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Beyond Paradise star says ‘it’s a real privilege’ as she praises Kris Marshall

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Wales Online

EXCLUSIVE: Beyond Paradise could see the exit of more than one beloved character

Beyond Paradise star Zahra Ahmadi, who portrays Detective Sergeant Esther Williams, has expressed her admiration for co-star Kris Marshall, who plays Detective Humphrey Goodman.

The latest instalment of the Death in Paradise spin-off has returned to television, following Humphrey and Esther alongside their police colleagues as they investigate a series of crimes in Shipton Abbott.

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Yet, unknown to his team members, Humphrey faces a difficult choice and must part ways with one of his staff – and this won’t be the only exit in Shipton Abbott.

In an exclusive conversation with Express.co.uk, the actress behind Esther offered viewers a glimpse into what series four holds and revealed what collaborating with Kris Marshall is genuinely like.

Zahra explained, “He takes his work very seriously, because he wouldn’t be as successful as he is if he didn’t. But what I really admire about Kris is his energy. It’s relentless,” reports the Express.

READ MORE: Patsy Kensit hid injury from co-stars on BBC’s Pilgrimage ‘Didn’t want to complain’READ MORE: Beyond Paradise fans ‘work out’ sad exit of Humphrey Goodman and he’s not alone

She added, “And that’s a huge responsibility when you’re at the helm of a show like that, and you’re leading the cast and crew.

“And you know, often, I might come in and feel slightly tired, or, you know, stressed or whatever, and you only need to look at Kris and go, ‘No, actually, I need to take Kris’ lead on things’. And that’s the thing I admire most.

“He’s got such great energy, he’s got such a positive attitude, he’s so warm, he’s up for a good time, he’s always finding the light-heartedness in things.

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“And I mean, it’s a real privilege to work with someone like that, because sometimes you need that, sometimes you need someone to gear you up, and he’s really great at that.”

Esther will shortly bid farewell to her daughter, Zoe Williams (portrayed by Melina Sinadinou), who revealed her wish to leave Shipton Abbott and travel overseas in Friday’s episode.

While chatting with her employer, Martha Goodman (Sally Bretton), Zoe confided that she felt restless in her life and yearned for more.

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She inadvertently mentioned she was considering relocating to Australia after encountering PC Kelby Hartford (Dylan Llewellyn). In a subtle reference to the Death in Paradise spin-off, Return to Paradise, Zoe revealed she was considering Dolphin Cove, the series’ setting.

Discussing her on-screen daughter and their dynamic and Zoe’s plans to leave, Zahra remarked, “I think this is the point. I don’t know how to say this without sounding really dramatic and probably overly dramatic.

“This is the point of no return, and I think all parents and children go through it, you know, the point where someone steps fully into adulthood, and both they and the parent realise that, and there’s a shift. There’s a massive shift.

“And I think that’s what we’re seeing here in series four, and that isn’t easy for either of them, particularly for Esther, and it throws up all sorts of issues.

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“We see that at play, and we see the cogs kind of turning, and what we do see is, with that kind of reaching a point of no return, that kind of shift, we see what a good parent Esther is, because we see how well she’s raised her daughter, and we see what a wonderful human Zoe is.”

Beyond Paradise is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

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Gethin Jones’ ‘painful’ split with singer, Helen Skelton rumours and major career change with BBC blessing

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Manchester Evening News

BBC Morning Live star Gethin Jones has stepped away from his presenting duties

Gethin Jones has temporarily left his role on BBC Morning Live to take on a new responsibility leading the Wales team at the Commonwealth Games.

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The former rugby union player has been given leave from the BBC to serve as chef de mission for his nation. The BBC Morning Live presenter will support Team Wales at this year’s Commonwealth Games, assisting athletes, representing Wales at official functions, and acting as the team’s official spokesperson.

The Welsh star has recently been in Scotland with fellow chefs de mission attending workshops, presentations and seminars ahead of the major sporting event. Gethin explained that the BBC have been “incredibly supportive” of his new role, adding: “The detail is just phenomenal.

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“Everything is geared towards the athletes being in the best environment to succeed when they come here in the summer and every day, every hour there’s something to consider.”

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Wales Online has now explored Jones’ career in the public eye, including a painful split and speculation surrounding his BBC colleague Helen Skelton.

Painful split

Jones revealed his separation from Katherine Jenkins left him struggling with depression. The couple ended their relationship in 2011 after five years together, which had included an engagement. Speaking to the Mirror in 2023, the BBC presenter revealed: “I was engaged and then breaking up, afterward, or even during that period, it was just awful. I remember doing BBC Radio 5Live and going into the toilet at 5.30 am going, ‘All right. Come on. Just focus for the next three hours, and then you can go back to being sad again.’”

He added: “I definitely had a bad bout of depression during that time.’ I was waiting for a friend to tell me what to do and they can’t do that.

“It puts so much pressure on them… you need to figure it out yourself. I saw someone, I had therapy for a couple of years and I still do my homework on that.”

Birthday getaway with Sky Sports presenter

Jones marked his 48th birthday with mate and Sky Sports presenter Pien Meulensteen. The duo travelled to Morzine for a skiing holiday earlier this year, with the BBC star posting numerous photographs on social media.

The images captured the friends unwinding in a hot tub alongside some of Meulensteen’s companions. The Sky Sports presenter, who is the daughter of former Manchester United coach Rene Meulensteen, featured in Jones’ Instagram upload as the group wore matching headwear.

Jones expressed his delight about the getaway in his caption, writing: “A quality few days in Morzine with a top class group ‘the padel princesses’. First time I went to the mountains I raced half pipe and tried a ski jump, this was around 20 years ago!

“I’ve been skiing a few times since then but decided to get my first lesson this time, and guess what, it really helped. Waiting for the queen of socials @pienmeulensteen to send some reels. Until then, here’s my offering!”

Helen Skelton rumours

Helen Skelton addressed the speculation surrounding her ‘relationship’ with Jones in an uncommon statement back in February. After her separation from rugby player Richie Myler in 2022, rumours emerged last year suggesting a potential romance between the BBC colleagues.

The duo had allegedly spent time together at an upmarket spa and appeared affectionate at the Pride of Britain Awards, where they were photographed embracing and leaning against each other on the red carpet. Nevertheless, Skelton dismissed any notion of a romantic involvement when questioned about further dates.

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She stated: “No. Well, he’s in Manchester working away, so yeah, no, all good.”

When pressed on the matter, Skelton was swift to dispel the romance speculation. She continued: “We just work together, we are not together. No, no, no. We are just work friends. They printed pictures of us at work and that we’re together because we are at work together.”

Jones shares the same view, as he emphasised their close friendship during Comic Relief in 2025. When questioned whether their 24-hour roller-skating challenge might affect their relationship, the BBC star commented: “What’s different this time is that we have each other. We’re best friends.

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“We’re very honest with one another.”

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Woman with OCD flooded with 1,000 messages after TikTok video

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Woman with OCD flooded with 1,000 messages after TikTok video

Molly Lambert, 22, shared how she lives with Pure O obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), a form where compulsions are mainly mental rather than physical.

As a teenager, she experienced intrusive sexual and violent thoughts that made her fear she was a danger to others.

After seeing a TikTok video about P-OCD – the paedophilic theme within OCD involving unwanted sexual thoughts or images about children – Molly was finally diagnosed in August 2025.

Molly Lambert, 22, developed intrusive sexual and violent thoughts as a teenager (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)

She stresses that P-OCD is not paedophilia and chose to share her story to help others suffering in silence.

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Since speaking out, she has received messages from people of all ages who have never told anyone about their intrusive thoughts. Many described years of fear, shame, and isolation, she said.

Molly, a digital PR worker and mental health advocate from Deansgate, Manchester, said: “The response has been overwhelming. People say they’ve been crying, that they’ve felt like this for years and never told anyone.

“Parents have reached out saying they have obsessions about harming their children. Some people said they ended up in psychiatric wards or tried to take their own lives.”

She believes the taboo nature of these thoughts makes them more dangerous.

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She said: “People don’t talk about it, and that makes it worse. Some messages are from people in their 50s who have been silently suffering their whole lives.

“It shows how common and hidden it is.”

Molly Lambert, 22 (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)

Molly explained that her OCD caused her to obsess over themes including harm, morality, sexuality, and existence.

She said: “It’s not being a paedophile – it’s that these thoughts exist and your brain latches onto them. OCD is all about uncertainty. It tells you ‘what if?’ and you can’t prove it wrong.”

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She described how different themes felt like “the same lie in a different disguise.”

The thoughts themselves were distressing, but she emphasised they never reflected her intentions or desires.

Unlike some forms of OCD that involve physical rituals, Molly’s compulsions were internal.

Molly said: “I would replay thoughts, overanalyse everything, check comments, and second guess myself constantly. You feel like you can’t relax.”

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She explained the cycle – resisting compulsions causes anxiety spikes, but giving in only strengthens the pattern.

Even now, stress or fatigue can make the thoughts feel stronger.

For years, she felt trapped in what she calls “dark spirals” of shame.

She said: “You think you’re a monster, that you don’t deserve to exist. The shame is in how you see yourself. Even years later, that feeling can linger.”

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Molly Lambert, 22 (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)

She believes OCD can be especially damaging during adolescence.

“When you’re figuring out who you are, OCD attacks everything and makes you question your identity.”

Her recovery has not been straightforward.

She first had therapy in 2023, which helped temporarily, but by 2024 her panic attacks worsened, leading her to try hypnotherapy. She was formally diagnosed in 2025.

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Molly said: “The aftermath of recovery is awful, the shame is still there, just quieter. You have to deal with ongoing feelings.”

She found that speaking openly was a turning point.

“Externalising it helped the most. For years I avoided talking about it, but once I did, it felt like the air cleared,” she said.

Molly also believes stigma may be even stronger for men.

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She said: “If I was a man, I’d be terrified to open up. OCD doesn’t pick gender, but men may fear being judged or accused. That’s why awareness matters – it’s not about desire or intent.”

Despite her intentions, going public has led to abuse.

She said: “I’ve been called a ‘nonce’ and told to die. I had to delete Facebook, and my mum helps manage messages.

“If people understood traditional OCD, they’d see the same patterns in other forms. Reactions can push sufferers further into themselves, and that’s why it’s dangerous.

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“Intrusive thoughts can appear suddenly and feel vivid, I could be thinking about breakfast and suddenly imagine being stabbed. OCD sticks – it’s a brain pattern.”

Pure O is particularly challenging because everything happens internally.

She said: “It feels real, even when you logically know it’s not. It’s exhausting and relentless.”

Over time, Molly has learned to sit with the thoughts rather than engage with them.

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She said: “I observe them and recognise the pattern. You have to label it so it loses power. People want it to stop immediately, but understanding it is the only way.

“That’s the advice I share those who reach out to me.

“It gives people permission to step back and realise it’s their brain – not them being a monster.”

Despite ongoing struggles, she remains determined to help others.

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Molly said: “People have sought help, got diagnosed, or realised they’re not alone after hearing my story. That’s what matters.

“I wish I had earlier awareness, it could have saved me years of suffering. People message me saying they thought they were the only ones.

“It’s heart breaking, but it shows how vital it is to talk about it.”

Molly Lambert, when she was younger (Image: William Lailey / SWNS)

Molly still experiences intrusive thoughts daily and says there is no simple fix.

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She said: “They’re the same lie in a different disguise, but recognising the pattern helps me manage them.”

She emphasises that OCD can affect anyone.

Molly said: “If even one person reaches out for help because of my story, it’s worth it. The response shows how many people are silently struggling – and how important it is to break that silence.”

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Warming that East Cleveland Hospital could be a ‘white elephant’

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Warming that East Cleveland Hospital could be a ‘white elephant’

Councillors representing Brotton said East Cleveland Hospital was under-used with an X-ray department having also been out of action for several months, although this was related to equipment failure, not staffing.

Services at the facility are commissioned by the North East Integrated Care Board (NE ICB) and delivered by the South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, part of the University Hospitals Tees group.

Councillor Graham Cutler, a Brotton ward councillor, said a minor injuries unit should be piloted at the hospital where members of the public could walk in for treatment.

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He also highlighted how Redcar and Cleveland had no 24/7 urgent care provision, unlike other areas, with Redcar Primary Care Hospital – the nearest such facility – closing at midnight.

Cllr Cutler said East Cleveland residents faced “health access inequality” and establishing a minor injuries unit could reduce unnecessary 999 ambulance calls as well as ease the pressure on Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital, which has both an A&E and urgent treatment centre.

He said some “geographically isolated” residents had experienced “massive waits” at both Redcar and Middlesbrough with others choosing to travel further afield for treatment to Whitby and Scarborough.

Services at East Cleveland Hospital, which is in Brotton, include general rehabilitation, assessment of present and future care needs, diagnostics, drug administration, blood transfusions, pain control and palliative care.

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Outpatient clinics are also held at the hospital for example for patients receiving physiotherapy.

University Hospital Tees said enabling works were required to be carried out in order to install a new X-ray machine, although this would not be until the autumn.

A spokeswoman did not directly address future plans for the community hospital, but said it was working in partnership with the NE ICB and the wider NHS to “optimise service provision”.

Councillor Cutler, along with fellow Brotton ward councillors Barry Hunt and Martin Fletcher, have persuaded members of Redcar and Cleveland Council’s adults, wellbeing and health scrutiny committee to undertake further scrutiny sessions to look at urgent care provision in the area, as well as explore potential for the delivery of additional services at East Cleveland Hospital.

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It is expected to seek information from the relevant NHS organisations and could produce a report with recommendations, which they would be required to respond to.

A recent meeting of the committee heard how  the hospital “remained a substantial and suitable building, but was currently under utilised” with potential also to deliver the likes of mental health support and drug and alcohol services.

Meanwhile, some residents were said to fear that the site could eventually close altogether and it was perceived as a “white elephant”.

Karen Hawkins, a director of delivery at the North East Integrated Care Board, covering the Tees Valley area, told the meeting upgrading East Cleveland Hospital would require significant staffing, potentially drawing resources away from other sites.

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It was suggested by the committee there could be benefit in re-examining opening times and demand patterns at the Redcar Primary Care Hospital.

Clarification was also sought on whether any discussions about service closures were taking place, with reassurance given that the intention was to integrate primary and community care within existing facilities rather than build new estates.

Cllr Hunt told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that half of the Brotton facility was not being used.

He said:  “We’ve had support from the scrutiny committee and councillors across the board.

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“They have an X-ray unit at Brotton and it hasn’t been working for ages.

“East Cleveland is missing out.

“Why do you have to go to Middlesbrough to sit for hours just to get a finger stitched?

“Someone has got to fight for this, it’s very important.”

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The University Hospital Tees spokeswoman said: “A new x-ray machine for East Cleveland Hospital has recently been purchased and plans are in place to carry out enabling works to accommodate the new machine which will allow the machine to be installed by autumn 2026.”

She said it was continuing to explore the best possible ways in which to continue the transformation of services and optimise patient experience, and “considering a range of options to ensure services are safe, sustainable and meet future needs”. 

A spokesman for the NE ICB added: “In line with the priorities outlined in the [NHS] ten year health plan, the ICB is committed to ensuring that service delivery shifts away from acute hospital settings to local communities, with a focus on prevention.  

 “As such, we are working with system partners on how we can best utilise modern facilities closer to home for physical and mental health community-based services.”

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Baby and mother among three killed after tree topples during Easter egg hunt in Germany | World News

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German police officer. Pic: iStock

A 10-month-old girl has died along with two other people after a tree toppled during an Easter egg hunt in northern Germany, police say.

The 100-foot tree fell on four people participating in the event on Sunday morning in woods near the town of Satrupholm.

The baby girl died in hospital, while her 21-year-old mother died at the scene as she was being treated by first responders, as did another 16-year-old girl.

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An 18-year-old woman suffered serious injuries and was brought to the hospital by helicopter.

The incident took place as around 50 people from a nearby residential facility for new mothers, pregnant women and children hunted for eggs in the area, which had been under a high winds warning from the German weather service.

Grief counsellors were sent to the scene, where pictures published by the Bild news site showed several Easter eggs scattered on the ground and two of the victims covered in white sheets.

The facility that held the event is part of the state-funded child welfare system and supports pregnant women and new mothers who need help, according to its website.

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Pen y Fan swarmed with people on Easter Sunday as cars fill verges

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Wales Online

The mountain got plenty of sun on Sunday and is set for ‘a lot of fine weather’ over the next few days

Pen y Fan drew a huge number of hikers on Easter Sunday. With the sun shining over south Wales’ highest peak, the car parks were so full that most visitors had to park on the grass verges of the main road.

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When our photographer visited this afternoon, there were hundreds of people enjoying the Powys mountain’s magnificent views of Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) national park.

Staff were kept busy in the car parks, while ice cream was available from a van. Make sure you never miss Wales’ biggest updates by getting our daily newsletter.

Many of the hikers brought their dogs with them.

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Sitting in the heart of the national park, the top of Pen y Fan is some 886m above sea level.

It is one of the most popular walks in Wales, with views that take in many miles of rolling hills.

If you’re thinking of a visit to Pen y Fan over the coming days, here’s what the Met Office has to say.

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“High confidence for a lot of fine weather next few days,” the mountain forecast reads. “Some uncertainty about cloud amounts, though some very warm sunshine possible Tuesday and Wednesday.

“Moderate confidence for the timing of a rain band clearing through early on Thursday, introducing cooler more changeable conditions later in the week.”

On Monday, the Met Office estimates a “medium” chance of poor visibility and “challenging route-finding conditions” on the mountain.

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“Visibility could be significantly less than 50 metres in all directions with few or no visual references,” the forecaster warns.

“Distances become hard to judge and cliff or cornice edges can be difficult to recognise. These conditions require good navigational skills. There is a risk of white-out conditions when mist or fog is combined with extensive snow cover.”

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Bordeaux tear Leicester apart to set up mouthwatering quarter-final against Toulouse

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Bordeaux tear Leicester apart to set up mouthwatering quarter-final against Toulouse

Leicester did not help themselves at times – some of the front-line defence, particularly in the first half, was woeful – but the Tigers were fighting fires everywhere. If Bielle-Biarrey, with that iconic red scrum cap, is not cutting you to shreds, then Jalibert will, or Lucu, one of European rugby’s most underrated players, will squeeze you out of the contest with his calmness, kicking and control. The ovation Lucu, Bordeaux’s scrum-half and captain, received on 50 minutes as he departed was cacophonous; as was the roar Ben Tameifuna ignited when the wardrobe-on-wheels thundered over for a score soon after coming on. If Bordeaux cannot go round you, they will go through you, instead.

Outclassed, outfought and out-thought, the challenge for Leicester now is to ensure that there is a response in the league. For Bordeaux, it might only be Toulouse who can stand between them and an historic European and domestic double.

Match details

Scoring sequence: 3-0 Lucu pen, 8-0 Woki try, 10-0 Lucu con, 15-0 Rayasi try, 20-0 Lucu try, 22-0 Lucu con, 27-0 Bielle-Biarrey try, 29-0 Lucu con, 34-0 Lamothe try, 36-0 Lucu try, 36-5 Perese try, 36-7 Searle con, 41-7 Tameifuna try, 43-7 Lucu con, 43-12 Searle con, 43-14 Searle con, 48-14 Rayasi try, 50-14 Reus con, 55-14 Retiere try, 57-14 Reus con, 62-14 Rayasi try, 64-14 Reus con.

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Bordeaux: S Rayasi; P Uberti, D Penaud, Y Moefana (Janse van Rensburg 50, Reus 51), L Bielle-Biarrey; M Jalibert, M Lucu (capt, Retiere 50); J Poirot (Perchaud 46), M Lamothe (Barlot 58), C Sadie (Tameifuna 46), B Palu, A Coleman (Bochaton 64), B Vergnes-Taillefer, C Woki, M Gazzotti (Matiu 58).

Leicester: F Steward; A Radwan, I Perese (Wand 60), J Woodward (Searle 41), O Hassell-Collins; J O’Connor, J van Poortvliet (Whiteley 54); A van der Flier (Haffar 47), J Blamire (Clare 47), W Hurd (Loman 47), H Liebenberg (c), H Wells, J Moro, J Manz (Palmer 38), O Cracknell (Henderson 54).

Referee: Andrew Brace (Wales).

Attendance: 32,930.

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Best Streaming Shows Of 2026 To Binge-Watch Over Easter Weekend

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Best Streaming Shows Of 2026 To Binge-Watch Over Easter Weekend

We’ve made it, folks. The four-day Easter weekend is here.

Many of us will be using that extended time off to get out into the world and cram as much as possible into their social calendar.

But if you’d rather use that time to catch up on some much-needed R&R at home, we salute you.

If that sounds appealing, the four-day break might seem like a great opportunity to catch up on the best telly of 2026 that you’ve been too busy to check out until now.

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With that in mind, here are 17 of the year’s best TV offerings if you’re looking for something to binge during your downtime…

After an extended break, fans finally made a return visit to the ’Ton earlier this year, for a new love story with Luke Thompson’s Benedict Bridgerton at its heart.

Fans loved seeing the Cinderella story between Benedict and Yerin Ha’s Sophie Baek playing out (even if there were a few uncomfortable bumps in the road), while the slow developments between his sister Francesca and intriguing newcomer Michaela Stirling set things up nicely for the period drama’s upcoming game-changing fifth season.

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Alright, this isn’t strictly a new show for 2026, but it wasn’t until this year that UK viewers were finally able to stream The Pitt for themselves, after the medical drama’s huge success over the last year.

Excitingly, once you’ve seen the gripping story play out in real time over the course of a 15-hour shift, season two is already underway, with new episodes of Noah Wyle’s award-winning series dropping weekly for those who’ve already binged its first outing.

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Like The Pitt, Heated Rivalry gained a frenzied following when it premiered across the pond in 2025, with fans on this side of the Atlantic finally getting their chance to see what all the fuss is about back in January.

The romantic sports drama about two closeted hockey players carrying out a passionate love affair behind closed doors has already become the most talked-about show in the world (thanks in no small part to its much-revered sex scenes), making household names of its stars Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, not to mention inspiring a thousand memes in the process.

Stream it on: Sky, Now and HBO Max

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Rivalries – albeit of a very different nature – don’t come much more heated than the back-stabbing antics in Claudia Winkleman’s castle.

Every year, we wonder how The Traitors is going to best what came before it, and after Alan Carr’s antics in the show’s inaugural celebrity run, the bar was high.

Still, thanks to some jaw-dropping twists, tense tests of loyalty and, it has to be said, some cinematically blazing rows, season four of the Bafta-winning reality show had us gripped all over again.

If, for some reason, you were too busy in January to commit to it properly at the time, enough time has finally passed for you to jump into the latest season without inevitably having it spoiled for you.

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Stream it on: BBC iPlayer

And speaking of dramatic twists – Netflix’s His & Hers had all the usual hallmarks of a streaming thriller, culminating in a genuinely batshit ending that will no doubt still be held up as one of 2026’s most unexpected twists when we’re counting down the year’s biggest TV moments in December.

Starring Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, the limited series focussed on a former TV news anchor who pulls herself out of retirement when she discovers she has a connection to an intriguing murder case.

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Between Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights and Dolly Alderton’s upcoming spin on Pride & Prejudice, it’s safe to say that 2026 is a big year for period dramas and adaptations of classic works of English literature.

For those Austen-heads who can’t wait for Netflix’s spin on the Regency author’s most famous work, the BBC recently unveiled The Other Bennet Sister, which takes a look at the events of Pride & Prejudice from the perspective of one of its most overlooked characters, before focussing solely on Mary’s own personal journey away from her family and sisters.

The series is currently mid-way through, with two more instalments expected on Sunday, ahead of the grand finale on 12 April.

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Stream it on: BBC iPlayer

While House Of The Dragon largely gave Game Of Thrones fans what they were missing when it premiered in 2022, the franchise’s latest spin-off took a completely different approach altogether.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms takes a decidedly more irreverent and tongue-in-cheek approach, focussing more on humour and the relationships between its characters than the bloodshed and drama that have become synonymous with the Game Of Thrones universe.

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Stream it on: Sky, Now and HBO Max

As the title suggested, Netflix’s latest must-see documentary gave everyone who was hooked on Top Model back in the day a “reality check” about what actually went into the show that had the whole world talking at its peak.

In addition to former contestants sharing their highs and lows, Reality Check was also notable in that it featured an on-camera interview with Tyra Banks about her time at the helm of the show, for the first time since it became re-examined and scrutinised in the 2020s.

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The acclaimed drama about the inner workings of London’s financial sector continues to go from strength to strength, with its latest run of episodes continuing to garner critical acclaim.

Marisa Abela and Kit Harington continue to win praise for their performances, with the finale taking a dramatic and deeply unsettling turn, echoing timely events from the real world, ahead of the show’s final outing in 2027.

Stream it on: BBC iPlayer

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While the fast pace and dramatic events of shows like Industry make for gripping viewing, Netflix was trying something very different with its nature documentary The Dinosaurs.

Almost ASMR-esque in its slower approach (complete with narration from the unmistakable Morgan Freeman) the four-part companion series to Life On Our Planet throws it back a million or 60 years to when dinosaurs roamed the earth.

The Dinosaurs proved to be a hit with both critics and viewers due to its compelling storytelling and impressive CGI rendering of our reptilian predecessors.

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If you love nothing more than a cosy night in with a nature documentary and a cup of something warm then trust us when we say this is essential viewing.

Similarly, Netflix’s second season of The Boyfriend makes for the best kind of cosy viewing.

If you think you’re done with dating shows, trust us when we say that The Boyfriend is tearing up the reality rule book for the better, ditching the dramatic reveals, shocking twists and often-unpleasant backstabbing and rowing for something much more gentler in nature.

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The reality show introduces us to a host of LGBTQ+ Japanese men who move into a house together and are tasked with running a coffee van as a group, with the hopes that the bonds that form between them could be the beginnings of lasting romance.

With no obvious producer interference and some genuinely lovely casting choices, this less extreme take on dating shows feels like an antidote to the likes of Married At First Sight, Too Hot To Handle and even Love Island, that have become the norm on the TV landscape over the last decade.

Harlan Coben adaptations on Netflix have become as much a part of the New Year as malfunctioning party poppers and Jools Holland’s Hootenanny in recent history – and the new offering for 2026 was Run Away.

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While it didn’t quite cut through in the same way as Fool Me Once or The Stranger have in the past, it still ticked all the boxes you’d hope for from a Coben mystery, from its central premise about someone’s past coming to haunt them to its predominantly British cast, which included the likes of Minnie Driver, Ingrid Oliver, Alfred Enoch, James Nesbitt and Gavin & Stacey’s Ruth Jones.

One for any horror fanatics out there, Netflix made another attempt at mixing screaming and streaming in 2026, with the result being the unsettling series Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen.

The show introduces us to a young couple on the verge of their wedding day, who – as the title suggests – have their whole world turned upside down as things for them slowly start falling apart at the seams.

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We’re keeping the nature of the “something very bad” under wraps because this show really is best approached with no knowledge of what’s to come – but be warned that this is definitely not one for the faint of heart.

The most recent addition to our list is Him & Her and Marriage creator Stefan Golaszewski’s latest modern-day kitchen sink drama.

Described as “hard-hitting”, “intense” and “bittersweet” by critics, Babies stars Paapa Essiedu and Siobhán Cullen as a young couple trying to get on with their lives while grappling with fertility issues and pregnancy loss.

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Obviously, due to its subject matter, this drama could be triggering and upsetting for many, but it’s worth saying that the show also manages to weave in humour to counterbalance its darker moments.

Stream it on: BBC iPlayer

Lisa McGee’s first show since the mammoth success of Derry Girls saw her taking the best parts of her original hit series and applying them to a whole new genre and format.

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In How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, the action centres around a group of grown-up former school friends who are yanked back into their past following the sudden death of an old classmate with whom they were once close.

As you’d expect in a mystery series like this one, all is not as it seems, and as the central trio try to piece together exactly what their old pal found herself caught up in, skeletons from years gone by refuse to stay unburied.

True to form, though, the show works as well as a comedy as it does a drama, with the chemistry of its main cast being the show’s driving force as much as the slow unravelling of its key mystery.

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Last One Laughing earned a cult following when it premiered last year – and with its second iteration, it’s broken through in a big way.

People trying not to laugh at increasingly hilarious and ridiculous situations is always going to make for compulsive viewing, but when you throw in a stellar cast that includes man of the moment Alan Carr, cult fave Diane Morgan and the show’s reigning champion Bob Mortimer, you’ve got the stuff of TV gold.

Stream it on: Amazon Prime Video

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Netflix kept fans waiting the better part of three years for the second instalment of One Piece, but their patience was rewarded with a new set of adventures earning season two that coveted 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

Adapted from the hugely popular anime and manga series, the latest run of the live-action One Piece featured even more of what fans loved about the original season and dialled it up to eleven – making us even more excited for what’s coming next for the franchise.

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Man who left the UK for Australia realises ‘three things are better at home’

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Daily Mirror

Luke Tweddle, 25, has spent three years living in Australia and admits it’s better overall – but he’s planning to return to the UK and says England still excels in three key areas

A British expat living in Australia has proclaimed it a “better country” than England – yet he insists there are still three aspects of the UK that remain superior.

Luke Tweddle, 25, from Surrey, has spent the past three years living in various locations across Oz, including Adelaide and Sydney, and currently resides in Perth with his girlfriend. Despite pointing out numerous advantages to life in Australia, particularly the weather and overall lifestyle, he is due to return to England before long.

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In his latest travel vlog, the content creator addressed one of the most frequently asked questions – ‘Is Life In Australia Actually Better Than The UK?’

READ MORE: Donald Trump’s sweary Iran war rant decoded by expert – FOUR key ‘hoax’ momentsREAD MORE: Royal Family’s newest members join William and Kate for debut at Easter service

Speaking to his subscribers, he said: “Everyone always says that life in Australia is way better than life in the UK. But as a 25-year-old Brit that obviously grew up in the UK and then spent three years living in Australia, the answer actually isn’t that simple.

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“Because depending on which part of life you are looking at, Australia wins in some ways. And believe it or not, the UK does actually win in some ways as well,” reports Surrey Live.

Nightlife

Concerning one area where the UK comfortably outshines Down Under, Luke said: “There is one side to the social life though that I do think the UK does a lot better than Australia and that is the nightlife and the whole night-time culture.”

He pointed out that Australian culture was considerably more geared towards early mornings, popping to coffee shops, strolling along beaches and outdoor exercise. Luke added that the nightlife wasn’t especially remarkable even in the major cities.

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He said: “To be honest, if you are 18, 19 years old and nightlife is a priority, I actually wouldn’t recommend Australia because you’re just going to be disappointed with the nightlife.”

Luke observed that even he, having spent three years in Australia, has transformed into more of an early riser, noting that many venues don’t stay open until the small hours.

Activities

When it comes to things to do, Luke praised both countries, saying there was a similar range of activities available. However, he highlighted that in Australia, leisure pursuits were heavily reliant on good weather conditions.

He explained: “The only negative is when it does get to winter time, Australia literally hibernates because I don’t feel like there’s anywhere near as many activities, it is all so reliant on the weather.

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“Obviously in the UK where we cannot rely on the weather at all, pretty much every activity is okay to do whatever the weather is, and a big part of the activities are inside.”

He added: “Obviously, in the UK, if you don’t care about the sun, and being outside, the UK has got lots to do. Sports are great in the UK, the pub culture is great, and there are a lot more indoor activities.”

Location

He explained that the biggest challenge about residing in Australia was the enormous distance from home, and being apart from friends and family. Luke characterised this element of staying in Australia long-term as the “real negative”.

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He continued: “And unless you really make a close circle here in Australia I feel like no matter how long you stay here, you will never make as many connections as you have back home, especially someone like me who’s got a lot of friends and family back home and just Australia’s location in general…

“Aussies won’t be affected because they’ve grown up with that. That’s all they know and everyone they know is here. But if you’ve moved from the UK and been in Australia for a while, it is a really deciding factor when it comes to saying or leaving.”

Final thoughts

In the same video, which you can watch in full here, Luke highlighted all the benefits of Australia compared to England. He acknowledged the wages were better, the work environment was more laid-back, the scenery was more beautiful, public transport was more dependable and that it typically felt safer.

Yet in conclusion, he observed: “Now if you ask me which county do I think is better? The answer is obvious… Australia wins in nearly every way. But it’s a weird situation where that’s the case, but I also don’t want to stay, and I think a lot of Brits will relate to this.”

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Explosives with ‘devastating power’ found near pipeline supplying Russian gas to Hungary and Serbia | World News

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Mr Orban (L) and Mr Vucic (pictured in November) warned the consequences could have been dire. Pic: Reuters

Explosives of “devastating power” have been found near a pipeline supplying Russian gas to Hungary and Serbia, according to Serbia’s president.

Aleksandar Vucic said two backpacks with “large packages of explosives” had been left a few hundred metres from the Balkan Stream pipeline.

It’s an extension of the Turk Stream pipeline that carries gas from Russia under the Black Sea to Turkey.

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Mr Vucic said millions could have been cut off if the explosives had detonated.

“I just had a talk with [Hungarian prime minister] Viktor Orban, and informed him that if the gas pipeline had been cut there, Hungary would not have had gas and we in northern Serbia would not have had gas,” he told reporters.

Mr Vucic warned anyone trying to destroy Serbia’s infrastructure would face a “merciless” response and “harsh and severe punishment”.

On Instagram, he said the explosives potentially had “devastating power”.

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Mr Orban, who arranged an emergency defence council meeting for Sunday afternoon, said on X “the equipment needed to detonate it” had also been discovered.

The incident comes seven days before Hungarian voters decide whether to extend his 16 years in power.

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His party is currently behind in the polls, although many people say they are still undecided on who to back.

Read more from Sky News:
German men could need military permission to leave country
Pepsi withdraws from festival after Kanye West booking

Mr Orban, who is seen as one of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s closest allies in Europe, increased security around the country’s energy infrastructure in February and has framed the election as a choice between war or peace.

The Hungarian leader has often been a thorn in the side of other EU nations and last month blocked a €90bn loan to Ukraine.

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Rory McIlroy’s Masters call works out as emotional Tiger Woods statement released

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Belfast Live

The Masters is almost upon us as the golfing elite prepare to descend upon Augusta this coming week for the first major of the year

The Masters is just around the corner as golf’s finest prepare to make their way to Augusta this week. The opening major of the season is always amongst the most eagerly awaited events in the sporting calendar, but 2026 looks set to be especially memorable.

Rory McIlroy will arrive in Georgia as defending champion, hoping to claim consecutive titles. The Northern Irishman finally achieved the career Grand Slam by securing his maiden Green Jacket last year, though his build-up to this year’s tournament has been far from straightforward.

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A back problem has limited the champion’s recent appearances, meaning McIlroy hasn’t competed as frequently as he would have liked. However, a lighter schedule may prove beneficial given the recent weather disruption at the Valero Texas Open.

There had been speculation that Tiger Woods might make his comeback at what is arguably his most legendary venue. However, that will not materialise, while one golfing icon has shared his thoughts on Woods’ recent arrest in the latest headlines from the sport.

Weather Chaos Hits Texas Open

Despite some questions over McIlroy’s reduced activity ahead of the Masters, his choice to bypass this weekend’s Texas Open has proved wise. Severe weather in the Lone Star State forced organisers to halt the tournament on Saturday. Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre held a two-shot lead over Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Aberg when the third round was suspended on Saturday. Play had already been delayed for six hours on Saturday before officials eventually decided to abandon the day’s proceedings.

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The concern now centres on the possibility of play extending into Monday. MacIntyre and Aberg had completed just six holes of their third round when play was halted, leaving a substantial amount of golf still to be played before a champion is crowned.

This justifies the choice made by the likes of McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and other Masters contenders to bypass the tournament. Rather than waiting around for play to restart, they can focus on their Augusta preparations in a more productive way while their competitors endure a challenging weekend, though they forfeit the opportunity to compete for their share of the £7.4million prize fund.

Nicklaus addresses Woods arrest

Jack Nicklaus has expressed his support for Woods following the golf legend’s recent arrest for driving under the influence. Woods was apprehended after crashing his vehicle in Jupiter, Florida, with footage subsequently emerging of him appearing agitated during his arrest and while in the rear of a police vehicle.

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Discussing the incident ahead of the Masters, Nicklaus said his longtime friend “needs help” after this latest incident. Woods had been anticipated to make some form of appearance at the Masters but has since announced he’ll be taking time away from golf to concentrate on his wellbeing. Nicklaus shared with the Palm Beach Post: “Sometimes you get, you know, too far down the line and you just need somebody to help you. I think he probably needs some help.

“We all want to help him. We’re all on his side. Obviously, I feel bad for Tiger. I like Tiger. I don’t just like him, I like him a lot.”

Rose’s caddie’s admission

Justin Rose’s caddie has revealed the British star can be demanding at times. Rose, aged 45, has experienced a revival in recent years and garnered considerable fan support following second-place finishes at both the Masters and The Open over the past two seasons.

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He’s also played a crucial role in Europe’s victorious Ryder Cup campaigns in 2023 and 2025. Yet caddie Mark Fulcher acknowledged that such success requires those around him to maintain peak performance levels.

In conversation with Beyond The Clubhouse, Fulcher commented: “He’s tough, at times, but he’s also very fair. He puts in 100% effort, and all he expects of his team members is to put in the same, so if we all do that, then nothing can be said at the end of the week.

“We’re talking about what he needs at a certain time, and energy conservation is really important. He’s 45, incredibly fit, amazingly fit for his age, but we all have to understand that, you know, Father Time is catching up.

“We have to be aware of the boundaries. I think we’re all pretty good at controlling them.”

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