
Martin Freeman's bitter legal row as he claims screaming children are ruining life at his £5million home: RICHARD EDEN'S DIARY
In real life, Martin Freeman is not that different, it seems.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
Last batch of rare final Queen Elizabeth II £1 coins entering circulation
The final batch of Queen Elizabeth II £1 coins are entering circulation across the UK, the Royal Mint has announced. More than 23 million Queen coins are being released alongside 7.5 million new King Charles III £1 coins. The Royal Mint said the last of the Elizabeth II coins, dated 2022, are the rarest £1 coins in active circulation. The historic transition – with the dual release of almost 31 million coins – represents a significant moment for UK coinage, as the nation witnesses the changeover from Britain's longest-reigning monarch to her son and heir on the £1 denomination, the Royal Mint said. The Queen's £1 coins will be the final ones bearing Elizabeth II's portrait to enter circulation. Rebecca Morgan, director of commemorative coin at the Royal Mint, said: 'This release represents a pivotal moment in British coinage history. 'As we release more of the King Charles III £1 coins into circulation alongside the final coins of Queen Elizabeth II, we're witnessing the physical representation of our monarchy's transition. 'This dual release creates an exceptional opportunity for both seasoned numismatists and those new to coin collecting.' The Royal Mint is encouraging the public to check its change over the coming weeks, as the new coins begin to appear in pockets and tills across the nation. Ms Morgan added: 'Finding these new coins in your change could spark a rewarding hobby that connects you with the heritage, history and craftsmanship behind British currency.' Since the introduction of the King's effigy on UK coinage in 2023, the 50p and £1 are the only denominations with Charles's portrait to have entered circulation so far. The King's £1 coins feature an intricate bee design on the reverse and are part of the Definitive collection, inspired by the flora and fauna of the British Isles. Some 2.975 million £1s with the King's effigy were released in August last year. In total, there are around 24.7 billion coins in circulation across the UK, with the King's coins representing only around 0.004% of those, making his new coins highly desirable to collectors. All UK coins bearing the Queen's portrait will remain legal tender and in active circulation to allow a smooth transition and minimise the environmental impact and cost.


The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
HBO reveals Weasley family casting for Harry Potter series
HBO Max has announced the casting for several Weasley family members, including Tristan Harland as Fred, Gabriel Harland as George, Ruari Spooner as Percy, and Gracie Cochrane as Ginny for HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter series. These new cast members join Alastair Stout, who was previously announced as Ron Weasley, though actors for Charlie and Bill Weasley are yet to be revealed. The main trio, Dominic McLaughlin as Harry Potter, Arabella Stanton as Hermione Granger, and Alastair Stout as Ron Weasley, were cast several months prior. McLaughlin, 11, expressed that playing Harry Potter was a 'dream role,' and he was recently spotted filming in London alongside Nick Frost, who portrays Rubeus Hagrid. Filming has commenced in London for the series that is set to be released in 2027.


The Independent
2 minutes ago
- The Independent
Music to die for: List of funeral favourite songs released
The most popular songs played at funerals have been revealed, with Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman's Time To Say Goodbye top of the list. Co-op Funeralcare said its study of songs over the past year at funerals it arranged showed the second most popular was Frank Sinatra's My Way. Tina Turner's The Best and Westlife's You Raise Me Up were also in the top 10. The Co-op said the top 10 were: 1. Time to Say Goodbye – Andrea Bocelli, Sarah Brightman2. My Way – Frank Sinatra3. Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Eva Cassidy4. You'll Never Walk Alone – Liverpool FC5. The Best – Tina Turner6. Supermarket Flowers – Ed Sheeran7. Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler8. Abide With Me (hymn)9. We'll Meet Again – Vera Lynn10. You Raise Me Up – Westlife Liverpool FC's You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers topped a list of sports-themed songs played at funerals. Among the quirky songs played at funerals over the last year, included Ding Dong The Witch Is Dead from The Wizard of Oz, Dance Monkey by Tones & I, the Jaws movie soundtrack, and We Like To Party by Vengaboys. Gill Stewart, managing director at Co-op Funeralcare said: 'Music has a powerful way of bringing back memories, reflecting our personalities, and connecting us to loved ones. 'Choosing a song that is meaningful to you can be an important part of saying goodbye, whether it's a traditional hymn or something light-hearted and quirky. 'While every funeral is unique and deeply personal, our annual music chart highlights the tracks that continue to resonate across the nation. 'This year, we're continuing to encourage open conversations around end-of-life planning. 'Talking about the music you'd like at your funeral is a simple yet meaningful step and can offer real comfort to those left behind.' The research was conducted among Co-op's funeral directors and arrangers during May and June 2025 based on more than 90,000 funerals conducted in the last 12 months.