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Stephen Fry spoke about his time in prison as a teenager whilst opening up on the Celebrity Traitors this evening, admitting he was a ‘troubled child’

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Sir Stephen Fry has opened up about his time in prison during the first episode of the Celebrity Traitors. When asked about his knighthood, the presenter branded himself a “troubled child” and spoke about his stint inside.

While on The Celebrity Traitors, Stephen, 68, was asked by Niko Omilana, a YouTuber, what it was like to be knighted. He responded: “My mother was there and given what a dreadful child I was – I went to prison and things like that – it was like this troubled child has been less of a disgrace.”

While Stephen’s presenting and acting career is well-known, his early life as a “dreadful child” is less publicised. However, he has previously discussed his prison spell on the Diary of a CEO podcast.

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He revealed that he felt “lost and adrift” and that led him down the path to prison. During his teenage years, he was expelled from numerous schools and by the age of 17, he was incarcerated for credit card fraud and sent to Pucklechurch Prison, now known as HMP Ashfield, near Bristol.

Stephen shared how he’d stolen a coat from a pub and realised there was a wallet with two credit cards in it inside. “They were very easy to fraudulently use,” he explained. He added that he began “embarking on a countrywide spending spree” before being apprehended by the police.

Despite the rough start, Stephen has built a successful career in the entertainment industry. Among others, the star has worked on the hit BBC comedy Blackadder, hosted quiz show QI, and been in The Hobbit series.

He was knighted earlier in the year by King Charles III for his work in three key areas, including environmental conservation, his charity work and mental health awareness.

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Last year, Stephen reflected on being bipolar. He was diagnosed with the condition aged 37. The diagnosis was a moment of clarity for the star, who struggled with his mental health for years, surviving three suicide attempts. He called himself the “victim of my own moods”.

“I am the victim of my own moods, more than most people are perhaps, in as much as I have a condition which requires me to take medication so that I don’t get either too hyper or too depressed to the point of suicide.”

This is not Stephen’s only health battle. In 2018, Stephen battled prostate cancer and later spoke about how the long-term effects were harder than he anticipated.

He told Radio 4: “I wish that I’d known that it would take so long to get over it all. I don’t mean the actual physical recuperation and convalescence. I mean that it takes a long time to leave you, cancer.”

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

Fashion designer and Spice Girl, Victoria Beckham, thanked her son, Brooklyn, at the Netflix premiere of her new documentary amid their family feud

Victoria Beckham extended an olive branch to her son, Brooklyn Beckham, during the Netflix premiere of her documentary despite him and his wife, Nicola Peltz, being a no-show at the special event. Her other children, Cruz, Romeo and Harper, were by her side on Wednesday evening as they posed for pictures on the red carpet.

She held hands with her husband, David, before walking into the Curzon Mayfair cinema. Other guests included her Spice Girls pals, best friend Eva Longoria, Richard E Grant, Tilly and Tana Ramsay and Juergen Teller. However, Posh Spice’s estranged son Brooklyn and his socialite wife opted to skip the family affair.

Despite the snub, Victoria, 51, made sure to thank the aspiring chef and former aspiring photographer in her opening speech.

READ MORE: Victoria Beckham Netflix premiere is a family affair but Brooklyn fails to showREAD MORE: Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz’s heartbreaking cameo in Victoria’s Netflix show

Speaking on stage, she said: “I’d like to thank the Spice Girls, Geri, Emma, Melanie and Melanie, I love you so much and thank you so much; my children Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz, Harper and David.”

When the crowd laughed at Victoria implying David was her child, she gasped: “Oh my God, he’s not a child! I was doing so well without cards as well. It’s taken me this process to be proud of what I’ve achieved and to realise finally that I am enough.”

Nepo baby couple Brooklyn and Nicola managed around five seconds on screen in the new Netflix series as they were shown arriving for Victoria’s fashion show in 2024 in Paris shortly before the rift began.

It is a heartbreaking glimpse of the son Victoria and David are now estranged from following a rift which has continued throughout 2025.

One TV source told us: “He is included in the series so there is no question of him being left out, but some people will miss him on screen, it is that brief a cameo.

“Victoria was not in charge of the edit and has spoken of giving up creative control on the project. But perhaps this is another olive branch to make sure he is involved in some small way.

“She and David would surely love him to be more involved with the family if she ever makes another TV series.”

The three-part documentary series, airing tomorrow, centres around Victoria preparing for the fashion show of her life in Paris last year. It also features stories and footage beginning from the teenager who restyled her school uniform, to the Spice Girl who fought to be accepted by a notoriously demanding fashion industry.

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The Traitors episode one saw the celebs turn out in their best tartan looks– and Kate Garraway won the best dressed title

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The wait is finally over: Celebrity The Traitors kicked off on BBC tonight, and if the dramatic castle setting wasn’t enough to grab our attention, the fashion certainly was. The contestants arrived in full Highland style, with tartan and heritage checks stealing the show. Cat Burns opted for a statement check bomber coat and chunky boots, while Ruth Codd leaned into the theme with a classic red checked blazer jacket that gave major autumn style inspiration.

But it wasn’t Claudia Winkleman for once who really stood out amongst the famous crowd– it was Kate Garraway. Wearing an incredibly chic 2-in-1 scarf coat in what we’re predicting will become the top colour pairing for autumn– teal and chocolate brown– that viewers can actually shop on the high street, her look had us all immediately googling where to find the piece.

Though the coat looks just like Boohoo’s 2 in 1 Scarf Check Wool Look Coat, on sale for £45 and incredibly still in stock, we believe it may be New Zealand brand The Iconic’s pricer Harriet Check Long Wool Coat. Until Kate confirms for sure, we’re bagging that Boohoo piece while it’s still stocked, because it’s the best high street alternative we’ve spotted in a long time.

READ MORE: 7 Traitors-inspired fashion finds to steal Claudia Winkleman’s style

The coat pairs a rich chocolate and blue check pattern with a woven wool-look fabric that gives it structure and visual texture without feeling rigid. It features a built-in scarf element, so you get that layered styling edge without having to add extra pieces. The silhouette is slightly tailored through but with enough ease to go over jumpers or light layering.

Button fastenings keep the front clean and classic, while the length hits around mid-thigh- long enough to feel stylish but short enough to work with skirts or trousers. All told, it blends drama and practicality — perfect for a show where style speaks just as loudly as strategy.