The pioneering British artist David Hockney has died at the age of 88.

On Friday morning, his publicist, Erica Bolton, announced that the legendary painter had died at his home the previous day.

Her statement read: “The celebrated British artist David Hockney, one of the most important figures in contemporary art in both the 20th and 21st centuries, passed away peacefully at home on 11 June 2026, one month short of his 89th birthday.”

Born in Bradford in the July of 1937, David studied as a young man at the Royal College of Art, before making the move to California.

First making a name for himself in the 1960s as a leading figure in the pop art movement, David became synonymous with his brightly-coloured swimming pool paintings in the early years of his professional art career.

His other most notable works included portraits using various media of key figures in his personal life – including family members, friends and lovers – many of whom he revisited numerous times over the course of his decades-long career in different works.

During his lifetime, he repeatedly stated that his ethos when it came to art was to “paint the things you love”.

In 2018, he set a new record when his painting Portrait Of An Artist (Pool With Two Figures) sold at an auction for around £70 million, the highest figure ever for a work by a living artist.

His accolades included the Alfred Toepfer Foundation’s Shakespeare prize and being named Britain’s most influential artist in a 2012 poll of painters and sculptors.

David was also appointed to the Order of Merit in 2012, having declined a knighthood years earlier, claiming in the early 1990s that he didn’t “rate prizes”.

An exhibition of recent paintings by David is currently on display at London’s Serpentine gallery.

Reform’s deputy leader was left squirming by a GB News journalist over the party’s record on defence.

Richard Tice clashed with Christopher Hope, the broadcaster’s political editor, after John Healey’s resignation as defence secretary.

Hope said the fact that Reform does not even have a designated defence spokesman showed the party “isn’t serious” about the issue.

At one point in the live interview, Tice even claimed that Nigel Farage, the party’s leader, was also its defence spokesman.

Hope told him: “You don’t take it seriously … you don’t have a defence spokesman. That says everything about your seriousness as a party.

“If you think you are a serious party on defence, who is your spokesman?”

A clearly-flustered Tice insisted that “what matters” is Reform’s pledge to boost defence spending.

“We’ve shown how you do it, that’s what matters,” he said. “That’s why we’re leading in the polls.”

But Hope asked him again: “Can you name your defence spokesman? It’s not an MP, is it? It’s someone else. Who is your defence spokesman?”

Tice said: “Listen, Nigel and I cover foreign and defence, and we know how you get the money. You scrap net zero, you provide at least an extra £10-£20 billion as required in order to keep British citizens safe.”

Hope hit back: “But your party isn’t serious without having a defence spokesman. You can’t come on GB News – it insults our viewers for you to say it’s important.”

Watch the full clash below.

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Critics have been weighing in on Disclosure Day, which sees Steven Spielberg returning to his beloved science fiction genre.

In his latest big-screen offering, the legendary filmmaker is once again exploring the idea of extraterrestrial beings coming to earth – only this time he’s taking a close look at the philosophical and religious implications of an alien invasion.

Disclosure Day boasts a star-studded cast that includes Emily Blunt, Josh O’Connor and Colin Firth, and tells the story of a small group of individuals who become involved in a government conspiracy to keep the existence of intelligent alien life a secret.

Early reviews hailed the film as a “gripping” and “thrilling’ masterpiece from the legendary director, earning an 82% score on Rotten Tomatoes.

However, not all reviewers were in love with the new sci-fi blockbuster, with some critics – including several from prominent British outlets – claiming it is “drab” and a “rehash” of Spielberg’s past works.

Here’s a selection of what critics are saying about Disclosure Day…

“Disclosure Day feels not like a repetition but like a thunderclap culmination, the kind of movie you make when, at age 79, you’re not only at the peak of your skills, but you realise time is running out. What, exactly, do you want to say, and how do you find the pictures, the words?

“The pictures and words are all right there in Disclosure Day, an eleventh-hour plea to reconnect with all that makes us human, even if we need to invoke the help of imaginary aliens to do it.”

“Disclosure Day has many layers, but it is also a crackerjack rip-roaring ride for much of its running time, a movie that essentially centres on two main characters in search of answers to what is happening to them, keeping the audience in the dark as much as they are.”

“What Spielberg has conjured here is some of his vintage boldness in transforming the cinema screen into a magical theatre of childlike wonder.”

“While Spielberg has never lost his sense of fun, Disclosure Day is uniquely fortified by the sense that he’s still searching for new ways to enrapture a jaded audience with his spectacle, and the movie’s ethos becomes that much harder to deny every time its director manages to suspend our disbelief all over again.

“There might not be anything here quite as inventive as the spider robot sequence from Minority Report, but a certain setpiece – the one that starts with a car getting shoved into an oncoming freight train – is as gripping as Hollywood action gets.”

“Disclosure Day is never anything other than entertaining and grade-A fun; rare enough in the movies or anywhere else, rocketing along with barnstorming set-pieces, exhilarating chases, funny lines and a career-topper of a performance from Blunt who may yet be morphing into a female version of Tom Hanks.”

“The movie duly pulls out all the stops, and then a couple more. As if to say, ‘still got it!’, there are big-ticket action sequences and the screwball comic interludes Spielberg always had a knack for. The ride is rarely dull.”

“There are allegories that can be read about fear of the unknown breeding cruelty and exploitation, but Disclosure Day is first and foremost a propulsive yarn with thematic roots in hope, truth, empathy and perhaps even spirituality.”

“The film is, in a lot of ways, vintage Spielberg: He hasn’t lost a step with a camera that sprints from start to finish, there are some fantastic technical sequences, and the performances from the two leads in particular are great.

“And while Disclosure Day stumbles a bit for me at the finish line in a way that makes some of the film’s other nits a little more worth picking, it’s still an original, big-budget science fiction conversation-starter from one of cinema’s all-time greats.”

“While Disclosure Day doesn’t live up to the high standards he’s [Spielberg] set, it’s still a thrill ride, thumbing its nose at authority and begging its audience for more empathy, not less.

“Even if not all the pieces snap flawlessly into place, Disclosure Day is a reminder of how much magic is still left up Spielberg’s sleeve.”

“[Disclosure Day’s] script exaggerates the best and the worst of how humans might respond to such a revelation, and Spielberg struggles to split the difference between paranoid-thriller cynicism and his usual mode of emotional uplift.

“That waffling ultimately strands Disclosure Day on a heartfelt yet fuzzy middle ground, with a generalised plea for cross-species understanding that, even bolstered by the reliable stirrings of a John Williams score, left me dispiritingly dry-eyed.”

“Spielberg, as part of the film’s publicity, has suggested that he believes in alien visitations, and that he’s an advocate for disclosure. But where Close Encounters tapped into the mystery of all this with an innocence that was both starry-eyed and spectacular, Disclosure Day feels like a thriller docudrama that’s too cut-and-dried about what it believes.

“The actors are quite good (especially Blunt, who makes you feel she’s seeing the uncanny), but for all the film’s slow build it doesn’t take us anywhere overly surprising. It just confirms the ‘truth’ that’s been out there for so long it’s starting to feel like a fairy tale for the dispossessed.”

“Essentially, it’s a drab X-Files episode, or a more conventional One Battle After Another, in which some people we don’t care about are hunted by some other people we don’t care about.”

“Sadly, there’s nothing original here, or at least nothing to match, say, Jordan Peele’s vastly superior UFO drama Nope. Instead it’s just Spielberg badly rehashed, poorly reheated, lukewarm and with extra treacle.”

“It is shot and staged with Spielberg’s signature elegance: a central foot-to-car-to-train chase moves with such breathless lucidity it is as if the director is beaming excitement directly into your brain. But the plotting surrounding the action is often woolly and lopsided, while the tone is an awkward mix of solemnity and silliness.”

Disclosure Day is out in cinemas now.

From thinking about whether you’re allowed to travel with a power bank to catching yourself wondering why planes have ashtrays when you can’t smoke, jetting off abroad takes some serious brainpower.

However, the one thing we can never prepare for? Poorly behaved passengers – something (or someone!) that can ruin your trip before it’s even begun.

I’ve been on so many trips where I can’t sleep or get comfortable because people are reclining in front of me – and don’t get me started on people unnecessarily blocking the aisles.

If you want to avoid becoming that person, you’re in luck. In a HuffPost UK exclusive, etiquette expert Grant Harrold spoke to SMC Coach Hire about the biggest mid-air mistakes travellers make on planes – and his golden rules for surviving the skies with your dignity intact.

“If you’re on a normal day flight, you don’t need to sleep on the plane, therefore you do not need to recline in that seat. If it’s under two hours, you shouldn’t recline it. If it’s over three hours, you have the possibility of reclining it.

“People get really annoyed as they’re trying to eat, trying to watch movies, they’re trying to do stuff. If you do want to recline, ask the person behind you first out of courtesy. If they say yes, tell them to let you know if they want you to put it up at any point.”

“For shorter flights, some passengers opt to take on their own food – but it’s important to be courteous when making your choices. Don’t eat anything with a strong smell, it’s a small space and smells can really travel.

“Definitely avoid fish, but also things like crisps with a strong smell. Also, from a safety point of view, don’t buy anything that could put people with allergies at risk – so nuts are a definite no-no.”

“There should be strict rules about the armrests. If you’ve got a window seat, you do not get the armrest on the left-hand side. You can lean on the side where the window is.

“If you’ve got an aisle seat, you’ve got the luxury of being able to go up and down to the toilet. You have got access to the whole plane. If you have the middle seat, you need to be diplomatic, and people need to allow that person to rest their arms.”

“People who put the blinds down during the day on the plane are quite annoying. While it’s technically next to them, it has an impact on everyone around them. If it’s very bright and it’s in your eyes, ask the people next to you if they mind you closing it.

“But if it’s just because you want some darkness, closing them is rude and selfish. If you plan to sleep on a daytime flight, take an eye mask with you. It’s not acceptable to make everyone else sit in darkness so you can have a quick nap.”

“I’ve been on flights where you hear the whole conversation the whole way. I’ll have a short conversation occasionally, but also, if people are trying to sleep next to you, do not have conversations, especially if it’s a night flight.

“If you do need to talk, speak quietly in hushed tones so it doesn’t impact those around you.”

Grant adds: “Offer to help people with luggage and be polite to fellow travellers. Being a good passenger is all about showing respect to those around you.

“If you’re in a three-seat situation and if somebody’s trying to pass something to the cabin crew, you should always pass it to them. Also, help people put their bags into the overhead compartments.”

One of my favourite YouTube blunders is from creator Brittany Broski, who complained to drag queen Trixie Mattel (busy giving the online star a heavy-lashed makeover at the time): “When I close my eyes, I can’t see.”

It’s hard not to laugh at Trixie’s disbelieving “Well…”, given that we all know the world goes dark when we lower our lids.

Except ― does it? While we clearly can’t “see” the real world when our eyes are closed, many of us do start to notice patterns, shapes, and colours when our retinas are deprived of light.

Why is that, how common is it, and what does it mean?

According to health information site Healthline, these are called “closed-eye hallucinations.”

They’re technically hallucinations because, well, when you close your eyes you can’t see ― the visions come completely from your brain.

Common “closed-eye hallucinations” include swirling shapes, pixel-like squares, seemingly random objects, and even flashing lights.

Mine often look a bit like the ever-moving Windows ’98 screensavers and it never occurred to me that not everyone sees them.

These come from phosphenes, healthcare providers Cleveland Clinic explains, which create “flashes of light with or without structure that you see when there isn’t an actual source of light entering into your eye.”

They’re most often present when there’s pressure on your eyes (I sleep with my face mushed into a pillow, so that makes sense) ― but they can also arise from your brain or retina.

The illusions “may or may not be” a sign of medical issues, Cleveland Clinic says ― though Healthline assures us that, “Closed-eye hallucinations aren’t typically a cause for concern.”

They can sometimes arise after a blow to the head, as a result of retinal or neurological conditions, due to chemo and radiation, or as a withdrawal symptom.

They can also appear when you cough or rub your eyes and even reveal low blood pressure.

“If you see phosphenes frequently and you have other symptoms that worry you, like double vision (diplopia) or blurry vision, you should consult an eye care provider, such as an ophthalmologist,” Cleveland Clinic shares.

“If you know you have diabetes, or if you’re seeing floaters in conjunction with the phosphenes, you should also consult an eye care provider.”

Healthline adds that “if closed-eye hallucinations are so significant that they cause insomnia or anxiety, consider seeing a doctor.”

The majority of cases, however, are nothing to worry about.

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Pride started as a protest, there’s no disputing that fact. And while that sentiment needs to continue today more than ever, allow me to present something radical: pleasure is resistance.

While of course it’s important to recognise and shout about the myriad ways queer people continue to be excluded from rights and society, if there’s one thing that’s going to stick it to the man, it’s us having a banging good time.

And I mean that literally: partying and drinking, duh, but also chasing that orgasm high.

So you can get your socks off this Pride month, whether you have a penis or vulva, I’ve consulted sexologist and therapist for Passionerad Sofie Roos to help me round up the best LGBTQ+ sex toys to shop now.

Best LGBTQ+ sex toys at a glance:

A sex toy is a sex toy, meaning any type can work for straight people and queer folk alike (if you get creative enough), according to Roos.

“The most common queer sex toy categories are basically the same as for straight people, which includes:

• Clit vibrators
• Dildos in all its shapes, sizes and materials,
• Anal toys such as butt plugs,
• Cock rings,
• Masturbators,
• Couples’ vibrators and long-distance sex toys, even though prostate massagers, strap-ons and harnesses always are a bit extra trendy and relevant among the LGBTQ+ community!”

“Do you want the toy to focus on the clitoris, give vaginal stimulation, stimulate the G-spot, your penis, balls, anal, the prostate, nipples or something else, and do you value how it looks or only how it feels?” Roos recommends asking yourself.

“Look for toys made out of bod- safe materials, such as medical silicone, glass or stainless steel,” Roos adds. “Pay attention to user reviews, try to pick well- established retailers and brands, and go for one premium toy rather than two or three budget options.”

“You don’t need to go for the most popular sex toys, but rather you should try to find something that feels right for your body and identity, and looks like it will help you discover what gives you pleasure,” Roos emphasises. A good sign you’ll like something is if the mere sight of it excites you.

Keep reading to find our round up of the best LGBTQ+ to shop, and our tips for how to figure out which you’ll enjoy the most.

In 2026, non-realistic dildos are especially popular, according to Roos. “This includes fantasy dildos, such as dragon or beast models, and dildos that are gender-neutral and don’t look like penises, but instead have strong colours, no glans and no balls,” she says.

“More queer people are entering relationships with folk who live far away, for example because the dating scene is too small where they live, which has made everything from WiFi controlled vibrators, to remote butt plugs, and distance controlled sleeves extra trendy,” Roos explains.

In 2026, sex toys are also starting to focus less on orgasm as the end goal, and more on the experience of pleasure as a whole, Roos adds.

“I’ve noticed a bigger interest in sexual wellbeing products, rather than to only focus on giving strong orgasms,” she says. “More and more, sex toys are talked about as an important part of mental health, in getting to know your body better, and for creating better and stronger intimacy both with yourself and your partner.”

“Bring it up outside the bedroom in a situation where you’re both relaxed,” Roos recommends. Rather than bring these conversations up during sex, which can make your partner feel pressured, approach it in a neutral setting with curiosity, and ask whether it’s something your partner would be interested in.

“Bring up your expectations, boundaries, needs and what you feel comfortable and curious about, as well as what you don’t want to try, this as it gives much better opportunities for having a great experience from the start,” Roos adds. “The more you talk, and the more honest you are, the easier and safer it will be to go from theory to actually testing a sex toy together.”

While talking about sex toys, make sure to emphasise their purpose is to add to both partners’ pleasure, rather than replace them. “Try to be clear that sex toys are a complement, and something that enriches your already fun, hot, and intimate sex life,” Roos says. “This is to avoid your partner feeling like the toy is a replacement for them.”

Once you’re done, talk about the experience and what you both enjoyed. “Ask what felt good, what would you want to try next time, and what didn’t feel comfortable,” Roos recommends.