huge

THREE brand new locations have been announced by an adult-only bowling franchise.

Known for its boutique bowling lanes, retro arcade games and lengthy cocktail menu, this venue turns into an adult playground after 7pm in most of its locations.

Lane7, which describes itself as an activity bar for adults, has revealed three new branches will open in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Leeds.

In Glasgow, Lane7 will take over a large event space underneath the central station which used to be the site of Platform, previously known as the Arches.

Since 2020, Edinburgh has enjoyed the bowling brand in its St James’ Quarter, making this recently announced site Lane7’s second location in the Scottish city.

But, the new Leeds site will mark the first Lane7 branch the northern city has seen.

LEGEND LOST

Gabby Logan’s footie icon dad Terry Yorath dies at 75 after she left MOTD early

GULP!

Six chemicals in popular foods ‘raise risk of at least 2 cancers by almost a THIRD’

According to a Lane7 spokesperson, Leeds has been “a long-held target city” for for one of their branches.

Lane7 is sure that “guests will be thrilled with the new 23,000sq ft location in the heart of the City Centre”.

Currently there are 24 locations across the country offering adults a variety of drinks, food and games such as arcade machines, darts, mini golf, curling, and beer pong.

Reviews from customers in other locations rave about the “awesome” gaming facilities and “buzzing” atmosphere suggesting these new hubs are much anticipated.

Construction for the three new branches is expected to begin at the end of March.

Lane7’s managing director Gavin Hughes hinted at the bowling giant potentially more locations later in the year.

He said: “We’ll be starting development of three new sites by the close of the first quarter, taking in some new locations and expanding further in others.

“We know 2026 is going to be another transformational year for the group.”

I spent the day in one of the most popular cities in the UK, and while it was pretty, it was lacking something else entirely, and I wouldn’t return in a hurry

I was filled with anticipation and excitement as I made my way up North to spend the day in a UK city that is, by all accounts, a blockbuster location.

Yet, as I wandered the winding cobbled streets and explored the walled city that had been so loudly hyped before my visit, I couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed.

The UK is packed with thriving cities that boast fascinating architecture, rich history, iconic landmarks and diverse collections of amenities set against the backdrop of a picture-postcard destination. Some of the most popular cities in the UK to visit, which have long been renowned for their beauty, include Bath, Cambridge, Edinburgh, London, and Oxford.

Another city that often tops this list, attracting thousands of tourists annually, is the historic city of York. The ancient North Yorkshire settlement was named the top place in the UK for quality of life in 2025 in the Good Growth for Cities Index, and was included in a list of the best ten Christmas market cities in the country.

READ MORE: Beautiful seaside town now ‘dying a death’ and ‘depressing’ as 1 in 4 shops lie emptyREAD MORE: Travel fans urged to try packing method that could save up to £200 at airport

Additionally, York was named as one of the happiest places to live in the UK by The Guardian last year, noting its “modesty and unreserved warmth”. It was also previously named the best city in England to visit by Condé Nast Traveller.

So it’s got its plaudits. But I’m not among them. York is one UK city that I won’t be returning to in a hurry, and it wasn’t just because of the tourist crowds.

I visited York for the day during a warm September, eager to discover what all the fuss was about and experience its charm. I had already heard so much about the walled city from friends who had visited that, admittedly, it already had a lot to live up to.

But it was so much smaller than I had imagined. I made my way into the city centre, wandering around as many cobbled paths and high streets as I could, and I was finished before lunch. I even ventured off the beaten path to uncover hidden gems, but found myself struggling, as the bounds of the city came to an abrupt end.

The iconic Shambles Market in the city centre was another slightly disappointing factor. It felt like any other UK market, with some unoriginal gift ideas. The Shambles area itself is popular with Harry Potter enthusiasts, with its cobbled and crooked medieval buildings resembling Diagon Alley.

Eager to transport myself to the wizardry world of magic, I walked along the cobbles lanes, but I was not spellbound. The experience was ruined by throngs of tourists grabbing a selfie and queueing up for one of the Harry Potter-inspired shops. While it was interesting to see, I wasn’t keen on hanging around and fighting my way through the crowds any longer, so I swiftly made my exit.

York is undeniably beautiful, with its Gothic and medieval architecture, yet its city centre lacked the charm I had been promised. While it offers plenty of landmarks, such as the ancient city walls, its stunning Cathedral, York Minster, and Clifford’s Tower, I felt it was missing that vibrant character that I’ve found in other popular UK cities.

In Bath, you’re treated to the bustling sound of performers and live music in the city centre, along with its thriving food scene, while Cambridge offers punting on the River Cam and a city renowned for its university, brimming with shops and eateries. Yet, I found that I didn’t need more than a day to explore York, as beyond its history and timber-framed buildings, there wasn’t much more to uncover in the city.

Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@reachplc.com

Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury’s relationship is once again under the spotlight in the new episodes of her Prime Video documentary after the couple decided to give their romance another go

The new Molly-Mae Hague documentary series will focus on her moving back in with Tommy Fury as she tells fans: “My life’s gonna change, everything’s gonna be different.”

The trailer for the final part of the second series of Molly-Mae: Behind It All dropped online tonight ahead of the launch on Prime Video on January 16. It initially shows how Molly’s sister Zoe has moved in with her to help her with childcare and growing her business Maebe.

But also in the 80 second clip, Molly is shown trying to gain self confidence ahead of moving back in with Tommy. She tells the cameras: “I am very proud of me and Tommy for working through things. It’s just gonna bring us even closer as a family.”

As the trailer shows a removal van she adds: “I’m closing the door and leaving behind such an incredible chapter of my life. It’s very bittersweet. It’s also just that fear of not knowing what to round the corner. So just a few things going on.”

Molly-Mae is engaged to Tommy after the couple met on Love Island in 2019. They became the most famous and celebrated romance from the ITV series. But after they got engaged and had their daughter Bambi together, they split in August 2024 amidst rumours Tommy had cheated, something he has always denied.

In the first series of the Prime Video documentary released a year ago, things had been very different and Molly-Mae and Tommy were not together and living apart. Tommy only featured on the phone and not in scenes on screen.

At that time on screen she said: “The last couple of months have been like the worst couple of months of my life. The feeling of a break up, it’s like a physical pain, like your heart actually hurts. For everyone else, it’s news, a bit of gossip. But for us, it’s real life. Your whole world just feels like it’s over.

“You don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m dealing with the falling apart of our relationship.” But in a look toward what ended up happening in the future she also told the cameras her love for Tommy “didn’t disappear overnight” after they were spotted kissing at a party on New Year’s Eve to see in the year 2025.

Some of the problems at the time had been blamed on alcohol. Molly said back then: “There were exterior issues going on for him that were causing our relationship to have problems. It was drinking isn’t it?

“I never, ever wanted to be with someone that drank, because my mum had a period of time in her life where she struggled because her marriage of 25 years had just ended, and she turned to drink, probably more than she should have.

“I was only about 14,15 when that happened, and I saw my mum in some like states, going through a really, like vulnerable time. So I have never, ever, ever been around it in a positive light.

“Tommy wanted to have a family life, but then also have the life of a 25-year-old boy with no responsibilities. And the two don’t go hand in hand. He’s never had an alcohol problem. It’s just that alcohol caused problems for us. It got to a point where I wasn’t really looking forward to anything, because alcohol affected it so much.”

In the new trailer Tommy is shown with Bambi in a clear sign they are back together as a family. They have recently all been to the Maldives and posted photos showing them all together on social media.

Molly-Mae: Behind It All Series 2 Part 2 (Episodes 4-6) will launch on 16th January 2026.

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

Jan. 6 (UPI) — Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado praised U.S. President Donald Trump for ousting former President Nicolas Maduro, calling it a giant achievement for humanity, for which Trump should rightly receive the Nobel Peace Prize.

“Jan. 3 will go down in history as the day justice defeated tyranny. It’s a milestone, and it’s not only huge for the Venezuelan people and our future, I think it’s a huge step for humanity, for freedom, and human dignity,” Machado told Fox News on Monday night.

She said Trump’s action to begin dismantling Maduro’s “narco-terrorist regime,” bringing him to justice, and with it, bringing democracy within reach for 30 million Venezuelans, proved beyond doubt that he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, said Machado, herself the recipient of this year’s peace prize.

However, she issued a warning to the Trump administration that the woman who was sworn in as Maduro’s replacement, interim president Delcy Rodriguez, was not to be trusted, accusing her of being “one of the main architects of torture, persecution, corruption, narco-trafficking,” in Venezuela.

“She’s a main ally and liaison of Russia, China, Iran, certainly not an individual who could be trusted by international investors and she’s really rejected by the Venezuelan people.”

Trump said Monday night that Rodriguez was cooperating with his administration but insisted there had been no deal with any individuals or group inside Venezuelan to take down Maduro.

He said there was no communication with Rodríguez prior to Friday night’s military operation to capture Maduro, adding that a decision was imminent on whether earlier sanctions imposed on her would remain in place.

He also strongly denied that his preference for Rodriguez had anything to do with the fact he beleived the peace prize should have gone to him, rather than Machado.

The Wall Street Journal repored Monday that Trump determined Rodriguez and other members of Maduro’s inner circle were best placed to head a transition administration and keep stability in Venezuela in the event Maduro lost power, based on a CIA intelligence assessment of various scenarios.

The classified report was, in part, responsible for Trump’s decision to support Maduro’s vice president over Machado.

Publicly, he has said she lacked sufficient “support” and “respect” in her home country, despite the fact that Machado won the presidential primary in December 2023, but was barred from running by Maduro.

Machado was replaced on the ballot by Edmundo Gonzales, who is widely regarded to have won the presidency by most Western countries.

Machado, who is in Norway after being smuggled out of Venezuela in December to travel to Oslo to collect her award, vowed to return to Venezuela as soon as possible and that her opposition movement, which had the 2024 election stolen from it by Maduro, wanted the transition to democracy to move forward.

“We won an election by a landslide under fraudulent conditions. In free and fair elections, we will win over 90% of the votes, I have no doubt about it,” said Machado.

However, Trump quashed speculation that elections could be held as soon as next month, saying Venezuela had to be fixed first.

“You can’t have an election. There’s no way the people could even vote. No, it’s going to take a period of time. We have — we have to nurse the country back to health,” said Trump.

Hollyoaks spoilers have confirmed that Liberty Savage gets caused in the act with her mystery new man by Sienna Blake next week and it’s a familiar face to Brookside fans

A Brookside legend is exposed as the secret lover of a Hollyoaks beauty next week.

In upcoming scenes of the Channel 4 soap, Liberty Savage (Jessamy Stoddart) is beaming after going on a date and tells John Paul McQueen (James Sutton) all about it.

Sienna Blake (Anna Passey) arrives home distraught and Liberty comforts her before a man springs out from her sister’s bedroom – it’s Tinhead.

Fans last saw Timothy ‘Tinhead’ O’Leary (Philip Olivier) after the iconic Hollyoaks and Brookside crossover episode in October when Marie Fielding (Rita Simons) moved to Brookside Close, after her pregnancy lie was exposed.

Marie met Tinhead but what brings him to Hollyoaks?

Later in the week, Sienna goes to Jez Blake’s (Jeremy Sheffield) shed and is about to destroy it until she hears movement, someone is in there.

She runs and finds a van driving off and fans see that it’s Tinhead but why was he lurking around Jez’s shed?

Fans will know that Sienna’s serial killer father Jez and Clare Devine’s mid-air fight led to their plane crashing and hitting the love boat causing the death of Peri Lomax (Ruby O’Donnell).

A brawl ensued, with Sienna barely restraining Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson), who wanted to exact his revenge against Jez over his niece Peri’s death.

Dodger Savage (Danny Mac) was able to handcuff Jez to a railing by the pond but, when the murderer unexpectedly freed himself, Liberty, John Paul and Ste rushed to stop him, causing him to slip into the water.

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

There, Jez met a terrible, off-screen fate courtesy of the plane’s airscrew back in full motion. Fans will have to see why Tinhead is hanging out Jez’s old haunt.

Elsewhere in the village, Hollyoaks spoilers have confirmed that Sienna is kicked out by new mum Cleo McQueen (Nadine Mulkerrin).

Cleo snaps at Sienna feeling scrutinized and, hearing a commotion, Misbah Maalik (Harvey Virdi) goes round to check on them.

At the Maaliks, a distraught Sienna asks Misbah why Cleo is treating her like this. Misbah wonders whether Sienna may be suffering from PTSD following recent events with Jez.

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

US rapper Ashnikko sells out Manchester and London gigs as she counts down to her highly anticipated Smoochies tour in the UK and Ireland.

The musician will be headlining six dates from February 11th to 20th and she’ll be descending upon Glasgow and Dublin as well as Manchester and London.

She’s kicking off the UK leg of her tour in Glasgow at the 02 Academy before heading to Manchester for two dates at the Manchester Academy.

Ashnikko will follow this up with Dublin at 3Olympia before finishing up with two nights at London’s Brixton Academy.

Her fans have been excitedly awaiting her return to the UK and a result, many of the dates have already sold out.

She announced the tour dates back in August as well as the dates that the pre sale and general sale tickets were going to be available.

PIPE UP

Peter Andre teases exciting new project – but is he making a music comeback?

SPECIAL GUEST

Massive music star spotted with Rod Stewart at Celtic Park for Rangers clash

Taking to Instagram to share the tour poster, she penned: “SMOOCHIES TOUR!!!!

“Coming first to Ireland and the Yoo Kay. Preorder Smoochies the album from my UK store before 3pm bst on Monday to unlock a sexy little presale code.

“Pre-sale opens august 19th – 10am. General sale Thursday 21st – 10am.”

Her excited fans flocked to the comments section to share their enthusiasm as one gushed: “JUST GOT MY MANCHESTER TICKETS BABEEE.”

Another enthused: “Got the Glasgow tickets!!! Acc buzzing travelling from N.I to come see you.”

While a third added: “02 is GONNA BE CRAZYYY!!!! So proud of u.”

Her setlist includes her biggest tracks from her album of the same name, including Liquid, Skin Cleared, Chichinya, Full Frontal and Lip Smacker.

The tour kicks off on January 26 with dates in Poland, Germany, Denmark, France, Belgium and The Netherlands before descending upon the UK and Ireland.

After giving Blighty a visit for her six tour dates, Ashnikko will be heading back to her native US for shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and many, many more.

The musician will conclude her tour in September, with shows in New Zealand and Australia.

She began her career in 2016 but gained huge popularity in 2019, when her single Stupid featuring Baby Tate went viral on TikTok.

As a result, the song was declared certified platinum in both the United States and Canada.

Her debut mixtape, Demidevil was released in January 2021, with singles released including Daisy and Slumber Party.

Her debut studio album, Weedkiller, released in 2023, followed by Smoochies which came out in October last year.

Speaking about her sophomore album, she expressed: ““Smoochies feels like Demidevil’s older sister.

“It’s sexy, playful, and feminine, while toeing the line of grotesque and absurd. I feel like purse sediment so much of the time – like a mess of crumbs and gum in receipts and lipgloss that I’ve forgotten about – so the album feels like that too.

“This is the first where I’ve written very autobiographically, but at the core of it all is personal autonomy and joyful whimsy.”

Fans of The Traitors are searching for answers over the show’s new twist – the Secret Traitor. But viewers think they may have spotted a massive blunder in the background of The Traitors: Uncloaked

Eagle-eyed Traitors fans are convinced they have sussed out who the secret traitor is, after an apparent blunder on spin-off show Uncloaked. With the most recent season of The Traitors starting on New Year’s Day, the format was switched up slightly by BBC bosses, who added in a ‘secret traitor’, as well as the three traitors as usual.

But when fans were watching The Traitors: Uncloaked, they spotted what some thought was a blunder on the show’s behalf. Clocking the photos on the wall behind the hosts, one X user wrote: “Why are the 3 traitors pictured on the wall…..with Harriet.”

Another added: “Spoiler: The portraits of the traitors are in the background of #traitorsuncloaked…. Plus an additional one. Harriet the secret traitor! #TheTraitorsUK #Traitors”

READ MORE: Unmasked star of The Traitors reveals mistakes he made which led to downfall in first interview

A third posted: “Have Uncloaked revealed the identity of the Secret Traitor already?… Imagine though, what a plot twist!? #TheTraitorsUK #TheTraitors”. Although it’s unlikely the producers would make a mistake so obvious, fans are so desperate to crack the puzzle, they are getting “suspicious” over anything – including contestants’ handwriting and choice of words.

During a confessional, psychologist Ellie said she was hesitant as she didn’t want people to think she is the “Secret Traitor”, leading fans to question how she knew those words if the Faithfuls are unaware of this year’s twist. In the interview room, Ellie said: “People will question whether you are sitting and watching as a kind of Secret Traitor…”

Picking up on her choice of words, one fan asked: “Anyone notice Ellie talking in the interview room and saying ‘people will question whether you are sitting & watching as a kind of secret traitor’.”

Another added: “Ellie saying ‘don’t want to look like a secret traitor’ as a faithful who don’t know about a secret traitor??? Suspicious wording.” And a third agreed: “Ellie saying ‘thinking I’m some secret traitor’, why would you say secret and not just traitor unless it’s on your mind?”

Host Claudia Winkleman introduced the new twist to the show on January 1, revealing that for the first time, there would be a fourth traitor, who is unknown to everyone – including traitors and viewers. This secret traitor, who is awarded a scarlet cloak, would call the shots, picking a shortlist of three people that the other traitors could murder.

Speculation is rife among fans, with everyone dying to know who the new secret traitor could be. Last night’s episode (January 3) saw tensions only rise among the traitors, with viewers almost witnessing the uncloaking of the secret traitor.

After Hugo was betrayed by fellow traitor Stephen, the first traitor was banished. The remaining two were set a secret mission that could help them uncover the identity of the secret traitor.

Stephen and Rachel had to highlight the family tree of players with red ink, saying who could be murdered. If they marked nine names, they would not only get to murder a player that evening, but they would also meet the secret traitor.

They succeeded in their mission, but not before almost giving themselves away to Reece. As such, that night, the secret traitor made their way to the traitors’ turret.

But with the credits rolling, viewers will have to wait until at least Wednesday 7 January to find out who it is. That’s if the show reveals it at all.

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

READ MORE: Hours remain to grab Amazon’s Fire TV Stick at better than half-price

LILY Allen has opened up on her state of mind and the “huge change” in her family life situation following her split with husband David Harbour.

The popstar candidly told how she had now come out from the other side of a “nervous breakdown” which saw her hospitalised.

Lily, 40, who shares two daughters with first husband Sam Cooper, and endured a bitter split with Stranger Things actor David, 50, last year.

Cheating allegations and a marriage lacking intimacy were allegations levelled at the Netflix actor by Lily, with the former couple starting to negotiate the sale their £6m Brooklyn townhouse.

The marriage breakdown sparked Smile songstress Lily’s first album in seven years.

At the heart of the record is a character called Madeline, who Lily confirmed to the Times is a construct of other people, and the secret relationship she has with a man many are interpreting to be Harbour.

LILY’S HABIT

Lily Allen reveals she’s in therapy for secret addiction

HER CHOICE

Lily Allen admits she ‘can’t remember’ how many abortions she’s had

Now she has opened up on the after effects on her Miss Me? podcast.

She said: “I’ve done quite a lot this year.

“I’ve finished an album, I got a boob job, I had a nervous breakdown, I went into hospital for a bit, I came out, I did some podcasting for a while, then I played one of the hardest tracks in theatre and killed myself (in the role of Hedda Gabler) every night for seven weeks.”

She added of teen daughters Ethel, 14, and Marnie, 13: “My kids are f**king mental at the moment.

“They are really developing their personalities. It’s just a lot.

“There’s a lot of questions.”

Tacitly making reference to the life changes prompted by the split she said: “There’s a lot of change in our lives at the moment

“We’ve changed houses, we’ve changed countries, we’ve changed schools, and it’s a lot.”

The Fear hitmaker added to her show: “The last five years, I’ve been a stay-at-home mum.

“And now I’m a single mum that has to work and suddenly has a lot of work opportunities on my plate and I’m having to travel a lot.”

MARRIAGE SPLIT

Lily previously told how she was suicidal after her marriage split and voluntarily opted to go to rehab.

She has previously been open about her recreational use of drugs and alcohol but she opted to quit the substances six years ago.

It led the star to find her marriage split even more challenging as she wasn’t able to use the substances as a way out.

Lily said: “The feelings of despair that I was experiencing were so strong.

“The last time that I felt anything like that, drugs and alcohol were my way out, so it was excruciating to sit with those [feelings] and not to use them.”

Lily said: “I’ve been into those places before against my will and I feel like that’s progress in itself.

“That’s strength. I knew that the things I was feeling were too extreme to be able to manage, and I was like, ‘I need some time away’.”

Lily married David in 2020 – her second husband following her marriage to the father of her children, builder Sam Cooper.

The LDN hitmaker was married to Sam from 2011-2018 although the relationship was understood to have crumbled sometime before they made their break-up official.

TOUGH TIMES

Lily and David split up in December 2024 and it was later reported he’d had a three-year affair.

David had even made a shock “cheating” joke while doing a tour of their New York City home two years prior.

But the split fuelled the Lily’s huge music comeback, with the toxic fallout playing out on her first album in seven years.

The eye-watering details of her open marriage and split from actor David are seemingly laid bare in the 14-song album.

On the album, Lily took aim at David and claimed how he allegedly ­bedded a woman called “Madeline”.

The track is written as a letter to the woman David had an affair with.

“How long has it been going on? Is it just sex or is there emotion?” Lily sings at one point.

And in the song Tennis, Lily croons:  “So I read your text, and now I regret it.

It has since been revealed that “Madeline” is likely based on Natalie Tippett, a single mum aged 34, from New Orleans, who has strongly denied any affair.

IT’S shaping up to be a very exciting year for Alesha Dixon, Sabrina Washington and Su-Elise Nash.

I’m told the singers, who you will know better as Noughties girl band Mis-Teeq, have been discussing how they can celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album, Lickin’ On Both Sides.

The record, which came out in October 2001, peaked at No3 in the Official Album Charts and bagged them five Top Ten singles including All I Want, One Night Stand and B With Me.

And now the trio are considering reuniting for a special show to mark the milestone.

A source said: “Alesha has been excitedly talking about this for a while and would love a Mis-Teeq reunion with Sabrina and Su-Elise happen.

“Fans shouldn’t expect a Girls Aloud-style comeback tour, though.

DYNAMIC DUA

How power couple Dua Lipa & Callum Turner are set to take on Hollywood together

ONES TO WATCH

UK’s new girlband Sweet Love reveal big on-stage blunder as they drop single

“At the minute, lots of things are being discussed and one thing that has come up is the idea of a one-off show. It could be an intimate gig for their die-hard fans or a performance on a big TV programme such as Britain’s Got Talent — which Alesha is a judge on.

“Nothing has formally been offered but nothing is off the table.

“Lickin’ On Both Sides launched Alesha, Sabrina and Su-Elise’s music careers and that record holds a really special place in their hearts.

“They want to celebrate that album with their fans.”

Alesha and Sabrina now appear to be back on good terms after the latter threatened to sue over unpaid royalties in 2020.

Sabrina, who was the group’s lead singer, started legal proceedings against Alesha over royalties going back 15 years as well as action against former label Universal.

She alleged Alesha had “wrongfully claimed” song-writing cash for their first two singles Why and All I Want.

A pal said at the time: “Alesha received five per cent royalties for the girls’ first two songs whereas Sabrina received nothing.

“They both should have got 2.5 per cent. Sabrina wasn’t listed as a writer for the tracks but it was written in her contract that she would get pay parity.

“She feels she is owed thousands.”

At the time, a spokesman for Alesha said: “Alesha wrote the raps on both Why? and All I Want and that is why she gets a split.

“The rest of the song was written by a production team. Sabrina has no reason to sue Alesha.”

Earlier this summer Alesha admitted a reunion could be on the cards but added: “Thinking doesn’t mean we are doing, but we’re thinking.

“Which is more than we’ve done.”

Dua toasts a top year

DUA LIPA has been knocking back the cocktails to celebrate a stellar 2025.

I can reveal the Training Season singer raked in £70million in the year to March 2025, making it the most lucrative of her career.

Dua kept it real, though – despite earning the mammoth amount, she only paid herself a paltry £500.

New documents show her live gigs company, Radical22 Live, banked £45.6million, while Dua made a further £45.6million from her management, publishing and production company.

It’s almost double the earnings of other big British pop acts, including Ed Sheeran, over the past year – so I’m not surprised she’s busting open the booze.

Sharing snaps of her end-of-year celebrations, with her family and actor fiance Callum Turner, Dua wrote online: “Thank you for making my last year so special.

“I’m excited to make this the best one yet.”

It certainly will be if 2026 is the year she and Callum get married . . . 

No more Fab secrets

THE BEATLES’ vaults have been slammed shut after 63 years, with super producer Giles Martin admitting fans will never hear any more secret tracks from the Fab Four.

Giles has spent a number of years scouring through the band’s audio recordings, studio archives and even individual projects penned for them over their history.

His efforts have helped produce the current Disney Plus revived Beatles’ Anthology series and remixed albums and tracks.

Asked how much untouched Beatles content exists now, Martin said:
“I don’t think there’s anything. I always say that then something turns up.

“But I don’t think there’s anything. It’s incredible how much interest there still is over Beatles stuff.

“You do [hear new] things on this Anthology box set. There’s that first round of Helter Skelter, which for me is great because it’s really raw.

“It’s proper in your face music.

“And then people go, ‘Well, how come we haven’t released the 20-minute long version of Helter Skelter?’ I think we’re done.” Giles curated the new

Anthology 4 album and remastered the entire collection for the 2025 re-release of The Beatles’ Anthology series.

He believes that collaborating with his late father George Martin, also known as the fifth Beatle, on these projects has been spiritually and professionally fulfilling.

He added: “The Beatles are so powerful that it’s what people want to know about.

“It’s really nice. I love my dad. We were incredibly close.

“Their music and what they did really makes people feel better about themselves. So it’s a complete honour to work on this material and to be close to my dad is a great thing.”

Giles is currently working with director Sam Mendes on the four upcoming Beatles movies, with each focussing on a different member of the band.

On radio in the US, Giles added: “I’m working on these films. They come out in three years.

“What’s amazing about The Beatles is that new generations hear stuff and go back and unearth this catalogue.”

Mel’s bid to mark big hit

THE SPICE GIRLS’ smash hit Wannabe, the song that soundtracked my childhood, turns 30 this year and Mel C has confirmed the group will be celebrating the milestone.

Incredibly, she is still convinced that she can somehow persuade Posh and Ginger to join her, Scary and Baby for a reunion.

Spilling the beans herself on Australian radio, Mel joked: “We’ve decided not to tell Mel B anything because she can’t keep her mouth shut – and also she doesn’t know any more because we’re not telling her.”

Speaking of Wannabe’s 30th anniversary Mel added: “We have to acknowledge it in some way.”

And she explained how plans for that are progressing.

“We are talking about what that looks like and for me, myself, Melanie and Emma. We’re going back on stage  . . .  but sometimes the others may need some convincing.

She said: “Getting the five of us together, it would be the best thing ever. Sometimes I feel like it’s my duty to the world.”

“There’s so much negativity, there’s so much mad s**t going on – let’s just spice up our lives.”

Of her relationships with her bandmates, Mel said: “We have a newfound respect for each other.

“We know when to leave it, we know each other’s irritations and insecurities and we respect that now as adults and mothers.

Recalling their 2019 reunion tour, she added: “The love we had last time that was beamed back from these stadiums was like nothing I’ve experienced as a Spice Girl before.”

Twigs bold and brave

FKA TWIGS has admitted that she’s finally found the courage to speak up for herself.

Speaking in the February edition of Elle UK, which is on sale now, the British singer said: “I’m reaching that age where I can really look back at my life and I can see so many things that have been beautiful and amazing, and other things that have been really brutal and violent.”

Twigs added: “I’m realising that I can hold my love of life and my artistry and the beauty of my life, and I can also hold the brutality and the sadness and the violence.

“I can hold things at the same time, and that feels really good.

“I’ve always wanted to be at this perfect cross point of growth and youth – to be able to be young and sexy and healthy – and also not be an idiot like I was in my 20s.”

Don’t be too hard on yourself, Twigs, no one is that proud of what they did in their 20s.

Ashley is boiling hot

ASHLEY ROBERTS is making me green with envy after sharing even more of her holiday snaps.

The Pussycat Dolls singer quit the freezing wind and snow we’re having in Blighty for the boiling hot sunshine of Mauritius.

Ash told her Instagram followers she’d had the “best time”.

I’m thrilled for you, Ashley. Just thrilled.

HARRY STYLES and Zoe Kravitz have added another destination to their extensive list of travel hotspots.

Since they started dating, the pair have been seen all over the world – including New York, Paris, Rome and London.

Now it’s claimed they spent the last few days holed up inside a luxury resort in the Bahamas.

This sure is a long honeymoon period.

One fan claimed they spotted the former One Direction singer jogging on a beach over the New Year.

NICK JONAS has dropped his reflective new single Gut Punch, before the release of his fifth album, Sunday Best.

On it Nick sings: “Hit me like a gut punch. I hurt my own feelings. How did I get so good at being mean to myself?”

The US star, who is married to Priyanka Chopra, said: “I do wonder if I’m being the best version of myself.

“Am I a present husband and father? Life weighs on you.

“It’s important to remember there was once a carefree version of you loved the world.”

WORK on the third runway of what is set to become the world’s biggest airport has started.

The major airport is set to open in 2030, and it will eventually welcome as many as 185million passengers.

King Salman International Airport in Riyadh, has begun the latest works, with the additional runway set to be 4,200 metres long.

It will allow the airport to increase its capacity from around 65 aircraft movements per hour to 85.

Marco Mejia, Acting Chief Executive Officer of King Salman International Airport said: “Launching construction of the third runway marks a pivotal step in delivering the KSIA Master Plan.

“And reflects our commitment to developing world-class infrastructure capable of supporting future growth, enhancing operational efficiency, and expanding long-haul connectivity without constraints.”

FARE DO

15 things to do NOW to save hundreds on your 2026 summer holiday

PURE MAGIC

Huge waterfalls, TV locations & mystical castles our readers love about Cornwall

It won’t stop there though, in fact there are six planned runways for the King Salman International Airport.

Each will be parallel to one another, and built around the existing King Khalid International Airport.

When finished, the airport will be the same size as Manhattan in New York.

The ‘mega airport’ is set to become the largest in the world, including the current one which is also in Saudi Arabia; the King Fahd International Airport.

At 57 square kilometres, the airport will be initially be able to handle up to 100 million passengers each year.

It will also be able to handle more than two million tonnes of cargo by 2030.

The airport was announced back in 2022 and is part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman‘s Saudi Vision 2030.

This is set to make Riyadh into a major hub for transport, trade and tourism.

It will eventually accommodate up to 120million passengers each year, which is then expected to rise to 185million by 2050.

The airport has been designed by Foster + Partners and will have plenty of light and airy spaces, seating for travellers and 4.6sqm of shops.

A lot of features in the airport are set to be high tech, such as climate-controlled lighted.

The airport will also feature a large mosque, landscaped gardens and a Royal Terminal for use of the Saudi royal family, government officials, and VIPs.

This major UK airport has revealed its new £1.3billion upgrade plans…

London Heathrow will undergo a series of developments next year, starting with Terminal 2 and 4.

It will improve the passenger experience by using AI-technology and has plans to make flights more punctual along with better baggage facilities.

This morning, Heathrow Airport revealed it will start upgrading Terminal 4 next year costing £1.3billion.

The first step will be building a new multi-storey car park and upgrading its check-in area.

The works will be phased to ensure that there’s no disruption to the running of Terminal 4 – and these are expected to be completed in 2031.

Over in Terminal 2, Heathrow has announced that work will also begin on a new baggage system that will be able to handle 31,000 bags each day.

In order to speed up flights and improve punctuality, it will install AI-powered turnaround tech.

This will involve a network of cameras being installed across Heathrow.

Using AI to analyse data, the airport will speed up turnaround times between flights, which will make journeys more punctual.

Coverage is expected to be across all terminals by the end of 2026.

For more on airports, this one in the UK is set to axe free drop off with new fee starting in the New Year.

Plus, this airport was named the best in the UK – it beats London Heathrow and City by miles.

ZARA McDermott has shared a rare loved-up snap with boyfriend Louis Tomlinson after taking a “huge step” in their relationship.

The One Direction singer, 34, whom she started dating in March, made it onto an Instagram image carousel of the Love Island alum’s best bits of 2025.

It came after The Sun exclusively revealed they had spent Christmas together at his Hertfordshire home.

The cheery image showed the duo in Costa Rica in what she described as “the most magical trip of my life”.

The lovebirds were seen all smiles as the posed for a selfie in the wing mirror of a safari van.

Zara, 29, could be seen wearing a tan Miu Miu baseball cap and gold earrings while Louis, who was behind the wheel, donned a white T-Shirt and sunglasses.

RIGHT DIRECTION

Louis Tomlinson fans spot clue he’s taken serious step with Zara McDermott

PARADISE LOST

I lost it all after Zara McDermott & BBC ‘tricked’ me into offensive Thai doc

She captured a leafy backdrop in her shot and wrote: “Went to Costa Rica, a country I’ve wanted to visit since I was a teenager.

“The most magical trip of my life!!”

Back in May, we told how the pair “couldn’t stop snogging” after they were spotted on the trip.

At the time, The Sun revealed that Louis flew the Strictly star out in first class to a secluded villa on the coast in Santa Teresa where he was recording new music.

Zara, who split from former Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson last January, was then seen locking lips with her new pop star beau.

Following Zara’s recent upload Louis’ sister Lottie – who has previously broken her silence on the pair’s romance – was quick to reply to the upload with red love heart Emoji icons.

One fan then put of the pair: “He’s smiling u make him so happy Zara.’

A second posted: “Oh sob I love seeing him happy.”

A third put: “Louis finally is happy omg.”

Other images included Zara’s work achievements for her BBC Three documentaries and her fashion brand Rise, as well as her posing in stylish dresses and capturing her family travelling on a private jet for their 30th wedding anniversary.

NEXT STEPS

Last month, we told how the couple had progressed their relationship by spending the festive period together.

Zara joined the Night Changes hitmaker, his son Freddie, and his extended family including sister Lottie and twins Phoebe and Daisy, for the special time.

On their new podcast, Tea With The Twins, Phoebe and Daisy said: “This is a big Christmas this year — it might be our biggest Christmas. Everyone is coming. 

“The new baby this year is Flossy [Lottie’s second child with fiancé Lewis Burton] as she was born in January, so we already have a new member. 

“And we’ve got another new member as our brother’s got a new girlfriend so that will be nice. I think there will be 16 of us in total.” 

A source close to the former One Direction singer and TV presenter confirmed they would be together for Christmas. They added: “Louis and Zara are still totally in the honeymoon period and try not to be apart for too long. 

“Their relationship is serious, it’s not a flash in the pan. It’s going the distance. 

“Zara gets on so well with Louis’ family, especially his sisters, so he wanted her to be there with them, celebrating. 

“They’ve both had work commitments recently so they’re looking forward to spending proper quality time together.” 

Our mole added: “As it’s Louis’ birthday on Christmas Eve, the plan is for Zara to spend that with him and then Christmas Day with the Tomlinsons. After that they will go and see Zara’s family. 

“They both love their families so much, it is something that attracted them to each other, so it will be a Christmas to remember.” 

DAVID Beckham sent out a major olive branch to estranged son Brooklyn tonight in a series of emotional family posts.

The proud dad, 50, shared pictures of his brood, including son Brooklyn, 26, who has been absent from all family occasions this year, on Instagram and wrote: “You are my life [heart emojis]. I love you all, love daddy. On to 2026 x”

One black and white image saw wife Victoria on a sofa cradling baby daughter Harper and snuggling up to her three sons Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz.

Even more tellingly, David posted a picture of him and Brooklyn cheek to cheek and wrote: “I love you all so much.”

Brooklyn, who lives in LA with wife Nicola Peltz and is eight hours behind his Cotswolds based dad, has yet to post ahead of the New Year.

The loving family posts from David follow hot on the heels of his 2025 highlights reel, none of which featured Brooklyn.

READ MORE ON DAVID BECKHAM

BECKS SNUB

David Beckham posts tribute to family but Brooklyn & wife are left out of snaps

BECKS’ APPEAL

David Beckham sends emotional message to son Brooklyn amid family feud

Among his greatest hits were huge life milestones like turning 50 and being knighted by King Charles.

Other features included Victoria’s Paris Fashion Week show and snaps of his children Romeo, 22, Cruz, 20 and Harper, 13, on holiday enjoying quality time together.

David wrote: “I feel very lucky to have had the year I’ve had in 2025 full of moments that I will never forget from my 50th to my knighthood (still pinching myself ) and then finishing with winning the MLS as an owner.“

Despite not mentioning Brooklyn by name, David sweetly praised his “kids” and shared his love for them.

He added: “I‘m so grateful to my incredible wife, my amazing children, my friends and team I work with every single day nothing would have been possible without you all… But as Sir Alex Ferguson would say ‘On to the next‘.

“Thank you for the incredible memories I will forever remember 2025. Victoria I love you & our kids.”

Today, former Manchester United ace Becks also wished his old boss Sir Alex a happy birthday.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn and Nicola put on a united front this week as they continued their festive love-in Stateside.

In a photo, the pair were seen relaxing on a sofa in matching clothes.

Writing next to the picture, Nicola said: “We didn’t plan our outfits.”

Replying to her post, her husband wrote: “You’re my sweetie pie!”

WEDDING NO SHOW

The post came days after Brooklyn skipped childhood pal Holly Ramsay’s wedding.

The Ramsays and Beckhams are longtime friends and Brooklyn was once close pals with Holly as they grew up in LA together.

All of his family were in attendance to see Holly marry Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty on Saturday at Bath Abbey.

Victoria even designed the mother-of-the-bride’s dress.

Adam hailed the 200 guests’ support during his own “difficult time” after banning his mum Caroline from the wedding. 

FAMILY FALLOUT

The Beckham family feud has been rumbling on for most of the year, worsening since Brooklyn and Nicola snubbed his dad’s 50th birthday in May.

The couple have also shared subtle digs at his family in recent days after his brother Cruz revealed the Beckhams woke up to being blocked by the couple.

In a TikTok post after Cruz spoke out, Brooklyn played Lady Gaga’s song Telephone and wrote the lyrics: “Sorry I cannot hear you I’m kinda busy.”

Nicola also penned: “I love being home” in a selfie posted to social media, after the couple both shared photos from their Christmas with her parents.

CHRISTMAS APART

Victoria and David revealed a glimpse of their Christmas in Oxfordshire without Brooklyn.

In a touching video shared on social media, the couple – who have been together for 28 years – sang to each other as they slowed danced on Christmas Day.

And in what appeared to be a pointed message to their estranged son, Brooklyn the couple delivered the lyric: “And we’ve got nothing to be sorry for…”

They were dancing to Guilty sung by Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb.

Sharing the video, Victoria penned: “David and Victoria giving their very best Barry and Barbra on Christmas Day xxx kisses from us both xx @davidbeckham.”

WEDDING row couple Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay gifted 200 guests a £190-a-pop engraved bottle of tequila and commemorative t-shirt.

The generous duo spent around £40,000 on the presents to thank invitees for their “love and support”.

They felt indebted to those who attended their nuptials for sustaining them amid the bitter feud which led to most of the Olympian’s family being banned.

The Sun can also reveal the touching service details at Bath Abbey, where they tied the knot on December 27.

Hymns included Come Down O Love Divine and one of the readings was Psalm 127, which tells of the blessings of children – a hint that the couple are keen to start their own family.

‘Incredibly generous’

A source told The Sun: “Holly and Adam were incredibly generous to their guests, lavishing them all with a bottle of tequila embossed their own initials.

WEDDY TO RUMBLE

Adam Peaty & Holly’s wedding war with his family to feature in Netflix show

made waves

How Adam Peaty ‘stuck dagger in the heart of ex-friend’ amid bitter fallout

“And guests were also presented with a cute t-shirt, showing the couple driving in a car and waving in glee as they start their life journey together.

“The t-shirt had the date of the wedding on it and was a wonderful memento for everyone.

“The bride and groom really pushed the boat out. No matter the turbulence behind the scenes they wanted the wedding to be perfect. And it was.”

The Sun told how proud father of the bride Gordon Ramsay told guests he’d spent £50,000 on flowers for their big day.

And we revealed how the TV chef waded into the family feud in a fiery speech – insisting his wife would now be Mum to both newlyweds.

Gordon stunned guests when he addressed the furore head on, and slated his son-in-law’s parents.

He said his missus Tana is an “amazing Mum” – adding he can’t say the same about Adam’s parents.

But he said of the happy couple: “Tana will be a good mum to them both.”

In an emotional speech to 200 guests at the celebrity couple’s wedding feast, Gordon had another sly dig at Adam’s estranged folks.

Gordon gushed how “beautiful” his daughter and wife Tana looked – pointing out to Adam he was a “lucky man”.

He addressed his son-in-law: “Look at Tana and that’s what you have to look forward to.”

Then the chef turned to bride Holly and added: “Shame you don’t have the same.”

He lovingly mocked his daughter’s expensive tastes – calling her easily the “most expensive” of his four kids.

Gord had the crowd in hysterics as he revealed how at a young age Holly worked out how to attach his credit card to her Apple pay.

Holly has always wanted to do Vogue, so this is a coup for her.

Source

And the guests roared as he joked how his three other children will have to get married in a registry office due to the extortionate cost of the wedding flowers alone.

Gordon teased his daughter about their Bath Abbey wedding ceremony, laughing at how, “only Holly could pick the most beautiful church and choose to cover its stunning windows in white roses”.

The Sun revealed how stunning Holly – who wore a bridal cape over her wedding dress as she arrived and left the ceremony at Bath Abbey – will be showing the dress off in Vogue magazine, published on New Year’s Day.

A source added: “Holly has always wanted to do Vogue, so this is a coup for her.”

In his own speech at the glittering reception, thrilled groom Adam subtly acknowledged the pain caused by the bitter bust-up with his own family.

He poignantly turned to Mel Marshall, 43, his ex-swimming coach who has acted as his surrogate parent during his dazzling career.

Tearful Adam gushed how Mel has been “everything” to him – “grounding” him and “inspiring” him in recent years. And after an emotional pause the sportsman added she was, “like a Mum”.

Tellingly Adam thanked everyone for their “support”, adding how it has been a “difficult time”.

The bride had guests dabbing their eyes in emotion after wearing two outfits at their extravagant reception at plush Kin House in Kington Langley, Wilts.

One was her mother’s wedding gown when Tana tied the knot with Gordon in 1996.

A DJ announced the special tribute, sparking a spontaneous round of applause from thrilled onlookers.

Among the guests were David and Victoria Beckham – close pals of the Ramsays – and the A-lister couple danced the night away with all the other guests.

Mobile phones were banned throughout, with guests forced to put them in pouches.

Everyone invited to the nuptials was forced to wear a wristband, embossed with the bride and groom’s initials, to ensure security staff knew they were not interlopers.

I hope you never suffer the depth of pain you have put your mother through and despite it all she loves you still.

Adam’s aunt Louise

And a wedding gift list included a £1,450 green egg outdoor cooker.

The couple also invited guests to buy them a £995 mahogany table, £800 chair and footstool, and £450 log storage bin.

Adam, who turned 31 yesterday, and Holly, 25, banned his loved ones, including his mum Caroline, dad Mark and brothers James and Richard.

The family were left even more distraught amid claims Mark was told by the swimmer’s sister Beth before Christmas he could attend, but had to sit at the back of the church.

Beth was the only member of his family in attendance. She was a maid of honour alongside Holly’s sisters.

Adam had disinvited his great-aunt Janet and her husband Eddie just days before the wedding.

‘Her soul screams’

Adam’s aunt Louise, who was also not invited to the wedding, sent him a message moments before he walked into the abbey with his five-year-old son George, from a previous relationship.

She wrote: “I hope you never suffer the depth of pain you have put your mother through and despite it all she loves you still. Shame on you both. Shame.

“Remember on this, your happiest day, and on each anniversary of your happiest day, that you hurt your mum so deeply her soul screams.”

But a source close to the Ramsays revealed to The Sun that Adam has blocked all of his estranged family – so didn’t receive or read the message.

His family were further enraged when he publicly changed his social media profiles after the ceremony to add ‘Ramsay’ to his surname.

Adam’s mum had intended to watch the wedding from the street, despite being disinvited, but decided against it.

Their feud exploded after she was not invited to Holly’s hen do.

It then escalated when Adam later called cops after his brother James allegedly made threats via text while was on the groom’s stag do.

A magnet for drama – especially at Christmas – every few years Coronation Street cafe worker Shona Platt’s life seems to hang in the balance. But could this time see her leave the show for good?

Back in 2019, Corrie’s Shona Platt was left in a coma, fighting for life when she was shot by crazed gunman Derek Milligan, while hiding in a giant present intended for a treasure hunt. To add to the rollercoaster of Platt family dramas, doctors have now discovered a possible cancerous growth on the neck of the unborn baby she is expecting with husband David.

As a distraction they decide at the last minute to go to Debbie Webster’s wedding in a minibus taking guests from Wetherfield – only to end up in an almighty crash. And the much feted storyline on January 5 brings the cast of Coronation Street and Emmerdale together for one episode, dubbed ‘Corriedale.’ Rumour has it someone is killed and Julia Goulding, who plays Shona Platt, isn’t ruling herself out.

READ MORE: Coronation Street star Georgia May Foote has ‘worst year of her life’ after devastating fire

Julia, 40, tells The Mirror: ”I can’t say if she or David survive the crash or not, but it’s safe to say Shona is in a very delicate position. They both do get knocked out and it’s touch and go. If they are both affected, the stakes are going to be very high.”

Despite the precarious fate of her character, Julia was honoured to be cast in the extraordinary episode – the first time the two iconic soaps have come together. She says: “I was over the moon to be asked. I was very excited.”

Debbie’s wedding feels like something “normal’ to do, as Shona and David struggle to cope with their fears concerning their baby. Julia says: “Shona and David are in limbo. They know the baby has a mass on its neck, but they don’t know yet if it’s cancerous or not. Shona wants the wedding to take her mind off everything and thinks it’s a chance to enjoy the freedom while they can.”

For Julia it meant working with legendary Emmerdale stars like Emma Atkins, who plays Charity Dingle, and Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard. She says of Emma: “It was absolutely brilliant working alongside her, as it was Chris. “There is a scene with Ken [Barlow] and Pollard and Shona and David. It was so surreal!

“I can’t say whether these scenes were before or after the crash, but it was a real pinch me moment.” While she is used to seeing Emmerdale actors at awards ceremonies, Julia hasn’t worked with them before.

She continues: “There is no rivalry between us all. It was so nice to finally work together. “Emma is a class actress and she is such a lovely person. We sat chatting in between scenes having a natter and we got on like a house on fire. “

Clearly impressed by the cliffhanger episode, she continues: “We’ve got Duncan Foster directing the episode. He has done some of Corrie’s biggest episodes and Emmerdale’s too, so you know you are in safe hands. He knows both casts and crew very well. It was so exciting to shoot.”

Meanwhile, Julia, who has two children – Franklin, six, and Emmeline, three, with her husband, Ben Silver, who she married on stage at Manchester’s Albert Hall in February 2019 – is grateful to have had much easier pregnancies than Shona. “It was tough filming the scenes when Shona found out about the mass,” she says. “It’s every parent’s worst nightmare and you don’t have to stretch yourself emotionally when you hear news like that. Thankfully, my own pregnancies were a hell of a lot smoother than what Shona is having to face.”

Slim Julia has been wearing a prosthetic bump made from rubber and prosthetic breasts, to make Shona’s pregnancy look more convincing. She says: “I was more comfortable when I was pregnant in real life. They are made from rubber and the bump is heavy and sweaty. I have had a bad back for the past eight weeks because it is so heavy!”

Despite the uncomfortable costume, Julia enjoys playing Shona now just as much as she did when she first stepped on to the cobbles nine years ago. After training at London’s prestigious RADA, it was her first TV role. “I love playing her,” she says. “Every day is different and exciting. Nothing is ever the same. You might be crying in the morning about your baby being sick, but then laughing and joking in the afternoon filming Christmas scenes.”

And she and Jack P. Shepherd, who plays David, are great friends. “We have been together in the soap for nine years,” she says. “Who has heard of a nine-year relationship in a soap? We are good mates and it’s a laugh a minute working with him. He is a funny soul. When the going gets tough, we both switch it on, but you also need to have the lighter moments. It’s so important to have down times on set and we have a lot of fun filming together.”

Julia has just enjoyed a brilliant family Christmas away from Corrie, recharging her batteries. “Now we have got children, Christmas is all about them,” she says. “I didn’t go wild present wise, as my children are not materialistic. But we had a lot of fun in the run up, doing things like glow walks. We love family stuff like that and it’s nice having time off. I feel lucky we do get given a holiday, as it is so important to spend it with your family.”

But she has no plans for making New Year’s resolutions. “I don’t often make them, because like 99 per cent of the population I fail in about a week! Although, this year I would like to get to the gym more, be active and healthy.”

And she has no intention of following her screen husband into the Celebrity Big Brother house. She says, firmly: “I would not do Celebrity Big Brother. It is one of the most terrifying thoughts ever to be that exposed for 24 hours on TV. Plus, I prefer to remain firmly behind a character, rather than to be myself. Give me a script me any day over live reality TV.”

Outside work, she says she has both sets of her kids’ grandparents to thank for helping make it possible for her to be a working mum. She says: “We are very lucky. We have got grandparents who can help. But it’s always then nice to get home to my babies.”

Returning her thoughts to Corriedale, Julia says: “It is going to be such a special episode. If Shona is lucky enough to survive the crash, I would love it if there was another Corriedale special episode at a future point. And I would be begging for Shona to be part of it. But I really do fear for Shona ahead of this first Corriedale episode…” Maybe Shona’s nine lives will finally run out.

*Corriedale will air on Monday 5th January at 8pm. Coronation Street will then air every weekday at 8.30pm on ITV1. Episodes can also be downloaded on ITVX

READ MORE: Coronation Street fans ‘nervous’ Carla Connor will be killed off as she’s kidnapped again

OASIS racked up a million album sales in the UK this year – without releasing a single new tune. 

Their reunion tour has fuelled a massive resurgence in their records, meaning two of their albums finished in 2025’s Top Ten, according to the British Phonographic Industry. 

Brothers Liam and Noel Gallagher, along with their bandmates, also helped to drive an increase in vinyl purchases. 

This year, vinyl sales in the UK were up 13.3 per cent to 7.6million units.  

Oasis’ greatest hits collection Time Flies . . . 1994-2009 was the fourth most popular album of the year, while (What’s The Story) Morning Glory? was at No7 thanks to a reissue. 

Elsewhere, Taylor Swift’s The Life Of A Showgirl has been crowned the best-selling album of 2025.

GLYNNE AND OUT

Blow for Jess Glynne as she splits from megastar’s label after three years

WE WERE KINGS

Take That say ‘nothing could prepare them’ for fame in ‘deeply personal’ doc

This, despite it only coming out in October, while Sabrina Carpenter has two records in the Top Ten. 

The figures have been released as part of a report by the BPI on recorded music consumption. 

It also tells how a new wave of British talent including Olivia Dean and Lola Young have helped UK recorded music grow for the 11th year, with 210million albums sold. 

And I’ve got my eye on a whole flurry of new stars including Sienna Spiro and Skye Newman as we head into the new year. 

THE Government is launching a week long sale on train tickets that could save you up to 70 per cent on transport.

Running from 6-12 January millions of train tickets will be discounted to help make half term activities, weekend getaways and commuting more affordable.

The reduced fares can be used to travel on thousands of popular routes between 13 January and 25 March 2026.

The routes span the length and breadth of Britain as nearly all train operators are taking part.

Make the most of the £10 fares from south coast destinations such as Portsmouth to London Waterloo by booking a big day out or catch up with a city friend.

If you’re planning a holiday abroad you could maximise your savings by booking it between January and March as journeys from Manchester Piccadilly to Manchester Airport will cost just £1.20, down from £2.90. 

BANGED UP

Exact hours you can set off fireworks on NYE – or risk up to £5k fine

SHOP DROPPED

Beloved 220-year-old UK shop shuts for good as villagers slam ‘awful’ tourists

This is the fourth year of the Rail Sale and last year over 1 million tickets were sold, bringing in over £9 million in ticket sale revenue for the industry. 

Passengers last time saved an average of £8 per journey.

The sale marks another of the Government’s attempts to ease the cost of living by freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years. 

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “The Rail Sale is back – and it means further discounts for passengers as we freeze rail fares for the first time in three decades to help ease the cost of living.

“We all want to see cheaper rail travel, so whether you’re planning a half term getaway, or visiting friends or family, this sale offers huge reductions. 

“It’s all part of our plans to build a railway owned by the public, that works for the public.” 

THE list of living names in Billy Joel’s We Didn’t Start the Fire has shrunk to a jaw-dropping three.

Three decades after the tongue-twister song topped charts around the world, most of its human landmarks are gone. 

Out of the 59 people name-checked in the 1989 mega-hit, only Bob Dylan, rock n roll singer Chubby Checker, and “subway vigilante” Bernie Goetz are still alive. 

The grim-but-fascinating fact has been doing the rounds on social media after Bardot’s death was announced on Sunday.

One shocked fan admitted: “This is how I find out Chubby Checker is still alive.” 

Another said: “The kind of useless trivia I’ll be physically incapable of not repeating at the next dinner party.”

SCREEN GODDESS

How Brigitte Bardot became face of swinging 60s & sparked sexual revolution

DARK TIMES

Billy Joel reveals he attempted suicide twice after affair with bandmate’s wife

Billy’s catchy banger is a whirlwind history lesson.

It rattles through headlines and pop culture moments in strict chronological order starting the year Billy Joel was born in 1949, and racing toward the late 1980s.

One of the song’s most packed lines – “Bardot, Budapest, Alabama, Khrushchev” – covers 1956, the year iconic French actress Brigitte Bardot shot to global fame in And God Created Woman. 

It also nods to the Hungarian Revolution in Budapest, the Montgomery Bus Boycott in Alabama, and Nikita Khrushchev’s rise to power in the Soviet Union after Stalin’s death. 

Music also runs through the song like a second timeline.

Chart topper Billy, now age 79, kicks things off with Cry singer Johnnie Ray in 1949, one of the first modern pop stars signed to a major label. 

He quickly follows with Bill Haley & His Comets, whose Rock Around the Clock sent rock ’n’ roll into overdrive. 

Elvis Presley turns up in 1955, Buddy Holly marks 1959 and the tragedy of the Day the Music Died, Chubby Checker dances into 1960.

Bob Dylan appears in 1961 as pop music takes a sharp turn toward protest and social change.

By the time Joel hits the mid-to-late 1960s, it’s Beatlemania and Woodstock.

Bernie Goetz gets a mention after he became a household name in 1984 for shooting four black men on a train in New York after they allegedly demanded money.

One of the men was left brain damaged and paraplegic, and the shooting became a symbol of deep racial divide in the city.

Goetz handed himself in to police nine days later and was dubbed the “subway vigilante” by local media.

EastEnders flashes forward to New Year’s Eve 2026 showing Max Branning getting married, but even the cast don’t know who the bride will be

New Year’s Eve in Walford is always more explosive than a firework display, but this year is set to bring a fresh set of mysteries to its celebrations, as EastEnders jumps a year into the future.

During the Christmas specials, viewers watched as Chrissie Watts (Tracy Ann-Oberman) revealed she’d been the one tormenting Zoe Slater (Michelle Ryan). But now the countdown to New Year’s Eve is on, and it’s all about the Brannings.

In the upcoming episode, the show will flash forward a year in time to New Year’s Eve 2026. As Walford prepares to ring in 2027, Max Branning (Jake Wood) is getting married. But to whom? What does his daughter Lauren (Jacqueline Jossa) think? And what has his year been like up until then?

Ahead of the New Year’s episode, Mirror hears from Jake and Jacqueline. “I think Max is probably at an all-time low on New Year’s Eve,” Jake says. It’s not hard to imagine – in the lead up to Christmas, Max discovered he had a secret daughter that Lauren had lied to him about. “And then we go into the flash forward and it’s in such stark contrast. So see a man who’s maybe at his lowest we’ve ever seen him and then we flash forward and things are maybe not quite as bad.”

He added that he was really excited about new love interests who will be introduced for his character and shared that even he didn’t know who his character would marry in 2027.

Fans have already started speculating about it, especially as a drunken Max slept with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) over Christmas. Some wonder if Cindy, who didn’t realise it was Max, will be the bride – despite the fact that she blames Max for her son Stephen’s death.

Jake’s onscreen daughter Jacqueline Jossa also said she had “so many questions” and that none of the cast know who Max is set to marry. “I haven’t got a clue so we’ll find out next year probably with all of you lot.”

She revealed that though she got a full script for the New Year’s episode, it had so many gaps, she still didn’t know what would happen in 2026. “Obviously we’ll get the answers as we go which means every time I get a script now, I’m looking for the answer.” But this wasn’t easy: “There’s so many questions and no answers.”

Over Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, viewers watched as Jasmine (Indeyarna Donaldson-Holness) met up with Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman), revealing that the evil murderer was the true mastermind tormenting Zoe ( Michelle Ryan ). Why did the two team up? Jasmine felt abandoned by the mother who walked out on her and her brother when she was an infant, and Chrissie felt Zoe hadn’t paid for her part in Den Watts’ (Leslie Grantham) murder 20 years ago.

Since she returned, Zoe, who believed her daughter had died, has been looking for her son – something Jasmine has resented. But some fans think all Zoe will find is a grave. Writing on Reddit, one fan said, “I said it on another thread, but I think the boy twin is dead.

“I think he’ll have needed a transplant of some sort, and Jasmine wasn’t a match – but Zoe could have been. But because she abandoned the babies at the hospital and they had no record of her, no one was able to find her, and the twin died. Hence why Jasmine is angry as f***.”

Fans replied to the post, agreeing it was an “interesting theory”. If true, it could explain why Zoe’s private investigator never managed to find any further details about her son and his current whereabouts.

Jasmine hasn’t yet offered any new information about her brother or her life before arriving in Walford a few months ago. Nor has she revealed why she has been so obsessed with Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins).

Now, the New Year will focus on Max Branning and the flash forward 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 .

2026 is shaping up to be a massive year for music fans, with huge names set to drop new albums and singles.

From Lana Del Rey adding a country twist to her latest tracks, to The Rolling Stones promising fresh rock anthems, there’s something for every taste.

Rising stars like Raye and Leigh-Anne will be making waves, while veterans including Paul McCartney, Van Morrison and Bruce Springsteen show no signs of hanging up the microphone.

With this and so much more on the way, here are our top picks for an exciting year ahead.

LANA DEL RAY 

FOLLOWING the likes of Beyonce and Post Malone, Del Rey is set to saddle up and add country nuances to her tenth studio album.  

Previously announced as Lasso and The Right Person Will Stay, expect Stove sooner rather than later in the new year.  

XMAS LEGEND GONE

Driving Home For Christmas singer Chris Rea dies aged 74

NEW TUNE

Legendary band’s unreleased track to be played publicly for first time since 1974

Singles Henry, Come On and Bluebird demonstrated her shift to Americana stylings. 

THE ROLLING STONES 

MICK JAGGER, Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood may be hanging up their touring boots, but it still promises to be a momentous year for rock’s great survivors.  

There was a huge 18-year gap between Hackney Diamonds (2023) and the Stones’ previous album of original songs, A Bigger Bang.  

But in late April, we can expect a new one, again produced by US live wire Andrew Watt. 

RAYE 

WE can expect the much-anticipated follow-up to Raye’s all-conquering, soul-bearing, Brits-winning My 21st Century Blues.

The R&B singer debuted two unreleased songs at this summer’s Glastonbury with one, Where Is My Husband!, becoming the lead single from the as-yet-unnamed album.

Her official site promises an early 2026 release date. 

FOO FIGHTERS 

A NEW album from Dave Grohl and Co is on the cards in 2026, their second since the sad passing of Taylor Hawkins.

With another new drummer, ex-Nine Inch Nails Ilan Rubin, announced in the summer, the first recorded music with him appeared in the shape of single Asking For A Friend.

Two massive UK shows at Liverpool’s Anfield Stadium are set for June. 

ROBBIE WILLIAMS 

INSPIRED by the mid-Nineties period after Robbie left Take That, Britpop is his 13th studio album. 

It begins with the, er, rocket-fuelled Rocket, which is graced with suitably heavy riffing from Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi. 

Bearing in mind the recent exploits of Oasis, Blur, Pulp and Suede, why not this celebration by one of the era’s favourite singers?  

Out on February 6. 

CHARLIE XCX 

AFTER the Brat summer of 2024, the singer heads in another direction with her soundtrack album for Wuthering Heights.  

Out on February 13, same day as Emerald Fennell’s film version of Emily Bronte’s novel, it has already yielded singles House, with Velvet Underground legend John Cale, and Chains Of Love.

Charli says: “It couldn’t be more different from Brat.” 

PAUL McCARTNEY 

AS far as his epic music career is concerned, Macca will never “let it be”. 

The Beatles legend confirmed work on the follow-up to 2020’s excellent McCartney III.  

In the foreword to a memoir about his other band, Wings, he wrote: “Right now, I have 25 songs that I’m finishing . . . new songs that are interesting.”  

He’s also mentioned in despatches sessions in LA with Andrew Watt (Stones, Lady Gaga). 

THE FACES 

HERE’S a rock ’n’ roll reunion to savour. 

The band’s three survivors, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood and Kenney Jones, have been preparing their first album in more than 50 years. 

At least 11 songs have been recorded, which Jones says are “a mixture of stuff we never released but is worthy of releasing and some wonderful new stuff. Rod is writing the lyrics.” 

COURTNEY BARNETT 

THE Aussie rekindles her love of the electric guitar on her forthcoming fourth album.

After decamping to California, she’s been recording in Rancho De Luna, Joshua Tree, home of the legendary hard-rocking Desert Sessions.

First evidence of her labours is recent single Stay In Your Lane, complete with scuzzy bass lines and wonderfully deadpan vocals. 

VAN MORRISON 

HOT on the heels of his sublime return to form, Remembering Now, comes this love letter to the blues, Somebody Tried To Sell Me A Bridge.

Out on January 23, the 20-track album proves Van is still “The Man” at 80.

It includes Fats Domino’s Ain’t That A Shame, Blind Blake’s Delia’s Gone and features stellar 

guests – Buddy Guy and Taj Mahal among them. 

DANNY L HARLE 

AFTER stellar production duties with Dua Lipa, Caroline Polachek and Olly Alexander, Harle steps into the limelight with the genre-hopping Cerulean (released February 13).

“This is my debut album. This is the big one,” says the North Londoner.

Singles already released Starlight (ft PinkPantheress) and Azimuth (ft Polachek) offer much promise. 

BJORK 

THE Icelandic icon has given a strong hint of new material in the new year, her first since 2022’s Fossora. 

She’s involved in a huge exhibition in Reykjavik involving immersive audio and visual installations.

A social media post reveals that the third and last of these is “a new work based on music from her forthcoming album, currently in development.” 

LEIGH-ANNE 

THE impressive former Little Mix singer can finally do things her way when 

she releases her 15-track debut album as an independent solo artist. Following the singles Been A Minute, Burning Up and Dead And Gone, she delivers My Ego Told Me To in February.

Rooted in reggae and pop, it explores personal themes of family and empowerment. 

GORILLAZ 

MURDOC, Russel Hobbs, 2D and Noodle – the brainchildren of Damon Albarn and visual artist Jamie Hewlett – release The Mountain on March 20.

The ninth Gorillaz album brings Indian music to the fore but also finds room for guest appearances by Sparks, Gruff Rhys, Idles and Johnny Marr. Drummer Hobbs calls it “a journey of the soul – with beats.” 

BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN 

THIS was a year when The Boss gave us so much.

Another visit to the UK with the E Street Band followed by two significant raids on his archives – Tracks II with its SEVEN unreleased albums and an expanded Nebraska to coincide with the recent biopic.

Yet he told Rolling Stone: “I have a record finished. It’s a solo record  . . .  I imagine it will come out in ’26 some time.”  

MUMFORD & SONS 

THE trio of Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Deane have reunited with Taylor Swift associate, The National’s Aaron Dessner.

He has produced and co-writes Prizefighter.

Set for release on Feb 13, the band’s sixth studio album arrives less than a year after their UK No 1 fifth, Rushmere. Gracie Abrams, Chris Stapleton & Hozier guest. 

LUCINDA WILLIAMS 

BEARER of one of the most passionate voices in American music, Williams returns with World’s Gone Wrong on January 23.

She addresses head-on the divisions in her country while taking specific aim at the sandy-haired White House incumbent.

She duets with the mighty Mavis Staples on a cover of Bob Marley’s So Much Trouble In The World. 

THE DAMNED 

WHEN the punk pioneers’ founder member Brian James died earlier this year, the current line-up recorded a covers album celebrating the Sixties music loved by their fallen comrade.

Not Like Everybody Else is out on January 23.

Singer Dave Vanian turns There’s A Ghost In My House into a hoot and Captain Sensible takes the lead on Pink Floyd’s See Emily Play. 

EastEnders fans rejoiced as the Witches of Walford reunited in explosive scenes that played out in the BBC soap’s famous pub on Christmas Day as various truths were outed

EastEnders fans rejoiced as the Witches of Walford reunited in explosive scenes that aired on Christmas Day. The BBC soap aired its festive special on Thursday evening, and it was revealed exactly who had been tormenting Zoe Slater with threatening letters over the past few months.

Zoe made a much-anticipated comeback to the serial earlier this year, and it emerged later that she had twins almost 20 years ago. At the time, it was believed that the little girl had died and she had given her son away for adoption. Having been searching for her son for months, Zoe finally believed her son was about to turn up on Christmas Day, but it was all a wicked plot set up by a mysterious figure.

Earlier in the day, Zoe got into an altercation with Antony Trueman, the biological father of her children, at the top of the stairs in the Queen Vic which ended with her knocked out cold. In a surprise twist though, it was revealed that Zoe had woken up relatively unharmed and Anthony was dead.

READ MORE: EastEnders’ Jasmine’s link to Cindy ‘explained’ as Chrissie’s secret family ‘revealed’READ MORE: EastEnders’ Tracy-Ann Oberman breaks silence on ‘obsession’ amid Zoe stalker hell

After Kat discovered them, she cleared out the pub and they were greeted by Chrissie Watts, who was last seen in 2024 driving away from the square following a long spell in prison for the murder of her husband Den. Chrissie, who had broken into the pub and fired up a karaoke microphone, said: “Ladies. Both of you. What a treat! Zoe pleaded: “Where’s my son?” as Chrissie confirmed: “He’s not coming I’m afraid…”

She added: “Torturing? With a few harmless games? I thought it was time we’d have a little reunion. It’s been so long. You’re not a drippy little girl anymore. Life has really toughened you up.” Zoe demanded to know why Chrissie was back on the scene, but she wouldn’t say anything without having a drink first.

It was then that Jasmine Fisher stepped into the pub and Chrissie confirmed that they knew each other. Zoe worked out that Jasmine was her daughter, even though she thought she had died several years ago. Jasmine said: “Only because you couldn’t be bothered to stick around the hospital long enough to hear me cry.” Through tears, Zoe pleased: “They took you away! You weren’t breathing,” but Jasmin continued: “Maybe I should be flattered because at least you didn’t just abandon me like you did my brother.”

“We’ve known each other a while, haven’t we, Jas? I was back in London seeing my parole officers. They can’t get enough of me, I’m a popular girl. Anyway, I bring up my phone, and there’s a picture of my old pal Zoe. You’d been through the wars. I thought it was a sign and decided to bring flowers. But when I got there, they wouldn’t let anyone near you and that’s when I bumped into this lovely one.”

“We both hate you. We wanted to teach you a lesson.” Jasmine raged that Zoe had never tried to find her once she knew she was alive but Kat reasoned: “We only found out today!” Chrissie twisted the knife further and brought up the fact that Zoe had slept with her husband Den several years ago.

Coldly, she added: “I pay for my crimes. And now you’re gonna pay for yours. But your punishment is gonna be in here. You’ve got a lovely little girl and you’re never gonna get to know her.”

Kat told Jasmine: “Look at her, she has really suffered, she has spent her whole life regretting this and yes, she makes bad decisions but she’s not a bad person. This here, Chrissie, she’s the evil one.” There was then another twist for fans as Sam Mitchell made her grand return to the soap by stepping out from behind the bar.

She said: “It’s not often that I side with Kat Slater. But she’s right. Chrissie Watts is evil.” Fans of the long-running BBC soap, which celebrated its 40th anniversary earlier this year, will know that Chrissie, Sam and Zoe formed the trio known as The Witches of Walford during their 2000s heyday.

At the time, an iconic storyline saw Chrissie instigating a revenge plot against her husband Den, and persuading Sam and Zoe to go along with her before she tried to frame them for Den’s murder.

Chrissie said: “The three of us. Back again. Who’s gonna turn up next? The ghost of Den?” Sam then asked Chrissie if she was related to Jasmine, and even though Zoe protested that she was the mother, Chrissie cut in to say: “She could’ve been mine! She’s the same age as the baby I lost in prison.”

Kat then demanded the three of them leave but Zoe, now in tears, tried to make her long-lost daughter see that Chrissie had simply goaded her into another revenge plot. Sam then brought up Chrissie’s manipulative ways to try to make Jasmin see sense.

Outside, Jasmine tried to get rid of Chrissie and insisted that she would be “better off” alone. Chrissie then warned Jasmine against mentioning her name to any law authorities, and walked back out of Albert Square. Jasmin and Zoe had a heart-to-heart, and when the police did arrive, Zoe stopped Kat from trying to cover for her and handed herself in as her mother wept.

Fans were quick to react to the reunion, with one fan writing on X: “Hahaha chrissie appearing like that in the Vic,” and a second added: “Kat, meet one of your first grandchildren!”

Another said: “This is vintage” and a fourth added: “Sam, Zoe and Chrissie in the same room in 20 years [crying emoji],” whilst another dramatically exclaimed: “THIS IS A HUGE SHOWDOWN!”

EastEnders airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7:30pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. * Follow Mirror Celebs and TV on TikTok , Snapchat Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .