love

Actor Eric Dane, best known for wooing “Grey’s Anatomy” audiences as plastic surgeon Dr. Mark “McSteamy” Sloan, has died following a public battle with ALS.

A TV star whose career spanned from “Saved by the Bell” to “Euphoria” and beyond, Dane died Thursday, his publicist announced in a statement. He was 53.

“With heavy hearts, we share that Eric Dane passed on Thursday afternoon following a courageous battle with ALS. He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” the statement reads. “Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always. Eric adored his fans and is forever grateful for the outpouring of love and support he’s received. The family has asked for privacy as they navigate this impossible time.”

Dane publicized his ALS diagnosis in April 2025. A former competitive swimmer and water polo player, he said ALS — also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease — initially caused the right side of his body to stop working. Prior to his death, the actor channeled his personal experiences with the condition to portray a firefighter living with ALS on TV and advocated for legislation related to the condition.

In Shonda Rhimes’ “Grey’s Anatomy,” Dane’s Sloan was a welcome addition to Seattle Grace Hospital’s staff of heartthrobs who couldn’t seem to keep their gloved hands off each other amid shifts of wild and dramatic cases. He first appeared in Season 2 of “Grey’s Anatomy” in 2006. Sloan, within minutes of his arrival, takes a punch to the face from Patrick Dempsey’s Dr. Derek Shepherd and introduces himself to Ellen Pompeo’s Meredith Grey as one of the fellow “dirty mistresses” who broke up Shepherd’s marriage to ex-wife Dr. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh).

Dane had initially agreed to appear in only one episode of the long-running ABC drama, but remained a fixture — and eye candy for fans — for more than 130 episodes until 2012. Nicknamed “McSteamy” for his looks, Sloan pursued relationships with Drs. Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh), Callie Torres (Sara Ramirez) and Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) over the course of Dane’s tenure. His character was killed off early in Season 9 after a devastating Season 8 plane crash that also claimed the life of Leigh’s Lexie.

In 2021, Dane returned to “Grey’s Anatomy” for a cameo in Meredith’s COVID-19-induced dreams.

Prior to breaking out with “Grey’s,” Dane played minor roles in series including “Saved by the Bell, “Roseanne,” “Gideon’s Crossing” and “Charmed.” Dane followed up his “Grey’s Anatomy” tenure with appearances on the ABC spinoff “Private Practice,” a leading role in TNT’s “The Last Ship” and a stint as a secretive real estate developer and dad in HBO’s teen drama “Euphoria.”

He also appeared in several movies following “Grey’s Anatomy,” including “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Marley & Me,” “Burlesque” and Garry Marshall’s “Valentine’s Day,” which reunited him with co-star Dempsey.

Dane did not plan to be an actor until he unexpectedly landed a role in his high school’s production of Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons,” but he “fell in love with it,” he told the Gulf Times in 2014.

“I was like this is the greatest feeling ever,” he added.

Eric William Dane was born Nov. 9, 1972, in San Francisco. His father, a Navy man-turned-architect, died of a gunshot wound when the actor was 7, leaving his mother to raise her two children with assistance from her parents.

Dane attended Sequoia High School and San Mateo High School but dropped out prior to graduation to pursue acting in Los Angeles.

He partied often in his 20s and first entered rehab at age 26. Amid his “Grey’s Anatomy” fame, Dane struggled with addition to painkillers and prescription medicine. He relapsed in 2007 during the Writer’s Guild of America strike, he recalled in 2024.

Eric Dane and Rebecca Gayheart bring their daughters to the March 2015 world premiere of “Cinderella” in L.A.

(Richard Shotwell / Invision / Associated Press)

“If you take the whole eight years I was on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ I was f— up longer than I was sober and that was when things started going sideways for me,” he said at the time. Notably, he entered rehab again in 2011 to address issues with prescription drugs he had been prescribed for a sports injury.

Dane also spoke openly about his struggles with depression, which reached a head in 2017 amid production on his series “The Last Ship.” During a 2017 “Today” appearance, Dane explained that he was taking medication to manage the disorder, which he said hit him “like a truck.”

“I had to take some time off,” he said at the time. “I went away, I took care of it, and I’m feeling great.”

Dane married “Loving” actor and model Rebecca Gayheart in 2004 in Las Vegas the same day he proposed to her. Infamously, their relationship was subject to scrutiny when in 2009 leaked video showed the spouses in the nude and intoxicated lounging in a bathtub with actor Kari Ann Peniche. Marty Singer, attorney for the spouses at the time, dismissed the controversy.

However, the couple separated in 2017 and Gayheart filed to divorce Dane in 2018, but the split was never finalized. Then in March 2025, right before he went public with his ALS, she filed a request to dismiss the original petition.

In Dane’s role after revealing his diagnosis, he appeared in an episode of the NBC medical drama “Brilliant Minds” as a heroic firefighter struggling to tell his family he has ALS. The episode aired in late November; Gayheart revealed in a late December New York magazine essay that the actor was receiving 24/7 nursing care and she was covering most of the caregivers’ missed shifts.

“We haven’t lived in the same home for eight years; he’s dated other people, I’ve dated someone,” Gayheart wrote in the essay, which discussed Dane’s diagnosis and how it had affected the family. “It’s a very complicated relationship, one that’s confusing for people. Our love may not be romantic, but it’s a familial love. Eric knows that I am always going to want the best for him. That I’m going to do my best to do right by him. And I know he would do the same for me.

“So whatever I can do or however I can show up to make this journey better for him or easier for him, I want to do that,” she continued. “And I want to model that for my girls: That’s what you do. That’s the right thing to do.”

Dane is survived by daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14, whom he shares with Gayheart.

All nine seasons now have a new streaming home making it easier for fans to rediscover

An underrated sitcom that some claim is even ‘better than Malcolm in the Middle’ was just added to Netflix.

All seasons of The Middle are now available to stream on the platform from today (February 18). It actually shares a very similar premise and set up to the comedy series it is compared to but some find it superior if not as well recognised.

There’s no better time for fans to find out for themselves as The Middle finds a new streaming home, as we all wait for the upcoming revival of Malcom in the Middle coming later in the year.

According to the synopsis of The Middle, the series follows the Heck family. At the head of the clan is middle-age, middle-class, middle-America mom Frankie Heck who uses a sense of humour to try to steer her family through life’s ups and downs as she tackles her career goals.

Her unflappable husband, Mike, is a manager at the local quarry. Oldest son Axl is an obstinate young man; awkward daughter Sue cannot seem to find her niche, despite much enthusiasm in her attempts and youngest son Brick is an unusual child whose best friend is his backpack.

The cast is lead by sitcom legends including Patricia Heaton, who won two Emmys during her time as Debra Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond. She is joined by Neil Flynn, who plays her on screen husband and is recognisable as the Janitor on Scrubs.

A debate on Reddit discusses whether The Middle was a better show than Malcolm in the Middle with opinion fairly split. One replied simply: “I love both shows but The Middle is my favourite show.”

While someone else claimed: “Malcom In The Middle fell off around season 4, while The Middle had consistent, solid quality for the entirety of the show. They are also nothing alike, they are only similar in the fact they are both about a middle class family.”

Either way, most fans agree that The Middle is worth streaming on its own merit. With some critics even agreeing that it is ‘one of TV’s most underrated comedies’.

As one fan agreed: “An underrated show of brilliance. The Middle is a superb show that has sadly never really gained the wider acclaim it deserves, though it has a very loyal fan base, and that’s just as important. This show wouldn’t have lasted half as long if it wasn’t for the casting of the kids, who steal episodes with their portrayals. We have seen them grow up, and it’s been a joy.”

While one fan added: “What I love about this show is that it’s not just any easy shallow cheap written comedy show. There are a lot of gags and ‘inside’ jokes that return throughout the series, which I like because it shows the writers put effort into it, and make the show funnier watching it as a regular, it’s great!

“Also, they are not a picture perfect family what a lot of shows are about, but at the heart of it all they do love each other, this feels more ‘real’. From my point of view this show is very underrated, I highly recommend it!”

Someone else actually claimed another sitcom was the reason it was so overlooked. They said: “This show should have been much bigger than it was. It was definitely overshadowed by Modern Family.”

The Middle is streaming on Netflix and ITVX. For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new **Everything Gossip** website.

Love Island All Stars viewers were left baffled during the latest episode on Monday

Love Island fans fumed over a “wild” All Stars twist on Monday (February 16), as they asked, “What’s going on?”

The third series of the popular spin-off returned to ITV2 last month, with a group of ex-islanders returning to the South African villa for another shot at romance.

Audiences have already seen lots of heated clashes, numerous bombshell entrances, and surprise dumpings over the past few weeks. Belle Hassan has found herself embroiled in several dramatic scenarios, after Lucinda Strafford formed a bond with her partner Sean Stone whilst she was in villa USA.

Belle’s exchanges with Lucinda and Sean have remained frosty in recent episodes. More drama unfolded when Belle began getting to know Scott van-der-Sluis, much to the annoyance of his partner Leanne Amaning, reports OK!.

The surprises continued when Sher Suarez and Jack Keating became the latest pair to exit the villa last week, after receiving the most votes in a nail-biting game of To Be Honest.

Sunday’s (February 15) episode saw the girls receive heartfelt phone calls from home, with the stars resolved to leave the drama behind them. The confrontations appeared to be put on hold during tonight’s episode, with Belle declaring that she was “retiring” from the drama.

As they prepared for the day, Sean attempted to reconcile with Belle, stating: “We had a night off Belle. No drama.”

Belle responded: “I’m retiring now,” prompting Sean to enquire: “Can we retire together?” Belle confirmed: “Yeah, the storms clearing. No more hurricane.”

Sean then questioned whether they could be “best friends”, with the former partners subsequently sharing a hug. Belle also resolved matters with Scott at the firepit, whilst Leanne and Lucinda observed from the daybeds.

Love Island viewers were baffled by the sudden shift in atmosphere, with many taking to X (formerly Twitter) to voice their opinions. “The switch up is wild today, what’s going on?” one viewer questioned.

Another commented: “I’m so tired of this storyline,” whilst a third remarked: “The switch up is crazy. Surely the producers have got involved to sort all the drama?”

A fourth fan expressed similar frustration, stating: “Belle couldn’t make it any more obvious she was pulled my producers. Every second it’s, ‘Hurricane Belle is over,’ or, ‘I’m so glad the drama is over’. I’m so tired,” with another equally puzzled viewer sharing: “I’m confused how Belle can make amends with Scott AND Sean but not Lucinda or Leanne? Why is she always 10x angrier at the girl and not the boy?”

Elsewhere during tonight’s instalment, the couples tested their connections in a game of Knowing Me, Knowing You. Following their defeat in the challenge, Whitney Adebayo and Yemen Sanders deepened their bond over a date, whilst Sean asked Lucinda to become his girlfriend.

Love Island All Stars airs Sunday to Friday on ITV2 and ITVX at 9pm

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

This BBC Three drama based on Sally Rooney’s bestselling novel is coming to Netflix soon

A beloved BBC drama adapted from a bestselling novel that readers have described as “perfect” is arriving on Netflix by the end of this week.

Boasting a stellar cast of familiar faces from the UK, Ireland and the USA, the eight-part series originally debuted in 2022.

Adapted from Sally Rooney’s debut novel, Conversations With Friends didn’t quite achieve the cultural phenomenon status of its BBC predecessor, Normal People, which captivated audiences during the Covid-19 lockdown of 2020.

Nevertheless, despite garnering mixed reviews upon release, there are numerous fans who believe the drama about two young best friends who become entangled with an older, successful couple has aged remarkably well and merits viewing.

Alison Oliver (Wuthering Heights) and Sasha Lane (Loki) portray Frances and Bobbi, alongside Sex Education’s Jemima Kirke and Hamnet’s Joe Alwyn as Melissa and Nick, whose lives grow increasingly intertwined, reports the Express.

One five-star review on Goodreads praised the novel as “stupidly good” and “perfect from start to finish”.

Another user concurred, describing the novel as a “perfect representation of life: it’s messy and unpredictable, and we are all just trying to find our footing”.

The live-action adaptation for BBC Three and Hulu is praised as a faithful portrayal of the novel’s events and themes, meaning Normal People fans are certainly in for a treat if they choose to dive in or revisit the series several years after its release. It will be landing on Netflix in its entirety this Sunday, 22nd February.

Watch Bridgerton on Netflix for free with Sky

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

from £15

Sky

Get the deal here

Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.

This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Bridgerton.

One viewer remarked upon its release: “Conversations With Friends the TV adaptation is a phenomenal success and I loved every moment of it. I may even re-watch.”

Meanwhile, an IMDb user described the series as “perfect”, hinting the television adaptation might even eclipse the original novel: “These are the kind of shows I love that don’t come around often. The actors were so interesting, different, and artistic. The backdrop of Dublin with its slightly melancholic and gritty feel captured me straight away.

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

“I read the book some while ago, which I really enjoyed but the storyline didn’t overly stay with me. The show brought the story to life with its intelligent conversation, character flaws and nuances.

“I found the filming to be sparing and gorgeous- it created this nostalgic feeling. Such a simple storyline with no in-your-face twist or shocking reveal. It’s more human, subtle and visceral. I haven’t watched Normal People yet but this has made me look forward to watching it.”

Conversations With Friends is available to stream on Netflix from Sunday, 22nd February.

Ardal O’Hanlon is famed for Father Ted, My Hero, and, of course, Death in Paradise as DI Jack Mooney

Netflix fans have been “hooked” by this “hilarious” new series which quietly stars a Death in Paradise icon.

Since leaving his days at Saint Marie behind as the lovable DI Jack Mooney, Irish star Ardal O’Hanlon has featured in Derry Girls, The Woman in the Wall, Extraordinary and Sherlock and Daughter, just to name a few.

Now, BBC Death in Paradise fans have stumbled upon his latest venture with Netflix’s newly released Irish comedy-drama How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.

Released last week, the eight-part comedy revolves around friends Saoirse (played by Roisin Gallagher), Robyn (Sinead Keenan) and Dara (Caoilfhionn Dunne) who learn that their troubled friend Greta (Natasha O’Keefe) has mysteriously died.

O’Hanlon is behind the wacky and upbeat Seamus, the manager of the local seaside hotel where the three women stay as they investigate their friend’s death.

Get Netflix free with Sky for Bridgerton Season 4

This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more

from £15

Sky

Get the deal here

‘Dearest gentle reader’, as the fourth season of Bridgerton follows second son Benedict love story, there’s a way to watch this fairytale-like season for less.

Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan. This lets customers watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes the new season of Bridgerton.

Netflix fans haven’t been able to stop singing O’Hanlon’s praises with one fan describing him as an “absolute icon” in How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.

Another said: “Loved him on Death in Paradise. He was my favourite”, while a third labelled the star as “absolutely superb”.

O’Hanlon headed up Death in Paradise for three years as DI Jack Mooney before he chose to leave Saint Marie and return to London with his daughter Siobhan Mooney (Grace Stone).

He finally came to the realisation that he had been running away from grief after losing his wife so Jack chose to finally face up to reality and start over again.

Death in Paradise went on to replace O’Hanlon with Ralf Little as DI Neville Parker, followed by the latest detective Mervin Wilson, portrayed by actor Don Gilet.

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

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is currently the number one watch on Netflix with the comedic thriller brought to life by the creative team behind the hit series Derry Girls.

Creator Lisa McGee told Tudum: “This is the show I’ve always wanted to make; a mash‑up of my two favourite genres, mystery and comedy.

“We want to keep you guessing and keep you laughing. I can’t wait for you to meet Saoirse, Robyn and Dara, and go on this wild, weird adventure with them – an Irish odyssey – full of twists, turns, and arguments about eyelash extensions.”

How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is available to watch on Netflix.