North Yorkshire Council’s Selby and Ainsty area planning committee will consider the outline application for land at Highfield House on Church Fenton Lane, Ulleskelf, next week.

The plans propose the demolition of an existing property and its replacement with seven detached houses.

Planning officers acknowledge that most of the site falls within open countryside, where residential development would not normally be allowed.

Ulleskelf Parish Council raised this as a concern in its response and said this could set a precedent for future, larger-scale applications on adjacent land.

The council received 19 letters of objection from local residents, as well as one in support.

As well as much of the the site being outside the development limits for the village, concerns were raised about highway safety and increased congestion, no affordable homes being proposed and not enough local services to cope with extra residents.

However, the officer’s report concluded that the council’s inability to demonstrate a five-year supply of housing land qualified as exceptional circumstances.

The report states that while the proposal conflicted with local policy in principle, the site was closely related to the existing settlement and would represent a logical extension to the village.

Officers also noted that Ulleskelf was classed as a designated service village, with access to a range of facilities including a primary school, village hall, post office, pub and public transport links to York, Leeds and surrounding towns.

Officers conclude that the development would make an effective use of land, contribute to housing supply, and deliver economic and social benefits, including support for local services.

Officers recommended that the plans be passed when councillors meet on Monday next week (February 16).

EastEnders has confirmed it will follow the journey of Davinder “Nugget” Gulati, played by Juhaim Rasul Choudhury, who will be diagnosed with the condition after experiencing symptoms linked to a recent head injury.

Monday’s episode saw Nugget experience his first seizure following several spells of disorientation and confusion since returning home from the hospital last month.

The long-running soap will show how Nugget adapts to living with the condition and how it impacts his daily life.

EastEnders to run epilepsy storyline

Producers are working with the Epilepsy Society to raise awareness and ensure the story is portrayed accurately and as sensitively as possible.

Clare Pelham, chief executive at the Epilepsy Society, said: “One in 100 people has epilepsy, yet many keep it hidden because of stigma.

“That’s why we were delighted when EastEnders asked for our advice on portraying Nugget’s epilepsy story accurately.

“EastEnders has a powerful record of tackling tough issues.

“By showing what seizures are really like and how to support someone with epilepsy, Nugget’s story can spark conversations, reduce stigma, and help bring the condition out of the shadows.”

EastEnders‘ executive producer, Ben Wadey, said: “We are committed to portraying Nugget’s journey authentically and with sensitivity, so have sought advice from the Epilepsy Society to ensure an accurate representation of the challenges a young person may face following their diagnosis”.

8 most iconic British soap characters of all time

What is epilepsy?

Epilepsy is a condition that affects the brain and causes seizures, according to the NHS.

It cannot currently be cured, but treatment can often help manage it.

Symptoms of epilepsy often start in young children and people aged over 50, but can happen at any age.

You can find out more about the neurological disorder via the NHS and Epilepsy Society websites (linked above).

Along with HBO content, the platform will also feature Warner Bros Pictures, Warner Bros Television, DC Studios and Max Originals shows and movies.

HBO Max will premiere on March 26, and will see TNT Sports subscribers access their subscription on the platform.

It will also be available to watch through hbomax.com and its launch partners, which include Sky and Prime Video.

We’ve come a long way. #Euphoria pic.twitter.com/FDdJ3OmOkF

— euphoria (@euphoriaHBO) February 9, 2026

HBO Max now joins other active streaming services in the UK, such as Netflix, Disney+ and Apple TV, but it comes at a cost.

How much will HBO Max cost in the UK?

HBO Max’s UK and Ireland platform will offer four different subscription plans starting at £4.99 per month, with viewers able to access the complete HBO Max entertainment line-up, including recently released movies, from £5.99 per month.

All four HBO Max subscription plans in the UK and Ireland are as follows:

Basic with ads – £4.99/month

• Stream on 2 devices at once
• Full HD video resolution
• Not all movies included

Standard with ads – £5.99/month

• All the best HBO Max shows and movies
• Stream on 2 devices at once
• Full HD video resolution
• 30 downloads (limits apply)

Standard – £9.99/month

• All the best HBO Max shows and movies
• Stream on 2 devices at once
• Full HD video resolution
• 30 downloads (limits apply)

Premium – £14.99/month

• The ultimate HBO Max experience with all the best HBO Max shows and movies
• Stream on 4 devices at once
• 4K UHD & Dolby Atmos as available
• 100 downloads (limits apply)

TNT Sports – £30.99/month

• Stream on 2 devices at once
• 4K UHD & Dolby Atmos as available
• Live football, rugby, tennis, and more in 2026

What films and TV shows will be on HBO Max in the UK?

A range of exclusives will be available to watch on HBO Max in the UK, such as the full first season of award-winning Max Original The Pitt, which will debut on the British and Irish version from launch.

Content on the streaming platform will also include new seasons of Euphoria and House Of The Dragon, and the debut of Lanterns from DC Studios, while films will include Superman, One Battle After Another, Sinners, A Minecraft Movie and Dune: Part One.

Succession, Friends, The Sopranos and Game of Thrones will also be made available exclusively on HBO Max.

Andrew Georgiou, president and managing director at Warner Bros Discovery in the UK and Ireland, commented: “Launching HBO Max in the UK & Ireland marks a significant moment for viewers here.

“HBO Max will offer them their most loved series and movies from HBO, Warner Bros and DC Studios, alongside premium sports from TNT Sports in the UK, within an outstanding single destination for this great content and strong value proposition.

“Nowhere else will you be able to get The Pitt, House Of The Dragon, Euphoria, Lanterns, Superman, One Battle After Another, as well as the eagerly awaited Harry Potter series, all together.”

HBO Max will be available across all major devices, including select phones, tablets, computers, TVs, streaming players, set-top boxes, and game consoles.

Recommended reading:

Users just need to make sure their devices are updated to the latest version when HBO Max launches.

Sign up for HBO Max in the UK and Ireland via the platform’s official website (a link to which can be found above) from March 26.

Let us know if you will be subscribing to HBO Max in the UK by leaving a comment below.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. Navy’s top uniformed officer wants to convince commanders to use smaller, newer assets for missions instead of consistently turning to huge aircraft carriers — as seen now in the American military buildups off Venezuela and Iran.

Adm. Daryl Caudle’s vision — what he calls his “ Fighting Instructions ” — calls for the Navy to deploy more tailored groups of ships and equipment that would offer the sea service more flexibility to respond to crises as they develop.

The new strategy comes as the Trump administration has moved aircraft carriers and other ships to regions around the world as concerns have cropped up, often disrupting standing deployment plans, scrambling ships to sail thousands of miles and putting increasing strain on vessels and equipment that are already facing mounting maintenance issues.

The world’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, was redirected late last year from the Mediterranean Sea to the Caribbean Sea, where the crew ultimately supported last month’s operation to capture then-Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. And two weeks ago, the USS Abraham Lincoln arrived in the Middle East as tensions with Iran rise, having been pulled from the South China Sea.

In a recent interview with The Associated Press before the document’s rollout, Caudle said his strategy would make the Navy’s presence in regions like the Caribbean much leaner and better tailored to meet actual threats.

Caudle said he’s already spoken with the commander of U.S. Southern Command, which encompasses the Caribbean and Venezuela, “and we’re in negotiation on what his problem set is — I want to be able to convey that I can meet that with a tailored package there.”

Admiral sees a smaller contingent in the Caribbean in the future

Speaking broadly, Caudle said he envisions the mission in the Caribbean focusing more on interdictions and keeping an eye on merchant shipping.

The U.S. military has already seized multiple suspicious and falsely flagged tankers connected with Venezuela that were part of a global shadow fleet of merchant vessels that help governments evade sanctions.

“That doesn’t really require a carrier strike group to do that,” Caudle said, adding that he believes the mission could be done with some smaller littoral combat ships, Navy helicopters and close coordination with the Coast Guard.

The Navy has had 11 ships, including the Ford and several amphibious assault ships with thousands of Marines, in South American waters for months. It is a major shift for a region that has historically seen deployments of one or two smaller Navy ships.

“I don’t want a lot of destroyers there driving around just to actually operate the radar to get awareness on motor vessels and other tankers coming out of port,” Caudle said. “It’s really not a well-suited match for that mission.”

Turning to drones or robotic systems

To compensate, Caudle envisions leaning more heavily on drones or other robotic systems to offer military commanders the same capabilities but with less investment from Navy ships. He acknowledges this will not be an easy sell.

Caudle said even if a commander knows about a new capability, the staff “may not know how to ask for that, integrate it, and know how to employ it in an effective way to bring this new niche capability to bear.”

“That requires a bit of an education campaign here,” he later added.

President Donald Trump has favored large and bold responses from the Navy and has leaned heavily toward displays of firepower.

Trump has referred to aircraft carriers and their accompanying destroyers as armadas and flotillas. He also revived the historic battleship title for a planned type of ship that would sport hypersonic missiles, nuclear cruise missiles, rail guns and high-powered lasers.

If built, the proposed “Trump-class battleship” would be longer and larger than the World War II-era Iowa-class battleships, though the Navy has not only struggled to field some of the technologies that Trump says will be aboard but it has had challenges building even smaller, less sophisticated ships on time and on budget.

Given this trend, Caudle said if the Lincoln’s recent redeployment to the Middle East were to happen under his new plan, he would talk with the Indo-Pacific commander about how to compensate for the loss.

“So, as Abraham Lincoln comes out, I’ve got a three ship (group) that’s going to compensate for that,” Caudle suggested as an example.

Caudle argues that his vision already is in place and working in Europe and North America “for the last four or five years.”

He said this could apply soon in the Bering Strait, which separates Russia and Alaska, noting that “the importance of the Arctic continues to get more and more prevalent” as China, Russia and the U.S. prioritize the region.

Trump has cited the threat from China and Russia in his demands to take over Greenland, the Arctic island overseen by NATO ally Denmark.

Caudle said he knows he needs to offer the commanders in that region “more solutions” and his “tailored force packages would be a way to get after that.”

The Tuesday letters page discusses the drawbacks of digital downloads, as one reader is unimpressed by the recent leaks concerning Xbox.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The big day
So maybe Sony read that Reader’s Feature at the weekend, about them turning things around after Horizon Hunters Gathering, because now we know they’re planning a major State of Play this week, almost as big as a not-E3. I know the advice is never to get too excited about these things but it’s pretty hard not to.

I think they’re definitely hinting at a new game annoucement, so I’m hoping for something new from Santa Monica Studio (God Of War), Bluepoint Games (Demon’s Souls remake) or Bend Studio (Days Gone). But it could be Asobi (Astro Boy) too or maybe Media Molecule (LittleBigPlanet) too.

I think they’ve got some other studios but I think they’re all live service, so let’s hope it’s not that. Although the internet outrage would be hilarious if the mic drop final annoucement is another generic looking online co-op shooter.

Of course, I hope for Bloodborne news, but who could possibly guess whether that’s possible or not, a decade after it came out and Sony immediately started ignoring it, for no good reason.

I also hope for surprises. Good surprises of games and announcements we can never guess at, because they’re the best. Although given how accurate rumours have been lately, I’m not sure we’ll get that chance.
Gauntlett

Just according to keikaku
More than an hour of State of Play? That has got to have something good, right? Even by accident you’d have to have some interesting things in that, just by the sheer length of it. To me it sounds like they are getting ready to announce some thing big, maybe the next game from the God Of War guys? I think the rumour was it wasn’t going to be God Of War either, so a new IP would be great.

I do agree with the complaints about Sony’s output this generation but the problem for them is I think they’ve realised their mistake – that was probably why Jim Ryan left – but it’s going to take ages for all their studios to stop what they were doing and making something else. Plus, Sony would never admit they messed up, so they have to pretend this was the plan all along.

If they start making good from now on though I’m more than happy to forgive them. We all just want to play good games, not moan at publishers all day.
Booner

Curiouser and curiouser
Nintendo is acting really weird at the moment. I know some people have tried to say it’s just their usual attitude, but the lack of news and the choices of Switch 2 games really don’t make any sense to me and I can’t believe they don’t see that.

But now I find out that they’ve done nothing to clamp down on any of the Pokémon leaks and even a lot of the teraleak stuff is still floating around. The Nintendo I know would’ve had that stuff shut down in a microsecond and their lawyers let loose on the culprits.

Not that I want people to get caught, you understand, but it just seems so out of character. Especially as the new leaks do look legit. They don’t give much away, but I’d be surprised if they weren’t real.
Lotus

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Recent development
Just reading through some of the weekend Reader’s Features and noted that Trepsils wrote ‘if there’s no more new live service games announced, or at least an equal number of single-player ones, then maybe the mistakes of the PlayStation 5 era can finally be undone.’

Out of curiosity I had a quick look at Sony’s first party releases this gen, and I can see plenty of single-player titles (admittedly including some remasters and VR games), compared to… two live service games (Concord and Helldivers 2), which surprised me. I appreciate that more were initially planned, but in terms of output, that doesn’t seem to warrant the narrative?
Matt (he_who_runs_away – PSN ID)

GC: Sony’s live service obsession didn’t start until a couple of years into the generation, at which point 12 were planned, tying up almost all their first party studios. Since 2023 they’ve only released one completely new, internally developed, non-VR, non-live service game per year. Two are planned this year: Saros and Marvel’s Wolverine.

Out of service
I’m just playing Lylat Wars (Star Fox 64) via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.

Hitting the eight switches on the Forever Train level, to send the enemy train off course and blow up, was always one of my favourite 64-bit gaming memories. The Rumble Pak still rumbles like crazy during the explosion afterwards. I’m sure my fellow GC readers who pulled this off back in the day will remember it fondly.
Adams6legend

No access
To the point others were making about digital games and LeeDappa’s mention of disappearing digital media, my internet was down for three days last weekend and I couldn’t play any of the installed games on my hard drive. Granted that’s not dozens and dozens, when they can exceed 150GB and the smallest may only be a measly 20GB , but of the 10 or so installed, Game Pass games and digital purchases, I could play exactly none of them. ‘This game needs an internet connection to play’ being the joyful message I was faced with time and again.

Perhaps I could of played Tekken 8, being my last physical purchase, but it wasn’t installed so I’ll never know, but probably not, or only in a reduced capacity.

So the future sucks, media that can be taken down or removed completely, issues out of your control meaning your purchases (rented properties) can’t be accessed and the fear of ever-increasing prices. Great.

Luckily, I had my Mega Drive Mini, which I got at Christmas, plug in and play, no issues at all and now with the added bonus of saves. So I scum-saved my way to six Chaos emeralds on Sonic 2. Ha ha, one more to go for an easy run to the finish!
big boy bent

Messy leak
All these leaks and rumours about Xbox right now and all it does it make them seem like even more of a mess. They are so obviously just throwing things against the wall, seeing what will stick, and so far nothing has.

They’re making a handheld, and a PC/console hybrid, and beefing up Game Pass, and counting on steaming being the future… it’s just endless stuff and nothing coherent or appealing. As usual, they seem to consider making good games to be a very low priority, behind all this other nonsense.

People say they have their best line-up ever this year, but I’ve never heard that from Microsoft themselves. Their summer not-E3 show better be the best ever or they might as well pack up shop for good.
Cordon

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No shows
State Of Play has been announced for February 12th. An hour long in length, which is the longest presentation ever and the most high risk. They usually run at half that length, but with added length, comes heightened expectations. You never know what to expect from Sony, but people and fans alike continue to buy into hype. Since it is quintessentially a showcase event, perhaps it makes sense to expect heavy hitters and indie delights. But I can absolutely say that Marathon will definitely be there. Since it has an open beta soon, it will be shown for sure.

Not too sure about Marvel’s Wolverine, since it was stated we’d see more in spring. I’ll just say that Kingdom Hearts 4 will not make an appearance. We pray for it time and time again, but Square Enix continues to disappoint. Maybe they could make our night and reveal the third instalment of the Final Fantasy 7 remake trilogy. It would be perfect for me personally, because I’m doing a run of the two games currently, starting with Intergrade and then Rebirth. Absolutely a good next playthrough, after beating Ghost Of Yōtei

But I also hope to see pre-orders go live, for the hotly anticipated Phantom Blade 0. It looks awesome and it’s the perfect event to announce it. I’m not too sure what the final reveal could be, but it’s certainly without a shadow of a doubt, not GTA 6. Many will predict it is, but it is absolutely never happening.

My guess is Intergalactic: The Heretic Prophet. We’ve yet to see gameplay, or even a cohesive look at the project. Naughty Dog have kept silent for long enough. Hopefully it shows up, but my expectations are very low. I hope for a memorable event, but I always do and I end up disappointed a majority of the time. But I can just feel the mobile and indie game domination coming. It is inevitable.

A final note. Bloodborne isn’t happening boss. No dice.
Shahzaib Sadiq

GC: Many State of Plays are around 40 minutes long. The longest before this week was 55 minutes.

Inbox also-rans
I take the news about hardly anyone working on Horizon Zero Dawn 3 to mean that it is being planned as a PlayStation 6 launch game. People called it ages ago and it always made sense to me.
Skella

Am I the only one that wishes they were starting the God Of War TV show in Greece? If it’s super popular they could’ve led up to the Norse stuff. Seems a bit shortsighted.
Benjy Dog

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The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: What will be the best game of 2026?

MORE: Games Inbox: Is Bethesda overrated as a game developer?

MORE: Games Inbox: What will a post-GTA 6 video games industry be like?

“I just want to share a few thoughts as we enter another week of this nightmare,” Guthrie says, appearing alone in the latest video, in contrast to previous recordings where she has appeared with her siblings. “She was taken, and we don’t know where. And we need your help,” Guthrie says.

The police officer was responding to an emergency when they drove into the car trap

A police officer has been suspended from driving after getting stuck in the notorious car trap on the Guided Busway in Cambridgeshire. Cambridgeshire Police has confirmed a police car got stuck in the car trap on Station Road in St Ives on Saturday, February 7.

The police car was responding to an emergency when it became stuck in the car trap at around 12:40am. The police have reported that no one was injured during the incident.

The vehicle was recovered from the area at around 3am. An investigation into the crash is underway.

A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire Police said: “A police vehicle was responding to an emergency when it became stuck in a car trap in Station Road, St Ives at about 12.40am on 7 February. No injuries sustained.

“Vehicle was recovered by about 3am. The officer has been suspended from driving while an investigation takes place.”

To get more breaking news and top stories delivered directly to your phone, join our new WhatsApp community. Click this link to receive your daily dose of CambridgeshireLive content.

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The NHS has warned that taking too much vitamin D over a long period can damage the body

The NHS has issued a warning for anyone consuming vitamin D, stating that excessive intake over extended periods could lead to a potentially fatal condition. UK health authorities recommend taking vitamin D supplements, especially during the winter.

The health service has stated: “From October to March we can’t make enough vitamin D from sunlight. To keep bones and muscles healthy, it’s best to take a daily 10 microgram supplement of vitamin D. You can get vitamin D from most pharmacies and retailers.”

Vitamin D supplements are affordable with 400 tablets available for under £8 online, equating to less than 2p daily. Vitamin D has also been linked to a reduced risk of dementia.

Research conducted in France found that individuals with vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L were almost three times more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Those at increased risk of vitamin D deficiency, all children aged between 1 and 4, and all babies (unless they’re consuming more than 500ml of infant formula daily) should take a daily supplement throughout the year.

However, both pharmacists and the NHS have issued warnings about the dangers of overdosing on vitamin D through excessive consumption over extended periods. The NHS has highlighted that this can lead to a condition damaging the kidneys and heart: “Taking too many vitamin D supplements over a long period of time can cause too much calcium to build up in the body (hypercalcaemia). This can weaken the bones and damage the kidneys and the heart.”

The NHS advises: “If you choose to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms a day will be enough for most people. Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful. This applies to adults, including pregnant and breastfeeding women and the elderly, and children aged 11 to 17 years.”

For younger children, the guidelines are different: “Youngsters aged 1 to 10 years shouldn’t have more than 50 micrograms (2,000 IU) daily. Babies under 12 months shouldn’t have more than 25 micrograms (1,000 IU) daily.”

The NHS further clarified: “Some people have medical conditions that mean they may not be able to safely take as much. If in doubt, you should consult your doctor.

If your doctor has recommended you take a different amount of vitamin D, you should follow their advice.

“You cannot overdose on vitamin D through exposure to sunlight. But always remember to cover up or protect your skin if you’re out in the sun for long periods to reduce the risk of skin damage and skin cancer.”

The NHS explains: “Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. These nutrients are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.

“Government advice is that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter. People at high risk of not getting enough vitamin D, all children aged 1 to 4, and all babies (unless they’re having more than 500ml of infant formula a day) should take a daily supplement throughout the year.”

The late health expert Dr Michael Mosley, who died in 2024, was a strong advocate for vitamin D supplementation, reports the Mirror. He said: “I take 25 mcg (1,000 IU), which is within the limits of what’s considered safe (anything under 100 mcg a day for adults or 50 mcg for children, according to the NHS) but closer to the sort of doses studies show you need to take to ward off infections, cancers, and maybe even dementia.”

These true crime documentaries are much better than Netflix’s latest

Documentaries can offer substantial insight into the lives, crimes and untold stories behind some of the biggest headlines worldwide, whether they’re examining the past or exploring current affairs. The market has become saturated with stories, particularly when it comes to true crime.

Netflix’s Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart is no exception to this rule. The streaming platform continues to captivate viewers with almost unbelievable stories and a stereotypical, predictable twist that leaves people craving more.

That’s how they draw you in each time they promote a new, never before told story. Elizabeth’s story concerns a teenage girl snatched from her bedroom at knifepoint in Salt Lake City, Utah, back in 2002.

The case is described by Netflix as “one of the most intense and widely covered missing-persons cases America has ever seen”, and whilst that may hold true across the Atlantic, it doesn’t quite resonate in the same way over here.

It’s a story told in her own words; the ending being spoiled across the numerous adverts plastered on the streets of London. The first half of the documentary would have you believe the worst had happened, but the revelation of a middle-aged Elizabeth recounting her experience living off-grid in captivity makes the entire story even more unbelievable, though not in a mind-blowing way.

In truth, once the twist was unveiled, the documentary never really gained momentum or suspense. Instead, it followed the same pattern as many other Netflix documentaries. The case of Elizabeth Smart will, regrettably, be consigned to the pile of documentaries that caused a ripple, not a wave.

This isn’t the case for all documentaries, as some continue to leave a lasting impression on me years later. Documentaries need to stir you, to provoke you, to make you question the very fabric of society.

They don’t need to be packed with twists and turns purely for the sake of shock value.

Unknown Number: The High School Catfish (2025)

One recent Netflix documentary that hits the mark is Unknown Number: The High School Catfish, which focuses on a teenage couple terrorised by a troll at the end of a phone line. It all started with a text message.

The relentless torment of Michigan high school students Lauryn Licari and her ex-boyfriend, Owen, led to an investigation that pointed to a multitude of potential suspects. Classmates, friends, even family members are drawn into the spotlight.

For this small town, it was a real-life whodunnit. The abuse hurled at the teenagers goes beyond simple bullying, with death threats, sexually explicit messages and horrific rumours lurking around every corner. The youngsters’ lives were deeply affected, as they recount the events as 18 year olds.

The most shocking part? The identity of the person behind those messages. I won’t ruin the surprise, but be prepared for your eyes to bulge and your jaw to drop.

You’ll never view an anonymous text message in the same light again.

The Keepers (2017)

In a similar vein to Netflix’s Making a Murderer, The Keepers delves into the unsolved murder of nun Catherine Cesnik in 1969.

Her former pupils suggest there was a cover-up by authorities after Sister Cathy suspected a priest had sexually abused students at Baltimore’s all-girls Archbishop Keough High School.

Now adults, the former students share their experiences at the Catholic school with those in positions of power there and within the local church, including sexual abuse, intimidation, and one student even witnessing the body of a deceased nun.

The Keepers transitions from the disappearance and murder of the nun to the concealment of abuse perpetrated by prominent members of the Catholic church, and the survivors’ ongoing battle for justice decades after the crimes. For true crime enthusiasts, sadly, there is no definitive answer as to what happened to Sister Cathy, but perhaps one day there will be.

Blackfish (2013)

There’s an old adage about not interfering with nature, and that extends to the animal kingdom. Blackfish examines the captivity of Tilikum, an orca implicated in three fatalities, including that of SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau, and explores the ramifications of confining orcas in such environments.

The film reveals the circumstances surrounding Tilikum’s capture back in 1983, the treatment marine creatures endured at various marine parks, and the orca’s interactions with trainers and other orcas. It’s essential viewing, though not suitable for those easily disturbed.

This documentary will make you reconsider ever visiting or financially supporting SeaWorld again.

When Louis Met… (2000) & Louis Theroux, Savile (2016)

Having established himself as a familiar face over the decades, Louis Theroux launched his documentary career with his Weird Weekends, immersing himself in the lives of others. He explored an array of unconventional and controversial subcultures, crime and the justice system, and celebrities.

Louis’ awkwardness is also his charm, something audiences have grown accustomed to witnessing over the years. Brits will appreciate his idiosyncrasies and intellect.

His most notorious work involves his encounters with former “childhood hero” Jimmy Savile, a story he revisits 16 years after his initial documentary with him.

The first documentary examined Savile’s ascent to stardom as a TV and radio presenter, alongside his domestic life. Whilst Theroux briefly touches upon the allegations of paedophilia and sexual abuse, Savile dismisses them with laughter.

It wasn’t until 2012 that the world was made aware of the true scale of Savile’s offences, exposing a host of predatory individuals in the aftermath of Operation Yewtree. In his 2016 film, Louis revisits his past association with Savile and converses with some of Savile’s victims and those who worked closely alongside him.

Given our current knowledge, it’s challenging to look back and not see the rumours as glaringly evident. How? Who? Why? For how long?

One is almost at a loss for words contemplating how a public figure, swamped with these types of allegations, was permitted to continue, and who was shielding him. The 2016 documentary prompts not only Louis but an entire generation to question what they believed they knew.

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New FBI files show Andrew and Fergie stayed in contact with Epstein longer than they had admitted.

Stripped of their royal titles, ousted from official residences and thrust into the public eye through leaked private communications, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Sarah Ferguson are facing unprecedented scrutiny. The former prince and his ex-wife have seen their lives unravel following revelations linking them to convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

The latest release of FBI files has mentioned Andrew and Fergie multiple times, reigniting speculation over the trio’s unusual relationship. While the mere appearance of a name does not indicate wrongdoing, the documents suggest both stayed in contact with Epstein longer than previously admitted, Mirror reports.

Attention has turned to the alleged psychosexual and financial connections between Epstein and the former Duchess of York. Reports indicate Fergie was once “madly in love” with Epstein and may have “slept together” with him.

Newly emerged correspondence paints a picture of her desperation, with emails and texts pleading for Epstein to “marry” her, and expressing anger he “disappeared” and “used her”.

One email from September 2011 shows Fergie congratulating Epstein on the birth of a son, moments later sending a furious follow-up: “You have disappeared. I did not even know you were having a baby. It was sooooo crystal clear to me that you were only friends with me to get to Andrew. And that really hurt me deeeply. More than you will know.”

Another exchange from 2009 revealed Fergie writing, “You are a legend. I really don’t have the words to describe, my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness…Xx I am at your service. Just marry me.”

Sarah previously admitted to borrowing £15,000 from Epstein, calling it a “gigantic error in judgement”, but new claims suggest the financier may have supported her lavish lifestyle for years. Emails indicate she requested between $50,000 and $100,000 to cover “small bills” in 2010, with reports suggesting Epstein “bankrolled” her for 15 years.

The fallout has been swift. When a 2011 email surfaced in which Fergie referred to Epstein as a “supreme friend” and apologised for negative media comments, she was dropped from several charities.

Her spokesperson stated the email was sent out of fear for her safety, following alleged threats from Epstein and a former aide claiming he had promised to “destroy” her and her family.

Royal author Andrew Lownie discussed the tangled relationships on his Substack podcast, the Lownie Report: “Andrew was sleeping with Ghislaine, Ghislaine was sleeping with Epstein … I’ve heard that Epstein and Sarah were sleeping together. It doesn’t surprise me.”

He further told the Mirror, “Sarah Ferguson was madly in love with Epstein and apparently spent several nights with him.” Ghislaine Maxwell herself reportedly claimed in a July 2025 interview Fergie “put the moves on Jeffrey”.

Files also show Epstein was warned by advisers to distance himself from Andrew and Fergie.

Following public allegations by Virginia Giuffre against Andrew, a reputational management team cautioned that the couple’s only interest in Epstein and Ghislaine was to attack Andrew and Sarah.

Andrew is alleged to have had an on-off affair with Epstein’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell, a relationship he resumed in 1999 after first meeting her in the 1980s at Oxford.

Epstein admitted in 2007 that he and Andrew “have shared the same women” and visited royal residences including Balmoral and Windsor Castle.

Lownie claimed that as Epstein descended into paranoia before his death in 2019, he even explored hiring a hitman to eliminate the former duke and duchess to protect his secrets.

“He spoke to a hitman who was a former member of the British SAS and said he wanted the Yorks dead,” Lownie said, citing two sources.

He added, “Epstein said all sorts of things, and you can’t always believe what he said,” leaving the extent of the alleged plot unclear.