Rebecca Loos has spoken for the first time after Brooklyn Beckham furiously hit out at his relatives, who he claims always put the brand of the family before anything else
Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
17:00, 29 Jan 2026Updated 17:00, 29 Jan 2026
Rebecca Loos has hit out at the Beckham family(Image: Channel 5)
Rebecca Loos has hit out at “brand Beckham” and thrown her support behind Brooklyn. Earlier this month, following years of speculation, Sir David Beckham and Lady Victoria’s eldest child took to social media to furiously dismiss his relatives and explain that he has no intention of reconciling with them.
Brooklyn, 26, claimed that his famous parents would always put the family’s image before anything else, and he’d had enough of staged social media posts. But now, Rebecca Loos, who claims to have had an affair with Sir David, has spoken out and thrown her support behind the wannabe chef.
In a new TV interview, Rebecca has spoken out and claimed that the Beckham fall-out is “validation” for what she endured after going public with her alleged affair. “Suddenly you’re part of a big PR war,” she said.
Rebecca, 48, went on to add: “In a very small way, this is, of course, validation for what I said and came forward and said 22 years ago. Brooklyn is basically confirming inauthentic relationships, value of promotion, endorsements above all else, and that it’s all focused on brand Beckham, and that that’s all that matters.”
In Brooklyn’s scathing Instagram post, he also claimed his mother danced “very inappropriately” on him during his wedding reception after tying the knot with Nicola Peltz in 2002. He fumed: “My mum hijacked my first dance with my wife, which had been planned weeks in advance to a romantic love song.
“In front of our 500 wedding guests, Marc Anthony called me to the stage, where in the schedule was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead. She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone. I’ve never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life.”
Responding to this, Rebecca said in a new 5 documentary, The Beckham Feud: Truth & Lies: “Whether it came from her or whether it was Marc Anthony is beside the point because it shows a lack of awareness for other people’s feelings.
“I think any other mother would’ve read the room and understood this is awkward and probably said, thank you for the compliment, but the most beautiful woman in the room is Nicola, Nicola, please take this dance.
“Or at least if the mother had had a few too many glasses of wine and was unable to read the room, maybe the husband or the father would then have maybe stepped in and maybe grabbed Nicola, twirled her around and then swap partners to let her have the dance.”
It was in 2004 when Loos claimed she’d had an affair with Beckham while working as his personal assistant. Both David and Victoria strenuously denied the claims, but Rebecca continued to share what allegedly happened.
While she faced backlash for selling her story, Rebecca revealed several years ago that she felt as though she had to share the “truth”.
She told Closer magazine: “I just felt the need to be truthful. Whether you’ve done something that’s right or wrong, it was kind of just eating me up. I was living a lie and keeping secrets.”
The Beckham Feud: Truth & Lies airs at 9pm Sunday 1st February on 5
“I have been silent for years and made every effort to keep these matters private.
“Unfortunately, my parents and their team have continued to go to the press, leaving me with no choice but to speak for myself and tell the truth about only some of the lies that have been printed.
“I do not want to reconcile with my family. I’m not being controlled, I’m standing up for myself for the first time in my life.
“For my entire life, my parents have controlled narratives in the press about our family.
“The performative social media posts, family events and inauthentic relationships have been a fixture of the life I was born into.
“Recently, I have seen with my own eyes the lengths that they’ll go through to place countless lies in the media, mostly at the expense of innocent people, to preserve their own facade.
“But I believe the truth always comes out.
“My parents have been trying endlessly to ruin my relationship since before my wedding, and it hasn’t stopped.
“My mum cancelled making Nicola’s dress in the eleventh hour despite how excited she was to wear her design, forcing her to urgently find a new dress.
“Weeks before our big day, my parents repeatedly pressured and attempted to bribe me into signing away the rights to my name, which would have affected me, my wife, and our future children.
“They were adamant on me signing before my wedding date because then the terms of the deal would be initiated. My holdout affected the payday, and they have never treated me the same since.
“During the wedding planning, my mum went so far as to call me ‘evil’ because Nicola and I chose to include my Nanny Sandra, and Nicola’s Naunni at our table, because they both didn’t have their husbands.
“Both of our parents had their own tables equally adjacent to ours.
“The night before our wedding, members of my family told me that Nicola was ‘not blood’ and ‘not family’.
“Since the moment I started standing up for myself with my family, I’ve received endless attacks from my parents, both privately and publicly, that were sent to the press on their orders.
“Even my brothers were sent to attack me on social media, before they ultimately blocked me out of nowhere this last Summer.
“My mum hijacked my first dance with my wife, which had been planned weeks in advance to a romantic love song.
“In front of our 500 wedding guests, Marc Anthony called me to the stage, where in the schedule was planned to be my romantic dance with my wife but instead my mum was waiting to dance with me instead.
“She danced very inappropriately on me in front of everyone. I’ve never felt more uncomfortable or humiliated in my entire life.
“We wanted to renew our vows so we could create new memories of our wedding day that bring us joy and happiness, not anxiety and embarrassment.
“My wife has been consistently disrespected by my family, no matter how hard we’ve tried to come together as one.
“My mum has repeatedly invited women from my past into our lives in ways that were clearly intended to make us both uncomfortable.
“Despite this, we still travelled to London for my dad’s birthday and were rejected for a week as we waited in our hotel room trying to plan quality time with him.
“He refused all of our attempts, unless it was at his big birthday party with a hundred guests and cameras at every corner.
“When he finally agreed to see me, it was under the condition that Nicola wasn’t invited. It was a slap in the face.
“Later, when my family travelled to LA, they refused to see me at all.
“My family values public promotion and endorsements above all else. Brand Beckham comes first.
“Family ‘love’ is decided by how much you post on social media, or how quickly you drop everything to show up and pose for a family photo opp, even if it’s at the expense of our professional obligations.
“We’ve gone out of our way for years to show up and support at every fashion show, every party, and every press activity to show “our perfect family.”
“But the one time my wife asked for my mum’s support to save displaced dogs during the LA fires, my mum refused.
“The narrative that my wife controls me is completely backwards. I have been controlled by my parents for most of my life. I grew up with overwhelming anxiety.
“For the first time in my life, since stepping away from my family, that anxiety has disappeared. I wake up every morning grateful for the life I chose, and have found peace and relief.
“My wife and I do not want a life shaped by image, press, or manipulation.
“All we want peace, privacy and happiness for us and our future family.”
As the Sundance Film Festival winds down its final edition in Park City, Utah, this week, ahead of its move to Boulder, Colo., next year, its sway over the nonfiction field at the Oscars remains as steady as ever. All five current Academy Award nominees for documentary feature premiered at last year’s festival, with Sundance films winning the category six times over the last decade.
“Sundance has been a kick-starter for my entire career,” says Ryan White, director of “Come See Me in the Good Light,” his fourth film to premiere at the festival. The intimate portrait of Colorado poet laureate Andrea Gibson, who faces a terminal diagnosis with a spirit of resilience, needed the boost. “The lead words are poetry and cancer, and it’s a character-driven film about a non-binary person,” White says. “It wasn’t the easiest film to get off the ground.” A similar challenge could apply to other nominees, including “Mr. Nobody vs. Putin” and “Cutting Through Rocks,” which focus on everyday individuals taking on oppressive systems in Russia and Iran, respectively. “There are the types of films that can get lost because they’re not about a celebrity, and they don’t have these marquee descriptors. Sundance does such an amazing job of discovering these diamonds.”
Andrea Gibson, left, and Megan Falley in “Come See Me in the Good Light.”
The exposure at the start of the film festival season “gives you that one-year runway that allows you to play festivals all year long,” says White, who was back at Sundance to celebrate the end of an era. He also knows the pain of not making the cut. “My first two films didn’t get into Sundance, and then my third one did. I’m always telling young filmmakers to use the Sundance rejection as fuel.”
A festival berth was strong motivation for “Mr. Nobody” filmmaker David Borenstein, who collaborated with his subject, a schoolteacher near the Ural Mountains named Pavel (“Pasha”) Talankin, as he quietly documented Russian propaganda efforts to rally his young students around the war in Ukraine. “That was the goal the entire time making this film,” says the director, an American based in Copenhagen. “I never thought once about anything after Sundance.” When the Danish Film Institute submitted his film as the country’s entry for the international feature Oscar, he had a new goal. “We were the last to start campaigning because we didn’t have a streamer behind us.”
Borenstein interrupted a family vacation in the Dominican Republic to return to Sundance for meetings and figure out next steps. “Forget winning or losing,” he says. “You have six weeks where you have a voice, where Pasha has a voice. How do you use it?” Talankin, who fled his home — first for Turkey, then the Czech Republic — is, for the moment, no longer “Mr. Nobody,” but as Borenstein notes, “He sacrificed his whole life to do this.”
Iranian American filmmakers Mohammadreza Eyni and Sara Khaki were well into the eight-year production of “Cutting Through Rocks” when they became recipients of a 2020 Sundance Documentary Fund grant. “The timing was perfect and we really, really, really needed that support,” says Khaki, joining Eyni on a video conversation from Park City, where their film won the Grand Jury Prize in the world cinema category last year. “Sundance is something beyond only the festival for us,” Eyni says. “It’s more about persistence as a filmmaker and the cinematic approach to the stories and sense of community.”
“Cutting Through Rocks” follows Sara Shahverdi, the first woman elected to the council of her northwestern Iranian village, as she challenges the practice of child marriage and other patriarchal norms and empowers young women by showing them how to ride motorbikes, as she does herself. The message of resistance feels relevant worldwide, but most urgently in Iran, where estimates of deaths during recent protests top 30,000 people. “We want small stories and anecdotes to remind us that we can bring change,” Eyni says, “even when it’s tough, even when it seems impossible.” Although the film is the first documentary from Iran to be nominated for an Oscar, the news has been hard to share there because of the government’s weeks-long internet blackout.
“We are experiencing a lot of complex emotions,” Eyni says.
Sara Shahverdi, the subject of Oscar-nominated documentary feature “Cutting Through Rocks.”
(Gandom Films)
Sundance thrives on exactly those kinds of feelings. The dramatic premiere of “Come See Me in the Good Light” was, for its filmmaker, “The best night of my entire career.” What began as a film about the end of Gibson’s life quickly became a story about the joy of a life well-lived, experienced alongside the charismatic subject’s wife, poet Megan Falley. When White broke the news about the film’s acceptance, “Andrea was so emotional saying, ‘You’re telling me if I survive for six more weeks, I might see this movie?’” he recalls. And they did.
“I think people fell in love with Andrea during the course of that film, but they probably assumed that Andrea had passed away, and they were about to see a card at the end of the film,” White continues. Then Gibson walked up. “It was like a rock star rising from the ashes. You could literally feel the theater vibrating.”
Katie Price revealed her new tattoo on her left shoulder after jetting back to the UKCredit: BackGridThe former glamour model tried the knot with Lee Andrews – just a few weeks after meetingCredit: Instagram/@wesleeeandrews
The mother-of-five got hitched for a fourth time in a quiet ceremony in Dubai with no loved ones present.
It came just hours after Katie revealed they had got engaged, calling it a “wedding at first sight”.
And earlier this month, the podcaster showcased her huge flower tattoo on her bum as well as horses on her forearm and stomach.
Her various leg inkings were also on display.
Katie wrote: “I absolutely love it!! Now that is what you call a piece of ART!”
When it came to her bum art, Katie said: “Tattoo round 3,” with a picture of her full behind peeking out from red tracksuit bottoms.
Earlier this year, Katiestripped nakedto show off her tattoo-covered back and captioned the revealing shot: “Join myOnlyfanslink in my bio,” referring to the X-rated online subscription service.
Katie Price’s relationship history
We take a look back at the highs and lows of Katie Price’s relationship history.
1996-1998: Katie got engaged to Gladiators star Warren Furman – aka Ace – with a £3,000 ring. But their relationship didn’t make it as far as ‘I do’.
1998-2000: Katie described Dane Bowers as ‘the love of her life’ but she broke up with the singer after he allegedly cheated on her.
2001: Footballer Dwight Yorke is the father of Katie’s eldest child Harvey. He has had very little to do with his son throughout his life.
2002: Rebounding from Dwight, Katie famously had one night of passion with Pop Idol star Gareth Gates, allegedly taking his virginity.
2002-2004: Katie was dating Scott Sullivan when she entered the jungle for I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!. He threatened to “punch Peter’s lights out” when chemistry blossomed between her and Peter Andre.
2004-2009: The jungle romance resulted in Katie marrying Aussie pop star Peter. They had two kids, Junior and Princess, before their bitter split in 2009.
2010-2011: Fresh from her break-up with Peter, Katie enjoyed a whirlwind relationship and marriage with cage fighter Alex Reid. They split 20 months after their Las Vegas wedding.
2011: Katie briefly dated model Danny Cipriani… but it ended as quickly as it begun.
2011-2012: They didn’t speak the same language, but Katie got engaged to Argentinian model Leandro Penna in 2011. He later fled home to South America.
2012-2018: Wedding bells rang once more after Katie met Kieran Hayler in 2013. They had two kids together, Jett and Bunny, before their break-up and divorce.
2018-2019: Katie moved on quickly with Kris Boyson. They had an on-off romance for one year and even got engaged. They split for good in 2019.
2019: Katie was linked to Charles Drury during her on-off relationship with Kris. Charles, who also dated Lauren Goodger, has always denied being in “official relationship” with her.
2020-2023: Car salesman Carl Woods took a shine to Katie in 2020. Their relationship was up and down for three years. They broke up for a final time last year.
2024-2026: After weeks of rumours, Katie confirmed her relationship with Married At First Sight star JJ Slater in February 2024. The pair split in January 2026 after two years together.
2026: Katie shocked fans when she revealed she is engaged to businessman Lee Andrews.
He said: “I’m going be meeting Katie tomorrow in the UK.
“I just need to wrap up a few things here.
“She had to get back for her children because she’s a good mother and she’s lovely like that.”
Despite currently being apart, a smiling Lee said that he and Katie “are so happy” and that more information would be coming out via their publicists in the coming days.
“Hey guys, how are you?” he began in a video posted on his Instagram Stories.
“So yeah, myself and Katie are legally married okay. I think you know that.
“No, I’m not a gigolo,” he added. “There is a press release going out.
“I wish,” he said of the gigolo nickname. “I would have got more money from it wouldn’t I, I don’t think those are the going rates in Dubai, but let’s look at it obtusely.
“So yes, I’m in Dubai, she’s in England,” he confirmed again of their current locations. “You’ll see us reunite.”
Before signing off, Lee made a brief swipe at online speculation over the couple’s wedding rings.
Nigella Lawson has admitted that she’s “frightened” but “excited” ahead of joining The Great British Bake Off as a new judge, but warned that she’s very different to Paul Hollywood
12:57, 29 Jan 2026Updated 12:57, 29 Jan 2026
Nigella Lawson has revealed her nerves ahead of Bake Off
The Great British Bake Off‘s new judge Nigella Lawson has admitted that she’s “a teeny bit frightened” to take on the show – and will have a different approach to co-star Paul Hollywood. The 66-year-old was confirmed earlier this week as the new star who’ll be replacing Prue Leith.
Appearing on This Morning today, Nigella said that she plans to take the show “very seriously” – and warns that she’ll be applying a different judging “philosophy” to co-judge Paul. She told hosts Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley: “I’m a teeny bit frightened. I’d be lying if I didn’t say that. I am excited but I take it very seriously.
“The thing about Bake Off is it’s about the programme. – an institution of national treasure status and it’s about the bakers. I want to be there and be part of it,” she added. “One of the reasons it’s been enduringly popular is that feels like it’s about community and I guess we just all need that.”
As for how she’ll fare in the iconic Bake Off tent, Nigella admitted that she’s “the clumsiest person in the world“, which could lead to disaster. “As long as I don’t knock any of their cakes off the table or the stand,” she said.
“I feel like I’m not someone who looks for fault, I look for pleasure. My basic attitude in life. I feel Paul Hollywood is Mr. Technical, I’m all about the eating.”
Nigella added: “If I see my job as eating, it’s not too daunting. I can eat.”
Nigella will be the third judge to take on that Bake Off slot alongside Paul Hollywood, with Prue Leith and Dame Mary Berry coming before her.
Mary was one of the show’s original judges when it started on the BBC in 2010, however she left the show alongside hosts Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins when it moved to Channel 4 in 2016. Prue took over the following year for Channel 4’s first series and has been with the show ever since.
Earlier this month, Prue announced that she was leaving Bake Off for good, saying in a statement: “Bake Off has been a fabulous part of my life for the last nine years, I have genuinely loved it and I’m sure I’ll miss working with my fellow judge Paul, Alison and Noel and the teams at Love Productions and Channel 4.
“But now feels like the right time to step back (I’m 86 for goodness sake!), there’s so much I’d like to do, not least spend summers enjoying my garden.”
“Whoever joins the team, I’m sure they’ll love it as much as I have. I feel very lucky to have been part of it.”
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX. The Great British Bake Off returns to Channel 4 later this year.
A year ago, Colorado firefighters Rick Balentine and Tim Cottrell were driving trucks carrying donations from Aspen to Los Angeles for victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires.
As they headed west, they planned to stop in Las Vegas and, while there, made a spontaneous decision to see the Eagles’ residency at the Sphere. Balentine and Cottrell bought resale tickets on StubHub for around $400 each. Cottrell used his credit card and received a confirmation email. But once they arrived to the venue, they weren’t allowed in. The seller failed to send the tickets.
All Cottrell could find was an email that said his tickets had been canceled, moments before the concert was to start. Other than getting their money back, there was no further explanation.
“We knew they were aftermarket tickets,” Balentine said, “but never in a million years did I think that tickets could get canceled.”
“I was very disappointed. There needs to be more protection out there, both for consumers and for artists, so people aren’t getting ripped off all the time.”
The rising demand for tickets has spurred a growing marketplace for all kinds of high-profile live events, including music tours and sports series like the upcoming World Cup. Whenever fans are unable to secure tickets on the primary market, through sellers like Ticketmaster or AXS, many will turn to the secondary market for resale tickets. Those tickets are typically sold through platforms like StubHub, SeatGeek and Vivid Seats. Customers who bought their passes directly from Ticketmaster can also resell them on that platform.
The majority of secondary-market transactions can be easy, leaving both the reseller and the customer satisfied. But with the rise of speculative or fake tickets, like the ones Balentine and Cottrell bought, securing valid tickets from the resale market has become more challenging.
What are speculative tickets?
Speculative tickets are offered by resellers who list concert passes they don’t yet have in their possession, with the intention that they will ultimately acquire the tickets and deliver them to the buyer. According to 2025 data from Live Nation, one in three Americans has fallen victim to a ticketing scam. But under California’s bill, AB 1349, selling speculative tickets could be banned on all resale platforms in the state. On Monday, the bill passed in an assembly vote and is headed to the state Senate for review.
Thousands of fans enjoy Shakira’s performance at SoFi Stadium in August.
(Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times)
Speculative tickets usually pop up as soon as a major artist announces a tour. Most recently, K-pop boy band BTS announced a world tour that includes four stops at SoFi Stadium. Before the general sale began Jan. 24, some sellers on Vivid Seats had already started listing tickets for over $6,000. Listings like these usually create a greater sense of scarcity, which can drive up ticket prices even more.
If enacted, the proposed legislation in California would require sellers to have event tickets in their possession before offering them for sale. The listing must include the location of the seat and specific refund rights. It prohibits a person from using software that automatically purchases more tickets than the specified limit, and it would raise the maximum civil penalty for each violation from $2,500 to $10,000.
The live music industry is a vital part of the state’s economy, contributing over $51 billion to California’s GDP and supporting over 460,000 jobs, according to the database 50 States of Music.
Ticketing fraud tends to affect more than just the consumer. Whenever an unknowing fan shows up to a venue with a fake ticket, it often falls on the venue and its staff to deal with the situation. Stephen Parker, the executive director of the National Independent Venue Association, said that if speculative tickets are banned in California, venues could save up to $50,000 in staffing expenses.
Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium, where many concerts and ticketed live events are held.
(Icon Sportswire/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“They have to deal with fans who are crying, who are angry, who are upset because they thought they were going to go see their favorite artists that night, and they paid [over the] ticket’s face value only to not get a ticket that works or to not get a ticket at all,” said Parker.
Fighting ticket fraud and reining in a ticketing giant
There are currently dozens of legislative bills throughout the U.S. focused on event ticketing issues. Some states like Maryland, Minnesota and Maine have already passed restrictions on speculative tickets.
The action comes after both the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission sued Ticketmaster and its parent company, Live Nation Entertainment, in 2024 and 2025. The DOJ’s lawsuit suggests breaking up the company, which it accuses of engaging in monopolistic practices. The complaint also alleges the company forces venues into exclusive ticketing contracts and influences artists to use only its services.
Founded in 1976, Ticketmaster has been the industry’s largest ticket distributor since 1995, with around 80% of live concerts sold through the site. The company merged with Live Nation in 2010.
Ticketmaster has also acquired a growing share of the resale market, under the platform Ticketmaster Resale. The site allows consumers to list, sell or find tickets to live events. The business functions similarly to other resale sites, but Ticketmaster does not allow speculative ticket sales on its platform.
The Federal Trade Commission is currently suing the company on accusations that it engaged in illegal ticket vendor practices for its resale business, like misleading artists and consumers with so-called “bait-and-switch pricing,” where advertised prices are lower than the actual total. Following the FTC’s complaint, the ticket seller made changes to its policies.
Additionally, Ticketmaster is no longer allowing users to have multiple accounts, which made it easier to purchase more tickets than the specified limit, and it is shutting down Trade Desk, the controversial software that helps resellers track and price tickets across several marketplaces.
Hundreds enjoy a performance by Banda Los Lagos during Jalisco Fest at the 2025 Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet.
(Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)
“The FTC case against us is very frustrating because we think they’re sort of blaming the victim here. We’re the ones that are dealing with millions and millions of bots attacking us every day,” said Dan Wall, Live Nation’s vice president of corporate and regulatory affairs. “We’re trying to convince the federal government and state governments to get on the same page of recognizing where the problem is, which is overwhelmingly in the resale industry, and trying to do something about it.”
“We’re a much more artist and consumer-focused company, and so we don’t engage in the different kinds of business practices that are sketchy and unfair to the fans. We try to be a much more honest, legitimate outlet for getting resale tickets,” said Wall.
Critics find that the surge of anti-speculative ticketing bills around the country is a way for Ticketmaster to divert attention from its own legal troubles and shift attention onto the resale market. Live Nation is a key supporter of the California bill. Diana Moss, the director of competition policy at the Progressive Policy Institute, called AB 1349 “overkill” when it comes to the provisions and restrictions it places on the secondary market.
Fans cheer Sexyy Red at the Rolling Loud concert at Hollywood Park in March.
(Michael Owen Baker/For The Times)
“A lot of these bills in the states are a vehicle to disable the resale markets and hinder how they operate. Resale markets are important to consumers,” said Moss. “If you disable the resale market, then fans have no place to go — but back to Ticketmaster. That’s the whole game, disable the resale markets with legislation and regulation, and then everybody has to go back and deal with Ticketmaster and pay their monopoly ticket fees.”
Provisions in AB 1349 deem a ticket a license. The question of whether a ticket is a right or a license is an ongoing controversy in the ticketing world. Opponents of the bill are fearful that this change would give more power to Live Nation, as they could impose restrictions on how the ticket can be used, such as whether you’re allowed to sell your ticket on other platforms or if you can transfer it at all. Meghan Callahan, from the Empower Fans Coalition, a group that opposes the bill, equates this licensing change to taking a lease out on the ticket.
“Ticketmaster’s goal is to create less competition. This bill imposes restrictions on everybody else but themselves,” said Callahan. “They are trying to use consumer-friendly concepts and sneak in these other provisions to embolden their monopoly.”
Wall at Ticketmaster said that nothing on the consumers’ end would change if this bill were to pass, adding that tickets are already licenses “from the venue for you to come on the property during the time of the show and sit in that seat.”
“Honesty doesn’t favor one person or another. That’s what this [bill] is about,” said Wall.
This article contains spoilers for Part 1 of Season 4 of “Bridgerton.”
Luke Thompson and Yerin Ha are lounging on a blue velvet couch in a swanky green room inside of Netflix’s offices in New York, bracing for the whirlwind that inevitably envelops every pair of actors who become the central couple in a season of the popular romance drama “Bridgerton.” And they’re still settling into the idea of being romantic leads.
“It doesn’t feel real,” Ha says fresh into their first press day in early December. “Because for a very long time, I didn’t think that it was possible for me — maybe I should have dreamed bigger. To keep saying that I’m the lead of a season feels really bizarre.”
“But maybe that’s a way of coping with it,” Thompson says. “I remember in Season 1, I just finished a Zoom call and I just sat in my living room and it was the first time I really touched into the idea that millions of people are watching this thing. Millions of people. And I never did it again.”
“You just did it for me now,” Ha says with a smidgen of dread that launches the pair into laughter. “That’s not really helping.”
Thompson, though, isn’t feeling the pressure of keeping the romance alive and extremely meme-able as they take up the mantle of the Regency-era fairy tale.
“It’s a show that’s proven time and time again that there’s huge appetite for romance,” he says. “It was a genre that might have been, not looked down on, but not really taken very seriously. To be able to incarnate some projection of romance for people, particularly in January and February, when people are feeling a bit miserable, maybe, it’s lovely to be part of that.”
The duo play Benedict and Sophie, affectionately dubbed #Benophie, a couple whose story gives the classic Cinderella tale a bit of steam and is one that readers of Julia Quinn’s “An Offer From a Gentleman,” which inspired this season, know well. Thompson’s Benedict, whom “Bridgerton” viewers have come to know as the artistic, pansexual second-oldest son of the Bridgerton clan, has long shown disinterest in settling down or adhering to societal norms. But then in Part 1 of Season 4, released Thursday, he meets Sophie Baek, a maid in her abusive stepmother’s home, at a masquerade ball hosted by his mother. Viewers eventually learn Sophie’s servitude is forced after her parentage is revealed — she’s the illegitimate daughter of an earl.
Yerin Ha as Sophie Baek and Luke Thompson as Benedict Bridgerton during their masquerade ball meet-cute in Season 4.
(Liam Daniel / Netflix)
Showrunner Jess Brownell says this season, they were is interested in prodding the wish-fulfillment fantasy many of us were introduced to at a young age.
“We learn about them as children from Disney movies,” she says. “For us, though, in interacting with this trope, it was really important to interrogate it a little bit. I think what our interrogation hopefully reveals is that oftentimes it’s the prince figure or the man of a ‘higher station’ who … needs to do some work on himself, to step out of his fantasy life a little bit and step more into reality to be worthy of the love of a Cinderella-type. It’s not to say that the Sophie character doesn’t have her own journey to go on, I think that she absolutely has to let her walls down and has to allow herself to dream of and believe in the possibility of love.”
Over a video call from that cozy couch inside Netflix’s offices, Thompson and Ha discussed navigating the spotlight as the newest “Bridgerton” couple, this season’s very unromantic declaration of love and trying to capture a swoon-worthy meet-cute behind an oversized mask.
The excitement for this season is already in full effect. How are you feeling about Benophie as the couple name? Am I even pronouncing it right?
Thompson: I don’t know!
Ha: I think that is right. I initially said Ben-off-ee like Banoffee pie, but then I realized it wouldn’t make sense because it’s So-fee. So Ben-o-fee would make more sense.
Thompson: There’s been a couple of fun AI pictures.
Ha: I actually just got one yesterday from my mom about our kids, our future kids. [Thompson laughs.] And I was like, “Mom, why are you on the internet looking at these things?” So it’s really out there, and I’m really being fed it out of my own will, but it’s amazing to see people already so excited about it and wanting to create things and future possibilities. It’s quite amazing. And the fans are actually so lovely.
Thompson: I think that’s one of the best things about social media, actually; that whole aspect of people projecting or imagining themselves or creating stuff sometimes. That’s something that we never used to be able to really get a handle on, but to be able to see the amount of energy and thought that people put into it is kind of amazing.
Ha: Also creative artistry. So many fans are drawing, sketching. It’s incredible. The amount of talent that people just share with us, it’s really beautiful.
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1.The “Bridgerton” couples over the seasons: Simon Basset (Regé-Jean Page) and Daphne Bridgerton (Phoebe Dynevor) in Season 1.2.Kate Sharma (Simone Ashley) and Anthony Bridgerton (Jonathan Bailey) in Season 2.3.Colin Bridgerton (Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington (Nicola Coughlan) in Season 3.4.Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and Sophie Baek (Yerin Ha) in Season 4.(Liam Daniel / Netflix)
Luke, you’ve had three seasons to observe how others have taken on this mantle. Did Jonathan or Luke impart any words of wisdom as you stepped into lead duties? Did you have any observations in watching them navigate the spotlight and the intensity of this?
They were always very, very open to offering advice — Regé[-Jean Page, who led the first season as Simon Bassett, the Duke of Hastings], as well; all three of them. That’s been really, really helpful to know that it’s there. In terms of observing them, that’s why I’ve had a bit of a lucky ride, really, because I got to watch them. I mean this in a positive way — Regé is very serious. There’s something about the nature of the show that could encourage you to be a bit more light about it, but I think he really took it very seriously. Johnny [Jonathan Bailey, who plays Anthony Bridgerton] has this amazing energy that’s extremely contagious. I watched that and how that affects the atmosphere on set. And then Luke [Newton, who plays Colin Bridgerton] is very sensitive and he’s very careful and clued in terms of how and when he expresses himself. I’m so lucky I got to watch all of them do it and admire them and think about them and think also about how it would work for me.
What about you, Yerin? You’re a newcomer to this fictional world being thrown into the deep end. Did you get any useful feedback from Nicola Coughlan or Simone Ashley?
I didn’t have the years of looking at the other leads actually experience it. But Nicola and Simone, from the get-go when I was cast, they offered to give me advice and be like, “We’re here for you if you need it.” But the thing about it is, everyone is so different and unique with what they actually struggle with and what is going to be their challenge. I didn’t really know what I wanted advice about, but it was just always so nice and supportive to know that they were there if I needed them. But also, Luke, who was my main scene partner, was in “Bridgerton” for years, so I was able to also lean on him and also the other fellow castmates if I felt insecure or if I didn’t really know how to go about things.
Luke Thompson on “Bridgerton”: “It’s a show that’s proven time and time again that there’s huge appetite for romance,” he says. “To be able to incarnate some projection of romance for people, particularly in January and February, when people are feeling a bit miserable, maybe, it’s lovely to be part of that.”
(Tyler Twins / For The Times)
This being “Bridgerton,” the chemistry between Benedict and Sophie is so crucial to the magic of their story and how it develops over time. Tell me about the chemistry read. What do you remember about meeting each other?
Thompson: It was like this.
Ha: You’re third wheeling with us.
Thompson: It was on Zoom.
Ha: I was in Korea. It was 11 p.m. and I was trying to manage my nerves the entire day, which was quite stressful. And then I logged on, you [Thompson] were there. You had a striped shirt on, I remember — quite vividly, actually. I said that he looked quite tired. Maybe it was me projecting, thinking that he was having lots of auditions, reading with lots of people by then.
Thompson: I’m trying to think how many; we hadn’t auditioned that many people because it’s a very particular part. What we were asking or looking for was fairly particular. That’s the other thing I thought: How are we going to be able to do a chemistry read on Zoom? With all the awkwardness of doing it on Zoom — having to pretend that you’re turning your back and there’s a lake and having to sort of mime in front of the camera is so, so cheesy — despite all of that, I just remember reading scenes with you and feeling very relaxed. You know it when you see it. As soon as the Zoom call ended, I told you, Tom Verica [an executive producer and a director of the series] was a bit teary, and we were like, “Well, obviously it’s her.”
Ha: Obviously the stakes are so high on my end, because he’s already in the show, so I was so focused on just trying to be present and not trying to force anything. I think that’s when it gets a little bit weird. I just remember looking at you in the screen, and Luke’s such an open person anyways, and so it was quite easy to do the scene, despite that there was lots of interjections in the audition scene that we had to do, but we just pushed through.
What were the scenes that you had to do together that day? The lake scene —
Thompson: The lake scene and the tea scene. Just two.
In Season 4, viewers know Sophie (Yerin Ha) is the lady whom Benedict (Luke Thompson) meets at the masquerade ball, but he hasn’t connected the dots when they meet again later.
(Liam Daniel / Netflix)
In the world of romance, how two characters meet is often as important as how they get together. And the masquerade ball holds a lot of excitement and expectations for fans of the book. How did you feel tackling that scene? Did the masks help alleviate any nerves?
Ha: For me, it was a bit more pressure in the sense that my mask is so big [Thompson laughs], it’s hard to actually be quite expressive when your cheekbones are hidden under this mask. I just remember sometimes Tom would be like, “You got to express more with your eyes and your lips.”
Thompson: It’s basically like you were wearing a paper bag.
Ha: Yes! So, that was a challenge, but also, in a way, sometimes masks make you feel a little bit invincible … Sophie, especially in that night, the mask makes her brave and courageous; when she takes off the physical mask, that’s when the metaphorical mask actually comes into play.
Thompson: You’re right. The mask thing is integral to how they both meet. They even talk about it when they’re on the gazebo, the terrace; they have that whole scene where it is all about asking questions, not answering questions. To Benedict, [with] Sophie you’re constantly like, “Is she in earnest? Does she actually not know how to dance? Is she joking that she doesn’t know how to dance? Is she playing the role of someone?” There’s so many different questions about it — and I think that’s what’s so romantic about it. It’s so recognizable because that’s always what love at first sight is. It’s not that in that moment, two people completely see each other; there’s a game that starts happening. It’s all about what they allow the other to see or not, and sometimes there’s these really nice bits where they keep missing each other. There’s that amazing bit … when she’s spying through the door, and then just as she leaves, Benedict looks. It’s the pattern of their relationship, it’s how it’s always been — and it starts in this amazing little dream.
I imagine there was there a lot of discussions on what these masks should look like?
Ha: Yes. The costume team are incredible; they had, like, five different versions of it. Some of it was just completely covering my face with material. And then they were like, “Maybe not.” Because obviously Benedict sees her later as Sophie, and so why doesn’t he recognize her? They had to play this really fine line. But they are so creative and quick to change and adapt and bring in new designs. It turned out really beautifully.
Thompson: One of my fears actually reading the book was, “Oh, is it going to seem a little silly [that] Benedict doesn’t recognize her?” But actually, it’s so ornate, the mask is such a thing. When I since watched the episodes, I was like, yeah, I buy that he can see and feel something. He just can’t put it together.
Yerin Ha on becoming a leading lady in “Bridgerton”: “It doesn’t feel real,” she says. “Because for a very long time, I didn’t think that it was possible for me — maybe I should have dreamed bigger.”
(Tyler Twins / For The Times)
Yerin, our first glimpse of you as Sophie was as she’s putting on the mask — she’s a mystery to both Benedict and the viewers in that first episode, but we come to learn her story, which has echoes of Cinderella. What excited you about Sophie?
Ha: The thing for me is Sophie’s character and morals; it’s the fact that despite all the obstacles and the challenges, she’s still able to lead and live the world with a really caring heart. She’s still witty and she still has a bit of humor to her. But to be honest with you, the thing for me that I really connected with Sophie was her journey and discovery into self-love and knowing that she’s also deserving of it. That’s something I, at least, talk about a lot with my friends — and what does self-love look like and feel like and mean to me? I learned a lot through Sophie, as well, and knowing that it’s who you decide to bring into your life. Love is not just in someone, it’s about the people in the community that you created.
Benedict’s sexuality, his fluidity, has been something the writers have explored in building his overall arc. How will that be discussed or addressed as his relationship with Sophie develops?
Thompson: It’s a tricky one, right? Benedict is quite striking as a character — I can understand why people see all sorts of identities and words that would apply to him in a modern context. A lot of particularly male sexuality, generally, can be portrayed in quite a box-y, angsty way — where it’s like, “Oh, you’re either gay or you’re straight, or this or that.” What’s nice about a character is that it’s a unique construction. It’s not a representation of any particular experience. It seems like, for him, his sexuality isn’t necessarily a big determiner of his identity; it is a symptom of him wanting to explore. He’s curious and he’s open. I guess what I’m trying to say is, if you’re truly open, that means you can form a connection with anyone. You could argue that it’s a force that has kept him, so far, at least, in a relentless chase for freedom and dodging the falling in love part, and I think I’m more interested in that.
About that — let’s get into his misguided declaration of love at the end of Part I. You read the books, you knew it was coming. It was the moment we‘ve come to expect from this show — until the last line where he asks her to be his mistress. How did you decide to play that moment?
Thompson: It is contextual, historically. There’s that scene in the Gentleman’s Club where, clearly, he can see that there are people who have that arrangement and do love each other. But I also think that’s a cop-out. That’s maybe trying to soften what is essentially Benedict’s main flaw. He’s been shown to be caring in many ways. But I also think the problem with someone like that is, if you’re charming to everyone, how can you develop something specific with one person? All of his front makes it very difficult for him to fall for someone, and to really engage and really commit to someone. Him saying that thing can be seen as him trying to have his cake and eat it — like, I’m going to splice the sort of fantasy I’ve got and the real world, and just mash it together and that will work.
He’s a bit blind. Season 4 is about his blindness, literally, in terms of recognizing her, but also that he can’t see that that wouldn’t be a perfect solution. He is maybe a bit blind about it and doesn’t necessarily consider how that might feel for Sophie. I would also say that he doesn’t have the information he needs from Sophie at that stage about being the lady in silver, which is an interesting tension. It’s fascinating because it’s a really dumb move from a character that you wouldn’t necessarily think would come from a character like that, but actually, to me, it makes complete sense that it would come from him. Benedict’s dad died very early, so he has an image of a loving relationship as something pretty terrifying, so you can understand why he’d want to avoid that, or want to find his way to escape the real commitment … but also have his cake.
Yerin, how did you feel about it?
Ha: I was so disappointed. I remember when we were doing the scene, I did actually feel genuinely angry. Benedict lives more in the fantasy realm, and Sophie definitely lives in more of the reality realm, but in that moment, it’s almost like she’s getting drunk on his words. She’s almost imagining as if there’s going to be a proposal, even though she knows that back in those days, that wouldn’t even really work. But she’s hoping and dreaming. But the minute he says that, she wakes up and she realizes, “Actually, this can never be”; her walls are back up. It almost takes her back to a place of her childhood and how she feels as a kid … It brings a lot of trauma back for her. I just remember doing that scene and feeling like I wanted to slap Benedict.
Thompson: We should have tried it. One take. I think people would have loved that.
At the end of Part 1, Thompson’s and Ha’s characters share a declaration of love gone wrong: “I remember when we were doing the scene, I did actually feel genuinely angry,” Ha says.
(Tyler Twins / For The Times)
Did you work with an intimacy coordinator for that scene? How was it to film that first moment of intimacy between the characters?
Ha: It was really hot on the set — literally, metaphorically. It was hot. It was the candles, and the air traveled up and it was a tiny, narrow set. But Lizzie, our intimacy coordinator, she is the best, she is incredible. There’s different ways that you can kind of go about it, where it’s paint by numbers or a blueprint, and just find your way to like A, B and C, which is more the vibe that we went through. She’s so amazing in the energy and space that she creates. She guides us and listens to each of us and what we need and how to make it maybe look a little bit nicer or rougher or whatever it is. I really lean on her as an intimacy coordinator, and felt very safe in those scenes because it is quite vulnerable and exposing.
Thompson: It was a security blanket, isn’t it? It’s just nice having someone to monitor it, so you’re not just stuck, just you two, or you and the director, who sometimes, in my previous … experience, directors are often quite embarrassed about those scenes, which drives me mad because I’m like, “You’re not the one that has to do this.” It’s all about trust. It’s very important to have that person there to facilitate and to have an outside eye on it because what feels good doesn’t necessarily look good. You need to have them choreographed because the actors can only really relate from the inside out, so they don’t know what stories being told outside.
This season’s story has hints of “Cinderella” in it. Did you channel any classic romance heroes, heroines or stories as you prepped?
Thompson: The masquerade ball made me think about Romeo and Juliet a lot. It’s Romeo and Juliet-coded, the way they meet and just going off somewhere private. I don’t think consciously, I thought about that, but when we were doing it, it really brought that into my head.
Ha: I guess because it’s the constant “Cinderella” nod, I really relied heavily on “Cinderella.” It does veer off from the “Cinderella” story. And I do want to acknowledge that it’s a starting point, not the actual plot line. She was my favorite princess growing up. I had a full dress with a Cinderella icon on it. I would wear that every second day.
Thompson: That’s so sweet.
Ha: I just wanted to meet my prince.
The first half ends with Benedict and Sophie at a crossroads, an impasse.
Thompson: Benedict and Sophie meet in dream scenarios. They meet in the masquerade ball, which is Sophie’s dream. Then they meet in [Benedict’s] cottage, which is sort of Benedict’s dream place. Then in [Episode] 4, they have to go back to the ton and the real world. It’s a struggle that everyone knows very well, when you fall for someone, and there’s the honeymoon period where you’re spinning this story together. Then it’s like, how do you deal with the real world, and how do you deal with getting bored with each other or getting angry with one another? It’ll be interesting to see how they find each other again.
Ha: Even reading the scripts, I was like, how are they going to make this work, especially acknowledging the class difference as well, nobility and her being a servant. Fans will really want to see how it all plays out. When society tells you can’t be with someone, what are you going to do about it? Are you going to surrender to that or are you going to fight for it? That’s going to be the journey for Part 2.
With any fandom, parasocial relationships form. There’s an attachment and shipping of fictional characters, but it can sometimes extend to the actors outside of the characters. How do you navigate that?
Ha: I think we’re just being us. What’s really lovely about Luke is that I have so much love for him as a human being, but I can’t control what people project and I can’t control what people will think and create a narrative and story. But I know my truth, and I know that I respect Luke as a human, as an actor, as a colleague, as a friend. We’re very professional, but we’re also good friends.
Thompson: That’s right. It’s nice to have stuff projected on you — that’s the joy of being an actor. You want people to look at you, want them to get lost in some idea of you. My point of view is always to absolutely welcome that and also say, but I don’t have to set the record straight for anyone. It’s their show. Even when I meet fans in the street, I don’t really think, “Oh, they’re coming for me.” They’re seeing the show. It’s a slightly overused word, but it is just about getting those boundaries straight in your head. You can’t really enjoy the attention that you get from fans because you think it’s coming for you. But actually, if you’ve got that nice boundary, you get to enjoy the attention from the fans.
Marc Anthony and Nadia Ferreira have plans to grow their family, announcing on Wednesday that a little one is on the way.
The couple revealed in a joint Instagram post that their son “Marquito is going to be a big brother.” They posted a photo of their hands, along with their son’s hand, cradling Ferreira‘s baby bump. The pair also wrote in their caption in Spanish that their anniversary is a gift and God is great.
Grammy-winning “Vivir mi Vida” singer Anthony, 57, married model and former Miss Universe Paraguay and 2021 Miss Universe runner-up Ferreira, 26,in January 2023 in a star-studded ceremony in Miami. David Beckham served as best man and Salma Hayek, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Luis Fonsi were on the guest list.
The child will be Anthony’s eighth. The musician (real name Marco Antonio Muñiz) shares two adult children with ex-girlfriend Debbie Rosado, and two grown children from his marriage to former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres. He also shares twin teenagers with ex-wife Jennifer Lopez.
As Ferreira revealed news of her pregnancy, Anthony teased an upcoming collaboration with singer Nathy Peluso. The pair of Grammy winners posted a clip of themselves singing and dancing in a studio and urged followers to pre-save their latest song “Como En El Idilio.”
Anthony teased additional music on Tuesday. He posted a black-and-white video of himself and musicians performing in a studio. The clip ended simply with white text reading: “Feb 06.”
What seems to be Anthony’s newest music foray will drop a week before he launches his residency at the Fontainebleau Las Vegas. His Vegas My Way circuit of 10 live performances begins Feb. 13. Additional dates and information can be found on the residency’s website.
Here’s the lowdown on exactly when you can watch Bridgerton season four, part two and what to expect from the second batch of episodes.
When is Bridgerton season 4 part 2 on Netflix?
Bridgerton season four, episode five will be hitting Netflix on Thursday, February 26 when fans will be getting another four episodes to savour.
The release schedule for season four mirrors that of the third outing after Netflix started splitting up its biggest shows to maintain its subscriber base.
Netflix recently released the episode titles for season four, part two, which marks the second half of the fourth run.
The episode titles are as follows: Episode 5: Yes or No; Episode 6: The Passing Winter; Episode 7: The Beyond; and Episode 8: Dance in the Country.
Season four is adapted from Julia Quinn’s third Bridgerton novel An Offer from a Gentleman and those familiar with the book might be able to guess what the episode titles allude to in terms of the plot.
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What happens in Bridgerton season 4 part 1?
WARNING: This section contains spoilers from Bridgerton season 4, part 1
Season four, part two will see what happens between Sophie Baek (played by Yerin Ha) and Benedict Bridgerton (Luke Thompson) and their blossoming romance. Despite their attempts to avoid each other, the sparks flew between them.
Benedict was also in the dark about Sophie’s complicated past, something which could come to light in the latter half of the season.
Season four, part two is also expected to address whether or not Benedict will find out if Sophie is also the Lady in Silver, and if that could have a bearing on whether he would want to marry her.
Another storyline in season four, part two will likely be Francesca Bridgerton’s (Hannah Dodd) burgeoning sexuality.
Season three previously hinted at Francesca’s feelings towards female rake Michaela Stirling (Masali Baduza), when she was left tongue-tied during their first meeting.
Finally, Eloise Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie) and her decision to become a spinster and be “left on the shelf” will be delved into further as the headstrong Bridgerton daughter might find herself fettered by the constraints of society given in her single status.
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly in a recent interview, Bridgerton’s showrunner Jess Brownell teased season four and Sophie’s arc: “We get to watch a very headstrong young woman try to decide her fate for herself and pick up the courage to believe in and dream for a life greater than the one she currently has.”
Brownell went on to say that the novel was the “easiest” one to adapt because the structure lent itself “really closely” to ones seen on the small screen.
The writer added: “There are just a lot of rich set pieces that gave us juicy conflict and high stakes. I think fans will be happy to see quite a few of the set pieces from the book in the show.”
Once season four, part two has wrapped up, fans can look forward to both seasons four and five, which are already in the pipeline with Brownell confirming to Deadline that Eloise and Francesca’s stories will be the focus of each of the outings but couldn’t confirm the order.
Given that the television adaptation has already broken with the order of the novels, there’s nothing to stop the sixth novel When He Was Wicked from being first and focusing on Francesca’s love story.
To Sir Phillip, With Love is book five in the series and focuses on Eloise.
Bridgerton season 4, part 1 is streaming on Netflix now
After a competitive bidding process, indie studio A24 has acquired the U.S. rights to Olivia Wilde’s comedy “The Invite” in a major deal out of the Sundance Film Festival.
The film, which stars Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton, was purchased for around $10 million, according to a person familiar with the deal who requested anonymity due to the sensitive matter. One factor for Wilde was a preference for a traditional theatrical release.
“The Invite” focuses on a dinner party among neighbors and was billed as a must-see after it premiered over the weekend at Sundance. So far, the film has notched a 91% rating on aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.
The market at Sundance has traditionally been viewed as a bellwether for the indie film business. In the last few years, deals have been slower to emerge from the festival, particularly as streamers stopped offering massive sums for films to stock their platforms and as studios cut back on spending.
The deal for “The Invite” is one of a handful that have already been announced. On Tuesday, Neon said it acquired the worldwide rights to horror film “Leviticus,” which premiered at Sundance. Neon also bought the worldwide rights over the weekend for another horror flick, “4 X 4: The Event” from filmmaker Alex Ullom. That deal was the first to be made in Park City, though the film was not shown at Sundance and will begin production later this year. The value for both of Neon’s deals was not disclosed.
Davina McCall married her long-term partner during an ‘absolutely beautiful’ ceremony recently, just months after the couple announced their engagement following a trip to Ibiza
Davina McCall became emotional as husband Michael Douglas paid tribute to her openness(Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Davina McCall broke down in tears during an emotional discussion with husband Michael Douglas. Davina and Michael tied the knot recently in an “absolutely beautiful” ceremony in front of their friends and family.
It came just three months after Davina, 58, announced that she and celebrity hairstylist Michael got engaged during a trip to Ibiza. The couple first started dating in 2018, having met originally on the set of Big Brother in 2000.
Now on the Making the Cut podcast, Davina’s husband Michael praised the television presenter for using her fame to speak candidly about her health battles and “help a lot of people”.
It came after Michael recently read Bruce Springsteen’s autobiography. In the book, the Boss spoke candidly about his music and his life, something Michael said he found to be a “therapeutic experience”.
Michael said: “I realised the important role that famous people can have in regular people’s lives. Bruce putting his life in the paper or out there has helped me.
“I realised what it means to be married to someone like you who also does that and what it’s like to be around someone who puts themselves out in a way that is to benefit and help other people and I want to say, well done you.
“I realise what you stand for for a lot of people and I see them stop you in the street and say how grateful they are for what you decided to do with your fame and your time. In a way that Springsteen helped me, I realised you helped a lot of people.”
The touching words from her husband made The Masked Singer panellist Davina audibly tear up. Davina will return to screens with Long Lost Families tonight (January 29) from 9pm on ITV One.
The series sees Davina and co-host Nicky Campbell reuniting people with their loved ones. Tonight the series will visit Mandy whose parents had a baby girl they placed for adoption, she is now attempting to find her long-lost big sister.
Elsewhere Jane thought she was an only child until her mother revealed she had a baby boy 11 months before her. Jane now wants help finding her long lost brother who was put up for adoption.
Davina has previously spoken about the emotions she feels when reunited siblings, especially because she lost her sister to cancer in 2012. Caroline, 50, was diagnosed with lung cancer after being rushed to hospital after suffering a suspected stroke.
Speaking to Love TV, she said: “Sometimes with siblings, it’s quite hard and painful, because one sibling might have grown up with their birth family, while the other was placed for adoption. There’s a lot to unpack there, you know?”
Davina says the show’s genealogists occasionally track people down who weren’t even aware they had a sibling. “Imagine being gifted a sibling out of the blue, it would be absolutely mad,” she added.
Netflix has added a historical drama based on the true story and viewers have been captivated
Toni Chichiarelli is a real-life artist(Image: NETFLIX)
Netflix has quietly dropped a historical drama rooted in real events, and true crime enthusiasts are already singing its praises. The streaming giant has added this Italian post-war thriller, which chronicles the life of Toni Chichiarelli (portrayed by Pietro Castellitto).
The gifted artist scrapes by creating street portraits in Rome during Italy’s tumultuous Years of Lead. This period witnessed widespread chaos fuelled by political violence from both neo-fascist groups and far-left extremists.
Time Magazine noted: “Toni’s amoral ambition leads to a life of forgery, producing perfect replicas of paintings for his gallery owner girlfriend Donata (Giulia Michelini) and other lucrative jobs for the Banda della Magliana, a criminal organization stretching its wings in Rome, with the charismatic Balbo (Edoardo Pesce) taking the forger under his wing.”
This ambitious production, amongst Netflix’s collection of fact-based films, has earned acclaim for its meticulous period detail, with reviewers highlighting the authenticity of everything from vehicles to wardrobes and soundtrack. Viewers have branded it a compelling blend of political suspense and gangster drama.
The Netflix offering is titled The Big Fake, and supporters have flocked to IMDb reviews encouraging others to give it a watch.
Pjames10 praised it as “excellent”, revealing: “I don’t want to give anything away, but the movie took some nice twists and turns. It had some filmic serendipities that, rather than distracting, only helped to reveal how our hero has led a charmed life on the periphery of legitimacy and criminality. I was sucked in, and it held my attention the entire time.”
2B-10101010 branded it “amazing”, continuing: “Intrigue, emotion, story, actors, this movie has it all. It starts a bit slow but after the initial introduction, you get to know the characters and story and you want to see more, you want to feel like you are in the movie, it’s a captivating story with a bit of flair. Maybe one of the best European movies! Give it a chance, it’s worth seeing.”
Luuthaiquangkhai awarded the film nine out of 10 stars, commending its distinctive atmosphere.
They explained: “I came in expecting a heist/criminal movie, ends up watching a Historical drama that is very much unlike any other things. They have a good story to tell, a firm set of characters with clear individual values and motivations.”
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Over on Rotten Tomatoes, Giulia S enthused: “Amazing plot. Great character. Great Atmosphere. I really enjoy it!” Anthousa P declared: “Finally a movie for readers of good literature. Where the story matters less than how it is told. Lovely photography, solid acting, good steady pace, interesting musical background.”
Lucas P declared: “An absolute masterpiece of a movie with a spectacular twist at the end. This is a must-watch.”
The genuine Antonio Chichiarelli was an expert in deception, and his talents extended far beyond painting. Born in Abruzzo in 1948, he made his way to Rome possessing a skill “so dangerous it made him a protected asset for the most powerful entities in Italy”, according to The Viewers Perspective.
The Big Fake is on Netflix.
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Monarch of the Glen debuted at the dawn of the new millennium, enchanting viewers with its warm-hearted comedy-drama format. The BBC programme chronicles young restaurateur Archie MacDonald (portrayed by Alastair Mackenzie) as he attempts to revitalise his childhood residence in the Scottish Highlands.
Archie found himself drawn back to Scotland from his hectic London restaurant career after discovering he’d inherited his family’s Highland titles and property, becoming the Laird of Glenbogle.
He subsequently made the difficult choice to abandon his metropolitan existence and begin anew whilst managing the crumbling estate, alongside its enormous debts and dealing with Glenbogle’s temperamental workforce.
Archie had the support of his partner Justine (Anna Wilson-Jones), whose decision to accompany him to Scotland meant she too relocated for their relationship. Throughout the series, viewers keenly followed Archie’s journey to determine whether he could ultimately transform the estate into a profitable venture, despite numerous challenges blocking his progress.
The series has garnered glowing praise on IMDb, with one viewer awarding it 10/10 in a review headlined “Excellent series, quirky, charming”. They wrote: “The writing is very consistently good, the characters appealing (their quirks and foibles make them even more so), and the scenery of the Scottish highlands is just lovely.”
Another highly-rated review declared: “Amazing, makes you fall in love with Scotland and its people.”
The reviewer expanded: “I love the values expressed through the show: honesty, faithfulness, character, faith, friendship, hard work, dependability, and above all forgiveness and reconciliation. I love how the themes are developed and I love the beautiful Scottish scenery.”
A third top-rated review hailed Monarch of the Glen as a “great series”, concluding: “Overall I’d give it 10/10 though for the drama/acting and of course Scottish scenery.”
Another fan declared: “The series, “Monarch of the Glen” is the best that telly has had to offer in a very long while.”
They continued: “The scenery is just as much the star of the show yet it is not used as an excuse for slack plot standards. Indeed it is part and parcel of the plot.”
The programme was loosely based on Sir Compton Mackenzie’s Highland Novels, though whilst the books were set during the 1930s and 1940s, the BBC adaptation took a more modern approach. Nevertheless, the programme takes its name from the opening novel in the series, The Monarch of the Glen, which references the renowned painting of the same title by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer.
Monarch of the Glen spanned seven series altogether and was filmed across numerous stunning locations, including the Cairngorms, Badenoch and Strathspey.
Meanwhile, Ardverikie House provided the main setting for the castle featured in the programme, with additional filming occurring around the south-east shore of Loch Laggan where the property is situated.
Alongside Mackenzie and Wilson-Jones, Monarch of the Glen boasted a stellar cast including beloved The Good Life actor Richard Briers, Emmy Award-winner Susan Hampshire, Human Traffic’s Lorraine Pilkington, Taggart’s Alexander Morton, Holby City’s Dawn Steele, fellow Holby City veteran Hamish Clark, and Downton Abbey creator-turned-performer Julian Fellowes.
Monarch of the Glen represents Fellowes’ most substantial acting role to this day, portraying Lord Kilwillie across 24 episodes.
Fellowes has previously appeared in productions such as Aristocrats, Sharpe, Our Friends in the North, and Kavanagh QC.
Monarch of the Glen is streaming on BBC iPlayer now
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Netflix has shared a first look at its new crime thriller series, which is based on bestselling novels
Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole | Official Teaser | Netflix
Netflix has dropped an exciting first look at a gripping new crime thriller series perfect for Department Q fans, adapted from a celebrated author’s chart-topping novels. The serial killer whodunnit, among Netflix’sexpanding roster of crime dramas, stars The Last Kingdom’s Tobias Santelmann in the lead role, with early reactions praising it as “fresh and true to the character”.
Set for its worldwide premiere on Netflix on March 26, the Working Title production showcases Santelmann as detective Harry Hole, with Joel Kinnaman portraying Tom Waaler and Pia Tjelta taking on the role of Rakel Fauke.
Series creator and executive producer Jo Nesbø commented: “It’s been just great working with Tobias Santelmann and creating a character that is fresh, still true to the character and his universe in the novels. I’m really looking forward to presenting this Harry Hole to the audience.”
The programme, titled Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole, has proven to be a career highlight for Santelmann, who described the opportunity as an “honour”. He elaborated: “Stepping into Harry Hole’s shoes has been a tremendous honour and a thrilling challenge. Jo Nesbø’sworld is so rich, and Harry is a truly complex character.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity, and I hope the audience will enjoy our Harry Hole. Bringing him to life, and working with everyone involved, has been a true privilege.”
Jo Nesbø has captivated audiences globally with over 60 million books sold, cementing his status as a master of the crime thriller genre. The adaptation centres on his iconic troubled detective, Harry Hole, and explores his complex relationship with a fellow officer who walks a far darker path.
The series pits Harry against the morally compromised detective Tom Waaler. According to the synopsis: “Harry is a brilliant but tormented homicide detective who struggles with his demons.
“As the two navigate the blurred ethical lines of the criminal justice system, Harry must do all he can to catch a serial killer and bring Waaler to justice before it is too late.”
The explosive trailer plunges audiences straight into chaos with a devastating car crash, offering a glimpse into the perilous world the detective inhabits daily. Whilst acknowledged as exceptional at his job, he is “just not that good at everything else”.
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This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Stranger Things and The Last of Us.
His nemesis can be heard taunting him: “We are not so different, you and I. We are both intelligent. We don’t have to be enemies, you and I.”
Enthusiasts rushed to YouTube to voice their excitement, with @CANAN-07 commenting: “I read all Jo Nesbo books! I love Harry Hole’s character, and I was picturing exactly this actor type in my mind, Tobias Santelmann. This must be from The Devil’s Star book in which the killer cuts off victims’ fingers.”
User @stevelamont4593 commented: “I’m with you, I’ve read the books, I’m hoping it’s better than The Snowman (film). The book was brilliant, this looks really…. really good.”
Meanwhile, @iloveharrypotter22 enthused: “YES! I can’t wait. One of my all-time favorite book series. If you’re new to Harry Hole read the books, and skip The Snowman movie. This show has a lot of promise. Can’t wait!”
Jo Nesbo’s Detective Hole launches on Netflix on March 26.
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The 2023 film follows childhood friends coming to terms with a devastating loss
The touching 2023 drama is now streaming for free on BBC iPlayer(Image: Haymarket Films )
A touching drama that kept viewers glued to their screens has landed on BBC iPlayer just in time for your midweek viewing.
First hitting screens in 2023, Kindling marked writer-director Connor O’Hara’s feature film debut.
Though he was a fresh face in the industry, O’Hara worked with an impressive cast including Sex Education’s George Somner and fellow Netflix actress Mia McKenna-Bruce (Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials).
The heartfelt drama follows a group of young men who return to their hometown for one last summer with their terminally ill friend, Sid (Somner).
Coming to terms with his mortality, Sid creates a plan to make the summer unforgettable. He gathers his friends and tasks each of them with finding an item that connects their group to either love, home, friends, family or location.
As a science nerd, Sid plans on burning every beloved item to immortalise his memory in the form of particles lingering in the atmosphere.
As you can expect, the film dives into heavy themes including grief and terminal illness. But it also explores uplifting topics such as the importance of friendship.
Although Kindling didn’t capture much attention upon its debut, fans who caught it were completely captivated.
Taking to Rotten Tomatoes, one viewer praised: “Very touching film with some fantastic performances by such a young cast! The filmmakers did a great job of handling such complex subject matter without it feeling heavy-handed. I hope more people see this film!”
Meanwhile an IMDb user dubbed it as “a classic in every way,” before adding: “Kindling kept me glued to the screen in a trance.”
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A third viewer shared their own glowing review: “Overall, Kindling is a touching and beautifully made film that will leave you feeling grateful for the people in your life. It is a celebration of life and friendship, and a reminder to cherish every moment we have. Highly recommended.”
While a Letterboxd user enthused: “One of those deeper films about real friendship, love and loss. This in many ways is about how loss affects the individuals, the friends, family members and an outsider. Thought provoking, sad, happy and very real. A film which needs to be watched more than once.”
However, someone else warned: “Be prepared to cry if you’re gonna watch this.”
A MAJOR character from Sex and the City was seen looking sexier than ever.
The SATC heartthrob was spotted out and about walking his dogs, and honestly, he’s still looking good more than 20 years after his Sex and the City days.
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The 58-year-old actor, who played Carrie’s writer boyfriend, was rocking a seriously shaggy beard during the low-key outing.
SATC star, Ron Livingston, is spotted years after becoming everyone’s favorite ex-boyfriendCredit: BackGrid
Ron Livingston, the star behind the oft-debated Jack Berger character in the series, threw on a blue flannel shirt for the casual dog walk.
That Post-it breakup is still one of the most talked-about moments in the entire series, and an iconic moment in television history.
For the walk in Hollywood, he added baggy blue jeans to his flannel shirt, a white undershirt, and some dark red leather sneakers.
Carrie and BergerCredit: AlamyAfter the Hamptons, before the Post-It noteCredit: Alamy
Wife and fellow actor, Rosemarie DeWitt, joined him on the dog walk in a sporty black and white look with a floppy hat.
Ron’s joked before that he got “death threats from scrunchie nation” after another scene where Berger defended a woman’s hair scrunchie.
Berger is also the one who dropped the legendary, “He’s just not that into you,” line on Miranda during that dinner with all the girls.
Since his SATC days, Ron’s been busy with stuff like The Conjuring, Boardwalk Empire, and his hit show, Loudermilk.
Ron Livingston arrives at RLJE Films’ The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then Bigfoot premiere at ArcLight Hollywood on February 04, 2019Credit: GettyCarrie and Berger meet a woman from MaconCredit: Alamy
Ron was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and attended Yale along with Anderson Cooper, while singing in the a capella group, the Whiffenpoofs.
He first became known for his lead role as Peter Gibbons in the classic American movie, Office Space.
He’s also well-known for playing Captain Lewis Nixon in Band of Brothers, the HBO war series, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe.
Unlike SJP, Ron’s kept his personal life pretty private compared to when he was in the Sex and the City spotlight.
He married Rosemarie in 2009, and the pair have two children together.
This casual dog-walking look shows he’s totally fine living a chill life away from all the Hollywood craziness.
Fans were pumped to see him looking good and living his best life.
That shaggy beard gives him a totally different vibe from his clean-cut Berger days — more rugged and distinguished now.
Even after more than 20 years, SATC fans still remember Berger as one of Carrie’s most memorable boyfriends before she met Petrovsky and ended up with Mr Big.
Ron Livingston is spotted 30 years after the cult comedy was releasedCredit: BackGridRon Livingston and Rosemarie DeWitt walking their two dogs in Los FelizCredit: BackGrid
Emmerdale legend Glenda McKay has announced her new role as Dr Pearce in HollyoaksCredit: Instagram/@reddoormanagementThe star has landed herself a soap hat-trick having appeared on Emmerdale, Coronation Street and now Channel 4’s HollyoaksCredit: Rex Features
Channel 4 bosses have cast the 54-year-old actress with the intention to include her in a forthcoming storyline.
It’s been revealed Glenda is playing a new character named Dr Pearce, though it’s currently unclear how long the soap star will remain on the show for.
The soap star’s exciting new casting was confirmed in a post shared by the talent agency Red Door Management.
They said in a post on social media: “Tune into Hollyoaks at 7pm this evening on E4 to catch Red Door’s Glenda McKay as Dr Pearce.”
Glenda’s Hollyoaks role comes just months after she appeared in a guest stint on rival soap Coronation Street.
On the cobbles, Glenda played a social worker named Alison Hale who was dealing with street couple Tim and Sally Metcalfe as they fought to foster the Michealis’ children following their mum Lou’s imprisonment.
The actress left Emmerdale over 25 years ago when she was killed off in a memorable storyline which saw her brutally pushed off a cliff.
Glenda’s Emmerdale character, Rachel Hughes, was embroiled in a number of the show’s biggest storylines from affairs to having a secret childCredit: RexThe 54-year-old made her debut on Emmerdale back in 1988Credit: Alamy
She spent more than 11 years on the soap and appeared in almost 750 episodes.
Her character, Rachel Hughes, was embroiled in a number of the show’s biggest storylines from affairs to having a secret child.
Glenda’s final storyline saw her enter a toxic relationship with teacher Graham Clark. He coerced her into dressing differently and forced her to dye her hair in an attempt to mould her into his dead wife.
Twisted Graham then attempted to force himself on her as she tried to break up with him.
He later chased Rachel and cornered her on a clifftop, she confronted him, and Graham ultimately pushed her to her death.
The evil teacher then lead Rachel’s friends and fellow villagers to believe that she was missing.
Since leaving Emmerdale in 1999, Glenda has only landed a handful of TV roles including guest stints on Hollyoaks and Doctors.
In 2005, Glenda appeared in Coronation Street for one episode as a love interest of cabbie Lloyd Mulaney (Craig Charles).
But in recent years, the former soap star made a startling career change as she ditched acting to work as a primary school teacher.
HELEN Flanagan has revealed she thought she was being drugged and feared her kids would be taken away from her following her split from ex-fiance Scott Sinclair.
The former Coronation Street actress opened up on the breakdown she experienced after parting ways with the footballer in 2022 after 13 years together.
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Helen has opened up on the terrifying breakdown she experienced after splitting from ex Scott SinclairCredit: GettyHelen shares three children with her footballer ex – and feared losing them during the dark timeCredit: instagram/hjgflanaganHelen and Scott’s relationship remains strained, with the actress recently branding him a ‘d***head’Credit: Instagram
She told The Mirror: “It was the worst time that I’ve ever struggled with my mental health.”
Helen, who is on medication for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), believes she experienced an adverse reaction to her prescription drugs which fuelled the feelings.
“He really wasn’t playing fair,” she said of Scott’s behaviour at the time.
“So I had quite a lot of financial stuff going on as well and the stress of solicitors. I was also totally heartbroken after David Haye.
“It just all became too much and I began to experience psychosis,” she said of the post-break-up breakdown.
“I thought I was being watched, filmed, hunted, possibly even drugged, I was seeing things that weren’t there.
“It was really frightening – I thought my kids were going to be taken away, the nursery got involved,” she added.
“I do think the medication was really bad for me, but I became quite addicted to it.”
Helen shares three kids with Scott – Matilda, ten, Delilah, seven, and Charlie, four.
The Celebs Go Dating star credited her parents and therapists as helping her to get through the dark time.
Helen Flanagan with her children Matilda, Delilah and CharlieCredit: Helen Flanagan InstagramHelen thinks her prescription medication contributed to her dark thoughtsCredit: Getty
Her relationship with ex Scott continues to remain strained, with Helen recently taking several public swipes at the father of her children.
Just last week, The Sun reported how Helen was being forced out of her £1million family home by her ex.
A friend of Helen’s said: “Scott pays for the house and all the bills and he’s decided a six-bedroom place is way too big for Helen on her own with the kids.
“But Helen doesn’t want to move and is digging her heels in. She loves the place, the kids are settled at the local school and her mum and dad live around the corner.
In wake of the news, the lingerie model branded Scott “a d***head” in a new interview with the Daily Mail, confessing that the two have a “very bad relationship”.
“We only communicate through my father now. There is so much worse I could say,” she told the publication.
Over Christmas, Helen was also left furious after she spotted photos of Scott at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
She publicly hit out on her Instagram Stories: “You really are a piece of s***. How dare you not turn up to Charlie’s nativity.”
Helen admitted she now takes jobs she usually wouldn’t do to pay the bills and that she feels “mum guilt” at leaving her kids to work.
“So, I can’t forgive Scott for stealing a lot of my time with my children. I resent him for that.”
Helen is expected to dish more on her break-up with Scott in her new book Head And Heart: Break-ups, Breakdowns and Being Rosie, which is released tomorrow.
Helen is expected to reveal more about her relationship Scott in a new memoirCredit: Instagram
Ray J says his days are numbered — and the number he’s citing is 2027.
“Just almost died!! I’m alive because of your prayers and support!!” the singer wrote in an Instagram caption posted Sunday.
“I wanna thank everyone for praying for me. I was in the hospital,” he said in the accompanying video. “My heart is only beating like 25%, but as long as I stay focused and stay on the right path, then everything will be all right, so thank you for all your prayers.”
It was a different story in another livestream, however, captured in clips on the @Livebitez Instagram page.
“2027 is definitely a wrap for me,” the 45-year-old, real name William Ray Norwood Jr., said in one video posted Tuesday, making a “cut off” motion across his neck.
“No, don’t say that, brother,” a friend says off camera.
“That’s what the doctor says,” Ray J replied meekly, then seemingly grew frustrated as his friend talked loudly over him and insisted he was going to live long enough to see his children’s children.
In the next clip, the singer says, “It don’t matter if my days are counted. But guess what — my baby mama gonna be straight. My kids are gonna be straight. If they want to spend all the money they can spend it, but I did my part here.”
Then he looks up and tells his friend, “I shouldn’t have went this hard, bro. I shouldn’t have went hard. And then, when it’s all done, burn me, don’t bury me.”
In clips assembled on the next Livebitez post, Ray J admits heavy alcohol and drug use and says that messed up his heart “on the right side, here, it’s like, black. It’s like done.” He said he might go to Haiti to “do some voodoo” because he thinks “they got the cure.”
He also said he thought he was “bigger” and “had more weight” to put up against the onslaught of substances. “I thought I could handle all the alcohol, I could handle all the Adderall.”
Cut to the next clip where he says he thought he “could handle all the drugs, but I couldn’t. … And it curbed my time here.”
In a final collection of clips, Ray J mentions the criminal protective order put in place by the court after a run-in with the law in November. .
Ray J was arrested in Los Angeles on suspicion of making criminal threats, an LAPD spokesman told The Times in late November. The singer allegedly pointed a gun at ex-wife Princess Love during a heated argument that happened during a livestream at Thanksgiving.
Because of the protective order related to that incident, he isn’t allowed to see her or their kids, Melody, 7, and Epik, who turned 6 last month. He said in court documents reviewed by Page Six that he pointed the gun at her to keep her from driving the kids away from his house after a drunken family holiday.
In the final batch of clips, he says his parents were picking him up “tomorrow” for a doctor appointment. He mentions that sister Brandy had paid his bills “for the rest of the year. That’s crazy.”
Despite the singer-actor picking up his tab, Ray J says his kids have “at least $10 million” in their trust fund account.
The R&B singer was hospitalized in early January in Las Vegas, sidelined by heart pain and pneumonia, according to TMZ. Four years ago, he battled pneumonia as well.
Harrison Ford’s character in Apple TV’s Shrinking has Parkinson’s disease, leading some fans to question whether the 83-year-old actor has the condition in real life
Shrinking: Harrison Ford stars in season two trailer
Fans of Shrinking have been questioning whether Hollywood legend Harrison Ford has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease following the third season premiere on Apple TV.
The iconic actor has brought to life numerous memorable characters throughout his illustrious career, including Han Solo, Indiana Jones, Jack Ryan, and Jacob Dutton in the Yellowstone franchise.
His most recent role is Dr Paul Rhoades, an elderly therapist and gruff mentor to Jimmy Laird (portrayed by Jason Segel ) in Apple TV’s popular comedy-drama series.
The critically praised show made its return this Wednesday (28th January) with an hour-long premiere episode, featuring Paul navigating life after receiving a Parkinson’s diagnosis.
However, some viewers are questioning whether Paul’s storyline reflects a genuine health issue for the cherished film star. Here’s what we know, reports the Express.
Does Harrison Ford have Parkinson’s disease?
No, Harrison Ford does not suffer from Parkinson’s in reality, and the 83 year old cinema icon is widely believed to be in good health.
Parkinson’s disease results in progressive damage to parts of the brain over what can be many years. The condition causes uncontrollable tremors, rigid muscles and slowed movement, whilst also impacting cognitive abilities including memory, emotional wellbeing and sleep patterns.
Ford was recently forced to pull out of presenting at the 2025 Academy Awards after being diagnosed with shingles. However, Entertainment Tonight quickly confirmed he was “doing okay and resting at home”.
The star has kept fit and well into his 80s through regular exercise and a healthy diet.
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Speaking to Ellen DeGeneres in 2020, he revealed he cycles and plays tennis, but doesn’t “work out like crazy”. His diet consists mainly of fish and vegetables.
Although Ford doesn’t have Parkinson’s himself, his authentic portrayal of Paul, whose condition has progressively deteriorated over the past two seasons of Shrinking, has won widespread acclaim.
One particularly impressed viewer is Back to the Future legend Michael J Fox, a Parkinson’s campaigner who received his diagnosis in the early 1990s. He appears in a cameo role as Gerry in Shrinking’s third season premiere and recently disclosed that Ford’s performance “brought him to tears”.
“That’s one thing that’s amazing about Harrison,” Fox told Vanity Fair. “I don’t have to convince him I have Parkinson’s, but he had to convince me he had Parkinson’s.
“What I wasn’t prepared for was how much of his own understanding of the disease he brought to it.
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“I mean, I recognised Parkinson’s in his eyes. The things I was feeling, I recognised in the way he was expressing himself.”
Ford heaped also praise on his co-star, describing Fox as “generous, supportive, open, just a wonderful person”, before adding, “[and a] pretty goddamn good actor too”.
“It’s a daunting disease and also a daunting job to represent it in an appropriate way. It was a very important experience for me to have,” he continued. “Michael is an extraordinarily powerful person.”
Shrinking season 3 continues Wednesdays on Apple TV.
Katie Price shocked fans as she married Lee Andrews in a quickie ceremony on SundayCredit: Instagram/ @wesleeeandrewsKatie’s new mum-in-law seemed happy with the news at first but has now taken a cryptic swipe at the loved-up pairCredit: Facebook / Trisha MediumThe clairvoyant posted a sad quote to her social media, which appeared to take aim at Katie and LeeCredit: Facebook
At the time, she told The Mirror that if Katie and Lee are happy then she is too.
But despite putting on a brave face, it now seems Trisha has doubts about the marriage.
The clairvoyant wasn’t present at the wedding and, today, posted a quote to her Facebook page that said: “Do not get upset with people or situations; both are powerless without your reaction.”
Trisha previously said to The Mirror: “There’s a lot of lies going around about Lee and that’s made me really upset. He’s not been married twice. I just want to defend my son, but I can’t say much more until I know everything.
“He did tell me that the wedding was happening. He spoke to me and if he is happy, I am happy – he’s my son, and that’s all that matters.”
Speaking about Katie, Trisha added: “Of course, I know who Katie is.
“I’ve always been very neutral about her. Everyone deserves a chance, you should never judge anyone in life.”
Last week the reality TV star sent fans wild as she dropped a series of engagement snaps.
In one photo, the podcast host was seen standing beside rose petals that were arranged to read “will you marry me” before she showcased her huge “25 carat” diamond ring.
Model Katie has since arrived back in the UK as two of Lee’s former lovers have hit out and warned that she should “run for the hills.”
Lee, who has also been caught faking his Instagram posts using AI, has revealed he is inbound for Britain as he wraps up “business” in the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Katie’s family are said to have been blindsided and are planning an intervention.
Katie Price shocked fans when she posted a string of engagement snaps to her Instagram just weeks after breaking up with her ex JJ SlaterCredit: wesleeeandrews/InstagramKatie has spoken out as her new loves ‘Walter Mitty’ life has begun to unravelCredit: Instagram/@wesleeeandrews
Last year, Spotify paid out more than $11 billion to the music industry, bringing the company’s total payouts since launch to nearly $70 billion.
The milestone year reflected the “largest annual payment to music from any retailer in history,” the company announced on Wednesday in a post. In 2025, Spotify’s payout amount grew by over 10%, making the Sweden-based streamer one of the industry’s main revenue drivers.
“Big, industry-wide numbers can feel abstract, but that growth is showing up in tangible ways,” wrote Charlie Hellman, the company’s new head of music. “Despite rampant misinformation about how streaming is working today, the reality is that this is an era full of more success stories and promise than at any point in history.”
When music streaming was first introduced, there was some controversy about how much artists earn from streams. According to Spotify, independent artists and labels accounted for half of all royalties. Additionally, the company said there are currently more artists earning over $100,000 a year from Spotify alone than were getting stocked on shelves at the height of the compact disc era.
Founded in 2006, the company, with a large presence in L.A.’s Arts District, has become the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service. The platform offers access to over 100 million tracks, podcasts and audiobooks in over 180 markets.
At the top of the year, founder Daniel Ek moved from his CEO position to become executive chairman. Spotify named two co-CEOs, Gustav Söderström and Alex Norström, in his place.
This month, Spotify raised prices for its premium subscribers in the U.S., bringing the costto $12.99 per month. Hellman disclosed that as Spotify’s audience continues to grow, the higher prices are designed to help with the company’s ongoing expansion. According to the post, Spotify makes up roughly 30% of recorded music revenue and pays out two-thirds of all music revenue to the industry. The other third gets invested back into the company to maintain an “unrivaled listening experience.”
Separately, Spotify said it is hoping to counter new developments in AI by reinforcing a human connection between artists and fans. This includes an emphasis on more artist-powered videos, continuing to promote artists’ live shows on the platform and expanding the role of the company’s music curators. The streamer also has plans to crack down on AI-driven artists on the platform.
“AI is being exploited by bad actors to flood streaming services with low-quality slop to game the system and attempt to divert royalties away from authentic artists,” said Hellman. “We’re going to introduce changes to the systems for artist verification, song credits, and protecting artist identity. It’s critical to ensuring listeners and rightsholders can trust who made the music they’re hearing.”
