Between the more dramatic – and, indeed, salacious – revelations in Lena Dunham’s new book, she’s also treated Girls fans to some intriguing behind-the-scenes tea.

In her new memoir Famesick, the Emmy nominee has opened up about some of the A-list stars who tried out for roles in Girls, only to not make the cut.

While she didn’t name which parts the actors were trying out for, she listed Marvel star Elizabeth Olsen, Fifty Shades actor Dakota Johnson, Black Mirror’s Cristin Milioti and comedian Amy Schumer, claiming they were all seen “several times” about appearing in the show.

She also claimed: “I recognised a woman named Allison Mack from Smallville; she wasn’t right for any of the roles but invited me via email to her ‘intimate women’s group’ every week for the next year (there but for the grace of God go I).”

In 2021, Allison Mack was imprisoned over her involvement in the sex-trafficking cult NXIVM, after pleading guilty to charges of racketeering and racketeering conspiracy.

Lena previously wrote about Amy Schumer’s Girls audition in her Lenny newsletter back in 2016, revealing the comic tried out for the role of Shoshana.

“Everyone in the room was stunned by the detail and skill of her improv, the wild talent radiating off her (and I was personally intrigued by her breasts),” she joked.

“It was clear Amy wasn’t meant to play an innocent Juicy Couture lover obsessed with emoji – even if her Meatpacking District club lingo was the funniest shit I had ever heard. But when she left the room, the vibe was very ‘Someone give that lady a show, STAT!’.”

Meanwhile, Jenny Slate has previously revealed that she made it far into the audition process for the role of Marnie, which eventually went to Allison Williams, before eventually being cast as recurring character Tally Schifrin.

Keir Starmer has hit back at Donald Trump after the US president threatened to rip up the UK-US trade deal over over the pair’s rift on the Iran war.

The prime minister insisted he is “not going to yield” on the conflict despite pressure from the White House.

The trade agreement struck last year is seen as one of the biggest achievements of Starmer’s time in office.

But in an interview with Sky News on Tuesday, Trump said the deal “can always be changed” as relations between the two men remain in the deep freeze.

At prime minister questions on Wednesday, Lib Dem leader Ed Davey called on Starmer to cancel King Charles’ state visit to America later this month in responce.

The PM replied: “My position on the Iran war has been clear from the start. We’re not going to get dragged into this war. It is not our war.

“A lot of pressure has been applied to me to take a different course, and that pressure included what happened last night.

“I’m not going to change my mind. I’m not going to yield.

“It is not in our national interest to join this war, and we will not do so. I know where I stand.”

Starmer also took a pointed dig at Trump by insisting the so-called special relationship between Britain and the United States is bigger than any one person.

He said: “In relation to the King’s visit, this the purpose of the visit is to mark the 250th anniversary of relations and independence, obviously, of the US.

“The monarchy is an important reminder of the longstanding bonds and enduring relationship between our two countries, which are far greater than anyone who occupies any particular office at any particular time.”

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When filmed right, a sex scene can be incredibly steamy and really enhance the viewing experience, especially if you’re already heavily invested in the characters.

For example, is there anything better in a romcom than the will-they-won’t-they couple finally coming to their senses and racing to the bedroom for a passionate evening in the sheets? I think not.

In fact, these scenes can be so believable that it’s hard to believe that the actors aren’t actually going at it. How do you stay un-aroused while filming these scenes? How do you go back to talking normally to the co-star once the scene is complete?

Well, there’s a lot to it.

While these scenes are hot as hell to us, the behind-the-scenes filming is… not so much. According to Backstage, there are a number of measures in place to ensure the safety and comfort of the actors, as well as choreography.

Basically, the scenes may SEEM very real to us but there is so much that goes into making them happen that they’re anything but.

Before the scene is even staged, the parties involved in a sex scene will meet with an intimacy coordinator one-on-one to ensure that the actor feels safe in the scene, discuss any boundaries and any other concerns that they may have.

From there, the intimacy coordinator works with a choreographer to discuss what can and cannot happen in the scene, which areas of the body the actors are comfortable with displaying and being touched and the boundaries the actors have when it comes to filming a sex scene.

Then there are the modesty garments. Backstage explains: “Modesty garments are coverings or full-body makeup can shield certain body parts from the camera and prevent genital-on-genital contact, which is strictly prohibited on union sets. ”

Shibues and hibues—strapless thongs—are a popular form of modesty patch. These stick directly to the body and give the illusion of nudity without actually revealing an actor’s genitals. While the adhesive is pretty strong, these can be removed with baby oil.

Speaking to Backstage, Alicia Rodis, an intimacy coordinator said that she keeps these in a variety of hues on set, adding: “We take a shibue, open it up, and put a silicone guard underneath so everyone becomes like a Barbie doll.”

Though people with penises may opt to wear a “sock”, which is a drawstring skin-coloured pouch that holds the penis and testicles, instead. For those with breasts, they can wear pasties over their nipples.

With all of these measures in place, it’s hard to imagine getting aroused but according to David Thackeray, an intimacy coordinator for studios like Netflix, Warner Bros, Apple TV, BBC, and HBO, it’s perfectly normal.

Speaking to Business Insider, Thackery said that during the filming of sex scenes, actors “are going through the physical and the mind, so yeah, it happens.”

When it does happen, the production immediately pauses. Thackery said: “We just make it really clear that’s normal and that the worst thing you can do is carry on, so we call that a time-out. Give them five minutes then I come in and check in … Then we come back into it when they’re ready.”

Thackery added that actors are warned that this can happen beforehand and intimacy coordinators work hard to ensure the entire team knows that this is normal, saying: “The worst thing we can do is gawk or make it a massive deal. I will say for the crew as well, making sure they’re aware of what scene is being shot, what nudity is going to be seen. You don’t want them to be surprised.”

Thackery also added that the crew can also call a time-out during the filming of these scenes.

Medical comment provided by Dr Donald Grant, GP and Senior Clinical Advisor at The Independent Pharmacy.

It’s a tough feat, even for tough feet: the 42.2km course of a standard marathon is a challenge many runners aspire to beat.

More and more of us are reaching the impressive milestone. 2026′s Brighton Marathon, for instance, saw a record-breaking 14,000 finishers.

Generally, being able to complete the race is seen as a marker of amazing health. Certainly, exercise is great for us, and runners can be expected to live as many as 12 years longer than less active people.

But given that ultra-endurance running has been associated with GI issues, and that tendinopathy, stress fractures, and even a higher risk of kidney and heart issues can hit on race day, we asked GP Dr Donald Grant to share whether they’re overall good or bad for our health.

Sure, the day itself can be tough – “The marathon itself places a significant amount of stress on the body, particularly on the heart, joints and muscles, and it’s not uncommon to see temporary inflammation, fatigue or minor injuries following the event”.

That’s especially true if you haven’t prepared well for the event. But the race is only one session in what is usually a multi-week programme.

“Many of the long-term health benefits actually stem from the training element, where continuous exercise helps improve cardiovascular well-being, strengthen muscles and support mental well-being,” said Dr Grant.

“For most people, these benefits will outweigh the short-term strain of the event itself, provided they train appropriately.

Sticking to a well-organised endurance training plan can “strengthen the heart and make it more efficient, reducing blood pressure.

“These adaptations are linked to a reduced risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.”

So, while “The intense and repetitive strain placed on the body, particularly the joints, muscles, and connective tissues, can increase the likelihood of overuse injuries such as tendonitis and knee problems,” in general, “Running a marathon can be very good for your health when approached responsibly, but it can be harmful if undertaken without proper preparation and care.

“The difference lies in how well the demands of training and racing are balanced with recovery and overall lifestyle.”

Of course, you definitely don’t have to run a marathon to see health benefits.

Some research has suggested that the Goldilocks zone for maximum longevity is about two and a half hours of running per week (for reference, the average marathon finish time for UK women is about five hours, and obviously happens in one day).

“While running offers clear health benefits, these don’t necessarily continue to increase the longer or more intensely you train. Even moderate distance running is sufficient to improve cardiovascular fitness and overall well-being,” Dr Grant said.

“With extreme endurance events such as marathons, it could be said that benefits plateau and the risks of factors such as overuse injuries or fatigue may increase. It’s all about finding a balance that works for you.”

Lindsay Hoyle slapped down Keir Starmer as he gave a long-winded answer during prime minister’s questions.

The Commons Speaker was forced to interrupt the PM as he clashed with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch.

Starmer was once again repeating his attack on Badenoch for initially calling on the government to give its full support to Donald Trump’s war in Iran.

He said: “A week later, when she realised she had made a massive error of judgment, she made the mother of all U-turns.

“But that didn’t work, so this weekend she said when I said we should jump into the war, she said she meant verbal support.”

But Hoyle then stood up and told the PM: “It’s prime minister’s questions. We’ve got to concentrate.”

The prime minister has been regularly criticised for dodging questions at PMQs.

Last month, he failed to give a straight answer when asked six times by Badenoch if he had personally spoken to disgraced Labour peer Lord Mandelson before appointing him the UK’s ambassador to Washington.

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A nasal spray has been found to reverse signs of brain ageing in preclinical trials, according to a new paper published in the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles.

The spray, which tackles a process typical to ageing brains called “neuroinflammaging”, delivered benefits within weeks – and results lasted for months.

“What we’re showing is brain ageing can be reversed, to help people stay mentally sharp, socially engaged and free from age-related decline,” research author Dr Ashok K. Shetty told Texas A&M University.

He added that this may be especially important as “brain age-related diseases like dementia are a major health concern worldwide”.

The spray aims to change how carriers of genetic material called extracellular vesicles (EVs) can reach the brain. EVS contain microRNAs.

“MicroRNAs act like master regulators,” nasal spray researcher Dr Madhu Leelavathi Narayana said. “They help modulate and regulate many gene and signalling pathways in the brain.”

The aim of the new nasal spray is to break through the brain’s defences to deliver these useful bundles of genetic information straight to people’s minds.

That way, the brain absorbs more microRNAs, which help to “recharge” the brain cells of those using the spray.

In the study, that led to less brain fog, better ability to process and remember information, and less inflammation (chronic inflammation is linked to increased signs of ageing).

“We are giving neurons their spark back by reducing oxidative stress and reactivating the brain’s mitochondria,” said Dr Naryana.

And Dr Shetty added they saw the “brain’s own repair systems switch on, healing inflammation and restoring itself”.

These were promising preclinical results, but scientists will need a lot more research to develop this spray.

“This kind of work requires resources and the right people to tackle problems and develop solutions that could change lives,” said Dr Shetty.

But, he said: “As we develop and scale this therapy, a simple, two-dose nasal spray could one day replace invasive, risky procedures or maybe even months of medication.”

Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock had some fun while teasing their new sequel to Practical Magic at CinemaCon in Las Vegas.

On Sunday night, the pair appeared on stage together at the movie event to discuss their supernatural reunion, with Sandra commenting: “Why do we come here, Nicole?”

“We come to this place for magic,” the Oscar winner playfully responded.

Nicole was, of course, alluding to her now-infamous advert for AMC, which premiered in 2021 and immediately went viral due to the A-lister’s earnest declarations about why she loves a trip to the cinema so much.

Back in 2024, the Australian performer admitted she was well aware of the many memes she’d inspired over the years – and set the record straight on a few.

As for her iconic AMC advert, she insisted: “I’ll do anything for cinema, so you can meme me as much as you want.”

Elsewhere during their on-stage appearance at ComicCon, Nicole assured fans that they can look forward to more “midnight margaritas”, “jumping off the roof” and hers and Sandra’s characters’ pasts “catching up with us”.

“We have our destinies, and the family,” she noted. “I think it’s going to be really, really fun.”

“Getting to return to these characters that have been so loved and so shared, it really has been magical,” Nicole later enthused (as reported by Deadline). “And being back together, it just clicked.”

Sandra also pointed out that the house from the original film has been recreated to the last detail.

“We filled that house with many old and new characters that you’ll love and brought Alice Hoffman’s Book of Magic to life,” she explained.

Practical Magic 2 is currently slated for release in cinemas on 11 September 2026.

If you can’t hang on until then, you can also currently stream the first movie on Now and HBO Max.