Oscar winner Robert Redford has died, aged 89, it’s been announced this week, following a decades-long career as an actor, director and producer that began in the 1960s
It’s been announced that Robert Redford has died, aged 89. The news earlier today has prompted tributes to the actor, whose decades-long career included roles in films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969).
Robert made his film debut in War Hunt (1962) before becoming a ‘leading man’ in projects like Barefoot in the Park (1967) and the Candidate (1972). He later ventured into directing, even winning an Oscar for Ordinary People (1980).
The producer, who was a father-of-four, as well as a grandfather, away from his work, had retired from acting in recent years. Following the news of his death this week, we’ve taken a look back at some highlights from his career.
The beloved TV series Friends ended 21 years ago, but fans are only just discovering there was one plot explored on the fictional show that could ‘never be true’
Friends remains one of the most popular TV shows of all time(Image: NBCUniversal via Getty Images)
Even 21 years after the last episode aired, Friends remains one of the most popular shows on television. You can often find episodes of the sitcom rerunning on various channels on your TV, and there are dedicated fans who will rewatch the entire series at least once a year.
But even die-hard fans of the show are only just realising that some parts of the fictional series are so outlandish they could actually “never be true” in the real world. And in a video shared on TikTok by Justin Taite, one of those lies was brought to light – and it’s all to do with Matt LeBlanc’s character, Joey Tribbiani.
If you’re a fan of Friends, you’ll know that Joey is an actor, and one of the biggest roles he lands is playing Doctor Drake Ramoray on the soap opera, Days of Our Lives. But did you know Days of Our Lives is a real TV show – and there’s no way Joey ever could have starred on it?
Days of Our Lives aired on NBC in the US, the same network that premiered Friends, between 1965 and 2022, and new episodes have been on Peacock since 2022. So, while the show does really exist, there’s one thing that would have stopped a real-life Joey from ever appearing on it – and it’s all to do with where Friends is set.
In his TikTok video, Justin, who is an actor, confirmed he recently recorded an episode of Days of Our Lives himself, so he knows that it wouldn’t have been possible for Joey.
Matt LeBlanc’s character, Joey Tribbiani, was supposed to be a star on Days of Our Lives(Image: NBC via Getty Images)
He said: “Joey Tribbiani could not have been on Days of Our Lives. I know this because I shot an episode back in April, and what I learnt debunks this entire thing.
“After I booked Days of Our Lives and I’m walking through the soundstage and taking it all in, it dawned on me. Do they have a studio in New York, or is Days of Our Lives specifically shot in Burbank [California]? As I’m getting my makeup done, I asked the makeup artist something. I said, ‘Did they shoot this in New York?’ and she says, ‘No, why?’
“I said, ‘So there’s no way that Joey Tribbiani could have ever played Dr Drake Ramoray, because he would have to fly from New York to California and back – 10 hours of flying every day – just to make it to Central Perk in time for coffee’.
“Everybody in the makeup room starts laughing, and [the makeup artist] goes, ‘I’ve worked on this show for 12 years and I have never thought about that once’.”
Justin went on to say that Friends itself was filmed at Warner Bros. in Los Angeles, which is just a few streets away from the Burbank studio where Days of Our Lives is shot. So while it might make sense for Joey to walk to the other studio, it doesn’t quite translate when Friends is supposed to be set in New York.
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Commenters on Justin’s video were equally baffled by the revelation. Many said they had no idea Days of Our Lives was even a real show, while others pointed out further discrepancies between the sitcom and real life.
One person said: “Not me thinking Days of Our Lives was a made up show for Friends.”
Another added: “Wait, Days of Our Lives is a real show?”
With the first storm of the season set to hit the UK in the coming weeks, we”ve found an affordable and simple way to reinforce and repair your fence if it gets damaged in the rough weather
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Shoppers have dubbed the fence repair kit as “brilliant”(Image: Getty)
Ahead of the first storm of the winter months, Amazon has slashed the price of an “extremely sturdy and hard-wearing” fence repair kit.
The Anmas Power Heavy Duty Steel Fence Post Repair Stakes kit has been reduced from £49.99 to £29.99, giving shoppers a massive 40% saving.
The kit, which is available in seven different sizes (with prices varying depending on kit choice), is engineered to be straightforward to use.
According to the Amazon description, users can “simply drive the ground spike into the ground using a hammer or mallet, providing a quick and hassle-free solution for repairing tilted or broken wood fence posts”.
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Shoppers say the kit is easy to use(Image: Amazon)
The kit, which is crafted from “u-shaped steel”, is “suitable for various fence post sizes and types” and perfect for fixing a leaning or damaged fence post, delivering robust support to prevent tilting, reports Yorkshire Live.
Although the Anmas Power Heavy Duty Steel Fence Post Repair Stakes only have 108 reviews so far, customers have been thoroughly impressed by them.
One person said, ” My 6-foot fence nearly blew over with the strong winds a couple of months ago. I thought I would have to replace some of the fence. I bought these to try first. It took 15 minutes to fix the posts, and it feels solid. Excellent. I will probably buy a few more just to secure other posts in the future.”
A second added: “Brilliant, I spent half an hour and repaired a 35-year-old fence. I think it’s stronger now than when I built it.”
Meanwhile, one chuffed customer raved: “I was sceptical at first, but am so pleased I bought these. I thought the posts were past redemption, but I reckon we’ll get another 15 years out of them! Extremely sturdy and hard wearing.”
While most punters were thrilled with their purchase, a few had minor gripes. One such buyer pointed out: “The fence post repair kit arrived without the drill bit and driver bit for installation.”
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Another person chimed in: “Very easy to use, just need a big hammer.”
Hollywood icon Robert Redford has died aged 89 as tributes have been pouring in for the Oscar-winning actor and director. He is said to have died early Tuesday morning alongside his loved ones.
Redford was at his home in Utah and a cause of death has not been shared. The actor, director, producer, and environmentalist is best known for his roles in classic films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s Men, and Out of Africa.
He won an Oscar for directing Ordinary People in 1980 and received an honorary lifetime achievement Oscar in 2002. Redford announced his retirement from acting in 2018, after starring in The Old Man & the Gun before making a cameo appearance in the TV show Dark Winds, on which he worked as an executive producer.
Mia O’Hare
Robert awarded the highest honour in the US
In 2016, Robert was given the highest honour by President Barack Obama. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom as Obama said Americans “admire Bob not just for his remarkable acting, but for having figured out what to do next”.
The award is considered the US government’s highest civilian honour.
President Barack Obama presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert (Getty Images)
Mia O’Hare
‘One of the all-time great movie stars’
Tributes have started to pour in for Robert, with broadcaster Piers Morgan branding him “one of the all-time great movie stars.”
Actress Marlee Matlin, who starred in Academy Award-winning 2021 film CODA, said the film “came to the attention of everyone” because of Robert’s Sundance Film Festival.
Mia O’Hare
Inside Robert’s personal life – from two marriages to A-list romances
Robert’s personal life was every bit as colourful as his characters on screen. He was twice married, first to Lola Van Wagenen from 1958 to 1985 and later married Sibylle Szaggars in 2009.
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Official statement on Robert’s death
Cindi Berger, chief executive and chairman of talent agency Rogers and Cowan PMK, said Robert Redford died on Tuesday September 16 at his home in Utah.
She said: “Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah–the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved.
“He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”
Robert’s publicist has released a statement (Press Association)
Mia O’Hare
Change of careers
Robert branched into directing in his 40s, and went on to win an Academy Award for Ordinary People. It also won Redford three other Oscars, including best picture.
Mia O’Hare
Inside Robert’s illustrious film career
Regarded as one of the icons of the silver screen, Robert began his acting career on stage and television in the late 1950s and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before making his Broadway debut in the play Tall Story in 1959.
He went on to appear in several TV shows including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, and Route 66. His breakthrough role came in Neil Simon’s Broadway hit Barefoot in the Park in 1963, which led to his film debut in War Hunt and meteoric rise to the top as one of Hollywood’s most dashing leading men.
Robert Redford starred in The Sting in 1973 (Getty Images)
Plane passengers saw a man standing in the aisle of a Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Malta, and when people finally realised who it was they started to praise him for flying budget
They couldn’t believe their eyes (Stock Image)(Image: 2021 Joel Guay/Shodanphotos via Getty Images)
Passengers on a Ryanair flight were left baffled when they spotted a famous face in the aisle. The man who had caught their attention was none other than Vybz Kartel, 49, the Jamaican dancehall artist also known as the King of Dancehall.
Vybz, along with his fiancée Sidem Öztürk, 32, were seen on the budget airline, much to the surprise of fellow passengers. The down-to-earth star was even seen stowing his own luggage in the overhead locker before taking time to chat and pose for photos with fans on the plane. Despite being able to afford a private jet, as many of his fans pointed out, Vybz chose to fly with Ryanair, fully aware that he would be recognised by his fans and followers.
The artist is enjoying a successful year, having recently won the Impact Award at the MOBO Awards and making his first UK performance in two decades at the Wireless Festival, where he was brought on stage by Drake.
His decision to fly budget has been met with praise from fans, who believe he makes these public appearances “for the fans”.
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An Instagram post by @theshadeborough read: “Talk about soul plane! #VybzKartel made these passengers’ journey after he was seen on a Ryanair flight”.
Fans were quick to commend him for his choice, with one man commenting: “He’s doing it for the fans. He can actually afford to take a private jet”.
“Imagine going to Malta to see Vybz and he’s just on your flight,” one fan excitedly shared.
Others praised him as “humble,” jesting that the “whole flight was about to be a concert”.
“Simplicity is key, save your money,” another person advised, commending Vybz for his choice of budget travel.
People praised him for being happy with budget travel(Image: WireImage)
Some even quipped that it was “Ryanair’s biggest achievement” to have the superstar onboard one of their flights.
A woman revealed that fans barely “gave him a second” to catch his breath on the flight before they swarmed him for selfies.
However, the dancehall sensation seemed to relish the attention, as did his fiancée, both appearing delighted to engage with their adoring fans.
“Since when does Ryanair have business class seats?” a man jested, implying that the star should be living luxuriously rather than opting for budget seating.
Our Yorkshire Farm star Amanda Owen has explained the real reason she still hasn’t officially separated from her husband Clive after they called time on their 22 year romance in 2022
Amanda Owen has taken a brutal dig at her ex husband Clive(Image: Channel 5)
Amanda Owen has revealed why she still hasn’t split from her ex-husband Clive and admitted “it’s just not happening”. The Our Yorkshire Farm star, 51, found fame with Clive on their own television show that launched in 2018.
It followed the couple’s lives at Ravenseat Farm with their nine children, however things crumbled between Amanda and Clive with them calling time on their romance after 22 years. He has remained at the family farm, while Amanda decided to move a mile away.
Their lives are still very much intertwined, with them still welcoming cameras into their homes. However, Amanda has fully shut down any idea of a romantic reunion and even issued a bitter swipe at her ex in the process.
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Amanda and Clive split in 2022(Image: Channel 5)
“What am I supposed to say, ‘We get on like a house on fire?’ Well, if we did, we wouldn’t want to separate, would we?,” she said when asked about a reconciliation.
“He’s still the same annoying old Clive that he always was. I’ve seen him just now, and he’s still annoying – I annoy him, and he annoys me,” she told Hello Magazine.
While her feelings on Clive are crystal clear, Amanda explained a divorce is not so straight forward. “I mean, how would we even divide that up? It’s just not even happening.
“Who would get custody of all the sheep and the dogs and the horses, and who would want custody?” She added it is “tricky” when their lives and businesses are “so intertwined”.
Amanda confessed she knows the setup is unconventional, but it works. The former couple are even currently working together on the renovation of a farmhouse nearby and are filming for their series Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids.
The show returned last year as it followed Amanda and Clive with their children – Raven, 24, Reuben, 18 Miles, 15 Edith, Violet, 14, Sidney, 13 Annas, 10, Clemmie, nine, and Nancy, eight.
They both discussed their split on the show, with Amanda stating that whilst they’d endured an “incredibly hard” period they had “got through it”.
Clive admitted that it had been “a strange few years” for them, adding: “We are now in a place where although we are not actually together, we are still in business together, we still have these kids together.
“It’s a crazy situation but it isn’t – it’s the most sensible thing for everybody to do,” he said. Last week, Amanda opened up on her relationship with Clive while on Lorraine.
She revealed that her husband had just phoned her in a panic because he had confused washing up liquid for cooking oil. Amanda said: “He had fried eggs in some yellow washing up liquid so he was complaining that I shouldn’t buy washing up liquid in yellow.
“Washing up liquid should only be green. We are up against it, believe me, but the idea is that we’re just getting on with it, there’s plenty to do, plenty of space. Let’s be honest, that’s reality. That’s the reality.”
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