Politics

Labour targets TikTok microinfluencers ahead of election

Labour has appointed a dedicated employee to work with influencers and seed positive messages about Keir Starmer’s party on TikTok and Instagram, as the UK’s political parties prepare to target “microinfluencers” during the general election campaign. During previous British elections, political parties often asked big-name celebrities to send a supportive tweet or attempted to win over YouTubers with millions of followers. But this election, the...

Tony Bennett, suave singer of I Left My Heart in San Francisco whose career spanned 70 years – obituary

Tony Bennett, who has died aged 96, sang as much with his heart as his voice. Primarily a showman, he was a better technician than his crooner’s reputation implied, but his appeal was founded less on the skill of his singing than its committed sincerity. That simple virtue brought him two remarkable periods of success, the second an improbable – an...

20 of the most diehard fan bases in pop culture

From those who raved about Beethoven in the 19th century to the teens and tweens who pushed Beatlemania, they all helped build up the idea that when you love someone’s work or something, you go hard. With that, these are the most diehard fan bases in pop culture ever.

‘Addictive as gambling’: How dating apps ruined a generation’s love lives

Andy can pinpoint the exact moment he realised he was addicted to dating apps; it was during a break-up in 2016. “Midway through the fight, she went to the bathroom,” Andy, now 33, recalls. “And immediately, I went straight on Tinder, looking to get matches. “I’d not used the apps while in the relationship, but I’d never deleted them off my phone e...

What the papers say – April 20

What the papers say – April 20 - Here are the biggest news stories impacting Britain this Saturday.

Telltale shares new images from The Wolf Among Us 2, says it's 'been heads down' on the game

The long-awaited sequel to the 2013 narrative adventure is currently expected out sometime in 2024.

Dick Van Dyke earns historic Daytime Emmy nomination at age 98

Dick Van Dyke earns historic Daytime Emmy nomination at age 98 - Dick Van Dyke is vying for a historic Daytime Emmy at age 98

‘I tried Peloton’s new Defected Records DJ workout – here’s why I loved it’

The nightclub vibes are impeccable

Wildlife Rescue review – totally adorable TV you’ll want to watch for years to come

The late great critic Roger Ebert once said that “movies are like a machine that generates empathy” – the idea being that when we sit down and watch dramas, comedies, documentaries or even horror films, they take us out of ourselves and force us to share in the pain and triumph of others. In short, they can make us better people. Watching Wildlife Rescue, no one would call it a cinematic masterpiece, but Ebert would definitely approve as it...

For the Love of Dogs review – Alison Hammond brilliantly fills Paul O’Grady’s shoes

We are living through canine television’s golden (retriever) era. Idly flick through the channels and it’s odds on that you’ll land on a minor celebrity on a walking holiday, a documentary about air fryers, or a programme about dogs who either need a home or be better trained in the one they already have. For the Love of Dogs is the original, the top dog, and it remains the leader of the pack. The late Paul O’Grady hosted this look behind the...

Ten ways to find the ‘wow’ again in midlife

When was the last time you looked at something or felt something and said, “wow”? If you are at a certain stage of life, with bills, children, work commitments, elderly parents and a never-ending ­to-do list, the chances are that word hasn’t been part of your vocabulary for some time. But one woman, 44-year- old Lucy Stone, a former BBC journalist ...

Pop Groups You Probably Forgot Existed

And, no, we're not counting NSYNC or Spice Girls.

The most famous Hollywood centenarians

One hundred. It’s a perfect score. It’s also an age not many people live to see. Here are some of the impressive individuals that have lived to be 100 years of age.

Heart, the band that proved women could rock hard, reunite for a world tour and a new song

Heart, the band that proved women could rock hard, reunite for a world tour and a new song - Heart — the pioneering band that melds Nancy Wilson’s shredding guitar with her sister Ann’s powerhouse vocals — is hitting the road this spring for a world tour that Nancy Wilson describes as “the full-on rocker size.”

Music entrepreneur who toured with Led Zeppelin is made an OBE

Music entrepreneur who toured with Led Zeppelin is made an OBE - Philip Dudderidge also worked as the house engineer for the famous Implosion Club concerts at London’s Roundhouse in the 1970s.

Top 5 health benefits of watermelon

Top 5 health benefits of watermelon By Nicola Shubrook – Registered nutritionist Registered Nutritionist, Nicola Shubrook, outlines the benefits of this hydrating fruit and explains why it's so rich in beta-carotene. What is watermelon? Watermelon is a very large vine fruit that grows on the ground. It has a hard, green-striped skin which is inedib...

10 of the biggest box office flops of all time

The 10 best things to do in Vancouver

There’s something about being surrounded by dazzling wild nature that makes you want to dive straight in to explore, and Vancouver gives plenty of opportunity to indulge. Join its sporty locals running, climbing, biking, and paddling the city parks, mountains and waters – just minutes from the downtown core – to understand why Vancouver so frequent...

The 15 worst 'Mario' video games

The Super Mario video game empire is the most enduring franchise and the biggest universe in the gaming industry. Unfortunately, some of those titles didn't jump high enough to meet the high standard set by those games. Some of them couldn't even get off the ground.

Hit 80s band announces tour and promises to play songs from all 11 albums

The 28 Most Controversial Oscars Moments

You never know quite what will happen!

Google staff ordered to leave politics at home after anti-Israel protests

Google’s chief executive has told staff to leave their politics at home in a rebuke to employees who have campaigned against its work with the Israeli government. Sundar Pichai said that the office was not a place “to fight over disruptive issues or debate politics” amid fierce disagreements between its employees. The edict marks a decisive shift f...

It's loved by celebrities and trainers alike - so, is there any truth in the claim Pilates can transform your body?

A deep dive into the current research.

32 '90s Icons You've Forgotten (But Shouldn't Have)

Your childhood is calling.

Netflix's 'Baby Reindeer': Where Is The Real Martha Now?

The series is based on a true story

The Most Important Icons of the '90s

From celebrities you might have forgotten to the all-time greats.

Should you take a break from social media to look after your mental health?

Should you take a break from social media to look after your mental health? - The unspoken rules of social media can be challenging to keep up with.

29 Hollywood Actresses Who Started Out as Models

The pivot is more common than you'd think.

New photos reveal London’s oldest park after its transformation

New photos reveal London’s oldest park after its transformation - The park is currently undergoing works to become a ‘tranquil haven’

The 32 Most Dazzling Red Carpet Beauty Looks Ever

Works of art.

Taylor Swift surprises fans with secret ‘double album’ including track inspired by boyfriend Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift surprises fans with secret ‘double album’ including track inspired by boyfriend Travis Kelce - Hours after dropping the 16-song edition of her 11th studio album, the US pop superstar announced an expanded version with an extra 15 songs

Siân Brooke: ‘For a long time, I shied away from roles with my accent’

in which a celebrity reflects on the highs and lows of their life.The 44-year-old English actress Siân Brooke made her debut in American fantasy drama Dinotopia in 2002. Multiple stage roles with the Royal Shakespeare Company followed, alongside smaller TV roles. In 2017, she appeared in hit BBC series Sherlock playing the villainous Eurus Holmes i...

GB News set to axe 40 jobs after channel posts heavy losses

The planned redundancies were reportedly announced at a meeting on Friday after the broadcaster posted an operating loss of £42.4m for the year to the end of May, 2023

Go your own way: Successful solo acts who spun out of bands

Being in a successful band is probably nice. Some artists hope for something more, though. Specifically, something more personal.

Pulp Fiction cast honour Bruce Willis as they reunite to mark film's 30th anniversary in LA

Pulp Fiction cast honour Bruce Willis as they reunite to mark film's 30th anniversary in LA - John Travolta, Samuel L Jackson and Uma Thurman appeared at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles for the screening of the film

Disney Plus could get free, ad-supported channels soon

According to a report, Disney is considering adding TV-style channels to the Disney Plus streaming platform, which would bring us back to the old days.

The world’s first fully AI-generated film is being roundly trolled online

The world’s first fully AI-generated film is being roundly trolled online - Next Stop Paris will be a romantic story, written by humans, but with visuals created by artificial intelligence

9 of the wildest urban legends in Disney history – and which ones are true

Ikea’s new gaming furniture has more of a comfy vibe than a geeked-out command center

With the upcoming Brännboll collection, Ikea is introducing a new line of gaming furniture that is meant to appeal even when the games are turned off.

Grammy-winning American Idol star Mandisa dies aged 47

Grammy-winning American Idol star Mandisa dies aged 47 - She competed in 2006, when Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson were judges.

23 cameos you may have missed on 'Friends'

Everyone knows that Paul Rudd and Tom Selleck had cameos in Friends. While there's a core five that was the main focus of this show, many big-time actors popped up in various roles throughout the 10-season NBC hit sitcom.

15 places you’ve probably visited that feature in blockbuster films

Passover 2024: Activities to do throughout Israel

There’s no shortage of fun, enlightening, and compelling activities and shows being offered up and down the country this Passover.

31 Child Stars Who Became Successful Adult Actors

They made the notoriously bumpy transition look seamless.

Huzza! How the ‘British cheer’ helped Army to victory over the French

Generations of military historians have overlooked the importance of the “British cheer” in the victory against the French during the Napoleonic wars, according to a new book. Author Paul Thompson’s evidence suggests that the British Army’s cheer was a valuable psychological weapon for Britain when fighting her continental foe. Soldiers yelled in u...

Tired of the top flight? Why fans are souring on the Premier League experience

It is about an hour before kick-off at Stamford Bridge and Everton fans are milling outside the gate that leads to the away end. It’s a Monday night and people look tired, having just been dispatched from their coaches at the end of a five-hour journey. Some are waiting for friends, clasping cups of coffee, others are looking for spares. The consistent topic of conversation, meanwhile, is the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability...

Sony in talks to buy Star Trek and Top Gun film company Paramount claims report

In what could be a significant boon to its IP in video games and beyond, Sony is apparently considering a buyout of Paramount Pictures.

10 most ‘overpriced’ tourist attractions in the world – and three are in the US

Here's how I reuse old phones

Most of us have old phones that are just gathering dust in a drawer. Here are a few things you can do to reuse older phones.

Regrets, they have a few: Actors who passed up iconic roles

The sentiment of "what could have been..." in Hollywood is always a fun discussion for movie fans to hold. What if this person played that role? Or, why did they not take such an iconic part?