Casey Cooper-Fiske

Nigella Lawson has begun filming as the new judge on Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off, replacing Prue Leith. A first photograph shows Lawson with fellow judge Paul Hollywood and presenters Alison Hammond and Noel Fielding in the Bake Off tent. The upcoming series is expected to air the following month, with Channel 4 highlighting Lawson’s warmth, wit and passion for flavour. Lawson said she takes the programme’s national cultural significance seriously and wants to support its bakers.

Actor Reggie Bannister, best known for playing the gun-toting ice cream vendor Reggie in the Phantasm horror series, has died aged 80. His wife, Gigi, confirmed his death in a Facebook statement, saying he was no longer suffering or in pain. Director Don Coscarelli praised Bannister as a gifted collaborator and dear friend whose real-life personality reflected his beloved character. Bannister appeared in all five Phantasm films and other movies including Survival Quest, Bubba Ho-Tep and Bugs. He was also a US Army veteran who served in Vietnam and was reportedly diagnosed with Lewy body dementia and Parkinson’s disease in 2016.

Swedish singer Loreen has postponed her European tour, including UK and Ireland dates, from September and October to spring 2027. She apologized to fans, citing her desire to deliver a performance with the energy and quality they deserve, but gave no specific reason for the delay. New dates will be announced soon, existing tickets will remain valid, and full refunds will be available for those unable to attend.

Barack Obama is scheduled to appear in Belfast, Glasgow and Manchester in October to discuss what comes next for America. Tickets will go on sale on 31 July, with 100 reserved for charitable organisations. The tour follows earlier appearances in London and Dublin and comes amid Obama’s continued media work, including a Netflix deal and award-winning documentary and audio projects.

Tom Holland describes feeling intimidated but excited when first meeting Christopher Nolan to discuss a role in the director’s adaptation of The Odyssey. He praises Nolan’s openness, writing ability and ambition, expressing amazement at joining the large ensemble cast. Holland recounts learning about the film directly from Nolan during an in‑person meeting due to the director’s lack of a phone. The film, shot entirely with Imax cameras, is described by Holland as the biggest ever made and is now in cinemas.

A new BBC One and iPlayer series, The Rise of the Rockstar Chef, will reunite Gordon Ramsay, Marco Pierre White and Heston Blumenthal to explore the feuds, ambition and cultural impact that defined their early careers. Featuring industry figures and culminating in the trio’s first on‑screen reunion in over a decade, the programme highlights their influence on British fine dining. Despite a long‑running feud, Pierre White has recently said the conflict is resolved. An air date has not yet been announced.

U2 will release their first album of entirely new material in nine years, accompanied by the new single Street Of Dreams, whose video was filmed in Mexico City. The band is preparing for its 50th anniversary and draws visual parallels to earlier work while continuing a prolific catalogue. Recent releases include the EP Days of Ash, issued in response to events in the United States. Bono says these tracks differ from the forthcoming album, describing them as urgent and reflective of turbulent times, with more celebratory music expected later in the year.

High-profile guests including Graham Norton and Phoebe Waller-Bridge were spotted arriving in New York ahead of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s upcoming wedding at Madison Square Garden. Extensive preparations at the venue include large props, food deliveries, and increased security, with authorities confirming expected crowds but offering minimal details. City officials and police acknowledged the event while maintaining discretion, and the venue’s secure design is expected to ensure privacy. The wedding marks the first at MSG since 1974 and follows the couple’s engagement announcement in August.

England fans and players have embraced Oasis’s Wonderwall as a post‑match World Cup anthem, a trend that began after their win over Croatia and continued following victories against DR Congo and others. Liam Gallagher encouraged supporters on social media to maintain their strong energy and predicted a dominant England win over Mexico in the upcoming match.

Comedian Joe Lycett is set to front a new Channel 4 live series in which he operates a London pub for one hour each week. The six‑episode show, The Lycett Arms, will feature celebrity guests and requires Lycett to obtain a personal alcohol‑licence qualification before production. Channel 4 commissioner Tom Beck noted the effort involved in securing Lycett’s return, highlighting the show’s comedic focus on bureaucracy. The series will air on Friday nights later in the year, with an exact premiere date still to be announced.

Gary Lineker announced on the TV version of The Rest Is Football that he will become a grandfather for the first time. He shared the news alongside Gordon Ramsay, who is also expecting his first grandchild. Lineker’s four sons from his first marriage were noted, while Holly Ramsay Peaty’s pregnancy with Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty was also mentioned.

Olivia Rodrigo joins Fortnite as a non-playable character alongside new outfits, emotes, and musical tracks tied to her albums. The collaboration adds themed cosmetics and karaoke-compatible Jam Tracks, with items available through July 25. Rodrigo expressed enthusiasm for integrating her music into the game. She also announced Daisy Chain Fields, an all-women festival in Irvine supporting charities for women and girls.

Jeremy Clarkson revealed his diagnosis of aggressive prostate cancer, now in remission, and urged the public to undergo regular screenings. He described forming an informal support group with David Cameron and other public figures who share similar experiences. Clarkson also recounted treatment complications caused by resuming heart medication without medical advice. The diagnosis followed earlier cardiac issues, and he continues his work on Clarkson’s Farm while advocating for farmers.

Holly Ramsay and her husband Adam Peaty announced they are expecting their first child, a girl due in December 2026, sharing the news via Instagram. The couple married in December 2025 after getting engaged in 2024. Their wedding followed reports of tension with Peaty’s parents, who had accused Gordon Ramsay of being a bully, a claim he strongly rejected as unfounded and overly negative.

Holly Ramsay and Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty announced they are expecting a baby girl in December 2026, sharing the news on Instagram and receiving congratulations from several well‑known figures. The couple, who married in December after meeting through Strictly Come Dancing, have previously faced reports of tension involving Peaty’s parents. Gordon Ramsay publicly rejected claims that he bullied Peaty’s family, saying the accusations were unfounded and driven by attention-seeking behavior.

Peter Layton recounts his Austrian‑Jewish family’s narrow escape from Nazi persecution, attributing his later artistic career to their successful flight to Britain just before the outbreak of the Second World War. He describes the tense events surrounding their departure and how his parents’ quick actions enabled their survival. Layton explains the subsequent anglicisation of the family name and discusses the records he selected for his Desert Island Discs appearance on BBC Radio 4.

George Knight left Love Island shortly after arriving as a bombshell, with ITV citing private reasons for his departure. His brief time in the villa included a secret mission with Yasmin Hadlow to eliminate two contestants and interactions that created early tension. A preview suggested the mission’s outcome would shock the remaining islanders as the current series continues on ITV2 and ITVX.

KSI announced his departure from the longtime YouTube collective Sidemen, explaining that increasing professional demands and a loss of personal balance led to his decision. He emphasised that the choice was his alone and not due to internal conflict, expressing gratitude for the group’s shared achievements and personal growth. He thanked the remaining members and encouraged fans to continue supporting them while he focuses on restoring his work-life balance and prioritising his health and family.

Duran Duran announced a UK arena tour for autumn 2026, beginning in Glasgow and ending in Leeds, with Pigeon as the support act. The news follows their recent single release featuring Nile Rodgers and their upcoming headline performance at London’s BST festival. Tickets go on general sale on 5 June, with presales on 3 and 4 June.

The Hawkstone Farmers’ Choir, formed by Jeremy Clarkson, won Britain’s Got Talent 2026, earning £250,000 and a Royal Variety Performance slot. Choir member Katryna Shell dedicated the win to farmers and highlighted mental‑health struggles. Judges Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden praised the choir’s original song, while drone group Celestial placed second and dog act Anastasiia and Salsa finished third, with Mis‑Teeq reuniting for a performance.

Actor Pierre Deny, known for roles in French television and his appearance in Emily In Paris, has died at 69 following a severe case of ALS. Co-star Paul Forman and fellow actor Luce Mouchel shared tributes highlighting his warmth, talent and long professional relationships. Deny’s career included significant roles in French dramas and several films. Filming for the final season of Emily In Paris is currently underway.

CMAT won Best Album for Euro-Country at the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards, joined by major honourees including Sam Fender, Rosalia and Jacob Alon. Elton John received an Ivors Academy Honour and became the academy’s first president, while Thom Yorke and the late George Michael were granted fellowships. Additional winners included Kae Tempest, Lola Young, Lily Allen, Calvin Harris, Kano and Linda Perry.

CMAT’s album Euro-Country won best album at the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards, joined by major honors for Sam Fender as songwriter of the year, Rosalia as international songwriter of the year, and Sir Elton John, who received an academy honor and became the Ivors Academy’s first president. Additional awards recognized Thom Yorke and George Michael with fellowships, Kae Tempest for best contemporary song, and Jacob Alon with two major songwriting prizes. Other honorees included Lola Young, Lily Allen, Calvin Harris, Kano, and Linda Perry, while winning film and TV scores went to Tom Hodge and the team behind Trespasses. The event featured performances and celebrated excellence in songwriting and composition.

Linda Perry encouraged songwriters to embrace artificial intelligence while receiving a special international award at the 2026 Ivor Novello Awards in London. She described AI as a tool that can simplify creative processes and warned against resisting technological progress. James Blunt, who presented her award, agreed and highlighted practical uses of AI in music production. The ceremony, organised by the Ivors Academy, recognised Perry's longstanding influence on the British music industry.

Rylan Clark responded humorously to missing out on a hosting role for Strictly Come Dancing by posting a joking video and congratulating new presenters Johannes Radebe, Josh Widdicombe, and Emma Willis. Fellow dancers, judges, and former presenters praised the newly announced trio, expressing excitement and support for the upcoming 2026 series.

Charli XCX releases a new single, Rock Music, accompanied by a black‑and‑white video directed by Aidan Zamiri, amid speculation about the stylistic direction of her next album. She clarifies that the project is not a rock album despite earlier interpretations of comments made in Vogue and notes it will omit her usual auto‑tune. The upcoming record draws on her relationship with art and avoids focusing on her husband, George Daniel, after references in previous work. Recent projects include a Wuthering Heights companion album and several film roles, following the cultural impact of her Brat era.

A collection of notable quotes from Sir David Attenborough highlights his reflections on nature’s beauty, humanity’s environmental impact, and the importance of understanding and preserving the natural world, shared in honour of his 100th birthday.