cancelled

Claudia Winkleman, praised recently for her work on The Celebrity Traitors, was supposed to start filming The Piano at King’s Cross Station in London last weekend

The Christmas special of The Piano has reportedly had to be canned because of the stabbing attack on a London-bound train last weekend.

Filming for the festive episode was supposed to start this week at London King’s Cross Station, where the ill-fated service was due to terminate on Saturday night. Claudia Winkleman and her crew had to halt their plans, though, as heightened security created problems for access in the station.

And it was decided to abandon the one-off, hour-long Christmas special this year, it is understood. The team, it is believed, behind The Piano felt it was inappropriate to make the cosy show in the neighbouring St Pancras Station while the horrors affected passengers on the train from Peterborough to the capital.

Claudia, who also presents The Traitors and The Celebrity Traitors, was due to be joined by The Piano mentors Jon Baptiste and Mika on the train concourses, which are regularly filled with amateurs tinkling on the ivories.

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The Piano has enjoyed three seasons since it started in February 2023. Last year, the festive special aired on Christmas Day itself on Channel 4, but it was unclear when 2025’s episode was due to air.

But, according to The Sun, a full series of The Piano, hosted by Claudia once more, will return in 2026 with a fourth series, which will start filming in the spring and air later in the year.

During last Christmas’ episode, Claudia and her team reunited with some of the stand-out players from series two, performing seasonal favourites including Walking in the Air, O Holy Night and Joni Mitchell’s River. Brad Kella, who won Series two, puts on a moving performance of his first single. Mika and Lang Lang performed a duet of a Beatles classic too.

And, during the third series in the spring, Claudia, 53, wept during performances at other locations, including Heathrow Airport. She had said: “The people who make the show make it beautifully. There are no lights. There is no tripod. They’re just in the station and they’re documentary makers at heart. It’s not like any other TV show. The people who make it are the stars.”

More than 12 million people typically tuned in for The Celebrity Traitors each episode this year, a show also hosted by mother-of-three Claudia. Audiences for the first four episodes of the tense BBC One game show averaged 12.6 million, according to official seven-day consolidated figures published by the research body Barb.

The ultimate game of deception and trust draws to a close tonight on BBC One.

ONE of the UK’s prettiest seaside villages is losing one of it’s Christmas events for good.

Robin Hood’s Bay in North Yorkshire is holding its traditional Victorian Weekend event later this year – and it’s a very important one.

For over 30 years, locals and visitors have flocked to the seaside village in their period costumes to celebrate what’s known as Victorian Weekend.

Robin Hood’s Bay completely transforms to look as if it’s in the Victorian era – and it’s free to enter.

It’s a Christmas event too, so expect big festive trees, brass bands playing Christmas tunes, and stalls selling handmade gifts, mince pies and mulled wine.

There will also be games and plenty of mini-events will take place around the village.

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Everyone gets into the spirit of it and you’ll feel like you’re in a Dickens novel seeing people dressed up as Victorian noblemen and women, to chimney sweeps.

There’s a best-dressed competition, so looks do matter on this occasion.

If you’re interested, then you need to visit this year, as unfortunately, the event will not be held again.

Over December 6-7, Robin Hood’s Bay will hold the final ever Victorian Weekend due to current organisers stepping down and there being no one to replace them.

The news was announced in October 2025 with a lengthy Facebook post that read: “After more than 30 years of tradition, fundraising, and community spirit, Victorian Weekend 2025 will mark the end of an era for Robin Hood’s Bay.”

It continued to add: “We hope you will join us to make the last Victorian Weekend truly memorable. Expect all your favourite traditions, plus some exciting new additions.”

The news was a sad shock to locals and visitors. In the comments, one wrote: “We’ll be deeply saddened to see it go after visiting it for 10 years or so. It’s become its own little self-contained Christmas in its own way.”

Another added: “This is such sad news. My husband and I have stayed at the Bay Inn every year for the past few years and the first time, purely by chance, it was the Victorian weekend.

“Since then we have come every year. Such huge amount of work. We love it. See you in December for the last one.”

Robin Hood’s Bay is a well-known fishing village known for being very beautiful as it sits on the edge of the water.

It has cobbled streets, that are car-free, and little stone cottages and shops.

The village has an interesting history too as during the 18th century, it was home to the busiest smuggling community on the Yorkshire coast.

Ships would stop there in the night to pass tobacco, tea and rum through secret tunnels underneath the cottages – some of which still exist today.

If you want to carry on exploring, you can head up to Whitby which is just 13 minutes away by car – and according to a UK seaside expert, is even better in winter.

Madeleine Bunting, an award-winning author and travel writer who spent last two years visiting 40 seaside towns in England, said: “Whitby is [better in the winter] too because there are fewer crowds.

“There are lots of great restaurants and lovely warm cafes in Whitby, and there’s also lots to see when you’re not battling with the crowds around the harbour.

“From long bracing walks along the beach to warm cafes and indoor attractions, there’s plenty to do in Whitby even in the winter.”

Set in Yorkshire, Whitby is known for its beaches and historical sites – although they can be quite busy during the warmer months.

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For more exploration in the north, read more from one Sun Writer who grew up in the prettiest town in Yorkshire that most southerners have never heard of.

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YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul will seek another fight later in 2025 after his opponent Gervonta Davis was issued with a civil lawsuit.

Jake Paul’s exhibition boxing match against lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis was scrapped on Monday, with Paul planning a different bout before the end of 2025.

Their highly anticipated fight was scheduled for November 14 in Miami, Florida, though Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), Paul’s promotional organisation, said on Saturday that it was looking into the matter after a civil lawsuit was filed against Davis in Miami-Dade County last week.

Nakisa Bidarian, MVP’s CEO, said in a statement that Paul would headline another event to be streamed on Netflix later this year, with details on an opponent, a date and a location to be provided when finalised.

The bout was originally slated for Atlanta, but was moved to Florida, where it was sanctioned despite the huge weight difference between the boxers. Paul usually fights at cruiserweight, about 50 pounds (23kg) above the 135-pound (61kg) limit, where Davis holds a title belt.

The fight had drawn significant global interest due to the novelty of the matchup. The contest pitted the much larger Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) – who first became famous for his YouTube boxing exploits and then became a household name after fighting former heavyweight world champion Mike Tyson in 2024 – against Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs), a current WBA champion and one of the most famous boxers in North America.

Spectators who bought tickets to the event via Ticketmaster will be refunded, MVP said.

THE UK’s biggest one-day Christmas market is to return in just a few weeks after it was abruptly cancelled last year.

Thousands are expected to attend the event in a historic market town.

Shoppers will be able to choose from 120 stalls set up in the centre of Beverley in Yorkshire next month after council officials confirmed the event would be back in place this year.

Stalls at the Beverley Festival of Christmas will once again be brimming with seasonal gifts and local treats.

There will also be live entertainment, music and dancing – and, of course, an appearance from Santa and his reindeers – as well as birds of prey on display, and traditional brass bands.

The event had to be cancelled at the last-minute in 2024 after Storm Darragh caused chaos across the UK last year.

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Locals and visitors were left disappointed after council officials took the decision to cancel the market in the run up to the event after 34 flood warnings were issued across the country and a cold weather health alert was put in place.

At the time, a spokesperson for East Riding of Yorkshire Council said the event, which was established in 1995 by local shop owner John Bird, had involved six months of planning and the decision to cancel “had not been taken lightly”.

Announcing its return for 2025, councillor Nick Coultish, cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure at the council, said the event is “the flagship tourism event for our region and is an important date in the calendar for businesses and traders”.

‘Hugely popular’

He added: “It is always a hugely popular event, with visitors from all over the UK coming to enjoy the festive stalls and entertainment. 

“The event will also provide a welcome boost to the local visitor economy at such a wonderful time of the year.”

The council said that Beverley’s historic centre will be “transformed into a magical Christmas shopper’s wonderland” for the event.

News of its return has prompted an outpouring of support and excitement with hundreds of locals and visitors commenting on Facebook.

One person posted: “I cannot wait to stand in this market. So excited.”

Another person wrote: “We will be there.”

A third person said: “Can’t wait. This is one of our fave Christmas markets.”

A fourth person was equally excited at the news the market is to return, posting: “Love Beverley. Nice place.”

A fifth said: “Will defo have to go!”

The festival will again be sponsored by The Beverley Arms, part of hospitality company Thwaites.

Rick Bailey, chairman at Thwaites, said: “We’re so proud that The Beverley Arms is once again part of The Beverley Festival of Christmas, it’s such a special celebration that brings the whole town together, showcases the very best of Beverley, and captures the true spirit of the season.”

This year’s event will run from 10am to 4pm on Sunday, 14 December.

Also making a return to Beverly this year is the Reindeer Rampage Christmas Trail, which is running from 1 November to December 31.

This is a popular event in the town with locals and visitors asked to find Santa‘s reindeer, which are “hiding” in shop windows in Beverley.

You can pick up a free map and reindeer mask from the Tourist Information Centre on Cross Street and find out more details here.

The market itself will take place over several areas in the town, including Saturday Market, and will also feature a parade to mark the start of the festival.

The parade will leave from Wednesday Market when the event opens at 10am and it will move down Toll Gavel to Saturday Market.

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Taking part in the parade will be feature Santa Claus, Rudolph and the rest of his reindeer, live music, comedy acts, steam punks, Bernese mountain dogs and much more.

This year’s event will take place on 14 December in Beverley

A small coastal town in the north of the UK boasts a unique claim to fame – it’s home to the world’s shortest street. Now the street and town have been cut off by the collapse of Eastern Airways

Commercial flights to one of the most remote airports in the country have been halted, effectively stranding the aviation hub.

UK domestic carrier Eastern Airways has suspended operations and cancelled all of its flights, delivering a major blow to the charming Scottish seaside town of Wick, which relied heavily on the airline for connectivity.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority said customers of the airline, which operated regional routes from airports across the UK, are being urged not to travel to the airport, as flights will no longer be operating.

According to its website, destinations served by Eastern Airways included Aberdeen, Humberside, London Gatwick, Newquay, Teesside International and Wick. All of those airports continue to be served by other airlines—except Wick John O’Groats, which sits at the northernmost tip of mainland UK.

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The only other carrier listed on FlightRadar as serving Wick is Gama Aviation, a specialist business aviation company. Wick Airport declined to tell the Mirror whether any other airlines were currently operating there.

That likely means the remote airport—and the town beside it—are effectively cut off by air, a significant setback given the 15-hour train journey required to reach London from Wick, and the eight-hour trip to Glasgow.

It’s also a loss for visitors to the small town, a charming coastal spot brimming with dramatic scenery and maritime heritage.

Nestled in Caithness, Wick is an ancient Viking stronghold. Once Europe’s busiest herring harbour, this diminutive coastal community now attracts visitors from around the globe for its striking fortress ruins, rugged coastline, and abundant wildlife.

“Around three miles north of Wick, the dramatic 15th- to 17th-century ruins of Sinclair and Girnigoe castles rise steeply from a needle-thin promontory,” proclaims VisitScotland, the region’s official tourism organisation.

“There’s a scenic clifftop walk to the castle via Noss Head Lighthouse from the tiny fishing village of Staxigoe. Along the way, visitors can spot a wide variety of seabirds and puffins before reaching a beautiful beach at Sinclair Bay, popular for windsurfing and sand-yachting.”

Holidaymakers seeking something truly unique often visit Ebenezer Place, officially recognised as the world’s shortest street.

Measuring just 6ft 9in long (2.06m), the road is so small it holds only one address—Mackay’s Hotel’s No. 1 Bistro.

Beautifully located beside the Wick River, the restaurant serves dishes made with local produce, along with afternoon tea, cocktail masterclasses, and, naturally, whisky. In 2006, the street—maintained by Highland Council as the road authority—earned a Guinness World Record as the shortest street in the world.

“When Alexander Sinclair returned from America in 1883 after making his fortune, he built Mackay’s Hotel on the corner of Union Street and River Street,” the hotel’s website explains. “The council instructed him to name the short end of the building, as they considered it a separate street. Ebenezer Place subsequently appeared in town records from 1887.”

In an online statement, Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), which owns Wick John O’Groats Airport, said: “HIAL was made aware via press coverage that Eastern Airways has filed for administration. We will work closely with The Highland Council, which manages the Public Service Obligation (PSO) route from Wick, previously operated by Eastern Airways. Wick John O’Groats Airport will continue to operate as normal, and passengers should contact the airline for information regarding booked flights.”

Eastern Airways customers are being urged to make alternative travel arrangements via other airlines, rail, or coach operators. On Monday morning, Eastern Airways (UK) Ltd filed a notice of intention to appoint an administrator at the Insolvency and Companies Court, part of the High Court.

Selina Chadha, consumer and markets director at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We urge passengers planning to fly with this airline not to go to the airport, as all Eastern Airways flights are cancelled. Eastern Airways customers should visit the Civil Aviation Authority’s website for the latest information.”

The LGPA Tour has cancelled the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship after 18 holes due to bad weather.

Dangerous conditions at the Pinnacle Country Club in Rogers, Arkansas, saw play suspended on Saturday with full cancellation of the event confirmed on Sunday.

“The course received 3.25 [inches] of rain last night and after having assessed the golf course and consulted with our meteorologist and superintendent, the golf course is unplayable,” the LPGA said in a statement.

“Based on the weather forecast for the remainder of today and all day Monday and Tuesday, it is highly unlikely that 36 holes could be completed to make it an official event.

“As a result, the decision has been made to cancel the remainder of the tournament, with only players’ 18-hole score counting.”

The scheduled 54-hole event will be unofficial with no points awarded in the Race to CME globe, the season-long points competition.

Air Canada, the country’s largest airline, started suspending flights on Thursday morning ahead of a potential strike by its flight attendants.

Hundreds of flights are expected to be cancelled by the end of the week if the flight attendants walk off their jobs as expected.

Air Canada and the flight attendants’ union have struggled to agree upon a deal that would increase compensation for the airline workers.

Here is what we know about the labour dispute and its potential consequences:

What is happening to Air Canada?

The Montreal-based airline has reached an impasse with the union representing more than 10,500 flight attendants in a dispute over compensation, despite eight months of negotiations. Both the company and the union have issued notices that disruptions to the airline’s services will begin on Saturday.

What services will be affected, and when?

Air Canada said it will reduce flights gradually over three days, starting with dozens of cancellations on Thursday and about 500 more by Friday evening. By 1am Toronto time (05:00 GMT) on Saturday, all flights will be halted.

Cargo services will also be affected, but Air Canada Express regional flights will operate as usual, as they rely on contracts with other airlines.

However, these partners handle only about 20 percent of Air Canada’s daily passengers. Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, a subsidiary that offers low-cost flights, carry roughly 130,000 passengers a day.

In response to the walkout anticipated for early Saturday, Air Canada has announced its own “lockout”, a strategy that prevents employees from coming into work in order to force them to the negotiating table.

The airline has warned that once the lockout begins, about 1:30am Toronto time (05:30 GMT), it may not be able to quickly restore flights.

Mark Nasr, the chief operations officer for Air Canada, explained that a restart, “under the best circumstances, will take a full week to complete”.

Why are flight attendants striking?

Wages are the main sticking point in the negotiations.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) said its negotiators are unhappy with Air Canada’s proposed wage hikes and other compensation terms, and they have therefore turned down an offer to move the contract discussions into arbitration.

“For the past nine months, we have put forward solid, data-driven proposals on wages and unpaid work, all rooted in fairness and industry standards,” said Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada component of CUPE, in a statement. “Air Canada’s response to our proposals makes one thing clear: they are not interested in resolving these critical issues.”

According to the union, the airline declined to raise flight attendant pay to meet industry standards, keep pace with inflation or match the federal minimum wage.

Since 2000, starting wages for flight attendants with Air Canada have risen only $3 per hour, while inflation has climbed 69 percent over the same period, the union explained.

We stand in solidarity with Air Canada flight attendants who are done with unpaid work and poverty wages!
📢 Fair pay. Dignity on the job. No more excuses!
Read more → https://t.co/YqVQEwTbpC#aircanadastrike

— CUPE Ontario (@CUPEOntario) August 12, 2025

Air Canada, however, said the union turned down a proposal sent on Monday that included a 38-percent pay increase over four years, along with other benefits and protections.

But the union disputed the benefits of that deal. Instead, it explained that the flight attendants suffered a 9-percent cut in their last contract, meaning that an 8-percent increase over the first year of the new deal is inadequate to recoup the costs.

“It is, in effect, a pay cut,” CUPE said in its statement.

The union also argues that Air Canada does not currently offer “ground pay”, an industry term that describes compensation given for all the services provided before a plane’s doors close.

That work can include assistance given to travellers in the airport, baggage handling and helping travellers get settled in their seats as the plane prepares to push back from the airport gate.

“[For] any of our federally regulated safety checks, which we do an hour before boarding, we are not compensated. We are not compensated for boarding and deplaning,” Shanyn Elliott, the chair of the CUPE strike committee, told the news outlet Global National.

“It averages about 35 hours a month that we are at work not paid.”

The union said that it is seeking full pay for all hours worked, along with cost-of-living increases.

Ground pay, also called “boarding pay”, has been a key issue in negotiations at US airlines as well, since many carriers do not compensate flight attendants at their hourly rate during crucial periods before or after the flight.

How many passengers will be affected, and what will they get in return?

The airline, which serves 64 countries with a fleet of 259 aircraft, said the shutdown poses “a major risk” to both the company and its employees. The disruption could impact 130,000 passengers each day, including 25,000 Canadians, during the height of the summer travel season.

Air Canada has nearly 430 daily flights between Canada and the US, reaching more than 50 US airports. It also provides domestic service to 50 Canadian airports and averages more than 500 daily flights.

The airlines said that passengers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and can receive a full refund online.

The airline has also arranged with other Canadian and international carriers to offer alternative travel options where possible. But it emphasised that some flight alternatives may not be feasible.

“Given other carriers are already very full due to the summer travel peak, securing such capacity will take time and, in many cases, will not be immediately possible,” the airline explained.

How has the government responded?

Air Canada has said it has sought government-directed arbitration to resolve the situation.

Under Canada’s Labour Code, the government’s labour minister has the power to intervene and trigger the imposition of a deal through the Canada Industrial Relations Board.

That, in turn, could force flight attendants back to work. The union has asked Canada’s PM Mark Carney “to refrain from intervening”. It argued that government action would tip the negotiations in Air Canada’s favour.

“Why would any employer bother negotiating if they know the government is going to bail them out when negotiations get tough?” the union wrote in a letter posted to social media.

Canada’s Labour Minister Patty Hajdu urged both sides to return to the bargaining table. “To be clear: deals that are made at the bargaining table are the best ones,” Hajdu said.

“I urge both parties to put their differences aside, come back to the bargaining table and get this done now for the many travellers who are counting on you,” she added.

Please see my statement on the latest development between CUPE Flight Attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada: pic.twitter.com/hqQJ5JDYkN

— Patty Hajdu (@PattyHajdu) August 14, 2025

Saying this one phrase to airlines when your flight is cancelled can dramatically increase your chances of getting the help you need

Having a flight cancelled is an incredibly stressful experience. If you’re at the airport, bags packed and ready, everything booked and suddenly stranded, emotions can run high. However, it’s important to stay calm.

Anna Bielikova, Chief Operations Officer at Simply Contact, has shared her top tips for working your way through the chaos and getting the best customer service without losing your patience. She said there is one phrase you can say which will almost always ensure your case is addressed promptly, reports the Express.

Anna said: “Say ‘I need rebooking options, not a refund’ right away.

“This tells the system you’re looking for a quick resolution, not a lengthy refund process. Also try ‘I have onward connections’, even if you don’t. This gets you flagged as a complex case needing senior agent attention.”

She also recommends ditching the phone call for social media.

These platforms often have shorter queues than phone lines because fewer people think to use them.

Anna said: “We see response times on airline apps that are 60% faster than phone support during peak periods. Social media teams also have more flexibility to solve problems quickly, and they hate public complaints.”

Try Twitter DMs or Facebook Messenger first. These teams want to resolve issues fast before they become reputation disasters. If the airport is packed and the service desk for the airline you’re using has a huge queue, you can also try one of the other partner airlines.

A lot of airlines share booking systems and can help with rebookings.

“If you’re flying British Airways and their desk is packed, try checking with American Airlines or Qantas,” suggests Anna. “They’re all in the same alliance and can often help faster than waiting in your original queue.”

If you are going to call the airline, try to avoid peak times.

Anna said: “The biggest mistake people make is calling during peak hours, which are between 8am and 6pm when everyone else is calling.

“Try early morning or late evening instead, if it’s not urgent. And never rely solely on airport staff during major disruptions. They’re dealing with hundreds of people face-to-face while phone and digital teams might be less overwhelmed.”

It’s also crucial to stay calm and be polite, no matter how frustrated you may be. “Whatever you do, don’t shout or get aggressive,” said Anna.

“I’ve seen our systems flag difficult customers, and once you’re marked as problematic, every future interaction becomes harder.

“Stay calm, be specific about what you need, and always have your booking reference ready. The agents want to help you, so make their job easier and they’ll make yours easier too.”

US President Donald Trump reportedly opposed a stopover in New York by Taiwan’s president, says China visit under consideration.

Taiwanese President William Lai Ching-te has cancelled a trip to three allies in Central and South America after a planned stopover in the United States was reportedly nixed by his US counterpart, Donald Trump.

Lai was preparing to visit Paraguay, Guatemala and Belize in early August, with stopovers planned in New York and Dallas on the first and last leg of the trip, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday.

The Taiwanese leader’s trip was called off when US officials said they opposed his stop in New York, the newspaper said, citing three people close to the matter.

Lai’s office had never formally announced his trip to Latin America, but on Monday, it said the president had cancelled all overseas travel to focus on tariff negotiations with the US and a cleanup operation following a typhoon in southern Taiwan.

The president of Taiwan cannot officially visit the US, which does not recognise its government. But Taiwanese leaders have made use of “transit stops” in the US over the years to liaise with top administration officials outside Washington, DC.

In 2023, then-Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen used a transit stop to visit New York and Los Angeles while Joe Biden was still the US president.

Beijing, which claims democratic Taiwan as part of its territory, held military exercises in the Taiwan Strait after Tsai’s US stop-off to demonstrate its anger.

Trump’s reported decision to block Lai’s stopover follows news that the US president is angling for a trip to China himself, although he said he does not want a “summit” with his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping.

“The Fake News is reporting that I am SEEKING a ‘Summit’ with President Xi of China. This is not correct, I am not SEEKING anything! I may go to China, but it would only be at the invitation of President Xi, which has been extended,” Trump wrote on Truth Social late Monday night.

Reuters reported that Trump may be aiming to visit China around the time of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea, which runs from October 31 to November 1.

Whether the meeting will take place will depend on the outcome of ongoing trade talks between the US and China to resolve Trump’s tariff war launched earlier this year.

US and Chinese officials are in Stockholm this week to try to hammer out a tariff agreement before a “truce” expires on August 12, but they have many issues to discuss, including export controls, which could drag out talks.

Several groups of professors in the United States are suing the Trump administration over its policy of arresting, detaining, cancelling visas, and deporting students who participate in pro-Palestinian advocacy.

The crackdown on free speech is creating a chilling effect across US academia, argues Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, which is one of the organisations that brought the lawsuit.

Jaffer tells host Steve Clemons that the issue is much wider than the rights of non-citizens in the country. The government’s actions have the effect of “stifling a political viewpoint that the government doesn’t like”.

Forget MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace and John Torode, Jessica Boulton’s ruthless rundown of the showbiz week reveals the EIGHT stories you should be talking about instead….. including the only cancelled BBC star who actually deserves our tears

Jessica Boulton works on the Mirror’s features desk, specialising in celebrity features and interviews. She also writes a weekly observational comedy column Jess Saying, which runs each Saturday. In addition, she oversees the entertainment pages, helps co-ordinate the Pride of Britain coverage and newsletter and guest edits The Diary. Jessica joined The Mirror’s sister paper The People in 2006, and has since worked on the Sunday Mirror and Now magazine. Most likely to be found raving about The Oscars, BAFTAs, Netflix, Friends or Star Wars.

Daily Mirror Columnist Jessica Boulton brings you Jess Saying, her wry, witty and slightly whimsical take on the heroes and villains, winners and losers and the outright outrageous showbiz shenanigans keeping us amused this week. So….where better to start than….

JUSTICE FOR BBC ICON MONDAY

I’ve always considered myself to be woke. I’m left-wing, open-minded and look good in red (in the UK, definitely not in the US). I’d fully support trigger warnings on Bambi and The Lion King. And I’d argue there should be one on Titanic (for “scenes of disturbing door hoggery”). But this week I’m afraid to say, even I think the woke world has gone too far. For a true BBC icon has ­outrageously and undeservedly been cancelled. It’s a sad, sad state of affairs after 30 years of excellence. But it’s a sign of the times: one day everyone loves you and the next…you’re persona non grata, written off as a bad fit for the Gen Zs of today (who don’t watch TV anyway, so why are we pandering?). So which iconic BBC veteran has been tragically stripped of work this week? Clue: they first appeared in 1995 – and won millions of fans overnight. Yes, you’ve guessed it. There’s only one BBC star I’m weeping for: Mr Darcy. Well, his Wet White Shirt, to be precise.

For three decades, the sterling performance of Colin Firth’s infamous Pride and Prejudice shirt has never been equalled. But its outstanding contribution to entertainment has now been called into question – over fears it’s been objectifying men. Yup. It’s true. Some buttoned-up bores at Netflix are currently debating what’ll make the cut and what won’t in their upcoming P&P remake.

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Considering Slow Horses’ Jack Lowden is the new Darcy (alongside The Crown’s Emma Corrin as Lizzie Bennet), I was FERVENTLY in support of the decision to completely remove the Wet White Shirt, at first.

But then I realised I’d got the wrong end of the stick…I’m only teasing of course. But I do have two little points I’d like to flag to people’s attention:

POINT 1. What else would Netflix need to change to fit a more ‘2025-friendly’ adaptation? Jane’s famous first line definitely loses a certain something after my woke rewrite:

“It is a truth universally acknowledged – but not necessarily accepted as we each have our ‘own truth’ – that a single man, sorry, dependent-free gender-neutral individual, in possession of a ‘good fortune’ (aka, a disproportionate amount of wealth thanks to genetic privilege and the unjust dominance of patriarchy), must be – although is under no obligation to be and will face no ­judgment if they are not – in want of a wife…..or a loving relationship that equally fulfils the needs of both you and your consenting partner/partners, but does not necessarily adhere to any ­societal expectations.”

And POINT 2: ……Season 2, Episode 5 of NETFLIX’S Bridgerton. Look familiar, guys?

NAKED AMBITION TUESDAY

The Primetime Emmy nominations are finally in! Adolescence was the UK’s biggest contender this year – with nods including Best Actor for Stephen Graham and Best Supporting for 15-year-old Owen Cooper (I’d argue it should be reversed).

Meanwhile, leading the way with a mindblowing 27 noms was Apple’s truly genius Severance – a drama in which people clock off at 5pm and all memory of work from that day is completely wiped. (You can decide for yourselves if that’s a good thing or not.)

The most delightful Emmy news of all? Nobody Wants This, with my all-time celeb faves Adam Brody and Kristen Bell, landed nods for best comedy series, actor and actress. It was an achievement ­Kristen’s hubby Dax Shepard immediately celebrated with this pic – of Kristen’s naked yoga workout.

I’m not married, so maybe I’m wrong… But should Dax really have gone so very public with his congratulations? A great big bear bare hug may have been the better choice.

END OF TORODE WEDNESDAY

Talking of draaaaaama and cancellations… it was all going off the boil at MasterChef this week. Just days after Gregg Wallace was given the heave-ho after vowing to fight the dozens of allegations against him, his co-star John Torode was ALSO left with egg on his face. Torode was accused of making a racial slur – said to be “the worst word possible” – in a social setting some years ago. Torode denied it. But it left Auntie with a sour taste, so he was sent packing with a P45 as well.

The poor BBC now has an entire as-yet-unreleased pre-recorded series of MasterChef with not one but TWO disgraced hosts. That’s got to be tough to swallow. It also explains the reasoning behind one of its latest new hires. For even wholesome Blue Peter has had its share of scandalous stars…

So when faced with finding its latest prestigious presenter, the Beeb hired someone who’s been nothing but a safe pair of hands their whole career. Some might even go as far to say he’s the perfect ­corporate puppet.….(see below).

FISHING FOR INSULTS? THURSDAY

Gregg and John might be in for a grilling over their alleged behaviour, but another under-fire celeb, Sacha Baron Cohen, was probably feeling a little, um, roasted this week. Yes, his actress ex-wife Isla Fisher has not had the most amicable of splits with Da Ali G and Borat actor. So some social media users took her quip on Instagram to be a tiny dig at his expense (literally). The Confessions Of A Shopaholic star wrote: “For all the men who say ‘Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?’, here’s an update for you. “Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why?

“Because women realise it’s not worth buying an entire pig… just to get a little sausage.” No porkies there! I’d rather bring home the bacon alone than be stuck with a man who’s the literal wurst. So, bravo, Isla! That took proper chops.

FACING FACTS FRIDAY

You can’t make this one up. And to be fair, whatever you say about Katie Price, at least she can take the mickey out of herself. Which is why she’s made a startling admission this week. Apparently Katie was ­travelling and got pulled over by ­security at passport control – because she’s had so many trips under the knife, the scanners couldn’t recognise her passport photo. Yes, Katie might have been accused of being two-faced in the past, but, as she’ll admit herself, she’s been through at least 10 of them now. On the upside, it’s something to add to her CV next time she’s bankrupt. After all, everyone wants their staff to multi-faceted nowadays.

PICTURE OF THE WEEK

She’s always been a woman with Klass. So it’s good to see Myleene hasn’t let her newly-award MBE go to her head. Ahem.

Yes, Myleene was presented the honour this week after her tireless charity work, including raising the awareness of the emotional toll of miscarriage. But it looks like the Hear’Say singer might be taking the honour a little too literally.

For the morning after receiving the medal – alongside fellow honouree Leona Lewis OBE – Myleene posted this bathtime snap.

Umm….It looks like you’ve got a little something in your hair, Myleene. To be fair, it could have been worse. She could have posted a snap of her in her tiara….sitting on the throne.

JESS A QUICKIE:

Myleene’s not the only one having some bathroom fun. Charlotte Crosby decided to promote her new fiction tome by sitting in a bath of books. It makes sense: she’s always swimming with novel ideas.* *Sorry I couldn’t help myself

What do you think? Let me know in the comments or via IG/X @JessicaBoulton

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The Late Show with Stephen Colbert has been cancelled by CBS with the show’s final season set to air in May 2026. Fans hav been left devastated by the news with one saying “Stephen Colbert deserves better”

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is set to bid farewell in May 2026.

Stephen became a household name hosting the satirical news programme The Colbert Report on Comedy Central from 2005 until 2014, before taking over from David Letterman as host of The Late Show on CBS, a subsidiary of Paramount Global.

CBS announced: “‘THE LATE SHOW with STEPHEN COLBERT’ will end its historic run in May 2026 at the end of the broadcast season. We consider Stephen Colbert irreplaceable and will retire the ‘THE LATE SHOW’ franchise at that time. We are proud that Stephen called CBS home. He and the broadcast will be remembered in the pantheon of greats that graced late-night television.”

The network clarified the reasoning behind the decision, stating, “This is purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night. It is not related in any way to the show’s performance, content or other matters happening at Paramount,”

READ MORE: Felix Baumgartner ‘was dead before he hit the ground’ near kids playing in pool

Colbert himself broke the news to his audience during Thursday’s show, revealing, “Before we start the show, I want to let you know something I found out just last night. Next year will be our last season. The network will be ending ‘The Late Show’ in May,” he disclosed.

Fans took to social media to express their dismay over the show’s cancellation, with reactions such as, “Stephen Colbert deserves better!””I’m absolutely not ready to NOT have Stephen Colbert on my TV at night,” and “CBS letting Stephen Colbert go is BS! Boycott CBS” dominating X, the platform previously known as Twitter.

Several viewers have suggested that the show’s cancellation might be linked to the network’s recent legal settlement with President Trump, given Stephen’s outspoken criticism of the President. Paramount Global is currently merging with Skydance Media, a move that requires the green light from the Federal Communications Commission, reports the Mirror US.

“Just days after Paramount announces it settles the lawsuit Trump brought against them, they announce they are cancelling Stephen Colbert. Can’t help but think the cancelling of Stephen Colbert’s show was part of the settlement that Paramount agreed to. It’s so obvious,” one viewer commented.

Another shared their discomfort: “I’m not going to pretend that Stephen Colbert is perfect or anything, but it really does not sit right with me that this news comes just after Paramount settled with Trump and in the midst of merging with Skydance Media. This just feels like textbook censorship, plain and simple.”

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One of the factors used is the check in order is the order in which people checked in. If you were one of the last to check in, you’re more likely to be at the bottom of the priority list

An easy-to-overlook code on your plane boarding pass could let you know whether or not you’ll be kicked off a flight.

Holidaymakers should be paying close attention to the ‘SEQ’ number, as it could let you know your chances of a big spanner being thrown in the holiday works.

When flights are oversold, which is increasingly common during peak periods, airlines have to choose who gets involuntarily denied boarding. One of the factors used is the check in order is the order in which people checked in. If you were one of the last to check in, you’re more likely to be at the bottom of the priority list.

Hadleigh Diamond, airport chauffeur at SCS Chauffeurs, explains, “SEQ stands for Sequence Number, and it tells airlines the order in which you checked in for your flight. A SEQ of 001 means you were the first to check in; 152 means you were the 152nd. While it doesn’t affect your seat assignment or boarding group, it’s crucial during overbooked flights, especially on budget airlines.

READ MORE: Inside the eerie UK ‘plane graveyard’ where jumbo jets from around the world are ditched

“When we arrange transfers, we often remind passengers to ensure they’ve checked in early, whenever possible, to avoid a potential flight issue”

With travel demand surging, overbooking has become a more regular practice across major airlines. According to the UK Civil Aviation Authority, more than sux million passengers were denied boarding globally in the last year, with many unaware that early check-in could have protected their seat.

“Airlines tend to overbook flights as not all passengers turn up on the day. When a flight is so overbooked that passengers are denied boarding or offloaded, the airline will usually ask for volunteers. But if no-one comes forward, each airline will deny boarding to passengers in line with its own policies,” Hadleigh added.

There are other boarding pass codes that are worth paying attention to, such as the SSSS that appears on many tickets for travel to or from the US.

Chloe Jade Meltzer, 30, has been traveling the world since 2015 and has visited 162 countries. Out of the hundreds of times she has traveled, Chloe has had ‘SSSS’ written on her boarding pass six times.

Those four letters stand for secondary security screening selection – meaning the passenger has been flagged for additional security checks by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) before boarding the flight.

READ MORE: Spain travel warning for Brit as little-known rule could land them £520 fineREAD MORE: Spanish holiday island loved by Brits overwhelmed by piles of stinking rubbish

This means they will have to undergo additional screening procedures, including pat-downs, hand swabs, and thorough luggage checks before boarding the plan. Chloe says one of the most common signs a traveller will have ‘SSSS’ appear on their boarding pass is if they don’t get issued it immediately.

Chloe, a travel blogger, from New York City, said: “I have gotten ‘SSSS’ on my boarding pass periodically over the years. When I get one, I will just try get the checks out of the way and head straight to the boarding gate to be screened again by airline staff.

“Usually, how long it takes depends on how fast you get to the boarding gate, how your bags are packed and how fast they are at searching. When you are checking into your flight, you usually get your boarding pass. If you don’t get it straight away, that can be a sign your pass will have ‘SSSS’ written on.”

Chloe says if you are flagged for secondary screening you will be pulled aside at the gate before you board. She said you will then either be given a pat down or a detailed search of your luggage – or you will be tested for explosives.

EasyJet and Ryanair are among the airlines having to cancel flights due to disruption caused amidst strikes by French Air Traffic Controllers with 1,500 flights estimated to be affected

EasyJet and Ryanair are amongst the airlines that were forced to cancel hundreds of flights due to strike action by French Air Traffic Controllers this week.

Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary said that the airline had been forced to cancel over 400 flights due to the disruption, affecting over 70,000 passengers. Meanwhile easyJet had to cancel 274 flights across the two days.

It’s estimated that around 1,500 flights in total were cancelled or disrupted by the industrial action, with a quarter of flights at Paris Orly and Paris Charles de Gaulle reported to have been cancelled.

The industrial action on Thursday 3 July and Friday 4 July is believed to have impacted around 300,000 passengers, with routes to airports including Paris, Lyon and Marseille all affected.

READ MORE: Ryanair forced to cancel 800 flights and reroute planes amidst ongoing tensionsREAD MORE: Spain travel warning for Brits who use cash abroad as Euro note ‘no longer accepted’

The French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) asked for a reduction in airport capacity across the country, meaning airlines were left with no choice but to cancel flights.

The UNSA-ICNA union – the second largest union for air traffic controllers in France – is calling for increased staffing levels and a pay rise. The third-largest ATC union, USAC-CGT, also issued a strike notice for Thursday 3 July. The move came on the eve of the school summer holidays in France.

Unfortunately, passengers affected by air traffic control strikes may not be able to get all of their money back, as airlines may be able to claim ‘extraordinary circumstances’ ie that were out of their control, and therefore you may not be entitled to a full refund.

READ MORE: Brits heading to Spain, France and Greece this summer issued ’24-hour warning’

According to the experts at MoneySuperMarket, you would only be eligible for extra compensation if you are made aware of strikes less than 14 days before the flight. However, that doesn’t mean you’ll be left fully out of pocket, as travel insurance may be able to cover you depending on when you booked your ticket.

Kara Gammell, who works for the comparison site, explains: “As long as the airline strikes were announced after you booked your trip and your travel insurance, you may be able to claim through your insurer. Always check the terms and conditions of a policy before you buy it as not all travel insurance providers offer cover for airline strikes.

“If your policy includes travel disruption cover though, then it might be possible to claim for disruption or losses incurred as a result of your trip being delayed or cancelled. This may include alternative accommodation, or expenses incurred such as travel, food and drink, and can even stretch to covering the full cost of your holiday should you end up not being able to go.

“However, it is worth noting that not all policies cover this as standard and cover levels, conditions and exclusions can vary between providers, making it important to check with your insurer as your first port of call.”

Have you been affected by the travel disruption? Email us at [email protected].

EUROSTAR passengers were stuck for up to seven hours yesterday after two people were hit by trains.

The operator warned that delays and disruptions will continue into this morning.

2

Trains in both directions between London St Pancras International and Gare Du Nord in Paris were either cancelled or delayed for hours.

It followed two separate fatalities, the first between Lille and Paris and around 5pm.

The second person was hit between Lille and Arras, according to local media.

Eurostar posted on X this morning to say trains will be running, but there area a “few cancellations” and “a lot of passengers travelling”.

“So the situation might still be difficult.”

Yesterday, there were massive queues at both the UK and French railway stations.

Many furious passengers who were stuck for hours took to social media to demand compensation.

One train, due to leave London at 2.31pm, was supposed to arrive at 5.57pm.

But it was delayed for four hours and didn’t get in until nearly 10pm.

Another frustrated passenger said they were on a train from London to Paris but they were stuck on it for seven hours.

Naomi Sanger, from Snodland, told KentOnline she boarded the 4.31pm at Gare Du Nord but it never left and she was left stranded at the station.

She posted on X that the food and drinks supply was running out, and the air con was not working.

In a statement on X, Eurostar said: “Due to a person struck by a train near Lille Europe, we are expecting delays and cancellations to our services this evening.

“We advise changing your journey for a different travel date.”

On Wednesday, Eurostar travellers were also hit by delays after a person was hit on the rails in France.

2

The competition featured a host of well-known athletes, including British Olympic sprinters Daryll Neita and Matthew Hudson-Smith, and 1500m world champion Josh Kerr.

Male and female competitors are subdivided into six categories – each containing eight athletes – such as Short Sprints, with the eight featuring in that group competing in the 100m and 200m each weekend.

It offered significant financial incentives, with up to $100,000 (£73,600) on offer for the winners of race categories, as well as salaries for contracted athletes.

GST has suffered controversies in its maiden year. American three-time Olympic champion Gabby Thomas was allegedly abused during the meet in Philadelphia, where the programme was cut from three days to two.

And Johnson himself admitted he would “love to see more spectators” after the opening event in Kingston was poorly attended in April.

British middle-distance runner Elliot Giles took part in the Philadelphia leg of the competition and told BBC Sport it was a “phenomenal” event.

“The actual experience, the set-up, the hype, the marketing, was brilliant,” Giles said.

“I’d love to see it again. Competition is what we need in our sport.

“It’s the same as what’s happening in boxing now. You get other people involved, new promoters, new people, venture capitalists putting into it, and the sport explodes and then performances come and everything else follows.”

American sprinters Kenny Bednarek and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden have been named the GST Racers of the Year having won their respective Slam Championship at all three events.

Paris-Orly airport has been hit by flight cancellations and delays after the air traffic control systems suffered a malfunction, which caused widespread disruption

A glitch with air traffic control systems has caused havoc at Paris-Orly airport.

On Sunday thousands of passengers found themselves stuck on planes that were about to take off only to be cancelled at the last minute at the French airport. The chaos has continued today, with dozens of planes grounded.

“The situation is improving,” the DGAC assured, while instructing airlines to cut Monday’s flights by 15%, an improvement from Sunday’s 40% slash. “Despite these preventive measures, delays are expected,” they warned in a fresh alert to passengers. The DGAC held back from explaining the cause of the system failure.

According to La Depeche, the air traffic control issue relates to a radar malfunction. In order to ensure maximum safety, the civil aviation authority has asked airlines to reduce their flight schedules by 15% at Orly. This allows air traffic controllers to space out flights further.

READ MORE: Labour’s new deal with EU could massively improve Brits’ holiday experience

In addition to these cancellations, the DGAC also indicates that “despite these preventive measures, delays are to be expected.” It advises all affected passengers to contact their airlines to find out the status of their flights.

The situation at the French travel hub was considerably worse on Sunday than it is today. Yesterday, roughly 130 flights were cancelled, with a roughly 50:50 split on arrivals and departures.

Agnes Zilouri was one of those who was caught up in the chaos. The 46-year-old was trying to find a seat for her 86-year-old mother and six-year-old son after her flight was grounded. The family had been travelling to Morocco for a funeral, Mail Online reported.

Many found themselves about to take-off only to be told their flights had been cancelled last minute. “We were on the plane, all seated and belted up, ready to leave, when they made us disembark and collect our luggage… Then we had to struggle,” Azgal Abichou, a 63-year-old business owner, told AFP.

“The only solution is a 300-euro flight, but there’s only one seat left, and there are two of us. And we’re not sure it’ll take off,” 22-year-old student Romane Penault lamented. So, “for now, we’re going home.”

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Others took to X to share tales of their aviation woes. One wrote: “My 7.45pm flight to Orly from Dublin was cancelled. It’s been almost two hours, and still no email that informs me of a cancellation. It’s ridiculous to have to find out right as I walk into the airport.”

Paris-Orly, the capital’s secondary hub, deals with both domestic and international destinations, including to other European nations and the USA. A specific hit has been taken by flights bound for Italy, Spain, Portugal, and southern France, which saw numerous cancellations on Monday.

Flight Aware, which tracks delays and cancellations across airports globally, notes that 37 flights to and from Orly have been cancelled in the past 24 hours up to 11am on Monday. Last year’s passenger figures show more than 33 million voyagers passed through Paris-Orly, less than half of the traffic seen at Paris’ leading airport, Charles-de-Gaulle, data from Aeroport de Paris revealed.

Goodison Park is to become the home of Everton’s women after the club scrapped plans to demolish the 132-year-old stadium.

The Blues will move to their new 53,000-seater arena at Bramley-Moore Dock this summer.

During construction of the new facility on the Liverpool waterfront, Everton’s previous ownership group announced plans for an £82m post-demolition renovation project at the Goodison site, which was set to include housing, a care home, retail units and a park.

But after being taken over by private equity firm The Friedkin Group in December, the club conducted a feasibility study about maintaining the stadium as a home for the women’s team, and have now opted to continue operating the site.

With a capacity of 39,572, Goodison Park will now be the largest dedicated women’s football stadium in the country.

“This long-term vision reflects the club’s commitment to investing in the women’s game and ensuring that Goodison Park continues to play a vital role in both football and the community,” Everton said.

“The club’s regeneration plans will retain Goodison Park’s proud identity while giving Everton Women a world-class platform in the heart of Liverpool 4. For supporters, it offers the chance to be part of a new era in one of football’s most iconic venues.”