MORGAN Freeman will become the voice of the London Underground this week.
The Hollywood legend’s famous tones will ring out at Baker Street tube today and tomorrow.
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A Hollywood legend will become the voice of the London Underground this weekCredit: AlamyMorgan Freeman will lend his legendary tones to the London Underground as part of his big-money advertising deal with Warburtons breadCredit: GettyFreeman’s famous tones will ring out at Baker Street tube on Wednesday and ThursdayCredit: Alamy
Instead of the announcer’s usual warning to “mind the gap”, Freeman will urge them to “mind the bap”.
The bakery firm’s CEO, Jonathan Warburton said: “We wanted to share a bit of that fun with Londoners on their daily commute and hopefully raise a few smiles.
“As you can probably tell, we also love a good bread pun, so Baker Street was a match made in heaven, and hearing a voice as legendary as Morgan Freeman’s booming to travellers on the platform is certainly a recipe for a memorable day.”
SIR David Beckham was just miles from his estranged son Brooklyn in LA on Monday — but the pair failed to meet.
Insiders said Becks, 50, was in the US city for work following a ski break in Canada with son Romeo.
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David and Romeo Beckham on a ski break in CanadaCredit: InstagramNicola Peltz shared this black and white photo of her and BrooklynCredit: InstagramThe pair were at Sir Elton John’s Aids Foundation Oscars viewing party on SundayCredit: Getty
A source said: “David was in Los Angeles for a new ad campaign, but given Brooklyn’s decision to cut off his family, there was no meeting between them.
“David had just come back from a ski trip with Romeo and friends in Canada when he flew to Los Angeles for work.
“Brooklyn would have just been miles away from him in the house he shares with Nicola.”
In October insiders confirmed Brooklyn had no interest in making amends with his family.
By January he was communicating with them through lawyers.
Days later, Brooklyn released a bombshell statement confirming the story.
Brooklyn and father David snapped in 2019, before their bombshell falloutCredit: Getty
He went on to make allegations against his family, including claiming fashion designer Victoria had “hijacked” his first dance with Nicola at their wedding in 2022.
On the track, Cruz sings: “Loneliest boy, mama don’t talk too much. It’s breaking her heart.
“It shows in the small things that you don’t do.
“I guess in the end that it’s you, yourself, and you.
“Tell me how do you live, when you’ve got nobody to lose?”
The Beckham clan and Nicola pre feudCredit: Splash
Brooklyn and wife Nicola were all smiles when they were invited by his godfather Sir Elton to be guests at his Oscars bash in Los Angeles on Sunday night.
Yesterday, Nicola shared a series of pictures of the night on her Instagram, including a black and white photo of her and Brooklyn.
She wrote: “What a beautiful evening for such an important cause. Thank you for having us Elton John and David Furnish, we love you both so much.”
On Sunday, Brooklyn’s social media followers rounded on him after he shared photos of mother-in-law, Claudia Peltz, who had celebrated her 71st birthday a few days earlier.
His post coincided with Mother’s Day. Mum Victoria shared tributes from Romeo, Cruz and Harper on Instagram, but fans noted there was no message from Brooklyn.
Those close to Brooklyn and Nicola said there was no going back in the feud with his parents.
A source said: “Brooklyn has said his piece. He is done. Moving on with his life with Nicola is his priority now.”
HOLLYWOOD actor Timothée Chalamet missed out on Oscars glory — and had to endure a string of jibes during the ceremony.
The Marty Supreme star was the butt of jokes having angered the arts world by stating nobody cared about ballet and opera.
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Timothée Chalamet missed out on Oscars glory — and had to endure a string of jibes during the ceremonyCredit: GettyAcademy Awards host Conan O’Brien said: ‘Security is very tight tonight. There’s concerns about attacks from the ballet and opera communities’Credit: GettyOnlookers told The Sun Timothée and girlfriend Kylie Jenner walked out of the ceremony for an hour amid the drubbingCredit: Getty
And his comments came back to haunt him as Academy Awards host Conan O’Brien said: “Security is very tight tonight. There’s concerns about attacks from the ballet and opera communities.”
He waded in again later, saying to Timothée: “We’re vibing, right?”
He then told viewers: “He doesn’t think so.”
Alexandre Singh, who won Best Live Action Short Film for Two People Exchanging Saliva, also took a pop during his speech and said: “We believe art can change people’s souls.
“Maybe it takes ten years, but we can change society through art, through creativity, through theatre and ballet — and cinema.”
Timothée, 30, also had to sit through a musical number from movie Sinners, with ballerina Misty Copeland — who had also criticised the star for his cultural views — dancing during the song.
The backlash was sparked by his comment: “I don’t want to be working in ballet, or opera, or things where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this any more.”
He quickly added, “All respect to the ballet and opera people out there”, but the damage was done.
His remarks were widely rebuked, with Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli mocking the star by publicly inviting him to one of his opera performances.
What did Timothee Chalamet say about ballet and opera? Oscars controversy explained
Timothée Chalamet has sparked a heated cultural debate following comments made at a CNN and Variety Town Hall on February 21, 2026.
Speaking alongside Matthew McConaughey about needing “draws” to pull in an audience to his movies, Chalamet made harsh comments about industries he claimed feel forced to stay afloat.
“I don’t want to be working in ballet or opera… where it’s like, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive, even though no one cares about this anymore,’” he said.
The remarks mirror sentiments Chalamet expressed as early as 2019 during a promotional event for The King, where he labeled the disciplines “dying art forms.”
The Royal Ballet and Opera issued a formal rebuttal, emphasizing that these art forms do not exist in isolation but rather “inform, inspire, and elevate” the broader cultural landscape, including the film industry itself.
They said: “Timothee and Kylie were replaced by seat fillers for an hour.
“It seems like he had enough of being the butt of the jokes.
“They only came back just before the Best Actress and Best Actor categories were announced.”
Timothée was seen leaving the Vanity Fair after-party in the early hours of yesterday morning with Kylie, who is part of the Kardashian reality TV family.
Kylie’s ex-partner, rapper Travis Scott, the father of her two children Stormi, eight, and Aire, four, also later appeared to mock Timothee’s defeat by sharing a photograph of Michael wiping away tears as he accepted his award.
Timothee was the butt of jokes having angered the arts world by stating nobody cared about ballet and operaCredit: GettyWhile accepting their award for Best Short Film, Two People Exchanging Saliva creators took aim at Timothee’s anti-ballet comments in their acceptance speechCredit: GettyBallerina Misty Copeland — who had also criticised the star for his cultural views — took part in a musical number with the cast and crew from SinnersCredit: GettyOnlookers told The Sun: ‘Timothee and Kylie were replaced by seat fillers for an hour. It seems like he had enough of being the butt of the jokes’Credit: Reuters
Timothée attempted to shrug off the loss at the Vanity Fair do, where he was also joined by Kylie’s sister, Kendall, and half-sister, Kim Kardashian.
An onlooker at the party said: “Timothée was swarmed by well-wishers as he arrived.
“He kept his sunglasses on for most of the night and tried to be low-key, but he stood out like a sore thumb in his white suit.
“Kylie and him stayed for a while but then left together without being seen.
“It was the Irish exit he wanted — and needed.”
Timothee came under fire in February for claiming ‘no one cares’ about opera or balletCredit: ReutersAlexandre Singh and Natalie Musteata, who won the second Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film for Two People Exchanging Saliva, also shaded the actorCredit: ReutersTimothee was nominated for Best Actor and Best Picture for Marty Supreme but lost bothCredit: AFP via Getty Images
Who won on Hollywood’s biggest night?
One Battle After Another ran away with the night with six Oscars, while Sinners, which was nominated for a record-breaking 16 awards, came away with four. See the full winners list below:
BROOKLYN Beckham was offered a public show of support by Sir Elton John — who made him a VIP guest at his Oscars party.
The 27-year-old, locked in a family feud, was seen at the bash alongside wife Nicola Peltz deep in conversation with the singer, 78.
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Brooklyn Beckham and wife Nicola at Elton John’s Oscars partyCredit: GettyElton chats with Brooklyn and Nicola at the party in West HollywoodCredit: GettyElton and Victoria Beckham at his 2009 Oscars bashCredit: WireImage – Getty
We revealed last year that the I’m Still Standing singer has been acting as a peacemaker between Brooklyn and estranged parents David and Victoria.
And the VIP invitation to Sir Elton’s Academy Awards viewing party in West Hollywood on Sunday night showed his continued love and support for his godson.
A source said: “Elton has seen Brooklyn all adrift without his biological family and he’s stepped up for Brooklyn.
“Inviting him and Nicola to the party was a public show of support for him.
“Elton doesn’t want to get involved in the row — as far as he’s concerned that’s between Brooklyn, David and Victoria.
“But he has been watching everything that has unfolded over the past ten months.
“Brooklyn lives in Los Angeles and when Elton is in town, he’ll often touch base with him.
“Brooklyn knows he has Elton’s ear and support.”
Brooklyn and US actress Nicola, 31, were among a string of celebs at the Elton John Aids Foundation bash, co-hosted by the singer and his husband, David Furnish.
They were photographed with Sharon Osbourne and her I’m a Celebrity star son Jack, while singer Dua Lipa and her actor fiancé Callum Turner were also there.
A source added: “Brooklyn and Nicola had a fantastic time with Elton and David.
“He just wants to move on with his life and is happy to have the support of Elton and David, who have always looked out for him.”
Sir Elton, who has two sons Zachary and Elijah with his hubby, has been very close friends with Posh and Becks for several years.
Brooklyn and Nicola pose with Sharon Osbourne and her son JackCredit: GettyElton and fellow singer Dua LipaCredit: Getty
They asked the singer to be godfather to their first-born son Brooklyn in 1999, and they did the same with Romeo three years later.
Former Spice Girl Victoria was also a guest at Sir Elton’s Oscars party in 2009.
Victoria posted pictures of their trip on Instagram with the caption: “Happy Summer with friends. Kisses @davidfurnish @eltonjohn. We love u both and your boys so much.”
In May 2023, David and Victoria supported Elton on the final night of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour and shared videos and photographs from a box at London’s O2 Arena.
He told Nicola’s mum, Claudia, “Love u so much”, as she turned 71.
Brooklyn posted a tribute to wife Nicola Peltz’s mumCredit: InstagramBrooklyn with parents Victoria and David Beckham before the feudCredit: Getty
Who won on Hollywood’s biggest night?
One Battle After Another ran away with the night with six Oscars, while Sinners, which was nominated for a record-breaking 16 awards, came away with four. See the full winners list below:
IF there’s ever a time to sink a pint of Guinness, it’s got to be today, which is St Patrick’s Day.
You’ll likely find the best pour in its birthplace of Ireland, but there are plenty of bars all over the world pulling stouts for punters.
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Sophie Swietochowski shares her pick of unlikely destinations to pick up a Guinness, along with some holiday deals for those who are tempted.
NEPAL
Namche Bazaar, Nepal, boasts the Irish PubCredit: Getty
THE aptly named Irish Pub is not only in one of the most off-grid locations in this list — being in the small town of Namche Bazaar — it’s also one of the highest boozers in the world.
Many claim it’s the most difficult pub to reach because of its position in the gateway to Mount Everest.
OK, it may be a two-day hike to get there but it’s well worth it for the views — and at least you can reward yourself with a well-deserved pint at the end.
Find the pharmacy-like bar Svanen in OsloCredit: TONO BALAGUER
ON Paddy’s Day, punters sink Guinness like its medicine, so what could be a more fitting setting than a 19th-century pharmacy?
Svanen, in the Norwegian capital Oslo, ranks 32 in the 50 Best Bars in the world list, with its traditional glass medicine cabinets, marble columns and black and white tiled floors still intact.
You’d be hard pushed to find a quirkier joint for sipping the dark stuff.
GO: NORWAY
Seven nights’ B&B at the 3H Scandic Fornebu is from £409pp including flights from Stansted on April 8.
A pint of Guinness will set you back a fiver at Rick’s Cafe in JamaicaCredit: Getty
RICK’S Cafe has to be one of the most spectacular spots to enjoy a pint, with sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea that are best enjoyed at sunset.
The bar-cum-restaurant in the town of Negril has become a popular spot for cliff jumpers thanks to its hilltop perch, 35ft above a clear and perfectly blue ocean.
A pint of Guinness will set you back a fiver.
GO: JAMAICA
Seven nights’ all-inclusive at the 5H Riu Negril is from £1,264pp including flights from London Gatwick on May 4 with 23kg hold luggage and transfers.
You can enjoy a pint of the black stuff on the Faroe IslandsCredit: Getty
THIS collection of volcanic islands, floating in the sea between the UK, Norway and Iceland, are so unspoilt that it’s hard to picture a bar here being anything more than a few tables and a weathered gent serving only the local poison.
But the Irish Pub (again) is a little more than that.
Located in the capital Torshavn, this charming spot offers lovely views of the harbour.
You may even spot seals, whales and dolphins, too.
GO: THE FAROE ISLANDS
Seven nights’ room-only at the 4H Hotel Foroyar is from £902pp including flights from Heathrow on May 4.
Guinness is even available in IcelandCredit: Getty
IT may be better known for attracting geography enthusiasts than stout-loving stags, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t places serving the black stuff in the Land of Fire and Ice.
Den Danske Kro is a lively spot in capital Reykjavik with Danish-style furnishings and a wide selection of beers on tap — including the Irish favourite for £9.
GO: ICELAND
Seven nights’ B&B at the 4H Reykjavik Lights Hotel is from £705pp including flights from Manchester on April 22 with 23kg hold luggage and transfers.
Price also includes two excursions: Hunt For The Northern Lights and Golden Circle tour. See tui.co.uk.
CZECH REPUBLIC
Head for Waxy Malone’s in PragueCredit: Harald Nachtmann
IN capital Prague, pints are poured with a side serving of history.
Its Old Town dates back more than 1,000 years and is dominated by the Baroque Church of St Nicholas and the dramatic Kinsky Palace.
And just off the square you’ll find Waxy Malone’s.
A pour of Guinness here will set you back around a fiver.
GO: CZECH REPUBLIC
Three nights’ B&B at 4H Plaza Prague Hotel starts at £200pp including flights from Gatwick on May 31 with hand luggage only.
“LIGHTS out and away we go!”, the famous F1 cry rang out as we were about to take off from Vegas to fly back to London.
It was a nice touch by the Virgin flight attendant and brought an approving chuckle from a plane packed with motorsport fanatics who had just enjoyed one of the most memorable weekends of their lives.
Every year, the streets of Sin City echo to the sound of F1’s elite machines roaring round a 3.8-mile circuit that takes in the iconic Strip and winds round the jaw-dropping Sphere.
Where else in the world is a more fitting home for the supercharged glam of the F1 circus?
Petrolheads may not be fans of the circuit for its racing quality, but if you want spectacle, well, this is THE place to be.
Whether you’re in one of the many stands dotted around the Sphere or watching the cars whizz by at 230mph on the Strip, it’s an experience like no other.
Those with deeper pockets can take pit lane walks and tours of the track.
For most, however, the only way to get a racer’s eye view of the circuit is at the F1 Arcade in Caesars Palace — one of several worldwide — where you can go wheel-to-wheel with your mates as you blast past all the Vegas landmarks.
If you’re lucky enough to be in town for race week, you can down a beer — or a tequila shot — at the Bellagio Hotel’s legend-ary Shoey Bar.
Named in tribute to Aussie driver Danny Ricciardo’s infamous celebration, when he downed champagne from his shoe, the pop-up bar serves drinks in footwear on a terrace overlooking the hotel’s famous fountains.
One of the best track-side points to watch race action is opposite the Sphere, Las Vegas’s enormous ball of fun that’s become a global phenomenon.
On the inside, it’s currently showing a specially adapted version of The Wizard Of Oz on its 160,000sq ft screen that makes you feel like you’re IN the movie.
As well as the expected special effects like blasts of wind when the hurricane blows in, there are animatronic flying monkeys, apples falling from the ceiling and flurries of snow.
With tickets from $104 (£78), it’s booking until the end of 2026, so there’s plenty of time for you to become the fifth member of Dorothy’s gang of misfits.
Away from the Sphere, another Vegas institution is the gravity-defying Cirque du Soleil — and there are six resident productions to choose from.
Of these, I recommend “O”. It has all the death-defying acrobatics, but with a £100million stage that transforms into a 25ft deep pool in seconds.
With a daredevil cast featuring former Olympic athletes, it’s just another way for Vegas to take your breath away.
The Sun’s Stewart Jackson with a party pair showing off their impressive headwearCredit: SuppliedEnjoy a cocktail with candyfloss at Pinky’s by VanderpumpCredit: Supplied
For a classy dinner after all this fun, head to High Steaks, atop the Rio hotel.
Fifty floors up with 180-degree views from an outdoor terrace, as well as sumptuous steaks, you can gorge on extravagant seafood towers and smoked prime rib.
For something a little more relaxed, how about Pinky’s By Vanderpump at the Flamingo?
It’s no less Instagrammable, due to its sexy Art Deco greenhouse vibe, but with more affordable food.
And I urge you to try the Daddy Issues cocktail (make sure you stir in the candyfloss once you’ve taken a picture!).
For a classier speakeasy experience, The Vault — hidden deep within the sprawling Bellagio casino floor — oozes sophistication. But make sure you book to avoid disappointment.
Then on to a nightclub? Make it Omnia in Caesars Palace. You’ll be captivated by its famous kinetic chandelier that pulsates in time to the music above a dancefloor packed with beautiful people.
Away from the bright lights of the casinos and nightclubs, there is a little gem just off the Strip in karaoke bar Smelly Cat, where you can belt out your chosen anthem with a live backing group.
The resident band can play any tune their super-duper AI gadget can find. They’d never heard of Mardy Bum by Arctic Monkeys when it was requested, but they smashed it out of the park.
You can jump the queue to get up on stage by paying a $100 fee. Depending on how much you would love to sing with your own backing band, that could be an absolute bargain.
After the high-octane fun of casinos, the Strip and all those Daddy Issues, the Arts District is the place to head.
South Main Street, a 15-minute taxi ride from the Strip, is home to chilled bars and cafes, cool vintage stores, antique markets and art galleries.
It’s like an anti-Vegas if you need to decompress, and cafe/bakery 1228 Main is the ideal place to have a relaxed lunch mid-mooch — check out the breakfast burrito. A pit stop, if you will, after all that racing around.
But in Sin City — as in a Grand Prix — pit stops are very much temporary.
Cocktails await, followed by the casino, followed by a club . . .
Lights out and away we go, people!
GO: LAS VEGAS
GETTING THERE: Virgin Atlantic flies direct from London Heathrow to Las Vegas from £835pp return.
WEARING protective suits, masks, hats and gloves, we approach the buzzing hive in front of us.
The Canarian black bee, our guide tells us, is a hardy species adapted perfectly to the high heat and dry lands that make up Lanzarote’s volcanic climate.
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Puerto del Carmen beachCredit: AlamyThe pool at Seaside Los JameosCredit: SuppliedHannah goes full beekeeperCredit: Supplied
My mum Rhona and I seem to have adapted pretty well ourselves, as we soak up the last of the afternoon sun.
The fourth-largest Canary Island, Lanzarote was the ideal destination for a pre-Mother’s Day trip, with its year-round “eternal spring” climate, lunar-like landscapes and white-sand beaches.
While a fly-and-flop holiday is always tempting, particularly when it’s 21C, I was determined to include some bonding experiences during our visit.
And our beekeeping tour was just that. Ahead of reaching the hive, our guide taught us all about the insects that live there.
Then, after shedding our protective suits, we were treated to samples of the organic honey, taking note of the sightly different flavours depending on which plants the bees had visited.
We felt fully connected to the surrounding nature.
When we weren’t off exploring, we could relax at the 4H Seaside Los Jameos, in Puerto del Carmen, one of the island’s most popular resorts.
With its beachfront location, palm tree-lined pools, gym, spa and cactus gardens, the recently renovated hotel is an oasis within the town, with plenty of activities on site.
I’m lucky enough to have a mother who can run rings around me, so we started each day with a jog on the beach.
I picked up pace as the week progressed, but never quite managed to catch up with my mum.
It was the perfect way to work up an appetite for the plentiful buffet breakfast.
The Sun’s Hannah Hope and mum RhonaCredit: SuppliedA bee gets busyCredit: Alamy
My highlights were the mimosa station, with crisp cava and freshly squeezed orange juice, and the DIY waffle machines.
In the evenings, guests can expect live entertainment from acts such as an ABBA tribute band, as well as magic shows and children’s discos.
Outside of the hotel, nearby restaurants included beachfront tapas joint Restaurante El Molino, which was within walking distance, and Sebastyan’s Atlantico Lounge on the water (be sure to arrive in time for the stunning sunset).
Lanzarote also has a thriving plonk scene, with wineries dotted all around the island.
Our final First Choice excursion took us on a tasting and museum tour at Bodega Finca Mota, a charming family-run winery surrounded by Lanzarote’s distinctive volcanic landscape, where grapes grow in the black sand.
We started our visit with an introduction to vintage winemaking tools in the museum, before sitting down for some sipping.
We tasted three different wines accompanied by locally-produced cheese and traditionally-cured tuna, and enjoyed it so much we bought a bottle each to take home.
On our final day, we decided to explore the picturesque village of Yaiza, famed for its beautifully maintained whitewashed houses and palm-lined streets.
Mum and I both love to shop, so we enjoyed a potter around the boutiques selling jewellery and ceramics and found a delightful cafe to have coffee and baked goods.
Literally the cherry on top of the cake to end a dreamy Mother’s Day getaway.
GO: LANZAROTE
GETTING/STAYING THERE: Seven nights’ half-board at the 4* Seaside Los Jameos is from £719pp including flights from Manchester on April 30.
POUTING actress Sydney Sweeney does more than just pay lip service to her undies brand by modelling the range.
The 28-year-old was marking SYRN’s role as lingerie partner of US music festival Stagecoach.
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Pouting actress Sydney Sweeney in shorts and a top from her SYRN rangeCredit: InstagramSydney’s brand has partnered with a US music festivalCredit: instagramSydney stuns in a white top and shorts from her rangeCredit: instagram
Sydney said: “We’re making the festival even better.”
Sydney recently revealed her true bra size, admitting her curves made her insecure until her star rose in Hollywood.
“I never had anything I felt good in, and I just wanted to hide. It wasn’t until [I played] Cassie in Euphoria that I started realizing it’s actually powerful to be confident; our bodies are incredible.
“We should embrace [them] and feel really good in our skin.”
Sydney said that while playing Cassie, she was forced to wear things she typically wouldn’t – revealing pieces that highlighted her ample chest.
“I’d always be like, ‘Oh, this fit doesn’t work’,” she said.
“‘I don’t have the support I want. The straps are digging into my shoulders or it’s kind of itchy and riding up.’
“I started a whole Pinterest board of thousands of photos of inspiration, and I [thought], ‘I should actually do this.’ And we put it together.”
Busty Sydney has revealed how she used to lack confidenceCredit: instagramEuphoria star Sydney on the red carpetCredit: Getty
TV star Olivia Attwood takes her next steps in life after her January split from footballer Bradley Dack — as he is seen without his wedding ring.
Loose Women’s Olivia, 34, showed off her legs in a mini skirt and leopard print boots on a trip to New York.
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Olivia Attwood showed off her legs in a mini skirt and leopard print boots on a trip to New YorkCredit: GettyOlivia takes her next steps in life after her January split from footballer Bradley DackCredit: GettyBradley Dack is seen without his wedding ring for the first time since his split from wife OliviaCredit: Click News and Media
They revealed they were starstruck when Ginger Spice popped into their rehearsal at a West London studio last month, accompanied by her husband Christian Horner’s daughter.
Asked about their celebrity fans, Danny said: “The legend that is Geri Halliwell and her step-daughter came to the rehearsal studio to watch our set. They had wanted to come to our London show, but were due to be away when it was on, so we invited them to our rehearsals.
“Geri was like a pocket rocket. Petite and loads of personality.
Last month, they attended their first Brit Awards, in Manchester, and have told how they brushed shoulders with singers Lola Young and Sam Fender, as well as Happy Mondays maracas player Bez.
Cruz said: “I was partying with Bez in the DJ booth — he is funny. He and I have got to go to Ibiza one day.”
To celebrate Mother’s Day, the boys have been treating their mums after receiving their first big pay cheque.
Hendrik said: “I have been saving money to try and finish my mum and dad’s house. They have been wanting to finish it for years.”
Despite the global stardom that awaits, it sounds like the boys are keeping their feet on the ground.
SIMON ‘PROUD’ OF LADS
DECEMBER 10 have revealed how their mentor Simon Cowell was proud of them after their sold-out London show.
The music mogul and his fiancee Lauren Silverman attended their gig at the O2 Academy Islington, in North London, last month.
December 10 have revealed how their mentor Simon Cowell was proud of them after their sold-out London showCredit: Getty
Band member Nicolas said: “He really enjoyed that we incorporated instruments into the live show, and when he spoke to us, that was one of the main things that made him really happy and proud.”
John added: “He has also always said that he just wants great songs. Over the past few months that we have been recording music, we have been working towards that.”
And the boys reckon it still feels surreal seeing thousands of teenagers queuing to hear them play.
Nicolas said: “I wouldn’t say it’s overwhelming, it’s more of a strange feeling, because the first show was a bit of a shock.
“It is a feeling for me, personally, that I don’t think I will get used to.”
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HE HAZ TO SEE MATES
HE is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, but Harry Styles says he had to change his mindset so he did not become a recluse.
He explained: “When you shut out a lot of the things that are assumed can be negative, you also just unconsciously shut out a ton of positive things.
Harry Styles says he had to change his mindset so he did not become a recluseCredit: Getty
“It can be hard to go to a bar and hang out with friends because there’s maybe people who would act [in a certain] way.
“There’s also incredible people that you can meet in that bar – that you also shut yourself off from.”
He added on SiriusXM: “I was having some experiences where I was meeting some really great people that were kind of really planting the seed of, like, ‘Oh, I don’t want to shut myself off from this world’.”
It comes as his record Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally has topped the albums chart, while his track American Girls is No1 in the singles rundown.
DENISE VAN OUTEN and Johnny Vaughan are creating a new Big Breakfast-style TV show 25 years after the original was axed.
I can reveal the pair, who presented the Channel 4 show in the Nineties, are working on a new format set to shake up TV schedules.
Denise said: “In my new touring show [An Evening With Denise], of all the things I’ve done, The Big Breakfast section gets the biggest reaction. I think people are still craving that chaos and the fun – we’ve lost it.”
She added: “I’m working on something with Johnny, it’s going to have that feel to it. It’s all come from the show and speaking to people. I was like, ‘Oh, people are missing this, they want this’.”
I cannot wait.
YOU’RE SO ROUGE, CHRISTINA
CHRISTINA AGUILERA was red hot on stage in this basque and matching gloves.
The US hitmaker teamed them with thigh-skimming black boots in Austin, Texas, as she headlined the Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds Music Festival.
Christina Aguilera was red hot on stage in this basque and matching glovesCredit: Shutterstock Editorial
Highlights included a performance of her 2001 hit Lady Marmalade, from film Moulin Rouge!, as fireworks lit up the sky.
MAYA’S VILLA TO VILLAIN
MAYA JAMA has revealed what her dream movie role would be – and it’s not what you might expect.
The Love Island host, who is set to star in the second series of Guy Ritchie’s Netflix crime-comedy The Gentlemen, said: “I’ve always said I don’t want to be what people expect me to be on camera.
Maya Jama has revealed what her dream movie role would be – and it’s not what you might expectCredit: Getty
“I’d want to be the complete opposite to that . . . so a monster or a mean, evil person. A villain maybe would be nice.”
The pair, who married in 2018, have both appointed legal teams and have quietly started proceedings.
Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor have filed for divorceCredit: Getty
Reality star turned author Millie, who has two daughters with entrepreneur Hugo, has been through the process before, having split from rapper Professor Green, who she was married to from 2013 to 2016.
A pal said: “Fans will be sad to hear that their relationship is really over, but the pair just want a clean break.
“Millie and Hugo are committed to co-parenting their two young children and keeping everything stable. They are still very amicable with each other and have a lot of respect for one another.
“They want the divorce to go through as painlessly as possible and are focusing on work in the meantime.”
Professor Green has a son with model and actress Karima McAdams, who he dated for five years after splitting with Millie.
Now, he is back in touch with Millie and said: “There’s no resentment in me. She is gorgeous. We were not good for each other at that time.
“We spoke about our mutual diagnosis (ADHD) and our kids.”
The couple are eyeing up Son Marroig, a stunning, 17th century, clifftop temple on the Spanish island for their summer nuptials.
Molly Smith and Tom Clare are set to tie the knot in Majorca – home of the original dating show’s villaCredit: Supplied
The venue is popular among celebrities, with Pixie Geldof, weatherman Alex Beresford and Man City defender Nathan Ake all having held their ceremonies there.
A source said: “Majorca is a stunning destination for a wedding and there is plenty of privacy on the island. Many of the buildings are difficult to access by road and it has a secluded feel.
“There is guaranteed sun and it offers a beautiful backdrop with the most stunning sunsets.”
Tom and Molly do a weekly podcast called NearlyWeds and post regular vlogs about their planning.
Congrats guys . . .
EX-PM SNAPS GEM OF A SHOT
GEMMA COLLINS posed with an unlikely fan at the Cheltenham races this week – as I am told that former PM David Cameron asked for a photo.
And reality favourite Gemma was only too happy to oblige David and wife Samantha in the Royal Box.
Gemma Collins with David and Samantha Cameron at the Cheltenham racesCredit: Gemma Collins/Instagram
A source said: “Gemma was honoured that David asked her for a picture. They chatted about politics and her fondness of current Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch.”
Chuffed Gemma quickly shared the snap with her 2.2million Instagram followers.
She wrote: “It was lovely to be in the Royal Box and have a good chat with David Cameron and his lovely wife. We spoke politics and . . . what we were going to bet on next.”
Gemma, who is a face of bookmaker Paddy Power, won a mighty impressive £20,000 at Cheltenham – and £5,000 off just one bet.
The GC was spotted shouting, “I’m loaded” as she basked in her glory alongside stars including Danny Dyer and Peter Crouch.
KIP with the kids in a two-bedroom lodge at The Mole Resort or try the boujee airport hotel alternative of a grand Italianate mansion.
In search of the perfect pit stop, Lifestyle Editor Catherine Bennion-Pedley found out all that both had to offer.
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The Mole Resort
The Mole Resort is a country-house hotel set in 125 acres of rolling countryside
As I slam on the car brakes, my kids Poppy, seven, and Raffy, four, shout: “Woah!” In the middle of the road is a local walking her dog – which happens to be the size of a small pony.
Yep, it’s safe to say rural Devon is proving to be an eye-opener for us all.
We’re kipping at The Mole Resort, a country-house hotel that had a spruce-up a couple of years ago, set in 125 acres of rolling countryside.
Our two-bedroom, two-bathroom lodge in the grounds comes with floor-to-ceiling views of a verdant meadow and a hot tub, which proves particularly restorative after the long drive.
Another huge win is the raft of activities on site – from pickleball to pétanque, disc golf to axe-throwing, and archery to pottery painting.
Talking of which, the kids adore painting egg cups, £14 each, and are thrilled to pick up their newly glazed souvenirs the next morning.
There’s also a restaurant, games room and health club with a pool – though this has seen better days.
The village it sits in, Chittlehamholt, is also home to excellent 16th-century pub The Exeter Inn.
Stay in a two-bedroom, two-bathroom lodge in the groundsCredit: SuppliedLodges come with floor-to-ceiling views of a verdant meadow
Owners Hazel and Steve welcome visitors like family, as does their gorgeous cockapoo Frankie.
Flavour-packed dishes like Peking duck bon bons with hoisin, £9.50, and beef and ale pie topped with stilton, £17, are spot-on.
As are the proper puds – pick spiced sticky toffee, £8.50, for the win.
With more than 80 gins and local ales aplenty, you won’t go thirsty, either (Exeterinn.co.uk).
Just 20 minutes’ drive away is another absolute gem – Quince Honey Farm, which brings joy even on the drizzliest day.
Here, we roll our own beeswax candles, forage for wildflower seeds and taste five varieties of the golden stuff – the dandelion honey is crowned our fave.
Entry per adult and child over five costs £10.80 (Quincehoneyfarm. co.uk).
Leaving armed with brilliant bee facts, we all agree this pretty nook of Devon makes for a super stop-off en route to a beach break.
Stays in a two-bedroom lodge at The Mole Resort cost from £120 per night (Themoleresort.co.uk).
Down Hall Hotel
Down Hall Hotel is less than 20 minutes’ drive from London Stansted
I’m not a huge fan of airport hotels, which is why the boujee alternative of a grand Italianate mansion in the Essex countryside instantly appeals.
Less than 20 minutes’ drive from London Stansted, its rural setting will help you to properly relax before take-off.
A giant chessboard, tennis courts and a mini football pitch in the expansive grounds keep the whole gang entertained.
Meanwhile, the newly opened Barn Spa offers mini-me treatments, including head and scalp massages, from £25 per child, and the recently refurbed family rooms come with a Nintendo Switch, so the kids are more than alright.
Family rooms at Down Hall Hotel cost from £212 per nightCredit: Niall CluttonDine at the Garden Room, which holds two AA RosettesCredit: Supplied by hotel
Tuck into dinner treats, such as crab with apple gel, cucumber and nasturtiums, £16.50, followed by venison loin with a dark-chocolate jus, £41, at The Garden Room, which holds two AA Rosettes.
And it would be rude not to try the moreish house cocktail – a Down Hall Bramble, made with the hotel’s own garden gin, £15.
SHE is an Oscar-winner married to a former James Bond, but Rachel Weisz says Hollywood made her feel so ugly she considered having plastic surgery.
When the British beauty first went there in the Nineties, she contemplated a nose job, boob job or liposuction to get noticed and boost her career.
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Oscar-winner Rachel Weisz says Hollywood made her feel so ugly she considered having plastic surgeryCredit: Shutterstock EditorialRachel with Leo Woodall in new Netflix thriller VladimirCredit: PARachel in 2015’s YouthCredit: GIANNI FIORITO
Rachel, now 56 and one of the world’s most sought-after stars, said: “I went into quite a major depression.
“I was watching so many daytime TV shows. And then I would get in my car and drive to these auditions while listening to the radio.
“I feel sick now when I listen to the radio, all these commercials for different car dealers.
“I just felt like the world was so desperate and lonely and sad and people were trying to sell cars and no one wanted to buy them.
“People are very focused on their own thing. In LA unless you’ve just won an Oscar or you’re ‘Mr Studio Head’, no one talks to you. Even at parties. I was at this big Hollywood party, and no one looked.
“Everyone is blinkered and they just kind of scan the room for anyone important. LA makes you feel ugly. Because if you’re an actress, no one pays you any attention.
“And you immediately start thinking, ‘God, I must have a nose job. Or, I must get that boob job, or I must get that lipo’, whatever it is.”
For Rachel, who started her career with bit-parts on Inspector Morse and whose new thriller Vladimir was released on Netflix on March 5, real success and happiness came when she turned her back on the glitz and glamour of Los Angeles.
She decided to split her time between London, where she grew up, and New York with her then-partner, director Darren Aronofsky, and their son Henry, now 19.
Rachel, who has been married to 007 actor Daniel Craig since 2011, told Index mag: “There’s not much room for eccentricity in Hollywood, and eccentricity is what’s sexy in people.
“I think London’s sexy because it’s so full of eccentrics.”
The actress’s breakthrough came in 1999 when she landed the role of feisty librarian Evelyn Carnahan in blockbuster The Mummy.
By 2006 her A-list status was cemented when she won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for The Constant Gardener.
She went on to star in 2009’s The Lovely Bones and 2015’s Youth, as well as 2021 Marvel film Black Widow.
Now Vladimir sees her as married college professor M, whose life spirals into a steamy, all-consuming obsession with her younger colleague, played by One Day and White Lotus star Leo Woodall.
The series is based on the book of the same name by Julia May Jonas, which Rachel describes as a brilliant piece of writing.
She added of the character she plays: “I deeply empathise with her and understand her. But I left her when I got home.
“She’s like a projection of what a viewer might want to live out.”
Rachel and Daniel, who officially ended his 15-year stint as James Bond with No Time To Die in 2021, were friends for years before falling for each other in 2010 while filming thriller Dream House.
Within months they secretly wed in New York and went on to have daughter Grace, now seven. They split their time between Brooklyn in New York and Primrose Hill in North London.
But the couple deliberately choose not to do films together.
Rachel said: “I think we really love our private life as a life, as a family, and then we go to work separately.
“It means we can alternate, so I can stay home with the family while he works. We can swap out. If we’re both doing something at the same time, it’s probably less ideal.”
Rachel grew up in Hampstead, North London, with dad George, a Hungarian-Jewish mechanical engineer, and mum Edith, who originated from Austria and was a teacher-turned-psychotherapist.
The star started modelling at 14 and studied English at Cambridge University, with her parents hoping she would choose a more traditional career.
Rachel told the Sunday Sitdown With Willie Geist podcast: “They were just the kind of parents who were like, ‘You’ve got to get a degree, like you have to go to college’, which in the end I did.
“They wanted me to have a fall-back, so I could be a teacher . . . that would be a really good job.
“My parents would be really happy if I was a teacher. My dad was very sceptical about my career choice. I think he wasn’t very impressed by what I was doing.
“He was my harshest critic for a very long time. I think he only, after a good 15 years, was like, ‘OK, yeah’.
“He was tough — yeah, he was tough, in a good way. He was always honest, he didn’t make it nice. He’d take things apart and say, ‘I didn’t understand what you were doing,’ or, ‘That was a bit wooden’.”
But winning her Oscar changed everything.
Actress Rachel holds her Oscar for her performance in The Constant GardnerCredit: EPA
Rachel said: “That definitely changed my life. Maybe my dad was like, ‘OK, all right, you were OK’.
“He would never be more over the top than that.”
And that Oscar meant she had the freedom to choose the roles she truly wanted, just like the one in Vladimir.
She said: “In the beginning of my career, I just did whatever job I got so I could pay the rent. I wasn’t picky.
“Now I’m in this luxurious position where I can choose things. It’s really about the character and writing, if it appeals to me or if it seems it would be interesting to pretend that story.
“I was never the kind of kid that got on the table and did a tap dance and a song. I wasn’t the star of the school plays or anything. I was actually really shy.
“I think a lot of actors, when I meet them as grown-ups, they go, ‘I was really shy too’.
“I think I’m just a daydreamer. I think storytelling is, in a way, daydreaming, but putting your daydreams into writing and getting people to embody them.
“I think my daydreaming skills have just come into it, I get paid for it.”
Despite now being praised for her stylish looks, ranging from velvet trouser suits to Valentino haute couture, walking the red carpet still makes Rachel nervous even today.
She said: “I don’t think any actress would say doing the red carpet is not terrifying. The way to get through it is to pretend.
“It’s a fantasy, like walking into a fantasy world. These people, they transform you, and that is fun.
“What you see on the red carpet is not a character that has anything to say.
“I used to be very shy, and in a way that was what was so great about the idea of acting. You can hide the real you behind that character.”
But after years of struggling with fame, Rachel says she has finally learned to be content with exactly where she is in life.
She said: “Someone once said to me when I was younger, ‘Never think the best party is somewhere else’. You know that feeling of being somewhere and thinking you should go somewhere better?
“You can’t do that. Wherever you are is the right place to be.”
I SKULK swiftly through the labyrinth of shrubs. The grass is so tall it strokes my shoulders with each stride.
Fresh dung and paw prints in the sandy pastures point to South Africa’s most famous mammals lurking nearby — but they stay hidden.
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Spot the ‘big five’ of lions, leopards, buffalo, rhino and elephantsCredit: SuppliedWe had to pull to a halt for a lion sleeping in the roadCredit: Supplied
Suddenly, among the chorus of bird call, a rustle and a huff from the nearby shrubs sends adrenaline surging through me.
My feet spring into action before my brain, as I pelt in the opposite direction, following the urgent calls of my rifle-carrying guide.
We had found ourselves mere metres from two wild buffalo, part of the elusive Big Five and one of Kruger National Park’s deadliest animals.
In the east of South Africa and arguably the most famous park for safari in the world, Kruger is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
That’s in part thanks to the committed rangers, who are continually working on the park’s infrastructure and a fierce anti-poaching programme.
And their work meant my chances of spotting wildlife hadn’t been diminished.
In fact, within 24 hours of checking into Rhino Walking Safaris’ Plains camp, I ticked off the Big Five — lions, leopards, buffalo, rhino and elephants — almost twice over.
Lounge area at Rhino Walking Safaris’ Plains CampCredit: Photo: Roger de la Harpe/Africa ImageryMdluli Safari Lodge tents have aircon and wifiCredit: mdlulisafarilodge.co.za
Full credit goes to the guides accompanying me, James and Orance, who know precisely how to spot clues, including claw marks on trees, with their hawk-like eyes.
Earlier that day, we had pulled to a halt for a lion sleeping in the road.
He was within touching distance.
Not that you’d risk extending an arm beyond the truck.
You have a greater chance of a lion fleeing than attacking, though.
Out in the bush with guidesCredit: Photo: Roger de la Harpe/AfricaThe Sun’s Sophie on safariCredit: Supplied
Guide James tells me the Kruger lions are used to seeing trucks of humans.
They’re still very much wild, but they generally feel safe in our presence, which makes for spectacular observing — that’s if you manage to spot one (more tips on that).
Next it was hippos braving dry land after the blistering heat had subsided, an agile leopard creeping through the long grass, then elephants shaking the last of the green fruit from the branches of a Marula tree.
Smiling broadly, I returned to my luxury safari tent, which featured wooden twin beds, a private bathroom with a shower head that dangles from a tree branch and a large decking area from which you can lazily watch wildlife, beyond the small electric fence.
Rhino Walking Safaris owns a 12,000 hectare private concession within Kruger and its Plains camp is near a popular watering hole, so the chances of spotting creatures even during downtime is high.
Buffalos, a wildebeest named Steve, baboons, and even a duo of young rhinos called by.
With only four tents and no wifi, strangers become friends and you’re wholly immersed in the experience.
The real highlight for me, however, was the morning walks.
A 4.45am alarm may sting, but observing the misty pink sunrise from beyond a buffalo’s resting place makes it all worthwhile.
There’s something magical about safaris on foot, treading the same path as the animal you’re tracking, away from all things man-made and with the exhilaration of imminent danger.
Guides carry rifles, although they’re so knowledgeable about the creatures around us, they’ve never had to fire them.
Morning walks come with snacks and coffee, followed by a brunch feast at camp, a few hours of downtime and high tea.
Then it’s the afternoon game drive with sundowners (in my case a healthy pouring of gin), an 8.30pm three-course dinner back at camp and 10pm stargazing — or bedtime for those whose eyes are too weary.
A leopard spotted in Kruger National ParkCredit: GettyGiraffes take a stroll in the parkCredit: Getty
Exhaustion is combatted by sheer adrenaline, but there are also plenty of less rural camps offering more laid-back itineraries where lazy mornings can be enhanced by spa treatments or dips in the pool.
Mdluli Safari Lodge, on the western periphery of Kruger, has a spectacular infinity pool overlooking a watering hole.
The very large safari tents, of which there are 50, are raised on stilts and come with greater levels of creature comforts such as aircon, plugs in rooms, internet access and a swinging egg chair on the decking.
Choice of game drives is plentiful. You can head out at pretty much any time of day, on short sunset safaris or day-long drives.
We even managed to squeeze in a final early sunrise ride before our transfer to the airport, admiring a mob of dwarf mongoose rustling at the edge of the road.
Before heading home or ahead of your safari, a day in Johannesburg is worthwhile.
Holidaymakers travelling from the UK will fly into this city and it’s a poignant area for delving into South Africa’s troubled past.
June 2026 marks 50 years since the brutal killing of Hector Pieterson, a 12-year-old schoolboy, who was shot by police during the Soweto student uprising.
You can learn all about this tale, and the apartheid regime, on a tuktuk tour with Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers (£35pp, sowetobackpackers.com).
We rolled through modern-day communities and old hostels, before passing Nelson Mandela’s former home, now a museum.
It’s a humbling experience.
Top it with a ride through untrodden pastures with the Big Five for an adventure of a lifetime.
Watching a David Attenborough documentary back in the UK, I feel a little smug.
A TV screen can’t quite capture that magic.
GO: KRUGER, S AFRICA
GETTING THERE: British Airways flies from Heathrow to Johannesburg from £598pp return.
STAYING THERE: Two-person tents at Rhino Walking Safaris Plains Camp start from about £422pp per night, with a minimum stay of two nights, including all meals, walking safaris and game drives.
1. BRING LOTS OF CLOTHES: You’ll sweat a lot and clothes get grubby on both walks and game drives because of the dust. I often changed outfits twice a day.
2. EARTHY COLOURS: When you’re in the truck, it really doesn’t matter what you wear – although bring a fleece or jacket, even in summer, as it gets chilly. On walks you should wear neutral, earthy tones like beige, green or brown – no whites or brights. And don’t worry about buying chic or stylish garments for walks; comfort is key.
3. WAKE UP FOR THE EARLY SAFARIS: Even if you’re knackered and desperate to stay in bed, those early-morning game drives or walks are some of the most spectacular. This is when a lot of animals come out and some of the sunrises were even more impressive than the sunsets.
4. IGNORE THE WEATHER FORECAST: The Met Office and BBC Weather forecast rain for every day I was in Kruger. Yet it didn’t rain once. It’s best to come prepared for all eventualities – rain jacket, shorts, trousers and binoculars.
5. CASH FOR TIPS: Bring more than you think you’ll need. If you run out of money, it’ll be a struggle to get more and gratuities, although not always expected, are very common. We tipped our guides 200-250 rand per day. You’ll likely want to tip other staff too, such as cooks, cleaners and waiters.
6. BRING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT: Worldwide adaptors rarely work in South Africa – the sockets aren’t common. So order one online before you go and make sure to pack a battery pack if you plan to use your phone to take pictures and videos.
7. DON’T SELF-DRIVE: Self-drives are popular in Kruger and do give you a greater level of independence, but if you’re going for the first time, you’ll see heaps more with the help of a guide. These guides are experts and are connected with all the other guides in the area so will be first to hear of a sighting. They live on site so know exactly where certain herds rest.
8. BRING EARPLUGS: Remember, you’re in the wild, so if you’re a light sleeper, ear plugs are a must. I thought it would be sleep-inducing listening to the hum of animals at night. They were much louder than expected and I was woken up several times by a relentless owl.
9. DON’T JUST CHASE THE BIG FIVE: Everyone likes to say they’ve seen them, but some of my most magical experiences were with creatures I’d never heard of. Even the trees and flora we spotted were fascinating, as were the birds.
10. CHOOSE YOUR STAY WISELY: Camps have their own guides – and each guide or ranger varies in skill and expertise. Do your research and try to book a camp where two guides accompany you on safari as opposed to one – double the people means double your chances of spotting wildlife. We’d met people who were yet to spot a single one of the Big Five in a week, but we’d seen them all in a day and that’s thanks to our guides.
THE Netherlands’ best-kept secret is out . . . Utrecht is now stealing the spotlight from Amsterdam.
With historic streets, lively bars and quirky shops, it is quickly becoming Europe’s must-visit city.
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Find out why Utrecht is stealing Amsterdam’s thunderCredit: Getty
Lonely Planet has tipped it as one of 2026’s hottest destinations and people are already flocking to see what all the fuss is about.
With architectural wonders, canal-side restaurants and intriguing after-dark hotspots, it is easy to see why visitors are falling head over heels for the Dutch delight . . .
WHY SHOULD I GO?
WITH a labyrinth of canals and charming gabled houses, Utrecht’s streets brim with character.
It delivers all the allure of capital Amsterdam, but without the crowds.
Beyond the medieval charm, Utrecht offers far more than fairytale backdrops.
It has a vibrant arts and music scene where Johnny Marr, Ride and Wolf Alice have performed.
For a bird’s-eye view of the city, head to the Dom Tower.
Soaring 112 metres, it is the tallest church spire in the Netherlands and has been a landmark since 1382.
Climb right to the top for your panoramic views.
STREETS MADE FOR WALKING?
UTRECHT is one of the world’s most walkable cities, with 75 per cent of locals on foot or bike.
Explore the old town, or hop on a 90-minute canal cruise to discover historic wharves and charming houses — all brought to life by tales from a skipper.
Go full Dutch and cycle the streetsCredit: Getty
ANYTHING FOR BUCKET LIST?
GO underground at DOMunder and wander through 2,000 years of history beneath the streets, including Roman ruins and medieval cellars.
Art lovers will swoon at the Rietveld Schroder house, a Unesco-listed modernist gem.
Meanwhile, the Museum Speelklok lets visitors relive history with its whimsical self- playing musical instruments.
WHERE SHOULD I EAT?
KICKSTART your day at Bunk, a chic spot in a converted church.
The Dutch Breakfast (£16) serves up Eggs Benedict, a cheesy pancake, and a Dutch speciality — a spicy slice of cake for a quirky but delicious way to start your day.
Head to on-trend Café Olivier for refreshmentsCredit: Alamy
For a laid-back lunch, head to Il Pozzo, tucked away on the waterfront. Its wood-fired pizzas are perfect for a lazy meal as you watch the boats drift by.
On the go? Toque Toque sells toasted sandwiches starting at £7.
For an elegant dinner, try Jack Rabbit, with its oversized shimmering rabbit on the walls.
There are small plates of tuna sashimi and sea bass ceviche, crafted cocktails and a buzzing, hip vibe.
If you are after something heartier, Broadway Steakhouse sizzles with a relaxed, stylish setting.
I FANCY A DRINK
CANAL-SIDE sips and cocktail bars set the scene for an evening out.
Kick things off at the on-trend Café Olivier, a converted abbey with vaulted walls serving Belgian beers from £3.90.
Then wander along the Oudegracht to De Rechtbank, a buzzing hotspot with inventive cocktails and a lively terrace.
For a more laid-back vibe, check out Vino Vero, where the expertly chosen wines come at surprisingly great prices.
If you are after something more exotic, duck into the city’s cellars to The Rum Club, where rum cocktails and reggae beats transport you to the Caribbean.
Café DeRat, with a rotating selection of local brews, keeps regulars coming back for more.
And for a touch of glamour, head to Café Lebowski, a speakeasy-style bar where cocktails are expertly crafted in an intimate setting.
WHERE TO STAY
THE Moxy Utrecht is a fun, budget-friendly option in the city centre.
With stylish rooms, a buzzing bar, playful decor, oversized chess sets and complimentary bike hire, it’s the perfect base.
Rooms start from £92 a night.
For those ready to splash out, Grand Hotel Karel V, housed in a former 14th-century monastery, is pure indulgence.
It combines historic charm with modern luxury and also has a Michelin-starred restaurant and a great wellness centre.
GO: UTRECHT
GETTING THERE: Several airlines fly to Amsterdam Schiphol, including easyJet, BA and KLM from London, plus Manchester and Liverpool.
Fares start from £71 return.
From Schiphol, it is less than 30 minutes by train to Utrecht.
STAYING THERE: Rooms at The Moxy Utrecht from £92 per night, Grand Hotel Karel V rooms from £229.
ANGRY locals must wait to have a say on Alan Carr’s new castle renovation reality show after a meeting was delayed by “unprecedented” interest.
Producers behind the project planned to hold the gathering at a 120-capacity bowling club — but 600 people wanted to attend so it was held over.
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Alan Carr paid around £3.25million for 19th century A-listed Ayton Castle in the Scottish BordersCredit: AlamyComic Carr bought the castle after winning the first Celebrity TraitorsCredit: Splash
Expectation TV are now looking for a larger venue to allow locals a chance to voice their concerns on the revamp and restrictions to their access to 19th century A-listed Ayton Castle in the Scottish Borders.
STRANGER Things sensation Millie Bobby Brown is one of the top ten highest-paid Hollywood screen stars — aged just 22.
The Brit actress earned a whopping £19.6million last year, Forbes magazine has revealed.
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Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown, 22, raked in £19.6million last year, making her one of Hollywood’s highest-paid actorsCredit: GettyMillie came to worldwide fame at just 11 years old, playing telekinetic child Eleven in hit Netflix sci-fi drama Stranger ThingsCredit: NetflixMillie in her screen debut as Alice in 2013 TV series Once Upon A Time In Wonderland
Her bumper pay makes her the youngest star to grace the business bible’s annual highest-paid actors list.
Tom Cruise, 63, came in second with a £34.7million payday off the back of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning.
Topping Forbes’ 2025 list is US actor Adam Sandler, 59, known for his comedy roles.Credit: GettyTom Cruise, 63, came in second with a £34.7million payday off the back of Mission: Impossible — The Final ReckoningCredit: Splash
Scarlett Johansson, 41, was fourth and the best-paid woman in the industry, raking in some £32.4million.
While Hollywood pay is still huge, the combined earnings of the top 20 actors actually fell from 2024’s £551million — down to £445million.
ZENDAYA grows back in time with a classic floral dress.
The actress, 29, posed in the gown, featuring a gilded hibiscus flower on the shoulder, at an awards bash this week.
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Zendaya posed in this gown, featuring a gilded hibiscus flower on the shoulder, at an awards bash this weekCredit: GettySarah Jessica Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw strutted in it in 2008’s Sex and The City filmCredit: New Line
Zendaya’s stylist Law Roach has told how the A-List couple, both 29, have gotten hitched after getting engaged last year.
The singer has now been snapped at a Louis Vuitton fashion show, flaunting what appears to be her “wedding ring.”
She was spotted donning a thin gold band on her ring finger hidden among three huge silver rings.
Zendaya looked incredibly chic, flashing her legs in a white bubble skirt.
The US star wore a long sleeved white shirt with dramatic collars and cuffs and finished the outfit off with a chunky black belt and matching heels.
Her short brunette locks were tightly curled and tucked behind her ears.
Speaking on the red carpet at the Actor Awards earlier this month, Law told Access Hollywood: “The wedding has already happened. You missed it.”
When asked to spill more details by the reporter, the stylist laughed and said: “It’s very true.”
Whitney Houston wore a similar dress on a tribute issue of Life magazine in 2012Credit: Life MagazineZendaya appeared to confirm she has wed Tom Holland at the Essence Black Women in Hollywood Awards in LACredit: Getty
ACTOR Warwick Davis’s mystery lover is a woman named Yvette who he has been dating for a year.
The star, whose wife Samantha died in 2024, affectionately referred to his new partner as “Sponge” in a speech last year.
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Warwick Davis’s mystery lover is a woman named Yvette who he has been dating for a yearCredit: GettyWarwick’s wide Samantha Davis died aged 53 at University College Hospital in London in 2024Credit: PA
“She has no interest in being a public figure and — although she has accompanied Warwick to events — Yvette does not court the limelight.
“Yvette is so proud of Warwick and loves to be by his side at events, but she will stand back and allow him to be in the spotlight.
“Yvette is close with his children and they have a lovely life together.
“All anyone wanted was to see Warwick happy and he has that with Yvette.”
Warwick revealed he had started dating again at the Bafta Film Awards in February last year.
After accepting the Bafta Fellowship on stage, he said: “Above all I’d like to dedicate and thank my wonderful wife Sammy, who died almost a year ago.
“Since then life has been pretty tough for me, but thanks to the support of our wonderful children Annabelle and Harrison, I’ve been able to continue working and engaging in life.
“A special mention too should go to Sponge, you know who you are.
“Thank you for showing me that life can still have meaning and helping me to laugh and to love again.”
This week at his investiture, Yvette was spotted in the background with his children while her partner spoke to William.
Warwick, who was born with a rare form of dwarfism called spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia congenita, was named in King Charles’ New Year Honours list.
He was praised for his work supporting people with dwarfism, co-founding the charity Little People UK in 2012 with Samantha.
ISLA Fisher shows she’s a match for any red carpet.
The Australian star, 50, beamed in a crimson dress at the Time Women of the Year Gala.
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Isla Fisher, 50, wows in a crimson dress at the Time Women of the Year GalaCredit: GettyIsla has revealed she is ready to embrace life following her split from Sacha Baron CohenCredit: Getty
JENNIFER Lopez hails the courage of actress pal Kerry Washington at a charity gala.
The singer and actress, 56, wore a blazer over a lace slip dress at the event in Los Angeles for Women’s Cancer Research Fund.
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J-Lo dressed up in a blazer to celebrate her pal Kerry WashingtonCredit: GettyJenny with Anastasia Soare and Kerry Washington, whom J-Lo was celebratingCredit: GettyThe singer was also joined by Sofia VergaraCredit: Reuters
She presented the Courage Award to Kerry, 49, a cancer advocate after her mum was diagnosed with the disease.
J Lo, who was also joined by Sofia Vergara, 53, at the event, said on stage: “Kerry, you remind us that together, through sciences, support of survivors, and the relentless pursuit of answers, that real change is possible.”
But it was understood at the time to be only a one-album deal and they called it a day following disappointing sales.
A music insider said at the time: “Jennifer is obviously massively successful and talented but it’s been hard for her to find a label who she’s on the same page with.
“After her last album came out, it was decided she wouldn’t continue with BMG as it wasn’t the success she wanted.
“It only went to No 55 in the UK. But her team want to push her forward with this new music.
“She has spent a lot of time in the studio this year.”
The Black Crowes singer Chris Robinson is reflecting on his rollercoaster relationship with his younger sibling, guitarist Rich.
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The Black Crowes lead singer Chris Robinson, left, and his guitarist sibling RichCredit: ROSS HALFINThe pair had no set ideas for the record, as they got creative in the studioCredit: ROSS HALFIN
Their explosive chemistry once earned the outfit a fitting accolade — “The Most Rock ’n’ Roll Rock ’n’ Roll Band in the World”.
Chris is first to admit they’ve had their ups and downs since forming in 1984 under their original name, Mr Crowe’s Garden, as schoolkids in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Rich and I, for better or worse, were stubborn and arrogant but always strong believers in the art,” he admits.
“This has always been our path and, no matter what, we have to do it like this.
“Sometimes, you have to take your lumps,” continues Chris, employing that very American phrase for suffering setbacks. “But, right now, we’re in the zone. The chemistry is 100 per cent there.
“The way we feel goes right back to when we started — it’s f*** it, just play it — even if we are more well-mannered.”
But the pandemic slammed on the brakes before the dates finally happened across the US in 2021, uncorking the band’s celebrated freewheeling energy.
Back to the live arena came Jealous Again, Hard To Handle, She Talks To Angels and Twice As Hard, songs that somehow bottled up the band’s influences — Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones and Little Feat among them — but still refreshingly their own.
The follow-up, A Pound Of Feathers, comes tearing out of the blocks with the rocket-fuelled, riff-driven Profane Prophecy, setting the tone for another of The Black Crowes’ “love letters to rock and roll”.
The album arrives with some sound advice — “This isn’t a record you play on Sunday morning, this is a f***ing Saturday night burner!”
In a world where smoothly produced pop dominates the airwaves, The Black Crowes are unashamedly sticking two fingers up at it.
“None of what’s going on in that world is relevant to me,” decides Chris, “and rock ’n’ roll is still huge for millions and millions of people.”
He is talking to me via video call from Aspen, Colorado, the premier ski resort in the States, playground of the rich and famous.
“My wife is an avid skier. She’s the Franz Klammer of the family,” he reports with a reference to the Austrian downhill legend.
“I get to do the cooking, the reading and the hanging out.” (And talking to people like me about The Black Crowes). Brother Rich is at home in Nashville and begins his call by apologising for being under the weather.
“I’m going to be coughing randomly,” he says. “I’m in the middle of flu that’s going around.”
After clearing his throat, Rich, the less flamboyant one who lets his guitar wizardry do most of his talking, gamely picks up on Chris’s theme.
“When we got back together, we both agreed we needed to do it properly,” he affirms.
“We knew that bringing back a toxic dynamic wouldn’t be healthy for anyone.
“We couldn’t have the overarching idea that when Chris and Rich get together, it’s a bad thing.
“We’ve always written all the songs, we own the name so coming back with a more mature approach has been very helpful.”
Rich acknowledges that the music landscape for the older, wiser Black Crowes is vastly different from when they started out. “There’s a bunch of people in the industry who like to think rock ’n’ roll is dead,” he says.
“But then there’s a bunch of people trying to keep it alive. Guns N’ Roses, the Rolling Stones, Metallica and Def Leppard are still selling out stadiums.
“Tens of millions of people still want to see bands like them. Rock ’n’ roll is one thing that no one could tame.
“And it’s still like that for us. We can go into a studio with almost nothing and, in a week, make a record.
“There’s a human, organic quality to rock ’n’ roll. We don’t have auto-tune and we don’t have to set our s**t to a grid.”
Looking back at their unfettered past, Chris exclaims: “I have to say I’m so f***ing proud of The Black Crowes, man!
“Rich and I started this band when we were teenagers in Mom and Dad’s house, as a vehicle to write songs.
The Robinson brothers weren’t on speaking terms for five years after their so-called ‘contractual obligations’ tour ended in 2014Credit: GettyThe Black Crowes in 1998Credit: Getty
“And we found our way to being musicians and performers.”
Yet the creation of A Pound Of Feathers has still blown Chris away, most notably because of the stellar contributions from Rich.
The album was made in double-quick time, carried along by the brothers’ spontaneous fusion of riffs and lyrics.
Chris says: “I’ve been on stage and sat in studios my whole life with my brother playing amazing guitar.
“But, with this album, I sat there with my mouth hanging open.
“Granted I’m very close to the flame but everything he did, I was like, ‘Wow, this guy’s taking it to a new place.’”
During the sessions, The Black Crowes were visited by Chris’s friend, Todd Snider, the singer/songwriter who died last November from pneumonia aged just 59.
Chris cherished the chance to hang out with Todd — and to get some memorable feedback from him.
“He was a storyteller, a real poet, and he and I had a great friendship. He also really liked The Black Crowes.
“He asked if he could come and check out the recording. I went, ‘Dude, yeah fine, but you’re going to be the only one here’. So he sat there taking in me and Rich putting music together.
“At the end of the day, he said, ‘Are you f***ing warlocks? Is this some kind of ESP or is it a parlour trick? You don’t say anything yet, 30 minutes later, there’s this massive song blasting out of the speakers’.”
For Rich, the studio is his happy place. “I’ve always loved being in a studio,” he says.
“It’s where you bring to fruition all the things you have in your head.
“With this record, we came in without any concrete ideas. By allowing ourselves just to play in the sandbox, it became fun and exciting.”
Rich gives a shoutout to producer Jay Joyce, who also helmed Happiness Bastards.
He says: “Nine and a half times out of ten, he agrees with us when we’re excited about something.
“He’s there with us, not bogging us down by trying to insert himself when its unnecessary.”
So what of the songs? There’s the aforementioned opener Profane Prophecy which captures the unvarnished sound of The Black Crowes’ live mayhem, yet recorded in the calmer confines of a studio.
You hear Chris nodding to past rock ’n’ roll excesses by hollering, tongue firmly in cheek, “My pedigree in debauchery is my claim to fame.”
He smiles, “Of course I have to embrace that life. That’s why I sing, ‘I eat casino breakfast off the kitchen floor’.”
But he maintains that while giving “a vision of a debauched rock ’n’ roller”, he’s also “confusing fact with fiction”.
The four-minute shindig concludes with the ensemble chant of the phrase that yielded the album title, “a pound of feathers or a pound of lead”.
Chris got the line from In Here The World Begins, a song by long-defunct British electro-pop band Broadcast.
“I loved the phrase and what it could mean because a pound is a pound,” he says. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s lead or feathers. There’s some weird wisdom to it.”
We turn our attention to Cruel Streak, pounding rock underpinned by funky rhythm.
“I’m adjacent to funk at all times,” says Chris. “Growing up in Atlanta, there was this multiracial band called Mother’s Finest who played heavy funk with ‘Baby Jean’ Kennedy as lead singer.
“There’s a lot of Mother’s Finest in The Black Crowes.”
On the R&B-flavoured It’s Like That, which comes with heavy basslines and a hint of reggae, the brothers employed an amphibian guest, which, as Chris explains, fits with their anything goes attitude.
“I was staying in Nashville, and the doors were open. I heard this frog, so I recorded him. That’s my Nashville rasta frog on the solo.”
Rich says: “There are tree frogs all over the South. They were blaring one night and Chris said, ‘Man, I want to use that sound’.
Chris and Rich Robinson reflect on decades of chaos and creativity in the Black CrowesCredit: EL3
“So he took his phone and pressed record. We found the right space for it on the song.” On the loose, laidback country-tinged Pharmacy Chronicles, recalling the vibe of the Rolling Stones’ Exile On Main St., Chris sings “let the demons find you” because, he insists, we mustn’t think everything is “sugar-coated, glossy and gorgeous”.
“Especially something as messy as a 40-year career in rock ’n’ roll,” he adds. “I can’t believe some of the s**t I was doing. Get some surgical gloves and get to it!”
But Chris is not one to dwell on the past, with all its euphoric highs and crashing lows. “I am devoid of nostalgia,” he says.
“I like to think I interact with the world as a poet. I’m always writing — it could be because I overheard a conversation at an airport check-in.
“I’m no Bruce Springsteen,” he confesses. “But I connect with the world through whatever inspires me.”
And, as he puts it, “a lot of the darkness that is the United States right now” informs A Pound Of Feathers.
It explains why final track Doomsday Doggerel with its line “a front row seat to the end of times” is in stark contrast to the closing song on Happiness Bastards.
“On that last record, Kindred Friend was a beautiful pastoral thing with harmonica, about me and Rich, the band and our audience,” says Chris.
“Doomsday Doggerel is much darker. We haven’t remembered lessons from our past and the f***ing racism means we’re operating at a very low frequency.
“I just hope that someone can play this record on a Saturday night, keep out the low frequency and get a better hum going.”
Chris and Rich reunited after having gone their separate ways for years
As Pharmacy Chronicles ebbs to a close, you hear a defiant chorus of “the good times never end”.
As far as Chris and Rich and the rest of The Black Crowes family are concerned, rock ’n’ roll is the perfect antidote to personal and universal turmoil.
“We’re loud, we can be sloppy but we are like an old cartoon of two people fighting on a train,” says Chris.
“The train goes round a bend, leaning all the way over a cliff, but then it comes back up. That’s us.”
THE BLACK CROWES
A Pound Of Feathers
★★★★☆
The Black Crowes’ new album A Pound of Feathers is out in the UK on 13 March 2026
Nicole Kidman poses in a bath for VarietyCredit: Nino Munoz for VarietyNicole is snapped in a white shirt ahead of the OscarsCredit: Nino Munoz for Variety
The 2003 Best Actress winner, 58, said she was doing well despite the end of her 19-year marriage.
She said: “I am, because I’m always going to be moving toward what’s good.
“What I’m grateful for is my family and keeping them as is and moving forward. That’s that. “Everything else I don’t discuss out of respect. I’m staying in a place of, ‘We are a family,’ and that’s what we’ll continue to be.
“My beautiful girls, my darlings, who are suddenly women.”
According to documents, both Nicole and Keith will retain ownership of the properties already in their possession and the rest will be split to their mutual satisfaction.
It is believed the majority of the exes’ properties were all jointly purchased following their wedding in 2006.
The most recent purchase came in 2023 in the form of a £5.7m three-bed apartment in Sydney‘s exclusive Landmark Latitude complex – their sixth property in the same high rise.
They have another £13.3m wrapped up in the complex.
Nicole and Keith first bought into the apartment block in 2009, picking up a sizeable 420-square-metre pad overlooking Sydney’s famous harbour for a cool £4.45m.
A further £5.2m was splashed on a larger neighbouring apartment when that became available in 2012.
The couple bought into the 19th floor in 2011, paying £2m on a smaller space that Nicole used as a home office.
Nicole split from Keith Urban last yearCredit: Nino Munoz for VarietyThe actress insisted she is doing okay following her splitCredit: Nino Munoz for VarietyKidman on the cover of VarietyCredit: Nino Munoz for Variety
