The UK entertainment industry is abuzz with recent developments and upcoming events that have captured the public's attention. From legal victories to new television series, the spotlight is firmly on British celebrities.
In a significant 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 is reported to be over £10 million, mainly covering legal fees. NGN issued an apology for the serious intrusion into Harry's private life. 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.
On the television front, the National Ballet of Japan is set to make its UK debut with a performance of "Giselle" at London's Royal Opera House from July 24 to 27, 2025. This marks the first appearance by the Tokyo-based company in Britain. The production is directed by Miyako Yoshida, a former Royal Ballet dancer originally from Japan, who became artistic director of the National Ballet of Japan in 2020. Yoshida, who moved to the UK at age 17 and rose to prominence in the 1980s, expressed excitement about returning to London with her company. The National Ballet of Japan, also known as the New National Theatre Ballet, Tokyo, was established in 1997 and consists of 75 dancers. "Giselle," originally performed in 1841, is a classic romantic ballet that tells the story of a young peasant girl betrayed by a nobleman.
In the realm of reality television, "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.
Looking ahead, "Celebrity Traitors UK" is set to premiere on BBC One in Autumn 2025, 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.
In the music industry, older UK musicians, songwriters, and session performers are set to receive increased financial benefits under new proposals supported by record labels and the UK government. These measures aim to address income disparities for artists with pre-digital era record deals that did not account for streaming revenue. The framework allows artists to renegotiate contracts and receive more support for making their back catalogues available online. UK branches of major labels—Sony, Universal, and Warner Music—have endorsed the plan, and the British Phonographic Industry has recommended adoption by independent labels. The agreement includes enhanced support for legacy artists to improve their presence on streaming platforms. Additionally, session musicians will receive uplifted fees—up to 40% more for pop and 15% more for classical performances. New songwriters will also receive payments or expense coverage for label-hosted songwriting sessions. Expected to provide tens of millions of pounds in support by 2030, the initiative is part of efforts led by Creative Industries Minister Sir Chris Bryant. While broadly welcomed, the Musicians' Union continues to advocate for greater streaming revenue shares and royalties for session musicians.
These developments highlight the dynamic nature of the UK entertainment industry, showcasing the resilience and adaptability of its celebrities across various sectors.
