for the UK, while Zayn returned to his farm in PennsylvaniaCredit: Getty – Contributor
During Thursday’s (April 23) episode of theITV show, hosts Richard Madeley andKate Garraway returned to our TV screens as they updated viewers on the biggest news headlines from across the UK and around theworld.
Not long into the show, Ranvir Singh, who was reading the headlines, announced breaking news afterPrince Harry made a surprise trip toUkraine, urging the world not to lose sight of what the country is up against.
Speaking to viewers watching at home, Ranvir went on to say: “That breaking news from Kyiv. Hello there, very good morning to you. Well, Prince Harry has arrived in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv for a two day visit.”
She continued:”He will see some of the work of the Halo Trust an organisation that specialises in clearing landmines and explosives from war torn countries, which, of course, you’ll remember his mother, Princess Diana, was a keen supporter of.
“She worked with them in Angola in 1997. Well, the Duke of Sussex has told ITV news that he wants to remind the world what Ukraine is up against in its war with Russia, our royal editor Chris Ship is in Kyiv and is the only correspondent with access to Harry on this trip.”
The show then cut to a news report from Chris, who explained: “Prince Harry arrived here at Ukraine’s main railway station. He came in on an overnight train from Poland, and yes, an unannounced visit, they always are, of course, for obvious reasons when you come to Ukraine.”
He added: “And perhaps a reminder that at a time when the world’s attention has been on Iran and the conflict there, the fight here is still going on.”
Prince Harry made the unannounced visit to Kyiv at a time when the focus of international concern has been on the war in Iran.
“It’s good to be back in Ukraine”, Prince Harry said as he arrived. He told ITV News that he wanted “to remind people back home and around the world what Ukraine is up against and to support the people and partners doing extraordinary work every hour of every day in incredibly tough conditions”.
He called Ukraine “a country bravely and successfully defending Europe’s eastern flank” and said “it matters that we don’t lose sight of the significance of that”.
His message to Ukrainians is that “the world sees you and respects you”.
Senior Western defence and government officials are gathering in the Ukrainian capital for the Kyiv Security Conference. Harry will make a speech at the conference and tell them that the battle here is more than a simple fight about territory.
He will also see the dangerous work being carried out by The Halo Trust. The Halo Trust employs 1,300 people in de-mining work in Ukraine – its largest operation anywhere in the world.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 7am on ITV1 and ITVX
POP star Harry Styles and actress Zoe Kravitz are sleeping in separate beds during their stay in Britain.
The singer was snapped showing his American girlfriend the sights close to his North London home on Sunday.
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Harry Styles enjoyed a stroll with girlfriend Zoë Kravitz near his North London home – before the pair went their separate waysCredit: ErotemeHarry was seen dropping off Zoe at her London hotel before heading back to his Hampstead homeCredit: GettyGentleman Harry was seen arriving to pick Zoe up again the following morning.Credit: Alamy
But after grabbing a coffee and walking hand-in-hand, the pair split and went their separate ways.
Harry, 32, was spotted dropping off Zoe, 37, at her hotel in the capital at 3.30pm on Sunday before heading to his Hampstead pad.
He was then seen arriving to pick her up again yesterday morning.
An onlooker said: “Harry and Zoe might be spending time together by day but at night they’re sleeping apart.
“They were so loved-up in Hampstead, so it was odd the date ended with her going to a hotel and him heading home on his tod.
“He was a proper gent though and came and picked Zoe up for another date yesterday.”
Harry, whose new album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, went straight to No 1 when he released it last month, will be on tour in the coming weeks.
Harry is heading off on tour, but insiders say Zoe will visit him whenever she has time in her busy filming schedulesCredit: GettyThe Sun revealed the pair were dating in AugustCredit: Getty
The singer will then fly to South America for a run of shows before he plays 30 more in New York and then five concerts in Australia.
Insiders said Zoe, who is the daughter of rocker Lenny Kravitz, is busy with her filming commitments but that she would visit Harry when she could.
A source said: “Harry and Zoe spend as much time together as they can and they’re massively supportive of each other’s careers.
“She will be at shows when she can.
“Harry has made sure he’s got plenty of down dates in his schedule, too.”
The movie Pillion only hit cinemas last year, but it has already been released on at least two platforms. Not only is it available to those with a standalone subscription to the latest service, HBO Max, but it can also be accessed by those with Sky Cinema or a Movies Pass on the NOW platform.
According to its synopsis, the film follows Colin, a timid man who meets Ray, an enigmatic, impossibly handsome biker who sweeps him off his feet. He soon initiates him into a submissive relationship.
This challenges Colin’s mundane existence and prompts personal growth through their unconventional dynamic. Harry Melling, best known for playing Dudley Dursley in the original Harry Potter films, takes on the role of Colin, while True Blood, Succession, and Murderbot actor Alexander Skarsgård plays Ray.
Upon its initial release, the film was a big hit with critics, earning a near-perfect 99% on Rotten Tomatoes. One review claimed: “Pillion is a bold, bawdy film told through small looks and big feelings. It broke my heart and put it back together again.”
Although another warned, “Pillion isn’t a film for everyone. But those who know what it means to grovel for their beloved…will find in a subject for analysis in Pillion’s erratic relationship and outlandish romance.”
Another agreed but also highlighted how it handles its subject matter. The reviewer penned: “While the cringe is strong (and deliberate) in many scenes of Pillion, Lighton makes it clear that kink isn’t an embarrassing detour for Colin — it’s how he comes to know himself. For him, in a very real sense, submission becomes empowering.”
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Sky is giving away free subscriptions to HBO Max with its £22 Ultimate TV bundle, which also includes Netflix, Disney+, discovery+, Hayu, and around 135 channels at no extra cost.
Fans who have already seen the film have been left just as impressed. One person shared their views online, saying: “Unforgettable film in so many ways. Yes, it’s explicit, but that isn’t the lasting footprint of this film. I left the cinema having been enlightened, embarrassed, happy, and so very sad.
“It’s a masterclass in the subtlety of truly great acting where so few words are needed to elicit such emotion from an audience. There won’t be Oscar nominations as it’s a small, independent film with a small budget, but there really, really should be.”
While someone else commented, “A beautiful, unflinching look at queer BDSM life. While it might not be for some (the faint-hearted), it is soulful enough to warrant consideration of anyone capable of empathetic, non-discriminatory understanding of joy in all relationships, and ultimately how fleeting and precious it is.”
One person added their verdict and posted: “It is a rare film, dealing with a theme seldom explored in cinema and, above all, very raw. I have seen some opinions suggesting that the ending was unpleasant. For me, the ending was one of the best parts.”
Pillion is streaming on HBO Max, Sky Cinema and NOW for those with a movies pass.
Don’t worry if your Hogwarts acceptance letter got lost in the mail — a new “Harry Potter” experience will soon let you hop aboard the Hogwarts Express anyway.
Harry Potter: A Hogwarts Express Adventure will open at the Southern California Railway Museum this summer for guests to experience the Wizarding World rite of passage aboard a real moving train in the Inland Empire. The experience will run from July 24 through Sept. 27. Yes, that includes Back to Hogwarts Day on Sept. 1.
A Hogwarts Express Adventure will include a Platform 9¾-themed preboarding experience as well as House competitions and chants, spell-casting challenges and other interactive activities aboard the train. Guests will also be able to grab some themed treats from the trolley. The train ride will end at a Hogsmeade-inspired village where more food, beverages and merchandise will be available.
The Rail Events Inc. press release also teases a possible encounter with “a dark and mysterious force.” The company, also known for the Polar Express Train Ride, developed A Hogwarts Express Adventure along with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences.
This is a big year for “Harry Potter” fans. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” a new television series based on author J.K. Rowling’s popular book series, is set to debut on HBO Max on Christmas Day. The show will introduce audiences to a new Golden Trio, portrayed by Dominic McLaughlin (Harry Potter), Alastair Stout (Ron Weasley) and Arabella Stanton (Hermione Granger), as they embark on their Hogwarts journey. (Rowling remains controversial for her views on trans women.)
Ticket sales for A Hogwarts Express Adventure will begin April 28, with prices starting at $77 for adults and $67 for children ages 2 to 11, depending on departure time.
IF HOGWARTS was a real place, it would be rammed with selfie-stick-wielding tourists – but one quiet spot in a Devonshire city is the ultimate hidden gem for Potterheads.
It’s no secret that J.K. Rowling studied at Exeter University, but for years Harry Potter fans have been convinced that part of the city actually inspired a major feature of the movies (though she did debunk this herself).
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In the city of Exeter there is a hidden gem for PotterheadsCredit: The Sun – Cyann FieldingGandy Street is just off of Exeter high streetCredit: The Sun – Cyann FieldingAnd many people believe it is the inspiration for Diagon Alley as J.K. Rowling attended Exeter UniversityCredit: Alamy
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Tucked away at a right angle off the bustling high street, you’ll find Gandy Street – a crooked, cobbled lane that looks remarkably like Diagon Alley.
To find it, you’ll have to venture down an opening between Urban Outfitters and Costa – and many visiting the city actually miss this.
The lane then opens up into a magical world of bunting, twinkling lights and higgidy-piggidy shops.
While the film‘s Diagon Alley is actually a film set, the resemblance is clear.
According to Warner Brothers Studio Tour, the design of Diagon Alley was inspired by Charles Dickens’ descriptions of London.
However, director Chris Columbus realised that not many places look like 19th century London anymore, so a set for Diagon Alley was built specifically for filming.
Misshapen buildings tower over the lane and there is a flea market vibe similar to that of the bird cages and antique-style signs hanging from Diagon Alley’s shopfronts.
The entire street has dark-stone architecture, just like the gloominess of Diagon Alley.
Though the colourful shopfronts brighten the street in the same way Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes does for Diagon Alley.
While Diagon Alley boasts Flourish and Blotts, Mr Mulpepper’s Apothecary, Gringotts Wizard Bank and OIlivanders wand shop, Gandy Street has its own destinations worth visiting.
You might not be able to gobble a Chocolate Frog, but you can dive into Chococo for a hot chocolate.
At the Makers Market, you will find magical trinkets created by local sellers such as handmade handbags and quirky prints.
For pretty and unique jewellery head to Silver Lion and for gifts drop by Moko.
The Vaults nightclub is even compared to Gringotts BankCredit: Alamy
Even The Vaults nightclub looks a bit like Gringotts Bank, though don’t expect to find a dragon – just good cocktails.
If you are hungry there are a couple of spots on the street to grab a bite to eat including Red Panda, where you can grab a bao bun and salad for under a tenner.
For another interesting spot nearby, venture to Parliament Street which is thought to be the narrowest street in the UK and one of the narrowest in Europe.
It dates back to the 14th century and at its narrowest point measures only 63.5cm.
And your adventure around the city doesn’t have to end there…
Make sure to head to the Cathedral Quarter, where – in my opinion – you’ll find one of the most breathtaking cathedrals in the UK.
The 12th century Gothic cathedral has the “longest unbroken stretch of Gothic vaulting” remaining in the world, according to Visit Exeter, measuring 91metres – about the same as the height of Big Ben.
Whilst in the city, make sure to also head to the CathedralCredit: The Sun – Cyann Fielding
Our favourite UK hotels
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Margate House, Kent
This stylish boutique hotel is in a seaside townhouse, a short walk from Margate’s coolest bars and restaurants. Decked out with plush velvet sofas, candles flickering and striking independent art, inside feels like a warm welcome home. Rooms are stunning, especially the ones that give you a glimpse of the sea.
The Alan looks extremely grand, being built into a beautiful Grade II listed building. Spread across six floors, with 137 rooms, each one looks like a fancy design magazine. From the concrete coffee tables to the pink plastered walls, the industrial-inspired designs perfectly replicate the history of the city.
This historic hotel has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens and Lillie Langtry through its doors. Rooms have richly-patterned carpets with super soft bed linen and premium toiletries in the bathroom. Go for a superior room for extra goodies including bathrobes and snack boxes.
This Cambridge hotel is in the ideal spot, within walking distance to bars, shops and hotspots like the university colleges and Parker’s Piece. The inside couldn’t be prettier, with huge stained glass windows, grand chandeliers, and rooms with enormous clawfoot bath tubs.
One of my favourite things to do here is enjoy the cathedral green and look at the 50-plus statues carved into the Salcombe and volcanic stone the cathedral is built out of.
Make sure to explore the lower part of the high street as well, just a short walk from the cathedral.
Here you’ll find most of the independent businesses in the city including cosy cafes and McCoys Arcade, which is home to a number of shops including a book store and record store.
If you do want to head to some of the bigger brand names, walk to the very top of the high street where you will find the likes of Lush, John Lewis, Next and Waterstones.
The best part to visiting the city? Unlike Harry, you won’t need to tap your wand on the wall to get in… You just need a train ticket to Devon.