Former This Morning star, Phillip Schofield, looked deep in thought as he picked up his cream Mini Cooper from the garage after it was repaired in West London
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Phillip Schofield cut a glum figure as he took his car into the garage(Image: w8media)
Phillip Schofield looked decidedly downcast as he collected his Mini Cooper from the garage. It comes after the former This Morning star pranged his prized £60,000 Jaguar in September. The ex-Cube and Dancing on Ice host, 63, appeared deep in thought as he picked up his car, which had been repaired, in London while clutching some paperwork, sporting his signature fitted black jeans and Chelsea boots.
Grimacing against the cold, the dad-of-two – who returned to our screens last year in his jaw-dropping three-part show Cast Away – left the garage, wearing a grey hoodie and navy puffer jacket before being papped driving his Mini away. It’s not the first time this year that the Broom Cupboard star, who left This Morning in 2023 following an “unwise but not illegal” relationship with a younger colleague, has had car trouble.
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In September, Phillip watched as his £60,000 Jaguar was towed away following a collision. The veteran presenter was spotted in the street as the swanky black motor was loaded onto a recovery truck. Pictures showed Phillip’s pricey car came off worse for wear after the incident, with the rear tyre and far side door suffering the worst of the damage.
But Schofield, dressed in blue jeans and a salmon polo jumper, was all smiles as a man came to his rescue and got the car on the back of the rescue truck. The former This Morning anchor was overheard joking and laughing with the recovery team saying: “It’s only a piece of metal” and was generally pragmatic about the whole incident.
Also having car trouble recently was Phil’s former co-host and best pal, Holly Willoughby. The mum-of-three, 44, pleaded guilty after knocking a man off his scooter near her £3m home in August, which saw her given six points on her license and fined.
Holly, who presented This Morning with Phil for 14 years before they both left in 2023, was driving her Mini without due care and attention after colliding with the victim near her £3m home in August, a court heard.
A hearing took place last week Lavender Hill Magistrates’ Court in London, although Holly, whose name appeared in court documents as Holly Baldwin – which is her married name – did not attend. The former This Morning star pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention via post.
The court was shown footage of the Wylde Moon guru turning right into a side street in her £25,000 black Mini Cooper without indicating and hitting the oncoming white Piaggio scooter.
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The victim, who was not named, was seen flying off his bike after hitting Holly’s car. He sustained a fractured vertebra in his neck and a broken toe.
The Duchess of Sussex has reportedly been trying to contact her estranged father amid his health struggle
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Meghan has reached out to her feather amid his health scare
Meghan Markle has reportedly been desperately trying to contact her father, Thomas Markle Snr, amidst his ongoing health issues, despite the pair being estranged for seven years. The Duchess of Sussex’s 81-year-old father was reportedly rushed to hospital in early December after his foot “turned black” from a blood clot in his leg.
According to Thomas’ younger son and Meghan’s half-brother Thomas Jnr, Mr Markle underwent a below the knee amputation of his left leg in a hospital in Cebu, Philippines. After the news broke of Thomas’ health scare, Meghan reportedly began trying to reach out to her estranged father.
Dr Neil Sanico amputated Mr Markle’s foot and lower leg during a three-hour operation after a massive blood clot cut off circulation to the limb, as he told the Daily Mail : “There was no option but amputation.”
“The clot was so large we could not risk removing it first and then having the infection from the foot spread around his body and cause sepsis. There was a danger of gangrene setting in. He has a long road ahead of him but I am pleased with the way he came through surgery and the positive attitude he has shown since. He is a strong and brave man.”
Just days after the life-altering operation, Thomas shared via the publication that he has been moved out of the intensive care unit and into a standard hospital room, and has started gentle physical therapy sessions. If you can’t see the poll, click here.
He said: He said: “I am determined to walk again. I sometimes get a weird feeling that my leg is still there. The doctors said it was a common thing for people to feel ‘phantom’ limbs. I know I have a long journey ahead of me. I am thankful for the excellent care I have received here in Cebu and for the wonderful Filipino doctors and nurses who saved my life.”
As his health battle continues, Meghan is said to have personally made phone calls to hospitals in the Philippines in an urgent bid to establish the hospital logo seen in photographs on her father’s hospital gown, in order to get in contact with him.
Meghan was left with no option but to email her father on a previous attempt to establish contact following the surgery as she does not have a current phone number for her father, who she fell out with in the run-up to the royal wedding in 2018.
But sources say Thomas Markle does not have his phone available to him, and therefore is out of contact. Meghan has reportedly asked her PR team to reach out to journalists from publications who are in contact with her father to ask for information on his address and whereabouts, as she wants to send him a handwritten letter.
Meghan has not had any contact with her father since her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018. Thomas had been set to attend the wedding at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, but was unable to travel due to suffering two heart attacks on the eve of the wedding.
Before Harry and Meghan tied the knot in their fairytale wedding, there was tension brewing between the Duchess and her father as he was caught staging paparazzi photos in the run-up to the big day. Mr Markle then suffered a heart attack, with King Charles stepping in at the last minute to walk Meghan down the aisle.
Mr Markle went on to repeatedly speak to the media and later claimed he had been “shunned” by Meghan. He criticised the duchess but still said he wanted to reunite with her, and publicly pleaded to be able to see Archie and Lilibet, who he has never met, saying in 2023: “She is not the person I knew as my daughter.”
What do you think? Should Meghan Markle reunite with her estranged father? Take our poll and have your say in the comments below.
Home Improvement, a huge hit in the 1990s, followed power tool enthusiast Tim and his TV show, Tool Time, along with the challenges of his family life
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Home Improvement launched the careers of its young stars and cemented Tim Allen as a household name(Image: Getty Images)
Millions grew up with the Taylor family from classic sitcom Home Improvement, tuning in every week to laugh at dad Tim’s clumsy DIY attempts and the chaos caused by his kids.
The show centred on power tool enthusiast Tim Taylor , who hosted his own show, Tool Time, and his futile attempts to balance his family life with his messy hobby.
It wasn’t just a comedy – the show was a cultural touchstone, launching the careers of its young stars and cementing Tim Allen as a household name.
Decades after the final episode aired in 1999, fans might wonder what became of the beloved cast. Some pursued long careers in Hollywood, others left the spotlight entirely, and a few have faced personal challenges far from the cameras.
Zachary Ty Bryan, has had a particularly turbulent time since the show, and was arrested just last month for the sixth time in five years, this time for a violation of his probation terms.
Here’s a closer look at what the Taylor boys, their parents and Tool Time co-host Al Borland, have been up to since Home Improvement ended more than 25 years ago.
Zachery Ty Bryan (Brad Taylor)
Zachery Ty Bryan shot to fame as Brad Taylor on the ABC sitcom and his hijinks at school were central to many of the show’s storylines. After the show ended, he continued acting with roles in films such as The Clown at Midnight (1998).
However, Bryan’s also faced a series of legal troubles. Last month, the 44-year-old was arrested in Oregon after allegedly violating the terms of his probation stemming from a prior domestic violence conviction – with his three kids placed with a family member.
It marked the sixth time in five years that he’s been taken into custody, Fox Los Angeles reported. Back in January, he was detained after allegedly choking and punching an unidentified woman during a domestic dispute in South Carolina.
In 2023, he told the Hollywood Reporter that it “was actually really difficult” to find stability as an actor after the ABC sitcom concluded in 1999.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Randy Taylor)
Jonathan Taylor Thomas became a teen heartthrob during the show’s run, praised for his charm and intelligence as Randy Taylor. After Home Improvement, he focused on his education, attending Harvard University and Columbia University where he studied philosophy and history.
Now 44, he’s continued acting in voice roles, including in The Lion King as young Simba, but largely avoided high-profile acting projects as an adult. Jonathan has occasionally returned to TV for cameos and interviews, maintaining a low profile.
Today, he leads a largely private life, occasionally speaking about childhood fame and the challenges of growing up in the public eye. However, fans continue to celebrate him as one of the most talented young actors of the 1990s.
Taran Noah Smith (Mark Taylor)
Taran Noah Smith portrayed the youngest Taylor son, Mark. Following the show, he left acting entirely and became a successful businessman, founding an organic farming project that specialised in vegan cheese.
The 41-year-old has deliberately stayed out of the spotlight, choosing a private lifestyle focused on family and entrepreneurship rather than acting, offering occasional interviews reflecting on his time as a child star.
Smith married Heidi van Pelt, 16 years his senior, in 2001, but the pair divorced in 2007. He continues to manage his business interests, occasionally sharing insights about balancing childhood fame with adult privacy. He’s also a manager of a Community Submersibles Project, where he teaches people how to pilot submarines.
Patricia Richardson (Jill Taylor)
Patricia Richardson played the matriarch Jill Taylor and has stayed active in the entertainment industry since the show ended. She appeared in TV series like drama Strong Medicine and continued guest-starring on a range of projects.
Richardson, 74, has been involved in advocacy and public speaking, often discussing mental health and parenting, drawing on her experiences both on and off-screen.
While she never returned to the same level of household-name fame, she continues to act in theatre and television, starring in shows like Law and Order. She married fellow actor Ray Baker in 1982 and they have three children together.
Tim Allen (Tim “Tool Man” Taylor)
Tim Allen, the star and co-host of Home Improvement, has remained one of the most visible cast members. After the show, he returned to stand-up, voiced Buzz Lightyear in the Toy Story franchise, and led the sitcom Last Man Standing .
The 72-year-old has also made occasional guest appearances on other TV shows and movies, keeping his signature comedic persona alive.
In 1998, he was arrested for driving under the influence in Birmingham, Michigan, and sentenced to one-year probation. He also attended a rehabilitation clinic for alcohol abuse.
In 2021, he criticised Donald Trump and those who took part in the Capitol attack, calling it “horrible, embarrassing and shameful”.
Debbe Dunning (co-host Heidi Keppert)
Debbe Dunning portrayed “Tool Time” co-host Heidi Keppert, Tim’s enthusiastic assistant. Following the series, she has appeared in a handful of television shows and smaller film projects, but largely stepped back from acting to focus on family life.
She was a model as well as an actor, and appeared in 1980s comedy Dangerous Curves along with the American Gladiators Celebrity Challenge.
Now 59, Dunning has occasionally returned for Home Improvement reunion events and interviews, reflecting on her experiences as part of the show and the lasting bond with her co-stars.
Richard Karn (co-host Al Borland)
Richard Karn played Tim’s loyal co-host, Al Borland, whose awkward humour made him a fan favourite. After Home Improvement, Karn continued acting in television and film, but also became well-known as the host of the game show Family Feud from 2002 to 2006.
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He has made guest appearances on various shows and occasionally participates in nostalgia panels and reunions, keeping his association with Al Borland alive.
Linda Robson opened up about working with former Birds of a Feather colleague Pauline Quirke as she admitted there was one aspect of the job Pauline “wasn’t a fan” of
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Linda Robson issued an update on her friend Pauline Quirke(Image: BBC)
Actress Linda Robson admitted her Birds of a Feather co-star Pauline Quirke “wasn’t a fan” of one thing in particular.
Pauline, 66, sparked huge public support when it was announced she was suffering from dementia earlier this year, triggering her retirement from acting.
She is most synonymous with Birds of a Feather, the BBC sitcom she co-starred in with Robson and Lesley Joseph. Pauline played Sharon Theodopolopodous in the popular programme, but she apparently did not enjoy the live shows.
Speaking to Bella, Linda, 67, said: “We did a thing where we did Birds of a Feather for years and years and years. We’d do a group hug, and then we’d do a group pelvic thrust.
“Any new cast members coming in, we’d include them and do a group pelvic thrust. We had little routines like that.
“Pauline used to get herself in a state, she hated doing the live show and touring around the country, she wasn’t a fan of that. I think she felt safer in the TV studio.”
Birds of a Feather ran from 1989 to 1998 on BBC One, before it was revived from 2014 to 2020 on ITV.
It comes after Linda shared an emotional update about her friend and former colleague as Pauline continued to battle against dementia.
She appeared on BBC Breakfast alongside Pauline’s son Charlie, who is about to embark on a 140km trek to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK following her diagnosis.
Linda has known Pauline since they were 10 years old when they attended the same theatre school. The pair are still meeting up despite her condition.
The actress said: “We met up about three or four weeks ago at a restaurant.
“It was so lovely. She was just giggling, and just really enjoying it, she ate everything as well. I left there happy because she was happy, and I knew they were looking after her really well.”
Charlie started his mammoth trek yesterday (Monday, December 8) and is set to finish on Friday (December 12). It will see him visit. places from Pauline’s past before finishing at the family home.
Speaking out Pauline’s son, Linda added: “I’ve known him since he was in the womb, really, he’s a good boy.
“There’s so many people now that get dementia now, my mum for instance had it really, really bad and it’s the worst thing ever I think.’
Charlie added: “We’ve got to raise awareness for it, and this trek is about my mum’s career and her life, and it’s just nice to be here with Linda, and get the ball rolling with the trek.”
The Virgin billionaire, 75, announced last month that his beloved wife and partner of 50 years had passed away
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Richard Branson shared an update over the death of his wife Joan(Image: Richard Branson/Instagram)
Heartbroken Richard Branson has shared an update with followers after the death of his beloved wife Joan. The Virgin billionaire, 75, announced last month that his wife and partner of 50 years had passed away – saying she was “my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world”.
Yesterday he issued an update thanking fans and adding: “We’re the kind of family that now just want to celebrate Joan and the wonderful life she lived.” Richard and Joan married in 1989 on his private Necker Island and had three children – Holly, Sam, and Clare Sarah, who died after four days – as well as five grandchildren.
Posting two pictures of him and Joan together, Richard wrote: “Thank you to everyone who has shared such kind messages about Joan. Our whole family are so touched by the outpouring of love. It brings us great comfort and it means so much to us all. We’re the kind of family that now just want to celebrate Joan and the wonderful life she lived.
“I feel so fortunate to have met her all those years ago. She was just a joy to be around – as so many of your messages reiterated. Sending big hugs to everyone who has been in contact. And to anyone who has lost a family member recently, our thoughts (and Joan’s thoughts, I’m sure) are with you as well.”
The post was liked tens of thousands of times with followers including Natalie Imbruglia sending their best wishes. The singer wrote: “So much love to you and the family Richard… love all the happy, funny stories shared of Joan. So much Joy!!! She is one in a million.”
Announcing Joan’s death on 25 November this year, he wrote a short message that read: “Heartbroken to share that Joan, my wife and partner for 50 years, has passed away.
“She was the most wonderful mum and grandmum our kids and grandkids could have ever wished for. She was my best friend, my rock, my guiding light, my world. Love you forever, Joan x.”
Richard later opened up about a strange coincidence that saw them able to spend her final days together after ending up in nearby rooms in the same hospital. He explained: “Holly, Sam and I are all together now, doing our best to smile through the tears and to focus on all the good things Joan brought into our world. There are so many.
“Fate has a strange way of working. As many already know, I’d come off my bike in India and hurt my shoulder. Joan was recovering from her own back injury in hospital in England. In the way life sometimes surprises you, I found myself moved to a room just down the corridor from her. We laughed together about how typical it was of us to end up on the same floor, like love-struck teenagers delighted to find each other again.
“We had a lovely lunch that day. She was in positive spirits and getting stronger. She smiled at me, that radiant smile that lit up her whole face, the same smile I fell in love with the very first moment I saw her, half a century ago. Then suddenly, she was gone, quickly and painlessly. And thankfully, I was right by her side. It brings us all great comfort to know we were together.”
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The businessman later shared a picture of a picture of Joan in a monastery in Bhutan saying he was “incredibly touched” by the gesture. Richard wrote: “Thank you so much to everyone who has been in touch and shown so much love for Joan and our family over the past few days. It means the world to us.
TV presenter Claudia Winkleman has accepted an MBE from the King today as she was joined by her proud husband at Windsor Castle.
Claudia and her Strictly Come Dancing co-host Tess Daly were both made MBEs in the King’s Birthday Honours for their services to broadcasting. Just weeks after the announcement, the duo announced that they will be leaving the BBC dance show after fronting it together since 2014.
Claudia donned an all white suit for the occasion along with a pair of matching stiletto heels and a headband over her signature glossy locks. As she collected the honour, Claudia was seen cracking a joke with King Charles whose wife Queen Camilla is a known fan of Strictly. Claudia and Tess were both sent personal letters from the Queen after their MBE’s were announced, with Tess calling her visit to Windsor Castle ‘the proudest day of her life’.
Claudia Winkleman gave a beaming smile as she was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire by King Charles III ( PA)
Claudia was joined by her film producer husband Kris Thykier and her mum Eve Pollard. Claudia and Eve – a former editor of the Sunday Mirror – posed to pictures together in the castle grounds following the service.
Claudia began her career as a TV and radio presenter fronting a range of BBC TV shows including Comic Relief and The Great British Sewing Bee. She went on to present a range of programmes on BBC Radio 2 until 2024, including the comedy quiz series Hot Gossip, the Claudia Winkleman Arts Show and Claudia On Sunday.
After jointly receiving their honours, Claudia and Tess’ last appearance on Strictly will be the Christmas special, which will air on December 25. Last week the BBC confirmed that Claudia’s second reality series The Traitors will return to screens on New Year’s Day.
Former cabinet minister Dame Penny Mordaunt, who played a prominent role during the King’s coronation in 2023, joined Claudia at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. She was made a dame for political and public service.
Claudia was seen joking with Charles during the ceremony at Windsor Castle ( PA)
King Charles’ wife Camilla is a huge fan of Strictly ( PA)
Claudia’s MBE comes weeks after co-host Tess was given the same honour in November. Speaking after her ceremony, Tess said the King put her ‘nerves’ at ease.
She said: “This is probably the greatest honour of my career and it still feels quite surreal to be honest with you. I’ve been working in television for 25 years, and it’s a job I absolutely love to do. It was a real privilege to be in a room of people who have made a difference in their communities, who have built incredible careers. It was a very inspiring environment.”
She added: “His Majesty put me at ease – I was quite nervous. We talked about the show and I know the Queen enjoys it. She sent me a letter of congratulations when I received the MBE which meant the world.”
She added: “He (the King) thanked me for the work I have done for his charity as well – the King’s Trust.
Claudia Winkleman with her mother Eve Pollard ( AP)
“We talked about the funds that it’s raised and how many young people’s lives this has made a huge difference to and I’m very proud to be an ambassador of this charity.
“It’s just incredible to be welcomed into a royal residence by a member of the royal family – the King, no less – and to have such an honour bestowed upon you is something that you don’t take lightly.
“I will never forget this day for the rest of my life. It’s for my family as much as it is for myself.
Tess Daly with her husband Vernon Kay and their eldest daughter Phoebe Kay ( Getty Images)
“If I could dedicate it to anyone, I would dedicate it to my late dad because he’d be so proud of his daughter meeting the King, in a castle.”
Speaking about her forthcoming departure from Strictly, she said: “I love the show, it’s wonderful and it’s just fantastic to have worked on it for as many years as I have. It’s been such a great opportunity to work with incredibly talented people. Obviously for me, there’s no show like it.
“I will miss it but I’m quite looking forward to a lie-in on Saturday morning – and new ventures in the new year.”
Asked who will replace her, she said: “I have no idea, it’s not up to me.
“I’ll be watching at home with Claudia – we’ll be watching the launcher together!”
