Category Entertainment News

We take a look at the best TV, music, and film to look forward to in 2026, starting with Catherine Zeta-Jones’ comeback TV role in Kill Jackie and Lily Allen’s eagerly awaited West End Girl Tour.

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The year ahead looks set to be a busy one for new music, TV and cinema – and the good news is there’s lots to look forward in 2026.

Lily Allen’s West End Girls was released to critical acclaim after the controversial singer came back from a seven year hiatus with the break-up album of the century.

Raw, witty and candid, her fifth studio album stole the headlines thanks to her revealing intimate details about her relationship break-up.

She’s got big plans for 2026 – she’ll be performing West End Girl at intimate theatre shows in the UK in March before embarking on a larger arena tour across the UK and Ireland in June. And she’s not the only one…

READ MORE: Bumper Review of the Year quiz: 36 fun questions to test your general knowledge

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MUSIC/GIGS

Florence and The Machine

Florence and The Machine released their sixth studio album, Everybody Scream in 2025 and are also touring in 2026. The ‘Dog Days are Over’ singer had a significant break from performing between late 2023 and 2025 due to lifesaving surgery for a ruptured fallopian tube due to an ectopic pregnancy. After some much needed recovery, 2026 sparks a fresh start for the band who will be touring the UK and Europe and headlining at festivals like Reading and Leeds.

Mumford &amp, Sons

After nearly seven years of silence, energetic folk-rock band Mumford &amp, Sons came back with their highly anticipated fifth studio album, RUSHMERE, in March. 2025 saw them rise once more with surprise sets at festivals like Stagecoach in California, performances at events like Radio 1’s Big Weekend, and the announcement of their forthcoming tour of the UK, Europe and North America in 2026.

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Raye

She’s picked up seven Brit awards over the last couple of years, but what’s in store for Raye in 2026? Well, the superstar from Tooting, London is about to embark on a massive tour across the UK, Europe, and North America from January to May. Not bad for a woman who grew up on a council estate near Croydon.

Styles, Harry

Will Styles, Harry hit the road in 2026? The former One Direction singer hasn’t confirmed any dates but he is expected to launch his latest album. He’s been teasing fans with the possibility of a tour – the Watermelon Sugar singer posted his first YouTube video in two years with a message that said “We Belong Together.”

TV

The Lady

This four-part true crime drama from the creators of The Crown chronicles the ups and downs of Jane Andrews (Mia McKenna-Bruce), the former Royal dresser for Sarah Ferguson (Natalie Dormer). She came from humble beginnings and was found guilty of stabbing her lover to death in 2001. Natalie Dormer, known for her role in Game of Thrones, steps into the shoes of the ex-Duchess in the gripping drama. Coming soon on ITV.

In addition to Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman, Mia McKenna-Bruce, the lead actress in Agatha Christie’s Seven Dials, has been busy. And she’s just been cast as Ringo Starr’s first wife Maureen Starkey in the upcoming Beatles biopic. She portrays Lady Bundle Brent, a mysterious student at a fancy party, in this three-part series. From January 15 onward, the show airs on ITV1.

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Dear England Joseph Fiennes stars as Gareth Southgate in this screen adaptation of James Graham’s smash hit National Theatre play of the same name.The four-part series is an examination of both Southgate’s tenure as England football manager and our national identity. Fiennes is joined by Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who, Toxic Town) as England men’s team psychologist Pippa Grange. Due on BBC One later in the year.

Half Man CreatedBaby Reindeer was a global sensation that got everyone talking in 2024 but will Richard Gadd’s latest six-part series enjoy the same success? Half Man Created follows the troubled relationship of estranged half-brothers Niall, played by Bafta-winning actor Jamie Bell, and Ruben (Gadd) through years of highs and lows. Exploring their complex relationship from the 80s to today, it serves up a gritty look at masculinity and city life. Due on BBC One.

The CageBafta winner Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha (This is England) star as two Liverpool casino employees who discover they are both planning to rob the same safe in this high-stakes crime story. This thriller combines dark humour and emotional storytelling but could there also be a potential romance on the cards? Writer Tony Schumacher (The Responder) teased: ‘I’m hoping people will find it funny, dark but, most of all, full of love, life and entertainment. I can’t wait for the world to see it.’ Coming to BBC One.

STREAMING

Run AwayHarlan Coben’s star-studded series follows Simon, a man whose seemingly perfect life shatters when his daughter Paige runs away. When he finally finds her again, he is drawn into a dangerous criminal world that forces him to confront long-buried family secrets. Featuring a star-studded cast including James Nesbitt,Tracy-Ann Oberman, Ruth Jones and Minnie Driver. From New Year’s Day on Netflix.

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Kill JackieFans are excited for this revenge thriller from the makers of Killing Eve, based on Nick Harkaway’s novel The Price You Pay, as it will be Catherine Zeta Jones’ big comeback in a lead role. She plays the title character, a wealthy con artist living the high life, who discovers a terrifying hit squad called The Seven Demons is out to kill her. Due on Amazon Prime Video.

East of EdenJohn Steinbeck’s epic 1952 novel traces the lives of the Trask family as they wrestle with love, betrayal, identity and duty. The enigmatic Cathy Ames is played by Florence Pugh, and Adam Trask is played by Christopher Abbott. Beginning in 2026, Due is available on Netflix.

Young SherlockAndrew Lane’s book series about the young Sherlock Holmes is brought to life in Guy Ritchie’s eight-part series. An unruly and unrefined Holmes (Hero Fiennes-Tiffin) is studying at Oxford, and the result is an escapistic, explosive showdown that forever alters his life. on Amazon Prime starting March 4.

The Age of InnocenceEdith Wharton’s classic tale about social convention set in 19th century New York high society is coming to Netflix. Newland Archer is engaged to May Welland, but finds himself drawn to her unconventional cousin, Countess Ellen Olenska. Throughout the year, watch Due on Netflix.

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CINEMA

The film adaptation of Emily Bronte’s heart-pounding classic love story, directed by Saltburn director Emerald Fennell, is expected to be a steamy, shocking affair. Jacob Elordi (wealthy aristocrat Felix Catton in Saltburn) and Margot Robbie play star-crossed lovers Heathcliff and Cathy in this ‘ punky, gothic-erotic ‘ take on Emily Brontë’s classic. Posted on February 14th.

Tommy Shelby, the leader of the Second World War, travels to Birmingham as part of Peaky Blinders: The Immortal ManSet to take part in secret wartime missions as he reconnects with his former self. Cillian Murphy is joined by newcomers Rebecca Ferguson, Tim Roth and Barry Keoghan. leased on March 6.

The long and risky journey home taken by Odysseus, the Greek king of Ithaca, after the Trojan War is chronicled in Christopher Nolan’s eagerly awaited action fantasy film. The A-list cast features Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson and Zendaya. leased on July 17.

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After seeing print sales decline for the magazine, Miranda Priestly (Meryl Streep) and Emily (Emily Blunt) are hitched together in The Devil Wears Prada 2. Anne Hathaway’s Andy Sachs is also back alongside Stanley Tucci, with Kenneth Branagh (Agatha Christie’s detective Hercule Poirot) joining the cast. leased on May 1.

The release date for Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) is scheduled for July 31. It will mark the fourth solo film starring Tom Holland, 29, as Peter Parker aka Spider-Man. Tom and his fiancee Zendaya, who plays Michelle Jones-Watson, also known as MJ, are scheduled to lead the cast of the film, which was produced in Glasgow.

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Six years after hosting the Golden Globes, RIcky Gervais has received a nomination for his new Netflix show Mortality.

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He made fun of Leonardo di Caprio’s ever-young girlfriends and joked that Martin Scorsese is too small to ride in theme park carriages as the 2020 LA ceremony’s host.

Now in the running for Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy at the 2026 Golden Globes on January 11, he makes no apologies for his controversial jokes.

He recalls the ceremony, saying, “I love that they put a lot of booze on the table. They make an effort to hammer everyone out, making it interesting for them to go there. The Golden Globes have both good and bad things going for them.

Now at 64 and at the top of his game, Ricky reveals that he has a new ‘self-parodying’ TV show up his sleeve. He says: “There is something that’s close to parodying myself. I’ve got the title, I’ve got the idea, but I can’t even discuss it now. We are maybe shooting in the next 12 months.”

READ MORE: Wuthering Heights to Lily Allen tour: The best music, TV and film for 2026

Fans are also eagerly awaiting the release of his adult animation Netflix series, Alley Cats, following the lives of a group of feral British cats. He says: “It’s like two years and it still isn’t quite finished. It won’t be out till the end of next year. Doesn’t animation take a long time? But it is a six-part thing.

“It’s called Alley Cats and we’re a group of sort of feral cats living in a disused basement and we watch TV and go out and cause havoc. A lot of it is improv as well. They’re the sort of, you know, the meanest, sweariest cats in the world. They’re the bottom of the pile. It’s all about sort of like survival.”

The show is close to animal lover Ricky’s heart. Reported to have given £2.43 million to animal charities this Christmas alone, he says helping animals is in his blood, after being surrounded by pets growing up in Reading. He says: “Pets were like a member of the family. I’ve always thought animals were unconditionally sort of perfect and beautiful and should be treated well.

“It’s about empathy, isn’t it really? I’ve never understood animal cruelty. And then the older you get, the more you find out, well, there’s so much animal cruelty you didn’t know was going on. You’re cashing in on it without knowing. That’s why I became vegan as well, because the terrible cruelty in this sort of farm industry. And I thought, ‘I can’t really be saving dogs and eating sheep.’”

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Ricky is thought to be wealthy, with an estimated £130 million. He can also afford much more leisure time on the tour, preferring to travel by private jet whenever possible. He claims, “I take the most lavish tour I can.” I typically stay four nights at home and two or three nights away.

His 43-year-partner, Jane Fallon, accompanyes him wherever possible. She arrives in all the desired locations, he says. She visits all the lovely places in Europe, including America and Canada. I take a weekend off. So I’ll play at Prague Arena, we’ll go the night before, have dinner, and then walk around the neighborhood all day, then I’ll head over there to play a gig before returning home. It’s basically 46 hours of vacation and two hours of work, then.

Ricky claims that he even makes jokes past her after the two met while attending University College London in the early 1980s. He states, “I typically jog while thinking, Oh, that’s a good joke. I then leave and tell Jane. I say, “Look, I have an idea.” When I tell her, she says, “Please don’t say that in public.” And I am aware that I can work on something with it.

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However, Ricky is not let down by cheesy jokes, which is largely attributable to his newfound affection for taking naps or “taking a Churchill.” He claims, “I’m a big napper.” I once received a job playing Winston Churchill. It would have been awful if I had rejected it. Make-up and puffing a cigar would have taken three hours. Funny enough, Churchill was renowned for taking a nap every day even during the war when the sheets were stuffed full. We refer to it as “taking a Churchill.” This morning, I took a Churchill.

Ricky, who turns 65 in June, claims that he tires more these days and that he is unsure of what it will be like for people to see him at 70. I shuffle around already a little bit grumpy. He just wrapped up one tour, and he’s scheduled to go on another one this month. He doesn’t seem to be having any problems with his output. For the upcoming two-year tour, he continues, “I’m doing warm-ups.” Alley Cats is just finished, but I’ve been taking a nap every day as well.

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Ricky still manages a lot of different projects, but he does them more leisurely because he doesn’t fly to the US to attend chat shows whenever new content is released. He asserts that “some things have changed since COVID, not just because of COVID.” Everything is possible at home. Additionally, Netflix has a subscriber base of about 300 million. An email is sent. You know what I mean when I say that I don’t need to participate in a chat show or play table tennis in a snorkel?

While he has no need for another mega hit, like The Office, he looks back on the BBC series with huge fondness. He says: “I knew it was different. I was the only one that really improvised at all. And I did that at the beginning and the end of the scenes. Or just to make the actors think a little bit and make it real. Or do something different to make them laugh or whatever. Or just put them on their back foot.”

However, it’s the simple things in life that now make him laugh, such as his mother telling him he was a “mistake” when he inquired about the 11 years that he and his closest sibling had been apart. He claims that when I was 13 years old, I asked his mother, “Why am I so much younger than my brothers and sisters?” She simply said, “You were a mistake. I also laughed. And that taught me how to be funny in life.

He also claims that British comedians are the best in the world. We are jesters, British stand-ups. We operate in a court. The other peasants are laughing at the King while we are in the mud. We have a low status. However, he claims, when everyone is aware of his well-being, keeping his low status can be challenging.

He does it by sharing all of his mistakes with them. He continues, “I talk about things that are more profitable than I do,” in contrast. I discuss getting old, going to die, going bald, and having bad hair. That’s what I want to do. I want the world to fight us.

Fans might find it a bit joker to watch their faces when they appear in a panto, but for these celebrities it’s a big pay check to boost their income over the holidays and beyond.

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Pantomime is almost over for another year, but it can be a very lucrative time for celebrities because some of the biggest stars are paying six-figure salaries for their holiday work.

Who can, however, get the highest salary? The complete pantomime roster has been made public. A celeb who didn’t even participate in a panto this year is next on the list.

The star in question is none other than This Morning presenter Alison Hammond, who reportedly earned a whopping £195,000 for appearing as Magic Mermaid in Birmingham’s production of Peter Pan in 2024 and 2025.

Though the 50-year-old gave herself Christmas off this year, it’s understood that no one else on the circuit has been able to command Alison’s hefty panto fee yet. So how do other celebs fare?

READ MORE: Katie Price in major ‘turnaround’ as she finally joins Princess Andre’s ITV show

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Scott Mills, a star in Jack and the Beanstalk, made a surprise appearance as Figgy Pudding on this year’s Masked Singer. He has appeared in the roles of Mayor Mills and Swansea and the Wycombe Swan in Buckinghamshire for the past few years.

The 51-year-old, who ranks second just behind Alison, reportedly earns £190,000 per panto stint.

Another star who has performed in panto at the Wycombe Swan is Scott, who lives close to his £4 million Buckinghamshire home. Even though he didn’t do it this year, Vernon Kay, a fellow Radio 2 star, is said to have earned £190,000 last Christmas from his panto appearance in Aladdin.

Christopher Biggins, a panto legend, is just below Scott and Vernon. The 77-year-old is said to earn £180,000 annually from his panto performances despite frequently appearing as a panto dame.

Mother Goose is his personal favorite character to play. However, he did it again this year, starring in the Robin Hood production from Birmingham Hippodrome, which runs until February 1. Faye Tozer, a star of Steps and Gok Wan, also appears.

Bradley Walsh, who reportedly earned £120,000 for each performance, is number five on the panto rich list. The 65-year-old has roles in Peter Pan, Mr. Smee, and Buttons in Cinderella, but also frequently in the panto.

According to reports, comedian Catherine Tate reportedly made around £120,000 from a 60-show performance at The London Palladium. The 56-year-old made her acting debut in Sleeping Beauty this year as the Wicked Fairy, who is well known for her roles as Nan and Lauren.

Brian Conley, a panto veteran, made his return to the stage this year as Billy Barnum in the Milton Keynes Theatre’s production of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. The 64-year-old is also said to have paid around the £120,000 mark for his panto.

Britain’s Got Talent winner Sydnie Christmas might have only made her panto debut last year in a production of Sleeping Beauty in Dartford. But the 30-year-old’s starring turn as Fairy Christmas reportedly netted her £80,000.

In 2025/26, TV legend Nigel Havers made his 10th appearance in a row in the panto. For their production of Sleeping Beauty, he performed alongside Catherine Tate on stage at The London Palladium. The 74-year-old continues to play Keeper of the Privy until January 11.

While Katie Price – who has starred in pantos at Easter as well as Christmas – is said to earn up to £50,000 per appearance. The 47-year-old didn’t even have to take to the stage every night this year as she appeared ‘digitally’ in a pre-filmed role as the Spirit of the Mirror in a production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Darlington’s Majestic Theatre. She has previously starred as the Fairy in Pinocchio and alongside pal Kerry Katona as the Wicked Stepsisters in Cinderella.

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According to insiders, Prince Kate is feeling “pressure” about Prince George’s future, and she wants to avoid making one particular error.

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Although Kate believes she will be the future Queen, the most crucial task is to ensure that her children’s flourishes. Prince George, Prince George, Prince George, Prince Louis, Prince Louis, Prince Louis, Prince Louis, Prince Louis, Prince George, Prince George, Prince George, Prince George, Prince George, Prince Charlotte, Prince Louis, Prince Louis, Prince Louis, Prince Louis, and other royal children are known to be prior to everything else, with the couple reportedly always making time for themselves to do the school runs themselves and spending the majority of their holidays with the royal children.

With his destiny already in hand, George, in particular, is under a lot of pressure, and Kate is said to be keen to make sure she makes the right decisions for his future, which will help him along and prepare him well. All three of Wales’ children currently reside in Forest Lodge, which is close to their new home. Lambrook School is nearby.

According to insiders, the couple is reportedly paying market rent for the mansion, which they moved into over the autumn, and the mansion has been dubbed their “forever home.” The second-in-line to the throne, however, is set to make a significant transition at the age of 12 and transfer to another institution for the remainder of his secondary education.

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The Times reports that William and Kate are carefully considering their options for George’s next school, and that ensuring their eldest son’s happiness is top of the agenda when it comes to making the final call. The couple’s own former schools, Eton College and Marlborough College, are reported to be the “frontrunners” at the moment for where George will enrol next, but it has yet to be confirmed where the future King will officially attend.

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While Eton, where William and Harry both attended, only has a male enrollment and costs more than £63, 000 annually. Marlborough is co-educational, which means that all three siblings could enroll in the same university when Charlotte and Louis move on as well. It costs parents £61, 809 per year for boarding.

The Times reports that raising a king is “motherhood is daunting enough, but the stakes are even higher.” Kate experiences “the pressure to “get it right,” which is why. According to the report, the future Queen is determined to keep things as normal for George while keeping his family as strong as possible, ensure that he succeeds, and maintain his high standard of education.

“Time with grandparents Carole and Michael Middleton is important as are the school runs and sporting events. One Windsor resident recalls how they once bumped into a young Prince George at a soft furnishings store where he was happily eating orange segments while granny Carole picked up fabric samples. “George is also used to helping on errands.

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Kate’s “life’s work” in early years development feeds into this, with her dedication to the topic giving her insight into just how powerful connection and healthy childhoods are when it comes to creating thriving adults and a well-rounded society overall. She is particularly concerned that her son doesn’t feel too much “loneliness,” given his unique destiny – something that King Charles admitted when he was 21 years old was a condition that could plague the heir to the throne.

In a young interview, Charles said, “Out of certain necessity, I’ve perhaps been more lonely. I haven’t made many friends yet,” she said. I haven’t attended many parties, so I don’t know if it’s more lonely than other people’s lives. This is a “toxic” condition that Kate is said to be desperate to avoid because it gives George and his siblings a much more grounded upbringing.

Do you have a tale to share? emma . mackenzie@reachplc.com

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In light of the ongoing controversy surrounding the former Duke of York, Prince William is said to be concerned about his scandalous uncle Andrew.

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Prince William is said to be seriously concerned about Andrew. Public outcry has yet to lessen over Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

King Charles unceremoniously stripped Andrew of his titles and royal styles in October, with a blistering statement that said “these censures were deemed necessary” despite the fact that Andrew had consistently denied all wrongdoing. The monarch also threw his support behind “survivors of any and all forms of abuse”.

The release of the so-called Epstein files has continued to bring Andrew’s relationships with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell into the spotlight in recent weeks, with new photographs emerging in the document dump that saw Andrew with Maxwell in Sandringham.

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For a long time, it has been widely reported by sources and experts alike that Prince William was at the forefront of the decision to push Andrew out of public life. Royal author Omid Scobie claimed in his book Endgame that “Though the Queen was the official face of Andrew’s reckoning, it was Prince William who set the wheels in motion,” after a civil case brought by Andrew’s accuser, Virginia Giuffre, in 2022 became a “snapping point” for the future King, whilst Charles suffered from “sleepless nights” and a “brotherly bias” towards Andrew.

More recently, reports have claimed that William wanted to “freeze out” his disgraced uncle when the time comes for the Prince of Wales to take the throne, and that he desired a much harder line than the monarch when it came to dealing with the former prince. However, a new report by royal expert Kate Mansey for The Times has shed new light on the internal dynamics of the House of Windsor over the scandal.

William was frequently depicted as the tough guy urging his father to put his foot down in the sorry saga, according to Mansey. According to some, “this image of ruthless William was off the mark.”

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The expert claimed that William was not pivotal in the matter despite his father’s support for removing the benefits of Andrew’s regal status. In spite of the controversy, the future King expressed “deep concern” for his uncle.

According to Mansey, “William was genuinely concerned about his uncle’s mental health and how Andrew would cope after everything was removed.” William realized that despite Andrew’s persistent defense of any wrongdoing, he still backed his father’s decision to remove him from the royal family. Kate’s support for her husband came in the way.

William has long undertaken charity projects in the name of reducing stigma around mental health issues, and it’s a cause he and his wife are passionate about. Andrew, who will be moving out of Royal Lodge this year and has reportedly had his gun license suspended, is understood to be moving to Sandringham, a 20,000-acre estate King Charles owns privately in Norfolk.

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He won’t be moving with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who lives in Windsor right now. She will be sorting out her own arrangements, but according to reports, she has been having mental issues as a result of the ongoing scandal.

When emails between her and Epstein last year revealed that she had been dubned as a “supreme friend,” charities she had worked for years quickly dropped her like a hot potato, leading to a “toxic” brand from a PR expert who later identified her as a “toxic” brand.

Her next children’s book was quietly delayed, before being cancelled and pulped altogether, with the PR specialist pointing out this scandal could seriously impact her financial state as it went on. Royal expert Phil Dampier claimed that Fergie was left “on the brink of a breakdown” as she found herself in the unwelcome spotlight, so much so that her elder sister Jane flew from Australia to support Sarah during the crisis.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, an interior designer, has spoken about how he lives in an unconventional way with his wife Jackie, their two daughters, their husbands, and their four grandchildren.

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Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has responded to critics who find his unconventional living arrangement ‘strange’. The 60 year old interior designer shares his home with his wife Jackie, their adult daughters, Hermione, 26, and Cecile, 29, along with their husbands Dan and Drew, and their four grandchildren, Albion, 8, Demelza, 3, Romily, 1, and Eleanora, 18 months.

Laurence sparked a mixed reaction when he first revealed the unique setup of the entire family residing under one roof in his six-bedroom Cotswolds manor house. The former Changing Rooms star expressed joy about his close-knit family unit and countered those who disapprove and find the arrangement ‘strange’.

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He told the Daily Mail, “I still believe that many people find it odd.” He argued that “it is actually very straightforward and instinctive way of a family being together.”

The idea of children leaving the house is a very, very strange idea that emerged in the 20th century. Actually, you typically stay if you work on the farm or in the shop together, so in a funny way, we just kind of revived that idea, but it made sense for us.

We have a large house, you may know. I and Jackie were completely separate things. Why don’t we then bring the kids and their kids with us?

Discussing how the family manages being in each other’s space every day, Laurence added: “There are moments where you’ve got to work quite hard. But I think that happens in any family.”

Laurence and his wife Jackie manage to maintain their romantic relationship despite the chaos of their busy lives. This year, the enamoured couple celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. They have been together for more than 40 years.

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He said, “We will basically be together for 41 years in January. That is a significant portion of a lifetime, to be sure.

We made a commitment very well, and we’ve always had to work very hard to keep things moving forward and keep things moving forward. And I believe that some people are very reluctant to give up on that.

The designer continued, “You do have to find advantages.” You wake up in the morning and feel grumpy, but it’s not a Disney film. You do experience situations where you are offended by things. I have a lot of tolerance for people. That is cool. That is very effective. I have a good amount of restraint.

Jackie may feel very energised at times, but after 41 years of dating, you are familiar with the ins and outs. You are aware of the warning signs.

Along with judges Jane Larmour, James Fairley, and Patricia McGinnis, Laurence is getting ready for his next property series, House of the Year.

House Of The Year returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC One Northern Ireland with the first five episodes available to watch from Monday 5 January. In each episode, three new homes will compete for one of five places in the grand final where they could be crowned – House Of The Year. The grand final will broadcast February 9.