Debbie has been sentenced to time behind bars

Coronation Street star Sue Devaney has revealed the changes she’s had to make as she portrays Debbie Webster’s prison plight in the long-running show.

Fans have been desperate for the much-loved character not to face time behind bars, with her taking the blame for the crash which killed Weatherfield vicar, Billy Mayhew, last month.

As those who watch the ITV soap know, the incident took place after a drunk Carl Webster left Debbie and Ronnie Bailey’s wedding, which was taking place in Yorkshire, with Debbie in the passenger seat. Viewers saw tensions rising between Carl and Debbie in the car.

And just as the latter was about to tell him something Carl ended up losing control, ploughing into the existing wreckages that had already piled up between Becky, Lisa and Betsy Swain, Emmerdale’s Aaron Dingle and John Sugden, and the minibus, carrying a number of Debbie and Ronnie’s wedding guests, driven by Billy.

In a cruel twist, Carl pulled an unconscious Debbie from the passenger side into the driver’s seat to make it seem like she was behind the wheel. He later collapsed and was aided at the side of the road by trainee paramedic, Asha Alahan. Meanwhile, Billy perished the minibus burst into flames, which came after Theo Silverton seemingly stopped him from freeing himself, knowing he knew of his abuse towards partner Todd Grimshaw.

As he recovered after the tragic accident, Carl was quick to convince Debbie she was the one driving. But little did he know, Debbie knew the truth, and was just keeping up the lie to protect him as she’s his biological mother.

Earlier this week, Debbie was continuing to get her affairs in order as she prepared for a prison stint, while also trying to create peace in her family by staging an intervention for her brother, Kevin.

However, they were interrupted by a fuming Carl, who wanted to have it out with Debbie after discovering she had chosen Ryan to take charge of the Chariot Square Hotel while she’s gone. Later, as he visited her at the flat, Debbie admitted to Carl that she was frightened about going to prison, especially following her dementia diagnosis last year, and Carl appeared to show a glimmer of guilt.

Carl finally had a change of heart about Debbie taking the blame for him when a distressed Ronnie told him that Debbie had called him ‘Ray’ and expressed his concerns that her dementia would only get worse when she’s put behind bars. Carl vowed to put things right, and when Ronnie explained his confusing exchange with Carl, Debbie rushed to stop him from going to the police. As Carl admitted it was him driving, Debbie said she knew and eventually blurted out that he’s her son.

An emotional confrontation then ensued between the pair, in which Debbie explained she was 17 when she gave birth and that while her step-mother, Elaine, wanted her to have an abortion, their dad, Bill, agreed to bring Carl up as their own. But Carl admitted it wasn’t the dream childhood and that he now knew why Elaine never wanted him.

Debbie broke down in tears as Carl said that she only wanted to go to prison for him to ease her own guilt, branding her selfish and a liar and that he hopes she enjoys prison as he won’t be visiting her when she’s behind bars.

During Friday’s (February 6) Corrie, ahead of her appearance in court, Debbie was upset to find Carl’s key to her flat behind the bar at the Chariot Square Hotel. Not wanting to go to court without him there, she headed to the cafe to find him, where he only confirmed how much he hated her for what she had done.

Later, as she took the stand, the judge explained how he would have given her a four-year prison sentence. However, after taking into account her guilty plea and dementia diagnosis, Debbie was handed two years and eight months inside. There were emotional scenes before, in the cell, she began to remove her false eyelashes as the noise of her fellow prisoners began to intensify.

Seeming to lose her vision, she cried for someone to help her. Her family were then informed that Debbie had suffered yet another mini stroke, and had been rushed to receive medical attention.

Speaking about playing Debbie’s upcoming prison scenes, actress Sue Devaney confirmed the changes that have been made to her long-standing alter-ego. She said: “So, I go into the dressing room, and there’s not a lot of makeup. So, I just give myself some mascara, scruff my hair up a bit. I have a really cheap lipstick ’cause you can buy makeup in prison.

“But it’s not the expensive Chanel that Debbie has. It’s cheap. She’ll have a little cheap lipstick and she’ll have a little cheap bottle of perfume so I’ll make sure that I don’t put my perfume on when I’m in prison. And the nails are off. No nails.”

On how Debbie is, she continued: “Oh, she’s scared. She’s frightened. She’s so frightened. She’s never been anywhere like that. Everything’s going to be stripped from her. Debbie’s mask is going to be gone, isn’t it? The dementia is taking every last bit from her, but also the prison is gonna be taking everything from her. And it’s how she survives that.”

But playing a different side to Debbie is something the soap star is loving. She said: “It is fantastic.Just a bit of mascara, you know, nothing else. It’s interesting to play somebody that, the whole front, the makeup, the way that they look, the what they drive, who they marry, everything has to be on show. So when you strip all that back, it’s interesting to play Debbie when it’s all stripped back. Who is she?”

And she’s also relishing the different storylines being thrown her way. “I love it,” Sue said. “Just when you think, oh, right, okay, I’m playing this dementia story then Oh, I’m getting married with a dementia choir. Oh now I am in a crash in a crossover episode, and to top it all my brother is really my son and I’m in prison for a crime I didn’t commit! How fabulous!”

Playboy model and TV personality Mayra Dias Gomes has opened up about her health scare and her anxious wait to find out her diagnosis

A Playboy model and TV personality has revealed she has been living through a serious health scare in recent months and has a clear message for her followers. Brazilian-born Mayra Dias Gomes has candidly shared how she found a a 7cm lump in her breast that doctors feared could have been cancer.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror about her scary discovery and anxious wait for results, Mayra said: “What prompted me to get it checked was actually another woman sharing her diagnosis online.

“Because of medical backlogs, it took months to get clear answers, and that waiting period was the hardest part. The uncertainty leaves a lot of room for anxiety and catastrophic thinking.”

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The stateside-based star revealed that trying to continue as normal in the public eye was challenging and admitted the situation had an affect on her mental health. “The uncertainty was difficult,” she said. “But I’ve always been very attentive to my mental health.

“I allowed myself to feel scared while staying grounded, and I found a sense of acceptance in knowing that whatever the outcome, I would find a way to move forward.”

Mayra, 38, admitted she didn’t expect to deal with such a health scare at her age, but insists the situation just reinforced that health concerns don’t follow timelines. “It reminded me how fragile certainty is,” she confessed.

“You can’t take your health for granted, and you never know how your life story will actually play out. It also reinforced the importance of acceptance and inner strength, and it deepened my gratitude for the people who showed up quietly and consistently.”

Thankfully for Mayra, the lump wasn’t cancerous. She explained how it had been caused by past breast reduction and fat injections. The benign issue has now been resolved immediately during an aspiration.

However, Mayra says that if sharing her scare “reminds even one person to listen to their body and get checked, then it mattered”.

And in a message to the public, she said: “Listen to your body and don’t delay getting checked. If something feels off, advocate for yourself. And if you’re waiting for answers, be gentle with yourself.”

Mayra recently took to the red carpet with FAB TV to interview stars at the latest Dracula premiere.

According to Cancer Research, one in seven women in the UK will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. In the US, it is the most comment cancer in women.

Common breast cancer signs and symptoms include a lump or swelling in the breast, upper chest or armpit. It’s possible that this will only be noticeable by touch.

Other signs, according to Breast Cancer Now, include a change in skin texture or colour and unusual discharge from either nipple.

The Macmillan Support Line offers confidential support to people living with cancer and their loved ones. If you need to talk, call us on 0808 808 0000.

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.

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Samuel Henley had been sharing a takeaway and drinking with his mother before exploding into violence after he started antagonising her.

The 32-year-maintained that his mother hit him with a bottle before he launched his violent attack on her, Teesside Crown Court heard.

John Crawford, prosecuting, said the defendant was pushed away by his mother before violently attacking her.

He said: “He dragged her by her hair while on the floor and trying to get her hands out of the way of her face.

“She started shouting for help and the defendant started kicking her numerous times while she was on the floor.

“He has then placed two hands around her neck, strangling her. She described herself starting to lose her breath.”

Mr Crawford said a neighbour came to the property and the defendant released his grip on her, allowing her the opportunity to smash her way out of her home and escape.

Hanley, of Brusselton Court, Stockton, pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and common assault on his mother on January 5.

Lee Goodchild, mitigating, said Hanley maintained that his mother hit him with a bottle, but accepted that was no excuse for his violent reaction.

“He was candid in the police interview,” he said. “He told them exactly what happened and said the argument was caused by the consumption of alcohol.”

Read more:

Recorder Ayesha Smart sentenced Hanley to 20 months in custody for the sustained attack.

She said: “There has clearly been a history of a torrid relationship between you two – borne out of both of you using crack cocaine.

“There was some sort of verbal altercation. She obviously started things by grabbing something and striking you, but you went above and beyond by dragging her by her hair, you kicked her repeatedly and when she shouted help, you strangled her.”

Henley was also made subject to a three-year restraining order to protect his mother.

MILAN (AP) — Featuring tributes to da Vinci and Dante, Puccini and Pausini, Armani and Fellini, pasta and vino, and other iconic tastes of Italian culture — plus Mariah Carey hitting all the high notes in “Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu” aka “Volare” — an unprecedented four-site, dual-cauldron opening ceremony got the Milan Cortina Olympics officially started Friday.

It didn’t exactly feel like a Winter Games as the festivities began at the main hub, Milan’s San Siro soccer stadium, where the temperature was a tad below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) and the sky was a crisp, clear azure all afternoon. Not a trace of clouds, let alone snow.

The Olympics returned to a nation that last hosted the sports spectacle 20 years ago. This, though, is the most spread-out Winter Games in history, with competition venues dotting an area of about 8,500 square miles (more than 22,000 square kilometers), roughly the size of the entire state of New Jersey.

Aside from San Siro, which opened a century ago and is home to Serie A soccer titans AC Milan and Inter Milan but is due to be razed and replaced in the next few years, athletes were slated to march in three other places, some carrying their country’s flag: Cortina d’Ampezzo in the heart of the Dolomite mountains; Livigno in the Alps; Predazzo in the autonomous province of Trento.

That allowed up-in-the-mountains sports such as Alpine skiing, bobsled, curling and snowboarding to be represented in the Parade of Nations without requiring folks to make the several-hours-long trek to Milan, the country’s financial capital.

For good measure, the Feb. 22 closing ceremony will be held in yet another locale, Verona, where Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” was set.

Another symbol of how far-flung things are this time: Instead of the usual one cauldron that is lit and burns throughout the Olympics, there will be two, both intended as an homage to Leonardo da Vinci’s geometric studies. One is in Milan, 2½ miles (4 kilometers) from San Siro, and the other is going to be 250 miles (400 kilometers) away in Cortina.

The people given the honor of lighting both following a ceremony expected to last 2 1/2 hours was a closely guarded secret, as is usually the case at any Olympics. At the 2006 Turin Games, it was Italian cross-country skier Stefania Belmondo.

As Italy welcomed the world Friday by showing off its heritage, the show produced by Olympic ceremony veteran Marco Balich began with dancers from the academy of the famed Milan opera house Teatro alla Scala reimagining 18th-century sculptor Antonio Canova’s marble works.

People wearing oversized, mascot-style heads representing opera composers Giacomo Puccini, Gioachino Rossini and Giuseppe Verdi appeared on the central stage, before giant tubes of paint floated above and dropped silk of red, blue and yellow — the primary colors — before an early parade of various-color-wearing characters arrived in the stadium. They represented music and art, literature and architecture, appreciations for beauty and history and, above all, “La Dolce Vita” (loosely, Italian for “The Good Life” and the name of a 1960 film by Federico Fellini).

There were references to ancient Rome, the Renaissance, the Venice Carnival and the country’s noted traditions in various areas such as cuisine and literature, such as “Pinocchio” and Dante’s “Inferno.”

A runway walk showcased outfits — created by the late fashion designer Giorgio Armani, who died last year at 91 — in the colors of Italy’s flag: red, green and white. And balladeer Laura Pausini sang Italy’s national anthem.

Another local touch: Italian actress Sabrina Impacciatore, of “White Lotus” fame, was to introduce a section that took viewers through a century of past Olympics, with examples of evolving equipment, sportswear and music. And actress and comedian Brenda Lodigiani was invited to demonstrate the popular Italian hand gestures often used to communicate in place of words.

Plenty had been kept under wraps by organizers who said they sought to convey themes of harmony and peace, seeking to represent the city-mountain dichotomy of the particularly unusual setup for these Olympics while also trying to appeal to a sense of unity at a time of global tensions.

Another unknown: What sort of reception would greet U.S. Vice President JD Vance when he attended the ceremony in Milan? And what about the American athletes?

When new International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry was asked this week what sort of greeting the U.S. delegation would get when they enter San Siro in the Parade of Nations, she replied: “I hope the opening ceremony is seen by everyone as an opportunity to be respectful.”

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Associated Press writer Colleen Barry contributed to this report.

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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics

Gemma Hemingway, based in Bolton, is the artist behind Side by Side: Weaving Conversations, a project delivering free weaving sessions to residents across the borough and inviting them to contribute to a collaborative piece of woven art.

Ms Hemingway said: “My goal was to reach out to as many different groups of Bolton residents as possible; from young people, to the elderly, to our SEND residents to our diverse communities, everyone essentially.”

Residents take part in the Side by Side: Weaving Conversations community art project in Bolton (Image: Gemma Hemmingway)

The sessions have been delivered at a wide range of organisations and venues, including the Bolton Girls and Lads club, Sapphire Partnership, Bolton Carer Support, Serenity Seekers, as well as more general sessions at Bolton Museum and Libraries, and community fairs.

The sessions offer a chance for residents to try weaving, share ideas, and contribute to a larger piece of woven artwork that reflects collective creativity and community.

Participants contributing to a large collaborative woven artwork during a free community weaving session (Image: Gemma Hemmingway)

Ms Hemingway said participants often spoke about wanting to take part in creative activities but struggling to find opportunities.

She said: “Many participants have spoken about wanting to be more creative but struggling to access opportunities.

“Others have highlighted how relaxing and mindful the sessions have been, how exciting it’s been to learn a new skill, and how friendships have naturally formed.

“The project was designed around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, and those outcomes have really come through.”

Beyond the practical activity of weaving, Ms Hemingway also engaged participants in discussions and surveys about what arts and crafts opportunities they would like to see in Bolton.

A participant learning weaving techniques during a free session delivered across Bolton (Image: Gemma Hemmingway)

The project was funded by Culture Bolton in partnership with Bolton Museum, Art Gallery and Libraries, aiming to better understand residents’ interests and support the town’s creative sector.

All information gathered will be shared back with the community at a later date.

The finished woven artworks will also go on display in community locations.

Ms Hemingway worked alongside Rebecca Harrington of Bolton Contemporary CIC to help deliver the sessions and reach a broad range of participants.

Creativity bringing people together in a welcoming community setting (Image: Gemma Hemmingway)

Ms Hemingway said: “I’m delivering one final free session this Saturday at Harwood Library, 10.30am to 12.30pm as the library is keen to engage more local residents through creative activity, and this session is part of a wider programme of upcoming workshops.”

Ms Hemingway brings more than 15 years of experience as a creative facilitator, community artist, and craft practitioner.

She works across embroidery, printing, and ceramics, and is committed to making the arts accessible to all.

Her clients include Bolton Museum and Libraries, Cartwheel Arts, Stockroom, Whitworth Art Gallery, The Lowry, and numerous schools.

As part of the project, Ms Hemingway is creating a booklet using Rizo printing techniques in collaboration with Bolton residents.

The booklet will showcase all her findings.

This element of the project is supported by Bolton Contemporary CIC, Culture Bolton, and Bolton CVS.

Residents can find updates and more information on Ms Hemingway’s Instagram page, @hildahemingwaycreates.

Daniel San Diego is suspected of three bombings at two US-based companies

A suspected terrorist found in Wales after being on the run from the FBI for more than 20 years can be extradited to the US over a series of bombings, a judge has ruled. Daniel Andreas San Diego, 47, is suspected of three bombings at two companies linked to animal testing in the San Francisco area of California in 2003.

The terrorist suspect was on the FBI’s “most wanted” list after he came under suspicion shortly after the attacks. He was then arrested after 21 years on the run in November, 2024 at a rural property near woodland in Conwy.

San Diego argued he would not face a fair trial in the US due to political and legal interference. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.

However, District Judge Sam Goozee has now rejected the arguments, therefore paving the way for San Diego to be sent to the US.

The Home Secretary does, however, have to ultimately approve his extradition and the defendant could mount an appeal against the ruling.

San Diego, who was born in Berkeley, California, is accused of involvement in the detonation of explosives at two companies, Chiron Corporation and Shaklee Corporation.

A summary of the US prosecution case sets out that both firms “had a relationship with the research organisation Huntingdon Life Sciences, which conducted animal testing”.

They said: “The companies were targeted because of this relationship. Chiron was a pharmaceutical company.

“Shaklee was a company which manufactured vitamins and supplements among other products and was a division of Japanese pharmaceutical company Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co.”

The court heard that just before 3am and a minute before 4am on August 28, 2003, two bombs went off at Chiron in Emeryville, California.

“There were employees on site at the time, but no one was hurt”, the summary continues. “Damage to property was caused.”

US prosecutors say a person holding a bag was caught on CCTV outside the building before both explosions, and the following day a group called Animal Liberation Brigade, Revolutionary Cells, “claimed responsibility for the bombing”.

The group’s message stated: “In the early hours of August 28th volunteers from Revolutionary Cells descended on the animal killing scum Chiron.

“We left them with a small surprise of 2 pipe bombs filled with ammonium nitrate slurry with redundant timers.

“This action came about because Chiron has continued their murderous connections with Huntingdon Life Sciences even though they have been exposed numerous times as some of the most egregious animal killers in the industry.”

The second bombing happened at Shaklee in Pleasanton, California, on September 26, 2003, at around 3.20am. While no-one was hurt, it is said that the explosive had been “strapped with nails”.

San Diego is said to have been “nearby” when the bomb went off, and was stopped by a traffic officer an hour before the explosion.

In October, 2003, San Diego’s home was raided and it is said that a magazine linked to Animal Liberation Brigade was recovered as well as “pamphlets, books and clothing …which indicated an interest in animal rights”.

San Diego is also accused of having bomb-making ingredients in his car, including copper coil, black PVC pipes, chemicals and wire stripper.

While San Diego was featured on the FBI’s wanted list alongside the likes of Osama Bin Laden, a reward of 250,000 dollars (£199,000) was offered for his capture.

Since his arrest by National Crime Agency officers in November, 2024, he has been held in HMP Belmarsh.

If his extradition is approved, San Diego faces charges in the US of damage and destruction of property, possession of an unregistered firearm, and using or carrying an explosive during the commission of a felony.

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Officials are sorting through a Covid Inquiry-style avalanche of documents, emails and WhatsApps relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment – believed to run to the high tens of thousands

The Peter Mandelson saga risks engulfing people at the top of Government, with senior figures preparing to disclose messages from before and after he became US ambassador.

Officials are sorting through a Covid Inquiry-style avalanche of documents, emails and WhatsApps relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment – which is believed to run into the high tens of thousands. Some files could be released fairly swiftly but those deemed sensitive will be disclosed to Parliament’s intelligence watchdog, which will have the power to block publication on national security ground or if they pose a risk to the US-UK relationship.

There are fears among diplomats some of the emails could inadvertently offend thin-skinned Donald Trump or other world leaders. A Whitehall source said: “I think the impact on international relations could be quite significant if this is not handled discreetly.”

It comes as police raided two of Lord Mandelson’s homes as part of an investigation into allegations he leaked sensitive information to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while he was serving in Gordon Brown’s Government. Mandelson has previously denied criminal wrongdoing relating to his friendship with paedophile Epstein, who died in a New York prison cell in 2019.

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Documents released by the US Department of Justice at the weekend included emails between Mandelson and Epstein, that suggest the then-Cabinet member leaked confidential government information to the financier after the 2008 financial crash.

Files released last Friday indicate Epstein was sent details of internal discussions from the heart of the UK government after the global financial crisis. Mandelson, the then-business secretary, appeared to tell Epstein he would lobby ministers over a tax on bankers’ bonuses in 2009, and to confirm an imminent bailout package for the euro the day before it was announced in 2010.

Bank statements from 2003 and 2004 appeared to show he received payments totalling 75,000 US dollars from the financier, and Epstein is also said to have paid for an osteopathy course for Mandelson’s husband. Mandelson said he had no recollection of the payments.

Downing Street has not set out a timeline for the release of the documents, which Keir Starmer believes will prove Lord Mandelson lied to him over his ties to Epstein. The Prime Minister is under intense pressure from his own MPs after the worst week of his premiership, with some breaking cover to call for him to quit.

In a speech on Thursday, the Prime Minister apologised to Epstein’s victims for believing Mandelson’s “lies”. He said “none of us knew the depth of the darkness” of their friendship when he was appointed as US ambassador.

Allies suggest he is absolutely furious with Mandelson, who he sacked last year after fresh revelations about his links to Epstein. Mr Starmer had intended to publish files on Wednesday before Scotland Yard asked Downing Street to hold fire to avoid prejudicing its investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office against Mandelson.

No10 again said Mr Starmer had confidence in his chief aide Morgan McSweeney, who some MPs blame for the decision to hand Mandelson the Washington job.

Home Office Minister Mike Tapp urged MPs to stand by the PM, saying: “I believe that if we stick with Keir Starmer, which we will, then that corner will turn faster and people will start to feel it.”

But former No10 comms chief James Lyons said: “I don’t think anyone can understate the gravity of the situation. I think this is at least the biggest scandal since the expenses scandal of 2009. I think we could just be in the foothills here, we don’t know what other public figures could be dragged into this.”

Luke Sullivan, Starmer’s former political director, said: “Until the documents are out there, it’s hard to see it moving on. We are in a limbo. MPs will go back to their constituencies this weekend and I suspect people will be left in no doubt about what their constituents think about it.”

He added: “This scandal has got all the makings of the perfect conditions to lead into a right-wing populist government under Nigel Farage. They are the main beneficiaries of this. It’s depressing.”

Lord Mandelson has yet to speak publicly, but the BBC said it understood he maintains he did not act criminally and that his actions were not for personal gain. The former Labour grandee has quit his party and stood down from the House of Lords.

The cardigan is a timeless piece to add to your wardrobe.

As we get closer to a new season, you might be looking for some new clothes to add to your spring wardrobe. Tesco’s clothing brand F&F has just released a range of items that could easily be added to your current collection and can be styled with different pieces.

The capsule collection features the F&F Cinched V Neck Cardigan in Cream that is described as being “a chic layer” for spring. The cardigan has been “designed with a deep V neckline for a flattering finish” with a “single metal button” to add “a statement touch”.

The stylish and classic cardigan is easy to throw over a dress or can be paired with a cami top and jeans for “an on-trend look”. The cardigan is currently being sold for £27.50 and can be bought in a mink colour as well.

The cardigan was posted to the Tesco F&F Instagram, which currently has 886K followers. The post was captioned: “The Perfect Cinched Cardigan brings effortless structure to your spring wardrobe. Refined, versatile and undeniably chic. Cardigan £27.50.”

Fans of the clothing brand have taken to social media to share their thoughts on the capsule piece. One commenter said: “How stylish is that,” and another said: “So chic.”

If you want to get your hands on the cardigan or any piece in the capsule collection, you can go to the Tesco website to browse all of its clothes. You can also go to a Tesco store with a clothing department.

If this cardigan is not quite what you are looking for, Boden also has some items in for spring. There is this Grace Colour Block Cardigan that will add a bit of colour to your wardrobe or this Valeria Crochet Trim Cardigan that reviews say is “absolutely stunning”.

New Look also has some options in stock. There is this Pale Yellow Midweight Knit Collared Cardigan, which comes in a range of different colours, or this Cream Lightweight Floral Crew Neck Cardigan that will look cute throughout the springtime.

The first lady of the US, a title typically held by the wife of the president, has never been a fixed cultural figure. Instead, she has functioned as a screen on to which the nation projects its ideals, anxieties and evolving ideas about womanhood and power.

With the release of Amazon’s new Melania documentary, which details Melania Trump in the 20 days before her husband’s second presidential inauguration in January 2025, that long tradition of reinterpretation is once again visible. It reminds us that the first lady is as much a cultural symbol as a political presence.

The earliest first ladies largely framed themselves as extensions of domestic virtue. Martha Washington, who became the nation’s inaugural first lady in 1789, set the tone as what some people have called a hostess-in-chief. She established her role as one of duty and moral stability, not ambition, helping prove the US could have national leadership without monarchy.

Throughout the 19th century, first Ladies like Dolley Madison (wife of James Madison) expanded the role subtly. They used social gatherings and personal charm to shape public opinion and support presidential authority. Madison used social spaces like drawing rooms as informal diplomatic zones, making it socially acceptable – and even expected – for political rivals to mingle politely.

These first ladies achieved this while still being publicly understood as guardians of home and civility. Cultural representations – from portraits to newspaper sketches – emphasised grace, femininity and restraint. This reinforced the idea that women’s power should remain indirect.

Embracing advocacy

In the 20th century, Eleanor Roosevelt marked a decisive shift by embracing advocacy. She became an active moral voice during the New Deal era, a period that saw President Franklin D. Roosevelt enact various programmes and reforms to combat the great depression. Eleanor Roosevelt spoke openly about civil and women’s rights, labour and poverty.

Culturally, she was portrayed not as a decorative spouse but as a reformer and the conscience of the nation. This redefinition opened space for later US first ladies to navigate their public roles more openly.

Jackie Kennedy, for instance, professionalised the role of first lady. Kennedy, who spoke multiple languages and adapted her style to different audiences, used her first ladyship as a legitimate political tool of cultural diplomacy. Foreign leaders and the press were disarmed by her charm and elegance, with President John F. Kennedy jokingly introducing himself as “the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris” on an official visit to France in 1961.

She also led a project to restore the White House, turning it into a symbol of American civilisation and not just politics. These efforts led to a televised tour in 1962, in which Kennedy invited Americans into the White House and showcased her work in restoring its history. It also humanised Kennedy and made her the first in the role to truly master television.

By the late 20th century, the role of first lady became a site of ideological debate. Hillary Clinton openly engaged in policy work, especially healthcare reform. She led ultimately unsuccessful efforts to pass the Health Security Act in 1993, which aimed to restructure the American healthcare system to ensure universal coverage.

Cultural responses to Clinton were polarised. She was celebrated as a feminist trailblazer by some and criticised for overstepping an unelected role by others. Satire, late-night television and news commentary increasingly treated the first lady as a political figure subject to scrutiny, not merely a symbolic companion to the president.

Like Clinton, Michelle Obama was a visible policy advocate. She used media and popular culture strategically, promoting causes such as support for military families, healthy eating or higher education through social media challenges and television appearances. Obama also spoke candidly about race and identity, framing her position as an active platform for social change and to inspire future first ladies globally.

She looked to position young people – especially girls – as agents of change through her Reach Higher and Let Girls Learn education initiatives. And Obama’s 2020 documentary, Becoming, offered the American public an expanded insight into what a former first lady’s political influence can look like after the White House.

While holding no formal authority, the US first lady occupies one of the most visible platforms in American public life. This makes the role especially revealing of what Americans expect from women and leadership. First ladies have historically been expected to embody the nation’s moral tone, demonstrate unity above partisanship and act as ceremonial “mother” to the nation.

However, since initially becoming first lady in 2016, Melania Trump has largely maintained distance both from the role and traditional advocacy. Her public image has instead leaned heavily on visual symbolism such as fashion, posture and reserve. She has also been widely seen as partisan. In 2018, for example, she wore a jacket emblazoned with “I really don’t care, do you?” during a trip to a migrant child detention centre on the US-Mexico border.

The behind-the-scenes Amazon documentary, which coincides with two West End plays about former first lady Mary Todd Lincoln, comes at a moment of active cultural engagement with how female figures in political spheres are perceived and narrated. It offers the current first lady a chance to shape her own public narrative rather than being defined by the press.

Melania Trump’s editorial control of the documentary suggests she wants the public to see her as a distinct entity from the president, with her own agenda and vision. In the documentary itself, she also hints at having ambitions that extend beyond the traditional ceremonial aspects of the first ladyship.

From references to reinventing the office of first lady to thinking about how lawmakers could do their jobs better, it appears Trump is aiming to cultivate a narrative in which she is seen both as independent and influential enough to shape political culture. Whether she evolves the first lady role in any meaningful way will become clear in the years ahead.

Tom Cruise and David Beckham were once close friends, when both lived in California but things have changed of late

As spectators settle down for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics, many will be watching to see if Tom Cruise graces their screens.

The Hollywood icon is an ambassador for the forthcoming summer games, scheduled for Los Angeles in 2028, and there have been rumours of an appearance in Milan. Cruise has been in attendance at plenty of sporting events as a fan in the past.

The 63 year old actor has been photographed at NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL fixtures across the United States, many of those involving Los Angeles teams, while he routinely visits the UK and has become a familiar face in the Wimbledon stands. Previously, he was accompanied by former England skipper David Beckham at several of these sporting occasions.

However, the bond between the pair appears far less close now than when the pair lived a stone’s throw from one another in California. According to Hello!, an already close relationship grew even closer following the footballer and wife Victoria’s move to Los Angeles in 2007.

“I was on the phone to him for about an hour last night and the night before,” Beckham said in January 2007. “I asked for his advice because he’s a very wise man and a very good friend of mine. He couldn’t speak any higher about LA. It’s a big help to us to have friends in LA when we arrive.”

In Grant Wahl’s book ‘The Beckham Experiment’, Beckham revealed he and Victoria named their third child Cruz as a tribute to their friend. The British pair had also attended Cruise’s wedding to Katie Holmes in 2006, with the families maintaining their friendship in California and the Hollywood star turning up at Galaxy fixtures in Major League Soccer to support his friend.

Beckham and Cruise also established Midnight Boys Bike Club in 2010. The duo were reportedly riding matching F131 Hellcat Combat motorcycles at the time, whilst they were said to have welcomed other celebrities including Orlando Bloom and Brad Pitt into their exclusive circle.

“He’d call at 11 at night, and we’d just hang, no problems, just riding our bikes,” Beckham later told GQ whilst discussing his experiences with Cruise. Yet, there has reportedly been a falling out between the former mates in the years since.

Claims in the United States, referencing anonymous sources, indicated Cruise’s association with the Church of Scientology played a role in the deterioration of his relationship with the Beckhams. Circumstances seemed to have shifted by 2024, when Victoria extended an invitation to the Top Gun actor for her 50th birthday party, although the extent to which the relationship has been revived are unclear and Cruise’s behaviour at that party turned some heads.

According to Victoria’s former Spice Girls bandmate Mel B, a dance from Cruise at the party was hardly what those in attendance expected. “We were at Victoria’s 50th birthday and her son, Cruz, started singing Mama on the guitar and David (Beckham) was like pushing us all up,” Mel B said. “All five of us were singing and then Tom Cruise made a circle and he did that dance from that movie, for some reason.

“We were all like dancing away and he goes ‘Come on, man! Come on!’ He starts getting together this circle. So he goes in the circle first – Tom Cruise! – and starts doing all this…,” she said whilst mimicking Tom’s movements. Mel added: “I went ‘Oh my God!’ and that’s why I left the circle. It was the weirdest dance.”

Cruise maintains a residence in California and has been participating in preparations for the summer games arriving in the Golden State. He executed a stunt during the closing ceremony of the Paris games in 2024 as part of a handover before the next summer edition.

There has been plenty of speculation he will be in Italy for Friday’s opening ceremony, with Snoop Dogg and other American celebrities having already travelled to Europe. However, Deadline reports that his attendance remains uncertain after he was seen around Los Angeles on Wednesday – less than 48 hours before the ceremony.

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