STRICTLY Come Dancing star Nikita Kanda has opened up about harrowing details of domestic violence in her life for the first time.

The famous face took to the prestigious BBC dance floor during last year’s series.

4

Advertisement

4

4

TV and radio presenter Nikita, 29, became the presenter of the Asian Network Breakfast in July 2022.

Partnered with Gorka Marquez, the pair were the second couple to leave Strictly in 2023.

Taking to Instagram, Nikita revealed the trauma she faced after experiencing domestic violence in her past.

She wrote: “Sharing something quite personal on here today.

“It’s something I’ve kept out of the public eye and even away from most people that know me, friends, colleagues and followers.

“But I feel a sense of duty to use my platform and use something negative that happened in my life for hopefully a positive change.

“There is a major rise of violence against women and girls in this country which needs to just simply STOP!

“2-3 women a week are dying because of this!”

Nikita added: “This may be a shock to many of you, but I grew up in a very violent environment and experienced a huge amount of abuse physically and mentally for years.

“The trauma of watching the abuse happen severely to my incredible mum and then experiencing it myself is something I never thought I would get through.

“It’s something that changes you forever, how you view the world and doesn’t ever leave you no matter how much you try to forget.”

Continuing, the presenter said: “I never want any woman, child or mother to experience what we have as a family.

“In the Asian community, we’re taught not to talk about these topics, sweep it under the rug and hide it.

“But I hope we can start speaking more freely, stamping out any judgement and just making sure women are safe.

Nikita encouraged her followers to look into domestic violence charity Refuge.

The organisation provides specialist support for women and children experiencing domestic violence. 

She concluded: “You are not alone and I understand you.

“Thank you for listening.”

One follower penned: “So brave for sharing – sending my love to you and your family always.”

Another added: “So brave for sharing your story Nikita! And I am sure this will help loads of others speak up. Sending loads of love.”

4

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Kim Kardashian has said Erik and Lyle Menendez have been “granted a second chance at life” after Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón called for them to be resentenced.

The Menendez brothers, who are serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty, have been back in the public eye following the release of Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

In a statement posted to her Instagram Stories, Kardashian, 44, said: “The Menendez brothers were granted a second chance at life and will wake up tomorrow finally eligible for a parole hearing. They could be released in as early as six months.

“Thank you, George Gascón, for revisiting the Menendez brothers’ case and righting a significant wrong. Your commitment to truth and fairness is commendable.

“To the brothers’ family, friends, and the millions who have been vocal supporters – your voices were heard. The media’s foucs, especially on the heels of Ryan Murphy’s TV show, helped expose the abuse and injustices in their case.

“Society’s understanding of child abuse has evolved, and social media empowers us to question the systems in place. This case highlights the importance on challenging decisions and seeking truth, even when guilt is not in question.

“I believe in the justice system’s ability to evolve, and I am grateful for a society where we can challenge decisions and seek justice,” she wrote, concluding her statement: “Never stop questioning.”

In a follow-up post, Kardashian added: “Erik and Lyle are immediately eligible for parole now that their sentence has been reduced to 50 years to life. In 2015, a bill was passed in California allowing individuals sentenced to life in prison before the age of 25 to seek parole after serving 25 years. Since Erik and Lyle have been in prison for 35 years, they qualify as ‘youthful offenders’ and are immediately eligible for parole.”

Earlier this month, Kardashian wrote an essay calling for the brothers to be released.

“We are all products of our experiences,” Kardashian wrote at the time. “They shape who we were, who we are, and who we will be. Physiologically and psychologically, time changes us, and I doubt anyone would claim to be the same person they were at 18. I know I’m not!”

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Advertisement

Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Monsters stars Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny as José and Kitty, with Cooper Koch and Nicholas Chavez as Eric and Lyle. Since the series arrived on Netflix in September, viewers have been cautioning others on social media about the graphic nature of the violence depicted in the show.

The nine-episode series also depicts the sexual abuse that Lyle and Erik alleged to have been perpetrated by their father. However, Erik has claimed Murphy’s series does not accurately portray their crime, and accused the creator of releasing “disheartening slander.”

Murphy later defended the Netflix series, telling Entertainment Tonight: “I think it’s interesting that he’s issued a statement without having seen the show. I know he hasn’t seen the show in prison. I hope he does see the show.”

He added that “if you watch the show, I would say 60 to 65 percent” of the scripted narrative centers “around the abuse and what they claim happened to them. And we do it very carefully and we give them their day in court and they talk openly about it.”

“We present the facts from their point of view,” the Glee creator said. “We spent three years researching it – all of that is true.”

A CULT classic movie from the 90s is being adapted for television on Prime Video – with the first trailer released.

The original film featured an all-star cast including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe and Reese Witherspoon.

4

Advertisement

4

4

The streaming giant have unveiled the first trailer for its new Cruel Intentions series.

Eight episodes will be dropping worldwide on November 21.

The show follows elite students at Manchester College, a Washington, D.C.-adjacent university.

In particular, two step-siblings, Caroline Merteuil (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Lucien Belmont (Zac Burgess).

The ruthless duo are determined to stay on top of their college’s cutthroat social hierarchy.

However, Caroline and Lucien find themselves in hot water after a hazing incident goes horribly wrong.

The ever resourceful pair are willing to do whatever’s necessary to preserve their power.

Whether that entails playing games, manipulation or seduction.

Savannah Lee Smith, Sara Silver, John Harlan Kim, Khobe Clarke, Sean Patrick Thomas and Brooke Lena Johnson are also set to star.

Thomas, who played Ronald Clifford in the film, takes on the new role of Professor Chadwick.

Meanwhile, the movie itself was a retelling of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’s 1782 novel Dangerous Liasions.

Its writer-director Roger Kumble serves as an executive producer on the series.

Although this time around, the showrunners, writers and executive producers are Phoebe Fisher and Sara Goodman.

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, the pair discussed their vision for bringing Cruel Intentions to television.

“Part of the conversation was: How do we stay true to everything we loved about the movie but put it in a world that we haven’t necessarily seen before?”, Goodman told the outlet.

Fisher added: “We talked a lot about what the peek behind the curtain of a rarefied world that we hadn’t seen before could be, where it felt like it had its own social hierarchy.”

The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios, and Original Film.

Cruel Intentions will launch on November 21 on Prime Video.

4

FORMER Man V Food star Adam Richman says he and his crew had all their gear stolen at motorway services.

The presenter, 50, stopped with production staff on the M1 in Barnet, North London, for less than five minutes. But when they returned to their van it had been cleaned out.

2

Advertisement

2

American Adam, who is filming Adam Richman Eats Britain, said: “All of the filming equipment is gone.

“Both of my suitcases with all of my possessions are gone.

“My backpack with my laptop and all of my medications are gone.

“And to make matters worse, because I have trackers on some of my possessions, and because of my laptop, I can see where these things are.”

Richman says he was returning from Birmingham, when the incident happened at London Gateway Services on the M1.

During multiple posts, he also revealed the locations where he tracked his items, including a laptop, to and offered a reward for anyone helping them being returned.

He later appeared to reverse his position, and cautioned followers saying: “Everyone! Please do not attempt to personally intervene or find my items yourselves.

“I don’t want any harm to come to anyone!”

A Met Police spokeswoman said: “Police were called at (2.49pm) on Wednesday, October 23 following reports of a theft from a van at London Gateway Services on the M1.

“Items including cameras and laptops were stolen.

“Officers are continuing inquiries. No arrests have been made at this stage.

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Sign up to our free breaking news emails

Cooper Koch has said he is “overwhelmed with gratitude and hope” after Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón called for Erik and Lyle Menendez to be resentenced.

The Menendez brothers, who are serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents, José and Kitty, have been back in the public eye since the release of Ryan Murphy’s series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.

Koch, 28, played Erik Menendez in the Netflix hit.

In a statement to The Independent, Koch said: “I am overwhelmed with gratitude and hope for the progress we’ve seen today. Gascón’s recommendation has ignited a renewed sense of possibility that Lyle and Erik could finally be released after decades behind bars.

“But, this journey is not over. There are still critical steps ahead: the judge must endorse the resentencing, and, if that happens, the parole board must recognize the time they have served as fitting for the crime.

“Our voices, our unwavering support, remain crucial—not just for the brothers to ensure their release, but also for every victim of sexual abuse fighting to be heard. I hope to see Erik and Lyle soon. Free from all of this.”

Gascón said in his announcement that he will be asking for a new sentence of 50 years to life for both brothers. Under the law, given that they were under age 26 at the time of the crimes, they would be immediately eligible for youthful parole. A court will need to approve the resentencing recommendation before it is final.

Kim Kardashian, who had been advocating for the brothers to be released, reacted to the news in a statement posted to her Instagram Stories.

“The Menendez brothers were granted a second chance at life and will wake up tomorrow finally eligible for a parole hearing,” said Kardashian.

“They could be released in as early as six months.

“Thank you, George Gascón, for revisiting the Menendez brothers’ case and righting a significant wrong. Your commitment to truth and fairness is commendable.

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

Advertisement

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days

New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled

Try for free

“To the brothers’ family, friends, and the millions who have been vocal supporters – your voices were heard. The media’s foucs, especially on the heels of Ryan Murphy’s TV show, helped expose the abuse and injustices in their case.

“Society’s understanding of child abuse has evolved, and social media empowers us to question the systems in place. This case highlights the importance on challenging decisions and seeking truth, even when guilt is not in question.

“I believe in the justice system’s ability to evolve, and I am grateful for a society where we can challenge decisions and seek justice,” she wrote, concluding her statement: “Never stop questioning.”

Monsters stars Javier Bardem and Chloë Sevigny as José and Kitty, with Koch and Nicholas Chavez as Erik and Lyle. Since the series arrived on Netflix in September, viewers have been cautioning others on social media about the graphic nature of the violence depicted in the show.

VENOM: THE LAST DANCE

(15) 109mins

★★★☆☆

3

“SCIENCE is sacrifice” declares Juno Temple’s Dr Teddy Payne, a UFO geek who works in a secret underground lab researching alien life.

But not at the expense of an entertaining Marvel storyline.

Tom Hardy is back as the symbiote Eddie Brock for this last instalment in the Venom trilogy.

And it’s a great fun finale.

Half good-looking guy, (I’ve won sexiest man awards, Eddie quips), half genial but grotesque monster, the intertwined duo are now carrying the Codex, a key to other worlds.

But evil Knull, the creator of symbiotes, wants it back.

We find our tangled twosome in Mexico, embarking on a road trip to New York.

They’re being pursued by both military investigator General Rex Strickland (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and a rampaging Xenophage.

The monster can track the location of the Codex and has been dispatched to retrieve it, while Strickland wants to destroy it.

Both predators will ultimately hunt to kill.

After a hitchhike on top of a plane goes wrong Eddie/Venom crashland in the Nevada desert, where they catch a more conventional ride with off-grid-living Martin (a brilliant Rhys Ifans), wife (Alanna Ubach) and children Leaf and Echo.

The family are en route to the about-to-be-decommissioned Area 51 research centre, which theorists allege is an alien research site.

Leaf is scared about what they might encounter, so (nudge-nudge) Eddie/Venom assures him other intelligent lifeforms don’t exist.

Of course, the rumours are true, with other symbiotes including Patrick Mulligan/Toxin (Stephen Graham) contained there.

There’s plenty of satisfying set pieces here and a great soundtrack.

A galloping horse morphing majestically into Venom is a triumph, a camper-van singalong to Major Tom will make you snigger, and the final shapeshifting showdown delivers.

The endless bickering between Eddie/Venom is generally amusing, even if the latter sometimes sounds more like the voiceover man from a TV talent show.

At one point, Venom even helpfully Marvel-splains the plot so far to his host Eddie.

A useful recap for fans in this complicated world, and helpful for bemused Marvel Comic Universe first-timers.

LAURA STOTT

EMILIA PEREZ

(15) 132mins

★★★★☆

3

IT’S rare to watch anything these days that feels entirely original – but this Spanish musical-crime drama about a menacing Mexican cartel leader who hires a paralegal to help him undergo gender reassignment surgery- comes close to achieving it.

Directed by Jaques Audiard, the boundary- pushing screenplay with its spoken and sung dialogue would be so at home on the stage, at the end you almost expect the cast to appear for a curtain call.

Rita (an outstanding Zoe Saldana) is an undervalued lawyer, sick of her male boss taking all the credit for her work.

When notorious Narcos “Manitas” Del Monte kidnaps her, offering life-changing sums to help him fully transition into “Emilia” and fake his own death (both roles played by trans actor Karla Sofía Gascón) she sees a way out.

But while Emilia enjoys a renaissance in Mexico City, her past life with old wife Jessi (Selena Gomez) and two kids is implausible to leave behind.

Impossible to categorise, it’s the only film this year where scalpel-wielding Bangkok surgeons trill,” Rhinoplasty, Vaginoplasty!”

THE ROOM NEXT DOOR

(12A) 107mins

★★★☆☆

3

LEGENDARY Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar’s English-language debut, is an adaptation of Sigrid Nunez’s 2020 novel, What Are You Going Through.

It stars Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton as old friends who reunite in a crisis.

Ex-war reporter Martha (Swinton), diagnosed with terminal cancer, is grappling with the expectation that she must fight her illness by any means.

Ingrid (Moore), a novelist who has written about her own fear of dying, is unsettled, but eventually supportive, when Martha asks her to be present when she chooses to take her own life.

Almodóvar’s style shines here, with chic costumes and beautiful interiors and the film’s setting, from New York City to its remote modern woodlands, reflects the journey of both characters and Ingrid’s inner turmoil.

There’s certainly strong performances too from both women and John Turturro, who plays their former lover.

But the dialogue feels stunted in the first half of the movie, and there’s a lack of emotional depth.

Yet the film manages to offer a humane portrayal of terminal illness and a frank and open discussion on euthanasia.

LINDA MARRIC