watching

SAM Fender has won the 2025 Mercury Prize for his album People Watching.

The singer-songwriter nabbed the prestigious award at the ceremony in his native Newcastle – the first time it has been held outside London.

He won with his third album ahead of a star-studded pack of 12 nominees, including Pulp, Wolf Alice, FKA Twigs, PinkPantheress and Pa Salieu.

Sam was not fancied by the bookies, so his victory is something of a shock.

The Geordie name checked fellow nominees during his acceptance speech to an ecstatic crowd.

He said: “I just I really didn’t – we did not expect this at all. I want to say thank you – I cannot think.”

Sam then grabbed his guitar and launched into a rendition of his album’s titular track, People Watching.

Sam also thanked Annie Orwin, the inspiration behind the song, for being like a “surrogate mother”.

Judges said they loved People Watching’s “character and ambition”, adding: “It felt like a classic.”

Wolf Alice and Pulp have both won the award in the past.

If either of them had taken it home, they have become just the second act to win it twice, joining PJ Harvey.

This is a breaking news story, more to follow…

Following a monstrous run over the last five years that saw the share price outperform the S&P 500, shares of Costco Wholesale (COST -0.89%) have cooled off in 2025. The stock is roughly flat year to date after surging to a 52-week high of $1,078 earlier this year.

Costco shares have trailed the bull market rally in recent months. The only thing investors can blame is the stock’s high valuation. At a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 50, the stock is the most expensive it’s been in 25 years. But sometimes stocks can trade for years at extended valuation levels. Costco’s exceptional operating performance and superb leadership certainly are deserving of a premium valuation.

While the stock could be in the process of settling at a lower P/E, there are two things about Costco’s business that make me interested in the stock even if it’s historically expensive.

Image source: Getty Images.

1. World-class operating efficiency

Costco has 81 million paying warehouse club members because it sells stuff in bulk cheaper than anyone else. Some investors might assume Costco prioritizes keeping its margins at a fixed level and reinvesting any cost savings in lower prices. While this is the basic strategy, Costco is still seeing its margins gradually rise.

Over the past 10 years, the company’s operating margin has improved from 3.1% to 3.8%. It has ticked up about 0.1% almost every year. This reflects several initiatives to improve operating efficiency, including automation, streamlining the checkout process, and continued growth in its private label brand Kirkland Signature, where sales continue to outpace Costco’s overall sales growth.

Costco capped off another solid year in terms of margin and operating profit growth. For fiscal 2025 (which ended in August), operating income grew 12% year over year, slightly above its past 10-year average annual increase of 11%. Earnings per share (EPS) grew 14% year over year excluding a tax benefit last year.

Consistency is a key element that can cause investors to award a premium valuation to a company. Next year, analysts expect Costco’s sales and adjusted earnings to grow 8% and 16%, respectively. The continued growth of Kirkland, which generates higher margins than other brands, and Costco’s culture of relentlessly squeezing every last ounce of inefficiency out of operations should maintain its recent trend of improving operating margin and earnings growth.

2. International opportunity

Perhaps the biggest factor that may cause the market to continue valuing Costco at a higher-than-average P/E is global expansion. Only 31% of Costco’s warehouse stores are outside the U.S., yet its discount operating model and global sourcing capabilities could pave the way for profitable international growth.

Costco currently has 914 warehouses worldwide, with 629 in the U.S. It plans to increase this base to 944 in fiscal 2026. Opening warehouses in foreign markets requires longer planning than in the U.S., but the company has a pipeline of openings it is pursuing internationally.

Current international stores are performing well. In the most recent quarter, its adjusted comparable-store sales in Canada grew 8.3% year over year, with other international markets up 7.2%. This was marginally higher than its U.S. comp-sales growth of 6%. Strong international growth prospects extend Costco’s ability to maintain consistent performance for many years.

But Costco is still finding plenty of room to expand on its home turf. Over the next year, two-thirds of its planned warehouse increase will be in the U.S. The combination of improving margins and growth opportunities at home and abroad justifies a high valuation.

Beyond numbers and growth opportunities, Costco’s corporate culture is just something you cannot pin to a specific P/E. The company’s consistent performance reflects a management team that is focused on one thing: delivering more value to customers. The fact it is succeeding on that mission while still improving margins makes Costco a highly valuable business.

Costco is one of a kind, and that’s why the stock still looks like a tempting buy even if it’s expensive.

A WOMAN armed with three knives threatened to kill migrants after watching far-right videos, a court heard.

Drunk and stoned Nina Manley, 51, got a taxi to a Premier Inn hotel — but it was the wrong one as there were no migrants living there.

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Staff at the hotel in North Petherton, Somerset, called cops, in August.

Manley told police: “I’m pissed off and I’m going to f***ing kill someone.”

Recorder Matthew Cannings told her at Taunton crown court: “You watched videos of extreme far-right social media personalities like Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson.”

Defending, Anjam Arif said Manley came from a military background and lost a brother who was killed while serving in Afghanistan.

“Her actions were born out of bravado rather than a real threat to kill.”

Manley, of Bridgwater, admitted threats to kill and got a 12-month suspended jail sentence.

It is proving a popular addition to the streaming giant’s library

Mayfair Witches season one trailer

Netflix fans are all watching a creepy thriller that’s been described as ‘so bad it’s good’.

The first season of Mayfair Witches has just recently been included as part of the streaming giant’s extensive offering. In just a matter of days, it has become one of the most watched titles among subscribers.

At the time of writing, it is currently seventh in the top 10 series in the UK. It is sandwiched between Hostage and My Life With the Walter Boys. It seems despite a middling 59% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Netflix viewers just can’t get enough.

There’s also good news for those without a subscription to the platform. That is because all episodes are also available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer.

Based on the series of novels Lives of the Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice, who also wrote Interview With the Vampire, the series follows renowned neurosurgeon Rowan Fielding.

She has developed a serious problem, however. When she gets mad, she kills with her mind.

Across eight episodes, she undergoes a search for answers which leads her to New Orleans, the home of her biological family. Here she discovers she the heir to a family of witches which has been haunted by a sinister presence for generations.

That presence is the spirit Lasher. Ciprien (Sip) Grieve, a devoted agent to the Talamasca, is assigned to protect Rowan.

He soon realises he’s in way over his head as secrets are revealed that could tarnish Rowan’s family and his role in the Talamasca. As Lasher’s seduction of Rowan deepens her role in an ancient prophecy becomes clear. This prophecy culminates in the birth of Lasher.

Rowan is determined to develop powers to fulfil her purpose as a healer, but when tragedy strikes, she must put aside her own desires and fight to save her family. The show features Alexandra Daddario in the lead role, who has previously appeared in True Detective and The White Lotus.

The eight-part first season is described by Netflix as ‘imaginative and suspenseful’, while other critics have dubbed it a ‘creepy thriller’. While one reviewer noted that period drama fans should find something to enjoy just as much as fantasy buffs due to how it moves its story back and forth in time.

While someone else praised the lead star performance and genre bending impact: “Daddario, who was a standout in the first season of HBO’s The White Lotus, makes an appealing lead in the eerie gothic series, which leans on its horror roots.”

Watch Wednesday on Netflix for free with Sky

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Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan.

This lets members watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes hit shows like Wednesday.

Plenty of fans have also shared their recommendation. One said: “From the first episode, I was hooked—the storytelling unfolds in such an intriguing way, keeping me captivated as each new piece of the mystery falls into place.

“If you’re on the fence about watching because of the reviews—give it a chance. You might just find yourself just as enchanted as I am.”

Another added: “As someone who hasn’t read the novels & loves fantasy that takes hints from real life – I recommend it to all those who might have enjoyed series like Sabrina on Netflix.”

Meanwhile, others have acknowledged the show’s flaws but still give it their approval. One person simply noted: “Mayfair Witches is so bad but so good.” In agreement, another replied: “This is where I’m at. I can’t quit.”

Mayfair Witches is streaming on Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

One of the greatest films of the decade is apparently now on Netflix after a TikTok reviewer shed light on the movie in a recent post – and it’s just over 90 minutes long

A movie fan has named one of the “greatest films” of the decade – and it’s on Netflix. In recent weeks, we’ve seen a number of shows go viral, including the ‘most addictive’ Netflix series that people are raving on about.

Now we all know TikTok is the best place for advice on pretty much everything so how about you check this film out? EccyReviews, who boasts 350,300 followers, recently named “one of the greatest films of the decade” in a clip which garnered 1,300 likes. He used his platform to urge fans to watch the drama movie Hard Truths.

The 2024 drama was written and directed by Mike Leigh with a cast which includes Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Michele Austin, and David Webber. Set in London, its plot follows the story of a depressed woman and the relationship with her sister.

It was named one of the top 10 independent films of 2024 by the National Board of Review, meanwhile Jean-Baptiste received Best Actress nominations at the Critics’ Choice Awards, BAFTA Film Awards and the Gotham Awards.

As for IMDB, the 12A film has a rating of 7.2/10.

And recently the TikTok video revealed why it was the greatest film to watch right now.

The user said: “So Netflix has just dropped one of the greatest films of the decade and you need to go and check it out immediately.

“It’s raw, it’s emotional and it’s one of the most human films you will ever see.

“The film is called Hard Truths, this film is just over 90 minutes long, it’s set in London, tells a raw and emotional story of grief and depression.

“It’s such a gripping film if you’ve ever grieved for anyone in your life, you will resonate with this film so much, it’s such a passionate and beautiful story which more people need to see.”

Speaking about the performances, the reviewer claimed they were “truly unbelievable” and not “spoken about enough”.

“It will make you laugh, it will make you cry,” he continued.

“It’s genuinely a film that will stay with you for a very long time.”

The reviewer concluded: “Please get this film on your watch list, get it watched and make sure you tag your friends so they can check out this hidden gem.”

Since the recommendation was shared on TikTok earlier this week, it racked up a lot of attention from viewers eager to give it a go.

One said: “Thank you for giving news about films going to watch now. Hard Truths.” Another added: “I watched this last night, was captivating.”

A third commented: “Loved it. Sad, but funny and so truthful.” While a fourth admitted: “Cheers, on it now.”

The Jenna Ortega-fronted Netflix hit Wednesday returned with the first half of its hotly anticipated second series landing on the streaming platform on August 6, with the second half expected next month

Many Netflix fans all have the same complaint after tuning into the second instalment of the hit horror comedy series, Wednesday, which focuses on the character’s exploits at a private boarding school. The first season arrived in November 2022 and was a critical and commercial success, with many praising lead star Jenna Ortega.

The first half of the new season premiered on August 6, with the second half expected to hit the streaming platform on September 3. The show has already been renewed for a third season, much to fans’ delight.

But not all fans are impressed with the show’s set-up and many think it’s inherently flawed due to Wednesday being placed at Nevermore Academy with magical and mythical students, each boasting unusual or fantastical powers.

Wednesday doesn’t have any obvious supernatural abilities at first and much of her charm – and the Addams’ family’s as a whole – is their dark, gothic and macabre nature which contrasts their deep love for one another, all set against the backdrop of “normal” people in a “normal” world.

With Wednesday removed from a standard school setting, she isn’t the odd one out anymore. Her dark nature, her constant melancholy, and Jenna Ortega’s trademark lack of blinking, blends in seamlessly with students at Nevermore who each have their own darkness to contend with.

When murders started happening in the first season, Wednesday was keen to get to the bottom of the mystery. She soon discovered she has psychic abilities, with the power to experience visions of the past, present and future.

Again, in a typical school setting, this would set her apart from her “normal” peers as the gothic girl with unnerving, unnatural powers. At Nevermore, she’s one among many.

The show’s second season looks to be expanding on Wednesday’s world, with more focus on other members of the Addams family clan. This is something many fans can’t quite agree on.

In a Reddit post linking to a review titled “‘Wednesday’ Season 2 Review: Jenna Ortega Gets Lost Amid Addams Family Mayhem in Overcrowded Netflix Return,” fans were keen to share their thoughts.

One person said: “I.e. this series is more of a regular The Addams Family series compared to Season One’s wholly Wednesday-focused affair.”

Another said: “I would imagine a show called Wednesday would be fully focused on said character…. Lol.”

A third shared: “The second season still focuses on Wednesday. Just less than season 1.”

Someone else added: “Which is a good thing. Wednesday is great, but the reason why the movies worked so well is because of the family dynamic. Just following one family member all season is a mistake, and it appears the showrunner agreed.”

And another Netflix fan commented: “There’s also something to be said about the fact that they put Wednesday into a school where everybody is creepy and weird to some degree, which suddenly makes her not all that unique.

“The juxtaposition of the Addamses against normal people who find them off putting is a huge part of what makes the formula work but they took all that away.”

Someone else added: “I mean all I really want is more Addams Family.”

Shetland has been named the cleanest place in Scotland, with almost 99 per cent of public spaces across the archipelago being litter-free – and the main town has plenty to offer tourists

Scotland is battling a significant litter issue, reportedly worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic. Urban areas have been hit hardest, with Dundee and Glasgow topping the list of Scotland’s most littered cities, as per a recent report from Keep Scotland Beautiful featured in The Herald.

However, other parts of Scotland are being praised for their cleanliness. Shetland has earned the title of Scotland’s cleanest place. The new data reveals that an impressive 98.7% of public spaces on the archipelago are predominantly free of litter – the highest percentage in the country.

This honour allows Lerwick, Shetland’s main port, to boast the title of Scotland’s cleanest town.

As the largest settlement on the island group, housing around 7,000 residents, it serves as the perfect starting point to discover this remote part of Scotland.

Situated almost halfway between Bergen in Norway and Aberdeen, Lerwick offers a unique culture.

Its quaint lanes and laid-back atmosphere make it an ideal holiday destination – with top attractions including the Iron Age broch of Clickimin and the Shetland Museum, reports the Daily Record.

Visitors can also enjoy orca watching in the nearby seas or stay on land to explore the captivating marine life around the islands. Lerwick even boasts its own beach, Bain’s, just a stone’s throw from the town centre.

If you fancy a bit of solitude, there are plenty of beaches scattered around the Shetland Mainland.

Sumburgh, situated at the southernmost point of the island and just a half-hour drive away, is famed for its breathtaking white sands.

Also nestled in the southern region of the island is Spiggie Beach. Its pristine waters have been likened to those of a Greek island, albeit with a cooler climate.

After a day of adventuring, unwind with some grub or a drink at one of Lerwick’s pubs or restaurants.

The Lounge Bar, which holds the top spot on TripAdvisor, provides live music for its guests.

For a bite to eat, No 88 Kitchen and Bar comes highly recommended. This local gem dishes up an intriguing blend of Scottish, British and Philippine cuisine.

Whale watching in the Hebrides

There’s no escaping sea and sky on Tiree, as the Inner Hebridean island is only 12 miles long and 3 miles wide. Shallow seas provide rich feeding grounds for marine life, and it is one of the UK’s best spots for whale watching. Tiree Sea Tours – a member of the WiSe national training scheme for minimising disturbance to marine wildlife – offers half-day and full-day sea-faris (from £75). Visitors can also try to spot basking sharks circling the island in the plankton-rich waters at viewing spots in Hynish Bay or Caoles, or from the deck of the CalMac ferry over to nearby Coll. Sunset Pods’ two cabins (from £700 a week, one week minimum stay in July-August) sleep four and offer views over Balevullin beach, a Dark Sky discovery site and home to Blackhouse Watersports.

Birdwatching in Kent

Dipping its toes in the Thames Estuary, the Isle of Sheppey is visited by thousands of migrating shore birds every year. Visitors of all ages can get twitching by staying at Elmley nature reserve in pop-up summer bell tents for four (from £170 a night, two nights minimum), and joining a Wildlife Wander Walk (£25) to spot species such as egrets, lapwings, avocets and marsh harriers. You can also jump in a Land Rover for an off-road adventure with an ecologist (from £20). To view it all from the water, Jet Stream Tours offers a four-hour around-the-island trip (£90 per family) that passes by Elmley and the cliffs of Eastchurch.

Waterside camping in Gwynedd

On the Llŷn Peninsula, Bert’s Kitchen Garden campsite (from £44 a pitch) always has something new to offer. Last year, the husband-and-wife team who run it opened Beachside, a cafe on wheels offering local produce, including Heartland Coffee Roasters, and supper clubs with chefs from the area. A new sauna provides warmth after bracing sea swims. The site’s private beach is ideal for families who love to be on the water, with paddleboards and kayaks for hire.

Further inland, in the heart of Eryri national park, Llyn Gwynant campsite (from £16pp; day visitors welcome from £5pp plus £5 per car) offers access to a river, mountain and lake, with boat hire on the doorstep. Glanllyn Lakeside caravan and camping park (from £27 a pitch) has a pebbled beach, ideal for launching kayaks and paddleboards, on the shore of Bala lake.

Rewilding in action in Devon

Coombeshead is a 162-hectare (400-acre) rewilding site just north of the Tamar Valley, owned and run by Derek Gow, an author and campaigner specialising in species reintroduction and nature recovery. This summer, families who book a stay in a shepherd’s hut will receive a complimentary animal encounter to learn more about the reintroduction of white storks, water voles, wild cats, and Coombeshead’s newest arrival, the European lynx. The off-grid shepherd’s hut and campsite (from £12 a night) share the kitchen, shower and toilet block, and a rewilding garden. You can also book a two-hour wild walk or dusk beaver-watching experience (from £28 a person).

Wildlife in Cheshire

Once derelict, Northwich Woodlands is now home to more than 2,000 plant and animal species, offering families ample opportunity for nature immersion. Across more than 323 hectares, nine distinct habitats include wildflower meadows, wetlands and two canals: the Weaver Navigation and the Trent and Mersey. This summer, kids can get stuck in on guided pond-dipping and bug-hunting days throughout July and August.

Two- to five-berth canal boats are available to hire from nearby Anderton Marina through ABC Boat Hire (from £431 a night, two nights minimum) and feature several overnight itineraries, including along the recently refurbished Huddersfield Narrow canal across the Pennines.

Woodland trails in Epping Forest

Outdoor specialist Millets recently ranked Epping Forest as the third most family-friendly forest in the UK, after the New Forest and the Forest of Dean. Maps of more than 30 child-friendly trails, including the Willow and Holly trails, are available at the Epping Forest visitor centre at High Beach. You can also find 20 walks for all abilities on the Epping Forest Walks app. Events over the summer include crafting at the Toot Hill Country Show, as well as a 90-minute obstacle course for kids of all ages at Wild Forest (from £22). The Lee Valley Almost Wild campsite (from £30 a pitch), a short walk from Broxbourne station, has 20 basic pitches for those aged over 12.

Conservation in North Yorkshire

Heggs Farm, a 55-hectare rewilding project just north of the Yorkshire Dales national park, prides itself on being wild. Members of the CampWild platform, which helps landowners and farmers open sections of land to campers, can book a stay at Heggs in two camping spots (from £15), or a camping bothy (from £45) for up to four people. Families are invited to participate in several conservation activities during their stay, including caring for newly planted trees, plugging dams to create new wetland areas, and recording wildlife sightings.

Near Skipton, on the southern edge of the Dales, Broughton Sanctuary also offers conservation activities for families. Weekly tree-planting events with ranger Joel Batchelor are free to attend, and kids can enjoy its Wild Explorers forest school (£35 a day).

Explore marine life, Isle of Arran

Scotland’s first marine protected area visitor centre, the Coast discovery centre in Lamlash, has been thrown into the spotlight after appearing in David Attenborough’s hard-hitting new documentary, Ocean. With a summer of events lined up, there’s no better place for kids to learn about our fragile marine environments. Activities include gentle shore scrambles with wildlife experts; snorkel taster sessions (from £40); and a two-hour boat ride on Coast’s research vessel involving everything from habitat mapping to plankton sampling (from £30).

Surfing in the south-west

Some of the UK’s best surfing spots, including Rest Bay and Woolacombe, are less than three hours’ drive from Bristol, so it’s no surprise that many campervan hire companies are setting up shop in the city. Roadsurfer’s vans include the Surfer Suite, which sleeps four with an outdoor shower and pop-up roof (from £65). Alternatively, Shaka, from Camplify is a thoughtfully converted baker’s van kitted out with luxuries including a composting toilet and hot shower, as well as quirkier additions such as stained-glass windows and a record collection. It’s available to rent for up to five people (from £110) and can be delivered within a 100-mile radius of Bristol.

When it comes to pitching up, Porthcawl Surf School, between Swansea and Cardiff, recommends Sandy Bay campsite near Rest Bay, while back in north Devon, Little Roadway Farm offers electric hook‑ups for campervans (from £30) and pitches (from £15pp) just moments from Woolacombe’s sweeping sands.

Rock climbing, Gower Peninsula

Three Cliffs Bay’s constantly shifting landscape – the tide sweeps in and out across soft sand to dunes, a salt marsh and the Pennard Pill stream – provides never-ending fun for kids of all ages. Rising out of the bay are the famous three limestone cliffs, one of Wales’s most accessible climbing spots. Gower Adventures offers the best way to give it a try; families can join full-day climbing adventures with expert tuition from local guides (£210 for a family of four). Spend the night pitched up at Nicholaston Farm (from £29 a pitch) – a sheltered campsite with big sea views, good washrooms, and a farm shop.

Stargazing in the Cairngorms

Aberdeenshire has more hours of sunshine a year than a lot of places in Scotland, which also means more clear nights for stargazing. On the eastern edge of the Cairngorms national park in an area with particularly low light pollution, Cairngorm Bothies is an ideal base to view celestial events such as the Perseid meteor shower in August. Its 12 self-catering bothies sleep either two or four (from £125 a night, two nights minimum), and several are fully accessible. Thanks to a partnership with hiking guides Hillgoers, families staying here can book stargazing excursions with a certified “star ranger” this summer. Alternatively, head to the Glen Tanar visitor centre, a designated Dark Sky discovery site some 15 minutes down the road by car.

Gravel biking, North York Moors

The North York Moors national park’s Sutton Bank centre, which sits on an escarpment over the Vale of York, has launched three new gravel biking routes this summer. Part-created by cycling journalist Guy Kesteven, the routes are accessible from the Sutton Bank Bikes hire station (from £40 a day). The 15-mile (25km) Moorland Meander has an “easy” rating, taking in the open plateaus of the moors with only 200 metres of climbing. Also new this year is an Edge of Empire accessible trail at archaeological site Cawthorn Roman Camps. On a working farm, a shepherd’s hut on Stonebeck Gate Farm (from £110 a night) sleeps four.

Kayaking in East Sussex

The River Ouse has become the first river in the UK to gain legal rights — a big step forward in the campaign for cleaner waterways. The Kayak Coach runs trips here to suit all abilities and ages, including a two and a half hour adventure for beginners, which paddles along the Ouse from the middle of Lewes (£60).

Further east, the River Rother meanders through The Original Hut Company’s campsite (shepherd’s hut for five, from £150) near Bodiam Castle. The company’s partnership with adventure provider Epic Life makes it easy to rent kayaks or paddleboards (from £6) directly from the campsite, or you can join a session on giant paddleboards for up to eight people (from £95.40). Nearby, the Pop-Up campsite on regenerative Hop and Hare farm (from £15 a night per person, two nights minimum) will keep kids busy with egg collecting, a nature trail, den building and paddleboards.

Wildlife spotting in Norfolk

Follow in the footsteps of Chris Packham and Anita Rani to spot wildlife on the former site of BBC Springwatch, Pensthorpe nature reserve. Activities include a Poo Trail for younger children and evening activities such as badger watching (£20.95) and a Creatures of the Night (£16.95) bat and owl-watching adventure. There’s a pop-up campsite now too, with grass pitches from £30 a night, or bell tents for four from £130 a night (both two nights minimum).

If you’d rather do it yourself, pick up a four-mile section of the Norfolk coast path from Morston Quay through Blakeney national nature reserve to pretty Cley-next-the-Sea and catch the Coasthopper bus service back. If you can time the tides right, a ferry service from Morston Quay heads out to Blakeney Point, which is home to England’s largest grey seal colony.

Mountain biking, Gloucestershire

Families looking to try mountain biking will love Old Bob’s, the newest trail at the Forest of Dean Cycle Centre, named after a pumping engine from a nearby former coal mine. Weaving just over a mile through the forest, the trail features three areas designed for practising off-road riding skills. It’s also one of the UK’s most accessible mountain bike trails, suitable for bikes with up to four wheels as well as adaptive bikes.

More gentle activities nearby include woodland fun in Puzzlewood’s rare temperate rainforest, where you can stay in a cottage sleeping four plus an infant (from £240 a night, minimum three nights), and the Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail just across the road from the cycle centre.

Cave snorkel in County Antrim

In the middle of the Causeway Coast, Portrush’s sheltered harbour and sweeping beach is an excellent spot to try paddleboarding and surfing. Portrush Surf School, run by pro surfer Martin “TK” Kelly, has availability on a four-day VIP Surf Camp for nine- to 16-year-olds (£140) throughout the summer holidays, or you can book a three-hour family surf or paddleboard lesson (£160 for four; over-nines only).

Visitors can get a little further off-the-beaten-track with Free Dive Northern Ireland, which takes groups from Portrush to coastal locations on half-day paddleboard and cave-snorkelling adventures (from £50pp) throughout July and August.

Dive into a quarry in Surrey

As water temperatures creep above 20C, it’s a great time to take older kids to try more serious wild swimming. In Godstone, Surrey, a sand-extraction site has been converted into a natural swimming lake known as Divers Cove. Circuits of up to 650 metres are marked out around the lake, and all sessions are overseen by lifeguards (£10.99; over-sevens only).

Younger kids might prefer the nearby green flag-awarded Frensham Great Pond, which has a roped-off swimming area and gentle shelving beach. And at Box Hill, visitors can experience one of Nature Calling’s six new art projects. Dawn After Night, Spring After Winter is a free digital adventure game designed to help more people connect with their local landscapes.

Wild camping on Dartmoor

The Supreme Court recently upheld the legal right to wild camp on Dartmoor, providing an excellent opportunity to educate the next generation about the joys and responsibilities of wild camping. Before embarking on an adventure, read up on the code of conduct – which includes rules on travelling light, leaving no trace and staying out of sight – and find out where you’re allowed to camp using the national park’s backpack camping map. The Dartmoor Preservation Association has also created a handy guide to the 3Ps (pees, poos and periods) when wild camping. If the idea of pitching up alone is too much, try booking a spot at Beardown Farm, which has two wild campsites on a 450-hectare working farm on the high moor. Pitches (from £5 per adult; £2.50 per child) include communal tap and fire pits, plus a composting toilet in summer.

‘Farmtivities’ in Somerset

In just two years, brothers Giacomo and Matteo have transformed Higher Farm near Castle Cary from a traditional dairy farm into a biodynamic hub. In May this year, the 20-hectare site – with 2,000 newly planted trees, a swimming lake, orchards, and two friendly pigs named Clover and Pumpkin – opened for the summer season. Day visitors can join in “farmtivities” throughout the summer, including self-guided farm tours, pick-your-own and feeding the animals. A pizza van is open on Saturdays, and there’s a play area for kids. Guests can also spend the night in a secluded spot, tucked into two heated yurt cabins, each sleeping three people (£130 a night, two nights minimum).

Own a pony for a day in Lancashire

The Horse and Pony Protection Association (Happa) is offering children the chance to own a pony for a day (£35) at its site overlooking Thursden Valley near Burnley this summer, helping six to 16-year-olds understand what it takes to look after a horse, including mucking out, grooming, walking with the ponies and riding. There’s also a cafe, education trail and outdoor park.

Meanwhile, near Preston, Alpaca Fold is running an alpaca walking experience (£20 per adult; £15 for 16s and under) on its 14-hectare site close to Samlesbury village, this summer. Sandwiched between the two on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, Little Oakhurst Boutique Glamping has shepherd’s huts and yurts (from £130 a night for four).

Prices are correct at the time of going to press, based on July stays and per person unless otherwise specified

Former Love Island runner-up Siannise Fudge has spoken out against the current series of the ITV2 dating show – as she opens up about her previous relationship abuse

Former Love Island star Siannise Fudge has spoken out and says it’s “disturbing” that toxic behaviours are being “normalised” on the show.

The behaviour from the male contestants during the 12th series of the show has been blasted by some fans. Many called Harrison’s behaviour ‘petrifying’ after his love triangle with Lauren and Toni. Harrison had slept with Lauren twice, and had later asked Toni, who was unaware of the events, to couple up with him – leaving Lauren in tears.

Women’s Aid later shared a statement which, in part, read: “Despite these positive steps, we still see unhealthy patterns of behaviour on these shows, showing just how steeped in misogyny and sexism our society still is. Women are often lied to, slut-shamed and manipulated, as well as laughed at behind their backs.

“Misogyny and sexism lay the foundation for the tolerance of abuse and violence – it reinforces a culture that excuses and trivialises violence against women and girls. More must be done to educate contestants on sexism and misogyny, and it is a great credit to viewers who take to social media, continuing to call out these behaviours as soon as they see them.”

Now, Siannise, who finished as runner-up during the 2020 series, has called out the show while referencing an abusive relationship of her own. Siannise did not reveal who the partner was.

The former Love Island star posted a quote from model Bella Hadid, before sharing her own experiences. The quote read: “I constantly went back to men that abused me. I would become silent and cry… [As a] people pleaser… I was putting my worth in the hands of someone else.”

“I have been a victim in my past relationships of this behaviour, which I thought was normal, and that’s the scariest part. It’s so disappointing and very disturbing that this behaviour on national TV, especially on one of the biggest TV shows, is being normalised,” Siannise wrote.

“Those girls deserve so much more, they deserve to be respected and my heart goes out to them. I’m sure they will need a lot of support when they are out as I know the intensity of that environment and having to deal with that behaviour on top is just awful.”

“This whole thread speaks volumes and I’m gonna leave it here. Please read and I hope this helps understand why this will never be ok and should never be tolerated,” she concluded.

Later sharing a post from Women’s Aid, titled “What’s going on with the men in Love Island this year?” Siannise wrote alongside the caption: “It’s been so disturbing watching for me this year, especially as a previous islander. The behaviour has been shocking and it really hasn’t been about finding love, it’s been about power, control, and emotional abuse.

“It’s very concerning that this is being normalised on national TV,” she said. The former Love Island star then posted a picture of her boyfriend, footballer George Rigg, as she wrote: “Thank you for being my safety, my peace, and showing me what a real healthy love is. Been waiting for you my whole life.”

Before entering the Love Island villa, which is monitored 24/7, Islanders complete video training and guidance across a range of topics to include mutually respectful behaviour in relationships, behaviour patterns associated with controlling and coercive behaviour and language around disability, sexuality, race and ethnicity, and microaggressions before they meet their fellow Islanders.

Extensive show protocols include suspending social media, training in language and behaviour and ongoing support before, during and after filming.

Programme contributors will be offered a full package of measures to ensure they remain supported prior to, during and after the filming period on the show.

For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk

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A controversial thriller that left fans feeling uneasy is leaving Netflix soon

Netflix subscribers have just a limited time to stream a controversial thriller that left fans unable to sleep.

American Psycho was released in 2000, and is the film adaptation of the 1991 bestselling novel of the same name, written by Bret Easton Ellis.

Directed by Mary Harron, the horror thriller stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman, a narcissistic banker living in New York during the 80s, who is leading a double life as a serial killer.

Seeming normal to the outside world, behind closed doors Patrick is hiding an extreme violent streak as he commits unhinged and brutal acts of murder and torture.

Packed within its 102 minute run-time, American Psycho has plenty of kills, drug-taking and sex. In one notable scene, an axe-wielding Patrick goes on a killer rampage, murdering Jared Leto’s character Paul Allen.

The cast of the film – which developed a cult following in the decades since its release -also includes stars like Willem Dafoe, Justin Theroux and Reese Witherspoon.

What’s more, the critical response to American Psycho was fairly good. On Rotten Tomatoes, it was given a 68% “fresh” rating based on over 100 reviews from 2000 to 2023.

The movie – which leaves Netflix on August 10 – fared pretty well at the box office too, grossing $34 million from a $7 million budget.

As for fan reaction, American Psycho certainly left people divided. Online, one person said: “It was so twisted I loved it.” Someone else fumed: “Not a fan, gross and too violent for me.”

A third chimed in: “I couldn’t sleep after watching it! One of those that sticks with you for sure.” Another also wrote: “It’s my favorite movie and it’s the movie I’ve seen the most times. I never get bored of it since there are so many great details.”

Meanwhile, last year it was reported that Austin Butler is set to take on the role of Patrick in a modern remake of American Psycho.

Best known for his Academy Award-nominated performance as Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis, Austin is said to be collaborating with acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino for a fresh cinematic interpretation of the film.

Variety confirmed the casting and announced that the project is being developed by Lionsgate and will bring a bold new vision to the 2000s thriller.

Once upon a time, sports fans wanted freedom of choice. Why pay for dozens — or perhaps hundreds — of television channels when all you wanted to do was to see your favorite teams play?

The cable era is in its sunset. Streaming is all the rage. No longer need you pay for channels that feature news, movies, cooking and gardening in order to watch the home team.

For sports fans, this has become an expensive mess, too.

The Dodgers require one subscription. The Lakers require another. The Angels, Kings and Clippers require another. The Galaxy and LAFC require another. The Ducks require another — although theirs is free for now.

Truth be told, the Dodgers and Lakers run L.A. The most valuable sports broadcasting property in town could be one that carries the Dodgers and Lakers.

For many fans in Los Angeles, that might represent freedom of choice: the one and only must-have sports subscription.

Could that future — one broadcast channel and one streaming app for the Dodgers and Lakers — become reality now that Mark Walter, the controlling owner of the Dodgers, is the new controlling owner of the Lakers? Walter hasn’t yet talked publicly about the Lakers deal, so we floated the idea by sports business insiders.

The Lakers are on Spectrum SportsNet. The Dodgers are on SportsNet LA. Who owns those channels?

Charter Communications, the parent company of Spectrum, owns SportsNet. The Dodgers, through an affiliated company, own SportsNet LA, although Charter operates it and pays the team a rights fee every year, just as it does with the Lakers.

Can Charter walk away from the Lakers deal because of the ownership change?

No.

Could Walter buy out Charter and put the Dodgers and Lakers on the same channel?

In theory, yes. Charter probably would give him the Lakers’ channel for free.

In reality? That appears unlikely any time soon. Walter didn’t get to be a billionaire by turning down half a billion dollars every year.

Go on.

When Charter’s predecessor, Time Warner Cable, launched the channels for the Lakers in 2012 and the Dodgers in 2014, cable and satellite channels were the way most fans watched their home teams. And, because cable and satellite packages required subscribers to pay for 100 channels even if they only watched five, those cooking and gardening enthusiasts helped enrich all those teams.

Fast forward to today: Nielsen reported that in May — for the first time — more Americans watched television via streaming than via broadcast and cable combined. This so-called “cord cutting” has turned the ownership of most sports channels from an asset to a liability, and many operators have either gone out of business or forced teams to take nine-figure hits to their rights fees.

What does this have to do with whether I can watch the Dodgers and Lakers on one channel?

The Dodgers’ channel and the Lakers’ channel each lose money. Walter would choose between acquiring a money-losing Lakers channel or keeping intact the two Charter deals that pay the Dodgers and Lakers more than $500 million combined each year. No team in baseball makes as much money from local television as the Dodgers, and no team in basketball makes as much money from local television as the Lakers.

The Lakers’ deal runs through 2032. The Dodgers’ deal runs through 2038.

Why are those dates important?

While other teams are experimenting with various combinations of cable, satellite, streaming and even free TV, the Lakers and Dodgers can cash in on guaranteed income and let those other teams be the guinea pigs for learning what works and what does not work in the new media world.

Major League Baseball would like to sell a national streaming package in 2028 — one spot to watch your team from wherever you are, with no blackouts — and the NBA figures to explore that option, too. That gives the Dodgers and Lakers a fairly long runway to see what might be best for them, including whether to retain their streaming rights or contribute them to a league package — and what they would require in order to do so.

Might a joint Dodgers-Lakers channel be a long-term solution?

It could be. With the NBA joining MLB in making postseason broadcasts entirely national, the calendar would align nicely: April to September for the Dodgers, October to April for the Lakers. Behind the scenes, one staff could largely replace two.

The time for the single-team sports channel has come and largely gone. The economics are poor, and the enthusiasm for 24-7, all-access coverage of one team has dissipated into the reality that most fans just want to watch the game.

How about Walter adding teams?

Nothing is impossible. Ted Leonsis, who owns the NHL’s Washington Capitals, NBA’s Washington Wizards and WNBA’s Washington Mystics, says the key to sports success could be an ownership bundle: own multiple teams, own the venues in which they play and own the platforms on which fans view their games.

Walter’s investments now include the Dodgers, Lakers and Sparks. SportsNet also airs the Sparks.

In 2012, Walter and his partners looked into buying AEG, which owns the Kings, the Galaxy and Crypto.comArena. AEG owner Philip Anschutz opted not to sell then, but Walter could renew that pursuit and, if successful, would control the two venues and four teams that call downtown L.A. home.

For years we’ve read stories about antidemocratic countries abroad — supreme leaders acting with impunity, masked agents rounding up residents, troops in the streets, crackdowns on peaceful protests, intimidation and arrests of opposition figures, show-of-force military parades and political assassinations.

For a time this month, I was abroad. And the antidemocratic country I was reading about was my own.

Tuning out the news on vacation proved impossible. Every day brought another must-read outrage, reflecting the punitive policies and hateful climate that wannabe strongman Donald Trump has fostered in the United States.

From the vantage of an ocean away, even as a visitor in a developing country with problems of its own, I read about events back home with the clarity of the proverbial 38,000-feet view: The news added up to a picture of a proud nation slipping into the authoritarian ways modeled by the kleptocratic dictators that President Trump so admires.

For perspective, I reread President Reagan’s farewell address: Trump has taken America far from the shining “city upon a hill” that Reagan, yesteryear’s Republican icon, evoked. And far from our self-image as a land of immigrants and a bastion of freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Reagan’s city on a hill was “teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace.” If there had to be walls, he said, “the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here.”

That was then.

As I flew off for my break, the U.S. news was dominated by the tawdry breakup of Trump and “first buddy” Elon Musk. But then that sophomoric saga was overshadowed by more serious stuff — starting with military-style raids throughout Los Angeles by thuggish agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, rounding up migrants, including children, for detention and deportation.

It’s a drama that continues from big-city L.A. to small-town Great Barrington, Mass., in heartland hotels, meatpacking plants and restaurants. Descriptions of the shock troops have become too familiar: Many wear face masks and no badges to identify themselves. They often don’t wear recognizable uniforms. They have no warrants but lots of guns. And migrants are disappearing into their unmarked vehicles. To where, families aren’t told; when they find out, it’s often too late to help their loved ones assert their due process rights.

On Day 2 of my vacation, Trump took the all but unprecedented step of federalizing the California National Guard to act against protesters in L.A., over the objections of Gov. Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass and despite police assurances that local law enforcement could handle even the most confrontational of demonstrators. Next came the Marines.

That only seemed to exacerbate the unrest, as drama king Trump, who governs as if he were still scripting a reality TV show, surely intended. With Los Angeles as a testing ground, he may be seeking a pretext to invoke the 1807 Insurrection Act so he can freely deploy the military nationally against any who oppose him. He toyed with the idea during his first presidency. Back then he was constrained by responsible advisors; now he has surrounded himself with sycophants.

Meanwhile, he’s as unnervingly erratic on his deportation policy as on tariffs. First Trump posted that he’d lighten up on farm, restaurant and hotel raids because those industries complained that they were losing “very good, long time workers.” But days later, he ordered ICE to expand its efforts in L.A. and other big cities where Democrats, he lied, “use Illegal Aliens” to cheat in elections and steal jobs from citizens.

Amid the mayhem, the commander in chief traveled to Fort Bragg, N.C., and disgracefully crossed the line that, since the founding, has kept the military out of politics. He goaded the young troops he addressed — reportedly vetted for their political leanings — to cross it too. He started by boasting about reversing former President Joe Biden’s deletion of Confederate traitors’ names from military bases, and throughout encouraged boos against Biden, Newsom, Bass and Democrats generally, and applause for himself. He wore a MAGA cap. Such merch was on sale.

Days later, he got the military parade he’d long wanted. Or maybe not: It was more historical than martial; instead of goose-stepping through the capital, the troops ambled, smiled and made hand hearts. And it was sparsely attended. The nationwide “No Kings” counterprotests were not.

The toll that Trump’s overreach has taken on America’s reputation, especially in just a few weeks in June, has been heavy. Five Democratic politicians detained or arrested. An uncountable number of workers — not criminals, and many here legally — removed and sometimes disappeared from their families, jobs, communities and even the country. Armed military facing down peaceful protesters and protecting ICE and FBI agents as they snatch people off the street without due process.

On Tuesday, California Sen. Alex Padilla — who five days earlier had been wrestled to the floor and handcuffed by federal agents for interrupting Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as she claimed Trump’s actions were liberating L.A. from socialists — delivered an emotional speech in the Senate. In U.S. history, he said, “we’ve had tumult. But we’ve never had a tyrant as a commander in chief.”

Until now.

Reagan ended his farewell with a sentiment that was inarguable 36 years ago: America, he said, “is still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom.” No longer. Even many citizens live in fear for their freedoms; I’ve heard from them. And I’ve felt it myself — no more so than when I was out of the country, looking back from afar.

@Jackiekcalmes @jackiecalmes.bsky.social @jkcalmes

The Pop Idol winner discovered on this week’s episode of BBC1’s Who Do You Think You Are? that he is related to King Edward I and William the Conquerer – so Mirror man Matt decided to dig into his ancestors too

As if Will Young didn’t already have reason to be smug, the Pop Idol and two-time Brit Award winner now has something else he can boast about – he’s related to royalty.

Specifically, King Edward I, his 20-times great-grandfather. Oh, and William the Conquerer too.

The singer found out about his kingly lineage filming this week’s episode of BBC1’s Who Do You Think You Are? And he’s not the only celebrity who, besides being blessed with success, can also add royal blood to their claims to fame.

Josh Widdecombe is another, having learned he’s also directly descended from Edward I. Before him there was Danny Dyer, who discovered his ancestors include King Edward III, William the Conquerer and French king Louis IX.

Then there’s Matthew Pinsent – four-time Olympic gold medallist and, it turns out, also related to Edward I, William the Conqueror and one of Henry VIII’s wives.

What is it about being a celebrity, I wondered, that makes you more likely to have royal relatives? Knowing Will was going to be the latest to fill me with jealousy, I set out to find out if mere mortals like me had any remotely interesting ancestors.

In my case, the chances of even finding anyone slightly aristocratic in my family tree seemed pretty bleak. Will was already born with a silver spoon in his mouth, a boarding school boy whose dad was a company director and whose grandad was an RAF flight lieutenant.

Most of the relatives I knew about, on the other hand, were proud yet poor Nottinghamshire coal miners and their wives.

Still, I set up an account on FindMyPast and added the names of the relatives I knew about over the last 150 years. As the site suggested potential matches based on birth, marriage, baptism and census records, I gradually worked my way back around 12 generations to the mid-1600s.

Alas, what I discovered only confirmed my suspicions. My family were paupers, not princes – grafters who toiled for centuries in coal mines, stables, forges and along canals.

My great-grandfather, I discovered, was a coal miner loader who had worked his way up to coal hewer – hacking coal from the mine bed by hand, hundreds of metres underground – just like his father and grandfather before him.

READ MORE: Chaos of 10-week British heatwave that gives huge warning ahead of summer 2025

Earlier still were nailmakers, boatmen, stonemasons and stablemen. Almost all lived and died in Derbyshire, Yorkshire or Lancashire. We were clearly the servants, not the masters. I had more in common with Baldrick than Blackadder.

But just as I was about to give up, I stumbled on something unexpected. In the late 1500s, Derbyshire man William Gilbert, my 13th great-grandfather, married Anne Clere – and into a well-known family.

The Cleres, it turned out, were an ancient family from Norfolk whose patriarch, Sir Robert Clere, was the High Sheriff of Norfolk and known for his great wealth.

Anne’s father, Sir Edward Clere, was an MP, but apparently not a very articulate one when speaking in the House of Commons. One diarist wrote how he made “”a staggering [stumbling] speech… I could not understand what reason he made.”

He was knighted in 1578 after having Queen Elizabeth I stay over at his home in Thetford, Norfolk, when he entertained her with a theatrical performance and jousting.

Fascinated that my family was at least good friends with royalty, I kept digging. Edward’s father was Sir John Clere, an MP and naval commander who drowned in August 1557 when his fleet tried to conquer the Orkney Islands, but was beaten back to sea by 3,000 angry islanders.

But it was her mother, Alice Boleyn, my 14th great-grandmother, whose name jumped out at me. Sure enough, as I followed the tree, her niece was none other than Anne Boleyn, Queen of England until she was beheaded in 1533 by Henry VIII – and the mother of Queen Elizabeth I.

I was astounded – that makes me Elizabeth I’s first cousin, 16 times removed.

On the other side of the Clere family, however, things were taking a more sinister – but no less fascinating – turn.

Sir John Clere’s wife, Anne Tyrell, also had royal connections, it turned out, but ones that probably changed the line of succession forever.

On her father’s side, her grandfather was Sir James Tyrell, a trusted servant of Richard III, who allegedly confessed to the murders of the Princes in the Tower under Richard’s orders.

James is also portrayed in Shakespeare’s Richard III. I was astounded – I studied the play at school and had no idea I was reading about my 17th great-grandfather.

Treason and treachery, it seems, ran in the family. His father William was beheaded on Tower Hill in 1462 for plotting against King Edward IV.

William’s father, Sir John Tyrell of Heron, was High Sheriff of Essex and Hertfordshire and knight of Essex, and three times Speaker of the House of Commons. That my 19th great-grandfather basically once ruled Essex is something I won’t be letting people forget in Stansted, where I now live.

But it was also through Anne Tyrell’s mother’s side that I found something even more astonishing. As I followed her line, the names began to get more and more aristocratic, through the Willoughbys, De Welles, Greystokes and Longsprees, until I found…. My 26th great-grandfather, King Henry II.

His father was Geoffrey Plantagenet of Anjou and his grandfather, King Henry I. And Henry’s father? No other than William the Conquerer – my 29th great-grandfather.

And perhaps even more bizarrely, that would make Will Young my 9th cousin, 9 times removed. I’ll be inviting him round for tea next week.

Genealogists will tell me to calm down – apparently there are about five million people who are descended from William the Conquerer. Establishing myself as the true heir to the British throne could certainly be tricky.

But just being as special as Will, Danny Dyer and Matthew Pinsent is enough for me. And not bad for the son of Nottinghamshire nailmakers, stablemen and coal miners.

How to trace your family tree on Findmypast:

Register for a free Findmypast account and create your tree.

Add your own information, then details about your parents, grandparents and other relatives that you know. You don’t need every detail such as date or place of birth, but the more you have the better.

Findmypast then searches its records and provides hints about your ancestors, helping you expand your tree. To access the records you’ll need to pay a subscription.

Most of the records go back to the 1700s, but family trees created by other people can help you trace back even further.

Use the internet to search some of the key names – you might find more clues and other historical connections.

ITV viewers have slammed the channel as the service crashed – stopping them watching The British Soap Awards 2025.

Soap fans were tuning into watch the awards ceremony, which was meant to start at 8pm.

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But the programme was delayed by seven minutes with just a message from the broadcaster and a black screen.

The message read: “We’re sorry for the disruption.”

Fans were quick to take to social media with their complaints.

One wrote: “What the hell is going on ? Will it ever come on?”

A second said: “Oh dear looks like we got major problems on ITV1.”

A third commented: “Well, I guess I am not watching The Soap Awards on ITVX. What’s going on?”

Despite the delay, the ceremony, which was filmed earlier this week, kicked off with Jane McDonald hosting for a second year.

It comes after Coronation Street were brutally snubbed at the awards as they failed to pick up any of the previously announced awards at this year’s ceremony.

The annual soap event made a return this year after ITV mysteriously axed the contest in 2024.

But it was bad news for Coronation Street as the programme suffered a devastating loss after managing to bag just the specially curated Outstanding Achievement Award which went to Roy Cropper star David Neilson.

The show failed to secure wins in any of the main panel or viewer-voted categories amid ITV’s ongoing cash crisis and the mass cast exodus at the soap over the past six months.

Its ITV counterpart Emmerdale also faced a crushing blow ahead of the impending ITV schedule changes which will see 30 minutes worth of each programme cut a week from January 2026.

BBC rival EastEnders swept the board after collecting a total of eight gongs in its 40th anniversary year – more than double its nearest rival, Channel 4’s Hollyoaks who got three awards.

EastEnders was awarded Best Soap after its huge live episode and anniversary week which saw Anita Dobson return as Angie Watts and Martin Fowler killed off in the arms of his love, Stacey.

It was certainly not the only award that they picked up with actress Lacey Turner receiving the trophy for Best Leading Performer ahead of her impending exit from the show.

The 40th anniversary also managed to clutch the Scene of the Year thanks to Angie’s shock return.

Steve McFadden a won a trophy for Best Dramatic Performance as Phil Mitchell but did not attend the ceremony with Angela Wynter and Rudolph Walker also receiving prizes as Patrick and Yolande – beating Corrie fan favourites Lisa Swain and Carla Connor, affectionately known as Swarla, to the Best On-Screen Partnership award.

The Walford based soap also collected the Comedy Performance gongs and Villain of the Year.

In a major blow to Coronation Street, only David Neilson picked up the Outstanding Achievement Award as Roy Cropper which was presented to him by by his on-screen wife Julie Hesmondhalgh.

British Soap Awards 2025: Winners List

Here’s who took home trophys at the 2025 British Soap Awards

Best Single Episode – Eastenders: Phil’s Psychosis: The Mitchells In 1985

Best Young Performer – Emmerdale – Amelia Flanagan as April Windsor

Scene Of The Year – Eastenders: Angie Watts’ Shock Return

Best Newcomer – Hollyoaks: Isabelle Smith as Frankie Osborne

Villain Of The Year – Eastenders: Navin Chowdhry as Nish Panesar

Best Family – Hollyoaks: The Osbornes

Best Dramatic Performance – Eastenders: Steve McFadden as Phil
Mitchell

Best On-Screen Partnership – Eastenders: Rudolph Walker & Angela
Wynter as Patrick & Yolande Trueman

Outstanding Achievement Award – Coronation Street: David Neilson

Best Comedy Performance – Eastenders: Patsy Palmer as Bianca Jackson

The Tony Warren Award – Emmerdale: Mike Plant

Best Storyline – Hollyoaks: Sibling Sexual Abuse

Best Leading Performer – Eastenders: Lacey Turner as Stacey Slater

Best British Soap – Eastenders

Hollyoaks managed to win three awards with Isabelle Smith winning as Best Newcomer with The Osbourne family taking home Best Family and the sibling sexual abuse storyline being named Best Storyline.

Emmerdale managed just two awards with Amelia Flanagan beating her Corrie star brother Will to the Best Young Performer prize.

Mike Plant, one of the show’s camera operators, picked up the prestigious off-screen Tony Warren Award accolade for his contributions to the soap behind the scenes.

ITV’s crushing defeats come amid a period of unrest backstage at the shows.

Both Corrie and Emmerdale have lost a number of stars over the past 12 months amid cuts at the channel.

In particular, Coronation Street has faced increasing criticism of its far-fetched storylines and dwindling viewer interest in many of its plots.

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