6 h. ago ‘Supremely satisfying’: why Strictly Ballroom is my feelgood movie

The latest in our series of writers explaining their favourite comfort watches is a recommendation of Baz Luhrmann’s irresistible audience hitStuck on the wall above the desk where I write is a Post-it note, which I look at for inspiration whenever I feel that the chapter I’m working on needs some extra oomph. If you’ve seen Strictly Ballroom, Baz Luhrmann’s 1992 directorial debut, the words on it – Scott’s knee-slide – will be immediately and ecstatically familiar. If not, allow me to introduce you to what is, for my money, one of the most purely enjoyable films ever made.Scott Hastings, the son of two retired ballroom dancers who now run a teaching studio, is a future champion. Or he would be, if he didn’t keep deviating from the stiff steps laid down by the Australian Dance Federation’s Barry Fife (a Trumpian ogre in a toupee) and throwing in his own moves. When his dancing partner dumps him after he goes rogue during a competition, Fran, the studio’s wallflower, offers to take o...

Politics

20 h. ago Who was the first celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2025?

One Strictly Come Dancing star has already bid farewell to the iconic ballroom

Politics

48 h. ago Strictly Come Dancing LIVE: Amy Dowden health woes as Amber Davies gets sweet surprise

The celebrities and professional dancers are just moments away from taking to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom dance floor, as they dance to stay in the competition

Society

53 h. ago Corrie's Jack P Shepherd says he's banned from doing Strictly Come Dancing

EXCLUSIVE: Corrie actor Jack P Shepherd has revealed why fans will never see him on Strictly — as the soap star admitted the BBC ballroom is firmly off the cards

Events

54 h. ago Strictly's Ross King dealt crushing blow just hours before BBC live show

ITV star Ross King is set to take to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom with pro dance partner Jowita Przystal this weekend, but it's bad news for the TV presenter

Economics

2 d. ago Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's private wife, daughters' acting roles and 'painful' allegations

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will be hoping to impress the Strictly Come Dancing judges when he takes to the ballroom - and he has a very good reason for doing so

Politics

5 d. ago New Strictly favourite Karen Carney's dance background is revealed after shocking viewers with her incredible scoreboard

The new Strictly favourite, 38, took to the ballroom on Saturday night with her partner where they danced a jive.

Events

8 d. ago Strictly Come Dancing viewers surprised by something 'never heard' in ballroom before

iT was Drag artist La Voix and her professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec who got BBC viewers talking

Politics

9 d. ago Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood plots huge career move away from BBC show

EXCLUSIVE: Strictly legend Craig Revel Horwood is back in the ballroom with his fellow judges, but fans of the BBC show may be surprised to hear what he wants to do next

Politics

2 w. ago ‘Never fails to delight’: why Metallica: Some Kind of Monster is my feelgood movie

The next in our series of writers celebrating their most rewatched comfort films is an ode to the scrappy 2004 music documentaryThe year is 2001. Thrash pioneers and stadium mainstays Metallica have been in the doldrums for half a decade; the grungey, hard rock gristle of their last two records, Load and Reload, and reconfiguration as short-haired, eyeliner-wearing Anton Corbijn muses have alienated them from their headbanger OG fans; inter-band relations are at a low ebb and longtime bassist Jason Newsted has jumped. Meanwhile, the tectonics of the heavy music landscape are shifting around them – the solipsistic dirge of nu-metal now energising the disenfranchised youth of America. It’s time for a rebirth.Regrouping in San Francisco, singer and guitarist James Hetfield, drummer Lars Ulrich, lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and determinatively named producer Bob Rock hole up in a makeshift studio in the Presidio and set to relocating the old garage-band spark that gave birth to albums as...

Events

2 w. ago Strictly star George Clarke's life – private romance with model girlfriend to famous pals

George Clarke, also known as George Clarkey, is among the famous faces set to take to the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 ballroom. But what else should fans know about the internet sensation?

Politics

2 w. ago RuPaul’s Drag Race UK stars wish La Voix luck as she sashays onto the Strictly dance floor

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK stars flocked to wish their season 6 sister La Voix good luck as she takes on the Strictly Come Dancing Ballroom.

Politics

2 w. ago BBC Strictly 2025 star La Voix totally unrecognisable in unearthed Britain's Got Talent audition

La Voix has appeared on RuPaul's Drag Race UK and will soon be taking to the Strictly ballroom, but did you know she's also popped up on another big reality competition too?

Politics

2 w. ago Strictly's Amy Dowden makes major announcement to fans hours before new series

The Welsh dancer is returning to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom this weekend

Politics

2 w. ago Strictly Come Dancing's three key changes after BBC scandal explained

Strictly Come Dancing returns tonight with 15 celebrities heading into the ballroom.

Politics

2 w. ago Strictly star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's life with rarely seen wife and daughters' Netflix debuts

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will be hoping to impress the Strictly Come Dancing judges when he takes to the ballroom - and the former Premier League star's family will be cheering him all the way

Politics

2 w. ago Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden's triumphant return after heartbreaking health battles

Strictly Come Dancing professional Amy Dowden is returning to the ballroom this weekend after a difficult few years.

Events

2 w. ago Inside Amy Dowden's triumphant return to Strictly Come Dancing after health battles

Welsh Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Amy Dowden is returning to the ballroom this weekend after a difficult few years due to health battles

Events

2 w. ago Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas says 'you're irreplaceable' in touching message

This weekend, BBC viewers will see 15 celebrities take to the ballroom as a new series of Strictly Come Dancing begins

Politics

2 w. ago Strictly Come Dancing star Ross King's age, job and love life as he joins BBC show

Ross King will be swapping the ITV studios for the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom this autumn as he prepares to take to the dance floor with a professional partner

Culture