Kitty Castledine, the actress in EastEnders, plays a member of the well-known Branning family on the soap, but she is the daughter of a footballer and TV star.
Angie Quinn is a time-reporter for the television.
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EastEnders star Kitty Castledine plays Penny Branning on EastEnders (Image: BBC/Jack Barns/Kieron McCarron)
Kitty Castledine, the star of EastEnders, has been spotted with her famous family over Christmas.
Kitty, 23, arrived on the BBC One soap as Penny Branning in January 2024 alongside her cousin Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa), after the duo had been residing in Paris. However, they were swiftly arrested for drug smuggling before managing to wriggle out of the situation.
In August 2024, Penny was in the middle of a major disaster when a club crush occurred at Peggy’s Bar. As the club’s manager, Penny was responsible for ticket sales for her bank holiday event.
However, Chelsea Fox, who was portrayed by Zaraah Abrahams, hacked into the booking process as payback for her job, leading to severe overcrowding at the venue and hospitalization for Lauren and Amy Mitchell (Ellie Dadd), who thankfully both made it.
After losing his ex-girlfriend Shireen, who was actually killed by Nicola Mitchell (Laura Doddington), Penny discovered he was a suspect in a murder case after a fleeting romance with Harry Mitchell (Elijah Holloway).
As Jack Branning (Scott Maslen) is Penny’s father, and Max (Jake Wood) is her love interest, she is related to Walford royalty. Kitty is the daughter of a well-known television star and a professional football player, but she is not a member of the BBC soap.
Kitty’s mother is Homes Under the Hammer presenter Lucy Alexander, who also hosts the Channel 4 show, ‘Place In The Sun’.
The soap star’s father is former Premier League footballer Stewart Castledine, who had a nine-year stint at Wimbledon. He also played for Wycombe in the second tier.
Stewart has also appeared on television with shows like Big Strong Boys and Houses Behaving Badly on BBC One.
Leo Castledine, their son, is also a footballer, and he currently plays for Huddersfield Town on loan from Chelsea, a Premier League club. He has also worn the England team’s fifth jersey.
Taking to Instagram, Lucy shared a gorgeous family photo alongside her husband, Stew, and their children, Kitty and Leo, as they enjoyed a festive break in Yorkshire.
Writing in the caption, Lucy said: “Merry Christmas, everyone! A family Christmas day spent at the spectacular @grantleyhall_ with @kittycastledine @leo.castledine & Stew.”
What a place, and how lovely is Grantley Arms, too. Visiting Ripon, Yorkshire, is a worthwhile experience. I’m eager to go back.
Friends and fans of Lucy’s wasted no time in sharing their well-wishes, with Loose Women icon Ruth Langsford replying: “Gorgeous family snap! Merry Christmas!”, as Helen Skelton simply posted a love heart emoji.
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A third phrased “Fabulous photo of you all, Merry Christmas,” while a fourth phrased “Stunning family (love heart)”.
One follower remarked, “Lovely Family Photo,” while another exclaimed, “Beautiful family.”
Solomun, who has collaborated with Lana Del Rey and Jamiroquai, has promised nights to remember as he looks back on his “natural high point in my long-standing love affair” with London’s nightlife.
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Solomun anticipates seeing shows in London.
Legendary DJ Solomun is set for another “magical” moment as he heads back to London. Fresh from another hugely successful residency at Ibiza Pacha this summer, he is ready to take on the iconic Alexandra Palace for a double header. And it’s a moment he admits he has dreamed of for a long time.
“It’s truly an iconic venue in London,” the world-renowned disc jockey tells us. “I feel very grateful to be able to play two shows there. In many ways, it feels like a natural high point in my long-standing love affair with the city’s nightlife.”
Solomun insists that freedom is the key to his longevity despite the fact that he frequently travels the world with his brand-new sets. I “allow myself to experiment with new sounds and viewpoints.” He continued, “I never want to repeat myself.”
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And he promises to include such freedom of expression in every set, including his upcoming Ally Pally dates. He teases, “Of course I will play a lot of fresh unreleased tracks where I can’t wait to feel the people react.”
The Bosnian-German DJ boasts massive remixes for artists such as Foals, Lana Del Rey, Pet Shop Boys and Jamiroquai. And speaking of such linkups, he admits the collaborations often come organically. “Sometimes an artist reaches out because they connect with my music,” he says. “Other times, I find myself drawn to their world.
Things tend to happen quite naturally when there is mutual trust and curiosity. When someone asks me to collaborate, whether it’s an emerging artist or a more well-known artist, I find it rewarding to step into various musical universes and seek out common ground. And of course, when artists I’ve been fans of for a while request to remix their music, it still feels like a real gift and blessing.
He revealed his next exciting collabs, but he doesn’t intend to slow down. I’ve previously collaborated with the wonderful German singer INEZ from the band TNA on the song TukTuk.
“I always believed that we could continue to explore this together. We had been discussing doing another song for a while, and it finally came true, which is very satisfying. I also collaborated with Skrillex on a track, which I’m incredibly appreciative of and eager to share.
The Home DJ acknowledged that he was willing to find anyone who was honest, and that he also ruled out a return to the mainstream. I’m drawn to voices that convey a lot of emotion and space, and I like artists who combine elements to create an atmosphere.
I enjoy looking at different genres and scenes as well. I have a very broad palate, ranging from hip-hop to folk. He promises to keep his Alexandra Palace shows going through the years. He continues, “I always have the best intentions and hope that it makes sense,” he says.
With a longer set, I have room to play with anticipation, stretch my travels, and let the night breathe. Surprises appear naturally when they are most effective.
Solomun’s upcoming sets follow a busy 2025 that saw him again captivate Ibizan audiences with Solomun + 1 Pacha. He also had stunning sets at the Royal Palace of Belgium, Chateau de Chantilly, and Old Royal Naval College. He also made an appearance in Las Vegas for the movie The Sphere.
Holly Hagan’s late sister Darci, who tragically passed away after an overdose of drugs, shared a sweet message and Christmas gift with fans.
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Holly Hagan presents a sweet gift to her late sister who died from an overdose of heroin in October.
Pregnant Holly Hagan shared an emotional post with fans as she uploaded the Christmas present that had been from her late sister Darci, who sadly died following an accidental drug overdose. The former Geordie Shore star, 33, who is a mum to a baby boy named Alpha-Jax, posted a picture of a teddy bear which had a sweet message written on it from Darci to Alpha-Jax.
This comes just two months after her tragic death. Darci had been out with friends when she collapsed from a drug overdose at the age of 19. The teddy bear had a sweet picture of Darci and her nephew with a message that read: “My little bestie, love you always Darci.”
Holly recently announced that she was pregnant with her second child with Jacob Blyth. In the series of pictures posted from Holly’s Christmas Day, fans also saw her two-year-old son playing with his Christmas presents before the family sat down to enjoy their Christmas dinner.
A few images from Christmas Day were the captions for the post. In a heartfelt social media video last week, Holly revealed that she was expecting a girl.
In the video, Holly holds their son in anticipation while Jacob is seen holding a confetti cannon. With a baby girl, Holly and Jacob were fervently hoping to add to their brood.
She had stated that she was receiving “girl vibes” just before Jacob fired the cannon. Pink confetti was revealed when Jacob fired the confetti cannon, indicating that the couple had a girl’s wish.
Holly couldn’t control her tears as she passed out. The couple curled their son after he was hampered by the couple, who had pushed him in sheer. She cried in front of the camera as she explained, “I probably shouldn’t have tried to do this video right before I was going to leave.”
She said, “Typically in the day, I can take my mind off it and do other things, but it does mean I can be in a different mode than just sitting and letting myself think about it.”
However, she continued, “Typically on a night when it’s obviously really, really, really hard for everyone.” After that, she explained that she still believed she would never be able to use social media following the death of her younger sister.
She had hoped to return to her job and not “discuss it” at all. She continued, “But right now I feel like I’m weighted by lead,” she said. “It feels like I’m just so heavy, and everything feels like it’s ten times harder to do.”
She said, “I don’t want to make this some sort of grief account, I don’t want to make every video depressing and talking about it because I haven’t yet decided to talk about everything, but I will one day.”
It’s just so new right now, Holly continued. You never believe that this will occur. Sorry, guys. I initially believed I could keep things together, but it was a total failure.
The reality TV star continued, “I’ve felt like I’m in a movie because these things only happen in movies or soaps and are overdramatized, but I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”
After taking the recreational drug MDMA with friends on a night out with friends, Holly’s sister passed away from multiple organ failure. She was reportedly combining the drug with her drink at Manchester’s Warehouse in October.
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According to senior coroner Golombeck, there was a suspicion that she had taken illegal drugs at the time of the inquest. The clinicians received confirmation of this.
Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan has given insight into the difficult experience her eldest child is enduring following the explosive row she launched online at ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair
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Helen Flanagan has revealed her eldest daughter’s struggle with living with separated parents(Image: INSTAGRAM)
Helen Flanagan has opened up about her struggles as a single mum. Life is returning to normal for Helen as she has left panto behind and is back to the chaos of motherhood. However, while giving an update to fans about life as a working mum-of-three, she admitted she has a difficult relationship with her eldest child.
The 35-year-old former Coronation Street star had a high-profile romance with footballer ex-fiancé Scott Sinclair, which lasted from 2009 until 2022, and together they share daughters Matilda, 10, Delilah, seven, and four-year-old son Charlie. Since their shock split, Helen has given fans detailed updates of her personal life and the challenges she and Scott face as they co-parent while living their separate lives.
In recent weeks, Helen has been performing at a pantomime in Liverpool – playing the Evil Queen in a production of Snow White. She has spoken out about the support she has had from her mother who has helped her look after her kids while off to work she goes.
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While in an astonishing outburst earlier this month, Helen slammed Scott for flying abroad and missing their son’s first nativity performance. Now Helen has updated her fans to explain that she is getting back into home life with her kids after they spent Christmas with their father.
In an Instagram Stories post, she addressed the camera while wearing simple leggings and a striped top. While she struggled to inform fans and followers of her current daily life, Helen’s kids could be heard screaming and shouting in the background.
Speaking to her followers, Helen began: “So, I have finished panto. It’s really sad, because I absolutely loved it. And then I’ve got the kids back… which is amazing.” She continued: “I finished panto. I absolutely loved it. I had the best time. And then, yeah, I got the kids back, so obviously they went to their dad’s for Christmas, and it’s always just like, such an adjustment when they come back like, it really takes a while for the children to adjust and then for me to adjust.”
She explained further: “So one of my best friends lives in Birmingham, and usually I do like a switch over in Birmingham with their dad, but just so everything was just a bit easier, my friend picked them up, and then, bless her, she drove to Cheshire. Obviously, like, I finished really late with panto, we had to wrap everything up, and then I went out the night before.
“Because obviously, I didn’t have the kids. When I don’t have the children as well, I kind of, like do things I don’t usually do, like, go out, you know. I’ve got, like, all my freedom. And then as soon as my kids are back, it literally is just like, I’m just with the children.”
Sharing stark details of her crash back to mum time, Helen continued: “So yeah, I didn’t have much sleep, so I’m so grateful that [my friend] actually met me. But yeah, I was awoken this morning to Charlie telling me to wipe his bum at like, seven o’clock in the morning. So you know…”
Helen went on to give insight into the finer dynamics of her life with her children – revealing that her two youngest were too young when she and Scott split, but her eldest daughter can become “moody” when switching between their two homes. Helen began: “Delilah’s got a PlayStation. I’ve got her PlayStation for Christmas, so she’s over the moon.. I’ve loved panto so much, but like, it literally, like, took over everything, which is fine. But I really didn’t see the children much when I was working. And, like, my house is like, so obviously I’m very ADHD and everything’s just like, wow. Like, I just need to do some kind of organising.”
She went on: “It’s like, just, yeah, so I have a wash on, and I desperately my nails never look like this, like there was no point in having my nails got so grubby when I was doing panto, because I was the Evil Queen and I wore like black gloves. I’ve got no makeup on today. I just need to give my skin a rest.”
Sharing the finer details of her life with her kids, she revealed: “What I find, probably, like the most difficult is probably with Matilda, because it’s just like, I feel like she’s the eldest. So me and her dad broke up when she was seven, and I feel like Delilah is just so oblivious she doesn’t care. Charlie doesn’t care he was one. But Matilda is sensitive, and she takes everything very much in. And every single time that I get her back, she’s in a mood with me. She’s really moody. She’s really sassy.”
Helen went on: “I expect it because I know it’s what it’s like, and I think it’s almost like she feels like I’m kind of disowning her in a way, when I’ve not got her, and it’s not. Regardless of mine and her dad’s relationship, I always want her to have a relationship with the Father, because I think that’s good for her.
“And regardless that everything goes on, I always tell her that her dad loves her and that she must love her daddy, you know, like, and they, you know, it’s totally separate.”
Helen then went on to reveal she is planning to get her daughter a phone so they can communicate when she is at her dad’s house. She explained: “I said to her, I was like, ‘Did you want mummy to FaceTime you?’ And she was like, ‘Yeah, I did.’ So we’re getting her a phone anyway. She wants to go choose it, and so we’re gonna go do that.”
Helen then went on to explain she planned to spend the rest of her day catching up on admin and reading her scripts for an upcoming project. Earlier this month, fans were shocked when Helen publicly slated her ex-partner after he missed Charlie’s nativity – as he instead headed to the Middle East.
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Taking to social media at the time, Scott shared an array of snaps from his weekend at the Formula 1 in Abu Dhabi, which included views of the race course, drinks with friends and a yacht. He captioned the post: “What a weekend-Abu Dhabi F1”
But Helen raged over the sporty snaps – re-posting them on her own Instagram Stories feed, and launching allegations at her ex. She swiftly reposted his picture and wrote: “You really are a piece of s*** @scotty_sinclair how dare you not turn up to Charlie’s nativity”. She followed the dig with a picture of her and Charlie and said he was the ‘best boy’.
The man who was Meghan Markle’s closest aide has left his position. After the Duke and Duchess decided to end their lives as senior working royals in 2020, James Holt, who headed their organization, was with them.
Holt served as their PR manager from 2019 to 2021 before resuming his position with the Sussexes in their charitable work. When James and the Sussexes began their new chapter, financially independent of the Royal Family, James also had a trip to California with them.
He claimed that Brexit had stoked racist sentiments and had destroyed Meghan’s “fairy tale” of marrying her Prince in their bombshell Netflix series Harry &, Meghan. However, sources now claim that Mr. Holt wants to spend more time with his family in London, but it’s been a “great privilege” to work alongside the Duke and Duchess throughout the years.
James Holt, who works for Archewell, has resigned from his position.
He stated in a statement to the media that working with Meghan and Prince Harry has been one of my greatest accomplishments. He has consistently made me think more about how we can affect change, from my first project with Prince Harry eight years ago to my work with the British military to my recent work helping injured children in Gaza.
Mr. Holt continued to say that he first spotted a “kindred spirit” in Meghan, who frequently finds joy in “difficult moments” at his first meeting with the former Suits actress. The work we’ve done together to help victims of online harm will continue to be my most meaningful professional life, he added. These families inspire me every day because they are extraordinary.
Through Megxit, Mr. Holt (left) had interacted with the Sussexes.
After five incredible years in Los Angeles, James continued, “My family needs to come back to London.” I’ll be incredibly proud and optimistic about what lies ahead when I take the team-leadership of Archewell Philanthropies in the upcoming months.
I’ll miss my coworkers dearly, and I’m grateful to Harry and Meghan for everything they have done for me and the many people we’ve helped to support. James has been a fantastic support for us for almost ten years, according to “The Duke and Duchess.” His enthusiasm and talent for leading our philanthropic endeavors are extraordinary. We are pleased that James will continue to lead various humanitarian missions for us overseas through Archewell Philanthropies as he relocates his young family back to the UK.
Holt will continue to serve as a senior philanthropic advisor to Meghan and Harry, their Archewell Philanthropies, and on their “humanitarian trips overseas in 2026” despite his decision to leave.
However, sources claim that James is “frustrated” that the Sussexes are going through a transition. He added that he is concerned about how the couple will react to his choice and is “very protective” of the couple. His decision to break up with the couple comes as Archewell goes through a number of difficulties, including Kirsten Slevin’s departure as Programs and Operations Director.
According to the organization’s records, Archewell paid Holt $245, 000 last year. He was clearly absent from the Archewell team photo taken in November when he took the executive director position last year. Harry and Meghan were last seen with Mr. Holt in October.  ,
Meredith Maines, Meghan and Harry’s chief communications officer, left her position after ten months, and Mr. Holt’s departure comes just as Meghan and Harry’s relationship ends.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s office confirmed the most recent change, saying that Method Communications and Meredith Maines had completed their work with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. The Duke and Duchess appreciate their contributions and wish them well.
After a year of inspiring work with Prince Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and Archewell, Ms. Maines announced a new opportunity in 2026. The couple, the team, and the world’s good are doing it all for the best, and I have the best of my best gratitude and respect for them. She primarily handled the duchess’ public relations while working alongside Method Communications, an external company that supports the couple’s communications. The Sussexes’ UK and Europe communications director, Liam Maguire, has meanwhile concentrated primarily on Prince Harry’s communications.
The Sussexes’ 10 aides have been lost since leaving their royal roles and moving to California more than five years ago, according to a report from The Mirror in October. In recent years, communications staff has also departed. Three months after being appointed as Harry and Meghan’s director of communications, Emily Robinson resigned. Ashley Hansen, the Sussexes’ global press secretary, left after two years to launch her own consulting firm a year ago. Charlie Gipson, a staffer in the UK, and Kyle Boulia, a staffer in California, both left earlier that summer.
Beyonce and Jay-Z may be about to make use of a “rich person loophole” to help them buy their family’s first home in the Cotswolds.
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Jay-Z and Beyonce are ready to create their dream UK property(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Beyonce and Jay-Z could be about to use a “rich person” loophole to build their dream estate in the Cotswolds. The married megastars arebelieved to have purchased a 58-acre plot in the picturesque location for a holiday home for themselves and their three children.
The pair’s permission to construct a seven-bed property on the land, which currently includes an algae-filled lake and a derelict shack, has been reported. According to the government’s National Planning Policy Framework, a special exemption clause allowed development on the spot.
Due to the high price tag required to override traditional restrictions, it has been dubbed the “rich person clause.” After the spot was listed for sale, Jay-Z and Beyonce reportedly purchased it for around $7.5 million.
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It was marketed as “totally unique” at the time and featured a magical woodland lake in the area. The listing stated that “Permission has been granted to construct a large, contemporary home that partially cantilevers over its own lake, has incredible room volumes throughout, will be exceptionally light, and has stunning views over the countryside.” Both the permission and position are outstanding.
But despite huge names such as the Beckhams and Jeremy Clarkson having property nearby, locals are said to hold fears. One told The Sun: “My grandson will think this is wonderful that they are coming here. I think it will change the village.”
A source previously told the Mirror in September: “They were in negotiation on the price, and it isn’t on the market any more, which would suggest it’s a done deal.”
The Mirror at the time described the opportunity as a “spectacular rural estate” in architectural drawings obtained exclusively from the Mirror at the time. It is said to “offer seamless indoor-outdoor living by combining contemporary architecture and timeless materials”.
The property makes a striking architectural statement by blending contemporary style with sustainable building practices, according to the document’s description.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé reportedly flew over the area earlier this summer as the Single Ladies singer prepared for her Cowboy Carter World Tour English leg. The couple flew between her London gigs last week, according to an insider, to view a 58-acre plot of land.
“Located close to friends Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, and with Simon Cowell and the Beckhams as neighbours, she felt it would be an ideal UK home for her family, away from the city when they’re in the country.”
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Following the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, it had previously been claimed that the pair had been looking for a home in the UK. According to a source, the wildfires have provided them with a compelling reason to look elsewhere to build new bases.
They continued, “They will always be based in LA, but the UK is on the agenda.” Because they support everything Beyonce does, she adores the UK.
