Britain’s flagship pop award, run by the BPI
Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler has died at the age of 75 in a hospital in Portugal after an illness. Her career peaked with Total Eclipse of the Heart, produced with Jim Steinman, and she represented the UK at Eurovision in 2013. She had a decades-long career and was awarded an MBE in 2023.
The Total Eclipse of the Heart star has died aged 75 in a Portuguese hospital. Her family has announced funeral details, with a public accompaniment through Swansea and Skewen on 15 and 17 August. Tributes have poured in from peers, including Catherine Zeta-Jones and Rod Stewart, who describe her as a Welsh icon.
Charli xcx has released Music, Fashion, Film, a 11-track project that blends electronic textures with guitar-driven moments. The artist has explained the release as a reflection on creativity, identity, and the pressures of fame, with responses to Brat and earlier projects.
Labour has elected Andy Burnham as leader and prime minister, propelled by a Makerfield by-election win. He vows to devolve power from Westminster and to drive a housing-led, regionally focused agenda. Bev Craig is set to become Greater Manchester’s mayor as Labour seeks to consolidate gains across the region.
Fringe performers from The Scotsman, Guardian and Independent discuss their journeys, challenges and upcoming Edinburgh shows, offering a window into the festival’s evolving landscape.
The Mercury Prize shortlist includes big names like Olivia Dean, Paul McCartney, Raye, and Florence + the Machine, while Lily Allen’s West End Girl is absent, prompting questions about the prize’s choices. The Independent notes the album’s critical acclaim and chart success, and the Guardian highlights the lineup’s blend of legacy acts and rising stars as the ceremony nears in Newcastle.
UK music charts have seen Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s Rein Me In extend its lead as the longest-running No. 1 in UK history, spending 19 non-consecutive weeks at the top. Reports from The Guardian, Reuters, Independent and BBC Business confirm the track’s record and discuss cultural implications amid streaming-driven fragmentation.