lost

Evangeline Lilly says she has brain damage after fainting and falling on a boulder at a beach in Hawaii last year.

The “Ant-Man and the Wasp” star kicked off 2026 by sharing an update about her concussion on Instagram. In a video posted Friday, Lilly said that “almost every area in [her] brain is functioning at a decreased capacity” since she “smashed [her] face open.”

“I’m entering into this new year, the Year of the Horse, with some bad news about my concussion,” the “Lost” alum said. “A lot of you asked how I’m doing. A lot of you have inquired about the brain scans that you heard I got. And the results came back from the scans and [showed] I do have brain damage from the [traumatic brain injury] and possibly other factors going on.”

Lilly, who played second-gen superhero Hope van Dyne in multiple installments of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, shared in a Substack post in May saying that she had “fainted at the beach” and “fell face first into a boulder.” She also said she has a history of blacking out and that doctors have been unable to determine why.

In the caption of the video update, the 46-year-old wrote that it is “comforting to know [her] cognitive decline isn’t just peri-menopause” but that it’s “discomforting to know what an uphill battle it will be to try to reverse the deficiencies.”

“Now my job is to get to the bottom of that with the doctors and then embark on the hard work of fixing it, which I don’t look forward to, because I feel like hard work is all I do,” Lilly said in the video. “I’m feeling extraordinarily grateful and blessed to be able to play one more day, one more year, on this beautiful living planet … Thank you all for caring.”

Lilly’s onscreen mom and “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” co-star Michelle Pfeiffer sent her support in the Instagram post’s comments.

“You are a warrior. Nothing-not even this will defeat you my friend,” Pfeiffer wrote. Actors David Dastmalchian and Alyssa Milano were also among the Instagram well-wishers.

Lilly, who portrayed resourceful plane crash survivor Kate Austen for all six seasons of “Lost” as well as Elven archer Tauriel in two installments of Peter Jackson’s “Hobbit” trilogy, announced in 2024 that she was taking an “indefinite hiatus” from acting.

It’s the second day of a brand new year, and I’d like to take a moment to look back at some of the towering talent we lost in 2025 through the appreciations and obituaries written by the arts staff.

A caveat: The Times strives to acknowledge significant figures in arts and culture when they die, but due to the fast-paced nature of daily news, we often miss people we wish we hadn’t, so this list is far from inclusive.

“Appreciation: Frank Gehry was the architect who changed music,” Times classical music critic Mark Swed on the unique way that Gehry’s designs interacted with — and elevated — sound.

“Diane Keaton, film legend, fashion trendsetter and champion of L.A.’s past, dead at 79,” Keaton, who appeared on Broadway in “Hair” and “Play It Again, Sam” before becoming a movie star, didn’t consider herself an artist, but she was a patron and published several books that captured her longtime interest in photography and collage-making.

“Appreciation: Richard Foreman, an auteur of consciousness, did things his way,” writes Times theater critic Charles McNulty of the experimental playwright.

“Playwright Richard Greenberg, the Mozart of verbal arias, brought an exquisite fluency to the American stage,” an appreciation by McNulty.

“Appreciation: Tom Stoppard reinvigorated the comedy of ideas,” McNulty on the genius of the playwright.

“Elizabeth Franz, Tony-winning ‘Death of a Salesman’ actor, dies at 84,” an obituary of the prolific stage actor whose career spanned more than five decades.

“Appreciation: Playwright Athol Fugard proved the pen could be mightier than the sword,” McNulty on the 92-year-old dramatist’s career and its deep impact on South Africa.

“Appreciation: Joe Goode beautifully blurred the lines of the art world,” Times art critic Christopher Knight on how the artist helped establish the vibrant Los Angeles art scene of the 1960s.

“Appreciation: Robert Wilson, who changed everything he touched, was the most influential theater artist of our time,” Swed on the lasting importance of the avante-garde theater maker who collaborated closely with Philip Glass.

“The lasting legacy of L.A.-born ceramicist Michael Frimkess,” a look at the legacy of the Boyle Heights-born artist who died at 88.

I’m arts and culture writer Jessica Gelt inviting you to join me on a journey of remembrance. Here’s your arts and culture news for the week.

The year in pictures

We recently shared The Times’ best entertainment photos of 2025 and the year in news photography. Here are some of the most interesting images we’ve captured this year in the arts world.

The SoCal scene

Art for 2026
The first big art event of the new year kicks off Wednesday when the 31st edition of the LA Art Show opens downtown. Galleries and institutions from around the world will exhibit art across the vast spaces of the Los Angeles Convention Center. This year’s program includes the debut of an invitation-only Latin American Pavilion, curated by Marisa Caichiolo, who also curates the DIVERSEartLA program. Among the other featured presentations are works by Israeli artist Yigal Ozeri and South African artist Esther Mahlangu, plus a solo exhibition of abstract paintings by Sylvester Stallone. The show continues through Jan. 11.

Culture news

That’s Sir Idris to you

Actors Idris Elba and Cynthia Erivo were among the more than 1,100 people on King Charles III’s annual New Year Honours List released this week. The British tradition recognizes people who have “made achievements in public life” and “committed themselves to serving and helping the UK.” Elba, known for television roles in “The Wire” and “Luther” and movies including “Beasts of No Nation” and “Thor,” was knighted for services to young people. “Wicked” star Erivo, a Tony and Grammy winner and three-time Oscar nominee, received a Member of the Order of the British Empire, or MBE, for services to music and drama.

Freedom from fascism
On a recent fall day, Catherine Rampell of the Bulwark was given a guided tour of the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass., by the artist’s granddaughter Daisy Rockwell. In an article published this week, “The MAGAfication of Norman Rockwell,” Daisy expressed her displeasure with the Trump administration’s misappropriation of her grandfather’s work to promote the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s anti-immigrant operations. “Norman Rockwell was antifa,” Daisy told Rampell. “They used [the paintings] … as though his work aligned with their values, i.e., promoting this segregationist vision of America. And so of course we were upset by this, because Norman Rockwell was really very clearly anti-segregationist.” Through most of Rockwell’s career, he depicted American life largely through a white lens, but eventually came to a reckoning with some of his own views, chronicling some of the most significant moments of the civil rights movement. In November, the Rockwell family published a letter in USA Today detailing how the artist’s “efforts to eradicate prejudices both within himself and others led him to explore issues of racism, violence and segregation well into his 70s.”

Russia reopens Mariupol theater where hundreds died
In March 2022, a Russian air strike killed more than 600 civilians sheltering inside a historic theater in the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. This week, the Associated Press reported that Moscow-installed authorities in the now occupied region reopened the Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater with a gala concert on the building’s newly rebuilt main stage. Russian state media outlets shared images of the building’s marbled pillars and staircases as dancers, wearing kokoshniks, traditional Russian headdresses, performed. Mariupol’s Ukrainian city council, which left the city when it became occupied, denounced the “restoration,” calling it “a cynical attempt to conceal the traces of a war crime” in a statement on Telegram.

— Kevin Crust

And last but not least

Times television critic Robert Lloyd wrapped his year with an essay, “6 ways public broadcasting will improve your life. And that’s a promise.” One suggestion is to make a tax-deductible $5-a-month donation to PBS. That gifts gets you “PBS Passport,” public television’s all-access streaming platform, which offers an endless bounty of quality programming. Key among the offerings of interest to readers of this newsletter are programs such as “Great Performances,” “Austin City Limits” and “Artbound,” plus a rabbit hole of regional arts programming with something for every taste. As Lloyd wrote, “If you can’t find something to watch or listen to here, you are simply an incurious person.”

Despite the behind-the-scenes difficulties, I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! star Jack Osbourne said he had a “great time” on the show and is “glad” he did it

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2025 star Jack Osbourne said he “lost [his] s**t” with show producers, following technical difficulties during filming. The 40-year-old impressed hosts Ant and Dec, as well as viewers, with his bravery throughout the series, particularly when he earned all 12 stars for camp in an underwater challenge.

As part of his stint, the reality star also took part in a Dark Room Challenge alongside Shona McGarty, Eddie Kadi and Lisa Riley, where they had the opportunity to win photos from home.

During the task, the group was split into pairs: one pair entered a dark gallery to describe framed pictures to their teammates, while the other two searched the unlit room for matching photos based on those descriptions.

Each team had to find and match the correct photos in complete darkness, with limited visibility and creatures dropped on them in true I’m A Celebrity style.

Reflecting on this challenge, the Osbournes star said there was a tense moment during filming that wasn’t shown to viewers.

According to Jack, he and other campmates had to redo a part of a challenge due to technical difficulties.

Discussing his experience on the Trying Not To Die Podcast, the son of Sharon Osbourne and the late Ozzy Osbourne said: “I got really p****d at one point and went f*****g nuts.

“What happened was, I got selected to go and do a challenge, not a trial, and it was an opportunity to win pictures from home.

“I had to stick my hands in these boxes overhead that had these heavy light switches.”

While trying to complete the mission however, the reality star said there were “problems” with the trial and he kept having to stop and start.

“I’d be in there doing it and it wasn’t working correctly, I’d be getting eaten to s**t,” he recalled.

“And so I had to go in three times to do it and I just lost my s**t, I was like, ‘What the f**k is going on?’

“They were like, ‘Sorry it’s technical problems’ and this, that and the other and I just said, ‘This is b******t’.

“I was like, ‘I’m not earning anything more by keep going in because you guys didn’t properly prep this and test it, I’m having to get eaten alive by these crazy ants’.”

Jack said he had been so badly bitten by green ants after 15 minutes that he looked like he had “chickenpox.”

He continued: “It was late, it was at night, there were clearly some technical problems but I just didn’t like that they weren’t being straight up about it.

“Just be honest and be like, ‘Hey there’s a problem, we f****d it up, we didn’t get the shots we needed, can you just go back in please? We know it’s horrible’. I lost it.”

Reach PLC have contacted a representative for ITV for comment.

Despite these technical challenges, Jack said he is “glad” he did the show and had “a great time”.

Following his exit from the jungle, he reunited with his campmates for the Coming Out programme after Angry Ginge was crowned the new King of the Jungle.

A survivor of the fire that broke out in the early hours of New Year’s Day in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana described how she lost sight of a friend while escaping the flames.

“I held my friend’s arm, but… I climbed up the stairs and let go of his arm. He’s not answering me anymore,” the young woman said in tears.

Around 40 people died in the fire and 115 others were left injured.

FROM music legends like Ozzy to literary icons such as Jilly Cooper, 2025 saw the loss of many beloved celebrities.

Here The Sun remembers the stars we lost in 2025.

JANUARY

Wayne Osmond, 73, January 1

TALENTED member of Mormon boy band The Osmonds.

Played eight instruments including the saxophone and guitar, sang and also arranged the group’s harmonies.

Wrote worldwide hit Crazy Horses. Died from a stroke.

The Vivienne, 32, January 3

FIRST winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK in 2019.

Born James Lee Williams, their stage name was inspired by a love of designer Vivienne Westwood.

Had a cardiac arrest after taking ketamine.

Found at home two days later.

Jean-Marie Le Pen, 96, January 7

WIDELY regarded as a racist, he made five failed bids for the French presidency.

Founded the National Front party in 1972 but was expelled in 2015 after a row with party leader Marine – his daughter.

Died in a care home.

Peter Yarrow, 86, January 7

FOLK singer who formed Peter, Paul and Mary.

Their version of Bob Dylan’s Blowin’ In The Wind became a US civil rights anthem.

Also had hits with If I Had A Hammer and Leaving On A Jet Plane.

Died from bladder cancer.

Tony Book, 90, January 13

MAN CITY legend captained the side in the late 60s and early 70s, winning four trophies in three years after being signed by Malcolm Allison at the age of 31.

Also managed City to ’76 League Cup win.

Died peacefully.

Tony Slattery, 65, January 14

STANDOUT star of Channel 4’s Whose Line Is It Anyway?

His manic humour masked the pain of depression and addiction.

At the age of 36 suffered a drink and cocaine-induced breakdown.

Died from a heart attack.

Linda Nolan, 65, January 15

THE wildest of the Nolan Sisters singing group dubbed herself the “naughty Nolan”.

Appeared with sister Anne on The Nolans Go Cruising and Coleen on Loose Women.

Died from pneumonia while living with incurable cancer.

Paul Danan, 46, January 15

TROUBLED former Hollyoaks star who played Sol Patrick in the Channel 4 soap.

Had battled with addiction since his early twenties.

His death was ruled as “misadventure” after he took a combination of drugs including heroin.

Dame Joan Plowright, 95, January 16

STAGE and screen star whose career spanned more than six decades.

Married to Laurence Olivier, who she met when playing his daughter in play The Entertainer in 1957.

Won two Golden Globes and an Olivier Award.

David Lynch, 78, January 16

US-born director responsible for cult films Dune, Blue Velvet and Mulholland Drive, and Nineties TV hit Twin Peaks.

Nominated three times for the best director Oscar.

Died from emphysema after a lifetime of smoking.

Denis Law, 84, January 17

ONE the all-time Great strikers, scoring memorable goals for Manchester United and Scotland.

Spent 11 years at Old Trafford, netting 237 times.

“The King” was part of the famous “Holy Trinity” alongside George Best and Bobby Charlton.

Broke into the First Division after signing for Manchester City from Huddersfield Town, but after one season joined Torino in Italy, before going to United.

Subsequently rejoined City and scored the goal he believed had relegated his former club, but other results that day meant United would have been relegated in any event.

Law was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia in 2021.

Marianne Faithfull, 78, January 30

SIXTIES pin-up singer and actress who was Rolling Stone Mick Jagger’s lover for four years.

Rose to fame in 1964 with single As Tears Go By.

Starred in 1968 erotic movie The Girl On A Motorcycle, the first film to get an X certificate in the US.

Convent-educated, she recovered from heroin addiction, anorexia and home-lessness in the 1970s to produce critically acclaimed music, starting with her 1979 album Broken English.

She also overcame breast cancer.

Appeared on stage and TV, including Absolutely Fabulous in 2001.

In 1999, she ranked 25th on VH1’s 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll.

FEBRUARY

Tony Martin, 80, February 2

FARMER who was jailed after shooting and killing a 16-year-old burglar on his property in 1999.

Sentenced to life for murder but released after three years when his conviction was reduced to manslaughter.

Died from a stroke.

Brian Murphy, 92, February 2

BELOVED for his role as hen-pecked husband George Roper in Seventies sitcom Man About the House, opposite Yootha Joyce as ­Mildred.

He also appeared in Last Of the Summer Wine and Benidorm.

Died from cancer.

Aga Khan IV, February 4

SPIRITUAL leader of Ismaili Muslims, billionaire and philanthropist.

Gave his friend the late Queen Elizabeth II a horse that went on to win the Ascot Gold Cup in 2013.

Died peacefully in Lisbon, surrounded by family.

Rick Buckler, 69, February 17

DRUMMER with The Jam who played on hits including Going Underground and In The City.

Was with the trio from their formation in 1972 until they split in 1982 and featured on all their top 40 UK singles.

Died after a short illness.

Gene Hackman, 95 February 17

ONE of the greatest actors of his generation who featured in major movies including The French Connection – as drug cop Jimmy “Popeye” Doyle – which won him the first of his two Oscars.

His other Academy Award came for Unforgiven.

Also featured in Mississippi Burning and Superman.

His cinematic career only began when he was in his 40s.

Found dead, with second wife Betsy Arakawa, 65, at their Hollywood mansion.

Died from heart disease.

Roberta Flack, 88, February 24

SOUL legend who had mega-hits with Killing Me Softly and The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, making her the first artist to win two consecutive Grammy Awards for Record of the Year.

Was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2022.

Henry Kelly, 78, February 25

IRISH journalist turned presenter who hosted game shows Going For Gold and Game For A Laugh in the 1980s and 1990s.

Later became a mainstay on Classic FM and LBC.

Died peacefully after a period of ill health.

Boris Spassky, 88, February 27

RUSSIAN world chess champion whose reign was ended by America’s Bobby Fischer in 1972, in the game’s most famous en-counter dubbed the Cold War Clash.

Major stroke in 2010 left him partially ­paralysed.

MARCH

Brian James, 74, March 6

GUITARIST of trailblazing Brit punk band The Damned who penned the first-ever UK punk single New Rose, released in 1976.

Worked with Iggy Pop and formed Brit-US supergroup The Lords Of The New Church.

John “Paddy” Hemingway, 105, March 17

SOLE surviving fighter pilot from the Battle of Britain who was shot down four times and survived two crash landings.

The Dublin-born Group Captain said he had the “luck of the Irish”.

Died in a care home.

Eddie Jordan, 76, March 20

FORMER Irish street trader turned Formula One owner who introduced grid girls and gave Michael Schumacher his debut.

Numerous business interests meant he left a multi-million pound fortune.

Died of prostate cancer.

George Foreman, 86, March 21

TWO-TIME world heavyweight boxing champ who was known as Big George.

Won Olympic gold in 1968 and a year later took the pro crown with a second-round knockout of the then-undefeated Joe Frazier.

Lost his title in the Rumble In The Jungle against Muhammad Ali in 1974 before retiring in 1977.

Became an ordained minister before coming back to regain the title in 1994 at the age of 45 – the oldest champion in the sport’s history.

His business exploits, including the George Foreman Grill, earned him far more than his boxing.

Colin Hart, 89, March 22

LEGENDARY boxing correspondent with The Sun who befriended and wrote about some of the greats of the sport, including Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, and Brits including Frank Bruno.

Died of cancer.

Andy Peebles, 76, March 22

RADIO 1 DJ who interviewed John Lennon two days before he was shot dead in New York in 1980.

Started out as a nightclub DJ and joined Radio 1 in 1978.

Hosted Top Of The Pops and Live Aid. Died in his sleep.

Richard Chamberlain 90, March 29

DR KILDARE heart-throb who shot to fame in the title role of the Sixties US TV drama.

Had a successful film career featuring in The Three Musketeers and The Towering Inferno.

Died following complications from a stroke.

APRIL

Val Kilmer, 65, April 1

MOVIE great who became one of Hollywood’s biggest heart-throbs as Tom Cruise’s rival Iceman in the first Top Gun film.

Also starred in Batman Forever and as Jim Morrison in The Doors.

Married to actress Joanne Whalley for eight years.

Later dated Daryl Hannah, Angelina Jolie, Cindy Crawford and Cher.

Died of pneumonia.

Jean Marsh, 90, April 13

UPSTAIRS Downstairs actress who co-created show and starred as Rose in the 1970s period drama.

Had three roles in Doctor Who and was wed to co-star Jon Pertwee from 1955-60.

Died of complications with dementia.

Clodagh Rodgers, 78, April 18

NORTHERN Irish singer who represented the UK in the 1971 Eurovision Song Contest with Jack In The Box, finishing fourth and reaching No4 in the charts.

Other hits include Goodnight Midnight.

Died after a three-year illness.

Pope Francis, 88, April 21

THE former nightclub bouncer once joked that whisky was “the real holy water” and later became one of the most approachable popes in history.

Elected in 2013 aged 76, having already lodged paperwork for his ­retirement.

On his appointment, he said: “May God forgive you for what you have done!”

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, he was a fan of local football club San ­Lorenzo de Almagro.

As Pope he shunned luxury, choosing to live in a simple hotel as opposed to the Papal apartments favoured by his predecessors.

Died from heart failure on Easter Monday.

Virginia Giuffre, 41, April 25

SEXUAL abuse survivor who spoke out against child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for 20 years for sex trafficking.

Claimed she had slept with the then-Prince Andrew, eventually settling a civil suit against him for an estimated £12m, although he made no admission of liability.

The allegations rocked the monarchy and led to the royal’s “car-crash” BBC interview.

Giuffre took her own life at home in Neergabby, Western Australia.

MAY

Sir Tom Farmer, 84, May 9

KWIK-Fit boss who turned a tyre-fitting firm into a household name with the catchphrase, “You can’t get quicker than a Kwik-Fit fitter”.

The firm was the third the Scots entrepreneur founded, having become a millionaire at the age of 27.

Alan Yentob, 78, May 24

TV exec who rose from a BBC trainee to become controller of BBC One.

Interviewed dozens of stars including Mel Brooks and Jay-Z and comic Billy Connolly.

Gave the green light to Ab Fab, Strictly and The Office.

Loretta Swit, 87, May 30

PLAYED Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in Korean war comedy-drama MAS*H.

A ten-time Emmy nominee, she won the award twice during her 11-year stint on the show.

Died at home in New York of natural causes.

JUNE

Uriah Rennie, 65, June 7

THE first black referee to officiate in the Premier League, in 1997.

Born in Jamaica but raised in Sheffield, he took charge of 175 games in the elite division.

Had been battling a rare neurological condition as well as cancer.

Sly Stone, 82, June 9

MUSIC legend who was frontman for Sly And The Family Stone, which featured his sisters and a brother.

The band had huge hits with Family Affair and Dance To The Music.

Died from lung disease COPD and other issues.

Frederick Forsyth, 86, June 9

FORMER MI6 agent who used his years with the secret service to pen 25 books, selling 75million copies in a 50-year career.

His best-known novel, The Day Of The Jackal, was turned into a hit 1974 movie starring Edward Fox.

Brian Wilson, 82, June 11

AS singer and songwriter of The Beach Boys, he was the man behind hits God Only Knows, Good Vibrations, Surfin’ USA, I Get Around and Wouldn’t It Be Nice.

Considered a genius by stars including Paul McCartney, Elton John and Bob Dylan, he suffered mental health issues throughout his life.

A nervous breakdown in 1964 saw him withdraw from regular touring to focus on composition.

Went on to receive huge acclaim as a solo artist, including for 2004 album Brian Wilson Presents Smile.

Died from undisclosed causes.

Kim Woodburn, 83, June 16

QUEEN of Clean with a caustic wit who ventured into some of Britain’s most dirty homes to make them sparkle, along with Aggie MacKenzie, in Channel 4’s How Clean Is Your House?

The show ran for six series. Kim died after a short illness.

David ‘Syd’ Lawrence, 61, June 21

CRICKET star and first British-born black player to represent England.

Awarded an MBE for tackling racism in sport as well as fundraising for motor neurone disease, which he was diagnosed with a year before his death.

JULY

Michael Madsen, 67, July 3

RESERVOIR Dogs star who played Mr Blonde in Quentin Tarantino’s 1992 movie.

He was the director’s go-to actor, featuring in his two Kill Bill films, The Hateful Eight, and Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

Died from a heart attack.

Diogo Jota, 28, July 3

LIVERPOOL striker who won the Premier League with the Anfield club last season.

The Portuguese father-of-three died in a car accident just three weeks after he wed childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso.

Kop boss Arne Slot vowed the player would never be forgotten as he led a host of tributes including from Prince William and Cristiano Ronaldo.

The player died with his brother Andre Silva, 25, also a footballer, when their Lamborghini crashed in north west Spain.

Jota was on his way to England for the title-winners’ ­pre-season games.

Lord Tebbit, 94, July 7

TORY working-class hero who was one of Margaret Thatcher’s most fervent supporters during his eight years as a government minister.

In 1981, Tebbit made his famous “get on your bike” speech to the Conservative Party ­Conference, criticising riots caused by unemployment.

He was considered Thatcher’s “enforcer” and a natural ­successor.

The 1984 IRA bombing of Brighton’s Grand Hotel, which nearly killed Thatcher and left Tebbit severely injured and his wife Margaret paralysed for life, put paid to that.

He left ­government in 1987 to care for his wife.

Ian Blair, 72 July 11

MET Police commissioner who led the force during the July 7 London bombings in 2005 and the subsequent police shooting of innocent man Jean Charles de Menezes.

Resigned in 2008 saying he had lost the mayor’s backing.

Connie Francis, 87, July 16

BIGGEST-selling pop artist of her time.

Rarely out of the charts in the 1950s and 1960s with hits such as Who’s Sorry Now?

Her 1962 record Pretty Little Baby went viral on TikTok earlier this year.

Died from ­pneumonia.

Ozzy Osbourne, 76, July 22

HELL-RAISING bat-eating singer with Black Sabbath who later became an unlikely reality TV sensation alongside his wife Sharon in the highly successful The Osbournes.

Black Sabbath’s big breakthrough came with the album Paranoid, which topped the British charts.

After falling out with his fellow band members he went on to achieve solo success which far outstripped the group’s achievements.

His catalogue of addictions included alcohol, heroin, cocaine, barbiturates, amphetamines, cough mixture and prescription drugs.

Died in hospital from a heart attack just 17 days after his farewell concert and was buried under a crab apple tree on the family’s Buckinghamshire estate as per his wishes.

Suffered from Parkinson’s disease since 2020.

On his death certificate he was described as a “songwriter, performer and rock legend”.

Joey Jones, 70 July 22

WELSH footballer who won two European Cups as a full-back with Liverpool.

Also represented Wrexham across three spells with the club, before taking up coaching positions there, earning him the nickname “Mr Wrexham”.

Dame Cleo Laine, 97, July 24

BRITISH jazz legend who performed with Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles as well as in the West End and on Broadway.

Counted the late Queen Elizabeth and Princess Margaret as friends.

Died peacefully at home in Buckinghamshire.

Hulk Hogan, 71, July 24

THE 21-stone giant was the man behind Hulkamania as TV wrestling boomed in the 1980s.

Born Terry Bollea, he bulked up with steroids when the drugs were still legal in the US.

Won six World Wrestling Federation titles. Died of cardiac arrest.

AUGUST

Stella Rimington, 90, August 3

TRAILBLAZING MI5 chief, the first woman to lead our security service, modernising its dated practises.

Her autobiography, Open Secrets, then took two years to be security-cleared before its publication in 2001.

Made a Dame in 1996.

James Whale, 74, August 4

ACCLAIMED broadcaster who was never afraid to be controversial and out- spoken.

For 13 years he hosted a popular night-time radio show on TalkSport and later worked on TalkRadio.

Died after a long battle with ­kidney cancer.

Jim Lovell, 97, August 7

COMMANDER of Apollo 13 who kept his cool and guided the craft back to Earth in 1970 after an on-board explosion in space.

He uttered the immortal words, “Houston, we’ve had a problem”.

Also in first crew to orbit the moon on Apollo 8.

Biddy Baxter, 92, August 10

FORMIDABLE Blue Peter editor from 1965 until 1988, who turned the children’s show into a national institution and introduced its famous badge.

Awarded an MBE in 1981.

Died after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and cancer.

Terence Stamp, 87, August 17

THE Cockney legend starred in hit Sixties films including Billy Budd and Far From The Madding Crowd.

He was said to have inspired The Kinks’ song Waterloo Sunset, featuring a couple named Terry and Julie (Julie Christie his then-girlfriend).

Dame Patricia Routledge, 96, August 29

PORTRAYED suburban snob Hyacinth Bucket (she pronounced it “Bouquet”) in the hit BBC One sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, alongside Clive Swift, who played her downtrodden husband.

The show aired for five years and attracted up to 13million viewers, with the Queen Mother reportedly a big fan.

Also starred on Broadway and the West End and in a vast number of TV and radio productions in a career spanning more than seven decades.

Particularly remembered for her roles in BBC TV’s A Woman Of No Importance (1982) and Talking Heads in 1988, also on the Beeb, both of which were written by Alan Bennett.

SEPTEMBER

Joe Bugner, 75, September 1

BOXER twice went the distance with Muhammad Ali, although he lost both fights on points.

The public never forgave the heavyweight for beating the much-loved Henry Cooper in 1971 – a decision he said should have gone to “Our ’Enry”.

Duchess of Kent, 92, September 4

TIRELESS charity worker put away her tiaras and titles in the 1990s to teach at a Hull primary school for 13 years.

Returned to the classroom in West London in 2017 to help kids who had lost homes and loved ones in the Grenfell Tower fire.

Giorgio Armani, 91, September 4

FASHION giant who invented “power dressing” for women.

The Italian was a favourite of a host of famous faces including Princess Diana, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Cate Blanchett and Victoria Beckham.

Died at home due to an age-related illness.

Rick Davies, 81, September 6

SINGER who co-founded Supertramp in 1970 with Roger Hodgson.

As part of the band, Davies had hits including The Logical Song, Goodbye Stranger and Breakfast In America.

He died after a decade-long battle with cancer.

Charlie Kirk, 31, September 10

CONTROVERSIAL conservative activist who founded Turning Point USA, which focuses on young voters.

A close ally of President Trump, he championed free speech and fierce patriotism.

Was shot dead during a rally at Utah University.

Ricky Hatton, 46, September 12

WORLD boxing champ dubbed “The Hitman”, who was backed by his fanatical fans throughout his career.

An avowed Manchester City fan – Hatton was on their books as a schoolboy – he always entered the ring to the strains of City’s Blue Moon anthem.

He won the world crown at light-welterweight and welterweight, but his life went downhill after he was defeated by US great Floyd Mayweather and he turned to drugs.

He was found dead, having taken his own life, at his home in Hyde by his long-time manager and friend Paul Speak.

Thousands lined the streets before his funeral service at Manchester Cathedral.

Robert Redford, 89, September 16

SCREEN heart-throb who starred in iconic movies including Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid, The Sting, All The President’s Men, The Natural and Out Of Africa.

Playing the role of the Sundance Kid, and insisting on doing all his own stunts, he began a lifelong friendship with co-star Paul Newman.

Redford later became a highly successful director, winning an Oscar for his first film, Ordinary People.

Launched the Sundance Film Festival backing independent filmmaking and was also an environmental activist.

Died peacefully in his sleep in his home in Utah.

John Stapleton, 79, September 21

TELLY presenter who interviewed every Prime Minister from Callaghan to Cameron.

His long career saw him working on Panorama, TV-am, GMTV, Good Morning Britain and Watchdog.

Died after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s.

Dickie Bird, 92, September 22

MUCH-loved cricket umpire known for his eccentric gestures to dismiss batsmen.

Son of a miner, he played cricket for Barnsley with boyhood pals Michael ­Parkinson and Geoffrey Boycott before representing his county.

OCTOBER

Dame Jane Goodall, 91, October 1

CHIMPS’ champion whose conservation studies in Africa found the animals experienced social behaviours such as love and grief just like humans.

The London-born veteran primatologist died of natural causes while on US speaking tour.

Patrick Murray, 68, October 2

AFTER previous film roles, played dim- witted trilby-wearing wide-boy Mickey Pearce in Only Fools And Horses, appearing in 20 episodes from 1983 to 2003.

After leaving the industry, he worked as a taxi driver. Died from lung cancer.

Dame Jilly Cooper, 88, October 5

BONKBUSTER novelist whose 1985 book Riders about the sex lives of the upper class launched a lucrative career.

Followed up with a series of best-sellers with titles like Rivals, Rutshire Chronicles, Class and How To Stay Married.

Sold more than 11million copies of her 18 novels and at one point was reputedly earning £500,000 a year.

Started out in the 1950s as a journalist for the Middlesex Independent and later produced candid columns for the Sunday Times and the Mail on Sunday.

Awarded an OBE, CBE and DBE for contributions to literature.

Died after falling down stairs at her Gloucestershire home.

Diane Keaton, 79, October 11

OSCAR-winning actress best known for her role in Woody Allen’s classic Annie Hall and who also starred in other hit movies including The God- father trilogy, The First Wives Club and Father Of The Bride.

Died from pneumonia.

Ace Frehley, 74, October 16

KISS guitarist who in 1973 co-founded the band, whose song I Was Made For Lovin’ You is still a concert staple.

His guitar was adapted to emit smoke and fire.

Alice Cooper was among those who paid tribute to Frehley, who died following a fall.

Lady Annabel Goldsmith, 91, October 18

SOCIALITE, author and political activist who inspired the Mayfair nightclub – set up by her first husband – that carries her name today.

Was a close friend of Princess Diana.

Mother to six including ex-Tory MP Zac.

Dave Ball, 66, October 22

PLAYED with Marc Almond in Soft Cell, the synth-pop duo famous for Tainted Love.

Broke his back after falling down the stairs in 2022 and was in a wheelchair when the group played at Henley-on-Thames in August.

Died in his sleep.

Prunella Scales, 93, October 27

FAWLTY TOWERS star who played Sybil Fawlty, domineering wife of John Cleese’s Basil in the classic BBC TV sitcom.

Her acting career lasted almost seven decades.

Married to fellow actor Timothy West for 61 years.

He passed away in November last year.

Scales, who had vascular dementia, died peacefully at home, a day after watching an episode of Fawlty Towers.

NOVEMBER

Dick Cheney, 84, November 3

FORMER US vice- president was a leading advocate of the Iraq invasion in 2003.

Shaped foreign policy after 9/11 for the eight years he served under George W Bush.

Survived five heart attacks.

Died after a long history of heart issues.

Pauline Collins, 85, November 6

BROUGHT the role of Liverpool housewife Shirley Valentine from the West End to the big screen and earned an Oscar nomination.

Her big break came as a maid in Upstairs, Downstairs.

Died after suffering from Parkinson’s disease.

James Watson, 97, November 6

GENIUS Cambridge scientist was 25 when he co-discovered the structure of DNA with Francis Crick.

The pair are said to have interrupted drinkers in a pub to tell them they’d cracked “the secret of life”.

The Nobel laureate died after a brief illness.

Quentin Willson, 68, November 8

FORMER Top Gear presenter co-hosted the BBC show with Jeremy Clarkson from 1991, appearing as an expert on used cars for ten years.

Was a campaigner for a fairer deal for motorists.

Died after a short battle with lung cancer.

Baroness Helen Newlove, 63, November 11

CAMPAIGNER dedicated her life combating youth violence following the death of her husband Garry, who was murdered in 2007 after confronting a teen gang.

Victims Commissioner for eight years.

Died after a short illness.

Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, 63, November 20

BASSIST joined The Stone Roses in 1987 and two years later featured on their self-titled debut album, considered one of the greatest of all time.

Later became a member of Primal Scream.

Died from respiratory issues.

Jimmy Cliff, 81, November 24

THE sweet-voiced Jamaican’s reggae anthems included I Can See Clearly Now and You Can Get It If You Really Want.

Also had a major hit with The Harder They Come and starred in the film of the same name.

Died from pneumonia.

Billy Bonds, 79, November 30

WEST HAM legend captained the side to two FA Cup Final wins and had club record of 799 appearances over 21 seasons.

Later managed the Hammers, taking them into the top flight at start of the Premier League era.

Died after a long illness.

Sir Tom Stoppard, 88, November 29

PLAYWRIGHT won an Oscar for his screenplay of the film Shakespeare In Love and a host of Tony and Olivier Awards over a six-decade career.

The titan of modern theatre was married three times including to TV’s Dr Miriam Stoppard.

DECEMBER

Robin Smith, 62, December 1

CRICKET legend who played 62 Tests for England and was always willing to take on fast bowling.

Born in South Africa, “The Judge” struggled with alcoholism and mental health after retirement.

Died at his home in Perth, Australia.

Martin Parr, 73, December 6

PHOTOGRAPHER whose camera captured the humour – and often banalities – of British life over a 50-year career.

The world-renowned snapper shot to fame with The Last Resort, a study of New Brighton in Merseyside, in the mid-1980s.

Sophie Kinsella, 55, December 10

BEST known for her chic-lit novels, two of which were turned into the 2009 film Confessions Of A Shopaholic, starring Isla Fisher and Hugh Dancy.

Sold more than 50million books in 60 countries.

Died after suffering brain cancer.

Joanna Trollope, 82, December 11

ROMANTIC novelist won several awards and whose father came from the family of Victorian writer Anthony Trollope.

Known as the Queen of the Aga Saga, her best-known works included Marrying The Mistress and A ­Village Affair.

Stanley Baxter, 99, December 11

BAFTA-winning Scottish comic and 1960s film star who later gained fame with The ­Stanley Baxter Show, a huge early hit on BBC TV.

Moved to London Weekend Television in the 1970s for The Stanley Baxter ­Picture Show.

He declined an OBE.

Rob Reiner, 78, December 14

THE director of Spinal Tap, When Harry Met Sally and A Few Good Men also acted in The Wolf Of Wall Street and Sleepless In Seattle.

Found fatally stabbed along with his wife at their LA home.

Their son Nick has been charged with murder.

Chris Rea, 74, December 22

BEST known for festive hit Driving Home For Christmas, the Middlesbrough-born singer started out working in his Italian dad’s ice cream business.

Diagnosed with pancreatic ­cancer at 33, he had several health ­battles during his life.

John Robertson, 72, December 25

FOOTBALLER called “the Picasso of our game” by his Nottingham Forest boss Brian Clough.

The Scots international made Trevor Francis’ winner in the 1979 European Cup Final vs Malmo and scored in 1980 win vs Hamburg.

Had Parkinson’s.

Brigitte Bardot, 91, December 28

BLONDE bombshell who symbolised a new age of sexual liberation in the cinema in the 1950s.

The Paris-born former ballet dancer won international acclaim in the 1956 movie And God Created Woman.

Abandoned her fame in the 70s to devote herself to animal rights activism.

Died at her home in southern France.

WASHINGTON — More than a quarter of federal immigration judges in California have been fired, retired or quit since the start of the Trump administration.

The reduction follows a trend in immigration courts nationwide and constitutes, critics say, an attack on the rule of law that will lead to yet more delays in an overburdened court system.

The reduction in immigration judges has come as the administration scaled up efforts to deport immigrants living in the U.S. illegally. Trump administration officials have described the immigration court process, in which proceedings can take years amid a backlog of millions of cases, as an impediment to their goals.

Nationwide, there were 735 immigration judges last fiscal year, according to the Executive Office for Immigration Review, the arm of the Justice Department that houses immigration courts. At least 97 have been fired since President Trump took office and about the same number have resigned or retired, according to the union representing immigration judges.

California has lost at least 35 immigration judges since January, according to Mobile Pathways, a Berkeley-based organization that analyzes immigration court data. That’s down from 132. The steepest drop occurred at the San Francisco Immigration Court, which has lost more than half its bench.

“A noncitizen might win their case, might lose their case, but the key question is, did they receive a hearing?” said Emmett Soper, who worked at the Justice Department before becoming an immigration judge in Virginia in 2017. “Up until this administration, I had always been confident that I was working in a system that, despite its flaws, was fundamentally fair.”

The administration intends to fill some judge positions, and in new immigration judge job listings in Los Angeles, San Francisco and elsewhere seeks candidates who want to be a “deportation judge” and “restore integrity and honor to our Nation’s Immigration Court system.”

The immigration judges union called the job listings “insulting.”

Trump wrote on Truth Social in April that he was elected to “remove criminals from our Country, but the Courts don’t seem to want me to do that.”

“We cannot give everyone a trial, because to do so would take, without exaggeration, 200 years,” he added.

The National Assn. of Immigration Judges said it expects a wave of additional retirements at the end of this month.

“My biggest concern is for the people whose lives are left in limbo. What can they count on when the ground is literally shifting every moment that they’re here?” said Amber George, who was fired last month from the San Francisco Immigration Court. “Our government institutions are losing their legitimacy.”

Because immigration courts operate under the Justice Department, their priorities typically shift from one presidential administration to the next, but the extreme changes taking place have renewed longtime calls for immigration courts to become independent of the executive branch.

The Trump administration recently added 36 judges; 25 of them are military lawyers serving in temporary positions.

This summer, the Pentagon authorized up to 600 military lawyers to work for the Department of Justice. That took place after the department changed the requirements for temporary immigration judges, removing the need for immigration law experience.

The Department of Justice did not respond to specific questions, but said judges must be impartial and that the agency is obligated to take action against those who demonstrate systemic bias.

Former judges say that, because terminations have happened with no advance notice, remaining court staff have often scrambled to get up to speed on reassigned cases.

Ousted judges described a pattern: In the afternoon, sometimes while presiding over a hearing, they receive a short email stating that they are being terminated pursuant to Article II of the Constitution. Their names are swiftly removed from the Justice Department website.

Jeremiah Johnson is one of five judges terminated recently from the San Francisco Immigration Court.

Johnson said he worries the Trump administration is circumventing immigration courts by making conditions so unbearable that immigrants decide to drop their cases.

The number of detained immigrants has climbed to record levels since January, with more than 65,000 in custody. Immigrants and lawyers say the conditions are inhumane, alleging medical neglect, punitive solitary confinement and obstructed access to legal counsel. Requests by immigrants for voluntary departure, which avoids formal deportation, have surged in recent months.

Many of those arrests have happened at courthouses, causing immigrants to avoid their legal claims out of fear of being detained and forcing judges to order them removed in absentia.

“Those are ways to get people to leave the United States without seeing a judge, without due process that Congress has provided,” Johnson said. “It’s a dismantling of the court system.”

The judges in San Francisco’s Immigration Court have historically had higher asylum approval rates than the national average. Johnson said grant rates depend on a variety of circumstances, including whether a person is detained or has legal representation, their country of origin and whether they are adults or children.

In November, the military judges serving in immigration courts heard 286 cases and issued rulings in 110, according to Mobile Pathways. The military judges issued deportation orders in 78% of the cases — more often than other immigration judges that month, who ordered deportations in 63% of cases.

“They’re probably following directions — and the military is very good at following directions — and it’s clear what their directions are that are given by this administration,” said Mobile Pathways co-founder Bartlomiej Skorupa. He cautioned that 110 cases are a small sample size and that trends will become clearer in the coming months.

Former immigration judges and their advocates say that appointing people with no immigration experience and little training makes for a steep learning curve and the possibility of due process violations.

“There are multiple concerns here: that they’re temporary, which could expose them to greater pressure to decide cases in a certain way; and also they lack experience in immigration law, which is an extremely complex area of practice,” said Ingrid Eagly, an immigration law professor at UCLA.

Immigration courts have a backlog of more than 3 million cases. Anam Petit, who served as an immigration judge in Virginia until September, said the administration’s emphasis on speedy case completions has to be balanced against the constitutional right to a fair hearing.

“There are not enough judges to hear those cases, and this administration [is] taking it upon themselves to fire a lot of experienced and trained judges who can hear those cases and can mitigate that backlog,” she said.

Complementary bills introduced in the U.S. Senate and House this month by Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Rep. Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) would prevent the appointment of military lawyers as temporary immigration judges and impose a two-year limit of service.

“The Trump administration’s willingness to fire experienced immigration judges and hire inexperienced or temporary ‘deportation judges,’ especially in places like California, has fundamentally impacted the landscape of our justice system,” Schiff said in a statement announcing the bill.

The bills have little chance in the Republican-controlled Congress but illustrate how significantly Democrats — especially in California — oppose the administration’s changes to immigration courts.

Former Immigration Judge Tania Nemer, a dual citizen of Lebanon and the U.S., sued the Justice Department and Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi this month, alleging that she was illegally terminated in February because of her gender, ethnic background and political affiliation. In 2023, Nemer ran for judicial office in Ohio as a Democrat.

Bondi addressed the lawsuit in a Cabinet meeting.

“Most recently, yesterday, I was sued by an immigration judge who we fired,” she said Dec. 2. “One of the reasons she said she was a woman. Last I checked, I was a woman as well.”

Other former judges have challenged their terminations through the federal Merit Systems Protection Board.

Johnson, of San Francisco, is one of those. He filed his appeal this month, claiming that he was not given cause for termination.

“My goal is to be reinstated,” he said. “My colleagues on the bench, our court was vibrant. It was a good place to work, despite all the pressures.”

Jimmy Kimmel swapped his suit and late-night desk for a cardigan and Christmas living room scene as he shared with British viewers an important holiday message: “Tyranny is booming over here.”

Kimmel appeared on public broadcaster Channel 4 Thursday to deliver an “alternative Christmas message,” counter programming to the British monarch’s annual televised address.

Kimmel’s message focused on his battle with President Trump, who reveled in his talk show’s September suspension. Kimmel was benched for roughly a week after backlash to his comments about Charlie Kirk — and an ominous threat by the Federal Communications Commission chair. Kimmel had criticized MAGA supporters for attempting to “score political points” after the conservative activist’s killing. He also poked fun at Trump boasting about White House ballroom renovations after being asked about Kirk’s death.

“You may have read in your colorful newspapers my country’s president would like to shut me up because I don’t adore him in the way he likes to be adored,” he said. He attributed the return of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to the “millions and millions of people” who fought to get him back on the air in the name of free speech.

“And because so many people spoke out, we came back. Our show came back stronger than ever. We won, the president lost, and now I’m back on the air every night giving the most powerful politician on Earth a right, and richly deserved, bollocking,” he said, referencing the British slang for scolding. Earlier this month, Kimmel signed a contract extension with ABC through May 2027.

Past hosts of the alternative Christmas message, which began in 1993, include Edward Snowden, Jesse Jackson and a deepfake of Queen Elizabeth II.

During his address, Kimmel called the president “King Donny the 8th.” “We don’t have a problem with your king, just the guy who thinks he’s our king,” he said, apologizing for the state of America and its democratic institutions.

“Don’t give up on us,” Kimmel said. “We’re going through a bit of a wobble right now, but we’ll come around.”

GLIDING into the glitzy Grand Atrium and gazing up at three marble-clad floors of bars and boutiques, a thought hit me.

If this is just one small section of the impressive ship Iona, how am I going to experience everything on offer in just one-and-a-half days?

This was my first cruise and, as a total novice, I’d decided to book a short, two-night sailing.

P&O Cruises’ Iona is deemed the perfect ship for first-time British cruisers, partly because — carrying 5,200 guests and 1,800 crew, it is big enough to not feel cramped or overwhelming.

Plus there are plenty of familiar UK favourites on board from roast dinners to Tetley tea.

And with prices starting at £199 per person, including all your food and activities, you can’t go wrong.

Longer voyages are cracking value, too, with five nights on a European itinerary costing less than £500pp.

You could spend a week on board and not run out of things to do thanks to Iona’s 30 bars and restaurants, ten entertainment venues — including a cinema, theatre and spa — swimming pools and hot tubs along the decks.

I stayed in a Conservatory Suite, where floor-to-ceiling windows offered breathtaking views without having to brave the biting wind on the balcony — the only downside of a UK cruise.

Luckily, the SkyDome has a heated indoor pool and this area of the boat has just had a sleek refit.

It’s a great place to kick back with a beer in hand (a pint of Moretti costs £6.25).

Nowhere is quite as relaxing as the spa, though — home to a therapeutic sauna, sensory steam room and rejuvenating hydrotherapy pool.

If that doesn’t float your boat, why not indulge in some retail therapy at the on-board boutiques, where you’ll find designer watches, bags and sunglasses, among other gems.

A particular hit with my husband was the Barbour shop — I’m fairly certain he came home with a whole new wardrobe.

When we weren’t watching aerial acrobatics in the large theatre, or rolling dice at the casino, we were sampling the excellent food.

‘BUFFET OF DREAMS’

The Horizon Restaurant — an all-you-can eat buffet of dreams — has salads and sandwiches, freshly-cut kebabs and full roast dinners.

Meanwhile, The Quays offers a street food style selection of live cooking stations, where I tucked into delicious breakfasts of fresh scrambled eggs and hash browns.

And Ripples ice cream parlour serves treats with edible cups and spoons — a small but fabulous nod to P&O cutting back on waste.

It would be hard to tire of the dining options included in your fare, but if you do fancy treating yourself, the speciality joints are top notch.

We loved Sindhu, the Indian restaurant where you can get three courses for £22, with a £3 supplement for the lobster thermidor.

My husband and I enjoyed Sindhu’s signature cocktail, the East India punch, a muddle of spiced rum, cognac, falernum (a sweet syrup) and tropical juices.

And if you can’t decide what to eat, the Sindhu Signature Plate boasts smaller portions of three of their most popular dishes: the duck tikka malabari, the beef lali mirch masala and the creamy lobster, drenched in thermidor sauce.

Elsewhere, the Glass House in the Grand Atrium offers a heavenly seven-course tasting menu and wine pairing (priced at around £35 a person), by award-winning wine expert Olly Smith and acclaimed Spanish chef Jose Pizarro.

Our highlight was a black tie dinner and show at the adults-only Limelight Club, with a performance from singer Jonathan Wilkes and a nightclub boogie on board.

If that doesn’t convert you to a cruise lover, I’m not sure what will.

Meredith Shay, a former flight attendant from Florida, sold her flat so she could go on a three-year cruise that was cancelled at the last minute. But she has not been deterred

What would you do if you’d sold your home to buy a holiday that was cancelled at the last minute?

For most of us, the answer probably wouldn’t be to book a near-identical but slightly longer holiday just two years later. Meredith Shay, however, has done just that. “I’ve just signed on for five years,” the Floridian retiree told the Mirror.

Back in 2023, Meredith was preparing to embark on the Life at Sea cruise, widely touted as the longest sailing in commercial cruise history, when she received terrible news. The company told passengers that it had no working ship, so the upcoming sailing was cancelled. That meant no sailing for hundreds of customers who poured their life savings into the venture and had prepared to leave their lives on land behind.

“I did sell my house. I put everything into storage, moved out of my apartment. I was about to sell my car. But I am not a ‘woe is me’ person. There is a song over here, ‘dust yourself off and try again’. That is what I’ve done,” she explained. “I had a 12-hour pity party, then said, ‘okay, you’re free. Do something’. No encumbrances at all.”

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The former flight attendant has been renting in Florida since then. Come next June, her flat will become “the world’s most expensive storage container”, and Meredith will fly to Manila to start sailing the world. For five years straight.

She will do so on the Villa Vie Odyssey, which is run by some of the same people behind Life at Sea and has been sailing since earlier this year. Signing up is a leap of faith for Meredith for multiple reasons.

She counts herself lucky to have received a full refund of close to $500,000 following the first cruise. Others didn’t pay on credit cards and haven’t been able to recover all their money. The Villa Vie Odyssey cruise ship has also had problems. It was due to depart from Northern Ireland last May, but issues with its rudder stocks meant its guests were marooned in the city for more than four months. It was there for so long that shipmates Angela Harsanyi and Gian Perroni had time to meet, fall in love and then marry on the banks of Belfast’s River Lagan.

This time around, Meredith’s room, a fancy eighth-floor suite for five years, cost her $159,000, with $7,999 a month homeowner fees bringing the total to around $630,000 (£469,000). When she first booked, the total was $520,000 for three years, all in.

Meredith admits that booking again hasn’t been worry-free.

“Sure, I’m worried, but why not? I can’t live my life in fear. Nobody likes to lose money, but they’ve been out now for a good period of time; they’ve overcome earthquakes, typhoons, and the captains really know what they’re doing. I already have friends on Villa Vie.”

When asked if she intends to spend the rest of her life at sea, Meredith explained: “My life is full of regrets, and I don’t want this to be one of them. I will be five years older, and I’m very healthy now. But one never knows.”

The Mirror contacted Villa Vie, whose founder Mikael Petterson explained what happened to the Life at Sea cruise. He said: “Yes, some of the Villa Vie team were initially involved with Life at Sea. Some of us, including myself, helped build the brand and sales team, but realised after just two months of working with Miray (the parent company of Life at Sea) in Turkey, it would be impossible.

“The ship we saw in April was just not what they had portrayed to us. We had to make the difficult decision to leave the project in May of 2023, where we refunded all customers and announced the project was over. Miray, in turn, decided to take over, double down on the promises, but as we predicted, was not able to deliver the ship as promised in November 2024.”

He added: “We do feel terrible for the customers who lost their money in the pursuit of the dream life we are now able to deliver through Villa Vie Residences.”

Miray has been contacted for comment.

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

Actress Roxy Shahidi’s final scenes aired earlier this year with fans heartbroken at the character’s exit, when she bid farewell to Leyla Harding after several years in the role

One Emmerdale star admits she lost her identity following her exit from the soap. Former Emmerdale actress Roxy Shahidi has spoken candidly about the emotional impact of leaving the ITV soap, admitting she struggled with her sense of identity after her character was written out.

Roxy played Leyla Harding, a long-standing and much-loved character on the show, first appearing in 2008 before returning full-time in 2013. After more than a decade on screen, Leyla met a tragic end earlier this year in dramatic scenes that saw several characters plunged into icy water following a limousine crash.

Although Leyla initially survived the accident, viewers later learned she died in an ambulance before reaching hospital, marking the end of Roxy’s 17-year journey on the soap.

Nearly a year on from leaving Emmerdale, Roxy has reflected on the transition and how it affected her personally. In an emotional Instagram post, she admitted stepping away from the role was far more challenging than she anticipated.

“This time last year, I was coming to terms with having to leave this lot behind. Not just colleagues, but friends and family,” she wrote.

She went on to explain how deeply intertwined her character had become with her own sense of self, adding:

“Playing Layla wasn’t just a job; she was a huge part of my identity, and some days I spent more time being her than being myself.

“Losing that sense of identity was hard, but long walks with Mr Cooper [her pet cockapoo] gave me space to breathe, reflect and stay hopeful.”

Since leaving the soap, Roxy has shifted her focus towards wellbeing and has been teaching yoga online. She revealed the practice helped her process the emotional fallout of the change.

“Yoga once again became my anchor on the hardest days, moving my body helped me move through grief, loss and uncertainty,” she continued.

Adding that her yoga platform has helped her build a new chapter in her life, she went on: “Now YogaRox has grown into a new home, a new family, and a new sense of self.

“I don’t know exactly how I’ll get there, but I know where I’m going. Thank you to everyone who’s supported me through a year of challenge, growth, and transformation; here’s to 2026.”

Her post was quickly flooded with supportive messages, including from former Emmerdale co-stars. Laura Norton, who plays Kerry Wyatt, commented: “You’re amazing. You are very missed. Sky is the limit.”

Fellow soap stars Claire Sweeney, Isobel Hodgins and Ross Adams also shared messages of love.

Fans echoed the sentiment, with one writing: “You are still so missed by us Emmerdale fans. But you are smashing it now with your new projects, you are amazing!! Xx”

Another added: “I miss seeing you shine on my screen every night but being able to see you absolutely smashing the yoga is everything, heres to an amazing 2026 and I hope the new year brings you nothing but happiness and big achievements.”

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FROM family-favourite theme parks to popular junior coasters – there have been some sad attraction closures in 2025.

But not all is lost as there are some terrific, and of course thrilling additions coming next year from world firsts based on beloved cartoon characters to rides that will be 138-foot tall.

Starting with the closures, there have been some big losses in 2025 from favourite attractions to whole parks…

Leisure Island Fun Park, Canvey Island

In Essex, the Leisure Island Fun Park closed its doors for good in February of 2025 – much to the shock of locals.

The popular park was on Canvey Island and particularly popular during the half-term and summer holidays.

It had been open for 20 years but suddenly announced it would be closing permanently earlier this year.

The news was announced through a Facebook post thanking visitors for their support over the last two decades.

In a few hours the post had gained more than 1k reactions and over 500 comments.

One said: “Oh sad times. We loved spending days up there in the summer. My children loved the rides and we have so many good memories. Wishing you all the best in the future.”

Some of the most popular attractions included the Go Gator coaster, the Snake ride, Orbiters, trampolines, and the classic Crazy Golf.

Oakwood Theme Park, Wales

Oakwood Theme Park, the biggest in Wales, closed in 2025.

It was home to a swinging pirate ship, flume, rollercoasters and mini black taxi carts.

Earlier this year, there had been rumours for plans for a reopening it this year – these however have been scrapped.

In May 2025, hopes were reignited to reopen the park after a new leisure company called Richens Leisure Projects (RLP) stepped in to not only save the attraction but also make it bigger through a £250million project.

Those hopes were short-lived as the entire project was scrapped a few weeks later. And owners Aspro Parks, revealed they had no intentions of selling the site.

Postman Pat Parcel Post ride at Alton Towers

In summer 2025, one popular attraction was closed at Alton Towers – the Postman Pat Parcel Post Ride.

Found in its CBeebies Land, the ride had first opened in 2014 as part of the land’s launch – so it’s safe to say it has been a classic for any visitors with young children for years.

It closed to make way for a new ride coming in 2026, the new Bluey-themed junior rollercoaster.

Smaller Rides at Blackpool Pleasure Beach

In February 2025, Blackpool Pleasure Beach announced the closure of five of its rides.

It said on its website: “We’ve made the decision to close some of our smaller, less popular rides during the 2025 season: Eddie Stobart Convoy, Alpine Rallye, Thompson Carousel, Gallopers and Red Arrows Skyforce.”

The decision to close some of the smaller rides at the park however, is to make way for new ones – or to redesign them.

For example in 2024, the park’s ride Ice Blast closed and will soon open as Launch Pad.

It said: “Launch Pad promises to be more thrilling, immersive and dynamic than ever before as riders shoot to the clouds at high speed.

“We’re confident that once you’ve ridden it you’ll agree that its temporary downtime was worth the wait.”

Now for the more exciting news – what’s coming up in 2026 from whole new theme park lands and worlds to one-of-a-kind rides.

World of Frozen, Disneyland Paris

You might have heard that a movie-inspired land is coming to Disneyland Paris, and it’s all based around the hit film, Frozen.

It will open on March 29, 2026 with a new attraction called Frozen Ever After where visitors will bob through the North mountain to Elsa’s Ice Palace.

Of course Elsa and Ana will be around the land as will Olaf and even the troll, Mossi.

There will also be a new restaurant called Nordic Crowns Tavern, the Arendelle Boutique shop and the Fjord View Shop.

The World of Frozen is part of the newly reimagined second park, Disney Adventure World.

Read on to find out more about the World of Frozen from Assistant Travel Editor Sophie Swietochowski, who went for a behind the scenes look in November.

Realm of the Vikings, Paultons Park

Family-friendly theme park, Paultons Park has revealed plans for a new £12million attraction set to open in May 2026.

The park be park which will be named Valgard – Realm of the Vikings, will be a viking-themed world with Paultons Park’s first inverting rollercoaster.

Called Drakon, it’s set to become the park’s most thrilling ride with a vertical lift hill and two twists that will take riders upside down.

There will also be Vild Swing that swirls riders 12 metres in the air, two brand new thrill rides, retheming of Cobra – a famous ride at Paultons Park, into a bobsled adventure.

The ride will be renamed Raven to complement the Viking village experience.

Valgard also features a themed high-capacity restaurant and new playground for younger visitors to enjoy.

There’s even more to look forward to in 2027, where a ‘water-related experience’ will be added.

Aviktas, Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Heading back to Blackpool Pleasure Beach, it has announced that it’s adding a new Gyro Ride to the books.

At the cost of £8.7million, the amusement park is set to build a 138-foot swing ride.

Called Aviktas, it will be the ‘tallest of its kind’ in the UK, according to the park.

The ride will feature a giant spinning pendulum that will swing 120 degrees and seat 40 riders at a time, making people feel like they’re flying.

There some other swinging pendulum rides in the UK – but Blackpool’s will be higher.

Bluey Junior Coaster, Alton Towers

A new Bluey Junior Rollercoaster will launch in spring 2026 and be the first of its kind in the world.

It has been announced that the new coaster will open in the park’s CBeebies Land.

Along with the new ride, there will be a Heeler family meet-and-greet and a new live stage show.

Some Bluey experiences have already opened in the park, like the themed accommodation where the Bluey theme song plays from speakers around the rooms.

PAW Patrol, Chessington World of Adventures

Alton Towers isn’t the only spot launching a world first, over in Chessington, the amusement park will open UK’s first and only PAW Patrol-themed land. 

The new immersive land will delight children who are a fan of the PAW Patrol pups.

There will be four new rides across the land including a brand new ‘my first rollercoaster’ for the littlest of visitors.

There will also be photo opportunities and themed bedrooms for the ‘ultimate sleepover’ first opened in 2025.

Pirates’ Plummet, Crealy Theme Park & Resort

Crealy Theme Park & Resort is celebrating its 25 years since the opening of Devon‘s first rollercaoster with a new addition next year.

The rollercoaster called Pirates’ Plummet is a family thrill ride and will open in 2026.

Few details have been released on the ride so far, but there will be no doubt more updates in the New Year.

For more on theme parks, here’s what we know about Universal’s new mega UK theme park to be open all-year-round – as well as have free-to-visit areas.

And here are the top six UK theme parks you can easily reach by train this summer – and how to find the cheapest family fares.