64 m. ago ‘It’s important that we tell our own stories’: how the Wicked movies are helping disability representation on screen

Marissa Bode is the first disabled actor to play Nessarose, a key character in the stage turned film franchise – but has had to respond to online abuseDisabled actor Marissa Bode, who plays the prominent role of Nessarose Thropp in the hit film musical Wicked and its forthcoming sequel Wicked: For Good, has called for improved representation for disabled performers in the entertainment industry – and specifically an end to what activists call “cripping up” – casting non-disabled actors in disabled character roles.“I really hope my casting sets precedent,” says Bode, adding: “It’s just navigating a world and a system that we have just not been acknowledged in as we should be.” A recent study by the Rudderman Family Foundation found that only 21% of disabled characters on US TV between 2016 and 2023 were played by disabled actors. Continue reading...

Politics

67 m. ago Strictly Come Dancing star 'tried hardest' as they exit competition in before Blackpool

Vicky Pattison became the seventh celebrity to leave the BBC One dance contest

Politics

89 m. ago UK snow: Weather maps show snow bomb heading straight for UK

UK weather maps have turned white as forecasters predict a snow bomb will hit parts of the UK, with a number of counties set to be blanketed next week

Events

92 m. ago Strictly Come Dancing's Motsi Mabuse tells viewers to 'relax' as fans issue complaint

The judge has hit back at viewers following the latest episode of the BBC dance contest

Events

2 h. ago 'One of the best mystery thrillers ever made' streaming on Netflix

All episodes of the series has just been added to the streamer and it is already proving a hit

Politics

2 h. ago BBC should not pay Trump any money, says former director general Tony Hall

Not ‘appropriate’ to use licence fee payer’s money to pay US president after threat to sue for up to $5bn, says peerThe BBC should not pay any money to Donald Trump, the former BBC director general Tony Hall has said.The US president has said he plans to sue the BBC for up to $5bn (£3.8bn) despite receiving the apology he demanded over a misleading Panorama edit of his 6 January speech. Continue reading...

Politics

3 h. ago Strictly Come Dancing’s Motsi Mabuse hits back at fans who criticised her judging skills on the show

STRICTLY Come Dancing's Motsi Mabuse has hit back at fans who criticised her judging skills on the show last night. Dancing duo Amber Davies, 29, and Nikita Kuzmin, 27, took to the floor with a spicy Paso Doble last night. The judges awarded the happy pair a score of 38 out of 40, putting them...

Events

3 h. ago £65 million underspend – the money is there so why is it not being spent on step

£65 million underspend – the money is there so why is it not being spent on step-free upgrades at South London train stations?  Southwark News

Economics

3 h. ago Florian Wirtz blame game settled in brutal Liverpool accusation after Gary Neville claim

Germany midfielder Florian Wirtz has endured a difficult start to life at Liverpool following his big-money move from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window

Politics

4 h. ago OpenAI’s Sam Altman joins Giving Pledge, focusing his money on tech that ‘helps’

Altman says he wants to focus his philanthropic giving on ‘technology that helps create abundance for people’

Politics

4 h. ago I'm A Celebrity's Eddie Kadi suffers huge setback hours before 2025 series launch

I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! is back on our screens tonight with 10 famous faces heading into the jungle - but one star has already been hit with a devastating blow

Events

4 h. ago The giant stocks most in danger if the AI tech bubble suddenly bursts... and which are still worth clinging on to: MIDAS SHARE TIPS

There are seven companies that are now so big they have the power to crash global stock markets - or make savers worldwide ever richer.

Science

4 h. ago I'm A Celebrity star suffers devastating blow hours before 2025 series launch

One I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! campmate has been hit with a devastating blow already.

Politics

5 h. ago Radiators will warm up and heat rooms quicker if you do quick 2

It's important to keep your home warm and cosy, but with energy bills on the rise, it's crucial to make sure you're not wasting any money or energy

Events

5 h. ago Strictly Come Dancing star had 'secret affair' with pro dancer before split from partner

Strictly Come Dancing has been hit with a new affair scandal weeks after it was reported a married celeb was filmed passionately kissing his female dance partner

Society

5 h. ago How to remove mould from washing machines in 3 steps with one natural item

Mould in washing machines typically develops due to moisture, warmth, and organic matter such as detergent residue and dirt - here's how to get rid of it

Politics

5 h. ago TSB Bank issues £452 alert to all customers as money taken from accounts

Shoppers are being warned about ahead of the festive shopping season

Economics

5 h. ago Edinburgh roads: Two including teen 'seriously injured' in quad bike hit and run

Both were taken to hospital for treatment after the incident.

Events

5 h. ago Natural item will remove stubborn toilet stains in minutes — no scrubbing

Toilet stains are often believed to be caused by urine, but they are usually caused by limescale and there is one simple method to remove them

Politics

5 h. ago ‘I moved from Barcelona to London and this one thing hit me the hardest’

Living in London for eleven years made me realise the differences between the Spanish and British lifestyle, and this one thing still hits me the hardest - and it's not the weather.

Events