show biz

RYAN Thomas’ daughter Scarlett has revealed she’s been diagnosed with ADHD and her famous family “need to chill out” over the condition.

The singer, 17, took to Snapchat to share the news with her followers as well as to rant about how people treat her as a result of it.

She began: “The word ADHD, get it away and put it in the bin because what do you mean somebody talks too much?

“What do you mean somebody has a different personality and suddenly they’ve got a disorder.

“I don’t get it. I was diagnosed in year 9, it’s literally just a personality.

“It doesn’t make sense to me. Anyway, that’s my take on that. I say it because my uncle Adam talks about it and he needs to chill out.”

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Scarlett’s famous uncles and dad Ryan have spoken about ADHD at length on their podcast, with Adam emotionally detailing his experience with the condition several times in the past.

While her dad, Ryan, revealed in March this year that he too has been diagnosed with the condition.

Opening up about the situation on the podcast, At Home With The Thomas Bro’s podcast, Ryan expressed: “ADHD for me has been a big problem and I’ve not actually spoke about it yet because If I’m really honest, I was quite embarrassed that I had ADHD.

“It felt like I had a condition and growing up, as kids, ADHD, I don’t feel like, was ever a thing – or it was loosely spoke about.”

The former Corrie actor went on to explain that his fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh would tell him that he was losing his phone, not listening to conversations and misplacing his belongings.

He decided to visit doctors to get assessed for ADHD and had to go through an extensive process to get the diagnosis confirmed.

Ryan continued: “After the whole process, I was diagnosed – and I’m on medication.

“And friends that are on the medication have said it changes your life instantly, like the limitless pill. And it’s been quite disheartening for me because I’m on the medication every day.

“I’ve been on it for the last three, four weeks. And I still feel overwhelmed. I still misplace things.

“There is a part of me that I recognise – that I can sit down and write something on a piece of paper, which is very rare that that happens with me.”

Scarlett revealed last year that she didn’t take her GCSE’s as she opened up while everybody else was receiving their results.

In a short video posted to her TikTok account, the young stunner posed in front of a camera, showing a close up of her immaculate makeup.

Over the top of the clip set to music, Scarlett put some simple lines of POV text, reading: “Watching everyone get their GCSE results today wondering if I could’ve had good results but I will forever wonder.”

Despite not taking her exams, Scarlett’s career seems to be going from strength to strength.

As well as starring on Waterloo Road, she signed a music record deal this year with Big Family Music and is gearing up to release her own tracks.

Scarlett has amassed over 360,000 followers on TikTok and regularly shares singing videos as well as life updates with her fans.

SHE may have been married for over two decades, but Mel Giedroyc says she had quite the wild single life before settling down.

And she even had a drunken snog with telly colleague Dermot O’Leary, the presenter, 58, has hilariously recalled.

Mel admits she and 53-year-old Dermot – who is now married to producer Dee Koppang – used to have a ‘flirty relationship’.

“Dermot O’Leary and I once had a little snogette,” she divulged to woman&home during an interview for their upcoming October issue.

The comedian continued: “He was our warm-up guy on Light Lunch back in 1997. It was a live show and he basically used to charm the audience.

“We used to flirt quite a bit, then there was a very drunken
end-of-series party.

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“Nothing untoward happened – it was just snoggery. God bless him, Dermot’s a bit younger than me, so that pair of sliding doors was never going to open!”

Mel continued that she had a ‘really fun’ reunion with Dermot last summer when the whole Light Lunch cast came back together – almost three decades after the Channel 4 show ended.

While he’s a household name now, Dermot began as a TV runner and researcher on shows like Channel 4’s Light Lunch before appearing on Big Brother‘s Little Brother, and eventually catching his big break with The X Factor.

Mel, on the other hand, rose to fame with her comedy partner Sue – with the pair going on to host several shows as a duo.

The comedian and presenter is married to Ben Morris, a television director and teacher at the world-leading drama school LAMDA.

They tied the knot in 2002 after meeting at a dinner party two years prior.

Mel’s interview comes as she is promoting her new fiction Novel, The Comeback.

The October issue of woman&home is on sale 27th August 2026, while Mel’s book, The Comeback, is out this week.

Love Is Blind UK is back on Netflix with eight fresh episodes for fans to binge watch

Love Is Blind UK star Jack Bradshaw has spoken out about disappearing from the show without warning his fiancée.

The hit Netflix experiment is back for its third season with a fresh batch of singles hoping to find love in the famous pods. As always, the contestants go on a string dates without ever laying eyes on each other.

Once they are ready to commit to one person, they leave the pods and get engaged. From there comes a series of relationship milestones including moving in together and meeting each other’s families.

Chef Jack, 30, proposed to Faye Domaille after sparking a strong connection in the pods. But the couple hit an unexpected hurdle when Jack “vanished” from their shared apartment the morning after Faye’s 29th birthday party.

Faye soon realised that Jack’s phone location had been turned off, leaving her concerned about his whereabouts. “He’s literally vanished,” Faye said.

Jack has now explained his actions, admitting he went on a walk because he was “panicking” about formally meeting Faye’s parents later that day.

He told Tudum: “I started panicking and stressing about meeting Faye’s parents properly and being back on camera again. It felt like the walls were closing in on me. I needed to get out, disconnect, and just have some time by myself. “

The Cornwall-based star was also overwhelmed by living in the heart of Canary Wharf and needed a moment to breathe, so he turned his phone off and headed out.

“In Canary Wharf, I’m in this glass box, 43 stories up in the air,” he said.

“Can’t relax there. Go out to get fresh air and there are skyscrapers everywhere. There are cars, police cars, people. I’m walking along just stressing myself out.”

Although it felt like the right move at the time, Jack claims he felt “overwhelming guilt” when he finally turned his phone on and saw a several messages from his partner.

He said: “Faye is worried sick, and I get this overwhelming feeling of guilt about how I let her down. I wasn’t used to having somebody there who cares that much about me.”

Jack confessed: “Just seeing how one selfish decision in your mind can affect somebody…. And that’s the only way I can describe it. It was selfish. I was looking after number one.”

The first eight episodes of Love Is Blind season three are now streaming on Netflix, with the final three instalments set to air next Wednesday, August 26.

Love Is Blind: UK Season 3 is streaming on Netflix

A dispute between a producer and Netflix over a missing copy of a World War II spy drama starring Nicolas Cage has now reached the Los Angeles Police Department.

A law firm representing producer Simon Afram filed a report with the Hollywood Community Police Station, accusing Netflix of losing a drive with a copy of his WWII film, “Fortitude,” last month and not providing information on the streamer’s investigation into the issue.

“This report is being made on an emergency basis, as there is reason to believe that Netflix, Inc. and its employees are suppressing and/or spoliating evidence of the theft of an asset with a cost of $45 million to create and a likely sale value of over twice that amount,” according to Afram’s report, which was viewed by The Times. The report, filed July 15, asks for law enforcement to investigate the movie’s theft and “identify all responsible parties, preserve all relevant evidence, and press charges against the responsible parties.”

An LAPD spokesman confirmed it is investigating the report.

Netflix declined to comment on Afram’s report to police.

Afram and his production company sued Netflix last month for at least $105 million in economic damages for the missing drive that contained “Fortitude,” a movie starring Cage and Ben Kingsley. The film, described as “Ocean’s Eleven” meets “Inglourious Basterds,” is based on Operation Fortitude, an effort during World War II in which double agents set a trap for Adolf Hitler and his armies.

On June 15, Daniel Haido, an associate producer of “Fortitude,” dropped off an unencrypted copy of the movie for Netflix to view, according to the lawsuit. On June 25, Netflix informed Haido the drive had been stolen, the lawsuit said.

“Unfortunately, someone stole a good amount of drives from our office desks this past week,” Sean Berney, a director for original film at Netflix, wrote in a June 25 email, according to the lawsuit. “We’ve been working through this with our security teams to no luck.”

Berney in his email offered to reimburse Afram’s company for the missing drive or create a new digital cinema package, but Afram said the damage was much greater than that, according to the lawsuit.

“It is not fathomable that a sophisticated buyer would invest tens of millions of dollars to acquire the Film — and tens of millions more to market it — while facing the constant risk that it could appear online to be viewed widely for free at any time,” Afram’s lawsuit said.

Netflix said in a statement last month that it is conducting an investigation and is offering to monitor piracy sites for any unauthorized distribution or sale of the film.

“Netflix disputes any claim that it bears the risk of loss for a film delivered without the proper industry-standard safeguards,” the company said in a statement last month. “While we do not own the rights to ‘Fortitude,’ we take content security seriously and have taken extra measures to support the filmmaker and his team.”

The streamer said it has not shared information on its investigation with Afram’s law firm, accusing the firm of “hostile attempts to extort money from Netflix over this situation — including immediately demanding $165 million for the film rather than work with us in good faith.”

Earlier this month, Afram added a defamation claim to his lawsuit against Netflix.

“Netflix’s statement that Mr. Afram and his attorneys attempted to extort money from Netflix is entirely false, as are the purported facts on which Netflix based this false statement,” according to his amended lawsuit.

Staff writer Richard Winton contributed to this report.

“Wonder Man” star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has addressed the recent discussions regarding Marvel’s track record on projects led by Black actors after the abrupt cancellation of his show.

“I think the optics are obvious,” the Emmy award-winning actor told Vanity Fair in an interview published Thursday. “If I’m a big business, if I’m Disney, if I’m Marvel, I don’t want to be attached to these optics. So it should be a priority to change that narrative and to do what it takes to responsibly change that narrative with quality stories, with quality resources.”

In “Wonder Man,” Abdul-Mateen portrayed Simon Williams, a struggling actor with superpowers that he had to keep secret so he could work in Hollywood. The grounded series — more a love letter to Hollywood than superhero spectacle — was well-received by critics and fans. But just weeks after Abdul-Mateen was nominated for an Emmy for his work on the show, “Wonder Man” was canceled despite the announcement that the series had been picked up for a second season back in March.

Abdul-Mateen was told that the decision “had something to do with the viewership numbers.”

“I wasn’t told what those numbers were, but ultimately, for whatever reason it was, I think they decided that it didn’t make sense for business, and that’s the decision that we live with and we keep on marching forward,” the actor said to Vanity Fair.

Marvel’s abrupt reversal on “Wonder Man” invited scrutiny from fans who had also noted how “Blade” had been stuck in development for years. The film, which had been announced in 2019, was set to star Mahershala Ali as the titular human-vampire hybrid.

“If they wanted to do it, we would’ve done it,” Ali said to GQ in a recent interview, confirming he had “moved on” from the project. (Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said during a recent podcast appearance that he felt like “a gigantic loser and failure” for not getting “Blade” made.)

Fans have also pointed to other Black characters whose storylines have been sidelined or left unresolved over the years, such as Ironheart and Monica Rambeau.

There is one Black-led project for which Marvel has ambitions plans, though.

Marvel recently stoked excitement for the “Black Panther” franchise at San Diego Comic-Con with the announcement that David Jonsson has been cast as T’Challa’s son and the new King of Wakanda. “Black Panther 3,” from filmmaker Ryan Cooger, will be released on Dec. 15, 2028.

Despite his disappointment, Abdul-Mateen said in his Vanity Fair interview that he understands “business and life move on.” But he also believes there are things Marvel and the industry can learn from “Wonder Man.”

“I felt that our show did have quality story, did have quality resources, did have quality actors and people, and did produce quality results that the viewers responded to positively, that the [Emmy] voters responded to positively,” he said. “So our show does deserve some study and some real, hard information about why a show like this did not continue forward, because it had all of the ingredients that one would want in a show.”

A TOWIE legend, 62, left fans stunned after she stripped down to a bikini on holiday in Italy.

She looked beautiful in a black and beige striped two-piece as she posed for snaps on a sandy white beach.

The TV star styled her bikini with a pair of black aviator sunglasses and had her white-blonde hair tousled around her shoulders.

The icon in question is, of course, Debbie Bright, who made her debut on series two of The Only Way Is Essex back in 2011.

Debbie is a mum-of-four, and is best known for being mum to 35-year-old Lydia Bright, who left TOWIE in 2017.

Debbie is currently away on holiday, soaking up the sun as she admitted her body was “craving rest” and “recharge”

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Taking to Instagram, she shared a trio of snaps of her enjoying some time with the “sand between her toes.”

She captioned the post: “I think my mind and body have an Italian timer. As we reach the final weeks of school runs, endless reports, housework, cooking and all the everyday chaos, I can feel something inside me beginning to shut down.

“My body is craving rest. My mind is begging me to unplug, recharge and simply breathe. And all I want is sunshine on my face, sand between my toes and the sea surrounding my body.”

Debbie continued: “If I believed in reincarnation, I’m quite sure I was a mermaid in a previous life… or perhaps a dolphin, swimming freely through open waters.

“There is something about the sea that makes me feel completely and utterly myself.

“Since the day I was born, summers have been spent in Italy, near the little village where my beloved Dad was born. It is more than a place to me. It is sanctuary. It is freedom. It is home.

“It is where I feel deeply connected to my Dad, to my roots, and to a part of myself that gets lost amongst the noise of everyday life.”

“And perhaps the greatest gift of all these years of sharing this place, this feeling and this freedom with my children is watching them fall in love with it too,” she added.

“My greatest dream is that they carry this love in their hearts forever. That they always remember the feeling of these summers, the sea, the sunshine, the laughter, the family and the freedom. Because roots run deep.

“And I hope ours never die.”

Kate Ferdinand penned in the comments: “You look incredible,” followed by a red love heart emoji.

One fan wrote: “Wow, how hot is she?” Another fan said: “You look fabulous, beauty inside and out.”

“Absolutely stunning,” added a third fan.

ORE Oduba has been served a fresh blow as he was forced to slash the ticket prices for his new show with Joanne Clifton.

Broadcaster Ore – who has been open about his financial troubles over recent months – met pro dancer Joanne back in 2016 after they were paired together on series 14 of Strictly Come Dancing.

They have remained good pals over the years and recently decided to go on tour.

The Joanne and Ore – Champions Reignited tour will see the pair sing, dance and tell stories.

But, it seems fans aren’t too keen as they’ve been left with no choice but to flog remaining tickets for 75% less than the original price.

Ore, 40, and Joanne’s tour was spotted on discount website Show Film First, which is used to sell-off tickets at a cheaper price.

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Event organisers and theatre producers strive to have all seats to be filled for shows, so when venues aren’t selling-out they often allocate unsold tickets to seat-filling agencies like Show Film First.

Tickets to their show have been slashed from £59 to just £15.

Before discounts, the lowest-priced tickets at their original price were £25 for students with a valid ID.

The advert on the site flogging tickets to Ore and Joanne’s upcoming show on Sunday has, at the time of writing been taken down.

They are set to take to the stage in Newcastle at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House.

On the venue’s website, fans can still get 2-for-1 tickets to the performance, which is just hours away.

This isn’t the first blow Strictly star Ore has suffered over the past few years as he announced he and Portia, 36, had ended their nine year marriage in October 2024.

Following their sad split Ore and Portia the put their family home on the market, which left their kids devastated.

The pair share a son, Roman, eight and four-year-old daughter Genie together.

Portia said on social media: “I told the children that we are selling the house.

“It’s hard, especially for Roman, to have these conversations. He’s really upset.”

Last November, Ore opened up on his porn addiction battle while speaking on the We Need to Talk podcast with Paul C Brunson.

He candidly said: “I was nine when I was introduced to pornography. That’s when my addiction started.”

Ore added: “While I wouldn’t say the addiction set in immediately, the intrigue started immediately and it didn’t take long for that intrigue to start running my mind over.

“It was the thing that was destroying my life from the inside out.

“But it was a thing I was running to from an early age as a response to the trauma.”

“Shame kept me silent for 30 years. It took me 30 years, two deaths, and a divorce to finally go: here’s what’s happening,” said Ore.

“The reason I felt like I needed to speak out on this, is because I wanted to guide my own children when it comes to it, when it comes to them seeing stuff that is going to be there.

“They’re going to come across it.”

Ore also admitted that he’d been struggling financially and his son was forced to leave his private school mid-term as a result.

The London-based TV and radio anchor shot to fame after fronting coverage for BBC Breakfast, Radio 5 Live, and major events like the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2016 Rio Olympics.

DAMON ALBARN has found the woman to drag him off his very own melancholy hill.

The Blur frontman’s 25-year relationship with Suzi Winstanley ended four years ago, but now I’m told he has been secretly dating long-time Gorillaz collaborator Rebecca Freckleton for almost a year.

And now, things have got more serious, as pals say the couple are shacked up in his London pad.

My exclusive photos show that Damon and Rebecca are absolutely smitten, and I’m told they’ve been inseparable for months.

I first heard whispers about their relationship late last year, with friends telling me Rebecca and Damon’s friendship was moving to the next level.

Over the past few months, the pair have been seen together in public on a handful of occasions.

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“Damon and Rebecca are in love and their friends couldn’t be happier for them,” one insider told me.

“After his split from Suzi in 2022, Damon took some time to find himself again. It was a few years later he started to grow closer to Rebecca.

“They’ve been seeing each other for almost a year now.

“He’s got a place in London and she’s there all the time with him.

“She’s been seen out walking his dog, too. They make a lovely couple and it’s been great to see Damon so happy again.”

I first revealed Damon and Suzi, the mother of his daughter, Missy, had split three years ago.

The pair ended their relationship in 2022, with friends revealing the news early the following year.

Damon, who wrote On Melancholy Hill for Gorillaz album Plastic Beach in 2010, poured his heartbreak into Blur’s comeback album, The Ballad Of Darren, which came out in 2023 and went straight to No1.

And he had the same success with Gorillaz’s latest record, The Mountain, which hit the top spot in the album chart back in March.

Rebecca was on board for that project and sang backing vocals on their track, The Empty Dream.

Damon certainly won’t have any of those with Rebecca by his side.

Ayda now inactive

WHEN one door closes, another opens – and that’s exactly what’s happened to Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field.

After he launched new clothing line Hopeium last week, hers, Ayda Activewear, was put on ice.

Former Loose Women panellist Ayda debuted her range of cool athleisure clobber back in 2022 and it was initially a big success – but things became more tricky.

A source said: “The market is fiercely competitive and while Ayda Activewear did take off, business has been tough recently.

“The way the markets are, it’s becoming increasingly difficult for brands like this to operate.

“Naturally she hopes one day she could open it back up, but only time will tell.”

Shoppers visiting Ayda’s website are now greeted with a message blaming “sizeable tariffs and overall economic uncertainty” for a “pause” in trading.

In a personal note, she wrote: “I envisioned clothes that were ready to reflect and tackle the chaos of my life and make me feel f***ing fantastic while doing it. Thanks to you all, I got to do just that.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure and I thank you so much for the enduring support. For now we’re hitting the pause button but don’t worry – we’re still stretching and dreaming . . .  and wearing leggings every damn day.”

Amen to that, Ayda.

SAM SMITH says they have never been as proud of an album as new record, Hazel Eyes.

The LP came out yesterday and is reminiscent of their 2014 debut, In The Lonely Hour. It is all about falling in love with fashion designer Christian Cowan.

Sam, who confirmed their engagement last month, said: “I don’t think I’ve ever been as proud of myself or an album.

“This album will always mark one of the most magical, confronting, happiest and challenging times of my life as a person and an artist.”

Sam will play two nights at Manchester’s Albert Hall on September 3 and 4 before kicking off an eight-night residency at the London Coliseum on September 8.

NETFLIX has snapped up the rights to a documentary all about US singer and actress Jessica Simpson.

The project will be headed up by Joe Pearlman, who directed Robbie Williams’ 2023 series on the platform.

Jessica found fame as a pop star in the early noughties alongside Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, with hits like I Wanna Love You Forever, With You, and a cover of These Boots Are Made For Walkin’.

She’s since sold 20 million records and had a high profile marriage, and divorce, to American singer-songwriter Nick Lachey.

CELEBRITY Big Brother star Danny Beard may wear wigs in his drag shows, but he wants everyone to know the importance of hair care.

The performer is the new face of the Method haircare brand – creating a full dance video to show off his not-so-natural locks.

Apparently, 71 per cent of us say freshly washed hair has a positive effect on our mood.

To be fair to Danny, I also perform a full choreographed dance routine in the shower.

Pixie: I’ll do Marilyn proud

PIXIE LOTT arrived in style for the press night of her new West End show, Who Killed Marilyn?, in a white Cadillac.

She wore a slinky pink, white and gold dress for the event at London’s Emerald Theatre and told how she hopes to show the real person behind Marilyn’s Hollywood alter-ego.

Pixie, who posed for pics with husband Oliver Cheshire, said of the play: “Marilyn was the character she created, but this is more from her Norma Jeane side. It’s her telling her own story, right from the beginning, right up until the end.

“ I was always aware of obviously the very glamorous Hollywood icon side and maybe more of her vulnerable side and fragile side, but not this strength and the intelligence – that side of her that hasn’t really been spoken about.”

Shaggy’s 007 heaven

SHAGGY lived up to his name when he got hitched at the GoldenEye resort in Jamaica – where Ian Fleming wrote James Bond – by intimating he got frisky on the author’s desk.

The It Wasn’t Me singer, who married wife Rebecca in 2014, admitted: “It’s a magical desk. I did a different kind of magic on the desk – but we’re not going to talk about that.”

On Alan Carr’s travel podcast Life’s A Beach, Shaggy also said one of the best things about being a celeb is never complaining.

“I just have someone complain for me,” he said. “I’m famous. I can do that.”

Some claim new MJ biopic is a cover-up

MICHAEL JACKSON’s biopic sequel will explore the sexual abuse allegations made against the late King of Pop, but won’t tell it from the victims’ side.

The Smooth Criminal singer’s nephew Jafaar Jackson, played him in the first film, Michael, which came out this year and made more than $1billion at the box office.

He has said the follow-up will be from MJ’s point of view. But that has already ruffled feathers among people who believe it will skate over the serious allegations.

Jafaar told GQ Middle East: “The second film will give more insight from his point of view, because [the allegations] are always from someone else’s.

“It’s someone else’s story . . .  and it’s mainly driven by an agenda. That’s the issue we have as a family – not having Michael’s voice heard. That is very important.”

There are high hopes for the sequel, after the first movie became the highest-grossing biopic and has sent Jacko’s greatest hits album back up the charts.

TELLY star Myleene Klass looked sensational in a sheer dress as she was joined at The Dog Stars premiere on Thursday night by her two lookalike daughters.

The stunning Hear’Say star was spotted posing with her girls – Ava, 19, and 15-year-old Hero.

Myleene opted for a sleeveless white dress that flashed her legs and bum.

Meanwhile, her daughters went for polar opposite vibes with Hero donning a full length black gown and Ava in a backless cream number.

They cuddled up to their famous mum on the carpet last night and were seen smiling for the cameras.

Myleene shares the girls with her ex-husband Graham Quinn, whom she split from back in 2012.

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The 48-year-old later went on to have son Apollo, three, with her now fiancée Simon Motson.

Myleene met Simon in 2015 after being set up on a blind date by her pal.

They got engaged six years ago but are still yet to tie the knot.

Her daughter Ava is currently studying at University after winning a place at the Royal Academy of Music.

Myleene previously said: “She [Ava] has done the piano for eight hours a day, she went to the Royal Academy of Music, she had to audition, they didn’t just say ‘Myleene Klass‘s daughter is showing up, give her a place’, she had to audition, and that’s the point.

“You could call my children nepo babies all day long but they can play Rachmaninoff concertos like the best of them.”

Myleene confessed last year that both her daughter have weekend jobs as she was keen to instill in them the importance of earning their own money.

The former Hear’Say singer added that she knows her kids are now equipped with the necessary skills to make their own way as adults.

The Killing Eve star, who is just 33, follows the likes of David Suchet, Albert Finney and Peter Ustinov

Here’s the first glimpse of Edward Bluemel as one of the world’s most famous detectives, Hercule Poirot. And – as tradition dictates – he still has the character’s tradement moustache.

The actor, best known for his roles in Killing Eve and A Discovery of Witches, is the youngest to take on the role created by Agatha Christie back in 1916. The 33-year old will take the lead in the BBC’s upcoming adaptations, called simply Hercule, having previously appeared in the Netflix version of Christie’s The Seven Dials.

The BBC has struck a three-series deal with the the author’s estate for an “ambitious reimagining”, to be set in the 1920s. Made by Poldark production company Mammoth Screen, the first six-part run is due to air next year and will tell the origin story of the famous sleuth, as he first arrives in the UK from Belgium.

Providng an “epic portrait” of Britain between the wars, it puts three of Christie’s most celebrated stories under the spotlight, including her first Poirot tale The Mysterious Affair at Styles. The series also charts Poirot’s burgeoning friendship with Captain Arthur Hastings and his early encounters with Scotland Yard’s James Japp.

Edward, who has also appeared in We Might Regret This and My Lady Jane, said he was thrilled to have landed the plum role. “I feel very lucky to have been trusted with such an iconic character who has been played by so many great actors. I can’t wait to continue Hercule’s legacy.”

BBC drama boss Lindsay Salt said the team had been blown away by Bluemel’s “charm, dynamism and wit”. “From the first moments of Edward’s audition we knew we’d found the perfect actor for Hercule, with a performance that feels both fresh and exciting,” she said. “Hercule Poirot is one of the greatest and most loved characters of all time, and bringing him back to the BBC is a real privilege.”

Albert Finney was previously the youngest actor to have taken on the role of Poirot, having landed the role for the 1974 film adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express when he was just 37 years old. But make-up artists spent many hours at the start of each day on set adding a fake nose and cosmetics to make him look like a man in his fifties – while he slept.

David Suchet look on the role at the age of 42 and played him on and off, for ITV, until he was 67. Kenneth Brannagh has played Poirot three times, his first came when he was 55, and Peter Ustinov kicked off his stint in 1978 at the age of 57.

James Nesbitt has also been announced for his first TV costume drama role in the first series. Other cast announced alongside the Cold Feet star include Friday Night Dinner’s Tamsin Greig, Oppenheimer’s James D’Arcy, Game of Thrones’ Jack Gleeson, Smoggie Queens’ Phil Dunning and Juice’s Mawaan Rizwan.

James Prichard, executive producer for Agatha Christie Limited and the author’s grandson said that Edward had been selected with great care. “My father had the privilege of working with David Suchet for nearly 25 years, and I now have the good fortune of being able to share my great grandmother’s brilliant stories with a new generation of viewers,” he explained.

“Edward Bluemel is an extremely talented performer and will make a great addition to the long line of actors that have played this celebrated character, aided and abetted by Benji Walters’ thoughtful scripts. I cannot wait to see Edward on screen as Hercule Poirot.”

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

Mel Brooks has been watching movies for about as long as anyone alive. The comedy icon, who turned 100 in June, was born in the silent era and grew up in Brooklyn devouring double bills at his neighborhood theater in the 1930s. That movie-mad kid would go on to become one of the giants of filmmaking, directing classics like “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein” and giving us a song-and-dance Frankenstein’s monster, cowboys farting around a campfire and the mystical power of the Schwartz.

So when the American Cinematheque recently invited Brooks to program a series of his favorite films — something he had never done before — there was no telling where his tastes might lead.

Beginning Sept. 3, the Cinematheque will bring Brooks’ 20 selections to the big screen in “Programmed by Mel Brooks: 100 Years at the Movies,” running through Nov. 12 at the Aero, Egyptian and Los Feliz 3 theaters. The lineup spans nearly nine decades of Brooks’ own lifetime: The oldest film he chose was released when he was 4; the newest came out when he was 93.

What made the cut? Some choices make perfect sense for Brooks: comedy classics like Charlie Chaplin’s “City Lights” (1931) and the Marx Brothers’ “A Night at the Opera” (1935). Others are more surprising, from Kevin Costner communing with the Sioux in “Dances With Wolves” (1990) to Eddie Murphy resurrecting a blaxploitation legend in “Dolemite Is My Name” (2019). The list is overwhelmingly American with just one foreign-language film, Federico Fellini’s bittersweet 1953 comedy “I Vitelloni.”

For Brooks, the exercise offered a chance to reconnect with what drew him to movies in the first place.

“It was wonderful compiling a list of all these marvelous movies for American Cinematheque,” Brooks said in a statement to The Times. “It reminded me about why I first fell in love with the art of film.”

Earlier this year, with Brooks’ centennial approaching, the Cinematheque began thinking about how to mark the milestone. The organization has screened his films regularly for decades and Brooks has appeared at its theaters a dozen or so times to discuss his work and collaborators. Simply putting “Blazing Saddles” and “Young Frankenstein” back on the marquee wasn’t going to cut it.

“The question was: How do we do something different and interesting?” says Chris LeMaire, the Cinematheque’s director of programming, in a phone interview. “Then it became: What if we reached out to Mel and asked if he wanted to put his programmer hat on and take over our calendar and see what he would come up with?”

The Cinematheque already invites filmmakers and other guests to choose individual films for its weekly Sunday Print Edition series, but handing someone an entire series to program was another matter.

“We didn’t even say how many films it could be,” LeMaire recalls. “We kind of said, ‘How many do you want to show?’ ”

Brooks conveyed his selections through his assistant, who would speak with him by phone and relay the titles to the Cinematheque by email. Rather than arriving all at once, the list grew over several days as Brooks kept thinking of movies he wanted to add.

“It was really neat to see it unfold because he sent an initial list and we were like, ‘Wow, this is great,’ ” LeMaire says. “Then a few hours later, he thought, ‘Well, we can’t forget John Ford. We’ve got to throw in ‘The Grapes of Wrath.’ Fast-forward a few more of these cycles where he was thinking about it and that’s how it got up to 20.”

Brooks is letting the selections speak for themselves, offering up the movies he loved without feeling the need to make a case for them.

“He didn’t provide much explanation, didn’t say why he was picking all these films,” LeMaire says. “I think that’s really beautiful in that sense.”

To LeMaire, the breadth of the list reflects both Brooks’ long view of movie history and the eclecticism of his own work.

“He was born before the sound era, so you get the sense that he’s put this list together based on actual experience, watching firsthand as cinema evolved over the decades,” LeMaire says. “There’s such a mix of genres on this list, and that mirrors how his films work — the love of cinema history and the lovingly satirizing ways of dealing with genre.”

Some connections to Brooks’ own career are particularly direct. He produced David Lynch’s 1980 drama “The Elephant Man,” while Alfred Hitchcock’s 1960 horror classic “Psycho” inevitably calls to mind Brooks’ 1977 Hitchcock spoof “High Anxiety.” Brooks also included one of his own films, “The Twelve Chairs,” his 1970 comedy based on the Russian novel.

Hardly one of his best-known films, “The Twelve Chairs” has proved one of the trickier titles for the Cinematheque to screen. LeMaire says it and Paul Mazursky’s 1986 comedy “Down and Out in Beverly Hills,” another Brooks selection, lack readily available digital restorations, making suitable screening materials harder to track down.

Brooks left the screening order up to the Cinematheque. LeMaire chose “City Lights” to kick off the series. “When Mel Brooks says he wants to show a Charlie Chaplin film, it just seemed like: Well, that’s the way we’ve got to open,” LeMaire says.

Brooks is not currently expected to appear at any of the screenings. Could he nevertheless turn up as a surprise? LeMaire isn’t making any promises.

“I wouldn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up,” he says. “I’ll be there with everybody else, wishing and hoping.”

Asked to name his own favorite Brooks film, LeMaire doesn’t hesitate: “Young Frankenstein.”

“I might have seen that more than any other film ever, honestly,” he says. “So it really is such a dream come true that he responded with enthusiasm and put this together for us. It’s a dream come true for me personally.”

Here is the complete lineup for “Programmed by Mel Brooks: 100 Years at the Movies”:

Sept. 3 — “City Lights” (1931), Aero Theatre
Sept. 4 — “When Harry Met Sally…” (1989), Aero Theatre
Sept. 5 — “I Vitelloni” (1953), Aero Theatre
Sept. 6 — “The Grapes of Wrath” (1940), Aero Theatre
Sept. 9 — “The Elephant Man” (1980), Aero Theatre
Sept. 19 — “This Is Spinal Tap” (1984), Los Feliz 3
Sept. 20 — “Shane” (1953), Los Feliz 3
Sept. 23 — “The Miracle Worker” (1962), Los Feliz 3
Oct. 6 — “Down and Out in Beverly Hills” (1986), Los Feliz 3
Oct. 10 — “Top Hat” (1935), Aero Theatre
Oct. 11 — “Dances With Wolves” (1990), Egyptian Theatre
Oct. 16 — “Jojo Rabbit” (2019), Los Feliz 3
Oct. 17 — “Double Indemnity” (1944), Egyptian Theatre
Oct. 18 — “Schindler’s List” (1993), Egyptian Theatre
Oct. 20 — “A Night at the Opera” (1935), Los Feliz 3
Oct. 22 — “Dolemite Is My Name” (2019), Los Feliz 3
Oct. 24 — “Broadway Melody of 1940” (1940), Los Feliz 3
Oct. 25 — “Ed Wood” (1994), Egyptian Theatre
Oct. 31 — “Psycho” (1960), Egyptian Theatre
Nov. 12 — “The Twelve Chairs” (1970), Egyptian Theatre

They were two killings that rocked the rap world.

In 1996, Tupac Shakur was gunned down off the Las Vegas Strip. Then, less than a year later, Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls or the Notorious B.I.G., was killed in a drive-by shooting in front of the Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire Boulevard.

The two killings have long been tied together in popular culture.

Now, a detective says the investigation into Wallace’s death helped lead police to the suspect on trial in Las Vegas in Shakur’s slaying.

Duane “Keffe D” Davis, a onetime Compton gang member, is accused of orchestrating the Sept. 7, 1996, killing of Shakur. Prosecutors say the killing was rooted in a war between Southside Crips-Burris Street, led by Davis, and Mob Piru, a gang long associated with Death Row Records. Shakur was closely affiliated with the record company.

Authorities say Davis was in the car with his nephew, who grabbed the murder weapon and fired the fatal bullet.

On Wednesday, former LAPD Homicide Det. Daryn Dupree said Davis set out his role in Shakur’s killing in detail in 2008 to a joint LAPD federal task force that was formed to investigate Wallace’s murder.

To force Davis’ cooperation, Dupree said investigators gathered evidence that Davis, now 63, had sold a large quantity of PCP through his home, exposing him to a potential life sentence and leaving his family open to charges.

The task force questioned Davis about a car he owned that was similar to the one used in Wallace’s L.A. killing. Davis was given a proffer agreement, according to Dupree, meaning he agreed to provide information in exchange for possible benefit.

Davis said he knew about the Smalls shooting and then indicated, “we did the other one,” Dupree testified. That statement, he said, shifted investigators’ focus to the Shakur killing.

“We were talking about Christopher Wallace,” Dupree said. “We didn’t ask him any questions about Tupac. He offered that on his own.”

In a second interview, Dupree testified Davis stated that his nephew Orlando Anderson had been jumped, spurring Davis and cohorts on a hunt for revenge against Shakur.

The attack on Anderson occurred at a Mike Tyson fight earlier on the night of Sept. 7 in Las Vegas, according to Clark County prosecutors. Earlier in the trial, video was shown of Shakur’s entourage attacking Anderson, allegedly in retaliation over a chain that Anderson had previously stolen.

“They went looking for Tupac, Suge and anybody who was involved basically in the beatdown of Mr. Anderson,” Dupree said. Death Row Records boss Marion “Suge” Knight was in the car with Shakur the night he was killed.

When they found Shakur, the former detective testified, Davis “had the gun at first, but they came up on the passenger side,” where Knight was seated, “so he could not shoot across the driver. So he handed a gun to Dre in the back seat.” Deandre “Big Dre” Smith was among those in the white Cadillac in addition to Davis and Anderson.

“Davis said Deandre Smith was afraid to shoot,” Dupree testified, so “Anderson grabbed the gun and shot across Mr. Smith into Mr. Knight’s car.”

Davis told the task force they used a .40-caliber handgun, according to testimony.

Prosecutors said they would begin playing all five hours of the interviews to jurors on Thursday.

Dupree said Davis was signed up as a confidential informant in March 2009. He said Las Vegas police were not aware of the secret conversations at the time.

Dupree testified that Davis told investigators that former rapper and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs had been involved in targeting Shakur and Knight through East Coast drug dealer Eric “Von Zip” Martin.

He testified that Davis pledged to rekindle his relationship with Martin to gather evidence. But Martin had cancer, and that was not possible, Dupree said. Martin died in 2012.

Combs was never connected to the Shakur case and has denied ever being involved. Others have questioned Davis’ credibility on this and other points.

The Times in 2008 published a story suggesting a Combs link to Shakur’s killing. But it later retracted the story, saying it was based on documents that appeared to have been forged.

Prosecutors in Davis’ trial say the motive was straight revenge for the beating of Anderson, and that Martin allegedly gave Davis a gun. But they have made no allegations against Combs, who has long denied any role or connection to Shakur’s killing.

Michael Sanft, Davis’ defense attorney, told jurors in opening statements there would be no evidence linking his client to the shooting. Sanft noted that previous investigations did not take his client’s statements seriously because they were not credible. The defense attorney, in an unusual move, repeatedly undermined his own client’s credibility, saying Davis’ memoir, “Compton Street Legend,” where he talks about the Shakur killing, was a work of fiction for money and his client wasn’t in Las Vegas.

Under cross-examination, Dupree said Davis faced a life sentence in the PCP case and that his wife and family were in jeopardy because of it, so he needed to help authorities.

He said that LAPD Det. Greg Kading, the task force leader, left the department after investigating the Shakur and Smalls cases and published a book in 2011 that revealed Davis’ interview.

Dupree said the task force was trying to determine if money was really offered to kill Shakur. He said they were trying to build a racketeering case. “This is trying to solidify that Death Row Records was built on narcotics and Bad Boy Records.”

Dupree said he personally did not doubt Davis when he talked about Anderson killing Shakur.

“I knew he loved his nephew.”

For all the notoriety of the rapper killings, neither has yet led to convictions.

Wallace was leaving a music industry party at the Petersen Automotive Museum on March 9, 1997, sitting in the front passenger seat of a Chevrolet Suburban, when his killer pulled up alongside in a dark Chevy Impala.

As the SUV idled at a stoplight, the gunman opened fire, hitting the 24-year-old four times. He was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 1 a.m.

From the beginning, police said they struggled to get leads and cooperation.

As The Times reported back in 1997, “although more than 1,000 people were said to be at the party, police said they had few eyewitnesses and even fewer solid leads … Detectives said they are investigating whether Wallace’s death is linked to bicoastal tensions within the rap world, but had nothing solid to go on.”

Despite many theories and a long LAPD investigation, the case remains unsolved.

There have been numerous books, documentaries and civil litigation that make allegations, but police said they could never build a case.

In 2017, an LAPD detective told The Times: “The shooter is most likely dead. You cannot ask him who paid him.”

ABBEY Clancy and her husband Peter Crouch got boozy during a wine tasting and it was all caught on camera.

The TV personality admitted she was “trollied” and “absolutely p***ed” as she made a dirty joke.

The famous couple filmed a special episode of their The Therapy Crouch podcast and were joined by Abbey’s friend Liberty who instructed them on all things wine.

But as they were learning more about wine, Abbey admitted to feeling “trollied,” when Liberty informed her she was meant to spit out the wine they were tasting to prevent from getting drunk.

“This wine tasting has taken a turn,” Peter joked.

Then Liberty tried to educated them with a special trick on how to discern if a wine was good quality or not.

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She explained how the indent at the bottom of the bottle indicated quality, and the deeper the curve, the better the wine.

“The deeper the dip in the wine the more expensive,” Liberty explained and then tasked Abbey with feeling the indent of the bottle she was holding. 

Abbey then threw in her dirty quip: “Well the deeper the dip… so are you meant to thumb it in…?”

The joke left Peter and Abbey in hysterics and Liberty struggled to get them back on track to finish the wine tasting.

The couple’s popular podcast has become a place for them to share many secrets of their marriage, including when Abbey went through Peter’s phone.

She admitted earlier this month that she had sneaky peek at the ex-footballer’s messages behind his back, but didn’t like what she saw.

“I went through your phone,” to which an unimpressed Peter replied: “Which you shouldn’t do.”

Abbey tried to justify it, saying: “Everyone does that, every girl does that.”

Abbey went on: “But I find out things from you by doing that

“I found out you had this crush on Jet from the Gladiators, which I didn’t speak to him [Peter] for two days after and he was like ‘Abbey, she’s like 60’ and I was like ‘I don’t care, it made me physically ill’, I was so upset.”

Peter said: “But I’m allowed to fancy someone from 25 years ago…”

Abbey interjected: “I know, but still knowing my husband fancies someone else.”

Jet, real name Diane Youdale, was a main cast member on the original UK television series Gladiators from 1992 until 1996.

The show’s co-creator says it turned out to be one of his ‘great joys’ in life

The beloved show’s creator shared there are two main reasons behind the decisions.

Fans of Parks and Recreation are still discovering some behind the scenes secrets. This includes the reason behind some of the names used for both key characters on the show, as well as some who only appear briefly in an episode.

For those unaware, the series follows the parks department in the fictional Indiana town of Pawnee. They are lead by the overly enthusiastic Leslie Knope, who rallies her colleagues and friends to do the best for their community, including their attempts at creating a new park.

Co-created by former writers of The Office, Mikes Schur and Dan Goor it is described by some fans as one of the best comedy series ever made. Despite it being more than 10 years since it finished airing, its dedicated fan base are still learning secrets of the show.

Schur appeared on Amy Poehler’s podcast Good Hang where he revealed some of his own. At one point during their conversation, Amy notes that Schur enjoyed coming up with character and names. He even had a long list of alternate choices for her role of Leslie Knope.

Asked why he put so much thought into names of every character, he explained it was for two reasons. One was that he was heavily inspired by Monthy Python, who would often utilise silly names in their sketches.

He decided that the fictional town of Pawnee would also be a place that contains almost limitless people who happen to have ridiculous sounding names.

However, he also explained another meaningful reason. He said: “The actual thing that’s going on here is different. I would go to actors’ IMDb pages to see what they had been in when we were casting them in the early days of the show and you would see like woman number two or like man in crowd or guy with sandwich and it really bummed me out.

“Because I love actors. I love them so much. I think that they have the hardest job when it comes to making a show. It is so hard. Anyone who doesn’t believe this should try it, by the way. Try acting.”

Schur continued: “That person auditioned for this and booked this gig and drove all the way cross town and like put on fake clothes and put on makeup and whatever and had to stand in a certain place, follow a million instructions, say a line or two, and then they yelled cut and that person went home and they got paid like $600 for like a week’s worth of work.

“They should be something better than man number two or man and crowd. So I decided early in season one of Parks that every character who appeared on the show was going to have a first and last name. So instead of man in crowd, you’re like, ‘Oh, well that it doesn’t really count as an acting gig’. But if you see Marv Vavma, which is a name I gave a character once, you’re like, who the hell is Marv Vavma? What was Marvma up to?'”

The writer described the decision as one of ‘great joys’ in his life to give every actor a character name. He added that there is also a legal issue, with names used on the show needing to be cleared in case they used the name of a real person. As a result he would opt for the ‘weirdest names’ as there would be a chance that no one else has that name.

Some of Schur’s favourite names they created for the show include Mona-Lisa Saperstein, who was played by Jenny Slate and Trodd Frankensteip who was a reporter who only appeared briefly.

There was also a Tyrion Fonzarelli, which was a combination of Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones and Arthur ‘Fonzie’ Fonzarelli from Happy Days. Coincidentally, Henry Winkler, who played Fonzie, also starred in Parks as Dr. Lu Saperstein.

One fan discovering for the first time commented: “I never knew about this and I love it!” Another added: “These names are just incredible.”

Parks and Recreation is streaming on Paramount+, Channel 4 and U.

Eight episodes of season three are currently available to stream in full on Netflix now

A Love Is Blind UK star has hit out at her Netflix edit claiming she has been “portrayed as someone I’m not.”

The first eight episodes of season 3 have already been released giving fans plenty to binge watch this week.

After an unprecedented 14 engagements this time around, viewers follow just six of the couples as they jet off on holiday before moving in with one another to plan their wedding days.

For some, the process has been smooth sailing, but for others, they have struggled to spark up a connection. But as always, as well as budding romances, there has also been plenty of drama and love triangles for viewers to enjoy.

But one star has hit out at the Netflix edit, taking to her social media pages to speak directly to fans. Chevanique found herself in a triangle on the show as she had explored a connection with Joseph, who also had a strong connection with Francesca.

Ultimately, Joseph chose Francesca, but the three reunited later in the series and Chevanique wanted answers. The 29-year-old sexual health nurse from Birmingham was seen advocating for herself and why she should be chosen, before things turned heated when the three reunited.

Now, Chevanique has taken to social media to address how she came across. She said in a video: “Hi everyone, I don’t think I’ve ever spoken on my TikTok before so this is new for me, but I just wanted to come on here and address the elephant in the room and say hello.

“Yes, I was on Love Is Blind season three and it was a crazy journey, what can I say? It’s just crazy. Over the last few days things have definitely been a bit mad but I just wanted to come on here quickly to say thank you to everyone for all the love and support I’ve been receiving, all the positive messages and comments, you guys are diamonds.

“I thank you so much because you’ve made this transition so much easier for me.”

However, she went on to say: “I know your girl isn’t getting the best edit, damn. J***s, they’re making me out to be someone I’m not. But it’s okay like it’s all for entertainment purposes.”

The support has poured in for the star online as one person said in their own video: “Can we please give Chevanique her flowers?” as another commented: “This!! When I went to her page, I can’t believe the mean comments on her post. He was so unsure and she shot her shot. And then handled it so respectfully. She has beautiful confidence.”

Another replied: “Agree but also they edit to show certain bits to get the views in. We probably miss out a lot of what happen.”

Chevanique herself replied adding: “You’re a diamond thank you for not judging me and seeing it from a different perspective.”

Love Is Blind UK can be streamed on Netflix

Oscar winner Sir Anthony Hopkins has reflected on his mortality, his Welsh roots, his new Life Is A Dream album and his battle with alcoholism. in a ITV News special which airs today

Music is his first love but it’s taken Sir Anthony Hopkins 88 years to land a record deal.

The Welsh star tells ITV News Arts Editor Nina NannarIt his latest project is “is beyond his belief” in an exclusive interview in LA, the place he’s called home for five decades.

His album, Life is a Dream, is being released by Decca Classics, and it reflects where he is in his life right now – remembering his Welsh roots, his parents, the streets where he grew up, the cinema in Port Talbot where he discovered the movies.

Hopkins arrived for the interview accompanied by his wife, Stella Arroyave, and his niece, Tara, both of whom inspired tracks on the album. “Hello Nina,” he says. “You were born in Scunthorpe, weren’t you?.

It is later revealed that Scunthorpe means a lot to him because it was where his actress friend Joan Plowright, the wife of Laurence Olivier, was also born.

Although he appears a little physically frail, he is bright, funny, perky even and his memory of dates and his acting history going back to the early days in repertory theatre, is truly impressive.

Anthony started playing the piano at the age of four, on an instrument his mother got for him, but he had no technical training then. He just knew he loved it.

Even in the early 60s, when an actor at the Liverpool Playhouse, he would spend downtime in the Green Room backstage, playing the piano, and a couple of the tracks that started there have made it onto his new album.

Life Is A Dream has six decades of compositions, all brought together and performed by acclaimed conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Its origins lie in a gesture Hopkins never saw coming. Without telling her husband, his wife Stella sent one of his compositions, And The Waltz Goes On, to the Dutch violinist and conductor Andre Rieu.

He orchestrated it, and it too is on the album with 10 other compositions by the actor. Beginning a collaboration that ultimately helped bring Hopkins’ music to a wider audience.

For Hopkins, the album is also an act of remembrance. Born and raised in the Margam area of Port Talbot, South Wales, he describes a childhood shaped by modest beginnings as the son of a baker. At school, he struggled academically and recalls being labelled a “dunce” with little prospect of success.

Today, he rejects the idea that academic achievement alone defines a person’s potential. He credits a determination to prove doubters wrong, including his father, as a powerful motivation throughout his life and career.

Several tracks on the album, including Bracken Road and My Fatherland – all about the streets where he lived, pay tribute to the landscapes and communities that shaped him. Hopkins says he regularly uses Google Maps Street View to revisit the streets of Margam, retracing the roads of his childhood and reconnecting with memories of a young boy who often felt like an outsider.

Full interview can be seen on ITV News YouTube channel with an extended edit on ITV Evening News at 6:30pm on Friday, August 21

José Alberto Suárez, a Telemundo executive, died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday in Kenya.

The 55-year-old — who was president and general manager of Telemundo 31, Telemundo 49 and Telemundo Ft. Myers-Naples — was among the seven deceased following an aircraft incident at Mt. Ololokwe, that took place at about 9:13 AM.

The Kenyan Civil Aviation Authority shared on X that the group left Loisaba to travel to Ewasonyiro on a Eurocopter, EC130 B4, operated by the charter service company Lady Lori Helicopters. Guests on board were said to be part of a luxury safari tour by travel agency andBeyond.

In a statement by NBCU News Group Chairman Cesar Conde, NBCU Local Chairman Valari Staab and Telemundo Station Group President Jose Cancela, they shared that Suárez was a “deeply respected leader” and “beloved friend and colleague.”

“The suddenness and circumstances of José’s passing make this loss especially difficult to comprehend,” read a statement to The Times. “Our hearts are with his loved ones, and with all of José’s colleagues and friends across NBCUniversal who are grieving this terrible loss.”

Over the course of his 20-plus years with NBCU Local and NBCU News Group, Suárez led stations in San Antonio, Sacramento, Fresno, Salt Lake City and Las Vegas. Earlier in his career — inspired by Cuban American journalist Jose Diaz-Balart — he served in programming, digital and creative leadership for Telemundo Station Group, NBC6 and Telemundo 51 in Miami.

“José was an exceptional colleague and mentor to many. He cared deeply about his teams, the communities they served and the essential role our stations play in people’s lives,” continued the statement. “He brought energy, humor, warmth and a strong sense of purpose to his work, and his impact was felt far beyond the stations he led.”

Some of Suárez’s colleagues took to social media to pay homage to the storyteller, including Elizabeth Chavolla, a bilingual multiplatform producer for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 Los Angeles, who uploaded a picture of the two on Instagram.

“I will always remember your kindness, professionalism, sense of humor and words of encouragement,” said Chavolla in an Instagram post. “You always knew how to make people smile, lift their spirits and remind them that everything was going to be okay.”

Brian Lozano, a news anchor for Telemundo 33 in Sacramento, wrote “part of me is leaving with him,” in a heartfelt Instagram post.

“He had his own way of being there for others, helping, accompanying and of leaving a deep imprint on every person who was lucky enough to cross his path,” Lozano wrote.

In a video tribute released by Telemundo 60 San Antonio, they describe Suárez as a meteorology fanatic who helped elevate the station into a robust weather reporting, while become a fan of Texan western wear and food.

“We appreciate you to the heavens for everything you did for the team, especially your joy, passion and journalistic commitment, but above all the lessons that you instilled as the great human that you’ve always been,” the video stated.

NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas also paid homage to the news executive at the end of his Wednesday program, describing him as a “loving and funny guy in a tough and unforgiving business.”

“José was not only a mentor to me but also a good friend,” said Llamas. “I, and we, will miss him so much but we know his legacy will live on in all those newsrooms, big and small, that he touched.”

Following the Wednesday tragedy, more clarity on who was on the aircraft has also come to light.

Among the deceased were Roger Duarte, a 42-year-old Miami restaurateur and seafood businessman, as well as pilot Josh Outram, a fourth-generation Kenyan and wildlife conservationist.

Two couples were also onboard, including Michele Sensi-Contugi, a 44-year-old Ecuadorian intelligence chief, who died alongside his wife, Stephany Hollihan, a 42-year-old Ecuadorian fashion designer. Husbands Henry Parra, a 55-year-old aviation software executive and Adam Hlavaty, a 42-year-old real estate developer, also died.

The series has been called an “understated masterpiece”, comparing it favourably to Yellowstone

For many people BBC iPlayer has become a great destination for drama, evolving far beyond its original role as a simple catch-up service for television. One of its biggest strengths is its extensive box-set offering, allowing viewers to binge entire series rather than waiting for new episodes to air weekly on the BBC.

The BBC has also continued to expand its selection of returning dramas, with previous seasons increasingly available to watch in full. Some of the most popular dramas listed on there include Happy Valley, Taboo, Wolf Hall and Normal People.

However, one drama series has caught the attention of viewers and it is essentially a revenge story, love story and Western epic rolled into one,

Set in 1890, the BBC series follows Lady Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt), an Englishwoman who journeys to the American West in pursuit of the man she believes is responsible for her son’s death.

Her journey brings her into the path of Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), a former cavalry scout and member of the Pawnee Nation seeking to claim land promised to him for his military service. As their paths converge, the pair form an unlikely alliance while navigating the violence and lawlessness of the American frontier.

The English is created and directed by Hugo Blick’s which transports you to the dying days of the Old West for six hours, reports the Express.

Audiences have described the drama as an underappreciated gem alongside American Primeval and Yellowstone.

The English, aired on BBC Two and Amazon Prime in late 2022, and comprises of six episodes that have earned acclaim from traditional western devotees and those discovering the genre.

Westerns are enjoying a resurgence, fuelled by the popularity of shows such as Yellowstone, American Primeval, and 1923.

Despite its parallels to Yellowstone, devotees of The English have queried why it doesn’t attract the same recognition as other contemporary shows, despite being “Western in all the right ways”.

“Instantly, The English has made my top 10. I have seen a lot of movies and series over the many many years I’ve walked this earth. And seldom have I been struck so profoundly,” one IMDB reviewer described in a 10-star review.

“Every scene, every word, each gesture, to a person reaches out, aiming for the heart. Relentlessly uncovering a story that weaves beauty and horror in equal measure.”

“It never waits for you to catch up. But rather pulls you along as you follow- never really knowing what will happen and carefully doling out what has happened.”

“Fans of American Primeval should watch The English. Both are great Westerns featuring a strong female lead,” Emily Long writes for Screen Rant, adding “Though each of the shows have their own stories and unique characters, The English and American Primeval are surprisingly similar. Both shows centre on a woman trying to make her way across the American West with a travelling partner, encountering numerous challenges along the way.”

The show has also won over the hearts of Reddit’s 67,000-strong r/Western community, with one user, apswim22, remarking, “This was an amazing under-the-radar series. One of the better Western series in a while.”

Hundreds have applauded the series’ storyline, with BeautifulDebate7615 telling the Western subreddit, “We did not see the twist coming but kept wondering why things weren’t developing the way we expected. Then the twist perfectly explained things.”

Both Chaske Spencer and Emily Blunt earned nominations for Best Actor at the British Academy Television Awards and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, respectively.

Stephen Rea earned an Irish Film and Television Award for his portrayal of Sheriff Robert Marshall.

Beyond the exceptional acting on display, Arnau Valls Colomer’s breathtaking cinematography is wonderfully complemented by Federico Jusid’s classical score, together creating an utterly compelling atmosphere.

Some critics have taken issue with the show’s tempo, with the opening episode labelled something of a slow burner, though such gripes quickly fade once the second episode hits its stride.

The English is available to stream on both BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime.

Perez Hilton has been granted supervised visits with his children.

Hilton’s mother, Teresita Lavandeira, was granted temporary custody of Hilton’s three children after the celebrity blogger suffered a mental health crisis that was livestreamed on TikTok earlier this month.

According to court documents obtained by TMZ, Hilton’s visits must be supervised by a mental health professional or a family member both he and his mother agree upon. Hilton signed off on the custody arrangement in which Lavandeira will handle parental responsibilities, including enrolling the children in school, overseeing their medical care and anything else that may arise while Hilton navigates recovery.

The Miami-Dade County court case database confirmed that Lavandeira filed a petition for temporary custody on Aug. 7. She also reportedly requested the case documents to be sealed to allow the family to “privately heal and move forward from this unfortunate incident.”

Lavandeira filed her petition after Miami police responded on Aug. 4 to calls concerning a disturbing TikTok livestream in which a bloodied Hilton harmed himself repeatedly with a box cutter and knife, and expressed suicidal intentions. Hilton’s sister, Barbara Giarraffa, frightened fans and TikTok moderators were among those who called authorities.

Officials responded to Hilton’s home in Miami around 9 p.m. and “safely recovered” Hilton, who was subsequently placed in a 72-hour hold under Florida’s Baker Act, which allows for detention to assess mental health.

In a statement published to Hilton’s website, his family said the days since the incident had been “nearly unbearable,” noting that Hilton’s children, niece and sister were inside the home at the time of the disturbing social media stream — Giarraffa has said she grabbed the kids and fled after discovering her brother naked and bloodied in his bathroom. Hilton’s family said in the statement that healing for his children and niece was their highest priority.

“An important part of that process is allowing them to safely return home and begin rebuilding a sense of security and normalcy,” the statement continued. “For the children’s safety, privacy, and well-being, we respectfully ask members of the media, paparazzi, content creators, and the public to leave the area surrounding the family’s home and not return. Please allow his children the privacy and space they need during this unimaginably difficult time.”

As of Monday, Hilton’s family said that the media personality remained hospitalized in an inpatient facility and “is receiving the medical care he needs.”

WHEN Brandon Flowers was a kid, his dad tried to teach him how to fight.

The lad had been picked on at school, so his father Terry talked him through what to do if it happened again.

Decades later, a memory of that time helped inspire the title of Flowers’ third solo album, Thrasher.

The Killers’ frontman still remembers sitting beside his father Terry in his old 1946 Chevy truck. “I was in fifth grade, so only 11 years old,” he recalls.

“My dad grew up fighting and I still remember him trying to explain to me how to fight.

“You can explain to me all day, but I’m not a fighter.

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“He’d say, ‘You don’t just swing. You think about when you’re going to throw your punch and you have to block yourself’.

“When I’m on stage, I find myself doing it so much. You have this crazy relationship, boys and their dads. I’m still trying to show him that I can do it.”

Flowers is all smiles when we meet at his central London record label. He’s just back from a week in Scotland with his family and feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

Thrasher arrives 11 years after his last solo album, The Desired Effect. It is inspired by country and western, the music his dad listened to when Flowers was growing up.

“Much has been said about how my love of music came from my brother [Shane].

“Yeah, it did, but at the same time, I was hearing country music from my dad. His favourites were the heavy hitters — Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard — along with some of those who were not as famous. There’s a guy named John Conlee who he listened to, who I really love.

“As a teenager, I felt I had to choose — the kid who listens to New Order doesn’t also listen to Waylon Jennings.

“As I get older, I just seem to gravitate back to my father’s music.”

Flowers says he has become closer to his father, and increasingly like him, as he has grown older — and admits he is still trying to prove himself to his dad.

He says: “I’m trying to show my dad that I can do what he does. He’s a good man. He’s doing pretty good.

“He had open heart surgery at 81, which is a difficult thing. He’s five months past it now and is pretty good.”

Ideas for Thrasher began shortly after Flowers finished The Killers’ last record — 2021’s Pressure Machine.

He says: “I really enjoyed making this. It was a very important record to me. I didn’t want to leave it alone, so I just continued. It was such a revelation.

“I had all these memories, all these characters and sadness — all of this stuff that I could now find a place for and turn them into something.

“These songs don’t feel like Killers songs — they’re quite personal, so it felt natural that it should be a solo record. It’s been nearly ten years since the last one — I can’t believe it.”

Thrasher is a beautifully observed, emotionally affecting record.

The first single Plans “picks up where Pressure Machine left off”, says Flowers.

“It does a good job of representing the record. There’s some strong emotional material on this album.”

One of the most moving songs on Thrasher is One Of Us, a tribute to his sister’s late husband.

Flowers, the youngest in his family, jokes that he was always told he was “a surprise” — until he was eight, when a friend’s dad bluntly informed him he was “a mistake”.

“I have a sister who is 17 years older than me so her husband was around since I was a little boy.

“He was my brother, so when he passed, it was just heartbreaking and completely unexpected. He was just out of heart surgery. You just want to pay tribute to them and my sister loves it.”

The warm, wistful Paradise finds Flowers imagining the life he might have led, had music not taken him away from home.

“I always thought I would be a valet parker. That was my goal,” he says with a chuckle.

“And if music didn’t work out, it was my Plan B.

“I would be really happy to support my family and be a valet. That’s what my cousins and uncles have done — bellman and valet.

“I have a cousin, Bobby, who has spent his whole adult life as a valet parker, and he was sending me some texts one day complaining about work.

“I was sitting at the piano and just jumped on it, and used it as a launching pad for a song about an ageing valet parker.

“It’s basically him, and it’s where I would be right now if I didn’t have this incredible thing happen to me.

“I have this empathy for him and I’m exploring what could have been and what might have been. There’s sadness in it, but there are also winks and nods.

“That’s the thing I love about country music — how those can coexist.”

Thrasher was recorded quickly in Nashville with seasoned session musicians, including legendary harmonica player Charlie McCoy, whose credits include Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton.

Flowers says: “He played on all those Bob Dylan records and on Roy Orbison’s Oh, Pretty Woman and Simon & Garfunkel’s The Boxer. He played with Leonard Cohen and had great stories about them all. He’s the mascot of Nashville and so incredible.”

Flowers says that the song Red Ground came especially quickly.

“I was trying for a Lee Hazlewood vibe and that song fell into our laps. These guys do this every day for hours. They make decisions that would break a band.”

Thrasher also finds Flowers making peace with his own past.

Although Las Vegas has always been central to The Killers’ identity, he admits he once felt conflicted about his Utah upbringing.

Now he says: “It did feel like I was keeping Utah a secret because I am happy to wave the flag for Las Vegas, but had a bit of a conflict about Utah.

“Now, there’s nothing wrong with embracing both.

“I look back with more tenderness now, and I’m so grateful for my upbringing there.

“I really lived in a golden time where you’re just free. It was before phones and technology and was idyllic — like something out of Stand By Me.”

Having interviewed Flowers many times over the past 20 years, one of the biggest changes is how much more comfortable he now seems revealing parts of himself he once kept guarded, particularly his Mormon faith.

He says: “I was so shy back then. I’m still shy, but I was also unsure about interviews and you don’t know what you’re supposed to reveal.

“It’s so not rock ’n’ roll to talk about Jesus in a positive light. It’s very common in sports but I think people are less open in music.

“There is this authenticity turmoil, where you feel like we’ve always glorified hedonism and debauchery in rock ’n’ roll — and even beyond rock ’n’ roll.

“In every kind of art form, those seem to be the people that we really revere because they are outliers. But I’ve realised it doesn’t make me any less creative because I have faith. I’m just never going to be Sid Vicious.”

Flowers, 45, says coming to terms with his different identities, and simply being himself, has become easier as he’s got older.

“I’m more forgiving of my younger self, but I’m still hard on my current self,” he says.

“We all have that inner voice and it can be the worst critic.

“It’s not been easy, but I now realise I can be that guy on stage, and also a family man,” he explains. “But I was so conflicted for a while.

“Half of you feels like an imposter, and then the other half is trying to show why you belong — it messes with your mind. I was lucky to find something that I was passionate about.

“That’s what I encourage my boys to find.”

Flowers’ sons Ammon, 19, Gunnar, 17, and Henry, 15, have all grown up with their dad on stage — but they are not impressed by his status.

Flowers says: “Ammon loves fitness and being outside — he is just about to go to college in Philadelphia which he’s half excited and half scared about. My wife is sad about him leaving home.

“Then Gunnar loves horror and 90s rock and a lot of grunge, too.

“Henry is a football fanatic so when The Killers performed at the Champions League Final in Budapest, he got to meet David Beckham and was in heaven.

“Mick Jagger was there as well but it was all about Beckham, who signed a football card for him. He’s also a full-blown Oasis fan, so I need to take him to see them when they play again next year.”

Flowers remains hopeful about the future, even though he admits he is deeply troubled by Donald Trump’s America and the actions of ICE.

“This administration is scary,” says Flowers.

“It feels so un-American, and it goes against all of our values and the things that are beautiful about our country.

“You do feel a little bit hopeless and helpless.” But he still believes change can come through younger generations and the ballot box.

“We have to remember to use our voices and to fight back at the polls when the time comes.”

He adds: “Nobody from the other side is rising up at the moment. Somebody needs to rise up. Get the hell up.”

Never one to stand still for long, Flowers has always had an impressive work ethic.

Another solo album is already in the pipeline, with a new Killers record also expected in 2027.

Until then, he is excited about his solo tour, which begins next week and arrives in the UK in October, including a night at the Royal Albert Hall.

He’s already debuted songs from Thrasher at July’s Newport Folk Festival — the famous Rhode Island event where Bob Dylan went electric in 1965.

“I’ve got a band together. This tour is going to be a different experience than you are accustomed to,” he says.

“I’m going to tell more stories and take advantage of these smaller rooms — the Albert Hall is the biggest room I’m playing.

“I want to explain the story behind the songs, which you can’t do in a stadium — so I thought this would be the time to give it a shot.

“I worry people will get sick of Mr. Brightside so I feel lucky that I have different outlets for my music.”

Brandon Flowers

Thrasher

★★★★☆

The brand new series hosted by Steph McGovern follows amateur art dealers putting their skills to the test

BBC Two’s brand new series has been plunged into chaos as contestants clash on air.

Former BBC Breakfast host Steph McGovern has returned to television screens for the hit BBC series that is set to rival The Apprentice.

The Big Deal with Steph McGovern follows seven trainee art dealers from around the UK who are putting their creativity, negotiating and profit making skills to the test as they battle it out to win a piece of art worth a staggering amount.

Airing new episodes every Thursday at 8pm on BBC Two, tonight’s instalment (Thursday, August 20) follows the six remaining amateur pairs who are split into two teams and challenged to sell contemporary art to furnish multi million pound homes.

A synopsis read: “Host Steph McGovern and series mentor Cordelia de Freitas are joined by Peter Staunton, an award-winning luxury interior designer who is on hand to tell the dealers about his clients’ tastes, as well as sharing tips and tricks when it comes to investing in art for the home.”

The dealers had a limited time to hunt for the best works before pitching their ideas directly to the homeowners – those with the lowest amount of commission would face elimination.

And it wasn’t long before tensions started to rise as the show was plunged into chaos. The teams were split into two larger groups, with opinions regularly clashing between Daisy and Darren.

Later, series mentor and art dealer Cordelia de Freitas and Peter Staunton, award-winning luxury interior designer met up with the teams to see what art work they had bought.

Despite a brief of a bronze sculpture, Daisy and Rebecca returned with two blue pieces as Cordelia said “talk about that” when it came to discussing the artist.

However, Daisy replied: “But guys, we’re not pitching to you right now”, as Cordelia added: “We’re here to help.” Daisy went on to say: “No, no it’s been a long day trust me, we can turn it on tomorrow.”

Speaking to cameras, team member Darren admitted: “Would I have picked those blue whatever they were? No absolutely not.”

Darren and Graham and Daisy and Rebecca clashed again later on the show when they butted heads choosing a sculpture design to pitch.

When Darren said they would get to the story behind their chosen design, Rebecca hit back: “Is there much point if we’re not going to pitch it”, to which Daisy stated: “Mum just leave it.”

Clashing on their opinions, the group continued to talk over one another as their co-stars looking on from the sidelines, Deborah and Rebeckah, told cameras: “I had to clock out because I found it distasteful and I’m not here to disgrace myself so I wanted to step out of it.”

Also speaking to producers, Darren said: “There’s definitely a divide there but again, this comes down to personality and taste. We’re not always going to like what other people like and they aren’t going to like what we like.”

The Big Deal with Steph McGovern airs every Thursday at 8pm on BBC Two

A Dragons’ Den contestant opened up about the traumatic experience she suffered before launching her business.

A Dragons’ Den contestant has opened up about the harrowing experience that led to her business.

The BBC programme returned to screens on Thursday, August 20, after a months-long break.

Joining Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden and Steven Bartlett in the Den were guest Dragons Jenna Meek and Susie Ma, who stepped in for Touker Suleyman and Sara Davies after they announced their exits from the show.

Among the entrepreneurs pitching their companies in the Den was Louise Truman, the founder behind group travel company for young backpackers, Plotpackers.

As she convinced the Dragons to invest in her business, Louise opened up about her journey to building her company, focused on empowering women.

She began: “For as long as I can remember growing up, all I wanted to do was travel. And as much as that’s a cliche, I’m now 25 and my most treasured memories are from my adventures around the world and all of the incredible people I have met along the way.

“But I am also no stranger to the dangers of travel, from the environmental toll to the personal safety risks that I’ve faced.”

Louise said she suffered “an extremely traumatic event” at the age of 21 while she was on a solo backpacking trip, and started to look into group travel as a safety measure.

After discovering a lack of budget-friendly options that were also sustainable and ethical, Louise decided to found Plotpackers, adding: “I aimed to create a way for people to travel freely, whilst minimising risk to both themselves, and the world around them.”

As she went on to discuss her business, which helps young travellers like her by building itineraries and designing trips around the world, Louise was probed by Peter on the reason behind creating her own company.

“You said this came from an event that happened to you, but you didn’t explain what that is, do you not want to talk about it? If it’s private and you want to keep it private, please do, if it’s not too traumatic for you,” he asked.

Louise replied: “It is obviously a very traumatic thing. I was sexually assaulted very violently and consider myself very lucky to be alive.

“As much as I don’t enjoy talking about the topic, it is a big reason why I did this. 70% of the people who travel with us are women, and if you look at studies, women’s primary concern when it comes to solo travelling is safety.”

“I’m so dreadfully, dreadfully sorry, and you’re inspiring,” Peter told Louise, as the other Dragons praised her bravery in opening up.

Louise continued: “It could have made me never travel again, but I’m glad it led to this.”

Dragons’ Den airs Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.