Category Entertainment News

The BBC has implemented new measures across its programming in recent years to ensure the welfare and protection of contestants and staff

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A television star says he has “never been more cautious”, following a series of controversies that have rocked the BBC in recent years. Ahead of the return of Gladiators next week, Alex Gray – aka Apollo – opened up about “the responsibility” that comes with appearing on the show.

Asked whether he is on any dating apps, he said: “I’m gonna be honest with you, I’ve probably never been more wanted in my life, but I’ve never been more cautious.

“There’s a responsibility that comes with being a Gladiator and I don’t take it lightly.

“You know, I love playing up to the myth of Apollo but at the same time, I wanna be a decent person and when I’m not on the show, I like to keep out of trouble as much as I can.”

The Guardian’s Helen Pitt also highlighted that there is a strict rule in place for all Gladiators in an effort to avoid any controversy.

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She writes: “After Gregg Wallace-gate and various Strictly scandals, the BBC cannot afford any whiff of controversy around another prime-time show. That’s why the Gladiators are drug tested each season.”

Gregg was removed from MasterChef by the BBC and production company Banijay UK last year, after co-hosting the programme with John Torode for 20 years.

This followed an independent review, commissioned by MasterChef’s producers and carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin, which examined 83 allegations of inappropriate conduct, made against the chef over many years.

The investigation substantiated 45 of those complaints, most of which related to inappropriate sexual language and humour, with at least one involving unwelcome physical contact.

In a statement, the chef said he is “deeply sorry for any distress” and that he “never set out to harm or humiliate”.

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Separately, John Torode was removed from his role after a complaint alleging his use of “an extremely offensive racist term” was upheld.

In response to the allegation, the chef issued a statement claiming he had “no recollection” of the incident.

He added: “I want to be clear that I’ve always had the view that any racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment. I’m shocked and saddened by the allegation as I would never wish to cause anyone any offence.”

Strictly Come Dancing has also had its fair share of drama in recent years – from fallouts between pairings to alleged drug use.

The corporation confirmed it is reviewing the drug-use claims with an external law firm. So far, no one has been publicly named or charged, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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In 2025, contestant Wynne Evans made headlines after being accused of making a sexualised remark in front of his fellow co-stars while on the Strictly tour.

He issued a statement at the time, saying: “My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.”

The BBC later said it had not received any complaints at the time, but made clear to Wynne that such behaviour is not tolerated.

Meanwhile, the BBC introduced chaperones in Strictly rehearsal rooms in 2024, as part of stricter duty-of-care measures.

Meghan Markle famously wore her Sorel snow boots during the 2025 Invictus Games, and they’re the perfect waterproof and winter-proof purchase for the incoming snow in the UK

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We may be over the worst of Storm Goretti, but the UK is still expecting freezing temperatures, icy ground and plenty more snowfall over the coming weeks. To make sure you’re prepared for the winter weather, a great pair of shoes is essential, and we’ve been coveting Meghan Markle’s go-to pair ever since she wore them last year.

Meghan was spotted at the 2025 Invictus Games in a pair of Sorel’s Joan Of Arctic Waterproof Snow Boots, which were perfect for tackling the Canadian snow in Whistler. The boots are a great pick for the winter weather, and come in four different colours, including Meghan’s taupe and black pair.

READ MORE: Where to shop Kate Middleton’s Traitors-core tweed cap from her birthday celebration video

READ MORE: Claudia Winkleman’s cosy wool coat from The Traitors is still in stock in all sizes

These Sorel boots are exactly what you need to get through the winter months. They’re ultra warm thanks to the faux fur cuff and felt liner which keeps the cold out, and you can even remove the felt lining to pop it in the wash to keep them smelling fresh and clean.

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The Joan Of Arctic Waterproof Snow Boots are made from a vulcanised rubber shell and have a herringbone outsole, which means they’re lightweight and comfy to wear whilst still giving you plenty of grip on the ice. They’re also fully waterproof with sealed seams to stop any leaks.

You could just as easily wear them for commuting to the office or heading out on a snowy hike in the UK, as you could for apres ski style whilst in the snow mountains on a ski trip. You can pick up the Joan Of Arctic Waterproof Snow Boots in sizes UK3 to UK10, and there’s half sizes available from 3.5 to 8.5, so you can get a comfy secure fit.

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They are, however, priced at £200, which can be quite the splurge for most of us. If you want a slightly more affordable option, Amazon has slashed the price of Sorel’s Caribou Waterproof Boots by a huge £100, bringing them down from £165 to £63.02.

They do have a slightly shorter shaft and don’t feature the faux fur cuff, but are still lined with a soft and cosy fleece material to keep you warm. They’re also completely waterproof, with the same excellent grip on the soles, making these a great way to copy Meghan’s style for less.

We also love Mountain Warehouse’s Ohio Womens Snow Boots which have a similar look to Meghan’s knee-high Sorel boots, but are a fraction of the price. On sale down from £79.99 to £29.99, they’re warm and snowproof, with grippy soles, faux fur trim, and a thermal lining that keeps your feet cosy in temperatures as low as -20°C.

Iconic Strictly Come Dancing presenting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have left the show and a string of celebrities have been linked with the vacancies, including one former BBC star

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Former Strictly Come Dancing star Oti Mabuse has revealed “I get emotional” as she spoke out on rumours she is being lined up to present the iconic programme.

Two of the hottest jobs on British television are up for grabs after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman made the shock announcement that they would be standing down from Strictly partway through the last series.

There have been a host of names linked with stepping into their sizeable shoes, including ex-Strictly professional Oti. She starred on the BBC show for seven seasons before leaving in 2021.

Oti won the coveted Glitterball in consecutive years with soap actor Kelvin Fletcher and comedian Bill Bailey. She’s one of only two professionals to win it twice and the only to do so in consecutive years. Despite this she would not be drawn on if she would throw her hat into the ring despite revealing “I love Strictly”.

She told The Times: “I wouldn’t be sitting here without that show. Claudia and Tess are….I get emotional when I talk about it, because they are just so brilliant. Nobody really sees the work that Tess has to do – that show’s live, she’s making sure it’s not running over.

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“I think anyone who gets asked to do that job is so lucky and will do it splendidly. The producers will do a good job (choosing) because they know that show better than any of us.”

Oti, 35, said despite the shock of Tess and Claudia’s departures, “Strictly belongs to the people” and will continue to “survive and thrive”.

According to bookmakers the likes of Fleur East, Zoe Ball, Rylan Clark and Hannah Waddingham are in the running to take the coveted roles.

Oti left Strictly in 2021 to pursue other opportunities, and this year she is set to join the judging panel for the Irish version of Dancing with the Stars. She said that will rule her out of the Strictly running, adding: “I can’t (do it!) I’m here. I love Dancing with the Stars.”

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Since leaving Strictly she has also become a mother to her two-year-old daughter, appeared on The Masked Dancer and Dancing on Ice as well as appearing on I’m A Celebrity….Get Me Out of Here!

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were reunited just weeks after their emotional goodbye to the series was aired. The pair reunited for the launch of Tess’ new clothing range.

Tess, who has partnered with NAIA Beach to create a range of activewear, was spotted grinning from ear to ear as she hung out with her friend at the launch. In a photo posted to Claudia’s Instagram, the pair smiled at each other as Claudia held up a blue vest and matching leggings.

The Princess of Wales has shared a heartfelt video to celebrate her 44th birthday, and was spotted wearing a chic tweed cap that would have been right at home on The Traitors

To mark her 44th birthday, Kate Middleton has shared a touching video on Instagram, celebrating nature and how it helped her “heal” after a difficult few years battling her health. In the video, the Princess of Wales can be seen wandering through the countryside, wearing a belted midi coat, chunky boots, and a tweed baker boy-style cap, and we couldn’t help but think her entire look would look right at home in The Traitors castle.

With the new series currently airing on BBC and all eyes on Claudia Winkleman’s haute country wardrobe, we could definitely see Princess Kate’s outfit inspiring even more fans to embrace the countryside chic look. And if you want to copy a little piece of her look, we’ve tracked down her exact tweed cap that’s an easy way to give a nod to the Princess’ style.

READ MORE: Save £100 on Claudia Winkleman’s exact black and white loafers from The Traitors

READ MORE: Claudia Winkleman’s cosy wool coat from The Traitors is still in stock in all sizes

The cap looks to be a re-wear of her favourite Baker Boy Tweed Hat from one of her go-to brands Really Wild, which she has previously worn during a visit to a Scout troop in the Lake District. Although the exact one she wore has long since sold out, the brand still stocks a new, updated version which is available for £95.

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The new Baker Boy Tweed Hat has the same silhouette, with a rounded top and low angled peak that makes it perfect for keeping the sun out of your eyes whilst outdoors. It’s also made from 100% wool tweed, which helps keep your head warm and cosy whilst looking more elegant and sophisticated than a classic beanie or baseball cap.

It’s currently available in three different colours, including a brown herringbone and a brown and blue check pattern. The Baker Boy Tweed Hat looks great paired with a cosy chunky knit, a waxed jacket and a pair of wellies for a true countryside look, or even with a belted wool coat and some knee high boots in the city.

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You can shop a similar style at The House of Bruar, where the Ladies 8 Piece Tweed Cap is currently on sale for £49.95, down from £59.95. It’s made from 100% pure wool, and comes in eight different colours with a variety of tweed, check and herringbone patterns to choose from.

Robbie Williams revealed that his 13 year old daughter Teddy is so ‘desperate’ to become famous she sent him a text in the early hours of the morning asking what she will do if she is not a singer

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As a global superstar, it’s hardly surprising that Robbie Williams’ children want to follow in their father’s footsteps. And it looks as though his 13 year old daughter Teddy, who he shares with wife Ayda Field, is desperate to become famous like her father.

So much so, the 51 year old star told Scott Mills on his BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, that she had sent him a text message at two o’clock in the morning telling him it was her “biggest fear” to not become a singer. Scott asked Robbie if he found it heart-warming that his kids are now of an age where they know who their dad is.

In response, Robbie admitted: “Yeah, it is very, very cool. Ted in particular is so desperate for it. Now, when I was growing up in Stoke-on Trent, I was also incredibly desperate for it, whatever it was, you know, watching Top Of The Pops on Thursday and thinking, how the hell do I get in that box in the corner of this room and be one of those people?”

He added: “But I’ve never seen it so acute as I do with Ted. She sent me a text the other day. And it goes, let me get this. It says – this was Thursday, six minutes past two in the morning, ‘Dad, what if I’m not a singer? It’s my biggest fear not to be a singer’ Biggest capital letters. “What if I’m nothing?”‘

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On hearing the message read out loud, Scott said: “Oh, Teddy.” But forever the comedian, Robbie quickly threw light on the subject as he quipped: “And I was like, ‘babe, you’re a nepo. You’ll be fine’.”

As Robbie knows first hand, with fame comes a negative side which many fall victim to, whether it be substance abuse or other things to help them deal with the dark side of being famous. And the only thing that appears to worry Robbie about his eldest daughter becoming famous is the fact she has a sensitive nature. He continued: “The only thing that worries me about it is, she’s incredibly sensitive. I am painfully, painfully sensitive.”

“In some quarters it would be deemed as being oversensitive. She is worse than me. And I’m worried about what words will do to her. For me, it was either this or stacking shelves at ASDA – so this, every single day and for Ted, she’s got options,” he added.

He went on to say: “I’m just worried about words, and mean people and – I’m not worried – because like I can steer her professionally so that’s okay, it’s just everything else that comes with it and also you know, besides all of that, it’s a wonderful, wonderful life and a wonderful, wonderful job and you get to be creative for a living and I’m very grateful and incredibly lucky.”

This comes after the former Take That star was recently pictured with his wife and daughter as they made their way along the red carpet for Teddy’s acting debut in the movie Tinsel Town. Teddy can now count the Christmas movie Tinsel Town as her first ever film role, playing the daughter of Rebel Wilson’s character, Jill.

Robbie’s daughter appeared to take on the limelight with ease as she posed for selfies alongside her co-stars Rebel and Hollywood star Kiefer Sutherland.

At the time of the premiere, a source told The Sun: “Teddy was born to be a star – after all, her parents are both the ultimate performers. Robbie and Ayda have been keen to keep her out of the spotlight for as long as possible though – obscuring her face on social media etc.”

They said: “So this is all very much being driven by Teddy who’s wanted to be on stage since she was old enough to talk!”

They added: “It’s a small part but obviously is super-exciting, and everyone is really proud of her. She’s an absolutely lovely girl on and off screen, and has fitted in seamlessly into on-set life.”

Pretty Woman star Julia Roberts and Richard Gere thought they were making Hollywood’s ‘worst movie’ in 1990, despite the romantic comedy becoming a timeless classic that defined her career

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This year’s Oscars nominations are due to be revealed on 22 January, with Julia Roberts heavily favoured for inclusion in the Best Actress category thanks to her performance in psychological thriller After The Hunt. Currently available on Amazon Prime Video, the film represents a daring new direction for Julia’s illustrious career, featuring her as Yale professor Alma Imhoff, who faces enormous pressure when a student levels a shocking accusation against one of her colleagues, portrayed by Andrew Garfield.

Should she claim the coveted accolade, it would mark a second Oscar triumph for the 58 year old mother-of-three, who previously secured the Best Actress prize for Erin Brockovich in 2001. However, countless fans still associate the star primarily with her career-defining performance as Vivian in Pretty Woman, the film that launched her to international fame over 35 years ago.

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Remarkably, both she and co-star Richard Gere were convinced the movie would flop spectacularly. “I remember we didn’t know what we were doing,” she confesses. “I’d sort of say to Richard, ‘What are we doing? What are we doing?’ He goes, ‘I don’t know.'”.

During filming, director Garry Marshall would merely tell Julia to be amusing. She recalls, “I was like, ‘Okay, so a man walks into a bar…’ Like, I mean, we were really shooting from the hip, for sure.”

Flashing her trademark dazzling grin, she continues, “When we finished, we all kind of thought, ‘We just had the most fun making the worst movie in Hollywood.'” In reality, she reveals the crew were so convinced the film would be a disaster that they held clandestine discussions about how to gently inform Garry of the bad news. Julia discloses, “They truly had a lunch to talk about how to let him down that this movie was such a steaming piece of s**t.”

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Conversely, Pretty Woman exceeded all predictions upon its 1990 release and catapulted Julia to superstardom. Her role in the 1999 romantic comedy Notting Hill, opposite Hugh Grant, marked another career pinnacle, and Julia still recalls the “immense pride” she experienced when the picture challenged Star Wars: Episode 1 – The Phantom Menace at the cinema box office.

“At the time, I was like, ‘Why on earth would we release this movie with a Star Wars movie? I’m sure the Star Wars movie was incredible, I’m sure it was. But there was a big, full page in The New York Times that said, ‘The Force is With Julia’. And I truly was just… you couldn’t talk to me all day. I was so puffed-up. I was so full of myself for 24 hours.”

Julia wed cinematographer Daniel Moder in 2002, and together they share three offspring – 21 year old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, plus son Henry, aged 18. Her celebrity status was further solidified when she joined forces with the likes of Brad Pitt, George Clooney and Matt Damon in the Ocean’s Eleven series.

“Those boys are as fun as you imagine they would be,” she remembers. But as the sole female, it was heaven and hell simultaneously at all times,” she explains.She finished school and moved to New York, where she shared a flat with her sister for years – but she didn’t have acting on her mind. “The amount of pranks that were played on me!”

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One incident she vividly recalls is when they barricaded her Vegas hotel room exit with an enormous plant and scrawled a smiley face on the door using shaving foam. “They thought it was hysterical,” she recalls. “But don’t worry, I got them back, one by one.

There was a period when university was simply out of reach financially. “It was not financially feasible for our family,” she reveals.After completing her education, she relocated to New York, where she bunked with her sister for several years – though acting wasn’t on her radar. “I got a job at a shoe store and was as happy as could be,” she remembers. “It was never, ‘I’m going to move to New York and I’m going to break this town. ‘ That was never in my consciousness.

Her most recent film, After The Hunt, ranks amongst her most demanding projects yet. One particular hurdle involved her character receiving a slap across the face from co-star Ayo Edebiri, who portrays student Maggie.

“I was just feeling bad for her,” she admits. “Nobody wants to be slapped. My mother, may she rest in peace, was an all-time slapper. That was her kind of go-to move, not in an abusive way but just to get your attention. I just said to Ayo, ‘You just have to slap me, it’s what’s called for.

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Don’t be scared, don’t hold back, we will survive, it will be fine.'” She also shared a nerve-wracking moment with her co-star Andrew. “There’s always one scene that I call ‘the throw-up scene’,” she admits. “It’s the scene you just dread.

However, on a lighter note, she relished him teaching her to flip beer mats! Discussing their playful scenes, she confesses, “I realise that on paper I’m a grown woman, but in a room with a man close to me that is not my husband I’m a 12 year old.” And if full-on romance is required, it’s even more challenging. “Pretend to kiss me and I’m giggling,” she reveals.With nearly 70 films to her name, Julia is eager to prioritise her own desires as she matures. She declares, “Now our kids are out of the house, I’m really feeling myself and have been for a while.

I really feel the compulsion to go back to theatre.” While this might result in fewer films in the future, she maintains that quality trumps quantity. “I think we only have a certain number of destined performances inside of us, and I kind of keep joking and saying, ‘I maybe have three and a half movies left in me.’ And whatever they are, I feel they will find me and I want them to be these beautiful experiences.”