Jamie Downham

Nicole Kidman discussed her divorce from Keith Urban, her uncertain future and her decision to approach the next stage of life with hope and openness. She described her two daughters as her central priority and reflected on her early marriage to Tom Cruise, saying they fell deeply in love despite concerns that the relationship could affect her career. Kidman also spoke about her summer travels and nightlife, while promoting Practical Magic 2, the fan-driven sequel to the 1998 cult film.

Actress Lucy Davis has revealed that she was diagnosed about 18 months ago with incurable stage 4 breast cancer that has spread to her spine, right hip and ribs, and said chemotherapy is no longer possible. In a message accompanying a video of her ringing a cancer-treatment bell, Davis urged people not to ignore physical changes and seek medical checks. She described managing significant pain and sometimes using a wheelchair, while saying she is at peace with her prognosis, wants to continue acting and remains committed to animal-rights work. Davis, known for The Office, Wonder Woman and The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, also discussed her type 1 diabetes and a kidney transplant from her mother.

Reality TV personality Stephen Bear was sentenced to 16 months’ immediate imprisonment for breaching a restraining order that prohibited him from posting online about former girlfriend Georgia Harrison. He published material about Harrison and the case across several social-media platforms between March and July 2025, including accusations that she was lying. Judge Christopher Morgan said Bear was victim blaming. Harrison said the posts left her frightened, harmed her wellbeing during pregnancy and caused concern for her unborn child. The restraining order was extended to protect her mother and a friend, while Harrison praised Essex Police for treating the matter as a serious crime rather than a celebrity dispute.

Former Celebrity Big Brother winner Stephen Bear pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates’ Court to five breaches of sex-offender notification requirements. He failed to notify police about travel to Brazil, his return to the UK, a replacement passport and two new bank cards. His lawyer said Bear did not understand the reporting requirements, lost his passport abroad and needed alternative bank accounts after his NatWest card was blocked. Sentencing was postponed because Bear is due at Chelmsford Crown Court over a separate restraining-order breach; he is also scheduled to return to Thames Magistrates’ Court on 14 August.

Stephen Bear pleaded guilty at Thames Magistrates’ Court to five breaches of the sex offenders register notification requirements. He failed to notify police about travel to Brazil, his return to the UK, a replacement passport and two new bank cards. Bear, who was placed on the register for ten years after being jailed in 2023 for voyeurism and disclosing private sexual images of Georgia Harrison, is due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court for a separate restraining-order matter and will return to Thames Magistrates’ Court on August 14.

Beyond Paradise has been renewed for a fifth season, with Kris Marshall, Sally Bretton and Zahra Ahmadi returning. BBC Studios announced the renewal, promising new mysteries set around the fictional Devon town of Shipton Abbott. Filming takes place in Devon and South East Cornwall, with Looe, its Guildhall and Launceston serving as key locations. No release date has been confirmed, but the series is expected to return in 2027.

Ariana Grande will step back from public-facing work and appearances after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour, following what her representative described as endless and ongoing scrutiny of her appearance. She has withdrawn from the planned 2027 London production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, while the Barbican production will continue with new casting. Grande will complete the tour, including its final London dates, and is still due to appear in the film Focker-in-Law.

Fans have questioned whether 2026 Love Island winners Julia Majchrzak and Lorenzo Alessi have split after Lorenzo was seen liking bikini photos on Instagram and the pair were not pictured together after an airport farewell. Their earlier claims of being exclusively dating and planning to live together are contrasted with the recent social-media clues, although other fans argue that Instagram likes mean little and do not prove the relationship has ended.

Ariana Grande will step back from public-facing work after completing her Eternal Sunshine Tour, citing what her representative described as endless, ongoing scrutiny of her appearance. She has withdrawn from the planned 2027 London production of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, where she was due to reunite with Jonathan Bailey. The production will continue at the Barbican Centre with new casting. Grande will finish the tour, including its final London dates, and is still scheduled to appear in the film Focker-in-Law.

Filming has begun in Devon and Cornwall on the fifth series of BBC crime drama Beyond Paradise. The production shared a first image from the set, and fans welcomed the announcement. Kris Marshall returns as Detective Inspector Humphrey Goodman, with the series continuing to follow the Shipton Abbott police team; it is expected to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in 2027.

Actor Vincent Pastore, best known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero in The Sopranos, was found dead in his Bronx apartment at age 80 after a neighbour had been unable to reach him for three days. His manager Bob McGowan praised Pastore’s loyalty, generosity and charitable work. A Vietnam War veteran, Pastore appeared in nearly 200 films and television programmes, including Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way, Gotti and Yellowjackets, and is survived by his daughter Renee.

Swimmer Adam Peaty says reconciliation with his parents, Caroline and Mark, may be possible but only if they improve as people and reopen communication. The family rift began before his December 2025 wedding to Holly Ramsay, amid disputes over wedding and hen-party arrangements. Peaty says the conflict has affected his concern for his wife, children and family relationships, while Caroline has expressed forgiveness, love and an apparent willingness to rebuild bridges. He also discussed the emotional impact of winning bronze in the 100-metre breaststroke at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Declan Donnelly became tearful while remembering his football hero Kevin Keegan, who died aged 75 after being diagnosed with cancer. On the Hanging Out podcast, Donnelly recalled meeting Keegan as a child and described him as a special and exceptionally kind man. Ant McPartlin joined the tribute, praising Keegan’s impact as a player and manager at Newcastle United, while the club said his influence and bond with supporters would endure for generations.

Ian Beale begins serving an eight-month prison sentence after accidentally hitting Jordan Fox with his car, leaving Jordan in a wheelchair. His ordeal quickly worsens when inmates trip him and smash his glasses after he complains about prison conditions. Gray Atkins initially protects Ian from the bullies, but then threatens him after revealing that he knows Ian injured his son. Gray warns Ian that he is on his turf and should run, setting up a dangerous prison storyline.

Ian Beale begins an eight-month prison sentence for accidentally hitting Jordan Fox with his car and quickly becomes a target after complaining about jail conditions. Fellow inmate Gray Atkins initially helps him after his glasses are smashed, but then threatens him over Jordan's injuries and warns him to run. The episode establishes Gray as Ian's likely major threat, drawing on Gray's history of murdering Chantelle Atkins, Kush Kazemi and Tina Carter.

Olivia Attwood said she was preparing to release “messy” screenshots after posting apparent criticisms of her ex-partner Bradley Dack’s rumoured new girlfriend, Emily. She later paused the release after her manager advised her to be the “bigger person,” while saying she was going out instead. The dispute follows Attwood and Dack’s January separation, when she accused him of repeatedly lying and cheating; Emily has denied being involved in their relationship. Dack, who now plays for Gillingham, also posted an emotional heartbreak song that appeared to address Attwood.

Vanessa Feltz delivered an emotional farewell during the final episode of her axed Channel 5 afternoon show, expressing sadness over its cancellation while revealing plans for a new YouTube series called At Home With Vanessa launching in August. She was surprised on air by her daughter and grandson, and guests joined for the final broadcast. The cancellation is linked to scheduling changes under Channel 5’s parent company Paramount, with low ratings and hoax callers also noted as issues.

Lauren Laverne has revealed that she was diagnosed with smouldering myeloma, an early form of myeloma involving abnormal bone-marrow cells and proteins in the blood or urine. The condition is chronic and incurable but often causes no symptoms and does not usually require immediate treatment. It can progress to active myeloma, although it may also remain unchanged, so Laverne will undergo regular monitoring including MRI scans and bone biopsies. She said the condition was detected through careful health monitoring following her previous cancer diagnosis.

Irish actress Brenda Fricker has died aged 81, according to her agent Phil Belfield. Fricker won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Bridget Brown in My Left Foot and was widely remembered as the Pigeon Lady in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York. Her career also included Casualty, Coronation Street and films such as A Time to Kill, Veronica Guerin and Closing the Ring. Born in Dublin, she entered acting by chance after working at The Irish Times and later spoke about the lack of meaningful roles for older women. She was married to Barry Davis for 15 years and divorced in 1988.

British presenter Dave Kendall, creator and host of MTV’s alternative-music programme 120 Minutes, has died at the age of 68. Kendall produced the show from 1986 and hosted it from 1989 to 1992, helping bring artists such as Morrissey, the Ramones, Sonic Youth and Nirvana to wider audiences. Matt Pinfield announced his death and praised Kendall for giving overlooked music a platform, while fans remembered the programme as a defining part of their musical lives. No cause of death has been disclosed. Kendall later worked as a club DJ, SiriusXM presenter and television producer for Sky and Channel 4.

Dave Kendall, British presenter and creator of MTV’s alternative music show 120 Minutes, has died aged 68. Tributes from fans and former host Matt Pinfield praised his influence in promoting alternative bands and shaping indie music culture. Kendall, who helped introduce artists such as Nirvana, the Ramones and Sonic Youth to wider audiences, later worked as a DJ and producer for outlets including SiriusXM, Sky, Channel 4 and the Bangkok Post.

GK Barry reflects on her rise from TikTok star to Loose Women panellist, her relationship with footballer Ella Rutherford, and her light‑hearted struggles with football during Soccer Aid. She recounts receiving humorous motivation from Coleen Rooney and discusses her work confronting online gossip forums, acting roles, and her growing TV presence. Barry also promotes Tropicana’s Hydrate+ drink while describing her battles with worsening hangovers and her involvement in campaigns supporting World Cup viewers.

Little Mix singer Leigh-Anne Pinnock announced that she is pregnant with her third child in an Instagram video showing her baby bump. She shared the message “As one chapter ends, another begins,” accompanied by her song “Heaven.” Pinnock and her husband, footballer Andre Gray, already have four-year-old twin daughters and keep their children’s identities private. The announcement follows the release of her debut solo album and a UK and European tour, while fellow musicians including Perrie Edwards and Fleur East sent congratulations.

Leigh-Anne Pinnock announced her pregnancy through an Instagram video showing her baby bump and accompanied by her new song Heaven. The news follows the release of her debut solo album and a recent tour. Supportive messages came from fellow artists and her Little Mix bandmates. She and husband Andre Gray, with whom she has four-year-old twins, continue to navigate a long‑distance relationship following his football career moves.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are reported to have married at Madison Square Garden in a highly private but lavish ceremony attended by about 1,000 guests. Reports describe emotional, lengthy vows, Christian Dior outfits, Taylor Swift-themed favors, performances by Paul McCartney and Stevie Nicks, and a gameshow-style raffle offering prizes including Cartier watches, designer handbags and a 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle. Celebrity guests and relatives shared limited details, while Swift’s former teacher and bodyguard Kirk Schwabe died of cancer on the wedding day. The couple reportedly left New York afterward for further private celebrations, with filming potentially producing footage for guests or a future project.

Gary Barlow said Take That's revived Circus Live tour is unlikely to return because he cannot physically undertake the demanding production again at age 55. The 17-date tour, which ended in Dublin, revisited the group's successful 2009 Circus tour and was praised by Barlow as their best tour. He said he was leaving the show behind while looking forward to creating a new production with Mark Owen and Howard Donald.

Gary Barlow announced that Take That's physically demanding Circus Live tour will not return, citing the difficulty of performing it at age 55 despite calling it the band’s best tour. The 17‑date run concluded in Dublin, prompting Barlow to tell fans he could no longer manage the show’s intense requirements. Fans expressed gratitude for the revival of the original 2009 Circus tour, which featured elaborate performances and stunts. The 2026 version starred Barlow, Mark Owen and Howard Donald, with support acts including Belinda Carlisle, though Jason Orange did not participate following his 2014 retirement.

A male cast member of Married at First Sight UK was arrested on suspicion of rape following allegations raised in a BBC Panorama documentary by two women, with a third alleging sexual misconduct. The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest and ongoing investigation, with the unnamed man released on bail. Channel 4 has removed all episodes of the show and initiated an external review into its welfare protocols, examining past handling of complaints and potential changes to improve contributor safety while deciding whether to air the already‑filmed new season.

Kerry Katona has defended a topless photograph of herself cuddling with her boyfriend Paolo Margaglione, saying it reflects their healthy and loving relationship and that she may print it to hang above her bed. The couple met on Celebs Go Dating and began dating after Katona split from Ryan Mahoney. Katona says she feels deeply loved by Paolo and would marry him, while both describe their relationship as immediate, natural and emotionally intense.

Legendary television director and Cheers co-creator James Burrows has died peacefully at 85, according to a statement from his family. Over a career spanning more than five decades, he directed over 1,000 television episodes, including 15 episodes of Friends and work on Frasier, Will & Grace, Taxi, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Big Bang Theory. Burrows won 11 Primetime Emmy Awards and five Directors Guild of America Awards and was praised not only for shaping American sitcoms but also for his kindness and mentorship. He is survived by his wife Debbie Easton, three daughters and a stepdaughter.

Lee Andrews, Katie Price's husband, returned to social media claiming that armed men detained him near the Hatta-Oman border, shackled him, hooded him and held him at a state-security facility on suspicion of espionage. He said he was later transferred to a Dubai prison over a civil case and released after Katie contacted UK authorities and publicised his situation. The circumstances of his detention and release have not been independently confirmed.

The BBC has begun announcing the Strictly Come Dancing 2026 cast earlier than usual, amid a broader overhaul involving new hosts, professional dancers and possible set changes. Confirmed contestants include Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer and Delta Goodrem. Jeff Brazier, Sarah Storey, Jake Quickenden and Josie Gibson are identified as prominent but unconfirmed names, with reports and bookmaker speculation driving the rumours.