The UK entertainment industry has been marked by significant events involving its prominent celebrities, encompassing legal victories, new television ventures, and industry shifts.
In a landmark legal development, Prince Harry has settled his lawsuit against Rupert Murdoch's News Group Newspapers . The publisher admitted 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, reported to be over £10 million, primarily covers legal fees. NGN issued an apology for the serious intrusion into Harry's private life, marking a significant moment in the ongoing phone-hacking scandal.
On the television front, the UK is set to witness the return of "Celebrity Big Brother" in 2025. The show, which has been a staple of British reality TV, is scheduled to air nightly on ITV1, ITVX, STV, and STV Player, with its live final slated for April 25 at 9 pm. Hosted by AJ Odudu and Will Best, this year's celebrity housemates include EastEnders star Patsy Palmer, actor Mickey Rourke, and Olympic athlete Daley Thompson. The house has relocated to a new setting, and viewers can engage with the show through behind-the-scenes content and late-night coverage.
Additionally, "Celebrity Traitors UK" is set to premiere on BBC One later in 2025, likely in late summer or early autumn. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman, this celebrity edition will feature 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.
In the realm of legal battles, 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. NGN has settled most phone-hacking claims over a decade, with total payouts exceeding £1 billion.
These developments underscore the ever-evolving nature of the UK celebrity scene, marked by high-profile television appearances, significant legal settlements, and ongoing discussions about the protection of artists' rights in the digital age.
