The Crown has offered fans their first look at Imelda Staunton as the Queen in the upcoming fifth series.
The actor is taking over the royal role from Olivia Colman in the hit Netflix drama, which is set to return in 2022.
The Crown’s official Twitter account shared the image on Friday afternoon, writing: “An early glimpse of our new Queen Elizabeth II, Imelda Staunton.”
Imelda is leading a brand new cast for in the new series, which sees the action jump ahead in time.
Speaking about taking over the role in an interview in a Woman’s Hour earlier this year, Imelda explained: “I think my sort of extra challenge, as if I needed it, is that I’m now doing the Queen that we’re a little more familiar with.
“With Claire Foy, [her version of Queen Elizabeth II] was almost history and now I’m playing one that people could say ‘she doesn’t do that,’ ‘she’s not like that’. And that’s my personal bête noire for me to deal with.”
Sophie Mutevelian Olivia Colman as Queen Elizabeth II
Jodie Whittaker has finally confirmed speculation she is leaving her role as the Time Lord in Doctor Who.
The actor, who has played the 13th incarnation of The Doctor since 2017, will exit the hit BBC sci-fi series alongside showrunner Chris Chibnall.
Questions about her future with the show began earlier this year, with Jodie now saying in a statement that she had Chris had decided to leave together.
Gary Gershoff via Getty ImagesJodie Whittaker is leaving Doctor Who
She said: “In 2017 I opened my glorious gift box of size 13 shoes. I could not have guessed the brilliant adventures, worlds and wonders I was to see in them. My heart is so full of love for this show, for the team who make it, for the fans who watch it and for what it has brought to my life. And I cannot thank Chris enough for entrusting me with his incredible stories.
“We knew that we wanted to ride this wave side by side, and pass on the baton together. So here we are, weeks away from wrapping on the best job I have ever had. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to express what this role has given me. I will carry the Doctor and the lessons I’ve learnt forever.”
Jodie, who made history when she was cast as the first female actor to play The Doctor, added: “I know change can be scary and none of us know what’s out there. That’s why we keep looking. Travel Hopefully. The Universe will surprise you. Constantly.”
Jodie and Chris will leave Doctor Who in what the BBC described as an “epic blockbuster special” to air in autumn 2022, to tie in with the broadcaster’s centenary celebrations.
BBCJodie became the first female Doctor in 2017
Chris added: “Jodie and I made a “three series and out” pact with each other at the start of this once-in-a-lifetime blast. So now our shift is done, and we’re handing back the Tardis keys.
“Jodie’s magnificent, iconic Doctor has exceeded all our high expectations. She’s been the gold standard leading actor, shouldering the responsibility of being the first female Doctor with style, strength, warmth, generosity and humour. She captured the public imagination and continues to inspire adoration around the world, as well as from everyone on the production. I can’t imagine working with a more inspiring Doctor – so I’m not going to!
Jodie has already filmed the thirteenth series of Doctor Who, consisting of six episodes which will air later this year and also see John Bishop make his debut will as the Doctor’s new companion, Dan Lewis.
The series will then be followed by three specials – the first of which will transmit on New Year’s Day 2022, with another later in spring and the final one will see the Thirteenth Doctor will regenerate in the autumn.
The BBC has said Jodie’s replacement will be announced in due course.
Warning! This article contains major Sex/Life spoilers.
Sex/Life star Sarah Shahi has weighed in on the show’s divisive finale, admitting she didn’t see the ending coming.
The eighth episode of the saucy Netflix series sees Billie embark on an affair with her ex Brad after months of fantasising about the wild sex life they used to have.
Sarah, who plays Billie, said she was surprised to see her character betray her husband Cooper – something that has divided viewers.
NetflixSarah Shahi and Adam Demos as Billie and Brad in Sex/Life
Speaking to E! News, she said: “My jaw was to the ground pretty much at the end of every episode. But, I definitely didn’t expect for it to go there because, you know, you keep hearing Billie over and over again, and she says, ‘I love my husband.’”
Responding to some accusations that Billie’s decision is selfish, Sarah continued: “She’s not ignoring her children, she’s not ignoring the needs of her husband. There is just a part of her that’s missing, and she’s really struggling trying to feel it again.”
Admitting she loved the finale, Sarah added: “For me, what it comes down to is having the guts to say I want more and going after that. And that doesn’t make you a bad parent to want that. You can still be a wife and a mom and be a sexual goddess at the same time.”
NetflixThe love triangle between Brad, Billie and Cooper is central to Sex/Life
While a second series has not yet been confirmed, Sarah – who is in a real-life relationship with Adam Demos, who plays her on-screen lover Brad – said that if Sex/Life does return, fans should expect “the fantasy will continue in some way or another, because it sure is fun to watch”.
Anyone who has seen Sex/Life seems to have one big question after watching it, and it seems Eamonn Holmes is no different.
The This Morning host pressed the author behind the hit Netflix series for the truth about *that* moment from episode three, as BB Easton appeared on the ITV daytime show on Wednesday.
Sex/Life the tells the story of a married woman called Billie who fantasises about the wild sex life she used to have with her ex-boyfriend Brad, and is based on BB’s self-published book 44 Chapters About 4 Men inspired by her own life experiences.
“And I looked at this and I thought ’that is an actor who wasn’t hired for his acting ability and obviously for the size of his appendage, really, which was scary.”
Eamonn’s wife and co-host Ruth Langsford agreed, admitting it was “quite large”.
“Did he exist?” Eamonn asked, before BB asked him to clarify whether he was asking if the character was one of her exes or if the actor “really possessed that”.
Eamonn replied: “It looked to me as if he really possessed it.”
BB then said: “I will neither confirm nor deny what you saw in episode three because, for selfish reasons, I am enjoying the speculation so much – the TikTok viral videos, Gogglebox – so I’m going to keep this going for myself because it’s been a lot of fun to watch everybody.”
“Good for you,” Ruth said.
NetflixThat Sex/Life shower scene has got the whole internet talking
Sex/Life showrunner Stacy Rukeyser recently weighed in on speculation that Adam used a body double or a prosthetic for the scene that has got the whole internet talking.
She told Collider: “That’s not a body double. I mean, people usually ask is it real or is it a prosthetic?
“And I can tell you what Adam Demos says about it, which is, a gentleman never tells. So, we are leaving that up to the viewer’s imagination.”
Adam himself told Entertainment Weekly of the scene: “I was okay with it because you read the script and know what you’re getting yourself into from the start, so I don’t think you would sign on to a show after reading the scripts and then say no last minute.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t have discussions about comfort level, which they allowed us to have – and with the intimacy coordinator, so it felt a lot safer.”
Sex/Life is available to stream on Netflix now. This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
The long-standing judge is unable to be part of the upcoming series due to restrictions preventing him from travelling to and from the US, where he judges Dancing With The Stars.
Mike Marsland via Getty ImagesAnton Du Beke (L) and Bruno Tonioli
Speaking to The Sun, he said: “I am so sad and frustrated, but there is nothing anyone can do.
“Anton was the obvious choice to replace me.
“I was never asked my opinion, but I wasn’t surprised. He was desperate to get that judging role, so I’m sure he is delighted.”
Joking that Anton “needs the money”, Bruno also said that he will not be watching him on the panel as it “would not be fair”.
He said: “It’d be weird, like watching an ex with someone new — you just get on with it honey.
“It’ll do me no good as people will ask me what I think and I don’t want to stick my nose in when I’m not part of it. I think it’s very naff.”
Karwai Tang via Getty ImagesBruno Tonioli (left) will not appear on the Strictly Come Dancing panel this year
Bruno also said he could still return to Strictly next year, should he be invited back.
“It’s totally up to them. If there’s no Covid and they want me, I’ll be back,” he said. “But they may say, ‘Anton was great, we don’t need you’.
“I’ll do something else. It’s like James Bond actors, I’ve done my stint. You cannot be desperate, if you start down that path you’ll go insane. I won’t be second best.”
And it’s fair to say their reactions were priceless.
For those who haven’t seen it, the Netflix series the tells the story of a married woman called Billie who fantasises about the wild sex life she used to have with her ex-boyfriend Brad.
Jonathan Ross joked: “He needs to accept the fact he can’t compete with Brad. You can’t compete with that. Go home, pack your shirts, fuck off… Look, it’s got it’s own postcode!”
“It can’t be real,” Micah insisted. “That’s an add on, that.”
“Can you get add ons?” Jamie asked, prompting much laughter.
Channel 4The Celebrity Goggleboxers watched *that* Sex/Life scene
Sadly, one pair’s reactions who we didn’t get to see was Maureen Lipman and Gyles Brandreth’s.
She told Radio Times of how she’d left the room when Naked Attraction came on because “life is too short to watch a series of hopeless men dangle their bits and pieces in my direction”.
She said: “I’d seen Gogglebox and I thought: ’Oh, [ours] is the grown-up version, is it? I’m going to go on, and make a lot of comments now about the oeuvre and ‘I did like his first trilogy’…. But it’s your reaction to 12 dangling willies they want.
“They’re searching for ways to make me go: ‘Urgh!’ So I thought: ‘Well, actually, no, life is too short to watch a series of hopeless men dangle their bits and pieces in my direction. So I’m going.’”
Celebrity Gogglebox airs Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4. Sex/Life is streaming on Netflix now.
As Strictly Come Dancing bosses finalise this year’s line-up, they may want to consider approaching Emma Willis if they have not already.
The former Big Brother presenter has admitted she would take part in the BBC ballroom show “in a heartbeat”.
Emma – who hosts The Voice UK and fronted The Circle before it was cancelled in May – said she would jump at the chance if she can find room in her diary.
David M. Benett via Getty ImagesEmma Willis
David M. Benett via Getty ImagesMaya Jama is one of the stars rumoured for Strictly this year
Fans of the hit BBC cop drama will remember the character – portrayed by James Nesbitt – was killed off in the penultimate episode of the most recent series, despite viewers having ever only seen him in photographs on the show.
Thurwell was found dead as Spanish police carried out a raid on his home in the hunt for the so-called “fourth man”, who was later revealed to be DSU Ian Buckells.
However, many speculated at the time that Thurwell might actually be dead, despite a line of dialogue during a scene at AC-12 confirming his fate in the finale.
BBCJames Nestbitt only appeared in photographs as Marcus Thurwell
During an appearance on This Morning on Monday, Daniel told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield: “I don’t think James Nesbitt is dead, I don’t know this, but I have a sneaking suspicion he might be the main man.”
Holly agreed: “It makes sense, otherwise you’re like, what was that scene when he was dead on the bed?”
Daniel said: “We didn’t get a close up did we of his bush.”
“And why waste him? What was the point?” Phillip said.
BBCSergeant Danny Waldron (centre) was the subject of AC-12’s third investigation
Daniel said, however, that he wouldn’t be surprised if writer and creator Jed Mercurio was trying to trick fans, given Daniel’s own character met a grisly end very early on into series three.
He said: “James Nesbitt is a phenomenal talent but maybe it’s just Jed Mercurio dangling the carrot, who knows. I wouldn’t put it past him. He killed me off didn’t he, he could do anything.”
S Meddle/ITV/ShutterstockDaniel Mays spoke to Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby on This Morning
While “H”, aka “the fourth man”, was revealed in the final episode of series six, many fans are convinced there’s more to the storyline – including Adrian Dunbar, who plays Superintendent Ted Hastings.
Jed Mercurio previously revealed there’s potential to explore Osborne and possible links to organised crime should Line Of Duty return for a seventh series.
BBCOwen Teale as Chief Constable Philip Osborne (right)
Speaking to Den Of Geek, he said: ”[Osborne]’s someone who retains high office who is an outright liar and has been involved in corruption in the past in terms of the Karim Ali case and the Lawrence Christopher case.
“Clearly there would be potential there if we wanted to explore it, but it’s too early to say whether we ever would.”
Over 15 months into the pandemic, we are all officially sick of Zoom calls, so you can’t blame Helen Mirren for killing two birds with one stone as she dialled in to a US talk show from her bath.
The actor appeared on The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon on Thursday evening live and direct from her tub, telling the host it was her “favourite place in the world”.
A shocked Jimmy told her she had the honour of being his first guest ever to appear from their bath.
“That’s the brilliant thing about Zoom,” she said. “I was thinking, why not be in the place that you love to sit and chat to people? I love having a chat to my husband while I’m sitting in the bath, so why not do it to the whole of America?”
However, Helen encountered one big problem.
“I’m running out of bubbles!” she said. “You were chatting away and I was waiting and my bubbles were going down.”
The soapy location was not the only iconic thing from Helen’s interview, though.
She also shared a video of her shooing away a bear that was trying to make its way onto her porch.
Helen previously recounted her meeting with the bear during an interview with US comedian Marc Maron on his podcast WTF.
She also revealed she’d learned how to react when faced with a bear “looking aggressively at you” and “hunching its back like it is about to charge” from a pamphlet.
Dame Helen explained: “They said you make yourself look as big as possible, if you can grab a stick, make yourself look big and then it literally said and then shout, ‘Bad bear, bad bear!’”
During the show, presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield led a discussion with three members of the stripping troupe the Dreamboys about how the government’s delay to easing coronavirus restrictions.
However, things took a bit of a turn when performer Zac Smith decided to seize the opportunity of being on telly to show off his *ahem* talents.
“Hold on a second,” he told Holly and Phil, as they tried to wrap up the interview. “I’ve been in a cage for a year, and I’m sure I won’t have any objections if I just let my hair down a little bit.”
“Feel free,” Holly then urged him, at which point he ripped open his shirt and declared: “With all due respect, this is what a Dreamboy is.”
Bringing his point home, he then leapt into a backflip, while his fellow dancers applauded via video-link on the screen behind him.
ITVBelieve it or not, things only got stranger from this point on.
Believe it or not, things then got even more surreal later in the episode, when Holly and Phil threw it back to 2015, when Olga Liashchuk broke the world record for crushing three watermelons between her thighs in under 15 seconds live on This Morning.
The duo then introduced Emmajane Smith, who said she wanted to break Olga’s record six years on.
“What I love about it is that it’s something everyone can relate to,” Emmajane explained. “It’s a great way to show everyone how strong women can be. And everyone knows what a watermelon is, so…”
Although Guinness officials weren’t able to be present for Emmajane’s attempt due to Covid restrictions, she appeared to smash Olga’s record with almost two seconds to spare.
The fact the whole thing was accompanied by the sound of what appeared to be construction work as Emmajane sat on the pavement outside Television Center crushing watermelons with her thighs only added to the strangeness.
ITVEmmajane appeared to set a new world record when she crushed three watermelons with her thighs live on ITV
We know This Morning is famous for its wacky segments, but we really think there might be something in the water at the moment, as the week started with Phil frightening Holly with some class of haunted doll.
In Monday’s show, Phil presented his co-host with an old doll, telling her: “This is allegedly absolutely rabid with spirits and ghosts.”
“And you thought you’d bring this… why?” Holly questioned, shifting even further away than the current two-metre requirement.
