Cartoonists paint a thousand words
I bought Friday's Guardian, only to find a copy of Saturday's magazine inside. It's a pity it did not include Saturday's sports results, as I might have made a fortune at the bookie's.Alan FosterCanterbury
If finding 18 words in Word Wheel (13 June) is 'genius' level, what does the 46 words I found make me?Kevin WardQuorn, Leicestershire
'Who knows where [Nigel Farage] will be tomorrow?' writes John Crace (Sketch, 10 June). One thing is for sure – it won't be Clacton.Pat ColeRugby, Warwickshire
Re egregious Americanisms (Letters, 11 June), when did we start 'reaching out' rather than simply approaching someone?Lynne Scrimshaw London
Hike!Peter KaanExeter
Hi.Jim MorrisonBarnet, Hertfordshire
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Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem 'in talks to join cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2025' - as Gladiator Nitro is the first star announced
and Delta Goodrem are reportedly in talks to join the cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2025. The Australian soap legends, 50 and 40 respectively, are said to be in the midst of 'negotiations' to sign up for the BBC dancing show, while fellow Aussie soap star Stephen Dennis is also said to be in the running. If Natalie and Delta appear on the show, they'll join Gladiators star Nitro in the line-up amid the announcement he's the first celebrity to sign up for the show. A source told The Sun of Natalie and Delta's potential signing: 'Talks are at a point where things could go in a number of different directions but if both celebrities signed up then that would be seen as quite a coup for the show. 'Delta and Natalie would bring some glamour to the programme, and be some of this year's most eagerly anticipated competitors. 'If all three former Neighbours stars end up performing, the Strictly dance floor will end up looking more like Ramsay Street.' It comes as Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, known for his alter-ego Nitro, has been confirmed as the first celebrity taking part in the new series, after competing on the Christmas Special last year. His involvement was revealed in a prank to CBBC Newsround viewers, after the BBC had previously said the first stars taking part would be revealed much later in the day. Flexing his reputation as a star of Gladiators: Epic Pranks, Harry, 36, appeared live in the Newsround studio disguised as 'world-famous choreographer Nicky Trott', there to talk about his recent work on a scientific study into the benefits of dancing. His disguise was not enough to fool Newsround presenter Jenny Lawrence though, who quickly rumbled who she was really talking to. Harry then gave the real reason he was there: to tell the world he's taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing! Harry is an Olympian, multi gold medal-winning Team GB sprinter, and star of Gladiators. As a sprinter he has competed at the highest level in the UK since his youth, becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, and winning the 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award aged 17. Harry has gone on to win gold in the 4x100m relay at the European Championships and at the Commonwealth Games. He has competed in two Olympic games and is a three-time European Champion and two-time Commonwealth Champion. In 2023, Harry was unveiled as Nitro in the hit BBC series Gladiators, and he took part in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special partnered with Nancy Xu. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Harry said: 'After the Christmas Special, it was so nice I just had to do it twice! I'm so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I'm ready to give it all I've got. 'I'll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let's hope I'm as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.' The next three celebrity contestants joining the new series of Strictly will be announced live on The One Show at 7pm. On Sunday it was reported that Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem are 'in negotiations' to take part in the show. A new report suggested the two Australian stars are both in talks to appear while another former Neighbours star - Stefan Dennis - is also said to be in the running. A source told The Sun: 'Talks are at a point where things could go in a number of different directions but if both celebrities signed up then that would be seen as quite a coup for the show. 'Delta and Natalie would bring some glamour to the programme, and be some of this year's most eagerly anticipated competitors. 'If all three former Neighbours stars end up performing, the Strictly dance floor will end up looking more like Ramsay Street.' Strictly's new series has been hit by a string of scandals in the lead-up to its return, including revelations that the broadcaster had hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals. One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath. The Sun alleged that it was widely known that the pair, who have not been named, took the Class A substance, and that one of these Strictly performers were known for being a drinker. The publication have now reported that junior members of the team were asked to keep an eye on them during last year's show and to look for signs that they may have been boozing during work hours. Over the weekend, a staffer also claimed they were offered cocaine by one of the show's stars. He told The Sun: 'The main partying is on site at Elstree after filming of the live show has finished. Boozing and drug taking goes on until 3am, sometimes 4am. The smoking area outside is a hive of activity. Cocaine gets taken there'. He went on to claim that drug use was so common on the show, that when he found a suspicious bag of white powder, a unfazed senior producer told him to 'leave it on my desk' as the incident failed to raise even an eyebrow. The staff member also said the show's annual special filmed at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom was an especially 'big party night' full of debauchery. 'I was offered cocaine by a star at an after show party. Lots of people would go back to the hotel. It was a closed-off party, just for the cast and crew. It went on until 5am, even to 6am, it was insane. People were wired and you could see it in their eyes'. A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.' The shock allegations come amid a long period of controversy for the BBC and Strictly over the past year or so. In July last year, more than six months after quitting the show citing 'personal reasons', actress Amanda Abbington accused pro dancer Giovanni Pernice of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour' during their time dancing together on Strictly. Giovanni rejected the claims immediately, and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld. When BBC bosses published their report into Giovanni's behaviour, it cleared him of the most serious allegations of physical aggression, but upheld verbal bullying and harassment. Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology to Amanda, but Giovanni said he was 'pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour '. Elsewhere, the show was plunged into crisis after Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans made a controversial joke during his time preparing for the Strictly tour in January. He used a vile sexual innuendo and was also caught up in a 'wandering hand' incident with dance partner Katya Jones , who seemed to remove his arm from her lower waist on the show. After the BBC launched an investigation into his conduct, bosses decided not to renew his radio contract for his show. The TV star confirmed in May that they will not be renewing his one-year rolling contract following a four-month investigation after the inappropriate comments made during his time on Strictly. Elsewhere, in further scandals for the BBC, Gregg Wallace was recently dismissed from MasterChef after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation. While his co-star John Torode was also sacked after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of. In separate further controversy, it's recently been reported that Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague. The BBC Breakfast host, 50, has been placed 'under review' while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reports. A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her 'hard' and 'bullying' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show.
The Independent
4 minutes ago
- The Independent
Former Blue Peter editor Biddy Baxter dies aged 92
Biddy Baxter, the pioneering television producer who transformed Blue Peter into a national institution, has died aged 92, the BBC said. Born Joan Maureen Baxter in Leicester to Bryan Reginald Baxter and Dorothy Vera (nee Briers), she studied at St Mary's College, Durham University, where she first encountered recruitment flyers for the BBC. She joined the public broadcaster as a radio studio manager in 1955, and was promoted to producing Schools Junior English programmes and Listen With Mother, before making the transition to television. Baxter took over as editor of Blue Peter in 1965, several years after the programme's launch. She introduced viewer engagement segments including the national appeals and the famous Blue Peter badge, encouraging children to send letters, pictures and programme ideas. Baxter served as editor for more than two decades, winning two Bafta awards and receiving 12 nominations. Upon her departure from the show in 1988, she was awarded the programme's highest honour, a gold Blue Peter Badge. 'I didn't want to do anything other than Blue Peter,' she told The Guardian in 2013. 'I certainly never wanted to be an administrator or in charge of anything. 'It was an absolute dream and I never wanted to do anything else. 'It was a terrific time to be in television.' She continued to act as a consultant to BBC directors-general John Birt and Sir Michael Checkland after her departure, and received the special award at the Bafta Children's Awards in 2013.
Daily Mail
5 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Lioness Ella Toone shows off her sparkling engagement ring as she celebrates her partner Joe Bunney's romantic beach proposal with pals
Lioness Ella Toone showed off her sparkling engagement ring as she celebrated her partner Joe Bunney's romantic beach proposal with pals on Sunday. The footballer, 25, got engaged to her boyfriend Joe Bunney after three years of dating over the weekend and was soon back home to share the good news with her nearest and dearest. Enjoying a day out with her girlfriends one posted an image of her holding up her ring saying: 'She's a fiancée!' She also posed in a group shot with her close pals as the caption read: 'Girls day' along with a cocktail emoji. Ella looked effortlessly stylish for her day out as she wore a denim co-ord and black sliders. The sporting star took to her Instagram page on Saturday to reveal her jovial engagement news with her 831,000 followers, just days after England rose to victory in the 2025 Euros. She shared an array of gorgeous snaps from the moment Joe popped the question during a romantic holiday in Ibiza, Spain. Joe proposed in front of an extravagant archway of red roses with a sign in the middle reading: 'Will you marry me?' They were sweetly joined by Joe's son Arlo, four, who held a red rose and the engagement ring in the heartwarming moment. For the proposal, Ella cut a stylish figure in a cream crochet dress and she packed on the PDA with her new fiancé after she said the all-important 'yes'. The Manchester United midfielder flashed her diamond sparkler to the camera as she beamed from ear-to-ear. Alongside the gallery of photographs, she penned: 'Forever… 04/08/25.' Her celebrity friends were quick to flock to the comments section to share their well wishes with the happy couple. Dame Kelly Holmes wrote: 'Congratulats,' (sic) while fellow Lioness Chloe Kelly commented: 'Wow so perfect girl, wishing you both all the happiness in the world.' Though it is not known exactly how long Ella and Joe have been together, they have been linked for at least three years (they are pictured at the 2025 Euros) Carly Telford said: 'congrats guys xxx,' and reality TV star Tanya Bardsley added: 'O my goddd, congratulations.' Though it is not known exactly how long Ella and Joe have been together, they have been linked for at least three years. Joe, who is a non-league footballer who plays for Stalybridge Celtic, has a son called Arlo from a previous relationship. Joe is an avid Manchester City fan - rivals to Ella's own squad Manchester United - though he has always steadfastly supported her achievements with the team. He also coaches at Ella's ET7 Academy, which aims to mentor young girls who want to get into football. Their romantic Ibiza holiday comes just weeks after the Lionesses made history by winning back-to-back European championships. Their incredible victory came after a nail-biting penalty shootout victory over Spain in Basel, with Chloe Kelly scoring the winning penalty. Following the momentous occasion, Ella devastatingly revealed grandmother died on the morning of the Euros final. Posting on Instagram four days later, the Manchester United star shared that her grandmother, known affectionately as Nanna Maz, had died just hours before one of the biggest games of her career. Alongside nine photos of her nan, Ella wrote: 'Even in the highest of highs life can hit you with the lowest of lows. 'My Nana Maz took her last breath on the morning of our Euro final. I have comfort in knowing she got to watch from the best seat in the house with Dad, her favourite person. 'I'll miss you forever nan but I'll cherish the special memories we made, there isn't enough words I can possibly say to sum up the person you were, but I'm grateful you were my nanna. 'My football loving, crazy, funny Nan.'
