Author: Karin Parke

Philip John Edward Spencer, better known to millions of UK viewers as Phil Spencer, has shared candid reflections on the emotional impact of his work on the long-running property series Location, Location, Location. The Channel 4 presenter admits that some of the stories he has witnessed while helping families with major life decisions have stayed with him in ways he had not expected, describing on-set moments that brought him to tears. His comments offer a rare glimpse into the human side of a show that, for many, has become a staple of British television over more than two decades. Spencer,…

Dame Prue Leith has announced that she will step down as a judge on The Great British Bake Off after nine years on the Channel 4 baking competition, marking the end of a notable chapter in the series’ history. The decision comes as plans are under way for the next season later in 2026, and it leaves producers with the task of selecting a new judge to join co-hosts and fellow judges in the Bake Off tent. Leith, who is 86 this year, shared her decision on social media and in public statements. She described her time on the show…

Tesco opening times remain a regular point of confusion for shoppers across the UK, particularly when routines change around weekends or public holidays. As the country’s largest supermarket chain, Tesco operates thousands of stores in different formats, and opening hours can vary depending on store size, location and trading rules. For most of the year, Tesco follows consistent patterns, but shoppers are still advised to check locally when bank holidays or special occasions approach. Normal Tesco opening times on weekdays On a standard weekday from Monday to Saturday, most large Tesco Superstores and Tesco Extra locations open early in the…

Every January, the idea of Blue Monday resurfaces in the UK media cycle, described as the “most depressing day of the year”. Typically falling on the third Monday of January, it is often linked to cold weather, post-Christmas debt and the fading of New Year’s resolutions. Yet mental health experts and academics have long challenged the concept, arguing that Blue Monday has no scientific basis and risks oversimplifying complex issues around wellbeing. A recent explainer from BBC News has once again highlighted how the term originated and why professionals urge caution when it is presented as a genuine psychological phenomenon.…

ITV’s thriller Red Eye has become a telling example of how British broadcasters are reshaping prime-time drama for an audience that now moves fluidly between traditional television and on-demand platforms. First launched in 2024 and now expanded with a second series, the drama has steadily built a profile through a mix of tight plotting, recognisable talent and a clear sense of contemporary anxiety around security, power and trust. Available on ITV and its streaming platform ITVX, Red Eye sits squarely within ITV’s broader strategy to produce dramas that feel immediate, internationally relevant and binge-ready, while still working for a mass…

Olivia Dean has strengthened her position as one of Britain’s most consistent chart performers of the moment after The Art of Loving returned to the top of the UK Albums Chart for a third consecutive week, according to the latest industry figures. The achievement confirms Dean’s sustained momentum at the start of 2026 and places her album among the most resilient releases of the year so far. In an era where streaming-driven charts often change rapidly week to week, maintaining the number one position across multiple chart cycles remains a notable marker of both listener engagement and commercial appeal. A…

Sophie Piper has been highlighted in recent reporting examining how former Love Island contestants can face unexpected tax pressures as their careers shift rapidly from conventional employment into high-earning influencer work. The issue was raised in coverage looking at how reality television stars, including Piper, often experience a sudden change in income after leaving the villa. Brand deals, paid social media promotions and appearance fees can generate significant earnings, but without automatic deductions for tax, leaving individuals responsible for managing their own liabilities. Transition from reality TV to self-employment Piper first appeared on Love Island in 2020 and later returned…

The Tour de France 2027 will begin on British roads in a landmark moment for global cycling, after organisers confirmed that both the men’s and women’s races will start in the United Kingdom. Six stages across Scotland, England and Wales will form the opening chapters of the world’s most prestigious cycling event, marking the first time that the two Tours have launched from the same foreign nation. Race organisers revealed the plans in January, confirming that the men’s race will start in Edinburgh before travelling south, while the women’s Tour de France Femmes will open later in the month in…

Production has begun on Prime Video’s much-anticipated live-action adaptation of Tomb Raider, with Sophie Turner revealed in the first official image as the iconic adventurer Lara Croft. The casting and commencement of filming mark a significant milestone for the franchise, one of the most enduring and recognisable video game properties in entertainment history. Turner, best known for her breakthrough role as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones, appears in character in the newly released promotional material as the British archaeologist-adventurer, a role previously brought to the screen by Angelina Jolie and Alicia Vikander in feature films. Iconic Character Reimagined for…

The return of Love Island All Stars reflects more than a scheduling decision. It highlights how ITV continues to rely on established formats to anchor its reality television output at a time when audience attention is increasingly fragmented. By bringing back former contestants rather than introducing new ones, the broadcaster is leaning into familiarity as a way of maintaining viewing figures outside the traditional summer peak. Since its launch, Love Island All Stars has been positioned as a companion to the flagship series rather than a replacement. It draws on the same mechanics of coupling, recoupling and public voting, but…