Carla Feric

Sarah J. Maas has revealed the titles and cover artwork for the sixth and seventh books in her A Court of Thorns and Roses series. Bloomsbury will publish A Court Of Splintered Harmony on 27 October, followed by A Court Of Forgotten Melody on 12 January the following year. The books will begin The Valkyrie Cycle, focusing on the Night Court’s efforts to reunite and confront the threat posed by Koschei the Deathless after the Hybern War. Maas’s books have sold more than 75 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 40 languages.

Robert Kazinsky will return to BBC soap EastEnders later this year as Sean Slater, 17 years after the character’s departure from Albert Square. The return will see Sean move back to Walford for reasons that have not yet been revealed. Kazinsky said he wanted to revisit the role as a more mature actor and described the comeback as a return home, while executive producer Ben Wadey promised further drama. Since leaving the soap, Kazinsky has built an international acting career in film and television.

Former Olympic skier and BBC Sport presenter Chemmy Alcott was hospitalised in France after a poorly timed front flip from a five-metre platform caused a heavy landing and a collapsed lung. She required a chest drain and several nights in hospital, documenting the incident on Instagram. Alcott previously won seven British National titles, became the first and only British female skier to win a World Cup run, and later moved into broadcasting with Ski Sunday and BBC Winter Olympics coverage.

Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey has earned $1.104 billion worldwide, surpassing The Dark Knight Rises to become the highest-grossing film of Nolan’s career. The adaptation of Homer’s epic, starring Matt Damon as Odysseus, also became the top-grossing film of the careers of Damon, Anne Hathaway and Robert Pattinson. Produced by Nolan, Emma Thomas, Syncopy and Universal Pictures, the three-hour film had a reported $250 million production budget and remained at number one globally for two weekends.

Actor Tracy-Ann Oberman says her advocacy for the Jewish community and opposition to antisemitism have strengthened rather than damaged her career, despite what she describes as a herd mentality in the entertainment industry. She discusses the trauma caused by rising antisemitism following the Gaza war and argues that artists should not be forced to conceal their identities or undergo political purity tests. Her activism includes co-creating and starring in The Merchant of Venice 1936, while a past legal case resulted in damages being paid to University of Sussex academic Philip Proudfoot after she falsely accused him of antisemitism.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professionals James and Ola Jordan have confirmed that they are taking time apart after a trial separation. Their joint statement says James moved out of the family home and has been struggling with his mental wellbeing, while both are navigating a difficult period. The couple, who have been married since 2003 and share daughter Ella, say co-parenting her with love, care and stability is their priority. They have asked for empathy and privacy while they work through their personal challenges.

Kellie Bright is leaving EastEnders after 13 years playing Linda Carter. She decided to depart more than a year ago but agreed to remain for a planned storyline, with executive producer Ben Wadey promising a dramatic exit. Bright’s tenure included major plots involving sexual assault, alcoholism, murder, infidelity and the 2023 Christmas storyline, and she said she is looking forward to spending more time with her family and beginning her next chapter.

Perez Hilton remains hospitalized in serious but stable condition after emergency services responded to a TikTok livestream showing him self-harming at his Miami home. His family said he experienced significant blood loss, sustained additional injuries requiring surgery, and faces a long recovery. They requested privacy and said authorized updates would be posted on his website. Hilton, whose real name is Mario Armando Lavandeira Jr, became known as a celebrity gossip blogger before moving into reality television.

Minnie Driver said she suffered a sprained neck and remains in shock after a serious car accident on a country road in central France. She and her friend Ben survived after another vehicle failed to stop at an intersection and struck their Kia. Driver credited the car’s airbags and design with saving their lives, thanked those who helped at the scene, and described the ongoing emotional impact of reliving the crash.

Queens of the Stone Age launched a 24/7 complaints hotline inviting fans, friends and foes to leave feedback, with some callers potentially reaching a band member. The band is encouraging users to follow social media for updates while continuing a North American tour with Foo Fighters and preparing for performances in Japan, Singapore, Australia and Iceland.

Olivia Attwood has described her relationship with Pete Wicks as an easy and fulfilling romance, praising his emotional intelligence and ability to match her sense of humour. The pair, who co-host KISS’s The Sunday Roast, confirmed their relationship after months of speculation. Attwood also discussed her separation from footballer Bradley Dack, saying she left after discovering repeated infidelity and explaining that publicly addressing the breakup was necessary to counter speculation and blame directed at her.

Former England rugby international Joe Marler is set to become the first celebrity Gladiator, appearing as Mauler when the BBC show returns in 2027. The appointment follows his successful rugby career and rising television profile, particularly after his popular appearance on Celebrity Traitors, where his alliance with Nick Mohammed ended when Mohammed voted him out. Bradley and Barney Walsh will host the returning series, alongside established Gladiators including Apollo, Comet, Diamond, Nitro and Dynamite.

Ariana Grande’s career progressed from Broadway and Nickelodeon roles to major pop success, with albums including Yours Truly, My Everything and Dangerous Woman establishing her as a global star. Her public life has also included controversies over comments in a doughnut shop, accusations of blackfishing, high-profile relationships, divorce and intense media scrutiny. After the 2017 Manchester Arena attack at her concert, she experienced PTSD and organised the One Love Manchester benefit concert, raising more than £10 million. Grande returned to acting as Glinda in Wicked, earning an Oscar nomination, while renewed attention focused on her relationship with co-star Ethan Slater and invasive commentary about her appearance and health.

Olivia Dean and Sam Fender’s song “Rein Me In” has spent 19 non-consecutive weeks at number one on the UK singles chart, surpassing Frankie Laine’s 1953 record of 18 weeks. The Official Charts Company presented Fender with a record-breaker award and praised the achievement as a celebration of British creativity. The song also won Song of the Year at the 2026 Brit Awards and has supported Dean’s rapid rise, including major wins at the Grammys, Brits and MOBOs. Charli XCX separately reached number one on the albums chart with “Music, Fashion, Film,” becoming the first British female artist to have two number-one albums in a single year.

EastEnders is introducing the Hawkins family to Walford this summer in a storyline expected to bring old wounds and complicated family dynamics. Marian McLoughlin will play matriarch Rose, Patricia Potter and Anna Constable will play her daughters Gemma and Jodie, and Jamie Bamber will portray Gemma’s husband Ned alongside Felix Uff as their son Ryder. The family are estranged relatives of Nicola Mitchell, whose troubled relationships and recent motherhood will connect them to ongoing drama involving George Knight.

EastEnders is introducing the Hawkins family to Walford in a storyline expected to create major disruption. Marian McLoughlin will play matriarch Rose, Patricia Potter and Anna Constable will play sisters Gemma and Jodie, and Jamie Bamber will portray Gemma’s husband Ned alongside Felix Uff as their son Ryder. The family are estranged relatives of Nicola Mitchell, whose unresolved history with them is expected to fuel complicated relationships and old wounds. The new characters are due to arrive in the summer.

Declan Donnelly became emotional while paying tribute to Kevin Keegan on the Hanging Out With Ant And Dec podcast after the former Newcastle United player and manager died aged 75 following stage four cancer. Donnelly described Keegan as his childhood football hero and credited him with inspiring his lifelong support for Newcastle United. Donnelly and Anthony McPartlin praised Keegan's impact on the club, its supporters and the wider North East, recalling him as a true legend who brought energy, hope and renewed belief to the region.

Kate Middleton has been named Britain’s best-dressed person for 2026 by Tatler, reclaiming the position she previously held in 2022. The magazine praised her return to public life following cancer treatment and highlighted her colourful outfits at events including Royal Ascot, Wimbledon and Trooping the Colour. Edward Bluemel ranked fourth as the highest-placed man, while Raj Arora, Temi Ojora and Gjin Lipa occupied second, third and fifth places. Bridgerton actor Hannah Dodd ranked tenth, with the full top 25 to appear in Tatler’s September issue.

Bradley Walsh says he will not host the fourth series of Blankety Blank because commitments to Gladiators, The Prat Pack’s live tour, drama projects and scripting leave him without time to film in October and November. He remains fond of the BBC game show and has left open the possibility of returning next year.

Olympic champion swimmer Adam Ramsay-Peaty responded to online critics after winning a bittersweet bronze medal in the 100-metre breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games. He thanked his pregnant wife, Holly, for her support and said he remains committed to swimming despite feeling capable of more. Ramsay-Peaty also condemned comments targeting him and his family amid reports of a feud with his parents, calling for a more positive environment for athletes. He was due to compete in the 50-metre breaststroke next.

Christopher Anne Affleck, the mother of actors Ben and Casey Affleck, died peacefully in her sleep at 83 after a terminal pancreatic cancer diagnosis. A longtime public school teacher and Harvard graduate, she was also a civil rights activist who participated in Mississippi’s 1964 Freedom Summer campaign, volunteered for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and later worked on Palestine-related water justice issues. She helped establish Sustainable Cape in Massachusetts and remained active in community education and youth activism. She was survived by her husband, two sons and five grandchildren.

Actress and singer Tracy Shaw has shared an emotional update on her breast cancer treatment after an ultrasound showed that the tumours in her left breast had not significantly shrunk. Although cysts found in her right breast were not cancerous, surgery is not currently possible because the lesions remain too large. Shaw said she may need additional chemotherapy and thanked supporters for their messages, while fellow actor Kym Marsh sent her words of encouragement.

Five episodes of Bluey from its first two seasons have been dubbed into Yolnu Matha, an Indigenous language spoken in north-east Arnhem Land, in a project developed by Yolnu Radio, Aboriginal Resource and Development Services, Ludo Studio and the ABC. Producer Sam Moor said the response from Indigenous children was deeply moving and expressed strong interest in translating more episodes, including into Brisbane-area languages, while acknowledging the lengthy process and the large number of Indigenous languages involved. Bluey is already available in more than 140 countries and over 20 languages.

Jo Whiley announced the death of her father Martin, describing him as a selfless and caring man whose love of music shaped her life. She reflected on his difficult childhood, his experience with Parkinson’s disease, and his devotion to family, including his support for her sister Frances, who has cri du chat syndrome. Friends, colleagues and public figures sent condolences, while BBC Radio 2 expressed support for the broadcaster and her family.

Actress Kaylee Hottle, known for her roles in the Godzilla films, died at 18 in a car crash in Maryland, prompting tributes from co-star Millie Bobby Brown and members of the deaf community. Her parents shared emotional ASL messages, while colleagues including Marlee Matlin and Shoshannah Stern expressed their grief. The Texas School for the Deaf confirmed her death and offered condolences. Authorities said excessive speed is suspected in the crash. Hottle, an advocate for deaf representation, had earned recognition for her performances and appeared in film, television and advocacy-related projects.

Matt Damon praised the lively presence of Scottish football fans in Boston during the 2026 World Cup, sharing anecdotes about their humour and strong rapport with locals. He also recounted celebrating Argentina’s victories and joking about reactions from English colleagues following England’s semi-final loss. The piece highlights Damon’s reflections on fan culture, World Cup outcomes, and his own film career.

Romesh Ranganathan has fronted a BBC campaign featuring nearly 100 prominent figures to highlight the broadcaster’s value during charter renewal discussions. Although he acknowledges that the BBC has flaws, he argues that it uniquely supports audiences across society, brings people together during major events and crises, and provides opportunities for creative talent, including his own career. He says the loss of the BBC would be catastrophic and stresses the importance of preserving its services for future generations, especially children.

The Rolling Stones achieved their 15th number one album with Foreign Tongues, equalling The Beatles’ all-time UK chart record. New boy band December 10 debuted at number five, while My Chemical Romance, Olivia Rodrigo and Michael Jackson also placed in the top tier of the albums chart. Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s Rein Me In extended its run at number one on the UK singles chart as World Cup-related surges boosted tracks such as Oasis’s Wonderwall and the tournament anthem Dai Dai by Shakira and Burna Boy.

Jesy Nelson says she will never become accustomed to her twin daughters’ spinal muscular atrophy diagnosis and describes the emotional strain of caring for them, including changing their nasogastric feeding tubes. Her Prime Video documentary, Jesy Nelson: Life Changing, follows her family’s experience and campaign to add SMA to England’s newborn blood-spot screening programme. The Department of Health has announced that national SMA screening will begin in England as part of an evaluation programme, enabling earlier treatment for hundreds of thousands of babies.

Pete Wicks has publicly confirmed his relationship with Olivia Attwood by sharing cosy black-and-white photos and videos from their Ibiza trip on Instagram. Attwood responded to the post, which follows months of speculation and references her comments about not being the first to publicly launch a relationship. The pair co-host Kiss radio's The Sunday Roast and have appeared together amid successful television and podcast careers. Attwood was previously married to footballer Bradley Dack and confirmed their separation earlier this year.

David Beckham will join Fortnite’s Icon Series as a playable character featuring multiple outfits, including a suit and football kit, along with reactive gold tattoos. The collaboration includes themed items such as the Meteor Baller Pickaxe, Number Seven Scythe Pickaxe and a Shot Emote that mirrors Beckham’s free-kick technique. Announced via a trailer and teased on Beckham’s social media, this marks his first partnership with Fortnite, following earlier football icons added to the game. Beckham’s addition becomes available on 18 July at 1am BST.

Black Sabbath co-founder and drummer Bill Ward, 78, says he increasingly uses a wheelchair in airports and at public events because he cannot walk far without resting. He stresses that he remains well, is not retiring or giving up music, and can still play drums, promising to continue performing for as long as he can. Ward’s update follows Black Sabbath’s 2025 reunion farewell concert, held weeks before vocalist Ozzy Osbourne’s death.

BBC chairman Samir Shah has renewed the corporation’s demand that former newsreader Huw Edwards repay the £200,000 salary he received during the five months after his arrest. Shah said the money belongs to licence-fee payers and that the BBC would continue pressing for repayment. Edwards resigned in 2024 after pleading guilty to offences involving indecent images of children and receiving a suspended six-month prison sentence. He has since launched a Substack blog aimed at rebuilding his life, prompting further criticism.

The BBC has renewed the comedy-drama Ludwig for a third series before series two airs later this year. David Mitchell stars as puzzle designer John “Ludwig” Taylor, who assumes his missing twin brother’s identity, while Anna Maxwell Martin also returns. The first series attracted more than 9.5 million viewers in 28 days, making it the BBC’s biggest scripted series since 2024 and its largest comedy launch in years. Series two will follow John as a crime scene consultant for the Cambridge Police Authority while he continues investigating his brother’s disappearance. Further details about series three have not been announced.

Oasis’ “Wonderwall” saw streams rise by 306% in the hour after England defeated Mexico at the 2026 World Cup, increasing from 1,628 to 6,614 listens, according to Spotify. The song also recorded an 18% increase across the surrounding 24-hour period. England players and fans have adopted it as an unofficial tournament anthem, with Liam Gallagher endorsing the tradition and joking about Harry Kane’s hoarse voice. Other football-related songs also experienced major increases, especially “Three Lions,” which rose 5,105% in the hour before the match and recorded nearly 20,000 streams.

Harry Styles’ mother, Anne Twist, praised him as “the kind of man the world needs right now” after he completed a record-breaking 12-show residency at Wembley Stadium. She also celebrated her daughter Gemma, who joined Styles onstage during the final performance and delivered an emotional tribute. Styles’ Wembley run surpassed Coldplay’s previous 10-night record and followed overwhelming demand for the tour. His final show also honored his former One Direction bandmates, while his tour is scheduled to continue internationally before concluding in Sydney.

Mattel is releasing a Barbie Signature Collector Doll modeled on Miley Cyrus’s black faux-leather look from her “Golden Burning Sun” music video. Cyrus called the doll’s creation a dream come true and emphasized the care taken with its hair, makeup, accessories and overall design. The doll celebrates her pop-culture career, self-expression and advocacy, and will be sold in selected UK retailers from 1 July for £69.99. The honor follows Cyrus’s recent receipt of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Citizen Vigilante, a German-produced action thriller starring Armie Hammer and directed by Uwe Boll, was made available worldwide on X for 48 hours. The film has faced criticism for extreme violence and an alleged anti-immigration message, while Germany refused to grant it a rating after determining that it could incite violence against migrants. Boll condemned the decision as deliberate censorship and said the film represented people opposed to current migration policies. Hammer, whose career was disrupted by sexual abuse and misconduct allegations that he denied, has said he received no acting offers for five years; prosecutors in Los Angeles declined to bring charges against him in 2023.

Jason Momoa describes playing the intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo in the new Supergirl film as a surreal, long-held dream. He praises the fun of portraying a rebellious anti-hero and hopes audiences will embrace the franchise. Co-star Milly Alcock says she was drawn to Supergirl’s unconventional qualities and aims to bring humility, heart, grit and sincerity to the character, despite criticism over her casting. Supergirl is scheduled for release in cinemas across the UK and Ireland on 25 June.

The BBC has begun filming Call the Midwife: Sisters in Arms, a three-part Christmas prequel set in 1939 during the Second World War and the Blitz. The series will explore the early years of Nonnatus House and the younger versions of characters including Sister Julienne, Sister Monica Joan and Sister Evangelina. Julie Hesmondhalgh, Bally Gill, Helen Schlesinger and Martin McCann are among the guest stars, while Jenny Agutter will narrate as the older Sister Julienne. Creator Heidi Thomas said the drama will examine how the sisters responded to wartime danger, while executive producer Pippa Harris highlighted its blend of medical stories, humour, emotion and wartime tension.

The Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2026 shortlist includes Jiyoung Han’s Honey In The Wound, a novel about Korean women displaced by Japanese imperialism across nearly a century, and Stephanie Sy-Quia’s A Private Man, which explores a forbidden romance in 1950s Rome and its generational consequences. The remaining shortlisted books are Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash, Under Water by Tara Menon, May We Feed The King by Rebecca Perry, and The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski. Waterstones head of books Bea Carvalho praised the six debut authors for their energetic, precise and globally resonant writing. The winner will be announced on July 16, 2026.

The first trailer for Shrek 5 shows Shrek, Donkey, Fiona and their children embarking on a new adventure before Donkey is transformed into a sheep and the group ends up behind bars. Mike Myers and Eddie Murphy return as Shrek and Donkey, while Cameron Diaz reprises Fiona’s voice role and Zendaya, Marcello Hernandez and Skyler Gisondo join the cast as the family’s children. The film is scheduled for release next year, nearly 17 years after Shrek: Forever After.

Perrie Edwards described her wedding to footballer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Faro, Portugal, as the best day of her life. She recounted emotional moments at the ceremony, a lost diamond necklace that was found in her hair, and celebrating with former Little Mix bandmates Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall. The couple’s two children, including five-month-old daughter Alanis Valentine, also attended. The wedding comes as Edwards continues developing her solo music career after Little Mix’s hiatus.

Sara Cox has announced that her new BBC Radio 2 breakfast show will launch at 6:30 a.m. on July 6, with Tom Hanks as its first guest. The programme will feature a fresh format incorporating popular elements from Cox’s previous teatime show. She is replacing Scott Mills, whose BBC career ended after he was dismissed amid allegations concerning his personal conduct.

David Beckham was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contribution to soccer and its growing profile in the United States. During an emotional speech, he credited his wife Victoria, children and wider family, while Tom Cruise praised his 20-year international career. Victoria also celebrated Beckham’s character and achievements. Their children Romeo, Cruz and Harper attended, while eldest son Brooklyn was absent amid an ongoing family dispute.

Former England footballer Jill Scott completed a five-day, 388-mile cycle and marathon challenge from Wembley Stadium in London to Sunderland’s Stadium of Light for Sport Relief. The physically demanding journey, which included more than 300 miles of cycling and a final 28-mile marathon, raised £470,677. Scott described the support from her hometown community and donors as overwhelming, while Comic Relief chief executive Samir Patel praised her resilience and said the funds would help people facing hardship in the UK and some of the world’s poorest countries.

Australian singer-songwriter and actress Delta Goodrem has been confirmed as a contestant on the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing, saying she is thrilled to join and eager to begin. She will compete against EastEnders actress Lacey Turner and Love Island winner Dani Dyer, who is returning after withdrawing because of an injury. Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe will host the new series following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The programme is scheduled to return on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September.

Geri Halliwell-Horner and Martin Freeman will join the sixth season of Only Murders in the Building, which will be set in London for the first time. Jamie Demetriou, Jane Horrocks, Anjana Vasan, Derek Jacobi and Lesley Nicol are also joining the cast, alongside returning stars Steve Martin, Martin Short and Selena Gomez. The 10-episode crime comedy will stream internationally on Disney+.

Zoe Kravitz has addressed persistent rumours that she is engaged to Harry Styles, saying the public scrutiny and paparazzi attention can feel overwhelming. She explained that she continues to walk around New York and maintain a normal routine despite the speculation, including recent interest in a ring seen on her left hand. Kravitz also discussed balancing her career with possible marriage and children, her upbringing as Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet’s daughter, and her film, television and music work.

Bryan Cranston has paid tribute to his late former co-star Catherine O’Hara, calling her a joy to work with and saying he misses her deeply. The pair collaborated on several productions, including The Studio, in which O’Hara played Cranston’s character’s rival. Cranston also praised Madonna’s preparation and performance in the upcoming season of The Studio, which is expected to feature appearances by Michael Keaton, Donald Glover and Julia Garner.