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Cheryl’s ‘desperate’ plight for Bear in heartbreaking first Christmas without Liam Payne

Cheryl is said to be pulling out all the stops for her and Liam Payne’s son Bear, who will be spending his first Christmas Day without his beloved father this year

By Sasha Morris
11:39, Sun, Dec 22, 2024 | UPDATED: 12:13, Sun, Dec 22, 2024

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Cheryl and Liam Payne split in 2018 after welcoming Bear (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Uni)

Cheryl faces her first Christmas without  Liam Payne, the father of her son Bear, seven. The 31 year old One Direction star tragically passed away after a fall from a third-floor balcony at his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16th.

Now, the former X Factor judge is determined to make the festive season as special as possible for Bear, who will experience his first Christmas Day without his cherished dad. Liam always made it a point to spend the holiday with his son and family, and Cheryl, the Girls Aloud singer, is aiming to fill the gap during what could be a challenging time.

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by Taboola

Cheryl’s ‘desperate’ plight for Bear in heartbreaking first Christmas without Liam Payne

Cheryl is said to be pulling out all the stops for her and Liam Payne’s son Bear, who will be spending his first Christmas Day without his beloved father this year

By Sasha Morris
11:39, Sun, Dec 22, 2024 | UPDATED: 12:13, Sun, Dec 22, 2024

0Bookmark

Cheryl and Liam Payne split in 2018 after welcoming Bear (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images for Uni)

Cheryl faces her first Christmas without  Liam Payne, the father of her son Bear, seven. The 31 year old One Direction star tragically passed away after a fall from a third-floor balcony at his hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on October 16th.

Now, the former X Factor judge is determined to make the festive season as special as possible for Bear, who will experience his first Christmas Day without his cherished dad. Liam always made it a point to spend the holiday with his son and family, and Cheryl, the Girls Aloud singer, is aiming to fill the gap during what could be a challenging time.

Plans are in place for Bear to receive visits from Liam’s parents Karen and Geoff, as well as his older sisters. According to reports, Cheryl is going above and beyond to ensure the day is memorable, as their shared sorrow is likely to be more acute.

“It has been a really sad time for Bear and Cheryl… This was the time when Liam would skip over to Cheryl’s and despite them not being together, they would give Bear the most special of days,” an insider revealed to the Mail on Sunday. “Wherever Liam was in the world, he’d always make sure to be home to spend Christmas Day with Bear. [Bear] will always have those memories, but now things will be different.”

Cheryl’s mother Joan, who is also very close to her grandson, will join the effort to create a memorable Christmas for him.

A source revealed: “Cheryl has gone to great lengths to ensure Liam isn’t forgotten. She has been careful not to spoil Bear, given he is the son of two wealthy people, but this year is going to be tough and everyone wants to see a smile on Bear’s face. He has had an utterly heartbreaking few months.”

 

The Queen may have modernised many aspects of the monarchy during her 70-year reign, but she could still be a traditionalist from time to time.

One such occasion was when the late monarch allegedly expressed her disapproval of Meghan Markle opting to wear a veil at her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018.

Royal author Tom Bower claimed Her Majesty raised her concerns in his 2022 book Revenge, writing: ‘The Queen also questioned why Meghan needed a veil for the wedding, given it was to be her second marriage.’The late Queen was also allegedly taken aback at the divorcee’s choice of a white bridal gown, which typically represents virginal purity.

 

Meghan had previously been married to Hollywood film producer Trevor Engelson between 2011 and 2013.

Queen Camilla, who had previously been married to Andrew Parker Bowles between 1973 and 1995, stuck with tradition and opted not to wear a veil for her wedding to Charles in 2005.

But Meghan forwent subtlety when it came to her veil for the grand service in the historic St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.

The 16ft-long piece of material was trimmed with lace depicting flora from each of the 53 Commonwealth countries.

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The late Queen observes Meghan during her wedding to Prince Harry at St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on May 19, 2018

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The duchess arrives for her wedding in her 16ft-long veil which was trimmed with lace depicting flora from each of the 53 Commonwealth countries

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Two page boys were required to help carry the £100,000 dress’s long veil into the chapel

Fashion designer Clare Waight Keller, then of Givenchy, who worked alongside Meghan on the £100,000 dress said she wanted to create a ‘timeless piece’ but also ‘convey modernity’.

She said: ‘In contrast, the delicate floral beauty of the veil was a vision Meghan and I shared, a special gesture embracing the commonwealth flora, ascending the circumference of the silk tulle.’

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Biographer Tom Bower claimed the Queen questioned the veil in his 2022 book

The gown and veil were created after 3,900 hours of work by 50 people, with the dressmakers having to regularly wash their hands to avoid discolouring the material.

The veil was held in place by Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara, which was made in 1932 and lent to Meghan by the late Queen.

But the decision to wear such an eye-catching veil for her second wedding appeared to raise eyebrows with the more traditional royals.

The practice of brides wearing veils is said to go back to ancient Greeks and Romans, who wore them to disguise themselves from any evil spirits who wanted to stand in the way of their happiness.

Over the centuries many cultures have embraced the garment and it is now often associated with aspects of bridal virtue like modesty and chastity.

Recalling the dress for a Windsor Castle exhibition on the wedding, Meghan said: ‘I had a very clear vision of what I wanted for the day and what I wanted the dress to look like.

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The duchess steps out of her car in her Givenchy dress made by British fashion designer Clare Waight Keller

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Meghan Markle and her mother Doria Ragland arriving at Windsor Castle

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Meghan’s veil was held in place by the Queen Mary’s diamond bandeau tiara, which was made in 1932 and lent to Meghan by the late Queen

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When Charles married Camilla  in 2005 in a civil service, she opted to wear off-white and forgo the veil entirely

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Meghan waves to the crowds on her wedding day while wearing her veil and Queen Mary’s diamond tiara

‘So what was amazing in working with Clare [Waight Keller] is that sometimes you’ll find designers try to push you in a different direction. But she just completely respected what I wanted to see for the day, and she wanted to bring that to life for me.’

But the elaborate veil was not the only controversy that arose from Meghan’s choices for her bridal gown.

The late Queen never voiced her true opinion about the duchess to anyone except her very closest confidantes, including Lady Elizabeth Anson.

Known as Liza to her friends, she was a cousin of the Queen, and used to speak on the telephone to the monarch on a daily basis.

Lady Elizabeth told royal author Ingrid Seward that the Queen had made only one remark to her about Meghan and Harry’s wedding, which was that the bride’s Givenchy wedding gown was ‘too white’.

She wrote in her February 2024 book My Mother and I: ‘In the monarch’s view, it was not appropriate for a divorcee getting remarried in church to look quite so flamboyantly virginal.’

Her husband, Prince Phillip, would also go on to make comparisons between Meghan and Wallis Simpson, the American divorcee who Edward VIII abdicated to marry.

Seward claims he was ‘one of the few wary’ of being charmed by Meghan and thought it was ‘uncanny’ how much she reminded him of the socialite Simpson.

Although twice-divorced Simpson did not opt to wear white when she married Edward in 1937, instead choosing pale blue.

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Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson pose for a portrait after their wedding at the Chateau de Cande, in Monts, France, on June 3, 1937. Simpson chose a pale blue dress rather than a white one

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Wallis, centre, is driven to the funeral of her husband, the Duke of Windsor, in 1972

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Edward and Wallis in 1966

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Meghan and Harry in 2018

Katie Nicholl, in her book The New Royals, also reported a similar concern from the late Queen after she was told by a source that the decision to wear white had left her ‘surprised’.

She wrote: ‘Perhaps it’s a generational thing, but she believes if you’ve been married before, you wear off-white on your wedding day, which is what the Duchess of Cornwall [Camilla] did.’

As well as the controversy surrounding the dress veil and colour, the person who walked Meghan down the aisle while she was wearing it also became an issue.

Instead of the traditional father of the bride, Thomas Markle, handing her over to the groom, it was decided on short notice that Prince Charles would do the honours.

Thomas had decided not to come to the wedding when he became embroiled in a scandal after it was discovered by The Mail on Sunday that he had staged photographs with paparazzi for cash.

But the late Queen reportedly felt regret that the bride had not made up with her estranged father before the paparazzi drama unfolded.

According to Nicholl, the fact that Harry had not yet met Thomas and that Meghan was still not speaking to her father concerned the Queen, and while she rarely intervened, she made a point of speaking to Harry and Meghan about the situation.

‘It was the Queen’s feeling that Meghan should sort things out with her father and that Harry should have met Thomas before the wedding,’ a family friend told the author. ‘She thought the whole thing could have been better handled.’

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The late Queen and Meghan watch a flypast to mark the centenary of the Royal Air Force from the balcony of Buckingham Palace on July 10, 2018

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Meghan and her mother, Doria Ragland, driven along the Long Walk in a Rolls-Royce Phantom IV as they arrive for her wedding ceremony

But once the deceit of his actions around the photographs was revealed, the duchess’s relationship with her 80-year-old father broke down, and it seems they still don’t speak.

Although Meghan was not alone in choosing to forgo tradition for her wedding, as her husband-to-be Harry also wanted to carve out his own image for the big day.

When he was about to get married, he went to see the Queen to ask permission to keep his beard on his wedding day.

Long-standing protocol in the British Army states beards are forbidden, and since Harry was going to be married in military dress uniform, his would have to go.

But in an effort to save his ginger fuzz, the prince did the only thing he could think of to get around the rules – begging his grandmother to make an exception for him.

Harry later recounted in his tell-all memoir Spare that he ‘desperately wanted to hang on’ to his beard as it had become an ‘effective check on my anxiety’.

He claimed it helped ‘therapy, and meditation, and a few other things’ to calm his nerves.

When he gave all his reasons to the Queen, which also included concerns he didn’t want Meghan to see a ‘total stranger’ at the alter, she permitted him.

Harry later recounted a conversation he had with William, who got married clean shaven, about his beard pass, writing his brother said: ‘You put her in an uncomfortable position, Harold! She had no choice but to say yes.

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Harry asked the Queen for special permission to keep his beard for the wedding

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Meghan added a personal touch to her wedding dress, stitching a piece of blue gingham fabric from the dress she wore on her first date with Harry to the hem

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Meghan and her father Thomas were already estranged at the time of her wedding to Harry

He replied: ‘No choice? She’s the Queen! If she didn’t want me to have a beard I think she can speak for herself.’

Meanwhile, although the Queen was concerned about Meghan’s choice of veil and white dress, perhaps the biggest pre-wedding concerns came from the tiara.

She had offered Meghan access to her collection of tiaras and, during what Harry later described as an ‘extraordinary morning’, allowed her to try them on in front of her, her devoted dresser Angela Kelly and a royal jewellery expert in her private dressing room.

Something later went badly wrong, however, when Meghan tried to arrange a fitting with Kelly, who, it seems, did not like the manner in which the bride and groom were treating her, according to Daily Mail diary editor Richard Eden.

Perhaps accustomed to ordering around underlings on a television shoot, Meghan may not have been used to dealing with someone such as Kelly, who – although a servant – was also a confidante and friend of the Queen.

Harry denied in his memoirs that he angrily told Kelly, ‘What Meghan wants, Meghan gets.’ He did, however, admit they had been exasperated by the dresser, who ‘fixed me with a look that made me shiver’.

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The late Queen’s closest adviser and dresser Angela Kelly seemed to have been annoyed with how she was treated by Meghan during the tiara fitting

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The Queen (pictured two days before her death on September 8, 2022) was reportedly saddened at Harry and Meghan’s choice to leave the Royal Family, allegedly confiding to a close friend that she was exhausted by the turmoil of it all

He added: ‘I could read in her face a clear warning. This isn’t over.’

On the day of the wedding, royal watchers noticed the Queen’s face looked stern as she looked across at Meghan in her wedding dress.

In the years following the wedding, the Sussexes continued to grow more distant from the Royal Family as they clashed with the strict order of things within the institution.

They eventually made the decision to leave the Firm and move to the US in 2020, later attacking the family in an interview with Oprah Winfrey the following year.

 

Prince Harry pressured New York cops to speed up their investigation and make arrests after their ‘high speed’ chase with photographers through the streets of Manhattan.

He even claimed there was a cover-up, letters and emails obtained by DailyMail.com show.

‘The duke feels intentionally misled and is suspicious of a cover-up,’ one missive from his security company to the New York Police Department said.

Harry also demanded that arrests be made the very next day and threatened to make an official complaint. The demand came after John Hart, the NYPD’s top intelligence officer, had sent police in London two letters, one saying there was not enough evidence to make arrests and a second – three months later – saying there was.

 

To date, no arrests have been made in connection with the May 2023 incident.

Hart’s original letter was sent in September 2023. The second arrived on December 6 that year, midway through a hearing in London when he was trying to get the British government to pay for protection for him and his family while visiting the UK.

But TorchStone then sent an email saying Harry was upset at the slow pace of the NYPD’s investigation and felt ‘intentionally misled’.

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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle leaving the Ziegfeld Theatre in Manhattan  on May 16, 2023. Later this night after meeting their private security company, they’d allegedly be chased down by paparazzi during a bizarre ‘two-hour’ car chase

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Meghan received the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Award and posed with journalist and feminist activist Gloria Steinem

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The couple said in a statement that after they left the ceremony they were involved in a ‘near catastrophic car chase’ involving a ‘a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi’

Harry even asked California Governor Gavin Newsom for a contact with the prosecutors in New York – and wanted to take the matter higher if ‘necessary’.

This new information is the latest twist surrounding the car chase incident after Harry’s wife Meghan Markle had received the Ms. Foundation for Women of Vision Award at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on May 16 of last year.

The couple claimed in a statement that after they left the ceremony they were involved in a ‘near catastrophic car chase’ involving ‘a ring of highly aggressive paparazzi’ who pursued them through the streets of Manhattan.

One of their security team, Chris Sanchez from TorchStone, told CNN that it was ‘chaotic’ and ‘could have been fatal’ and involved ruthless photographers jumping curbs and going through red lights. Footage captured by TMZ showed Harry and Meghan in a taxi at one point.

Omid Scobie, a biographer of the Sussexes, even claimed the ‘pursuit went on for two hours’ and Harry and Meghan’s car ‘went up to 80 miles an hour’.

But skeptics immediately called the account into question because of the amount of traffic there usually is on Manhattan streets.

New York Mayor Eric Adams said it was ‘hard to believe’ there was a lengthy high speed car chase.

Emmerdale aired the final scenes for Tom King on Thursday night, as he was sentenced to three years in prison for the abuse and control he put wife Belle Dingle through

Soaps fans were left in floods of tears this evening as Emmerdale broke the fourth wall for a powerful reason.

Justice was finally served on tonight’s instalment of the ITV soap as Tom King was sentenced to a prison term. The villain had been on trial for the coercive control and abuse he subjected his wife, Belle Dingle, to over several months.

Before the end credits began to roll, the final scenes showed Belle in a support group as real-life women shared their harrowing experiences of abuse. Speaking to Charity Dingle, Belle declared “These women, their stories, that is what gave me the strength to stand up in court today and to show there are people out there and they will listen.”

Belle, played by Eden Taylor-Draper, then looks directly at viewers as she breaks the fourth wall and stares down the camera lens. The official Twitter (X) account for Emmerdale sharing the poignant clip, writing: “The people you see in this clip are actors, but the stories they are telling are real life voices of domestic abuse victims and survivors. Advice and support can be found at http://itv.com/advice.”

Emmerdale fans were in tears as the soap broke the fourth wall at the end of the episode ( 
Image:
ITV)

The powerful scene went down well with viewers. “Superb writing and acting tonight! Best episode of the year!#Emmerdale,” one penned in wake of the episode airing, with another tweeting: “Eye contact at the cameras ! Absolutely brilliant @emmerdale.” A third declared: “Got to hand it to #Emmerdale , breaking the fourth wall at the end there was powerful stuff.” A fourth added: “What a f**king episode. Belle looking directly into the camera? Dear god I’m a mess #emmerdale.”

Audiences have followed the storyline that saw Belle endure manipulation, emotional and physical abuse, and harassment. Initially, he convinced her that she was the problem and it was all in her head. However, as Belle found the courage to leave her abusive husband, his tactics escalated. He stalked her, recorded her, taunted her, spread lies about her, and even attempted to murder her.

Belle faced legal issues for attacking Tom in self-defence, and her mental health deteriorated significantly. Eventually, with assistance from DS Foy and others, Belle found the evidence needed to prove Tom’s abusive behaviour. After being arrested while trying to escape the village, he was charged with counts of control and violence. On Thursday night, he took the stand, attempting to proclaim his innocence.

But his act quickly crumbled, and Belle was able to tell her story. With guest appearances, there were some incredibly powerful scenes with the jury, as well as a support group who helped Belle find her voice. The episode concluded with Tom King’s downfall, as he was sentenced to three years in prison.

Emmerdale fans fear Tom could return sooner than we think ( 
Image:
ITV)
The jury found him guilty on both charges, assault and coercive behaviour. Belle broke down in tears as her family erupted in cheers, while Tom was seething with anger. The judge addressed Tom sternly: “Thomas King, the evidence the court has heard today places you in the highest category of culpability for your criminal actions and behaviour. Though you have no prior convictions and are of good standing professionally, it is recognised that one of the factors allowing an abuser to continue unnoticed is the ability of the perpetrator to have both a public and a private face.”

“Your campaign of abuse against your wife went on even beyond the end of your functioning relationship. In fact, it increased in severity. I believe you have demonstrated no remorse for your actions and you have no inclination to change your ways. Therefore I impose a custodial sentence of three years.”

However, Tom wasn’t done yet; in a final spiteful act in the courtroom, he made sure to lock eyes with Belle before being led away, smirking at her maliciously, attempting to undermine the justice she had finally achieved. Furthermore, viewers expressed worry over the brevity of his sentence, with some speculating that he could be released early and potentially return to the village before the end of 2026, having served just two-thirds of his time behind bars. One theory suggested: “Without giving out the sentence – since few criminals serve more than 2/3rd of their time – Tom could be back in the village before the end of 2026.”

Former This Morning presenter Fern Britton enterted a ‘new chapter’ of her life after separating from chef Phil Vickery, with her having moved to Cornwall for a fresh start

Presenter Fern Britton opened up about entering a “new chapter” of her life without a partner this weekend after previously saying that she doesn’t want to get married again.

It was announced in 2020 that Fern, now 67, had separated from her husband, chef Phil Vickery, now 63. Following the end of their marriage, the former This Morning host, who has a daughter with her ex, decided to move to Cornwall.

She spoke about the relocation and her life now whilst on the latest episode of James Martin’s Saturday Morning on ITV. She was interviewed by host James Martin, 52, on the show and said about the move: “It was a brand new chapter, absolutely. I found myself single, children off my hands.”

James later said: “I get the feeling that you’ve gone through so many things in your life – highs and the lows … you’re at a happy place now.” Fern responded to the chef: “I am, actually! I am very happy and this is life for loads of people.”

The host then questioned: “Is that because you don’t have to prove it to anybody anymore?” Fern appeared to take a swipe at her ex-husband, saying that she can now watch whatever she wants on TV and is her “own boss” in life.

Sharing an update on her life at the moment, Fern told James: “I think it’s good because I can sit down in the morning and watch all the daytime television I like. No one is going to judge me for it. I don’t have to get dressed up and made up. This is especially for you, you understand that? Life is good. I’m my own boss now, which is great – in every sense. My life, my work, everything. I’m my own boss and I’m enjoying that.”

Fern Britton spoke about her life whilst a guest on James Martin’s Saturday Morning this weekend ( 
Image:
ITV)
Fern and Phil, who got married in 2000, announced their separation in 2020. The former couple are parents to daughter Winnie Vickery, 23, together. Fern also has three kids from her first marriage to Clive Jones. They are parents to twins Harry Jones and Jack Jones, 30, as well as Grace Jones, 27.

She has spoken about her marriage to Phil on occasion since their split, including once telling Woman & Home magazine: “We simply needed to follow our own paths. Over time we realised we weren’t necessarily having the kind of life we once did. It seemed right to say ‘thank you’ and move on.” She added at the time that she has a “good friendship” with Phil.

Fern, pictured in 2022, teased that she found herself single and with her kids ‘off her hands’ as part of the latest chapter of her life ( 
Image:
Mike Marsland/Getty Images for Good Housekeeping Live)

The presenter was previously married to chef Phil Vickery, though their separation was announced in 2020 ( 
Image:
Getty Images)
Speaking to Good Housekeeping, she said last year: “My children are grown-up and I’m no longer married, and it’s as if this whole other world has opened up. I never thought this would happen; I didn’t expect to be 65 and single and really relaxed.”

Whilst earlier this year, Fern revealed in an interview with the Daily Mail in March that she doesn’t want to “live with anyone” or “get married again”. She said: “I’m a very independent person and the older I get the more I realise I like freedom.”

Fern however shared that she was open to romance, though described the prospect as the “icing on the cake”. She added: “But I don’t want to have to be cooking and cleaning and taking care of anybody. Separate houses would do me nicely.”

The 2024 Christmas special episode of the BBC’s Casualty includes a storyline that explores a blood shortage in the fictional hospital – but touches on real life events

Details of the Casualty Christmas special have revealed the staff at Holby City Hospital will be facing a blood shortage crisis in tense scenes.

The festive special of the long-running BBC medical drama is due to air on Saturday night, ahead of Christmas, which this year lands on Wednesday. And the the full fifty minute special, which has the title Casualty: All I Want for Christmas, will explore the consequences of a blood shortage as one young patient is found to need a transfusion.

The tense episode begins with a nurse noting that supply levels are low – only for an eight-car pile-up to put pressure on the hospital as accident victims are rushed to the emergency rooms. Among those in need is a six-year-old girl who is in need of a blood transfusion on Christmas Day.

The episode also touches on recent political events by exploring a storyline that reflects the recent Infected Blood Compensation Scheme Summary which saw the government vow to provide compensation to patients who contracted blood diseases due to transfusions in the 1980s. In the Casualty sub-plot, one of the car crash victims refuses blood at the risk of his life due to the death of his sister, who had unknowingly been given infected blood in the 1980s during childbirth.

Disaster strikes during the events of the festive special ( 
Image:
BBC/ALISTAIR HEAP)

The episode features testimonies from real-life contributors who have faced problems as a result of blood donation issues in the UK, including a man who had haemophilia and was a victim of the infected blood scandal. He said he was infected with HIV and hepatitis C by the time he was five.

Meanwhile, further scenes involve the fictitious story of a postman who becomes a victim of the car crash while out delivering packages on Christmas Day. During the episode, nurse Cameron Micklethwaite played by Barney Walsh – son of The Chase presenter Bradley Walsh – declares the hospital is “out of blood”.

In one of the real-life testimonies, the father of a young woman who had a rare blood cancer said she was “utterly reliant on the generosity” of those who donated blood. “It gave us three and a half precious years with her,” he said.

The episode also features paramedic Iain Dean volunteering to pick up more blood as the hospital’s supply dwindles, before becoming involved in a car accident. In an interview, a real-life volunteer blood courier says: “We do it because we’re saving people’s lives.” The special episode, called All I Want For Christmas, is already available to stream via the BBC iPlayer, and will air on BBC One at 9.20pm on Saturday 21 November.

Emmerdale will be on aplenty over Christmas and New Year, with some big twists and turns set to rock the ITV soap – here’s the full schedule guide and spoiler round-up

It’s going to be a huge Christmas and New Year on Emmerdale this year, with the Christmas Day episode teased to be action-packed.

Spoilers have teased major drama ahead, while so much is being kept under wraps until it airs. But what time will it air on Christmas Day this year, and when else is the show on over Christmas?

What can we expect from the big episodes this time around? Several key characters take centre stage in the festive period, with danger and horror ahead, as well as family drama and a happy reunion.

There could be more than one return this Christmas, while fans will have to wait and see what exactly goes down. It’s even been teased not everyone will make it into 2025, but who knows!

It’s going to be a huge Christmas and New Year on Emmerdale this year ( 
Image:
ITV)

What time is Emmerdale on Christmas Day? What happens?

This Christmas Day, Emmerdale will be on at the earlier time of 6:30pm on ITV1. It will be a 30-minute episode, while it’s thought, not yet confirmed, the episode will also drop on ITVX that morning as usual.

There’s some big moments this Christmas Day, as teenager April Windsor goes missing leaving her family in turmoil. But what has happened to her?

Elsewhere, Ruby Miligan continues to hide her devastating secret, the abuse the suffered as a teenager at the hands of her father Anthony Fox. Things reach breaking point, and she’s soon threatening him with a knife.

Also this Christmas there’s happy scenes with a return confirmed. After Belle Dingle’s harrowing domestic abuse ordeal this year, she is finally reunited with her beloved pooch Piper in a Christmas miracle.

There is also tipped to be another big return causing shockwaves, while all is very much TBC at the moment. What we do know is that someone is targeting Kim Tate, and they could be on their way to the village this Christmas.

A flashforward will air on Christmas Day, teasing a possible death and a dramatic struggle at Home Farm. With Kim and partner Will Taylor nowhere to be seen, could we be waving goodbye to a character?

When else is Emmerdale on over Christmas and New Year?

The entire festive schedule for the ITV soap is as follows:

Monday December 23 – 7:30pm

Tuesday December 24 (Christmas Eve) – 7pm

Wednesday 25 December (Christmas Day) – 6:30pm

Thursday 26 December (Boxing Day) – 6:30pm (hour-long episode)

Friday 27 December – 7:30pm

Monday December 30 – 7:30pm

Princess Beatrice to spend Christmas at Sandringham with King after being warned against travel

Princess Beatrice, 36, and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 41, will be joining the Royal Family for Christmas at Sandringham this year after she was given new medical advice about her pregnancy

Princess Beatrice will be joining the Royal Family at Sandringham this Christmas in a last-minute change of plans.

Beatrice and husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are expecting their second child due in early spring, and were initially planning on spending the festive period overseas with the princess’ in-laws. But the 36-year-old, who is in her third trimester, has recently been given medical advice instructing her not to travel long distances – and so is opting for the huge royal gathering in Norfolk on December 25 instead.

The forthcoming royal baby will be a little brother or sister for the couple’s three-year-old daughter Sienna, and Mr Mapelli Mozzi’s son Wolfie, both of whom will also be at Sandringham this year.

King Charles is hosting a bumper Christmas Day celebration at Sandringham this year with as many as 45 guests invited ( 
Image:
POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
A large number of royals will be guests of King Charles and Queen Camilla on Christmas Day this year, with Prince William recently revealing that 45 people will be “all in one room” at the royal residence. However, Beatrice’s father Prince Andrew will not be among them, as he is staying away amid the ongoing controversy surrounding his links to an alleged Chinese spy. He will instead spend Christmas with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York. Beatrice’s sister Princess Eugenie and her family are planning on spending Christmas with her in-laws.Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are expected to remain in California with their two children and Meghan’s mother, Doria Ragland. They are not thought to have been invited to Sandringham, having last spent Christmas with the Royal Family in 2018.One new face at the gathering this year will be King Charles’ stepson, Tom Parker Bowles, who is set to attend for the very first time. Food critic Tom, 50, revealed in a recent interview with the Telegraph that mum Queen Camilla personally requested his presence at the royal gathering this year. He shared: “My mum said, ‘I’d love you to come, I haven’t had Christmas with you for a long time.’”

According to a top royal expert, this year’s festive celebration will focus on providing activities for the growing number of younger royals, as well as showing support for the King and Kate, Princess of Wales after their health struggles this year. Former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond told OK!: “After the year they’ve had, I’m sure it’s going to mean the world to the King and Queen to have as many of their family as possible joining them for Christmas. And, as the number of youngsters increases, so the celebrations become more and more child oriented. Which is exactly what Christmas should be all about.”

Joe Sugg has revealed the jaw-dropping surprise he prepared for his girlfriend, Dianne Buswell, after comedian Chris McCausland was crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing last night.

The 33-year-old YouTuber and actor took to social media to congratulate Chris and Dianne who lifted the Glitterball on the popular BBC TV show. Joe said their win showed “you can achieve anything the doubters say you can’t and more.”

The proud boyfriend posted a photo of him with Chris and Dianne as they all smiled after the live show. He also shared two photos showing the surprise he prepared for the professional dancer.

Joe Sugg with Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland as they were crowned Strictly winners ( 
Image:
instagram.com/joe_sugg)
Joe decorated their home with white and gold balloons and a banner reading “2024 winner” in between two flights of stairs. One of the images he shared showed Dianne looking ecstatic while lifting the Glitterball, while the other showed the couple embracing looking at the home decorations.

Accompanying the post, Joe wrote: “There are no words to describe how proud I am of you both @diannebuswell @chrismccauslandcomedy, Last night was an absolute movie. You made us laugh, you made us cry and you proved to the world that you are good enough and you can achieve anything the doubters say you can’t and more.

Joe prepared a surprise for Dianne ( 
Image:
instagram.com/joe_sugg)

He shared the images on Instagram ( 
Image:
instagram.com/joe_sugg)
“Chris I thank you for making this year so special for Dianne and I could not be happier that you’re the partner she finally lifted the glitterball with. Dot, it’s been a long winding, road full of ups and downs for 7 years but you have shown pure determination & dedication and you finally got there in the best way possible and everyone has been able to see how amazing you are and what an incredible teacher you are this year. You are both inspirations and have the nations hearts. on behalf of everyone, thank you.”

Strictly pro Dianne commented the post, writing: “Thank you my angel for always supporting me and being by my side I love you.” In the Strictly finale, Chris and Dianne competed against Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, JB Gill and Lauren Oakley and Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec.

As the result came in, Chris and Dianne were in complete shock and quickly hugged it out. Left in tears, they were applauded by the judges, crowd and their co-stars as hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman congratulated them. Their fellow finalists rallied around them and embraced them, as Chris wiped back tears. Dianne was shaking, as the hosts asked Chris about his win.

Tess asked how it felt, with a speechless Chris saying: “It’s astonishing, I don’t know what to say. I thought I would go out in the first week or two. We have lasted and lasted and she has got so much out of me, she deserves this so much.”

He added: “This is for her and for everyone out there who thought… who got told they couldn’t do something or thought they couldn’t do it. With opportunity and support and determination anything can happen.” A teary Dianne told him it was “for both of them”, screaming: “We did it!”

Chris and Dianne celebrating the win ( 
Image:
PA)Comedian Chris has inspired the whole nation with his performances, as the show’s first ever blind contestant. The way he has taken on the show and progressed his dancing skills, thanks to pro dancer Dianne’s help, has inspired viewers with them constantly heaping praise on the finalist.

In recent weeks the star has shared the obstacles he has faced throughout the series, with Dianne often explaining to the hosts, judges and viewers what they are up against in training. In a moving moment on Saturday night, judge Craig Revel Horwood revealed he finally realised just how much Chris and Dianne had to put into every training session in order to deliver such epic performances, as he visited the training room.

With Chris’ sight loss, Craig was able to see how Dianne trained him to dance and to follow the steps to ensure each routine was done correctly. The judge even wrote Chris a poem, after his newfound appreciation for Chris’ skill having seen how much work it takes to learn each step, direction, and to know what is going on around him.

Chris had previously confessed he put off Strictly for so long as he was unsure he could do it, and he also didn’t want to encourage negative comments. He decided to challenge himself and has gone on to win the entire show, something he wasn’t expecting.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice is gearing up for his highly anticipated return to UK telly after the BBC completed their investigation.

Giovanni Pernice is set to return to our screens in the new year (Image: Getty)

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Giovanni Pernice is set to make his long-awaited return to UK television after being at the centre of a BBC probe last year.

Express.co.uk can exclusively reveal that the 34-year-old Sicilian dancer will appear in the upcoming season of Channel 4’s Celebrity Hunted on Sunday, January 5.

The show, filmed back in 2022, had been shelved following explosive allegations of bullying made by his Strictly dance partner Amanda Abbington. But two years on, TV bosses have had a change of heart and have reportedly decided to air the reality show in the new year.

Confirming the exciting news on Instagram earlier this year, Giovanni declared: “I’m back baby!” A source told us: “A reelase date has finally been chosen for the show after a lot fo chaos behind-the-scenes. The contestants are are thrilled too because they’ve been waiting for news for almost two years.”

Executives had reportedly considered cutting Giovanni’s scenes entirely, but the decision was made to keep him in the programme following the results of the BBC investigation.

Amanda accused Gio of “bullying” on the BBC dance competition (Image: Channel 4)

A TV source previously stated: “It was absolutely right to shelve Hunted while the BBC took the time to unravel the claims against Giovanni. It was filmed in 2022 and due to screen last year, but will now air in early 2025.”

The BBC concluded its investigation last month, clearing Giovanni of ten out of 16 allegations, including claims of violence, physical abuse, threats, and intimidation. However, six allegations were upheld.

The report found instances of “inappropriate behaviour of sexual banter in the workplace,” as well as “belittling, dismissive, and insulting language.”

Despite this, Giovanni’s focus remains on moving forward. A source close to him told The Sun: “Gio is pleased he was cleared of the serious allegations and is optimistic about the future.”

Giovanni was cleared of ten out of 16 allegations (Image: PA)

The allegations rocked his professional reputation, with Abbington reportedly receiving an apology from BBC bosses after their findings.

Meanwhile, Giovanni’s former Strictly co-star, Radio 2’s Richie Anderson, kept quiet during the investigation and even unfollowed him on social media amid rumours of a falling out.

In Celebrity Hunted, Giovanni and Anderson teamed up for the thrilling Channel 4 reality show after competing on the BBC dance competition in 2021.

They will joined the star-studded lineup featuring Loose Women star Denise Welch and her husband Lincoln Townley, EastEnders icon Danielle Harold, and Coronation Street actress Kimberley Hart-Simpson.

While Celebrity Hunted will finally air, the show’s civilian edition has been left in limbo, with no new series expected in the near future.

According to Broadcast: “The show has fallen out of the recommissioning cycle, which means it is impossible for the civilian edition to record another series this year.”

Outside of the controversy, Giovanni’s career is thriving. He recently announced a theatre tour with Strictly judge Anton Du Beke for next summer and is promoting his own headline tour, The Last Dance, running from January to May.

Additionally, he continues to shine on the Italian version of Strictly, recently making history with five perfect tens.