Tag: Channel 4

The truth about Neverland as Michael Jackson is shown there with Gavin Arvizo in C4 documentary

Michael Jackson: The Trial has landed on Channel 4 and, once again, the spotlight is firmly on the King of Pop and his most famous home.

And viewers are already asking what really became of Neverland.

The opening episode of the four-part series returned repeatedly to Michael’s sprawling ranch, using previously unheard audio recordings to paint a deeply unsettling picture.

Fans heard Michael speak about Neverland as a place where children could ‘remain young forever’, echoing his long held obsession with Peter Pan.

The programme also revisited his friendship with 10-year-old cancer patient, Gavin Arvizo.

Neverland Ranch features heavily in Michael Jackson: The Trial (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Michael regularly invited Gavin and other children to stay at Neverland, presenting it as a magical refuge inspired by fantasy.

As the documentary makes clear, that dreamlike vision later became inseparable from the serious child abuse allegations made against him.

Michael Jackson: The Trial continues tonight, with scenes showing police raiding Neverland after Michael admitted to sharing his bed with children.

As the story unfolds, many viewers are asking the same question. What actually happened to Neverland?

Michael Jackson: What happened to Neverland?

Neverland Ranch has remained a source of fascination long after Michael Jackson’s death in June 2009.

The vast estate in Santa Barbara County, California, served as both his private home and a personal amusement park from 1988 until 2005.

The ranch has been thrust back into public view by Michael Jackson: The Trial. In its opening moments, sombre music underscored its isolation across 3,000 acres.

In previously unheard recordings, Michael described the privacy the land gave him and his desire to recreate the childhood he felt he had missed.

“Peter Pan knew what the real golden magic of childhood was all about,” he said, describing children staying young forever at Neverland.

Tonight’s episode will show the police raid that marked a turning point for the property.

Neverland also featured heavily in the 2019 documentary Leaving Neverland, in which Wade Robson and James Safechuck alleged they were groomed and abused there as children.

Old footage from Neverland Ranch features in Michael Jackson: The Trial (Credit: Channel 4)

Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch and its changing name

Michael Jackson bought Neverland Ranch in 1988, but it had already gone through several identities.

When it was built in 1980, it was known as Zaca Laderas Ranch.

Developer William Bone purchased it in 1981 and renamed it Sycamore Valley Ranch. That changed again when Michael bought the property in 1988 for around $17 million, according to The New York Times.

Michael renamed it Neverland after the fictional island in Peter Pan. He first visited the ranch in 1983 while meeting Sir Paul McCartney, who was staying there during the filming of Say Say Say.

When did Michael Jackson leave?

Michael left Neverland in 2005 following allegations of sexual abuse involving children.

Four years later, the fairground rides and most of the animals were removed, leaving only the llamas behind.

He never returned to live there but continued to own the estate until his death in 2009, aged 50.

In 2015, Forbes reported that the ranch was put on the market for $100 million. Interest was limited and the name was changed back to Sycamore Valley Ranch to attract buyers.

In 2020, businessman and family friend Ronald Burkle bought the property for $22 million (£16million), according to The Wall Street Journal.

The price was $88 million below the original asking figure.

Ronald is believed to have restored much of the fairground, installed new rides and refilled drained swimming pools. The small zoo is also thought to have been reinstated.

In 2024, the ranch was evacuated as the Lake Fire burned 38,664 acres in Santa Barbara County and spread close to the estate.

Michael’s ranch sold for £16million in 2020 (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Is Neverland in the Michael Jackson biopic?

The upcoming film, Michael, is set to be released worldwide this April and will chart the singer’s life from the Jackson 5 to the weeks before his death.

Michael will be played by Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson, the son of his brother Jermaine. Actor Miles Teller takes on the role of lawyer John Branca, co-executor of the Michael Jackson estate.

Miles has confirmed that scenes were filmed at Neverland for Antoine Fuqua’s biopic.

Speaking on Watch What Happens Live, he said: “I play John Branca, his entertainment lawyer. We filmed at Neverland. It was wild.”

He added that while the property had changed ownership after 2005, it was transformed again for filming.

Read more: Brooklyn Beckham brazenly shows off arm tattoo after removing the word ‘dad’ amid rift with David and Victoria

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Natasha Rigler

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February 5, 2026
Jimmy Kimmel defends free speech in ‘alternative Christmas message’ for Britain

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel took aim at U.S. President Donald Trump as he warned Thursday about the rise of fascism in an address to U.K. viewers dubbed “The Alternative Christmas Message.”The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of the second term in office for Trump, who Kimmel said acts like he’s a king.”From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year,” he said. “Tyranny is booming over here.”The channel began a tradition of airing an alternative Christmas message in 1993, as a counterpart to the British monarch’s annual televised address to the nation. Channel 4 said the message is often a thought-provoking and personal reflection pertinent to the events of the year.The comedian has skewered Trump since returning to the air after ABC indefinitely suspended the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” show in September following criticism of comments the host made over the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.Kimmel made remarks in reference to the reaction to Kirk’s shooting, suggesting that many Trump supporters were trying to capitalize on the death.Trump celebrated the suspension of the veteran late-night comic and his frequent critic, calling it “great news for America.” He also called for other late-night hosts to be fired.The incident, one of Trump’s many disputes and legal battles waged with the media, drew widespread concerns about freedom of speech and freedom of the press.Hundreds of leading Hollywood stars and others in the entertainment industry urged Americans to “fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights.” The show returned to the air less than a week later.Kimmel told the U.K. audience that a Christmas miracle had happened in September when millions of people — some who hated his show — had spoken up for free speech.”We won, the president lost, and now I’m back on the air every night giving the most powerful politician on earth a right and richly deserved bollocking,” he said.Channel 4 previously invited whistle-blower Edward Snowden and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to deliver the alternative Christmas message.Kimmel, who said he didn’t expect Brits to know who he was, warned that silencing critics is not just something that happens in Russia or North Korea.Despite the split that led to the American Revolution 250 years ago, he said the two nations still shared a special relationship and urged the U.K. not to give up on the U.S. as it was “going through a bit of a wobble right now.””Here in the United States right now, we are both figuratively and literally tearing down the structures of our democracy from the free press to science to medicine to judicial independence to the actual White House itself,” Kimmel said, in reference to demolition of the building’s East Wing. “We are a right mess, and we know this is also affecting you, and I just wanted to say sorry.”

Talk show host Jimmy Kimmel took aim at U.S. President Donald Trump as he warned Thursday about the rise of fascism in an address to U.K. viewers dubbed “The Alternative Christmas Message.”

The message, aired on Channel 4 on Christmas Day, reflected on the impact of the second term in office for Trump, who Kimmel said acts like he’s a king.

“From a fascism perspective, this has been a really great year,” he said. “Tyranny is booming over here.”

The channel began a tradition of airing an alternative Christmas message in 1993, as a counterpart to the British monarch’s annual televised address to the nation. Channel 4 said the message is often a thought-provoking and personal reflection pertinent to the events of the year.

The comedian has skewered Trump since returning to the air after ABC indefinitely suspended the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” show in September following criticism of comments the host made over the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Kimmel made remarks in reference to the reaction to Kirk’s shooting, suggesting that many Trump supporters were trying to capitalize on the death.

Trump celebrated the suspension of the veteran late-night comic and his frequent critic, calling it “great news for America.” He also called for other late-night hosts to be fired.

The incident, one of Trump’s many disputes and legal battles waged with the media, drew widespread concerns about freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Hundreds of leading Hollywood stars and others in the entertainment industry urged Americans to “fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights.” The show returned to the air less than a week later.

Kimmel told the U.K. audience that a Christmas miracle had happened in September when millions of people — some who hated his show — had spoken up for free speech.

“We won, the president lost, and now I’m back on the air every night giving the most powerful politician on earth a right and richly deserved bollocking,” he said.

Channel 4 previously invited whistle-blower Edward Snowden and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to deliver the alternative Christmas message.

Kimmel, who said he didn’t expect Brits to know who he was, warned that silencing critics is not just something that happens in Russia or North Korea.

Despite the split that led to the American Revolution 250 years ago, he said the two nations still shared a special relationship and urged the U.K. not to give up on the U.S. as it was “going through a bit of a wobble right now.”

“Here in the United States right now, we are both figuratively and literally tearing down the structures of our democracy from the free press to science to medicine to judicial independence to the actual White House itself,” Kimmel said, in reference to demolition of the building’s East Wing. “We are a right mess, and we know this is also affecting you, and I just wanted to say sorry.”

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December 25, 2025
Stacey Dooley, Michael Odewale & A Comedy Thing Comics Front News-Themed Podcasts For UK’s Channel 4

EXCLUSIVE: British docs presenter Stacey Dooley and comedian Michael Odewale are among the talent attached to a pair of news-themed podcasts for the UK’s Channel 4.

Dooley is teaming up with British journalist and doc maker Ben Zand on Untangled, while the comics behind Channel 4 comedy YouTube channel A Comedy Thing are fronting A News Thing.

Both are designed to promote fact-checked journalism and are aimed at younger audiences. They were commissioned following the January publication of Channel 4 study ‘Gen Z: Trends, Truth and Trust,’ which highlighted the scale of the challenges facing Gen Z in sourcing trusted news. The reported included the revelation that young people have more confidence in social media posts from friends than established journalism.

Of the new podcasts, Untangled will see Dooley (Rape on Trial, Growing Up Gypsy) and Zand (The Toxic World of Perfect Looks: Untold, The Secret World of Incels: Untold) fronting a weekly current affairs show in which they examine headlines dominating social media feeds

The pair will explore the headlines at the top of our social media feeds to offer clarity on why the story matters matters, whether it is a breaking news story or an under-reported issue. Zandland, the indie production house Zand leads, is producing.

“There’s so much happening in the world,” said Dooley. “It can feel hard to know what really matters or who to trust. With Untangled, we’re hoping to make sense of it all – to have open, honest conversations about the stories everyone’s talking about, without it feeling overwhelming or heavy. It’s about curiosity and compassion.”

Zand added the idea was to “make something that helps people get to grips with the biggest stories without feeling overwhelmed by them, and most importantly, to really focus on the impact of the human beings at the heart of these stories.”

A News Thing is billed as “an entertaining and enlightening weekly review of the news,” in which comedian Odewale is joined by a selection of A Comedy Thing regulars, including Finlay Christie and Dan Tiernan, and others from the UK comedy circuit to dissect the week’s biggest and most talked-about stories across the media and online. Strong Watch Studios is producing.

As Deadline first reported over the summer, Channel 4 launched A Comedy Thing to publish weekly long-form programming for YouTube and content on TikTok and Instagram. Its launch was one of the biggest bets taken by Channel 4 since youth-skewed digital service Channel 4.0 three years ago.

The podcasts were commissioned by Channel 4 Digital Commissioner Charlie Hyland, outgoing Head of Digital Commissioning Sacha Khari, and Louisa Compton, Head of News and Current Affairs, Specialist Factual and Sport.

Compton said: “Young audiences are drowning in an online world of disinformation, divisive and toxic views – as a result they’re hungry for informed, fact checked and reliable information to help them make sense of the world and these pods will help them do that in very different ways.”

Khari, who is set to join Sony Pictures Television, called the show “two brilliantly distinct but equally vital vodcasts,” and pointed to the fact they’re collaborations between Channel 4’s Current Affairs and Digital commissioning teams. “We’re combining our expertise and trusted values to reach young audiences with content that’s smart, fact-checked, entertaining and genuinely relevant in today’s digital world,” he added.

Jesse Whittock

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October 21, 2025
Gogglebox viewers threaten to “switch off” as they take aim at show’s “newbies”: “Hard to watch”

Gogglebox viewers took aim at some of the “newbies” on the show last night (Friday, September 12).

Last week, the show welcomed five new families onto the show, and the reaction was divided to say the least.

Jake and Callum are amongst the new cast members (Credit: Channel 4)

What did the new Gogglebox cast watch last night?

Channel 4 favourite Gogglebox aired another new episode last night, with viewers getting to know some of the new families a bit better.

During the show, the armchair critics watched Rob Rinder’s competition, The Inheritance, Stephen Mulhern’s hit ITV show, You Bet! On Tour, and soap favourite Emmerdale.

They also watched some of K-Pop documentary KPopped, BBC drama The Guest, ITV News, This Morning, and 90 Day Fiancé UK.

However, it wasn’t the topic of what they were watching that got some viewers talking…

Rosie and Susie were slammed (Credit: Channel 4)

New Gogglebox cast slammed

Some viewers took to Twitter to slam the newbies, with some singling out the new Scottish recruits, sisters Rosie, 68, and Susie, 70, as a duo who were making them want to “switch off”.

“As a proud Scot and Glaswegian, the new Scottish recruits are really [bleeping] close to making me switch off, man. Where did you find them, man?” one viewer tweeted.

“I miss Roisin and Joe, they were great fun. I’m not a fan of the two women from Edinburgh (sorry),” another said.

“Turned off after 5 minutes. Sorry, but can’t watch any of the new people and have been watching Gogglebox from the start,” a third wrote.

“The Cotswolds couple and the Scottish sisters are soooo annoying! Replace please!” another added.

“The new Scottish sisters in #Gogglebox are performing for the TV in their room. It’s making it a hard watch. Surely the editors should have picked up on it and cut them out?” a fifth said.

“Liking the new Scottish sisters already” (Credit: Channel 4)

Support for new families on Gogglebox

However, there was plenty of positity around too.

“The two new Scottish Sisters on #gogglebox are hilarious,” one viewer tweeted.

“Liking the new Scottish sisters already,” another said.

“Wish people were kind the newbies are doing great,” a third added.

“Mmm interesting selection of new peeps,” another wrote.

Read more: Gogglebox star George Gilbey’s police investigation closed following tragic death

Gogglebox continues on Friday (September 19) at 9pm on Channel 4.

So what do you think of this story? Let us know your thoughts and leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.

Robert Emlyn Slater

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September 13, 2025
Channel 4 Chair Revealed, Ending Months Of Leadership Limbo At UK Network

Geoff Cooper, the chair of British electrical retailer AO World, will head the board of Channel 4, ending months of leadership limbo at the network.

Ofcom confirmed Cooper’s appointment as chair on Wednesday, hailing his “stand-out qualities needed to steer Channel 4 to a sustainable future.”

Cooper’s appointment was rubberstamped by Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, bringing to a close a recruitment process launched in December after it was revealed that Ian Cheshire was stepping down.

We revealed on Tuesday that Debbie Wosskow, the presumptive favorite for the role, was out of contention. Others linked to the role included Justin King, the former boss of retail giant Sainsbury’s.

There have been frustrations over how long the process has taken, with the leadership uncertainty further complicated by the exit of CEO Alex Mahon over the summer.

Cooper is an unknown figure in the world of television, but he has significant board-level experience at major companies, including Dunelm Group and Travis Perkins.

His closest public link to the media industry is a non-executive director role he held at Informa, the publisher that once housed the now-shuttered TV trade Television Business International.

Cooper said he was looking forward to helping Channel 4 continue its “significant influence on the nation’s society, culture, creative industries and wider economy.”

He continues: “Channel 4’s people, partners in the independent production sector and wider media landscape, and viewers are vital in representing unheard voices, challenging with purpose and reinventing entertainment.”

His first job will be appointing a successor to former CEO Mahon. Deadline reported last month that Ashling O’Connor, a consultant at executive search firm Spencer Stuart, has circulated a brief for the CEO position and is drawing up a list of potential candidates.

Early runners and riders include Jonathan Allan, Channel 4’s interim CEO, and All3Media CEO Jane Turton. Sarah Rose, Paramount UK’s chief operating and commercial officer, was heavily linked to the vacancy but today announced she was joining The Royal Foundation, run by Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Allan welcomed Cooper: “Geoff brings extensive board-level experience from a wide range of businesses, as well as proven commercial acumen. As a publicly owned but commercially funded company, his fresh insights and new perspectives will be invaluable as we look to the next phase in Channel 4’s evolution.

“I also want to thank Dawn Airey for her outstanding leadership and huge support as interim chair since April. This has been Dawn’s second spell as interim chair and we owe her a huge debt of gratitude as she returns to her important role as a brilliant non-executive director.”

Jake Kanter

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September 10, 2025
Five new Gogglebox families revealed by Channel 4 following cast axe

Five new Gogglebox families have been revealed ahead of the Channel 4 series’ return tonight (Friday September 5) – but there’s one big change to the cast fans are really not happy about.

Beloved couch potato critics such as Lee and Jenny announced their telly comeback on Instagram earlier this week.

But with just hours to go until the best telly of the weekend is on the box, five new family additions to the regular cast have been unveiled.

Giles and Mary fans need not worry – the incomparable telly duo are returning to Gogglebox (Credit: YouTube)

Gogglebox cast: Who are the new families?

Among the new gaggle of Gogglebox stars are sisters from Edinburgh, a family from Surrey, friends from Glasgow, a married couple from the Cotswolds, and a mother and daughter-in-law from Yorkshire.

New regulars the Gordon family (Credit: Gogglebox)

The new families and friends are include pals Jake, 27, and Calum, 31, from Glasgow, and the Gordon family – Andre, 49, Sarah, 47, and their daughter Chee, 25, from Surrey.

Also joining the cast are married couple Andrew, 62, and Alfie, 32, from The Cotswolds, and mother and daughter-in-law, Sara, 87, and Lara, 58, from Yorkshire.

Say hello to Jake and Callum (Credit: Gogglebox)

Sisters, Rosie, 68, and Susie, 70, from Edinburgh are the final set of newbies to join the show.

Andrew and Alfie have joined the Channel 4 show (Credit: Gogglebox)

‘Missed you so so much’

Meanwhile, Insta fans of Jenny and Lee expressed their relief they’d be seeing the pair on screen again soon.

“My favourites on Gogglebox,” one social media user told them.

“Thank God, missed you so so much,” shared another.

While a third happy viewer cheered: “The best two!”

Gogglebox stars ‘axed’

But while the prospect of seeing well-established stars in the Friday night TV schedules again delighted so many Gogglebox fans, some made it clear they were still not over Roisin and Joe’s departure.

The Scottish couple, who first appeared on the show in February 2022, told TikTok fans in July they’d been axed.

Roisin, 26, and Joe, 28, claimed in their social media statement at the time they were “not asked back” for future episodes and had been “dumped”. However, they also joked they ‘no longer had to adhere to a contract and can work with brands and companies’ in a meme, too.

Their departure is still no laughing matter for fans on Facebook, though.

Deplore the absence of Roisin and Joe.

“Love Gogglebox but DEPLORE the absence of Roisin and Joe. I loved them,” one commenter wrote.

Another agreed: “I really hope they haven’t got rid of the young Scottish couple. Love them.”

To which someone else replied: “Yes, unfortunately they’re gone. Hopefully another Scottish couple to balance out the geography, maybe someone from NI too? Definitely get rid of two or three couples, some been there far too long.”

And yet another chipped in with: “Looking forward to it but Roisin and Joe will be a miss.”

Read more: Gogglebox stars Dave and Shirley flooded with support as they share update on beloved dog Rupert

Gogglebox returns to Channel 4 tonight, Friday September 5, at 9pm.

What do you think of this story? Let us know your thoughts about it by leaving us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.

Robert Leigh

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September 4, 2025
Channel 4 Orders ‘Hunting Alice Bell’ From Writing Team Including David Baddiel & Peter Bradshaw; Alexandra Roach & Rudi Dharmalingam Among Cast

We’re hearing Channel 4 has commissioned Hunting Alice Bell, a six-part drama series from The Game producer Clapperboard Studios starring the likes of Alexandra Roach.

Written by comedian and broadcaster David Baddiel, Peter Bradshaw, Polly Buckle (A Discovery of Witches) and Kate Verghese (Industry), we understand the show has been filming in County Wicklow, Ireland. Cast includes Roach and Rudi Dharmalingam. The show is understood to center around secret and mistaken identities, and the way that social media turbocharges rage, rumour and disinformation in today’s world.

Roach is known for roles in Channel 4 shows Utopia and No Offence, and is set to play the title role in upcoming Prime Video drama Lazarus, which comes from Harlan Coben and Danny Brocklehurst. She also starred in 2024 BBC drama Nightsleeper, and has credits for shows such as Inside No. 9, Killing Eve and Black Mirror.

Dharmalingam, a theater and screen actor, appeared in BBC drama The Split between 2018 and 2022 and Sky drama The Lazarus Project. Credits include Strike Back: Revolution, Tin Star and The Cleaner. He is set to appear in Robert Schwentke’s upcoming film Control and Paramount+ Australia drama series Playing Gracie Darling.

London-based Clapperboard, led by Mike Benson, is known for making cost-effective dramas such as The Ex-Wife, The Serial Killer’s Wife and The Game (fka Catch You Later), the latter of which launched on 5 in the UK earlier this year.

As for Channel 4, the commission comes after the recent order of Maud, which will star Glenn Close and has Sony Pictures Television attached. As the Edinburgh TV Festival got underway last month, the broadcaster also gave the greenlight to a Steven Moffat drama about life inside 10 Downing Street and a Canal+ co-production, Army of Shadows, from The Day of the Jackal creator Ronan Bennett.

Channel 4 and Clapperboard declined to comment.

Jesse Whittock

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September 2, 2025
Kirstie Allsopp leaves Phil Spencer shocked after she’s paid more than him on Location, Location, Location

When they first emerged on the scene, Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer were criticised for lacking skills beyond being able to “walk and talk at the same time”.

Location, Location, Location – on screen this weekend (August 23) – has now run for more than a quarter of a century, so they must have got something right. Although Kirstie concedes that walking and talking at the same time is indeed their “only discernible talent”. Phil agrees. When they started out, at least, they were “terrible”…

Poor Phil! He claims he wasn’t offered the same wage as Kirstie when they were first making Location, Location, Location (Credit: ITV)

Phil Spencer on being paid less than Kirstie Allsopp

British reality property programme Location, Location, Location launched in May 2000. Phil and Kirstie just celebrated 25 years at its helm.

They work very differently from each other, Phil maintains. But they both get to the same result, and they have learned to use their differences to their mutual advantage. Nevertheless, they had no expectation that the show would be as successful as it has been.

“We both loved our jobs. We thought it was unlikely to lead anywhere, it was just a non-transmittable pilot,” Phil told the Telegraph in May. They both had successful property-finding businesses, so they didn’t need TV success.

“We just thought it would be quite fun to spend a weekend seeing how television gets made. And they were paying £600 a day,” said Kirstie.

£600 a day, you say?

“I didn’t get paid 600 per day,” Phil insisted. “Well, I did,” Kirstie replied.

Kirstie Allsopp has been Phil’s co-presenter of Location Location Location since its launch (Credit: Splashnews.com)

Phil and Kirstie are now both multimillionaires with staggering net worths

By 2010, Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer were raking in £400,000 per year on multi-year contracts with Channel 4.

The company had to up their salaries after the BBC tried to “poach” them, the Mail wrote at the time.

Last autumn, Phil’s elderly parents both died in a car accident, having driven off a bridge into the Nailbourne River. They left Phil and his siblings about £18 million between them.

Meanwhile, according to various reports, Kirstie’s estate is worth an estimated £16 million. She owns a six-bedroom house in Devon, and a home in Notting Hill.

Her London residence used to be nine individual flats, which she bought one by one and then knocked into a veritable mansion. It occupies three floors.

Phil Spencer’s property company Garrington Home Finders went into liquidation in 2009 following the credit crunch. But fortunately for him, his numbers are still very much in the black.

Catch Kirstie and Phil on Location, Location, Location on Channel 4 at 3:35pm on Saturday. Love It or List It follows immediately afterwards.

Read more: Inside Phil Spencer and wife Fiona’s romance – meeting on ‘drunken’ night out; begging her to move to England; doppelgänger son

So, what do you think of this story? You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know.

Bruno Cooke

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August 23, 2025
Queenie’s Tilly Keeper on condition that affected her sight on set, and rumoured fling with soap co-star

Queenie star Tilly Keeper has made a name for herself in the likes of Netflix phenomenon You, so imagine her discomfort when she was once left unable to see properly while filming a pivotal scene…

Tilly, who previous appeared on EastEnders as Phil Mitchell’s daughter Louise, is now starring in the Channel 4 drama Queenie, based on the bestselling book of the same name.

Here’s everything you need to know about Tilly Keeper from Queenie, her career, and dating rumours.

Tilly has come a long way since Walford! (Credit: Steve Vas/Future Image/Cover Images)

How old is Tilly Keeper? Where is she from?

Tilly Keeper was born on August 16, 1997, in Westminster, London. At the time of writing, she is 26 years old.

At just four years old, Tilly began learning ballet at D&B Academy of Performing Arts before signing for their agency aged seven. She would later become the fifth alumni from the school to appear on EastEnders (another is Lauren Branning actor Jacqueline Jossa!).

Tilly attended Bromley High School, an independent school located in Bickley, Greater London.

Who did Tilly Keeper play in EastEnders?

Tilly portrayed Louise Mitchell, daughter of soap heavyweights Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Lisa Fowler (Lucy Benjamin) in the BBC soap. She had some huge storylines on the soap.

Memorably, Louise saw red when she discovered her boyfriend and baby daddy Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters) was also the father of her stepmum Sharon Watts‘s (Letitia Dean) baby. She exacted her revenge by helping her father and brother Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) kidnap Keanu, leaving him for dead.

Louise left the soap with baby Peggy Mitchell in 2020, believing she would get the blame for Keanu’s murder. However, EastEnders fans know Keanu was in fact still alive. It also wouldn’t be his last time involved in a soap murder plot!

Tilly Keeper played Louise Mitchell in EastEnders (Credit: BBC/Jack Barnes)

Why did she leave EastEnders?

The Sun Online announced in 2019 that Tilly was leaving the show. In a statement, Tilly said: “I have loved playing Louise Mitchell over these past few years, and I feel honoured to have been part of such an iconic show.”

She also added she would “miss my EastEnders family greatly”.

In 2023, Tilly confessed to W Magazine that at the time she had been getting “itchy” to leave.

She said: “I was 18 when I started and I’d just turned 21. All of my friends at university were graduating. I started thinking, ‘Maybe I should be moving on too’.

“It felt like a natural progression. I got the the point where I was ready to work on other things. I was seeing my actor friends getting roles and I was kind of getting a little bit itchy. So it felt like the right time to leave.”

Who plays Darcy in Queenie?

Tilly stars in new drama Queenie, the Channel 4 adaptation of the award-winning Candice Carty-Williams novel. She plays Darcy, the friend of lead character Queenie (Dionne Brown), a woman struggling after the break up of a long-term relationship.

Queenie is a sharp, honest, funny drama about 25-year-old Jamaican British woman who straddles two cultures, but slots neatly into neither.

In episode one of eight, entitled The Prodigal Granddaughter Returns, Queenie is left shell-shocked when her long-term boyfriend Tom tells her they need a break.

Tilly Keeper portrays Darcy, a friend and colleague of Dionne Brown’s Queenie in the drama of the same name (Credit: Channel 4)

What else has Tilly Keeper been in? What is she doing now?

Last year, Tilly portrayed socialite Lady Phoebe Borehall-Blaxworth in Netflix hit You. Phoebe was part of the wealthy London crowd that serial killer protagonist Joe Goldberg (Penn Badgley) hides within.

In one terrifying scene, Phoebe attempted to seduce the dangerous Joe – little knowing his good looks disguised an evil personality.

However, Tilly remembers that scene for all the wrong reasons – after falling ill during filming. She told Glamour: “I woke up the morning that we filmed that scene with an optical migraine, so I think I could only see like the left half of Penn’s face as I was filming it!”

Tilly’s other big roles include the TV film Make Me Famous (2020), alongside Tom Brittney and Amanda Abbington.

Who are her parents?

It turns out that Tilly isn’t the only famous name in the family. In fact, her dad Peter Keeper wrote for satirical comedy Spitting Image.

Peter contributed to the writing of two seasons of the hit show in the 1980s.

Meanwhile Tilly’s mother, Amanda, is a former model. In 2017, Tilly told the Daily Express that her taste in fashion was inspired by her mother. She said: “It’s a lot to do with my mum. She used to model in her younger days and whenever I go shopping, she comes, too.”

Tilly (right) with EastEnders co-stars Jasmine Armfield (right) and Shaheen Jafargholi (centre) who were involved in a love triangle! (Credit: SplashNews.com)

Who is Tilly Keeper dating?

While starring on EastEnders, rumours flew that Tilly was romantically involved with her co-star Shaheen Jafargholi. Shaheen portrayed Shakil Kazemi, brother of Kush Kazemi (Davood Ghadami) on the London-based soap. Shakil was at one point involved in a love triangle with Tilly’s Louise Mitchell and Bex Fowler (Jasmine Armfield).

However, Tilly told OK! Magazine in 2019 that the pair were “just friends”.

It’s a friendship that she maintains to this day. Despite not appearing on screen together since 2019, Tilly supported Shaheen at the March 2024 launch of his BBC Three series Wreck.

Tilly is not rumoured to have dated anyone else, and is believed to be single at the time of writing.

How tall is she?

According to Tilly’s IMDb profile, she is 5’8″.

That’s the same height as her former on-screen father Steve McFadden.

Read more: Former EastEnders star Tilly Keeper shares picture from new role in BBC film

Catch Tilly in Queenie, which starts on Channel 4 on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at 10pm.

Are you excited to see Tilly Keeper in Queenie? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.

Susan Brett

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June 3, 2024
24 Hours in Police Custody viewers declare ‘they’re guilty, lock them up’ as pet dog kicked by gang

Viewers of 24 Hours in Police Custody 2024 were left furious after a pet dog was kicked by a gang during last night’s episode (Monday, January 22).

Fans took to Twitter to slam the gang, with many urging police to “lock them up”.

The gang members were shown kicking dogs (Credit: Channel 4)

What happened on 24 Hours in Police Custody 2024 last night?

Last night’s edition of 24 Hours in Police Custody followed coppers as they attempted to catch an organised crime group supplying crack cocaine and heroin in Luton.

During the first part of the episode, police were surveilling some of the suspected gang members.

The gang members had two puppies with them, who were playfighting in the park next to their bench.

In shocking scenes, one of the gang members kicked one of the puppy’s away.

The dog appeared unharmed, however, the gang member’s actions riled viewers up to no end.

Kane was arrested (Credit: Channel 4)

Viewers fume over dog-kicking scenes

Fans of the Channel 4 show were straight onto Twitter to slam the gang members, with some even branding them instantly “guilty” thanks to their actions.

“Bad enough them doing drug deals but kicking the dogs made me even more angry,” one viewer tweeted.

“This lot will annoy me – way they were kicking the dog out of the way was enough for me – guilty. Lock them up,” another said.

After they were sentenced, viewers were not sympathetic at all.

“That’ll teach you for kicking that dog early doors, you p****s,” one fan tweeted.

“Do love the British public. As soon as people saw those horrible p****s mistreating their dogs, they were guilty of whatever the police were throwing at them,” another said.

Gang leader Kane Lee was sentenced to 8 years in prison (Credit: Channel 4)

How did 24 Hours in Police Custody 2024 end?

Two of the gang’s drug suppliers were sentenced to five years and four months in prison.

A street dealer was sentenced to three years in prison.

Meanwhile, the gang leader was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Read more: 24 Hours in Police Custody viewers ‘sickened’ by ‘most brutal episode

24 Hours in Police Custody is available to stream now on Channel 4.

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think of this story

Robert Emlyn Slater

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January 23, 2024
Truelove star Lindsay Duncan and how her remarkable life inspired an award-winning film

Lindsay Duncan, star of Channel 4‘s Truelove, has led a remarkable life that has even inspired an award-winning film.

In Truelove, Lindsay plays Philippa “Phil” Leach, a former police detective who is bored out of her mind in her retirement. She makes a pact with her friends that finally returns the meaning to her life.

Here’s everything you need to know about Lindsay, her career, and how her life inspired that film.

Lindsay Duncan as Phil in Truelove (Credit: Channel 4)

Who is Lindsay Duncan?

Lindsay Vere Duncan CBE is a Scottish actress, well known for multiple roles across screen and stage. Over the course of her career, she’s received two Olivier Awards and a Tony Award, as well as four BAFTA nominations. She is currently starring in Channel 4’s Truelove.

She received a CBE for services to drama in 2009.

Lindsay Duncan is originally from Edinburgh where she was born to working-class Scottish parents. As a child, she also lived in Leeds and Birmingham. She attended the independent King Edward VI High School for Girls in Edgbaston on a free grant.

Her father, who served in the British army before becoming a civil servant, died in a car accident when Lindsay was a teenager. Her mother later suffered from Alzheimer’s disease and passed away in 1994.

The relationship Lindsay shared with her mother inspired a play, The Winter Guest, which was borne of conversations she shared with co-star Alan Rickman while they were working together on the RSC’s production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Alan Rickman went on to direct the play when it premiered in 1995.

Emma Thompson and Phyllida Law in The Winter Guest, the film inspired by Lindsay Duncan’s relationship with her mother (Credit: Cover Images)

Alan Rickman then directed the film adaptation of The Winter Guest in 1997, which starred real-life mother and daughter Phyllida Law and Emma Thompson. The Winter Guest won several awards at film festivals, including the Brussels International Film Festival Audience Award, Chicago Film Festival’s Gold Hugo – Best Film Award and multiple awards at the Venice Film Festival.

How old is Lindsay Duncan?

Lindsay was born on November 7, 1950. As of January 2024, she is 73 years old.

Lindsay Duncan and Diane Lane in Under the Tuscan Sun (Credit: Cover Images)

All the films Lindsay Duncan has been in

Lindsay began her film career in the 1984 British film Loose Connections. She portrayed Sally, a feminist on a roadtrip with a chauvinist played by Stephen Rea.

She went on to have roles in Prick Up Your Ears (1987) and Manifesto (1988). That was followed by an award-winning turn in 1990’s The Reflecting Skin.

In 1999, Lindsay portrayed Lady Markby in An Ideal Husband and Lady Bertram in Mansfield Park.

Edinburgh Film Festival award-winner AfterLife (2003) came next, in which she played the lead role of May Brogan. That same year, Lindsay starred in romcom Under the Tuscan Sun.

She played Audrey Pretty in post WWII-drama The Queen of Sheba’s Pearls in 2004, followed by Rose in Starter for 10 (2006).

Roles in Last Passenger (2012), About Time (2013) and Le Weekend (2013) followed. She then starred in the Academy Award Best Picture winner Birdman (2014), playing theatre critic Tabitha Dickinson.

She also starred in Gifted (2017), Blackbird (2019), November 1st (1999) and Made in Italy (2020).

Lindsay Duncan as Phil in Truelove (Credit: Channel 4)

What TV shows has Lindsay Duncan been in? Lindsay’s BAFTA nominations

Despite being more famous for her film and theatre work, Lindsay’s done quite a lot of TV! And for her major roles, she seems to favour political dramas. Her first major TV role was in Channel 4 political drama G.B.H., written by Alan Bleasdale. Lindsay portrayed wealthy older woman Barbara Douglas, who manipulates the series lead Michael Murray (Robert Lindsay). For this role, she was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Actress.

She was nominated again in 1999 for her role as library manager Marilyn Truman in Shooting the Past. Her next nomination came for her role in the 2001 family drama Perfect Strangers.

Lindsay Duncan as Phil and Sandra James-Young as Jean in Truelove (Credit: Channel 4)

What other TV shows has Lindsay Duncan been in?

She also played Servilia of the Junii in HBO historical drama Rome (2005-2007). Sevilia was a Roman noble, the mother of Brutus (Tobias Menzies) and estranged mistress of Julius Caesar (Ciarán Hinds).

Next she portrayed historian Lady Elizabeth Longford in television film Longford (2006). The film told the story of Lord Longford and his campaign for the parole of Moors Murderer Myra Hindley.

In 2009, she had yet another major role in a political drama. She played the titular role in Margaret, which dramatised Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher‘s fall from grace. She received a nod for a Scottish BAFTA for this role.

Lindsay appeared in the third and fourth seasons of BBC‘s Sherlock (2014-2017), portraying Lady Smallwood. Lady Smallwood was an associate of Mycroft Holmes (Mark Gatiss) and member of the Cabinet Office.

She appeared in BAFTA-winning political thriller The Honourable Woman (2014) and as Winston Churchill’s wife Clementine in 2016’s Churchill’s Secret.

In the 2020s, Lindsay’s had roles in the legal drama The Split (2022), The Morning Show (2023) and playing Rosamund Pike‘s sister in Wheel of Time (2023).

And of course, in 2024 she’s starring in Channel 4’s Truelove!

Lindsay Duncan as Phil in Truelove (Credit: Channel 4)

Lindsay Duncan’s role in Doctor Who

Yes, Lindsay appeared in one of David Tennant‘s final episodes as the Tenth Doctor (before returning in 2023, of course). In the 2009 special, ‘The Waters of Mars’, Lindsay portrayed Captain Adelaide Brooke, the leader of a human colony on Mars in 1959. She proved to be an important character in Doctor Who lore, as her death inspires her granddaughter Susie Fontana Brooke to become a space exploration pioneer.

Who is Lindsay Duncan’s husband?

Lindsay is married to fellow Scottish actor Hilton McRae. The pair met in 1985 while working for the Royal Shakespeare Company. Lindsay Duncan has one son with Hilton, Cal McRae, who is in his 30s.

The cast of Truelove: Ken (Clarke Peters), Phil (Lindsay Duncan), Tom (Karl Johnson) Marion (Sue Johnston) and David (Peter Egan) (Credit: Channel 4)

Truelove on Channel 4

A new take on older age, Truelove explores a group of retirees who make a pact to engineer a dignified death if one of them begins to suffer from poor health.

When a young police officer learns there is something strange about these 70-year-old friends, a thrilling game of cat and mouse ensues.

The cast also includes Clarke Peters, Karl Johnson, Sue Johnston and Peter Egan.

Truelove airs tonight (January 11) on Channel 4 at 9pm.

Read more: Celebrity Gogglebox viewers rejoice as legendary TV husband and wife reunite to join new series

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.

Susan Brett

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January 11, 2024
UK TV Diversity Chief Defends Social Media Activity After “Antisemitism” Row Over Stephen Fry Speech

EXCLUSIVE: The chief executive of one of the UK’s top diversity bodies has denied ‘liking’ allegedly antisemitic LinkedIn posts about Stephen Fry‘s Christmas speech.

Deborah Williams, who runs the Creative Diversity Network, said she did not endorse messages posted over the festive period by former Channel 4 commissioner Tamara Abood.

Williams’ denial comes amid other questions about her social media activity, including re-posting a petition, shared by controversial politician Chris Williamson, calling on Israel’s ambassador to the UK to be expelled.

Abood was accused of antisemitism by high-profile Jewish producers after she wrote that Fry’s rallying cry against rising discrimination was “disingenuous” and demonstrated “where the power lies” in UK media. Fry’s six-minute speech was produced by Fulwell 73 for Channel 4.

Screenshots seen by Deadline show that Williams apparently ‘liked’ a message from Abood in which she said: “Unlike the disingenuous Fulwell Fry version, this is a Christmas Message I can get behind.”

Abood linked to an Alexei Sayle Google search. Sayle, a Jewish comedian who has been vocal in his support of Palestine, recorded his own Christmas speech, in which he accused other Jews of “bloviating” over the Gaza conflict and parroting the narrative of the “ruling class establishment.” He also accused Israel of “genocide.”

Williams denied liking Abood’s message. In a statement, Williams said that she did not follow Abood on LinkedIn and, instead, endorsed a post from an industry contact that was related to Abood’s original message about Sayle.

Williams also made clear that she did not like other messages from Abood in which she made claims about “where the power lies” in British television and argued that antisemitism “is not happening in a vacuum.”

A Creative Diversity Network spokesperson said: “Deborah ‘liked’ a post from an industry contact in a chain of posts relating back to Alexei Sayle’s alternative Christmas message as she’s a fan of the comedian.

“She didn’t directly ‘like’ Tamara Abood’s post about the Christmas message itself, as she doesn’t follow Tamara Abood and she was therefore unaware of any of her other posts and the content of them, and in particular the post mentioning “where power lies”.

“Deborah has fought racism and inequality in all its forms over the course of her career, including the past seven years running Creative Diversity Network where she has worked to make the television industry more inclusive for all.”

Williams’ explanation raised eyebrows, particularly in the context of her other social media activity. In recent days on Twitter (now X), she reposted a message from ITV presenter Robert Peston in which he said the accusation of antisemitism was being used to “silence legitimate and important debate.”

Last month, she retweeted a message from former Labour MP Chris Williamson calling on people to sign a petition regarding the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador to the UK. Williamson was thrown out of Labour in 2019 amid an antisemitism row and is under police investigation over a potential hate crime against Israel.

A source close to Williams said she retweeted Williamson without properly engaging with the content of his message.

Leo Pearlman, managing partner at Fulwell 73, was critical of Abood’s LinkedIn posts and has been vocal in calling out alleged discrimination against Jewish people since Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel.

Commenting on Williams’ social media activity, he told Deadline: “Are we to honestly believe this nonsense from the CDN, that Ms Williams managed to endorse and amplify the appalling views of Chris Williamson, Tamara Abood, Alexei Sayle, etc without ever reading a single one of their posts or perhaps without any knowledge of their very publicly held views?

“Ms Williams holds an integral role within our industry, she and the CDN purport to represent the interests of all minorities. Well this should be a wake-up call for her, the organization and the industry, that fighting racism and inequality in all its forms, but explicitly excluding Jews from that claim, doesn’t make you a hero of diversity, it makes you the very definition of an antisemite and not fit for purpose.”

Williams has led the Creative Diversity Network for seven years. It is funded by the UK’s major broadcasters and monitors diversity in television shows. Paul Moore, ITV’s group corporate affairs and communications director, chairs the organization.

Abood, who now works as a psychotherapist but maintains links to the TV industry, has deleted her LinkedIn account, meaning her messages are no longer in the public domain. She has been contacted for comment.

Jake Kanter

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January 3, 2024
Russian TV channel makes a huge gaffe by broadcasting appeal to spy for Britain

A RUSSIAN TV channel made a huge gaffe by broadcasting an appeal to spy for Britain.

Channel 1 stunned viewers by transmitting an invitation from the MI6 boss for Russians to “join hands with us”.

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Presenter Maria Butina, who is a former spy herself, broadcast the appeal for Russians to contact MI6 on her show

Presenter Maria Butina — a former Russian spy — included the clip in an hour-long profile of Richard Moore, 60.

The spy chief known as “C” made the appeal in Prague in July.

He claimed Russians appalled by the war in Ukraine were turning to MI6.

And he invited others to follow suit, saying: “Our door is always open.”

READ MORE ON MARIA BUTINA

But his message was scarcely reported by Kremlin-controlled media — until now.

It is not clear if station bosses realised what they were doing.

Experts said the state-owned channel — the second most watched in Russia — had effectively helped MI6 reach millions of potential spies.

Russia expert Professor Mark Galeotti said: “Butina’s show is watched by people in politics — exactly the sort of people MI6 would want to target.

“The plug was priceless. In Russia, you simply do not broadcast an invitation to work for a hostile intelligence agency.”

The TV show opened with a lengthy soundbite from Moore’s “come spy with me” speech, translated into Russian.

Butina, 35, was convicted of being a foreign agent and deported from America in 2019 after offering sex for jobs as she tried to infiltrate the powerful NRA gun lobby.

She has since become an MP for Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party and a TV presenter.

Her bizarrely named show, The Dolls of the Heir Tutti — a reference to a Soviet fairytale — profiles Russia’s “enemies”.

Jerome Starkey

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December 10, 2023
The Couple Next Door on C4: All the burning questions we have after watching tense episode 2

Channel 4’s swinging drama The Couple Next Door continued this week with episode 2, and the latest instalment included murder (poor fishes), secrets and some serious sexual tension.

In the second instalment (Tuesday, November 28, 2023), the formerly closeted Evie got a real taste for danger. The teacher, from a very religious, borderline-cult family, has clearly got a case of the hots for her neighbour Danny. And the feeling seems pretty neutral.

So, when Evie discovered that Danny and Becka partake in couple-swapping, she couldn’t wait to find out more. However, husband Pete didn’t seem as invested in the idea.

It’s a melting pot of desire and possibilities, and surely only a matter of time before Danny (Sam Heughan) and Evie give in to their desire. Although Danny insisted he’d never break his rule of swinging with friends, the upcoming episode 3 might just prove him wrong.

Here are all the burning questions we have after watching episode 2 of The Couple Next Door on Channel 4.

***Warning: spoilers from The Couple Next Door episode 2 ahead***

Danny and Evie kissing in The Couple Next Door (Credit: Channel 4)

Will Danny break his own rule and couple swap with Evie and Pete?

Danny wants Evie, and Evie (Eleanor Tomlinson) wants him back. Danny and Becka are swingers, so surely the solution to all this sexual tension is for them to just do it and get it over with!?

Not yet, though, as Danny has one rule about his couple swapping activities – not with friends. But with the chemistry between the neighbours so thick you could cut it with a knife, surely the pair will fall into bed soon…

But does that mean Becka and Pete will indulge in some extra-marital fun, too? If so, we’re pretty sure Pete isn’t someone to be chill about it all! Especially when Evie seems more partial to Danny than she does her own husband.

The Couple Next Door episode 2: Will Evie get pregnant with Danny’s baby?

Much of Evie and Pete’s problems stem from their inability to have children. He has “puny sperm” and, after several failed IVF attempts, Evie tragically lost her unborn baby. Now, her own sister is pregnant, causing Evie to lose the plot and murder their pet coy carps. RIP.

Surely the obvious plot twist here is that Evie will get pregnant with Danny’s baby? Either way, we’re pretty sure it’s going to get very messy!

Evie, Becka and Danny dance on the beach in The Couple Next Door (Credit: Channel 4)

The Couple Next Door episode 2: Is Alan a real threat?

Forget the main four characters, the star of the show has to be Hugh Dennis‘ slimy performance as pervy Alan. He gives us the serious ick, which is testament to Hugh’s acting skills. I mean, this is the same guy who played affable dad Pete Brockman in Outnumbered…

In The Couple Next Door episode 2, Alan started to look like a real danger rather than just an obsessed neighbour. We saw him steal the key to Becka and Danny’s house, and make his own copy. He then let himself into their house, went through her camera, and found some pretty intimate stuff.

The weirdo took copies of the film, and later uploaded the pictures onto a website under the title ‘Not So Pure’. Of course, this was a dig at Becka’s yoga page, Purely Becka. Hurt from the realisation that all of her yoga friends think he’s creepy, and from Danny’s warning to leave Becka alone, Alan is clearly after some revenge…

But how far will he go?

Side-note: For a neighbourhood full of “curtain-twitchers”, how on EARTH is Alan able to wander around letting himself into his neighbour’s homes without being spotted?

Who is Lena and why is Danny giving her money?

In the second instalment of The Couple Next Door on Channel 4, viewers discovered who has been demanding money off of Danny. But who is Lena, and what is her connection to Danny?

Why does he owe her money, and why did he want to enter her flat? It certainly wasn’t the thuggish blackmailer we were expecting!

What’s the relationship between Lena and Danny in The Couple Next Door? (Credit: C4)

The Couple Next Door episode 2: Will Pete report Danny?

Pete continued to investigate Mr Spencer in the latest episode, and it might just come back to bite him. Mark Frost‘s character is clearly dangerous, and he probably wouldn’t appreciate snoopers.

Meanwhile, Pete saw Danny doing illegal work for Spencer. Could he report Danny, or use it against him later?

Of course, Danny has enough on his plate after his last job off the books went horribly wrong. It could well be his life on the line, if not his job. All will be revealed in episode 3 next week!

Read more: The Couple Next Door cast includes Outlander’s Sam Heughan, Poldark’s Eleanor Tomlinson, and Harry Potter star Alfred Enoch

The Couple Next Door continues with episode 3 on Monday, December 4, 2023 at 9pm.

What do you think of The Couple Next Door so far? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix.

Helen Fear

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November 28, 2023
SU2C on Channel 4: Rhod Gilbert makes comedy comeback after doctors told him cancer battle ‘could go either way’

Comedian Rhod Gilbert has made an emotional return to the stage following his recovery from cancer last night, hosting Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) on Channel 4 and revealing the extent of his fears as doctors told him “it could go either way”.

The star was diagnosed with neck, tonsils and tongue cancer in 2022, and was treated in Cardiff. He revealed earlier this year that he is on track to make a full recovery.

Last night (Friday, November 3), he hosted Stand Up To Cancer, joking about what he had been through in the past year.

Rhod Gilbert hosted SU2C last night (Credit: Channel 4)

SU2C on Channel 4: Rhod Gilbert makes triumphant return

“Tonight’s show is coming from you completely live, and although the prospect of dying on stage in front of millions of viewers is terrifying, for the last year I’ve been more scared of dying alone on a hospital floor in a pool of my own urine,” Rhod said as he opened his set.

When the audience reacted, he continued: “You don’t have to aww me! I’m alright about it, and you should be too. Being a live show, it can go either way – which are, incidentally, also the words my doctors used this time last year,” he joked.

“I’m here because for the last year I’ve had cancer and now I don’t! It was in my tonsils, neck and tongue.”

Fans of the comic reacted as he made his return to stand-up. One said: “It was so emotional to watch, but Rhod gives hope to all of us on cancer journeys.”

Adam Hills was also on the show and asked if he could give Rhod a hug: “Aww mate, I’m so glad you’re okay,” he said. “What a man Rhod Gilbert is,” said another. “Nothing but love for Rhod Gilbert,” said a third.

The Welshman has been open about his struggle with cancer (Credit: C4/YouTube)

Rhod Gilbert shares cancer treatment in documentary

Prior to SU2C, Rhod shared his experience in the documentary Rhod Gilbert: A Pain In The Neck. Airing on October 30 on Channel 4, the programme followed the comedian throughout his ordeal, in a series of intimate video diaries.

Rhod said: “I was lying in bed on the Friday, with my treatment due to start the following Monday. I rang the team I knew – there was no broadcaster on board, it was all on spec – and I asked: ‘How would you fancy joining me on this journey?’”

Describing his decision to document his treatment, Rhod said: “It was partly for me. I’d cancelled all my TV work and tours, and I wanted to have something other than cancer in my diary.

“I knew I wouldn’t be well enough to go on stage or TV, but I thought I might be well enough to lie in bed and talk to a documentary team about how ill I was. I thought, it will give me something to do.”

Read more: Rhod Gilbert on ‘terrible’ symptoms of cancer amid his latest news following diagnosis

Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!

Joel Harley is a professional writer with a love of horror movies, Nicolas Cage and British soap operas. When not waxing lyrical about the Dingles and the Mitchells, you can find Joel writing for Total Film, Starburst and Comic Book Resources.

Joel Harley

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November 4, 2023