Television network and broadcaster
SNP leaders say a second independence referendum is moving forward, arguing Westminster opposition is weakening and that a hung parliament could enable a fresh vote. The party cites recent Holyrood gains and cross-national support in Wales and Northern Ireland as momentum builds, while Labour signals willingness to widen powers to Holyrood.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has announced a serious, genuine offer to the Scottish Government to collaborate on deeper devolution and regional empowerment. He is proposing localised employment support and a new model designed to push power to Scotland’s regions, while underscoring that Holyrood will remain a key partner as the SNP pursues a second independence referendum by 2031.
Undercover ITV footage has surfaced showing Reform UK councillors and candidates using racist, violent and sexist language. The party says it is investigating those involved and has stressed there is no room for racism, while critics accuse the party of weak vetting. The broadcasts have intensified scrutiny ahead of local elections.
The Irish-born comedian Jimmy Cricket has died after a short illness, leaving behind decades of family-friendly entertainment across TV, radio and live stages. He is remembered as a sunshine figure who kept audiences laughing with his signature look and gentle humour.
Nadia Sawalha has launched legal action against ITV after being removed from Loose Women following her public support for Palestinian rights. A petition demands a public apology and reinstatement. Sawalha asserts she has faced discrimination and harassment tied to her beliefs, while ITV has not commented.
The SPFL has launched a new live domestic streaming service, SPFL Player, to broadcast William Hill Championship, League One and League Two matches outside blocked hours on a pay-per-view basis. The rollout begins with all League 1 and 2 matches on 15 August, with revenue distributed back to clubs. Further dates and details will follow as the season progresses.
Newspaper reports show MPs and police reform bodies intensifying scrutiny over early-release rules for manslaughter convictions after the Berkshire death of PC Andrew Harper. Public anger is mounting as a petition topped 880,000 signatures and officials weigh potential exemptions. Authorities say space in prisons and public safety constrain drastic carve-outs.
Disability Rights UK's Kamran Mallick says funding through the Access to Work scheme has been cut for a driver/support worker after a July call. The scheme funds practical support for disabled workers. The NAO finds processing times have surged to 109 days by late 2025, with more applications in 2024/25 and rising spend. Ministers deny policy changes while campaigners say generosity is being trimmed.
Disney+ is reviving Blind Date, moving the dating show to streaming with a new host. Maura Higgins, fresh from The Traitors US, will host the 2027 revival, preserving the familiar three-date format behind a wall while promising twists and drama. The series will launch next year.
Edinburgh’s festival ecosystem is under renewed pressure as councils consider diverting visitor levy funds to support arts events. The Guardian reports a move to relocate the Edinburgh TV Festival abroad has intensified debate over access and funding. The Scotsman details proposals to ringfence tourism tax revenue to bolster cultural institutions, while council discussions probe the sustainability of Edinburgh’s world-class festival status.
The BBC has decided to discontinue Ski Sunday as part of a broader review of sport output. The programme, a staple since 1978, is being replaced by digital-first coverage of winter sports across BBC platforms, with more online content and live rights preserved for major events.
A victim has travelled to Reading Crown Court to witness the sentencing of Ethical Forestry directors after they admitted fraud. The case centers on the misappropriation of funds from thousands of investors for personal gain, while victims hope for accountability and closure.
The Independent reports that the 48-year-old New York-born actor is joining General Hospital as William Baines, joining a wave of casting changes. Debuts are set for Thursday, September 3, as the soap continues its long-running tale in Port Charles. The moves follow recent departures and recastings, including Jack Brennan’s kill-off and Ethan Lovett’s recasting.
A review roundup of genre fare, from a high-octane Australian liver-delivery caper to a retro-styled Cold War bromance, and a TV legal drama adaptation that leaves critics divided. The slate features Runner’s gory, gamey camp; Knightfall’s retro charm; Mayday’s action mischief; and The Rainmaker’s courtroom soap — each casting a different light on how thrillers and legal tales move in the streaming era.
Undercover footage broadcast by Channel 4 has shown two senior Reform UK aides discussing ways to channel foreign money into the party. Dan Jukes and James Orr have stepped down pending an internal inquiry. Police and the Electoral Commission are assessing complaints. Nigel Farage has denied illegal activity and said he was not listening during the meeting.
Protesters at Reform UK’s Birmingham conference have been assaulted; police are reviewing footage and appealing for witnesses as questions mount over party leaders’ comments.
Jamie Vardy, 39, has joined Burnley on a contract through the end of the season, after leaving Cremonese. Burnley, relegated from the Premier League, are bottom of the Championship after five games. Vardy says he wants to help the club move in the right direction and embodies a return to form for a club with a storied history.
A Bristol-born team has produced Doctor Who: Outlander, a fan-driven film set around John F. Kennedy’s era. The project, created with students and professionals, has been shot in Bristol and Bath and premieres in Cardiff as the crew aims to keep the Doctor Who spark alive after the 2026 Christmas special was cancelled.
ITV confirms a panel refresh for The Voice UK, with Cheryl and Aitch joining as coaches and Sir Tom Jones leaving a full-time role. Emma Willis will host, with Solomon and Dixon taking over the presenting duties. The changes come amid insurance cost concerns and a push to refresh the show.
The Celebrity Traitors has won best reality competition at the NTAs, with Alan Carr receiving a special recognition award. Paloma Faith staged a coffin entrance, while Carr reflected on the year’s achievements as the ceremony celebrated multiple categories.
BBC reports that actor Michael Sheen has pressed MPs to back a national PCB testing and cleanup programme after tests showed elevated contamination at sites linked to Monsanto. The Welsh government calls contaminated land a key priority, amid questions over who should fund testing and cleanup. The Welsh Affairs Committee is also hearing from researchers and journalists who documented findings.
The UK debates overseas and domestic political donations after crypto billionaires Ben Delo and Christopher Harborne each donate 27m to Reform UK. Government plans to cap donations by Britons living abroad backdated to March 25 and to tighten rules on foreign influence are being scrutinised as MPs warn of a potential Americanisation of UK politics.
The final episodes of the Seven Up! series have arrived, revisiting 14 lives at seven-year intervals since childhood. Asif Kapadia directs a reflective finale, anchored by archival footage and a poignant interview with Nick Hitchon, who died in 2023, while the participants reflect on class and ageing; Apted’s presence lingers in the framing, and the project stands as both a tour de force and a flawed social experiment.
Residents of Piddington have voted 285–26 to secede from the UK in a symbolic referendum against Home Office plans to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers at MoD Bicester. The vote highlights local backlash over national distribution of asylum accommodation as authorities push to move away from hotels and HMOs.
England has secured a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic in the Nations League, with Anthony Gordon scoring and Harry Kane adding a second. The win strengthens England’s position in Group A3 as Tuchel refines his attack, notably Kane and Gordon, who are emerging as key threats. Alexander-Arnold returns with a pivotal assist, and England’s defense keeps a clean sheet against 10 men.
The Guardian reports Clarkson urges a single Britflix to survive streaming era; Reuters notes Channel 4 and the BBC are weighing collaboration amid funding pressures and audience fragmentation. Both pieces frame pressure on UK public-service media as competition from global platforms grows.
Catherine Zeta-Jones has embraced a Welsh accent for a new Prime drama, filmed in Wales and based on The Price You Pay. The series flips the male lead from the original US novel, introducing a Welsh Jackie Price as she confronts hitmen and a high-tech security setup inspired by Tom Jones. Zeta-Jones also serves as an executive producer and has spoken about her roots and fan reception.
William Chapman, 23, has died after entering a tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. President Trump has shared footage of the incident and an AI-generated video, drawing sharp criticism from Chapman's family and other commentators. Authorities are investigating the incident; the park remains closed.
ITV's undercover investigation has exposed Reform UK councillors and candidates making racist, misogynistic and violent language ahead of local elections. Several members have resigned or been suspended as Nigel Farage defends vetting. Police are examining party finances amid the fallout.
Hull and East Yorkshire Mayor Luke Campbell faces a police inquiry after allegations he showed naked images of himself to a female staff member. Campbell denies the allegations; stakeholders call for stand-by actions as investigations proceed. The case has drawn scrutiny of Reform UK’s leadership and the authority’s internal processes.