Top 10 Picks of the Day – Sunday 15 March
Every best picture Oscar winner of 21st century ranked – from Crash to Moonlight
With the Oscars almost upon us, we look back at the past 25 best picture winners – and put them in order from worst to best.
Heading into this Sunday's Academy Awards in Los Angeles, the best picture race seems to have solidified largely around two films: Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another and Ryan Coogler's Sinners. Both films have their passionate champions, and either would be pretty great winners of a prize which has thrown up a fascinating array of victors at recent ceremonies – a far cry from the years not so long ago where the category was mainly the domain of safe, rather middlebrow pictures. As we wait to see which of those likely winners prevails, we've gone back in time to the turn of the century to rank each of the last 25 winners in order from worst to best, and have published the list below, alongside our official Radio Times review for each winner. Of course, it's always worth pointing out that such an exercise is inherently subjective – and it's very possible that your own list could differ substantially from the one printed below – it's certainly a varied group of films, some of which will naturally appeal to some viewers more than others. Scroll down for the ranked list and details of where you can watch the films in question. 25. Crash View Green Video on the source website RT Review: Los Angeles provides the setting for writer/director Paul Haggis's finely tuned ensemble drama about interconnected lives, which was the surprise winner of the 2005 best picture Oscar. Like Short Cuts and Magnolia, Haggis's film ambitiously weaves several narrative strands into a short time frame – in this case, just 36 hours. Here, as the title suggests, the characters are brought together by a series of violent collisions and close encounters. Among them are a racist cop (Matt Dillon), a TV director's highly strung wife (Thandie Newton), a detective dogged by serious family problems (Don Cheadle) and two car-jacking victims (Sandra Bullock and Brendan Fraser). Haggis and co-writer Bobby Moresco - who picked up an Academy Award for their screenplay - have created a raft of fully developed characters, linked by chance, criminal acts and simmering racial tensions. As events (both kind and cruel) unfold, even the most seasoned movie-goer will find something here to surprise - and shock. – Karen Krizanovich Where to watch: Prime Video 24. A Beautiful Mind RT Review: Ron Howard makes pictures of quality if not always distinction. So after years of being ignored by the American Academy as a director, it seems that with this biographical drama he decided 2002 would be his Oscar year. The true story of maths genius John Forbes Nash Jr, who battled paranoid schizophrenia at the height of his academic success and eventually won the economics Nobel Prize, is tailor-made Oscar fare. It has the triumph-over-tragedy, against-all-odds theme going for it, plus a powerhouse performance from Russell Crowe as Nash. Any film that traces nearly 50 years of an influential man's life is making a claim to some celluloid glory, but underneath all the impressive ageing make-up, what exactly do we have here? A difficult man with a complex psychological condition - reduced to a series of delusional episodes to furnish a thriller subplot - who has devoted his life to an almost insurmountably dry subject, namely advanced mathematics theory. This is in no way a badly made picture, and there's reliable support from Ed Harris, Adam Goldberg and Paul Bettany. However, the film's overweening desire to be taken seriously gets in the way of the story. That said, the film won the best picture Oscar, Howard walked away with best director and Jennifer Connelly won a best supporting actress statuette for her well-judged performance as Nash's wife, though Crowe lost out as best actor to Denzel Washington in Training Day. – Andrew Collins Where to watch: Prime Video/Paramount Plus 23. Everything Everywhere All at Once RT Review: After the quirky Swiss Army Man, the directing pair known as Daniels head even further into oddball terrain with this wacky and ambitious sci-fi comedy drama. It centres on Evelyn (Michelle Yeoh), a Chinese immigrant in America, whose mundane life running a launderette with her husband (Ke Huy Quan) and daughter (Stephanie Hsu) is upended when she discovers she has the power to cross into other dimensions. With the fate of all worlds at stake, Evelyn must kung fu kick her way across the "multiverse", and even has to fend off Jamie Lee Curtis's possessed auditor. The film is filled with zany invention, but also a pile-up of puerile jokes and laboured attempts to be profound. As a result, some viewers may struggle to stay the course. However, Yeoh has gravitas in spades and is a much-needed focal point in the head-spinning visions of time and space. – Max Copeman Where to watch: Available to rent/buy 22. Green Book RT Review: He's better known for gross-out fare such as Dumb and Dumber, but Green Book finds Peter Farrelly trying his hand at more awards-friendly material, channelling the touring troubles of African-American musician Don Shirley into an odd-couple dramedy. Viggo Mortensen plays Tony Vallelonga, an Italian-American bouncer hired in 1962 to chauffeur pianist Shirley (Mahershala Ali) on a tour of the Deep South in the run-up to Christmas. Mortensen turns in a charming, comedically gifted performance as the racist-turned-rough diamond. Ali is even finer, and the discreet way he conveys Shirley's heartache is terrifically moving. Their unlikely friendship recalls Driving Miss Daisy, with the film establishing itself in that same virtuous but simplified and commercially friendly tradition. Mortensen and Ali make an irresistible duo in a well-meaning and touching (albeit slightly misjudged) film that boasts plenty of polish but lacks the requisite grit. Right down to its crowd-pleasing conclusion, it gives 1960s race relations an unnecessarily accessible overhaul. – Emma Simmonds Where to watch: Prime Video/BBC iPlayer 21. CODA RT Review: A remake of the 2014 French film La Famille Bélier, writer/director Siân Heder's smartly judged crowd-pleaser distinguishes coming-of-age conventions with rich reserves of salty wit and choppy feeling. Emilia Jones stars as "child of deaf adults" (CODA) Ruby Rossi, the 17-year-old hearing deckhand for her family's Massachusetts fishing operation. But when Ruby's choirmaster, Bernardo Villalobos (Eugenio Derbez), recognises and begins to nurture her vocal talents, tensions build between the teenager's passions and her family commitments. Even if you can see where this is going, Heder and her cast summon the character nuances needed to make the film sing. Deaf actors Troy Kotsur and Marlee Matlin make warm, ribald work of Ruby's loving parents, complemented by Derbez's wry, tangy take on inspirational-teacher clichés. Meanwhile, Jones leads with appealingly awkward, expressive conviction all the way to the genuinely affecting climax: when the inevitable montage and its accompanying tears arrive, they feel earned. – Kevin Harley Where to watch: Apple TV+ 20. The King's Speech RT Review: In this marvellously moving tale, Colin Firth is impressive as King George VI, the British monarch who suffered from a debilitating nervous stammer. From the outset, when he freezes on national radio, the tension of striving to uphold his image is palpable. And it's George's wife Elizabeth (the future Queen Mother, played by a sprightly Helena Bonham Carter) who drives him on, unlike his distant father (Michael Gambon), who continually puts him down. Elizabeth engages the services of speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), who is a breath of fresh air in a world of stifling formality, although his intimate approach initially maddens George. Director Tom Hooper (The Damned United) deftly captures a man in limbo amid the scandal of his brother Edward's abdication of the throne and the run-up to the Second World War, while Firth manages to express George's crippling fear without losing any dignity. Inevitably, his friendship with Lionel becomes pivotal, but what comes across just as powerfully is how lonely life can be at the top. This is the type of thing the British film industry does so well - a bit of history, a bit of social comedy, a few liberties with the truth and a flag-waving finale. – Stella Papamichael Where to watch: NOW 19. The Artist View Green Video on the source website RT Review: Just like they did in their French OSS 117 spy spoofs, director Michel Hazanavicius and star Jean Dujardin perfectly evoke an authentic period and style in this remarkable re-creation of Hollywood's silent movie era. Filmed in black and white, in the squarer Academy ratio, with only the briefest and cleverest dips into sound (the intertitles are in English), this evocation of Tinseltown on the eve of The Jazz Singer is a film buff feel-good joy. Dujardin's charm (he was named best actor at Cannes 2011 and at the Oscars) is successfully harnessed as matinée idol George Valentin, whose career nosedives with the arrival of the talkies. Meanwhile vivacious Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo), who joins one of his movies as an extra, finds her star rising as the studios look for fresh talent with attractive voices. Embracing the techniques and look of the times, and paying homage to numerous silent classics and Citizen Kane, this loving, warm pastiche is a sheer delight. – Alan Jones Where to watch: Available to rent/buy 18. Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) RT Review: The late-midlife crisis of a fading Hollywood star is the basis of this surprisingly profound and extraordinarily kinetic satire about life and success in the age of social media. Michael Keaton stars as Riggan Thomson, an actor who found fame in the 1990s with a trilogy of superhero films based around the title character. When the film starts, Thomson is about to debut his first play as writer, producer, director and star, a piece adapted from Raymond Carver's short stories. But as woes pile on in the lead-up to opening night (money is tight, publicity is non-existent, a key player gets KO'd) Thomson begins to hear the persuasive voice of his one-time alter ego. The Birdman conceit is a good excuse for some great effects, but where Babel director Alejandro González Iñárritu really excels is in delivering an excellent drama about a man on the edge. Perhaps his best decision was to cast Keaton (Hollywood's pre-Christian Bale Batman), who is outstanding as the lead, and Edward Norton, superb as his nemesis, the Method actor from hell. – Damon Wise Where to watch: Disney+/Netflix 17. Argo RT Review: A true story that involves the CIA, Hollywood and the anti-American regime of Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini shouldn't be as seamless as this gripping, beautifully performed and often very funny but dramatic thriller. The year is 1979 and the US embassy in Tehran has been stormed, with many of its workers taken hostage. However, six have fled, and are being secretly sheltered by the Canadian ambassador (Victor Garber), but time is running out. The CIA has exhausted every avenue, including a feeble plan to whisk them out on bicycles, so when "exfiltration" expert Tony Mendez (Ben Affleck) suggests disguising them as a film crew and scouting locations for a Star Wars rip-off, it seems as good an idea as any. Alan Arkin and John Goodman are superb as the operation's jaded Tinseltown connections in a terrific story that deftly offsets tension with comedy. The excellent screenplay also examines the nature of storytelling and resolves the conflict, for once, with coolness and clarity. – Damon Wise Where to watch: Prime Video 16. Nomadland RT Review: A transformative journey across the American west unfolds with utter majesty in writer/director Chloé Zhao's Oscar-winning adaptation of Jessica Bruder's non-fiction book. Reeling from the twin tragedies of losing her home and her husband, the free-spirited Fern (Frances McDormand, who also won an Academy Award for her performance) is plunged into a transient existence as she hits the road in a lovingly converted van. It's an unforgiving lifestyle, dependent on seasonal gigs and "stealth parking". But along the way, Fern meets many beautiful souls (including real-life nomads Linda May and Bob Wells), and finds a sense of community with other older Americans, who have been similarly cast adrift. Nomadland transcends narrative conventions, allowing us to simply luxuriate in its protagonist's exploits. With a stunning score from Ludovico Einaudi that's by turns melancholy and soothing, and sublime cinematography by Joshua James Richards, the film boasts a remarkable ability to capture the cathartic power of connecting with nature, and is an almost spiritual experience. As she salutes the resilience of humankind, Zhao has given us something genuinely unforgettable. – Emma Simmons Where to watch: Disney+ 15. Chicago RT Review: It took more than a quarter of a century to bring the 1975 musical Chicago to the screen, but it was worth the wait to get it right. In this spirited film adaptation, Renée Zellweger stars as Roxie Hart, the ambitious newcomer who dreams of singing and dancing in one of the city's jazz clubs, and Catherine Zeta-Jones plays Velma, the established performer. After the shootings of a lover and an unfaithful husband, they end up in prison and discover that the publicity surrounding a capital murder case can be a boon to a career in showbusiness. Director Rob Marshall licks the problem of how to film a musical that was presented as vaudeville on stage – it's closer to that style of short scenes and "turns" than to conventional musical comedy – by re-creating the musical numbers as fantasies in Roxie's head. He loses none of the energy of the stage version nor its dark subtext on the corrupting nature of stardom. Oscar-nominated Zellweger is perfect casting despite - or perhaps even because of - her inexperience in the genre, while the Oscar-winning Zeta-Jones sings and high-kicks as if born on Broadway. – Brian Pendreigh Where to watch: ITVX 14. Slumdog Millionaire RT Review: Shot almost entirely on the streets of Mumbai, British director Danny Boyle's hyper-energetic rags-to-riches tale (and winner of eight Oscars) aims to dazzle and delight from the start, and for the most part it succeeds. Dev Patel plays the titular "slumdog" Jamal, a poverty-stricken orphan who's enjoying a triumphant run on India's version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?. He's now just one correct answer away from the jackpot of 20 million rupees, but the show's host becomes suspicious and the police are brought in. During Jamal's interrogation, episodes from his extraordinary life unfold, revealing that each quiz question relates to a different experience - ranging from the tragic to the rumbustiously comical. Patel is an appealing lead and he is ably supported by Freida Pinto as his lifelong love interest Latika and Madhur Mittal as his cynical, morally compromised brother Salim. But the movie's real star is the city itself, which is brought to hectic, exuberant life by Boyle and ace cinematographer Anthony Dod Mantle. – Adam Smith Where to watch: Available to rent/buy 13. The Hurt Locker RT Review: Director Kathryn Bigelow's 2004-set account of the lives of a US Army bomb-disposal squad in Iraq focuses on the men who voluntarily put themselves next to deadly IEDs (improvised explosive devices). The contrasting attitudes and philosophies of a trio of soldiers (played by Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty) come under scrutiny, with each man keenly aware that every job may potentially be their last. Bigelow, one of the very few women working in the traditionally male-dominated action and war genres, avoids both red wire/yellow wire cliché and political preaching to deliver a film that is as psychologically fascinating as it is taut and exciting. Ralph Fiennes and Guy Pearce are among the well-known faces in smaller roles. – Adam Smith Where to watch: Available to rent/buy 12. The Shape of Water RT Review: There are monster movies and there are Guillermo del Toro's monster movies, but this Oscar-winning fantasy should not be confused with the more teen-friendly likes of Hellboy and Pacific Rim. Sally Hawkins plays Elisa, a mute office cleaner who works at a high-security government lab, where aviation technology is being developed. One day, her curiosity is piqued when a strange container is wheeled in. The tank contains a beautuful webbed fish-man (a prettified nod to the occupant of the Black Lagoon), and Elisa is smitten. The real monster of the piece, however, is Michael Shannon's ice-cold Colonel Strickland, who sees the creature as an abomination. Elisa gets wind of Strickland's plans to vivisect her new friend, to further the fledgling Nasa programme, and her race to save him adds a genuinely tense climax to a surprising and striking adult fairy tale. – Damon Wise Where to watch: Disney+ 11. The Departed RT Review: After a run of solid, adventurous but ultimately underwhelming efforts (Gangs of New York, The Aviator), director Martin Scorsese returned to more familiar form with a superior, Boston-set cops-and-gangsters story based on the Hong Kong crime drama Infernal Affairs, and won the long-awaited best director Oscar for his trouble. Rookie cop Billy Costigan (Leonardo DiCaprio) is assigned to go deep undercover to help catch local Mafia godfather Frank Costello (Jack Nicholson). Meanwhile, Costello has groomed Colin Sullivan (Matt Damon) since puberty to be his spy on the force. The complex script (fluently adapted by William Monahan) rotates around these two moles, who orbit each other like twin suns for most of the movie, but only meet in the third act. It all makes for extremely watchable entertainment. The leads are luminous (especially Nicholson, doing his best work in years here), but supporting players Mark Wahlberg, Alec Baldwin and Ray Winstone all steal scenes with glee. – Leslie Felperin Where to watch: Available to rent/buy 10. Million Dollar Baby View Green Video on the source website RT Review: For those who thought Unforgiven was the masterpiece of Clint Eastwood's autumn years, this sharp, moving and brutally bleak drama proves that he can bring the same grizzled genius to the sports arena. Adapted from Rope Burns, a book of short stories by FX Toole, it stars Eastwood as Frankie Dunn, a washed-up boxing coach whose fighters abandon him as soon as they hit the big time. Dumped by his latest slugger, Dunn reluctantly turns his attentions to Maggie Fitzgerald (Hilary Swank), a 31-year-old waitress who turns up at his gym begging for lessons. Dunn tutors Maggie to success, but then this otherwise standard underdog story takes a shocking turn in its final third that gives the movie an unexpected depth and immense power. Morgan Freeman is impressive as Dunn's crumpled sidekick, and Oscar winner Swank is terrific, too, but this is Clint's film, both as its tortured hero and as a great American director. – Damon Wise Where to watch: ITVX 9. Spotlight RT Review: In 2001, The Boston Globe ran a story about a priest accused of child abuse. After digging deeper, the members of the paper's Spotlight team unearthed a number of similar stories, revealing evidence that led to countless other priests who had molested young boys. Their investigation also proved all of these scandals had been covered up by senior members of the Catholic Church. This extraordinary story from writer/director Tom McCarthy (The Station Agent) is brought vividly to life in a riveting drama that sticks mindfully to the facts. Portraying real events and real people, it discloses how a small, four-person team (played by Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Brian d'Arcy James) exposed a shocking, widespread cover-up. For most of the film's running time, we follow these characters as they gather information, which isn't nearly as dull as it might sound. In fact, the film is utterly engrossing from start to finish, playing out as a detailed, quietly intelligent procedural in the style of All the President's Men, and praise cannot be heaped higher than that. The film was rewarded with Oscars for best picture and best original screenplay. – Stephen Carty Where to watch: Lionsgate+ 8. Gladiator RT Review: Ridley Scott and the boys from DreamWorks produced the first genuine Roman epic since 1964's The Fall of the Roman Empire with this virtual remake that deals with the transition of power from the sage-like Marcus Aurelius to his monstrous son, Commodus. The fictional hero, General Maximus, is Caesar's adopted heir, whom Commodus turns into an exile after killing his family. Becoming a gladiator, Maximus fights to avenge his loved ones and save the soul of Rome. The film's strengths are a fine script, which doesn't stint on the politics, and excellent performances from Richard Harris as Aurelius and Oliver Reed, in his final film, as a gladiator trainer. Also superb is Joaquin Phoenix as the paranoid, teenage Commodus, while Russell Crowe is utterly convincing as the Conan/Spartacus-like hero. As always with Scott, the visuals are fabulous: the computer-generated ancient Rome is simply staggering, allowing helicopter shots over the city and turning the Colosseum into a living building, a character in its own right and a blood-soaked stage on which the fate of the characters and the empire is enacted. For those old enough to remember the 70mm epics of yesteryear, this is a nostalgic synthesis of all of them. For those who haven't seen those earlier movies, Scott will open their eyes to a "brand-new" old world. – Adrian Turner Where to watch: Prime Video 7. Anora RT Review: The Florida Project writer/director Sean Baker heads to New York with this breathless and very grown-up twist on Cinderella. Ani (Mikey Madison) is a fiery and quick-witted Brooklyn sex worker who is introduced to high-rolling new client Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn). The 18-year-old son of a Russian oligarch, Ivan is brash and bratty, but hits it off with Ani when he pays her to be his girlfriend. After weeks of hedonistic pursuit, the couple elope to Las Vegas. When they return, though, Ivan's parents dispatch his hapless minders to have the marriage annulled, and Ani must fight to keep her new-found life of luxury. As director, Baker brilliantly navigates a fascinating world of high-heels, fishnet stockings and tacky Take That remixes, while his electric script effortlessly shifts between drama and screwball comedy. At the centre of it all, Madison is magnetic as the firecracker with sad eyes, anchoring a complex character study that boasts a sparkling comedic surface. – Max Copeman Where to watch: NOW 6. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King RT Review: Peter Jackson deservedly won the best director Oscar for this powerful and enchanting concluding episode to his massively ambitious adaptation of JRR Tolkien's trilogy. It also became the first fantasy film to receive the best picture Oscar and won awards in all the categories it was nominated for, equalling the record haul of 11 set by Ben-Hur and Titanic. One staggeringly beautiful sight follows another as the brilliant ensemble cast brings Tolkien's fantasy masterpiece to life, and Jackson mixes man, myth and magic together with astonishing scope and intoxicating invention. The action picks up from The Two Towers with Frodo crawling to Mount Doom to finally destroy the ring, while Aragorn enlists an army of the dead to help Gandalf defend the besieged city of Minas Tirith from the Witch-king and his armies. Jackson's loyalty to Tolkien's over-stuffed text means certain characters get little screen time and the ending does drag on with its series of teary farewells. But these are minor gripes considering his towering achievement in creating a timeless, literate and passionate masterpiece that will live for ever. The Minas Tirith battle sequence in particular will surely go down as one of the greatest in cinema history. – Alan Jones Where to watch: NOW 5. 12 Years a Slave RT Review: Aside from the milestone 1970s mini-series Roots, Quentin Tarantino's revenge fantasy Django Unchained, and a handful of others, there have been precious few films about slavery in the US told from the point of view of the enslaved. At the very least, director Steve McQueen's adaptation of Solomon Northup's memoir (which was previously adapted for TV in 1984, starring Avery Brooks) represents essential viewing for correcting that imbalance. The added bonus is that it's also a tremendously powerful piece of cinema, a tale of suffering, endurance, courage and abiding humanity about a freeborn man kidnapped and sold into slavery, which packs all the more wallop for the elegance with which it's made. Yes, the scenes where characters are brutalised and tortured are shocking in the extreme. However, McQueen tempers that horror with a bravura display of directorial craft, so that the most emotionally devastating moments – for instance, a long-held close-up of Northup singing – arrive with maximum force. Chiwetel Ejiofor's restrained, finely modulated lead performance fully deserves all the praise that's been heaped upon it, but the supports, especially Lupita Nyong'o and Michael Fassbender, are no less impressive. – Leslie Felperin Where to watch: Available to rent/buy 4. Oppenheimer RT Review: The physicist who oversaw America's race to develop the atom bomb before the Nazis is the beating heart of director Christopher Nolan's spectacular, Oscar-winning depiction of world-changing history. Cillian Murphy gives a stunning performance as J Robert Oppenheimer, dubbed "the father of the atomic bomb", and he's supported by an awesome array of talent, including Emily Blunt and Florence Pugh (as the women in his life), Robert Downey Jr, Matt Damon and Casey Affleck. The three-hour running time and scientific jargon demand patience, but Nolan's marriage of visuals and sound design is often dazzling, not least during the tension-filled detonation of the prototype device. Oppenheimer's postwar battle with authorities over his politics also features, and the fusion of these intersecting narratives delivers a dramatically explosive climax. But it is Murphy's haunting turn, often conveyed in unsparing close-up, that anchors this beautifully cinematic epic. – Jeremy Aspinall Where to watch: Available to rent/buy 3. No Country for Old Men RT Review: There's a lot of money being chased in this masterful, multi-faceted thriller from the Coen brothers, but it's not really what's at stake. Set in Texas in 1980, it begins with Vietnam War veteran Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin) stumbling across a desert drug deal gone wrong and escaping with a suitcase containing $2 million. A game of cat and mouse ensues, as Moss is pursued by a ruthless assassin armed with a cattle stun gun (Javier Bardem), various Mexican drug dealers and an ageing police sheriff (Tommy Lee Jones), whose despairing take on the state of America provides the movie's moral heart. Adapting Cormac McCarthy's terse noir novel for the screen, the Coens deliver a complex, utterly riveting thriller that's also a philosophical meditation on the inexorable nature of fate. They also succeed in marrying the writer's apocalyptic sense of social breakdown with their own blackly comic sensibility. The result is a terrific crime movie that bears comparison with their other career high points, Blood Simple and Fargo. – Jamie Russell Where to watch: Paramount+ 2. Parasite RT Review: The gulf between rich and poor is taken imaginatively to task in this flawless and consistently surprising satire from South Korea's Bong Joon-ho (Okja, Snowpiercer) that bagged four Oscars. An air of mischief pervades the film, with trickery the name of the game for the protagonists and director alike. When we're first introduced to the Kim family (with Chang Hyae Jin as mum and Song Kang-ho as dad), they're living out an impoverished but amiable existence in a squalid semi-basement flat. Their luck changes when their son (Choi Woo-sik) is recommended for a tutor post he's not actually qualified for, with a family who have more money than nous - and sensing a golden opportunity, a breathtakingly audacious con is born. Explosions of righteous anger and further ignominy await in an eventful, enjoyably farcical narrative that alternates between nail-biting suspense and wicked wit. Parasite delights in its devious set-up and savage social commentary, offering sleek stylings and devilish details. It's a wonderfully sneaky film that, before you know it, will have worked its way right under your skin. – Emma Simmonds Where to watch: ITVX/BFI Player 1. Moonlight View Green Video on the source website RT Review: This Oscar-winning film from writer/director Barry Jenkins slowly teases out the true sexuality of a repressed young African-American named Chiron. Combining style and subtlety, Moonlight illustrates a liberating journey of self-acceptance that derives tension from the contrast between the tough Miami backdrop and the secret this shy boy keeps inside. Each of the film's three parts is equivalently heart-rending in observing at close quarters Chiron as attention-starved child (Alex Hibbert), then persecuted teen (Ashton Sanders) and finally, a battle-scarred and mistrustful adult (Trevante Rhodes). Mahershala Ali and Naomie Harris shine in supporting roles, the former playing a father figure and the latter, Chiron's dysfunctional parent. Jenkins eschews judgement, allowing his superb cast the space to inhabit their characters quietly and truthfully, while the cinematography cultivates intimacy and emphasises alienation. Together they lay bare the experience of growing up poor, black and gay in a film of rare empathy and shimmering beauty. – Emma Simmonds Where to watch: Available to rent/buy Check out more of our Film coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Tuesday 23 December
Festive Films Advent Calendar: 20 December
Our film picks for some seasonal streaming…
Festive Films Advent Calendar: 19 December
Top 10 Picks of the Day – Thursday 24 July
Best shows to watch to mark International Women's Day
The best shows to watch to celebrate IWD 2025, as picked by our team.
This year's International Women's Day is as important as ever, with 'accelerate action' being front and centre as the theme for 2025. As put by the campaign, Accelerate Action "emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality". The day, which falls on 8th March, is also an important reminder of the positive female representation that does exist in TV (albeit with improvements to always be made) that should be celebrated all year round. But if you're looking for an excuse to tuck into a new female-led show, then consider this it! From recent hits like The Marlow Murder Club which stars Samantha Bond, Jo Martin and Cara Horgan, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story or more fan favourite shows such as Fleabag, Sharon Horgan's Bad Sisters and Issa Rae's influential Insecure, there are a lovely selection of titles that boast stellar female talent both in front of and behind the camera. In honour of this year's International Women's Day, the RadioTimes.com team have put together a list of their favourite female-led central shows and where to watch them – so, happy IWD! High Potential (Disney Plus) High Potential stars Kaitlin Olson as a single mother with an exceptional mind, whose unconventional knack for solving crimes leads to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a by-the-book detective. The new Disney Plus series is based on a popular French series called Haut Potentiel Intellectuel, and has a wealth of female co-stars including Javicia Leslie, Amirah J and Judy Reyes, alongside Olson. - Katelyn Mensah The Marlow Murder Club (U&Drama) Based on Robert Thorogood's novel of the same name, The Marlow Murder Club follows three women – Judith Potts, Suzie Harris and Becks Starling – who investigate a series of murders and are taken on as advisors to the police by DS Tanika Malik. The female-led series was a welcome introduction to the cosy crime drama, for audiences and the stars themselves, with Cara Horgan previously telling RadioTimes.com: "It's really important. [But] also to have a show where four women are at the centre, but they're not in competition with each other. And it's a multi-generational story." Amandaland (BBC iPlayer) The highly-anticipated spin-off to Motherland took viewers by surprise in all the best possible ways when it landed on BBC iPlayer earlier this year, with critics praising the new series. Spin-off shows can often be a bit of a tricky tightrope. To be successful, they need to find balance with the old and new, which is kind of apt, given Amanda's situation. Thankfully, Amandaland manages to achieve this in spades, providing a fresh twist on the familiar humour with a new gang, new location, and new phase of motherhood to deal with. - Tilly Pearce Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Netflix) It’s not very often that a prequel series or spin-off is miles better than the original, but Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is an exception to the rule. Seen by many Bridgerton fans as simply a stop-gap between seasons 1 and 2, the Queen Charlotte spin-off is a magnificent period drama in its own right. Centred on Golda Rosheuvel’s formidable monarch, we get eye-opening insight into her younger years. Played by India Amarteifio as the young Charlotte, the series has the same whimsical and romantic feel as the original, but was decidedly more upfront about issues such as race and mental health. A special shoutout also has to go to Arsema Thomas as the young Lady Danbury, providing a performance that is all too memorable and crying out for a prequel series of her own. - Morgan Cormack For Sama (Channel 4) There's a reason why this documentary went down in history as the most nominated documentary in BAFTA's history, and went on to be nominated for an Oscar upon its release in 2019. An epic tale of love and loss, this film follows journalist and filmmaker Waad al-Kateab through five years of her life in Aleppo, Syria, before and during the Battle of Aleppo. From being an 18-year-old student at university in 2011 to falling in love and giving birth to daughter Sama, we follow Waad and her husband Hamza as they're forced to navigate the conflict that has engulfed their city, eventually having to decide whether to flee or stay in Aleppo to help others. - Morgan Cormack Lily & Lolly: The Forgotten Yeats Sisters (Sky Arts, Freeview and NOW) View Green Video on the source website This new docu-film shines an all important spotlight on the often forgotten story of the sisters of Irish poet and writer William B Yeats. Elizabeth and Susan Mary, who were known to their family as Lollie and Lily, were involved in the Arts and Crafts movement, achieving major success as independent Irish women back in the 1900s. The new film comes to platforms this IWD, but RadioTimes.com has an exclusive first look for you, giving us more of an insight into how the Yeats sisters would slot into modern thinking around feminism and the sister's use of the wider artistic network they had access to. - Morgan Cormack Insecure (NOW) We can’t have a conversation about modern comedies – female-led or not – without mention of Issa Rae’s Insecure. Not only is the series laugh out loud funny in every single episode (a hard feat these days), but it is also written by, directed by and stars Issa Rae. If that doesn’t scream inspiration for any writer or creative out there, then I don’t know what does. In following Issa and her best pals Molly (Yvonne Orji), Kelli (Natasha Rothwell) and Tiffany (Amanda Seales), the pacy, fresh comedy captures what it means to be a multifaceted Black woman living in America, with scenes and stories that will be relatable for many. Fledgling careers, unsuccessful relationships, sex, changing friendship dynamics and more combine in this LA-set series which ended on quite the Issa and Lawrence (Jay Ellis) twist, leaving fans (read: me) reeling from to this day. - Morgan Cormack Watch Insecure on NOW View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Dead Ringers (Prime Video) If you’re desperately in need of a darkly comedic body horror with a feminist twist this International Women’s Day, then Prime Video’s Dead Ringers is the show for you. Following the lives of co-dependent and often obsessive identical twin sisters Beverly and Elliot Mantle (both played by the Academy Award-winning Rachel Weisz in a criminally underrated performance), Dead Ringers explores the intricacies and importance of female sexuality, bodily autonomy and postnatal depression, and does so with staunchly accurate nuance. While it may have been influenced by the 1988 film of the same name starring Jeremy Irons, this version of Dead Ringers is entirely its own artistic, female body. With the guidance of an all-women’s writers room, including Weisz herself, Dead Ringers proudly reclaims the male-centred perspective of women’s bodies that the original turn led on, and as a result, serves as both a fascinating and, at times, horrifying comment on female reproductive health that is an entirely absorbing watch. - Chezelle Bingham Watch Dead Ringers on Prime Video View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Daisy Jones & The Six (Prime Video) "I’m not the muse. I’m the somebody," says Daisy Jones at the end of the first episode of Prime Video’s Daisy Jones & The Six, as she makes it her mission not to become the source of a man’s inspiration. Based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s 2019 novel of the same name, the Emmy-nominated series follows the rise and subsequent fall of a fictional ‘70s rock band obviously inspired by Fleetwood Mac – and is filled with as much romance, madness and expertly crafted musical numbers as you’d expect from such a concept. Band frontwoman Daisy Jones, played by Riley Keough in a role that almost feels as if it were crafted solely for her, is the obvious standout. She wants to be a star – and refuses to let any man take that away from her. Besides Daisy, the series boasts two other female talents in the form of Camila Dunne (Camila Morrone) and Karen Sirko (Suki Waterhouse), and shines when it delves into the psyche of its female characters, examining both their strengths and their flaws. Daisy is drug dependent; Karen is defiant and hot-headed; Camila is tragically loyal – but in all three cases, these three women are placed at the forefront of their own stories and allowed to thrive in an industry that has historically back-seated them. Daisy Jones & The Six may not be the perfect book-to-screen adaptation, but it’s the love letter to female-fronted rock bands every music lover should watch this IWD. - Chezelle Bingham Watch Daisy Jones & The Six on Prime Video Bad Sisters (Apple TV+) Sharon Horgan is one of the leading women when it comes to creating and writing some of the most talked-about and hilarious comedies on British telly. Known for being one of the brains behind Motherland, Horgan is also in front of the camera in Bad Sisters, a standout comedic gem for Apple TV+. Would I say it’s reason enough to subscribe to the streamer? Most definitely. In this revenge fantasy tale of five sisters, we get effortless humour, regular flecks of genuine surprise and enough bluntness to keep you hooked. As well as being a feat in storytelling, absorbing performances from Anne-Marie Duff, Eva Birthistle, Sarah Greene, Eve Hewson and Horgan will all (weirdly) make you want to be part of the Garvey sister clan. - Morgan Cormack Watch Bad Sisters on Apple TV+ Fleabag (BBC iPlayer) What list of female-driven television shows would be complete without Fleabag? Phoebe Waller-Bridge changed the game with the show's first, razor-sharp season, but her second instalment was nothing short of televisual perfection, earning her more awards-season hardware than she could carry (and gifting us the viral image of her triumphant, post-Emmys cigarette break). The world's attention mostly focused on her character's transgressive relationship with a Catholic priest, played by Andrew Scott (and dubbed 'The Hot Priest' by the internet). But the season's real love story was between Fleabag and her Type A sister, Claire (Sian Clifford). In the first episode of season two, Fleabag finds Claire miscarrying in a restaurant bathroom. It's a scene as raw and real as it comes, as Claire decides to carry on as if everything is normal – prompting Fleabag to cover for her, and paving the way for the once-estranged pair to become allies. Other highlights from their relationship include Claire phoning Fleabag for help following her 'pencil' haircut; Fleabag punching Martin after he made the "goldfish out the bowl" comment; and seeing the two sisters at the silent retreat their father booked them on. But the moment that had women reaching for their phones to text their own sisters and friends came in the final episode, when Claire told Fleabag: "The only person I'd run through an airport for is you." – Flora Carr Watch Fleabag on BBC iPlayer The Queen's Gambit (Netflix) It's the refreshing drama that has captivated millions of Netflix viewers the world over and sent sales of chess sets through the roof. Anya Taylor-Joy won a Golden Globe for her performance as flawed heroine Beth Harmon, a young woman who triumphs in the male-dominated 1960s world of chess in spite of – or because of – having grown up an orphan, mental illness and addiction. Beth’s birth mother died by suicide and her adoptive mother has her own demons to battle, so chess offers Beth a safe place where she can lose herself, and she is determined to gain mastery of the game to the point of dangerous obsession. Her male peers play supporting roles in the drama, coaching her to progress to levels they could not quite reach. The Queen’s Gambit is a tale of female grit to overcome adversity – adding it to your watchlist is a wise move indeed. – Helen Hackworthy, Listings and Platforms Editor Watch The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix Orange is the New Black (Netflix) When it comes to celebrating women, Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black does just that with its perfect mix of comedy and realism. Based on Piper Kerman’s memoir Orange Is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison, the seven-part series begins with Piper Chapman (Taylor Schilling) – a woman in her 30s who has been sentenced to 15 months in a women’s federal prison for transporting drugs for her girlfriend Alex Vause (played by Laura Prepon). During her time in jail, Piper comes face-to- face with women from all different walks of life as she learns the ropes within the racially segregated system inside. Along with the other inmates – including Laverne Cox, who plays trans inmate Sophia Burset, Selenis Laveya as Gloria Mendoza and Uzo Aduba as Suzanne 'Crazy Eyes' Warren – she learns to overcome the numerous struggles of prison life. Featuring flashbacks to significant events from various inmates’ and prison guards’ lives, this one is sure to pull at your heart strings while also having you in fits of laughter. – Grace Henry, Entertainment and Factual Editor Watch Orange Is the New Black on Netflix Broad City (Amazon Prime Video) When it comes to hugely underrated sitcoms, Broad City tops the list, with its fast-paced, eccentric style of humour and the electric chemistry between its two talented leads, Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson. Executive produced by Amy Poehler, the Comedy Central series follows best friends Abbi, an aspiring artist working as a gym cleaner, and Ilana, an extroverted care-free layabout, as they navigate life in their 20s as Jewish American women in New York City. While the show came to an end after five seasons in 2019, Broad City is a fun, easily binge-watched series that highlights the importance of female friendship and entertains with Abbi and Ilana’s hilarious adventures, highly-quotable one-liners ("Four R's my friend: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rihanna") and outrageous sex lives. From tracking down an air conditioner in a heatwave to sneaking into a Lil Wayne concert, Abbi and Ilana’s ridiculous, raunchy and sometimes cringeworthy shenanigans provide the perfect escape. – Lauren Morris, Entertainment and Factual Writer Watch Broad City on Amazon Prime Video The Handmaid's Tale (All 4) Based on Margaret Atwood’s blistering dystopian novel of the same name, The Handmaid’s Tale shows June Osborne’s battle against a religious patriarchy which sees women as one thing: child-bearing wives. In a terrifying world where a woman’s only function is to serve a man, Elisabeth Moss plays June, a ferocious female with a memory of the past and how American society should be – and she will stop at nothing to make sure girls growing up in fictional Gilead are given the same freedoms she had before the civil war. Hard-hitting, stark and at times a brutal horror, The Handmaid’s Tale serves up a timely look at equality of the sexes while also delivering superb performances from the show’s leading ladies. Moss is joined by the sublime Ann Dowd (Aunt Lydia) and Yvonne Strahovski (who plays the extremely complex Serena). – Helen Daly, Associate Editor Watch The Handmaid's Tale on Prime Video Gilmore Girls (Netflix) Over the years, I’ve found myself returning to Gilmore Girls and the small Connecticut town of Stars Hollow over and over again. Creator Amy Sherman-Palladino (whose more recent shows include The Marvelous Mrs Maisel) gives us a dysfunctional but loving mother-daughter duo in Lorelei Gilmore (Lauren Graham) and schoolgirl Rory Gilmore (Alexis Bledel), as well as haughty grandmother Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop) – and over the seasons, we see their relationships change and evolve with the characters. The show is funny, witty, charming, and utterly absorbing – even if not everyone enjoyed the recent Netflix revival. – Eleanor Bley Griffiths Watch Gilmore Girls on Netflix. WandaVision (Disney Plus) The MCU doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to putting women centre-stage in front of and behind the camera. Thankfully, that is beginning to change. WandaVision ushered in Marvel’s phase 4 with a weird and wonderful storyline that focuses on Wanda Maximoff, one of the Avengers’ most powerful – and underused – members. The result is a deft exploration of grief that transforms the rather neglected Scarlet Witch we know from the MCU into a well-rounded anti-heroine struggling to cope after losing everyone she’s ever loved. Borrowing inspiration from sitcoms across the ages, the Disney Plus series tells Wanda’s story in an unusual yet compelling way which sets it apart from the rest of Marvel’s offerings to date. Elizabeth Olsen brings plenty of range to the character, whether she’s fixing dinner in full 50s housewife garb or hitting rock bottom in her pyjamas. – Lidia Molina-Whyte, Freelance writer Watch WandaVision on Disney Plus Jessica Jones (Netflix) Before WandaVision, there was Jessica Jones. The second of Marvel’s short-lived forays into Netflix territory back in 2015 was the first to place a female superhero in the lead. Created by Melissa Rosenberg, it remains a powerful watch that skilfully tackles trauma after sexual abuse, turning the tired trope of sexual assault as a backstory on its head. Much like Wanda Maximoff, Jessica (Krysten Ritter) is an unapologetically flawed heroine with some pretty unhealthy coping mechanisms – but that’s precisely why she’s so relatable. Her love-hate relationship with her best friend, noir detective tendencies and dry sense of humour make her character a refreshing change of pace for the MCU and an entertaining watch on International Women’s Day. Plus, David Tennant as Killgrave is possibly one of the best (in the worst sort of way) baddies on TV. – Lidia Molina-Whyte, Freelance writer Watch Jessica Jones on Netflix. The X-Files (Disney Plus) As well as its cracking soundtrack, a creepy monster of the week and its mythology arcs, the FBI partnership that was Mulder and Scully was really at the heart of The X-Files’ success. Agent Dana Scully was on an equal footing in the partnership, giving us a strong feminist lead who saved Mulder just as often as he saved her. The pairing didn’t slip into the stereotypical gender roles either, instead having Scully as the voice of reason and logic and Mulder as the rogue believer. It’s no overstatement to say Scully inspired an entire generation too. In a 2018 university study, 50 per cent of women said she increased their interest in STEM; the phenomenon even has its own name, ‘The Scully Effect’. While Scully remains a complex female character, her empathy, resilience and intelligence remains as inspirational now as it did in the 90s. – Jo-Anne Rowney Watch The X-Files on Disney Plus Motherland (Netflix) Sharon Horgan's offbeat comedy Motherland is less interested in parenting itself than it is in its exhausting, bone-wearying effects. A satirical, almost ruthless portrait of middle-class motherhood, the series follows a group of women (and one token man), each one of them a parent at the local school. Line of Duty star Anna Maxwell Martin leads the cast as Julia, a frazzled businesswoman who struggles to balance work with parenting two kids (one can only imagine how she'd cope during lockdown – the storylines just write themselves). Motherhood is not a straightforward look at 'the sisterhood,' or even friendship. In fact, stay-at-home father Kevin (Paul Ready) openly worries about whether or not their gang are all truly friends, or "just friendly" acquaintances, their relationships born of convenience. Instead, the series zeroes-in on school-gate rivalries and alliances, and the sacrifices and pressure women face to "have it all", a theme the show leans into with the cast addition of Meg (played by Tanya Moodie) in season two. A high-flying career woman with a seemingly perfect blended family and brood of five, it turns out her coping mechanisms can all be found in her (probably custom-made) wine rack at home. When we last saw her during Motherland's Christmas episode, she's rocked up to the Nativity play smelling like "the carpet at a Wetherspoon’s". From the panic of (temporarily) losing another woman's child during trick-or-treating, to the carousel of world-weary quips delivered by Liz (Diane Morgan), the ever-relatable Motherland will have you both laughing and cringing. – Flora Carr Watch Motherland on Netflix Girlfriends (Netflix) In the mood for some lighthearted, female-led entertainment? Well, then Girlfriends is the one for you! The 2000 American sitcom was recently revived for Netflix and follows the lives of four friends in Los Angeles – Joan Clayton, Maya Wilkes, Lynn Searcy, and Toni Childs. From racial issues to love, dating, careers, and ageing, the series shows how the women handle various problems in their life while maintaining their strong friendships, which remain at the centre of it all. With episodes at just 20-minutes long, this is the perfect pastime for a lunch or tea break when working from home – Grace Henry, Entertainment and Factual Editor Watch Girlfriends on Netflix Call the Midwife (BBC iPlayer) This must be one of the most female-driven shows ever to air on TV – and it’s really something special. Based on the memoirs of midwife Jennifer Worth and adapted by Heidi Thomas, BBC drama Call the Midwife (now heading for its 10th season) follows a group of nurse midwives operating out of an East End convent in the 1950s and 60s. Current stars include Helen George, Jenny Agutter, and Laura Main. With stories about childbirth and disease, friendship and heartbreak, motherhood and love, each episode has the potential to wring and warm your heart in equal measure. – Eleanor Bley Griffiths Watch Call the Midwife on BBC iPlayer Killing Eve (BBC iPlayer) Women aren't always sugar and spice and all things nice – they can be killers, too. But not since Uma Thurman's Bride in Kill Bill has there been such a sublime female slayer as Killing Eve's Villanelle. Villanelle (Jodie Comer) puts the sass in assassin. Master of many tongues, she's smart, stylish and skilful, deftly despatching shady characters on the orders of the clandestine organisation for whom she works. But Villanelle can also be cold and unpredictable, often leaving her handler (Kim Bodnia) despairing in his vain attempt to control her. It's a light-hearted drama packed full of interesting female characters – from dogged agent and object of Villanelle's affections Eve Polastri (Sandra Oh), to the unflappable head of MI6's Russia desk Carolyn Martens (Fiona Shaw). Admittedly, the quality of Killing Eve faltered in seasons two and three when head writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge gave up the reins, but season one is to die for. – Helen Hackworthy, Listings and Platforms Editor Watch Killing Eve on BBC iPlayer Shrill (BBC iPlayer) SNL star Aidy Bryant shines in BBC Three comedy Shrill, an empowering look at life as a plus-sized woman in a social media-obsessed world. Bryant stars as Annie, an overweight woman in her late 20s who decides to embark on a journey of self-acceptance after realising she’s constantly degraded by people around her. From a fitness instructor telling her there’s a small person inside of her “dying to get out” to the slacker she’s sleeping with asking her to leave his house via the backdoor to avoid meeting his friends, Annie decides enough is enough and realises she shouldn’t let society’s expectations of her weight define her with the help of best friend and flatmate Fran, played by the phenomenal Lolly Adefope. With the third and final season of Shrill airing later this year, this body-positive comedy is definitely worth a watch this International Women’s Day for its expert balancing of both heartbreaking moments and light silliness, as well as the stellar performances from supporting cast members John Cameron Mitchell, Patti Harrison, Daniel Stern and Julia Sweeney. – Lauren Morris, Entertainment and Factual Writer Watch Shrill on BBC iPlayer Diary of A Future President (Disney Plus) It can be difficult to find an inspirational – and even aspirational – female-centric show for the younger women among us, which is why Disney Plus’s A Diary of a Future President is such a breath of fresh air. The series follows Elena Cañero-Reed, a strong-minded and confident 12-year-old Cuban American girl who wants to be the future president of the United States – and, thanks to flash forwards, we know she achieves it. The series, created by IIana Pena takes us through the drama, and lessons, she learns in school, revealing how they prepared her to become the powerful leader. As well as being wholesome and entertaining, DOAFP creates a flawed and realistic female role model, showing you can really dream big and break down whatever barriers are in your way. And, even better, it's funny and family friendly, making it a great pick to watch together, whatever age you are. – Jo-Anne Rowney. Watch Diary of a Future President on Disney Plus View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Visit our TV Guide, Radio Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Meet Ria Hebden: Dancing on Ice 2022 contestant and Lorraine presenter
Will Lorraine presenter Ria Hebden win? Stay tuned to find out.
Ria Hebden's Dancing on Ice debut wasn't the smoothest as the TV presenter found herself in the dreaded skate off against Ben Foden. Luckily for Hebden, the Dancing on Ice panel decided to save her, as Foden became the first contestant to be eliminated from the series. She'll return to the ice for the show's Movie Week, and will no doubt be pulling out all the stops to redeem herself. So, what will she be dancing to? The Dancing on Ice songs for Week Three have been revealed and for her second performance, Hebden will be skating to Into The Unknown from Disney's Frozen 2. She'll compete against the remaining Dancing on Ice 2022 contestants, including Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Brendan Cole, Coronation Street Sally Dynevor and dancer Regan Gascoigne, who currently holds the highest score on the leaderboard. Read on for everything you need to know about Ria Hebden, including who her Dancing on Ice professional skating partner is. Who is Ria Hebden? Job: TV presenter Instagram: @riahebden Twitter: @riahebden Paired with: Łukasz Różycki Ria Hebden is a journalist and English television presenter. She has been reporting on This Morning's Sofa Tour since 2018 and has been the entertainment editor on Lorraine since January 2020. Since 2020, she has co-presented All Around Britain with Alex Beresford. Ria Hebden's Dancing on Ice score: Week One: 6.0, 6.0, 6,5, 6.0 = 24.5 Despite finishing in fourth place with 24.5 points, Ria found herself in the skate off. Thankfully, she was saved, giving her a second chance to show off her skills on the ice. What has Ria Hebden said about joining Dancing on Ice 2022? Speaking on Lorraine back in October, Hebden said that she found the prospect of joining the series "a little bit scary". View oEmbed on the source website She added: "It'll be fun. I mean, this is one of ITV's most sparkly shows, so when they asked me I was like, 'Absolutely! I watch it at home, it'll be brilliant to learn a new scary skill' "But you've got to say yes to things that excite you that are a little bit scary because that's where the growth happens, right? I'm hoping so anyway!" Asked whether she's skated before, she said: “I went when I was 10 years old with my grandma and grandad to – and people in Yorkshire will remember – Bradford Ice Rink. I skated there. If I’m honest the last time I went on the ice was about six years ago with Noah [her son] and I did more drinking of mulled wine than skating!” In addition to Hebden, the full 2022 line-up included Coronation Street legend Sally Dynevor, Happy Mondays dancer Bez, Paralympian Stef Reid, Love Island’s Liberty Poole, rugby star Ben Foden, Paul Gascoigne’s son Regan Gascoigne, pop star Rachel Stevens, professional dancer Brendan Cole and BMX Olympic silver medalist Kye Whyte. Dancing on Ice is on ITV on Sundays. Want something else to watch? Check out our full TV Guide or visit our Entertainment hub for the latest news.
Britannia season 3: release date, cast, trailer for Sky Atlantic series
Sophie Okonedo joins the cast for season three of Britannia.
We may have had to wait a while for series three of Britannia with series two bowing out in January 2020, but the new run is finally underway after its premier on 24th August 2021. And thanks to the whole series being uploaded to NOW at once, fans can watch the whole thing in one quite lengthy sitting if they so wish – the Britannia drought is well and truly over! A 40-second teaser trailer was posted on the show's social media channels on 20th August 2021, just four days before the start of the new series, and it teased the epic action in store for the Britannia cast. Thankfully, the first episode delivered, filling the fantasy-shaped whole in our lives, after Britannia and other sword and sorcery shows such as The Witcher and House of the Dragon suffering filming delays due to the pandemic. But happily, the next clash between Celts, Romans and drugged-up Druids is upon us and the wait has indeed been worth it. Here's everything you need to know about Britannia season three. When is Britannia season 3 on TV? Britannia is already back to rule the airwaves having kicked off its third season on Tuesday 24th August 2021. RadioTimes.com exclusively revealed the air date of season three, and all eight episodes have also been simultaneously released on streaming service NOW – so fans can binge the whole lot. A similar tactic was used for Britannia season two, as well as other Sky originals such as A Discovery of Witches and Intergalactic. Filming on the third season was shut down in March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Sky announced in September 2020 that filming was back "underway" for the historical drama. Prior to the show's recommissioning, Mackenzie Crook told RadioTimes.com that he saw scope for it to continue beyond a third season, adding: “Well, the Romans stayed [in Britain] for 400 hundred years so you’ve got a lot of material there and we’re only a couple of years into the invasion, so who knows? “I think the Druids were wiped out in a big battle in maybe AD60, around 20 years after the invasion[…] so if I can keep hold of the [Druid] leadership I’ve got a couple of series left in me.” Britannia season 3 plot Britannia season three see's the introduction of a brand new central (and "terrifying") character, played by Sophie Okonedo (Ratched). The Death on the Nile actress plays Hemple, the wife of General Aulus (David Morrissey), who "arrives in Britannia to find out why her husband has failed with Lokka’s mission to capture the chosen one, Cait," according to Sky's synopsis – and she certainly shakes things up. Amena (Annabel Scholey) gets caught up between the terrifying twosome of Aulus and Hemple, as the Celt "finds herself in a lethal Ménage à trois with both of them." Sophie Okonedo said of her casting: “I’m so glad to be plunged into the weird and wonderful world of Britannia. I was already a fan of the show and its writers Jez and Tom Butterworth, so I jumped for joy when they offered me the wonderful character of Hemple. Without giving too much away I’ll just say this woman has a huge appetite…” Screenwriter James Richardson added: “Sophie is one of the UK’s greatest actors and we all feel very privileged to have her play our new and particularly malevolent force for series three. She is an actor with an enormous range and manages to make you laugh whilst being completely terrifying. A perfect fit for Britannia! We feel very fortunate to be able to continue making such an ambitious show about a time when everything changes." Season three has mixed things up a bit as Cait's (Eleanor Worthington-Cox) ongoing journey to become the Chosen One underwent a transformation due to a "decision that will tie her to the future of her war-torn people and their ravaged land." We also have more Druid drama as Cait's mentor Divis (Nikolaj Lie Kaas) gets a mysterious and undesired new job, while Veran (Mackenzie Crook) travels to the underworld and sees the future. Britannia season 3 cast In addition to Sophie Okonedo's new casting, season three saw the return of actors David Morrissey, Mackenzie Crook, Annabel Scholey, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Eleanor Worthington-Cox, and Zoë Wanamaker. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. Britannia season 3 trailer It's only brief – but this season three teaser boasts some stunning visuals and several sweeping shots of the British countryside: View oEmbed on the source website And a second teaser was released just in time for the new series – this time featuring a first look at some epic action. View oEmbed on the source website Britannia series three comes to Sky Atlantic and NOW on Tuesday 24th August. For more suggestions on what to watch now check out our TV Guide, our best series on Netfix guide, best movies on Netflix or the best shows on Amazon Prime.
Is Will Byers gay? Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp weighs in on the speculation
The actor has said that "nothing is set in stone" for the character
Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp has weighed in on fan speculation that his character, Will Byers, is gay. Speculation about Will's sexuality has been around since season one, and in season three it appeared that Will's friend Mike confirmed rumours when he stated: "It's not my fault you [Will] don't like girls." However, Schnapp has said that "nothing is set in stone" for the character, noting that Will's long stint in the Upside Down could also mean that he's not as grown-up as his Hawkins peers or ready for romantic relationships. For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. "Some people perceive it as Will could be gay, asexual or whatever," Schnapp told The Hollywood Reporter. "Or, like how I see it, he was stuck in the Upside Down, and he was away for so long that all of his friends started growing up while he was in this other world." He continued: "When he came back, everyone was all grown up, and he was still a little kid who still wanted to do little kid things like play D&D [Dungeons and Dragons]. He wasn't ready to face this maturity and get into relationships. So, I think that's what Will is going through right now." The actor also said he had “read the first four scripts, and they are amazing. I can’t wait to see where they go with the rest of the season.” Judging by the season four teaser that was released on Valentine's Day, we know Russia is definitely on the cards. Stranger Things season 1-3 are currently on Netflix.
Why is Harry Kane not playing in the Spurs v Middlesborough FA Cup replay? What is his injury?
The England captain and Spurs number nine is out of action until at least April, according to his club
Viewers tuning in to the Tottenham Hotspur vs. Middlesborough FA Cup third round replay tonight on BBC1 at 8.05pm may be disappointed to see that England Captain and Spurs number nine Harry Kane isn't playing. The striker has unfortunately sustained an injury that may see him out of action for much of the remaining 2019/2020 season. What is Harry Kane's injury? Harry Kane has sustained a ruptured tendon in his left hamstring during the 0-1 Premier League defeat against Southampton on New Year's Day 2020. According to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club "Following ongoing assessment by our medical staff over the past week, we can confirm that Harry Kane will undergo surgery" now the injury has been fully assessed. When will Harry Kane return to playing football? The exact timeframe of any injury is hard to predict, however Spurs have said that the decision to undergo surgery is not expected to impact the timeframe Harry Kane will be sidelined with his injury and that "the expectation [is] that he will return to training in April." Will Harry Kane play in Euro 2020? England's first Euro 2020 game isn't until 16th June 2020 against Croatia. Despite some reports suggesting the England captain may be a risk for the tournament, if his recovery and rehabilitation goes to plan and he returns to training in April, it still seems likely he will play in Euro 2020.
What the cast of Gavin and Stacey did next
We spend every day waiting for news of a new series. In the meantime let's look at what Ruth Jones, James Corden and the gang have been up to during the past decade.
James Corden and Ruth Jones performed a Christmas miracle in 2019. After announcing that they were bringing back their acclaimed BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey for a one-off Christmas special fans were excited but nervous. Could it ever be as good? The answer was a resounding yes, with monster ratings and great reviews all round. Although we never did find out what happened on that fishing trip... The original series followed Gavin (Mathew Horne), from Essex, England, who strikes up a long-distance relationship with Stacey (Joanna Page), from Barry, Wales. The show also explored the impact their romance has on their friends and family. After a nine-year hiatus, the hour-long special brought the original cast back together including Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman and Larry Lamb. COMMENT: The return of Gavin & Stacey is the biggest news in British comedy for a decade – and the biggest responsibility So, as we wait with baited breath to hear if the show will come back again, we wonder what's been occurring for the Gavin & Stacey cast in the past decade? Read on to find out... James Corden — played Smithy Who did James Corden play in Gavin & Stacey? Corden played Neil "Smithy" Smith, Gavin's best friend from Essex. An immature joker, he has a child with Nessa Jenkins following a one-night stand, and talks her out of marrying her boyfriend Dave. The pair have stuck to their 'friends with benefits' arrangement for a long time, but Smithy was taken aback when Nessa proposed to him last Christmas. We await his answer... James Corden criticises lack of romantic TV and film roles for 'chubby' people What has James Corden done since Gavin & Stacey? After creating Gavin & Stacey alongside Ruth Jones, Corden went on to win a Tony Award for his performance in One Man, Two Guvnors; hosted the Brits, Tonys and Grammys; and became the host of The Late Late Show across the pond, racking up millions of YouTube hits with his Carpool Karaoke series. He also co-wrote and starred in BAFTA-nominated series The Wrong Mans with Matthew Baynton, and hosted Sky1 sports panel show A League of their Own for 13 series. View oEmbed on the source website Ruth Jones — played Nessa Who did Ruth Jones play in Gavin & Stacey? Jones played Stacey's best mate from Barry, Vanessa "Nessa" Jenkins. Heavily tattooed and with a secretive past, she's also fiercely loyal and coined the show's best catchphrases, including 'Tidy' and 'Oh! What's occurring?' She had a complicated romantic past, allegedly involving the likes of John Prescott and Richard Madeley, but unbeknownst to both of them it was the father of her child who stole her heart. Nessa eventually proposed to Smithy on Christmas Day but the credits rolled before he could answer. What has Ruth Jones done since Gavin & Stacey? In addition to writing and starring in six series of Wales-set comedy drama Stella for Sky1, Jones has acted in various shows including BBC4's Hattie, a biopic of Carry On actress Hattie Jacques, and has written a best-selling novel, Never Greener. Her new book 'Us Three' is due to be released this year. Joanna Page — played Stacey Who did Joanna Page play in Gavin & Stacey? Page played Stacey West, a young woman from Barry, Wales, who begins speaking to Gavin every day on the phone at work, before starting a long-distance relationship with him. After a few stumbling blocks the couple married, and the New Year's Day 2010 special ended with Stacey announcing that she was pregnant. When we rejoined them for the Christmas special, Gavin and Stacey had three kids and were still very much in love, despite Stacey's worries that they were drifting apart. What has Joanna Page done since Gavin & Stacey? Since 2010, Page has appeared in various television shows, including BBC1's The Syndicate, Sky Living's The Gates and Doctor Who's 'The Day of the Doctor' episode, in addition to the film Nativity 2: Danger in the Manger. She also took a six year break from acting to raise her three children with her husband, former Emmerdale actor James Thornton. Mathew Horne — played Gavin Who did Mathew Horne play in Gavin & Stacey? Horne played the eponymous Gavin Shipman, a young man from Essex who falls in love with a girl from Barry. The series centres around their relationship, as well as Gav's friendship with best mate Smithy. What has Mathew Horne done since Gavin & Stacey? Horne continued to work with James Corden for a while, but they went their separate ways when they couldn't find the success they'd enjoyed with Gavin & Stacey. Horne co-starred in the much-anticipated Dad's Army remake and has appeared in shows such as Porters, Agatha Raisin, Miss Marple and Death in Paradise. Rob Brydon — played Uncle Bryn Who did Rob Brydon play in Gavin & Stacey? Brydon played Uncle Bryn, a bachelor who lives across the street from Stacey and his sister-in-law, Stacey's mum Gwen. He's haunted by an unspecified incident that took place on a fishing trip with his nephew but is otherwise endlessly chipper. He's always impressed by the wonders of modern technology, especially sat navs. What has Rob Brydon done since Gavin & Stacey? Brydon continues to be one of Britain's most in-demand comedy actors. He presents BBC1's popular comedy panel show Would I Lie to You? and stars opposite friend Steve Coogan in four series of The Trip. He has also starred in a number of films. Alison Steadman — played Pam Who did Alison Steadman play in Gavin & Stacey? Steadman played Gavin's doting mum, Pam Shipman. She loves Camila Parker Bowles, pretends to be vegetarian (at least in Gwen's company) and her catchphrase is, 'Oh my Christ!' She was horrified when she heard her 'little Prince' Gavin would be getting married on 'Barry's Island' but is generally supportive of the relationship. She also treats Gavin's best friend Smithy like her second son. What has Alison Steadman done since Gavin & Stacey? Steadman was a hugely successful actress long before Gavin & Stacey and continues to be, with a string of varied roles. She recently starred in comedy Hold The Sunset, drama Butterfly, and reunited with fellow Gavin & Stacey star Sheridan Smith in BBC drama Care. She has also appeared in Orphan Black and Inside No. 9, and made a guest appearance on The Archers. Larry Lamb — played Mick Who did Larry Lamb play in Gavin & Stacey? Lamb played Michael "Mick" Shipman, Gavin's father. He runs his own company and is happy to indulge his wife Pam's Princes Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles fantasies. Level-headed and good at welcoming guests when they arrive, he's great in a crisis, as he proved on the fateful night that Smithy realised he was going to be a dad. What has Larry Lamb done since Gavin & Stacey? Lamb is also well-known for playing villain Archie Mitchell in EastEnders, at the same time as Gavin & Stacey was airing. He also played Ted Case in the long-running series New Tricks, starred in Pitching In, Love & Marriage, and appeared on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2016. He often appears on TV with his presenter son George Lamb. Sheridan Smith — played Ruth Who did Sheridan Smith play in Gavin & Stacey? Smith played Ruth Smith (better known as Rudi), Smithy's mouthy younger sister. She and Smithy performed an exceptional rendition of Kanye West's rap from the song American Boy down the phone to Gav. What has Sheridan Smith done since Gavin & Stacey? Following Gavin & Stacey, Smith went on to a stratospheric career, winning BAFTAs for roles in dramas Cilla and Mrs Biggs. She's appeared on the West End stage in shows like Legally Blonde, Funny Girl and Joseph, and more recently starred in BBC drama Care and the ITV drama series Cleaning Up. Her ability to play serious and funny roles, and to always be relatable to audiences, has made her one of the country's best-loved actresses. She has recently signed up to host a BBC competition series about dog grooming, indulging her love of pets. Smith is currently expecting her first child. The hour-long Gavin & Stacey special aired on Christmas Day 2019 on BBC1. We await news of any further specials or a new series.
Dancing on Ice scores: who came top of the leaderboard this week?
We reveal what scores the judges gave the Dancing on Ice celebrities each Sunday night
Twelve celebrities started their Dancing on Ice journey, but there can only be one winner. Although gaining viewers' votes is half the battle, the celebrity skaters also have to impress Jason Gardiner, Ashley Banjo, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean on the ice panel if they want to avoid the skate-off and stay in the competition. Dancing on Ice 2019 contestants: who has joined the celebrity line-up? Everything you need to know about Dancing on Ice 2019 Meet the Dancing on Ice 2019 professional skaters Each week, we'll be reminding you who topped the judges' leaderboard and who was left languishing at the bottom... Week ten scores After ten gruelling weeks, James Jordan was crowned Dancing on Ice champion despite being the only finalist to not receive two perfect scores. Wes Nelson and Vanessa Bauer - 40.0 + 40.0 = 80.0 Saara Aalto and Hamish Gaman – 40.0 + 40.0 = 80.0 James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman - 39.0 + 40.0 = 79.0 Week nine scores Each of our semi-finalists took on two skates each, with Strictly star James Jordan achieving two perfect scores. James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman - 40.0 + 40.0 = 80.0 Wes Nelson and Vanessa Bauer - 37.5 + 36 = 73.5 Saara Aalto and Hamish Gaman – 35.0 + 38.5 = 73.0 Brian McFadden and Alex Murphy - 33.5 + 36.5 = 70.0 Week eight scores This week saw the first ever Dancing on Ice skate battle, seeing the remaining celebrities skating together in a group performance which was marked by the judges. The top couple got 5 extra points, the second got 4 etc. Wes and Vanessa impressed in the performance, seeing them top the leaderboard once more. Wes Nelson and Vanessa Bauer - 42.5 James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman - 40.5 Melody Thornton and Alexander Demetriou - 38.5 Brian McFadden and Alex Murphy - 35.0 Saara Aalto and Hamish Gaman – 33.0 Week seven scores Wes Nelson and Vanessa Bauer - 38.0 James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman - 36.0 Melody Thornton and Alexander Demetriou - 31.0 Saara Aalto and Hamish Gaman – 30.0 Brian McFadden and Alex Murphy - 28.5 Jane Danson and Sylvain Longchambon – 25.5 Ryan Sidebottom and Brandee Malto - 24.0 It was a three-way skate-off this week, with Ryan and Brandee, Melody and Alexander and Jane and Sylvain all skating to stay in the competition, and two couples set to go home. After the repeat performances, the judges were unanimous in their decisions, all choosing to save former Pussycat Doll Melody, with this week's head judge Jayne Torvill also saying she would have made the same decision. That meant both cricketer Ryan and Coronation Street star Jane bid farewell. Week six scores James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman - 34.0 Wes Nelson and Vanessa Bauer - 33.5 Melody Thornton and Alexander Demetriou - 33.0 Saara Aalto and Hamish Gaman – 31.0 Brian McFadden and Alex Murphy - 24.5 Jane Danson and Sylvain Longchambon – 22.5 Ryan Sidebottom and Brandee Malto - 22.0 Gemma Collins and Matt Evers – 15.5 Gemma Collins found herself in the skate-off for the first time against cricketer Ryan Sidebottom, with all four judges choosing to see Sidebottom skate another day. Speaking about her exit, TOWIE star Collins explained, "I just want to bow out gracefully now. I knew tonight was my night, so I just wanted to go out and have fun." When quizzed by Holly Willoughby as to whether Collins would keep skating, she replied in true GC style, "No, probably not. "But I am taking [skate partner Matt Evers] to Gucci to buy him a bag, because I love him." Gemma Collins: a Dancing on Ice icon. Week five scores James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman – 36.5 Wes Nelson and Vanessa Bauer - 34.0 Saara Aalto and Hamish Gaman – 33.5 Melody Thornton and Alexander Demetriou - 31.0 Brian McFadden and Alex Murphy - 25.5 Jane Danson and Sylvain Longchambon – 23.5 Ryan Sidebottom and Brandee Malto - 22.5 Saira Khan and Mark Hanretty - 22.0 Gemma Collins and Matt Evers – 13.5 After the viewer votes were added to the judges' scores, it was revealed that Saira would be in the skate-off against Ryan. The first three judges chose to save Ryan and his partner Brandee, with this week's head judge Jayne Torvill agreeing with the decision. Week four scores Melody Thornton and Alexander Demetriou - 32.5 James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman – 31.5 Wes Nelson and Vanessa Bauer - 29.5 Saara Aalto and Hamish Gaman – 27.0 Saira Khan and Mark Hanretty - 24.0 Brian McFadden and Alex Murphy - 24.0 Jane Danson and Sylvain Longchambon – 21.5 Didi Conn and Lukasz Rozycki – 18.5 Gemma Collins and Matt Evers – 16.5 After the viewer vote Saara and Didi found themselves in the skate-off, with all four judges opting to save Saara and her partner Hamish. Week three scores All the remaining celebrities took to the ice for Musicals Week, with each couple now also having to take on the Judges' Challenge - a spin lasting three rotations. Wes Nelson and Vanessa Bauer - 29.5 James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman – 27.0 Saara Aalto and Hamish Gaman – 26.0 Brian McFadden and Alex Murphy - 22.0 Melody Thornton and Alexander Demetriou - 20.5 Jane Danson and Sylvain Longchambon – 20.0 Ryan Sidebottom and Brandee Malto - 19.o Saira Khan and Mark Hanretty - 18.5 Richard Blackwood and Carlotta Edwards - 18 Didi Conn and Lukasz Rozycki – 16.5 Gemma Collins and Matt Evers – 13 A tense skate-off saw Richard Blackwood take on Saira Khan, with Richard being the second celebrity to exit the competition. Week two scores The remaining six celebrities took to the ice this week, hoping to avoid the infamous skate-off against Mark Little. 1. Wes Nelson and Vanessa Bauer - 25.0 2. Melody Thornton and Alexander Demetriou - 24.0 3. Brian McFadden and Alex Murphy - 20.0 4. Saira Khan and Mark Hanretty - 19.5 5. Richard Blackwood and Carlotta Edwards - 17.5 6. Ryan Sidebottom and Brandee Malto - 15.0 After the public vote, bottom of the leaderboard Ryan Sidebottom was placed in the skate-off, but lived to fight another day after beating former Neighbours actor Mark Little, who was the first celebrity sent home. Week one scores This week, six of the 12 celebrity contestants performed. The final six will perform in week two. 1. James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman – 30.5 3=. Jane Danson and Sylvain Longchambon – 20.5 3=. Saara Aalto and Hamish Gaman – 20.5 4. Gemma Collins and Matt Evers – 16.0 5. Didi Conn and Lukasz Rozycki – 14.5 6. Mark Little and Brianne Delcourt – 13.5 The combination of the judges' scores and the public vote sends Mark into the skate-off in week two. Dancing on Ice airs Sundays on ITV
What are the numbers you need? How do you download and vote with the app? Here's everything you need to know about supporting your favourite Dancing on Ice celeb...
Judges Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, Jason Gardiner and Ashley Banjo all get to have their say on the Dancing on Ice contestants each week – but so do you. Here's how to support your chosen celeb by voting via mobile, landline or the Dancing on Ice app... How do you vote in Dancing on Ice 2019? There are three ways you can vote for your favourite Dancing on Ice celebrity: by phone, mobile and app (see full details below). If you want to vote by phone, note it is likely to be cheaper to vote by mobile using the shorter phone numbers than by mobile or landline using the longer '09' numbers. ITV now uses Mobile ShortDial Codes (MSDCs, also known as Voice Short Codes) for voting via mobile phones. These are shorter than normal telephone numbers, usually between 5 and 7 digits long, and guarantee that you will not be charged more than the fixed 35p per vote, as MSDCs do not add a mobile operator's Network Access Charge. These changes also mean that you can no longer vote via text. ITV abandoned that method as it was possible that text votes would not be received during the voting window and could therefore not be counted (although they would still incur a charge). By calling an MSDC number, you will know whether you have got through or not and therefore whether your vote has been counted. Voting opens towards the end of each episode of Dancing on Ice and is open for five minutes, or as advised by hosts Phil and Holly Vote in Dancing on Ice via the app How do you download the Dancing on Ice app? For Android devices click here to download the app, and click here to download Apple devices on iOS. How many votes do you get on the Dancing on Ice app? You get five votes on the app every single week for each device registered. You can register up to six different devices. Is voting on the Dancing on Ice app free? Yes, the five votes you get on each device or are completely free. Full FAQs for voting for Dancing on Ice can be found here. Vote in Dancing on Ice by mobile phone You can vote via your mobile phone using the short (MSDC) number, followed by the last two digits that correspond to your chosen celebrity. You can also vote via your mobile phone by calling the longer '09' number but it is likely to cost you more as a Network Access Charge will be added. How much does a mobile phone vote cost? Calls to the short number cost 35p each. Calls to the longer '09' number cost 35p each, plus a Network Access Charge. Note: as explained above, you can no longer vote via text Vote in Dancing on Ice by landline You can vote via your landline using the longer '09' number, followed by the two digits that correspond to your chosen celebrity. Landline number: 09020 50 51 + Jane Danson and Sylvain Longchambon – 01 Didi Conn and Lukasz Rozycki – 02 Saara Aalto and Hamish Gaman – 03 James Jordan and Alexandra Schauman – 04 Mark Little and Brianne Delcourt – 05 Gemma Collins and Matt Evers – 06 How much does a landline phone vote cost? Calls cost 35p each, plus the Network Access Charge, which is determined by your service provider. It is therefore cheaper to vote using the short number via a mobile phone. Dancing on Ice airs Sundays at 6pm on ITV
Line of Duty series 1-3 recap: everything you need to know before the BBC drama returns
Get up to speed on the first three series of the BBC's thrilling cop series ahead of the new episodes
Line of Duty is back, and if you've been following the drama from the beginning you will know that is a very good thing. Even though each series of the BBC's thrilling cop show has focused on a different anti-corruption case, the key cast of characters has remained the same throughout, and old investigations are never quite forgotten. Meet the cast of Line of Duty series four Who is Line of Duty series four star Thandie Newton? The real AC-12: discover the police anti-corruption officers who inspired Line of Duty Series four begins with something of a fresh start for anti-corruption unit AC-12 after the dramatic conclusion to series three, but that doesn't mean you should dive into the first episode without a good briefing. Here is everything you need to know ahead of series four. Obviously, MAJOR spoilers follow for the first three series. If you haven't watched them yet, the first two are available on Netflix, and the third is available for free on BBC iPlayer. What is AC-12? AC-12 is the name of the dedicated unit responsible for investigating police corruption – basically rooting out the bad apples in the Force. DSI Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar, centre) is in charge of the unit, assisted by DS Steve Arnott (Martin Compston, left) and DS Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure, right). Arnott caught the eye of Hastings in series one, when as a firearms officer he blew the whistle on a botched operation. He was assigned to AC-12, working alongside undercover officer Fleming. They've been an effective team ever since. What happened in Line of Duty series one? AC-12 was tasked with investigating high-flying copper Tony Gates (Lennie James), recently named Officer of the Year. Gates had agreed to help his lover Jackie when she told him she'd hit a dog while drink-driving. In actual fact, it transpired she had hit her own accountant, after he discovered she was laundering money for local gangster Tommy Hunter. Just when Gates was about to reveal all, Jackie was murdered and Hunter framed Gates for the killing. The gangster blackmailed Gates, saying he would hand the fabricated evidence over to the police unless he did as he was told. In desperation, Gates tried to track down his blackmailer alone, with AC-12 in hot pursuit. With no way out, he agreed to lead AC-12 to Tommy, securing vital evidence that led to Hunter's arrest before committing suicide. And that would be that... if it weren't for 'The Caddy'. At the end of the series, viewers learned that DS Matthew "Dot" Cottan (Craig Parkinson), one of Gates's subordinates, had been Tommy Hunter's inside man all along. He was codenamed 'The Caddy' as he used to carry Tommy's golf bags as a kid. Dot told Hunter what to say to the police, getting him into a witness protection programme. Which brings us to series two. What happened in Line of Duty series two? View oEmbed on the source website The action began with an armed attack on a police convoy transporting a protected witness. DI Lindsay Denton (Keeley Hawes) was the only survivor, and was immediately suspected of being a criminal insider. Denton proved a formidable case for AC-12, outwitting them at almost every turn and earning Keeley Hawes rave reviews for her performance. The protected witness turned out to be none other than Tommy Hunter from series one. In fact, it was Dot who masterminded the hit on the police convoy, ordering the killing of Hunter in order to protect his gang paymasters and his own true identity. Denton was an accomplice, convinced to help after watching a teenager being abused by Hunter. However, she never knew the full picture or that Dot was the man behind it all; she was left alive so that she would be blamed for the attack. And blamed she was: at the end of the series Denton was convicted of conspiracy to murder. Dot, who had been so 'helpful' with AC-12's inquiry, became a permanent member of the team, tasked with discovering the identity of 'The Caddy' after the anti-corruption unit got wind of the codename. Unsurprisingly, that wasn't a case Dot was particularly keen on solving. The corrupt copper was now at the heart of the force's anti-corruption team. A plum posting indeed – and one which would have serious repercussions in series three... For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. What happened in Line of Duty series three? View oEmbed on the source website Armed response team leader Sergeant Danny Waldron (Daniel Mays) became the subject of AC-12's investigations after a suspect was shot dead in suspicious circumstances. However, in a shocking twist, by the end of the episode Waldron himself was dead, apparently killed by one of his own team. What was going on? It transpired that Waldron had a list of names of people who had sexually abused him and his schoolmates as a child, and was taking revenge. The paedophile ring included high-profile politicians, policemen and celebrities – including, in a disturbing nod to real events, Jimmy Savile. Waldron had tried to leave a copy of the list for DS Arnott, but dodgy Dot – now in charge of the investigation – discovered the record of names and destroyed it. So, was that where the evidence trail went cold? Not quite. In a surprise return that caught everyone off guard, DI Denton's conviction was overturned on appeal, and the series two anti-heroine was free again. Despite her trial revealing key failings in AC-12, in the end she agreed to assist Arnott in cracking open the child abuse case by discovering a back-up version of the list (remember, it was witnessing abuse in series two that dragged her into the ill-fated police convoy). View oEmbed on the source website For the latest news and expert tips on getting the best deals this year, take a look at our Black Friday 2021 and Cyber Monday 2021 guides. It was Denton, too, who finally discovered Dot's true identity as the corrupt mastermind turning everyone's heads in the wrong direction. In a grim showdown, Dot shot Denton through the head – but not before she managed to deliver a digital copy of Waldron's list of abusers to AC-12. While Dot had attempted to frame Arnott as the corrupt insider, Fleming wasn't buying it. In a feature-length finale, Dot was finally unmasked as 'The Caddy' in a riveting interview scene. Dot had planned his escape route long ago, however, and in a spray of bullets and shattering glass escaped the interrogation room, only to have Fleming chase him down. The ensuing chase saw Dot jump in front of bullets from a mystery assailant to save Fleming's life, recording his 'Dying Declaration' for his colleague before passing away – evidence that would help bring the abusers to justice. So, Dot is dead, and Fleming and Arnott are reunited with boss Ted Hastings. A fresh start for series four? Perhaps – although, if the first three series have taught us anything, it's that the web of corruption stretches far and wide. The Caddy isn't the only bad apple... This article was originally published in March 2017 View oEmbed on the source website
Who is Terry? Meet the Great British Bake Off 2018 contestant
Everything you need to know about the former air steward and man behind the moustache
Terry is one of the 12 contestants taking part in The Great British Bake Off 2018. And yes, he’s sporting quite the crumb catcher. But there’s more to Terry than his gloriously-groomed facial furniture (that some might say make him look like a hipster Toby Young). The 56-year-old is a retired air steward, who has a background as a prosthetic technician. Terry also maintains an allotment and microbrewery, which he says gives him skills in precision, flavour and science. A banker, a blood courier and a DJ: meet The Great British Bake Off cast of 2018 Bake Off hosts Noel Fielding and Sandi Toksvig go Back to the Future as Doc Brown and Marty McFly RadioTimes.com newsletter: get the latest TV and entertainment news direct to your inbox Join us every Wednesday at 11am on the Radio Times YouTube Channel for a LIVE Bake Off recap and chat View oEmbed on the source website He says his kitchen is “calm, quiet and cool” and the room where he spends the most time. “If you can’t find me in the house I am in the kitchen,” he says. “It’s my zen place and always has been.” Can he maintain that calm under the eyes of Paul and Prue, though? To Terry, baking is ultimately about family. He learned how to bake from his grandmother, while his Dad taught him to make bread and pastry aged 10. And it was his daughters who finally convinced him to apply for the show. View oEmbed on the source website “I think everybody will be amazed that I have done it,” he says. “Although lots of people have said over the years you should do it, I think they will be shocked, particularly my mother-in-law, who will also be very pleased that I have done it." View oEmbed on the source website Terry's Bake Off journey After being absent for Dessert Week, our beloved Terry left the tent in Spice Week in a double elimination which saw him and Karen get the boot. A lot of people were heartbroken about Terry's Bake Off journey coming to an end. View oEmbed on the source website In Biscuit Week, Terry was thanking his lucky stars that he managed to complete his beautiful brandy snap showstopper after coming very close to leaving the tent in the first episode. He ran out of time in his opening bake, struggled with the wagon wheel technical, only to pull it out of the bag with a portrait masterpiece in the final bake. View oEmbed on the source website Those wonderful whiskers live to bake another week. Terry and his legendary moustache were absent from Dessert Week, but he was certainly missed on Twitter. View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website Terry: Key Facts Age: 56 From: West Midlands Job: Retired air steward The Great British Bake Off airs Tuesdays on Channel 4 at 8pm
Who is Rodrigo Alves? Celebrity Big Brother 2018 contestant
Everything you need to know about the man who's spent over half a million pounds on plastic surgery
His name is Rodrigo Alves, but you probably know the Celebrity Big Brother star as the Human Ken Doll, the Brazilian-born British man who was dubbed the real-life version of Barbie’s partner after his extensive plastic surgery. He has reportedly spent more than £508,000 on over 60 procedures, including having four ribs removed to help his blazers fit better. The former air attendant has said his search for the perfect body started in his teenage years after he was bullied for his physical appearance. Speaking on This Morning in 2017, Alves said that he was born in the “wrong body” and never set out to look like a Ken doll. View oEmbed on the source website Who's going into the Celebrity Big Brother house? Celebrity Big Brother house gets a tropical makeover in first look pictures of summer series RadioTimes.com newsletter: get the latest TV and entertainment news direct to your inbox View oEmbed on the source website As of January this year, Alves claimed he was “done” with plastic surgery, “unless I need something done for medical procedures”. He has appeared on 80 TV shows, including reality and documentary shows in 38 countries. Rodrigo Alves: key facts View oEmbed on the source website Age: 35 Twitter: @RodrigoUHNWs Instagram: rodrigoalvesuk View oEmbed on the source website
Inside No 9's Steve Pemberton, Reece Shearsmith and the cast reveal their real-life lodgings from hell
“A potpourri in the bathroom turned out to be a bowl of dried moths”
Each Inside No 9 is set in a different, often freaky, location – we asked the cast to tell us about the most hellish places they've ever stayed in... Steve Pemberton When I first graduated from Bretton Hall College in 1989, I found myself renting a small room in Wakefield with some friends who were still students. It made the house in The Young Ones look like Howard Hughes’s penthouse. Dirty green carpets and brown furniture had been there so long David Attenborough could have done a full series on the abundant life forms that were no doubt living alongside us. The scariest thing about the property was the dark and musty cellar, which housed ominous-looking bin-bags full of old tools, Christmas decorations and very possibly previous tenants. When my friend John prised the lid from a paint pot, hoping perhaps to brighten up his bedroom with a lick of colour, he was horrified to find a stool inside – and not the kind you sit on. This grim discovery was the last straw for me and I determined to move out as quickly as possible. But nothing goes to waste, and the turd-in-a-paint-pot story does crop up in an episode of this series of Inside No 9… Inside No 9 is already “the best show of 2018” according to viewers The League of Gentlemen wrote the weirdest Christmas Ghost Story for us Emilia Fox, Nicola Walker and Car Share’s Sian Gibson confirmed for series four of Inside No 9 Reece Shearsmith Years ago my wife (then girlfriend) and I went into a travel agent’s and had them organise our first holiday abroad together. We wanted somewhere quiet, lovely views, not too many people. The lady looked at us, presumed we were young people and sent us on a package holiday to Kavos, which is the setting of reality show Sun, Sea and A&E. We got there and it was heaving with stag and hen nights. A sea of Viking helmets, L plates and tinsel halos. It was, for us, a previously unexplored circle of Dante’s Hell. The accommodation was essentially a tiled Portakabin. A potpourri in the bathroom turned out to be a bowl of dried moths. Twin hospital beds in a room resembling a Victorian asylum crossed with community service facility. We were the only people at breakfast as everyone else was in bed, having been up all night shouting. The beach was a black sliver of seaweed with jumping flies all over it. I think we ended up hiring bikes and trying to pedal away but were stopped by guards at the gate. Bill Paterson The older I get, the more I forget the really awful places, but I remember the bad beds. When I was touring theatres in the 70s in the Highlands, the hotels we stayed in had nylon sheets. You really never knew for sure that somebody hadn’t slept in them just before. These places in such beautiful settings had such terrible rooms. One night I got into one of these beds and the nylon sheets and there was a polythene bag over the mattress and as I got into the bed I skidded and flew across to the other end, right off the bed. I don’t sleep on nylon sheets any more. Tanya Franks The Yurt! Ugh, the memory makes me shudder. Three years we’d waited for the romantic yurt in Andalucia. Finally, an opening. With excitement and optimism we booked ten nights. There had been a rainstorm the night before our arrival at 4.30pm. The owner apologised for the damp – everything was wet, including the bed. She’d only put a gas heater in 30 minutes before. Our yurt was tucked away in the lower forest – so there was no sunlight. The dinner, we discovered, was communal, and all Brits. Oh God! We’re in the middle of Spain and the small talk went from Hammersmith to Manchester, Middlesbrough and Lewisham – three of the longest hours of my life. Then bed. Ants the size of small cats running around the yurt by now. Bed still cold with damp, we lit some incense we’d brought and remained fully clothed. Then the dog barked all night. At 6am we argued our odds, skipped breakfast and ordered our escape taxi. Helen Monks I thought I’d booked into the official youth hostel in London but soon discovered I’d actually booked an “alternative” youth hostel down the road. When I arrived it was about 11pm. I was told by the man on reception, as he took a drag from his massive joint, that I was in bed “3C”. When I got to my dorm, I discovered my single private room in fact contained four bunk beds – each three beds high. I opened the curtains on bunk bed 3C to a completely naked 70-year-old woman reading JG Ballard’s Empire of the Sun. She seemed nonplussed by me and casually turned her page. I peeped through more curtains until I eventually found an empty bed. I climbed in and somehow managed to get to sleep. A few hours later, I woke up to the noise of someone moving around. I pulled back my curtain to see the man from reception in the middle of the room, now no doubt a few spliffs down, wearing massive night vision goggles. That was it! I left and spent the rest of my night in a 24-hour McDonald’s. But not before politely paying my £40 for the night and thanking them for a lovely stay. Inside No 9 is on Tuesdays at 10pm on BBC2
"The jig is up": designer of Doctor Who's new 'logo' admits it's a fake – after it goes viral
Change has been in the air for Doctor Who this Christmas. Not only has Jodie Whittaker taken over the Tardis from Peter Capaldi, but showrunner Steven Moffat has handed over the reins to Broadchurch creator Chris Chibnall. Fans say Jodie Whittaker nailed her Doctor Who debut but Peter Capaldi ruled the Christmas special Doctor Who: everything we know about Jodie Whittaker’s new Doctor – UPDATED! Karen Gillan and Pearl Mackie have some advice for Jodie Whittaker’s new Doctor Who companions So, when a new 'logo' for the new era of Who emerged on the internet, there was plenty of fan response on Twitter – most of it positive: View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website View oEmbed on the source website The image originated from the account of designer Jake Johnstone, who shared the logo with a cryptic caption that had fans fooled – for a while, at least. View oEmbed on the source website But after seeing his work doing the rounds among Doctor Who fans, many of whom took it at face value, Johnstone eventually 'fessed up, telling his followers: "the jig is up". "In my boredom I thought I'd design a new Doctor Who logo and see if it would pass, and it did," he wrote. "I'm really flattered by the overwhelmingly positive response so thanks to those who shared and said such kind words." View oEmbed on the source website He went on to add that he "particularly loved the graphics in response to it. "I started designing stuff, like this, for a Doctor Who blog I ran at the age of about 13/14 and that’s what lead to my career as a designer. That same excitement resonates with me particularly." Has this all been an elaborate ruse to score an official role designing Doctor Who's logo? Johnstone wouldn't be the first fan to be hired by the show which has a track record in calling upon the talents of its many followers. A fan-made video inspired the most recent opening credits sequence while a YouTuber who created Doctor Who/Sherlock crossover clips has been working on the latest series and Christmas special.