The Martin Lewis Money Show: Live viewers have been wondering if Martin Lewis is married and whether he has children.

The financial guru and broadcaster, who presents the ITV programme with Angellica Bell, has built a career telling people how to save money ranging from advice on using your phone abroad to how to cut back on spending at airports and the truth behind cheaper fuel.

The consumer champion first rose to fame giving financial tips on Channel 5 show Open House with Gloria Hunniford. He was also a business and personal finance reporter on BBC One's Breakfast News before setting up the hugely successful MoneySavingExpert.com in 2003. 

He sold the website to Moneysupermarket.com for a reported £87 million in 2012, and is still its executive chair. He launched The Martin Lewis Money Show in 2012 and is the resident money expert on ITV's This Morning.

While Martin is always sharing great deals and financial tips he rarely discusses his family life. But viewers are still keen to know is Martin Lewis married and does he have kids?

Is Martin Lewis married?

Yes, Martin Lewis is married to TV presenter Lara Lewington, who hosts BBC's technology programme Click. The 51-year-old's wife, 44, used to be the Channel 5 news weather presenter, from 2003 to 2009. The pair got married on May 31, 2009 and three years before they wed, Lara could be seen presenting the weather on a background monitor in the Daily Planet newsroom in the 2006 film Superman Returns. She also appeared in British comedy feature film Shouting Men (2010) and BBC2's Happiness.

The couple live in London.

Does Martin Lewis have kids?

Yes, Martin Lewis has one child, a ten-year-old daughter called Sapphire with his wife Lara. She was born in November 2012, but the couple rarely talk about her in public or share photos of her on Instagram. In a rare interview with The Sunday Times back in 2020, the money expert confessed that he finds it really hard to say no to his only child because he just wants to "make her happy".

"When my daughter was born, I remember saying: 'I'll buy her everything she needs, but not everything she wants'. Unfortunately, I didn't factor in her special power. Those eyes," he told The Sunday Times.

"I'm helpless and usually resort to saying, 'Ask mummy', because mummy is stronger than me. We don't splurge on her, but one of my greatest joys is making her happy."

Where is Martin Lewis from?

According to his biography on MoneySavingExpert.com, Lewis was born in Manchester in 1972 and he grew up in a house in the region of Cheshire's Delamere Forest. He lives in London with his wife Lara and daughter Sapphire.

Lewis tragically lost his mother in a car accident when he was young, and later became a patron of children’s bereavement charity Grief Encounter.

He studied Government and Law at the London School of Economics, before moving on to study broadcast journalism at Cardiff University. After graduating, he worked as a producer for BBC Radio Five Live, before appearing on various TV shows as a money expert.

What is Martin Lewis famous for?

Lewis is best known as the Money Saving Expert (MSE) and he founded the consumer website of the same name back in 2003. He is still its executive chair and oversees site content including the hugely popular MSE weekly newsletter.

In 2012 The Martin Lewis Money Show hit our screens and in 2022, BBC's The Martin Lewis Podcast was launched.

Lewis founded the influential Money and Mental Health Policy Institute charity in 2016. He has also spearheaded major financial justice campaigns, including reclaiming bank charges and PPI (helping consumers get over £10 billion back on those two alone, according to his bio on MoneySavingExpert.com).

In 2022, Lewis was named in the New Year Honours List, receiving a CBE for his services to broadcasting and consumer rights. He first received an OBE back in 2014.

What is Martin Lewis's salary?

The Sunday Times Rich List put Martin Lewis's net worth at a staggering £123 million in 2021. Much of his money is attributed to the 2012 sale of MoneySavingExpert.com - a deal estimated to have made him £87 million. As part of the deal, it’s believed that Martin initially received £35 million, plus shares in the website worth an additional £25 million.

Looking for more like this? Don't miss our guide to the best 20 money saving apps, money saving recipes to make in bulk and 7 money-saving challenges that actually work.

Will there be a season 2 of Beyond Paradise? Viewers overjoyed to see Kris Marshall return as DI Humphrey Goodman, need to see more. Here's what we know of a return for the show. 

When the Death in Paradise spin-off Beyond Paradise was announced, fans of the original series couldn't wait to see Kris Marshall return in his iconic DI Humphrey Goodman role. With the action switched to home turf in the UK, it wasn't long before viewers were also curious about where Beyond Paradise filmed. Even the theme tune had everyone talking - the catchy jingle along with a brilliant soundtrack, quickly had those tuning in wanting to know where they could get their hands on a playlist.

As soon as season 1 had finished its 6-episode run, the viewers who had watched in their millions were keen to know if the show would make a return. Read on to find out everything we know about Beyond Paradise coming back for a much-needed second outing.

Will there be a season 2 of Beyond Paradise?

Yes, both a season 2 and Christmas special of Beyond Paradise have been confirmed. 

In a statement, Kris Marshall said "I'm beyond excited to have begun filming the second series of Beyond Paradise. 'Shipton Abbott' is such a wonderful location to call home for a while and it's a delight to join up with my fellow police team for another batch of weird and wonderful cases, and to see what's in store for Humphrey and Martha in the next chapter of their lives."

Martha actress Sally Bretton added "Series one of Beyond Paradise was such a joy to be a part of and I'm ecstatic to have returned to what already feels like a second home in Shipton Abbott. I can't wait for audiences to see what we have planned - the second series is set to be brilliant!"

On April 7, the Beyond Paradise Instagram account made the news official, writing "It's official - #BeyondParadise will be returning for a second series!" Among a slew of overjoyed fans, one responded with "Brilliant! It's very rare a spin-off is as good as the original! But it was absolutely perfect! So pleased there is going to be a season 2... And as for the ending of season one, what an amazing crossover! Loved it."

Beyond Paradise season 2 release date

So far, there has been no official season 2 Beyond Paradise release date offered, as it is still in the process of filming. 

The countdown to the Christmas special is on however, as this will be airing during the 2023 festive period. Tim Key, Executive Producer at Red Planet Pictures said "We were delighted with how quickly the audience took Beyond Paradise to their hearts and over the moon to be back for more. 

He added "Our fantastic cast and crew are hard at work to bring another series of humour, heart and of course some properly puzzling cases to audiences, all set against the beauty of Devon and Cornwall - and of course to let everyone experience Shipton Abbott at Christmas!"

An eagle-eyed fan spotted film crews setting up in South Devon, for filming of the Christmas special. South Devon Railway and ticket office can be seen in the pictures posted on July 5 and captioned "Filming for Beyond Paradise going on in South Devon today." 

What will Beyond Paradise season 2 be about?

Although executives are usually tight-lipped about unseen plotlines, they have teased a crime involving a steam train, an arson attack, and a missing person.

Expanding on this, the official statement reads "Filmed in picturesque locations around South-West England in Devon and Cornwall, the new series features the same joyful escapism, humour and mind-boggling cases fans have come to adore since series one. Shipton Abbott’s new detective inspector will be tasked with solving a shocking crime on a steam train, an arson attack predicted by a medium and the baffling disappearance of the local fishing legend."

Reemah Sakaan, CEO of BritBox International said "Beyond Paradise has delivered on the promise that we saw in it from the beginning, quickly building a strong fanbase across our international markets with its endearing characters, gripping mysteries and stunning backdrop. With the strength of our cast and creative team, and our successful partnership with the BBC and Red Planet Pictures, we know that the series’ many fans across our markets are in for another treat when Beyond Paradise returns." 

Beyond Paradise season 2: Cast 

So far, only returning cast members have been confirmed - new characters are yet to be announced. Confirmed to be making a comeback are:  

• Kris Marshall (My Family, Death In Paradise) as DI Humphrey Goodman
• Sally Bretton (Not Going Out, Death In Paradise) as Martha Lloyd
• Zahra Ahmadi (Marcella, The Bay) as DS Esther Williams
• Dylan Llewellyn (Derry Girls, Call The Midwife) as PC Kelby Hartford
• Felicity Montagu (I'm Alan Partridge, Doc Martin) as Margo Martins
• Barbara Flynn (Killing Eve, Kate & Koji) as Anne Lloyd
• Jamie Bamber (Marcella, Strike Back) as Archie

In further news, we look at when Kris Marshall left Death In Paradise and why - we also have the lowdown on the actor's wife, children, and family life. There's also information on Sally Bretton's husband, children and home life, for Beyond Paradise fans.

Morning TV viewers have been left wondering why Jon Kay isn't on BBC Breakfast this week after Ben Thompson stood in.

Jon Kay has been a fixture of the red sofa since Dan Walker quit as BBC Breakfast presenter last year, but fans of the show were left asking questions after his co-host Sally Nugent appeared alongside Ben Thompson instead on Monday 10 July. It's not the first time a BBC Breakfast presenter has been missing from the show, with viewers wondering where Naga Munchetty was after she was absent back in April.  

Jon usually fronts BBC Breakfast alongside Sally on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays and has been a member of the BBC Breakfast team since 2010. As with the show's other presenters, fans want to know who Jon Kay's wife is and other details of his personal life, so it's no surprise that many have been asking why he's not on BBC Breakfast this week.

Why is Jon Kay not on BBC Breakfast this morning?

Jon Kay is not on BBC Breakfast this week because he is on holiday. The presenter took to Twitter to explain his absence, writing, "Enjoying some extra sleep and long-planned annual leave with the family, so no need to set my alarm clock tomorrow morning."

He added that he'd be back in the Salford-based studio in two weeks' time, so viewers will have to wait a little longer before they see him back on the red sofa, as he's earmarked to return on Monday 24 July.

Fans shared their reaction to his absence in the Twitter thread, with one well-wisher writing, "Have a lovely holiday!" and another saying, "Have a great holiday Jon, see you after a well earned rest!"

Others shared that they would miss him from their TV screens, with one viewer commenting, "Looking forward to see you back in two weeks time..." while another added, "Have a great holiday with your family. The red sofa won’t be the same without you."

Has Jon Kay left BBC Breakfast?

No, Jon Kay has not left BBC Breakfast. He will be returning to host BBC Breakfast alongside Sally Nugent once he returns from his pre-planned annual leave.

Sally Nugent and stand-in host Ben Thompson addressed Jon's absence on Monday morning's show. As they introduced weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, Ben joked, "The most important thing, Jon will want to know what the weather is going to be like for his bit of time off. Carol has got all the details, Carol good morning, is it going to rain for Jon’s little break?"

Unfortunately, Carol confessed the weather wasn't looking too good, adding "Poor Jon."

It seems unlikely that Jon will be leaving the BBC's flagship morning show anytime soon, as the host replaced his predecessor Dan Walker just one year ago, in July 2022. Though, Jon has worked at the BBC for 30 years and has been with the Breakfast team since 2010.

And Jon isn't the only BBC Breakfast staff member taking a break from the show at the moment, as business presenter Nina Warhurst has just had a baby and is currently away on maternity leave. 

If you've been wondering if Nina Warhurst is married, who Dan Walker's wife is and whether Sally Nugent is married too, we've got all the details on the BBC Breakfast presenters' family lives.

BBC Breakfast presenter Nina Warhurst has given birth to a baby girl but her name is a "work in progress".

The TV star, who is married to husband Ted, first announced she was pregnant back in March this year, and following news that her baby was due in the summer, the presenter has now given birth.

Nina welcomed a healthy baby daughter and was watching the show from her home, Sally Nugent and John Kay announced during Monday's breakfast show.

Nina, who had left on maternity leave just days ago, didn't have long to wait for her new arrival as Sally confirmed the news that viewers and fans had been waiting for.

She shared, "Some very exciting news now about our colleague Nina Warhurst, who we said goodbye to not very many days ago as she went off on maternity leave.

"She has welcomed a very healthy, beautiful baby girl."

Nina is already mum to two sons, who she had with her first husband Ed Fraser. 

Jon said, "And there she is. Nina has told us the baby's name is a work in progress, but the great news is they're all doing well after what Nina says was brilliant care from the team at St Mary's in Manchester. Isn't she gorgeous?"

Sally went on to hint that Nina is still searching through baby names for the newborn, adding, "I believe this as well - Nina said she's watching from home, morning, Nina!

"Along with the baby and two beautiful big brothers and she's very grateful for all the gorgeous messages she's had from people at home who are watching too."

Nina's last day at work fell on June 22nd. At the time she shared, "A final rant before I descend in to maternity leave nonsense … It would be great to see geriatric support given the same value as paediatric; in health and social care, and out in wider society."

"So she wants to pass on her thanks for everything - all the kind words people have said."

"And all our love to you and the family, Nina. That is fantastic, we're delighted for you," Jon added.

Here's how to watch coronation of King Charles from anywhere in the world.

It's almost time for the coronation! May 6, 2023 marks a day for the history books as people across the globe come together to see King Charles crowned alongside Queen Camilla in a spectacular coronation ceremony. Just like Queen Elizabeth II's coronation - back in 1953 - Charles will be crowned at Westminster Abbey with a special carriage procession before and after the service.

Many royal fans are expected to travel to London to line the streets and catch a glimpse of the King on his big day - and many have been asking if trains will be running on coronation day and wondering where's the best coronation events for kids. But for the millions of people who can't make it to the capital, we've shared details of how you can watch the coronation of King Charles from home.

How to watch the coronation in the UK:

UK viewers can watch King Charles III's coronation on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. ITV and Sky will also have live coverage of the coronation procession and ceremony on their TV channels.

BBC Two will additionally air signed coverage of the ceremony, whilst the interactive red button will have coverage for those who are blind or partially sighted. Audiences that would prefer to tune into the coronation via radio, can listen along via BBC Radio 2 and BBC sounds.

Whilst the coronation ceremony kicks off at 11am (GMT), it's likely that TV coverage will begin much earlier in the morning. As with previous royal events - such as the Queen's funeral and royal weddings like Prince Harry and Meghan and Prince William and Princess Kate - BBC and ITV coverage has seen royal experts and friends giving their opinions and anecdotes in the build-up to the event.

Charles' coronation procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey for the ceremony will be shown on television, ahead of the ceremony. Live broadcasting of the event is expected to finish after the Royal Family have appeared on the balcony at Buckingham Palace.

The BBC have teased that their coverage will include "an extensive network of cameras to give audiences a front row seat". Presenters include Kirsty Young, Claire Balding and JJ Chalmers, alongside BBC favourites Huw Edwards, Sophie Raworth and Anita Rani.

Lead presenter Kirsty Young says: "I’m very happy indeed to be part of the BBC’s Coronation coverage, as our cameras capture history in the making. Ceremony, spectacle and a right royal celebration – it’s got all the ingredients of a weekend worth watching."

How to watch the coronation in the US:

US Viewers can watch King Charles' coronation via BBC America. This can be accessed via Hulu or a subscription with BritBox. Major US news networks like ABC, CNN and Fox News are likely to show coverage too.

Due to the time difference, US viewers will have to be up pretty early on May 6 to watch the ceremony on TV. The service at Westmister Abbey starts at 6am EST, but if you want to see the carriage procession from Buckingham Palace before, you'll need to rise and shine a little earlier.

How to watch the coronation in other countries:

For those wanting to catch Coronation coverage from other parts of the world, the BBC have confirmed that "audiences outside the UK will be able to watch on the BBC News channel, or listen on the World Service".

How to watch the Coronation Concert:

The Coronation Concert will be broadcast on BBC1 at 8pm on Sunday 7 May. The concert will air live from the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Royal fans can also watch and listen to coverage of the concert via BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds. Big screens showing the coronation concert will also be put up in parks across the country - including London's St Jame's Park.

Kirsty Young will return to present the Coronation concert, with Radio 1's Clara Amfo and Diversity star Jordan Banjo interviewing artists backstage ahead of their performances. 

How many people will watch the coronation?

According to Slingo, around 300 million people worldwide are predicted to watch the coronation of King Charles III. 

As for how many will be tuning in at home, Dom Aldworth, Head of Brand Marketing at Slingo says: "54% of Brits are set to watch the highly anticipated coronation next weekend - however, 41% have reported being unlikely to watch. 

"As the event rolls out, it will be interesting to see just how many people will be watching the live broadcast, especially in comparison to other past royal events. 

"Even though the event is not attracting as many viewers as expected, many Brits will still be watching and participating in community events such as street parties and games such as Pin the Crown on the King."

According to their data, Queen Elizabeth's funeral was the most watched royal event of all time, with an estimated 4.1 billion people viewing around the globe.

Related features:

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• How much will King Charles III's coronation cost and who will pay?
• Best coronation gifts to celebrate King Charles III
• M&S coronation range
• Are shops open on coronation day?
• Coronation concert line-up
• Where will King Charles III's coronation take place?
• Are Prince Harry and Meghan going to the coronation?
• Are schools closed for the coronation of King Charles III?

Video of the Week

The countdown is officially on! The BBC have shared when Vernon Kay starts on BBC Radio 2.

He certainly has some big shoes to fill, having been appointed Ken Bruce's replacement after the DJ announced his departure from the station after 31 years. Vernon is set to take over as BBC Radio 2's new mid-morning presenter, keeping listeners company from late breakfast to lunch with some great tunes and cracking celebrity guest interviews.

Ken Bruce's last show has been and gone, with the legendary broadcaster having now started at Greatest Hits Radio.Vernon Kay is yet to begin his new BBC Radio 2 show and listeners are eager to know when this will be. Here's all the juicy details.

When does Vernon Kay start on BBC Radio 2?

The BBC have confirmed that Vernon Kay will start on Radio 2 on May 15, 2023. Listeners can expect good songs, celebrity guests, a new daily music quiz and some special live performances. 

"In the first few weeks of his new show, Vernon will welcome two new Piano Room sessions - Def Leppard on Thursday 18 May and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds on Thursday 1 June," confirmed the boradcaster. Each artist will perform a classic track, a new song and a cover version, which listeners can hear live on Vernon's show or catch up with via BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer after.

"To be hosting the new Radio 2 mid-morning show is a total privilege," says Kay." It’s going to be an unforgettable start to what promises to be an amazing journey. And to have two music legends coming up in the Radio 2 Piano Room is a dream come true."

Kay already presents Dance Sounds of the 90s on Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, so is no stranger to the station. He's also stepped in to cover for Zoe Ball's Breakfast Show, Steve Wright in the Afternoon, Rylan on Saturday and Dermot O’Leary.

Kay's radio career began at Radio 1 in 2004, where he presented Saturday and Sunday mid-morning shows up until 2012. Then in 2015 he moved to Radio X to present the mid-morning show there for two years.

Vernon's predecessor Ken Bruce called Kay "a lovely bloke and I wish him all the best".

Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said she was "thrilled to welcome Vernon" to the mid-morning show on Radio 2.

"He’s a hugely talented, warm and witty host, who has already proved himself to be a firm favourite with our listeners when he’s presented many and varied shows across the station. I can’t wait to hear his brilliant new show."

What time will Vernon Kay be on BBC Radio 2?

When Vernon's show begins in May, listeners can expect to tune in and hear him from 9.30am through to Midday. Vernon replaces the since-departed Ken Bruce and will be heading up the mid-morning slot on BBC Radio 2 on Mondays to Fridays.

"Making your mid-mornings memorable, Vernon's bringing big tunes, big names and big laughs to weekdays from 9.30am-12pm," the broadcaster confirmed. Vernon's show will feature new daily music quiz Ten To The Top every morning at 10.30am, with the classic Tracks Of My Years following at 11.40am. They'll also be usual Record and Album Of The Week, plus the latest travel news from Richie Anderson.

When Kay was announced as Bruce's replacement, many listeners were quick to throw their support behind the Family Fortunes star. "Congratulations to on taking over from Ken Bruce, I love listening to you when you fill in for @ZoeTheBall," wrote one Twitter user.

Another tweeted: "Fantastic news! Do people not realise that the people who listened to radio 1 when vernon, Sara, Jo, Scott and Zoe were on are now in our 40s and 50s as are the djs? I love the lineup on radio 2 including most of the other shows, it’s a great mix."

It certainly seems Kay already has some listeners who'll be tuning in for his new radio show.

Who is filling in on BBC Radio 2 currently?

DJ Gary Davies is currently filling the gap between Bruce's departure and Kay's first show. The 65-year-old began his temporary takeover of the mid-morning slot on March 7, 2023

Ken Bruce's last show on BBC Radio 2 was on Friday, March 3. The DJ's exit came a lot sooner than expected, with Ken originally set to leave on Friday, March 23, instead. The broadcaster confirmed his early depature with fans online. He tweeted: "I had intended fulfilling my contract until the end of March but the BBC has decided it wants me to leave earlier. Let’s enjoy the week ahead!"

Gary Davies has often filled in when Zoe Ball has been absent from her morning show and is well-known to many BBC Radio 2 listeners for his Sounds of the Eighties show on Fridays at 8pm.

Video of the Week

Reports that a popular news anchor could be leaving CBS Morning for rival CNN has got viewers wondering where is Gayle King today?

The long-time TV presenter is best-known for co-anchoring CBS Mornings with Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson but her absence from screens has caused some fans to worry that the star has been replaced.

It comes after fans asked where is Hoda Kotb on the Today show? and in the UK fans of BBC Breakfast have previously asked where is Naga Munchetty? when they spot their fave anchor missing from their shows.

Today, one fan tweeted, "Is Natalie Morales replacing Gayle King on CBS Mornings after she leaves for her short-term CNN payday?"

As we look at all we know about where Gayle King is today....

Where is Gayle King today?

Gayle King has been missing from screens on CBS Mornings with Natalie Morales sitting in for her but she has been active on social media promoting her top TV picks as editor-at-large of Oprah Daily. They shared, "They say April showers, bring May flowers. Well April is here and it has arrived with new TV shows for you to watch, comedy tours you have to check out, and music that will have you dancing with your loved one. Tap the link in our bio for all of Gayle King's recommendations to make your days more enjoyable!"

The star has been on CBS since 2011 but in recent weeks her absence comes after rumors started swirling that she was leaving the network to take up a role on one of its competitors, CNN after it has undergone some restructuring following the brief launch and swift demise of CNN+.

But the star insisted she was not leaving CBS for a reported deal with CNN, even though NBA legend Charles Barkley confirmed that the network was hoping to pair them up for a new show. 

At the time he said, "They are trying to pair Gayle King and me. We don't have anything set in stone. I'm only considering it because of my respect for Gayle."

The Wall Street Journal later claimed in a report that CNN was already 'finalizing a deal' to have Gayle anchor a weekly primetime show.

Is Gayle King leaving CBS?

Gayle King has landed a new job with Charles Barkley on rival channel CNN but she has confirmed that she will remain at CBS Mornings. She told her Instagram followerrs, ""YEP it’s true!..Charles Barkley and I are doing a tv show for CNN called King Charles. I’m King, he’s Charles..get it?! I wasn’t looking for another thing to add to my schedule…and neither was Charles but we’re excited about going on this adventure together..So here we are, announcing it on TNT's NBA tip-off. See you Wednesdays this Fall. PS. not leaving CBS Mornings, still my favorite network show!"

Gayle King previously said she was not leaving CBS, in an interview before the rumored deal. Speaking at the 2023 Adweek Convergent TV Summit in New York, she said, "I'm very close to [CNN head] Chris Licht. I like him very much. 

She went on to address whether she would ever leave, saying, "But on that question, 'Me no speak English,'

She added, "Let's just say I have two years left on my contract with CBS, and I have no intention of leaving CBS."

Gayle has been at the network for 11 years in January after joining following the end of her self-titled show, The Gayle King Show., which aired for just one season on The Oprah Winfrey Network.

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Video of the week

Gordon Ramsay's Future Food Stars has returned, and viewers want to know where the series is filmed.

Series two of Gordon Ramsay's Future Food Stars kicked off on BBC One on Thursday 30 March. The programme sees the Michelin-starred chef search for the country's most exciting and innovative new food and drink business, with 12 contestants battling it out to impress Gordon and win an investment from him. While they take on the challenges, the entrepreneurs film in some stunning locations across the UK.

Much like TV viewers want to know the filming locations of other popular TV shows such as ITV's John and Lisa's Weekend Kitchen, or new BBC drama Beyond Paradise, the same question is now being asked of Future Food Stars. Here's what we know about where the series was filmed...

Where is Future Food Stars filmed?

Future Food Stars was filmed in a number of locations in the UK, including Scotland, Wales, Manchester, Gateshead, Henley, and Oxford. The BBC said: "Over 8 weeks, the Future Food Stars will travel all over the country from the Cotswolds to Wales to Gateshead and all the way to Glenapp Castle in Scotland."

Meanwhile, host Gordon Ramsay said: "Viewers can expect more beautiful locations from across the UK, really interesting special guests who appear on the show to test my contenders, as well as more really tough challenges where the contenders have to push extremely hard to impress me with their skills and ideas."

He added: "The aim really is to showcase and shine a light on some of the amazing places, people and their businesses making the UK food and drink industry so exciting right now."

The show opens in Newquay, Cornwall, but will travel around the UK, visiting the Lake District, Devon and Somerset's Cheddar Gorge and London. 

The first episode was shot at Glenapp Castle in Scotland, a picturesque retreat where the contestants were tasked with setting up a banquet celebrating Scottish produce.

The second episode was filmed in north Wales, in Anglesey and Portmeirion.

Gordon Ramsay's Future Food Stars cast

The Future Food Stars cast is made up of 12 contestants, all of whom are up-and-coming food and drink entrepreneurs and have been hand-picked by Gordon. They will compete to earn the £150,000 investment, but must prove they have what it takes to partner up with him.

• Florence Rebattet - Florence runs Kids En Cusine cooking school
• Amy Dalby - Amy runs Blondie Bakery, which produces Blondie-based products
• Kier Kemp - Keir owns a business that makes unusual sauces and condiments
• Hebe Ibbotson - Hebe owns home-brew Kombucha company, BooChaCha
• Sam Pascal - Sam's business is called Hot N Juicy Shrimp LDN and is a seafood boil chain
• Gary Quinn - Gary's business Taquitos sells authentic Mexican food
• Craig Stocker - Craig owns a chain of micro-pubs called the Georgi Fins
• Naomi Boles - Naomi owns a social enterprise bakery
• Kris Ingham - Kris owns Rejuvenation Water, a matcha and coffee brand delivered in compostable coffee pods
• Rachel Munro - Rachel runs a day to night eco café in Ayr
• Sophie Taylor - Sophie's business Sophies Iced Coffee Blend sells a range of ready to drink vegan iced coffees
• Andy Albalous - Andy's brand Drops Of Heal sells CBD infused olive oil

Where to watch Gordon Ramsay's Future Food Stars

Series 2 of Gordon Ramsay's Future Food Stars first aired on Thursday 30 March, and is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

All eight episode from the first series of Gordon Ramsay's Future Food Stars are also currently available on iPlayer.

Video of the Week

The down to earth presenter is a favourite with fans of Inside The Factory, but Gregg Wallace is stepping away from his role after making some difficult decisions. 

After 7 series and 1 special of Inside The Factory, presenter Gregg Wallace will be stepping down from presenting the show. Alongside fellow host Cherry Healey, Gregg visits the factories where beloved products are made, exploring everything from the creation of Nestlé and Thorntons chocolate, to Heinz beans and Typhoo tea. Historian Ruth Goodman is also on hand to provide an overview of how the products came to exist as consumers know and love them today. However, Gregg has made the announcement he will be stepping away from his position as presenter on the series. Read on to find out why he won't be returning, and the different role he will be taking instead.

There are many questions surrounding who is Gregg Wallace married to, as the presenter has tied the knot multiple times. Many were also keen to know Gregg's weight loss diet, after he shed an incredible four stone. The star has also opened up about his fears of being an old dad, after the 58-year-old fathered a child later in life.

Why has Gregg Wallace left Inside The Factory?

Gregg Wallace has left Inside The Factory to focus on supporting his 3-year-old son Sid, who is autistic and non-verbal, requiring extra parental input.

Gregg made the announcement when he appeared as a guest on Gaby Roslin's BBC Radio London show. According to Digital Spy, he said "Do you know my son Sid? He's autistic, he's very autistic. He's got his fourth birthday coming up next year, and he's non-verbal... he's a lovely boy but it's not easy, so I've made the decision not to do Inside the Factory anymore."

He continued "The hair net's gonna go. It's a good time to stop doing it, but there's actually 12 episodes in the can, so I wouldn't have been filming for a while anyway, so it just seemed like a good idea to stop."

Speaking further about Sid's needs, Gregg went on to say "He's a beautiful, beautiful boy. He doesn't have any sensory issues but he's non-verbal. Imagine a child that you can't threaten or bribe, and that's what you've got."

"You've got a little boy who's cuddly and happy and naughty, but he can't talk to you, so he gets frustrated because he can't tell you what he needs. So we need to find education, and I can't just leave that to Anna... Factory is a lot of travelling. Some of them are in Europe."

What are the signs of Autism in children?

According to the NHS, signs of autism in young children can include not responding to their name, avoiding eye contact, and not returning smiles when they're smiled at.

Younger autistic children can also become upset if they don't like certain tastes, smells, and sounds, and can be prone to making repetitive movements such as hand flapping, flicking their fingers or rocking. Gregg Wallace's son Sid is currently non-verbal, and a common sign of autism is not talking as much as other children, or not talking at all. Children also find pretend play difficult, and can repeat the same phrases over and over.

In older children, autism can manifest differently. Symptoms can include failure to understand what others are thinking or feeling, and unusual speech - repeating phrases and talking ‘at’ others are common. Extreme upset at a change in routine, along with a very keen interest in specific subjects or activities can also frequently occur.

Older autistic children can become upset at being asked to do something and will often find making friends hard, preferring to spend time alone. They can take things very literally, not understanding the nuance of phrases such as "break a leg," and find expressing their emotions difficult. 

Autism diagnosis rates are different between boys and girls, with girls less likely to be diagnosed. This is due to autistic girls having a better ability to mask symptoms by copying the way other children behave and play, and withdrawing from difficult situations. They can cope better with social situations and have been found to display fewer signs of repetitive behaviours. The National Autistic Society has detailed information on spotting autism in girls.

How many children does Gregg Wallace have?

Gregg Wallace has 3 children - Tom and Libby were born during his second marriage to former pastry chef Denise Wallace, with 3-year-old Sid was born to Gregg's current wife, Anne-Marie Sterpini.

Tom and Libby are both in their late twenties, and Gregg met his older children's mother Denise, in 1993. They married 1999 but separated in 2004 when Denise discovered Gregg was having an affair. Gregg confessed to drinking heavily during the marriage, being forced to admit to himself he had a problem with alcohol at this time.

Denise herself also suffered from alcohol addiction, and Gregg eventually gained custody of their children together when Denise would become too incapacitated with drink to care for them. Denise was sadly unable to overcome her addiction, passing away from it in 2017.

Although Gregg doesn't share many pictures of himself and his older children to Instagram, November last year saw him post a rare photo of himself and his eldest child at Twickenham stadium together. The post was captioned "Me n my boy Tom Wallace Twickenham @thegreenroomexperience."

He also rarely shares pictures of himself and Libby. However, Libby's personal Instagram features plenty of pictures of herself and young brother Sid, indicating they have a close relationship. The occasional snap featuring Gregg will pop up on her feed, with the pair sharing the same broad smile.  

Gregg Wallace net worth

Gregg Wallace's net worth is thought to be approximately £4 million. In 2016, his Masterchef salary was £250,000, and he will have amassed further funds from his other presenting jobs. 

On the back of his successful weight loss, Gregg also now runs subscription nutrition service, Show Me Fit, which will add to his profits. For a fee of £7 per month, subscribers gain access to healthy recipes that come with the guarantee of being quick and easy to make - new recipes are added each week. Nutritionist Katharine Bright is also on hand to help subscribers understand the science behind health and weight loss, to make it easier to keep the weight off. 

An exclusive Facebook page is also available for support, where members can share ideas and tips, and celebrate weight loss milestones. Sustainability is also promised by the site, which promises recipe ingredients will be cheap to buy and easy to find, in turn lowering shopping bills and decreasing food waste. 

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Video of the Week

Fans of BBC drama which is a spin-off from Death in Paradise are wondering why isn't Beyond Paradise on tonight?

The new series sees Kris Marshall reprise his role as detective Humphrey Goodman after leaving Death in Paradise and it is currently part way through its debut season after airing each Friday night on BBC One.

But fans who are looking to catch up on the latest instalment of the show that follows DI Humphrey and his fiancee Martha (Sally Bretton) embark on their new life in Shipton Abbott on the Devonshire coast with most filming in South East Cornwall, will be disappointed to discover that the show isn't on tonight [Friday, 17th March] as we look a why...

Why isn't BBC's Beyond Paradise on tonight?

BBC's Beyond Paradise isn't on tonight because the broadcaster has agreed to air its annual Comic Relief coverage from 7pm to 10pm therefore Beyond Paradise won't air at 8pm. The big fundraiser is being hosted by a variety of stars including Aj Odudu, David Tennant, Joel Dommett, Paddy McGuinness and Zoe Ball.

The official Twitter page for the show tweeted, "We won't be here next week - it's Comic Relief! - but don't worry, Beyond Paradise will be back on BBC One on Friday 24th."

One fan said, "Another great episode tonight. It will be a relief when it's back in two weeks and, hopefully, the BBC will commission more series."

Another viewer was understanding and added, "Aww, next episode looks really really good but Comic Relief is a great cause and we get to see more Tennant."

And a third fan wasn't happy with the decision, they tweeted, "Boo... couldn't it go on the other side?!"

When will Beyond Paradise return?

Beyond Paradise will return to screens on Friday, 24th March when the fourth episode will be aired. Fans will see DI Humphrey investigate the death of an unidentified body which is discovered in a centre of a crop circle, leading conspiracy theorists to speculate alien involvement. Meanwhile, Martha's restaurant is reviewed by an influential food critic. 

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• Where is The Bay Season 4 filmed?
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• Where is Sarah Lancashire from, does she have children and who is her husband?

Video of the week

The former footballer and sports broadcaster caused controversy last week with a tweet about the government's Illegal Migration Bill. But what exactly did Gary Lineker say?

Gary Lineker has presented Match of the Day since 1999, but after more than 20 years at the show's helm his future as a sports broadcaster was called into question, following a tweet that hit out at the government. The BBC has a strict policy when it comes to impartiality, so the presenter's comments left many wondering about his future with the corporation and asking questions about Gary Lineker's BBC salary.

He's not the only BBC presenter that has landed themselves in hot water recently, after Fiona Bruce's comments about Stanley Johnson, but following a tense weekend that saw the football star temporarily suspended, Match of the Day air without any presenters and the BBC's weekend sports coverage decimated, things seem to have returned to normal. Still, many want to know how it all happened, and what Gary Lineker said that caused such controversy for the BBC.

What did Gary Lineker say on Twitter?

Gary Lineker's tweet criticised the government's Illegal Migration Bill, which bans migrants who arrive on small boats from claiming asylum in Britain. Lineker said that the language used in the Bill is comparative to that used by Nazi Germany.

In response to a video in which home secretary Suella Braverman unveiled the government's plans to stop migrants crossing the Channel, Lineker wrote "Good heavens, this is beyond awful." When replying to another Twitter user, who described Lineker's comment as "out of order", Lineker responded: "There is no huge influx. We take far fewer refugees than other major European countries. This is just an immeasurably cruel policy directed at the most vulnerable people in language that is not dissimilar to that used by Germany in the 30s, and I’m out of order?"

Lineker's comments were criticised by Suella Braverman, who told the BBC's Political Thinking podcast: "To kind of throw out those kind of flippant analogies diminishes the unspeakable tragedy that millions of people went through, and I don’t think anything that is happening in the UK today can come close to what happened in the Holocaust."

Karen Pollock, the chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, has also hit out at Lineker's comments, writing in an op-ed for The Times, "However passionately we feel about important and pressing issues of the day, it seems to me that comparing those current concerns to the almost unimaginable horrors of the Nazi period is wrong."

Lineker refused to back down, however, taking to Twitter again a day later to say: "I have never known such love and support in my life than I’m getting this morning (England World Cup goals aside, possibly). I want to thank each and every one of you. It means a lot. I’ll continue to try and speak up for those poor souls that have no voice. Cheers all."

What have the BBC said?

The BBC said in a statement: "We consider [Lineker's] recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines." They added: "We have never said that Gary should be an opinion-free zone, or that he can’t have a view on issues that matter to him, but we have said that he should keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies."

The statement came as the BBC announced that Lineker would not be returning to his long-time presenting role "until we’ve got an agreed and clear position on his use of social media."

The BBC's editorial guidelines say that impartiality must be "adequate and appropriate to the output, taking account of the subject and nature of the content, the likely audience expectation and any signposting that may influence that expectation."

They add that social media is "now part of everyday life" and that all of its staff are free to "engage in social media activities if they wish", but all activity, "whether it is in a 'professional' or 'personal' capacity", should be informed by the Editorial Guidelines.

On Monday 13 March, it was confirmed that Gary Lineker would return to the BBC. The BBC Board said in a statement: "The Board welcomes the fact that the executive has reached an agreement following the disruption of the weekend.

"Impartiality is a cornerstone of the BBC. We believe this is the right time to look at the clarity of the BBC's social media guidance and how it is applied.

"We will support the executive in its continuing work to ensure the organisation delivers world-class, impartial content for all audiences."

Why wasn't Gary Lineker on Match of the Day?

It was announced on Friday 10 March that Gary Lineker would not be appearing on Match of the Day the following day due to his Tweet being deemed to breach BBC guidelines.

The Independent reported that the decision was made after the broadcaster couldn't get Lineker to agree to a public statement in which the presenter would apologise and promise to be more careful on social media. The publication claimed that sources close to the situation said the statement would have seen the presenter "humiliating himself".

Shortly after it was announced that Lineker had been suspended from his presenting role, his colleagues Ian Wright and Alan Shearer pulled out from appearing on the show in solidarity.

Later that day, Alex Scott, Micah Richards and Jermaine Jenas all said they would not be appearing, and the BBC announced that the show would go ahead, but with the unprecedented scenario of there being no presenter or pundits.

As a result, Saturday’s episode of Match of the Day was just 20 minutes long. It was watched by 2.6 million viewers - up by nearly half a million on the show form the week before.

BBC Radio 5 Live was also impacted, with the station replacing three hours of scheduled live broadcasting with pre-recorded podcasts, and Football Focus and Final Score were pulled from the BBC’s afternoon schedule due to presenters pulling out.

The disruption forced the BBC to apologise for "limited sport programming this weekend", with Director General Tim Davie facing calls to resign.

Gary Lineker controversy: Timeline of events

• Tuesday 7 March: Gary Lineker criticises the government's immigration policy on twitter, following a video posted by the Home Office.
• Wednesday 8 March: The Prime Minister’s press secretary told reporters it was "disappointing" to see "that kind of rhetoric" from someone whose salary is paid by the licence fee.
• Thursday 9 March: Lineker says he will still be appearing on Saturday's Match of the Day, tweeting, "Well, it’s been an interesting couple of days. Happy that this ridiculously out of proportion story seems to be abating and very much looking forward to presenting @BBCMOTD on Saturday."
• Friday 10 March: The BBC announces Lineker will step back from Match of the Day until his use of social media is agreed, resulting in several other football presenters and pundits pulling out of BBC programming in solidarity with Lineker.
• Saturday 11 March: Match of the Day goes ahead without accompanying commentary or analysis from pundits, while Football Focus and Final Score were pulled from the BBC schedules as well as Radio 5's 5 Live Sport and Fighting Talk. The BBC apologises for the limited programming.
• Sunday 12 March: Sunday's Match of the Day 2 aired with a similarly stripped-back version, showing only short clips from earlier football matches with no accompanying commentary.
• Monday 13 March: It's announced that Gary Lineker will return to presenting sport on the BBC, and an independent review into the corporation's social media usage guidelines will be held. Director general Time Davie apologises for disruption the the weekend's sports programming. 

Video of the Week

Gary Lineker earns more than the average presenter at the BBC...

He's the legendary Leicester-born football star who successfully transitioned from the pitch to punditry, after hanging up his professional boots for good in 1994. Five years later, Gary Lineker secured the coveted job of Match of the Day presenter - a role he still proudly holds over 20 years on.

The single football commentator has most recently been in the headlines for a falling out with his employer over his social media use, with the BBC claiming Lineker was in violation of their impartiality guidelines - leading many to ask what did Gary Lineker say on Twitter. Forced to step away from hosting duties whilst the two parties reach an agreement, many are interested in learning how much Gary Linekar earns for his BBC presenting role. We share what we know of his current salary and net worth in 2023.

How much does Gary Lineker earn?

Gary Lineker's current BBC salary sees the star earn £1.355 million for his work presenting shows like Match Of The Day and Sports Personality Of The Year. This wage officially makes Gary the highest-earning presenter at the BBC.

The former footballer turned pundit has a freelance contract with the public broadcaster. This allows Lineker to present football coverage for other channels, like NBC, Al Jazeera, La Liga and BT Sport too. According to the Daily Mail, the 62-year-old was paid £400,000 a year by Al Jazeera between 2009 and 2013. Money earnt from these additional gigs is on top of Gary's BBC wage and significantly contributes to the star's annual take home.

Whilst the biggest earner at the BBC, Gary Lineker's salary has decreased over the last two years following pay cuts. Prior to 2020, Lineker's BBC salary was higher, taking home £1.75 million a year. In September 2020 though, Lineker agreed to a 23% salary reduction as part of a new five-year deal with the broadcaster.

At the time of the deal, Tim Davie, the BBC’s new Director-General, announced that this pay cut would "across the board [will] deliver savings of one quarter over his last contract."

Gary's future at the BBC is however uncertain at present. The presenter remains embroiled in a dispute with the BBC after comments he made on social media criticising the Tory government's latest immigration policy. 

A BBC statement, released March 10, 2023, announced that Lineker would step back from presenting Match of the Day until an agreement has been reached on his social media use. The BBC said it considered Lineker's "recent social media activity to be a breach of our guidelines", adding that he should "keep well away from taking sides on party political issues or political controversies".

Following the announcement, fellow MOTD presenters Ian Wright and Alan Shearer tweeted that they would not be appearing on that weekend's programme in 'solidarity' with Lineker. As a result, the show went ahead without commentary.

Whilst talks continue, media reports suggest that rival broadcaster ITV are keen to secure Gary Lineker to present football coverage on their channel instead. The Daily Mail claim ITV are willing to pay three times the star's current salary with the BBC.

"ITV will be excited by what is happening at the BBC – it’s the best chance they have had to get Gary," a source told the publication. "Gary would undoubtedly be able to name his price and his terms, which is something that he is going to always be restricted with at the BBC."

If Gary were to switch to ITV, his new salary would not have to be shared publicly, as the star's wage would no longer be funded by the BBC licence fee-payer.

Lineker at present has shared no plans to leave the public broadcaster. The 62-year-old has been presenter of Match of the Day for 24 years, taking over from predecessor Des Lynam in 1999.

What is Gary Lineker's net worth in 2023?

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Gary Lineker's current net worth is $35 million - which equates to around £29 million. His fortune comes from his punditry work, sponsorship deals and earnings made from his days as a professional footballer.

In addition to his BBC salary and wages from presenting work with Al Jazeera and other broadcasters, Gary is also the face of British crisp brand Walkers. In 2020 he signed a £1.2 million deal to continue his work with Walkers for another three years. 

Gary also founded his own production company in May 2014. Titled Goalhanger Films, it's described on it's official LinkedIn page as "a UK-based television and podcast production company specialising in sport.

"We produce access documentaries featuring major sports stars across the globe. Our recent slate of projects includes Football, Prince William and Our Mental Health; Hand of God; Mo Salah: A Football Fairytale, and the upcoming Serena Williams documentary with Amazon Prime."

The production company reported net assets of £539, 2881 to Companies House in May 2021.

Lineker started out as a footballer for his local team Leicester City in 1977. He went on to play for teams like Everton, Barcelona, Tottenham and  Japanese League club Nagoya Grampus Eight. Lineker was also instrumental in England's national team, helping the squad get to the World Cup semi-finals in 1990. Four years prior, he won the golden boot at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico.

Lineker received notable salaries during his professional football career. The star signed on to play at Barcelona in 1986 for £2.8 million. He then moved onto Tottenham Hotspur in July 1989 securing £1.1 million. His transfer fee to Nagoya Grampus Eight was also reported to be £2 million at the time.

Video of the Week

You won't have to wait too much longer - here's when Ken Bruce starts on Greatest Hits Radio.

It was a sad and historic day for Radio 2 listeners, when Ken Bruce announced his departure and the reasons why he's leaving Radio 2 in mid January of this year. News swiftly followed of Ken Bruce's replacement in February, but many long-running fans have shared their intention to follow the much beloved broadcaster to his new home after Ken Bruce's last show in March.

Much like we've shared details of when Vernan Kay starts on Radio 2, we've shared when Bruce starts his new morning show at Greatest Hits Radio and how you can listen along from anywhere.

When does Ken Bruce start on Greatest Hits Radio?

Ken Bruce begins his new show on Greatest Hits Radio on Monday, April 3, 2023. Ken will be on air between 10am and 1pm, every weekday, taking over the mid-morning slot on the station.

Many will be pleased to know that Bruce will be taking the ever popular Pop Master quiz with him. The concept sees two contestants go head to head answering questions about music from the 1950s to present day.

Of what listeners can expect from his new show, Bruce teased: "What better way to celebrate my forty-five years in radio than with a new adventure and a brand-new show on Greatest Hits Radio. I say brand-new but there will still be PopMaster, me and my musings and all the great records you know and love from the 70s, 80s and 90s."

To make way for Ken Bruce's arrival at Greatest Hits Radio, The Top 10 at 10 radio show which usually aired during the mid-morning slot will take place an hour earlier. Renamed The Top 10 till Ken, the show will air at 9am weekdays. 

It will however remain at 10pm on evenings (except Friday and Saturday) and 10am on weekends.

A message on the Greatest Hits Radio website reads: "As a warm-up to PopMaster, weekdays at 9am it’s The Top 10 til Ken. See what we did there? Set your alarm an hour earlier because there’s now even more chances for you to be One Year Out with Greatest Hits Radio."

What is Ken Bruce's Greatest Hits Radio salary?

A radio insider told the Daily Mail that Bauer Media is likely to have offered Ken Bruce "around £500,000 annually" to host his show on Greatest Hits Radio. This is considerably more than what Bruce was earning at BBC Radio 2.

The BBC's pay list for 2022 revealed that Ken Bruce made between £385,000-£389,999 for his radio show and presenting duties for the Eurovision Song Contest.

Of Ken's new role, fellow Greatest Hits Radio DJ Simon Mayo said: "It’s like signing Messi. It does feel very buzzy. Even if people aren’t in the business, they know that Ken has the biggest radio audience in Britain. There are a number of places that would love to have had him, but he’s chosen to come here."

Mayo is also a former Radio 2 presenter who left the station in December 2018. He now covers the Drivetime slot on Greatest Hits Radio.

How do I listen to Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio?

Listeners can tune into Greatest Hits Radio on FM, DAB and via their website. The station frequency varies from 96.0 FM to 107.9 FM, depending on where you are based in England.

Planet Radio lists how to tune into Greatest Hits Radio in your local area here.

"You can find us on our website, download our free app for iPhone or Android, listen on Freeview channel 716, Sky channel 0151 or ask your Smart Speaker to 'play Greatest Hits Radio'," explains their official website.

Video of the Week

Kris Marshall is back as DI Humphrey Goodman - and we've shared exactly how many Beyond Paradise episodes viewers have to commit to.

Fans are currently enjoying the arrival of Beyond Paradise on screens - a moment many viewers of the original BBC drama had been eagerly counting down to since being announced in June 2022. The series has some familiar faces in the cast - including Kris Marshall and Sally Bretton, who return as their famous characters in a popular UK tourist destination where Beyond Paradise is filmed. It's safe to say it's a slightly different location to where Death in Paradise is filmed but the light hearted humour and crime-solving quandaries remain.

As viewers settle in for the fifth instalment, many want to know how many episodes of Beyond Paradise there will be to enjoy (and if there's a Beyond Paradise season 2?!). We've shared details on the total number and when they air.

How many episodes of Beyond Paradise are there?

Death in Paradise spin-off Beyond Paradise is made up of six episodes - each one lasting for approximately 60 minutes each. The series airs on BBC One on Friday nights at 8pm and is available on BBC iPlayer after the episode has been broadcast.

The total number of episodes was confirmed by Tony Jordan, writer and executive producer for Beyond Paradise. "Humphrey and Martha’s relationship is a drama in its own right, we follow their journey throughout the duration of the six episodes," he confirmed to Radio Times.

In the trailer we see the return of DI Humphrey Goodman (Kris Marshall) - but in a slightly less sunny and tropical setting. Yet whilst solving crimes in a different location, it looks like fans can expect the same funny mishaps from the detective that made the character so popular with Death in Paradise fans.

"Wherever he goes, he leaves a sort of mini tidal wave of madness behind him and he's causing that tidal wave to ripple through the village of Shipton Abbott," actor Kris Marshall said of his role in Beyond Paradise.

Beyond Paradise: Episode guide

• Episode 1 (aired: Friday 24 February 2023) - A new adventure awaits as DI Humphrey Goodman and Martha leave London for Devon.
• Episode 2 (aired: Friday 3 March 2023) - Humphrey investigates a family's mysterious disappearance, while Martha opens her cafe.
• Episode 3 (aired: Friday 10 March 2023) - Shipton Abbott is rocked when a beloved painting appears to vanish into thin air.
• Episode 4 (aired: Friday 24 March 2023) - A mystery man is found dead in the centre of a crop circle, but are aliens responsible?
• Episode 5 (airing: Friday 31 March 2023) - Humphrey and his team are stumped by a serial arson case with a bizarre twist.
• Episode 6 (airing: Friday 7 April 2023) - With Humphrey devastated by recent events, Esther must solve an impossible burglary case.

What is Beyond Paradise about?

The official show synopsis reads: "Beyond Paradise follows DI Humphrey Goodman and his fiancée Martha Lloyd (Sally Bretton) after their nail-biting will-they-won’t-they romance reached its emotional finale in 2017. Viewers were delighted when Humphrey took control of his destiny and followed Martha back from Saint Marie to London to declare his undying love for her.

"A new adventure awaits as we find them arriving in Shipton Abbott, Martha’s hometown near the beautiful Devonshire coast, having left London. As they embark on their new life, the couple are quickly thrown in at the deep end as Martha sets out to pursue her dream of running her own restaurant and Humphrey joins the local police force. Quickly making an impression on the somewhat eclectic team: DS Esther Williams (Zahra Ahmadi), PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn) and Margo Martins (Felicity Montagu), Humphrey sets out to help crack a host of baffling cases, with the Shipton Abbott squad witnessing a whole new approach to police work...

"Each week the team are faced with a new crime with a unique puzzle at its heart. The not-so-sleepy town of Shipton Abbott will be rocked by an entire family disappearing without a trace; a woman claiming she was attacked by a suspect from the seventeenth century; the robbery of a highly prized painting; a body bizarrely discovered in a crop circle and a serial arsonist with a mysterious penchant for nursery rhymes.

As Humphrey gets stuck into his new job, he and Martha must also navigate life’s ups and downs, as faces from the past, the decisions they make and the challenges of setting up life in a new town put their relationship to the ultimate test."

Touching on what Death in Paradise fans can expect from the spin-off, Kris Marshall said: "Beyond Paradise has the same sort of structure as Death in Paradise, but we're also a completely new show. There’s some of the favourite characters from Death in Paradise, but with a whole new spin on it. It's still paradise, it's just a different kind of paradise."

Related features:

• What is the Beyond Paradise theme tune?
• When did Kris Marshall leave Death in Paradise?
• Is Ralf Little leaving Death in Paradise?
• Death in Paradise season 13 - release date and more

Video of the Week

The DJ has now left BBC Radio 2 and Vernon Kay will start on BBC Radio 2 soon.

Having announced earlier this year that he was quitting his BBC Radio 2 show after 31 years as a broadcaster. His 9.30am - midday show on the station airs weekdays and the legendary DJ has been playing the tunes for avid listeners and will continue to do so up until Ken Bruce's last show.

But with his days on the airwaves numbered, fans are keen to find out who will be stepping into his studio seat as we look at who's been announced as his replacement...

Who is replacing Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2?

The BBC has confirmed that Vernon Kay is replacing Ken Bruce on BBC Radio 2 mid-morning show and will take over the reigns in May. The broadcaster made the official announcement on its social media, when they shared, "We're delighted to announce that Vernon Kay will be taking over the mid-morning show on Radio 2 later this year!"

Speaking about his new role, Vernon said, “I’m absolutely over the moon to be handed the microphone to present the mid-morning show on Radio 2, and what an honour to follow in the footsteps of the mighty Ken Bruce. I look forward to playing some of the best music in the world whilst in the company of the Radio 2 listeners who I feel I’ve got to know over the last 18 months. It’s a dream come true to join the Radio 2 family and I can’t wait to start.”

Vernon is already familiar to Radio 2 listeners as in recent years he’s covered for The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, Steve Wright in the Afternoon, Rylan on Saturday and Dermot O’Leary. He also presents Dance Sounds of the 90s on BBC Sounds and Radio 2. 

Vernon kicked off his radio career at Radio 1 from 2004 – 2012, where he presented Saturday and Sunday mid-morning shows. From 2015 – 2017, Vernon presented the mid-morning show on Radio X.

Speculation over the star taking on the role started 24 hours before the official announcement as reports over him signing a two-year deal, with sources telling The Sun at the time, "This is the biggest, most coveted gig in radio. Ken's show is the most listened to in Europe so Vernon has massive shoes to fill. But he's such a warm, easy presenter and listeners have really taken to him."

The continued, "Vernon has a raft of fresh, new ideas and content, but will not be trying to reinvent the wheel here - he knows how important this show is to listeners, and wants them to feel welcome and safe. Everyone at the Beeb is hugely excited to have him on board." 

And fans have started congratulating him on social media, one fan put, "Omg just read you got Ken Bruce slot yes yes yesssssss."

Another fan put, "Great news. Love Vern" and a third fan added, "Nice one."

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2 said, “Radio 2 is home to some of the UK’s best loved presenters, and I’m thrilled to welcome Vernon to mid-mornings on Radio 2. He’s a hugely talented, warm and witty host who has already proved himself to be a firm favourite with our listeners when he’s presented many and varied shows across the station. I can’t wait to hear his brilliant new show.”

Meanwhile on news of Ken's departure, Rylan wished Ken well, he said, "Ken Bruce. A beautiful man who’s always been so lovely to me at BBC Radio 2. Going to be so missed on air, but personally I’ll miss having a beer in a foreign country discussing anything and everything whilst at Eurovision. Thanks for always being so lovely."

Who are the DJs on Radio 2?

The current roster of DJs on BBC Radio 2 have shows on the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content and its website claims, "With a repertoire covering more than 40 years, Radio 2 plays the widest selection of music on the radio—from classic and mainstream pop to a specialist portfolio including classical, country, folk, jazz, soul, rock 'n' roll, gospel and blues." Here is the current roster of DJs...

• Michael Ball
• Zoe Ball
• Rob Beckett
• Tony Blackburn
• OJ Borg
• Kate Bottley
• Ken Bruce
• Nicki Chapman
• Rylan Clark
• Fearne Cotton
• Sara Cox
• Jamie Cullum
• Gary Davies
• DJ Spoony
• Sophie Ellis-Bextor
• Paul Gambaccini
• Angela Griffin
• Bob Harris
• Vernon Kay
• Cerys Matthews
• Scott Mills
• Jason Mohammad
• Trevor Nelson
• Dermot O'Leary
• Elaine Paige
• Mark Radcliffe
• Romesh Ranganathan
• Liza Tarbuck
• Jeremy Vine
• Michelle Visage
• Johnnie Walker
• Jo Whiley
• Claudia Winkleman
• Steve Wright

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Video of the week

BBC Breakfast viewers have been wondering if presenter Sally Nugent is married and what she gets up to outside the studio. 

Since taking over as a full-time presenter in autumn 2021, and the departure of long-standing host Dan Walker in May 2022, Sally Nugent has become a mainstay of mornings on BBC One. The smiley and stylish presenter had previously reported the daily sports news to viewers for 10 years, making her a perfect fit for the Breakfast team and the red sofa - and loyal viewers often ask 'where is Sally Nugent?' when she takes a break from our screens.

Her recent interviewees have ranged from rapper Stormzy to Kevin Sinfield - who ran seven marathons in seven days for Motor Neurone Disease where she joined him at the Old Trafford Football Stadium finish line. Other breakfast shows have seen her spill Carol Kirkwood's engagement news live on air and say a sad goodbye to colleague Dan Walker, who quit the show after six years. But despite viewers' familiarity with her professional persona, many want to know more about Sally Nugent's personal life - from if she's married to where she's from. 

Is Sally Nugent married?

Yes, BBC Breakfast presenter Sally Nugent is married. The TV star likes to keep her personal life private, but her husband's name is known to be Gavin Hawthorne. In May 2023, reports emerged that the pair had split, but nothing has been confirmed by the couple.

One source told the MailOnline at the time that rumours first emerged, "It's very sad but they are no longer together. I think they tried to tough it out for quite a while as they didn't want to split up if they could possibly help it for the sake of their son, but they clearly couldn't make a go of it."

The source added, "They've both been very guarded about the reasons behind their growing apart, but it's been plain for a while that they had been and now it's obvious that they haven't been able to resolve that despite clearly trying for some time."

Previously, Sally's former Breakfast co-star Dan Walker was forced to publicly deny he was having an affair with his colleague on Twitter, responding to a cruel online troll, "'That bird’ is my friend @sallynugent and she is happily married.

"What a pathetic thing to tweet. I hope you treat that young girl in your twitter banner photo with a bit more respect."

Meanwhile, Sally has previously shared a small snippet of her wedding day online. In a photo she posted on Instagram for the Royal Television Awards in 2021, there appears to be a picture frame of Sally and her husband as bride and groom in the top right-hand corner.

Does Sally Nugent have kids?

Sally and her husband share a son together, and though the presenter shares much about her work on Instagram, her son's age and name have not been revealed. However, her BBC profile reveals that her son is 'football and rugby mad'.

She is understood to have given birth back in 2008 and returned to work following her maternity leave on 8th January 2009. Offering a rare glimpse into her private life, The Express revealed Sally had said: "When I had our son, my husband bought me a 'blue for a boy' vintage aquamarine ring from an antique jewellers in Richmond, London."

The family also has a pet dog - a Cavalier King Charles and a Toy Poodle mix called Sadie. The pooch has her own Instagram account - though it hasn't been posted on since 2018.

Other pieces of information we know about the star's private life include her love of cycling and walking her dog, and she has been known to practice yoga and try out different health juices.

Where is Sally Nugent from?

Sally was born in Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula and went to Upton Hall School FCJ. She went on to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and French from the University of Huddersfield. 

Her BBC profile sheds a little light on her upbringing, saying "Sally loves watching sport. Raised in a house where her dad and brothers played rugby and her mum was a tennis coach, she didn’t really have much option!"

Sally landed her first BBC media job at BBC Radio Merseyside, before joining BBC North West Tonight to cover the sports news.

Her big break came in 2003, when she became a sports reporter for BBC News and appeared on national bulletins for the first time. She then went on to BBC News 24 to cover the 2006 World Cup in Germany and anchored Sportsday.

Following this, Sally became a news correspondent on TV and radio and a relief presenter on the BBC News Channel, covering for presenters on holiday or unplanned absences.

When did Sally Nugent become a full-time BBC Breakfast host?

In October 2021, Sally was confirmed as a new full-time BBC Breakfast presenter, replacing Louise Minchin on the show. 

She joined the team which includes Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty, and she used to to co-host the show with Dan Walker, but since he left Sally has been doing the job alongside Jon Kay.

Sally seemed to be the natural fit to take over following the departure of Louise Minchin, having already earned fan's approval as the show's sports presenter for the past decade.

Speaking about joining the show at the time, she said: "It was a little bit overwhelming, I have to say when the news was announced on Wednesday. Word finally got out there. Thank you to everybody who sent me all those messages. I'm trying to get back to as many people as I can. But everyone was so, so nice. I couldn't quite believe it. I'm just delighted to be here." 

Sally first started freelancing on BBC Breakfast in 2011 and has worked her way through the ranks since. As sports presenter, she picked up a the Scoop of the Year award at the 2021 Royal Television Society Journalism Awards for her chat with Marcus Rashford on his efforts to end child poverty.

What is Sally Nugent's salary?

The BBC previously revealed in its annual report that Sally Nigent's salary for 2022-2023 is between £178,000 - £184,999. This puts her in the same bracket as fellow TV presenters Clare Balding and Michael Vaughan.

Meanwhile, Sally's colleague Naga Muchetty earns between £335,000 - £339,999, Charlie Stayt earns 190,000 - £194,999, and Jon Kay earns 185,000 - £189,999. This makes Sally Nugent the lowest-paid of the core BBC Breakfast presenters.

The mum-of-one has never publicly confirmed her net worth or salary herself, but in 2020 the Breakfast star responded to a Twitter user who suggested her shoes on the show were by luxury designer Christian Louboutin, and therefore she must be earning more than the Chancellor:

"My shoes are from Marks and Spencer and I guarantee the Chancellor earns more than me #Just Saying," she replied. 

If you want to know more about your favourite TV personalities, we've also revealed if Paul Hollywood is married, the Selling Sunset cast's net worth and how many kids Joe Swash has. For sports fans, we've also shared if Sarina Weigman is married and whether she has kids. 

You might be wondering what's happened to Dan Walker? After the former BBC Breakfast host shared that he had been involved in a nasty accident.

The former Breakfast news presenter left the broadcaster to work for Channel 5 but his fan following has continued, and he told his 788.6k followers that he is "glad to be alive" after his bicycle collided with a car.

The star, who lives in Sheffield with his wife Sarah Walker and their three children, shared photographs of his bloodied face as he was sat inside an ambulance. He captioned them, "Bit of an accident this morning. Glad to be alive after getting hit by a car on my bike. Face is a mess but I don’t think anything is broken. Thanks to Shaun and Jamie for sorting me out and the lovely copper at the scene. This is my smiling Thankful for our NHS."

It's not known where the accident took place but the ambulance crew were from East Midlands Ambulance Service.

Jeremy Vine put, "Dan, so sorry to hear this. Looks really painful. Hoping for a good recovery. Sending love."

Fans have tweeted their get well wishes to the star. One follower wrote, "Oh Dan!! Oh my goodness! Hope you are okay!! This looks so bad so can't believe you still see the funny side. Rest up lovely and just be looked after!"

Another put, "Oh my days looks dreadful! Hope recovery is swift!"

And a third added, "Wishing you a speedy recovery, and hope you'll be back on your bike soon."

Fellow broadcasters also sent their warmest wishes, Sally Biddulph wrote, "So glad you are OK Dan, what a shock. Rest up and feel better soon."

Mike Bushell wrote, "Aw Dan. Sorry to hear this. Glad you’re in one piece and are going to be ok and in good hands. Speedy recovery."

And Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse added, "Oh wow !!! Get well soon."

Dan has starred on Strictly in 2021 but was absent from the tour.

He had recently worked on high profile case of Nicola Bulley when he interviewed her partner Paul Ansell for a special Channel 5 documentary.

He was due to be back on TV today as he tweeted last night, "Beautiful sky in Sheffield tonight. I hope you’ve had a decent weekend. See you back on the telly tomorrow."

There are 10,000 free tickets available to the historic event. Here, we explain how to apply for Coronation concert tickets.

The plans for King Charles' coronation weekend have been announced, and royal fans are eager to know the details - from when the Coronation is and where it will be to what the roles family members such as George, Charlotte and Louis will have. Most recently, The Firm has announced a Coronation concert for Sunday 7 May, featuring "world-class orchestras, musical favourites, and fantastic entertainers" - and now many are asking about the Coronation Concert line-up.

Members of the public are keen to know how they can watch, and now the BBC has revealed that there are thousands of free tickets to the momentous event up for grabs. Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer, said: "The coronation concert on the BBC will bring the nation together to mark this momentous occasion and we are thrilled to be able to offer the public the opportunity to be part of the event at Windsor Castle through a national ballot." If you want to be in with a chance of seeing the event live, the we've got all the details on applying for tickets to the Coronation concert.

How to apply for Coronation concert tickets

You can apply for free Coronation concert tickets by visiting the BBC's ticket ballot web page. From there, customers will be directed to a Ticketmaster page where they will need to fill in their name and contact details as well as those of their guest, and provide ID.

There are 5,000 pairs of free Coronation concert tickets available, meaning each successful applicant can nominate a guest. Guests will find out if they have been successful in late April, at which point they will be asked to claim their tickets and confirm attendance at the concert.

The BBC website says, "Attended by a public audience including volunteers from The King and The Queen Consort’s many charity affiliations, the concert will see a world-class orchestra play interpretations of musical favourites fronted by fantastic entertainers, alongside performers from the world of dance and the arts. The performances will be supported by staging and effects located on the Castle’s East Lawn and will also feature a selection of spoken word sequences delivered by stars of stage and screen."

When to apply for Coronation concert tickets

The ballot for Coronation concert tickets opened at 7am on Friday 10 February and will close at 11.59pm on Tuesday 28 February, giving the public just over two weeks to apply.

The 10,000 tickets are not being allocated on a first-come first-served basis, but on the geographical spread of the UK population. This means there is just as much chance of being selected if an application is made on the 10 February as on the 28 February.

Who can apply for Coronation concert tickets?

Anyone can apply for Coronation concert tickets as long as they are over the age of 18. Those who are allocated guest tickets must be over the age of 11, and any attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

The ballot is open to UK residents and those in the Channel Isles, the Isle of Man and people with a British Forces postal address, but any other overseas applications will not be valid.

Once the 10,000 tickets have been allocated, the remaining tickets will be made available to charitable organisations including those who work in support of young people, the military, the environment and those who work to support their local communities and the wider Commonwealth.

Coronation concert line up - what we know so far

The Coronation concert promises to feature global music artists as well as a full orchestra. The full line-up will be made public in the coming weeks, but we do already know some details of what to expect at the event. 

One of the highlights is 'Lighting up the Nation', which will join the nation together by featuring projections, lasers, drone displays, and illuminations at famous landmarks across the UK.

In addition, a world-class orchestra will play versions of musical favourites headed by famous entertainers, while a selection of spoken-word sequences will be delivered by stars from the screen and stage.

There will also be two choirs at the event: the Coronation Choir, a varied ensemble made up of the nation's most passionate community choirs and amateur singers from across the UK - including refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups, and deaf signing choirs - and the Virtual Choir, which will be made up of singers from across the Commonwealth. 

Will the Coronation concert be on TV?

Yes, the Coronation concert will be on TV. It will be broadcast live from the grounds of Windsor Castle on BBC One, and viewers will also be able to tune in via BBC iPlayer.

The event will also be broadcast on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, and will be supported across the entire BBC network as it brings together music icons and contemporary stars in celebration of the historic occasion.

The Coronation concert will take place on the evening of Sunday 7 May 2023 and is expected to last two to three hours, with exact timings of the coverage due to be revealed at a later date.

Video of the Week

The DJ has now left BBC Radio 2 and Ken Bruce will start on Greatest Hits Radio next month.

There have been a series of changes at the BBC when it comes to its presenting line up, Paul O'Grady announced he had quit his BBC Radio 2 show after 14 years, Vanessa Feltz left BBC Radio 2 and Steve Wright announced he was leaving Radio 2.

And we look at why Ken is the latest long-running star to leave...

Why is Ken Bruce leaving Radio 2?

Ken Bruce has announced he is leaving BBC Radio 2 "after 45 years of broadcasting on BBC Radio" as "it's time for a change" his statement reads. "I would stress that this is entirely my decision. I will always be very proud of my association with the BBC and Radio 2," he added.

BBC Radio 2 shared the statement to followers on Twitter and captioned it, "We have some news… After 31 years of presenting the 9:30am-midday weekday show Ken Bruce has decided to leave. We’re going to miss you lots Ken and want to congratulate you on a fantastic career at the BBC."

Ken told BBC Radio 2 listeners, "I'll reach the end of my current contract in March, and so at that point I will be moving on from Radio 2. Nothing stays the same forever...

"I have been here for quite a long time now, and it possibly is time to move over and let somebody else have a go."

Where is Ken Bruce going?

Ken Bruce is going to join Greatest Hits Radio and will host a new mid-morning show from 10am-1pm starting from April 3rd. He will kickstart a weekday line up that also includes presenters Simon Mayo at Drivetime and Jackie Brambles in the early evening.

Speaking about his new show, Ken said, "What better way to celebrate my forty-five years in radio than with a new adventure and a brand-new show on Greatest Hits Radio. I say brand-new but there will still be PopMaster, me and my musings and all the great records you know and love from the 70s, 80s and 90s. I’m looking forward to getting started and to you joining me for my very first show. See you in April!"

Playing the biggest songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s, Greatest Hits Radio is a station that celebrates the good times. With music from the most iconic artists of all time, including Blondie, Queen, George Michael, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, David Bowie, Elton John and Whitney Houston, it is home to presenters including Martin Kemp, Pat Sharp, Kate Thornton, Paul Gambaccini, Andy Crane and Jenny Powell. 

Ben Cooper, chief content & music officer, Bauer Audio UK said, “Ken Bruce is a broadcasting legend, with the biggest radio show in the UK, so as well as today being an exciting announcement for Greatest Hits Radio and its growing audience, it is a hugely significant moment for the industry. What a fantastic start to a great year of increased ambition and innovation for Bauer Media Audio.”

You can listen to Greatest Hits Radio on FM, DAB digital radio, on your smart speaker, mobile device or online.

When is Ken Bruce leaving Radio 2?

Ken Bruce confirmed to BBC Radio 2 listeners that he will be leaving the broadcaster after his contract runs out in March 2023. He revealed, "I'll reach the end of my current contract in March, and so at that point I will be moving on from Radio 2. Nothing stays the same forever..."

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Video of the week

Where is Zoe Ball today and why isn't she on BBC Radio 2?

Zoe Ball is absent from BBC Radio 2 today and it hasn't gone unnoticed by fans who have all been asking after the popular broadcaster.

Having first shot to fame on the '90s children's show Live and Kicking, Zoe has become a household name when it comes to working for the BBC and she landed the breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 in January 2019 taking over from Chris Evans when he left to join Virgin Radio.

Where is Zoe Ball today and why isn't she on the Radio 2 breakfast show?

Zoe Ball isn't on her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show today (Monday, January 30th) as she told fans she was too ill to come to work at Wogan House by tweeting, "So I’ve got covid…But good news is ya man @vernonkay is looking after y’all,” she added with a Face with Medical Mask emoji.

Both friends and fans have send their well wishes.

Louise Redknapp tweeted, "Hope you’re ok lovely", 

Rylan Clark-Neal put, "Nooooooo."

And a fan wrote, "Me too! Hope you're clear soon. Does the BBC have a come back if negative on days 5 and 6 policy. I'm a mental health nurse and that's mine."

Zoe was previously forced to self-isolate after testing positive for Covid-19. Zoe was supposed to be rehearsing ahead of hosting BBC's Red Nose Day in March last year but she tested positive for Covid that morning after doing a lateral flow test and this forced her to pull out of her presenting duties and self-isolate.

She also previously took some time off last year to mark the fifth anniversary of the death of her boyfriend Billy Yates. She uploaded a snap of her and some of his closes friends away on a break at Darwen Moor and Darwen Tower as she watched the sunset over the Moor last night.

Zoe posted, "5 years B Boy, so grateful to spend today with some of his special peeps #mateswithyates sunset over the moors."

Billy died in 2017 after taking his own life following a long battle with depression.

Zoe's recent health issue comes a day after she planned to organise her vegetable plot seeds for the year ahead. 

How long is Zoe off Radio 2 for and when will she be back?

It is not known how long Zoe will be off Radio 2 for or when she will be back after testing positive for Covid. But Vernon Kay is covering for her today and tomorrow (Tuesday January 31st). Zoe may be back once she tests negative to the virus to host her show but how long this will take is unknown, until then she is expected to have a replacement. 

Zoe was off last year after testing positive for Covid and she previously took time off September 2022 when she was ill and took a week off from her breakfast show in the last week of May. During both times Gary Davies also filled in as her holiday replacement. Vernon Kay covered for Zoe until she returned covid free but it's not yet clear whether he will be drafted in for the whole time this time round as he has recently been covering ABB Formula E in Saudi Arabia at the weekend.

Is Zoe Ball in a relationship?

Zoe Ball is in a relationship with former construction firm boss Michael Reed. They were first spotted together in 2017 when photos obtained by the Daily Mail showed the pair walking arm-in-arm as they enjoyed an evening out in Soho.

Michael posted a picture of the two of them on Instagram to celebrate Zoe's 50th saying, 'Happy Special Birthday wishes to this amazing one, 50 today. “HOT AT 50” you have filled my life with fun and laughter, Thank you. Have a wonderful day gorgeous girl. Big loves...'

The two got together back in December 2017 a year after a tragic event with Zoe's previously partner Billy Yates.

The star opened up on losing her partner last year and revealed rehab saved her from addiction as she quit booze.

Speaking about his death, she said, "Billy was my partner, we’d been friends for years and we got together. He suffered with depression for a huge chunk of his life. And it’s so hard to sit and watch someone you love and care for struggle with mental health. Losing him was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my life."

Zoe Ball was previously married to Norman Cook, also known as Fatboy Slim. They were married for 18 years and split in 2016. The couple has two children together - a son Woody who is 20 and a daughter Nelly who is 11. The pair are still on good terms and have said before that they remain good friends despite the split.

Why is Zoe Ball leaving It Takes Two?

Presenter Zoe Ball announced she is leaving Strictly Come Dancing's spin-off programme It Takes Two to take on new challenges. She said, "Dance lovers, after 10 joyous years I am waltzing away from It Takes Two," and added that it was "time for some new cha cha challenges" and thanked "the whole Strictly clan I will miss you all immensely."

For the past two years, Zoe had juggled her BBC Radio 2 show with the spin-off Strictly show but decided last week to step down from It Takes Two, which she had gradually reduced presenting over the years with Rylan replacing her on the days she couldn't commit to.

Zoe first started working on BBC Radio 2 back in June 2009 when she presented the Saturday morning breakfast show. By January 2012, she announced she was stepping down from the weekend breakfast show but would continue to provide cover for other presenters on the network for occasions.

In March 2017 Zoe Ball rejoined the station on a permanent basis to host a new Saturday mid-afternoon show. And in 2019, Zoe Ball takes over as presenter of The Radio 2 Breakfast Show, and Rylan Clark-Neal took over her Saturday afternoon show.

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Video of the week

Over the artic temperatures? Here's when it will get warmer in the UK.

It's safe to say that the UK has had its fair share of cold and icy weather this winter. A lot of us have been wondering if it will snow in the UK thanks to a significant drop in temperatures and the arrival of some freezing fog, and while snowfall back in December had many eagerly asking if we'll have a white Christmas, the snow in March 2023 was less warmly welcomed, with many asking why is the weather so bad in the UK this year.

Parents were left asking how cold does it have to be for schools to close, but others are wondering when it will start getting warmer in the UK - and those getting ahead of themselves want to know if there will be a heatwave in 2023. We've done some research and shared the latest weather predictions - because no-one likes working from home wearing a hat, scarf and gloves at their desk.

When will it get warmer in the UK?

The Met Office predict that temperatures will begin to get milder from mid-March, with their forecast for the period of 20-29 March reading, "Temperatures overall will be near average to mild in the south, but near average to cold in the north."

However, the weather service's long-range forecast says, "Temperatures are likely to slowly trend below average as a result of somewhat more settled conditions but given the time of year, wintry hazards will probably become increasingly transient through the period."

BBC Weather's monthly outlook agrees that mid-March is the time we can see a slight improvement in temperatures. 

From Wednesday 15 to Sunday 19 March, they predict: "Friday will be the warmest day of the week, with temperatures rising to the mid-teens Celsius in parts of eastern, central and northern England. By contrast, northern Scotland's high temperatures will still be in the single digits."

However, they also add that the end of the month will see another cooling of temperatures, revealing that for the period of Monday 20 March to Sunday 26 March, "Rain and hill snow should move southwards around Tuesday, followed by scattered wintry showers in the northern UK, and northwesterly winds will follow to bring some chillier air even to southern areas."

Although, they add: "Temperatures in England and Wales should be near seasonal but are more likely to be a little below across Scotland and Northern Ireland."

This is a vast contrast to March 2022, with Dr Mark McCarthy of the National Climate Information Centre saying: "We've seen the warmest weather of the year so far with 20.8C recorded in London on 23 March, but we also saw a low of -9.1C at Aboyne at the start of the month, highlighting the variability of March in the UK."

In March 2023, however, the UK saw the coldest night of the year so far, with -15.4C recorded in Kinbrace in the Scottish Highlands.

What time of year does it get warmer in the UK?

While every year is different, the Met Office climate averages show that April is the first month that average maximum temperatures reach higher than 10C, seeing an average high of 12.03C.

Also in April, the average number of sunshine hours go up to 155.38 from 109.24 in March - a vast improvement from January which sees only 47.51 hours of sunlight on average.

Average temperatures will continue to increase until July, which has the highest maximum temperature of 19.62C - according to the Met Office's climate averages.

How cold does it have to be to snow?

According to America's National Snow and Ice Data Center, temperatures need to be at or below freezing (0°C) in order for it to snow and settle. "If the ground temperature is at or below freezing, the snow will reach the ground," they confirm.

However, it can snow above freezing in some circumstances - just don't expect it to stick around for long. Often when snow falls, but melts when it hits the ground, it is because the ground temperature is too high.

"As a general rule, though, snow will not form if the ground temperature is at least 5°C (41°F)," the NSIDC state on their website.

With regards to snow in the UK, The Met Office deems that "the heaviest snowfalls tend to occur when the air temperature is between zero and 2°C." 

At what temperature does snow melt?

Temperatures need to be above freezing in order for snow to start melting. When temperatures hit above 2 degrees this is when snow falls as sleet instead.

Similarly, snow will fall as rain in circumstances where temperatures are above 5 degrees elsius.

Snow occurs when tiny ice crystals in the clouds combine to form snowflakes. When enough crystals stick together, they become heavy enough to fall to the ground.

When does Spring start?

Spring will officially start on March 20 in 2023. The Spring Equinox marks the start of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere, when the sun passes north through the Earth's equator. In the UK on this date, it is expected to occur at 9.24pm.

From March 20, days will become longer due to the hours we are exposed to sunlight being longer. Whilst we in the Northern Hemisphere will see the start of Spring, those in the Southern Hemisphere will begin their Autumn. 

Video of the Week

When does Owain Wyn Evans start on Radio 2 is the question being asked by many morning radio listeners, following Vanessa Feltz's departure in July 2022.

The BBC announced in October 2022 that weather presenter, drummer and occasional Radio 2 presenter Owain Wyn Evans would be getting a show all of his own. And while at the time many wanted to know why is Vanessa Feltz leaving Radio 2, attention has now turned to her replacement, with listeners to the Early Breakfast show keen to find out when does Owain start on Radio 2?

There were plenty more shake ups on the channel over the summer too, leaving fans asking more questions of their favourite presenters such as why is Steve Wright leaving Radio 2 and when does Scott Mills start on Radio 2?

When does Owain Wyn Evans start on Radio 2?

Owain Wyn Evans will start on BBC Radio 2 on Monday 13 February, when he will take over as the new Early Breakfast show host from the BBC Cymru Wales broadcast centre in Cardiff. The show will air from 4am - 6.30am Monday to Friday.

The move is significant as it marks the first time a Radio 2 weekday programme has moved out of London, meaning Ammanford-born Owen will be returning to Wales from his current home in Manchester.

When speaking about his move to the early morning radio show, Owain said: "When I asked my parents for a pair of turntables and a mixing desk from a DJ shop in Llanelli when I was 13 I never allowed myself to dream that one day I'd have my own show on Radio 2! I can’t wait to help kick start the day on Early Breakfast live from Cardiff. Bore da darlings as we say in Wales!"

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: "I’d like to welcome Owain to the Radio 2 family. His deep connection with Wales is obvious and I’m delighted he will be broadcasting live from Cardiff every weekday morning. His warmth and wit make him the perfect host to set up the day for our listeners right across the country."

Why is Owain Wyn Evans not on Radio 2 at the moment?

Though Vanessa Feltz stepped back from BBC Radio 2's Early Breakfast show back in July 2022, Owain is not due to start presenting the show until February 2023.

In the mean time, the Radio 2 Early Breakfast show is being presented by Nicki Chapman, who also hosts BBC Two's Escape to the Country and is a mainstay of the BBC presenting team at The RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

She has been a regular presenter on Radio 2 over the years, and has sat in for Vanessa Feltz on the Early Breakfast show previously, and often sits in for Zoe Ball on the Breakfast Show.

What did Owain Wyn Evans do before?

Before landing the role on BBC Radio 2's Early Breakfast show, Owain presented the weather on BBC Breakfast, and he has had many other TV and radio credits during his career.

Owain has worked as a television and radio presenter for over 20 years, and recent career highlights include drumming on Strictly Come Dancing, taking part in BBC's reality TV competition Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof, and joining Welsh TV presenter Carol Vorderman on her BBC Radio Wales show. 

Owain began his broadcasting career when he was 18 as a children’s news presenter at BBC Wales, before moving on to become a weather presenter for BBC Look North (Yorkshire), BBC North West Tonight and, from February 2021, BBC Breakfast.

He has also played the drums since the age of seven, and Owain gained international recognition when he produced a video of himself drumming to the BBC News theme tune during lockdown in 2020. The video was viewed tens of millions of times all over the world.

Owain then went on to complete a record-breaking 24-hour Drumathon for Children In Need, which raised over £3.8m - making it the most successful 24-hour challenge in the 41-year history of BBC Children In Need.

Has Owain left BBC Weather?

Yes, Owain left BBC Weather in November 2022 and presented his final weather forecast from BBC North West on Tuesday 15 November.

BBC North West Tonight shared a video of Owain in which he thanked fans for their support during his time on the programme.

He said in the video: "I just wanted to say, thank you so much for all of your support over the past three years that I've been working here on North West Tonight. I've had the most incredible time.

"It's been a weird one hasn't it? Because a lot of that time kind of encapsulates the lockdowns. When I was doing my weather forecasts at home, with Franny my cat in the garden."

He closed the video by saying: "Our viewers here in the North West are really special.

"The amount of love and support that I've had really since day one, has just been absolutely sensational.

"So thank you so much. I will really miss doing the weather here in the North West. I'm going to miss Rog. I'm going to miss everyone on the team. And of course I'm going to miss you as well."

Video of the Week

Fertility is put front and centre in a new series with the popular One Show host. Here's where to watch Alex Jones: Making Babies.

Scrubs on and ward-ready, Welsh TV presenter is world's away from the glamour which usually accompanies her regular BBC role. The 45-year-old has immersed herself into the world of fertility, IVF and egg-freezing for a new show that's certainly set to make for emotional viewing. 

A mother herself, Jones has been open about the heartbreak she's experienced with her husband Charlie Thomson during their own reproductive journey, including a shock miscarriage in 2017. It's this personal connection which undoubtably adds to the exploration of the sensitive subject in Alex Jones: Making Babies. Jones spent six months in 2022 training as a fertility assistant at one of the leading fertility clinics in the UK. Looking into world-renowned research and innovative technology in the area, the series also follows a number of couples during the highs and lows of their own fertility treatments. Here's where you can watch the must-watch show, plus details on episodes and filming.

Where to watch Alex Jones: Making Babies

Alex Jones: Making Babies is being broadcast on the W channel on Thursdays at 8pm. The channel can be found on Freeview, SkyTV and Virgin Media TV. Similarly you can watch episodes online at UKTV Play.

The W channel is listed as channel number 25 on Freeview, number 132 on Sky and number 125 on Virgin. Those without a terrestial TV can also stream it via UKTV Play now.

Alex shared her hopes of what viewers will takeaway from the series. "I really hope that it informs people of what may be ahead if people have to go to a clinic like King’s," she says. "I also hope that they feel prepared, ready and hopeful because it can result in the ultimate goal of a baby. I really hope that people who have or are going through IVF feel represented and seen and all the angst, physical pain and emotional turmoil they’ve felt can be understood by those around them. 

"I would love if the wider viewers who may be grandparents, parents or friends who may never go through the doors of a fertility clinic, feel that they have a better understanding and can be more supportive and kinder to people they may know who are going through it," Alex adds.

W have produced a number of similarly focused fertility programmes that those interested in Alex Jones: Making Babies might want to watch. Most recently the channel produced the award-winning Emma Willis: Delivering Babies, plus a documentary from music star Myleene Klass titled Myleene Klass: Miscarriage and Me.

How many episodes of Alex Jones: Making Babies?

There are 10 episodes in total of Alex Jones: Making Babies to watch. A new episode drops on W and UKTV every Thursday. Each episode lasts for around 60 minutes.

Episode 2 will be repeated at 7pm on Sunday 15 January. Episode 3 then follows at it's usual time of 8pm on Thursday 19 January.

Episode by episode synopsis

• Episode 1: Alex starts her training as a fertility assistant at King’s Fertility, London. She is put straight to work caring for patients going through IVF treatment. She witnesses firsthand the emotional turmoil and resilience of the patients and is brought to tears in her first embryo transfer.
• Episode 2: It’s now Alex’s second week training as a fertility assistant at King’s Fertility, London. For the first time, she cares for patients going in and out of theatre and she witnesses the emotional turmoil and resilience of the patients going through IVF.
• Episode 3: Alex is now one month into her training as a fertility assistant at a busy reproduction clinic. She meets the patients hoping to become parents and for the first time she is finally able to work independently on the early pregnancy scan list.
• Episode 4: Alex spends her first shift in Andrology learning about how they analyse and store sperm. She also works with a patient whose only hope of having children is by using donor eggs.
• Episode 5: Alex has now been a trainee fertility assistant for two months and she meets two couples desperately trying to start their families.
• Episode 6: Alex learns about the hormone injections that 3000 patients a year take at King’s fertility to prepare their bodies for IVF. She meets 34-year-old Sharlotte who is freezing her eggs to preserve her fertility.
• Episode 7: Alex is hit hard by the struggles of patients going through IVF as she meets Jasmine and Rumen who have had a previous miscarriage and are trying for their second child whilst Rumen is in remission for cancer.
• Episode 8: Nearing the end of her training Alex is allowed to assist in complex cases. Here she meets Holly with a rare split womb whose attempting her sixth round of IVF with her husband Mark.
• Episode 9: There is heart break and jubilation as Alex meets two couples desperately trying to defy their odds and become parents.
• Episode 10: In this emotional final episode three couples await their results. Will they finally become parents? And it’s the end of Alex’s 6 months training.

Where is Alex Jones: Making Babies filmed?

Alex Jones: Making Babies is filmed at the King's Fertility clinic based in Denmark Hill in South-East London. The centre opened in 1983 and specialises in providing fertility services such as IVF and IUI treatment, plus egg freezing.

The mum-of-three spent six months at King's Fertility learning the ropes - all whilst juggling family life and her The One Show presenter duties. It looks like filming took place in the early half of 2022, with Alex sharing an Instagram post in March confirming her presence at King's.

"Spent #internationalwomensday with this beautiful gang who help create the strong women of the future at #kingsfertilityunit," read her caption, alongside a photo of Alex with the wider team at King's Fertility.

King’s Fertility have shared a statement as why they agreed to the series. Increasing the awareness of fertility, explaining the IVF process and shining a light on the "medical and emotional toll" of those trying to conceive were key reasons. 

Dr Ippokratis Sarris, Director at King's Fertility added that Alex Jones attachment to the series was another reason why they signed up to the show.

"The decision to work with UKTV on this series was not taken lightly," he says. "Alex had opened up about her own struggle with fertility back in 2016, so we knew this was a subject close to her heart. 

"From our very first meeting it was clear that Alex would be highly empathetic towards our patients and that the crew would be similarly sensitive during filming. Transparency, honesty and passion are hallmarks of Alex’s character. We knew that we could trust her to shine a light on the field of fertility and to help further the conversation."

Video of the Week

It's the most important chart race of the year - but when is the Christmas Number 1 announced?

It's got to that point in December where the Christmas festivities are all around us - the Christmas TV schedule has been released and the turkey is defrosting, and, of course, there's Christmas music blasting at all times.

This year's race for the title of Christmas Number 1 is nearly over, and while many of the usual subjects are up top in the charts - such as Mariah Carey and Wham! - there's a few new contenders too. Keep reading to find out when the Christmas Number 1 will be announced this year...

When is the Christmas Number 1 announced in 2022?

The 2022 Christmas Number 1 will be announced on Friday 23 December. The full Christmas Top 40 will be counted down on BBC Radio 1's Official Chart Show with Jack Saunders from 4pm.

Following this, the full Top 100 Official Christmas Singles Chart and Albums Chart will be published on OfficialCharts from 5.45pm. The Official Chart determines the Christmas Number 1 every year, by  surveying thousands of retailers and digital services to count UK physical sales, digital downloads, audio streams and video streams.

First established in 1952, last year saw the 70th anniversary of the Official Christmas Number 1 secured by LadBaby, Ed Sheeran and Elton John's 'Sausage Rolls For Everyone'.

This resulted in LadBaby breaking a UK chart record to become  the first act to ever achieve four consecutive Christmas Number 1 singles - and they stand a good chance of securing their fifth this year.

Who are the contenders for Christmas number 1?

• RAYE's track 'Escapism' featuring 070 Shake is currently the highest ranking track that's a non-Christmas single. It's a viral hit on TikTok, which has helped push it up the charts.
• Ed Sheeran and Elton John are also contenders with the track they released last year titled 'Merry Christmas'. Both featured on last year's number 1 too, in collaboration with LadBaby.
• Taylor Swift and Stormzy are also both sitting in the top 10 with tracks from their new albums: 'Anti-Hero' and 'Firebabe' respectively. 
• LadBaby are looking to become the first act in UK chart history to achieve five Official Christmas Number 1s with their new track, 'Food Aid' - a cover of 1984 Band Aid Number 1 'Do They Know It's Christmas?' They've collaborated with Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis on the track, and all proceeds go to food bank charity The Trussell Trust.
• Sidemen are a YouTube group comprised of KSI, Simon, Harry, Tobi, Ethan, Vik, and Josh, and have split into two for their Christmas Number 1 bids. Their tracks are called 'Christmas Drillings' (featuring JME) and 'This Or That'.
• Lewis Capaldi released his new track 'Pointless' on December 2, and the Scottish singer-songwriter has had a lot of success in the charts before - with his track 'Someone You Loved' recently becoming the UK's most-streamed song of all time.
• 'Last Christmas' by Wham! and 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' by Mariah Carey are also in the running. They've both topped the charts before but have never secured a Christmas Number 1. At the moment, 'Last Christmas' is sitting in the top spot, with 'All I Want For Christmas Is You' just below, at number 2.

Christmas Number 1 betting odds

• LadBaby - 1/6
• Sidemen - 4/1
• Wham! - 11/2
• Mariah Carey - 14/1
• RAYE - 20/1
• The Pogues - 22/1
• Jason Manford - 25/1
• Lewis Capaldi - 25/1
• The Specials - 25/1
• Tyson Fury - 28/1
• Chesney Hawkes - 33/1
• Stormzy - 33/1

Which artists have released Christmas albums in 2022?

• Backstreet Boys – A Very Backstreet Christmas
• Alicia Keys – Santa Baby
• Joss Stone – Merry Christmas, Love
• Debbie Gibson – Winterlicious
• Macy Gray & The California Jet Club – Christmas With You
• Cliff Richard – Christmas with Cliff
• Neil Diamond – A Neil Diamond Christmas

Video of the Week

Just when you thought you'd tried all the on-demand streaming services, ITV is launching ITVX and it could make you re-think how you choose to watch your favourite TV shows.

If you've already got Netflix, or are saving money on Amazon Prime or Disney+ there is a new platform you're going to want to check out.

When it officially launches from 8th December, it is set to steam David Tennant's Litvinenko , A Spy Among Friends and in 2023 new drama Nolly starring Helena Bonham Carter.

So we look at all you need to know ahead of its debut...

What is ITVX?

ITVX is a new on-demand streaming service that is going to be packed with content from ITV1 and also ITV digital channels and licensed content, giving viewers more choice. It will have substantially more exclusive programming than ITV Hub, positioning ITV's digitial offerering more in line with its competitors - the BBC and Channel 4. ITVX includes access to BritBox and a selection of FAST channels, which will see programmes such as The Chase and Hell's Kitchen have their own virtual linear channels.

Carolyn McCall, ITV’s chief executive said, "The digital acceleration we are announcing today builds on everything we have achieved in phase one of our More Than TV strategy.  ITVX will be a free service supported by adverts, with a compelling subscription proposition.  This is fantastic for viewers -  it will provide a simplified and seamless experience with thousands of hours of free content made up of both library and original exclusive content.  The subscription tier will provide a premium offering and includes all of the content ad-free as well as BritBox and future SVOD content partners.

She added, “We are supercharging our streaming business, fundamentally shifting our focus to think digital first, as well as optimising our broadcast channels, by continuing to attract unrivalled mass audiences.  In doing so we are responding to changing viewing habits, but also the evolving needs from our advertisers.  This will enable ITV to continue to be both commercial viewers and advertisers’ first choice.”

How do I get ITVX?

You can get ITVX on the following Television platforms; Sony Bravia, BT TV, Freesat, Now TV / Roku, Sky, Samsung Smart TV & Blu-ray players, Virgin Media and YouView. It can be streamed on Games consoles including, PlayStation 3, Xbox One and Xbox 360 and the following mobile platforms - Android devices, iOS devices and Windows Phone. Plus other streaming services like Amazon Prime Video.

Rufus Radcliffe, ITV’s Managing Director of Streaming, said, “2021 was a record year for ITV Hub and BritBox, giving us strong foundations from which to supercharge our streaming strategy. We are investing significantly in new and exclusive programmes which will be free to stream, and also in technology and product design to make the viewer experience and interface a premium one on ITVX.”

How much will ITVX cost?

ITVX is free for people who watch the ad-supported tier and they can access 9,000 hours of TV. But if viewers want to go ad-free they can choose to pay £5.99 a month or £59.99 a year to gain access to additional shows and boxsets from BritBox. 

Can I watch ITVX on my TV?

Yes, according to ITV you can watch ITVX on Samsung Smart TVs (models from 2016 onwards) and Roku TV's. But if you have another model, fear not, as you can watch content on the app via the Amazon Fire TV stick, FreeView Play, or NOW TV. But if that's not enough, you can cast to your TV from your iOS device, phone and tablets, android phones and tablets and Sky Glass.

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• Paxman: Putting up with Parkinson's documentary
• Karen Pirie - ending explained
• Where is Hotel Portofino filmed?
• ITV crime drama Karen Pirie: How many episodes are there and when is it on?

Video of the week

Those involved in the Diana Panorama interview have tried to distance themselves from it - but with The Crown covering the event, there are going to be a lot of questions resurfacing.

In 1995, Princess Diana took part in an interview with Martin Bashir, entitled An Interview with HRH The Princess of Wales. Little did those involved realise, the interview would go on to become infamous and spark years of controversy and investigation. As part of the BBC documentary series Panorama, the 54-minute interview saw the Princess quizzed by Bashir about the most intimate parts of her private life. Astonishing viewing figures at the time saw 39.3% of the population tune in to hear what Diana had to say. However, after the interview had aired, questions were raised about the legitimacy of the means Bashir used to obtain it. With a long-running investigation following the events, read on to find out how the interview was procured, and what happened to Bashir afterwards.

Some viewers of The Crown are asking whether Martin Bashir is still alive, and where he is now - we have the answers. For those who don't know who plays Princess Diana in The Crown season 5, we have the full lowdown on everything you need to know about the actress taking over the season 5 baton. With the sad loss of Her Majesty, some are wondering did the Queen watch The Crown - we weigh in on the evidence.

What did Diana say in Martin Bashir Panorama interview?

• Admitted to having an affair
• Said that Prince Charles's - now King Charles - affair with Camilla Parker Bowles made her feel "worthless"
• Spoke of how she felt there were "three of us" in her marriage to Charles
• Admitted she had suffered bulimia and engaged in self-harm
• Suggested Prince Charles would not adapt to being king
• Said she was of the opinion Charles's staff were waging a campaign against her

Diana spoke of how she desperately wanted her own marriage to work due to witnessing her own parents’ divorce. She revealed her relief at becoming easily pregnant with William but had subsequently suffered from post natal depression - this resulted in her being labelled unstable and mentally unbalanced. To manage her feelings, she began self harming and purging food, which acted to push Charles further away from her and into his relationship with Camilla. 

The Princess also claimed she never met biographer Andrew Morton, allowing friends to speak to him instead. When his subsequent book Diana: Her True Story came out, she and Charles then agreed to separate. 

She continued to confirm the accuracy of the “Squidgygate” tapes, but denied an affair with James Gilbey or harassing Oliver Hoare. She did however admit to an affair with James Hewitt, expressing sorrow that he later agreed to participate in a book about their relationship. 

Did Diana regret her interview with Bashir?

According to Diana bigorapher and journalist Tina Brown, Princess Diana did not regret her BBC Panorama interview with Martin Bashir. In fact, the author states "she realised it served her purpose".

Tina Brown made the claim in her 2022 book The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor, the Truth and the Turmoil. For the book she interviews British entrepreneur Gulu Lalvani who was romantically linked to Diana shortly before her death.

"I am told by Lalvani that Diana said she had no regrets about the interview and made clear that she had said exactly what she wanted to say on camera. (She even co-opted lines such as 'There were three of us in this marriage' from her writer friend Clive James.)

"She was pleased about it [the interview],” Lalvani confirmed to me," adds Brown. "She didn’t have a bad word to say about Martin Bashir. She realized it served her purpose."

Dissecting this further, Brown states: "She was right. Her 'purpose' was to frame herself to the British public as a betrayed woman before the increasingly inevitable divorce from Charles. Opinion polls in the wake of the interview showed support for the princess at 92 percent. She had the public in the palm of her hand."

How did Martin Bashir get the interview with Diana?

Martin Bashir produced fake bank statements that appeared to show payments from a newspaper group, into the account of a member of Earl Spencer’s staff. Earl Spencer was Diana’s brother, and in showing him the documents Bashir gained his confidence, and access to Princess Diana. 

A graphic artist working for the BBC came forward to confess that Bashir had asked him to forge the bank statements. When questioned by BBC about his actions, Bashir admitted to having the false bank statements made, but denied he ever showed them to Earl Spencer. 

Lord Dyson inquiry 2020-2021

An independent inquiry by former senior judge Lord Dyson, was opened to investigate the events leading up to the interview in 2020. It was agreed that Bashir did use deception to procure it, and subsequently lied to BBC managers when asked for the truth.

According to the BBC, the published Dyson report says Bashir "lied and maintained the lie until he realised that it was no longer sustainable. This was most reprehensible behaviour which casts considerable doubt on his credibility generally". After the forged bank statements were revealed in 1996, an initial internal inquiry had cleared Bashir and Panorama of any wrongdoing. Bashir also fed Diana lies that her nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke, had an affair with Charles that resulted in her requiring an abortion - this was purely to enrage Diana and push her further towards the interview. Bashir later paid Legge-Bourke, now Alexandra Pettifer, substantial damages.

However, Earl Spencer was never interviewed as part of the inquiry, and Bashir's account not treated with "necessary scepticism and caution". The Dyson inquiry questioned why, after admitting to faking bank statements, nobody had thought to hear Earl Spencer’s version of the story. The report concludes the BBC covered up the facts surrounding how Mr Bashir secured the interview, criticising the corporation while stating "without justification, the BBC fell short of the high standards of integrity and transparency which are its hallmark".

What happened to Martin Bashir after the interview?

Martin Bashir remained at the BBC following the interview, until 1998 when he left to join ITV. He returned to the BBC in September 2016, as a religious affairs correspondent, becoming religion editor in 2018. 

As the initial inquiry had cleared him of any wrongdoing, the journalist was allowed to stay at the BBC. Because he was not found to have done anything wrong until the independent inquiry of 2020, he was allowed to continue working in the same role for various networks. There was however, a further inquiry into how he was allowed to return to the BBC after the controversy surrounding the Diana interview. 

The day after the Dyson inquiry was announced, Prince William released a statement of support, saying the investigation was a "step in the right direction" and that "it should help establish the truth behind the actions that led to the Panorama interview and subsequent decisions taken by those in the BBC at the time." 

On March 4, 2021, the Metropolitan Police announced there would not be a criminal investigation into the allegations made against Bashir. However, he resigned from the BBC shortly afterwards citing health issues.  

Where can I watch Princess Diana’s interview?

The BBC have expressed regret at airing the interview, and the way it was obtained. For those reasons, it isn't available on any streaming platforms, but is available on sites such as Dailymotion.

Following the Dyson inquiry, BBC director general Tim Davie issued a public apology to Prince Charles, William, and Harry over the infamous interview. He said "It is a matter of great regret that the BBC did not get to the facts in the immediate aftermath of the programme when there were warning signs that the interview might have been obtained improperly. Instead, as The Duke of Cambridge himself put it, the BBC failed to ask the tough questions. Had we done our job properly Princess Diana would have known the truth during her lifetime. We let her, The Royal Family and our audiences down".

He continued "Now we know about the shocking way that the interview was obtained I have decided that the BBC will never show the program again; nor will we license it in whole or part to other broadcasters. It does of course remain part of the historical record and there may be occasions in the future when it will be justified for the BBC to use short extracts for journalistic purposes, but these will be few and far between and will need to be agreed at Executive Committee level and set in the full context of what we now know about the way the interview was obtained. I would urge others to exercise similar restraint".

How long after Diana’s interview did she die?

Diana died two years after the interview with Martin Bashir. Earl Spencer has argued the interview even contributed to her death.

Prince William and Prince Harry stated the lies Bashir told their mother contributed to her sense of "fear, paranoia and isolation", with the interview creating a "false narrative". Both are vehement it should never be aired again. Harry has blamed the media and the paparazzi and subsequent effect of "a culture of exploitation and unethical practices" to his mother eventually meeting her death.

Earl Spencer agrees there is a definite connection between the interview and his sister's death. He said Diana was left vulnerable in it's aftermath which ultimately led to her being left "without any form of real protection" and losing her life. 

Related Netflix Features:

• Was Andrew Morton's Diana book an autobiography and how many copies did it sell?
• Who is Princess Diana’s friend Dr. James Colthurst and who plays him in The Crown?
• Did Charles want the Queen to abdicate?
• Princess Diana's revenge dress
• Windsor Castle fire
• Princess Diana's Panorama interview
• Who was Dodi Fayed's girlfriend before Diana? Introducing Kelly Fisher
• Where was The Crown filmed? Season 1 - 5 filming locations
• Was Diana taller than Charles? Princess Diana's height
• The Crown season 5 trailer
• How did Princess Diana know Imran Khan, and what happened to him?
• Reliving memories in Netflix’s new season of The Crown will be “incredibly hard" for Prince Harry and Prince William, claims royal expert
• Has Camilla, Queen Consort got children and who are her grandchildren?
• Did the Royal Family watch The Crown?
• What does Prince Harry think of The Crown?
• The Crown’s Kate Middleton casting has got royal fans divided
• When did Princess Diana die and how old was she?
• Where is Princess Diana buried and can you visit her grave?

Video of the Week

BBC Radio One and Morning Live has a strong fan following and both listeners and viewers are wondering where is Katie Thistleton from and who is she married to? 

Katie currently hosts Life Hacks and The Official Chart: First Look on Radio One alongside Vick Hope and often appears on Morning Live as a stand-in presenter.

So fans are keen to know more about the blonde host as she starts to make more regular appearances on their favourite shows...

Where is Katie Thistleton from?

Katie Thistleton is from Manchester. She went to Droylsden High School for Girls and went on to graduate from the University of Salford with a degree in English and Creative Writing before qualifying as a NCTJ certified journalist from studying at News Associates in Manchester.

Before joining the BBC, she previously worked for the NHS Pennine Care mental health trust.

She encourages people to consider their mental health. As an ambassador, she supports the mental health organisations Young Minds and Place2Be.

Her new show launched back in September as she shared the news with her 45.5k Instagram followers and BBC Radio One tweeted, "Congratulations to Katie Thistleton who will host a new weekend show (Friday and Saturday, 10.30am – 1pm) which will also broadcast from Salford Her first show will be on Friday 9 September We can’t wait to tune in @KatieThistleton"

Who is Katie Thistleton married to?

Katie Thistleton is married to Alex Harris. Katie often posts pictures of them together on Instagram. The couple have known each other for years, Alex proposed to Katie at a celebration on one knee and she accepted. They got married in late 2021. They spend time with each other’s families and meet together to celebrate the milestones in one other’s lives. 

On their wedding day he shared, "“Life with you is wonderful…” My beautiful wife - thank you for the best day of my life. 30.10.21 @KatieThistleton"

Who presents Radio 1 Life Hacks?

Katie Thistleton presents Radio One Life Hacks with Vick Hope. The show is based on health and well being and airs each Sunday from 4pm on BBC Radio One. On the podcast Vick and Katie share hacks to help your life better.

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• Who is Victoria Fritz on BBC Breakfast?
• Who are the Strictly It Takes Two presenters?
• Who is Hamza Yassin?
• Strictly Come Dancing Live tour 2023
• Who is Tony Adams' wife?

Video of the week

BBC Breakfast viewers were wondering who is on BBC Breakfast this morning with fans asking who is Victoria Fritz and does she have a husband?

Regular BBC Breakfast presenters John Kay, Naga Munchetty, Sally Nugent and Charlie Stayt were out of the studio today (Monday, 24th October) leaving a new face, Victoria Fritz, in charge of interviewing guests on the sofa alongside sport correspondent John Watson.

With the impending announcement of a new Prime Minister after Liz Truss officially resigned last week, John Kay was send from BBC Breakfast studios in Salford to stand outside Number 10 Downing Street to cover the latest developments live.

And as he handed back to the studio during the morning's schedule, viewers were wondering who was on BBC Breakfast, as we look at all you need to know about Victoria Fritz...

Who is Victoria Fritz?

Victoria Fritz is a television presenter who hosts the BBC's morning global news programme on BBC One, BBC News and BBC World news. The business correspondent and presenter also occasionally appears on BBC Breakfast. 

Born in 1984, Victoria, was a sporty student at school - playing netball, athletics, cross-country, football and rugby to name but a few which she participated in during her attendance at Woldingham School.

She went on to study at Cambridge between 2006-2007 and graduated with a degree in Law and Economics. She also has a MBA from the Cambridge Judge Business School in 2007.

Victoria has worked for the BBC since 2008, and before joining the broadcaster she worked form Breaking Views, a financial commentary site which is now part of Reuters. 

Since joining the BBC she has worked as a business journalist covering the financial crisis from London and later from New York as North America business correspondent. She went on to launch BBC's Business Live programme and became the BBC's first female transport correspondent in which she covered the global impact of a shifting transport landscape across business, politics and culture for programmes such as Today on BBC Radio 4, The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2, and the Six O’Clock News and ‘Ten O’Clock News covering areas such as the UK’s industrial strategy, the rail re-nationalisation debate, social exclusion, air quality policy, aerospace, vehicles, and not forgetting, potholes.

Some BBC fans will remember Victoria as the presenter who went into labour back in November 2016, shortly after completing a live broadcast, in which co-presenter Sally Nugent acted as a birthing partner, according to reports from BBC News.

Victoria shares her gardening tips on her Instagram page and website The Social Gardener.

Who is Victoria Fritz' husband?

Victoria Fritz is married to husband Dan Fritz who is understood to be a writer and barrister and they have two children together. The couple married in 2011 and were renovating a house they'd bought when Victoria found out she was pregnant. She later went into labour five weeks earlier than expected with son William, and recalled the ordeal for Bliss charity.

And their second child, a daughter, born a few years later. Not much else is known about their relationship or family life.

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• Who is Hamza Yassin?
• Happy Valley Season 3
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Video of the week

BBC Radio One has announced a shake up to its radio programming with the confirmed departure of another presenter wonder why is Mollie King leaving and who is replacing her?

Over the last few months a number of presenters have left the station including Chris Stark who left alongside Scott Mills and on BBC Radio 2 Steve Wright quit which has left some listeners disappointed.

So it's only natural that fans of The Saturday's star Mollie King are wondering why the host is leaving her presenting duties behind as we look at all you need to know...

Why is Mollie King leaving BBC Radio One?

Mollie King is leaving BBC Radio One because she is taking maternity leave and will be leaving the station on Friday, October 28th. The singer, who confirmed back in June that she is pregnant with her and fiancé Stuart Broad's first child, will be preparing to welcome her baby in the coming weeks.

The couple got engaged last January and the exact date when their baby is due to arrive has not been revealed, however, the earliest maternity leave can start is 11 weeks before the due date, and Stuart and Mollie hinted that the baby is due "later this year" in the Instagram posts announcing the pregnancy.

Who is replacing Mollie King on BBC Radio One?

BBC Radio One has confirmed that Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing will be replacing Mollie King on her weekend show, joining Matt Edmondson to host the 1pm-4pm (Friday-Sunday) starting October 28th and Maia Beth will replace Mollie on her Future Pop show (Thursdays, 8pm-10pm) starting 3rd November.

Jamie is a presenter, podcaster and entrepreneur who currently presents the hugely successful Radio 1 podcast ‘6 Degrees from Jamie and Spencer’ for BBC Sounds. As well as this, he can also be heard on popular podcasts ‘Private Parts’ and ‘NearlyWeds’. He is also a firm TV favourite, first making his debut on E4’s ‘Made in Chelsea’ and most recently hosting the BBC Three show ‘I Like The Way U Move’ and reaching the Grand Final of Strictly Come Dancing 2020.

Jamie Laing says, “Presenting on Radio 1 is honestly a dream come true!! I simply can’t wait to begin!!”

Speaking about Mollie's departure, Matt Edmondson admitted, “I’m going to miss Mollie so much whilst she’s on ‘Matt Leave’, and although she is literally irreplaceable, we are going to temporarily replace her." 

He explained, "All I asked for was someone funny, blonde, and a little bit posh, and the universe delivered in the shape of Jamie Laing! I’m a huge fan of Jamie’s and I’m so pleased he’s agreed to step in and co-host the show with me after several begging emails.”

Meanwhile, Maia Beth who is covering Mollie’s Radio One Future Pop show (Thursdays, 8pm-10pm), was given her first opportunity to host on the station during the 2021 festive period as part of Radio 1’s Christmas Takeover - an initiative created by Head of BBC Radio One, Aled Haydn Jones - which provides a valuable springboard for emerging presenters, giving them a once in a lifetime opportunity to broadcast on the UK’s biggest youth radio station. 

From there she has hosted special events for BBC Introducing and currently presents Radio One’s Best New Pop Extra and Pop Right Now on BBC Sounds, where she has interviewed stars such as Mimi Webb and Tom Grennan. 

Maia Beth said, “This is such a dream! I am buzzing to be bringing you two hours of the very best new pop artists every week. How exciting that you can tune into me on Future Pop and hear a future stadium headliner for the first time!

“All my love to the original pop princess Mollie King in her maternity - pinky promise I’ll proper look after the show for you!”

Aled Haydn Jones, head of BBC Radio One, added, “I’m so excited to welcome Jamie and Maia to Radio 1, I know our audience will love them. I’d also like to wish Mollie the best of luck for this new and exciting chapter.”

Jamie Laing will join Matt Edmondson to host the 1pm-4pm weekend (Friday-Sunday) show on Radio 1 starting October 28th and Maia Beth will host Mollie's Radio One Future Pop show from Thursday, November 3rd from 8pm-10pm.

Nearly two months after he left his Radio 1 show, listeners are asking when does Scott Mills start Radio 2?

The news that Scott Mills would be leaving Radio 1 came as a shock to many when it was announced at the start of July. Questions were immediately raised around who would replace Scott Mills and when his last show would be, after the presenter spent nearly two decades in his popular afternoon slot.

And it's all change over on BBC Radio 2 as well, with fans of the station wondering why has Paul O'Grady quit and when does Owain Wyn Evans start. Following the announcement of the new schedules and hosts, listeners have been quick to express their opinions on the station's shake up, with many wanting to know when Scott Mills will start on Radio 2.

When does Scott Mills start Radio 2?

Scott Mills will start Radio 2 on Monday 31 October, from 2pm to 4pm. With the slot's former host, Steve Wright, leaving on Friday 30 September, OJ Borg is covering the afternoons on the station in the interim.

Following the announcement of his start date, Scott said, "In an attempt to scare me even more, the bosses have decided my very first show is on Halloween! Join me every day for the best music and let’s switch off from the world for a couple of hours and have a laugh."

Scott Mills presented his final Radio 1 show alongside co-host Chris Stark on 25 August. In an emotional final speech, he said on air, "It’s been more than half my life sat here talking to you and in that time I have publicly come out, met some of my best friends, had break ups, found love and lost it again sometimes, said hello and goodbye to family."

He added: "Every low this show has got me through and every high I have been lucky enough to celebrate has been here. Radio 1 has been the constant through all of this."

Celebrities, fans and fellow broadcasters paid tribute to Scott and Chris, with Radio 1 DJ Kate Thistleton tweeting, "Happy last day Scott Mills and Chris Stark – radio’s very best," and TV personality Rylan Clark posting, "Listening to Scott Mills, Chris Stark and the team doing their last show on BBC Radio 1 is something special. Congrats boys you’re gonna be MISSED."

While it's not clear why Scott Mills didn't start Radio 2 directly after Steve Wright's departure, the presenter has shared on his Instagram what he's been up to in the interim - which looks to include a trip to Miami and attending the Radio Academy Festival.

Why is Scott Mills going to Radio 2?

Scott Mills is taking over from Steve Wright on Radio 2, who announced he would be leaving his Steve Wright in the Afternoon show after 23 years.

Steve Wright announced the news that he would be leaving live on air in June, saying: "At the beginning of this year, my friend and boss Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said she wanted to do something different in the afternoons.

"Now, I’ve been doing this programme for 24 years at Radio 2, and so how can I possibly complain? The support and creative freedom that I’m given is fantastic at Radio 2 and really I can’t hog the slot forever, so let’s give somebody else a go."

It won't be the first time Scott Mills has appeared on Radio 2, having previously stepped in for other broadcasters such as Ken Bruce and Rylan Clark when they are away.

How long was Scott Mills on Radio 1 for?

Scott Mills was on Radio 1 for 24 years. He first joined the station in 1998 to present the early breakfast show, between the hours of 4am and 7am. 

In 2004, he moved over to the weekday early-evening slot, initially covering for Sara Cox, who was on a maternity leave, but when she didn't return the slot became The Scott Mills show. In 2012, Chris Stark became a permanent co-host on the show, alongside Scott.

In 2018, he also became the host of BBC Radio 1's Official Chart show.

Radio 2 changes 2022-2023

• Ken Bruce's last show takes place in March 2023, with Vernon Kay taking over Ken's slot on BBC Radio 2 from 9.30am till Midday.
• Steve Wright has bid farewell to Steve Wright in the Afternoon, but continues to present Steve Wright’s Sunday Love Songs and seasonal specials on Radio 2
• Serious Jockin’ to be launched as a regular BBC Sounds and Radio 2 show
• Scott Mills will present an all new afternoon show from 2-4pm
• Sara Cox' show extended to 4-7pm
• RuPaul's Drag Race star Michelle Visage is joins the station on a permanent basis with a new show on Friday nights from 7pm until 9pm
• Angela Griffin joins as host of Radio 2 Unwinds on Sunday nights from 10pm
• Rob Beckett is heading a 13-week run of Sunday afternoon shows after Paul O'Grady left the station
• BBC Breakfast’s Owain Wyn Evans will replace Vanessa Feltz on BBC Radio 2's early breakfast show

Video of the Week

The Prince and Princess of Wales are set to take to the radio waves, with their very own Newsbeat programme discussing the ‘importance of mental health’ for Radio 1.

• Following their first visit to Ireland in their new roles, Prince William and Kate are swapping royal engagements for radio presenting as the pair will appear on Radio 1.
• The royals have recorded a special version of Newsbeat, dedicated to World Mental Health Day.
• This royal news comes after Prince Harry made the cutest comment about Archie and his 'squeaky' voice.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are taking on new roles as radio presenters after the pair record a special version of BBC 1’s Newsbeat for World Mental Health Day.

The couple, who recently delighted royal fans with their whistlestop visit to Ireland and tried their hands at cocktail making, are trying out yet another profession. But instead of bartending, fans will be able to catch them on the radio, with their very own Newsbeat programme where the pair will discuss the importance of mental health.

Ahead of their show, which will be broadcast on October 11th (at 12.45 and 5.45 pm) William and Kate advertised their BBC Radio 1 takeover, with Kate teasing that "Newsbeat will sound slightly different".

Prince William then revealed that during their segment, listeners will hear them have "a meaningful conversation about mental health".

He added, "As part of World Mental Health Day, Catherine and I have recorded a special programme taking over the radio to talk about the importance of mental health.

The programme will also hear the Prince and Princess of Wales discuss resources that can provide support to those struggling with anxiety and depression, as well as ‘toolboxes’ to provide coping skills.

"You could be living one life one minute and something massively changes and you realise you don't necessarily have the tools or the experience to be able to tackle that," Prince William said.

Kate then added, "The first step for all of us is to keep having those conversations and keep reaching out for help." before then telling listeners that she would ‘love to know’ how they manage and cope with their own mental health."

The couple has been longtime advocates for raising awareness of the importance of mental health and have founded and supported a number of mental health charities through their Royal Foundation, including  Mind.org's 'Heads Together' - with Kate also a patron of the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.

William and Kate also launched ‘Shout’, a 24/7 text line for those struggling with their Mental Health, alongside Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

You can catch William and Kate on BBC Radio one on Tuesday 11th, October at 12.45 and again at 5.45 pm.

Ahead of their seventh studio album, The Car, Arctic Moneys have announced a huge UK and Ireland tour for 2023. But how much are tickets and how can you get your hands on them?

Summer 2022 was a great year for music, with Harry Styles' Love on Tour proving to be a huge success, and a wealth of festivals such as BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend returning in their full glory post pandemic.

And 2023 is already shaping up to be another great year for music lovers, with Mr Styles' tour returning and Taylor Swift announcing UK tour dates. Now there's another big event to look forward to, after the Arctic Monkeys announced a much-anticipated UK and Ireland tour - alongside the news that they're headlining Glastonbury. Here's everything you need to know about securing tickets.

How much are Arctic Monkeys tickets?

Although not all venues have confirmed ticket prices, Manchester's Emirates Old Trafford has revealed that ticket prices for the venue will range from £72.50 up to £175. This does not include any handling or booking fees.

General admission/pitch standing tickets are priced at £72.50 for general admission, and from £72.50-£90 for seated tickets. VIP tickets are priced at £175 per person.

There are different ticket package options available, as well as hospitality packages ranging from £199 per person to £349 per person. These offer varying perks such as complimentary drinks, food, and private viewing suites.

When do Arctic Monkeys tickets go on sale?

Presale tickets became available at 9am on Thursday 29 September, while general sale tickets will go on sale on Friday 30 September at 9am.

There are only a limited number of presale tickets on sale and these are only available to fans who have pre-ordered Arctic Monkeys' new album The Car. Upon ordering, fans were then given a unique code to allow them access to the presale.

General admission tickets are expected to sell out fast on the Friday morning, and these can be purchased via both See Tickets and Ticketmaster.

For those who miss out when tickets are first released, you may be able to secure yourself a place on the tour last minute if you check Twickets, the official resale partner.

Arctic Monkeys 2023 tour dates

• 29 May - Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol
• 31 May - Building Society Arena, Coventry
• 02 June - Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester
• 05 June - Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough
• 07 June - Carrow Road Stadium, Norwich
• 09 June - Hillsborough Park, Sheffield
• 10 June - Hillsborough Park, Sheffield
• 12 June - Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea
• 14 June - The Ageas Bowl, Southampton
• 16 June - Emirates Stadium, London
• 17 June - Emirates Stadium, London
• 20 June - Malahide Castle, Dublin
• 25 June - Bellahouston Park, Glasgow

Who is supporting Arctic Monkeys 2023?

The Hives and The Mysterines have been confirmed as supporting acts for the Arctic Monkeys' 2023 tour. The Hives will be playing on all the tour dates, while The Mysterines will play every date except 20 June, in Dublin.

The Hives are a Swedish rock band that had their big break back in 2000 with the release of their album Veni Vidi Vicious - which Rolling Stone named one of the Top 100 Albums of the Decade - and fans will probably know them best for their tracks Hate to Say I Told You So and Tick Tick Boom.

The Mysterines are newer to the music scene, and are a Liverpool-based rock band. Their new album, Reeling, was released in 2022 and reached number nine in the charts.

Related features:

• How much are Micky Flanagan tickets? Full details of his 2023 UK tour

Video of the Week

After almost 24 years on the afternoon show, many are asking has Steve Wright left Radio 2 and who has taken over his slot?

Steve Wright is loved by listeners up and down the country for both his weekday show and Sunday Love Songs. When he announced his plans to leave the afternoon slot this year, many were dying to know why he is leaving, as well as when his final show will be.

The end of Steve Wright in the Afternoon is part of a wider shake up on BBC Radio that has seen many high profile presenters depart from their established shows. Listeners have been equally curious to know who is replacing Scott Mills and when he will start Radio 2 as well, but now that the new weekday afternoon show is well underway, many are asking has Steve Wright left Radio 2?

Has Steve Wright left Radio 2?

No, Steve Wright hasn't left BBC Radio 2. Although his last afternoon show on aired on Friday 30 September 2022, he still has his Sunday morning slot for Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs, which airs 9am - 11am weekly.

He announced the news that he would be 'taking a break from daytime radio' live on air back in July. Explaining the decision to leave, Wright said "At the end of September, I'll be taking a break from daytime radio. In other words, stepping down from this programme. At the beginning of this year, my friend and boss Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said she wanted to do something different in the afternoons."

He added, "I've been doing this programme for 24 years at Radio 2, and so how can I possibly complain? The support and creative freedom I'm given are fantastic at Radio 2, and really I can't hold the slot forever. So let's give somebody else ago."

How long has Steve Wright been on Radio 2 for?

Steve Wright first joined BBC Radio 2 in April 1996, presenting two shows: Steve Wright's Saturday Show - a morning show of celebrity interviews and music - and Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs, which is still going today.

In 1999, Wright moved to weekdays with his Steve Wright in the Afternoon show, which he has presented for nearly 24 years.

Loyal listeners and fans expressed their disappointment when it was announced that the radio legend was leaving the afternoon slot. One Twitter user wrote, "Can anyone tell me why Steve Wright in the Afternoon is being taken off Radio 2? I’m camping with my daughter and grandson and the topic came up. We all think he’s brilliant."

Fellow broadcasters Jeremy Vine and Piers Morgan also showed their support, with Vine describing the presenter as an "innovator, entertainer, complete and utter professional," while Morgan tweeted "Congrats to Steve Wright on a dazzlingly successful 23-year run."

Who has replaced Steve Wright on Radio 2?

Former BBC Radio 1 presenter Scott Mills has taken over from Steve Wright on Radio 2. Mills' first show on the station launched on Monday 31 October 2022.

He presented his final Radio 1 show on Thursday 25 September, after he and his co-star Chris Stark announced their plans to leave Radio 1 in July.

In an interview with The Sun, Mills admitted he was nervous about taking over from Wright. He said: "It is a big act to follow. I’ve been in denial for the past two months, but now I’ve done my last charts show and have four more shows left on Radio 1. It’s all becoming real and I’m sure I’ll cry. I don’t know what’s planned for my last day, I prefer it that way.

"I’ve spent a quarter of my life, if I’m lucky, on Radio 1 and have a massive step ahead but I’m excited.”

Scott Mills is being replaced on BBC Radio 1 by Dean McCullough and Vicky Hawkesworth.

Where is Steve Wright going next?

Steve Wright will continue to work for the BBC on other projects and he will continue to present Steve Wright's Sunday Love Songs every week.

When Wright announced his departure, he said, "The great news is onwards and upwards. I'm staying at the BBC and Radio 2 to do some very exciting brand new digital projects and develop new podcasts, some of which will actually feature elements of Steve Wright in the afternoon."

He went on to say: "So plenty for me to do and I'm a happy bunny, but I know when the time comes in the autumn to say goodbye to this show and miss you, but trust me, you'll be in good hands."

Steve Wright net worth

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Steve Wright's net worth is $6million (that's £5million).

In July 2022, the BBC published a list of their top star's salaries, which showed that Steve Wright makes £450,000-£454,999 annually.

He was the fourth name on the list, below Gary Lineker, Zoe Ball and Alan Shearer, and just above Stephen Nolan.

Scott Mills, who will soon take over from Wright, was the ninth name on the list, with an annual salary of £400,000-£404,999.

Video of the Week

Strictly Come Dancing is back for a new series in 2022 and we've shared the all-important September start date.

2022's Strictly contestants aren't the only ones preparing to put their best foot forward on the Strictly dance floor, with the popular BBC One show additionally announcing a new mix of professional dancers for what will be the show's 20th anniversary this year, as well as a confirmed change to the judging panel.

Strictly Come Dancing was postponed following the Queen's death, leaving many unsure of when the new start date is, but we've got all the details on who's in and who's out, plus what date and time Strictly Come Dancing starts in 2022 - and if that's not enough for fans, there's also the Strictly live tour 2023.

When does Strictly Come Dancing 2022 start?

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 will kick off on Friday September 23rd with its launch show, with the first live show hitting screens the following evening on Saturday.

The 2022 series was set to begin on Saturday September 17th, with a launch show ahead of the first live show the week after. However Strictly has postponed its first episode of the year following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, with the Queen's funeral set to take place on Monday September 19th, two days after the original launch date.

The 20th anniversary of the show is not the only big celebration this year - as the BBC also marks its 100th broadcasting anniversary. In a statement, Strictly said: "Strictly Come Dancing is celebrating 100 years of the BBC! The professional dancers will be throwing a party like only they know how, with a group number full of all the usual sparkle and glamour. 

'There may well be a surprise or two as well, with special guests and fun tributes to some of your favourite BBC shows."

Who's on Strictly 2022 this year? Full contestants list

• TV presenter Helen Skelton
• EastEnders actor James Bye
• Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin
• Singer Fleur East
• Former captain and footballer Tony Adams
• BGT star Molly Rainford
• Comedian Ellie Taylor
• Singer Matt Goss
• DJ Tyler West
• Gold medal-winning Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds OBE
• Comedian Jayde Adams
• Loose Women host Kaye Adams
• Radio and TV presenter Richie Anderson
• Actor Will Mellor
• Morning Live host Kym Marsh.

Actor Will Mellor was the first Strictly 2022 contestant to be confirmed on August 4, 2022. With the rest of the 'class of Strictly 2022' being announced in the days following. On August 13, the full line-up had been confirmed.

Countryfile Presenter Helen Skelton was the final contestant to be revealed. In an interview with the Mirror, she revealed her nerves ahead of the launch show.

"I can’t dance and I feel sick when I hear the theme tune. I just wanted to wear nice dresses. I work on farms. I watch cows give birth and stand in wellies," she said. "I can’t decide whether it’s the best or worst thing I have ever agreed to. And I haven’t even started yet."

Who are the Strictly pros this year? Full list

• Dianne Buswell
• Nadiya Bychkova
• Graziano Di Prima
• Amy Dowden
• Karen Hauer
• Katya Jones
• Neil Jones
• Nikita Kuzmin
• Cameron Lombard
• Gorka Marquez
• Luba Mushtuk
• Giovanni Pernice
• Jowita Przystal
• Johannes Radebe
• Kai Widdrington
• Nancy Xu
• NEW FOR 2022: Vito Coppola
• NEW FOR 2022: Carlos Gu
• NEW FOR 2022: Lauren Oakley
• NEW FOR 2022: Michelle Tsiakkas

The Strictly Pros have been announced with four new dancers - European cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu, former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas. And they will be joining the dancers already confirmed. 

Former favourite Alijaz Skorjanec and Oti Mabuse, whose sister Motsi is a judge, quit the show earlier this year.

Strictly Come Dancing Judges 2022:

The judges confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2022 are Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke. Anton replaced Bruno Tonioli last year and was made a permanent addition to the judging panel for 2022.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 tickets - how to apply

Sadly tickets for the Strictly Come Dancing launch and live shows are no longer available. The ticket ballot officially closed on Sunday 28 August 2022. 

Demand for Strictly tickets is always high and as in previous years, tickets were allocated after being drawn from a random draw. Those successful were then contacted via email. 

The good news is that the site which organises Strictly tickets stated "December dates coming soon". This means that fans will be able to apply for tickets to see the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 Christmas special being filmed at a later date.

Be sure to check the official Strictly ticket website regularly for news as to when to apply.

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• The Capture Season 2: Is it a true story?
• Is Gone Fishing coming back and how many episodes are there?
• Line of Duty star Martin Compston to star in new BBC drama Mayflies
• Where is Animal Park filmed?
• Who is the new University Challenge host Amol Rajan?

Video of the Week

The presenter announced he will be leaving back in July, but why is Chris Stark leaving Radio 1 and what will he be doing next?

BBC Radio stations are going through a big shake up at the moment, with several presenters announcing their plans to leave. Much like listeners are wondering why is Steve Wright leaving Radio 2 and when his last show will be, fans of Radio 1 are asking the same of Chris Stark.

The presenter has been one of the best-known names on the station for a decade, along with his co-host, Scott Mills, who is also being replaced. As the pair go their separate ways, we reveal where Chris Stark is going next.

Why is Chris Stark leaving Radio 1?

Chris Stark is leaving Radio 1 to pursue new projects with Global, a leading media company that owns Capital, Heart, Smooth Radio and many more. Stark's new projects will see him take on a variety of roles from show host and podcasting to creative direction. 

Stark announced that he would be leaving Radio 1 in early July, and his last show was on 25 August. When speaking about his departure on air, he said "I feel very weird because I think when you sign up to Radio 1 you always know at some point you’re going to leave. I don’t want to go too deep right now because there’ll be another time for that, but I am super proud of us.”

Loyal listeners have been disappointed by the departure, with one fan writing on Twitter during their last show "I’ve just came to realise, that I’ve taken @scott_mills & @Chris_Stark for granted for the last 10 (23) years! Like that comfy sofa, there in the background, that you always love, but you so dearly miss it when it’s not there anymore."

Aled Haydn Jones, head of BBC Radio 1, said of Stark's departure, "Chris has been an integral part of the Radio 1 family who has brought so much entertainment and laughter to Radio 1 over the years."

Is Scott Mills leaving Radio 1?

Yes, Scott Mills is also leaving Radio 1 and will be moving to Radio 2 to take over Steve Wright's afternoon slot. 

In a recent interview with The Sun, Mills expressed both excitement and nerves about taking over from Wright. He said: "It is a big act to follow. I’ve been in denial for the past two months, but now I’ve done my last charts show and have four more shows left on Radio 1. 

"I’ve spent a quarter of my life, if I’m lucky, on Radio 1 and have a massive step ahead but I’m excited.”

Where is Chris Stark going next?

Chris Stark is going Capital Radio where he will join the breakfast show alongside Roman Kemp, Sian Welby and Sonny Jay.

Stark will be hosting the breakfast show, but he will also be taking on the role of creative director and working in Global's podcast division as developing sport content for Global Player, Global’s digital radio and podcast listening service.

He said of his new role "I couldn’t be more excited to be joining Global, working across a variety of amazing projects. I’ve known Roman a long time and often joked over a beer it’d be great to work together on something big one day – and now here we are."

He's not completely abandoned the BBC, however, because he will also be working on the hugely popular show That Peter Crouch Podcast.

Who is replacing Chris Stark?

Chris Stark and Scott Mills will be replaced on their afternoon slot by Dean McCullough and Vicky Hawkesworth. The former hosts found out who their replacements were live on air when McCullough and Hawkesworth phoned them to announce the news.

Hawkesworth said "It seems sort of not real. I actually thought maybe I was making it up, maybe I dreamt it. I am quite literally about to live my dream and I can't wait to get going."

Her new co-host McCullough added "It’s bittersweet because like so many millions of people I am a huge fan of Scott and Chris. They are hands down the best at doing the radio, ever. I’m really going to miss them on Radio 1 and hope that their brilliant listeners join us for this new chapter in September."

Both newcomers have previously worked on BBC Radio 1 as part of the 2020 Christmas Takeover. Their new show, which will run from Monday to Thursday, 1pm to 3.30pm, from September 5, will be moving out of London and into BBC Salford.

How long has Chris stark been on Radio 1?

Chris Stark has been on Radio 1 for 10 years. He joined the station in 2012 and has been on the Scott Mills show ever since, though he had previously made a few appearances on the show as 'Scott's friend Chris'.

Stark started working in radio for Radio Northwick Park when he was 16 and has worked at several other stations including Galaxy, Real Radio, Virgin Radio and BBC 6 Music.

Chris Stark: Net worth

According to Digital Net Worth, Chris Stark's net worth is $2million - $5million, and they estimate his salary to be in excess of $200,000.

Though his main source of income is from hosting the Radio 1 show, both he and Scott Mills have held and attended events around the country as DJs.

Video of the Week

Loose Women is set to welcome back its live studio audience for the first time since the start of the Coronavirus pandemic but fans who are considering applying for tickets are wondering where is Loose Women filmed?

The ITV Daytime show airs weekdays on ITV at 12.30pm as the rotating line up of panelists discuss the hot topics of the day.

They are often joined by celebrity guests and you too could be in the audience, as they welcome back members of the public to watch the broadcast air live following a two-and-a-half year hiatus, and here's all you need to know...

Where is Loose Women filmed? 

Loose Women is filmed at BBC Studioworks in London Television Centre, White City. The show moved from South Bank Studios in Waterloo back in 2018 when ITV moved all of its programmes that had been filmed at that location - including This Morning - across to London Television Centre while the former studios get refurbished.

The venue address is Television Centre, White City, London W12 7RJ and the nearest tube station is White City or Wood Lane or Shepherds Bush train station.

According to the BBC Studio Works website, "Lorraine and Loose Women both reside in the adjacent 3,430 sq. ft. Studio TC2, with a daily turnaround between the sets after Lorraine goes off-air."

It went on to explain how the transformation is made.

"The turnaround is achieved in approximately 45 minutes by the scenic and technical teams. Not an easy feat considering there are 51 set pieces including 13 LED screens and monitors. To aid the process, the studios benefit from a touch screen system, meaning all hoisting operations can be controlled and managed safely and efficiently from the studio floor.

"In addition to scenic operations, our electrical and engineering teams support the four shows to ensure seamless production every weekday morning."

How to be in the Loose Women live audience

Fans of Loose Women can apply to be in the live studio audience by logging on to http://itv.com/loosewomen to apply for free tickets for September and beyond from SRO Audiences. If you are successful, doors open at 11.45am and filming ends approximately at 1.30pm. Tickets are limited so fans are advised to apply quickly. The minimum age for the show is 16 years. Anyone who is 16 or 17 must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.

“Why has Paul O’Grady quit BBC Radio 2?” might well be the question on long-time listeners' minds as the news broke that his final afternoon show is just a few days away.

BBC Radio 2 might be one of the most prominent stations around, but in recent weeks several of their biggest stars have announced the time has come for them to hang up their legendary headphones. This has raised plenty of questions as devoted fans were left wondering why Vanessa Feltz is leaving BBC Radio 2, why Steve Wright is leaving the afternoon slot and when does Owain Wyn Evans start on Radio 2. The news of their departures comes after BBC Radio 2 previously introduced a 13-week on and 13-week off schedule for its radio presenters. 

Now just six months after listeners wondered where Paul O’Grady was as he took a temporary break from his regular Sunday afternoon slot as a result of the shake-up, the popular host has confirmed he will soon be leaving BBC Radio 2 for good…

BBC Radio 2 has since paid tribute to Paul O'Grady, who died aged 67. Paul O'Grady's husband Andre Portasio shared the news of his 'unexpected but peaceful' passing.

Why has Paul O’Grady quit BBC Radio 2?

After 14 years at the station and having hosted his Paul O’Grady On the Wireless show since 2009, the entertainment icon has announced he will be leaving BBC Radio 2 within a matter of days. As reported by the BBC, Radio 2 confirmed the sad news on August 9th as they revealed that the unexpected decision was Paul’s. 

And when it comes to why Paul O’Grady quit BBC Radio 2, the presenter disclosed that he felt it was the “right time” after such an illustrious radio career with the station. 

“I’ve loved doing my Sunday afternoon show for the last 14 years and I’m going to miss my listeners as well as the fun I’ve had with my producer Malcolm Prince, but I feel that now is the right time to go,” he announced in a statement. 

He will be dearly missed by long-time listeners as well as the station, with Head of Radio 2, Helen Thomas, expressing her hope that the station might one day work with Paul again.

“I’d like to thank Paul for so many years of his brilliant Sunday afternoon show,” she shared. “I’m sorry to see him go, but I wish Paul the very best of luck for the future and hope to work with him again as the door is always open to him here at Radio 2.”

Whether or not Paul will go on to explain further details behind his reason for quitting BBC Radio 2 remains to be seen. Though after almost two decades at the station, his decision that it was simply the “right time” to move on is perhaps completely understandable.  

When is Paul O’Grady’s final BBC Radio 2 show?

Unfortunately for loyal listeners, Paul O’Grady’s final show on BBC Radio 2 is set to air on Sunday 14th August as he comes to the end of his current 13 week of shows. His first show in this particular time slot was back in 2009 and whilst his final one will be tinged with sadness, it will be including all the regular features. 

Fans can look forward to a Thank You Letter of the Week, a Lost TV Theme and an unexpected playlist as well as the producer Malcolm picking an unsuitable song for a wedding anniversary and even a special cocktail recipe. 

From Sunday 21st August, comedian Rob Beckett will return to Sunday afternoons for his next 13 week run of shows. And unlike radio fans who’ve discovered who is replacing Scott Mills on Radio 1 already, the BBC have confirmed that future plans for Paul O’Grady’s slot will be “announced at a later date”.

Until then, BBC Radio 2 listeners can look forward to one spectacular final show from Paul O’Grady as they wait to hear what projects he might move on to next.

A complete guide to the Commonwealth Games presenters, experts and guests who will be bringing audiences all the action from Birmingham 2022.

The long-anticipated Commonwealth Games have now begun, and all eyes are on Birmingham as talented athletes from all over the world arrive in the city to compete for the title of Commonwealth champion. 

With 280 different events taking place, you might be wondering where you can watch the Commonwealth Games or how long are the Commonwealth Games, while those who have been keeping up with the sporting world will be wondering why England's Dina Asher-Smith isn't running. Well, there's one group of people who will be answering all your questions, and that's the BBC Commonwealth Games presenters. Here's a who's who of this year's pundits.

Who are the BBC Commonwealth Games presenters?

The Commonwealth Games coverage will be led by eight presenters, made up of several big names and some newer faces. These are: Holly Hamilton, Jason Mohammad, Clare Balding, Hazel Irvine, Gabby Logan, Ayo Akinwolere, Isa Guha and JJ Chalmers.

Holly Hamilton and Jason Mohammad will be kicking off the coverage each day, bringing the morning events to viewers, before handing over to Hazel Irvine, who will be in the main studio in Birmingham's Centenary Square for daytime coverage. Clare Balding is taking on late afternoon prime-time coverage on the main BBC channels, while Gabby Logan will be covering athletics - including the much-anticipated performance of Katarina Johnson-Thompson - from the Alexander Stadium, which will also host the opening and closing ceremonies. Ayo Akinwolere will be presenting the coverage on BBC Three. 

In addition, every night on BBC One there will be a highlights show, called Tonight at the Games, presented by Isa Guha and JJ Chalmers.

The team will also be joined by a range of guests and experts over the 11 days, including well-known sports personalities and Olympic medallists.

Holly Hamilton

Holly Hamilton, 36, is a Northern Irish journalist and seasoned BBC presenter, having appeared on BBC Breakfast, BBC Sport and Victoria Derbyshire. She is often at the forefront of sports news bulletins across BBC Breakfast and the BBC News Channel, and will be co-presenting the morning session with Jason Mohammad.

Jason Mohammad

Jason Mohammad, 48, is best known for presenting the BBC's Final Score football show. He previously worked for BBC Wales, as one of the presenters of Wales Today, Wales On Saturday, and the Scrum V Six Nations TV specials. 

In addition, he has previously presented coverage from the Melbourne Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup and numerous FA cup finals and is part of the regular BBC One presenting line-up for the rugby Six Nations. 

During the London 2012 Olympic Games he was trackside, interviewing some of the world's most impressive athletes.

Clare Balding

It wouldn't be a major sporting even without Clare Balding, 51, known to many as the face of BBC Sport. She has been presenting major events on TV and radio since taking on the BBC’s horse racing output in 1998, and has worked as a presenter on six Olympic Games, five Paralympic Games and five Winter Olympic Games as well as Wimbledon since 1995 and several major Royal events.

In 2013, she won the BAFTA Special Award and RTS Presenter of the Year Award for her expert coverage of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

She is an ardent campaigner for better coverage of women’s sport.

Hazel Irvine

57-year-old Hazel Irvine is a regular anchor on BBC athletics coverage, having made her name when she covered the Olympics in Seoul in 1988. 

Since then, she has hosted coverage of 15 Winter and Summer Olympics, been at the forefront of golf coverage for 25 years, snooker for 18 years and has worked on four World Cup finals, the London Marathon, Grandstand, the Boat Race, Wimbledon and Final Score.

She was one of the first female sports presenters in the country and won the RTS Regional Sports Presenter award in 1999.

Gabby Logan

Another of sports coverage's best-known faces, Gabby Logan, 49, has presented a wide variety of sporting events including rugby, athletics, and the London Marathon. 

She joined Sky Sports in 1996 where she quickly established herself as a key presenter, before joining ITV in 1998. During her time at the channel Gabby presented various fixtures including The World Cup and Champions League.

In 2004 she hosted Sport Relief for the BBC before joining the corporation in 2007, where she has presented Final Score, Inside Sport, the Invictus Games, The World Swimming Championships and Women’s Football, and was a key member of the presenting team for the London 2012 Olympic Games and the 2014 Brazil World Cup.

She is also a former gymnast and competed in the 1990 Commonwealth Games.

Ayo Akinwolere

Ayo Akinwolere, 39, is a former Blue Peter presenter between the years of 2006 and 2011, before going on to present BBC West Midland’s magazine show Inside Out. He has interviewed a number of famous sporting stars, including Usain Bolt and Lewis Hamilton, and has also appeared on Match of the Day and Football Focus. 

Previously, he fronted Channel 4's coverage of the European Rugby Champions Cup.

Isa Guha

A former England cricket star, Isa Guha, 37, played in the 2005 World Cup and was part of the squad that won the World Cup in 2009. She is also a three time Ashes winner and became the ICC Ranked No.1 bowler in 2008. 

On her debut in 2002, Isa became the first female British Asian to represent England in any sport.

She retired in 2012 and established herself as a sports broadcaster. Most recently, she presented tennis coverage during Wimbledon 2022.

JJ Chalmers

JJ Chalmers, 35, is an Invictus Games medallist and previously a Royal Marine, during which he was injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan. He was a presenter for Channel 4 during the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, and also presented the documentary 'Dunkirk: Mission Impossible', as well as a TV show recounting how his faith and support of his family and friends helped him to overcome his injuries.

BBC Commonwealth Games: Expert panel joining presenters 

• Denise Lewis - The 49-year-old is a former Team GB track and field athlete, who specialised in the heptathlon. She won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has twice been crowned Commonwealth Games champion and won World Championships silver medals in 1997 and 1999.  
• Michael Johnson - 54-year-old Johnson is a retired American sprinter, who made history when he broke the Olympic world records for the 200m and 400m sprints in 1996. He also won four Olympic golds in total and eight gold medals at the World Championships.
• Jess Ennis-Hill - Ennis-Hill, 36, in a Team GB heptathlete who won gold at the London 2012 Olympics. She also won the gold medal in the World Championships in 2009 and in the European Championships in 2010. In the Rio Olympics she won silver, before retiring in 2016.
• Colin Jackson - Former hurdler and sprinter Colin Jackson, 55, previously held the world record for the 110m hurdles and was twice world champion, four times European champion and twice Commonwealth Games champion. He also won silver in the 1988 Olympics.
• Steve Cram - Cram, 61, is a retired track and field athlete who specialised in middle-distance running. He won gold at the Commonwealth Games three times and at the European Championships twice, and has been crowned world champion once in 1983. In 1984, he won silver at the Olympics for Team GB.
• Tanni Grey-Thompson - The 53-year-old wheelchair racer is known as one of Britain's greatest Paralympic athletes, having amassed a medal haul of 11 gold, four silver and one bronze across five Paralympic Games.
• Steve Backley - Backley, 53, was European Javelin Champion four times and has won gold at the Commonwealth Games three times. He has also won three Olympic medals, silver in 1996 and 2000, and bronze in 1992.
• Paula Radcliffe - Former British long-distance runner Paula Radcliffe, 48, has won the London Marathon three times. She also won gold in the marathon at the World Championships in 2005, in the 5000m at the Commonwealth Games in 2002, and has won gold at the World Half Marathon Championships three times.
• Sir Chris Hoy  - Hoy, 46, is a former track cyclist who has won six Olympic gold medals, making him Britain's most decorated Olympian. His first Olympic gold was in Athens in 2004 in the 1,000m time trial. At the London 2012 Olympics, he won his most recent two Olympic golds, in the keirin and the team sprint.
• Rebecca Adlington  - Former swimmer Rebecca Adlington, 33, was a double Olympic gold medallist in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, for the 800m freestyle and the 400m freestyle. In 2010, she won gold for the same events in the Commonwealth Games, and has been crowned world champion twice.
• Ellie Simmonds - Ellie Simmonds was the second youngest Paralympian in British history to win a medal when she competed at the 2008 Paralympics at 13 years old. Now 27, she has 26 international gold medals to her name, five of which she won at Paralympic Games.
• Mark Foster - 52-year-old Foster is a former Team GB swimmer and has held eight world records, 51 international medals and has competed at five Olympic Games. He is also six-time World Champion and 11-time European Champion.
• Ama Agbeze  - 39-year-old Agbeze is a former international netball player for England. In 2006, Ama competed for Team England at the Melbourne Commonwealth Games where she won a bronze medal. In 2018, she captained Team England's netballers to their historic Commonwealth gold medal. She is local to this year's host city, Birmingham, having been born in Selly Oak.
• Max Whitlock - Max Whitlock, 29, is a six-time Olympic medallist, having won two golds in the men's gymnastics in Rio in 2016, and most recently a gold medal on the pommel horse in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. He has also won three World Championship titles, four European Championship titles and has won four Commonwealth Games golds.
• Beth Tweddle - Retired gymnast Tweddle, 37, is a triple World Champion, a six-time European Champion, a Commonwealth Champion and seven-times consecutive National Champion. She has competed in three Olympic Games and won bronze at London 2012 in the uneven bars.
• Matt Baker - Perhaps best-known for his time on Blue Peter, Matt Baker, 44, is a seasoned BBC presenter, having also appeared on Countryfile and The One Show. As part of the celebration for London's winning bid to host the 2012 Olympics, Baker co-hosted the London 2012 party with Claudia Winkleman, and has commentated on gymnastics at the previous four Olympic Games.
• Craig Heap - 49-year-old Heap is a retired Team GB gymnast who made history at the 1998 Commonwealth Games by captaining the English men’s team to their first ever Commonwealth Games Gold medal, and again four years later at the Manchester 2002 games.
• Christine Still - Still is a long-time BBC commentator and gymnastic coach. She was honoured at the British Gymnastics National Awards in 2019 for her outstanding contribution to the sport and has also received the Frank Edmonds trophy for her commitment to gymnastics.

BBC Commonwealth Games coverage - what channels is it on? 

Over 200 hours of live coverage with be broadcast on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Three, with additional coverage on the red button and up to 11 live streams on the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.

Coverage will typically begin at around 9am each day and continue until night time.

Video of the Week

The Commonwealth Games have finally arrived and all eyes are on host city Birmingham. For those who haven't got their hands on tickets, here's where to watch the Commonwealth Games on TV.

There's a sense of excitement mounting as we gather round to watch Britain's most impressive athletes at Birmingham 2022, with many familiar faces such as Adam Peaty and Katarina Johnson-Thompson competing. Though some may be disappointed that one of Team England's biggest names, Dina Asher-Smith, won't be running, there's still plenty of talent representing Britain this year.

And if you're planning on hunkering down to watch the action over the next couple of weeks, we've got everything you need to know, from how long are the Commonwealth Games to when is the opening ceremony and where to watch the Commonwealth Games on TV.

Where to watch the Commonwealth Games on TV

The BBC will be showing over 200 hours of live coverage on BBC One, BBC Two and BBC Three, as well as additional coverage on the red button and up to 11 live streams on the BBC Sport website and BBC iPlayer.

The coverage is free in the UK and will typically begin at around 9am each day and continue until night time. BBC Radio 5 Live and Radio 5 Sports Extra will also be covering the action, hosting live commentary on athletics, swimming, netball, cricket and boxing and providing updates on all the latest news across the daily programming.

The BBC Sport website and app will also feature live text, video clips, reports, analysis and results, while every night on BBC One there will be a highlights show, called Tonight at the Games.

Olympic gold medallists Michael Johnson, Jessica Ennis-Hill and Sir Chris Hoy are just a few of the pundits and experts who will be commentating, as well as Commonwealth winners Max Whitlock and Beth Tweddle and Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds.

Was the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony on TV?

The Opening Ceremony was broadcast live on BBC One, running from 7pm-10.30pm BST on Thursday 28 July. Those that missed it will be able to catch up with it on BBC iPlayer now. 

Duran Duran returned to their home town to headline the event at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium, while other talent included Black Sabbath’s Tony Iommi and vocalists Indigo Marshall and Gambini. Samantha Oxborough - a graduate of The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire - also performed the national anthem with City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

Singer Simon Le Bon said in a statement "The Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games is a momentous event for the great city of Birmingham. And we in Duran Duran are honoured to be a part of it in our home town."

A live audience of 30,000 people was expected, alongside a predicted one billion viewers tuning in from home.

The Alexander Stadium will also host the closing ceremony - which will be broadcast from 8pm on BBC One - where the Queen's Baton will be passed on the the host nation of the next Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games 2022: Day by day schedule

Thursday 28 July

BBC One 7pm-10.30pm

On 'day zero' of the Commonwealth Games, coverage of the opening ceremony will be hosted by Clare Balding. Spectators can expect the Parade of Nations, where the athletes walk behind the flag of their country, and the conclusion of the Queen's Baton Relay, which will have travelled between all 72 Commonwealth nations and territories before arriving in host city Birmingham.

Friday 29 July

BBC One: 9:15am – 1pm, 1:45pm – 6pm, 7pm – 10pm 

BBC Two: 1pm – 1:45pm, 6pm – 7pm 

BBC Three: 7:05pm – 10:30pm

• Badminton
• Gymnastics
• Hockey
• Rugby Sevens
• Table tennis and para table tennis
• Cycling, track and para track - Scotland's Olympic gold medallist Neil Fachie and silver medallist Aileen McGlynn will be competing.
• Swimming and para swimming
• T20 cricket
• Triathlon and para triathlon - Alex Yee in the men's event and Georgia Taylor-Brown in the women's event were both Olympic silver medallists in 2021.
• Boxing
• Netball - Commonwealth champions England will play Trinidad and Tobago in their opening game.
• Squash
• Basketball 3x3 and wheelchair basketball 3x3

Saturday 30 July

BBC One: 9:15am – 1pm, 1:15pm – 5pm, 5:20pm – 10pm 

BBC Two: 7am – 9:15am 

BBC Three: 7:05pm – 10:30pm

• Athletics (marathon) 
• Lawn bowls and para lawn bowls 
• Badminton 
• Gymnastics - Four-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist Claudia Fragapane will lead the English team, alongside Tokyo Olympic team bronze medallist Alice Kinsella.
• Hockey 
• Rugby Sevens 
• Weightlifting 
• Table tennis and para table tennis 
• Cycling, track and para track - England's Charlie Tanfield will be defending his 2018 title in the men's individual pursuit.
• Swimming and para swimming 
• T20 cricket 
• Boxing 
• Netball 
• Squash
• Beach volleyball 
• Basketball 3x3 and wheelchair basketball 3x3

Sunday 31 July

BBC One: 9am – 1pm, 1:15pm – 3:35pm, 7:45pm-10pm 

BBC Two: 3:35pm – 7:45pm 

BBC Three: 7:05pm – 10:30pm

• Lawn bowls and para lawn bowls
• Badminton 
• Gymnastics 
• Hockey 
• Rugby Sevens 
• Triathlon and para triathlon - Scotland's Alison Peasgood, a Rio Paralympic silver medallist in 2016, will be competing, as well as four-time paratriathlon world champion Dave Ellis for England.
• Weightlifting 
• Table tennis and para table tennis 
• Cycling, track and para track
• Swimming and para swimming - Three-time Olympic champion Adam Peaty will be looking to defend his Commonwealth title in the 100m breaststroke.  
• T20 cricket 
• Boxing 
• Netball 
• Squash 
• Beach volleyball 
• Basketball 3x3 and wheelchair basketball 3x3

Monday 1 August

BBC One: 9:15am – 1pm, 1:45pm – 6pm, 7:30pm – 10pm 

BBC Two: 1pm – 1:45pm, 6pm – 7:35pm 

BBC Three: 7:05pm – 10:30pm

• Lawn bowls and para lawn bowls 
• Badminton 
• Gymnastics - England's Courtney Tulloch will be looking to defend his 2018 gold on rings.
• Hockey
• Rugby Sevens 
• Triathlon and para triathlon 
• Weightlifting 
• Judo 
• Table tennis and para table tennis 
• Cycling, track and para track - Tokyo omnium gold medallist Matt Walls will be competing for England.
• Swimming and para swimming 
• T20 cricket
• Boxing 
• Netball
• Squash 
• Beach volleyball 
• Basketball 3x3 and wheelchair basketball 3x3

Tuesday 2 August

BBC One: 9:15am – 1pm, 1:45pm – 6pm, 7:30pm – 10pm 

BBC Two: 1pm – 1:45pm, 6pm – 7:30 

BBC Three: 7:05pm – 10:30pm

• Athletics and para athletics - Olympic bronze medallist Holly Bradshaw will compete for England in the pole vault and  world champion Katarina Johnson-Thompson will defend her heptathlon Commonwealth title from 2018.
• Lawn bowls and para lawn bowls
• Badminton 
• Gymnastics 
• Hockey 
• Rugby Sevens 
• Triathlon and para triathlon 
• Weightlifting 
• Judo - European champion Gemma Howell will compete in the women's -63kg class.
• Table tennis and para table tennis
• Cycling, track and para track 
• Swimming and para swimming - Adam Peaty will be competing in the 50m breaststroke, while defending Commonwealth champion Alys Thomas of Wales will take on the 200m butterfly.
• T20 cricket 
• Boxing 
• Netball 
• Squash 
• Beach volleyball 
• Basketball 3x3 and wheelchair basketball 3x3

Wednesday 3 August

BBC One: 9:15am – 1pm, 1:45pm – 6pm, 7pm – 10pm 

BBC Two: 1pm – 1:45pm, 6pm – 7pm 

BBC Three: 7:05pm – 10:30pm

• Athletics and para athletics - Katarina Johnson-Thompson will continue in the heptathlon.
• Lawn bowls and para lawn bowls 
• Badminton
• Hockey 
• Weightlifting
• Judo
• Table tennis and para table tennis 
• Cycling, mountain bike - World champion Evie Richards is the favourite in the mountain bike cross-country.
• Swimming and para swimming - There's plenty of GB athletes within grasp of a medal, with England looking to Tokyo champion Reece Dunn in the S14 200m freestyle and world champion Ben Proud in the men's 50m free, and Scotland have Tokyo silver medallist Duncan Scott in the men's 200m individual medley. Wales will be behind 2018 silver medallist and Olympic finalist Daniel Jervis in the men's 1500m free, and  world champion Bethany Firth, from Norther Ireland, is favourite in the women's S14 200m freestyle.
• T20 cricket 
• Boxing 
• Netball 
• Squash 
• Beach volleyball 

Thursday 4 August

BBC One: 9:15am – 1pm, 1:45pm – 6pm, 7pm – 10pm 

BBC Two: 1pm – 1:45pm, 6pm – 7pm 

BBC Three: 7:05pm – 10:30pm

• Athletics and para athletics 
• Lawn bowls and para lawn bowls 
• Badminton 
• Hockey 
• Para powerlifting 
• Table tennis and para table tennis 
• Cycling, time trial
• Diving - England's Jack Laugher is the favourite for the 1m springboard.
• T20 cricket 
• Boxing
• Rhythmic gymnastics 
• Netball 
• Squash 
• Beach volleyball 

Friday 5 August

BBC One: 9:15am – 1pm, 1:45pm – 6pm, 7pm – 10pm 

BBC Two: 1pm – 1:45pm, 6pm – 7pm 

BBC Three: 7:05pm – 10:30pm

• Athletics and para athletics 
• Lawn bowls and para lawn bowls 
• Badminton 
• Hockey 
• Table tennis and para table tennis
• Diving - Jack Laugher will compete in the 3m synchro, which he has won at the past two Commonwealth Games.
• Wrestling 
• Rhythmic gymnastics 
• Netball 
• Squash 
• Beach volleyball 

Saturday 6 August

BBC One: 9am – 12pm, 1:15pm – 4:30pm, 5:30pm – 10pm 

BBC Two: 12pm – 1:15pm 

BBC Three: 7:05pm – 10:30pm

• Athletics and para athletics - Tokyo Olympic silver medallist Keely Hodgkinson will be competing in the 800m. 
• Lawn bowls and para lawn bowls 
• Badminton
• Hockey 
• Table tennis and para table tennis 
• Diving 
• Wrestling 
• Boxing 
• T20 cricket 
• Rhythmic gymnastics
• Netball
• Squash 
• Beach volleyball 

Sunday 7 August

BBC One: 9am – 1pm, 1:15pm – 5pm, 5:30pm – 10pm 

BBC Two: 7:45am – 9am, 5pm – 5:30pm 

BBC Three: 7:05pm – 10:30pm

• Athletics and para athletics - Matthew Hudson-Smith will return to his home town Birmingham to compete in the 400m.
• Cycling, road race - Olympic and Tour de France superstars Geraint Thomas for Wales and Mark Cavendish for the Isle of Man will be competing.
• Badminton
• Hockey
• Table tennis and para table tennis 
• Diving 
• Boxing 
• T20 cricket
• Netball 
• Squash 
• Beach volleyball 

Monday 8 August

BBC One: 9am – 1pm, 1:45pm – 3:45pm, 8pm – 10pm 

BBC Two: 1pm – 1:45pm

• Badminton - Lauren Smith, who has won five Commonwealth medals for England, will be competing.
• Hockey 
• Table tennis and para table tennis 
• Diving 
• Squash
• Closing ceremony 

Commonwealth Games 2022: Tickets

Tickets for the Commonwealth Games are available at Birmingham2022.com, and while 1.25m tickets have already been sold, there are some still available.

Those local to the West Midlands may even be able to see some of the action for free, such as the triathlon in Sutton Park, the cycling time trial which starts and finishes in West Park in Wolverhampton and the cycling road race which starts and finishes in Warwick. The marathon route also starts and finishes in Birmingham city centre and is free to watch.

Video of the Week

Wogan House is having another shake up to its presenters but this time fans are asking why is Vanessa Feltz leaving BBC Radio 2?

The popular broadcaster - who recently split from Ben Ofoedu - has decided to hang up her headphones after a radio career spanning 20 years on air and it comes after Steve Wright announced he was leaving Radio 2 and Nicky Campbell announced he was leaving BBC 5 Live.

Fans often ask where their favourite presenters like Zoe Ball are when they're unexpectedly absent from their shows as we look at why Vanessa is leaving BBC radio...

Why is Vanessa Feltz leaving BBC Radio 2?

Vanessa Feltz is leaving BBC Radio 2 to "catch up on a much needed decade's deficit of beauty sleep". She released an official statement announcing her departure, in which she explained, "I have loved every moment with my Radio 2 ‘Early Birds’ and will miss my Lovely Listeners, Jolly Good Fellows and beloved friends and colleagues at Radio 2 with all my heart. However, after almost 12 blissful years, I now need to step down to catch up on a much needed decade’s deficit of beauty sleep!"

She continued, “It’s been an honour and privilege to be the Breakfast voice of BBC Radio London for 20 years and although I’m leaving the show, I’ll continue to expect hugs from my lovely listeners when I see them on the streets of London!

"I will enjoy a dollop of energy-boosting shut-eye to swing from zip-lines with my three effervescent grandchildren and frolic with my fiancé Ben, who irritatingly remains 10 years younger than me!”

Vanessa started presenting Radio 2 Early Breakfast Show back in January 2011 from 5am-6.30am. The show was brought forward to 4am in January 2021 and saw Vanessa  entertain listeners with the news of the day, as well as much loved features including Famous Last Words, Jolly Good Fellows, The Feltz Philological Challenge and Early Bird Earworms.

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: “For almost 12 years, Vanessa has made her live weekday Early Breakfast Show her very own kingdom, and I’d like to thank her wholeheartedly for the thousands of middle-of-the-night starts she’s made to entertain the Radio 2 listeners. On behalf of them, as well as everyone in Wogan House, I’d like to send Lady V our very best wishes for the future.”

Before taking over the breakfast show Vanessa presented a mid-morning phone-in show on the station for 10 years, and from 2001 presented a mid-afternoon phone-in show. And Vanessa has been a regular guest on ITV daytime show This Morning holding phone-ins.

Chris Burns, Controller Local Audio Commissioning, says: “Every weekday Vanessa has breezed straight from her Radio 2 programme into the Radio London breakfast show, barely pausing for breath. She has effortlessly entertained her “lovely listener” and sternly held the city’s and country’s decision makers to account. The brightest spark you could ever meet - no matter how early it is and what’s going on in the news - to say Vanessa’s voice will be missed is an understatement. We wish her well and thank her dearly for her incredible service.”

Who is replacing Vanessa Feltz on BBC Radio 2?

Vanessa Feltz will be replaced by Owain Wyn Evans, leaving many asking the question when does Owain start on Radio 2? 

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, said: "I’d like to welcome Owain to the Radio 2 family. His deep connection with Wales is obvious and I’m delighted he will be broadcasting live from Cardiff every weekday morning. His warmth and wit make him the perfect host to set up the day for our listeners right across the country."

How many grandchildren does Vanessa Feltz have?

Vanessa Feltz has three grandchildren - her first grandchild Neroli, then Vanessa announced in 2015 that she had welcomed her second grandchild Zeke - both of whom are her daughter Allegra Kurer's kids. And in 2018 her other daughter Saskia was preparing to give birth to her first child.

Vanessa is looking forward to spending more time with time following her departure from BBC Radio 2 and Radio London.

Vanessa previously admitted, "On the radio, I don’t want to talk about Brexit or the economy. I just want to speak about my grandbabies."

Vanessa has been pictured enjoying a family day out with her daughter and grandchildren Neroli and Zeke at a gala screening of Disney's "Encanto" at the Picturehouse last year.

Related video...

Martin Bashir first joined the BBC in 1986 and would go on to become a household name following a tell-all Panorama interview with Princess Diana in 1995. 

The controversial programme was watched by 23 million people and would win Bashir a BAFTA Award, TV Journalist of the Year from the Broadcasting Press Guild and Journalist of the Year from the Royal Television Society before he fell from his pedestal.

On July 22, 2022, in order to settle an ongoing court case, The BBC agreed to pay substantial damages to the former royal nanny Tiggy Legge-Bourke after Bashir claimed she had an affair with Prince Charles in order to obtain the controversial 1995 interview with Diana.

Where is Martin Bashir now?

Bashir stepped down from his position as the BBC’s religion editor in May 2021, citing ongoing health issues as the reason for his departure. His resignation from the BBC coincided with an investigation into his Panorama interview with Diana, Princess of Wales. He no longer works and resides in a £1.7 million, six-bedroom home in Hampshire.

At the end of 2020, Martin Bashir had major cardiac surgery and was admitted to hospital for another procedure on his heart in February 2021. He also contracted coronavirus around the same time. Jonathan Munro, the BBC’s deputy director of news, said in a message to staff, “We wish him a complete and speedy recovery.”

Why was Martin Bashir’s interview with Diana controversial?

At the time of its broadcast, the only controversy surrounding the interview was directed at comments made by Diana. But in later years, the methods used to convince the princess to take part in the BBC interview were bought into question. This sparked a new controversy with Martin Bashir at the centre - and one that left Prince William and Harry 'sick with rage'. 

Bashir was later found to have mocked up fake bank statements in order to gain access to the princess. He was also accused of lying to her brother Earl Spencer to bring him on side, and claimed the former royal nanny, Tiggy Legge-Bourke, had an affair with Prince Charles.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent on Monday, Earl Spencer said, "It's clear to me that there there are certain people who were in the BBC, who have behaved in a way that is truly abysmal and possibly criminal."

At the time of the 1995 interview, secrets regarding the inner workings of the royal family had been heavily guarded and never before had a serving royal spoken so candidly about life in the royal spotlight.

In the interview, Diana famously commented on Prince Charles’ relationship with Camilla Parker-Bowles, saying, "There were three of us in this marriage, so it was a bit crowded." Shortly after the interview aired, the Queen wrote to Prince Charles and Princess Diana telling them to divorce. 

Did Princess Diana regret the interview with Martin Bashir?

Despite all the controversy at the time, Princess Diana said that she had “no regrets” regarding the interview. The quote came via a 1995 note written after Bashir was asked by BBC executives to provide evidence Diana had not been shown fake bank statements.

In her book, The Palace Papers: Inside the House of Windsor, the Truth and the Turmoil, biographer Tina Brown writes, “I am told by Lalvani (a British entrepreneur who had dated Diana shortly before her death) that Diana said she had no regrets about the interview and made clear that she had said exactly what she wanted to say on camera. She was pleased about it [the interview], Lalvani confirmed to me. She didn’t have a bad word to say about Martin Bashir. She realised it served her purpose.”

However, the full extent of the deceit experienced by Diana would go unknown until 2021, when an independent inquiry by Lord Dyson, a former senior judge, uncovered the full picture. Following the inquiry's findings, Prince William said in a rare, public statement, "What saddens me most, is that if the BBC had properly investigated the complaints and concerns first raised in 1995, my mother would have known that she had been deceived."

Did Martin Bashir forge bank statements?

Matt Wiessler, a graphic artist working for the BBC, said he had been asked by Martin Bashir to produce fake bank statements. These appeared to show payments by a newspaper group to a former member of staff employed by Earl Spencer, Princess Diana's brother. The Lord Dyson inquiry said this was to gain Earl Spencer's confidence so he would introduce Bashir to Diana. 

The inquiry also deemed that The BBC covered up how Bashir scored the interview. Both the BBC and Bashir have apologised over the matter. Bashir said that falsifying the documents was “a stupid thing to do” but he will “always remain immensely proud of that interview”.

How did William and Harry react to Martin Bashier’s interview?

Both Prince William and Harry have publicly stated their disapproval and disgust at the methods used by Bashir to secure the interview with their mother. Both released separate, scathing statements the day that the inquiry findings were released. 

In an emotional statement, Prince William said, “It brings indescribable sadness to know that the BBC’s failures contributed significantly to her fear, paranoia and isolation that I remember from those final years with her.

“She was failed not just by a rogue reporter, but by leaders at the BBC who looked the other way rather than asking the tough questions.”

Harry also issued a full statement linking "unethical practices" to the princess' death in a car crash in Paris in 1997. He said, “The ripple effect of a culture of exploitation and unethical practices ultimately took her life. To those who have taken some form of accountability, thank you for owning it.

“What deeply concerns me is that practices like these, and even worse, are still widespread today. Then, and now, it’s bigger than one outlet, one network, or one publication. Our mother lost her life because of this, and nothing has changed.”

Related articles: 

• How old was Diana when she got married?
• Who is James Hewitt, is he married and does he have children?
• Where is Hasnat Khan now and why did he leave Princess Diana?
• Princess Diana's revenge dress
• Windsor Castle fire
• Where was The Crown filmed? Season 1 - 5 filming locations
• Who is Princess Diana’s friend Dr. James Colthurst and who plays him in The Crown?
• The Crown Cast: Season 1 to season 5 actor guide and where you've seen them before
• The true story of the Royal Yacht Britannia from The Crown Season 5
• The Crown Season 5: What was in Princess Diana’s divorce settlement?
• Camillagate: The true story behind Charles and Camilla's leaked phone recording
• Prince Philip and Penny Knatchbull: Who is the Prince’s friend, and who plays her in The Crown season 5?
• How did Dodi meet Diana? Their relationship explained ahead of The Crown Season 5
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• How did Princess Diana know Imran Khan, and what happened to him?
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• Has Camilla, Queen Consort got children and who are her grandchildren?

BBC Breakfast has had a shake up of it's presenters in recent months and since Dan Walker's departure for Channel 5 last week, viewers are keen to find out more about the other male presenters' personal lives and with many asking who is Jon Kay's wife?

Jon Kay hosts the BBC One Breakfast show alongside Sally Nugent and while the co-stars congratulated Carol Kirkwood earlier this week when she confirmed her engagement, many are wanting to find out more about Jon and his life.

As we look at all you need to know about the TV presenter...

Who is Jon Kay's wife?

Jon Kay is married to Francesca Kasteliz - a former journalist and BBC News correspondent. The pair met in the Bristol newsroom back in 1998 and have three children together.

Francesca now works as a performance coach for presenters, reporters, spokespeople and more. Speaking about her role on Bristol Creative Industries, she said, "Whether you’re a TV presenter, would-be TV talent, a reporter/correspondent, an expert in your field, a CEO or spokesperson for your organisation – I can help you fine-tune the skills you need to be the best you can be on-air."

Jon has previously tweeted about his wife, one reads, "Twenty-four hours after boasting to my wife that I haven’t had a cold for two years... Guess what... cold 🤧"

And he described his working from home life, "Filing a radio report while contending with kids shouting, wife on the phone, washing machine whirring, doorbell ringing, postman delivering, dog barking, builders banging, school playground next door #wfh #wtf."

Jon and Francesca share three children and a dog together - though he hasn't publicly shared details of their names. He did however treat fans to a picture of his pet pooch on Twitter in June 2022. Posing alongside the gorgeous cocker spaniel, his caption read: "Mad dog ✅   Englishman ✅"

How old is Jon Kay?

Jon Kay is 52 years old and is from Hull. He spent a year in a Californian High School before studying Politics at Exeter University where he graduated in 1992. He started as a trainee reporter for the BBC before joining BBC Radio Bristol as a full-time journalist.

As an English TV presenter, newsreader and journalised his is based in the West of England and is most known for his work on BBC News. Speaking about some of his memorable work, Jon said, "Some of the reporting has been tough - like the repatriations at Wootton Bassett, the murder of Jo Yeates and the Vanessa George child-abuse scandal.

“Hardly a month goes by without me being battered by gale-force winds or smothered in snow - but I also get to meet some amazing people and report on some fantastic things – like the Glastonbury Festival and an octogenarian sky-diver.”

He shot to fame during the 2015 general election campaign when he interviewed a woman called Brenda from Bristol who, when asked about the upcoming general election, exclaimed: “You’re joking - not another one!” and the clip went viral.

These days Jon is a regular on the sofa with Naga Munchetty but when he's not hosting the breakfast show you can find him in the radio studio as host of Fairy Meadow the number 1 true-crime podcast aired on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio 4.

BBC Breakfast is on BBC One weekdays from 6am-9am.

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If you’ve been wondering who is replacing Scott Mills since he announced his departure from his popular Radio 1 show then the wait is finally over as two news hosts have been unveiled.

After 24 years on the Radio 1 airwaves Scott Mills is soon set to take the plunge and make a move away from his long-time broadcasting channel. On 1st July, BBC Radio 1 took to social media to break it to fans that Scott and his co-host and close friend Chris Stark will be leaving - with their time together coming to an end this summer. 

“We have some sad news to share,” they began. “@scott_mills and @Chris_Stark have decided that they will be leaving Radio 1 later this summer. Thank you from all of us for everything, we'll miss you greatly”. 

With a more detailed explanation given by the presenters on Monday July 4th, this surprising news might well have left many listeners wondering who might be about to step in for them.

Now the BBC have confirmed exactly who will be replacing Scott Mills and Chris Stark on Radio 1 in a matter of months…

Who is replacing Scott Mills on Radio 1? 

Huge changes are underway on Radio 1 as Scott Mills and Chris Stark are set to be replaced by Dean McCullough and Vicky Hawkesworth from September. According to the BBC, their new afternoon show will be Radio 1's latest weekday programme to come from outside the UK's capital. 

Dean and Vicky will take over Scott’s Monday-Thursday from 1pm-3:30pm and the show will be broadcast from the BBC’s base in Salford, Greater Manchester, as part of the BBC’s Across The UK plans to shift its creative and journalistic centre away from London.

Speaking to current hosts Scott Mills and Chris Stark, who will soon also be leaving to join Roman Kemp on Capital Breakfast, Vicky explained that this was a true dream come true for her. So much so, that she revealed she almost didn’t believe it at first!

“It seems sort of not real. I actually thought maybe I was making it up, maybe I dreamt it,” she declared excitedly. "I am quite literally about to live my dream and I can't wait to get going."

Meanwhile, her co-host-to-be Dean opened to the BBC  about what it means to be taking over from such huge radio legends. He declared, “It’s bittersweet because like so many millions of people I am a huge fan of Scott & Chris. They are hands down the best at doing the radio, ever. I’m really going to miss them on Radio 1 and hope that their brilliant listeners join us for this new chapter in September.”

He went on to express his enormous gratitude that he and Vicky are set to follow in their footsteps, adding, “I’m so grateful that this is happening, thank you Radio 1 for believing in me.”

And although Vicky and Dean have yet to kick off their new Radio 1, the pair aren’t strangers to working with the station. Both got started thanks to Radio 1’s 2020 Christmas Takeover. This saw 33 newcomers try their hand at DJing and presenting for them in what was described as a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

Vicky is currently a regular presenter on BBC Radio Manchester and GAYDIO and has also hosted a range of Radio 1 shows. Whilst Dean already hosts a successful weekend morning show on Radio 1 after joining them permanently in September last year. Their first show as Radio 1’s new dynamic duo will air on Monday 5th September 2022. 

Why is Scott Mills leaving Radio 1? 

Although many Scott Mills fans might well agree with Dean McCullough’s remark that the news of his and Vicky’s new show is a little “bittersweet” in light of Scott’s departure, the long-time Radio 1 presenter isn’t leaving radio for good. Instead, Scott Mills is leaving Radio 1 to take up an equally exciting role as a host on Radio 2, joining the likes of Zoe Ball and Paul O’Grady.

Scott will be taking up the mantle when Steve Wright leaves Radio 2 after over two decades with the station. Many are wondering why Steve Wright is leaving the afternoon slot, but when announcing the news live on air, he explained that he is remaining at the BBC and will be pursuing "exciting digital projects". In his place, Scott will be taking over his afternoon slot on Radio 2. 

As reported by the Huffington Post, when discussing his upcoming move to Radio 2, Scott shared that he is “beyond excited” to join his new team, though he revealed he’ll miss his “beloved” Radio 1 after so many years with the station. 

“Time actually does fly when you’re having fun, and that’s certainly been the case over the past 24 years at my beloved Radio 1,” he said. “The station I pretended to be on in my bedroom from the age of six. The station I told my mum I wanted to work at, but never in a million years thought I would.”

Scott continued, “I really cannot believe I’m going to be calling Radio 2 my new home! I’m beyond excited to be joining the team and working alongside my radio idols and friends at the legendary Wogan House.”

Adding that his current co-host and close friend Chris Stark was “one of [his] best friends in the world”, the radio presenter also wished Steve Wright luck and described him as “one of the finest broadcasters”. 

His new Radio 2 show won't be the first time Scott Mills has appeared on the station, having previously stepped in for other broadcasters such as Ken Bruce and Rylan Clark when they are away.

It's been confirmed that Steve Wright is set to leave his Radio 2 afternoon show after more than two decades hosting the iconic slot, with many wanting to know the reason for his departure and when he will be leaving.

The 67-year-old DJ and presenter, who took to the Radio 2 airwaves with Steve Wright in the Afternoon for the first time back in 1999, will be replaced by Scott Mills. (Scott's co-host Chris Stark is also leaving Scott's radio 1 show amid the shake-up)

Steve, whose shows run alongside the likes of Zoe Ball's and Paul O'Grady's, made the announcement that he is soon to leave his slot to Scott on Friday, telling listeners live on air that he will be remaining at the BBC to work on "exciting digital projects". The long-time radio star will also remain on his Sunday Love Songs show. 

Meanwhile, Scott, who is one of Radio 1's most well-known personalities, will move over to present a brand new weekday show on Radio 2, with a 2-4pm slot. 

Why is Steve Wright leaving Radio 2?

Steve Wright explained the reasoning behind his departure from Radio 2 when he confirmed the news, telling fans that it was the decision of BBC bosses for a shake up to the scheduling to be made. He said, "At the beginning of this year, my friend and boss Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said she wanted to do something different in the afternoons. 

"Now, I’ve been doing this programme for 24 years at Radio 2, and so how can I possibly complain?"

Reminiscing on his special time at Radio 2 over the years, Steve continued, "The support and creative freedom that I’m given is fantastic at Radio 2 and really I can’t hog the slot for ever, so let’s give somebody else a go. 

"The great news is, onwards and upwards. I’m staying at the BBC and radio to do some very exciting, brand-new digital projects and developing new podcasts, some of which actually will feature elements of this programme Steve Wright in the Afternoon," he added, sharing an insight into his career plans. 

"Anyway, all will become clear in the next few months, because we’re staying on this programme until the autumn," he finally added, assuring loyal listeners that he isn't disappearing right away. 

Celebrity friends and Radio 2 colleagues shared their support in response to Steve's news, with Rylan Clark, who hosts a Saturday afternoon show on the station, taking to Instagram to say, "Will miss you lots Steve. 

"Linda is over the moon she’s still got her Sunday love song fix. Sending you all the love mate ❤️," he added. 

"Love luck and kisses. You are a superstar," added Vanessa Feltz, whose Radio 2 show is on weekdays from 7am.

BBC Breakfast news viewers are wondering where Sally Bundock is after the TV presenter who normally hosts The Briefing on BBC One has been missing from screens over the last few weeks.

Fans of BBC Breakfast are often asking where Sally Nugent is or where Naga Munchetty is when they don't see their usual hosts on the show. But this time it's Sally Bundock who has sparked concern from viewers who are wondering why she isn't presenting her usual slot.

It comes after Hannah Miller was announced as new business presenter of BBC Breakfast, who is due to join the show in July.

Where is Sally Bundock?

Sally Bundock is currently absent from BBC Breakfast news as she is recovering from an operation on her knee. The TV presenter, who normally hosts the The Briefing on BBC One, has been recovering for the last four weeks after undergoing surgery to repair her ACL, MCL and meniscus - a knee injury.

Before she went on leave, she told fans, "Check out the new pics...I look SO serious!? That's it from me for a while. I'm on leave for a bit and after that an operation to try and fix my knee. Hopefully all will go well and I will see you in June. Do stay tuned though, there is a top team in my absence."

Back at the start of May she gave her fans an update on her health, posting a snap of her in a mask and she captioned it, "Here we go - in the hands of a great team at the NHS. They need to fix my ACL, MCL and meniscus. Apparently my kneecap is looking ropey so they may boost that as well. The mind boggles. See you on the other side."

She later updated fans to say, "Thanks for all the best wishes…. Soon I'll be in deep sleep." and Sally's BBC co-star Carol Kirkwood liked the post in support of her colleague.

And fast-forward four weeks and Sally has been still unable to move properly. Sharing an update, she said, "Recovery: week 4 done  : pre-op the consultant warned me it would take some time to recover, walk etc. I didn’t believe him, because of course I am “bionic” right . He was right!! I’m still #grounded #mobilityissues #learningcurve"

In between resting, Sally has been able to spend more time with her family, including watching her sons play squash. She recently posted a snap of her view of the squash court which she playfully captioned, "Squash time - love this game - as do my boys. I’m told I can join them next year. For now I’m a spectator."

And she's also attempted to bake a carrot cake while hopping around on one leg. But it didn't go quite to plan, Sally tweeted, "Once again I’m presented with 2 frisbees - what am I doing wrong ? It’s an easy @bbcgoodfood recipe @MAKEUPBYTRISHA is headed here soon. Icing to the rescue!!"

Who is Sally Bundock's husband?

Sally Bundock married Paul Bundock in 1999 in Market Harborough, in Leicestershire; but he sadly died in June 2017 from a rare form of cancer called carcinoid tumours. They have three sons and Sally lives in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire with them.

Speaking about life after losing Paul, Sally said, "We’ve been honest and open and asked for help anywhere and everywhere where people have been alongside to support us, we’ve thanked them and grabbed their help with both hands and that’s been brilliant for the children because they’ve had this huge support around them, from us, from family, extended family, friends and neighbours, and our Church family.

"So that’s partly why they’re feeling so secure, they’re not alone in this, it’s not just me and them now, we’re part of a big family who are all caring and loving in this situation,” she added.

You can watch BBC Breakfast from 6am to 9am on BBC One.

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The BBC have announced they that are closing down children's channel CBBC in a major channel shake-up

The broadcasting company says that audiences, especially younger viewers, are just not engaging with the channels due to streaming platforms like Netflix.

BBC Director-General, Tim Davies said in a statement that this move will enable them to build a ‘digital-first BBC’. 

Davies continued, “Something genuinely new, a Reithian organization for the digital age, a positive force for the UK and the world. Independent, impartial, constantly innovating and serving all. A fresh, new, global digital media organization which has never been seen before."

Before adding, “They want us to keep the BBC relevant and fight for something that in 2022 is more important than ever.”

While this is very sad news for avid watchers of the channels, there is one silver lining!

Why is CBBC being closed down?

This change comes as audiences are continuing to opt for streaming rather than traditional, scheduled TV content. The BBC has seen less engagement with the channel, due to platforms like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime offering masses of content online, with no TV license requirement - all for a monthly subscription.

This is no doubt a blow for parents and children alike, as the channel has been an integral part of many people’s childhoods since its launch in 1985.

CBBC has been home to the likes of Tracy Beaker, Raven and Blue Peter and while the CBBC channel is being axed from our televisions, it is not happening immediately.

CBBC  tweeted that it will remain as a ‘linear channel’ for a least three years and will then move to BBC iPlayer. So you will still be able to watch the likes of Blue Peter and Shaun the Sheep for free online but the channel will soon disappear from our TV guides. 

Understandably this change is heartbreaking for regular viewers and those who grew up with CBBC, with many taking to social media to share their disappointment. Others pointed out that the shake-up would mean children from less fortunate households may miss out on being able to watch TV.

One fan tweeted, “CBBC closing is heartbreaking, not even for nostalgia reasons but growing up CBBC was literally the only children's TV channel I had. Not everyone can afford Sky, Disney Plus and Netflix just for their kids to watch something, give them an option.”

While another added, “This is going to be detrimental to children from working-class families who can't afford streaming services or sky packages, I grew up with CBBC as one of my only source of kids shows.”

“A real shame to be honest, CBBC was my childhood," one more wrote. 

BBC Breakfast viewers are wondering who Hannah Miller is after the star was revealed to be joining the team following the recent departure of Dan Walker.

But while Hannah isn't replacing Dan on the sofa, alongside colleagues Naga Munchetty, Sally Nugent, and Jon Kay, she will appear on screens during the business news segments from July.

Who is Hannah Miller on BBC Breakfast?

Hannah Miller is set to become the new business presenter at BBC Breakfast. Hannah currently reports on stories across the North of England for ITV News and she was political correspondent for ITV's Granada Reports, covering politics in the North West of England.

She is set to join BBC Breakfast to present the business news on Thursdays and Fridays, with Nina Warhurst presenting Monday to Wednesday.

She announced her new role on Twitter, telling her followers, "I have a new job..! Looking forward to a fresh challenge with the team at @BBCBreakfast. Thanks to some incredible friends and colleagues for their support over the past seven years @itvnews."

She will join the expanding BBC Breakfast team which includes weather forecaster Carol Kirkwood.

BBC's Naga was one of the first to congratulate her new colleague who is set to join the team in July. She tweeted her 270k followers, "Welcome Hannah! Looking forward to working with you."

To which Hannah replied, "Thanks Naga - looking forward to working with you too!"

Hannah told Prolific North, "I am delighted to be joining the BBC Breakfast team at a time where work and money are at the forefront of people's minds.

"I look forward to continuing the excellent work the team already do in helping audiences to understand complex economic stories, as well as delivering original journalism."

Hannah also co-presents Peston TV series, and in 2021 she won The Nations and Regions Presenter of the Year Award at the Royal Television Society for ITV News regional programme Granada Reports.

At the time judges praised Hannah for always getting to the “heart of each story with her probing style and authority".

Where is Hannah Miller on BBC Breakfast from?

Hannah Miller is from Doncaster in South Yorkshire. She announced this recently as Doncaster was one of the towns that recently received 'city' status as part of the Queen's Platinum jubilee celebrations.

Hannah shared, "Hi, I’m Hannah and I’m from the city of Doncaster  (They’ve been trying to do this since I was about 12, now to figure out what it really means)"

Her Twitter profile confirms she is currently based in Manchester, and Media CityUK, Salford, Manchester is where BBC Breakfast is filmed and has been since 2012.

Is Hannah Miller married?

It is not known if Hannah Miller is married, single or in a relationship as she has never spoken about her relationship status. She also hasn't revealed whether she has any children or not.

BBC Breakfast airs 6am-9am weekdays on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Fans of Calvin Harris are wondering who is Vick Hope after the Scottish DJ, producer and singer-songwriter got engaged to the Radio 1 star. 

The couple attended Chelsea Flower Show earlier this week, which was attended by the Queen, and here Vick showed off a huge diamond ring as reports surfaced that Calvin had popped the question under his favourite tree on his Ibiza farm.

The romantic proposal, which is said to have come taken place two weeks ago, comes just five weeks after the pair started talking to each other, as we look at all you need to know about Vick Hope...

Who is Vick Hope?

Vick Hope is a Radio 1 DJ who presents the Going Home slot (3.30pm-6pm) alongside Jordan North. Before joining the BBC, the multi-award winning TV and Radio presenter is best-known for her work on the likes of Capital Breakfast, The BAFTAs and The X Factor.

The British beauty was born in Newcastle, she studied at Cambridge University where she graduated with a BA Honours in French, Spanish and Portuguese and took part in the 16th series of Strictly Come Dancing 2018 where she competed with professional partner Graziano Di Prima.

She worked alongside Roman Kemp on the Capital Breakfast Show but left in February 2020. Since then she presented Classic FM's Revision Hour and joined BBC Radio 1 to present Life Hacks and Official Chart: First Look on a Sunday afternoon.

Vick, 32, previously hosted a replacement spin-off of I'm A Celebrity... which was aired online in 2020, it was called I’m A Celebrity…The Daily Drop and it was available to watch exclusively online on the ITV Hub.

And she is involved with Amnesty International - a charity she has supported since she was just 16 and Vick has worked closely with the charity Help Refugees and volunteers at a weekly refugee project near her home in London.

Vick has also written two children's book with Roman Kemp - the first called Listen Up: Rule the Airwaves, Rule the School and Shout Out: Use Your Voice, Save the Day which was published in 2021.

Vick is working on the new BBC Let It Grow podcast and TV show.

Who is Calvin Harris dating?

Calvin Harris - real name Adam Richard Wiles - is dating Radio 1 DJ Vick Hope and after just five weeks getting to know each other, the Scottish DJ has reportedly proposed to the star.

An insider told The Sun, "Calvin proposed to Vick under his favourite tree on his farm Terra Masia in Ibiza. Vick said yes immediately, she is madly in love with Calvin and could not be any happier.

"She has been wearing her ring for weeks now but no one really noticed. Of course her Radio 1 colleagues spotted it immediately and it's been an open secret there. Everyone is so happy for her.

"Vick has been telling people they are going to be getting married in Ibiza. It's a really special place for them both now and where they want to spend their lives together."

Calvin Harris has previously dated model Aarika Wolf for four years before splitting earlier this year due to his regular trips away from their US home to his Ibiza farm.

His past romantic links include Ellie Goulding, Rita Ora but he announced the split in a tweet and Taylor Swift whom he dated for 15 months.

Calvin Harris is due to perform at Radio 1's Big Weekend this weekend.

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It was a shock to BBC Breakfast fans when veteran presenter Dan Walker announced his departure from the morning show after six years. Here's what he's up to next and the candidate likely to replace him.

He's the perky presenter we're used to waking up to on our screens in the mornings. But sadly news presenter Dan Walker has quit BBC Breakfast and is now headed for pastures new - taking his charm to a different broadcasting channel completely.

The Strictly Come Dancing 2021 contestant officially left the BBC Breakfast sofa for good in mid May. Though he's yet to take up his new position at rival Channel 5 news. It's thought that Dan Walker's wife and kids may be a factor behind the job change - though the dad-of-three has not confirmed as such yet. We share details of his likely new start date and Breakfast replacement.

When could Dan Walker start at Channel 5 news?

Though no official start date has been confirmed, its thought that Dan Walker will start at Channel 5 news within the next few weeks. This is based on the presenter having shared with fans a behind-the-scenes snap of him at the new studio on May 23. Dan has also officially left BBC Breakfast now too - presenting his last show on May 17, 2022.

Sharing a black and white photo of him looking the part online, Dan wrote: "I had a little look around my new TV home today. They all seem lovely at 5 News." Dan will be on screens to present the Channel 5 news from 5pm, Monday to Friday. He'll take over as lead anchor from Sian Williams - a former BBC Breakfast colleague - who announced she was stepping down in early March 2022.

Having been at Breakfast for 6 years, Dan has made some firm friends whilst presenting the show. And he shared that he would miss his colleagues - including his sofa mate Sally Nugent.

"It's always been a real privilege working with you," he told his co-host. "Both when you were working there in sport and sat here now.

"It's been a long time hasn't it," replied Sally. To which Dan added: "Well, we've known each other for 20 odd years. I'll miss you very much"

The presenter also praised the "team here at Breakfast" who he deemed "fantastic as well".

Why did Dan Walker leave BBC Breakfast?

The 45-year-old presenter has not revealed his reasons for leaving. But he has said that the move to Channel 5 promised "big ambitions, with big plans" - making it an offer he couldn't refuse.

"I'm going to go and do the news on Channel 5," he told BBC Breakfast viewers in April. "But also make loads of new really exciting programmes. It's a fantastic opportunity and new challenges in life are always good. And if you can grab them and do them to the best of your ability, you see what happens next don't you."

Following his announcement, fans and friends flooded his Twitter with messages of congratulations. Many of his Breakfast colleagues were quick to congratulate and commiserate his new appointment. The programme's weather reporter Carol Kirkwood wrote "Daaaaannnn…. Congratulations! Wishing you every success… but we will miss you xx".

Ex-Strictly star Oti Mabuse was another to wish the former Strictly contestant well. "Omgggggg @mrdanwalker wow 🤩 congratulations on your new adventure," she tweeted.

Some reacting to the news on Twitter have speculated that the decision might have been based on a higher salary. And additionally an easier work/life balance - an afternoon start rather than his previous wake up call of 4am. Which in turn could mean more time with his family.

"Love everyone with the snarky comments about him doing it for the money," wrote one Twitter user. "Like y’all wouldn’t happily skip off to a new job who were offering more dosh and with better hours!"

Ex-colleague Louise Minchin who left Breakfast in September 2021 - shared her public congratulations. And added that he "won't miss the early alarm calls". To which Dan retweeted and replied "Ah... the magical world of lie-ins". This somewhat suggests he'll be enjoying the extra time in bed in the mornings.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast of the news the day after his announcement, he shared that it had been "a massive decision for me because I love BBC Breakfast".

"I love working alongside Sally and I love the team there," he added. "But Channel 5 came with big ambitions, with big plans. And I don't think opportunities like this come around very often. And I can't wait."

Dan further thanked viewers for the "very nice, kind messages," he had received since the announcement broke.

Who is likely to replace Dan Walker on BBC Breakfast?

The BBC have not confirmed who will replace Dan Walker on BBC Breakfast. However it is speculated that fellow BBC Breakfast presenter Jon Kay could be a candidate for the role. He joined the team in 2010 and has stepped in as cover when Dan or Charlie Stayt are away.

Jon seemingly made light of the fact he could replace Dan on Twitter. "That's my job application completed, then..," he wrote, tagging Dan Walker. He shared a clip from a recent news segment that likened him to TV character Alan Partridge, created by Steve Coogan.

One replied: "Hope you do apply Jon, we both enjoy your excellent delivery of the news. You get our vote."

Most recently Jon filled in for Dan in early March when he was missing from the sofa. And viewers were again quick to share their praise of Jon online then.

"Jon Kay is a great presenter," wrote one Twitter user. Whilst another tweeted "brilliant work from Jon Kay" - following his interview with Transport Secretary Grant Schapps.

Even if Jon does not get the full-time gig it's likely he'll be acting as Dan's temporary replacement whilst his role is filled. On his BBC bio page it reads: "Jon covers for Dan and Charlie when they need a lie-in. He welcomes the chance to sit down on the Breakfast sofa because he spends most of his time standing-up – as a roving reporter for BBC News."

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