Archive June 1, 2025

Former The One Show presenter and Countryfile star Matt Baker is back on our screens with a new series about the British Isles after making an emotional discovery during filming

Countryfile host Matt Baker has revealed that he was moved to tears while filming his latest series, particularly when discussing Queen Elizabeth II.

The former The One Show presenter, 47, is back on our screens with Matt Baker’s British Isles on More4.

In the show, he embarks on a journey around the UK, visiting areas that some viewers may be familiar with, while others may not. Among the locations he explores is a Scottish village named Crathie, which holds significant Royal ties.

Speaking to TV Times, the Countryfile star shared: “I also go to the Scottish village of Crathie, outside Balmoral Castle, where locals have mingled with the Royal Family since the 19th century.

“The Royal chaplain, a lovely man named Ken, showed me around the church and I felt quite emotional hearing about the special service held for locals when the late Queen Elizabeth II passed.”

This isn’t the first time the late Queen has been mentioned in recent weeks. Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, claimed that she communicates with the monarch through her corgis.

Sarah, 65, stated that the late queen’s corgis visit her every morning and when they bark, she is “sure” it’s Queen Elizabeth speaking to her.

Addressing the London Creative Women Platform forum, Sarah commented: “I have her dogs, I have her corgis. Every morning they come in and go ‘woof woof’ and all that and I’m sure it’s her talking to me.”

While Sarah Ferguson reminisces about Queen Elizabeth’s beloved dogs, former Royal chef Darren McGrady spills the beans on Her Majesty’s preferred snack.

The culinary expert, who served the Royal Family for an impressive 15 years, divulged to a YouTube channel that the Queen’s go-to sandwich was none other than jam pennies.

He shared: “The Queen was served jam pennies in the nursery as a little girl. She’s had them for afternoon tea ever since.

“It’s simple: just bread and jam with a little butter-usually strawberry jam. We’d make the jam at Balmoral Castle with the gorgeous Scottish strawberries from the gardens.”

In another tasty revelation, Tom Parker Bowles, in his book ‘Cooking and The Crown’, hints at another of the monarch’s favourites, according to GloucestershireLive.

Mel B was joined by Melanie C and Emma Bunton as she celebrated her landmark birthday – with all three ladies looking wild and delightful in animal print outfits

Mel B had a mini Spice Girls reunion as she was joined by Melanie C and Emma Bunton to celebrate her 50th birthday. The music icon looked in high spirits as she paid tribute to half a century of life, with an energetic night of partying to mark the occasion.

The singer, known as Scary Spice, was joined by fellow Spice Girls stars Mel, 51, and Emma, 49 – with the trio stunning in leopard print. Birthday girl Mel looked elegant in a long sleeved shimmering mini dress with sequins arranged in animal print fashion.

While Mel C paid tribute to her Sporty Spice days by wearing a leopard print dress by sport brand Adidas. Emma also opted for a long-sleeved mini and looked thrilled to join the party with her bandmates. Throughout the night, the band danced along to music, including the band’s hit, Holler.

On Sunday, Mel took to Instagram to share a video montage of her party – uploading the highlights reel to her main grid alongside a caption stating: “Heres to 50 !!! And allll thats to come.”

Earlier in the week, Emma had marked the occasion by sharing a string of photos of herself with Mel from over the years alongside a caption reading: “Happy 50th @officialmelb! I’m not far behind you! ! ! From zig ah zig ahs to belly laughs. Hope you have the best day. Sending love and birthday hugs. “

And Mel C had shared a string of images of her own along with a long caption. She wrote: “50 years on this planet my darling @officialmelb. Oh, the adventures we have had! I still remember the first day we met and thinking you were the coolest person I had ever seen, how is that over 30 years ago? ! “

She continued: “I’m so proud of everything we have achieved and adversities you have not only overcome but have used to help others Mel B MBE Hon D Univ you’re a f***ing rock star and I love you more than words can say. Looking forward to BIG celebrations soon! Happy Birthday you Northern nutter. “

Fans noticed that both Victoria Beckham and Geri Horner – known as Posh Spice and Ginger Spice respectively – were absent from Mel’s birthday celebrations. Mel and Geri have had a feisty friendship over the years – with Mel admitting she was left fuming when Geri quit their band at the peak of its fame in the 1990s.

Geri marked Mel’s birthday when it passed on Thursday by sharing a snap of them in an Instagram post. She wrote at the time: “Happy 50th birthday @officialmelb wishing you a very wonderful year ahead. “

It was something of a celebration-filled weekend for Melanie, as her fiancé, Rory McPhee, also celebrated his birthday. On Saturday, Mel shared a photo of them together via her Instagram page and added a gushing message about him.

She wrote: “My soon-to-be husband! ! Happy birthdayyyy ! ! ! I can’t wait for a lifetime together with you to always having fun like only we no and laughing all the way together alwaysss I luv youuu my luv @rorymcphee. “

Mel and Rory have been in a relationship since 2018, and they became engaged in October 2022. While their wedding date is currently unknown, it has been revealed that the singer and her hairdresser husband-to-be are planning to get married at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.

The Spice Girl icon revealed to TODAY in the USA recently that she is granted permission to marry at the iconic venue thanks to her status as a holder of a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) title.

She told the morning news show last month: “I got an MBE for all my charity work that I’ve been doing. It was actually Prince William that gave me my little honorary badge. And it’s quite a big deal. I didn’t realise how much of a big deal it was until I started reading about it, and then I started getting really nervous. It was really lovely. So, because of that, I am going to get married in the same church as Princess Diana.”