Category Entertainment News

BBC Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans is recuperating following emergency gallbladder surgery and has praised the NHS staff who treated him

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BBC Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans is recovering after emergency gallbladder surgery and has praised the NHS staff who treated him.

The 41-year-old, known for hosting Homes Under The Hammer and Radio 2’s Early Breakfast Show, informed fans he would be “off air for a while” while recuperating at Llandough Hospital in Cardiff.

Owain shared a social media update, writing: “Turns out I had some dodgy polyps in the old gallbladder, so out it came. All fine now. I can’t thank the incredible staff at West Ward 6 and surgical team at Llandough Hospital enough.

“I’m off work for a bit recovering and being cared for by Nurse Franny and Dr Arran (who despite not being a medical doctor is doing a good job).”

He added: “Our NHS is amazing. It’s helped my family so much over the years with ongoing cancer care for my father and MS for my mother, as well as quite literally saving Arran’s life when he was a child. Thank goodness we have it xx.”

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The update prompted support from fans and celebrity friends. DJ Sara Cox commented: “Only you could rock a hospital gown off one shoulder, asymmetrical is huge this autumn xxx sending you love for a speedy recovery x.”

Gaby Logan added: “Send you love and a speedy recovery x,” while Zoe Ball wrote: “Heal well darling chap x.”

Owain has become one of the BBC’s most recognisable voices, known for bringing warmth, humour, and energy to early mornings on Radio 2.

He began his career on BBC Look North before moving to BBC Breakfast and The One Show, often combining meteorology updates with music and drumming.

Born in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, he gained national attention as “the drumming weatherman” during a viral BBC performance in lockdown.

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Owain has previously spoken about his hearing, using in-ear monitors to stay on air and perform effectively.

His latest update highlights both the risks of sudden health issues and his gratitude for the NHS, which he credits with supporting his family through serious medical challenges over the years.

Fans have sent messages of encouragement, praising his resilience, professionalism, and positivity.

Owain remains off air as he focuses on recovery, with listeners eagerly awaiting his return to Radio 2, where he continues to inspire with his energy, candour, and dedication to his work.

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Drew Struzan, the legendary artist behind some of Hollywood’s most iconic film posters, has died at the age of 78. His family confirmed the sad news via his official Instagram account on Monday.

“It is with a heavy heart that I must tell you that Drew Struzan has moved on from this world as of yesterday, October 13th,” read a statement from his brother, Greg Struzan.

“I feel it is important that you all know how many times he expressed to me the joy he felt knowing how much you appreciated his art,” he added in his statement.

Struzan’s career spanned decades, leaving an indelible mark on cinema. He created posters for blockbuster franchises and beloved films including Star Wars, Back to the Future, Harry Potter, The Empire Strikes Back, The Goonies, The Shawshank Redemption, and The Thing.

Spielberg once described him as his “favourite movie artist” and admitted to feeling pressure to “live up to the art” Struzan produced.

His process was meticulous as each poster began as a pencil drawing, then was layered with airbrush acrylics and colored pencils to produce a vibrant, hand-crafted final image. His style was distinctive, capturing mood and emotion rather than merely summarizing a film’s plot.

“I wasn’t looking to tell a story. I’m looking to give a person a feeling about something they could hope for,” Struzan explained in a 2021 interview with Slash Film.

“I had to do something different, and I think that the trouble with a lot of early movie posters is that they looked too much like classic illustration, which feels like it’s telling the whole story. I didn’t want to do that.

“I felt that art was more than just telling the story. In fact, telling the story in a poster is wrong for a movie.”

Before making his mark in Hollywood, Struzan designed album covers for some of the music world’s biggest names, including the Beach Boys, Bee Gees, Earth, Wind & Fire, Liberace, and Black Sabbath. His artwork for Alice Cooper’s Welcome to My Nightmare was later named one of the greatest album covers ever by Rolling Stone.

Earlier this year, Struzan’s wife revealed that he had been battling Alzheimer’s. “Drew can no longer paint or sign things for you,” she wrote on Facebook in March.

“He is not enjoying a well-deserved retirement but rather fighting for his life. He hears all the comments you have left here on these pages. It encourages him. At first he was able to express his thoughts but as time progressed it became infinitely more difficult.

“I rely on our 60 years of marriage working as a team to remember for him. Drew has left a strong legacy of love and joy in the form of his work. It has always been a love letter of sorts.

“His aim was to make the earth a better place in which to live by creating something beautiful. But like a flower, his season is ending,” she added.

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Soul legend D’Angelo, who won four Grammy awards, died at the age of 51 surrounded by his loved ones after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer

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The world of music is mourning the loss of Grammy-winning soul legend D’Angelo, who has tragically died at the age of 51 following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

The Brown Sugar hitmaker passed away on Tuesday morning in New York City, according to sources close to his family and longtime manager Kedar Massenberg.

His death marks the end of one of the most distinctive and influential careers in modern R&B, which spanned three decades and reshaped the sound of neo-soul.

D’Angelo, best known for hits such as Lady, Untitled (How Does It Feel) and Really Love, was a defining voice of the 1990s and early 2000s soul renaissance.

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His debut album Brown Sugar, released in 1995, marked his arrival as a prodigy – blending gospel roots, funk, and jazz into a sensual, groundbreaking sound that inspired a generation of artists from Alicia Keys to Frank Ocean.

A source close to the family said: “He was surrounded by loved ones when he passed. D’Angelo fought hard and with grace until the end.”

Another added: “He was one of those rare artists who gave everything to the music – he left nothing behind.”, reports the Express.

Throughout his career, D’Angelo collaborated with musical heavyweights including Jay-Z, Q-Tip, Snoop Dogg, and Erykah Badu, and was celebrated not only for his velvet voice but also for his musicianship – often playing multiple instruments and co-producing his own albums.

Tributes have already begun pouring in from across the entertainment world. DJ Premier, who worked with him on the 1998 track “Devil’s Pie,” confirmed the devastating news via X on Oct. 14.

“Such a sad loss to the passing of D’angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D’ Love You KING,” he penned.

One admirer posted on X: “D’Angelo changed the way R&B felt – the sound, the soul, the swagger. A true legend gone too soon.” Another simply shared: “Brown Sugar forever.”

His subsequent album, Voodoo, which dropped in 2000, secured him two Grammys including Best R&B Album, establishing his status amongst music’s greatest.

However, it was the sultry, stripped-back video for Untitled (How Does It Feel) – featuring the artist appearing naked against a shadowy background – that transformed him into a cultural icon.

The visual became one of the most discussed in music video history, generating endless debate and imitation whilst “revolutionising the persona” of the contemporary male soul artist.

Receiving 14 Grammy nominations throughout his career, D’Angelo claimed four accolades, including Best R&B Album twice for Voodoo and Black Messiah.

He additionally secured Best R&B Vocal Performance for Untitled (How Does It Feel) and Best R&B Song for Black Messiah’s Really Love.

The artist leaves behind 2 sons and a daughter. The mother of his eldest son was vocalist Angie Stone, who passed away tragically this year in a motor accident.

Former EastEnders star Shaun Williamson has broken his silence after the death of soap legend Tony Caunter who played his on-screen father in the BBC soap

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Shaun Williamson has paid a heartbreaking tribute to his former EastEnders co-star Tony Caunter following his death at the age of 88.

Tony Caunter, who was best known for his portrayal of Roy Evans on EastEnders, died peacefully at the age of 88 his family confirmed on Tuesday. The actor, who played the beloved car dealer between 1994 and 2003, was introduced as a romantic interest for Pat Butcher, played by Pam St Clement, and the pair eventually married on-screen.

In a statement to the PA news agency, his family said: “It is with enormous sadness that we bring the curtain down on our wonderful and hugely loved father, Tony Caunter, who died peacefully yesterday evening, just eight days after his beloved wife of 63 years, Fran, also passed away.

“Dad was 88 years old. After a long and fulfilling life on and off screen and stage, Tony leaves a daughter and three sons, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He will be missed by all.”

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The family also expressed gratitude for the care Caunter received in his final weeks: “We would like to thank the NHS staff at Eastbourne District General Hospital for their incredible care during his final hours, and to everyone at Eastbourne Gardens nursing home for the care and compassion they have given dad over the past two months.”

The iconic EastEnders star’s family ended the heartbreaking statement by requesting privacy “at this extremely difficult time.”

Now Shaun, 59, has paid tribute to his on-screen father in a heartfelt social media post. The former EastEnders actor wrote on Instagram this evening: “RIP Tony Caunter. He was like a second father to me and taught me so much about acting and life. A great actor and a great man. I will miss him so much.”

EastEnders bosses also released a statement adding: “It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Tony Caunter.

“Tony will forever be loved and respected by everyone at EastEnders for his warmth, kindness and humour as well as being greatly remembered by all those at home who instantly took Roy to their hearts.

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“Roy will always be remembered for his great love of Pat, despite him famously declaring his distaste in her choice of earrings, which gave us all one of Walford’s greatest love affairs.

“Tony will never be forgotten by all those who worked alongside him for many years and everyone at EastEnders sends their love and condolences to Tony’s family and friends,” the poignant statement concluded.

Fans have also paid tribute on social media following news of Tony’s sad death. One wrote on Twitter (X): “I’ve been watching 1998-2000 recently and Roy was one of the best characters. Always down on his luck but such a brilliant character! Sad to hear Tony Caunter has passed away.”

Someone else added: “RIP Tony Caunter, I was lucky enough to meet him a few years ago at a signing and he was one of the sweetest and nicest men I’ve met. Very sad.”

Another said: “Very sad news. Roy was always a favourite of mine, and Tony an excellent actor.” A third added: “Sad news RIP Tony… Roy didn’t half put up with a lot of rubbish with his son Barry causing him trouble and Pat cheating with Frank. He was in a great era of the show.”

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Another EastEnders fan wrote: “Tony Caunter was a reliable TV face, equally comfortable on either side of the law: always extremely dependable. That he was then rewarded with household name status in Eastenders was a deserved cherry on his acting cake. I visited at home some years back and he was lovely. RIP.”

“We’ve lost another versatile character actor. Tony will be best remembered for his long running stint on EastEnders as Roy Evans. Among his many other credits Tony appeared in Doctor Who 3 times. R.I.P. Tony Caunter,” someone else added.

During his time on the soap, Caunter’s character featured in some of the show’s most memorable storylines, including Pat’s affair with ex-husband Frank Butcher, played by Mike Reid.

Caunter’s career spanned decades beyond EastEnders , with appearances in Pennies From Heaven , Tumbledown , Juliet Bravo , and the drama Boon .

Caunter was married to Frances Wallace for 63 years, and the couple had four children together.

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Is This Thing On? is part-based on the life of British comedian John Bishop and was directed by Hollywood star and Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper

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Hollywood star Bradley Cooper has revealed that his latest film, which explores the life of a man finding purpose in the New York comedy scene, was “directly” influenced by British humour.

The film, titled Is This Thing On? is partially based on the life of British comedian John Bishop. The 50-year-old American actor, known for directing and starring in Oscar-nominated films Maestro (2023) and A Star Is Born (2018), directed the movie.

The idea for the film was born when Will Arnett, the voice behind BoJack Horseman, met Liverpool-born comic Bishop. Bishop shared his story of discovering stand-up comedy during a difficult period in his life, choosing to perform at an open-mic night to avoid paying the cover charge.

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Arrested Development actor Arnett’s character in the film, Alex, embarks on a similar journey, beginning his comedy career at New York’s renowned Comedy Cellar.

Speaking at the BFI London Film Festival, Cooper told PA news agency: “It’s inspired by John Bishop’s story, so that was the nugget of it and then he (Will) was working on that with John, and he was just telling me about it because we were friends.

“And I just sort of saw this image of him and I got excited about ‘What if we set it in New York, and what if it’s a movie about a relationship?'”

When asked how British humour had influenced the film, he said: “I think directly, I think all of us have grown up on British humour and love it so yes, it’s indelible.”

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In response to whether it differs from US humour, he added: “It’s hard to put an umbrella over everybody, the great comics are so unique.”

Arnett, 55, shared with the PA news agency: “For me there’s a lot more nuance to British humour. And so we tried to inject some of that.”

Bishop reunited with his wife Melanie following a brief separation, and she joined him at the London screening along with their children.

Bishop, 58, revealed to PA: “I couldn’t write it because it was too personal, so (a producer) said, ‘Tell Will’. So that was eight years ago, and then Will said, ‘Look, I’d love to write it with my friend Mark (Chappell)’.

“And then we spent a bit of time developing it, and then it just became their baby, and it’s an act of faith. You’re handing over a part of your life to someone else, and you hope that they’re going to treat it properly, like you would with your child. And he’s done more than that. He’s treated it, he’s nurtured it, and he sent it off to college.”

The film is set to hit cinemas this December, as per Searchlight Pictures.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 offers an excellent alternative to the Apple Watch without breaking the bank, and it’s cheaper than the new Pixel Watch 4 thanks to this rare deal

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Amazon Prime Day may have come and gone, but Amazon still has some cracking deals on its website if shoppers dig deep enough – and we’ve spotted a smartwatch contender that gives the Apple Watch Series 11 a run for its money.

The Google Pixel Watch 3 is Google’s latest generation of smartwatch. Despite being eclipsed by the new Pixel Watch 4, it still offers top-notch fitness tracking and a large, luminous screen to monitor workouts for Brits.

This smartwatch boasts a sizeable 45mm screen, which can reach up to 2,000 nits of brightness, making it easy to read whilst on the go. It also comes packed with a host of Fitbit features and allows users to tailor their workouts to create the perfect routine.

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The Pixel Watch 3 offers 24 hours of battery life that can be stretched up to 36 hours with its battery life saver feature. When compared to its nearest competitor, the Apple Watch Series 10, it’s more affordable, provides longer battery life in certain situations, and is a viable option for those with Android phones.

For those browsing for alternatives to track their fitness, there are loads of brilliant smartwatches to grab. Android and Samsung enthusiasts can also get their hands on the Galaxy Watch Ultra for £599, one of Samsung’s flagship devices with absolutely glowing reviews, reports the Express.

TheGoogle Pixel Watch 3 (45 mm), which would normally sell for £399, is currently up for grabs for a massive 45% off, saving shoppers nearly £200 as it plummets to its lowest ever price of £219.99. This deal even beats last year’s Black Friday sale, according to price tracker CamelCamelCamel.

For those who prefer a more fitness-centric device, the Garmin Instinct 3 is available on Amazon. The Express has previously reviewed this alternative model and rated it ‘a true workhorse wearable’ – which you can read about here.

The tech gurus over at The Express have also given the Google Pixel 3 a whirl – and it nearly bagged full stars due to its performance. Deputy tech editor Henry Burrell stated: “Despite all its new features, the Pixel Watch 3 manages to feel simple and out of my way when I’m not using it, which isn’t something I feel when wearing a Galaxy Watch.

“Overall, the 45mm Pixel Watch 3 is an excellent Android smartwatch that doesn’t keep too many features away from buyers without a Pixel phone. It’s a better option over the latest Galaxy Watch, unless you have a Samsung phone.

“Improved battery life, a larger screen and tighter integration with existing Google products make the Pixel Watch 3 markedly better than its predecessors, but if you want a WearOS watch with multi-day battery life, you should go for the OnePlus Watch 2.”

But there are plenty of Amazon shoppers singing the Pixel Watch 3’s praises. One 5-star reviewer raves: “I’ve been using the Google Pixel Watch 3 for a few weeks now, and I’m very impressed. The design is sleek and modern, with a 45mm matte black aluminium case that looks great on my wrist. The display is stunning—bright, sharp, and easy to read even in direct sunlight. The rotating crown and side button make navigation feel intuitive and smooth. As someone who’s focused on fitness, I love the advanced tracking features. The heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and automatic workout detection are spot on. The running analytics from Fitbit are also a standout—having the ability to track pace, cadence, and more has really helped me improve my training.”

They go on to add: “Battery life is solid, and I easily get through a full day of use, including tracking my activities and sleep, with 24+ hours of battery life. Charging is quick too—gets back to 100% in around 80 minutes. If you’re looking for a high-quality smartwatch with top-notch fitness tracking and seamless integration with Android, the Pixel Watch 3 is definitely worth the investment. Highly recommended!”

Another buyer beams: “Cannot recommend the Pixel Watch 3 enough: So far, it has been a very solid smartwatch. Have been wearing it for the last couple of weeks and have no complaints at all. I get notifications from my phone without any delays, such as emails, keep notes, Spotify, Fitbit, and so on. WhatsApp works perfectly with Bluetooth, can send and receive messages, and audio. The watch faces are 100% customisable with quick access, different colours and designs. Fitbit works fine, showing your overall progress, steps, and calories. I haven’t used the sleep tracking and other features, but I think it does its job well. The battery is long enough, around 1 and a half days, but tbh I don’t wear the watch all the time, only when I go out or for a workout, so I cannot help with that. The updates from Google didn’t cause any issues so far.”