'Highly contagious' and 'very serious' bug sweeping UK with cases soaring

The Christmas period is a time for love and peace but as the festive season rolls in King Charles seems to be increasingly anxious about what his estranged son Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle's next move might be.

Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Harry Styles to pay a levy to help the nation’s small and medium-sized live music spaces.Angus Robertson, SNP Culture Secretary, has said he would consider the tax amid concerns over the future of arts funding in Scotland.It came after he was questioned in Holyrood by Green MSP Mark Ruskell, who suggested that the introduction of just a £1 levy on each ticket could help raise over a million pounds per year.Robertson went on to say that “new thinking” was needed in terms of arts funding in the country.He explained: “We have gone through a pivot point during the pandemic; there has been a change in social behaviours and there has been extreme distress in the arts and cultural sector.“We acknowledge that and we have tried to support the sector through that difficult period.”Robertson added: “The levy proposal is worthy of further consideration.”The Music Venue Trust (MVT) said 120 grassroots venues have closed across Britain in 2023 alone, and that Scotland is “disproportionately” affected (via The Times).Those in favour of the levy have suggested that the additional £1 would go unnoticed by most concertgoers as tickets for these huge shows usually have high prices to begin with.However, critics have claimed that the tax could further price out those on lower incomes because these concerts are already expensive and come with additional fees.Tickets for Taylor Swift‘s upcoming ‘Eras Tour’ dates at the Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, for example, cost £109.40 for general standing access.

Naman Ramachandran Musician and BAFTA nominated actor Olly Alexander will represent the U.K. at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. Alexander revealed the news on Saturday during the finale of BBC’s “Strictly Come Dancing.” As a musician, Alexander fronted English band Years & Years, which in recent years has evolved into a solo project.

Neighbours, the returning soap that has been playing elsewhere (Channel 5 and previously the BBC in the UK, has been released by its new home – streamer Freevee.The series will return to screens on 18 September, with new episodes releasing daily, Monday-Thursday, at 7 a.m. BST, on Amazon Freevee in the UK and the U.S.

Commuters in Greater Manchester could soon be able to bring bikes on trams after Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) announced it is looking "very seriously" at launching a trial in the region.

Outlander's Sam Heughan has looked back on his 'disastrous' Mamma Mia! audition as he hoped for a part in the movie before bagging the role of Jamie Fraser.

Cinema professionals from across Europe are gathered in Berlin this evening for the 36th European Film Awards.

Sophie Turner isn’t hiding her feelings for UK millionaire Peregrine Pearson!

From acclaimed British filmmaker Andrew Haigh, known for “Weekend,” “45 Years,” “Lean on Pete,” and most recently, the BBC series, “The North Water,” his latest film is the heralded love story/family drama/quasi ghost story, “All Of Us Strangers.” READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2024 Starring the stellar cast of Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Jamie Bell, and Claire Foy, one wants to tread lightly when discussing the film to avoid spoiling it; the drama centers on a lonely screenwriter (Scott) drawn back to his childhood home.

Jake Bugg has announced a 2024 headline tour that will see him perform in smaller towns and venues across the UK and Ireland. Find all the details below.The Nottingham singer-songwriter is due to hit the road in March for a run of intimate gigs, which includes stop-offs in Warrington, Holmfirth, Grimsby, Worthing Coventry, Frome, Cork and Galway.Bugg will play two sets per night – one acoustic, one electric – showcasing his biggest hits as well as tracks from his fifth and most recent studio album, 2021’s ‘Saturday Night, Sunday Morning’.“I can’t wait to get out and play tons of tunes to people in their hometowns,” Bugg said in a statement.Per a press release, the upcoming tour is the musician’s bid to help save independent and grassroots venues that are under threat of closure.Tickets are scheduled to go on general sale at 10am GMT this Friday (December 8) – you’ll be able to buy yours here.

Paul McCartney paid tribute tonight to his fellow Wings co-founder Denny Laine, who died Tuesday at 79.

The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) Scotland have urged the UK Government to restrict the sale of fireworks after chaos on Bonfire Night.

There were SO many celebs on the red carpet at the 2023 The Fashion Awards and we have a recap of everyone who attended!

Omniplex Cinema Group, Ireland’s largest cinema company, is crossing the Irish Sea. 

Omid Scobie’s new book "Endgame" about the British royal family is meant to be shocking when, in fact, it's high camp fun and totally nuts without a shred of evidence to back up its claims. So, on that count… it works. You know the world all needs escapism.

EXCLUSIVE: On the heels of a huge week for their Adam Sandler-led Netflix animated feature Leo, co-directed with Robert Smigel, David Wachtenheim and Robert Marianetti have signed with Independent Artist Group for representation.

EXCLUSIVE: Emmy Award-winner Johan Renck has signed with WME.

The much-anticipated Royal book, Endgame by Omid Scobie was released in the UK on 28 November.The book, which promised to "have the world talking", has done just that and is packed with many shocking allegations against the Royal Family.The book features bombshell revelations about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, as well as King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Royal Family is yet to comment on any of the claims made by Omid in the book despite its numerous attacks on several members of the family. So what are the most shocking stories to emerge in the book? Take a look below...

The shorter days, longer nights and colder air means that the country is well into the throes of winter. The change in season comes with many things including the festive time of the year with the Christmas spirit beginning to spread.

UK agency Casarotto Ramsay & Associates has hired Sara Johnson and Julie Fernandez, co-founders of Bridge06.