English actor, comedian, writer and broadcaster
The BBC has highlighted a funding crisis as licence-fee income declines and audience habits shift. The corporation is exploring options from subscriptions to a universal levy while warning that current funding may not sustain its public-service mission. With 23.3 million licences active and around 80% of households paying, the BBC is under pressure to reinvent its funding model before the 2027 charter renewal.
Bill Oddie, the Goodies star and longtime wildlife presenter, has died aged 85. His agent says he was a multi-talented figure who championed conservation, with Springwatch and Birding with Bill Oddie among his notable programs. He faced battles with mental health throughout his life.
Tributes have poured in after the deaths of Imelda Staunton’s film collaborator and Tom Chadbon, a veteran actor known for Doctor Who and Game of Thrones. Staunton has had a long career across film, stage and TV, while Chadbon is remembered for his Doctor Who role and later TV work. The articles note the attached celebrations of their careers and their impact on fans.
Sir Ian McKellen has sent a video message to Wigan Pride, expressing love and support. The actor recalls his Wigan grounding and celebrates today’s Pride as a sign of change that lets LGBTQ+ people live openly. The festival marks a shift from past times when Pride did not exist in Wigan.