4+ week, 11+ hour ago (421+ words) This show is angering me tonight," say viewers Strictly Come Dancing fans have complained that George Clarke is being underscored by the show"s judges after he received his second week of low marks. The 25-year-old YouTube star, who had a promising start in the competition, was bottom of last week"s leaderboard with a mere 27 points after he failed to impress as Harry Styles for Icons Week. It was a similar story on Saturday night"s Halloween Week (1 November), which saw Clarke and his partner Alexis Warr receive a score of just 29 for their spooky Cha Cha to "Apple" by Charlie XCX. Viewers complained on X/Twitter that the judges had picked up on "every single one of George"s mistakes", while the viewing public "barely noticed". "Then they haven"t mentioned Vicky [Pattison] and Kai [Widdrington]"s visible mistake…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago (394+ words) The Miss Universe pageant will be taking place Friday in Bangkok, Thailand One of the judges for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant has announced that he will be withdrawing from the event. Composer Omar Harfouch shared a series of posts Tuesday on his Instagram Stories explaining that he was confused and concerned regarding his fellow judges for the event scheduled for Friday in Bangkok, Thailand. He claimed that he learned through social media that there was an "impromptu jury" that was asked to pick 30 finalists in advance out of the 136 countries that are supposed to participate. Harfouch then said he spoke to the Miss Universe officials regarding the lack of transparency, which led to them posting "a list of names associated with the selection on their Instagram page" without naming exactly what role each person played. His posts concluded by…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago (119+ words) Outgoing CEO of BBC News says 'mistakes are made' after she quit over Trump speech edits. Credit: PA Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Swipe for next article "There is no institutional bias at BBC, says news chief after she resigns over Trump edit - Outgoing BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness admitted that "mistakes are made" by the broadcaster. - Ms Turness, however, strongly denied any "institutional bias" at the BBC, asserting that its journalists strive for impartiality. - Her comments were made after she and director-general Tim Davie resigned from their positions. - The resignations followed claims that the BBC's Panorama programme had selectively edited a speech by Donald Trump....

3+ week, 6+ day ago (930+ words) Donald Trump said that stripping Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of his titles is a "tragic situation, adding that he feels "badly for the royal family. Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One on Sunday (2 November), the US president was asked about King Charles's dramatic decision to officially remove his brother's Prince and Duke of York titles, amid pressure over Andrew's ties with Jeffrey Epstein. A Buckingham Palace statement added: "These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. Trump breaks silence after King Charles strips Andrew of royal titles Donald Trump said that stripping Andrew Mountbatten Windsor of his titles is a "tragic situation, adding that he feels "badly for the royal family. Speaking to reporters on board Air Force One on Sunday (2 November), the US president was asked about King Charles…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (1066+ words) Neighbours and Sara's teachers had raised concerns, while social services were aware of Urfan Sharif's alleged history of domestic violence "Our family is the best in town. We spread love all around the world." Those were the words scribbled by 10-year-old Sara Sharif in her red notebook, suggesting that the schoolgirl enjoyed a happy childhood with her father and stepmother. Yet other notes hinted at a strict regime of discipline and fear in their Woking household, with Sara writing a letter to her father to apologise for "answering back", writing:"Please forgive me I am so, so sorry." Nothing could have prepared jurors however for details of the obscene level of violence inflicted upon the little girl, who was repeatedly beaten, burnt and bitten during the final months of her life. She succumbed to her injuries on 8 August last year,…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (620+ words) Dimbleby said the culture of the BBC needs "attention and always has done" Veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby has criticised the BBC's internal culture, stating it "needs attention and always has done" following recent high-profile resignations. The former Question Time host described the ongoing controversy engulfing the broadcaster as "ridiculous" during an interview with Channel 4 News, emphasising the necessity of addressing the BBC's culture amid accusations of left-wing bias. His remarks come in the wake of the departures of director-general Tim Davie and BBC News chief executive Deborah Turness over the weekend. Their resignations followed allegations that clips of US President Donald Trump"s speech in Washington, delivered ahead of the 6 January 2021 riots, had been selectively edited. Critics said the footage, broadcast in Trump: A Second Chance? by the BBC the week before last year"s US election, were misleading and…...

2+ week, 1+ day ago (1344+ words) The saga has seen two senior executives resign and threats of a $5bn lawsuit Donald Trump has announced his intention to sue the BBC next week, following the broadcaster's apology but refusal to offer compensation over a controversial Panorama documentary. The programme, aired just a week prior to the 2024 US election results, is accused of misleadingly editing a speech Mr Trump delivered on 6 January 2021. It spliced two distinct clips, creating the impression that Mr Trump instructed the crowd: "We're going to walk down to the Capitol " and I'll be there with you. And we fight. We fight like hell." Critics argue that the edit was deceptive, omitting a crucial segment where Mr Trump urged his supporters to demonstrate peacefully. This controversy led to the resignations of two senior BBC executives. Here is how the saga unfolded. The Telegraph reported that a…...

1+ day, 12+ hour ago (432+ words) Seven campmates faced the public vote " but who went home? Jack Osbourne, Alex Scott, Aitch, Angryginge, Kelly Brook, Martin Kemp and Ruby Wax were up for the first vote after losing a Bushtucker trial " the show's first live one in six years. It was former Lioness Scott who received the lowest number of votes, who was in the bottom two with Brook. After leaving camp, Scott told hosts Ant and Dec she felt "free" and that she'd like former EastEnders star Shona McGarty to become Queen of the Jungle. Scott's exit arrived after contestants retched their way through a live trial after being forced to drink gruesome cocktails. Those who downed their glass in the quickest time won immunity from the first elimination. The trial ended with Irish model Vogue Williams vomiting after drinking a concoction of fish eyes and…...

1+ week, 1+ day ago (253+ words) Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly thank Strictly Come Dancing fans for 'beautiful' messages after exit. Credit: BBC BBC shares update on search for new Strictly hosts - BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips has provided an update on the search for new Strictly Come Dancing presenters. - Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly announced in October that they would be stepping down from their hosting duties after the current series. - Phillips confirmed that the formal search for their replacements will not commence until the New Year, as the production team is focused on the current show. - She revealed that her inbox has been "inundated" with requests from individuals keen to be considered for the "best gigs in television". - Phillips stressed the importance of finding hosts with strong chemistry, given the dual roles previously held by Claudia and Tess. BBC shares update on search…...

3+ week, 3+ hour ago (111+ words) Strictly Come Dancing's Vicky Pattinson tops week seven leaderboard with Taylor Swift tango Source: BBC BBC responds to rumours about Strictly's Sunday show - The BBC has denied rumours that Strictly Come Dancing's Sunday night results show could be axed. - Speculation about the show's future arose due to results frequently leaking online ahead of its Sunday broadcast. - A report claimed some BBC executives considered reverting to a live Saturday night results show to prevent leaks. - The BBC dismissed the claims as "nonsense", highlighting the show's continued popularity with 7.1 million viewers last Sunday. - A Strictly insider also confirmed there is "absolutely no truth" to the suggestion of axing the Sunday results programme....