British businessman and BBC director-general candidate
Consultant doctors in England have a mandate to consider industrial action while a government pay deal has ended a year-long disruption. The agreement includes a 6.6% uplift by 2027 and a 35.2% rise relative to four years ago, with 4,500 training places and exam-fee funding. The dispute has affected NHS services and could influence future talks.
Labor deputy leader pushes for election-specific duties on major platforms to counter misinformation and foreign interference. She wants a digital code of practice and framework during elections, with the Electoral Commission collaborating with Ofcom and platforms. Critics say the move aims to protect democracy by ensuring informed choices amid opaque algorithms. The issue comes as ministers flagged concerns over platform responsibility.
BBC confirms the long-running sci-fi series will not have a Christmas special as plans mature for a competitive tendering process. Russell T Davies has exited, with the BBC planning to invest in the show’s long-term future and explore external platforms.
The BBC’s annual salaries list shows Scott Mills as the highest-paid on-air star for 2025–26, following his sacking in March amid a police probe into historical offences. Several long-time earners have departed, while others remain and new leadership roles at radio and TV are highlighted.
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.
The BBC has cancelled Celebrity Mastermind, Blankety Blank and Live at the Apollo as part of cost-saving measures. The main Mastermind series will continue with Clive Myrie, while the celebrity spin-off ends after the next filmed series. The BBC cites funding challenges and ongoing savings targets across entertainment, with further cuts anticipated.
The BBC has confirmed RuPaul’s Drag Race UK will depart BBC Three and iPlayer, moving future series to World of Wonder’s Wow Presents Plus. The decision is part of the BBC’s 500 million savings drive, with the current eighth series continuing on BBC Three and iPlayer before the move. Fans and contestants warn the shift may reduce queer representation on UK screens.
The BBC’s coverage of the bare-nails trend has sparked cross-border debate about class, race and cultural roots. Critics say the trend signals quiet luxury while opponents warn it risks erasing the beauty traditions of Black, Latino and Asian communities. News outlets are reporting reactions from fashion journalists, politicians and readers as the story unfolds.
Esther Rantzen has died at 86. She has shaped British broadcasting for decades, founding Childline and The Silver Line and campaigning on end-of-life issues. Tributes highlight her compassion, campaigning work, and impact on children and older people.