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Jon Stewart called his studio audience a “beautiful distraction” and thanked them for their “dedication” after his US election show went off the air on Tuesday following Donald Trump’s shock victory.

The host of The Daily Show had one of the strongest reactions to Trump’s win, which saw the Republican sweep many of the swing states, handing him a stunning return to the White House.

Lashing out at pollsters, Stewart told them “You don’t know s*** about s***, and I don’t care for you.”

“My point is this: F***!,” yelled Stewart. “But this isn’t the end. I promise you, this is not the end. And we have to regroup, and we have to continue to fight, and continue to work day in and day out to create the better society for our children, for this world.”

Variety has since reported what Stewart told his studio audience after the show went off the air.

“Can I tell you what a joy you were, how happy I am to have spent the evening with you and not sitting at home throwing shit at my television screen,” the comedian said.

“You have helped us all have a beautiful distraction, and you’re gonna leave here, and you’re gonna look at your phone, and you’re gonna go home, and you’re gonna have that weird feeling where your knees feel wobbly, and you’re like, ‘Do I have hypoglycemia?’ But you don’t! You just have a temporary anxiety and paralysis that comes with disappointment and just a soupçon of despair.”

The 60-year-old added: “It will pass. And we will be back, digging ditches for democracy once again in the way that we have always had to do, and I thank you guys for your dedication, and I thank you for being here. Get home safe.”

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Stewart was among the many late-night TV hosts in the United States who gave despondent messages to their audiences about the election results.

As supporters of Harris, each presenter, ranging from Jimmy Kimmel to Stephen Colbert, shared anti-Trump sentiments, with Kimmel struggling to hold back tears on Wednesday night (6 November).

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Kimmel, acknowledging the fact that Trump was convicted of a crime earlier this year, said of the result: “We chose the criminal.”

Seth Meyers promised to bring viewers joy amid times of uncertainty in the wake of the election result.

“We’re not gonna let anything take that joy away, even when we’re not talking about things that are particularly joyful,” he said, adding: “For example, here’s something: I don’t think Donald Trump’s a good person. I’d even go so far as to say he’s a bad person.”

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Stephen Colbert was more frank in his approach, calling Trump “a monstrous child surrounded by cowards and grifters”

He said it was “hard to see a bright side”, and joked that he was wearing his “fundamentally questioning my belief in humanity: sticker.”

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Police in Finland have revealed new details about their investigation into the murder of a contestant on the country’s version of hit game show The Traitors.

Janne Puhakka, the country’s first openly gay ice hockey player, died in October at the age of 29 after he was allegedly shot by his 66-year-old partner, Norwegian veterinarian Rolf Nordmo.

Nordmo confessed to the murder following the breakdown of the couple’s relationship several weeks before, it was reported.

Now, police have revealed to Finnish publication Yle that Puhakka was shot twice by his former partner at the home they previously shared in Espoo, a city located to the west of Helsinki in Finland.

Nordmo used a hunting gun to commit the crime, police added.

Puhakka’s body was discovered by a concerned friend who went to the house after the ice hockey player did not respond to calls and messages.

Investigating officers have confirmed that Nordmo admitted to the killing during his interrogation, but Nordmo has denied the act was premeditated.

“The suspect denies any planning. I will not comment on any other details,” Detective Inspector Matti Högman, who is leading the investigation, told Yle.

At the time of the death, the finale of Finland’s The Traitors, which had been filmed earlier this year, was postponed. But it is now due to air on Sunday 10 November at 9pm. The decision by national channel Nelonen to broadcast the episode was made following consultation with Puhakka’s family.

The sportsman will appear as a “traitor” in the final episode of the game of deception, with the aim of tricking the “faithful” players into believing he was one of them, and winning the pot of cash.

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The Traitors, which first started in the Netherlands, has become a hugely popular format around the world. The BBC’s version is hosted by Claudia Winkleman.

Puhakka made headlines in Finland in 2019 when he came out as gay.

After his death, Liiga, Finland’s top ice hockey league, described him on Twitter/X as “an important role model” and said his “courage and openness left an indelible mark on Finnish hockey”.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin also took to Instagram to honour the sports star.

EASTENDERS fans fear that Bianca Jackson could be making an Albert Square exit.

Concern from viewers comes after the much-loved character was faced with a deadly situation.

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Since bursting into Albert Square in 1993, Bianca Jackson has been one of the most iconic EastEnders characters ever to grace Walford.

Played by popular actress Patsy Palmer, the fiery redhead has been involved in some major storylines over the years.

Bianca’s on-off romance with Ricky Butcher captivated millions of fans and their on-screen marriage in 1997 drew one of the biggest soap audiences ever – it also coined the phrase “Rickaaay”.

She remained in the role for six years, but waved goodbye to Walford for the first time in 1999.

In 2008, Bianca was back on the Square and reunited with her estranged family, before leaving again in 2014.

She made an explosive comeback in April 2024, and reunited with her real dad David Wicks in October.

Killer Reiss could strike

Fans are concerned Bianca could be killer Reiss Colwell’s next victim.

The creepy accountant murdered his comatose wife Debbie and then let his pregnant fiancee Sonia go to prison awaiting trial for the crime.

However, her sister Bianca has been onto Reiss for a while and found evidence that forced the killer into confessing.

But things took a dark turn when she went with him to a secret lock-up where he said he “had the pillow” he killed Debbie with.

Reiss told her he would give it to her, so she could use it to get Sonia out of jail.

Arriving at storage unit, Bianca was horrified to find a sound-proofed room full of Debbie’s clothing and belongings.

As she demanded the pillow, Reiss locked the door and told her: “There is no pillow. I’m sorry Bianca.”

Then brandishing chains and a blanket, he ran at her as she tried to fight him off.

Fans are now concerned that the Walford legend could be killed by Reiss.

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Patsy Palmer’s glam life

Actress Patsy Palmer‘s life away from EastEnders, and is in stark contrast to poor Bianca’s.

When she’s not working, she lives in Malibu, California, having made the move to the US in 2014.

Patsy has also become a lifestyle guru and launched her own wellness Instagram page Good and Proper.

The talented star also works as a DJ in America, and in England too.

Darkest soap storylines

Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

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A handful of Strictly Come Dancing’s longest-serving professionals are “at risk” of being axed from the show as the BBC looks towards “a fresh start”.

After a wave of allegations surfaced about the behaviour of the show’s professional dancers earlier this year, reports suggest that bosses intend to bring a new generation of younger ballroom dancers to freshen up its image – leaving five names at risk of being dropped.

According to The Sun, those at risk of being dropped are reportedly some of the show’s longest-standing pros, including Nadiya Bychkova, who joined the show in 2017, Neil Jones (2016), Karen Hauer (2012), Gorka Marquez (2016) and Katya Jones (2016).

Four of them have already been eliminated from this year’s competition, with Jones, who is competing with Wynne Evans, the only one remaining.

Younger professionals, such as Jowita Pryzstal, who is partnered with Pete Wicks, Vito Coppola, who is dancing with Sarah Hadland are continuing to dazzle viewers. Another professional said to be safe from the alleged shake-up is Nikita Kuzmin, who was eliminated with his celebrity partner Sam Quek at the weekend.

It is thought that the BBC is looking to the next generation of dancers to refresh Strictly’s image after a series of allegations that have continued to rock the show during its 20th anniversary series.

Earlier this year, Amanda Abbington made a series of allegations about the behaviour of pro Giovanni Pernice, who she danced with in last year’s series, forcing the BBC to drop him from the 2024 series and launch a formal investigation. Another long-standing professional, Graziano Di Prima, was also axed from the series over allegations regarding his treatment of his celebrity partner Zara McDermott.

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Pernice has denied the allegations against him while Di Prima said he “deeply regrets” the events that led to his Strictly departure.

A source told The Sun: “The review of the line-up has always been about making a fresh start, and that was always going to be affected by which dancers performed well this series.

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“The feeling is that the Strictly troupe is made up of some fading stars, while others are rising stars.”

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“And in many cases there are certain characters whose shoes can easily be filled with younger, up-and-coming counterparts. It’s harsh but it’s just part of the traditional turnover of showbusiness.”

The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment.

Professional dancer Johannes Radebe, who joined the show in 2018, is also thought to be exiting the series in 2025, as sources claim his schedule is too busy to fit in a return to the ballroom, with the dancer starring in Kinky Boots: The Musical for the first half of 2025, while he works on a film adaptation of his life story.

PETE Wicks has been seen cosying up to Strictly partner Jowita Przystal during very intense rehearsals for the next live show.

Strictly stars Pete, 36, and Jowita, 30, will take to the dancefloor again on Saturday night.

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And it looks like they’re working hard to avoid a repeat of last week, when the former Towie star’s performance was “filled with mistakes”.

A cosy-looking snap showed Pete with his hands around Jowita’s waist while she placed a hand on his shoulder.

Their foreheads were touching and Pete appeared to be lost in the moment with his eyes closed.

Last week fans slammed the Strictly judges for “overscoring” Pete, despite Shirley Ballas noting that it wasn’t his finest performance.

One penned on X: “WTF is this thing with overmarking him every single f***** week.

“Are they all f*****g drunk. #strictly.”

Another added: “I hate to say it but Pete was overmarked :/ #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly.”

Pete and Jowita’s close rehearsals come after he and Love Island star Maura Higgins confirmed their romance.

They were snapped kissing after enjoying a date night in London, putting to bed months of rumours.

No doubt Pete and Maura are making the most of any time they get together.

Not only is he busy with Strictly but The Sun revealed last month that she will take part in the upcoming series of I’m a Celebrity.

A Jungle insider said: “With Tommy Fury pulling out it gave show bosses the opportunity to look at other Love Island stars and Maura stood out as the perfect candidate.

“She’ll bringing a bit of glamour to the jungle and make a brilliant campmate because she’s got a great sense of humour and is bound to get on with everyone.

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Celebrities are reacting to the news that Donald Trump will become the 47th US president.

On Wednesday (6 November), the Republican candidate swept to victory following a chaotic campaign dogged by anger, insults and division.

In the lead-up, some stars kept quiet about their voting choices, while others openly endorsed Kamala Harris. Celebrities like Harrison Ford, Jennifer Aniston, and Arnold Schwarzenegger were among those to voice their support for the Democratic candidate.

Meanwhile, Trump’s contingent of famous supporters included Kelsey Grammer, Hulk Hogan, Zachary Levi and the influential podcaster Joe Rogan, who endorsed him just hours before the election.

As Trump declared victory, Rogan wrote on X/Twitter: “WHOLE. LEE. S***.”

Piers Morgan sent Trump his “congratulations”, calling his triumph “the greatest comeback in political history”.

In a celebratory post, the former Good Morning Britain host said it was “a testament to your resilience, mental strength & never-give-up mentality as your enemies tried to kill you, jail you & brand you the new Hitler. Good luck in your second term.”

Tesla founder Elon Musk, another staunch defender of the Republican, praised the news and hailed his high hopes for the future.

But there was plenty of outcry over the result, with American late-nght hosts, including Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert, appearing despondent in their opening monologues hours after Trump won.

Hollywood star Jamie Lee Curtis wrote: “Many fear their rights will be impeded and denied. Many, minority groups and young people will be afraid. Gay and trans people will be more afraid. We know that many women will now find it difficult to get the reproductive healthcare that they need and deserve.”

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She urged people to “wake up and fight for women and our children and their futures”, adding: “Fight against tyranny, one day at a time. One fight at a time. One protest at a time. That’s what it means to be an American. That’s what it has always meant and will always mean regardless of the outcome.”

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As the result went Trump’s way, musician Billie Eilish said the president’s victory was “a war on women”, with rapper Cardi B posting a photograph on Instagram with the caption: “I hate y’all bad.” In a follow-up post, she thanked Harris for showing her “that anything is possible” by running for president as a woman of colour.

Ariana Grande, who will star in the film adaptation of Wicked later this month, wrote: “Holding the hand of every person who is feeling the immeasurable heaviness of this outcome today.”

Director Adam McKay, whose credits include The Big Short and Don’t Look Up, wrote: “Who would have guessed lying about Biden’s cognitive health for two years, refusing to do an open convention for a new nominee, never mentioning public healthcare & embracing fracking, the Cheneys & a yr long slaughter of children in Gaza wouldn’t be a winning strategy?”

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The Wire actor Wendell Pierce warned of the “consequences” Trump’s victory could have.

He wrote: “The Supreme Court will be changed for a generation. I’ll never see a moderate court again in my lifetime. Alito and Thomas will step down and Trump will appoint 40 year old partisans to the bench. The damage he is about to inflict on our institutions in the next two years will be irreparable.”

Speaking at the start of Wednesday’s episode of The View, host Whoopi Goldberg refused to say Trump’s name, telling viewers: “He’s the president. I’m still not going to say his name. That’s not going to change.”

Goldberg’s co-host Sunny Hostin said she was “profoundly disturbed” by the result, while Joy Behar said that she “vehemently disagrees with the decision that Americans made”.

Behar continued: “We live in a democracy. People spoke. This is what people wanted. I feel very, very hopeful that we have a democratic system in this country. We should value it. We should love it. We should protest if the situation arises that we need to protest, which I’m sure it will. I’ve been there before with Nixon. We have a country and we can keep it.”

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Lili Reinhart, star of Riverdale, addressed the claims of sexual assault levied against the president: “I cannot fathom the feeling of the women who came forward about their sexual assault at the hands of Trump. Seeing millions of people vote for their abuser. My heart, absolutely, breaks for these women. I believe you, and I am so sorry.”

In May 2023, a jury in New York found Trump liable for the sexual abuse of writer E Jean Carroll.

Comedy star Christina Applegate urged people to “unfollow” her if they were supporting Trump, which she said was a “vote against” female and disability rights.

“Unfollow me because what you did is unreal,” Applegate wrote. “Don’t want followers like this. So yeah. Done. Also after today I will be shutting down this fan account that I have had for so many years because this is sick.”

She added in a follow-up post: “My child is sobbing because her rights as a woman may be taken away,” and, later, apologised for her tirade, stating: “I’m still reeling and sobbing. But I’m not angry anymore. Just going to go back to my bubble and watch a s*** ton of Bravo shows So peace to all. I suggest you do the same. Very soothing.”

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Oscar-nominated actor Jeffrey Wright, whose credits include the Hunger Games franchise, The Batman and TV series Westworld, re-shared his earlier post, which read: “We’re crazy, America. But we’re not as crazy as Trump,” with the addendum: “Let me just say ‘I was wrong.’” He went on to delete his X/Twitter account, as did Bette Midler.

Horror author Stephen King, days after calling out Musk for his Trump support, shared his views in a post reading: “There’s a sign you can see in many shops that sell beautiful but fragile items: LOVELY TO LOOK AT, DELIGHTFUL TO HOLD, BUT ONCE YOU BREAK IT, THEN IT’S SOLD. You can say the same about democracy.”

Community star Yvette Nicole Brown said of the win: “For us this is an every day Wednesday. Black folks are used to this. The rest of you are about to be shocked by how America treats you when it doesn’t care about you.”

John Cusack, a noted Trump critic, ominously wrote: “Well, if you want to know what it really looks like – here it comes”, while Glee star Kevin McHale, who played Artie in the hit show, posted: “Supreme Court gone for the rest of my lifetime. Ultra-conservative evangelical bigotry, xenophobia, racism is the mandate.”

Actor and director Ben Stiller simply quoted playwright David Adjmi, writing: “ … is the coast ever clear?”

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Meanwhile, over in the Trump camp, boxer and internet personality Jake Paul called the Republican party’s triumph “a massive step in the right direction to heal the major issues going on in the world currently”, while Shazam! actor Zachary Levi shared a post pushing an unfounded conspiracy theory claiming Joe Biden’s 2020 victory was rigged.

But in the world of celebrity, the upset was louder.

Erin Moriarty, who plays Starlight in Prime Video series The Boys, wrote on Instagram: “We reclaimed an insult, we’ll reclaim autonomy. xo, a (hopeful) nasty woman.”

“Heartbroken” One Tree Hill star Sophia Bush posted: “Great job giving the MAGA gang more power, America. Wonder how many folks are seeing this and STILL saying ‘But but but at least he’s not a Black woman!’ in the privacy of their homes tonight.”

Succession actor Dagmara Dominczyk agreed, writing: “Trump won because the majority of Americans are ignorant enough to choose a corrupt, unhinged felon born with a silver spoon in his nasty mouth over a woman of colour. That’s it. Nothing else mattered to them. It’s disgusting, shameful, and clear as day.”

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American singer-songwriter Ethel Cain, as part of a lengthier statement, said that Trump’s win “is part of a deeper problem” and called it “the ugly consequence of the already present reality in this country that we all just despise each other in.”

In Britain, His Dark Materials author Philip Pullman was less than enthused about Trump winning the election, and responded by saying “goodbye” to America, adding: “It was nice knowing you.”

Susie Dent subtly shared her views on the fact that Trump had won a second term in the White House. The Countdown star said: “Word of the day is ‘recrudescence’ (17th century): the return of something terrible after a time of reprieve.”

Her post was reshared by broadcaster Carol Vorderman, who had earlier written: “Looks like Trump will win. God help America.” Comedian Jenny Eclair branded the result “unbelievable”, while Armando Iannucci, creator of The Thick of It and Veep, hinted at his negativity over the result by posting: “And it’s only Wednesday.”

Model and activist Munroe Bergdorf shared a strong message to her followers. It read: “NOW is the time to get politically engaged and stay politically engaged. Not when it’s time to vote again in four years… NOW.

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“Your voice, your rights, your life matters. The West isn’t ‘descending into fascism’, it is here and it’s going to require ALL of us showing up for ALL of us. No matter how bleak this may feel… Do not disengage.”

Moon director Duncan Jones, who is the son of David Bowie, had a shorter statement: “I think we may have overestimated the goodness in people,” while broadcaster Simon Mayo noted that, in the immediate aftermath of Trumo’s win, X/Twitter, which is owned by Musk felt “already nastier”.

Elsewhere, in the wake of the announcement, Guardians of the Galaxy actor Chris Pratt’s criticised open letter, posted on the eve of the election, is being widely shared online.

Without endorsing anyone in particular, he told his fans he is “trying to make sense of the election through the eyes of Americans on both sides”, urging people to unite as “fellow countrymen” regardless of who wins.

He then mused about the impending result, stating: “It’s OK to take a moment to lick your wounds when you lose. Heck, go ahead and cry in the mirror.”

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Pratt’s statement was criticised for being too “banal” on what was considered one of the most pivotal elections in US history,