George R.R. Martin says he will 'never finish' next book in 'Game of Thrones' series
George R. R. Martin, author of the fantasy novel series that led to the wildly popular "Game of Thrones" television series, wrote on his blog Wednesday that the sixth book, "The Winds of Winter," will likely not be completed.
"I will never finish WINDS," Martin wrote."If I do, I will never finish A DREAM OF SPRING," referring to what would have been the series' seventh book.
Martin said he "lost all interest" in the series that has been out on shelves since 1996 with the its first installment, "A Game of Thrones."
He explained that while he does care about the unfinished sixth novel and the franchise's characters, he also has a passion for the rest of his work that he believes his fans "don't care about."
Martin called out a few short stories he wrote long before "A Game of Thrones," such as "A Song for Lya" and "This Tower of Ashes," in addition to compilations of short stories that he edited more recently, like the 2013 cross-genre anthology "Dangerous Women."
The 77-year-old author cynically wrote he is 'going to die soon anyway' and does not 'give a s--- about writing any longer.'
Martin recently signed on with Lion Forge Entertainment to adapt Howard Waldrop's 1989 novella "A Dozen Tough Jobs" — his take on the Twelve Labors of Hercules — into an animated feature, news the author credited The Hollywood Reporter with breaking on May 21.
"Some of you will just be pissed off by this, as you are by everything I announce here that is not about Westeros or THE WINDS OF WINTER," the author wrote when announcing the screen adaptation of his late friend's work.
"It saddens me that he did not live long enough to see the film; I hope we do him justice," Martin wrote.
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Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Sophie Turner says kissing Game of Thrones co-star Kit Harington left them 'retching'
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Metro
11 hours ago
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Who is on Strictly Come Dancing 2025? Full list of contestants revealed
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Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Amid all changes, however, it remains one of the BBC's flagship shows with a fresh set of faces ready to take to the dance floor. So who is in the official 2025 line-up? Kristian Nairn is the 15th and final celebrity joining the dance competition. Kristian is best known for playing Hodor in Game of Thrones, but is also a DJ and recently played Wee John Feeney in two series of the HBO comedy Our Flag Means Death. The news was announced with the 14th contestant on Vernon Kay's BBC Radio 2 show on August 15, which was guest-hosted by Gary Davies. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Kristian Nairn says: 'This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I'm ready to rise to it! 'It's a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet!' Karen Carney is the 14th celebrity to be announced for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The news was revealed on Vernon Kay's BBC Radio 2 show this morning, which was guest-hosted by Gary Davies. The star is a former footballer who is now the lead female pundit for both men's and women's football, across TNT and ITV. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Karen said in a press release: 'It really is a dream come true to be a part of this year's Strictly Come Dancing line up. 'I'm such a huge fan of the show and I can't believe I'm finally getting the chance to take part. I'm so excited to meet everyone and get dancing!' Lorraine's very own US showbiz reporter Ross King was confirmed as the 13th contestant on the TV show. The star revealed the news on Friday morning on Lorraine, revealing he flew into the UK this morning to announce the news. 'My dear old mum used to always say, you know, 'you'll never know till you give it a go'. That was her expression. Just do your best. That's all you can do,' he told Ranvir Singh on the show. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video He added: 'Obviously, I'm never going to win, but if I'm like, the most improved, that's, if I can improve. I've been lucky. I've done musicals, but I don't dance. And, you know, I've been lucky that they put me in a routine and then they all dance around me and make me look good!' He added that he'd only really covered Scottish dancing before so couldn't say if he was looking forward to latin or ballroom more. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Ross said in a press release: 'From the bright lights of Hollywood to the glittering ballroom – it's a dream come true to be part of such an iconic show. 'I can't wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes! Let's give this the best that I can! As my mum always said: 'You'll never know till you give it a go!'' Stefan Dennis, who's best known for playing Paul Robinson on the popular soap Neighbours, will be swapping the Australian beach for the ballroom. The actor, 66, was the twelfth celebrity to join the new series and the news was announced when he met his fellow dancer Vicky Pattison on the This Morning sofa. Sorry, the video was not found Stefan says he's signed up for the series because he's been looking for an opportunity to step out of his comfort zone in the world of television, adding he's 'looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.' While Stefan's best known for spending 40 years on Ramsay Street – appearing in 6,000 episodes of Neighbours – he's also appeared on a number of UK TV shows including The Bill, Dream Team, River City and Casualty as well as starring in the West End musical Blood Brothers. Vicky Pattison is the eleventh celebrity contestant announced to appear on the show, as announced on This Morning on August 14. The star is best known for appearing on Geordie Shore, but has made a name for herself since appearing on the show as a TV personality and presenter. The star admitted on the morning TV show that she's a 'drinker not a dancer', comparing herself to moves to a 'drunk aunty'. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Vicky commented: 'I'm absolutely buzzing to be part of this year's Strictly Come Dancing lineup… but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't terrified. 'I am not a natural dancer! However, it's such an amazing opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone and to challenge myself in a completely new way, and I just really hope I don't make too much of a fool of myself!' This won't be the first competition series Vicky has appeared on after becoming Queen of the Jungle on I'm A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2015, plus appearing on Celebrity MasterChef and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins. Thomas Skinner is the tenth celebrity contestant confirmed to be part of the show, as confirmed on Hits Radio with Sam Thompson. The TV personality, social media star and businessman is best known for his appearances on The Apprentice. The star said he was delighted to be joining the show: 'I'm beyond excited to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. I've tackled the boardroom and some big breakfasts in my time but stepping onto the dance floor under that glitter ball is next level stuff! 'I've never danced in my life (other than at weddings) but I'm ready to graft and of course have a laugh. Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Skinner is a somewhat controversial pick after spending time with JD Vance, and his casting has been criticised by others in the media. The star shared snaps with the vice president at a beer-fuelled BBQ on Monday, captioning one post: 'Here is a pic of Me and Vice President @JDVance towards the end of the night after a few beers. 'I'm overdressed in my suit, but when the VP invites you to a BBQ, you don't risk turning up in shorts an flip-flops. Cracking night in the beautiful English countryside with JD, his friends and family. Once in a lifetime. Bosh'. Trailblazing model Ellie Goldstein has been announced as the ninth contestant on Strictly Come Dancing this year. She made history in 2023 as the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue. The news was announced on BBC Breakfast with Ellie saying: 'I'm absolutely over the moon to be joining the cast and pros of Strictly Come Dancing this year. 'It's a show I've loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'I know it's going to be challenging, but I'm ready to do it with the glitter and glamour and make some magic on that dancefloor. Let the Strictly journey begin!' Some fans may also recognise her from CBBC's Mallory Towers where she plays a guest lead role. After showing off her dancing skills in the studio the disabliity campaigner told the hosts she was 'honoured and excited'. She has already declared her dream partner would be Nikita Kuzmin, saying she 'loves him so much' and even quipped her plan is to 'marry him'. The star is coming with some experience under her belt, explaining that she has regular dance lessons. Former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw will join the Strictly Come Dancing cohort as the eighth celebrity. The sporting icon became captain at 23 years old, earning 66 caps for England and captaining the national team 43 times. In 2016 he led the team to a Six Nations Grand Slam victory. 'This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I'm hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can't wait to drag me along to her Zumba class. 'Let's see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha,' he said. He confirmed her appearance on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2. It's not the first reality show he has competed on. He last appeared on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins but was forced to withdraw after an injury. Singer and 2024 RuPaul's Drag Race UK finalist La Voix is the seventh contestant sliding onto the dance floor. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, La Voix said: 'I've performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement (and quite a bit of terror) than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV. 'Strictly is a national institution and I can't wait to get started. All that's left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here's hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.' She confirmed her appearance on The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2. In fact, the entertainer is a force to be reckoned with on the reality TV stage, previously appearing on Queens for the Night and Queen of the Universe. Not only is she a Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist but she even has her own live show, La Voix meets, in which she interviews names like Dawn French and Joanna Lumley. The sixth and latest contestant twirling onto the ballroom will be George Clarke. George is known as George Clarkey online, where he is a YouTuber and social media star known to millions for his comedy content. He also co-hosts The Useless Hotline podcast. On joining Strictly, he said: 'Never thought I'd say this, but I'm doing Strictly! Honestly, I've got no idea what I'm doing but I'm excited to get stuck in and potentially fall over a fair bit.' George confirmed the news in an appearance on BBC Radio 1's Going Home Drivetime Show on Tuesday (August 12). When he was revealed as the sixth star, George joked: 'I feel like a lot of people will still be saying, who?' So how did he keep this a secret when he has a podcast? 'I was meant to be doing a marathon at the end of the month. Can't really do that, because I'm dancing. So I've had to be like, 'Oh God, I'm still training. I promise.'' Balvinder Sopal was confirmed as the latest celebrity to join Strictly Come Dancing on Tuesday morning during Good Morning Britain. Richard Arnold was in Walford to confirm that an EastEnders legend was joining the ranks. 'I can't stop butterflies. Every time I think about it, they just go, so, yeah,' the actress who plays Suki in the soap said. 'I dabbled a little bit. I did ballroom and Latin as a kind of hobby, and I really love it. And I think when you've got a passion for something, you're naturally kind of inclined to enjoy it. So I'll definitely enjoy it.' 'I don't know if I'll be any good!,' she added, saying she loved the drama of Latin dancing. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'It is about telling the story with your feet, with your body, and not speaking. So, you know, won't have to learn any lines, which would be great, but it'll be like learning a new language, I think!' she said. She confirmed she'd still be appearing on EastEnders during her stint, and wasn't sure how she'd hack it – but was excited to find out. She added that she thought her mother would be proud of her: 'This is her dream. Actually, I think she would have been extremely proud. So, yeah, hold mom's legacy.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The latest additions to the Strictly line-up were confirmed on Monday's instalment of The One Show, with the secret even kept from hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp. The BBC show confirmed three new names who will battle it out for the glitterball trophy, with Dani Dyer the first to walk out into the studio. How hard was it keeping this a secret? 'So hard,' Dani said on the show. 'Especially when there was speculation and stuff, people kept coming up to me, and I'm such a bad liar. I'm going to have to send so many apologies.' The 28-year-old reality star, and daughter of national treasure Danny Dyer, was rumoured to have signed a pre-show contract earlier this year. When asked what her parents made of the news, Dyer said they're 'so excited'. 'It's just such a fun, magical show,' she said, 'and to be asked to do it was just such an honour. So, yeah, they're just so excited for me.' She did admit she's nervous though. 'I think it's picking up the routines and being on live telly, it petrifies me. It's just the whole thing of being able to perform.' The training starts now! Next up on The One Show was Alex Kingston, who tuned in from a holiday in Italy to confirm she had signed up for the Strictly ballroom. The 62-year-old actor, who played River Song on Doctor Who (aka The Doctor's wife) opposite three Doctors on screen, was one of the names rumoured to be involved ahead of the line-up announcements this week. 'I was super excited, and now I actually am terrified,' she told the programme. Speaking about why she decided to take the plunge, Alex said it was 2024 contestant and fellow actor Sarah Hadland who convinced her. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'In 2019 I did a play with Sarah Hadland and we both admitted that we desperately wanted to be in Strictly,' she told hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp. 'When I then saw Sarah performing last year, I just thought, she's done it, and not only has she done it, she went all the way. 'I reached out and just asked her what her experience of having been part of the show was, and she was really honest with me about how hard it is, how overwhelming it can be, but also how it absolutely changed her life, and she would do it again in a heartbeat. 'It just gave me the chance to make the decision for myself as to whether I wanted to go for it. And I just thought, I'm in my 60s, just go for it.' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was the third contestant to appear on The One Show, confirming he will be swapping the pitch for the ballroom. Alex Jones in the BBC One studio was clearly in shock when he appeared, saying she didn't think he would ever agree to it. The ex pro footballer said his four daughters were part of the reason he decided to sign on up to the show. The 53-year-old said from the red studio sofa: 'A few years ago, I would say the same, but I'm a father of all girls, and Strictly is part of our home life. I've got into it. I like the show, and let's have a go. 'Honestly, I have no idea what to expect. I have a little bit of rhythm.' Jimmy played for clubs including Leeds United, Atlético Madrid and Chelsea, carving out a prolific goal-scoring career in the Premier League and across Europe. Since retiring, Jimmy has become a familiar face in football punditry as well as a football club manager of clubs including Burton Albion and Northampton Town. He also served as an assistant coach for the England national team. Olympian and star of BBC's Gladiators, Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, was the first famous face confirmed to be gracing the Strictly ballroom this autumn. The TV personality already took part in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special with pro-partner Nancy Xu and now he is back for round two. '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,' he said in a statement. The multi-gold-medal-winning Team GB sprinter was announced as Nitro in the high-stakes BBC gameshow in 2023. He will no doubt be bringing all his skills to the dance floor. More Trending If there is one thing Harry is used to, it's being the best of the best, not only competing at the 2016 Rio Olympics but also securing the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award in 2005 aged 17. Not to mention being a three-time European champion and two-time Commonwealth champion. So he'll be a force to be reckoned with on the dancefloor. Strictly Come Dancing returns on September 20, 2025, a week later than its usual start date. A version of this article was originally published on August 11. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. View More » MORE: What is Gary Lineker doing now? 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The Guardian
a day ago
- The Guardian
Mr Creep review – a grubby visit from the office pest
The clue is in the fingers. Rubbery, bulbous things, they look as if they would leave a trail of slime if they touched you. And they probably want to touch you. They belong to Martin, aka Mr Creep, the alter ego of Theodora van der Beek, all lank hair, faux leather jacket and grubby 70s aesthetic. To call Martin a character would be stretching a point: he does not actually do very much in this entertaining show, half lecture, half film screening. He is more object than protagonist. He is a symbol of every office pest, every man who gets uncomfortably close on public transport, every bloke with a warped sense of his sexual attractiveness to younger women. He eats a lot of ham. The show is a product of lockdown when the performer and her six-strong household decided to throw an office party at home, seeing as none of them had an office of their own. They took on roles from intern to boss and Van der Beek came as the office creep. Getting to know the enemy, she found Martin, with his perfumed breath and poor spatial awareness, strangely compelling. What if she could look at the world through his eyes? Now, reading from cue cards, she takes us through a series of movies, AI-generated fantasies and TV clips to talk about the objectifying lens of the male gaze and men's almost imperceptible encroachments on female space (elsewhere in Edinburgh, Red Like Fruit has a similar theme). Some sections are more fully realised than others in a show Van der Beek admits is developing all the time, but she has inventiveness and eccentric charm to carry her through, not to mention a particularly disgusting way with processed meat. The show's tone is quirky, messy and wry, even while its message is on point. At Banshee Labyrinth, Edinburgh, until 24 August All our Edinburgh festival reviews
