Two former soap background actors have revealed what work on some of the country's most popular TV is really like - and the reasons they were booted out of their beloved jobs.

Politics

A raft of new laws are expected to come into force over the next 12 months

Society

Antler's big Winter Sale is now live and you can save up to 40% off suitcases, luggage sets and travel bags in a variety of sizes and colours for all your holiday needs

Economics

BOXING CLEVER COLUMN: 2024 has been another huge year for boxing with the heavyweight division providing most of the big storylines including two epic showdowns between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury

Sport

Ian Napier has been missing from the island since Friday, December 27 around 9am.

Events

Princess Diana 's niece, 33, has shared photos from a festive stay in Monaco, including adorable snaps of her baby daughter Athena.

Culture

Arman Vyas, 23, was employed by two GP practices where he accessed confidential reports and took screenshots which he sent to others including on social media app Snapchat

Science

Travellers face further disruption at UK airports including Gatwick, Heathrow and Manchester due to thick fog which is set to persist today says the Met Office

Transport

Breaking Bad star Betsy Brandt has filed for divorce from her husband, Grady Olsen, after more than 25 years of marriage, including a year of separation

Politics

Delays of up to four hours at the country’s busiest airports, including Manchester and London Gatwick, as thick fog disrupts travel

Society

This comprehensive three-piece set includes a luscious overnight serum, eye gel and mascara for long lashes.

Economics

The MySweetSmile Boxing Day sale is now on, with 20% off individual products and 30% off bundles

Sport

Blood tests conducted on the family members, including one killed and two surviving members, revealed traces of arsenic

Events

From sci-fi epics to investigate deep-dives, the Guide readers have their say on the year’s finest cultureWelcome to the last Guide of 2024! I hope you all are enjoying your festive break, and have a better handle on which day it is than I do. As is tradition, after our own roundup of the year’s best culture, we are turning things over to you this week. Here are the films, TV shows, music, performances, and podcasts that wowed you in 2024.Thanks to everyone who sent in suggestions and sorry if we weren’t able to include yours. Enjoy the rest of your Christmas break, and see you on the other side of the new year, for our 2025 preview next Friday! Continue reading...

Culture

Travellers are being urged to check with their airline as air traffic restrictions are in place at several UK airports due to fog, the country's main air traffic control (ATC) provider Nats said on Friday.

Transport

The writer on unattainable studs, erotic fantasies, and why she owes her birth father nothingBorn in Peru, Isabel Allende, 82, worked as a journalist and children’s writer. In 1982, she published her first adult novel, The House of the Spirits, which became an international bestseller. Her titles have been translated into 42 languages, and include a memoir for her daughter, who died at 29. Allende’s accolades include the US presidential medal of freedom and PEN Center lifetime achievement award. Her course, Magical Storytelling, is available on BBC Maestro’s online platform. She lives in California.When were you happiest? When my kids were little – and now, in my old age. Continue reading...

Politics

Fionnuala Brennan, 53, from Tramore, Ireland, has managed to holiday around the globe, including in America, Australia, and Italy - thanks to exchanging her home.

Society

Treat yourself to glowing, healthy skin for the New Year, or surprise a loved one with a luxe gift set

Economics

All-rounder joins Washington Sundar in critical 127-run standTourists trail by 116 runs with one wicket in hand in fourth Test52nd over: India 180-5 (Pant 22, Jadeja 4) Smokes a pull shot! Pant moves along to the 20s by clattering Boland, then takes a single. Jadeja keeps blocking.Guy Hornsby winds up the crank handle on the email machine. “Morning/evening Geoff. I’m somehow still up in darkest Sale in Manchester, full of port and cheese and wondering if Pant and Jadeja can actually save anything here. Their records suggest there’s a chance, but Pant is Cummins’ bunny of late and India must have felt an absolute gut punch after getting to 153-2 before the calamitous run-out. I’m not going to even attempt to apportion individual blame, just say it was a proper horlicks that took the wind out of India’s sails. Now it’s down to these two and a longish but bullish tail to see how much of a dent they can put into this huge Australian total. Perhaps Bumrah has made clear just how much of ...

Events

The Royal Mint's 2025 annual set includes commemorative coins celebrating the Red Arrows, Queen Mum, WWII, modern railways, and the Royal Observatory - they will be available from January 2nd 2025

Culture

Drivers will be impacted by a number of new rules in 2025, including some that will effect electric vehicle owners for the first time. Here's all you need to know about the changes

Transport

It's Day 11 at Ally Pally as the heat turns up at the Paddy Power World Championships - and we've got all the info you need

Politics

There were no shortage of wacky properties to hit the market this year, including nuclear bunkers, a studio with a cell and a replica of the HMS Endeavour

Society

Virgil van Dijk is one of three leading Liverpool players to have their contracts expire at the end of the season, with little public sign of progress to this point

Economics

A new Guardian investigation found that thousands of public sector buildings, including schools, hospitals and courts, are in desperate need of repair.

Events

'I've used this TENS machine for five months and it's the only thing that's given me a slight glimpse of relief'

Politics

Fashion editor Rachel Pugh has shared the River Island sale items she's got her eye on this year - including a £17 pair of jeans that will suit anybody

Economics

Kirk Marsden, 37, died in the early hours of Boxing Day after being rushed to hospital following the incident outside The Gate Street Bar and Grill in Blackburn

Events

The couple saw Ring doorbell footage that showed a fire being set close to their home in Bootle, Merseyside, after being alerted by their daughter while they were on holiday

Politics

If you've recently acquired a new smartphone, you'll be needing a case - and Casetify has a dizzying array of options on offer right now for a very attractive price

Economics

Officers said the incident happened on Tuesday December 17 on High Street, Woodford, Northamptonshire between 12 and 12.30pm.

Events

All-rounder joins Washington Sundar in critical 127-run standTourists trail by 116 runs with one wicket in hand in fourth Test52nd over: India 180-5 (Pant 22, Jadeja 4) Smokes a pull shot! Pant moves along to the 20s by clattering Boland, then takes a single. Jadeja keeps blocking.Guy Hornsby winds up the crank handle on the email machine. “Morning/evening Geoff. I’m somehow still up in darkest Sale in Manchester, full of port and cheese and wondering if Pant and Jadeja can actually save anything here. Their records suggest there’s a chance, but Pant is Cummins’ bunny of late and India must have felt an absolute gut punch after getting to 153-2 before the calamitous run-out. I’m not going to even attempt to apportion individual blame, just say it was a proper horlicks that took the wind out of India’s sails. Now it’s down to these two and a longish but bullish tail to see how much of a dent they can put into this huge Australian total. Perhaps Bumrah has made clear just how much of ...

Politics

Steam's Winter Sale is finishing soon, so be sure to grab the bargains while you can across Steam Deck and PC as we cover the end date – and when you can expect the next sale

Economics

An investigation has been launched after three women died and a further three people were hospitalised after they ate Christmas cake that was baked at a family gathering in Brazil

Events

There are some great deals to enjoy in the Antler winter sale

Politics

Benefit payments are not paid on bank holidays - so for example, Universal Credit payments due on Wednesday, January 1, will be paid a day earlier on Tuesday, December 31

Economics

Airline chiefs have launched preliminary investigations into the crash after the Embraer EMBR3.SA hit the ground hard while en route to Grozny in Chechnya, Russia, on Wednesday.

Events

Dr Martens has launched its end of year sale with 40% off best selling styles - including the 1460 boots and the iconic Blaire loafers - here's our pick of the best bargains to buy

Politics

The Remington Shea Soft Straightener is loved by shoppers who praised the 'perfect' hair tool, and it's currently on offer

Economics

Security assistance package in works as North Korean troops are deployed in Kursk after Putin-Kim agreementThe Biden administration is pledging to approve fresh military aid to Ukraine in the coming days, including crucial air defense systems, as North Korean forces face mounting casualties in their first major deployment to a European conflict.John Kirby, the US national security communications adviser, told reporters on Friday that in just the last week North Korean troops had suffered more than 1,000 casualties in what he referred to as failed “human wave” assaults near the Kursk border-region, which confirms similar figures reported by South Korea. Continue reading...

Events

Accountancy giant PwC's predictions for 2025 include jump in electric car sales and green energy production, plus "bright spots" for UK economy

Economics

Blaze engulfed landmark building where Jim Morrison and bandmates posed for a photograph for their 1970 LPFlames engulfed the historic Morrison Hotel, featured on the cover of The Doors’ 1970 album of the same name, after a fire hit the landmark downtown Los Angeles building.More than 100 firefighters responded to the fire, which began around 11am Thursday, and had the burn under control in under two hours. Several dozen people inside were able to escape, including possible squatters and three people rescued by firefighters on the third floor. Continue reading...

Events

Feud flared up when president-elect chose Sriram Krishnan, an Indian-born entrepreneur, as his AI adviserBitter in-fighting has broken out between tech billionaire Elon Musk and Donald Trump’s hardline Make America great again (Maga) base after the US president-elect chose an Indian-born entrepreneur to be his adviser on artificial intelligence.The row has pitted Musk and his fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy against die-hard supporters including the far-right activist Laura Loomer and Matt Gaetz, the former congress member and abortive nominee for attorney general. The spat threatens to open up a chasm among Trump’s supporters over immigration, a key issue in his election victory. Continue reading...

Politics

Having tried and tested tons of hair curling tools, beauty writer Lucy Addicott has finally found a favourite and it's currently on sale for less than £17

Economics

Blaze engulfed landmark building where Jim Morrison and bandmates posed for a photograph for their 1970 LPFlames engulfed the historic Morrison Hotel, featured on the cover of The Doors’ 1970 album of the same name, after a fire hit the landmark downtown Los Angeles building.More than 100 firefighters responded to the fire, which began around 11am Thursday, and had the burn under control in under two hours. Several dozen people inside were able to escape, including possible squatters and three people rescued by firefighters on the third floor. Continue reading...

Events

Debenhams is not holding back with its Boxing Day sale, offering up to 75% off selected lines and an extra 20% off more than 10,000 items

Politics

Laura Brumpton, 34, and her husband Alan, 37, were enjoying a festive outing to a Christmas market when they decided to treat their children to two hotdogs – but they got a shock when they checked their bank balance

Economics

The Met Office says rain and snow are expected next week as the transition between 2024 and 2025 becomes unsettled - and Strathclyde, including Glasgow, will see the heaviest rainfall

Events

Gavin and Stacey fans were left confused by one moment in the Christmas Day finale but it turns out there was a very good reason why it was included

Politics

A Sainsbury's shopper has shared the amazing bargain they found in the supermarket's post-Christmas sale - and people are seriously impressed with the price they paid for the turkey

Economics

Keith Chapman has become executive producer at Carlichauns Entertainment ahead of the launch of the CG animated children’s series.

Events

Destiny 2's Exotic vendor, Xur, is back again this week – here's how to find him, what he's selling, and whether we recommend his offerings before he vanishes again

Politics

Shoppers were quick to snap up the "fabulous" designer watch, which some claim 'reminds them of a Rolex'

Economics

David Barnshaw begged police to help him in a panicked attempt to call for help, repeating the word 'please' 53 times.

Events

Artists taking part include Lady Leshurr, Big Dog Yogo, Brixx, C4, Creezon, Jaykae, Mayhem, Nodb, Pressure0121, Roxxxan, Saf One, Sox and T Roadz.

Politics

Enjoy deals across beauty, home, fashion, tech and more

Economics

The BBC show has been on screen for more than two decades and it seems that a lot has happened in that time - including marriage proposals and break-ups.

Events

An undeveloped plot of waterfront property in the village of Indian Creek, Florida - famously known as 'Billionaire Bunker' - has gone up for sale for $200million.

Politics

A number of clubs are said to be eyeing the Honduran with his days at Celtic said to be 'numbered'

Economics

Head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said he was at Yemen’s international airport when it was hitThe Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen have been attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea for more than a year to try to enforce a naval blockade on Israel, saying they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Israel’s year-long war in Gaza.The strikes on shipping by the Houthis, who have also launched missiles at Israel, have prompted retaliatory strikes by the US and Britain. Here is an extract from our explainer on the group:The Houthis are a Yemeni militia group named after their founder, Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi, and representing the Zaidi branch of Shia Islam.They emerged in the 1980s in opposition to Saudi Arabia’s religious influence in Yemen. Continue reading...

Events

With demand for pups continuing to rocket, here are the breeds of dogs that have soft mouths so are predisposed to being gentle and never snapping.

Politics

Whether it’s a £80 exercise bike or £2.49 resistance bands, the budget friendly supermarket has you covered

Economics

He believes Rangers never had a chance of catching Celtic - and certainly don't now

Events

Here are the 18 most expensive January transfers ever made in the Scottish Premiership.

Politics

Experts said some bargain hunters had opted to shop online instead of visiting the shops in person.

Economics

Store closures in 2025 will involve high street favourites including WHSmith and The Entertainer. It's all down to a decrease in consumer spending as well as increased rents and operational costs

Politics

It’s estimated that around 10 per cent of British households own pet fish – making them the third most popular animal to welcome into out homes after cats and dogs.

Politics