British stand-up comedian, presenter and actor of Sri Lankan descent
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.
Claudia Winkleman has announced she is stepping back from The Claudia Winkleman Show after seven episodes. She says she was too nervous to enjoy the conversations, while the BBC confirms the decision does not affect her other projects. The development follows mixed reviews and ratings for the strand.
BBC DJ Trevor Nelson has revealed he is recovering from brain surgery after a brain tumour diagnosis. He has stepped back from work and says he hopes to return soon, while medical professionals emphasise that not all brain-tumour signs indicate cancer.
Schools and families have been preparing for the new term while arguing over how to support pupils' mental health. Local NHS and charity services are offering practical tips for first-day anxiety, researchers have reported mental-health gains where communities delay smartphones, and teachers and parents are adapting volunteering and transitions to reduce stress.
The Bloody Scotland festival announces Frances Crawford as the first to win both the Debut Prize and the McIlvanney Prize in the event's history. Denise Mina lends support by handing a trophy, while a misstep with a second trophy prompts a green‑room moment before Crawford takes both prizes. The festival also reveals its packed weekend lineup of crime authors and events.
The Celebrity Traitors series is back on BBC One, with Claudia Winkleman hosting 21 new celebrities in Ardross Castle, Scotland. The show aims to uncover Traitors and faithfuls as they vie for a charity prize of up to £120,000. The Highlands setting and a star-studded cast are highlighted, with episodes airing starting October 1.
The second series of Celebrity Traitors has launched with 21 stars entering Ardross Castle in Scotland. Host Claudia Winkleman introduces a larger cast, extended episodes, and new twists as Richard E. Grant and Maya Jama are revealed as Traitors. The series streams on BBC One and iPlayer in the UK, with international options via Peacock in the US.
The BBC reality game show has opened with a dramatic launch, featuring Acaster and Rajan negotiating to be traitors while facing potential murder. The episode sets up alliances, betrayals and a charity prize pot, with Claudia Winkleman hosting at Ardross Castle.