16 h. ago ‘I felt like my Bafta statue was judging me!’ Gbemisola Ikumelo on backlashes, Black Ops and why 2026 will be her year

Whether she’s a chicken-obsessed schoolboy or a hapless cop fighting a plot to bring down Notting Hill carnival, the comic actor’s dizzying range means she may soon need a bigger awards shelfIn 2020, as long-overdue conversations about race rippled out across the world, Gbemisola Ikumelo, now 39, made a decision. “I had this soul-destroying experience on a job,” she says, hersunny demeanour at odds with the grim tale. She decided to post online about the microaggressions she had endured while appearing in a play some years before, making peace with the fact that it could affect her chances at future roles, and shaking as she typed out the thread. A day passed, “and I just heard my phone going ding, ding, ding. I was convinced it was going to be backlash – but it was people sending their congratulations.” Ikumelo had been nominated for a Bafta for her short, Brain in Gear. “I felt like God was going: ‘Don’t worry.’ It was a beautiful moment.” She won that Bafta and has since scooped ...

Politics

28 h. ago New rule hailed as huge boost for black cab drivers: ‘It is a landmark step for fairness’

The Treasury said online minicab firms were “illegitimately using a niche scheme to avoid tax”

Politics

51 h. ago CHRISTOPHER STEVENS reviews last year's TV: My wish for 2026? Ditch the woke ideas and give us a new Nora Batty

Well, this is glamorous. Following a minor op on my legs, I spent Christmas in a pair of black surgical compression stockings . . . much to my wife's hilarity.

Politics

4 d. ago Confusing optical illusion has people arguing over what they can see

An optical illusion that shows a black box filled with multi-coloured letters has left people baffled and arguing over what they can see in the box. Can you solve it?

Politics

7 d. ago Critics hate Jack Black movies – but they keep storming the box office

Dwayne Johnson and Glen Powell haven’t been able to open movies to big numbers this year – but, with ‘The Minecraft Movie’ and ‘Anaconda’, Black has opened two. Have we underestimated his appeal, asks Adam White

Events

1 week ago Supermodel Anok Yai reveals congenital defect ‘overworking’ heart and ‘destroying’ lungs

Yai, the first Black model to open a Prada runway show, explained she was asymptomatic for most of her life

Politics

2 w. ago Beauty buffs are 'ditching' black mascara for 'perfect' Christmas party option

Black mascara may be left in 2025 judging by the results

Politics

2 w. ago Ukraine strikes Russian submarine in unprecedented underwater drone attack

This operation targeted the Russian navy's most important remaining Black Sea base, located in Novorossiysk

Events

2 w. ago The kind of pettiness I can get behind’ – Sunderland make major change to stadium for Newcastle derby clash

SUNDERLAND added more fuel to the fire of their intense rivalry with Newcastle. For the first time in nearly 10 years, the feisty Tyne-Wear derby returned to the Premier League at the Stadium of Light on Sunday. The Black Cats refused to acknowledge their opponents on their stadium scoreboard, merely referring to them as "visitors"....

Politics

2 w. ago Gunman kills two students at Brown University as armed police hunt attacker

Shooter dressed all in black opened fire during exam prep session before fleeing campus

Events

2 w. ago Brown University shooting: New details on suspect emerge in Rhode Island press conference

A gunman dressed in black opened fire at the Providence, Rhode Island campus on Saturday afternoon, killing at least two and critically wounding eight others

Events

3 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 09 December: Tobacco giant disappoints, Tesco shares under pressure

British American Tobacco today shares fell back after the Lucky Strike and Dunhill owner disappointed investors with its guidance for next year.

Events

3 w. ago FTSE 100 Live 09 December: BAT drops on update, Frasers strikes shopping centre deal

British American Tobacco today shares fell back after the Lucky Strike and Dunhill owner disappointed investors with its guidance for next year.

Economics

3 w. ago Shop Marks & Spencer's £10 perfume that's 'very similar' to YSL's £100 Black Opium

Shoppers have been comparing Marks & Spencer's £10 Midnight Blossom fragrance to Yves Saint Laurent's £100 Black Opium - saving you £90

Economics

3 w. ago Marks & Spencer’s £10 perfume is being compared to YSL’s £100 Black Opium fragrance

Shoppers are saying that this Marks & Spencer fragrance is a close alternative to YSL's Black Opium – and can save you £90 by buying this one instead

Economics

4 w. ago Heidi Klum teases a glimpse of cleavage in a black silk blouse and sequinned skirt as she joins lilac suited Robbie Williams at star

The supermodel, 52, who is co-hosting the draw, teased a hint of cleavage in a black silk shirt worn partially open as she posed up a storm on the red carpet.

Politics

4 w. ago Kelly Osbourne breaks down in tears during first TV interview since dad Ozzy's death on BBC Breakfast

Kelly Osbourne broke down in tears during her first TV interview since the passing of her Black Sabbath legend dad Ozzy, as she opened up about the tributes to him across Birmingham.

Events