British sketch group whose groundbreaking TV show reshaped comedy
Developments in the University of St Andrews rector election involve MSP Q Manivannan facing renewed scrutiny over past remarks on rape, while former rector John Cleese has urged students not to back Manivannan. Other candidates include Brian Baumgartner and Arthur Bernhoff as online voting proceeds with the winner due to be announced.
The Raymond Briggs personal library, donated by his estate, goes on sale at Oxfam’s Hove bookshop and online. The collection features works by Schulz, Shepard and others, along with wartime and domestic-life volumes. The sale follows Briggs’s death at 88 in 2022.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has moved its operations into a permanent space on Infirmary Street, transforming Fringe Central into a year‑round hub for artists, welfare support, rehearsal spaces and industry services. The project, funded by the UK Government and partners, is designed to support a thriving, inclusive fringe ecosystem alongside the city’s galleries and venues.
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.
Two interviews reveal shifting dynamics in public discourse: a renowned comedian discusses his career, while a broadcaster’s tone hints at evolving industry norms. The conversations highlight personal storytelling, audience expectations, and resilience in a rapidly changing media landscape.
Tim Curry has died at his Los Angeles home on 25 August at age 80, his longtime manager Marcia Hurwitz has confirmed. The English actor had been wheelchair‑bound after a major 2012 stroke and had a history of kidney cancer; the death certificate lists those conditions as contributing factors. He had originated Dr Frank‑N‑Furter in The Rocky Horror Show and enjoyed a six‑decade career across stage, film and voice work.
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.