Coronation Street newcomer Ben Driscoll will be left ‘absolutely devastated’ in the fallout to a sickening plot, while another bombshell leads to him hitting the bottle
Coronation Street newcomer Ben Driscoll will be left ‘absolutely devastated’ in the fallout to a sickening plot(Image: ITV)
It’s a tough time ahead for the Driscolls on Coronation Street, especially newcomer Ben.
Actor Aaron McCusker who has played him since October has spilled on two big moments ahead for his character. Ben will be left “devastated” in the fallout to his teenage son Will Driscoll’s grooming ordeal.
But Ben will also be left blindsided about a DNA twist that sparks heartache for him, tearing apart his relationship with his mother Maggie. It’s not yet clear if Ben will find out his real father is former character Jim McDonald, but we do know that Ben learns the man he thought was his father actually wasn’t.
Actor Aaron teased of what is ahead: “Ben and Maggie are having a row and in the heat of the argument, Maggie says something that just doesn’t make sense to Ben. Maggie tries to backtrack and pretends she didn’t know what she was saying but Ben won’t let it go.
“It’s digging at him, why did she say that, and he just needles at her till eventually she says right here’s the truth. Maggie’s also being blackmailed by Ben’s ex Melanie who knows the truth from Ben’s brother who witnessed things, and is using this to try to force Maggie to convince Ben to let Will go live with her.
“Eventually it all just gets too much for Maggie and she makes the decision to tell Ben herself. Then the truth comes tumbling out.” On the impact of the paternity news, Aaron went on: “He’s stunned and he’s also livid, made worse by the fact he can’t go back and talk to the man who he always thought was his dad because he’s dead.
“He also finds out that Alan knew he wasn’t Ben’s dad and still stuck by Maggie and that endears him to Alan even more. He has a huge argument with Maggie then he goes straight out to the bar and gets stuck into the whiskeys.”
Aaron hinted that it could be it for Maggie and Ben. He said: “Let’s be honest he’s forgiven his mum for quite a lot already! He threw her out of the house on Christmas Day, then let her back in.
“He sits back 50% of the time and lets her get away with how she treats Eva and he does realise that she was a single mother and sacrificed a lot to bring him and Fin up. But maybe it will go a different way this time, I think it will take a while to get over this but time’s a healer so I hope in the end they will be alright.”
He then discussed the plot involving Ben’s son Will, who has been sexually abused by his athletics coach Megan Walsh. With Will still manipulated into believing they are in a relationship, and with Megan pregnant with his child, ben is left blaming himself.
Aaron explains: “He’s absolutely gutted, he’s been through a stage of blaming himself, maybe he’s been too wrapped up in the move to Weatherfield, been stuck in the middle of the war between Maggie and Eva, focusing on his two other kids and it just slid by him. He’s disappointed in himself and he’s going out of his way now to try to make things better but with a teenage son it’s not easy and he’s going to have to work hard to repair the relationship.”
New motives look set to be revealed on Coronation Street next week that could give away which of the five potential victims is killed off in April, with one killer possibly exposed
New motives look set to be revealed on Coronation Street next week that could give away which of the five potential victims is killed off(Image: ITV)
Spoilers for next week on Coronation Street could tease which character dies in the murder plot in April, as there’s new motives and new confessions.
Fans know that either Jodie Ramsey, Maggie Driscoll, Megan Walsh, Carl Webster or Theo Silverton will be brutally murdered in a dark episode next month. While moments on screen have proven why each of them is a worthy candidate for the grim death twist, new spoilers could make one character a front runner.
Next week, one character’s killer secret could finally be exposed by another villain. While all five potential victims take centre stage and are causing drama, there’s one villain in particular that could see his dark actions come to light very soon, and it could give away that Theo is the one who dies.
Spoilers for next week reveal that, Ben who’s facing drama with his ex-wife, suffers a dizzy spell, and his mum Maggie wants to call an ambulance, but Ben insists he’s fine. When he demands the truth about his dad, Maggie finally admits that Alan wasn’t his real father, but she doesn’t say who is.
Will Maggie be forced to reveal all when a situation between Amy and Ollie leaves her panicked? Ben tells his mum he wants nothing to do with her. Elsewhere, Kevin reveals Debbie has won her prison appeal, but she soon goes missing.
Carl soon finds her, and asks for £10,000 to pay off his debt to Fiona. Ronnie’s suspicious and calls Fiona, but will she back Carl’s claim? Later in the week, Debbie sparks concern at the hotel when she offends Tracy and Mary’s customer.
Will offers Sam an apology over the Megan situation, and Sam reluctantly shakes his hand but it’s clear he still doesn’t trust him. He tells Hope he’s been looking into grooming cases, as Toyah urges him to stop worrying about Megan and Will.
Soon a clash between Sam and Will leaves their loved ones rowing too, but is Will really to blame? When a paranoid Sam spots Megan and Will at the precinct he rushes to get someone, only for Will to claim he’s been at the pub all morning.
Also next week, Jodie pulls a sickie at work to spend the day with David, while Tim prepares to confront Trisha over their past. Lisa announces her divorce from Becky has come through, and as they celebrate they ask Jodie to look after baby Connie.
Meanwhile, Sarah shares her concern for Todd, leading to her meeting with Theo’s ex Danielle to ask if Theo was ever violent towards her. The incident leaves Theo furious, and he tells Todd their moving to Belfast in a matter of days.
Finally next week, Abi suggests to Summer that Debbie might not have been driving the car on the night of the crash. When Summer asks Debbie if Carl was driving, she panics and ends up injuring herself.
After a scan, Debbie learns she’s deteriorated after her dementia diagnosis. As for Summer, she’s told by Carl that if she wants to know who killed Billy she needs to stop pointing the finger at him and look closer to home.
So does this final spoiler make it clear that Theo will finally be exposed for killing Billy? Will this lead to residents finding out the truth and then taking revenge?
IT’S being billed as a huge tribute concert to Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield, who died in November.
But I’m told the “Manichester” event in honour of the Stone Roses bassist, organised by his brother Greg, has caused a rift in the family.
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A gig honouring Stone Roses bassist Mani is causing a rift among his family membersCredit: GettyThe Stone Roses in July 1990 L-R Reni, Mani (top) Ian Brown (bottom) John SquireCredit: Getty
The concert will see musicians including Zak Starkey, Baz Fratelli from The Fratellis, John Mcclure from Reverend And The Makers and Simone Butler from Primal Scream come together at Manchester’s Diecast in May.
Cast are also lined up to perform, along with Mick Rossi from Slaughter & The Dogs and Stone Roses guitarist Aziz Ibrahim.
But while the concert was believed to have the full support of Mani’s family, which includes his twin sons Gene and George, insiders say not everyone is in agreement.
A source said: “Mani’s legacy and celebrating that is so important to so many people.
“But not everyone related to him is happy about this concert.
“Even his young son Gene has voiced his concerns on social media.
“It is all very messy and is spilling over into the public domain.
“This is not what Mani would have wanted. His twin boys were everything to him.”
Mani died at home in Manchester in November aged 63Credit: GettyMani was best known for his work with Stone Roses and Primal ScreamCredit: Getty
Greg confirmed earlier this month that he was organising the tribute concert, and said there were hopes of snaring Noel and Liam Gallagher to perform, as well as Johnny Marr.
He said: “I think it will be brilliant.
“With the names already in the hat, and the names we’re yet to announce, it’s a worthy thing, a tribute to our kid, a Mancunian legend, and I know he’d love it.
“He would be absolutely buzzing about it.”
Mani, who was best known for his work with Stone Roses and Primal Scream, died at home in Manchester aged 63.
Noel and Liam made an on-stage dedication to him during their Oasis ’25 Live reunion tour, while rock icons including Stone Roses singer Ian Brown turned out to pay their respects at his funeral.
As a fan of Mani, I hope this can be resolved quickly and without further upset.
LITTLE BRIT OF FAMILY TIME
BRITNEY SPEARS is being supported by her sons following her arrest for driving under the influence – and it’s about time too.
For years, the Circus singer was deserted by her boys – who she has with ex-husband Kevin Federline.
Britney Spears has been spending time with her two sons, Sean Preston and JaydenCredit: Instagram
But it seems they are back in her life and bringing a smile to her face.
She shared a video on Instagram on a boat with Sean and Jayden, during a getaway, including a shot of them smiling together.
Britney wrote: “Thank you guys for all your support… Spending time with family and friends is such a blessing!”
AITCH FIZZES MUSIC
HE was flying high after his stint in I’m A Celebrity last year.
But now Aitch is facing another trial, and it could be just as gruesome.
Aitch is embroiled in a legal row over his Syps drinks brand with two former directors of the companyCredit: Splash
I’m told the Strike Me A Pose rapper is embroiled in a legal row over his Syps drinks brand with two former directors of the company.
Aitch, real name Harrison Armstrong, created Syps back in 2023 with businessmen David Olusegun and Alexander El-Nemer – with the trio proudly showing off their fizzy, flavoured water at events across the UK.
But I’m told that partnership is now well and truly over, with David and Alexander resigning as directors.
A source said: “Harrison has fallen out with David and Alexander and it seems there is no going back.
“They’re in a full-blown legal dispute and it’s all in the hands of their lawyers.
“The three created the brand together so it could get messy.
“Harrison is still working on the brand and is running things with his manager.
“How quickly this is going to get resolved is the question. One thing is for sure though, Harrison wants it dealt with so he can move on.”
TAMER ROLE FOR HARDMAN ACTOR
TAMER HASSAN is swapping punch-ups for pull-ons after landing a major new deal with sportswear giant Reebok.
The hardman actor has filmed an advert for a bold campaign inspired by Robin Hood, of all people.
Tamer Hassan has landed a major new deal with sportswear giant ReebokCredit: Splash
It sees Tamer playing a cheeky “friendly villain” who nicks sports kits before handing them out to kids.
He is joined by UK rapper K-Trap, and starry cameos from Gary Oldman, Laila Morse and Lisa Maffia.
An insider said: “Tamer is genuinely thrilled to be part of something revitalised and forward-thinking.
“Reebok is part of the culture, and seeing it evolve with fresh energy in 2026 makes this really exciting.”
The retro-style campaign is also a nod to 2005 British crime flick The Business, which starred Tamer alongside Danny Dyer.
Filmed at a secret North London location, the advert is set to drop later this month and marks the start of a huge year for the actor.
He’s gearing up for the premiere of Rise Of The Footsoldier: Retribution at Cannes in May, ahead of its UK cinema release this summer.
From the big screen to the high street, it sounds like Tamer has a lot going for him right now.
TEARY NIGHT FOR ELLIE’S WOLF PACK
WOLF ALICE had an emotional night headlining the final evening of the Teenage Cancer Trust’s concert series – with frontwoman Ellie Rowsell breaking down in tears.
The group debuted two new songs, Hit The Sky and Gospel Oak, and towards the end of the latter, her voice broke and she became teary.
She asked the band to restart the track from the beginning of the final verse and was then hugged by guitarist Joff Oddie and bassist Theo Ellis.
Later, Theo admitted that performing in London’s Royal Albert Hall for the charity concert was making him emotional, too.
He said: “These are my best friends. It’s unbearable how much I want to cry all the time in this gaff.”
They deservedly picked up the British Group gong at the Brit Awards last month following the success of their fourth studio album, The Clearing – one of the best British albums of 2025.
If you’re yet to see them, make sure you make it to one of the festivals they’re playing across the UK this summer.
BENSON SWOON
BENSON BOONE got his fans hot under the collar while cooking up this tour announcement.
He whipped off his top, cracked eggs with his biceps and showed off his rippling muscles as he added ingredients to a bowl while baking a cake.
Benson Boone stripped off for his new tour announcementCredit: instagram/bensonbooneIn the video Benson cracked eggs with his bicepsCredit: instagram/bensonbooneBenson made a cake in the videoCredit: instagram/bensonboone
It was eventually topped with the poster for his new Wanted Man tour.
I have to applaud him for the sexy and hilarious snippet posted on Instagram, but it’s a sea change from 12 months ago when he told Rolling Stone magazine that he didn’t want to rely on his body to sell shows.
He told the mag: “I definitely remember there was a time where I would take my shirt off because I didn’t know what else to do.
“I don’t want to rely on my physical form to be the primary driver of my shows.”
It’s a good job he’s had a fair few hits.
Benson previously told Rolling Stone magazine that he didn’t want to rely on his body to sell showsCredit: instagram/bensonbooneBenson’s new tour is called Wanted ManCredit: instagram/bensonboone
YOU BOOTY, KATYA
STRICTLY’S Katya Jones looked the part – and had the footwear to match – when she strutted in to watch the opening night of musical Kinky Boots.
And she was in for a real treat.
Katya Jones at the opening night of musical Kinky BootsCredit: GettyJohannes Radebe stars in the musicalCredit: Getty
With glitter, tinsel, red leather and high heels, this latest production of the hit show is a dazzling spectacle, the likes of which the West End has rarely seen.
Fellow Strictly star Johannes Radebe is mind-blowing as drag queen Lola, above, proving his singing voice and stage charisma are almost as brilliant as his dancing.
But playing the perfect straight man is X Factor winner Matt Cardle as Charlie Price, who inherits his father’s ailing shoe factory in Northampton and comes up with a plan to save it by making footwear for Lola and her fellow artistes.
Fun, feel-good and unforgettable, everyone should try these Kinky Boots for size.
Erasure have split up and won’t be performing againCredit: Getty Images – GettyVince Clarke, part of the iconic 80s duo, revealed the news in an interviewCredit: Getty – Contributor
Erasure were responsible for some utterly iconic tunes back in their day, many of which have stood the test of time.
But now they’ve revealed that they have already performed their final gig.
Speaking to The New Cue newsletter, Erasure’s Vince Clarke spoke about the decision to stop touring and how it wasn’t an easy choice.
Vince was asked: “What’s the bravest career decision you’ve ever made?,” in an interview with the outlet.
He then continued to explain the reasoning behind the decision in more depth.
Vince elaborated: “What happened was [Erasure singer] Andy Bell and myself, we did these fan shows before Christmas and they were great but…
“It’s difficult to explain… the simple answer would be is I just don’t want to be really old and going onstage!
“I just don’t want to do it anymore.”
The pair released their first album together in 1985Credit: Getty – Contributor
Vince and Andy sent fans rushing to conclusions of a reunion years ago after posting a vague post online with the caption: “plotting and planning.”
The news thrilled fans on X, who immediately started speculating what they had up their sleeves.
“Let’s GO! Gotta see Erasure again live soon, it’s been way too long!” wrote one fan.
“So thrilled you two are still working together all these years later,” said a second.
A third noted: “New album? Would kill for a follow up to Erasure”
Erasure released their debut album Wonderland in 1985, and in the following year they broke into the UK charts with their single, Sometimes.
Since that time, they have released a staggering 19 albums, with their last being 2022’s Day-Glo.
They won Best British Group at the 1989 Brit Awards, with other hit tracks including A Little Respect, Always, Chains of Love and Breath of Life.
Andy went on to have a successful solo career, whileVince Clarkehad previously been a founding member of two more iconic bands, Depeche Mode and Yazoo.
Vince was candid about just not wanting to do it anymoreCredit: GettyTheir biggest song together was called A Little RespectCredit: Rex
Actor James Tolkan, known for his role as the Hill Valley High principal in “Back to the Future” and the no-nonsense commanding officer in “Top Gun” has died. He was 94.
Tolkan died Thursday in Lake Placid, N.Y., where he lived, his booking agent, John Alcantar, told the Associated Press on Saturday.
In “Back to the Future,” Tolkan portrayed Vice Principal Gerald Strickland, who surveyed the school’s halls with a whistle around his neck and a tardy slip burning a hole in his pocket.
“You got a real attitude problem, McFly,” Tolkan’s character snaps at Michael J. Fox’s character, Marty McFly, in the cult classic 1985 film. “You’re a slacker. You remind me of your father when he went here. He was a slacker, too.”
The line became one of Tolkan’s most famous, and mega-fans would flock to Comic-Cons around the country to ask the star to call them a slacker, requests he typically obliged.
The actor had a number of film and television gigs through the 1960s and ’70s, but he was doing David Mement’s Broadway play “Glengarry Glen Ross” when he got the offer to play Strickland in “Back to the Future.”
“I always said, ‘I’m never going to Hollywood until they send for me,’ ” he told T.C. Restani during a 2015 interview. “And I said, OK, this is my chance. And of course, nobody realized that it was going to be such an important picture. But it was. It was one of those marvelous events where all the planets were aligned and ‘Back to the Future’ became this shooting star of a movie.”
Tolkan was also well known for drilling Maverick and Goose with swift reprimands and tough love between puffs of his cigar as their commanding officer, Tom “Stinger” Jardian, in the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun.”
“That was very special, because when you make a movie you never know, but in ‘Top Gun,’ everybody felt like it was going to be a success,” Tolkan told Bob McCarthy during a 2016 Comic-Con interview. “ They just felt it, knew it right from the first day.”
Born June 20, 1931, in Calumet, Mich., Tolkan was the son of a cattle dealer — Ralph M. Tolkan. He moved around in his adolescence, spending time in Chicago and landing in Arizona after his parents’ divorce. It was there that his athletic skills got him noticed by the Eastern Arizona College football coach. Tolkan landed a scholarship to the college, but his academic career was short-lived, and he left to enlist in the U.S. Navy.
After a year of service during the Korean War, he was discharged due to a heart ailment, and with $75 to his name he set out for the Big Apple to try his hand at acting. In New York, Tolkan studied under Stella Adler and Lee Strasberg at the famed Actors Studio and started landing stage roles before working his way to the big screen.
Although his experience in the military informed the types of roles Tolkan would play — Army office, Air Force commander, police lieutenant, attorney — his work as an actor was his passion. “If you choose to be an actor, you have to choose to be an actor, and you have to stick with it through thick and thin,” he told a FanX audience member during a 2023 panel at the Salt Lake City pop-culture convention. “When things get tough, you can’t think about doing something else. You’ve got to say to yourself, ‘I’m gonna do this.’ ”
Other notable acting projects of Tolkan’s include the 1973 film “Serpico,” starring Al Pacino; the 1981 movie “Prince of the City”; the role of Napolean in Woody Allen’s 1975 film, “Love and Death”; and the 1983 film “WarGames,” in which he acted alongside Matthew Broderick.
Tolkan is survived by his wife of 54 years, Parmelee Welles.
COMIC Russell Brand’s rape trial has been delayed by four months and is expected to last eight weeks — up from five — due to “numerous” and expanded charges.
The screen star, 50, faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one indecent assault against six women from 1999 to 2009.
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Russell Brand’s rape trial has been delayed by four monthsCredit: PA
Brand — who denies all the charges in full — was facing trial at Southwark crown court on June 12.
But Mr Justice Joel Bennathan KC put it back until October 12.
He noted an eight-week trial in June would run into August — with potential summer holiday and travel interruptions.
Brand, of Hambleden, Bucks, didn’t attend court today.
Brand had appeared in court last month and denied charges of rape and sexual assault against two women in 2009.
Before the hearing, Brand took out a copy of the bible and began reading it but it was confiscated by the dock officer until the case was done.
The Met Police launched a probe into the TV presenter in September 2023 after The Sunday Times and Channel 4’s Dispatches published an investigation into allegations over his treatment of women.
Following the charge, Brand told his 11.3million X followers that he was “never a rapist”.
He added: “I’ve always told you guys that when I was young and single, before I had a wife and family… I was a fool, man.
“I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord… I have never engaged in non consensual activity, I pray you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
Brand, who was previously married to pop star Katy Perry, shares three children with his wife, Laura Gallacher, 37.
Brand faces three counts of rape, three of sexual assault and one indecent assault against six women from 1999 to 2009Credit: Andrew Styczynski
JACK Whitehall partied the night away as he enjoyed a star-studded stag do.
He was joined by plenty of famous faces for a very boozy night out.
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Jack Whitehall partied the night away with his pals for his bleary London stag doCredit: CLICK NEWS – DEANThere was an hours-long boozy pub crawl for Jack and the ladsCredit: CLICK NEWS – DEANJames Corden was among the revellers in attendanceCredit: CLICK NEWS – DEANThere was even a tumble at one point during the eveningCredit: CLICK NEWS – DEAN
The comedian and actor is preparing to tie the knot to model Roxy Horner but made sure to make the most of life pre-marriage on his big night out – which included visiting an X-rated nightclub.
Among his fellow celebs with Jamie Redknapp and James Corden as well as ex-rugby star, Lawrence Dagglio.
Jack and his pals partied for more than six hours on the London pub crawl.
Things got underway around 3pm when Jack and the lads sank pints at The Devonshire pub.
The couple met while Jack was on a trip to Australia in 2020 and they ended up isolating together in London during the coronaviruspandemic.
Jack appeared in high spirits for the outingCredit: CLICK NEWS – DEANThe pals all posed togetherCredit: CLICK NEWS – DEANJames enjoyed the mini-golfCredit: CLICK NEWS – DEAN
They welcomed their first child Elsie in September last year.
At the time, Jack announced the news online and said: “In awe of my partner who has been amazing throughout this journey and is going to be the greatest mum ever.”
At the time of The Sun revealing Jack and Roxy’s engagement, a pal said: “Jack and Roxy are going into Christmas as an engaged couple.
“He asked Roxy to marry him earlier this month and she said yes straight away.
“They could not be happier together and are looking forward to planning their wedding.”
Roxy, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2021, has previously praised Jack for his support.
Jack also took part in the mini golfCredit: CLICK NEWS – DEANJACK is due to marry Roxy Horner soonCredit: jackwhitehall/instagram
A new trailer for the series dropped today (March 30), showing the characters five years after the events of Season 2. This time around, viewers will see Rue in Mexico, owing money to dangerous drug dealer Laurie (Martha Kelly). Meanwhile, Cassie (Sydney Sweeney) and Nate (Jacob Elordi) are engaged, with Cassie exploring a new career on OnlyFans.
Season 3 will be available to watch on HBO Max, Sky Atlantic and NOW on Monday, April 13th for UK fans, after airing on Sunday April 12th in America. It features major cast shake-ups as Hollywood legends Sharon Stone, Natasha Lyonne and Rosalía have join the ensemble.
Creator Sam Levinson previously teased major plot points, promising: “I will say that Cassie and Nate do in fact get married. I’m confirming it. And I promise that it will be an unforgettable night.” Jules will be struggling in art school, while Maddy (Alexa Demie) works at a Hollywood talent agency and Lexi (Maude Apatow) has landed a job as assistant to a showrunner played by Sharon Stone.
The forthcoming series marks Eric Dane’s final role before his death, following a devastating battle with ALS. As the new trailer dropped, fans have rushed to share heartfelt tributes for the TV legend. One YouTube comment said: “Rest in peace to Eric Dane,” while a second added: “So nice seeing him <3.”
Céline Dion is officially coming back to the stage.
The singer announced on Instagram that she will return to the stage this fall, performing 10 shows at the Paris La Défense Arena. In 2022, Dion canceled her North America tour due to muscle spasms. She was later diagnosed with stiff-person syndrome, an autoimmune neurological disorder, which prevented her from performing.
The concert announcement comes after speculation last week by fans in Paris who spotted posters around the city referencing Dion’s songs, including “Power of Love” and “Pour Que tu M’aimes Encore.”
Dion, who turned 58 on Monday, called this news “the best gift” of her life.
“I’m so happy. I’m so ready to do this. I’m feeling good. I’m strong,” Dion said. “I’m feeling excited, obviously. Of course, a little nervous, but most of all, I am grateful to all of you. I can’t wait to see you again.”
While Dion performed at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics in Paris and at an Elie Saab fashion show in Saudi Arabia, she has not headlined her own concert since her Courage World Tour in 2020. In her video, Dion thanked her fans, who supported her in the “most difficult times.”
“Over these last few years, every day that’s gone by, I felt your prayers and support, your kindness and love,” Dion said. “You’ve helped me in ways that I can’t even describe, and I’m truly so fortunate to have your support. I’ve missed you so much.”
Dion will perform twice a week — on Wednesdays and Saturdays — from Sept. 12 to Oct. 14. In a press statement, Frédéric Longuépée, president of La Défense Arena, called Dion’s residency a major milestone for the venue, which opened in 2017.
Fans can register for presale tickets until April 2, and general ticket sales will go on sale April 10.
Dion discussed her battle with stiff-person syndrome in her 2024 documentary, “I Am: Celine Dion.” In the film, the singer explained how SPS causes a vocal strain that makes it difficult for her to perform. Before her 2022 diagnosis, she had already experienced symptoms for 17 years.
While SPS has no known cure, Dion did not lose motivation to continue performing.
“If I can’t run, I’ll walk. If I can’t walk, I’ll crawl, but I won’t stop,” Dion said.
THE BBC was today plunged into a fresh crisis after Radio 2 breakfast DJ Scott Mills was sacked over allegations about his personal conduct.
The 53-year-old — who earned more than £350,000 a year — had his contract terminated after a complaint was made, understood to relate to a historical relationship.
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BBC colleagues gasped in shock as news broke of Scott Mills’ sudden axingCredit: BBCScott Mills with Zoe Ball after he was named as her replacement on the Radio 2 Breakfast ShowCredit: PA
He was called in for a meeting after his show last Tuesday — the same day a Channel 5 drama about the conduct of axed BBC newsreader Huw Edwards was screened.
A source said: “Scott was taken off air the following day and his contract was terminated at the weekend.” BBC staff were left stunned as the news broke yesterday.
News of his sudden sacking yesterday left BBC colleagues gasping in shock, one revealed.
Even star pals were blindsided by the announcement that the host had been given the elbow.
And sources said friends’ immediate attempts to contact Mills all ended in failure.
The Sun understands an allegation made against the Radio 2 Breakfast Show presenter relates to a relationship dating back more than a decade — and that his contract was terminated within five days of the complaint being made.
“We don’t know why he’s been sacked but we do know that it will surely be unwelcome news.
“The fact that the bosses had to do this means there must be something potentially very significant here to let one of their big names go. As I said, this is a huge name in the BBC.”
A source explained: “An allegation was made against Scott last Tuesday and he was called in for a meeting.
“He was taken off air from Radio 2 the following day and his contract was terminated at the weekend.
“It was a very fast process between the complaint being raised and Scott leaving. It happened in less than five days.”
Mills with pro dancer Joanne Clifton on Strictly in 2014Credit: HandoutThe sacked DJ with husband Sam winning Celebrity Race Across The World in 2024Credit: PA
A source close to Mills — the BBC’s 11th highest-paid star — said: “Scott was told about the allegation in a meeting with senior staff present. He was tense.
“He has completely shut down now and no one can get hold of him. No calls, no messages — nothing.
“The people who know him are blindsided by all of this and they can’t get hold of him.”
An internal message was sent around Radio 2 after Mills’ exit was made public.
Lorna Clarke, the BBC’s Director of Music, said: “I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC.
“I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.
“Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too.”
Referencing the shock of BBC staffers and Scott’s listeners, he praised the team working on Radio 2 and said: “I just want to recognise the pressure this puts on them, many of whom have worked with Scott for many years.”
In an official statement, the BBC said only: “While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted and has left the BBC.”
The news of his axing over the “historical relationship” led the BBC’s own bulletins.
Scott Mills taken off Radio 2 unexpectedly after handing over to colleague Vernon KayCredit: AlamyMills was slated to host Eurovision this yearCredit: PA
“I hadn’t heard anything about it until 17 minutes ago, when it was on the BBC website, and I only had the information that was given to you in the bulletin.
“I have no more than that. All right, on to today’s show . . .”
The “historical” nature of the relationship will lead to questions over what the BBC knew, if anything, at the time.
Mills — who married boyfriend Sam Vaughan in July 2024 shortly before they won BBC’s CelebrityRace Across The World — was taken off air from Wednesday last week.
Gary Davies stepped in to host the Breakfast show and will remain on air until Thursday, with OJ Borg working on Bank Holiday Friday and Monday.
Insiders said staff working at BBC Radio 2 were originally told Mills was having time off for “personal reasons”.
His last social media post was made last Tuesday, where he shared a clip of an interview he did with former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson the week prior.
A source said: “Scott was taken off air from Radio 2 on Wednesday. He clearly had no idea it was coming as at the end of his show on Tuesday, he told Vernon Kay, who hosts the next slot, ‘See you tomorrow.’
“When he wasn’t at work the next day, people working at Radio 2 and other stations were led to believe he was having time off for personal reasons. No one asked many questions.
“Now it’s come out, everyone who works at Radio 2, and in the wider BBC, are in utter shock.”
They added: “The BBC did not issue a company-wide press release and just shared the news with the radio staff.
“People who worked for the BBC outside of the radio service were reading about Scott on news websites. The shock around Broadcasting House in London was palpable.”
Kay, 51, has emerged as the favourite to replace Mills full time.
SCOTT Mills became one of the BBC’s most popular presenters after nearly three decades with the corporation.
He was obsessed with radio while growing up around Eastleigh, Hants, joining a hospital radio station aged 12 and later working for regional stations.
After several rejections from the Beeb, he joined Radio 1 in 1998 as cover for the early breakfast slot — and was a regular on the Top of the Pops by 1999.
But he struggled with anxiety and depression, and his drinking spiralled after his boyfriend Mitch died in 2000.
It almost cost him his job when he turned up for his 4am show audibly drunk following the Brit Awards.
He said: “They could have just fired me and quite rightly so.” But he was given another chance, and now says he rarely drinks.
In 2004, he joined the station’s daytime line-up and became renowned for signing off calls with “Love you, bye”.
He also came up with Innuendo Bingo, where players try to not spit out water as they hear euphemisms.
In 2022, Scott jumped ship to Radio 2 to replace Steve Wright in the afternoon slot, and eventually won the coveted breakfast slot after Zoe Ball’s exit in January 2025. At the time, he told The Sun: “I’ve worked for this my whole life.”
The allegation made against Mills appears to relate to a time when he was working for Radio 1.
He joined the station in 1998 on its Early Breakfast Show. His profile was boosted when he took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2014, paired with pro dancer Joanne Clifton.
In November 2024 it was announced he would replace Zoe Ball on Radio 2’s flagship Breakfast Show — and he started what he called his “dream job” the following January.
The drama plunges the BBC into a fresh crisis following the dismissals of other stars including Huw Edwards, plus John Torode and Gregg Wallace.
The day Mills was called to the meeting was the same day a Channel 5 drama about the conduct of Edwards was screened.
The former news anchor dodged a jail sentence in September 2024 after he pleaded guilty to three counts of possessing indecent images of children.
The previous July, The Sun revealed a top BBC presenter had been accused of paying a teen £35,000 in return for sordid images. Edwards was later named by his wife Vicky Flint as the presenter in question.
In July last year MasterChef hosts Wallace and Torode were both sacked after an investigation into their conduct.
The probe had been launched at the beginning of 2025.
Mills was called in for a meeting after his show last Tuesday — the same day a Channel 5 drama about the conduct of axed BBC newsreader Huw Edwards was screenedCredit: PAIt remains unclear who will replace Mills on the prime time slotCredit: BBC
Outgoing BBC Director-General Tim Davie said the corporation had “lessons we can learn,” after the scandal unfolded under his watch. Former Google boss Matt Brittin will take over the Director-General role on May 18.
Mills’s sacking from the BBC means he will no longer be involved in the BBC’s Eurovision Song Contest coverage.
He has previously commentated on the competition’s semi-final and hosts Radio 2’s coverage.
Earlier this month Mills was also announced as the new host of a podcast based on the BBC’s hit show Race Across The World.
But hours later, a message on his u/paulmccartney profile said: “Paul McCartney has been banned.”
One fan on the forum declared: “What clownery is going on here that Paul McCartney himself gets banned? I wanted to see the photos but now I can’t.”
The account has since been allowed back on Reddit — but with the photos message still deleted.
It is unclear why he got the boot in the first place.
The forum warns there must be no advertising on its list of rules. Reddit also has a zero-tolerance policy towards spam, banning things judged as responsible for “artificially inflating exposure to unwanted or irrelevant content”.
Sir Paul, who also played the Fonda Theatre venue on Saturday, releases his 19th solo studio album, The Boys of Dungeon Lane, in May.
Global streaming revenue surged to $150 billion last year, driven largely by an increase in prices by Netflix and other streamers, according to a new report.
In 2025, global streaming subscription revenue grew by 14%, reaching a total of over $157 billion, the report from Ampere Analysis found. In the last five years, revenue has tripled from the $50 billion seen in 2020.
Streamers continue to dominate the digital distribution market with rising monthly subscription fees , more consumers choosing subscriptions with ads, and platforms expanding their global reach.
“As the streaming market matures, the emphasis is no longer on pure subscriber growth but on extracting greater value from existing audiences,” said Lauren Liversedge, a senior analyst at Ampere Analysis. She noted that the growth is happening “particularly in the most competitive markets.”
Over the next five years, Ampere Analysis estimates subscription revenue will grow by another 29%, potentially reaching over $200 billion worldwide by 2030.
The U.S. is the largest driver of this revenue growth, as the country accounts for 50% of 2025’s global streaming subscription revenue, per Ampere Analysis. Netflix accounted for the largest revenue share in the U.S. at 14%. Last week, the company also announced a price hike, where its premium tier costs $27 a month. This marks the second time in a little over a year that the streaming service raised its fees.
“Our approach remains the same: We continue offering a range of prices and plans to meet a variety of needs, and as we deliver more value to our members we are updating our prices to enable us to reinvest in quality entertainment and improve their experience by updating our prices,” said a Netflix spokesperson in a statement.
It’s not the only streaming service to increase its prices, as Disney+, HBO Max and Apple TV made similar moves last year.
Recent data from Deloitte highlights some of the price sensitivity U.S. streaming audiences are experiencing. More than two-thirds of streaming subscribers are now opting for ads, marking a 20% increase from 2024.
That cost-conscious sentimentexpands beyond North America, reaching Western Europe, according to Ampere Analysis. The total revenue from ad tiers has risen rapidly across these markets over the past five years, up from less than 5% in 2020 to 28% in 2025.
But even as consumers demonstrate their willingness to pay less and watch ads, streaming platforms still benefit, making money from both subscription fees and advertising. When accounting for that ad revenue, streaming services generated closer to $177 billion in global revenue last year. Advertising is expected to become an even more important revenue stream for these companies, as ads alone could add $42 billion in annual revenue by 2030, per Ampere Analysis.
Doctor Who star Peter Purves is thrilled that fans will finally get to see two long lost Dalek-themed episodes from the 1960s on TV this Easter
18:50, 30 Mar 2026Updated 18:52, 30 Mar 2026
Peter Purves played the Doctor’s assistant Steven Taylor in the 60s, see here with William Hartness and Maureen O’Brien
Doctor Who star Peter Purves is thrilled that fans will finally get to see two long lost Dalek-themed episodes from the 1960s on TV this Easter.
The actor and presenter, who played Tardis companion Steven Taylor, reckons the classic black and white series is far better than the rebooted modernised version. He said: “It was the golden era. I don’t think the show is a patch on what it was.”
The BBC is broadcasting two episodes from the story The Daleks’ Master Plan with the late William Hartnell as The Time Lord over the Easter holidays. The 12-part story originally went out in 1965 with more than nine million viewers tuning in to watch the wheeled exterminators try to take over Earth.
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But the Beeb then wiped the tapes – believing viewers no longer wanted black and white programmes – and the story has not been broadcast since. Over the years a handful of recordings of the missing instalments have been found and restored. But recently two more episodes – number one and number three – were discovered in a cardboard box in a collection of vintage films. They will finally be aired on BBC iPlayer some 61 years after their original broadcast.
The cast included Purves, who was an actor before he became a household name a few years later thanks to his role as a presenter on Blue Peter. He now claims that the sci-fi show, which launched in 1963, was in its prime back then even though the technology was basic and prompted jokes about wobbly scenery and monsters made from egg boxes.
Purves, 87, maintains that those early stories were more “intelligent” than they have been since the 21 st century reboot, featuring the likes of David Tennant, Jodie Whitakker and Ncuti Gatwa.
He said: “I was in it at a time when I think the show, technically, wasn’t very clever. The limitations were in the technology of the time. We didn’t do great sweeping magnificent film sequences.They were very short – we recorded as if it was live. We didn’t stop the tape even if a mistake was made.”
He said that the Tardis “disappearing and reappearing” was as good as the special effects got, at the time. “It was a very different show, but it was led by extremely good scripts,” he explained on The Chatterbox Redux Podcast,. “There are intelligent scripts. They worked on all sorts of levels. And I mean for me, that was the golden age. When they regenerated to Patrick and went to Jon Pertwee, I mean all things then became possible.”
He is less impressed with the modern version. “I mean the whole thing has become so technical and I don’t think it’s a patch on what it was.”
Peter stayed on the BBC show for a year and appeared in ten stories in total. Despite leaving Doctor Who in 1966, Peter revived his character Steven in 2014 for a long running series of audio adventures by Big Finish.
The company started to produce Who-themed stories when the BBC show was cancelled on TV in 1989. Over the years it has attracted a huge fan base as it has brought back many old faces including Tom Baker, Colin Baker, Bonnie Langford, Katy Manning, Sylvester McCoy and Paul McGann.
“I find the television stories less impressive than most of the stuff we’ve done on Big Finish,” he said. “I think there’s some great stories there. I think to my mind better than much of what’s gone on television. Television’s got consumed by the ability of technology to do wonderful things – but the substance is not there.”
Peter first appeared on Doctor Who playing a character called Morton Dill in a six part story in 1965 called The Chase, which also featured The Daleks. He impressed the show’s bosses, because three weeks later he re-appeared in the same story as an astronaut from the future called Steven Taylor, who ended up becoming The Time Lord’s new companion. He laughed: “I think I am the only person to have insulted The Daleks on screen and not been exterminated.”
We’re headed to the 25th edition of the festival, which returns to the Empire Polo Club in Indio on April 10-12 and April 17-19 with Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber,Karol G at the top of the bill.
Our crew heading to the desert has literally decades of experience covering the festival, giving us unique insight into one of the world’s most famous music festivals.
So tell us — what do you want to know about Coachella? And what do you want to see from our live coverage in the field?
Are you heading to Indio or celebrating Couch-ella (and its more affordable beverage options) at home? Do you have tried-and-true tips you tell anyone when Coachella comes up in conversation? We want to know about them.
OLIVIA Attwood and Pete Wicks both love Las Vegas with Olivia even saying she’d like to get married there.
The podcast co-hosts and Towie alumni have been making headlines following their steamy kiss in London just weeks after Olivia revealed her marriage had ended.
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Pete Wicks and Olivia Attwood spoke about their love of Las Vegas and plans to marry thereCredit: AlamyOlivia said she would have her ‘next wedding’ in VegasCredit: Facebook/Kiss FM UKThe pair spoke about it on their podcast, Sunday RoastCredit: Instagram/Kiss UK
TV star Olivia, 34, separated from Bradley Dack in January and since then she and Pete have seen their friendship “blossom into an unexpected romance”, pals have said.
They spoke about weddings and their ideal nuptials on their podcast the Sunday Roast with Olivia saying she would have her “next wedding” in the US casino city.
“We’re going to talk about stag dos because I’ve been invited on a stag do today in Vegas,” Pete began, with Olivia chiming in to add, “That’s an elite destination for a stag or anything.”
They both agreed they loved Las Vegas and Olivia declared, “I think that probably my next wedding will be in Vegas.”
But when Pete asked if he could come on the hen’s do for her next wedding, Olivia revealed she would not do another one and ended up crying at the one she had before marrying Bradley.
“This is like my hot take. So having been there, done that [I] got the T-shirt and the trauma, [and] I wouldn’t do a hen’s do again,” she said.
“I think they’re lame. Sorry, that’s really controversial… It was the only girls’ holiday that I’ve not really enjoyed.”
Olivia added: “I cried on the second day and there’s a lot of pressure and it feels that girls are difficult.”
While the pair continued to discuss weddings and their associated celebrations, they avoided talking about their public kiss.
The pair had previously insisted they were just friends but the snog proved they were a couple.
But they did not bring up their public smoochCredit: The SUNOlivia split from husband Bradley Dack in JanuaryCredit: Olivia Attwood / Instagram
Last week a pal of Pete and Olivia confirmed: “They have been spending a lot of time together and an unexpected romance has blossomed from friendship.”
Olivia has also been in the news recently after it was revealed her wedding to Bradley was a sham.
TheLove Islandalum, 34, who has gone on to have major success by fronting several shows on ITV, documented her marriage to her now-ex Bradley in her show Olivia Marries Her Match.
In an episode that aired in August 2023, Olivia can be seen walking down the aisle to marry Bradley before the pair say their vows and tie the knot.
Olivia and Bradley held their £200,000 ceremony for 80 guests at the five-star Bulgari hotel in London’s Knightsbridge in June 2023, two months before the episode aired.
She had even changed her name to Olivia Attwood-Dack, using that in her frequent appearances on ITV1’s Loose Women.
Yet the wedding has now been revealed to not be a legal marriage, as the union has not been logged with the General Register Office, the archive of all marriages and civil partnerships for England and Wales.
Olivia’s camp has claimed that the couple had planned to complete paperwork at a register office near their home in Cheshire six weeks after the wedding.
But they failed to ever sign anything as “Olivia uncovered a number of mistruths” and that her inability to trust Bradley “forced her hand in not being able to legally bind their union”.
Olivia is caught in a furore after it was revealed her TV wedding was a fakeCredit: ITVBradley and Olivia were supposed to sign official wedding documents but never got around to itCredit: Instagram
Numerous viewers expressed their disapproval on social media about how the disputes shouldn’t have been permitted to occur and both Gia and Brook have since spoken out and publicly apologised.
In response to the backlash, Brook accessed her Instagram page to release a statement, writing: “Last night and the past few episodes of Married at First Sight was an extremely difficult watch.
“What you saw last night was the worst version of myself and unfortunately Alissa and Stella were on the receiving end of that.”, reports OK!.
“I want to firstly sincerely apologise to Alissa and Stella for my words and the hurt that I have caused.
“My actions were appalling and not at all a reflection of the kindness and respect that you both deserve and I hope in time you can forgive me. I am truly sorry.
“To other couples in the experiment and audience who had to witness my behaviour, I am deeply sorry. Bullying should never be condoned and I am extremely embarrassed by the way that I acted.”
Brook continued to say that the dinner party was filmed in August last year and she’s since had time to reflect and learn from her actions.
She concluded: “This behaviour is not a reflection of who I am at my core and I hope that Australia will one day see this. I know trust is rebuilt through actions, not just words and I will continue doing the work to be better.
“I’m looking forward to moving on with my life with more kindness and hope that those watching will choose to do the same.”
Gia took to her Instagram Stories to express regret, penning: “I could speak on why I didn’t connect with Alissa, or things that were said and done to me, but two wrongs don’t make a right.
” Engaging in a cycle of dragging one another to deflect from our own behaviour is not something I want to participate in.
“I’m choosing to focus on growth. On being a better person. On working on my privately and being a present, loving mum. And a supportive partner. That is where my energy is going.
“To Alissa and Stella, I am genuinely sorry for the way I handled myself that night, and throughout the experiment. Regardless of what was said or heard, my delivery and my behaviour was appalling.
“I apologise for the disgusting language and the way I made you both feel. I am deeply sorry for the hurt I have caused you both, and I wish you nothing but peace moving forward.”
Married at First Sight Australia airs Monday to Thursday on E4 at 7.30pm
“Everyone is at least a dormant ballet nerd,” declares 22-year-old Eden Lim, while sitting for an interview in the suburban Dallas studio where she and her sister, Jordan, 24, film and edit their popular YouTube channel “Ballet Reign.”
Judging from the near-universal backlash to Timothée Chalamet’s recent bad-mouthing of ballet, Eden’s summation of the central tenet of their show may be true. With 67,000 subscribers in 166 countries and growing, the Lim sisters are mixing Gen Z humor and exuberance with astounding erudition to bring ballet to a new generation and fire up older, longtime fans.
With episode titles such as “Addictive Ballet Moments to Alter your Brain Chemistry” and promises like “This will increase your lifespan and double your morale,” they are on a mission to ensure that ballet not only survives but thrives.
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Mirthfulness is the Lim sisters’ medium, but their message is serious. During each show, they parse video clips of great performances, often by explaining the history of the piece and giving detailed behind-the-scenes stories. They dissect the most famous pas de deux with trenchant insight and introduce their audience to the greatest dancers, including Natalia Osipova and Roberto Bolle. With signature, irrepressible enthusiasm, the sisters help viewers see precisely what makes the shows and dancers so extraordinary.
Eden, left, and Jordan Lim of YouTube channel “Ballet Reign” trained as professional dancers before deciding to focus on their show full time.
(Larsen & Talbert / For The Times)
A video clip featured in the “Addictive Ballet” episode shows New York City Ballet principal dancer Ashley Bouder launching herself into a jeté so high she seems to leave Earth’s gravity. In midair she manages to turn herself 180 degrees before being caught by her partner, despite her momentum seeming to drift into his arms like a feather blown by a breeze.
While watching the singular feat, Eden exclaims, “Call the news channels! We found a person who can actually levitate!”
Jordan says the goal is to make viewers feel equipped to say, “I understand what’s going on, and I can appreciate it, and I can appreciate that this was done well.”
“Ballet Reign” launched three years ago with modest hopes. The sisters sought a mere toehold in the YouTube universe, aiming for a narrow niche audience of fellow ballet fanatics (“ballet nerds”) ages 16 to 25. To their initial astonishment, they have attracted a far wider viewership spanning all ages, even followers who hitherto had only scant interest in ballet. They have drawn in many young children and older adults, with those 65 and up now their third-largest subscriber group.
The show has rapidly won acclaim from within and outside of the ballet world — perhaps because the depth and breadth of their knowledge makes it hard to shake the suspicion that they secretly are Ivy League professors.
The Lim sisters speak with sophistication about classic ballets and dancers they love — delivering their message through a whimsical show that has attracted fans of all ages.
(Larsen & Talbert / For The Times)
They comment with equal sophistication on ballet steps, choreography, history, musicology and the minute details of costume design. Eclectic references pop out of nowhere — a metaphor from quantum physics, an aside that the flute is the instrument whose sound is closest to a sine wave, that a serinette is an 18th century music box used to teach caged canaries to sing.
Even actual professors laud the show.
Nicolas Krusek routinely shows “Ballet Reign” episodes in his classes for adults on ballet history at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver. Krusek says what makes the show compelling “is the spirit of the videos, just the sense of joyousness and benevolence that they communicate, and a real sense of reverence for the art and the artists.”
John Meehan, a Vassar College professor of ballet and former principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre, calls their episode on Igor Stravinsky’s “The Firebird” ballet “amazing,” adding that it conveys at least as much information in much more palatable form than a “dry” university lecture.
Julie Cronshaw, director of the Highgate Ballet School in London, says even for learned, longtime balletomanes the show opens up a whole new realm of understanding and appreciation. For those weighed down by adult concerns, watching an episode leaves them feeling uplifted.
This is why Jordan believes “Ballet Reign” has attracted a significant older audience — and also because the sisters honor tradition.
“They’re looking at the content and saying, ‘These are pieces that I grew up watching. And these are the dancers that I adored when I was younger,’” Jordan says.
Eden says she hopes “it’s because our content, and the way we deliver it, is able to touch hearts.”
The Lim sisters keep a disciplined schedule, turning out polished, deftly produced episodes 52 weeks a year.
(Larsen & Talbert / For The Times)
The show also benefits from its high production values, with expertly edited clips from performances, clever blurbs of text and quirky cutaways to, say, a pole vaulter as an allusion to how high a dancer jumps.
Episodes generally begin the same way, with the sisters sitting behind a table with an old-fashioned radio-days microphone nicknamed “Mike-elangelo” between them. Eden kicks things off by announcing, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is Ballet Reign.”
A flash of superimposed text identifies them as “*Very certified*, extremely serious ballet experts.”
Jordan and Eden revel in each other’s company, finish each other’s sentences and play off each other with insightful or witty interjections.
“We grew up best friends from the beginning, and that’s never changed,” Jordan says.
They keep a disciplined, grueling schedule, turning out polished, deftly produced episodes 52 weeks a year.
Comments validating their efforts come in frequently. “You really helped me through a dark time,” reads one. Another notes, “I was going through a really difficult life transition and having your videos helped me get through.”
Jordan says, “That’s a sort of impact that I genuinely did not see coming.”
The sisters are openhearted and enjoy revealing ballet’s best-kept secrets, but they have kept a remarkably mysterious online profile. Until now, they have never even disclosed their last names, let alone anything about their background, education or experience.
There is also nearly nothing on the internet, and fans have long wondered about their credentials, including whether they are professional dancers themselves.
On the show the sisters certainly come across as if they were. Surprisingly, the answer is no — with an “almost” caveat.
The oldest of four siblings, Jordan and Eden spent nearly all of their childhood in Ottawa. From the time they were small the sisters beelined toward becoming professional ballet dancers. Jordan says when she was 4 she got up at the crack of dawn every day and put in a VHS tape of a ballet class that her mother, Mary Lim, had bought. With fierce determination, she performed tendus and relevés along with the older students on the tape.
Eden’s ballet fascination quickly followed. Mary says she soon realized she had no choice but to send them to ballet school.
“Obviously, if you look at a 4-year-old doing ballet at 7 a.m. every single day, you’re like, OK, let’s try lessons,” Jordan says.
Eden, left, and Jordan Lim of “Ballet Reign” are the oldest of four siblings and spent nearly all of their childhood in Ottawa before relocating to Texas to pursue their careers.
(Larsen & Talbert / For The Times)
By 2015, the girls needed a better ballet school than was available in Ottawa. Their parents packed up the family and moved to Dallas, where the pair enrolled in the Ballet Academy of Texas. Aside from ballet classes they were entirely homeschooled, but they had plenty of experience dancing in school performances, ballet competitions and with real companies.
Mary says the intent was “to give them an opportunity to move and carve their own path … We wanted them to find their passions.”
The moment the sisters had worked for all their lives arrived in 2020, when the time came to set off around the country — and the world — to audition for ballet companies. But the COVID-19 pandemic hit just as they got started, and almost everything in the ballet world shut down.
Jordan says the hiatus led them to reflect for the first time on whether their lifelong ambition was truly what they wanted. At the same time they groped for a way to put their passion for ballet to temporary use.
For years the sisters had fantasized, half-seriously, about having their own YouTube channel. Eden convinced an initially reluctant Jordan it was time to make the daydream real, and “Ballet Reign” premiered on Dec. 21, 2022.
The sisters say they convinced themselves they were using the show to take “a gap year” while waiting out the pandemic. As the first months passed, and their audience widened and sent glowing feedback, they began to realize they were having a big impact and touching lives. It dawned on them that this wasn’t just an interlude but their calling.
In an agonizing twist, just as the show had gotten underway, Jordan received word she had been accepted by a professional ballet company. She turned down the offer.
“It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make,” Jordan says, but in retrospect the right one.
RIO and Kate Ferdinand may be the most high profile Brits to quit Dubai – but they definitely won’t be the last, a top businessman told The Sun.
Wolfgang Douglas – a UK investor and former Dubai resident – says his phone is “red hot” with people trying to get their money out of the Gulf State.
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Rio and Kate Ferdinand in DubaiCredit: @rioferdy5/instagramA smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire at Dubai International Airport on March 16Credit: AFPWolfgang Douglas is a former Dubai resident and businessman
And he says it is not just the war – which has seen the influencer capital of the world besieged by missiles – that is driving away Brits.
It comes as England and Manchester United legend Rio and his wife Kate fled their £6.5million mansion – moving to Portugal.
Wolfgang told The Sun: “I am not surprised to see celebrities like [Rio & Kate] fleeing Dubai with their children.
“The dream of Dubai was sold on safety which is now undeniably not true.
“They sold it on being the Switzerland of the Middle East – untouched by the conflicts around them.
“Sadly, they now find themselves under attack and in the middle of a tinderbox.”
Dubai is known as the playground of the ultra rich – with social-media loving influencers flouting their lives with supercars, yachts and sun-drenched bikini snaps.
Some 240,000 Brit expats have moved out to the playground city – lured by the promise of a lavish lifestyle and low tax.
Expats make up between 85 and 90 per cent of Dubai’s population.
But beneath the glitzy exterior, Wolfgang – who runs The Wolf MBA business academy – says people are now waking up to the city’s dark side.
He claims that it is not just influencers desperate to return to London, but also private investors and ultra-wealthy families.
Wolfgang told The Sun those “seduced” by the allure of the city are fleeing – but the money is escaping even quicker, with the city now facing a “potentially catastrophic exodus”.
He said: “The Iran war has crashed the Gulf dream, and the real story isn’t expats fleeing Dubai, but how the money is escaping even faster.
“Working discreetly as an intermediary for the private investment houses or family offices of the ultra-wealthy, my phone has been red hot with thousands of calls and messages since late February.”
He went on: “People are threatened or even imprisoned for speaking out or filming drone strikes, but while they weigh options and chase plane tickets, the smart money has been moving – extremely fast.
“Influencers continue posting luxury content while insisting everything is normal, but there are echoes of the Titanic here.”
Wolfgang works in “asset liquidation” – essentially converting assets into cash.
He says he is helping connecting the wealthy with people who can flog property and cars so they can get out of the Gulf.
Wolfgang said one family – who he cannot name – has asked him to help redirect some £250million worth of investments out the region, and instead they are looking at opportunities in London.
Many Gulf natives kept their assets in the West, particularly London while they convinced Brits to move their over to the Middle East.
Wolfgang said: “Fact is, Dubai sold a lie via public and social media, actively undermining confidence in London and the wider UK by highlighting crime, high taxes and political instability, while trumpeting the Gulf as a glamorous tax-free sanctuary for wealth.”
He went on: “While telling the world London is unsafe, many native Gulf investors kept their wealth here all along and continued to live and operate out of Mayfair, Belgravia and Knightsbridge, even as their media was persuading Brits to sell up and ‘join them’ in the Gulf.”
“So, property prices in parts of central London fell 20-30 per cent in recent years.
“And who bought those properties?
“The very people who told Brits to sell yet never left their own London mansions.”
Wolfgang added: “So, after years of being battered by negative narratives, this could be the moment capital begins flowing back into London.
“You can build the tallest skyscrapers in the world, shout about luxury and tax-free wealth and claim accolades like having the world’s only seven-star hotel, but when uncertainty strikes, capital returns to long-established safe institutions.”
And he warned influencers simply “can’t admit the truth” and are continuing to sell the “Gulf mirage”.
The Palm island panorama with Dubai marina rising in the background aerial viewCredit: GettyWolfgang lived a luxurious lifestyle – until he saw the city’s dark sideCredit: Paul TongeDubai is the playground of influencers and the super richCredit: Alamy
Wolfgang has witnessed first hand the disturbing side of Dubai as his dad Albert was banged up in a disgusting prison .
Businessman Albert says the four-year ordeal in a hellholeDubaijail stripped him of any shred of dignity and left him “feeling less than nothing”.
He had been arrested for financial fraud after simply putting his signature to a piece of paper related to son Wolfgang, who also ran a company in theUnited Arab Emirates.
He claims he witnessed suicides and prisoners being raped, rubbed shoulders with killers, and survived on meagre portions of rice and weak soup.
Before his arrest, he enjoyed a life of luxury, driving a Rolls-Royce and living in a £6million mansion on Palm Jumeirah island, where celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham and Brad Pitt own villas.
He made his fortune by cornering the market in wooden flooring in the Gulf after moving 4,500 miles from where to Dubai in 1998.
Son Wolfgang followed him out in 2008 to set up his own flooring firm, Timberwolf.
He returned to the UK full time in 2019.
Father and son Wolfgang and Albert Douglas have witnessed first hand the horrors of DubaiCredit: Paul Tonge
Amid allegations of three domestic violence incidents involving reality TV star Taylor Frankie Paul, fans are worried about whether MomTok can survive this.
Paul, who gained an online following after founding MomTok — a loosely connected group of TikTokers who made content about their lives as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — previously pleaded guilty in abeyance to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault following a fight with former boyfriend Dakota Mortensen in 2023.
MomTok inspired the Hulu reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” which follows eight women in Salt Lake City who grapple with their relationship with the church. The first season explored the fallout of the group’s “soft swinging” scandal, which Paul exposed on TikTok prior to filming.
Throughout its four seasons, “Mormon Wives” has featured lighthearted content like the moms’ love of the soda shop Swig and more weighty topics, including gender roles within the Mormon church. “Mormon Wives” has also crossed over with various Disney reality shows, including “Dancing With the Stars,”“The Bachelorette” and “Vanderpump Villa.”
However, filming on Season 5 of “Mormon Wives” was paused and Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” was shelved in the wake of domestic abuse allegations. A second investigation, which began in late February, gained even more attention when a video from Paul’s 2023 domestic dispute with Mortensen was made public. The footage showed Paul putting Mortensen in a headlock and throwing metal barstools while the couple fought. Paul’s daughter can be heard crying and was injured during the incident, according to the police report.
2020: The birth of MomTok
Paul, Whitney Leavitt, Mayci Neeley and Mikayla Matthews begin making videos together on TikTok. Their content focuses on motherhood and their relationship with the church mixed with dancing and skits.
May 2022: The Pauls split
Paul posts a video on TikTok announcing her divorce from her husband, Tate Paul. Fans begin speculating what led to their divorce.
May 25, 2022: ’Soft swinging’ scandal emerges
On TikTok Live, Paul explains that she and her husband had been in an open relationship and were part of a “soft swinging” group with other members of MomTok. Paul says she had violated the group’s rules by meeting with a partner without her husband’s knowledge, which contributed to their divorce.
Feb. 17, 2023: Paul is arrested
Hulu begins filming the first season of “Mormon Wives.” After a fight with Mortensen, Paul is arrested and charged with assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, according to the Herriman Police Department. Filming of the show is put on hold during the investigation.
August 2023: Paul enters a plea deal
Paul enters a plea in abeyance to a third-degree felony count of aggravated assault. The agreement allows charges to be reduced after three years, if Paul meets the requirements of her plea deal.
Dakota Mortensen and Taylor Frankie Paul share 2-year-old son Ever.
(Fred Hayes / Disney)
March 19, 2024: Paul and Mortensen welcome a son
Paul has a son, Ever, with Mortensen. While the pair had been dating throughout Paul’s pregnancy, they choose to end their relationship and co-parent their son.
Sept. 6, 2024: ‘Mormon Wives’ debuts
The first season of “Mormon Wives” is released on Hulu. The series follows cast members Jen Affleck, Jessi Draper, Demi Engemann and Layla Taylor, as well as Leavitt, Neeley, Matthews and Paul from the original group of MomTokers. The pilot episode, “The First Book of Taylor,” explores the fallout of the swinging scandal and ends with Paul’s 2023 arrest. The second episode picks up nearly a year after the incident.
The show is Hulu’s most-watched unscripted season premiere of 2024 and is renewed just a month after its premiere.
October 2024: On again
Mortensen and Paul seemingly reconcile their relationship.
December 2025: Off again
Paul and Mortensen break up. On Christmas, Paul posts on TikTok that she “wouldn’t wish this pain upon anyone.”
Demi Engemann, Mikayla Matthews, Mayci Neeley, Layla Taylor, Whitney Leavitt, Miranda Hope and Taylor Frankie Paul in Season 2 of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.”
(Fred Hayes / Disney)
May 15, 2025: Season 2 premieres
Season 2 of “Mormon Wives” is released. Miranda Hope joins the cast.
Sept. 10, 2025: Paul gets her roses
During an episode of Alex Cooper’s hit podcast “Call Her Daddy,” Paul announces she will star as “The Bachelorette.” Paul is the first-ever Bachelorette to have not competed on “The Bachelor.”
Fall 2025: Mortensen‘s mea culpa
While FaceTiming Paul before she begins filming “The Bachelorette,” Mortensen apologizes for his behavior and tells Paul “save a rose for me.” This conversation is shown in the fourth season of the show in March 2026.
Nov. 13, 2025: Season 3 debuts
”Mormon Wives” Season 3 premieres.
Feb. 24-25, 2026: A second investigation opens
The Draper City Police Department makes contact with Paul and Mortensen regarding an open “domestic assault investigation” between the two, with allegations being made in both directions.
March 12, 2026: Season 4 drops
Season 4 of “Mormon Wives” is released.
March 16, 2026: ‘Mormon Wives’ filming halts
Filming for Season 5 of “Mormon Wives” is paused as the new investigation involving Paul and Mortensen becomes public.
Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” was canceled three days before it was set to premiere.
(Michael Kirchoff / Disney)
TMZ publishes a previously unreleased video taken by Mortensen during his February 2023 altercation with Paul. It shows Paul throwing barstools at Mortensen as her then-5-year-old daughter cries. After the video’s release, ABC cancels Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette.”
March 20, 2026: The court intervenes
Mortensen is granted temporary custody of Ever, his 2-year-old son with Paul, according to documents obtained by People.
March 24, 2026: A third investigation opens
The West Jordan Police Department in Utah begins investigating a third incident of domestic abuse between Paul and Mortensen, which occurred in “early-mid 2024.” No charges have been filed as the investigation is ongoing.
Paul has been denied visitation until their protective order hearing on April 7, which may determine whether a final protective order is granted by the court.
When he announced he was leaving Radio 1, Scott said: “Time actually does fly when you’re having fun, and that’s certainly been the case over the past 24 years at my beloved Radio 1.
“The station I pretended to be on in my bedroom from the age of six.
“The station I told my mum I wanted to work at, but never in a million years thought I would.”
Scott has commentated on Eurovision
What else has Scott Mills presented?
Scott has also appeared on a number of TV Shows.
From 2006-2007 he appeared as a reporter Paul Lang in the medical soap Casualty.
He has also been a contestant on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Supermarket Sweep, Mastermind and Most Haunted.
Kylie Jenner said she was ‘living her best life’ as she shared her latest bikini snapsCredit: InstagramThe star looked incredible in her tiny two pieceCredit: InstagramKylie showed off her incredible figure as she stretched out on the sandCredit: InstagramKylie looked every inch a beach goddessCredit: Instagram
Taking to Instagram, Kylieshared a slew of snaps of herself enjoying a dip in the idyllic ocean, whilst on vacation.
The A-list star wore a black string triangle top bikini with matching thong bottoms.
Kylie was then seen pulling various poses in the clear water.
In one snap, the Kylie Cosmetics mogul had a big smile on her face, which matched the caption of her photos, as it read: “Having the time of my life.”
Kylie almost spilled out of her sexy bikiniCredit: InstagramKylie also drove fans wild with more sexy beach snaps yesterdayCredit: InstagramThe star flashed her bum in yesterday’s picsCredit: InstagramThe star is known for her sexy snapsCredit: Instagram
Yesterday, the star was seen again wearing a skimpy bikini as she frolicked on the idyllic shore.
In one snap, she was seen lying in the water as her skin glistened in the sun and in another she’s on bended knees, hair falling loose as she gazed up towards the sun.
Kylie is having the time of her life right now, and is also enjoying a romance with actor Timothee Chalamet, 30.
And his comments came back to haunt him as Academy Awards host Conan O’Brien said: “Security is very tight tonight. There’s concerns about attacks from the ballet and opera communities.”
He waded in again later, saying to Timothée: “We’re vibing, right?”
He then told viewers: “He doesn’t think so.”
Alexandre Singh, who won Best Live Action Short Film for Two People Exchanging Saliva, also took a pop during his speech and said: “We believe art can change people’s souls.
“Maybe it takes ten years, but we can change society through art, through creativity, through theatre and ballet — and cinema.”
Kylie recently wowed at the Oscars with boyfriend Timothée ChalametCredit: Getty
BRITNEY Spears has reunited with her sons Jayden, 19, and Sean Preston, 20, as she stripped off to a thong after her DUI arrest three weeks ago.
Gimme More singer Britney has also returned to Instagram amid the chaos as she shared a sweet video alongside her youngest son Jayden.
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Britney looked over the moon as she was spotted enjoying a day out with her two sons, Sean Preston (left) and Jayden (right)Credit: InstagramBritney Spears stripped off to a thong bikini as she danced around a boat after her DUI arrestCredit: InstagramThe Gimme More singer flashed her bum in a cheeky new video on social mediaCredit: Instagram
The teenager was spotted wearing a long tan coat and a white t-shirt as he recorded him and his mum posing up in a mirror.
Britney wore some tiny white lace shorts and a cropped white lace shirt.
She captioned the post: “Thank you guys for all your support… spending time with family and friends is such a blessing !!!
Britney was also seen enjoying a boat trip with both her boys as they were snapped on the deck, grinning ear-to-ear.
Sean, Britney’s eldest son, had his arm wrapped around his mum’s shoulders as he gave her a hug.
The 44-year-old’s rep has told PEOPLE how Britney would be prioritising her two sons, who she shares with her rapper ex Kevin Federline, after she was nicked on suspicion of a DUI.
They said: “Her boys are going to be spending time with her. Her loved ones are going to come up with an overdue needed plan to set her up for success for well being.”
Jayden and Britney previously spent Christmas together with a source telling PEOPLE they “had a fun time” and it was “so special.”
The pair reunited in November 2024 and have enjoyed spending time together ever since, sources told the publication.
The singer is said to be prioritising her two boys after she was nickedCredit: Instagram/britneyspearsBritney and Jayden, 19, posed in a mirror as she returned to InstagramCredit: Instagram/britneyspears
Meanwhile, Sean celebrated the holiday without the hitmaker as he was seen in Louisiana alongside his aunt,Jamie Lynn Spears’family.
Britney was also spotted stripping off to a neon green thong bikini as she danced around on a boat.
She was arrested earlier this month on March 4 after being caught with an “unknown substance” in her car following an hour-long police chase.
The mum-of-two was booked for drunk driving in Ventura County, California, after cops spotted a BMW erratically “braking and swerving in and out of lanes”.
A source close to the Toxic singer told Page Six that a mystery substance was allegedly found inside Britney’s BMW shortly before she was taken into custody.
The source understood it was sent to the lab for testing.
Police began their pursuit of the 2026 black BMW convertible at 8.13pm and tracked her for an hour, according to a police dispatch call.
Britney was allegedly behind the wheel of the convertible when it was pulled over by troopers with the California Highway Patrol at 9.13pm.
In 2007, Britney temporarily lost custody of her two children, Jayden and Sean PrestonCredit: Alamy
