All posts tagged: Showbiz

Paul Hollywood says Nigella Lawson is a ‘warmer’ Bake Off judge than Mary Berry

Paul Hollywood says Nigella Lawson is a ‘warmer’ Bake Off judge than Mary Berry

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Paul Hollywood has described his new Bake Off co-judge Nigella Lawson as being “warmer” towards contestants than Mary Berry was. The 66-year-old food writer has stepped in to replace Dame Prue Leith on the panel, following Leith’s own takeover from Berry back in 2017. Discussing his working relationship with Lawson during an interview with the Radio Times, Hollywood referred to her as a “very warm person, especially to the bakers”. He added: “There’s a very nurturing nature to Nigella, which was quite strong this year.” Reflecting on how Lawson compares to her predecessors, he observed: “Mary was different to Prue, Prue was different to Nigella and Nigella is different to Mary. “They each bring their own character to it, and Nigella is a very warm person, especially to the bakers. More so than Mary was and I think more akin to …

Harry and Meghan’s bombshell ‘benefits’ plot ‘exposed’ in humiliating blow | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Harry and Meghan’s bombshell ‘benefits’ plot ‘exposed’ in humiliating blow | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Published by Sam Flores

TalkTV presenter Jeremy Kyle addressed Charles Earl Spencer’s bombshell book about his sister Diana, the Princess of Wales to mark the 30th anniversary of her tragic death. In a sit down interview with the BBC, he backed Prince Harry in his dispute over taxpayer-funded security with the UK government. The Duke of Sussex previously stated he could not see a future where he could bring his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and their children back to Britain without police protection. The family, however, have since returned to the UK after six years of living in California. It has been reported the pair will remain in the country for an extended period. Harry’s uncle told reporters: “I would say that I personally worry about the fifth in line to the throne who’s served in the military not having any police protection. As an uncle who’s seen his sister die in very, very preventable circumstances, I would veer towards protection.” Jeremy fumed: “[Earl Spencer] said and I quote, ‘Harry and Meghan deserve security.’ To me, it’s incredible …

Paul Hollywood says Nigella Lawson is a ‘warmer’ Bake Off judge than Mary Berry

Bake Off’s Nigella Lawson shares her thoughts on Paul Hollywood after feud rumours

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Nigella Lawson has opened up about her working relationship with fellow Bake Off judge Paul Hollywood, seeming to further quash rumours of on-set tension between the pair. The sultry TV chef, 66, is making her judging debut on The Great British Bake Off this week after being drafted in to replace Prue Leith following her exit in January. Shortly after filming began on the forthcoming series earlier this year, there were reports of friction between Lawson and longtime judge Hollywood. Channel 4 denied any suggestion of a feud between the pair after the MailOnline reported that Lawson was left frustrated by her fellow judge, who allegedly travelled to the show’s set in his helicopter. Now, Lawson has shed more light on her dynamic with Hollywood, revealing that they would regularly poke fun at one another – with the newbie coining a …

Comedian drops Harry and Meghan UK return bombshell sparking GB News fury | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Comedian drops Harry and Meghan UK return bombshell sparking GB News fury | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Published by Sam Flores

GB News presenter Nana Akua was joined by comedian Leo Kearse on the programme on Monday where they discussed Prince Harry and Meghan’s return to Britain. Just three weeks on UK soil the pair have sparked debate with their latest move making headlines. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have moved their children to a new school just days after the start of term due to security concerns. Archie, seven, and Lilibet, five, started school last week after their move from the US last month. A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess said: “The decision for the children to move school was taken following a discussion with the family’s security team about the practicalities of their current arrangements. The parents remain extremely grateful to all the teachers and staff for the love, care and effort they have shown their family. “This decision should in no way be interpreted as a reflection on the school or the exceptional care the children have received there.” But in a bombshell claim, the Scottish-born comic suggested the pair’s UK …

King Charles ‘not any closer to reconciliation’ after Prince Harry bombshell | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

King Charles ‘not any closer to reconciliation’ after Prince Harry bombshell | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Published by Sam Flores

King Charles and Prince Harry have reportedly “not yet spoken” following his shock return to the UK with Meghan Markle and their two children, Prince Archie, seven and Princess Lilibet, five. According to royal commentator Kinsey Schofield’s sources, tensions continue to remain high after the King released a bombshell statement reiterating the Sussexes’ roles in Britain. During a recent appearance on GB News, she stated: “Prince Harry reportedly hasn’t spoken to his father since his return to the UK. I’ve heard from multiple sources that King Charles was blindsided by Harry’s move and remains perplexed because Harry hasn’t been particularly clear or forthcoming about what he intends to do in Britain.” Kinsey continued: “Now, we have the King putting pen to paper and making it crystal clear that Harry and Meghan are private citizens, they are not working royals, there is no half in half out arrangement. So while Harry may have physically moved closer to his family, it certainly doesn’t sound like they moved any closer to reconciliation.” The commentator added: “Harry has spent …

Casualty stars Derek Thompson and George Rainsford to return for show’s 40th anniversary

Casualty stars Derek Thompson and George Rainsford to return for show’s 40th anniversary

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Derek Thompson and George Rainsford are set to return to Casualty, reprising their roles as Charlie Fairhead and Ethan Hardy as the BBC medical drama celebrates its 40th anniversary. Casualty, the world’s longest-running show of its kind, will commemorate the milestone in September with a two-part story. The special will see a “high-stakes major incident” throw Holby City Hospital into chaos, with lives hanging in the balance and the emergency department team “pushed to their limits”. Thompson, 78, has been one of the longest-serving characters on the programme, having debuted as nurse Charlie in the first episode of Casualty back in 1986. His character was at the heart of the show for almost four decades, with storylines including a romance with Dr Baz Wilder (Julia Watson) who later died in a car crash, leaving him to raise their son Louis. Derek …

The Gentleman star breaks silence on ‘genius’ Meghan Markle move | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

The Gentleman star breaks silence on ‘genius’ Meghan Markle move | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Published by Sam Flores

Hugh Bonneville, the Downton Abbey star who is playing aristocrat Lord Hawthorne in Netflix’s The Gentlemen, addressed reports that Meghan, Duchess of Sussex would be starring in the new series. She had been linked to a role in season three of the crime drama shortly after she and Prince Harry announced plans to return to Britain. However, subsequent media reports suggested the proposal had been dropped amid a “backlash” to the speculation. Series co-writer and executive producer Matthew Read pointed out that show creator Guy Ritchie has “a great tradition of casting people from unexpected places”, adding that the level of interest in potential cast members demonstrated how invested audiences have become in the show. While Breaking Bad star Giancarlo Esposito said someone with such a high profile could be “a great plus or a great negative”, Hugh dismissed the reports. Instead, the actor took an amused view, calling claims thatt Meghan would join the series as “a genius piece of marketing by whoever just dreamt up that idea.” “I’d suggested Keir Starmer for the …

Celebrity MasterChef 2026 recipes: 3 standout dishes to try

Celebrity MasterChef 2026 recipes: 3 standout dishes to try

Published by Daniella Wilson

Sign up to IndyEat’s free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free Celebrity MasterChef is ostensibly a test of whether famous people can cook. Two heats into this year’s series, it has proved almost as useful at establishing what they cook when nobody is watching. For Gladiators star Emily Steel, that began with the Thai cooking she knows from home. Her first signature dish – fillet steak marinated in soy and oyster sauce, with sticky rice, papaya salad and nam jim – contained enough heat to briefly deprive judge Grace Dent of feeling in her mouth. The flavours survived the assault. Steel went on to produce a chocolate brownie with salted caramel, black sesame praline and miso ice cream that Giorgio Locatelli called “faultless”, before securing a place in the semi-finals. Former Royal Ballet dancer Eric Underwood had a less straightforward route. An attempt to cook at Locatelli’s pace left him floundering, before a return to the …

Penny Lancaster provides update on husband Rod Stewart after heart operation

Penny Lancaster provides update on husband Rod Stewart after heart operation

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the inside track from Roisin O’Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Penny Lancaster says her husband Sir Rod Stewart will “come back stronger than ever” following a heart operation, which led to the cancellation of his 2026 US tour. The 81-year-old singer, who was performing his One Last Time tour, announced he would take four weeks off to recover after undergoing a coronary stent procedure, effectively cutting short the US and Mexico tour, which was due to stretch into September. He was scheduled to perform events across Ohio, Illinois and Mexico, as well as a six-night stretch at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Lancaster, 55, said Sir Rod “can’t wait to see his fans again”, having had “so many wonderful well wishes and support”. ”He’s back at full speed in his day-to-day activities, but doctor’s orders were to kind of postpone or cancel the current tour, because you know the risk factors involved. “I …

GB News halted for Harry and Meghan alert – it’s not good for the Sussexes | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

GB News halted for Harry and Meghan alert – it’s not good for the Sussexes | TV & Radio | Showbiz & TV

Published by Sam Flores

GB News royal correspondent, Cameron Walker, has revealed Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s UK return is proving a costly enterprise for the pair who hare having to fund the entire move themselves. Referring to the jet they used to fly in to the country he revealed the private plane has left the couple seriously out of pocket. “We think it’s about £9,000 an hour of flight time, and it’s around 9/10 hours to fly from LA to London, so we’re talking close to £100,000,” he said speaking on GB News Breakfast. Host Stephen Dixon pointed out the couple “appear to have a lot of money” as they flew their family of four and “probably two security guards and the two dogs as well on that aeroplane”. Walker responded: “I think it’s the security question, to be honest. I think it’s security, the private security they obviously pay for, costs a lot of money…it does cost a lot of money if it is sustained, long term, 24/7 security that they are wanting to pay for,” he …