Bob Saget’s final project will finally be released more than four years after his death.

The comedian died at age 65 in 2022 after accidental head trauma caused by an unwitnessed fall while he was on a stand-up tour.

Now, he will posthumously appear in a Netflix documentary titled Who is Martin Mull? about the late painter and musician. Saget co-directed and executive produced the project.

A trailer for the documentary, out October 7, shows Saget conducting core interviews with Mull, who died in June 2024 at the age of 80.

“I don’t know where to begin because, to me, you truly are a jack-of-all-trades,” Saget told Mull at the start of the trailer. Without missing a beat, Mull responded, “Jerk-of-all-trades,” earning a belly laugh from Saget.

Saget began working on the documentary about the cult comedian in 2018, with co-director Neil Berkeley taking over after his unexpected death.

“I’m so, so grateful to have been asked… to help complete the work that Bob Saget started back in 2018,” Berkeley wrote on Instagram. “And huge thanks to everyone at Netflix for guiding the film to the finish line.”

The film will chronicle Mull’s wide-ranging career with footage and interviews. “Told in his own words and by the friends who watched it happen, including Steve Martin, Tom Waits, David Alan Grier, and more, it’s the story of a comedy icon who, as he put it, ‘had a hell of a ride,’” according to an official Netflix description.

Saget served as an executive producer on the film alongside Kevin S. Bright, Morgan Neville and Caitrin Rogers. Sean Bradley, Tara Billik and Berkeley produced the project.

The Independent has contacted Netflix for more information.

The movie is one of four documentaries about comedy that Netflix is putting out in October.

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Berkeley worked on another documentary in the lineup: A film about stand-up comedian Maria Bamford that he co-directed with Judd Apatow.

“Since the 1990s, stand-up comedian and actor Maria Bamford has built a career on turning radical honesty into radical comedy,” Netflix’s official documentary for the movie reads. “In this documentary, co-directors Apatow and Berkeley trace the comedian’s path — and pathos — from her childhood in Duluth, Minnesota, to her hard-won fame in Los Angeles and her present-day life, showing how Bamford’s mental health journey and family relationships shaped her art and career.” Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story will be out October 23.

Apatow also directed Norm: The Tale of Norm McDonald, which will be released on the platform October 16. The doc was built from archival footage, home videos and personal photos, according to Netflix, which “lets Norm tell his own story in his own voice.”

Finally, the documentary out October 30 is SCTV: The Greatest Show You’ve Never Heard Of. Starring Catherine O’Hara and Eugene Levy, the documentary follows the rise and fall of one of the most iconic sketch comedy series in TV history.

Amanda Owen, star of Channel 4’s Our Farm Next Door and Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm, visited Museum Gardens for the show on Sunday (September 20).

The author and TV presenter visited York with her children and helped pick the Handsomest Dog, Fanciest Female, Cutest Puppy and Best Trick.

In action at the dog show in Museum Gardens, York, on Sunday (September 20) (Image: Jessica Moses Photography)

A dog in action at Museum Gardens, York, on Sunday (September 20) (Image: Jessica Moses Photography)

Jocelyn Palmer, senior events manager at York Museums Trust, which runs Museum Gardens, said it was a “fantastic day”.

“We welcomed around 1,000 people on Sunday to the Museum Gardens, and just as many, if not more dogs, to celebrate the first city centre dog show,” Jocelyn said.

“It was a fantastic day, with the crowd enjoying the different competition categories like best trick and cutest puppy. The hay bale racing was also a hit.”

“All the stall holders, Amanda Owen and all of us here at York Museums Trust loved meeting all the dogs, so we hope to do more events like this in the future. Watch this space!”

One of the winners at the York dog show at Museum Gardens on Sunday (September 20) (Image: Jessica Moses Photography)

The dog show in Museum Gardens, York, on Sunday (September 20) (Image: Jessica Moses Photography)

Speaking ahead of the event, Amanda said: “I’m so excited to be judging York Dog Show in York Museum Gardens.

“I always love to come and meet all the dogs and their owners and look forward to seeing them all on the day.”

The event, organised by York Museums Trust in partnership with York Dog Park, saw a pop-up shopping village created in the park with treats, toys and accessories on sale. There were also information stalls and talks from veterinary experts.

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Live demonstrations and activities took place throughout the day, including bale racing, training workshops and agility demonstrations.

The Yorkshire Shepherdess became a household name with former husband Clive Owen and their nine children on Channel 5’s Our Yorkshire Farm.

The York dog show at Museum Gardens on Sunday (September 20) (Image: Jessica Moses Photography)

One of the winners at the York dog show at Museum Gardens on Sunday (September 20) (Image: Jessica Moses Photography)

Although the programme ended in 2022, Amanda has continued sharing life in the Yorkshire Dales while farming and appearing on television with her family.

The 51-year-old revealed how she is spending her time as sheep are gathered from the moors for what she calls the “harvest of the Hills”.

Amanda remains closely associated with Ravenseat, the remote Swaledale farm where viewers first got to know the Owen family.

Amanda and Clive have also reunited on screen for More4’s Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids.

The programme follows the family as they restore the derelict farmhouse known as Anty John’s while continuing their everyday farming lives in the Yorkshire Dales.

Another two series were commissioned in 2025, covering both series three and four, as work moved from the exterior of Anty John’s to the enormous job of transforming its interior. The fourth series is now on its way.

Adriana Lima left fans speechless with her latest appearance as she was praised for looking better than ever.

The 45-year-old, who is one of the most influential Victoria’s Secret Angels of all time, stepped out at Madrid Fashion Week on Friday.

The brunette beauty attended the closing party at Reina Sofía Museum in a black backless dress.

She flaunted her sculpted arms and accentuated her cheekbones by wearing her hair in a slicked-back ponytail.

And many fans believed the Brazilian model, who was a Victoria’s Secret Angel from 2000 to 2018, had transformed back into her old self. 

Back in 2023, Lima had raised eyebrows due to the noticeable changes to her face over a short period of time.

At the Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes premiere in Los Angeles, California, in November of that year, she was branded as being unrecognizable.

Social media was set ablaze with speculation before Lima publicly hit out at the scrutiny. 

Back in 2023, Lima had raised eyebrows due to the noticeable changes to her face (left) but has recently transformed (right) 

‘This is the face of a tired mom of one teenage girl, two pre-teens, one active boy, a one-year-old learning to walk, and three dogs… 

‘Thanks for your concern,’ she captioned a makeup-free selfie at the time.

But now her visage is in the spotlight once again as longtime fans of Lima rushed to social media to heap on the praise.

‘People will kick you at your lowest and call it critique.

‘​Former Victoria’s Secret model Adriana Lima took all the postpartum mockery, went dark for a year, and trained seven days a week like an absolute machine. ​

‘Discipline is the only clapback that matters,’ one wrote.

Another added: ‘Back to the Victoria’s Secret era.’

Others were adamant that it was a ‘completely different person,’ as someone else insisted: ‘This isn’t Adriana Lima!’ 

Back in 2017 (pictured), Lima revealed that she wanted ‘people to look’ at her ‘beyond’ her ‘face/body’ 

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The Daily Mail has since spoken to experts about Lima’s most recent transformation.

Dr Frank Agullo, a board-certified plastic surgeon in El Paso, Texas, said: ‘I think everybody is in agreement that Adriana Lima looks a lot more like she did in her Victoria’s Secret years.’

He pointed out her return to embracing ‘high, defined cheekbones, the visible hollow below them, a sharp jawline, and natural lips that are not overdone.’

But Dr Agullo, who has not treated the star, does not believe Lima’s recent beauty transformation is surgical.

Instead, he suggested the main difference is due to weight loss as well as discussing the possibility of Lima having had face filler dissolved and using ‘radiofrequency for skin tightening.’

‘From the photos, it doesn’t look like a face that has had surgery, but a face that has lost the excessive volume and allowed the deeper structures to show through,’ he concluded.

Dr Masoud Saman, from New York City, agreed after analyzing the latest pictures from Madrid.

He told the Daily Mail: ‘Lighting and makeup play a role too but if I were to guess, I’d say she has had a lot of dermal filler dissolved but I see no evidence of facial surgery.’

The now 45-year-old (pictured in 2018) who is one of the most influential Victoria’s Secret Angels of all time 

Additionally, in light of Lima’s transformation, Dr Riaz Agha, consultant plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Harley Clinic Group, went one step further in suggesting how patients can achieve more facial definition for themselves.

He suggested dermal fillers ‘can restore volume and enhance contours, but adding volume is not the same as lifting sagging tissue.’

‘Where there’s significant sagging, facelift surgery can reposition underlying tissues and remove excess skin to improve jowls and definition around the jawline. It is not just a matter of pulling the skin tighter. 

‘Fillers and surgery can sometimes complement each other, but they do not achieve the same result.’

Dr Agha added that expression lines can be tackled with Botox and recommended laser resurfacing or chemical peels for those tackling skin texture, fine lines and certain pigmentation changes.

‘The aim should be to help someone look refreshed while preserving their own features,’ he concluded.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Lima’s representative for comment. 

Ex-Premier League star Andros Townsend has admitted he was extremely fortunate to escape unscathed after being run over by a pitch roller in Thailand.

The former England international, who joined Thai Premier League outfit PT Prachuap during the summer transfer window, looked to have suffered a freak injury when a manned pitch roller ploughed into him as he warmed up at half-time against Pattani.

Footage of the incident quickly went viral on social media, but Townsend later made light of the ordeal on his Instagram story, posting: ‘It turns out Stoke away wasn’t so bad after all. Swipe to see why.’

Remarkably, the former Crystal Palace winger was able to walk away from the incident unharmed and even came on as a second-half substitute.

Appearing on Piers Morgan‘s Football Uncensored on Monday night, Townsend admitted it was a ‘terrifying’ experience but is very grateful to have escaped with only a few ‘bumps and bruises’.

‘I didn’t see it coming,’ he said. ‘It was at halftime, we were going out to warm up. I saw two rollers on either side of the pitch. 

‘I remember thinking to myself, “I’ve never seen that before in my career, what are they doing?” But we got called to warm up. Didn’t think anything of it. 

‘The next I saw him was when I was literally underneath him and thankfully no serious damage. A couple of bumps and bruises but managed to walk away unscathed, luckily.

‘Every time I see it, I’m cringing, I’m in disbelief. When I sent it to my kids, my kids thought it was AI. Literally, I had to explain to them, for the next ten minutes, that it was real. 

‘It’s horrible to watch back and to see what could have been but, like I said, thankfully I was fortunate I did manage to fall onto the floor at the right time, so nothing snapped as the roller went over me. And I’m here today to laugh about and tell the story.’

As host Morgan pointed out, Townsend’s team-mates reacted in horror as the roller mowed him down, fearing the worst for the former Premier League man.

Footage showed the driver of the roller struggling to control the vehicle, with Townsend kicking a ball away, not looking in that direction.

‘They (my team-mates) were very surprised that I continued the warm up! They were telling me to go to the doctor. They were calling for the stretcher. But listen, I’ve been around the block, I’ve had my setbacks, I’ve had my injury issues. A roller is definitely not going to stop me from continuing, that’s for sure, so I was able to carry on.

‘It was quite heavy, but I was able to kind of lift [it], force it off me. So when it was completely on me, I was getting crushed a little bit. 

‘But I was able to push it up, as you can see, as it falls on me, I was able to get my left arm up and relieve some of the pressure… and then I was able to get my team-mates around me who were able to lift it, and I was able to squeeze out but at that moment where it was crushing my left leg, it was quite terrifying, I must say. 

Townsend was bizarrely run over while warming up for a game at this new club in Thailand

‘I was thinking I was done because it was my ankle, which I’ve had operated on. It was up my left knee, which I’ve had operated on. So I thought, either my left ankle was going to snap or my left knee is going to snap. I thought I was done. I was very fortunate that I was able to hobble away and recover within a few minutes.’ 

PT Prachuap – based in Prachuap Khiri Khan province, 150 miles south of Bangkok – appeared to have leaked Townsend’s arrival two weeks before he joined when they asked if anyone had a three-bedroom house available for the player to live in. They are the 17th club of his career.

Townsend made 29 appearances for Kanchanaburi Power last season, scoring three goals.

He has previously played for Spurs, Newcastle, Palace and Everton, and moved to Thailand after a short spell with Turkish side Antalyaspor.

Townsend making the move comes after he worked for ITV as a co-commentator during the World Cup.

The ex-England winger went viral at the tournament for his unconventional diet – which includes eating raw steak.

He released a slew of videos promoting his all-natural diet including steak, sardines and boiled eggs.

By STEPHEN M. LEPORE, US SENIOR REPORTER

Published: 23:30 BST, 21 September 2026 | Updated: 00:09 BST, 22 September 2026

Donald Trump is making a major move against the media’s attempted blackout following his ban on some news networks by starting one of his own.

The White House promoted the launch of ‘TRUMP TV: The Essential Station’ on YouTube at 7 pm ET Monday night. 

The network launched with clips of several classic TV series, before cutting to a video of a speech given by the President at Mount Rushmore in July. 

‘Welcome to TrumpTV. The press, in some cases, reported inaccurately or not at all on the Administration’s many record breaking accomplishments on behalf of all Americans,’ wrote Deputy Assistant to the President Kaelan Dorr on social media.

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‘Trump TV is a 24/7 livestream of the Administration’s greatest hits, unfiltered. All on the White House YouTube Channel and Official App. ENJOY!!’

The channel appears to be similar to what major music artists have done, launching a 24-hour continuously running playlist on YouTube of popular clips of the President and his administration. 

The YouTube video caption reads: ‘Watch the Trump Administration’s biggest moments all in one place. Top videos, major remarks, and must-see highlights streaming 24/7 and updated in real time. Stay informed and stay up to date!’

Trump is also launching a text messaging scheme that allows the MAGA faithful a chance to send messages to the President. 

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The White House promoted the launch ‘TRUMP TV: The Essential Station’ on YouTube at 7 pm ET Monday night

Donald Trump continues to work around the media’s attempted blackout following his ban on several left-leaning news networks by starting one of his own

‘This is the official number of President Trump and the White House. We launched this number to stay directly connected with YOU, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. We’ll share important updates and ways you can get involved,’ it read. 

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Trump banned the outlets on Friday, calling them ‘fake news’ and lashing out at their critical coverage of his administration. 

‘It’s about basic fairness,’ Vice President JD Vance said of the ban on Monday.

‘They can still report. They still have the access to free speech. They’re just not going to get an office in the White House anymore.’

When reporters from the banned outlets appeared at the White House for work over the weekend, some had their press passes revoked. 

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The major broadcasters coalesced around the banned outlets and issued a blistering statement against the president’s decision. 

Fox News , CNN, ABC, CBS and NBC, collectively known as the TV pool, are protesting the White House and have decided to not dispatch cameramen or reporters to cover the president on Monday.

This means that Trump’s trip to New York for the United Nations General Assembly meeting on Monday will go unaired on the major networks.

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Still, the conservative outlet Real America’s Voice (RAV) will be on hand to stream the event from the UN while local TV operator Hearst will cover the president’s White House events. 

Fox News Washington Bureau Chief Bryan Boughton, who serves as TV pool chair and is responsible for the logistics of presidential coverage, confirmed the decision to not send any TV news personnel to the UN in an email sent out on Monday morning. 

‘This is to advise that, effective today, the TV pool will not be covering events designated as pool coverage of the President,’ Boughton writes.

‘This follows the White House’s position preventing CNN from fulfilling its assigned pool duties. There will be no replacement pool put in place.’

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It is unclear when the major broadcasters will resume coverage of the president.

CNN was previously scheduled to serve as the TV pool crew on Monday, but that was before Trump banned that outlet, MS NOW and Politico from the White House.

However, the official daily guidance sent out by the White House on Sunday stated that there would be no TV pool on Monday, leaving CNN’s rotation off the list.

Trump has also threatened to take action against the New York Times and the Washington Post.

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Plans for the holiday let, in Sutherland Street in the South Bank, have been refused by City of York Council.

A council report stated the mid-terrace home had been operating as a holiday let since May 2024.

An objection lodged by a neighbour in Sutherland Street claimed noise from guests which sometimes went on until the early hours was disrupting residents’ enjoyment of the otherwise quiet street.

Council planning officers ruled the noise and disturbance was having an unacceptable impact on people living close to the holiday let.

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The plans would have seen the holiday let retrospectively granted planning permission, allowing it to continue operating.

The house, which is close to York Racecourse, has a lounge, dining room, kitchen and bathroom on the ground floor, along with two bedrooms upstairs.

In an objection to the plans, the resident of the neighbouring home claimed noise including from guests in the home’s yard could sometimes be heard until early in the morning.

They claimed: “The property has been used as a holiday let for some time and causes disruption to the quiet enjoyment of the street.

Plans for the holiday let in Sutherland Street have been blocked (Image: The Key Safe Company)

“The listing for the property highlights its proximity to the racecourse and city centre and as a result often attracts guests who are excited, noisy and more often than not drunk.

“The transient nature means there is no way of resolving problems.”

Council planning officers stated the amount of comings and goings including on an evening was more than could be reasonably expected in a residential area.

Officers stated: “The site is in a residential setting with neighbours in close juxtaposition in what is a traditional terraced street providing fairly intimate housing.

“By virtue of the increased comings and goings associated with holiday accommodation, high frequency of guest turnover, proximity to the racecourse and late-night activity including increased use of the rear yard in combination with close proximity to adjacent and adjoining residential properties, the use would have an unacceptable impact on neighbouring amenity with regard to noise and disturbance.”

North Yorkshire Police has released a CCTV image of a woman they believe could be a key witness in a sexual assault investigation in York earlier this year.

It happened late on Sunday May 31 and into the early hours of Monday, June 1 in Popworld.

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A spokesperson for the force said: “The victim, a woman aged in her 20s, reported being sexually assaulted by a man. A further incident then occurred inside the female toilets at the Popworld nightclub on George Hudson Street.”

A 28-year-old man was arrested in connection with the investigation, but was released on conditional bail while police enquiries continue.

The police added that the woman in the CCTV image is believed to have supported the victim inside the toilets and said that if this is you or you know where we can find her, please get in touch as soon as possible.

If you can help, email Peter.Maw@northyorkshire.police.uk or call 101 and ask for Peter Maw.

Please quote reference 12260102187 when providing information

Prince Harry is said to be in talks to make a documentary about his late mother, Princess Diana, to mark the 30th anniversary of her death next year

Prince Harry is said to be in talks to create a documentary centred on his late mum, Princess Diana.

The Duke of Sussex is believed to be eager to commemorate the 30th anniversary of her passing next year by celebrating her legacy “in the most meaningful way”, The Telegraph reports. It’s understood that Harry has already reached out to pals and family members of his mother, including Earl Spencer, inviting them to take part in the documentary.

Yet, Diana’s brother revealed in his new memoir Swan Song: Diana, My Sister, that he chose to write a book instead of becoming a “talking head” in one of the upcoming documentaries about his sister. He expressed concerns they would pursue a “flawed” agenda.

The book makes several claims, among them that King Charles remarked “we’ll forget her soon enough” after Diana’s death, the Daily Star reports.

A source close to the Duke informed The Telegraph: “The Duke has discussed a number of possible projects to mark the 30th anniversary of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales’s passing. Nothing has been finalised or confirmed, and he is still considering the most meaningful way to honour her legacy during this important anniversary year.”

The publication suggests that any such venture would be created by the Sussexes’ production company, Archewell Productions, and would most probably be picked up by Netflix, which maintains a “first look” agreement with the firm. The 62 year old Earl informed The Telegraph that Diana’s narrative warranted being presented “honestly, however uncomfortable for others”.

He remarked: “I was an eyewitness to history, and where the truth is difficult, I haven’t shied away from it.

“I did not consult any members of my family about the content of the book, as I did not want to implicate them in my authorial decisions, or to be constrained by them. I hope readers will see the book for what it is: an honest account.”

This development emerges as the Duke of Sussex became visibly emotional this evening at the WellChild awards. Harry was moved to tears while publicly recognising their contributions during an address at the conclusion of the ceremony, which celebrated youngsters thriving despite challenging medical conditions.

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The occasion represents one of the standout moments in the duke’s annual public engagements, and he relished meeting award recipients prior to the presentation, autographing a Funko Pop Prince Harry figurine and receiving numerous presents, including housewarming tokens commemorating his homecoming to Britain.

During his address to recipients, their relatives and several WellChild nurses, Harry grew tearful after stating: “To all the mums and dads – most of us will never truly know the emotional ups and downs of your day.”

He became emotional during his 2019 WellChild address when presenter Gaby Roslin stepped in to comfort him, and six years on she once again supported the duke after he remarked “It’s happening again”, then quipped as she grasped his arm “that doesn’t help, that makes it worse”. The duke concluded his message to parents: “But I sincerely hope that you take strength from nights like this.

“And while we may not know the detail of your day, in this room and beyond, we recognise the commitment of your care and all that comes with it.”

Harry has served as patron of WellChild – the national charity for seriously ill children and their families – since 2007 and is a regular attendee at the awards ceremony.

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In case you missed it, Rachel Cusk’s new novel Life of M has been the centre of heated online debate. Dubbed a “biogossip” (biography based on gossip) allegedly inspired by the actress Natalie Portman, the novel investigates fame, power and truth with a particular emphasis on storytelling.

Much of the discussion of the book revolves around the similarities between Portman’s real life rather than how Cusk explores her chosen themes. In a recent article for The Guardian, journalist Elle Hunt provides a handy list of must-know information for those wishing to read the novel but may be unsure of all the details. The biogossip argument is certainly plausible. For instance, references to Léon: The Professional (1994) and Black Swan (2010) are easy enough to pick up if you are aware of Portman’s filmography. At the conclusion, Hunt asks whether more gossip in literature could solve the crisis of people reading less than ever.

It is interesting to consider whether easy-to-spot references to public figures are the key to drawing new readers in. However, asking for more gossip may be addressing the symptoms rather than the cause and ignores the fact that gossip has always existed in literature, and to a far greater extent than you might think.

Since the birth of the modern novel, scandalous discourse has permeated stories in complex and exciting ways. The genre of the biogossip has existed since the 1600s, with French writer Madeleine de Scudéry credited with writing the first roman à clef (French for “novel with a key”). Stories within this genre satirise current affairs, placing real figures behind thinly veiled character disguises.

These books were a way of discussing controversial topics and sharing insider knowledge while avoiding charges of libel. Take de Scudéry’s novel Artamène ou le Grand Cyrus (co-written with her brother Georges) discusses major figures associated with The Fronde (1648 to 1653), a series of uprisings against the regency government of Queen Anne of Austria and her chief minister, Cardinal Mazarin. Using ancient Persia as a veil for 17th-century French court dynamics, de Scudéry contributed her tuppence-worth via the ten volume novel.

But liking gossip and being a good gossiper goes much further when it comes to reading.

Consider the last time you had a really good gossip session with a close friend, going over an incident in excruciating detail. It feels like a simple thing to engage with when, in reality, complex social processes are occurring simultaneously.

Gossip relies on individuals holding knowledge about a social network, and the quality of the conversation is dependent on the extent to which participants engage with the information being evaluated. It is expected that you offer an opinion, which not only contributes to the communal knowledge pot but is also a demonstration of a your morals, perceptions and assumptions. We are not always conscious of this happening, but we usually walk away from a conversation with a better understanding of other people and ourselves – how we react to certain behaviours, actions and motivations.

The same process can be applied to literature. Regardless of genre or era, novels naturally rely on characters interacting with their fictional contexts, including social networks. The intimacies and power dynamics navigated through a novel can be decoded by using the same skills we exercise when we gossip.

Every conversation a reader is privy to in a novel is essential to the practice, as it is the author providing breadcrumbs that lead to deeper character insights. Their reactions and responses inform our understanding of what the novel is trying to do. By engaging with the text in the same way we gossip, it unlocks a channel through which classics and other supposedly inaccessible texts can be understood.

Take, for example, the first page of Pride and Prejudice. Austen deploys gossip to illustrate the Bennett parents’ attitude to marriage: Mrs Bennett has heard from Mrs Long that Netherfield is to be occupied by a young eligble man, which only excites the local mothers. Mr Bennett remains unmoved, he’s even disparaging of the prospect of one of his girls marrying the handsome, single, rich landowner. Mrs Bennett’s desperation to get her girls married versus her husband’s lax attitude hints at the forthcoming conflicts of the novel. Eagle-eyed readers can notice this and unlock how Austen is satirising marriage culture from the opening lines.

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Jane Austen’s world ran on gossip – and she revelled in it

The same can be applied to Shakespeare plays. Much Ado About Nothing is in essence a series of carefully constructed gossip that relies on the subject of conversation to be within earshot and so generating the plot and moments of character development.

The play’s subplot involves Don Pedro, Ursula and Hero playing matchmakers for Benedick and Beatrice. Don Pedro’s gang carefully arrange a conversation in which Benedick overhears them gossiping about Beatrice’s unrelenting affection for him. Likewise, Ursula and Hero ensure Beatrice is present for their gossip about Benedick’s affections for her. The result? They confess their love for each other and the subplot is resolved – all thanks to the power of gossip.

So, what does that mean for readers? It is generally understood that fictional stories are excellent ways to wrestle with what it means to be human and all the messy parts that go with it. By reading as a gossip, we specifically practice the identification of behavioural signs and patterns and can apply the knowledge to future scenarios, both fictional and non-fictional.

In the process of gossip, we become better at reading social situations because we have an insight into the potential subtexts of any given conversation. It also makes reading more enjoyable and helps illuminate the similarities between someone from the 18th century and us in the present. It unveils the persistence of humanity’s problems, from awkward interactions to first loves, and helps us realise that we are not alone in our experiences.

I invite you to pick up a book and keep an eye out for any gossip – you might just find out something new.

This article features references to books that have been included for editorial reasons, and may contain links to bookshop.org. If you click on one of the links and go on to buy something, The Conversation UK may earn a commission.

Scarborough Spa, for decades the scene of upheavals during political and union conferences, will host the Social Democratic Party’s (SDP) annual conference this autumn.

Almost four decades ago, the SDP’s conference at the Spa was interrupted by a bomb scare, forcing attendees outside and then leader Dr David Owen to deliver his speech on a makeshift loudspeaker on the steps of the venue.

This year, the party’s conference will be held at Scarborough Spa on Halloween, Saturday, October 31.

8 March, 1989. Police activity centred on the Spa conference hall at Scarborough, the venue for a Conservative conference. Newsquest. (Image: Newsquest)

The SDP is at a “critical point in its history”, according to an official involved in organising the conference because the party’s previous leader recently stepped down and the conference will include a candidate hustings.

Scarborough has a rich history of hosting major British political party conferences at the Spa.

In 1989, police suspected that the IRA was planning to assassinate the then Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, at a Conservative Party Central Council meeting in Scarborough.

17 March, 1989. On the roof of the Spa building, police checked for explosives in the wake of the discovery of an IRA hit-list against prominent Conservative Party officials. Newsquest. (Image: Newsquest.)

Just days before Mrs Thatcher was due to deliver a major speech at the historic venue, a cache of weapons, ammunition, and Semtex explosives was discovered in a nearby forest outside the resort.

These “may have been for use in an attack on a Conservative Party conference which begins on March 17”, The Press in York reported at the time.

“A Brighton-bomb style attack on St Patrick’s Day would have been sweet revenge for the IRA after recent humiliations,” the newspaper said.

8 March, 1989. Tight security on the approach to The Spa at Scarborough, as this policeman carries out a check on a district council vehicle. Newsquest. (Image: Newsquest.)

Photographs from the event show a heavy police presence centred on the Spa conference hall, including roadblocks and police on the roof of the building checking for explosives “in the wake of the discovery of an IRA hit list against prominent party officials”.

Other notable party political conferences held at the Spa include Labour’s conferences in 1954, 1960, 1963, 1967, and Conservative Party conferences in 1952 and a Young Conservative conference in 1987.

The SDP was founded in 1981, and in 1988 most members of the SDP acceded to a merger with the Liberal Party to form what is now called the Liberal Democratic Party. The current Social Democratic Party was founded in 1990.