The UK entertainment industry is abuzz with recent developments and upcoming events involving some of its most prominent celebrities. From legal victories to new television series, here's a roundup of the latest news.
**Prince Harry's Legal Triumph Over News Group Newspapers**
In a significant legal victory, 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.
**Upcoming 'Celebrity Traitors UK' Series**
The BBC has announced the upcoming premiere of 'Celebrity Traitors UK' in Autumn 2025. Hosted 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. Production began in spring 2025, and fans can anticipate plenty of deception, strategy, and entertainment in this new twist on the hit series.
**'Strictly Come Dancing' 2025: What We Know So Far**
The beloved dance competition show, 'Strictly Come Dancing,' is set to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in Autumn 2025. 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.
**'I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!' Series 24 Concludes**
The twenty-fourth series of 'I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!' concluded on 8 December 2024, with McFly's Danny Jones being crowned the new "King of the Jungle." The series, filmed in Murwillumbah, New South Wales, Australia, featured 12 celebrities competing over 22 days. Jones, notably the second member of McFly to win the series after bandmate Dougie Poynter in 2011, triumphed over runner-up Coleen Rooney and third-place finisher Rev. Richard Coles. The show continues to be a staple of British reality television, drawing large audiences and widespread acclaim.
**'Cooking with the Stars' Series 4: Celebrity Chefs Announced**
The fourth series of 'Cooking with the Stars' is set to air in 2024, with a lineup of celebrities ready to showcase their culinary skills. The confirmed participants include Harry Pinero, Christopher Biggins, Abbey Clancy, Linford Christie, Katherine Ryan, Pasha Kovalev, Carol Vorderman, and Ellie Simmonds. Each celebrity will be paired with a professional chef to guide them through the competition. The series aims to blend entertainment with culinary education, offering viewers a unique glimpse into the cooking journeys of their favorite stars.
As the UK entertainment scene continues to evolve, these developments highlight the dynamic nature of celebrity culture and the public's enduring fascination with their lives and careers.
