Rachel Mcgrath

Filming for the upcoming Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas and New Year’s specials has been cancelled after creator and star Brendan O’Carroll suffered two jaw fractures requiring immediate surgery and several months of recovery. The associated D’Panto arena shows have also been postponed, with O’Carroll hoping to reschedule both the live performances and the television series in 2027. The sitcom remains popular with many viewers and has won multiple National Television Awards, despite long-standing critical hostility, a 2024 controversy over an implied racial term, and declining recent audiences.

Robbie Williams has revealed that he has been diagnosed with autism, alongside his previously disclosed ADHD and Tourette syndrome. He said the diagnosis explains aspects of his behavior and described using creative activities to manage anxiety, intrusive thoughts and difficulty concentrating. Williams has spoken openly about masking, mental health struggles and the pressures of his public persona.

The BBC apologised after low audio levels made some of Judith Ralston’s UK-wide weather forecasts difficult for viewers to understand during the first week of August. The broadcaster said a technical issue, rather than Ralston’s delivery, caused the problem and confirmed it had been resolved. Ralston, a BBC Scotland presenter and former opera singer, had been appearing on national broadcasts from London. The report also notes that Matt Taylor recently replaced Carol Kirkwood as the main BBC Breakfast weather presenter after Kirkwood retired from presenting.

Brad Pitt said in an interview that he experienced suicidal thoughts during a period of intense pain related to “family stuff,” while clarifying that he did not intend to act on them and that his survival instincts took over. He declined to elaborate. The disclosure is contextualized by his prolonged, high-profile divorce and custody dispute with Angelina Jolie, allegations stemming from a 2016 private-plane incident that Pitt denied, and reports that several of their children have dropped his surname. The piece also includes crisis-support information from the Samaritans.

Paddy McGuinness recalled his little-remembered 2015 appearance in Coronation Street, where he played survivalist Dougie Ryan in six episodes during a camping storyline. The discussion on This Morning also highlighted other surprising soap guest appearances. McGuinness’s later weight-loss transformation was discussed alongside his demanding 75 Hard fitness challenge, which involved daily exercise, a strict diet, high water intake, no alcohol and reading.

Northern Irish comedian Jimmy Cricket has died aged 80 after a short illness, his family announced. Known for clean, family-friendly comedy, he hosted And There’s More and Jimmy’s Cricket Team and appeared on programmes including Bullseye, The Good Old Days and This Is Your Life. His family remembered him as a devoted husband, father and grandfather who continued joking with NHS staff until the end. Cricket, a devout Catholic and papal knight recognised for charity work, continued performing into his later years.

Lena Headey reports a sharp decline in acting opportunities for women over 35, noting her agent now has only a handful of roles to offer compared with previous years. In response, she has shifted focus toward writing and directing, leading a new comedy‑drama project titled Intimacy for Radio 4 and BBC Sounds. She reflects on challenges following Game of Thrones despite its success and continues to build a varied career with recent film and television roles.

A celebrity-filled BBC advert defending the value of the licence fee has drawn mixed reactions amid financial pressures, leadership changes and public scrutiny of the broadcaster’s relevance. Featuring Romesh Ranganathan and numerous BBC personalities, the commercial showcases the corporation’s cultural output while highlighting its economic contribution. Critics view it as patronising, while supporters see a strong defence of public broadcasting as the BBC prepares for charter renewal and ongoing debate over its funding model.

Brooklyn Beckham watched the World Cup final from home while his parents and siblings attended the match at MetLife Stadium, highlighting an ongoing family rift he previously acknowledged on social media. The Beckham family enjoyed high-profile visibility throughout the tournament, while Brooklyn appeared only through an advertisement referencing his absence. Victoria Beckham briefly addressed the family tensions in an earlier interview, maintaining that she and David have always sought to protect and support their children.

Shia LaBeouf said his father was slapped by Sigourney Weaver on the set of Holes after behaving inappropriately toward female cast members. He contrasted this with his later portrayal of their relationship in Honey Boy, which he has since called inaccurate. The comments surfaced as he faces legal consequences for a battery incident in New Orleans, for which he received probation and mandatory rehabilitation programs.

Tom Holland recounted being ignored after messaging football star Erling Haaland, describing the moment during a talk show appearance while promoting The Odyssey. Haaland previously explained he did not recognise Holland when receiving the message during the Monaco Grand Prix. The story resurfaced amid Norway’s notable World Cup run, which ended with England’s extra‑time victory sealed by Jude Bellingham. The match drew major celebrity attention, including the Beckham family, whose reactions also generated discussion.

Gareth Brisbane marked what would have been his eighth wedding anniversary with the late Married at First Sight UK expert Mel Schilling by sharing a heartfelt tribute on her Instagram account, reflecting on their life together and supporting their daughter Maddie as they continue to heal. Schilling died in March at 54 following a two‑year cancer battle. Former colleagues and MAFS participants offered condolences, while the programme faces uncertainty amid sexual misconduct allegations made by past contestants, prompting Channel 4 to remove previous series from its streaming platform.

A range of well-known figures including Benedict Cumberbatch, Judy Murray, Anthony Scaramucci, Sir Trevor Nunn and Arden Cho were among the invited guests in Wimbledon’s Royal Box as the tournament’s quarter-finals took place, with the day’s matches featuring Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Novak Djokovic.

Celebrities including James Norton, Ncuti Gatwa, Roger Federer, Billie Jean King and Lenny Henry appeared in the Wimbledon Royal Box on 6 July, alongside Carole Middleton, Pippa Matthews and various sports and entertainment figures. The article highlights notable attendees and their recent activities, situating their presence against ongoing fourth‑round matches at the tournament.

Sara Cox launched her first BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show with an energetic, celebratory broadcast supported by upbeat music choices, lively signature segments and a guest appearance from Tom Hanks. Her transition from the teatime slot retained popular features while adding new games and celebrity interviews. The successful debut helped steady the station following Scott Mills’s departure and established Cox as a confident new presence in the high-profile role.

A selection of celebrities and notable figures, including Rob Brydon, Usain Bolt, Joseph Fiennes, Brian Cox, Ben Hardy and former prime minister Rishi Sunak, attended Wimbledon’s Royal Box on 3 July 2026. The day featured third‑round matches involving Arthur Rinderknech, Novak Djokovic, Jelena Ostapenko, Aryna Sabalenka, Michael Zheng and Felix Auger‑Aliassime, with attendees watching from the tournament’s exclusive seating area.

Seth Rogen revealed that Anne Hathaway originally had the lead role in Knocked Up but withdrew over concerns about the film’s graphic childbirth scene. He said Hathaway felt the depiction conflicted with her public image and sensed the project was not right for her. The film ultimately starred Katherine Heigl, who later criticised its portrayal of women before later expressing regret for her comments. Knocked Up went on to become one of Judd Apatow’s biggest commercial successes and featured several actors he continued working with in later projects.

A former Married At First Sight UK participant was arrested on suspicion of rape following a BBC Panorama investigation in which several women alleged sexual assault by their partners on the show. The Metropolitan Police confirmed an ongoing inquiry, and the suspect has been released on bail. Channel 4 removed past seasons of the program, deleted its Instagram account, and began a contributor‑welfare review. Chief executive Priya Dogra expressed concern for the women involved but said the broadcaster could not investigate the allegations itself. A separate BBC report also raised concerns about participant safety in the Australian version of the series.

Katie Price reflects on her past relationship with Gareth Gates in a new documentary, expressing regret over selling details of their romance to the press after he denied the relationship. She acknowledges the impact it had on Gates, who describes feeling betrayed and struggling with the fallout. The documentary also reveals that Price did not tip off paparazzi about their encounter, a revelation that surprises and relieves Gates.

Celebrities including Charles Dance, Richard E Grant, Martina Navratilova and Rory McIlroy appeared in the Wimbledon Royal Box on the tournament’s third day as attendees watched second‑round matches featuring Jannik Sinner, Barbora Krejcikova, Mirra Andreeva, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Novak Djokovic, while Romeo Beckham was seen elsewhere in the Centre Court stands.

McFly members Danny Jones and Tom Fletcher have reportedly left their coaching roles on The Voice UK due to conflicting professional commitments, including work on a new McFly album and the transfer of Paddington: The Musical to New York. Their departure raises further uncertainty for the show as long-time host Emma Willis may also step away after taking on a new presenting role with Strictly Come Dancing. The upcoming 14th series will still feature the pair on screen, alongside will.i.am, Sir Tom Jones and new coach Kelly Rowland. The Voice UK has had limited chart success but helped launch acts such as Becky Hill and Jordan Gray.

Victor Willis, lead singer and founding member of Village People, has died at 75 following a short and aggressive illness. Recognized for co-writing major disco hits including Y.M.C.A and In The Navy, Willis initially recorded the group’s debut album solo before dancers were added as performers. After leaving the group in 1979, he later won a significant legal case securing increased credit rights to several hits and rejoined the band in 2017 for global festival and Pride performances. Village People’s music became a feature at Donald Trump’s rallies, prompting mixed responses from Willis over the years. Tributes highlighted his talent and impact, and he is survived by his wife, Karen Huff-Willis.

The BBC is producing a documentary to mark the 25th anniversary of The Office, with cast members Mackenzie Crook and Martin Freeman participating, while Ricky Gervais and co-creator Stephen Merchant will not appear. Gervais, citing unavailability, is instead creating his own anniversary documentary for YouTube, along with a trailer tied to his animated Netflix series Alley Cats. Representatives for Gervais deny any rift with the BBC, though previous comments reflect his concerns about the broadcaster becoming overly cautious. The BBC special will air on 8 July on BBC Two and iPlayer.