
Review: Black Mirror back to its best in season 7
Black Mirror returns to its brilliant best in season seven with themes such as the dangers of AI, irresponsible billionaires and forbidden romance prevalent.
The genius of Charlie Brooker's storytelling is that so many episodes of Black Mirror feel all too real in the modern world, and things like the healthcare story in episode one 'Common People', seem eerily possible.
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Rashida Jones and Chris O'Dowd star as a couple who are faced with a devastating medical diagnosis.
Without the means for the best care available, they turn to a high-tech subscription service that initially works miracles, but turns out to have a sinister edge.
'Bête Noire' is a fast-paced episode that feels like a pyschological thriller. Maria (Siena Kelly) appears to have a very full life, and works in her dream job.
However, an old classmate (
Rosy McEwen) suddenly arrives in her workplace and has her questioning her sanity, and reality.
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Episode three, '
Hotel Reverie', was our favourite from season seven.
It has more than a few similarities with San Junipero, one of the best Black Mirror offerings to date, and expect a few easter eggs.
Issa Rae plays Brandy Friday, a high profile Hollywood star who has become frustrated with her career.
She can hardly believe her luck when she is invited to star in a remake of her favourite vintage film.
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It is being reproduced by a cutting edge technology company, and Brandy soon realises it won't be like any film she has worked on before.
Transported into an AI-designed universe, her co-stars are AIs.
A replication of
Ingrid Bergman (Emma Corrin) is more human than it initially seems, with big consequences.
'Plaything' features a character we've previously seen, eccentric video game developer Colin Ritman (Will Poulter).
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One of his new creations is more rooted in reality than behind the screen, and it drives Cameron Walker (Peter Capaldi) crazy.. or does it?
'Eulogy' is a closs second to Hotel Reverie in our ranking, and Phillip (Paul Giamatti) plays a man haunted by his memories.
When he is asked to look back on the love of his life with a virtual assistant, Phillip gets far more than he bargained for.
Giamatti's performance is powerful.
'USS Callister: Into Infinity' is a sequel episode.
It is well saved as the sixth episode and might as well be a film of its own.
The effects and story are visually stunning. It boasts an ensemble cast including Cristin Millioti (who plays Nanette Cole), Jimmi Simpson (as James Walton), and Jesse Plemons (as Roberty Daly).
Brooker's dystopian anthology series has provided again, and viewers will be hoping for a season eight.
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Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Truth behind Phillip Schofield's mystery man who carried him back after boozy pub date
The former This Morning presenter was spotted with a mystery man after a boozy pub date earlier this week - and now the truth about the pair's relationship has been revealed Earlier this week, Phillip Schofield was spotted being carried back by a mystery man after a boozy pub date with his daughter Molly and longtime friend Scott Brown. The 63-year-old was seen holding onto the male companion as they left the al fresco restaurant. The two were pictured walking arm in arm as they emerged from LGBTQ+ cinema The Arzner Bar and café in Bermondsey, South East London on Saturday. The man in question was later revealed to be London-based nurse and academic Joshua Sharman, 30, who is thought to be in a relationship with Phillip's pal Scott. According to Daily Mail, the two men have become Phil's support network and are helping him rebuild his life. The publication stated that the dad-of-two is 'enjoying his best gay life' and navigating his newfound freedom on the gay scene after years of hiding his true sexuality. A source told them: 'Phil doesn't care any more. He is who he is and now he is able to be that person,' said one associate of the former This Morning presenter. 'He is spending more and more time in the London Bridge, Waterloo, Bermondsey area of London. It's much more him than Chiswick these days. That's all a bit stuck-up: a bit of a Nappy Valley area, and very family-orientated. 'That isn't who Phil is anymore. They are not his people. He is very much in his 'having fun' era. 'He was having a ball at the Arzner, but he also goes to other venues in the area. He's built up a group of friends in the community and is loving life. It's time to move on and make the most of things.' One of the reasons for the shift in mindset is thought to be his friendship with Scott and Joshua, with who he is clearly spending plenty of time with. The Mirror have contacted Phillip's representative for a comment. Phil resigned from ITV back in 2023 after admitting an 'unwise but not illegal' affair with a This Morning colleague. He came out as gay in February 2020 and has retreated from the spotlight since quitting This Morning. He apologised at the time for having previously lied about his relations with a member of the This Morning team while married. In his statement announcing his resignation, former Dancing on Ice host Phillip also stated that the "consensual on-off relationship" was "now over". Phillip however later made a shock TV comeback on Channel 5's Cast Away last year. The three-part series saw him speak about his life whilst left on a remote island for ten days, as well as featuring his family in scenes filmed at home. He has two children with Stephanie Lowe, 60, whom he is still married to after the pair tied the knot in 1993. The former couple are parents to daughters Molly Schofield, 32, and Ruby Schofield, 29, together.

Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Phillip Schofield's boozy date with younger man could be 'final straw' for wife Stephanie
Former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield has been supported by his wife Stephanie Lowe since coming out as gay and following his affair which resulted in him being sacked from ITV Earlier this week, former This Morning host Phillip Schofield was spotted with his arm around a male companion whilst leaving a bar. The presenter, 63, was seen leaning on the shoulder of his pal, revealed to be nurse Joshua Luke Sharman, after the pair enjoyed drinks together in central London. Phillip resigned from ITV back in 2023 after admitting an 'unwise but not illegal' affair with a This Morning colleague. The ex presenter was seen leaving London's first LGBTQ + dedicated cinema Arzner Bar & Cafe in Bermondsey at 7pm on Saturday. It comes after MasterChef's Gregg Wallace 'ruins' his chance of redemption after 'slipping at first hurdle '. Nurse Joshua was similarly dressed for the warmer weather, in a short-sleeved black shirt, a pair of beige shorts and dark footwear. The pair were seen with their arms around each other as they looked to stumble on their way out. Phillip had his arm around Joshua's waist, as his companion wrapped an arm around the TV star's shoulder. Phillip, who came out as gay in February 2020, has retreated from the spotlight since resigning from ITV in 2023. He apologised at the time for having previously lied about his relations with a member of the This Morning team while married. In his statement announcing his resignation, former Dancing on Ice host Phillip also stated that the "consensual on-off relationship" was "now over". Ever since, Phillip has kept a very low profile, despite making a brief comeback on Channel 5's Cast Away last year. The three-part series saw him speak about his life whilst left on a remote island for ten days, as well as featuring his family in scenes filmed at home. The presenter, who announced five years ago that he was gay, has two children with Stephanie Lowe, 60, whom he is still married to after the pair tied the knot in 1993. The former couple are parents to daughters Molly Schofield, 32, and Ruby Schofield, 29, together. However, from the pictures of his latest boozy outing, it appears that Phillip is now very much single and enjoying his bachelor lifestyle. Now, experts are predicting that Phillip and Stephanie may get divorced in the near future. But could this be the final straw for Stephanie? When the news of Phillip's sexuality broke, Stephanie insisted that she still loved her husband as she vowed to stand by him. At the time, she told The Sun: "I love Phillip, as much today as I ever have, and always will. "We've been awestruck by the strength and love of our precious girls, even as they've been trying to make sense of it all for themselves. Our family have also been so supportive and will help us going forward. "Although this is difficult for us all, I support Phillip in taking this brave step. I will still be there, holding his hand. Everyone should be proud to live their own truth." At the time, a source told Mail Online that Stephanie and Phillip were going to stay married and stick things through for the sake of their daughters. "After so long together, Steph and Phil are co-dependent. They would rather be a united front and stay together," they said, adding that if they broke up it would "create even more drama" for them and their daughters. Another friend said at the time: "They still love each other. It's that simple". Stephanie and her daughter's Molly and Ruby also stuck by Phillip when he was sacked from This Morning after his affair with a much younger member of male staff came to light. Following the fallout, Phillip's eldest daughter Molly said that the scandal and the trauma that came along with it somehow made their family bond stronger. She said: "We've seen him at his lowest times, but I've been so proud of him, and as a daughter to see the love that people had for him that when it's taken away it's just heartbreaking." However, reports are now suggesting that Phillip's bachelor lifestyle and boozy dates could be the final straw in his co-dependency with Stephanie as 'divorce' could well be on the cards.

Daily Record
12-08-2025
- Daily Record
Phillip Schofield kisses male friend after stumbling out of boozy lunch at bar
Former ITV This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield was seen leaning on a male companion as they left a bar together after enjoying a boozy lunch in central London Former This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield was seen leaving a bar with a mystery male companion. The 63-year-old, who stepped down from ITV in 2023 following his departure from This Morning, was spotted in the heart of London just a few days ago. Images obtained by the Mirror show him clad in a blue top, navy shorts and matching footwear, enjoying the city's summer weather last week. His companion was similarly attired for the balmy conditions, donning a short-sleeved black shirt, beige shorts and dark shoes. The identity of the individual accompanying Phillip remains undisclosed. The duo were captured with their arms wrapped around each other as they strolled through the area. In some images, Phillip can be seen with his arm around his companion's waist, while they had an arm resting on the TV star's shoulder. Since his resignation from ITV in 2023, Phillip has largely remained out of the public eye. His decision to leave coincided with his admission of an "unwise but not illegal" affair with a younger colleague during his time on This Morning. He expressed regret for previously misleading about the situation. In his resignation announcement, the former Dancing on Ice host also confirmed that the "consensual on-off relationship" had come to an end. Phillip nevertheless returned to television on Channel 5's Cast Away last year. The three-part programme showed him discussing his life whilst stranded on a deserted island for ten days, and also included his family in segments recorded at their home. The broadcaster, who revealed five years ago that he was gay, shares two children with Stephanie Lowe, 60, who he has been married to since 1993. The pair are parents to daughters Molly Schofield, 32, and Ruby Schofield, 29. As reported at the time, Molly revealed in the programme that everything that occurred has brought the family "closer". She said: "We've seen him at his lowest times, but I've been so proud of him, and as a daughter to see the love that people had for him that when it's taken away it's just heartbreaking." Phillip looked back on his career in the programme. As reported at the time, he explained that whilst he misses some "parts" of it, he doesn't miss everything about his previous jobs. He said in a scene: "I miss parts of it. I miss most of it. There are bits I really, really don't miss. You learn a lot about people. You learn a lot about people. I don't miss that." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.



