Helen Mirren hails ‘fantastic’ cello restoration on The Repair Shop Dame Helen Mirren has praised the “fantastic” restoration of a beloved cello dating back to the Second World War, in a first look at the upcoming Christmas special of The Repair Shop. In a clip aired on the BBC’s The One Show, the 80-year-old was
Congestion warning as festive traffic set to peak with 24.4m car trips Traffic in the run-up to Christmas is expected to peak today with about 24.4 million cars expected on the UK’s roads. The AA, which produced the estimate, predicted this year will see the busiest Christmas getaway on record, continuing an upwards trend since
Black holes to be shown in action in first 3D movies created using AI A multimillion-pound research project will see some of the world’s leading experts use artificial intelligence to create the first-ever 3D movies of black holes. Kazunori Akiyama is joining Heriot-Watt University for the TomoGrav project, which is being funded through a £4
Idris Elba waxwork unveiled at Madame Tussauds London Actor Idris Elba has said it is “surreal” to have his likeness made into a waxwork at Madame Tussauds in London. The 53-year-old’s waxwork, his first figure at the Baker Street attraction, is kitted out in a long-sleeve version of the suit that he wore to meet
Two out of three ambulance workers ‘fear being attacked over festive season’ Two out of three ambulance workers fear being attacked doing their job over the festive season, according to a new report. A survey by the GMB union of more than 1,100 workers from ambulance trusts across the UK showed that more than 40%
Children’s tsar urges parents to ditch their phones during festive family time Parents should lead by example and get off their phones this Christmas when spending time with family, England’s Children’s Commissioner has said. Dame Rachel de Souza made the “heartfelt plea” as she spoke of young people telling her about their mothers and fathers
Alan Cumming ‘excited’ to be announced as Bafta film awards host Scottish actor Alan Cumming has been announced as the host of the 2026 Bafta film awards. The 60-year-old actor, writer and presenter – known for hosting the US version of The Traitors and starring in American drama The Good Wife – will helm the
Schools to teach about healthy relationships to tackle violence against girls All secondary schools in England will have to teach students about healthy relationships to tackle misogyny as Sir Keir Starmer said too often toxic ideas are “going unchallenged”. Ministers have announced plans to intervene early on worrying behaviour of young people as part of
Streeting apologises to patients as doctors begin five-day walkout The Health Secretary has apologised to patients as doctors began a five-day walkout in England in an ongoing row over jobs and pay. It comes as healthcare leaders warned the impact of the strike will be “felt all the way into January and beyond”. Wes Streeting
2025 ‘another record-breaking year’ for mobile data usage More than half of people began the year with plans to reduce the time they spent on their phone, but data indicates it was another record-breaking year for mobile data usage, new research suggests. Communications giant Virgin Media O2 said usage was up by 18%, with many