Liam De Brun

The article reviews the educational histories and GCSE results of prominent footballers. Wayne Rooney and David Beckham did not take GCSEs after leaving school at 16, while Steven Gerrard earned one C, six Ds and two Es. Frank Lampard achieved 12 A* or A grades, including an A* in Latin; Harry Kane passed all his GCSEs; Gary Neville earned one A, two Bs and two Cs; and Marcus Rashford left school with nine GCSEs before completing further study. It also highlights the players' subsequent football careers and Rashford's successful campaign to extend free school meals for eligible children.

The article reviews the educational and examination records of prominent members of the British royal family. Prince William earned 12 GCSEs and Prince Harry 11, while Catherine Middleton earned 11; Meghan Markle did not take GCSEs because she was educated in the United States. Princess Eugenie outperformed Princess Beatrice in their GCSEs and A-levels. King Charles III left school with five O levels and two A-levels, Queen Camilla with one O level, Queen Elizabeth II had no formal examination record, and Diana failed her O levels twice.

Claire Lomas, a 44-year-old paralysed campaigner and mother who was the first person to complete a marathon in a bionic suit, died from multiple traumatic injuries after her microlight veered off the runway and struck a rock while filming an Apple Vision Pro series in Jordan on July 15, 2024. An inquest heard that she had experience flying and using media equipment, that the aircraft and camera were within weight limits, and that weather and mechanical problems were not identified. She remained in critical condition for more than five weeks before dying from complications following an infection. The inquest is continuing, while concerns raised by her family about her hospital care in Jordan fall outside the coroner's jurisdiction.

Nigella Lawson has been pictured with fellow Great British Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood and presenters Noel Fielding and Alison Hammond ahead of her first appearance on the Channel 4 series. She is replacing Dame Prue Leith, who joined the programme in 2017 after it moved from the BBC. Filming has finished, with contestants due to be announced soon. Lawson said she was excited but slightly nervous, and described her role as bringing a focus on pleasure and eating alongside Hollywood’s technical expertise.

Australian comedy drama Sunny Nights, created by Nick Keetch and Ty Freer and starring Will Forte and D’Arcy Carden, is now available to stream for free on ITVX in the UK. The series follows American siblings who move to Sydney to start a spray-tan business before becoming involved with criminals and trying to avoid jail while remaining financially solvent. It has a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and has received enthusiastic viewer comparisons to dark comedies and crime dramas including Breaking Bad and Ozark.

The BBC crime drama Annika, starring Nicola Walker as Glasgow Marine Homicide Unit detective Annika Strandhed, is now streaming on Netflix. The series, known for its dark, twisty cases, humor, scenic atmosphere and fourth-wall-breaking format, ran for 12 episodes across two seasons before the BBC confirmed there were no current plans for a third. Its Netflix availability could give the show renewed popularity and potentially lead to further commissioning.

Stacey Solomon shared a rare photograph of herself, Joe Swash and all five children during their family holiday in Turkey. Her eldest son Zachary, who had initially been absent because he was attending Camp America in the United States, surprised the family by joining the trip. Stacey’s father David, sister Jemma and influencer Perrie Sian also travelled with them. The family has since returned to the UK.

Delta Goodrem says she is struggling to move after her first intensive training session for Strictly Come Dancing 2026. The Australian singer, who recently represented Australia at Eurovision and has extensive music and television experience, admits that she has little choreography or ballroom experience. She has not yet been paired with a professional dancer but says she is excited and nervous, while making no predictions about winning. The BBC competition returns next month with 15 celebrity contestants and five new professional dancers.

A GoFundMe fundraiser launched by Windrush campaigner Patrick Vernon for Jason Arday’s family raised more than £60,000 from over 2,100 donations within hours. Arday, a former Cambridge professor, died in Battersea after resigning amid plagiarism allegations. Supporters, including Stand Up To Racism and fellow academic Simon Baron-Cohen, described intense scrutiny and abuse surrounding the controversy, while the group characterized it as a racist witch hunt. Arday’s family said a sustained campaign of misinformation and harassment had devastated him and asked the press to leave them alone. A vigil was announced in London, and Andy Burnham called for reflection and cautioned against rushing to judgment.

A 55-year-old man died after being critically injured by a dog on an old railway footpath off Blacker Lane in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Police arrested another 55-year-old man on suspicion of murder and of owning a dangerously out-of-control dog that caused injury. The suspected dog was seized, and investigators are appealing for two witnesses, including a woman named Sophie, and anyone who saw or heard the altercation to come forward.

Ellie Taylor has been announced as the new presenter of BBC Two and BBC iPlayer’s Strictly Come Dancing spin-off It Takes Two. She replaces the departing co-hosts Janette Manrara and Fleur East, while former presenters and Strictly-related personalities, including Fleur East, Rylan Clark and Zoe Ball, congratulated her. The refreshed programme will launch in September with expanded behind-the-scenes access, interviews, training footage, expert discussions and a new alumni panel.

Hundreds of fans gathered in Mumbles, Swansea, as Bonnie Tyler’s coffin was carried through the streets toward her home, applauding and singing “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” Fans from Wales and abroad paid tribute to the singer, who died aged 75 after an emergency intestinal surgery earlier in the year. Tyler was remembered for her international hits, strong connection to Wales and 2013 Eurovision appearance. A private celebration of her life was scheduled at Swansea Minster, followed by a final procession through her hometown of Skewen.

A magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Granada in the early hours of August 15, 2026, prompting authorities to maintain a high alert for possible aftershocks. Residents and tourists fled, while some homes, cars, doors and household belongings were damaged, but no serious injuries were reported. Authorities described the activity as part of a seismic swarm and urged people to avoid unstable building features. Experts said Granada is among the areas of the Iberian Peninsula most at risk from earthquakes, following a magnitude 3.7 tremor in the area the previous month.

X Factor finalist Scarlett Lee has announced the birth of her first child, a son named Elias, born on 12 August 2026. Lee reached the 2018 final, where she performed with Leona Lewis, and later released music and auditioned for American Idol. She and her husband Nathan, whom she married in 2019, said they are delighted to begin life as a family of three.

Strictly Come Dancing is due to return in September 2026 with new presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, five new professional dancers and a line-up including Lacey Turner, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Dani Dyer and Shaun Wright-Phillips. The feature looks back at the 2004 inaugural contestants: Natasha Kaplinsky won with Brendan Cole, Christopher Parker was runner-up, and other participants went on to careers in television, acting, music and sport. Jason Wood, the show's first eliminated contestant, died aged 38 in 2010, while the surviving participants include broadcaster David Dickinson, singer Lesley Garrett, rugby star Martin Offiah and actress Claire Sweeney.

Ellie Taylor will host the refreshed BBC spin-off It Takes Two from September 2026, replacing the joint presenting team of Janette Manrara and Fleur East. The new format will include behind-the-scenes access, training-room footage, interviews, creative-team discussions, celebrity and professional panels, and a Strictly alumni panel. The announcement follows wider changes to Strictly Come Dancing, including a new presenting trio for the main show, departures from the professional dancer line-up, and the arrival of five new professionals.

The Davies family from North Wales were stranded in Greece for more than a day after their TUI flight from Preveza to Manchester was cancelled because the aircraft lacked an essential service-kit component. Craig and Becky Davies said they received little information or assistance from TUI, despite needing to return home to visit Becky's father, who is receiving palliative care. Passengers were reportedly offered €30 for food and drink and later transported by coach to Athens while awaiting confirmation of a rescue flight. TUI had been approached for comment.

Laura Whitmore was featured in a Saturday Kitchen Best Bites episode recalling her unusual fondness for eating raw mushrooms with mayonnaise and cheese. Her snack revelation and demonstration amused and horrified fellow guests Helen McGinn and Paul A. Young, while host Matt Tebbutt discussed her food preferences. Whitmore also revealed that seafood linguine is her food heaven and onions are her food hell. The item additionally notes that she and husband Iain Stirling are expecting their second child.

Actress Beverley Callard says ten rounds of radiotherapy for breast cancer left her with burns, nausea and fatigue, although she believes she coped well and continued working throughout treatment. She has not yet received her prognosis or learned the next steps, with further consultations, mammograms and oncology appointments scheduled. Callard says staying occupied with acting has helped her manage the emotional impact of the diagnosis.

Idris Elba’s 2021 superhero film The Suicide Squad has begun streaming on Netflix, prompting renewed praise from fans who continue to seek a sequel. Directed and written by James Gunn, the film casts Elba as Bloodsport alongside Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis and John Cena. Despite a 90% Rotten Tomatoes score and strong fan enthusiasm, it earned $169 million against a $185 million production budget after its simultaneous US theatrical and HBO Max release, making a sequel unlikely. The article also highlights Elba’s broader film and television work.

BBC presenter and former alpine skier Chemmy Alcott suffered a collapsed lung after badly landing a front flip from a five-metre platform into Lake Annecy in the French Alps. She required hospital treatment, including a chest drain and several overnight stays, and shared a humorous health update on social media. Friends and fellow athletes wished her a speedy recovery. Alcott has previously suffered serious injuries, including breaking her leg three times during her skiing career.

Travis Kelce has spoken publicly for the first time about his July 3 wedding to Taylor Swift at New York’s Madison Square Garden. He called the ceremony the best night of his life and a “crazy night” of celebration, while expressing gratitude to the venue’s owners for accommodating the couple’s private event. More than 1,000 guests attended, including numerous celebrities, and comedian Adam Sandler officiated. Kelce also said marrying at Madison Square Garden fulfilled a childhood dream of visiting the iconic sports venue.

Burgas, Bulgaria, will host the 2027 Eurovision Song Contest at Arena Burgas from May 11 to 15 after Bulgaria’s Dara won the 2026 competition. The European Broadcasting Union introduced major rules, including automatic host-city ineligibility for broadcasters whose states are involved in armed conflict or sensitive geopolitical situations, an age minimum of 18, and stricter requirements for lead vocals to be performed live. Burgas was chosen over Sofia, Varna and Plovdiv for its venue, accommodation, transport and international connectivity. The selection follows boycotts of the 2026 contest by Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Slovenia and Spain over Israel’s participation amid the Gaza conflict.

Actress Lucy Davis has revealed that she was diagnosed with incurable stage-four breast cancer around a year and a half ago, with the disease having spread to her spine, right hip and ribs. She said chemotherapy is no longer possible, urged people not to ignore unusual symptoms, and described how humour, family support and continuing to work have helped her cope. Her father, comedian Jasper Carrott, said the family is supporting her, praised her conduct through serious health problems and asked for privacy while expressing hope for her future.

Actress Lucy Davis has revealed that she was diagnosed with incurable stage-four breast cancer around 18 months ago. She said the cancer has metastasized to her spine, right hip and ribs, and that chemotherapy is no longer an option. Davis urged people not to ignore unusual changes and to seek medical advice, while describing her efforts to remain active, use humour and continue acting and campaigning for animal rights.

Low water levels at Rutland Water reservoir have exposed stonework from Nether Hambleton, a village demolished and submerged in the 1970s to create the reservoir. The discovery comes during an exceptionally dry and hot UK summer, with the Met Office saying record seasonal temperatures are increasingly likely. The Environment Agency reported that spring and summer conditions were the driest in the East Midlands since 1995 and placed several regions into drought status. Officials warned that continued heat and lack of sustained rainfall are harming agriculture, wildlife and rivers, urging the public to conserve water and stay hydrated.

The Met Office says the UK is increasingly likely to record its hottest summer on record in 2026, with the season’s mean temperature already 1.88°C above the 1991–2020 average. England and Wales are also approaching their respective records. The forecast comes as an amber extreme-heat warning is issued for August 14, when temperatures could reach 38°C in parts of eastern and southeastern England and the Midlands. Scientists say sustained heat reflects significant changes in the UK climate, although cooler or wetter conditions may develop temporarily before further above-average temperatures later in August.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced planning reforms intended to give councils greater control over new vape shops, adult gaming centres and betting shops. Vape retailers would move into a separate planning category requiring local approval, while the Gambling Act’s “aim to permit” rule would be removed. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner backed the measures as a way to address declining high streets. Liberal Democrat and Reform UK representatives said the reforms may be too limited or need tax and business-rate changes, while the Betting and Gaming Council defended regulated betting shops and highlighted job losses. The Independent British Vape Trade Association supported action against illegal traders but warned against conflating them with legitimate businesses. The Local Government Association welcomed the additional powers for councils.

Donald Trump was reportedly moved from the publicized Air Force One flight to a smaller Air Force C-32A aircraft after attending a NATO summit in Turkey, amid an alleged Iranian assassination threat. The operation allegedly used an airport catering truck while journalists and some White House staff believed Trump remained on the larger presidential aircraft. The White House defended the security measures and the safety of a Qatar-donated jet, while the Secret Service declined to comment. A former Secret Service agent said the unusual maneuver could reflect actionable intelligence or heightened caution given regional conflicts.

Channel 5 has released a first look at Forever Home, a six-part drama adapted from Graham Norton’s 2022 novel. The mystery follows Carol, who discovers a long-dead body in her basement and begins to question the story surrounding her husband’s first wife. Amy Nuttall leads the cast, with Denise Welch, Douglas Henshall, Lewis Cope, Kevin Whately, Samantha Bond and others also appearing. Norton described the adaptation as a funny, twisted dark comedy-drama about later-life relationships, while Channel 5 praised the production’s cast and collaboration with FilmNation, The Mediapro Studio and North East Screen.

Rookie Blue, the Canadian police drama that ran from 2010 to 2016, has been added to ITVX for free in the UK. The six-season series follows five rookie officers in Toronto’s fictional 15 Division as they balance police work with family, romantic and personal pressures. Fans on Reddit argue that its character-driven stories and less technology-focused tone make it better than the more recent hit The Rookie, which stars Nathan Fillion and has expanded into spin-offs.

Kellie Bright is leaving EastEnders after 13 years as Linda Carter, with her exit expected to air in the New Year following a storyline involving the show's 2027 flashforward. Bright said she made the decision more than a year ago but agreed to remain for an important storyline planned by executive producer Ben Wadey and Kate Oates. Fans speculate that Danny Dyer could return as Mick Carter, either alive, in a flashback, or as a hallucination, to give Linda a final emotional farewell. Linda has believed Mick died at sea in 2022, while her current storyline involves relationships with Max Branning and Clive Masters.

Sharon Osbourne visited Merlin’s Cafe Bar in Birmingham, Ozzy Osbourne’s hometown, during events marking Ozzy Osbourne Day. She drank a bottle of Hobsons Brewery’s Patient Number 9 and jokingly agreed to take a shift behind the bar after being shown the venue’s Ozzy memorial wall. The appearance delighted staff and fans, who continue to mourn Ozzy, who died aged 76 in July 2025 after a final Black Sabbath performance at Villa Park.

Paddy McGuinness, Angry Ginge and Zoe Ball will serve as guest judges on the 21st series of Celebrity MasterChef, each overseeing one of three heats. Giorgio Locatelli and Grace Dent are the permanent judges, while 20 celebrities from entertainment, sport and broadcasting compete across five weeks. The series begins on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on August 18, with contestants aiming to progress through the heats, quarter-finals and semi-finals to win the 2026 trophy.

The Channel 4 comedy-drama Shameless, which ran from 2004 to 2013 and was set on the fictional Chatsworth estate in Manchester, launched or advanced the careers of many of its cast members. David Threlfall continued acting in television, film and theatre after playing Frank Gallagher, while Anne-Marie Duff, James McAvoy, Maxine Peake and Gerard Kearns developed prominent careers in film and television. Other cast members pursued roles in British soaps and dramas, while Jody Latham moved into the family construction business. The article also covers the actors’ personal lives, relationships and later projects, highlighting James McAvoy’s emergence as an international film star and Shameless’s lasting cultural impact, including its successful US adaptation.

Samantha Holden, a 56-year-old woman from Farnborough, Hampshire, was suffocated and strangled by Adam Watson in her flat on September 9, 2022, after he contacted her through an adult website. Watson fled to Belgium via the Eurostar, was arrested at a hotel two days later, and extradited to the UK. He received a life sentence at Winchester Crown Court in 2024, with a minimum term of 21 years, and remains in prison. Channel 4's documentary series The Digital Detectives is examining the case.

Former Manchester City player Shaun Wright-Phillips has been announced as the tenth contestant for the 2026 series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, which is due to return in September. The football pundit and broadcaster said the show would take him outside his comfort zone but that he was excited by the challenge. The announcement follows several cast changes, including new presenters and professional dancers, and comes after former footballer Karen Carney won the competition the previous year.

Celebrity publicist Neil Reading, founder of Neil Reading PR, has died at 56 after a short illness. Dawn French paid tribute to her friend and longtime press representative, describing their 30-year relationship as one built on trust, respect and deep personal support. Jason Manford, John Bishop and John Cleese also praised Reading’s loyalty, kindness and professionalism. He is survived by his wife Claire and daughter Rosa.

Roberto Calvi, the former Banco Ambrosiano president known as “God’s Banker,” was found hanging beneath London’s Blackfriars Bridge in 1982 after his bank collapsed amid allegations of illegal money transfers and links to the Vatican and Mafia. His family rejected the initial suicide ruling; a later inquest returned an open verdict, and forensic examinations found neck injuries and other evidence inconsistent with suicide. Italian judges concluded in 2002 that Calvi had been murdered, but five defendants were acquitted in 2007. His death remains unresolved and is examined in the returning ITV documentary Cold Case Forensics.

Rosie Kelly Smith has revealed that she married her long-term partner, Steve White, over the weekend in Edinburgh, describing it as the most special weekend of their lives. The couple became parents to Billie in 2024 after Steve proposed shortly before the birth. Lorraine Kelly has previously praised Steve and said she regarded him as the son she had always wanted. Rosie has also spoken publicly about postpartum anxiety, the physical difficulties following her planned C-section, and a distressing incident involving a stranger who threatened Steve during an early pram walk.

The 2022 HBO limited series The Staircase is now available to stream for free in the UK through ITVX. It dramatizes the case of Michael Peterson, whose wife Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of their Durham, North Carolina, staircase in 2001. Peterson was convicted of murder in 2003, but the conviction was undermined after forensic witness Duane Deaver was found to have given materially misleading and deliberately false testimony. Peterson later entered an Alford plea to voluntary manslaughter in 2017, received a sentence of time served, and was released. He has continued to say Kathleen’s death was an accidental fall, while prosecutors argued she was beaten to death.

Robert De Niro’s 1976 film Taxi Driver is streaming for free on BBC iPlayer until Tuesday, August 25, as it marks its 50th anniversary. Martin Scorsese’s psychological drama stars De Niro as Travis Bickle, a New York taxi driver whose deteriorating mental state leads him toward vigilantism. The film grossed $28.6 million on a $1.9 million budget, won the 1976 Cannes Palme d’Or and received four Academy Award nominations. It remains widely celebrated, with an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score, while De Niro continues an active film career including upcoming projects such as The Whisper Man and Focker In Law.

ITV has released first-look images for The Blame, a six-part murder mystery drama premiering in autumn 2026. Michelle Keegan and Douglas Booth play detectives investigating a death in the fictional town of Wakestead, where the case exposes lies, institutional cover-ups and internal police politics. The ensemble includes Ian Hart, Nathan Mensah, Nigel Boyle and several other British actors. The series is based on Charlotte Langley’s debut novel, with the first three episodes directed by Bex Rycroft and the final three by Claire Tailyour.

Netflix has begun filming Myron Bolitar in New York City, adapting Harlan Coben’s longest-running book series about a former college basketball player turned sports agent who investigates crimes and conspiracies. Colin Woodell will lead the series, with KJ Apa, Diane Guerrero, Jabari Banks, Chloe Fineman, Jamie McShane and Ben McKenzie among the supporting cast. David E. Kelley and Kyle Long are developing the show, which extends Netflix’s successful partnership with Coben following Fool Me Once, Run Away and I Will Find You.

Furious is a new Disney+ crime drama created by Elizabeth Meriwether, following FBI agent Alice Black as she pursues Catherine, a mysterious female serial killer. The series explores victimhood, revenge, blurred morality and whether the justice system protects vulnerable people. Emmy Rossum leads a cast that includes Lola Petticrew, Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Scoot McNairy and Jake Lacy. The first three of eight episodes are available, with new episodes released weekly.

Steven Spielberg’s 1979 war comedy 1941 has been added to Netflix nearly five decades after its release. Set amid panic in Los Angeles following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the film satirizes wartime hysteria and features Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Ned Beatty, John Candy, Christopher Lee and Toshiro Mifune. Although it earned $90 million worldwide against a $35 million budget and received a 39% Rotten Tomatoes score, the film has developed a cult following, with viewers praising its ambition, energy and darkly comic portrayal of a war-hungry America.

Princess and Junior Andre said on This Morning that they would consider appearing on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, but only if they could compete together as a duo. The siblings, whose parents Peter Andre and Katie Price met on the show in 2004, said they are comfortable on television after growing up in front of cameras. They also discussed possible future projects and the third series of Princess's reality show, The Princess Diaries, which will feature Katie Price.

Rocketman, the 2019 biopic about Elton John, is now available to stream on Netflix. The article praises Taron Egerton’s performance, noting that he sang the songs himself, and highlights the film’s emotional depiction of John’s early life and partnership with Bernie Taupin. Despite earning strong reviews and $195.2 million at the box office, Egerton was not nominated for an Oscar, although John and Taupin won Best Original Song for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again.”

Bradley Walsh says he will not return to host Blankety Blank in the near future because filming Gladiators, touring with The Prat Pack, and other undisclosed drama and scripting projects leave him without time. He says he has enjoyed the BBC game show and may consider returning next year. Walsh continues to front ITV’s The Chase and the BBC revival of Gladiators, which is due to return for a fourth season.

Overlord, a 2018 war-horror film about American soldiers uncovering Nazi experiments and battling zombies behind enemy lines before D-Day, has surged on Netflix. Despite its intentionally far-fetched premise, the film has earned an 82% Rotten Tomatoes score and enthusiastic Letterboxd reviews praising its action, gore, cast and pacing. Directed by Julius Avery and led by Jovan Adepo and Wyatt Russell, it is gaining a cult following after failing to become a major box-office success in cinemas.