The Girls Aloud legend, 43, has returned as Nivea’s brand ambassador to help launch their new eye serum

This is not a drill! Cheryl is back – and could there be a huge TV comeback on the horizon?

The Girls Aloud legend, 43, has returned as Nivea’s brand ambassador to help launch their new eye serum. It comes after Cheryl withdrew from the spotlight two years ago following the death of ex Liam Payne, the father of her nine-year-old son Bear.

Following her son’s birth in 2017, she decided to focus on Bear rather than her music and TV career. She briefly returned to the stage in 2024 for the Girls Aloud reunion tour and paid tribute to late bandmate Sarah Harding.

In a set of stunning new photos, Cheryl glows as she shows off her figure in a sensual, sleek teal blue maxi dress. Placing a manicured hand on her thigh, the singer sits on a white boulder as she gazes into the camera. In another teaser, she gave a glimpse of her cheeky trademark wink.

Earlier this month, it was reported that Cheryl is set to make a huge comeback after reportedly landing a role on The Voice UK.

The Fight For This Love singer is said to be joining pal will.i.am when filming kicks off in the next few weeks, while Stacey Solomon and Alesha Dixon have been tapped to host.

“Every year producers ask Cheryl to go on the show, and it’s a polite ‘no’ as the timing has never quite been right,” a source claimed.

“This year it’s different. She feels ready to re-enter the spotlight and talks are now in the final stages.

“Things could come crashing down but with three weeks to go until filming kicks off, the production team is working on the assumption she will be doing it.

They added to the Sun : “It helps that long-term friend Will.i.am will be beside her on the panel.”

If Cheryl does join the show, it will mark her return to ITV following her exit from the X Factor in 2015. She first joined the show in 2008, replacing Sharon Osbourne – and quickly became a fan favourite.

Advertisement

In 2011, she briefly switched to the US version of the show but left after just a few weeks of filming. Four years later, she made a bombshell return to the UK series, where she remained for two years.

The show, in which the coaches famously turn around their chairs if they want to pick a singer for their team, has been on ITV since it switched channels from BBC One in 2016.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

SEOUL — Shin Jinseo, one of South Korea’s top-ranked Go players, has donated part of the prize money he earned for defeating the artificial intelligence program KataGo to a children’s hospital, extending a run of quiet philanthropy that predates his latest victory.

Shin, a 9-dan professional, visited Severance Children’s Hospital in Seoul on Wednesday and personally handed over a donation of 30 million won, or roughly $22,000, to hospital director Cheon Geun-a. The gift draws on winnings from a July match in which Shin, playing with a two-stone handicap, took on KataGo, widely regarded as one of the strongest Go-playing AI systems in the world.

Shin won that contest 2-1, earning appearance fees and victory bonuses that together totaled 250 million won, or about $180,000. Wednesday’s donation represents a portion of that total.

Shin said he decided to donate because the July match was played on behalf of humanity as a whole, drawing more support from fans than his matches typically receive, and that giving back felt like the right way to repay that encouragement. He added that he hoped the funds would offer even a small measure of help to children and teenagers fighting illness as they work to recover their health.

The gesture continues a pattern of giving that stretches back several years. Shin has previously contributed to relief funds during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, supported scholarships for young Go players and students from his home region, and donated to child welfare organizations. Some of his charitable activity has gone unpublicized, according to people familiar with his giving.

July’s match unfolded against a backdrop of rapid advances in Go-playing artificial intelligence, which have steadily outpaced human players’ capabilities in recent years. Observers in the Go community said Shin’s win carried particular weight given his standing as one of the top-ranked players in the world, even under handicap conditions designed to offset the AI’s advantage.

Figures in the Go world described Shin’s decision to direct part of his winnings toward the hospital as adding a dimension beyond competitive results, framing the episode as pairing a high-profile win over advanced technology with attention to vulnerable members of society. Some suggested his approach could serve as a model for younger athletes across sports.

Severance Children’s Hospital said the donated funds would go toward improving treatment conditions for young patients battling serious illness. Hospital officials were said to have expressed gratitude for Shin’s continued support.

Shin, born in 2002, rose through South Korea’s competitive Go ranks as a teenager and has since become one of the sport’s most recognizable figures both domestically and internationally. In addition to his 2026 match against KataGo, he has taken part in several high-profile exhibition matches against AI systems in recent years, appearances that have drawn broader public attention to competitive Go.

The Go community has said the growing sophistication of AI systems is reshaping how professional players train and how the sport is presented to the public. Many top players now use AI tools to sharpen their own game even as exhibition matches pitting humans against machines have become more frequent. Against that backdrop, Shin’s win over KataGo — and the donation that followed — drew wider attention than a typical tournament result.

People close to Shin said he intends to continue his charitable work independent of his competitive schedule. His latest donation, observers said, illustrates less about the size of the gift than about a broader approach to sharing the results of competition with the wider community.

Peter Cullen, the legendary voice actor best known for bringing Optimus Prime to life across the “Transformers” franchise, has died at age 85. Cullen reportedly died Wednesday at his Los Angeles home, where he was surrounded by members of his family. A cause of death has not been disclosed.

5

Cullen’s agent confirmed his death to TMZ, while his family released a statement honoring the compassion and integrity that defined his life and most famous character.

“Peter Cullen passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family – and held in the hearts of his many friends and countless fans worldwide. His family asks that you honor his remarkable legacy by serving your communities and leading others with compassion, integrity, and loyalty and always remember ‘be strong enough to be gentle,’” the statement read.

Cullen portrayed the character as a powerful but thoughtful leader who valued courage, loyalty and compassion over aggression. His performance ultimately became inseparable from Optimus Prime, earning him generations of fans across animation, movies, video games and other media.

Peter Cullen Became The Voice Of Optimus Prime

5

Peter Cullen began voicing Optimus Prime in the original “The Transformers” animated television series, which premiered in 1984. He also voiced Ironhide and several other characters in the franchise.

The actor reprised Optimus Prime in the 1986 animated movie “The Transformers: The Movie,” helping establish the character as one of the most recognizable leaders in animation. More than two decades later, Cullen returned to the role for Michael Bay’s 2007 live-action “Transformers” movie.

Cullen continued voicing the character in multiple sequels, including “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” “Transformers: Dark of the Moon,” “Transformers: Age of Extinction” and “Transformers: The Last Knight.”

He later returned for “Bumblebee” and “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.”

Cullen Delivered One Of The Franchise’s Most Memorable Speeches

5

Peter Cullen’s deep, commanding voice was featured prominently during the conclusion of the first live-action “Transformers” movie. As Optimus Prime, he delivered a memorable speech about the Autobots making Earth their new home and secretly protecting humanity.

“With the Allspark gone, we cannot return life to our planet,” he began. “And fate has yielded it’s reward, a new world to call home. We live among its people now, hiding in plain site but watching over them in secret… waiting…protecting. I have witnessed their capacity for courage, and though we are worlds apart, like us there’s more to them than meets the eye.”

The monologue ended with Optimus sending a message to any surviving Autobots still hiding among the stars. “I am Optimus Prime, and I send this message to any surviving Autobots taking refuge among the stars: We are here. We are waiting,” he said.

Peter Cullen Voiced Eeyore And Other Beloved Characters

5

Although Optimus Prime became Cullen’s signature role, his voice could be heard across numerous popular television shows and movies. He voiced Eeyore in several “Winnie the Pooh” projects and played Monterey Jack in “Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers.” He also provided the voice of KARR in “Knight Rider.” Nintendo fans may also recognize his work as Mario in the original “Donkey Kong” animated series from the 1980s.

Cullen’s work extended beyond traditional dialogue. He provided the vocal effects for the alien hunter in the 1987 film “Predator,” starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Peter Cullen Received A Lifetime Achievement Award

5

Cullen’s contributions to children’s entertainment were formally recognized in 2023 when he received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Children’s & Family Emmy Awards. The honor celebrated a career that stretched across more than six decades and included hundreds of performances.

He was also nominated for a Daytime Emmy for portraying Optimus Prime in the animated series “Transformers: Prime.”

Birmingham city council is planning to remove British and St George’s flags from lampposts ‘to protect public safety’. 

The council – run by a coalition of the Liberal Democrats, the Greens and independents – launched legal action to ban the flags yesterday. 

If granted an injunction, anyone who erects flags such as the Union Jack near roads without Birmingham Council’s permission could face an unlimited fine or up to two years in prison.

It follows a nationwide debate over whether British and St George’s flags should be allowed, with some viewing them as a sign of patriotism while others deem them a display of nationalism aimed at intimidating ethnic minorities. 

A campaign called Raise The Colours resulted in thousands of St George’s crosses being put on lampposts, roundabouts and homes across the UK. 

It was sparked by local disputes in Birmingham after councils took down the flags from public lampposts. 

Birmingham city council yesterday said it was pursuing legal action to stop people raising the flags, after staff tasked with removing them faced harassment and intimidation. 

Jane Baston, a Green councillor and Birmingham’s cabinet member for equalities, communities and social justice, said: ‘The council is taking a lawful, proportionate and evidence-led approach to unauthorised attachments on the highway.

Birmingham city council first sparked outrage in August last year by ordering the removal of British flags from lampposts 

‘This includes pursuing injunctive action based on the evidence gathered to date. Our priority is to protect public safety, staff and contractor welfare, community cohesion and the responsible use of public funds.

‘We ask residents and community groups to support this approach and to ensure any displays are placed only where permission exists.’

The council’s application named Ryan Bridge, co-founder of Operation Raise the Colours, as well as seven others and ‘persons unknown’. 

Last month, Oxfordshire council became the first local authority to gain legal authority to end flag flying from public infrastructure. 

Maintenance staff at Oxfordshire County Council were told to wear face coverings and check their vehicles for trackers when removing the flags after a colleague’s home address was published by campaigners. 

The local authority, which was previously run by the Liberal Democrats but now has no overall control, had brought legal action to stop people raising flags near highways, which it said involved safety risks concerning trespassing and obstruction. 

While some politicians decried the removals, others claimed the increased number being flown was a result of xenophobia or racism.

Oxfordshire County Council said flags had been placed on or near public roads without permission for months, despite a formal legal notice in March and pre-action legal letters sent to individuals in May.

Birmingham city council said it was pursuing legal action to stop people raising the flags, after staff tasked with removing them faced harassment and intimidation

Advertisement

Birmingham city council first sparked outrage in August last year by ordering the removal of British flags from lampposts – while being ‘too scared’ to take down Palestine flags without police protection. 

At the time, they claimed the flags put the lives of pedestrians and motorists ‘at risk’ despite being as much as 25ft off the ground. 

The flags had been strung up by a small, organised group of residents to ‘show Birmingham and the rest of the country how proud we are of our history, freedoms and achievements’. 

In a statement published yesterday, Raise The Colours said: ‘We have become aware of a Birmingham city council post referring to a High Court injunction application concerning unauthorised highway attachments, including flags, banners and signage. 

‘We were not in dialogue with Birmingham city council prior to this. We only became aware after members of the public alerted us to the Council’s Facebook post and after the matter was mentioned on TalkTV.

‘We believe public funds would be better spent on core services such as refuse collections, safer streets and supporting local communities. 

‘We are seeking clarity and will respond through a proper legal process if required. 

‘We ask everyone not to speculate and to allow the facts to be established through proper channels. We will update people when we are able to do so.’  

Northern Ireland’s largest provider of natural gas, SSE Airtricity, is to increase its prices by almost 19% from 1 October for its 200,000 domestic and small business customers.

It means the annual gas bill of a typical household in the greater Belfast and west gas network areas will increase by almost £172.

The company said “unprecedented levels of volatility in global energy markets and higher wholesale gas prices” had led to the price rise.

Wholesale gas prices in the UK have effectively doubled since the US and Israel began their attack on Iran.

Colin Broomfield from the Utility Regulator said the increase would be “difficult news for many households and small businesses, particularly at a time when wider cost pressures remain a concern”.

“The main reason for the increase is the sustained rise in the wholesale cost of gas, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“The Iranian conflict has continued to impact energy prices globally for the past six months.

“In recent weeks, we have seen the wholesale price of gas reaching 169 pence per therm. This is twice as high as pre-conflict prices.”

The Middle East conflict sent global oil prices soaring as it effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz – one of the world’s key water transport routes for oil, liquid natural gas and other essential commodities – limiting global supplies.

About 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the waterway.

The UK is heavily reliant on oil and gas imports, with the majority coming from the US and Norway.

The price of oil on the global market determines how much the UK pays for it.

Although the UK does get some oil from the North Sea, most of that is exported for refining elsewhere.

On 26 August, the US Commerce Department released July data on the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index. Core PCE rose 0.2% month-on-month and 3.3% year-on-year, in line with market expectations. Ellen Zentner, Chief Economic Strategist at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, noted that the modest upside surprise in inflation was not significant enough to shift the balance of expectations ahead of the Federal Reserve’s September meeting.

Earlier, on 19 August, minutes from the Fed’s July meeting showed that policymakers remained open to further rate increases if inflationary pressures persisted, with three committee members having already voted in favour of a hike. Against this backdrop, Treasury yields remain close to multi-year highs, keeping rate expectations tilted towards the possibility of further tightening.

Technical Analysis of Dow Jones

The four-hour Dow Jones chart (WS30m on FXOpen) shows a short-term downtrend, with prices steadily declining from a local peak around 54,700 and establishing a descending trendline in the process.

On 25 August, the index moved beyond the trendline and subsequently formed the current market profile. The index is now trading between the Point of Control (POC) at 53,490 and the upper boundary of the profile at 53,700.

If the breakout develops into a sustained advance, the next significant level to watch is the red resistance area around 53,900.

Conversely, if the trend breakout proves to be false and the decline resumes, the price would first need to move through the POC at 53,490 and then break below the lower profile boundary at 53,320. Only after clearing this area would the path towards the green support level around 53,150 become more open.

The RSI + MAs indicator currently shows readings of 52, 55 and 51. The oscillator and both moving averages remain within the neutral zone, although the moving averages are still displaying a bullish signal.

Key Takeaways

The attempted break above the descending trendline is taking place within a dense market-profile area, providing no clear confirmation of a sustained move in either direction.

The index’s next move could depend on whether the current divide in expectations surrounding the Fed’s September decision persists or whether incoming economic data shifts the balance decisively in one direction.

Trade global index CFDs with zero commission and tight spreads (additional fees may apply). Open your FXOpen account now or learn more about trading index CFDs with FXOpen.

This article represents the opinion of the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand only. It is not to be construed as an offer, solicitation, or recommendation with respect to products and services provided by the Companies operating under the FXOpen brand, nor is it to be considered financial advice.

First Published: Aug 22 2026 | 11:29 AM IST