Police officers and paramedics rushed to the scene of legendary filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner’s mansion in Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood on Sunday evening
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Michele Singer Reiner and director Rob Reiner(Image: Getty Images for DIFF)
Two people have reportedly been found dead in a mansion owned by legendary filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner.
LAFD paramedics were called to the home on Chadbourne Avenue in Los Angeles’ Brentwood neighborhood at around 3:30 p.m. local time on Sunday, December 15. Minutes later LAPD officers were dispatched to the scene.
Neighbors said Reiner and his wife live in the home, and property records indicate they own the home. Multiple law enforcement sources told NBCLA that the bodies of a 78-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman had allegedly been discovered inside the home.
LAPD detectives reportedly told ABC7 the deaths were being investigated as a homicide as a large number of officers were at the home on Sunday evening. ‘Senior leadership’ of the LAPD is now said to be on the scene of the apparent murders.
Reiner became a household name as Michael Meathead Stivic, the outspoken son-in-law on Norman Lear’s All in the Family. The series ran for nine seasons beginning in 1971. His character often clashed with Archie Bunker, played by Carroll O’Connor.
After his run on All in the Family, Reiner shifted to becoming a full-time director. His first major success was This is Spinal Tap, a 1984 mockumentary that mocked rock bands. Reiner’s directorial career continued through the 1980s and 1990s.
According to ABC News, senior law enforcement sources said that the victims were stabbed to death, and the Los Angeles Times has reported that “there was no signs of forced entry into the home.”
Speaking to media near the Reiner residence, LAPD Deputy Chief Alan Hamilton confirmed that no one has been detained in connection with the deaths as of yet, and also revealed that no one is being interviewed.
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“Before we do anything, we have to get a search warrant,” he said, before adding, “We’re waiting for the legal process to move forward. We’re calling it a death investigation at this point.”
When Hamilton was asked if they have a “timeline of the murder,” he replied, “We have not established that yet.”
TV channels U and Gold have been running a competition for over a decade for new cracker jokes, and it features the man formerly known as Prince Andrew
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A gag about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was named top joke(Image: AP)
A joke about the former Prince Andrew losing his titles, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been crowned the winner of an annual competition to find the best new Christmas cracker joke.
The survey also features the Celebrity Traitors, Oasis and Sabrina Carpenter in a list of this year’s top 10 Christmas cracker gags. TV channels U and Gold have been running a competition for 13 years, asking viewers to send in their best jokes, with ones about Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and singer Lily Allen also included.
The top joke was: “Why is (former) Prince Andrew not writing any Christmas books? He hasn’t got any titles.” The jokes were shortlisted by a panel of experts before going to a public vote of 2,000 British adults, with the author of the winning joke, Ben Smith, from Chelmsford, Essex, receiving a top prize of £1,500 towards a holiday, a festive hamper and a box of bespoke U and Gold Christmas crackers.
Comedy critic and editor of comedy website, Beyond the Joke, Bruce Dessau, who led the U&GOLD judging panel, says, “An absolutely stellar list of jokes this year – possibly one of our best ever in the thirteen years U&GOLD has been running this competition! 2025 has featured a number of newsworthy moments, and there’s a real mix of topical jokes here that poke fun at some of the year’s headlines! Big congratulations to all the winners, and well done to everyone who entered this year.”
Gerald Casey, director of programmes, comedy and entertainment at UKTV, said: “Congratulations to our 2025 winners. Another fantastic year of hilarious entries, showing that the British public are as funny as ever when it comes to the news.
“We hope to spread even more Christmas cheer with our festive U and Gold Christmas programming, including much-loved classic episodes from the likes of The Vicar Of Dibley, The Fast Show and Only Fools And Horses.” The crackers given to the winners are the top six jokes in the competition.
U and Gold’s top 10 Christmas cracker jokes are:
1. “Why is (former) Prince Andrew not writing any Christmas books? He hasn’t got any titles.”
2. “Why don’t Noel and Liam (Gallagher) want to open their presents early on Christmas morning? They need a little time to wake up.”
3. “Which pop star carves her own wooden nativity scene? Sabrina Carpenter.”
4. “What do Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and a snowman have in common? They’re both out in the cold.”
5. “What is a French burglar’s favourite Christmas film? Louvre, actually.”
6. “Could Lily Allen and David Harbour get back together for Christmas? Stranger Things have happened.”
7. “Why won’t Angela Rayner get any Christmas presents this year? Santa can’t decide which address to deliver to.”
8. “What is Claudia Winkleman’s favourite part of Christmas dinner? The taters.”
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9. “Does Celia Imrie beat her family at Christmas party games? Yes, she trumps them all.”
10. “Where has Santa been more than Nigel Farage? His house in Clacton.”
National treasure Dame Judi Dench has admitted she is concerned that social media is taking over, and believes that theatres could pay the price
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Judi Dench is worried about the future of the arts in this country(Image: Radio Times)
Dame Judi Dench has admitted she fears for the future of theatre. In an interview to promote a new TV show with fellow theatre star Kenneth Branagh, Judi was asked if theatre had evolved since she first took to the stage in 1957.
She said: “All I can hope is that theatre has evolved. With the onset of social media and I believe a marked lack of interest in the Arts, I fear that the younger generations won’t have the benefit or interest in the theatre like we all had.”
Judi, 91,insisted the stage had been a huge help to her acting during an incredible career. She is known for starring in such roles as Ophelia in Hamlet, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth.
She said: “In every single play or production I have ever done, I’ve learnt something new. That comes not just from the play or the director, but also from your fellow actors. Each production offers countless opportunities to keep learning and growing.
“I knew in Antony & Cleopatra that there was a line of Cleopatra that was intended to get a laugh – on the 100th performance I got the laugh.”
In Peter Hall’s 1987 National Theatre production of Antony and Cleopatra, Judi Dench took Shakespeare’s character and re-created it from her own personality and imagination. She was alongside Antony Hopkins as Antony. Critics have described it as one of Dench’s greatest performances.
Michael Billington wrote in the Guardian: “Dench gave us a Cleopatra whose sexuality stemmed from her volatility, intelligence and wit: a woman of infinite variety who was enthralling company and an irresistible magnetic force, drawing Anthony Hopkins’s jaded warrior of an Antony back to Egypt.”
But it didn’t always go this week. Recalling her first ever stage performance playing Ophelia in 1957, Dench told Branagh: “I was in a kind of haze. We opened at the Liverpool Playhouse. It didn’t go well.
“They didn’t like somebody completely unknown playing the part. It was a bit dodgy.” Thankfully, she was encouraged and kept on in the theatre company and given smaller roles to build up her confidence again. She would go on to become one of the great British actors.
Dench has won an Oscar, two Golden Globes and six Baftas. As well as her stage performances, she is well known for portraying M in eight James Bond films.
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Tea with Judi Dench sees her joined by Branagh for a one-off show on Sky Arts. They reflect on their remarkable careers and personal journeys in an intimate and insightful discussion. Dench said they share a similar sense of humour and she added: “What I admire most is his attitude to work, his commitment to what he does, and of course his sense of humour – those are the first things that stand out. Also, his respect for the theatre and the work he does.”
* Tea with Judi Dench airs 22 December on Sky Arts, Freeview, and streaming service NOW
Actor John Barrowman has opened up about contemplating taking his own life after he was ‘cancelled’ following allegations that he exposed himself on the set of Doctor Who – but he has since made a career comeback
Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
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John Barrowman has opened up about his life after allegations of exposing himself on set(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
John Barrowman has said he drove to the desert and planned to take his own life. The actor and presenter found his career grinding to a halt in 2021 after allegations that he exposed himself on the set of Torchwood, but in recent years has made a comeback.
The star, who has just one on-screen credit since the allegations emerged, has opened up about the impact the claims had on his mental health. But while sitting in his car in the desert in Colorado, one message from a fan flicked a switch in Barrowman’s brain, which made him return to his home in Palm Springs.
A fan had asked him to record a message on the Cameo app, in exchange for cash and made John completely rethink things. However, for the 58-year-old, driving out to the desert became something he did on several occasions.
He explained that he drove to the desert several times in order to “figure out” how he was going to take his life and didn’t tell anybody. In a new interview with the Mail he said: “You’re looking at the dashboard of the car, and you’ve got your head in your hands, and you’re thinking’, How am I going to get out of this? I don’t see myself coming out of this.'”
He added to the Daily Mail: “You don’t see what’s around you. You’re just focused on where you are at that moment, and I’m thinking, ‘Can I drive the car into something? Can I pull into traffic and go head-on into something? Can I drive it off the edge of a cliff?’ Unfortunate thing: I’ve got a Tesla. It will stop.”
After the allegations emerged, John, who was also a judge on ITV’s Dancing on Ice, was instantly dropped. He claims that the BBC never approached him to ask him about the claims but instead “shut it all down”.
Now, four years after the claims came to light, John is once again starting to see his career pick up. Last year, he appeared on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and also appeared in the UK theatre tour of Laid Bare. This year, he’s back on stage in a new show, Camp as Christmas, which has been a hit with fans.
In his memoir, Anything Goes, released in 2008, he explained that he and a co-star often flashed the cast and crew on set. John wrote: “My co-star’s breasts are known as ‘the girls’, and my naughty bits are ‘the boys’. Whenever we’ve had too many night shifts in a row, or when morale needs a bit of a boost, the boys and girls come out to play.”
He also added that he exposed his bare bum “when the set is feeling dark.” Concerns were raised with the Torchwood exec producer, who ordered Barrowman to stop exposing himself on set.
Speaking previously, John explained that he had been in therapy for his feelings. During an interview with Scotland Tonight, he said of the flashing allegations: “I don’t regret anything. It’s not so much regret; it was something that was stupid and silly, and it was done. I don’t look back because at the time, everybody was laughing. Everybody on set was having a laugh.”
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If you’re struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
The Mirror has approached Barrowman’s spokesperson.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Amber Davies was the subject of brutal comments from social media trolls after defeating Lewis Cope in a dance off but is brushing off the abuse to focus on the positives
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Amber Davies has spoken out after making it to the final(Image: instagram/@amb_d)
Amber Davies has praised her Strictly Come Dancing co-stars after making it through to the final. The 29-year-old former Love Island star is partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, 27, and they have survived 12 weeks and three dance-offs to make it all the way to next Saturday’s grand finale.
On Sunday night, TV fans watched as Strictly judges unanimously voted to save Amber and Nikita after they danced against EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal and her dance partner Julian Caillon – a week after they had saved the duo in a dance off against Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope and dancer Katya Jones.
The 23rd season of Strictly has been fraught for some of the contestants as they have faced abuse online, with Amber targeted after defeating Lewis, and for her West End stage career, which some have felt has given her an unfair advantage in the contest. And the star has seen comments reach beyond criticism to become nothing short of bullying.
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On Sunday night, following the latest results show, Amber took to social media to tell her fans and lavish praise on her fellow contestants – and embrace all the positive experiences she has enjoyed over the past few months. Sharing a photo of herself with defeated semi-finalist Balvinder, the stage star wrote: “To do this experience next to you has been the biggest gift & life lesson, your strength and resilience has inspired me every single day. You are one of a kind, I will always be #TeamBal.”
In a video message to followers, Amber explained that she was supporting her fellow finalists, YouTube star George Clarke and footballer Karen Carney, as they all faced a final together. She said via Instagram: “I just wanna come on here and say in the close to a decade I’ve been in the public eye, I’ve never experienced an outpouring of love the way I have in the last 48 hours.”
She continued: “And to make the Strictly final is…I’m speechless. From how it started, I genuinely can’t believe I’ve made it to the end, but you know, I’ve just realised, I think I’ve needed to do Strictly to realise that there is so much kindness in this world.”
And she explained: “Like Nikita said, we’re stronger when we’re kinder and I’m going to literally enjoy every single second of this week. I’m rooting for George, I’m rooting for Kaz, and I’m just gonna be there to enjoy the ride.”
On Saturday night, Nikita took an opportunity during the live show to defend Amber, who has endured weeks of social media abuse. He told Amber in the Clauditorium: “You have had so much hate every single day from the moment you joined, you’ve had so much hate this week, and yet, you came every single day into the training room with a big smile, ignoring everybody.
“And just giving me love, giving me a ginger shot as well. But you gave so much love, you always were kind, so caring, you care more about me when I’m supposed to care about you. You care about me every single day, you are such a lovely kind person.
“And I think sometimes, and I speak to the audience at home, just please be kind because it costs nothing and you [Amber] don’t deserve none of it. You only deserve love because without you, I wouldn’t be here, and the show wouldn’t be as good as it is.”
Following Sunday’s results show, Amber shared photos of herself with Nikita on the dancefloor alongside an upbeat message about their final week on the show. She began by writing on Instagram: “Strictly 2025 finalists,” alongside an emotion-filled face emoji.
She wrote: “To those who have supported and voted for us from day one, you are the reason we are here and have made it!! 12 live shows, 3 dance-offs, 3 40s!!!! It’s not about winning for me, it never EVER has been, it’s always been about making the most of this incredible opportunity that was gifted to me so last minute. And now I will wholeheartedly cherish every single second of this last week with my partner in crime, one last week of pushing, laughing, learning, growing & of course knowing me lots of crying.”
She added: “I feel an overwhelming emotion of gratitude to you @bbcstrictly the greatest team in the world. Let’s go DANCE OUR HEARTS OUT FOR US @nikita__kuzmin TEAM BLOMMING CHAOS MADE IT TO THE END.”
Adam Peaty OBE and his soon-to-be wife, Holly Ramsay, cannot wait to marry one another in just less than two weeks, but his family will not be attending after a dramatic fallout
Daniel Bird Assistant Celebrity and Entertainment Editor
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Adam’s latest social media post divided his online followers(Image: adam_peaty/Instagram)
Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay are ploughing ahead with their wedding – despite his family fall-out. The Team GB icon, 30, and Gordon Ramsay’s daughter will tie the knot on December 27 in a ceremony at Bath Abbey.
But with less than two weeks to go, the couple are currently making their final preparations for the big day, but took some time out to pose for a string of photographs together. With just days to go until the pair become Mr and Mrs Peaty, while Holly was glamming herself up, Adam also enjoyed some downtime.
The happy couple appeared to be getting ready as Holly sat in front of a mirror with eye patches underneath her eyes, flashing a smile as her fiancé stood shirtless while fastening up his trousers. Adam, in one snap, was gazing out of the window while fastening his trousers, showcasing his ripped physique.
Another snap, as Holly covered her face, as Adam flexed his bulging biceps while pulling a funny face in the mirror. Captioning his post, the former Strictly Come Dancing contestant penned: “Less than two weeks until we’re married @hollyramsayy. Where did the time go? Yes this is literally the only picture we have together in the last few weeks.”
His post was flooded with messages of support, with one fan writing: “I think you are both fab and so glad you have found each other, looking forward to seeing the pics.” A second penned: “Wonderful couple! Your winter wedding will be magical.”
“So excited for you two.” But others were left arguing that his family should be in attendance. One fumed: “Both sides of family should be there.” As a second disgruntled follower added: “You should be on your knees apologising to your poor mum and family!!! Shame on you for allowing Holly to poison you against those that have stood by you all your life and helped you become and achieve what you have!!!!”
Sources close to Adam’s heartbroken mother, Caroline, previously claimed that he had “changed” since meeting Holly and is now chasing fame, despite his working-class upbringing in Uttoxeter.
They added to the Daily Mail: “She’s from a celebrity world and his parents are not, and his ego and self-importance has just got bigger. He’s not the lovely boy next door that we all remember him as. Adam has changed and he is almost a bully. He has been so horrible to his mum and he is now trying to exclude her from his life. She is worried sick about all this and can’t believe it is happening.
“We think Holly has triggered all this, and her parents – the power of the rich and famous.” Adam’s whole family had been invited to the ceremony, with his brother also serving as a groomsman, but this changed when James allegedly sent “threats” to the swimmer and was subsequently arrested.
But it has since come to light that Adam’s sister, Bethany, will be his only relative in attendance. His mother, Caroline, was also not invited to Holly’s hen do at Soho Farmhouse, while Bethany was seen at the glitzy event alongside Lady Victoria Beckham.
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And while Holly has remained tight-lipped about the fallout, Adam recently took to social media to share a statement about the feud. He said: “For those who know me personally, you know that I work so hard on trying to improve myself as a person who wants to contribute to making the world a better place.
“I am continuing to learn about myself and how I can be the man I want to be; a worthy partner, father, businessman, friend and athlete; even through these challenging times. Bethany, Holly and I will get through this – we do not ask for sympathy. We just need people to be aware that there are always two sides to every story. To those of you who have reached out and shown kindness and understanding – thank you. It is deeply appreciated.”
