13 h. ago From that bird guy to ‘bus aunty’: the real social media personalities rising above AI slop

Online audiences seeking out authentic and passionate voices as antidote to AI-generated contentFor years, social media fame has been associated with the red carpet glamour of the Kardashians and Cristiano Ronaldo’s megawatt sporting celebrity, but millions of users globally are increasingly turning their attention to unassuming heroes drawn from everyday life.TikTok says a range of accounts, from a bird enthusiast to an Italian grandmother and a doubledecker bus fan, have grown in popularity this year as social media users latch on to authentic voices. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago More than a million pounds spent on influencers by UK government since 2024

Figures from FoI request show increase in ministerial use of social media personalities to present campaignsMore than half a million pounds has been spent since 2024 on using social media influencers to promote UK government campaigns on subjects ranging from the environment to welfare.The spending has included hiring 215 influencers since 2024, of which there were 126 in 2025 – an increase on the 89 hired in 2024 – and is seen as an attempt to use platforms such as TikTok to reach younger people. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago More than half a million pounds spent on influencers by UK government since 2024

Figures from FoI request show increase in ministerial use of social media personalities to present campaignsMore than half a million pounds has been spent since 2024 on using social media influencers to promote UK government campaigns on subjects ranging from the environment to welfare.The spending has included hiring 215 influencers since 2024, of which there were 126 in 2025 – an increase on the 89 hired in 2024 – and is seen as an attempt to use platforms such as TikTok to reach younger people. Continue reading...

Politics

5 d. ago The latest ruse for MrBeast to get your cash with a 'bank': From crypto to credit cards and even loans, our financial experts reveal just what he's planning... and the very real risks

YouTube megastar MrBeast's business has announced the launch of a new financial firm as the popular social media personality expands his sprawling empire.

Economics

5 d. ago The Breakdown | Chile coach Pablo Lemoine: ‘Rugby is in trouble, even in countries like Wales’

Former Uruguay prop has praise for new World Cup format but wants more help for developing nationsHow did Pablo Lemoine, Chile’s head coach, react when they were drawn with Australia and New Zealand for the 2027 Rugby World Cup? The answer is perceptive and somewhat surprising.“When countries like Chile play in a World Cup you need a general vision,” Lemoine says. “Thinking only of sport it’s fantastic – it’s awesome. But thinking of the real impact Chile needs: development programmes, political impact, social impact for our fans, it’s much more difficult to find tickets when you play the All Blacks or Australia.” Continue reading...

Sport

7 d. ago Joe Wicks looks back: ‘When I look at that picture, I think about the care and love a kid needs’

The health and fitness coach on his difficult childhood, why he’s never been single – and doing his first YouTube workout with a broken handBorn in Epsom in 1985, Joe Wicks is a health and fitness coach and author. He studied sports science at St Mary’s University and started posting recipes and workouts on social media in 2014, while working as a personal trainer. His Lean in 15 videos went viral, leading to a bestselling publishing career. During the pandemic, Wicks hosted daily livestreamed PE lessons, raised more than £1m for charity and earned an MBE. His 13th book, Protein In 15, is out now.I was always covered in food as a kid – a real messy eater. This was probably readymade spaghetti from a tin. Our family didn’t have the greatest diet – we were on benefits, a lot of our money went on Dad’s heroin addiction, and Mum was young and didn’t know much about nutrition. Continue reading...

Politics

9 d. ago Strictly's Vito Coppola 'means every word' as he declares love for co

The professional dancer took to social media with a gushing personal tribute

Politics

1 week ago Strictly's Amber fumes 'I'm not stuck up!' as she says 'viewers don't WANT to warm to me'

Former Lionness Karen Karney, Reality TV personality Amber Davies and social media star George Clarke speak to the Mirror ahead of this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing 2025 live grand final

Events

2 w. ago Peter Andre warns dangers of social media are 'so real' as he backs Australian ban

EXCLUSIVE: In his weekly column, Peter shares all about the "pressure" parents feel in the build-up to Christmas, why he doesn't believe in New Year's resolutions and warns of the "dangers" of social media as he backs Australia's ban

Events

2 w. ago Comedian Robin Ince quits Radio 4 show, claiming BBC found his views ‘problematic’

Ince says he resigned as co-host of Infinite Monkey Cage because of what he described as his lack of ‘obedience’The comedian and author Robin Ince has resigned from his role as co-host of the long-running BBC Radio 4 podcast The Infinite Monkey Cage after a fallout with BBC executives over “problematic” opinions and what he described as a lack of “obedience”.Ince, who has co-presented the popular science show alongside Prof Brian Cox for 16 years, posted on social media that his personal views, aired outside the BBC, “have been considered problematic for some time” and he “felt he had no choice but to resign”. Continue reading...

Culture

2 w. ago My darling clementine: why did Chalamet and Jenner dress in matching orange?

Colour-coordinating couples are nothing new, but Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner still caught the eyeWhen the Hollywood star Timothée Chalamet and the media personality and businesswoman Kylie Jenner appeared at the LA premiere of his new film, Marty Supreme, this week, they appeared to have been Tangoed.Dressed head to toe in matching bright orange outfits, made by the LA-based brand Chrome Hearts, they drew strong reactions online, and not all negative. “I have now confirmed there is such a thing as too much orange,” said one on Reddit. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Mo has misjudged the mood’: five Liverpool fans on the Salah saga

We ask supporters for their take on the Egyptian’s standoff with the club before Saturday’s game against Brighton Mohamed Salah is one of the greatest players in Liverpool’s history. That isn’t open for debate. But everyone makes mistakes, and after the draw at Leeds, Salah made a huge one. By seeking the media to air his personal grievances, he essentially justified Arne Slot’s decision to bench him for three consecutive games. Salah’s recent behaviour suggests he’s an individual playing in a team sport. An individual who Liverpool can’t quite afford to carry right now. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Australia’s social media ban launched with barely a hitch – but the real test is still to come

The policy to cut off social media access for more than 2 million under-16s remains popular with Australians, while other countries look to follow suitOn the lawns of the prime minister’s Kirribilli residence in Sydney, overlooking the harbour, Anthony Albanese said he had never been prouder.“This is a day in which my pride to be prime minister of Australia has never been greater. This is world-leading. This is Australia showing enough is enough,” he said as the country’s under-16s social media ban came into effect on Wednesday. Continue reading...

Events

2 w. ago Judge to decide degree of media access in Charlie Kirk killing case

The Utah man charged with killing Charlie Kirk is making his first in-person court appearance Thursday as his attorneys push to further limit media access in the high-profile criminal case

Events

2 w. ago Coronation Street's Jane Danson's soap star husband pays heartfelt tribute in major personal update

The Leanne Battersby actress took to social media as she and husband Robert Beck marked a personal milestone

Politics

3 w. ago MAGA influencer believes Netflix’s Warner Bros takeover is evidence that the Obamas are ‘trying to take over all of media’

The conservative social media personality has a combined 10 million followers across X and YouTube

Events

3 w. ago Vogue Williams, 40, sends pulses racing in a skimpy red bikini as she makes the most of the Aussie sun after I'm A Celeb appearance

The media personality, 40, became the third contestant to be booted off the ITV reality show this year and she looked sensational in her two-piece as she shared a snap to her social media.

Politics

3 w. ago Prince William praises Kevin Sinfield as he nears end of seven ultramarathons in seven days to raise charity cash for MND research

In a personal message posted on social media, William described the former rugby league star's mammoth charity run as 'incredible' - but jokingly told him to look after his knees.

Politics

3 w. ago AI deepfakes of real doctors spreading health misinformation on social media

Hundreds of videos on TikTok and elsewhere impersonate experts to sell supplements with unproven effects TikTok and other social media platforms are hosting AI-generated deepfake videos of doctors whose words have been manipulated to help sell supplements and spread health misinformation.The factchecking organisation Full Fact has uncovered hundreds of such videos featuring impersonated versions of doctors and influencers directing viewers to Wellness Nest, a US-based supplements firm. Continue reading...

Society

3 w. ago Liz Hurley 'looks 25' in teeny string bikini as she flogs her swimwear to fans

Elizabeth Hurley looks 40 years younger than her real age and left fans gobsmacked as she took to social media to share snaps of herself in a skimpy bikini to help sell her swimsuits

Sport