Harry Potter star Bel Powley has defended accepting a role in the new TV adaptation of the books, despite the controversy surrounding the franchise’s creator JK Rowling.

The former The Morning Show star is set to appear as Aunt Petunia in the new Harry Potter TV series, the first instalment of which is set to premiere on Sky, Now and HBO Max in the UK later this year.

Powley and many more of her co-stars have faced backlash for choosing to be involved in the show, despite Rowling becoming an increasingly divisive figure due to her stance on issues relating to the transgender community.

This has included deliberately and repeatedly misgendering transgender public figures, as well as donating tens of thousands of pounds to the campaign group which raised the initial legal challenge that led to the UK Supreme Court’s ruling last year that the legal definition of a woman should include only those who were assigned female at birth (and sharing a celebratory post of herself smoking cigar once the Supreme Court’s decision was reached).

Asked about this controversy during a new interview with The Telegraph, Powley began by making it clear that she “strongly’ disagrees “with JK Rowling’s views on gender”.

“I think that the trans community deserve safety and dignity and respect and total acceptance,” she continued

“But,” she added, apparently throwing up her palms. “I love Harry Potter. I grew up with the books. I am from that first generation of readers and, again, I love magic and spookiness.”

John Lithgow admitted earlier this year that he had considered quitting the Harry Potter series – in which he’s set to star as Hogwarts professor Albus Dumbledore – when he began to face criticism over his involvement, but ultimately decided to remain a part of it.

Nick Frost, the new Rubeus Hagrid, also maintained that his and Rowling’s views on trans issues “don’t align in any way, shape or form”.

Meanwhile, Paapa Essiedu, the successor to the late Alan Rickman in the role of Snape, raised eyebrows when he co-signed a petition in solidarity with the transgender community, despite his participation in the new Harry Potter series, on which Rowling serves as an executive producer.

Heated Rivalry newcomer Justice Smith has responded to the outpouring of “love and support” he’s received from the show’s fans since it was announced that he’d be joining the cast.

Over the weekend, it was confirmed that Justice and Charlie Gillespie would be joining the TV phenomenon in its long-awaited second season as Harris Drover and Troy Barrett, a new couple sharing the screen with Shane and Ilya (played by Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie).

Posting on Instagram on Sunday, the Detective Pikachu star wrote: “I have to say I am moved by the support and love I’m getting from fans in my DMs, fans who have welcomed me with open arms and who already feel a responsibility to protect me.”

The I Saw The TV Glow actor added: “I am honoured to play a character you all care about deeply, and I promise I will take good care of him if you give me the chance.

“I am beyond excited for this experience.”

Meanwhile, author Rachel Reid – who penned the original sports romance novels that inspired Heated Rivalry – has already jumped to Justice’s defence, after some fans took issue with Justice’s casting, based on the fact that his character is described in the original novel as being bigger in build than his teammates.

“Thinking about all the people last summer who told me the casting for Ilya and Shane was wrong and bad…” she posted on her Instagram story (per The Hollywood Reporter).

Showrunner Jacob Tierney and executive producer Brendan Brady also said in a statement announcing Justice and Charlie’s casting: “From the start of the casting process, we knew we were looking for actors who could create something truly special together and bring that same depth and heart to the screen.

“Justice and Charlie do exactly that. They immediately connected with the vulnerability and resilience at the core of these characters, bringing an instinctive understanding of who Harris and Troy are.”

Heated Rivalry’s second season is due to begin filming this month, ahead of its release worldwide in 2027.

The production recently released a message addressed to “our incredible fans and everyone who’s been sharing in the excitement for the show”, which read: “Your support, enthusiasm, and kindness have meant the world to us. As we gear up for more Heated Rivalry, please help us in making it the best it can be.

“If you happen to come across one of our filming locations, please give our cast and crew the space they need to do what they do best. We promise it’ll be worth the wait!”

Based on George R R Martin’s books, the new play The Mad King serves as a direct prequel to the original award-winning fantasy drama, set around a decade before it begins, and featuring many of the same characters.

Its opening night took place over the weekend at London’s iconic Globe theatre, with performances scheduled for the next month – and for the most part, critics have been pretty taken with this latest addition to the Westeros universe.

The Mad King has received a smattering of four- and even five-star reviews, with critics praising the play’s production and dramatic tone.

Here’s a selection of what’s been said about Game Of Thrones: The Mad King so far…

“This feels like a five-star production for most devoted throners but a three-star for those who haven’t seen the TV series. Thereby, to channel this show’s infectious tones, the Judging One has trod a path between those stellar prophecies.

“[An] epic theatrical experience […] The Royal Shakespeare Company’s stellar stage show has all the thrillingly staged battles, gory deaths and, yes, dragons that the most bloodthirsty fan could hope for. But there’s also a surprising amount of heart – of the warm, still-beating kind – as it lingers on the faces of its fallen.”

“A remarkable achievement, wonderfully directed by [Dominic] Cooke and superbly acted by every member of the 35-strong ensemble. The result is a brilliant exhibition of how theatre can create magic.

“It’s a clarion call for the power of imagination and skill in telling stories for the ages, making a room filled with others into an entire world.”

“There is a lot to please fans here, with throwaway lines foreshadowing things to come, and lore tidbits designed for dissection on those aforementioned Reddit threads. But there’s also a more universally appealing tale under the surface, of how we choose between love and duty, how the personal bleeds into the political, and how we cope when life doesn’t turn out the way we planned.

“Sometimes The Mad King makes these points with all the subtlety of Robert’s warhammer, but it has the storytelling ambition to win over even the most diehard of dragon sceptics.”

“[Playwright Duncan] Macmillan and Cooke do a decent job of juggling the sizeable number of characters, and ensure the sprawling narrative is largely well-paced, with enough sub-plots and spectacle to keep both hardcore and lesser-engaged fans entertained.

“The cast’s performances are solid too, while the emergence of the iconic Iron Throne in Act II earns a scene-stealing cheer from the audience.”

“The RSC has pulled off a coup by unveiling a gripping prequel to Game of Thrones […] It’s not up there, yet, with the Harry Potter or Stranger Things prequels but, on balance, the Game Of Thrones franchise has yet another worthwhile and lucrative spin-off on its hands.”

“As pure visual spectacle, this is great fun, with excellent oversized puppet horses and a red-eyed dragon, ceaseless grunting swordplay and, crucially, an interval.

“While The Mad King sometimes veers towards the risibly cod-historical, this is by no means a cynical exercise in fan-baiting, but rather a heartfelt addition to Martin’s canon.”

“If Dominic Cooke’s stolid production at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre gives hardcore GoT fans a chance to go hunting for ‘Easter eggs’, it seldom comes close to matching the grim aura of the TV series […] there are more than enough GoT devotees to keep the box office ticking over for the rest of eternity, but only the most dedicated of them will have the energy for this marathon.”

Game Of Thrones: The Mad King is playing at London’s Globe Theatre until 5 September.

The creator of The Office, Extras and After Life premiered his new animated series last week, depicting a group of foul-mouthed stray cats living on the streets of London.

Upon its release, Alley Cats was near-unanimously mauled by critics, many of whom branded it “smug” and needlessly “crude” in a smattering of one- and even zero-star reviews.

Ahead of its release on Friday morning, Ricky posted on X: “If you watch Alley Cats and you get offended at any point, just remember that 1, It’s just a cartoon about cats, and 2, you’re an adult, and can take it.”

He then spent the next few days reposting praise for the show, including one comment by the actor James Dreyfus, who lambasted “pronoun wankers” he claimed were “raging about Alley Cats”, which he described as “a brilliant new cartoon series” and “wickedly funny, very rude and unexpectedly moving” (it’s perhaps worth noting in this instance that even more right-leaning outlets, such as The Telegraph and GB News, were heavily critical of Alley Cats upon its return).

Eventually, once Alley Cats made it to the top spot on Netflix’s in-platform chart of most-watched shows, Ricky commented on Sunday morning: “Oh. My. God. I’ve never been so happy. Best fans in the fucking world.”

The following morning, he wrote: “Millions of you watched Alley Cats last night and kept it at number one. That has annoyed a few people. You should be ashamed of yourselves.”

In an interview with The Times – which gave Alley Cats a more forgiving three-star review, but questioned whether some might find it to be “too much” – published ahead of Alley Cats’ release, Ricky also remarked: “I’m sure many people will find many things to be offended by – with some people it’s their job.”

He added: “It doesn’t bother me, no. It’s inevitable and a bit boring now. But the funny thing is they’ll have to say, ‘I was offended by what a fictional cartoon cat said.’ I can’t wait for that.”

Solar eclipses happen about twice a year. Visible meteor showers, meanwhile, occur up to 30 times annually.

But it’s a lot less common for the events to happen together. Happily, UK stargazers have just that combination to look forward to in the next few days.

The BBC suggested the “main UK [sky gazing] event” of 2026 is likely to be the coming solar eclipse. And as it turns out, it’ll happen within the same 24-hour stretch as the Perseid meteor shower in what’s been termed a “cosmic double whammy”.

This is expected to happen on August 12, 2026.

The partial solar eclipse (90% of the sun will appear to be covered by the moon) will start at around 6:17pm London time (the exact minute will vary across the UK). The greatest coverage, meanwhile, will be seen at 7:12pm London time.

The eclipse will mark the greatest coverage of the sun seen in the UK since 1999.

The Perseid meteor shower, meanwhile, is expected to run from 17 July to 24 August.

But it’s going to “peak” the night of 12-13 August – just hours after the amazing eclipse.

That means the greatest number of meteors are expected to fall on that night, leading to an unusually dazzling display.

Just how covered the sun will appear to be in 2026′s eclipse depends on your location. Spain might be the best place to catch it, but the UK’s in a pretty great spot this year, too.

Some particularly stunning views, with up to 90% coverage, are predicted in cities like:

• Glasgow,
• Belfast,
• Manchester,
• Liverpool,
• Birmingham.

If you’re considering travelling abroad for the event, the Republic of Ireland will have even better odds. Cork is going to see 96% coverage, while Dublin will get an impressive 94%.

Please don’t look directly at the sun during a solar eclipse. That can damage your vision.

Instead, wear certified solar eclipse glasses. Or, you can tune into Royal Museum Greenwich’s live stream of the event, which runs from 6:15-7:30pm on 12 August (it’s free!).

As for the Perseid meteor shower, you won’t need special equipment to watch it – just patience, clear skies, and a lack of light pollution.

The best, most “dramatic” views will probably come after midnight when the sky is darker.

Speaking to the Natural History Museum, planetary scientist Dr Ashley King said: “The darker the skies, the better your chances of seeing the really faint meteors as well… You could go to the coast or stand on a hill in the middle of the countryside somewhere.”

But don’t expect instant results, the expert continued.

“You might not be able to see anything for the first 10 minutes while your eyes adjust to the dark… Once you get used to the low light levels you’ll begin to notice more and more. So don’t give up too quickly.”

Until last week, I’d never heard of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (SADS), sometimes called sudden adult death syndrome.

But the NHS suggests it’s the most common cause of death of under-35s in the UK. It’s believed to affect about 500 people annually in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

The fatal condition leads to an “unexpected” and “sudden” death.

Here, HuffPost UK spoke to Dr Dominic Greenyer, private GP at The Health Suite, about what SADS is, why it might happen, and some possible warning signs.

Despite its (less accurate, Dr Greenyer said) nickname, SADS is not confined to adults. It can affect children and young people too, the doctor explained.

The term is used when “someone dies suddenly and unexpectedly following a cardiac arrest, but a detailed post-mortem and toxicology investigation cannot identify a clear cause”.

“The heart may appear structurally normal, which can make these deaths particularly difficult for families to understand,” he added.

Dr Greenyer told us that the problem can lie in the electrical action of the heart, rather than a structural issue (like a blood clot during a heart attack).

“An abnormal electrical rhythm can cause the heart to beat dangerously fast or erratically, preventing it from pumping blood effectively and resulting in cardiac arrest,” he said.

Genes may be a factor here, too.

“Sometimes, [SADS] is linked to an undiagnosed inherited condition, such as long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome or catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, known as CPVT. These conditions can be very difficult to detect because a person may look healthy, exercise regularly and have no known heart disease,” he shared.

“The most important risk factor is a family history of sudden, unexplained death, particularly at a young age. People should also seek medical advice if a close relative has been diagnosed with an inherited heart rhythm disorder or cardiomyopathy.”

The NHS writes that “fatal arrhythmia may be the first presentation” of the condition. In other words, tragically, it might prove deadly before it shows any other signs.

But Dr Greenyer said there are some symptoms that you should get checked out if you experience them.

“Possible warning signs can include unexplained fainting, especially during exercise or emotional stress; recurrent palpitations; unusual dizziness or seizure-like episodes with no clear explanation,” he said, though the GP stressed that “most people experiencing occasional palpitations or dizziness will not have a dangerous inherited condition”.

Additionally, if you faint during exercise, develop chest pain or severe breathlessness while you’re active, or you have palpitations accompanied by fainting, you should be medically assessed by a doctor who can work out whether further scans and tests are needed.

“It is also important not to create the impression that exercise itself causes SADS,” said Dr Greenyer. “Regular physical activity is overwhelmingly beneficial for the heart. In a small number of people with an undiagnosed electrical condition, intense exercise or stress may act as a trigger, but the underlying condition is the real risk.”

People whose family members have died from SADS may be offered specialist cardiac and genetic assessment, which allows them to receive monitoring and treatment if needed, he ended.

“SADS is frightening precisely because it can affect someone who appears fit and well. However, awareness of family history and taking unexplained symptoms seriously can help doctors identify some of those at increased risk before a catastrophic event occurs.”

Madonna has remembered her former collaborator William Orbit as a musical “genius”.

Over the weekend, the Queen of Pop paid tribute to the British musician and producer, with whom she most notably worked on her Grammy-winning album Ray Of Light in the mid-1990s.

“Goodbye William Orbit,” she wrote on Instagram, following the news of his death at the age of 69, alongside footage of them accepting one of their Grammys.

“I had an epiphany when I met you and started working with you. I realised that music did not have to fit into categories or genres. So we created our own.

“You pressed a magic button inside of me and I fell into a galaxy of unrealised dreams. Your music gave me a magic carpet to fly on and I visited many places, sad and joyful. I sang in ways I’d never sung before. I used words without caring if they made sense or not.”

She recalled: “In many ways you were my Ray Of Light – as was my daughter Lola who was born around this time. I was starting a new chapter, I was choosing another road to walk down – and you were right by my side with your crooked teeth and your genius, way of hearing music.

“The studio was often church-like and I would sit in silence, waiting for your ideas to explode out of your keyboard or your guitar and then I would run with them…”

“I miss those days,” she admitted. “Only you could inspire me to write a song like Drowned World or Swim. You were so otherworldly. So singular.”

Madonna continued: “The years passed and I moved on to make music with other people, but I have never forgotten you or the magical time we spent together.

“Goodbye Billy Bubbles. I was so lucky to have known you and fallen down the rabbit hole with you.”

William co-wrote co-produced some of Madonna’s biggest hits of the 90s and 2000s, including the UK number one singles Frozen and American Pie, as well as Ray Of Light, Nothing Really Matters, Drowned World/Substitute For Love, The Power Of Good-Bye and Beautiful Stranger.

He also released 12 of his own studio albums, including the UK number two Pieces In The Modern Style, in addition to his work with All Saints, Blur and Robbie Williams, among others.

Since the news was confirmed last month that he’s died, many of the other singers and performers who worked with him in his lifetime have also been paying their respects on social media…

Nigel Farage has been accused of having “no serious answers” to the overcrowding prisons crisis.

The Reform UK leader has today announced a plan to free up space in jails in England and Wales by deporting all foreign offenders to “serve their sentences in countries like El Salvador and Kosovo”.

However, of the 10,000 foreign nationals in custody in England and Wales nearly a third are on remand – meaning they have not been convicted, and so would not be eligible for deportation under Reform’s plans.

During his press conference, Farage suggested his party was going on a trip to El Salvador for further discussions about renting prison spaces this year.

Donald Trump previously struck a similar deal with the central American country to deport migrants from the US despite concerns about the prison conditions.

The right-wing party is proposing building “Nightingale prisons” in the UK to create 12,000 more prison spaces, too.

Farage’s proposals were completely rinsed by Labour, though.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Keeping the public safe is and always will be Labour’s first priority.

“The government has already made clear we are working at pace to deport foreign criminals and we’re building more prison places to deliver justice for victims and keep criminals behind bars.

“Reform have no serious answers to the Tory prisons crisis and would lead the system to collapse.

“This would result in a free for all for dangerous and violent offenders, including murderers and rapists. Nigel Farage and Reform simply can’t be trusted to keep Britain safe.”

Prime minister Andy Burnham has been overseeing Labour’s early release scheme, which means thousands of inmates have been freed after serving only a third of their sentences.

However, there has been significant backlash after it emerged that two of police office Andy Harper’s killers being freed.

More than 800,000 Brits signed a petition to stop their release.

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