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Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are said to have been locked in discussions with Strictly Come Dancing bosses as their contracts drew to a close

Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have confirmed whether they’ll appear on the show again.

The presenters have become a huge hit amongst fans each week as they front the BBC flagship entertainment programme on a Saturday and Sunday night. But it’s said that their contracts had been drawing to a close and bosses behind the show were worried that other broadcasters may offer lucrative deals.

Despite the show being surrounded by scandals including the alleged behaviour of professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, bosses are hoping that the next series will be a roaring success with viewers at home. It’s said that they’ve pulled out all the stops to ensure that Tess and Claudia return.

Now, TV sources claim that having been offered a more lucrative contract, it cements Tess and Claudia’s dedication to the show – and indeed their relationship with the BBC. It’s claimed that the pair had been offered an “enhanced” contract by bosses.

Iconic duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be back on Strictly ( 
Image:
BBC)

“They’re looking to the future after the past 12 months which have been dogged by claims of misbehaviour behind the scenes by pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano di Prima,” a source told The Sun. They went on to add: “Now bosses want to draw a line under this troubled chapter in Strictly’s history and focus on the positives – which includes having two women fronting the biggest show on TV, which is something the BBC are very proud of.”

The new contracts also show the “commitment the corporation has to the show,” according to the publication. The BBC declined to comment when approached by the Mirror. Previously, Claudia who started presenting the programme in 2014 revealed the lengths she would go to, to ensure that she would still continue to front the show.

She said: “They’d still have to prise my cold, dead hands off that shiny Glitterball.” Earlier this week, Winkleman who also presents The Traitors revealed what really happened behind the scenes during the famous Blackpool week. She sat down with actress and comedian Kathy Burke for her When There’s A Will There’s A Wake and discussed a spontaneous night after a Strictly show in Blackpool. Speaking to Kathy, she said: “We were doing Strictly in Blackpool and for some reason in the audience was Peter Kay, Rick Astley had been performing.

“I want to say Dean Gaffney… Maybe that’s just my fantasy. And we ended up getting drunk in the bar at the hotel we always stay at called The Big Blue. I ended up doing the conga through the kitchen using a pizza slice as, almost, a steering aid… But I was using it to steer the conga…

“You can never be grumpy if you have either taken part or during a conga that will mark the end of the wake!” The podcast asks guests questions about their life and death, such as: “How do you want to die?”, “Who gets your prized possessions?” and more.

Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean have announced a huge change to the Dancing on Ice format ahead of the 2025 series as they prepare to return to the ITV show’s judging panel

Dancing on Ice’s Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will skate for the final time on live TV in the show’s upcoming series, with the Olympic champions saying they are ‘too old’ to perform.

The British ice dancers won 16 gold medallists during their competitive skating careers at World, European and British Figure Skating Championships until retiring in 1998.

They took home gold at the 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics, where their performance to Maurice Ravel’s Bolero became one of the most-watched events in British TV history with 24 million viewers. While the skating legends have performed together on Dancing on Ice since the show began in 2006, Torvill and Dean are hanging up their skates for good after this year.

“This will be our last live skate – here on Dancing on Ice,” Christopher said. “We’re doing our last tour this year as well so once we’ve finished our last skate on tour, we won’t be performing again. There are lots of endings.”

Jayne and Christopher posing at the Winter Olympics in 1984 ( 
Image:
Bob Thomas/Getty Images)

Torvill and Dean have been with Dancing on Ice since its first series – and will no longer perform on the show from next year ( 
Image:
ITV/PA)

The 66-year-old added that he is ready to bring his skating chapter with Jayne, 67, to an end after over five decades on the ice. “We’ve been doing it a long time and people our age shouldn’t be doing it now,” he said. “So we’re just happy that we can still do it.”

The pair will no longer perform on Dancing on Ice, however they will continue in their roles as judges alongside Diversity’s Ashley Banjo and former Strictly Come Dancing professional Oti Mabuse. “Dancing on Ice feels like our baby because we were approached by ITV in the early days and we came up with this format together of how it might work,” Jayne said. “We didn’t know much about TV but they didn’t know how skating works so together, the programme developed and it’s great that we were there from the beginning.”

Christopher revealed that after giving up skating, he plans to follow in the footsteps of David Beckham with a surprising new hobby. “I’ve taken up beekeeping. It sounds like a good thing to do,” he said. “It just sounds so idyllic. It’s outdoors, it’s gentle.”

Hosted by Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern, Dancing on Ice’s new series sees the likes of EastEnders’ Charlie Brooks, footballer Anton Ferdinand, The Traitors’ Mollie Pearce, TV presenter Michaela Strachan and Olympic rower Steve Redgrave lace up their skates. Jayne and Christopher revealed that the skating standard is “quite high” this series – however, Coronation Street star Sam Aston is one to watch in the competition. “Sam has taken to it quite naturally,” Chris said of the Chesney actor.

Jayne added: “I was impressed by Anton as well. I like his attitude because of his football background.”

Loose Women star Penny Lancaster has sent touching birthday wishes to her husband Sir Rod Stewart as the rock icon marks his 80th birthday, saying she is ‘so blessed’ to have him

Rock and roll icon, Sir Rod Stewart, is celebrating his 80th birthday, and his wife Penny Lancaster, 53, has sent a seriously sweet message to him on social media marking the new decade he’s entering. ” Happy birthday my darling,” Penny wrote. “So blessed to be sharing this day together with all our kids. Building more memories to carry with us into the future and to be held close to our hearts forever, I love you xx.”

The loving message accompanied a sweet photo of Rod wearing a straw hat and looking pretty sunkissed whilst he smiled gently at the camera. The couple is reported to be celebrating the musician’s landmark birthday in the Caribbean, and the festivities to celebrate the massive milestone will span across “several weeks,” Penny has previously said.

Penny and Rod have been married for nearly 17 years after tying the knot in an intimate ceremony in Portofino, Italy, back in 2007, and have been together for 25 overall. They share two children: Alastair, 19, and Aiden, 13. The couple first met in 1999, when Penny was working as a photographer and asked to take some snaps of Rod during one of his tours, when the musician was separated from his second wife Rachel Hunter.

Rod and Penny have been together for over 25 years ( 
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Annabel’s)
Rod also has six other children from previous relationships – and they could well be joining the fun in the sun as the family celebrates Rod’s birthday. The music icon’s children span a large range of ages, with his eldest 61 years old, and his youngest only 13.

Sarah, 61, is the child of Rod and Susanna Boffey, and he also shares Kimberley, 45, and Sean, 44 with his first wife Alana Stewart – who he was married to from 1979 to 1984. Rod then had Ruby, 37, with ex-girlfriend, Kelly Emberg, before marrying Rachel Hunter, with whom he had Renee, 32, and Liam, 30.

Rod also boasts three grandkids: Delilah, 13, and Otis and Louie, who are both 19 months – so any time the entire family gets together is bound to be a seriously lively and busy occasion.

Sir Rod is due to headline Glastonbury Festival next summer, and shows no sign of retirement being on the horizon, despite reaching his eighties. “I have no desire to retire,” Rod posted on Instagram last November, adding: “I’m fit, have a full head of hair, and can run 100 metres in 18 seconds at the age of 79.”

Penny has confirmed that her husband shows zero signs of taking his foot off the gas any time soon, “He’s a workaholic and constantly on the move,” Penny has admitted. “I struggle to keep up with his training schedule. He works out three or four times a week — even on tour.”

Penny and Rod’s love story is one for the ages
Rod’s made it clear that his lust for life hasn’t diminished one bit as he has got older, despite being diagnosed with prostate cancer back in 2016 – he got the all-clear in 2019. The musician told The Sun last year : “I’m aware my days are numbered but I’ve got no fear. We have all got to pass on at some point, so we are all in the same basket. I am going to be enjoying myself for these last few years as much as I can. I say few — probably another 15. I can do that easy mate, easy.”

Despite a brief two-week break-up some time ago, Penny and Rod’s love story is still going strong, with Rod previously saying, about the couple renewing their wedding vows: “Penny is my whole world. What a girl.

“Love means many things to many people but to me, it’s wanting to share everything with the one you love and I love Penny more now than ever, if that is at all possible. It was a beautifully romantic thing to do. We’re not proving anything, just sharing our love with our friends and family.”

The Loose Women stars were left cooing on Friday’s episode, as Grace ‘GK’ Barry introduced the latest addition to her family on air.

During Friday’s episode of Loose Women, the panel was absolutely smitten as Grace ‘GK’ Barry unveiled the newest addition to her family.

Kaye Adams softly hinted at the onset that Grace was about to bring out a fresh face to the Loose crew. The I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! star introduced her sweet puppy to the show, who she adorably named Noodle.

Upon their entrance on stage, coos and murmurs of affection rippled through the audience. Nevertheless, the ITV favourite revealed a cheeky secret she hadn’t informed her parents about the doggy addition until after Noodle’s arrival into her home, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Grace and her new dog Noodle ( 
Image:
ITV)
Grace admitted: “I’m not going to lie, the first week I didn’t tell my parents!”

The ITV star chuckled over her initial secrecy, saying: “I thought, I don’t know how they’re going to react to me getting a dog. They’ve always been like, ‘You’ve got such a busy job, can you even look after yourself? ‘ which is a fair point!”

But as it turns out, the research paid off, and after taking the plunge, Grace’s fluffy pal became the heart stealer of her household. She revealed: “They (her parents) absolutely love him! He comes to all my shoots with me. He’s a bit of a diva.”

The ITV panel were in love with Noodle ( 
Image:
ITV)
Co-host Kaye couldn’t help but gush over Noodle’s charm, especially as the puppy sported an adorable bow tie, calling the canine companion gorgeous.

Reflecting on her family’s warming up to Noodle, Grace shared: “I had to just show them him and then they were like, ‘No we really love him.’”

The panel listened as Grace recounted her decision to acquire a dog, saying she stumbled upon the Asian Toy Poodle while in Australia and was charmed by the breed.

The adorable pooch is 15 weeks old ( 
Image:
ITV)She explained: “So, I done my research on them. They don’t molt, they’re just really smart so I thought I must have a smart dog!”

Kaye picked up on earlier comments from Grace about her hesitation to inform her parents of getting Noodle, asking if she still felt intimidated by them. Grace candidly admitted that she did.

She revealed: “At this age, you can still be told off by your parents! Even though I know they’d be fine with it. I remember when I first got my tattoo, I hid it for a month because I knew they didn’t love tattoos.”

Loose Women continues weekdays on ITV from 12:30pm

Katie Piper has shared a significant update with her followers after undergoing surgery to protect her left eye. The procedure marks the start of her journey with a prosthetic eye, following years of health struggles.

Katie Piper has recently undergone a surgical procedure to safeguard her left eye.

The model and activist shared the news with her followers on social media, stating: “After many years battling with my eye health, I’ve reached the end of road somewhat, and the decision has been made to try a prosthetic eye shell.

“This marks the start of a journey to have an artificial eye, with an incredible medical team behind me. As always I’m incredibly grateful to all those in the NHS and private health care system for their talent and kindness. I will share my journey, I’m hopeful and nervous about being able tolerate it and would love to hear from any of you in the comments if you’ve been on this journey or have any advice…”

Katie attached an image and video from the hospital during her procedure, including footage of the doctor inserting the prosthetic eye. Fans rushed to the comments to share their words of encouragement.

Katie Piper has shared a significant update with her followers after undergoing surgery to protect her left eye ( 
Image:
@katiepiper_/Instagram)

The procedure marks the start of her journey with a prosthetic eye, following years of health struggles ( 
Image:
@katiepiper_/Instagram)

One user wrote: “You’re positivity after what happened to you is just so inspiring. You are amazing and the eye you have will be beautiful I’m sure of it and you’ll go on to inspire others

Whilst another added: “You are truly amazing. Your strength and resilience is just incredible and such an inspiration to everyone. Thank you for sharing your journey because I’ve no doubt it’ll help so many others.”

The Loose Women star, now 40, was just 24 in March 2008 when her evil ex, Daniel Lynch, plotted the vicious ambush that left her face severely burned and in need of 400 operations. She has come a long way since her trauma and has bravely rebuilt her life – now a campaigner for other victims, she has been awarded an OBE for charity and burns services.

But her attacker Stefan Sylvestre, who was ordered to carry out the assault by obsessive Lynch, is still on the run after fleeing the country following his prison release. Rapist Lynch, 47, was jailed for life in 2009 for organising the act of “pure, calculated and deliberate evil”. He was sentenced to life at London’s Wood Green Crown Court after being found guilty of rape and GBH, and admitting ABH.

The Loose Women star, now 40, was just 24 in March 2008 when her ex plotted the vicious ambush that left her face severely burned and in need of 400 operations ( 
Image:
Instagram)

Katie Piper has been widely praised for her work since the horrific attack ( 
Image:
WireImage)At the end of 2023, Katie shared a health update with her concerned fans after surgery to help save her left eye. In an emotional Instagram video, she revealed that her recovery wasn’t progressing as hoped, saying, “”I’ve spent the morning back at the eye clinic as I’ve got problems with my eye. I’ve got a defect and an infection that is becoming really hard to treat.”

Around the same time, Katie opened up to her fans about finding it ‘mentally hard’ as she undergoes more surgeries and continues life with the injuries she sustained in an acid attack in 2008. The 40-year-old presenter suffered major injuries and blindness in one eye after being attacked with acid by her ex-boyfriend and an accomplice 15 years ago.

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONTENT – Wildfires have devastated southern California this week, with 70,000 people said to have been evacuated, over 1,000 structures destroyed and five people reported to have died

A TV network has been slammed after airing footage of what appears to be human remains – bosses however have hit back.

The Weather Channel in the US have been documenting wildfires in California and viewers claim that they had saw human remains. Fires started in parts of Los Angeles on Tuesday and have devastated the state in the days since. The death toll is said to have reached five so far and over 1,000 structures are already believed to have been destroyed in the region.

There’s been much coverage of the situation amid residents, including some celebrities, being forced to flee their homes. It has now been suggested the Weather Channel may have aired footage of human remains in a recent segment – though the channel has since dismissed the suggestion in a statement to the Mirror.

A TikTok video, which purportedly shows coverage of the wildfires by the Weather Channel, has been circulating on X, formerly known as Twitter. The video shows what appears to be a destroyed property and it’s suggested in it that part of a skeleton – including a skull – is visible at one point as the camera zooms into some of the rubble at the location. It is not clear whether they were human remains.

Coverage of the wildfires in California this week sparked concern among viewers on social media ( 
Image:
X)

There’s been concern that a video, purportedly aired by the Weather Channel, may show human remains in the rubble of a property ( 
Image:
X)

Sharing the clip on X, one account tweeted on Thursday morning: “Weather channel shows the remains of someone who lost their life in the Palisades fire. Horrifying.” Another wrote: “It appears the weather channel wasn’t aware what it was airing? If it is what we think it is, that is so sad.”

A third person commented: “I’m confused as well. If it turns out to be what we think, it’s incredibly sad and concerning.” Another simply responded “horrendous” to one of the posts on the platform. Whilst someone else posted: “Did the @weatherchannel just show a charred skeleton in the rubble of the Los Angeles fires without realizing it?”

Some viewers have however dismissed the suggestion that it showed potentially human or animal remains. One person wrote in their response to a post about the footage: “Burnt humans/animals don’t look like that at all.” Sharing their thoughts, another viewer said: “I don’t think that’s what everyone thinks it is.”

A spokesperson for the Weather Channel told the Mirror: “These social media claims are inaccurate and completely false. We have 100% confirmed that the video shows debris from the aftermath of a house fire and nothing else. The time wasted on erroneous news reporting on this false social media claim is disappointing given that Californians are still dealing with the trauma and devastation of the ongoing SoCal wildfires and are seeking factual information about how to keep them and their families safe as this tragic situation continues to develop.”

The devastating wildfires have swept through southern California this week, including in the Pacific Palisades, which is home to a number of celebrities. More than 70,000 people have been evacuated in recent days amid the fires.

California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed gratitude to the emergency services for their response to the wildfires in a post on X on Wednesday. It read: “To the heroes, firefighters, and first responders battling these fires in Los Angeles: Your sacrifice and determination inspire the entire state. California is deeply grateful for your dedication and service.”

Britain’s Got Talent judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli have kicked off the show’s auditions after taking a break following Liam Payne’s death in October

Simon Cowell has returned to the Britain’s Got Talent auditions after they were halted following Liam Payne’s death.

The talent show creator was seen alongside his fellow judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli. Former One Direction singer Liam tragically died at the age of 31 after falling from the third floor of a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina in October. He had formed part of the boyband, which was created by Simon on the X Factor in 2010.

A week before Liam’s shock death, the judges gathered in Blackpool Winter Gardens to mark the new series getting underway. However, the show confirmed they postponed the auditions following his death. It was also reported Simon was taking a break from his duties on BGT, with judge Bruno Tonioli reportedly replacing him

Simon got back to work following the break from BGT ( 
Image:
Dave Nelson)

He suspended auditions following Liam’s death ( 
Image:
Dave Nelson)
The latest series will also see YouTuber KSI take to the judging panel as he fills in for Bruno in some episodes that have already been filmed. Simon previously shared his heartbreak after the death of Liam, and was seen being comforted by Liam’s parents during the star’s funeral.

After news of Liam’s fall in Argentina broke, Simon wrote: “You never really know how you feel about someone until a moment like this happens. Liam, I am devastated. Heartbroken. And I feel empty. And I want you to know how much love and respect I have for you. Every tear I have shed is a memory of you.

Hosts Ant and Dec were also seen in Blackpool ( 
Image:
PA)
“This is so difficult to put into words right now. I went outside today, and I thought about so many times we had together. I wanted to let you know what I would always say to the thousands of people who would always ask me. What is Liam like? And I would tell them you were kind, funny, sweet, thoughtful, talented, humble, focused. And how much you loved music. And how much love you genuinely had for the fans.”

A major decision has taken place for the current series of the talent show, which has famously filmed the audition stages of the show at the Palladium theatre in London’s West End. However, it will move filming to Blackpool as there is a more electric atmosphere in the seaside town.

Amanda Holden is back on the judging panel ( 
Image:
Dave Nelson)Simon is said to have agreed to the move – while the other judges, including Bruno along with Alesha and Amanda- will have to travel to the town to decide who advances to the live shows. Singer Sydnie Christmas won the most recent season of the series – wowing the judges with a moving performance of Over The Rainbow. After scooping the £250,000 prize – as well as the chance to perform at Britain’s Royal Variety Performance – the singer said: “I am overwhelmed with love and it’s the most amazing thing, and I wish every person in this room feels the way I do with this love. It’s amazing. Thank you so much.”

Jeremy Kyle is making a return to ITV screens just five years after his morning programme was axed by executives and he’ll appear alongside one of the networks biggest names

Presenter Jeremy Kyle is returning to ITV five years after his show was axed.

Jeremy, 59, teased his return in a post on Instagram this week. It featured a photo of the radio host behind-the-scenes, with him seen wearing a white shirt, navy trousers and a pair of brown shoes. He posed beside an ITV sign. The post, shared on Thursday, however did not include a caption.

It has since been reported that Jeremy will be appearing as a guest on the new series of Life Stories, hosted by Kate Garraway, 57. The Good Morning Britain host is expected to delve into Jeremy’s decades-long career and his personal life during the interview with the celebrity guest in the episode.

His return to ITV comes almost six years after the channel cancelled his controversial show, the Jeremy Kyle Show, which had launched back in 2005, in 2019. At the time, Carolyn McCall, ITV’s CEO, said it was “the right time for the show to end.” It came following the death of former participant Steve Dymond that same year.

Jeremy Kyle has teased his return to ITV almost six years after his controversial show was cancelled ( 
Image:
@jkyleofficial/Instagram)

It’s been reported that he will appear as a guest on the new series of Life Stories, hosted by Kate Garraway ( 
Image:
Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Jeremy – who later joined TalkTV – is said to have filmed with Kate this week for his return to ITV on her interview-based show. A source told the Sun: “He filmed with Kate this week and was really open honest about everything he’s been through.” The source went on to claim: “Everyone will be thrilled to see him back at ITV, it’s a really great episode.”

Kate took over as the host of Life Stories in 2022, following the departure of its former presenter Piers Morgan. Piers had fronted the show since it began in 2009, interviewing the likes of Katie Price, Mel B, Freddie Flintoff, Simon Cowell and Kelly Holmes over the years. Kate was his final guest in an episode that aired in 2021. She has since hosted two series of Life Stories herself – featuring guests such as John Barnes and Ruby Wax – with a third series yet to be released.

Prince Harry’s and Meghan Markle’s security team has been co-ordinating an evacuation plan while packing essentials for their children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are set to flee their £11million mansion as raging wildfires continue to devastate parts of Hollywood.

The worst blazes in the history of Los Angeles have already claimed the homes of scores of A-listers including Anthony Hopkins, Billy Crystal and Paris Hilton. Tonight the fires were still some way from the Duke and Duchess’s Montecito home but sources said they are ready to go into “crisis mode”.

Their security team has been co-ordinating an evacuation plan while packing essentials for their children, Archie, five, and Lilibet, three. A neighbour said: “It’s not chaos here yet but the fire is moving fast and we are not taking any chances.”

Their lavish mansion in California is under threat from ongoing wildfires ( 
Image:
Google Earth)
The couple and their neighbours have been given public safety survival kits containing a solar charger, flashlight, protective equipment, ice, water, snacks and safety pamphlets. Tonight they posted on their website: “A state of emergency has been issued. If you feel compelled to help, here are some resources.” They then provided several links.

The National Guard has been called out to help fight the fires sweeping the city where insurers say damage has already exceeded £8billion. So far at least five people have died, 2,000 buildings have been obliterated and thousands have been left with nothing but ashes. More than 130,000 residents have been evacuated.

Kathryn Barger, who heads Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, said more than 20 people have been arrested for looting or similar crimes. She added: “Shame on those who prey on residents at this time of crisis.”

Fire crews battle the Eaton Fire in Altadena ( 
Image:
AP)
Fierce winds driving the flames died down temporarily yesterday allowing fire crews to slow the spread. But despite the lull, the fires appeared far from under control. From the Pacific Palisades to the Hollywood Hills, from Pasadena to the San Fernando Valley, the area synonymous with glamour was shrouded in a nightmare orange haze.

The City of Angels has become a city of smoke. Thick columns of it rise into the sky. They blot out the sun and turn the city into a surreal landscape of ash and flame. Firefighters stretched to the limit while working 48-hour shifts continued with an uphill battle.

Captain Adam VanGerpen said: “This is unlike anything I’ve seen in my 25 years on the fire department.” Erratic winds gusting to 100 mph on the first night spat embers that rapidly spread the flames. While the gusts may have died down, Van Gerpen said wind forecasts through the weekend were still of concern.

The Hollywood Sign is seen with smoke from multiple wildfires ( 
Image:
GC Images)
Devastation was described as “biblical in scale” with five major fires reducing landmarks and luxury enclaves to ashes. Further afield blazes left more than 425,000 customers are without power in southern California.

The high winds combined with bone-dry conditions after a rainless winter have created a perfect storm with flames moving at terrifying speed. Hydrants are running dry in some areas and fire-fighting helicopters were at first grounded by the extreme wind.

Officials continue to urge residents to evacuate, warning that those who stay risk significant injury or worse. Some have ignored the pleas, leading to what officials say are a “high number of significant injuries”. County fire chief Anthony Marrone called the situation unprecedented in scope and severity.

Embers fly through the air in the Highland neighbourhood during the Palisades Fire ( 
Image:
Getty Images)He said resources were at breaking point with the fight far from over. A blaze in the Palisades district, one of the city’s wealthiest enclaves, has so far been the most destructive. It has scorched more than 17,000 acres and reduced 1,000 homes to ruins.

Iconic estates on cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean have been obliterated and many local institutions, including Palisades Charter High School, alma mater to countless celebrities, have been lost. As fires marched toward the coast, evacuations were ordered along the Pacific Highway, displacing residents from Malibu to Santa Monica in scenes reminiscent of a disaster movie.

But the horror has not stopped there. To the east, fire unleashed its fury on the suburban sprawl of Pasadena, engulfing over 10,000 acres and destroying 900 buildings including the Pasadena Jewish Temple, a cornerstone of the community for more than a century.

A beach house is engulfed in flames along Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)

In the Hollywood Hills cultural landmarks such as the Hollywood Bowl and the TCL Chinese Theatre are at risk. All across the city, smaller flare-ups were being reported, adding to the chaos as crews raced from one emergency to the next.

Actress Jamie Lee Curtis and her family have pledged a million dollars (£812,000) to start a “fund of support” for those affected by the fires. The blazes have thrown Hollywood’s awards season into disarray, with the Producers Guild Awards announcing they will delay their nominations from Friday to Sunday.

Joe Biden cancelled the final overseas trip of his presidency just hours before he was set to depart for Rome and the Vatican, choosing to remain in Washington to monitor the disaster response.

Prince William, the Prince of Wales, issued a heartfelt written message on social media after a turbulent past year which saw Princess Kate diagnosed with cancer

Prince William has been today lauded as “a modern man” after his rare move to publicly praise Princess Kate following a difficult year.

The Prince of Wales called Kate the “most incredible wife and mother” in an emotional social media message, marking her 43rd birthday. William appeared to break tradition with the public declaration of love, the first time he has publicly issued a statement for his wife’s birthday.

And experts noted this wouldn’t have been something Prince Philip would ever have done on the Queen’s birthday in their younger days – even if social media did exist around then.

But Kate’s journey with cancer, diagnosed in early 2024, marred her turbulent past year and so this birthday, royal experts say, is particularly poignant.

Arthur Edwards, a veteran royal photographer, said: “Prince Philip would not have issued a statement like this on the Queen’s birthday. Nor Charles for that matter. But William’s words for Catherine show what a modern man he is. He praises her as ‘the most incredible wife and mother’ and it’s obvious their bond is stronger than ever…. William acknowledges Catherine has come through an awful year. He has been magnificent, shielding his wife.”

Prince William and Princess Kate’s bond remains ‘as strong as ever,’ the photographer said ( 
Image:
AP)
William, 42, told Kate “We love you” in the message signed “W”. It was accompanied by a new, unseen black and white picture of Kate taken by Matt Porteous, in Windsor, last summer, showing the princess looking relaxed and smiling with her hands in her jean pockets and wearing a gingham scarf.

It is understood the future queen yesterday celebrated quietly at home in Windsor with William, with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis spending the day at school before a family celebration in the evening.

Mr Edwards, who works as a snapper for The Sun, added: “I’ve heard he doesn’t want her working until she is fully fit but it looks like it won’t be long before Catherine is back to a full schedule.”

And Kate was able to host her annual Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey last month. However, royal fans have been warned not to expect Kate to be “rushing back to the same volume of work” as before.

After the mum underwent abdominal surgery in January 2024, she was diagnosed with the cancer and faced chemotherapy treatment. Speaking last year, William described 2024 as a “brutal” and probably “the hardest year” of his life, with his father, the King, also diagnosed with cancer.