Prince Harry has achieved a significant legal victory over Rupert Murdoch's UK newspaper group, News Group Newspapers . The publisher admitted for the first time to unlawful actions at its tabloid, The Sun, and agreed to a substantial damages payment. Harry had accused NGN of illegally obtaining private information about him from 1996 to 2011 and intruding into the private life of his late mother, Princess Diana. The settlement is reported to be over £10 million, mainly covering legal fees. NGN issued an apology for the serious intrusion into Harry's private life. The apology pertained to actions of private investigators, not journalists. This settlement may mark the end of similar lawsuits against NGN, which has faced significant financial repercussions from prior lawsuits involving phone hacking and other illegal information gathering activities. While NGN admitted wrongdoing at The Sun, it maintained that there was no senior-level cover-up. No comment was provided by Buckingham Palace or Prince William’s office.
In related news, almost 40 public figures have settled their cases with Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers over alleged phone hacking and other unlawful activities. This leaves Prince Harry and Lord Tom Watson as the remaining claimants heading to trial. The settlements involve celebrities, such as Louise Redknapp and Alfie Allen, and politicians Andy Burnham and Sir Norman Lamb. The trial for Prince Harry and Watson is scheduled for January and is expected to last up to eight weeks. Prince Harry's team is seeking additional correspondence involving Murdoch's employees and the Royal Household, while NGN denies any undisclosed agreement with the royal family. NGN has settled most phone-hacking claims over a decade, with total payouts exceeding £1bn. The company aims to finalize all disputes without trial, continuing its longstanding commitment to settle justified claims.
In the realm of UK television, the upcoming series of "Strictly Come Dancing" has generated considerable buzz. The 2025 season is set to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in Autumn 2025, continuing the beloved show's tradition of themed weeks, dazzling group routines, and fan-favorite celebrities. Following Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell's win in 2024, speculation is mounting over who will join the new season. So far, rumored celebrity contestants include Martine McCutcheon, Stacey Solomon, and Miranda Hart. The professional dancers confirmed to return include regular fan favorites like Katya Jones, Gorka Marquez, Johannes Radebe, and Nadiya Bychkova, with two new professionals also set to join the lineup. The judging panel remains unchanged with Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will also continue their longtime hosting roles. While no specific start date or trailer has been released yet, the season is expected to launch around mid-September, as in previous years. Viewers can also look forward to the show's signature themed weeks and the iconic trip to the Blackpool Tower Ballroom. Further announcements, including the full celebrity lineup and new trailer, are forthcoming.
Additionally, "Celebrity Big Brother 2025" has returned, airing nightly on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player, with its live final scheduled for April 25 at 9pm. Hosted again by AJ Odudu and Will Best, the show features spin-offs including Late & Live and a nightly live stream. This year’s celebrity housemates include EastEnders star Patsy Palmer, Mickey Rourke, Jack P Shepherd, Olympic athlete Daley Thompson, and JoJo Siwa, among others. As of now, Chesney, Chris, Danny, Donna, Jack, and JoJo are the six finalists competing for the top prize. The house has moved to a new location, and viewers can connect with the show through behind-the-scenes content and late-night coverage. Previous winner David Potts won the 2024 season. The show continues to gain popularity, with over 100 million streams on ITVX, and features include exclusive interviews with evictees and commentary from hosts and guest celebrities. A promo trailer with returning guinea pig mascots is available, highlighting the show's quirky return.
In the realm of reality television, "Celebrity Traitors UK" is set to premiere on BBC1 later in 2025, likely in late summer or early autumn, following the success of "The Traitors UK" season 3. Hosted once again by Claudia Winkleman, this celebrity edition will see well-known faces competing in the popular murder-mystery format. Confirmed participants include Tom Daley, Bob Mortimer, Stephen Fry, Jonathan Ross, and Clare Balding, among others. The show, filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, will follow the usual format: celebrities will start as Faithfuls, with a few secretly selected as Traitors aiming to deceive the rest. Through missions, players build a prize fund of up to £120,000, with celebrities aiming to win up to £100,000 for charity. Regular banishments and “murders” spice up the gameplay, culminating in either the Faithfuls or a remaining Traitor claiming the prize. Rumored additional participants include Judy Murray, Lisa Riley, Richard Osman, and Daisy May Cooper. Production began in spring 2025, and fans can anticipate plenty of deception, strategy, and entertainment in this new twist on the hit series. A trailer has not yet been released.
