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Ozzy Osbourne, the Prince of Darkness and former lead vocalist of the heavy metal rock band Black Sabbath, has passed away on July 22, 2025, at the age of 76. While the cause of his death is currently unknown, it is known that the actor battled numerous medical conditions before his demise, including his fight with Parkinson’s disease, a genetic condition.

But his fame and legendary-ness weren’t without controversies of their own, for the late musician faced numerous allegations throughout his star-studded career. This included all the Satanist accusations against him as well, not to mention his numerous head-biting acts of birds. That said, here’s a deeper dive into what has been known of his political and religious beliefs.

Ozzy Osbourne Claimed He Was a Christian Ozzy Osbourne. | Credits: Image by Carlos Varela / Licensed under Cca 2.0 / Via Wikimedia Commons.

All the doubts and speculation that surfaced about his religious beliefs...

It’s no secret that the film and TV industry is getting more risk-averse. The projects awarded generous budgets are often anchored by existing IP (see: Disney’s constant stream of live-action remakes, endless Jurassic Park sequels or HBO’s Harry Potter reboot).

Now the industry’s play-it-safe ethos is spilling over into documentaries, with an unrelenting true-crime obsession among viewers and creative teams alike resulting in a steady churn of murder docs. Celebrity-led biographical projects, too, have swept in and emerged more popular than ever: Netflix’s Beckham accrued 3.8 million views in the U.K. alone in its launch week, and Paramount+’s new Eminem feature Stans just landed a limited U.S. theater run in August.

This cautiousness is even more pronounced in the political documentary space, especially in the U.S. where they aren’t being made at all. Financiers won’t back them; whether that’s...

“It was our Woodstock, but better,” Nile Rodgers asserts in Live Aid: When Rock ’n’ Roll Took on the World, referring to the all-star charity concerts broadcast around the world 40 years ago. Boomers may quibble, even with the presence of Mick Jagger, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, and a reunited Led Zeppelin at those shows. But when it came to ambition, funds raised, and global cooperation, Rodgers has a point.

Those 1985 multi-artist shows in London and Philadelphia — which raised the equivalent of $450 million in today’s currency for African famine relief...

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On July 13, 1985, a group of global superstars teamed up to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia by performing at Live Aid, a benefit concert that spanned from London to Philadelphia. For the 40th anniversary of the concert, CNN is airing a new original series entitled Live Aid: When Rock ‘n’ Roll Took On the World, taking viewers behind the scenes of one of the largest global music events in history,...

Despite all their magical grandeur, the Harry Potter movies have often tiptoed around the franchise’s darkest moments. Sure, we got flashes of Voldemort’s rise, Dumbledore’s past, and some truly terrifying encounters—but when compared to J.K. Rowling’s chilling source material, the films traded depth for whimsical, quite often.

But now, with HBO’s upcoming reboot promising a book-faithful retelling, fans are hoping we finally get to see the shadows behind the spells. The Wizarding World isn’t just Butterbeer and Quidditch—it’s riddled with trauma, generational curses, and some downright disturbing events that shaped our favorite characters into who they are.

Remember when Harry nearly lost his sanity over Sirius’s death? Or when Neville visited his tortured parents at St. Mungo’s? What about the creepy detail about Fenrir Greyback targeting children? Yeah, none of that made it to the big screen. But these...

On July 14, HBO finally gave the world its first glimpse of their much-hyped Harry Potter reboot—an image of Dominic McLaughlin in costume as the Boy Who Lived. And just like that, my stomach dropped. As someone who grew up watching Daniel Radcliffe on screen, flipping through my well-worn copies of the books, this reboot has always felt like sacred ground being disturbed.

But now, seeing Dominic McLaughlin—a fresh-faced newcomer- step into those iconic round glasses, I’m not just skeptical, I’m genuinely worried. And believe me, this isn’t about gatekeeping or resisting change. It’s about the sheer weight this kid now carries. McLaughlin, along with Arabella Stanton as Hermione and Alastair Stout as Ron, is about to be dissected by online trolls.

From nostalgia-obsessed fans to critics who will make endless, exhausting comparisons to the original trio, the newcomers are set for a challenging journey.

While HBO’s Harry Potter reboot has witnessed some of the most flawless casting choices—Bertie Carvel’s role as the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, remains the best. After all, Carvel isn’t just another stage-trained Brit joining the Wizarding World—he has already embodied two of the most polarizing real-world political leaders.

Turns out, prior to his casting confirmation for the Harry Potter show, Bertie Carvel played the role of the UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President Donald Trump. So, if that doesn’t make him perfect for Fudge, then we don’t know what does. On The Crown, Carvel portrayed Blair as the slick, media-savvy leader trying to navigate tradition and transformation. Whereas, in The 47th, he leaned into Trump’s bombast, ego, and confrontational chaos.

And as the Minister for Magic during Voldemort’s return, Cornelius Fudge appeared to be a mix of both Tony Blair and Donald Trump.

At least one person cast in the new Harry Potter television show is already thinking about its future, and how he might not be part of it. Bertie Carvel will be playing Cornelius Fudge, the manipulative Minister of Magic played by Robert Hardy in the films. However, in a recent interview, Carvel said he might not return after the show's first season if fans don't like it. His comments might be alarming to Harry Potter fans who understand the importance of Fudge's role in some of the later novels, particularly book five, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.

Actually, I'm surprised they cast Fudge already because the show is meant to be a more faithful adaptation of J.K. Rowling's book series, beginning with the first novel, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. Well, Fudge doesn't actually appear until the second book, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets,...

Bertie Carvel, the actor cast as Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potterremake is already weighing in on whether he'll come back for season 2 of the HBO Max series. Though he's primarily known as a stage actor, Carvel has appeared in several TV series, including The Crown. However, portraying the 32nd Minister for Magic is shaping up to be Carvel's biggest small-screen project.

Speaking to The Times, Carvel revealed that he was very impressed by the scripts, and that he had only read the Harry Potter books after being cast as Fudge. He still recognizes the devout fandom for the wizarding world franchise, with Carvel insisting that his return for season 2 is entirely dependent on what the fans think of his character. Read his full comment below:

I don’t know how it’s going to fit into my life. I’ve read one script, which I loved, and I’ve read the books.

The groundbreaking anarchic, drug-soaked and political semi-biopic “Kneecap” opened the Galway Film Fleadh in 2024 on its way to a BAFTA award and a chance at an Oscar nomination, having been submitted by Ireland and making the Academy’s international film shortlist.

While Kneecap the band are still touring (they recently played at Glastonbury) and sparking headlines as they go, the film’s producer Trevor Birney returns to Galway this week with an altogether different project.

“The Negotiator” is a feature doc telling the story of George J. Mitchell, the U.S. senator who was instrumental in what would become 1998’s Good Friday Agreement that brought an end to the Troubles in Northern Ireland. The film charts Mitchell’s journey from Maine to Washington D.C. to almost six years as senate majority leader to being selected by Bill Clinton as the special envoy for Northern Ireland. But it also puts...

The Harry Potter franchise is about to be rebooted as a TV series, with plans for release in late 2026. The upcoming HBO show has already cast several important characters who are expected to be around for a long time.

Warner Bros. revealed that they have a 10-year plan for Harry Potter, with each season adapting a book from J.K. Rowling's novel series of the same name. The studio surprised fans by casting some characters ahead of their first appearance in the show, including Lucius Malfoy, who first appears in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and Prime Minister Cornelius Fudge, who also appears in the same book, although he is mentioned in Harry Potter and thePhilosopher's Stone. In an interview with The Times, Bertie Carvel, who will play Fudge, revealed that his time on the show will depend on fan reactions, and that he might leave after one season.

What does it mean to be the President of the United States? Are you the leader of the free world, the responsible holder of the highest status in the land, a role model to one and all? Or are you a power-hungry despot, a selfish apex of broken ideals of exceptionalism and imperialism? Or is it somewhere in between? Or does it change from person to person?

These are big questions for a big office, questions that have been explored in various movies throughout the years. While there are a litany of interesting movie presidents in bangers like "Dave," "Idiocracy," and "Fail Safe," some of our most direct interrogations have come when filmmakers and performers set their sights on the real-life rulers, donning prosthetics and turning history into drama.

So turn in your ballots and enroll in those electoral colleges. These are the 12 best movies about presidents, ranked. Some of them criticize,...

Netflix’s new true crime documentary series, Attack on London: Hunting the 7/7 Bombers, presents an extensively detailed look into what is considered to be the worst terrorist attack in the United Kingdom to date. On a seemingly usual day in 2005, a series of explosions rocked the London Underground network, followed by a devastating attack on a public bus, as part of a planned terrorist attack that claimed the lives of 52 innocent people. Attack on London takes a deep dive into the investigation that followed this horrific attack, questioning whether the MI5 could have done a better job of identifying and possibly even preventing the attack, while also investigating similar attacks attempted just a couple of weeks later.

What happened on the 7th of July, 2005?

Attack on London begins with the account of Dan Biddle, a common Londoner whose life changed completely on the 7th of July, 2005. On that fateful morning,...

Morning broke over London on July 7, 2005, with a city’s collective exhalation of triumph. The Olympic bid was won, a victory that promised a future of unity and striving, written in straight, bright lines. The city pulsed with its own prosaic rhythm, a million heartbeats in motion, a million commutes begun in the reassuring light of an ordinary Thursday.

Then, the rhythm shattered. In a sequence of violent, apocalyptic percussions, the city’s metallic arteries seized. Four bombs—three detonated in the dark, subterranean veins of the Underground, one on a double-decker bus climbing toward Tavistock Square—tore through the fabric of the mundane.

The day’s bright promise was not merely extinguished; it was inverted, leaving behind the stark, immutable arithmetic of terror: 52 dead, their stories abruptly ended, and more than 700 wounded, their lives forever redefined by a moment of sound and force.

From this smoldering wreckage of steel...

Royal Family news reveals that Paul Burrell, Princess Diana’s former butler, took a swipe at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle suggesting that Diana would never have left the Royal Family. Read on and we’ll give you the low down.

This Ex-Royal Aide Is No Fan Of Meghan Markle

Royal Family news reveals that Burrell, who worked for Princess Diana from 1987 to the time of her death in that Paris tunnel in 1997, described once being shown plans for the princess’s home in Los Angeles.

According to Express UK, while reflecting back on it, Burrell implied that the princess would never have left the Royal Family in what appeared to be a not-so-veiled dig at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and their exit from royal life.

Burrell reportedly said, “I did see the plans for the home in Los Angeles. It was a home which was previously owned by Julie Andrews and Blake Edwards.

Kate Middleton made an appearance at the annual Order of the Garter ceremony as she posed for pictures while standing next to Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh.

King Edward III established the Order Of The Garter

The Princess of Wales sadly missed last year’s service as she was undergoing treatment for cancer. However, this year, she was there to see her husband, Prince William, walk beside his father, King Charles.

Kate Middleton, as always, looked radiant and regal in her white lace Self Portrait dress, matching hat, and an elegant pearl necklace with matching earrings, which she sported to the Ve Day 80th Anniversary concert in March.

The Order of The Garter is a deep-rooted and most senior Order of chivalry, with knights chosen in recognition of their public service.

The ceremony harkens back to medieval times. The Order of the Garter was first established in 1348 by King Edward III,...

Russia knows our weaknesses, but do you?

Today, Sky News and Tortoise Media announce The Wargame, a gripping five-part original documentary podcast series that simulates a Russian attack on the UK, with former ministers and military and security chiefs playing the part of the British government. The scenario is designed to test Britain’s defences and national resilience as well as the reliability of the country’s key allies like the United States.

Launching on 10 June, this ambitious and innovative podcast gives listeners the chance to experience the kind of wargame that is genuinely tested inside government. The only difference with this version is that nothing discussed is classified.

Written and presented by Sky News Security and Defence Editor Deborah Haynes, The Wargame pitches the British side against an imagined Kremlin in a high-stakes contest that draws on the real-life knowledge and experience of a stellar cast. The series’ fictional...

Russia knows our weaknesses, but do you?

Today, Sky News and Tortoise Media announce The Wargame, a gripping five-part original documentary podcast series that simulates a Russian attack on the UK, with former ministers and military and security chiefs playing the part of the British government. The scenario is designed to test Britain’s defences and national resilience as well as the reliability of the country’s key allies like the United States.

Launching on 10 June, this ambitious and innovative podcast gives listeners the chance to experience the kind of wargame that is genuinely tested inside government. The only difference with this version is that nothing discussed is classified.

Written and presented by Sky News Security and Defence Editor Deborah Haynes, The Wargame pitches the British side against an imagined Kremlin in a high-stakes contest that draws on the real-life knowledge and experience of a stellar cast. The series’ fictional...

A handful of major roles for HBO's "Harry Potter" TV show have been cast, and when it comes to the adult actors, they all have one big thing in common: They're significantly younger than the actors who originated their roles in the "Harry Potter" film series.

According to a press release directly from Warner Bros. and HBO, nine actors have been added to the cast, which includes the main trio and a bunch of professors at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry (Albus Dumbledore included). Katherine Parkinson, known for small screen projects like "Humans" and "The It Crowd," will portray Molly Weasley, the matriarch of the Weasley family played by Julie Walters in the films and mother of Ron (Alastair Stout is set to star as Ron). Nobody has picked up the mantle of the late Helen McCrory as Narcissa Malfoy as of this writing, but her son Draco, originally played by Tom Felton,...

Hold up folks, the Wizarding World just got a major Ministry upgrade!

HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series has officially cast the one and only Bertie Carvel as Cornelius Fudge—and if that name sounds familiar, you’re not alone. This isn’t Carvel’s first trip through a magical kingdom. He has also entered the realm of the Game of Thrones universe in the upcoming A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.

Not just that, Bertie Carvel has also dabbled in royal drama with The Crown. Basically, he’s been out there collecting powerful roles like Horcruxes. So if you’re wondering where you may have seen him before, then get ready to Accio your memories, because Bertie’s been everywhere lately!

HBO’s Harry Potter reboot found its Cornelius Fudge in Bertie Carvel

Now that Hogwarts is officially under the new management of HBO, the studio has confirmed its...

The Harry Potter remake has cast another key character for the TV adaptation, but their appearance suggests a change compared to the books and movies. The upcoming Harry Potter TV show has already cast several key characters from the books, including Harry (Dominic McLaughlin), Ron (Alastair Stout) and Hermione (Arabella Stanton). Adult characters cast as of writing include Snape (Paapa Essiedu), Dumbledore (John Lithgow), Professor McGonagall (Janet McTeer), and Hagrid (Nick Frost). All of these characters are vital to the story of the first book, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, each having a role in the narrative.

Now, Deadlinereports that Bertie Carvel has been cast as Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter TV series. He will have a recurring role in the TV series, despite originally making his debut in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in both the books and movie adaptations. This means...

HBO's Harry Potterreboot has reportedly cast another key character after recently locking in the actors for Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger. Olivier Award-winner Bertie Carvel, best known for his roles in The Crown and Dalgliesh, has been tapped for a recurring role as the Minster for Magic Cornelius Fudge in the high-profile TV adaptation. He would be taking the mantle from the late Robert Hardy, who fulfilled the role in the originalfilm series for four consecutive installments, starting with 2002's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

The report, which comes courtesy of Deadline, has yet to be officially confirmed by HBO. The network shared with the outlet that casting details will only be announced when deals are finalized, indicating that Carvel's prospective role as Cornelius Fudge is still being negotiated at this time. The acclaimed actor is the only name that has surfaced in relation to the character,...

More casting news has been revealed for HBO's upcoming TV series based on Harry Potter. After many major character castings were previously announced, the latest addition has divulged who will be portraying the new Cornelius Fudge.

Per Deadline, acclaimed actor Bertie Carvel has been tapped to play Minster of Magic Cornelius Fudge in the Harry Potter reboot. It is expected that Cornelius Fudge will appear in a recurring role in the show's first season. The role was previously played by Robert Hardy in the original Harry Potter movie series, with the actor appearing in four separate installments. As of now, HBO will not officially confirm the report, which could be a sign that Carvel's deal has not been completely finalized just yet.

Netflix

"We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation,” an HBO rep responded when asked for comment. “As we make our way through pre-production,...

Exclusive: HBO’s Harry Potter series has cast another key character. Tony and Olivier Award winner Bertie Carvel has been tapped to play Cornelius Fudge in the high-profile TV adaptation, Deadline has learned.

He would be joining previously cast newcomers Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout and Arabella Stanton who will play Harry Potter, Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, respectively, as well as Paapa Essiedu as master Snape, John Lithgow as Albus Dumbledore, Janet McTeer as Minerva McGonagall and Nick Frost as Rubeus Hagrid.

Carvel is believed to be recurring as Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge. In the film series, he was played by Robert Hardy who appeared in four consecutive movies starting with Chamber of Secrets.

HBO declined comment. “We appreciate that such a high-profile series will draw a lot of rumor and speculation,” a rep for the network said in a statement. “As we make our way through pre-production,...

Angela Merkel at Harvard in 2019 delivers a crisp appeal to dismantle walls—an image set against footage of Donald Trump rallying for his Mexican border barrier. This bold contrast frames Eva Weber’s documentary, Merkel, as both a portrait of a leader and a meditation on freedom.

Directed by a German-born filmmaker based in London, the film blends archival speeches, childhood anecdotes and on-camera testimonials to trace Merkel’s path from the Gdr to the world stage. Sprinkled with interviews from figures as varied as Tony Blair, Susan Rice and filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff, it balances intimate recollection with geopolitical analysis.

In what follows, this review will explore how Merkel captures the interplay between personal history and global power, assesses the effectiveness of its visual storytelling, and considers the cultural forces shaping its subject’s legacy—all through a lens that connects regional history with international resonance.

From Lab Coat to...

Exclusive: CNN will debut three new projects on its summer slate, including non-fiction series about John F. Kennedy Jr., the 1985 Live Aid concerts and the notorious Billionaire Boys Club.

The projects are the latest from CNN Originals, led by Amy Entelis, executive vice president of talent, CNN Originals and creative development.

The series are:

American Prince: JFK Jr.: The three part series will tell the story of the life of Kennedy, the son of President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy, who was always in the spotlight as he was pressured to carry on his family’s legacy. He went on to create the political magazine George in the 1990s. Executive producers are Ian Orefice and Jon Adler for EverWonder Studio along with Entelis, Lyle Gamm and Katie Hinman for CNN Original Series. Gary Ginsberg is consulting producer. The three-part series premieres at 10 p.m. Et on Aug. 9.

Live...

PBS and BBC have revealed the premiere date and trailer for the new six-part series, Walking With Dinosaurs. Co-produced by Zdf and France Télévisions, the series is a BBC Studios production.

The show will premiere in the U.S. beginning on June 16 at 8 p.m. Et (check local listings) on PBS, the PBS site, and the PBS App. Walking With Dinosaurs will take viewers on a unique journey back through time, revealing the incredible life stories of these long-lost giants.

Narrated by Bertie Carvel, each episode of Walking With Dinosaurs will tell the dramatic story of an individual dinosaur whose remains are currently being unearthed by the world’s leading dinosaur hunters. Thanks to cutting-edge science, experts can reveal how these prehistoric creatures lived, hunted, fought, and died more accurately than ever before.

As the dinosaur’s bones emerge from the ground, the series will bring these prehistoric stories to...

The government should “abandon” a proposed exception to UK law which would allow AI firms to take copyrighted material, a new report recommends.

Last December, the UK government put forward a proposal that tech firms like OpenAI and Google should be free to train their AI chatbots on copyrighted material. A new report put together by the Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee (Cms) however, has recommended the opposite: it argues that the government should “abandon” its proposed exception, arguing that it would “undermine the growth” of the UK’s film and TV industries.

The recommendation forms part of a wider survey conducted by the House of Commons committee, designed to provide insight into what it calls ‘British film and high-end television’. Published today (the 10th April), the same report has also argued in favour of a 5 percent levy on US streaming companies like Netflix and Prime Video to help fund home-grown production.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will celebrate their milestone 20th anniversary tomorrow. The royal couple had planned to marry on April 8, 2005.

King Charles And Camilla’s Original Wedding Date Was April 8, 2005

Sadly, on April 2, the Vatican announced Pope John Paul II had died, and his funeral would take place on the same day as their intended wedding date.

Then Prime Minister Tony Blair would go to Rome, and he would miss Charles and Camilla exchanging their “I do’s.”

The then Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Rowan Williams, was also slated to attend the Pope’s funeral. Dr. Williams was meant to bless Charles and Camilla’s nuptials, but he decided to go to Rome instead.

Buckingham Palace announced that the Pope’s funeral would take precedence, and Charles agreed to postpone their wedding by 24 hours.

Charles attended the service in Rome on behalf of his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II....

From Conclave to The Brutalist to A Real Pain, films about religion are unusually well represented at the Academy Awards – some with decidedly unorthodox themes

• Warning: contains spoilers

What Tony Blair’s former spin doctor Alastair Campbell said of New Labour – “We don’t do God” – applies also to the Academy Awards. The secular gong-dispensing rite annually sweeps religion off its proverbial red carpet. The last best picture winner to deal with the subject was 2015’s Spotlight, which hardly proselytised for organised religion – it dramatised the Boston Globe’s investigation into sexual abuse in the Catholic church. You have to go back to 1973 to find a movie with a priestly protagonist that really beguiled the Academy: William Friedkin’s horror movie The Exorcist received 10 Oscar nominations, winning awards for screenplay and sound.

This year, though, may be different. Two leading contenders, The Brutalist (10 nominations) and Conclave (eight), put faith front and centre.

Comcast-owned Sky’s Sky Documentaries and its streaming service Now will give viewers a front-row seat for an exploration of recent history and topics that have shaped it, along with big names that played key roles in it — all through the eyes of legendary journalist and interviewer David Frost. That is the promise of new documentary series David Frost vs, which will start airing in the U.K. on Sunday, Feb. 23, with MSNBC set to air it starting on Sunday, April 27.

“Pulling from an archive of over 10,000 interviews recorded over more than 50 years, David Frost vs centers on era-defining David Frost interviews, unveiling a fresh perspective on today through the battles of yesterday,” according to a synopsis. Frost became a household name around the world for his TV interviews with former U.S. President Richard Nixon. “Seen through Frost’s eyes, we encounter the mid-to-late 20th century as a...

Wilfred Frost is getting ready to put much of his family business on public display.

Frost, who may best be known for his anchor turns on both CNBC in the U.S., and Sky News, is also CEO of Paradine Productions, the production vehicle founded in 1961 by his father, the renowned journalist and interviewer Sir David Frost. Starting Sunday, April 27, MSNBC will air “David Frost Vs,” a six-part documentary series that examines seismic changes in culture using decades’ of the senior Frost’s legendary interviews with everyone from The Beatles to Muhammad Ali.

“These are moments in history where he had a front-row seat,” says Wilfred Frost, during a recent interview. “This is not an archive show.”

The series will examine themes such as civil rights, college protests and cultural revolution, using Frost’s archive of more than 10,000 interviews with figures who were celebrated or controversial, and sometimes both. Some...

US vice-president J.D. Vance has engaged in a theological battle of words with UK former politician turned podcaster Rory Stewart, with the American ultimately claiming the Brit has a low Iq.

Stewart, who co-hosts the hit podcast The Rest is Politics with Tony Blair’s former aide Alistair Campbell, had taken issue with an interview Vance conducted with Fox News, in which the VP referred to “old school Christian values.” He said: “There is a Christian concept that you love your family and then you love your neighbor, and then you love your community, and then you love your fellow citizens, and then after that, prioritize the rest of the world. A lot of the far left has completely inverted that.”

Stewart responded on X that these comments represented “a bizarre take on John 15:12-13 – less Christian and more pagan tribal. We should start worrying when politicians become theologians,...

The inaugural Political Podcasts Awards winners were announced last night with Alastair Campbell and Rory Stewart picking up the Political Podcast of the Year award for The Rest Is Politics (the Goalhanger team are pictured above).

But Tony Blair’s former spin doctor and the ex-Tory MP didn’t sweep the board at the ceremony in Westminster last night, with the stars of Electoral Dysfunction, Harriet Harman, Ruth Davidson, Beth Rigby and Jess Phillips picking up two trophies for Best New Comer and Comedy Moment of the year.

The quartet had tickled the judges with a cheeky segment about Boris Johnson forgetting to take his ID to the Polling Station.

Also scooping two trophies were former Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and his sidekick and former Labour Minister turned TV presenter Ed Balls, who won interview of the year for grilling Michael Gove about his time inside the Leave campaign.

Global has announced today (Monday 13th January) a new podcast with the award-winning Lbc presenter and best-selling author James O’Brien.

Launching today, James O’Brien Daily features all the best bits from James’ weekday phone-in programme on Lbc packed into a 60-minute podcast. With the best calls, discussions and unmissable moments, the podcast has been created for people who are unable to listen to James’ Lbc show live or catch up on the whole programme on Global Player. Each episode will be uploaded in time for listeners’ evening commute or downtime at home.

James O’Brien is a well-known and hugely popular voice on Lbc, hosting the station’s weekday mid-morning programme from 10am to 1pm. He is currently celebrating his highest ever audience figures since the show began more than 20 years ago, with a record-breaking 1.5 million listeners each week.

James O’Brien Daily builds on the success of his weekly Global podcast,...

Outside Rideau Cottage in Ottawa, a gust of wind blew away Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s notes Monday. It was moments before he was to announce his resignation as head of the Liberal Party and his exit from the Pm’s office after nine years in power. It was a too easy metaphor of how Trudeau’s hopes for an enlightened new Canada — a counterbalance to Donald Trump’s America — cut and run as only dreams can.

I wrote about Trudeau for a Rolling Stone cover story in 2017 in...

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Exclusive: For his BAFTA-winning 9/11 documentary Inside the President’s War Room, Adam Wishart took audiences behind the scenes to bring to life the immediate aftermath of the world’s most devastating terror attack, spotlighting the response of then-President George W. Bush and his closest confidantes.

Now, as the 20th anniversary of 7/7 approaches, Wishart and the BBC have turned the spotlight to the bombings in London, but the documentarian detailed how the focus on the worst such attack to ever hit the English capital needed to be broader, taking in multiple authorities and precincts while moving beyond the hours after the terrifying incident.

While Tony Blair, who was UK Prime Minister at the time, contributes to Wishart’s 7/7: The London Bombings, the director stressed that it was difficult to tell the story purely based on Blair and accounts from senior politicians.

“9/11 was a particular inflection point in history in which...

Earlier this year, Prince Harry was warned about the vicious rapes and inhuman treatment carried out by rangers employed by a charity he works with, months before he was promoted to the organization’s board of directors.

This time around, something sinister has occurred again with same charity and fans demand answers.

Prince Harry Remains Silent In Calls To Use His Power and Influence To Stop the Abuse Happening To the Baka People From A Conservation Charity

Prince Harry has remained stubbornly silent to calls from both Survival International and fans to either cut ties with African Parks or find a way to set things straight.

It was truly jeering to hear the news that a woman has lost her baby after being trampled upon by the crowd due to actions carried out by African Park rangers.

The incident reportedly took place after African Parks called in Omnia Strategy, a...

Doha, Qatar’s capital city and main financial hub, saw serious star traffic this week from Hollywood players and world leaders.

Heads of state including former President Barack Obama, former British prime ministers Boris Johnson and Tony Blair, “Deadpool and Wolverine” star Ryan Reynolds, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel and host of other big names hit the Arabian Peninsula for the inaugural Sportico World Summit.

The publication hosted an intimate gathering of 75 top creatives, politicians and thinkers to discuss worldwide issues and foster alliances across borders. Qatar Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and Penske Media Corporation CEO Jay Penske served as hosts. The summit, which will become an annual gathering and primarily draws sport franchise owners.

Speaking of, the Doha program attracted names like Tottenham Hotspurs chairman Daniel Levy, Ariel Investments Co-CEO Mellody Hobson, Magic Johnson, Eldridge Industries founder and CEO Todd Boehly, actor Omar Sy, FIFA...

On Saturday 16 November 2024, BBC Two broadcasts Boybands Forever!

Season 1 Episode 2 Episode Summary

The upcoming episode of “Boybands Forever” on BBC Two promises to be an exciting look at a pivotal moment in British history. Titled “A New Era,” this episode takes place during the time when Tony Blair is gearing up for his first general election. The atmosphere is charged as Blair is expected to win by a large margin, marking the beginning of significant political changes in the country.

As the political landscape shifts, the episode explores how this change also impacts the world of boybands. The show captures the essence of the 1990s and early 2000s, a time when boybands were at the height of their popularity. With new sounds and styles emerging, the music scene is buzzing with anticipation. The characters navigate the challenges and opportunities that come with this changing tide, reflecting the broader cultural shifts happening around them.

So many celebrities have appeared on "The Simpsons," that 36 seasons later, the cameos have become a crutch for the show. Worse, the guests have gone from voicing characters (take Dustin Hoffman's uncredited appearance in "Lisa's Substitute") to just appearing as themselves. 

The cracks were already showing in the show's golden age. Season 7's "Lisa The Vegetarian" features Paul and Linda McCartney showing up at the end to reassure Lisa she's made the correct choice of vegetarianism. The McCartneys are depicted as friends of fellow vegetarian Apu Nahasapeemapetilon (Hank Azaria), who tend to his secret garden on the roof of the Kwik-e-Mart. After Lisa and the meat-loving Homer reconcile at the end, McCartney's "Maybe I'm Amazed" closes the episode out.

Paul McCartney was the last surviving Beatle to cameo on "The Simpsons", and he's far from the most loathsome Englishman to appear on the show (that'd be former Prime Minister...

TMZ has drawn outrage for publishing cropped photos of Liam Payne’s body taken after the One Direction singer fell to his death from the roof of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

The photos showed portions of Payne’s arm and waist, which were covered in identifying tattoos. “TMZ obtained a photo showing Liam’s body on a wooden deck at the hotel with tables and chairs nearby,” the story read. “We’re not showing the whole body, but you can clearly see his tattoo — a clock on his left forearm, and a scorpion on his abdomen.”

The outlet also ran a photo of the police tent erected later over Payne’s body to shield it from photographers and prying eyes.

The decision to run the photos drew fierce condemnation on social media. Rylan Clark, a BBC presenter and TV personality, wrote, “TMZ fucking shame on you. Disgrace,” on...

Shibuya, a Tokyo district of seemingly perpetual redevelopment and shimmering skyscrapers crammed with offices, shops and eateries; the sort of place that makes it is easy to forget that poverty exists in Japan. Perhaps an ideal location for a screening of The Ones Left Behind: The Plight of Single Mothers in Japan, a documentary that tackles an often-overlooked aspect of an under-reported wider issue.

Japan’s overall child poverty rate is above the Oecd average, and nearly half of the 1.4 million single-parent households live below the poverty line despite around 85 percent of such parents being in work.

Inevitably, the film doesn’t always make for easy viewing. Some of the mothers recount escapes from abusive husbands, while all tell of hardships faced or still being faced.

Single motherhood is no walk in the park in any country, and Australian director Rionne McAvoy doesn’t pretend otherwise, but shines a light...

Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon have a great working relationship after working on three films in the Bourne franchise. After their success with The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, Greengrass intended to utilize their Bourne fame to make an action thriller based on the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Green Zone was a film that Greengrass made out of rage, after being betrayed by the government.

Matt Damon in a still from Green Zone | Credits: Universal Pictures

While Damon opposed the Iraq war right from the beginning, Greengrass was initially a supporter of the war. He shared that he listened to former Prime Minister Tony Blair’s speech and believed the cause to be right. However, Greengrass realized along with others that the war was not what it seemed to be.

Paul Greengrass’s $100 Million Film With Matt Damon Was A Response To The Government’s Betrayal Paul Greengrass in a...

In this in-depth interview, Amol Rajan sits down with former British Prime Minister, Sir Tony Blair, following the Labour Party’s landslide victory in the 2024 general election. The conversation looks at the numerous challenges facing the UK, including riots, rising populism, economic difficulties, and war in Europe. Sir Tony Blair, who served as Prime Minister […]

Amol Rajan Interviews Tony Blair...

Dennis Quaid said that he can relate to the late Ronald Reagan, whom he plays in a new feature biopic, because, “he was really kind of a fading actor towards the end of his career.”

Quaid noted that Reagan, who retired from acting in 1964, initially ran for president of the Screen Actors Guild in 1947, which was “right around the time” his first wife, Jane Wyman, won a Best Actress Oscar for “Johnny Belinda.”

“I think he felt a bit of a failure, to tell you the truth,” said the “Innerspace” actor. “I know he never got to the place that he aspired to be and I could really relate to that,” he said on Thursday’s Megyn Kelly Show podcast.

Quaid also said he “didn’t have any qualms” about playing the late president, despite the political division in the country, noting that — like Kelly — he’s voted both Democrat...

“The Crown” has always been a show beloved by Emmy voters. The Netflix period drama, which charts the backstage stories of the royal family, has won a whopping 21 Emmys across its first five seasons. That warm reception continued this year with its sixth and final outing.

“The Crown” season six reaped 18 Emmy nominations. This season retained Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Philip, Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana, Dominic West as Prince Charles, and Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret. Meanwhile, the series depicted several key events (as usual) including the death of Diana, the marriage of Charles and Camilla, and the premiership of Tony Blair.

But while the future could be an exciting end to the life of “The Crown,” let’s take a look, as the show does, at history. Below is a complete record of the Emmy record of “The Crown,” including all Creative Arts Emmys nominations.

British royal family news reveals that summertime is the best time to catch a good flick with a bucket of popcorn and your favorite beverage.

In August the Windsors take their annual Balmoral break making this month the perfect time to cinematically catch up on the royals and their dramatic history.

There is no shortage of popular films about the royal family, with many boasting big name stars such as Natalie Portman and Cate Blanchett. Here are the best historical, dramatic, and intriguing movies involving your favorite UK royals to indulge in this summer!

Royal Family News – Elizabeth Stars Cate Blanchett As Elizabeth I

If you’re in the mood for a lush period piece, you can’t go wrong with the 1998 drama Elizabeth, about Queen Elizabeth I.

Cate Blanchett stars in this powerful film which highlights the religious landscape that confronted the young Protestant queen in a largely Catholic Europe.

Netflix’s “The Crown” could be set to join an exclusive Emmys club by winning the award for Best Drama Series for its final season.

The period show wrapped up late last year by exploring the death of Diana, the Princess of Wales; the premiership of Tony Blair; and the wedding between Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles. This sixth season saw the return of Imelda Staunton as Queen Elizabeth, Jonathan Pryce as Prince Phillip, Lesley Manville as Princess Margaret, Dominic West as Charles, and Elizabeth Debicki asDiana. The show earned rave reviews.

Aramide Tinubu (Variety) noted: “With this devastating first section of its final chapter, Netflix’s crown jewel bids farewell to an icon, and retakes its throne.”

Melanie McDonagh (Evening Standard) observed: “This season is even more plagued than the rest by us knowing what happens. The interest is in how we get there. And boy, Peter Morgan fills the gaps.