“𝒀𝑶𝑼 𝑵𝑬𝑬𝑫 𝑻𝑶 𝑩𝑬 𝑺𝑰𝑳𝑬𝑵𝑻!” — AND THEN EVERYTHING BACKFIRED A storm has erupted after Laura Kuenssberg’s tweet aimed at Joanna Lumley resurfaced in the most unexpected way — read aloud on LIVE TV. No shouting. No insults. Just calm words, line by line… and a studio plunged into total silence. Viewers are calling it “the most dignified takedown ever aired” — and the clip is spreading fast as Britain asks: Did Laura underestimate who she was taking on?

Britain Thought It Was Getting a Routine Political Interview. Then Joanna Lumley Allegedly Pulled Out a Printed Post and Read It Back on Air. The Studio Didn’t Move. The Host Didn’t Smile. The Moment Suddenly Looked Bigger Than TV. And Now Everyone’s Asking the Same Question: Did It Really Happen Like That?

London is a city that has seen every kind of public drama: Parliament fireworks, celebrity scandals, tabloid pile-ons, solemn memorials, and the occasional headline that feels like it was written by a novelist who drinks too much coffee.

But the story spreading right now about Laura Kuenssberg and Joanna Lumley isn’t traveling because it’s complicated. It’s traveling because it’s simple, visual, and emotionally satisfying in a way modern audiences have been trained to crave.

Here’s the version being shared: a prominent political broadcaster allegedly published a sharp online message aimed at Joanna Lumley, implying that Lumley should “be quiet” and stop speaking publicly. Then, during a live studio interview, Lumley reportedly did something that modern television almost never allows—she slowed the entire world down. She took out the post. She adjusted her glasses. She read it word for word into the camera. And then she answered it with calm conviction, as if she weren’t debating a person so much as correcting a mindset.

No raised voice. No insults. No theatrics. Just a steady response that—if you believe the retelling—left the studio in complete stillness.

There’s one important detail to get out of the way immediately: the most detailed versions of this scene are showing up primarily on viral repost pages, not in the typical places you’d expect for a major, widely verified broadcast moment. The story appears in multiple near-identical writeups on social sharing pages.

So this article is about two things at once:

the moment as it’s being widely presented, and

the reason that moment—confirmed or not—has hooked so many people.

Because the cultural hunger behind it is absolutely real.

The scene everyone thinks they “saw”

The viral posts describe a familiar setup: Laura Kuenssberg, one of the UK’s most recognizable political interviewers, is hosting a serious live segment in London. (Kuenssberg is the host of the BBC’s flagship Sunday political interview program, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.)

Joanna Lumley—actor, presenter, longtime public advocate—appears as a guest. The interview begins normally, until the conversation turns toward big values: empathy, dignity, and the idea that public speech is part of civic life.

Then, the story claims, the earlier online message is brought into the room.

The viral versions don’t all match perfectly in phrasing, but they rhyme: Kuenssberg allegedly branded Lumley as “harmful” in some way and suggested she should stop speaking publicly. Lumley, instead of reacting emotionally, reads the message back in full and answers with a point that sounds like it belongs in a commencement speech: that quiet can be healing, but truth also matters; that public conversation should connect people, not shut them down; that if caring openly makes her a problem, she’ll keep caring anyway.

The posts all lean on the same dramatic beat: the studio goes still. The host appears thrown off. The audience doesn’t jump in. The cameras linger. And the “power” in the room appears to change hands—without anyone raising the volume.

Whether or not the event played out exactly like that, it’s easy to see why the story feels irresistible. It’s the fantasy of a clean reversal: a public figure tries to frame someone as unacceptable, and the other person responds with dignity so controlled that the frame collapses under its own weight.

It reads like justice served with a teacup.

Why these two names make the story feel believable

Even if you don’t follow British politics, the casting makes sense.

Laura Kuenssberg is not a lightweight interviewer. She’s been one of the most prominent political journalists in the UK for years, and her Sunday program is designed to bring public life into a studio and test it under hot lights.

Joanna Lumley, meanwhile, isn’t just “a celebrity who has opinions.” In the UK, she’s known for decades of work on screen and a documented record of advocacy—supporting causes tied to human rights and public welfare, including well-known campaigning on behalf of Gurkha veterans.

So when a viral story paints Lumley as someone who could deliver a calm, values-based response without losing her composure, audiences don’t flinch. That’s already consistent with how she’s perceived.

The “truthiness” of the story—the feeling that it could have happened—does a lot of the work. In the attention economy, plausibility is often enough to turn a narrative into a runaway hit.

The hidden reason this story spreads: people are starving for “quiet strength”

American audiences understand this instantly because we’ve lived through a decade of public argument that is loud, constant, and often shaped like entertainment.

We’ve been conditioned to expect that public conflict must look like a showdown:

someone interrupts,

someone escalates,

someone “wins” by embarrassing the other person.

This story offers the opposite.

In the viral telling, Lumley doesn’t “win” by humiliating Kuenssberg. She “wins” by refusing to adopt the tone she’s being invited into. She doesn’t sprint; she slows the room down. And that is exactly what so many viewers wish public life looked like again.

It’s not that people suddenly agree on politics. They don’t. It’s that people are desperate for a style of disagreement that doesn’t feel like a demolition derby.

A calm rebuttal feels like oxygen.

The oldest trick in media: repeat the words back, slowly

There’s also a technical reason the scene hits so hard: the “read it back” move is a classic reversal tactic.

When a message is posted online, it’s typically consumed fast—half-read, emotionally processed, forwarded. But when someone reads it back in a studio, slowly, into a camera, it changes the texture. The words stop being a quick jab and start sounding like a statement of values—one the original author now has to own under bright lights.

That’s why the viral retellings keep emphasizing the same details: “line by line,” “no anger,” “no theatrics,” “just clarity.”

It’s not just a comeback. It’s a reframing device: turning a fast online hit into a slow, public mirror.

In a world where speed is power, slowing down can feel like a power grab.

The uncomfortable part: the clean record is hard to find

Now for the part people don’t love hearing when they’re already invested.

The most prominent sources describing this Kuenssberg–Lumley moment—complete with the “absolute silence” and the “nation’s eyes” language—are viral repost pages.

When a truly major broadcast moment happens, you typically see a quick, traceable trail:

official show clip pages,

recognizable media reporters summarizing the segment,

transcripts or at least consistent, corroborated details.

With this story, what’s easiest to find is the narrative itself, repeated in slightly different forms, often with the same “studio froze” beats.

That doesn’t automatically mean it’s made up. It does mean that the internet may be polishing, compressing, or even remixing a real situation into a perfect, shareable script. In 2025, that’s not rare. It’s normal.

So if you’re looking for the honest way to hold this story: treat the viral retelling as a claim, not as a fully settled historical record.

Why the “be quiet” theme keeps showing up in viral politics stories

There’s another reason stories like this keep appearing: “who gets to speak” has become a core cultural fight.

It’s no longer just “who is right.” It’s “who gets the microphone.” It’s “who deserves the platform.” It’s “who counts as responsible.”

That fight shows up everywhere—in universities, corporate offices, family group chats, and yes, in broadcast studios.

So when an online post allegedly tells someone to stop speaking, and the person responds by calmly refusing, the story doesn’t feel like trivia. It feels like a symbol.

Even when the details are fuzzy, the theme lands because the theme matches the moment we’re living in.

What this says about Kuenssberg, Lumley, and the audience watching

If the scene happened close to how the viral posts describe it, it’s a reminder of something media producers sometimes forget: audiences don’t always want heat. Sometimes they want grounding. Sometimes they want a public figure who can talk like a grown-up without turning it into a brawl.

If the scene didn’t happen exactly like that, it’s a reminder of something else: audiences are so hungry for that style of public conversation that they’ll share the story as if they witnessed it—because it expresses what they wish public life would look like.

Either way, the audience reaction is the headline.

A quiet moment—real or mythologized—has become more compelling than the loudness we’re used to.

The takeaway that survives verification

Even if you never find the “perfect clip,” the lesson people are pulling from this story is clear:

Don’t rush to shut people down when they speak from conscience.

Don’t confuse disagreement with misconduct.

If you want to challenge someone, do it with substance—not with a command to be quiet.

And if someone tries to reduce you to silence, the strongest response might not be a counterattack—it might be calm clarity.

That’s why this story keeps spreading. Not because everyone loves the same person, or trusts the same broadcaster, or sees the world the same way.

It’s spreading because it offers a small fantasy of public life with a better soundtrack: fewer sirens, more steadiness, and a reminder that dignity—real dignity—doesn’t need to shout.

Piers Morgan has launched a blistering attack on 𝘒𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳, branding him “𝖎𝖓𝖈𝖔𝖒𝖕𝖊𝖙𝖊𝖓𝖙” after his latest move — and it’s ignited an all-out political firestorm

Piers Morgan didn’t hold back this afternoon when discussing Keir Starmer’s message about the release of British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El-Fattah.

Piers Morgan took aim at Sir Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)

Alaa Abd El-Fattah has claimed that his historic social media posts, which have been unearthed in recent days, were “twisted out of their meaning” as the Egyptian dissident faces calls to have his British citizenship revoked. The activist branded Brits “dogs and monkeys”, called for Zionists to be killed and boasted of his hatred for white people. The comment emerged following his return to the UK on Boxing Day, after spending several years in prison in Egypt.

Ahead of the abhorrent tweets resurfacing, Prime Minister Keir Starmer celebrated his return in a social media post of his own, saying he was “delighted” El-Fattah is back on British soil and has been “reunited with his loved ones who may be feeling profound relief”. Starmer also penned on X on December 26: “I want to pay tribute to Alaa’s family, and to all those that have worked and campaigned for this moment. Alaa’s case has been a top priority for my government since we came to office.”

Alaa Abd El-Fattah has issued an apology (Image: Getty)

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Taking to X in light of his millions of followers today (December 29), Morgan re-shared Starmer’s post about El-Fattah being back in the UK, accompanied by a scathing response.

Morgan fumed: “Nothing symbolises our Govt’s incompetence than this post by the Prime Minister 2 days ago about a vile, racist, anti-Semite who wanted to kill Jews, police & white people and called the British ‘dogs and monkeys’. All he had to do was check El-Fattah’s social media history.”

El-Fattah has issued an apology for his “shocking and hurtful” social media posts, which he wrote more than a decade ago.

He wrote this morning (December 29): “Looking at the tweets now – the ones that were not completely twisted out of their meaning – I do understand how shocking and hurtful they are, and for that I unequivocally apologise.

“They were mostly expressions of a young man’s anger and frustrations in a time of regional crises (the wars in Iraq, Lebanon and Gaza), and the rise of police brutality against Egyptian youth.

“I particularly regret some that were written as part of online insult battles, with total disregard for how they read to other people. I should have known better.”

“NO WORDS… THEY D|D EVERYTHING…” The identity of the hero mum who tried to save her children, aged 4 and 7, from a Boxing Day house fire in Stroud has now been revealed — as witnesses recount the father’s desperate final moments trying to rescue his young family

This is the mother of two who died in a Boxing Day house fire along with her children – as her police officer husband remains in hospital after escaping.

Fionnghuala Shearman, known to friends as Nu, perished alongside daughter Eve, seven, and son Ohner, four, as flames swept through their home on Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud.

The 38-year-old’s husband, Tom, is a serving Gloucestershire police officer and escaped the inferno. The pair had been married for around a decade.

A friend of the Shearman family today described what happened as ‘absolutely shocking’.

‘We are all shellshocked to be honest with you,’ she told the Mail. ‘We don’t know what happened [to cause the fire].’

Another friend of the family, living in the Cotswold community of Chipping Campden, said the tragedy was ‘dreadful’.

Emergency services were called to the ‘well-established’ fire at the home at about 3am.

Gloucestershire Constabulary said Mr Shearman attempted to rescue his wife and two children but was beaten back by the severity of the flames.

Fionnghuala Shearman was left trapped inside the home on Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud, with her two children, a girl aged seven and a four-year-old boy

Emergency services were called to the ‘well-established’ fire at a property on Brimscombe Hill, near Stroud, Gloucestershire, at about 3am on December 26

In an update today, Detective Superintendent Ian Fletcher said the couple had been woken by the fire and tried to reach their children in the rear bedroom.

‘They have been unable to get to the back bedroom due to the voracity of the fire,’ he said.

‘The father has smashed his way out of the house through a bathroom window in order to try to access the children’s bedroom via the outside.

‘He has been unable to enter the property via that bedroom window.’

DS Fletcher said Mr Shearman tried to get back into the property to rescue his wife and children but was unable to do so.

The officer continued: ‘He has then tried to re-enter the property through the bathroom window, by which stage the fire has taken hold in the bathroom and he’s unable to get back into the upstairs bedrooms.

‘He has subsequently gone downstairs and tried to force entry via the front and the back door but has been unable to get back inside to the property.

‘It is at this point our colleagues from emergency services have attended and have started managing and dealing with that fire.’

DS Fletcher said the fire was believed to have started on the ground floor and investigations were ongoing to establish the cause, but it was not being treated as suspicious.

The burnt roof timbers of the house near Stroud – pictured today

Mrs Shearman was born in Cheltenham and ran a successful business making canvas and leather bags.

But earlier this month she announced the firm, Hide and Hammer, would be closing its workshop for the foreseeable future.

She regularly posted photographs of her family on social media, and was a keen runner alongside her husband.

The extent of the fire at the family home has caused the roof of the mid-terrace Cotswold stone cottage to fall in and the ceilings and stairs have collapsed.

A body of a woman in her 40s has been recovered from the house, while the body of a child has been located at the scene.

DS Fletcher said work was underway to recover the body of the second child but the unstable nature of the property meant this would take time.

Chloe Turner, who represents Minchinhampton on Stroud District Council for the Green Party, said: ‘If anyone in the community has information that may assist in the investigation, or needs any support as a result of the incident, please call 101 or let the on-site police know, and they will direct you to the appropriate agency.

‘The emergency services and councils are working closely together, but if you have any problems, please let me know.

‘My thoughts are very much with everyone impacted by this tragic incident.’

“𝐇𝐘𝐏𝐎𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐋” — EX SPEAKS OUT: Eirianedd Munroe has slammed Adam Peaty’s surname change, branding it “hypocritical” and accusing him of double standards following his marriage to Holly Ramsay.

Adam Peaty‘s ex girlfriend has reportedly called out his decision to change his surname after marrying Holly Ramsay.

The Olympic swimmer, 31, tied the knot with influencer Holly, 25, at Bath Abbey on Saturday, with the couple changing their surname to Ramsay Peaty.

According to sources, Adam’s ex – who he shares five-year-old son George with – thinks it is ‘hypocritical’.

Eirianedd Munroe, 27, is said to have found the surname change a blow after being rebuffed by Adam when she suggested George both their last names when he was born.

The former couple welcomed their son in 2020 and split in 2022, nine months after his stint on Strictly Come Dancing.

‘It feels a bit rich to Eiri that Adam has been quick to change his name but didn’t allow her the same right for their son,’ a source told The Sun.

Adam Peaty’s ex girlfriend has reportedly called out his decision to change his surname after marrying Holly Ramsay

According to sources, Adam’s ex Eirianedd Munroe – who he shares five-year-old son George with – thinks it is ‘hypocritical’

Adam has wasted no time embracing his new family and has made a huge statement about his future family ties by changing his name on social media to Adam Ramsay Peaty

‘It appears Adam is being a bit hypocritical. Holly has been such a positive influence on Adam. They both dote on George. Eiri knows she is lucky that George has a stepmum like Holly.

‘Although she says Adam has double standards over changing his name, she can’t fault him as a dad.’

Daily Mail has contacted Adam and Holly’s representatives for comment.

An insider added to the publication while Adam’s parents might be upset about the surname change ‘it’s not intentional’ and the swimmer followed after his wife who wanted a double barrel surname.

They added: ‘This will feel like a massive slight to Caroline and (Adam’s dad) Mark but Adam just wants the circus to end.’

The change of names online comes days after the newlyweds tied the knot at Bath Abbey in front of 200 guests, which did not include his side of the family.

The only member of Adam’s family to attend their special day was his sister Bethany who was a bridesmaid – but it has been claimed his dad was offered a late invite.

The huge rift between the two families has become increasingly clear ever since Adam uninvited them from the day and his mother was left out of Holly’s hen.

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Is it ever fair for parents to make big family decisions that leave loved ones feeling excluded?

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The daughter of Gordon and Tana Ramsay, 25, has officially altered her name on social media to HollyAnna Ramsay Peaty, following suit hours after Adam changed his own name

Gordon reportedly made a brutal dig at his new son-in-law’s parents in the speech at his daughter Holly’s wedding to the swimmer on Saturday

Adam is thought to have not mentioned his family or parents in his speech, instead praising his swim coach Mel Marshall for being his ‘everything’ (pictured with his mother Caroline)

But despite their issues with the Peaty family, the couple have both opted to use the surname in their new double-barrelled moniker.

Adam’s broken–hearted mother Caroline was said to be ‘beside herself’ with grief at missing what should have been one of the happiest days of her life.

The Peaty family were all uninvited from the nuptials, aside from Adam’s sister Beth who was a bridesmaid.

According to new reports on Sunday, Adam’s father Mark was the only person beside Beth asked to attend their big day, however he was told he’d have to sit at the back ‘behind the plus ones’.

Meanwhile father of the bride Gordon reportedly made a brutal dig at his new son-in-law’s parents in his speech.

Gordon, 59, waded into the Peaty family drama by saying his wife Tana ‘will be a good mum to them both’, according to a new report in The Sun which also claims Adam has now blocked his family from messaging him.

They report that in his father of the bride speech Gordon commented on how beautiful Holly looked and told Adam he was a ‘lucky man’, adding: ‘Look at Tana and that’s what you have to look forward to.’

Read More

Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay’s wedding day ‘overshadowed by security guards and mandatory wristbands’

The publication goes on to claim that Gordon couldn’t resist a sly dig at Adam’s absent parents he told his daughter Holly: ‘Shame you don’t have the same.’

Sitting at home more than 130 miles away in Staffordshire, Adam’s broken–hearted mother Caroline was said to be ‘beside herself’ with grief at missing what should have been one of the happiest days of her life.

Speaking from the council house where Adam grew up, the 59–year–old told The Mail on Sunday: ‘I’m not going to be hurt like this again’.

She had told Daily Mail that she felt as if Holly and Adam ‘have cut my heart out’.

This newspaper can also reveal that, moments before he walked into the abbey clutching the hand of his son George, Adam was sent a devastating text message by his aunt Louise, who was also not invited to the wedding.

In it, she wrote: ‘I hope you never suffer the depth of pain you have put your mother through and despite it all she loves you still. Shame on you both. Shame.

‘Remember on this, your happiest day, and on each anniversary of your happiest day, that you hurt your mum so deeply her soul screams.’

The roots of this terrible family conflict go back to September 2024, when Adam and Holly snubbed wider members of the Peaty family by not inviting them to their engagement party.

Caroline, who spent years ferrying her son to early–morning training sessions, was also not invited to Holly’s glamorous hen do at Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds last month, even though the bride’s mother, Tana Ramsay, and friends including Victoria Beckham, were at the extravagant bash.

 “AM I CANCELLED… AGAIN?” Rylan Clark stunned audiences after joking he’d be “𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓” — a clear nod to the backlash over his This Morning immigration comments. Harmless humour… or tempting fate?

Rylan Clark poked fun at the backlash over his controversial comments on illegal immigration while performing in his Christmas pantomime on Sunday night.

The TV presenter, 37, is currently starring as the Fairy Godfather in Cinderella at Southend Cliffs Pavilion, alongside Strictly Come Dancing star Ross King, who plays Buttons.

During an on-stage exchange that involved a tongue-twister, Rylan accidentally swore in front of the sold-out audience, which included many children.

Reacting to the slip, the former X Factor contestant joked that he might be ‘cancelled for the second time in a year,’ referencing the criticism he faced earlier in 2025 after sharing his views on illegal immigration while filling in on This Morning.

Rylan, who also sings and dances throughout the show, performs a rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow as part of the production.

The Radio 2 host previously sparked 702 Ofcom complaints in August following comments he made about the illegal immigration crisis while co-hosting This Morning with Josie Gibson, standing in for Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard.

Rylan Clark poked fun at the backlash over his controversial comments on illegal immigration while performing in his Christmas pantomime on Sunday night

During an on-stage exchange that involved a tongue-twister, Rylan accidentally swore in front of the sold-out audience, which included many children

The former X Factor contestant joked he might be ‘cancelled for the second time in a year,’ referencing the criticism he faced after sharing his views on illegal immigration on live TV

Rylan sparked debate after discussing immigration while chatting with Camilla Tominey and Tim Campbell about current news headlines.

He acknowledged the positive impact of legal immigration, saying: ‘This country is built on immigration. Legal immigration – a lot of the nurses, the doctors that have saved my mum’s life have come over here from other countries. They’re living a great life, they’re paying into this tax system, they’re helping this country thrive.’

However, he expressed concern about people risking their lives to cross the Channel illegally, suggesting that the government’s approach appeared overly accommodating.

He continued: ‘How can it be that if I turn up at Heathrow Airport as a British citizen and I’ve left my passport in Spain, I’ve got to stand at that airport and won’t be let in. But if I arrive on a boat from Calais, I get taken to a four-star hotel?’

His comments provoked a strong online reaction, prompting Rylan to clarify on Instagram that one can be ‘pro-immigration and against illegal routes’ while supporting other social causes, urging people to engage in conversation rather than ‘shouting on Twitter’.

Despite the backlash, some commentators praised Rylan for his ‘honest’ assessment, saying he ‘summed up the mood of the nation’.

Rylan also received public backing from Good Morning Britain presenter Susanna Reid, who defended him after Kevin Maguire criticised him for ‘regurgitating terrible myths’.

She said: ‘He pointed out that this country is built on immigration and he was grateful to all of the migrants who have come to the NHS for helping support his mum. He was actually concerned, though, that we’ve got a sort of welcome to the UK, and we don’t know who all of these people are.’

The TV presenter is currently starring as the Fairy Godfather in Cinderella at Southend Cliffs Pavilion, alongside Strictly Come Dancing star Ross King, who plays Buttons

Despite the backlash, some commentators praised Rylan for his ‘honest’ assessment, saying he ‘summed up the mood of the nation’

She added that Rylan’s comments were not anti-migration but reflected a concern about border control.

Since the controversy, Rylan has focused on his broadcasting career. He remains in contention to join the new Strictly Come Dancing presenting team and continues to host his Saturday afternoon show on Radio 2.

Meanwhile, Rylan is headlining his second consecutive Southend Cliffs Pavilion pantomime.

This year he stars as the Fairy Godfather in Cinderella, alongside Strictly star Ross as Buttons.

During Sunday night’s performance, Rylan accidentally swore in front of the audience but joked about being ‘cancelled for the second time in a year’.

He also performed a rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow and paid tribute to Ross, saying he ‘loved’ him but ‘hated’ him for constantly changing the script.

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How should public figures talk about immigration without risking backlash or being misunderstood?

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Good Morning Britain stars in tears as ITV cost cutting shake up takes effect

ITV’s daytime schedule is changing from Janaury 5.

Kate Garraway was seen looking tearful as the Good Morning Britain set was pulled down (Image: Philip Coburn /Daily Mirror)

Good Morning Britain presenters and crew were tearful as the show’s set was torn down ahead of the ITV new year schedule shake-up, which was announced back in May 2025. From Monday Janaury 5 ITV daytime will have a new look with the flagship breakfast show extended by 30 minutes and Lorraine cut by half and hour. As part of the changes, filming is moving from ITV studios to ITN headquarters in Central London, while the other daytime shows will be filmed at The H Club in Covent Garden

As part of the cost-cutting measures, at least 220 people have lost their jobs. “It’s terribly sad for the whole team. There are staff who have worked for ITV Daytime for years – from GMTV to Daybreak to GMB – also on Lorraine, Loose Women and This Morning….Many people who weren’t ready to leave yet are saying goodbye forever,” a source said.

“To see the sets pulled apart is devastating. Especially at this time of the year as well! The final broadcast from Television Centre was a very emotional one,” they told The Sun.

In behind the scenes images obtained by the publication presenter Kate Garraway can be seen welling up as she listens to someone make a speech while Susanna Reid and Laura Tobin look emotional as they say their farewells to the studio.

Susanna later took to Instagram to mark the occassion as she paid tribute to those who won’t be joining them in their new home.

Posting a carosel of photos, including a group shot of the entire team before the set was dismantled, she wrote: “NEW YEAR’S EVE! A fabulous gathering of the BEST team in television @gmb and a farewell to those off to new adventures…

GMB presenter Susann Reid paid tribute to those leaving ITV as part of the shake up (Image: ITV)

“I’ll be back in January in our new home. Goodbye to those leaving and a huge thank you to everyone who has made – and those who continue to make – GMB such a fantastic programme – and to Television Centre for being our home for the past few years.

“Fittingly we reached a record #OneMillionMinutes total thanks to you – our amazing viewers – and a boost from the spaceman himself @samhairwolfryder.

“Me and @edballs will be back @itv broadcasting from the heart of news building ITN on January 5th – wearing my “serious glasses” which hilariously appeared in @privateeyenews gift guide – all the better to grill those politicians!

“Look forward to SEEING you then,” she concluded the emotional message.

trictly’s Neil Jones is beloved by many – but the pro dancer has had an incredibly tough 12 months.

Since shooting to fame on the BBC show in 2016, Neil has become a firm favourite with fans

However, 2025 hasn’t exactly been plain sailing for Neil – who is on Escape To The Country today (January 4). Here, ED! is taking a look at his difficult past few months

Neil’s partner Chyna hit out at her mother-in-law (Credit: IPA / SplashNews.com)

Neil Jones and Chyna Mills family ‘racism’ row

27-year-old Chyna and 43-year-old Neil have been together since August 2022. They welcomed their daughter, Havana, in late 2023. And, recently they revealed they had held a baptism for her, with Neil’s family appearing to be absent.

Taking to her Instagram Stories, Chyna alleged to her followers that “enough was enough” and she needed to speak out about what she claims has been happening.

She claimed: “It’s heartbreaking when people try to ruin the most beautiful moments in my daughter’s life. I have faced bullying, racism and constant disrespect from a so-called MIL [mother-in-law] since the moment I met her.”

Chyna went on to allege that certain family members chose not to attend her daughter’s baptism due to the ongoing issues.

The dancer’s sister Terri Peters later spoke to the Mail and alleged that Chyna is lying about the situation with Neil’s mother, Helen. In a pretty cryptic comment, she said: “I don’t want to comment at this time. If she wants to spin lies, then look, the truth will come out eventually.”

He didn’t have a partner this year (Credit: BBC)

Neil snubbed from 2025 Strictly series

Dancer Neil joined the glitzy series back 2016. And over the years, he’s been partnered with the likes of Alex Scott and Toyah Wilcox.

This year, though, Neil failed to land a partner on the latest series – much to fans’ heartbreak. What’s more, Neil himself poked fun at the BBC’s decision to bench him in a cheeky Instagram video shared in September.

He is seen attempting to throw a pen into a cup in the clip, captioned: “If I get the pen in the cup I will get a celeb partner this year.” He then throws the pen in the complete opposite direction of the cup.

Better luck next year, Neil.

Neil’s father died also this year (Credit: BBC)

Neil’s secret family heartacheIn November, Neil shared the devastating news that his dad, David, died. Sharing a series of black-and-white photos of his lookalike father, Neil told fans: “Yesterday I said goodbye to my dad for the final time.

“I thought I knew my dad but yesterday I realised I didn’t after hearing so many lovely and funny stories from family and his closest friends, I know he would be smiling looking down with a pint in his hand,” he continued.

“Thank you Wendy and everyone for making it such a special day. RIP DAD.”

Here’s to a much happier new year, Neil.

 

Joaппa Lυmley Shares Emotioпal Health Update After Stroke: “I’m Fightiпg — Bυt I Caп’t Do It Aloпe”

After weeks of anxious silence and growing concern among admirers around the world, Joanna Lumley has shared a deeply moving update on her health following a serious medical emergency that doctors have classified as critical.

The beloved British actress, writer, and humanitarian confirmed that she recently underwent surgery and is now beginning a long and arduous recovery process.

While she has chosen to keep many medical details private, her words carried a quiet bravery that resonated instantly with fans:

“I still have a long road ahead,” Lumley wrote. “But I believe in healing — through love, through family, and through the kindness and prayers from all of you.”

A Sudden Health Crisis

According to sources close to the family, Lumley’s stroke came unexpectedly, prompting immediate medical intervention and a period of strict analysis.

Family says the situation was serious enough to require urgent surgery, followed by close monitoring and rest.

Her seriousness soon worldwide for her elegance, tireless activism, and seemingly boundless energy, the news was both shocking and sobering.

Yet those closest to her say Lumley faced the crisis with the same quiet courage that has defined her character for decades.

“She’s never been someone who dramatizes pain,” said one longtime friend. “But this was frightening. It forced her to dig deep — something Joanna rarely does.”

“I’m Fighting — But I Can’t Do It Alone”

In her most powerful statement, Lumley acknowledged both her determination and her vulnerability.

“I’m fighting,” she shared. “But I can’t do it alone.”

The words struck a chord across social media, where thousands of messages poured in within hours.

Followers, public figures, and fans from multiple generations expressed gratitude for her honesty — and admiration for her strength.

Medical experts said that recovery from a stroke is rarely linear.

Fatigue, emotional strain, and physical rehabilitation often accompany the healing process.

Lumley herself alluded to this reality, emphasizing patience and self-compassion as her fight goes through.

Surrounded by Family and Love

Friends describe Lumley as being surrounded by close family members and a small, trusted circle of lifelong companions.

The atmosphere, they say, is calm, supportive, and deeply loving — exactly what doctors recommend during early recovery.

“She draws enormous strength from the people around her,” another source explained. “She hates fuss. She rests. And she allows herself to be cared for.”

That shift, subtle yet profound, marks a new chapter for a woman long celebrated for her independence and resilience.

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A Life That Touched Millions

For decades, Joanna Lumley has been far more than a screen icon.

From unforgettable performances to tireless humanitarian work, she has consistently used her voice to advocate for others — refugees, veterans, environmental causes, and marginalized communities.

Now, supporters say, the world has an opportunity to give something back.

“She has spent her life comforting others,” one admirer wrote online. “Let her rest. She’s earned it.”

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Hope, Not Headlines

Those close to Lumley stress that this update is not about spectacle or sympathy, but connection.

There is no timetable for her return to public life, and no pressure for appearances or performances.

Recovery, they emphasize, is the priority.

In her own words, Lumley once described the meaning of something simple — and deeply human:

“Sometimes, what matters most on the road to healing is knowing you’re not alone.”

As messages of love continue to arrive from every corner of the globe, that truth feels unmistakably clear.

Joanna Lumley is not walking this road by herself — and she never has.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has hit back at critics who think his unconventional living situation is ‘strange’.

The interior designer, 60, lives with his wife Jackie, their two grown-up daughters, Hermione, 26, and Cecile, 29, and their husbands Dan and Drew – as well as their four grandchildren, Albion, 8, Demelza, 3, Romily, 1, and Eleanora, 18 months.

Laurence set tongues wagging when he first announced the unusual arrangement that the family would be living all under one roof at his six bedroom Cotswolds manor house

In an exclusive interview with Daily Mail, Laurence delighted in speaking about his tight family unit and hit back at haters who disagree with the idea.

He said: ‘I still think a lot of people think it is a bit strange. But actually, it is a very kind of straightforward and instinctive way of a family being together.

‘It’s a very, very odd idea that came out of the 20th century, this idea of of children leaving the home. Actually, traditionally, you stayed if you all worked on the farm together or you worked in the shop together, so in a funny sort of way, we’re just kind of reviving that, but it made great sense for us.

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has hit back at critics who think his unconventional living situation is ‘strange’ (pictured with his wife Jackie)

Laurence set tongues wagging when he first announced the unusual arrangement that the family would be living all under one roof at his six bedroom Cotswolds manor house

‘You know, we live in a big house. It was very much just me and Jackie. Why do we not then bring the children and their children in with us?’

Speaking about how the family deal with being in each other’s company every day, Laurence added: ‘There are moments where you’ve got to work quite hard.

‘But I think that happens in any family, but we confront it and get on with them.’

Amid the madness of his busy household, Laurence still manages to keep the spark alive with his wife Jackie.

The smitten couple, who have been together for over four decades, celebrated 35 years of marriage this year.

He said: ‘In January, we will basically have been together for 41 years. So, I mean, that is that’s a big chunk of lifetime.

‘We were very good at making a commitment and in those 41 years, there have been moments where we’ve had to work very hard to make sure that we were still getting on, that we weren’t still sparkling off each other.

‘And I think that’s something that some people are quite quick to give in about.’

Laurence lives with Jackie, their two grown-up daughters, Hermione, 26, and Cecile, 29, and their husbands Dan and Drew – as well as their four grandchildren

The six bedroom property is having to be adapted to cater for the 10 of them

Laurence also has dogs and cats who reside at the countryside home

The sprawling property has impressive gardens

Laurence is gearing up for another exciting release of his property series, House Of The Year alongside judges Jane Larmour, James Fairley and Patricia McGinnis

Online TV streaming services

The designer continued: ‘You do have to find positives. It’s not a Disney movie. You do wake up in the morning and you do feel grumpy. You do kind of have moments where things p*** you off.

‘I’m quite a tolerant person. That’s cool. That works really well. I’m quite laid back. There are times when Jackie is very energised, but, I mean, after 41 years together, you know the ins and the outs. You know the kind of warning signs.’

Laurence is gearing up for another exciting release of his property series, House Of The Year alongside judges Jane Larmour, James Fairley and Patricia McGinnis.

House Of The Year returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC One Northern Ireland with the first five episodes available to watch from Monday 5 January.

In each episode, three new homes will compete for one of five places in the grand final where they could be crowned – House Of The Year.

The grand final will broadcast February 9.

Laurence said: ‘I am very proud of House Of The Year and was involved in the first iteration back in 2010 and it was, and still is, a brilliant way of showcasing a kind of aspirational vision of the housing landscape in Northern Ireland.

‘What I love about coming back to it now, is the fact there is such an immense ramp up in terms of individuality, personality and creativity. I think people no longer feel they must do things in a “grown-up” way.

‘People are letting their “freak flag” fly and are doing things their own way!’

Gerry and Kate McCann marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance by remembering her as a ‘very beautiful and unique person’ ahead of what would be her 22nd birthday (Picture: AFP via Getty)

Madeleine McCann’s parents vow to ‘leave no stone unturned’ is ‘unwavering’ as new searches for the missing toddler began this week.

She was three when she vanished while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007. Her parents, Kate and Gerry, marked the 18th anniversary of her disappearance last month.

There has been no positive sighting of her since, with the trail remaining as cold now as it was nearly two decades ago.

New searches have begun in Praia da Luz and a 26-mile stretch of scrubland between the resort and the Foral where German suspect Christian Brueckner lived in 2003.

The new searches for Madeleine, who would have celebrated her 22nd birthday last month, were requested by German police.

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They face a race against time to charge Brueckner before he is released from prison for raping a 72-year-old woman in Praia da Luz in 2005.

Madeleine McCann (centre) with twins Sean and Amelie (Picture: BBC)
In their most tribute to Madeleine, who would also be turning 22 this month, Kate and Gerry McCann said: ‘No matter how near or far she is, she continues to be right here with us, every day, but especially on her special day.

‘We continue to “celebrate” her as the very beautiful and unique person she is. We miss her.’

But Madeleine isn’t Kate and Gerry’s only child – she also has twin younger siblings, Amelie and Sean, who were born in 2005.

What are Madeleine McCann’s twin siblings doing now?

A family friend said of twins Amelie and Sean: ‘They’ve always been in Madeleine’s shadow, and just been the McCann twins.

‘But now they are young adults, they are carving out their own lives.’

Amelie McCann pictured two years ago at a vigil for her sister (Picture: Terry-Harris.com/SplashNews.com)
Today, both are studying at different universities.

Amelie, who studies at Durham University is described as popular and outgoing and has competed in triathlons in the past.

Speaking for the first time about her sister’s disappearance at a vigil two years ago, she commented: ‘It’s nice that everyone is here together, but it’s a sad occasion.’

Meanwhile, Sean studies chemical engineering at the University of Loughborough and is a champion freestyle swimmer

He’s been tipped to represent Scotland at next year’s Commonwealth Games – and could even compete for Team GB at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

Previously, Sean represented Scotland at the 2023 Youth Commonwealth Games, taking part in the 400 and 1500m Freestyle finals, and is part of the country’s National Open Water Development Squad for open water swimming.

Sean McCann competing in the Youth Commonwealth Games in 2023 (Picture: Jamie Squire/Getty Images for Commonwealth Sport)
Sean explained how he first started swimming competitively in a post on a local website after winning a grant to fund his training.

He said: ‘At the age of 10, I was selected to swim at City of Leicester, and I have since gone on to win multiple county titles, as well as becoming regional and national champion in my age group.

‘In order to have achieved this, I have had to remain extremely dedicated, getting up at 4am multiple mornings each week to train.’

Their parents have said the twins are grateful to be able to ‘live a relatively normal and enjoyable life now’, despite the continued heartbreak over their missing big sister.

More recently, Kate said: ‘They have their own friends and they keep busy and they’re really sporty but their only wish is for their big sister to come home.’

Who are Madeleine McCann’s parents?

Kate and Gerry McCann have never stopped searching for their daughter (Picture: PA)
Kate had been a GP but left her job when Maddie vanished. She returned to the healthcare sector during the pandemic.

She now works with people with dementia and is an ambassador for the charity Missing People.

In their recent statement, the couple thanked the charity and other organisations ‘who remain committed, despite many challenges and limited resources, to finding and bringing home the many missing and abducted children’.

Gerry McCann is a research lead and professor of cardiac imaging at the University of Leicester, whose ‘life-changing work’ has been praised by colleagues.

They still live in the same redbrick detached house in Rothley, Leicestershire, where they resided when the toddler disappeared.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, family friend Michelle Canilleri said: ‘I have seen this family’s grief from the very beginning to now.
Family games
‘Our hearts go out to them, and the village as a whole hopes they get the answers they so desperately need.’

Madeleine McCann was three when she vanished while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in 2007 (Picture: PA)
But as well as deep sympathy, the couple have also been on the receiving end of personal attacks and further anguish.

Two women are accused of stalking the McCann family, including turning up at their home.

Polish national Julia Wandel is due to stand trial in October this year accused of causing serious alarm or distress to the family between June 2022 and February 2025.

Wandel made global headlines in 2023 after claiming to be Madeleine and has continued to speak out on social media despite those claims being rubbished by a DNA test.

She is said to have made calls, left voicemails, and sent a letter and WhatsApp messages to Kate and Gerry, as well as sending their other children, Sean and Amelie, Instagram messages.

Karen Spragg has also denied stalking, allegedly by making calls, sending letters and attending the McCann’s home.

Timeline of events since Madeleine’s disappearance

May 3, 2007: Kate and Gerry McCann leave their children asleep in their holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while they dine with friends. They check on their children three times throughout the night, and, at 10pm, they find her missing
May 14, 2007: Police take property developer Robert Murat in for questioning and make him a formal suspect – this is later withdrawn.
August 11, 2007: 100 days after her disappearance, detectives acknowledge that she could be dead.
September 7, 2007: Maddie’s parents become formal suspects in their daughter’s disappearance.
September 9, 2007: The McCanns return to England with their two-year-old twins.

July 21, 2008: Portuguese authorities shelve the investigation and remove the McCanns and Murat as suspects.

May 12, 2011: Kate McCann publishes a book about her daughter’s disappearance on her eighth birthday

April 25, 2012: Scotland Yard detectives say they believe Madeleine could still be alive and release a picture of how she may look as a nine-year-old. They ask Portuguese police to reopen the case, but they say they have found no new information.

July 4, 2013: Scotland Yard confirms it has launched its own investigation and says it has identified 38 people of interest, including 12 Britons.
October 24, 2013: Portuguese police decide to reopen the case

January 29, 2014: British detectives fly out to Portugal
June 3, 2024: Sniffer dogs and specialist teams are used to search an area of scrubland close to where Madeleine went missing.
December 12, 2024: Detectives begin questioning 11 people who it is thought may have information on the case.

September 16, 2014: The Government states that the investigation into Madeleine’s disappearance has so far cost £10 million
October 28, 2014: Scotland Yard cuts the number of officers working on the inquiry from 29 to four.

April 30, 2017: The McCanns mark 10 years since her disappearance with a BBC interview.

May 3, 2019: Local media reports say Portuguese detectives are investigating a foreign paedophile as a suspect in the abduction of Madeleine.

June 3, 2020: Police reveal that a 43-year-old German prisoner, later named as Christian Brueckner, has been identified as a suspect in Madeleine’s disappearance.

 

Italian police released a picture of Brueckner in 2020 when he was arrested over drug offences (Picture: AFP/Getty)
 

April 21, 2022: Christian Brueckner is made a formal suspect by Portuguese authorities.
October 11, 2022: Brueckner is charged with three counts of rape and two charges of child sex abuse, unrelated to Madeleine’s disappearance.

May 3, 2023: Kate and Gerry McCann mark the 16th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance by saying she is “still very much missed” and that they ‘await a breakthrough’.
May 22, 2023: An area near the Barragem do Arade reservoir, about 30 miles from Praia da Luz, is sealed off as police prepare to start searching on May 23.
May 23, 2023: Searches begin with police divers in the water and officers with sniffer dogs and rakes seen on the banks.
June 23, 2023: A man named Helge B claimed to the German newspaper Bild that Brueckner almost confessed to killing Maddie, allegedly telling him ‘she didn’t scream’ when the pair talked about the case at a music festival

July 11, 2023: The German prosecutor involved with the case warns not to ‘expect too much’ from the search.
February 16, 2024: Brueckner’s trial starts over three counts of alleged rape and sexual abuse of two children not connected to the Madeleine investigation
October 8, 2024: He is acquitted of all the allegations due to ‘insufficient’ evidence. An appeal over the acquittal is launched, which is still ongoing
March 27, 2025: A 60-year-old woman is charged with stalking the McCann family
May 3, 2025: Maddie’s parents Kate and Gerry McCann mark the 18th anniversary of her disappearance with a heartbreaking message
September 17, 2025: This is the date Brueckner could be released from prison if no further charges are brought

In April, ministers approved more than £100,000 in additional funding for Scotland Yard detectives investigating their older sister’s disappearance.