Eliza Ketcher

Highlights the unique atmosphere of the Montreux Jazz Festival, featuring Claude Nobs’ pop‑culture memorabilia and the festival’s connections to iconic musicians including David Bowie, Prince and Freddie Mercury. Notes its link to a famous Deep Purple song and outlines additional attractions for visitors around Lake Geneva.

Trans pool champion Harriet Haynes challenges a ban from competing in women’s events imposed by the English Blackball Pool Federation, arguing that the sport is not impacted by gender. Expert evidence cited indicates no competitive advantage for trans women in pool, and her case underscores continuing disputes over inclusion within sports.

Ambassadors for the charity Refuge, including Cherie Blair, David Morrissey and Sharon Gaffka, stress that educating young people about consent and respect is essential for addressing the root causes of domestic abuse. Their message supports The Independent’s Brick by Brick campaign, which aims to fund a safe house for survivors fleeing abusive situations, emphasising the need to instil understanding of healthy relationships from an early age.

A domestic abuse refuge in Surrey operated by I Choose Freedom offers secure accommodation and support for people escaping abuse. Chief executive Emma Armstrong highlights 24/7 staff assistance with emotional needs, legal processes, healthcare, benefits and employment. Fundraising allows each new resident to receive a welcome pack containing essentials such as toiletries, bedding and children’s items.

Emma Armstrong, a survivor of physical, sexual, financial and coercive abuse, now leads the Surrey-based charity I Choose Freedom, using her experience to highlight the importance of refuge services and ensuring victims know support is available.

A safe house for domestic abuse survivors is shown in construction as part of The Independent and Refuge’s Brick by Brick campaign, with Persimmon Group’s Anthony Vigor describing the careful process involved in creating a secure and supportive environment.

Donald Trump’s return to the White House prompts varied reactions in the UK as people reflect on the implications of a second Trump presidency and what it may mean for British politics and global affairs.

Construction has begun on a domestic abuse safe house funded by The Independent and Refuge, with foundations laid and walls rising. The initiative aims to provide long-term accommodation for survivors, with plans for a second home made possible by reader donations. Key contributors involved in the project’s development were highlighted during a visit to the building site.

Safe houses are described as vital shelters offering security for people escaping domestic abuse, though many face funding and capacity limitations that prevent them from meeting diverse needs. Supporters of the Brick by Brick campaign emphasise how such refuges enable survivors to regain independence and rebuild their lives, with the initiative tied to a fundraising effort for expanding safe housing.

Highlights the many forms of domestic abuse beyond physical violence, including financial control, technology-enabled abuse, coercion and emotional manipulation, while promoting The Independent and Refuge’s Brick by Brick campaign to raise funds for a safe house supporting survivors.

A Persimmon site manager describes the construction of a safe house being developed for survivors of domestic abuse as part of The Independent and Refuge’s Brick by Brick campaign, which seeks £300,000 in donations to complete the project, supported by public advocates including Cherie Blair.

David Morrissey endorses the Brick by Brick campaign, emphasizing the need for safe refuge spaces that accommodate families and pets and describing such facilities as life-changing. The initiative, run by The Independent in partnership with Refuge, seeks £300,000 to build a secure space for women escaping domestic abuse.

Jessie Mei Li discusses working with Tom Hardy on the Netflix film Havoc, explaining that she would never challenge him to a fight and describing the stunt work and character preparation involved. She reflects on how ADHD shapes her performance style, noting benefits such as spontaneity and hyperfocus.

Jack O’Connell and Delroy Lindo discuss their experiences working on director Ryan Coogler’s supernatural horror film Sinners, reflecting on the filmmaking process, sharing personal anecdotes including O’Connell’s Irish dancing background, and highlighting overlooked films from their careers.

Penn Badgley reflects on completing the final season of the Netflix series You, describing the physical and emotional intensity of portraying Joe Goldberg and expressing relief at stepping away from the role. He recounts memorable and often unsettling fan reactions accumulated over the show’s run.

Comedian Ed Night offers humorous opinions on various British customs, foods, and trends, including his dislike of IKEA, as part of a light‑hearted Overrated or Underrated segment covering everyday UK cultural habits.

Will Poulter discusses portraying war without romanticism in the series Warfare, emphasizing a grounded depiction of conflict’s toll and reflecting on earlier roles he feels were undervalued.

Roman Griffin Davis discusses his new voice role in the animated film The King of Kings, the challenges of transitioning from live action to voice acting, and his limited interaction with the cast. He reflects on his breakout performance in Jojo Rabbit, shares advice received as a young actor, and expresses admiration for co-star Sam Rockwell.

Cast members discuss the third season of Gangs of London, focusing on its intense action, major character moments and the physical preparation behind stunt choreography, while also addressing whether they would return for a future Game of Thrones reboot.

Debate over whether the Oscars remain a valuable cultural institution or have become an overrated, overly long event, with discussion touching on Demi Moore’s expected nomination, the potential reception of Gladiator II, and memorable past Oscars moments such as Adrien Brody’s kiss with Halle Berry.

Dane DeHaan describes how acting has taken him to extreme locations including the Sahara Desert and the Arctic Ocean, noting that the adventurous nature of film production has become one of the most rewarding aspects of his career. He discusses his role in Netflix’s Western series American Primeval, reflects on overlooked projects in his filmography, and comments on the possibility of returning to the Spider-Man franchise.

Dane DeHaan describes the demanding and intense experience of filming the Netflix western American Primeval, comparing its tone to a more extreme version of Yellowstone. The series follows his character Jacob Pratt, a Mormon survivor of the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and is now streaming on Netflix.

Nicholas Hoult and Bill Skarsgård describe the unsettling atmosphere created by director Robert Eggers while filming the new retelling of Nosferatu, highlighting the intense set environment and Skarsgård’s frightening portrayal of Count Orlok.

Cast members of The Diplomat reflect on how the show mirrors the escalating unpredictability of contemporary politics, comparing current dynamics to earlier political eras and highlighting how television must adapt to an increasingly chaotic geopolitical climate.

Season five of Slow Horses is highlighted as a standout espionage drama, with Gary Oldman’s portrayal of Jackson Lamb praised for redefining the spy genre through its gritty, anti‑Bond approach. The series is noted for its focus on flawed underdogs within MI5 and its ability to subvert traditional spy‑story expectations, contributing to its strong audience appeal.

A Netflix documentary examining the Jussie Smollett case has quickly gained widespread attention, drawing interest for its use of court records, conflicting testimony and the intense media reaction surrounding the scandal. It explores why the story remains divisive years later and reflects on the public’s fascination with true‑crime narratives, while also highlighting new film releases expected to generate discussion.

Naomi Ackie and Daniel Mays discuss working alongside acclaimed actors in The Thursday Murder Club, share who they think would survive a real murder mystery, and reflect on memorable roles and career advice.

Matt and Emma Willis discuss their relationship history, share light‑hearted opinions on love and dating, and recount the embarrassing story behind their engagement while promoting Love is Blind UK and appearing on Overrated or Underrated.

Jason Momoa and co-creator Thomas Pa'a Sibbett discuss bringing overlooked Hawaiian culture to life in Chief of War, including Momoa’s use of traditional clothing on set. Momoa also recalls joining a mosh pit at Ozzy Osbourne’s final performance, with the interview recorded before Osbourne’s death.

Danny Dyer and co-stars Ryan Sampson and Harriet Webb discuss themes of toxic masculinity, fragile male egos, absent fathers and comedic elements from the new season of Mr Bigstuff, including humorous scenarios involving penis socks and quiche-throwing. They suggest comedy as a way to address modern masculinity issues.

Domhnall Gleeson and Eiza González discuss the downsides of eternal youth, reflect on how they would approach the idea of living forever, and comment on Hollywood’s persistent focus on youth. The conversation promotes the Apple TV+ series Fountain of Youth, which also stars John Krasinski and Natalie Portman.

Cast members discuss upcoming storylines in Bridgerton Season 4 and highlight the importance of representation, emphasizing the impact of placing women of colour at the center of the narrative while noting that broader industry diversity still requires progress.

Katie Leung describes the insecurity and pressure she felt entering the Harry Potter franchise as a teenager and says the sudden visibility was difficult to manage. Looking ahead to the HBO reboot, she expresses support for the new Cho Chang actor and advises focusing on enjoyment and the work rather than external pressure.

Highlights major TV releases expected in 2026, including the return of Euphoria, a live‑action Blade Runner series, new seasons of Bridgerton, Hulu’s The Testaments and Prime Video’s Elle, presented as guidance on notable shows to watch in the coming year.

Explores the recurring formulas, recycled aesthetics and interconnected settings that define Netflix’s growing collection of Christmas films, highlighting their cheesy predictability and surprising appeal while illustrating how they form an intentionally unserious shared holiday universe.

Two new Taylor Swift projects released on Disney+ prompt an examination of the Eras Tour’s commercial success and cultural influence, highlighting its global scale, economic impact and enduring popularity, reinforcing Swift’s position as a major pop‑culture force.

Actors Jason Bateman, Ke Huy Quan and Ginnifer Goodwin discuss the release of Zootropolis 2, describing its chaotic recording process and its underdog message, which they say reflects their own career experiences.

Covers key insights from the creators and cast of Stranger Things as the series approaches its fifth and final season, discussing creative pressure, character decisions, and the development of the villain Vecna while highlighting expectations for the show’s concluding storyline.

Vanessa Williams discusses why familiar television shows provide emotional comfort, exploring the pull of nostalgia and the psychology behind rewatching. The description highlights how reruns have become a widespread coping mechanism and notes the scale of the industry built around repeat viewing.

Harry Clark reflects on his strategy for winning The Celebrity Traitors, describing how deception and backstabbing led to his £95,000 victory, while the show’s latest season is highlighted for its entertaining mix of personalities and dramatic moments.

Cast members of Rivals season 2 react to chaotic social scenarios in a lighthearted segment promoting the show’s return on Disney+, highlighting themes of scandal, strategy, and interpersonal drama.

Westlife reflect on 25 years of their career while promoting their retrospective album, discussing early management under Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh, the height of boyband popularity, and their belief that they worked during the strongest period of the modern music industry.

Adam Scott and Damian McCarthy discuss their folk horror film Hokum, exploring Scott’s return to playing an abrasive character and the story of a writer who encounters supernatural events in a remote Irish inn, while reflecting on Scott’s career and screen persona.

Christa Miller reflects on her decades-long television career, highlighting early appearances, breakthrough roles and long-term collaborations with Bill Lawrence. She discusses her evolution as an actor, her work as a music supervisor and the personal and creative significance of series such as Scrubs, Cougar Town and Shrinking.

Paris and Venezuela Fury address criticism surrounding Venezuela’s planned wedding at age 16, explain why they ignore negative reactions, describe events from her hen party, and reflect on the family’s experience supporting Tyson Fury through mental health challenges as the new season of their Netflix series approaches.

Promotional video in which Samara Weaving and Kathryn Newton play a horror-themed Would You Rather game tied to the release of Ready or Not 2, making playful choices about characters and scenarios inspired by the film.

Radio presenters Mollie King and Matt Edmondson discuss their new podcast, Novel Idea, while taking part in light‑hearted challenges designed to test their rapport and collaborative approach to creating a comedic, mystery‑themed show.

Dave Franco discusses voicing the Insect King in Pixar’s film Hoppers, sharing how he approaches portraying memorable villains and reflecting on the movies and iconic lines that have shaped his career.

Daniel Francis discusses portraying Marcus in Bridgerton, focusing on intimate scenes, the romance between Marcus and Violet, the show’s emphasis on consent and representation, and the significance of depicting desire later in life.

Mackenzie Crook discusses his new stop‑motion comedy Small Prophets, which follows a lonely man aided by mystical beings while searching for his missing girlfriend. He reflects on the choice to use tactile, unslick animation, his attraction to themes of solitude, and his growing preference for working behind the camera. Co‑star Pearce Quigley also joins the conversation about the show’s creative approach.

Lisa McGee introduces a new darkly comedic murder mystery series following three friends drawn into a complex investigation during a return home for a classmate’s wake, with cast members discussing their chemistry and behind-the-scenes details.

Cast members Christa Miller and Michael Urie discuss how comedy in the series Shrinking helps address grief and mental health, share insights about working with Harrison Ford, and reflect on his dry humor and influence on set.

Angourie Rice and Spike Fearn discuss their romcom Finding Emily and take part in a quiz identifying well-known real and fictional Emilys, competing to determine who knows the most about figures sharing the name.

Record UK temperatures exceeding 37C and pavement surface readings near 60C prompted a light test in London to see whether an egg could cook on the street, amid widespread school closures and travel disruption under red Met Office heat warnings.

Olivia Wilde discusses shifting cultural attitudes toward romantic relationships while promoting her film The Invite, arguing that women no longer feel obligated to have partners and that the loss of identity within strained relationships can be more embarrassing than being single. The film explores marital disconnection and personal performance within relationships, with co-star Edward Norton noting heightened modern self-consciousness around personal presentation.

A traveller explores the wilderness around Bruvik near Bergen while testing Helly Hansen equipment as part of the brand’s Open Mountain Month initiative. Guided hikes, wild swimming and a rescue‑helicopter demonstration highlight how Recco search‑and‑rescue technology provides safety without diminishing the sense of being off‑grid. The gear performs well in steep, challenging terrain, and the experience underscores the balance between immersion in nature and the reassurance of being findable in emergencies.

Explores the second season of BBC’s Daddy Issues, focusing on modern parenthood, new‑mother loneliness, and the authenticity of the show’s central friendships, featuring insights from creator Danielle Ward and actor Taj Atwal. Examines the marketing frenzy surrounding Wicked: For Good and how its unconventional press tour has become a story of its own.

Melanie Lynskey discusses portraying author Heather Morris in the series The Tattooist of Auschwitz, describing the experience of meeting Morris, adapting her for the screen, and handling the pressure of representing real historical figures connected to the Holocaust love story of Lali and Gita Sokolov.

Victoria Derbyshire recounts years of severe physical and emotional abuse by her father, describing a childhood marked by fear, unpredictability and normalized violence. She details the impact on her family, the lack of institutional support in the 1970s and 80s, and her mother’s role in keeping the family stable. Derbyshire supports The Independent and Refuge’s Brick by Brick campaign to fund a safe house for survivors, emphasising the importance of breaking the cycle of abuse and raising awareness so victims feel seen and supported.

Comedians Ed Gamble and Joanne McNally react to controversial reader opinions ahead of the launch of their new TLC series Unacceptable, where teams of comedians attempt to persuade a live audience to support their extreme or divisive views.

AJ Tracey discusses cultural preferences and light‑hearted opinions on topics including travel habits, West London, gym selfies, voice notes, UK festivals and Love Island, while promoting his new album and appearing in a segment of Overrated or Underrated.

Maria Bakalova and director Ali Abbasi discuss Donald Trump’s backlash to their film The Apprentice, which portrays Trump’s relationship with attorney Roy Cohn in 1970s New York. They address challenges in producing the film and the relevance of its release ahead of the US election, following Trump’s denunciation of the project as a politically motivated attack.

Examines how the new workplace comedy The Paper expands on the legacy of The Office amid shifting attitudes toward work, suggesting it may better reflect contemporary office culture and audience interests.

Mahershala Ali and Rupert Friend describe acting opposite placeholder props while filming Jurassic World Rebirth, highlighting challenges such as performing with tennis balls on sticks and shooting in the Thai jungle. They note the Spielberg-inspired tone of the new installment and discuss how music and character playlists support their creative process.

A Streamline segment highlights the Prime Video thriller Malice, focusing on its story of a wealthy family’s Greek holiday disrupted by their manipulative manny and framing it within the current wave of class‑focused, “eat the rich” narratives popular across film and television.

Aidan Turner and Victoria Smurfit discuss the characters of the Disney+ drama Rivals, highlighting who they consider the most dangerous and exploring the show’s scandal and rivalry themes.