Latest news with #BenRoberts
Scottish Sun
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Chelsea files: Enzo Maresca and Cole Palmer's bonus woes and fans' Conference League final travel chaos
Find out why Chelsea may not need to shell out for their next superstar ENZO MARESCA will not get a bonus if he wins Chelsea the Conference League tonight. The Blues boss is looking to cap Champions League qualification by lifting a European trophy in Poland - but it will not earn him any extra cash. Advertisement 7 Enzo Maresca will not get a bonus if Chelsea win the Conference League Credit: Getty When Maresca agreed to take over at Stamford Bridge last summer, the bonuses included in his five-year deal showed the real ambitions at Chelsea. The Italian will only be rewarded personally for success in the Premier League and Champions League during his time in west London. While everyone at Chelsea will have wanted to win the Conference League this season - having started as clear favourites - a top five finish was far more important for the club's long-term future. And Maresca has argued that he is ahead of schedule in delivering it, stating the owners wanted to qualify for Europe's top competition within two years of his arrival from Leicester. Advertisement Player bonuses, however, are negotiated on a season-by-season basis and the Blues squad are in for a reward if they triumph over Real Betis in Wroclaw. The size of the bonus for each player will depend on how many appearances have been made throughout the competition. So if Cole Palmer - who was not even in the squad for the group stage - starts against Betis he will still earn less than some of those fringe players who did all the hard work early on. Chelsea would become the first ever club to win all three of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League should they get past Manuel Pellegrini's men. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Advertisement PLAYING FOR KEEPS CHELSEA are confident they will not have to fight off West Ham for goalkeeping chief Ben Roberts this summer. Former Blues boss Graham Potter is making his mark in East London and has decided to move goalkeeper coach Xavi Valero on. Potter has already hired close pal Kyle Macaulay from his role at Stamford Bridge and appointed him as head of recruitment at the London Stadium. Roberts followed Potter from Brighton to Chelsea as one of his coaching staff but has since been given a role as global head of goalkeeping across both of BlueCo's clubs. While West Ham are in the market for a new coach, there is no concern at Chelsea over losing Roberts this summer. Advertisement 7 Chelsea's goalkeeping chief Ben Roberts Credit: Chelsea AN GUARD TODD BOEHLY has personally stamped on the fingers of any team trying to swoop for Andrey Santos in the summer transfer market, with PSG, Arsenal and Crystal Palace all reportedly keen. The Chelsea midfielder, who spent this season on loan at BlueCo-owned RC Strasbourg, helped the French side secure Conference League football for next year with 10 goals and 3 assists in Ligue 1. The Stamford Bridge outfit picked up Santos for just £18m two years ago. Still, with Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez all looking to be starters for Enzo Maresca next season, the Brazilian has been linked with a big-money move away. Advertisement Having watched him closely this season, and in person, that would be a big mistake. London rivals Arsenal and Champions League finalists PSG were two teams circling the midfielder, but Todd Boehly seems to have warned them away as he spoke at the Qatar Economic Forum last week. He said "We are laser-focused on the Club World Cup. We have some players that are joining us, [like] Andrey Santos. We are really excited about him and what he can add to the squad.' A personal name-dropping of the midfielder speaks volumes of the value he presents to the Blues, and he should expect to be a part of Enzo Maresca's plans beyond the summer tournament. 7 Andrey Santos is due to return to Chelsea next season Credit: Getty Advertisement WHEN THERE'S A WILL LAMINE YAMAL has set the footballing world alight this season. A left-footed, right-wing Barcelona prodigy who just happened to be bathed by Lionel Messi in a kind of 'footballing baptism' and has already helped carry his side to a league title at the age of 17 - it's easy to see why he's viewed by many as the heir to Messi's throne. Part of what made football so incredibly good for the past 20 years, was that we had an individual rivalry in Ronaldo vs Messi that provided constant debate and discussion as for who was the best in the world. Many thought that kind of rivalry that might be revived with Erling Haaland vs Kylian Mbappe, but it may actually be Lamine Yamal vs a Chelsea starlet waiting to explode - Estevao Willian. Both seem to have been crafted by the footballing gods in the mould of Lionel Messi, but idolise and bring all the flair and skill which Neymar did in his time at Barcelona. Advertisement Estevao was signed for £28million by Chelsea last summer, with the move set to be finalised this summer ahead of a transition into the Blues' first team next campaign. The wonderkid has played predominantly on the right in Brazil, but can also play through the middle and on the left - the kind of versatility Enzo Maresca will adore. Coincidentally nicknamed 'Messinho', he has broken all sorts of records set by Neymar in Brazil, and is more than ready to step up and take some pressure off of the shoulders of Cole Palmer. Be patient Chelsea fans, your Lamine Yamal awaits… 7 Estevao Willian is a superstar in the making Credit: Alamy Advertisement MARESCA'S YOUNG GUNS AFTER Chelsea's lineup vs Nottingham Forest was announced, it was official… The class of 24/25 became the youngest team in Premier League history. The average age of Enzo Maresca's starting eleven's over the course of the season was 24 years and 36 days - beating the previous record of Leeds United by 136 days. Inexperience has been richly discussed among Blues' fans since Todd Boehly and his BlueCo consortium took control of the club, with the general consensus being that the team needs some sort of leadership outside of 27-year-old Tosin Adarabioyo, who has been nicknamed the 'Uncle' of the dressing room. It remains to be seen if BlueCo's risky strategy of buying almost exclusively young talents will pay dividends in terms of trophies and on-pitch success, or if the Blues will splash some cash on an experienced defender and forward in a bid to bring a Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge - but if they don't it may be a long wait until they see it. 7 Chelsea's class of 24/25 became the youngest team in Premier League history Credit: Getty Advertisement FIGHT OR FLIGHT MORE THAN 100 fans were set to board the 07:40am flight from Luton to Poznan this morning in the hope of arriving in Poland and exploring Wroclaw before Chelsea play the Conference League Final tomorrow. However, the WizzAir flight has left fans stranded in Luton with the flight has been delayed until 4pm UK time. A six-hour delay means that passengers will now arrive in Poznan around 7pm, before still needing to travel to Wroclaw where the final takes place - another 113 miles away. For fans who would've arrived at Luton airport around 5am, they now face a nightmare day of travel which could be as long as 17 hours. Not to mention fans will also face expenses such as missed trains, taxis, buses, late check-in fees, and paying ridiculous prices for airport meals with such a lengthy delay. Advertisement It comes on the back of our story that hotels in Wroclaw have been finding crafty ways to suddenly and inexplicably increase their room rates for Chelsea fans who booked months ago in anticipation of their team reaching the final. 7 Blues fans face travel chaos ahead of the Conference League final Credit: Getty CUP FOR IT ENZO MARESCA will finally discover this weekend who he faces in the opening game of the new and expanded Club World Cup this summer. Club America play off against Los Angeles for the right to face Chelsea on June 16 in the first Group D fixture. The two teams have a chance to join the cream of Europe and South America after Club Leon were banned over multi-club ownership rules. Advertisement They are stablemates with CF Pachuca and teams in the same groups cannot compete in the same tournament. The game takes place this Saturday - the same day as the Champions League Final - but Blues supporters can watch both with the CWC play off not starting until 7.30pm and that's in California which is 3.30AM the following morning in London.
The Irish Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Chelsea files: Enzo Maresca and Cole Palmer's bonus woes and fans' Conference League final travel chaos
ENZO MARESCA will not get a bonus if he wins Chelsea the Conference League tonight. The Blues boss is looking to cap Champions League qualification by lifting a European trophy in Poland - but it will not earn him any extra cash. When Maresca agreed to take over at Stamford Bridge last summer, the bonuses included in his five-year deal showed the real ambitions at Chelsea. The Italian will only be rewarded personally for success in the Premier League and Champions League during his time in west London. While everyone at And Maresca has argued that he is ahead of schedule in delivering it, stating the owners wanted to qualify for Europe's top competition within two years of his arrival from Leicester. READ MORE ON CHELSEA Player bonuses, however, are negotiated on a season-by-season basis and the Blues squad are in for a reward if they triumph over Real Betis in Wroclaw. The size of the bonus for each player will depend on how many appearances have been made throughout the competition. So if Chelsea would become the first ever club to win all three of the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League should they get past Manuel Pellegrini's men. Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS PLAYING FOR KEEPS CHELSEA are confident they will not have to fight off West Ham for goalkeeping chief Ben Roberts this summer. Former Blues boss Graham Potter is making his mark in East London and has decided to move goalkeeper coach Xavi Valero on. Potter has already hired close pal Kyle Macaulay from his role at Stamford Bridge and appointed him as head of recruitment at the London Stadium. Roberts followed Potter from Brighton to Chelsea as one of his coaching staff but has since been given a role as global head of goalkeeping across both of BlueCo's clubs. While West Ham are in the market for a new coach, there is no concern at Chelsea over losing Roberts this summer. 6 Chelsea's goalkeeping chief Ben Roberts Credit: Chelsea AN GUARD TODD BOEHLY has personally stamped on the fingers of any team trying to swoop for The Chelsea midfielder, who spent this season on loan at BlueCo-owned RC Strasbourg, helped the French side secure Conference League football for next year with 10 goals and 3 assists in Ligue 1. The Stamford Bridge outfit picked up Santos for just £18m two years ago. Still, with Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez all looking to be starters for Enzo Maresca next season, the Brazilian Having watched him closely this season, and in person, that would be a big mistake. London rivals Arsenal and Champions League finalists PSG were two teams circling the midfielder, but Todd Boehly seems to have warned them away as he spoke at the Qatar Economic Forum last week. He said "We are laser-focused on the Club World Cup. We have some players that are joining us, [like] Andrey Santos. We are really excited about him and what he can add to the squad.' A personal name-dropping of the midfielder speaks volumes of the value he presents to the Blues, and he should expect to be a part of Enzo Maresca's plans beyond the summer tournament. 6 Andrey Santos is due to return to Chelsea next season Credit: Getty WHEN THERE'S A WILL LAMINE YAMAL has set the footballing world alight this season. A left-footed, right-wing Barcelona prodigy who just happened to be bathed by Lionel Messi in a kind of 'footballing baptism' and has already helped carry his side to a league title at the age of 17 - it's easy to see why he's viewed by many as the heir to Messi's throne. Part of what made football so incredibly good for the past 20 years, was that we had an individual rivalry in Ronaldo vs Messi that provided constant debate and discussion as for who was the best in the world. Many thought that kind of rivalry that might be revived with Erling Haaland vs Kylian Mbappe, but it may actually be Lamine Yamal vs a Chelsea starlet waiting to explode - Both seem to have been crafted by the footballing gods in the mould of Lionel Messi, but idolise and bring all the flair and skill which Neymar did in his time at Barcelona. Estevao was signed for £28million by Chelsea last summer, with the move set to be finalised this summer ahead of a The wonderkid has played predominantly on the right in Brazil, but can also play through the middle and on the left - the kind of versatility Enzo Maresca will adore. Coincidentally nicknamed 'Messinho', he has broken all sorts of records set by Neymar in Brazil, and is more than ready to step up and take some pressure off of the shoulders of Cole Palmer. Be patient Chelsea fans, your Lamine Yamal awaits… 6 Estevao Willian is a superstar in the making Credit: Alamy MARESCA'S YOUNG GUNS AFTER Chelsea's lineup vs Nottingham Forest was announced, it was official… The class of 24/25 became the youngest team in Premier League history. The average age of Enzo Maresca's starting eleven's over the course of the season was 24 years and 36 days - beating the previous record of Leeds United by 136 days. Inexperience has been richly discussed among Blues' fans since Todd Boehly and his BlueCo consortium took control of the club, with the general consensus being that the team needs some sort of leadership outside of 27-year-old Tosin Adarabioyo, who has been nicknamed the 'Uncle' of the dressing room. It remains to be seen if BlueCo's risky strategy of buying almost exclusively young talents will pay dividends in terms of trophies and on-pitch success, or if the Blues will splash some cash on an experienced defender and forward in a bid to bring a Premier League title back to Stamford Bridge - but if they don't it may be a long wait until they see it. 6 Chelsea's class of 24/25 became the youngest team in Premier League history Credit: Getty FIGHT OR FLIGHT MORE THAN 100 fans were set to board the 07:40am flight from Luton to Poznan this morning in the hope of arriving in Poland and exploring Wroclaw before Chelsea play the Conference League Final tomorrow. However, the WizzAir flight has left fans stranded in Luton with the flight has been delayed until 4pm UK time. A six-hour delay means that passengers will now arrive in Poznan around 7pm, before still needing to travel to Wroclaw where the final takes place - another 113 miles away. For fans who would've arrived at Luton airport around 5am, they now face a nightmare day of travel which could be as long as 17 hours. Not to mention fans will also face expenses such as missed trains, taxis, buses, late check-in fees, and paying ridiculous prices for airport meals with such a lengthy delay. It comes on the back of our story that hotels in Wroclaw have been finding crafty ways to suddenly and inexplicably increase their room rates for Chelsea fans who booked months ago in anticipation of their team reaching the final. 6 Blues fans face travel chaos ahead of the Conference League final Credit: Getty CUP FOR IT ENZO MARESCA will finally discover this weekend who he faces in the opening game of the new and expanded Club World Cup this summer. Club America play off against Los Angeles for the right to face Chelsea on June 16 in the first Group D fixture. The two teams have a chance to join the cream of Europe and South America after Club Leon were banned over multi-club ownership rules. They are stablemates with CF Pachuca and teams in the same groups cannot compete in the same tournament. The game takes place this Saturday - the same day as the Champions League Final - but Blues supporters can watch both with the CWC play off not starting until 7.30pm and that's in California which is 3.30AM the following morning in London. 6 Enzo Maresca discovers who he faces in the opening game of the Club World Cup Credit: Getty
National Geographic
27-05-2025
- National Geographic
8 of the best beach cities in Spain
This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). High-spirited northern surf hubs, relaxed Mediterranean-fronting neighbourhoods and glowing sands washed by the thundering Atlantic — mainland Spain's cities can offer all of this and more. Take your pick of these varied urban beauties, scattered around the country's 3,000-mile peninsular coast. Beaches in Spain can get packed everywhere during the high season, from July to August, so for the best chance of solitude and space, it's worth travelling in the quieter shoulder periods. 1. Donostia-San Sebastián A pair of wide gold beaches, tucked into a crescent-moon bay between forested headlands, sets the scene for one of northern Spain's most popular coastal escapes. Many San Sebastián strolls begin on the promenade curving past Playa de Ondarreta and Playa de la Concha, both of which are good spots for swimming and paddleboarding, overlooking the Isla de Santa Clara. Just northeast of La Concha, beyond the walkable Parte Vieja and its overflowing pintxo bars, Playa de Zurriola has a more relaxed energy and offers great, beginner-friendly surfing. When you're done stretching out on the sand or catching Atlantic waves, San Sebastián's famous gastronomic world awaits. A special stay: A converted belle époque villa gazing out across La Concha Bay houses the effortlessly cool Nobu Hotel San Sebastián, which has 17 luxurious rooms, a rooftop pool and a signature restaurant. From around €400 (£335), B&B. 2. Valencia Spain's third-largest city is home to some of the most enticing and accessible urban beaches in the country, beyond which there are beautifully green parklands, busy fresh-produce markets, a range of top-tier galleries and lively neighbourhoods to discover. East of Valencia's old centre, the gentle waves of the Mediterranean swoosh onto several miles of soft, honey-coloured sand, officially divided into the Cabanyal, Malvarrosa and Patacona beaches. It's all bordered by a promenade with palm trees that makes walking, running and cycling here a joy. This is a slice of classic Spanish beach culture — and it's good fun. Expect a buzzing atmosphere and plenty of straw-topped umbrellas. Indulge in a long lunch of wood-fired paella at somewhere like Casa Carmela opposite Malvarrosa. A special stay: In Valencia's historic centre, the five-star Caro Hotel is a stylishly transformed 19th-century mansion near Turia Garden. From €239 (£200). Backed by low, pastel-walled houses, the mellow-yellow Barceloneta beaches are Barcelona's most easily accessible patches of sand. For a more local atmosphere, head northeast to the beaches of Bogatell and Mar Bella. Photograph by Getty Images; Frederic Ferreri The public terraces at the Centro Botín, a contemporary art gallery on Santander's promenade, are a great place to take in the ocean view. Photograph by Getty Images; Ben Roberts 3. Barcelona Whether you're going kayaking to catch the view at sunset or joining a volleyball game on the sand, this Catalan city embraces its seafront Mediterranean location no matter the time of year. Backed by low, pastel-walled houses, the mellow-yellow Barceloneta beaches are the city's most easily accessible patches of sand. For a more local atmosphere, it's better to head out along the palm-lined seafront promenade to the beaches of Bogatell and Mar Bella, further northeast. Or venture northeast again to the zona de banys (swimming zone) in El Fòrum, where ladders lead straight from a paved bathing area into the turquoise water. There are also plenty of beaches just a short train ride outside the city, such as Castelldefels, with three miles of open, cream-toned sand and a bit of surf, all 25 minutes away from central Barcelona. A special stay: Glimpse the Marina Port Vell from the pool and rooftop bar at The Serras, an understated five-star hotel with great Catalan food. From €298 (£250). 4. Santander A 25-minute ferry ride from central Santander's Los Reginas jetty takes you to Somo Beach, one of northern Spain's most popular surf hubs. Somo's pale-gold sands blend into El Puntal, an arrow-shaped beach jutting out into the bay, known locally for its relaxed summer-only restaurants. Santander, capital of the small Cantabria region, has plenty of other enticing beaches thanks to its estuary-side setting on the Bay of Biscay. Among them are El Sardinero, a mile-long sandy sweep; Playa de los Bikinis, named after the swimwear which, some say, was worn here for the first time in Spain; and the undeveloped Costa Quebrada coves north of the city. In the early 20th century, Santander was a favourite coastal escape for Spanish royalty; visit the grand Palacio de la Magdalena on a headland east of the old town. A special stay: Jardín Secreto, a family-owned boutique bolthole, is a six-room retreat with a sunny back garden in central Santander. From €100 (£84). In Cádiz, locals enjoy the late spring sunshine at Playa de la Caleta, where there's a buzz even during the year's colder months. Photograph by Getty Images; Ben Roberts 5. Cádiz Best known for its lively winter carnival, Cádiz sits on a sunny peninsula bathed by the Atlantic, an hour's drive south of Seville. Local beach culture revolves around several powdery, pale-taupe strands. Arguably the best is Playa de la Victoria, which extends for almost two miles south of the historic centre to meet wilder, dune-backed Playa de la Cortadura. Here, you'll find people surfing, setting up umbrellas on the broad sands and sipping fino sherry at waterside chiringuitos (beach restaurants). Alternatively, head to Playa de la Caleta on the Old Town's western edge; even during cooler months, there's a buzz around sunset. Off the sand, this ancient city founded by the Phoenicians invites exploration with highlights including the Museo de Cádiz and one of Andalucia's finest flamenco venues, Peña la Perla. A special stay: The Parador de Cádiz, just north of Playa de la Caleta, offers Atlantic-view rooms, plus a pool that overlooks the water. From €162 (£135), B&B. 6. Tarifa Catching a pastel-orange sunset over the Strait of Gibraltar from one of Tarifa's undeveloped beaches shows why this easygoing, surftown at Spain's southern tip is such a hit. It's situated on Cádiz's Costa de la Luz and its main beach is Playa de los Lances, which begins where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic and stretches across four miles of protected coastline. A 10-minute drive (or a summer shuttle bus) takes you to Punta Paloma Beach, where umbrella pines trickle down to the dunes. Tarifa's beaches have great swimming, but the Atlantic's breezes have also created a thriving kitesurfing and windsurfing culture. The small old town dates from the Moorish era and various coastal trails weave out towards viewpoints overlooking neighbouring Morocco. A special stay: Hotel La Sacristía has peaceful rooms in a creatively restored 17th-century building in Tarifa's old town, five minutes from the beach. From €110 (£92). 7. A Coruña, Galicia This dynamic city on Spain's northwestern Galicia coast benefits from handy train links and its own international airport. A Coruña's main beach is essentially two sandy, pale-yellow strands in one — Praia de Riazor and Playa del Orzán — curled into a small Atlantic inlet on the northwest side of the centre. It's at the heart of a lively local surf scene, but the city is also something of an arts hub and has a strong culinary heritage revolving around the fruits of the sea. Picasso lived here as a child in the 1890s and his former family apartment is now the Casa Museo Picasso, while the Museo de Belas Artes da Coruña houses works by Sorolla, Goya, Rubens and others. You can also stroll north to the grand Torre de Hércules lighthouse, of Roman origin, perched on a windswept headland. If you have the time, A Coruña makes an excellent gateway to Galicia's Rías Altas and Costa da Morte shorelines. A special stay: Wake to sparkling Atlantic views at Noa Boutique Hotel, which has light-filled rooms surrounded by golden coves and greenery, just 15 minutes' drive south east of central A Coruña. From €121.50 (£103), B&B. 8. Gijón, Asturias Gijón fronts the roaring Bay of Biscay on the western coast of green Asturias. Although relatively little-known on the international travel scene, this formerly industrial city of 268,000 people is only a 30-minute drive or a 45-minute bus ride from Asturias Airport. Two swooping sandy beaches await either side of Cimadevilla, Gijón's charismatic old town, set on an ocean-whipped headland. Framed by a busy promenade, mile-long Playa de San Lorenzo has a well-established surf scene; at its northern end you can peek at the excavated Campo Valdés Roman Baths, dating from the first century BCE. High-energy cider bars fill Cimadevilla's interlocking streets and squares, serving plates of pungent cheeses from the Picos de Europa mountains. Just east, Playa de Poniente is another enticing half-moon to relax on, while the surrounding coastline is dotted with wild beaches, including Playa de Rodiles, set within a eucalyptus-shaded nature reserve. A special stay: Just steps from Playa de Poniente, El Môderne is a distinctive art deco building restored as a moodily styled boutique hotel. 'Loft' rooms have private terraces. From €116 (£98). Published in the June 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only).
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
U.K. Film, TV Production Spend Rebounds in 2024 Thanks to ‘Peaky Blinders' and ‘Knives Out'
Film and TV production in the U.K., whose boom came to a grinding halt in 2023 amid the Hollywood writers and actors strikes, rebounded in 2024 and is officially ahead of pre-Covid levels for the first time since the pandemic. According to the British Film Institute, the total spend on film and high-end TV production last year reached £5.6 billion ($6.9 billion), a 31% increase on 2023 when £4.23 billion ($5.37 billion) on 394 productions was spent, and £6.27 billion ($7.72 billion) in the year 2022. More from The Hollywood Reporter Spotify, Warner Music Strike New Multiyear Deal Warner Music Buys Controlling Stake in Catalog Investor Tempo Which Owns Jonas Brothers Rights BBC Studios Buys Stake in Production Firm of 'Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action' Creator U.K. production spend is counted in the statistics for the year in which principal photography started. During 2024, 191 feature films started shooting in the U.K., compared with 207 in 2023, according to the BFI. Among them were Netflix's Peaky Blinders movie and The Fantastic Four. 65% of total U.K. production spend on film was accounted for by productions from the five major U.S. studios and the three major U.S. steaming platforms (Netflix, Apple and Amazon), also representing a 49% increase in spend in 2024 versus 2023. These films include The Running Man, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, How to Train Your Dragon, Project Hail Mary, and Jurassic World Rebirth. In comparison, the U.K. recorded 181 high-end TV productions that began principal photography in 2024, compared with 187. In 2024, UK spend was £3.44 billion, a 20% increase on 2023's £2.87 billion (revised to £3.09 billion). The data spotlighted productions on The Immortal Man: A Peaky Blinders Film, The Donovans, Young Sherlock, Man vs Baby and Art Detectives. Domestic HETV productions included Gavin & Stacey: The Finale, Inheritance, Transaction and Man Like Mobeen. Said BFI CEO Ben Roberts: 'The U.K.'s film and TV industries continue to be a powerhouse for creativity, investment and jobs. After a disrupted 2023, including the impact of US strikes, production spend rebounded to £5.6 billion in 2024 — up 31% on the previous year — demonstrating the U.K.'s strength as a world-leading destination for filmmaking. Wicked, made here in the U.K., led the box office, following Barbie's success in 2023, while independent films like Back to Black and One Life helped grow market share.' He continued: 'At the same time, we know these figures don't tell the whole story. The 22% drop in domestic HETV spend is a reminder that many in the industry are feeling the pressure, and what happens next will be critical. Continued investment in skills and infrastructure, alongside strong government support is essential to ensuring the U.K. remains a magnet for international productions while strengthening our independent sector for the future.' Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire
