All posts tagged: PA2026

Strictly to pay tribute to Dolly Parton and Madonna as part of ‘icons’ week

Strictly to pay tribute to Dolly Parton and Madonna as part of ‘icons’ week

Published by Daniella Wilson

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Strictly Come Dancing’s results show will pay tribute to Madonna and Dolly Parton as part of icons week. The results show on Sunday will feature a special routine from the dancers inspired by the many different eras of Madonna’s career. Country singer Belles, who recorded a duet with Parton earlier this year, will perform her hit Jolene, accompanied by dancers Amy Dowden and Kai Widdrington. Parton, widely recognised as one of the most successful country stars of all time, died of cancer in August at the age of 80. Amy Dowden with the other professional dancers during a tribute to Madonna (PA) On Saturday’s main show, Bethany Antonia and dance partner Nancy Xu will perform the cha cha to Respect by Aretha Franklin. Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin will dance the rumba to Hero by Mariah Carey, while Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu perform the paso doble to Let’s Dance …

Celine Dion immortalised as Barbie doll complete with iconic Titanic look

Celine Dion immortalised as Barbie doll complete with iconic Titanic look

Published by Daniella Wilson

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in A new signature Barbie doll has been created in the likeness of Celine Dion. The doll’s outfit recreates the navy, long-sleeved dress Dion wore for her performance of the Titanic theme song “My Heart Will Go On” at the Academy Awards in 1998. A blue necklace is also part of the design, inspired by the “heart of the ocean” jewel, which plays an important role in the 1997 blockbuster. The doll’s hair is styled into an updo. It also wears a pair of silver earrings. The appearance of the doll pays tribute to the navy, long-sleeved dress Dion wore when she performed Titanic theme song ‘My Heart Will Go On’ at the Academy Awards in 1998 (PA) Dion said: “It is a true honour to join the Barbie legacy with a doll inspired by one of the most meaningful moments of my career. “I hope this doll inspires everyone to …

Barbara Hepworth sculpture inspired by Cornish coast could fetch £8m at auction

Barbara Hepworth sculpture inspired by Cornish coast could fetch £8m at auction

Published by Daniella Wilson

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in An artwork by Dame Barbara Hepworth is expected to realise up to £8 million at auction this month. Titled ‘Sculpture with Colour (Eos)’, it will lead Christie’s modern British and Irish art evening sale. Estimates from the auction house suggest it could fetch between £5 million and £8 million. Carved in 1946 from a single piece of pale Hopton Wood stone, Christie’s described the piece as rising from its base in an organic ovoid form, delicately balanced on its narrowest point. It noted the work exemplifies Dame Barbara’s commitment to “truth to materials” and direct carving, yielding unique pieces made entirely with tools she wielded herself. Named after the Greek goddess of dawn, Christie’s said its swelling form “suggests emergence, awakening and renewal: a new world coming into being”. (PA) Across ‘Sculpture with Colour (Eos)’, three shaped hollows are accentuated with paint – a deep, rich blue, a subtle pale …

Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden praised for ‘perfect’ response to Brendan Cole’s criticism

Strictly Come Dancing’s Amy Dowden praised for ‘perfect’ response to Brendan Cole’s criticism

Published by Daniella Wilson

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has been praised for her response to criticism from former pro Brendan Cole. Earlier this week, Cole, who appeared on the show from 2004 to 2017, claimed that Dowden has “not been up to the challenge” of appearing on Strictly in recent years. “To be a pro on Strictly is a big job and one has to be up to the challenge,” he said. “Amy has not been up to the challenge, in my opinion.” “I don’t think Amy’s been doing a very good job for the last few years and she’s been out first for the last few years,” he added. “One can do the maths on that.” His remarks came after Dowden, 36, became the first professional to be eliminated from the 2026 series after she and dance partner Chris Appleton lost out in the dance off to Jaime Winstone and Carlos …

Nearly 1.7 million pounds of sugar being recalled

Nearly 1.7 million pounds of sugar being recalled

Published by Daniella Wilson

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Check your pantry: Multiple sugar products have been recalled due to potential contamination. Target Corp. issued the voluntary recall notice last month after it was discovered that the sugar products may contain wheat kernel, an allergen not listed on the packaging. Wheat is one of the nine major food allergies designated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The recall was then classified by the FDA earlier this week, signifying that consuming the sugar could have “health consequences.” Sold under the United, Good & Gather and Crystal Sugar brands, a combined 1.7 million pounds of light brown and powdered …

Strictly Come Dancing 2026: All the pairings in the BBC cast

Strictly Come Dancing 2026: All the pairings in the BBC cast

Published by Daniella Wilson

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Membership today. Join today Already a member? Log in Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter The Strictly-fication of 2026’s star-studded cast has begun, with its 15 stars embracing the fake tans, endless glitter and brutal blisters that come with the BBC show. Earlier this month, Strictly Come Dancing kicked off its new series with a launch show like we’ve never seen before as its three new hosts – Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe – made their presenting debut. We’ve now properly met the class of 2026, who were paired with their professional dancers through a “speed dating” dance challenge for the first time in the show’s history. From an all-female couple to a reunited pairing, here are all the Strictly duos taking part in the competition this year. Bethany …

Cate Blanchett chastises theater audience for filming her London play: ‘It spoils it’

Cate Blanchett chastises theater audience for filming her London play: ‘It spoils it’

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Cate Blanchett had a message for the audience at London’s National Theatre after a performance of her new play, Electra/Persona: please stop filming. In a video shared on social media Saturday, Blanchett addressed the audience after the curtain call, asking anyone who had recorded the performance to put their phones away. “There are few places on this planet where we can simply be together and be present,” she says in the clip, still wearing her stage costume of a black T-shirt and baggy black trousers. “I understand you like filming the curtain call — and it is kind of flattering in a way — but for anyone who is filming the show, please don’t, because it spoils it for the next group of people who come in and are present with us. So thank you very much.” Her comments were met …

Strictly’s Dani Dyer pairing sparks fan debate over whether star gets ‘unfair advantage’

Strictly’s Dani Dyer pairing sparks fan debate over whether star gets ‘unfair advantage’

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Strictly Come Dancing’s 2026 launch proved to be a happy reunion for professional Nikita Kuzmin and contestant Dani Dyer, when the pair were matched up again after their time on the show came to an abrupt end last year. While many fans were overjoyed for them, not all of them were happy with the pairing. The coupling has sparked debate among viewers online, with some suggesting that Kuzmin and Dyer may now have an advantage over the rest of the competition after dancing together last year. Dyer, 30, was due to compete on the 2025 series of Strictly with Kuzmin and even performed in the launch show. Just three days after the episode aired, she withdrew from the competition, having fractured her ankle in training, and Kuzmin continued on the show with replacement Amber Davies. During the Strictly launch show on …

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 pairings: BBC show announces couples for revamped series

Strictly Come Dancing 2026 pairings: BBC show announces couples for revamped series

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Strictly Come Dancing kicked off its 2026 series with a launch show like we’ve never seen before as its three new hosts – Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe – made their presenting debut. With more dancing than ever before, the pre-record officially introduced this year’s intake of celebs, gave fans a taste of the revamped format and most importantly, revealed the pairings for the competition ahead. In three months time, one of those couples will be lifting that glitterball trophy after weeks of dance-offs, surprise scores and last minute fake tans but for now, here’s everything you need to know about this year’s pairings. Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu Nancy Xu and Bethany Antonia (PA) House of the Dragon star Bethany Antonia is in the competition’s only same-sex pairing this year with Chinese dancer Nancy Xu. Antonia is best …

Johnny Marr’s iconic Smiths guitars fetch millions at landmark auction

Johnny Marr’s iconic Smiths guitars fetch millions at landmark auction

Published by Daniella Wilson

Get the inside track from Roisin O’Connor with our free weekly music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This Get our free music newsletter Now Hear This The Smiths star Johnny Marr said the auction of his instrument collection “exceeded all my expectations” as the lots fetched nearly £4 million. The 111 lots auctioned on Thursday during Christie’s London sale included a range of instruments played by the musician, Marr’s Guitars: The Johnny Marr Collection. Lasting over five hours, the event attracted bidders from 34 nations and brought in £3,649,280 — more than triple its initial valuation. Marr said: “The auction has been a great experience and has exceeded all my expectations. “I’d like to thank everyone who made bids and special thanks to Christie’s for making it so memorable.” Among the items offered was Marr’s 1982 Rickenbacker 330 Jetglo, played on The Smiths’ self-titled debut album and during their early tours. A selection of guitars on display during the preview at Christie’s in central London (PA) The guitar — …