The UK entertainment industry is abuzz with recent developments, from the return of popular reality shows to significant legal victories and evolving industry dynamics. Here's a roundup of the latest news involving UK celebrities.
**Celebrity Big Brother 2025 Returns with Star-Studded Line-Up**
Celebrity Big Brother 2025 has made a grand return, airing nightly on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player, with its live final scheduled for April 25 at 9pm. Hosted once again by AJ Odudu and Will Best, the show features a diverse group of celebrity housemates, including EastEnders star Patsy Palmer, actor Mickey Rourke, Coronation Street's Jack P Shepherd, Olympic athlete Daley Thompson, and singer JoJo Siwa. 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.
**Celebrity Traitors UK Set to Premiere with Star-Studded Cast**
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. 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. Production began in spring 2025, and fans can anticipate plenty of deception, strategy, and entertainment in this new twist on the hit series.
**Prince Harry Settles Lawsuit Against Rupert Murdoch's Newspaper Group**
Prince Harry has settled his lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's British newspaper group, News Group Newspapers , which included an apology for unlawful actions related to The Sun. Harry sued NGN over alleged unlawful activities by journalists and private investigators at The Sun and the now-defunct News of the World from 1996 to 2011. NGN, owned by News Corp, has settled claims from over 1,300 people. The phone-hacking scandal emerged in 2006, leading to arrests and the closure of News of the World in 2011. This settlement is significant as NGN admitted unlawful activity at The Sun for the first time and avoids a potentially damaging trial. Harry's deal is seen as a victory, and he plans to pressure politicians and police to revisit the scandal. This lawsuit is one of three major lawsuits Harry has pursued against British media, including successful litigation against Mirror Group Newspapers and pending action against the publisher of the Daily Mail.
**Greggs Reports Profit Decline Amid Heatwave**
Greggs, the UK-based bakery and fast food chain, reported a 14% drop in pretax profit for the first half of 2025, totaling £63.5 million, down from £74.1 million a year earlier. The decline is attributed to a slowdown in June sales due to a heatwave, which increased demand for cold drinks but reduced overall foot traffic. Despite the profit fall, total sales rose 7% to £1.03 billion, buoyed by the opening of 31 net new stores, bringing the total to 2,649. Greggs warned earlier in July that full-year profits might fall slightly below 2024 levels. Shares have dropped 41% this year. The company remains optimistic about long-term growth, with plans to open 140 to 150 new shops in 2025 and sees potential for over 4,500 stores in the UK. Sales are also being driven by menu expansion, extended hours, increased delivery through Just Eat and Uber Eats, and customer loyalty via the Greggs App. A tough economic climate with rising inflation and food prices is also affecting consumer behavior.
**Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Rumoured Celebrities and New Additions**
“Strictly Come Dancing” is set to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in Autumn 2025, following the success of its 2024 season, won by Chris McCausland and partner Dianne Buswell. While the official celebrity lineup has not yet been confirmed, rumored participants include actress Martine McCutcheon, TV presenter Stacey Solomon, and comedian Miranda Hart. The show will welcome two new professional dancers: Alexis Warr, a winner of "So You Think You Can Dance" USA, and Julian Caillon, an alum of Australia’s "Dancing With The Stars." Returning professionals include established names like Dianne Buswell, Gorka Marquez, Katya Jones, and Johannes Radebe. The judging panel remains unchanged, featuring Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. Veteran hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will also return. As usual, fans can look forward to themed weeks, dazzling group routines, and a trip to Blackpool’s iconic Tower Ballroom. Further details, including the full celebrity line-up and the premiere date, will be announced closer to the season's launch.
