Entertainment

She was the Carry On star who left little to the imagination, who later became loved as the EastEnders matriarch behind the often-screeched catchphrase: “Get outta my pub!” A soap legend, Dame Barbara Windsor leaves a lasting legacy following her death at the age of 83. Born Barbara Ann Deeks in Shoreditch, east London, in

“I’ve always known I’m the underdog,” says Shaggy. “I’ve always known that, you know, I don’t have the privileges. So I have to do things that are shock value.” Two decades ago, that shock value came in singing about being “caught butt naked” with the girl next door. In 2020, it’s Christmas songs, TikTok fame

George Clooney says he ended up in hospital after losing almost two stone for his role in his latest film. Clooney went on a weight loss drive in preparation to play scientist Augustine Lofthouse in post-apocalyptic sci-fi film The Midnight Sky, but then experienced excruciating stomach pains. He was diagnosed with pancreatitis and believes his

Comic book fans’ spidey-senses have been tingling following reports that previous Spider-Man actors have joined the cast of the franchise’s next instalment. British star Tom Holland has played the Marvel superhero on the big screen since 2016, following in the footsteps of Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield. Both are now reportedly set to reprise their

Organisers of the Bad Sex In Fiction award have called this year’s ceremony off – saying people have suffered enough in 2020. Set up in 1993 by the Literary Review, the annual prize honours the “most outstandingly awful scene of sexual description in an otherwise good novel”. But as the world remains in the grip

Director Christopher Nolan has hit out at Warner Bros, the Hollywood studio he has supplied blockbusters to for almost 20 years, over its recently revealed streaming release plans. In a shock announcement last week, Warner Bros said its 2021 slate of films – including Matrix 4, The Suicide Squad and Dune – would launch on

It’s the world’s longest-running soap, and this week Coronation Street is marking its 60th anniversary with some typically nail-biting storylines. Viewers will see the conclusion of Yasmeen Nazir’s trial for the attempted murder of controlling husband Geoff Metcalfe, as well as a final showdown between property developer Ray Crosby and the Corrie residents opposed to

Bob Dylan’s entire back catalogue of hundreds of songs has been acquired by Universal Music Group in a reported nine-figure deal. The agreement, one of the largest in recent years, covers the copyrights to 600 of the 79-year-old US musician’s tracks, from 1962’s anthemic Blowin’ In The Wind and 1964’s The Times They Are A-Changin,

Countdown host Nick Hewer has announced he will leave the hit gameshow after 10 years at the helm. The presenter, who took over from Sky Sports journalist Jeff Stelling in 2011 before his first episode was broadcast in 2012, said in a statement that the COVID-19 lockdown had made him think about what he wants

Black Panther actress Letitia Wright appears to have deleted her social media accounts after sharing a video that suggested a COVID-19 vaccine would “make extra limbs grow”. The online discussion – called Should We Take It? – also appears to have been removed. The video appeared on a channel called On The Table and Wright

The family of Roald Dahl has apologised for an antisemitic comment by the late author made 37 years ago, saying his previous remarks were “incomprehensible”. His relatives issued a joint statement on his website after concerns the comment could damage his legacy – which continues to live on while his estate signs deals with broadcasters

Andrew Lloyd Webber has announced dates for the reopening of his major theatres. The composer said he was “hugely optimistic” about the return of audiences after the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, as he revealed most of his theatres would be open again by early next summer – more than a year since they were closed due

Damon Albarn has criticised the government in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic, saying it has shown “no empathy with the arts whatsoever”. The Blur and Gorillaz star has called for music to be part of the “prescription” for the country’s national health. Speaking ahead of several virtual gigs, Albarn said: “This present government has

A trove of Hollywood memorabilia including a pistol wielded by Sir Sean Connery in his debut as James Bond – and a fighter pilot helmet used by Tom Cruise in the 1980s classic action film Top Gun – have been sold at auction. The Walther PP handgun – which alongside the smaller Walther PPK helped

Warner Bros will release all of its 2021 films, including Dune and The Matrix 4, online on the same day they hit cinemas. The move to put such major blockbusters straight on streaming service HBO Max is another blow to the struggling cinema industry, which has largely closed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

A government minister has warned that Coronation Street would be in Tier 3 under COVID restrictions – and the Rovers Return would only be able to serve takeaway food. The claim was made by media minister John Whittingdale in a Commons debate in which MPs of all parties lavished praise on the TV soap as