The checkered flag has officially dropped on the 2025 Formula 1 season, leaving behind a trail of burnt rubber, shattered expectations, and a championship battle that went down to the absolute wire. While Lando Norris may be the man holding the trophy, the debate over who truly performed the best behind the wheel is only just beginning. In a season defined by technical shifts, inner-team turmoil, and a surge of young talent, the hierarchy of the grid has been completely rewritten.

The Masterclass of Max Verstappen

Despite missing out on the driver’s title by a mere two points, Max Verstappen stands atop the rankings as the undisputed driver of the year. The 2025 season will be remembered as the year Max dragged a “kicking and screaming” Red Bull team through a period of immense transition. From the high-stakes move on Oscar Piastri in Suzuka to his measured, clinical consistency from Monza onwards, Verstappen proved that his talent transcends the machinery beneath him. While his “head loss” moment in Spain and a rare spin in Silverstone were minor blemishes, his ability to keep a faltering team in the title hunt until the final lap of the final race was nothing short of legendary.

The Champion’s Grit: Lando Norris

Lando Norris finally reached the summit of motorsport, clinching his first World Championship in a season that tested his mental fortitude as much as his driving skill. Norris was a fixture on the podium, securing 18 top-three finishes out of 24 races. While critics point to early-season misjudgments in China and Canada, Norris “clutched up” when it mattered most. In the final third of the season, he systematically outclassed his teammate, driving with a newfound freedom that silenced doubters and proved he could handle the immense pressure of a title fight.

The Mercedes Renaissance and the Russell Factor

George Russell secured the second spot in the rankings, emerging as perhaps the most consistent performer on the entire grid. Russell was the only driver to complete every single race lap of the season, scoring points in 23 out of 24 weekends. His victories in Zandvoort and Las Vegas were masterclasses in execution. While a strategic gamble in Silverstone backfired and he was briefly overshadowed by his rookie teammate in Brazil, Russell has firmly established himself as a legitimate 2026 title contender, especially with the promising synergy between the Mercedes chassis and their formidable new power unit.

A Season of Contrast: Leclerc and Piastri

Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri occupied the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, but their seasons followed very different trajectories. Leclerc was the epitome of “maximizing the package,” missing only one Q3 session all year despite a “tricky” Ferrari that often lacked the pace of the McLarens. His P14 finish in Silverstone was a career low, but his ability to extract every ounce of performance from his car remained unrivaled by almost anyone except Verstappen.

Piastri, on the other hand, suffered a late-season collapse that cost him the top spot in many fans’ eyes. After a dominant middle stretch where he looked like the favorite for the title, his pace evaporated in Austin, Mexico, and Vegas. Whether it was a “skill issue” in low-grip conditions or a lack of confidence, the young Australian learned the hard way that F1 titles are won over 24 races, not 12.

The Rookie Revolution: Hadjar, Bearman, and Antonelli

2025 was undoubtedly the year of the rookie. Isak Hadjar emerged as the standout newcomer, earning the title of “Rookie of the Season” and a coveted Red Bull seat for 2026. Hadjar’s consistency in the midfield was staggering, outpacing the more experienced Liam Lawson and bouncing back from a horrific start in Australia to secure four wins and a clutch podium in Zandvoort.

Ollie Bearman also made waves, showing flashes of brilliance by dominating his teammate Esteban Ocon in the second half of the year. His raw speed single-handedly dragged Haas into a fight for P7 in the constructors’ standings. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli, the youngest man on the grid, showed flashes of immense potential with podiums in Canada and Vegas, even outshining George Russell in Brazil. While unforced errors in Austria and Zandvoort showed his greenness, the peaks were high enough to justify the massive hype surrounding his debut.

Veterans in Transition: Hamilton and Alonso

For the legends of the sport, 2025 was a year of endurance. Lewis Hamilton endured what he described as his “worst season in Formula 1.” A transition year marked by a car that even his teammate struggled with, Hamilton suffered four consecutive Q3 exits to end the season. It was a painful, “adjustment” year for the seven-time champion, leaving fans hoping that his legendary career doesn’t end on such a low note.

Fernando Alonso, conversely, proved that age is just a number. At 43, he continued to dominate Lance Stroll, extracting points from an Aston Martin that frequently looked like the ninth-fastest car on the grid. His P5 in Hungary was a tactical masterpiece, reminding the world that his racecraft remains among the elite.

Final Thoughts on a Historic Year

The 2025 season proved that Formula 1 is currently operating at a level of “fine margins” never seen before. From the heartbreak of Yuki Tsunoda’s ill-fated Red Bull stint to Nico Hulkenberg finally securing his long-awaited podium, every position on the grid was fought for with desperation. As we look toward 2026, the arrival of Toyota Gazoo Racing’s influence at Haas and the full emergence of the Audi factory team promise even more upheaval. Lando Norris may wear the crown for now, but in the world of F1, the next battle begins the moment the engines turn off.

Linda Robson Shares a Heartbreaking Yet Hopeful Update on Best Friend Pauline Quirke — as the Birds Of A Feather Star Continues Her Quiet Battle with Dementia

Linda Robson has opened up about her lifelong friendship with Pauline Quirke as her former Birds Of A Feather co-star continues to live with dementia — a journey that has reshaped their lives but not their bond.

The pair, who first met at primary school at the age of ten, spent decades side by side on stage and screen. But since Pauline’s diagnosis in 2021, the 64-year-old actress has stepped away from acting, leaving Linda to take on roles alone for the first time.

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Despite everything, Linda, 67, insists their connection feels exactly as it always has.

Pauline was forced to retire from pantomime and television work as her condition progressed. Linda recently visited her at home, where Pauline’s husband Steve and their children continue to care for her every day.
Speaking to The Mirror, Linda described a warm and emotional reunion: Pauline’s family welcomed her in before they all went out for a quiet lunch at a local pub.

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Linda, 67, said their bond remains unchanged despite Pauline’s health challenges and recently visited her at home, where Pauline’s family – including her husband Steve and their children – continue to support her daily

“I love her so much,” Linda said, explaining that after 57 years of friendship, nothing has weakened their closeness.

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Reflecting on the visit, Linda added: “We’re all still in touch, and it’s been really nice.”
Despite her dementia, Pauline immediately recognised Linda — something that meant the world to her.

Despite her dementia, Pauline still recognised Linda during the reunion and the pair shared jokes and reminisced about their years on Birds of a Feather
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Linda shared that they joked, talked about old memories from their Birds Of A Feather days, and enjoyed the familiarity they’ve built over nearly six decades. “She was giggling and happy,” Linda said. “She’s being really well looked after, and she did recognise me, which I was really pleased about.”

Pauline’s son Charlie — who starred alongside her in the ITV reboot of their sitcom as Travis Stubbs — now plays a major role in her care. This month, he is taking on a five-day, 140km charity trek to raise money for Alzheimer’s Research UK. Linda hopes to join part of the walk if her schedule allows.

Earlier this year, Pauline’s family revealed that she had been living with dementia for four years. And this week, they shared another emotional update: they still don’t know exactly what stage she is in. They take each day as it comes, noting that Pauline is “often still funny, talking and happy.”

Pauline’s husband Steve Sheen, whom she married in 1986, and their son Charlie appeared on BBC Breakfast to speak more openly about their journey.

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Steve recalled the moment they realised something was wrong — in November 2020 — when Pauline struggled to read a script. “She phoned me and said the words weren’t going in. That’s where it started.”

When doctors delivered the diagnosis, the family struggled to believe it. “We looked at each other and said, ‘It can’t be. It’s long Covid, it’s the flu,’” Steve remembered.

Charlie explained that families are often left without clear answers. “That’s the problem — no one tells you,” he said. “My mum knows exactly who we are. Every time she sees us, she smiles, laughs, says ‘I love you’ and ‘hello’.”

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Steve added: “We just take each day and try to find the best moment in it. For the first year or two, you think she’s alright. Now, three or four years in, it’s a little different. That’s why awareness is so important — you don’t know how long it lasts or how quickly it progresses.”

Charlie concluded that Pauline’s condition “changes every day” and the family is “forever learning”.

Prince William and Kate release family’s 2025 Christmas card featuring George, Charlotte and Louis – who is showing off his adorable gappy grin

he Prince and Princess of Wales released a new family photograph today for their Christmas card with children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

The picture, taken by Josh Shinner in Norfolk in April, was posted on Kensington Palace’s social media with the caption: ‘Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas.’

The image shows William and Kate smiling as they sit on the grass amid spring daffodils with their children, with the Princess also seen with her arm around George.

Charlotte is resting her head on her father’s shoulder and holding onto his arm, while a relaxed Louis – without his top front teeth – is leaning back between William’s legs.

The picture appeared to be from the same photoshoot by Mr Shinner used to capture portraits for George’s 12th birthday in July and Louis’s seventh birthday in April.

A further photo of William with their three children was released on Father’s Day in June and also appeared to be from the same picture set by the photographer.

The new image was released two days after William and Kate joined other royals at the King’s annual pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

Charles III and Queen Camilla chose their 20th wedding anniversary portrait for their official Christmas card this year, which was released to the public on December 6.

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The Prince and Princess of Wales released a new family photograph for their Christmas card

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The Prince and Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis at the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 5

ne day earlier, the Waleses and their children joined a congregation of celebrities, sporting stars and community stalwarts for Kate’s Together at Christmas service.

Kate presided over the carol service at Westminster Abbey on December 5, with 1,600 guests filling the pews where the Princess and her husband married in 2011.

William, Kate and the children are expected to join the King and Queen along with other members of the Royal Family at Sandringham in Norfolk for Christmas Day.

Charles is also thought to have invited Camilla’s children and their families, as well as his nieces Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie – but not their disgraced father Andrew.

The Waleses could also appear for the Christmas Day service alongside Charles which involves a traditional walkabout after church where they meet well-wishers.

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The Waleses arrive for the King’s pre-Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday

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The 2025 Christmas card for King Charles III and Queen Camilla was released on December 6

The family-of-five experienced a major change just a few weeks ago when they moved into their eight-bedroom ‘forever home’, Forest Lodge in Windsor Great Park.

The change is seen as a fresh start for them after Kate’s recovery from cancer, which she announced at the start of 2025, following what William branded a ‘brutal’ 2024.

Andrew meanwhile has been forced to give up his Windsor home, Royal Lodge, following an outcry when it emerged he had been paying a peppercorn rent for the property, and will move to a house on the King’s private Sandringham estate.

He was stripped of his titles in the wake of Virginia Giuffre’s memoir being released which detailed previous claims she was forced to have sex with the former prince on three occasions, including when aged 17. Andrew vehemently denies the allegations

ROYAL WARMTH: Princess Anne’s 2025 Christmas Card Praised for One Simple, Beautiful Detail  Fans can’t stop talking about the understated moment shared between Anne and Sir Tim in this year’s card — a quiet gesture that says more than any royal speech.

Princess Anne has been praised for her Christmas card for 2025 which also features her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence

With only weeks to go before the big day, the couple’s festive card has been revealed this week by the Governor of Queensland, Dr Jeannette Young.

She shared a photo of the Christmas card from the Princess Royal and Sir Timothy on her social media account on Tuesday.

The Princess Royal and Sir Timothy Laurence’s Christmas card has been unveiled (Credit: Cover Images)

Princess Anne and husband Sir Timothy Laurence’s Christmas card for 2025

It comes after King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Christmas card for this year was shared on the royal family’s official social media accounts recently.

Princess Anne and Timothy’s Christmas card features a photo of them riding in a carriage during their visit to Sark as the Channel Islands marked Liberation Day in May.

The photo was taken by Aaron Chown. You can see it here.

Alongside the photo is a message from the couple. It reads: “With Best Wishes for a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year from Anne and Tim.”

Anne needs no one to blow a trumpet for her.

But a small detail of Anne not including her royal title has won over experts and fans.

One fan wrote on X: “No need to blow the trumpet with the princess title and yet impactful. I like it!”

In addition, another said: “Beautiful card. Such a lovely photo of them both. Love that Tim’s name is also on the card.”

Anne received praise for not using her royal title on her Christmas card (Credit: Joann Randles/Cover Images)

‘Anne needs no one to blow a trumpet for her’

Meanwhile, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams also opened up about the move.

He told the Daily Mail: “Anne needs no one to blow a trumpet for her. The informal photograph of her and her husband in a delightfully bucolic setting sets the tone for the simple greetings from ‘Anne’ and ‘Tim’.”

Earlier this week, the palace unveiled King Charles and Queen Camilla’s Christmas card for 2025.

The royal family’s social media pages shared the card. You can see it here.

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!” the post read. “The King and Queen are pleased to share this year’s Christmas card, featuring a photograph taken in the grounds of Villa Wolkonsky in Rome during Their Majesties’ State Visit to The Republic of Italy in April.”

They revealed that photographer Chris Jackson took the image.

The king and queen released their Christmas card this week (Credit: Marco Iacobucci/IPA/INSTARimages)
Fans gushed over the king and queen’s Christmas card.

One person said on Instagram: “Such a lovely photograph! Happy Christmas to Their Majesties!”

Read more: Queen Camilla’s children won’t be spending Christmas with the royal family at Sandringham

Another wrote: “A beautiful photo. After 20 years of marriage, they are still very much in love.”

Someone else added: “Wouldn’t it be exciting to receive a Christmas card like this one in the mail.”

F1 world champion Lando Norris is one of six contenders shortlisted for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and rival Lewis Hamilton once gave a lesson in what not to say at the awards show

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Lewis Hamilton once had to backtrack after insulting his own hometown during the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards(Image: BBC)

Two-time BBC Sports Personality of the Year Lewis Hamilton once landed himself in hot water when he described his hometown as “the slums” during the prestigious awards ceremony. Newly crowned Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris might want to take notes on what not to say as he competes for this year’s trophy.

The 26-year-old has been shortlisted for SPOTY silverware after beating Max Verstappen to clinch his first F1 championship this month. His nomination for the main prize, which will be awarded on Thursday evening, makes him the first F1 driver to be shortlisted since Hamilton claimed the second of his two titles in 2020.

However, it was during one of Hamilton’s four runner-up appearances that he really misjudged his words. The F1 icon found himself backtracking on his comments as cycling hero Geraint Thomas picked up the award in 2018.

“It’s been a really long journey, a dream for us all, as a family, to do something different, to get out of the slums,” said Hamilton, referring to his upbringing. But his comment didn’t go down well with Sharon Taylor, who was Stevenage Borough Council Leader at the time.

Hamilton’s comment was likely more about his family’s financial circumstances than the area itself. Nevertheless, Taylor felt compelled to reject any suggestion their town could be characterised as slum-like.

“It is disappointing that Lewis Hamilton referred to Stevenage as ‘the slums’ at such a high-profile event,” she said in response. “He clearly realised what he had said and tried to correct it but sadly the people of our town, many of whom admire and support him, felt very offended.”

To his credit, Hamilton appeared to recognise his awkward phrasing immediately and attempted to clarify his remarks. The Ferrari driver, who secured sixth place in this year’s championship standings, redirected his comments towards how he had accomplished so much despite his humble beginnings.

“Well, we would say it’s not the slums, but just come out from somewhere and do something,” he added on-stage. “We all set our goals very high, but we did it as a team.”

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Lando Norris is high in the running to win SPOTY after winning his maiden F1 world title(Image: Clive Rose, Getty Images)

Hamilton subsequently issued another apology on Instagram: “I’m super proud of where I come from and I hope you know that I represent in the best way I can always…particularly when you are up in front of a crowd, trying to find the right words to express the long journey you’ve had in life, I chose the wrong words.”

Norris can undoubtedly say McLaren operated as a collective unit as well, considering the support he received from team-mate Oscar Piastri throughout this season. Indeed, the Australian helped strip the competition and was one of three drivers vying for the title at the season-finale in Abu Dhabi.

The McLaren duo has been the subject of much consternation recently. There’s speculation the manufacturer can’t keep both drivers in the long run as they each harbour championship aspirations, although the partnership is functioning well for now.

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Hamilton won’t be in contention for a third SPOTY award after finishing sixth in the F1 standings this year(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Norris was the main winner this year, narrowly crossing the finish line to end Verstappen’s streak of four consecutive world titles. However, retaining it in 2026 will undoubtedly be challenging, particularly as Piastri sharpens his own championship goals.

The UK’s current top driver will aim to emulate other F1 legends like Hamilton, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and others by clinching SPOTY gold. However, current favourite Rory McIlroy will be tough to beat after his Masters victory saw him finally achieve golf’s career Grand Slam.

In the high-octane world of Formula 1, legends are often forged in the fires of passion and raw aggression. We remember the drivers who wore their hearts on their sleeves, those whose emotions spilled over at every turn. But Alain Prost was different. Known globally as “The Professor,” Prost didn’t race with his heart; he raced with a cold, calculating mind. For over a decade, his presence in the paddock made rivals uneasy not because he was explosive, but because he was precise. He was the man who turned racing into a game of chess at 200 miles per hour.

Now, at 70 years old, the four-time World Champion is looking back at a legacy that is defined as much by his internal conflicts as his statistics. While the trophies gather dust, the names of those he stood against remain etched in his memory. Behind the strategic genius lay a darker reality: a career built on silent wars, garage-room hostilities, and political battles. Here are the five people Alain Prost truly could not tolerate—the rivals who forced him to confront the version of Formula 1 he fundamentally rejected.

1. Ayrton Senna: The Philosophical Collision

The rivalry between Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna is arguably the greatest in the history of sports, but for Prost, it was never just about who was faster. It was a clash of philosophies. When Senna joined McLaren, he brought a spiritual, almost reckless belief that racing was a moral battlefield. Prost, the established leader, viewed racing through the lens of risk management and discipline.

To Prost, Senna’s “win at all costs” mentality was dangerous and irresponsible. The tension famously boiled over at Suzuka during their most intense title fights. While the world saw two titans fighting for glory, Prost saw a man willing to use destruction as a tool for victory. He didn’t hate Senna for his talent; he hated what Senna represented: the idea that winning justified anything. For Prost, the deliberate collisions were a line that could never be erased. It was a rejection of the intelligence and responsibility Prost spent his life championing.

2. Nigel Mansell: The War of Egos

If Senna was an ideological enemy, Nigel Mansell was a deeply personal one. Their conflict reached its zenith at Ferrari, a team already drowning in its own internal politics. Mansell was the “Lion,” the emotional hero of the fans who drove with visible passion. Prost was the clinical technician who wanted structure.

Inside Ferrari, the garage became a battlefield. Mansell felt the team favored Prost, while Prost viewed Mansell as an undisciplined driver who relied too heavily on raw emotion. In the world of “The Professor,” nothing was more frustrating than a teammate who pushed a car past its limits and ended up in the garage while points were on the line. There was no dramatic single moment for these two; instead, it was a slow burn of vanished cooperation and cold interviews. For Prost, Mansell was a rival he could never trust, and in his world, a lack of trust was far worse than a lack of speed.

3. Nelson Piquet: The Cold War of Intellect

Nelson Piquet was perhaps the only driver who could match Prost’s intellectual approach to racing, but he used that intellect as a weapon of provocation. Both were masters of tire management and race strategy, yet their personal relationship was toxic.

Prost valued control and professionalism; Piquet valued disruption and sarcasm. Piquet frequently mocked Prost in the media, questioning his courage and downplaying his achievements. To Prost, this wasn’t psychological warfare; it was noise that undermined the credibility of the sport. What made Piquet intolerable was his unpredictability. Prost wanted a predictable environment where the smartest man won; Piquet wanted chaos. Their rivalry lived in the whispers of the paddock, a silent acknowledgement that while they were equals in brilliance, they were worlds apart in character.

4. Ferrari: The Betrayal of a Broken System

For Alain Prost, some enemies didn’t wear racing suits—they wore ties. His move to Ferrari was supposed to be a match made in heaven, but it quickly turned into a slow-motion disaster. Prost joined to bring discipline to the Scuderia, but he found a system governed by national pride and power struggles rather than performance.

Despite fighting for the championship, Prost felt his technical feedback was ignored. The relationship disintegrated when Prost, in a moment of brutal honesty, compared the Ferrari car to a “truck.” The team didn’t respond with improvements; they responded with war. Ferrari fired the four-time champion before the season even ended, a public humiliation that Prost viewed as the ultimate betrayal. He didn’t hate losing to a better car, but he loathed losing to a broken system. Ferrari wasn’t just a team; it was a structure he couldn’t fix, and for a man of logic, that was intolerable.

5. Jean-Marie Balestre: The Shadow of Power

Finally, there was Jean-Marie Balestre, the President of the FIA. Unlike the other rivals, Balestre wasn’t someone Prost could out-brake on the track. He represented power without a steering wheel. While critics often painted Prost as Balestre’s “pet” or political ally, the reality was much more uncomfortable for the driver.

Prost wanted clear rules and fairness; Balestre wanted authority and influence. The controversial decisions at Suzuka, where the FIA intervened in ways that changed the course of history, haunted Prost’s legacy. It made his victories look like political executions rather than sporting achievements. Prost despised being associated with the dark arts of F1 politics. He knew he could defeat any driver, but he could never defeat the structure Balestre controlled. Balestre was the constant reminder that in Formula 1, championships are often decided in offices, not on the asphalt.

Alain Prost was never the most “loved” champion, but he was undeniably the most intelligent. His career teaches us that in a sport ruled by ego and emotion, thinking differently comes at a heavy price. He didn’t seek out these enemies for spectacle; he stood against them for principle. Today, his reflections offer a rare, unvarnished look at the cost of greatness and the high stakes of a life lived at the limit.

Spencer Matthews says he felt his ‘relationship slipping away’ with Vogue Williams as he credits ‘amazing’ wife for quitting alcohol

Spencer Matthews said he felt his relationship with wife Vogue Williams ‘slipping away’ as he detailed how she helped him quit alcohol in a new candid interview.

The former Made In Chelsea star, 37, sat down for a chat with Davina McCall on her podcast Begin Again, where he opened up about how wanting to be worthy of his ‘amazing’ wife, 40, who transformed every part of his life.

When the host, 58, simply asked him: ‘How have you become this guy?’, Spencer replied: ‘Marrying an amazing woman who I want to be better for, I think, has been very helpful.’

‘Genuinely, the person I used to be isn’t good enough for my wife.’

Spencer said he made a ‘very conscious effort to become better’ when he first met Vogue – whom he married in June 2018.

‘I had big problems with alcohol. You’ll probably remember on The Jump, I was a very heavy drinker. I went sober for her initially. It then immediately almost became for me, as well.’

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Spencer Matthews said he felt his relationship with wife Vogue Williams ‘slipping away’ as he detailed how she helped him quit alcohol in a new candid interview

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The former Made In Chelsea star, 37, opened up about how wanting to be worthy of his ‘amazing’ wife, 40, who transformed every part of his life (Spencer and Vogue pictured)

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At that point, the two-time Guinness World Records star ‘had no idea’ how much that choice would eventually impact his life.

‘I could just see the relationship slipping. I could see that she would lose interest in me and put me on some scrap heap somewhere if I didn’t make an actual change to my own health. The fear of losing her was quite real.’

Throughout the interview, Spencer heaped the praise on Vogue as he said: ‘She’s got it all. She’s a very special person. And she lights up rooms that she walks into. She’s immensely popular.

‘I’ve never met anyone, really, that doesn’t immediately warm to her. Incredible sense of humour. Very beautiful.

‘And you only have to spend a few hours with her around her kids to just see what a special mother she is, as well. Completely selfless and very special.’

The happy couple share son Theodore, seven, daughter Gigi, five, and son Otto, three.

The British TV icon – who is also founder of CleanCo non-alcoholic spirits – also said he had always been ‘quite selfish’ in every previous relationship before finding love with the Irish stunner.

‘I would go out and drink and stay out all night and do whatever I wanted. And if it didn’t work, it didn’t work, and that was that.

‘I’ve never considered marrying anyone but Vogue’.

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‘I had big problems with alcohol. You’ll probably remember on The Jump, I was a very heavy drinker. I went sober for her initially,’ Spencer revealed (pictured in 2017)

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The happy couple share son Theodore, seven, daughter Gigi, five, and son Otto, three (pictured altogether)

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Following her stint on I’m A Celeb, Vogue revealed all the ‘intense’ cosmetic tweakments she’s had done since returning home from Down Under

 Vogue Williams enjoys a fun-filled festive outing with her three kids at LaplandUK

Vogue just recently returned from her gruelling stint on I’m A Celebrity, where she was the third celebrity to be evicted from the Jungle, while AngryGinge was seen to win the show overall.

On her eagerly-anticipated return, the model revealed all the ‘intense’ cosmetic tweakments she’s had done since returning home from the ITV show – joking that jungle life left her ‘rotting’.

The podcaster and presenter posted her first ever YouTube vlog on Sunday – a week after the show filmed in Australia ended and she flew back home.

In the debrief vlog she was sat in the salon as she said: ‘I’m getting all the important jobs done today. I’ve come in to Debbie Thomas. I have put on some numbing cream as I don’t know what we’re doing but I hope it’s intense.’

As the beautician got to work with potions and lotions on her skin she added: ‘So in the jungle we were given lotion for our body and face and soap so I have just broken out so we are going to try and sort that out.’

HOLLYWOOD ON THE SOFA!  Kieran Culkin & Josh Hartnett Lead Celebrity Gogglebox Stand Up To Cancer Line-Up

Celebrity Gogglebox is gearing up for its annual Stand Up to Cancer takeover this week. And Channel 4 has managed to bag two seriously exciting additions. Succession favourite Kieran Culkin and Hollywood star Josh Hartnett have officially signed on for the Celebrity Gogglebox 2025 special, and fans are already buzzing.

Every year, a fresh batch of famous faces jump onto some of Channel 4’s biggest shows to raise cash and awareness for Stand Up to Cancer. We’ve already seen Roman Kemp and The Celebrity Traitors icon Kate Garraway don their aprons for The Great Celebrity Bake Off. While Claudia Winkleman is set to lead a chaotic Taskmaster-style sketch during The Last Leg on Friday.

But this time, the spotlight is firmly on the sofa. Kieran Culkin and Josh Hartnett have joined the ever-growing roster of Celebrity Gogglebox’s armchair critics – a cosy corner of telly fandom that’s become a bit of a rite of passage for the A-list.

Kieran Culkin and Jazz Charton were the first to join this year’s Celebrity Gogglebox line-up (Credit: Channel 4)

Celebrity Gogglebox 2025 line-up so far

Two duos have been confirmed for the Celebrity Gogglebox 2025 Stand Up to Cancer special: Kieran Culkin and his wife Jazz Charton, and Josh Hartnett and his wife Tamsin Egerton.

The show’s official Instagram account announced the news today (December 10), sharing the first photos of the couples on the sofa together.

“Meet Kieran and his wife… just a regular Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe, and BAFTA winner watching this week’s TV with us,” it wrote. “Some more Hollywood help,” the account wrote in its caption for Hartnett and Egerton.

It has sparked unanimous excitement, with BBC broadcaster Greg James commenting: “This is the best booking on anything ever.”

Fans agreed, with one Instagram user commenting: “This is incredible. Can’t wait to see Kieran Culkin watching Corrie!”

Another echoed: “I’ve never been so excited.”

Kieran Culkin is a huge Gogglebox fan

Culkin is best known for playing Roman Roy, the twisted, youngest sibling in Succession, a role that saw him win an Emmy in 2023.

He also earned worldwide acclaim and a slew of awards for his performance in A Real Pain, including his first Oscar and a BAFTA.

However, did you know that he loves Gogglebox?

In an interview with Ally & G last year, Culkin revealed he’d been trying to explain Gogglebox to his co-star, Jesse Eisenberg.

“The pitch for it may sound [bleep] but it’s one of the best shows ever,” he said, comparing it to Beavis and Butthead.

“It’s great… I don’t watch a lot of TV so it gives me a sense of what’s happening in the world of television. Great show, it really is.”

Josh Hartnett has loved Gogglebox ‘for years’

Josh Hartnett is a world-famous actor, known for his roles in Trap, Pearl Harbour, and The Faculty.

Speaking about taking part in Gogglebox, he revealed it was his wife Tamsin who introduced him to the show “many years ago… and [he’s] been a fan ever since”.

“Having the chance to sit with her, share a few laughs and inevitably say something that embarrasses us both, all while helping raise awareness for the worthiest of charities, is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season,” he said.

“I’m incredibly excited to be a part of it, and to support Stand up to Cancer.”

Egerton also said: “We first started watching Gogglebox during lockdown in 2020, I found it so comforting watching other families around the country watching TV ‘with’ us.

“It’s such a great cross-section of the UK. Ever since then, Josh and I have tried to watch it together whenever we can. I can’t wait to snuggle up on the sofa with him for such an important cause as Stand up to Cancer.”

Fans are over the moon with Harnett joining the Celebrity Gogglebox line-up.

One penned: “Oh my inner teen is having a meltdown.”

Another said: “Oh my freaking God, this episode is off the scale. I cannot wait!”

When is the Celebrity Gogglebox 2025 Stand Up to Cancer special?

The Celebrity Gogglebox 2025 Stand Up to Cancer special lands at 9pm on Friday, December 12 on Channel 4, sitting right at the heart of the charity night’s packed schedule.

Adam Hills and Hannah Fry kick things off at 7.30pm with a live launch show before Davina McCall steps in to front Cancer Clinic Live. Then it’s over to our celebrity armchair critics for their one-off Gogglebox outing, packed with all the laughs and unexpected reactions we’ve come to expect.

Once the celebs have had their say, the evening wraps up with a supersized edition of The Last Leg, bringing the annual Stand Up to Cancer marathon to a close.

Read more: Gogglebox star Shaun Malone left with brain damage after devastating ‘collapse’ at home

Celebrity Gogglebox airs on Friday, December 12, at 9pm on Channel 4.

COUNTRYSIDE ERUPTS: Police Move to CANCEL Farmers’ March — But 10,000 TRACTORS ROLL ON LONDON ANYWAY

COUNTRYSIDE DETONATES: Police Ban Farmers’ Protest – Then 10,000 Tractors Storm London in Fury! Starmer’s Final Warning Shot Just Blew Up in His Face!

A farmer has warned the Labour Government will need “the army” to stop the  tractors descending on Westminster ahead of the Budget.

Speaking to GB News, Olly Harrison said the Government and the Met Police “do not care about the rural community” after cancelling their planned Budget protest.

Speaking to the People’s Channel, Berkshire Farmers Group organisers George Brown, Dan Willis and Caroline Graham Dr Alison Heydari, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Scotland Yard, withdrew consent for the demonstration with less than 10 hours to go.

Highlighting their devastation at the U-turn by police, Mr Brown said: “Yeah Martin, we’re absolutely devastated. We’ve been working on this for months and we’ve had a great relationship with the Met.”

Asked by host Martin Daubney if the move “smacks of two-tier policing”, Mr Harrison agreed: “It smells a bit fishy to me, definitely.

“A group of farmers not that far from here organise something for Budget day, because obviously we want a positive outcome in the Budget. They’ve got some things organised and they’ve been engaged with the Met for probably two or three months.

“And it all seemed to be okay, and then just on the 11th hour, they say, ‘oh no, you can’t come with any  tractors, you can’t do this’. And it’s just like, well, why? And they are like, ‘well, it’s come from above’.

As Martin highlighted that the Met Police knew about the plans for 400 tractors to be at the protest “a month ago”, Mr Harrison responded: “Does the rural community not matter?”

Olly Harrison has warned that the authorities will need ‘the army’ to stop the tractors descending on Westminster

He explained: “What I don’t understand is that these tractors are on the way. I’ve seen on Twitter, tractors are on the way from York. They’re not going to turn around when they’re so close, are they?

“So to me, it made perfect sense to keep them all in Whitehall because no one really lives there, no one important anyway, stick them in there, let them have a chin wag, let them listen to the Budget and off they go.

The farmer stated: “Trying to stop them, what are they going to do, put a  ring around London and stop every  tractor trying to come in? It’ll just bring the police to a standstill, and they’ll need the army to stop them.”

Suggesting that the tractors and the protesting farmers will still demonstrate in Westminster on Wednesday, Mr Harrison told GB News: “Well, from what I hear, they’re still on their way.”

Farmers were set to bring their tractors to Whitehall as part of their latest protest against the family farm tax 

Asked if the protesters will take their demonstration “on foot” to Whitehall if their tractors are not permitted, Mr Harrsion stated: “Oh yeah, definitely. There were a lot coming on foot anyway.

“There’s a few tractors coming, but most were on foot already.”

In a statement, the Berkshire Farmers Group told GB News: “Imposing these conditions on a protest with this short of a notice is, in our opinion, a malicious approach to preventing our right to protest, leaving little time for appeal or for facilitating their requests.

“Therefore, we, Berkshire Farmers Group and all associated organisers including but not limited to George Brown, Dan Willis and Caroline Graham, wish to inform all attendees that this protest has been cancelled by Dr Alison Heydari of the Metropolitan Police, and we absolve ourselves of all responsibilities for any attendance to this event.”

Announcing the decision on Tuesday afternoon, Scotland Yard said: “We have had a number of conversations with the protest organisers to safely manage the event.

“While people will still be able to demonstrate, conditions have been put in place to prevent protesters from bringing vehicles, including tractors or other agricultural vehicles to the protest.

“This decision was taken due to the serious disruption they may cause to the local area, including businesses, emergency services and Londoners going about their day.”

While stressing that the protest had not been banned, the Met Police added: “Any person taking part in the farmers protest must remain in Richmond Terrace, Whitehall.”

The lights at Yas Marina have dimmed, the engines have cooled, and the confetti has settled, but the tremors from the 2025 Formula 1 season finale are only just beginning to be felt. In a sport often defined by milliseconds, the history of the 2025 World Drivers’ Championship was written by the slimmest of margins: two single points.

That was the terrifyingly small gap that separated Lando Norris from Max Verstappen after a season stretched to its absolute breaking point. When Norris crossed the finish line to secure third place in Abu Dhabi, it wasn’t a roar of dominance that greeted him, but a collective exhale from the McLaren garage. He had done enough. Lando Norris is the 35th World Drivers’ Champion in Formula 1 history.

But if you look closely at the celebrations, beyond the champagne spray and the tears of joy, you’ll find a story that is far more complex and emotionally charged than a simple victory lap. This wasn’t a title won on pure domination. It was a title forged in the fires of relentless pressure, not just from the Red Bull of Max Verstappen, but from the man sitting right next to Norris in the team briefings: Oscar Piastri.

The Champion’s Unexpected Tribute

In the immediate aftermath of the biggest achievement of his life, Lando Norris did something few champions do. With the adrenaline still coursing through his veins and the world’s media hanging on his every word, he shifted the spotlight away from himself.

He didn’t speak of his own brilliance or the years of sacrifice. Instead, he turned his attention to the man he had just defeated.

“I had two other guys who were pretty freaking fast and certainly made my life tough this year,” Norris admitted to the press, his voice thick with emotion. He wasn’t offering empty platitudes. He was acknowledging a brutal reality. “Oscar, the whole way since round one, I knew he was probably going to be the toughest guy to beat.”

And then came the statement that silenced the room. It wasn’t a wish, and it wasn’t a polite encouragement. It was a prophecy delivered with absolute certainty.

“Oscar will be a World Champion.”

No “maybe.” No “if he keeps working hard.” Just “will.” Coming from the newly crowned king of the sport, those words carried a weight that transcended the typical teammate PR relations. Norris wasn’t speaking as a friend; he was speaking as a survivor who had just weathered a hurricane.

The Heartbreak of Oscar Piastri

To understand the gravity of Norris’s words, one must look at the tragedy of Oscar Piastri’s 2025 campaign. For a significant portion of the year, it looked like the trophy was destined for the Australian’s cabinet, not the Brit’s.

Piastri’s season statistics are hauntingly impressive. He matched the World Champion with seven race wins. After Norris retired from the Dutch Grand Prix, Piastri held a commanding 34-point advantage in the standings. He was calm, precise, and relentlessly consistent—controlling the narrative through the heart of the season.

But Formula 1 is a cruel mistress who never forgives hesitation. As the calendar ticked down toward the finale, the margins began to tighten in agonizing fashion. It wasn’t a dramatic crash or a singular moment of failure that undid Piastri’s title charge. It was, as analysts are calling it, a “slow bleed.”

For six consecutive Grand Prix races, Piastri finished outside the podium places. The wins stopped coming. The points trickled away. What once looked like a secure march to glory quietly eroded into a desperate scramble for survival. By the time the paddock arrived in Abu Dhabi, Piastri was sitting third overall, just 13 points behind his teammate. He was close enough to touch the dream, yet far enough away to know it was slipping through his fingers.

“It was not quite the ending I wished for,” Piastri said after the race, his face a mask of controlled disappointment. There were no excuses, no deflections—just the quiet acknowledgement of a dream deferred.

A Rivalry Built on Respect and Fear

The dynamic revealed by Norris’s comments paints a picture of a rivalry that is as intense as it is respectful. Norris confessed that Piastri wasn’t just a competitor; he was a “present danger.”

“From the opening race, it wasn’t just competition; it was genuine threat,” Norris explained. Even with a four-time world champion like Max Verstappen breathing down his neck, Norris never discounted the threat from within his own team.

“You can never count out Max, he’s Max,” Norris noted, acknowledging the Dutchman’s ferocity. But the way he spoke about Piastri placed the young Australian in rare company. Norris views Piastri not as a subordinate, but as an equal—an inevitable champion in waiting.

“I really enjoyed this season because of that,” Norris said, perhaps surprising those who assume drivers hate the stress. “Maybe not always enjoy them, but some of them.”

He was referring to the wheel-to-wheel battles, the strategic duels, and the moments where every corner carried the weight of a season. It was Piastri who forced Norris to find a new level of perfection. It was Piastri who matched his pace, win for win. It was Piastri who made this championship mean so much more because it was so incredibly hard to win.

The Future of McLaren

When a reigning champion tells the world that his teammate is a future champion, it changes the atmosphere in the garage. It signals to the rivals that McLaren doesn’t just have a Number 1 and a Number 2; they have two predators.

Norris’s declaration has set a marker for 2026. He knows that Piastri won’t fade away. The Australian didn’t lose the championship because he wasn’t fast enough; he lost it because of a slump in momentum. He has learned exactly how close he is.

“Oscar Piastri didn’t lose a championship in 2025; he learned how close he already is,” the narrative goes. And if history has taught us anything about Formula 1, it’s that drivers who get this close—and stay this calm—rarely stay denied for long.

Lando Norris has etched his name into history as the 2025 World Champion. But even in his moment of ultimate triumph, he made sure the story didn’t end with him. He pointed to the man standing in the shadows and effectively warned the world: Get ready, because he is next.

The 2025 season may be over, but the battle for the future has only just begun. And according to the man holding the trophy, the outcome is already written. Oscar Piastri is coming.