77 m. ago ‘Two more broomsticks please!’ Was Robin Blades the greatest percussionist ever?

He played china mugs, bells, rattles and car horns for everyone from Alfred Hitchcock to Benjamin Britten – and once got Laurence Olivier to bang a broomstick. We go behind the scenes of a Radio 3 celebrationSaturday night and the Britten Studio at Snape Maltings is filling up with 300 chattering punters. We are about to record a show that will go out “as live” on BBC Radio 3. This is a one-shot wonder: for one night only, in this drama-documentary, we are exploring the work of percussionist James Blades. Our setup neatly combines the most stressful elements of a live show, plus the key aspect of audience participation which we have – obviously – no proper chance to rehearse. Nerves are fraying. How did it get to this? And who is James Blades anyway?Born in 1901, Blades was one of the great percussionists of the 20th century, whose life spanned the century itself – he died in May 1999. His blazing talent combined with a startling capacity for hard work took him to the top of his pro...

Politics

8 h. ago Premier League star's brother lined up as Kobbie Mainoo transfer alternative

Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is in demand after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford but one of his potential suitors could have an alternative

Politics

9 h. ago From growing up on deprived council estates to appearing on ITV's biggest entertainment show: How Aitch and AngryGinge are set to become I'm A Celeb's 'ultimate duo'

Aitch, 25, and YouTube sensation AngryGinge, 23, are perhaps less well known to I'm A Celeb's typical audiences but producers are 'over the moon' about the double signing.

Culture

10 h. ago I’m physically sickened after my brother saw my husband with sex worker – what should I say when he walks through door?

DEAR DEIDRE: DISCOVERING my husband is seeing a sex worker has blown my world apart. The man I married, the one who is supposed to be my partner through everything, has betrayed me. I’m completely consumed by anger. I am 39 and my husband is 41. We have been married for 12 years and have...

Politics

12 h. ago Teresa Giudice unveils the truth behind reunion with brother Joe Gorga

Real Housewives of New Jersey stars Teresa Giudice and her sister-in-law Melissa Gorga

Politics

13 h. ago The Guardian view on a new nuclear age: great powers should not restock a house of dynamite | Editorial

Donald Trump’s remarks on resuming nuclear testing have highlighted the risks. Proliferation must not be considered inevitableWhen Eisaku Satō, a former prime minister of Japan, received the Nobel peace prize in 1974 after committing his country to not making nuclear bombs, owning them or allowing them on its territory, he assured the audience: “I have no doubt that this policy will be pursued by all future governments.”Yet last week, Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s new prime minister, declined to say whether the country that understands the cost of nuclear war better than any other would stand by its commitment – reflecting the bleak broader outlook. Eighty years after the US dropped Little Boy on Hiroshima, incinerating tens of thousands of people, and almost 40 after Mikhail Gorbachev and Ronald Reagan seriously discussed nuclear abolition in Reykjavik, the spectre looms once more. Last month, Donald Trump ordered the US military to match other countries’ nuclear weapons testing. Continu...

Events

14 h. ago Big Brother star reveals housemates used a secret CODE to prevent their wild stories from being aired

Zelah Glasson, who was evicted five weeks into this year's series, has revealed that he and the other housemates would use the phrase ' Davina McCall ' to disrupt discussions on contentious topics.

Society

15 h. ago Multimillionaire couple who surprised parents after closing nursery at their five

Crossbasket Nursery, which sat within the 14-acre grounds of the Crossbasket Castle estate in Blantyre, closed its doors for the final time on October 1.

Society

16 h. ago Real reason Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay's marriage sparked family meltdown

Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay have banned his family from attending their festive wedding with the true reason for him snubbing his parents and brother hard to decipher

Politics

19 h. ago Conor Benn made Chris Eubank Jr look like an old man and the next move should be clear

Eubank Jr deserves more than a casual execution by those privileged to be sat ringside on the safe side of the ropes - but his feud with Benn should be over after he was made to look like a ghost of himself overnight

Politics

19 h. ago Strictly viewers 'crashing out' as 'Queen' causes audience distraction

It came as the eight remaining couples performed new routines in a bid to keep their place in the BBC One dance contest

Events

20 h. ago Sorry Flat Earthers! As two Big Brother double down on the conspiracy theory, scientist gives brutal response that instantly proves our planet is ROUND

Two Big Brother housemates are convinced that our planet is flat, pictures from space are 'obviously' fake and that humans have never been to the moon.

Science

22 h. ago Sir Billy Connolly, 82, pictured in rare public appearance as he picks up lifetime achievement award

SIR Billy Connolly has made a rare public appearance to receive a lifetime achievement award from a film festival in his adopted home of Florida. The Big Yin had an audience at the Key West Film Festival in fits of laughter as he made a hilarious speech after being honoured with the Golden Key Award...

Events

26 h. ago Sir Billy Connolly receives lifetime achievement award at a film festival in Florida

The Big Yin had an audience at the Key West Film Festival in fits of laughter as he made a hilarious speech after being honoured and joked about the terrible trousers his wife made him wear for the event.

Events

26 h. ago Sir Billy Connolly receives lifetime achievement award at Florida film festival

The Big Yin had an audience at the Key West Film Festival in fits of laughter as he made a hilarious speech after being honoured and joked about the terrible trousers his wife made him wear for the event.

Events

32 h. ago Strictly Come Dancing mystery as result leaks during the show

Mystery swirls around the Strictly results show as the couple eliminated is leaked during the show's taping, despite audience members handing in their phones

Culture

32 h. ago Big Brother’s Lisa Appleton engaged to a FAN after just five months of dating

LISA Appleton is engaged to a fan after just months of dating and has shown off a big rock on her finger after he popped the question.  The Big Brother star, 57, was snapped out and about this week flaunting the sparkler and we’re told the proposal came at just the right time.  An insider...

Politics

35 h. ago Inside Kai Trump's crazy pro golf debut: Anna Kournikova's brother as caddie and mom Vanessa by her side

ISABEL BALDWIN AT PELICAN GOLF CLUB: 'She's just another girl. She's just like any other golfer,' a father assured his young daughter. But he was wrong. Kai Trump was not just any golfer.

Politics

36 h. ago Strictly Come Dancing sparks major frenzy as fans spot two icons in audience

Strictly Come Dancing returned tonight with the couples battling it out for a place in next week's Blackpool special.

Events

36 h. ago Strictly Come Dancing fans in meltdown as they spot two famous faces in audience

Strictly Come Dancing is back with less than half of the celebrities remaining in the competition.

Events