Author: bang1

The final episode of BBC medical drama Doctors will now air earlier than expected, the broadcaster has confirmed, as the soap prepares to bow out in style after 23 years on screen

After 23 years on our screens, BBC medical drama Doctors will finally come to it’s ultimate conclusion next month, with the network having confirmed the final transmission date for the last ever episode.

Although filming wrapped on the long running soap several months ago, up until this week, many fans had believed that the show would continue to run until the very end of the year, as show bosses had always indicated that the finale would air at Christmas. Yet in a surprising twist, the BBC have since revealed that the final episode is now just five weeks away, and the medics of Letherbridge will officially bow out for good on Thursday November 14.

The decision to end the show was first announced in October last year, when the BBC confirmed that with a heavy heart, several key factors had influenced the decision to bring the show to a close.

Speaking at the time, the network said: “We have taken the very difficult decision to bring daytime drama Doctors to an end after 23 years. With super inflation in drama production, the cost of the programme has increased significantly, and further investment is also now required to refurbish the site where the show is made, or to relocate it to another home.”

“With a flat licence-fee, the BBC’s funding challenges mean we have to make tough choices in order to deliver greater value to audiences. We remain fully committed to the West Midlands and all of the funding for Doctors will be reinvested into new programming in the region.

“We would like to thank all the Doctors cast and crew who have been involved in the show since 2000. We know the crucial role Doctors has played in nurturing talent, and we will work to develop new opportunities to support skills in scripted programming. The final episode will screen in December 2024 and we are working closely with BBC Studios to give it the finale it deserves.”

Doctors was primarily shot in Birmingham, with the final scenes filmed back in March. Throughout it’s two decade long run, the show traditionally aired on BBC One at lunchtime immediately after the news, although it did briefly enjoy a stint on prime time TV, when it moved to a 7pm slot on BBC Two for eight weeks in 2022.

Originally only 41 episodes of the series were commissioned when hit first began airing back in March 2000, but the show proved to be so popular with fans at home, the BBC ordered it as a continuing soap opera.

Doctors is the second medical drama to have been axed by the BBC in recent years, following the decision to scrap Holby City in 2022. Just like Doctors, it ran for 23 years before BBC bosses decided to make the difficult decision to end the series.

Loose Women star Sunetra Sarker has previously opened up about her struggles with her appearance and accepting her heritage, recalling how she ‘wished she was white’ growing up.

Sunetra Sarker, known for her roles on ‘Brookside’ and ‘Casualty’, as well as being a panellist on Loose Women, has become an inspiration to many. Despite her success, the actress has opened up about her struggles with self-acceptance, revealing that there was a time when she used to ‘wish she was white’.

Born in Liverpool to an Indian family, Sunetra confessed in 2019: “Looking back, I regret not embracing my heritage more as a young girl. I didn’t want to be Indian, I wanted to blend in with everyone else and be as white as possible.” She went on to say: “But I wish I’d thought, ‘Wow, I’m the only brown girl in this classroom,’ because now everything I resented I see as a bonus,” reports OK!.

The actress also shared her discomfort with certain acting roles, particularly one where she was cast in a curry advert. Sunetra recounted: “The worst acting job I’ve ever had was for a cook-in curry sauce.”

The star admitted she used to ‘wish she was white’ at school ( 
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David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)

Sunetra has a close bond with her family and is now proud of her roots ( 
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Instagram)
“The premise was an Indian family making a short-cut curry who are all Scousers. In make-up, the guy who was going to be playing the dad was a white guy and they were putting brown make-up on him. Surely they could have found an Indian man? There’s something really wrong with that.”

In her personal life, Sunetra parted ways with her husband Nick Corfield in September 2014 after a decade of marriage. They share a son, Noah, who is 23 years old, and got married back in August 2003.

Four years on, she exchanged vows with her partner Scott Carey in two ceremonies: one traditionally British and the other Indian, marking a day filled with laughter, friendship and living life on their own terms.

The couple have previously revealed that they live separately in their ‘modern’ marriage. “My husband and I have a modern relationship. We live separately, so it’s like teenagers going out with each other again,” Sunetra has shared.

“Scott has a base in Kent and I have a home in Bristol. Half the week our children (Scott’s kids Sam, 17, and Poppy, 14, and her son Noah, 13) are with their other parents and half the week they’re with us, and we take it in turns when it comes to what house we’re staying at.”

She further added: “It’s a lot of travel and juggling, but this means nobody is deprived of seeing anyone and that’s crucial. And it makes us miss each other too, which is lovely.”

OPINION: Sarah, Duchess of York travelled to Manchester to visit the Corrie cobbles as she became patron of a breast cancer charity – and I went along to meet her

Sarah Ferguson is one of those rarest of people. She is someone who has constantly overcome adversity, been dealt hands of bad luck and spent more than 35 years under the intense, gruelling media spotlight… but she is still standing tall and is readily determined to do good.

As I met the Duchess in Manchester on Wednesday, 9 October – to see her become became patron of the empowering charity Prevent Breast Cancer – her devotion to helping others was absolutely clear. And having interviewed her before and come away with equally warm memories, I can guarantee that what you see is what you get… 100 per cent authenticity.

Fergie was invited to the set by Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally Metcalfe ( 
Image:
PA)

I watched in awe as she chatted, laughed and exchanged heart-wrenching details of her own battle with breast cancer with patients and nurses. The reality is she doesn’t have to continue to use her public profile for the benefit of others, but she does – and does so expertly.

Having been approached by Coronation Street star Sally Dynevor backstage at Loose Women, the Duchess’ reaction to providing the final push of help to secure the future of the National Breast Imaging Academy was guttural: “I have to help”, she recalled as she spoke to me, OK!’s royal reporter, on the day.

“I’m coming to Manchester,” she told Sally. “We’ll get to work and help you raise the last £600,000. Every little bit helps and that’s why everyone doing all this work here is so important. 57,000 people are diagnosed with breast cancer every year and I am very proud, and excited, to be part of the National Breast Imaging Academy.”

Fergie chats to Lisa Thomas and Kate Schofield who work at the Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital ( 
Image:
PA)
The Duchess’ energy and enthusiasm are the first things you notice about her. She’s sharp, she’s witty and thoroughly impressive as she remembers every single person’s name, makes jokes at the drop of a hat and will happily turn her hand to anything… including transforming into a northern landlady pulling a pint of bitter at the Rovers Return, after she travelled to the Coronation Street set.

Having told her I bought along some Jelly Babies (a treat she confessed to having a taste for on her Tea Talks podcast with Sarah Thomson), she had everyone in stitches, myself included, as she jumped out of her car like a Jack in the Box in front of Coronation Street executives and asked for a sweet.

There’s no falseness or hiding behind statements because as she has said herself on so many occasions, kindness is the key to everything. And that’s absolutely how she lives her life, as well as a life standard that she has past on to her daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie.

Sarah, Duchess of York, pours a pint while on a visit to the set of Coronation Street in Manchester ( 
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PA Wire/PA Images)

It’s not just me who witnessed this on the day as I spoke to other charity ambassadors and staff members who spoke about the Duchess’ relatability, her electric sense of humour and were left amazed when she started tidying up after everyone, taking used teacups to the kitchen, before heading off to the next stop.

The visits to Prevent Breast Cancer and Coronation Street came ahead of her landmark 65th birthday on 15 October. Reflecting on how she said that her brush with cancer prompted her to start “fighting for Sarah” and focus on “putting Sarah first”, the Duchess told me how her way of thinking has shifted.

“My mindset going forward is to not be self-full but to be self-love. If you don’t keep your boundaries for yourself, who is going to do it for you? If you don’t keep your authentic truth, who is going to do it for you? We need to have more self-love and have the boundaries to take a moment to ourselves.”

Journalist and Loose Women panellist Janet Street-Porter gave her social media followers an update on her health after she underwent hip surgery last week

Janet Street-Porter has provided a health update after she stepped back from her Loose Women duties.

The presenter, 77, revealed last week she was leaving the show temporarily to undergo surgery. Now, she has given an update while in rehab following her hip operation.

Sharing a clip from her hospital bed, a smiling Janet reassured fans the surgery had been a success. Taking to Instagram, the journalist uploaded an image of her undergoing her new exercise regime. The snap showed Janet and a nurse smiling as she started her rehabilitation journey.

Wearing a jumper with a smiling face, Janet captioned the upload: “Day 6 and I’ve joined the call button wearing community! Trying to obey Annie’s orders and put feet in right order.” She ended by joking: “Computer scrabble is easier…”

Janet posted hours after surgery ( 
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therealjanetstreetporter)

She has since offered an update ( 
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Loose Women co-panellist Charlene White was among Janet’s followers leaving her a comment. She wrote: “Look at that smile,” with a red love heart emoji. Another fan gave Janet advice following their own experience. They commented: “Glad you’re getting physio . I remember I was sent home on the third day and never saw a physio after that . Make the most of the physios Janet.”

Another said: “Lovely to see you back on your feet keep up the good work Janet xx,” while a third wrote: “It’s great to see your progress Janet . I wish you a continued recovery.”

The update comes days after Janet had shared another smiling selfie of herself hours after having surgery. She had previously admitted she was feeling nervous ahead of the operation, but was in good spirits following the surgery.

She captioned the initial post-surgery snap: “Three hours after hip replacement masses, of strong pain relief, resulting in the huge smile of relief! Then the drugs wore off…but I’m walking with a trolley HOORAY XX.”

Strictly Come Dancing is embroiled in another ‘fix’ row after EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick was called out as a winner of the Glitterball Trophy

Strictly Come Dancing is embroiled in another ‘fix’ row after EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick was called out as a winner of the Glitterball Trophy.

The 30-year-old soap star, dressed as Elton John including feather boa, was one of the highlights of the last night’s show as his quickstep impressed judges who have been accused of influencing viewers with them championing Jamie’s chances of winning the BBC dance show.

Jamie, who plays Jay Brown on Albert Square, has been charged by fans of having an unfair advantage after he won the Strictly Christmas Special with a similar dazzling quickstep routine. This time he was given an impressive score of 30 from the judges after his routine to Elton’s I’m Still Standing.

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas have been tipped to win Strictly ( 
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PA)

Viewer think it is unfair that judges have said Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas could win the series ( 
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PA)
The Strictly judges were fulsome with their praise with Anton Du Beke declaring that Jamie must be in the mix to win. He said: “You know you really are a super super dancer. I think you could be one of the favourites to lift the trophy to be quite honest with you. I think you are an exceptional talent.”

Motsi Mabuse also believed that this was the case and added: “Yes, Anton, I think the Glitterball is quite close to you!” After the judges’ remarks, host Tess Daly said that this was strong affirmation of Jamie’s credentials for the overall win. Tess said: “Thank you judges. Two out of four mentioned the Glitterball… that’s big news!”

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas have an ‘unfair advantage’ according to viewers ( 
Image:
PA)Jamie tried to be modest about the remarks and said there was a long way to go before he can be considered to be in with a chance. He said: “It’s a bit too early to be mentioning the Glitterball, but nonetheless, I appreciate everything they say.”

Viewers were quick to point out that Jamie had been given an ‘unfair advantage’. One criticised the dance choice on social media, posting: “The judges mentioning the glitterball after Jamie’s quickstep, the dance that won him the Christmas special last year. If that’s not a coincidence I don’t know what is.”

Jamie has also put to bed the rumours that he might about to fall for the Strictly curse by saying “nobody has to worry” as he gives a defiant response. Fans noticed there was chemistry between the EastEnders star and pro dancer Michelle Tsiakkas, but the actor quickly dispelled any chance of romance as he revealed his Michelle ‘mothers’ him.

Laughing, he told The Mirror: “The idea of that whole Strictly curse, well it’s definitely not going to be a thing here because it would be weird doing that with my sister. Michelle and I met before Strictly and we instantly had a connection. But she is like a sister, an aunt, a mum, a best friend. She’s looking after me, she’s mothering me.”

DIY SOS star Nick Knowles has been forced to pull out of Saturday night’s Strictly Come Dancing after he injured his knee in a shock fall during a rehearsal

BBC presenter Nick Knowles has sensationally pulled out of the upcoming Strictly Come Dancing live show.

The DIY SOS presenter has been forced to quit after picking up a second injury. Nick, 62, has reportedly found himself on crutches following a dress rehearsal disaster when he did a jump and took a bad landing.

This marks the second time misfortune has hit Nick during his time on Strictly after he previously hurt his shoulder and arm whilst changing a car tyre. An insider disclosed: “Nick won’t be able to take part in Strictly tomorrow night after hurting his knee.” They explained the unfortunate incident: “He was in a dress rehearsal with his dance partner Luba Mushtuk when he did a jump and landed awkwardly.”

The source went on to reveal that Nick is currently using crutches to get around is “being supported by the Strictly team” after the “devastating blow”. “They are sending him for scans and are doing everything they can to make sure he is okay,” the insider added before noting Nick being determined to fight and come back from this.

This is the second injury Nick Knowles has picked up during hid Strictly stint ( 
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As to Nick’s spirits, the source told The Sun : “This new injury has been a real blow and he is incredibly upset about it. “Luba and Nick are hoping it is just something minor and that he can recover in time for next week.” Nick and Luba were scheduled to perform the Charleston to Rain on the Roof from Paddington 2 on Saturday for Movie Week.

Confirming the news to the Mirror, a spokesperson for Strictly stated: “Unfortunately, Nick Knowles sustained an injury during rehearsals and as a result, will not dance this weekend.” Clarifying the rules regarding Nicks situation, they concluded: “As per the rules of the competition, Nick and Luba will receive a bye through to next week when he is hopefully able to dance again. Everyone at Strictly Come Dancing wishes Nick a speedy recovery.”

Nick himself also addressed the news to express how disappointed he was in his misfortune. Taking to X in the wake of his health update making headlines, the star wrote: “I’m absolutely gutted and feeling very very sad” – alongside a sad face emoji.

Appearing on Strictly’s It Takes Two tonight, Nick confirmed his future on the BBC show. He said: “During our rehearsal today… Unfortunately I damaged my knee and it’s quite painful. So the physios have decided I need to go for a MRI (scan).”

His professional partner, Luba Mushtuk added: “Unfortunately we will not be dancing tomorrow but we really, really hope that the knee will be better for next week and we’ll be back on the dancefloor. Fingers crossed, we really hope that we’ll be back and see you guys very soon.”

Trying to put a brave face on things, Nick added: “Even if we have to glitter up the crutches, I am determined to get back and try and dance for you next week.”

The 20th anniversary series of Strictly only kicked off a few weeks ago but this is already Nick’s second injury! The DIY guru was seen with his arm in a sling last week, having injured it while changing a car tyre and leaving him with only a few hours to prepare for his dance routine at the weekend.

Nick previously said getting a week off for injury was ‘cheating’
Speaking on BBC’s Morning Live this Tuesday, Nick confirmed that although the injury was still troubling him, there was daily improvement. He optimistically shared, “I’m a lot better. The arm’s getting stronger every day and I’m feeling better. The strength is getting better each day. We’ll need to build this dance a little but around it, but anyway, it’s not an excuse this week I’m either good enough or I’m not.”

Determined to compete, Nick revealed, “We were offered the chance of a bye but I felt like that would be cheating and we really should try and go for it. I spoke to the physios and once that was decided, you just throw yourself into it. The harder you work, the more confidence you gain.” He concluded with high praise for his dance partner, saying, “I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have Luba as my teacher, shaping me like a finely-tailored suit which I then make look like I’ve slept in it overnight.”

Nick has received praise for his recent dance, which included lifts despite his arm injury. He discussed how he and Luba must adapt their then upcoming performance to accommodate his injury. Nick hinted the now-scrapped dance would be a high-energy routine, saying: “The rehearsal is going very well. It could be a fast one or it could be a slow one but if you look at the state of me, if it’s a slow one, I’m in real trouble.” Luba expressed excitement about their routine, saying: “It is a really fun dance and we started this morning really, really strong.”

The DIY SOS star’s future on the show lies with the tricky Charleston which is the hardest dance on the knees

A decision on whether injured Nick Knowles will be fit enough to take part in Strictly Come Dancing will be delayed until tomorrow to give him the best chance of staying in the competition.

But insiders say that the problem lies with the very dance that caused his injury in the first place – the Charleston – which is impossible to perform without lots of leg flicks and knee action. The DIY SOS star, 62, has returned to the training room today and has been given permission to dance the routine he’d already learned for Movie Week last Saturday.

He and his dance partner Luba Mushtuk are hoping he can recover enough to perform to Rain on the Roof from Paddington 2. But the Charleston can be particularly hard on the knees because of the continuous twisting and turning involved – plus the famous “knock knee” move which many of the routines use for comedy value.

DIY SOS star Nick Knowles is desperate to perform last week’s Movie Week routine in Strictly Come Dancing – even if it is the tricky Charleston ( 
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x.com/MrNickKnowles)

Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk before his injury woes set in ( 
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BBC)
The dance’s syncopated rhythm, inverted knees, and wild arm movements can actually lead to a painful condition known as “Charleston knee”. One show insider said there was no time for a new dance to be learned which might be gentler on his bad leg. “The plan is to rehearse today and Friday and then a final decision will be made about Saturday evening. He is going to try and do the routine he’d already learned for Movie Week. It’s unfortunate it’s a Charleston because it’s very hard to do without lots of knee action, but there is no alternative. Everyone has their fingers crossed for him.”

Nick was given a bye last week after being told he must rest his injured leg, but Strictly rules say each contestant is only allowed to miss one week through illness or injury before having to retire. Having rested since last Friday, the TV star was given the all-clear by the show’s medical and physio teams to attempt training today. Luba has promised to “go gentle” with him and has adapted the dance to make it as easy as possible.

With his future on the BBC show now hanging the balance, Knowles said he was determined to keep going and remains “very hopeful” that he’ll be dancing in the studio on Saturday night. He claimed that each day his leg felt “a little bit better”. Speaking on It Takes Two earlier this week, he said if he could make it through two days of training “it’s not necessarily the end of it”.

Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk practise the Charleston which is very hard on the kneesWriting on Instagram he told Strictly fans: “I have to see how I get on – and then a decision will be made on Friday. I just wanted to take this moment to say thank you for all the well wishes that I’ve received and encouragement from everybody. And I’m hopeful that I will be dancing on Saturday.”
He hurt his leg in the last step of the dance as he rehearsed on Friday, when he “leapt” to be in the right position after arriving late to the beat. “My one leg stayed still, and the rest of me went through,” he explained, saying it had caused him to have “a bit of a collapse”. The TV handyman went for an MRI and has since been receiving daily treatment.The injury came after he previously performed with an injured arm having hurt his shoulder while changing a tyre on the side of the road. Now Nick says he’s “sick and tired” of hurting himself and just wants to get on with the dancing. One person who could benefit from his injury is footballer Paul Merson, who is heavily backed to be voted off this weekend, according to the bookies.

Nadia Sawalha is calling on the public to help her and three others to raise the funds needed so they can launch a legal appeal against NICE regarding the decision to reject ENHERTU for use on the NHS for secondary breast cancer patients

Actress and TV personality Nadia Sawalha is calling on fans to help her raise just under £100,000 in less than two days to fund an appeal that could save the lives of millions of women.

The Loose Women legend, 59, is one of four women – known as ‘The Fab Four’ – calling on NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) to enable the NHS to roll out what could be a game-changing cancer drug for many women living with secondary breast cancer.

Speaking exclusively to the Mirror on Wednesday, a “really emotional day” for the former EastEnders actress, Nadia revealed the urgency of hitting the £150,000 fundraising target so she and others can launch a legal appeal against NICE regarding the decision to reject ENHERTU for use on the NHS for HER2 LOW patients. The mum-of-two also shared her hopes before meeting with Health Secretary Wes Streeting later this month.

“We only have a couple more days to reach the 150 grand target,” Nadia shared on Wednesday, as the fundraising pot sat at around £50,000. With a laugh, she added, “So we’re auctioning ourselves, we’re auctioning our children…” Nadia was referring to the amazing lots available to bid on currently on her Instagram page, including a chance to win two VIP Loose Women tickets, a photo at the ITV show’s famous desk, and lunch with The Fab Four afterwards.

Nadia Sawalha and her fellow campaigners outside Parliament in July ( 
Image:
Philip Coburn)

Nadia’s dear friend Hannah Gardner, 37, whom Nadia affectionately refers to as her ‘daughter’, is currently receiving ENHERTU through a clinical trial, which also requires her to endure a harsher medication as part of the protocol. Despite the progress made with the potentially life-prolonging drug, the hold-up in joining the trial meant Hannah’s stage 4 cancer had the chance to advance.

“I always say she’s like my other daughter – we say that a lot,” Nadia said when discussing Hannah. “We were at an event the other day, and everyone was going, ‘Oh, is this your daughter?’” she continued, recalling how an interview with a news outlet had named Hannah as her ‘daughter’ in an article. “She messaged me, and she said, ‘I’ve totally gone. I’m in absolute bits. I can’t stop crying.’ And then I was bloody crying.”

Later during the conversation, Nadia mentions Hannah again as she explains the impact the campaign has on many people – including those living with secondary breast cancer. “My friend Hannah at the moment is sick,” Nadia states. “She got treatment yesterday. She’s in bed, she’s cold – she’s lost all her hair now – and all day I’ve seen messages from her saying ‘working on this part of the campaign’.

“NHS England themselves have said, ‘Patient pressure is also what has to happen’, and I’m like ‘OK, so they’re dealing with treatment, they’re bringing up their kids, they’re often looking after an elderly parent, they’re going to work, they’re worrying about finances, AND they’ve got to put pressure to try and get a drug that the world has said is a game-changing drug!”

The plight of thousands of women across England, Wales and Northern Ireland who are battling secondary breast cancer took a severe hit when Enhertua, a drug available to patients like them in 25 other nations, including Scotland, was rejected for NHS use by the NICE due to its price tag.

Nadia recently launched her Who Are Your Breast Mates? campaign ( 
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Instagram/ @nadiasawalha)

Her Loose Women co-stars have got involved in the #ShowYourSupport challenge ( 
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Instagram/ @nadiasawalha)
Despite petitions, protests, campaigns and even government pressure, the secondary breast cancer community is constantly being rejected by NICE. Despite Scotland approving this drug and 25 other countries worldwide, patients across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are missing out.

In July, 25 women made a bold statement outside Parliament, baring their painted chests to draw attention to their plight. Tragically, one of these courageous women, Heather, passed away from her cancer just days ago, underscoring the urgency of this battle. “When I think back to when we sort of took our tops off to go to the houses of Parliament and when we were all having our bodies painted on a sofa, it was like a really sort of joyful morning,” Nadia recalled.

“There were women, some with one boob, some with none, some with two, and everyone was talking and laughing, and just it was celebratory almost, you know? Then. When we got to the Houses of Parliament, we were all just so overwhelmed with emotion because nobody wanted to take their tops off – this wasn’t a ‘joyful here we all are, empowered women without our tops on’ – this was what we had been reduced to get attention and to be heard. It was a very, very powerful moment for all of us standing there.”

Nadia and the Enhertu campaigners are set to meet with Health Secretary Wes Streeting on October 23, hoping he can influence the fight to equip the NHS with Enhertu. “We have no idea what power [Streeting] has,” Nadia says ahead of the meeting. “The very reason that NICE was invented so that direct power wasn’t in the hands of politicians.

“So NICE is definitely an independent body, I think, but I’m hoping that pressure… that [Streeting] has enough power to put some sort of pressure on. He did say to Hannah when he met her at the studios, he said, you know, he doesn’t like the postcode lottery thing. When he was younger, he had cancer himself, so we’re hoping that he’s really, you know, open to hearing how we feel and can do something. Anything. But in the meanwhile, we are hoping to bring legal proceedings – so we’re basically trying everything.”

If you would like to donate to Enhertu Now Campaignersclick here to visit their JustGiving page.

*If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.

Cruising expert and singing sensation Jane McDonald made an emotional return to ITV’s Loose Women on Friday – leaving many fans wondering why she quit the show a decade before

Jane McDonald made her triumphant return to Loose Women on Friday – a full decade after she sensationally quit the show.

The 61-year-old performer and TV host was a fan favourite on ITV’s long-running lunchtime talk show. She was a regular panellist on Loose Women from 2004 until 2014 before making the decision to quit the show.

Jane endured a 10 behind the Loose Women desk – regularly appearing alongside the likes of Denise Welch, Coleen Nolan and Janet Street-Porter. And on Friday the team were thrilled to welcome her back to the show – which is currently celebrating it’s 25th year on air.

While fans were ecstatic to see Jane back on their screens, many questioned why she had quit the series in the first place. And it seems the Dance Yourself Dizzy singer had bigger ambitions than spending her week days chewing over general interest news topics at lunch time.

Charlotte Crosby reveals gender of her second baby

Jane became emotional when she returned to Loose Women on Friday ( 
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ITV)

The star announced her decision to quit Loose Women back in 2014 via social media. She wrote at the time: “It has been an incredible 10 years for me on Loose Women and I’ve loved every minute of it. I’ve got a busy and exciting year coming up with a new album and national concert tour. So the time is right for me to step aside from Loose Women and concentrate on new opportunities.”

Jane continued: “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone again on tour and I thank you all for your continued support, loyalty and best wishes.” Indeed, her career has blossomed since turning her back on the lunchtime show as she has since unleashed five albums and thrilled fans on TV by hosting a range of Channel 5 shows including Jane & Friends, Holidaying with Jane McDonald and Jane McDonald: My Yorkshire.

Jane’s return to Loose Women was a one off and she hasn’t rejoined the panel on a permanent basis – but has also claimed she wouldn’t necessarily say no. She told Women Magazine in the past: “Never say never. But it was a period in time when everything was different. We could get away with things that we could never do now. And it was an era of girls who were not just colleagues – we were a force to be reckoned with. We were like Sex And The City when we hit the town. We’d have taken a bullet for each other. I don’t think I could go back without my friends on the same panel.”

During her appearance on the show on Friday, she became emotional as she reflected on the death of her long-term partner Eddie Roth who died in 2021 aged 61 – four years after the death of her mother. Fighting back tears, she said on the ITV show: “If I could get my mother and Ed back, I would in a heartbeat. But I can’t. You’ve got to realise that life goes on and I want to live. I love life. We don’t know how many days we’ve got and Ed died very young. I want to just do everything I want to do. I’m moving forward and taking them with me.”

Christine Lampard was reunited with her former co-star Adrian Chiles on Wednesday’s Loose Women as the pair appeared on the ITV daytime show together after 17 years

Presenter Adrian Chiles joined Loose Women panellist Christine Lampard on Wednesday 9 October, reuniting 17 years after they co-hosted The One Show on BBC One.

Adrian was there to discuss his new book, The Curious Columns of Adrian Chiles, a compilation of his past columns. He told the Loose Women panel that he had over 500 columns to sift through, describing the process of “putting the book together involves re-reading every single column,” as “hard-going.”

He labelled the book as “reasonably entertaining,” and disclosed that the most contentious column when first published in The Guardian was about loading a dishwasher, which only saw the light of day after persistent nagging. The 57 year old also shared the charming story of how he met his wife, Katherine Viner.

She was his editor and was particularly amused by a humorous column he wrote about his difficulty bending over, leading her to request a meeting. As Adrian revealed on the show: “We ended up getting married.” He quipped: “If I hadn’t had trouble bending over, I would never have got married! “, reports OK!.

They co-hosted The One Show together ( 
Image:
BBC)

The One Show’s veteran Adrian and his co-host Christine, known for sharing top-notch chemistry on-screen, once again proved their inseparable bond when they teamed up for the documentary series ‘Christine and Adrian’s Friendship Test’ in 2017. Their brilliant partnership stretched from The One Show stints between 2007 and 2010 to ITV’s breakfast show Daybreak until 2011.

In a heartfelt column earlier this year, Adrian opened up about the loss of his father, confessing he was “shocked” at the passing of his dad in March. He wrote: “All my life I’d worried about my dad dying. I couldn’t, and can’t, get my head around much at all. About the only thing I am sure of is that 50 years of worrying about it was properly pointless.”

Adrian was on Loose Women to discuss his new book

His father endured a fall in January which resulted in a fractured shoulder, leading to his discharge from A&E, only for him to be admitted to a “rural community hospital” shortly after. Tragically, his father passed away six weeks later on 9 March.

Digging deep into emotional territory, Adrian reflected on his father being “stuck” between an unwanted life and a feared death. Moreover, he poignantly described how he came to understand that people are divided into two distinct groups: those familiar with the dying process and those oblivious to it.