Newly issued DWP guidance explains what claimants need to know about the system’s rules

The Department for Work and Pensions has explained the rules surrounding a particular aspect of Universal Credit. The DWP update, released on Friday, September 11, came after a question raised in Parliament.

A senior minister has provided a response – but it has also highlighted an issue some claimants may not be aware of. The enquiry concerned payments for Universal Credit claimants and the effect this might have on debt.

Henry Tufnell, Labour MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire, asked the DWP what assessment it had made of the potential impact on Debt Management and debt recovery of making advance payments to Universal Credit claimants before the conclusion of their assessment period.

In response, Stephen Timms, Minister of State (Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) (Equalities), The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, said on: “New Claim Advances give customers the option to spread twenty-five Universal Credit payments over twenty-four months, giving them more flexibility over the payments of their Universal Credit award. Advances are not considered a loan so no interest is charged, nor any enforcement action taken, however Advances are recoverable.

“They are ordinarily repaid through deductions from subsequent Universal Credit awards over an agreed repayment period of up to 24 months. Customers must repay their advances over a maximum period of 24 months.”

So what are New Claim Advances? The gov.uk website says that if you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs before you get your first Universal Credit payment, you can apply to get an advance.

The amount you can get depends on your circumstances. The most you can get is the amount of your first estimated payment. You must usually pay back the advance within 24 months.

You usually start paying it back out of your first payment. If you cannot afford your advance repayments, you can ask for your repayments to be delayed for 3 months.

The government says that if you’re no longer claiming Universal Credit you’ll still need to pay back your advance. If you move to another benefit, the deductions will usually continue from your payments. If you move off benefits, you’ll get a letter from DWP Debt Management explaining how to repay and manage money you owe.

You can pay back what you owe in full or set up monthly repayments. Officials say that if you want to discuss your repayments you can call DWP Debt Management. For further information, visit the relevant gov.uk web page.

What to do if your Universal Credit advance claim is rejected

The Money Helper website has provided guidance for those whose applications are declined, noting several potential reasons why an advance payment may not be approved – for instance, if you live with family or friends, have enough money or savings to last until your next payment or haven’t had your ID checked at a Jobcentre Plus. The site says: “If you’re unhappy or think there’s been a mistake, you can ask the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) to reconsider the decision. This means someone else will look at your application.”

The site also warns Universal Credit claimants of another issue they may encounter. It says that if someone you don’t know offers to apply for Universal Credit or a free government loan for you, it’s a scam. The site warns: “They’ll want to take some of your money as a fee and get your ID and bank details. If they apply on your behalf using false details, this can also be classed as benefit fraud and might mean you have to pay a large fine or be taken to court.

“You might see adverts online or receive cold calls from someone claiming to work for Jobcentre Plus.” If you are targeted, you can report it to Report Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.

The Money Wellness website reported in 2024 that debt levels were considerably higher amongst those claiming Universal Credit (UC) compared with those receiving so-called legacy benefits such as Income Support, according to DWP data.

It noted that the average outstanding debt owed by UC claimants stood at £4,754 — with almost one in five owing at least £10,000.

The suburb is conveniently located near Peterborough city centre

A further 180 homes could be built in a Peterborough suburb to complete the “missing piece” of a development. Work is ongoing to build new homes in Hampton Woods, Peterborough.

The development forms part of the wider Hampton community, which also includes Hampton Hargate, Hampton Vale, Hampton Green, Hampton Beach, Hampton Water and more. Hampton Woods is the latest development area of the Peterborough suburb.

The latest application to build another 180 homes is the final part of the development, with applicants Stantec describing the homes as the “missing piece” of Hampton Woods.

The applicant said: “Hampton Woods is envisioned as a distinctive and accessible continuation of the wider Hampton community, shaped by its strong relationship with the surrounding landscape and natural features; framed by woodland, Beeby’s East Lake and green spaces.

“A landscape-led approach underpins the vision, with linear green and blue corridors, structural tree planting and active travel routes connecting homes, streets and public spaces. The village green forms the heart of the community, anchoring the neighbourhood and the intersecting green spaces.

“Together, contemporary buildings, streets, landscape, and infrastructure will create a sustainable, attractive, and well-connected village that fosters a strong sense of place, community pride and long-term resilience.”

A village green is proposed in the plans, which the developer syas will be a “focal point” of the neighbourhood. The aim is to offer an “open, social space including a play area framed by development, leisure routes and trees”.

The homes on site will be designed to promote zero carbon living through EV charging spaces, low energy lighting, efficient appliances, low carbon communal heating and more. Hampton Woods is a “modern extension” that forms part of the wider Hampton community and is close to the city centre.

It’s near to London Road, providing direct links to Peterborough, and is “within easy reach” of the Fletton Parkway (A1139), Hampton roundabout and the A1.

The applicant concluded the latest plans for 180 homes is the “final parcel of the Hampton Woods village”.

Fenland District Council extended a street-drinking ban in Wisbech but residents said there is still public drinking ‘all the time’

A street-drinking ban in a market town has been extended despite concerns that it is not being enforced. Fenland District Council approved extending the public space protection order (PSPO) for Wisbech town centre which was due to expire next week.

98 per cent of those surveyed supported extending the PSPO which was first introduced in 2017 and previously renewed in 2020 and 2023. The order grants the police and council officers powers to seize alcohol in public spaces where antisocial behaviour has been an issue.

Cllr Steve Tierney, of Wisbech South, said that the order is not being enforced and residents say they see public drinking “all the time”.

The Conservative councillor said: “Indeed in the areas covered by PSPOs, there are people drinking every single day – pretty much all day.

“What worries me about this is we tell people we have created a rule, and then nobody enforces it, and it creates an idea that the law can just be ignored. That’s something which then spreads and spreads to other parts of the area and could give people a very dim view.”

The PSPO covers a number of areas in Wisbech, including Tillery Park and St Peter and Paul Church. In the report, almost everyone surveyed said they still saw alcohol being drunk in areas covered by the order – just under 89 per cent.

But 98 per cent said they feared antisocial behaviour would get worse if the order was not renewed. Respondents said many people are “scared to visit the town centre because of the drinking” and called it a “blight” on the community.

Cllr Tierney, who said he would support the extension, said: “The police I know are hugely stretched, they have only got so many people, they will tell you how they just don’t have the time to do this all the time. I get that and I don’t know the solution but it still worries me that we are introducing these policies and then the public can plainly see we aren’t enforcing it.”

According to the police, who supported the order’s extension, alcohol-related crime had fallen by 41 per cent since it was introduced. The extension of the PSPO was approved by Fenland District Council’s cabinet on Monday (September 14).

Maybe we need to explore why that might be.

Since UNESCO first started giving WHS to sites of special cultural and natural significance around the world, in the 1970s, almost half of sites on the list are in Europe (that includes the UK for those who may have forgotten).

So our continent is well represented and the list includes many European cathedrals and historic cities.

You could argue that we simply missed the boat and should have applied for York to get World Heritage Status back in the 1980s when Durham and Canterbury applied and succeeded.

We do have 33 World Heritage sites in the UK, including Stonehenge, Fountain’s Abbey, Greenwich, Jodrell Bank, and Saltaire.

Truth is the UK has hardly participated; the country’s never hosted a World Heritage Committee’s annual meeting and has only sat on the committee once (2001 to 2005).

We must learn to make friends and show that we’re interested in promoting World Heritage sites across the world instead of being grumpy that no one notices us.

Maybe York could host a World Heritage Committee meeting!

Christian Vassie

Blake Court,

Wheldrake

Recommended reads:

York has it all so why no World Heritage status? – letter

‘Four-month wait for a sharps box collection – is this right?’ – letters

‘York’s tourist tax should vary by hotel rating’ – plus footpath woes and immigration

‘York’s Clifford’s Tower mound is an accident waiting to happen – put a fence up’

Could York be known as City of Iron?

Sheffield is known as the city of Steel and York could be known as the City of Iron.

It was great to see York Bid repainted iron in the city centre and hopefully other parts of the city will follow.

Sadly, there is much iron in disrepair – Bootham Park railings and a special piece of iron on Holgate from the Walkers Iron Foundry in Walmgate on Holgate Hill.

Timothy Wynn Werninck

Dodgson Terrace

Acomb

York

___

Do CCTV photos really help solve crimes?

The Press frequently publishes photographs of people the police believe can help with their enquiries into crimes.

How often are these successful in solving the crimes?

R.Shenton

Connaught Way

York

___

Party donations – grow up and get over it!

Two crypto billionaires have decided to donate considerable amounts to the Reform party (£36m each).

All the other parties are having a tantrum and stamping their feet angrily.

Now they are going to try and stop this donation, presumably as not being fair.

Oh dear, Diddums!

Angela Rainer, during an interview, refused to answer the question as to whether or not Labour would have accepted the donation.

It seems like it’s not only stamping feet because they haven’t been given a share, but teddy’s ears have also been pulled off.

Grow up and get over it.

Mick Horsman

Moorland Road

York

___

Farage the benevolent?

With £72m in the bank, will Mr Farage be following the example of President Trump and be giving $5,000 (£3,700) to everyone in the country if he wins the next election?

D M Deamer

Penleys Grove Street

Monkgate

York

What do you think?

Send your views to: letters@thepress.co.uk.

Write no more than 250 words and provide your full name, address and mobile number.

Record View says John Swinney should accept there is little to no chance of an IndyRef2 this side of a UK general election and his focus should be on reforming Scotland’s broken public services.

John Swinney is right that there should be an achievable route to a second referendum on Scottish independence. The UK Government will eventually have to concede that point and enter into negotiations on what such a route should look like.

But that doesn’t mean Swinney and his ministers should spend every day grandstanding on the constitution. Yesterday’s so-called summit in Cardiff featured a lot of posturing by the leaders of three political parties who have far less in common than they might think.

It might be enjoyable for the nationalist first ministers of devolved administrations to act like the UK is finished, but none of the vague statements and empty rhetoric will improve educational standards or NHS services.

The SNP in 2026 continues to view itself as an insurgent political force instead of the tired-looking party of government of the past 20 years.

Swinney has been there for the vast majority of it in a ministerial capacity. His party’s patchy domestic record is his own, and he can’t hide from it.

Last week’s Pisa report on educational performance confirmed what many Scots parents have long suspected – standards in schools have slipped badly over the past 25 years.

It wasn’t the SNP who initially ­developed the shambolic Curriculum for Excellence but the party implemented it and is its most ­enthusiastic cheerleader.

Swinney should accept there is little to no chance of an IndyRef2 this side of a UK general election. His focus should be on reforming Scotland’s broken public services.

A mug’s game

Scotland’s drug death crisis has been well documented, particularly in the Daily Record. We campaigned hard for the problem to be put at the top of the political agenda.

But far too many lives are still being destroyed by drug addiction. It isn’t just a problem in the housing schemes of our big cities, however.

Today we tell how a professional athlete, Guy Martin, almost destroyed his life with black market steroids. He thought the drugs would give him the edge he wanted in powerlifting. But he almost died, with his kidneys failing.

Guy’s story is a stark reminder that illegal drugs can destroy lives regardless of circumstances. And even among those who think of themselves as high-achieving and super-fit, the risks are high.

We applaud Guy for coming forward to speak about his experience and we hope his story will convince others that steroids are a mug’s game.

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE.

Michael J. Fox left celebrity guests at the Emmys 2026 visibly emotional as the legendary actor was honored with The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award at Monday’s ceremony.

The Back To The Future icon, 65, moved actors, including his Shrinking co-star Harrison Ford and Nicole Kidman, to tears as he discussed his diagnosis with the brain disorder at age 29 in 1991 – and the heartbreaking reason why he kept his health battle a secret from Hollywood.

A frail Fox was taken onstage in a wheelchair, where he joined award presenter and his former The Good Wife co-star Julianna Margulies – before the A-list audience gave him a standing ovation.

The emotional actor said, ‘Thank you to everyone involved with the television academy for this amazing, humbling honor. First, a few words about Bob Hope. My parents were born during the Great Depression. 

‘To them, Bob was more than an entertainer. He was a selfless champion of soldiers and military families like mine for decades. Christmases, Thanksgivings, other holidays he could have been celebrating with his family.

‘He was showing up for the troops in Berlin, Saigon, with a Turkey leg and a golf club, and maybe if you’re lucky – he embodied everything I came to believe in years later.

The Back To The Future icon, 65, who earlier proudly posed with his family , left stars including Shrinking co-star Harrison Ford tearing up as he discussed his initial diagnosis with the brain disorder at age 29 

The star was watched by his proud wife Tracy Pollan and four children

Fox said the lessons he learned from Hope ultimately prepared him for his devastating diagnosis, ‘I couldn’t have known how these lessons would resonate in my own life, until my late 20s, when my life handed me a role I wasn’t looking for’, he said.

Opening up about the start of his battle with the condition, he said, ‘Initially I kept my Parkinson’s diagnosis a secret. I worried it would affect my work and relationships with audiences.’

He heartbreakingly admitted he questioned whether fans would ‘laugh if they knew I was sick?’

But Fox admitted his fans all over the world were what inspired him to keep going, saying, ‘I was stunned by the support from all of you, so uplifted and I hadn’t lost what I do. 

‘They couldn’t take it away from me. And it’s because you stood up for me. I appreciate it. 

‘I understood that accepting Parkinson’s didn’t mean I had to surrender to it. It just meant I had to do everything I could for everyone living with this disease.

‘I set out to advocate for Parkinson’s disease and raise money. I found brilliant people to start – sorry, I’m losing it. 

‘I found people to lead the effort for me and vowed to fund the best science in the world,’ he said.

‘I’m proud of the progress we’ve made to benefit Parkinson’s patients and families. 

‘We move closer to eradicating this disease forever. 

‘I’m deeply grateful to our staff, donors, researchers, and most of all the patient community who make our work at the Michael J. Fox foundation.’

Fox then lauded his wife of 38 years, Tracy Pollan, and their four children, ‘for their sacrifices, for their patience, and for their love. You have no idea. And, of course, my mom and dad and my sisters and brother’, he concluded.

Earlier in the evening Fox sat on a chair on the red carpet as he posed with his wife and their children, Sam, 37, twins Aquinnah and Schuyler, 31, and Esme, 24.

Fox said, ‘Initially I kept my Parkinson’s diagnosis a secret. I worried it would affect my work and relationships with audiences. Would they laugh if they knew I was sick?’

Advertisement

Fox was taken onstage in a wheelchair, where he joined award presenter and his former The Good Wife co-star Julianna Margulies – he is seen kissing the award

Nicole Kidman looked visibly emotional as she watched Fox speak

Emmy Awards 2026 winners: AT A GLANCE

 Outstanding Comedy Series: Widow’s Bay

Advertisement

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series: Matthew Rhys – Widow’s Bay

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Matthew Rhys – The Beast in Me 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series:  Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series:  Stephen Root, Widow’s Bay

Advertisement

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series: Widow’s Bay (Katie Dippold for ‘Welcome to Widow’s Bay’) 

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series: Widow’s Bay (Hiro Murai for “Welcome to Widow’s Bay”)

Matthew Rhys made history as he became the first actor to win two leading actor awards in one night

 

Advertisement

 Outstanding Drama Series: The Pitt

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Noah Wyle – The Pitt 

Advertisement

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart – Hacks 

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: DTF St. Louis 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series:  Allison Janney – The Diplomat

Advertisement

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Tom Pelphrey – Task

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie: Sally Field – Remarkably Bright Creatures

Outstanding Reality Competition Program: The Traitors 

Outstanding Variety Series: The Late Show With Stephen Colbert 

Advertisement

<!- – ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/de/tvshowbiz/none/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 – ->

Advertisement

Fox is best known for his role as Marty McFly in the Back To The Future franchise – pictured 1985

Fox was supported by his wife and four children as he took to the Emmys 2026 red carpet on Monday

Fox received minutes of applause as he began his speech

Advertisement

The Back To The Future actor sat on a chair on the carpet amid his battle with Parkinson’s

Fox looked dapper in a black suit and tie as he joined his loved ones on the carpet, ahead of receiving the prestigious Bob Hope humanitarian award.

The award comes in recognition of his transformative contributions to Parkinson’s disease research and advocacy. 

The Bob Hope Humanitarian Award was established in 2002 to honor a member of the telecommunications industry whose philanthropic efforts exemplify Bob Hope’s own decades-long altruism and positive impact on society. 

Fox received his 19th Emmy nomination this year for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for Shrinking, and is a five-time Emmy Award-winning actor.

Recently, Fox opened up about his return to acting and having to overcome Parkinson’s, which affects his ability to memorize lines.

The actor – who was diagnosed at the age of 29 with early-onset Parkinson’s in 1991 – revealed that he unretired from acting sooner than expected because his new character in Shrinking allowed him to ‘show up on set’ as himself.

Fox first retired in 2000, two years after publicly sharing his diagnosis. He did make several cameos on television series Scrubs and The Good Wife before being forced to take a break from acting again in 2020. 

The talented actor explained his reasoning behind the decision to People, as he said: ‘A new variable emerged: my ability to memorize lines.

‘There’s a time for everything, and the time for 12-hour workdays was behind me.’

Fox joined Harrison Ford-led series Shrinking for season 3 earlier this year.

The Apple TV series was created by Fox’s pal Bill Lawrence, as he said he enjoyed having the freedom to ‘use how I feel on any given day and channel it into the scene.’

On the series, he portrays the character Gerry as he becomes friends with Ford’s character Dr Paul Rhoades, who is also navigating a Parkinson’s diagnosis.

Fox posed with wife Tracey Pollan, 66, and their children, Sam, 37, twins Aquinnah and Schuyler, 31, and Esme, 24

Fox looked dapper in a black suit and tie as he joined his loved ones on the carpet, ahead of receiving the prestigious Bob Hope humanitarian award

The couple proudly posed up together on the carpet

Advertisement

 Fox revealed that he un-retired from acting sooner than expected because his new character in Shrinking allowed him to ‘show up on set’ as himself

The 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards took place at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Monday night. 

Law & Order: SVU executive producer/star Mariska Hargitay served as host of the gala event which marks the first time a woman has hosted the show in 15 years.

Nominations for television’s biggest night were announced back in July as Euphoria‘s Sydney Sweeney, The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White, and Stranger Things as a whole were among the most shocking snubs. 

Matthew Rhys made history as the first actor to win two leading acting Emmy Awards in different categories in one night. 

The 51-year-old Welsh actor won big as he earned Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy series for Widow’s Bay and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me.

For the comedy series gong, Rhys beat out an impressive field which consisted of: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for Wonder Man, Steve Carell for Rooster, Jason Segel for Shrinking, Martin Short for Only Murders in the Building, and co-star Widow’s Bay co-star Dale Dickey.

Rhys made a joke about his second win by poking fun at the program’s creator Katie Dippold as he said: ‘My apologies to the women who had to stand again. 

‘Stephen Root is right, this is purely because of the depraved and twisted mind of Katie Dippold, and her genius really does live in the recesses of her disturbed brain. It is also because of my hero, Hiro Murai, so beautifully, as did all of them.’

On the Apple TV series, the talented actor portrays Tom Loftis, mayor of Widow’s Bay, as he is originally from the mainland and is initially skeptical of the local residents’ superstitions about the island’s supposed curse. He is a widower, and father to a son, Evan, from his marriage to his deceased wife, Lauren.

Matthew Rhys made history as the first actor to win two leading acting Emmy Awards in different categories in one night 

The 51-year-old Welsh actor won big as he earned Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy series for Widow’s Bay

He also earned Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for The Beast in Me

Advertisement

For his win earlier in the night for The Beast in Me he triumphed over: Riz Ahmed for Bait, Jason Bateman for Black Rabbit, Charlie Hunnam for Monster: The Ed Gein Story, and Oscar Isaac for Beef.

In the psychological thriller mini series, Rhys portrays Nile Jarvis who is the son of a real estate magnate who moves next door to the home of Aggie Wiggs [Clare Danes] in Oyster Bay, New York on Long Island to live in a more secluded manner with his second wife as he allegedly killed his first wife.

Rhea Seehorn earned one of the biggest wins of television’s biggest night and beat one of the biggest stars in Zendaya to earn the honor. 

The 54-year-old actress triumphed in the Lead Actress in a Drama category at the Emmy Awards 2026 as she was recognized for her work in Pluribus.

She beat out an impressive field including 30-year-old Zendaya for the third and final season of Euphoria along with Carrie Coon for The Gilded Age, Chase Infiniti for The Testaments, and Keri Russell for The Diplomat.

There seemed to be a real camaraderie between the nominees as she recognized her fellow competitors including Russell.

Seehorn said during her acceptance speech: ‘And I also just want to say congratulations and thank you for the performances to my fellow nominees in my category. All brilliant, brilliant performances. 

‘Keri Russell among them, who sent us a lovely gift and a card, quoting — sadly we didn’t know we would lose her so soon, but quoting Gloria steinem saying, “we are linked, not ranked.” And I feel that way about all you women. So, thank you for that.’

For the comedy series gong, Rhys beat out an impressive field which consisted of: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II for Wonder Man, Steve Carell for Rooster, Jason Segel for Shrinking, Martin Short for Only Murders in the Building, and co-star Widow’s Bay co-star Dale Dickey

 American journalist and social movement activist Steinem passed away earlier this month at 92-years-old.

In the ambitious project created by Breaking Bad’s Vince Gilligan, Seehorn’s character Carol Sturka is one of the immune few who live in a world overtaken by a mysterious wave of forced happiness and must uncover what is really going on in order to save humanity from artificial bliss.

The Pitt earned the top award of the night Outstanding Drama series on a night where it earned 25 nominations which was the most from any single series.

It faced stiff competition including: The Diplomat, The Gilded Age, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Paradise, Pluribus, Slow Horses, and Your Friends and Neighbors.

Series creator R. Scott Gemmill accepted the honor as he took a shot at AI (Artificial Intelligence) during his speech as he said: ‘It is so hard to tell what is real and what we can believe anymore, which makes telling honest stories about real human struggles so much more important than ever. 

‘What you do is — it changes people’s lives. And I’m just so happy that we get to do that because it’s so difficult to know what to believe anymore. And so when the last bastion of reality is in our shared collective fiction, that makes what you do so much more important.’ 

‘People need to know the truth, and we need to continue to tell them that in whatever way we can, in whatever form we can. Because at the end of the day I think sometimes it’s only the story telling that allows us to understand and appreciate each other. And that’s more important than ever. So, keep doing what you’re doing.’

The Pitt is centered around the daily lives of healthcare professionals in a Pittsburgh hospital as they juggle personal crises, workplace politics, and the emotional toll of treating critically ill patients, revealing the resilience required in their noble calling. 

Noah Wyle was the first to be awarded for the highly-popular HBO Max series.

The 55-year-old actor earned the win in the coveted Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category as he beat out: Sterling K. Brown for Paradise, Gary Oldman for Slow Horses, Mark Ruffalo for Task, and Rufus Sewell for The Diplomat.

On the series he portrays Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch who is the main protagonist of the show as he deals with trauma and PTSD alongside unresolved post-COVID stress.

Jean Smart earned her fifth Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy win in a row at the Emmy Awards 2026 on a night that featured a star-studded red carpet. 

Rhea Seehorn earned one of the biggest wins of television’s biggest night and beat one of the biggest stars in Zendaya to earn the honor

Zendaya clapped for Seehorn despite losing out

In the project created by Breaking Bad’s Vince Gilligan, Seehorn’s character Carol Sturka is one of the immune few who live in a world overtaken by a mysterious wave of forced happiness and must uncover what is really going on in order to save humanity from artificial bliss

Advertisement

The 75-year-old talented actress was recognized for her work on Hacks which just had its fifth and final season. 

Smart – who earned her eighth total Emmy in her 15th total nomination – was obviously emotional as her name was called and she was presented the honor by Zendaya.

During her acceptance speech she thanked her children Connor and Forrest before recognizing the creators of her highly-popular HBO Max series.

She said: ‘But this one I am dedicating to Jen Statsky, Lucia Aniello, and Paul W. Downs. 

‘It all begins and ends with them. I love you guys so much. Thank you. Thank you all so much.’ 

The Pitt earned the top award of the night Outstanding Drama series on a night where it earned 25 nominations which was the most from any single series

The Pitt is centered around the daily lives of healthcare professionals in a Pittsburgh hospital as they juggle personal crises, workplace politics, and the emotional toll of treating critically ill patients, revealing the resilience required in their noble calling

Noah Wyle was the first to be awarded for The Pitt on a night where they earned 25 nominations which was the most from any single series

Advertisement

The 55-year-old actor earned the win in the coveted Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category as he beat out: Sterling K. Brown for Paradise, Gary Oldman for Slow Horses, Mark Ruffalo for Task, and Rufus Sewell for The Diplomat

On the series he portrays Dr. Michael ‘Robby’ Robinavitch who is the main protagonist of the show as he deals with trauma and PTSD alongside unresolved post-COVID stress

Jean Smart earned her fifth Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy win in a row

Sally Field earned Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her work in Remarkably Bright Creatures.

The 79-year-old actress won over: Claire Danes for The Beast in Me, Carey Mulligan for Beef, Sarah Pidgeon for Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, and Sarah Snook for All Her Fault.

 In the television drama Field portrays Tova Sullivan, the elderly cleaning lady of a Washington State aquarium, as she forms a bond with younger drifter Cameron (Lewis Pullman) during night shifts.

Kate O’Flynn earned the first award of the night in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy category. 

The 40-year-old British actress earned the honor for her work in Widow’s Bay. 

Sally Field earned Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her work in Remarkably Bright Creatures

The 79-year-old actress won over: Claire Danes for The Beast in Me, Carey Mulligan for Beef, Sarah Pidgeon for Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, and Sarah Snook for All Her Fault

In the television drama Field portrays Tova Sullivan, the elderly cleaning lady of a Washington State aquarium, as she forms a bond with younger drifter Cameron (Lewis Pullman) during night shifts

She beat out: Hannah Einbinder for Hacks, Janelle James for Abbott Elementary,  Michelle Pfeiffer for Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Megan Stalter for Hacks, and Jessica Williams for Shrinking.

The 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards are taking place at the Peacock Theater in downtown Los Angeles on Monday night. 

Law & Order: SVU executive producer/star Mariska Hargitay served as host of the gala event which marks the first time a woman has hosted the show in 15 years.

She kicked off the event with a prerecorded intro featuring New York Knicks NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson and a parody version of 1981 Joan Jett & The Blackhearts hit I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll turned into ‘I love TV screens’ before jumping into a monologue.

Nominations for television’s biggest night were announced back in July as Euphoria‘s Sydney Sweeney, The Bear’s Jeremy Allen White, and Stranger Things as a whole were among the most shocking snubs. 

The Pitt earned the most nods with the hit HBO Max medical drama earning a whopping 25 nominations, which was nearly double the 13 the show had last year.

Kate O’Flynn earned the first award of the night in the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy category

The 40-year-old British actress earned the honor for her work in Widow’s Bay

She beat out: Hannah Einbinder for Hacks, Janelle James for Abbott Elementary, Michelle Pfeiffer for Margo’s Got Money Troubles, Megan Stalter for Hacks, and Jessica Williams for Shrinking

Advertisement

Law & Order: SVU executive producer/star Mariska Hargitay served as host of the gala event which marks the first time a woman has hosted the show in 15 years

 The series earned 13 acting nods including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for star Noah Wyle and top honor Outstanding Drama.

The Pitt was followed closely by another HBO Max awards show darling, Hacks, which earned 24 nominations for its fifth and final season. 

The Pitt earned the most nods with the hit HBO Max medical drama earning a whopping 25 nominations, which was nearly double the 13 the show had last year.

The series earned 13 acting nods including Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for star Noah Wyle and top honor Outstanding Drama.

The Pitt was followed closely by another HBO Max awards show darling, Hacks, which earned 24 nominations for its fifth and final season. 

It is the most ever for a comedy as it beat out previous record holders The Bear and The Studio which had previously earned 23. 

Nominations for television’s biggest night were announced back in July as Sydney Sweeney was one of the most shocking snubs for her work on the third and final season of Euphoria 

The Pitt earned the most nods with the hit HBO Max medical drama earning a whopping 25 nominations including one for leading man Noah Wyle

The Pitt was followed closely by another HBO Max smash, Hacks, which earned 24 nominations for its fifth and final season (Hannah Einbinder and Jean Smart are pictured)

Advertisement

Leading lady Jean Smart now has the chance to earn her fifth Emmy for the show and her eighth overall, which would put her in a tie for the actress with the most Emmy acting wins in history.

Apple TV comedy horror series Widow’s Bay had a strong showing for a newcomer as it earned 19 nods. The streamer also earned 18 nominations for drama Pluribus. 

When it came to the limited/anthology series categories it was the second season of Netflix’s Beef which led the way with 16 nominations.

Streamers didn’t have all the success, however, as the most nominations on the broadcast network side went to iconic variety series Saturday Night Live which earned an impressive 11 nominations.

Apple TV comedy horror series Widow’s Bay had a strong showing for a newcomer as it earned 19 nods (Matthew Rhys is pictured)

Streamers didn’t have all the success, however, as the most nominations on the broadcast network side went to Saturday Night Live which earned an impressive 11 nominations

HBO Max earned the most nominations for any platform this year with an impressive 122 nods including 13 for DTF St. Louis. 

This year, 555 programs were submitted across the 14 program categories, down 7.5% from last year’s 600 entrants. 

That included 110 dramas, 71 comedies, 31 limited/anthology series, 34 movies, 18 variety series and 45 reality competition shows.

The two Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremonies took place last week on Saturday, September 5, and Sunday, September 6.

Emmy Awards 2026 winners

Outstanding Drama Series

Advertisement

The Diplomat

The Gilded Age

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms

Paradise

Advertisement

The Pitt – WINNER

Pluribus

Slow Horses

Your Friends and Neighbors

Advertisement

Noah Wyle led The Pitt to an Outstanding Drama Series honor

 

Outstanding Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary

Advertisement

The Bear

Hacks

Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Nobody Wants This

Advertisement

Only Murders in the Building

Shrinking

Widow’s Bay – WINNER

 

Advertisement

Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series

All Her Fault

The Beast in Me

Beef

Advertisement

DTF St. Louis – WINNER

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

 

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series

Advertisement

Carrie Coon, The Gilded Age

Chase Infiniti, The Testaments

Keri Russell, The Diplomat

Rhea Seehorn, Pluribus – WINNER

Advertisement

Zendaya, Euphoria

Rhea Seehorrn was recognized for her work in Pluribus

 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series

Advertisement

Sterling K. Brown, Paradise

Gary Oldman, Slow Horses

Mark Ruffalo, Task

Rufus Sewell, The Diplomat

Advertisement

Noah Wyle, The Pitt – WINNER

 

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Taylor Dearden, The Pitt

Advertisement

Fiona Dourif, The Pitt

Allison Janney, The Diplomat – WINNER

Katherine LaNasa, The Pitt

Sepideh Moafi, The Pitt

Advertisement

Julianne Nicholson, Paradise

Karolina Wydra, Pluribus

 

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Advertisement

Patrick Ball, The Pitt

Billy Crudup, The Morning Show

Shawn Hatosy, The Pitt

Gerran Howell, The Pitt

Advertisement

Jack Lowden, Slow Horses

Tom Pelphrey, Task – WINNER

Carlos-Manuel Vesga, Pluribus

 

Advertisement

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series

Quinta Brunson, Abbott Elementary

Ayo Edebiri, The Bear

Elle Fanning, Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Advertisement

Lisa Kudrow, The Comeback

Jean Smart, Hacks – WINNER

 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series

Advertisement

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Wonder Man

Steve Carell, Rooster

Matthew Rhys, Widow’s Bay – WINNER

Jason Segel, Shrinking

Advertisement

Martin Short, Only Murders in the Building

Dale Dickey, Widow’s Bay 

Matthew Rhys became the first actor to win two leading actor awards in one night 

 

Advertisement

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Hannah Einbinder, Hacks

Janelle James, Abbott Elementary

Kate O’Flynn, Widow’s Bay – WINNER

Advertisement

Michelle Pfeiffer, Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Megan Stalter, Hacks

Jessica Williams, Shrinking

 

Advertisement

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Colman Domingo, The Four Seasons

Paul W. Downs, Hacks

Harrison Ford, Shrinking

Advertisement

Nick Offerman, Margo’s Got Money Troubles

Stephen Root, Widow’s Bay – WINNER

Michael Urie, Shrinking

Tyler James Williams, Abbott Elementary

Advertisement

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Claire Danes, The Beast in Me

Advertisement

Sally Field, Remarkably Bright Creatures – WINNER

Carey Mulligan, Beef

Sarah Pidgeon, Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette

Sarah Snook, All Her Fault

Advertisement

Sally Field was a surprise winner for Remarkably Bright Creatures

 

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie

Riz Ahmed, Bait

Advertisement

Jason Bateman, Black Rabbit

Charlie Hunnam, Monster: The Ed Gein Story

Oscar Isaac, Beef

Matthew Rhys, The Beast in Me – WINNER

Advertisement

 

Outstanding Reality Competition Program

Dancing With the Stars

RuPaul’s Drag Race

Advertisement

Survivor

Top Chef

The Traitors – WINNER

 

Advertisement

Outstanding Variety Series

The Daily Show

Jimmy Kimmel Live

Last Week Tonight With John Oliver

Advertisement

The Late Show With Stephen Colbert – WINNER

Saturday Night Live

Stephen Colbert earned an Emmy for his now cancelled talk show

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series

Advertisement

The Diplomat (Peter Akerman and Debora Cahn for “Amagansett”)

The Pitt (Kirsten Pierre-Geyfman & R. Scott Gemmill for “1:00 PM”)

The Pitt (Valerie Chu for “12:00 PM”)

Mickey Down and Konrad Kay for “Dear Henry,” Industry

Advertisement

Pluribus (Vince Gilligan for “We Is Us”) – WINNER

Slow Horses (Will Smith for “Scars”)

Task (Brad Ingelsby for “A Still Small Voice”)

 

Advertisement

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (Quinta Brunson for “Team Building”)

The Chair Company (Tim Robinson and Zach Kanin for “Life goes by too f**king fast, it really does”)

The Comeback (Michael Patrick King and Lisa Kudrow for “Valerie Does It All”)

Advertisement

Hacks (Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky for “Hacks”)

Jury Duty Presents: Company Retreat (Anthony King for “Mergers and Acquisitions”)

Widow’s Bay (Katie Dippold for “Welcome to Widow’s Bay”) – WINNER

Katie Dippold had a massive night as she also earned an outstanding writing win

Advertisement

 

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series

The Gilded Age (Salli Richardson-Whitfield for “My Mind Is Made Up”)

Paradise (Hanelle M. Culpepper for “Exodus”)

Advertisement

The Pitt (Noah Wyle for “12:00 PM”)

Pluribus (Vince Gilligan for “We Is Us”)

Slow Horses (Saul Metzstein for “Scars”) – WINNER

Task (Salli Richardson-Whitfield for “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a river”)

Advertisement

 

Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

Abbott Elementary (Randall Einhorn for “Ballgame”)

The Bear (Christopher Storer for “Bears”)

Advertisement

The Chair Company (Andrew DeYoung for “Life goes by too f**king fast, it really does”)

Hacks (Lucia Aniello for “Hacks”)

The Ms. Pat Show (Mary Lou Belli for “Give It Arrest”)

Widow’s Bay (Hiro Murai for “Welcome to Widow’s Bay”) – WINNER

Advertisement

Widow’s Bay’s Hiro Murai earned Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series

 

Advertisement

‘I’ve never been interested in the break-up of the UK,’ Plaid Cymru leader Rhun ap Iorwerth said at a press conference yesterday.

On the face of it, that was an odd statement. He’s leader of Wales’s main pro-independence party, and had just left an unprecedented summit with leaders from fellow anti-Union parties Sinn Fein and the SNP.

But as he continued, it was clear it was a matter of framing: ‘We’re talking about having the tools to build a future for our people through the right of self-determination. It is a wholly positive outlook and vision that we have.’

The ‘break-up of the UK’, then, is not the aim of the national leaders who gathered in Cardiff this morning – it’s merely the outcome.

In a world where those four people – Scottish First Minister John Swinney, Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein president Mary Lou McDonald and ap Iorwerth, who is First Minister of Wales – achieve their political ambitions, only England would be left in the UK.

Which would probably make the name ‘United Kingdom’ a bit redundant.

However, there would be plenty of other almighty changes beyond just the name – or, for that matter, the flag – if the country splits apart into an independent Wales, England and Scotland and a reunified Ireland.

Metro asked politics expert Alistair Jones, a former associate professor at De Montfort University, about some of the less obvious consequences.

Ireland

The reunification of Ireland was unexpectedly launched to the top of the news agenda last week, when US President Donald Trump said he would ‘love to see’ the island unified and proclaimed: ‘It’s going to happen eventually’.

Mary Lou McDonald – typically a fierce critic of Trump, particularly over his stance on Israel and Gaza – said his comments showed that ‘the unity debate is very much alive’.

Alistair Jones pointed out that Northern Ireland has an unusual position in the UK post-Brexit, where it remains in the EU single market.

He said: ‘If Northern Ireland is reunified, then we have that huge border, and access to the European single market becomes a little bit more difficult again.

‘Those businesses that were based in both Great Britain and Northern Ireland being able to access a single market, they would lose that automatically.

‘On the other side of the coin, things such as Britain’s military presence is removed. So suddenly, we have a number of soldiers that are being moved to barracks in Great Britain and potentially being removed from the army because they’re surplus to requirements.’

Scotland

Polls suggest Scotland is more likely to take the big constitutional leap than Northern Ireland or Wales.

There’s a strong majority in the Scottish Parliament for pro-independence parties – as there has been since 2011 – and poll aggregators suggest the ‘yes’ vote has recently had a consistent lead over the ‘no’ vote.

One of the most immediate and drastic impacts of Scotland leaving the UK would be ‘trying to work out where the border is drawn in international waters’, said Alistair, due to the ‘huge oil reserves’ in the North Sea.

He also highlighted one of the big sticking points in the 2014 Scottish independence referendum – currency. Scotland could continue to use the pound in the short term, but may need to transfer to the euro as a requirement for rejoining the EU.

However, Alistair added: ‘If you look at the United States of America, or Germany, or Australia, they’ve actually got more powers than those federal states have got.

‘So, in some respects, Scotland is already in a weird position in that, in a number of areas, they’re acting akin to an independent state.

‘So, I think that final transition would actually be less problematic for the Scots and less visible for the rest of us who are living in England.’

Wales

In comparison, Wales appears much further away from any serious tilt at independence.

Polling suggests the move would be opposed by a strong majority in the country, and Plaid Cymru do not command a majority in the Senedd despite its status as the largest party.

At this year’s elections, the party did not call for a referendum, but instead asked for greater devolution of powers to bring the country somewhat level with Scotland.

Alistair said: ‘The Welsh economy is hugely intertwined with that of England, so any separation is going to be very, very difficult indeed.

‘Simply because so many of the UK businesses that are in both England and Wales are based in England and use Wales as a source of resources.’

England

England is the one country in the UK that does not have a devolved parliament – and therefore, it’s in the odd position of risking becoming independent by default if the other parts leave.

But according to Alistair, the consolation is that ‘people in England would not notice much difference’.

He said: ‘Where they might see some difference would be if they wanted to go to Scotland or Wales on holiday, for example, they’re going to be passports.

‘On top of that, I suspect that the price of whisky will become slightly more expensive as Scotch and malt whiskies coming down from Scotland are likely to have duties placed on them, in particular if Scotland’s in the EU and England remains outside.’

Is the UK going to break apart?

According to a new Ipsos poll, less than a quarter (24%) of British adults believe the UK will still exist in its current form in 20 years’ time.

That figure only rises to 34% on a ten-year timescale and 55% for five years.

However, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said a Scottish independence referendum is ‘off limits’ in a recent letter to John Swinney, saying there is ‘no consensus’ for one and adding there is ‘no clear basis to suggest’ that most people in Northern Ireland want to leave the UK.

That didn’t stop Swinney making the bold prediction today that Burnham will prove to be ‘the last prime minister of the United Kingdom’.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

US President Donald Trump has said fears about the safety of AI are a “hoax”, as he criticised calls to have more guardrails for the fast-moving technology.

It comes after Jack Clark, a co-founder of AI giant Anthropic, told the BBC that a “kill switch” for dangerous AI that can be checked by a third party may need to be mandatory for the industry.

Clark’s comments followed warnings about the risks the technology poses to humanity that have been raised in recent days by several executives and staff at leading AI firms.

Those concerns triggered a selloff in shares of some tech firms on Monday as investors weighed the impact of a potential slowdown in the development of AI.

In a series of social media posts on Monday, the US president compared warnings about AI to the “Global Warming Scam”, that he said was “being perpetrated by the Radical Left Dumocrats”.

Trump also called himself “the Hoax Buster”, likening concerns about the safety of the technology to what he called “the RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA HOAX”.

In another post he wrote: “There is a SICK conspiracy going on against AI and Data Centers, and the only one that is happy about it is China. WHOEVER WINS AI, WINS!”

And earlier on Monday, Trump posted on social media that the only “guardrails” needed for AI was a “strong and smart” president.

Also on Monday, Chinese state media said experts had warned that “Washington’s growing anxiety over China’s rapid AI development appears to be increasingly distorting its policy priorities”.

“They know that China has become a strong competitor in AI, and worry that if the US slows down development or tightens regulation, China could catch up even faster,” Xin Qiang, a professor of American Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times.

Clark, who is one of Anthropic’s seven founders, said earlier on Monday that a way of shutting off AI software completely if it gets too dangerous was something society “might want to eventually pass rules around”.

He added that “most labs have different ways of being able to pull the plug”, including Anthropic, but said lawmakers may need to enforce having one.

Bradford Crown Court heard how 30-year-old Mason Jones died after receiving a 16cm-deep stab wound from a 17.4cm ‘Katto’ knife wielded by John Robinson.

The incident took place at around 9.50am on March 1 this year on Main Street in Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Robinson, 31, of Derry Hill, Menston, denies murder, manslaughter, and having a bladed article in public.

Opening the trial, prosecution barrister David Outterside said: “The prosecution say that the defendant rushed down some stairs, went outside, and joined the confrontation.

“Crucially he had armed himself with his own knife.

“When he got outside, he moved towards Mason Jones and intentionally stabbed him.

“Mason Jones was unarmed from start to finish in this incident.

“The knife penetrated 16cm into Mason Jones’s body. It cut into some vital organs including part of the bowel and ultimately it terminated into the largest vein in the body, the vena cava.

“Mason Jones, having been stabbed, staggered away having been gravely injured, and was given first aid not far away at the scene.

“He was taken to Leeds General Infirmary. However, blood loss was catastrophic. This proved to be a fatal injury. He was confirmed dead at 1pm later that day. He was 30 years old.”

The jury heard that Robinson and his partner Annabel Ramsay had been in an on/off relationship for about three years but on February 28 this year she sent Snapchat messages telling him she didn’t want to be with him and that she wanted to move on with her life.

She spent the evening drinking and taking cocaine at her flat with a female friend and two men, the court heard.

At 2am on March 1, Miss Ramsay sent birthday greetings to a man called Will Clarke, who was out in the Bury area with his friend and work colleague Mason Jones.

Following an exchange of intimate photographs and video calls between Miss Ramsay and Mr Clarke, in which she told him “Ya mate’s sexy”, the two men travelled from Bury to Burley-in-Wharfedale and arrived at her flat at about 6am.

The court heard that Mason Jones had never met Annabel Ramsay, and had certainly not met John Robinson, before that night.

Miss Ramsay and Mr Jones went into her bedroom but emerged when Mr Clarke and the other woman began arguing.

Mr Outterside said: “The whole thing descended into confrontation.

“Annabel Ramsay then got physical with the men and chucked them out of the flat [with] both [her friend] and her pushing them out of the door.”

The two men were left wandering around the village but returned more than once to the flat.

Miss Ramsay later threw her friend out of the flat and made a 14-minute call to Robinson asking him to come to her home.

He immediately took an Uber from his home in Menston, around three miles away, and took with him the chef’s knife, which had his name engraved on the oak handle, the court heard.

Mr Outterside said: “It’s entirely agreed by the defendant that in that uber taxi he had with him his own knife that he had brought to the scene.”

The jury heard that Robinson was at the flat for around 90 minutes before the stabbing, and that he was told there had been trouble between Miss Ramsay and her friend, and Mr Clarke and Mr Jones.

Mr Outterside said: “The prosecution says that having armed himself with this knife, he deliberately stabbed Mason Jones with it to a vital area of the body. We say that when the defendant did this, he plainly intended to cause very serious injury to Mason Jones.

“If you are sure about the things I have just said, [then] that is murder.”

He added: “The defendant will say that although he did leave the address holding the knife, he picked it up in defence of himself and his partner Annabel Ramsay outside the confrontation with Mason Jones.

“He will also say that when he got outside, he was wearing socks and slipped on some mud, causing him to lose his footing and stab Mason Jones to the body.

“His intentions, say the defence, had been motivated by defending someone, and he says the stabbing was a complete accident.

“One of the first and central questions you are going to have to ask yourselves in this trial is: ‘Was the stabbing a deliberate act?’”

The trial continues.

EastEnders’ Cindy Beale (Michelle Collins) was never going to take being cheated on lying down, and sure enough, Max Branning (Jake Wood)’s vengeful ex declares all-out war against him and secret lover Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan-Levy) next week. 

It all came out about Max and Priya’s illicit antics following his drama-filled wedding to Cindy earlier this month, with Cindy flabbergasted to learn of her new husband’s betrayal. 

While she insisted she could forgive him and pleaded with him to make a go of their marriage, Max said no, deciding his heart actually lay with former flame Linda Carter (Kellie Bright). 

However, Cindy currently has no idea that Max is now making a go of things with the ex-Queen Vic landlady, nor that Priya is pregnant with Max’s child – but the latter is set to change next week, which sparks Cindy’s ire. 

Forthcoming scenes see Priya attend a baby scan with her fiancé Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara), who she has led to believe is the father of her unborn child. 

On the tube home, the pair discuss telling their children Nugget and Avani of their impending arrival, unaware that Cindy is on the same carriage and has overheard everything. 

She is immediately suspicious and makes it her mission to prove the real paternity of Priya’s baby. 

Eventually, Cindy finds the evidence that confirms Max is the daddy, and orders Priya to leave Walford or face having the truth exposed.

While Priya stands firm and insists she will not be forced out of her home, a later encounter with Linda and Oscar Branning (Pierre Counihan-Moullier) leaves her questioning her decision. 

Meanwhile, Cindy is not best pleased when she returns home to find Lauren Branning (Jacqueline Jossa) and Peter Beale (Thomas Law) have invited Max over to make amends, and a huge row inevitably erupts. 

There’s then a very public Round Two at The Vic as Cindy declares war on Max and says she is coming after everything he owns in the divorce. 

But something tells us this may not be all cunning Cindy has planned when it comes to revenge. 

With events over the next few months building to Max being arrested for solicitation to murder and a gunman holding Lauren and Oscar hostage on New Year’s Day, could Cindy be plotting something much, much darker than just going after Max’s money?

Michelle Collins herself recently told Metro: ‘[Cindy] knows how to use a gun – she’s used a gun before. I wouldn’t put anything past Cindy. 

‘You do not mess with Cindy. She loves hard, but she also will get revenge. Her revenge will be really hard as well.’

EastEnders airs these scenes from Monday 21st September at 7.30pm on BBC One or stream first from 6am on iPlayer. 

MORE: You’ve missed a lot of EastEnders clues for massive twist

MORE: Zoe dead in EastEnders after crying for Kat following unexpected Max showdown

MORE: EastEnders confirms Max and Zoe’s fates as new spoilers reveal what happens next