Casey Cooper-Fisk

Holly Willoughby reflects on the trauma of discovering a plot to kidnap, rape and murder her, describing how the experience reshaped her sense of fear and perspective. She discusses rebuilding her confidence, embracing vulnerability and launching her new lifestyle-focused YouTube channel Together. Willoughby explains that the ordeal taught her resilience and empathy while acknowledging ongoing challenges. Context is provided on the conviction of Gavin Plumb, her departure from previous ITV programmes and her plans for new digital content.

Prince Harry will appear on Joe Marler’s podcast to mark one year until the 2027 Invictus Games in Birmingham, joining JJ Chalmers for discussions on trauma, identity and lighter topics. A trailer shows Marler and Jake Bhardwaj greeting him with a chant of “duke, duke, duke.” The appearance follows Harry’s visit to Birmingham, where he promoted the Games and met Alison Hammond. The episode is set to release on July 13 across major platforms.

Lisa Maffia reflects on So Solid Crew’s legacy and argues that music from the 1990s and 2000s endures because artists invested more time and effort into promotion and cultivating distinct identities. She criticizes the modern music landscape as oversaturated and driven by instant releases and view counts rather than artist development. Her nostalgia for earlier eras ties into her new Capital Xtra radio show, which focuses on hip hop and R&B from those decades. Despite occasional boredom with aspects of her long music career, she describes renewed excitement from radio work and remains active as a performer while celebrating the lasting impact of her group.

BBC director-general Matt Brittin announced that 550 news and TV roles will be cut as part of a wider plan to eliminate up to 2,000 jobs and deliver £500 million in savings over two years. Programmes and content spending will be reduced, with £160 million in savings expected from news and broadcast areas. Unions warned that the reductions come at a critical moment, coinciding with the BBC’s charter renewal, and cautioned that diminished resources will impact programming, output and the organisation’s wider public service mission. Further details on the restructuring will be shared in the coming months.

Stefano Gabbana has stepped down as chairman of Dolce & Gabbana after four decades, though he will remain involved creatively alongside co‑founder Domenico Dolce. Chief executive Alfonso Dolce will assume the chairmanship as the brand undergoes expansion into new sectors and faces wider industry shifts, including potential investment discussions. The article highlights the fashion house’s influential history, iconic aesthetic, and longstanding celebrity associations, particularly with Madonna, while noting its continued prominence in luxury design.

An investigation by the BBC’s Executive Complaints Unit found that a racial slur captured during the Bafta Film Awards broadcast was highly offensive and lacked editorial justification, though it was aired unintentionally. The report criticised delays in editing the slur from the iPlayer version due to uncertainty among staff. Apologies were issued to those affected, including presenters and disability advocate John Davidson. A separate complaint about the editing of Akinola Davies Jr’s acceptance speech found that the removal of “free Palestine” resulted from time constraints rather than political considerations.

Wolf Alice closed the Teenage Cancer Trust concert series at the Royal Albert Hall, debuting two unreleased songs and performing a set that included older favourites and a final singalong. The event followed performances by several other prominent bands, and the group, recently awarded Group of the Year at the 2026 Brit Awards, expressed appreciation for contributing to the charity effort.

A new initiative called UnMute, launched by Global Local, aims to expand professional opportunities for disabled musicians and counter infantilisation in the music industry. The programme connects artists with major UK events, provides access support through the Musicians’ Union Access Rider, and has already helped artists secure bookings. Musicians such as Emzae report reduced administrative burdens and improved focus on their creative work.

Victoria Beckham thanked her family for supporting her Paris Fashion Week show, posting a photo with her husband and children amid ongoing tensions involving their eldest son, Brooklyn Peltz Beckham. Recent reports linked the family rift to events at Brooklyn’s wedding, though the Beckhams publicly acknowledged his birthday earlier this month.

Trevor McDonald reflects on his 1990 interview with Saddam Hussein, saying his opening question now makes him cringe due to its overly harsh wording. Revisiting the encounter for a new ITV series, he recalls Hussein’s unexpectedly smooth demeanor despite his reputation for brutality and notes the unpredictability and intimidation he and his team faced during the trip. The article highlights the interview’s historical context, Iraq’s subsequent defeat in the Gulf War, and Hussein’s later downfall, while McDonald expresses sadness over Iraq’s continuing divisions and questions whether more could have been done in the post‑war period to change its trajectory.

Dame Donna Langley will receive the 2026 Bafta Fellowship Award in recognition of her leadership at NBCUniversal and her contributions to film and television. Bafta highlights her influence, commitment to inclusion, and collaborations with creatives. Langley, originally from the Isle of Wight and now a top Hollywood executive, has backed major films and franchises including Oppenheimer, Get Out, and Jurassic World. The award will be presented on February 22 during the Bafta Film Awards, broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Brian May revealed that Queen is exploring advanced AI and hologram technology for an immersive Abba Voyage-style show that could recreate the band’s original lineup. He and Roger Taylor discussed the potential to digitally revive Freddie Mercury and involve retired bassist John Deacon, noting rapid improvements in immersive tech such as Las Vegas’s Sphere. Taylor, though impressed by Abba Voyage, felt earlier hologram projections were unconvincing but believes current technology offers far greater possibilities. The band continues to consider options as they age while their music remains widely celebrated.

Stonehenge hosted the Tardis as part of Doctor Who Day celebrations, culminating a global digital treasure hunt for fans. The BBC and English Heritage partnered to feature the iconic police box at the UNESCO site, referencing the show's earlier filming there. Additional online events, exclusive merchandise, and upcoming Doctor Who programming, including a new spin-off and a 2026 Christmas special, were highlighted as part of the festivities.

Robbie Williams canceled the final show of his Britpop tour in Istanbul after city authorities halted the event citing public safety concerns. He expressed regret and emphasized fan safety, noting his family’s ties to Turkey. Reports suggest the cancellation may be linked to security fears related to his past support for Israel. Williams will continue with a small London performance and reflected on his complex relationship with touring and performing, describing increasing comfort on stage in recent years.

Amber Davies led the second week of Strictly Come Dancing with a samba that earned her 29 points, bringing her series total to 56 after stepping in for injured contestant Dani Dyer-Bowen. Ross King, Thomas Skinner and their partners were among the lowest scorers and face potential elimination ahead of Sunday’s results show, where Motsi Mabuse holds the casting vote.

Sam Fender’s 2024 arena tour raised over £100,000 for grassroots music venues, distributed by the Music Venue Trust through its Liveline Fund to 38 venues across the UK. The funding supported emergency hardship relief, prevented potential closures, and provided improvement grants for infrastructure and equipment upgrades. Venues such as Paper Dress Vintage, The White Hotel, The Hunter Club, and Clwb Ifor Bach reported significant benefits. The Music Venue Trust credited Fender as an early supporter of the grassroots levy and emphasized the importance of strengthening the live music ecosystem.

The British Board of Film Classification reclassified Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace from U to PG due to moderate violence, including a brief scene with blood. The update, noted in the BBFC’s 2024 annual report, applied to the film’s recent cinema re-release and comes as the board reports a record number of classifications under updated guidelines. Additional rating changes include A Star Is Born shifting from U to 12 for implied suicide and Frasier moving from PG to 12 for language and drug references.

Kemi Badenoch urged the BBC not to air Irish rap group Kneecap’s Glastonbury performance following the charging of member Liam Og O hAnnaidh for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag and chanting pro‑Hamas and Hezbollah slogans. O hAnnaidh, released on unconditional bail, argues he is entitled to express opinions on Israel and Palestine. Kneecap denies wrongdoing and criticizes the charge as political policing, referencing its prior successful discrimination case against the UK Government. The BBC stated that programming decisions will follow editorial guidelines and be made closer to the event.

Kemi Badenoch urged the BBC not to broadcast Kneecap’s Glastonbury performance due to terrorism‑related charges faced by member Liam Og O hAnnaidh. The band, which recently won a discrimination case against the UK Government, criticised the charges as political policing and accused British authorities of ignoring suffering in Gaza. O hAnnaidh appeared in court and was released on bail ahead of an August hearing. The BBC stated it will cover Glastonbury in line with editorial guidelines and does not ban artists.

John Lydon rejects any possibility of rejoining the Sex Pistols, criticizing his former bandmates for continuing without him and describing recent activity as overly commercial and ‘woke’. He contrasts this with his artistic freedom in Public Image Ltd and discusses his evolving musical interests, personal struggles following the deaths of close companions, and his commitment to touring. He reflects on a rejected Eurovision bid connected to his late wife and highlights PiL’s ongoing work and upcoming tour dates.

Steve Jones says he has not spoken to John Lydon since their final shows together in 2008, describing the experience as exhausting and citing a better dynamic with the current lineup featuring Frank Carter on vocals. He contrasts the atmosphere of the recent tour with past tensions and notes ongoing disputes involving Lydon, including a failed legal challenge over the use of Sex Pistols music in a biopic series. The band continues performing with a different singer, while Lydon plans to tour with Public Image Ltd next year.