Scotland claimed three medals in a magnificent 45 minutes in the pool to kick-start the hosts’ Commonwealth Games in fine style in Glasgow – and added a second gold of the day an hour later to almost take the lid off Tollcross in the city’s east end.
Poster boy Duncan Scott started the rush, defending his 200m individual medley gold from Birmingham four years ago by slicing a chunk off his own Games record.
Then Para-swimmer Stephen Clegg added silver in 100m freestyle S13 – with brother James fourth – after battling back from an injury-ravaged year.
And Katie Shanahan upgraded her 2022 Games bronze to silver in the 200m backstroke.
The frenzied scenes around this clammy building eventually abated, only for Faye Rogers to spark more bedlam with a rampant gold in the 200m individual medley SM10.
The drama all unfolded at the same Tollcross pool where 29-year-old Scott won the first of his now 14 Games medals in 2014.
Scotland’s most decorated Commonwealth Games athlete was a wee boy then – just 17 – but is a big man now and was under pressure to deliver a first rendition of Flower of Scotland at this staging.
And he delivered sensationally, streaking away from the field in the backstroke and breaststroke legs before closing it out in the freestyle.
Watching from the call room, Clegg could not fail to be roused.
There were times over the past year where the 30-year-old thought he might not be at these Games, and that his swimming career was over.
But he made it to Glasgow and managed to add another silver to the won he claimed in the 50m event four years ago.
Shanahan came home from that Birmingham Games with two surprise bronze medals so silver was an upgrade for another athlete who has come through tough times in recent months.
Her Scottish team-mate Holly McGill just missed out on the medals in fourth.
That success would have been sufficent to sate the home crowd, but Para-athlete Rogers delivered one of the most dominant performances of the night to clinch a second gold for the hosts and spark a second airing of the anthem.
Concerned about her health and well-being, her son Michael (Paul Ready) decides to get her an AI eldercare robot, much to her annoyance.
Giving the robot, whom she calls Linda (Diane Morgan), a trial run, it’s clear things aren’t going smoothly as viewers saw the robot walk in on her in the bath and ruin her dressing gown.
However, as the episode began, it wasn’t long before people commented on the new series as many viewers shared the same opinion.
One person said: “#AnnDroid Funny, sad, incisive. Diane Morgan and Sue Johnson are brilliant. SueSueSue is a winner.” Someone else added: “#AnnDroid is my new favourite telly show.”
Another viewer wrote: “Just watched the first episode of #anndroid by @Sarah_Kendall and Diane Morgan, and it is a great piece of writing and acting. Deserves to be a hit with viewers #suesuesue.”
One fan commented: “Ann Droid is sharp, witty and gorgeously funny. Sue Johnston is brilliant as per, and if you’re a fan of Diane Morgan, it’s a real treat #AnnDroid @BBCOne”
While another added: “Watched episode 1 of #AnnDroid. Brilliantly funny, but also so full of emotion. It made me cry! Absolutely loved it.”
Speaking about playing the role, actress Diana Morgan detailed the hardest part about playing a robot.
She commented: “What was hard was that Sue got these really emotional scenes, and I’m sitting next to her, motionless. But obviously I’m hearing everything, and she’s amazing.
“There were times, sitting on the bed, where I thought, ‘I’m gonna cry, I’m gonna cry’. And I can’t cry, I’m a robot. It was really difficult.”
Although the pair got off on the wrong foot to begin with, the episode took a heart-warming turn at the end.
Changing her mind on sending Linda back, Sue decides to keep the robot for a little while longer as she helps her to navigate with her loneliness and grief as an unexpected friendship forms.
Future Works, a group of infrastructure experts, believe this tunnel can be done for just under £2bn and improve the links between key northern cities.
Michael Dnes, the co-founder of Future Works, said he had guilt about not getting this product off the ground years ago when he worked for the Department for Transport.
When he left in 2024, he looked to Norway for a way to get the plan up and running for cheaper than £10bn, the cost of a similar shelved government scheme.
A spokesperson for Future Works, said: “High demand for the route means that the project could pay for itself, without the need for Westminster funding.
“Scandinavian tunnels are often owned by local councils, who recover the costs through tolls. Equally, northern pension funds have hundreds of billions in investment capital that could be mobilised to build the project.
“They aim to create a shovel-ready scheme, and to bring this through the planning system faster than the 10+ year processes that have become the norm in UK planning.
“Work could begin before the end of the decade, with the road and railway open in the mid-2030s.”
England reached their fourth World Cup semi-final with an extra-time victory against Norway in the quarter-finals, and were victorious in the Atlanta stadium in the last 32, when they came from behind again to defeat DR Congo.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Argentina have managed to score three times in each of their knockout matches so far, with Lionel Messi set to face England for the first time in his career.
Mark was joined by regular pundits Wayne Rooney, Joe Hart and Micah Richards during the build-up to the anticipated match, with BBC viewers quickly noticing a huge change.
Up until now, BBC stars Mark, Kelly Cates and Gabby Logan have hosted the coverage live from a state of the art immersive studio in Salford, which transported viewers to 16 cities across three host nations.
But for the latest encounter, the team travelled to Atlanta Stadium in person, after the BBC announced that it would be leaving its domestic studio to head across the pond.
Viewers were quick to share their verdict on X (formerly Twitter), as Mark introduced the coverage from inside the spacious stadium for the first time.
“The BBC finally arrive at the World Cup. Only about a month late,” one person wrote, with another adding: “I see that the BBC pundits have finally bothered to travel out for the World Cup.”
A third said: “Remember all that nonsense about the BBC presenting the World Cup from Salford while ITV1 was actually IN one of the host countries?! Tonight, one of them presents LIVE from a stadium for the first time. What one? Yes, the BBC!”
Someone else wrote: “BBC actually made it to the World Cup. Crazy.”
Mark began the coverage by saying: “Evening, don’t look back in anger. Sometimes it’s hard not to.”
A montage of some of England’s most devastating footballing moments against Argentina was then played, including Diego Maradona’s Hand of God moment and David Beckham’s 1998 red card.
Some viewers weren’t impressed with the negative start to the coverage, with one angry fan writing: “The BBC could not hate us more! We play Argentina tonight in the World Cup semi-final and how does the [BBC] open its coverage?
“Some inspiring footage of England’s past triumphs? Of course not. They open with a montage of some of our most devastating footballing moments. With the soundtrack of a post apocalyptic horror movie playing in the background.”
Someone else wrote: “The rest of the build up is just one big [Lionel] Messi love in! It’s sickening, FFS if I was Kane or Bellingham I’d be fuming, let’s have some god damn positivity please BBC.”
Meanwhile, former Football Focus host Dan Walker praised the BBC team’s build-up, writing on X: “Brilliant build-up from the BBC. Pundits all on it, Chappers superb, in the stadium, on the pitch… best of the World Cup so far.”
Coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 airs on the BBC and ITV
While sources within World Cup organisers Fifa suggest the break will be around 20 minutes, it is understood that one option is for the normal 15-minute half-time break and then the planned 11-minute show.
The laws of the game, governed by Ifab (the International Football Association Board), state that players are entitled to a half-time break “not exceeding 15 minutes”.
Half-time of last year’s Club World Cup final, also organised by Fifa and held in New Jersey, lasted a total of 24 minutes due to a performance featuring Coldplay, J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems and Emmanuel Kelly.
Justin Bieber was last week added to the bill for Sunday’s performance which, along with the headliners, also includes Burna Boy, Gustavo Dudamel and the PS22 Chorus featuring Coldplay, with singer Chris Martin having curated the show.
The World Cup final will kick-off at 15:00 local time (20:00 BST) and there will be a closing ceremony starting at 13:30 local time (18:30 BST).
Tom Cruise, Laura Pausini, Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and IShowSpeed are set to perform as part of the ceremony, with Jennifer Hudson to sing the United States’ national anthem.
Politician Ann Widdecombe gave a pre-recorded radio interview around 20 minutes before police believe she was attacked on Wednesday 8 July.
Widdecombe, 78, was found dead at her home in Devon on Thursday, having sustained serious injuries.
The former Conservative minister turned Reform UK spokeswoman spoke to British Christian radio station TWR-UK for around nine minutes via video link, but the interview was not broadcast.
The station later shared part of the recording with Times Radio, which first aired the interview on Tuesday.
In the interview, she spoke about her support for Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
The ITV drama made it’s highly anticipated debut tonight (July 12) but viewers were distracted
22:13, 12 Jul 2026Updated 22:14, 12 Jul 2026
ITV viewers were quick to spot an issue minutes into the first episode(Image: ITV)
ITV The Dark viewers were quick to identify a problem just minutes into the new series.
The ‘scary’ new thriller, adapted from GR Halliday’s novel, From the Shadows, premiered on Sunday (July 12) night, yet viewers complained about the audio as they struggled to hear what was happening.
Starring Friends’ Helen Baxendale and Outlander’s Laura Donnelly, the six-part series follows a tense cat-and-mouse hunt for a twisted serial killer stalking the residents of a seemingly peaceful town in the idyllic Scottish countryside.
Laura leads the cast as DI Monica Kennedy, who teams up with new partner DC Connor Crawford (Mark Rowley) to hunt a serial killer stalking the Scottish countryside after a young man’s body is found eerily staged.
“As fear spreads through the rural community and secrets begin to unravel, Monica finds herself in a dangerous game of cat and mouse with the killer,” the synopsis continues.
“But when the case becomes intertwined with her own past, she must confront whether her personal history could put both the investigation and her family at risk.”
During the opening episode, DI Monica Kennedy’s family day out, is brought to an abrupt end when a mysterious woman from Monica’s past shows up.
With the threat of this reappearance hanging over her, Monica is called into investigating a chilling crime with her new partner – DC Connor Crawford.
A naked corpse of a young man in his late teens is discovered, posed in the middle of a remote Scottish glen.
Despite all the drama going on, viewers watching at home were quick to spot a major issue not long into the show.
Many insisted there was an issue with the sound as they also claimed that they were forced to use subtitles after struggling to understand the actors.
One viewer wrote: “#Thedark #itv I’ve had to put the subtitles on.. the audio is low, and I can’t understand them.”
Another commented: “Had to put subtitles on for #Thedark.”A third posted: “#thedark audio needs putting through Google translate and the unnecessary background music killing completely.”
Meanwhile many fans seemed to be enjoying the show but insisted that it would have been “perfect” if it was released in the winter.
One fan wrote: “Would have loved this for the dark, wintry rainy cold nights in autumn/winter!”
Another fan jumped in and agreed: “Oh yes that would have been perfect. Proper winter series #TheDark.”
The BBC has launched a new crime drama by the creator of Unforgotten starring John Simm alongside some other famous names
The first few minutes of I, Jack Wright took viewers by surprise(Image: BBC)
BBC viewers wasted no time sharing their reactions to the broadcaster’s latest crime drama.
Written by Chris Lang, the celebrated creator behind Unforgotten, Innocent, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, I, Jack Wright is a compelling whodunnit starring Nikki-Amuka Bird, John Simm, Daniel Rigby, Ruby Ashbourne-Serkis, Zoë Tapper, Percelle Ascott, Harry Lloyd and Liz Kingsman.
A synopsis reads: “I, Jack Wright, is a propulsive whodunnit with family secrets at its core. The apparent death by suicide of high-powered businessman Jack Wright (played by Trevor Eve) sends shockwaves through his family, leaving a mystery that pits greed, loyalty and suspicion against one another.
“As his many wives and children fight over the remains of his estate, a dogged police detective investigates – and uncovers the shocking truth about this well-heeled clan.”
Within minutes of the opening episode airing on BBC One on Sunday, July 12, viewers were sharing their thoughts on social media, reports Wales Online.
And it appears many were caught off guard when legendary actor Eve’s character met his demise almost immediately after the opening credits finished.
One viewer remarked: “Eddie Shoestring didn’t last long in this,” referencing Eve’s ’80s private detective TV drama Shoestring.
Another added: “Looked at the cast for #IJackWright and thought ooh, nice! Then one of my favourite actors character was dead in the first 5 minutes! Hopefully there’ll be some flashback scenes.”
Yet despite Jack Wright’s swift demise, audiences appeared to embrace the whodunit, with one viewer remarking: “It’s a bit like Cluedo.”
Another enthused: “ooh blimey! Binge time!”
The drama was filmed across London, particularly Holborn and Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Paris, and Hertfordshire. The Wright family’s main home, Marston House, was shot at the Mansion House North Mymms Park.
I, Jack Wright first debuted in April 2025 on UandAlibi before being acquired by the BBC. This means not only will the first series be repeated by the broadcaster, but they’ve also secured the second series, which is presently in production.
The inaugural series consists of six episodes altogether. The first episode premiered on BBC One on Sunday, 12 July, as part of a double bill.
Those who relished the opening two instalments won’t have long to wait, as episodes three and four will be shown on Monday, 13 July. Episodes five and six are scheduled to air on Sunday, 19 July.
With the 2026-27 season premiere of “60 Minutes” just two months away, CBS News leadership is getting closer to deciding who will fill the recent departures of longtime correspondents Scott Pelley, Sharon Alfonsi, Cecilia Vega and Anderson Cooper.
Seth Doane, a longtime correspondent based in Italy who is often seen on “CBS Sunday Morning,” is under consideration, along with chief investigative correspondent Jim Axelrod, who currently has a lead role in the “Eye On America” series featured on the “CBS Evening News with Tony Dokoupil.”
Trevor Phillips, a British journalist and former politician who recently joined CBS News as senior global affairs correspondent, is expected to have a role on the program, according to people briefed on the plan. Phillips had a long career in the U.K., producing and writing documentaries and most recently hosted the Sky News program “Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips.”
Phillips received a knighthood in 2022 for his service to equality and human rights for the U.K. But he also generated controversy over his career for comments about the British Muslim community, which led to a yearlong suspension from the Labor Party in 2020.
A CBS News representative declined comment beyond saying the division is looking at a number of internal and external candidates.
Dokoupil is expected to deliver four “60 Minutes” pieces a season. Major Garrett, the network’s chief Washington correspondent, will also have a contributor role.
Matt Gutman, hired from ABC News last year as national correspondent, is under strong consideration. He is being put in front of test audiences, according to several people at the network.
Holly Williams, a foreign correspondent working out of Istanbul for CBS News since 2012, and Mariana van Zeller, a journalist for National Geographic Channel, are both said to remain in contention.
The newcomers will join Bill Whitaker, Lesley Stahl, Jon Wertheim and Norah O’Donnell, who are all returning as correspondents. O’Donnell will also continue in her role as senior correspondent for the network, occasionally anchoring specials.
The rebuild of the talent lineup comes after the upheaval at the program that has occurred since Bari Weiss joined CBS News as editor in chief in October.
Pelley was fired last month after confronting management about the May 28 dismissal of his colleagues Alfonsi and Vega along with the program’s executive producer Tanya Simon and her second-in-command Draggan Mihailovich.
In February, Cooper decided not to sign a new deal as a “60 Minutes” contributor, as the CNN anchor cited a desire to spend more time with his family. But Cooper has reportedly told colleagues that he does not want to work for Weiss.
The internal disruption at “60 Minutes” followed a highly successful season. In its 57th season, “60 Minutes” was the most watched news program on television with an average of 9.1 million viewers a week, according to Nielsen data. The program bucked the overall decline in traditional TV viewing by growing 9% over the previous season.
After the dismissal of his “60 Minutes” colleagues, Pelley accused Weiss of trying to “murder” the program and claimed she was putting “her thumb on the scale” for more favorable coverage of the Trump administration. He was fired with cause after confronting management at a June 1 meeting.
Weiss came to CBS when parent company Paramount acquired her digital website The Free Press, known for its criticism of progressive policies and its strong support of Israel.
Weiss was hired by Paramount Chief Executive David Ellison with a mandate to move the news division to the political center. The pronouncement has created the perception that CBS News is looking to placate the Trump administration as Paramount sought regulatory approval for its $111-billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, which will also give the company ownership of CNN.
The noise surrounding Weiss has hurt CBS News despite strong reporting that is often far from being pro-MAGA. This past weekend’s “CBS Sunday Morning” featured a segment from national security correspondent David Martin about the Department of Defense interfering with the editorial independence of Stars & Stripes, the military newspaper.
Trump complained vehemently about his last interview with O’Donnell on “60 Minutes,” — conducted the day after a gunman tried to enter the White House Correspondents Assn. dinner in Washington on April 25.
The Love Island villa welcomed Movie Night as secrets were exposed, but viewers ‘spotted’ a problem
Mica on Love Island(Image: ITV)
It didn’t take long for fans to flock to social media with their complaints.
Fresh drama erupted in the Love Island villa on Sunday evening (July 5) as the notorious Movie Night descended upon the ITV2 reality programme.
The twist enables the Islanders to assemble in the garden and view a giant screen displaying video footage from across the series. It’s during this event that private discussions are laid bare and startling romantic encounters are completely unmasked.
It provides the contestants with an opportunity to uncover whether their partners and romantic interests have been wholly honest, and discover what fellow Islanders have been remarking about them while they were away.
This year’s Love Island Movie Night sparked especially heated rows, particularly for the boys who stayed faithful following Casa Amor yet still snogged and chatted up the bombshells.
The selection for the Movie Night footage featured scandalous headings such as ‘The Affair’, ‘Mamma Mica’, ‘The Princess Jasmine Diaries’ and ‘Samraj Like It Hot’, reports OK!.
It was ‘The Affair’ that thrust Jasmine and Lorenzo’s developing bond into the limelight, leading Kavan to announce, “It’s all there, the affair is clear”. Yasmin also wasted no time in telling Lorenzo, “You don’t have a leg to stand on”.
Mica was next to appear on the big screen, and she promptly faced criticism as the islanders witnessed her burgeoning romance with Samraj unfold. The jaw-dropping scenes left Priya doubting everything as she confessed to other islanders, “I look like a mug all the time.”
‘Samraj Like It Hot’ once more placed Mica and Samraj at the centre of attention, courtesy of their developing romance. As Mica tried to justify herself, Priya remained unconvinced and said, “That’s so dishonest of you.”
Yet Mica and Samraj weren’t the sole islanders to come under fire as Kavan drew parallels between his and Jasmine’s situations following their choices during Casa Amor.
Immediately standing her ground, Jasmine told Kavan, “I did not do the same thing”, which didn’t land well, and the friction escalated.
Despite all the expected fireworks, some Love Island fans grumbled as the ITV programme broke for adverts just minutes into Movie Night.
Heading to X, one Love Island fan exclaimed: “Hydration break and ad break at the exact same time, alright man #loveisland.”
A second stated: “A break!? Seriously!? #loveisland #loveislanduk”, while a third chimed in: “BREAK ALREADY?? #loveisland.”
“Break after break after break, this is why there’s so much unused footage, mate #LoveIsland #LoveIslandUK,” commented one viewer.
“AFTER A 10MIN AD BREAK?! ANOTHER ADVERT?!!! ITV R U TAKING THE P*** ?? @ITV #LoveIsland #LoveIslandUK,” asked another, while another echoed the sentiment: “Did we not just come back from a break?! #loveisland #loveislanduk.”
Sir Rod Stewart’s Glastonbury 2025 performance was rebroadcast on the BBC on Saturday night
The BBC has aired a repeat of Rod’s Glastonbury performance(Image: Getty)
Singer Sir Rod Stewart left BBC viewers distracted just minutes into his performance.
Sir Rod’s Glastonbury performance, originally broadcast in 2025, was reshown on Saturday evening. In a repeat episode of Rod Stewart at Glastonbury, audiences watched the rock legend once more commanding the Pyramid Stage on the festival’s closing day at Worthy Farm in 2025.
One delighted viewer commented on X at the time: “80 years old. Just feel good throughout. What a star,” while another declared, “Rod Stewart still looks great at the age of 80. He’s still got it.”
Another admirer gushed: “All those eyes on Rod. He looks fabulous for his age.”
One supporter commented, “He deserves that crowd after all these years,” as another enthused, “Sir Rod Stewart… phenomenal! 80 years old and had us all in rapture. Best there is,” the Express reports.
Someone else continued, ” Wait – Rod Stewart 80, Ronnie Wood – 76, Lulu 76, thanks and massive respect for you all. Shows age is a number, but talent…. ageless.”
Back in 2025, Rod shared his enthusiasm ahead of Glastonbury and told Radio Times, “I’m really looking forward to it. And it is a different gig, it’s like when you’re playing a cup final, you’re trying to treat it like another game. But, of course, it’s not. It’s special. It’ll be glamorous, it’ll be sexy.
“And we’ve got a little orchestra coming on to play with us. And we may have some bagpipes.”
More recently, Rod has been forced to withdraw from several performances due to health issues. This week, Rod was also spotted with an oxygen tank, prompting worry amongst fans.
His wife, Penny Lancaster, said during an appearance on Loose Women that it “looked a lot scarier than it really was”. She told her co-stars, “He had to cancel a couple of shows prior to that because of a respiratory infection.
“He was recovering and well enough to perform. But he wasn’t aware that Salt Lake City, where he was performing, was way above sea level. So the altitude levels, just for your regular person, is a challenge. If you’re not acclimatised, like sportsmen would arrive before an event, a week before to acclimatise.”
She added, “Rod just flew in on the day of the show, wasn’t aware of this particular altitude. So he was already down on his juice because of recovering from his respiratory infection. And then he was also down another 17% of oxygen because of the altitude. So when he’s on stage, and of course, his two-hour show involves him running around, he doesn’t sit still for a minute, it suddenly hit him.
“But there are oxygen tanks at these particular shows for that reason, because even the young ones, if they’ve had a late night out before a show, they can suffer, and they do.”
Rod Stewart at Glastonbury 2025 is available to watch on BBCiPlayer.
Fifa World Cup 2026 fans were quick to take to social media to share their reactions to tonight’s coverage.
Hayley Anderson and Hayley Anderson Screen Time TV Reporter
21:29, 27 Jun 2026
ITV’s Fifa World Cup 2026 host Laura Woods. (Image: ITV)
Football fans voiced the same complaint minutes into tonight’s World Cup match on ITV.
Ahead of this evening’s match against Panama, England was sent through to the last 32 following matches against Croatia and then Ghana earlier this week.
So England fans were on a high prior to tonight’s game, which kicks off at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey at 10pm UK time and 5pm US time.
However, just minutes into the coverage ahead of this evening’s match, viewers couldn’t stop themselves from flocking to X as two unexpected faces popped up on their screens.
Presenter Laura Woods welcomed none other than ITV legends Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly as they joined her at the channel’s stunning New York studio.
She asked about their opinion on tonight’s match, as well as about their own memories of previous World Cups but not everyone was happy to see the I’m A Celebrity hosts.
In fact, many commented that they were ‘switching off’ ITV’s coverage following their appearance.
“Ant and Dec FFS, I’ll switch back on at 9.55,” someone said on X (Twitter).
A second echoed: “Ant and Dec appeared. I switched to Five Live”, with someone else adding: “Ant & Dec being ‘interviewed’ during the World Cup may be the strangest thing I’ve seen during this whole event.”
Taking to X, a fan exclaimed: “Surely they could have got better than ant and dec for the World Cup, so annoying!”
Meanwhile, someone else asked: “No football people available tonight?”, as a fellow viewer sarcastically commented: “I was just saying to myself ‘We really don’t see Ant and Dec on the tellybox enough'”.
However, one fan defended the award-winning ITV duo, arguing: “Ant and Dec are much better than Neville and carragher.”
The last time England took centre stage was against Ghana which ended 0-0 at the Gillette Stadium in Boston.
Meanwhile, even though Scotland beat Haiti 1-0 in their first match of the World Cup 2026, they have since lost to both Morocco and Brazil.
The Fifa World Cup is available to watch on ITV and ITVX.
A short trip from Benidorm will take you to a picturesque Costa Blanca town that is often compared to the Greek island of Mykonos – and it’s a must-see hidden gem for anyone visiting the area
08:57, 27 Jun 2026Updated 08:58, 27 Jun 2026
The Spanish town near Benidorm is often compared to Mykonos (stock image)(Image: MiniMoon Photo via Getty Images)
Benidorm, a firm favourite among British holidaymakers, is renowned for its sun-drenched beaches, budget-friendly breaks, and the vibrant Calle Gerona, lovingly known as ‘the strip’. However, beneath the surface of stag and hen parties, Benidorm conceals beautiful spots that countless visitors have yet to discover.
For those seeking an escape from the party scene, a brief trip unveils a peaceful town. Located just moments from Benidorm, it provides a calm alternative to the raucous nightlife, with comparisons drawn to the allure of Mykonos. A quick 18-minute drive or a short 12-minute bus journey from Benidorm Intermodal brings you to the picturesque Altea, Alicante.
Hailed as one of Spain’s “most iconic” towns, Altea whisks visitors back in time with its captivating old quarter, complete with winding cobbled streets and sparkling white houses. Wandering through Altea’s alleyways, the tempting aromas of freshly made coffee and mouth-watering food drift from intimate cafés and delightful restaurants.
The town’s jewel in the crown is the parish church, Nuestra Señora del Consuelo or Iglesia de Arriba, which mesmerises tourists with its splendour. From this elevated spot, the sweeping views stretch across the brilliant blue sea to the vast beach beneath.
Alice, an influencer who highlights Benidorm’s best features and reveals her favourite recommendations online, recently visited Altea and proclaimed it a must-see destination for any travel bucket list.
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Boasting more than 37,000 TikTok followers, Alice gushed: “Hidden gem only 15 mins from Benidorm! Maybe Altea isn’t a hidden gem for those in the know, but the way you could lowkey be just 15 mins away from this gorgeous slice of history and culture while on your holibobs in Benidorm!”
She went on to say: “It’s an absolute MUST see if you’re looking to escape for an afternoon to see some of the best views on the entire Costa Blanca. It’s giving cheeky Altea day trip, don’t you think?”.
The response was overwhelmingly positive — the short clip has racked up more than 17,900 likes alongside a flood of glowing comments.
One visitor shared: “I went there in December. Very nice.”
Another remarked: “There are stunning restaurants and bars. It’s not Benidorm. They may be close but they are worlds apart. Altea is beautiful.”
A third chimed in: “It’s simply a stunning old and new town.”
One commenter went as far as calling it their “favourite place of all time”, while another declared it had firmly earned a spot on their bucket list, writing: “Definitely heading here.. never knew it was so close.”
Flights from the UK to Alicante can be snapped up from as little as £40.
From there, you can hop on a bus, grab a cab or take the tram to Benidorm, which should take roughly 40 minutes by road.
Celebrity Gogglebox returned to screens on Friday night, with a host of new stars
Celebrity Gogglebox returned to screens(Image: Channel 4)
Viewers of Celebrity Gogglebox settled in to watch a host of famous faces participate in a landmark episode.
The Channel 4 spin-off programme returned to screens on Friday (June 26) for a new episode, which was filmed over the previous seven days, covering the week’s TV and news highlights.
In each celebrity household, Gogglebox captures their instant reactions, love/hate relationships and fierce debates on the best and worst television shows of the past week – all from the comfort of their sofas.
From the Saturday night juggernauts and the week’s big soaps, to documentaries and gritty drama, the famous households offer witty, insightful, feisty and sometimes emotional critiques of the week’s popular and topical TV shows.
The latest instalment of the hit series welcomed back firm favourites, such as Martin and Roman Kemp, James and Clair Buckley, Nick and Liv Grimshaw, Bez and Shaun Ryder, and Joe Marler and Maisie Adam.
There were several new additions too, including Strictly Come Dancing stars Amy Dowden and Carlos Gu, actor Michael Sheen and his partner Anna Lundberg, friends Georgia Tennant and Fearne Cotton, and Chris Packham and step-daughter Megan McCubbin.
Channel 4 viewers were quick to say the same thing during the landmark 50th episode of Celebrity Gogglebox.
Fans shared how much they enjoyed the show, with one person writing on X (formerly Twitter): “Who doesn’t just love a bit of @C4Gogglebox. Always such an entertaining way to spend the time. The perfect switch your brain of TV any time of day needs.”
Another added: “Watching the always delightful Celebrity @C4Gogglebox. It’s still so fascinating how watching a show about people simply watching TV can be so strangely addictive. Watching as a host of celebs give their views on what’s on the small screen.”
A third said: “I love Celeb Gogglebox.”
Someone else shared: “All hail Celebrity @C4Gogglebox. How is it therapeutic watching people watch TV? Always the much needed relief a s****y day always requires. Love the celebrity version.”
During the instalment, the celebrities tuned into new episodes of I Kissed A Girl, The 1% Club, and First Dates, as well as watching Jennifer Lopez’s Netflix film, Office Romance.
The future of the UK’s leadership also came under scrutiny in this week’s episode. The famous faces reacted to Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as Prime Minister, and gave their opinions on the man tipped to replace him, Andy Burnham.
Reacting to Starmer’s emotional speech outside 10 Downing Street, Michael Sheen commented: “That’s got to be tough”.
Joe Marler added: “He’s finally shown us the human side to him, that would have connected more with the world.”
Celebrity Gogglebox is available to stream on Channel 4
IF you’re looking for a staycation with all the beauty of the Cotswolds but fancy somewhere different – maybe head to East Sussex this summer.
Rye has all the charm of the region and even better – it’s just 10 minutes away from the seaside.
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Rye is a Cotswolds-alternative town in East SussexCredit: GettyIt has cobbled streets, historic houses and independent shopsCredit: Getty
Country lifestyle experts at Welligogs say that Rye is one of the UK’s most beautiful small towns and even dubbed it the “new Cotswolds”.
While it might be miles away from Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, Rye actually shares lots of the same qualities as towns found in the Cotswolds.
Some of the most famous spots near the Cotswolds include Castle Combe, Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water which have honey-coloured stone buildings and pretty streets.
In East Sussex, Rye has a similar look with cobbled streets lined with cottages and plenty of independent shops.
Tess Annan, manager at Welligogs said: “Part of Rye’s appeal is its storybook atmosphere.
“For those who love culture, you can spend the morning exploring antique shops and independent boutiques, before wandering up to Mermaid Street for some of the most photographed views in the UK.
“The 14th century Ypres Tower (Rye Castle) is also always worth a trip. Then head towards the nearby beaches for sea air and treat yourself to freshly-caught fish and chips.”
While the Cotswolds has plenty of rivers running through the villages, Rye offers a beach escape for those who want the delights of the seaside instead.
Camber Sands is just 10-minutes away in the car to get from the village to the dunes.
Rye is just 10-minutes from the delights of Camber SandsCredit: Alamy
Caroline said: “The medieval town of Rye in East Sussex isn’t strictly seaside, but you can see the sea from its cobble streets and it has a harbour where boats sail out to the English Channel.
“Plus, if you go back as far as the 15th century, the sea came much closer to the foot of the hill the town is built on.
“It’s the perfect place to spend a day out – taking an hour and six minutes on the train from Kings Cross St Pancras.
“If you fancy a morning on the beach, a bus runs from the town to the stunning Camber Sands beach – a three-mile stretch of golden sand backed by dunes.
“Or you can for a six-mile circular walk from Rye to Winchelsea beach. Back in the town after lunch, there are plenty of fantastic pubs to choose from, my favourites being the 12th century Mermaid Inn and the George In Rye, as well as the Globe Inn Marsh on the outskirts of the town.
“Equally, you could book a taxi and check out Tillingham vineyard in nearby Peasmarsh, with its Michelin Green Star wine tours and excellent pizzas.
“Make sure to save some time to rummage through the many, many antiques shops, as well as Knoops hot chocolate shop and the wonderfully old fashioned Britcher and Rivers sweet shop.”
Veteran broadcast journalist Katie Couric has leveled sharp criticism at CBS’ “60 Minutes,” detailing a culture of systemic sexism and marginalization she says she experienced during her tenure at the prestigious newsmagazine.
On this week’s episode of the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Couric, 69, described incidents during her time at “60 Minutes” when her story ideas were reassigned to her male counterparts. She described the circumstances as “really tough situations.”
The Emmy-winning journalist said she suspected early on that Jeff Fager, the “60 Minutes” executive producer at the time, didn’t take a liking to her.
“I think maybe because he wasn’t really consulted about bringing me over,” said Couric. “I was sort of seen as somebody from a different network coming in and sort of muddying the waters. I hadn’t come up in the CBS system. So I don’t know, he just didn’t like me.”
Couric started her run at the newsmagazine as a correspondent and as an anchor at CBS News in 2006, after spending 15 years co-hosting NBC’s “Today” show. Her role at CBS made her the first female solo anchor of a national weeknight news broadcast. She stayed with the network for five years before taking on a new role as special correspondent for ABC News.
Fager remained at “60 Minutes” from 2004 to 2018. He also served as the chairman of CBS News. He was eventually fired for allegedly sending a “harsh” message to a CBS reporter. At the time, he was also facing accusations of ignoring inappropriate behavior at “60 Minutes.” He previously denied the claims. CBS could not be reached for comment.
Trouble first came to a head when Couric pitched a profile of the rising pop star Lady Gaga. Fager had initially turned down the idea until he decided to pursue the story a year later, as Gaga had gained more notoriety.
Couric said she had proposed a fresh angle on Gaga’s Catholic school upbringing, but when she arrived for the interview, she discovered her name had been replaced with Anderson Cooper’s. His interview with Gaga aired in February 2011.
“It made me crazy,” Couric said.
A similar situation occurred once again when Couric was set to interview then–Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The confusion began when the State Department reached out to Couric, wondering why fellow correspondent Scott Pelley’s team was inquiring about Clinton.
“So I go to Jeff Fager, and I say, ‘I thought you wanted me to do Hillary. You told me explicitly that you wanted to assign that story to me,’” Couric said. “And he said, ‘Yeah, we decided to change things up.’”
Couric said she was frustrated with Fager, for repeatedly going “behind [her] back.”
“Like, without even the decency to call me and say, ‘Guess what? We decided to reassign the story, and this is why,’” she said. “Talk about getting gaslit. I mean to me, that is the definition of it.”
Couric isn’t the only former “60 Minutes” to call out sexism at the newsmagazine. Meredith Vieira, who worked as a correspondent in the late 1980s and early 1990s, said in 2018, that she’d experienced sexism at CBS.
In the last few months, “60 Minutes” has undergone a massive upheaval. Under CBS News editor-in-chief, Bari Weiss, several correspondents, including Scott Pelley, and the program’s top producers were fired. Anderson Cooper also recently resigned from his post at the newsmagazine. With the upcoming season slated to begin in September, the program is currently under pressure to replenish its ranks.
Gabby Logan hosted the BBC’s live coverage of England’s second World Cup group match
22:28, 23 Jun 2026Updated 22:31, 23 Jun 2026
Gabby Logan led the BBC’s coverage(Image: BBC)
BBC viewers weren’t impressed as they tuned in to watch England play.
Gabby Logan returned to screens on Tuesday (June 23) to present coverage of England’s Group L match against Ghana at Boston Stadium in the USA, as both teams played their second game of the group stage.
This is just the second time that these sides have ever met and the first time they’ve faced each other in a competitive fixture. The last time was back in March 2011, when former Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan scored an injury-time equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw at Wembley Stadium.
Gabby was joined in the Salford studio by Joe Hart, Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards, with match commentary coming from Guy Mowbray and Alan Shearer.
However, BBC viewers were quick to issue the same complaints about the broadcaster’s coverage. Many fans weren’t impressed with the “buffering” coverage on iPlayer, as well as a live interview with British rapper Stormzy.
“England v Ghana on BBC iPlayer is buffering like crazy. It’s not just iPlayer, games buffer on ITVX too. Happens on the big fixtures, obvs,” one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter), with another adding: “@BBCiPlayer not fit for purpose. Give me @itvx every time.”
A third wrote: “@BBC what’s going on,” alongside a screenshot of the app not loading.
Referring to Stormzy’s interview ahead of the match, a fourth viewer said: “Dear BBC Sport. Football. Fans. Don’t. Care. About. Celebrities. At. The. World. Cup. Stop it,” with another adding: “@BBCSport wasting licence payers cash yet again with a pointless interview with #Stormzy! Pathetic & nothing to do with football!”
More complaints were issued, with someone else writing: “BBC World Cup coverage is poor. S***,” while another shared: “Their coverage of this #worldcup has been beyond woeful.”
Another commented: “Congrats to ITV and the BBC for making the World Cup unwatchable.”
Meanwhile, other viewers praised the BBC’s World Cup coverage, particularly lead hosts Gabby and Kelly Cates.
“BBC coverage soo much better. Great female presenters with Gabby and Kelly. Miles better than ITV,” one person wrote, with another agreeing: “Yeah the female presenters are excellent.”
The Three Lions will be hoping to make it through to the knockout stages for the third consecutive World Cup. They have only been knocked out at the group stage once in their last seven appearances in the finals.
Tonight’s viewer complaints come after several disruptions to the BBC’s coverage of the football tournament.
Gabby Logan notably made a politics announcement during Monday’s (June 22) live broadcast, just hours before coverage was pulled off air due to France and Iraq’s match being delayed.
FIFA issued a statement after warnings of a “severe thunderstorm approaching” the Philadelphia stadium.
Coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 is available to stream on BBC iPlayer and ITVX
MINNEAPOLIS — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is planning for right fielder Kyle Tucker to be out for the rest of the series against the Minnesota Twins, after he left Monday’s game with low back spasms.
Roberts hopes to write Tucker into the lineup Friday, when the Dodgers open a three-game series in San Diego, after three days off, plus most of the game Monday.
“Hopefully he [can take] advantage of this, obviously to get right, but also kind of a mental reset,” Roberts said. “Hopefully the four days will suffice.”
Tucker, who said he felt a little better Tuesday but still sore, especially when rotating, is “pretty confident” that he’ll be able to avoid the injured list. And if he can take swings on Wednesday, he’ll probably be on track for that Friday return.
“But if he doesn’t, then we’ll have probably a tougher decision on Friday,” Roberts said.
Tucker, who has a .707 on-base-plus-slugging-percentage this season, has had a slow offensive start to his Dodgers’ tenure. He wasn’t ready to make any declarations about the potential benefits of time off to reset.
“Maybe,” he said. “We’ll see after I get back. We’ll see how that goes.”
The news on catcher Dalton Rushing, who exited Monday’s game to rule out a concussion, was more straightforward.
Rushing hadn’t yet gone through the second round of concussion testing needed to clear him to play when Roberts addressed the media Tuesday afternoon. But Rushing had told Roberts he was ready to play.
“That doesn’t carry too much weight until I hear from the medical staff,” Roberts said. “But it is good to know that he said he’s good to go. My hope is that he’ll be available off the bench in some capacity.”
As a downpour hammered the tarped field early Tuesday evening, it was unclear when exactly the Dodgers would be playing. But despite plenty of rain in the forecast Tuesday evening, the teams and Major League Baseball identified a window for the game.
The Twins announced an estimated 5:05 p.m. PDT first pitch, representing a 25-minute rain delay.
It is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the UK but a 20-minute drive away you’ll find a much better beach.
St Ives is set to be one of the busiest holiday destinations in the UK this summer thanks to what it has to offer visitors — pictured is The Sloop Inn, one of the oldest inns in Cornwall(Image: Milos Ruzicka via Getty Images)
Cornwall is famous around the UK and beyond for its beauty, whether it’s the quintessential seaside towns and villages, seafood, dramatic cliffs, golden beaches or azure sea. Each beach and cove has its own unique charm, but some, like St Ives on the north-west coast, are more famous than others. In fact, it is going to be the most popular place for staycations in the UK this year, according to Sykes Holiday Cottages.
And that’s just the latest accolade for the town, which has also been called the “artsiest” in Cornwall. In 2011, the postcard-perfect town outshone rivals from Spain, France and Italy to be named one of Europe’s top beach destinations. However, despite its picturesque appeal, when I visited during a recent summer I found that St Ives was marred by murky waters and an overwhelming number of tourists (including me, of course). And those considering a Cornish getaway might discover a more enchanting spot just around the corner, just like I did.
Is St Ives a good place to visit?
In short, yes. St Ives is brimming with attractions, boasting five sandy beaches and a gently sloping shoreline perfect for families and those looking to bask in the sun. The beachfront is well-equipped with amenities including lifeguard patrols from Easter through September, deck chair rentals and water sports equipment available for hire, including kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and more. On a sunny day, Porthmeor Beach buzzes with activity, earning its reputation as the town’s “premier” beach.
Just beyond the beachfront, visitors can explore a delightful labyrinth of narrow lanes lined with pastel cottages, which play host to several restaurants, bars and cafes. Local dining spots serve up authentic Cornish fare, with traditional dishes like pasties, crab and mussels. It’s also been called “Cornwall’s art mecca” by virtue of being home to the Tate, the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden, historic studio Leach Pottery, the award-winning Porthminster Gallery and a swathe of smaller indie galleries.
If you’ve never been, like I hadn’t until last summer, it’s a must-visit. Arriving with high hopes, the bay looked breath-taking from afar (that is, from the bustling car park at the top of the town). The honey-coloured stone buildings in the streets below were inviting but once I set foot on the beach reality hit.
Families and groups occupied every bit of sand on a weekday afternoon in July. Even at 4pm, Porthmeor beach was still crowded, including its far side. With a Cornish pasty in hand, I finally found a spot to sit, only to be met by an army of seagulls that had clearly spent the day gorging on litter left on the sand.
The real let-down came when I went for a quick swim in the sea. Having visited Kynance Cove and Pedn Vounder Beach just days before, I was underwhelmed by the slightly murky water that seemed polluted by heavy footfall and frequent boat activity. I questioned why I was swimming here when Cornwall is home to so many clear, secluded coves.
Is there a better alernative?
Later that same evening, when I drove further up the coast towards Hayle, I discovered a gem. Gwithian Towans Beach is at the far end of St Ives Bay and boasts a wide, spacious sandy beach that is popular for surfing but rarely crowded. It’s approximately a 24-minute drive via the Hayle Bypass to this incredible beach, which is backed by massive dunes perfect for a long walk.
When the tide recedes, the nearby Godrevy Beach seamlessly blends with Gwithian to create a vast expanse of beach. At high tide, it transforms into a distinct cove, framed by cliffs and the National Trust-owned headland. Situated at the far end of St Ives Bay, Godrevy Beach is a neighbouring treasure, famed for its iconic lighthouse and a small colony of seals.
The water here is noticeably clearer, likely due to its exposure to Atlantic swells that disperse sediments. A swim here is invigorating and less daunting than in St Ives itself. On the beach, you can find a private spot behind dramatic rocks, even on a bustling afternoon. However, the true marvel of this westerly location is the sunset views.
Is there parking?
Parking is available at the top of the headland in a National Trust car park, from where it’s a short walk down to Gwithian beach for a quick dip. This is arguably more accessible for visitors than parking at the top of St Ives and navigating the steep streets down to the shoreline there. Facilities are somewhat limited, with a small cafe and surf shop at Gwithian and a National Trust cafe at Godrevy. Limited toilet and shower facilities are available in the Gwithian parking areas.
While the smoke has begun to clear at “60 Minutes” after three correspondents were fired, CBS News leadership now faces the challenge of finding journalists who can fill their shoes just three months before a new season starts.
The venerable news magazine was plunged into crisis last week as longtime correspondent Scott Pelley confronted management about the May 28 firings of his colleagues Sharyn Alfonsi and Cecilia Vega along with the program’s executive producer Tanya Simon and her second-in-command Draggan Mihailovich.
Pelley, who also accused CBS News Editor-in-Chief Bari Weiss of “murdering” the program, was terminated June 2 after a 37-year career at the network. He later gave an interview to The New York Times, accusing Weiss of “putting her thumb on the scale” for the Trump administration when guiding the editorial direction of stories.
(CBS News denied Pelley’s accusations. But Paramount Chief Executive David Ellison, who has given Weiss a free hand in disrupting the CBS News hierarchy, found the turbulent situation concerning enough to personally reach out to veteran “60 Minutes” correspondent Lesley Stahl, according to The New York Times. He assured Stahl the program would not be subject to political interference, a message she passed along to the staff.)
Lesley Stahl in the 2022 film “Marcel the Shell With Shoes On.”
(A24)
The recent personnel bloodbath followed the already announced departure of Anderson Cooper, and leaves CBS News with four correspondent roles to fill and a far less experienced executive producer — former tech journalist Nick Bilton in place to keep the program on track.
Remaining staffers were encouraged that Maria Gavrilovic, a 19-year veteran of CBS News who worked closely with Pelley, was promoted to senior producer under Bilton. They are also relieved that correspondents Stahl, Jon Wertheim and Bill Whitaker chose to remain with the program rather than leave in solidarity with Pelley.
Norah O’Donnell’s interview with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman in 2021.
But “60 Minutes” is under pressure to get a new team in place as newcomers will have little time to learn the program’s formula that gives it the comforting consistency its viewers seek. The 13-minute pieces on “60 Minutes” are filmed, written and voice-tracked in a distinctive narrative style that takes time to master, according to people who have gone through the process.
Weiss has told people internally that “60 Minutes” is the most important platform within the news division and if a major story comes from outside its corps of correspondents, it will find a place on the program.
Here are the leading contenders for full-time roles based on interviews with several sources at CBS News who were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly. A CBS News representative declined comment.
Holly Williams: Williams has been a foreign correspondent working out of Istanbul since 2012. The Australian journalist has reported extensively from war zones in Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Gaza and Ukraine. When covering Syria’s civil war from inside the country, she and her team gained access to a prison where alleged ISIS terrorists were being held.
Williams has contributed reports to “60 Minutes” over the years. Before joining CBS, she was a Beijing-based correspondent for Sky News.
CBS News foreign correspondent Holly Williams,
(Michele Crowe / CBS News)
Tony Dokoupil: The anchor of “CBS Evening News” is expected to be added as a contributor to “60 Minutes,” a role also given to his predecessors at the newscast including Dan Rather, Katie Couric, Scott Pelley and Norah O’Donnell.
Dokoupil has done longer interviews and segments for “CBS Sunday Morning” over his 11 years at the network. The additional exposure to a Sunday night audience of more than 9 million who tune into “60 Minutes” could also help boost his nightly newscast. The program has struggled in the ratings since he took over in January when, during his inaugural week, he awkwardly saluted Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the close of one episode.
“CBS Evening News” anchor Tony Dokoupil and the network’s chief national correspondent Matt Gutman.
(CBS News)
Matt Gutman: The network’s national correspondent was Weiss’ first significant on-air talent hire when he joined from ABC News in December. Gutman has been a frequent presence on big stories and breaking coverage for “CBS Evening News” since he arrived.
Mariana van Zeller at the Ultimate Disney Fan Event at the Anaheim Convention Center in September 2022.
(Image Group LA / Walt Disney Co.)
Mariana van Zeller: The multilingual journalist is best known for her documentary series “Trafficked,” which airs on the National Geographic Channel. Van Zeller, 50, has won dozens of awards for the program that has taken her around the world to report on black market activities and human trafficking.
Norah O’Donnell: Currently a contributor to “60 Minutes” who already appears on the program’s trademark open, O’Donnell’s role is expected to expand. After CBS settled a $16-million lawsuit filed by President Trump against the program for what he claimed was deceptive editing of an interview, O’Donnell helped the program by stepping up to interview the president twice, subjecting him to tough questions. Her recent joint interview with three U.S. cardinals about Pope Leo XIV and his church’s opposition to the Iran war and Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown became a major story in April.
Major Garrett: The network’s chief Washington correspondent recently appeared on “60 Minutes” to interview Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The assignment caused internal tension as Stahl was pursuing a sit-down with the leader. But Weiss handled the booking and gave Netanyahu the option to select Garrett.
While the decision faced some criticism, the program regularly agreed to former President Obama’s preference for now-retired “60 Minutes” correspondent Steve Kroft to interview him even though other journalists on the team wanted a chance.
Under the news network’s editor-in-chief Bari Weiss, on-air correspondents Scott Pelley, Cecilia Vega, Sharyn Alfonsi and the program’s executive producer, Tanya Simon, have all been ousted from the legacy newsmagazine. The two unions, which represent journalists, said the recent actions appear to compromise editorial independence.
WGA East president Tom Fontana wrote in a letter to members on Thursday that the changes at CBS News “are more than mere ideological interference with the news. They display a profound contempt for the journalism profession.”
He added, “it is clear that CBS brass is engaged in a near-constant level of editorial interference that would have previously been unthinkable.”
Tom Fontana joined WGA and SAG-AFTRA members on the picket line in the strike over contract negotiation at Netflix and Warner Bros. Discovery offices on Aug. 15, 2023, in in New York City.
(Lev Radin / VIEWpress via Getty Images)
SAG-AFTRA similarly said in a statement Thursday that these “decisions can only be seen as part of a broader strategy to gut the crucial independent journalism that is so important to our democratic system.”
A spokesperson for CBS News said in a statement, “There is no political interference at CBS News, not from ownership, not from Bari Weiss. The only ‘interference’ is the normal back and forth between editor and correspondent that happens in every newsroom.”
Pelley, one of the program’s most high-profile correspondents, was fired on Tuesday after speaking out during a team meeting. He reportedly said Weiss “is murdering ‘60 Minutes.’ … She does not love this place. She was brought in to kill it, and she’s been doing exactly that.” He also questioned the newly hired executive producer, Nick Bilton, and his ability to run the show, citing his lack of TV news experience.
Pelley accused CBS News management of favoring the Trump administration by instructing him to put “falsehoods and bias into a politically sensitive story.”
“I’ve been told to include assertions that are unverified,” he said in a statement. “To date, in every case, I have ignored these instructions or refuse them.”
“60 Minutes” is now down four correspondents, following Anderson Cooper’s departure and the firings of Vega and Alfonsi. These are only the most recent controversial moves from Weiss, who’s set on remaking the institution long defined by tradition. She arrived at CBS News in October with no television experience, installed by Paramount Chief Executive David Ellison after he acquired her digital news outlet, the Free Press, with a mandate to change the network.
“I’m only interested in working in a newsroom that is built on trust and mutual respect,” Weiss said of Pelley’s firing during a meeting on Wednesday morning. “That foundation was broken on Monday, and despite our attempts to engage with Scott Pelley and to find a way back, unfortunately we weren’t able to do so, and so we had to part ways.”
The lack of reporters means “60 Minutes” will have to line up new talent quickly to fill the correspondent roles, as production of the 2026-27 season is already underway.
WGA’s Fontana added, “To our friends and colleagues at CBS News: We see you, and you are not alone. Thousands of your union brothers, sisters, and siblings have your backs.”
SAG-AFTRA also said the union is prepared to take “legal actions related to the company’s conduct over the last several weeks.”
Times staff writer Stephen Battaglio contributed to this report.
