Pop Culture

“In the first years of dance college it was like a test to see who was strong enough to get through. Teachers would push you and push you and push you, as if their aim was to get you to break.” Lily* is one of several dancers and former dancers who have shared their experiences

A former Strictly Come Dancing star has told Sky News she believes show bosses have sometimes prioritised looks, rather than teaching ability, when it comes to picking professionals – and that dancers can be “brutal” to each other behind the scenes. Being able to dance and being able to teach dance are very different skills,

Charli XCX is officially bringing “brat summer” to the Mercury Prize – after being shortlisted alongside other artists including Ghetts, Barry Can’t Swim and Nia Archives. The acclaimed singer-songwriter has made the 12-strong shortlist for the second time with her blockbuster sixth album Brat, the force behind the viral trend that has even become part

The BBC director-general has addressed the controversy surrounding hit show Strictly Come Dancing, saying the organisation “will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour” and that “the line should never be crossed”. Tim Davie made the comments at a news briefing following the release of the broadcaster’s annual report, which reveals, among other things, the salaries of its

Huw Edwards is among the BBC’s highest-paid stars of the last year, despite being suspended in July 2023 amid allegations of misconduct. The newsreader, who officially resigned earlier this year, was paid between £475,000 and £479,999 in the 2023-24 financial year, making him the broadcaster’s third-highest-paid presenter. Salary details of on-air talent have been published

A former Strictly Come Dancing contestant has recalled having a “frustrating” experience on the show, comparing it to a “pressure cooker”. Olympic boxer turned wrestler Anthony Ogogo told Sky News that participants are part of a “fishbowl of… emotion” and even “strong-willed” people like him could buckle “under that pressure”. Ogogo added that although he

Adidas has apologised to Bella Hadid after the supermodel was removed from a shoe campaign that was in reference to an Olympics at which Israeli athletes were killed by pro-Palestinian terrorists. Adverts featuring the US supermodel for a relaunch of an Adidas shoe from the 1972 Munich Olympics were pulled on Friday, after pro-Israel groups

Snoop Dogg will carry the Olympic torch in the final stages of its journey, just before it heads towards the Eiffel Tower. The US rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus Jr, is in Paris as a special correspondent for Sky’s partner network NBC. Snoop, 52, shared a photo of himself outside the city hall

John Mayall, the British blues musician whose band was a training ground for Eric Clapton, Mick Fleetwood and many other superstars, has died aged 90. A statement on Mayall’s Instagram page said he died on Monday at his home in California. “Health issues that forced John to end his epic touring career have finally led

A Doctor Who superfan is looking for a new home for his beloved Dalek in exchange for a donation to charity in memory of his late father. Davie Kirkwood, 60, is moving home and will part with the life-sized replica of one of the Time Lord’s most fearsome enemies if the pledge to Parkinson’s UK

Roberta Taylor, who was known for her roles in EastEnders and The Bill, has died. In a statement, her agent Roxane Vacaa said: “Sadly I can confirm that Roberta died on 6 July. She was 76.” The London-born actress was popular with TV audiences for playing Irene Raymond in EastEnders between 1997 and 2000. Her

Ava Kris Tyson, one of YouTube star MrBeast’s friends and collaborators, has quit the channel after grooming allegations, which she denies. The YouTuber, 28, was accused earlier this month of sending inappropriate messages to a minor, reportedly a 13-year-old, while she was aged 20. Tyson, who has denied the allegations, announced she had “mutually decided

Amanda Abbington has suggested there are 50 hours of footage which her ex-Strictly partner Giovanni Pernice “doesn’t want anyone to see” as she reiterated accusations about him during their training. The Sherlock actress claimed the footage was from video cameras she alleges were installed after she raised concerns about the Italian professional dancer to producers

In 1996, US hip-hop stars Cypress Hill sent themselves up in an episode of The Simpsons, accidentally booking a gig with the London Symphony Orchestra “possibly while high”. While it might have seemed an unlikely collaboration at the time, The Simpsons has gained a reputation for being eerily good at predicting the future, and the

Former reality TV personality Spencer Matthews is preparing to attempt a new Guinness World Record by running 30 marathons in 30 days – through scorching temperatures in the Jordanian desert. The 35-year-old is now an endurance athlete, podcaster and entrepreneur, and has previously completed three ultramarathons in the Amazon Rainforest as well as the Arctic.

Sharon Stone has described how people “took advantage” of her financially while she was recovering from a near-fatal stroke. The Basic Instinct star suffered a stroke in 2001 that led to a nine-day brain bleed, which forced her to step away from Hollywood for seven years while she recovered. “People took advantage of me over

Comedian and actor Rob Delaney has said he wants to buy the house that his son died in so he can spend his last moments in the same room. In 2018, the US star shared that his son Henry had died aged two after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. Five months later, the 47-year-old

Jon Landau, producer of Titanic and the Avatar films, has died at the age of 63. Known as the long-time producing partner of James Cameron, the movie-making heavyweight is credited with helping to make three of the top four highest-grossing movies of all time. His family announced his death on Saturday. No cause of death