Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd is back, this time for his new hotly anticipated BBC six-part drama Half Man.
Hayley Anderson Screen Time TV Reporter
18:15, 28 Apr 2026
Half Man: Richard Gadd and Jamie Bell star in trailer
Richard Gadd is the creator and executive producer of Half Man, though starring in the BBC drama was not part of his original plan.
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After unexpectedly finding themselves living under the same roof, Ruben (Stuart Campbell) and Niall (Mitchell Robertson) develop a brotherly bond — one fierce and fiercely loyal, the other timid and gentle-natured.
Across six episodes, Half Man traces the pair’s lives over three decades, right up to Niall’s (Jamie Bell) wedding day, when the volatile Ruben (Richard Gadd) brings chaos in his wake.
While Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd both created and executive produced the new BBC series, he had no initial intention of playing Ruben — it took some persuasion from Billy Elliot legend Jamie Bell to convince him to take on the uncompromising role.
Speaking at a BBC Q&A, Gadd revealed: “I wasn’t going to do it to begin with.
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“I wasn’t going to do Ruben, because acting in something and directing and doing everything else is a lot.
“You have to see a show from the inside and the outside which is actually the main pressure of the role.
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“So I wasn’t going to do it, I didn’t want to do it. Baby Reindeer was out and that’d take one thing off my plate.
“But Jamie [Bell] was the first to suggest it. He was like ‘have you ever thought about doing this?’
“And it sort of terrified me in a way. I was like ‘Wow. That’s real far.’
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“But I often feel that what scares you in life, you should probably do it.”
While Gadd’s co-star Jamie Bell rose to prominence as Billy Elliot in the legendary 2000 film, he is poised to undertake another memorable role.
Bell will be entering the Peaky Blinders universe in the forthcoming two-season sequel as Duke Shelby, Tommy Shelby’s (Cillian Murphy) son, set in the 1950s.
The character of Duke was initially played by Saltburn star Barry Keoghan in the Netflix film Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man.
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Half Man premieres on Tuesday, April 28, at 10.40pm on BBC One.
Aran Sadler, 32, from Durham, died on April 11 during the event at Oliver’s Mount in Scarborough.
An inquest opened into his death on Thursday (April 23), and heard that Aran was competing in the SuperSport A Race 1 at the Bob Smith Spring Cup on his Kawasaki ZX636.
Aran Sadler (Image: Aran Sadler Racing / Facebook)
Catherine Devereux, assistant coroner for North Yorkshire and York, said the 32-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene, and his provisional cause of death recorded as hypovolaemic shock and traumatic ruptured heart.
Mrs Devereux said: “The circumstances known at this time are that Aran Sadler was involved in a collision as part of a race event at Oliver’s Mount, Scarborough, on April 11, 2026. Mr Sadler was pronounced deceased at the scene.”
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Aran gears up for a race (Image: Aran Sadler Racing / Facebook)
The inquest was adjourned until a date yet to be fixed.
Following Mr Sadler’s death, his fiancée, Lorna, paid tribute to her “incredible” husband-to-be.
She wrote: “We are all devastated by Aran’s loss and are struggling to come to terms with it. Although we were aware of the risks of his sport, we never imagined we would be doing this.
“Aran was a fantastic motorcycle racer with incredible raw talent, but he was also a son, brother, and fiancé.
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Aran on the racing track (Image: Aran Sadler Racing / Facebook)
“As a family, we appreciate the lovely tributes being made to Aran via social media and directly to us. We already knew that Aran was an incredible man with a heart of gold and it is comforting to see that so many of you felt the same.
“Aran touched so many lives wherever he went, and it was clear that to meet Aran was to love him. He had the most beautiful, contagious smile.
“We appreciate everyone’s support and understanding as we try to navigate our lives following his passing.”
The world of motorsport also mourned the loss of the 32-year-old earlier this month.
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Aran on the racing track (Image: Aran Sadler Racing / Facebook)
Teesside Motorsports said: “We are extremely saddened to hear of the passing of Aran Sadler following an incident at Oliver’s Mount.
“Aran was a familiar and valued face at Teesside, attending many events over the years, and he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with his family, friends, and the wider racing community at this difficult time. Rest in peace, Aran.”
Suspected arson destroys derelict building | Wales Online
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Police carried out door-to-door enquiries, following the incident
The fire erupted at around 11pm on Monday, April 27(Image: Bobby Haworth)
Police are appealing for CCTV and Ring doorbell footage after a two-storey derelict building was destroyed by fire
Local officers are investigating an arson attack that took place on Snowdrop Lane, Haverfordwest. The fire occurred at approximately 11.30pm on Monday, April 27.
It is understood that the blaze resulted in the complete destruction of a derelict two-storey building.
Authorities are now appealing for anyone with information, Ring doorbell or CCTV footage that may assist their investigation to come forward via their website, emailing 101@dyfed-powys.police.uk, direct messaging on social media or calling 101. Quote Ref: DP-20260427-508
Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed that a police presence would remain on the street as officers carried out door-to-door enquiries.
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MPs voted 335 to 223 against a Commons motion calling the Privileges Committee to launch a probe into claims the prime minister misled parliament by saying “due process” had been followed when Mandelson was made UK ambassador to Washington.
It emerged two weeks ago that UK Security Vetting (UKSV) had in fact recommended Mandelson not be given clearance to take up the role.
Starmer was also accused of misleading parliament at prime minister’s questions last week by insisting no pressure was put on Foreign Office civil servants to approve the shamed former Labour peer’s appointment.
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Sir Olly Robbins, the former top civil servant in the department who was sacked by the PM for his role in Mandelson’s appointment, had said there was “constant pressure” from Downing Street.
Labour MPs had been whipped to vote against setting up an investigation into Starmer’s conduct, meaning a government defeat was never really on the cards.
Nevertheless, 15 rebels defied the PM to vote with the Conservatives, while a further 53 Labour MPs did not vote at all.
Speaking during the six-hour debate which preceded the vote, South Shields MP Enma Lewell, one of those who voted against the government, said “like the public, I feel let down, disappointed and I am angry” about the Mandelson affair.
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She said: “I feel the way that today’s vote has been handled by the government smacks, once again, of being out of touch and disconnected from the public mood.
“The fact that MPs like me are being whipped into voting against this motion is, in my view, wrong.
“It has played into the terrible narrative that there is something to hide and good, decent colleagues will be accused of being complicit in a cover-up.”
Another rebel, Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome, said: ”“If we’re to preserve what little trust still remains in our political system, it is vital that ministers demonstrate the utmost transparency.
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“And it’s vital that we as MPs, no matter our political allegiance, do not allow the impression that we are in any way attempting to cover things up for the leadership of our parties.”
Despite the criticism of their tactics, the result will be greeted with some relief in No.10.
A spokesman said: “The Conservative Party resorted to this desperate political stunt the week before the May elections because they have no answers on the cost of living or the NHS.
“We will continue to engage with the two parliamentary processes that are running on Peter Mandelson’s appointment with full transparency.”
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But the prime minister has clearly been forced to use up some of what little political capital he still has with his backbenchers in order to save his skin.
One Labour MP told HuffPost UK: “It’s horrifying how many people privately realise he’s messed up, but rather than get him to say ’OK, I’ll do the hearing and show its not a privileges matter, they are going to the wall for him.”
While he has avoided the humiliation of a Privileges Committee probe – a fate which befell Boris Johnson over partygate and helped lead to his own downfall – the whole saga has further damaged Starmer’s standing with his party and in the country.
Next month’s elections in England, Wales and Scotland are certain to be disastrous for Labour, and could even lead to an attempt to unseat the prime minister.
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Starmer may have dodged a bullet this evening, but it may well prove to be just a stay of execution.
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Responding to questions about the Epstein scandal, Sir Christian said it was “extraordinary” the controversy had “brought down a senior member of the royal family, a British ambassador to Washington, potentially the prime minister, and yet here in the US, it really hasn’t touched anybody”.
Award-winning farm shop, Forage, is a go-to destination for families looking for good food and somewhere to keep the kids occupied – and well fed!
Another bank holiday weekend is here, yay! Panic planning about doing something worthwhile with your extra time off – boo!
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But do not panic as if you’re looking to get out of the city, eat some great food and get some fresh air – hopefully some sun, there’s an award-winning place that’s perfect for your bank holiday day out.
Forage Farm and Kitchen just outside Cowbridge is hosting a hog roast on the lawn on Monday, May 4. And while you’re kicking back on the grass with some great grub, there’s a brilliant play area for the kids to entertain themselves.
Tuck into slow-roasted Penllyn Estate pork with salad and potatoes, no booking is needed, either. From 11:30am – 4pm there’ll also be live music on the lawn. The event is weather-dependent, so check your weather app before setting off!
The modern, but sympathetically natural-looking building, houses a decent sized restaurant and a farm shop selling fresh meat, eggs, bakery goods and store cupboard essentials from independent producers around the country.
But aside from the shop and the almost always busy cafe, is that there’s a huge outdoor space with a lovely wooden play park, tractor race track and, if you’re there with the whole family and you fancy another snack, there’s a pizza hatch outside, too.
It’s a great spot – found just outside Cowbridge – where the kids can burn off some energy, and potentially one of the restaurant’s brilliant themed milkshakes, and grown-ups can continue with a coffee and cake outside.
Inside, if you’ve managed to book your table for the airy and bright, but busy restaurant you’ll find a breakfast menu with no surprises at first glance – full breakfasts, eggs, breakfast baps, but the true quality shines with the on-farm sourced ingredients, from the Penllyn Estate.
As a destination for a special occasion like Mother’s Day, birthdays etc, Forage is a brilliant choice to get out of the city, but it’s also the perfect place to take the kids when you’ve nothing better to do than a weekend drive, a stop for coffee and a snack while they make the best of the outdoor activity.
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Also ones for the diary are Forage’s special events, at Easter, Halloween and Christmas. Their festive Forage experience is by far my favourite in terms of the quality of the entertainment – there’s a fun elf show before meeting Santa and there’s always lots of activities, tattoos, marshmallow toasting – usually all in the price of the kids’ ticket.
She went on to ask, “Will the real prime minister please stand up?”
Alliance Party MP Sorcha Eastwood has given an impassioned speech in the House of Commons imploring the government to act above board when it came to answering questions about the appointment of Peter Mandelson.
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Ms Eastwood opened her remarks by clarifying that the Labour Party do not stand for election in Northern Ireland and stated that her speech was not part of a political stunt. Rather, she said it had “everything to do with the integrity of the house.”
The Lagan Valley MP said that being asked not to discuss these issues was patronising and told the house that there had been two car bombs “at the edges of my constituency in the last five weeks.” She empathised that there were bigger issues that she would rather be speaking about and said that it was incumbent on everybody in the chamber to operate “completely above board.”
Ms Eastwood said: “Now last week I posed the question. I don’t know why Mandelson was appointed. The Prime Minister then said it was a mistake. But here’s what I don’t understand, everything that was out there about Mandelson.
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“That would have been cause for concern was open source material. It was out there. Peter Mandelson wouldn’t have survived the vetting for a kids’ football club. And rightly so, but we’re expected to believe from those benches that it’s nothing to see here, we’re gonna do some process here and there.
“It’s a bit of a hoo-ha, as if there’s been a bit of opprobrium around an appointment of a local Rotary Club. This is the government of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. And we need to make sure that everything that is done here has the trust and confidence of the people that we are sent to represent.
“One of the things that I’m really passionate about is people being able to get on in life. But, if you look at the social mobility figures for the UK, they are declining steeply. And that should be a concern for us all. But don’t worry about that. It seems to be jobs for the boys going great guns over the road there.
“Instead of a meritocracy, it’s a Chumocracy. And that is at the nub of this. We cannot get answers as to why this was done. So what I’m asking today, will the real Prime Minister please stand up?
“Is it the man who wanted to tread lightly on our lives? Is it the man who promised a decade of national renewal? Is it the man who said that he was gonna do things by the book and better? Because in my nearly two years here, I have not seen that. So I’ll ask people from across the way, and I want to commend the member for South Shields for her heartfelt words.
“Because this should not be about party politics. This should be about doing the right thing. And I’m here as one member of my party, so I’m aware that I’m speaking from a place of privilege myself. But believe you me, there’s a stink here. And the public smell it, and if we’re serious about getting better in terms of making our constituents’ lives better, in terms of proving that this place can deliver. Well, every single person here today has a choice, make the right one.”
In later proceedings MPs voted against launching an investigation into whether Sir Keir Starmer misled Parliament over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson by 223 to 335, majority 112.
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Now Sir Keir Starmer will not face a parliamentary investigation into claims he misled Parliament over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch had accused the Prime Minister of misleading the Commons by claiming “full due process” had been followed and “no pressure existed” in Lord Mandelson’s appointment.
Some Labour figures have branded Mrs Badenoch’s call for an investigation a “political stunt”.
Meanwhile, Parliament’s Intelligence and Security Committee said on Tuesday it had finished reviewing the Government’s proposed redactions to documents relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment ahead of publication.
The research, conducted by The Investors Centre, a UK-based investment comparison platform, analysed 59 UK cities using cost data from sources like Numbeo. It factored in rent, utilities, transport, groceries and even lifestyle spending such as eating out. “Comfortable” was defined as the annual income required to cover a 50/30/20 budget, allocating 50% of earnings to necessities such as housing and utility costs, 30% to discretionary spending, and 20% to savings or investments.
A message has been widely circulated on WhatsApp saying that people should be encouraged to buy a home in the Castlecaulfield area to “support and strengthen our Protestant community for the future” — but the local Orange Lodge says the message is fake
An Orange Lodge has stated that messages claiming it would assist people with mortgage costs to “support and strengthen our Protestant community for the future are “fake”.
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A message has been widely circulated on WhatsApp saying that “friends, families, and anyone with a connection to the Castlecaulfield area in Co Tyrone should be encouraged to buy a home locally in order to “support and strengthen our Protestant community for the future.”
It also alleged that, following discussions with financial advisers, the local Orange Lodge might be able to assist people with mortgage costs to live in the area.
Belfast Live approached the Castlecaulfield Orange Lodge about the message on social media, with a spokesperson confirming “the message is fake”.
Local DUP councillor Mark Robinson said the message bore similarities to one that had circulated in the area previously and believed they were intended to inflame local tensions ahead of the parade season. He also remarked that Orange Order membership would rocket if it were to begin helping people with their mortgages, reports Belfast Live.
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After seeing the message he said: “Just checked my calendar there, thought maybe it was April Fool’s Day!
“This looks like a very similar message that done the rounds before. I suspect it’s the same culprits trying to raise tensions in the area prior to local parades. Sad that some people have nothing better to do with their time.”
The bogus message stated: “Following on from our brief meeting, we’re asking all Castlecaulfield friends, families, and anyone with a connection to the area to consider the opportunity of purchasing a home locally.
“With numbers at the primary school currently lower than we’d like, it’s important we come together to support and strengthen our Protestant community for the future. Encouraging more local families to live in the area can make a real difference.
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“[Name removed] has been in touch with a number of financial advisors, and there may be support available to help with mortgage costs from the Orange Lodge. If this is something you’d be interested in, please get in touch with [Name removed], [Name removed], or [Name removed] for more information.
“We’d encourage anyone considering a move to act sooner rather than later, ahead of the upcoming developments being released. God save the king.”
Actress Olivia Frances Brown has cryptically commented on Jodie Ramsey possibly being the victim of a shocking murder on the cobbles
Coronation Street star Olivia Frances Brown has admitted her time on the long-running show ‘may have ended’ as she cryptically commented on Jodie Ramsey possibly being the victim of a shock murder on the cobbles.
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As those who follow the ITV soap will recall, Jodie’s first appearance on-screen sparked a mystery as Olivia made her debut in the role during Corrie’s epic crossover with Emmerdale, dubbed Corriedale, which featured a horror multi-vehicle pile-up, before she ended up being revealed as Shona Platt’s long-lost sister.
While not involved in the dramatic crash that was at the centre of the historic crossover, it was during her escape that she became injured, running into a tree when DC Kit Green gave chase through the woods.
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It was how she ended up in the hospital, and it was there that she was reunited with her long-lost sister, Shona Platt, who had been involved in the deadly smash with her husband, David.
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Since then, despite Shona’s unease at first, Jodie has made herself comfortable with the Platts after being invited to stay at No.8 Coronation Street. But as viewers know, Jodie has started a plan to get between her sister and her husband, while her behaviour towards other Weatherfield residents has also come into question.
But this week, Jodie is among the possible victims of a murder, alongside fellow Weatherfield villains Theo Silverton, Carl Webster, Megan Walsh and Maggie Driscoll.
A flashforward episode of Corrie, which was aired in February, first confirmed the storyline, with fans seeing the shocked and anxious teen being interviewed by detectives about finding the dead body of someone she knows. As the episode returned to the present day, Corrie viewers started to see how the behaviour of the five characters could lead to their possible death.
While the murder technically took place on April 23, this week, Corrie viewers will revisit the same day, but each episode will be seen from the perspective of a different potential victim. At the end of the week, Betsy will find one of them dead, and as the victim is finally revealed, the hunt to find the killer will then begin.
Jodie’s episode airs on Wednesday (April 29), ahead of Friday’s (May 1) big reveal, but actress Olivia has already teased that it could be the end of her time in Weatherfield.
Asked how the character has ended up one of the possible victims, and if she was surprised herself to learn that Jodie could possibly die, the new soap star told the Manchester Evening News and other press: “I would have been surprised if she wasn’t one of the victims, the way she’s been carrying on! Trouble follows her around like a bad smell.
“She is always caught up in the chaos. Whatever’s going on, if there is any chaos in the street, she’ll probably be at the heart of it. It’s the way that she is. It’s who she is. It’s the way she has learnt to deal with things. It’s the way she goes through life.”
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On how it feels to be part of the dramatic week, Olivia added: “It’s been great. To be new on the show and to be thrown right into the centre of all the drama. It’s been a really lovely experience. It’s just been like a rollercoaster from the beginning. I really don’t want it to end – but it might have ended!”
And despite Jodie’s questionable actions so far, Olivia has had quite a positive reaction to her arrival in the show. “It’s been lovely, actually,” she admitted. “It’s been nice to see how invested people have become with the character and to see how close they are watching.
“The majority of feedback that I’ve had is that people just can’t quite suss her out and figure out what she’s up to. Which is good really, because she isn’t straightforward and she’s not your typical villain. She’s a very complex, layered person. There’s a bit of a sadness to her, really.
“The things that she is doing come from a place of loneliness. She wants people to value her, she wants to feel that closeness that she can see everybody else enjoying around her. She feels like she can’t have it off her own back. She feels like she has to manipulate people around her in order to trick them into loving her, which is quite sad.”
Inside Gorka Marquez’s BBC Strictly Come Dancing exit | Wales Online
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Gorka Marquez has announced he is leaving Strictly Come Dancing after 10 years on the BBC dance show.
Hayley Anderson Screen Time TV Reporter
20:50, 28 Apr 2026
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Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez. (Image: BBC)
Everything you need to know about Gorka Marquez leaving Strictly Come Dancing
Gorka Marquez has become the fifth professional dancer to exit Strictly Come Dancing before the upcoming series. He revealed his decision on Instagram, sharing a black and white photograph of himself walking away from the camera, dressed in a suit and dance shoes, towards a studio door.
In his Instagram statement, Gorka explained that following his choice to step down as a full-time professional on the BBC series last year owing to clashes with Dancing With The Stars Spain, he has now decided to “hang up my dance shoes and say goodbye to Strictly Come Dancing”. The 35-year-old expressed that he will “always be incredibly grateful” to the programme which has enabled him to “build a career from my passion, find love, start a family and make lifelong friends”.
Even though he is leaving the show, Gorka confirmed he would continue participating in the Strictly Pro Tour, which begins next week. He subsequently mentioned taking a reduced role and “hopefully hold up a few paddles and out some tens”, though he didn’t specify whether this relates to his Spanish role or potential judging duties on the BBC programme.
Gorka became part of Strictly Come Dancing in 2016 and has partnered with celebrities including Tameka Empson, Maisie Smith, Helen Skelton and Alexandra Burke, amongst others. He remained unpaired last year due to scheduling conflicts with Dancing With The Stars in Spain.
The Strictly performer met his partner and mother of his children, Hollyoaks, Casualty and Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson, through the programme in 2017 when she was paired with Aljaz Skorjanec. Gemma responded to his Strictly departure post, writing: “Thank goodness you were on the show in 2017! Exciting times ahead”.
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